Essere Ferrari II

[foggy locust]

PITSTOP: Lance Stroll comes in for Williams. Clean stop and he's away.

Lando Norris caught napping and Oscar Piastri gets him for P3!

Alonso now going for fourth on Norris and takes fourth off him too!

PITSTOPS: Hülkenberg and Gasly both in, and both rejoin at the back. Likely that points are off the table for both now.

Lap 50: Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Alonso, Bottas, Norris, Ricciardo, Russell, Tsunoda, Zhou, Albon, Verstappen, Ocon, Magnussen, Stroll, Hülkenberg, Gasly. Pourchaire, Vandoorne and Sainz out of the race.

PITSTOP: Ocon into the pitlane, and he gets new Softs. He rejoins P17.

OH MY GOD IT'S A RED FLAG

Ocon completely loses the car at Saint Devote and plows into the barrier! He's OK, thankfully, but his race is over, and this race is now paused!

Restart order on Lap 53: Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Alonso, Bottas, Norris, Ricciardo, Russell, Tsunoda, Zhou, Albon, Verstappen, Stroll, Magnussen, Hülkenberg, Gasly. Ocon, Pourchaire, Vandoorne and Sainz out of the race.

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO AGAIN

Leclerc and Hamilton off to good starts, Hamilton sneaks ahead briefly but it is only briefly!! Leclerc regains the lead quickly, Verstappen has fallen behind Stroll into 13th! Tsunoda gets ahead of Russell into P9!

(ADA) "We need some LiCo for engine temps"

(HAM) "Yeah."

LECLERC

PITSTOP: Magnussen pulling into the garage, and he's pulling in to retire. A Double DNF and a miserable day for Alpine.

Leclerc now about 2 seconds ahead of Hamilton and gaining.

Verstappen gets the move done at Saint Devote and is ahead of Stroll into P12. A lot of work for the Championship leader though to do.

Lap 62: Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Alonso, Norris, Bottas, Tsunoda, Russell, Ricciardo, Zhou, Albon, Verstappen, Stroll, Hülkenberg, Gasly. Magnussen, Ocon, Pourchaire, Vandoorne and Sainz are out of the race.

Zhou having gearbox issues with his car! He'll struggle to retain P10 with that.

And just as that happens, Albon gets Zhou for P10!

(LEC) "What is the gap to Lewis?"

(BOZ) "Gap,is currently 2.3, this is a good pace, we are happy to keep this pace up, the tyre management is good. That last lap was good."

(LEC) "...so it is good?"

(BOZ) "Yeah, it is all good."

Lap 72. Leclerc 2.9 up on Hamilton, Piastri 12 behind, Alonso 1.3 behind him, Norris a further 9 back, Bottas 4 seconds back, Tsunoda 6 seconds back, Russell 1.6 back, Ricciardo 1.72 behind, then Albon and Verstappen putting Ricciardo under pressure for the final points

(BOZ) "That's five laps left Charles."

(LEC) "Copy."

(ADA) "Bring the car home Lewis."

LAST LAP

One year ago, Charles Leclerc broke the Monaco curse. He took home victory here after many years of heartbreak. 12 months later, he's returned home as the defending Champion, and he's done it again, CHARLES LECLERC CROSSES THE LINE, AND WINS THE MONACO GRAND PRIX!!!

(BOZ) "YOU'VE DONE IT! YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN!"

(LEC) "YESSSSSS!!!! YES YES YESSSS! Yesss, aha! Ahhh, this one means the world, guys. This one...it doesn't get any better. Two in a row, TWO IN A ROW!"

(BOZ) "Amazing job, brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."

(ADA) "And that's the flag, P2, Lewis, P2."

(HAM) "Great job today, great job. Thanks guys. Congratulations to Charles, he was brilliant. Good result for the team, let's keep pushing."

Piastri P3, Alonso P4, Norris P5, Bottas P6, Tsunoda P7, Russell P8

Ricciardo ninth, Verstappen gets Albon for P10 and a single point!

Very disappointing for Williams, who miss out on points entirely

2025 MONACO GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01:41:18
2. Lewis Hamilton +3.170
3. Oscar Piastri +11.670
4. Fernando Alonso +2.933
5. Lando Norris +6.358
6. Valtteri Bottas +8.068
7. Yuki Tsunoda +10.016
8. George Russell +2.074
9. Daniel Ricciardo +1.828
10. Max Verstappen +0.463
11. Alexander Albon +1.328
12. Lance Stroll +4.927
13. Zhou Guanyu +10.397
14. Nico Hülkenberg +0.379
15. Pierre Gasly +1.493
16. Kevin Magnussen DNF
17. Esteban Ocon DNF
18. Théo Pourchaire DNF
19. Carlos Sainz DNF
20. Stoffel Vandoorne DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: CHARLES LECLERC, FERRARI

A phenomenal drive on home soil to take a victory he was never in much danger of losing, a second consecutive home win and going to the top of the Championship. Charles Leclerc is your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP AWARD
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 1.10.488

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD
Max Verstappen, Red Bull 2.149s

2025 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 173
Verstappen 156
Hamilton 149
Norris 85
Alonso 77
Piastri 77
Bottas 71
Sainz 23
Tsunoda 23
Russell 17
Albon 14
Ricciardo 12
Vandoorne 8
Hülkenberg 2
Stroll 1
Zhou 0
Ocon 0
Magnussen 0
Pourchaire 0
Gasly 0

2025 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 322
Red Bull-Honda RBPT 233
McLaren-Mercedes 162
Aston Martin-Honda RBPT 79
Mercedes 40
Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 35
Williams-Mercedes 15
Haas-Ferrari 2
Alpine-Renault 0
Audi Sauber-Mercedes 0

[foggy locust]

POURCHAIRE, VANDOORNE GIVEN THREE PLACE GRID PENALTIES FOR CANADIAN GRAND PRIX

After extensive meetings with Théo Pourchaire, Stoffel Vandoorne, Kevin Magnussen and Carlos Sainz following the Monaco Grand Prix, Pourchaire and Vandoorne were given three place grid penalties for the Canadian Grand Prix.

Vandoorne caused a crash with Sainz that ended both their races early in the Grand Prix, meanwhile Pourchaire attempted a dangerous move on Magnussen but only found the side of the Alpine and the barrier, ending his own race. Magnussen continued on but retired with a mechanical fault later in the race.

Magnussen and Sainz were not given a penalty.

PATO O'WARD WINS INDY 500

The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 saw Pato O'Ward finally take victory after heartbreak 12 months previously.

O'Ward, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing after leaving the McLaren program for Red Bull in the offseason, came home ahead of Josef Newgarden and Sergio Perez as the top three in Indianapolis.

O'Ward was runner-up following a last-lap pass from winner Newgarden in 2024, but 2025 was his moment as he took the lead twice in the race, most recently on Lap 172, and led the rest of the way home.

Newgarden put him under pressure, but O'Ward was not to be denied and took his first Indy 500 victory in some style.

[foggy locust]

2025 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

We are in Montreal this weekend, home of the Wall of Champions, Groundhogs, and the usual chaotic races.

And we're expecting more of all of that, as it is expected to rain on Sunday - we wait to see how heavily that will affect the race, but it will be the third race in the rain in four.

Charles Leclerc was victorious in his home Grand Prix of Monaco for the second year in a row, leading Lewis Hamilton and after Red Bull had a bad strategy error, Max Verstappen had to fight his way back to tenth, meaning Leclerc now has a 16 point lead over Verstappen and a 24 lead over his teammate Hamilton. Ferrari lead Red Bull by 89 points in the Constructors’ Standings.

And it is Ferrari who have won the last two races, and look favourites to go three in a row. Montreal is strong in low and medium Speed Cornering, which Ferrari are strong in, but the DRS Effectiveness is likely to be ruled out by the rain. Ferrari also have significant momentum in both Championships after Monaco.

Red Bull meanwhile have the advantage in Acceleration, and the second best cornering. The last time we had a track like this was Miami, in the rain, and Max Verstappen ran away with victory. Can he do the same time this time? Could Fernando Alonso finally get the breakthrough for 33?

Frustration is setting in at McLaren, who haven't been able to make the breakthrough they were looking for this season and challenge for race wins. Oscar Piastri did get a podium in Monaco, his second and McLaren’s third of the season. Piastri has also been putting major pressure on Lando Norris as a potential “leader of the team”, and is now within 8 points of his teammate in the Drivers’ Championship standings.

It’s been more of the same at Aston Martin - Valtteri Bottas is performing well, even if the car has dropped off slightly from where it was around Bahrain. Stoffel Vandoorne will take a three place penalty for ending the races of himself and Carlos Sainz at Monaco - and continues to be under pressure for his seat for the 2026 season. Vandoorne could do with a performance here.

Mercedes had a tough time at Monaco - after trying to defuse the tension between drivers George Russell and Carlos Sainz before the race - Sainz crashed out at Saint Devote on the second lap, and then had his race ended by Vandoorne just a few laps later. Russell fought back to eighth - but it was still a weekend to forget for Mercedes. The Mercs are probably looking further ahead than Montreal - Barcelona, Spielberg and Silverstone all suit their car far more - as they look to claw back into at least contention for fourth.

With talks remaining between Red Bull and Andretti over the future of Racing Bulls, RB have taken their focus to the track - and continue to rack up good points. Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo both finished ahead of Max Verstappen in Monaco, and a big boost for the sister team. Like Mercedes, this isn't a track that suits them, but they will still hope to sneak a few points.

Williams meanwhile targeted Monaco for big points - and came up empty after some poor tyrewear and a much stronger opposition car allowed Verstappen to overhaul both Lance Stroll and Alex Albon. Williams aren't having a bad season by any means, but Canada also seems like an important one for them - their low speed cornering suits this track - but with a stretch of Barcelona, Spielberg and Silverstone coming up - this seems like a must to score some points for James Vowles’ team, especially being the home Grand Prix of Lance Stroll.

Haas meanwhile continue to throw away opportunity after opportunity - the story of their season. Both Zhou Guanyu and Nico Hülkenberg were in the points for long periods in Monaco - and they finished 13th and 14th, with 15 cars finishing. Opportunities for points for Haas are growing more and more limited, they must simply start taking advantage of them.

Alpine had a miserable Monaco. Esteban Ocon crashed out of the race, and Kevin Magnussen retired with a mechanical fault. An awful weekend in what has so far been a very difficult season for the Renault factory team, a future very much in doubt as it stands within the sport, after Andretti withdrew to focus on a purchase of Racing Bulls. Where do Renault go from here?

Audi Sauber have no such problems, but Théo Pourchaire does take a grid penalty this weekend after crashing into Kevin Magnussen on a daring overtake. Its a move the rookie will learn from, as he and Pierre Gasly continue to look to the future beyond 2025, with the Audi works deal and new regulations coming in. For now, expect Sauber to remain at the back at Montreal.

70 laps, some great potential storylines, and the possibility of utter chaos in the rain? Sounds like all the hallmarks of a potential classic. You won't want to miss it.

[sterile breach]

that first sentence made me wish that there was a very, very small chance of an animal appearing on the track in game

[foggy locust]

Would be great wouldn't it

A groundhog at Canada, lizard at Singapore, the Baku cat

FRANCO COLAPINTO TO RUN FP1 FOR FERRARI

Ferrari today have announced that Reserve driver Franco Colapinto will run in FP1 in place of Charles Leclerc.

Colapinto joined the Ferrari Academy from Williams in the offseason, and the young Argentinian driver will take part in his second FP1 session for the Scuderia, having also run in Australia.

Ferrari are likely to run number one Reserve Oliver Bearman in Spain's FP1.

FP1 Reserves: Colapinto (Leclerc), Antonelli (Russell), Maini (Ocon), Maloney (Albon), E. Fittipaldi (Stroll), Hauger (Hülkenberg), Verschoor (Tsunoda), Boya (Gasly)

[sterile breach]

I'm gonna throw all logic out the window here and say a kangaroo at Australia

[foggy locust]

FP1: HAM NOR ALO
COL P4

A great first practice for Lewis Hamilton, who's 3 tenths ahead of the chasing pack, while Franco Colapinto put in a solid performance in P4. 5th for Daniel Ricciardo and 6th for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Max Verstappen just P11.

[foggy locust]

Hahahaha imagine

FP2: LEC VER HAM

Leclerc with a late qualifying sim to go fastest ahead of Verstappen and Hamilton.

FP3: VER HAM PIA
LEC P4

Verstappen goes quickest in Saturday's final practice ahead of qualifying. Hamilton, Piastri and Leclerc just behind.

It is time for Qualifying on this man made island, and it is Groundhog Day in Formula 1, with Red Bull and Ferrari quickest in practice. Can anyone top Leclerc, Hamilton or Verstappen this weekend? We're about to find out here in Montreal.

Q1 goes Green here in Canada!

4.02pm: Leclerc and Magnussen first ones out on track. Actually you can add Alonso and Ricciardo to that now. It's quite a short lap here at Montreal, so we'll see a few times very soon.

4.03pm: Leclerc setting an 09.867. His teammate and Norris out there too. Bottas goes 0.964 behind, we must've missed Bottas here.

4.04pm: Interestingly Hamilton is directly ahead of Leclerc on track here. Hamilton on his outlap, Leclerc on his inlap. Magnussen locks up and goes off at turn 1, but he's just finished his lap, 1.754 down. Hamilton starts his lap as Leclerc goes into the pitlane.

4.06pm: Alonso goes 0.311 behind, Norris 0.382 behind...Hamilton into P2, 0.248 behind Leclerc.

4.07pm: Verstappen just 0.033 behind Leclerc. It's very tight between the title rivals.

4.10pm: Sainz' struggles continue, he's 16th of 17 gone right now.

4.11pm: Albon into 11th, Pourchaire 13th. Piastri just 10th, by the way.

4.12pm: Vandoorne last to do his first lap, he goes 14th, another driver struggling in this early part of the season.

DRIVER AT RISK: Hülkenberg
RELEGATION ZONE: Ocon, Magnussen, Gasly, Sainz, Zhou

4.14pm: Gasly up to P15, probably will not be enough to get into Q2.

4.15pm: Both Alpines currently in the dropzone. Hülkenberg goes P13, that likely knocks out Gasly!

4.16pm: Magnussen stays eighteenth and he's out. Sainz hitting heavy traffic on this lap but he goes Sixth and he's safe. Gasly going again, as is Vandoorne.

Ocon and Pourchaire racing right now. Pourchaire at risk, and this will likely hurt both their chances! Ocon stays 18th, he's out! Pourchaire at risk, Zhou 16th so he's out! Gasly doesn't improve and he's out...Vandoorne is out in Q1 too!

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

Vandoorne will start P20 due to his penalty

Q2 goes Green!

4.25pm: Leclerc and Alonso the first two out on track, Hülkenberg heading out there too.

4.28pm: Leclerc with an 09.879, while Alonso slots in 0.456 behind him.

4.30pm: Piastri into third, just ahead of Norris, but Hamilton goes quickest! He's 0.158 ahead of Leclerc!

4.32pm: Both Williams drivers are currently in the top ten - but Verstappen and Sainz are both out on track about to start their first laps of this session.

4.34pm: Sainz just 14th, and frustration setting in for him and Mercedes. Verstappen splits the Ferraris, 0.152 behind Hamilton and 0.006 ahead of Leclerc!

DRIVER AT RISK: Albon
RELEGATION ZONE: Stroll, Pourchaire, Ricciardo, Hülkenberg, Sainz

4.37pm: Most drivers trying another lap. Track evolution is high here, definitely a risk to stay in the box.

Hamilton stays quickest, Leclerc still Third. Albon still at risk, Pourchaire out in 12th, Sainz Eighth which puts Albon into the bottom five, Tsunoda at risk...Albon stays 11th!

OUT IN Q2: Albon, Stroll, Pourchaire , Ricciardo, Hülkenberg

Pourchaire likely to start P16. Disappointment for Williams with both drivers outside the top ten.

Q3 is a go!

4.48pm: Hamilton, Leclerc and Tsunoda the first three out, followed by Russell.

4.51pm: Hamilton goes quickest, then Leclerc sets a 09.582 to go fastest! Russell 8 tenths back, Tsunoda about 1.3 back.

4.52pm: Piastri goes into third, almost six tenths back on Leclerc.

4.54pm: Alonso slots into third, while Norris goes fifth fastest.

4.55pm: Verstappen up to just fourth! Sainz meanwhile goes tenth.

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

4.57pm: Drivers starting their final laps now.

4.58pm: Tsunoda stays eighth! Piastri stays fifth.

Hamilton green through S1, Leclerc purple, two purple sectors for Leclerc, Hamilton goes quickest for now, Leclerc takes it right back! Alonso third, Verstappen stays fourth! Norris stays Sixth, Sainz cannot improve on tenth, IT IS POLE POSITION FOR CHARLES LECLERC!!

(BOZ) "And that is P1, that is Pole! Well done Charles!"

(LEC) "Let's gooooo! Ah, good job, good job!"

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

2025 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC HAM

ALO VER

PIA NOR

RUS BOT

TSU SAI

ALB STR

RIC HÜL

ZHO POU

GAS OCO

MAG VAN

Pourchaire takes 3 place grid penalty, initially qualified 13th, Vandoorne takes 3 place grid penalty, initially qualified 17th.

Going to take a wee break, back later to do the race!

[foggy locust]

Welcome to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and to the Canadian Grand Prix! 70 laps around this man-made Island, there is rain in the air, and it's likely to arrive later in the race. There's usually a bit of chaos around here, what will today bring? 13 turns around this 4.361 km Circuit, including the famous Wall of Champions that's waiting to induct a new member or two.

Stoffel Vandoorne starts at the very back after going out in Q1 and taking a penalty for crashing into Carlos Sainz at Monaco, he's got Kevin Magnussen for company, then it's former teammates Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly on row nine. Théo Pourchaire takes on his first Formula 1 race in Canada and is beside Zhou Guanyu on row eight, Nico Hülkenberg is just ahead of his teammate and just behind Daniel Ricciardo who won his first Grand Prix at this very circuit. The two Williams on row six, Lance Stroll starts his home Grand Prix from 12th, just behind Alex Albon. Carlos Sainz is tenth with Yuki Tsunoda ninth, it's Valtteri Bottas eighth and the man who replaced him at Mercedes in 2022, George Russell seventh. An all McLaren third row with Lando Norris just behind Oscar Piastri, Fernando Alonso starts ahead of Max Verstappen for just the second time this season on row two, and Ferrari lock out the front row once more. Lewis Hamilton starts from second, and it is the fourth Pole Position of the season for Charles Leclerc.

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Lewis Hamilton has gotten away quicker than Charles Leclerc and takes the lead of the Canadian Grand Prix at the start! Max Verstappen gets ahead of Fernando Alonso, now Leclerc is coming back at Hamilton and is back in front! Alex Albon is into the top ten, but Lance Stroll has dropped to 13th!

Bottas is having issues with his gearbox already, and that may lead to a less than productive afternoon for Aston Martin!

(BOZ) "No team orders, free to race"

(LEC) "We are losing time here guys"

(BOZ) "Concentrate and do what you can"

Hamilton takes the lead back from Leclerc, and now Leclerc is under pressure from Verstappen and Alonso! Norris and Piastri also in the discussion!

Lando Norris has taken P5 from his teammate Oscar Piastri on that last lap!

It's full of inter team battles so far as Alonso makes a fantastic move to get Verstappen, now he's going for it against the two Ferraris, Fernando Alonso leads the Canadian Grand Prix! Charles Leclerc uses the opportunity to get into P2!

Leclerc and Hamilton trading DRS, and positions, at the moment.

(ADA) "Gap to Alonso, 3.9."

(HAM) "He has some pace already?"

(ADA) "We believe he's pushing, the tyres may not last."

(LEC) "I cannot get much closer."

(BOZ) "Keep going, this is good so far."

Alonso, on the Softs, has pulled out a gap of about five seconds to Leclerc in P2. Verstappen overtakes Hamilton for P3!

