Essere Ferrari II

[foggy locust]

It's time for Qualifying here in Austin! For a while we weren't sure whether this race was going ahead, but it is, and we are excited to see what the Circuit of the Americas brings us this weekend. Ferrari look fastest as per usual, but Subaru, Aston, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes all might find themselves in contention.

OUT IN Q1: Maloney , Antonelli, Hadjar, Bortoleto, Lawson, Ricciardo
Bubble: Pérez
Top Five: LEC, PIA, VER, SAI, BEA

Another shocker for Williams as both Antonelli and Hadjar are out in Q1, the pressure is going up on Lawson and Bortoleto who both exit in Q1. Maloney will take a penalty and drop to 20th, Ricciardo starts last. Leclerc quickest from Piastri who took two tries at it, Verstappen, Sainz and Bearman follow.

OUT IN Q2: Tsunoda, Pourchaire, Colapinto, Bearman, Pérez, Gasly
Bubble: Ocon
Top Five: PIA, NOR, LEC, SAI, RUS

Six different teams lose one driver and eight teams have at least one driver through to Q3 - Ferrari and Red Bull have both. Tsunoda just misses out by 0.092, while Pourchaire and Colapinto were close behind. Bearman, Pérez and Gasly also exit. Piastri quickest from Norris and Leclerc, while Sainz and Russell were next. Bottas, Verstappen, O'Ward, Herta and Ocon all through to Q3.

Q3: Piastri, Leclerc, Bottas, Sainz , Norris, Verstappen, Herta, Ocon, O'Ward, Russell

Piastri takes his second consecutive Pole with a blistering final lap, beating out Leclerc by just 0.089. This is the first front row lockout of the season for Ferrari. Bottas third, while Sainz qualifies fourth but takes a penalty and drops three spots, promoting Norris, Verstappen and Herta, for his home GP, up one. Ocon 8th in Haas' home GP, O'Ward 9th on a circuit he's familiar with, Russell 10th.

2029 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

PIA LEC

BOT NOR

VER HER

SAI OCO

OWA RUS

TSU POU

COL BEA

PER GAS

ANT HAD

BOR MAL

LAW RIC

It's time to go racing here in Texas. There's rainclouds in the air, we are expecting some midway through this race, and it could make for a very intriguing afternoon indeed. 56 laps, 5.513km, its one of the longer laps of the season, 20 turns and 2 DRS Zones, which may not come into play for very long today with that looming rain.

Daniel Ricciardo starts at the very back alongside Liam Lawson, then it's Zane Maloney taking a penalty to drop to P20, Gabriel Bortoleto promoted to 19th. The two Williams both move up one and occupy row nine, Isack Hadjar just behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Pierre Gasly down in 16th and 15th for Sergio Pérez, then it's Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto on the seventh row. Théo Pourchaire starts 12th and Yuki Tsunoda is 11th, George Russell starts just inside the top ten alongside Pato O'Ward. Esteban Ocon is four for four on Q3, he starts 8th with Carlos Sainz taking a penalty to drop to 7th, that promotes Colton Herta to sixth and Max Verstappen to fifth on row three. Lando Norris starts 4th for the second race in a row after former teammate Sainz's penalty so he's alongside Valtteri Bottas, and for the first time this season, a Ferrari front row lockout. Charles Leclerc lines up second for the first time this season, it is a second Pole in a row for Oscar Piastri.

Let's race in Texas!

As the cars line up on the grid, we have five lights about to go out...

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Piastri away well and holds firm, Leclerc settles in behind him, then Bottas, Verstappen ahead of Norris, Herta sixth, then Sainz, Ocon, O'Ward, Tsunoda ahead of Russell!

POURCHAIRE LOCKS UP GOING INTO TURN 10, but he looks like he's gotten away with it!

Leclerc with a lovely overtake on Piastri on the very first lap, and he leads the race already!

LECLERC

(BON) "Let's go for it here, you can take this back"

(PIA) "Yeah, copy"

Piastri on the attack, Leclerc on the defence, the two Ferraris go wheel to wheel but Leclerc holds him off!

Piastri retakes the lead on Lap 4! A lovely move on the inside of Leclerc who has to relent and the Australian leads the race again!

Sainz down the inside of Norris and the Red Bull is up to P5!

Leclerc chasing Piastri on lap 6 now, about 0.844 between the two, Leclerc will have DRS.

Maloney spins off!!! He's able to correct it quickly so doesn't lose any track position, but loses some time.

Sainz meanwhile gets Verstappen for P4!

(LEC) "The rain is starting"

(BOZ) "Copy Charles, we'll let you know when we think it's enough to box"

In the meantime, Leclerc has retaken the lead of this race!

Norris has come back and overtaken both Sainz and Verstappen in quick succession!

Quick pause for IRL thing, brb

[foggy locust]

Back Racing!

🌧️ The rain is coming down, but not as heavily as anyone suspected right now.

Sainz with a superb move to take third off Bottas!

Piastri is going for the lead, and Piastri leads the US GP on Lap 14!

Tsunoda has battled his way through the pack, having overtaken Russell, O'Ward and Ocon, he's now going for sixth from Verstappen...

Tsunoda takes sixth place! Lovely wee move with DRS assistance!

(LEC) "Tyres are falling away a lot here. A lot a lot."

(BOZ) "Okay Charles, we will box soon. Couple of laps yet."

PITSTOPS: Sainz and Ocon first to come in for the intermediates, and Ocon has a delay!!! Might that cost him chances at points today?

(BOZ) "Box Charles, box this lap"

(LEC) "Copy box"

PITSTOPS: Everyone bar Piastri, Leclerc, Verstappen and Bortoleto have now pit for intermediates! The rain is still coming down but not too heavily yet!

PITSTOP: Leclerc in for the intermediates, as is Verstappen! Piaatri going one more lap!

(BON) "Box this lap, we think it's time for new inters."

(PIA) "Alrighty. Box."

PITSTOPS: Piastri and Bortoleto in, and Bortoleto has a delay as the car catches on the jack! Leclerc's time was 2.289s, Piastri in and it's a 2.101! He should keep the lead off that!

Piastri rejoins, 2.6 ahead of Leclerc, but he'll have to warm up those tyres quickly!

(BON) "Let's just make sure and keep these tyres in good nick"

(PIA) "Yeah, copy"

🌧️ :FIA: The track condition officially now upgraded to "damp".

Ocon gets ahead of Bearman and into 10th!

Bortoleto complaining about power in that Andretti. Not sure that car had much to begin with, but his Ford engine is struggling right now.

Piastri about 3.2 up on Leclerc right now.

Verstappen now up to 5th ahead of Norris, and trying to claw back an advantage to Sainz!

Tsunoda and Russell going wheel to wheel for several corners! Tsunoda gets the racing line and Russell has to yield position!

Lap 27: Piastri, Leclerc, Bottas, Sainz, Verstappen, Norris, Tsunoda, Russell, Herta, Ocon, Gasly, Bearman, O'Ward, Lawson, Colapinto, Pourchaire, Antonelli, Pérez, Ricciardo, Maloney, Bortoleto, Hadjar

(BON) "Talk to me about track conditions?"

(PIA) "Seems to be drying very quickly. Could be close."

Russell retakes position from Tsunoda!

PITSTOP: Russell taking a gamble! He pits for a fresh set of intermediates! Will this pay off for the Red Bull? He's down to 12th as it stands.

Verstappen with the overtake! He goes ahead of Sainz and into 4th!

Russell up to P11 as he overtakes Gasly!

PITSTOP: Colapinto in, and trying for the new tyres effect. Antonelli in not long after.

PITSTOPS: Sainz and Tsunoda both come in dor new Ints! Hadjar in as well at the back of the pack. Sainz rejoins 7th, Tsunoda now 12th.

Russell overtakes Bearman and he's up to 9th!

A second Red Bull passing a Mercedes in a matter of moments, as Sainz is now 6th ahead of Herta!

Tsunoda locks up while getting ahead of Gasly! He keeps position but that won't have helped his tyres!

PITSTOPS: Gasly is in for a fresh set of Ints, as is Pourchaire.

PITSTOPS: Bottas in for fresh ints from 3rd! Ocon in too, as Mercedes double stack Herta and Bearman, and Lawson comes in too!

(BOZ) "Box now, box"

(LEC) "Yeah, copy, pit confirm"

PITSTOP: Verstappen in for Ints and he will concede third! Can he make it back up though? He rejoins in 7th.

(BON) "And we will box next lap"

(PIA) "Copy box"

(BON) "New inter"

PITSTOPS: Leclerc in for new inters! He will rejoin P2 after a 2.362s stop. Norris also comes in for his final stop of the day.

Piastri is in traffic, which is exactly where he doesn't want to be while pitting! He is in...

PITSTOP: A 2.296 stop for Piastri, and the gap is now 4.2 to Leclerc!

10 laps remaining, and the closest battle on track is for 14th and 15th.

Tsunoda and Norris seperated by about 0.4 now, this is the fight for Seventh. Tsunoda holding Norris off.

Six seconds between Piastri and Leclerc. This has been a sensational performance from the Australian.

(BOZ) "Eight laps left, you can push fully now."

(LEC) "Copy"

O'Ward goes aquaplaning and spins! He slides off the track, and has dropped down from 13th to 17th! Rough day for Audi, who won't be scoring points today!

Ocon followed him off the circuit! He's back on in tenth but has lost a ton of time - has this opened the door for Bearman?

This race has chosen the last few laps to start doing things. Pérez the latest to spin off!

Right at the end we have a fight for the podium! Bottas being challenged by Sainz for P3!

Lap 53: Piastri, Leclerc, Bottas, Sainz, Verstappen, Russell, Norris, Tsunoda, Herta, Ocon, Gasly, Bearman, Antonelli, Pourchaire, Lawson, Colapinto, Pérez, Maloney, Hadjar, Bortoleto, Ricciardo

Bottas putting some distance between himself and Sainz, and that likely settles that!

LAST LAP

It has been an absolutely dominant performance in the rain by Oscar Piastri today, who is on for his second win of the season and is going top of the Championship by a single point, the title fight is truly on already this year, he rounds the final corner AND OSCAR PIASTRI WINS THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX!!! P2 FOR CHARLES LECLERC, DOMINANCE FROM FERRARI AGAIN.

(BON) "What an amazing drive! Well done, Oscar!"

(PIA) "Very nicely done, everyone! That was a good race, enjoyed that a lot! We're off to a great start this year. Good job."

(BON) "Brilliant job today. Second win of the season. We're in this already."

(BOZ) "And P2, P2. Great effort today, good job Charles."

(LEC) "Nice one guys. Good job, congrats to Oscar today. We'll come back stronger in Canada."

(BOZ) "Good job today."

Bottas takes the podium, ahead of Sainz and Verstappen in 4th and 5th! Russell 6th, that early gamble paid off, Norris seventh, Tsunoda eighth, Herta ninth in his home race, Ocon gets a point for Haas on home soil too!

2029 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 1.38.00
2. Charles Leclerc +3.634
3. Valtteri Bottas +41.371
4. Carlos Sainz +47.479
5. Max Verstappen +50.516
6. George Russell +58.545
7. Lando Norris +62.199
8. Yuki Tsunoda +70.733
9. Colton Herta +71.772
10. Esteban Ocon +80.583
11. Pierre Gasly +83.512
12. Oliver Bearman +83.856
13. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +1 lap
14. Théo Pourchaire +1 lap
15. Pato O'Ward +1 lap
16. Liam Lawson +1 lap
17. Franco Colapinto +1 lap
18. Sergio Pérez +1 lap
19. Zane Maloney +1 lap
20. Isack Hadjar +1 lap
21. Gabriel Bortoleto +1 lap
22. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap

Charles Leclerc 1.38.771
Pierre Gasly 2.007s
Oscar Piastri

DRIVER OF THE DAY: OSCAR PIASTRI

An incredible showing from Oscar Piastri, becoming the first driver this season to win from Pole Position in comfortable style in the rain. Piastri goes top of the Championship and earns the Driver of the Day award in the process!

Top Five: Piastri, Russell, Bottas, Ocon, Tsunoda

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 90
🇲🇨 Leclerc 89
🇫🇮 Bottas 50
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 39
🇪🇸 Sainz 38
🇳🇱 Verstappen 28
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 22
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 20
🇺🇸 Herta 13
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 7
🇫🇷 Gasly 6
🇫🇷 Ocon 5
🇲🇽 O'Ward 4
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 1
🇮🇹 Antonelli 0
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 179
Aston Martin-Honda 89
Red Bull-Ford 58
Subaru-Honda 29
McLaren-Mercedes 28
Mercedes 20
Haas-Ferrari 5
Audi 4
Williams-Ferrari 0
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 236
Pirelli 151
Goodyear 25

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2029

McLaren 74
Ferrari 64
Red Bull 56
Subaru 45
Aston Martin 36
Williams 32
Alpine 28
Mercedes 27
Audi 23
Andretti 19
Haas 0

[humble totem]

Nice you are still posting your save
Hope all is well with you mate
Just checking in on your mate 👍

[foggy locust]

Aw thanks mate! I appreciate that. I'm okay, been dealing with some chronic health stuff (nothing life threatening but it is hurting my ability to work rn), but apart from that, just keeping on best I can. Hope you're well too mate

And yeah, save is still going strong in season 6 haha

[foggy locust]

🌧️ Rain expected for Canada this coming weekend on the Saturday and Sunday.

Sprint weekend. Uh oh.

[foggy locust]

TSUNODA IN DEMAND FOR POTENTIAL MOVE

Yuki Tsunoda is in his contract season at Aston Martin, and his impressive start to the year has caught the attention of both McLaren and Mercedes, who could well enter a bidding war to sign the Japanese driver.

Tsunoda is said to be happy at Aston Martin, who currently sit second in the Championship, but the allure of a potential move to one of Formula 1's traditional "big teams" could be too much to pass up on.

McLaren have Pierre Gasly out of contract and look likely to look elsewhere for next year, while Colton Herta is said to be "50-50" on staying at Mercedes, and indeed in Formula 1, with talks of a potential move back to IndyCar. Tsunoda is said to be the top target for both teams if they make a change in their driver lineup, while Aston have been said to want to retain him.

This will be a fascinating one to watch going forward.

CANADIAN GRAND PRIX 2029
WEEKEND PREVIEW

We head to Montreal for our first Sprint of the season, and with rain looming, and potential chaos in play, this could be a truly fascinating weekend. The Return of F2 this weekend, as well as Groundhogs, the Wall of Champions, a Sprint and rain. It's Round 5, it's Canada, what does it have in store?

LAST TIME OUT

A rainy weekend in Austin saw Oscar Piastri take home his second win of the season, coming home three seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, and with two Poles to one, go top of the Championship table by a single point. Valtteri Bottas won out the battle for the podium behind the Ferraris ahead of Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen. The fight for second in the Constructors is already heating up between Aston Martin and Red Bull, while Subaru jumped to fourth ahead of McLaren and Mercedes.

THE CIRCUIT

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a 4.361 km circuit that finds itself on the Notre Dame Island in the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal, Quebec. It is immediately east to Saint Helen's Island, and the two Islands combined make up the Parc Jean-Drapeau. The namesake of the Circuit, Gilles Villeneuve, won the first Formula 1 race ever held here in 1978 for Ferrari, and they named the circuit after him in 1982. Since then, it has held the Canadian Grand Prix every year bar 1987, 2009, 2020 and 2021. Almost half of the track, from the hairpin turn until just after the pitlane, runs alongside the Olympic Basin, which was created for the rowing and canoeing events of the 1976 Olympic Games held in Montreal. Well famous for the numerous invasions of the local Groundhogs, and the Wall of Champions, which Oscar Piastri found himself inaugurated into during the Sprint a couple of years ago. It earned its name after yhe 1999 race, where former World Champions Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve all crashed into the wall over the course of that weekend. It has seen several Champions crash into it - current World Champion Charles Leclerc and former World Champions Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button have all fallen victim to the wall before. With a Sprint and rain expected on both Saturday and Sunday, “Chaos in Canada” may be abound once more.

THE STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

HOW WILL THE SPRINT, AND THE RAIN, AFFECT PREPARATION THIS WEEKEND?

This should be a truly intriguing weekend due to the rain, and due to the number of tyres available, there may be some strategies involved, and in some cases, some sacrifices of the Sprint itself to focus on the main race, and qualifying on Saturday. With just five intermediate tyres and two wets, rain isn't expected on the Friday, meaning a dry Sprint Qualifying, but for the Sprint itself, qualifying later in the day, and race day on Sunday, how will teams manage their tyre allocation? That could be vital over the course of this weekend to deciding the fate of the race.

CHAMPIONSHIP TRULY ON ALREADY

We have the makings of a truly exciting Drivers’ Championship battle this season. So far, Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri have split the race wins two to two, they've split fastest lap two to two - ironically, it has been the Driver in second place who has taken the fastest lap - and due to the Pole Position bonus points, Piastri leads two to one on that, with Carlos Sainz taking Pole in Melbourne, so it is a one point advantage for the Australian. The defending Champion and his teammate have gotten on extremely well since Piastri arrived at Ferrari to replace the retiring, outgoing eight time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, and Leclerc even jokingly “adopted” Piastri in 2024, but how will a truly tight Championship battle test their friendship on and off the track? At the end of the day, Drivers want to be World Champion. Leclerc now has four of them. Piastri wants his first. This should be very intriguing going forward.

CAN RED BULL PUT PRESSURE ON ASTON MARTIN?

Red Bull and Aston Martin have been so far Ferrari's closest challengers, albeit in different races, as Sainz put in the closest challenge in Melbourne, however Aston Martin capitalised on a Red Bull internal error in Mexico as Carlos Sainz crashed into George Russell. Russell has failed to finish two of the four races so far this season since joining the Austrian team, and Aston have capitalised. Red Bull find themselves 31 points behind the British Racing Green, albeit at a very early point in the season, and a lot of racing to go. Yuki Tsunoda and Valtteri Bottas have continued to work brilliantly as a team this year, and find themselves third and fourth in the Drivers Championship, as opposed to fifth and eighth for Sainz and Russell. Red Bull could do with a big weekend to put the pressure on, even at this early stage. This is a circuit that suits the Bulls car more than Aston’s, how will that play out?

SUBARU, MERCEDES AND McLAREN TO CHALLENGE FURTHER?

In the midfield, Subaru, McLaren and Mercedes are the three teams to watch out for, as all three teams are bringing upgrades to this weekend's race in the hopes of challenging further up the pack. Subaru are hoping for better from Théo Pourchaire who has had a tough start to life at the Japanese team, although he did score a point in Mexico City, while hoping to provide Max Verstappen with a race winning car. Meanwhile for McLaren, Lando Norris has been in the points every race so far, and Pierre Gasly landed points at Mexico - the hope is to push for a podium this weekend. Mercedes are also hoping to be in podium contention, with both drivers scoring well, albeit in the lower points, so far this season - their highlight was Herta's fifth in Australia. Can they push behind the top three in the Championship this weekend?

With a Sprint and rain, Canadian Chaos may be at its highest potential this weekend. And one thing's for sure - you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Grant (Russell)

Only one team opting for a Reserve Driver in this only practice on Friday - George Russell sits out in favour of young Scottish Red Bull junior Chloe Grant. Every other team, somewhat wisely, opting for their current driver pairing.

Ferrari have a new Underfloor this weekend - third weekend in a row where they've brought an upgrade to the F2029. How will that play out with the Sprint Weekend?

All three of these teams in the same boat - upgrades brought this weekend. Less time to adapt to them.

FP1: PIA LEC POU

A late lap for Piastri put him quickest ahead of Leclerc, but both Ferrari drivers seemed to struggle with setups throughout the session, how will that affect their weekends? Pourchaire third fastest ahead of Sainz and Red Bull junior Grant, while Verstappen was sixth behind both cars of his former team. Ocon seventh, with Tsunoda eighth, O'Ward ninth and Gasly tenth.

Practice Summary: Not really sure how much to take from that, aside from Ferrari being quickest. Subaru and Red Bull are probably next, Haas, Aston, McLaren and Audi all around the midfield. Wasn't the easiest session for Mercedes and they'll hope for better later today, Williams probably next quickest, then Alpine and Andretti at the back as usual.

Welcome to Montreal and the start of this Sprint Weekend, it's Friday (yeah, then Saturday Sunday what), and it is probably going to be the only fully dry competitive session we have all weekend. Ferrari were fastest but Subaru and Red Bull showed some real pace too, Haas, Aston, McLaren and Audi will all hope to be in the SQ3 mix, Mercedes and Williams have work to do, Alpine and Andretti have A LOT of work to do. How will this play out ahead of tomorrow?

OUT IN SQ1: Pérez, Maloney, Bortoleto, Hadjar, Ricciardo, Pourchaire
Bubble: Lawson
Top Five: PIA, LEC, SAI, NOR, BOT

Bearman, Colapinto, Maloney and Pérez all had late laps to try and get out of the bottom six, only Bearman and Colapinto could do so successfully, as Pérez got out of the bottom six then dropped back into it. Lawson just makes it to SQ2, as both Andrettis, Hadjar and Pourchaire, who has struggled so far at Subaru, also go out. Piastri quickest from Leclerc, Sainz, Norris and Bottas.

(LEC) "We were fine, right?"

(BOZ) "Charles...you are P1"

(LEC) "Copy that"

OUT IN SQ2: Herta, O'Ward, Bearman, Lawson, Antonelli, Colapinto
Bubble: Verstappen
Top Five: PIA, LEC, SAI, TSU, RUS

A tough Sprint weekend thus far for Mercedes as Herta and Bearman both go out in SQ2! O'Ward splits the Mercs, with Lawson, Antonelli and Colapinto also out. Verstappen sneaks through by 0.004! Leclerc with a stormer of a lap to go 7 tenths clear at the top ahead of Piastri, with Tsunoda splitting Sainz and Russell. Both McLarens of Norris and Gasly are through, as are Ocon and Bottas.

SQ3: Sainz, Piastri, Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Tsunoda, Bottas, Russell, Ocon, Gasly

Carlos Sainz claims the first Sprint Pole of the year, beating out the challenge of both Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc! Max Verstappen P4, with Lando Norris 5th. Yuki Tsunoda is just ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas in sixth and seventh, while George Russell settles for P8. Esteban Ocon 9th with compatriot and long ago former teammate Pierre Gasly 10th.

CANADIAN GRAND PRIX 2029
SPRINT STARTING GRID

SAI PIA

LEC VER

NOR TSU

BOT RUS

OCO GAS

HER OWA

BEA LAW

ANT COL

PER MAL

BOR HAD

RIC POU

Wee breather for a bit then Sprint and Qualifying in a little while!

[foggy locust]

It's time to go Sprinting here in Montreal, and it is wet, windy and it could potentially be very, very wild today. 23 laps around this 4.361km circuit await us and it has been raining all day, and will be more and more. The first Sprint of the season about to begin in less than ideal conditions here in Canada.

Théo Pourchaire starts at the very back alongside Daniel Ricciardo, then it's Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto on row ten, Zane Maloney starts his first F1 sprint from P19 with Sergio Pérez 18th, Franco Colapinto and Kimi Antonelli are on the eighth row, while it's Liam Lawson 14th and a 13th place start for Ollie Bearman. Pato O'Ward lines up P12 and Colton Herta, just north of his home country, starts 11th. Pierre Gasly alongside long ago former teammate and compatriot Esteban Ocon on row five, George Russell lines up eighth behind the two Astons, it's Valtteri Bottas seventh and Yuki Tsunoda sixth, Lando Norris starts from fifth. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, former title rivals and one day could be again, are on the second row, Championship leader Oscar Piastri lines up on the front row and it is the first Sprint Pole of the season, and it goes to Carlos Sainz.

Tyre choice is going to be fascinating here. Right now, it's Inters conditions. But the Wets will likely be the better tyre after the first few laps. Do you gamble on the Ints and try and build a massive gap in laps 1-3? Or stick with the Wets and wait for the rain to come in, but have to pit?

Let's go racing in Montreal!

You can forget the tyre issue. Every single driver has opted for full Wets.

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

Sainz has held position to begin with, Piastri stays ahead of Leclerc, then Verstappen, Tsunoda ahead of Norris, Russell gets ahead of Bottas, Ocon ninth, Herta is into the top ten

PIASTRI

Sainz is defending Piastri fantastically well and they've gotten away from Leclerc a little bit, Leclerc closing the gap though now on Lap 2!

Piastri down the inside of Sainz and into the lead!!

(LEC) "Tyres are overheating a lot already"

(BOZ) "Copy, do your best to cool them on the next few laps. We're expecting Class 4 rain on the next laps."

