Essere Ferrari II

[foggy locust]

(PAD) "And track is clear, track clear. Charge button off for last corner."

Leclerc goes purple S1, S2, green S3 and he's 0.025 ahead of Sainz.

Verstappen going Purple through S1! Could the Red Bull charge be back on? He's Purple through S2, and Verstappen is green through S3, and he's on Pole for now, 0.126 ahead of Leclerc! Meanwhile, Stroll goes wide, but he was on his inlap anyway.

No real shocks so far in Q1, except from Hamilton currently sitting 15th!

DRIVER AT RISK: Bottas
RELEGATION ZONE: Hamilton, Hülkenberg, Zhou, Gasly, Magnussen

Hamilton improving, both Haas drivers trying to give each other a tow. Hamilton goes 11th, Ocon at risk, Bottas is out! Gasly also exits, Zhou doesn't improve, neither does Ocon, Magnussen knocks Ocon out but Hulkenberg just goes 16th and he's out!

OUT IN Q1: Hülkenberg, Ocon, Bottas, Zhou, Gasly

STEWARD'S INQUIRY: CAR 2: Sargeant will report to the stewards after qualifying for potential impeding.

Green light for Q2 here!

Sainz goes quickest early, Verstappen again going Purple however, he might have the qualifying beating of the Ferraris so far

(LEC) "For f---'s sake, so much traffic."

(PAD) "Do what you can with the positioning."

Leclerc purple mid sector! Will it be enough to go fastest...Leclerc only goes Fourth!

(PAD) "At the moment, you are P4."

(LEC) "Ah, I lost so much on that last corner...we'll get it back next lap."

Just 11th for Russell, meanwhile Magnussen spins off and that will wreck his first lap!

DRIVER AT RISK: Stroll
Relegation Zone: Ricciardo, Russell, Albon, Sargeant, Magnussen

Russell just 11th, he's going to exit! Sargeant is also out, and he will likely be facing a grid drop into the bargain. Sainz goes quickest, Leclerc up to P2, Stroll at risk, Albon and Magnussen still going, Magnussen up to 13th. Albon not improving and doesn't improve!

OUT IN Q2: Russell, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Albon, Sargeant

Sainz was fastest ahead of Leclerc and Verstappen

Q3 is live, and Pole is up for grabs here!

It's tight between Verstappen and Leclerc, and Leclerc just squeaks ahead by 0.023!!

Alonso has a lock-up! An uncharacteristic mistake by the veteran! He's abandoned his lap and is heading back to the pits.

Lando Norris is up to third, ahead of Sainz! Perez coming round the last corner...he's had a shocker, he's 8th rn

Tsunoda meanwhile spins off!

Q3 AS IT STANDS: Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Sainz, Piastri, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Perez, Stroll, Alonso (no time)

Piastri stays 5th. Verstappen doesn't improve through S1, neither does Leclerc, Sainz does, Alonso stays 10th, could Sainz be putting himself in the conversation? Sainz stays Third! Verstappen stays Second and that means it is Pole Position for Charles Leclerc!!

(PAD) "And that's P1, P1!"

(LEC) "Let's goooo! Let's go, baby! Agh, wanted to improve that last lap, but we did it all on the first lap. Let's finish the job tomorrow."

(ADA) "And that's P4, P4."

(SAI) "Who went P3?"

(ADA) "Perez went ahead of you on his final lap."

(SAI) "I think we went too early at the end there, was still a chance to improve."

Q3: Leclerc, Verstappen, Perez, Sainz, Norris, Piastri, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Stroll, Alonso

A fantastic lap in the first part of Q3 gives Leclerc Pole ahead of the two Red Bulls, with Sainz Fourth ahead of the two McLarens.

LOGAN SARGEANT GIVEN THREE PLACE GRID PENALTY

Logan Sargeant will drop three places on the grid after impeding Kevin Magnussen in qualifying.

Sargeant, who qualified 15th and made it to Q2 for just the second time this year, will now start 18th.

EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX 2024
STARTING GRID

LEC VER

PER SAI

NOR PIA

HAM TSU

STR ALO

RUS RIC

MAG ALB

HÜL OCO

BOT SAR

ZHO GAS

Logan Sargeant initially qualified 15th, drops three places to 18th.

Welcome to Italia, and to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix! A late runner to this famous track of Imola, where Ferrari haven't won since 2006, and never under this name. They have the best starting position for World Championship leader Charles Leclerc, but those two Red Bulls loom large.

Pierre Gasly starts at the very back, alongside Zhou Ghanyu, while Logan Sargeant takes a penalty to drop beside Valtteri Bottas. Esteban Ocon, Nico Hülkenberg and Alexander Albon all move up one from where they Qualified, then it's Kevin Magnussen who Sargeant impeded. Daniel Ricciardo sits 12th beside George Russell, who missed Q3 for the second weekend in a row. The Aston Martin's are ninth and tenth, Stroll is now 7-0 against Alonso in qualifying, then its Yuki Tsunoda and Lewis Hamilton on row four, and Oscar Piastri just behind teammate Lando Norris. Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz have the second row, while it's a familiar front two of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

One light, two, three, four, five, AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc holds the lead, Perez got away quicker than Verstappen and is up to second, Ricciardo ahead of Russell, Sainz struggling a little

(ADA) "DRS emailed, try and cool down the engine temps if you can."

(SAI) "Copy that."

(PAD) "Single yellow, big crash, Verstappen in the wall, Verstappen in the wall."

(LEC) "Is Max okay?"

(PAD) "He is okay, he has managed to get going again."

And an incident that could have HUGE implications in the title fight, as Verstappen has spun off and hit the wall!! After a moment of believing he was out of the race, Verstappen has gotten the car going again, however he is now in last place and has damage!!

Lap 3, and we have already had some drama. Verstappen takes some damage, however it looks minor and he's already ahead of Gasly!

(ADA) "And P2, P2. Good job so far."

Leclerc lapping about 5 tenths ahead of Sainz. With Verstappen indisposed for now, Leclerc is in a very, very good position for this race. However, his teammate is in a battle, as Norris takes P2 off Sainz!

(PAD) "Ease off the tyres here."

(LEC) "Copy, copy. What is the gap to Carlos?"

(PAD) "2.9. Norris is 2.6, he is currently P2."

Right now, Leclerc is sitting about 2.8 ahead of Norris. Some real competition for P2, however, with Norris, Sainz and Perez battling.

The Alpine of Pierre Gasly having some issues here!

GASLY RADIO (GAS) "The gearbox is proving really difficult to manage." "Copy, understood." (GAS) "Can we get to the end here?"

Sainz drops behind both Norris and Perez on the main straight! Some work to do for the Ferrari, Perez seems to be managing his tyres very well here.

VERSTAPPEN IN TO PIT, AND THAT IS VERY EARLY. He's absolutely not happy on the radio, and GP is hearing about it in significant levels here.

Perez meanwhile has put on a burst of speed and broken away from Norris and Sainz.

GASLY RADIO (GAS) "Tell me what to do, I'm having problems with the gearbox."

Major, major issues for Gasly now, and I'd be shocked if he completes this race this afternoon. Verstappen closing on him!

RICCIARDO RADIO (RIC) "This isn't good guys, the car is struggling a lot."

Daniel Ricciardo, who is just running off the points, seems to have having a lot of issues with that RB as well. This is something to keep an eye on as the race progresses.

(PAD) "Perez within two seconds, increase pushing status."

Leclerc getting a note to push on here on lap 18, they want to keep that advantage over Perez over three seconds. Perez on the Harder tyres currently getting towards that window where they'll have the advantage over the Mediums of Leclerc.

Norris having to deal with Sainz here, holding him off for now

Magnussen having a major delay on his pitstop, which has just handed a place to Verstappen and Gasly. Magnussen now P19. Looks like the jacks were not lifting properly.

Leclerc picks up some DRS off the back of Sargeant and the ailing Gasly, and that will boost his lead over Perez.

A really rough day for the Haas pit crew, as they delay Hülkenberg with a poor tyre change. He returns to the track, just in time to be lapped by Leclerc.

Norris is pushing and both he and Sainz are on the back of Perez's exhaust. All three now resume battle, about 2.3 behind the leader.

Perez has pushed on and he's right behind Leclerc, and briefly takes the lead! The Grand Slam hopes end there, but Leclerc pushes back in front again.

(PAD) "So we will be on Plan A, Plan A."

(LEC) "Copy."

(PAD) "And Lando pitted now."

(ADA) "Box to cover Lando, box to cover Lando."

(SAI) "What about Charles?"

(ADA) "We will box to cover Lando."

PITSTOPS: Norris comes in on Lap 25, Sainz follows suit a lap later.

(PAD) "So box now, box! Pit confirm?"

(LEC) "Copy and confirm, box this lap."

Leclerc makes short work of Russell, and now sets to chasing down Norris. Perez about 23 seconds ahead, but still to pit.

Lap 31: Perez, Norris, Leclerc, Sainz, Russell, Piastri, Tsunoda, Stroll, Hamilton, Alonso

(PAD) "You are free to push on the overtake, get this job done. Norris in front."

(LEC) "Mamma Mia."

(PAD) "Good job. P2, 16 seconds to Perez in P1."

Norris isn't going away quietly and is continuing to make this difficult for Leclerc, in fact he gets in front!

Haas' very bad day isn't getting much better. Magnussen with an issue!

PITSTOP: Perez in, and away cleanly! Now the question is the gap to the leader?

Perez rejoins P4, 15.5 behind the lead.

GASLY RADIO (GAS) "Some smoke at the back of the car."

Gasly continues on, 2 laps down. Probably worth retiring from the race there, Pierre.

Leclerc continuing to push Norris at the front, Norris continuing to defend absolutely brilliantly here.

Lap 40, and Norris is still defending so very well from Leclerc here, Leclerc trying everything but cannot get past the McLaren!

LEC) "Cannot get closer."

(PAD) "Keep pushing here, keep trying, you are doing a very good job."

Leclerc finally gets the job done on lap 41, and regains the lead! Norris however gets a bit of DRS from Max Verstappen, who is being lapped. Max Verlappeden.

A sad moment for Daniel Ricciardo, who has had to retire. The gearbox has given out and he pulls into the pits to end his race.

Meanwhile, Lando Norris regains the lead from Leclerc! This is a fascinating race at the front! Can Norris get his first career win today?

GASLY RADIO (GAS) "That's it, the car is done." "We will have to retire the car, Pierre. Sorry about that, mate."

Gasly is out of the race, he did well to get to lap 43. He's been struggling with that car all afternoon. Being two laps down, he will finish below Daniel Ricciardo in the classification, despite retiring after him.

Leclerc is still attacking Norris, who is holding on. Leclerc is also dealing with one of his title rivals, who is a lap down but determined to unlap himself.

Lewis Hamilton also appears to be having minor issues, but he's not made too many comments about them so far

Norris' resistance has broken! Leclerc powers into the lead!

George Russell puts up the fastest lap on lap 48.

The pure power advantage the Ferrari has over the McLaren is now showing as Leclerc moves three seconds ahead of Norris on Lap 50.

Ocon locks up and he's into the wall! He's lucky to avoid major damage however, and on he continues.

(ADA) "And you have the margin to push more. Put Lando under pressure."

(SAI) "Copy, copy."

Lap 59: Leclerc, Norris, Sainz, Perez, Piastri, Russell, Alonso, Stroll, Tsunoda, Hamilton

An interesting battle for old times sake has developed for the final point - Max Verstappen has just passed Lewis Hamilton for tenth!

That Ferrari 1-2 on home soil could well be on - Sainz is putting Norris under pressure for second!

SAINZ GOES UP TO P2!

A truly disastrous day for the French team. Esteban Ocon goes over a curb and has landed himself a puncture, just as he goes past the pits. He's going to have to limp all the way back around the circuit with that.

NORRIS RETAKES P2

LAST LAP

Meanwhile, it was difficult at times, but he's managed to pull it back and it was comfortable in the end, for his fifth win of the season, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX!!!

(PAD) "AND P1! P1 IN ITALIA!"

(LEC) "LET'S GOOOOO! COME ONNNN! Ahhhh, amazing, guys. What a win, what a race. Fantastic."

(PAD) "You are the best. Well done. Some pickup please."

(ADA) "And P3, P3."

(SAI) "Agh, damn. Lando had me at the end. Great job, good podium guys."

(ADA) "You've done well."

Norris just holds Sainz off for P2!

Perez Fourth, Piastri fifth, sixth for Rhssell, Alonso seventh, Stroll eighth, Tsunoda ninth. Verstappen takes a point, just beating out Hamilton.

2024 EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.23.41
2. Lando Norris +5.287
3. Carlos Sainz +1.003
4. Sergio Perez +16.178
5. Oscar Piastri +17.234
6. George Russell +25.945
7. Fernando Alonso +4.049
8. Lance Stroll +5.679
9. Yuki Tsunoda +3.851
10. Max Verstappen +1 lap
11. Lewis Hamilton +1 lap
12. Alexander Albon +1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg +1 lap
14. Valtteri Bottas +2 laps
15. Logan Sargeant +2 laps
16. Kevin Magnussen +2 laps
17. Zhou Guanyu +2 laps
18. Esteban Ocon +2 laps
19. Daniel Ricciardo DNF
20. Pierre Gasly DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: LANDO NORRIS

A spirited challenge to eventual race winner Charles Leclerc, and a fantastic effort to hold off Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris wins your vote for Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP:

Max Verstappen, Red Bull

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD

Lando Norris. McLaren

[foggy locust]

FIA 2024 FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP
After 7 Weekends

Leclerc 159
Sainz 122
Verstappen 108
Norris 106
Perez 88
Piastri 83
Russell 33
Hamilton 29
Ricciardo 17
Tsunoda 17
Alonso 14
Stroll 10
Albon 0
Ocon 0
Gasly 0
Magnussen 0
Hülkenberg 0
Bottas 0
Sargeant 0
Zhou 0

FIA 2024 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP
After 7 Weekends

Ferrari 281
Red Bull-Honda RBPT 196
McLaren-Mercedes 189
Mercedes 62
Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 34
Aston Martin-Mercedes 24
Alpine-Renault 0
Williams-Mercedes 0
Haas-Ferrari 0
Sauber-Ferrari 0

MISSION: MONACO FOR CHARLES LECLERC

Charles Leclerc has had his greatest start to a season in his career so far.

Five wins from the first seven races. Before the start of the 2024 season, Leclerc had five wins - total. He's doubled that. He leads the Drivers Championship by 37 points over teammate Carlos Sainz.

And yet, there's one objective in his mind coming into this next weekend - finally breaking the Monaco curse.

Leclerc has never won his home race at any level. He's never stood on the podium here at any level. Until 2022, he had never finished the race here at any level.

Growing up, he watched this race from home. He went to school on the very streets he races on now. But as he comes into this Monaco Grand Prix weekend on the greatest run of his career so far, the objective is simple.

Win, and finally end the curse.

FERRARI TAKE CLEAN SWEEP AT HOME

In addition to the victory of Charles Leclerc at Imola, Ferrari afflilate Oliver Bearman won the F2 Feature Race to place himself Third in the F2 Championship, after finishing eighth in the Sprint.

Meanwhile, Charlie Wurz, in his first race as a Ferrari affiliate, did the double in Formula 3, taking both the Sprint and Feature Race victories.

Wurz is up to fourth after his first points of the season, slotting in just behind Ferrari Driver Academy teammate Dino Beganovic, who was 18th.

Leonardo Fornaroli was 13th in his Ferrari afflilate debut.

[foggy locust]

MONACO GRAND PRIX WEEKEND PREVIEW 2024

CIRCUIT DE MONACO
Laps: 78
Circuit Length: 3.337km
First GP: 1950
Tyres: C5 (Soft), C4 (Medium), C3 (Hard)
2023 Winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

With an entertaining weekend last weekend at Imola on the books, we head into the Crown Jewel of Formula 1 - the Monaco Grand Prix.

And it is a homecoming for Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who enters this race with a 37 point advantage over teammate Carlos Sainz at the top of the Championship, while their team are 87 points ahead of Red Bull. Leclerc has never won, nor stood on the podium at Monaco, but you feel this may be his greatest opportunity to finally break the Monaco curse.

Meanwhile, Red Bull come into this weekend with McLaren to worry about - with both teams trying to catch Ferrari at the top of the Championship, Red Bull have brought upgrades to try and reduce the lead at the top, while holding a surging McLaren off for second.

Elsewhere, Mercedes, RB and Aston Martin continue their battle for "Best of the Rest", with RB now 10 points ahead of Aston Martin and setting their sights on the Silver Arrows. The talk has continued about the future of Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin, the team will want to put on a good showing around the streets of Monaco - a race they famously almost won in the rain twelve months ago.

We will be getting rain again this weekend - but only on the Friday, with Saturday and Sunday expected to remain dry. 78 laps of this famous circuit await us, on the same day as the Indy 500 and the Coke 200 - the jewel in the F1 Calendar is here.

FP1 goes green in the rain!

(PAD) "And green light, radio check, Charles."

(LEC) "Radio check okay."

(PAD) "Welcome home, Charles

(LEC) "Good to be home, let's give them a weekend to remember."

(ADA) "Radio check, Carlos."

(SAI) "Yep, all good."

(ADA) "You're loud and clear."

FP1 Rookies: Vesti (for Russell), Colapinto (for Sargeant), Iwasa (for Ricciardo), Pourchaire (for Bottas), Crawford (for Alonso)

Theo Pourchaire has a busy weekend ahead of him. Today he does FP1 in Monaco for Sauber, but he will be in Indianapolis on Sunday to do the Indy 500 for Arrow McLaren. Interesting.

Elsewhere, Crawford takes Alonso's seat for this session. Are Aston Martin trying to send a message to their embittered veteran driver, who may be on the move?

(LEC) "F---, F---"

(PAD) "Are you okay?"

(LEC) "Yeah, I am. Front Wing is a bit damaged, though. Boxing now."

(PAD) "Okay, we'll have a look."

