Formula 1

Sebastian Vettel's 2018 Formula One season can be summed up in one phrase: "unfulfilled promise". That promise started early on and it looked, for a while, that the season would go down to the wire. As it was, his own errors and Lewis Hamilton's brilliance meant the Briton's fifth title became a formality from Singapore onwards.  Although they will want to finish the season on a high in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari can start to look towards 2019. Vettel can do so, too, but with it comes a fresh challenge posed by a new team-mate.  Out goes the long-standing, steady number two driver in Kimi Raikkonen and in comes the, talented youngster, Charles Leclerc. Could the 21-year-old Monegasque even beat the four-time champion? Vettel is a great driver. Four world championships and 50-odd wins puts him up there statistically with some of the sport's legends. But he is on increasingly shaky ground at Ferrari. Yes, he has a contract until the end of 2019 and he is an asset to the … [Read more...] about Should Sebastian Vettel be worried about Charles Leclerc as Ferrari team-mate in 2019?

Who said dead rubbers are boring? With around two-thirds of the Brazilian Grand Prix done, Max Verstappen had driven superbly and his Red Bull team had nailed their strategy. Despite starting in fifth, the Dutchman's race pace in an excellent first stint put him in contention for victory.    On lap 40 he passed pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton for the lead. Before that he had overtaken Kimi Raikkonen's and Sebastian Vettel's Ferraris and Valtteri Bottas's Mercedes. It was an overtaking masterclass in a car that qualified nearly half a second off pole.  It soon looked like the Dutchman would follow up his Mexican triumph with another in Brazil, taking his tally to three for the season. But that all ended with his collision with Esteban Ocon on lap 44. The pair came together when the Force India driver attempted to unlap himself in turns one and two. Both cars spun, Verstappen lost the lead to Hamilton and sustained significant damage to his car's floor. Verstappen … [Read more...] about Should Max Verstappen have avoided disastrous Esteban Ocon collision? Luke Slater breaks down Brazil GP row

A furious Max Verstappen confronted Esteban Ocon after the two collided at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Verstappen was leading the race and looked certain for victory when the Force India of Esteban Ocon tried to unlap himself in turns one and two.  Ocon was on fresher tyres and was keen to pass. He put a move down the outside of the Red Bull.  But leader Verstappen, most likely not expecting to be unlapped by the Frenchman, turned for the apex of the corner and the pair made contact, spinning them both and losing Verstappen first place. Lewis Hamilton profited from the crash, taking the lead and eventually the victory.  "What a f****** idiot," was Verstappen's initial response on the team radio, saying that he hoped he could not find Ocon in the paddock after the race.   A furious Max Verstappen shoves Esteban Ocon in chest after being taken out in Brazil. First such F1 dust-up for 20 years, after Schumacher v Coulthard at Spa 1998 … [Read more...] about Mad Max Verstappen confronts ‘idiot’ Esteban Ocon after Brazilian Grand Prix collision

11 November 2018 • 4:25pm Race begins at 5.10pm GMT Lewis Hamilton starts on pole ahead of Sebastian Vettel Five radical changes to improve F1: end practice, two-race weekends, more gravel traps Fernando Alonso to compete in 2019 Indianapolis 500 with McLaren  Auto update On Off 4:25PM Lewis Hamilton escaped any punishment for an incident with Sergey Sirotkin in Q2 yesterday... ...it was very close to being a huge incident and it initially looked like Hamilton blocked the Russian on his hot lap. But no, both were on outlaps. Hamilton was fairly annoyed in the immediate aftermath but has since apologised for calling Sirotkin "disrespectful" after qualifying. Fair enough. Sirotkin didn't have too many complaints, either.  View this post on Instagram “Nothing I’m too angry with him for... He’s champion. He knows what he’s doing and it didn’t change my position at the end of the day” - … [Read more...] about F1 live: Brazilian Grand Prix 2018

What is it? The 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix, the penultimate round of the season, taking place at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace or Interlagos as it is more commonly known.  When is it? The race is today, so Sunday November 11.  What time does it start? The race starts at 5.10pm GMT.  What TV channel is it on? As ever, all the coverage is screened live on Sky Sports F1.  Sky's qualifying coverage starts at 4pm GMT. Sky's race program begins at 3.30pm GMT on Sunday with On The Grid coverage from 4.30pm.  Channel 4 also have highlights.  Watch the Brazilian Grand Prix through Now TV with a Sky Sports day pass for £7.99. What happened in qualifying? Lewis Hamilton will start the first race of his championship parade from pole position after he avoided sanction for a near-miss during qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix. On virtually the identical piece of Interlagos tarmac where he passed Timo Glock to … [Read more...] about Brazilian Grand Prix 2018: What time does the race start today, what TV channel is it on and what are the odds?