Essere Ferrari II

[foggy locust]

OUT IN Q2: Antonelli, Colapinto, Gasly, Ocon, Norris, Hadjar (no time)
Bubble: Leclerc
Top Five: SAI, VER, PIA, BOT, OWA

A very narrow near miss by the Champion as Leclerc keeps his every Q3 Streak alive by just 0.013 ahead of Antonelli. Norris the shock exit of Q2, with Gasly also out, alongside Colapinto and Ocon, while Hadjar didn't complete a lap due to his crash. Sainz quickest from Verstappen and Piastri, followed by Bottas, O'Ward and Pourchaire. Alex Albon is into Q3 for the first time this season, and both Williams will take part in Q3 with George Russell through, while Gabriel Bortoleto is also through to Q3.

Q3: Pourchaire , Sainz, Piastri, Bottas, Leclerc, O'Ward, Bortoleto, Albon, Verstappen, Russell

Heartbreakingly he won't keep it due to a components penalty, but it is a stunning first career Pole Position for Théo Pourchaire! Pourchaire beat out the pack to take Pole, ahead of Carlos Sainz who will inherit the P1 start. Piastri takes P3 which becomes a front row, Bottas fourth, and Leclerc fifth. O'Ward follows with Bortoleto with a great chance for points, as does Albon in 8th, while Verstappen and Russell complete the top ten.

[foggy locust]

2028 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

SAI PIA

BOT LEC

OWA POU

BOR ALB

VER RUS

ANT COL

GAS OCO

NOR HAD

PER RIC

BEA HER

TSU LAW

Pourchaire Qual P1 - 5 Place Grid Penalty for components. Lawson Qual P17 - 5 Place Grid Penalty for causing a Collision during the Sprint.

[foggy locust]

It is time to take on the main event of the weekend. 44 laps of the longest lap of the 2028 Formula 1 season at 7.004km. Here in beautiful Stavelot, it is the 11th round of the season and the second last before the break. And it's the first non Ferrari Pole on a Sunday this season, initially won by an Audi, inherited by a Red Bull.

Liam Lawson takes a five place penalty after an incident in the Sprint so he drops to the back and he's alongside former AlphaTauri teammate Yuki Tsunoda who crashed in Q1, Colton Herta also crashed in Q1 and is 20th alongside Ollie Bearman. It's Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez together on row nine, Isack Hadjar brought out the Red Flag in Q2 and starts 16th, with Lando Norris beginning one of his home races in 15th. It's 14th for Esteban Ocon alongside former teammate Pierre Gasly on row seven, Franco Colapinto starts ahead of his teammate for the first time since China, it's his highest start of the year in 12th, Andrea Kimi Antonelli in 11th. George Russell begins behind his teammate for the first time this season, he's 10th and it's 9th for Max Verstappen.

Alex Albon begins inside the top ten for the first time this year from 8th, Gabriel Bortoleto begins 7th. Théo Pourchaire won qualifying yesterday but due to a components penalty cannot take up his first ever Pole, instead he starts 6th with Pato O'Ward 5th. Championship leader Charles Leclerc has his lowest start of the season so far in fourth, Valtteri Bottas begins 3rd. Oscar Piastri on the front row, and it is the first non Ferrari Pole this season - Théo Pourchaire originally took it, but due to his penalty it goes to Carlos Sainz.

Let's go racing in Belgium!

[foggy locust]

Formation lap done, cars on the grid...one, two, three, four, five lights...

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Sainz away well, Piastri challenging, Bottas then Leclerc, O'Ward, Pouechaire, Bortoleto, Albon, Verstappen and Russell, Bottas gets ahead of Piastri for P2!!!

Piastri drops behind Bottas and is now under pressure from Leclerc!

Bortoleto gets ahead of Pourchaire!!

Leclerc up to 3rd ahead of Piastri!

Bottas briefly leads, but then runs wide and drops behind Sainz, Leclerc overtakes him as well!

Piastri takes P3 from Bottas!

(PIA) "Sweet."

(BON) "Good lad. Charles 1.2 ahead, keep plugging away here"

LECLERC

(BOZ) "So that's P1 now, and fastest lap. Great job so far!"

(LEC) "Mamma Mia."

Leclerc takes the lead off Sainz!!

Sainz coming back with DRS and Sainz is back into the lead on Lap 4!

That lead doesn't last though as Leclerc and Piastri both get Sainz in quick succession!

Antonelli into the top ten as he overtakes Russell!

Colapinto with a lock-up as he tries to overtake Ocon! He misses his teammate but slides off and falls to the back of the pack!

Piastri takes the lead from Leclerc! He's beginning to open up a gap to his teammate, is this the opportunity for Piastri?

Lap 7: Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Bottas, O'Ward, Verstappen, Bortoleto, Albon, Antonelli, Russell, Pourchaire, Norris, Gasly, Ocon, Pérez, Tsunoda, Lawson, Hadjar, Bearman, Herta, Ricciardo, Colapinto

Pourchaire starting to struggle with the car and he's dropped out of the points! He has that Pole bonus point, at least.

Leclerc retakes the lead from Piastri going into Lap 9!

Bottas pushing for a second consecutive podium and he's up ahead of Sainz!

Piastri down the inside and Oscar Piastri leads once more!

(BON) "We are happy with tyre management at the moment, Oscar"

(PIA) "Okay, understood"

VERSTAPPEN

Currently a four car battle at the front! Piastri leads Leclerc, Bottas and Sainz.

Verstappen ahead of Bortoleto for P6!

Leclerc back into the lead! Piastri going for it after Eau Rouge though, the two Ferraris go wheel to wheel, but Leclerc emerges with the lead!

Piastri retakes the lead on Lap 13!!

BORTOLETO LOCKS UP! What was looking promising for his first F1 points is now left with a lot of work to do!

PITSTOP: Bortoleto coming in, having wrecked those tyres, and he's onto the Mediums. 30 laps on the Mediums is a big ask.

RICCIARDO GOES FOR AN OVERTAKE ON BEARMAN, BEARMAN CLOSES THE DOOR AND THEY MAKE CONTACT!! Ricciardo then runs wide!!

Sainz moves ahead of Piastri for P2!! He's now putting pressure on Leclerc for the lead!

(BON) "Need you to pick up the pace now and drop the tyre management"

RUSSELL

(BON) "Let us know if you're okay mate."

(PIA) "All okay. What was Bottas doing?"

Bottas tries to overtake Piastri but clips into the side of him!!! Both cars have damage!!!

(PIA) "Check the front wing. Can we box?"

(BON) "Yeah, box this lap Oscar, box this lap."

PENALTY - CAR 87 (PIASTRI)

(BOZ) "They've given you the penalty Oscar"

(PIA) "...bit of a joke that, isn't it"

PITSTOP: Piastri in to serve his penalty and get his front wing replaced. This is going to be a long stop. Verstappen in, Albon in, Piastri's stop takes 13.452 with the nose change and the penalty, and it's a long, long way back for the Australian.

Piastri emerges P17, with a damaged chassis and suspension. Long way to go.

(BON) "Nothing to lose at this point, Oscar, let's just get after it"

SAFETY CAR CALLED!!!

It's all over for Gabriel Bortoleto and Sergio Perez today. The two make contact, with Bortoleto going into the back of Pérez, and both men's race is over. Heartbreaker particularly for Bortoleto, who at one point looked set to break his F1 points duck.

PITSTOPS: Huge break for Pourchaire who was in the pitlane, as well as Bearman, who takes his earlier penalty under the SC.

(BOZ) "Safety Car, Safety Car. Perez and Bortoleto out."

(LEC) "Are they ok?"

(BOZ) "Both okay"

(LEC) "Can we box?"

(BOZ) "If we're quick. Box, box"

PITSTOPS: Leclerc and Sainz both in, Ferrari get a quicker stop and Leclerc jumps ahead in the pitlane! Antonelli, O'Ward, Russell, Norris, Ocon, Tsunoda, Lawson, Herta and Gasly also take the free stop.

Lap 20, under SC: Leclerc, Sainz, Antonelli, O'Ward, Russell, Norris, Verstappen, Pourchaire, Ocon, Albon, Tsunoda, Lawson, Piastri, Herta, Hadjar, Gasly, Colapinto, Bearman, Ricciardo, Bottas. Pérez and Bortoleto out of the race.

A quick SC and we're racing again on Lap 21!!

Sainz is on the quicker tyre and putting pressure on Leclerc already!

(BON) "Let's just keep our heads down here"

(PIA) "Struggling a lot with the damage on the car here"

LECLERC

Ocon is into the top ten! Might this be the day for him?

Albon struggling again though, and he's dropped out of the points!

(LEC) "These Hards are so slow. So slow"

Leclerc is struggling on the Hards! Sainz moves past him into P1, Antonelli up to 2nd!

Piastri up to 12th ahead of Albon!

KIMI ANTONELLI INTO THE LEAD!!! A lovely move on Sainz to take P1!

O'WARD

Sainz back into the lead of this race!

Sainz pushing and has gained on Antonelli, who is defending Leclerc very well right now!

ANTONELLI

Russell ahead of Leclerc!!

(LEC) "I'm struggling so much on the Hards, so much"

(BOZ) "Copy. Keep doing your best here Charles"

Leclerc retakes that third position from Russell!

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR CALLED

(BOZ) "Box for Softs, box for Softs. VSC. Gasly in the wall, he's okay."

(LEC) :"Glad he's okay. Box."

Pierre Gasly spins off in the same spot as Hadjar did in qualifying, and his race is over!!!

(BON) "Gasly in the wall, he's okay. VSC, box Oscar, bpx for Softs."

(PIA) "Yeah, softs. Glad he's alright."

PITSTOPS: Herta, Albon', Piastri all in. Not sure if the front three will get back in time to pit here!

PITSTOP: Leclerc makes it under VSC but he's down to 8th! Was that a mistake by Ferrari?

We are immediately green flag racing, and a lot of work for the two Ferraris to do now!

Leclerc makes quick work of Lawson, he's up to P7.

Leclerc goes down the inside of Norris and he's back into sixth!

O'Ward and Verstappen battling over 4th, and you can now add Leclerc to that mix.

RUSSELL

Leclerc gets ahead of Verstappen on Lap 36!

O'Ward next and he's defending well here, but Leclerc gets it done and he's back to P4.

HERTA

Antonelli and Russell battling for 2nd - Leclerc in 4th running our of time to catch up!

Leclerc has indeed caught up to Russell and Antonelli now!

HADJAR

Tsunoda ahead of Ocon, and it could be more Haas heartbreak today!

Leclerc clears Russell and he's pushing for that P2 from Antonelli now!

(LEC) "Antonelli's quite good isn't he"

Leclerc gets Antonelli for 2nd, but high praise from the Champion to the young Italian driver in the process of that move!

LAST LAP

Leclerc defends Antonelli at La Source, and holds him off at Eau Rouge, Antonelli having another go but Leclerc holds P2 for now!

Piastri ahead of Tsunoda and into the points!!!

It's been a superb drive by Carlos Sainz, who will take victory, the first non Ferrari win of the season, he rounds the final Chicane, CARLOS SAINZ WINS THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX!!! P2 FOR LECLERC, P3 FOR ANTONELLI!!!

(BOZ) "And P2, P2 Charles. Great effort on the comeback, good result today."

(LEC) "Yeah, did everything we could. Stop was a good idea, don't think we were catching Carlos on the Hards so it was worth a shot. Good result, good points. Where was Oscar?"

(BOZ) "He's P10."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy."

Russell P4, Herta P5!! O'Ward P6, Norris P7, Verstappen P8, Lawson P9, Piastri P10.

(BON) "So we have taken the flag. So we're all disappointed but we can bounce back from this, no sweat."

(PIA) "Yep, we'll all have a look to see where we can do better, and learn from it. Incident with Bottas didn't help, but I've got to do better. Thanks for the effort."

(BON) "Keep your head up Oscar. Lot to learn from today."

BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2028
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Carlos Sainz 01.21.54
2. Charles Leclerc +4.902
3. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +1.390
4. George Russell +8.425
5. Colton Herta +3.536
6. Pato O'Ward +3.858
7. Lando Norris +0.248
8. Max Verstappen +2.693
9. Liam Lawson +0.534
10. Oscar Piastri +3.876
11. Yuki Tsunoda +1.443
12. Esteban Ocon +2.430
13. Alex Albon +0.150
14. Théo Pourchaire +1.419
15. Isack Hadjar +8.571
16. Franco Colapinto +2.949
17. Valtteri Bottas +8.686
18. Daniel Ricciardo +8.929
19. Oliver Bearman +2.841
20. Pierre Gasly DNF
21. Sergio Pérez DNF
22. Gabriel Bortoleto DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: ANDREA KIMI ANTONELLI

An impressive drive from the young Italian Mercedes driver that even the World Champion credited while battling him. Antonelli clinched a superb podium for Mercedes, the first of his career, a well deserved achievement. Andrea Kimi Antonelli is your Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Antonelli, Sainz, Herta, Russell, Norris

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Isack Hadjar 1.42.348

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Charles Leclerc 2.186s

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇲🇨 Leclerc 281
🇦🇺 Piastri 192
🇪🇸 Sainz 144
🇳🇱 Verstappen 115
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 100
🇺🇸 Herta 69
🇮🇹 Antonelli 64
🇲🇽 O'Ward 52
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 52
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 51
🇫🇮 Bottas 45
🇫🇷 Gasly 36
🇲🇽 Perez 15
🇳🇿 Lawson 13
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 10
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 1
🇫🇷 Ocon 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇹🇭 Albon 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 473
Red Bull-Ford 244
Mercedes 133
Subaru-Honda 116
Aston Martin-Honda 96
McLaren-Mercedes 88
Williams-Ferrari 52
Alpine-Renault 28
Audi 10
Haas-Ford 0
Andretti-Ferrari 0

2028 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 685
Pirelli 370
Goodyear 185

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2028

Red Bull 251
Ferrari 172
McLaren 113
Aston Martin 110
Andretti 98
Alpine 94
Williams 76
Audi 71
Mercedes 62
Subaru 58
Haas 6

BELGIUM F2 SPRINT RACE

1. Kacper Sztuka
2. Gabriele Minì
3. Dayton Coulthard
4. Roman Stanĕk
5. Arthur Leclerc
6. Ritomo Miyata
7. Rafael Câmara
8. Paul Aron
9. Jak Crawford
10. Arvid Lindblad

BELGIUM F2 FEATURE RACE

Pole Position: Gabriele Minì

1. Gabriele Minì
2. Arvid Lindblad
3. Ritomo Miyata
4. Kacper Sztuka
5. Dayton Coulthard
6. Jak Crawford
7. Rafael Câmara
8. Arthur Leclerc
9. Paul Aron
10. Enzo Fittipaldi

BELGIUM F3 SPRINT RACE

1. Héctor Araya
2. Nina Gademan
3. James Wharton
4. Alexander Dunne
5. Chloe Grant
6. Udo Arnold
7. Maxwell Esterson
8. Joseph Loake
9. Nikola Tsolov
10. Joshua Dürksen

BELGIUM F3 FEATURE RACE

Pole Position: Nikola Tsolov

1. James Wharton
2. Nikola Tsolov
3. Chloe Grant
4. Nina Gademan
5. Joseph Loake
6. Héctor Araya
7. John Bennett
8. Maxwell Esterson
9. Leonardo Fornaroli
10. Mari Boya

[foggy locust]

DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2028
WEEKEND PREVIEW

It's the final weekend before the Summer Break, Round 12 of this 2028 Formula 1 season, and we head to the Netherlands and the dunes of Zandvoort. How will this race lay out the land ahead of the Summer Break?

LAST TIME AROUND

A memorable weekend for Carlos Sainz, who took his fifth career victory ahead of Charles Leclerc and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a first career podium for Antonelli. It was the first time a non Ferrari driver has won a race this season. It was also a disaster of a weekend for Oscar Piastri, who was involved in two collisions in the Sprint and the Race itself - taken out by Liam Lawson via Valtteri Bottas in the Sprint, and then colliding again with Bottas in the race and ending up 10th, meaning the title race is now at 89 points.

THE CIRCUIT

The Circuit Zandvoort is a 4.259km track situated in the dunes North of Zandvoort, about 35km, 22 miles, west of Amsterdam. The Circuit is known for its high banked corners and fast, sweeping corners, including Tarzanbocht, named for the nickname of a local who wanted a corner named after him to give up his vegetable patch in order for the Circuit to be built. The corner is the most famous on the circuit and is a prime overtaking spot, with a long DRS run into it, one of two DRS Zones around this 14 turn circuit.

FIVE STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

CAN VERSTAPPEN CHALLENGE FOR VICTORY AT HOME?

Max Verstappen won the first three Formula 1 races held at Zandvoort between 2021 and 2023, but since 2024 he has not tasted victory on home soil, and in addition to this, Verstappen has not won a race since Qatar 2026. The Dutch driver's move to Subaru has been a mixed bag, especially with former team Red Bull continuing on as the second best team on the grid behind Ferrari, but Verstappen moved to Subaru with the 2029 regulations in mind. Max sits fourth in the Championship, 29 points behind Carlos Sainz, and 166 points behind Championship leader Charles Leclerc. This would be a fantastic way to break his long drought without a win. Can the Subaru challenge for that, though?

HOW DOES SAINZ BUILD ON MOMENTUM AFTER RACE WIN, AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR NORRIS?

Red Bull Racing are at an interesting juxtaposition. When Verstappen left for Subaru, it was widely believed that Lando Norris was seen as the future at Red Bull - but Carlos Sainz rejoined the Red Bull group and is currently 44 points and two places ahead of Norris. While establishing a title challenge would be a big ask at this point in the season, Sainz has looked more likely for wins than Norris all season, and so it proved when Sainz took the victory at Spa. Sainz will look to keep his momentum this weekend and try to deliver a second consecutive victory. Norris has a decision to make about his future, likely after this race, and McLaren might swoop for their former driver once more. Will Red Bull and Norris be able to come to an agreement to keep him at the team?

NOW OR NEVER FOR VOWLES, ALBON AND RUSSELL

Speaking of teams at a crossroads, Williams have a decision to make about their two drivers. George Russell is the one performing - he took fourth at Spa - and Alex Albon is still without a single point this season, having struggled again in Belgium with mistakes creeping in. Russell however has a decision whether to trust Williams TP James Vowles and stick at the team, or to move on and try and find a team that will allow him to challenge at the very front of the grid. This could be a career defining decision for all three men, and Zandvoort may be very important in determining what route all three take.

HAS THE TITLE FIGHT CONCLUDED ALREADY?

In terms of the Constructors? Almost certainly. Ferrari have a 229 point advantage over Red Bull, and it's becoming a matter of time for them to wrap up their 21st title. For the Drivers’ title, barring a late challenge from Sainz or Verstappen, it is again between the two Ferrari drivers - Leclerc and Piastri. Oscar Piastri had a disastrous Belgium and only took a single point from the weekend, up against Leclerc's 26 - a Sprint win and second in the race - and it is looking a long way back for Piastri this season in terms of the title. There's still plenty of points to play for, but both men are consistently scoring high, so Piastri needs to start winning, and now, if he's going to make this comeback.

MERCEDES THIRD AND A DECISION TO MAKE

Mercedes re-signed Colton Herta earlier this year, extending his deal another year, but we will likely know after Zandvoort the direction of Andrea Kimi Antonelli's future. Toto Wolff has openly said he would like to keep the Antonelli-Herta partnership for another season - it seems to be working well, and Mercedes sit third in the Constructors, their best season since 2023. But Antonelli will have plenty of suitors in this window - McLaren, Aston Martin and Red Bull are all said to be interested, and Wolff will have to convince his young star to remain at the team long term.

And so to Zandvoort, with the rain likely to affect what is always an exciting race, and one thing's for absolute sure - you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Bennett (O'Ward), Loake (Gasly), Grant (Norris), Araya (Herta), Minì (Pérez), Voisin (Lawson), Stanĕk (Albon), Fornaroli (Colapinto), Chadwick (Ricciardo), Shwartzman (Bearman)

RED FLAG IN FP1!!

Alpine reserve Callum Voisin is in the barrier! He's out of the car, thankfully unhurt, but that's repair work on Liam Lawson's car and brings the session to an early end!

FP1: SHW TSU BOT
PIA P8, LEC P13

A rain soaked FP1 saw Subaru reserve Robert Shwartzman stake his claim for a seat, as he went fastest ahead of Tsunoda and Bottas. Verstappen 4th, with Antonelli 5th and Hadjar 6th. Chadwick 7th, Piastri 8th and Leclerc 13th, with neither setting a time on dry tyres. Minì and Russell complete the top ten, with Callum Voisin's crash ending the session early.

FP2: LEC PIA HER

Leclerc quickest in an FP2 that saw the weather dry up towards the end, while Piastri was second and Herta third. O'Ward took fourth ahead of Bearman who could do with a good weekend ahead of the Summer. Lawson 6th with Verstappen 7th, while Sainz, Colapinto and Russell complete the top ten.

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR CALLED

Bortoleto into the wall! That's going to end the session essentially a couple of minutes early!

FP3: VER POU HER
LEC P7, PIA P17

Rain affecting FP3 again as Verstappen was quickest ahead of Pourchaire and Herta. O'Ward 4th with Tsunoda 5th and Norris 6th. Leclerc just 7th, Piastri down in 17th, while Ocon, Bearman and Sainz complete the top ten.

It's time for Qualifying here at Zandvoort, and it's been raining all weekend. Anyone's game after a mixed up practice session, how will this all pan out in terms of the grid for tomorrow's race? The last race before the Summer Break, a very important one for nine drivers on the grid - and for the rest competing for Championship places.

OUT IN Q1: Lawson, Pérez, Verstappen, Colapinto, Bortoleto, Hadjar
Bubble: Pourchaire
Top Five: HER, LEC, NOR, SAI, ANT

A shocker as Verstappen drops out in Q1 for his home race!!! Both Alpines also out in the first Qualifying session, as Colapinto, Bortoleto and Hadjar also exit. Leclerc and Piastri both needed late laps to make it through, as did Bearman and Tsunoda. Herta tops Q1 ahead of Piastri, Norris and Sainz, then Antonelli. Leclerc 10th.

RED FLAG, RED FLAG!!!

That's the Mercedes of Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the barrier! He's brought the session to an early end here!!!

OUT IN Q2: Sainz, Gasly, Bearman, Ricciardo, Albon, Pourchaire
Bubble: Ocon
Top Five: Tsunoda, Piastri, Herta, Norris, Leclerc

Antonelli hit the barrier and ended Q2 early, and he won't take part in Q3 despite making it through! Sainz, Gasly, Bearman, Ricciardo, Albon and Pourchaire weren't given the chance to improve their times, so they're out! Tsunoda quickest from Piastri, then Herta, Norris and Leclerc. Russell, Bottas, O'Ward and Ocon also go through!

ANOTHER RED FLAG IN Q3!!!

A chaotic weekend already as Ocon slides off in Q3!!! He's out of the session, and thankfully our of the car.

Q3: Leclerc, Piastri, Herta, Norris, Russell, Bottas, Tsunoda, O'Ward, Antonelli (no time), Ocon (no time)

It may have been a chaotic qualifying, but the World Champion put the time together at the right time to clinch his ninth Pole Position of the season, with teammate Oscar Piastri joining him on the front row. Herta third ahead of Norris, with Russell fifth and Bottas sixth. Tsunoda and O'Ward were the only others to complete a lap in Q3, as Antonelli had crashed out in Q2 and Ocon did so in Q3.