Looks like Leclerc tested the barrier a bit too much early there, and caught the barrier a bit. Seems like he got away with it, mostly, but he drags the car, and that wrecked front wing, back to the pits.

(SAI) "Yeah, I did a mistake."

(ADA) "We saw that, you did well to avoid the barrier."

Sainz runs wide and almost tags the barrier, but manages to avoid it. Just.

FP1: LEC SAI PIA

Ferrari go 1-2, with Leclerc topping the session despite a minor tap on the barrier. Piastri Third ahead of Norris, but we saw limited running from Red Bull.

FP2 goes green, first action of the weekend for Russell, Bottas, Alonso, Sargeant, Ricciardo.

Lando Norris tags the barrier going into Portier, he has major damage and that could be a problem for him this session!

The rain pretty much has sealed the Ferrari 1-2 in this session, but Sainz, who leads at the moment, is hitting heavy traffic, and he's not best pleased about it.

Leclerc puts up a stormer of a lap to go P1 to end the session!

FP2: LEC SAI PIA

Same again from FP2, Leclerc with a phenomenal last lap to take P1 from Sainz. Of note, Daniel Ricciardo was P4 behind Piastri.

FP3 goes green, but without that whole rain lark we did yesterday.

Hamilton having major issues, that will be something to keep an eye on going into qualifying and the race! Will Mercedes fix that in time?

FP3: LEC SAI VER

Leclerc goes three for three, he has been on it this weekend, but will that translate into qualifying and the race?

Well, here we go. F1's most famous circuit hosts probably the most important qualifying session of the season - with overtaking opportunities at a premium around these tight and narrow streets, where you start on Sunday will have a massive hand in where you may finish. And so far, Charles Leclerc has been on it at his home Grand Prix, can he turn that into his first win around the streets he grew up on?

Green light and we are a go for Q1!

Charles Leclerc first out on track to a huge response from his home crowd.

(PAD) "And track is clear, track clear. Charge button off for last corner."

Leclerc goes 1.09.502, that is a stormer.

Albon about two seconds behind, meanwhile Logan Sargeant runs wide and that will completely wreck his lap.

Verstappen about eight tenths behind Leclerc, he was complaining about traffic as well.

Norris goes 0.184 behind Leclerc.

(SAI) "It's getting tricky out here with the traffic."

(ADA) "We saw that. You're currently about 0.48 behind Charles."

(SAI) "Will we need to go back out?"

(ADA) "We will keep the option open."

Good news for the Mercedes as the mechanics have fixed the issues on Hamilton's car. Bad news is, he's about a second down.

Perez Fourth, ahead of Verstappen.

:RedFlag: Nico Hülkenberg completely loses the car at Massenet, and plows into the corner at Casino! Thankfully he's out of the car and unhurt, but that's the end of his qualifying session, a hefty repair bill, and likely the end of his competitiveness this weekend.

That also causes issues for Oscar Piastri, who was on his outlap at the time.

After a 20 minute delay to retrieve that wrecked Haas, we're back out there.

Alonso up to eleventh, Piastri Fourth. Bar Hulkenberg, every car has done at least one lap.

DRIVER AT RISK: Ocon
RELEGATION ZONE: Sargeant, Magnussen, Zhou, Gasly, Hülkenberg (no time)

None of the bottom five improve, that's your eliminated.

OUT IN Q1: Sargeant, Magnussen, Zhou, Gasly, Hülkenberg (no time)

Both Haas drivers, Zhou, Sargeant and Gasly exit in Q1.

Leclerc quickest, then Norris and Sainz.

Q2 goes green, we're back out there.

Leclerc with a time that wasn't quite as quick as his Q1, but he is on used Softs. Sainz now out there on used Softs as well.

Sainz with a purple S1, green S2. He's now 0.066 ahead of Leclerc.

Perez was briefly second before Sainz went fastest.

Norris went third just now, McLaren proving tough for Red Bull so far this weekend.

Just seventh for Verstappen! It hasn't been a brilliant weekend for the Champion so far.

Stroll crosses the line in 12th, not a great time there.

One thing really worth noting about Monaco is due to the barriers, there's limited opportunities to warm up your tyres around here. Watching Leclerc's on board, the Monegasque driver struggling to find opportunities to warm the tyres, before managing to do so in the tunnel.

DRIVER AT RISK: Stroll
Relegation Zone: Alonso, Albon, Ricciardo, Bottas, Ocon

Stroll just went tenth, putting his teammate Alonso into the relegation zone.

Alonso, Ricciardo and Albon all on fliers.

(LEC) "F***, BOTTAS!"

(PAD) "We have seen it. We are P2."

Leclerc, on a hot lap, gets impeded by Bottas. The stewards may want another look at that one.

OUT IN Q2: Alonso, Ricciardo, Albon, Bottas, Ocon

We lose an Aston Martin, RB, Williams, Sauber and Alpine.

Sainz quickest from Leclerc and Norris.

We go again for Q3! Who will take Pole?

Leclerc goes quicker than his Q1 time.

Stroll about 1.5 off the lead.

(SAI) "Aaargh, what is Lando doing, come on!"

(ADA) "Yeah, we saw it, we're on it."

Perez and Verstappen currently 2-3, we await the McLaren challenge.

Sainz gets a bit of impeding by Norris, but he goes Second.

Piastri goes third, and then Norris takes third from his teammate!!

Q3 AS IT STANDS: Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Piastri, Perez, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Russell, Stroll, Hamilton

All Final laps starting now. STROLL WITH A LOCK-UP AND GOES OFF AT THE NOUVELLE CHICANE. Sainz improving through S1 and S2, but he's had an awful S3 and stays Second!! Leclerc hits traffic. Verstappen splits the McLarens, and Perez now sixth, no improvement elsewhere, IT IS POLE POSITION AT HOME FOR CHARLES LECLERC!!

(PAD) "And that is P1, that is P1!"

(LEC) "Let's goooo, come on!!! Ahhh, fantastic stuff, great job guys. Let's finish the job tomorrow!"

(ADA) "And P2, P2."

(SAI) "Ahhh, I thought we had that! Ah, great effort."

(ADA) "You've done well."

Q3: Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Perez, Tsunoda, Russell, Hamilton, Stroll

It is Pole Position on home soil for the third time in four years for Charles Leclerc! Can he finally convert this one to the win he wants more than most? Sainz alongside him, then Norris, Verstappen, Piastri and Perez on rows two and three.

MONACO GRAND PRIX 2024
STARTING GRID

LEC SAI

NOR VER

PIA PER

TSU RUS

HAM STR

ALO RIC

ALB BOT

OCO SAR

MAG ZHO

GAS HÜL

[foggy locust]

Welcome to Motorsport's biggest day, and welcome to the jewel in the F1 Crown. The streets are packed, and they are expectant as one of their own could end a 91 year wait, starting from Pole Position. But there are 78 laps between the Championship leader and the chequered flag, and danger lurks at every turn, not just from his teammate, the Red Bulls and the McLarens, but those barriers right on the edge of the circuit.

Nico Hülkenberg found those barriers in qualifying so he starts at the back beside Pierre Gasly, his teammate Kevin Magnussen one row ahead beside Zhou Guanyu. It's Logan Sargeant and Esteban Ocon on row eight, and Valtteri Bottas escaped a penalty for impeding so he starts fourteenth beside Alexander Albon. Daniel Ricciardo and Fernando Alonso have both won this famous race, and they're on row six, with Lewis Hamilton, another former winner just ahead beside Lance Stroll on row five. It's George Russell and Yuki Tsunoda on row four, with the two Red Bulls and two McLarens ahead. Sergio Perez and Oscar Piastri are on row three, with the second row seeing Max Verstappen just behind Lando Norris. And Ferrari have locked out the front row, with Carlos Sainz Second, and Charles Leclerc on Pole Position for the third time in four years, can he finally win his home race?

And here we go. Formation lap done, one light, two, three, four, five...AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc holds the lead at the start, Sainz holding position now, Leclerc already getting away well, Piastri drops behind Perez

ALONSO RADIO: (ALO) "The deployment issue seems quite big."

Fernando Alonso has had a disaster of a start as he is reporting major issues with his ERS!

Perez has been allowed the opportunity to race Verstappen here, and that is risky from the Bulls. Perez pressuring Verstappen heavily coming into the Nouvella chicane on lap 4.

Leclerc has opened up an early gap of 1.5 to Sainz, and 3.3 to Norris. Promising early stuff here.

(PAD) "And keep this pace, you are doing a really good job on tyres."

(LEC) "Copy."

Alexander Albon makes the move on Daniel Ricciardo to get up to twelfth. With Fernando Alonso struggling with the ERS, could Williams potentially have the chance for points today?

Verstappen takes the opportunity to overtake Norris for third on Massenet! The Champion is currently pushing those tyres and currently is within 4 seconds of Carlos Sainz in P2.

Lap 10: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Norris, Perez, Piastri, Tsunoda, Russell, Hamilton, Stroll

(PAD) "So at the moment, you are P1. Gap to Sainz is 2.4. You are doing a good job on tyres, continue like this."

Russell currently chasing Tsunoda for P7, those are the two closest in the top ten. Massenet looks like the best opportunity to get the move done, but Tsunoda defends well to keep P7.

(PAD) "Tyre update, when you can?"

(LEC) "Tyres are fine, no issues."

Yellow flags waving as Gasly finds himself in the barrier at Casino!! He's managed to get himself back on track, but he is down to P20.

Lando Norris takes fastest lap on lap 15

Lap 17, and Pierre Gasly is being lapped by Charles Leclerc. A horrendous start to the season continues for the French team. Gasly is reporting car issues. Leclerc thanks his close friend as he passes the Alpine.

We have a battle of the two Mercs on lap 18, as Hamilton has caught up to Russell, this is the current battle for P8.

Perez seems to reporting some major graining on his tyres. It wouldn't shock me to see the Red Bull pit soon, he's likely on a two stopper.

Norris returns the favourite to Verstappen, retaking Third Place on the Grand Hotel Hairpin. He's now put on a burst of speed to break away from the defending Champion.

Speaking of McLarens, Piastri now putting a lot of pressure on Perez and makes an attempt at Saint Devote, but Perez holds the Australian off.

PITSTOPS: Gasly, Albon and Perez all pit. Perez puts on a new set of Mediums, having started on Mediums, that confirms his two stop strategy

Hamilton reporting issues that have been occuring all weekend - Bonnington seems to think it is manageable, but we will keep an eye on this as it develops.

PITSTOPS: Hamilton and Alonso both in, and Away cleanly on Lap 26

(ADA) "Drop back a little bit here."

(SAI) "Yeah, copy, copy. Will that leave me vulnerable?"

(ADA) "Norris is P3 and 7 seconds back, we do not believe so."

Sainz being told to drop back, are the Scuderia planning a pitstop double stack? Something to keep an eye on. Leclerc has three seconds on Sainz at the moment.

PITSTOPS: If Ferrari ARE trying the double stack, they might want to watch Haas just now - they have just done precisely that, and with no issues.

Lap 31: Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Tsunoda, Perez, Stroll, Russell, Ricciardo

PITSTOP: Alpine's day just went from bad to worse, as Esteban Ocon pits, and they cannot get that right front tyre off. Disaster.

PITSTOP: Max Verstappen in...and that was really, really bad from Red Bull. The jack gets stuck, and they put up a 4.478s pitstop. Horrendous. The Champion is on the blower to GP and furious about it

(PAD) "Box, box."

(ADA) "And box this lap, box this lap."

PITSTOPS: Okay, yeah, Ferrari are double stacking and they nail it to absolute perfection!! Leclerc pulls away just as Sainz pulls in, both are away cleanly. Great job by the Ferrari pit crew!

Verstappen takes the fastest lap!

(PAD) "And we have the fastest lap."

(LEC) "Copy."

(PAD) "Try and cool down your tyres as much as possible."

(LEC) "Copy that."

Leclerc, then Piastri, take FL

PITSTOP: Tsunoda in, the last one to pit for the first time today.

Lap 40: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Norris, Perez, Piastri, Russell, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Stroll

Verstappen once again makes the move on Norris at Massenet to grab Third!

Leclerc wants that fastest lap, and he takes a 12.527 to take it for now.

Leclerc takes it on lap 43

STROLL RADIO "My engine feels quite down."

Oh, that's so very, very problematic for Lance Stroll. Reporting an engine fault, he is going to have to manage that to the end. And that is a fantastic opportunity for Daniel Ricciardo and RB to maybe steal a point from their closest rivals in the Championship.

HÜLKENBERG RADIO "The upshifts are struggling."

Hülkenberg having major issues in his gearbox, as Leclerc laps him for the second time today.

PITSTOPS: Magnussen and Bottas both in. Neither are troubling the points today, and neither has issues with any stops there.

Verstappen's tyres are ailing, and Norris smells blood in the water, however the lapped Haas of Hülkenberg hands a reprieve to the Champion.

Lap 55: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Perez, Russell, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Ricciardo

PITSTOP: Verstappen has pitted...and put on Hards for the last 21 laps, Red Bull what are you doing here

Lap 63: Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Perez, Tsunoda, Russell, Hamilton, Ricciardo

Ricciardo overtakes a struggling Stroll for P10, and that's huge for RB. As it stands, they'll be getting a huge gain on Aston Martin, who will be scoring zero this weekend.

PITSTOP: Hold the phone - RB have brought Ricciardo in for a pitstop. Daniel was adamant against it, but they've brought him in any. Are RB going for fastest lap? Ricciardo rejoins 12th, and 14 seconds behind Alonso in 11th...they might have just handed a point back to Aston Martin

Well, if they had handed the point to Stroll, he has just handed it right back! A deployment as Stroll goes off at Nouvela Chicane, completely misjudged his re-entry, and...crashes into the barrier. His race is over. Safety Car.

(PAD) "Safety Car, Safety Car."

(LEC) "What happened?"

(PAD) "Stroll in the barrier. Stroll in the barrier."

(LEC) "Is he OK?"

(PAD) "He is unhurt, out or the car. Box, box for Softs."

(LEC) "Do we have the margin?"

(PAD) "We are bringing in Sainz as well."

(ADA) "Safety Car, Safety Car. Stroll is out, he is unhurt. Box, box."

(SAI) "Should we stay out for track position?"

(ADA) "Negative, we would struggle with the tyres. Box."

PITSTOPS: Both Ferraris box without issue, and return to their 1-2 position on Fresh Softs.

(ADA) "Big crash there."

(SAI) "I hope he's OK, at least."

(ADA) "He's OK. Debris all around here."

SC: Well, this is going to be a whole mess. Several cars are lapped, some twice. Sainz has two lapped cars between himself and his teammate.

Lap 69 (nice): Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Perez, Tsunoda, Russell, Hamilton, Alonso, Ricciardo, Albon, Magnussen, Bottas, Ocon, Zhou, Hülkenberg, Sargeant, Gasly. Stroll out of the race.

Also, for the record - I believe this is the first full Safety Car of the season

Actually: second. Sargeant crashed out in Australia to cause the first one.

As we enter the third full lap under the Safety Car, we're genuinely wondering if lapped cars will be allowed to overtake this late into the race. Ricciardo and Albon are between Leclerc and Sainz right now, Sargeant and Tsunoda are between Sainz and Norris, Russell and Magnussen are between Norris and Verstappen.

LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE

Well, there's your answer. Tsunoda and Sargeant are yet to overtake Leclerc, and they now do on the pit straight.

There's still a lot of lapped cars that need to get through, and most won't get the chance to do it a second time.

WE ARE RACING AGAIN ON LAP 73

Five laps remain, and Leclerc has broken away, with Sainz stuck in traffic!

A coming together between Russell and Tsunoda on Beau Rivage! Russell takes the position, but both cars take damage!!

Verstappen has snatched third away from Lando Norris on the pit straight!

LAST LAP

The grandstands he saw built, now rise for him, they've waited ninety one years for one of their own to do this, and he has done it in spectacular style, he has led from Pole Position to the chequered flag, taken the fastest lap, and taken his second career Grand Slam, the Monaco Grand Prix is won by one of their own, and for the first time ever, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE MONACO GRAND PRIX!!!!

(PAD) "You've done it! We've won it! Finally!"

(LEC) "YESSSSS! YES YES YESSSS! AAHHHH YES! Ahhhh, I need to cool down, myself as well."

(PAD) "Don't worry, we will celebrate. You are the best!"

(LEC) "Tonight is going to be a big night."

(ADA) "And P2, P2!"

(SAI) "Ah, fantastic job, guys. Wonderful result. Congratulations to Charles, he's earned this."

(ADA) "You've done really well as well, don't forget that today."

Verstappen P3, Norris P4, Piastri 5th, Perez 6th, Russell 7th, Tsunoda 8th, Hamilton 9th, Alonso 10th

2024 MONACO GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 1.10.104
2. Carlos Sainz +5.409
3. Max Verstappen +3.565
4. Lando Norris +6.135
5. Oscar Piastri +1.540
6. Sergio Perez +0.281
7. George Russell +45.944
8. Yuki Tsunoda +1 lap
9. Lewis Hamilton +1 lap
10. Fernando Alonso +1 lap
11. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
12. Alexander Albon +1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen +1 lap
14. Valtteri Bottas +2 laps
15. Esteban Ocon +2 laps
16. Zhou Guanyu +2 laps
17. Nico Hülkenberg +2 laps
18. Logan Sargeant +2 laps
19. Pierre Gasly +3 laps
20. Lance Stroll DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: CHARLES LECLERC

Charles Leclerc finally ended his home race curse in dominant fashion - by leading every single lap, taking the fastest lap and the victory, to secure his second career Grand Slam on home soil. Charles Leclerc is your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP:
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Lando Norris

2024 FIA FORMULA 1 DRIVERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
After 8 Weekends

Leclerc 185
Sainz 140
Verstappen 123
Norris 118
Perez 96
Piastri 93
Russell 39
Hamilton 31
Tsunoda 21
Ricciardo 17
Alonso 15
Stroll 10
Albon 0
Ocon 0
Gasly 0
Magnussen 0
Hülkenberg 0
Bottas 0
Sargeant 0
Guanyu 0

2024 FIA FORMULA 1 CONSTRUCTORS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 325
Red Bull-Honda RBPT 219
McLaren-Mercedes 211
Mercedes 70
Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 38
Aston Martin-Mercedes 25
Williams-Mercedes 0
Alpine-Renault 0
Haas-Ferrari 0
Sauber-Ferrari 0

LECLERC WINS HOME GRAND PRIX WITH GRAND SLAM, BREAKS MONACO CURSE

Charles Leclerc has taken his first home victory in spectacular fashion, securing his second career Grand Slam.

