2022 - A Look Ahead

Toto Wolff surprisingly admits Mercedes gained ‘advantage’ by pressuring the FIA.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has admitted that putting pressure on the FIA often leads to the gaining of a “potential advantage.”
17 August 2022
by Finley Crebolder

Wolff and Mercedes have been calling for the governing body to change some rules to address the porpoising issues the German team have encountered this year. He denies that he and his team were putting pressure on the FIA for sporting reasons, but admits it can have his advantages.

“When you put pressure on the FIA there is always a potential advantage, in everything, and we have done that in the past,” he told the Italian branch of Motorsport.com. “I could also add that today we have understood the porpoising problems of our car, we got the pole position in the last race, but that doesn’t change anything,” he added.

“It is irrelevant, we are talking about something that damages the health of the drivers, from the outside we cannot understand what it means to be subjected to those particular stresses. I strongly believe that countermeasures must be taken to be sure that next year this problem will be a distant memory.”

‘Putting pressure on the FIA often leads to the gaining of a “potential advantage’!’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...uring-the-fia/


FIA ignore Ferrari protest threats as rule changes approved in boost for Lewis Hamilton
THE FIA have approved a number of changes to the technical regulations which are set to come into effect at this month's Belgian Grand Prix.
22:22, Tue, Aug 16, 2022
By Archie Griggs

The FIA's World Motor Sport Council have given the green light to regulation changes for the rest of this season and in 2023 in a bid to combat the 'porpoising' issue that has plagued the efforts of Mercedes over the course of this year. The Silver Arrows led calls for alterations to be made before the summer break, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell having suffered from the violent bouncing of their cars on long straights since pre-season testing.

Mercedes have now seemingly got their wish, with the FIA approving the changes on Tuesday after several months of discussions behind closed doors. Not everybody is expected to be on board with the new measures, though, and Ferrari have already threatened to protest the ruling in the event of its approval as they believe it would serve to benefit Mercedes.

The changes are expected to mainly aid Mercedes, who have suffered with the issue of porpoising more than other teams. The safety of porpoising has however been called into question by a number of drivers since the start of this year. FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem has since reaffirmed that his main priority needs to be mitigating the health risks faced by those in the cockpit in order to reduce the risk of preventable injuries.

‘Mercedes have now seemingly got their wish, with the FIA approving the changes’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...milton-F1-news


FIA confirm details of clampdown on ‘flexi-floors’ from Belgian Grand Prix
Tuesday 16th August 2022 7:00 PM
Sam Cooper

The FIA have confirmed they are to monitor the stiffness of the planks under cars after some teams were accused of having ‘flexi-floors’.

FIA rules state the wooden plank which runs along the bottom of the car must have a limit of 2mm of flexibility, but there was suspicion some in the paddock had found a grey area which allowed them to hit up to 6mm of flexibility.

Mercedes’ Toto Wolff was the most vocal in his criticism of the FIA’s slowness to act, saying it should have been policed as soon the FIA had caught suspicion it was going on, but the Austrian now has his wish with the governing body set to inspect the cars more closely. The FIA have introduced the new measures alongside rules to combat porpoising and some of them will be in place for the next race in Belgium.

‘FIA confirm details of clampdown on ‘flexi-floors’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/fia-cl...rs-belgian-gp/


Breaking: F1's new engine formula finally confirmed as FIA share full details
16/08/2022, ‎17‎:‎30
Author RacingNews365 Staff

F1's governing body, the FIA, have set out the much-anticipated 2026 power unit regulations following their approval by the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).

As revealed by RacingNews365.com, a complete set of 2026-on PU rules was recently distributed to the sport's major players, with the WMSC now ratifying them.

Existing manufacturers, prospective manufacturers and the FIA have been involved in discussions over the final features of the regulations for many months.

‘F1's new engine formula’;

https://racingnews365.com/breaking-f...e-full-details


FIA confirms roll hoop design changes in wake of Zhou crash
RaceFans Round-up
Posted on 17th August 2022, 0:01
Written by Will Wood

In the round-up: The FIA have confirmed that the design of roll hoops on Formula 1 cars will be changed in a bid to avoid similar accidents to the one experienced by Zhou Guanyu at Silverstone. The FIA have confirmed that the design of roll hoops on Formula 1 cars will be changed in a bid to avoid similar accidents to the one experienced by Zhou Guanyu at Silverstone.

Alfa Romeo driver Zhou survived a frightening accident at the start of the British Grand Prix when he was pitched upside down by contact with his helmet millimetres from the track before his car dug into a gravel trap and rolled.

Despite his roll hoop breaking off his car after his half-roll, Alfa Romeo later confirmed that his roll hoop had not technically failed, but that the forces placed on the roll hoop in the accident exceeded the threshold they are tested for.

‘FIA confirms roll hoop design changes’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/08/17/...nd-up-17-08-5/

DOMENICALI: “I’M NOT SELLING THE SOUL OF FORMULA 1.”
What's going on behind the scenes of the race calendar planning?

Lena Ferle

Domenicali seems surprised by the little interest from Germany, as some Formula 1 fans would like to see a race at the Hockenheimring or Nürburgring back – from all over the world. Formula 1 added Qatar and Saudi Arabia to the race calendar last year. Not all Formula 1 spectators saw this as progress; they criticised the fixation on the money that would come from the states.

Domenicali defends himself against this accusation: “I’m not selling the soul of Formula 1. I believe that this is the normal change. Money is important everywhere, also for us. But it’s not the only thing we look at. The whole package has to be right. If we only looked at the bank account, the race calendar would definitely look different.”

An example of this would be Russia. Despite good funding (the Russian GP reportedly brought Formula 1 up to $50 million a year), the Sochi circuit is no longer included in the planning: “I always say never say never, but in this case, I can promise: We will not have any more negotiations with them. There will be no more racing there.”

‘Soul Of Formula 1, Not For Sale’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/do.../?nowprocket=1


Briatore shares holiday snap chilling with Wolff and Domenicali
NewsDesk
11 August, 2022

Three of Formula 1‘s most powerful men past and present, F1 chief Stefano Domenicali, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and the sport’s number one scoundrel Flavio Briatore enjoying the sunshine on their summer break.

The trio popped up on Briatore’s Instagram feed post “On the boat with Stefano Domenicali and Toto Wolff.”

Briatore, once one of the most powerful men in F1, appears to be making a comeback in the wake of his role in the notorious Singapore Crashgat scandal, a scam seeing Nelson Piquet crash his Renault to favour Alonso’s bid for a win, Formula 1’s crime of the century.

COMMENTS SECTION:
• NeoGeoH
So yesterday this site ran an article titled: "QUESTION MARK: IS TOTO WOLFF TOO POWERFUL FOR F1?" and now we see him on a boat with the CEO of the F1 Group (and crash gate team boss Flav) during the summer break? If nothing else it is bad optics to me. Also, Briatore's presence is less scandalous as he isn't a team boss, owner, or F1 Group CEO.

‘Formula 1‘s most powerful men past and present’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/08...nd-domenicali/


Domenicali: Audi and Porsche entering F1 gives it credibility
8 August, 2022
NewsDesk

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali claimed Volkswagen entering the sport through Audi and Porsche will give it credibility in terms of its relevance to the future of mobility.

The subject of Audi and Porsche entering F1 has been a long-discussed matter, with the latest report claiming Porsche will be entering the sport via a joint venture with Red Bull by which they take over a 50% stake in the team, while Audi is reportedly in talks with Sauber regarding a collaboration through Alfa Romeo.

Both companies, part of the Volkswagen group, are also awaiting the finalization of the 2026 new power unit regulations before putting pen to paper on their well advanced agreements.

‘F1 Credibility’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/08...t-credibility/


F1 "no space for idiots" - Domenicali
Tuesday 2 August 2022 11:20
Ewan Gale

F1 is about competition not idiots Former FIA race director Michael Masi revealed in an interview with the Australian Daily Telegraph that he felt the most hated man in the world after his part in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix controversy last season.

Masi also revealed a number of death threats that were made online. "There is no space for idiots," added Domenicali. "We don't want to give any kind of room [to them]. This sport can show that it is a competition.

"In competition, you can do good, you can do well but you need to be respectful every time."

‘No Space For Idiots’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/88...no-domenicali/


Next year’s F1 calendar to be confirmed in October, 24 races likely – Domenicali
RaceFans Round-up
Posted on 6th August 2022, 0:015th August 2022, 23:11 |
Written by Will Wood

Maximum 24 race cap likely to be hit in 2023, suggests Domenicali. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expects to confirm details of next year’s schedule “around early October”, he told a call to Liberty Media investors yesterday.

Domenicali indicated the 2023 F1 calendar is likely to feature the maximum permitted 24 races. The series is endeavouring to reorganise some of its rounds to reduce the amount of travel and therefore cut costs and emissions. “We would like to keep the right flow in terms of efficiency around the world, to consider the needs of a calendar to be spread out from March to November all around the world,” he said.

“The demand is very, very high,” for races, he added. “We cannot [say] anything more than what we are saying because we are, of course, finalising all the details. But we for sure expect to have a couple of races more than this year, but less than 25, that’s for sure.”

‘F1 calendar 24 races likely’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/08/06/...nd-up-06-08-5/

Sebastian Vettel warns Formula 1 it’s at risk of becoming ‘irrelevant’.
Sebastian Vettel admitted his increasing passion for environmental issues played a part in his decision to retire.
17 August 2022
by Finley Crebolder

Vettel has become an activist for environmental issues in recent years, repeatedly calling for the sport to become greener and admitting his passion for the cause played a part in his decision to retire from racing at the end of this season.

He has often stated that he doesn’t believe that F1 is doing enough in that area, and the Aston Martin man has warned that support and interest in it from those that aren’t already fans could wane as a result if that doesn’t change soon.

“And if we don’t find a way to really help shift change, and contribute to the fact everyone benefits from what we are doing for fun, and the innovation in engineering that comes with it, then I think very soon the question will come up ‘okay, what’s the point?’

‘F1 Irrelevant Risk’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/sebastian...ng-irrelevant/


‘Sebastian Vettel would find IndyCar tough as F1 is easiest car I’ve ever driven’
Wednesday 17th August 2022 1:15 PM
Michelle Foster

Former F1 hopeful Christian Lundgaard believes Sebastian Vettel would find a move to IndyCar difficult as “the car isn’t driving you, you are driving the car”.

The 21-year-old Dane knows both Formula 1 and IndyCar, swapping to the American series after his two seasons in Formula 2, during which he also tested with Alpine, did not yield a Formula 1 race seat.

“I think it would be cool for Sebastian to drive an IndyCar, honestly,” said Lundgaard, quoted by Motorsport.com. “I’ve driven Formula 1 cars. I’ve tested quite a few days with Renault. So for me, I’ll say it as it is – personally, that was the easiest car I’ve ever driven. It’s easy to drive to a certain extent.”

‘Vettel To Indy?’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/christ...indycar-tough/


F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali would welcome Sebastian Vettel on this condition
Sebastian Vettel announced at the Hungarian GP that he'll be retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the season.
9 August 2022
by Nick Golding

Since Vettel announced his retirement, F1 president Stefano Domenicali has revealed that he wants Vettel to “remain close” to the sport, especially with the sustainable approach F1 is taking over the next few years.

“Of course we want the link to remain close in the future,” Domenicali told Sport Bild. “If he is interested in becoming part of our system and the approaches fit, I would of course welcome him here.”

However, ex-F1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes none of what Domenicali said, with the German convinced that many of the sport’s bosses will be “happy” the Aston Martin driver is going. Motorsport-Total.com quote him as having told Sky Germany “internally in Formula 1 some are now happy he’s gone, especially Domenicali and co, because he addressed all the problems directly, so in part was very uncomfortable, but rightly so”.

‘Welcomed or Uncomfortable?’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/f1-ceo-st...his-condition/


Helmut Marko: Sebastian Vettel could not see Aston Martin joining podium fight in 2023
Wednesday 17th August 2022 5:00 PM
Michelle Foster

Helmut Marko believes Sebastian Vettel chose retirement over another season of only squabbling for points, not podium finishes, at Aston Martin. Vettel surprised many in the paddock, but not Sky F1 broadcaster Ted Kravitz, when he announced ahead of the summer break this season would be his last in Formula 1.

While some have wondered why Vettel, only 35, did not push for a third season with Aston Martin, Marko reckons that is because he did not believe the team would make any progress next season.

“It’s becoming apparent,” he told motorsport-total.com. “He’s not in a competitive car and I don’t think he saw the prospect of the car being able to make a regular podium finish next year. And there’s no space in the top teams. The Austrian, who worked with Vettel at Toro Rosso and Red Bull, was asked whether he felt a comeback could be on the cards like Michael Schumacher with Mercedes. “No,” he replied. “I think this is final.”

‘Chosing Retirement Over Squabbling For Points’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/helmut...-2023-podiums/


Marc Surer regrets that Sebastian Vettel carries ‘shadow’ of no Ferrari title
Thursday 11th August 2022 11:00 AM
Michelle Foster

Marc Surer says it is a “shame” Sebastian Vettel never won a title with Ferrari as that’s a “shadow” over his legacy. Losing the World title to Lewis Hamilton in 2014, a season in which Vettel wasn’t able to win a single grand prix with Red Bull, the German jumped ship to Ferrari where he dreamt of following in Michael Schumacher’s footsteps and adding his four World titles. But it was not to be.

His six seasons with Ferrari yielded a best result of runner-up in the 2017 and 2018 championships, both years in which Vettel and Ferrari were, at times, their own worst enemies.

“Of course it’s a shame that he only won titles with Red Bull,” former Swiss racer turned pundit Surer said in an interview with Formel1.de. “It would have been nice if he had won another title with Ferrari, because that’s a bit of a shadow.”

‘Shadow Over His Legacy’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/marc-s...ferrari-title/


Jean Alesi tips Sebastian Vettel for racing return after F1 exit
Published: 16 Aug 2022, 13:00
By George Dagless

Jean Alesi believes it won’t be long until we see Sebastian Vettel back in a racing car after he completes his exit from Formula 1 at the end of the year.

Alesi believes that Vettel is leaving F1 at the right time for him, but that this might not be the end of his career as a racing driver: “He did it at a good time. He is a four-time world champion, he is very well respected in F1 by all the drivers and that means a lot you know,” Alesi said to Give Me Sport.

“But he’s quite young, so probably we will see him back in a racing car quite soon, I believe.” With series like Formula E and Extreme E promoting sustainability and environmental awareness – two issues close to Seb – you’d never be surprised to see him end up in such a championship.

‘Racing Return’;

https://www.givemesport.com/88048072...-after-f1-exit

Mekies says mood in Ferrari camp ‘as high as it gets’ despite 2022 setbacks.
With nine races to go in 2022, Ferrari currently sit second in the constructors’ championship – 97 points behind Red Bull. But the Prancing Horses’ Racing Director Laurent Mekies insists that the spirit within the team is still high, despite the large deficit to their rivals.
18 August 2022
Formula 1.

“The mood in the camp is as high as it gets, because people like Charles [Leclerc], Carlos [Sainz], Mattia [Binotto], these guys are driving the team in all situations,” said Mekies. “You have the good moments, you have the bad moments, and I think the difference comes from this sort of leadership.”

“They are able, whatever happens, to press the reset button, to bring everybody together, to look back at what happened, to learn from it and to go and look to the next race with a smile and with more motivation than the race before.”

“Let's start from the speed,” said Mekies of Leclerc’s 2022 performance. “He has been showing such outstanding speed this year again that you don't want to go and touch that aspect. Charles doesn't need us… as a great racing driver, to understand where he needs to go in terms of closeness to the limit. He is a master of that and, as we all do, mistakes can happen. I think we don't look at single mistakes, we look at the strike rate. We look at how extraordinarily you're able to do things compared to stuff that you do not as good, and I think his strike rate this year has been very, very impressive and we don't want him to change anything.”

‘Ferrari Look At Strike Rate’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...hvv1AVbeU.html


Mattia Binotto explains why he’s ‘not surprised’ by Ferrari’s engine failures
Ferrari have suffered a number of power unit failures in 2022.
18 August 2022
by Nick Golding

Scuderia Ferrari have arguably has the fastest car this season; however, it’s also been the most unreliable by a country mile. Whilst the failures have put a huge dent in Ferrari’s title hopes, Sainz admitted after Austria that he’d rather suffer the failures, than have an “underpowered engine”.

Binotto has explained that Ferrari’s desperation to build the most powerful PU on the grid meant that over the winter, reliability was somewhat forgotten about. The Ferrari boss knew that his team’s reliability situation “wasn’t ideal”, but that during the winter they discovered “no problems” with the PU’s reliability.

“That doesn’t mean we came to the first race and thought we were completely unreliable. It wasn’t like that,” said the team boss. There were no problems during the winter tests. But we knew our situation wasn’t ideal.”

‘No Surprise by Ferrari’s Engine Failures’;

‘Rather suffer failures than have an underpowered engine’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/mattia-bi...gine-failures/


Exclusive: The story behind one of F1's most important inventions
18/08/2022, ‎17‎:‎05
Author Dieter Rencken
Co-author Anna Francis

In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365.com, Ferrari's Racing Director, Laurent Mekies, has been reflecting on his involvement in the process of bringing the Halo to Formula 1. Four years on from its introduction into F1, Ferrari's Laurent Mekies has been recounting the efforts it took to bring the Halo to Formula 1.

Mekies – who holds the role of Racing Director for the Scuderia – was one of those involved in presenting the data behind the device ahead of it being brought into effect for the 2018 season. Looking back now, Mekies admits that there were some concerns about bringing a cockpit protection system to F1. "Everybody was against us," Mekies said. "Every single person was against us. That's how it started. Because of something very fair, because of the aesthetic – [people thought] the aesthetic was unpleasant.”

"There were these false feelings of high-enough safety, so [people asked], 'Why are you trying to push the boundaries?'" Despite the protests, boundaries continued to be pushed in the process of developing the Halo. "[We pushed the boundaries] because we wanted to be productive, we wanted to go to the next step," Mekies continued. Mekies credits Todt with crucial role in bringing Halo Mekies credits the influence of former FIA President Jean Todt in terms of pushing for the Halo to be introduced and encouraging the team behind it to "think outside of the box".

‘Every single person was against us’;

https://racingnews365.com/exclusive-...ant-inventions


Red Mist: What if Ferrari did get their Maths right?
18 August, 2022
Michele Lupini

What if Mattia Binotto and his Ferrari cronies did everything right this season, and never messed up the maths or strategy? Let’s play a game of Excel Formula 1.

Excel is a splendid computer program. It makes crunching numbers really easy. So, with all this speculation surrounding how exactly Ferrari has screwed its F1 campaign up this year, I thought it would be a good idea if we could work it out once and for all.

I love data and I love statistics, and being quite thorough, I worked a plan and set about it. Of course, if grandma had balls, I would not be here. None of us would. ‘If’ is one of those words that losers use. So I suppose it fits.

‘What If?’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/08...t-f1-strategy/


Mattia Binotto responds to Ferrari ‘bad luck’ claim as Charles Leclerc’s frustration grows
Ferrari's title challenge has been unravelling lately.
17 August 2022
by James Clifford

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has indicated that it would not serve a purpose to make changes to his team at the moment after several calamitous moments in 2022.

“It’s not a matter of bad luck, and there is nothing to change as well,” he said. “It’s always a matter of continuous learning and building, building experience, building skills.

“Certainly there is something that you need to look at and understand why, but if I look again at the balance of the first half of the season, there is no reason why we should change. I think we simply need to address what was wrong today, we need to understand, and then to address and get back competitive at the 12 races so far [before Hungary] and the reason why it could not be the case at the next one.”

‘Not A Matter Of Bad Luck’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/mattia-bi...tration-grows/


Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto explains 'depression' after Charles Leclerc engine heartbreak
CHARLES LECLERC'S F1 title challenge has been derailed by a series of mishaps and engine failures.
14:07, Wed, Aug 17, 2022
By Fraser Watson

Mattia Binotto has admitted that the retirements of Charles Leclerc this season have left him feeling 'depressed' as Ferrari bid to address their erratic 2022 F1 campaign. The Monegasque man seemed set to launch a serious challenge for the title when he won the season opener in Bahrain, before notching second in Saudi Arabia and another victory in Australia.

But since then, his title aspirations have been derailed, with a power unit issue forcing his retirement whilst leading in Spain. And despite being on pole for his home race in Monaco, a questionable team strategy saw him end up fourth.

Further engine problems forced him to retire in Azerbaijan, and another pole position went to waste in France when Leclerc spun off early on. The series of mishaps have left him 80 points off leader Max Verstappen in the drivers' standings, and facing a nigh on impossible task to deliver the Scuderia a first title since Kimi Raikkonen triumphed in 2007.

‘Mattia Binotto Explains Depression';

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...eclerc-F1-news


Mattia Binotto admits Ferrari ‘prioritised performance over reliability’
Wednesday 17th August 2022 7:00 PM
Jon Wilde

Mattia Binotto has endorsed the comments of driver Carlos Sainz by admitting Ferrari have prioritised performance over reliability with their engine. Sainz has been the most expressive member of the Ferrari team from that perspective, as far back as February saying the Scuderia had aimed to have a “powerful engine – if not the most powerful” because with the development freeze they had “five years to work on reliability”.

Costly breakdowns, such as those that potentially stopped Charles Leclerc from winning in Spain and Azerbaijan, might have changed that mindset. But Sainz reiterated in July, after an engine failure of his own that set the car on fire in Austria, that “I’d rather take that step and get through that bump than have an under-powered engine that is more reliable”.

Binotto, the team principal, has now revealed his own view is very much aligned with that of the Spaniard. “I’m not completely surprised by what happened,” Binotto told the Italian edition of Motorsport.com. “I don’t think we pushed too hard [in developing the engine] because you can never have enough performance. But we certainly prioritised performance over reliability.”