2028 DUTCH GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC PIA

HER NOR

RUS BOT

TSU OWA

ANT OCO

SAI GAS

BEA RIC

ALB POU

LAW PER

VER COL

HAD BOR

Bortoleto, qual P21 - three place penalty for collision with Pérez at Spa.

[foggy locust]

For one more time before the Summer Break, we go racing in Formula 1. Round 12 of the 2028 Formula 1 season and it is the dunes of Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix. The second shortest laptime of the season, just 4.259km, and a lot of work to do for home hero Max Verstappen. 14 turns but forget those 2 DRS Zones today, the heavens have opened and it is raining spectacularly here.

Gabriel Bortoleto takes a penalty due to a collision with Sergio Pérez and he's at the very back alongside Isack Hadjar, Franco Colapinto and Netherlands' own Max Verstappen on row ten, Max's lowest ever qualifying spot on home soil. The two Alpines on row nine, Liam Lawson ahead of Sergio Pérez for the fifth time this year, then Théo Pourchaire and Alex Albon start together on row eight. Daniel Ricciardo up in 14th and Ollie Bearman 13th, it's Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz on row six as both were caught out by the Q2 Red Flag. Both Esteban Ocon and Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashed in qualifying, they're tenth and ninth respectively, Yuki Tsunoda just ahead of Pato O'Ward on row four. George Russell and Valtteri Bottas on the third row as they look towards their futures, as does Lando Norris who starts fourth. Colton Herta third and it is another Ferrari front row lock-out. Oscar Piastri starts second, the ninth Pole of the year for Charles Leclerc.

Let's go racing in Zandvoort!

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

Piastri off the line quicker than Leclerc and Piastri is into the lead!!! Sainz locks up but he's still up to 10th!

HERTA

Bottas ahead of Russell into 5th!

The two Ferraris have broken away here, Piastri holding the advantage over Leclerc by 6 tenths, as it stands

(BOZ) "We are expecting Class 4 rain across the course of this race"

(LEC) "Oh my God"

(BON) "Rain is expected to be Class 4, Oscar, throughout. This is a good pace."

(PIA) "...yep. Yep, it is pretty wet out here"

(BOZ) "Need some slight LiCo for temps, Charles"

Russell ahead of Bottas and into P5!

Piastri under pressure from Leclerc right now, the Champion right behind his teammate, but Piastri defending position well!

Albon slides into the gravel!! He drops from P15 to P21!

(BON) "Raining much heavier in the pitlane"

PITSTOP: Pato O'Ward and Sergio Pérez in! Alex Albon comes in as well, all three take fresh ints!

PITSTOPS: Bottas, Bearman and Bortoleto all in to take new Ints!

Pérez complaining about the engine! That infamous Renault reliability striking again!

PITSTOPS: Sainz and Ricciardo also pit, both taking used ints!

PITSTOPS: Russell, Tsunoda, Gasly and Verstappen all in! All taking into, and all teams struggling for fresh tyres here!

Piastri and Leclerc however have a fresh set of intermediates available to them - Ferrari saved their Tyres over the course of the weekend, and this seems to be paying off for them!

Speaking of which, Piastri about 1.8 ahead of Leclerc as it stands. On a weekend where Piastri badly needs the win, this is a good sign for him.

Verstappen with a massive off! He spins into the gravel, and his home weekend is going from bad to worse! He's down from P19 to P22!!

Bortoleto goes wide and he's under pressure from Albon, and loses position!

PITSTOP: Lawson in from P5 and he's onto a fresh set of ints! He's down from 5th to 19th

PITSTOP: Hadjar pits and drops from P5 all the way to P21! Audi probably should've kept him out there.

Ocon goes aquaplaning! He's down to 6th but managed to hold up the rest of the pack bar Bottas, Norris, Herta, Leclerc and Piastri!

PITSTOP: Norris pits and retains fourth on fresh Ints!

PITSTOP: Ocon pits and is down to P21!

Lap 25: Piastri, Leclerc, Herta, Norris, Bottas, Russell, Tsunoda, Antonelli, Sainz, O'Ward, Bearman, Gasly, Pourchaire, Ricciardo, Pérez, Lawson, Albon, Bortoleto, Hadjar, Verstappen, Ocon, Colapinto

Albon locks up again and he drops down to P21, behind Ocon!

Williams' day goes from bad to worse!! Russell spins off and he's in the gravel!!! He gets the car going eventually but he's dropped to 20th!

The three still yet to pit are the two Ferraris and Herta. Herta seems to be struggling more on his tyres than either Piastri or Leclerc, however!

(LEC) "Rain is getting heavier and heavier"

(BOZ) "Copy, we're keeping an eye on it. Suspect we'll need Plan B later"

PITSTOP: Second stop for Sainz! He's onto the Wets! - this seems early but will it pay off?

PITSTOPS: Pérez, Ocon, Russell and Bortoleto have followed Sainz's lead and gone onto the Wets already!

PITSTOP: Herta comes in and goes straight onto the Wet weather tyres!! Tsunoda in and onto the Wets too!

(BON) "So we will box box for the Wets, Oscar"

(PIA) "Box"

(LEC) "Getting heavier with the rain here, box?"

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

PITSTOPS: The remaining runners on Ints coming in, including Piastri and Leclerc, a 2.310 stop for Piastri, 2.419 for Leclerc, and Verstappen now the only one out there on Ints!

[sterile breach]

How many mm of rain on track?

[foggy locust]

PITSTOP: Verstappen the last one to switch from Ints to Wets. He's down to P21, but will have the freshest tyres of anyone at the end here.

[foggy locust]

4.36mm. Raining quite heavily now

About 2.6 between Piastri and Leclerc. Piastri has just cleared a bit of backmarker traffic, while Leclerc is getting past them.

Max Verstappen has just been lapped on home soil on Lap 41.

🌧️ Rain easing up slightly, but probably not enough to pit again for ints - will anyone risk it, though?

1.6 now between Charles and Oscar. Game on for the win?

🌧️ Rain easing up more and more, which may be a problem for those full Wets!

(PIA) "Heavier rain now. Fair bit of rain"

(BON) "Yeah, should be able to manage those tyres okay once the rain comes down more"

(LEC) "Tyres are overheating a lot, quite a lot"

(BOZ) "Try and cool them down, bit of LiCo. Gap to Oscar 2.0, you're doing okay here"

(BOZ) "You were 0.050 faster on that last lap, exactly. 1.8 to Oscar"

PITSTOPS: Sainz, Bearman, Gasly, Ocon, Pérez and Russell all pit for fresh Wets as the weather continues to get heavier again!

(BON) "Box, Oscar, box this lap"

(PIA) "Okay, yeah box"

PITSTOP: PIASTRI IN FROM P1! He follows Ricciardo in, who's a lap down, a 2.508 stop and Piastri rejoins ahead of Herta! Norris also in, as is Bottas for fresh Wets!

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

(LEC) "Box"

PITSTOP: 2.189 for Leclerc! He gets four tenths on Piastri, but Piastri emerges just ahead! Herta pits for fresh Wets and rejoins P3, where he left!

Less than a second in it, and it is Game On between Piastri and Leclerc for the win!

🌧️ 5.69mm coming down here and it is a potentially close race here!

[foggy locust]

O'WARD IN THE BARRIER! He's left the car going but he's got damage and is down to P10!

Piastri 2 seconds ahead of Leclerc, Leclerc trying to close the gap here!

3 laps left, Piastri currently still doing enough to hold onto his third win of the season!

Ocon with a puncture late! He was running P16.

Lawson also struggling with a puncture!

Russell also with a puncture - none of the three have pit here!!!

FINAL LAP

[sterile breach]

2020 British Grand Prix colorized

[foggy locust]

A brilliant performance by Oscar Piastri, who took the lead at the very start and held it the rest of the way, a sensational performance, he is going to hold on here, rounds the final corner TO WIN THE DUTCH GRAND PRIX!!!!

(BON) "And P1 Oscar! That is an absolute masterclass, very well managed!"

(PIA) "Very very very nicely done! You weren't wrong when you said it was going to be a good weekend, I should listen to you more often!" Very nicely done, everyone."

(BON) "Yes you should! Great job today Oscar."

(BOZ) "And P2, P2 Charles. Great effort today, you've done well."

(LEC) "Ah, thank you Bryan. Yeah, I lost it at the start today, Oscar did very well so congrats to him, he deserved it. We'll learn from it and come back after Monza."

(BOZ) "You've still doing well. Great job today."

2028 DUTCH GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 01.39.15
2. Charles Leclerc +3.824
3. Colton Herta +20.928
4. Lando Norris +29.451
5. Carlos Sainz +1.499
6. Valtteri Bottas +0.409
7. Yuki Tsunoda +18.410
8. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +33.160
9. Oliver Bearman + 1 lap
10. Pato O'Ward +1 lap
11. Pierre Gasly +1 lap
12. Théo Pourchaire +1 lap
13. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
14. Max Verstappen +1 lap
15. Sergio Pérez +1 lap
16. Alex Albon +1 lap
17. Isack Hadjar +1 lap
18. Franco Colapinto +1 lap
19. Gabriel Bortoleto +1 lap
20. George Russell +1 lap
21. Esteban Ocon +2 laps
22. Liam Lawson +2 laps

DRIVER OF THE DAY: OSCAR PIASTRI

A composed and fantastic drive in the rain from Oscar Piastri to breathe some new life into the title race. A brilliant drive and a third win of the season, for Driver of the Day Oscar Piastri!

Top Five: Piastri, Herta, Sainz, Bearman, Antonelli

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Oscar Piastri 1.18.293

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Pato O'Ward 2.116s

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇲🇨 Leclerc 300
🇦🇺 Piastri 218
🇪🇸 Sainz 154
🇳🇱 Verstappen 115
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 112
🇺🇸 Herta 84
🇮🇹 Antonelli 68
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 57
🇫🇮 Bottas 53
🇲🇽 O'Ward 53
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 52
🇫🇷 Gasly 36
🇲🇽 Perez 15
🇳🇿 Lawson 13
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 10
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 3
🇫🇷 Ocon 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇹🇭 Albon 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 510
Red Bull-Ford 266
Mercedes 152
Subaru-Honda 118
Aston Martin-Honda 110
McLaren-Mercedes 89
Williams-Ferrari 52
Alpine-Renault 28
Audi 10
Haas-Ford 0
Andretti-Ferrari 0

2028 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 746
Pirelli 393
Goodyear 204

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2028

Red Bull 265
Ferrari 187
McLaren 156
Aston Martin 118
Andretti 98
Alpine 96
Audi 77
Williams 76
Subaru 70
Mercedes 63
Haas 6

[sterile breach]

Damn pit crew, always stops everyone getting the holy trinity

[foggy locust]

Had it in a previous season (once I think)

NETHERLANDS F2 SPRINT

1. Kacper Sztuka
2. Zak O'Sullivan
3. Taylor Barnard
4. Tim Tramnitz
5. Ritomo Miyata
6. Rafael Câmara
7. Gabriele Minì
8. Dayton Coulthard
9. Dennis Hauger
10. Paul Aron

NETHERLANDS F2 RACE

Pole Position: Paul Aron

1. Paul Aron
2. Kacper Sztuka
3. Dayton Coulthard
4. Tim Tramnitz
5. Gabriele Minì
6. Taylor Barnard
7. Dennis Hauger
8. Rafael Câmara
9. Ritomo Miyata
10. Zak O'Sullivan

NETHERLANDS F3 SPRINT

1. Héctor Araya
2. Nina Gademan
3. James Wharton
4. Alexander Dunne
5. Chloe Grant
6. Udo Arnold
7. Maxwell Esterson
8. Joseph Loake
9. Nikola Tsolov
10. Joshua Dürksen

NETHERLANDS F3 RACE

Pole Position: Nikola Tsolov

1. James Wharton
2. Nikola Tsolov
3. Chloe Grant
4. Nina Gademan
5. Joseph Loake
6. Héctor Araya
7. John Bennett
8. Maxwell Esterson
9. Leonardo Fornaroli
10. Mari Boya

[sterile breach]

That's good, but consistency is key (to me at least)

[foggy locust]

Admission: I'm at a bit of a loss where to take this save after this season.

Done absolute dominance with Ferrari, but the challenge feels like it's not there now.

Problem is I'm never as invested when not playing as Ferrari.

In addition, the lineups aren't really lining up the way I'd like, and with no way to edit them (on console) barring a restart of the save.

So I either reboot the save again, reboot and pick a different team to start with, do a 2025 lineups save with a new team, or a custom lineups with a new team set in the same universe.

Or we continue on and pick a new team to play as, or we continue on as is.

[sterile breach]

Maybe try a team closely connected to Ferrari and try to take them down, maybe even make a current team like Haas a 'second Ferrari' team and go from there.

[foggy locust]

That could be a shout!

I'll probably try and do a few seasons away from Ferrari then maybe return to them to conclude the save?

I still want to have OP81 as Champion too haha

[sterile breach]

In my experience, once I leave a title winning team, they drop to midfield at best in 2-3 seasons, so if your game is the same, you can do a Ferrari rebuild at some point.

[sterile breach]

Maybe another season or 2 at Ferrari to do this

[foggy locust]

I can always return. Piastri is on a long long term deal with the Scuderia (four years after this)

I'll see how the lineups shake up then make my decision.

[foggy locust]

I have yet to have a proper Leclerc v Piastri title fight though, so you might be onto something with one more year or two...

[foggy locust]

LANDO NORRIS REJOINS McLAREN ON A MULTI-YEAR DEAL

The first signing of the 2028 summer window is in, and it is an emotional return to McLaren for Lando Norris.

Norris will rejoin McLaren having spent two years away from the team, saying that "it only felt right to return to the team I always felt most at home with."

Norris will leave Red Bull Racing at the end of the year, rejoining McLaren on a four-year deal.

With Pato O'Ward out of contract and Pierre Gasly having one year remaining on his deal, it looks like O'Ward will be departing from McLaren at the end of this season.

VALTTERI BOTTAS RENEWS WITH ASTON MARTIN

Valtteri Bottas has signed a new four year deal to remain with Aston Martin.

This is likely Bottas' last contract in the sport before retirement, and Bottas and Aston Martin have both been said to be happy with the way the team is progressing this season.

Bottas will once again partner Yuki Tsunoda for the 2029 season at the British Racing Green.

ISACK HADJAR SIGNED BY WILLIAMS FOR 2029

Some huge breaking news as Williams Racing have announced the signing of Isack Hadjar for 2029 and beyond.

Williams have been said to have been impressed by Hadjar's attitude on and off the track, and have made the move to sign Hadjar for next season.

This means at least one of Alex Albon and George Russell will be leaving the team next year.

2029 Grid:

Ferrari:
Leclerc (2032)
Piastri (2032)

Red Bull:
????
Sainz (2030)

Mercedes:
Herta (2029)
????

Subaru:
Verstappen (2031)
????

Aston Martin:
Bottas (2032)
Tsunoda (2029)

McLaren:
Norris (2032)
Gasly (2029)

Williams:
????
Hadjar (2031)

Alpine:
Pérez (2031)
Lawson (2029)

Audi:
????
????

Haas:
Ocon (2031)
Colapinto (2029)

Andretti:
Ricciardo (2030)
Bortoleto (2029)

[sterile breach]

It's Albon, for sure, not even a point to Russell's 52? Come on

[foggy locust]

GEORGE RUSSELL TO JOIN RED BULL RACING FOR 2029

A shocker as George Russell will join Red Bull Racing, leaving Williams after three years of his second spell.

After Lando Norris decided to return to McLaren, Christian Horner set his eyes on George Russell as his replacement, and Russell has signed a multi-year deal with the Austrian team.

Russell will partner Carlos Sainz at Red Bull Racing next season.

[foggy locust]

2029 Grid:

Ferrari:
Leclerc (2032)
Piastri (2032)

Red Bull:
Russell (2032)
Sainz (2030)

Mercedes:
Herta (2029)
????

Subaru:
Verstappen (2031)
????

Aston Martin:
Bottas (2032)
Tsunoda (2029)

McLaren:
Norris (2032)
Gasly (2029)

Williams:
????
Hadjar (2031)

Alpine:
Pérez (2031)
Lawson (2029)

Audi:
????
????

Haas:
Ocon (2031)
Colapinto (2029)

Andretti:
Ricciardo (2030)
Bortoleto (2029)

[foggy locust]

AUDI ANNOUNCE PATO O'WARD FOR 2029 SEASON

Audi Sport have announced the signing of McLaren's Pato O'Ward on a multi-year deal.

O'Ward will enter his third year in Formula 1 having made the switch offer from IndyCar, as a former winner of the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Champion.

The Mexican driver will leave the McLaren driver program after McLaren opted to re-sign Lando Norris, and retain Pierre Gasly over O'Ward - however, Gasly had a year longer than O'Ward left on his deal.

Pato will move to the German team, with Team Principal Oliver Oakes saying: “It is an exciting time for Audi with these new regulations coming in, and one we aim to take full advantage of. Pato is an excellent driver, one McLaren may regret letting go, and when the opportunity came up to sign him, we could not refuse the opportunity.”

Audi are set to announce O'Ward's teammate in due course.

2029 Grid:

Ferrari:
Leclerc (2032)
Piastri (2032)

Red Bull:
Russell (2032)
Sainz (2030)

Mercedes:
Herta (2029)
????

Subaru:
Verstappen (2031)
????

Aston Martin:
Bottas (2032)
Tsunoda (2029)

McLaren:
Norris (2032)
Gasly (2029)

Williams:
????
Hadjar (2031)

Alpine:
Pérez (2031)
Lawson (2029)

Audi:
O'Ward (2032)
????

Haas:
Ocon (2031)
Colapinto (2029)

Andretti:
Ricciardo (2030)
Bortoleto (2029)

[humble totem]

Didn't use the trick I showed you for line up?
My line up is more than awesome for 2028

Redbull
Max
Mansell

Ferrari
Leclerc
Bearman

McLaren
Norris
Bortoleto

Mercedes
Russell
Piastri

Aston
Montoya
Drugovich

Hass
Yuki
Maloney

Rb
Colapinto
Pouchaire

Williams
Hauger
Schwartzman

Alpine
Gasly
Hadjer

Kick suaber
Perez
Ocon
(They both leaving the grid after this season for Lawson and either Marti or sergeant

Lamborghini Manuel (my fictional team an all Italian brand)
Kimi
Mini

[humble totem]

Honestly your grid is just mehn 😕

Now I see why you are frustrated with it

If I was you I wouldn't even bother continuing again with this kind of Grid

[oak musk]

Yeah true. If i go on to next seasons in my 2028 it has Max Verstappen at Haas like wtf. And here its boring

[oak musk]

Bit it is still kinda realistic tho

[humble totem]

Realism fair
But the grid and the driving pairing is just luck lustre
Too many oldies still driving
Lack of F2 young blood

[oak musk]

Facts

But we better could leave him in the chat because otherwise it will get messy imo

[humble totem]

Sorry what do you mean
I don't understand.

[oak musk]

Like we are in a threat of a person for this career and were chatting in it. Like for other people to watch you'll also have a convo in between them like now. It can happen but like not too much

[humble totem]

Copy 😄
Even though I am sure buddy @foggy locust won't mind
But I get your point
I will exist his page

[oak musk]

One thing i can't stand is how Mercedes is ALWAYS a downfall for no reason.

Here also 3rd. Like. Thats alright but at my careers they always go down.

[humble totem]

They have been great in my career
McLaren is the only team that has slumped after 2025 and hasn't gotten better since then

[oak musk]

Damn. Thats actually nice then.

Just. I would love to do my 2028 career. But the thing is. The save is corrupted and will not save so i will do it for nothing. Which f me up.

[sterile breach]

I've had a few teams slump in my time. McLaren, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Red Bull, even Ferrari finished 11th at one point.

[oak musk]

Damn. But just to ask. Is there a max point that you can do in this game as seasons or can you do unlimited of them?

[sterile breach]

Unlimited

[humble totem]

My save is precious
I hope nothing happens to it
It is my perfect save , I am so invested in it
Sorry about your save

[oak musk]

I once tried uploading the file on another playstation so i could go forward for a bit of races but when i came back to my own playstation it glitched out. So yeah thats what happened. And i was quite happy with that save. Just to yeah. Didn't touch the game for another. 5 months until february update i guess

[oak musk]

I can load the save do 2 races until Abu Dhabi and then it just glitches out. And can't save it anymore. So i'll stick it to Qatar then so i can remember and see it

[humble totem]

Yeah same here but only McLaren hasn't recovered yet after multiple years

[humble totem]

I actually rebooted my save after the February update
It is better than my previous save

[foggy locust]

Actually I did try it...several times. And several times it left drivers I wanted on the grid off the grid

My current grid took a lot of time and effort to get.

And also, we did reboot the save so in game it's 2025

I'd honestly just like an official editor, as a console player it's kinda exhausting to try and get a good grid

[foggy locust]

Max is driving for a team that's existed for two years here

[foggy locust]

ANTONELLI SEALS SHOCK SWITCH TO WILLIAMS FOR 2029

Andrea Kimi Antonellli has announced that he will leave Mercedes for 2029, and has joined Atlassian Williams Racing on a one year deal.

Antonelli has stunned Mercedes with the shock switch to the Williams team, as the Silver Arrows were certain he would re-sign for 2029.

James Vowles has had a habit of signing drivers from Mercedes - bringing back George Russell AND Alex Albon in previous years, both of whom are now confirmed to leave the team - Russell will join Red Bull for 2029, while Albon has yet to be confirmed for a drive next season.

But Antonelli will join Isack Hadjar in a young and potent lineup for the Grove team for 2029.

ZANE MALONEY TO DRIVE FOR AUDI IN 2029

Some huge breaking news as Zane Maloney has been confirmed for an Audi seat for the 2029 season.

Maloney has signed a multi-year deal with the Audi team, having spent time in Sauber's, Audi's predecessor, junior driver programme.

And now that development has paid off for Maloney, who finally lands himself an F1 drive, becoming Barbados' first Formula 1 driver in history.

Maloney will join Pato O'Ward in a young and exciting lineup for the German team, who look to rejuvenate their fortunes under Oliver Oakes after a difficult time with Mattia Binotto as Team Principal.

Maloney will join Pato O'Ward for the 2029 season.

2029 Grid:

Ferrari:
Leclerc (2032)
Piastri (2032)

Red Bull:
Russell (2032)
Sainz (2030)

Mercedes:
Herta (2029)
????

Subaru:
Verstappen (2031)
????