Leclerc lead the Monaco Grand Prix the entire way to take a Ferrari 1-2, and securing the fastest lap handed him the Grand Chelem, his second after Australia 2022.

Leclerc now leads the Championship by 45 points, with his sixth victory of the season, eleventh in total.

After the race, Ferrari celebrated in some style, with Leclerc pushing team principal Frédéric Vasseur into the Monaco harbour, before diving in himself.

BEARMAN WINS F2 FEATURE RACE

It was double joy at Monaco for Ferrari, as Oliver Bearman took home the feature race win in Formula 2.

Bearman led Amaury Cordeel and Kush Maini home by ten seconds to take his second feature win in a row, and third of the season.

The Ferrari affiliate driver now leads the F2 Championship, 13 points ahead of Isack Hadjar.

SOPHIA FLÖRSCH JOINS FERRARI DRIVER ACADEMY

The Ferrari Driver Academy have announced the signing of F3 driver Sophia Flörsch with immediate effect.

Flörsch was said to be unhappy at Alpine as of late, and when the opportunity to switch to Ferrari came up, Flörsch moved at the opportunity.

Sophia joins on a two-and-a-half year Affliate deal, which will see her continue to participate in Formula 3, however changing the Alpine Livery for a Ferrari one. It's also been said that Flörsch may take part in some endurance racing with the Ferrari team this coming year.

[brazen wren]

A questionable decision
Really immersive Ferrari experience

[foggy locust]

She was my reserve in F1M23 so I want to see if I can develop her to being F1 standard

[brazen wren]

Yeah I tried her and... yeah

[foggy locust]

Bad?

I have Abbi Pulling coming in as well next season. Quite excited about that move.

[brazen wren]

I sacked her after 5 races of being competitive

Because she wasn't

[foggy locust]

CANADIAN GRAND PRIX 2024 PREVIEW

CIRCUIT GILLES VILLENEUVE, MONTREAL

Laps: 70
Circuit Length: 4.361km
First GP: 1967
Tyres: C5 (Soft), C4 (Medium), C3 (Hard)
2023 Winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

We head to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal for what is usually one of the most chaotic races of the season - the Canadian Grand Prix. Whether it's Groundhogs or the Wall of Champions, there's always something to keep an eye out for here.

And this could be a real challenge for the Scuderia, with Red Bull potentially favoured to bounce back this coming weekend. McLaren may also fancy their hopes of getting into the mix today.

Gilles Villeneuve, the namesake of this race, was the last Canadian driver to take the victory here in 1978 - Jacques Villeneuve, Gilles' son, never won his home race. Lance Stroll is the only Canadian on the grid, but it would take a real reversal of fortunes from this season so far for Aston Martin to break that long held drought. In this event, it'd be the second consecutive home victory after Charles Leclerc's win two weeks ago in Monaco.

With rain expected on the Friday, but it likely to be dry Saturday and Sunday, it should be an entertaining time on one of F1's most traditional circuits.

FP1 has just gone green!

FP1 Affliates: O'Ward (for Piastri), Hadjar (for Verstappen), Goethe (for Perez) Vesti (for Hamilton), Maini (for Gasly), Colapinto (for Sargeant), Chambers (for Hülkenberg), Fittipaldi (for Magnussen), Iwasa (for Ricciardo), Crawford (for Stroll), Drugovich (for Alonso)

Worth noting that a lot of teams are using their Affliate drivers. In the rain, that's a bold choice.

Haas afflilate Chloe Chambers currently holding up Charles Leclerc, with the Ferrari driver mentioning about traffic on the radio.

Pato O'Ward just missed out on victory at the Indy 500, but he's bouncing back with a current second place in FP1. The Mexican driver is a hot tip to potentially even be on the F1 grid next season, and he's proving why here.

Oh no, Zhou! He locks up at Pont de la Conco and goes off into the wall! His session is over, but thankfully he's okay.

We're back green after a brief VSC.

Frederik Vesti with a brief spin! He manages to quickly correct the car and get back on track.

FP1: SAI OWA LEC

Carlos Sainz tops FP1, but Pato O'Ward's impressive second is the talking point, just ahead of Championship leader Charles Leclerc. Frederik Vesti was fourth despite a spin, with Esteban Ocon with Alpine's best session of the season so far.

FP2 is green! We will get a bit of rain at the start, then likely dry running from there. The rain just starting now.

The rain lasting longer into the session than thought. Still pouring it down here.

Verstappen has just gone second, splitting the Ferraris of Sainz and Leclerc.

Verstappen briefly goes fastest, then Leclerc and Sainz both answer back.

A hairy moment for Kevin Magnussen, as he just ran the car very wide. He's avoided any damage however and is back on track.

FP2: LEC SAI VER

A close run thing between the two Ferraris and Verstappen, but Leclerc is just quicker than his teammate to top FP2.

FP3: Green to begin FP3! Last chance to work out the setups before qualifying.

Hamilton and Russell with a current 1-2! Verstappen splits them, but still a strong showing so far from the Mercs.

Leclerc saying he's satisfied for now with the setup, but the Ferrari driver doesn't seem too happy with it.

That being said, Leclerc has just gone third quickest on Hard tyres. That Ferrari is fast.

FP3: PIA HAM LEC
SAI P9

A great showing for Oscar Piastri and could the Australian be in contention for a first career main race Pole?

Welcome to Qualifying and to Canada, and the Wall of Champions awaits. Will anyone be inaugurated into it? Meanwhile, Ferrari have taken the lead on Friday, but Piastri and Hamilton looked sharp earlier today, could we be on for a McLaren or Mercedes Pole? And don't count out Max Verstappen and Red Bull, either.

(PAD) "And green light, you can go."

(LEC) "Oh...there is Gary!"

(PAD) "Copy, well avoided. Charge off for last corner."

Groundhog sighting, we have a groundhog sighting. Gary scampers across the track in front of Charles Leclerc's Ferrari, narrowly avoiding the Championship leader.

(ADA) "You can go. Watch for groundhogs, Charles nearly hit one."

(SAI) (laughing) "Copy, understood. Lucky groundhog."

It's quite a quick lap round here. Leclerc puts up a 10.957 None of the other cars have been within a second yet, but Sainz just went Purple S2.

Verstappen pops up within 0.488 of Leclerc.

Sainz comes close, just 0.019 behind his teammate!

Piastri goes Fourth, displacing George Russell. 5 hundredths off the Ferraris, the McLaren will need to find something.

Hamilton hasn't quite caught that magic of FP3 just yet, and has just gone seventh.

Third for Lando Norris, that McLaren may have found something.

Lance Stroll complaining about being impeded by former teammate Perez, as well as Gasly. Not sure there's too much in that one. He then locks up in front of the Lance Stroll Grandstand. Today I learned that exists.

DRIVER AT RISK: Ricciardo
Relegation Zone: Albon, Ocon, Gasly, Zhou, Sargeant

Sargeant just went 16th, he won't get out of Q1, but he might get ahead of his teammate, especially seeing as Albon was just blocked by Hülkenberg.

Albon stays seventeenth, and he will indeed start behind his teammate. Ocon, Gasly, Zhou all on fliers as the session is ending, Bottas now at risk as Ricciardo goes 9th, Ocon stays 18th, Zhou 19th...Gasly now 19th. That's your five out.

Bottas just put up a Purple middle. On his inlap. Why?

OUT IN Q1: Sargeant, Albon, Ocon, Gasly, Zhou

The two Williams, two Alpines and Zhou exit in Q1.

Leclerc fastest from Sainz and Norris.

We are green for Q2. Ferrari seem to have switched it up as they've sent Sainz out first.

(ADA) "Manage the throttle, try to regain some temps."

(SAI) "Copy."

Sainz puts up a 10.889, that's quicker rhan Leclerc's Q1. Leclerc is out on track now.

Norris within 0.627 of Sainz, not a great lap from the McLaren.

Leclerc and Piastri on fliers now.

(LEC) "For F---'s sake, Bottas! Every weekend this happens!"

(PAD) "We have seen it, try and keep focused."

Leclerc's lap is completely ruined by Valtteri Bottas impeding him. Leclerc absolutely furious on the radio, and honestly I think he has a point here. Five seconds behind the leader.

(LEC) "I think we have time for another lap now, then one more before the end."

(PAD) "Agreed, go and get it under your belt now."

Leclerc isn't switching his tyres for this second run. That could be bold. Ferrari gambling on the fact it is a short lap around here.

Hamilton up to fifth, Russell sixth.

Leclerc was running P15 after that impeding, but he's just put up a stormer to go fastest. That was a statement lap.

DRIVER AT RISK: Alonso
Relegation Zone: Bottas, Tsunoda, Hülkenberg, Magnussen, Ricciardo

Sainz pulls out of the garage as Leclerc comes into it, and Leclerc wastes no time getting no tyres on and back out.

Magnussen with a huge lock-up and that may have just ended his Q3 chances right there! Yep, he's abandoning his lap, he's out!

Sainz absolutely flying our there with two Purples. He's up to P1, 2 tenths ahead of Leclerc, who doesn't improve. Lance Stroll stays eleventh and he's out in Q2 in his home GP! Bottas also exits, but no purple sector this time. Alonso tenth and Ricciardo is out! Hülkenberg cannot improve so he is also out

OUT IN Q2: Ricciardo, Stroll, Hülkenberg, Bottas, Magnussen

Lance Stroll will start his home GP 12th, as one RB and one Aston Martin go out. Both Haas drivers and Bottas also out.

Sainz quickest from Leclerc and Norris.

FP3 is a go! Who will take Pole?

Leclerc takes a tow from Verstappen at the end of his lap, but was going purple anyway. 2 tenths ahead of Sainz.

Norris Third and Piastri Fourth.

Alonso about a second back.

Verstappen struggling on that lap, taking just Fifth. Perez goes sixth.

Mercedes struggling a bit, with Russell P7 and Hamilton P9 just now.

Tsunoda leaving it late, only one to not put a lap up yet.

Tsunoda up to seventh. He's quietly having a very good start to the season.

Q3 AS IT STANDS: Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Perez, Tsunoda, Russell, Alonso, Hamilton

The two McLarens have gone early here, and neither Norris nor Piastri improves.

Verstappen on an outlap, Perez has left it very late to start his, will he get round?

Leclerc and Sainz on fliers.

Leclerc fastest in S1, Sainz fastest in S2, this will be close...Leclerc improves by 0.001. Sainz doesn't improve enough! Verstappen stays fifth, Perez sixth, it is Pole Position once more for Charles Leclerc!!

Q3: Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Tsunoda, Russell, Hamilton

Leclerc takes another Pole as his early season domination continues! Ferrari lock out the front row once more, as McLaren beat Red Bull to the second row.

CANADIAN GRAND PRIX 2024
STARTING GRID

LEC SAI

NOR PIA

VER PER

ALO TSU

RUS HAM

RIC STR

HÜL BOT

MAG SAR

ALB OCO

GAS ZHO

Well, hello there, 70 laps of this famous Gilles Villeneuve Circuit, on the banks of the beautiful Île Notre-Dame, the 53rd World Championship Canadian Grand Prix, and the 43rd to take place here. This could be either a one or two stop, and it's a fascinating mix of strategies and of course, that dangerous Wall of Champions. The C5, C4 and C3 in play, tyre degradation isn't a huge factor around here, so this could be a Soft and Mediums effort.

Zhou Guanyu starts at the very back alongside Pierre Gasly today, with Esteban Ocon and Alexander Albon one row ahead. Logan Sargeant starts ahead of his teammate, while Kevin Magnussen suffered a lock-up in Q2 that cost him any hope of Q3, so he's 15th, while it's Valtteri Bottas and Nico Hülkenberg on row seven. Row six sees Canada's own Lance Stroll beside Daniel Ricciardo, then four of the five front rows are occupied by a single team each. The Mercedes are on row five, with George Russell ahead of Lewis Hamilton, then that RB-Aston Martin battle continues with Yuki Tsunoda beside Fernando Alonso. The two Red Bulls are on row three, with Max Verstappen starting just ahead of Sergio Perez. It's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on the second row in the two McLarens, and Ferrari lock out the front row - Carlos Sainz starts second, and it's Pole once more for Charles Leclerc.

One light, two, three, four, five, AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc just holds off Sainz at the start, Norris Third, Verstappen gets ahead of Piastri

(ADA) "DRS Enabled, DRS enabled, you are free to race but keep it clean."

(SAI) "Copy, copy."

Carlos Sainz manages to take the lead away from Charles Leclerc and now Verstappen is pushing behind Leclerc! Are Ferrari gambling with the Championship by letting their two Drivers race here?

(SAI) "He pushed me wide, f---, f---, come on, Charles!"

(ADA) "Head down, keep on with the race."

Leclerc has retaken the lead from Sainz!

Norris with a brilliant move on Verstappen for third, but it doesn't last as Verstappen takes Third back!

Into the pit straight, Verstappen has taken advantage of the Ferrari in-fighting to snatch second away from Sainz, then proceeds to take the lead off Leclerc!

(ADA) "And hold position until we can get past Verstappen"

(SAI) "But I think I can get him...okay, copy."

Sainz has been given the order, for now at least, to hold firm. Leclerc meanwhile goes round the outside of Verstappen to take the lead back again!

Hamilton with a beautiful move on Alonso and he's up to seventh.

(PAD) "And we need to increase pushing status."

(LEC) "Copy."

(PAD) "Verstappen behind, with DRS."

(ADA) "Okay, for now you can race."

Sainz grabs the lead of the race as he gets the chance to race again. Verstappen overtakes Leclerc for second.

Verstappen however is on the radio saying that his tyres are degredating a lot faster than expected. Leclerc and Sainz don't seem to be having that issue.

Daniel Ricciardo overtakes George Russell, and both RBs currently sit within the points.

Lap 12: Sainz, Verstappen, Leclerc, Norris, Piastri, Perez, Alonso, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Ricciardo

PITSTOP: Verstappen is, somewhat unsurprisingly, the first to pit this afternoon.

(PAD) "How do you feel about Plan C, question?"

(LEC) "I think we should absolutely consider it. Tyre life is still good, though."

PITSTOPS: Perez, Albon and Ocon all come in and get away without issue.

Leclerc currently in discussions with his team. Switch to a two stop, perhaps?

Hamilton running it very risky with his current tyre life. The Mercedes crew members are in the pitlane, but he's staying out. Alonso comes in, did Mercedes just dummy Aston Martin into that?

(PAD) "And box now, box."

(LEC) "Box this lap."

Bottas on the radio saying he's struggling with the ERS.

PITSTOPS: Hamilton, Tsunoda and Bottas all in. Leclerc just got the call to come in.

PITSTOPS: Leclerc in and out at 2.5, and gets out ahead of Verstappen! Russell meanwhile pits from 6th

Verstappen snatches fourth from Leclerc as the Champion goes ahead of the Championship leader. Leclerc now has his tyres in the window he wants, however.

(LEC) "We are struggling for pace on these tyres."

(ADA) "Update on tyres?"

(SAI) "Graining a lot here."

(ADA) "Copy, understood."

There seems to be a DRS train developing behind George Russell in P7 - Hamilton, Tsunoda and Alonso all in sight.

Leclerc has gotten the move done on Verstappen, but the Red Bull is coming back at the Ferrari now.

Piastri has stolen a march on Norris to take second! The two McLarens battle briefly, but that ends with a pitstop for Piastri!

A big lock-up by Gasly and he's currently last of all.

VERSTAPPEN RADIO (VER) "Clipping everywhere." (GP) "Okay Max, we're on it, put your head down." (VER) "The car is s----ing itself here!"

Drama here as Verstappen is reporting issues with his ERS!

Leclerc has broken clear of him and overtakes Norris for P2!

(ADA) "Box, box, pit confirm and box."

(SAI) "And copy box."

Piastri also having mechanical issues, but they seem minor and he continues for now.

PITSTOP: Sainz comes in and takes on Mediums! That's...surprising, if he's planning the one stop.

PITSTOP: Norris takes on Hards and he's going to the end on those.

(PAD) "You are doing a good job on tyres, keep it like this."

(LEC) "Okay, copy."

Lap 33: Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Piastri, Hamilton, Russell, Alonso, Norris, Tsunoda, Perez

PITSTOP: Verstappen has just pitted for a second time, this time for Hards. That is...very questionable. He's likely going to the end on those, but he just pitted about 18 laps ago.

Bottas is really struggling with the ERS. Leclerc laps him as that Sauber isn't going anywhere fast here.

(PAD) "Tyre temperatures are going slightly up, here."

(LEC) "Copy."

(PAD) "Try to look after the tyres."

(LEC) "Copy, understood."

Sainz seems to be closing in on Piastri for P1, there's a good chance Piastri pits again. Sainz is likely to be going to the end here.

Piastri is mentioning a fault with his ERS, Sainz takes advantage of that and he's up to P2.

Lando Norris takes FL on Lap 39

Lewis Hamilton currently quietly having a solid drive. He's up four spots to P6.

PITSTOP: Lance Stroll pirs and that seemed a long one. He drops from P10 to P13 on exit.

Lap 42: Leclerc, Sainz, Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Tsunoda, Russell, Hamilton, Alonso, Perez

Logan Sargeant complaining about engine issues, will he be able to get to the end?

PITSTOP: Hamilton pits, rejoining in P8.

This has been very calm for a Canadian GP, tbh

Verstappen goes fastest on Lap 44

That won't help Logan Sargeant, who locks up on turn 1!