Leclerc overtakes Sainz and he's up to second in the race! He's trying to chase down Piastri for the lead!

(BON) "How is visibility?"

(PIA) "Really really bad, it's particularly bad in the first sector, clearer a little bit towards the end of the lap, but yeah. It's bad."

🌧️ It is absolutely teeming it down here in Montreal. We're about to go into full Wets weather now, those Wet tyres should grip better over the next few laps.

TRACK CONDITION HAS CHANGED TO WET

Almost a second vetween Piastri and Leclerc at the moment, but Piastri seemingly getting more and more traction in the wet than his teammate.

(BON) "Tyre update so far?"

(PIA) "Feel okay so far, yeah, little bit of deg but should be better now with the rain. Visibility still very bad though."

With the weather getting heavier, degradation seems to have settled down a bit.

Piastri opening up the gap to Leclerc here, now 1.5 between the challenger and the Champion.

Russell has a lock-up! He's lucky to avoid the barrier, but just goes over the gravel and holds onto P7!

The weather proving tricky. Bearman slides wide, but he's able to stay on course. Remains P12.

(BOZ) "How are your tyres?"

(LEC) "They're fine, leave me to it please"

(BON) "Oscar we need you to push, tyres are underheating right now"

(PIA) "Okay"

Both Ferraris seem to be struggling with underheating of the tyres now. Piastri about 1.8 ahead of Leclerc as it stands.

As it stands, it's a 1-2 for Ferrari, double points for Red Bull and Aston, and Subaru and McLaren will also score in this Sprint. But a lot can change in ten mins.

Bottas putting pressure on Russell, who had a lock-up earlier, for 7th.

Leclerc within 2.1 of Piastri, Piastri driving very well so far here though.

(BOZ) "Oscar 2 seconds ahead, you were almost 2 tenths quicker that last. Oscar 28.194, you, 28.022."

(LEC) "Okay, copy"

Leclerc still trying to close the gap on Piastri here, Piastri comfortably in front and looking likely to take the first Sprint victory of the season. Three laps remaining.

LAST LAP

A phenomenal drive from Oscar Piastri, he's been incredibly comfortable in this weather this afternoon, and he will take the first Sprint victory of the season in some style, Oscar Piastri rounds the final corner TO WIN THE CANADIAN SPRINT RACE!!! IT IS P2 FOR CHARLES LECLERC, CARLOS SAINZ P3.

(BON) "YES! P1, great job, Oscar!"

(PIA) "Nicely done, very nicely done! Car was very good today, mega, mega job everyone. Good start to the weekend!"

(BON) "Superb job. Onto qualifying!"

(BOZ) "And P2 Charles, P2. Good effort, good job today."

(LEC) "Yeah, good job. That was nice. Car was quick, didn't quite have Oscar's pace here but yeah. We go again for the race."

(BOZ) "You did well."

Sainz P3, Verstappen P4, Tsunoda 5th, Russell 6th, Norris 7th, Bottas 8th

CANADIAN GRAND PRIX 2029
SPRINT CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 00.33.45
2. Charles Leclerc +2.392
3. Carlos Sainz +15.129
4. Max Verstappen +22.628
5. Yuki Tsunoda +25.258
6. George Russell +29.370
7. Lando Norris +32.175
8. Valtteri Bottas +32.877
9. Colton Herta +34.979
10. Esteban Ocon +38.294
11. Pierre Gasly +40.905
12. Oliver Bearman +42.923
13. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +46.280
14. Pato O'Ward +50.054
15. Liam Lawson +54.894
16. Franco Colapinto +56.631
17. Sergio Pérez +60.656
18. Zane Maloney +63.758
19. Gabriel Bortoleto +66.581
20. Isack Hadjar +67.377
21. Théo Pourchaire +67.944
22. Daniel Ricciardo +69.734

Oscar Piastri 1.23.360

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 98
🇲🇨 Leclerc 96
🇫🇮 Bottas 51
🇪🇸 Sainz 44
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 43
🇳🇱 Verstappen 33
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 24
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 23
🇺🇸 Herta 13
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 7
🇫🇷 Gasly 6
🇫🇷 Ocon 5
🇲🇽 O'Ward 4
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 1
🇮🇹 Antonelli 0
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 194
Aston Martin-Honda 94
Red Bull-Ford 67
Subaru-Honda 35
McLaren-Mercedes 30
Mercedes 20
Haas-Ferrari 5
Audi 4
Williams-Ferrari 0
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 258
Pirelli 165
Goodyear 25

It is time for full Qualifying here in Montreal, and after the Sprint earlier on, what will this afternoon's session bring us? A lot of rain on the track, but the FIA have agreed that it is able to go on. Ferrari dominated the Sprint but Sainz took Sprint Pole in the dry, this should be very intriguing with the heavy downpour here.

[foggy locust]

OUT IN Q1: Tsunoda, O'Ward, Pérez, Colapinto, Norris, Antonelli
Bubble: Lawson
Top Five: VER, SAI, LEC, BOT, GAS
PIA P6

A few major casualties in Q1 as traffic and the rain caused major havoc! Tsunoda out in P17, along with O'Ward, Norris a huge shock and he'll be on tbe back row alongside Antonelli, while Pérez and Colapinto also drop out. Verstappen quickest from Sainz and Leclerc, then Bottas, Gasly and Piastri.

OUT IN Q2: Hadjar, Pourchaire, Bortoleto, Herta, Maloney, Ricciardo
Bubble: Gasly
Top Five: SAI, LEC, BOT, RUS, OCO
PIA P8

Herta the biggest exit of a less chaotic Q2 that saw all sixteen cars able to do a late lap, as Hadjar just misses out on Q3 by 0.059! Maloney, the two Andrettis and Pourchaire also exit. Gasly sneaks through, as Sainz went fastest in Q2. Leclerc second, just eighth for Piastri, while Bottas, Russell, Ocon and Verstappen followed Leclerc. Lawson into Q3 for the first time since Singapore last year, Bearman also through.

[foggy locust]

Q3: Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Bottas, Russell, Verstappen, Gasly, Ocon, Bearman, Lawson

Excruciatingly close between Piastri and Leclerc, just 0.021 between the two for Pole, but it's Piastri who takes it! Sainz just a tenth back as well, with Bottas 4 tenths back in fourth. Russell P5 beside Verstappen on row three, Gasly and Ocon share the same row for the second time this weekend, Bearman and Lawson complete the top ten.

2029 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

PIA LEC

SAI BOT

RUS VER

GAS OCO

BEA LAW

HAD POU

BOR HER

MAL RIC

TSU OWA

PER COL

NOR ANT

Race will be this evening! Gotta go do shopping and other things just now!

[sterile breach]

Wet tires being used? Impossible

[outer ravine]

fia could never

[foggy locust]

Good afternoon and welcome to a wet and windy Montreal, it is Round 5 of our great world adventure, and the third part of this North American triple header. Despite the heavy rain, we are set to get underway, seeing as the FIA and three different tyre manufacturers now know how to develop an actual wet tyre. 70 laps, 4.361km, forget about the whole 3 DRS Zones today, we won't be using them due to this weather. The Man Made Notre Dame Island hosts this famous, and occasionally infamous, Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, will we see any new inductions to the Wall of Champions, and how will the 22 fare with this weather?

Kimi Antonelli at the very back, the third time he's not made it out of Q1 this season, and he's beside Lando Norris, who starts P21 for the second time this season. Franco Colapinto didn't get out of Q1 for the first time this season and he's beside Sergio Perez on row 10, it's Pato O'Ward and Yuki Tsunoda on row nine together, and Daniel Ricciardo starts his highest start of the season in 16th, Zane Maloney 15th today. Colton Herta alongside Gabriel Bortoleto, P13 his highest start since Belgium last season. It's 12th for Théo Pourchaire and Isack Hadjar narrowly missed a first Q3 of the season, Liam Lawson got his first Q3 of the season in 10th alongside Ollie Bearman. Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon share a row for the second time this weekend, row four this time, then it's the always fiesty George Russell and Max Verstappen pairing on row three. Valtteri Bottas lines up on row two for the second weekend in a row, 3rd last weekend, 4th this weekend alongside Carlos Sainz, who actually gets to start on row two after a penalty last weekend. And it's the second Ferrari front row lockout of the season, Charles Leclerc starting second, he's 1-4 to Oscar Piastri in qualifying so far, Piastri with his third Pole of the season.

A lot of rain on the track and we are going round the formation lap with the Safety Car, but they're saying we are indeed getting a standing start today.

🌧️ The rain is expected to be heavy throughout this race. Whether we get any pitstops at all, I guess we'll see.

Let's go motor racing here in Montreal!

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

Piastri holds firm in the lead from Leclerc, Bottas ahead of Sainz, Russell still holding off Verstappen, Ocon ahead of Gasly, then Bearman, then Lawson!

LECLERC LOCKS UP AND BOUNCES OFF THE WALL OF CHAMPIONS!!! OH MY GOD!!!

(BOZ) "Are you okay?"

(LEC) "Yeah, I'm fine, tyres locked up, doesn't seem to be too much damage apart from the tyres. F---!"

(BOZ) "Okay, can you hold on until the weather changes?"

(LEC) "I think so. I think so. For f---'s sake!"

Leclerc seems to have mostly gotten away without damage to the car, but those tyres are scrubbed. He's trying to hang on until the weather changes enough to do fresh Wets. It's going to be a long, long stint for him today though!

Meanwhile, Piastri running first by about 4 seconds already on Bottas. A real, real opportunity for the Australian driver now to gain points in the title race!

(BOZ) "Box Charles, box this lap"

(LEC) "Box this lap"

PITSTOP: Leclerc is the first driver in to replace those wrecked tyres, and he drops from 5th to 20th. The Champion will now have fresher tyres on the entire pack, however.

And the comeback trail is already on as Leclerc goes past Antonelli!

PITSTOP: Colton Herta is in! He was the only driver who started today on the intermediates, and he's now down in last - he'll have the same tyre advantage Leclerc does, however!

Leclerc ahead of Colapinto for 17th.

POURCHAIRE LOCKS UP!!! Same place Leclerc did, turn 12, but unlike the Champion, he avoids the Wall of Champions.

This rain is causing havoc with tyres and brakes here. Pérez with a lockup into turn 1, and he goes off.

(PIA) "Visibility is...not good here. This is getting a bit dangerous"

(BON) "Copy. We're keeping an eye on the weather, keep going best you can."

Leclerc ahead of both Maloney and O'Ward!

PITSTOP: Sainz pits for fresh Wets. That seems early for him. He's back out there in P9.

(LEC) "Visibility is so s---. So s---"

(BOZ) "Copy. Keep doing the best you can, you're doing well here"

BORTOLETO GOES SPINNING OFF!!! The Brazilian driver went aquaplaning at Turn 6, and slips to last place!

Leclerc now into P12, he's not far off the points!

PITSTOP: Russell makes a stop and rejoins P10.

With the two Red Bulls pitting, Verstappen now running P3. Ocon meanwhile is P4 in the Haas!

Leclerc gets Hadjar for P11!

PITSTOP: Another early pirstop for Maloney, and he's rejoining last of all.

Russell with a lovely move on Pourchaire for P9!

(BOZ) "Tyres are good, they are in a good window here"

(LEC) "Copy. They still feel a little cold, struggling to get heat into them"

Bortoleto having engine issues! That Ford engine struggling a lot here!

PITSTOP: A lot of teams gambling on early stops, Audi bring O'Ward in early, and he has a slight delay too! The weather causing havoc with pitstops today!

Leclerc down the inside of Pourchaire and he's into the points again!

(BON) "Let's just keep these tyres in good nick. Long way to go here, Oscar, Lap 16."

(PIA) "Copy."

🌧️ There's about 5.83mm of water on track right now. This is torrential conditions for the drivers.

Sainz gets Lawson for 7th, and is now putting the pressure on Bearman!

PITSTOP: Another stop now and it's Hadjar coming in for fresh Wets.

Russell runs wide, that'll be a track limits strike and this lap time will be deleted.

(LEC) "There's so much rain"

Looking from the inside of Leclerc's visor cam, and the defending Champion isn't kidding. This is torrential weather. He's currently putting Russell under pressure for 9th.

PITSTOP: Valtteri Bottas in! He's taking on fresh Wets and that allows Max Verstappen up to P2! Bottas rejoins P5, just behind Gasly!

(BON) "Think about less lift and coast, Oscar. We want the gap so you can come back out in front."

(PIA) "Yep."

Leclerc up to 9th, ahead of Russell!

It has to be said, since around about lap 5, tyre wear hasn't been a major problem. Those who have pitted since then have been going well on those tyres.

THE TWO AUDIS MAKE CONTACT!!!! O'WARD GOES FOR THE OVERTAKE ON MALONEY, AND THE TWO CLASH WHEELS AS O'WARD GETS THE MOVE DONE!

Leclerc down the inside of Lawson, and he's into P8!

PITSTOPS: Lawson in for fresh Wets! O'Ward also been called in to get that front wing replaced!

Off the replay, it looked like Maloney closed the door too quickly on his teammate who seemed to have right of way...

CAR 72 (MALONEY) - CAUSING COLLISION WITH CAR 29 (O'WARD)

Looks like the FIA agree, and Malobwy takes on a penalty for that incident with his teammate.

PITSTOPS: He's in immediately to serve that penalty. He also takes on a new front wing. Expensive weekend for Audi. Bortoleto pits as well.

(BON) "We will drop back to normal pace now"

Piastri 22 seconds clear of Verstappen. Looks like Ferrari believe the weather might go down a bit though before going back up, so they're saving the leader's stop for later. Maybe.

Ocon under pressure from Bottas, who has already stopped. Bottas about 35 seconds back off Ocon.

(LEC) "Temperatures...how are we?"

(BOZ) "The tyres are a bit cold, get some heat into them as soon as you can"

Has to be said - Ocon is defending brilliantly from Bottas right now.

PITSTOPS: Ricciardo and Colapinto both come in for fresh Wets.

Leclerc goes ahead of Bearman and into P7!

PITSTOP: Tsunoda in...and that's a HUGE delay for the Aston Martin driver! What were they doing there?

(BON) "We are expecting about 20 laps or so of Class 2 rain, and we think it'll be Class 4 from there to the end of the race"

The longer Bottas is stuck behind Ocon, the better it is for Piastri. About 38 seconds between the two right now.

Pierre Gasly has Carlos Sainz to deal with...make that Charles Leclerc to deal with, as Leclerc goes down the inside of Sainz for 6th!

🌧️ The weather IS decreasing...whether it goes below the 4.00mm required to call the track "damp" rather than "wet" is anyone's guess right now.

Leclerc takes fifth off Gasly, and Bottas is in his sights. Piastri's new biggest threat might be his own teammate, who we remind you, has already stopped, early in this race.

TRACK HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED TO "DAMP"

TRACK HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED TO "DAMP"

Well, this could be intriguing and this is why the front three may have waited to pit. This damp phase may degrade those Wets significantly quicker for the time being.

(LEC) "It's raining more"

(BOZ) "Copy Charles, keep this pace for now, don't overheat the tyres"

Bottas finally gets Ocon for P3, and that's big for him and the potential for a battle at the front!

Leclerc ahead of Ocon and into 4th! What a recovery from the Champion so far!

RUSSELL

PITSTOPS: Gasly in, Bearman in! They both stay on the full Wets, no change to Ints!

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

(PIA) "Copy, box"

PITSTOP: The race leader is in! A lightning quick 2.061 stop from the Ferrari pit crew and he comfortably retains his race lead by 11 seconds!

PITSTOP: Ocon in and he takes on the fresh Wets! He's down to P7, behind the two Red Bulls and Gasly!

(BON) "So water level is increasing again, now or never for fastest lap"

Leclerc now putting the pressure on Bottas again for third. He's saving the tyre well with this rain, or lack of it.

🌧️ Rain getting heavier again, and it looks like Piastri's dreams of a first Grand Slam are over, for today at least.

TRACK CONDITION HAS CHANGED TO WET

PITSTOP: Norris in for fresh Wets, the second last driver to stop dor the first time today - Verstappen is the only one still to - and it's a clean stop by McLaren. He rejoins in P16.

(BOZ) "Fantastically managed, we can push again now"

PITSTOP: Verstappen is in from P2! A late stop on Lap 50, he'll have fresh Wets but will he have enough time to utilise them? He rejoins P6, just behind Russell.

Bottas versus Leclerc has now been promoted to a battle for P2, barring disaster, Piastri looks on for a third victory of the season.

Leclerc goes down the inside of Bottas going for P2 on the pit straight, and he gets the move done! Leclerc back into 2nd, where he started today!

(LEC) "Whoo hoo hoo!"

Has to be said, a brilliant recovery drive from Leclerc today. Piastri has won this by a mile and will extend his Championship lead, but Leclerc has come back from P22 to P2, and that's admirable.

Verstappen amping up the pressure on Russell for P5. That's the closest battle on track here.

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

(BOZ) "28.855, Charles."

(LEC) "How many laps?"

(BOZ) "13."

(LEC) "That's doable, right?"

Love the ambition, Charles, but chances are this is Oscar's race to win now.

Verstappen both chasing Russell and lapping Hadjar, who's down in P15, in one go there.

Bortoleto has smoke coming out the back of his Ford engine on Lap 59! That'll be the end of his race, as he pulls into the pitlane to retire.

(PIA) "Nearly hit a groundhog"

(BON) "You okay? Car okay?"

(PIA) "No damage to me or the groundhog. Hope it had a jacket"

Battle for P7 tightening up as Ocon is chasing Gasly for position! Ocon on the fresher tyres, but not by much.

Verstappen once again closing in on Russell, nothing going as of yet though.

VERSTAPPEN DOWN THE INSIDE OF RUSSELL, WHEEL TO WHEEL, RUSSELL HAS TO BACK OUT AND VERSTAPPEN TAKES POSITION!

RUSSELL RADIO "He pushed me wide, he has to give the place back!"

That one might be looked at in the stewards room, for now, Verstappen setting his sights on Sainz for P4!

Piastri has just lapped Tsunoda.

Tsunoda is 10th.

LAST LAP

A powering display in the pouring rain for Oscar Piastri, he hasn't put a foot wrong all afternoon and it's showed and then some, his third win of the season, and in some style, he rounds the final corner, passes the Wall of Champions, and OSCAR PIASTRI WINS THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX!!!

(BON) "Get in here, Oscar! That's P1 mate, and in some style! Well done!"

(PIA) "Thank you! Nicely done, well, nicely f---ing done. When you said this weekend was going to be awesome, you weren't f---ing wrong. I should listen to you more often, you know. Very nicely done everyone this weekend!"

(BON) "No, kudos to you mate. That was awesome."

From P2 to P22 to P2 for Charles Leclerc. Incredible recovery drive!

(BOZ) "P2 Charles, P2. Finished where we started. Incredible recovery drive from you today!"

(LEC) "Thank you Bryan. Not my best weekend, but yeah, we did well after my early mistake. Good comeback, good damage limitation. We keep pushing at Imola."

(BOZ) "Well done today on the recovery."

(LEC) "And thank you for your efforts, Bryan."

Bottas P3, Sainz going to hold Verstappen off for P4, just, Russell P6 with FL, Gasly P7, Ocon P8, Bearman P9, Tsunoda P10!

2029 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 1.43.59
2. Charles Leclerc +32.461
3. Valtteri Bottas +57.711
4. Carlos Sainz +60.097
5. Max Verstappen +60.300
6. George Russell +65.057
7. Pierre Gasly +73.805
8. Esteban Ocon +76.937
9. Oliver Bearman +86.815
10. Yuki Tsunoda +1 lap
11. Théo Pourchaire +1 lap
12. Lando Norris +1 lap
13. Liam Lawson +1 lap
14. Colton Herta +1 lap
15. Isack Hadjar +1 lap
16. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +1 lap
17. Franco Colapinto +1 lap
18. Sergio Pérez +1 lap
19. Pato O'Ward +1 lap
20. Daniel Ricciardo +2 laps
21. Zane Maloney +2 laps
22. Gabriel Bortoleto DNF

George Russell 1.25.006
Isack Hadjar 2.050s
Charles Leclerc

DRIVER OF THE DAY CHARLES LECLERC

A close vote between Leclerc's P22 to P2 comeback and Piastri lapping half the field and winning by 32 seconds, but in the end, the Champion's comeback from his first lap collision with the Wall of Champions was a legendary tale, even if his bid to win the race fell short. Charles Leclerc is your Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Leclerc, Piastri, Tsunoda, Bottas, Ocon

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 124
🇲🇨 Leclerc 114
🇫🇮 Bottas 65
🇪🇸 Sainz 56
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 44
🇳🇱 Verstappen 43
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 32
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 24
🇺🇸 Herta 13
🇫🇷 Gasly 12
🇫🇷 Ocon 9
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 9
🇲🇽 O'Ward 4
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 1
🇮🇹 Antonelli 0
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 238
Aston Martin-Honda 110
Red Bull-Ford 88
Subaru-Honda 44
McLaren-Mercedes 36
Mercedes 22
Haas-Ferrari 9
Audi 4
Williams-Ferrari 0
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 318
Pirelli 202
Goodyear 31

FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2029

Ferrari 82
McLaren 74
Subaru 65
Red Bull 58
Williams 57
Alpine 38
Andretti 38
Aston Martin 37
Audi 29
Mercedes 27
Haas 0

F2 MONTREAL

SPRINT RACE

1. Doriane Pin
2. Rafael Câmara
3. Chloe Grant
4. Dayton Coulthard
5. Dennis Hauger
6. Tim Tramnitz
7. Dino Beganovic
8. Taylor Barnard
9. Richard Verschoor
10. Arvid Lindblad

FEATURE RACE
Pole Position: Doriane Pin

1. Chloe Grant
2. Rafael Câmara
3. Dennis Hauger
4. Dayton Coulthard
5. Tim Tramnitz
6. Taylor Barnard
7. Richard Verschoor
8. Doriane Pin
9. Pepe Marti
10. Jak Crawford

F2 CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE

Hauger 58
Câmara 46
Barnard 32
Grant 31
Pin 29
Coulthard 17
Tramnitz 13
Marti 12
Miyata 12
Sztuka 11
Lindblad 10
Verschoor 6
Aron 5
Crawford 2
Miní 2
Beganovic 2
E. Fittipaldi, Maini, O'Sullivan, Browning, Staněk, Araya 0

Both F2 and F3 in action now straight from Imola to Sakhir, where F3 concludes. F2 then follows up at Yas Island, takes a break for Suzuka and Singapore, concluding at Jeddah.

NO FURTHER ACTION ON RUSSELL/VERSTAPPEN INCIDENT

Max Verstappen overtook George Russell late in the race on Sunday at Montreal, and Russell complained on the radio that the Subaru driver had forced him wide, with Red Bull putting in a complaint about their former talisman to be dealt with after the race.

Subaru, Red Bull, Verstappen and Russell met with the stewards after the race, where it was determined that the move was clean enough to warrant the place staying with Verstappen. He receives no penalty as a result.

Verstappen stays 5th, Russell stays 6th.

[foggy locust]

ANDREA KIMI ANTONELLI RE-SIGNS WITH WILLIAMS FOR 2030

In somewhat surprising news, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Williams have agreed a one year extension to his current contract.

Ahead of Antonelli's home race at Emilia-Romagna this weekend, he has agreed a new deal to exercise the option on his contract and stay at Williams for a second season, ensuring his place on the 2030 F1 grid.

Antonelli has shown faith in new Williams TP Ayao Komatsu despite the Grove team's difficult start to 2029, and with competition going to be very rife for seats this coming season, Antonelli has gotten ahead of the curve and secured a stay at Williams for a second season.

F1 silly season starting early this year,

[foggy locust]

EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX 2029
WEEKEND PREVIEW

We head to northern Italy and the Emilia Romagna region, near Bologna, for Round 6 of the 2029 Formula 1 World Championship. After five races, it's five Ferrari wins, and three to two to Oscar Piastri over Charles Leclerc. At the namesake circuit of Ferrari’s founder and his son, will they go six for six, or can anyone challenge?

LAST TIME AROUND

It was a double victory for Oscar Piastri in heavy rain in Canada, winning both the Sprint and the main race, while Charles Leclerc finished second in both, despite hitting the Wall of Champions on Lap 1 on the Sunday. Carlos Sainz took the Sprint Podium and Valtteri Bottas the main race podium, but both were distant thirds. Red Bull gained on Aston by 9 points over the course of the weekend, Subaru, McLaren, Mercedes and Haas all added to their totals in Montreal.

