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Formula 1

Max Verstappen – A silent protest against the FIA

The three-time world champion, Max Verstappen was ordered ‘community service’ yesterday by the FIA Stewards for ‘swearing’ in the Thursday Press Conference. Max was asked about the pace that Red Bull has during the Azerbaijan GP weekend and he responded with ‘I knew the car was f*****’.

Today after qualifying, Max Verstappen refused to take questions or gave blunt answers in the official FIA ‘Post-Qualifying Press Conference’ and urged the journalist to ‘ask these questions outside of the room.’ Max kept his promise and took questions outside of the Press Conference room.

This move has earned him praises from several journalists that were present in the official Press Conference.

Earlier in the week, Talking Exclusively to Motorsport.com FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has revealed he is making moves to try to change the tone of the content that is aired to fans.

“I mean, we have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music,” Ben Sulayem said. “We’re not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].”

When the F1 drivers were asked about the comment made by Ben Sulayem, Most of the drivers made the disagreement clear that stated that they are unhappy with the stance being taken by the FIA. Lando Norris has warned that F1 will lose the ‘rawness’ if the FIA clamps down on swearing. The seven-time champion, Lewis Hamilton went as far as to accuse the FIA president to have used words of ‘stereotypical’ and ‘racial element’.

“I don’t like how he expressed it. Saying that rappers is very stereotypical and if you think about it, most rappers are black and that really kind of points it towards, when it says: ‘We are not like them’. So I think those are the wrong choice of words. There is a racial element there.” – Lewis Hamilton

The FIA’s President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stance is being ridiculed by not just the Drivers, but also the media and the fans around the world. Although Ben Sulayem has said that the current measures are being taken to combat online abuse, The FIA should find an alternate approach to do the same.

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Formula 1

Monza GP: F1 back at the Cathedral of Speed

The last time the F1 paddock went racing, we were treated with a dominant run of performance. The only difference was this that this time it was not Max Verstappen at the head of it. Lando Norris had a fantastic run of performance and became the measuring scale of performance. This week, at the Monza GP, we are expecting nothing less. What are all the expected news and what has happened since the last race weekend, catch it all in this F1 Race weekend preview.

TITLE FIGHT

The most significant change that has been seen in the second part of the season is how much the Championship fight has changed.

credits: @F1 on X

Max Verstappen currently sits at P1 with 295 points to his name, 70 points ahead of his nearest rival Norris. This looks a big gap for F1 standards but when you consider the massive development that Mclaren has undergone lately, its game on. On the Teams side of things, its close as ever. Redbull Racing are leading with just a 30 point buffer to Mclaren Racing, truly hinting at a fight incoming.

Ferrari in new colors

The crowd favourite for the weekend, Scuderia Ferrari, have revealed new suits and a tweaked livery for the Monza GP.

The Tifosi, as the Ferrari fans proudly call themselves, show up in huge numbers to suport their team every time. On the performance side, Ferrari have been doing better lately with Leclerc scoring a podium at the last race. They are currently sitting in P3, 34 points away from second placed Mclaren. Emotions are also up for Carlos Sainz, who is attending his last Monza GP in Ferrari colors.

Mercedes second seat about to be announced

Many sources have been hinting at a potential announcement of Mercedes protege Andrea Kimi Antonelli for the second seat at Mercedes F1.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli (L) Toto Wolff (R); credits: Jiri Krenek

In other news, Kimi is also going to take a go in FP1 in Russell’s car. All this seat time will help him get familiar with the know-how of F1. Both the current Mercedes drivers have been full of praise for the Italian, with Hamilton saying he’s excited to see the youngster progress.

Renault personnel to protest at Monza GP

Renault employees are about to protest against the plans of the administration to shut down its F1 operations.

There is also about to be a peaceful protest in the grandstands of the Monza GP. These protests are coming up as the rumors of Alpine switching to Mercedes engines is floating. Also, there has been many personnel changes in the Alpine administration, with most recent change being the stepping down of Bruno Famin, the Team prinicipal of Alpine.

Williams make the change, Sargeant out of F1

Perhaps the biggest bombshell that has dropped this weekend is Williams dropping Logan Sargeant for the rest of the season with immediate effect.

He is being replaced by William Driver academy driver Franco Colapinto. Colapinto was participating in F2 till yet and is P6 in the F2 Championship. With Carlos Sainz set to join Williams for the next season, this news surprised us fans as Colapinto is being given the seat just for a period of 9 races. One person that will be elated will be Colapinto himself, ofcourse. After Sargeant, he has got the perfect opportunity to settle and prove himself at the world stage. Now whether he manages to make full use of this opportnity will be a wait-and-watch affair.

When and Where to watch

All the sessions will streamed on F1TV and Fancode in India.

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Formula 1

Dutch GP 2024: Norris triumphs in a thrilling race at Zandvoort

The 2024 Dutch GP saw exciting action, unpredictable strategies, and unexpected podium finishes, making it one of the most memorable races of the season. In front of his home crowd, Max Verstappen faced intense competition but couldn’t secure the win, leaving Lando Norris to take the top step of the podium. Here’s a detailed look at how the weekend happened.


Drama Unfolds at Zandvoort

The 2024 Formula 1 season continued its thrilling run as the drivers headed to the tight and technical Circuit Zandvoort. With its narrow, undulating track, this race was expected to challenge both driver skill and team strategy. While Verstappen, racing in front of his home fans, was the favorite, McLaren’s rising form and Lando Norris’ pace posed a serious threat. Rainy conditions added to the unpredictability, making strategy a key player throughout the weekend.

Free Practice 1: A McLaren Statement

Lando Norris set the fastest time in the first practice session (FP1) of the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, navigating tricky mixed conditions to clock a 1:12.947. The session was interrupted by a brief rain shower, making tyre strategy and timing crucial for all teams.

Carlos Sainz; credits: @f1 on X

Max Verstappen finished just 0.130s behind Norris in second place, while Lewis Hamilton showed promising pace, securing third with a time of 1:13.063. The damp track early on led to some drivers struggling with grip, with a few minor off-track moments, including one for Charles Leclerc. The ever-changing weather at Zandvoort added an element of unpredictability, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling weekend.

Russell leads close-fought FP2 as Teams fine-tune setup for Dutch GP

George Russell topped the timesheets in a competitive second practice session at the Dutch GP, clocking a best lap of 1:11.965. The Mercedes driver narrowly edged out Oscar Piastri, who finished just 0.137s behind, while Lewis Hamilton secured third with a 1:12.149, making it a strong session for the Silver Arrows.

