Pulling enough interest out of the recent Sebastian Vettel/Fernando Alonso and Alpine/Aston Martin story to keep one awake was tricky business. Until Oscar Piastri blew French waters apart. “Jesus, this is a tepid stuff.” In the aftermath of Sebastian Vettel’s retirement announcement and the post-Hungaroring revelation that Fernando Alonso was moving from Alpine to replace … Continue reading “Alonso, Vettel & Piastri: Making a Story Out of a Story”
Tag: vettel
“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”
“F1: Bad Strategies Found Fumbling in the Dark”
Sunday morning’s Japanese Grand Prix opened the door to another series of “what ifs” in what has been a topsy-turvy second half to the 2019 season. The only guarantee was that Mercedes is still very much the dominant force at the top-level of motorsport. What if Sebastian Vettel had not botched the start, thereby not … Continue reading “F1: Bad Strategies Found Fumbling in the Dark”
“F1 Russian GP: Joy and relief for Hamilton; Terse and Tense at Ferrari”
Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas may have rounded off a Mercedes 1-2 at Sochi yesterday to record the German marquee’s sixth win at the Russian Grand Prix, but it was a race that could so easily have belonged to Ferrari {note 1}. There was a mixture of joy and relief in Parc Fermé and again … Continue reading “F1 Russian GP: Joy and relief for Hamilton; Terse and Tense at Ferrari”
“F1: Leclerc – the Prince of Monza”
In winning last week’s Belgian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc raised notice to Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel that change was coming. By repeating that success at Monza seven days later, the Monegasque became the Scuderia’s new leader in Ferrari’s heartland. “There are no words to describe the emotions I felt during the race, after the race, … Continue reading “F1: Leclerc – the Prince of Monza”
“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”
“F1: A five-star Hamilton victory, as Vettel blows it”
Lewis Hamilton came through from 5th on the grid to win the Singapore Grand Prix yesterday, but it required some luck, skill and a start line crash that took out three of the top four qualifiers. In a race peppered with safety car periods, Daniel Ricciardo drove well to score a podium in his ailing … Continue reading “F1: A five-star Hamilton victory, as Vettel blows it”
“F1: Mercedes dominate Friday sessions at Monza”
Mercedes dominated the free practice time sheets at Monza on Friday, but on hot and fiercely humid day, it was easy to see Ferrari prowl. Instability seemed to be the word of the day for many drivers. For some, it was an issue cured as the day aged; for those with more sensitive machinery, there … Continue reading “F1: Mercedes dominate Friday sessions at Monza”
“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”
“Chinese GP: Hamilton takes Shanghai pole”
Lewis Hamilton became only the 2nd driver in Formula One to take six consecutive pole positions. The Briton matched the record by his hero Ayrton Senna to stretch his impressive run of pole positions. His time of 1:31.678s also ensured it was his sixth pole position in China. The Mercedes racer turned it on when … Continue reading “Chinese GP: Hamilton takes Shanghai pole”
“Chinese GP: Ferrari head FP3 in Shanghai”
Ferrari duo Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen headed proceedings for third free practice of the Chinese Grand Prix this morning. Following the near non-running on Friday, FP3 was proved an extremely busy session as teams aimed to compress as much weekend running as possible into sixty minutes. Vettel's best of 1:33.336s came late in the … Continue reading “Chinese GP: Ferrari head FP3 in Shanghai”
“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”
“Australian GP: Vettel wins for Ferrari in Melbourne”
Sebastian Vettel won the Australian Grand Prix this morning, claiming his first victory since Singapore 2015. The Ferrari man headed a Mercedes 2-3, with poleman Lewis Hamilton securing the runner-up spot ahead of Valtteri Bottas.
“Australian GP: Hamilton streaks to Melbourne pole”
Lewis Hamilton claimed the 62nd pole position of his Formula One career at Albert Park, Melbourne this morning.
“Australian GP: Vettel raises Ferrari’s hand”
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel took the fastest time in this morning’s final free practice for the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne.
“Australian GP: Hamilton makes it two from two”
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton topped the second free practice session at Albert Park in Melbourne this morning. The three-time world champion was as equally dominant on the timesheets as he was in the opening session, with Hamilton setting a best time of 1:23.620 – a half-second clear of nearest rival Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari. Not only … Continue reading “Australian GP: Hamilton makes it two from two”
“The Art of Being Human”
Despite what the Internet will tell you, simple human error and confusion cost Lewis Hamilton the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday. If nothing else, it was a timely reminder that at the heart of our sport lay not just computers, but banks of people making split-second decisions – and sometimes they get it wrong.
“Malaysian GP: Vettel re-established in Sepang”
It only took two races for four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel to claim his first Ferrari victory, but while an early safety car period played into his hands, this was by no means a lucky score.
“Australian GP: Hamilton and Mercedes dominate in Melbourne”
When a sponsor pays huge amounts for their name / logo / brand to appear on the side of a car, there usually some expectation – or at least hope – that it will appear repeatedly throughout broadcasts across the globe. This morning, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg utterly dominated the Australian Grand Prix and it was a reminder that domination at the front will lead to broadcast directors giving attention to other battles on track.