Verstappen is going at Leclerc for second, but Leclerc defends very well and he's still in second!

Sainz is struggling with his engine, and is all the way down in P15.

Vandoorne overtakes him! He's made his way up to P14.

However problems for the other Aston, as Bottas is complaining of further gearbox issues.

Both Albon and Stroll are into P9 and P10, the Canadian fans are happy about the latter being in the points!

Alonso has pulled out a stunning seven second gap to Hamilton, Leclerc and Verstappen here. Some fantastic pace from the veteran Red Bull driver.

(LEC) "That Red Bull has some ridiculous pace in the straights"

Hamilton gets past Leclerc once more on lap 14 with DRS!

Hamilton then falls back behind Leclerc, and also Verstappen!

Lap 15: Alonso, Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Albon, Bottas, Stroll

Tsunoda gets into P6 ahead of Piastri!!

Russell gets past Stroll, but both Albon and Russell are now ahead of a struggling Bottas!

(LEC) "Oh come on Max, he pushed me wide!"

(BOZ) "We're on it Charles, you can get him on track."

PITSTOP: Albon first to come in! The Williams driver is onto Softs again! Zhou falls him in, and Albon rejoins P16, Zhou P18!

PITSTOPS: ASTON ARE DOUBLE STACKING! There's enough of a gap to get it done successfully, however!

Leclerc has brought the gap to Alonso down to 4.2. Looks like Red Bull are likely double stopping.

PITSTOPS: RED BULL DOUBLE STACK! Alonso comes in from the lead, Verstappen not far behind him. Norris also comes in, as do Ocon and Pourchaire. Alonso P9, Verstappen P10, Norris P11

(BOZ) "We are thinking Plan B here, thoughts?"

(LEC) "Yeah, I think we can make this work."

(ADA) "Plan C is the plan here."

(HAM) "Yeah, happy with that."

Ferrari currently running a 1-2, and it seems they're staying out and waiting upon the rain here.

Hülkenberg down in P19 is having issues with his gearbox!

More mechanical issues for Sainz, more problems for Mercedes, Russell is right behind his teammate, no call on team orders just yet despite Russell questioning the strategy here.

Lap 25: Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Alonso, Verstappen, Norris, Tsunoda, Albon, Bottas, Sainz, Ricciardo, Russell, Stroll, Vandoorne, Zhou, Pourchaire, Ocon, Hülkenberg, Gasly, Magnussen.

Alonso makes the move on Piastri and takes P3! He's now closing in on Hamilton and Leclerc!

Alonso goes for P2, and he's ahead of Hamilton!!

Alonso gets the move done on Leclerc, and Alonso is back into the lead!

Lap 31: Alonso, Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Albon, Tsunoda, Russell, Ricciardo

(BOZ) "And we expect Class 3 rain in about 9 laps"

(HAM) "You got any more power to give me at some stage?"

(ADA) "Keeping good pace with him here."

Piastri makes a move on the moon straight to take P4 back from Verstappen! A few corners later and Max returns the favour to take it back!

Carlos Sainz's rough afternoon gets even worse as he locks up at Turn 1! He's able to return to the Circuit however.

Hamilton going for the lead and gets the lead from Alonso, who's now under pressure from Leclerc!

Lando Norris pulls off a stunning double move to take Fourth away from Verstappen and Piastri!

Alonso going for the lead again and he's back into P1! Verstappen back to fourth ahead of Norris!

(ADA) "There is rain on the way, heavy rain incoming."

(HAM) "Yep, understood."

A stunning double move attempt by Hamilton and Leclerc on Alonso, Hamilton gets past for the lead, but Alonso is able to hold off Leclerc who's now under pressure from Verstappen!

Alonso meanwhile takes the lead back going into Lap 40!

PITSTOP: Norris has made the switch to Inters! In fact Albon and Stroll double stack, a lot of the back of the field going to Inters!

(ADA) "Box, box"

(BOZ) "Box, box"

PITSTOPS: Ferrari absolutely nail the double stack! Verstappen has taken the gamble for full Wets, as have Tsunoda and Ricciardo!

PITSTOP: Bottas pulling into the garage, and his race is over! Mechanical fault with the gearbox has ended his race.

Lando Norris is battling Fernando Alonso for the lead and Norris takes the lead of the Canadian Grand Prix!!

Kevin Magnussen loses the car and smacks into the back of Carlos Sainz!!

Verstappen very much in trouble here, he's on the wrong tyres, and has fallen eight seconds behind Leclerc in P4.

Fernando Alonso retakes the lead of the Canadian Grand Prix from Lando Norris! Meanwhile the rain is getting heavier, and Verstappen may have actually benefitted big time here!

Russell locks up in the rain! He's lucky to avoid the Wall of Champions!

(ADA) "Box now, box, Wets are stronger."

(BOZ) "Box, box."

(LEC) "Guys what happened with that stop, what was that?

PITSTOPS: Ferrari double stack, but Leclerc is delayed! The Champion is absolutely furious on the radio! Alonso is also in, and so is Norris, which means Verstappen now leads the race!!

Lap 50: Verstappen, Alonso, Hamilton, Piastri, Norris, Leclerc, Albon, Russell, Stroll, Tsunoda

DISASTER FOR McLAREN. PIASTRI, TRYING TO OVERTAKE NORRIS, CLIPS INTO HIM AND SENDS BOTH CARS SLIDING OFF! They recover but Piastri has major damage, and Leclerc is there to take P5!

Leclerc takes the ailing McLaren to take P4. The McLaren incident has probably mitigated the damage from that mistake of a pitstop from Ferrari.

Albon currently P7 btw, overtaking Russell however a few cars still on the Ints, and he's one of them.

Hamilton currently chasing down Verstappen, with the gap about 3 seconds now. Alonso keeping himself in the conversation here, however.

The only rookie on the grid, Théo Pourchaire, spins off at Virage Senna! He's able to rejoin, still 14th.

Hamilton has Verstappen in his sights here, but the rain is easing off!

Hamilton goes for the lead but Verstappen is able to hold onto it, at least for now!

(HAM) "The tyres are running super hot, mate."

PITSTOP: Hülkenberg makes it back to the Haas garage, and he pulls up to retire. A tough day for the German driver.

LEWIS HAMILTON OVERTAKES MAX VERSTAPPEN TO LEAD THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX!

Russell makes an overtake on Ricciardo, who taps him on the side for good measure.

Leclerc going for P3, and Leclerc is into third ahead of Alonso!

INVESTIGATION INTO INCIDENT BETWEEN CARS 3 (RICCIARDO), 63 (RUSSELL): NO PENALTIES GIVEN

(ADA) "Tyre phase update when you can, Lewis?"

(HAM) "Tyres are still okay, overheating a little but okay."

(LEC) "Can I have an update on Max's laptimes ahead?"

(BOZ) "Max, 24.332, you, 23.338. Gap, 4.1. Eight laps to go, we should catch him here."

Disaster for Stroll at his home GP, he's having Engine issues!

It's not all down and gloom for Williams as Albon takes P7 off Russell!

Leclerc with Verstappen in his sights and he overtakes his title rival to take P2!

Lap 67: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Alonso, Norris, Piastri, Albon, Russell, Ricciardo, Vandoorne, Tsunoda, Stroll, Zhou, Pourchaire, Gasly, Sainz, Ocon, Magnussen. Hülkenberg and Bottas are out of the race.

Three laps remaining!

It's been a sensational drive in the rain for Lewis Hamilton, who breathes new life into his title challenge with this victory, he comes round the final corner for his third win of the season, LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX!!! AND IT IS A 1-2 FOR THE SCUDERIA FOR THE THIRD RACE IN A ROW!

(ADA) "AND CHEQUERED FLAG, P1 LEWIS, P1. WOW WOW WOW WOW."

(HAM) "YESSSS, GET IN THERE! What an amazing result! Thank you to everyone in the factory for pushing, thanks to the team. Thank you."

(ADA) "Amazing job, Lewis. Amazing."

(BOZ) "And that's the flag, Charles, that's P2. Good job today."

(LEC) "That was a race, I enjoyed it very much. Thank you to everybody. Good job guys."

(BOZ) "Well done, well recovered."

Verstappen P3, Alonso P4, Norris P5, Piastri P6, Albon P7, Russell P8, Vandoorne P9!! Ricciardo tenth.

2025 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Lewis Hamilton 01:34:90
2. Charles Leclerc +8.001
3. Max Verstappen +0.281
4. Fernando Alonso +3.294
5. Lando Norris +13.542
6. Oscar Piastri +14.469
7. Alexander Albon +10.028
8. George Russell +3.582
9. Stoffel Vandoorne +27.044
10. Daniel Ricciardo +3.122
11. Lance Stroll +1 lap
12. Yuki Tsunoda +1 lap
13. Zhou Guanyu +1 lap
14. Théo Pourchaire +1 lap
15. Pierre Gasly +1 lap
16. Carlos Sainz +1 lap
17. Esteban Ocon +1 lap
18. Kevin Magnussen +1 lap
19. Nico Hülkenberg DNF
20. Valtteri Bottas DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: STOFFEL VANDOORNE, Aston Martin

Under a lot of pressure from his team, a grid penalty and a poor qualifying, Stoffel Vandoorne had a sensational race, bringing the car from P20 to P9 in the rain and absolutely nailing the strategy and his driving on track. For the first time in his career, Stoffel Vandoorne is your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP AWARD
Lando Norris 1.14.028

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD
Max Verstappen, Red Bull 2.195s

2025 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 191
Hamilton 174
Verstappen 171
Norris 96
Alonso 89
Piastri 86
Bottas 71
Sainz 23
Tsunoda 23
Russell 21
Albon 20
Ricciardo 13
Vandoorne 10
Hülkenberg 3
Stroll 1
Zhou 0
Ocon 0
Magnussen 0
Pourchaire 0
Gasly 0

2025 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 365
Red Bull-Honda RBPT 260
McLaren-Mercedes 181
Aston Martin-Honda RBPT 81
Mercedes 44
Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 36
Williams-Mercedes 21
Haas-Ferrari 2
Alpine-Renault 0
Audi Sauber-Mercedes 0

ANDRETTI BUY OUT RACING BULLS, WILL JOIN 2026 FORMULA 1 GRID

Andretti Autosport have finally found their way into Formula 1.

In a $736 million dollar move, the Andretti Global Autosport Group have purchased the entity of Racing Bulls from Red Bull Racing, effective the end of 2025.

The Racing Bulls team will remain in Formula 1 until the end of the season, and then will become Andretti Global Formula 1 Team.

The team base will move to the Andretti HQ in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America, and will race under an American license.

The futures at the team of team principal Laurent Mekies and drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo will be announced in further time.

[steel talon]

Bro has nitro just for this save

[foggy locust]

I've found a couple of other uses for it, but this is the biggest, yes 🤣

[foggy locust]

2025 SPANISH GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

The Formula 1 roadshow rolls on and after an eventful Canadian Grand Prix, we head to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix, round ten and the first of a triple header.

The Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya is a 4.657km circuit, 14 turns including the removal of an infamous chicane that makes it a much faster flat-out final corner. 66 laps await us, and almost definitely a two stop due to the high track degradation.

Lewis Hamilton was victorious in the rain of Canada, powering ahead of Charles Leclerc who held Max Verstappen off at the end for the win, bringing Hamilton within 17 points of his teammate and 3 above Verstappen, bringing him right into a Championship fight that looked like it would be Leclerc vs. Verstappen.

And it's Ferrari who look like favourites again at Barcelona to begin with, a track that highly favours High and Medium Speed Cornering. But will it be Leclerc or Hamilton who makes the best use of that as a potential three way title fight begins to brew?

Red Bull and Verstappen will be closest to the Ferraris, and after three consecutive Scuderia wins, they need to strike back in the biggest possible way. Fernando Alonso led the Canadian Grand Prix for long periods as well, can he have a say in the outcome of his home Grand Prix? He's on a one year deal and speculation of his racing future is in play - could this be Alonso's final home race in Formula 1?

McLaren's infamous Papaya Rules came back to haunt them in Montreal, as Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris had a collision on track. Off track, Piastri, Norris and Zak Brown were quick to deny any speculation of a rift due to the incident, however, a battle could be brewing for the future of McLaren. Both drivers are out of contract next year, and this is a big year for McLaren to get the technical regulations correct. For now, a good result in Barcelona could go a long way to healing some wounds.

Aston Martin had car issues for lead driver Valtteri Bottas, who had to retire with a mechanical fault in Montreal. After a terrible qualifying, Stoffel Vandoorne did pick up the slack in Bottas’ absence - and a P20 to P9 drive earned him Driver of the Day. Could it earn Vandoorne another year at Aston Martin?

Mercedes had another rough go in what has been a nightmare season for them so far, and Carlos Sainz has had a terrible time thus far at his new team. With his home Grand Prix incoming, this could be a very good opportunity to pick up some points for Sainz.

The big news story of the week was the acquisition of Racing Bulls by Andretti Global. With the team rebranding in the Andretti name next season, the pressure is now on Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo to prove themselves worthy of a seat with the brand new team - starting at Barcelona.

Williams have been steadily improving over the last few races, and have all the makings of a solid midfield team at the moment. Alexander Albon in particular has had a strong start to the season - with him out of contract at the end of the year, will Williams do enough to keep him around for 2026? After all, there's opportunities at his old team Red Bull, Aston Martin and Mercedes potentially in the offing if he can keep up his good form.

Haas have been throwing away opportunity after opportunity at points in the last few races, and are very much a team in flummox. This might be a weekend that doesn't suit the car - could that be an opportunity with the pressure off for Nico Hülkenberg and Zhou Guanyu to show what they can do and bring home some valuable points?

With Andretti confirming the purchase of RB, that rules out any move for Alpine. So what next for the French team? An unresolved engine situation for 2026, a team struggling to find an identity - and any source of points. Big changes, and big improvements, are needed, starting with Barcelona.

Audi Sauber have had few bright spots - but the potential of Théo Pourchaire is certainly there. Having learned from a dangerous move on Kevin Magnussen at Monaco, Pourchaire had a mostly solid drive in Montreal, and probably, with all due respect to Pierre Gasly, represents Sauber's best chances of points in their final season before becoming the Audi works team. Could it happen here? Unlikely, but you never know.

An exciting season ramps up with the next few races ahead of the Summer Break. We're well into the main European section of the season - and it all unfolds here. You won't want to miss it.

OLIVER BEARMAN TO RUN FP1

Ferrari will run Oliver Bearman as scheduled in FP1 in Lewis Hamilton's car.

Bearman, who is highly tipped for a position on the F1 grid in the next two years, remains in contention for a future Ferrari seat, and will continue his development in Barcelona.

FP1 Reserves: Bearman (Hamilton), Bedrin (Norris), Dürksen (Verstappen), O'Ward (Alonso), Maini (Ocon), Verschoor (Ricciardo), Montoya (Bottas), Stenshorne (Vandoorne)

[steel talon]

What season are you on there's no way in hell you're further than 2026

[foggy locust]

2025 haha

FP1: LEC BEAR TSU

In a session dominated by rookie appearances, Leclerc goes fastest ahead of Bearman, who impressed, and Yuki Tsunoda. Nikita Bedrin was Fourth, standing in for Lando Norris, while Alex Albon was fifth. Williams showed some good pace around here.

FP2: VER LEC HAM

It's ridiculously tight between the top three contenders, as Verstappen goes fastest, 0.018 ahead of Leclerc, and 0.117 ahead of Hamilton.

FP3: LEC VER PIA
HAM P5

Leclerc goes fastest in FP3, 0.110 ahead of Verstappen. Piastri Third ahead of Alonso, then Hamilton and Norris. Magnussen in the top ten for Alpine.

[foggy locust]

Welcome to sunny Barcelona and it is time for Qualifying at the Circuit Barcelona Catalunya. This circuit is known for high and low speed cornering, and that final corner has been changed from the old chicane for more flat out Speed, which could be a big benefit for Qualifying here. Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen were quickest throughout the three practices, we also saw some speed from Williams and RB. Teams often bring upgrades here, which could shake up the Qualifying order. Let's see how it plays out.

Q1 goes Green!

4.00pm: Q1 has just started, and Charles Leclerc and Théo Pourchaire are the first two out to attempt a lap.

4.03pm: Leclerc goes 11.179, Audi Sauber's Pourchaire 2.601 back. Ooft. The difference between the fastest and slowest car remains massive.

4.05pm: Ricciardo 1.3 behind Leclerc. Verstappen and Alonso both on fliers, both McLarens and Hamilton on outlaps.

4.06pm: Verstappen slots in 0.459 behind Leclerc, Alonso just 0.013 off his teammate. Second and third. Sainz meanwhile is up to fourth so far. Just Seventh for Vandoorne.

4.07pm: Hamilton a full second off his teammate. He'll likely have to go again here.

4.09pm: Both RBs in ahead of Norris now, who's just ninth. Russell tenth.

4.12pm: Five different teams with one driver in the bottom five, which is fascinating here.

DRIVER AT RISK: Albon
RELEGATION ZONE: Stroll, Vandoorne, Pourchaire, Hülkenberg, Ocon

4.14pm: Of note, Russell currently P13, Piastri P14. Norris in P9 is not currently improving.

4.15pm: Norris stays ninth and Russell tenth. Hamilton has opted to stay in the pitlane, BTW, which seems to be paying off so far.

4.16pm: Hülkenberg just seventeenth, and he's likely out, he won't have time to do another lap! Vandoorne ninth, Piastri is at risk here!

4.17pm: Piastri into the dropzone! This is problems for McLaren! Stroll, Pourchaire and Ocon also trying to improve here.

Albon at risk, Ocon goes 17th and he's out, Pourchaire goes 11th so Albon is out! Zhou at risk, Piastri fourth and safe! Stroll goes 16th, he is out!

OUT IN Q1: Stroll, Zhou, Albon, Ocon, Hülkenberg

BOTH Saubers into Q2!

Green light on Q2!

4.27pm: Leclerc on his flier and Verstappen on an outlap at the moment.

4.28pm: Leclerc with a 11.451, VERSTAPPEN WIDE AT TURN 3! That might be a track limits issue for him here!

4.30pm: Hamilton finding his pace and going quickest overall, Verstappen into P3. Piastri fourth

4.32pm: Norris up to fourth. Tsunoda Sixth. Both Spanish drivers, Alonso and Sainz, on outlaps.

4.35pm: Sainz into P10, Alonso now Third!

DRIVER AT RISK: Sainz
RELEGATION ZONE: Vandoorne, Pourchaire, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Gasly

4.37pm: Leclerc slowed a little bit by Sainz! Verstappen goes fastest overall. Leclerc goes purple twice, but stays Third.

4.39pm: Ricciardo eleventh, and that's him likely out! Gasly stays 15th.

Sainz at risk, but on a flier, as is Bottas ahead of him. Russell Eighth. Vandoorne improves but not enough to get to Q3! Bottas up to sixth, Magnussen still 14th. Can Pourchaire cause a shock and knock Sainz out here? He's green through S1 and S2...rounds the final corner, and goes 12th! He's out but that's a good grid start for the rookie!

OUT IN Q2: Ricciardo, Pourchaire, Vandoorne, Magnussen, Gasly

Q3 is Green! Who will take Pole?

4.48pm: As we go green, cars queuing up for an early lap. Both Mercedes, both Ferraris, and Verstappen all out there early.

4.51pm: Russell sets the benchmark, Hamilton goes quicker, then Verstappen goes quicker, Leclerc then goes 0.276 ahead of Verstappen! Sainz into P4, just ahead of Russell.

4.52pm: Lando Norris with a spin at Turn 11! He's able to recover the car but he abandons that lap.

4.53pm: Alonso up to fourth, meanwhile Bottas is into Seventh.

4.54pm: Piastri goes Third, while it's Seventh for Tsunoda!

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

4.57pm: Last laps are beginning now. Last chance to take Pole!

4.58pm: Lot of heavy traffic here. Norris goes Eighth.