Perez also fighting mechanical issues, seems minor for now, however.

Lance Stroll unlaps himself, then is immediately shown the blue flags. That seemed entirely pointless, tbh.

(PAD) "Tyre phase update when you can, please?"

(LEC) "The rears are staying to drop off. How are we lapping as opposed to Carlos?"

(PAD) "Carlos was five tenths faster last lap."

(LEC) "...box this lap?"

(PAD) "Box, box."

Logan Sargeant's day isn't getting any better as he spins off into the grass! He's managed to get the car going again, however.

PITSTOPS: Piastri and Tsunoda in, and away cleanly. Norris then comes in one lap later, which is surprising as we thought he was going to the end.

PITSTOP: Leclerc comes in, gets away in 2.5, and rejoins in third, about 1.2 behind Verstappen

SLOW PITSTOP: Oh, Logan Sargeant is not having a good day. The Williams pit crew keep him in the pitlane for a very, very long time. The car release failed. He's lapped for the second time in the process.

Leclerc makes short work of Verstappen, with Fresh Softs against Used Hards. He now has his sights on his teammate.

Lap 53: Sainz, Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Russell, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Alonso, Ricciardo

Piastri is absolutely ailing in that McLaren. As you feel a podium is slipping away.

PITSTOP: Verstappen is boxing for the third time today! Surprising is the word I'd use here.

It must be said, Verstappen has rejoined ahead of Norris. Bold stop, but it's very likely to pay off with at least a podium. He might even be targetting P2.

Leclerc has Sainz in striking distance. Sainz pushes Leclerc wide to hold position!

Leclerc gets the move done on his teammate and takes the lead of this Canadian Grand Prix!

Russell and Hamilton have both had very solid drives here.

Perez pits for the third time today, a lap down. A bit of a disaster for the Red Bull driver.

Lap 63: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Russell, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Alonso, Ricciardo

Albon with a spin! However he rejoins in 14th, where he left the track.

Russell is chasing Piastri for P5 and has him in striking distance. Piastri defending oh so well with limited ERS usage

And Russell gets the move done in front of the Wall of Champions!

Smoke blasting out of the back of that Williams of Logan Sargeant, and his day seems like it is going to be mercifully ended a couple of laps early. He's trying to get back round to the pits, and has somehow managed to do so.

FINAL LAP

It's been incredibly comfortable for Charles Leclerc today, Ferrari have nailed the strategy perfectly for him and he has not put a foot wrong, it is three Wins in a row, his seventh of the season already, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX!!

(PAD) "And P1!"

(LEC) "Let's goooo! Ahhh, this was a dream to drive, guys. Thank you to everyone at the factory, you've built a monster of a car this year."

(PAD) "Good job. And into the pitlane."

Verstappen P3, Norris P4, Russell takes P5, Hamilton P6. Piastri P7, Tsunoda P8, Alonso P9, Ricciardo P10

CANADIAN GRAND PRIX 2024
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.30.12
2. Carlos Sainz +19.880
3. Max Verstappen +1.786
4. Lando Norris +16.158
5. George Russell +26.889
6. Lewis Hamilton +3.206
7. Oscar Piastri +1.243
8. Yuki Tsunoda +1 lap
9. Fernando Alonso +1 lap
10. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
11. Lance Stroll +1 lap
12. Sergio Perez +1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg + lap
14. Alexander Albon +2 laps
15. Kevin Magnussen +2 laps
16. Valtteri Bottas +2 laps
17. Zhou Guanyu +2 laps
18. Esteban Ocon +2 laps
19. Pierre Gasly +2 laps
20. Logan Sargeant DNF (Classified - +4 laps)

DRIVER OF THE DAY: GEORGE RUSSELL

A fantastic drive from the Mercedes driver to take a P5 from ninth on the grid in a really strong drive. George Russell is your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP:
Max Verstappen, Red Bull

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Sergio Perez, Red Bull

2024 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP
After 9 Weekends

Leclerc 210
Sainz 158
Verstappen 139
Norris 130
Piastri 99
Perez 96
Russell 49
Hamilton 39
Tsunoda 25
Ricciardo 18
Alonso 17
Stroll 10
Albon 0
Ocon 0
Gasly 0
Magnussen 0
Hülkenberg 0
Bottas 0
Sargeant 0
Zhou 0

2024 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP
After 9 Weekends

Ferrari 368
Red Bull-Honda RBPT 235
McLaren-Mercedes 229
Mercedes 88
Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 43
Aston Martin-Mercedes 27
Williams-Mercedes 0
Alpine-Renault 0
Haas-Ferrari 0
Sauber-Ferrari 0

[foggy locust]

SPANISH GRAND PRIX 2024 WEEKEND PREVIEW

Laps: 66
Circuit Length: 4.657
First GP: 1913
Tyres: C3 (Soft), C2 (Medium), C1 (Hard)
2023 Winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

While we are in the midst of UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany, we take a break from the football for the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.

And with Ferrari currently having won every Grand Prix but one so far this year, they remain the team to beat going into Carlos Sainz's final home race with the team. Sainz is currently 52 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc in the Championship, and if there's to be a Drivers title fight between the two Ferraris, Sainz needs this one on home soil this weekend.

Behind Leclerc and Sainz, there's a nine point gap between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, and six between Red Bull and McLaren. The high speed corners in Barcelona will suit Red Bull over McLaren, can either of them challenge Ferrari this weekend?

This is of course also the home race of Fernando Alonso, and as the Mercedes rumours heat up, Alonso hopes to take some solid points for Aston Martin this weekend in their fight with RB.

Meanwhile, Mercedes are bringing a much needed chassis upgrade as they look to bounce up the order. George Russell will take the upgrades into Spain, while Lewis Hamilton will get them for Austria.

No rain is expected this weekend, and Spain usually throws up a curveball or two for some of the bigger teams. Will we see that again this weekend?

OLIVER BEARMAN TO PARTICIPATE IN FP1

Oliver Bearman will get a runout in FP1 for Scuderia Ferrari, standing in for Championship leader Charles Leclerc.

The highly rated Englishman will take part in FP1 for the second time this season after impressing in Saudi Arabia.

Bearman will be pulling double duty this weekend, as the F2 Championship leader will be participating in F2 qualifying moments after his FP1 appearance.

(ADA) "And radio check, Carlos?"

(SAI) "Radio check."

(ADA) "Loud and clear. Welcome home, Carlos."

(BEAR) "Radio check."

(PAD) "Copy, you're loud and clear, Ollie."

FP1 Rookies: Bearman (for Leclerc), O'Ward (for Norris), Hadjar (for Verstappen), Goethe (for Perez), Vesti (for Hamilton), Maini (for Albon), Colapinto (for Sargeant), Chambers (for Magnussen), Crawford (for Alonso)

Of note, Aston Martin are again holding Alonso out of FP1, amidst growing tension between driver and team.

Chloe Chambers runs the Haas wide, but quickly corrects herself.

(SAI) "Having some issues with the engine here guys."

(ADA) "Copy, we are checking that."

Sainz already having engine troubles this weekend, that is something Ferrari will need to sort as soon as possible.

Isack Hadjar currently running fastest, ahead of Sainz and Bearman.

Also of note around here: tyre degradation is really, really high. Quite a few drivers are already struggling to manage their tyres.

FP1: HAD SAI BEAR

A first time topping an FP1 for Isack Hadjar in the Red Bull, as he's three tenths ahead of Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman.

(PAD) "Green light, you can go."

(LEC) "Copy, copy."

(PAD) "And we need a good warmup on the brakes."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy that."

FP2 is a go. Quite a few drivers out there for the first time this weekend, including Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Hamilton and Alonso.

Hülkenberg with a big spinoff into Elf, but he manages to avoid the barriers. Just.

Ferrari have changed the components of the engine and gearbox in Car 55, Sainz's car. No penalties.

(PAD) "And tyre phase update when you can?"

(LEC) "I'm struggling so much with these fronts. So much."

(PAD) "And box this lap."

Lando Norris just went quickest, displacing Carlos Sainz at the top. Leclerc follows that up with P2.

FP2: NOR LEC SAI

Norris goes quickest ahead of Leclerc and Sainz as Friday concludes.

FP3 is green here.

Daniel Ricciardo up to third. The Racing Bulls continue to impress.

Daniel Ricciardo up to third. The Racing Bulls continue to impress.

Ocon with a spin at New Holland, which of course lost its infamous chicane last year.

Leclerc is again struggling with the tyres, but just went third overall. The Championship leader hasn't been comfortable in either session so far this weekend.

FP3: NOR VER LEC
Sainz P7

Norris tops his second session of the weekend. Could McLaren be on for Pole? Verstappen and Leclerc just behind.

Welcome along to Barcelona and to qualifying, on one of the toughest circuits for tyrewear of the season - it's almost certainly a two stop, if not a three. Qualifying is here, and McLaren and Red Bull have impressed more than the Championship leaders Ferrari, is that a sign of things to come this weekend, or can the Scuderia bounce back?

We are a go for Q1!

Carlos Sainz the first one out on track for his home GP.

Valtteri Bottas follows him quickly behind.

Lando Norris, who has topped two of the three practice sessions, and missed the other, also out early.

A loud cheer greets Fernando Alonso as he heads out on home soil.

Sainz first to cross the line and he sets a 12.427.

Norris about 0.297 behind, not quite matching his practice magic yet.

Audible frustration from Fernando Alonso on the radio as he is 1.537 off the pace of his compatriot.

Leclerc goes 0.098 behind Sainz.

Piastri currently about 0.726 back.

Verstappen currently on a flier.

We're also about to see what those Mercedes upgrades can do as George Russell starts his flying lap.

Red Bull looking very quick through S1 and S3, but Verstappen lost a lot in S2. He settles into Fourth.

Russell goes fifth fastest, ahead of Piastri.

Perez goes fastest! He wasn't fastest in any sector, but the combined time allows him to take P1.

DRIVER AT RISK: Ocon
RELEGATION ZONE: Sargeant, Zhou, Hülkenberg, Gasly, Albon

Albon up to 13th, can Ocon improve, he doesn't and he's out! Ricciardo at risk, Sargeant and Hülkenberg both exit, Gasly cannot improve! And neither can Zhou!

OUT IN Q1: Ocon, Sargeant, Hülkenberg, Zhou, Gasly

CAR 2 (Sargeant) and CAR 27 (Hülkenberg) have opted to take three place grid penalties and will start at the back of the grid after their Q1 exits.

Q2 goes Green here!

(ADA) "Work on your tyres."

(SAI) "Copy, there's a lot of graining on these tyres."

(ADA) "Yes we know, understood."

Hamilton is impeded a bit there and lands about a second back.

Sainz puts up a 12.349, that was a very good lap.

(LEC) "For f---'s sake."

(PAD) "We've seen it."

Leclerc impeded by the Haas of Magnussen and that likely cost him top spot for now. He goes second ahead of Verstappen and Perez

Tsunoda goes Fifth, that was a good lap by the RB.

Piastri then goes fifth himself, while Norris begins his outlap.

Norris up to second, splitting the Ferraris.

Russell locks up going into Elf, thankfully for him, he's completed his lap. He's Fifth.

DRIVER AT RISK: Hamilton
Relegation Zone: Albon, Bottas, Stroll, Alonso, Magnussen

Hamilton with a huge purple sector in S1!

Albon doesn't improve, he's out.

Both Stroll and Alonso improving.

Hamilton goes up to second! Stroll only 11th, Leclerc up to P2, Alonso eighth and safe!! Piastri now at risk, but Ricciardo doesn't improve and he's out, Piastri goes Fifth anyway!

OUT IN Q2: Ricciardo, Stroll, Albon, Bottas, Magnussen

Into Q3 we go! Who will take Pole?

Sainz has been absolutely flying this weekend - he's currently sitting P1. Leclerc goes P2.

Norris up to P2, 5 tenths off Sainz.

Perez into Third. Verstappen on his flier.

Verstappen makes a rare mistake and he's only tenth!!

Q3 AS IT STANDS: Sainz, Norris, Perez, Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Alonso, Tsunoda, Verstappen

The final fliers are underway, but what a fascinating grid this would be.

Russell up to third! Hamilton currently not improving.

Leclerc caught in a bit of traffic but will it cost him any chance of Pole...he goes Second!

Perez and Verstappen both improving, as is Piastri, Sainz doesn't improve but he stays on Pole for now, Norris improving too, Perez goes Second! Verstappen then takes Second off him! Norris hitting traffic behind Leclerc! He stays Fifth!

(SAI) "Do we have it? Tell me we have it!"

(ADA) "We have it! P1! Pole Position!"

(SAI) "YESSS! COME ON! Ah, great job everyone!"

Q3: Sainz, Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc, Norris, Russell, Hamilton, Piastri, Alonso, Tsunoda

Carlos Sainz starts his home Grand Prix from Pole! He'll have the two Red Bulls between himself and his teammate in Fourth.

2024 SPANISH GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

SAI VER

PER LEC

NOR RUS

HAM PIA

ALO TSU

RIC STR

ALB BOT

MAG OCO

ZHO GAS

SAR HÜL

Sargeant and Hülkenberg take three place grid penalties - Sargeant initially qualified 17th, Hülkenberg initially qualified 18th.

Hello and welcome to the Circuit de Catalunya here in Barcelona, it is Sunday, it is race day, and we have a home favourite on Pole. 66 laps are between Carlos Sainz and a first home victory, but he's got two Red Bulls immediately on his tail, and his Championship leading teammate just behind them. A high speed circuit where tyrewear is going to be very difficult to manage, we'll see a lot of two stops and maybe even some three stops.

Nico Hülkenberg and Logan Sargeant both take penalties so head to the back of the grid, then it's Pierre Gasly who Qualified last beside Zhou Guanyu. Esteban Ocon on row eight beside Kevin Magnussen, with Valtteri Bottas and Alex Albon on row seven. Row six sees Lance Stroll joined by Daniel Ricciardo, while Yuki Tsunoda starts tenth beside Fernando Alonso, who starts his home race from ninth. Oscar Piastri begins today from eighth, with Lewis Hamilton lining up seventh, while George Russell and Lando Norris are an all English row three. Charles Leclerc is fourth, with Sergio Perez Third, and its a return to the front row for Max Verstappen, while Carlos Sainz starts his home race from Pole Position.

Oh my God Sainz has had a howler of a start, Verstappen goes into the lead, Perez second, Leclerc third, Sainz dropped to fourth, that's a horrible start for him!

PIASTRI RADIO: "The vibrations are quite bad now."

This is horrible news for Piastri, who is already struggling with the car.

Leclerc goes round the outside of Perez to take P2!

Perez takes an early FL on lap 3.

However Sainz goes past Perez for P3!

Ricciardo with a lockup and he drops to 12th.

Russell overtakes Sainz, just as Perez did, and Sainz is now P5.

Russell has just taken P3 off Perez! A very eventful start here in Barcelona, we're only five laps in.

ZHOU RADIO "When I go downshift with the gears is really harsh."

(ADA) "And push a little bit here, Carlos."

We now have a real battle for the lead as Leclerc has reeled in Verstappen, and currently sits about four hundredths back.

Leclerc has DRS and has the lead of the race!

Both Verstappen and Perez overtake Leclerc and Sainz respectively. Verstappen back to P1, Leclerc P2, Perez P3, Sainz P4.

Lando Norris with a real burst of pace and he's up to P4, ahead of Perez, he's now attacking Sainz for third and takes it!

Lap 11: Verstappen, Leclerc, Norris, Sainz, Russell, Perez, Tsunoda, Piastri, Stroll, Hamilton

Alonso struggling a lot with the tyrewear of that Aston Martin and he has dropped out of the points.

(PAD) "Good job, you are managing the tyres well."

(LEC) "We need to get ourselves out of Max's DRS.

Leclerc gets DRS and gets the lead back!

Sargeant with a spin on turn 12!

PITSTOPS: Hulkenberg, Zhou and Sargeant are the first few in. Alonso comes in shortly afterwards.

Sainz is struggling a lot with pace right now and has dropped to sixth, make that fifth as he retakes it from Perez, actually Fourth as he overtakes Russell...third now overtaking Norris. You know what? Disregard the struggling bit.

PITSTOP: Verstappen comes in on lap 18, Perez and Russell follow suit!

(PAD) "Box to respond to Red Bull."

(LEC) "Yeah, box."

(ADA) "Box and pit confirm."

(SAI) "Box."

SLOW PITSTOP: Leclerc has a delay as Ferrari cannot get the tyre off correctly! He gets away as Sainz pulls in, who gets away fine.

(LEC) "What the hell was that? Let's talk about it later."

(PAD) "Sorry about that, they had an issue getting that tyre off."

PITSTOP: Norris comes in from the lead and rejoins P7.

PITSTOPS: Hamilton and Stroll in for their first stops. Hamilton rejoins P10, Stroll is delayed however! Oh my God that was a six second stop, Aston Martin you are a completely unserious team. Stroll rejoins in P12, and is furious on the radio.

Verstappen about four seconds up on Leclerc as it stands, although Leclerc just lapped a little quicker that lap.

Lando Norris pulls off a very good move on old teammate and old friend Carlos Sainz to take P4.

(PAD) "You are doing a really good job on tyres."

(LEC) "Copy, what is the gap to Max?"

(PAD) "Verstappen, 2.7 ahead."

(ADA) "Tyre phase update?"

(SAI) "Yeah, I'm happy with tyres. Very happy."

PIASTRI RADIO (PIA) "agh, I'm out guys." "Yeah, we're going to have to retire the car. Sorry about that mate."

Heartbreaking for Oscar Piastri as his McLaren's gearbox has gone, and he's pulled into the pits to retire on lap 31.

Leclerc is very quickly closing on Verstappen, and is now within about a second of the race leader.

It looks like Lando Norris might be struggling with an issue as well! This is one to keep an eye on!

PITSTOP: Perez comes in on lap 33, going onto Mediums. Will that get him to the end?

Lap 33: Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Russell, Perez, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Stroll, Alonso

(SAI) "I think I'm pushing too much here, I'm degrading a lot."