Conditions remained dry throughout, allowing teams to focus on race simulations and tire setups after a mixed-weather FP1. Max Verstappen, the home favorite, ended FP2 in fourth, just 0.237s off the pace. The session saw close margins, with the top six drivers within 0.3 seconds of each other, hinting at a tightly contested weekend ahead. Drivers and teams used this crucial hour to better their setups for Saturday’s qualifying, with multiple drivers expressing satisfaction with their car’s balance heading into the rest of the weekend.

Gasly tops eventful FP3 as Sargeant’s Crash halts session

Pierre Gasly set the fastest time in a dramatic FP3 at Zandvoort, posting a lap of 1:12.305. The Alpine driver outpaced home favorite Max Verstappen, who finished second by just 0.069s, while Sergio Perez secured third place for Red Bull.

Gasly P1 and Seargent Crash (Image Source: formula 1)

The session was marred by a heavy crash from Logan Sargeant, who lost control at Turn 2 and slammed into the barriers, bringing out the red flag. Fortunately, the Williams driver walked away unscathed, but the accident shortened the session, with several drivers missing crucial setup time. Despite the disruption, teams managed to gather vital data ahead of qualifying, with Gasly’s performance offering a glimpse of his potential in the upcoming session.


Qualifying: Russell Shines, Norris on Pole

Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance to claim pole position at the 2024 Dutch GP, outpacing reigning champion Max Verstappen and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. In a thrilling qualifying session at Zandvoort, Norris’ remarkable lap secured his second career pole, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in Sunday’s race.

Q1:

The first qualifying session of the 2024 Dutch GP kicked off with the usual intensity, as drivers scrambled to set competitive times. Sergio Perez managed to top the timing sheets with a strong lap, despite some concerns over a potential impeding incident with Lewis Hamilton. The session saw several close calls, and unfortunately, Daniel Ricciardo was one of the notable names who missed out on advancing to Q2 by just over a tenth of a second. Joining him on the sidelines were Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, and Logan Sargeant. Sargeant was unable to participate after crashing in FP3, bringing an early end to his qualifying hopes.

Q2:

Lando Norris dominated Q2 with an impressive lap, beating his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by a razor-thin margin of just 0.009 seconds. However, the session wasn’t as kind to others. Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton both failed to make it into the top 10 shootout. Sainz, in particular, was edged out in the final moments as late improvements from Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon knocked him out of contention. Yuki Tsunoda, Nico Hulkenberg, and Kevin Magnussen also found themselves eliminated, setting the stage for a tense final session.

Q3:

In the final showdown for pole position, Lando Norris put in a remarkable performance to secure the top spot with a blistering lap of 1:09.673. This stunning effort saw him beat local hero Max Verstappen by over three tenths of a second, a surprising margin given Verstappen’s usual dominance at his home circuit. Oscar Piastri capped off a strong session for McLaren by securing third place, while George Russell managed to take fourth. Sergio Perez slotted into fifth, followed by Charles Leclerc in sixth and Fernando Alonso in seventh, rounding off a thrilling and unpredictable qualifying session at Zandvoort.


Race

In a race brimming with drama, McLaren’s Lando Norris secured a commanding victory at the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, shattering Max Verstappen’s unbeaten home streak in front of a stunned Zandvoort crowd. With sharp strategies, bold overtakes, and varying pit stop tactics, the race was one to remember.

Verstappen overtakes Norris (Image source: formula 1)

McLaren’s Moment: Norris dominates

After a steady qualifying session, Lando Norris lined up on the front row but quickly found himself in a chase as Verstappen jumped into the lead at the start. However, Norris remained focused, slowly chipping away at the reigning champion’s lead. By Lap 18, a daring DRS-assisted move saw Norris’s pass Verstappen and take the lead, much to the surprise of the Dutch fans.

From there, the McLaren driver never looked back, stretching his lead to a significant 22.8 seconds by the time the chequered flag waved. The team’s flawless strategy and his expert tire management allowed him to control the pace and seal his victory, making it one of the most significant wins of his career.

Oscar Piastri once again demonstrated his talent, keeping his McLaren in contention for much of the race. After pitting from the lead on Lap 33, Piastri found himself in a fierce battle with Leclerc for third. Though he couldn’t quite get past the Ferrari, Piastri secured a commendable fourth place finish, adding to McLaren’s strong showing.

Verstappen stumbles in front of home crowd

Max Verstappen, looking to extend his dominance at Zandvoort to a fourth consecutive year, initially seemed in control. He managed the early stages well, keeping Norris at bay and navigating the tight corners of the Zandvoort circuit with ease. However, Norris’ relentless pressure coupled with Red Bull’s sub-optimal strategy saw Verstappen fall behind.

Despite switching to hard tires on Lap 27, Verstappen couldn’t regain the upper hand as Norris steadily pulled away. Verstappen was left lamenting handling issues over the radio, commenting that the car “doesn’t respond to my inputs.” In the end, he finished second, a distant 22.8 seconds behind Norris—an uncharacteristic result for the Dutch champion at his home race. Horner told Sky Sports F1-

“Congrats to Lando and McLaren, their car was in a different league today, We did everything we could, Max converted P2 into a lead, but you could see their pace was in a different league.”

Ferrari’s Resilience—Leclerc Grabs the Final Podium Spot

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had a rollercoaster weekend but ended it with a podium finish. After an impressive start, Leclerc fought his way into third, fending off a charging Oscar Piastri in the closing laps. His performance was one of determination and defense, holding onto the final podium place after a challenging race, a solid P3, a result that the Monegasque admitted he had not expected.

“[I’m] very, very surprised,” Leclerc explained immediately after the Grand Prix. “I’m not very often happy with P3, but I think with today’s race we can be extremely happy with the job we’ve done on a difficult weekend for the team.”

Meanwhile, teammate Carlos Sainz put on a brilliant display of overtaking, muscling past Sergio Perez’s Red Bull to take fifth place after a late-race battle. Ferrari’s strategic calls and aggressive driving earned them vital points as they continue to fight for constructors’ honors.

Chrales Leclerc scored a P3 at the Dutch GP; credits: @ScuderiaFerrari on X

Mercedes Struggles but Secures Points

For Mercedes, the Dutch GP was mixed. Lewis Hamilton, starting from a compromised grid position, fought his way through the field with a series of impressive overtakes, including one on Nico Hulkenberg at Turn 1. Despite struggling for straight-line speed, Hamilton made it into the top ten, finishing seventh after switching to soft tires late in the race to claim the fastest lap.

George Russell had a similarly challenging Dutch GP but managed to secure sixth, right behind Sainz and Perez. Russell’s consistent performance under pressure showed Mercedes’ persistence, even if they weren’t able to challenge for the podium this weekend.

The Midfield Battles – Gasly and Alonso Fight On

Behind him, the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso had a fierce scrap in the midfield.