Russell stays Seventh, Sainz has out qualified his teammate. Verstappen stays Second! Hamilton doesn't improve, Leclerc keeps Pole, Piastri stays Third! Alonso Fifth...Bottas goes Sixth! IT IS POLE POSITION FOR CHARLES LECLERC!!

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

Leclerc's Fifth Pole of the season

2025 SPANISH GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC VER

PIA HAM

ALO BOT

SAI RUS

NOR TSU

RIC POU

VAN MAG

GAS STR

ZHO ALB

OCO HÜL

Pausing for a wee bit to cook and eat dinner

Back later for the race

[sterile breach]

thank god i just finished the practice sessions, these get me through the tedious practice sessions

[foggy locust]

Appreciate that mate!!

[foggy locust]

It's a sunny Sunday in Espana, Catalunya welcomes the Formula 1 roadshow, round ten of this intriguing 2025 season awaits us. This race is one of the oldest in the world still contested, 111 years we've been racing around this country, and with rumours of a potential move to Madrid, might this be the last time in Barcelona for a while? 66 laps of this 4.657 km Circuit are ahead of us today, almost certainly a two stopper due to the high tyre degradation.

Nico Hülkenberg starts at the very back with Esteban Ocon alongside, Alex Albon and Zhou Guanyu begin on row nine, then it's Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly on row Eighth. Kevin Magnussen starts just behind Stoffel Vandoorne, while Théo Pourchaire begins 12th and Daniel Ricciardo 11th. Into the top ten and Yuki Tsunoda is one spot ahead of his teammate, Lando Norris was just ninth yesterday and starts there today. It's George Russell in Eighth then a Seventh place start for Carlos Sainz in his home Grand Prix. Valtteri Bottas is Sixth and Fernando Alonso starts what could be his final career home GP in fifth. It's Lewis Hamilton Fourth, he last won this race in 2021, while Oscar Piastri lines up Third, and a traditional front row of second placed Max Verstappen, and the fourth Pole Position of the season for Charles Leclerc.

[foggy locust]

As the formation lap winds down here in Barcelona, we are ready to go racing, Leclerc has 17 points on Hamilton and 20 on Verstappen. It's early days in the title race but this already feels like it could be game changing on that front

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

Leclerc holds the lead and Piastri has gotten away quicker than Verstappen who's had a nightmare start, also not a great start for Hamilton who falls behind Alonso, Sainz up to sixth ahead of Bottas and it's a great start for the two Spanish drivers, Leclerc already breaking Piastri's DRS!

And as we settle into a rhythm here and Leclerc is already about 2 seconds up on the chasing pack, an incredible start from the Monegasque driver!

Verstappen is going for P2 off Piastri, and he's up ahead of the McLaren!

Lance Stroll having issues with his gearbox, complaining down the radio to his engineer already.

And the man who replaced him at Aston Martin, Stoffel Vandoorne goes very wide and into the gravel! He's just able to recover, but he is down to P20!

Piastri takes seconds back off Verstappen!

Seems like Gasly is having a lot of engine issues already.

(BOZ) "Got some room to push here Charles. This is a good pace. Verstappen and Piastri about 2.7 behind."

(ADA) "We can push a bit more here Lewis."

Hamilton has gotten Alonso, and now gets Piastri for P2, and its currently a Ferrari 1-2!

But that doesn't last too long as Piastri takes second back!

In fact it's a four car fight for P2, and Alonso, who is pushing a lot here, takes P2 from Piastri! Verstappen meanwhile is down to fifth!

Lap 10: Leclerc, Alonso, Piastri, Hamilton, Verstappen, Sainz, Bottas, Tsunoda, Norris, Russell

Sainz with an absolute disaster moment as he locks up! He rejoins out of the points, down in 12th!

Ricciardo benefits from Sainz's error and is now into the points. Magnussen just 1.7 back from him, is on the bubble.

(BOZ) "Tyre phase update please Charles?"

(LEC) "Rears starting to drop a little bit."

(HAM) "Verstappen just pushed me wide. Typical Max"

Verstappen now absolutely flying through not just Hamilton, but Alonso and Piastri as well. Alonso himself has dropped behind Hamilton.

Leclerc meanwhile it has to be said is about 5 seconds up on Verstappen. Verstappen trying to close that gap, however.

Hamilton goes down the side of Piastri to take third!

Major problems for Tsunoda, who's having a gearbox issue!

PITSTOP: Hülkenberg is first to stop!

Magnussen with a big lock-up and he drops to fourteenth!

PITSTOP: Alonso comes in, trying to undercut Piastri, Verstappen and Hamilton. He's onto the Hards here!

(BOZ) "We are going onto Plan B, thoughts?"

(LEC) "I think Plan B is good, yeah."

(BOZ) "Box this lap Charles, box this lap."

PITSTOP: Gasly comes in, trying to undercut Ricciardo and Tsunoda in front of him, as well as Ocon behind him.

PITSTOP: LECLERC IN FROM THE LEAD. He's onto the Mediums, 2.085, a phenomenal stop by Ferrari! He's back out there in P7. No Grand Slam today

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

(HAM) "Box this lap."

PITSTOP: Hamilton stays out, and Verstappen comes in! Did Ferrari just dummy Red Bull into that?

Leclerc with the overtake to Russell for P5!

Verstappen rejoins in P8, there's ten seconds between Leclerc and Verstappen right now!

PITSTOPS: Hamilton, Piastri and Bottas all in! Hamilton takes Mediums, Piastri Hards, Bottas Softs. All three rejoin P7-P9.

Lando Norris has now taken the lead of this race.

PITSTOPS: Russell in from P3, Ricciardo from P6. Russell onto Softs, Ricciardo Mediums.

Aston Martin's reliability issues continue with Vandoorne having gearbox issues!

PITSTOP: Norris is in! He rejoins P6 on fresh Softs, about 2 seconds back off teammate Piastri.

Gasly complaining about smoke at the back of the car. Serious, serious issues for the Sauber driver!

Lap 26: Leclerc, Verstappen, Alonso, Hamilton, Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Russell, Sainz, Albon

PITSTOP: Albon in from P10. Could the Williams be attempting a one stop? Well, he's onto Mediums so it's unlikely.

Lando Norris is closing the gap on Lewis Hamilton in the battle for fourth.

(ADA) "We are happy with tyres."

(HAM) "Yeah, OK, no problem."

(ADA) "Alonso 1.4 ahead. You can catch him."

Hamilton has indeed caught Alonso here, but Alonso is coming back at Hamilton, and retakes Third with DRS!

(HAM) "Is the engine okay?"

Hamilton potentially having engine issues here! A potential major problem for the former seven time Champion as he's trying to fend off Alonso!

Although IT'S SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE FOR STROLL, AS HIS ENGINE HAS COMPLETELY GONE!

AND THE SAFETY CAR IS CALLED

(ADA) "Box, box"

(LEC) "Is it too late to box?"

(BOZ) "Yeah, it is too late to box"

(LEC) "FOR F***'S SAKE"

Lap 34, under SC: Leclerc, Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Norris, Bottas, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Ricciardo, Albon, Tsunoda, Hülkenberg, Pourchaire, Zhou, Magnussen, Gasly, Ocon, Vandoorne. Stroll out of the race.

LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE

Lap 39 and we're back racing!

Leclerc is an absolute sitting duck here, and Hamilton, Verstappen and Alonso surge ahead of the struggling Champion!

Alonso goes for the lead and Alonso takes the lead, and it's all gone horribly wrong for Ferrari so very quickly!

(LEC) "That's all I have. F***, this has gone so f***ing wrong."

(BOZ) "Box now, box."

PITSTOP: Leclerc comes in and rejoins P19. To say this has been a disastrous outcome for him would be an understatement.

Gasly and Vandoorne have a coming together!

Verstappen retakes the lead of the race from Alonso!

Pourchaire loses the car! He drops out of the points and down to 16th!

Hülkenberg with a big lock-up and he falls out of the points!

Hülkenberg with a puncture! He is trying to drag the car back to the pits!

PITSTOP: Piastri, who also didn't pit during the Safety Car, comes in! He drops to 15th, just behind Leclerc!

Leclerc trying for the recovery drive here - he's currently P11 and not far off returning to the points.

PITSTOP: Alonso comes in from P2! Bottas in as well!

Magnussen, running P8, having issues with his gearbox!

Leclerc with a fantastic move down the side of Tsunoda, and into P7!

PITSTOP: Tsunoda pits from P8! A little bit surprising, that!

PITSTOP: VERSTAPPEN PITS FROM THE LEAD!!! And he re-emerges P6, just ahead of Leclerc!

Red Bull have surprisingly seemingly bottled this here, having had a comfortable 1-2 after the SC stops and Leclerc in strife - they've pitted their drivers. Hamilton looks like he's staying out.

PITSTOP: Russell pits! He's putting on new Softs here and rejoins P9, with ten laps left

Ocon with a spin! He's off and rejoins P13.

Leclerc goes Fifth, overtaking former teammate Sainz! It's been some recovery by Leclerc considering.

Lando Norris meanwhile is up seven spots today. A fantastic drive from him.

PITSTOP: Sainz into the pits! He rejoins P11.

Gasly continuing to have technical issues with his gearbox.

Verstappen takes second back off Norris! He's quickly closing in on Hamilton for the lead!

(HAM) "Gearbox is going guys."

Hamilton having significant issues with his gearbox at this point! And he's a sitting duck for Verstappen who snatches away the lead!

And Alonso takes P2 away from Hamilton!

FINAL LAP

(LEC) "Quite a big vibration."

(BOZ) "One more lap Charles, bring it home."

AND MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX

AND IT'S A 1-2 FOR RED BULL, ALONSO SECOND IN HIS HOME GP

(ADA) "And chequered flag. So P3, P3."

(HAM) "Tough day, the podium is good, but we left a lot on the table today. We'll keep pushing."

(BOZ) "That's the flag. P5, Charles. Sorry."

(LEC) silence

Norris P4, Bottas P6, Piastri P7, Russell P8, Sainz P9, Albon P10

2025 SPANISH GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Max Verstappen 01.30.28
2. Fernando Alonso +3.116
3. Lewis Hamilton +7.344
4. Lando Norris +0.109
5. Charles Leclerc +0.554
6. Valtteri Bottas +2.773
7. Oscar Piastri +0.720
8. George Russell +14.383
9. Carlos Sainz +5.719
10. Alexander Albon +10.718
11. Daniel Ricciardo +5.583
12. Yuki Tsunoda +5.929
13. Zhou Guanyu +4.332
14. Théo Pourchaire +3.761
15. Esteban Ocon +0.351
16. Kevin Magnussen +0.147
17. Stoffel Vandoorne +1 lap
18. Pierre Gasly +1 lap
19. Nico Hülkenberg +1 lap
20. Lance Stroll DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: FERNANDO ALONSO, Red Bull

A phenomenal driver from the veteran on home soil brought home a fantastic second place, and very nearly that elusive 33rd win. Fernando Alonso is your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Max Verstappen, Red Bull 1.14.039

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 2.085s

2025 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 201
Verstappen 197
Hamilton 189
Norris 108
Alonso 107
Piastri 91
Bottas 79
Sainz 25
Russell 25
Tsunoda 23
Albon 21
Ricciardo 13
Vandoorne 10
Hülkenberg 2
Stroll 1
Zhou 0
Ocon 0
Pourchaire 0
Magnussen 0
Gasly 0

2025 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 390
Red Bull-Honda RBPT 304
McLaren-Mercedes 199
Aston Martin-Honda RBPT 89
Mercedes 50
Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 36
Williams-Mercedes 22
Haas-Ferrari 2
Alpine-Renault 0
Audi Sauber-Mercedes 0

[foggy locust]

2025 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

The hills are alive with the sound of motor racing, as we head to Austria and the home of Red Bull Racing. The Red Bull Ring, formerly known as the A1-Ring and originally founded as the Österreichring, is one of the shortest circuits of the season - clocking in at 4.318 km and just 10 turns.

It is a track that suits High Speed cornering and DRS Effectiveness - both strong suits of Ferrari and Red Bull, so it is likely to be a battle of the top two teams in the Championship once more.

And it was Red Bull and Max Verstappen who were victorious last time out in Barcelona, but it could've been very different. Charles Leclerc was leading comfortably and set for his third win of the year when Lance Stroll's engine went, bringing out the Safety Car and catching Leclerc out, who went on to finish Fifth, with Red Bull taking a 1-2 and Lewis Hamilton Third.

The Bulls have a 90 point gap to make up to Ferrari in the Constructors - another 1-2 like last weekend would go a long way towards it. Max Verstappen is just four points back in his quest for a fourth Championship, while Fernando Alonso has come close on a couple of occasions recently - can he finally take a 33rd win?

Red Bull's home race has been one traditionally won by Red Bull - however Charles Leclerc has taken two victories here in three years, and also won the Sprint here last year. Leclerc needs a confidence booster after a tough weekend in Spain, in fact of the three title challenges, he has two wins to Verstappen's five and Hamilton's three. Hamilton meanwhile is a further 8 points back from Verstappen - a win would go a long way for his own title challenge.

McLaren are bringing upgrades again to Austria to try and close the ever-growing gap to the top two teams, but after the chaos of Spain, there were moments where Lando Norris looked in contention for a first victory of the season, however he fell away to fourth and just held off Leclerc at the end. Oscar Piastri has been Qualifying well recently but struggled to have the results to show for it - another driver that could do with a boost.

Aston Martin have been relying on one driver more than the other for as long as they can remember, and that is a storyline playing out again this season, in a different way than before. Valtteri Bottas has been picking up solid points while Stoffel Vandoorne has struggled - Bottas has 79 to Vandoorne's 10 - and if Vandoorne is to get a second year in F1, he needs to close the gap to his teammate.

Meanwhile at Mercedes, they are 39 points off Aston Martin for fourth after a difficult start to the year. Both George Russell and Carlos Sainz have scored points regularly, but it's lower points, and tension has continued to grow within the team. With Russell out of contract and frustrated - and a potential Red Bull seat in play - will Mercedes do enough to convince their Academy driver to stay around?

Racing Bulls become Andretti at the end of this season, and in their final season of being a Red Bull junior team - they have decisions to make about retaining their current lineup. Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda are both performing well so far this season, and both are likely to appeal to Andretti's new American fanbase, but both drivers did finish outside the points and they lost ground to Williams and Mercedes in the Constructors Championship.

Speaking of Williams, they did have a mixed weekend at Barcelona. Alexander Albon picked up tenth and a point, closing the gap to RB to 14 points, however Lance Stroll's engine went, which was a gamechanger both at the front and in the midfield. Stroll has struggled on his return to Williams, having moved there to want to prove something that his place in F1 is not just because of his father, but he's struggled to do so so far this season. He needs a good result here. However, this isn't a track that overally suits Williams.

Haas have continued to struggle in the development race, and the newly backed Toyota team may be starting to have one eye on the 2026 season. Hülkenberg and Zhou had a rough time at Barcelona, and it is hard to see Austria being particularly better. Both drivers are secured for 2026, so a throwaway season isn't the worst at this point if it can bring them up the grid this time next year.

That's also the case for Alpine, who continue to discuss the future of their engine deal - we're told a decision is likely on that by Silverstone. For now, the Renault works team will take absolutely any points they can get on a difficult 2025 season so far. Kevin Magnussen ran in the points at one point in Barcelona, however a lock-up took him out of the points, and it is continuing errors by him and Esteban Ocon, combined with a difficult car, making this a tough season for Alpine.

Audi Sauber are in the same boat, but they will be somewhat buoyed by the strong qualifying performances of Théo Pourchaire. Both him and Pierre Gasly got to Q2 in Barcelona, and Pourchaire has qualified 12th twice this season. The race pace has been a bit of a problem for the team this year, but small steps in the right direction, at least, for a team who have struggled for over a year and a half.

This is of course a Sprint Weekend, meaning two Qualifying sessions, and two races - and a lot more chances for points. The last Sprint until the United States Grand Prix in October, and a real opportunity to climb up the Championship tables. It's one not to be missed!

FP1 Reserves: Dürksen (Verstappen), O'Ward (Alonso), Antonelli (Russell), Maloney (Albon), Hauger (Zhou), Verschoor (Ricciardo), Boya (Gasly)

FP1: ANT OWA NOR
HAM P9, LEC P11

A statement of intent from Andrea Kimi Antonelli, as the F2 Championship leader goes quickest ahead of Pato O'Ward and the two McLarens. Just ninth for Hamilton and eleventh for Leclerc.

It is a wet and windy Friday here in Spielberg, and the chances of a mixed up grid are high. The solitary practice of the weekend saw F1's youth movement take a massive step forward, but the class of 2025 is ready to go out in the rain. And it is very heavy rain, so this is anyone's game today.

SQ1 is Green!

4.30pm: Just twelve minutes on the board here, so quite a few cars heading out early to get that banker on the board. The rain looks like it's going to mostly let up during this, but there's always a chance of a Red Flag so most teams not risking it here.

4.33pm: Leclerc with an 07.606, Hamilton shockingly 1.522 behind! Vandoorne and Ocon second and third.

4.35pm: The rain letting up and Ricciardo is into P4, make that P5 as Bottas goes up to P2!

4.36pm: Alonso now quickest, then Russell goes ahead of him!

DRIVER AT RISK: Vandoorne
RELEGATION ZONE: Gasly, Magnussen, Ocon, Hamilton, Pourchaire

4.37pm: With just a few minutes left, quite a few cars starting am outlap here. Hamilton the biggest name in danger, with the Ferrari down in P19, as it stands.

4.39pm: THEO POURCHAIRE INTO P3!! Oh my God! Not everyone is attempting a lap right now, in fact this might run out after the Ferraris.

Leclerc goes P1 and Hamilton P2, Hülkenberg into the bottom five and out as the only other car on a flier now is Norris! Both Ferraris abandon their second push laps as they're well safe, Norris Third.

OUT IN Q1: Hülkenberg, Vandoorne, Gasly, Magnussen, Ocon

Q2 going Green here. The rain has gotten a bit heavier again, again it should let up a bit through the session.

4.57pm: Pretty much every car either on an outlap or a current lap. The two Ferraris have gambled on slightly more used ints...the ones they abandoned their previous lap on. Bold move. Will it pay off?

4.58pm: Leclerc quickest so far, Hamilton 0.373 back. Russell much further back, as is Piastri.

4.59pm: Verstappen into third, 0.588 behind Leclerc.

DRIVER AT RISK: Norris
RELEGATION ZONE: Albon, Ricciardo, Zhou, Stroll, Pourchaire

5.03pm: Quite a few not attempting a second lap, which is incredibly risky here!

Bottas goes quickest for now, Norris at risk, Stroll goes Second! Norris is out in SQ2! Hamilton up to P1, Leclerc goes P1, Albon Fourth, Tsunoda out, Russell at risk, Ricciardo fourth, Russell is out! Wow!!

OUT IN Q2: Russell, Tsunoda, Norris, Zhou, Pourchaire

5.18pm: The rain really starting to come down onto the track now. Again, likely banker laps first. Eight minutes, it's gotta be a quick banker.

5.20pm: The only issues are getting round the track and back in time, and the potential of a Red Flag, and what tyres to use on the last run. So, plenty of decisions to be made.

5.21pm: Hamilton goes quickest ahead of Leclerc, the only two to have set times yet. Everyone else going for a one and done.

5.24pm: Stroll goes quickest, ahead of Hamilton and Leclerc. Bottas now fastest, Albon up to P2!

5.25pm: Verstappen, Piastri and Sainz all won't make it round in time! Disaster for them! Alonso goes into P1.

Ricciardo up to P2...LECLERC GRABS POLE, HAMILTON P2! 1-2 for Ferrari!!