(PAD) "Guy in front is Verstappen, gap to Verstappen now 2.0, continue, keep going."

Leclerc's tyre advantage massively coming into play now, as he's gained very quickly on Verstappen and is now in DRS Range!

Yuki Tsunoda overtakes Hamilton for P7! Yuki having a very good drive so far

Leclerc makes the move on Lap 40 and he's back in the lead!

PITSTOP: Verstappen is IN. He's onto the Hards and away

(PAD) "Box now, box."

(LEC) "Copy, box."

PITSTOP: Russell in and away cleanly. The race leader coming in and he's going onto Hards - 2.415. A much, much better stop!

(ADA) "And box, box, pit confirm and box."

(SAI) "Yeah, in the pitlane."

PITSTOP: Sainz rejoins in P4, onto Hards as well and he'll go to the end on those.

Leclerc going for the move on Perez, and on the much better tyres, he gets it done!

Zhou having car issues with the gearbox and it looks like he'll struggle to get to the end.

Magnussen locks up trying to overtake Gasly and takes a chunk into of the Alpine on his way past!

CAR 20 (MAGNUSSEN)

Kevin Magnussen lands a five second penalty for that incident.

Gasly meanwhile pits to get a new front wing. I imagine Alpine might send the bill to Haas for that one.

SLOW PITSTOP: Sauber are having a SHAMBLES as they cannot get that left rear tyre off for Zhou. That was well into double figures!!

Leclerc gets the move done to take the lead off Verstappen!

Lap 58: Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Norris, Perez, Russell, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Stroll, Alonso

Leclerc has broken clear of Verstappen's DRS on lap 61, and that might just be enough to take victory here!

(ADA) "Verstappen is struggling, time to go hunting, I'll leave it to you."

(SAI) "Yeah, copy."

Leclerc has broken clear of Verstappen, Sainz is now pushing, can he steal a 1-2 for Ferrari again with three laps left?

(ADA) "Verstappen in front, 1.2. Try your best."

We have the unlikeliest of Ferrari 1-2s incoming, the Scuderia continue to dominate, it is a Fourth consecutive win for Charles Leclerc, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX!!

Oh my God, Sainz has actually caught Verstappen and is now into second!!

(PAD) "AND P1!"

(LEC) "Amazing. Amazing job. Fantastic race, thank you to everyone at the factory."

(PAD) "You've done an amazing job today."

(ADA) "And P2, P2!"

(SAI) "Not what I wanted at the start, but what a result at the end."

(ADA) "Fantastic recovery."

SPANISH GRAND PRIX 2024
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.27.32
2. Carlos Sainz +8.386
3. Max Verstappen +0.606
4. Lando Norris +24.368
5. Sergio Perez +0.536
6. George Ruzsell +29.870
7. Lewis Hamilton +1 lap
8. Yuki Tsunoda +1 lap
9. Lance Stroll +1 lap
10. Fernando Alonso +1 lap
11. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
12. Alexander Albon +2 laps
13. Nico Hülkenberg +2 laps
14. Valtteri Bottas +2 laps
15. Esteban Ocon +2 laps
16. Logan Sargeant +2 laps
17. Kevin Magnussen +3 laps
18. Pierre Gasly +3 laps
19. Zhou Guanyu +3 laps
20. Oscar Piastri DNF

[foggy locust]

FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP 2024
After 10 Weekends

Leclerc 235
Sainz 176
Verstappen 154
Norris 142
Perez 107
Piastri 99
Russell 57
Hamilton 45
Tsunoda 29
Alonso 18
Ricciardo 18
Stroll 12
Albon 0
Ocon 0
Gasly 0
Hülkenberg 0
Magnussen 0
Bottas 0
Sargeant 0
Zhou 0

FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP 2024
After 10 Weekends

Ferrari 411
Red Bull-Honda RBPT 261
McLaren-Mercedes 241
Mercedes 102
Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 47
Aston Martin-Mercedes 30
Williams-Mercedes 0
Alpine-Renault 0
Haas-Ferrari 0
Sauber-Ferrari 0

DRIVER OF THE DAY: CHARLES LECLERC

A confident and accomplished drive from the Monegasque driver to take his fourth consecutive victory and a huge step towards a maiden Drivers' Championship. Charles Leclerc is your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP:
Sergio Perez, Red Bull

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Sergio Perez, Red Bull

[foggy locust]

I'm away for the next few days so we'll be back for Austria and Silverstone next week. Maybe Sunday for Austria after the real one

[foggy locust]

FERRARI RENEW DIEGO TONDI AS HEAD OF AERODYNAMICS

Scuderia Ferrari have announced ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix that Diego Tondi will remain as Head of Aerodynamics for the foreseeable future.

Tondi has been instrumental in the success of the SF-24, which has won every race bar one so far this season, and has been renewed on a three year extension to his current contract.

Ferrari had been previously linked to Red Bull's Pierre Wache, who is likely to remain with the defending Champions after this announcement.

[foggy locust]

2024 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX PREVIEW

RED BULL RING
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA

Laps: 71
Circuit Length: 4.318km
Tyres: C5 (Soft), C4 (Medium), C3 (Hard)
First GP: 1963
2023 Winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

The eponymous home of the defending World Champions welcomes the grid to the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, And it is of course a Sprint weekend, meaning two qualifying days, and two races.

Red Bull finally may have a circuit that suits their advantage in High Speed Cornering, but they have a significant amount of work to do in the Championship. They sit 70 points behind Ferrari in the Constructors, with the Scuderia having won every race bar Saudi Arabia this year.

It's been four straight victories for Charles Leclerc, who has won eight of the ten races so far this year, with his teammate Carlos Sainz taking one and Max Verstappen taking another. Leclerc has a comfortable advantage over both and both Sainz and Verstappen have to make this weekend count if they're going to force a Drivers Championship battle.

With McLaren sitting in Third, they'll have designs on catching Red Bull this weekend, sitting just 20 points back, but they will come into this weekend with the third best High Speed Cornering, and with Red Bull top of that list, they may well lose vital ground unless they get a stroke of luck. They are bringing Rear Wing and Chassis upgrades this weekend.

Mercedes meanwhile look set for fourth but would love to upset the applecart and both wings are getting heavy upgrades this coming weekend in order to try and get the Silver Arrows back up amongst the top three this year.

Meanwhile, RB and Aston Martin resume their battle for fifth in the Championship, and both bring upgrades - RB are improving their Rear Wing, while Aston Martin make updates to their chassis.

Williams’ search for points also seems them bring a new Rear Wing and hoping their Cornering can improve, however they might be better off at the lower speed circuits. Haas, Sauber and Alpine remain put as they hope to finally get on the board.

A rainy Friday qualifying awaits, but dry spells should come through on Saturday and Sunday. Spielberg awaits - can Red Bull finally give their fans some joy for the first time since Saudi Arabia, can McLaren or Mercedes take victory, or will it be Ferrari once more on the top step?

FP1 goes green! With not much time to work with here ahead of Sprint qualifying, the teams need to make the best of this session. But there's rain in the air, it is off for now, but it is coming again.

Reserves in FP1: Hadjar, Goethe (Verstappen, Perez), Vesti (Hamilton), Chambers (Magnussen), Iwasa (Tsunoda), Crawford (Alonso)

With Red Bull running reserves in both cars, we might not get a true indication of their pace until qualifying.

Frederik Vesti puts himself up to P3, just behind Sainz and Leclerc, as the rain starts to come down.

Lando Norris seems to be having some issues with his car, it'll be interesting to see whether McLaren can fix those for Sprint qualifying.

(PAD) "And session over, box this lap, box, pit confirm."

(LEC) "Ahhh, I ran out of time with the setup. I think it's good, we have a very good setup here, but I think I will need to check something before qualifying."

FP1: SAI LEC VES

A slightly rain soaked session one sees Carlos Sainz go fastest ahead of Charles Leclerc. I have a feeling we're yet to see Red Bull's true pace this weekend, though. Frederik Vesti Third.

Hello and welcome to Qualifying part one for this weekend, it is time to set the grid for the Sprint tomorrow! And with limited practice time, and the unpredictably of the rain, this could well be absolutely anyone's game here.

It goes green, but absolutely nobody is chancing the early conditions.

(ADA) "And you can push. Track position is not great here."

(SAI) "So much traffic, and the rain isn't helping."

(LEC) "I think quite a few of the others had the same idea we did here."

(PAD) "No need to worry, focus on your own lap here."

Lance Stroll currently fastest, ahead of Bottas, Magnussen, Zhou, Gasly and Albon.

Sargeant puts himself P3.

Sainz about 1 and a half seconds ahead of the pack. Leclerc goes into second.

Verstappen up to P2, splitting the Ferraris.

Piastri into fourth, ahead of Norris!

Just 17th for George Russell, could he be at risk here?

🌧️ The rain remaining quite steady at the moment. The entire field heading out for another try.

DRIVER AT RISK: Sargeant
Relegation Zone: Tsunoda, Russell, Gasly, Zhou, Hülkenberg

Pierre Gasly with a lock-up, and frustration from the Alpine driver as he realises that likely puts him out at Q1!

Sainz seems absolutely on it here in S1, but Verstappen finds something to take P1 away from him! Meanwhile George Russell goes up to fifth and he is safe. Ocon at risk, Hülkenberg goes 13th and that knocks out Ocon! Albon at risk, Magnussen out, and Zhou is gone as well.

OUT IN Q1: Ocon, Magnussen, Sargeant, Zhou, Gasly

Verstappen fastest from Sainz and Leclerc.

FP2 goes green, and the rain might ease off a bit here. Quite a few cars going out there for a banker lap for now, with the exception of Stroll and Hülkenberg, in fact, Stroll heads out now, and Nico joins him after a fashion.

Alonso first to cross the line, and quickly goes P1 as a result.

Piastri up to P1, and Norris just behind him.

Verstappen P1 at the moment! Went fastest in the second and third sectors.

Leclerc slots in P2, with Sainz at P3.

(PAD) "So you are P2 at the moment. That was a really good first sector."

DRIVER AT RISK: Tsunoda
Relegation Zone: Ricciardo, Stroll, Hülkenberg, Bottas, Albon

A lot of drivers leaving it late here, but Verstappen isn't one of them. He's just gone purple S1, with Ricciardo purple sector 2, which Verstappen quickly takes away from him.

Piastri just went purple, well, this could be very, very interesting. That rain is letting up significantly now.

Leclerc just went purple through S1, Sainz through S2, Leclerc back through S2.

Oh my God Lando Norris is at risk here, this could be HUGE!

Sainz goes P1, Alonso, Bottas and Albon all improving, which means Perez, Russell and Bottas are all in trouble!

Bottas goes eighth! He's into Q3 and Lando Norris is out!!

Leclerc comfortably goes up to P1.

Albon and Alonso cross the line...Albon eighth, now ninth, Alonso Fifth!! Perez and Russell both drop out!!!

OUT IN Q2: Perez, Russell, Norris, Stroll, Hülkenberg

An absolute shocker as three of the four top teams lose one driver! Perez, Russell and Norris all miss out on Q3 for the Sprint!

Leclerc and Sainz 1-2. Verstappen was Third despite being the first to set his last lap time.

We're into Q3, and we have a Williams and a Sauber, alongside an Aston Martin, a Mercedes, a Red Bull, both RBs and both Ferraris.

With just four minutes to go...no one has set a time. This looks like a one-shot qualifying.

Finally, with just a few minutes to go, we have cars on track in the rain.

There is no Q3 so far, as nobody has set a time.

They've left it too late! Ricciardo and Bottas will not get round in time!

And that's it! No time for Bottas and Ricciardo!

Piastri goes quickest, then Tsunoda. Hamilton takes it, then Verstappen goes fastest, Leclerc second, but Sainz has had a shocker and he was just P8!! But it's Pole for the Sprint for Max Verstappen!!

Q3: VERSTAPPEN, LECLERC, HAMILTON, PIASTRI, ALONSO, TSUNODA, ALBON, SAINZ, RICCIARDO (NO TIME), BOTTAS (NO TIME)

A bizarre Sprint in the rain, but it's a familiar Verstappen and Leclerc front row. Hamilton ahead of Piastri, with Alonso, Tsunoda, Albon and Sainz following.

2024 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
SPRINT GRID

VER LEC

HAM PIA

ALO TSU

ALB SAI

RIC BOT

PER RUS

NOR STR

HÜL OCO

MAG SAR

ZHO GAS

Well, we head towards Sprint Saturday and the first test of racing for this F1 weekend. A mixed up grid after yesterday's rainy qualifying makes this very interesting, but it's a familiar two on the front row.

Pierre Gasly starts last at the back alongside Zhou Guanyu, with Logan Sargeant and Kevin Magnussen the row behind. Esteban Ocon is alongside Nico Hülkenberg on row eight, then the shocker that sees Lando Norris start 13th alongside Lance Stroll. Sergio Perez and George Russell both start outside the top ten as well after missing SQ3 yesterday, while Daniel Ricciardo and Valtteri Bottas didn't get round to set a time in Q3 so they start ninth and tenth. Carlos Sainz starts a surprising eighth, with Alexander Albon seventh. Yuki Tsunoda has his highest start of the year in sixth, same with Fernando Alonso in fifth. Oscar Piastri begins today from fourth, with Lewis Hamilton Third, and it's a familiar front row of Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, who is on Pole for Red Bull's home Sprint.

We're all set to go for the Sprint, AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO!

Verstappen holds firm from Leclerc, Hamilton ahead of Piastri and Alonso takes Fourth! Sainz has gotten ahead of Tsunoda and Albon, while Perez is up to tenth!

It has to be said, Carlos Sainz is absolutely flying round here, and is up to P4.

Leclerc forces the move on Verstappen and Charles Leclerc leads the Sprint!!

Oh my God, Max Verstappen hits the curb and spins off at Ams Ag! He has fallen to the back of the grid!

VERSTAPPEN RADIO "I just lost the car. Really weird."

Lap 3: Leclerc, Sainz, Alonso, Piastri, Tsunoda, Perez, Albon, Hamilton

With Verstappen very much out of the way, Leclerc is about 2.180 and gaining quickly on his teammate Sainz, who has fought his way to second.

Piastri makes the move on Alonso and makes it up to P3!

Ricciardo having issues with his car, something to keep an eye on.

Hamilton is slowing! That Meecedes is having real problems and he has fallen all the way to fifteenth!!

ESTEBAN OCON HAS CRASHED OUT ON THE FINAL CORNER!! HE IS OUT OF THE RACE! The Virtual Safety Car has been called!

(PAD) "And Ocon in the wall, Virtual Safety Car."

(LEC) "Is he okay?"

(PAD) "He is fine, he's out the car. Keep to the delta for now."

(ADA) "And cool the tyres, Virtual Safety Car."

(SAI) "What happened?"

(ADA) "Ocon off at turn 10."

(SAI) "He is okay?"

(ADA) "We are checking...yes, he is okay."

(SAI) "Copy, copy."

Lap 7, under VSC: Leclerc, Sainz, Piastri, Alonso, Tsunoda, Perez, Norris, Ricciardo, Bottas, Stroll, Albon, Russell, Hülkenberg, Hamilton, Sargeant, Magnussen, Zhou, Gasly, Verstappen. Ocon out of the race.

We are racing again here in Austria! Leclerc and Sainz racing away quickly here, Norris now up to P7. Hamilton seems to have mitigated the damage for the most part, now.

(LEC) "I am really struggling to get heat into these tyres."

(PAD) "You are doing a good job with the tyres. Temperature now normal."

(LEC) "Okay."

Alonso with a fantastic move to get round Piastri for P3!

Oh, scratch that. Alonso now having gearbox issues, and has dropped behind both Piastri and Perez!!

Perez up to P3, ahead of Piastri! Can he cur into that lead of Leclerc's however?

Lap 16: Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Piastri, Norris, Tsunoda, Alonso, Stroll

Alexander Albon locks up, he's off and onto the gravel! All the good work from qualifying is out the window!

Whisper it quietly, but Verstappen is back up to P11. Comeback on?

This is just a straight up simple Saturday drive for Charles Leclerc, who is mentioning a slight drop in the rears, but he is staying almost 3 seconds ahead of Sainz.

George Russell is up to P7, a somewhat saving grace for Mercedes considering the issues of Hamilton today. Ricciardo however has DRS and takes it back!

(PAD) "Two laps to go."

(LEC) "Copy that."

FINAL LAP

Leclerc has absolutely coasted to this, and just lapped Alexander Albon. The Ferrari rocketship continues to dominate, as CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE AUSTRIA SPRINT!

(PAD) "Yess, you've done it! P1!"

(LEC) "Come on!! That's exactly what we needed to start this weekend! Brilliant, guys, brilliant."

(PAD) "Great drive."

(ADA) "And taking the flag. That's P2, Carlos. Great job today!"

(SAI) "Ahh, fantastic. Great recovery today. Good test, good preparation, let's go for it now."

(ADA) "Great job. Some pickup please."

Piastri Fifth, Tsunoda sixth, Ricciardo seventh, Russell holds off Verstappen for the final point

AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2024
SPRINT CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 00.27.43
2. Carlos Sainz +2.714
3. Sergio Perez +13.545
4. Lando Norris +5.506
5. Oscar Piastri +0.869
6. Yuki Tsunoda +5.309
7. Daniel Ricciardo +2.002
8. George Russell +0.766
9. Max Verstappen +0.379
10. Fernando Alonso +4.088
11. Lance Stroll +2.696
12. Lewis Hamilton +0.442
13. Nico Hülkenberg +8.540
14. Valtteri Bottas +9.353
15. Kevin Magnussen +4.465
16. Logan Sargeant +2.931
17. Zhou Guanyu +4.760
18. Pierre Gasly +1.358
19. Alexander Albon +1 lap
20. Esteban Ocon DNF

Think I'll take a break for now, qualifying and the race later this evening!

[foggy locust]

Well, after a rainy Friday and an eventful Sprint, we are back to go qualifying again. Friday's Sprint qualifying threw up some shockers, but what does today have in store for us?

We're Green in Q1! Sainz, Norris, Russell and Gasly all on track early here.

(SAI) "Lot of traffic here guys."

(ADA) "It's OK, go when you're ready."

Sainz goes quickest, about six tenths above Norris.

Gasly about two and a half seconds back. Questions continue to be asked of the Alpine top brass. Particularly by Gasly. Right now. On the radio.

Leclerc goes 0.066 within Sainz. Ridiculously close margins between the two Ferraris here.

Alonso up to fifth after his first attempt.

A surprisingly slow lap for Verstappen who goes in sixth. Red Bull were expected to be quickest this weekend but the Champion is struggling.

Perez however has no issues and slots in 0.098 behind Sainz.

Oh my God, Oscar. Piastri completely misjudged the kerb on turn 10, and the McLaren goes absolutely flying into the barrier at high speed.

Thankfully, after a moment, Oscar emerges. He signals he's okay, but he'll be checked out for that. That could've been a lot, lot worse.

Red Flag, session stopped. And that's Piastri's involvement in today over.

Twenty minutes later, we resume with 6.33 left. Oscar Piastri will take no further part.

Yuki Tsunoda up to ninth on his delayed lap, just behind teammate Ricciardo.

Just eleventh for Hamilton, just behind former title rival Verstappen.

DRIVER AT RISK: Hülkenberg
Relegation Zone: Zhou, Sargeant, Albon, Gasly, Piastri (no time)

Last laps coming in now.

Albon puts himself 15th, and it's only Gasly thar can deny him as Hülkenberg, Zhou and Sargeant aren't on laps.

Verstappen puts himself fourth, well out of trouble.

It's another shocker for Gasly and he's out of qualifying! He didn't improve!

OUT IN Q1: Hülkenberg, Zhou, Sargeant, Gasly, Piastri

Top three: Sainz, Leclerc, Verstappen

Session 2 goes green. It's clouding over, but the rain should hold off.

Sainz goes an 02.975. Challenge laid down to his teammate, who's out on track now.

Leclerc answers the challenge in empathic fashion, going three hundredths up.

Stroll next to set a time, and he's 1.45 back.

Almost two seconds back for Ocon.

The sole surviving McLaren goes Third, but he's 7 tenths back.

Verstappen splits the Ferraris, about 0.176 back off Leclerc.

Hamilton is getting a slight tow off his teammate, but it's Russell who goes Fourth, with Hamilton seventh. A bit surprising there.

Alonso up to seventh, ahead of Hamilton and his teammate Stroll.

You get the feeling Perez needs a big weekend - Third at the moment, ahead of Sainz.

DRIVER AT RISK: Stroll
RELEGATION ZONE: Albon, Magnussen, Ricciardo, Bottas, Ocon

Ricciardo up to eighth, that was a decent time.

Bad news dor Stroll as he cannot improve enough to get out of the bottom five, and he's likely out!!

Ocon locks up, but it was on his outlap. It'll cost him some tyre life...he's also reporting some car damage.

(ADA) "Are...are you okay?"

(SAI) "Ahhhh, f-----. F---. Sorry, I'm fine. Damn it. Lost the car there."

(ADA) "We'll send someone to pick you up."

Carlos Sainz has just done exactly what Oscar Piastri did in Q1, and lost it at the final corner. Less of a bump, and he's unhurt, but that brings second qualifying to an end. Will he be able to participate in Q3?

OUT IN Q2: Stroll, Albon, Magnussen, Bottas, Ocon

TOP THREE: Leclerc, Verstappen, Perez

Q3 is a go, but with nine cars, as Carlos Sainz will take no further part in today.

Leclerc opting for new tyres on that first run, and he's 0.413 ahead of Verstappen. Maybe a gamble, but that might have just paid off.

Norris puts himself in P3.

Russell up to fourth after his time, going ahead of Alonso.

Q3 AS IT STANDS: Leclerc, Perez, Verstappen, Hamilton, Norris, Russell, Alonso, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Sainz (no time)

(PAD) "Track position isn't brilliant here. Do what you can."

Verstappen with a superb lap and he goes 0.161 ahead of Leclerc!

Leclerc on his last lap now, goes green in S1 and S2, can he get ahead...NO! He stays Second!

No improvement for Perez and he remains Third.

Hamilton doesn't improve either. Russell on his flier now.

And nor does Norris.

Q3: VERSTAPPEN, LECLERC, PEREZ, HAMILTON, NORRIS, RUSSELL, ALONSO, TSUNODA, RICCIARDO, SAINZ

2024 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

VER LEC

PER HAM

NOR RUS

ALO TSU

RIC SAI

STR ALB

MAG BOT

OCO ZHO

SAR GAS

HÜL PIA

Nico Hülkenberg takes three place grid penalty. Qualified 16th.

PIASTRI PASSES FITNESS TEST, WILL START IN AUSTRIA

Oscar Piastri has passed a fitness test this morning and will start the Austrian Grand Prix from the back of the grid.

Piastri had a heavy crash in Q1 yesterday, but has been cleared to race today.

The McLaren driver will start 20th after not setting a time due to the crash.

[foggy locust]

The Green Hills of Austria are alive with the sounds of Formula 1. And in the home of the reigning Champions, they have a promising position on the grid, but a Championship leader splits their cars. 71 laps of one of the shortest circuits of the year awaits us.

Oscar Piastri had a heavy crash in Q1 yesterday and passed a fitness test to start at the back, Nico Hülkenberg alongside him. Pierre Gasly and Logan Sargeant on row nine, with Zhou Guanyu and Esteban Ocon on the eighth row. Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen make up row seven, with Alexander Albon starting twelfth and Lance Stroll eleventh. Carlos Sainz starts tenth due to crashing out in Q2, he's got Daniel Ricciardo for company on the fifth row, while Yuki Tsunoda and Fernando Alonso are on row four. An all English row three, with George Russell just behind Lando Norris, and their compatriot Lewis Hamilton just in front, beside Sergio Perez. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc share the front row for the second time this weekend, and it's the second Pole of the weekend for Verstappen.

One light, two, three, four, five, AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

The Red Bulls are quicker off the line but Leclerc holds onto second ahead of Perez, Norris up to fourth ahead of Hamilton! Sainz meanwhile moves ahead of Tsunoda on lap one!

Leclerc is keeping Verstappen honest, while Sainz has already gotten both RBs. A solid start for the Scuderia.

(LEC) "I cannot get closer."

(PAD) "Continue, keep going!"

Kevin Magnussen with a big spin-off! He falls to the back!

Oscar Piastri quickly sees his opportunity and is moving up the pack, he's up to P16 already.

At the front, Leclerc is continuing to challenge Verstappen but can't get the move done.

Lando Norris does get the move done and takes P3!

Leclerc overtakes Verstappen to take the lead! Norris and Perez both take advantage of this, and the race leader mere moments ago has dropped to P4!

NORRIS RADIO "I lost drive, or something."

Lando's challenge for his first race win might be falling short due to gearbox issues! The McLaren driver will have to go some to make this work now. He falls to P3, behind Perez.

Perez gets the move done and takes the lead! Leclerc believes he was pushed wide, but no enquiry seems to be forthcoming.

Lewis Hamilton has come out of nowhere to snatch P3 away from Norris and Verstappen!

ALBON RADIO "Is the car okay? I'm getting like, weird vibrations here."

Sainz moving up to P3 ahead of Hamilton!

Verstappen seems to be struggling a bit here. He's dropped to sixth.

George Russell with a big lock-up and he drops out of the points! He nearly collected Fernando Alonso on that one as well.

OCON RADIO "Is everything okay with the engine?"

Leclerc retakes the lead, however Hamilton is up to P3 ahead of Sainz!

PITSTOP: Kevin Magnussen the first to come in today, he fits a new set of Mediums and he's back our there...and almost collects Leclerc and Perez on re-entry!

(LEC) "What the f---" was Magnussen doing?"

Oscar Piastri overtakes his compatriot and he's into the points!

PITSTOP: Verstappen pitting off Mediums onto Hards, before any of the Soft runners go onto their Mediums. Huh.

It's looking good so far for Leclerc, as he overtakes Perez, and starts to race away from him, having managed his tyres beautifully to this point.

PITSTOP: Perez IS undercutting Leclerc however. The Red Bull onto Mediums.

(PAD) "And Perez just pitted."

(LEC) "Are we boxing to cover, or?"

(PAD) "We are sticking to the plan."

(PAD) "Tyres are ready. Box now, box."

(LEC) "Copy, box."

(SAI) "I think we should go to a more aggressive Plan D."

(ADA) "Copy, we are checking on the plan."

PITSTOP: Leclerc comes in from the lead and he's stopped for 2.82, which allows Perez to just get ahead of him!

PITSTOP: Lance Stroll in from P8, he rejoins in 11th, just ahead of teammate Alonso!

Daniel Ricciardo having some heavy issues at the moment, he could be in real trouble here.

Leclerc moves ahead of Perez and takes P2 back! This is the net lead, with Sainz currently yet to stop.

(ADA) "You are doing a good job on tyres, keep this up."

(SAI) "Okay."

Perez and Leclerc have continued to trade the lead with DRS here.

Lap 27: Sainz, Perez, Leclerc, Verstappen, Hamilton, Piastri, Norris, Tsunoda, Russell, Alonso

(ADA) "We think we are okay with tyres."

(SAI) "Yep. Lot of graining here, I am struggling a lot with them right now."

(ADA) "Your fight is not with Charles here, please move over."

(SAI) "Copy."

Sainz gets the team order and allows Leclerc through. He defends from Perez for a sec before the Red Bull also gets past.

(ADA) "Box this lap, box this lap."

PITSTOP: Sainz in, and takes on Hards. Can he go to the end on those?

(PAD) "Tyre phase update, when you can please Charles?"

(LEC) "Tyres are good, lot of life left in them."

Piastri up to P6, and just having taken the fastest lap. Having a very good race so far.

Lap 37: Leclerc, Perez, Verstappen, Hamilton, Sainz, Piastri, Tsunoda, Russell, Alonso, Stroll

PITSTOP: Verstappen in and takes on a new set of Hards. He will most likely go to the end on those.

PITSTOP: Oscar Piastri in a lap later, guessing that McLaren are trying to cover Red Bull. He rejoins eighth.

(LEC) "What is the gap?"

(PAD) "Gap to Perez...eight seconds."

PITSTOPS: Hamilton and Tsunoda both in, Hamilton rejoins fifth, but has Ruasell and Piastri for company, and Piastri gets the move done for fifth. Tsunoda back out in eleventh.

PITSTOP: Perez is in, and interestingly, rejoins just behind his teammate Verstappen.

Looks like Verstappen is letting Perez by, this is surprising...although Verstappen now has DRS and is back on the attack, and retakes third.

(PAD) "Box, box."

PITSTOP: Leclerc is in from the lead, and rejoins after a 2.430 stop. That's a very good stop.

Sainz, who looks like he's on a one stop, is now into the lead of the race, with Leclerc about 6.9 (nice), back. Race on?

Leclerc picks up a bit of DRS from Zhou, who he laps for the second time today.

Leclerc takes the fastest lap, only for Verstappen to immediately take it off his hands.

PITSTOP: Lando Norris pits and subsequently rejoins a lap down. He's been having reliability problems all afternoon.

Leclerc now within 3 seconds of his teammate, and quickly closing that gap.

Max Verstappen is not going quietly into that goodnight, as he retakes Third from his teammate, and is only five seconds off Leclerc - albeit on much older, slower tyres.

Max Verstappen is not going quietly into that goodnight, as he retakes Third from his teammate, and is only five seconds off Leclerc - albeit on much older, slower tyres.

Carlos Sainz gives Charles Leclerc DRS, but before he can move over, he runs horrifically wide! He lost several seconds, and now has been overtaken by Verstappen in the process!

(SAI) "Damn it. I made a mistake."

(ADA) "It's okay, race is long, head down, anyway. Car in front is Verstappen."

Sainz gets the move done for P2!

Lap 63: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Perez, Piastri, Hamilton, Russell, Tsunoda, Norris, Alonso

Gasly with a big lock-up!

Verstappen retakes P2! Sainz seems to be struggling with graining here.

Five laps remaining. Leclerc is well clear in front. Sainz hanging onto Verstappen but struggling with his tyres. Everyone from Tsunoda in eighth to Ricciardo in eleventh dealing with faults but likely to hold on here.

Lap 69 (nice): Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Perez, Piastri, Hamilton, Russell, Tsunoda, Norris, Alonso

(ADA) "Two laps to go, let's go hunting."

Charles Leclerc has been on an utter tear this season, and that continues this weekend, he's been absolutely dominant, it's five in a row for the man from Monte Carlo, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX!!

(LEC) "LET'S GOOOOO!"

(PAD) "You've done a fantastic race. Amazing work."

(LEC) "Thank you...thank you to everybody."

(PAD) "Fantastic work. Into the pitlane."

Max Verstappen finishes second

(ADA) "And taking the flag. P3, awesome job."

(SAI) "Thank you, congrats to everyone."

(ADA) "And you got the fastest lap on the last lap there."

Sainz picks up an extra point on the final tour. Perez P4, Piastri Fifth, Hamilton sixth, Russell seventh, Norris eighth, Tsunoda ninth and Alonso tenth. Despite a bunch of reliability issues, no Retirements.

2024 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.21.31
2. Max Verstappen +20.833
3. Carlos Sainz +1.991
4. Sergio Perez +2.525
5. Oscar Piastri +23.601
6. Lewis Hamilton +4.264
7. George Russell +1 lap
8. Lando Norris +1 lap
9. Yuki Tsunoda +1 lap
10. Fernando Alonso +1 lap
11. Lance Stroll +1 lap
12. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
13. Valtteri Bottas +2 laps
14. Alexander Albon +2 laps
15. Nico Hülkenberg +2 laps
16. Esteban Ocon +2 laps
17. Logan Sargeant +2 laps
18. Zhou Guanyu +2 laps
19. Kevin Magnussen +2 laps
20. Pierre Gasly +3 laps

DRIVER OF THE DAY: OSCAR PIASTRI

A phenomenal drive from the Australian driver, who only passed a fitness test this morning to allow him to race, to go from the back of the grid to P5. Oscar Piastri is your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP:

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:

Esteban Ocon, Alpine

2024 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP
After 11 Weekends

Leclerc 268
Sainz 199
Verstappen 172
Norris 151
Perez 125
Piastri 113
Russell 64
Hamilton 53
Tsunoda 34
Ricciardo 20
Alonso 19
Stroll 12
Albon 0
Ocon 0
Gasly 0
Hülkenberg 0
Magnussen 0
Bottas 0
Sargeant 0
Zhou 0

2024 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP
After 11 Weekends

Ferrari 467
Red Bull-Honda RBPT 297
McLaren-Mercedes 254
Mercedes 117
Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 54
Aston Martin-Mercedes 31
Williams-Mercedes 0
Alpine-Renault 0
Haas-Ferrari 0
Sauber-Ferrari 0

FERRARI ACADEMY DRIVER LATEST

Oliver Bearman went to the top of the F2 Championship standings, currently five points ahead of Kimi Antonelli after his second place at the Red Bull Ring. Bearman finished just behind Franco Colapinto of the Williams Academy.

Dino Beganovic secured victory in the feature race of Formula 3, in what was a very successful session for the Ferrari academy - Charlie Wurz secured Fourth, while Sophia Flörsch took seventh and her first points of the season in her second race as a Ferrari Academy driver.

In F1 Academy, Maya Weug took third, but is still well behind Abi Pulling (who moves to Ferrari next season) and Doriane Pin in the standings.

[foggy locust]

BRUNO FAMIN TO LEAVE ALPINE

Ahead of the British Grand Prix, Alpine Renault have announced the departure of Bruno Famin at the end of this weekend.

Alpine have had a disastrous start to the 2024 season, having failed to pick up a single point and Famin is seen as the one to blame, having developed the car poorly through the start of this season.

Alpine, having seen both drivers being utterly demoralised and outspoken about Famin's time in charge, have quickly made the move to remove him from his position and "redeploy his services" within the team.

(Editor's note: probably to the unemployment line, to be honest)

Alpine will announce a new team principal in due course.

[foggy locust]

OLIVER BEARMAN TO RUN IN FP1

Oliver Bearman will get a runout this weekend for the third time this season in FP1.

Bearman will run his home Grand Prix, as Ferrari prepare to introduce reserves for the next three FP1 sessions ahead of the summer break.

Bearman will take Carlos Sainz's seat for FP1, while there is no announcement on the two reserve drivers who will take part in FP1 in Hungary and Belgium.

BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2024 PREVIEW

Laps: 52
Circuit Length: 5.891km
First Grand Prix: 1950
Tyres: C3 (Soft), C2 (Medium), C1 (Hard)
2023 Winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

The original Grand Prix in the Formula 1 World Championship, we head to Silverstone to officially mark the halfway point of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship.

And with this being the home Grand Prix of Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, George Russell and Alexander Albon (shared with Thailand, which of course doesn't run a race at the moment), as well as the McLaren, Williams and Aston Martin teams, and Mercedes and Red Bull having bases in the country - there's a lot of opportunities for home victories for the British fans. Lewis Hamilton in particular will race for the last time for Mercedes before his move to Ferrari, can he get one more win for the Brackley based team?

However, they will all have to get past what has, been so far to this point, a dominant Charles Leclerc and Ferrari. Ferrari have stormed the first half of this season, winning every race bar the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with Leclerc taking all those victories bar one. Victory here would mean that Leclerc has doubled his total win count coming into this season in just half a season.

Red Bull may well be a challenge in dry conditions however, as they are currently beating out Ferrari in High Speed Cornering. Max Verstappen sits 96 points behind Charles Leclerc in the Championship, while Red Bull are 170 points back from Ferrari. It's safe to say the Bulls need this one.

Of those home hopes, McLaren may have a better shot at it than Mercedes this weekend. McLaren almost upset Red Bull this time last year, however both Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton ended up on the podium, and if any team can beat out Ferrari and Red Bull this weekend, it may well be McLaren.