Gasly’s daring moves earned him ninth place, while Alonso rounded out the points in tenth. The midfield battles were intense, with several wheel-to-wheel moments providing excitement throughout the race.

Drama and Disappointment in the lower order

Not everyone had a successful race at Zandvoort. Hulkenberg’s early momentum faded as he dropped out of the points, finishing in 11th place. The Haas driver could not keep pace with the top ten after a poor tyre strategy and a series of pit stops disrupted his rhythm.

Lance Stroll endured a penalty-ridden race, including a five-second pit lane speed penalty that saw him fall to 13th place after what could have been a points finish. Meanwhile, Williams’ Alex Albon, who started from the back of the grid due to a floor irregularity, finished just outside the points in 14th place after a commendable recovery drive.

At the back, Alfa Romeo’s weekend went from bad to worse, as both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu finished two laps down, compounding the team’s struggles at the foot of the constructors’ standings.


The 2024 Dutch GP saw McLaren firmly establish itself as a force to be reckoned with, as Lando Norris took a commanding victory at the Dutch GP. Max Verstappen may have missed out on winning his home race, but his consistent performance keeps him well-positioned in the championship. For Mercedes and Ferrari, it was a weekend of mixed fortunes, with Russell showing flashes of brilliance but ultimately unable to challenge the McLarens and Red Bulls at the front. As the season moves forward, the rivalry between these top teams promises more electrifying races.

Next Stop: Monza—The Temple of Speed Awaits

The 2024 Formula 1 season heads to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix from August 30 to September 1. Known for its blistering speeds and passionate Tifosi, Monza’s high-speed straights and tight chicanes will push drivers and teams to the limit as the championship battle heats up.

Championship Standings after the race:

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Formula 1

2024 Dutch GP: Verstappen’s home advantage and other F1 developments

As the F1 circus rolls into Zandvoort for the 2024 Dutch GP, all eyes are on Max Verstappen, who returns to his home circuit with something to prove. After a season that has shattered expectations, we’ve witnessed unprecedented competitiveness across the grid. With seven drivers claiming victory in the last 14 races, the 2024 Dutch GP presents itself as another opportunity for a new winner, or whether Verstappen’s home advantage will come in handy? Read about it all in the weekend preview from DRC.

Another Potential Record for Verstappen?

For fans, it’s been a refreshing change of pace from Red Bull’s previous dominance. Teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren are all stepping up to the challenge. Verstappen, the reigning world champion, finds himself in unfamiliar territory, with his last win dating back to Barcelona.

Max Verstappen; credits: Redbull Racing

But if there’s one race Max Verstappen will be particularly determined to win, it’s the 2024 Dutch GP. As his home event, Verstappen is unlikely to let up, and for Red Bull, being competitive at Zandvoort is a must. Since the middle of the 2022 season, Verstappen has embarked on an extraordinary run of dominance, shattering records along the way. This weekend, he has the opportunity to add another milestone to his name. A win would make him only the fourth driver in F1 history to win their home race four times in a row, joining Lewis Hamilton, Jim Clark, and Juan Manuel Fangio.

Are Red Bull developmental plans & second seat going haywire?

Last year, Red Bull capitalized not only on their continuous upgrades but also on the struggles of their main rivals, Mercedes and Ferrari. However, this season is a different story, as both teams have addressed their issues over the winter and are now back in contention for race wins.

Sergio Perez (L) and Christian Horner (R); credits-F1

Red Bull’s latest innovations have provided some aerodynamic gains but have not delivered the expected performance boost. Technical Director Pierre Wache has openly acknowledged these challenges.

We improved compared to last year, without a doubt,” he told Autosport.

“But we didn’t deliver what we expected in some areas. 

A significant concern for the reigning champions is that they have already introduced several major update packages, while other top teams, particularly McLaren, still have substantial upgrades to come.

Red Bull’s challenges this season extend beyond car performance. Perez’s recent drop from 2nd to 7th in the final race before the summer break has highlighted his difficulty in keeping pace with rivals from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. Despite this, Red Bull has opted not to replace him, instead focusing on his discomfort with the RB20, particularly his complaints about a lack of grip.

To help Perez regain his early-season form, Red Bull plans to reintroduce older RB20 components. However, with McLaren and Mercedes improving and Ferrari set to introduce significant upgrades, even a return to form might not be enough.

Ferrari prepares for crucial upgrades at 2024 Dutch GP

At the start of the season, Ferrari emerged as Red Bull’s closest challenger. However, as McLaren and Mercedes have made significant strides, Ferrari’s decline has been largely self-inflicted. The upgrades introduced to the SF-24 in Spain failed to deliver the expected results, with the increased downforce reintroducing bouncing issues and forcing the team into setup compromises.

Ferrari’s garage at Belgian GP; credits:Ferrari content pool

Ferrari has worked to mitigate these issues in recent races, and further corrections are expected at the 2024 Dutch GP. Changes to the rear suspension and diffuser should provide a more stable baseline, allowing Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to unlock greater performance and build confidence. However, the last few months have been tough for Ferrari, both on and off the track.

In addition to their development struggles, Ferrari has lost key personnel, most notably former technical director Enrico Cardile. As they search for his replacement, rumors suggest former Mercedes technical director Mike Elliott is being considered. This uncertainty, coupled with Ferrari’s lag in securing top talent like Adrian Newey, raises concerns about the team’s direction not only for the remainder of this season but also as the new regulations approach in 2025.

All Mighty McLaren

McLaren’s rise as a Championship contender this season has been marked by impressive performances from Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, both of whom claimed their maiden F1 victories.

Oscar Piastri; credits: Mclaren

The turning point came with a major upgrade package introduced in Miami, which catapulted the team to the front and erased Red Bull’s early advantage. However, despite their speed, McLaren has been hampered by strategic mistakes and operational issues, limiting their success and leaving them trailing Max Verstappen by significant margins in the Drivers’ standings.

Looking ahead, McLaren has a sequence of critical upgrades in the pipeline, which Team Principal Andrea Stella believes could boost their competitiveness in the latter half of the season.

“I’m surprised that we’ve been so competitive, considering that from Miami onwards, we haven’t actually brought trackside many new parts,”

Stella remarked. “Obviously, the Miami upgrade was big, but there’s some upgrades that will come in the second part of the season.”

With fresh upgrades on the horizon, McLaren is in a strong position to continue pushing Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, even as they face the challenge of closing the gap to Verstappen and contending with Ferrari and Mercedes.

Mercedes’ Future: Upgrades and Talent Pipeline

At the start of the 2024 season, Mercedes faced genuine concerns with the W15, which struggled with unpredictability and balance issues. However, the introduction of a new front wing in Monaco, along with other changes, significantly improved the car’s stability. This breakthrough allowed Mercedes to overcome earlier correlation issues and see the performance gains from the wind tunnel translate onto the track. With confidence growing, the team is poised for a final push of upgrades before shifting focus to the 2025 season.