SQ3: Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Ricciardo, Bottas, Albon, Stroll, Piastri (no time), Verstappen (no time), Sainz (no time)

2025 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
SPRINT GRID

LEC HAM

ALO RIC

BOT ALB

STR PIA

VER SAI

RUS TSU

NOR ZHO

POU HÜL

VAN GAS

MAG OCO

Welcome to Spielberg, and the Green Hills of Austria, it's late Saturday morning and it is time to Sprint here. 24 laps around this 4.314km Red Bull Ring, and after a hectic Qualifying in the rain yesterday, it's advantage Scuderia.

The two Alpines are on the back row with an imminent announcement due at Silverstone about the future of their team, Esteban Ocon starts at the very back with Kevin Magnussen alongside. Pierre Gasly and Stoffel Vandoorne, again a Q1 exit for the Belgian, on row nine, with Nico Hülkenberg just behind Théo Pourchaire. Lando Norris was a shock Q2 exit so he starts 13th just ahead of Zhou Guanyu, while Yuki Tsunoda is just ahead and George Russell starts eleventh. Carlos Sainz couldn't get round in Q3 and he starts tenth, the same fate fell upon Max Verstappen who's a shocking ninth, and Oscar Piastri in eighth, which means Lance Stroll has his highest start of the year in seventh. It's sixth for Alex Albon and a real opportunity for Williams today, Valtteri Bottas lines up fifth, while Daniel Ricciardo begins fourth, his highest start of the year, and Fernando Alonso is third, while Ferrari lock out the front row. Lewis Hamilton starts second, and it is a Sprint Pole for Charles Leclerc.

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Charles Leclerc holds the lead but Fernando Alonso has gotten past Lewis Hamilton at the start! Bottas ahead of Ricciardo, Verstappen had a fantastic start and is up to sixth, Lance Stroll has already fallen away the way down to eleventh! That is a shockingly bad start for the Williams!

Hamilton gets Alonso for P2, and then takes the lead off Leclerc!

Meanwhile Verstappen has already gotten his way up to fifth!

Leclerc has DRS, and Leclerc has the lead of this Sprint back!

Sainz goes for a divebomb down the side of Piastri and Albon, but locks up halfway through, and clips Albon, allowing Piastri to go past them both! I'd be shocked if Sainz didn't get a penalty for that!

CAR 55 (SAINZ) +5s: CAUSING A COLLISION WITH CAR 23 (ALBON)

Sainz takes a penalty, and Albon has damage, so that's compromised both of their races. Heartbreaking for Williams in particular.

Bottas takes P3 away from Alonso, but Verstappen is chasing them down and takes P3 from them both!

Hamilton going for the lead on lap 6, and takes it!

Lap 6: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Bottas, Alpnso, Russell, Ricciardo, Piastri, Stroll, Tsunoda, Vandoorne, Sainz , Hülkenberg, Zhou, Gasly, Norris, Ocon, Magnussen, Pourchaire, Albon

Leclerc retakes the lead on Lap 8! Hamilton coming back with DRS but Leclerc holds the lead for now!

Verstappen battling with Bottas for third, and Alonso takes the opportunity to go down the inside of both!

PITSTOP: Sainz comes in to take his penalty! Ha also has front wing damage, and that gets changed as well. An eternity of a stop, Sainz is down 50 seconds on the race lead now.

(BOZ) "Hamilton just behind with DRS"

(LEC) "Yeah, copy, I can see him."

(BOZ) "Copy. Tyre phase update please?"

(LEC) "Tyres are good."

(ADA) "Keep it tidy here Lewis."

(HAM) "Yeah, understood."

Hamilton back into the lead on lap 13!

Meanwhile Verstappen gets DRS and gets Third!

Vandoorne tries for an overtake on Pourchaire, but misjudged it and the two make contact! Looks like both seem to have avoided damage here, however!

INCIDENT BETWEEN CARS 52 (VANDOORNE) AND 98 (POURCHAIRE): NO PENALTIES GIVEN

[steel talon]

😱

[foggy locust]

It gets worse for Vandoorne as he locks up in turn 1 and almost takes Zhou with him! He drops to P18!

Leclerc defends the racing line, and Hamilton is forced to go off wide!!

(HAM) "Oh come on, Charles mate."

IT IS AUSSIE-ON-AUSSIE VIOLENCE. Piastri tries for an overtake, Ricciardo defends his corner and both make contact!

INVESTIGATION INTO INCIDENT BETWEEN CAR 3 (RICCIARDO), CAR 81 (PIASTRI) - NO PENALTIES GIVEN

Leclerc has broken free of the DRS of Hamilton, and has now opened up a 2.3 advantage to his teammate.

Lap 19: Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso, Bottas, Russell, Piastri, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Norris, Stroll, Hülkenberg, Gasly, Pourchaire, Magnussen, Zhou, Vandoorne, Sainz, Albon

Four laps to go, and Leclerc has opened up a 2.5 advantage to Hamilton. Verstappen about 8 seconds back, and Alonso is closing, 1.1 behind. Bottas 3 seconds behind Alonso, Russell a further almost 3 back, Piastri 3.4 behind Russell, Ricciardo still right on Piastri, Tsunoda 6 seconds behind the last point.

(BOZ) "Avoid dirty air when lapping Albon, take no risks."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy that."

LAST LAP

Leclerc gets the move done cleanly to lap Albon, no blue flags in the Sprint so he's got to do it the hard way and he does precisely that.

A brilliant drive from the Champion and he rounds the final corner, a big confidence booster for him after Barcelona, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE AUSTRIAN SPRINT!!

(BOZ) "And that's my boy, P1, Charles, great job today!"

(LEC) "Let's goooo! Yes, come on! Fantastic, guys. We needed this one after last time, let's do the same tomorrow."

(BOZ) "You are the best. Great job, Charles."

(ADA) "And chequered flag, so P2, Lewis, P2 confirmed."

(HAM) "Let's keep pushing, thank you for continuing to push. Great effort. Onto tomorrow."

(ADA) "Solid work today, Lewis."

Verstappen P3, Alonso P4, Bottas P5, Russell P6, Ricciardo P7, Piastri P8

2025 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
SPRINT CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 00.26.34
2. Lewis Hamilton +3.953
3. Max Verstappen +9.153
4. Fernando Alonso +0.965
5. Valtteri Bottas +3.962
6. George Russell +3.308
7. Daniel Ricciardo +6.767
8. Oscar Piastri +0.085
9. Yuki Tsunoda +5.753
10. Lando Norris +0.169
11. Lance Stroll +7.215
12. Esteban Ocon +4.654
13. Nico Hülkenberg +0.770
14. Pierre Gasly +0.111
15. Kevin Magnussen +6.021
16. Théo Pourchaire +1.526
17. Carlos Sainz +2.422
18. Zhou Guanyu +0.300
19. Stoffel Vandoorne +6.393
20. Alexander Albon +1 lap

Going to pause there as I have IRL stuff to do this afternoon. Back this evening for qualifying and the race!

[foggy locust]

Postponed to tomorrow!

[foggy locust]

Welcome to the Red Bull Ring here in Spielberg, and it is time for Qualifying! After a late rain delay ruled out Qualifying, it is a Super Sunday Qualifying ahead of the race later in the day. Charles Leclerc was victorious in the Sprint yesterday, and Ferrari look favourites here in Qualifying, but the crowd is solidly behind Red Bull. Let's go to the track and see how we go.

Q1 goes Green!

10.30am: It is a rare Sunday Qualifying, and the lights have gone green on race day. We've had six Sunday Qualifyings, one of which was last year in Brazil, the other five saw a German driver on Pole. Over to you Nico Hülkenberg.

10.31am: Lance Stroll is the first on track, followed by Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo. Yuki Tsunoda not far behind.

10.32am: Leclerc loses time in S2 behind Tsunoda, but still goes 0.518 ahead of Stroll.

10.33am: Hamilton, Norris, Alonso all on track now.

10.34am: Ricciardo seven tenths behind Leclerc into P3. Tsunoda just 0.109 behind!

10.35am: Hamilton goes seven tenths ahead of Leclerc. In response, Leclerc immediately heading back onto track.

10.36am: Sainz having a shocker and goes 1.647 behind Hamilton! Alonso slots into Fifth.

10.37am: Leclerc goes quickest, 0.169 ahead of Hamilton, and that should be him through. Hülkenberg into Sixth.

10.39am: We're finally seeing Piastri and Russell for the first time time today. No Verstappen just yet.

10.41am: Verstappen finally out on track for the first time today. Russell slots into seventh, Piastri initially goes Fourth but Bottas takes it!

10.43am: Verstappen, with a clear track ahead, splits the Ferraris.

DRIVER AT RISK: Vandoorne
RELEGATION ZONE: Ricciardo, Ocon, Albon, Sainz, Magnussen

10.44am: Vandoorne with a big lock-up on his outlap! That will have hurt his tyres, but he's continuing on with his lap.

10.46am: A lot of traffic here. Vandoorne up to ninth, he should be safe. Ricciardo meanwhile goes 12th. Will that be enough? Zhou into the dropzone, Gasly at risk

10.47am: Magnussen doesn't improve, he's out! Neither Zhou nor Gasly can improve either!

Ocon, Albon and Sainz can all improve and all are on fliers. Albon up to tenth, Gasly is out. Pourchaire and Sainz on fliers, Pourchaire at risk, Sainz in the dropzone, Pourchaire doesn't improve, but Sainz hits heavy traffic! SAINZ 15TH, HE JUST MAKES IT! Pourchaire out

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

Q2 goes Green!

10.55am: As Q2 goes Green, Lewis Hamilton is the first one heading out onto track.

10.57am: Hamilton sets the benchmark, 01.546. Stroll, Bottas, Tsunoda all on track atm.

10.59am: Stroll slots in 1.360 behind Hamilton. Alonso heading out there now.

11.00am: Norris into second, still 0.417 behind Leclerc.

11.02am: Sainz with a first better run in Q2, going fourth. Alonso is fifth for now, as Leclerc heads onto track for the first time this session.

11.04am: Verstappen into second, Leclerc just third! Leclerc was on new tyres as well.

DRIVER AT RISK: Russell
RELEGATION ZONE: Piastri, Stroll, Ricciardo, Albon, Hülkenberg

11.07am: Alonso up to fourth, Hamilton and Verstappen both going again here!

11.09am: Piastri up to 5th and safe! Vandoorne into the dropzone, Russell goes back to tenth, and he's at risk big time!

Hülkenberg up to 12th, and he's out. Albon 13th, Ricciardo stays 14th...Stroll drops to the bottom as he doesn't improve! Vandoorne can't do enough, he's out!

OUT IN Q2: Vandoorne, Hülkenberg, Albon, Ricciardo, Stroll

Q3 goes Green! Who will take Pole?

11.18am: Verstappen, Hamilton and Leclerc wasting no time in Q3, all three on used tyres to try and get an advantage here.

11.19am: VERSTAPPEN WITH A BIG LOCK-UP and he has to abandon his lap! He nearly takes Leclerc with him! That could've been a real "inchident", narrowly avoided!

11.20am: Hamilton goes quickest, Leclerc is 1.568 behind. Verstappen returns to the pits and doesn't complete his flier.

11.23am: Norris goes quickest! Bottas up to P3, Russell and Sainz ahead of Leclerc and Verstappen, Piastri just Sixth. Leclerc initially goes out but abandons his lap, he's banking everything on his final flier!

11.24am: Verstappen into fourth, will he have time to do another lap? Probably, considering how short this track is. Tsunoda P4, ALONSO GOES QUICKEST!

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

11.27am: The drivers about to start their final laps of this morning Qualifying.

11.28am: Bottas stays fourth, having improved in S2 and S3. Sainz up to Seventh.

11.29am: Leclerc with a slipstream from former teammate Sainz, and goes purple in S2

LECLERC GOES QUICKEST. Hamilton purple in S1, Leclerc and Hamilton going again. Alonso stays Second. Verstappen just Seventh! Leclerc stays on Pole, Norris Fourth, it is Pole Position number six of the season for Charles Leclerc!!

(BOZ) "And that's P1, never in doubt, good job!"

(LEC) "Let's gooo, baby! Hahaha, never in doubt! Good job guys, let's finish this later on today!"

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

2025 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC HAM

ALO NOR

BOT PIA

VER TSU

SAI RUS

VAN HÜL

ALB RIC

STR POU

GAS ZHO

OCO MAG

Welcome to the Red Bull Ring, and it is the second part of a Super Sunday here in Spielberg, Austria. After a busy qualifying morning, 71 laps of this 4.318lm circuit await us. We first raced here in 1970 when it was the Österreichring, its also been the A1 Ring and now the Red Bull Ring. Just 10 turns but 3 DRS zones and plenty of chances for overtaking.

The two Alpines start at the very back as Kevin Magnussen is last and Esteban Ocon just ahead, Zhou Guanyu and Pierre Gasly one row in front, followed by Théo Pourchaire and Lance Stroll on row eight. Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon start on row seven, Nico Hülkenberg is on the sixth row in the closest race to his home country while Stoffel Vandoorne begins P11. The two Mercedes are on row five with George Russell just behind Carlos Sainz, Yuki Tsunoda starts eighth with Max Verstappen seventh. Oscar Piastri begins from sixth and Valtteri Bottas is fifth, then it's Lando Norris fourth and Fernando Alonso third in Red Bull's home race, while Ferrari once again lock out the front row. Lewis Hamilton starts second, while it's Pole Position for Charles Leclerc.

Formation lap done, lights are on...AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc with a very good start, Hamilton holds position, Alonso and Norris just Head, then Bottas, Verstappen and Tsunoda both get Piastri at the start! The two Ferraris have broken away very quickly at the beginning here!

Hamilton going for the lead at the start of lap 2 and he gets the lead from Leclerc!

Alonso is about 3 seconds back after three laps, but he's trying to close that gap down quickly!

Leclerc has taken the lead back! He is trying to build that lead to Hamilton, but the DRS very much keeping the Champion in check right now.

There's a train forming behind Valtteri Bottas, and at the front of that is Max Verstappen who overtakes Norris, and quickly breaks up that train to take P4 off Bottas!

Tsunoda going for P7 off Piastri and takes it!

: Verstappen has fought his way up to third, overtaking Alonso, and is now trying to chase down the two Ferraris!

Alonso not going lightly and is fighting Verstappen for P3! Surprisingly no team orders for the Bulls just yet!

Ocon runs very wide! He sees teammate Magnussen pass him by!

(BOZ) "Update on tyres Charles?"

(LEC) "They're fine, no issues here as of yet."

(ADA) "You can push for a bit here, you have the tyre."

(HAM) "Yeah, understood."

(ADA) "What you are doing with tyres is very good."

(HAM) "The tyres are still strong."

Piastri up to fifth, ahead of Norris, as Bottas is falling away a bit here.

On the plus side for AM, Vandoorne is pushing the points!

However Hülkenberg has just overtaken the Belgian for P10!

Hamilton on the stronger tyre now and takes P1 back, but Leclerc is staying in the fight with DRS!

(ADA) "Lewis we are thinking a switch to Plan C, thoughts?"

(HAM) "I think we can make it work."

Daniel Ricciardo, running P15, seems to be having issues with his car! Looking like a potential gearbox problem.

Leclerc retakes the lead going into lap 18, but Hamilton has the DRS, Leclerc holds him off, but Hamilton makes a second attempt stick!

PITSTOPS: It's busy down in the pits as Vandoorne, Zhou, Magnussen and Pourchaire all come in, and rejoin P17-P20, respectively!

PITSTOP: Bottas and Hülkenberg in! Bottas onto Hards, Hülkenberg taking a second set of Mediums!

(BOZ) "Box now, box"

PITSTOP: Leclerc in from P2! He's onto Mediums, a 2.405 stop and he's back out in P6!

Verstappen now has brought the gap down to Hamilton to 1.9!

Lap 22: Hamilton, Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Leclerc, Bottas, Alonso, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Sainz

PITSTOPS: The two Aussies on the grid both in, and both go Medium to Medium!

(ADA) "Pit confirm and box."

(HAM) "Box this lap."

PITSTOPS: Tsunoda comes in and rejoins P13. Hamilton in from the lead! He seems to be abandoning the two stop plan as he's taken Softs! 2.384 stop and he's rejoining P4, behind Leclerc!

Leclerc makes light work of a DRS move on Norris and is now 12.967 behind Verstappen for the lead!

PITSTOP: Norris in and he's also two stopping, he's taken another set of Mediums!

PITSTOP: Verstappen in from the lead! He's committed to the two stop with a second set of Mediums!

Lap 28: Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Verstappen, Bottas, Piastri, Norris, Sainz, Russell, Stroll, Albon, Hülkenberg, Tsunoda, Vandoorne, Zhou, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Pourchaire, Gasly, Ocon

Verstappen, on much fresher rubber, makes light work of his teammate...BUT ALONSO COMES BACK AT HIM AND ALMOST TAKES HIM OUT! THAT WAS ALMOST DISASTER FOR RED BULL!

It gets worse for Verstappen who's having issues with his ERS, and Alonso takes P3 back, although Verstappen makes it work with DRS to take third back!

Up front, Hamilton is within chasing distance of Leclerc, currently 1.2 behind Leclerc.

Leclerc and Hamilton now 10 seconds clear of the two Red Bulls, so this seems like a straight fight between the two Ferraris, as it stands!

Bottas also having ERS issues, he's currently P5, a couple of seconds ahead of Piastri here.

VERSTAPPEN

Hamilton has retaken the lead, and is defending it so very well from Leclerc here! Leclerc has a look down the side, but Hamilton holds the lead for now!

Leclerc has DRS and makes the move stick! Hamilton however takes just a few corners to grab the lead back, this is sensational racing from Leclerc and Hamilton! Leclerc goes down the side and he's back into the lead!

PITSTOP: Hülkenberg trying to the undercut on the cars in front, taking on Hards, but Haas have a delay in the stop! That might cost them any chances at points today! Disaster!

Hamilton going for the lead and Hamilton retakes the lead! He's built a small gap to Leclerc who is now chasing him back down for it!!

Leclerc runs a little wide and he gets a track limits warning! He's lost time to Hamilton there!

Sainz with a big lock-up and his problems with that Mercedes continue!! He's down to P10!

PITSTOPS: Unsurprisingly, Sainz immediately in to change his tyres, and Stroll and Vandoorne follow. Looks like BOTH Stroll and Vandoorne had delays!

PITSTOPS: Alonso and Bottas in and taking Hards to go to the end!

PITSTOPS: Piastri and Russell both in, both taking Hards to the end here.

(BOZ) "Copy box, pit confirm."

(LEC) "Box? Box this lap, yes."

PITSTOP: Leclerc in from the lead, and rejoins P3 after a 2.125 stop! Mediums to the end here!

(ADA) "Box, box"

PITSTOPS: Hamilton and Norris in! Hamilton onto Mediums and takes a 2.367 stop and rejoins P3, Norris onto Hards and rejoins P5.

Bottas' gearbox has gone! He's struggling heavily here!

PITSTOP: Verstappen in and onto Hards to the end of the race!

Bottas is fading here, having fallen behind the two McLarens. It's an ERS issue, so he's able to continue the race, but he's struggling for speed here.

ALONSO

Leclerc has now opened up a 3 second gap to Hamilton, who's a further six ahead of Alonso!

Leclerc sets a purple S3, but the two cars of Stroll and Hülkenberg ahead slow any chances of a FL attempt. Hamilton now closing fast on his teammate!

IT'S A VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR! STROLL LOSES THE WILLIAMS, AND HE'S INTO THE WALL! He's slow to get out of the car, but thankfully is out of the smashed up Williams. VSC deployed.

(BOZ) "Stroll crashed."

(LEC) "He's okay?"

(BOZ) "Everyone is OK. Stay out, stay out."

PITSTOP: Ricciardo pulling into the garage, and pulling up. His gearbox has gone, and he is out of the race.

Lap 58 under VSC: Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso, Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Russell, Albon, Tsunoda, Sainz, Hülkenberg, Vandoorne, Zhou, Magnussen, Gasly, Pourchaire, Ocon. Ricciardo and Stroll out of the race.

WE GO RACING ON LAP 59!

