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Lessons from the F1 season so far: Ferrari are a class apart and Albon shines | Giles Richards

Charles Leclerc is gaining confidence with his superior car while Max Verstappen struggles with the balance of his at Red BullCharles Leclerc’s dominant win in Melbourne was a consummate display but his Ferrari was truly the class of the field. It is well balanced, versatile, quick through the corners, easy on the tyres and the engine is a powerful beast. Having written off last year and thrown everything into developing this season’s model there must be no little sense of satisfaction at Maranello. The task for Ferrari now is not to throw it away. The challenge for the engineers this season is going to be a fierce development war, as with the new regulations there will be gains to be...

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Lewis Hamilton’s future shrouded in doubt as new F1 season looms | Giles Richards

Little has been heard from Hamilton since he lost his crown to Max Verstappen in controversial circumstancesAfter a tumultuous climax to the 2021 Formula One season that ended in both sound and fury, it is Lewis Hamilton’s continued silence that has defined the winter. With the new season rapidly approaching, the British driver’s future in F1 remains unknown and ostensibly undecided. As the FIA wrestles with an inquiry into the events in Abu Dhabi, it is Hamilton’s absence that looms over the sport, his silence speaking volumes.Seven times an F1 world champion but beaten to the title in controversial circumstances at the season finale at Yas Marina by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Hamilton left Abu Dhabi angry and disillusioned. He...

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F1 season awards: Verstappen pips Hamilton again and Norris steps up | Giles Richards

Challenger took the fight to the champion while the McLaren youngster has impressed, but sprints and Spa were letdownsAfter an intense finale that divided fans and remains subject to an appeal, battle lines have been drawn. Both sides are convinced they are right, a microcosm of every cut and thrust between Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes and Red Bull this season. There is so little to choose between them, each having pushed the other to ever greater heights. For all that Hamilton was brilliant this year, especially in the final four races, Verstappen takes the honours. His first title was achieved with some controversial performances but also brilliance. In taking the fight to the best driver of this generation and...

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FIA indecision brings a confusing end for F1 fans who deserve better | Giles Richards

Manipulation of the rules by race director Michael Masi leads to Max Verstappen victory which felt more bungled than buoyantIf there was one thing there appeared to be universal agreement on before Formula One’s season decider in Abu Dhabi, it was that no one wanted the result of an enthralling championship to be decided in the stewards’ room. Inevitably four hours after the flag fell, wrangling with the stewards continued. It may well yet go on for days or longer. Fans were left with a dissatisfying conclusion that was hard to understand, confusing in its methodology and that has triggered only acrimony and rancour. There were celebrations in Abu Dhabi but outside of the Red Bull garage it was far...

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Max Verstappen finds out miracles happen, in the form of a safety car | Sean Ingle

Dutchman was handed a title lifeline on the final lap and then Mercedes’ legal challenges came to nothingShortly after the most chaotic and enthralling finish to a Formula One title in the sport’s history, Max Verstappen stood on top of his Red Bull car, fists pumping and shaking as if a lightning bolt was surging through him, before making a flying dismount, Frankie Dettori style. Who could blame him? Somehow, against the odds, he had muscled past Lewis Hamilton during a dramatic final lap shootout in the last race of 2021. A first world title was secured. Yet this thriller of an F1 season still had one final vicious twist to come.While the Dutch driver was celebrating, Hamilton’s Mercedes’ team...

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