Aston Martin:
Bottas (2032)
Tsunoda (2029)

McLaren:
Norris (2032)
Gasly (2029)

Williams:
Antonelli (2029)
Hadjar (2031)

Alpine:
Pérez (2031)
Lawson (2029)

Audi:
O'Ward (2032)
Maloney (2031)

Haas:
Ocon (2031)
Colapinto (2029)

Andretti:
Ricciardo (2030)
Bortoleto (2029)

[humble totem]

Any driver you don't want on the grid and has one year left in his contract
You just offer him an insane amount of money If not he will still turn you down and still accept another contract from the Ai

Example
Perez sweetest Spot is 10m
You don't offer him 10m you offer him 25m
If you offer him 10m he might still you down for the Ai
You offer him 25m and he will turn all Ai contract down
The purpose of this is to lock him up in an endless contract negotiation still the summer break his over

Let's assume Perez is 85rated and your driver you want his 82 rated
The Ai Will offer the next lower rated driver contract i.e.the 84 rated driver .
This is why you have to do the same thing for every driver who you don't want on the grid and is higher rated than your desired driver
Always save on multiple spots to understand the patterns
It can be cumbersome but it is rewarding .
Remember I told you about Montoya and mansel being part of affiliate and will get a main seat in an ai team in the future?
Now they both have seats , this I did it my entire roster is constructed by me
I determine every move
Who has a seat and who don't

One more thing if you want to reboot again
Pls try not to give those old heads any seat from the start
It slows the growth of the younger drivers and he makes the old heads decline faster which makes the process a lot easier because summer signings are all heavily dependent on driver rating

Hmmm we desperately need an editor for console players
Lucky for me I got the lineup I wanted more often than not
Though it took several efforts

[foggy locust]

Done that.

They still accept the AI contract a day later.

[foggy locust]

MERCEDES CONFIRM BEARMAN TO REPLACE ANTONELLI FOR 2029

Mercedes-AMG Petronas have confirmed the signing of Oliver Bearman from Subaru for the 2029 season, replacing the Williams-bound Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Bearman impressed in the 2027 season, but has found form a bit harder to come by in the 2028 season - but Toto Wolff has been said to be impressed by Bearman's potential and work ethic, and has made the move to sign the young English driver.

Bearman will leave Subaru, where he's spent the last two seasons, and has signed a long multi-year deal with the Silver Arrows, replacing Antonelli, who stunned Mercedes with the news of a switch to Williams.

SUBARU SIGN POURCHAIRE FOR 2029

Théo Pourchaire will retain his place on the Formula 1 grid, as he will move to Subaru Impreza to become Max Verstappen's new teammate.

The French driver will enter his fifth season in Formula 1 and move to his second team, having progressed to Sauber and then Audi through their juniors program.

Pourchaire clinched Pole in Belgium, although was denied the opportunity to take up the Pole due to a components penalty, and has continued to steadily improve through his time in the sport so far.

But becoming Verstappen's teammate is a daunting challenge - and not one to be taken lightly. Pourchaire replaces Oliver Bearman, who will complete a switch to Mercedes.

2029 Grid:

Ferrari:
Leclerc (2032)
Piastri (2032)

Red Bull:
Russell (2032)
Sainz (2030)

Mercedes:
Herta (2029)
Bearman (2032)

Subaru:
Verstappen (2031)
Pourchaire (2029)

Aston Martin:
Bottas (2032)
Tsunoda (2029)

McLaren:
Norris (2032)
Gasly (2029)

Williams:
Antonelli (2029)
Hadjar (2031)

Alpine:
Pérez (2031)
Lawson (2029)

Audi:
O'Ward (2032)
Maloney (2031)

Haas:
Ocon (2031)
Colapinto (2029)

Andretti:
Ricciardo (2030)
Bortoleto (2029)

[humble totem]

Strange
When do you usually make the offer?
I usually make all my offers the Monday after spa
This is a big factor too
So far so good my grid is self constructed
The only time I ran into such issues was with Lewis
Guess my team ratings were too low to influence his decision

[foggy locust]

Usually like a couple of days before the announcement. Good to know the Monday after Spa (is that your last race before the break? Mine is Zandvoort)

[humble totem]

Yes spa is the last race before the 3 weeks summer break on my save

Immediately after is when i make my offers

Funny thing is that I have seen the Ai poached a driver before spa
I was so shocked
I offer for mansell before spa thinking it was a done deal , I didn't offer him absurd money because I thought the Ai only make contract offer after spa
I was surprised to see immediately after spa he has been poached

This is why you make your offer immediately after spa, the Ai can be very aggressive sometimes when it come to poaching

99% of the time they won't poached before spa
So mansell was an exceptional case possibly because he was 85 rated and on Max development
The best available free agent so redbull Ai had to poach him

[foggy locust]

Genuinely wild

[foggy locust]

Will be back to continue next week it looks like!

[foggy locust]

2028 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

Well, it's been a hot minute hasn't it? After a long and somewhat complicated Summer Break, Formula 1 returns for the second half of the season, at the home of Ferrari. And a much changed landscape awaits us.

LAST TIME AROUND

It was Oscar Piastri who breathed life into his Championship challenge at Zandvoort, winning a rain soaked race three seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc. Colton Herta took another podium ahead of the Red Bull pairing of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, while Aston Martin took sixth and seventh, Andrea Kimi Antonelli was eighth, Ollie Bearman ninth and Pato O'Ward tenth. Max Verstappen struggled all weekend at his home race with a Q1 exit and a 14th place finish, one lap down.

THE SUMMER BREAK

All nine seats that were due to be filled for the 2029 Formula 1 season were announced and it was quite the merry-go-round, with eight drivers from nine retaining their places on the Formula 1 grid, but only one remaining to stay with his current team. Valtteri Bottas showed faith with Aston Martin by signing a new long-term deal with the team, while Lando Norris will return home to familiar sights as he rejoined McLaren to partner Pierre Gasly next year. George Russell will leave Williams to replace Norris at Red Bull, while it is a whole new lineup at Williams. Williams beat Mercedes to signing Andrea Kimi Antonelli for next year, and he will join Audi's Isack Hadjar at the Grove team for next season. Mercedes have brought in Subaru's Oliver Bearman for next season, with Subaru replacing him with Théo Pourchaire, who has impressed at Audi. As for Audi, it will be a whole new lineup - McLaren's Pato O'Ward will join rookie Zane Maloney at the team, as Maloney becomes the only debutant for next season. And after a tough season, sadly it will be goodbye - for now at least - to Alex Albon.

THE CIRCUIT

The fifth oldest motor racing Grand Prix (after France, USA, Spain and Russia - with only USA still being on the calendar as of 2028) - the Italian Grand Prix has been racing since 1921, and has been held the most times in history - Sunday will be the 98th Italian Grand Prix. Every single Italian Grand Prix of the World Championship era has been right here at Monza, with one exception - 1980 in Imola. The Temple of Speed, the 5.793km circuit, is known for long straights and fast corners, and a sea of Red as the Tifosi travel from all over to visit their racing cathedral.

FIVE STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

IS THE INTER-FERRARI TITLE FIGHT TRULY ON?

Oscar Piastri took his third win of this 2028 Formula 1 season at Zandvoort, and reduced the gap to Charles Leclerc for the World Championship to 82 points with nine rounds remaining. That is still a big chasm to overcome, and Leclerc would just need to finish second to Piastri in all but one race to clinch his fourth World Championship. The comeback may have started too late this season for the Australian, but he can still take the fight to the Champion this weekend and see if he can write his name in Ferrari folklore by becoming the 12th driver to win at Monza in the famous Red Suit. Alberto Ascari, Phil Hill, John Surtees, Ludovico Scarfiotti, Clay Regazzoni, Jody Scheckter, Gerhard Berger, Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, Fernando Alonso, Charles Leclerc…Oscar Piastri?

CAN LECLERC CREATE MORE HISTORY AT MONZA?

Speaking of Leclerc, he's aiming to win this race for the fifth time in a row, and sixth in his career, extending his gap for most Italian Grand Prix races won in a row at Monza - and becoming the driver to win this race the most times in history. Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc have all won this famous race five times - Hamilton never did it in Red however, with all five wins coming as a Mercedes driver, while all five of Schumacher's - and Leclerc's - wins here were in that famous Red Ferrari. Ferrari remain the favourites here and a win for Leclerc - which would be his ninth of the season - would almost certainly be him on his way to his fourth World title. History beckons here for the defending Champion.

THE MIDFIELD BATTLE HOTS UP

With the distraction of the Summer window behind us, the teams between third and eighth are starting to separate out a bit. Mercedes look favourites to be the third force in Formula 1 behind Ferrari and Red Bull, as they are now 34 points ahead of Subaru, who have just an eight point advantage to the resurgent Aston Martin. McLaren and Williams have been the disappointments of this season, dropping from their third and fourth battle last season to sixth and seventh, as both will now surely be looking towards next season and the regulation changes. With attention likely being turned to those changes - how will that affect the last nine races of this current season? And who can stake their claim in the midfield?

VERSTAPPEN LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK AFTER MISERABLE HOME RACE

It was a rough Zandvoort for Subaru’s Max Verstappen, who has found life in the midfield after moving away from Red Bull difficult, having exited qualifying for his home race in Q1, and never recovering in conditions that he's used to excelling in - the heavy rain soaked race. Verstappen has stated that this year has been tough, but he joined Subaru with 2029’s regulation changes in mind. Verstappen hasn't won a race since 2026 - the last Qatar Grand Prix - and looks to bounce back this weekend. A race win is likely the target still, even with the difficult CMR02 in play, but can Subaru turn this around for him, with the regs changes in mind for next year?

CAN OCON GET HAAS ON THE BOARD FOR THIS YEAR?

Esteban Ocon and Haas have had several near misses in getting the team their first points since Azerbaijan 2026. Haas haven't scored at a single Grand Prix since then. But Ocon has finished just outside the points on several occasions this year, and was running sixth in Zandvoort until the conditions saw him go aquaplaning and he did not recover from that. Haas have been very unlucky in their search for points, but could they finally get on the board this weekend? It may be difficult, but the rain on Saturday could make for an interesting grid, and at Monza, you just never know.

So with rain likely on Friday and Saturday but a dry race on Sunday, and a sea of Tifosi supporting the race favourites, this should be an incredible weekend at this historic Monza. One thing's for sure - you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Araya (Herta), Fornaroli (Colapinto), Barnard (Bottas), Shwartzman (Bearman)

FP1: LEC PIA GAS

In an FP1 that saw some rain towards the end, it was a Ferrari 1-2 to begin the Italian weekend. Leclerc quickest from Piastri, with Gasly third. Shwartzman fourth for Subaru, ahead of Albon and Antonelli, while Lawson and Pérez were 7th and 8th for Alpine. Bearman and Ricciardo round off the top ten.

FP2: PIA LEC HER

The two Ferraris swap positions to end Friday's action at Monza. Piastri quickest from Leclerc, ahead of Herta in P3, while Bottas and Antonelli are 4th and 5th. Gasly ahead of Bearman, then Pourchaire, Tsunoda and O'Ward round off the top ten.

FP3: LAW LEC TSU
PIA P4

Liam Lawson quickest in a rain drenched FP3, ahead of Leclerc, Tsunoda and Piastri. Gasly 5th with Colapinto 6th and Verstappen 7th, while Pérez, Sainz and Pourchaire complete the top ten. Hard to tell how accurate this is with the rain that went throughout the session, however.

Welcome to this historic Monza, and to Qualifying. Expectations high as always around here for those two Red Cars, as Charles Leclerc looks for five in a row here, and Oscar Piastri looks to be the 12th Ferrari driver to win in that famous Red Suit. But there's plenty of challenges as we come back from the Summer Break, how will this one will play out? Qualifying is about to begin at the Temple of Speed.

The rain is pouring down here at Monza, this should make for a massively intriguing qualifying session.

OUT IN Q1: Ricciardo, Pourchaire, Sainz, Bottas, Gasly, Ocon
Bubble: Hadjar
Top Five: LEC, PIA, COL, VER, OWA

Sainz is the biggest casualty of Q1, as the former Ferrari driver gets knocked out in the rain in Q1! Gasly and Bottas also caught out by the rain, as both went too early. Ocon, Ricciardo and Pourchaire also drop out. Leclerc and Piastri 1 and 2, but what about Colapinto in third? Verstappen and O'Ward 4th and 5th.

OUT IN Q2: Lawson, Colapinto, Hadjar, Bortoleto, Pérez, Tsunoda
Bubble: Norris
Top Five: PIA, LEC, HER, ANT, BEA

Despite Pérez trying to give Lawson a tow, both Alpines exit in Q2, as does Colapinto, who couldn't repeat his Q1 heroics. Hadjar and Bortoleto both go out alongside Tsunoda, as Norris just makes Q3. Piastri quickest from Leclerc, followed by the two Mercedes of Herta and Antonelli, Russell splits the Subarus of Bearman and Verstappen, Albon through to Q3 for the first time this season! And O'Ward also gets through to Q3.

Verstappen, Piastri, Leclerc, Herta, Russell, Norris, Antonelli, O'Ward, Bearman, Albon

A slight shocker as Max Verstappen secures his first Pole of the season and his first in the blue and gold of Subaru!! He beats out both Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, who will start 2-3 for Ferrari's home race, while Colton Herta also starts on the second row. It's George Russell alongside the man he'll replace at Red Bull next year, Lando Norris, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli starts his home race 7th, with Pato O'Ward 8th. Ollie Bearman 9th with Alex Albon 10th.

2028 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

VER PIA

LEC HER

RUS NOR

ANT OWA

BEA ALB

LAW COL

HAD BOR

PER TSU

RIC POU

SAI BOT

GAS OCO

Quick screen break breather, back soon for the race!

[foggy locust]

Welcome to Sunday here at Monza, and it is a sunny Sunday that's really gone against the rest of the weekend so far. The home of Ferrari is decked out in its traditional sea of Red, the Tifosi arrive at the Temple of Speed expectant, but it is the blue Subaru of Max Verstappen that's starting on Pole. 53 laps of this 5.793km circuit, it can be a one stop, it can be a two, it is very much an open playing field here. 11 turns including that famous Parabolica on the final corner, 2 DRS Zones, plenty of overtaking chances, plenty of speed to be had around here.

Esteban Ocon starts at the very back alongside Pierre Gasly, Valtteri Bottas recently confirmed a long term extension at Aston Martin but he starts 20th with Carlos Sainz all the way down in 19th, Théo Pourchaire, who's Subaru bound at the end of this year is 18th with Daniel Ricciardo, who won this race seven years ago, 17th. Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Pérez on row eight together, Tsunoda 16th, Pérez begins 15th. Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar on row seven, former F2 Title Rivals once upon a time, Franco Colapinto has his highest start of the year in 12th and Liam Lawson begins 11th.

Alex Albon has his highest start of the year in 10th - and his first Q3 appearance - as it's been confirmed he'll be leaving the sport at the end of the year, Ollie Bearman will be leaving the Ferrari Driver Academy officially to join Mercedes, he starts 9th today. It's 8th for Pato O'Ward and 7th for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, then Lando Norris and George Russell on row three, Russell will replace Norris at Red Bull next season. Colton Herta starts 4th, while Charles Leclerc begins his quest for five in a row here from 3rd. Oscar Piastri looks to become the 12th Ferrari driver to win the Italian Grand Prix, and it is the first Pole for Max Verstappen this season, as he looks for his first win since Qatar 2026.

[foggy locust]

Let's go racing!

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Piastri has gotten away quicker than Verstappen and it is the dream start for Ferrari!! Both Piastri and Leclerc up ahead of the Subaru driver!

LECLERC

Verstappen is not going quietly into that goodnight, as he's keeping the pressure on Leclerc and Piastri!!

O'WARD SPINS OFF!!

That's had a hell of a knock on effect as Albon has to slow down and Bearman clips into the back of him!!!

BEARMAN RADIO "I have major damage"

PENALTY - CAR 87 (BEARMAN)

That penalty seems harsh on Bearman, as he had really nowhere to go on that incident.

Leclerc going for the lead and LECLERC TAKES THE LEAD OFF PIASTRI! Piastri has left the door open however and Verstappen gets past him as well!!

Piastri retakes P2, but Leclerc has opened up a big gap here!

Herta trying to take the podium from Verstappen and Herta is up to P3!!

(PIA) "Lovely stuff."

(BON) "Good lad. P2, Charles car ahead, 3.1"

Herta putting the pressure on Piastri for 2nd! Piastri holding him off for now though.

Herta into second!

Leclerc has just broken away here and is 3.5 ahead.

(BOZ) "Keep traction energies under control, traction energies under control"

(LEC) "What did you say?"

(BOZ) "Traction energies under control please, Charles"

(LEC) "Okay, yeah, copy this time. Radio seems in and out"

Lap 10: Leclerc, Herta, Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Antonelli, O'Ward, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Bortoleto, Sainz, Colapinto, Hadjar, Pérez, Bottas, Pourchaire, Ocon, Gasly, Albon, Lawson, Bearman

Piastri moves past Herta and into P2, but then Norris makes the move to overtake both! Brilliant move from Norris!

The pole-sitter is struggling for race pace, now finding himself down in 6th!

A lot of fighting in the pack behind Leclerc - Russell and Verstappen now ahead of Herta, Russell has just gotten Piastri for third!

(PIA) "Yeah, struggling a bit for pace"

(BON) "Still a long way to go"

Another rough moment for Albon as he spins off!! He's all the way down in 20th. A nightmare season for him.

Verstappen fighting his way back through the pack here! Some shuffling in the Norris/Verstappen/Piastri/Herta/Russell battle now sees Herta P2, Verstappen P3, Piastri P4, Russell P5, Norris P6!

(BON) "We will box, box"

(PIA) "Copy, box"

PITSTOP: Piastri in! A 2.218 stop from Ferrari, fantastic work from the pitcrew there! He rejoins in traffic in P15. Ocon and Pérez both in too.

Piastri opting the S/H strategy here - worth noting Leclerc and Piastri were the only two cars to start on the Softs.

PITSTOPS: Verstappen and Russell enter the pitlane! Sainz in too, Verstappen has stayed ahead of Russell. All three onto Hards.

(BOZ) "Box Charles, box this lap"

(LEC) "Yeah copy, pit confirm"

: Pérez and Colapinto make contact!!! Perez has severe damage on his rear wing, Colapinto on his front wing!!

PITSTOPS: Leclerc in for Hards, a 2.386 stop and he's down to P. Norris, Antonelli and O'Ward also take on the Hards.

PITSTOPS: A lot of action in the pitlane at the moment!

Leclerc down to P2, 14 seconds behind Herta, who has yet to pit.

PITSTOP: Herta in the pitlane...

AND WE HAVE A SAFETY CAR CALLED!!!

Russell has beached the car!!! He slid off into the gravel and his race is over!!!

A huge break here for Herta AND Ricciardo! Both into the pitlane here! Herta now P2, Ricciardo P7.

(LEC) "Come on, Safety Car needs to go quicker in the straight here"

(BOZ) "Copy, Charles"

Lap 28, under SC: Leclerc, Herta, Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Antonelli, Ricciardo, O'Ward, Sainz, Tsunoda, Bortoleto, Hadjar, Gasly, Bottas, Pourchaire, Ocon, Albon, Pérez, Colapinto, Lawson, Bearman. Russell out of the race.

There's a lapped Alpine between Leclerc and Herta here - that is of Liam Lawson. I imagine they'll let him through before continuing on with this race.

(BOZ) "Some LiCo for temps here, temps are overheating"

(LEC) "A little hard to do when we're under the Safety Car"

WE ARE RACING AGAIN ON LAP 31!

Herta challenges for the lead, Leclerc defends it well though!

DRS ENABLED. Game on here?

Piastri overtakes Herta for P2! Leclerc meanwhile is opening up a gap again, now 1.3 ahead of his teammate!

Norris up to 3rd ahead of Herta on Lap 35!

Herta retakes position, then Antonelli moves up to 4th ahead of Norris!!!

Tsunoda fighting his way up the order and has moved up into 4th!!

HE RUNS WIDE THOUGH AND DROPS BEHIND NORRIS!!

Ten laps to go, the situation has changed drastically once again! Piastri struggling for pace and has dropped to P6, Verstappen right back up to P2. Leclerc absolutely running away with it here.

Through goes Piastri!!! We have several cars going to the same corner at the same time, Piastri jumps them all for P2! Absolutely wild stuff here!!

[sterile breach]

4 wide?

[foggy locust]

4 wide. Traditional Monza stuff

(PIA) "Made a slight mistake there"

(BON) "Do what you can"

Piastri slides into the gravel, but he's able to recover it! He's dropped all the way down to 6th, however!

Make that 5th as he gets Norris!

[sterile breach]

Getting F1 open lobby flashbacks with this one.

[foggy locust]

Far too much is happening all at once, and we now find Yuki Tsunoda up all the way to second!

TSUNODA

[foggy locust]

Same haha

The pack is completely bunched between Piastri, now fourth, and Sainz in tenth. Positions are changing hands very, very quickly over every lap.

(BON) "Temps have peaked. Bit of LiCo please."

(PIA) "Copy."

Lap 50: Leclerc, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Piastri, Norris, O'Ward, Herta, Ricciardo, Sainz, Antonelli, Bottas, Hadjar, Gasly, Bortoleto, Colapinto, Ocon, Albon, Pérez, Lawson, Bearman. Russell out of the race.

Norris up to 4th ahead of Piastri!!

(BOZ) "Two laps to go, Charles, this is brilliant driving"

(LEC) "Okay, thank you Bryan"

LAST LAP

A calm and composed drive from the World Champion as he looks to take his ninth win of the year, its another massive step towards his fourth World Championship!

PIASTRI AHEAD OF VERSTAPPEN FOR P3!!

CHARLES LECLERC ROUNDS THE PARABOLICA, IT IS FIVE IN A ROW IN ITALY FOR THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE ITALIAN GRAND PRIX!!!

PIASTRI HAS CAUGHT TSUNODA, PIASTRI INTO P2!!! VERSTAPPEN ALSO AHEAD OF HIM, WHAT AN ENDING HERE!!!! WHAT A RACE!

LECLERC P1, PIASTRI P2, VERSTAPPEN P3, TSUNODA P4, NORRIS P5, HERTA P6, SAINZ P7, O'WARD P8, RICCIARDO WITH ANDRETTI'S FIRST POINTS THIS YEAR IN 9TH, ANTONELLI WITH A HOME POINT IN TENTH.

(BOZ) "What a race, what a win!!! Five in a row here Charles. Five in a row in Italy. Incredible, incredible."

(LEC) "YESSSSS! YES YES YES!!!! SI SI SI, GRANDISSIMI!!! Ahhhh, yessss! It never gets old winning here. Never gets old. Thank you guys, thank you."

(BOZ) "Amazing job today. Amazing."

(BON) "I don't know how you've done that, but that is P2! Fantastic effort today Oscar, well done!"

(PIA) "Thank you very much! That was...stressful, but I will happily take that. Still in this."

(BON) "We are still in this fight."

[sterile breach]

Has he run out of Italian lines yet? Considering this is the 5th time, I'd think probably.