Hamilton has gotten the quicker start off the blocks and he's within about a second of Leclerc, who's taken slightly longer to get the tyres in the window! It is game on now for the race win!

Hamilton going for the lead on Lap 61, Lewis Hamilton leads in Austria!

Leclerc goes round the outside of his teammate and he's back into P1!

Leclerc and Hamilton lap Sainz, then lap Ocon for a second time. Which means Sainz, P11, was about to lap Ocon, P18. That Alpine is painfully slow.

HAMILTON

Tsunoda takes a spin into the gravel at turn 7! An awful day for RB gets worse, and he falls out of the points!

Hamilton retakes the lead, but it's briefly as Leclerc is back into first!

Verstappen retakes P3 from Alonso!

LECLERC RUNS WIDE ON AN OVERTAKE ATTEMPT! That cost him so much time and that might be the win heading to Lewis Hamilton!!!

(LEC) "I couldn't return due to the lapped cars...F****K!"

Hamilton defended the racing line and Leclerc had nowhere to go. Turnaround is fair play from yesterday, however Leclerc couldn't return to the track immediately due to three cars who had just been lapped!

LAST LAP

Alex Albon overtakes a struggling Bottas for P8, an impressive showing by him today!

AN ALMIGHTY BATTLE BETWEEN THE TWO SCUDERIA DRIVERS, HAS RESULTED IN THE FOURTH VICTORY OF THE SEASON FOR LEWIS HAMILTON, LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX, AND HAS BLOWN THIS CHAMPIONSHIP RACE WIDE OPEN!!

(ADA) "And that's P1! Amazing job Lewis, amazing!"

(HAM) "LET'S GO! GET IN THERE! Fantastic job, thank you guys, thank you everyone. Brilliant weekend."

(ADA) "P1, fastest lap, and Driver of the Day. Great job Lewis!"

(HAM) "Thank you, everyone. Let's keep pushing."

(BOZ) "P2, Charles, P2. Great job, not what we wanted I know. But you did good."

(LEC) "I made a mistake at the end there, it cost me. Damnit. Good job though guys, we're still well in this. We've been extremely strong this weekend, it's a shame to not get a win, but it's like this. Good job, we'll keep pushing in this fight."

(BOZ) "Head up Charles, you did well, good job. Unlucky at the end.

Verstappen P3, Alonso P4, Norris P5, Piastri P6, Russell P7, Albon P8, Sainz P9, Bottas just holds on for a point in P10.

AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Lewis Hamilton 01.21.02
2. Charles Leclerc +5.908
3. Max Verstappen +3.547
4. Fernando Alonso +13.322
5. Lando Norris +14.301
6. Oscar Piastri +0.547
7. George Russell +1 lap
8. Alexander Albon +1 lap
9. Carlos Sainz +1 lap
10. Valtteri Bottas +1 lap
11. Yuki Tsunoda +1 lap
12. Nico Hülkenberg +1 lap
13. Stoffel Vandoorne +1 lap
14. Zhou Guanyu +1 lap
15. Kevin Magnussen +1 lap
16. Théo Pourchaire +2 laps
17. Pierre Gasly +2 laps
18. Esteban Ocon +2 laps
19. Daniel Ricciardo DNF
20. Lance Stroll DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

A sensational battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc saw the seven time Champion come out on top over the current Champion, as well as lapping everyone up to P7, Lewis Hamilton has earned your vote for Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
LEWIS HAMILTON, FERRARI 1.03.069

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
CHARLES LECLERC, FERRARI 2.124s

2025 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 227
Hamilton 222
Verstappen 218
Alonso 124
Norris 118
Piastri 100
Bottas 84
Russell 34
Sainz 27
Albon 25
Tsunoda 23
Ricciardo 15
Vandoorne 10
Hülkenberg 2
Stroll 1
Zhou 0
Ocon 0
Pourchaire 0
Magnussen 0
Gasly 0

2025 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 449
Red Bull-Honda RBPT 342
McLaren-Mercedes 218
Aston Martin-Honda RBPT 94
Mercedes 61
Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 38
Williams-Mercedes 26
Haas-Ferrari 2
Alpine-Renault 0
Audi Sauber-Mercedes 0

LECLERC SAYS NO RIFT WITH HAMILTON

Charles Leclerc in his post Austrian Grand Prix interview has said that there's "no issues" with the way Hamilton defended his position against him.

Leclerc said, "I made a mistake, I tried to overtake Lewis towards the end of the race and misjudged the corner, he didn't push me wide and defended the racing line. It happens. It's a shame that it cost me time with the lapped cars coming past me at the wrong time, but yeah, it's like this. No issues with Lewis, or how he defended."

Hamilton was asked about it as well and credited Leclerc, saying, "At the end of it, Charles gave me a good fight this weekend, I've managed to come out on top, and I'm looking forward to more of it this season. We have a good friendship, and that doesn't change off track, no matter what happens on it."

Leclerc leads Hamilton by just five points going into Hamilton's home race, the British Grand Prix, next weekend, while Max Verstappen is just 9 points behind Leclerc.

AUDI CONFIRM TEAM NAME FOR 2026

In a somewhat surprising move, Audi have confirmed that their team name will be "Audi Sport Sauber Formula 1 Team.", and will continue to represent the Sauber name on the Formula 1 grid.

Audi were expected to rename the team to simply "Audi" but after seeing positive reactions to the Sauber name, they have decided to keep the name on the grid for the 2026 season and beyond.

Audi Sauber will become the Audi works team, and use Audi's engines, from next season onwards. They will retain the Swiss base of Sauber, but also have a base in Germany next season.

[foggy locust]

FIA ANNOUNCE FOUR YEAR DEAL WITH BRIDGESTONE AND PIRELLI

The FIA have announced a four year deal for Bridgestone and Pirelli to provide tyres for Formula 1 in a shared contract.

This means the return of F1's famous "tyre wars", which have been gone from the sport since Bridgestone initially left the sport in 2006.

This is likely to bring in more excitement and unpredictability into the sport, fostering a more competitive environment for teams and drivers alike.

Teams will only be allowed to conduct one year deals at a time with either supplier, and both suppliers must provide a minimum of four teams of the ten on the grid.

The teams have until January 31st 2026 to announce their supplier for the 2026 season.

[sterile breach]

Let there be chaos. Also, "both suppliers must provide a minimum of teams of the ten on the grid". makes sense considering USA 2005 happened

[foggy locust]

BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2025
WEEKEND PREVIEW

We head to Silverstone and Round 12 of the 2025 F1 season, the official halfway point of what has been a thrilling season in Formula 1.

With Lewis Hamilton's victory for Ferrari over teammate Charles Leclerc in the main race in Austria combined with Leclerc's Sprint victory, Leclerc now leads Hamilton by 5 points, and Max Verstappen by nine, in what has been a thrilling three driver race for this year's Championship.

And with news still awaiting the future of Alpine as well as the return of Bridgestone and tyre wars for 2026, it has been a busy week in Formula 1 ahead of this weekend's race at Silverstone.

And it is Lewis Hamilton's first race at Silverstone in Ferrari Red. With him just five points behind Leclerc, Hamilton would go top of the Drivers’ Championship table with his tenth victory here. However Leclerc, who has never won at Silverstone, cannot be counted out, as the defending Champion tops the table despite just two victories this season in Bahrain and at home in Monaco, due to absolute consistency. Leclerc has 10 Podiums out of 11 races.

Red Bull remain Ferrari's closest challengers, albeit over 100 points back, and broke a dominant spell of Ferrari this time last year. Max Verstappen remains very much entrenched in the Drivers’ Championship race as he aims for his fourth title - Fernando Alonso meanwhile has come very close to that elusive 33rd victory and he could take it here.

This is of course McLaren's home race, and the home race of Lando Norris. The team have been a solid third, albeit have spent most of their season battling with Alonso and Aston Martin's Valtteri Bottas rather than the three Championship challengers. With the upgrades having not given them the jump forward they had hoped for, and a comfortable third place in the Standings, when do the team begin to turn their attention to 2026, a vital contract year for Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri?

It is also the home race of course of George Russell, and he has a very different vital approach on his mind - the potential of a Red Bull Racing deal for 2026. It is a massive gamble however, as we do not know as of yet who will be stronger in 2026 - Mercedes or Red Bull. But with frustration growing from Russell towards the team and teammate Carlos Sainz, does Russell make the move?

Aston Martin remain a team with one car doing very well, and one car doing significantly not as well. In a somewhat surprising move, they've announced that the upgrades they are bringing to this race will be tested by Stoffel Vandoorne, not Valtteri Bottas, a move Bottas has publicly supported this week in hopes of raising up his struggling teammate and putting in a challenge to McLaren for Third.

This is also the defacto home race of Alex Albon and the home race of his team Williams, and Albon, as the fourth driver who is out of contract this year alongside Alonso, Russell and Vandoorne, could well be considered for a move up the grid in what has been an impressive run of form for him this year. Williams still have a shot at Fifth in the Championship - 12 points behind Racing Bulls and 35 behind Mercedes - at the halfway point of the season, but they need Lance Stroll to start picking up the slack.

Andretti Autosport are likely to make an announcement in the next couple of weeks about the future of their 2026 driver lineup - and that means it's time to make final cases for current Racing Bulls drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo. While the team has impressed in their final year of being a Red Bull junior team, both drivers know a strong few races would potentially seal their positions on the 2026 grid.

Audi announced last week that the Sauber name would live on in Formula 1 next season, meaning the Sauber team will remain in place as Audi Sauber, continuing their name from this year, albeit as the Audi works team. And Théo Pourchaire continues to be a bright spot for a team that hasn't had much to celebrate this season, still looking like the slowest on the grid.

Haas are bringing big upgrades to Silverstone as well, focusing on High Speed performance and have made a big jump in the area. Nico Hülkenberg will get these upgrades for this race, and with the Toyota backed team just on two points this season having continually squandered opportunities, this feels like a big opportunity for points this weekend for the American team.

It has been a rough year for Alpine and after the delay of their announcement and plans for 2026, the questions remain on their place in the sport entirely. It will take a big bit of luck for Esteban Ocon or Kevin Magnussen to be near the points this weekend.

However that luck might be coming in the form of a very rainy Sunday, which will affect the 52 laps of this 5.891km circuit. It's usually a classic around here, and what will this year's race bring in the rain? You won't want to miss it.

OLLIE BEARMAN GETS HOME FP1

Ferrari have confirmed that Oliver Bearman will once again run FP1 for them in Silverstone.

Bearman will take Charles Leclerc's car for this session and run alongside fellow compatriot and seven time World Champion Lewis Hamilton on home soil.

Ferrari will likely run Franco Colapinto in Lewis Hamilton's car at either Hungary or Belgium.

FP1 Reserves: Bearman (Leclerc), Antonelli (Russell), Tsolov (Sainz), Maini (Magnussen), Montoya (Vandoorne)

FP1: PIA VER ALO
BEAR P4, HAM P5

Oscar Piastri goes fastest in what is a massive bonus for McLaren, ahead of the two Red Bulls of Verstappen and Alonso. Bearman Fourth, just ahead of Hamilton. Mercedes had a poor afternoon with their reserves P12 for Antonelli, and P13 for Tsolov, while Montoya had a good showing in P8.

FP2: VER LEC NOR
HAM P4

Verstappen goes quickest, ahead of Leclerc and Norris, with Hamilton Fourth, Alonso fifth and Bottas Sixth. Ricciardo ahead of Piastri, who topped FP1.

FP3: HAM VER LEC

Lewis Hamilton goes fastest in FP3 to the delight of the home fans ahead of title rivals Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. Alonso Fourth, ahead of Norris and Piastri.

Welcome to the small village just outside Towcester, and an abandoned former RAF airfield. Better known to the world as Silverstone, the home of the British Grand Prix and the birthplace of the original F1 World Championship race. Today though, it's qualifying, and Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri all topped practice sessions, this feels like it could go any which way this weekend.

Q1 is a go!

3.00pm: Lewis Hamilton not waiting around here, as the home favourite is first on track to a huge reaction from the British fans here. Lando Norris follows him out, also to a big reaction.

3.01pm: McLaren of course running the Chrome livery this weekend, so we might see some confusion between them and Mercedes. The Papaya probably the giveaway.

3.03pm: Fans definitely rooting for Hamilton here in what is a close Championship fight with teammate Leclerc as well as Verstappen. Hamilton purple throughout the first lap. 24.414.

3.04pm: Leclerc is out on track as well, in fact Alonso, Russell and Sainz out there too. Russell getting another big reaction, as is Albon in his de-facto home race. Norris goes 0.496 behind Hamilton.

3.05pm: Stroll almost goes off the track and nearly takes Leclerc with him! The Champion is, understandably, furious on the radio here. Has that compromised his first lap?

3.08pm: Verstappen goes Second, within 0.090 of Hamilton! Alonso fourth, behind Norris. Sainz slots in sixteenth, Leclerc has headed right back out, currently 15th and at risk.

3.11pm: Piastri up to P4, which means Leclerc is P16, and in real trouble! The Champion hits traffic as Hülkenberg spins off!! He's quickly able to correct however.

3.12pm: Leclerc up to P9, he is struggling. I'm not sure that's going to be enough for him!

DRIVER AT RISK: Magnussen
RELEGATION ZONE: Russell, Pourchaire, Gasly, Sainz, Ricciardo

3.14pm: Mercedes currently have BOTH drivers in the bottom five. This is a current disaster for them. Leclerc, P10, is going out on fresh tyres. He's not gambling here.

3.16pm: All of the bottom five on fliers. Sainz finishes his, he's 14th. That might not be enough!

3.17pm: Gasly is safe, he's up to P14. Ricciardo goes 11th, Sainz at risk now!

Pourchaire P13, SAINZ IS OUT! Russell up to sixth, Stroll isn't improving, Magnussen stays eighteenth. Leclerc goes P1! Ocon drops into the bottom five and he's out.

OUT IN Q1: Ocon, Sainz, Magnussen, Gasly, Stroll

Q2 goes Green!

3.25pm: Hamilton and Ricciardo are the first ones out on track here.

3.28pm: A 24.395 for Hamilton, as Ricciardo goes 1.088 behind. The RB locks up crossing the line, which may have compromised his lap at the end.

3.30pm: Leclerc, Verstappen and Norris all on fliers. Leclerc used up more tyres than those around him getting out of Q1, will that be a disadvantage here or tomorrow?

3.31pm: Leclerc again hitting traffic! He's had no luck so far this weekend. Piastri is the same, currently 3 seconds back.

3.32pm: Leclerc does go 0.198 behind Hamilton however. So not as disastrous as Q1. Russell into Third, Verstappen goes 0.402 quickest! That is ominous.

DRIVER AT RISK: Norris
RELEGATION ZONE: Pourchaire, Vandoorne, Hülkenberg, Zhou, Piastri

4.37pm: Piastri green through sectors 1 and 2, and he's going to get out of the bottom five, which will put Norris there!

4.38pm: Piastri into fifth, Albon at risk and Norris into the dropzone! Everyone bar Verstappen on track right now.

4.39pm: Vandoorne just 9th, that will probably not be enough! Hamilton Second, Leclerc Third!

Zhou 15th and he's out. Ricciardo not improving! Pourchaire stays 13th...NORRIS HAS A HORRIBLE S3 AND HE'S 12TH, HE IS OUT! ALBON CAN'T QUITE GET PAST RICCIARDO!

OUT IN Q2: Albon, Norris, Hülkenberg, Pourchaire, Zhou

Disaster for Norris in Q2

Q3 is Green!

4.49pm: Most of the ten, in fact everyone bar Piastri and Vandoorne, are our early to set a banker.

4.51pm: Hamilton quickest so far, with Leclerc 0.364 behind. Bottas slots in a full 1.6 behind, Ricciardo even slower. Ooft.

4.53pm: Alonso into Third, Tsunoda fourth, Russell fifth. Just Sixth so far for Verstappen! He'll likely get another crack at this, though.

4.54pm: Vandoorne goes Sixth! Piastri just tenth, rough day for McLaren so far!

Q3 AS IT STANDS: Hamilton, Leclerc, Alonso, Tsunoda, Russell, Vandoorne, Verstappen, Bottas, Ricciardo, Piastri

4.57pm: The last qualifying laps of this session starting now.

Neither Leclerc nor Hamilton improving, Bottas Fourth, Verstappen second, Leclerc improves through S2, LECLERC SECOND, Russell, Vandoorne, Ricciardo don't improve, Piastri doesn't improve, nor does Tsunoda, IT IS POLE POSITION ON HOME SOIL FOR LEWIS HAMILTON!!!

Q3: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Alonso, Bottas, Tsunoda, Russell, Vandoorne, Ricciardo, Piastri

2025 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

HAM LEC

VER ALO

BOT TSU

RUS VAN

RIC PIA

ALB NOR

HÜL POU

ZHO OCO

SAI MAG

GAS STR

Welcome to the home of British motor racing, to the place where the F1 World Championship all began, this formerly abandoned airfield outside of Towcester, UK, known to the world as Silverstone. And it is wet, windy, and a very open race because of it. 52 laps around this famous 5.891km circuit, could be a one stop, could be a two stop, but it's likely to rain all afternoon. The home fans in high spirits as Lewis Hamilton starts on Pole, but Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen are very much in play as the three title contenders start 1-2-3.

At the back though it's Lance Stroll alongside Pierre Gasly, Kevin Magnussen 18th and Carlos Sainz a shock Q1 exit starts 17th. Esteban Ocon is 16th alongside Zhou Guanyu, while Théo Pourchaire starts beside Nico Hülkenberg. Lando Norris starts his home race 12th after a stunning Q2 exit with Alexander Albon just ahead in his defacto home race. Oscar Piastri is only two spots ahead of his teammate in 10th, alongside compatriot Daniel Ricciardo in 9th, while Stoffel Vandoorne starts 8th and George Russell begins his home race seventh. It's Valtteri Bottas just ahead of Yuki Tsunoda on row three, the two Red Bulls lock out row two, Fernando Alonso fourth and Max Verstappen the lowest of the three title challengers in third. And it is a Ferrari front row lockout again, Charles Leclerc starts behind his teammate for just the fourth time this season, while Lewis Hamilton begins his home GP aiming for a tenth victory here, he's on Pole Position and in prime position to do it.

[foggy locust]

It is wet, blustery, and the cars are on track. It's looking like it's going to rain the entire race. This should be fascinating.

STUNNING BREAKING NEWS HERE THOUGH: Max Verstappen with a component change! He will start today from the pitlane!

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

LECLERC GETS AWAY QUICKEST AND HE IS INTO THE LEAD AHEAD OF HAMILTON! Alonso third, Tsunoda up to fourth ahead of Bottas! Russell now Sixth, Ricciardo Seventh, Vandoorne Eighth, Albon ahead of Piastri! Norris up to eleventh now. Verstappen pulls out of the pitlane and this has thrown the title race on its head entirely!

(BOZ) "So you're currently P1. Lewis about 1 second behind. This is a good pace for now."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy."

Stroll goes aquaplaining and spins off into the gravel! He's able to return to the track, but he's twelve seconds behind Verstappen who has gained a free position!

LECLERC

Leclerc with a 1.2 advantage over Hamilton, and cuttently comfortable. Both Ferraris seem to be handling the wet weather very well.

Piastri gets the move done on Albon for P9! Albon very much at risk from the other McLaren in Norris, now!

HAMILTON

Verstappen overtakes Gasly. But he's still got 20 seconds to make up on Leclerc for the lead of this race.

VERSTAPPEN

(ADA) "That's a very good lap, this is a good pace."

(HAM) "Understood."

Verstappen with a rare mistake and he goes sliding off!

Hamilton has closed the gap on Leclerc and he's going for the overtake! Leclerc however is able to keep the lead for now!

(ADA) "Free to race, but keep it tidy."

Hamilton going for the lead into Stowe and Lewis Hamilton takes the lead!!! The crowd go wild here!

