Results for: Formula 1

The Formula 1 driver market remains in flux, with key decisions yet to be made. Teams like Aston Martin and Red Bull are in a relaxed state, waiting to see how things play out before making any moves. Mercedes is also taking a cautious approach, eyeing potential options for Lewis Hamilton’s replacement in 2025. However, Audi’s aggressive timeline is putting pressure on drivers like Carlos Sainz, who must decide between an immediate opportunity at Audi or the possibility of a future seat at Red Bull or Mercedes.

Ferrari is set to announce Hewlett-Packard (HP) as its new title sponsor ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, reportedly worth up to £80.4 million ($100m) per year. This deal will provide a significant financial boost to the team and rival Red Bull’s Oracle sponsorship, which is valued at approximately £402 million ($500m) over five years. HP’s involvement marks Ferrari’s first title sponsorship since the controversial Mission Winnow deal ended in 2021. The American technology company has recently expanded its presence in sports sponsorships, becoming the first-ever sleeve sponsor of Real Madrid and partnering with Williams and Sauber in F1. Ferrari’s new injection of cash will help offset the financial burden of replacing Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton in 2025, a move that is expected to cost the Scuderia around £70 million ($87m) in that year alone.

Max Verstappen has been unstoppable in recent seasons, with his dominance continuing in the 2023 Formula 1 season. The Red Bull driver has won five of the first seven races, with his only defeat coming at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he retired due to a mechanical issue. Verstappen’s closest rival, Sergio Perez, is over 40 points behind in the championship standings, and it seems inevitable that Verstappen will win his second consecutive world title. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has praised Verstappen’s performances, saying that he is ‘in a class of his own’. Horner also warned that Red Bull’s dominance will not last forever, and that they are taking nothing for granted.

Max Verstappen has been unstoppable in recent seasons, leaving his rivals trailing behind. Despite attempts to challenge Red Bull’s supremacy, the team remains in a league of its own, with Verstappen racking up victories and showcasing unparalleled form. However, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner warns that periods of dominance can end quickly, emphasizing the need to appreciate and capitalize on their current success.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez currently holds the highest number of penalty points among Formula 1 drivers, with eight accumulated over the past 12 months. Williams’ Logan Sargeant is also on the same tally, placing both drivers on the verge of a one-race suspension if they reach 12 points within the period. Lance Stroll of Aston Martin has recently joined the top three with seven penalty points, while his teammate Fernando Alonso has six. Notably, seven drivers, including those from Ferrari, McLaren, and Alpine, have maintained a clean slate after the first five races of the season.

McLaren is poised to introduce a significant upgrade to its MCL38 car at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, with the aim of boosting its performance and challenging the top teams on the grid. Team principal Andrea Stella has expressed high expectations for the upgrade, which will be the first of three major updates planned for this season. The British outfit seeks to further enhance its race pace and address tire-heating issues that have hindered its performance in the past.

Despite enduring his worst start to a Formula 1 season, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton remains in a surprisingly positive frame of mind, according to team boss Toto Wolff. The 39-year-old Hamilton has only picked up 19 points from the opening five races and has been outshone by George Russell. He struggled in the Chinese Grand Prix, but managed to climb up the grid to secure a ninth-place finish. Wolff attributes Hamilton’s positive attitude to the possibility of him moving to another team next year, which would be in line with his professional demeanor.

Former Formula 1 driver and current FIA steward Johnny Herbert has revealed he received death threats from fans of Fernando Alonso following his decision to penalize the Spaniard at the Australian Grand Prix. Herbert maintains he will remain in his role despite the backlash, citing the need for consistency and fairness in stewarding decisions. Alonso’s fans criticized Herbert’s decision, citing his past critical remarks towards Alonso. Herbert acknowledges the tension between them but emphasizes the impartiality required in his role as steward.

Ahead of the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has described the event as a ‘great event’ despite not being the ‘best racetrack’. Acknowledging the dip in viewership last season, Horner believes the introduction of a sprint race weekend will enhance the excitement. However, he suggests that the Miami GP could become even more ‘special’ by incorporating the Hard Rock Stadium into the track layout.

Ferrari’s strong start to the 2024 Formula 1 season hit a bump in the road at the Chinese GP, as the team failed to finish on the podium for the first time this year. Instead of focusing on their rivalry with Red Bull, the spotlight was on the internal battle between drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, marked by incidents in both the Saturday Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Leclerc accused Sainz of pushing too hard in their fight for fourth in the Sprint, leading to contact between their cars. In the main race, Sainz felt disadvantaged when Leclerc forced him wide at the start, costing them both positions. Sainz’s frustration stemmed from knowing that he will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025, raising questions about his motivation. Commentator David Croft suggested that Ferrari may need to speak to their drivers again to emphasize that their duels must not harm the team’s overall performance. Croft also pointed out that McLaren’s strong showing in China means Leclerc and Sainz cannot afford to take each other out. Despite the disappointing result in Shanghai, Leclerc remains hopeful about Ferrari’s upcoming car update, which he believes could be a game-changer. The new package is expected to arrive in time for the Miami GP, the season’s second consecutive Sprint weekend.