[foggy locust]

Hahahahah probably at this point aye

2028 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.20.56
2. Oscar Piastri +12.782
3. Max Verstappen +0.207
4. Yuki Tsunoda +0.372
5. Lando Norris +0.462
6. Colton Herta +0.105
7. Carlos Sainz +4.650
8. Pato O'Ward +0.182
9. Daniel Ricciardo +0.181
10. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +4.586
11. Théo Pourchaire +4.691
12. Valtteri Bottas +7.903
13. Pierre Gasly +4.342
14. Isack Hadjar +0.320
15. Esteban Ocon +5.110
16. Gabriel Bortoleto +5.227
17. Franco Colapinto +1.197
18. Alexander Albon +9.138
19. Sergio Pérez +5.194
20. Liam Lawson +7.665
21. Oliver Bearman +1 lap
22. George Russell DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: CHARLES LECLERC

The World Champion making history again as he takes his fifth win in a row at Monza - and Sixth total - the most of any driver, beating the previous tie from Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. Looking almost certain for his fourth World title, Charles Leclerc is your Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Leclerc, Tsunoda, Sainz, Herta, Piastri

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Yuki Tsunoda 1.21.733

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Oliver Bearman 2.132s

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇲🇨 Leclerc 325
🇦🇺 Piastri 236
🇪🇸 Sainz 160
🇳🇱 Verstappen 131
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 122
🇺🇸 Herta 92
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 70
🇮🇹 Antonelli 69
🇲🇽 O'Ward 57
🇫🇮 Bottas 53
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 52
🇫🇷 Gasly 36
🇲🇽 Perez 15
🇳🇿 Lawson 13
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 10
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 3
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 2
🇫🇷 Ocon 0
🇹🇭 Albon 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 561
Red Bull-Ford 282
Mercedes 161
Subaru-Honda 134
Aston Martin-Honda 123
McLaren-Mercedes 93
Williams-Ferrari 52
Alpine-Renault 28
Audi 10
Andretti-Ferrari 2
Haas-Ford 0

2028 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 818
Pirelli 413
Goodyear 215

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2028

Red Bull 267
Ferrari 191
McLaren 157
Aston Martin 128
Subaru 113
Andretti 110
Alpine 102
Audi 85
Mercedes 78
Williams 76
Haas 6

MONZA F2 SPRINT:

1. Kacper Sztuka
2. Rafael Câmara
3. Enzo Fittipaldi
4. Gabriele Minì
5. Jak Crawford
6. Dayton Coulthard
7. Paul Aron
8. Dennis Hauger
9. Ritomo Miyata
10. Taylor Barnard

MONZA F2 RACE:
Pole Position: Rafael Câmara

1. Kacper Sztuka
2. Dennis Hauger
3. Paul Aron
4. Jak Crawford
5. Dayton Coulthard
6. Rafael Câmara
7. Gabriele Minì
8. Taylor Barnard
9. Enzo Fittipaldi
10. Ritomo Miyata

MONZA F3 SPRINT:

1. Héctor Araya
2. Alexander Dunne
3. Nina Gademan
4. Christian Mansell
5. John Bennett
6. James Wharton
7. Vincenzo Testa
8. Joseph Loake
9. Juan Manuel Correa
10. Chloe Grant

MONZA F3 RACE:
Pole Position: Héctor Araya

1. Héctor Araya
2. Alexander Dunne
3. Chloe Grant
4. Nikita Bedrin
5. Nina Gademan
6. Nikola Tsolov
7. Christian Mansell
8. James Wharton
9. Udo Arnold
10. Vincenzo Testa

[fast kettle]

Leclerc cooooking🔥🔥

[foggy locust]

Looking like title #4

[jaunty knoll]

Damn leclerc wishes he had this Ferrari 😂

[foggy locust]

I wish he did too!

2028 AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

Round 14 of the 2028 Formula 1 season heads to Baku, and after Charles Leclerc made it five Monza wins in a row, the defending Champion has taken a foothold in the Championship. But how will things shake out at Baku?

LAST TIME AROUND

Charles Leclerc took his ninth win of the season on Ferrari's home patch in comfortable style, even after a full Safety Car brought the pack together after George Russell beached his Williams mid-way through the race, and Oscar Piastri minimised the damage in the Championship fight by overtaking Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda late to make it a Ferrari 1-2. Verstappen beat Tsunoda to the podium, while it was double points for both Red Bull and Mercedes. Pato O'Ward added points for McLaren, Daniel Ricciardo got Andretti's first points of the season.

THE CIRCUIT

Now a staple of the Formula 1 calendar, the 6.003km, 51 lap Baku City Circuit has been hosting Formula 1 races since 2016, when it hosted the European Grand Prix, and saw the debut of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 2017. The race has taken place every year since with a one year absence in 2020 being the exception, meaning this will be the 11th Azerbaijan Grand Prix and 12th race at this circuit. The Baku City Circuit races around the modern and the ancient, with the middle sector in particular travelling around the Walled City, which is UNESCO-protected and dates back to the 12th Century. The modern section of the Circuit features the 2 DRS Zones and more predominate for the overtaking, and those barriers are always lurking - expect a Safety Car or two. The Circuit is generally kind on tyres, so a one stop is expected from most teams.

THE THINGS WE ARE WATCHING FOR THIS WEEKEND

HAVE BOTH CHAMPIONSHIPS CONCLUDED ALREADY?

Officially? No. The Constructors Championship is all but though, as once again nobody has gotten close to the dominance of Ferrari - Ferrari hold a 279 point lead over Red Bull in second, and with just eight rounds (and two Sprints) remaining, you start to ask when the team will officially wrap up a fifth consecutive Constructors title - their 21st in total. As far as the Drivers’ Championship goes, Charles Leclerc has a healthy 89 point lead over Oscar Piastri and has looked damn near unstoppable over the course of this 2028 season - while he has over double the points of Carlos Sainz in third. Piastri remains the only one that can stop his teammate from taking his fourth title - but he needs to start winning more races if he wants the title this year, and that begins now.

WHICH TEAMS CAN FOCUS ON 2029 ALREADY?

Well, Ferrari for one look comfortably ahead, and may have already switched their focus to the SF-29 with the new regulations coming up. You suspect Red Bull, who are well behind Ferrari but 121 points ahead of Mercedes, may have changed their focus to the RB25. Mercedes don't have it quite as comfortable yet, with a 27 point advantage over Subaru, while Aston Martin are a further 11 back. McLaren are 40 behind Aston and might still have hopes of fifth, while Williams are probably thinking of the FW51 at this point. You suspect Alpine, Audi, Andretti and Haas are all going towards next year too, but all four could still move up in the bottom four, and Williams aren't quite safe from that group yet. The next eight races have plenty to play for for Championship position.

CAN PÉREZ FIND FORM ON AN OLD FAVOURITE CIRCUIT?

Traditionally, this is a circuit that Alpine's Sergio Pérez has traditionally done well at - he's won here twice back in 2021 and 2023, and generally qualifies very well around these streets. The driver once known as “King of the Streets” has found his return to Formula 1 after three years away to be tough sledding in an up and down Alpine, which seems to perform very inconsistently from weekend to weekend, as well as in-fighting between Pérez and teammate Liam Lawson on more than one occasion - Alpine Team Principal Guenther Steiner has had his work cut out for him this year. This would be a fantastic weekend for Pérez, and by extension Alpine, to make a real statement of intent towards the 2029 season.

CAN SUBARU UP THEIR RACE PACE?

Max Verstappen took Pole on the Saturday last weekend at Monza to the chagrin of the Tifosi, but his Subaru was no match on the Sunday to the sheer race pace and stronger tyre management of Ferrari, who saw Leclerc run away with victory and Piastri pass Verstappen on the last few laps. With both cars in the top ten in qualifying, it looked promising for Subaru and they were happy with a podium, but Oliver Bearman had a rough Sunday, getting caught out with a Pato O'Ward spin and accidentally catching the back of Alex Albon's Williams, landing himself a somewhat unfair penalty, compromising his race. Subaru have the pace to challenge towards the front on Saturdays - can they convert that to Sunday pace this weekend?

And so we head to Baku, where we expect no rain this weekend, but plenty of exciting action as the 2028 season hurtles towards the final few rounds. One thing's for certain - you won't want to miss it.

[jaunty knoll]

Verstappen in a subaru is such a cursed sentence 😂

[foggy locust]

FERRARI TO RUN COULTHARD, CÂMARA IN FP1

Ferrari will run rookies in both cars for Free Practice 1 in Azerbaijan. F2 drivers Dayton Coulthard and Rafael Câmara will get their opportunity again in the car this weekend.

Coulthard, son of former McLaren, Williams and Red Bull driver David Coulthard, will take Charles Leclerc's car for this session.

Meanwhile, Câmara, who is in contention for the F2 title, will be in the car of Oscar Piastri.

FP1 Reserves: Coulthard (Leclerc), Câmara (Piastri), Bennett (O'Ward), Grant (Norris), Shwartzman (Bearman)

[foggy locust]

It is, but weirdly they have a Honda engine and Jonathan Wheatley at their team haha

FP1: CÂM BOT COU

A successful session for Ferrari's F2 drivers who will now prepare to get in the car for F2 Qualifying. Rafael Câmara quickest of all with Dayton Coulthard Third, separated by Valtteri Bottas. Andrea Kimi Antonelli took fourth with Carlos Sainz fifth, while Pourchaire was sixth and Bortoleto Seventh. Verstappen, Russell and Lawson complete the top ten.

RED FLAG IN FP2!!!

Pato O'Ward collides with the barrier, bringing today to a premature end!!! He's okay, but that's the end of the session!

FP2: SAI OWA RUS
PIA P4, LEC P12

The session ends dramatically with O'Ward in the barrier, but he still finished P2 behind Sainz. Russell Third and Piastri fourth, with Norris 5th, ahead of Gasly. Herta, Pérez, Lawson, Antonelli complete the top ten, Leclerc down in P12.

FP3: POU TSU SAI
PIA P12, LEC P18

Pourchaire surprisingly the quickest in FP3, with Tsunoda second and Sainz third, ahead of Norris. Bottas, Verstappen, and Lawson - who takes a penalty this weekend - follow, and Perez, Herta and Bearman complete the top ten. Piastri P12, Leclerc P18.

It's time for qualifying here at Baku, and after an FP2 crash and a flurry of rookies in FP1, a lot of drivers won't have gotten the track time they wanted so far this weekend. Feels like anyone's game? Potentially. Should be very fun to watch here.

OUT IN Q1: O'Ward, Colapinto, Albon, Ocon, Lawson , Pérez
Bubble: Bearman
Top Five: LEC, NOR, SAI, PIA, HER

O'Ward is the biggest exit from Q1, as Alpine have had a disaster. Both Alpines and both Haas are out, alongside Albon, as Bearman just makes Q2. Leclerc top ahead of the two Red Bulls and Piastri.

OUT IN Q2: Gasly, Russell, Bearman, Hadjar, Ricciardo, Bortoleto
Bubble: Antonelli
Top Five: LEC, PIA, SAI, VER, NOR

Gasly and Russell both exit in Q2, as well as Bearman, Hadjar and the two Andrettis. Leclerc quickest from Piastri, Sainz, Verstappen and Norris, with Herta, Bottas, Pourchaire, Tsunoda and Antonelli all going through as well.

Q3: Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Herta, Antonelli, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Bottas, Pourchaire

Oscar Piastri took Pole Position at Baku in a dramatic qualifying that saw Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc and Piastri switch Pole at the very end.

Piastri was the last of the three to cross the line, and snatched Pole from his teammate and the Red Bull.

Lando Norris will start Fourth tomorrow while Mercedes teammates Colton Herta and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be on the third row.

Max Verstappen had to settle for Seventh, ahead of the Astons of Tsunoda and Bottas, while Pourchaire rounded off the top ten.

2028 AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

PIA LEC

SAI NOR

HER ANT

VER TSU

BOT POU

GAS RUS

BEA HAD

RIC BOR

OWA COL

ALB OCO

PER LAW

Lawson - five Places. QUAL P21.

Quick break before the race!

[foggy locust]

Well, here we go again. Round 14 of this 2028 Formula 1 season on the shores of the Caspian Sea, it is Baku, and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix! This 6.004km circuit is one of the longest laps of the season, 2 DRS Zones and 20 turns, we take it 51 times today, and it feels now or never for Oscar Piastri and a title challenge this season.

Liam Lawson takes a penalty so he drops to the very back and he's alongside teammate Sergio Pérez, it's Esteban Ocon down in 20th and Alex Albon alongside him, then Franco Colapinto and Pato O'Ward, who had a FP2 crash, on row nine. The two Andrettis of Daniel Ricciardo and Gabriel Bortoleto sit on the eighth row, Isack Hadjar alongside Oliver Bearman on row seven, then it's Pierre Gasly and George Russell on row six. Théo Pourchaire starts alongside Valtteri Bottas in the top ten, Yuki Tsunoda eighth and just seventh today for Max Verstappen. The two Mercedes side by side on row three, Colton Herta just ahead of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the two Red Bulls on the second row with Carlos Sainz ahead of Lando Norris, and it is a Ferrari front row lockout. Charles Leclerc starts second, and it is must win for Oscar Piastri from Pole.

Let's go racing in Azerbaijan!

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

Piastri is away well here, holds the lead, Leclerc following, Sainz next, Herta ahead of Norris, Verstappen and Bottas have gotten ahead of Antonelli who's had a bad start, Tsunoda and Pourchaire are ninth and tenth!

Leclerc now pushing for the lead here and he takes the lead of the race on Lap 2!!

Colapinto having some issues with the car down in 18th!

TSUNODA

(PIA) "Overtaking is very very difficult here"

(BON) "Keep at it, you never know what'll happen next"

Leclerc and Piastri wheel to wheel, and this has brought Sainz into the conversation, as Sainz now takes P2 from Piastri!!

Sainz is going for the lead and he has it! Leclerc however has DRS and takes it right back!

(LEC) "Carlos pushed me wide there, what is he doing?"

Sainz still pushing Leclerc for the lead here, Piastri also in contention and Herta is slowly closing on the three.

Piastri gets himself ahead of Sainz for P2! Leclerc however starting to open up a gap in the lead!

GASLY HITS THE WALL!!! He's kept the car going, but he's dropped down to 18th!

Lap 11: Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Herta, Norris, Verstappen, Bottas, Tsunoda, Bearman, Pourchaire, Russell, Antonelli, Ricciardo, O'Ward, Ocon, Bortoleto, Hadjar, Gasly, Lawson, Pérez, Albon, Colapinto

VERSTAPPEN

Verstappen moves up ahead of Herta for fourth!

BOTTAS

(BOZ) "This is excellent pace Charles, keep it up. Tyre check please?"

(LEC) "Ah, good, they're good."

(BOZ) "Some slight LiCo into Turn 2, please"

Sainz retakes P2 from Piastri! Piastri gets DRS, but he cannot make the move stick...however he has another go and retakes postion!

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR CALLED!!

Colapinto locks up at turn five and he's straight into the barrier!!!

COLAPINTO RADIO "I'm okay. Sorry, sorry guys"

PITSTOPS: Tsunoda, O'Ward and Ricciardo are taking advantage of that VSC, and pitting. None of the front runners have come in yet.

Lap 15, under VSC: Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Herta, Verstappen, Bottas, Norris, Bearman, Russell, Antonelli, Tsunoda, Ocon, Bortoleto, Hadjar, Gasly, Lawson, Pérez, Pourchaire, O'Ward, Albon, Ricciardo. Colapinto out of the race.

(BOZ) "So we are currently thinking Plan B, Charles"

(LEC) "I think we should do Plan C"

(BOZ) "Copy"

Green flag racing on Lap 16!

(BON) "So Oscar let's see if we can build a gap to Sainz and bring the one to Charles down. So, push"

O'WARD OFF AT TURN 1. He taps the barrier, he's kept the car going but has some damage to that front wing! This has been a disaster of a weekend for McLaren!

Herta retakes fourth from Verstappen!

PITSTOPS: O'Ward is in for a new front wing, Ocon and Pérez both make their scheduled stops.

Herta with a lovely move on Sainz for P3!!

PITSTOPS: Sainz is in! He goes onto the Mediums, Bottas, Bearman, Hadjar and Russell all commit to the two stop by staying on the Softs.

Verstappen takes P3 away from Herta!!

PITSTOP: Seems to be a trend to lose third then immediately pit. Herta switches from Mediums to Softs - that feels like a two stop. He's got a long way to make it otherwise. Gasly doing the exact same.

RICCIARDO

(BON) "We can drop the lift and coast for now, pick it up later on"

(PIA) "Yep"

(LEC) "Rears are dropping off a lot here, lot of graining"

(BOZ) "Okay, box now, box now"

(LEC) "Yeah, box"

PITSTOP: Leclerc is in! He goes onto the Mediums, a 2.506 stop and he will rejoin in P3, but both cars ahead of him have yet to pit.

(BON) "Oscar, we will box at the end of this lap, box at the end of this lap."

(PIA) "Yeah, will box"

Leclerc with a lovely move down the inside of Verstappen and he retakes second!

PITSTOP: Piastri in from the lead! A 2.148 stop for him as he switches to the mediums, valuable time gained, but he returns in P5, behind Sainz and Tsunoda.

VERSTAPPEN RADIO "I think the engine is certainly clipping more"

Verstappen is having engine issues! Leclerc uses that as an opportunity to pull away from the Subaru driver!

PITSTOP: Verstappen into the garage, he's pitting for Mediums though. He's continuing on for now.

NORRIS

Piastri overtakes Tsunoda and has set up down the road after Sainz, but he's dragging Yuki along with DRS!

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR CALLED FOR THE SECOND TIME TODAY!

Albon spins off at Turn 16, and he's out of the race!!! A truly miserable season for the Williams.

ALBON RADIO "I'm okay. Sorry guys."

The biggest beneficiary of that might be Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is yet to pit, although several Soft runners have committed to the two stop. Problem for Antonelli - he's not at the pitlane right now.

PITSTOPS: Antonelli does indeed come in and switch off the Hards and onto the Softs. Antonelli was the only one running the Hards. He's now P12, just behind Bearman.

Lap 28, under VSC: Leclerc, Sainz, Piastri, Tsunoda, Herta, Bottas, Norris, Verstappen, Pourchaire, Ricciardo, Bearman, Antonelli, Ocon, Hadjar, Russell, Gasly, Bortoleto, Pérez, Lawson, O'Ward. Albon and Colapinto out of the race.

Piastri now pushing Sainz for P2 on Lap 30!

SAINZ: SUPER CLOSE TO THE WALL

That was very close for Sainz. He nearly took himself out at the same chicane his former teammate infamously crashed at nine years ago.

Herta is putting himself in the mix and overtakes Piastri!

PITSTOP: Second stop for Pourchaire whoa onto the Mediums. He's now P13.

Colton Herta up into 2nd! What a drive he's having here!

Piastri struggling a little, and Tsunoda is ahead of him and into 4th!

Piastri reclaims Fourth from Tsunoda.

Sainz is back into second ahead of Herta, and now Herta finds himself under pressure from Piastri!

Within two corners, Piastri has taken two positions. He goes down the inside of Herta going into turn 1, then Piastri goes down the inside of Sainz and into P2!!!

PITSTOPS: Bottas in! Second scheduled stop, and onto the Mediums on Lap 35. Bearman following as well with the same strategy. Bottas P8, Bearman P12.

Tsunoda moves ahead of Herta for P4! Yuki is having another superb drive today.

(BON) "So, get the hammer down"

PITSTOP: Gasly in from P11, taking on the Softs, and he's P15. This isn't a day the Papaya team will remember fondly.

PITSTOP: Herta's tyres have given out on him, and he's switching to the Mediums...somewhat questionable from Mercedes with 15 laps left and the Softs performing well.

(BOZ) "Just some slight push needed here, Charles"

PITSTOP: Late pitstop for Alpine and Pérez. Fastest lap attempt? It's a delayed stop and he is not happy on the radio about it!! They couldn't get the left front on properly!

PÉREZ RADIO "F---'s sake! What's going on?"

PITSTOP: This is a bold shout from Red Bull! They've brought Sainz in for a second stop and put him on the Softs. Not giving him a lot of time to catch back up to third!

Norris however takes third from Tsunoda!!! Team game?

No team orders down at Aston, as Bottas overtakes Tsunoda and is now challenging Norris for that third spot!

Bottas up to third! Absolutely huge for the Aston team!!

PITSTOP: Tsunoda's tyees have fallen away and he's pit. Again a late stop, again - like Red Bull - quite a questionable strategy from Aston.

SAINZ

We now have a three car fight for P3! Bottas, Norris and Herta all in play here - actually make it four. Sainz is right there with them! Has that pitstop paid off after all?

(PIA) "Starting to have some vibrations - gearbox I think"

(BON) "Stand by"

(PIA) "Uhh...vibrations are quite bad now"

(BON) "Just get the car home at this point now. Lift and coast for temps."

Piastri having some issues with that gearbox, he's 13 seconds behind Leclerc and 13 ahead of Bottas so as long as they can get the car home, he'll still finish P2.

Red Bull have told Norris to switch with Sainz. He's not happy about it, but he relents. Sainz P5, Norris P6.

Herta takes P3 from Bottas!!!

I can see why Red Bull made the switch - Sainz is on the fresher tyre and the much quicker car - but Norris is still not happy on the radio. That might be a talking point after the race. We know Norris is McLaren bound anyway after this race.

SAFETY CAR CALLED WITH THREE LAPS LEFT!!!

It's a heartbreaker for Yuki Tsunoda. He's lost the car in great position and is into the wall. His race is over with three laps to go, and has ended the race as a contest. Bottas meanwhile had just grabbed P3 from Herta, so Aston will get a podium.

TSUNODA RADIO "Can't believe this one to be honest. Can't believe it."

Crashgate 2.0?

That being said - Aston were on for going Fourth in the Championship, so Tsunoda crashing there didn't really benefit them, even if it accidentally secured Bottas a podium.

Red Bull might be happy that it has taken a major talking point away from them, however.

LAST LAP

This race will conclude under the Safety Car, and it's been some drive from Charles Leclerc, he was comfortably in front before the SC and he will take his tenth win of the year, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX. Piastri P2, anothsr Ferrari 1-2, Bottas and a podium for P3, Herta P4, Sainz P5, Norris P6, Antonelli 7th, 8th for Verstappen, Pourchaire 9th and Bearman gets 10th.

(BOZ) "So that's the flag Charles, P1. Another win, tenth of the year. Incredible effort!"

(LEC) "Let's goooo! Never enjoy as much taking it under the Safety Car, but it doesn't take away from today. This car is incredible, thank you for all the efforts today and this season. We'll done guys."

(BOZ) "Amazing job over the course of today."

(BON) "So we have taken the flag. And P2, Oscar, P2. Tough fight but you've done well today."

(PIA) "Yep, tough fight, but not a bad result in the end. Fantastic job, well done team."

(BON) "Well done today Oscar."

2028 AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.36.37
2. Oscar Piastri +0.236
3. Valtteri Bottas +0.158
4. Colton Herta +0.130
5. Carlos Sainz +0.179
6. Lando Norris +0.154
7. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +0.226
8. Max Verstappen +0.147
9. Théo Pourchaire +0.163
10. Oliver Bearman +0.156
11. Daniel Ricciardo +0.257
12. Isack Hadjar +0.164
13. Pierre Gasly +0.165
14. Gabriel Bortoleto +0.210
15. Esteban Ocon +0.298
16. Liam Lawson +1.271
17. Sergio Pérez +3.743
18. George Russell +1.429
19. Pato O'Ward +11.928
20. Yuki Tsunoda DNF (+3 laps)
21. Alex Albon DNF
22. Franco Colapinto DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: VALTTERI BOTTAS

His second podium of the day and a sensational performance from Valtteri Bottas earned the vote for Driver of the Day, a brilliant result for himself and the British Racing Green.