Meanwhile, Mercedes has made Kimi Antonelli a priority for their future lineup.

Kimi Antonelli; credits: Mercedes

The 17-year-old’s impressive performances in Formula 2, including a dominant victory at Silverstone, have bolstered his position as a potential F1 driver. Despite earlier speculation linking more established names like Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz to Mercedes, the team is now set on integrating Antonelli into their plans for the 2025 season. Toto Wolff has highlighted Antonelli as a key focus, especially in light of the surprising contract announcement of Lewis Hamilton and the potential for instability at Red Bull.

Weather and Track information

The track in use this weekend is the Zandvoort circuit. The circuit remained a staple until 1985, before its much-anticipated return in 2021 after a 35-year hiatus. Located 35 km west of Amsterdam, Zandvoort is a 4.259 km (2.646 mi) track set in the North Sea dunes. Known for its challenging layout, Zandvoort features fast, sweeping corners like Scheivlak and the famous “Tarzanbocht” hairpin at the end of the main straight.

Tarzanbocht, with its unique camber, offers excellent overtaking opportunities. The circuit’s elevation changes, including a peak difference of 8.9 meters (29 feet), and highly banked turns like Turn 3 (19-degree incline) and Turns 13/14 (18-degree bank), add to the technical demands of the track, making it a true driver’s challenge.

The weather throughout the weekend is predicted as follows:

When and Where to watch

All the sessions will be streamed on F1 TV and Fancode.

The schedule is as follows:

Friday – 23 August

Practice 1 – 16:00 – 17:00

Practice 2 – 19:30 – 20:30

Saturday – 24 August

Practice 3 – 15:00 – 16:00

Qualifying – 18:30 – 19:30

Sunday – 25 August

Race – 18:30

Make sure to follow DesiRacingCo. on all socials to keep yourself updated on the happenings of the Motorsport world.

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Formula 1

Carlos Sainz revving up for a ‘New Chapter’ with Williams in 2025

As the summer break starts, the first bombshell news has arrived. Carlos Sainz has signed with Williams for a multi-year deal. How has this happened and what are the details, read it all in this report from DRC.

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is to join Williams next season on a “multi-year” contract

Ever since the surprise early announcement of signing of Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari, Sainz has been the center of attraction in the Driver’s market. Initially, he had various options to look at which included RedBull Racing, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Alpine, Haas, Sauber/Audi, and Williams. But as the season progressed, there was no confirmation from Sainz. His hopes of joining another top team from Ferrari were stymied with RedBull renewing Perez’s contract and Mercedes eyeing Formula 2 talent Kimi Antonelli.

Sergio Perez signed a contract with Redbull Racing; credits-F1

Alpine’s effort to woo Sainz in vain

Alpine had been pursuing Sainz hard to rejoin the Enstone outfit with Esteban Ocon leaving the team. The new executive director, Flavio Briatore, did everything he could to entice the Spaniard back to Enstone, even hinting at the possibility of securing a Mercedes engine deal. However, Alpine has also faced performance challenges this year and has undergone significant upheaval, with almost all senior staff leaving the team. The most recent change occurred this weekend, with the announcement that Bruno Famin would step down as Team Principal to focus on non-F1-related activities.

Sainz rejected Sauber/Audi to join Williams

It was strongly predicted that Carlos Sainz would join the Sauber F1 Team, which was set to become the Audi Works F1 Team. This move seemed promising, with Sainz leading the team alongside Nico Hulkenburg as his teammate. However, recent changes within the team’s internal administration, including the departure of Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann, hint at a potential lack of involvement and instability from the Audi Group in the project. Additionally, the appointment of former Ferrari Team Principal, Mattia Binnoto, as the new Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer adds another layer of change within the team.

Sainz had to choose between three teams: Williams and Alpine, which are currently in the midfield, and Sauber, which is at the very back. He chose Williams as the team most likely to make progress in the coming years, even over Audi, which had made him their main target to lead their team.

“However, I am fully confident that Williams is the right place for me to continue my F1 journey and I am extremely proud of joining such a historic and successful team, where many of my childhood heroes drove in the past and made their mark on our sport. The ultimate goal of bringing Williams back to where it belongs, at the front of the grid, is a challenge that I embrace with excitement and positivity.”-Sainz

Team principal James Vowles, who joined from Mercedes at the start of last season charged with turning the team into front-runners, said:

“Carlos joining Williams is a strong statement of intent from both parties. Carlos has demonstrated time and again that he is one of the most talented drivers on the grid, with a race-winning pedigree, and this underlines the upward trajectory we are on.”

Sainz has bided his time until all the drama unfolded and has now committed to a steadily improving Williams under the leadership of James Vowles. He hopes to restore the team to its former glory.

He will become just the third driver in F1 history to race for Ferrari, McLaren, and Williams, joining Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell.

Sargeant leaves Williams Racing

Sainz’s confirmation to join the Grove outfit also signifies that Logan Sargeant will be leaving the Williams seat for next year.

Logan Sargeant; credits-Williams Racing

The team stated that they “will provide Logan with full support as he seeks to pursue his racing career for 2025 and beyond.”

Vowles added:

“I also want to thank Logan for everything he has done for the team and know he will continue to fight hard for us in the races ahead.”

The presence of Alex and Carlos will establish one of the most experienced driver line-ups on the grid, and will serve as a guide during the transition to the new regulations in 2026. Their determination and forward momentum will persist as they strive to reclaim competitiveness. With the backing of Dorilton, they are resolutely poised to reassert themselves at the forefront of the grid.

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Formula 1

Belgian GP Review: Heartbreak for Russell while Hamilton triumphs

Going into the Belgian GP, we had Mclaren or Redbull as the probable team for the win. But as unpredictable is the the 2024 season, it was a win for the Brackley outfit of Mercedes. How did the race unfold and what were the storylines to come out of Spa? All these question will be answered in the DRC’s weekend report.

Lukewarm Belgian GP for Mercedes

George Russell crossed the line first but was later disqualified; credits-Mercedes gallery

As the car no. 63 of George Russell crossed the finish line, the Mercedes garage was ecstatic. They had just scored a strong 1-2 with Lewis Hamilton coming in second. However some hours later, it was found out that George Russell’s car was 1.5 kg lighter than the minimum limit. Hence, he was given a ‘DSQ’ for the Belgian GP. This meant that a superb weekend for the Brackley outfit was reduced to a ‘Lukewarm’ one.

