A battle for supremacy between teammates is troubling Ferrari after the meltdown in Sochi and all eyes will be on Suzuka this weekend to see if it can be rectifiedIf there was ever a doubt that a racing driver’s first priority is to beat his teammate, it was dispelled one March afternoon at Melbourne’s Albert Park. The 1996 Australian Grand Prix was half done when Jacques Villeneuve came out of the pits just behind the race leader, Damon Hill.“There he is,” said the voice on Villeneuve’s radio. “Go and get him!” Related: The knocks keep coming at Ferrari but Charles Leclerc is learning fast | Giles Richards Related: Ferrari create 'a war' while F1 continues to meddle with the rules...
The Scuderia’s meltdown in Russia was latest tough lesson for Leclerc but he shows every sign of being formidable F1 forceHad Charles Leclerc not pursued a career in motor racing, it would be reasonable to assume that this thoughtful and intelligent 21-year-old might instead have recently completed a degree. Racing rather than academia always beckoned for Leclerc but right now, in the pressure-cooker environment of driving for Ferrari, this young driver is learning an awful lot of lessons. Every indication is that they are being taken to heart, forging a formidable character.At last weekend’s Russian Grand Prix, Ferrari’s plan to govern their drivers through the opening corners fell apart publicly and with lasting ramifications. With Leclerc on pole and his...
The dazzling race on a floodlit cityscape circuit is a vital tool for selling the sport to potential fans when there is precious little free-to-air coverage available, particularly in the UKThe floodlit cityscape of Singapore will host Formula One again this weekend, a race the sport positively revels in promoting. The street circuit set amid the skyscrapers at night enjoys a backdrop like no other. The speed, spectacle and drama is accentuated by the walls that loom over the track, unforgiving of error. Singapore, a visual feast, is perhaps the most cinematic in its presentation of any race on the calendar.F1 knows how good Singapore looks and in its drive to encourage new, younger fans, the race that bears the...
Struggles look ominous for Ferrari leader as teammate Charles Leclerc goes past him in the F1 drivers’ championshipHis title hopes long gone, after a disastrous race in Monza, Sebastian Vettel now faces a battle just to beat his teammate. Charles Leclerc’s win put him ahead of the German into fourth. Vettel’s problem is that his touch seems to have deserted him. Much was rightly made of his unsafe return to the track but Vettel’s long-term issue was illustrated by the spin that precipitated it. The unforced error in losing the rear at Ascari was yet another mistake to add to the others that have increasingly blighted his performances. Related: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc delights Italian F1 GP crowd with Monza win...
A sixth world title – one shy of Michael Schumacher’s record – is odds-on for the Briton but elsewhere there’s all to play for, especially in F1’s midfield and for Alexander AlbonHaving enjoyed his best opening 12 races, Lewis Hamilton is in position to seal his sixth world championship with his most successful season. That the title, which will move him above Juan Manuel Fangio and behind only Michael Schumacher, is in his grasp is beyond doubt. He has already won eight races, to lead his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas by 62 points, and Hamilton usually only improves on the run-in. Last year he won four of the first five races after the summer break; nine races remain, starting with...