‘Prioritised Performance Over Reliability’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/mattia...ormance-first/

‘We don’t have petrodollars’: Belgian GP organiser fires jibe as Spa faces axe.
A circuit war between Formula 1 owners Liberty Media and the drivers appears to be brewing, with the American company set to drop the legendary Belgian Grand Prix to open up a slot on the calendar for either another American or Middle Eastern race.
17 August 2022
by Nick Golding

Spa-Francorchamps is arguably one of the homes of F1, with the circuit in the Ardennes forest having hosted 55 Grand Prix’s since featuring on the first-ever F1 calendar back in 1950.

The venue is famous for incredible racing, unpredictable weather, and of course Eau Rouge. Yet it appears none of this will be enough to keep it on the calendar, with 2022 looking likely to be the circuit’s last dance at hosting the pinnacle of motorsport.

Drivers are furious with the owner’s position on ditching Spa and have shown vocal support for the one-of-a-kind venue. Circuit organisers have pleaded with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali that the circuit retains its place, with Spa having undergone changes to Eau Rouge as well as a full entertainment programme having been planned for the Belgian Grand Prix. Supposedly, the Belgian GP weekend isn’t entertaining enough, with the races in America having raised the bar on what is expected from an F1 weekend.

‘We don’t have petrodollars’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/we-dont-h...spa-faces-axe/


F1 drivers upset amid Belgian GP uncertainty: It's all about money
20/08/2022, ‎15‎:‎10
Author Luuk van Poppelen
Co-author Dieter Rencken

Established F1 drivers Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Perez have already expressed their disappointment at the prospect of losing the Belgian GP, and Lando Norris, who is half-Belgian, shared his concerns about F1 prioritising "business decisions". "I personally have a lot to do with Spa of course and I love the circuit. I went to Belgium for many years and spent a lot of time there with my family," Norris told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"I'm looking forward to experiencing the changes and the new tarmac, and a new grandstand at Raidillon. I always look forward to Spa. It's one of the coolest circuits all season.”

"It would be a shame to lose Spa. A lot of things these days are just about money, that's the problem. It's a business. It's a historic race for F1, the same as Monaco. As far as I know, they don't even pay in Monaco and it's still on the calendar – same with Monza. So I think Spa should always be there as long as Formula 1 exists."

‘It's all about money’;

https://racingnews365.com/f1-drivers...ll-about-money


Max Verstappen makes plea to Formula 1 ahead of 2022 Belgian Grand Prix
19 August 2022
by James Clifford

The future of the Belgian Grand Prix hangs in the balance after this year. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has warned Formula 1 that they cannot do away with tracks like Spa Francorchamps amid worldwide interest in hosting races.

Vegas is set to join Austin and Miami on the calendar next year, expanding American interest to three races, two of them being held on street circuits if Miami is to be counted as such.

Provided Monaco keeps its place for 2023, there will be seven street circuits on the calendar next season, although the Principality is also under threat. In years to come, it is possible that the likes of Silverstone and Monza, who both have deals until 2024, will also drop off, and this is all due to an influx of new demographics.

‘Belgian Grand Prix Track Loss Possibility’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/max-verst...an-grand-prix/


‘A shame’, ‘just about money’: F1 drivers fear Spa’s next grand prix will be its last
2022 Belgian Grand Prix
Posted on 5th August 2022, 8:145th August 2022, 10:09 |
Written by Ida Wood and Claire Cottingham

While the 2023 Formula 1 calendar has not yet been officially confirmed, many drivers have already expressed disappointment over the widely-expected loss of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Norris questions why a circuit so historically significant to Formula 1 as Spa has its place on the calendar under threat, while other venues with just as strong a heritage do not appear to be in question.

“It’s a shame,” he continued. “But it’s a historic race for F1. Same as Monaco – for what I know, they don’t even pay and it’s still on the calendar – same with like Monza and stuff. So I feel like it should always be on for as long as Formula 1’s around.”

‘Just about money’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/08/05/...l-be-its-last/


F1 quiz: Guess the Grid for the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa
Sunday 21st August 2022 3:00 PM
Jamie Woodhouse

Your next F1 quiz has landed…can you name all of the drivers who formed the grid for the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix? The 2014 campaign was a season of great change in Formula 1 – just like 2022 – as the new turbo-hybrid V6 engines came into play.

Right now, Formula 1 is on its summer hiatus, reflecting on 13 rounds’ worth of action for the new regulations, but once the series returns Belgium will be its first stop as was the case in 2014.

Changeable weather conditions made for a very tricky qualifying session at Spa that year, with rain expected for the race but at a lighter intensity. As it turned out, while rain was not going to provide any drama on the track, the drivers certainly were. Two in particular. We won’t be naming any names though – that is your job!

‘F1 Quiz’;

https://www.planetf1.com/quizzes/f1-...an-grand-prix/

Domenicali denies selling F1's 'soul' amid call to protect historic races.
Stefano Domenicali denies "selling the soul" of Formula 1 as he is urged to "ringfence" four historic races, including the Belgian Grand Prix.
22 August 2022
Ben Issatt

This weekend's race at Spa-Francorchamps could be the last for the foreseeable future with its contract set to expire and F1 needing to make space for potentially four new or returning events in 2023.

Belgium isn't alone either in facing the axe with the French GP almost certain to be dropped and the 'Jewel in the Crown' at Monaco also still yet to officially sign a new deal for next year. Belgium isn't alone either in facing the axe with the French GP almost certain to be dropped and the 'Jewel in the Crown' at Monaco also still yet to officially sign a new deal for next year.

The assault on F1's foundational races has drawn criticism from drivers and fans alike, and Red Bull boss Christian Horner made it clear some circuits should be mainstays on the calendar. “Spa, for sure. It’s one of those historic races," he told Sky Sports. "There should be a few races – Monaco, Silverstone, Spa, Monza – they’re the big ones, the historic ones, and I think we should ringfence and really protect those.

‘Domenicali Denies Selling F1's 'Soul'!’;

https://www.insideracing.com/formula...historic-races


Christian Horner slams FIA approach as Belgian Grand Prix under threat
THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX could be under threat with no deal in place from next season.
09:41, Mon, Aug 22, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth

Christian Horner has slammed the FIA for not protecting F1’s historic races with the future of the Belgian Grand Prix at risk. Neither Monaco nor Belgium have a deal in place for next season despite their evocative status among fans.

His comments come after the Red Bull boss was asked whether team bosses would fight hard against losing the Belgian Grand Prix. Horner explained: “Spa, for sure. It’s one of those historic races.

"There should be a few races – Monaco, Silverstone, Spa, Monza – they’re the big ones, the historic ones, and I think we should ringfence and really protect those. It’s great that these new venues are coming in and that there is interest but you’ve got to have that history.”

‘FIA Approach Slammed’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ian-grand-prix


Norris rues possible loss of Spa F1: "Things are just about money nowadays"
Aug 22, 2022, 6:37 PM
By: Luke Smith

McLaren driver Lando Norris would feel “sad” if Spa dropped off the Formula 1 calendar for 2023, saying that “things are just about money nowadays.”

This weekend's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa could be the last for the time being as F1 plots its calendar for next year that will reach the limit of 24 races. Spa is one of the most popular tracks on the F1 calendar thanks to its fast layout and iconic corners such as Eau Rouge, making it one of the most challenging for drivers to master.

Asked about the possibility of Spa falling off the calendar, Norris said: "I'll be sad. I guess a lot of things are just about money nowadays, which is the issue. It's a business. It's a shame," Norris said of the possible loss of Spa, which he called "one of the coolest circuits of the whole season."