However this strategic error from Mercedes doesn’t take away the glamour of Russell’s one stop drive. He qualified P6 for the race and pitted on Lap 10 to switch to Hard tyres. This performance saw him nurse his tyres to an on-track win just half a second ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who started in P3.

credits-Mercedes

He went on a 2-stop race and come the end of the race, he was P2 from Russell. With Russell having to manage his tyres, Hamilton was catching him quickly. However, his efforts couldn’t fetch him a win on-track. Russell crossed the line first just 0.526 ahead.

Mclaren on the podium as Piastri scores a P2

Oscar Piastri came home in P2 , and as the better of the two Mclaren drivers. Throughout the weekend, Mclaren were looking quick as Piastri scored P2 in all the Practice sessions and Lando Norris topped FP2.

credits-@MclarenF1 on X

At the starting grid, Norris and Piastri lined up in P4 and P5 respectively. At the start, Norris made a mistake as he dipped a wheel in gravel at T-1 hairpin which meant he dropped to P7. From then on his race was highly compromised as he couldn’t get past Max Verstappen sitting in P5, who himself was on a comeback drive from 11th. Ultimately, Norris crossed the line in P6, which later got upgraded to P5 as Russell was penalised.

The case of Piastri was relatively more positive than Norris. He started the race behind Norris, but got the better start of the two. From then on, he continued his forward trajectory as he passed Leclerc and Perez for positions. His pace clearly shone when he found a free track and clean air ahead of him.

However, as he came for his second stop he commited a mistake as he overshot his pitbox. This meant he had a slow stop of 4.4 seconds.

Had this mishap not happened, Piastri could’ve challenged Mercedes, as exclaimed by himself and Andreas Stella.

Still Piastri was smooth with his moves as he passed Leclerc at lap 36, hence moving into P3.

However, this would be as far as he would go on track. He crossed the line in P3, 1.1 seconds off the leader. He later got upgraded to a P2.

Ferrari: Leclerc unsatisfied as Sainz’ future finally confirmed

The Belgian GP awarded Leclerc with a P3 trophy, but he was left unsatisfied. Leclerc had inherited pole position off Max Verstappen, with Dutchman having a 10-place penalty.

Charles Leclerc; credits-Ferrari

At the start, Charles got a pretty good start and shot into the distance. However his lead was short lived as a fast charging Lewis Hamiton passed him on the Kemmel Straight.

Leclerc was the only driver starting on the Hard tyres. He came in the pits for his first pit stop at Lap 12, a move he later said could’ve been delayed. In the later stages of the race, Piastri passed him for P3 but in the end he managed to keep Verstappen behind in P5.

In a race where Russell managed to make a one-stop strategy work, it was a case of ‘what could’ve been’ for Leclerc.

Sainz didn’t have as much of an glamorous points haul as Leclerc. After starting from P7, he even led the race at some points during the race.

credits-Ferrari content pool

However, following the same 2-stop strategy as others, he soon was shuffled back. From what place he was in, risking a one-stop was still possible. This thought was resonated by the Spaniard in the post-race interviews. He eventually came across the chequered flag in P6.

An off-track news that surfaced after the race weekend was the transfer of Carlos Sainz to Williams Racing for 2025 and beyond.

Williams have now managed to secure two top class drivers in the form of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz. Whether they are able to provide them good enough cars will be the final piece of puzzle in the Williams resurgence.

A subpar Belgian GP as per Redbull standards

Right from the start of the Belgian weekend, Redbull were going to be the center of attraction. Max Verstappen was set to take a 10-place grid penalty as he had taken more engine components than allowed. Sergio Perez was another driver who was in for a tough weekend as the decision on his seat was imminent after this race.

credits-Redbull Racing on X

After Saturday’s Qualifying, Redbull were looking strong as both drivers gave strong performances. Max took P1 while Perez posted a time good for a P3. Verstappen penalty meant he would be starting from 11th while Checo moved up to P2.

Race

At the Start, Perez had a slower start than Hamilton and hence he conceded his position to the Briton. From then on, he was battling with Piastri for P3. After the first round of pitstops, Piastri was looking quick on the track as he passed Russell and Perez one by one. It was still not over for the mexican as Russell too overtook him for 4th place. Perez made an early second stop for Hard tyres after this.

Perez drove in P7 for majority of the race after his visit to the pits, until the last few laps, when Sainz overtook him. He eventually finished in 8th position. After starting in 2nd position, Perez would not be happy with a P8.

credits-Redbull Racing on X

On the other side of the garage, Max Verstappen was being looked as a potential race winner. With his antiques of winning from lowly positions on the grid, we fans were hopeful of some racing action. As the race started, Max Verstappen was already making moves. By lap 2, he was in P8, catching Norris. As confirmed by the drivers later, track position was very important in this race. Sainz sitting in 6th position was slowing down both Norris and Verstappen. The Dutchman, unable to pass, came into the pits at Lap 10. He put on hard tyres and rejoined the track in P14.

As more and more drivers pitted, the order reshuffled. Verstappen was now in P7, stuck behind Russell. Interestingly, Russell was getting DRS from Perez ahead of him.
Soon Russell passed Perez, who later pitted. Further racing action for Verstappen came in the form a fast charging Norris. However, the Mclaren driver made a mistake on the bus-stop chicane and the gap opened up.

In the final stages of the race, a fight for 4th position took place between Leclerc, Verstappen and Norris. However, this would be the order in which the trio finished. Verstappen eventually got upraded to P4.


What’s Next?

The Belgian GP was the last race before the summer break of the F1 calendar. Teams like Mercedes will be going into their vacations with a positive mindset, while teams like Redbull have some homework to do. We also expect many driver and team personnel announcements throughout the summer break. With how the season has turned on it’s head, it would be impossible to predict how the rest of 2024 unfolds.

Howsoever it changes, follow Desi Racing Co. to keep yourself up to date with Motorsport news and much more.

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Formula 1

Belgian GP preview- 5 interesting storylines to get you up to speed

Over the past few race weekends, we F1 fans have been in for a treat. With no single driver winning more than 2 races in a row, every Sunday has delivered a nail-biting result. And with Verstappen set to take a power unit penalty this weekend, we might be in for another overtaking masterclass. Read this story and much more in this Belgian GP preview from DRC.

Championship fight brewing?

Max Verstappen and Redbull have both been performing so well in the last couple of seasons that the prospect of a Championship fight almost feels alien. But now, McLaren and Mercedes are catching up. Mclaren’s 1-2 in the Hungaroring is proof of this change.

Oscar Piastri after winning in Hungary; credits-@MclarenF1 on X

Mclaren driver Lando Norris is just 76 points behind Verstappen in the Drivers Championship. With a total of 11 rounds to go, Norris might be in for a fight with the Dutchman.

Lando’s case will be helped by Redbull opting to take an excess power unit for Max this weekend, as reported by motorsport.com. However, Max has shown in the past seasons that he can win at this venue from as low as 14th (2022), albeit in a more dominant car than now. Whether he can repeat this feat will be a thing to witness.