THE CIRCUIT

Round 6 and the European leg of the F1 world tour begins once again, going from Italy to Italy, Imola to Monza, with Monaco, Hungary, Silverstone, Austria, Belgium and Netherlands in between. And we start at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - better known as Imola. The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari is named for Ferrari’s principal founder and his son, and the 4.909 km circuit is one of the few major international circuits to run anti clockwise. Featuring one DRS zone and 19 turns, overtaking is a bit more difficult here, and tyre degradation is kind - it is almost certainly a one-stop, and that one stop will be absolutely crucial. The rain is expected on Saturday, but it should be a dry race on Sunday.

STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

HOW WILL PIASTRI HANDLE LEADING THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

Oscar Piastri is in interesting territory, as for the first time in his Formula 1 career, he finds himself leading the World Drivers Championship, ten points ahead of Charles Leclerc. Well, that was technically true before Montreal, but he had a one point advantage, but his Pole, Sprint win and Race win around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has extended his gap to ten. It's still very early days and there is still very much a title fight in play, but Piastri is now defending a proper lead for the first time. On Ferrari's home soil, the impetuous is on the Champion to push the Challenger on another weekend where you would think they'll be absolute favourites to take another 1-2 (although Leclerc had to fight for it at Montreal after his collision with the Wall of Champions!). Can Piastri extend his title advantage, or will Leclerc close on him?

CAN EITHER RED BULL, EITHER ASTON OR VERSTAPPEN JOIN THE TITLE FIGHT?

It might not just be the two Ferraris in the fight - Valtteri Bottas finds himself 58 points back, but he is scoring consistently high - three podiums, a fourth place and a sixth place so far this season, and if the two Ferraris were to slip up, he might be the first man in line to push them for a title fight. This is a circuit that very much suits Red Bull however and you will think they'll hope to at least take another podium this weekend. Carlos Sainz has one podium, one Pole, and a Sprint Pole to his name this year so far, and the driver who finished P3 last year hoped to push on for a WDC charge - a few weeks could catapult him into the conversation, while George Russell was once tipped as a future WDC. Yuki Tsunoda is in demand in the transfer window in his contract year, the Japanese driver has impressed, could he push for a first career win this weekend and put his name in the conversation? And of course you can't really count out Max Verstappen either as a potential candidate for a World Title fight, no matter what car he's driving. Can any of these teams give their drivers the car to challenge Leclerc and Piastri not just this weekend, but over this season?

WHAT NOW FOR McLAREN?

McLaren were hoping to recover from their difficult 2028 season and push on back towards the top four this year. So far, they're fifth, just 8 points off Subaru, and Pierre Gasly seems to be finding some form again after a really tough season last year. As for Lando Norris, he has been struggling a little in qualifying so far this season with two Q1 exits, in Melbourne and Montreal, but has scored points in four of the five races thus far this season. McLaren are looking to bring upgrades for this weekend with the intention of pushing for the podium, this is a circuit that very much suits the Papaya team. Can they make a push for a podium finish this weekend for the first time since Pato O'Ward at Mexico City a year ago?

KIMI REUPPS WITH WILLIAMS, CAN THEY GIVE HIM THE CAR TO COMPETE ON HOME SOIL?

Andrea Kimi Antonelli grew up not far from Imola, and was born and raised in Bologna, making this his main home race - although Monza of course also counts as one. Long tipped as “the next big thing” in F1, Antonelli did impress with Mercedes, but chose to make the move to Williams for this season, and has now agreed a new one year extension to his current deal. Antonelli showing some faith in new Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, even despite a difficult start for Williams in 2029, where the team have struggled to get out of the lower midfield. Can they push for points this weekend and reward Antonelli's new contract at his home race?

And so we head to Imola and to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. One of the oldest and most iconic circuits of the season, with rain on Saturday and the potential of a mixed up grid, it'll be a packed house full of the Tifosi sea of Red, and a race weekend you surely will not want to miss.

FP1 Reserves: Bennett (Norris), Grant (Russell), Lindblad (Sainz), Araya (Herta), Martins (Antonelli), Browning (Hadjar), Shwartzman (Pourchaire)

With F2 and F3 both running here this weekend, a lot of the teams opting to give their F2/F3 drivers a run out. A first Appearance for Arvid Lindblad in the RB25 is the most notable choice, along with Williams resting Antonelli for FP1. Ferrari opting for their main lineup, they are expected to give runouts to their reserves in Hungary and Austria.

FP1: PIA BOT LEC

Piastri quickest in FP1 ahead of Bottas and Leclerc, just a tenth separating the top three, with Verstappen fourth. Ocon 5th and Lindblad very much impressing in sixth, as he hopes to put his name in contention for a seat next year. Bearman 7th ahead of Colapinto, Tsunoda 9th, Gasly 10th.

It's raining on Saturday, so we are going to test long runs today instead

FP2: RUS LEC TSU
PIA P11

Russell goes quickest in FP2 for Red Bull, with Leclerc second and Tsunoda 3rd. O'Ward took 4th ahead of Bottas and Verstappen, with Bearman and Herta P7 and P8, Norris and Gasly P9 and P10. Just 11th for Piastri, but he did spend most the session on Hard Tyres.

FP3: VER GAS, BOT
PIA P6, LEC P7

Verstappen quickest in a rainy FP3, as Gasly takes second and Bottas third. O'Ward 4th and Colapinto 5th, while Piastri and Leclerc were sixth and seventh. Antonelli, Ricciardo, Maloney complete the top ten.

Practice summary: An absolute crapshoot. Ferrari showed the most pace in FP1 but Bottas matched them, Russell just pipped Leclerc in FP2, Verstappen quickest in the wet, Aston have been strong as have Subaru, but who knows at this point? Dry running suggests Ferrari ahead of Aston and Red Bull in the dry, but qualifying will be in the rain. Very intriguing sixty minutes ahead this afternoon.

Welcome to Round 6 of the 2029 Formula 1 season, and to the start of the European leg! It's time for qualifying and the rain has been pouring down all day, but we've had a slight break in the clouds, we will get underway under dry conditions...this might be a one shot Q1, with more rain likely to come here.

OUT IN Q1: Colapinto, Antonelli, Bortoleto, Lawson, Pourchaire, Ricciardo
Bubble: Hadjar
Top Five: LEC, PIA, RUS, TSU, GAS

Heartbreak for Antonelli who had three goes at trying to get through but rain wrecked his second lap and he couldn't do enough in drying conditions at the end to make it through for Q2 on home soil. Colapinto has his second straight Q1 exit, as Pourchaire exits in Q1 for the third time this season. Lawson also out as is Ricciardo, and Bortoleto had a spin that ended his chances of making Q2. Hadjar sneaks through, Leclerc quickest from Piastri, Russell, Tsunoda and Gasly at the top.

OUT IN Q2: Tsunoda, Ocon, Gasly, Hadjar, Maloney, Pérez
Bubble: O'Ward
Top Five: PIA, LEC, SAI, BOT, BEA

Pato O'Ward's late lap took him from P11 to P10, taking himself through and knocking Yuki Tsunoda out. Gasly was on a fast lap and spun into the wall, ending his chances of making Q3, while Ocon exited in P12, his first Q3 miss of the season. Hadjar, Maloney and Pérez all drop out, Piastri again quickest ahead of Leclerc, with Sainz, Bottas and Bearman the top five. Norris, Russell, Verstappen and Herta will also take part in Q3.

Q3: Leclerc, Sainz, Piastri, Bottas, Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Herta, O'Ward, Bearman

A stormer of a lap from Charles Leclerc, who takes his second Pole Position of the season. Carlos Sainz splits the Ferraris as Oscar Piastri has to settle for third, while Valtteri Bottas was fourth. Fifth for Max Verstappen alongside former Red Bull teammate Lando Norris, while current Red Bull driver George Russell sits 7th with Colton Herta in P8. Pato O'Ward and Ollie Bearman on row five.

2029 EMILIA-ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC SAI

PIA BOT

VER NOR

RUS HER

OWA BEA

TSU OCO

GAS HAD

MAL PER

COL ANT

BOR LAW

POU RIC

Break for a bit, back later for race!!

[humble totem]

Thank God is not life threatening.
You will be fine man
I am great.. currently in season 2029
I am using chat gtp/deep seek to make my save more immersive

[foggy locust]

Thanks mate. Yeah, appreciated. On a new course of meds now so I'm hoping that'll get it a bit more under control!

How's the 2029 save going?

Well, here we go. Round 6 of the 2029 Formula 1 season brings us to Italy and to the namesake circuit of Ferrari's founder, Enzo Ferrari, and his son Dino. The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, better known as Imola, this 63 lap, 4.909km circuit, no rain expected today so it should be a one stop strategy for most if not all teams, two stops is possible, but risky.

Daniel Ricciardo starts at the very back alongside Théo Pourchaire, while Liam Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto share row ten. Andrea Kimi Antonelli starts his home race from 18th and he's beside Franco Colapinto, then it's Sergio Pérez and Zane Maloney making his first European F1 race appearance. Isack Hadjar starts from 14th alongside Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon failed to make Q3 for the first time this season so he starts 12th, Yuki Tsunoda just missing Q3 ror the third time in a row, starts 11th. Ollie Bearman begins 10th alongside Pato O'Ward who qualified 9th for the third time this season. Colton Herta in 8th and George Russell lines up 7th, Lando Norris in 6th alongside former teammate Max Verstappen on the third row. Valtteri Bottas lines up fourth and Oscar Piastri starts third, his second time off the front row this season. Carlos Sainz starts on the front row for the first time since his Pole at Melbourne's season opener, and it is Pole Position number two for defending World Champion Charles Leclerc.

Cars starting out on the formation lap here. Imola is never an easy one for overtaking, if a gap can be built early, this could be a good day for the defending Champion and Polesitter. But there's 63 laps and a long way to go today.

One light. Two. Three. Four. Five...AND IT IS LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO, LET'S GO MOTOR RACING!

Leclerc is away very well and Piastri gets Sainz on the first corner!!! Bottas defending Verstappen, very Verstappen gers him for fourth! Norris, Russell, Herta, O'Ward, Bearman, Ocon up to 11th and putting Bearman under pressure already! The gap not really build at the front as of yet though!

PIASTRI

Piastri is on the attack of his teammate but Leclerc holds him off for the lead of this race!!!

A lock-up at turn 7 and a trip across the gravel for Daniel Ricciardo! He was 22nd, he's even more so 22nd.

:Mercedes Russell also locks up and runs through the gravel! Both O'Ward and Herta go ahead of him!

PIASTRI

Piastri has logged two fastest laps already, and he's going for the lead off Leclerc going into Lap 3, which he takes! Oscar Piastri leads this race!

Going to be a lot of toing and froing from Leclerc and Piastri with DRS. Leclerc's back in front!

Verstappen meanwhile takes P3 away from Sainz!

(BOZ) "Oscar 0.2 behind, Charles"

(LEC) "Okay, leave me to it for now, I can see him in my mirror"

Sainz retakes third, and Bottas gets DRS to take fourth off Verstappen too!

Piastri retakes the lead from Leclerc, Leclerc has a look down the inside of Piastri for the lead but cannot take it back!

Bottas up to 3rd ahead of Sainz!

Herta struggling for pace and drops behind Tsunoda and out of the top ten!

Leclerc has DRS on the main straight, Leclerc has the slipstream, Leclerc has the lead back!

Piastri down the inside of Leclerc and back in front on Lap 8!

(BON) "Such an awesome job, Oscar. Keep it up!"

Leclerc back in front a lap later!

Norris up to fifth! That McLaren is finally showing some pace this year!

Antonelli drops behind Colapinto. He just cannot get in rhythm with that Williams right now.

There's a four car DRS train from Sainz in P3 to Verstappen in P6, with Bottas and Norris in between. Neither car is getting anywhere close to either Piastri or Leclerc right now.

Which means it's a straight fight between the title rivals for the lead of this race. Leclerc leading right now, Piastri is right behind him, though!

Norris moves ahead of Bottas into 4th! Could that McLaren push for their first podium of the year?

Lap 18 and Piastri retakes position from Leclerc! Pitstops may be crucial for the two to decide the winner of this.

(BON) "How is the tyre life?"

(PIA) "It's OK, got some life in these yet"

TSUNODA WITH A BIG SPIN-OFF!! He drops out of the points and is down to 14th!

Zane Maloney is about 1.8 seconds off the points in P11. Could the young Barbadian driver be on for his first points in F1?

Norris ahead of Bottas and into third!!!

Bottas stealing position from Norris though!

Leclerc has DRS and takes the lead!!!

PITSTOPS; Sainz going for the undercut on Norris, Bottas and Verstappen, Red Bull double stack as they bring Russell in on the same lap! Tsunoda and Lawson now in as well!

(BOZ) "Box Charles, box this lap"

(LEC) "Copy, box"

Leclerc getting the call first as the current race leader!

PITSTOPS: Aston Martin and Bottas respond and crucially have gotten Bottas out ahead of Sainz! Pourchaire held Sainz up there, helping out Verstappen!! Bearman also pitting and rejoins P20.

PITSTOPS: Norris responds too and he's in. O'Ward and Ocon also coming in, as is Antonelli!

PITSTOPS: LECLERC IN. This could be crucial for the fate of this race. 2.455 stop, not the quickest! Verstappen and Gasly both come in too for Hards!

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

(PIA) "Yeah, box"

PITSTOP: Piastri in. He had a 27 advantage to Leclerc. Onto the Hards and a 2.076 stop, that's ridiculously quick! Piastri is exiting the pitlane as Leclerc comes past, Piastri keeps the lead but it is so close! We'll continue as we were on Lap 30, then!!

(LEC) "The tyres are faster but I cannot overtake for now"

(BOZ) "Keep at him, Oscar's tyres will be cold"

Colton Herta is running 3rd in the Mercedes, but he has yet to pit. Pourchaire, Pérez and Ricciardo all still yet to make their first stops, running the H/M strategy.

Leclerc does retake the lead! But Piastri is still pushing him and is back in front a lap later!

GASLY RADIO "Tell me what to do, I have a problem with the gearbox"

VERSTAPPEN

PITSTOP: Herta is in! He switches to the Medium tyres, but has a massive delay in the process!! Could that cost him chances of points today? He'll rejoin P15.

Herta goes very wide at Turn 9, and that will not help his points chances this weekend!

Sainz back ahead of Bottas! They've broken away from Norris and Verstappen and they're currently fighting for P3.

Russell and Verstappen are at it again. Russell gets ahead of him, Verstappen on the radio to say he believes Russell pushed him wide on that move!!

HERTA CLIPS MALONEY ON AN OVERTAKE!!! That's probably any points chances gone for both now today!

Leclerc leads again on Lap 41! A lovely overtake there!

(PIA) "Overtaking proving very difficult"

(BON) "Keep at it, never know what's going to happen"

SAINZ

VERSTAPPEN

Leclerc and Piastri wheel to wheel on Lap 43, this is excellent racing from the two, Piastri going for the lead again but Leclerc comes put of that exchange on top!

Lap 46: Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Bottas, Norris, Verstappen, Russell, O'Ward, Gasly, Tsunoda, Bearman, Ocon, Herta, Colapinto, Maloney, Hadjar, Pourchaire, Antonelli, Lawson, Pérez, Bortoleto, Ricciardo

Leclerc holding Piastri off here with 15 laps to go. It's early days in the title fight, but momentum could be massive already.

PIASTRI BACK IN FRONT WITH 11 LAPS LEFT!

More fireworks between Verstappen and Russell, as Verstappen holds off an attack from Russell to take position back.

(LEC) "Aagh."

(BOZ) "Keep pushing Oscar here. Still plenty of laps left."

Piastri has fended off three concurrent attempts from Leclerc to take the lead of this race. With 10 laps to go, this is anyone's game.

Rough home race for Antonelli, who has just been lapped by the two Ferraris.

Leclerc has a good run of DRS, going for it again, and PIASTRI CLOSES THE DOOR AGAIN!

Ricciardo spins off!! He's managed to course correct but Andretti's season goes from bad to worse.

LECLERC GETS THE MOVE DONE. Several attempts there but he's broken through. The Champion now on the defence from his teammate.

Piastri on the attack again, he's got DRS and Piastri regains the lead on Lap 58!! What a drive this has been from the Australian!

Norris ahead of Verstappen and up to 5th!

LECLERC BACK IN FRONT. What a race this has been!

And it swings again as Piastri retakes the lead on Lap 60!!

Verstappen with a lovely move to take P5 back from Norris!

Three laps to go. Can Piastri hold off Leclerc? Both cars lap Hadjar, and Piastri trying to put enough of a gap between the two!

PIASTRI BREAKS DRS WITH TWO LAPS REMAINING

Traffic from the lapped cars proving incredibly difficult for Leclerc, and that might be the difference maker for Piastri this afternoon!!!

Norris ahead of Verstappen for 5th!

What a sensational drive this has been from Oscar Piastri. A combination of incredible defence and knowing when to make the move at the end has sealed this one, his fourth win of the season, a fantastic motor race and fantastic battle WILL GO THE WAY OF THE AUSTRALIAN, OSCAR PIASTRI WINS THE EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX!!! IT IS SIX ONE TWOS FROM SIX FOR FERRARI AS CHARLES LECLERC COMES HOME SECOND. WHAT A RACE FROM THE TWO FERRARIS.

(BON) "Absolutely, absolutely first class, Oscar. Brilliant driving. Well done today mate, get in there!"

(PIA) "Very nicely done, everyone! I'd say that was one of the most stressful afternoons of my life! Charles pushed me all the way, all credit to him today. Very, very fun race, very enjoyable. Mega job everyone, that was very nicely done."

(BON) "Kudos to you mate. Incredible job."

(BOZ) "And P2, Charles, P2. Great effort today, good job and well pushed and managed."

(LEC) "Yeah, thank you, Bryan. That was, that's all I had today. Incredible job by Oscar, he was brilliant today. I had everything at it today. Good job though today guys, we'll come back stronger. Thank you."

(BOZ) "We'll come back stronger. Was a very good drive from you today."

Sainz home in P3! Bottas 4th, Norris 5th, Verstappen 6th, Russell 7th, 8th for O'Ward, Gasly 9th, Tsunoda 10th.

2029 EMILIA-ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 1.23.31
2. Charles Leclerc +1.585
3. Carlos Sainz +25.650
4. Valtteri Bottas +31.652
5. Lando Norris +33.419
6. Max Verstappen +33.842
7. George Russell +38.537
8. Pato O'Ward +57.85]
9. Pierre Gasly +60.125
10. Yuki Tsunoda +62.852
11. Esteban Ocon +68.511
12. Colton Herta +72.137
13. Franco Colapinto +1 lap
14. Théo Pourchaire +1 lap
15. Oliver Bearman +1 lap
16. Isack Hadjar +1 lap
17. Zane Maloney +1 lap
18. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +1 lap
19. Liam Lawson +1 lap
20. Sergio Pérez +1 lap
21. Daniel Ricciardo +1
22. Gabriel Bortoleto +1 lap

Max Verstappen 1.15.869
Pierre Gasly 2.039s
Oscar Piastri

DRIVER OF THE DAY: OSCAR PIASTRI

Winning out in a superb battle between his teammate Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri takes his fourth win of the season to extend his Championship advantage to 16 points. An incredible drive by the Australian, Oscar Piastri is your Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Piastri, Gasly, Leclerc, Norris, O'Ward

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 149
🇲🇨 Leclerc 133
🇫🇮 Bottas 78
🇪🇸 Sainz 71
🇳🇱 Verstappen 52
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 45
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 38
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 34
🇫🇷 Gasly 14
🇺🇸 Herta 13
🇫🇷 Ocon 9
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 9
🇲🇽 O'Ward 8
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 1
🇮🇹 Antonelli 0
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 282
Aston Martin-Honda 123
Red Bull-Ford 109
Subaru-Honda 53
McLaren-Mercedes 48
Mercedes 22
Haas-Ferrari 9
Audi 8
Williams-Ferrari 0
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 383
Pirelli 288
Goodyear 31

FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2029

McLaren 109
Ferrari 100
Williams 69
Subaru 68
Red Bull 64
Andretti 53
Aston Martin 45
Alpine 38
Audi 33
Mercedes 27
Haas 0

Side note: not a single Goodyear tyred car scored a single point this weekend. Mercedes, Williams, Haas and Andretti all blanked. Yeesh.

[sterile breach]

Wait, Haas are scoring points now?

[foggy locust]

F2 IMOLA

SPRINT

1. Dayton Coulthard
2. Tim Tramnitz
3. Doriane Pin
4. Ritomo Miyata
5. Dennis Hauger
6. Chloe Grant
7. Rafael Câmara
8. Jak Crawford
9. Richard Verschoor
10. Hector Araya

FEATURE RACE
Pole Position: Dayton Coulthard

1. Taylor Barnard
2. Ritomo Miyata
3. Dennis Hauger
4. Dayton Coulthard
5. Chloe Grant
6. Doriane Pin
7. Rafael Câmara
8. Jak Crawford
9. Hector Araya
10. Richard Verschoor

[foggy locust]

Haas are scoring points now! They've kicked on since the start of this season!

F3 IMOLA

SPRINT

1. Alessandro Giusti
2. Maxwell Esterson
3. Oliver Goethe
4. Udo Arnold
5. Noel Leòn
6. Lulwa Abadi
7. Sebastian Montoya
8. Alexander Dunne
9. Rafael Villagómez
10. Laurens van Hoepen

FEATURE RACE
Pole Position: Udo Arnold

1. Udo Arnold
2. Rafael Villagómez
3. Alexander Dunne
4. Oliver Goethe
5. Sebastian Montoya
6. Lulwa Abadi
7. Alessandro Giusti
8. Maxwell Esterson
9. Abbi Pulling
10. Laurens van Hoepen

F2 STANDINGS

Hauger 77
Barnard 65
Câmara 54
Grant 44
Coulthard 43
Pin 43
Miyata 35
Tramnitz 13
Marti 12
Sztuka 11
Lindblad 10
Verschoor 7
Crawford 7
Aron 5
Araya 2
Miní 2
Beganovic 2
E. Fittipaldi 0
Staněk 0
Maini 0
O'Sullivan 0
Browning 0

F3 STANDINGS

Dunne 50
Arnold 45
Montoya 29
Villagómez 26
Mansell 24
Goethe 20
Wharton 19
Giusti 16
Dürksen 15
Abadi 13
van Hoepen 13
Esterson 13
Alvarado 12
Al Qubaisi 10
León 6
Meguetounif 4
Tsolov 3
Pulling 2
Stenshorne, Bennett, Afonso, Lake, Testa, Bedrin, Boya, Wurz, Gademan, Voisin, Fornaroli, Brunt 0

[humble totem]

It will get better mate 😀

My 2029 season has been great so far
Really enjoying my save

[foggy locust]

Glad to hear it! What's been happening in the save?

[foggy locust]

FRED VASSEUR SIGNS NEW LONG TERM DEAL WITH FERRARI

Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, Fred Vasseur has inked another long term deal with Ferrari.

Vasseur has led Ferrari to the last five Drivers and Constructors Championships, and after long term deals were agreed for Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri to 2032, Fred Vasseur has now signed on for the same length of time.

Vasseur said that he was "more than happy to sign a long term deal to lead this team into the future and hopefully continue our long run of winning Championships."

Ferrari sit comfortably top of both Championships so far this season, having finished 1-2 in all six races and the Sprint so far this season.

THE GERMAN GRAND PRIX TO RETURN TO THE CALENDAR IN 2030

After an eleven year absence, the German Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar for the 2030 season.

The FIA and organisers at the Hockenheimring have made an agreement on a new long term agreement to return to the F1 Calendar on a multi-year deal.

It is yet to be seen which race will be replaced by Hockenheim, but the FIA have committed to the 21 race calendar for next season.

The calendar is expected to be published in full during the summer break.

A welcome return for an iconic venue, and iconic country in Formula 1.

[foggy locust]

2029 MONACO GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

Round 7 of the 2029 Formula 1 World Championship brings us to the Crown Jewel of the calendar. This will be the 86th Monaco Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco, and 75th running within the Formula 1 World Championship. And with Oscar Piastri taking his fourth win of the season at Imola, Monaco's own Charles Leclerc looks for his fifth victory in six years, trying to match “Mr Monaco” Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher.

LAST TIME AROUND

A battle for the ages around Imola for Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc that went down to the last few laps, and went the way of Piastri, who took his fourth win of the season, his second win on Italian soil as a Ferrari driver. Leclerc settled for P2 and a sixth Ferrari 1-2 in six races, former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz meanwhile beat out the challenge of Valtteri Bottas, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen to take his second race podium of the season. Double points for McLaren and Aston Martin as well as the Ferrari 1-2, Pato O'Ward also added to Audi's total.

