After two solid but inconclusive seasons in Formula 2, a move to Super Formula was exactly what Lawson needed to fully convince Red Bull of his qualities as a genuine F1 prospect, and he stunned the Japanese establishment with a historic debut win at Fuji.That was the first of threeContinue Reading
Second in qualifying at Suzuka of all places – the first time Oscar Piastri had visited the fearsome track – summed up why McLaren was so impressed with the rookie, who scored two podiums (and should have had another at Silverstone but for a safety car) and that excellent winContinue Reading
On qualifying performance, George Russell was 11-11 in the head-to-head against Lewis Hamilton, but the younger Briton was often outgunned by his more experienced Mercedes team-mate in the races. Overall, Russell termed 2023 as “one of the worst seasons of my career” as Mercedes failed to make the strides itContinue Reading
Carlos Sainz made the difference for Ferrari on its best chance to win all year in Singapore. His driving style – following front-end understeer naturally through a corner – was a boon for tyre preservation late in the lap there, and for Monza’s traction demands, where he was also brilliant.Continue Reading
Charles Leclerc proved largely inseparable from Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz in 2023 as their car’s characteristics swung from favouring one to the other. But his form in the last two races moved him ahead in the championship.His efforts in Las Vegas almost yielded victory, as the colder conditions and lowContinue Reading
Alex Albon’s coolness under pressure stood out in 2023, and is a key part of the connection he’s forged at Williams since joining to reboot his Formula 1 career after his Red Bull difficulties. The team knows it can rely on him. But his resilience also boosted him massively when itContinue Reading
Lewis Hamilton appeared downbeat at the season’s end, frustrated at the lack of Mercedes’ progress after falling off its perch. But he comprehensively beat team-mate George Russell.PLUS: Is Mercedes experiencing an extended blip or the end of an F1 dynasty?His consistency and ability to reach the high notes that RussellContinue Reading
Think back through Fernando Alonso’s long Formula 1 career. Once he’d become a race winner with Renault 20 years ago in 2003, his star potential was clear. Then, rather a lot changed. Endurance tyres for 2005, a whole new driving style with the change from Michelins to Bridgestones in 2007, theContinue Reading
Outside of the Red Bull-Ferrari-Mercedes triumvirate, Lando Norris was the only driver to manage a podium finish in 2022, with his third place at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. When McLaren limped out of the starting blocks in 2023 with a car in dire need of an aerodynamic overhaul, NorrisContinue Reading
Eleven laps remain of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Max Verstappen is 3.6 seconds behind his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez. Defeat in Baku, and a 2-2 record from the opening four races of the season, stare back from the leading RB19.But then that gap starts to come down – quiteContinue Reading