In the Constructors championship, the competition has been even tighter. Mclaren is P2 from Redbull by only 51 points, while Ferrari holds P3 only 67 points away from P1. A couple of good weekends would mean that McLaren or Ferrari would be well within contention for that constructor’s trophy.

Mercedes betting on the weather for a good weekend

credits-Mercedes content pool

In the last race in Hungary, Mercedes scored a P3 courtesy of Lewis Hamilton, while George Russell came home in P8. These results may look good but when you compare it with the 2 consecutive wins Mercedes had in Austria (George Russell) and Silverstone (Lewis Hamilton), it does look like Mercedes dropped off at the Hungaroring. As per their team boss, Toto Wolff, this result was down to the heat they experienced in Hungary, as he exclaimed, “These conditions are not for us.” Hence for the race in the Ardennes forest, Mercedes will be hoping for much colder temperatures over the weekend. They currently sit at P4 in the constructors, 81 points adrift of Ferrari in P3.

Alpine decide to switch it up for Spa while a Mercedes engine deal looks imminent

Following the release of the movie Deadpool X Wolverine this week, Alpine has unveiled a special promotional livery adorning the colours of the franchise.

credits-F1

Their on-track performances in Hungary were quite disappointing, however. Esteban Ocon finished in P18, a lap down, after starting from P19 while Gasly had a DNF after 33 laps due to a hydraulics issue. An off-track news that has been floating around is that Alpine is set to become a Mercedes customer team starting as early as 2025. Big steps are being taken for the Alpine-Mercedes deal, as reported by multiple sources like The Race and Motorsport.com. However, an announcement is not expected until after the summer break.

Sources have also reported that the Alpine-Mercedes partnership will be like the one Aston Martin has. This means that Alpine will be using Mercedes’ gearbox, rear suspension and the engine.

However, whether the bosses at Mercedes and Alpine agree to a deal or not, is still unknown.

Driver Market up in the air

A hot topic going into the Spa weekend is the second seat at Redbull and the Driver market complications. Team Boss Christian Horner praised Perez in post-race interviews in Hungary, but he too exclaimed that Perez’s consistency needs to improve.

credits-Redbull content pool

Helmut Marko, advisor to Redbull has also been claiming that they will hold meetings on the topic of the second Redbull seat, after the race weekend. This means that come the end of the summer break, the driver dilemma at Redbull could be sorted.

Apart from Redbull, the other news that came out of the last race weekend was the departure of Kevin Magnussen from Haas for 2025. Rumours are that Esteban Ocon could get that second Haas seat alongside Ollie Bearman for 2025.

In other news, Ex-Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has joined as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer at Audi. He replaces Ex-Mclaren team principal Andreas Seidl and Audi executive Oliver Hoffmann, who was overseeing the project. This means that we will be seeing Binotto back in the F1 paddock very soon.

At Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli is been looked upon for that second seat. He was asked how he looks at his promotion to F1, to which he gave an honest answer-“I don’t know if I would be ready, to be honest because I still am learning a lot in F2,”. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been full of praise for the Italian and is seeing more than just the leaderboard for making the decision.

Weather and Track information

Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most famous tracks in the calendar, and the favourite of many drivers as well.

The 7 km long track through the Ardennes forest makes up for a very exciting race to watch every time. The majority of the track is long straights and fast-flowing corners. Hence setting up the cars for this track will be quite a challenge.

The weather for the weekend looks interesting as well. Rain is expected on both Friday and Saturday, while Sunday looks sunny.

Where to watch

All of the sessions will be available at F1TV and Fancode in India.

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Formula 1

Mattia Binotto’s Return to F1: Ferrari’s Ex-Team Principal to lead the Audi F1 team

Scuderia Ferrari’s former Team Principal Mattia Binotto’s return to F1 is fulfilled by Audi. Audi Formula One team appoints Binotto to lead their team.

Mattia Binotto’s return to F1 coincides with the departure of Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann.

Embed from Getty Images

Binotto will assume the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer at Sauber starting August 1st, 2024.

Kick Sauber, the only team yet to score a point in this Formula One season, is set to transition into Audi starting in 2026.

Audi CEO’s Statement on Mattia Binotto’s Return To F1

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner expressed enthusiasm about Binotto’s arrival, emphasizing his potential to make a substantial impact on Audi’s ambitious Formula One project. He added,

“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project. With his extensive experience of more than 25 years in Formula 1, he will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution to Audi. Our aim is to bring the entire Formula 1 project up to speed with clear management structures, defined responsibilities, reduced interfaces, and efficient decision-making processes. For this purpose, the team must be able to act independently and quickly. I would like to thank Oliver and Andreas for their important work in establishing our entry into Formula 1 and their commitment in preparing for it.”


It’s quite a surprising development considering Seidl’s arrival at the project early in 2023 following a lengthy pursuit by the German manufacturer, which led to his departure from McLaren.

Yet, just 18 months into his role and a mere four months after being formally appointed as CEO of the Audi F1 Team, the situation has taken an unexpected turn.

Embed from Getty Images

Andreas Seidl(on the left) and Oliver Hoffman(on the right)

Just four months after Oliver Hoffmann transitioned from leading Audi’s Technical Department to assuming the newly established role of Managing Director, Audi also opted to part ways with him.

This announcement has left the audience shell-shocked, and there are mixed reactions all over. Binotto’s appointment marks a significant strategic shift just 18 months ahead of Audi’s official entry into Formula One.

Audi’s Target Driver Line-up for 2026 and beyond

Embed from Getty Images

Carlos Sainz Jr and Nico Hulkenberg

Former McLaren Team Principal Seidl played a crucial role in securing Nico Hulkenberg from Haas for 2025, but Audi’s efforts to finalize their second driver for next season and beyond are still ongoing.

However, thus far, their efforts to secure their top choice, Carlos Sainz Jr., have been unsuccessful in convincing him to sign the contract.

Future Of Audi F1 Team with Mattia Binotto’s Return to F1

With the newest decision of Audi, Binotto will have a year and a half to complete preparations for Audi’s full entry into Formula 1 by 2026.

Audi chiefs are optimistic that his appointment will accelerate the team’s rebuilding efforts and preparations, including securing a second driver for the 2025 season and beyond.

They also aim to enhance Sauber’s performance in the near term, ensuring Audi’s competitiveness in Formula 1 at the earliest opportunity.

Mattia Binotto’s previous connections with Formula One

Mattia Binotto has a background in engineering and has been with Ferrari since 1995, holding various technical roles before becoming Team Principal.

In 1995, Mattia Binotto joined Scuderia Ferrari in the engine department and remained with the team during its successful period in the early 2000s where they secured multiple drivers’ and constructors’ championship.

