Essere Ferrari II

[foggy locust]

RUSSELL RADIO "Check the upshifts. They're not working"

(LEC) "I need to get this done here, bad memories of last year"

Leclerc referring to Colapinto crashing him out of this race last year.

PITSTOPS: Although he doesn't have to worry now as Colapinto pits! He takes the Hards to the end. Gasly also in, Gasly takes the Mediums. Colapinto P9, Gasly P16.

We now renew the Leclerc v Piastri battle, and Leclerc currently holding Piastri off with 24 laps to go.

VERSTAPPEN

TSUNODA

PITSTOP: Antonelli the last to stop on Lap 29, he takes the Softs. Can he turn it around and get some points?

Pourchaire ahead of Herta! Could be some valuable points for the Japanese team if he can land in the points!

Never mind. Pourchaire goes wide and drops to P13!

Ocon takes advantage and goes up to P10!

Leclerc defending position from Piastri who remains on the attack here! This is oh so crucial for the title fight!

PITSTOPS: Bortoleto and Lawson in, and Bortoleto has a massive delay, this could be an issue for Andretti as Ricciardo is also coming in! The car release failed, and Bortoleto gets away just as Ricciardo enters the pitlane.

Piastri makes the overtake, but Leclerc gets DRS and gets position right back!

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR CALLED

Heartbreak for Bortoleto, who spins off into the barrier! He's okay, but his race ends here! Virtual Safety Car called.

Lap 38, under VSC: Leclerc, Piastri, Bottas, Sainz, Norris, O'Ward, Tsunoda, Colapinto, Bearman, Ocon, Verstappen, Gasly, Pourchaire, Russell, Antonelli, Hadjar, Herta, Maloney, Pérez, Lawson, Ricciardo. Bortoleto out of the race.

PITSTOP: Pourchaire takes the pitstop for free, and puts the Softs on. He's down to P16.

We are racing again on Lap 39!

Piastri goes back on the attack but Leclerc holds him off once again!

POURCHAIRE

PITSTOP: Russell pulling into the pitlane, and a frustrating day for the Red Bull driver ends on Lap 41.

Heartbreak for Ocon, who's engine goes with four laps to go! He misses out on classification by half a lap.

LAST LAP

LECLERC HOLDS PIASTRI OFF AGAIN INTO THE LAST LAP!!! BRILLIANT DEFENDING BY THE CHAMPION ONCE AGAIN, PIASTRI ON THE ATTACK ONCE MORE BUT LECLERC DEFENDS AGAIN, INTO THE FINAL STRAIGHT, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE SAUDI ARABIA GRAND PRIX!!! AMAZING, AMAZING RACE HERE BETWEEN THE TWO FERRARIS AGAIN. WHAT A DEFENDING JOB BY LECLERC. TITLE RACE IS ON!!!

(BOZ) "P1, Charles, P1!!! Amazing, amazing defending. Well, well earned win!"

(LEC) "LET'S GO, COME ONNNN!!! YESSSS!!! Ahhh, COME ON!!! That was, that was exactly what we needed. Amazing, amazing job guys. COME ON!"

(BOZ) "Fantastic work today, Charles."

(LEC) "Full credit to Oscar, he pushed me all the way. What a win guys, what a win. Let's gooo!"

(BON) "And P2 mate, P2. Amazing effort today."

(PIA) "Yeah, thanks guys. Gave it my all today. Congrats to Charles, he was brilliant today. Let's go get 'em these last two races."

(BON) "We never give up mate, we never give up."

Norris P3! O'Ward fourth and Tsunoda fifth, Colapinto P6, Bottas P7, Bearman P8, Gasly P9, Verstappen P10

2029 SAUDI ARABIA GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 1.19.26
2. Oscar Piastri +0.366
3. Lando Norris +21.334
4. Pato O'Ward +33.047
5. Yuki Tsunoda +33.144
6. Franco Colapinto +33.436
7. Valtteri Bottas +33.488
8. Oliver Bearman +39.766
9. Pierre Gasly +40.475
10. Max Verstappen +43.027
11. Théo Pourchaire +43.322
12. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +44.830
13. Colton Herta +49.813
14. Isack Hadjar +55.750
15. Zane Maloney +61.256
16. Sergio Pérez +64.377
17. Carlos Sainz +66.045
18. Liam Lawson +69.232
19. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
20. Esteban Ocon DNF
21. George Russell DNF
22. Gabriel Bortoleto DNF

Théo Pourchaire 1.29.415
Carlos Sainz 1.904s
Charles Leclerc

DRIVER OF THE DAY: CHARLES LECLERC

A fantastic defending effort from the Champion as he held off title rival and teammate Oscar Piastri for 26 laps. An incredible effort as Charles Leclerc wins the race and lowers the gap to just 11 points with two rounds left. Charles Leclerc is your Driver of the Day!

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

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 456
🇲🇨 Leclerc 445
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 189
🇫🇮 Bottas 188
🇪🇸 Sainz 151
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 148
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 144
🇲🇽 O'Ward 99
🇳🇱 Verstappen 91
🇫🇷 Gasly 59
🇫🇷 Ocon 46
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 21
🇺🇸 Herta 20
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 16
🇮🇹 Antonelli 13
🇦🇷 Colapinto 11
🇧🇧 Maloney 1
🇫🇷 Hadjar 1
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 901
Aston Martin-Honda 332
Red Bull-Ford 299
McLaren-Mercedes 248
Subaru-Honda 107
Audi 100
Haas-Ferrari 57
Mercedes 41
Williams-Ferrari 14
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 1256
Pirelli 731
Goodyear 112

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2029

McLaren 338
Red Bull 302
Ferrari 272
Subaru 205
Alpine 189
Williams 188
Mercedes 148
Andretti 123
Aston Martin 85
Audi 76
Haas 1

F2 JEDDAH

SPRINT

1. Arvid Lindblad
2. Chloe Grant
3. Doriane Pin
4. Enzo Fittipaldi
5. Dennis Hauger
6. Kacper Sztuka
7. Jak Crawford
8. Ritomo Miyata
9. Dino Beganovic
10. Rafael Câmara

FEATURE RACE
Pole Position: Chloe Grant

1. Chloe Grant
2. Doriane Pin
3. Jak Crawford
4. Paul Aron
5. Rafael Câmara
6. Arvid Lindblad
7. Ritomo Miyata
8. Dennis Hauger
9. Enzo Fittipaldi
10. Dayton Coulthard

F2 STANDINGS

🇳🇴 Hauger 277
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Grant 232
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇧🇪 Coulthard 204
🇧🇷 Câmara 193
🇯🇵 Miyata 173
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Barnard 156
🇫🇷 Pin 153
🇩🇪 Tramnitz 123
🇺🇸 Crawford 116
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇸🇪 Lindblad 93
🇵🇱 Sztuka 89
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 O'Sullivan 65
🇪🇪 Aron 41
🇪🇸 Marti 22
🇧🇷 E. Fittipaldi 18
🇳🇱 Verschoor 15
🇦🇷 Araya 13
🇮🇹 Miní 12
🇸🇪 🇧🇦 Beganovic 9
🇨🇿 Staněk 9
🇮🇳 Maini 3
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Browning 0

[foggy locust]

ANDRETTI SWITCH TO BRIDGESTONE FOR 2030

Andretti Global have announced a new tyre partnership with Bridgestone for 2030.

Andretti have switched away from their previous arrangement with Goodyear, as Red Bull take their place.

This means that as it stands, four teams will use Goodyear, four will use Bridgestone, and three will use Pirelli for 2030.

2029 SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

With just two rounds remaining in this hectic 2029 season, we head to Interlagos and Sao Paulo for the penultimate weekend, and the final Sprint of the year. While the Drivers’ Championship title fight is confirmed to go to the final round in Vegas, this weekend could have a big say in the destination of the title.

LAST TIME AROUND

A defending masterclass by Charles Leclerc against Oscar Piastri saw Leclerc's ninth win of the season and the Championship advantage reduced to just 11 points. Lando Norris took third, his fifth podium of the season, taking him to third in the Drivers’ Championship, with Pato O'Ward Fourth, taking Audi within 7 points of Subaru for fifth. Aston Martin extended their advantage over Red Bull as the Austrian side blanked, and Aston took fifth for Yuki Tsunoda and seventh for Valtteri Bottas. Franco Colapinto was sixth, while Ollie Bearman, Pierre Gasly and Max Verstappen rounded off the points.

THE CIRCUIT

The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, or as we better know it, Interlagos, is a 4.309 km circuit, and is one of the shortest laps of the season. It's also one of the few that runs counterclockwise. Interlagos will see the final Sprint weekend of the season, and will continue as a circuit that has held Sprints every year since they were introduced in 2021, and will continue with the Sprint through at least 2030. Interlagos has held the Brazilian Grand Prix, and then the renamed Sao Paulo Grand Prix, since 1972, with a one year break in 2020. The track was first inaugurated in 1940, by developers who initially looked to build houses - after the 1929 stock market crash, it was decided to build the racing circuit that would become Interlagos. The World Drivers Championship has been clinched here seven times - with Fernando Alonso winning both his Championships at Interlagos in 2005 and 2006, Kimi Raikkonen's only World Championship the year after in 2007, and Lewis Hamilton's famous overtake on Timo Glock to deny Felipe Massa in 2008. Jenson Button took the title here in 2009, defeating Rubens Barrichello on home soil, while Sebastian Vettel won his third World title here in 2012, with the race finishing under the Safety Car, to deny Fernando Alonso. Charles Leclerc has won the World title here twice - his maiden World Championship in 2024, when he finished second in the race behind Max Verstappen to deny Verstappen a fourth straight title and finally add his name to the list of Drivers’ World Champions, while he clinched his third title here in 2027. It will not be decided this weekend however - the Championship will go to Vegas.

STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING

PENULTIMATE FIGHT IN THE DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

With double points on the line next time out at Las Vegas, and the Championship gap at 11 points going into this weekend, the title fight between Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri is guaranteed to go to the final round in Las Vegas. That being said, this weekend's tilt in Interlagos could yet have a lot to say about the destiny of the Championship. The biggest advantage Piastri can take into Vegas is 46 points, with 53 available on the final weekend, would be a massive advantage - but that would require him to score maximum points and Leclerc to fail to score in either the Sprint or the Race itself. However a win on Sunday for Piastri would officially give him the tiebreaker for a level points finish at the end of the season. For Leclerc meanwhile, a win on Sunday would level the wins count to ten a piece - and would reduce the gap massively, or depending on what Piastri does this weekend, could even see the Champion go into Vegas with the lead of the Championship.

Ferrari remain the favourites to take a 20th win of the season - if that scenario does play out, the winner of Sunday's race could have a big advantage going into Vegas.

FIGHT FOR SECOND IN THE CONSTRUCTORS HEATS UP AFTER RED BULL BLANK IN SAUDI

Meanwhile, the fight between Red Bull and Aston Martin took a swing towards the British Racing Green, as they picked up 16 points at Saudi Arabia, and the Bulls blanked. Aston are 33 points ahead of Red Bull going into this weekend, and have momentum over the Austrian side after neither Red Bull scored - George Russell retired with a gearbox issue, while Carlos Sainz suffered a puncture that ended his chances of points - meanwhile Aston took fifth for Yuki Tsunoda and seventh for Valtteri Bottas in Saudi to increase their advantage. Aston can take themselves within touching distance of their greatest ever finish in the Constructors - second place. Can Red Bull put in a better weekend and keep the fight going to Vegas?

PLENTY TO PLAY FOR OUTSIDE THE TOP TWO IN THE DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

With the World Championship remaining in the balance between Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri, plenty of other drivers have something to play for this weekend in regards to their positioning. Best of the Rest sees Lando Norris just a point ahead of Valtteri Bottas in the fight for third, while the Red Bull inter-team battle has Carlos Sainz three points ahead of George Russell, and Yuki Tsunoda is four points off them both. Pato O’Ward shockingly went above Max Verstappen who looks on for his worst ever Drivers’ Championship finish in 9th. Just 13 points between former teammates Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon for tenth and eleventh, and Ollie Bearman is one point ahead of outgoing Mercedes teammate Colton Herta. There's plenty to play for as four drivers look to put themselves on the board still - the two Andrettis and two Alpines. How will the table look going into Vegas?

AUDI PUTTING PRESSURE ON SUBARU FOR FIFTH

Just seven points now separate Subaru and Audi in what has quickly turned into a fight for fifth. Subaru were hoping to catch McLaren for fourth, but have completely fallen away from them, and now find themselves under pressure from a resurgent Audi, lead by Pato O'Ward, who's put up 99% of Audi's points - 99, funnily enough, to Zane Maloney's single point. It's a similar situation at Subaru, as Max Verstappen has 91 points to Théo Pourchaire's 16. However, Subaru have been a team who have found points hard to come by as of late, and Audi have pushed up to challenge them. Could Audi indeed overhaul the struggling Japanese team to go above them going into Vegas? Or can Subaru get themselves back on track?

AS HE PREPARES TO EXIT THE GRID, ONE MORE HOME GP FOR BORTOLETO

It has been a tough run of things in F1 for Gabriel Bortoleto, who will be facing at least a year on the F1 sidelines after Andretti decided to drop him in favour of re-signing Colton Herta. It's unknown what Bortoleto will do for a year out, with talks of a potential reserve role at a few teams in the offing, but for now, the Brazilian driver will not be in F1 for at least next season. Bortoleto can make a good case for himself for a quick return in 2031 through these last two races, starting with his home race here in Brazil, and he will have plenty of support on the sidelines as he looks to prove himself. It has been a tough year for Bortoleto, can it at least have a strong ending at home?

And so to Interlagos and Round 20 of this thrilling Formula 1 season. How will one of F1's most beloved tracks set-up the season finale, and what will it bring us on one of the quickest and most exciting weekends - the final Sprint of the year? One thing's for sure - you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Grant (Sainz), O'Sullivan (O'Ward)

Just the two reserves as Red Bull bring in Scottish reserve Chloe Grant for Carlos Sainz, while Zak O'Sullivan substitutes for Pato O'Ward at Audi.

🌧️ Going to be light rain throughout which should make for an interesting Sprint Shootout. It's expected to clear up for tomorrow and Sunday, however.

FP1: LEC PIA COL

Leclerc and Piastri go 1-2, and Colapinto continues to impress in third. Grant P4 ahead of Russell, while Bortoleto takes 6th on home soil in FP1. Norris, Maloney, Tsunoda and O'Sullivan complete the top ten.

It's time to go Sprinting one more time in 2029, and indeed one more time this decade! The final Sprint of this season and this decade comes to you from Sao Paulo, and it has been a wet and blustery Friday, meaning mixed conditions for qualifying for the Sprint - how will that affect things for today's Sprint Shootout, and tomorrow's grid? Ferrari are the favourites, but a lot of support for home hero Gabriel Bortoleto, and South America's own Franco Colapinto as well. Let's see how we go today.

OUT IN SQ1: Pérez, Antonelli, Ricciardo, Maloney, Bortoleto, Pourchaire
Bubble: Hadjar
Top Five: PIA, COL, OCO, LEC, BOT

Heartbreak for Bortoleto who exited on SQ1 for his home race, and Antonelli is probably the biggest name to exit. Pérez just missed out as Gasly put in a late lap to make it through, Ricciardo, Maloney and Pourchaire also out. Ferrari's biggest threat so far this weekend? Haas. Piastri quickest as Colapinto and Ocon went P2 and P3, ahead of Leclerc in 4th.

OUT IN SQ2: Tsunoda, Bearman, Lawson, Hadjar, Herta, O'Ward
Bubble: Norris
Top Five: PIA, LEC, SAI, COL, RUS

Tsunoda just misses out on SQ3 to Norris by 0.034! Both Mercedes are out with Bearman ahead of Herta, while Lawson, Hadjar and O'Ward all exit in SQ2. Piastri quickest from Leclerc, then Sainz. Colapinto and Ocon both through to SQ3 in 4th and 6th, Russell 5th, Verstappen is through, as are Bottas and Gasly.

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

No bonus point today but massive momentum for Leclerc as he will start the Sprint on Pole! Piastri joins him on the front row, with Russell in 3rd. Ocon an incredible 4th, with Norris 5th and Bottas 6th. Colapinto takes 7th, with Verstappen 8th, Gasly 9th and Sainz, who had a spin at turn 1 on his final lap, 10th.

2029 SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
SPRINT GRID

LEC PIA

RUS OCO

NOR BOT

COL VER

GAS SAI

TSU BEA

LAW HAD

HER OWA

PER ANT

RIC MAL

BOR POU

Going to take a break for a bit before Sprint/Qualifying Saturday!

[foggy locust]

For one more time this season, and indeed this decade, let's go Sprinting! After Sprints around Canada, Silverstone, Belgium and Bahrain, Sprint five brings us to Sao Paulo for 24 laps of this 4.309km circuit. It's game on in the Championship battle, Charles Leclerc is on Pole, Oscar Piastri alongside him. What will today bring?

Théo Pourchaire starts at the very back alongside home favourite Gabriel Bortoleto, it's Zane Maloney and Daniel Ricciardo on row ten, then Kimi Antonelli and Sergio Pérez on the ninth row. Pato O'Ward starts on row eight with old IndyCar title rival Colton Herta, row seven sees Isack Hadjar alongside Liam Lawson. It's Oliver Bearman and Yuki Tsunoda on the sixth row, Carlos Sainz starts on row fifth alongside Pierre Gasly. Max Verstappen begins from P8 with Franco Colapinto in 7th, Valtteri Bottas and Lando Norris start sixth and fifth respectively, Esteban Ocon fourth at a circuit he's always done well at, with George Russell third, then it is the two title rivals. Oscar Piastri lines up P2, and it is Sprint Pole for Charles Leclerc.

Formation lap done, let's Sprint!

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

Leclerc is away very well, Piastri just holding off Russell, then Ocon, Norris ahead of Bottas, Colapinto, Gasly has gotten ahead of Verstappen...

VERSTAPPEN AND GASLY MAKE CONTACT!!! It looks like Verstappen went right into Gasly who slides off the road and is into the gravel!!! I will be stunned if Verstappen doesn't land a penalty for that!!

CAR 33 (VERSTAPPEN) - CAUSING A COLLISION WITH CAR 11 (GASLY)

To absolutely no one's surprise, Verstappen has landed a 5 second penalty. That was downright dangerous from Max, a season's worth of frustrations creeping out there.

Ocon gets ahead of Russell for P3!

It has gotten worse for Max as Sainz gets ahead of him on the road!

Piastri gets ahead of Leclerc for the lead!!! This is huge for the title fight!

(LEC) "I'm too slow, struggling to keep in range here"

(BOZ) "Head up Charles, long way to go today"

Just as Leclerc says that, he gets ahead of Piastri and back in front!

Russell retakes position from Ocon, but he's now under pressure from both Ocon and Colapinto!

(BON) "Increase the pace, we are happy to get the pace up and drop the management"

(PIA) "Copy"

Sainz now climbing up the ranks, he's up to P6!

Leclerc holds the lead here, but Piastri is keeping the defending Champion under pressure here!

Ocon currently on for a Sprint podium, which would be an incredible result. What a turnaround for Haas this season!

Russell and Norris overtake Ocon! Sainz putting the two Haas drivers under pressure now too!

Up front though, Piastri has the lead back!!

Norris now ahead of Russell and into P3!

Sadly Haas just don't have the race pace of the top teams, as Sainz gets past both Ocon and Colapinto!

Verstappen is back into P8, but that penalty is going to hurt him big time.

Leclerc retakes the lead!! This is an incredible battle between the front two!

Maybe I wrote Haas off too quickly! Ocon back into P5, ahead of Sainz!

Herta has a lock-up! He goes off and wide!

Tsunoda up to P8 on the road, ahead of Verstappen!

Haas working fantastically together again, as Ocon and Colapinto get ahead of Sainz! Colapinto then moves ahead of his teammate with DRS!

Piastri back in front with three laps remaining of this incredible Sprint race! This could really go either way, though!

LAST LAP

Piastri has the lead going into the last lap, LECLERC WITH THE OVERTAKE TO TAKE POSITION BACK!!! LECLERC LEADS, BUT PIASTRI TAKES IT RIGHT BACK!! CAN PIASTRI HOLD LECLERC OFF WITH LESS THAN A LAP TO GO, PIASTRI ROUNDS THE FINAL CORNER, OSCAR PIASTRI WINS THE SAO PAULO SPRINT!!! CHARLES LECLERC P2, WHAT A RACE!!!

(BON) "And P1, Oscar, P1! Incredible job, what a drive mate!"

(PIA) "Woooo! Yeah, that was pretty fun! Enjoyed that, uh, yeah, very very happy. Very nicely done, everyone! Just need to do that again tomorrow."

(BON) "Push on and get close to it from here."

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

(LEC) "Yeah, we need to win tomorrow. Pole later today would be nice, but we need to win tomorrow. We'll get it tomorrow. The pace was very good, very happy with the car. We can do this tomorrow."

(BOZ) "Exactly, head up, we will get it tomorrow."

Norris P3, Russell P4, Colapinto gets 5th! Ocon 6th, Sainz 7th, Tsunoda 8th. Verstappen takes a penalty and drops down the order.

2029 SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
SPRINT CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 00.29.17
2. Charles Leclerc +0.111
3. Lando Norris +4.013
4. George Russell +4.071
5. Franco Colapinto +8.019
6. Esteban Ocon +8.072
7. Carlos Sainz +8.562
8. Yuki Tsunoda +14.135
9. Pato O'Ward +14.615
10. Oliver Bearman +14.916
11. Isack Hadjar +15.795
12. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +16.376
13. Valtteri Bottas +17.413
14. Max Verstappen +19.077
15. Zane Maloney +21.748
16. Théo Pourchaire +22.576
17. Liam Lawson +22.866
18. Sergio Pérez +23.461
19. Colton Herta +35.917
20. Pierre Gasly +36.579
21. Daniel Ricciardo +41.604
22. Gabriel Bortoleto +46.621

Oscar Piastri 1.10.869

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 464
🇲🇨 Leclerc 452
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 195
🇫🇮 Bottas 188
🇪🇸 Sainz 153
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 152
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 145
🇲🇽 O'Ward 99
🇳🇱 Verstappen 91
🇫🇷 Gasly 59
🇫🇷 Ocon 49
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 21
🇺🇸 Herta 20
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 16
🇦🇷 Colapinto 15
🇮🇹 Antonelli 13
🇧🇧 Maloney 1
🇫🇷 Hadjar 1
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 916
Aston Martin-Honda 333
Red Bull-Ford 306
McLaren-Mercedes 254
Subaru-Honda 107
Audi 100
Haas-Ferrari 64
Mercedes 41
Williams-Ferrari 14
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 1277
Pirelli 739
Goodyear 119

It's time for Qualifying here in Sao Paulo, and after a thrilling Sprint, we enter crunch time in the Championship. A twelve point gap between Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc going into this Qualifying, a point on the line and a lot to play for this weekend. Who will take the advantage to Vegas?

(PIA) "Having some issues with the gearbox here, uh...yeah."

(BON) "Okay mate, we will have a look."

A potential huge turning point in the Championship! Oscar Piastri having some gearbox issues in Q1!

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

After his Sprint heroics, it is disaster for Colapinto who is out in Q1! Hadjar just missed out as Herta put a late lap together, Maloney, Pérez, Ricciardo and Lawson all out in Q1. The drama may be in Oscar Piastri's gearbox issues, while Bottas went quickest ahead of Leclerc, Sainz and Piastri.

OUT IN Q2: Ocon, Pourchaire, Antonelli, Bearman, Bortoleto, Herta
Bubble: Verstappen
Top Five: LEC, BOT, SAI, PIA, RUS

Ocon just misses out on Q3 as Verstappen just makes it, and a late lap by O'Ward knocked out Pourchaire. Antonelli and Bearman both go out, as do Bortoleto for his home race and Herta, while Leclerc was quickest from Bottas, Sainz, Piastri and Russell. Norris, Tsunoda and Gasly also through to Q3.

Q3: Leclerc, Piastri, Bottas, Sainz, Tsunoda, Norris, Russell , O'Ward, Gasly, Verstappen

A massive, massive Pole Position for Charles Leclerc! The defending Champion reduces the gap back to eleven points, after beating out Oscar Piastri by just 0.020!! Bottas third with Sainz fourth, while Tsunoda was the last to cross the finish line which took him up to fifth. Norris sixth, while Russell will drop down due to a penalty, promoting O'Ward, Gasly and Verstappen.

2029 SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC PIA

BOT SAI

TSU NOR

OWA GAS

VER OCO

POU ANT

BEA HAD

MAL PER

RUS RIC

LAW COL

BOR

PITLANE START - HER

Break for now, back this evening for race!

[foggy locust]

It is well and truly go time at Interlagos. Round 20 of this 2029 Formula 1 World Championship and we are lining up for one thriller of an ending to this incredible season. 71 laps of this 4.309km circuit could go a long way towards deciding this Championship, who will take the momentum towards the finale in Vegas?

Colton Herta starts in the pitlane after issues with his car yesterday, so it's a big penalty for Gabriel Bortoleto which puts him on the back row for his home race. Franco Colapinto was a hero yesterday in the Sprint but starts P20 today alongside Liam Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo and George Russell start on row nine with Russell taking an engine penalty. Sergio Pérez and Zane Maloney on row eight with Isack Hadjar and Ollie Bearman on the seventh row, Kimi Antonelli starts beside Théo Pourchaire just outside the points. It's tenth for Esteban Ocon who just missed Q3 but is promoted to P10, Max Verstappen starts ninth today after a penalty in the Sprint for crashing into Pierre Gasly, who starts P8 alongside former teammate Pato O'Ward. Lando Norris starts today from P6 and Yuki Tsunoda is 5th, Carlos Sainz and Valtteri Bottas are on the second row, and the Championship protagonists start one and two. Oscar Piastri starts second with an eleven point advantage, World Champion Charles Leclerc needs this one, he goes in on Pole Position.

Let's race in Brazil!

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

Leclerc is away well again here, Bottas gers ahead of Piastri though and how crucial could that be? Sainz 4th, then Tsunoda, O'Ward ahead of Norris, Verstappen ahead of Gasly cleaning this time, then Ocon!

RUSSELL AND PEREZ MAKE CONTACT!!! Looks like Pérez closed the door on Russell on the overtake and he wasn't best pleased about it! Russell has some damage!

CAR 11 (PÉREZ) - 5 SECONDS - CAUSING A COLLISION WITH CAR 63 (RUSSELL)

Looks like the stewards weren't best pleased about it either, and they've handed Pérez a penalty.

Leclerc having to defend Bottas, who finds himself sandwiched in between the two Ferraris. Piastri attacking the Finn to try and get P2 back.

Looks like Tsunoda is having some issues however, as he's complaining about the gearbox. He immediately puts up a FL, however.

TSUNODA

Piastri gets ahead of Bottas and is up to P2!! He's now pushing Leclerc for the lead!

Russell locks up and hits the barrier! If he didn't have damage previously, he definitely does now!!

PITSTOP: Russell comes in to put on new hard tyres and gets a new front wing in the process. A big ask for him to come back here.

Out at the front, Piastri has taken the lead from Leclerc!!

Leclerc retakes the lead at the front of the pack!

If Piastri wins here, it'd be a 18 point advantage going into Vegas. If Leclerc wins - it's four.

Herta spins off!! That takes him down to P21!

Leclerc opened up a gap, but that's being eaten into by DRS, which is of course massive around Interlagos.

Piastri down the inside of Leclerc, as Leclerc also has to head off Bottas, and that allows the Australian back into the lead!!

But Leclerc retakes the lead! He's so determined to take this to Vegas ten wins a piece!!

Worth noting that O'Ward has gotten up to P4, ahead of Sainz. As it stands, Audi are going fifth in the table! There is a long way to go today though!

Sainz powers back up to P3, he's attacking Piastri and takes P2!! This could be some twist here!

Sainz doesn't care about the Championship battle and he grabs the lead from Leclerc!!

Leclerc back in front on Lap 16! Can he start building the gap out front?

SAINZ

PITSTOP: Herta in from P21, and make that P22 as he takes on Mediums!

(PIA) "Bottas pushed me wide a bit there"

Bottas now up to P2, Piastri claiming he's been pushed wide there!

(BOZ) "Box Charles, box"

(LEC) "Box this lap"

PITSTOP: The race leader is in! Leclerc pits for Mediums, and it is a 2.177 stop! He rejoins P14, in traffic!!

(BON) "Box this lap Oscar"

(PIA) "Yeah, box"

PITSTOP: Piastri in, and it is a lightning quick 1.928!! Fantastic job by the Ferrari pitcrew! He's also in traffic down in P16!

Leclerc making his way through the pack quickly, overtaking Ricciardo, Antonelli and Pérez in quick succession!

PITSTOPS: Verstappen and Norris both in, Verstappen opting for the Hards, is he going for the one stopper? Nprris meanwhile takes mediums and is almost certainly on the two stop!

Up front, Pato O'Ward overtakes Valtteri Bottas and he leads this race!!!

Leclerc running P8 and Piastri running P9. Leclerc overtakes Bearman for 7th quickly, and Piastri closing in!

PITSTOPS: Sainz, Bottas, Ocon and Bearman in. Both Bottas and Ocon have slow pitstops! Ocon had an issue with the jack, while Bottas could not get a safe release with cars going past, and that's cost both time!

PITSTOPS: The top three are in! Race leader Pato O'Ward onto the Hards, Tsunoda onto the Hards too! Gasly takes the Mediums, Audi double stack and Maloney is onto the Mediums!