Lap 9: Hamilton, Leclerc, Alonso, Tsunoda, Bottas, Russell, Ricciardo, Vandoorne, Piastri, Albon, Norris, Hülkenberg, Pourchaire, Sainz, Zhou, Ocon, Magnussen, Verstappen, Gasly, Stroll

Alonso has closed the gap to Hamilton and Leclerc, the Red Bull now within a second and a half!

(LEC) "It's raining more and more."

Issues for Pierre Gasly as he's saying he's lost the drive of the car! Looks like a gearbox issue!

Hamilton now defending the lead from Leclerc but Leclerc going for the lead and the World Champion is back in front!

Piastri going for P8, and overtakes Vandoorne!

Although Norris is struggling in the rain and slips behind Hülkenberg, who is into P11!

Alonso is managing his tyres beautifully, and has put himself right back into contention behind Hamilton and Leclerc!

Max Verstappen goes P17, overtaking Magnussen!

PITSTOP: Piastri the first to pit! But he's having problems as McLaren's pit crew can't get that front tyre off!! A horrible, horrible weekend for the Woking team! Zhou also pits for Haas, and gets away cleaner. Piastri P17, Zhou last.

Leclerc now defending both Hamilton and Alonso, and this is a fascinating race up front! That Red Bull might have the pace here!

(HAM) "I need more power if possible, mate."

(ADA) "Okay Lewis, copy. Keep it up."

Leclerc gaining on Hamilton and Alonso, but Alonso makes the move on Hamilton for P2!!

Leclerc gaining on Alonso and Hamilton, and as it stands, this is helping him in the WDC. However Hamilton takes P2 back!

PITSTOPS: Hülkenberg and Pourchaire both in, and both away cleanly.

Magnussen with a big spin-off there! That was horrific for him!

PITSTOP: Lando Norris in from P9! He takes a fastest lap into the bargain. Quicker stop than Piastri's for McLaren, and Norris rejoins P15.

Leclerc has opened up a 2.3 advantage to Hamilton and Alonso. Alonso still pressuring Hamilton for second.

PITSTOP: Tsunoda in from P5! He's away cleanly, rejoins P9, ahead of Verstappen, crucially!

Magnussen off for the second time in two laps, this time at Brooklands!

Norris overtakes Hülkenberg on track. Although it's disaster for Piastri as his gearbox is having major issues!

(ADA) "You have Charles 1.4 in front. Fernando 0.9 behind."

(HAM) "I thought Fernando was closer?"

(ADA) "He seems to be lifting and coasting"

PITSTOPS: Russell, Vandoorne, and VERSTAPPEN IN! Russell rejoins P6, Vandoorne P15, Verstappen P16.

Lap 23: Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Bottas, Ricciardo, Albon, Tsunoda, Russell, Sainz, Piastri, Ocon, Norris, Hülkenberg, Zhou, Vandoorne, Verstappen, Pourchaire, Gasly, Stroll, Magnussen

(BOZ) "And you can push, pit window open, push now."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy."

PITSTOPS: Sainz and Ocon in! Sainz rejoins P16, Ocon now P19.

TSUNODA

(BOZ) "Box now, box, we'll do a pitstop for new inters."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy, box. How heavy do we think the rain will be?"

(BOZ) "Class 2 rain, likely the rest of the race."

PITSTOP: Albon in from P7! He's away cleanly and returns P10!

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

(HAM) "Understood, in next lap."

PITSTOP: Leclerc in on lap 26! He rejoins in P4, with all three ahead still to pit! 2.303 for that stop!

[steel talon]

WOAH

[foggy locust]

PITSTOPS: Hamilton pits a lap later from the lead! A 2.225s pitstop for him, as Bottas also comes in from third. Hamilton rejoins P3, 2 seconds behind Leclerc!

Ocon with a lock-up at Village, but he's able to return to the Circuit!

PITSTOP: Alonso in from the lead! A quick stop by Red Bull, and he rejoins about 8 and a half back from Leclerc and 6 and a half back from Hamilton!

Pourchaire, running P15, goes spinning off! He's back on track a few seconds later but drops to 18th!

PITSTOP: Ricciardo in the pitlane! He's last to stop for the first time, as Pourchaire comes in for a second stop. Ricciardo back out there in P9.

Sainz also has a big lock-up at Village! A horrible weekend for him, he's still P14.

Lap 31: Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Tsunoda, Bottas, Russell, Norris, Albon, Ricciardo, Hülkenberg, Piastri, Vandoorne, Verstappen, Zhou, Sainz, Stroll, Ocon, Pourchaire, Magnussen, Gasly

Right now, the most interesting battle on track is Bottas versus Taunoda, and Bottas has taken Fourth off Tsunoda.

Ricciardo helping RB's chances of P6 in the Constructors as he overtakes Albon for eighth on track today!

Verstappen is very much in play for points in what feels like damage limitation for the Bulls. He's up to P11, ahead of a struggling Piastri.

PITSTOP: Piastri pulling into the pitlane, second stop for him and he's pitted again for fresh Ints. He's back on track at P17.

Max Verstappen is into the points! He makes very light work of Nico Hülkenberg, and snatches what would be a valuable point for Haas away from them.

PITSTOP: Lance Stroll is in, joining again in P17. Nothing to lose for the Willians here by going onto fresh Ints.

Leclerc keeping a pretty constant 2 second advantage to Hamilton here.

Ocon runs wide again! That time at Becketts. That Alpine very much struggling in the rain.

It's heartbreak for Albon and Williams! He's having Engine issues and drops behind Verstappen and Hülkenberg and out of the points!

PITSTOP: It's a second stop for Stoffel Vandoorne, who was running out of the points anyway, but he's back behind Piastri.

Lap 37: Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Bottas, Tsunoda, Russell, Norris, Ricciardo, Verstappen, Hülkenberg, Albon, Zhou, Sainz, Ocon, Piastri, Vandoorne, Stroll, Pourchaire, Magnussen, Gasly

PITSTOP: Zhou onto the pitlane here! New ints and he's back out of the pitlane in P16. Magnussen also comes in.

LECLERC

Leclerc has gotten these Ints into a better window this stint, and is growing his lead over his teammate. Alonso a further 6.7 behind.

VANDOORNE

LECLERC
HAMILTON

TSUNODA

The fastest lap getting into a window, as it is taken four successive times. Vandoorne, Leclerc, Hamilton and Tsunoda all take a FL.

PITSTOP: Hülkenberg in for a second time! That is...a little surprising, I'm not sure why. His tyres seemed fine? It seems Williams may have dummied Haas into that move!

OCON AND VANDOORNE MAKE CONTACT!!! Both go sliding into the gravel!!

CAR 31 (OCON)

Write your own memes here, folks. Penalty to Ocon.

More on that Haas/Williams call - it seems like Willians called Albon to pit, so Haas responded, Hülkenberg came in, and Albon stayed out. Will that pay off though with just 12 laps left?

(BOZ) "How are the tyres Charles?"

(LEC) "Ah, good, good, good. Tyres are in a good window."

(BOZ) "Copy, ten laps to go. This is a really good pace, you're doing really well, keep this level up."

STROLL

Lap 44: Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Bottas, Tsunoda, Russell, Norris, Ricciardo, Verstappen, Albon, Sainz, Piastri, Hülkenberg, Vandoorne, Stroll, Zhou, Ocon, Pourchaire, Magnussen, Gasly

Verstappen putting old friend and old teammate Ricciardo under pressure for P8, but so far, Daniel defending Max very well here.

Russell, running P6, having slight issues with that Mercedes. He should be able to get it to the end, though.

Piastri with a rare lock-up! The McLaren skids through the gravel but he gets back on track.

Village corner proving to be tricky for lock-ups, and Hülkenberg the latest to fall victim to it.

We had a brief moment of DRS! But the rain gets heavier and DRS switches back off. Lap 47.

LECLERC

VERSTAPPEN

Leclerc briefly takes the fastest lap, then Verstappen snatches it away.

Verstappen gets the move done! He's ahead of Ricciardo and racing away from him now.

Piastri runs very wide again! He is struggling today, and he falls to P16.

Lap 49: Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Bottas, Tsunoda, Russell, Norris, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Albon, Sainz, Vandoorne, Hülkenberg, Stroll, Zhou, Piastri, Ocon, Pourchaire, Magnussen, Gasly

(ADA) "Charge button on for two laps."

Hamilton is chasing Leclerc down with about 1 Lap to go!!

LAST LAP

Hamilton now applying the pressure, he's within less than a second to Leclerc who takes the slipstream off Pourchaire, BUT LECLERC IS GOING TO HOLD ON, AND HE'S GAINING MORE AND MORE WITH THAT SLIPSTREAM, HE ROUNDS THE FINAL CORNER, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX!!! AND IT IS ONCE AGAIN A SCUDERIA FERRARI 1-2!

(BOZ) "AND THAT'S THE WIN, P1 CHARLES, YOU'VE WON IT!"

(LEC) "MAMMA MIAAA...YESSSSS! Ahhhh yes, YES! Fantastic guys, fantastic to finally win here, been a long time coming. YES!!"

(BOZ) "Amazing job Charles, amazing. Ma come mi fai sognaree, come mi fai sognareeeee!"

(LEC) "Si, grandissimi! Tonight is gonna be a good night."

(ADA) "And chequered flag, P2, Lewis, P2. Great job today, great effort."

(HAM) "Thank you guys, a shame not to win here, but congrats to Charles. What a result for the team, let's keep pushing."

(ADA) "We're not out of this yet. Keep pushing, Lewis."

Alonso takes P3 and the podium!

Bottas P4, Tsunoda P5, Russell P6, Norris P7, Verstappen P8 and FL, Ricciardo P9, Albon P10

2025 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 1.33.560
2. Lewis Hamilton +1.838
3. Fernando Alonso +14.116
4. Valtteri Bottas +13.617
5. Yuki Tsunoda +13.997
6. George Russell +0.513
7. Lando Norris +6.010
8. Max Verstappen +10.220
9. Daniel Ricciardo +2.964
10. Alexander Albon +18.169
11. Carlos Sainz +14.123
12. Stoffel Vandoorne +1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg +1 lap
14. Lance Stroll +1 lap
15. Zhou Guanyu +1 lap
16. Oscar Piastri +1 lap
17. Théo Pourchaire +1 lap
18. Esteban Ocon +1 lap 5s
19. Kevin Magnussen +1 lap
20. Pierre Gasly +2 laps

DRIVER OF THE DAY: CHARLES LECLERC, Ferrari

A classy drive in the rain saw Charles Leclerc take his third victory of the season, his first at Silverstone, and extend his Championship lead. Your vote duly recognised that, handing DOTD to the defending Champion. Charles Leclerc is your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Max Verstappen, Red Bull 1.33.443

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Max Verstappen, Red Bull 2.181s

2025 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 252
Hamilton 240
Verstappen 223
Alonso 139
Norris 124
Piastri 100
Bottas 96
Russell 42
Tsunoda 33
Sainz 27
Albon 26
Ricciardo 17
Vandoorne 10
Hülkenberg 2
Stroll 1
Zhou 0
Ocon 0
Pourchaire 0
Magnussen 0
Gasly 0

2025 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 492
Red Bull-Honda RBPT 362
McLaren-Mercedes 224
Aston Martin-Honda RBPT 106
Mercedes 69
Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 50
Williams-Mercedes 27
Haas-Ferrari 2
Alpine-Renault 0
Audi Sauber-Mercedes 0

FERRARI ANNOUNCE AFFLIATE SIGNINGS OF MICK SCHUMACHER AND LOGAN SARGEANT

Defending Constructors Champions Scuderia Ferrari have tonight offered a Formula 1 reprieve to both Logan Sargeant and Mick Schumacher.

After being off the F1 grid for half a year, Sargeant joins Ferrari as an Afflilate driver, to take part in Car development and simulator duties.

Schumacher meanwhile rejoins the Ferrari family where his father had so much success. He will be focused on both car development and marketability, as well as the World Endurance Championship.

Rumours have it that Ferrari are lining up a WEC team for 2026 including Sargeant, Schumacher and fellow Ferrari Driver Academy member Sophia Flörsch.

SHWARTZMAN RELEASED BY FERRARI

Ferrari have announced the departure of Robert Shwartzman from their driver program.

Rumours have it the team were upset with recent progress from Shwartzman, and felt he was regressing from his previous efforts within the team.

It's also thought that with the recent signings of Schumacher and Sargeant to do sim and car development work, there was simply "no room left" for Shwartzman on the program.

[foggy locust]

out of character but it's a little funny that Ferrari and Shwartzman have announced his IRL departure on the same day as this

[foggy locust]

ANDRETTI CONFIRM TSUNODA AND RICCIARDO FOR 2026 AND BEYOND

Andretti Global Autosport have announced that they will honour Racing Bulls' contracts with Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo for 2026.

The two Racing Bulls drivers have performed well with the team being Sixth, while Tsunoda in ninth and Ricciardo in twelfth has impressed the Andretti ownership enough to honour their original deals.

Tsunoda signs a three year deal with Andretti to take him to 2028, while Ricciardo will be with Andretti until the 2027 season.

Ricciardo has said that the 2027 season and the end of that deal could well be his retirement in F1 - "we'll see."

[foggy locust]

FIA ANNOUNCE SCORING CHANGE FOR ABU DHABI FROM 2026

The infamous "Double Points" rule has returned.

In a vote of 8-2, Formula 1 teams have voted for a return to the last race at Abu Dhabi being worth double points.

It was trialed at Abu Dhabi in 2014, and was received poorly, and was discarded for 12 years. However, teams have now decided they want to give the controversial rule another try.

The top two in the Championship right now - Ferrari and Red Bull - were the only two to vote against the decision.

But the motion carried and will now be implemented from 2026 onwards.

Voted For: McLaren, Mercedes, Aston Martin, RB/Andretti, Audi Sauber, Haas, Alpine, Williams

Voted Against: Ferrari, Red Bull

HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
WEEKEND PREVIEW

We head to the Hungaroring in Budapest for Round 13 of this Formula 1 World Championship, and after another Ferrari 1-2 this time went the way of the World Champion at a rainy Silverstone, can anyone challenge Ferrari here, and can Max Verstappen close the gap to Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship?

Described as “Monaco without the barriers” and “the Go-Kart track”, the 70 lap, 4.381 km circuit at the Hungaroring has seen its share of legendary upsets and near upsets, including Esteban Ocon's first victory against the odds for Alpine in 2021, and Damon Hill nearly taking victory for Arrows against Michael Schumacher's Ferrari in 1997. And it was Max Verstappen who took the win last year, ahead of Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.

Formula 1 has been in the news this week after the re-introduction of the infamous “Double Points” rule. As of 2026, points at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi count Double. This was implemented once, in 2014, and widely criticised, however on an 8-2 vote it will return for 2026 onwards.

Ferrari however come in having won the four of the last races, with two wins for Hamilton and two for Leclerc, with a Verstappen win in Spain the outlier. And the defending Champions have a 130 lead in the Constructors’ Championship, and look the favourites to extend that this weekend.

However Red Bull are once again bringing upgrades in the hopes of improving that car, with a new chassis and suspension being tested by Verstappen this weekend, with Alonso likely to receive it in Belgium. With Verstappen being the main challenger to Leclerc and Hamilton, it makes sense. However Verstappen had to take a pitlane start at Silverstone and lost ground in the Championship, something he needs to make up this weekend.

McLaren meanwhile have reduced the performance gap to Red Bull and might have a shot at being the second quickest car this weekend. The team from Woking had a rough home Grand Prix, with Lando Norris crashing out of qualifying in Q2, and Oscar Piastri making a few errors on track and having a mechanical fault. This is a team that desperately needs a good performance this coming weekend.

Mercedes lost more ground on Aston Martin this past weekend as their hopes of taking fourth seem to be slipping, and with in-fighting between Carlos Sainz and George Russell seemingly getting worse, has it come to a point where Russell's position at Mercedes has become untenable? The only other seats available right now are at Red Bull and Williams. And potentially Aston Martin.

Aston Martin meanwhile have a decision to make on the future of Stoffel Vandoorne. Having initially signed a 1+1 deal with Aston Martin, not a 1 year deal as initially believed, Vandoorne has not overally impressed this season, with just four points finishes in twelve races, while his teammate Valtteri Bottas has a podium and has made the points in every race bar Canada, where a mechanical fault ended his race. Vandoorne did step up that day, will he have done enough to get that second year?

However, the future of the two Racing Bulls drivers was confirmed and secured this past week - Andretti have confirmed Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo as their driver lineup for the next two seasons. With Tsunoda and Ricciardo impressing this year, and the pressure now off the two for next year, will this consistency continue in their final year as the Red Bull junior team?

Williams meanwhile have a growing problem with performance - the car's upgrades have not worked as planned, and it may well be a team going backwards, despite Albon's points finish at Silverstone. Lance Stroll has struggled in his move to Williams, however the team is not in a position to let him go due to the financial situation of Williams, and the long term contract he signed at the start of 2025 during the infamous transfer window following Abu Dhabi.

Haas once again let their drivers down in the search for points, after being dummy called by Williams at Silverstone meaning that Haas had an unnecessary second stop for Nico Hülkenberg, who was in the points at the time, and as Williams ended up not stopping, cost them any chance of hitting paydirt in Britain. Onto Hungary, and a circuit that may not overally suit Haas, but if they find themselves in the points, they need to take advantage of it. Hülkenberg has two points this year, Zhou Guanyu has yet to score. This is a team that needs to score as soon as possible.

Alpine's 2025 misfortunes continue as the expectation of an announcement about the future of the team did not come, and the team struggled at Silverstone once more. We're being told that it will come during the summer break, although the team itself will continue in Formula 1 in some form, and Ocon and Magnussen will remain with the team for 2026. And this is a team with all eyes on 2026 at this point.

Which is also the case for Audi, who had a rough day once more at Silverstone, with Théo Pourchaire finding the gravel and Pierre Gasly being lapped twice. Although some surprising updates might finally have their car somewhat going in the right direction. Tests for 2026, or chances at potential points in 2025? Or both?

It's expected to be a dry weekend at the Hungaroring, a circuit that often throws up surprises, strategy errors and more. It'll be a truly fascinating weekend, one you won't want to miss.

FP1 Reserves: Hauger (Zhou), Verschoor (Ricciardo), Montoya (Bottas)

FP1: LEC HAM ALO

In a rainy FP1, the two Ferraris of Leclerc and Hamilton go quickest, with Alonso P3. Piastri Fourth, ahead of Tsunoda and Verstappen. Of the three reserves, Montoya made the top nine, with Hauger 13th and Verschoor 20th.

FP2: VER LEC HAM

Verstappen quickest in a session that started with rain but very quickly got dry again, ahead of Leclerc and Hamilton. Norris fourth, Ricciardo fifth and Alonso sixth.

FP3: LEC HAM VER

Ferrari set down a marker for Qualifying by taking a 1-2, Leclerc quickest from Hamilton and Verstappen. Norris just ahead of Piastri as McLaren go 4-5, with Russell Sixth, Vandoorne Seventh and Alonso eighth. Albon and Hülkenberg round off the top ten.

Welcome to the Hungaroring, the Go-Kart circuit, and after a rainy Friday, today's earlier practice maybe told us a little bit more about what to expect today. Dry running throughout the rest of the weekend, no more rain expected. Leclerc, Verstappen and Hamilton all found pace in practice, your Polesitter is likely one of those three, but you never know in Formula 1.

Q1 is Green here in Hungary!

4.00pm: And it's your three Championship protagonists, Leclerc, Verstappen and Hamilton all out on track to begin this session. 2021 Winner here Esteban Ocon is the fourth man to go out onto the track.

4.02pm: Verstappen with the initial S1 purple, there, Leclerc S2.

4.03pm: Leclerc fastest, 0.046 ahead of Hamilton, 0.231 ahead of Verstappen. Ocon onto a bit of a hiding to nothing, 2.054 back in Fourth.

4.05pm: Ricciardo, fresh off a new contract, up to P4. Alonso then slots into fourth, about half a second back on Leclerc.