Elsewhere, Aston Martin will look to battle back against RB, as RB have had the beating of them over the last few weeks. With Fernando Alonso in talks with other teams, most notably Mercedes, the team need to pick up some good results if they're going to keep his services for 2025. Their home race would be a good place to start.

Alpine will enter a new era again after this weekend, as they announced the departure of Bruno Famin from the Team Principal role. This may be in order to keep one of Pierre Gasly or Esteban Ocon from leaving the team, but with rumours of continuing dissension between the two, it is likely one will depart.

We are expecting no rain this weekend, which is quite frankly surprising for the UK, and will be using the C3, C2 and C1 tyres.

[foggy locust]

Green light here at Silverstone for FP1!

FP1 Reserves: Bearman (for Sainz), O'Ward (for Norris), Vesti (for Hamilton), Iwasa (for Tsunoda)

(PAD) "And radio check, Charles?"

(LEC) "Radio check okay."

(PAD) "And we need to try and sync all the gears."

(BEAR) "Radio check."

(ADA) "You're loud and clear. Good warmup on the brakes, Ollie."

(BEAR) "Copy, understood."

Sargeant with a big spin! Well, that might be the worst thing that's happened to him this week so far...

The Racing Bulls showing some pace here! Iwasa currently P2, with Ricciardo P3.

Bruno Famin's last weekend in charge is not off to a good start. Ocon having major engine issues. They'll likely change that for the competitive sessions.

(ADA) "How is the setup Ollie?"

(BEAR) "Good like this, still some things to find though."

(ADA) "Copy, box, box. We'll work on that."

Verstappen has just gone second fastest, splitting the Ferraris of Leclerc and Bearman.

FP1: LEC VER BEAR

A successful FP1 for the Championship leaders, with Leclerc topping the session and Bearman third. Verstappen splits the Ferraris. RB showing some pace with Iwasa P7 ahead of Ricciardo in P9.

It's Green for FP2. First track action for Sainz, Tsunoda and the home pair of Norris and Hamilton.

Perez has just gone quickest ahead of Verstappen. First signs of Red Bull's strength this weekend?

Leclerc up to third as he returns to the pitlane. A quick change of tyres and he's back out there.

Tsunoda has just gone fifth. The Red Bull junior team are looking really strong today, can they carry that into tomorrow?

FP2: PER VER LEC
SAI P7

Red Bull do a 1-2 to close out Friday, with Charles Leclerc third fastest. Fight on this weekend?

Qualifying Saturday, but first, FP3 goes Green.

Piastri showing some good early pace here, third behind the Red Bulls.

Leclerc up to third, and he pulls into the garage, and is out of the car. Looks like Ferrari are happy with the data gathered for the Championship leader.

FP3: VER PER LEC
SAI P15

Verstappen and Perez top the Standings, Red Bull have been undoubtedly quicker so far this weekend, will that translate to qualifying?

Welcome to Silverstone and to the home of British motorsport. And with Euro 2024 ongoing in Germany, will it be coming home for Norris, Russell, Albon or Hamilton this weekend? Red Bull have looked quickest, and Ferrari remain a threat. Who will take Pole?

Qualifying underway! Who will take Pole on this sunny Saturday at Silverstone?

(PAD) "And green light. You've got right away here."

(LEC) "Copy, let's get out early and set our banker."

Leclerc sets the benchmark at 25.666.

Verstappen slower in S1, but faster in S2. This will be close. Verstappen goes 0.237 ahead.

Sainz quickest through S1, green S2, and slots into second ahead of Leclerc.

Zhou fourth on the board, 2.785 behind. We suspect that may not be the fourth best time set today.

Piastri slots into fourth, but McLaren are six hundredths off the Bulls.

Alonso up into fifth.

Not a great first lap from Norris and he slots into seventh, behind Magnussen in sixth.

Both Russell and Hamilton starting their first fliers.

Perez has gone off at Brooklands and spun the car! He's got damage, that rear wing is in absolute pieces! Somehow he's managed to get that car going again, but it's questionable whether the mechanics can get the car fixed to let him set a time!!

Hamilton up to fourth, meanwhile Russell has a bit of a poor lap and is into just fourteenth.

DRIVER AT RISK: Albon
Relegation Zone: Tsunoda, Ocon, Sargeant, Hülkenberg, Perez (no time)

The Red Bull mechanics are furiously working on that rear wing, but with less than three minutes to go, they are going to run out of time and Perez will be out in Q1!!

Absolute drama here as Sergio Perez is going out with a damaged rear wing! He's going to attempt a lap to keep him in Q2!

The final laps beginning as we are ending Q1. Russell now at risk bur he's on a flier as Albon goes seventh!! Ocon just 16th so he's out. Tsunoda not improving through S2, he goes 16th!! Russell isn't improving through S1 either. His saving grace might be that broken rear wing of Sergio Perez.

Russell is improving and goes 7th. He's safe.

Gasly now at risk.

Unbelievably, Sergio Perez has gone 11th with a wrecked rear wing.

Hülkenberg cannot make it through, and he'll be at the back.

OUT IN Q1: Gasly, Tsunoda, Ocon, Sargeant, Hülkenberg

Into Q2 we go. Looks like Red Bull have replaced Perez's damaged rear wing.

Leclerc sets the early benchmark, going P1. Verstappen quicker through S1, however.

Verstappen goes Third, behind Perez. Surprising there, he lost a lot through S2 and S3.

Hamilton up to fifth.

Ricciardo finding some pace in the RB, and going Fifth! Surprisingly Tsunoda was out in Q1, but pace being found.

Sainz goes quickest through S1, but loses pace through S2 and S3. He's fourth.

Just ninth for Norris.

None of the English drivers particularly impressing today, with Russell twelfth.

Both Astons in the top ten as it stands.

Worth noting that both Saubers have made it to Q2. Are they finally unlocking something this season?

DRIVER AT RISK: Stroll
RELEGATION ZONE: Albon, Russell, Zhou, Magnussen, Bottas

Neither Red Bull setting a second time in Q2. Perhaps trying to save a set of Softs?

Final laps starting now.

Russell up to seventh, but Hamilton has dropped into the bottom five! He's on track...but he cannot improve! He is out in Q2!

Sainz goes quickest, Leclerc second now.

Albon could knock Alonso out, who's at risk...but he doesn't quite have enough and drops out in Q2.

OUT IN Q2: Hamilton, Albon, Zhou, Magnussen, Bottas

Q3 goes green! Who's taking Pole today?

Leclerc hitting a little traffic but is able to move past it quickly enough. Sainz meanwhile quicker through S1!

Sainz lost a LOT in S3, he's one and a half seconds back off Leclerc. Wow.

Daniel Ricciardo third, about two and a half seconds back.

Perez about six tenths back. He's struggling with managing his tyres, even in qualifying. Suspension damage from that crash earlier?

Third for Lance Stroll. This would certainly be a grid and a half.

Verstappen just eighth at the moment.

Piastri third, and Norris fourth.

Q3 AS IT STANDS: Leclerc, Perez, Piastri, Norris, Stroll, Sainz, Russell, Alonso, Verstappen, Ricciardo

Last laps incoming now.

No improvement from Russell, he stays seventh for now.

Verstappen Green through S1. So is Leclerc. Sainz stays yellow, same with Perez, Leclerc slowed by Russell, as Sainz goes Purple through S2! Norris improving.

SAINZ GOES QUICKEST and I think Leclerc's lap has been ruined by traffic! Leclerc stays second.

Verstappen just third, Perez fourth

Lando Norris goes Third! Piastri on his flier, can he go ahead of the Bulls...he stays sixth

Alonso up to seventh!

BUT IT IS POLE POSITION FOR CARLOS SAINZ!!!

(ADA) "And we have it! That is P1, Carlos!"

(SAI) "YES! COME ON! Ahhh, fantastic work, guys. Fantastic."

(ADA) "You've done a great job."

Q3: SAINZ, LECLERC, NORRIS, VERSTAPPEN, PEREZ, PIASTRI, ALONSO, STROLL, RUSSELL, RICCIARDO

2024 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

SAI LEC

NOR VER

PER PIA

ALO STR

RUS RIC

HAM ALB

ZHO MAG

BOT GAS

TSU OCO

SAR HÜL

[foggy locust]

Well, it is go time here at Silverstone, and to the original Grand Prix. 52 laps of this 5.891km circuit await us, and it was a race won by Carlos Sainz from Pole two years ago, and that's where he starts again today, but the Red Bulls, the McLarens and his teammate are very much lurking in the midst.

Nico Hülkenberg starts at the very back, and he has Logan Sargeant for company. Esteban Ocon starts eighteenth, with Yuki Tsunoda a shock Q1 exit in seventeenth. Pierre Gasly begins sixteenth, while Valtteri Bottas is fifteenth, and row six sees Kevin Magnussen and Zhou Guanyu. Alexander Albon and Lewis Hamilton share the sixth row in Hamilton's final home race with Mercedes, while Daniel Ricciardo lines up tenth and George Russell ninth in his home race. Lance Stroll and Aston Martin are on row four, with Oscar Piastri sixth and Sergio Perez, who made it through Q1 with a damaged wing after a crash, in fifth. Lando Norris starts his home GP from Third ahead of Max Verstappen, while Ferrari lock out the front row. Charles Leclerc starts second, and it's Pole again here for Carlos Sainz.

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Sainz holds the lead, Leclerc second, Norris stays third, Perez ahead of Verstappen! Ricciardo up to ninth ahead of Hamilton

(PAD) "And we are racing Carlos. No risks, though."

(LEC) "Copy."

(ADA) "Free to race. Keep it clean."

(SAI) "Copy."

Leclerc goes around Sainz and into the lead of the race!!!

Norris, Perez and Verstappen all within DRS range of Sainz and Leclerc mind you

Alexander Albon runs very wide, and is not able to safely rejoin until the back of the pack!

Perez picking up steam and gets past Carlos Sainz for P2! Perez now picking up and putting Leclerc under threat now!

Hamilton goes fastest on lap 4

Perez, sensing an opportunity, goes for the lead of the race and overtakes Leclerc at Luffield! Perez into the lead!

Verstappen goes round Sainz and takes P3 away from him!

Going into Aintree though, Leclerc retakes the lead but now has both Verstappen and Perez to deal with!!

A pincer movement attempt from the Bulls gets Verstappen into the lead! Leclerc has to head off Perez to keep P2, but it's Max who leads the British GP!

Piastri fancies fourth and takes fourth off Sainz!

(ADA) "And good job on tyres."

(LEC) "Copy that. We're struggling for pace against the Bulls though."

Going into Copse, Piastri makes the move on Perez and he's up to third!

This is the first time since the early part of the season that Verstappen has had a pace advantage, and it is showing. He's currently four seconds up on Leclerc.

Leclerc is trying to deal with Piastri and Perez takes advantage to go ahead of both!! That was a beautiful move.

Sainz in particular is having a rough time pace wise, as he drops to sixth behind both McLarens.

Norris now putting Leclerc under pressure and takes third away from the Championship leader!

Sainz with a nice move to grab fifth away from Piastri.

Lap 14: Verstappen, Perez, Norris, Leclerc, Sainz, Piastri, Russell, Alonso, Hamilton, Tsunoda

Yuki Tsunoda up to tenth from sixteenth.ell

Kevin Magnussen and Zhou Guanyu have a coming together at Copse! Both cars go off the track and return. Looks like Magnussen has damage!

CARS 20 (ZHOU), 27 (MAGNUSSEN) - COLLISION: RACING INCIDENT, NO PENALTIES GIVEN

PITSTOPS: Piastri and Hamilton both come in, and Piastri has a slow stop! Hamilton out ahead of Piastri!

PITSTOP: Perez in for Softs. Quick change and Away.

(PAD) "Box, box."

(LEC) "Copy, box."

PITSTOPS: Both Verstappen and Leclerc in and Away! Both get away cleanly. Both on Softs.

Ricciardo however has a delay!

(ADA) "Pit confirm and box."

(SAI) "Yeah, happy to box."

Sainz briefly took the lead off Norris before pitting!

PITSTOPS: Sainz, Russell and Alonso all come in and get away cleanly.

On track, Leclerc has overtaken Perez and js up to P3!

Lap 19: Norris, Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez, Hamilton, Sainz, Piastri, Russell, Tsunoda, Alonso

Leclerc holding off Perez for a brief moment. But Perez makes the move stick. Leclerc soon takes it back with DRS!

We sense Norris is on a one stop here.

Either way, with much fresher tyres, Verstappen makes light work out of Norris and retakes the lead of the race. And adds the fastest lap on lap 20, to boot.

VERSTAPPEN

Carlos Sainz overtaking the man who will replace him at Ferrari next year, as Lewis Hamilton drops to sixth.

(PAD) "And we need to increase pushing status."

(LEC) "Copy. We just do not have the pace to match Verstappen here."

PITSTOP: Lando Norris comes in! As suspected, he goes onto the Hard tyres! That's likely a one stopper from McLaren. He rejoins P10.

The gap currently about 9 seconds between Verstappen and Leclerc. This feels like a track where Red Bull looked like favourites. Sainz however has gotten past Perez!

(ADA) "And try and protect position. Team orders in effect."

(SAI) "Copy, understood."

(ADA) "Tyre phase update when you can."

(SAI) "The tyres are good, for your info."

Ferrari look like they are set to defend what they have here. Even with Verstappen with a comfortable lead, a 2-3 would be good for both Championships.

(SAI) "Having some issues with the car here guys."

(ADA) "We are checking, we will come back to you."

(SAI) "The ERS isn't deploying properly."

(ADA) "We can see a fault in the data. Manage it best you can."

Well, this could well be a problem. Sainz struggling with the ERS, Leclerc now slowing a bit to give his teammate DRS to compensate.

PITSTOP: Hülkenberg in on lap 30. And Haas cannot get that tyre off for what seems like an age. He eventually rejoins, but that was well into double figures. Yeesh.

PITSTOPS: Hamilton in for his second scheduled stop. Tsunoda and Albon also in. Mediums for Hamilton, Tsunoda onto Softs, Albon, Hards.

Lap 32: Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Piastri, Russell, Norris, Alonso, Hamilton, Ricciardo

PITSTOP: Perez in, looks like they had a hard time with the Jack. He returns in P8.

(LEC) "Has Verstappen pitted yet?"

(PAD) "He has just come in now."

(LEC) "I was going to suggest the undercut. Too late now."

(PAD) "We stick to the plan."

PITSTOP: As Leclerc just alluded to, Max Verstappen has just pitted.

(LEC) "Having some issues with the gearbox. Quite a big vibration."

(PAD) "Copy. We're managing it best we can on our end, manage it best you can on yours."

Well, this is a major, major problem now for Charles Leclerc. Both the gearbox and ERS are having issues.

(PAD) "And box now, box."

(LEC) "Copy, box."

PITSTOP: Leclerc in and away cleanly. The gearbox and ERS issues might be a real problem though. Can he manage that to the end?

(ADA) "Box, Carlos."

(SAI) "Copy, box this lap."

PITSTOP: Sainz in, and takes Softs, as his teammate did before him.

PITSTOP: Piastri in, and that may be a major blessing to Charles Leclerc, as he was running just behind the Ferrari with the gearbox issues.

(ADA) "That was a really strong lap, try to keep it there. Keep an eye on tyres."

(SAI) "Copy."

FASTEST LAP: SAINZ

That may have just stolen Ferrari a point off Verstappen and Red Bull. Big for both Championships as it stands.

Leclerc is within 9 seconds of Verstappen, but with the gearbox and ERS issues, it's hard to see him pushing the car too much here.

PITSTOP: Haas are not having a good day...again. Kevin Magnussen delayed on the stop, and audibly annoyed about it on the radio.

Lap 41: Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Norris, Hamilton, Piastri, Tsunoda, Russell, Alonso

George Russell complaining about deployment of the car, and he is also in the position of having to manage the car home here.

ALBON RADIO "I had a midshift here."

(PAD) "Keep managing the delta like this, we should make it to the end."

(LEC) "Okay, what are the gaps to Max and Carlos."

(PAD) "Verstappen is 7.5, Sainz is 4.1."

Never say never here. Leclerc has brought the gap down from 9 seconds to 7.5, and is managing the tyres beautifully. But there's only six laps to go, and he cannot risk this gearbox. But he's driving very well here.

Magnussen's frustration is growing, as he has a spin at Woodcote, and drops to nineteenth.

Lap 48: Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Norris, Hamilton, Piastri, Russell, Tsunoda, Alonso

Zhou, running last, running very, very wide. He returns to the track however.

Sainz is within 3 seconds of his teammate, however the being lapped for the second time Zhou gives Leclerc DRS and extends the Championship leader's advantage over his teammate.

It has to be said, it's been a faultless drive from Max. This is his 2023 form kind of drive.

(PAD) "Two laps to go. Just get the car home now."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy that."

LAST LAP

Well, he really needed this one, and he's got this one, do we have a Championship fight renewed? It might just be a first step, but Max has his mojo back, and for the first time since Saudi Arabia, the top step of the podium, MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX!!

(PAD) "And that's the flag, P2, Charles, great job, great job."

(LEC) "Ahhh, good job. I gave it everything, think if we didn't have the gearbox I could've maybe made up the gap, maybe a few more laps. Ah, we'll take it with everything."

(PAD) "Good job. Some pickup on exit please."

(ADA) "And that's the flag, P3, Carlos."

(SAI) "Ahh, good job. Sorry guys, I didn't have the pace today to win. But good podium. Well managed. Pace was there for P3, so good job."

(ADA) "You did well. Good result. Need you to cool the brakes."