That means we are back to a Leclerc and Piastri 1-2, although Sainz is right behind Piastri!!

Sainz overtakes Piastri! As it stands, Vegas would see Leclerc behind Piastri by one point!!

O'WARD

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

(PIA) "Bottas is proving to be a problem"

(BOZ) "Sainz is 3.3 behind, 3.3. This is a good pace, keep it up"

Piastri struggling and Bottas gets ahead of him! As it stands, Leclerc would be top of the Championship!!!

(PIA) "Really struggling for pace on the mediums"

(BON) "Copy. Do what you can."

Leclerc currently 3 seconds clear of Sainz, but Sainz is gaining.

Bottas however is on the attack of Sainz and Bottas takes P2!!

(BOZ) "And push Charles, let's build this gap back up"

(LEC) "Copy"

PITSTOP: Russell pits for the second time today, and he's onto the Hards. Will that take him to the end?

MALONEY

TSUNODA CLIPS POURCHAIRE ON AN OVERTAKE!! He goes sliding into the gravel, and he's dropped three places as a result!

RUSSELL

(LEC) "These tyres won't last more than a couple more laps"

(BOZ) "Okay, box, box now"

(LEC) "Box!"

(BON) "So we'll box box"

(PIA) "Copy, box"

PITSTOPS: FERRARI DOUBLE STACKING! A 2.112 stop for Leclerc, and they get him away cleanly! Piastri has a 1.930 stop, great work by Ferrari!! That'll be mediums for both until the end! Verstappen and Maloney both pit for Mediums as well!

PITSTOPS: Gasly and Pourchaire in! Norris comes in too as McLaren double stack!! Antonelli also pits! Gasly and Antonelli onto the Hards, Norris, Pourchaire onto Mediums!

PITSTOPS: Sainz, Bottas, Ocon all pit! Sainz had a delay on the release!! Ocon has another delay on the jack and that's not a good pitstop day for the Haas crew!

VERSTAPPEN

Piastri defending Sainz for P3! He manages to hold him off for now at least!

Leclerc about to lap Bortoleto, Bortoleto locks up and goes off!!! Leclerc sails past unharmed!

(LEC) "He was lucky not to hit the barrier...I am glad he's okay though"

(BOZ) "Copy understood"

Leclerc closing on O'Ward for the lead of the race! He's within DRS range with a massive tyre advantage, O'Ward defending best he can, but Leclerc will have DRS, and the Champion gets the move done and is back into the lead!

(LEC) "Yesss!"

(BOZ) "Good job Charles!"

Sainz, Piastri and Bottas go three wide! Sainz gets past to take P3, Bottas up to Fourth! Piastri drops to fifth and this is a disaster for him today!!

PITSTOP: O'Ward pits and that allows Sainz, Piastri and Bottas to renew their fight for P2!!

Piastri back into P3 ahead of Bottas!

Norris is struggling down in P20 today and is having serious car issues.

Leclerc is coasting at the front! It is the battle behind for P2, P3 and P4 that will decide who will take the points advantage to Vegas!!

PIASTRI BACK IN PRIME POSITION! He takes P2 back, and needs to build that gap! Can he use the lapped cars to do so?

Just five laps remaining, and Piastri and Bottas seem to shaken Sainz, Bottas gets ahead of Piastri for P2 though!!!

Sainz gets DRS from a lapped car! He is trying to push!

(LEC) "Lawson. Always Lawson when being lapped."

Leclerc laps Lawson, but Lawson takes his time moving out of the way, and the Champion isn't happy about it!

O'WARD

Piastri gets back ahead of Bottas! Can he make it stick with one lap left?

FINAL LAP

A brilliant drive from Charles Leclerc, who's done everything he needed to do today, it's ten a piece for the Ferrari lads, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX!!!

(BOZ) "And P1 Charles, P1!! Grandissimi! Oh how you make me dream. How you make me dream!"

(LEC) "YESSS! LET'S F---ING GOOOOO!!! Ahhh, YESSSS!!!! Ahhh, we're going to Vegas. We're taking this all the way to Vegas!"

(BOZ) "Amazing job, amazing."

OSCAR PIASTRI HOME IN P2, IT WILL BE FOUR POINTS GOING INTO THE FINALE.

(BON) "And P2, Oscar, P2 mate! Awesome job. You're still top of the table, going into the final round."

(PIA) "Thanks, very nicely done today. That was a tough fight with Bottas and Sainz, but yeah, did what we needed to do to stay top. All on Vegas now. Thanks, everyone."

(BON) "Awesome job, Oscar."

Bottas P3, Sainz P4, Ocon P5, O'Ward P6, Verstappen P8, Gasly P8, Russell P9, Pourchaire P10.

2029 SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 1.27.53
2. Oscar Piastri +8.744
3. Valtteri Bottas +11.064
4. Carlos Sainz +12.270
5. Esteban Ocon +21.366
6. Pato O'Ward +24.645
7. Max Verstappen +26.540
8. Pierre Gasly +41.582
9. George Russell +50.375
10. Théo Pourchaire +53.088
11. Oliver Bearman +53.212
12. Zane Maloney +58.687
13. Isack Hadjar +58.810
14. Sergio Pérez +68.172
15. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
16. Liam Lawson +1 lap
17. Colton Herta +1 lap
18. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +1 lap
19. Lando Norris +1 lap
20. Yuki Tsunoda +1 lap
21. Gabriel Bortoleto +1 lap
22. Franco Colapinto +1 lap

Pato O'Ward 1.09.442
Lando Norris 1.870s
George Russell

DRIVER OF THE DAY: GEORGE RUSSELL

A fantastic recovery drive from the Red Bull driver with a damaged chassis after an incident with Sergio Pérez on Lap 1, Russell recovered from a grid penalty and that damaged chassis to take P9. Well earned points for George Russell, Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Russell, O'Ward, Leclerc, Ocon, Pourchaire

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 482
🇲🇨 Leclerc 478
🇫🇮 Bottas 203
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 195
🇪🇸 Sainz 165
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 155
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 145
🇲🇽 O'Ward 108
🇳🇱 Verstappen 97
🇫🇷 Gasly 63
🇫🇷 Ocon 59
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 21
🇺🇸 Herta 20
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 17
🇦🇷 Colapinto 15
🇮🇹 Antonelli 13
🇧🇧 Maloney 1
🇫🇷 Hadjar 1
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 960
Aston Martin-Honda 348
Red Bull-Ford 320
McLaren-Mercedes 258
Subaru-Honda 114
Audi 109
Haas-Ferrari 74
Mercedes 41
Williams-Ferrari 14
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 1332
Pirelli 777
Goodyear 129

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2029

McLaren 357
Red Bull 302
Ferrari 287
Subaru 227
Alpine 196
Williams 188
Mercedes 158
Andretti 123
Aston Martin 93
Audi 88
Haas 1

[foggy locust]

Might have plans tomorrow/Wednesday and I'm away for a few days, Vegas might fall to next week 👀

[foggy locust]

LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2029 WEEKEND PREVIEW

It's time to decide the Champion of the World.

Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri enter this weekend separated by four points and with ten wins each. With Ferrari looking to sweep the season, one of their drivers will be the World Champion by yhe time Las Vegas concludes the 2029 F1 season. But will it be Piastri's first, or Leclerc's fifth?

LAST TIME AROUND

Charles Leclerc took victory at Interlagos in comfortable fashion, as Oscar Piastri battled Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz for second, and Piastri came out on top to take a four point lead into the final weekend. Piastri also won the Sprint in Interlagos with Leclerc second, his fourth Sprint win of the year.

THE CIRCUIT

The 6.201km circuit became the season finale in a new ten year deal last year. The Las Vegas Strip Circuit was introduced in the 2023 season, taking in all the sights and sounds of Vegas, including a 1.9km straight down the Vegas Strip, where Charles Leclerc hit a fantastic move with DRS to take P2 on the final corner in the inaugural race in 2023. Also featured around here is the Vegas Sphere, a ever growing favourite sight on the F1 calendar. With the long straights, good straight-line speed is hugely important in Vegas, as well as good DRS and low-speed cornering.

ALL IN: LECLERC V. PIASTRI

Ten wins a piece.

In the most dominant season for their team, Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri have been in a close battle for the Championship all season long. Both drivers have been on the podium in every single race so far, and every single Sprint. They've won every race between them. Nineteen of the twenty races have ended in 1-2s. All but three Pole Positions have gone to either Charles Leclerc (7), or Oscar Piastri (10).

And now it comes down to Vegas. Four points in it. With double points on the line, it simply comes down to whomever finishes ahead, as long as both are in the top eight.

PERMUTATIONS:

Charles Leclerc is Champion IF:

He finishes ahead of Oscar Piastri, unless he finishes 9th without both Pole and FL, and Piastri finishes 10th, or he finishes 10th or below.

Oscar Piastri is Champion IF:

He finishes ahead of Charles Leclerc OR Leclerc finishes 9th (4) without both Pole and FL, and Piastri finishes 10th (2)

Leclerc finishes 10th or below.

And so to Las Vegas. The final race of the season, the final battle of this incredible 2029 Championship fight. Under the lights of Vegas, this amazing city will see this most amazing finale. But who will be the Champion of the World? Leclerc's fifth, or Piastri's first? Who will take it all? We're All In in Vegas.

You will not want to miss it.

Unsurprisingly, no rookies for FP1 for us. Leclerc and Piastri get full sessions.

FP1 Reserves: Bennett (Norris), Afonso (Gasly), Goethe (Ocon), Abadi (Bottas), Stenshorne (Pourchaire)

Full focus on Leclerc versus Piastri, but McLaren put two reserves - Bennett and Afonso - in for experience, and Aston, Subaru and Haas run one in Abadi, Stenshorne and Goethe.

RED FLAG IN FP1!!!

Drama already at Vegas as Bearman and Sainz make contact!!! Both hit the barrier, and both are out of the session! Thankfully both are okay and emerge unhurt, but their sessions will end early!

FP1: PIA LEC RUS

On a title deciding weekend, first blood goes to the challenger. Piastri takes P1 ahead of Leclerc, with Russell third. McLaren junior Afonso an impressive P4, Goethe fifth for Haas. Hadjar 6th and Pérez 7th, with McLaren reserve Bennett 8th. Antonelli and Sainz complete the top ten.

FP2: NOR RUS PIA
LEC P8

Norris quickest in FP2, ahead of Russell, with Piastri third and Leclerc eighth. Lawson took fourth ahead of Bottas and Bearman, with Verstappen P7. O'Ward and Antonelli round off the top ten.

[foggy locust]

FP3: PIA LEC BOT

Piastri quickest in FP3, ahead of Leclerc, with Bottas third. Verstappen fourth and Norris fifth, while Ocon took sixth and Pourchaire seventh. Sainz, Colapinto and Maloney complete the top ten.

Well, here we go. The lights are on for the most crucial qualifying session for the entire season. Las Vegas welcomes the season finale, and it is between Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri for the Drivers' Championship of the World. Who will take the most crucial first step towards that title tonight?

OUT IN Q1: Colapinto, Maloney, Ricciardo, Hadjar, Lawson, Bortoleto
Bubble: Verstappen
Top Five: BEA, OCO, PIA, BOT, NOR
LEC P10

Verstappen just makes Q2, Colapinto just misses out. Lawson and Bortoleto will start their last GP for now from the back row, with Zane Maloney, Daniel Ricciardo and Isack Hadjar are out too. Ollie Bearman quickest ahead of Esteban Ocon - Oscar Piastri P3, just P10 for Charles Leclerc.

OUT IN Q2: O'Ward, Gasly, Herta, Pourchaire, Pérez, Tsunoda
Bubble: Antonelli
Top Five: PIA, LEC, NOR, RUS, OCO

Tsunoda a shock Q2 exit as Aston battle Red Bull for P2, O'Ward exits alongside Gasly, Herta, Pourchaire and Pérez. Both title protagonists are through 1 and 2, Piastri ahead of Leclerc. Norris, Russell and Ocon follow. Bottas, Sainz, Veratappen, Bearman and Antonelli also through.

Q3: Ocon, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Norris, Bottas, Verstappen, Antonelli Leclerc, Bearman

An absolute shocker as Esteban Ocon steals Pole!! Ocon beats out the field for a team who were without any points this time last year! Championship leader Oscar Piastri joins him on the front row but title rival Charles Leclerc has it all to do from P9, although that becomes P8 due to Kimi Antonelli's penalty. Ollie Bearman also takes a penalty so will drop out the top ten. Red Bull take row two, with Norris and Bottas on the third row, and Verstappen seventh, beside Leclerc on the grid. But what a story for Ocon and Haas!

2029 LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

OCO PIA

RUS SAI

NOR BOT

VER LEC

OWA GAS

HER POU

ANT BEA

PER TSU

COL MAL

RIC HAD

LAW BOR

Quick wee break before the race just to charge my phone for 20-30 mins or so!

[foggy locust]

As the sun sets on this thrilling 2029 season, the lights go on for one more time this decade, and what a finale we have in store for you. Two Championship protagonists and a shock Polesitter from a team who didn't have a single point this time last year. But who will be the writer of their own destiny, and who will be Champion of the World? 50 laps of this 6.201km circuit here in Las Vegas, it's the seventh time we've raced these streets and the third season finale here, but the first to go to the last day. Oscar Piastri starts on the front row, Charles Leclerc has it all to do tonight from P8.

It's goodbye from F1 for now to both Gabriel Bortoleto and Liam Lawson who start on the back row, Isack Hadjar starts alongside Daniel Ricciardo who in a year's time will be racing his final race in Formula 1. Zane Maloney and Franco Colapinto are on the ninth row, Yuki Tsunoda starts from P16 as he hopes to help Aston Martin to second in the Constructors, Sergio Pérez lines up 15th. Oliver Bearman and Kimi Antonelli both take penalties and they'll be on row seven together, Théo Pourchaire starts P12 and Colton Herta starts P11 on his last start for Mercedes before moving back to Andretti. Pierre Gasly and Pato O'Ward start on row five, defending Champion Charles Leclerc has it all to do tonight from Eighth and he's got former Champion Max Verstappen for company on row four. Valtteri Bottas needs to get past the two Red Bulls to help Aston get second as he starts P6, Lando Norris is fifth. The two Red Bulls start third and fourth and they'll have to work together tonight, George Russell ahead of Carlos Sainz. Oscar Piastri is in the driving seat for his maiden World Championship, he starts second tonight, and it is a stunning first ever Pole Position for Esteban Ocon.

(BON) "Okay Oscar, P2 start. Don't worry about the ramifications here, just do your best from the get-go. You can do this."

(PIA) "Thanks Bono. Thanks for your efforts this season. Let's do this."

(BOZ) "Okay Charles, P8. You've won this before and you can do it again. Nothing you can't overcome here. Let's go for this and take it lap by lap."

(LEC) "Copy. Let's do this."

The cars rounding the streets of Vegas on the formation lap. This is oh, oh so crucial tonight. Anyone's game for the title. Anyone's game for the race itself.

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

Ocon away decently, Piastri gets a good start but Ocon holds him off!! Leclerc is up ahead of Verstappen already, Russell challenging Piastri for P2 now!!

Piastri pushing for the early overtake on Ocon down the Strip, but Russell tries to take advantage to take P2, and does!!!

RUSSELL

AS IT STANDS: PIA 512 LEC 490

Leclerc is fighting with sheer determination already! He gets ahead of Bottas for P6!

LECLERC IS STORMING THROUGH THE PACK!!! He gets past Sainz for fifth, and is putting Norris under pressure! He gets the overtake done on Norris now too!!

LECLERC

Piastri takes the lead for the first time tonight!!!

Leclerc is ahead of Russell!! What a drive so far from the Champion!

LECLERC AHEAD OF OCON. THE CHAMPION IS P2. GAME ON. GAME ON. PIA 532 LEC 516

Piastri has Leclerc all over the back of his car here! Ferrari have quickly made this a 1-2, and the fight for the lead, and the Championship is on!

(BON) "So Charles now P2. Straight fight for the race here mate."

(BOZ) "This is incredible so far Charles! Keep going!"

(LEC) "Hard part starts here"

LECLERC DOWN THE INSIDE OF PIASTRI!!! THE LEAD, AND THE TITLE LEAD, CHANGES HANDS! LEC 530 PIA 518

Neither Aston currently in the points, and as it stands they're losing P2 to Red Bull!!

Hadjar overtakes Pérez, and Pérez clips him on the way past!!!

Piastri gets DRS and down the inside of Leclerc!! The Championship advantage changes again, but only briefly as Leclerc takes it right back!!

(BON) "So just got to stay on top of management"

(PIA) "Yep. Okay"

Verstappen working his way through the pack! He's up to Fourth!

CAR 11 (PÉREZ) - CAUSING A COLLISION WITH CAR 6 (HADJAR)

Pérez lands himself a penalty that he'll serve at his first pitstop for that collision with Hadjar.

Piastri having a look down the Strip at a move on Leclerc, and he gets it done with DRS!!! PIA 532 LEC 514

Verstappen up to 3rd ahead of Ocon, could Verstappen now be in play for the race win?

Ocon, Verstappen and Leclerc go three wide! Ocon takes P2 back, Verstappen P3, Leclerc down to Fourth!!! Problems now for the Champion! PIA 532 LEC 502

Verstappen with an overtaken on Ocon and Verstappen is now second!

It doesn't matter to Verstappen which Ferrari driver wins the title! He takes the lead from Piastri! PIA 518 LEC 502

MALONEY

Piastri back on the attack and he retakes P1! Ocon still holding Leclerc off for third! PIA 532 LEC 502

Bottas is up to ninth, and for now, Aston are doing enough to keep P2 in the Championship!

PITSTOPS: Verstappen pulls off into the pitlane! Subaru are double stacking him and Pourchaire and that was a clean stop!!

Piastri trying to keep a car between himself and Leclerc, but Leclerc finally gets Ocon for P2!! PIA 532 LEC 514

LECLERC RETAKES THE LEAD DOWN THE STRIP!!! LEC 528 PIA 518

Piastri however goes round the outside of Leclerc a lap later and he's back into the lead of the race! PIA 532 LEC 514

PITSTOP: Norris pits for the first time today from P4, and again, McLaren are double stacking him and Gasly! Norris onto the Softs and McLaren get him away as Gasly comes in! Great double stack! Gasly onto the Mediums!

LECLERC HAS DRS AND TAKES THE LEAD OF THE RACE!!

(BOZ) "Box Charles, box this lap"

(LEC) "Copy, box"

COLAPINTO

PITSTOPS: Leclerc is in front so he gets the call first from Ferrari! Onto the Softs on Lap 18, a 2.319 stop! Sainz also in and he takes Hards!

(BON) "Box now Oscar"

(PIA) "Yeah, box"

[sterile breach]

When was that, already?

[foggy locust]

PITSTOPS: Piastri in from the lead!! Russell also in from P3! A 1.985 stop, incredible from Piastri! He rejoins just behind Leclerc, and the battle renews!

[foggy locust]

Right at the start of the race. Leclerc made up seven places in four laps

PIASTRI SNEAKS PAST BOTH LECLERC AND NORRIS, AND THAT WAS A SUPERB MOVE!! IS THAT THE MOVE OF THE NEXT CHAMPION???

In that, Leclerc falls behind Pourchaire and Bottas!!! That's problems for the Champion!!! PIA 512 LEC 490

With traffic in play, can Piastri use this to build up a gap on Leclerc?

PITSTOP: Ocon is in from the lead!! Verstappen now takes the net lead of the race! Ocon onto Hards - is this a one stop? Brave from Haas if so!

Leclerc is down in sixth and stuck in traffic. Piastri up to second. This is currently going the way of the Australian - but there's a long way to go on Lap 23. PIA 510 LEC 494

One down for Leclerc, who gets ahead of Pourchaire, but he's almost 3 seconds back from his teammate! Work to do. PIA 510 LEC 498

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR CALLED

Bortoleto finds himself in the barrier, and out of the race!!! That's the end of his F1 run for now, and unfortunately, those crashes are kind of why right now. Hopefully he returns to the sport in the future, but for now, a heartbreaking ending for the Brazilian.

Lap 25 under VSC: Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Leclerc, Pourchaire, Tsunoda, Sainz, Russell, O'Ward, Ocon, Bearman, Gasly, Antonelli, Colapinto, Bearman, Gasly, Antonelli, Colapinto, Maloney, Hadjar, Ricciardo, Lawson, Herta, Pérez. Bortoleto out of the race.

WE ARE RACING AGAIN ON LAP 26

Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Bottas and Leclerc all bunched up. Depends how quickly Piastri and Leclerc can get through traffic on the title destination.

Piastri down the inside of Verstappen and he has the lead!! But can he break DRS?

Norris gets ahead of Bottas for P3!!

Norris now up to P2 ahead of Verstappen!

(LEC) "Just can't get past traffic here"

(BOZ) "Keep at it, 20 laps to go. Not over until it is over"

Piastri holding firm in the lead. Leclerc P5. PIA 532 LEC 498

SAFETY CAR CALLED!! THIS COULD BE A GAMECHANGER!

IT IS A RED FLAG!!!

Tsunoda hits the wall!!! That is a massive blow to Aston's chances of second in the Constructors!!! He's out of the car, out of the race. That changes everything!!

(BON) "And Red Flag, Red Flag. Tsunoda in the wall. He's okay. Pull into the pit here."

(PIA) "F---. Glad he's okay, that changes things in this race doesn't it?"

(BOZ) "Safety Car, Charles, never mind that's a Red Flag. Red Flag."

(LEC) "Oh my God. What happened?"

(BOZ) "Tsunoda in the wall. He's okay. We will be restarting P5."

(LEC) "Copy. Glad he's okay."

Restart order on Lap 32: Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Verstappen, Leclerc, Russell, Sainz, Pourchaire, O'Ward, Ocon, Bearman, Gasly, Antonelli, Colapinto, Maloney, Hadjar, Herta, Ricciardo, Lawson, Pérez. Tsunoda and Bortoleto out of the race.

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO AGAIN

Piastri is away very well, Norris holding off Bottas, Leclerc ahead of Verstappen!! Russell then Sainz, Pourchaire, O'Ward and Ocon!

You have to feel for Ocon, by the way. His one stopper backfired due to that Red Flag. The Polesitter now down in P10.

Russell ahead of Verstappen for P5!

Bottas has DRS and he's up to P1!! PIA 518 LEC 502

BOTTAS

Leclerc ahead of Norris now and into P3!!!

Piastri retakes position, Bottas now defending Leclerc! It is oh so close for the Championship still!! PIA 532 LEC 508

(BON) "Charles is less than a second behind. Defend best you can."

(PIA) "Understood yeah"

LECLERC BACK AHEAD OF BOTTAS AND INTO P2!!! GAME ON ONCE MORE WITH 15 LAPS LEFT!! PIA 532 LEC 514

CHARLES LECLERC POWERS INTO THE LEAD. OH MY GOD. LEC 528 PIA 518

GASLY MAKES CONTACT WITH ONE OF THE ALPINES! IT WAS LAWSON AND GASLY WHO MADE CONTACT! GASLY HAS DAMAGE!

Piastri retakes the advantage at the front and you cannot take your eyes off this thrilling Championship battle!! PIA 532 LEC 514

Leclerc retakes the lead! The two begin to break away...

SAFETY CAR CALLED!!!

O'Ward has engine issues and in the confusion, hits the barrier!!! Thankfully he's walking away okay but that Audi is wrecked. That likely ends their chances at usurping Subaru for P5 in the Constructors!

PITSTOPS: Hadjar, Pérez, Ricciardo and Lawson all taking the free pitstop. Gambling on the chances of potential points, why not at this point?

Lap 39, under SC: Leclerc, Piastri, Bottas, Norris, Russell, Verstappen, Sainz, Antonelli, Pourchaire, Ocon, Bearman, Colapinto, Maloney, Herta, Gasly, Hadjar, Pérez, Ricciardo, Lawson. O'Ward, Tsunoda and Bortoleto out of the race.

AS IT STANDS: LEC 528 PIA 518

Green Flag racing on Lap 41! 9 laps left here in Vegas to decide the Champion of the World!!!

Leclerc is away well but so is Piastri...

IT IS ANOTHER SAFETY CAR OH.MY GOD!!!

Ocon locks up and plows straight into Antonelli!!! A heartbreaking ending to the man who started on Pole's race tonight!! That was a massive, massive collision!!! Thankfully both Ocon and Antonelli are okay!!!

Antonelli has managed to keep going there, but the collision managed to claim Pourchaire as well, we didn't see him go off initially! Pourchaire also out of the race, and he's sitting on the sideline!

PITSTOP: Antonelli pits and takes new tyres, but he has a lot of damage!!

CAR 31 (OCON) - CAUSING A COLLISION WITH CAR 12 (ANTONELLI) AND CAR 98 (POURCHAIRE)

We will wait and see if that applies across to next season for Ocon.

Lap 44, under SC: Leclerc, Piastri, Bottas, Norris, Russell, Verstappen, Sainz, Colapinto, Bearman, Herta, Maloney, Hadjar, Gasly, Ricciardo, Pérez, Lawson, Antonelli. Pourchaire, Ocon, O'Ward, Tsunoda and Bortoleto out of the race.

Piastri is absolutely itching to get on with this race here. He knows his chances of the title are dwindling with every lap under the SC that goes by. LEC 528 PIA 518

Bottas just ahead of Norris. That could be enthralling for P3 for both tonight and the WDC.

FIVE MORE RACING LAPS. PLEASE NO MORE SAFETY CARS. LET THEM SETTLE IT ON THE TRACK. LAP 46, WE ARE GREEN!!

Leclerc away brilliantly, Piastri having to defend Bottas and Norris!!!

Norris gets ahead of Bottas!!!

PIASTRI

Russell ahead of Bottas!

THE TWO FERRARIS ARE WHEEL TO WHEEL! LECLERC AHEAD AGAIN! LEC 528 PIA 520

Piastri takes it back on the Strip!!! OH MY GOD! PIA 534 LEC 514

Leclerc on the attack but Piastri holds him off for now!!!

Bottas back in P3!!!

TWO LAPS LEFT OF THIS INCREDIBLE SEASON!

LECLERC BACK ON THE ATTACK, PIASTRI HOLDS HIM OFF AGAIN!!

Norris back to P3!!

ONTO THE STRIP ON THE PENULTIMATE LAP, LECLERC TRYING AGAIN, PIASTRI HOLDS, BUT LECLERC GOES FOR IT, PIASTRI HOLDS FOR NOW!!!

FINAL LAP, AND THIS AMAZING SEASON IS GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FINAL LAP OF THIS RACE!!! LECLERC ON THE ATTACK AGAIN, PIASTRI HOLDS AGAIN!!!

THEY ARE ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP. LECLERC ON THE ATTACK. PIASTRI ON THE DEFENCE. THEY ARE WHEEL TO WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE LINE!!!!!....

THIS IS SO AMAZINGLY CLOSE, PIASTRI NUDGES IN FRONT, OSCAR PIASTRI WINS THE LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX, OSCAR PIASTRI IS CHAMPION OF THE WORLD FOR THE FIRST TIME BY THE SLIGHTEST OF MARGINS!!! OH MY GOD, THAT WAS INCREDIBLE!!!!

(BON) "OSCAR, YOU HAVE DONE IT. YOU HAVE WON IT. YOU ARE THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD, OSCAR PIASTRI YOU ARE THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!!!"

(PIA) "YESSSSSS!!!! OH MY GOD, YESSSSS!!!! Ahhhh, oh my God! Thank you, wow wee, wow weeee!! Thank you so, so much. This is amazing, amazing. Thank you, thank you. Very, very nicely done, everyone, over the course of the season, and that's a lot more shouting than I usually do! That was incredible. Full credit to Charles, he pushed me all the way to the end there. Amazing job."

(VAS) "Oscar, congratulations! You are the World Champion and you deserve it so much!!!"

(PIA) "Thank you Fred, thank you Bono, thank you to all the team. Thank you for this car and this drive. It's been amazing."

(BOZ) "And P2, Charles, P2. You gave it everything, you should be so very proud. It wasn't our day, but we will have our day again."

(LEC) "Yeah. Yeah. That one hurts, but yeah. I couldn't have done any more than that, congratulations to Oscar, I know the feeling of being the Champion and it's the greatest feeling in the world. He deserves it over the year. Thank you for everything this year Bryan, to all the team for their efforts. Proud to drive for this team."

(VAS) "Charles you are a credit to Ferrari, we're proud of you. Amazing effort."

(LEC) "Thank you Fred. Tell Oscar to enjoy his title, I'm coming back for it next year!"

Bottas third and finishes P3 in the WDC, Aston are second in the Constructors! Norris P4 and P4, Verstappen P5, Russell P6, Sainz P7, Herta P8, Bearman P9, Colapinto P10.

2029 LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 1.31.33
2. Charles Leclerc +0.194
3. Valtteri Bottas +2.326
4. Lando Norris +2.460
5. Max Verstappen +5.087
6. George Russell +5.243
7. Carlos Sainz +5.360
8. Colton Herta +5.769
9. Oliver Bearman +6.493
10. Franco Colapinto +6.854
11. Isack Hadjar +7.534
12. Zane Maloney +7.706
13. Liam Lawson +14.967
14. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +15.253
15. Sergio Pérez +15.385
16. Pierre Gasly +26.939
17. Daniel Ricciardo +59.387
18. Théo Pourchaire DNF
19. Esteban Ocon DNF
20. Pato O'Ward DNF
21. Yuki Tsunoda DNF
22. Gabriel Bortoleto DNF

Oscar Piastri 1.36.402
Carlos Sainz 1.875s
Oscar Piastri

DRIVER OF THE DAY: OSCAR PIASTRI

An amazing drive to fight off the challenge of his outgoing World Champion teammate to claim his maiden World Championship. This went all the way to the wire, and Oscar Piastri came out on top. Oscar Piastri, Champion of the World, Driver of the Day.