4.08pm: Sainz into fifth, Tsunoda sixth, also off a fresh contract. Lando Norris completes his lap...he's fourth!

4.10pm: Piastri does well to avoid Vandoorne on his outlap there going into Turn 1. Will that affect his time, though?

4.11pm: Piastri up to P6, while Russell goes ninth. No real major surprises as of yet.

4.13pm: Bottas goes up to 7th, meanwhile Vandoorne just 17th...his issues with AM continue!

DRIVER AT RISK: Ocon
RELEGATION ZONE: Zhou, Vandoorne, Hülkenberg, Gasly, Magnussen

4.15pm: Ocon stays 15th, so the former winner of this race is still very much at risk here!

4.17pm: Magnussen up to 16th, meanwhile Hülkenberg is 11th which eliminates Ocon!

Vandoorne goes 11th and he's safe! Pourchaire on a flier, Stroll very much at risk, so is Ricciardo with Gasly on a flier! Gasly just 17th, Pourchaire goes 15th! Pourchaire knocks Stroll out!

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

We are into Q2!

4.25pm: Leclerc and Hamilton both out early again, followed this time by Alonso.

4.28pm: Leclerc fastest so far, 0.180 ahead of Hamilton, 0.307 ahead of Alonso.

4.31pm: Tsunoda about 1.219 back...OH MY GOD IT IS A RED FLAG!!

Nico Hülkenberg completely loses the Haas and is into the wall. He's thankfully okay, but that has paused the session for now. Verstappen was on a flier, and he's furious about this timing.

4.53pm: After the Red Flag, we're back out here. Hülkenberg will start 15th, but a pit lane start potentially awaits him.

4.55pm: Just fifth for Verstappen! That is surprising, in fact make it sixth as the two RBs are both ahead! Tsunoda fourth, Ricciardo now fifth.

4.57pm: Just 11th for Norris as well here.

DRIVER AT RISK: Albon
RELEGATION ZONE: Norris, Verstappen, Pourchaire, Vandoorne, Hülkenberg (no time)

5.01pm: Verstappen is NOT improving here! Vandoorne is so far.

Just 11th for Vandoorne, VERSTAPPEN FOURTH! He's safe, Pourchaire doesn't improve, what can Norris do now...Ricciardo at risk, Norris goes 9th! He just makes it and knocks Ricciardo out! Russell 9th now, Norris tenth!

OUT IN Q2: Ricciardo, Albon, Vandoorne, Pourchaire, Hülkenberg (no time)

Q3 is Green! Who will take Pole?

5.08pm: We begin Q3, and Leclerc, Hamilton and Russell are the first three drivers on track for these early banker laps.

5.11pm: Hamilton with an absolute flier and he's quickest in Q3! Leclerc up to P2, 0.040 behind despite Hamilton going purple in all three sectors! Russell about 1.2 behind.

5.13pm: Piastri up to Third ahead of Alonso and Tsunoda! Sainz slots in behind Russell.

LANDO NORRIS IS IN THE WALL!!! HE COMPLETELY LOSES THE McLAREN! He confirms he's okay, but he's out of qualifying! And for the second time today Verstappen has had his flier ruined!

5.35pm: About six minutes left as we begin qualifying again after our second stoppage. Norris will start tenth, that is if he avoids a pitlane start!

AS IT STANDS: Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Alonso, Bottas, Tsunoda, Russell, Sainz, Verstappen (no time), Norris (no time)

5.40pm: Last few fliers are beginning now. Tsunoda first to complete and he stays sixth!

5.41pm: Piastri stays Third, Alonso still Fourth! Russell goes ahead of Tsunoda!

Just Leclerc, Hamilton and Verstappen to complete, Hamilton P1...LECLERC TAKES POLE FOR NOW, Hamilton is having another go though! And so is Leclerc! Verstappen up to Third!! AND HAMILTON CANNOT IMPROVE, IT IS POLE FOR CHARLES LECLERC!!!

Q3: Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Piastri, Alonso, Bottas, Russell, Tsunoda, Sainz, Norris (no time)

2025 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC HAM

VER PIA

ALO BOT

RUS TSU

SAI NOR

RIC ALB

VAN POU

PIT STR

GAS OCO

MAG ZHO

HÜL PITLANE START (15th)

Well, here we go again. It is Sunday, and it is an old favourite. The Hungarian Grand Prix here at the Hungaroring, as we continue this tour around the world. Round 13 of the sensational 2025 World Championship, 4.381km, 70 laps, top speed of 310.3km/h, 14 turns. It is quite a quick lap here, and turn 1 usually throws up some interesting battles. Likely a two stopper, although there's at least one or two who will go for the one.

Nico Hülkenberg starts from the pitlane after his Q2 crash, so Zhou Guanyu and Kevin Magnussen are on the back row, Esteban Ocon and former teammate Pierre Gasly on row nine. Lance Stroll alone on row eight, with Théo Pourchaire and Stoffel Vandoorne beginning row seven. Alexander Albon and Daniel Ricciardo begin from the sixth row, Lando Norris crashed out during Q3 so he's tenth but avoids the pitlane start, his old friend Carlos Sainz alongside him. Yuki Tsunoda and George Russell are on the fourth row, then it's Valtteri Bottas and Fernando Alonso on row three, Oscar Piastri begins fourth alongside Max Verstappen who needs to revitalise his title challenge, and it's once again a Ferrari front row lockout, Lewis Hamilton begins P2, and Pole number seven of the year for Charles Leclerc.

The formation lap done, one light, two, three, four, five

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc holds the lead from Hamilton, Verstappen stays Third, Piastri fourth, Norris has gone wide! He's down to 19th, joining Hülkenberg towards the back!!

Russell gets past Bottas, then immediately overtakes Alonso for P5!

Leclerc and Hamilton have gotten away quickly here, and they're about 2 seconds up on Verstappen already!

NORRIS

Norris seems to be making up for his earlier mistake and he's taken FL.

Hamilton going for the lead and Hamilton leads here!

Meanwhile Verstappen has gotten within 1.4 of Leclerc for P2!

Leclerc uses DRS to retake the lead, and for now, the two Ferraris just trading the lead and DRS, having gained on Verstappen again!

(BOZ) "Keep this level of pace, currently 3 up on Verstappen."

(LEC) "Okay, fine, happy with this pace so far."

Pourchaire with a fantastic dive bomb down the side of Stroll and he's into P13!

(ADA) "So keep this level up Lewis. Verstappen 4 seconds back."

(HAM) "It's impossible to follow anything."

(ADA) "Try your best."

(BOZ) "So Charles Lewis has DRS, defend best you can."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy."

Albon currently defending P10 from Vandoorne.

Norris gets the move done on Gasly for P16! After his early error, an improvement from the McLaren.

YELLOW FLAG AS SAINZ SPINS OFF INTO THE BARRIER! He somehow keeps the engine going, but he's down to P20 now!

Leclerc defending very well from Hamilton here, it's still very close between the Ferraris but it's fantastic defending by the Champion on lap 9.

Lap 10: Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Piastri, Alonso, Russell, Bottas, Tsunoda, Albon, Ricciardo, Vandoorne, Stroll, Zhou, Norris, Pourchaire, Gasly, Magnussen, Ocon, Hülkenberg, Sainz

Norris is storming through the backmarkers here. He's up to P13, overtaking Zhou.

Leclerc's resolve breaks on lap 11, and Hamilton overtakes his teammate for the lead! However Leclerc is coming right back at him now!

More mechanical issues down at Aston Martin, as Bottas seems to be having an issue! It's fine for now but something to keep an eye on.

Norris now P11 as he overtakes Vandoorne and Stroll in quick succession.

It's only taken a couple of laps but Leclerc has DRS, and has the lead of the race!

Alonso pushing Piastri for fourth, and gets him, Alonso now P4!

(BOZ) "How's the tyres feeling Charles?"

(LEC) "Left rear starting to drop a little bit. Right okay."

Norris overtakes Albon, and has fought his way back to the points, and is now right back where he started the afternoon - tenth place.

PITSTOPS: The first few coming in. Albon, Pourchaire and Sainz all into the pitlane...IT IS A DISASTER FOR BOTH WILLIAMS AND MERCEDES. Albon in for 6.360s, Sainz for 8.488s. Ooft.

PITSTOPS: Ocon, Hülkenberg and Vandoorne all pit.

Up front, Leclerc briefly breaking DRS of Hamilton here.

(ADA) "Box, box."

(HAM) "Yeah, box this lap."

PITSTOP: Hamilton about to box next lap, for now, Piastri and Russell both come in. Cleaner by Merc this time. Piastri P9, Russell P10

(BOZ) "Box, box this lap Charles."

(LEC) "Copy, box!"

PITSTOP: Hamilton is in! 2.189 for him, and he rejoins P3. Norris and Tsunoda both in now too, Tsunoda held up by the release! Norris gets ahead of him on the stop!

PITSTOP: Leclerc in from the lead! 2.456, slower than Hamilton! AND HAMILTON IS AHEAD OF LECLERC ON THAT STOP

Now a 2.8 gap between Hamilton and Leclerc.

PITSTOP: Verstappen is in! And that was a very, very quick stop by Red Bull! He rejoins P4, and almost hits Bottas on the way out of the pitlane!

Verstappen makes light work of a yet to pit Bottas, and is back to third.

IT'S A VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR!!! ALBON GOES OFF BIG-TIME AT TURN 5! That's the end of his afternoon, and horrendous news for Williams! He's thankfully ok. VSC deployed!

PITSTOP: Daniel Ricciardo in, but any benefit he got from the VSC is wiped out due to a delay!

Lap 24, under VSC: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Bottas, Alonso, Piastri, Russell. Stroll, Norris, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Zhou, Hülkenberg, Vandoorne, Pourchaire, Ocon, Gasly, Sainz, Magnussen. Albon out of the race.

Bizarre one at Aston Martin, as Bottas is asking his team to pit, but the team believe this might get Red Flagged! For now he's staying out and keeping track position, but the VSC is ending instead!

PITSTOP: Bottas is in as the VSC ends, and he is furious with his team! It's a clean stop at least, and he rejoins P7.

We are racing again on lap 26!

HAMILTON

Hamilton about 2.4 ahead of Leclerc, while Verstappen is 11.3 back on the Champion.

IT IS A SAFETY CAR

Carlos Sainz tries to overtake Pierre Gasly, and instead finds the barrier! A miserable day in what has been a miserable first season at Mercedes for Carlos. Safety Car deployed.

PITSTOPS: Norris, Hülkenberg, Zhou, Vandoorne, Ocon, Gasly and Magnussen all coming in. Zhou has a delay! Alonso and Piastri also pit, everyone else staying out!

Lap 31, under the SC: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Russell, Bottas, Alonso, Piastri, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Norris, Hülkenberg, Stroll, Vandoorne, Pourchaire, Ocon, Zhou, Magnussen, Gasly. Sainz and Albon out of the race.

There is currently an Alpine between the Ferrari of Leclerc and Red Bull of Verstappen - that's Kevin Magnussen, who has been lapped. He will be allowed to overtake at some point soon.

Likewise, the lapped Pierre Gasly finds himself between Verstappen and George Russell. He'll likely be allowed to overtake soon too.

LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE

TSUNODA HAS A LOCK-UP ON TURN 1, AND HE ALMOST TOOK RICCIARDO WITH HIM! HE'S DOWN TO 16TH!

Hamilton and Leclerc about 1.3 ahead of Verstappen, but the Red Bull is very much back in play after the SC!

Kevin Magnussen runs wide! He's able to keep it on track and stay ahead of Gasly though!

Lap 38: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Bottas, Russell, Piastri, Alonso, Norris, Ricciardo, Stroll, Hülkenberg, Vandoorne, Pourchaire, Zhou, Ocon, Tsunoda, Magnussen, Gasly. Sainz and Albon out of the race.

Norris having issues with the ERS! Could that be related to yesterday's crash?

Max Verstappen is now very much in the conversation here! He's keeping pace with Hamilton and Leclerc!

But also pushing himself right into the conversation is Oscar Piastri! Piastri pitted under the Safety Car, and overtakes Verstappen for P3!

Leclerc meanwhile is into the lead of this race!

PIASTRI WITH THE DIVEBOMB, OSCAR PIASTRI OVERTAKES BOTH FERRARIS! WHAT A MOVE BY OSCAR PIASTRI!!

(BOZ) "And box now, box."

(LEC) "Copy, box. We're in a horrible position here."

PITSTOP: Leclerc takes a stop, and the Safety Car timing is a major problem for him and Hamilton!

(ADA) "Box, Lewis, box."

(HAM) "Yeah, box."

PITSTOPS: Hamilton in, 2.496. Russell and Tsunoda also both come in! And this is a result that looks like it might turn the racing world upside down!

PITSTOP: Verstappen also having to come in as his tyres are struggling too! All three Championship challengers are outside the points right now!!

Leclerc looks like the first that will get back into the points. He overtakes Ocon, and is about to overtake Pourchaire, running P10. And he does exactly that.

Hamilton and Verstappen are now trying to clear Ocon and Pourchaire at the same time!

PITSTOP: Bottas comes in from P4! He's heading back out there now!

It's P8 for Leclerc as this race continues to be turned upside down. But the top three's tyres are holding up significantly better! Will any of the cars in front be able to make it to the line?

Lap 50: Piastri, Alonso, Norris, Ricciardo, Hülkenberg, Vandoorne, Leclerc, Hamilton, Zhou, Verstappen, Ocon, Bottas, Pourchaire, Russell, Stroll, Tsunoda, Magnussen, Gasly. Sainz and Albon out of the race.

Leclerc continuing to march through the field, now getting ahead of Hülkenberg.

AND HÜLKENBERG DEFENDING ALLOWS VERSTAPPEN TO GET HAMILTON!!

RUSSELL TRIES TO OVERTAKE BOTTAS, AND TURNS INTO HIM WHILE DEFENDING, SENDING BOTTAS FLYING OFF!!!

PITSTOP: Hülkenberg coming in and he's going onto the Softs!!

CAR 63 (RUSSELL) - CAUSING A COLLISION

Leclerc, Verstappen and Hamilton all clear Ricciardo, who seemed to fight the Ferraris harder. Hmm.

PITSTOP: Ricciardo comes in, and is onto fresh mediums. He rejoins P13.

A big spin for Gasly, who's running last anyway, but gets lapped by a few cars in the process.

PITSTOP: ALONSO IN!! He's onto the Softs...Will he have enough time to catch the cars in front?

PITSTOP: PIASTRI IN. HE CAN'T MAKE THE SC STOP WORK, HE'S BACK OUT THERE IN P5.

AND CHARLES LECLERC OVERTAKES LANDO NORRIS AND IS BACK INTO THE LEAD!!

What an absolutely wild motor race this has been

Lap 57: Leclerc, Norris, Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Piastri, Russell, Vandoorne, Stroll, Hülkenberg, Bottas, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Zhou, Pourchaire, Ocon, Magnussen, Gasly

Piastri overtakes Alonso, and with his teammate ailing, Norris waves Piastri through without fighting him. Alonso now held up by Norris for a bit!

PITSTOP: Norris comes in, and takes fresh Softs. His chances of victory are absolutely gone, but he rejoins P7.

Piastri has DRS and he goes round Verstappen!!! Piastri is P2, and he's got 4 seconds to make up on Leclerc! This is a drive for the ages from Oscar Piastri!

PITSTOP: George Russell comes in, and after taking his five second penalty, he takes fresh Softs and is back out there in P11.

Verstappen takes P2 back off Piastri, which leaves him vulnerable to Hamilton taking P3!!

Norris retakes P6 from Ricciardo!

Russell is making his way back up the order, having gotten Hülkenberg, Tsunoda and Stroll in quick sucession. P8.

HAMILTON GOES FOR P2 AND HE RETAKES P2 FROM VERSTAPPEN

It's not over for Oscar Piastri as he overtakes Verstappen for Third!! But this will seriously hurt Verstappen's title challenge!

Three laps of what has been an astonishing Hungarian Grand Prix, and if you'd said at the start that it'd be a Ferrari 1-2, it probably wouldn't have shocked anyone, but the fashion in which this race has unfolded has been legendary.

(ADA) "Tyre phase update?"

(HAM) "Still got a little left."

(ADA) "Okay, use it to hold off Piastri."

FINAL LAP

RUSSELL

This has been a fantastic, stunning motor race, but the way it has started is the way it is going to end, with a Ferrari 1-2, and Charles Leclerc extends his Championship advantage, CHARLES LECLERC WINS A PHENOMENAL HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX!!!

(BOZ) "And P1, Charles, P1!! Well. We've done it the hard way today, but we'll take the win...we'll happily take the win!"

(LEC) "LET'S GOOOOO! F***, this was INCREDIBLY difficult. Good job guys, never lost faith in this, but oh my God, this was tough. Good job."

(BOZ) "Well done mate."

(ADA) "And P2, P2, Lewis. Good job, well earned today."

(HAM) "Thank you guys so much, great job. Was a very tough race out there, but I enjoyed that one."

(ADA) "Good job, still P2 today and in the Championship. Long way to go."

Oscar Piastri P3, and unsurprisingly Driver of the Day

Verstappen fourth, Alonso fifth, Norris sixth, Russell seventh, Ricciardo eighth, Stroll ninth, Tsunoda tenth. Hülkenberg and Zhou JUST miss the points AGAIN.

2025 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.37.44
2. Lewis Hamilton +5.430
3. Oscar Piastri +3.808
4. Max Verstappen +2.680
5. Fernando Alonso +0.140
6. Lando Norris +16.300
7. George Russell +13.411
8. Daniel Ricciardo +2.851
9. Lance Stroll +0.981
10. Yuki Tsunoda +11.554
11. Nico Hülkenberg +1.716
12. Zhou Guanyu +4.922
13. Valtteri Bottas +2.010
14. Stoffel Vandoorne +1.067
15. Théo Pourchaire +9.105
16. Esteban Ocon +1 lap
17. Pierre Gasly +1 lap
18. Kevin Magnussen +1 lap
19. Carlos Sainz DNF
20. Alexander Albon DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: OSCAR PIASTRI, McLaren

A fantastic coming of age performance from the third year McLaren driver, Oscar Piastri could've won this race had his tyres just had a little bit more in them. Timing his pit to perfection, he turned a SC pitstop into a fantastic podium, which you duly recognised. Oscar Piastri is your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
George Russell, Mercedes 1.15.149

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Fernando Alonso, Red Bull 2.100s

2025 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 277
Hamilton 258
Verstappen 235
Alonso 149
Norris 135
Piastri 115
Bottas 96
Russell 49
Tsunoda 34
Sainz 27
Albon 26
Ricciardo 21
Vandoorne 10
Stroll 3
Hülkenberg 2
Zhou 0
Ocon 0
Pourchaire 0
Magnussen 0
Gasly 0

2025 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 535
Red Bull-Honda RBPT 384
McLaren-Mercedes 250
Aston Martin-Honda RBPT 106
Mercedes 76
Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT 55
Williams-Mercedes 29
Haas-Ferrari 2
Alpine-Renault 0
Audi Sauber-Mercedes 0

[foggy locust]

ASTON MARTIN RENEW STOFFEL VANDOORNE FOR 2026

Aston Martin have announced that Stoffel Vandoorne will continue with the team for 2026.

Ahead of his home Belgian Grand Prix coming up this weekend, Vandoorne has seemingly done enough to renew his seat for 2026.

It's believed that despite the lack of points, Vandoorne has impressed enough in his performances and off the track within the team, with one anonymous source saying "at least he's better than the last guy."

With likely new options to the grid Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman under contract for one more year, with big buyout clauses, Aston Martin have decided that honouring Vandoorne's second year option is more fiscally sensible.

NISSAN TO BECOME RENAULT WORKS TEAM FROM 2026

Nissan will join the Formula 1 grid in 2026, in a strategic alliance with Renault, replacing the Alpine brand as their works team.