Top Five: Bottas, Herta, Leclerc, Sainz, Pourchaire

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Carlos Sainz 1.42.223

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Pierre Gasly 2.073s

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇲🇨 Leclerc 350
🇦🇺 Piastri 255
🇪🇸 Sainz 171
🇳🇱 Verstappen 135
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 130
🇺🇸 Herta 104
🇮🇹 Antonelli 75
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 70
🇫🇮 Bottas 68
🇲🇽 O'Ward 57
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 52
🇫🇷 Gasly 36
🇲🇽 Perez 15
🇳🇿 Lawson 13
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 12
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 4
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 2
🇫🇷 Ocon 0
🇹🇭 Albon 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 605
Red Bull-Ford 301
Mercedes 179
Subaru-Honda 139
Aston Martin-Honda 138
McLaren-Mercedes 93
Williams-Ferrari 52
Alpine-Renault 28
Audi 12
Andretti-Ferrari 2
Haas-Ford 0

2028 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 882
Pirelli 434
Goodyear 233

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2028

Red Bull 271
Ferrari 206
McLaren 182
Aston Martin 134
Subaru 126
Andretti 110
Alpine 104
Williams 102
Mercedes 88
Audi 85
Haas 6

BAKU F2 SPRINT

1. Kasper Sztuka
2. Ritomo Miyata
3. Taylor Barnard
4. Jak Crawford
5. Enzo Fittipaldi
6. Gabriele Minì
7. Paul Aron
8. Dayton Coulthard
9. Dino Beganovic
10. Kush Maini

BAKU F2 RACE
Pole Position: Ritomo Miyata

1. Ritomo Miyata
2. Paul Aron
3. Kacper Sztuka
4. Dayton Coulthard
5. Dino Beganovic
6. Arvid Lindblad
7. Taylor Barnard
8. Enzo Fittipaldi
9. Jak Crawford
10. Gabriele Minì

BAKU F3 SPRINT

1. Chloe Grant
2. Vincenzo Testa
3. John Bennett
4. Christian Mansell
5. Héctor Araya
6. Daiane Afonso
7. Nina Gademan
8. Noel León
9. Maxwell Esterson
10. Juan Manuel Correa

BAKU F3 RACE
Pole Position: Vincenzo Testa

1. Chloe Grant
2. Vincenzo Testa
3. John Bennett
4. Noel León
5. Nina Gademan
6. Héctor Araya
7. James Wharton
8. Christian Mansell
9. Maxwell Esterson
10. Daiane Afonso

F2 CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE

🇵🇱 Sztuka 229
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇸🇪 Lindblad 154
🇮🇹 Minì 128
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Coulthard 123
🇪🇪 Aron 118
🇧🇷 Câmara 115
🇫🇷 Pin 103
🇩🇪 Tramnitz 102
🇯🇵 Miyata 90
🇳🇴 Hauger 78
🇧🇧 Maloney 67
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Barnard 67
🇺🇸 Crawford 61
🇲🇨 A. Leclerc 33
🇧🇷 E. Fittipaldi 28
🇸🇪 🇧🇦 Beganovic 26
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 O'Sullivan 23
🇳🇱 Verschoor 22
🇨🇿 Stanĕk 14
🇪🇸 Marti 0
🇮🇳 Maini 0
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Browning 0

F3 CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE

🇦🇷 Araya 138
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Grant 127
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Wharton 113
🇮🇪 Dunne 113
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bennett 110
🇵🇾 Dürksen 91
🇦🇺 Mansell 89
🇳🇱 Gademan 85
🇷🇺 Bedrin 71
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Pulling 66
🇳🇴 Stenshorne 57
🇮🇹 Testa 54
🇲🇽 Villagómez 51
🇧🇬 Tsolov 49
🇳🇱 van Hoepen 41
🇺🇸 Esterson 37
🇲🇽 León 32
🇨🇭 Arnold 30
🇵🇹 Afonso 28
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Loake 26
🇩🇰 🇩🇪 Goethe 11
🇪🇸 Boya 10
🇮🇹 Fornaroli 5
🇺🇸 🇪🇨 Correa 4
🇧🇪 Cordeel 0
🇨🇴 🇺🇸 Montoya 0
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Voisin 0
🇦🇹 Wurz 0
🇧🇭 Abadi 0
🇫🇷 Meguetounif 0

WITH NORRIS EXIT LOOMING, HORNER DENIES RUMOURS OF FAVOURITISM TOWARDS SAINZ

Lando Norris is exiting Red Bull at the end of the season, and it has been suggested by British media that Red Bull have been favouring his teammate Carlos Sainz over him.

Christian Horner has today denied the rumours of any favouritism within the team, as Norris is set to depart Red Bull at the end year - citing "a team atmosphere that I never quite settled into" as one of the reasons for leaving the team.

Red Bull asked Norris to move aside for Sainz at Baku and that sparked rumours that Horner has quickly denied of an atmosphere favouring Sainz over Norris.

Norris will return to McLaren next season, with George Russell coming in from Williams to replace him.

ASTON MARTIN UNDER FIA INVESTIGATION FOR TSUNODA CRASH

The FIA will investigate whether there was any "wrongdoing" with Aston Martin after Yuki Tsunoda crashed out late in Baku, which handed Valtteri Bottas a podium.

Tsunoda lost the car into Turn 1 with three laps to go, and after rumours of "Crashgate 2.0" came into play, the FIA have stepped in with an official investigation.

More on this breaking story as we get it.

[foggy locust]

DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP POINT GAPS

Gap between Leclerc and Piastri: 95
Gap between Leclerc and Sainz: 179
Gap between Leclerc and Verstappen: 215
Gap between Leclerc and Norris: 220

Bahrain: 231
Abu Dhabi: 196
Japan: 169
Singapore: 142
Saudi Arabia: 115
Brazil: 88
Las Vegas: 53

Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Verstappen and Norris are the only drivers who can mathematically win the title.

CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP POINT GAPS

Gap between Ferrari and Red Bull: 304

Bahrain: 389
Abu Dhabi: 329
Japan: 284
Singapore: 239
Saudi Arabia: 194
Brazil: 149
Las Vegas: 89

Ferrari will win the Constructors if they outscore Red Bull by 25 points over the course of the Bahrain Sprint Weekend.

[foggy locust]

BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2028
WEEKEND PREVIEW

As Ferrari look to wrap up a fifth consecutive Constructors title this weekend, we head to Bahrain for the fourth and penultimate Sprint Weekend of the season.

LAST TIME AROUND

It was looking like a comfortable tenth win of the season for Charles Leclerc as the defending Champion is heading towards his fourth World Championship - while Oscar Piastri kept his slim title hopes alive winning a close battle for P2, then a Safety Car caused by a crash by Yuki Tsunoda ended the race as a contest three laps early. Valtteri Bottas picked up a podium for Aston Martin - but the team is being investigated for foul play. Mercedes, Red Bull and Subaru all took double points - Théo Pourchaire added much needed points for Audi down in ninth.

THE CIRCUIT

The Bahrain International Circuit first hosted Formula 1 in 2004, becoming the first Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East. In 2014 it became a night race to celebrate 10 years racing at the circuit, and has remained as a night race ever since. Bahrain hosted two races in 2020 - the Bahrain and Sakhir Grand Prix, which saw the infamous Romain Grosjean incident where he was lucky to walk away alive after a nasty crash saw the car catch fire. It was also the site of George Russell's impromptu Mercedes debut and Sergio Pérez’s comeback for his first win. Nowadays, the 5.412km circuit was the first race of the season from 2021-2026, but reverted to a September race last Season and will continue to be one this year. Known for fairly harsh tyre wear, the teams will bring their hardest compound tyres to the Circuit. With 3 DRS Zones, there are plenty of overtaking opportunities, meaning it was a good choice for the Sprint to move here.

STORYLINES WE ARE FOLLOWING THIS WEEKEND

TITLE TWENTY-ONE FOR THE SCUDERIA?

It seems a matter of “when” not “if” Ferrari will capture the Constructors Championship this season, as they have been utterly dominant once again, winning all but one race this season. They will secure the Constructors if they outscore Red Bull by 25 points or more over the course of this weekend, and another 1-2 would go a long way towards securing that title. Ferrari have won every race bar one this season - Carlos Sainz's win in Spa being the outlier - and the Scuderia remain heavy favourites for another win this weekend, which would likely seal their 21st. Can Red Bull stop the Champions from clinching?

HOW DO ASTON MARTIN DISTRACT FROM THEIR RECENT TROUBLES?

Aston Martin scored a podium at Baku, but at what cost? Yuki Tsunoda's suspiciously timed crash has drawn the ire of the FIA, and Aston Martin remain under investigation for the incident - points deductions or fines could be in play, and at worst case, disqualification from the Championship. That being said, the British Racing Green have said that “it’s business as usual” at the team, and they are focused on challenging for fourth from Subaru or even third in the Championship - they find themselves just a single point behind Subaru, and 51 behind the third place Mercedes. Can Aston put the distractions of the FIA investigation aside this weekend and take another good result?

CAN NORRIS PUT ASIDE RED BULL ISSUES?

Lando Norris has announced his return to McLaren for next season, a move seemingly welcomed by all parties. But after being asked to move aside for Carlos Sainz last weekend in Baku, rumours have abounded about Norris receiving less than favourable treatment at the Austrian team beside his teammate. Norris hasn't said anything about it, while Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has denied the rumours. But Norris, as he lines up for a return to the team he made his F1 debut with in 2019, hasn't adapted as well to this year's RB24 as his teammate, and sits 41 points behind him in the Championship. Can Norris bounce back as he plans his return to the Papaya?

SCORELESS WEEKENDS FOR THREE OF F1'S TRADITIONAL TEAMS, CAN THEY RETURN TO FORM?

Speaking of McLaren, it hasn't been an easy year for them, Williams or Alpine - three of F1's most traditional teams. McLaren and Williams in particular were expected to kick on and potentially challenge Ferrari this year, but both have massively underperformed, while Alpine have struggled with managing their driver pairing in particular. All three teams blanked at Baku - McLaren had a nightmare weekend, Albon failed to finish and Russell struggled for Williams, and the Alpines had no pace. Do any of these three traditional teams have an answer for their issues?

HOW WILL THE SPRINT COME INTO PLAY THIS WEEKEND?

And of course, it is the fourth Sprint of the season, and the second one in a row here at Sakhir. Having lost its status as the opening race of the season with the move to September, Sakhir is now a Sprint weekend in lieu of that, and was quite a successful one last Season. The tyre management choices could be very intriguing in a race that has traditional seen very quickly degrading tyres, and how will the teams manage their tyreloads as a result?

So we go to Sakhir and Round 15 of the Formula 1 season. The F3 title will be decided this weekend and the Constructors may well be too, it is a Sprint weekend and it will be an incredibly busy one on track. One thing's for sure - you won't want to miss it.

As is traditional on Sprint weekends - three parts.

PIASTRI TO TAKE GRID PENALTY FOR SATURDAY'S RACE

Ferrari's Oscar Piastri will receive a five place grid penalty for a new gearbox for Saturday's Bahrain Grand Prix.

Piastri has gone one over his allocated number of gearboxes, and will therefore receive the penalty for Saturday.

The race is of course on Saturday this weekend, not Sunday as usual - one of three times that happens - Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas being the others.

FP1 Reserves: Araya (Herta), Minì (Lawson), Fornaroli (Colapinto), Barnard (Bottas), Block (Tsunoda), Gademan (Verstappen)

FP1: LEC PIA NOR

Ferrari go quickest in Friday's only practice session, with Leclerc P1 and Piastri P2. Norris third behind them, with Pérez fourth and Sainz P5. O'Ward 6th while Antonelli took seventh, Pourchaire P8, Gademan an impressive P9 on her FP1 debut for Subaru, and Ocon completes the top ten.

It is Sprint Shootout Thursday, a rarity in Formula 1 but here we are. Due to Bahrain's Thursday to Saturday schedule, an earlier start to our weekend than usual. Ferrari looked quickest in practice to no one's surprise, but can anyone challenge them for Sprint Pole on a weekend where they could wrap up Constructors title number 21? Let's get into it, shall we?

OUT IN SQ1: Lawson, Ocon, Bortoleto, Colapinto, Ricciardo, Albon
Bubble: Hadjar
Top Five: PIA, LEC, SAI, VER, HER

No real shockers but Piastri and Herta both needed late laps to get through, as did Tsunoda and O'Ward. Lawson and Ocon dropped into the bottom six and are out, as are both Andrettis. Ocon's teammate Colapinto and Albon also exit. Piastri quickest from Leclerc and Sainz.

OUT IN SQ2: O'Ward, Gasly, Pérez, Antonelli, Pourchaire, Hadjar
Bubble: Russell
Top Five: PIA, LEC, HER, SAI, VER

Both McLarens miss out on SQ3, as do both Audis, while Pérez and Antonelli are the other ones to make way in the second Sprint Qualifying. Russell sneaks through, with Piastri quickest from Leclerc, Herta, Sainz and Verstappen. Tsunoda, Norris, Bearman and Bottas also into SQ3.

SQ3: Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Herta, Verstappen, Norris, Bottas, Tsunoda, Bearman, Russell

Piastri takes Sprint Pole by 0.074 over teammate Leclerc, while Sainz, Herta and Verstappen went earlier and were in the mix but end up 3rd, 4th and 5th. Norris 6th, while the Astons will take the fourth row, and Bearman and Russell settle for row five.

2028 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
SPRINT GRID

PIA LEC

SAI HER

VER NOR

BOT TSU

BEA RUS

OWA GAS

PER ANT

POU HAD

LAW OCO

BOR COL

RIC ALB

Break for a bit, back in a while for Sprint/Qualifying!

[foggy locust]

It's Friday early evening here in Bahrain, and it is time to go Sprinting. 19 laps of this 5.412km circuit await us today, plenty of overtaking chances, plenty of excitement ahead. It's a warm September evening in Sakhir, temperatures are high both on and off the track, this should be a fantastic race.

Alex Albon starts at the very back alongside Daniel Ricciardo, Franco Colapinto and Gabriel Bortoleto are on row ten, then it's Esteban Ocon behind Liam Lawson. The two Audis have the eighth row with Théo Pourchaire just ahead of Isack Hadjar, just fourteenth for Kimi Antonelli who's alongside former winner here Sergio Perez. The two McLarens on row six with Pato O'Ward just ahead of Pierre Gasly, then we go into the top ten with George Russell tenth and compatriot Ollie Bearman beside him in ninth. The two Astons on row four, their team was in the news after Baku but focus switches to the Sprint with Valtteri Bottas seventh and Yuki Tsunoda eighth. Lando Norris starts P6 alongside former teammate Max Verstappen in 5th, it's fourth for Colton Herta and third for Carlos Sainz, and then yet another Ferrari front row lock-out. Charles Leclerc starts today from second, and it is Sprint Pole for Oscar Piastri.

Let's go Sprinting in Bahrain!

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

[sterile breach]

How does the scenery look in the sprint compared to the actual race?

[foggy locust]

Piastri holds firm at the start, Sainz challenging Leclerc but cannot get past him, Herta holds off Verstappen, then Norris, Bottas and Tsunoda, Russell ahead of Bearman, Pérez ahead of Gasly!

[foggy locust]

Basically like FP1/FP3

It's earlier than I thought it was - 3.30pm

[sterile breach]

They're probably begging for it to end already

[foggy locust]

HERTA

[foggy locust]

Hahaha its very warm here IRL so I'm feeling the same as them 🤣

Herta with a lovely overtake of Sainz and he's up to P3!

Leclerc pushing for the lead and he takes it going into Lap 3! Piastri coming back at him though!

(BOZ) "Some LiCo for temperatures please"

(LEC) "Yeah. It's very hot here, overheating a lot right now"

Sainz retakes P3 from Herta, and Verstappen gets ahead of him too!

Piastri back in front on Lap 4!

Leclerc retakes the lead!! Sainz keeping himself in contention behind Leclerc and Piastri, however!

(BON) "Some slight cooling for temperatures."

(PIA) "Copy."

(BOZ) "We have a car off. Yellow flags"

Gasly with a spin!! He drops from P13 to P17 in one short move!

Piastri retakes the lead on Lap 6! Leclerc coming back at his teammate with DRS, but Piastri holds him off for the race lead!

Sainz gets ahead of Leclerc, then goes on to take the lead from Piastri!!

PIASTRI AND SAINZ MAKE CONTACT!!!! Piastri went for the overtake, he clipped Sainz and sent him flying into the gravel!!!

(PIA) "F---, I mistimed that"

(BON) "We saw it, keep on going, nothing that can be done now"

LECLERC RUNS WIDE AT THE FINAL CORNER!!! THE CHAMPION HAS DROPPED TO P7, AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THIS RACE?

(LEC) "F---!!! Sorry guys, sorry. I made a mistake."

(BOZ) "Keep going, you can recover this"

CAR 81 (PIASTRI) - CAUSING A COLLISION

It's all going horribly wrong for the Champions here. Piastri has a five second penalty for that collision with Sainz, and Leclerc has just run wide.

(BON) "So can confirm we've been given a penalty, Oscar."

(PIA) "Yep, expected that"

(BON) "Just keep going, nothing we can do now"

On track, Piastri has lost position to Herta and Norris!!! Could this be the American's day?

(LEC) "I'm struggling like crazy"

(BOZ) "Head down Charles, long way to go"

HAAS ON HAAS VIOLENCE AS COLAPINTO AND OCON MAKE CONTACT!!!

OCON RADIO "What the hell was Franco doing?"

Leclerc on the recovery path as he overtakes Bottas for sixth!

CAR 31 (OCON) - CAUSING A COLLISION

Well, the FIA have found Ocon guilty for that one. Penalty for Ocon, write your own jokes here.

Leclerc ahead of Verstappen and into P5!

Piastri might have damage and be struggling here!! He's down to 4th, immediately ahead of his teammate!

Worth noting that Ferrari are still outscoring Red Bull by 2 points - meaning they'd need 23 more than the Bulls tomorrow to clinch the Constructors. But that's not accommodating for Piastri's penalty, that likely takes him out of the points.

Lando Norris takes the lead of the Sprint!!! This could be a huge moment!

Lap 13: Norris, Herta, Tsunoda, Piastri , Leclerc, Bottas, Verstappen, Russell, Sainz, Bearman, O'Ward, Pourchaire, Pérez, Antonelli, Hadjar, Antonelli, Lawson, Gasly, Albon, Ricciardo, Ocon , Bortoleto, Colapinto

(BON) "Swap the cars when you can please"

(PIA) "Yeah, copy"

Herta takes the lead of the Sprint!

Tsunoda now up to P2!!

Tsunoda into the lead of the Sprint!!! Could this be Yuki's day?

Leclerc meanwhile is ahead of Norris for P3!

Make that P2 for Leclerc, as he goes ahead of Herta!!

Verstappen ahead of Piastri and into fifth! Piastri struggling with that damage!

(LEC) "Yuki is fast here"

(BOZ) "Keep at him, keep him under pressure"

Leclerc with a lovely overtake to retake the lead here in Bahrain!!

Norris meanwhile is up to P3, ahead of Herta!

Tsunoda not giving up without a fight, gets DRS, gets P1 back, but only briefly, as Leclerc comes right back at him for it!

Piastri ahead of Verstappen but he will still drop out of the points with that penalty!

Tsunoda attacking Leclerc with everything he has going into the final lap, Norris is still in this fight, though!

LAST LAP

TSUNODA THROWING EVERYTHING AT LECLERC FOR THIS, BUT IT WON'T BE ENOUGH, AS CHARLES LECLERC HOLDS ON TO WIN THE BAHRAIN SPRINT!!!! YUKI TSUNODA P2, NORRIS P3, VERSTAPPEN 4TH, HERTA 5TH, PIASTRI 6TH ON THE ROAD BUT DROPS OUT OF THE POINTS, PROMOTING SAINZ, BOTTAS AND RUSSELL. WOW.

(BOZ) "And P1, P1! Incredible job today, incredible recovery!"

(LEC) "Let's goooo! Ahhh, tough one. That was incredibly difficult, credit to Tsunoda, he pushed me all the way there"

(BOZ) "Incredible job on that."

(BON) "That's the flag, unfortunately out of the points down in P11 after the penalty. Unlucky mate."

(PIA) "Yep, this was difficult. Mistake cost me there, we'll learn from it and go again tomorrow"

(BON) "We'll come back stronger here Oscar"

BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2028
SPRINT CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 00.30.04
2. Yuki Tsunoda +0.830
3. Lando Norris +0.448
4. Max Verstappen +0.333
5. Colton Herta +0.961
6. Carlos Sainz +0.521
7. Valtteri Bottas +0.791
8. George Russell +1.694
9. Oliver Bearman +0.363
10. Pato O'Ward +0.244
11. Oscar Piastri +1.712
12. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +1.487
13. Théo Pourchaire +0.311
14. Sergio Pérez +0.848
15. Isack Hadjar +2.876
16. Liam Lawson +0.617
17. Pierre Gasly +9.980
18. Alex Albon +1.200
19. Daniel Ricciardo +1.462
20. Esteban Ocon +4.364
21. Gabriel Bortoleto +4.730
22. Franco Colapinto +13.041

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇲🇨 Leclerc 358
🇦🇺 Piastri 255
🇪🇸 Sainz 174
🇳🇱 Verstappen 140
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 136
🇺🇸 Herta 109
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 77
🇮🇹 Antonelli 75
🇫🇮 Bottas 70
🇲🇽 O'Ward 57
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 53
🇫🇷 Gasly 36
🇲🇽 Perez 15
🇳🇿 Lawson 13
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 12
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 4
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 2
🇫🇷 Ocon 0
🇹🇭 Albon 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 613
Red Bull-Ford 310
Mercedes 183
Aston Martin-Honda 148
Subaru-Honda 144
McLaren-Mercedes 93
Williams-Ferrari 53
Alpine-Renault 28
Audi 12
Andretti-Ferrari 2
Haas-Ford 0

2028 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 904
Pirelli 443
Goodyear 238

Ferrari must now outscore Red Bull by 26 points on Saturday to clinch the Constructors

It's time for Qualifying here in Sakhir, and after an eventful Sprint Race that saw Charles Leclerc just edge out Yuki Tsunoda and Lando Norris for victory, this feels like it could be anyone's game this weekend. The floodlights are on, Pole Position for Saturday's race is on the line, let's get going shall we?

OUT IN Q1: Pérez, Ricciardo, Ocon, Antonelli, Bortoleto, Albon
Bubble: Colapinto
Top Five: NOR, SAI, HER, LEC, BOT
PIA P7

Antonelli the biggest casualty of Q1, as Verstappen needed a late lap to get out of the bottom five. Andretti the only team to lose both drivers, as Mercedes, Haas, Alpine and Williams all lose one. A Red Bull 1-2 at the top with Norris quickest ahead of Sainz, Herta P3, Leclerc 4th and Piastri 7th.

OUT IN Q2: Russell, Bearman, O'Ward, Hadjar, Lawson, Colapinto
Bubble: Pourchaire
Top Five: LEC, PIA, NOR, SAI, HER

Six teams lose one driver in Q2, as Russell is the biggest exit, alongside Bearman and O'Ward. Hadjar, Lawson and Colapinto also out, as Leclerc is fastest from Piastri in a Ferrari 1-2. Norris and Sainz 3-4 for Red Bull, Pourchaire on the Bubble, Herta, Verstappen, both Astons and Gasly also through.

Q3: Leclerc, Piastri , Sainz, Pourchaire, Herta, Norris, Gasly, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Bottas

Charles Leclerc secured yet another Pole Position, finishing 0.077 ahead of Oscar Piastri on the night, but Piastri will take a penalty and will not join his teammate on the front row.

That promotes Carlos Sainz to P2, with Théo Pourchaire getting a third place start for Audi.

Colton Herta and Lando Norris were 5th and 6th, while Pierre Gasly starts just ahead of Max Verstappen, and the two Astons of Yuki Tsunoda and Valtteri Bottas complete the top ten.