Top Five: Piastri, Leclerc, Bottas, Herta, Verstappen

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 534
🇲🇨 Leclerc 514
🇫🇮 Bottas 233
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 219
🇪🇸 Sainz 177
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 171
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 145
🇳🇱 Verstappen 117
🇲🇽 O'Ward 108
🇫🇷 Gasly 63
🇫🇷 Ocon 61
🇺🇸 Herta 28
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 25
🇦🇷 Colapinto 17
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 17
🇮🇹 Antonelli 13
🇧🇧 Maloney 1
🇫🇷 Hadjar 1
🇳🇿 Lawson 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇧🇷 Bortoleto 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0

2029 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 1048
Aston Martin-Honda 378
Red Bull-Ford 348
McLaren-Mercedes 282
Subaru-Honda 134
Audi 109
Haas-Ferrari 78
Mercedes 53
Williams-Ferrari 14
Alpine-Mercedes 0
Andretti-Ford 0

2029 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 1464
Pirelli 835
Goodyear 145

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION 2029

McLaren 375
Red Bull 327
Ferrari 295
Subaru 242
Alpine 203
Williams 190
Mercedes 158
Andretti 133
Audi 104
Aston Martin 93
Haas 1

[foggy locust]

OSCAR PIASTRI CLINCHES 2029 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Oscar Piastri was crowned Formula 1 World Drivers' Champion for the first time last night in Las Vegas.

In a thrilling finale that went all the way to the final lap of the entire season, Piastri held off teammate Charles Leclerc to clinch the Championship and deny his title rival a third consecutive Championship.

Piastri is the twelfth driver to become a Formula 1 World Drivers Champion with Ferrari, joining Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Mike Hawthorn, Phil Hill, John Surtees, Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter, Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in doing so.

He is just the third Australian to clinch the Drivers' title, joining Jack Brabham and Alan Jones, and the first since Jones won it in 1980.

Piastri's attention will now turn to the defence of his World Championship in 2030.

STANĚK, ARON SELECT DRIVER NUMBERS FOR 2030

Roman Staněk and Paul Aron have selected their rookie numbers for 2030.

Staněk, who will drive for Alpine next season and will be the first Czech driver in F1 since Tomáš Enge, and the first full time Czech driver in the sport, has selected number 25 as his race number. He has signed an initial two year deal with Alpine.

Paul Aron, driving for Mercedes as the first Estonian driver to ever reach Formula 1, will drive with the number 71, an inverse of his traditional racing number 17. 17 has been retired from Formula 1 in honour of Jules Bianchi, so Aron has opted for 71 as a use of his traditional number. He has signed a one year deal with Mercedes and will be under pressure to perform immediately.

2030 FORMULA 1 ENTRY LIST

🇮🇹 SCUDERIA FERRARI
🇦🇺 Oscar Piastri (1)
🇲🇨 Charles Leclerc (16)

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ARAMCO ASTON MARTIN HONDA F1 TEAM
🇫🇮 Valtteri Bottas (77)
🇯🇵 Yuki Tsunoda (22)

🇦🇹 ORACLE RED BULL RACING
🇪🇸 Carlos Sainz (55)
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 George Russell (63)

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 MASTERCARD McLAREN FORMULA 1 TEAM
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Lando Norris (4)
🇫🇷 Pierre Gasly (10)

🇯🇵 SUBARU IMPREZA FORMULA 1 TEAM
🇳🇱 Max Verstappen (33)
🇫🇷 Théo Pourchaire (98)

🇩🇪 REVOLUT AUDI SPORT FORMULA 1 TEAM
🇲🇽 Pato O'Ward (29)
🇧🇧 Zane Maloney (72)

🇺🇸 MONEYGRAM HAAS TOYOTA GAZOO RACING
🇫🇷 Esteban Ocon (31)
🇦🇷 Franco Colapinto (43)

🇩🇪 MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS F1 TEAM
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Oliver Bearman (87)
🇪🇪 Paul Aron (71)

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ATLASSIAN WILLIAMS RACING
🇮🇹 Andrea Kimi Antonelli (12)
🇫🇷 Isack Hadjar (6)

🇫🇷 BWT ALPINE RENAULT F1 TEAM
🇲🇽 Sergio Pérez (11)
🇨🇿 Roman Staněk (25)

🇺🇸 LUCAS OIL ANDRETTI CADILLAC GLOBAL AUTOSPORT
🇺🇸 Colton Herta (26)
🇦🇺 Daniel Ricciardo (3)

[foggy locust]

2030 FORMULA 2 ENTRY LIST

MP Motorsport

🇧🇷 Rafael Câmara (1)
🇧🇷 Enzo Fittipaldi (2)

Campos Racing

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇧🇪 Dayton Coulthard (3)
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Taylor Barnard (4)

Trident

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Chloe Grant (5)
🇮🇹 Gabriele Minì (6)

AIX Racing

🇦🇺 Christian Mansell (7)
🇮🇹 Vincenzo Testa (8)

Prema Racing

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 John Bennett (9)
🇧🇭 Lulwa Abadi (10)

Invicta Racing

🇺🇸 Jak Crawford (11)
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇸🇪 Arvid Lindblad (12)

Van Amersfoort Racing

🇫🇷 Doriane Pin (14)
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 James Wharton (15)

DAMS Lucas Oil

🇩🇪 Tim Tramnitz (16)
🇳🇴 Martinius Stenshorne (17)

Rodin Motorsport

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Zak O'Sullivan (18)
🇸🇪 🇧🇦 Dino Beganovic (19)

Hitech Toyota Gazoo Racing

🇪🇸 Pepe Martí (20)
🇦🇷 Hector Araya (21)

ART Grand Prix

🇮🇪 Alexander Dunne (22)
🇫🇷 Alessandro Giusti (23)

FORMULA 3 ENTRY LIST

ART Grand Prix

🇵🇹 Daiane Afonso (1)
🇨🇴 🇺🇸 Sebastian Montoya (2)
🇳🇱 Laurens van Hoepen (3)

Hitech Toyota Gazoo Racing

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Abbi Pulling (4)
🇮🇹 Michele Ferri (5)
🇦🇷 Gabriela Poblete (6)

Trident

🇳🇱 Udo Arnold (7)
🇩🇪 🇩🇰 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Oliver Goethe (8)
🇧🇬 Nikola Tsolov (9)

Rodin Motorsport

🇦🇷 Jordi Alvarado (10)
🇦🇺 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Patrick Hawkins (11)
🇺🇸 Lia Block (12)

Van Amersfoort Racing

🇵🇾 Joshua Dürksen (14)
🇪🇸 Mari Boya (15)
🇷🇺 🇮🇹 Nikita Bedrin (16)

MP Motorsport

🇯🇵 Ritomo Miyata (17)
🇳🇱 Nina Gademan (18)
🇮🇹 Leonardo Fornaroli (19)

Campos Racing

🇦🇹 Charlie Wurz (20)
🇵🇱 Elena Segzdavicius (21)
🇫🇮 Tuukka Taponen (22)

DAMS Lucas Oil (Jenzer Motorsport)

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Joseph Loake (23)
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Callum Voisin (24)
🇮🇳 Ikhlaas Ismail (25)

AIX Racing

🇫🇷 Sami Meguetounif (26)
🇯🇵 Kean Nakamura-Berta (27)
🇮🇹 Luca Lombardi (28)

Prema Racing

🇦🇪 Hamda Al Qubaisi (29)
🇺🇸 Maxwell Esterson (30)
🇲🇽 Noel León (31)

Prema Racing
🇧🇷 Aurelia Nobels (2) Brazil
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Poppy Rymill (7) Wales
🇨🇭 Léna Bühler (16)

Hitech TGR
🇩🇪 Sophia Flörsch (1) Germany
🇵🇭 Bianca Bustamante (4) Philippines
🇧🇷 Marcia Lopes (10) Brazil

Rodin Motorsport
🇨🇭 Tina Hausmann (6)
🇩🇪 Carrie Schreiner (9)
🇳🇱 Maya Weug (12)

ART Grand Prix
🇳🇱 Emily de Heus (5)
🇨🇭 🇩🇪 Anne Berger (8)
🇨🇳 Jia Suyin (14)

Campos Racing
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Katherine Maskell (3)
🇺🇸 Chloe Chambers (11)
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Jessica Edgar (15)

[foggy locust]

PRE-SEASON TESTING 2030: FERRARI ONCE AGAIN TEAM TO BEAT. McLAREN LEAD CHASING PACK, RED BULL, WILLIAMS, ASTON AND SUBARU FIND SOME SUCCESS, MERCEDES, HAAS, AUDI MAKE UP MIDFIELD, ALPINE, ANDRETTI STRUGGLE

Ferrari comfortably look like the favourites coming out of pre-season testing at Barcelona, but McLaren may be their closest challengers. Williams were a surprise package on Qualifying runs in particular, Subaru had a particularly successful time in race runs despite not showing too promising data.

Ferrari once again showed the most pace through Pre-Season Testing, but not by as much as this time last year. Ferrari topped all three Cornering statistics, as well as tyre preservation and total extra weight. However they found themselves second in DRS to McLaren and Top Speed to Red Bull, and third in Acceleration to Red Bull and Subaru. The SF-30 also found some difficulties with Dirty Air and keeping the engine cool, something Ferrari will have to address across the season. Ferrari did top both qualifying and race sims, although McLaren ran them close on one run on the latter. Ferrari topped the times on two of the three days - Charles Leclerc topping the session twice, with Oscar Piastri second on days two and three, being beaten out by a surprise Audi quickest time on Day 1. The Champions are undoubtedly favourites going in, but they may not be as happy as they were with their car this time last year.

Aston Martin were a surprise second in the Constructors and hope to push on with a challenge for both Championships this season. The AMR30 hit the top four in data in four categories - Low and High Speed Cornering, as well as DRS and Engine Cooling - Engine Cooling being their highest, in second, while they were fifth in Medium Speed Cornering. Aston struggled for top speed and acceleration, and were around the middle of the pack in qualifying and race simulations. All in all, not a terrible three days, and they were faster on days two and three, with Bottas ending up with the third fastest time on the final day of testing, but Aston may have hoped for more if they want to challenge at the very top this year.

Red Bull have built a car that's very quick in the straights, but the handling in the corners proved to be quite tricky for drivers Carlos Sainz and George Russell. The RB26 went quickest in Top Speed and Acceleration, and was third highest in DRS. However it seemed to struggle a lot on its tyres, as well as engine cooling, and the worry is that the RB26 may be a bit of a tyre eater. It ranked just sixth fastest in Low and Medium Speed Cornering, as well as fifth in High Speed Cornering. However the Red Bull car did perform well in qualifying trim, as well as race performance trim. They struggled for times on day one and two, and improved on day three. If they want to get anywhere near a title challenge, they have a lot of work to do.

McLaren meanwhile might have something quite special this season. The MCL44 ranked highest in DRS and Dirty Air performance, and was second in all three aspects of Cornering, as well as Extra Weight. It also has a solid Top Speed, coming in Fourth, while it was fifth in Acceleration and third in tyre preservation. McLaren did have some slight issues with Engine Cooling, which is something they will have to work on, but it is something they beat Ferrari on. Acceleration also ranked fifth, something they will need to improve upon. However, the car was strong in qualifying trim and particularly in race trim, even pushing Ferrari at points. They were third overall with Lando Norris on day two. Overall, this has the makings of a very strong all-round car for McLaren, and one they could potentially challenge with.

Subaru had a bit of a strange old test. The data itself wasn't anything particularly remarkable, aside from a second quickest in Acceleration. The CMR-04 ranked eighth in Low and Medium Speed Cornering, and Ninth in High Speed Cornering, and particularly struggled with Dirty Air and Engine Cooling. The DRS was also towards the bottom in ninth place, while the Extra Weight and Tyre Preservation was around the middle. Despite all that, Subaru performed very well in Qualifying trim, both cars ranking in the top ten, and particularly well in race trim. Théo Pourchaire went fourth fastest on Day 1, and Max Verstappen fifth fastest on Day 2. An interesting test for the fourth year team, and they'll be a team to watch this season.

Audi shockingly topped day one of the week with Pato O'Ward logging the quickest time of Wednesday's first day in testing. The AUD04 performed well in Top Speed, ranking third fastest, while they went second in Tyre Preservation and had the best Engine Cooling on the grid. Cornering may be an issue for the team, performing better in High Speed - seventh fastest - than Medium (Eighth) or particularly Low Speed Cornering (Ninth). Their qualifying or race sims weren't anything to write home about, ranking eighth on the first go, and seventh on the second, and their “built for combat” Dirty Air seems to have disappeared from last year's car.

Haas will be quietly pleased with this year's test, even if the initial results didn't show as strongly as last year's. The VF-30 ranked fifth fastest in Top Speed and third in Engine Cooling. The Cornering was consistent in all three aspects, seventh fastest in Low and Medium Speed Cornering and Eighth in High Speed Cornering, while the Tyre Preservation was around the middle as well, in seventh. Qualifying and Race Trims saw them around about eighth fastest, although Audi beat them to eighth on the first run. The only thing Haas struggled on really was the Extra Weight. A solid lower midfield car so far from Haas, and honestly, considering how low this team has been in the past? They won't hate that.

Mercedes meanwhile look to bounce back from a tough 2029, and this was valuable time in the car for rookie Paul Aron alongside Ollie Bearman having his second season at the team. The W21 looks solid if unspectacular in all categories and seems consistent and reliable, if not quite having the speed the team had hoped for. It ranked eighth in Top Speed and sixth in Acceleration, but handled well in the corners, ranking particularly well in Medium Speed Corners - fourth, while it was fifth in Low Speed and sixth in High Speed. The Engine Cooling and Tyre Preservation were quite reliable as well. The W21 performed sixth in DRS and ranked fourth in Extra Weight. It was towards the midfield in both qualifying and race trim. Mercedes have a solid midfield car on their hands, which may disappoint them slightly, but after a tough year last year, could be a step in the right direction.

Williams will be overall happy with their car, although they have a car that might perform better in qualifying trim than race trim. The FW52 looks very, very quick over one lap, but struggled significantly on its tyres - ranking second lowest on tyre wear. However it was very, very good in the corners, ranking third behind Ferrari and McLaren in terms of all three aspects of cornering, as well as having strong DRS - fifth, and very good acceleration - fourth. It performed fantastically in qualifying trim, but slipped a bit on race trim. Williams, if they can sort out their issues with tyre wear, could really be onto something with this car.

Alpine meanwhile endured a pretty torrid time over the three days of testing. The A530 was second last in almost every category, ranking just ahead of Andretti in most. The highlights were beating out Subaru in Dirty Air, third Lowest, as well as beating them in Engine Cooling and ranking Seventh in Extra Weight, as well as beating Williams on tyrewear. But it doesn't have Speed in the corners or on the straights, and both Sergio Pérez and rookie Roman Staněk reported that the A530 is a difficult car to drive. Alpine also ranked second last in both qualifying and race trim. Their solace may be that they weren't last.

And that honour goes to Andretti, who really, really struggled, and Colton Herta's return to spearhead the revival of Andretti, as well as Daniel Ricciardo's farewell tour, is off to a really, really rough start. The MA-05 ranked last in every single category except one - Total Extra Weight. And they were second last in that, ahead of Audi. They were last in qualifying sims, and race sims. Both cars ranked ahead of one Alpine in race trim - Roman Staněk's car. That being said, Andretti are probably the slowest car on the grid, and it's not all that close. Not a good three days for the American team.

THE RANKINGS:

Top Speed:
Red Bull: 1.5
Ferrari: 3.5
Audi: 5.5
McLaren: 7.5
Haas: 9.5
Williams: 11.5
Subaru: 13.5
Mercedes: 15.5
Aston Martin: 17.5
Alpine: 19.5
Andretti: 21.5

Acceleration:
Red Bull: 1.5
Subaru: 3.5
Ferrari: 5.5
Williams: 7.5
McLaren: 9.5
Mercedes: 11.5
Audi: 13.5
Haas: 15.5
Aston Martin: 17.5
Alpine: 19.5
Andretti: 21.5

DRS Effectiveness:
McLaren: 1.5
Ferrari: 3.5
Red Bull: 5.5
Aston Martin: 7.5
Williams: 9.5
Mercedes: 11.5
Haas: 13.5
Audi: 15.5
Subaru: 17.5
Alpine: 19.5
Andretti: 21.5

Low Speed:
Ferrari: 1.5
McLaren: 3.5
Williams: 5.5
Aston Martin: 8.5
Mercedes: 9.5
Red Bull: 10.5
Haas: 13.5
Subaru: 15.5
Audi: 17.5
Alpine: 19.5
Andretti: 21.5

Medium Speed:
Ferrari: 1.5
McLaren: 3.5
Williams: 5.5
Mercedes: 8.5
Aston Martin: 8.5
Red Bull: 11.5
Haas: 13.5
Audi: 15.5
Subaru: 17.5
Alpine: 19.5
Andretti: 21.5

High Speed:
Ferrari: 1.5
McLaren: 3.5
Williams: 5.5
Aston Martin: 8.5
Red Bull: 10.5
Mercedes: 11.5
Audi: 12.5
Haas: 13.5
Subaru: 17.5
Alpine: 19.5
Andretti: 21.5

Dirty Air:
McLaren: 1.5
Williams: 3.5
Haas: 5.5
Red Bull: 7.5
Aston Martin: 9.5
Ferrari: 13.5
Audi: 15.5
Alpine: 17.5
Subaru: 19.5
Andretti: 21.5

Tyre Preservation:
Ferrari: 1.5
Audi: 3.5
McLaren: 5.5
Aston Martin: 7.5
Mercedes: 9.5
Subaru: 11.5
Haas: 13.5
Red Bull: 15.5
Alpine: 17.5
Williams: 19.5
Andretti: 21.5

Engine Cooling:
Audi: 1.5
Aston Martin: 3.5
Haas: 5.5
Mercedes: 7.5
Williams: 10.5
McLaren: 10.5
Red Bull: 13.5
Ferrari: 15.5
Alpine: 17.5
Subaru: 19.5
Andretti: 21.5

Total Extra Weight:
Ferrari: 1.5
McLaren: 3.5
Williams: 5.5
Mercedes: 7.5
Subaru: 9.5
Aston Martin: 11.5
Red Bull: 13.5
Alpine: 15.5
Haas: 17.5
Andretti: 19.5
Audi: 21.5

QUALIFYING SIMS

Ferrari: 1st, 2nd (1.5)
Red Bull: 4th, 7th (5.5)
McLaren: 5th, 8th (6.5)
Subaru: 6th, 10th (8)
Williams: 3rd, 14th (8.5)
Aston Martin: 9th, 12th (11.5)
Mercedes: 13th, 15th (14)
Haas: 11th, 18th (14.5)
Audi: 16th, 17th (16.5)
Alpine: 19th, 20th (19.5)
Andretti: 21st, 22nd (21.5)

RACE SIMS

Run 1:
Ferrari: 1st, 2nd (1.5)
Red Bull: 3rd, 5th (4)
Subaru: 4th, 8th (6)
McLaren: 6th, 7th (6.5)
Aston Martin: 11th, 13th (12)
Williams: 9th, 16th (12.5)
Mercedes: 10th, 19th (14.5)
Audi: 14th, 15th (14.5)
Haas: 12th, 18th (15)
Alpine: 17th, 22nd (19.5)
Andretti: 20th, 21st (20.5)

Run 2:
Ferrari: 1st, 4th (2.5)
McLaren: 2nd, 3rd (2.5)
Aston Martin: 6th, 10th (8)
Red Bull: 7th, 9th (8)
Mercedes: 8th, 11th (9.5)
Subaru: 5th, 15th (10)
Audi: 12th, 14th (13)
Haas: 13th, 17th (15)
Williams: 16th, 19th (17.5)
Alpine: 18th, 22nd (20)
Andretti: 20th, 21st (20.5)

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SEASON PREVIEW 2030: LUCAS OIL ANDRETTI CADILLAC GLOBAL AUTOSPORT

Nationality: United States of America
Chassis: MA-05
Engine: Ford
Tyres: Bridgestone
Team Principal: Graeme Lowden
Last Season: Constructors: 11th, 0 points; Drivers: Bortoleto, 20th, 0 points; Ricciardo, 21st, 0 points

Colton Herta (26)
Daniel Ricciardo (3)

Last Season: An unmitigated disaster for the American team, who have simply just been going backwards since their arrival in the sport back in 2026. From Fourth on their debut season, down to Ninth a year later, Tenth in 2028, and last of all in 2029, tied at the bottom with Alpine on no points. Their best finish in any race was Gabriel Bortoleto's P12 in Monza, while Daniel Ricciardo took P13 in Monaco as his best result. Andretti had a torrid time in 2029.

The Drivers: Colton Herta returns to the team having spent many years with the IndyCar side, hoping to rejuvenate the team upon his return. He's signed a long-term deal and understands that this may well be a long-term project. Gabriel Bortoleto is out as a full time driver, but will take on a testing role as he looks to return to the grid in 2031. Daniel Ricciardo meanwhile, after a long career, is on his swansong season, and hopes to say goodbye to the sport with a strong season, even if he never did fulfill his ambition of winning the World Championship.

The Staff: Graeme Lowdon remains in position but is very much on the hot seat entering this crucial third season for him and Andretti, a repeat of 2029 cannot happen. Jody Egginton remains in place for a third season as Technical Chief, while Ian Greig enters his second year as Head of Aerodynamics. Enrique Colomina comes in as Sporting Director, being promoted from within as Aurélien Pallier departs for Subaru. Laura Mueller stays on as Daniel Ricciardo's race engineer in his farewell season, while Jan Sumann stays at the team and will now work with the returning Colton Herta.

The Livery: For the third season, Andretti will continue with the yellow and black Livery, predominantly used with some of their IndyCar liveries, and with the partnership with Gainbridge, colours that they are trying to launch the brand with. Predominantly yellow in the middle with the nosecone, rear wing and engine cover being black, those two colours very much have an identity with Andretti by now, having used them for every season since 2028.

The Tech: Andretti have a technical partnership with Cadillac, similar to Haas’ deal with Toyota, allowing them use of Cadillac's facilities and wind tunnel. Andretti will continue to use Ford's engines for a second consecutive season, but have switched from Goodyear to Bridgestone tyres for this coming season.

Pre-Season Testing: Rough. The MA-05 ranked last in every single category except one - Total Extra Weight. And they were second last in that, ahead of Audi. They were last in qualifying sims, and race sims. Both cars ranked ahead of one Alpine in race trim - Roman Staněk's car. That being said, Andretti are probably the slowest car on the grid, and it's not all that close.

Ceiling: Colton Herta rejuvenates the Andretti team, Daniel Ricciardo is inspired in his final F1 season, and the team finishes in a decent midfield placing.

Floor: I mean, can it be worse than a pointless season? I guess the floor is a P21-P22 in every race that involves all cars finishing, and honestly that may seem more likely than the ceiling.

Prediction: Colton Herta's return may be the biggest thing going for them, but a poor car and Ricciardo looking entirely checked out won't help their chances. However they might score a point with Herta this year, and that genuinely might take them off the bottom. 10th.

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BWT ALPINE RENAULT F1 TEAM

Nationality: France
Chassis: A530
Engine: Mercedes
Tyres: Pirelli
Team Principal: Guenther Steiner
Last Season: Constructors: 10th, 0 points; Drivers: Lawson, 19th, 0 points; Pérez, 22nd, 0 points

Sergio Perez (11)
Roman Staněk (25)

Last Season: Not brilliant. Guenther Steiner's second year in charge saw Alpine struggle heavily towards the back of the pack, dropping from Eighth in 2028 with 43 points to Tenth and tied for bottom without scoring a single point in 2029. Sergio Pérez and Liam Lawson struggled as a pairing once again, clashing more than once, and the team's only top ten finish in the entire season was Pérez's P10 in Belgium. However, it came during the Belgian Sprint, so Alpine didn't score any points for it. The reliability was better, maybe due to the Mercedes engines rather than Renault's own, but that was probably the one positive of Alpine's 2029.

The Drivers: Sergio Pérez remains in place at Alpine for his third season, and the six-time race winner will continue to lead the team through to at least 2031. He will have a new teammate this year after failing to gel with Liam Lawson, who is out of the sport for now at least. In comes Czech rookie Roman Staněk, who impressed previously in F2, even though he had a tough season there last year, and he comes in for his Formula 1 debut, becoming the first full time Czech driver, and the first since Tomáš Enge, who had three races for Prost at the end of 2001. Staněk will race for Alpine on a two year deal, and will hope to impress in his debut year.

The Staff: Season three for Guenther Steiner as Team Principal under Flavio Briatore, and you feel this pairing needs results this year after a rough 2029. Former Red Bull Technical Chief Pierre Waché has signed on as Alpine's new Technical Chief in a big coup for the team, having spent a year with Alpine's WEC team, he now returns to Formula 1. Guru Johl remains as Head of Aerodynamics for another year, however Randeep Singh is out as Sporting Director, being replaced this year by Marco Perrone. Carlo Cristofori remains as Race Engineer and will be Roman Staněk's first race engineer in Formula 1, while Sergio Pérez reunites with Hugh Bird from their days together at Red Bull. Bird comes in to replace Mattia Spini, and has a huge amount of familiarity with Pérez.

The Livery: Alpine continue the Alpink trend, however the blue is less prominent this time around, with a blue and yellow stripe on the front wing, rear wing and engine cover to honour Renault's traditional colours, with the rest of the car in pink to honour Alpine's newest colour.

The Tech: Alpine continue their customer team era, taking on Mercedes engines for a second consecutive season, having dropped their own engine program after 2028. A long-term customer of Pirelli's tyres, sticking with them even when the tyre war came in, Alpine will continue to use them for 2030.

Pre-Season Testing: The A530 was second last in almost every category, ranking just ahead of Andretti in most. The highlights were beating out Subaru in Dirty Air, third Lowest, as well as beating them in Engine Cooling and ranking Seventh in Extra Weight, as well as beating Williams on tyrewear. But it doesn't have Speed in the corners or on the straights, and both Sergio Pérez and rookie Roman Staněk reported that the A530 is a difficult car to drive. Alpine also ranked second last in both qualifying and race trim.

Ceiling: Pérez finds his midfield magic once more, and Staněk adjusts very well to life in Formula 1, and the team bag several points and a mid-table finish.

Floor: Pérez struggles again in a difficult car and Staněk struggles to adjust to life in Formula 1, and the team fail to score again, this time finishing bottom of the table.

Prediction: They don't have the car and they don't really have the drivers to compete at the very top, or indeed in the midfield, with all due respect. Might be a tough year for Steiner's Alpine team. 11th.

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ATLASSIAN WILLIAMS RACING

Nationality: England
Chassis: FW52
Engine: Ferrari
Tyres: Goodyear
Team Principal: Ayao Komatsu
Last Season: Constructors: 9th, 14 points; Drivers: Antonelli, 16th, 13 points; Hadjar, 17th, 1 point

Andrea Kimi Antonelli (12)
Isack Hadjar (6)

Last Season: A bit of a letdown. Ayao Komatsu's first season in charge saw Williams take a bit of a step back from their P7 in 2028 with 78 points, taking just 14 points in 2029, and a ninth place finish. While Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar worked well together, they had a difficult car to work with, and it took until Austria for Williams, and Antonelli, to find the points. Hadjar scored his first and only point of the season at Monza, ironically beating out Antonelli to that point in his home race. Antonelli would only find the points twice more - in the Bahrain Sprint and in Abu Dhabi. A tough season for the Grove team overall, however next year will be Komatsu's first year with the car under his direction.

The Drivers: A renewal of the partnership from last year, as Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar stay in place for a second season together. Antonelli had hoped to make a better impact last year, but the young Italian has bags of potential and if he can have a good year this year, it may be tough for Williams to retain him in his second consecutive contract season. Isack Hadjar enters his second season at Williams, and is on a longer term deal than his teammate. Hadjar picked up just a single point last time out and hopes to do much better this time around.

The Staff: It's year two for Ayao Komatsu, who finally gets to put his stamp on the Williams car after taking over for James Vowles last season. Neil Houldey stays on for his second season as Williams Technical Chief, but it's changes elsewhere. Davide Paganelli comes in from Mercedes as Head of Aerodynamics, replacing Alessandro Cinelli, who goes in the opposite direction. Guillaume Capietto is the new name in as Sporting Director, replacing Ron Meadows. Matthew Ogle remains at the team, working with Isack Hadjar once more, but Andrea Kimi Antonelli will have a new race engineer - Xavier Marcos Padros, who once worked with then World Champion Charles Leclerc during his first title campaign, and moves over from Audi.

The Livery: Williams have embraced the carbon fibre look in places, with their traditional blue Livery having plenty of bits of carbon fibre throughout, on the rear wing, engine cover and the nosecone. Williams continue their traditions with the red and white trim, this time on the sidepods, while the famous Duracell engine cover, a staple since 2023, remains in place.

The Tech: Williams are into the final year of a three year deal with Ferrari to supply their engines, the fifth year of this partnership, and we wait and see if this partnership will be renewed after this year. Williams will once again go with Goodyear tyres, the last tyres they have won a Championship on, all the way back in 1997.

