The ‘second chance’ that led a Dutch F1 champion to Mercedes

F1’s official Esports series is now in its sixth season, while the interest generated by the growth of the official video game’s following led to EA Sports, a giant of the gaming world, to take over Codemasters in a deal worth $1.2 billion last year.But it has also created a whole new side of F1. Lockdown showed just how competitive the Esports sphere could be as many of the regular races …Keep reading

F1 finally approves six sprint races for 2023 following FIA delay

F1 teams and the series owners Liberty Media had unanimously backed plans back in April to expand the sprint race roster next season following the success of recent trials.However, the FIA blocked the move as FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem wanted to check on the financial impact of the changes – and establish whether or not there should be extra payment made to the governing body.His …Keep reading

Piastri unsure Ricciardo wanted to hear from him amid F1 contract situation

McLaren’s decision to swoop for Piastri earlier this summer helped trigger the exit of Ricciardo from the Woking-based squad, with his F1 future now uncertain.That scenario could have led to a lot of awkwardness between the pair as their shared nationality added an extra edge to the driver market movements of the summer.But in a bid to ensure that there was no chance of tensions emerging …Keep reading

F1 drivers call for FIA review of tighter pitlanes

The upcoming race in Singapore also features one of the tighter pitlanes of the season.Sainz was one of several drivers to be involved in unsafe release incidents over the Zandvoort weekend, and in his case he drove into the path of Fernando Alonso.At an earlier Sainz stop Sergio Perez ran over a Ferrari wheelgun as he left the Red Bull pit.Sainz received a five-second penalty for the …Keep reading

Zhou Guanyu to stay with Alfa Romeo F1 team in 2023

The news has been expected for some time, and it’s understood that the team officially took up its option on the Chinese driver at the end of last month, with the formal announcement timed to coincide with the sport’s return to Asian marker for this weekend’s Singapore GP.Zhou scored points with a 10th place finish on his debut with Alfa Romeo in Bahrain, and followed up with eighth in Canada …Keep reading

2022 F1 Singapore GP – How to watch, session timings and more

In a sprint to the end of the 2022 F1 season, the first Singapore GP in three years starts a run of six races in eight weeks.Verstappen can clinch the drivers’ world title at the Marina Bay Circuit through a few permutations, but realistically looks set to wrap up the championship at the following race in Japan.How can Verstappen win the 2022 F1 title in Singapore?Verstappen holds a …Keep reading

Why a good night’s sleep is not just a Singapore GP issue

Since the first night race back in 2008, F1 folk have grown used to adjusting to the schedule by staying up until dawn and sleeping until the early afternoon in an attempt to stay on European time. Against the backdrop of the inevitable jet lag on arrival, it’s never an easy thing to manage.The reality is that while good sleep becomes a topic of paddock conversation around the Singapore GP, it …Keep reading

McLaren chases “big step” for F1 2023 car to avoid recovery repeat

The Woking-based outfit has been left on the back foot through much of 2022 after brake problems wrecked its final test and left it near the tail end for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.The team has recovered quite well but has admitted that getting on top of those problems diverted resources away from other key performance areas. Also, it has had to work extra hard to not lose too much …Keep reading

Ocon: Only Hamilton has done a better job as Alonso’s F1 team-mate

The Frenchman looks set to lead the Alpine team in 2023, following the departure of Alonso to Aston Martin.But while Ocon is raved about by his team, which has committed to him until the end of 2024, he is aware that those outside the squad sometimes fail to recognise the job he is doing.For he reckons that having shown so strongly against Alonso, which included his maiden …Keep reading

Why F1 has held back on “unfair” early sustainable fuel switch

While car manufacturers around the world invest heavily in electric vehicles, F1 is not ignoring the huge benefits that can be had globally by pioneering cheap plug-in carbon-neutral fuel to help power the two billion internal combustion engines that will remain on the roads for decades to come.But while the new engine and fuel rules for 2026 are something that F1’s bosses are excited about …Keep reading