THE CIRCUIT

The Circuit de Monaco is the crown jewel of Formula 1. This world famous street circuit held in the Principality of Monaco, with the narrow course being one of the most difficult and dangerous races of the season every single year. It's not an overtaking fest, but with overtaking at a premium, it's the most important qualifying of the season - it's one for the purists. The barriers lurk around each section of this circuit and the slightest of errors can end your race in an instant, and bring out the Safety Car or the Red Flag. Traditionally occurring the same day as the Indianapolis 500 and the Coke 600, this race is the only Grand Prix that doesn't adhere to the 305km rule in F1 - at 78 laps, the 3.337 km circuit is the shortest race of the season.

STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

CAN LECLERC RETURN TO WINNING FORM AT HOME?

While his title defence isn't off to a terrible start - six podiums in six races, including two wins, is nothing to be sniffed at, but Charles Leclerc finds himself, ironically enough, 16 points down to Oscar Piastri and 2-4 down in qualifying so far this season, and Piastri has won the last three races in a row, including the first Sprint. Fortunately for Leclerc, it is a race that has favoured him massively over the last five years - Monaco. Having shaken the Monaco Home Curse that haunted him from 2017 to 2023, Leclerc finally broke his duck here in 2024, and went on to win the next four, finishing second last year to Piastri. If Leclerc could do with rediscovering that Monaco winning feeling, and cutting down the lead in the Championship, it is this weekend. I mean, it definitely beats his 2017-2023 luck around here, though, it has to be said.

A fifth home win would match Graham Hill, known as “Mr Monaco”, and Ferrari's legendary seven time World Champion Michael Schumacher in number of wins around here. Ferrari again enter as heavy favourites to take another victory at Monaco - Max Verstappen was the last non Ferrari driver to win here back in 2023 - but can Leclerc win again at home and make inroads on Piastri's title lead?

CAN ASTON MARTIN AND RED BULL CHALLENGE AT THE FRONT THIS WEEKEND?

Both Red Bull and Aston Martin have found themselves splitting the Ferraris on occasions this season so far, and Carlos Sainz has the only non Ferrari Pole so far this season. A Pole here would put anyone in prime position with how difficult it is to overtake. It will be tough for both to match the Champions considering the massive low speed cornering advantage they have, something that is crucial around here, but Red Bull in particular will hope their better acceleration will give them a shot at Pole, and therefore a major shot at the race win on Sunday afternoon in Monaco. For the Aston v Red Bull battle, there's only 14 points between the two at this early part of the season. This weekend already feels massively important for both teams.

McLAREN BRIDGING THE GAP

McLaren are bringing upgrades this weekend and McLaren CEO Zak Brown has opted to be in Monaco as opposed to the Indianapolis 500 this coming weekend, and he's hoping his presence will be good luck for the team. It's been steady progress for McLaren this season so far, as they find themselves just five points behind Subaru - a team that have Max Verstappen on 52 points, and Théo Pourchaire on 1. Lando Norris meanwhile has 34 points so far this season, Pierre Gasly 14. Norris has looked more comfortable back in a familiar situation at McLaren, while Gasly seems to be rising to the pressure of his contract year. Could McLaren be podium contenders this weekend?

THREE SCORELESS TEAMS - CAN ANY OF THEM HIT PAYDIRT THIS WEEKEND?

It has been a tough start to the season for Williams, Alpine and Andretti, all three have yet to find the points this season, and have generally found themselves trundling along at the back. Of the three, Williams may be the most likely to break that duck this weekend - they're bringing upgrades to this race in hopes of improving that cornering and giving themselves a chance to fight in the midfield, while Alpine and Andretti are not bringing upgrades this weekend. But Monaco is one of those unpredictable weekends - one slightly wrong move can find you in the barriers, a badly timed Safety Car or Red Flag can wreck a race, or a well timed one can make a race - can anyone of these teams be in the right place at the right time this weekend?

And so we head to Monaco and to Round 7, the second part of this European double header. It should be an incredibly intriguing race in Monaco - and one thing is for certain - you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Bennett (Gasly), Grant (Russell), Lindblad (Sainz), Araya (Bearman), Miní (Lawson), Martins (Antonelli), Abadi (Bottas)

Lot of F2 and F3 talent getting an opportunity. Victor Martins double stacking this weekend as he'll be off to Indianapolis for the 500 following this session, but wanting to put an opportunity in to show what he can do in an F1 car. Busy weekend. Lulwa Abadi gets her first opportunity in an F1 car this weekend for Aston Martin, Red Bull running Chloe Grant and Arvid Lindblad for the second consecutive weekend in FP1.

FP1: PIA LEC NOR

Piastri quickest with an absolute stormer lap, 5 tenths up on Leclerc. Norris P3, with Chloe Grant impressing in P4, while Ocon took 5th and Arvid Lindblad did well in 6th. Pourchaire, Herta, Colapinto and Tsunoda all in the top ten.

FP2: LEC PIA BOT

Leclerc quickest in FP2 to the delight of the home fans here, almost 5 tenths up on Piastri. Bottas third with Verstappen fourth, while O'Ward took fifth. Russell 6th and Lawson 7th, Gasly, Sainz and Ocon complete the top ten.

Ferrari have opted for a new ERS system on Car 1 (Leclerc) and Car 81 (Piastri) ahead of FP3. As this is within their allocated limit, being the second powertrain used by both cars this season, no penalty will be applied to either car.

<@&877502242389893191> please get rid, thanks

FP3: LEC PIA RUS

Leclerc quickest in FP3, by just 0.023 ahead of Piastri! Russell P3 ahead of Boytas, with Norris 5th and Colapinto 6th. Pourchaire takes 7th ahead of Verstappen in 8th, Maloney and Gasly complete the top ten.

Thanks mods!

Practice summary: Leclerc and Piastri have been a class apart so far this weekend, and it's likely going to be one of them on Pole (but you never know for sure). Red Bull, Aston and McLaren have all taken turns as second quickest, and we should expect to see all three teams competing in Q3. Mercedes have struggled this weekend, Haas, Subaru and Audi have shown quite a bit of pace. Williams, Alpine and Andretti have been nowhere really.

Well, it's that time again. Saturday afternoon and probably the most important qualifying session of the season, here at Monaco. Qualifying means everything here and a Q1 exit can be nothing short of a disaster for your weekend. The home fans are hoping for a Charles Leclerc Pole, Oscar Piastri will likely push him all the way, while Aston, McLaren, Subaru and Red Bull could all challenge. What will today bring?

OUT IN Q1: Bortoleto, Maloney, Ricciardo, Bearman, Hadjar, Ocon
Bubble: Lawson
Top Five: LEC, PIA, SAI, NOR, VER

Mercedes really struggling for speed around here and Bearman pays the price and exits in Q1! Late laps from Antonelli, Herta and Lawson ensured their place in Q2, while Ocon went back to Haas 2028 form and Qualified last. Hadjar out as well as the two Andrettis, Bortoleto's last second lap got him 17th but not much more, Maloney splits the Andrettis. Leclerc quickest in Q1 ahead of Piastri, with Sainz, Norris and Verstappen following.

OUT IN Q2: O'Ward, Gasly, Lawson, Antonelli, Pérez, Colapinto
Bubble: Herta
Top Five: PIA, NOR, SAI, LEC, VER

A late effort from Colton Herta took him 10th and knocked old IndyCar title rival Pato O'Ward out of qualifying! Pierre Gasly just misses out too, as both Alpines of Lawson and Pérez were split by Antonelli, and Colapinto also exits. Piastri quickest from Norris and Sainz, while home hero Leclerc was 4th, and Verstappen 5th. Russell, Bottas, Pourchaire and Tsunoda also take their place in Q3.

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

It is home Pole for Charles Leclerc!!! Leclerc claims yet another Pole Position on home soil, 2 tenths up on teammate Oscar Piastri. Lando Norris takes McLaren's best qualifying since Imola last season in 3rd, beating out both Red Bulls. Sainz and Russell 4th and 5th, Verstappen 6th fastest. Bottas in 7th with Pourchaire 8th and Tsunoda 9th, while Herta takes 10th.

2029 MONACO GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC PIA

NOR SAI

RUS VER

BOT POU

TSU HER

OWA GAS

LAW ANT

PER COL

BOR MAL

RIC BEA

HAD OCO

[foggy locust]

Well, here we go. Round 7 of the 2029 Formula 1 World Championship brings us to the Crown Jewel, it is Motorsports Sunday, two thirds of the Triple Crown today, the Indy 500 part of that, plus the Coke 600 later, but first, our main event. The 75th World Championship running of the Monaco Grand Prix, the shortest race of the season at 78 laps and 3.337km, it won't be an overtaking festival, but those barriers lurk at every single turn. The top two are the two previous winners, the two Ferrari drivers, will it be another home win for Leclerc, can Piastri go back to back, or will it be one of the challenging pack?

Esteban Ocon starts at the very back of this pack alongside Isack Hadjar, Oliver Bearman alongside 2018 winner Daniel Ricciardo, while Zane Maloney makes his Monaco GP debut in 19th, and Gabriel Bortoleto lines up 18th. Franco Colapinto starts ahead of his teammate for the first time this season, he's beside 2022 Winner Sergio Pérez on row eight. Kimi Antonelli up in 14th and 13th for Liam Lawson, then it's Pierre Gasly and Pato O'Ward on row six. Colton Herta starts alongside Yuki Tsunoda on the fifth row and both may be in demand for moves this season, it's Théo Pourchaire 8th and Valtteri Bottas 7th. 2023 winner Max Verstappen starts sixth alongside George Russell in 5th, then it's Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris has his highest start of the year in third, another Ferrari front row lockout. Last year's winner Oscar Piastri starts from 2nd today, and four time winner here, home hero Charles Leclerc starts from Pole Position. But can he take a fifth win on home soil?

Let's race in Monaco!

As the cars start getting round the circuit on the formation lap here, a lot of excitement for this race, the cars now slotting into their grid positions

One light, two, three, four, five...AND IT IS LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO, LET'S GO MOTOR RACING!

Leclerc is away well and holds position into Saint Devote, Piastri immediately behind, then Norris, Russell got Sainz on the first lap, Bottas ahead of Verstappen, then Teunoda ahead of Pourchaire, O'Ward up into the points!!

(BOZ) "Okay Charles, good start, let's get into the rhythm now, get a good defence and go from there"

(LEC) "Copy this"

PIASTRI

(BON) "Oscar you're free to race, but keep it clean."

(PIA) "Copy"

BOTTAS

Piastri having a look down the inside of Leclerc there but can't get the move done.

Norris holding position well ahead of the two Red Bulls.

Hadjar hits the barrier at Mirabeau Bas!! He's able to carry on, but he's dropped behind Maloney!

OH MY GOD IT IS AN EARLY RED FLAG!!!!

Andrea Kimi Antonelli loses the car at the Nouvelle Chicane coming out of the tunnel and hits the barrier!!! His race has ended on Lap 5!!

ANTONELLI RADIO "I lost the car. Sorry guys. I'm OK. Sorry."

That's the first Sunday Red Flag of the season, by the way. The first since the last four laps in the season finale in Vegas last December.

Restart order on Lap 6: Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Russell, Sainz, Bottas, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Pourchaire, O'Ward, Herta, Gasly, Lawson, Pérez, Colapinto, Ricciardo, Bortoleto, Maloney, Bearman, Ocon, Hadjar. Antonelli out of the race.

Leclerc away cleanly into Saint Devote again, then Piastri holds off Norris, Russell and Sainz, Bottas, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Pourchaire, Herta, O'Ward, GASLY CLIPS THE WALL AT MIRABEAU BAS! He's down to P13!

Reminder that Sainz, Tsunoda, Bearman didn't change tyres during that Red Flag. Russell, Herta, Pérez, Bortoleto and Ocon stayed on their same initial compound, but switched tyres. Everyone else doesn't necessarily have to pit at this point.

Both McLarens, both Alpines and Ricciardo went for Softs however, so likelihood is that they will pit at some point over the course of this race. No chance they'll make 69 (nice) laps on that.

Leclerc breaking away from Piastri, who now has some defending to do from former teammate Norris.

NORRIS

Bottas struggling for pace on the Hards, and has dropped back down to P9.

PITSTOP: The first official stop of the day is Pierre Gasly! He comes in for Mediums, getting off the Softs early, and will rejoin P21 and last running car.

Norris gets the overtake done on Piastri!! Can the McLaren now push on and challenge Leclerc for the lead?

Piastri regains P2 here from Norris!

Ocon runs wide at La Rascasse, but no major damage done.

PIASTRI

Russell down the inside on Norris and into third!

(BON) "Management levels look good, keep it up"

(BOZ) "How are the tyres Charles?"

(LEC) "Ah, good, good, good. They're holding up well"

Bortoleto off at the Nouvelle Chicane! He's kept the car going, just a lock-up for him. He's P19.

PITSTOP: Colapinto in, and taking the Softs! That is...a brave move by Haas, but they're in the position to gamble. He'll likely have to pit again.

Leclerc about a cm away from the wall, or as the graphic let us know, "SUPER CLOSE TO THE WALL". He's 3.774 ahead of Piastri right now.

PITSTOP: Ricciardo in for the first time today, taking the Hards. He exits the pits and has just been lapped by Piastri. A lap further up, Tsunoda pitting for Hards.

PITSTOP: Russell in at half distance, and taking the Hards. He's down to P9.

GASLY RADIO "Problem with the gearbox"

Herta, chasing Pourchaire for P7, runs very wide at Rascasse, but he's gotten away with it.

Sainz and Bearman still on their original tyres.

PITSTOP: Norris is in, taking on the Mediums, and he's rejoined in P10 behind Russell.

PITSTOP: Pourchaire in on Lap 40, which will drop him out of the points. P11.

(LEC) "Do you want to know the margins?"

(BOZ) "We're okay Charles, we know them"

(LEC) "Understood. Radio sounding clearer around here this year"

PITSTOP: Verstappen in for the Mediums, and he's now rejoining P10.

SAFETY CAR CALLED

RUSSELL GOES FOR THE OVERTAKE ON HERTA, CLIPS HIM AND SENDS HIM FLYING INTO THE BARRIER!!! Herta's race is over, Russell has damage, and the Safety Car is in play on Lap 40!!!

(BOZ) "Safety Car, Safety Car. Russell into Herta, Herta out. Both drivers okay. Box."

(LEC) "F---!! Yeah, box"

(BON) "Box Oscar, box. Safety Car is out, Herta and Russell collided. Both drivers OK. Box."

(PIA) "Well, then. Box, yeah"

PITSTOPS: Both Ferraris in and taking their original Mediums back on! They only had about 5 laps on them, so they should get to the end no problem. Leclerc keeps the lead, Piastri stays second. Bottas now third.

CAR 63 (RUSSELL) - CAUSING A COLLISION WITH CAR 26 (HERTA)

Disaster for Russell and for Red Bull, who will suffer with that penalty!

PITSTOP: Bottas in, he rejoins P6, he couldn't get out ahead of either Red Bull or the McLaren of Norris! That could be crucial for the points!

Lap 46, under SC: Leclerc, Piastri, Russell , Sainz, Norris, Bottas, Tsunoda, Verstappen, Pourchaire, O'Ward, Pérez, Colapinto, Bearman, Lawson, Ocon, Ricciardo, Maloney, Hadjar, Bortoleto, Gasly. Herta and Antonelli out of the race.

(PIA) "I have damage, slight damage"

(BON) "Okay Oscar, we will keep an eye on it"

Looks like Piastri clipped the barrier going towards the tunnel!

ALTHOUGH BORTOLETO FULL ON HITS THE BARRIER UNDER THE SC!!

SAFETY CAR IN THIS LAP

We are racing again on Lap 50!

LECLERC

Leclerc has broken away very very quickly off the restart, and set a fastest lap on Lap 50! He's about 1.4 up on Piastri, who is struggling with front wing damage!

Lap 61: Leclerc, Piastri, Russell , Sainz, Norris, Bottas, Tsunoda, Verstappen, O'Ward, Pourchaire, Bearman, Ocon, Lawson, Ricciardo, Maloney, Hadjar, Colapinto, Pérez, Bortoleto, Gasly. Herta and Antonelli out of the race.

Russell a net P6, as it stands with that penalty, BTW.

A really rough day for Pierre Gasly, he's just been lapped for the third time this afternoon. That McLaren has been struggling a lot with damage from his earlier crash, I'm surprised he hasn't retired the car.

Sainz having issues with the car...there's smoke coming out the engine!!! SAINZ'S ENGINE HAS BLOWN!!! He's somehow made it back to the pitlane, his race has ended 10 laps early!!! It goes from bad to worse for the Bulls today!!!

Lap 70: Leclerc, Piastri, Russell , Bottas, Norris, Verstappen, Tsunoda, O'Ward. Pourchaire, Bearman, Ocon, Lawson, Ricciardo, Maloney, Hadjar, Colapinto, Pérez, Bortoleto, Gasly. Sainz, Herta and Antonelli out of the race.

4 seconds between Russell and Bottas. Russell needs it to be 5 or more to keep P3.

Leclerc now 9.5 up on Piastri.

Russell up 5.5 on Bottas, and that'll be enough for P3 for Russell, this would be his first podium with Red Bull.

Two laps remaining!

LAST LAP

From Pole to Flag, fastest lap, a Grand Slam performance from Charles Leclerc. He will take his fifth home victory here at Monaco, equalling Mr Monaco Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher, one away from Senna's record, IT IS HOME VICTORY FOR CHARLES LECLERC, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE MONACO GRAND PRIX!!!

(LEC) "YESSSS!!! YES YES YES!!! Ahhh, yesss!"

(BOZ) "THAT'S NUMBER FIVE AT HOME!!! INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLE. Amazing drive today Charles, amazing job."

(LEC) "It never gets old to win here. Never does."

(BOZ) "Fastest lap, Pole to Flag, that's the Grand Slam. Amazing job."

OSCAR PIASTRI HOME IN P2

(BON) "And so we have taken the Flag, so that's P2, Oscar, P2. Very good job today."

(PIA) "Great result with the damaged wing. We've done everything we could today, Congrats to Charles. Yeah, still happy even though it's not a win today."

(BON) "You drove well mate. Well done"

Russell takes P3 and is over 5 seconds ahead of Bottas, so he keeps it!

Bottas P4, Norris P5, Verstappen P6, Tsunoda P7, O'Ward P8, Pourchaire holds off Bearman for P9, who in turn holds off Ocon for P10.

MONACO GRAND PRIX 2029
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 1.40.05
2. Oscar Piastri +11.843
3. George Russell +29.809
4. Valtteri Bottas +32.478
5. Lando Norris +36.916
6. Max Verstappen +40.453
7. Yuki Tsunoda +42.378
8. Pato O'Ward +48.266
9. Théo Pourchaire +72.179
10. Oliver Bearman +72.288
11. Esteban Ocon +72.584
12. Liam Lawson +73.240
13. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
14. Zane Maloney +1 lap
15. Isack Hadjar +1 lap
16. Sergio Pérez +1 lap
17. Franco Colapinto +1 lap
18. Gabriel Bortoleto +1 lap
19. Pierre Gasly +4 laps
20. Carlos Sainz DNF
21. Colton Herta DNF
22. Andrea Kimi Antonelli DNF

Charles Leclerc 1.11.147
Pierre Gasly 1.975s
Charles Leclerc

DRIVER OF THE DAY: CHARLES LECLERC

A Grand Slam performance on home soil as Charles Leclerc led every single lap from the start to the end despite a Red Flag and Safety Car to take his fifth career win at his home circuit. Charles Leclerc is your Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Leclerc, Bearman, Russell, Bottas, Piastri

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 167
🇲🇨 Leclerc 160
🇫🇮 Bottas 90
🇪🇸 Sainz 71
🇳🇱 Verstappen 60
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 53
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 51
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 44
🇫🇷 Gasly 14
🇺🇸 Herta 13
🇲🇽 O'Ward 12
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 10
🇫🇷 Ocon 9
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 3
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇮🇹 Antonelli 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 327
Aston Martin-Honda 141
Red Bull-Ford 124
Subaru-Honda 63
McLaren-Mercedes 58
Mercedes 23
Audi 12
Haas-Ferrari 9
Williams-Ferrari 0
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 448
Pirelli 277
Goodyear 32

FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2029

McLaren 142
Ferrari 100
Red Bull 76
Andretti 74
Subaru 71
Williams 69
Alpine 66
Aston Martin 45
Audi 37
Mercedes 27
Haas 0

F2 MONACO

SPRINT

1. Paul Aron
2. Dayton Coulthard
3. Héctor Araya
4. Roman Staněk
5. Rafael Câmara
6. Chloe Grant
7. Dennis Hauger
8. Kacper Sztuka
9. Tim Tramnitz
10. Ritomo Miyata

FEATURE RACE
Pole Position: Chloe Grant

1. Chloe Grant
2. Dayton Coulthard
3. Ritomo Miyata
4. Dennis Hauger
5. Kacper Sztuka
6. Tim Tramnitz
7. Rafael Câmara
8. Héctor Araya
9. Paul Aron
10. Doriane Pin

F3 MONACO

SPRINT

1. Oliver Goethe
2. Mari Boya
3. Udo Arnold
4. Alessandro Giusti
5. Martinius Stenshorne
6. Vincenzo Testa
7. Alexander Dunne
8. Rafael Villagómez
9. Daiane Afonso
10. Joshua Dürksen

FEATURE RACE
Pole Position: Alexander Dunne

1. Alexander Dunne
2. Martinius Stenshorne
3. Daiane Afonso
4. Maxwell Esterson
5. Rafael Villagómez
6. John Bennett
7. Udo Arnold
8. Vincenzo Testa
9. Joshua Dürksen
10. Oliver Goethe

F2 STANDINGS

Hauger 91
Grant 75
Coulthard 70
Barnard 65
Câmara 64
Miyata 50
Pin 44
Sztuka 22
Tramnitz 21
Aron 17
Martí 12
Araya 12
Lindblad 10
Verschoor 7
Crawford 7
Staněk 5
Miní 2
Beganovic 2
E. Fittipaldi 0
Maini 0
O'Sullivan 0
Browning 0

F3 STANDINGS

Dunne 83
Arnold 59
Villagómez 39
Goethe 31
Montoya 29
Esterson 25
Stenshorne 24
Mansell 24
Giusto 23
Wharton 19
Dürksen 18
Afonso 17
Abadi 13
van Hoepen 13
Alvarado 12
Al Qubaisi 10
Testa 9
Boya 9
Bennett 8
León 6
Meguetounif 4
Tsolov 3
Pulling 2
Loake 0
Bedrin 0
Wurz 0
Gademan 0
Fornaroli 0
Voisin 0
Brunt 0

[foggy locust]

CHRISTIAN LUNDGAARD GOES BACK TO BACK IN THE 113TH INDIANAPOLIS 500

On Motorsports Monday, as it turned out, Christian Lundgaard has taken his second consecutive Indianapolis 500 victory.

After the race was washed out by the rain on the Sunday, the 113th running of the Indianapolis 500 took place on Monday, and it was a second consecutive win in the race for Christian Lundgaard.

Lundgaard beat out the challenge of Josef Newgarden and Alex Palou to take home the win, while Alexander Albon was fourth on his Indy 500 debut, and Rinus VeeKay took fifth.

Sting Ray Robb was sixth ahead of 2027 Winner Louis Foster, while Felix Rosenqvist, Nolan Siegel and Zhou Guanyu found themselves in the top ten.

But the victory, and the celebratory bottle of milk, went to Christian Lundgaard, who has now won the 2028 and 2029 editions of this great race.

[humble totem]

Great
On a mission to make my team the greatest team of all time and Kimi the goat of all sports
So I am loving it
I could you send the pdf copy of my current save

Send me a friend request
Lastly our boy Charles done dirty again yesterday thanks to lady luck

[foggy locust]

Wasn't half was he

HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX 2029
WEEKEND PREVIEW

We head to the Hungaroring for Round 8 of the 2029 Formula 1 World Championship, and with just seven points between Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc in the Drivers’ Championship fight, how will Hungary shake out?

LAST TIME AROUND

It was absolute dominance from Charles Leclerc, who took victory on home soil for the fifth time in his career. He led Oscar Piastri home in the Seventh Ferrari 1-2 of the season, while George Russell secured his first podium for Red Bull in third place, despite a penalty for clipping Colton Herta, an incident that ended Herta's race. Valtteri Bottas finished fourth ahead of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, with Bottas’ teammate Yuki Tsunoda in Seventh. Pato O'Ward, Théo Pourchaire and Oliver Bearman, who came from P20 to P10, got on the scoreboard as well. Some early chaos saw Andrea Kimi Antonelli crash out and bring out the Red Flag, while Carlos Sainz's engine blew with ten laps to go. But it was a third win of the season for Charles Leclerc, who equalled Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher for wins around his home circuit of Monaco, and is one off Aryton Senna's record of six.