Pre-Season Testing: Williams have a car that might perform better in qualifying trim than race trim. The FW52 looks very, very quick over one lap, but struggled significantly on its tyres - ranking second lowest on tyre wear. However it was very, very good in the corners, ranking third behind Ferrari and McLaren in terms of all three aspects of cornering, as well as having strong DRS - fifth, and very good acceleration - fourth. It performed fantastically in qualifying trim, but slipped a bit on race trim.

Ceiling: Antonelli gets a car he can very much compete with, Hadjar finds his feeling and his potential, and Williams challenge towards the front, breaking the win duck for the first time since 2012.

Floor: Williams struggle with tyrewear and performance drops through the season, Antonelli signs elsewhere, Hadjar struggles again with expectations.

Prediction: Potentially the most boom or bust team in the entire sport this year, Williams could be up the front or towards the back. It might depend on how they get on top of that tyre life, which may hold them back from truly challenging, but they should be okay in the midfield. 6th.

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MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F1 TEAM:

Nationality: Germany
Chassis: F1 W21
Engine: Mercedes
Tyres: Goodyear
Team Principal: Toto Wolff
Last Season: Constructors: 8th, 53 points; Drivers: Herta, 12th, 28 points; Bearman, 13th, 25 points

Oliver Bearman (87)
Paul Aron (71)

Last Season: A massive, massive step backwards. Mercedes fell from P4 in 2028 to P8 in 2029, taking just 53 points - 221 less than their 2028 total. The season started well enough with double points in Australia and China, and at least one driver scoring on every race Sunday until Imola. The team however fell away badly after the Summer Break, while taking points at Monza and Baku, they failed to score at the next four race weekends, in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Japan and Singapore. Ollie Bearman found the points at Saudi, but then the team once again blanked Brazil before Bearman and Colton Herta scored at Vegas to end a disappointing year for the Silver Arrows on a somewhat high note.

The Drivers: Another new line-up for Mercedes, as Oliver Bearman stays on but is joined this time by Estonian rookie Paul Aron. Bearman enters his second season with Mercedes and will now be looked at as the team leader after the departure of Colton Herta to Andretti. The young Englishman enters his fourth season in Formula 1, can this be his breakthrough year? As for his new teammate, Paul Aron is the first ever Estonian driver in Formula 1, which is historic for motorsport in his country. However, having only signed a one year deal, the pressure will be on immediately to hit the ground running, and we've seen many drivers flame out under the pressure, however we've also seen many drivers thrive under that same pressure. Which category will Aron fall into?

The Staff: Despite a difficult 2029, Toto Wolff shows no signs of slowing down or stepping back, as the CEO/Team Principal/Part Owner remains in place and the job is honestly his as long as he wants it. Enrico Cardile is in his third season as Mercedes Technical Chief, and he's joined by Alessandro Cinelli, who comes over from Williams to take the Head of Aerodynamics job, replacing Davide Paganelli, who goes in the opposite direction. Julian Rouse enters year two as Mercedes Sporting Director, but it's brand new engineers for both drivers, as William Joseph moves to Aston Martin, and Chris Cronin exits for a role in Formula E. James Urwin will be Paul Aron's first race engineer in Formula 1, joining from Audi. Mark Slade also joins from Williams and will work with Oliver Bearman.

The Livery: Mercedes revert back to their traditional Silver Arrows look, returning to a predominantly Silver Livery, with a black nosecone and rear wing. The car keeps its traditional teal trim throughout the side of the car.

The Tech: Mercedes are of course a works team, so unsurprisingly they continue on with their own engine program, also supplying engines to Alpine and McLaren in the process. Mercedes will enter their third season of a partnership with Goodyear for their tyres.

Pre-Season Testing: The W21 looks solid if unspectacular in all categories and seems consistent and reliable, if not quite having the speed the team had hoped for. It ranked eighth in Top Speed and sixth in Acceleration, but handled well in the corners, ranking particularly well in Medium Speed Corners - fourth, while it was fifth in Low Speed and sixth in High Speed. The Engine Cooling and Tyre Preservation were quite reliable as well. The W21 performed sixth in DRS and ranked fourth in Extra Weight. It was towards the midfield in both qualifying and race trim.

Ceiling: Ollie Bearman develops into a true team leader and Paul Aron adapts well to life in Formula 1, and Mercedes find themselves back in the top four.

Floor: Bearman doesn't handle the pressure of leading Mercedes, and Aron struggles, and the team fall into the bottom three.

Prediction: Lower midfield. Not quite where Mercedes really want to be as of yet, and they've got a ways to go towards challenging again, unfortunately. But still, one place up on last year, which is progress I guess? 7th.

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HAAS TOYOTA GAZOO RACING

Nationality: United States of America
Chassis: VF-29
Engine: Ferrari
Tyres: Goodyear
Team Principal: Mike Krack
Last Season: Constructors: 7th, 78 points; Drivers: Ocon, 11th, 61 points; Colapinto, 14th, 17 points.

Esteban Ocon (31)
Franco Colapinto (43)

Last Season: A massive step forward. After failing to score a single point for two full seasons, Haas got on the board at Mexico City with Esteban Ocon's P8, and didn't look back, adding points at COTA. The particular highlights were Ocon's P4 in Singapore, as well as his absolutely stunning Pole Position in the final race of the season at Las Vegas. After several near misses, Franco Colapinto got into the points for the first time at Bahrain, and got five points finishes in the last seven rounds. Haas went from last in 2028 without a point to Seventh in 2029, with 78 points, and Esteban Ocon in the top half of the Drivers’ Championship. A huge improvement.

The Drivers: A long-term renewal of the Esteban Ocon and Franco Colapinto partnership, who will be teammates for at least two more seasons. The experienced Ocon had one of his strongest seasons in years and has looked revitalised being away from the environment of Alpine. Franco Colapinto meanwhile finally broke through last season and started improving to the point where Haas handed him a brand new four-year deal, clearly seeing the Argentine as a vital part of their team's future.

The Staff: The Mike Krack era is off and running in Kannapolis, having begun his turnaround of the team, he looks to consolidate that this year. It is mostly continuity beyond that, however. Matt Harman stays on for another year as Technical Chief, and it's year two at the team for Head of Aerodynamics Adam Kenyon. Despite scoring just one point in the DHL Pitstop Competition, Hotaru Mori retains the Sporting Director position, but will be under a lot of pressure to improve this year. Stuart King stays on to work with Esteban Ocon for another year, but Alex Chan replaces Pierre Hamlin as race engineer for Franco Colapinto.

The Livery: Haas have predominantly leaned on white and red for this year's car, with the red trim being predominantly around the lower parts of the car, as well as the engine cover, with a white base throughout the car. A black and red stripe adorns the front of the car, with the rear wing being black.

The Tech: Haas remain in a technical partnership with Toyota, using their wind tunnel in Cologne, as well as continuing their partnership with Ferrari and using their engines in the second year of a renewed deal. Haas will once again use Goodyear's tyres this season.

Pre-Season Testing: The VF-30 ranked fifth fastest in Top Speed and third in Engine Cooling. The Cornering was consistent in all three aspects, seventh fastest in Low and Medium Speed Cornering and Eighth in High Speed Cornering, while the Tyre Preservation was around the middle as well, in seventh. Qualifying and Race Trims saw them around about eighth fastest, although Audi beat them to eighth on the first run. The only thing Haas struggled on really was the Extra Weight.

Ceiling: Haas continue their upwards trend and establish themselves as a solid midfield team. Esteban Ocon has yet another good year and finds himself in the top half again, and Franco Colapinto continues to improve and joins him there.

Floor: The car and the team regress towards the bottom again, Ocon doesn't match his form from last season, and Colapinto plateaus, leading to another bottom three finish.

Prediction: Hard one to say on Haas. They have a solid car and a solid lineup, but other teams around them may have improved just that tiny bit more. They still score good points, but not quite as much as last season, dropping one place. 8th.

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AUDI SPORT F1 TEAM

Nationality: Germany
Chassis: AUD-05
Engine: Audi
Tyres: Pirelli
Team Principal: Oliver Oakes
Last Season: Constructors: 6th, 78 points; Drivers: O'Ward, 9th, 108 points; Maloney, 18th, 1 point

Pato O'Ward (29)
Zane Maloney (72)

Last Season: A tale of two drivers. Audi had a massive step forward overall, particularly with the addition of Pato O'Ward paying off. O'Ward took a stunning podium at Monza, and was a regular in the points - 14 points finishes in 21 races, a good return, getting more points for Audi than he did in last year's McLaren, even if he had a slow start - he only scored at Australia before four scoreless weekends, but then found his groove, only missing the points in two more weekends after that - one Sprint points finish included. It was a tougher baptism of fire for rookie Zane Maloney, who managed just one points finish, and one point, a P10 in Austria. Audi overall gained 71 more points and three places in the Championship. A good season for the German side in their fourth full season since taking full ownership of Sauber.

The Drivers: A second season for the O'Ward-Maloney partnership at Audi, one that's likely in place for at least two more years. Pato O'Ward made his Formula 1 debut in 2027 with McLaren and absolutely thrived, then made the shock switch to Audi when McLaren elected to sign Lando Norris back, and has absolutely thrived with his new team. He will hope to kick on and challenge towards the top again this year. Zane Maloney meanwhile enters his second season in Formula 1 and hopes this is the year he can breakthrough and establish himself on the Formula 1 grid. Barbados’ first ever Formula 1 driver has some experience under his belt now, what can he do with it?

The Staff: Oliver Oakes enters year three as Audi Team Principal, and it remains to be seen how he will take this team forward, although last year was a positive step. James Key stays on as Audi's Technical Chief, while Dirk de Beer will do another year as Head of Aerodynamics. Jeremy Cotterill is still the Sporting Director, however two new race engineers replace James Urwin, who joins Mercedes, and Xavier Marcos Padros, who is now with Williams. Geoff Spear makes his F1 debut, working alongside Zane Maloney, while Amaury Lardon will be the new race engineer for Pato O'Ward.

The Livery: Audi revert back to black, with a predominantly black car, with red sidepods, halo, engine cover, front wing and a red stripe on the rear wing, having used a white, black and red livery last year, they revert back to their traditional colours for this season.

The Tech: Audi once again develop their own engines as a factory team, however they have yet to pick up any customer teams as of yet. Audi will continue to develop their engines in house, while looking to strike a deal with another team for their engines. Audi stick with Pirelli's tyres, having used them since their debut in with 2026.

Pre-Season Testing: Audi shockingly topped day one of the week with Pato O'Ward logging the quickest time of Wednesday's first day in testing. The AUD04 performed well in Top Speed, ranking third fastest, while they went second in Tyre Preservation and had the best Engine Cooling on the grid. Cornering may be an issue for the team, performing better in High Speed - seventh fastest - than Medium (Eighth) or particularly Low Speed Cornering (Ninth). Their qualifying or race sims weren't anything to write home about, ranking eighth on the first go, and seventh on the second, and their “built for combat” Dirty Air seems to have disappeared from last year's car.

Ceiling: A march towards the top four. Pato O'Ward continues his rise as one of F1's most exciting drivers, and Zane Maloney has a stronger sophomore season, and Audi challenge for the top four.

Floor: Audi don't quite have the car to match last year's performance and fall back downwards a little bit.

Prediction: Unfortunately, I feel the former is less likely than the latter after a less than promising testing, even if O'Ward topped day one. The cornering and the qualifying and race sims let them down. Development will be crucial, but they fall back a bit this year. 9th.

SUBARU IMPREZA FORMULA 1 TEAM

Nationality: Japan
Chassis: CMR-04
Engine: Honda
Tyres: Bridgestone
Team Principal: Cyril Abiteboul
Last Season: Constructors: 5th, 134 points; Drivers: Verstappen, 8th, 117 points, Pourchaire, 15th, 17 points

Max Verstappen (33)
Théo Pourchaire (98)

Last Season: Subaru took a bit of a step back last year, suffering with a lot of reliability issues, as well as Max Verstappen's worst season in Formula 1 so far. Verstappen's highest finish all season was fourth - no wins, no podiums, falling to P9 in the World Drivers Championship, his worst ever finish, and 95 points less than last year. Théo Pourchaire also struggled in his first season in Subaru blue, as he took less than half of his 2028 point total - 17 points as opposed to 38 - and had seven points finishes, his best result being a P7 at Hungary. Subaru did finish fifth again, but with 86 points less than 2028. It has to go down as a slight disappointment for a team who hoped to challenge towards the top in 2029.

The Drivers: Max Verstappen joined Subaru with hopes of challenging for the World Championship again, and it didn't quite pan out that way last season, as Verstappen had his worst season in Formula 1. With just two years left on his deal, the pressure will be on Subaru to match up to their three time World Champion's lofty ambitions. Théo Pourchaire meanwhile hopes to establish himself at Subaru in his second season. The French driver enters his sixth Formula 1 season, and will aim to be a regular in the points and help his team challenge towards the top four again this year.

The Staff: Cyril Abiteboul has been with Subaru since their introduction back into F1, and he remains in place as Subaru Team Principal for year four. Dan Fallows stays on as Technical Chief, also in year four with the team, while it's another season with Jarrod Murphy. However it's a change of Sporting Director, as F1 legend Jonathan Wheatley departs the scene and is replaced by Aurélien Pallier, who joins from Andretti. Ben Mitchell stays on as Max Verstappen's race engineer, but Théo Pourchaire will now work with Pau Rivera, who replaces John Howard as his race engineer for this year.

The Livery: Subaru as usual go for their traditional blue and yellow Livery, first seen on their World Championship winning Rally Cars, and brought over to F1 when they joined in 2027. The blue car has yellow trim around the bottom of the car, as well as on the front and rear wings.

The Tech: Subaru have been supported by fellow Japanese outfits Honda and Bridgestone, and this remains the case, having signed new long-term deals with both Honda for their engines, and Bridgestone for their tyres.

Pre-Season Testing: The data itself wasn't anything particularly remarkable, aside from a second quickest in Acceleration. The CMR-04 ranked eighth in Low and Medium Speed Cornering, and Ninth in High Speed Cornering, and particularly struggled with Dirty Air and Engine Cooling. The DRS was also towards the bottom in ninth place, while the Extra Weight and Tyre Preservation was around the middle. Despite all that, Subaru performed very well in Qualifying trim, both cars ranking in the top ten, and particularly well in race trim. Théo Pourchaire went fourth fastest on Day 1, and Max Verstappen fifth fastest on Day 2.

Ceiling: Max's Fourth. Even with the data, if you have Max Verstappen in the car, you can challenge for at least the Drivers’ Championship. The ceiling is that Théo Pourchaire continues his rise in Formula 1 and gives Subaru two drivers they can fight with at the front, and the team challenge in the upper echelons of the Constructors, too.

Floor: The reliability isn't there again, and Verstappen has his worst season in F1 again. Pourchaire doesn't adjust well to this year’s Subaru, and they struggle once more. Basically, last year.

Prediction: Subaru kick on this season. Verstappen goes on a revenge tour and wins at least one race, and Pourchaire challenges well too. Subaru break into that vaunted top four. 4th.

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2030 SEASON PREVIEW: ORACLE FORD RED BULL RACING

Nationality: Austria
Chassis: RB26
Engine: Ford
Tyres: Pirelli
Team Principal: James Vowles
Last Season: Constructors: 3rd, 348 points; Sainz, 5th, 177 points; Russell, 6th, 171 points

George Russell (63)
Carlos Sainz (55)

Last Season: With James Vowles taking over as Team Principal, it was a season of change at Red Bull. In their first season without Christian Horner at the helm, they had their first winless season since 2015 - although of course, no team other than Ferrari won this past year. It was also their lowest finish in the Constructors since 2026, when McLaren beat them to second. This time of course, Aston Martin beat them to second. Red Bull took eight podiums last season - six for George Russell, two for Carlos Sainz, while Sainz had three Pole Positions - interestingly all at Grand Prixs starting with “A” - Australia, Azerbaijan and Abu Dhabi. Overall, a step back for Red Bull in Vowles’ first year, but like Komatsu, his replacement at Williams, next year will be his first year with the car under his direction.

The Drivers: An intriguing power dynamic seems to be surfacing at Red Bull. George Russell joined the team last Season and he and Carlos Sainz have not meshed particularly well as teammates, clashing on more than one occasion over team orders, as well as a literal collision in the third race of the year in Mexico, which ended both of their races. Russell hopes to establish himself as the long term future at Red Bull, while Sainz enters his contract season and hopes to keep his drive at the team. Both drivers performed strongly last year, both will hope for a chance at the World Drivers’ title this year. This could be fiery.

The Staff: It's year two for James Vowles as Team Principal of Red Bull, only the team's second ever, and he'll be happy to see complete continuity within the team. James Allison, who worked with Vowles at Mercedes and now last year at Red Bull, stays on as Technical Chief, while Enrico Balbo stays on as Head of Aerodynamics. Diego Ioverno enters his second year as Sporting Director, having moved to the Bulls from Ferrari at the start of 2029. Both engineers are back - Ricciardo Adami will once again work with Carlos Sainz, Gianpiero “GP” Lambiase will continue as engineer for George Russell.

The Livery: Red Blue revert back to their traditional Livery for 2030 - navy blue with red and yellow trim. The red trim is mostly along the bottom and sidepods of the car, while the yellow is mostly around the engine cover and the Red Bull logo. It's a very traditional Red Bull Livery this time around.

The Tech: Red Bull are Ford's works team, and that continues through this year, having signed off the Red Bull Powertrains department to Ford at the beginning of 2028. Ford will also supply Andretti this season once again. Red Bull however are switching their tyres this season, moving over from Pirelli to Goodyear for the 2030 season.

Pre-Season Testing: Red Bull have built a car that's very quick in the straights, but the handling in the corners proved to be quite tricky for drivers Carlos Sainz and George Russell. The RB26 went quickest in Top Speed and Acceleration, and was third highest in DRS. However it seemed to struggle a lot on its tyres, as well as engine cooling, and the worry is that the RB26 may be a bit of a tyre eater. It ranked just sixth fastest in Low and Medium Speed Cornering, as well as fifth in High Speed Cornering. However the Red Bull car did perform well in qualifying trim, as well as race performance trim. They struggled for times on day one and two, and improved on day three.

Ceiling: A challenge for both Championships. Both George Russell and Carlos Sainz are capable of winning races, and one could break through and challenge for the Championship. The team may have to decide early which one to support in any potential title fight, though.

Floor: The in-fighting between Russell and Sainz completely breaks down, the car struggles for reliability, tyre wear and pace in the corners, and the team fall into the midfield.

Prediction: Last year they were beaten to second by Aston Martin, this year they may well be beaten to second by McLaren. I just don't think they have the pace to challenge for the Championship this season, but they'll still be towards the top of the table. 3rd.

[foggy locust]

ASTON MARTIN HONDA F1 TEAM

Nationality: England
Chassis: AMR30
Engine: Honda
Tyres: Bridgestone
Team Principal: Andy Cowell
Last Season: Constructors: 2nd, 378 points; Drivers: Bottas, 3rd, 233 points; Tsunoda, 7th, 145 points

Valtteri Bottas (77)
Yuki Tsunoda (22)

Last Season: In the last few years, Aston Martin had finished Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth (twice). Well, now they've finished Second. In the team's best ever season, Aston Martin broke through and beat out Red Bull to second in the Constructors, and landed Valtteri Bottas his highest World Drivers’ Championship finish since leaving Mercedes at the end of 2021. Bottas and Yuki Tsunoda worked superbly together, with Bottas taking six podiums and Tsunoda taking just one, but consistently finishing in the top five. Tsunoda continued his climb into the upper echelon, and committed to a new long-term deal with Aston Martin, turning down offers from McLaren and Mercedes in the process. Massive progress again for Aston, who were the best team overall outside of the Champions.

The Drivers: Aston Martin retained their long-term partnership of Valtteri Bottas and Yuki Tsunoda, which will remain in place for another season after Tsunoda signed a long-term deal keeping him at Aston Martin for the next four seasons. In fact, Bottas is now signed through 2033 and Tsunoda through 2034, meaning this partnership will remain in place for at least the next three seasons, after which Bottas is likely to retire from the sport, saying this is his last major contract. For now, the partnership between Bottas and Tsunoda is working very well, with Bottas P3 in the Championship last season.

The Staff: Andy Cowell enters year six as Aston Martin Team Principal with his most successful season yet, as the ownership of Lawrence Stroll saw the team's best ever season. Andrea De Zordo stays on as Technical Chief, and living legend Adrian Newey enters a new one-year deal as Head of Aerodynamics, but with rumours that this might be his last season in the sport. Tim Goss stays on as Sporting Director, and Josh Peckett remains as Valtteri Bottas’ race engineer, but William Joseph makes the move from Mercedes to become Yuki Tsunoda's race engineer this year.

The Livery: The British Racing Green lean into the Green this year, with the car predominantly their main colour of Green, however the engine colour and Rear Wing are white, as a result of their renewed partnership with Honda.

The Tech: Despite no longer being an exclusive deal, with Honda working with Subaru as well, Aston Martin and Honda did in fact sign a long term deal to work together for the next several seasons, so Honda remain supplying Aston Martin for 2030. Aston Martin stay on Pirelli's tyres for the second year in a row.

Pre-Season Testing: Aston Martin were a surprise second in the Constructors and hope to push on with a challenge for both Championships this season. The AMR30 hit the top four in data in four categories - Low and High Speed Cornering, as well as DRS and Engine Cooling - Engine Cooling being their highest, in second, while they were fifth in Medium Speed Cornering. Aston struggled for top speed and acceleration, and were around the middle of the pack in qualifying and race simulations.

Ceiling: A challenge in both Championships. Yukk Tsunoda or Valtteri Bottas, or indeed both, challenge the Ferrari pairing and Norris, and the team take wins and podiums regularly, and take the fight to Ferrari.

Floor: The team regress, Bottas regresses, Tsunoda regresses, and all the hard work of the last few years falls away, falling back towards the middle of the pack.

Prediction: Aston don't match their position this year, but simply because teams around them have gotten better. They may well challenge on their day, but they don't match the heights of the last couple of years. 5th.

[foggy locust]

2030 SEASON PREVIEW: SCUDERIA FERRARI

Nationality: Italy
Chassis: SF-30
Engine: Ferrari
Tyres: Bridgestone
Team Principal: Frédéric Vasseur
Last Season: Constructors: Champions, 1048 points; Drivers: Piastri, Champion, 534 points, Leclerc, 2nd, 514 points

Oscar Piastri (1)
Charles Leclerc (16)

Last Season: Dominant. Utterly, utterly dominant. Both Ferrari drivers were on the podium at every single race weekend, and in every single Sprint. The team took 20 1-2s in 21 races - and a 1-3 in Belgium, their only non 1-2 this year. The greatest single season for any constructor in Formula 1 history, breaking the 1000 point mark for the second time in four years, and at 1048 points, the highest Constructors points total of all time. In terms of the Drivers’ Championship, it went all the way to the wire. Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc had a Drivers’ Championship battle for the ages. With ten wins a piece going into Las Vegas, it went all the way down to the final lap of the Final race, and Oscar Piastri just held off Charles Leclerc to take win number eleven of the season, and win his first Drivers Championship title, beating out the former four-time defending Champion. An incredible season for both Ferrari drivers and the team, the most dominant in F1 history, and an incredible Drivers’ title between them.

The Drivers: It's the fourth year of the partnership between Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri at Ferrari, a partnership that dominated the field last year, with the two sharing every single podium last season. However, it is the first time since 2027 where Leclerc has not entered as defending Champion, and due to Lewis Hamilton's retirement at the end of 2026, it is the first time in Leclerc's career where his teammate is defending the World Title. Charles Leclerc will look to regain the title and become a five-time World Champion. As for the new World Champion, Oscar Piastri enters the season as #1, and begins the defence of the World Championship for the first time. Leclerc and Piastri have always gotten along well as teammates, even in a title fight, but with the dynamic flipped, with Piastri now the Champion and Leclerc the Challenger, how will that affect things between the two?

The Staff: Frédéric Vasseur stays on for his seventh year in charge of the Scuderia, and with six Drivers and six Constructors Championships in that time, you feel the job is his as long as he wants it. Loic Serra stays on for another year as Technical Chief, while it's year seven as Ferrari Head of Aerodynamics for Diego Tondi, who just renewed his contract. Hannah Schmitz is in her second season as Sporting Director at Ferrari, having moved from Red Bull at the start of 2029. Both race engineers are back long term - Bryan Bozzi works with Charles Leclerc for the sixth season, with three titles together so far, while it's year three for Peter Bonnington and Oscar Piastri, embarking on their first season together as defending World Champions.

The Livery: Ferrari's famous Red remains in place as expected, but with black and yellow trim, with yellow on the engine cover and the wing, while the front and rear wings are black. The famous “Ferrari” rear wing returns once more.

The Tech: Ferrari will almost certainly always be a works team, and Ferrari supply and build their own engines, with the team also continuing to supply and support Williams and Haas. Ferrari will continue their long-term tyre partnership with Bridgestone, having jumped at the opportunity to reunite with them when they returned to F1 in 2027.

Pre-Season Testing: Ferrari once again showed the most pace through Pre-Season Testing, but not by as much as this time last year. Ferrari topped all three Cornering statistics, as well as tyre preservation and total extra weight. However they found themselves second in DRS to McLaren and Top Speed to Red Bull, and third in Acceleration to Red Bull and Subaru. The SF-30 also found some difficulties with Dirty Air and keeping the engine cool, something Ferrari will have to address across the season. Ferrari did top both qualifying and race sims, although McLaren ran them close on one run on the latter. Ferrari topped the times on two of the three days.

Ceiling: Perfect Season. They were one position away from achieving this, with Oscar Piastri's P3 in Belgium the only non 1-2 of Ferrari's 2029 season in any race session. The team finally get that, and once again it's Leclerc versus Piastri in the Drivers.

Floor: The SF-30 doesn't match the heady heights of the F2029, one of Ferrari's greatest ever cars, and they get toppled in both Championships for the first time since 2023.

Prediction: Last year we said that Ferrari wouldn't be as dominant as 2028. They were even more dominant than 2028. We also said it'd be fun if we had a title fight between Leclerc and Piastri. We got that, and then some. Both drivers should be in the title fight again, and they'll undoubtedly be favourites for the Constructors. But they might have company for the WDC at least, but they should take both titles again. Champions.

[foggy locust]

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2030
WEEKEND PREVIEW

Well, here we go again.

A new season, and indeed a new decade for Formula 1.

21 race weekends. 5 new additions to the calendar, and for the first time since 1973, we will be racing on six continents, as Africa joins the fray with two races. Malaysia, Türkiye, South Africa, Germany and Morocco join this year's calendar. We go from Australia to Vegas once again though, and it all begins in Melbourne.

ROUND 1:
AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
March 8 - 10, 2030
Length: 5.278 km
Turns: 14
Laps: 58
Support Events: Formula 2, Formula 3

LAST TIME AROUND

Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc went to the very wire in Las Vegas, as the World Championship went down to the final lap of the final race of a thrilling title battle, but it was Oscar Piastri who came out on top, taking victory ahead of Charles Leclerc to clinch his maiden World Championship. A thrilling and stunning end to the 2029 season. Valtteri Bottas toppled Lando Norris for P3 on both the night and in the Championship, while Aston Martin secured P2 in the Constructors ahead of Red Bull. But it was Piastri's night, as he added his name to the list of Formula 1 World Champions.

THE CIRCUIT

Between mid March and early December, before the preparation for the race weekend starts up, Albert Park's track is open to the public. In the run-up to Christmas though, they begin reparing for this - the first Grand Prix of the season. Our traditional season opener at this 5.278km circuit has 14 turns and a grand total of four DRS Zones, meaning DRS Effectiveness is massively crucial here, and overtaking happens on a regular basis. However, with rain likely on Sunday for the opener, it remains to be seen how much of an effect DRS will have on the Sunday. Since 2022 and the return to the calendar after a two year absence, every single race here has been won by either Charles Leclerc or Max Verstappen. Leclerc took his first career Grand Slam here in 2022, and also won here in 2024, 2026, 2027, 2028 AND 2029, looking for five in a row. Verstappen meanwhile won the 2023 and 2025 renewals of this race.

STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

CHAMPION PIASTRI GOES IN SEARCH OF FIRST HOME WIN

This famous race has never been won by one of their own, and it lies in the hands of Australia's first World Drivers Champion since 1980 to finally break that duck. Oscar Piastri took eleven wins last season in his run to the Championship, but couldn't add Australia to that list, and he is absolutely desperate to finally get that maiden home win. His biggest challenge will most likely be his teammate, as Charles Leclerc enters this race looking to put a statement down in his challenge to regain the World Title for the fifth time. We don't know for sure on pace until this weekend, but Ferrari are the likely favourites, and it may once again come down to Piastri versus Leclerc. Can Oscar Piastri finally secure that home win?

CAN ANYONE CHALLENGE FERRARI THIS YEAR?

The chasing pack begin their attempts to dethrone the Champions in Melbourne, and after 21 races, 21 wins and 20 1-2s, the pressure is now on the teams behind Ferrari to push on and challenge for the Championship this coming season. The last driver to win a race on a Sunday while not driving a Ferrari was Max Verstappen, over a year ago at Saudi Arabia in November 2028, while Carlos Sainz won the following Sprint in Sao Paulo. Since then, Ferrari have won the last 23 races and 5 Sprints since then. So, who can put forward a challenge to Leclerc and Piastri? Aston Martin came closest in the Championship, while McLaren were closest on the circuit, taking a P2 in Belgium last year. Red Bull and Subaru were the last two to put up race wins. And there's high hopes at Williams, Audi and Haas that they can have a breakthrough season, while Alpine and Andretti are looking to not finish last. But can any of the ten other teams challenge Ferrari this weekend and into this season? Melbourne will give us our first hints as to what lies ahead for the chasing pack.

RICCIARDO'S HOME SWANSONG AS ANDRETTI PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE

Daniel Ricciardo will race on home soil one last time as he prepares to retire from Formula 1 at the end of this coming season. Having made his debut all the way back in 2011, a 20 year career comes to an end for the Honey Badger this coming season. Ricciardo is an eight time race winner, and has raced for HRT, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Renault, McLaren, AlphaTauri, Racing Bulls and Andretti. And while it has been a tough ending with a struggling Andretti, Ricciardo has vowed to just enjoy this season for what it is. That begins with one last home race, and a new teammate in Colton Herta, who initially replaced Ricciardo for a year when he took a sabbatical. Herta is back to try and lift Andretti out of the doldrums, how does Ricciardo fit into that and can he help lift Andretti off the bottom of the table? A good final home race would help with that.

STANĚK AND ARON MAKE FORMULA 1 DEBUTS

We have two new rookies on the Formula 1 grid this season, as Roman Staněk and Paul Aron enter the fray in Formula 1. Having made their way up through the junior ranks of Formula 2 and Formula 3, both have impressed enough to get their Formula 1 bow. For Staněk, the first Czech driver since Tomas Enğé drove three unsuccessful races for Prost in 2021, he hopes to secure his, and his country's, first points in Formula 1, but understands that it may be a long-term project for Alpine in Formula 1. Meanwhile, Paul Aron is Estonia's first ever Formula 1 driver, and looks to get off the mark quickly. Aron has a one year deal with Mercedes, so the pressure is on immediately for him. Can he get off to a hot start this weekend?

And so to Melbourne. After a long winter break, we start again. Everyone starts on zero points, and it's all fresh once more. But who will get off to the best start in the Australian rain? One thing's for sure - you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Grant (Russell), Lindblad (Sainz), Beganovic (Staněk), Araya (Hadjar), Rymill (Colapinto), Martins (Verstappen)

Red Bull bring in both Grant and Lindblad for this session, while Haas give an FP1 Debut to Welsh reserve Poppy Rymill. Staněk has to wait for his Alpine debut as Beganovic gets a run out, Martins in for Verstappen at Subaru, Araya, having made the move to Williams from Mercedes, steps in for Hadjar this session.

FP1: NOR LEC PIA

Lando Norris went quickest in Friday's early FP1 session, narrowly beating out both Ferraris on his final lap of the session. Charles Leclerc P2, just 0.047 behind, Oscar Piastri P3. Antonelli took fourth with Ocon fifth and Tsunoda sixth. Gasly seventh, with Bottas eighth and Red Bull junior Grant ninth. Bearman rounds off the top ten.

FP2: OCO NOR GAS
LEC P4, PIA P5

Esteban Ocon went surprisingly quickest in FP2, carrying on from his shock Vegas Pole. It was the two McLarens of Norris and Gasly in P2 and P3, with Leclerc and Piastri 4th and 5th. Bottas took 6th ahead of O'Ward, with Hadjar and Antonelli 8th and 9th. Russell rounds off the top ten.

FP3: TSU GAS PIA
LEC P4

Yuki Tsunoda the third different driver to top an FP1 session this weekend, ahead of Pierre Gasly. Piasti P3 and Leclerc P4, with Norris P5. Antonelli took 6th with Verstappen 7th, Pérez 8th, Sainz 9th and Colapinto 10th.

Practice summary: Well that was interesting. Three different drivers from three different teams topped the sessions, none of whom were either Champion Oscar Piastri or former Champion Charles Leclerc in the Ferraris, although they were consistent. McLaren look very, very fast though, Aston Martin, Haas and McLaren all topped sessions, and Williams have a lot to like too. Red Bull and Subaru might be hiding some pace, Mercedes as well, are Andretti quicker than thought? Audi and Alpine may be in trouble.

Well, here we go. It is time for the first competitive session of 2030, of this new decade, and we begin again at Melbourne. Time to stop hiding the pace and show us what you really have. Can McLaren take it to Ferrari here? Remember there's no bonus points for Pole this season, but teams will still want that good start to the weekend. Who will take the first Pole of the year?

OUT IN Q1: Pérez, Ricciardo, Verstappen, Herta, Colapinto, Sainz
Bubble: Maloney
Top Five: PIA, LEC, TSU, POU, BEA

Two absolute shock exits in Q1 as Verstappen and Sainz both fail to make it past the first session. Ricciardo outqualifies Herta in Q1 but still goes out in the first session, Staněk outqualifies Pérez who is out, and makes Q2 on his first try, as Aron is also through. Colapinto the other to exit. Piastri quickest from Leclerc, then Tsunoda, Pourchaire and Bearman.

OUT IN Q2: Bearman, Aron, Hadjar, Maloney, Ocon, Staněk
Bubble: Pourchaire
Top Five: LEC, PIA, NOR, RUS, BOT

Both Mercedes are out in Q2, as Bearman finishes P11, just ahead of Aron. Both rookies out too, with Staněk just one spot up on teammate Pérez in P16. Hadjar, Maloney and Ocon all miss out on Q3. Leclerc 0.008 ahead of Piastri, with Norris third, 2 tenths back. Russell takes fourth with Bottas fifth. Gasly, Antonelli, Tsunoda, O'Ward and Pourchaire all into Q3.

Q3: Piastri, Russell, Leclerc, Norris, O'Ward, Gasly, Tsunoda, Antonelli, Pourchaire, Bottas

The Champion set down a marker for his home race, as Oscar Piastri took the first Pole of the season. George Russell took second, as Charles Leclerc compromised his final lap and had his lap time deleted, and had to settle for third, damaging his underfloor in the process. Lando Norris fourth with Pato O'Ward fifth and Pierre Gasly sixth, a combination of current and past McLaren drivers. Yuki Tsunoda took seventh with Andrea Kimi Antonelli eighth, Théo Pourchaire ninth, and Valtteri Bottas tenth.

CAR 16 (Charles Leclerc) will replace his underfloor, however as the part being replaced is of the same kind as the damaged part, he will not incur a penalty or a pitlane start and will retain his P3 position.

2030 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

PIA RUS

LEC NOR

OWA GAS

TSU ANT

POU BOT

BEA ARO

HAD MAL

OCO STA

PER RIC

VER HER

COL SAI

🌧️ Expected to be a full rainy race today.

[foggy locust]

Well here we go again. The points revert back to zero, and we begin anew. Forget what came before, the future is now, and all that. Round of 1 of 21, we go racing in six continents for the first time since 1973 this year, this new decade for Formula 1, what will 2030 bring? It all starts at our traditional opener, Albert Park. 58 Laps, 5.278km, but forget about the four DRS Zones today, we won't be seeing much of them. The heavens have opened, it'll be the green intermediate tyres, might we even see the blue full Wets?

Carlos Sainz starts at the very back today and he has Franco Colapinto for company, Colton Herta and Max Verstappen are both shockingly on the tenth row, Daniel Ricciardo starts his home race from P18 and Sergio Pérez begins P17. Roman Staněk makes his Formula 1 debut and outqualifies his teammate, he's P16, Esteban Ocon lines up 15th. Zane Maloney behind Isack Hadjar on row seven, then Paul Aron and Oliver Bearman on the sixth row, Valtteri Bottas beside Théo Pourchaire just inside the points. Kimi Antonelli starts eighth and it's seventh for Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly lines up sixth behind former teammate Pato O'Ward. Lando Norris in Fourth beside four time Champion Charles Leclerc who starts his season from P3, much like last year. George Russell starts on the front row today, and Pole number one goes to home hero and defending Champion Oscar Piastri. But can he become Australia's first home race winner today?

Okay, let's go racing at Australia!

Cars completing the formation lap here. There's a little bit of water, not torrential though

One light, two, three, four, five...AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO, LET'S GO RACING IN 2030!

Piastri gets away well, Leclerc has gotten off to a very good start and gets ahead of Russell!! Norris stays fourth, O'Ward, Gasly, Tsunoda, Antonelli, both Mercedes are already into the top ten!!! Pourchaire has had a nightmare statt and fallen out of the top ten, so has Bottas!

After all the thoughts in practice and qualifying, Ferrari have very much started where they left off last year. Piastri holding off Leclerc for the race lead, about 1.4 ahead of Russell in P3.

LECLERC GOES FOR THE OVERTAKE ON LAP 2, AND HE TAKES THE LEAD!! Not a popular one here but he's laying down a marker, but Piastri going for it back and he takes it back! Wow!

Norris overtakes Russell for P3!!

Both McLarens making moves in the early going! Gasly up to P5 ahead of O'Ward!

(PIA) "Not raining as much as we thought, chance of slicks?"

(BON) "Some more class 1 rain on its way in about ten minutes. We won't be needing slicks today, most likely"

Leclerc with a lovely overtake to snatch P1 back from Piastri! Piastri has a look down the inside but Leclerc holds him off!

(BOZ) "This is a good pace, good job. Okay, you can pick up the pace, some class 1 rain on its way."

(LEC) "Yeah, understood, copy. Lot of information in 30 seconds, Bryan"

(BOZ) "I know. Copy."

Russell back ahead of Norris and into P3!!

Leclerc defending well from Piastri here! The two title rivals from last year starting where they left off last time around!

(PIA) "Tyres are overheating quite a bit"

(BON) "Understood Oscar, cool them off best you can. Some slight LiCo. P2, Charles 0.6 ahead, Norris behind, gap 4.6."

Norris has indeed taken 3rd back from Russell!

Tsunoda takes sixth from O'Ward, who now finds himself under pressure from Antonelli, Antonelli now into P7! That was a lovely overtake from the Italian driver!

Disaster for Mercedes rookie Aron!!! He sponsored off at turn 6, and drops himself out of the points! Pourchaire up round P10!

However Aron has course corrected and managed to take P10 back!

PIASTRI GOES FOR THE LEAD AND TAKES THE LEAD! WHAT A MOVE! The fans here loved that one!

Lap 14: Piastri, Leclerc, Norris, Russell, Gasly, Tsunoda, Antonelli, O'Ward, Bearman, Aron, Pourchaire, Bottas, Hadjar, Ocon, Verstappen, Maloney, Pérez, Sainz, Staněk, Ricciardo, Herta, Colapinto

RUSSELL

Leclerc regains the lead on Lap 16!!

Pourchaire back ahead of Aron and back into the points! As it stands, eight teams are scoring points on opening day.

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR CALLED

It is a disaster for Pierre Gasly, who slides off in Turn 5, and that McLaren is in the wall!! He's unhurt, thankfully, but his race has ended! Virtual Safety Car is out, and we'll see if anyone pits on Lap 20!

Lap 20, under VSC: Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Russell, Tsunoda, O'Ward, Bearman, Antonelli, Pourchaire, Bottas, Aron, Hadjar, Ocon, Verstappen, Pérez, Maloney, Sainz, Herta, Staněk, Colapinto, Ricciardo. Gasly out of the race.

(BOZ) "Gasly out, Gasly in the wall. VSC."

(LEC) "F---. Is Pierre okay?"

(BOZ) "He's unhurt and making his way back to the garage. VSC."

(LEC) "Copy, thanks."

(BON) "Oscar, thoughts on reverting to Plan C."

(PIA) "Yeah, let's do that. Tyres are good just now."

(BON) "Copy. VSC ending."

(BOZ) "Okay, let's push through here. Warm those tyres up"

(LEC) "Copy that"

We are racing again!

Piastri and Leclerc go wheel to wheel! Piastri did a better job warming the tyres up, and he takes the lead back!!

Lap 25: Piastri, Leclerc, Norris, Russell, Tsunoda, O'Ward, Bearman, Antonelli, Pourchaire, Bottas, Verstappen, Aron, Hadjar, Ocon, Sainz, Pérez, Maloney, Colapinto, Staněk, Herta, Ricciardo

Worth noting that Verstappen, who started P19, is only 1.9 off Bottas and the points. Max having a superb drive in the rain.

PITSTOP: George Russell takes the first pitstop of the 2030 season! The Red Bull driver opts for new intermediates and drops from P4 to P7. How will McLaren respond with Norris?

(BON) "Okay Oscar. Full push. Full send."

Piastri holding position on Leclerc, and Ferrari have told both drivers to speed up. Are they prepping for pitstops?

PITSTOPS: Oliver Bearman is in for fresh intermediates on Lap 33! Ve rejoins down in P16! Zane Maloney comes in as well for fresh intermediates, he's now down in P20.

PITSTOPS: In come Tsunoda and Antonelli!! Fresh intermediates are on, and Tsunoda rejoins P9, Antonelli now P13.

PITSTOPS: Norris and O'Ward in! Both take the fresh intermediates and Norris rejoins P4, O'Ward P9.

(BON) "And we will box, box for new inter."

(PIA) "Yeah, box."

PITSTOP: Piastri in for fresh inters from the lead, he gets the call ahead of Leclerc as the race leader! A 2.018 stop for Piastri, and rejoins P2, 17 seconds behind Leclerc, 9 ahead of Russell!!

(BOZ) "And box this lap Charles, box this lap. New inters."

(LEC) "Copy, box."

PITSTOPS: Leclerc in! A 2.320 stop, not as quick as Piastri's! Piastri regains the lead, with Leclerc 1 second behind on colder tyres! Pourchaire also in, as is Herta! Pourchaire stops to P17, Herta P21 and last!

Leclerc has warmed the tyres and caught up to Piastri, he's going for the lead and takes the lead back!!

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR CALLED

Bottas goes aquaplaning at turn 7!!! He's in the wall and his race is over!!! Thankfully Valtteri is okay, but a disastrous start to the season for the man who was P3 in the Championship last year!!

PITSTOPS: Sainz, Aron, Hadjar and Pérez all taking the free pitstop on offer! Verstappen, running P5, and Colapinto, now P11, are the only ones yet to pit today!

Lap 41, under VSC: Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Norris, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Antonelli, O'Ward, Bearman, Sainz, Colapinto, Pourchaire, Aron, Maloney, Hadjar, Ocon, Pérez, Staněk, Ricciardo, Herta. Bottas and Gasly out of the race.

Verstappen in very frank discussions with his race engineer to get him to box! However Subaru are very much keeping him out on track as they want to keep position!

We are back racing again on Lap 42!

Piastri dive bombs down the inside of Leclerc and regains the lead! He desperately wants this opening day win at home!

SAINZ

(BON) "We have fastest lap"

(PIA) "Copy"

(BON) "Let's not cook the tyres now"

PIASTRI

(BOZ) "Some LiCo for tyre temps please"

PITSTOP: Colapinto in for a stop, and that was a disaster! A delay on the jacks, and a 4.546 stop!

Leclerc regains the lead on Lap 47!! What a battle this is between the two Ferraris!

Verstappen struggling significantly on those tyres! Tsunoda goes ahead of him into P5!

Antonelli moves ahead of Verstappen and into P6!!!

Piastri gets a beautiful slipstream down the pit straight and he retakes P1!!

Piastri has pushed on and gained on Leclerc! He's almost a second ahead now!

Piastri trying to use the lapped cars to put distance between himself and Leclerc!

Both Bearman and Sainz are ahead of Verstappen, who is absolutely furious with his team for leaving him out on these tyres this long.

Paul Aron, rookie, just overtook the three time World Champion Verstappen on track. Wow! Aron into the points!!

Leclerc is right in Piastri's wing mirrors! He's throwing everything at the Champion and he goes for the overtake but can't get it done!

Pourchaire overtakes Verstappen, and the Dutchman is even more annoyed on the radio!

Norris with a massive overtake on Russell!!! He's up to P3 and takes over that last podium spot for now!

TWO LAPS LEFT

VERSTAPPEN HAS A PUNCTURE!!! IT HAS ALL GONE SO WRONG FOR HIM AND SUBARU TODAY!!

VERSTAPPEN RADIO "The f---ing tyre!!!! I f---ing told you!"

PITSTOP: Verstappen drags it back to the pits, having just been lapped, and finally gets a fresh set of intermediates, but his race has been completely compromised. What were Subaru doing?

LAST LAP

PIASTRI ON THE DEFENCE, LECLERC ON THE ATTACK, PIASTRI HOLDS HIM OFF FOR NOW!!! LECLERC GOING FOR IT AGAIN BUT PIASTRI HOLDS FIRM, WE'VE WAITED SO LONG FOR AN AUSTRALIAN TO WIN THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX, BUT OSCAR PIASTRI ROUNDS THE FINAL CORNER, LECLERC IS GOING FOR IT, IT IS A DRAG RACE TO THE LINE, OSCAR PIASTRI JUST HOLDS ON TO WIN HIS HOME RACE AT LAST!!!! OSCAR PIASTRI WINS THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX BY THE THINNEST OF MARGINS!!!

(BON) "And that's P1, P1 on home soil! You've done it mate, you've won your home race!!!"

(PIA) "YESSSS!!! WOW, WOW WEE!! Oh my. Very, very nicely done everyone, that's the perfect start to the season, and to win here, where I grew up, yeah. That's pretty cool. Thanks, thanks everyone. It was a close one that, one of the most stressful days of my life! Haha. Credit to Charles, he pushed me all the way again today. Thanks guys. Very, very nicely done, everyone."

(BON) "You are the man. Well done mate."

(BOZ) "And P2, Charles. P2. So close. Narrowest of margins. Great, great drive today."

(LEC) "Aaaaah! So, so close. Fantastic, fantastic racing, the car was really good. Yeah, it was good. What a race, what a pace. Congratulations to Oscar, I know how amazing it is to win your home race. I couldn't let him have it easy! But yeah, good race for him, and for me. Thanks guys."

(BOZ) "Thank you Charles. Great effort. Long way to go this season."

Norris takes a huge P3 for McLaren! Russell fourth, fifth for Tsunoda, Antonelli 6th, O'Ward 7th, Sainz 8th, Bearman 9th, ARON GETS A POINT ON DEBUT.

2030 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 1.25.45
2. Charles Leclerc +0.045
3. Lando Norris +19.977
4. George Russell +20.420
5. Yuki Tsunoda +48.919
6. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +49.745
7. Pato O'Ward +59.330
8. Carlos Sainz +61.612
9. Oliver Bearman +61.894
10. Paul Aron +62.185
11. Théo Pourchaire +70.637
12. Esteban Ocon +73.161
13. Isack Hadjar +73.761
14. Zane Maloney +79.089
15. Sergio Pérez +79.286
16. Franco Colapinto +1 lap
17. Roman Staněk +1 lap
18. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
19. Colton Herta +1 lap
20. Max Verstappen +1 lap
21. Valtteri Bottas DNF
22. Pierre Gasly DNF

Oscar Piastri 1.23.503
Carlos Sainz 1.985s
Paul Aron

DRIVER OF THE DAY: PAUL ARON

What a debut for the young Estonian rookie, who recovered from an early spin to take points on his opening drive for Mercedes. A well deserved driver of the day for Paul Aron!

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

[foggy locust]

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 26
🇲🇨 Leclerc 18
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 15
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 12
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 10
🇮🇹 Antonelli 8
🇲🇽 O'Ward 6
🇪🇸 Sainz 4
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 2
🇪🇪 Aron 1
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 0
🇫🇷 Ocon 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇨🇿 Staněk 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇺🇸 Herta 0
🇳🇱 Verstappen 0
🇫🇮 Bottas 0
🇫🇷 Gasly 0

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇮🇹 Ferrari 44
🇦🇹 Red Bull-Ford 16
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 McLaren-Mercedes 15
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Aston Martin-Honda 10
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Williams-Ferrari 8
🇩🇪 Audi 6
🇩🇪 Mercedes 3
🇯🇵 Subaru-Honda 0
🇺🇸 Haas-Ferrari 0
🇫🇷 Alpine-Mercedes 0
🇺🇸 Andretti-Ford 0

F2 MELBOURNE

SPRINT

1. Arvid Lindblad
2. Chloe Grant
3. Zak O'Sullivan
4. Dayton Coulthard
5. Rafael Câmara
6. Pepe Marti
7. Jak Crawford
8. Lulwa Abadi
9. Taylor Barnard
10. Gabriele Minì

FEATURE RACE
Pole Position: Chloe Grant

1. Chloe Grant
2. Taylor Barnard
3. Rafael Câmara
4. Jak Crawford
5. Dayton Coulthard
6. Arvid Lindblad
7. Alessandro Giusti
8. Zak O'Sullivan
9. Pepe Marti
10. Hector Araya

F3 MELBOURNE

SPRINT

1. Daiane Afonso
2. Joseph Loake
3. Abbi Pulling
4. Jordi Alvarado
5. Laurens van Hoepen
6. Nikita Bedrin
7. Hamda Al Qubaisi
8. Nikola Tsolov
9. Joshua Dürksen
10. Tuukka Taponen

FEATURE RACE
Pole Position: Laurens van Hoepen

1. Laurens van Hoepen
2. Abbi Pulling
3. Nikola Tsolov
4. Joseph Loake
5. Nikita Bedrin
6. Daiane Afonso
7. Hamda Al Qubaisi
8. Leonardo Fornaroli
9. Jordi Alvarado
10. Tuukka Taponen

[foggy locust]

2030 MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

Round 2 of the 2030 Formula 1 season, and after a thrilling opener at Melbourne in the rain, we head to Malaysia and the Sepang International Circuit.

Making its return to the Formula 1 calendar for the first time in 13 years, what will the Malaysian Grand Prix bring us on its return to the sport?

ROUND 2:
MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX
Petronas Sepang International Circuit, Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia
March 22 - 24, 2030
Length: 5.543 km
Turns: 15
Laps: 56
Support Events: N/A

LAST TIME AROUND

A thriller in Melbourne that suggested that 2030 may continue where 2029 left off, as Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc battled in a close one in the rain, leaving the chasing pack almost 20 seconds behind. The defending Champion Piastri held off Leclerc at the end in a race that was a drag race to the line, finishing ahead of his teammate by 0.045. Piastri becomes the first Australian to ever win his home race, and takes an early Championship advantage over Leclerc. Lando Norris beat out the challenge of George Russell for P3, while Yuki Tsunoda was fifth. An impressive start for Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Williams in sixth, while Pato O'Ward took seventh and Carlos Sainz came from the back in eighth. Mercedes bagged double points with Ollie Bearman P9, and rookie Paul Aron P10 on Debut. Max Verstappen picked up a late puncture that wrecked his points chances, while Valtteri Bottas and Pierre Gasly crashed out.

THE CIRCUIT

The first of five new or returning circuits to the Formula 1 calendar this season, the Sepang International Circuit sees a combination of low and high speed cornering, resulting in a track that's truly difficult to be quick at, and a long DRS zone around the pit straight. Designed for overtaking and a high level of technicality, the 56 Laps around this 5.543 km circuit will be challenging for a driver field with little experience around here - seven of the twenty-two drivers on the 2030 grid have raced here in Formula 1 before. Teams will need to find a balance between a high downforce for Cornering and low drag for quick straight-line speed. Known for high humidity and heat, much like Singapore, the possibility of thunderstorms this weekend remains in place. The race was initially held in Singapore between 1962 and 1965, then was a regular on the calendar between 1968 and 1982, only missing 1976. It took a long absence before returning between 1999 and 2017 at its current home at Sepang, and now, after a 13 year absence, returns to the calendar from 2030 onwards.

STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

FIRST TIME IN 13 YEARS IN MALAYSIA, WHAT WILL THIS WEEKEND BRING?

Malaysia makes its first appearance in 13 years, and only Valtteri Bottas, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Sergio Pérez, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz have raced here before. Verstappen won the last race held here in 2017, and how will that experience help the five drivers who have raced here before? Of those six, Gasly is in the quickest car in the McLaren, well as far as we know - it is still very, very early in the season. Of those six, only Sainz made the points in Australia, while Verstappen struggled with a puncture, Ocon, Pérez and Ricciardo struggled for pace, and Bottas and Gasly both crashed out. All seven could use a good weekend this weekend - that experience around here could help a lot.

CAN ANYONE CHALLENGE FERRARI THIS YEAR?

The 2030 season started as most of the 2029 season went - a 1-2 for Ferrari in dominating fashion, with their two drivers competing for the win, and the rest of the pack miles back. It could make for an entertaining Drivers’ title battle - last year's WDC battle was one for the ages - but the Constructors may not be close if Melbourne was anything to hint at it. However, it is only one race, and there's a chance that Sepang may suit the likes of McLaren or Red Bull more than Melbourne did. In a way, with this being a circuit no team has raced at for 13 years, we may have to wait until qualifying to know anyone's true pace at Sepang. But can any of the chasing pack catch Ferrari, or will they continue their dominance?

HOW DO VERSTAPPEN AND SUBARU BOUNCE BACK AFTER NIGHTMARE MELBOURNE?

To say the 2030 season got off to a bad start for Max Verstappen and Subaru would be an understatement. A very poor qualifying saw Verstappen qualify just P19 and go out in Q1, then Verstappen and Subaru ran very, very long during the rainy race. Too long, in fact, as Verstappen picked up a puncture while falling backwards, having initially gotten the car up to P5, and he pitted with two laps to go, compromising his race and leaving him down in P20, a lap down. The former Champion was very critical of the decision post race, and tension between Verstappen and Subaru Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul has been seemingly high as of late. Subaru could do with a very good weekend for their star driver this time around in Malaysia.

WILLIAMS LOOK TO BUILD UPON GOOD START

Williams scored just 14 points last season in what was a tough first season for new Team Principal Ayao Komatsu at the Grove team. Well, after Melbourne, they've already accrued about 57% of that, after Kimi Antonelli's impressive P6. Williams seem to have put a lot of their focus into 2030 earlier than expected last year, and while there's a long, long way to go, it is off to a good start for the team. Can they build upon that momentum, and potentially even get both drivers in the points this weekend? Isack Hadjar ended up P13 last time around, the potential is absolutely there for Williams in what is a big year for Kimi Antonelli - his contract year. This may be a team to watch.

And so to Malaysia for the first time in 13 years. Initial weather reports predict clear skies, but you never know with Malaysia and those thunderstorms. But a welcome return to the Formula 1 calendar nonetheless, and you will not want to miss it.

FERRARI TO RUN DUNNE, COULTHARD IN FP1

Newest Ferrari Academy recruit Alexander Dunne and Dayton Coulthard will drive FP1 for Ferrari in Malaysia.

The Irish and Scottish drivers are the first of Ferrari's mandated FP1 rookie appearances for this season.

FP1 Reserves: Dunne (Leclerc), Coulthard (Piastri), Grant (Russell), Wharton (Aron), Beganovic (Pérez), Goethe (Colapinto), Vesti (Herta), O'Sullivan (Maloney)

Quite a few teams running one rookie reserve, but the headline is Ferrari running two. Alexander Dunne gets an opportunity with Ferrari for the first time, and there's two Scots with Coulthard and Grant making an appearance. Vesti gets a chance to compare to Ricciardo for Andretti. Wharton, Beganovic, O'Sullivan and Goethe get a chance for some experience here.

FP1: DUN ANT SAI
COU P7

A very impressive FP1 for Alexander Dunne, who takes P1, ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Carlos Sainz. Max Verstappen fourth, with Théo Pourchaire fifth and Isack Hadjar sixth. Dayton Coulthard takes seventh, with Ollie Bearman P8 and Lando Norris P9. Zak O'Sullivan completes the top ten.

FP2: LEC PIA COL

Leclerc quickest in the second practice session here in Malaysia, ahead of Piastri and Colapinto. Sainz P4, with Verstappen 5th. Ocon, Maloney and Bottas follow, with Gasly 9th and Pourchaire 10th.

FP3: SAI LEC GAS
PIA P8

Sainz quickest in third practice, with Leclerc second and Gasly third, ahead of Norris. O'Ward 5th and Bearman 6th, with Colapinto 7th. Piastri down in 8th, Aron and Verstappen complete the top ten.

Practice thoughts: Pole might be very, very close between Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren, but Ferrari probably have the better race pace of the three. Audi, Haas and Williams have looked quite strong, Mercedes and Aston Martin will likely push for Q3 as well. Alpine and Andretti at the back.

Well, it's been a while, Malaysia, but we are back. Qualifying about to begin for the first Malaysian Grand Prix in 13 years, it's been missed from the calendar, but we are here once more. It's been close between Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren in practice, Pole feels like it could be anyone's.

OUT IN Q1: Pérez, Staněk, Colapinto, Maloney, Ricciardo, Herta
Bubble: Gasly
Top Five: SAI, VER, LEC, POU, RUS
PIA P6

No major shocks in the six out in Q1, as both Alpines, Colapinto, Maloney and the two Andrettis exit. Gasly was nearly out however, and the Astons just P13 and P14. Sainz quickest from Verstappen and Leclerc, both Subarus and Red Bulls in the top five, Piastri sixth.

OH MY GOD A HUGE RED FLAG

It's the rookie, Paul Aron, who's had a massive off at the first corner!!! He completely misjudged that, and spun off into the corner! That was a heavy hit, and thankfully he's emerged a few seconds later, unhurt.

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

OUT IN Q2: Gasly, Tsunoda, Hadjar, Pourchaire, Bottas, Aron (no time)
Bubble: O'Ward
Top Five: VER, LEC, PIA, SAI, RUS

Norris needed a late lap to knock his own teammate Gasly out, while both Astons exit in Q2. Hadjar, Pourchaire and Aron, who crashed early, causing a red flag, also exit. O'Ward just makes it through, Verstapprn quickest from the two Ferraris, Leclerc P2, Piastri P3. Sainz and Russell 4th and 5th, Antonelli, Bearman and Ocon also through.