Renault and Nissan are joined through a cross-sharing agreement (along with Mitsubishi), and after their Formula E 2025 success, Nissan have agreed to join Renault as partners in their Formula 1 team for 2026.

Nissan has competed in JSPC, JTCC, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona. They currently participate in Super GT and Formula E. And now they come to the Pinnacle of Motorsports.

The Nissan Renault Formula 1 Team will be based out of Alpine's current Enstone base, but will race under a Japanese licence.

Esteban Ocon and Kevin Magnussen will be retained by Nissan Renault for 2026.

[foggy locust]

2025 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

We head to Spa-Francorchamps and one of the most iconic races of the season, as the final race before the summer break arrives. After a second consecutive Charles Leclerc win, and a third consecutive 1-2 for Ferrari, Leclerc has opened up a 19 point gap on Lewis Hamilton and a 42 point gap on Max Verstappen.

However it did not look like it was going that way halfway through a chaotic race at the Hungaroring. Oscar Piastri, Fernando Alonso and others pit under the Safety Car caused by a Carlos Sainz crash, and two thirds into the race, Piastri, Alonso and Lando Norris were the top three as the top three in the Championship were all forced to pit under the Safety Car. The high tyre degradation won out though, forcing all three to pit, and reverted back to a Ferrari 1-2, although Piastri did beat Verstappen to the podium.

Onto Spa and one of the traditional favourites of fans, drivers and journalists alike. This 44 lap 7.004km circuit is the longest of the season and also the least amount of laps, meaning it is almost certainly a one stop. It is one of the seven tracks that featured in the inaugural season of 1950, 19 turns, including the famous Eau Rouge, one of the most difficult of the season. Spa is known for low speed and high speed cornering, as well as Top Speed being an advantage.

Leclerc and Ferrari were victorious last time around the Hungaroring, as the defending Champion took his fourth victory of the season, and second in a row after also winning at Silverstone. Hamilton meanwhile remains in the Championship fight, and really needs a victory here to bring the gap down to his teammate. Ferrari have the cornering advantage in all three sectors, and will be the team to beat once more.

However what Red Bull could get Ferrari on is their massive Top Speed advantage, being over 1kph faster in a straight line than the defending Champions. Max Verstappen very much needs victory around here if he is going to maintain his challenge for the World Championship this season, while Red Bull themselves could do with the momentum. There are growing rumours of Fernando Alonso retiring from the sport after this season - how Alonso would love one more win to top off his career. Could he get it here?

McLaren were close to victory in Hungary with Oscar Piastri's heroics, and the team so desperately want to take that first victory of the season they just missed out on in Hungary. McLaren again look like they will have the third fastest car this weekend, and Belgium is usually ripe for some chaos. With Lando Norris struggling for consistency however, McLaren may be assessing who will lead this team in the future over the next six months.

Meanwhile at Mercedes, more problems for the Silver Arrows as Carlos Sainz had another difficult weekend, and George Russell may be heading to the exit door. Where do Mercedes go from here? Well, the likely focus is the fact that they are only 30 points off Aston Martin, and back in contention for fourth. However how much do they focus on that, and how much on 2026?

Aston Martin have announced that they are taking up Vandoorne's second year option, so he will remain with the team for 2026 - somewhat of a shock outcome, considering his tough season so far. However it looks like they are keeping faith in their long time afflilate driver to turn it around. Aston Martin failed to score in Hungary, and have pretty much lost all chances for third, their focus switches to defending fourth from Mercedes. This is of course Vandoorne's home Grand Prix, so expectations are high for him and Valtteri Bottas to pick up some points here.

With Racing Bulls set to become Andretti next year, all focus is going towards 2026 for the newly minted American team. However, Racing Bulls still have a season to finish, and are just 21 points off Mercedes. An ambitious shout would be being 51 points off Aston Martin for fourth - a big ask, but with eleven rounds remaining, a big result would change everything. Could RB even get that here?

Williams have a decision to make on their only out of contract driver - Alex Albon. While Albon has performed well this year, rumours persist about a move for another driver out of contract, and that could, very unfairly, leave Albon out in the cold for next year. Especially considering he has 23 points more than Stroll this year - however Stroll has a longer contract, one that Williams cannot afford to break. For now, at Belgium, points could be in the offing. Stroll took ninth in Hungary, while Albon did have an unfortunate crash. A bounceback performance by Albon may be just what he needs right now.

It was further heartbreak for Haas in Hungary, finishing 11th and 12th, just missing the points once more. The pressure is on Haas and team principal Ayao Komatsu to deliver some points - especially with the announcement of a second American team on the grid from next season onwards.

Renault made a huge announcement about their future in the sport after this race, as of 2026, they will become Nissan Renault in an equal partnership with Nissan, as part of their strategic alliance. It's all about 2026 for a team that continues to struggle this year, however the future may be bright under this new alliance. Kevin Magnussen and Esteban Ocon have been also confirmed for Nissan Renault for next season.

Audi Sauber are in that continuing position of looking towards next year, too. Pierre Gasly could do with a result after some poor form all year this year, as he's been constantly outperformed by rookie Théo Pourchaire. Could Pourchaire even score points this weekend?

44 laps of this circuit await us, and after this weekend, we should know more about the future of three, or more, drivers, as well as the fate of a team. On the track though, a lot to play for at both ends of the table. You won't want to miss it.

FRANCO COLAPINTO TO RUN FP1

Ferrari will once again run Franco Colapinto in Lewis Hamilton's car for FP1.

Colapinto will take another FP1 session for Ferrari this season, as the team have high hopes for getting him on a future F1 grid.

FP1 Reserves: Colapinto (Hamilton), Bedrin (Norris), Antonelli (Sainz), Verschoor (Tsunoda), Miyata (Ricciardo)

FP1: VER LEC COL

Verstappen quickest in first practice by just 0.016 ahead of Leclerc, with Colapinto Third for Ferrari. Richard Verschoor impressed, taking fourth ahead of George Russell and Lance Stroll. Bottas, Hülkenberg, Alonso and Albon your top ten.

Pourchaire had a crash but was able to continue the session.

[foggy locust]

FP2: LEC HAM BOT

Leclerc goes quickest in FP2 ahead of Hamilton and Bottas, with Piastri Fourth, Tsunoda fifth and Verstappen sixth. Sainz had a crash that ended his session early, as his struggles this season continues.

FP3: VER HAM LEC

Verstappen goes quickest ahead of his two tital rivals, with Hamilton second and Leclerc third. Alonso, Norris, Stroll and Bottas all follow, with Tsunoda, Ricciardo and Hülkenberg the top ten.

First clean session of the weekend.

Welcome to Spa-Francorchamps and to Belgium, here in Stavelot, known for both this racetrack and the Laetare des Blancs-Moussis carnival. And it's a carnival atmosphere in the crowd today, as we get set for Qualifying. Red Bull have generally looked quickest, but Ferrari are right there with them. This should be fascinating.

Q1 is Green!

4.00pm: We're green here in Q1. Looks like both Ferraris heading out first, alongside Zhou, Pourchaire and Bottas.

4.01pm: This is a long, long lap here, and a long outlap as a result. Tyre temps should warm up pretty quickly. But getting back to the pits to have another go becomes more crucial if you mess it up...

OH MY GOD IT IS A RED FLAG ALREADY

4.03pm: Kevin Magnussen has completely locked up and wrecked that Alpine. Nobody had set a lap just yet.

As we pick the bones of that, that's the end of Magnussen's session. And quite a few drivers had their first laps ruined - including Leclerc and Hamilton.

4.26pm: After the interruption, we go again for Q1. Plenty of time left, but quite a few now having to set their first laps on used tyres.

4.28pm: Ferrari very much running the tow between Hamilton and Leclerc here. Seems to be benefitting the Champion more.

4.30pm: Ocon sets the first time, then Leclerc goes 3 (THREE) seconds faster. Hamilton just behind his teammate, while Norris and Piastri are about 1 second behind. That is some ridiculous pace from Ferrari.

4.32pm: Verstappen's about 5 tenths back off Leclerc, and into third.

4.34pm: Bottas up to fourth, Tsunoda slots into seventh. Russell has had a shocker and goes 16th!

4.35pm: Just 12th for Alonso, BTW. Speculation remains about his future in the sport.

DRIVER AT RISK: Gasly
RELEGATION ZONE: Russell, Pourchaire, Zhou, Stroll, Magnussen (no time)

4.39pm: Desperate times for the bottom four, as well as the at risk Gasly here.

Gasly up to 11th! Ocon now at risk, ZHOU GOES NINTH! Alonso Fourth, Pourchaire 12th, oh my God Ocon above Gasly, as is Hulkenberg and Vandoorne and Gasly falls back into the bottom five! Albon and Russell still going in the bottom five, Vandoorne now at risk, Russell up to ninth and knocks Vandoorne out, Albon 14th and puts Hülkenberg out! Track evolution came up clutch there!

OUT IN Q1: Hülkenberg, Vandoorne, Ocon, Gasly, Magnussen

Q2 goes Green!

4.47pm: Most drivers going on those worn tyres for this first laps.

4.49pm: Leclerc fastest, Hamilton second. Russell into Third. Sainz goes wide and that might wreck his lap!

4.50pm: Norris up to second, THEN STROLL TAKES P2.

4.51pm: Verstappen goes quickest! Tsunoda up to P3!

4.52pm: Ricciardo goes 7th, then Pourchaire goes 6th! Hamilton is at risk here!

4.53pm: Albon up to P4!!! This is a wild Q2!

DRIVER AT RISK: Ricciardo
Hamilton, Piastri, Sainz, Zhou, Russell

4.56pm: Hamilton, Piastri, Zhou, Leclerc and Albon all on outlaps. Russell starting his flier.

4.57pm: Russell up to P2, and Norris is now at risk. ALONSO QUICKEST.

4.58pm: Zhou just 14th, and he's likely out of qualifying. Piastri going purple through S1!

4.59pm: Leclerc purple through S1. Hamilton improving, Norris purple through S1, this is gonna be close, Hamilton doesn't improve through S2!

Hamilton up to fourth, will that be enough? Leclerc goes fastest, Norris just Sixth, Ricciardo ninth, Albon at risk, Tsunoda going purple through S1! Sainz towing Tsunoda along, Pourchaire not improving, Sainz just 10th, TSUNODA GOES P2!!! Sainz is out again!

OUT IN Q2: Sainz, Albon, Stroll, Pourchaire, Zhou

Q3 Green! Who will take Pole?

5.10pm: Leclerc, Verstappen, Hamilton, Norris and Ricciardo all out on used tyres to try and set a banker lap.

5.14pm: Leclerc goes 0.055 ahead of Hamilton, Verstappen into P3, Ricciardo P4.

5.15pm: Norris into Third, ahead of Verstappen! Alonso then goes within 0.226 of the lead, and third!

5.16pm: Piastri goes Sixth, ahead of Bottas and the two RBs. Russell just tenth.

Q3 AS IT STANDS: Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Bottas, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Russell

5.19pm: All ten remaining drivers now out on track to try for a final lap.

All ten have made it across to start this final lap. Tsunoda, Bottas improving. Alonso briefly purple, Leclerc then goes purple, Hamilton doesn't improve through S1, Norris doesn't improve at all and he stays fourth! Alonso green through S2, Leclerc is setting purples, Tsunoda eighth, Russell tenth, ALONSO STAYS THIRD, VERSTAPPEN TAKES FOURTH, Hamilton doesn't improve, POLE POSITION ONCE MORE FOR CHARLES LECLERC!!!

Q3: Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Bottas, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Russell

FERNANDO ALONSO TO START FROM PITLANE AT SPA

Fernando Alonso, who qualified P3 at Spa, has opted to take a pitlane start for this race.

His RB21 had component issues that were discovered after qualifying, and this meant that Alonso had to make the decision to swap it out and incur a pitlane start.

2025 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC HAM

PIT VER

NOR PIA

BOT TSU

RIC RUS

SAI ALB

STR POU

ZHO HÜL

VAN OCO

GAS MAG

ALO PITLANE START - Qualified P3

Welcome to Spa-Francorchamps and to Round 14 of this Formula 1 World Championship here in 2025, the final round before the summer break. And a thrilling Championship battle continues with the defending Champion on Pole, albeit his two title rivals are directly behind him. 44 laps of this 7.004km circuit, the longest of the season, 2 DRS zones, 19 turns including the most infamous Eau Rouge. Always some drama and always some chaos around here.

Fernando Alonso had some component damage and will start in the pitlane despite qualifying P3, Kevin Magnussen and Pierre Gasly on the back row, with Esteban Ocon 18th and Stoffel Vandoorne starting his home race 17th. The two Haas drivers on row eight, Zhou Guanyu outqualifies Nico Hülkenberg for the fifth time this season. Théo Pourchaire was threatening his first ever Q3 for a bit but starts fourteenth, just behind the two Williams, Lance Stroll 13th, Alexander Albon 12th, and Carlos Sainz for Mercedes in 11th after another difficult weekend. George Russell lines up 10th, with Daniel Ricciardo 9th, Yuki Tsunoda eighth and ahead of his current RB and future Andretti teammate for the twelfth time this year, he's alongside Valtteri Bottas. McLaren lock out row three, Lando Norris just ahead of Oscar Piastri, Norris and Piastri tied on 7 a piece in qualifying. Max Verstappen is all alone on the second row, and then it's another Ferrari lockout. Lewis Hamilton starts P2, and it is Pole Position number eight of the season for Charles Leclerc.

[foggy locust]

Let's go motor racing here!

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc holds the lead from Hamilton, Verstappen rhied, Norris fourth, Hamilton is going for the lead and Hamilton takes the lead of this race!! Alonso leaves the pitlane, Russell ahead of Ricciardo now

Verstappen makes the move and takes P2 off Leclerc, and is now pressuring Hamilton for the lead!

Stroll goes wide at Eau Rouge! He's back on track but drops behind Zhou and Pourchaire!

Verstappen snatches the lead away from Hamilton!

It's getting worse for Hamilton as Leclerc takes P2 off him!

Russell has a big spin-off! He's in the gravel! He manages to keep the engine going, but he's down to P12! What a miserable season it has been for Mercedes!

(LEC) "Ah, we were close there."

(BOZ) "Keep the head up Charles, plenty of opportunities here."

Leclerc goes down the side of Verstappen at La Source and recaptured the lead of this race! Verstappen not going away quietly here!

(HAM) "I need more power for these overtakes, man"

(ADA) "You can push a little, the margin is there."

Bottas going for fourth, and he is up to fourth!

(HAM) "Misjudged that a bit."

Hamilton runs a little bit wide and he slides behind Norris and Bottas!

Norris now retakes P3 from Bottas! In fact he's closed the gap to Leclerc, he goes for second and he's up to second!

(LEC) "I'm struggling like crazy, race pace wise we are struggling so much."

Lap 7: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Bottas, Hamilton, Piastri, Tsunoda, Sainz, Zhou, Ricciardo, Albon, Russell, Vandoorne, Hülkenberg, Alonso, Stroll, Ocon, Gasly, Pourchaire, Magnussen

It's been overlooked because of what's happening up front, but Zhou Guanyu just overtook Daniel Ricciardo for P9. The Haas driver doing well so far.

(LEC) "I'm too slow."

(BOZ) "Keep going Charles, plenty of this race left here."

(HAM) "We're struggling a lot for straight line speed here. It's killing us out here."

Lap 10: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Bottas, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Sainz, Zhou, Ricciardo, Russell, Albon, Vandoorne, Alonso, Stroll, Hülkenberg, Ocon, Gasly, Pourchaire, Magnussen

PITSTOP: Magnussen is the first to stop on Lap 10, and he's onto Mediums. Will that go to the end, or are Alpine two stopping?

Piastri has come out of nowhere to overtake his both Leclerc and his teammate, and is now chasing down Verstappen!

Leclerc going for P3 and retakes ir from Norris!

Meanwhile Piastri has closed the gap to Verstappen to 2 seconds!

PITSTOP: Bottas is in! Trying to undercut Hamilton, he's onto Mediums, but Aston Martin have a massive delay getting his tyre off!!

PITSTOP: Verstappen is in from the lead!! He is putting Softs on again! Red Bull going for the two stopper!!

That wasn't a quick stop for Max. 3.356

Lap 14: Piastri, Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Russell, Zhou, Alonso

While there have been stops elsewhere, Alonso has fought his way back to the top ten, in fact make that ninth!

PITSTOPS: Sainz, Vandoorne and Stroll all in. Sainz onto Softs, Stroll also Softs, Vandoorne Medium. Stroll has a delay!

Leclerc going for P2, and takes it back! The Champion putting Piastri under pressure for the lead, and Charles Leclerc once again leads this race!

Piastri however is coking back at Leclerc, and McLaren are going for a double pincer...they pull if off!

PITSTOPS: Ricciardo and Zhou both in the points and both come in!

Vandoorne with a huge lock-up!! He's able to get back on track but he rejoins P17. An awful home race for him!

Piastri now opening up a bit of a gap to Leclerc here.

Hamilton is going for second and he's into P2!

Verstappen, who has pitted, already back into the viewpoint of Hamilton, Norris and Leclerc! But he will have to pit again!

PITSTOP: Hamilton in, and its a very quick stop! 2.172 for Lewis, and he's onto Mediums! He rejoins P7!

(BOZ) "Box now, box this lap."

(LEC) "Copy, box."

(ADA) "So we are P7, Fernando behind, 2.7, and you can push."

PITSTOPS: Leclerc, Norris and Tsunoda all follow each other on! Leclerc is first out of the stops, 2.464, then Norris, then Tsunoda!

(BOZ) "P5, Hamilton about 3.5 ahead, Alonso immediately behind with DRS. You can push again."

(LEC) "I will push."

PITSTOP: Alonso comes in from P7! Unlike this teammate, almost certainly this is a one-stop. He rejoins in P11, as Russell just gets by!

NORRIS

Lap 23: Piastri, Verstappen, Bottas, Hamilton, Norris, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Sainz, Alonso, Russell, Zhou, Ocon, Stroll, Albon, Hülkenberg, Vandoorne, Gasly, Magnussen, Pourchaire

PITSTOP: Piastri makes the swap to Softs, and crucially gets out ahead of Leclerc! He's P5!

Piastri makes absolute short work of his teammate and is up to fourth!

Leclerc gets a good run off coming out of Eau Rouge and gets the move done on Norris for fifth!

Norris has DRS but Leclerc is able to defend his position! He's now within striking range of Bottas for fourth!

Leclerc gets past Bottas at the Bus Stop Chicane! Norris then gets past him as well!

PITSTOP: Bottas is in for a second stop and he's onto the Softs on lap 29! He rejoins P8!

Lap 29: Verstappen, Hamilton, Piastri, Leclerc, Norris, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Bottas, Sainz, Alonso, Russell, Zhou, Albon, Ocon, Stroll, Hülkenberg, Vandoorne, Gasly, Pourchaire, Magnussen

PITSTOPS: With 15 laps left, Red Bull bring Verstappen in for the second time! He's onto Mediums and that was a much cleaner stop! Sainz and Zhou also follow him in, as does Ocon, all three opting for Softs! Ocon has a big delay!!

(ADA) "Update your tyre phase please?"

(HAM) "Tyres still okay!"

(ADA) "Currently P1, Piastri 2.9 behind. He just did a 45.718, you 45.728, Charles 45.844"

PITSTOPS: Hülkenberg in, followed by the two Williams, Williams are double stacking! And Stroll is delayed as a result!! That was a terrible call by Williams!

BOTTAS

PITSTOP: A later stop by Ricciardo on lap 33, and he's back out there in P10, crucially ahead of Sainz and Zhou

ZHOU

Verstappen now overtakes Norris, and moves within three seconds of Leclerc! Those fresh tyres paying off right now.

VERSTAPPEN

Fernando Alonso now running P8. A great recovery from the pitlane start

(BOZ) "Do your best to defend here Charles. Verstappen has DRS."

Leclerc on a much older tyre defending very, very well from Verstappen, until the Bus Stop Chicane, where Verstappen gets him for third!