2028 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC SAI

POU HER

NOR GAS

PIA VER

TSU BOT

RUS BEA

OWA HAD

LAW COL

PER RIC

OCO ANT

BOR ALB

Break for a fair bit for dinner etc, back later on for the race itself!

[foggy locust]

It's Saturday night here in Bahrain and time to go racing around Sakhir. This 5.412km makes up the first half of this Middle East double header, 15 turns, 3 DRS Zones, plenty of chances for overtaking, and after an eventful Sprint yesterday, it is time for the main event.

Alex Albon starts at the very back alongside Gabriel Bortoleto, then it's Kimi Antonelli who was a shock Q1 exit alongside Esteban Ocon on row ten. Former winner around here Sergio Pérez starts beside Daniel Ricciardo on the ninth row, it's Franco Colapinto in P16 and Liam Lawson immediately in front of his teammate. Isack Hadjar lines up 14th with Pato O'Ward 13th, Ollie Bearman starts 12th and George Russell begins from 11th. Into the top ten and the two Astons are 9th and 10th, Yuki Tsunoda alongside Valtteri Bottas. Max Verstappen lines up 8th while Oscar Piastri drops to 7th after a five place penalty, Pierre Gasly starts in 6th and Lando Norris, his future teammate, begins 5th. Colton Herta lines up 4th and Théo Pourchaire can actually take up his 3rd place start tonight, Carlos Sainz starts from 2nd, and it is Pole Position once more for Charles Leclerc.

Let's race in Bahrain!

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

Leclerc holds firm and holds the lead. Théo Pourchaire is ahead of Sainz!!! Norris up to 4th, then Herta, Piastri ahead of Gasly into 6th, Tsunoda has gotten Verstappen for 8th! Bottas in 10th, Russell ahead of O'Ward.

POURCHAIRE

Théo Pourchaire is going for it all! He goes for the lead and he takes the lead!!!!

OCON AND ANTONELLI MAKE CONTACT!!! Looks like both have damage from that!

Piastri going for the overtake on Norris, and he gets him for P5!!

Herta catches Pourchaire napping and steals away second!

Pourchaire may have flown too close to the sun, he drops down to fourth behind Sainz.

Make that fifth, Piastri gets him in quick succession!

CAR 31 (OCON) - CAUSING A COLLISION

A second penalty for the weekend for Ocon, this time for the collision with Antonelli Again, write your own jokes here. A miserable run for the Haas driver.

Sainz is up to second with a fantastic move on Herta! They're battling, Piastri coming up behind them, THEY GO THREE CARS WIDE AND PIASTRI MOVES FROM P4 TO P2 IN ONE MOVE! WOW!

(PIA) "Lovely stuff"

(BON) "Brilliant move. Keep it up!"

Sainz retakes P2 from Piastri! Norris meanwhile closing in on Herta.

Up front, Leclerc now gaining on this pack of four. He's 3.7 up, and the Champion looks like he's checking out again.

(LEC) "Who's in second, and what is the gap to second?"

(BOZ) "Oscar currently P2, 4.5 behind."

Piastri retakes second, but it continues to be close between Piastri, Sainz, Herta and Norris for those podiums places behind Leclerc.

Herta pushing and takes second from Piastri!! He's now brought the gap to Leclerc down to 3.2!

PIASTRI

Norris gets Sainz for 4th!

Lap 15: Leclerc, Piastri, Herta, Norris, Sainz, Tsunoda, Gasly, Bottas, Verstappen, Pourchaire, Russell, O'Ward, Bearman, Lawson, Pérez, Antonelli, Hadjar, Albon, Colapinto, Ocon , Bortoleto, Ricciardo

Herta going for the move with DRS, Colton Herta up to second!

PITSTOPS: First pitstops of the day are for Ricciardo and Russell, Russell onto Mediums, Ricciardo takes the Softs.

Piastri retakes second, but this battle continues!

(BOZ) "Box Charles, box this lap"

(LEC) "Box"

PITSTOP: Pourchaire in for his first stop, he's down to P20. Onto the Mediums.

PITSTOPS: Leclerc in from the lead! A 2.407 stop and the Champion goes onto the Mediums. He'll rejoin P8. Gasly, Lawson and Hadjar also pit.

(BON) "We're ready for ya. Box this lap."

(PIA) "Yeah. Box this lap."

PITSTOP: Piastri is undercutting Herta and the two Red Bulls. 2.248 stop and he, like his teammate, is onto the Mediums. Crucially, gets out ahead of Antonelli in 9th!

Leclerc gets a lovely overtake done on Verstappen - shades of 2022 and 2024 around here - and is up to 6th.

LECLERC

Albon spins off at Turn 8!! He didn't lose much time on that spin, though. He's down in P19.

GASLY

The Champion picking off the Astons in quick succession, as Leclerc gets past Tsunoda and then Bottas.

PITSTOPS: BOTH MERCEDES IN. Herta in first, then Antonelli, and there's enough of a gap so it's not an issue. Herta now down in P8, 4 seconds off Piastri. That undercut has worked for the Australian.

PITSTOP: Sainz is in for fresh Mediums. He's now down to P8.

Norris seems to be having some issues with that Ford engine! Something to keep an eye on midway through this race. He's about 2.2 ahead of Leclerc for the lead, but yet to stop.

PITSTOPS: Bottas in and onto the Mediums, and has a slight delay! Verstappen also switches to Mediums, but he's not able to get out ahead of Bottas.

Leclerc down the inside of Norris and Leclerc leads once more!

NORRIS RADIO "Why am I being left out here?" "Patience Lando, this is all the plan" "This isn't a great plan here"

Norris' issues with the Red Bull team continue, as he's complaining he's being left out on used Softs for too long! Are Red Bull attempting a one-stop with Lando?

PITSTOP: Tsunoda in for the Mediums.

PITSTOP: Norris, I'm guessing at his request, is told to Box. He takes on the Mediums and returns to the Circuit, down to P7 and well back on Piastri, Sainz and Herta.

(BOZ) "Some slight LiCo into turns 1 and 2 please, Charles."

(LEC) "We seem to be losing most of our time there"

TSUNODA

Norris is really struggling with the engine, and has fallen behind Gasly, Russell and Pourchaire in quick succession!

As it stands: Ferrari would be two points shy of clinching the Constructors tonight.

Verstappen ahead of Norris, and that would seal the Constructors for the Scuderia, as it stands!!

Norris really struggling and he's out of the points!!!

This means Ferrari are 21 times Constructors Champions - as it stands.

VERSTAPPEN

Sainz moves up ahead of Herta for P3!

It won't matter for the Constructors though. Norris is down in P14, and Ferrari have a 1-2.

PITSTOPS: Flurry of activity in the pitlane as Gasly, Hadjar, Pérez and O'Ward are in for a second time. McLaren double stacking.

(BON) "We're not worried about using the tyres up. Push a bit."

(PIA) "Yeah, copy"

Lap 40: Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Herta, Bottas, Tsunoda, Verstappen, Russell, Pourchaire, Antonelli, Bearman, Norris, Gasly, Pérez, Lawson, Hadjar, O'Ward, Colapinto, Ocon, Albon, Ricciardo, Bortoleto

PITSTOP: Sainz in to try and undercut Herta and maybe the Ferraris.

(BON) "Box Oscar, happy to confirm?"

(PIA) "Happy, box."

PITSTOP: Piastri in as a response to Sainz! 2.185, fantastic stop by Ferrari and he'll rejoin in P3, ahead of Sainz!

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

(LEC) "Yeah. Box"

PITSTOPS: Leclerc in from the lead!!! A 2.498 stop as he goes onto the Softs, he'll keep the lead as Herta is in as a response to Piastri! Leclerc now 5 seconds ahead of Piastri, Herta rejoins P4, 3.195 down on Sainz!

Bearman goes up to 9th ahead of Russell!

A battle developing for 5th as Verstappen has just gotten past both Bottas and Tsunoda in quick succession. P5 looking like the ceiling for the Dutch driver - who for the record, has only stopped once in this race.

LECLERC

Leclerc is about to be 112 points ahead of Piastri in the Drivers Championship battle, by the way. He could be on for winning his fourth Championship if not in Japan, then Singapore.

PITSTOP: A very bizarre late stop by Russell - Williams have given him absolutely no time to recover even on the (used) Soft tyres.

PITSTOP: Subaru have just done the exact same with Bearman, and likely cost him any chance of points today.

Antonelli meanwhile has fought from P20 to P8. Brilliant drive from him today.

PITSTOP: Audi bring Pourchaire in for a very late stop, and then delay him further. Pourchaire's down to P15.

He started today P3. Woefully mismanaged by Audi today.

(LEC) "Not really sure what Lawson's doing right now"

SAFETY CAR CALLED!!!

Bortoleto's Engine has broken down in the middle of the circuit, and his race is over. I'm surprised that wasn't a Red Flag, to be honest with you.

BORTOLETO RADIO "Engine, engine's gone." "Yeah, we'll have to retire the car. Sorry, Gabi."

With just two laps to go and Lawson between Leclerc and Piastri, I don't suspect this race will get underway again, and Ferrari look like they are Constructors Champions of the World again!

LAST LAP

Nope, no more racing here today! Charles Leclerc takes his 11th win of the season, it is another Ferrari 1-2, and FERRARI ARE THE 2028 CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONS. Never really in doubt, was it?

Carlos Sainz third ahead of Colton Herta, Tsunoda beats out Bottas and Verstappen for fifth, Antonelli, Pérez and Gasly take the final points.

(BOZ) "P1 Charles, FIVE TIMES IN A ROW CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONS!!"

(LEC) "LET'S GOOOOO! COME ONNNN!!! YES! Amazing job guys, amazing work from the team again this year. We've all earned this, we've been brilliant from start to finish. Thank you guys. Amazing work."

(BOZ) "And thank you for your efforts for this title. Now for the Drivers."

(BON) "P2 Oscar, that's the Constructors Championship wrapped up! Thank you for your efforts this year. Amazing job!"

(PIA) "Yes!! Ahh, thank you guys. Been a lot of fun this year! Mega mega job by the team, well earned."

(BON) "Still a lot to play for elsewhere. Keep going strong."

2028 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.34.36
2. Oscar Piastri +0.431
3. Carlos Sainz +0.558
4. Colton Herta +0.143
5. Yuki Tsunoda +0.424
6. Valtteri Bottas +0.153
7. Max Verstappen +0.138
8. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +0.144
9. Sergio Perez +0.138
10. Pierre Gasly +0.164
11. Lando Norris +0.133
12. Pato O'Ward +0.182
13. Isack Hadjar +0.132
14. George Russell +0.434
15. Oliver Bearman +0.127
16. Théo Pourchaire +0.138
17. Liam Lawson +1 lap
18. Esteban Ocon +1 lap
19. Alex Albon +1 lap
20. Franco Colapinto +1 lap
21. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
22. Gabriel Bortoleto DNF (+5 laps)

DRIVER OF THE DAY: ANDREA KIMI ANTONELLI

Another sensational drive from the young Italian superstar, as Andrea Kimi Antonelli went from P20 on the grid to P8, earning your vote as Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Antonelli, Piastri, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Pérez

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Charles Leclerc 1.30.742

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Carlos Sainz 2.094s

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇲🇨 Leclerc 385
🇦🇺 Piastri 273
🇪🇸 Sainz 189
🇳🇱 Verstappen 146
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 136
🇺🇸 Herta 120
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 87
🇮🇹 Antonelli 79
🇫🇮 Bottas 78
🇲🇽 O'Ward 57
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 53
🇫🇷 Gasly 37
🇲🇽 Perez 17
🇳🇿 Lawson 13
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 12
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 4
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 2
🇫🇷 Ocon 0
🇹🇭 Albon 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 658
Red Bull-Ford 325
Mercedes 199
Aston Martin-Honda 165
Subaru-Honda 150
McLaren-Mercedes 94
Williams-Ferrari 53
Alpine-Renault 30
Audi 12
Andretti-Ferrari 2
Haas-Ford 0

2028 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 973
Pirelli 461
Goodyear 254

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION

Red Bull 308
Ferrari 243
McLaren 184
Subaru 147
Aston Martin 135
Alpine 116
Williams 112
Andretti 110
Mercedes 88
Audi 85
Haas 6

SAKHIR F2 SPRINT

1. Doriane Pin
2. Arvid Lindblad
3. Dayton Coulthard
4. Paul Aron
5. Tim Tramnitz
6. Dino Beganovic
7. Ritomo Miyata
8. Jak Crawford
9. Luke Browning
10. Zak O'Sullivan

SAKHIR F2 RACE
Pole Position: Paul Aron

1. Ritomo Miyata
2. Arvid Lindblad
3. Paul Aron
4. Doriane Pin
5. Luke Browning
6. Jak Crawford
7. Dayton Coulthard
8. Dino Beganovic
9. Tim Tramnitz
10. Kacper Sztuka

SAKHIR F3 SPRINT

1. Chloe Grant
2. John Bennett
3. Héctor Araya
4. Nikola Tsolov
5. Nina Gademan
6. Nikita Bedrin
7. Mari Boya
8. Leonardo Fornaroli
9. Laurens van Hoepen
10. Vincenzo Testa

SAKHIR F3 RACE FINALE

Pole Position: Vincenzo Testa

1. Chloe Grant
2. Vincenzo Testa
3. Nina Gademan
4. Laurens van Hoepen
5. Alexander Dunne
6. John Bennett
7. Nikola Tsolov
8. Martinius Stenshorne
9. Leonardo Fornaroli
10. Héctor Araya

CHLOE GRANT CLINCHES F3 CHAMPIONSHIP

Scottish driver Chloe Grant has won the Formula 3 Championship this evening, becoming the first woman to lift the F3 title, as well as the first Scottish driver to win a solo FIA recognised World Championship since Colin McRae.

The Red Bull backed Grant won the title in some style, taking both the Sprint and the Race in Sakhir, while title rival, and Mercedes backed driver, Héctor Araya of Argentina finished 3rd in the Sprint and 10th in the Race.

This was enough to see Grant crowned F3 Champion, breaking down barriers and creating motorsport history in Bahrain.

FERRARI WIN FIFTH CONSTRUCTORS IN A ROW

Ferrari's era of dominance continues.

The Scuderia clinched their fifth consecutive Constructors Championship, sealing the title at Bahrain with a 1-2 from Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri.

Ferrari have been utterly dominant this season and have won every race bar Belgium, and have sent another message to their rivals in the paddock - catch us if you can.

F2 CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE

🇵🇱 Sztuka 230
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇸🇪 Lindblad 180
🇪🇪 Aron 140
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Coulthard 135
🇮🇹 Minì 128
🇫🇷 Pin 125
🇯🇵 Miyata 118
🇧🇷 Câmara 115
🇩🇪 Tramnitz 108
🇳🇴 Hauger 78
🇺🇸 Crawford 70
🇧🇧 Maloney 67
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Barnard 67
🇲🇨 A. Leclerc 33
🇸🇪 🇧🇦 Beganovic 33
🇧🇷 E. Fittipaldi 28
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 O'Sullivan 23
🇳🇱 Verschoor 22
🇨🇿 Stanĕk 14
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Browning 10
🇪🇸 Marti 3
🇮🇳 Maini 0

F3 CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Grant 164
🇦🇷 Araya 147
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bennett 127
🇮🇪 Dunne 123
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Wharton 113
🇳🇱 Gademan 106
🇵🇾 Dürksen 91
🇦🇺 Mansell 89
🇷🇺 Bedrin 76
🇮🇹 Testa 75
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Pulling 66
🇧🇬 Tsolov 62
🇳🇴 Stenshorne 61
🇳🇱 van Hoepen 55
🇲🇽 Villagómez 51
🇺🇸 Esterson 37
🇲🇽 León 32
🇨🇭 Arnold 30
🇵🇹 Afonso 28
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Loake 26
🇪🇸 Boya 14
🇩🇰 🇩🇪 Goethe 11
🇮🇹 Fornaroli 5
🇺🇸 🇪🇨 Correa 4
🇧🇪 Cordeel 0
🇨🇴 🇺🇸 Montoya 0
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Voisin 0
🇦🇹 Wurz 0
🇧🇭 Abadi 0
🇫🇷 Meguetounif 0

[foggy locust]

ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2028
WEEKEND PREVIEW

We enter the home stretch of the 2028 Formula 1 season, as we head to Abu Dhabi for the second half of this double-header. After Ferrari clinched the Constructors Championship, and Charles Leclerc took a huge step towards his fourth Drivers’ title, what will Yas Marina bring us this weekend?

LAST TIME AROUND

It was another race that ended in a late Safety Car after Gabriel Bortoleto crashed out with just three laps remaining in Bahrain, ending the race early as a contest. Although the race was already over for the lead as Charles Leclerc ran away with it again, but an entertaining scrap between Oscar Piastri, Colton Herta and the two Red Bulls of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz for the podium places was the focus behind the Champion. In the end, it was Leclerc, Piastri and Sainz who shared the podium at Sakhir.

THE STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

JUST WHEN COULD LECLERC CLINCH HIS FOURTH TITLE?

This one goes beyond this weekend, as neither Charles Leclerc nor Oscar Piastri can clinch the World Championship this weekend, and they're the only two still in contention. With 196 points to play for still, and Carlos Sainz in third exactly 196 behind Charles Leclerc, and the tiebreaker already secured by Leclerc, this means for the fifth year in a row, a Ferrari driver will be Champion of the World. Piastri has a chasm to overcome if he wants to take his maiden title this year - a 112 point gap with 196 to play for, and Leclerc with 11 wins to Piastri's 3 this season. It has been a dominant season by Charles Leclerc - can he take another huge step towards wrapping up his fourth Championship in five years?

MERCEDES AND McLAREN BRINGING UPGRADES TO TRY AND CHALLENGE AT THE FRONT

Both Mercedes and McLaren aren't giving up on the idea of a race victory this season, and they are both bringing massive upgrades this weekend to try and tip the playing field towards their favour. Mercedes sit third in the Constructors right now and are dealing with the threat of Aston Martin and Subaru behind them, particularly a surging British Racing Green at the moment. As for McLaren, they look stuck in sixth, but a big result this weekend could still propel them towards the fight for fourth. Even with the new regulations coming up, neither team have given up fighting for this season. But can it pay off this weekend?

CAN VERSTAPPEN GET BACK TO THE FRONT?

It has been a trying first season for Max Verstappen at Subaru, as while he has gotten five podiums so far this season, he hasn't been close to that elusive race win since his last one at the last Qatar Grand Prix back in 2026. Verstappen moved from Red Bull to Subaru with the mindset of making the Japanese team “the next Red Bull”, and while 2029 and the new regulations are generally what the team, and Verstappen, had in mind, the three-time World Champion is still hungry to be competing at the front of the pack. Abu Dhabi is a circuit that has been good to Verstappen over the years - he clinched his first World Title here on that stunning night back in 2021 - and he would love to put himself back at the front here. Can he will the Subaru team up to the front of the pack?

WILLIAMS NEEDING TO BOUNCE BACK

Williams have had a disappointing 2028 season. After their brilliant 2027, they were expected to potentially even challenge Ferrari this season. Instead, they sit seventh in the Constructors Championship, and George Russell is responsible for every single one of their 53 points. It's been a very tough year for Alex Albon, who has struggled mightily with the FW50, and will not retain his seat next year - neither will Russell, who heads for Red Bull - but Albon won't be on the grid for at least a season after a poor year. Can Albon and Russell put anything together to rescue what's been an awful season for Williams?

And so we head to Abu Dhabi for the second half of this Middle East double-header, and an intriguing weekend ahead. One thing's for sure - you won't want to miss it.

FP1: Bennett (O'Ward), Minì (Pérez), Gademan (Verstappen)

FP1: LEC PIA NOR

Leclerc quickest in FP1, 3 tenths up on Piastri, while Norris and Sainz go 3-4. Lawson 5th with Herta 6th and Gasly 7th. Bearman, Hadjar and Bennett complete the top ten.

O'Ward into the wall at turn 5! Seems he's mostly gotten away with it, though.

FP2: LEC PIA SAI

Leclerc and Piastri 1-2 again, with Sainz third this time. Verstappen 4th in his first action this weekend, his future teammate Pourchaire 5th. Bottas and Herta follow, then Gasly, Ricciardo and Tsunoda.

FP3: PIA LEC HER

Piastri quickest from Leclerc, but those upgrades from Mercedes seem to be working for Herta who sits third. Sainz 4th with Russell 5th, then Tsunoda and O'Ward, with Ricciardo, Norris and Bearman rounding off the top ten.

The lights are on, the sun is setting and we are ready to go here at Yas Marina Circuit for Qualifying. While we haven't quite got the title drama of previous years around here, we have a lot of intrigue ahead of us. Ferrari have set the pace as expected, but Mercedes and Red Bull have shown pace - can they challenge at the front here? And of course, Verstappen and the two McLarens could be real wildcards here. Let's see how this plays out.

OUT IN Q1: O'Ward, Pourchaire, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Albon, Lawson
Bubble: Colapinto
Top Five: SAI, PIA HER, NOR, VER
LEC P6

O'Ward out in Q1 as it looks like his FP2 damage is hurting his car still, while Pourchaire and Tsunoda are the other big casualties of Q1. Ricciardo, Albon and Lawson all go out, as Colapinto and Ocon are both through to Q2 for Haas. Sainz quickest from Piastri and Herta, then Norris, Verstappen and Leclerc.

IT IS A RED FLAG!!!

Antonelli is off and into the barrier halfway through his lap!!! His session is officially over!

ANTONELLI RADIO "I'm okay. Sorry guys, made a mistake." "You're okay Kimi, as long as you're alright"

OUT IN Q2: Ocon, Bortoleto, Colapinto, Norris, Gasly, Bearman
Bubble: Hadjar
Top Five: LEC, SAI, PIA, BOT, HER

Antonelli did set a time so technically goes through, but won't take any further part in Q3. Norris the big shock exit, Gasly and Bearman also exit while it's an impressive 11-13 for Haas, and Bortoleto splits them. Leclerc quickest from Sainz and Piastri, with Bottas, Herta and Verstappen following. Perez and Russell through, as is Hadjar.

Q3: Leclerc, Herta, Piastri, Sainz, Hadjar, Pérez, Bottas, Russell, Antonelli (no time)

Charles Leclerc takes his 11th Pole of the season, but Colton Herta's late effort splits the Ferraris, with Oscar Piastri settling for third. Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen complete the top five, Isack Hadjar with a stunning sixth, while Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas take the fourth row. George Russell ninth, Andrea Kimi Antonelli didn't complete a lap in Q3 due to his Q2 crash.

ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2028
STARTING GRID

LEC HER

PIA SAI

VER HAD

PER BOT

RUS ANT

OCO BOR

COL NOR

GAS BEA

OWA POU

TSU RIC

ALB LAW

[foggy locust]

It's a warm September evening here at Yas Marina and Round 16 of the 2028 Formula 1 season awaits us. As the sun begins to set in Abu Dhabi, 58 laps of this 5.281km circuit awaits us. 16 turns, 2 DRS Zones, it can easily be either a one or a two stop - how risky are you feeling?

