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

What is the Red Bull Junior Team? A look at the unique F1 academy

Almost half of the Formula 1 grid in 2025 will have come from the Red Bull Junior Team, making it one of the most successful academy programmes in motorsport.Jack Doohan, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Carlos Sainz, Isack Hadjar, Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson and reigning world champion Max Verstappen have all come through the Red Bull ranks.Each team in F1 has its own driver academy; for example …Keep reading

McLaren “impressed even more” than expected by former Red Bull stalwart Marshall

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella revealed the Formula 1 constructors’ champions were “impressed even more” than expected by former Red Bull engineer Rob Marshall.Marshall joined the Woking-based outfit as technical director, engineering & design in January after 17 years with Red Bull, with his arrival coinciding with a number of key hires in the past 18 months that have helped see McLaren …Keep reading