THE CIRCUIT

Hungary's 4.381km Hungaroring circuit, based at Mogyoród, enters its contract season on the F1 calendar, with no guarantees it is renewed beyond 2029. The 4.381km circuit at Mogyoród has been on the calendar since the 1986 season, but the original Hungarian Grand Prix happened in Népliget, a park in Budapest, featuring three cars from Mercedes, Auto Union (now Audi) and the Alfa Romeo backed Ferrari. After that race, it was 50 years before Grand Prix racing returned to Hungary, when it returned to the calendar in 1986, and has held a race every year since, but may well leave the calendar after 2029. The Hungaroring is a dusty track that doesn't see much use throughout the year, making it difficult for passing - another weekend where qualifying is very important. Known to some as “Monaco without the barriers”, it features mostly a mix of slow and medium speed cornering, but with 2 DRS Zones. With 14 corners and 70 laps, we are likely to see a mix of one and two stop strategies.

STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

A HUNGARORING SWANSONG FOR NOW?

The most important story of the weekend may be the exit of this race from the calendar for next year. With the FIA now committed to 21 races and the announcement of the return of the German Grand Prix for 2029, with the potential of more changes to the calendar to come, Hungary has a race contract that is expiring this year, and may well be one of the ones to make way. A traditional race of the calendar, we have raced here since 1986, and it would be a shame if Hungary were to make its exit from next year's calendar. For now, we will appreciate racing here at least one more time for the time being.

HOW WILL THE FERRARI TITLE FIGHT GO THIS WEEKEND?

Oscar Piastri is just seven points ahead of Charles Leclerc in the Drivers World Championship, and with four wins to three this season, the Championship remains on a knife edge in this still early part of the season. With Ferrari once again favourites going into this weekend, can Piastri extend his advantage or will Leclerc close the gap, or even go above his teammate in the Championship this weekend? Ferrari are expecting their latest upgrades to be ready for next time at Silverstone, with further rear wing upgrades expected at Spielberg. For now, their car still looks quickest, which begs the question - Leclerc or Piastri this weekend?

THE RED BULL VERSUS ASTON BATTLE CONTINUES

Red Bull and Aston Martin are currently battling for P2 in the Championship, and Red Bull looked like they were going to go within a few points of Aston at Monaco before Carlos Sainz's engine blew and ended any chances of that. They renew their rivalry this weekend and this is a circuit that very much suits Aston's car over the Bulls. These two teams account for all non Ferrari podiums so far this season - Aston have four (three for Bottas, one for Tsunodq) while Red Bull have three (two for Sainz, one for Russell). Could either of these teams push Ferrari this weekend, and if not, which one will come out on top in their battle?

FRUSTRATION SETTING IN AT THE BOTTOM THREE

Williams, Andretti and Alpine have all had difficult starts to the season, being the three teams who have yet to get on the scoreboard. Alpine have had moments at this circuit, including Esteban Ocon’s first win here eight years ago, but Williams have brought upgrades with this weekend in mind and hope to push themselves back into the midfield battle. Andretti meanwhile have been absolutely abysmal to start the year and frustrations have been growing within the American team. Points here at Hungary would be a huge ailment for any one of these three teams - can any of them put themselves on the board?

And so, to the Hungaroring. No rain expected this weekend so it should be a dry affair, and could make for some very entertaining racing. One thing's for sure - you won't want to miss it.

CÂMARA, PIN TO RUN FP1 FOR FERRARI

Rafael Câmara and Doriane Pin will substitute in for Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri in FP1 this weekend in the Hungaroring.

This marks the first time this season that Ferrari have substituted in another driver for their rookie session requirements.

FP1: NOR PIN CÂM

Lando Norris quickest in FP1, ahead of three reserves - Doriane Pin, Rafael Câmara and Chloe Grant 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively. Yuki Tsunoda 5th with George Russell 6th, Isack Hadjar and Andrea Kimi Antonelli 7th and 10th as Williams show some signs of improvement, Héctor Araya ahead of Colton Herta in 8th and 9th.

FP2: PIA LEC NOR

Piastri quickest from Leclerc, just 0.006 difference! Norris in P3, three tenths back, while Bottas and Russell follow. Gasly in 6th and Pourchaire 7th, with Herta, Sainz and Verstappen in the top ten.

FP3: LEC PIA SAI

Leclerc quickest by 0.078 over Piastri, with Sainz P3. Bottas fourth ahead of Russell and Pourchaire, while Gasly takes 7th and Verstappen 8th. Norris and Herta complete the top ten.

Practice summary: Ferrari far and away the quickest, while McLaren have shown some pace to challenge Red Bull and Aston for the podium. Subaru, Mercedes and potentially even Williams could be there for there about for points.

We are heading to qualifying here in Hungary, and who will take Pole here in Round 8? Leclerc and Piastri remain the favourites once more, but some interesting bunching up in the midfield. Could make for a very intriguing session here.

OUT IN Q1: Hadjar, Herta, Ricciardo, Bortoleto, Maloney, Lawson
Bubble: Pérez
Top Five: LEC, PIA, SAI, BOT, VER

Colton Herta the big exit in Q1, as he had a lock-up on the first lap and could only improve to 18th. Isack Hadjar misses out to Sergio Pérez by 0.058, while the two Andrettis will be on row ten, Maloney and Lawson on the back row. Leclerc quickest from Piastri and Sainz, while Bottas and Verstappen follow.

OUT IN Q2: Bearman, Tsunoda, O'Ward, Antonelli, Colapinto, Pérez
Bubble: Verstappen
Top Five: LEC, SAI, BOT, PIA, RUS

Bearman drops out in Q2 as his former teammate Verstappen sneaks through to Q3 by 0.038! Pérez had a late lap but couldn't get through, Tsunoda, O'Ward, Antonelli also had late attempts but couldn't improve enough to go through, Colapinto also exits. Leclerc quickest, then Sainz, Bottas and Piastri, followed by Russell and Norris. Pourchaire, Gasly and Ocon all through to Q3 as well.

Q3: Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Bottas, Gasly, Verstappen, Russell, Norris, Pourchaire, Ocon

Piastri snatches Pole away from Leclerc at the last, with a superb final lap! Leclerc has to settle for P2, with Sainz 3rd, 4 tenths back. Bottas 4th and Gasly 5th, while Verstappen is 6th. It's Russell and Norris on row four, Pourchaire and Ocon on row five.

2029 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

PIA LEC

SAI BOT

GAS VER

RUS NOR

POU OCO

BEA OWA

ANT COL

PER HAD

HER RIC

BOR MAL

LAW

PITLANE START - TSU

[humble totem]

Lady luck
Not necessary the team
The team just communicated poorly to him that their only fault

[foggy locust]

Well, it is time to go racing here in Budapest, as we head to the Hungaroring for Round 8 and potentially for the last time for a little while, with rumours that this round is going to Germany next year. For now, the 70 lap, 4.381km circuit has been on the calendar since 1986, 14 turns, 2 DRS Zones, "Monaco without the Walls" as it's known to some, a real challenging circuit for overtaking.

[foggy locust]

As we head round the formation lap here in Hungary, this begins our run of five races, and two Sprint weekends, to the Summer Break.

Cars slotting into place now, the lights are on...one...two...three...four...FIVE

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Piastri has gotten away well, Sainz has gotten off the start line ahead of Leclerc! Bottas next, Gasly 5th, Russell ahead of Verstappen, Pourchaire has got Norria at the start, then Ocon and Bearman!

PIASTRI

AND WE HAVE A SAFETY CAR AT THE END OF LAP ONE!!!

Pérez is off at the final corner, and into the barrier!!! His race has ended very early today!

PÉREZ RADIO "I crashed, I crashed. Sorry guys. I'm ok"

Piastri was building up a lead early, but that will now be wiped out!

PITSTOPS: Bortoleto and Lawson rolling the dice early! Bortoleto onto the Mediums, while Lawson takes the Hards. If they can make those last, the free pitstops may come in handy!

Lap 3, under SC: Piastri, Sainz, Leclerc, Bottas, Gasly, Russell, Verstappen, Pourchaire, Norris, Ocon, Bearman, O'Ward, Antonelli, Herta, Colapinto, Hadjar, Ricciardo, Maloney, Tsunoda, Lawson, Bortoleto. Pérez out of the race!

We are racing again on Lap 7!

Piastri holding the lead, Sainz chasing him closely and Leclerc not far behind either! Piastri having to defend position from Sainz right now though!

TSUNODA

(BON) "DRS has been enabled. You're currently fastest man on track"

PIASTRI

Piastri has broken DRS from Sainz and Leclerc, leaving Sainz now vulnerable to the DRS attack from Leclerc, Leclerc goes down the inside of Sainz and he retakes P2!

(BOZ) "Charles we need you to attack these laps, let's get out of Sainz's DRS"

Piastri now with a 1.8 gap to Leclerc. The Australian has led every lap of this race so far.

A battle developing for P4 and P5, with Valtteri Bottas fighting George Russell for position.

Russell gets the move done! He's up to fourth and that could be big for that P2 Constructors battle.

Verstappen lending his former team a hand here! He gets past Bottas into P5!

PITSTOPS: Colapinto, Hadjar, Bearman, Ricciardo all stopping for the first time today! Hadjar out the pitlane first, then Colapinto, then Bearman, then Ricciardo.

PITSTOP: Sainz trying to undercut the Ferraris, as he stops for the first time this afternoon.

(BOZ) "Box, box"

PITSTOP: Ferrari are pitting Leclerc in response to Red Bull bringing Sainz in on Lap 16! Russell also coming in behind him, a 2.399 stop for Leclerc! He rejoins P3.

(BOZ) "Oscar, box this lap, we are boxing this lap"

(PIA) "Yeah, box"

PITSTOP: A 2.119 stop for Piastri, Verstappen stays out and inherits the lead for now!

Piastri on his outlap though quickly goes round Verstappen and into the lead of the race!

Both Ferraris opted for Mediums on that stop, by the way.

Leclerc with DRS, down the inside of Verstappen on the pit straight, and back into P2. But he has 2.4 to make up on Piastri now!

(BON) "Let's not burn these tyres up"

(PIA) "Yep"

PITSTOPS: A Subaru double stack! It's not gone amazingly as Pourchaire had a slight wait, but they've gotten both cars out okay, and now in 9th and 10th!

Esteban Ocon is currently running P3. He started on the Hards...could Haas be pushing a one stopper?

PITSTOP: Lando Norris now in to the pitlane from P6. He's onto the Hards, this is also another potential one stopper.

PITSTOP: Ocon in on Lap 24 for the Mediums, so you can probably scrap that two stopper shout then.

Piastri 3.2 seconds ahead of Leclerc as it stands!

O'Ward now running P5!

Bottas struggling with some car issues! With that and Tsunoda struggling down in P14, it could be a rough day for the British Racing Green.

(BOZ) "Some more LiCo, some more LiCo around Turn 3-5 please"

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR CALLED

SCRATCH THAT. IT IS A FULL SAFETY CAR

Antonelli defending from O'Ward, O'WARD TRIES TO GO ROUND HIM AND THE TWO COLLIDE!!! O'WARD IS IN THE WALL AND WHAT WAS LOOKING LIKE A PROMISING RACE FOR HIM IS OVER!!! Antonelli has damage and may have a penalty to boot as well!!

(BON) "Safety Car, two cars collided. Antonelli and O'Ward, both okay."

(PIA) "Glad they're OK. Can we box?"

(BON) "Yeah, box for Hards."

(BOZ) "Safety Car, Safety Car. O'Ward and Antonelli collided, they're both okay"

(LEC) "Glad they're okay. We need to box"

(BOZ) "And we will box this lap"

PITSTOPS: Both Red Bulls are pitting off the Dafety Car! Sainz gets out ahead of Verstappen, Russell into P5. Piastri and Leclerc both pit, as do Antonelli, Colapinto and Bortoleto!

5 SECOND PENALTY FOR CAR 12 (ANTONELLI) - CAUSING A COLLISION WITH CAR 29 (O'WARD)

Antonelli does get a penalty but he's lucky - that call for his penalty was made just before he entered the pitlane, so he's able to serve it under the Safety Car. He rejoins in P12, although he does have some damage to his car.

Lap 34, under SC: Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Russell, Pourchaire, Norris, Ocon, Bottas, Gasly, Herta, Antonelli, Colapinto, Hadjar, Bortoleto, Bearman, Lawson, Tsunoda, Maloney, Ricciardo. O'Ward and Pérez out of the race.

We're racing again on Lap 37!!

Piastri away well again but Leclerc is keeping up with him, Sainz challenging as well, while Verstappen staying in distance of Sainz, just

PIASTRI

Piastri gaining but Leclerc will have DRS in the main straight, for that matter so will Sainz!

PITSTOP: Lawson pitting and taking Softs. 30 laps on Softs is...brave, not going to lie.

Piastri extends his advantage to about 2.2!

Bottas' gearbox has gone!!! He pulls into the pitlane, and retires the car. Awful weekend for Aston Martin.

No team orders at Red Bull as Russell overtakes Sainz for position!

PITSTOP: Sainz brings himself into the pitlane and puts on Hards, that'll likely take him to the end of the race now.

Antonelli is off at turn 5!!! He's OK, but his race is over. A tough weekend for the Italian driver.

Lap 49, under VSC: Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, Verstappen, Herta, Colapinto, Tsunoda, Sainz, Bortoleto, Norris, Bearman, Pourchaire, Lawson, Ocon, Hadjar, Maloney, Ricciardo, Gasly. Antonelli, Bottas, O'Ward, Herta out of the race.

Verstappen struggling for power here as well!

PITSTOP: Maloney makes a pitstop, he's the only one to come in under the VSC.

VERSTAPPEN INTO THE GARAGE! HIS ENGINE IS GONE, HE IS OUT OF THIS RACE!!!

Still twenty laps remaining, but as it stands, Franco Colapinto is FIFTH.

PITSTOP: Bortoleto in, and you have to question that strategy from Andretti - why now and not under the VSC? He takes on Softs, and rejoins P14.

Tsunoda gets ahead of Colapinto for P5!

Blue flags waving for Maloney, who is now being lapped by Piastri.

PIASTRI

PITSTOP: Russell pits and goes onto the Softs, he's retained P3 in the process and he's likely getting a podium today!

5 laps to go, and it is looking like a comfortable win for Piastri here!

Colapinto chasing teammate Ocon for the final point here. This could be vital to both.

Tsunoda started in the pitlane and has come back for P6. An incredible drive.

A double DNF for Alpine, as Lawson pulls into the pitlane to retire. But he will be classified, officially, four laps down.

Lap 69: Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, Sainz, Norris, Tsunoda, Pourchaire, Bearman, Herta, Ocon, Colapinto, Gasly, Bortoleto, Hadjar, Maloney, Ricciardo. Lawson, Verstappen, Antonelli, Bottas, O'Ward, Pérez out of the race.

FINAL LAP

This has been a statement victory from Oscar Piastri, he's controlled this one from start to finish, even despite two Safety Cars, his fifth win of the season and he extends his Championship advantage, OSCAR PIASTRI WINS THE HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX!!! It's second for Charles Leclerc, but this is Piastri's weekend!!

(BON) "And that's P1, top lad! Well done, Oscar, absolutely fantastic drive today!"

(PIA) "Very nicely done, everyone! Lovely stuff! Really good job over the course of the weekend, uh, yeah, we'll absolutely take those. Very nicely done."

(BON) "Fantastic job, and that's you extended your Championship lead as well!"

(BOZ) "That's the flag Charles, P2. Really good job this weekend, well managed."

(LEC) "Yeah, good job guys. Another podium, can't be too unhappy, would've liked to have had more pace and challenged Oscar, but yeah. Still not a bad result."

(BOZ) "We'll take that and come back stronger at Silverstone."

Russell P3, Sainz P3, Norris 5th, Tsunoda 6th, Pourchaire 7th, Bearman 8th, Herta 9th, Ocon 10th, Colapinto just misses the points

2029 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 1.41.42
2. Charles Leclerc +3.633
3. George Russell +23.804
4. Carlos Sainz +32.982
5. Lando Norris +41.505
6. Yuki Tsunoda +45.203
7. Théo Pourchaire +60.304
8. Oliver Bearman +66.254
9. Colton Herta +68.514
10. Esteban Ocon +72.029
11. Franco Colapinto +72.459
12. Pierre Gasly +1 lap
13. Gabriel Bortoleto +1 lap
14. Isack Hadjar +1 lap
15. Zane Maloney +1 lap
16. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
17. Liam Lawson DNF (+4 laps)
18. Max Verstappen DNF
19. Andrea Kimi Antonelli DNF
20. Valtteri Bottas DNF
21. Pato O'Ward DNF
22. Sergio Pérez DNF

Yuki Tsunoda 1.16.815
Oscar Piastri 2.013s
Yuki Tsunoda

DRIVER OF THE DAY: YUKI TSUNODA

From the pitlane to P6, a fantastic much needed recovery drive for Yuki Tsunoda and Aston Martin, as he continues his brilliant start to the season. Yuki Tsunoda, Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Tsunoda, Russell, Herta, Piastri, Norris

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 193
🇲🇨 Leclerc 178
🇫🇮 Bottas 90
🇪🇸 Sainz 83
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 68
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 60
🇳🇱 Verstappen 60
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 54
🇺🇸 Herta 15
🇫🇷 Gasly 14
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 14
🇲🇽 O'Ward 12
🇫🇷 Ocon 10
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 9
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇮🇹 Antonelli 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 371
Red Bull-Ford 151
Aston Martin-Honda 150
Subaru-Honda 69
McLaren-Mercedes 68
Mercedes 29
Audi 12
Haas-Ferrari 10
Williams-Ferrari 0
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 508
Pirelli 313
Goodyear 39

FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2029

McLaren 157
Ferrari 143
Red Bull 84
Williams 83
Alpine 78
Subaru 77
Andretti 74
Aston Martin 47
Audi 37
Mercedes 28
Haas 0

[foggy locust]

F2 BUDAPEST

SPRINT

1. Chloe Grant
2. Taylor Barnard
3. Tim Tramnitz
4. Kacper Sztuka
5. Dennis Hauger
6. Rafael Câmara
7. Zak O'Sullivan
8. Ritomo Miyata
9. Roman Staněk
10. Doriane Pin

MAIN RACE
Pole Position: Ritomo Miyata

1. Taylor Barnard
2. Chloe Grant
3. Doriane Pin
4. Kacper Sztuka
5. Tim Tramnitz
6. Ritomo Miyata
7. Rafael Câmara
8. Roman Stănek
9. Dennis Hauger
10. Héctor Araya

F3 BUDAPEST

SPRINT

1. Daiane Afonso
2. John Bennett
3. Christian Mansell
4. Rafael Villagómez
5. Maxwell Esterson
6. Udo Arnold
7. Hamda Al Qubaisi
8. Joseph Loake
9. Lulwa Abadi
10. Vincenzo Testa

MAIN RACE
Pole Position: John Bennett

1. John Bennett
2. Maxwell Esterson
3. Hamda Al Qubaisi
4. Christian Mansell
5. Joseph Loake
6. Udo Arnold
7. Rafael Villagomez
8. Daiane Afonso
9. Lulwa Abadi
10. Vincenzo Testa

[foggy locust]

BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2029
WEEKEND PREVIEW

It’s Round 9, and we head to the home of the first ever Formula 1 race back in 1950, Silverstone, for the second Sprint weekend of the season. 79 years after that first race, Silverstone is still going strong on the Formula 1 calendar and having recently signed a new deal, we will be racing on the former airfield in Northamptonshire for years to come. But what will this year's British Grand Prix bring us?

LAST TIME AROUND

It was a dominant display by Oscar Piastri at the Hungaroring as he took his fifth win of the season as Ferrari went eight for eight on 1-2s. Charles Leclerc took second, 3.6 behind Piastri, while George Russell took a second consecutive podium ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz. Lando Norris came home sixth as Yuki Tsunoda went from the pitlane to P6, while Mercedes took double points and Théo Pourchaire and Esteban Ocon also got on the scoresheet. Only 16 cars saw the finish line, as Liam Lawson, Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas all had technical issues that forced them to retire, while Kimi Antonelli, Pato O'Ward and Sergio Perez all crashed out.

THE CIRCUIT

Home of the original Formula 1 World Championship race in 1950, the British Grand Prix has remained part of the calendar ever since, and along with the Italian Grand Prix, is one of two Formula 1 races that has been held every single year. Silverstone has been the sole home to the British Grand Prix since 1987, having first held the race before the days of the F1 World Championship back in 1948, then rotating with Aintree and then Brands Hatch over the years until taking over permanently in 1987. The 5.891km circuit is home to some of the most famous F1 corners of the season, including Copse and that run down to Stowe at turn 1. There is also the Hamilton straight, of course named for now retired Eight Time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who took victory here back in 2026 for the tenth and final time. 2 DRS Zones and plenty of overtaking opportunities makes this a real highlight of the calendar.

STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

CAN RUSSELL, NORRIS OR BEARMAN PUSH FOR THE PODIUM ON HOME SOIL?

Three drivers on the current F1 grid call this race their home Grand Prix - Red Bull's George Russell, McLaren's Lando Norris and Mercedes’ Oliver Bearman. And all three are in cars that could be very competitive this coming weekend at Silverstone. George Russell has two podiums to his name at Red Bull - back to back in the last two races at Monaco and Hungary, while Lando Norris has yet to take a podium since returning to McLaren. Oliver Bearman is still looking for his first career podium and there isn't a better place for him to get his first podium. The home fans at Silverstone will be fully behind Norris, Russell and Bearman, but can any of them get on the podium this weekend or even take the win?

HOW WILL THE HOME TEAMS DO?

Alongside the three home drivers, three teams call this circuit home - McLaren, Aston Martin and Williams, although Red Bull, Alpine, Haas and Mercedes all have bases around this circuit. Aston endured a tough weekend at the Hungaroring, which was somewhat rescued by Yuki Tsunoda taking P6, however they still struggled with technical issues for Valtteri Bottas, and dropped below Red Bull. McLaren meanwhile got themselves within a point of Subaru in the fight for fourth, thanks to P5 for Lando Norris, while Williams had Antonelli DNF and Hadjar struggle down in P14. There has been signs of life for Williams though, particularly with Antonelli, and hopes that they can finally get themselves on the board this weekend, with the Grove team bringing upgrades to do so. All three of these teams are running a special livery to celebrate their home race - can they get the results to match?

CAN LECLERC CLOSE PIASTRI’S LEAD?

In the Drivers Championship fight, Oscar Piastri currently leads Charles Leclerc by 15 points - this has been a close battle between the two so far this season, with Piastri having five wins to Leclerc’s three, and four Pole Positions to Leclerc’s three. With Ferrari bringing Chassis upgrades this weekend, how will that affect the two teammates and title rivals, who will adjust better to them and who will come out on top this weekend in another battle of what is turning out to be a thrilling title rivalry? Leclerc has won three of the last four British Grand Prixs - in 2025, 2027 and 2028, with Hamilton winning 2026 - and is likely the favourite of this weekend, but this is a level of form from Oscar Piastri that we've never seen up to now. Can Piastri take his first win here, or will Leclerc go four from five, or will they both be denied?

HOW WILL THE SPRINT COME INTO PLAY?

And of course, the most vital aspect of this weekend may be the second Qualifying and the Sprint. The second Sprint of the season, Silverstone has been hosting a Sprint since 2027, and was renewed once again for the Sprint this coming weekend. With the extra qualifying to think about and the change in number of tyres, how will this affect the weekend?

And so to Silverstone for Round 9 of the 2029 Formula 1 season. Always one of the most entertaining weekends of the season, you are absolutely not going to want to miss it.

[foggy locust]

FP1 Reserves: Bennett (Norris), Grant (Sainz), Martins (Antonelli), Goethe (Colapinto), Vesti (Bortoleto)

Never understood putting out reserves on a Sprint Weekend, but what can you do. Victor Martins and Frederik Vesti get a chance to prove what they can do as they both bid for a 2030 F1 seat, while John Bennett and Chloe Grant get experience on home (or home adjacent in Grant's case) soil, as does Oliver Goethe.

FP1: PIA TSU LEC

Piastri quickest and Leclerc third fastest, with Tsunoda splitting the Ferraris. Bearman takes fourth ahead of Maloney and Gasly, then Ocon, Russell and Grant, with O'Ward rounding off the top ten ahead of Pourchaire and Verstappen.

