Formula 1

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to pole position in a thrilling qualifying session at the start of Formula 1’s new era. After a difficult session Leclerc put it all together for his final lap and beat the world champion by 0.123 seconds at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Carlos Sainz had earlier been

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen edged Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in second practice at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was third with Mercedes driver George Russell fourth, but 0.5 seconds off the pace. Lewis Hamilton could manage only ninth fastest time in his Mercedes. Verstappen was 0.084secs quicker than Leclerc as Red Bull and

Lewis Hamilton has donated 50,000 euros (£41,900) to Formula 1’s governing body to support the education of a student from a disadvantaged background. The Mercedes driver said the idea arose from a discussion with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem that covered his decision to miss last year’s FIA gala. It is a requirement for the

Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly set the pace in first practice at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix as the true competitive picture remained unclear. Gasly was 0.364 seconds quicker than Charles Leclerc in second place, but using the soft tyres while the Ferrari was on the slower medium. The second Ferrari of Carlos Sainz was third,

Lewis Hamilton says he is not carrying “any baggage” into the new season after the controversial end to last year’s championship fight. The Mercedes driver begins his quest for a record eighth world title this weekend, as a report into last year’s Abu Dhabi race is set to be published. He said: “I don’t hold

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner said he does not regret the team having previously had strong links with Russia. And he said that the “right decisions” were taken following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Earlier in March, the Formula 1 team parted ways with Russian driver Nikita Mazepin and Russian title sponsor Uralkali, a chemicals company.

McLaren driver Lando Norris believes he is ready to go toe-to-toe with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen at the top of Formula 1. The 22-year-old Briton heads into his fourth F1 season not sure where his team are in terms of competitiveness. But he believes he has developed to a point where he has what

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has been ruled out of Sunday’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix after testing positive for Covid-19. The Aston Martin driver will be replaced by Nico Hulkenberg. McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo missed the final test in Bahrain last week after contracting coronavirus. But the Australian is fit for race weekend, which begins with

Last updated on 1 hour ago1 hour ago.From the section Formula 1 World champion Max Verstappen says F1 “does not need to heal” after last year’s controversial title decider. But the 24-year-old said there needs to be more teams fighting at the front. The Red Bull driver took the drivers’ title following a decision by

After last season’s controversial end to the Formula 1 season it all starts again at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend. Both Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen went into the final race of an epic 2021 season locked together on 369.5 points – only the second time this has happened since F1’s

The Formula 1 cars that start the new season in Bahrain this weekend represent the biggest year-on-year change for 40 years – and possibly ever. Aerodynamicists in the F1 teams – such as myself – have been working on their designs on and off since 2019, and this weekend represents a time of extreme anxiousness

Formula 1’s safety car rules have been changed to make it impossible for a race to be conducted in the manner of 2021’s controversial title decider. Masi’s actions had a direct result on the outcome of the world championship. Governing body the FIA has now made it clear “all” lapped cars must un-lap themselves before

Three months on from the tumultuous climax to the 2021 championship, a new one begins with the shadows of that day in Abu Dhabi still hanging over the sport. After losing an eighth world drivers’ title in controversial and painful circumstances, Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team are trying to move on, at least in

An eagerly anticipated week of sporting action is upon us. With the climax of the Six Nations, the start of the Formula 1 season, the Cheltenham Festival and the next round of the FA Cup, there’s plenty to be across. The Question of Sport team have put together ten questions based around the major events,

Formula 1 has been accused of ignoring the abuse of human rights in Bahrain on the eve of the new season starting in the country this weekend. The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (Bird) says F1 has “abandoned those who have been tortured and imprisoned” partly as a result of criticism of the race.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton says he will change his name to incorporate his mother Carmen’s surname. The 37-year-old Briton is likely to race under ‘Hamilton-Larbalestier’ in the 2022 season, which begins this weekend. “I am really proud of my family’s name. My mum’s name is Larbalestier and I’m just about to put that in

Lewis Hamilton said Mercedes are not in a position to compete for wins, as pre-season testing ended in Bahrain. Hamilton said the car had “potential” but was “not at the top” and insisted he was not deliberately understating his prospects. “Next week we will get a much better showing of our pace,” said Hamilton. Max

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were third and fifth fastest in pre-season testing as the row over Mercedes’ car took a new twist. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said the Mercedes design complied with the rules a day after being quoted saying it was “illegal”. Horner said it was an “extreme” rules interpretation, but: