Of the drivers competing at this weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix, Lance Stroll, Antonio Giovinazzi, Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Alex Albon all raced there in F3 in early September 2015. Yet despite the nods to it in various record books and websites, none of the above group managed to race on the Grand Prix layout … Continue reading “A Grand Portimão Cop-Out”
Category: F1 Opinion and News
“F1: Nico Hülkenberg’s Last Shot to Somewhere”
Sergio Pérez’ COVID-19 diagnosis may have given Nico Hülkenberg two shots to prove himself again in Formula One. But even if he takes them, what is the long-term hope for a driver who was once considered ‘the next German star’?
“OPINION: F1 – Renault Driver Selection is Symptom of Banality Disguised as Ambition”
Rumours are rife that Renault may be ready to announce Fernando Alonso to replace the departing Daniel Ricciardo on Wednesday. But is this indicative of Renault’s need for experience amidst restructure or something far more banal? It may have slipped by many in recent months, but as it stands, there is still a vacant seat … Continue reading “OPINION: F1 – Renault Driver Selection is Symptom of Banality Disguised as Ambition”
“OPINION: Bringing it All Back Home”
This may come as something of a surprise, but while motorsport’s return to action amidst the Coronavirus slowdown is welcome, the breath and silence the enforced break offered will be missed.
“F1: It Was Clear for Me to Change My Life – Gerhard Berger”
Gerhard Berger may be fondly remembered as one of the jokers of Formula One’s past, but with ten victories over the course of fourteen seasons, he is also one of the most highly respected drivers of the 1980s and 90s. Now 60 and long retired as a Formula One driver, the Austrian tells World in … Continue reading “F1: It Was Clear for Me to Change My Life – Gerhard Berger”
“F1: Williams recruit Simon Roberts from McLaren”
Simon Roberts will join Williams Racing from June 1st as Managing Director of their F1 programme.
“F1: For Kubica and the Fairytale, the Dream is Over”
Robert Kubica’s decision to leave Williams at the end of this season may prove to be the final hurrah for the Polish driver. It is a sad epilogue for a driver who looked so promising and whose potential was unfulfilled. The writing has been on the wall for quite some time. Such has been the … Continue reading “F1: For Kubica and the Fairytale, the Dream is Over”
“F1: Haas re-sign Grosjean”
American Formula 1 squad Haas F1 have re-signed Romain Grosjean, continuing a partnership with Kevin Magnussen for the 2020 season. With seats disappearing fast, it is a move that pushes Renault refugee Nico Hülkenberg to the sidelines. Romain Grosjean has signed for another year with the Haas Formula One team, despite what has been a … Continue reading “F1: Haas re-sign Grosjean”
“F1: Is Ferrari’s Inner Fight Already Over?”
Incredible as it may seem, August 26th marked a year since Sebastian Vettel last won a Formula One Grand Prix, when he triumphed at Spa-Francorchamps. In that year, his form has been blighted by errors and a marked loss of form, while new teammate Charles Leclerc goes from strength-to-strength. But is this the continued sign … Continue reading “F1: Is Ferrari’s Inner Fight Already Over?”
“F1: Thoughts on Gasly, Albon, Red Bull and Maturity”
Monday’s announcement that Alexander Albon was to replace Pierre Gasly at Red Bull Racing may not have been the biggest shock in the world, but its timing most certainly was. With Monday morning came another change in Red Bull’s Formula One roster, as Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly swapped seats at Red Bull and Toro … Continue reading “F1: Thoughts on Gasly, Albon, Red Bull and Maturity”
“Defining Valtteri”
Valtteri Bottas finished 5th in this year’s Formula 1 Driver’s Championship, a long way distant of team leader and champion Lewis Hamilton. Has the highly rated Finn been broken or is something else holding him back? ---- “When it's so close, you start to think about every lap and every corner after the race, trying … Continue reading “Defining Valtteri”
“Thoughts on The Peter Principle and Ferrari”
Sebastian Vettel’s and Ferrari’s descent from Formula One championship contenders to also-rans since July has been painful to watch. But is this form truly a surprise or the reality of a team and driver combination having reached their Level of Incompetence? There is a concept known as The Peter Principle, more commonly known today as … Continue reading “Thoughts on The Peter Principle and Ferrari”
“F1: Kerb extension laid at Parabolica”
Following a lengthy drivers meeting yesterday, an additional kerb has been added to the exit of Parabolica for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. With drivers using the excess run-off at Parabolica to obtain a better drive onto the start-finish straight, it was agreed to add an additional kerb to dissuade competitors from going too far … Continue reading “F1: Kerb extension laid at Parabolica”
“A Misunderstood Question”
‘What are your expectations for the season ahead?’ (or variations thereof). It is a question that I despise and there are certainly better ways of asking it, but no matter what, it is a very clumsy query that make me curl up inside. Season preview guides are often vacuous efforts, that recall past results and … Continue reading “A Misunderstood Question”
“Thoughts on Renault and Jolyon Palmer”
Jolyon Palmer has been on the receiving end of plenty of criticism in 2017, but would replacing him for the remainder of 2017 be in Renault’s best interests? It wasn’t meant to be quite like this for Jolyon Palmer. Now in his 2nd season in Formula One with the works Renault team, the Englishman is … Continue reading “Thoughts on Renault and Jolyon Palmer”
“Vettel blurs the line in the sand”
Just like at an FIA GT World Championship qualifying race at Silverstone in 2011, Sebastian Vettel showed why hot-headedness, a racing car and hand gestures are not common or advised behaviour in top-level motorsport. In the Silverstone situation, an angry Stefan Mücke (Young Driver Aston Martin) – recovering after a clash with JRM Nissan’s Richard … Continue reading “Vettel blurs the line in the sand”
“Giovinazzi stays on for Chinese Grand Prix”
Sauber revealed last night that reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi is to stay on in place of Pascal Wehrlein for this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix. Citing a lack of fitness following a truncated pre-season, Wehrlein withdrew from the Australian Grand Prix after Free Practice 2 – a situation born out of Race of Champions crash in … Continue reading “Giovinazzi stays on for Chinese Grand Prix”
“A new battle is afoot”
It may not have been the most dramatic of Grand Prix, but the events in Melbourne offered a sign that Formula One as a championship battle has been rejuvenated. All it needs to do now is turn on the races and keep it up. Easy, right..? It would not be a surprise if I was … Continue reading “A new battle is afoot”
“McLaren: A race through gritted teeth”
If their performance at Australian Grand Prix is anything to go by, McLaren-Honda’s winter of discontent looks set to add Spring, Summer and Autumn to that mix, but it is not all doom and gloom at Woking. While Fernando Alonso drove what he felt was one of the drives of his career and was happy … Continue reading “McLaren: A race through gritted teeth”
“Progress for Renault, but only small steps”
Following a difficult transition year in 2016, the factory Renault team look to have delivered some gains with the RS17, but midfield battles may be the peak for the French squad. “Our race result highlights that we were not as well prepared as our opposition and our lack of mileage and preparation, both during pre-season … Continue reading “Progress for Renault, but only small steps”