Practice Summary: Not much to take from just one session, but Ferrari going quickest as usual, with Aston showing some pace. Mercedes, Audi, McLaren, Haas and Red Bull all in the top ten, Subaru maybe lacking some pace? It's not looking great for Williams, Alpine or Andretti though.

Hello and welcome to Silverstone, it is British Grand Prix weekend, and it is time for the Sprint Shootout. Always a staple of the F1 Calendar, Silverstone, always a favourite of fans and Drivers alike, but what will today's Friday Sprint Qualifying bring us? A lot of home rooting interest, Ferrari will be difficult to beat here though. Let's see where this takes us.

OUT IN SQ1: Ocon, Hadjar, Maloney, O'Ward, Bortoleto, Russell
Bubble: Ricciardo
Top Five: PIA, LEC, GAS, NOR, BOT

Russell the shock SQ1 exit, as he couldn't get round in time to do a second fast lap! Verstappen had a late lap to get out of the bottom six, while Norris' late lap took him from P15 to P4. Ocon and Hadjar miss out on SQ2 and both Audis are out, as well as Bortoleto. Piastri quickest from Leclerc, then the two McLarens and Bottas.

OUT IN SQ2: Gasly, Bearman, Lawson, Pérez, Antonelli, Ricciardo
Bubble: Pourchaire
Top Five: LEC, PIA, BOT, TSU, SAI

Gasly and Bearman miss out on SQ2, as Sainz had to have a late lap save him from an SQ2 exit. Both Alpines out as well as Antonelli and Ricciardo. Leclerc quickest from Piastri, then the Astons of Bottas and Tsunoda, followed by Sainz. Colapinto makes SQ3 ahead of Verstappen, Herta, Norris and Pourchaire also make the top ten.

SQ3: Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Tsunoda, Pourchaire, Colapinto, Herta, Verstappen, Sainz

Despite some late heroics from Norris and Ferrari going very, very early, Leclerc held on for Sprint Pole ahead of Piastri, with Norris third. Bottas and Tsunoda fourth and fifth, while Pourchaire is ahead of Verstappen on the grid for the first time as teammates. Colapinto an impressive P7, ahead of Herta, and Sainz rounds off the top ten.

2029 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
SPRINT GRID

LEC PIA

NOR BOT

TSU POU

COL HER

VER SAI

GAS BEA

LAW PER

ANT RIC

OCO HAD

MAL OWA

BOR RUS

Back later for part two of the weekend - Sprint and regular qualifying!

[foggy locust]

It is Saturday here at Silverstone, and it is time for the Sprint. Around 100km of flat out Racing, 17 laps and an opportunity for more Championship points. 5.891km a lap around this former airfield, it's always one that is prime with overtaking spots, this should be a fun one.

George Russell has work to do on his home Sprint, starting at the very back alongside Gabriel Bortoleto. Pato O'Ward and Zane Maloney beside each other as the Audis are on row ten, Isack Hadjar and Esteban Ocon find themselves on row nine. Daniel Ricciardo starts 16th today with Kimi Antonelli 15th, then it's the two Alpines - Liam Lawson starts just ahead of Sergio Pérez. Ollie Bearman starts his home Sprint twelfth, and Pierre Gasly begins eleventh, it's tenth for Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen starts just outside the points. Colton Herta lines up Eighth and Franco Colapinto impressed yesterday, he starts Seventh. Théo Pourchaire starts ahead of Max Verstappen for the first time as teammates and Yuki Tsunoda lines up fifth, then it's Valtteri Bottas fourth and Lando Norris starts his home Sprint from third, another Ferrari front row lockout. Oscar Piastri begins from second and it is Sprint Pole for the World Champion, Charles Leclerc.

We are ready with the cars on the grid, one light, two, three, four, five...AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO, LET'S GO SPRINTING

Leclerc is away well, Piastri in behind him, Bottas gets ahead of Norris, Tsunoda, Pourchaire, Herta ahead of Colapinto, then Verstappen and Sainz! Verstappen gets Colapinto early for P8!

Leclerc, Piastri, Lawson, Pérez, Bortoleto

Everyone else

Bottas with a lovely move to get Piastri and take P2 off him!!

(LEC) "The Astons have a surprising amount of pace"

(BOZ) "Copy, should offset with the tyres later on"

Piastri gets the move done on Bottas and he's back into P2!

Tsunoda ahead of Norris for P4!!

(BON) "Free to race, but no major risks. We have a race tomorrow too"

(PIA) "Copy"

Piastri with a lovely overtake and he leads the Sprint for the first time today!

The Astons are also being allowed to race and Bottas is being challenged by Tsunoda!

Red Bull really struggling for pace right now. Sainz running P13, Russell is up to P16 though, having started at the back.

Leclerc back into the lead of this race!

Tsunoda also powers ahead of Bottas into P3!

Pérez with a big lock-up, but be keeps it on track. He loses position to Russell in the process though.

Gasly ahead of Pourchaire and into the points!

Piastri with a fantastic move on the Hamilton Straight to take position from Leclerc!

LECLERC GOES ROUND PIASTRI AT COPSE TO RETAKE THE LEAD! WHAT A MOVE, BUT PIASTRI COMES BACK AT HIM AT BECKETTS AND RECLAIMS THE LEAD!!

Norris takes advantage of the in-fighting between the Astons, and passes both of them in a single move! That was lovely by Lando!

Norris has managed his tyres beautifully so far, and the English driver is now a major problem for the Ferraris!

(LEC) "The graining on the tyres is a lot worse than we thought here"

(BOZ) "Copy. Some LiCo, manage best you can"

(LEC) "That is difficult, I have two cars in my mirrors"

(BON) "Norris behind with DRS. Just do what you can."

5 laps left of what has been a very entertaining Sprint thus far

The pure pace advantage that Ferrari have over McLaren has kicked in, and Leclerc and Piastri have shaken Norirs for now at least. Piastri takes the lead of the Sprint going into Stowe!

DRS helps Leclerc out there who was losing traction on Piastri, Piastri holds him off for now, though, Norris is right back in contention!

Leclerc retakes the lead of the race!!

Piastri going for position again and he's back in front!

THREE CARS WIDE, THROUGH GOES LECLERC!!! WOW! LECLERC LEADS, PIASTRI P2, NORRIS P3

LAST LAP

PIASTRI ON THE ATTACK AGAIN BUT LECLERC HOLDS HIM OFF, CHARLES LECLERC ROUNDS CLUB CORNER, AND CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX SPRINT RACE!!! OSCAR PIASTRI P2, LANDO NORRIS P3. SENSATIONAL RACING.

(BOZ) "And P1! Amazing job, amazing job today Charles. Well done, great start to the weekend!"

(LEC) "Let's goooo, baby! Let's go, come on!!! Ahhh, fantastic, fantastic start to the weekend. Good race that."

(BOZ) "You've done a brilliant job"

(BON) "And that's P2, Oscar. Fantastic job, good racing, good result."

(PIA) "Yeah, thank you. That was pretty fun, cheers! Thank you very much."

(BON) "Well done mate, very good drive."

Bottas P4, Tsunoda P5, Herta P6, Verstappen P7, Gasly P8. Colapinto just outside the points.

BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2029
SPRINT CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 00.26.12
2. Oscar Piastri +0.820
3. Lando Norris +1.105
4. Valtteri Bottas +6.034
5. Yuki Tsunoda +6.410
6. Colton Herta +6.789
7. Max Verstappen +7.205
8. Pierre Gasly +7.842
9. Franco Colapinto +12.241
10. Théo Pourchaire +13.009
11. George Russell +18.129
12. Oliver Bearman +20.981
13. Carlos Sainz +22.115
14. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +22.437
15. Esteban Ocon +22.972
16. Liam Lawson +23.256
17. Pato O'Ward +23.292
18. Sergio Pérez +29.052
19. Zane Maloney +29.329
20. Isack Hadjar +35.880
21. Gabriel Bortoleto +36.950
22. Daniel Ricciardo +45.280

Lando Norris 1.29.992

It's time for Qualifying here at Silverstone, as we head into the middle of the afternoon here in Northamptonshire. And after a thrilling Sprint that saw Leclerc, Piastri AND Norris compete for the win, what will qualifying for the main race bring us here?

[foggy locust]

OUT IN Q1: Russell, Pérez, Bortoleto, Herta, Norris, Ricciardo
Bubble: Maloney
Top Five: PIA, TSU, LEC, VER, OCO

Absolute disaster for the home fans here. Lando Norris, who just pushed the Ferraris for the Sprint win, will start the main Grand Prix on the back row. George Russell is also out, having gotten up to P16 and then immediately being knocked out by Zane Maloney. Colton Herta another surprise exit, and those three are joined by Perez and the two Andrettis. Piastri quickest from Tsunoda and Leclerc, then Verstappen and Ocon.

OUT IN Q2: Verstappen, Hadjar, Pourchaire, Ocon, Lawson, Bearman
Bubble: Maloney
Top Five: LEC, PIA, TSU, GAS, OWA

Zane Maloney, giant killer. Fresh off having knocked George Russell out in Q1, Maloney put together a last second lap to knock Max Verstappen out in Q2!! Verstappen's teammate Pourchaire is also out, and the home interest has ended with Ollie Bearman's exit. Hadjar and Lawson also depart, while Leclerc was fastest from Piastri, Tsunoda, Gasly and O'Ward follow. Antonelli makes his second Q3 of the season, Colapinto also through, as are Bottas and Sainz.

What a Q3 we have

After those giant killings, it looks like Maloney's car has paid the price here - he's not gotten out for a lap yet, and it doesn't look like he is going to be able to, either! Car 72 is having issues!

Q3: Piastri, Tsunoda, Bottas, Gasly, Leclerc, Antonelli, Colapinto, Sainz, O'Ward, Maloney (no time)

Piastri takes Pole, despite Ferrari not being able to get either car round for a second lap in time, but it's just fifth for title rival Leclerc! Yuki Tsunoda is on the front row for the first time since Singapore, Bottas and Gasly on the second row! Antonelli beside Leclerc, with Colapinto and Sainz on row four, O'Ward ahead of Maloney who sadly had car issues and couldn't set a time in Q3.

ZANE MALONEY TO TAKE PITLANE START ON SUNDAY

Zane Maloney and Audi have been enforced into a pitlane start for Sunday's British Grand Prix.

Maloney initially qualified 10th, however a battery failure within the Audi caused him to miss Q3 entirely, and forced Audi to break Parc Ferme to fix the error.

As a result, Maloney gives up his 10th place start and will start Sunday's race from the pitlane.

2029 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

PIA TSU

BOT GAS

LEC ANT

COL SAI

OWA VER

HAD POU

OCO LAW

BEA RUS

PER BOR

HER NOR

RIC

PITLANE START - MAL

Back later after dinner for the race itself!

[foggy locust]

Well, here we go. Round 9 of the 2029 Formula 1 season brings us to Silverstone and to the British Grand Prix. It's where the Championship began 79 years ago, and we go racing here once more. 52 laps, 5.891km, one of the longer laps of the season, 2 DRS Zones and if it's anything like yesterday's Sprint, we could be in for an all timer. No rain expected this weekend, how very unlike Silverstone that is.

Zane Maloney's car had an oil leak after he made it to Q3 which forces him to start today from the pitlane, it's Daniel Ricciardo alone on the back row, then Lando Norris, who nearly won the Sprint, starts his home race from 20th and Colton Herta begins from 19th. Gabriel Bortoleto on row nine alongside Sergio Pérez, George Russell and Ollie Bearman start their home races beside each other on row eight. Liam Lawson in 14th and Esteban Ocon starts behind his teammate for the second time this season. Théo Pourchaire lines up 12th and Isack Hadjar begins just outside the points, Max Verstappen went out in Q2 but is promoted into the top ten alongside Pato O'Ward. Carlos Sainz in 8th and Franco Colapinto has his highest ever F1 start in 7th. Kimi Antonelli's highest start of the season so far in 6th, Charles Leclerc's lowest start of the season so far in 5th. Pierre Gasly also has his highest start since Silverstone last year, and Valtteri Bottas lines up on the second row, Yuki Tsunoda on the front row for the first time since Singapore, and it is the fifth Pole of the season for Oscar Piastri.

And so as the formation lap goes ahead here, we head towards the grid and the lights here at Silverstone

One light, two, three, four, five

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO, LET'S GO MOTOR RACING

Piastri has gotten off the line well, Bottas ahead of Tsunoda, then Gasly, Leclerc, Colapinto ahead of Antonelli, O'Ward, Verstappen up to P9, then Pourchaire!

Piastri hasn't shaken the Astons as of yet, and they'll have DRS on this lap!

Leclerc attacks Gasly going into Brooklands and takes position!

Valtteri Bottas snatches the lead from Piastri, but Piastri on the attack again and he retakes position going into Abbey! Leclerc is up to P3 ahead of Tsunoda!

RUSSELL WITH A MASSIVE SPIN ON THE HANGAR STRAIGHT!! He drops to the very back!

Bottas back on the attack and Bottas retakes P1 from Piastri!!

Maloney's issues that bugged him in qualifying may well be back, and running P21 (and currently splitting the Red Bulls), that may well compromise his weekend entirely!

(PIA) "Wasn't expecting the Astons to be so quick"

(BON) "Keep going, got every chance here"

Both cars for both teams trade positions - Piastri ahead of Bottas, Tsunoda ahead of Leclerc!

Lawson is off at Vale!! He spins off, but corrects it and rejoins P18.

Colapinto currently having to defend two Subarus - Pourchaire and Verstappen working together against the Haas here.

(LEC) "Yes!"

(BOZ) "This is a good pace Charles. You're doing well. Bottas 0.7 ahead, Oscar 1.2 ahead."

Leclerc battling throufh the pack right now and currently chasing Bottas for P3, having just taken Tsunoda.

Hadjar is off between Maggots and Becketts! He's down to P21.

Piastri has opened a bit of a gap to Bottas, who now has Leclerc chasing him down.

Antonelli moves ahead of Ocon and back into the points.

Leclerc with a lovely move into Stowe and he takes P2 from Bottas, he's now 2.1 behind Piastri though, and he'll have to shake the Aston in the process.

Bottas has DRS and he's gotten himself back in Leclerc's range, and retakes P2!

Meanwhile this has allowed Oscar Piastri to open up a gap of about 3 seconds in front!

(LEC) "Mamma mia. Bottas isn't going away here quietly is he?"

(BOZ) "You've got the pace, you can do this"

We suspect the tyre differences may come into play for Leclerc and Piastri across this afternoon. Bottas also still very much in the mix here.

TSUNODA

It has to be said - Colapinto is defending superbly from Pourchaire and Verstappen.

O'Ward ahead of Gasly! With Maloney's issues thus far this weekend, this could be much needed for Audi!

PITSTOPS: First stops of the day by Hadjar and Russell. Both onto the Mediums.

Subaru have switched it around - Verstappen has been given priority and Pourchaire moves aside, as the two continue to try and break down Colapinto's defence here.

Bortoleto runs wide at Stowe! He drops position to Ricciardo, and loses some tyre wear off that one.

(BON) "And push these tyres. Get the best out of them. Get the hammer down"

(PIA) "Copy"

Sainz with a big lock-up going into Arena, and that won't have helped his tyres!

PITSTOPS: Alpine double stack, and Bortoleto also comes in.

PITSTOPS: O'Ward, Colapinto and Bearman all enter the pitlane...Bearman with a delay!! O'Ward takes Softs, Colapinto onto Mediums. That was a 4.451 stop for Mercedes. Not good, lads.

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

(PIA) "Copy. Box"

PITSTOPS: Bottas in, SUBARU DOUBLE STACK, Herta in, Maloney in! Oh that was not good from Subaru, a delay on release for Verstappen which held up BOTH Drivers! Bottas onto the Mediums at this point.

Bortoleto spins off in some style at Farm Corner!

PITSTOP: Piastri is in! A 2.301 stop for the Championship leader. Leclerc goes into the lead. Antonelli coming in behind Piastri. Piastri rejoins P4 on fresh Mediums, Antonelli P12, also fresh Mediums.

Piastri thirteen seconds behind Leclerc, four ahead of Bottas.

PITSTOP: Norris in from P4. He takes Softs so he's committed to the two stop, but the McLaren pit crew can't get his front left off!! Disaster for Norris this weekend!

(BOZ) "Let's attack these laps. No need for LiCo just now."

PITSTOP: Sainz in! Ian this a one stop? Probably not as he's taken on the Mediums. Might be tough to get those to the end.

Leclerc leads, he's 6 seconds up on Tsunoda, with Gasly 7 behind, Piastri ten seconds behind and Bottas 13 behind.

Piastri takes P3 back from Tsunoda - Tsunoda of course yet to pit today.

(BOZ) "Box Charles, box this lap"

(LEC) "Yeah, copy, box"

Piastri ahead of Gasly, and we are once again at a Ferrari 1-2.

PITSTOPS: Leclerc is in the pitlane! He's onto the Hards, he looks like he's going for the one stop. A 2.149 stop, a lovely stop that for the Champion! Tsunoda follows him into the pitlane, he's onto the Hards and it looks like he's also trying the one-stopper!

Leclerc rejoins P5, 14 seconds behind Piastri - but he's likely going to the end. The four cars in front, including Gasly who has yet to pit, will need to stop again.

PITSTOP: And speaking of which, Gasly is in and onto the Hards. A better stop this time for McLaren, he rejoins in P9.

(BOZ) "Tyres are in a good window here, cool them a little though"

(LEC) "Copy"

(BON) "Chances of Plan B on these tyres?"

(PIA) "Unlikely"

Worth noting that if it were to finish like this, Oscar Piastri would have a 28 point advantage in the Championship. There's a long way to go this afternoon though.

Ocon overtakes Verstappen for 6th! What a turnaround this has been for Haas so far this season!

TSUNODA

Tsunoda overtakes Colapinto and Ocon in quick succession!

PITSTOP: A second stop of the day for Pato O'Ward! He takes the Mediums and that should see him to the end here on Lap 31.

GASLY RADIO "Yeah, the anti-deploy didn't work"

Haas are letting Ocon and Colapinto race here. A risky strategy in such a good position? Ocon ahead of his teammate at the moment.

PITSTOPS: Never mind. Ocon is in, and Mercedes double stack Bearman and Herta, successfully. That's how it's done, Subaru.

(BON) "Just use the tyres"

(PIA) "Yup"

PITSTOP: Colapinto in for his second stop, and he rejoins P16. Can he fight his way back to the points?

(BON) "So, box, box"

(PIA) "Copy...box"

PITSTOP: Second pitstop of the day for Lando Norris, this one thankfully goes a lot better for him.

POURCHAIRE IS OFF AT THE SIDE OF TBE ROAD! His engine has gone, and his day is over! He has parked safely, though, and there won't be a Safety Car.

PITSTOP: Piastri in for his second stop - a 2.011. Incredible job by the Ferrari pitcrew!

Valtteri Bottas is two seconds ahead of Leclerc, and seven up on Piastri. He's struggling with his tyres, if be can somehow one stop this, he might win this.

PITSTOP: And as I say that, Bottas comes into the pitlane. Charles Leclerc is now leading the British Grand Prix.

Piastri back in striking distance of Leclerc, with a massive tyre advantage. Can the Champion hold firm?

Piastri going for the move on the Hangar Straight, and Oscar Piastri retakes the lead of this race!

PIASTRI

The tyre offset paying massive dividends for Piastri now, as he's gaining significantly on Leclerc.

PITSTOP: A late stop for Antonelli.

Before that, Herta had just overtaken Antonelli for P10, and Sainz uses the confusion to sneak past Colapinto and into P11!

VERSTAPPEN RADIO "I think I have a puncture or something!"

PITSTOP: VERSTAPPEN DOES INDEED HAVE A PUNCTURE!!! He's able to drag the car back to the pitlane, get new Softs on...and Subaru have a massive delay for Verstappen on the stop!!! What are they doing there?

BOTTAS

Ricciardo back in the garage and he retires from the race. He was a lap down, so he'll miss out on being classified in this race.

PIASTRI

(BON) "You're the fastest on track right now. We'll drop back to normal pace now."

Colapinto ahead of Bearman, but can he catch Herta and get himself some points today?

Incredible recovery from Lando Norris, who started on the back row, and looks like he'll take P7, ahead of his teammate to boot.

LAST LAP

LECLERC UNDER PRESSURE FROM BOTTAS ON THE FINAL LAP!

No such issues for Oscar Piastri, a superb performance for his sixth win of the season!!! OSCAR PIASTRI WINS THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX!!!

(BON) "P1, Oscar!! Beautiful work!!! Get in there, mate!"

(PIA) "Wooo!! Yeah, that was really fun, thanks guys. Very nicely done, everyone! That was a good race from us, uh, that was exactly what we needed after yesterday, I would say that was part of my plan, but, yeah. Well done guys, the car was mega once again"

Leclerc meanwhile holds off Bottas and it's nine 1-2s out of nine for Ferrari. What a run of dominance this is!!

(BOZ) "And P2, P2, Charles. Great job today, great recovery from qualifying. Amazing job."

(LEC) "Yeah, that was nice. What a race and what a pace. I think the two stop might have been better, but I should've been in a better position to do that. But yeah, we maximised that, so I'm happy."

(BOZ) "Great job today."

Bottas P3, there's still action happening behind him though!

Norris ahead of Ocon and into P6!! What a recovery this has been from Lando!

Herta defending the final point from Colapinto!

Tsunoda P4, O'Ward P5, Norris P6, Ocon P7, Sainz P8, Gasly P9, Herta P10. Colapinto falls agonisingly short of the points again.

2029 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 1.21.10
2. Charles Leclerc +16.747
3. Valtteri Bottas +18.045
4. Yuki Tsunoda +33.192
5. Pato O'Ward +51.148
6. Lando Norris +52.324
7. Esteban Ocon +53.407
8. Carlos Sainz +57.134
9. Pierre Gasly +60.310
10. Colton Herta +66.400
11. Franco Colapinto +67.250
12. Zane Maloney +69.128
13. George Russell +71.218
14. Oliver Bearman +73.005
15. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +73.416
16. Max Verstappen +76.855
17. Sergio Pérez +85.248
18. Liam Lawson +1 lap
19. Isack Hadjar +1 lap
20. Gabriel Bortoleto +1 lap
21. Daniel Ricciardo DNF
22. Théo Pourchaire DNF

Oscar Piastri 1.27.989
Oscar Piastri 2.011s
Lando Norris

DRIVER OF THE DAY: LANDO NORRIS

An incredible comeback drive on home soil for Lando Norris, who went from the back row of the grid and P21 to P6, overtaking Esteban Ocon at the line to secure valuable points - ahead of his teammate, too. Lando Norris is your Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Norris, O'Ward, Ocon, Colapinto. Piastri

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 227
🇲🇨 Leclerc 204
🇫🇮 Bottas 110
🇪🇸 Sainz 87
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 76
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 68
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 68
🇳🇱 Verstappen 60
🇲🇽 O'Ward 22
🇺🇸 Herta 19
🇫🇷 Gasly 17
🇫🇷 Ocon 16
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 14
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 9
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇮🇹 Antonelli 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 431
Aston Martin-Honda 186
Red Bull-Ford 155
McLaren-Mercedes 85
Subaru-Honda 71
Mercedes 33
Audi 22
Haas-Ferrari 16
Williams-Ferrari 0
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 587
Pirelli 363
Goodyear 49

FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2029

Ferrari 169
McLaren 163
Red Bull 110
Williams 95
Subaru 92
Alpine 82
Andretti 76
Aston Martin 47
Audi 74
Mercedes 28
Haas 0

F2 SILVERSTONE

SPRINT

1. Arvid Lindblad
2. Tim Tramnitz
3. Doriane Pin
4. Rafael Câmara
5. Ritomo Miyata
6. Kacper Sztuka
7. Gabriele Miní
8. Dennis Hauger
9. Dayton Coulthard
10. Richard Verschoor

FEATURE RACE
Pole Position: Tim Tramitz

1. Tim Tramnitz
2. Ritomo Miyata
3. Arvid Lindblad
4. Rafael Câmara
5. Doriane Pin
6. Dayton Coulthard
7. Kacper Sztuka
8. Dennis Hauger
9. Richard Verschoor
10. Chloe Grant

[foggy locust]

McLAREN IN TALKS WITH COLTON HERTA

McLaren could be about to make a move for Colton Herta in the summer transfer window.

McLaren and Herta are said to have had talks about a move to the team for the 2030 season, with Herta potentially coming in to become Lando Norris' teammate for next year.

Herta has adapted well to Formula 1 since joining Andretti in 2027, before his shock move to Mercedes in 2028. The American driver is well liked in the paddock and has caught the attention of McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who would love to have a fellow American in the car.