‘Things are just about money nowadays’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/n...days/10356180/


Belgian Grand Prix: Formula 1 drivers call for race to remain on calendar amid 2023 uncertainty
Last Updated: 22/08/22 2:00pm
By Matt Morlidge

Belgian GP does not have F1 contract for next year and calendar is expected to grow from 22 to 24 races; Christian Horner: "It's great that there's these new events coming in and there's interest. But you've got to have that history"

Formula 1 drivers have warned against losing the Belgian GP off the calendar, as the sport heads back to Spa-Francorchamps amid growing concerns this could be the last race at the circuit for some time.

Lando Norris, who is half Belgian from his mother's roots, added: "I think Spa should always be there as long as Formula 1 exists." The Belgian GP is all live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend, with practice starting on Friday and Sunday's race at 2pm.

‘Calls For Belgian Grand Prix To Remain On Calendar’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...23-uncertainty


Belgian GP rumours hinder F1 progress
Monday 22 August 2022 11:20
Sam Hall

Belgian Grand Prix promotor Vanessa Maes has conceded that rumours and speculation about the future of the event are hindering negotiations with F1. Alongside races in Monaco and France, the Belgian GP is out of contract after this weekend.

With an influx of races from America and the Middle East, it is expected a number of traditional European races will make way. Addressing the current situation, and speaking to HNL.de, Maes said: "We are in discussion with the promoter of F1, Formula 1, and those conversations are not easy. The ongoing rumours don't make it any easier.

"I assume that Formula 1 is really looking forward to a future with a GP in Belgium and more specifically in Spa. Also, in the political world, all forces are mobilised to keep Spa-Francorchamps on the F1 calendar."

‘Belgian Grand Prix promotor Vanessa Maes addressing the current situation’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/89...an-grand-prix/


Driver market dealings and a potential 3-way fight – 5 storylines we're excited for ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix
22 August 2022
Special contributor
Chris Medland
Formula 1.

After a well-earned few weeks off for all of the teams, it’s time to go racing once again, with the Belgian Grand Prix kicking off the second part of the season. Ahead of the resumption, here are some of the topics we expect to be hotly-discussed during this visit to Spa-Francorchamps.

1. Alpine's driver situation

2. The rest of the driver market

3. Another three-way fight?

4. How a technical directive might impact the field

5. The new generation of car on a special track

‘A Potential 3-way Fight – 5 Storylines’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...gt03NtVuS.html

Belgian Grand Prix official admits contract renewal talks are ‘not easy’.
Talks over a new contract for the Belgian Grand Prix are proving to be tricky, a Spa-Francorchamps official has admitted.
Monday 22nd August 2022 7:00 PM
Jon Wilde

A highly popular race with fans and drivers, the Belgian GP was on the very first Formula 1 World Championship calendar in 1950.

That was at its current home of Spa-Francorchamps and since then, there have been only six years when it was not held – none of those consecutively – with its other host venues having been Zolder and Nivelles.

But the race is reported to be in serious danger of being squeezed out of the calendar, due to the clamour for a grand prix in various other locations throughout the world.

‘Tricky Talks’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/belgia...tract-renewal/


Lando Norris issues stern response to claims F1 bosses could scrap Spa from calendar
LANDO NORRIS feels historic tracks like Spa should remain on the calendar regardless of finances as the championship returns in Belgium this weekend after a summer break
19:15, Mon, Aug 22, 2022
By Benjamin Goddard

McLaren driver Lando Norris believes that the Belgian GP deserves a place on the Formula 1 calendar regardless of what money other countries are offering championship organisers. Spa has been on the calendar since F1’s inception in 1950, missing just six seasons since but faces being left out of the 2023 championship schedule.

However, an influx of new venues backed by wealthy organisers and returning tracks has put its inclusion in doubt for next year. Norris, aged 22, whose mother is from the Flanders region in Belgium, believes that Spa should be a staple part of the F1 calendar along with Monaco.

“I’ll be sad (if it's missing next year),” said Norris talking to Autosport ahead of this weekend’s Belgium GP. “I guess a lot of things are just about money nowadays, which is the issue. It’s a business. It’s a shame, it’s one of the coolest circuits of the whole season. It’s a historic race for Formula 1. It’s the same as Monaco, from what I know they don’t even pay and it’s on the calendar.”

‘Lot of things are just about money nowadays’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-from-calendar


Pirelli describe ‘epic’ Spa-Francorchamps changes for upcoming Belgian GP
Monday 22nd August 2022 9:00 PM
Henry Valantine

Pirelli motorsport director Mario Isola has said the changes made at Spa-Francorchamps ahead of this year’s Belgian Grand Prix are some of the biggest in the modern era. Circuit officials have worked to make significant adjustments to the circuit. Not in terms of its overall layout, which stays the same, but looking at improving circuit facilities alongside making life more challenging for the drivers.

Among the changes are the introduction of new gravel traps at four separate corners, to punish any mistakes drivers make in those parts of the circuit, as well as track resurfacing at five corners to bring the track up to date.

Pirelli have chosen the C2 (hard), C3 (medium) and C4 (soft) tyres, in the middle of their compound range, for the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, and they have already gained a significant bank of data on how the tyres react to the new surface, thanks to a recent endurance race at the revamped circuit.

‘Epic’ Spa-Francorchamps changes’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/pirell...hamps-changes/


F1 drivers upset amid Belgian GP uncertainty: It's all about money
‎20‎ ‎August‎ ‎15‎:‎10
Author Luuk van Poppelen
Co-author Dieter Rencken

Formula 1 drivers have expressed their concern about the unclear future of the Belgian Grand Prix's place on the calendar. With the F1 2023 schedule expected to be confirmed in the near future, there are growing threats that the fan-favourite Spa-Francorchamps will be missing from the line-up.

Next year's calendar will see an additional event in Las Vegas, as well as the return of the Chinese and Qatar Grands Prix, and a South African GP is rumoured, but not yet confirmed. The 2022 schedule is 22 races long and, with the current Concorde Agreement limiting the schedule to 24 races, Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps Circuit is one of the venues at risk of losing out, as their contract expires this year.

Established F1 drivers Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Perez have already expressed their disappointment at the prospect of losing the Belgian GP, and Lando Norris, who is half-Belgian, shared his concerns about F1 prioritising "business decisions".

‘It's all about money’;

https://racingnews365.com/f1-drivers...ll-about-money


Max Verstappen makes plea to Formula 1 ahead of 2022 Belgian Grand Prix
The future of the Belgian Grand Prix hangs in the balance after this year.
19 August 2022
by James Clifford

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has warned Formula 1 that they cannot do away with tracks like Spa Francorchamps amid worldwide interest in hosting races. Vegas is set to join Austin and Miami on the calendar next year, expanding American interest to three races, two of them being held on street circuits if Miami is to be counted as such.

Provided Monaco keeps its place for 2023, there will be seven street circuits on the calendar next season, although the Principality is also under threat.

“It’s sad, first of all, [Spa] is my favourite track and I think it is just a great track to drive,” he told RacingNews365.com. I understand that to get there compared to other tracks it’s probably a little more difficult sometimes with the traffic, but it’s a very iconic track.”

‘Max Plea’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/max-verst...an-grand-prix/

'All forces are mobilised' to save Belgian GP but F1 talks 'not easy'.
"All forces are mobilised" to save the Belgian Grand Prix but talks with Formula 1 are "not easy", race boss Vanessa Maes says.
23 August 2022
Ben Issatt
Formula 1

“I don’t participate in these speculations, but I am convinced Formula 1 has a real appetite for a future with a Grand Prix in Belgium, and more specifically at Spa.”

“Also, in the political world, all forces are mobilised to keep Spa Francorchamps on the F1 calendar. This is no more than logical given the incredible history and mythical aura of this race.”