Liam Lawson starts at the very back and he's alongside Alex Albon, it's then Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, once teammates, on row ten, Théo Pourchaire on row nine alongside the man who'll replace him at Audi next year, Pato O'Ward. Ollie Bearman and Pierre Gasly start on row eight then it's 14th for Lando Norris and Franco Colapinto starts 13th. Gabriel Bortoleto begins from 12th and Esteban Ocon goes in search of his, and Haas' first points of the year in 11th. Kimi Antonelli had a crash in Q2 but is able to take up position in P10, George Russell starts from 9th. Valtteri Bottas begins today from 8th and it's 7th for Sergio Perez, Isack Hadjar goes from 6th as he tries for his first points of the year, Max Verstappen, who has won a title here back in 2021, begins fifth. Carlos Sainz starts 4th alongside Oscar Piastri, Colton Herta begins on the front row, and it's the 11th Pole of the year for Charles Leclerc - who won his second World Title here back in 2025.

Let's race!

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

Leclerc is away well. PIASTRI ROUNDS HERTA AT THE FIRST CORNER, Sainz P4, Verstappen into P5, then Hadjar and Bottas, Antonelli up to 8th, Pérez and Ocon follow, Bortoleto also ahead of Russell!!

No team orders at Ferrari tonight and Piastri takes the lead on the opening lap from Leclerc!!

Sainz with a lovely overtake on Herta for P3!

The two Ferraris are wheel to wheel and Leclerc fends off Piastri to regain the lead!!

LECLERC

Piastri has the lead back but Leclerc is attacking with DRS, Piastri holds firm for now however!

Russell runs wide at the first corner!!! He seems to be stuck there, but gets back on track!

VERSTAPPEN RADIO "I can't use third gear mate, it's just lagging" "Understood, Max"

Verstappen, running P5 right now, seems to be having some gearbox troubles!

Pérez gets ahead of Hadjar for 6th!

Leclerc regains P1, but Piastri, Herta and Sainz still in reach!

How's this for a throwback? Pérez overtakes Verstappen, and is currently giving him DRS. I doubt he's moving aside like 2021, though.

(BOZ) "Tyrewear is looking good, this is a good pace Charles. Keep controlling it like this"

(LEC) "Yep, will do"

Ricciardo seems to be having some slight engine issues. He's currently running P21

OH MY GOD IT IS A RED FLAG!!!

Bortoleto tries going round the outside of Bearman, but clips into him and takes himself into the barriers!!! His Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is over!!!

BORTOLETO RADIO "I'm okay, I'm unhurt. Sorry guys, made a mess of that move"

Piastri had just claimed the lead seconds before, which he will keep into the restart!

(BON) "And Red Flag, Oscar, Red Flag. Bortoleto into the barrier"

(PIA) "Is he okay?"

(BON) "He's walked away okay. So we will box for the Red Flag."

(BOZ) "And Red Flag, Charles, Red Flag. Bortoleto is out of the race."

(LEC) "He's okay?"

(BOZ) "Yeah, he's okay. Nearly took Bearman out as well. Again, Ollie's okay. We go again on the restart."

Lap 11 Restart Order: Piastri, Leclerc, Herta, Sainz, Verstappen, Pérez, Norris, Antonelli, Hadjar, Tsunoda, Bottas, Gasly, Ocon, Pourchaire, O'Ward, Bearman, Colapinto, Ricciardo, Lawson, Albon, Russell. Bortoleto out of the race.

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO AGAIN

Piastri holds the lead, then Leclerc, Sainz ahead of Herta, Verstappen, Norris gets Perez, Tsunoda ahead of Antonelli and Hadjar!

Every single driver still in the race changed tyres on that Red Flag, unsurprisingly. Expect the pitstops to be moved back a bit.

CAR 5 (BORTOLETO) - CAUSING A COLLISION

As he's out of the race, Bortoleto will take a grid penalty in Suzuka for that collision with Bearman.

Hadjar back up to 9th ahead of Antonelli! These two will of course be Williams teammates next season.

Verstappen moves up ahead of Herta and into fourth!

Gasly, chasing teammate O'Ward, with a big spin-off! He's kept the car going and only dropped two spots.

Norris up to 5th ahead of Herta!

🌇 With the Red Flag, the sun is setting on this circuit a lot earlier than it would've over the course of this race. Lap 15 and we're already getting to floodlights fully on status. Should be dark in the next twenty minutes or so.

Leclerc retakes the lead here in Abu Dhabi!!!

Sainz with a move and he seemed to push Piastri wide there! He's up to P2!

(PIA) "He completely pushed me to the side of the road there"

(BON) "We saw it Oscar, we are on it"

Piastri retakes second from Sainz, and that seemed to be a bit elbows out!! Sainz has to relent and Piastri is back to second!

Norris meanwhile goes ahead of Verstappen and he's up to fourth!

Piastri wants this race win! He's overtaken Leclerc and he's back to the front!

Herta up to fifth! Verstappen is again mentioning the difficulties he is having with the gearbox to his race engineer!

ANTONELLI

Leclerc retakes the lead from Piastri!

Sainz coming back at Piastri, and Sainz back to 2nd in the race!

Sainz has DRS and overtakes his former teammate Leclerc! Carlos Sainz leads the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!

(LEC) "That Red Bull has a lot of pace tonight"

(BOZ) "So do we. Keep focused Charles, we can take it back"

Leclerc does indeed take it back, and he's up to P1 again!!

(BOZ) "I did tell you we can take it back"

(LEC) laughs You did, Bryan, you did"

Tsunoda up to 5th ahead of Verstappen!

Piastri retakes P2 from Sainz!

Norris now overtaking Sainz for P3!

Lando Norris goes ahead of Piastri for P2!

Tsunoda up to 4th, ahead of Sainz!!!

NORRIS, PIASTRI AND LECLERC THREE CARS WIDE, NORRIS INTO THE LEAD, PIASTRI P2, LECLERC DOWN TO THIRD. WOW!

PITSTOPS: Antonelli and O'Ward in! Antonelli onto the Softs, O'Ward onto the Mediums. Both likely stopping again here.

Norris retakes the lead!

And Leclerc now up to P2!

Leclerc takes the lead away from Norris!!

PITSTOPS: Tsunoda and Hadjar both in! Tsunoda onto Hards, as is Hadjar. Williams doublestacking, Albon onto Softs, Russell onto Hards.

Piastri into second!

Leclerc now has free air and is proceeding to break away from the pack once again!

PITSTOP: Norris comes in for the Mediums on Lap 32! Can he get those to the end? It's a risky strategy.

PITSTOPS: Pourchaire and Pérez now in! Both onto the Hards, and Alpine are quicker for the stop and get Pérez out first!

Piastri now within 1.9 of Leclerc!

After all that effort from the Alpine pitcrew, Pourchaire goes ahead and retakes position from Pérez anyway, but Pérez has DRS and takes it back!

Ocon runs wide and he drops out of the points behind Gasly as a result!

(LEC) "Rears dropping off a little bit here"

(BOZ) "Keep pushing for now"

PITSTOP: Sainz is in! Trying to undercut the Ferraris and he's onto the Mediums!

(BOZ) "Box, box"

(LEC) "Copy, box"

PITSTOP: Herta in and onto the Mediums! He rejoins in P8!

PITSTOP: Leclerc in from the lead! A 2.406 stop and he takes the Mediums! He rejoins in P3, just behind Norris!

(BON) "Box this lap, Oscar, box this lap"

(PIA) "Copy, box"

PITSTOP: Piastri in from the lead! He switches to the Mediums, and it is a 2.156 stop for the Australian driver! Piastri rejoins P3!

Leclerc moves ahead of Norris on Lap 40! The Champion retakes the lead of this race!

Bearman spins off!! He avoids the barrier however!

Verstappen's gearbox seems to have given up!!! He pulls into the pitlane and he's retiring from this race on Lap 41!!

VERSTAPPEN RADIO "Gearbox is s----ing itself. Unbelievable."

Piastri with a lovely overtake of Norria and he's back to P2!

Lap 42: Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Tsunoda, Sainz, Herta, Antonelli, O'Ward, Pourchaire, Hadjar, Pérez, Ocon, Lawson, Albon, Bearman, Gasly, Russell, Colapinto, Bottas, Ricciardo. Verstappen and Bortoleto out of the race.

PITSTOP: Antonelli into the pitlane! He's onto the Softs again for the second time, and he rejoins down in P11.

SAINZ

A second spin for Bearman. He, and Subaru, are having a rough night.

BEARMAN RADIO "F---, sorry!"

Antonelli up ahead of Hadjar and back into the points!

Sainz uses DRS and gers ahead of Tsunoda, Tsunoda coming back at him here, but Sainz defends the position.

PITSTOP: O'Ward in for fresh Softs. Some work to for the McLaren now if he wants to get points today.

Ocon up ahead of Lawson and into P11. Can he bring the gap down to Hadjar to challenge for the points?

PITSTOP: As it turns out - no. He's pitting for Softs. Might be too late at this point.

ANTONELLI

Piastri now within 2.4 of Leclerc. Could we have a grandstand finish tonight?

Five laps to go. Piastri closing on Leclerc here, game on for the race win!

(BOZ) "And push here Charles"

(LEC) "I am pushing"

Four laps remaining. Can Piastri get in Leclerc's DRS range?

(BON) "Charles 1.1 ahead. Keep pushing, anything can happen"

Leclerc has opened the gap up again to 1.6 with three laps remaining!

OCON

Sainz has overtaken Norris for P3!! This time, no team orders given as far as we know.

Two laps left. The gap is now 2 seconds, and Piastri needs to get into DRS Range on this lap, or it's Leclerc's 11th win of the season.

LAST LAP

Leclerc's tyres are graining a lot here, but he's keeping that gap at the 2 seconds he needs it to be. Piastri gaining now, but he isn't gaining enough, and Leclerc is going down the main straight now. Leclerc about to take win number 12 of the season, he rounds the final corners, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX!!!! IT IS P2 FOR OSCAR PIASTRI, YET ANOTHER FERRARI 1-2.

(BOZ) "That's the flag, P1!!! Eleventh win of the season. Incredible Charles, incredible."

(LEC) "Let's gooooo! Let's go come on! Ahhh, that one was incredibly difficult. Good job guys, good job!"

(BOZ) "Amazing race that. Well done!"

(BON) "And we have chequered flag now. That's P2, Oscar, P2 mate."

(PIA) "Very well managed! Ah, if we had a couple more laps I think we'd have gotten Charles. Good job guys, thank you."

(BON) "Great job today mate. Your time at the front will come."

Sainz comes home P3, Norris P4, Herta P5, Tsunoda P6, Antonelli P7, Pourchaire P8, Pérez P9, O'Ward comes back for 10th and a point!

2025 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.22.15
2. Oscar Piastri +1.962
3. Carlos Sainz +29.256
4. Lando Norris +4.412
5. Colton Herta +5.230
6. Yuki Tsunoda +0.467
7. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +17.728
8. Théo Pourchaire +5.750
9. Sergio Pérez +11.050
10. Pato O'Ward +0.459
11. Isack Hadjar +4.390
12. Pierre Gasly +6.105
13. Esteban Ocon +1 lap
14. George Russell +1 lap
15. Alex Albon +1 lap
16. Oliver Bearman +1 lap
17. Liam Lawson +1 lap
18. Franco Colapinto +1 lap
19. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
20. Valtteri Bottas +1 lap
21. Max Verstappen DNF
22. Gabriel Bortoleto DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: LANDO NORRIS

He couldn't quite make the podium, but it was a brilliant recovery drive from a tough qualifying for Lando Norris, who came back from P14 on the grid to take 4th and some valuable points. Lando Norris is your Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Norris, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Piastri, Pourchaire

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Esteban Ocon 1.23.323

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Oscar Piastri 2.156s

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇲🇨 Leclerc 411
🇦🇺 Piastri 291
🇪🇸 Sainz 204
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 148
🇳🇱 Verstappen 146
🇺🇸 Herta 130
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 95
🇮🇹 Antonelli 85
🇫🇮 Bottas 78
🇲🇽 O'Ward 58
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 53
🇫🇷 Gasly 37
🇲🇽 Perez 19
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 16
🇳🇿 Lawson 13
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 4
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 2
🇫🇷 Ocon 0
🇹🇭 Albon 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 702
Red Bull-Ford 352
Mercedes 215
Aston Martin-Honda 173
Subaru-Honda 150
McLaren-Mercedes 95
Williams-Ferrari 53
Alpine-Renault 32
Audi 16
Andretti-Ferrari 2
Haas-Ford 0

2028 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 1025
Pirelli 495
Goodyear 270

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION

Red Bull 308
Ferrari 249
McLaren 199
Subaru 147
Aston Martin 135
Williams 132
Alpine 126
Mercedes 116
Andretti 110
Audi 85
Haas 9

YAS MARINA F2 SPRINT

1. Tim Tramnitz
2. Doriane Pin
3. Dayton Coulthard
4. Dino Beganovic
5. Jak Crawford
6. Paul Aron
7. Ritomo Miyata
8. Zane Maloney
9. Kacper Sztuka
10. Dennis Hauger

YAS MARINA F2 RACE
Pole Position: Dayton Coulthard

1. Dayton Coulthard
2. Tim Tramnitz
3. Doriane Pin
4. Dennis Hauger
5. Dino Beganovic
6. Zane Maloney
7. Jak Crawford
8. Kacper Sztuka
9. Paul Aron
10. Taylor Barnard

F2 CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE

🇵🇱 Sztuka 234
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇸🇪 Lindblad 180
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Coulthard 170
🇫🇷 Pin 149
🇪🇪 Aron 145
🇩🇪 Tramnitz 136
🇮🇹 Minì 128
🇯🇵 Miyata 128
🇧🇷 Câmara 115
🇳🇴 Hauger 90
🇺🇸 Crawford 80
🇧🇧 Maloney 76
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Barnard 68
🇸🇪 🇧🇦 Beganovic 48
🇲🇨 A. Leclerc 33
🇧🇷 E. Fittipaldi 28
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 O'Sullivan 23
🇳🇱 Verschoor 22
🇨🇿 Stanĕk 14
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Browning 10
🇪🇸 Marti 3
🇮🇳 Maini 0

[foggy locust]

ASTON MARTIN CLEARED OF ANY WRONGDOING FOR BAKU INCIDENT

The FIA investigation into Aston Martin surrounding Yuki Tsunoda's Baku crash has ended with Aston Martin being cleared of any wrongdoing.

Tsunoda crashed towards the end of the race, moments after teammate Valtteri Bottas took the podium place from Mercedes' Colton Herta, and the timing of the incident led to the FIA's investigation.

However, said investigation and looking into the footage showed that Yuki Tsunoda's crash was a genuine accident, and Aston Martin gained no sporting advantage, especially considering the fact Tsunoda was fifth at the time and lost ten points as a result.

Therefore, the FIA have ruled no further action against Aston Martin.

[foggy locust]

JAPANESE GRAND PRIX 2028
WEEKEND PREVIEW

With just five rounds remaining of the 2028 Formula 1 season, we head to Japan and Suzuka for the first of the only triple-header of this season - as we will also take in Singapore then Saudi Arabia on this run. It's a triple header that could see the Drivers’ Championship decided and this is the first chance for it.

LAST TIME AROUND

It was a fourth victory in a row for Charles Leclerc in Abu Dhabi - he's won all four races since we returned from the Summer Break - while Oscar Piastri was a comfortable second place. Carlos Sainz was a distant third, ahead of teammate Lando Norris, while Colton Herta has fo settle for fifth, just ahead of Yuki Tsunoda. Kimi Antonelli took seventh while Théo Pourchaire, Sergio Perez and Pato O'Ward all got much needed points for Audi, Alpine and McLaren. Max Verstappen had to retire with an engine failure, while Gabriel Bortoleto brought out an early Red Flag which allowed a lot of the field to switch to a one-stop.

THE CIRCUIT

The Suzuka International Racing Course is a 5.807km circuit in Ino, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, and is owned and operated by Honda. The Figure of Eight Circuit has been the home of the Japanese Grand Prix since 1987, and held a race here every year since barring 2007, 2008, 2020 and 2021. It hosts both Formula 1 and Super Formula, and remains incredibly popular with Drivers and fans alike in both series. The Figure of 8 layout features a mix of Medium and High Speed corners, some of the most challenging in the sport.

THE STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

LECLERC'S FIRST CHANCE AT HIS FOURTH CHAMPIONSHIP

Charles Leclerc could win the Drivers’ Championship here in Japan this weekend, but it would require him outscoring Oscar Piastri by 22 points or more this weekend. Simply put - it'll only happen this weekend if Leclerc wins and Piastri finishes Eighth or lower, or out of the points entirely - and that's if Leclerc gets either Pole, fastest lap or both. Without that, Piastri would have to be ninth or lower. However, with twelve wins this season, including all four races since the Summer Break, Leclerc still remains a heavy favourite to win the title for the fourth time, and it would take a huge ask for Piastri to overcome the 120 gap with just five rounds - and one Sprint - remaining. This could be a massive step towards Leclerc retaining the Championship.

CAN TSUNODA KEEP HIS MOMENTUM ROLLING AT HOME AND SECURE A PODIUM?

Yuki Tsunoda meanwhile is breathing a bit of a sigh of relief going into his home race, as Aston Martin were cleared of any wrongdoing at Baku after his crash timed with Valtteri Bottas securing a podium under the Safety Car - however, Tsunoda himself and the team were shown that it was a complete accident, and no further investigation will take place. Tsunoda has had a strong season for Aston Martin, sitting Seventh in the Drivers’ Championship and helping the team to Fourth, and still a chance at third. However, Tsunoda would absolutely love to grab his first podium of the season here at his home race, and could well be in with a shot at a circuit that suits his team's car. With a strong home support, can Tsunoda secure his first podium at home?

AFTER A SCORELESS ABU DHABI, HOW DO SUBARU BOUNCE BACK AT HOME?

Subaru meanwhile go into their home Grand Prix with less momentum, after Max Verstappen was forced to retire with an engine issue on Lap 42, and Oliver Bearman struggled and ended up just P16. Subaru dropped from pushing Mercedes for third down to fifth after Bahrain, and lost further ground on Aston Martin and Mercedes at Abu Dhabi. They still have a 55 point advantage over McLaren for fifth, but Subaru could do with a big result on home soil this weekend, and Verstappen will look to bounce back as he dropped to fifth in the Drivers Championship behind former teammate Lando Norris. What can Subaru do to stop the rot and get back to challenging?

HOW WILL THE RAIN AFFECT PROCEEDINGS THIS WEEKEND?

We are expecting rain this weekend at Suzuka on the Sunday for race day, which is one of the issues of this race moving back to October. Suzuka is always a tough race in the rain, and this could be a gamechanger - or game leveller - for many teams. How will the weather come into play and could it change the course of this race weekend?

And so we head to Japan, where it's first Championship point for Charles Leclerc, but it’s a longshot to be secured this weekend. But it still could be, and a rainy race in Suzuka is one thing you won't want to miss.

FP1 Reserves: Bennett (O'Ward), Grant (Sainz), Araya (Antonelli), Staněk (Russell), Aron (Pourchaire), Barnard (Tsunoda)

FP1: LEC VER PIA

Leclerc quickest in FP1 by 0.105 ahead of Verstappen, with Piastri P3. Herta takes 4th with Ricciardo 5th, while Barnard, Norris, Hadjar, Lawson and Albon round off the top ten.

[foggy locust]

FP2: NOR LEC PIA

Lando Norris quickest in FP2 ahead of Leclerc and Piastri, with Herta fourth and Pourchaire fifth. Bottas takes 6th with Hadjar 7th and Antonelli 8th. 9th for Tsunoda in his first action on home soil this weekend, and Sainz wraps up the top ten.

FP3: TSU LEC SAI
PIA P5

Joy and hope for the Japanese fans as Yuki Tsunoda takes P1 in FP3! Leclerc 2nd ahead of Sainz, with Herta 4th and Piastri 5th. Norris takes 6th with Antonelli 7th, O'Ward 8th, 9th for Lawson and Pérez 10th.

It's time to go Qualifying here at Suzuka, as we head towards the end of the season. Yuki Tsunoda went fastest in FP3 to the delight of the fans here, could he be in contention for Pole? The two Ferraris remain the favourites as Charles Leclerc CAN lock up his fourth title this weekend, but he'd need to outscore Oscar Piastri by 22 points to do it. Red Bull have shown some pace, while Subaru look to improve on home soil. What will Qualifying bring here? Let's find out.

OUT IN Q1: Bottas, Bearman, Ricciardo, Pourchaire, Bortoleto, Colapinto
Bubble: Ocon
Top Five: LEC VER NOR GAS ANT
PIA P11

Bottas drops out in Q1 shockingly, as Bearman misses out on Q2 for Subaru's home race. Ricciardo and Bortoleto both out alongside Pourchaire and Colapinto. Leclerc quickest from Verstappen and Norris, then Gasly and Herta. Tsunoda P9, Piastri just P11.

OUT IN Q2: Tsunoda, Herta, Hadjar, Albon, Pérez, Ocon
Bubble: Russell
Top Five: PIA, LEC, VER, OWA, NOR

Heartbreak for Tsunoda as he exits in Q2, just missing Q3. Herta also out, as are Hadjar, Albon, Pérez and Ocon. Russell sneaks through to Q3, while Piastri was fastest from Leclerc. Verstappen, O'Ward and Norris 3rd, 4th and 5th, while Antonelli, Sainz, Gasly and Lawson are also into Q3.

Q3: Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, O'Ward, Antonelli, Norris, Russell, Gasly, Lawson, Verstappen

Oscar Piastri takes Pole! Piastri beats Leclerc to Pole by 2 and a half tenths, while it will be a Ferrari front row lock-out once more. Sainz and O'Ward share the second row, with Antonelli and Norris on the third row. Russell and Gasly on row four, Lawson 9th and Verstappen struggled, finishing 10th in qualifying.

2028 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

PIA LEC

SAI OWA

ANT NOR

RUS GAS

LAW VER

TSU HER

HAD ALB

PER OCO

BOT BEA

RIC POU

COL BOR

8 Place Grid Penalty for Bortoleto - Qual P21

[foggy locust]

With just five rounds remaining in the Formula 1 season, we are here at a real favourite of fans, drivers and media alike: it's Suzuka. It's the first Drivers' Championship Sunday of the season - we can potentially see the title clinched today - but it would take a 22 point or more advantage for Charles Leclerc over Oscar Piastri, and the latter's on Pole. 53 laps of this 5.807km Figure of Eight Circuit - forget about that one DRS Zone for now as it is torrential rain, and this should make for a fascinating Sunday in Suzuka.

And Gabriel Bortoleto takes an eight place penalty to start at the back alongside Franco Colapinto, while Théo Pourchaire is 20th and it's 19th for Daniel Ricciardo. Ollie Bearman starts 18th in his team's home race - his last one here for Subaru before moving to Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas begins 17th. Old teammates Esteban Ocon and Sergio Pérez are 15th and 16th, it's 14th for Alex Albon and Isack Hadjar lines himself up in 13th. Colton Herta begins today from 12th while Yuki Tsunoda starts his home Grand Prix 11th, just missing Q3. Max Verstappen starts today from tenth in his first Subaru race in Japan, and Liam Lawson begins ninth. It's Pierre Gasly and George Russell on row four, with Lando Norris beginning sixth and Kimi Antonelli 5th. Pato O'Ward starts just behind Carlos Sainz on the second row, and it is yet another Ferrari front row lockout. Charles Leclerc, who can win the Championship today but he needs to win and hope Piastri is ninth or lower - Oscar Piastri meanwhile starts on Pole.

Let's race!

Rain pouring down here at Suzuka, the lights are on...1, 2, 3, 4, 5 lights...

