The next two F1 races in Canada and France will be key for a team hoping to break the monopoly at the topDaniel Ricciardo knew the scale of the task he was taking on when he left Red Bull for Renault last year and he did it, as ever, with a beaming smile. The Australian was venturing into a long-term project he hopes will present him with the chance to compete with his former team, as well as Ferrari and Mercedes, for the world championship. It was a bold move based on being convinced that Renault’s plan, investment and organisation would be in contention after several years.In Monaco last weekend, a circuit Ricciardo has truly mastered, not least with his...
Scuderia admit risks need to be taken in Montreal, it’s looking good for Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc’s season is becoming a fast track of learning experiencesMercedes came within a whisker of losing a win that was in their hands in Monaco. Having put Lewis Hamilton on the medium tyres, the team principal, Toto Wolff, admitted the British driver had saved their race in bringing his car home and preventing Max Verstappen having a chance to pass. It was welcome for giving the race a tense climax that would otherwise have been lacking. Hamilton was vocal about his concerns throughout, which have been criticised but are the understandable complaining of a driver in a pressure situation he could do nothing...
Also featuring a 974ft motorbike backflip, a career-ending table tennis rally and Francesco Totti being the boss1) Niki Lauda died this week aged 70. The three-time F1 world champion survived a near-fatal accident and was a boss behind the wheel as well as a ferocious competitor. Here are some of his most iconic moments, the remarkable story of his career, some lovely tributes and a video obituary. And it’s the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, where Lauda enjoyed wins in 1975 and 1976. And get on board with Lauda’s vintage Ferrari at Monaco.2) It’s the Football League play-off finals this weekend, and some of the teams taking part have been there before. Sunderland take on Charlton in the League One...
F1 driver has proved competitive from the off and before Baku, the Scuderia must be considering whether he is the better betFew would have thought the spectre of team orders would loom over the new Formula One season so soon. Yes, Ferrari had been honest in saying they would favour Sebastian Vettel over his teammate Charles Leclerc in 50-50 situations but after three races where they have employed team orders in every one, it seems the Scuderia have been taken aback that Leclerc’s performances have forced them into dictating to their drivers quite so soon. Managing them on track is one issue the Scuderia must handle but as they head to Baku for this week’s race, they must now also...
In 2017 I criticised the Bahrain Grand Prix on Facebook. Since then I have been imprisoned, beaten and sexually assaultedI am a civil servant from Bahrain. I write from Isa Town prison, 22km away from the Bahrain International Circuit, which hosts Formula One’s annual grand prix. This weekend, fans of Formula One will flood into Bahrain, brimming with anticipation for this year’s race. The grand prix is an international sporting spectacle and a symbol of wealth and glamour, particularly for Bahrain’s ruling family.However, for me and my fellow Bahraini citizens, it is nothing but an annual reminder of our suffering in our fight against tyranny and repression. Related: F1 finally admits concern over woman jailed for Bahrain Grand Prix protests...