Formula One has come out of hibernation with some teams looking in better shape than others and questions over marketing activitiesA few days ago a man called James Allison made Formula One feel like something other than a lost cause. In a short promotional film the technical director of the Mercedes team – the winner of the last five world championships – explained what it takes to create and build a new grand prix car. His enthusiasm dispelled a lot of the scepticism surrounding the sport’s future.Allison made a compelling argument that F1’s core activity has not really changed over the decades. What his colleagues were doing over the winter as they assembled the new W10, which made its debut...
The speed with which Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes learn from mistakes has been critical in the F1 title raceThe title is long gone for Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel and they know it. Indeed it would be hugely surprising if Lewis Hamilton does not win his fifth championship in Mexico this weekend. Yet for Vettel and the Scuderia presenting a coherent and constructive challenge for the last three races could be cause for optimism in a season when they have let the championship slip away.After showing strong pace at the US Grand Prix, where Kimi Räikkönen won and Vettel believed he had the speed to do the same but for his grid penalty and spin, Ferrari seem to have found their...
Former world champion’s typically forthright reaction after US Grand Prix reveals frustration of five-year wait for victoryKimi Räikkönen is clearly a popular winner and there was a sense of relief that in his fifth year since rejoining Ferrari he returned his first win for the team in his second stint. It was a long time coming, 2,044 days since his last victory, for Lotus at the 2013 Australian Grand Prix. “Fucking finally” was the Finn’s typically forthright reaction. He had earned it, with a perfectly executed drive begun by beating Lewis Hamilton through turn one. Ferrari may have dispensed with his services next season but the US Grand Prix proved that Sauber will have a driver still able to bring...
Briton and his team wanted to close it out in Austin but Ferrari’s superior strategy meant his late charge came to nothingHaving crushed any challenge from Ferrari in the second half of the season, Lewis Hamilton might have been expected to complete a simple denouement to secure his fifth title at the US Grand Prix.The fight we were denied for the title, however – which will still surely be decided in Hamilton’s favour at the next round in Mexico – was at least rescued by a thrilling, dramatic race in Austin, racing that would be welcomed at any round, championship decider or not. Related: Kimi Räikkönen makes Lewis Hamilton wait for F1 title with US GP win Continue reading...
The F1 title race comes down to fine margins and the absence of racing knowledge at Ferrari has been evident as Mercedes has taken controlWhen Sebastian Vettel poked the nose of his Ferrari alongside the flank of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull as they hurtled into Suzuka’s Spoon corner on the eighth lap of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, he was doing what racing drivers do. Or so he claimed later.“If I don’t go for that gap, and the gap is there,” he said, “I might as well stay at home.” Related: McLaren reach their nadir in Japan as Vietnam prepares to welcome F1 | Giles Richards Continue reading...