Q3: Sainz, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Norris, Bearman, Verstappen, Ocon, Antonelli, O'Ward

We did say this was anyone's game, and it was Carlos Sainz who put the lap together at the end to take Pole away from Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri! Leclerc P2 and Piastri P3, with Russell in fourth. Norris takes fifth with Bearman sixth, Verstappen settles for seventh. Ocon, Antonelli and O'Ward complete the top ten.

PAUL ARON TO TAKE PITLANE START FOR SUNDAY'S MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX

One race after taking his first point on his debut in Australia, Paul Aron will now face a pitlane start in Malaysia.

Aron crashed out early in Q2 without setting a time, causing a Red Flag, and Mercedes have opted for a setup and components change, meaning Aron must start Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix from the pitlane.

The young Estonian rookie will have some work to do tomorrow.

2030 MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

SAI LEC

PIA RUS

NOR BEA

VER OCO

ANT OWA

GAS TSU

HAD POU

BOT PER

STA COL

MAL RIC

HER

PITLANE START - ARO

Wee break for a bit! Back later to do the race itself!!

[foggy locust]

Well, after a fashion, let's go. A lot of thunderstorms in the area caused a bit of a delay, but it is finally cleared up and time to race. Round 2 of the 2030 Formula 1 World Championship brings us to brand new territory, well, at least in the last 13 years. The first Malaysian Grand Prix since 2017, this 5.543km Circuit welcomes the Pinaccle of Motorsport back. 15 turns, 56 Laps, 2 DRS Zones and a real mix of Low and High Speed Cornering. There'll be a lot of overtaking chances today.

Paul Aron takes a pitlane start in just his second ever start after a Q2 crash, so Colton Herta is on the back row alone, Daniel Ricciardo and Zane Maloney start on row ten. Franco Colapinto and Roman Staněk share the ninth row, Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas have both raced here before and are on row eight. Théo Pourchaire and Isack Hadjar on the seventh row, old teammates and old friends Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly share row six. Pato O'Ward and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are on row five, then it's Esteban Ocon and Max Verstappen, both raced here back in 2017, Max won the last race to take place here. Oliver Bearman starts P6 alongside compatriot Lando Norris, then it's George Russell in fourth and defending Champion Oscar Piastri third, and Charles Leclerc starts second, with Carlos Sainz taking his first Pole of the year. But can he convert that to victory today?

The cars heading round on the formation lap here, we are ready to race in Malaysia...

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

Carlos Sainz is a bit slow off the start, Charles Leclerc isn't and he takes the lead immediately!!! Oscar Piastri stays third, Russell fourth, then Norris, Verstappen up to sixth, Ocon seventh, Bearman has slipped to P8, Antonelli P9, O'Ward P10!! Then Gasly, Tsunoda, Pourchaire and Hadjar!

LECLERC

(BOZ) "This is a good pace Charles, let's see if we can break DRS early here"

(LEC) "Yeah, copy"

Lando Norris overtakes George Russell, he's up to P4!!

Leclerc defending Sainz who is sandwiched between his former teammate and Piastri here.

(BON) "So it is a case of temps hitting the limit, let's see if we can cool those"

(PIA) "Copy"

It is a close run thing already here between Leclerc, Sainz and Piastri. Sainz has a look down the inside of Leclerc for the lead, but to no avail.

O'Ward up to P9 on Antonelli!!! A DRS overtake and the Williams had no chance of defending that.

Russell meanwhile regains 4th from Norris!

Sainz tried for the overtake on Leclerc who closed the door, Sainz leaves himself open and Piastri takes position!!

Piastri isn't settling there, he wants the lead, and he takes the lead from Leclerc!!

(BOZ) "Free to race, free to race. This is a good pace, you are doing a good job."

Leclerc back in front of his teammate! Can be mow open the gap on him?

Lap 8: Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Russell, Norris, Verstappen, Bearman, Ocon, O'Ward, Antonelli, Gasly, Tsunoda, Pourchaire, Pérez, Bottas, Hadjar, Colapinto, Staněk, Maloney, Ricciardo, Herta, Aron

The two Ferraris have now opened up a bit of a gap to Sainz, and are fighting amongst themselves for the lead.

Verstappen overtakes Norris, he's into P5!

Tsunoda overtakes Gasly, then Antonelli! He's into the points!

Ocon with a big spin at Turn 10!! He drops out of the points and down to P18!!!

PITSTOP: Lando Norris takes the first pitstop of today! He takes on the Mediums and rejoins in P19!

Verstappen with a fantastic overtake on Russell to take P4!! That was a brilliant move from the Subaru driver!

PITSTOPS: Bottas and Ricciardo both come in and rejoin last and second last.

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

(LEC) "Copy box"

PITSTOPS: Leclerc gets the call first from Ferrari! He's in from the lead, and pits for Mediums! A 2.356 stop and he's away again. O'Ward pits, Bearman pits, Tsunoda in, Maloney in. Leclerc rejoins P6, just ahead of Pourchaire.

Paul Aron having issues with his car! Looks like an ERS issue.

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

(PIA) "Yeah, box"

PITSTOPS: Piastri in from the lead! He takes on new Mediums, Russell in for new Mediums, 2.179 stop for a Piastri! Piastri rejoins just behind this teammate, Russell down to P9!

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR CALLED!!

FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS WEEKEND, PAUL ARON IS OFF AT TURN 1. ANOTHER BIG CRASH, AND THAT BRINGS OUT THE VSC. Aron is thankfully okay, but that won't help his confidence!!

Big opportunity for Verstappen, Sainz and Antonelli to all pit for free now.

PITSTOP: Ocon is the first to pit under the VSC, he comes in from P9. Ocon onto the Hards and this looks like a one stop! He rejoins P15.

Lap 20, under VSC: Verstappen, Sainz, Antonelli, Leclerc, Piastri, Pourchaire, Hadjar, Russell, Norris, O'Ward, Gasly, Bearman, Colapinto, Tsunoda, Ocon, Bottas, Pérez, Maloney, Staněk, Ricciardo, Herta. Aron out of the race.

PITSTOP: Pourchaire tries to sneak in a pitstop under the VSC, he gets halfway down the pitlane and the flags go green on Lap 21! He rejoins P12.

We are racing again on Lap 21!

Leclerc goes round Antonelli and back into P3!

Piastri now ahead of Antonelli, and the two Ferraris renew their battle in P3 and P4!

RUSSELL

Sainz gets ahead of Verstappen! Sainz into the lead!

Verstappen retakes the lead on Sainz! Leclerc and Piastri are approaching the Red Bull, Leclerc down the inside of his former teammate, and it doesn't take long for Piastri to do the same!!

PITSTOPS: Sainz going for the undercut on Verstappen! He comes in for the Hard tyres, Antonelli is in not long after him!

Leclerc with a lovely move down the outside of Verstappen, and he takes the lead of the race!!

Piastri also makes the move on Verstappen to take P2!!!

Lap 26: Leclerc, Piastri, Verstappen, Russell, Norris, O'Ward, Sainz, Gasly, Bearman, Pourchaire, Ocon, Tsunoda, Colapinto, Antonelli, Bottas, Maloney, Pérez, Staněk, Hadjar, Ricciardo, Herta

PITSTOP: Verstqppen with a clean pitstop and he's onto the Hards! He rejoins behind O'Ward, but crucially, ahead of Sainz!!

Ocon with a big lock-up at turn 1! He rejoins just behind teammate Colapinto in P13!

Lap 30: Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Norris, Sainz, O'Ward, Verstappen, Gasly, Pourchaire, Bearman, Antonelli, Colapinto, Tsunoda, Bottas, Ocon, Maloney, Hadjar, Pérez, Staněk, Ricciardo, Herta

Verstappen gets the overtake done, he's up to P6!

(BOZ) "Gap to Oscar now 1.9, 1.9."

(LEC) "Copy this, leave me to it"

Norris struggling on his tyres, and Gasly moves ahead of his teammate! Doesn't look like Norris put up much of a fight on that move. Gasly P7, Norris P8.

(BOZ) "Box, box"

(LEC) "Box this lap!"

PITSTOPS: Leclerc in. Bearman in. Bearman onto the Mediums, Leclerc takes the Softs! The Ferrari is good on its tyres, but Softs for 20 Laps is a gamble. A 2.336 stop, Leclerc will rejoin still in P2, just ahead of Russell.

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

(PIA) "Yeah, box."

PITSTOP: Piastri pits two laps after Leclerc, he'll have a bit of a tyre offset at the end of this race! Bottas and O'Ward both in, O'Ward takes the Hards, Bottas onto the Mediums, Staněk opts for the Softs! A 2.026 stop for Piastri, who rejoins P3, 7 seconds behind Leclerc, 2 behind Russell!!

Piastri goes ahead of Russell, who's yet to pit for a second time, and the Ferrari 1-2 is back on the table!

Sainz gets the overtake done on Verstappen for what is essentially net P3. That pure pace of the Red Bull up against the Subaru is no real contest.

PITSTOP: Russell makes the later stop for Softs and fastest lap might be in play for him. He rejoins P6.

Verstappen making a fight of this here and he's on the attack, however they both lap Ricciardo, and Verstappen nearly clips his old teammate in the process!!!

Lap 44: Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Verstappen, Russell, Antonelli, Gasly, Pourchaire, Norris, O'Ward, Bearman, Ocon, Tsunoda, Colapinto, Hadjar, Bottas, Maloney, Pérez, Staněk, Herta, Ricciardo

PITSTOP: A late stop for Norris and surprisingly, McLaren opt for the Mediums, and they had a bit of a delay putting that right tyre on! That wasn't great from McLaren!

HADJAR

Leclerc now just 4.5 ahead of Piastri and that tyre offset is now paying off for the Australian. Could we be in for the grandstand finish?

[sterile breach]

"Pierre, Lando had a slow stop, we'd like you to sit in the box for 4 extra seconds to make it fair"

[foggy locust]

Russell ahead of Verstappen! The Subaru's tyres starting to lose grip, and Russell makes quick work of it, regaining P4!

[foggy locust]

Hahahahaha

Russell takes position and the podium away from teammate Sainz! No team orders at the Bulls, and we hope for their sakes, no repeat of Mexico City 2029.

LAST LAP

It's been a very, very composed performance from Charles Leclerc thus afternoon at Malaysia, the first F1 race here in 13 years is going the way of the former four-time World Champion, LECLERC HAS LIFT OFF THIS SEASON, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX!!!

(BOZ) "And P1, another win, Charles, incredible mate. Incredible. Win number 77 that. Brilliant driving!"

(LEC) "Let's gooooo!!! Let's go, come on! Aahhh. It's good to be back on top! That's what we needed this weekend. Let's go!"

(BOZ) "Brilliant job. Never in doubt."

And another 1-2 for Ferrari as Piastri comes home P2!

(BON) "So we have taken the flag. So that's P2. Great job on the management there, Oscar."

(PIA) "Nice to get a result, happy with that. Yeah, thanks everyone, tried to get within the pace of Charles, but no, tough one there. But yeah, happy. Good result."

(BON) "Nice job mate. Still top of the table by a point."

Russell P3 and the podium! Sainz P4, Verstappen P5, Gasly P6, Pourchaire P7, Antonelli P8, O'Ward P9, Bearman P10. Norris just misses the points in P11.

2030 MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 1.30.52
2. Oscar Piastri +2.370
3. George Russell +35.742
4. Carlos Sainz +39.675
5. Max Verstappen +48.500
6. Pierre Gasly +60.693
7. Théo Pourchaire +62.275
8. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +65.131
9. Pato O'Ward +66.944
10. Oliver Bearman +70.858
11. Lando Norris +83.425
12. Isack Hadjar +86.858
13. Yuki Tsunoda +92.996
14. Franco Colapinto +95.805
15. Valtteri Bottas +1 lap
16. Esteban Ocon +1 lap
17. Sergio Pérez +1 lap
18. Zane Maloney +1 lap
19. Roman Staněk +1 lap
20. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
21. Colton Herta +1 lap
22. Paul Aron DNF

Esteban Ocon 1.30.832
Carlos Sainz 1.885s
Charles Leclerc

DRIVER OF THE DAY: CHARLES LECLERC

An incredible performance by the former four time World Champion to take his first win of the season, and to take himself within a point of his teammate at the top of the table. A dominant, comfortable win for Charles Leclerc, Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Leclerc, Pourchaire, Gasly, Piastri, Russell

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 44
🇲🇨 Leclerc 43
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 27
🇪🇸 Sainz 16
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 15
🇮🇹 Antonelli 12
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 10
🇳🇱 Verstappen 10
🇫🇷 Gasly 8
🇲🇽 O'Ward 8
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 6
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 3
🇪🇪 Aron 1
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇫🇷 Ocon 0
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0
🇫🇮 Bottas 0
🇨🇿 Staněk 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇺🇸 Herta 0

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇮🇹 Ferrari 87
🇦🇹 Red Bull-Ford 43
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 McLaren-Mercedes 23
🇯🇵 Subaru-Honda 16
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Williams-Ferrari 12
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Aston Martin-Honda 10
🇩🇪 Audi 8
🇩🇪 Mercedes 4
🇺🇸 Haas-Ferrari 0
🇫🇷 Alpine-Mercedes 0
🇺🇸 Andretti-Ford 0

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 126
Goodyear 59
Pirelli 18

[foggy locust]

2030 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

And so we head to Round 3, and after Malaysia, which saw thunderstorms, a returning circuit, and a runaway Charles Leclerc victory, we head to Mexico City and the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, but what will this weekend bring?

ROUND 3:
MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City, Mexico
March 29 - 31, 2030
Length: 4.304km
Turns: 17
Laps: 71
Support Events: F1 Academy

LAST TIME AROUND

It was a pretty dominant victory for Charles Leclerc, as he took his first win of the 2030 season to go within one point of Championship leader and teammate Oscar Piastri, who came home in second for the second Ferrari 1-2 this season. George Russell beat out his teammate Carlos Sainz for the first Red Bull podium of the season, with Max Verstappen ending up fifth. Pierre Gasly took his first points of the year in sixth, with Théo Pourchaire, Kimi Antonelli, Pato O'Ward and Ollie Bearman completing the points.

THE CIRCUIT

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, named for Ricardo and Pedro Rodriguez, the 4.304km circuit in South East Mexico City, is located in Magdalena Mixhuca Sports City, a public park and former Olympic Park, used for Mexico's 1968 Summer Olympics. The track is most known for its high altitude levels, clocking in at an elevation of 2.238m. This can mean some very thin air, which can cause issues for both the Drivers and the Cars. It's the fourth season in a row taking place this early in the season, having moved from later in the calendar in 2027. The long straights and three DRS Zones makes DRS crucial, and there should be plenty of overtaking as a result, while a mix of low and high speed corners, combined with the altitude, makes this a unique challenge for the entire grid.

STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

HOMECOMING FOR O'WARD AND PÉREZ

It's a home race weekend for Audi's Pato O'Ward and Alpine's Sergio Pérez, and to say that Formula 1's two Mexican drivers have had contrasting fortunes would be very accurate. O'Ward has had a lot of consistency since making his debut in 2027, taking a memorable home podium here in 2028 for McLaren. He moved to Audi last year and has continued his consistency from last year, finishing in the points both times this year. Pérez meanwhile has struggled in a difficult car since returning to Formula 1 with Alpine back in 2028, and failed to score entirely last season. But both drivers will have a lot of support at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, and will be motivated for a good result. Can Pérez get himself back in the points on home soil, and can O'Ward potentially even podium again?

LECLERC AND PIASTRI'S TITLE BATTLE IN FOCUS AGAIN?

After two races so far this season, it's two wins, two 1-2s for the Scuderia, and one win each for Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc. It's still early in the season but it is potentially looking like another intra-Ferrarj title fight for the World Drivers Championship. Piastri is defending his maiden Championship, won last year, and has a point advantage to four time Champion Leclerc, due to the fastest lap he picked up with his home win in Australia, while Leclerc won Malaysia, but without the fastest lap, claimed by 16th place Esteban Ocon. So who will take the momentum this weekend? Can Leclerc or Piastri take a second win of the season, or will the win come from outside Ferrari?

ROOKIE ARON ALREADY UNDER PRESSURE?

After an impressive debut where he scored his first point in Australia, it was a disastrous weekend for Mercedes rookie Paul Aron, who managed to crash out twice in Malaysia, once in qualifying, meaning he had to start from the pitlane. Aron then crashed out at the exact same corner in the race, ending his weekend. With Mercedes looking to bounce back from a difficult 2029, crashes like that just cannot happen for the team, and with Aron on a one-year deal, the pressure may already be on the rookie. A good weekend in Mexico would be a step forward. Toto Wolff has backed Aron to bounce back after Malaysia. Can Aron pick up a big result this weekend for himself and his team?

CAN RED BULL AVOID LAST YEAR'S ERRORS?

Twelve months ago at this very circuit, Red Bull had a catastrophic weekend on James Vowles’ third race in charge of the team, as Carlos Sainz locked up and collided right into teammate George Russell, causing further tension between the two as both men's races ended early. Twelve months on, the team seem to be in somewhat better harmony, although that result did contribute to Red Bull missing out on P2 in the Constructors last season. Red Bull look to potentially challenge Ferrari this year but have been significantly behind, and they bring upgrades this weekend with the hopes of challenging for the race win. One year after a horrendous weekend, can the team have a much better one this time around?

F1 ACADEMY BEGINS

And F1 Academy is this weekend's support series, as fifteen women line up on the grid in two races, on the Saturday and Sunday. With many talents coming from F1 Academy now in F2 and F3, including former winners Abbi Pulling, Chloe Grant and Doriane Pin, who will take the next step towards the big time amongst this year's hopefuls? Red Bull representative Katherine Maskell enters as the favourite, but will likely face challenges for the title from Aurelia Nobels, Poppy Rymill and veteran Sophia Flörsch, amongst others. Who will take the first wins of this brand new F1 Academy season in Mexico City?

And so to Mexico City for Round 3. No rain expected this weekend, and it should be an entertaining, intriguing race weekend, with Formula 1 and F1 Academy to come. One thing's for sure, you won't want to miss it.

FERRARI RUNNING DUNNE AND PIN IN FP1

Ferrari have confirmed that Alex Dunne will run a second consecutive FP1, with Doriane Pin also to take part in this session.

Dunne will once again take Charles Leclerc's car for this session, with Pin taking over for Oscar Piastri.

FP1 Reserves: Dunne (Leclerc), Pin (Piastri), Patricia (Norris), Araya (Antonelli), Vesti (Herta), O'Sullivan (Maloney), Miní (Bottas)

Ferrari once again run two rookies in FP1 in Dunne and Pin, while McLaren give an FP1 debut to Jack Patricia. Hector Araya gets another chance with Williams, while Frederik Vesti, Zak O'Sullivan and Gabriele Miní get another chance to show what they can do with 2031 in mind.

FP1: BEA RUS GAS
DUN P6, PIN P7

Ollie Bearman tops Friday's early session, ahead of George Russell and Pierre Gasly. Sainz 4th with Pourchaire 5th, with Ferrari reserves Dunne and Pin P6 and P7. Colapinto, Hadjar and Verstappen complete the top ten.

FP2: LEC PIA OWA

Leclerc and Piastri back on top in the second session, going 1-2, but O'Ward takes P3 to the joy of the home fans. Verstappen fourth ahead of Norris, with Tsunoda 6th and Gasly 7th. Ocon, Maloney and Pourchaire complete the top ten. Neither Red Bull in the top ten - Sainz P11, Russell P17.

FP3: LEC NOR SAI
PIA P21

Leclerc quickest from Norris and Sainz in FP2, with Antonelli 4th and Pourchaire 5th. O'Ward takes 6th at home with Verstappen 7th and Bottas 8th. Russell and Bearman complete the top ten. Piastri P21, but he didn't have a clean run on Softs at the end.

Practice summary: Ferrari looking fastest, but McLaren, Red Bull and even Mercedes have shown pace over the weekend. Verstappen and Subaru might be getting into a better window, while Mexico's home hopes rely on O'Ward and Audi. Williams and Aston Martin have had moments, been a quiet weekend so far for Haas, Alpine and Andretti.

It is time to go qualifying here in Mexico! Round 3 and we are getting early signs for who's quick and who's not this weekend. Ferrari remain the team to beat, can the chasing pack catch up? And how will home heroes O'Ward and Pérez do this weekend?

OUT IN Q1: Maloney, Pérez, Tsunoda, Aron, Ricciardo, Herta
Bubble: Staněk
Top Five: LEC, PIA, RUS, NOR, VER

Traffic proving to be a huge problem in Q1, as Maloney, Herta and Bottas' laps were all compromised, with Bottas just making it through in P15 and the other two exiting in Q1. Tsunoda was also compromised and didn't get round to start another lap in time, so he's out while rookie Aron drops out as well as Ricciardo, and Pérez misses out on Q2 on home soil. Leclerc quickest from Piastri, then Russell, Norris and Verstappen.

OUT IN Q2: Pourchaire, Bottas, Gasly, Hadjar, Staněk, Colapinto
Bubble: Bearman
Top Five: LEC, PIA, SAI, VER, RUS

Pourchaire just misses out on Q3 due to a late lap by Antonelli, while Bottas and Gasly are the biggest names to miss out. Hadjar in 14th and Staněk continues to low key impress in 15th, with Colapinto 16th. Leclerc quickest again from Piastri, with Sainz, Verstappen and Russell following. O'Ward through to Q3 on home soil, Norris, Ocon and Bearman also go through.

Q3: Sainz, Russell, Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Ocon, Verstappen, Bearman, O'Ward, Antonelli

A somewhat surprising result as Sainz takes a second consecutive Pole, and Red Bull lock out the front row! Sainz on Pole with Russell joining him on the front row! Leclerc and Piastri must settle for third and fourth, while Norris was 5th and Ocon 6th. Verstappen takes 7th with former teammate Bearman 8th, while O'Ward will start his home race from 9th, and Antonelli rounds off the top ten.

2030 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

SAI RUS

LEC PIA

NOR OCO

VER BEA

OWA ANT

POU BOT

GAS HAD

STA COL

MAL PER

TSU ARO

RIC HER

Break for a bit, race in a bit!

[foggy locust]

It is time to go racing here in Mexico at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Round 3 of the 2030 Formula 1 World Championship and it stands alone this time, no North American triple header this year, as we go to Türkiye, then Canada, after this, so Mexico gets its own focus. 71 Laps of this 4.304km circuit await us, we are 2229m above sea level, so this should make for a unique challenge. Considered generally a 2 stop but the 1 stop is possible.

Both Andrettis on the back row of the grid, then it's Paul Aron down in P20 in his third start, Yuki Tsunoda begins only P19 today. Sergio Pérez starts his home race from 18th, Zane Maloney begins 17th, then it's Franco Colapinto and Pérez's teammate Roman Staněk on row eight. Isack Hadjar starts 14th with Pierre Gasly down in 13th, Valtteri Bottas and Théo Pourchaire line up just outside the points. Kimi Antonelli starts Tenth and it's a P9 start for Pato O'Ward on home soil, Ollie Bearman begins 8th and it's 7th for Max Verstappen. Esteban Ocon starts from 6th with Lando Norris 5th, then it's the two Ferraris. World Champion Oscar Piastri starts 4th, Charles Leclerc begins from 3rd, and Red Bull lock out the front row for the first time since Suzuka 2025, when it was Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso! George Russell starts on the front row for the second time this year, Carlos Sainz has his second Pole of the season, and second consecutive.

The cars round the circuit for the formation lap, but with the first Red Bull lockout of the front row in five years, can they convert that to a win? The two Ferraris loom large, Red Bull may have to work together on a circuit they crashed into each other on 12 months ago. This could be fascinating.

Let's race in Mexico!

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

Sainz gets away well but Russell is slow off the mark and Leclerc goes round him at the very start, Piastri ahead of Russell too!! Ocon fifth, ahead of Norris, Bearman then Verstappen, O'Ward and Antonelli

Replay shows Russell went through the grass and that was what allowed Piastri through!

LECLERC

(BON) "You and Charles are free to race. No team orders."

Lap 3 and Leclerc goes down the inside of Sainz!!! He's into the lead of the race!

(BOZ) "Let's get the pace up a little bit Charles. Build a gap to Sainz and Oscar."

Piastri and Sainz battling over P2, Leclerc not opening the gap up as he'd like due to the pure straight line speed of that Red Bull!!

(BOZ) "Gap 1.1, Charles. 1.1."

(LEC) "We are losing so much time on the last straight and in the first sector. So much time"

The Subarus working together! Verstappen and Pourchaire have both managed to negotiate Ocon for P5 and P6. Good teamwork from them!

Leclerc is picking up enough pace in sector 2 and the early part or sector 3 to build a gap enough to keep the lead here, said lead is getting obliterated in the first sector, but he picks it back up in the second and third. This is fascinating to watch.

Piastri has the DRS though and is able to keep pace with his teammate!! Piastri uses that DRS and now he has the lead!!

Positions have now reversed, Piastri is breaking away as Sainz is challenging Leclerc for P2, and Sainz takes position!!

Ocon has fought his way back to fourth! Russell in P5, then Bearman, Verstappen and Pourchaire!

Sainz is going for the lead and Carlos Sainz leads the Mexico City Grand Prix!!

Leclerc struggling for pace a lot here!! Ocon with a huge move to get ahead of the former Champion!

Piastri retakes the lead at the front! Is the fight here for the win between Piastri and Sainz now?

(BOZ) "How are the tyres?"

(LEC) "I am struggling so much on these tyres, so much."

(BOZ) "Copy, understood. We'll look into our plans here, get back to you as soon as possible."

PITSTOP: Pourchaire the first to pit today! He will rejoin in P20!

(BOZ) "Box, box. Box this lap. We are changing to Plan C."

(LEC) "Yeah, I agree, these tyres are done. Box"

PITSTOPS; Sainz is in from the lead, Leclerc follows him into the pitlane!! A 2.156 stop for Leclerc but it's not enough to get him out ahead of Sainz! Sainz rejoins P8, Leclerc P13 and in traffic and this isn't ideal for the Monegasque driver!!

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

(PIA) "Yeah, Box."

PITSTOPS: Piastri is in! The Mercs are also double stacking Bearman and Aron! Piastri onto Hards and it is a 2.035 stop, Piastri rejoins just behind Sainz!

Traffic proving very difficult for Leclerc who's stuck behind a Maloney versus Gasly battle!

PITSTOPS: He'll be freed up now as Hadjar, Maloney, Gasly and Tsunoda all pit!

Piastri having to deal with Bottas but gets back ahead of him, but that gap to Sainz is growing!

PITSTOP: Audi pitting O'Ward for the first time today! Mediums so the home hero will have to pit again! He's currently P13.

PITSTOPS: Pérez and Bottas pit. Bottas takes the Softs, Pérez onto the Hards. Could be a one stop for Pérez on home soil?

PITSTOPS: Seems like Ocon is trying the same, he pits for Hards on Lap 24. There is a long, long way to go, mind you.

Leclerc negotiates Antonelli and is into P6. He's four seconds behind Piastri, who's a further four behind Sainz.

PITSTOP: Russell comes in from P2 and you sense this is an undercut attempt on leader of the race Verstappen. Russell takes Softs, he's pitting again.

Verstappen leads, a position he's not found himself in for quite some time, and you sense Subaru are attempting the one stopper today. Can they make it work?

BOTTAS

Norris being chased down by Sainz for P2 here, Norris hasn't pit yet but he's on the Hards and has committed to going long.

Sainz gets DRS on the main straight, Norris is forced to yield and there's nothing the McLaren man can do about that one. These two have a history with each other, twice teammates, both with their current respective teams, and that was good clean racing from both.

Speaking of former teammates, Norris has another one to deal with in the form of Oscar Piastri. Piastri goes down the inside of Norris, and there wasn't really much the English driver could do to defend that. Piastri up to P3.

(PIA) "Sweet."

(BON) "And that's P3. Lovely move Oscar. Next car in front is Sainz, 6 seconds in front."

Sainz is going for the lead of the race and he takes it from Verstappen!!! That Red Bull is just so quick in the straights today!

No former teammate this time for Norris as it's Charles Leclerc now chasing him for 4th.

PITSTOP: Verstappen is in from P2!! He's onto the Hards and that'll likely be his one and only stop. Be rejoins in P10.

Leclerc down the inside of Norris, and he's up to P3!

OCON

Russell now ahead of Norris and into P4! Could Russell now be a podium threat?

Russell just lapped a second quicker than his race leading teammate Sainz!! He was about 6 tenths quicker than Leclerc who he is chasing for P3!

(BOZ) "We need some more pace here Charles, you can push"

(LEC) "Yeah, copy. Those Red Bulls are far too quick here though"

PITSTOPS: Second stops for Pourchaire and Antonelli, and that'll take them to the end.

PITSTOPS: Norris in for his sole stop! Bearman comes in too and Norris lost some time having to wait for the release due to Bearman entering the pits! Norris rejoins P13, Bearman P14

Sainz with a 5 second lead here. Back in 2028, he was leading this race here in Mexico when he crashed out of it. Last year, he crashed into his teammate early. The Red Bull driver looking for redemption today.

(BON) "Just use the tyres. Attack this window."

(PIA) "Copy."

PITSTOP: Russell is in! He's onto the Hard tyres and that will take him to the end of this race!

(BOZ) "Box opposite Red Bull. Box opposite Red Bull."

A fakeout attempt by Ferrari and did that get Red Bull to jump with Russell's pitstop?