If F1 needed proof of the Belgian GP's appeal, tickets for this weekend sold out within three days despite last year's washout on Sunday that prevented any green flag racing at all.”

'All forces are mobilised';

https://www.insideracing.com/formula...talks-not-easy


Christian Horner insists historic races like Spa should be ‘ringfenced’ in F1 calendar
23/08/2022, 14:57
Kieran Jackson
Formula 1 Correspondent

The future of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps is uncertain with the race in the final year of its current contract.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner insists big and historic races should remain on the Formula 1 calendar with the future of the Belgian Grand Prix uncertain.

Formula 1 returns after the summer break this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, but the future of the race is not clear as it enters the final year of its current contract.

‘Spa should be ‘ringfenced’ ‘;

https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-...-b2150859.html


Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and more lead calls for Belgium to stay on the Formula 1 calendar
Tuesday 23 Aug 2022 2:36 pm
Callum McAvoy

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have led the calls for the Belgian Grand Prix to remain on the Formula 1 calendar.

F1 returns to the world-famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium this week, a track hugely popular with drivers and fans that the sport has visited since its inaugural season in 1950.

However, it may be the last race to be held at the venue, with Spa’s contract up after this weekend and looking increasingly unlikely to be renewed given that there limited space left on the 2023 calendar.

‘Calls for Belgian Grand Prix to kept on the 2023 calendar’;

https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/23/max-v...o=newsnow-feed


Does the Belgian GP deserve a place on the F1 calendar?
Tuesday 23 August 2022 13:55
Ian Parkes

The future of the Belgian Grand Prix has attracted considerable headlines of late due to the fact this weekend's race is the last of its existing contract with F1.

Spa-Francorchamps circuit officials remain in talks with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali over a new deal, with suggestions being the race may alternate in the coming years with the French GP given the heavy financial demands these days for a long-term agreement.

Drivers certainly do not want to lose what remains one of the most iconic venues in the sport even if the challenge of old may have been tempered by the performance of today's cars.

‘Belgian GP deserves a place’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/89...x-f1-calendar/


The extensive changes made to Spa ahead of the 2022 F1 Belgian GP
23/08/2022, ‎14‎:‎20
Author Jake Nichol

Spa-Francorchamps recently underwent some renovation work, but what has actually happened to the Belgian Grand Prix venue? Following the fatal accident of Anthoine Hubert in the 2019 Formula 2 feature race, drivers reiterated calls for this section of the track to be changed. They did not want the essence of Eau Rouge/Raidillon to change, but for more room on the inside in case something went wrong.

This has happened over the winter of 2021/22, with the famed corner finally undergoing some major renovation work. In part, this was made necessary by floods that heavily damaged the track during the 2021/22 winter. Resurfacing work was carried out, with Spa also then taking the opportunity to address some of the safety concerns about the Eau Rouge/Raidillon sequence.

Some slight tweaks have been made to the radius of Eau Rouge itself, but there is now far greater run-off on either side of Raidillon. The barrier has been moved further back, creating lots more run-off for drivers in case they need to use it.

‘Extensive changes made to Spa’;

https://racingnews365.com/the-extens...-f1-belgian-gp


WATCH: Webber vs Alonso, and Schumacher’s fury – 5 dramatic moments from Spa's F1 history
23 August 2022
Formula 1.

After the summer break it's almost time to go racing again as we get set for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix. But before we get stuck into this weekend's action, we decided to have a look back at some of the most dramatic moments at Spa-Francorchamps from the Formula 1 archive.

The famous old circuit has produced some memorable moments from some of F1’s all time greats, including the collision between Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell in 1987.

Perhaps the most unforgettable moment came in 1998 as Michael Schumacher hit the back of David Coulthard as he attempted to lap the McLaren driver, which resulted in quite the scene in the pit lane.

‘5 dramatic moments from Spa's F1 history’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...8r33mcU83.html

Ferrari chief risks upsetting Charles Leclerc with comments ahead of Belgian Grand Prix.
Ferrari chief Laurent Mekies has risked upsetting Charles Leclerc after revealing that his team have no intentions of putting their focus on the Monegasque ace at the expense of his team-mate Carlos Sainz just yet.
15:17, Tue, Aug 23, 2022
By Tom Parsons

FERRARI ace Charles Leclerc is currently second in this year's F1 Drivers' Championship standings.

“It is more discussed outside Ferrari than inside Ferrari (the topic of team orders),” insisted Mekies. “But more seriously again, we have always been very clear. We target to have the best result for the team - Ferrari comes first.”

Ahead of last month’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Mekies was asked whether Sainz’ improved form had resulted in him becoming the team leader. But the Ferrari chief says his team just want to make both of their drivers as fast as possible.

‘Ferrari chief risks upsetting Charles’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...appen-Red-Bull


‘Ferrari comes first’ – We’ll impose team orders ‘when it’s the right time’ says Mekies
23 August 2022
Formula 1.

With Formula 1 returning this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix, Ferrari will be looking to make inroads on Red Bull’s 97-point gap at the top of the constructors’ championship. And to help them do that the Scuderia’s Race Director Laurent Mekies says the team could employ team orders this season, if it gives them “the best result for the team".

Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix – where Sainz finished in P4 – Mekies was also asked whether the Spaniard's improved form heading into the summer break had seen him become team leader. But he says Ferrari are not concerned about leadership positions, insisting the sole focus of the team is making both drivers as fast as possible.

“So, at first you are very right in saying that Carlos has had three extremely strong weekends: Silverstone, Austria, France. We are very, very happy with that,” said Mekies. “It did not show up so much on the final race classifications besides Silverstone because we had other things to deal with. But you are very right in saying that he has made great progress since the start of the season.”

‘Ferrari comes first’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...s0igdQVIz.html


BINOTTO: CLAIMS ABOUT FERRARI’S HEAD START ARE “WRONG”
Mattia Binotto has revealed his thoughts on suggestions about the team's early development
23/08/2022
Abby Bathurst

Mattia Binotto disagrees with claims that Ferrari’s charge at the front is due to a head start on developing the new cars. 2022 has seen the resurgence of Scuderia Ferrari as the team broke their two-year streak of not having a race victory. As Formula 1 heads into the second half of the season with Spa this weekend, Ferrari are currently second in both championships.

There have been some suggestions as to how Ferrari have made such a competitive car and many suggested that it was down to the team starting work earlier on it. This early development has allowed Ferrari to fight Red Bull and Mercedes, both of whom started development later due to the 2021 title fight. But, Mattia Binotto has disagreed with these claims. Instead he has put it down to doing a better job generally, not having a head start.

Binotto continued saying that Ferrari “started exactly at the same time” as the other teams. He said “it’s a matter of how much resources and priority you could put on the project. Maybe the two cars which were fighting for the 2021 championship had to put some more developments into 2021, but I think we did it as well ourselves, because we were in the fight with McLaren.”

‘CLAIMS ABOUT FERRARI’S HEAD START ARE “WRONG”!’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/bi.../?nowprocket=1


Ferrari ‘paying the price’, could have won ‘8 out of 13 races’ so far
Tuesday 23rd August 2022 8:00 PM
Jamie Woodhouse


Ferrari principal Mattia Binotto feels the team are “paying the price” for the leap in engine development which they needed compared to Red Bull. After spending two seasons battling in the midfield, Ferrari looked to use the new regulations for 2022 to bring themselves back into the fight at the front, coming armed with not only a new-look challenger, but also an all-new power unit.

Both have combined to make Ferrari a leading force once again, but it is Red Bull who lead the way comfortably, Max Verstappen 80 points clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the Drivers’ Championship, while Ferrari trail Red Bull by 97 in the Constructors’.

In this respect, reliability of the power unit has let Ferrari down in a major way on several occasions, Leclerc retiring from the lead in Spain and Baku, while Carlos Sainz looked a good bet to finish at least P2 in Austria before his PU let go.

‘Ferrari could have won ‘8 out of 13 races’!’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrar...e-development/


Sainz: Binotto leading us in the right direction
23 August, 2022
Jad Mallak

Carlos Sainz heaped praise on his boss Mattia Binotto, claiming he is leading Ferrari in the right direction despite the team’s numerous “faux pas” this season.

Despite having arguably the fastest car on the grid this season, Ferrari are lagging 97 points behind Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, while Charles Leclerc is 80 points behind Max Verstappen who leads the Drivers’ Standings, as the team suffered from reliability problems as well as their infamous strategy decisions that saw them shoot themselves in the foot on various occasions.

That has put the spotlight on Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto as his ability to steer the fabled team towards Title glory again has been put to question. Carlos Sainz however has faith the Binotto is the right man of the job, even saying he was one reason he finds himself at Ferrari.

‘Binotto leading us in the right direction’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/08...ght-direction/

Toto Wolff sends warning to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell ahead of Belgian GP.
Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff doesn’t see his side winning races anytime soon, with the Austrian warning his team to “be careful” and not become disillusioned with their incredible performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
23 August 2022
by Nick Golding

Mercedes are certainly getting closer to having race-winning pace; however, Wolff remains convinced that his side have catching up to do still. “I think we need to be careful it’s not specific to Budapest that we just landed in the perfect window,” Wolff warned.

“The other teams, Ferrari especially in qualifying, complained about the tyres not being where they should have been. So in my personal opinion, we are still lacking to the front-runners. “But at least we were in the same race,” he noted. “I don’t want to say now suddenly we are right bang into the game and we can win races because I don’t think that’s the case.”

“Our biggest weakness from the get-go was that our car was bouncing, the famous porpoising,” Wolff said. “And it meant that this was overshadowing all our development. We couldn’t really develop the car aerodynamically and put good updates on because the more downforce we had on the car, the worse the bouncing was.”

‘We need to be careful’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...of-belgian-gp/


Mercedes need to be 'careful' about expectations after Hungarian GP - Wolff
21 August 2022
Ben Issatt

Toto Wolff says Mercedes need to be "careful" about setting expectations after the Hungarian Grand Prix. “I think we need to be careful it’s not specific to Budapest that we just landed in the perfect window,” Wolff warned.

Mercedes are also eagerly awaiting to see the impact of a technical directive at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix, aimed at prohibiting floor tricks Red Bull and Ferrari were thought to be using to gain downforce.”

“It will be very interesting to see what we see at Spa,” said Wolff. “Let’s see if the difference in ride height makes a difference for the teams that ride so low. But I no longer believe in the ‘silver bullet’, as they say, that we will then suddenly be three tenths faster than everyone else, but in any case it will be interesting.”

‘Very interesting to see what we see at Spa’;

https://www.insideracing.com/formula...arian-gp-wolff


Wolff warns against Mercedes "entitlement"
Sunday 21 August 2022 07:00
Sam Hall

Toto Wolff has warned Mercedes against believing it is 'entitled' to be winning races as the team continues to recover from a difficult start to the season.

“We haven’t met our expectations so far," conceded Wolff in a Mercedes video. "We are strong and solid third on the road but that is not our aim. But in the same sense, we can’t feel any sense of entitlement because the moment you think you should be winning, this is really the downfall.”

“So we are humble about our expectations, we are humble about our competitors – they have done a great job, there are a lot of good people [at those teams] but we are also clear about our objectives, and this is to be back at the front, fight for race victories and eventually be back in a position to fight for a world championship.”

‘Wolff warns against Mercedes entitlement’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/89...s-entitlement/


‘Breaking the rules on technical stuff’: Toto Wolff fires warning about budget cap breaches
Formula 1 teams are following a strict budget cap in 2022.
23 August 2022
by Nick Golding

With costs so difficult to manage, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that the Silver Arrows have financial engineers. According to the team boss, their role is to assess every upgrade produced by Mercedes and determine whether it’s financially beneficial.

If they predict it’ll improve the W13’s performance, then it gets fitted, otherwise it doesn’t. “So we have a tracker with financial engineers that track every single process and every single part that comes into the car,” Wolff told Motorsport.com.

“So when we take things out of the truck, the financial engineer notes, the value. When you utilise it’s being counted for. You are following this trend, like we have planned. We didn’t bring a lot at the beginning but it’s coming steady now.”

‘Financial engineers’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/breaking-...-cap-breaches/


The reason behind Wolff's early-season radio apologies to Hamilton
24/08/2022, ‎08‎:‎50
Author Luke Murphy

Toto Wolff has explained the reasoning behind his public apologies to Lewis Hamilton during a difficult 2022 season. In some of Mercedes' tougher events, Mercedes Team Principal Wolff felt the need to apologise to Hamilton over the team radio on more than one occasion. Wolff explained that Hamilton's early struggles were emphasised by bad luck, and his teammate George Russell's ability to deal with difficult cars.

"I need to protect him, because people have started to hit out at him, which is not right," Wolff commented to Square Mile. "It's complete nonsense: he's the greatest driver of all-time. The car is just sub par.”

"George has sometimes struggled a bit less because he's maybe used to driving difficult cars at the back of the grid, but Lewis was unlucky on many occasions. He could have scored another two podiums and then the pendulum would have swung. So, it [the apology] is to make sure that everybody comprehends that the car is not performing, and not that the driver is at fault."

‘Wolff: The problems are with the car, not the drivers’;

https://racingnews365.com/the-reason...es-to-hamilton

Verstappen has 'got the itch' to get back to it at Spa.
"I’m feeling ready to race again after a good break," Verstappen said in Red Bull's race weekend preview.
24/08/2022 at 12:51
Phillip van Osten

Max Verstappen is reset and rested after a leisurely summer break and ready to get back to work at Spa-Francorchamps, his favourite track.

"The upgrades to the track have made it a little more old school with the gravel traps which I think is a good idea," commented Verstappen, who won last year's race at Spa.”

"It’s my favourite track so I’m looking forward to racing there this weekend. It looks like there might be rain around which will make it more tricky, but luckily as a team we like a challenge."

‘My Favourite Track’;

https://f1i.com/news/451433-verstapp...it-at-spa.html


Verstappen: Ready to race after a good break
24 August, 2022
Paul Velasco

Max Verstappen is fired up and ready to go after the summer break, the Red Bull driver has an eighty-point lead as part two of the 2022 Formula 1 season gets underway with the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend.

“It will be a busy triple header but it will be okay to manage as we’ve all had a rest. The upgrades to the track have made it a little more old school with the gravel traps which I think is a good idea.”

“It’s my favourite track so I’m looking forward to racing there this weekend. It looks like there might be rain around which will make it more tricky, but luckily as a Team we like a challenge,” added Verstappen who will be hard to beat this Sunday.”

‘As a Team we like a challenge’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/08...an-gp-preview/


Sergio Perez highly motivated ahead of F1's return
Published: 24 Aug 2022, 17:07
By George Dagless

Sergio Perez is sounding highly motivated ahead of the Formula 1 season returning, as the paddock heads to the Belgian Grand Prix. The Mexican driver was, at one point, Max Verstappen’s nearest rival in the title fight but some reliability issues has left Perez, as well as the likes of Charles Leclerc, well off of the pace as we head towards the final nine races of the year.

