Mercedes opens up on the factors that hurt Hamilton with the W15

Mercedes thinks a double whammy of sensitivity to brake locking and snaps of oversteer during qualifying runs were the trigger for the difficulties Lewis Hamilton had in 2024.Hamilton endured a challenging season with the W15 as he especially found himself unable to get as much out of his car in qualifying as team-mate George Russell.Over the 24-race season, which included six sprint …Keep reading

How McLaren faced up to the misinformation, noise and distractions of being an F1 title challenger

Delivering success in Formula 1 is not just about producing the fastest car, even though that is a critical part of it.Instead, to win – and more especially to keep winning again and again and again – involves strong leadership, plotting your way out of difficulties, dealing with internal and external politics, and then batting away a few grenades lobbed by other teams along the …Keep reading

Horner: Verstappen “never panicked” on way to F1 title despite Red Bull deficit

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has commended Max Verstappen’s work ethic and state of mind after the Dutch driver clinched the 2024 Formula 1 title despite his car’s struggles.Red Bull’s season got off to a flying start with Verstappen winning six of the first nine grands prix, leading 1-2s in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Japan.However, Verstappen subsequently went …Keep reading

Inside the thriving world of miniature motorsport

Last Christmas, Autosport afforded this writer an opportunity to write about a much-loved hobby: Scalextric. Little did I know it would lead to a year spent racing 1/32 scale slot cars competitively…Following the publication of last year’s double issue, an email from reader Callum Norris landed suggesting that Autosport should take our hobby to the next level by joining him at the …Keep reading

Why Bottas is not letting the “worst-case scenario” end his F1 career

Valtteri Bottas may be excited about ‘what’s next’ for him in Formula 1, but there is no hiding the disappointment about how a ‘worst-case scenario’ left him on the sidelines.Having had high hopes about what a move to Alfa/Romeo Sauber in 2022 – then under the leadership of Fred Vasseur – could bring him, Bottas was ultimately denied the progress he hoped for by a change at …Keep reading

Piastri hasn’t “mastered” F1 tyre management, but it’s “night and day” over 2023

Oscar Piastri reckons his ability to manage tyres in Formula 1 has undergone a “night-and-day” improvement over his 2023 rookie season, but feels there is still room to grow further.Although Piastri impressed in his debut F1 season last year, the main criticisms of his maiden season involved his lack of experience with managing the Pirelli tyres through a race distance – which usually led to a …Keep reading

RB: Whole team at fault over failing to get Ricciardo to click

RB Formula 1 team principal Lauren Mekies has said the team has collectively taken responsibility for failing to make Daniel Ricciardo’s final stint at the squad a success.Last summer Ricciardo was given a second chance by Red Bull as an experienced back-up option to potentially replace Sergio Perez at the main team.His initial RB cameo in 2023, in place of underperforming Nyck de Vries …Keep reading

Exclusive: Inside the secrets of F1’s new driver cooling kit

In the wake of last year’s Qatar Grand Prix, where drivers suffered in the heat and humidity, the FIA responded with the introduction of new rules to improve cockpit cooling.The first step happened this year with teams allowed to add another opening on top of the chassis, so that on hot weekends the drivers could have more fresh air in the cockpit.This was a simple solution that was also …Keep reading

What F1 tracks could replace Zandvoort after 2026?

It was announced earlier this month that Zandvoort would hold its final Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in 2026.With the current calendar seeming to be fixed at 24 races per year, this leaves a space for another track to host a GP in only a couple of years’ time.Will we see a new track make its debut on the F1 calendar? Or will old favourites make a comeback?RwandaA key contender for …Keep reading

Russell never expected GPDA F1 role to get “so political”

George Russell “never expected to have so much on my hands and for it to be so political” in his Formula 1 role as a Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director. Since the start of the 2021 season, Russell’s third in F1, the Mercedes driver has been a director of the drivers’ body, as he replaced Romain Grosjean following the Frenchman’s exit from Haas and the championship.When …Keep reading