PITSTOP: O'Ward in for the second time today, and the Audi onto the Hards. Can he get himself back in the points to delight his home fans?

(BOZ) "Box Charles, box"

(LEC) "And box this lap"

Teams orders at McLaren, as Norris, on the fresher tyres, gets the go ahead to overtake Gasly, and Gasly moves aside for his teammate.

PITSTOP: Leclerc in from P3! Mediums, and a 2.168 stop. Leclerc rejoins P6, just behind Russell.

(BON) "We are boxing this lap Oscar."

(PIA) "Yeah, happy to box here I think"

Ocon with a big overtake on Verstappen, and he's up to P3!!

PITSTOP: Piastri in from P2, and that was a superb 1.995 stop! Ferrari going for the undercut on Sainz and Red Bull, and he rejoins in P4, crucially ahead of Russell.

In the meantime, Piastri might have some DRS issues as both Russell and Leclerc are right behind him, and that might be music to the ears of race leader Carlos Sainz, as well as likely one stopper Max Verstappen!

Russell moves ahead of Piastri as that straight-line speed on the Red Bull is quite frankly frightening.

Leclerc goes for position and takes position from his teammate!!

LECLERC GETS RUSSELL!! That was a fantastic move from Leclerc!!

Leclerc now with a brilliant move to take P3 from Ocon, and Ocon runs across the kerb! A bit of bumper cars there, and he falls to P6, behind Russell and Piastri!

PITSTOP: Gasly in for his final stop, and he rejoins P16.

O'Ward locks up and goes through the grass, and that is anguish for the Mexican fans here!!

All eyes are on Carlos Sainz and a potential pitstop here.

Piastri gets Russell for P4!!

Russell takes the position back immediately however!

Sainz is staying out another lap!! Those tyres are struggling, and the more they struggle, the better chances the chasing pack have!

(BOZ) "Verstappen 1.3 ahead, 1.3. Sainz 4 seconds ahead, we believe he will stop again though."

(LEC) "Okay."

Just like 2024-2026. Leclerc with a lovely move to take position over Verstappen, he's into P2!!

Verstappen isn't giving up without a fight though! LECLERC AND VERSTAPPEN WHEEL TO WHEEL, LECLERC JUST HOLDS HIM OFF, VERSTAPPEN'S GOING FOR IT AGAIN, WHEEL TO WHEEL AGAIN AND AGAIN LECLERC PULLS THROUGH BUT THEN VERSTAPPEN GETS THE MOVE DONE!!! WOW!

(LEC) "That was pretty good, Max"

Sainz is really, really struggling on those tyres!! Verstappen is going for the lead and he takes it!! Leclerc up to P2 ahead of Sainz, Russell into P3, Piastri now P4! Red Bull have COMPLETELY blown this race for Carlos Sainz!

Leclerc wants the lead back and he takes it back!!! We now, of all things, have Leclerc versus Verstappen for the lead, but don't count out Piastri or Russell!!!

PITSTOP: Sainz finally pits and takes on Mediums. About seven laps too late, and if you're doing that, why not go for the Softs? Completely bizarre strategy from Red Bull! He rejoins P8!

Tsunoda with a lock-up, but he avoids the barrier!

Leclerc leads and Piastri takes DRS and goes ahead of Verstappen!! We are back to the Ferrari 1-2, and you have to say Red Bull have absolutely handed this one to Ferrari!

Russell with the overtake on Verstappen for 3rd!

Piastri goes down the inside of Leclerc and he leads!!

Pourchaire spins off while overtaking Ocon!!! He drops down to P9!!

PITSTOP: Ocon makes a late stop, and has a delay into the bargain. Good lord, Haas. Sack the Sporting Director.

LECLERC WITH THE OVERTAKE ON PIASTRI!!! Remember there is very much a title fight between these two, even though it is early in the year!

Sainz back to 5th as he overtakes Norris. What could've been today for Carlos.

SAINZ

Piastri regains the lead! Can he make this count now?

Leclerc and Piastri wheel to wheel again and Leclerc retakes position from his teammate with 5 laps left!

Colapinto trying to fend off Bottas and O'Ward for what would be the first point of the season for Haas.

O'Ward spins off and that'll likely cost him any chance of home points today! A heartbreaker for the Mexican driver, and for Audi.

OH MY GOD. RUSSELL HAS JUST BEEN CRASHED INTO BY PAUL ARON, WHO WAS TRYING TO UNLAP HIMSELF. I have absolutely no idea what the Estonian driver was playing at, but the Mercedes has given their former driver major damage to the car!!!

CAR 71 (ARON) - CAUSING A COLLISION WITH CAR 63 (RUSSELL)

PIASTRI RETAKES THE LEAD FROM LECLERC!!! Can he now build enough of a gap to win this race?

PIASTRI RETAKES THE LEAD FROM LECLERC!!! Can he now build enough of a gap to win this race?

LAST LAP

Sainz overtakes Verstappen for P4! It's damage limitation but he won't be happy with how today has gone, a race he looked like he was going to win.

One man who will be happy with it is Oscar Piastri, WHO IS NOW STORMING AWAY FROM LECLERC, HE'S BUILT A MASSIVE GAP AT THE END, HE RUNS AWAY WITH IT AT THE END, OSCAR PIASTRI HAS WON THE MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX!!!

(BON) "And that's P1 mate, P1. Incredible job, fantastic, Oscar! Well done mate!"

(PIA) "Wooo! Very nicely done, everyone! Yeah, uh, that was really nice, the pace was good. Didn't think we had that but I guess we can thank Red Bull for the strategy, haha! Ah, asides, yeah, happy. Very very happy. Thank you everyone, very nicely done."

(BON) "Fantastic job. Well deserved win, and Driver of the Day too."

Leclerc home in P2, and surprisingly it's a Ferrari 1-2 on a day where Red Bull looked to have the pace advantage on them!

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

(LEC) "I gave it all. So I'm happy with that result, yeah. Car was good, I think we struggled against the Red Bulls, we got lucky a bit, but we will take that. All day we will take that. Let's keep pushing."

(BOZ) "Long season to go, let's keep pushing. Good job."

Red Bull 3-4, Russell ahead of Sainz, Verstappen 5th, then Norris, Bearman, Ocon gets Haas' first points of the season, Pourchaire and Antonelli round off the points!

2030 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 1.36.06
2. Charles Leclerc +4.149
3. George Russell +18.431
4. Carlos Sainz +20.720
5. Max Verstappen +24.440
6. Lando Norris +40.535
7. Oliver Bearman +45.836
8. Esteban Ocon +54.619
9. Théo Pourchaire +59.642
10. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +60.382
11. Franco Colapinto +62.094
12. Valtteri Bottas +62.476
13. Pierre Gasly +62.756
14. Pato O'Ward +69.861
15. Zane Maloney +78.042
16. Sergio Pérez +1 lap
17. Yuki Tsunoda +1 lap
18. Isack Hadjar +1 lap
19. Paul Aron +1 lap +5s
20. Roman Staněk +1 lap
21. Colton Herta +1 lap
22. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap

Carlos Sainz 1.16.714
George Russell 1.895s
Oscar Piastri

DRIVER OF THE DAY: OSCAR PIASTRI

A fantastic drive from the World Champion, who was in the right position to pick up the pieces from Red Bull's strategy error and take his second win of the season from P4 on the grid. Oscar Piastri, Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Piastri, Sainz, Leclerc, Vedstappen, Pourchaire

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 69
🇲🇨 Leclerc 61
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 42
🇪🇸 Sainz 29
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 23
🇳🇱 Verstappen 20
🇮🇹 Antonelli 13
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 10
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 9
🇫🇷 Gasly 8
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 8
🇲🇽 O'Ward 8
🇫🇷 Ocon 4
🇪🇪 Aron 1
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇫🇮 Bottas 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0
🇨🇿 Staněk 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇺🇸 Herta 0

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇮🇹 Ferrari 130
🇦🇹 Red Bull-Ford 71
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 McLaren-Mercedes 31
🇯🇵 Subaru-Honda 28
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Williams-Ferrari 13
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Aston Martin-Honda 10
🇩🇪 Mercedes 10
🇩🇪 Audi 8
🇺🇸 Haas-Ferrari 4
🇫🇷 Alpine-Mercedes 0
🇺🇸 Andretti-Ford 0

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 189
Goodyear 98
Pirelli 18

2030 DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION

Red Bull 91
Subaru 60
McLaren 50
Ferrari 35
Audi 20
Alpine 14
Mercedes 13
Aston Martin 10
Williams 8
Andretti 2
Haas 0

MEXICO CITY F1 ACADEMY
Pole Position: Maya Weug (2)

RACE 1:
Poppy Rymill (10)
Aurelia Nobels (8)
Sophia Flörsch (6)
Maya Weug (5)
Katherine Maskell (4)
Chloe Chambers (3)
Emily de Heus (2)
Lena Bühler (1)

Fastest Lap: Aurelia Nobels (1)

RACE 2:

Maya Weug (25)
Aurelia Nobels (18)
Tina Hausmann (15)
Emily de Heus (12)
Lena Bühler (10)
Sophia Flörsch (8)
Katherine Maskell (6)
Chloe Chambers (4)
Poppy Rymill (2)
Marcia Lopes (1)

Fastest Lap: Maya Weug (1)

2030 F1 ACADEMY TABLE

🇳🇱 Weug 33
🇧🇷 Nobels 27
🇨🇭 Hausmann 15
🇳🇱 de Heus 14
🇩🇪 Flörsch 14
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Rymill 12
🇨🇭 Bühler 11
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Maskell 10
🇺🇸 Chambers 7
🇧🇷 Lopes 1
🇨🇳 Suyin 0
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Edgar 0
🇵🇭 Bustamante 0
🇩🇪 Schreiner 0
🇨🇭 🇩🇪 Berger 0

FIA ANNOUNCE MINOR TECHNICAL CHANGES FOR 2031

It is another mild regulations change for 2031, as the team's coted for Chassis-Focused Changes over a Chassis Overhaul for next year.

This means that the 2031 cars will have a 30% drag reduction and airflow reduction on the 2030 cars, while the sidepods will have 10% reduced on front and middle airflow and drag reduction.

This vote passed by a narrow 6-5 vote between the teams.

Chassis-Focused Changes: Alpine, Andretti, Aston Martin, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull
Chassis Overhaul: Audi, Haas, Mercedes, Subaru, Williams

[frail flower]

How do you do the F1 Academy?

[foggy locust]

Randomise it. Got a random generator but I put extra names in based on form, rating etc

Mentality is taken into account as well

[foggy locust]

Been on a bit of a pause lately as I've been dealing with some busy life stuff and other things, but we will be back soon to continue this save! Thanks to everyone for the ongoing support!

[foggy locust]

2030 TURKISH GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

Round 4 of the 2030 Formula 1 season, and we head to another returning circuit, Istanbul Park in Türkiye. With defending Champion Oscar Piastri taking his second win of the season, what will the first Türkish Grand Prix in nine years bring us?

ROUND 4:
TURKISH GRAND PRIX
Istanbul Park, Tuzla, Istanbul, Türkiye
April 12 - 14, 2030
Length: 5.338km
Turns: 14
Laps: 58
Support Events: F1 Academy

LAST TIME AROUND

Another race, another Ferrari 1-2 in Mexico City. However, that wasn't the main story of this race, as Red Bull had the quickest car of the weekend, and it looked like Carlos Sainz was on for Red Bull's first win since Belgium 2028, until poor strategy cost him and the Austrian team victory, as they left him out them too long on the Hard tyres on his second stint, and he ended up P4, albeit with the fastest lap, but for the longest time looked on to win the race. Piastri took the win with Charles Leclerc finishing second, and George Russell on the podium ahead of his teammate. Sainz passed Max Verstappen for fourth, meaning Verstappen ended up P5, having also spent time at the front on a one stopper. Norris took sixth with Bearman seventh, Ocon got Haas their first points of the year in P8, Pourchaire and Antonelli completed the points.

THE CIRCUIT

We go to the Istanbul Park circuit for the tenth time in Formula 1, and first time in nine years. Having opened in 2005, we raced here between 2005 and 2011, and after a long break, it was drafted back in to fill the gap due to COVID cancellations elsewhere in 2020 and 2021, but after nine years away, it's now back on the calendar in its own right. A Hermann Tilke designed circuit, clocking in at 5.338 km and 14 turns, including the very intriguing first corner, known as “the Turkish Corkscrew”, due to the similarity to Laguna Seca's famous corner. Turn 8 is the most prolific corner however, which is taken for 12% of the lap and at high speed with several apexs. The circuit is very tough on tyres and is almost certainly a two stopper, some teams may even try a three stopper around here. This circuit is most known for being the circuit that Lewis Hamilton clinched his record tying seventh World Title in 2020, a record he would go on to break in 2026.

STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

CAN RED BULL PUSH FERRARI AGAIN THIS WEEKEND?

We are only three weekends into the 2030 Formula 1 season, and so far, Ferrari have taken three wins and three 1-2s, continuing their dominance from the 2029 season. However, it wasn't as simple as that at Mexico City, as for long stretches of last weekend, it looked like Red Bull were going to take their first victory since Belgium 2028, however a poor strategy choice from the Austrian team denied them that victory, and Ferrari picked up the pieces. The positives for Red Bull though was that the race pace and the qualifying pace were indeed there, and there is potential for that again in Türkiye this coming weekend. But can Red Bull capitalise on that pace and provide Ferrari another stern challenge for the win, and this time around, get their strategy right to allow them to do so?

ON CIRCUIT WHERE HAMILTON CAPTURED HIS SEVENTH, WHAT CAN MERCEDES DO?

It's been an interesting start to the 2030 season for Mercedes so far. Oliver Bearman has been consistent in the first three races, finishing P9 in Australia, P10 in Malaysia and P7 in Mexico City. However after an opening day point on debut for Paul Aron, he crashed out of the race in Malaysia, and crashed into George Russell late in the day in Mexico, as Russell was lapping him. It's not been the easiest start to life in F1 for the Estonian, and he looks to recover from two very difficult races. However, rookie mistakes will happen and he will get some leeway from the team, but being on a one year deal puts the pressure on him. Mercedes have won the last two Turkish Grand Prix races, with Lewis Hamilton famously taking his record tying seventh World Title here in 2020 and Valtteri Bottas winning here in 2021, but that was almost a decade ago. Nobody expects a win, but double points would be a good result for Mercedes this weekend.

BOTTAS AND ASTON MARTIN LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK FROM TOUGH START

Speaking of Bottas, the Finn and current team Aston Martin have gotten off to a bad start. Last year's runners-up in the Constructors Championship have scored just once in three races so far - Yuki Tsunoda picking up P5 in Melbourne - and Bottas himself has yet to get on the board for this season. It has been an auspicious start for the British Racing Green, and with the team harbouring potential title challenging ambitions, one that they will look to put right almost immediately, starting in Türkiye. As mentioned above, Valtteri Bottas was the last driver to win an F1 race in Türkiye ahead of this weekend, and that would be the spark Aston very much needs to get their season going. We've seen teams bounce back from tough starts - Red Bull in 2022 a very famous one - but do Aston have the car to challenge at the front? Remains to be seen.

And so to Türkiye for Round 4 of the 2030 Formula 1 World Championship. With already a lot to play for, no rain, and a circuit returning to the calendar, this is one you will not want to miss.

FP1 Reserves: Patricia (Gasly), Grant (Sainz), Araya (Antonelli), Vesti (Herta), Martins (Verstappen)

FP1: PIA LEC NOR

Piastri quickest in the early session here in Istanbul, ahead of Leclerc and Norris. Russell takes fourth with Colapinto fifth, then Bearman and Ocon. Pourchaire, Aron and O'Ward complete the top ten.

FP2: VER POU PIA
LEC P6

A somewhat surprising 1-2 for Subaru to round off Friday here in Türkiye. Verstappen quickest with Pourchaire second, with Piastri in third. O'Ward fourth and Bearman fifth, Leclerc down in sixth. Tsunoda, Gasly, Ocon and Norris in the top ten as well.

FP3: PIA LEC OCO

Piastri quickest in FP3 ahead of Leclerc, with Ocon third. Pourchaire took fourth with Norris fifth, Russell and Sainz sixth and seventh, and Verstappen eighth. Bearman ninth, Maloney tenth.

Welcome to Istanbul and for the first time in nine years, we have Formula 1 racing in the nation of Türkiye. Saturday qualifying begins and we've had some success from the likes of Subaru, McLaren and Haas, but Ferrari still look like the team to beat. What will happen here for qualifying? This could be very, very intriguing.

OUT IN Q1: Tsunoda, Staněk, Hadjar, Herta, Ricciardo, Pérez
Bubble: Bearman
Top Five: RUS, PIA, SAI, LEC, POU

Yuki Tsunoda and Aston Martin's poor start to the season continued as he drops out in Q1 for the second weekend in a row. Isack Hadjar out in Q1 for the first time this season, as both Alpines and both Andrettis also exit in the first session. Russell quickest from Piastri, then Sainz and Leclerc.

OUT IN Q2: Aron, Colapinto, Bearman, Bottas, Gasly, Verstappen
Bubble: Maloney
Top Five: LEC, SAI, RUS, PIA, ANT

Zane Maloney put together a late lap to deny Paul Aron a first career Q3, while Mercedes will have neither driver through as Bearman ended up 13th, with Colapinto splitting them. Verstappen the shock exit down in 16th, Bottas and Aston continue to struggle in 14th, Gasly out in 15th. Leclerc quickest from Sainz and Russell, then Piastri and Antonelli. Pourchaire, O'Ward, Norris and Ocon all through to Q3.

Q3: Sainz, Piastri, Leclerc, Norris, Russell, O'Ward, Antonelli, Pourchaire, Ocon, Maloney

Carlos Sainz snatches Pole away from Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, taking his third consecutive Pole this season. Piastri and Leclerc had to settle for 2nd and 3rd, with Norris ahead of Russell for 4th and 5th. O'Ward takes 6th with Antonelli 7th, Pourchaire 8th, Ocon 9th and Maloney rounding off the top ten.

2030 TURKISH GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

SAI PIA

LEC NOR

RUS OWA

ANT POU

OCO MAL

ARO COL

BEA BOT

GAS VER

TSU STA

HAD HER

RIC PER

Taking a break, back in about an hour for the race!!

[foggy locust]

Well, it's been a while, hasn't it? 9 years since we last touched down in Türkiye, we go racing at this wonderful Istanbul Park, back on the calendar at long last. 58 laps of this 5.338km circuit await us, 14 turns, 2 DRS Zones, and whether it's the run down to the Turkish Corkscrew or the prolific turn 8, this is a welcome return for Istanbul Park. Lewis Hamilton won his seventh World Championship here back in 2020, what awaits us today?

Sergio Pérez starts at the very back alongside Daniel Ricciardo, Colton Herta and Isack Hadjar find themselves on row ten, Roman Staněk starts his fourth race in F1 18th and Yuki Tsunoda is down in 17th. Max Verstappen just 16th today and Pierre Gasly begins from 15th, Valtteri Bottas, who won the last race held here back in 2021 and started on Pole, starts just 14th today, with Ollie Bearman 13th. It's Franco Colapinto 12th and Paul Aron just misses out on the top ten, Zane Maloney starts 10th and Esteban Ocon lines up 9th. Théo Pourchaire and Kimi Antonelli start on row four, then it's Pato O'Ward 6th and 5th for George Russell. Lando Norris lines up 4th with Charles Leclerc 3rd, his highest ever start in Türkiye, while Championship leader Oscar Piastri starts second, and Carlos Sainz has his third straight Pole, but he's yet to take a win from Pole this season. Is today the day?

The cars are heading round the formation lap as we prepare to get going here in Türkiye.

One light. Two, three, four, five...

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO!

Sainz is away well, Leclerc has gotten ahead of Piastri at the start, Russell moves ahead of Norris, O'Ward up to sixth with Antonelli now seventh, then Pourchaire, Ocon and Aron as your top ten!

Leclerc goes storming down the inside of Sainz to take the lead of this race on the first lap!

LECLERC

(LEC) "Tyres are getting very hot very quickly here"

(BOZ) "Copy. Cool them best you can."

Perez and Herta make contact!!! Looks like Pérez made a mistake and Herta went into the back of him!!

:FIA: CAR 26 (HERTA)

Colton Herta is the one found responsible, and he gets a five second penalty.

PITSTOP: Pérez into the pitlane to get a new set of tyres. Previous ones were wrecked a bit there.

Piastri moves up ahead of Sainz into second!

Piastri wants the lead though and he overtakes Leclerc for P1!!!

Sainz moves ahead of Leclerc for second!

Antonelli ahead of O'Ward, who is then caught napping and overtaken by Ocon!

(BON) "This is awesome work, Oscar. Increase that gap now."

Lap 8: Piastri, Sainz, Leclerc, Russell, Norris, Antonelli, Ocon, O'Ward, Bearman, Pourchaire, Aron, Maloney, Gasly, Colapinto, Verstappen, Bottas, Tsunoda, Hadjar, Staněk, Herta , Pérez

Norris retakes fourth from Russell!!

Leclerc with a lovely overtake on Sainz to take P2 back!

Leclerc having to defend Sainz, which is giving Piastri ample opportunity to break away with the lead!

Pourchaire moves up ahead of Bearman and into P9.

Herta runs very wide! Rough start to the day for him, with that penalty in mind as well.

Lap 12, and Piastri is now 1.8 ahead of Leclerc and Sainz, who continue to battle for that second spot.

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

(BOZ) "2.9, 2.9."

(LEC) "I can't seem to shake Carlos here"

(BON) "Just let us know what you think about these tyres."

(PIA) "Feel okay so far. Little bit of deg though."

Leclerc has broken DRS of Sainz, but only briefly, as Sainz puts himself back in range. Can Charles catch Oscar for the lead though?

Sainz now finds himself under pressure from Norris! This might be the opportunity for the Ferrari to break away!

(BOZ) "Free from Sainz. You can push now."

PITSTOP: Williams bring Antonelli in! The first stop of the day that didn't involve a crash, Williams are actually double stacking as Hadjar also comes in! Both drivers onto the Hards.

Norris gets the overtake done on Sainz! Russell is fancying his chances of grabbing position as well now and he moves ahead of Sainz too!

PITSTOPS: Sainz, O'Ward, Ocon and Aron all in. Maloney too. Sainz onto the Mediums and he'll hope to undercut the Ferraris here.

Russell reclaims third from Norris!

There's been some pitstops but Verstappen is currently running P5, having started 16th.

PITSTOP: Russell in! He's opted for the Hards and is heading back out onto track in P6 - crucially, ahead of Sainz.

Lap 21: Piastri, Leclerc, Norris, Verstappen, Colapinto, Russell, Antonelli, Gasly, Sainz, Ocon, O'Ward, Tsunoda, Bearman, Pourchaire, Aron, Hadjar, Bottas, Maloney, Ricciardo, Staněk, Pérez, Herta

(BOZ) "Box, box this lap"

(LEC) "Copy box"

Both Ferraris have just lapped Pérez. It's Lap 21.

Staněk goes for the overtake on Ricciardo...STANĚK HITS RICCIARDO AS HE OVERTAKES HIM!!! That's both Alpines and both Andrettis having collided with each other today. Wow.

PITSTOPS: Leclerc in from P2 on Lap 22! A 2.229 stop and he rejoins on Hards. Norris stops behind him and he's onto the Softs.

CAR 25 (STANĚK) - CAUSING A COLLISION WITH CAR 3 (RICCIARDO)

Staněk lands himself a penalty for that incident.

PITSTOP: Speaking of penalties, Herta comes in to take his. He rejoins P22 and last.

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

(PIA) "Yeah, okay. Boxing this lap"

IT IS A VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR!!!

It's another disaster for Mercedes rookie Paul Aron, who slides off into the barrier. He's thankfully okay, but he will have his second DNF in four races.

PITSTOPS: What a break for Oscar Piastri though, who will pit for free on this lap and keep a comfortable advantage over teammate Charles Leclerc as a result. Piastri in, and onto the Hards, a 2.237 stop. He re-emerges 10 seconds up on Leclerc! Colapinto and Tsunoda also take the free stop, Colapinto rejoins P12. Tsunoda down in P17.

We are racing again on Lap 23!

Gasly locks up the tyres and loses a couple of spots to Maloney and Bottas!

PITSTOP: Verstappen pits, he tried to get in under the VSC but the flag went green, and he's clearly not too pleased with his team for not pitting him a lap earlier!

Lap 25: Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, Sainz, Norris, Antonelli, O'Ward, Ocon, Bearman, Pourchaire, Colapinto, Hadjar, Verstappen, Maloney, Bottas, Gasly, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Staněk, Herta, Pérez. Aron out of the race.

Leclerc finds himself under pressure from Russell and Norris!!! Russell has DRS and gets the move done, and Norris also overtakes Leclerc!!

(LEC) "Struggling a lot for pace on these tyres"

Russell gets the overtake done on Norris for P2!!

(BON) "So you can pick up the pace here"

Leclerc with a fantastic overtake to get past Norris for P3, but Norris comes back at him and takes it back!

Norris ahead of Russell and into P2!!

PITSTOPS: Norris and Sainz in! Norris onto Mediums, Sainz onto the Hards. Norris rejoins P6, Sainz in P12.

Leclerc gets the overtake done on Russell and he's back into P2!

PITSTOP: Russell however pulls into the pitlane! He's onto the Mediums and that'll be him till the end of the race! Russell rejoins in P8, just behind Verstappen and Bearman.

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

PITSTOPS: Antonelli comes in! He's onto the Mediums and rejoins P11. Williams again double stack with Hadjar also coming in and he rejoins P16.

(BOZ) "Box this lap Charles."

(LEC) "Yeah, box."

PITSTOPS: Leclerc in! A 1.955 stop, that was incredible by the Ferrari pitcrew! He takes the Softs and rejoins in P4. Pourchaire meanwhile has a several second delay on his stop!!! He rejoins P13.

(BON) "And box this lap Oscar, please."

(PIA) "Yeah, box."

PITSTOPS: Piastri in for Softs, a 2.104 stop for him this time! He rejoins with a comfortable lead of 7.3 seconds. Staněk finally takes his penalty, and rejoins P19.

PITSTOPS: Verstappen in from P5! He's also taking the Softs. Colapinto follows in not long after. Verstappen now P10, Colapinto rejoins P13.

Leclerc gets the overtake done on Russell and Russell didn't have much of a defence, but he may well come back at the Ferrari driver with DRS, which he does, but Leclerc fends him off! Leclerc up to P3!

TSUNODA SPINS OFF!! He's able to recover the car but he drops from P12 to P14! An awful start to the season for Aston Martin continues!

It's gotten even worse as Tsunoda is off big time at the infamous Turn 8!!! He drops all the way to P17, and was lucky to avoid the barrier!

Leclerc gets Norris going towards the Turkish Corkscrew, and gets the move done! He's back to P2!

Lap 51: Piastri, Leclerc, Norris, Russell, Sainz, Ocon, O'Ward, Antonelli, Bearman, Verstappen, Pourchaire, Hadjar, Colapinto, Gasly, Maloney, Bottas, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Staněk, Herta, Pérez

Russell takes P3 from Norris!!

Two Laps remaining, and Oscar Piastri is set for Ferrari's first victory in Türkiye since Felipe Massa won here in 2008.

(BOZ) "Bring the pace down a bit. You're 6 clear of Russell. Just get the car home."

(LEC) "Copy."

LAST LAP

It's been over as a contest since he got the free pitstop under the VSC but it has been sheer dominance from Oscar Piastri who looks set to win his third race of four so far this season, the defending Champion is off the perfect start in his title defence, as he rounds the final corner, OSCAR PIASTRI WINS THE TURKISH GRAND PRIX!!!

(BON) "That's the chequered flag, Oscar, P1. Absolutely just first class. Fantastic drive. Well done today!"

(PIA) "Very nicely done, everyone! Yeah, that was good. Car was fantastic, very quick again. Thank you very much, everybody. Good job today. Wooo!"

(BON) "Amazing drive once more."

A comfortable 1-2 for Ferrari again. Four from four this season as Charles Leclerc comes home second!

(BOZ) "And that was the chequered flag, so P2, Charles. P2. Good job today."

(LEC) "Yeah, that was a race that, yeah, I enjoyed it so much. Bit unlucky with the timing of the VSC, but yeah. We'll go again and we'll keep pushing."

(BOZ) "Good job, still early days this year. Still a lot to play for."

RUSSELL

Russell P3, Norris P4, Sainz P5, Ocon P6!! Verstappen with a hell of a comeback for P7, Antonelli P8, O'Ward P9, Bearman P10.

2030 TÜRKISH GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 1.31.07
2. Charles Leclerc +23.164
3. George Russell +30.861
4. Lando Norris +36.388
5. Carlos Sainz +44.240
6. Esteban Ocon +52.084
7. Max Verstappen +55.338
8. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +59.737
9. Pato O'Ward +60.152
10. Oliver Bearman +65.258
11. Théo Pourchaire +76.488
12. Franco Colapinto +79.046
13. Isack Hadjar +90.182
14. Pierre Gasly +1 lap
15. Valtteri Bottas +1 lap
16. Zane Maloney +1 lap
17. Yuki Tsunoda +1 lap
18. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
19. Roman Staněk!+1 lap
20. Colton Herta +2 laps
21. Sergio Pérez +2 laps
22. Paul Aron DNF

George Russell 1.30.937
Charles Leclerc 1.955s
Max Verstappen

DRIVER OF THE DAY: MAX VERSTAPPEN

Max Verstappen recovered well after a difficult qualifying in Turkiye to bounce back and take P7, having started P16 on the grid. Not where he wants to be, but still a fantastic recovery for Verstappen, DOTD.

