Pit Debrief

Wolff says the 2024 F1 season can still be “exciting” even as he predicts more Verstappen dominance

Magdalena Put2 years ago2 years ago04 mins

After retiring with a brake issue barely three laps into the Australian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen claimed victory from pole position in Japan, remaining unchallenged throughout the race to finish 12 seconds ahead of his Red Bull teammate. Ferrari have established themselves as second-best, with McLaren emerging as the third force behind the front-runners. It’s…

Wolff seeks answers after F1 Japanese GP: “A poor first stint cost us today and we need to find out why that was”

David Coath2 years ago2 years ago05 mins

Mercedes finished Sunday’s F1 Japanese Grand Prix with P7 for George Russell and P9 for Lewis Hamilton. Team Principal Toto Wolff reflected on the strategy and the work ahead for his team saying “this is such a tough fight so we just, we just need to get it done.” When the lights went out in…

Lewis Hamilton walks away from interview following question about Ferrari’s performance at F1 Japanese GP

David Coath2 years ago2 years ago03 mins

Lewis Hamilton has another 20 races of the season to go with Mercedes before heading to Scuderia Ferrari. The 7-time F1 Drivers’ World Champion was less than impressed in Suzuka after his P9 finish saw him being asked post-race as to whether he was jealous of the speed of Ferrari. Hamilton was blunt in his…

Hamilton gives positive assessment after F1 Japanese GP qualifying: “The car has been much nicer to drive this weekend”

Magdalena Put2 years ago2 years ago03 mins

Lewis Hamilton was quite upbeat after Saturday’s qualifying session in Suzuka, despite only managing seventh, behind the likes of the McLaren duo and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, but two places clear of his Mercedes teammate George Russell. Mercedes already showed promise in Friday’s practice sessions and this carried over into qualifying, with Hamilton posting the…

F1 Japanese GP | FP3 | Verstappen leads Perez and the two Mercedes drivers in final practice

James O'Connor2 years ago2 years ago03 mins

On a cloudy morning at Suzuka, the drivers quickly took to the track after FP2 was basically written off because of the weather. A 1:30.265 from Max Verstappen kicked things off in FP3 on the mediums, 0.188s ahead of Sergio Perez. The Haas of Kevin Magnussen got it wrong at the hairpin, losing the rear…

Mercedes F1 “can’t reuse” one of Hamilton’s engines following big failure at Australian GP

Rachel Stephens2 years ago2 years ago03 mins

At the Australian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton’s hopes for a solid points finish were ruined by an unexpected power unit failure. The seven-time world champion found himself side-lined early in the race at Albert Park, with the engine in his Mercedes failing after sensors detected an issue, placing him 10th in the Drivers’ Championship this season…

F1 Japanese GP | FP2 | Piastri tops a quiet session dominated by rain

Lucrezia Costa2 years ago03 mins

It would be time for cars to return on track as it’s the starting time for the second practice session of the weekend. However, no one is out due to the intermediate weather conditions: it’s raining, but still not enough for wet or slick tyres to run. All the drivers are hanging out around their…

F1 Japanese GP | FP1 | Verstappen leads Perez and Sainz; Sargeant crashes heavily

James O'Connor2 years ago2 years ago03 mins

At RB F1, Ayumu Iwasa replaced Daniel Ricciardo in first practice as the Faenza-based team used this session as an opportunity to tick off one of the two where a rookie must be run in FP1 during the season. The Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton posted the first time on a 1:32.945, before Lando Norris beat…

F1 drivers call for changes to turn 6 run-off at Albert Park after Russell and Hauger incidents

Chiara Martin2 years ago2 years ago04 mins

In the wake of George Russell’s crash at the Albert Park circuit during the Australian Grand Prix, several Formula 1 drivers have raised concerns over the track’s safety, specifically around the Turn 6/7 section. This particular section of the track, where Russell experienced his crash, has been pinpointed as especially problematic due to the angle…

F1 drivers divided over Fernando Alonso’s contentious Australian GP penalty

Magdalena Put2 years ago2 years ago08 mins

The penalty imposed on Fernando Alonso for “dangerous driving” as he defended against George Russell on the penultimate lap in Melbourne remains a big talking point heading into the Japanese Grand Prix. Alonso was found braking and downshifting about 100 metres earlier than expected, slowing rapidly before accelerating again to make the corner. These defensive…