“A shitshow… You guys deserved this.” Those were Daniel Ricciardo’s thoughts on his collision with Max Verstappen during the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the year he quit Red Bull. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The Australian admitted the team’s handling of that notorious clash had contributed to his decision to leave. The pair had twice banged wheels throughout the race, before inevitably colliding for a third time on lap 40, wiping out both drivers as Verstappen attempted to pass his team mate into turn one. The team reprimanded both drivers, but Ricciardo was left with a bitter taste in his mouth which seemingly no amount of energy drink could wash down. Ricciardo had led his new team mate during their first season together at Red Bull in 2016, but it was no secret Verstappen was on an upward trend. The gap narrowed in 2017. By 2018 it seemed Verstappen was increasingly making the team his own as he pursued his dream to become a world champion. … [Read more...] about Does Ricciardo’s return to Red Bull prove Horner was right about him leaving?
Why does red bull have 2 f1 teams
‘We were built for racing, unlike Vegas’: COTA boss not concerned by new F1 rivals
Just this past weekend, the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas held one of its biggest events on its annual calendar: the NASCAR Cup Series. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Featuring a handful of special guest drivers including F1 champions Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen and multiple IMSA champion and Daytona 24 Hours winner Jordan Taylor, it was one of several major international motorsport events being held at the now ten-year-old circuit in 2023 – including the United States Grand Prix, which will take place in October. After a decade of the US Grand Prix at COTA – interrupted only by Covid – Formula 1 appears to have finally found a solid footing in America. Rather than fizzle out like so many other attempts to establish a US race over the decades, attendance at COTA has grown over recent years to the point where it now boasts the largest crowd of the season in terms of total attendance over the race weekend. F1’s arrival at COTA in 2012 … [Read more...] about ‘We were built for racing, unlike Vegas’: COTA boss not concerned by new F1 rivals
Aston Martin admits it must turn around trend of F1 season
The Silverstone-based outfit began 2023 as Red Bull’s main challenger, with Fernando Alonso rolling off five podium finishes from the first six races. He also had a shot at winning the Monaco Grand Prix. But since the midpoint of the season, Aston Martin’s form has fallen back, and Alonso has had just one podium – second place in the Dutch GP – in the last eight races. It has also slipped back to fourth in the constructors’ championship and now runs the risk of falling to fifth, behind the resurgent McLaren squad, if it does not lift its performance over the rest of the year. Team principal Mike Krack is aware of the need for things to improve, as he acknowledged it would be bad for morale if the team ended the year on the back foot. Asked if it was critical Aston Martin did not see out 2023 drifting backwards, Krack said: “Yeah, I 100% agree. This is very important. It's a bit of the opposite of last year. “If you have a good start, and then others are overtaking … [Read more...] about Aston Martin admits it must turn around trend of F1 season
Logan Sargeant hurting team ‘motivation’ as replacement put forward
Bernie Collins has suggested Logan Sargeant’s frequent crashes are hurting the “motivation” of the Williams team with Liam Lawson put forward as a replacement. In his debut season, Sargeant has frequently crashed the FW45 leading to not only a multi-million dollar bill but also a lot of overtime for the mechanics. The most recent incident came in Suzuka when the American crashed during qualifying, causing Willimas to fall foul of a regulation in regards to how much work can be done on a third chassis and handing them a penalty. Logan Sargeant facing pressure from Liam Lawson for Williams seat The Suzuka crash was not the only costly incident of Sargeant’s season with the 22-year-old having problems throughout the year. His crashes are also not exactly backed up by his performances either with Sargeant being the only driver to have raced in every grand prix and yet to score a point. Williams’ boss James Vowles has previously maintained his trust in Sargeant but Sky Sports … [Read more...] about Logan Sargeant hurting team ‘motivation’ as replacement put forward
F1 2023 struggler unsure on popularity in home nation and key market
Despite being the first American in the sport since 2015, Logan Sargeant feels he does not have the home crowd support having spent many years away. As is the nature with Formula 1, if you want to make it to the top, you often have to live in Europe. Oscar Piastri, Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo are examples of drivers who moved across the world to further their career, while Sargeant is another one. The American left the States at a young age to continue his karting career and even now as F1 visits the country three times, he is not sure he has won over the home crowd just yet. Logan Sargeant unsure of popularity within American F1 fans For a country that has been given three races in a single season, it is clear there is a huge F1 interest in the US but they have yet to find someone to root for. Haas brand themselves as the American team but many feel disappointed that much of their productions takes place in the UK and Italy. While Sargeant has been labelled as … [Read more...] about F1 2023 struggler unsure on popularity in home nation and key market
Andretti application approved as Lewis Hamilton talks F1 ‘love-hate story’ – F1 news round-up
It is Qatar race week everyone! And we kick things off with another busy day full of talking points from the world of Formula 1. Lewis Hamilton admitted that his relationship with Formula 1 is “love-hate” these days, though battling team-mate George Russell plays a positive role, while Hamilton also offered insight as to why “casual” Ferrari talks have never resulted in a signed deal. All this and much more, so let us dive into the action… Andretti F1 application approved by the FIA The biggest news of the day came as Andretti Formula Racing saw their application to join the F1 grid accepted by the FIA, but that does not mean they are becoming the 11th team just yet. Andretti, who have secured an engine partnership with General Motors through Cadillac, now face another arguably even bigger hurdle to overcome, as they enter commercial talks with FOM and try to convince Formula 1 officials that they deserve to expand the grid. The FIA said Andretti’s was the only application … [Read more...] about Andretti application approved as Lewis Hamilton talks F1 ‘love-hate story’ – F1 news round-up
Ferrari power unit reliability concerns “a little bit bigger” after Monaco – Steiner
In the round-up: Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says that concerns over the reliability of the Ferrari power unit grew after the Monaco Grand Prix In brief Ferrari PU reliability concerns “a little bit bigger” after Monaco – Steiner Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says that concerns over the reliability of the Ferrari power unit grew after the Monaco Grand Prix. The team had to retire driver Kevin Magnussen’s car during the race due to a water leak with his car’s ERS. Two days earlier, Valtteri Bottas had missed almost the entire first practice session due to a Ferrari power unit problem in his Alfa Romeo. Steiner says that following the multiple problems in Monaco, concerns about the reliability of the Ferrari power units has grown. “Obviously we had some issues, mainly in Monte Carlo – before we didn’t have any big issue with it – but Monte Carlo, there were issues for us and Alfa [Romeo], so … [Read more...] about Ferrari power unit reliability concerns “a little bit bigger” after Monaco – Steiner
Are tickets too dear? Crowds fell at some tracks in 2016
The high price of Formula One tickets has been seized on by many as an example of how Liberty Media’s purchase of Formula One might change the spot for the better. But are ticket prices really deterring fans from attending races? Crowd figures obtained by F1 Fanatic for the 2016 season show sharp drops in audiences at some tracks but much healthier figures elsewhere. Race day and weekend attendance in 2016 Lewis Hamilton , once again boasted a capacity crowd. There was no hint of ‘second year syndrome’ at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez which posted an even larger audience than it did for its F1 return in 2015. Concerns Mexico’s race could weaken demand at the Circuit of the Americas were eased as the Texas track reported a much larger audience, no doubt thanks to the rain staying away in 2016. Note that not all circuits issued race day or race weekend attendance figures when requested, meaning we have an incomplete picture here. And the likelihood is that those with the … [Read more...] about Are tickets too dear? Crowds fell at some tracks in 2016