Top Five: Verstappen, Ocon, Piastri, Leclerc, Russell

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 94
🇲🇨 Leclerc 79
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 58
🇪🇸 Sainz 39
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 35
🇳🇱 Verstappen 26
🇮🇹 Antonelli 17
🇫🇷 Ocon 12
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 10
🇲🇽 O'Ward 10
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 10
🇫🇷 Gasly 8
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 8
🇪🇪 Aron 1
🇦🇷 Colapinto 0
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇫🇮 Bottas 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0
🇨🇿 Staněk 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇺🇸 Herta 0

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇮🇹 Ferrari 173
🇦🇹 Red Bull-Ford 97
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 McLaren-Mercedes 43
🇯🇵 Subaru-Honda 34
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Williams-Ferrari 17
🇺🇸 Haas-Ferrari 12
🇩🇪 Mercedes 11
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Aston Martin-Honda 10
🇩🇪 Audi 10
🇫🇷 Alpine-Mercedes 0
🇺🇸 Andretti-Ford 0

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 250
Goodyear 137
Pirelli 20

2030 DHL FASTEST PITSTOP COMPETITION

Red Bull 91
McLaren 76
Ferrari 62
Subaru 61
Mercedes 32
Audi 30
Aston Martin 22
Alpine 14
Williams 14
Andretti 2
Haas 0

TÜRKIYE F1 ACADEMY
Pole Position: Tina Hausmann (2)

RACE 1:

1. Emily de Heus (10)
2. Aurelia Nobels (8)
3. Maya Weug (6)
4. Bianca Bustamante (5)
5. Sophia Flörsch (4)
6. Poppy Rymill (3)
7. Jessica Edgar (2)
8. Marcia Lopes (1)

Fastest Lap: Aurelia Nobels (1)

RACE 2:

1. Poppy Rymill (25)
2. Aurelia Nobels (18)
3. Tina Hausmann (15)
4. Maya Weug (12)
5. Sophia Flörsch (10)
6. Jessica Edgar (8)
7. Jia Suyin (6)
8. Lena Bühler (4)
9. Bianca Bustamante (2)
10. Chloe Chambers (1)

Fastest Lap: Chloe Chambers (1)

2030 F1 ACADEMY TABLE

🇧🇷 Nobels 54
🇳🇱 Weug 51
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Rymill 40
🇨🇭 Hausmann 32
🇩🇪 Flörsch 28
🇳🇱 de Heus 24
🇨🇭 Bühler 15
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Edgar 10
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Maskell 10
🇺🇸 Chambers 9
🇵🇭 Bustamante 7
🇨🇳 Suyin 6
🇧🇷 Lopes 2
🇩🇪 Schreiner 0
🇨🇭 🇩🇪 Berger 0

[foggy locust]

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?

ROUND 5:
CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Notre Dame Island, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
April 26 - 28, 2030
Length: 4.361km
Turns: 14
Laps: 70
Support Events: F1 Sprint Weekend, F2

LAST TIME AROUND

It was a comfortable victory for Oscar Piastri in the first Turkish Grand Prix in nine years, as he led teammate Charles Leclerc home by 22 seconds after getting the benefit of a Virtual Safety Car caused by the crash of Mercedes’ Paul Aron. Piastri coasted to his third win of the season to open up a 15 point gap in the Championship. George Russell beat out Lando Norris to the podium, with Carlos Sainz, who took a third consecutive Pole, struggling for race pace and ending up fifth. Esteban Ocon was sixth with Max Verstappen recovering from a poor qualifying and a P16 start to take P7. Kimi Antonelli, Pato O'Ward and Oliver Bearman rounded off the points.

THE CIRCUIT

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a 4.361 km circuit located on the Notre Dame Island in the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal, Quebec. Immediately east to Saint Helen's Island, 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, 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 known for the numerous invasions of the local Groundhogs, and the Wall of Champions, which earned its name after the 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 Oscar Piastri, and former World Champions Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and Charles Leclerc have all fallen victim to the wall before. With a Sprint Weekend incoming, “Chaos in Canada” may be abound once more.

STORYLINES WE ARE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND

THE CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT ALREADY BALANCED TOWARDS PIASTRI?

Defending Champion Oscar Piastri is off to a very strong start this season, having won three of the four races so far this season, starting off with a home victory in Melbourne and adding victories in the last two rounds in Mexico City and Istanbul. He has a 15 point advantage over teammate Charles Leclerc, who has the other win of the season - Sepang - and is already 36 points on Red Bull's George Russell, who has joined the two Ferrari lads on three of the four podiums thus far this season, with Lando Norris finishing third in Melbourne. So, will we be down to a Ferrari exclusive title fight again this year, or can any other challengers step up and take the fight to the Scuderia? It's been over a year and a half since any team not named Ferrari won a race - Red Bull and Carlos Sainz back at the Sao Paulo Sprint in 2028, while Max Verstappen won Saudi Arabia for Subaru in 2028, the last win on a Sunday not from Ferrari - and if a title challenge is to happen for anyone not named Oscar Piastri or Charles Leclerc, that fact needs to change.

But it will be a hard task - Ferrari enter this weekend as favourites, and bring a new front wing as their first major upgrade of the season. Can anyone challenge the Scuderia this weekend, and will Leclerc push Piastri for the win?

ASTON'S SLOW START BECOMING A MAJOR PROBLEM

Aston Martin have struggled in the early going of the 2030 season. Last year's runners-up in the Constructors Championship have a single points finish to their name in the first four races - a P5 for Yuki Tsunoda in Australia - while Valtteri Bottas, who finished third in the 2029 Drivers Championship, has yet to score a single point this season, having crashed out at Melbourne and finished outside the points in the other three races. It has been a dismal opening for a team who were hoping to push forward to compete for a Championship, but Aston remain confident that they can pick it up. They are bringing upgrades this weekend with the hopes that the car will be suited to the low speed cornering of Montreal. This is a team that badly needs a result this weekend, but can they get it?

INTRIGUING BATTLE IN THE MIDFIELD

Speaking of which, there is currently 7 points separating Williams in fifth from Audi in ninth after the first four races, with Haas, Mercedes and the aforementioned Aston Martin in between. With the Sprint and the rain coming this weekend, this could be a big opportunity for some of the midfield teams to grab some much needed points and boost some separation in the pack. Williams have benefited from Andrea Kimi Antonelli making a step forward, while the likes of Audi are quietly going about their business with Pato O'Ward performing well.

Mercedes have seen one driver flourish and one struggle - Oliver Bearman has had a good start to the year, but rookie Paul Aron has crashed out in two of the four races and remains under pressure, while Haas have once again relied on Esteban Ocon's strong reliability in the midfield. With chaos likely to ensue in Canada, this could be a big weekend for the midfield.

And so to Canada. The Sprint Weekend and the rain should make for a very entertaining weekend. One thing's for sure - you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Grant (Russell), Lindblad (Sainz), Araya (Hadjar), O'Sullivan (O'Ward), Martins (Verstappen)

A few teams running reserves despite this being the only practice of the weekend. Red Bull opting for both Grant and Lindblad in place of Sainz and Russell, while Williams, Audi and Subaru give experience to one driver only.

FP1: LEC PIA POU

Leclerc quickest from Piastri in Friday's only practice session ahead of Sprint Qualifying, with Pourchaire third. Antonelli took fourth ahead of Audi reserve O'Sullivan and Red Bull junior Grant. Tsunoda P7 with Bearman 8th, Gasly 9th and Bottas 10th.

It is time for qualifying for the Sprint, the Sprint Shootout is about to begin! Who will take Pole for the first Sprint of the season? Ferrari looked quickest in practice, but there's been some promise from Subaru as well as Williams. Red Bull and McLaren have some work to do, but who will get that Pole?

OUT IN SQ1: Pérez, Aron, Tsunoda, Staněk, Gasly, Ricciardo
Bubble: Herta
Top Five: LEC, PIA, SAI, RUS, VER

Alpine lose both drivers and four other teams lose one, with Gasly being the biggest shocker. Aron out again in SQ1, Tsunoda's poor start to the year continues, and Ricciardo ends up last with Herta just making SQ2. Leclerc quickest from Piastri, then Sainz, Russell and Verstappen.

OUT IN SQ2: Bottas, Herta, Bearman, Maloney, Antonelli, Ocon
Bubble: Hadjar
Top Five: RUS, LEC, NOR, COL, VER
PIA P7

Bottas just misses out ON SQ3, as one driver from six teams exit. Herta takes an impressive P12, with Bearman, Maloney, Antonelli and Ocon all out in SQ2. Russell quickest from Leclerc, followed by Norris, Ocon and Verstappen. Pourchaire next with Piastri 7th, and O'Ward, Sainz and Hadjar complete SQ3's lineup.

SQ3: Leclerc, Sainz, Hadjar, Verstappen, Russell, Piastri, Colapinto, Norris, Pourchaire, O'Ward

Leclerc takes his first Pole of any kind this season for Saturday's Sprint, as he beats out Sainz by three tenths with a phenomenal lap. Hadjar takes an incredible P3 for Williams with Verstappen Fourth, and Russell fifth. Defending World Champion Piastri has to settle for sixth, while Colapinto and Norris are on row four, and Pourchaire and O'Ward take row five.

2030 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
SPRINT GRID

LEC SAI

HAD VER

RUS PIA

COL NOR

POU OWA

BOT HER

BEA MAL

ANT OCO

PER ARO

TSU STA

GAS RIC

Back in an hour or so for the Saturday action!

[foggy locust]

It is time for Sprint Saturday and the first Sprint of the 2030 Formula 1 season! It has been pouring down heavily all day today and the rain is definitely going to make a huge impact. 23 laps of this 4.361km circuit, expect some chaos here in Canada, will all 22 finish? You'd be a brave person to bet for it.

Daniel Ricciardo starts at the very back alongside Pierre Gasly, then it's Roman Staněk and Yuki Tsunoda on row ten. Paul Aron and Sergio Pérez on the ninth row, Esteban Ocon starts 16th with Kimi Antonelli 15th. Zane Maloney 14th and Ollie Bearman starts 13th, Colton Herta with his highest start of the year in 12th and Valtteri Bottas lines up 11th. Pato O'Ward begins 10th with Théo Pourchaire 9th, Lando Norris in 8th and Franco Colapinto begins from 7th. Champipnship leader Oscar Piastri just sixth to begin today with George Russell fifth, Max Verstappen lines up 4th with Isack Hadjar 3rd, and then former teammates on the front row. Carlos Sainz starts today from second, and it is the first Pole of any kind this season for Charles Leclerc.

Let's go Sprinting in the Rain!

Cars set up on the grid...one light, two, three, four, five

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc away well, then Sainz, Verstappen ahead of Hadjar, Piastri gets ahead of Russell, Norris up to P7 ahead of Colapinto!

(BON) "And an update on track conditions?"

(PIA) "...Wet."

LECLERC

Leclerc holding off both Sainz and Verstappen, at least for now, but there's about 6 tenths between Leclerc in P1 and Verstappen in P3.

Piastri meanwhile gets the overtake done on Hadjar for P4!!

(LEC) "It's getting slightly less slippy on track"

(BOZ) "Copy that. Do what you can to increase the gap."

LECLERC

Leclerc now extending his advantage to about 3.4.

Piastri chasing Verstappen for P3!

Russell with a lovely overtake on Hadjar to take P5!

Lap 8: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Piastri, Russell, Hadjar, Norris, Colapinto, O'Ward, Pourchaire, Herta, Bottas, Bearman, Maloney, Ocon, Antonelli, Aron, Pérez, Tsunoda, Gasly, Staněk, Ricciardo

Sainz under a lot of pressure from Verstappen for P2.

Verstappen also has some defending to do from Piastri! He's able to hold him off for now though!

Verstappen up to P2 ahead of Sainz!

(LEC) "There's the first groundhog of the weekend"

(BOZ) "Copy that, we saw him"

(LEC) "Hope he brought an umbrella"

Race leader Charles Leclerc, 5.9 up on Verstappen, keeping himself entertained by groundhog sighting.

Behind him it's an intense battle for P2, with Sainz regaining position from Verstappen! Piastri also in the mix!

SAINZ

Maloney runs wide, but is able to avoid the barrier! He drops behind Ocon to P15!

Hadjar struggling! Norris and Colapinto both get ahead of him!

O'Ward up to 8th as Hadjar falls out of the points!

Lap 16: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Piastri, Russell, Norris, Colapinto, O'Ward, Hadjar, Pourchaire, Bearman, Bottas, Herta, Ocon, Antonelli, Maloney, Aron, Tsunoda, Gasly, Pérez, Staněk, Ricciardo

Piastri goes round the outside of Verstappen and takes P3!!

(PIA) "Nice."

(BON) "Good job. Sainz car ahead. 0.8 ahead. Keep plugging away."

Piastri on the attack of Sainz, and he gets the job done, Piastri up to P2!!!

PIASTRI

(BOZ) "And LiCo rest of the way round, just one lap left after this."

(LEC) "Copy."

LAST LAP

A dominant, comfortable performance from Charles Leclerc, who is going to win the Sprint at a canter here.

Sainz snatches P2 away from Piastri! Can Piastri get it back on the last lap?

What a job from Charles Leclerc, who rounds the final chicane and the final corner, TO WIN THE CANADIAN SPRINT!!!

(BOZ) "And that's P1, P1, incredible job Charles. Incredible!"

(LEC) "YES! Let's gooooo!!! Ahhh, that's the perfect start to the weekend, come on!! Good job guys, good job."

(BOZ) "Good job out there. Onto qualifying now."

Sainz takes P2, Piastri P3!!

(BON) "And you've taken the flag, so that's P3 mate. Good recovery out there Oscar."

(PIA) "Yeah, thanks guys, car was very good in the end. Didn't have the pace for P2, but, yeah. We'll take it."

(BON) "Yeah, happy with that mate. Onto qualifying."

Verstappen P4, Russell P5, Norris P6, O'Ward P7, Colapinto P8, his first point of the season.

CANADIAN GRAND PRIX 2030
SPRINT CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 00.32.06
2. Carlos Sainz +10.081
3. Oscar Piastri +11.943
4. Max Verstappen +14.432
5. George Russell +23.074
6. Lando Norris +25.161
7. Pato O'Ward +29.297
8. Franco Colapinto +29.814
9. Isack Hadjar +30.351
10. Théo Pourchaire +30.611
11. Esteban Ocon +34.492
12. Oliver Bearman +35.041
13. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +41.004
14. Valtteri Bottas +41.775
15. Zane Maloney +42.753
16. Pierre Gasly +45.690
17. Colton Herta +46.244
18. Paul Aron +50.414
19. Sergio Pérez +52.946
20. Yuki Tsunoda +54.240
21. Daniel Ricciardo +61.366
22. Roman Staněk +61.887

Oscar Piastri 1.20.000

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 100
🇲🇨 Leclerc 87
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 62
🇪🇸 Sainz 46
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 38
🇳🇱 Verstappen 31
🇮🇹 Antonelli 17
🇫🇷 Ocon 12
🇲🇽 O'Ward 12
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 10
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 10
🇫🇷 Gasly 8
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 8
🇪🇪 Aron 1
🇦🇷 Colapinto 1
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇫🇮 Bottas 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0
🇨🇿 Staněk 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇺🇸 Herta 0

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇮🇹 Ferrari 187
🇦🇹 Red Bull-Ford 108
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 McLaren-Mercedes 46
🇯🇵 Subaru-Honda 39
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Williams-Ferrari 17
🇺🇸 Haas-Ferrari 13
🇩🇪 Audi 12
🇩🇪 Mercedes 11
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Aston Martin-Honda 10
🇫🇷 Alpine-Mercedes 0
🇺🇸 Andretti-Ford 0

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 272
Goodyear 149
Pirelli 22

After a Saturday Sprint, it is time to go qualifying in the rain! But who will have what it takes to take Pole in Canada? Charles Leclerc won the Sprint earlier this afternoon, but teammate Oscar Piastri will be contention, as well Carlos Sainz, who has taken the last three Poles in a row. Can he make it four for four, will either of the Ferraris take it, or will we have a surprise Pole on our hands in the rain?

OUT IN Q1: O'Ward, Norris, Tsunoda, Hadjar, Staněk, Maloney
Bubble: Pérez
Top Five: PIA, COL, LEC, RUS, VER

The rain caught out a few with both Audis dropping out, as well as Lando Norris being a shock Q1 exit!! O'Ward exits alongside teammate Maloney who will start last on Sunday. Tsunoda is out in Q1 for the third time in a row, Hadjar can't repeat his Sprint qualifying magic, and Staněk also drops out. Colapinto splits the Ferraris at the top with Piastri fastest, Leclerc third.

OUT IN Q2: Antonelli, Bottas, Aron, Pérez, Herta, Ricciardo
Bubble: Gasly
Top Five: VER, PIA, RUS, OCO, LEC

Antonelli just misses out on Q3, as Bottas takes 12th and Aron takes 13th. Pérez and the two Andrettis have their highest starts of the season in 14th, 15th and 16th. Verstappen quickest ahead of Piastri, then Russell, Ocon and Leclerc. Sainz, Colapinto, Bearman, Pourchaire and Gasly all into Q3.

Q3: Piastri, Leclerc, Verstappen, Russell, Ocon, Sainz, Colapinto, Gasly, Bearman, Pourchaire

Piastri snatches Pole away from Leclerc in the pouring rain, his second Pole of the season! Leclerc joins him on the front row, with Verstappen third. Russell fourth, and Ocon splits the Red Bulls, as Sainz can't take four straight Poles and settles for sixth. Colapinto 7th with Gasly 8th, Bearman 9th, and Pourchaire 10th.

2030 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

PIA LEC

VER RUS

OCO SAI

COL GAS

BEA POU

ANT BOT

ARO PER

HER RIC

OWA NOR

TSU HAD

STA MAL

Depending on time race will either be later this evening or tomorrow

[foggy locust]

Will be tomorrow now!

[foggy locust]

Round 5 of the 2030 Formula 1 season and it is Sunday, it is race day, it is looking to be very, very wet out there. 70 Laps of this 4.361km circuit await us today on this man made island, we've already seen some Groundhogs and we're likely to see those wet intermediate tyres at least midway through this race. It likely becomes a one stopper due to the rain and the durability of those intermediate tyres and the challenges of this circuit and these changing conditions could make today very, very interesting.

It is a back of the grid start for Zane Maloney and Roman Staněk is alongside him on the back row, Isack Hadjar lines up P20 and Yuki Tsunoda starts in the bottom six for the third time this season. Lando Norris a shock Q1 exit and he starts alongside Pato O'Ward who also surprisingly went out in Q1 on row nine, the two Andrettis have their best start of the year so far on row eight, Colton Herta ahead of Daniel Ricciardo. Sergio Pérez 14th and Paul Aron 13th, then it's Valtteri Bottas starting 12th for the second time in a row in North America and Kimi Antonelli just misses the top ten in eleventh. Théo Pourchaire lines up 10th with Ollie Bearman 9th, Pierre Gasly starts 8th and Franco Colapinto has his first top ten start of the year in 7th. Carlos Sainz is off Pole for the first time since Melbourne and begins 6th with Esteban Ocon having his highest start since his shock Vegas Pole to end last year in 5th. Old rivals Max Verstappen and George Russell are on row two and that's usually box office, and for the first time this season, Ferrari lock out the front row. Charles Leclerc, who won the Sprint yesterday, starts second, and it is Pole number two of the year for defending Champion Oscar Piastri.

Let's go racing in Montreal!

The wet weather seems to have cooled off for now, but we are expecting more rain midway through this race. The cars circling around for the formation lap now.

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

Piastri is away well and holds off Leclerc, Russell ahead of Verstappen early, then Ocon, Sainz, Gasly, Colapinto, Pourchaire and Bearman complete your top ten!

Leclerc pushing for the lead and he grabs the lead from his teammate on lap 1! Wow!

LECLERC

(BON) "DRS enabled. P2, Charles ahead of you, Russell car behind, 0.8."

(LEC) "Woo hoo!"

(BOZ) "And good job, keep pushing here"

PIASTRI WITH A BIG LOCK-UP INTO THE FINAL CORNER!!! He was lucky to avoid his teammate in the process!!

(PIA) "Yeah, I locked up. Sorry."

(BON) "Focus, you can push for this again."

Piastri has dropped to P3 with that lock-up, but he's going back on the attack and retakes position from Verstappen!!

Lap 5: Leclerc, Piastri, Verstappen, Russell, Sainz, Ocon, Colapinto, Gasly, Pourchaire, Antonelli, Bearman, Bottas, Pérez, Aron, Norris, Hadjar, Herta, Ricciardo, O'Ward, Tsunoda, Staněk, Maloney

Leclerc with now about a 4.1 advantage to the chasing pack here.

Piastri has some work to do defending not only Verstappen, but both Red Bulls, and even Ocon and Colapinto in the two Haas cars!

Both Verstappen and Russell have found their way past Piastri!!

Russell ahead of Verstappen for P2!!

Piastri retakes position from Verstappen, who then loses P4 to Sainz!

(BOZ) "Tyre phase update please Charles?"

(LEC) "Tyres are fine"

Sainz gets ahead of Piastri! It is a Red Bull 2-3!

Piastri is struggling for pace on those tyres and he drops to P5, behind Verstappen!

Sainz meanwhile takes P2 from his teammate!!

Lap 17: Leclerc, Sainz, Russell, Verstappen, Piastri, Ocon, Colapinto, Antonelli, Bearman, Pourchaire, Gasly, Hadjar, Norris, Pérez, Aron, Staněk, Tsunoda, O'Ward, Bottas, Herta, Maloney, Ricciardo

(BON) "Update us on tyres please?"

(PIA) "Still okay, struggling slightly for pace after the lock-up"

(BON) "Just need to hold on. Class 2 to Class 3 rain is expected in the next ten minutes."

Piastri with the overtake on Verstappen for P4!

Pourchaire overtakes Antonelli for P8. Both have fought their way into the points here, both driving well.

🌧️ The rain is starting to look ominous here.

(PIA) "Rain in turn 1, turn 2"

(BON) "Copy. Verstappen will be pitting."

PITSTOP: Subaru call Verstappen into the pitlane immediately, Hadjar follows, most of the back markers are coming in!

(BOZ) "Box, box. Box for inters"

(LEC) "Copy, Box."

(BON) "And we will Box, Box, for inters."

(PIA) "Yeah, Box for inters."

PITSTOPS: LECLERC IN FROM THE LEAD. A 2.049 stop and he's away, it is chaos behind him! 1.969 for Piastri, wow, what a stop! Red Bull having to double stack, as are Haas, as are McLaren, Williams bring Antonelli in, Subaru bring Pourchaire in having pit Verstappen already, Herta also in, Bearman in, this has completely mixed up the order!!!

Lap 26: Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Verstappen, Norris, Colapinto, Sainz, Gasly, Pourchaire, Ocon, Bearman, Hadjar, Antonelli, Aron, Herta, O'Ward, Pérez, Maloney, Tsunoda, Bottas, Staněk, Ricciardo

McLaren the big winners there as Norris jumps all the way to fifth!

Williams see both drivers now outside the top ten! Antonelli got stuck in the pitlane and drops from P3 to P13!

Verstappen goes round Russell and he's up to P3!

Piastri's incredible stop got him back up to P2 from P5. Great job from the Ferrari pit crew!

Although it was only the third fastest stop - Norris and Russell had quicker stops and they're running P5 and P4 respectively.

Piastri has some defending to do here. Verstappen has shaken Russell, and is now in the Champion's wing mirrors. The former Champion attacking the current Champion.

(PIA) "Vibrations quite bad now"

(BON) "Understood Oscar. The temps are hot, please lift and coast."

Piastri seems to be having some gearbox issues!! Ferrari telling him to manage said issues, but this is not ideal for the Champion!

Verstappen realising that Piastri is having issues with his car, and overtakes him for P2!!

Lap 34: Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Russell, Norris, Colapinto, Sainz, Pourchaire, Ocon, Gasly, Hadjar, Bearman, Antonelli, Aron, O'Ward, Maloney, Herta, Tsunoda, Pérez, Staněk, Bottas, Ricciardo

Former teammates Norris and Sainz now battling for P5. Pourchaire not far behind them.

(BON) "We are happy with the management, good job"

(PIA) "Yep, thanks. Heavier rain now"

Piastri still fighting Verstappen for P2 here, even with those gearbox issues.

O'Ward somewhat cut that corner, and it's a track limits warning for the Mexican driver.

Colapinto with a lovely overtake on Pourchaire, he's up to P7!

Piastri on the attack but Verstappen holds home off and now Piastri needs to defend from Russell!

Sainz gets the move done on Norris and he's up to P5!

Lap 51: Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Norris, Pourchaire, Colapinto, Ocon, Gasly, Hadjar, Bearman, Antonelli, O'Ward, Tsunoda, Aron, Maloney, Herta, Pérez, Staněk, Bottas, Ricciardo

A sign of how badly Aston are struggling so far this season - Bottas, who has had some issues with his car today, has just been lapped by Leclerc.

Piastri is battling back and takes P2 back from Verstappen!!

(BOZ) "And some LiCo, LiCo for gearbox temps please"

Hadjar pushing Gasly for the final point. Could Williams break up the dive team lock-out? Hadjar is going for it and he takes the position!!

Herta spins off at turn 10! He went aquaplaning there, but manages to recover it before hitting the barrier. Still running P18.

Verstappen takes P2 back from Piastri!!

Piastri back into P2!!

Tsunoda off at the same point that Piastri went off much earlier in the race, and he's lucky to avoid the barrier! He drops to P17. What an awful start to the season Aston are having right now.

Sainz overtakes Russell for P4!!

Norris is fancying fifth and he takes fifth away from Russell!!

Verstappen with a brilliant overtake in the final corner to retake P2 from Piastri!

Lap 67: Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Sainz, Norris, Russell, Pourchaire, Colapinto, Ocon, Hadjar, Gasly, Antonelli, Bearman, O'Ward, Maloney, Aron, Tsunoda, Herta, Pérez, Staněk, Bottas, Ricciardo

Gasly back to tenth ahead of Hadjar, and as it stands, five teams will be getting the points today.

Piastri has a look down the inside of Verstappen, but can't get it done for P2!

Onto Lap 69, and the penultimate lap of the race. Nice.

Norris has a look down the inside of Sainz but can't get it done!

(LEC) "Some issues with the gearbox here, Bryan!"

(BOZ) "Last lap, LiCo, bring it home, Charles."

Leclerc having some gearbox issues but he'll get the car home in one piece, he will have his second win of the season in the process, Leclerc crosses the line TO WIN THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX!!!

(BOZ) "And P1, P1, incredible job today Charles. Well, well managed! Brilliant result, brilliant performance!"

(LEC) "Let's gooooooo, come on! Let's gooo, baby!!! Ahhh, thank you, thank you to everybody. This was good, the car was incredible today, even with the gearbox at the end. Good job guys, good job."

(BOZ) "Amazing effort today Charles. Well deserved win. See you at the podium!"

And Verstappen holds Piastri off for P2!!! The 1-2 Streak for Ferrari has been ended after five races!

(BON) "So we have taken the flag, P3. Good job out there, Oscar, especially with the issues with the car."

(PIA) "Yeah, thanks everyone, thanks for all the support today. Gearbox and the early lock-up cost me a bit, but, uh, yeah, not too bad in the end."

(BON) "We'll keep pushing mate. Good job on the podium."

Sainz P4, Norris P5, Russell P6, Pourchaire P7, Ocon P8, Colapinto P9, Gasly holds on for the final point!

2030 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.35.50
2. Max Verstappen +16.836
3. Oscar Piastri +17.846
4. Carlos Sainz +19.544
5. Lando Norris +19.952
6. George Russell +20.732
7. Théo Pourchaire +25.109
8. Esteban Ocon +29.635
9. Franco Colapinto +29.857
10. Pierre Gasly +44.816
11. Isack Hadjar +45.156
12. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +45.459
13. Oliver Bearman +50.806
14. Pato O'Ward +58.247
15. Zane Maloney +62.262
16. Paul Aron +64.612
17. Yuki Tsunoda +72.124
18. Colton Herta +1 lap
19. Sergio Pérez +1 lap
20. Roman Staněk +1 lap
21. Valtteri Bottas +1 lap
22. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap

Oscar Piastri 1.16.121
Lando Norris 1.946s
Lando Norris

DRIVER OF THE DAY: LANDO NORRIS

A gutsy performance from the McLaren driver coupled with a brilliant pitstop from his team saw Lando Norris jump twelve places from P18 to P6, and then beat out the Red Bull of George Russell on track to take a brilliant 5th. Lando Norris is your Driver of the Day!

Top Five: Norris, Pourchaire, Sainz, Leclerc, Hadjar

2030 FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

🇦🇺 Piastri 116
🇲🇨 Leclerc 112
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Russell 70
🇪🇸 Sainz 58
🇳🇱 Verstappen 49
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norris 48
🇮🇹 Antonelli 17
🇫🇷 Ocon 16
🇫🇷 Pourchaire 14
🇲🇽 O'Ward 12
🇯🇵 Tsunoda 10
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bearman 10
🇫🇷 Gasly 9
🇦🇷 Colapinto 3
🇪🇪 Aron 1
🇫🇷 Hadjar 0
🇫🇮 Bottas 0
🇧🇧 Maloney 0
🇲🇽 Pérez 0
🇨🇿 Staněk 0
🇦🇺 Ricciardo 0
🇺🇸 Herta 0