2021 F1

Verstappen beats Hamilton to pole for title-deciding Abu Dhabi GP

Published

1 year ago

December 11, 2021

user

Max Verstappen wins F1 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Max Verstappen beats his championship competitors Lewis Hamilton to pole position for title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Aggressive Verstappen made a perfect flying lap on the first phase of the Q3 to claim pole for his first F1 title. Hamilton, seeking a historic eighth world title, was favourite to secure the final pole of 2021 after brilliant practice performance.

McLaren ace Lando Norris was made shocking third place to start on the second row alongside Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.’

Ferrari speedy Carlos Sainz set fifth place on the grid and at last Hamilton’s leaving Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in a disappointing sixth.

F1’s rules states that drivers start on the tyres used to set their fastest lap in qualifying Q2. Hamilton used the more durable, but less grippy, yellow strip medium tyre for race start, but Verstappen set his using the less durable, but grippier, red strip soft tyre.

I felt good on both tyres – Max

“This is of course what we wanted but never easy with their form from the last few races. Max said following qualifying.

“Now I’m just looking forward to tomorrow because that’s the most important.

“I felt good on both tyres. Naturally now in the evening it’s a bit cooler so it should be a bit easier for the soft tyres, but we’ll see tomorrow. It’s very important to have a good start and from there onwards we just try to do our race to the very best, then we’ll see where we end up.”

That was a fantastic lap from Max – Hamilton

“Max did a great lap today. We just couldn’t compete with that time at the end there. It was looking really strong through practice. Hamilton said on the post-qualifying Q&A

“That was a fantastic lap from him. We’re in a good position with our tyres for tomorrow and I hope we can have a good race.”

P3 was a bit of a surprise – Norris

“I went for pole, didn’t quite work out. It was a nice lap. To be in P3 was a bit of a surprise. Norris said.

“I’m a bit nervous. I want to stay where I am and just watch everything unfold over the first few laps or even the whole race, but I also don’t want really to get involved too much because it can cause a lot of controversy.

“I’ll do my best and if I get a chance I’ll go for it

Red Bull boss Christian Horner was delighted after Verstappen secured pole for the season decider.

“We discussed the slipstream this morning. We lowered the downforce, it was the only way of matching these guys on the straights,” Horner said.

“After Q1, I thought those kind of times Lewis was knocking in, we can’t do that. Q2 came more towards us.

“Both runs in Q3 were exceptional and of course that tow, Sergio working with his teammate to give him that tow down the two straights was absolutely perfect teamwork today.

“That’s one of Max’s best laps of the year.”

Sky F1’s Nico Rosberg thinks we’re in for a thrilling race tomorrow, saying: “The race is on.

“Having Lewis behind on a tyre that’s better over a certain stint is not the thing you want to have when you’re fighting for a championship.

“The pressure on Verstappen in the race in the first stint tomorrow, it’s going to be good.”

“This guy just delivered something magical. That’s it. It just comes down to that.

“As Max said, the interesting thing is he didn’t want to be on the soft for tomorrow. That’s what keeps it full of suspense for tomorrow.”

2021 F1

What penalty do Red Bull face for breaching F1 cost cap?

Published

6 months ago

October 10, 2022

user

FIA recently confirmed that, Red Bull Racing have been found guilty of violating Formula 1 budget cap for 2021.

The Official confirmation by FIA said that a “minor” breaking of the budget cap. As resulted exceeding the budget by less than 5% or $7.25m – could have big consequences if the FIA decide to punish them.

Max Verstappen, who won a second F1 championship in weird conditions in Japan on Sunday, clinched the 2021 F1 title after late and controversial drama involving the safety car in Abu Dhabi.

The cost cap breaches penalty ranges from a public reprimand to a financial penalty or secondary level sporting penalties.

• Public reprimand
• Deduction of Constructors’ Championship points awarded for the Championship that took place within the Reporting Period of the breach;
• Deduction of Drivers’ Championship points awarded for the Championship that took place within the Reporting Period of the breach;
• Suspension from one or more stages of a Competition or Competitions, excluding for the avoidance of doubt the race itself;
• Limitations on ability to conduct aerodynamic or other Testing; and/or
• Reduction of the Cost Cap

Red Bull hint they will appeal FIA decision

The statement, released on their social meadi page read: “We note the findings with surprise and disappointment. Our 2021 submission was below the cost cap limit so we need to carefully review the FIA’s findings as our belief remains that the relevant costs are under the 2021 cost cap amount.

“Despite the conjecture and positioning of others, there is of course a process under the regulations with the FIA which we will respectfully follow while we consider all the options available to us.”

2022 F1

Verstappen won his second F1 World Championship

Published

6 months ago

October 9, 2022

user

Max Verstappen won the rain hit Japanese Grand Prix and he secure his second world title as well. The Dutchman takes the full 19 points and his teammate Sergio Perez made second place, following the Charles Leclerc receives five seconds penalty, who crossed the line just ahead of Perez… but final corner cutting was given his time penalty.

Verstappen: It’s crazy

“It’s crazy. Very mixed emotions,” he said.

“Looking back, what a year we’ve had so far. It’s been incredible. It’s something I could never have imagined. After last year, fighting until the end, and then having such a good car again this year. I’m so thankful to everyone who has been contributing to this success.”

… More to follow

2023 F1

Nyck de Vries secures 2023 AlphaTauri F1 race seat

Published

6 months ago

October 8, 2022

user

The Dutch racing driver Nyck de Vries sealed AlphaTauri F1 racing seat as replaced the Alpine-moved Pierre Gasly for 2023 F1 season.

27 years old, former F2 and Formula E world Champion’s demand has been raised, after he made an extraordinary performance at Monza for Williams racing team, who finished ninth on his F1 debut.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining Scuderia AlphaTauri for 2023 and I want to thank both Red Bull and the team for giving me the opportunity to drive in F1,” the Dutchman said.

“After Formula 2, I took a slightly different path with motorsport, but F1 has always been my dream and I’m grateful to be able to fulfil it.

“I’ve had a lot of chances to experience the 2022 car this year and I think that has put me in a great position for the upcoming season, I hope this has helped to prepare me for what is to come.”

“After Formula 2, I took a slightly different path with motorsport, but F1 has always been my dream and I’m grateful to be able to fulfil it.

“Having spent most of my teenage years in Italy for karting, I’ve always felt at home there, so for me, it’s great to be joining an Italian team, that already has a real family feel,” he added.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and to start to build our relationship before the next season.”

AlphaTauri team head Franz Tost also gave his full care to De Vries, point out: “We are pleased to start a new chapter with Nyck, who’s very much welcome at Scuderia AlphaTauri.

“He is a very highly skilled driver, as he won in all the categories he competed in, with many races and championships under his belt.

“His last big success was winning the Formula E World Championship, and this is clear evidence that he is a very competitive driver, who deserves a seat in F1.

“I am looking forward to seeing him in our car and I’m confident that with Yuki and Nyck we will have a very strong driver lineup for 2023.”

The Austrian also paid praise to Gasly, who has spent at least part of every season at the team since his debut in 2017.

“AlphaTauri had a very successful time with Pierre,” he said.

“We will never forget his fantastic victory in Monza and his podium finishes in Brazil and Azerbaijan.

“I want to thank Pierre for all the effort he’s put into the team in the last years, and I wish him all the best for his future.”