We'll follow this story as it develops.

FORMULA 1 TO RETURN TO MALAYSIA IN 2030

The Malaysian Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar for the 2030 season, signing a new deal.

Formula 1 hasn't raced in Malaysia since 2017, but with the deal for the Chinese Grand Prix expiring this season, Malaysia has sealed a deal with the FIA to return to the calendar.

The race was on the calendar between 1999 and 2017, and now makes its return to the Sepang International Circuit.

The race closed the 2000 season, then was held as the second race of the year in 2001, and was the second race every season between 2001 and 2009, and then the third race in 2010, before going back to the second race between 2011 and 2015. It moved to later in the season in its last two runnings, but is expected to return to its traditional second race of the calendar slot for 2030.

Max Verstappen won the last race held there in 2017.

[foggy locust]

AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2029
WEEKEND PREVIEW

Round 10 of the 2029 Formula 1 season sees us head to Austria, and an eventful Silverstone weekend saw Oscar Piastri extend his Championship advantage over Charles Leclerc, despite Leclerc's Sprint win. So Ferrari are 9 for 9 on 1-2s this year. At the home of Red Bull this weekend, can the Bulls challenge Ferrari for the race win?

LAST TIME AROUND

Two races at Silverstone, two Ferrari wins, two Ferrari 1-2s, but in different order. An incredibly competitive Sprint saw McLaren's Lando Norris push Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri for the win, but Leclerc took home victory in the Sprint. Meanwhile, Piastri won the main race on the Sunday, with Aston Martin's Valtteri Bottas the main challenger to Leclerc and Piastri. Norris recovered for P6 on the Sunday after a Q1 exit, while Yuki Tsunoda made it an Aston 3-4, Pato O'Ward took fifth, and Franco Colapinto narrowly missed the points in both races, finishing 9th in the Sprint, and 11th in the Race.

THE CIRCUIT

One of the shortest laps of the season, the Red Bull Ring, residing in the Green Hills of Austria, near Spielberg in Styria. It was founded as the Österreichring, and hosted the Austrian Grand Prix from 1970 to 1987, then found itself returning to the calendar as the A1 Ring between 1997 and 2003. The race returned once more as its current iteration, the Red Bull Ring, in 2014 and has remained on the calendar ever since. It hosted two races in 2020 and 2021, adding the Styrian Grand Prix to the Austrian Grand Prix due to the shortened calendar and other races having to be cancelled, and was the opening race of the shortened 2020 season, taking the place of Australia, which wouldn’t host the opening race again until 2027. The current layout sits at 4.318km, with ten corners and three DRS Zones. It has a good mix of low and high speed corners, making for a lot of overtaking opportunities around this circuit.

STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

RED BULL'S HOMECOMING

It is the first race in Austria for Red Bull for George Russell since making the move in the offseason, and after a difficult home weekend for Russell at Silverstone last time around, the team would love a bounce back here of all places. The Bulls are bringing upgrades with their home race in mind, harbouring hopes of pushing Ferrari for the race win this season. The team dropped to third in the Constructors after securing just four points last weekend, with Sainz finishing 8th on Sunday and Russell 13th, and neither scoring points in the Sprint. James Vowles’ first season in charge since the sacking of Christian Horner hasn't brought the title challenge Red Bull may have been hoping for, but can they put themselves on the front foot this weekend as we head towards the second half of the season?

PIASTRI VERSUS LECLERC CONTINUES FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP

We are in the midst of the first full Drivers Championship battle since 2026, one that involved Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, and ended in Lewis Hamilton's record breaking Eighth World Championship. Leclerc has experience in winning World Title fights though - he beat out Max Verstappen in 2024, and Lewis Hamilton in 2025, before coasting home to the title in 2027 and 2028. But this feels like Oscar Piastri's first full Championship title fight, and the Australian is rising to the challenge. The two traded wins at Silverstone - Leclerc won the Sprint, Piastri won the main race, and extended his Championship advantage to 23 points. Leclerc may need this one more than Piastri this weekend - can he get it and reduce the gap?

FRANCO COLAPINTO'S SEARCH FOR POINTS CONTINUES

It's been so near yet so far for Franco Colapinto, as the Argentinian driver has finished just outside the points in the last two races, as well as the Silverstone Sprint. In a much improved Haas, Colapinto has finally had the opportunity to show what he can do, and has seemingly improved significantly as a result. But he's still waiting for that break to get into the points - is it something he can do this coming weekend? Haas are bringing upgrades for him and Esteban Ocon this weekend, and the team has been on an upwards trend since Mike Krack took over as Team Principal. Is it something they can change this year coming though?

PRESSURE TO PERFORM FOR THE SIX WITHOUT A CONTRACT

The summer transfer window is looming and teams look to confirm their drivers for the 2030 season and beyond. Yuki Tsunoda is almost certain to be on the grid next year, and Aston Martin look the front-runners to sign their star driver amidst interest from McLaren and Mercedes. Colton Herta has held talks with the latter two as well as he looks to further his Formula 1 career. But the pressure is very much on Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson, Franco Colapinto and Gabriel Bortoleto, as teams look for the next big star in Formula 1 - with potential up and down the F2 grid and beyond, who will be the next big break in F1 - and who will it be at the expense of? Austria, Belgium and Netherlands might be the last proving grounds for a few on the current grid. The pressure is on.

And so we head to Austria with potential Formula 1 futures in the balance, as well as a Championship battle and points in play up and down the grid. Rain is expected on Friday and Saturday, so it could be a mixed up grid, but Sunday should be dry. And one thing's for sure - you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Grant (Russell), Lindblad (Sainz), Martins (Hadjar), Browning (Antonelli), O'Sullivan (O'Ward), Abadi (Bottas), Barnard (Tsunoda), Shwartzman (Pourchaire)

The two mainly to watch in terms of 2030 are Shwartzman and former F2 Champion Victor Martins. Red Bull and Aston putting both reserves in the car, Ferrari had planned to but have moved it back to the Netherlands and likely Abu Dhabi as well.

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR

That won't help his 2030 bid. Robert Shwartzman has lost the car and gone off at turn 1. The Subaru driver is unhurt, but he's left his team with some work to do on Théo Pourchaire's car - and left his chances of a full time seat in trouble after that incident.

FP1: LEC PIA NOR

Leclerc and Piastri were the only ones who got some dry weather running at the end, and ended up almost four seconds quicker than Norris in P3. Lindblad fourth in an impressive run for Red Bull, with Ocon fifth and Bearman sixth. Browning and Grant P7 and P8, Ricciardo 9th, Gasly 10th. Subaru reserve Robert Shwartzman had a crash early in the session that brought out a VSC.

[foggy locust]

FP2: NOR SAI VER
LEC P4, PIA P6

Norris quickest in FP2 in changing conditions, with Sainz and Verstappen following. Leclerc P4 ahead of Pourchaire and Piastri in P6. Tsunoda, Russell, Herta and Bearman complete the top ten.

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR IN FP3

Ricciardo is off at turn 1! His team have some work to do for Qualifying now! The Australian is okay, but that car is wrecked.

FP3: OCO LEC MAL
PIA P4

Esteban Ocon goes quickest in FP3 ahead of Charles Leclerc and Zane Maloney! Oscar Piastri fourth, with Valtteri Bottas fifth, and Carlos Sainz sixth. Colapinto, Norris, O'Ward and Gasly complete the top ten.

It's time to go qualifying here in Spielberg and what do you make of that practice? Three rained out sessions, hard to tell for sure who is quickest. Should make for a very intriguing Saturday here in the Green, very rainy, Hills of Austria.

OUT IN Q1: Maloney, Hadjar, Ocon, Verstappen, Colapinto, Bortoleto
Bubble: Ricciardo
Top Five: LEC, BOT, RUS, PIA, NOR

Verstappen is out in Q1! The biggest shock exit is that of the 3 time former World Champion, who got caught in the rain. As did both Haas drivers, with that looking like 2028 again, while Maloney, Hadjar and Bortoleto also go out in Q1. Ricciardo makes Q2, just. Leclerc quickest from Bottas and Russell, then Piastri, Norris and Sainz.

RED FLAG IN Q2!!!

That's Yuki Tsunoda in the wall!!! He's okay, but that was a heavy crash that will end his participation in qualifying here, and will bring an early end to Q2!

OUT IN Q2: Gasly, Sainz, Antonelli, Bearman, Lawson, Ricciardo
Bubble: Herta
Top Five: BOT, POU, PER, NOR, OWA
LEC P7, PIA P8

Yuki Tsunoda's end of Q2 crash brought an early end to qualifying, and saw Gasly, Sainz, Antonelli, Bearman, Lawson and Ricciardo unable to get out of Q2 and complete a second lap. Bottas went quickest ahead of Pourchaire, with Pérez third, Norris fourth and O'Ward fifth. Leclerc, Piastri and Russell are all through, as is Herta. Tsunoda does get through, but won't take part in Q3.

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

Piastri takes his sixth Pole of the season, beating out Leclerc by 0.148! Herta took a stunning P3 ahead of O'Ward, with Pourchaire 5th, starting ahead of Verstappen on a Sunday for the first time. Bottas 6th, then Russell and Norris on row four, Pérez ninth, Tsunoda did not set a time due to his Q2 crash.

TSUNODA TO START IN PITLANE FOR SUNDAY'S RACE

Yuki Tsunoda will take a pitlane start for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.

Tsunoda crashed out in qualifying in Q2, and the Aston Martin team were forced to break Parc Ferme to fix his car for the race.

Therefore, Tsunoda will start Sunday's race from the pitlane.

2029 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

PIA LEC

HER OWA

POU BOT

RUS NOR

PER GAS

SAI ANT

BEA LAW

RIC MAL

HAD OCO

VER COL

BOR

PITLANE START - TSU

Race will be later this evening! Going to get dinner etc first

[foggy locust]

It is Sunday and it's the first fully dry day of the weekend, it is race day in the Green Hills of Austria. Round 10 of the 2029 Formula 1 World Championship comes to Spielberg, this 4.326km Circuit is the home of Red Bull Racing, but it is Ferrari that start on the front row. 71 laps, 3 DRS Zones, jusy 10 corners, but plenty of overtaking chances and opportunities abound.

Yuki Tsunoda begins his day from the pitlane today so it's Gabriel Bortoleto alone on the back row. Franco Colapinto starts P20 and Max Verstappen, who's so used to delighting the fans around here back when he was with Red Bull, starts P19 in a Subaru. Esteban Ocon and Isack Hadjar on row nine, Zane Maloney and Daniel Ricciardo, another former Red Bull driver, on the Eighth row. Liam Lawson also had one season at Red Bull and he starts 14th today, Ollie Bearman begins from 13th. Kimi Antonelli lines up 12th with Carlos Sainz 11th for the eponymous team here, Pierre Gasly had his time at Red Bull as did Sergio Perez, they share the fifth row. Lando Norris spent two years at Red Bull before his return to McLaren and he's Eighth, George Russell's first race for Red Bull around their home circuit finds him Seventh. Valtteri Bottas lines up 6th with Théo Pourchaire 5th, Pato O'Ward starts today from 4th and Colton Herta has his highest start of the year so far in 3rd, and Ferrari once again lock out the front row. Charles Leclerc starts from P2, it is a sixth Pole of the season for Oscar Piastri.

Let's go racing at Spielberg!

As the cars complete the formation lap, they're settling into place on the grid

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

Piastri gets a good start, Leclerc right with him, Herta also away well, O'Ward, Bottas, Russell, Norris, Pérez, Gasly, Sainz

PIASTRI RUNS WIDE AT TURN 6!!! IT IS A DISASTROUS FIRST LAP FOR THE AUSTRALIAN AND HE DROPS FROM P1 TO P13!!!

(PIA) "I f---ed up. What a disaster"

(BON) "Long race ahead. You can still recover it"

Leclerc has inherited the lead and what an opportunity this is now!

Colton Herta is keeping him honest, at least for now.

Russell has already fought his way up to P3, overtaking O'Ward for position!

Piastri on the comeback trail. He's already ahead of Lawson, Maloney and Antonelli and back into the points!

(LEC) "What happened to Oscar?"

(BOZ) "He went wide at turn 6, he is currently P10"

LECLERC

Russell gets Herta for 2nd! But can he put in a challenge to Leclerc?

Gasly retakes position, and Piastri uses his DRS to get past Pérez as well in the process!

RUSSELL RADIO "He moved, under breaking, that's surely a penalty"

Herta retakes P2, Russell isn't happy about it and wants the American driver punished for the move!

SAINZ IS OFF! A big spin by the Spanish driver and it's disaster for him at Red Bull's home race! He's down to P22!

Piastri overtakes Gasly for P7!

There's a three car battle happening just now between Russell, Herta and Norris.

A MASSIVE OFF FOR BORTOLETO AT TURN 7!!! I'm not entirely sure how he avoided the barrier but he has done so and kept the car going.

Piastri's recovery is going well, he's ahead of O'Ward for P6.

Bottas and Verstappen both struggling a lot with ERS issues right now.

(BON) "Bottas seems to be having some issues, let's close that gap as soon as we can."

Norris ahead of Russell and into P3!

Piastri catches up to Bottas and he's around him quickly here.

Ocon, who started 18th, goes ahead of Maloney for what would be the final point just now.

Gasly gets ahead of Bottas and into 6th!

Gasly driving very determined here, and he's up to P5!

RUSSELL RADIO "Few hesitations on power"

RUSSELL

Russell complaining about power, then puts in a fastest lap. Okay then.

Herta having to defend Gasly and Piastri, THREE CARS WIDE, PIASTRI UP TO FOURTH, GASLY FIFTH, HERTA SIXTH. WOW.

Russell and Norris clash wheels!! Neither driver is happy with that one, but the FIA is saying nothing going, and doesn't look like any major damage to either car.

PITSTOPS: Pérez and Bortoleto first to come in for stops today. Both onto the Hard tyres.

PITSTOP: Antonelli in on Lap 19! He's onto the Mediums, this is undoubtedly a two stopper.

(BOZ) "Box Charles, box this lap"

(LEC) "Copy box"

(PIA) "These tyres won't make it another few laps"

(BON) "We hear ya, we're ready for ya, box now"

PITSTOPS: Piastri pits, Leclerc stays out an extra lap! Was that meant to be a double stack by Ferrari? Either way, a 2.119 stop for Piastri and he rejoins in P14. Sainz also in.

PITSTOPS: Leclerc in from the lead on Lap 21! A clean 2.167 stop from the Champion! Russell is in and Red Bull are changing his front wing! Looks like he took more damage from the clash with Norris than thought! Herta is in and has overtaken Russell in the pitlane!!!

Piastri ahead of Verstappen for 9th. Verstappen has still yet to stop, of course.

Interestingly, it is currently a 1-2 for McLaren!

PITSTOPS: Aston double stacking, Bottas has a delay but they get him out just in time for Tsunoda to come in! That could've gone worse! Lawson also out ahead of Tsunoda!

LECLERC

PITSTOPS: Gasly gets the call before Norris for McLaren! That's intriguing. Gasly rejoins P8. Ocon in as well as Ricciardo

VERSTAPPEN RADIO "Nothing works. This car is so f---ing s---"

PITSTOP: A very unhappy Max Verstappen is pitting, they've gone Medium-Medium so are committing fully to the two stopper!

McLaren look like they're one-stopping Lando. Might this pay off?

VERSTAPPEN RADIO "For the love of f---, someone fix this f---ing car. It's not letting me use it. Anything. Get this sorted. F---!"

The lapped Bortoleto buys Norris some time, but Leclerc is closing in on him fast here. Norris still yet to pit today.

THAT WILL HELP LANDO THOUGH!! A VSC HAS BEEN CALLED!!!

Gabriel Bortoleto spins off at the very first corner and he's out of the race! A miserable season in what is a contract season for him.

PITSTOP: Norris does indeed come in under VSC conditions, and that's a massive boost to the McLaren driver's chances! Leclerc goes past him, so does Piastri, but Norris re-emerges in P3 and will likely go to the end on those Hards!

Lap 32, under VSC: Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, O'Ward, Herta, Russell, Gasly, Antonelli, Ocon, Bottas, Tsunoda, Maloney, Colapinto, Pérez, Sainz, Lawson, Bearman, Ricciardo, Pourchaire, Hadjar, Verstappen. Bortoleto out of the race.

We are racing again midway through Lap 32!

(BOZ) "Okay Charles, let's build this gap. We want a pitstop distance to Norris, that'll let us breathe easier with the second stop"

(LEC) "Yep, okay fine"

Ricciardo gets ahead of Bearman, and clips him as he goes past!!! Bearman upset on the radio there and I think he has every right to be! The English driver with a lot of damage on the car there!

It's gotten worse for Mercedes as Herta spins off and into the gravel! On a weekend where it's been revealed he's had talks with McLaren, well, not a great time to do that!

LAWSON

Max Ver-lapped-en. Leclerc goes around the Subaru, who is really struggling with technical issues to be fair, to lap his former title rival.

PITSTOP: Antonelli in from P8 for his second stop of the day, going for the Hards to the end.

PITSTOP: Gasly in for the Hards as well. He rejoins P11.

(BOZ) "Box Charles. Box this lap"

(LEC) "Copy box"

(BON) "So we will box this lap, Oscar."

(PIA) "Yeah, box"

PITSTOPS: Ferrari are doing the double stack this time! Leclerc in, 2.176, and away, Piastri in, 2.221 and away. Ferrari rejoin for a 2-3, Leclerc 6.495 behind Norris, Piastri a further 9.9 back.

NORRIS

Leclerc 5 seconds behind Norris and you'd expect him to make that up in the last 20 laps. Piastri however has some major work to do here!

LECLERC

Antonelli down the inside of former teammate Herta and up to 10th! This is huge for him, potentially his, and Williams' first points of the season!

PITSTOP: It's late stops for Ocon and Herta, who are both rolling the dice on the Softs! Ocon has a slightly delay though, and that might take him outside the points...not quite. He's 10th.

Piastri now within 5 seconds of Norris, and the McLaren driver may have some work to do to defend his former teammate.

(BON) "Norris 1.4 ahead. Pace is good, keep it up"

SAINZ WITH A PUNCTURE!!! AN ABSOLUTE DISASTER FOR HIM, AND HE DROPS OUT OF THE POINTS!!

Ricciardo slides off with a lock-up on Turn 1!

PITSTOP: Sainz has managed to drag his car round but that's completely compromised his weekend!

Some brave defending by Norris but his resistance has broken and Piastri takes P2 from him!

Norris isn't going quietly! Going into Turn 1 and he takes P2 back!

Piastri back into position in P2!

Max Ver-lapped-en, times two. Verstappen has had an awful day in that Subaru.

THERE'S SMOKE COMING FOM THE BACK OF RUSSELL'S RED BULL!!!! He is pulling to the side of the road and his race ends a lap early, and he will miss out on the points! In their home race, it is a blank score for Red Bull Racing!!

LAST LAP

Zane Maloney is pushing Colton Herta, but can he get the move done and get a shock point for himself and Audi?

He's led from the first lap, it has been a comfortable, confident day for Charles Leclerc, his fourth win of this season, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX!!!

(BOZ) "And that's my boy, another win! Fantastic job Charles, P1, brilliant racing today. Well done today!"

(LEC) "Let's gooooo!!! Ahhhh, come on! That was a good race, brilliant pace today guys. The car was magnificent throughout. Fantastic job."

(BOZ) "Brilliant driving Charles."

(BON) "And we have chequered flag now, that is P2. Well done mate, great recovery."

(PIA) "Nicely done. Nice to get a result after that slip up at the start. Happy with that."

(BOZ) "Nicely done today Oscar."

Norris P3, Gasly P4, a 3-4 for McLaren. Brilliant result for them! O'Ward 5th, Tsunoda 6th, Ocon 7th, 8th for Antonelli, his first points of the year! Pourchaire 9th, Maloney gets P10!!! HE GOT HERTA AT THE END, HIS FIRST F1 POINTS!!

2029 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 1.21.53
2. Oscar Piastri +10.503
3. Lando Norris +16.485
4. Pierre Gasly +51.022
5. Pato O'Ward +53.273
6. Yuki Tsunoda +62.499
7. Esteban Ocon +64.542
8. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +1 lap
9. Théo Pourchaire +1 lap
10. Zane Maloney +1 lap
11. Colton Herta +1 lap
12. Liam Lawson +1 lap
13. Valtteri Bottas +1 lap
14. Franco Colapinto +1 lap
15. Isack Hadjar +1 lap
16. Sergio Pérez +1 lap
17. Carlos Sainz +1 lap
18. Oliver Bearman +1 lap
19. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
20. George Russell DNF (+1 lap)
21. Max Verstappen +2 laps
22. Gabriel Bortoleto DNF

Carlos Sainz 1.03.956
Carlos Sainz 2.016s
Zane Maloney

DRIVER OF THE DAY: ZANE MALONEY

A superb drive from the rookie to take his first F1 points, snatching it on the final lap away from Colton Herta. A brilliant drive and a day he'll always remember. Zane Maloney, Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Maloney, Ocon, Tsunoda, Antonelli, Leclerc

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 246
🇲🇨 Leclerc 229
🇫🇮 Bottas 110
🇪🇸 Sainz 87
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 84
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 83
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 68
🇳🇱 Verstappen 62
🇲🇽 O'Ward 32
🇫🇷 Gasly 29
🇫🇷 Ocon 22
🇺🇸 Herta 19
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 14
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 11
🇮🇹 Antonelli 4
🇧🇧 Maloney 1
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 475
Aston Martin-Honda 194
Red Bull-Ford 155
McLaren-Mercedes 112
Subaru-Honda 73
Audi 33
Mercedes 33
Haas-Ferrari 16
Williams-Ferrari 4
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 660
Pirelli 382
Goodyear 53

FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2029

Ferrari 176
McLaren 171
Red Bull 135
Williams 117
Subaru 110
Alpine 82
Andretti 76
Audi 49
Mercedes 47
Aston Martin 47
Haas 0

[foggy locust]

F2 SPIELBERG

SPRINT

1. Dayton Coulthard
2. Paul Aron
3. Chloe Grant
4. Enzo Fittipaldi
5. Taylor Barnard
6. Dennis Hauger
7. Rafael Câmara
8. Ritomo Miyata
9. Jak Crawford
10. Kush Maini

FEATURE RACE
Pole Position: Dayton Coulthard

1. Dayton Coulthard
2. Chloe Grant
3. Dennis Hauger
4. Ritomo Miyata
5. Rafael Câmara
6. Taylor Barnard
7. Enzo Fittipaldi
8. Paul Aron
9. Doriane Pin
10. Kush Maini

F3 SPIELBERG

SPRINT

1. Alexander Dunne
2. John Bennett
3. Alessandro Giusti
4. Martinius Stenshorne
5. Vincenzo Testa
6. Udo Arnold
7. Joseph Loake
8. Laurens van Hoepen
9. Abbi Pulling
10. Mari Boya

FEATURE RACE
Pole Position: Alexander Dunne

1. Alexander Dunne
2. Udo Arnold
3. John Bennett
4. Joseph Loake
5. Vincenzo Testa
6. Christian Mansell
7. Martinius Stenshorne
8. Alessandro Giusti
9. Abbi Pulling
10. Daiane Afonso

F2 STANDINGS

Grant 129
Hauger 120
Coulthard 117
Barnard 111
Câmara 102
Miyata 96
Pin 77
Tramnitz 74
Szutka 48
Lindblad 35
Aron 29
Araya 13
Marti 12
E. Fittipaldi 11
Verschoor 9
Staněk 9
Crawford 7
Miní 4
O'Sullivan 2
Beganovic 2
Maini 1
Browning 0

F3 STANDINGS

Dunne 142
Arnold 109
Bennett 108
Afonso 59
Esterson 56
Mansell 52
Villagómez 52
Giusti 51
Al Qubaisi 45
Goethe 42
Stenshorne 37
Montoya 29
Loake 29
Testa 27
Wharton 25
Abadi 19
Dürksen 18
van Hoepen 16
Alvarado 12
Boya 10
Pulling 6
León 5
Meguetounif 4
Tsolov 3
Fornaroli 2
Wurz 1
Gademan 0
Bedrin 0
Voisin 0
Brunt 0

FIA ABOLISH POLE POSITION BONUS POINT FOR 2030

The FIA have announced the abandonment of the Pole Position bonus point after three seasons.

It was introduced in 2027 as a way of challenging drivers to make the most of qualifying, but in a stunning 10-1 vote, the teams have voted to bin the extra point for next season. We will revert back to the traditional points system, with 26 available on a non Sprint weekend.

Ferrari were the only team who voted to save the Pole Position bonus point.