By 2013, he had advanced to the position of head of the engine department. In July 2016, Binotto took over as chief technical officer (CTO) of Ferrari, succeeding James Allison. During his tenure as CTO, Ferrari regained competitiveness with frequent race wins.

In 2019, he was promoted to the role of team principal, succeeding Maurizio Arrivabene.

During Binotto’s four-year tenure, Ferrari won only seven races without securing any championships, which is questionable given Ferrari’s legacy and Binotto’s involvement with the team since 1995.

Binotto’s Final Season with Scuderia Ferrari

After subpar and mediocre seasons in 2019, 2020, and 2021, Ferrari finally found a glimmer of hope at the beginning of the 2022 season, where they showed strong performance by securing a 1-2 finish in the season opener.

Ferrari held a comfortable lead in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships during the early stages of the season.

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Ferrari’s 1-2 Finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix 2022

However, they were unable to maintain consistency. Due to a series of mistakes, poor strategy, and miscommunication, Ferrari’s hopes for both championships slipped away.

There were reported tensions between Binotto and Ferrari’s upper management, including Chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna. These tensions may have revolved around differing visions for the team’s future direction and performance expectations.

Binotto bears ultimate responsibility for that failure as the overall leader in charge. While he achieved some positive changes, he ultimately failed to address fundamental issues within the F1 team.

Management likely perceived a team that regressed rather than progressed throughout 2022 under his leadership.

Binotto departed from Ferrari following the disappointing 2022 season, during which the team’s championship aspirations fell short. Frederic Vasseur succeeded him as Team Principal.

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Formula 1

Hungarian GP Review: Piastri’s First Win, Monza 2021 Remake and Perez Struggles

Oscar Piastri became the fifth Australian to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix and gave us the seventh different race winner of the year at the Hungarian GP. As Mercedes and McLaren continued their upward trend, Verstappen and Redbull lost ground in both the championships. Here’s a recap of what happened this weekend.

Read the Hungarian GP Preview here.

Free Practice

Source: Formula 1 via Twitter(now X)

Although there were heavy rains at the Hungaroring leading up to the weekend, the first practice session started on a completely dry track with track temperatures touching 50°C. Moving toward the summer shutdown, many teams had brought upgrades to this race; some worked, some didn’t. While both Aston Martin drivers complained about the car’s performance, Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu made it to the top 5 on the timing sheets. Kevin Magnussen, who announced that he would not be racing with Haas next year, had brake issues, finishing nineteenth, just ahead of Ferrari junior Ollie Bearman, who was sitting in for Hulkenburg for his rookie practice session. Sainz topped the session for Ferrari, with a time of 1:18:713 on the soft tyres.

The second practice was quite eventful for Scuderia Ferrari, but not in a way they would’ve liked. The Italian outfit has not had the best of races lately and was looking to make a comeback in this race, but it was made difficult by Charles Leclerc who spun and crashed out of turn four, damaging the left rear of his car. Another driver to spin out of turn four was Zhou Ghuany who nearly collected Sergio Perez as well. Norris topped the second practice with a time of 1:17:788, followed by Verstappen and Sainz.

Saturday was a bit cooler than Friday and it seemed to suit the Mclaren cars as they finished first and second. Tsunoda, Ricciardo, and Albon were having a good day as all three finished in the top 10. On the contrary, 8-time Hungarian Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton had a spin and managed to finish only the tenth fastest. His teammate George Russell managed to finish fourth behind Verstappen. Norris extended his streak from FP2 as he finished fastest with a time of 1:16:098.

Zhou spins and Perez avoids collecting him. Source: Formula 1 via Twitter(now X)

Qualifying

Qualifying started in dry conditions, but there were intermittent showers throughout Q1 and Q2. The rain was not heavy enough to send any of the drivers out on the intermediate tyres. As the track was drying out in Q1, the session was brought to a halt by Perez as he crashed into the wall and brought out the red flag. This comes at a time when Perez is delivering back-to-back poor performances and has the pressure to improve his results to keep the Red Bull seat. Another surprise exit out of Q1 was Russell, who took the blame for his exit on the team radio.

The other Mercedes of Hamilton was on the cusp of getting knocked out in Q2. He just made it through to Q3 in P10 by one-hundredth of a second ahead of Hulkenberg. Both the VCARBs made it to Q3 along with the Astons and the Mclarens. Verstappen also went through in P2 behind Norris

After everyone except Ricciardo had had their first runs in Q3, Norris was on provisional pole. As drivers were setting their second flying laps, Tsunoda crashed out in turn 12, bringing out the red flag with just over 2 minutes to go in the session. After the red flag period ended, Norris maintained the pole position with a time of 1:15:227, and Piastri qualified second, making it an all-Mclaren front row. Verstappen and Sainz shared the second row, followed by Leclerc and Hamilton.

McLaren locks out the front row. Source: Mclaren F1 via Twitter(now X)

The Race Start

After qualifying 20th, Pierre Gasly started the race from the pit lane as he took some power unit parts from outside the allocated pool. At lights out, Verstappen, Piastri, and Hamilton all got a good start but Lando made a poor start from pole. Going into turn one, Piastri took the lead, and Verstappen went off the track and joined in front of Norris. Later, upon intervention from the Red Bull team, Verstappen gave the place back to Norris and took third place ahead of Hamilton. As Verstappen and Russell were starting out of place, they started on hard tyres, with a plan to go longer than everyone in the first stint. Their race didn’t go as per plan initially, as the undercut was much more powerful than the overcut. But over the race duration, they managed to make it to the points-paying positions. Both of them scored 6 points as Russell pitted towards the end and took the point for the fastest lap.

Verstappen goes wide into turn 1. Source: Formula 1 via Twitter(now X)

Old Rival Lock Horns Again

Verstappen and Hamilton were battling each other for the final podium place right from the race start. In the first round of pit stops, Hamilton successfully undercut Verstappen and took third place. But later, with fresher tyres, Verstappen managed to get back past Hamilton. In the second round of pitstops, Hamilton again tried to undercut Verstappen and even succeeded. This time, Verstappen stayed for more laps and came out with a larger tyre delt on Hamilton. With the tyre advantage, he got past Leclerc and in no time was onto Hamilton’s rear wing. Verstappen had been having balance and braking issues throughout the race. It became clear that this frustration was bothering his race craft when he dived down the inside of Hamilton, lost control of the car, and made contact with Hamilton. This contact launched the Red Bull in the air and he later went off the track. After this incident, Verstappen lost a place to Leclerc and finally finished fifth as Hamilton secured the podium place.

Verstappen and Hamilton collide. Source: Formula 1 via Twitter(now X)

Ferrari was quite anonymous during the race and finished fourth and sixth.