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Piastri holds position ahead of Leclerc, then Sainz, O'Ward, Antonelli, Norris, Russell, Lawson ahead of Gasly, then Verstappen

(LEC) "Rain is coming down very heavily here"

(BOZ) "Copy Charles"

(LEC) "Visibility here is really s---"

LECLERC

(BON) "Drop some temps on the rears if you can"

(PIA) "Copy"

Piastri holding Leclerc off in the early going, Leclerc has a look down the inside of Piastri on the main straight, but nothing going and the Champion relents for now.

I'm not sure if it is going to reach full Wets capacity here, but we'll see.

Leclerc is still trailing Piastri by about five tenths. No team orders have been given to either driver as of yet.

The two have opened up a gap to Carlos Sainz, back in 3rd, while Pato O'Ward is a further two back.

Leclerc hasn't taken any major risks as of yet to take the lead. He knows he can afford to be patient with the massive Championship lead, and Piastri is the one who needs the points more here.

Lap 10: Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, O'Ward, Antonelli, Norris, Russell, Lawson, Gasly, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Herta, Pérez, Bottas, Hadjar, Ricciardo, Albon, Ocon, Pourchaire, Bearman, Colapinto, Bortoleto

Lap 10: Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, O'Ward, Antonelli, Norris, Russell, Lawson, Gasly, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Herta, Pérez, Bottas, Hadjar, Ricciardo, Albon, Ocon, Pourchaire, Bearman, Colapinto, Bortoleto

Antonelli under pressure from Norris for fifth place, but he's defending position well.

(PIA) "Feel like there's rain everywhere on the circuit now"

(BON) "Understood, Oscar. Currently P1, Charles 0.6 behind."

Leclerc having another look down the inside of Piastri for the lead, but Piastri holds him off again!

O'WARD

Superb defending from Piastri as Leclerc has another go down the inside but the Australian driver still leads the race!

LECLERC GOES FOR IT AGAIN, NUDGES IN FRONT BUT PIASTRI HOLDS FIRM AND STILL LEADS!

(LEC) "Arghh"

(BOZ) "Keep at it Charles, we can still get Oscar here."

Tsunoda with a brilliant move to take P10 off Verstappen and the crowd roars at that! They are definitely supporting the Japanese driver over the Japanese team here!

Tsunoda isn't settling as he goes up to ninth ahead of old friend Gasly! The fans love that! He then adds fastest lap into the bargain!

TSUNODA

Another attempt by Leclerc on Lap 18, and Piastri holds him off again!

GASLY

HADJAR AND PÉREZ MAKE CONTACT!!! Hadjar went for the overtake and sent the Alpine into the grass instead! Pérez furious on the radio!

CAR 6 (HADJAR)

Hadjar lands himself a penalty for that one, and...yeah. Hard to argue that one.

Piastri has opened himself up a gap for the first time today. He's up to 1.7 ahead of Leclerc.

Lap 20: Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, O'Ward, Norris, Antonelli, Russell, Lawson, Tsunoda, Gasly, Verstappen, Herta, Bottas, Ricciardo, Hadjar , Albon, Pourchaire, Ocon, Bearman, Pérez, Colapinto

BEARMAN RADIO "Engine seems off, it's, ah, not working well here"

Bearman having issues with his engine!

PITSTOPS: First stop of the day as Lawson comes in for a fresh set of Intermediates, but he has a slightly delay getting away! Hadjar comes in and serves his five second penalty, as well as getting new Ints and a new front wing. That pitstop took an age there and unsurprisingly he's 22nd and last.

PITSTOPS: Norris in from 5th! Gasly in, Verstappen in, Herta in, and they exit the pits in the same order. Norris now P8, Gasly P14, Verstappen P15, Herta P16.

PITSTOP: Sainz in! He's onto new Inta and down to P6. Russell also comes in but he has a delay on his tyres, Ricciardo in from P8 and back out of the points.

GASLY RADIO "Low on power"

(BON) "Box, box, Oscar. Box for new inters"

(PIA) "Copy box"

OH MY GOD IT IS A RED FLAG!!!

VERSTAPPEN LOCKS UP AND CRASHES STRAIGHT INTO GASLY, WITH THE CRASH COLLECTING BORTOLETO IN THE PROCESS!!! ALL THREE OUT OF THE RACE!!!

[sterile breach]

All that carrying Subaru has taken it's toll on Verstappen

[foggy locust]

Restart order on Lap 31: Piastri, Leclerc, Antonelli, Sainz, Norris, O'Ward, Lawson, Albon, Pourchaire, Tsunoda, Russell, Herta, Bottas, Ricciardo, Ocon, Colapinto, Hadjar, Pérez, Bearman. Bortoleto, Gasly and Verstappen out of the race.

[foggy locust]

A rare mistake in the rain for him as well

Glad to report that all three of Verstappen, Gasly and Bortoleto have walked away unhurt. A rare Verstappen mistake in the rain.

Piastri had just been called to box, but hadn't reached the pitlane yet so he retains the lead. Leclerc, Antonelli, Albon and Pourchaire will also get a free change of tyres.

Unsurprisingly, every driver except O'Ward, Russell, Ricciardo and Bearman, all of whom had just pit, changed their Tyres.

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO AGAIN

Piastri holds the lead again from Leclerc, Sainz and Norris follow, then Antonelli, Lawson up to 6th ahead of O'Ward, Pourchaire ahead of Albon, Tsunoda up to 10th!

Piastri's 2 plus second lead over Leclerc has been wiped put, and we go again for the lead of this race!

Leclerc goes down the inside of Piastri and the Champion leads, properly, for the first time today!

CAR 33 (VERSTAPPEN) - CAUSING A COLLISION

Verstappen lands a 10 second penalty, which will translate to a five place grid penalty in Singapore, as he obviously will not be classified today.

NORRIS

Piastri isn't done here as he goes down the inside of Leclerc and reclaims the lead of this race!

NORRIS OVERTAKES SAINZ, AND IT LOOKS LIKE HE PUSHED HIM WIDE TO DO IT!

SAINZ RADIO "Lando, come on, what are you doing"

Meanwhile Charles Leclerc retakes the lead from Oscar Piastri!!

Tsunoda ahead of Albon and into ninth!

Sainz regains P3 from Norris!

It is very much a four car race for the victory here! Leclerc opening up a bit of a gap now though to the chasing pack!

As the rain continues to pour down, Piastri is back in Leclerc's wing mirrors, but the Champion holds firm for now.

(BOZ) "And you can push now. Let's show them how it's done"

Leclerc attempting to check out here, Piastri is trying to keep up, but Leclerc now 1.3 ahead!

LECLERC

Norris retakes P3 from Sainz! He really wants that podium today!

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR CALLED!!

Pérez goes aquaplaning at turn 9, and his race is over! That Alpine is in the barrier!

PÉREZ RADIO "I'm okay. S---. Sorry guys"

Lap 41, under VSC: Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Sainz, Antonelli, Lawson, O'Ward, Pourchaire, Tsunoda, Russell, Albon, Bottas, Herta, Ricciardo, Ocon, Hadjar, Colapinto, Bearman. Pérez, Bortoleto, Gasly and Verstappen out of the race.

Piastri has closed the gap to 1.1. He's not giving this race up without a fight.

Lap 46 and Piastri is in the wing mirrors of Leclerc!

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

Lap 48: Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Sainz, Antonelli, Lawson, O'Ward, Tsunoda, Pourchaire, Albon, Russell. Bottas, Herta, Ricciardo, Hadjar, Ocon, Colapinto, Bearman

A train formed from Aston to Aston - Tsunoda, Pourchaire, Albon, Russell and Bottas. As it stands, Tsunoda. Pourchaire and Albon are in the points.

Piastri makes an attempt on the lead and nudges in front but Leclerc takes it back!

Antonelli takes Fourth off Sainz!

Two laps to go and Leclerc is still holding Piastri off for the race win, Piastri is on the attack here though!

LAST LAP

Leclerc is holding firm here, Piastri pushing him all the way, but he's not managed to get the overtake done! Piastri has another go but Leclerc defends again!

The Ferraris go wheel to wheel and Leclerc emerges in front once more!

PIASTRI HAS ONE MORE ATTEMPT BUT LECLERC HOLDS HIM OFF, ROUND THE LAST CHICANE AND THE LAST CORNER, AND CHARLES LECLERC HOLDS ON TO WIN THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX!!!

(BOZ) "That's the flag, that's P1, thirteenth win of the season! Incredible, Charles!"

(LEC) "Let's goooo! Good to be on top, good effort everyone! One more for the Championship now."

(BOZ) "Just need one more. Great effort today!"

(BON) "And that's P2, fantastic effort Oscar. You did very well today. Great effort."

(PIA) "Thank you very much. Ah, I thought I could get him but couldn't quite get him at the end. Onto Singapore"

(BON) "We'll keep pushing until the last, mate."

Norris P3, Antonelli P4, Sainz P5, Lawson 6th, O'Ward 7th

Tsunoda gets 8th on home soil! Pourchaire P20 to P9, and Albon gets his first point of the year!!!

2028 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.26.12
2. Oscar Piastri +0.478
3. Lando Norris +4.759
4. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +3.259
5. Carlos Sainz +0.439
6. Liam Lawson +0.236
7. Pato O'Ward +4.566
8. Yuki Tsunoda +0.475
9. Théo Pourchaire +0.037
10. Alex Albon +3.702
11. George Russell +3.571
12. Valtteri Bottas +0.585
13. Daniel Ricciardo +6.809
14. Isack Hadjar +0.244
15. Colton Herta +6.049
16. Esteban Ocon +2.108
17. Franco Colapinto +4.746
18. Oliver Bearman +22.583
19. Sergio Pérez DNF
20. Gabriel Bortoleto DNF
21. Pierre Gasly DNF
22. Max Verstappen DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: YUKI TSUNODA

A superb showing from Yuki Tsunoda in his home race, battling his way into the points and holding off four other drivers to secure P8. Yuki Tsunoda is your Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Tsunoda, Leclerc, Pourchaire, Piastri, Albon

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Charles Leclerc 1.34.784

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Pato O'Ward 2.112s

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇲🇨 Leclerc 437
🇦🇺 Piastri 310
🇪🇸 Sainz 214
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 163
🇳🇱 Verstappen 146
🇺🇸 Herta 130
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 99
🇮🇹 Antonelli 97
🇫🇮 Bottas 78
🇲🇽 O'Ward 64
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 53
🇫🇷 Gasly 37
🇳🇿 Lawson 21
🇲🇽 Perez 19
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 18
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 4
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 2
🇹🇭 Albon 1
🇫🇷 Ocon 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0

2028 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 747
Red Bull-Ford 377
Mercedes 227
Aston Martin-Honda 177
Subaru-Honda 150
McLaren-Mercedes 101
Williams-Ferrari 54
Alpine-Renault 40
Audi 18
Andretti-Ferrari 2
Haas-Ford 0

2028 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 1074
Pirelli 536
Goodyear 283

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION

Red Bull 315
Ferrari 249
McLaren 228
Subaru 167
Aston Martin 157
Williams 132
Alpine 126
Andretti 125
Mercedes 124
Audi 85
Haas 9

[foggy locust]

SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2028
WEEKEND PREVIEW

With just four rounds remaining of the 2028 Formula 1 season, we head to Marina Bay and the Singapore Grand Prix, and we could see the crowning of a World Champion this weekend. Oscar Piastri must outscore Charles Leclerc by 13 points or more to keep the title battle alive into Saudi Arabia, or it is the fourth World Drivers Championship title for Charles Leclerc.

LAST TIME AROUND

It was a close race between Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri in the Suzuka rain, with Leclerc holding Piastri off for victory, while Lando Norris joined them on the podium. Kimi Antonelli took a superb fourth with Carlos Sainz fifth, while Yuki Tsunoda's Driver of the Day performance landed him P8 on home soil. There were also points for Lawson, O'Ward, Pourchaire and a first point of the season for Alex Albon. Max Verstappen crashed into Pierre Gasly, which collected up Gabriel Bortoleto in the process, ending the race of all three men, something Verstappen will take a penalty for in Singapore.

THE CIRCUIT

Home of Formula 1's first ever night race and Round 18 of the 2028 Formula 1 Championship, it is 20 years since we first raced around the streets of Singapore on the Marina Bay Circuit. At 4.940 km and 63 laps, the Marina Bay is an unforgiving, grueling challenge, where overtaking is incredibly difficult, and a Safety Car or two is almost inevitable. The heat and humidity generally leads to F1 drivers losing between 2 to 4 kilograms in body weight, and most drivers call this the most difficult race of the season. We are expecting rain on both Saturday and Sunday, making the challenge even higher. Located in the Downtown Core and Kallang beside the Marina Bay, the Singapore Grand Prix sees a mix of Medium Speed Cornering and those ever-lurking barriers.

THE PERMUTATIONS

Charles Leclerc wins the Championship if:
Leclerc finishes ahead of Piastri.
Neither driver scores points.
Piastri finishes in the points ahead of Leclerc, but doesn't fulfill the requirements needed to keep the title race going.

Oscar Piastri keeps the title fight alive if:
Piastri wins the race with fastest lap AND Pole (27), with either of them (26) or without them (25) and Leclerc finishes fourth (12/13/14) or below.
Piastri finishes second with both Pole and FL (20) and Leclerc finishes eighth or below (6)
Piastri finishes second with either Pole and FL (19) and Leclerc finishes eighth or below (6) but does not get Pole or FL (7).
Piastri finishes second without Pole or FL (18) and Leclerc finishes ninth or below (4) and doesn't get both Pole and FL (6).
Piastri finishes third with Pole and FL (17) and Leclerc finishes eighth or below (4).
Piastri finishes third with one of Pole or FL (16) and Leclerc finishes ninth or below (2 or 3).
Piastri finishes third without Pole or FL (15) and Leclerc finishes ninth or below without Pole or FL (2), or tenth and below without both Pole and FL (3).
Piastri finishes fourth with Pole and FL (14) and Leclerc finishes 10th or below without Pole or FL (1).
Piastri finishes fourth with one of Pole or FL (13) and Leclerc doesn't score.
If Piastri finishes fourth without Pole or FL (12), or fifth or lower (10/11/12), Leclerc is Champion.

STORIES WE ARE FOLLOWING THIS WEEKEND

CAN LECLERC CLOSE OUT THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

The pressure is on at the confirmed Constructed Champions for this year - as their two drivers battle for the Drivers Championship of the World, and it is match point, Championship point for Charles Leclerc. With a range of different outcomes sealing his title this weekend, Leclerc's most simple one is finishing ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri. Leclerc has 13 wins to Piastri's 3 and it has been a truly dominant season for the Monegasque driver, but in the rain and humidity of Singapore, anything can truly happen. Leclerc has only won once here before - last year - but keeping the car high enough in the points would be enough for him this weekend. Can he take home his fourth World Championship around the streets of Singapore, or will Oscar Piastri take it to at least Saudi Arabia?

CAN OPPORTUNITY BECKON BEHIND THE SCUDERIA?

Behind Ferrari, several teams may fancy their chances on a circuit that isn't as suited to the SF-28 - and it is a circuit we have seen Ferrari struggle on before. Max Verstappen won this race in 2024 and 2026 and this circuit may be his best opportunity for a while to end his drought and take home a race win, one that's lasted almost two years now. Williams and McLaren, surprisingly have disappointed this season but both brought upgrades last weekend with the view of maximising their points this weekend - could either of them shock the field? Red Bull, Aston Martin and Mercedes all have potential eyes on a huge result too this weekend - could we see a first time winner? This could be a massive intriguing race for the chasing pack, with Ferrari's eyes on the Drivers’ title fight.

WITH RAIN AND THOSE BARRIERS, CAN ANY OF THE BACKMARKERS SCORE CRUCIAL POINTS?

It might also be a race that Audi, Andretti and Haas are targeting. As the bottom three teams, they've found points incredibly hard to come by, but by avoiding the chaos and keeping their cool in Singapore, is this a chance for any of the three to score some crucial points and move up in the Championship? Audi find themselves 22 points behind Alpine, Andretti are 16 behind them, Haas have yet to score but remain just two points off Andretti. This may well be the golden opportunity these three teams have waited upon.

And so we head to Singapore and Marina Bay. Rain, Formula 1's original night race, those fearsome barriers and the overwhelming heat and humidity. One thing's for sure - you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Grant (Sainz), Araya (Antonelli), Minì (Lawson), Montoya (Bortoleto), Aron (Pourchaire), Barnard (Bottas), Shwartzman (Verstappen), Gademan (Bearman)

[foggy locust]

FP1: SHW NOR MIN
LEC P20, PIA P21

In a surprise turn of events, Subaru reserve Robert Shwartzman was quickest in first practice, ahead of Lando Norris and Gabriele Minì. Héctor Araya was fourth, with Taylor Barnard fifth in a fantastic showing for the rookies. Ricciardo sixth ahead of O'Ward, with F3 Champion Chloe Grant eighth, while Isack Hadjar and Colton Herta completed the top ten. P20 and P21 for Leclerc and Piastri, neither of whom completed a lap on the Softs.

FP2: LEC ANT PIA

Leclerc back quickest in FP2 with Antonelli splitting the Ferraris, and Piastri third. Bearman fourth with O'Ward fifth. Lawson and Perez sixth and seventh, while Pourchaire, Gasly and Verstappen complete the top ten.

Verstappen is taking a grid penalty this weekend BTW, for the three car crash in Japan.

FP3, and quite a few teams have waited out the rain. With Qualifying and the race in the rain to come, be interesting to see how that affects the teams who have gone out on the Wets.

FP3: SAI LEC PIA

Sainz quickest in final practice, just 0.005 ahead of Leclerc, with Piastri third. Herta 4th and Tsunoda 5th, with Russell sixth, Lawson seventh and Bottas eighth. Gasly and Verstappen round off the top ten.

Well, here we go in Singapore. A truly fascinating Qualifying session awaits us, with the rain holding off - for now - but it won't hold off this entire session. And with a mixed bag in practice, one mistake can cost you big time. Anyone's game? Could well be.

WE HAVE A RED FLAG ALREADY IN Q1!!!

That's the Andretti of Gabriel Bortoleto in the barrier! His Qualifying is over and may end the dry weather running before it even begins!!

BORTOLETO RADIO "I'm OK. I don't actually know what happened"

OUT IN Q1: Ricciardo, Albon, Pérez, Ocon, Colapinto, Bortoleto
Bubble: Lawson
Top Five: PIA, VER, LEC, NOR, HER

After Gabriel Bortoleto's early Q1 crash, that ruled out any running in dry weather, and his teammate Ricciardo, the Willians of Albon, Perez in the Alpine and both Haas drivers went out in Q1. Antonelli needed a late lap to make it through, as Lawson got through on the bubble. Piastri quickest from Verstappen and Leclerc.

OUT IN Q2: Sainz, Gasly, Hadjar, Herta, O'Ward, Bottas
Bubble: Pourchaire
Top Five: PIA, LEC, VER, RUS, TSU

Both Leclerc and Piastri needed a late lap to get into the top ten but Piastri went quickest ahead of Leclerc. Sainz 11th with Gasly 12th, while Hadjar and Herta also exited, as well as O'Ward and Bottas. A couple of dark horse contenders for Pole are out. Verstappen the quickest non Ferrari, Russell and Tsunoda follow, Norris, Bearman, Antonelli, Lawson and Pourchaire all into the Q3 shootout.

Q3: Piastri, Tsunoda, Verstappen , Leclerc, Russell, Pourchaire, Norris, Bearman, Antonelli, Lawson

Oscar Piastri takes Pole Position and is doing everything he can to keep the title fight going. Yuki Tsunoda is on the front row, with Verstappen dropping down from 3rd, and Leclerc being promoted to 3rd. Russell and Pourchaire also get a bump up, and we wait to see on Norris and Bearman. Antonelli and Lawson take the fifth row.

2028 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

PIA TSU

LEC RUS

POU NOR

BEA VER

ANT LAW

SAI GAS

HAD HER

OWA BOT

RIC ALB

PER OCO

COL BOR

Five Place Grid Penalty for Verstappen - QUAL P3

Quick half hour or so break to charge the phone! Back soon for race!

[foggy locust]

More tired than I thought I was so I'm gonna do the race tomorrow evening I think!

[jaunty knoll]

Seeing an aston on the front row is a pleasing sight 😂

[foggy locust]

They've been low-key having a very solid season this year

[foggy locust]

Well, here we go. Round 18 of the 2028 Formula 1 season comes to Singapore's Marina Bay, and it can all be decided tonight. If Oscar Piastri doesn't outscore Charles Leclerc by 12 points tonight, we have a brand new Champion of the World. But with 62 laps of this 4.940km circuit ahead of us, and with some rain likely in play midway through the race, we have a truly fascinating Singapore Grand Prix. The barriers are lurking and a Safety Car - or two - is likely tonight.

Gabriel Bortoleto had a Q1 crash so he starts at the back alongside Franco Colapinto, Esteban Ocon and Sergio Pérez find themselves on row ten, they of course had an infamous coming together here as teammates many years ago. Alex Albon begins from 18th with Daniel Ricciardo 17th, then it's Valtteri Bottas and Pato O'Ward on row eight. Colton Herta begins 14th, just behind Isack Hadjar, while Pierre Gasly and former winner back in 2023, Carlos Sainz are on row six. Liam Lawson starts from 10th with Kimi Antonelli 9th, then it's the two Subarus. Max Verstappen drops to eighth after a five place penalty for causing a collision at Suzuka, he's just behind teammate Ollie Bearman. Lando Norris lines up 6th with Théo Pourchaire beginning 5th, it's 4th for George Russell and Champion-elect Charles Leclerc lines up 3rd, which would win him the title if he finishes there tonight. Yuki Tsunoda on the front row and it's Pole for Oscar Piastri, who must outscore Leclerc by 12 or more to keep the title fight alive.

Let's go racing in Singapore!

As the cars tear round for the formation lap, we are expecting some rain midway through this race. Could make for an intriguing two stopper. Both Ferraris are opting for the Hards, looks like they're trying to stick it out until the rain comes.

The lights are on, one, two, three, four, five...AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Piastri is away well, so is Leclerc who is pushing Tsunoda and gets past Tsunoda for position! It is a Ferrari 1-2!!

HERTA AND GASLY MAKE CONTACT!!! BOTH CARS LOOK LIKE THEY'VE TAKEN DAMAGE AND HAVE SLOWED THE PACK BEHIND THEM!!

HERTA RADIO "What was he doing there, that was my corner"

GASLY RADIO "I got hit, got a lot of damage"

LECLERC

PITSTOP: Herta is pitting on the opening lap! He takes on Soft tyres from Mediums, which...is a choice. Probably all he had available!

SAFETY CAR CALLED!!!

IT IS ALL HAPPENING ALREADY. DANIEL RICCIARDO IS IN THE WALL, AND THAT HAS BROUGHT OUT AN EARLY SAFETY CAR.

Ricciardo's car is blocking the road, this has got to be a Red Flag...IT IS.

RED FLAG CALLED, RACE STOPPED ON LAP 2.

RICCIARDO RADIO "I'm okay. Sorry guys, misjudged that."

(BOZ) "Red Flag on Lap 2, Red Flag."

(LEC) "Everyone okay?"

(BOZ) "Yeah, Ricciardo is unhurt, everyone's okay. You know the procedure."

(LEC) "Should we change tyres?"

(BOZ) "We can go to Plan C, yes"