Voted For Abolishment: Alpine, Andretti, Aston Martin, Audi, Haas, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, Subaru, Williams

Voted for Saving: Ferrari

ALEXANDER DUNNE TO JOIN FERRARI DRIVER ACADEMY IN 2030

Ferrari have announced the signing of Irish driver Alexander Dunne to the Ferrari Driver Academy on a three year deal.

Dunne is believed to be one of the potential top future talents, and the Formula 3 Championship leader will now make the move over to Ferrari for next season.

Dunne has signed on a three year deal, with Ferrari aiming to get Dunne a place on the 2033 grid.

VERSTAPPEN CALLS FOR CHANGE AT SUBARU

Max Verstappen has vocally called for changes within the Subaru organisation after the Austrian Grand Prix.

Verstappen endured a torrid time at the Austrian Grand Prix, finishing P21, behind George Russell, whose engine blew with two laps to go, and finished two laps down due to technical issues.

Subaru sit fifth in the Constructors Championship and have lost significant ground to McLaren in a year Verstappen and the team were hoping to push for a Drivers Championship challenge.

Pressure is mounting on the higher ups at Subaru, as well as Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul as a result.

[humble totem]

What's piastri rating and leclerc rating in your save now?

[foggy locust]

Leclerc (90), Piastri (89). So they're evenly matched

I always struggle with developing drivers rating wise admittedly

FORMULA 1 TO HEAD TO SOUTH AFRICA AND MOROCCO NEXT SEASON

HUGE breaking news as Formula 1 is breaking grounds not seen since 1993. For the first time since then, we will go racing in all six continents, as Formula 1 will be heading to Africa for not one, but two races next season.

South Africa will host its first Grand Prix since 1993, as Formula 1 will go to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midland, Gauteng. The race was held between 1965 and 1985, then returned for 1992 and 1993, and the 4.529 km Circuit will now return for the first time, taking place over 66 laps.

But that's not all. Morocco will appear on the Formula 1 calendar for the first time since 1958!

First taking place in 1925, the Moroccan Grand Prix hasn't appeared on the F1 calendar since 1958, when it was won by Stirling Moss in a Vanwall.

Morocco will host a street race at the Marrakesh Raceway, which has been upgraded to a 6.145km circuit, and will take place over 50 laps. It's expected to be held as a Night Race, as Morocco had hoped for, and will replace the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from next year.

Huge news for the continent of Africa as they'll get two races next year - and they won't be back to back. South Africa will likely take place before the European section of the season, while Morocco will be the third last race of the season.

[foggy locust]

ISTANBUL PARK TO JOIN F1 CALENDAR IN 2030, COTA OUT

The final change to the Formula 1 calendar for 2030 has been announced, as Istanbul will replace COTA for 2030.

No agreement could be made with either COTA or Indianapolis, and a result, the United States Grand Prix will be left off the calendar for 2030.

However, Istanbul, which has long been looking for a return to the calendar, has stepped up and has been selected to take its place for the 2030 season.

This will be a return to Istanbul Park for the first time since 2021, and will mean that we will race in 21 countries, and 6 continents next season.

The United States will only host one race next season - the season finale in Las Vegas.

FIA ANNOUNCES 2030 FORMULA 1 CALENDAR

Formula 1 and the FIA have officially announced the 2030 calendar ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, and it is the biggest shakeup of the calendar since 2021's COVID affected season.

For the first time since 1993, we will go racing in six different continents. 21 races in 21 countries, no country will host more than one race next season.

Malaysia, Türkiye, South Africa, Germany and Morocco rejoin the calendar next season, as China, COTA Imola, Hungary and Saudi Arabia make way for next season.

We start with a double header in Australia and Malaysia, before going to Mexico City for a single weekend. A two week break then sees a return to Türkiye, before another two week break and the first Sprint weekend of the season in Canada.

South Africa makes its return two weeks later ahead of the proper start of the European section, with a double header in Monaco and Germany.

Silverstone and Austria host a double header ahead of a three week gap to the double header in Belgium and Netherlands before the summer break, with Silverstone and Belgium once again hosting Sprints.

Monza is the return from the summer break before a two week gap to Baku, then another two weeks before the Bahrain/Abu Dhabi double header, including the Bahrain Sprint. We'll see another two week gap before a Japan/Singapore double header, then two week gaps between the final three races. Morocco hosts its first race in 72 years as the third last race, Brazil will host the final Sprint, and we conclude at the only US race of the season, Las Vegas.

A massive shakeup for the 2030 calendar. Six double headers, no triple headers. The five Sprints will remain the same as this year.

[foggy locust]

2029 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

Round 11 of the 2029 Formula 1 season sees us hurtling towards the Summer Break. But before that, we go to Spa-Francorchamps for the third Sprint weekend of the season. What will one of F1's most famous races bring us this season?

LAST TIME AROUND

A big win for Charles Leclerc in Austria, reducing the gap in the Drivers’ Championship battle to 17 points, as Oscar Piastri ran wide on the first lap, but was able to recover and minimise the damage to finish P2 and keep Ferrari's perfect 1-2 Streak alive. Lando Norris pushed the two Ferraris well and secured the third place and the podium, Pierre Gasly made it a 3-4 for McLaren. Kimi Antonelli secured Williams’ first points of the year in P8, and Zane Maloney secured his first Formula 1 points, while Red Bull blanked their home race, with George Russell's engine going with two laps to go, and Carlos Sainz struggling. Max Verstappen had serious car issues and finished two laps down.

THE CIRCUIT

One of the oldest and most famous circuits on the F1 calendar, Spa, or the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps to give it its full name - was built way back in 1921. It overcame talk of its future and rotation rumours to secure its long term place on the F1 calendar in 2026, and we will race here for years to come. At 7.004km and 19 turns, it is the longest lap on the F1 calendar, and the least number of laps as a result - just 44. Features include that famous long run up to Eau Rouge, as well as famous corners such as La Source and the Bus Stop Chicane.

STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

LECLERC VERSUS PIASTRI, ROUND 11

The 2029 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship battle is picking up some real steam, with Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri locked in a tight competition which sees Piastri just 17 points ahead of Leclerc, two races before the summer break. Ferrari have gone 1-2 in every single race, including the two Sprints, so far this season, with Piastri having six wins to four. Piastri has also taken advantage of the Pole bonus point - six Poles to Leclerc's three - an advantage that won't be there anymore next season due to the abolishment of the Pole Position Bonus Point. For now though, it remains a factor for this year, and with the opportunity to score even more points due to the Sprint this weekend, how will that affect the title fight between Leclerc and Piastri? Momentum is everything between these two, who will take it heading towards the Summer Break?

PRESSURE ON AT SUBARU AS VERSTAPPEN LOOKS FOR CHANGE

Max Verstappen endured a torrid time at the Austrian Grand Prix, being lapped twice in a Subaru that had serious issues. The team find themselves in fifth, having lost serious ground to McLaren for fourth. Pressure may be on Subaru Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul as the Japanese team, who were hoping to have a sustained push towards the top, find themselves stuck in the midfield, even with Verstappen. So what now for Subaru? Can they find their footing again and get themselves back in the top four? Verstappen should be there or there about again this time with no car issues, while Théo Pourchaire's form likely gives them hope.

CAN McLAREN CHALLENGE THE TOP THREE?

At the halfway point of the season, McLaren find themselves 82 points behind Aston Martin and 43 behind Red Bull, having taken their first podium of the season at Austria. However the Papaya team look like they're building some momentum over the last few races, and particularly at Silverstone and Spielberg, have looked like they have had the second best car behind Ferrari. Red Bull in particular have been struggling the past couple of weeks and look potentially very catchable. Can McLaren push up and challenge for the top three this season?

WHAT NOW FOR MERCEDES?

Mercedes have been struggling the last couple of weekends as the W20 has struggled significantly, as they blanked Spielberg and only took six points from the entirety of Silverstone weekend. The team have fallen to SEVENTH in the Constructors, albeit tied on points with Audi, and find themselves forty points back on Subaru, and 79 back on McLaren. The team just simply aren't scoring enough, and the car, having gotten off to a good start, has been particularly struggling in Low Speed Cornering. Mercedes are bringing upgrades to hopefully sort out the root of the problems, but with rumours of Colton Herta in talks with McLaren, they'll need to fix these issues, and quick, if they fancy challenging back at the front.

HOW WILL THE SPRINT AFFECT THIS WEEKEND?

And of course we cannot talk about this weekend without bringing up that it's a Sprint Weekend. Having hosted the Sprint every season since 2027, Spa has seen some very good racing in Sprint races over the years - and will host a Sprint Weekend again next year. It's expected to be dry all weekend, which means one less thing to worry about - but Belgium usually sees some chaos, and the Sprint just adds to that. How will it play out this year?

So, the Sprint Weekend begins for us at Belgium this weekend, and with just two races to go until the Summer Break, momentum is everything. One thing is for sure - you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Bennett (Gasly), Grant (Russell), O'Sullivan (Maloney), Crawford (O'Ward), Abadi (Bottas), Barnard (Tsunoda)

A few teams opting to hold their main drivers out and give rookies runouts, including F2 Championship leader Chloe Grant, who is a regular in FP1 this season, as well as John Bennett. Audi and Aston opt to put both Reserves in, too.

FP1: PIA LEC NOR

Piastri quickest in FP1 ahead of Leclerc and Norris. Antonelli fourth, with Sainz fifth and Verstappen sixth. Seventh for Barnard and eighth for Grant, while Herta and Ricciardo round off the top ten.

Practice summary: Ferrari looking quickest again, while McLaren are probably next. Williams showing some pace, and Red Bull, Subaru and Aston in the mix. Mercedes and Andretti doing alright so far. Only one practice though so hard to know the true order of things.

Well there's nothing like a nice Spa weekend, but this is always a very different kind of Spa weekend. Round 11 of the 2029 Formula 1 season, it is Sprint Shootout time here at the Circuit de Spa Francorchamps, and it looked for a while that we wouldn't be here this year, but a renegotiation saved this race. The Belgian Grand Prix weekend begins here. Who will take Pole for the Sprint?

RED FLAG IN SQ1!!!

Gabriel Bortoleto is off in SQ1!!! He came off at Bruxelles and that ends his session early!!

OUT IN SQ1: Gasly, Colapinto, Maloney, Antonelli, Tsunoda, Bortoleto (no time)
Bubble: Herta
Top Five: LEC, NOR, VER, PIA, SAI

A lot of traffic and that SQ1 incident for Bortoleto costing everyone time meant that most could only do one lap. Verstappen and Bottas needed late laps to save their chances, Tsunoda and Antonelli drop out due to early laps. Maloney was first to complete and he's out, as well as Colapinto and Gasly. Herta just kaies it through, Leclerc quickest from Norris, Verstappen, Piastri and Sainz.

A SECOND RED FLAG

Isack Hadjar slides off at Les Combes! He hit the kerb and found himself in the barrier. A promising session, that saw him P9 in SQ1, ends early, as the driver safely gets out the car.

OUT IN SQ2: Pourchaire, Sainz, Bearman, Ricciardo, Hadjar, Lawson
Bubble: Pérez
Top Five: LEC, NOR, VER, PIA, OCO

Late laps for Ocon, O'Ward and Herta sent them through at the expense of Pourchaire, Sainz and Herta's own teammate Bearman, who Herta knocked out himself. Ricciardo also exits as does Lawson, and Hadjar crashed out in SQ2, bringing out the Red Flag, as Pérez just makes it through. Leclerc quickest from Norris, Verstappen and Piastri. Bottas and Russell also safely through to SQ3.

SQ3: Verstappen, Bottas, Piastri, O'Ward, Leclerc, Pérez, Ocon, Russell, Norris, Herta

Max Verstappen grabs Sprint Pole out of nowhere! His late lap beat out Valtteri Bottas, as Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc both hit traffic on their final laps of Sprint Qualifying and settle for P3 and P5. Pato O'Ward splits the Ferraris in 4th, Sergio Pérez is 6th. Esteban Ocon 7th and George Russell 8th, while Lando Norris and Colton Herta complete the top ten.

2029 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
SPRINT GRID

VER BOT

PIA OWA

LEC PER

OCO RUS

NOR HER

POU SAI

BEA RIC

LAW GAS

COL MAL

ANT TSU

PITLANE START - HAD
PITLANE START - BOR

Wee break for food and the like, back soon for Sprint and Qualifying!

[foggy locust]

It is time to go Sprinting here at Spa-Francorchamps, the third Sprint of five this season, Canada, Silverstone, Belgium, Bahrain and Brazil, the middle Sprint event today. 15 laps around this 7.004km circuit, two pitlane starts, no Ferraris on the front row, and Max Verstappen's first Pole of the season. This could be fascinating.

Two pitlane starts, Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto both start from the pitlane after crashes in SQ2 and SQ1 respectively, 20 cars on the grid and it's Yuki Tsunoda at the very back alongside Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Zane Maloney starts alongside Franco Colapinto on row nine, Pierre Gasly alongside Liam Lawson on the eighth row, then we find Oliver Bearman and Daniel Ricciardo on row seven. Carlos Sainz alongside Théo Pourchaire on row six, Lando Norris and Colton Herta start just outside the points on the fifth row. It's George Russell eighth and seventh for Esteban Ocon, Sergio Perez lines up sixth and just fifth for World Champion Charles Leclerc. Pato O'Ward starts fourth beside Championship leader Oscar Piastri, and for the first time this season in any race session, no Ferraris on the front row. Valtteri Bottas lines up from second, Max Verstappen takes Pole Position.

Let's Sprint around Spa!

Cars lining up on the grid after the formation lap...one light, two, three, four, five...AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO, LET'S GO MOTOR RACING

Verstappen has gotten away okay, Bottas gets the better launch, but Verstappen holds him off, Piastri third, then Leclerc ahead of O'Ward, Ocon, Norris, Pérez then Russell and Herta!

Piastri with a lovely overtake coming out of Eau Rouge and he is up to second!

AND WE HAVE A SAFETY CAR ON LAP TWO!!!

WE HAVE SECONDS BETWEEN BEARMAN AND RICCIARDO!!! RICCIARDO LOCKS UP AND WIPES OUT THE MERCEDES, AND THAT'S ENDED BOTH OF THEIR SPRINTS IMMEDIATELY!!!

CAR 3 (RICCIARDO) - CAUSING INCIDENT WITH CAR 87 (BEARMAN)

Daniel Ricciardo caused that incident at La Source, and he's received a penalty for it. Because he's out of the Sprint, that'll be a grid penalty for tomorrow's main race.

Lap 3, under SC: Verstappen, Piastri, Bottas, Leclerc, O'Ward, Ocon, Norris, Pérez, Russell, Pourchaire, Sainz, Herta, Gasly, Lawson, Antonelli, Colapinto, Maloney, Tsunoda, Hadjar, Bortoleto. Bearman and Ricciardo out of the race.

We are still under the SC as we enter Lap 5. It is pretty much going to be around ten laps of flat out racing here.

LAP 6 AND WE ARE RACING AGAIN

(BOZ) "Let's get a good launch and go from there"

(LEC) "Copy that"

(BON) "So leader has control, let's get him out of Eau Rouge"

(PIA) "Copy"

Verstappen away well, Piastri is indeed chasing him out of Eau Rouge, PIASTRI HAS A LOOKS DOWN THE INSIDE BUT VERSTAPPEN SHUTS THE DOOR! Bottas and Leclerc following, O'Ward then Ocon.

Some slight issues for Ocon! Could that cause him problems in this race?

PIASTRI GOES FOR THE LEAD INTO THE BUS STOP CHICANE, PIAATRI LEADS THE SPRINT!!

Leclerc gets ahead of Bottas and is up to 3rd! The Ferrari 1-2 could be back on!

And we do indeed have a Ferrari 1-2, as Leclerc gets round Verstappen and into 2nd place!

Right then. Championship battle renewed at the front, Leclerc has the DRS and Charles Leclerc leads the Sprint!!

(BOZ) "Some light LiCo for temps please"

(BON) "Still seven long laps left, let's not cook the tyres. Let's cool tyres down"

Bottas ahead of Verstappen. Sadly that Subaru just does not have the race pace.

Norris ahead of Ocon for P6!

Pérez now having to fight off both cars of his former team.

Piastri going for the lead again and Piastri retakes the lead from Leclerc!!

Leclerc back in front on Lap 11! A lovely move out of Eau Rouge to take the lead!

Verstappen fighting for that position and he's back into 3rd!

Norris has DRS on O'Ward, Norris goes fifth!

Piastri takes the lead out of Eau Rouge!! Leclerc coming back at him here, Leclerc grabs the lead back AND THE FERRARIS ARE WHEEL TO WHEEL THROUGH THE NEXT FEW CORNERS, PIASTRI REGAINS POSITION AND LECLERC HAS TO YIELD FOR NOW!!!

Norris ahead of Bottas into P4!

Norris gets DRS, Norris ahead of Verstappen and into P3!!

Sainz gets past Pérez and into the points!

Leclerc retakes the lead on Lap 13, what a race this is!

Sainz goes ahead of the struggling Ocon, Sainz now P7!

Piastri down the inside of Leclerc a lap later!! Both of these men know how vital this is to the title fight!

Bortoleto very, very wide, but he avoids the barrier!

LAST LAP

Leclerc went for the lead out of Eau Rouge but Piastri holds him off! The Champion is running out of time to get this move done, Piastri now building a gap and it looks like the Australian will hold on for victory here, he rounds the Bus Stop Chicane, through La Source, OSCAR PIASTRI WINS THE BELGIAN SPRINT!! CHARLES LECLERC P2, THE 1-2 STREAK SURVIVES. WHAT A RACE HERE.

(BON) "That was a lovely drive, very well managed! P1 Oscar, fantastic start to the weekend!"

(PIA) "Wooo! That was really nice, very nicely done! Perfect start to the weekend. That was very fun, the car was mega as always. Thanks guys."

(BON) "Brilliant job today. Onto qualifying."

(BOZ) "And P2 Charles. Good job, good effort. Well done today"

(LEC) "That was nice, good job guys. Enjoyed that race today, we go again for the race itself"

(BOZ) "We go again later today"

Norris P3, Bottas P4, Verstappen P5, O'Ward P6, Sainz P7, Ocon holds on for P8

2029 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
SPRINT CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 0.30.46
2. Charles Leclerc +0.916
3. Lando Norris +7.223
4. Valtteri Bottas +11.614
5. Max Verstappen +12.117
6. Pato O'Ward +12.626
7. Carlos Sainz +15.279
8. Esteban Ocon +19.405
9. Pierre Gasly +20.840
10. Sergio Pérez +25.663
11. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +25.972
12. George Russell +26.281
13. Liam Lawson +26.683
14. Colton Herta +27.078
15. Théo Pourchaire +27.548
16. Franco Colapinto +29.268
17. Zane Maloney +29.648
18. Isack Hadjar +30.059
19. Yuki Tsunoda +32.227
20. Gabriel Bortoleto +34.475
21. Oliver Bearman DNF
22. Daniel Ricciardo DNF

Gabriel Bortoleto 1.42.943

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 254
🇲🇨 Leclerc 236
🇫🇮 Bottas 115
🇪🇸 Sainz 89
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 89
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 84
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 68
🇳🇱 Verstappen 66
🇲🇽 O'Ward 35
🇫🇷 Gasly 29
🇫🇷 Ocon 23
🇺🇸 Herta 19
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 14
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 11
🇮🇹 Antonelli 4
🇧🇧 Maloney 1
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 490
Aston Martin-Honda 199
Red Bull-Ford 157
McLaren-Mercedes 118
Subaru-Honda 77
Audi 36
Mercedes 33
Haas-Ferrari 17
Williams-Ferrari 4
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 685
Pirelli 392
Goodyear 54

It is time to go Qualifying at Spa. After Oscar Piastri won the Sprint, he extended his Championship advantage to 18 points, but everything remains in the balance. We had two crashes that resulted in Red Flags during Sprint Qualifying, nothing is guaranteed round here. Should make for a fun session.

[sterile breach]

The one time Alpine finishes in the top 10, it's in a sprint

[foggy locust]

OUT IN Q1: Russell, Herta, Pérez, Bearman, Bottas, Lawson
Bubble: Tsunoda
Top Five: SAI, PIA, NOR, LEC, POU

Absolute disaster for Mercedes, as both of their drivers are out in Q1!! Two former Mercedes drivers are out too in Russell and Bottas, both of whom are a shocker. Pérez and Lawson both out for Alpine as well, and Aston narrowly avoid having both their drivers exit in Q1! Sainz quickest from Piastri, Norris, Leclerc and Pourchaire.

OUT IN Q2: Maloney, Piastri, Ricciardo , Sainz, Hadjar, Bortoleto
Bubble: Verstappen
Top Five: NOR, LEC, OWA, OCO, ANT

The big shock exit is that of Championship leader Oscar Piastri, who couldn't put a clean lap together and ended up P12!! Sainz also out in Q2, and Verstappen just makes it ahead of Maloney. Ricciardo will take a Penalty and drop to P16, promoting Sainz, Hadjar and Bortoleto. Norris quickest from Leclerc, O'Ward, Ocon and Antonelli. Both Haas Drivers through with Colapinto making Q3 again, Tsunoda, Pourchaire and Gasly also through.

Q3: Leclerc, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Antonelli, O'Ward, Pourchaire, Ocon, Gasly, Colapinto

Leclerc takes his fourth Pole of the season! Leclerc finishes about a tenth up on Verstappen, with Tsunoda third. Antonelli on the second row for Williams, while Norris and O'Ward will start on row three. Pourchaire and Ocon on the fourth row, Gasly and Colapinto on the fifth row.

2029 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC VER

TSU ANT

NOR OWA

POU OCO

GAS MAL

PIA SAI

HAD BOR

RUS RIC

HER PER

BEA BOT

LAW

PITLANE START - COL

[foggy locust]

Well here we go. With just two rounds until the Summer Break, it is time to go racing around the 44 lap 7.004km Spa-Francorchamps. One of the standout races of the year, with that long run up to Eau Rouge one of the most anticipated moments of any F1 season. The longest lap of the season takes in La Source and the Bus Stop Chicane amongst many others, 44 times. 2 DRS Zones, usually same chaos, it's always a thriller.

Franco Colapinto starts from the pitlane today after making Q3, while Liam Lawson will start alone on the back row. Valtteri Bottas a shock Q1 exit so he starts alongside Ollie Bearman on row ten, both Mercedes out in Q1 as Colton Herta starts alongside Sergio Pérez on row nine. Daniel Ricciardo and George Russell together on the Eighth row, Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of his teammate for the Seventh time this season and starts alongside Isack Hadjar. Carlos Sainz in P12 and Oscar Piastri, who leads the Championship, shockingly out in Q2, he starts 11th. Zane Maloney 10th after Colapinto starts from the pitlane, it's 9th for Pierre Gasly, while Esteban Ocon and Théo Pourchaire start together on row four. Pato O'Ward 6th and Lando Norris in one of his home races begins 5th, it's a stunning fourth for Kimi Antonelli and Yuki Tsunoda begins from 3rd, Max Verstappen lines up on the front row for the first time since Monza last year, and it is Pole number four of the season for Charles Leclerc.

As the cars settle in for the formation lap here, we are ready to go for the 2029 Belgian Grand Prix...

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

Leclerc off to a good start here, Verstappen away well behind him, then Tsunoda and Antonelli, Norris stays ahead of O'Ward, Pourchaire, then Ocon, Gasly, Maloney holding Piastri off for now!

That didn't last long as Piastri gets the move done and he's into the points!

Tsunoda ahead of Verstappen on the first lap!!! What a move that was from Yuki!

LECLERC

Piastri down the inside of Gasly at Eau Rouge! It's P9 for the Championship leader!

This feels must win for Leclerc. With Piastri fighting in the midfield, a massive opportunity to gain in the Championship battle for the Monegasque. He's about 1.8 ahead of Tsunoda as it stands.

(BOZ) "This is a good pace, keep it up as much as you can here"

(LEC) "Copy"

Tsunoda facing pressure for P2, not just from Verstappen, but Norris and Antonelli are very much in that mix as well!

Another place gained for Oscar Piastri, who goes up to 8th, ahead of Esteban Ocon.

Make that 7th for Piastri, who goes past Pourchaire at the Bus Stop Chicane.

Verstappen up ahead of Tsunoda and into P2, only briefly though as Tsunoda takes it back!

Antonelli retakes fourth from Norris!

Piastri currently flying through the pack. He's gotten up past O'Ward, challenging Norris for fifth as it stands.

Let's check in with our race leader...5.5 ahead. Leclerc currently coasting.

Piastri, Antonelli and Norris all fighting for fourth...Piastri overtakes both in short succession!