Multi 21 at Mclaren

After the first round of pit stops, Piastri was comfortably leading the race from Norris. During this period, he made a mistake and lost some time to Lando. When Hamilton pitted to undercut Verstappen, Mclaren pitted Lando first to cover off Hamilton, but he ended up undercutting Oscar and getting the race lead. Mclaren had initially told Piastri that Norris would give him the place once he pits, but he was having difficulty catching up to Lando as he made one more error in the process.

Piastri dips his wheels in the gravel while chasing Norris. Source: Formula 1 via Twitter(now X)

When Lando was told to give the place back, he didn’t oblige initially, as he too was closing the gap to Verstappen in the drivers’ Championship by winning the race. After much convincing and pleading, he gave the lead to Piastri who won a Formula One Grand Prix for the first time in just the second year of his F1 career.

Piastri wins his first F1 GP. Source : Mclaren F1 via Twitter(now X)

Gasly was the only DNF from the race as he had to retire his car due to a suspected hydraulic leak. Russell took the point for the fastest lap and Piastri was voted as the driver of the day.

Championship Standings After The Hungarian GP

Drivers’ Standings after the Hungarian GP. Source : Formula 1 via Twitter(now X)

Tems’ standings after the Hungarian GP. Source: Formula 1 via Twitter(now X)

Next Up

Formula 1 heads to the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the second race of the doubleheader. You can watch all the sessions live in India on F1TV and Fancode.

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Formula 1

A Three way Battle in Budapest: The 2024 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix Preview.

As Red-Bull and Mclaren pull away from the field, Mercedes joins the party. With three race winning cars on track, all three will look to bag good points, while Ferrari will be hopeful for a better result. Welcome to DRC’s F1 Hungarian Grand Prix Preview.

Read the British Grand Prix Review here.


Know the Hungaroring

The tight and twisty Hungaroring track is located in Mogyorod, 11 miles west of the Hungarian capital, Budapest. Described as an enlarged go-kart circuit, it is one of the most technically challenging circuits on the calendar.

The Hungaroring circuit. Photo credits: F1

The 14 corner track is also called Monaco without the walls, owing to it’s high downforce requirements. Even though overtaking is very difficult here, the track has undergone only one major revision, which was in 2003. The main straight was extended another 200 meters to make it 900m long, and the first corner was tightened to promote overtaking.

The track contains two back-to-back DRS zones, followed by a technical middle sector full of chicanes and esses. The final sector is a short one, only featuring two hairpins that feed back into the main straight. A good middle sector is crucial here.

Historically, Hungary has been a circuit full of firsts. It was the first and only circuit to host a race beyond the Iron Curtian. It is also famous for giving drivers their first wins. Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Heikki Kovalainen and most recently, Esteban Ocon have taken their first wins here. Max Verstappen took his first pole back in 2019 at the Hungaroring too.

The 2024 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix will consist of 70 laps around this 4.381 kilometer circuit, with a two stop strategy as the norm.


Red Bull look to fight back blow for blow

Over the last few races, Red Bull has fallen off the pace and is slowly falling into the clutches of McLaren, and even Ferrari. Right now, Red Bull lead Ferrari by 71 points, closely followed by McLaren. With both McLaren cars consistently finishing in the top 5 in the last races bar Norris’s retirement in Austria, and Checo only scoring 8 points in the last five races, it has become difficult for Max and Red Bull to outscore the Papaya clad team.

McLaren’s last upgrade has significantly improved their performance, while Red Bull is still struggling to find and mend the issues with the RB20. Verstappen recently tested the RB18 at Imola, in an attempt to figure out the problem with the new car. As Red Bull work hard to rectify their problems, McLaren seems to be getting better and better. And now with Mercedes back in the fray, a new challenger is rising to take their throne.

Max Tests the RB18 in Imola. Image cradits: Autosport

Another factor is the two on one that Max has to face. With Checo qualifying poorly, Max has to take on the McLaren, and sometimes the Mercedes pair alone. Two cars in the mix would greatly help Red Bull, and Checo will be motivated to improve his Qualifying and Race records.


Mercedes on the up as Hamilton eyes another record

The Hungaroring has always been kind to Mercedes. They have the most wins here in the Turbo-Hybrid era. Russell and Hamilton snatched pole here in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Hamilton has also won eight races here, and his first victory with Mercedes came here in 2013.

Mercedes usually nail the set-up here. With the team riding high after back-to-back victories in Austria and Silverstone, they would love to go for a treble. Lewis Hamilton will also eye a record equaling nine victories. After his win in Silverstone, he now holds the record for most wins at a single circuit with 9.

George Russell also has a fantastic track record here, finishing in the points every year since 2021, where he came eight for a struggling Williams. A podium and a top 5 finish followed in 2022 and 2023.

Mercedes will want to secure a large bag of points here, to reduce the 152 points defecit they have to the leaders Red Bull and to catch up with McLaren and Ferrari.


A Ferrari Renaissance on the Horizon?

Ferrari seems to have dropped off after their excellent performances in Melbourne and Monaco. This year, Ferrari seem to be a heavily down-force reliant car, with podiums for Charles and Carlos in Sakhir, Jeddhah, Melbourne and Suzuka, all tracks which require downforce. Of course their victories on the streets of Melbourne and Monte-Carlo confirms this.

Ferrari have dominated the Downforce heavy circuits. Image Credit: Anonymous

Their struggles at the more balanced tracks of Canada and Barcelona, along with power heavy tracks like Austria and Silverstone have cost them dearly. It is also evident that the Ferrari is one of the more draggy cars on the straights and struggle with straight line speed.

As the Hungaroring is a heavy-downforce track, it seems like Ferrari have a shot at victory here. This might be one of the few chances for them to get points during the European Leg of the season, along with Zandvoort and Baku. Consequently, Ferrari have bought new floor upgrades to make most of this valuable chance. A huge points haul in the Hungarian Grand Prix will solidify their chances against McLaren, Red Bull and even Mercedes who look threatening.


Dark Clouds loom over the race

An alarming video was shared by Mikey Brown, a mechanic at Aston Martin, shows the Pitlane flooding in what he described as “a HUGE storm” . McLaren, having barely repaired their motorhome in time for the British GP after the fire in Catalunya, have suffered another issue. The repaired motorhome has lost it’s roof multiple times over this week, thanks to the speedy winds.

Even though Meteorologists predict a dry weekend, a small rain shower, combined with the high humidity in Hungary this time of year can put the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend in doubt.


Championship Standings

This is how the championship looks as we head into the race weekend:

Credits: F1

Race Weekend Schedule

All events during the weekend are available to watch on F1TV and Fancode. The times given below are in IST(GMT +5:30).

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