Perez P4, Norris P5, Hamilton P6, Piastri P7, Russell P8, Tsunoda P9, Alonso P10

2024 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Max Verstappen 01.21.09
2. Charles Leclerc +7.177
3. Carlos Sainz +3.278
4. Sergio Perez +19.942
5. Lando Norris +16.707
6. Lewis Hamilton +0.279
7. Oscar Piastri +0.602
8. George Russell +4.867
9. Yuki Tsunoda +8.431
10. Fernando Alonso +10.757
11. Daniel Ricciardo +9.660
12. Lance Stroll +9.060
13. Esteban Ocon +1 lap
14. Valtteri Bottas +1 lap
15. Nico Hülkenberg +1 lap
16. Pierre Gasly +2 laps
17. Alexander Albon +2 laps
18. Logan Sargeant +2 laps
19. Kevin Magnussen +2 laps
20. Zhou Guanyu +2 laps

2024 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP
After 12 Weekends

Leclerc 286
Sainz 215
Verstappen 197
Norris 161
Perez 137
Piastri 119
Russell 68
Hamilton 61
Tsunoda 36
Alonso 20
Ricciardo 20
Stroll 12
Albon 0
Ocon 0
Gasly 0
Hülkenberg 0
Magnussen 0
Bottas 0
Sargeant 0
Zhou 0

2024 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP
After 12 Weekends

Ferrari 501
Red Bull-Honda RBPT 334
McLaren-Mercedes 280
Mercedes 129
Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 56
Aston Martin-Mercedes 32
Williams-Mercedes 0
Alpine-Renault 0
Haas-Ferrari 0
Sauber-Ferrari 0

DRIVER OF THE DAY: MAX VERSTAPPEN

A faultless drive from the reigning Champion to claim just his second victory of the season. Max Verstappen is your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP:
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Max Verstappen, Red Bull

FIA ANNOUNCE GEARBOX AND ERS CHANGES FOR 2025 SEASON

The FIA have today announced the addition of an extra gearbox and ERS for the ten teams, starting in the 2025 season.

The team's will now be allowed five gearboxes and three ERS from next season.

The engine limit remains at four.

The vote passed with an astonishing nine to one.

Voted For: Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, Williams, Haas, RB, Sauber, Aston Martin
Voted Against: Alpine

F2 AND F3 ROUNDUP:

Isack Hadjar and Leonardo Fornaroli did the double with Sprint and Race victories respectively in F2 and F3.

Hadjar, of the Red Bull Academy, and Fornaroli, of the Ferrari Academy, won both races this weekend.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) and Oliver Bearman (Ferrari) traded 2-3s, with Bearman second in the main Race.

Elsewhere for the Ferrari Driver Academy, Sophia Flörsch took a highly impressive fifth in the Sprint and sixth in the race, while Dino Beganovic finished sixth and eighth. Charlie Wurz was 14th and 13th on a rough weekend for the Austrian Driver.

Abi Pulling continued her lead of the F1 Academy with victory in the main race, while Maya Weug won the Sprint.

[foggy locust]

HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX 2024 WEEKEND PREVIEW

Laps: 70
Distance: 4.381km
First held: 1930
Forecast on raceday: Heavy Rain
2023 Winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

We head next to the Hungaroring for Round 13 of the Formula 1 World Championship, and we have our first rain race on deck.

The great leveller, the rain comes at a circuit where Low Speed Cornering is key, and seems to favour Ferrari over Red Bull or McLaren. With Red Bull getting a much needed victory last time out at Silverstone, they move into a 167 point gap against the Scuderia.

Elsewhere, McLaren will also fancy their chances with the rain coming, and will hope to continue to close the 46 point gap for second between themselves and the Bulls. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have both come close to getting their first win this season, can either of them finally get over the line first this time round?

Mercedes continue to evaluate their options for their second seat as we head towards the summer break, and two teams in the mix there are the drivers from RB and Aston Martin, who continue their fight for fifth. Fernando Alonso is the name we've seen mentioned the most, and while Aston Martin desperately try to hold onto their star asset, RB might be nervously looking at the potential of Yuki Tsunoda to maybe even move into that Mercedes seat, if he doesn’t get the main Red Bull seat he is looking for.

And what of Alpine, Haas, Williams and Sauber? Can any of the four hit the jackpot and get their first points of the year in the unpredictable circumstances?

Well, in the rain…anything is possible.

FLORSCH, BEARMAN TO RUN FP1 FOR FERRARI

Some interesting news coming out of Scuderia Ferrari as Sophia Flörsch and Oliver Bearman have been announced to be taking part in FP1 at the Hungaroring.

Bearman will take his third FP1 session this season, and second in a row at the Hungaroring, and his inclusion comes as no surprise.

However Flörsch has not long joined the Ferrari Driver Academy and is getting an early shot with the team in an FP1 session.

Both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will sit out of the session, with Flörsch taking Leclerc's car and Bearman taking Sainz's.

Robert Shwartzmann is being tipped to potentially have an FP1 session in Belgium or the Netherlands.

We go green in FP1!

FP1 Reserves: Flörsch (Leclerc), Bearman (Sainz), O'Ward (Norris), Hadjar (Perez), Chambers (Magnussen) , Pourchaire (Bottas), Maloney (Zhou), Crawford (Stroll), Drugovich (Alonso)

(PAD) "And radio check, Sophia, radio check when you can."

(FLO) "Loud and clear."

(PAD) "You need to learn the gears."

(FLO) "Copy."

(ADA) "And radio check."

(BEAR) "Radio check okay."

(ADA) "Yes, confirm."

Bearman running P1 in this early going, Flörsch about two tenths back however.

Chloe Chambers runs the car wide! Looks like she's picked up some slight damage. But she continues on.

Perez with a spin-off into turn 1! With questions continuing about his future, that won't help his confidence.

Bearman looking very quick out there, currently in P1. Flörsch meanwhile sits a very respectable fourth, behind Piastri and Perez, but just ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who don't forget, joins this Ferrari team next year.

(PAD) "Update when you can, please?"

(FLO) "All good on the setup, having some engine cooling issues here."

(PAD) "Copy, we are checking that."

(ADA) "How is the setup and the tyres?"

(BEAR) "Tyres seem good, setup needs a little work."

FP1: BEAR PIA PER
FLO P4

A strong session for the two Ferrari reserves, as Bearman tops the Standings and Flörsch takes Fourth. Leclerc and Sainz will return to the car for FP2.

CARLOS SAINZ TO TAKE ERS PENALTY

Carlos Sainz will take a grid penalty this weekend for taking his third ERS component of the season.

Ferrari and Sainz have decided to take the penalties here and set themselves up for the rest of the season.

FP2: Green in FP2!

Norris and Piastri currently running a 1-2.

Magnussen having major issues with his gearbox!

Ferrari switch to the Softs and go 1-2 as the session ends!

FP2: LEC SAI NOR

A strong showing by our boys at the very end after spending most of the session on Hards.

We go green for the final session before Qualifying!

Perez and Verstappen currently 1-2, with Norris Third. Leclerc fourth, Sainz fifth.

FP3: VER PER NOR
SAI P4 LEC P5

A solid morning's work. To qualifying!

Welcome to the Hungaroring, and to qualifying. With the rain coming tomorrow, the "Go-Kart Track" sees a vitally important qualifying session. Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren have all been quick, and you feel Pole may well be up for grabs here.

Q1 is underway here for Round 13!

Leclerc is the first man out on track. With Sainz taking penalties that will see him most likely start at the back, it seems to be on the Championship leader's shoulders for the Scuderia this weekend.

Sainz heading out here. Worth noting that none of the other drivers have entered the circuit yet, which gave Leclerc a completely free run at that.

(SAI) "Aargh."

(ADA) "Are you okay, Carlos?"

(SAI) "Yeah. I'm OK. Lost the rears there. Damnit."

A huge spin-off from Carlos Sainz as he was hitting his flying lap, and that brings out the Red Flag. That's likely repair work that Ferrari didn't need, even if Sainz was starting at the back anyway.

We are a go again after Sainz's mishap slowed the session down a bit.

Ricciardo being caught out by traffic there, and that slowed the RB driver heavily.

Verstappen slots in about 8 hundredths behind Leclerc.

Meanwhile, Ricciardo about 4 seconds back. Wow.

Both Mercedes slot in third and fourth.

Norris then splits the two Mercs into P4.

A strong effort from Tsunoda puts him at P5!

Piastri with a great effort to take P4.

Sainz is likely getting old parts for the rest of this weekend now

DRIVER AT RISK: Bottas
RELEGATION ZONE: Albon, Zhou, Ricciardo, Gasly, Sainz (no time)

Heavy, heavy traffic out here.

Albon negotiating the slipstream well though and improving and he goes 15th, which is enough to drop his teammate into the bottom five.

Sargeant doesn't improve, he's out! Zhou stats 17th, Gasly up to 16th, Bottas up to 18th. Albon survives. Just.

OUT IN Q1: Gasly, Bottas, Sargeant, Zhou, Sainz (no time)

Disappointment for Carlos as he drops out in Q1. Charles through to Q2 top of the table!

We go green in Q2!

Leclerc once again heading out early. Interestingly, on new tyres - he might just be planning one run here.

Verstappen out there on used tyres.

(LEC) "What is the Red Bull doing, COME ON!"

(PAD) "We've seen it. Concentrate."

Leclerc getting stuck behind Perez, not Verstappen there, as he begun his flier. It doesn't seen to have done him too much damage, as he's about half a second ahead.

Alonso loses the Aston Martin in the final corner and comes to a careering halt! That'll end his session. The AM driver confirms he's okay, but that's the end of his afternoon.

We're back underway after the second interruption. Ten mins left.

Piastri was on a hotlap, so he's on even more used tyres here.

DRIVER AT RISK: Ricciaddo
RELEGATION ZONE: Albon, Hülkenberg, Magnussen, Ocon, Alonso (no time)

The top three remain in the pitlane, everyone else, bar Alonso, obviously, on a lap.

Albon out in Q2! Ricciardo joins him as Hülkenberg goes tenth, Ocon just 13th and Magnussen 14th!

OUT IN Q2: Ricciardo, Albon, Ocon. Magnussen, Alonso

Charles flies through in P1 to Q3!!

Q3 is underway!

Leclerc using used tyres on this first run this time around.

As is Piastri, who's the only other car on track right now.

Norris heading out now, as are Verstappen and Hamilton.

For the second time in qualifying, Leclerc is impeded, this time by Lance Stroll. The stewards might have a second look at that one.

Verstappen on very, very used tyres here. Perez going with the same approach. Interesting.

Piastri slots in almost a full second back from Leclerc. Was he impeded?

Despite the very used tyres, Verstappen goes P2.

Hamilton into P3, with Russell Fifth.

Just eighth for Norris! Not a great lap for him.

Perez meanwhile goes second, ahead of Verstappen! That was a big lap for Checo. He needed that.

Q3 AS IT STANDS: Leclerc, Perez, Verstappen, Hamilton, Piastri, Russell, Stroll, Tsunoda, Norris, Hülkenberg

Tsunoda runs the car a little wide there, but he was on his outlap.

Purple sector for Verstappen! Is it game on here?

Leclerc goes green, just 0.003 behind Max!

Leclerc has lost two tenths to Verstappen here, Max could have this...

Verstappen is on presumed Pole at the moment

Leclerc needs some magic in the third sector and he doesn't improve! P2 for Leclerc!

Perez takes P3, and it's advantage Bulls!

Norris has had a strong first two sectors, Piastri P6...Norris goes Fourth!

Q3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez, Norris, Russell, Hamilton, Piastri, Tsunoda, Stroll, Hülkenberg

P2 for Charles! Close, but no cigar.

2024 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

VER LEC

PER NOR

RUS HAM

PIA TSU

STR HÜL

RIC ALB

OCO MAG

ALO GAS

BOT SAR

ZHO SAI

+19 Place Penalty for Carlos Sainz, however Sainz initially qualified 20th.

Welcome to the Hungaroring and to 70 laps here in Budapest! We are expecting quite heavy rain here for a significant portion of the day, and that likely changes EVERYTHING this afternoon. The C5, C4 and C3s might make a brief appearance, but it's those Ints and Wets you're likely to see for most of this.

Carlos Sainz starts at the very back after penalties and a crash in qualifying, while Zhou Guanyu is alongside him. Logan Sargeant and Valtteri Bottas on row nine, while Pierre Gasly starts beside Fernando Alonso, who also crashed out, this time in Q2. Kevin Magnussen starts 14th with Esteban Ocon, who famously won this race in 2021, thirteenth, while Alexander Albon starts 12th and Daniel Ricciardo is 11th. Nico Hülkenberg begins from 10th with a great chance of points for Haas, Lance Stroll beside him. Yuki Tsunoda and Oscar Piastri begin on row four, while it's the two Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton on row three. Lando Norris starts fourth, while Sergio Perez lines up Third, and it's that oh so familiar front row of Charles Leclerc second and Pole Position for Max Verstappen.

No rain yet, but it's coming around lap 20, and it will be heavy

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc is quicker off the line than Verstappen and into the lead of the Grand Prix, Norris gets past Perez, Piastri up ahead of Hamilton, Hülkenberg has already fallen out of the top ten, a horrible start for the Haas

OH AND WE HAVE DRAMA ALREADY, LOGAN SARGEANT IS OFF AT TURN 5

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR

Lap 1 drama, as Logan Sargeant loses the car already and plows into the barrier. His day is done after five corners. Virtual Safety Car dispatched.

(ADA) "Big accident, Sargeant out."

(SAI) "I saw him go off. I hope he's okay at least."

(ADA) "He's OK. P19 for now."

(PAD) "Sargeant off, VSC."

(LEC) "Is he okay?"

(PAD) "Yeah, just confirmed he is OK. So you are P1, gap to Verstappen, 1.6."

We are back racing on lap 3!

And we have an immediate yellow flag as Kevin Magnussen goes off! He locks up but he's back on track

ALONSO RADIO (ALO) "I don't have deployment during the lap!" "Okay Fernando, we're on it." (ALO) "Every week, something new with this f-----g car!"

Fernando Alonso's continuing frustrations with his team bubbling over. He's up to P13 at least.

Sainz quickly making his way up the order. He's up to P16 ahead of Gasly, and has his sights on Bottas.

PIASTRI RADIO "You are free to race Lando. Papaya rules."

Piastri has quickly taken on "Papaya Rules" - whatever that means - and is now challenging not just his teammate, but Sergio Perez for P3.

Leclerc has quickly built up a gap on Verstappen, and is managing his tyres well to boot here. Verstappen however put on some speed to bring the gap back under two seconds.

(PAD) "And try and increase pushing status, Verstappen is gaining."

(LEC) "I'm losing so much in the corners here."

Papaya Rules is in effect, and Oscar Piastri is up to fourth, however Perez has broken away from both McLarens.

(ADA) "You need to manage your tyres more, you're losing a bit."

(SAI) "I'm happy with tyres as is."

Lap 10: Leclerc, Verstappen, Perez, Piastri, Norris, Hamilton, Russell, Tsunoda, Stroll, Ricciardo

Norris retakes Fourth from his teammate, and gains a bit on him quite quickly.

After battling with him for a bit longer than he would've liked, Sainz grabs P12 from Hülkenberg.

Leclerc currently running two and a half ahead of Verstappen, Verstappen is keeping Leclerc honest but that Ferrari's advantage on low speed cornering is paying off so far.

Speaking of which, Sainz is now targeting Albon for P11. James Vowles has made no secret that he'd love to sign Sainz - could this be his future teammate he's battling with right now?

Tsunoda sitting eighth right behind Russell in seventh is the closest battle we have anywhere on track right now.

(PAD) "Tyre phase update?"

(LEC) "Graining a little bit, but OK, manageable."

(PAD) "We are expecting some rain in the next few laps."

Sainz, who started at the very back, is currently on the cusp of the points, chasing Daniel Ricciardo for P10.

Lando Norris has DRS and Lando Norris is up ahead of Sergio Perez in the pit straight and into P3!

🌧️ It's clouding over significantly here. Rain is imminent.

Zhou lapped by Leclerc. I don't think there's been a race so far this season where this particular event hasn't happened.

🌧️ THE RAIN IS ON. When do we see the first stops?

(PAD) "So box now, box for Inters, we think inters is much quicker."

(LEC) "Copy, box."

(ADA) "Rain is starting with a shower. Box now, bow, for inters."

(SAI) "Yep. Box."

PITSTOPS: Leclerc is in, Verstappen follows suit, so does Norris...AND LECLERC IS DELAYED. THAT WAS HORRENDOUS

(LEC) "We lost so much time there guys. What a joke."

(PAD) "Sorry about that."

(LEC) "We'll talk later."

(SAI) "Come on guys, you need to do better!"

(ADA) "Sorry about that."

PITSTOP: It gets worse for Ferrari as both drivers were delayed there! Leclerc now 2 seconds behind Verstappen, while Sainz is out in P11.

HÜLKENBERG RADIO "The upshifts aren't really working here."

Sainz is up to P10 and now pushing against Stroll for P9.

Sainz gets by Stroll. Stroll complaining that he was pushed wide. He wasn't pushed wide. It was a good move.

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED

Stroll has responded by going chasing after Sainz, completely misjudging Turn 5, and careering into the barrier. Thankfully he's okay, but that's the end of his afternoon.

STROLL RADIO (STR) "F---. Sorry guys."

Verstappen definitely having the better of the rain over his Championship rival, and as it stands, he could be bringing the points gap down this evening.

Lap 30, under VSC: Verstappen, Leclerc, Norris, Perez, Hamilton, Piastri, Russell, Tsunoda, Sainz, Ricciardo, Alonso, Albon, Hülkenberg, Ocon, Bottas, Gasly, Magnussen, Zhou. Stroll and Sargeant out of the race.

(LEC) "Is everything fine with the ERS?"

(PAD) "We are checking, will come back to you..."

(PAD) "So there's some slight issues with the ERS, on this side we can continue."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy. Will do my best on this side."

Problems for the Championship leader. The ERS isn't working the way he'd like it. And he is losing time, big time, to Verstappen. A further problem - Norris is gaining.

BOTTAS RADIO "I lost the gear sixth."

Tsunoda loses time, and tyrelife, on a lock-up. He's back on track but has lost a lot of time on Sainz in P8.