Indeed, Max is very much in the pound-seats as things stand and Checo will be aware that the longer the gap stays as big as it is the more likely it is that he’ll be asked to play rear-gunner, and give up his own title aspirations for another year. For now, though, it’s as you were between the two Red Bull drivers and Perez sounds hugely motivated to kick off the second part of the season with a positive result at Spa-Francorchamps:

“I am massively looking forward to being back in the RB18 and getting out on track again. It has been a good break and I have really recharged for the second half of the season and I am ready for it. There are great races coming up, especially Belgium on a track that I always enjoy and the fans are always amazing there. I cannot wait to get back to work and see my team. I think it’s nice to start after the break with a triple header, where we can really get into our rhythm.”

‘Perez highly motivated’;

https://www.givemesport.com/88051761...-of-f1s-return


‘Anything can happen’ – Perez refusing to rule out title charge in remaining 9 races of 2022
22 August 2022

Sergio Perez currently sits 85 points behind team mate and championship leader Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings. But the Mexican has made it clear he has no plans to give up on the title fight, insisting that “anything can happen.”

At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Perez was asked whether he intended to help Verstappen seal his second championship in a row or if he still had aspirations to close the gap in the title race. And the three-time race winner chose the latter option, insisting that there is still everything to play for.

“I think at the moment everything is still very open, so we have to keep pushing,” said Perez. “Ferrari have been a bit faster than us in the last couple of races, so we just have to keep pushing hard and anything can happen.

‘Anything can happen’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...8wuFUmVy3.html


Red Bull strategist Hannah Schmitz on working relationship with Max Verstappen
Sunday 21st August 2022 5:00 PM
Jamie Woodhouse

Hannah Schmitz, Red Bull’s principal strategy engineer, says Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez take a keen interest in that side of Formula 1. In particular when it comes to race day, the strategical calls made by a team can be crucial. In the midfield, it can be the difference between scoring points and missing out, while up front it can determine which driver wins the race.

For Red Bull, the 2022 campaign has been spent in that latter category, the Austrian outfit having won nine of the opening 13 races, while the strategical calls made by rivals Ferrari have been criticised on multiple occasions.

Schmitz has been earning the plaudits for her role in Red Bull’s triumphs this season, the team now 97 points clear of Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship, while Verstappen holds an 80-point lead in the Drivers’ standings.

‘Red Bull strategist Hannah Schmitz’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/red-bu...rstappen-work/


Max Verstappen praises return of gravel at 'old-school' Spa-Francorchamps
24 August 2022
Ben Issatt

Max Verstappen has praised the return of gravel traps at multiple corners around "old-school" Spa-Francorchamps. Over the winter, the historic Belgian Grand Prix circuit underwent a major revamp, with the main purpose being to accommodate the return of bike racing.

To do this, many corners that previously had tarmac run-offs now have gravel, including La Source, Les Combes, Blanchimont and the Bus Stop. Shortly after the renovation was completed, the reigning Formula 1 champion got a first taste of the circuit back in April as he drove a Red Bull RB7 for a promotional video.

And ahead of this weekend's race, he gave his view on the changes. "The upgrades to the track have made it a little more old school with the gravel traps which I think is a good idea," he said. “It’s my favourite track so I’m looking forward to racing there this weekend.”

‘Return of gravel at 'old-school' Spa-Francorchamps praised’;


https://www.insideracing.com/formula...-francorchamps

Ricciardo to leave McLaren with multimillion-dollar payout.
F1 paddock sources suggest McLaren’s decision to sever ties with the eight-time grand prix winner will cost the team upwards of $24 million, accounting for Ricciardo’s 2023 salary and potential additional earnings from performance bonuses.
24/08/2022, 15:04
WA Today

Daniel Ricciardo’s troubled tenure at Formula 1 team McLaren will finish at the end of the 2022 season, with compatriot Oscar Piastri set to take his place at the British team after Ricciardo and McLaren reached a multimillion-dollar settlement to end Ricciardo’s contract a year early.

Ahead of this weekend’s resumption of the season at the Belgian Grand Prix, Ricciardo and McLaren mutually agreed to terminate the 33-year-old’s option over a 2023 deal with the team, with terms not disclosed.

McLaren is expected to imminently announce Piastri - the 2021 Formula 2 and 2020 Formula 3 champion who is contracted to rival F1 outfit Alpine as a test and reserve driver - for the 2023 season.

‘Multimillion-dollar payout’;

https://www.watoday.com.au/sport/mot...24-p5bce2.html


Haas team principal reportedly contacts Daniel Ricciardo about potential vacancy
August 24th, 2022 12:22 pm
Staff Writers from News.com.au

Daniel Ricciardo’s future in Formula 1 remains shrouded in mystery, but one of the sport’s most popular characters has reportedly approached the Australian driver about a potential vacancy on the grid.

The 33-year-old has registered just one podium finish since joining McLaren ahead of the 2021 season — last year’s remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix. But apart from that one triumphant weekend in Monza, nothing has gone right for the Perth driver at McLaren.

ESPN reports that Haas team principle Guenther Steiner, who has become a cult hero for his antics on Netflix documentary series Drive to Survive, contacted Ricciardo before the mid-season break.

‘Haas team principal reportedly contacts Daniel Ricciardo’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...f383188d177ed6


Daniel Ricciardo 'holds phone call with Haas boss Guenther Steiner' as F1 future undecided
DANIEL RICCIARDO is assessing his options as he looks set to leave McLaren ahead of the 2023 season.
08:09, Wed, Aug 24, 2022
By Andrew Gamble

Daniel Ricciardo reportedly enjoyed a phone call with Haas boss Guenther Steiner as the Australian assesses his options ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. Ricciardo has been linked with a move away from McLaren following a difficult tenure since joining the team for 2021.

Rumours have been rife throughout the summer break regarding if and when Ricciardo might be forced out the team. The eight-time race winner held a phone call with Steiner ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, but a return to Alpine is perhaps the most likely scenario for Ricciardo.

Haas are exploring who to pair with Kevin Magnussen amid reports of tension between Steiner and Mick Schumacher, although the German has improved over the last few races. Schumacher - the son of seven-time world champion Michael - is in the final year of his deal with the American team.

‘DANIEL RICCIARDO is assessing his options’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...iner-F1-future


Haas eyeing swoop for Ricciardo over 2023 F1 seat
24/08/2022, 14:16
Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths
Read Motorsport

The Haas Formula 1 team is understood to have made contact with Daniel Ricciardo over his availability for the 2023 season after his departure from McLaren. According to reports, Haas team principal Gunther Steiner called Ricciardo before last month’s Hungarian Grand Prix – the final race before F1’s summer break.

Ricciardo’s future had been a major talking point in recent months due to his ongoing struggles since joining McLaren last year. Steiner is not in a rush to begin negotiations with Schumacher over a new deal, which is where Ricciardo could come in a potential replacement.

Alpine is also considered as another option for the eight-time grand prix winner having previously driven for the Enstone-based squad for two seasons. Now the running saga has been addressed prior to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, attention will turn to Ricciardo plans for 2023 as he aims to end his difficult stint at McLaren on a high.

‘Haas Formula 1 team is understood to have made contact with Daniel Ricciardo’;

https://readmotorsport.com/2022/08/2...-2023-f1-seat/


Our verdict on Ricciardo’s early McLaren exit
24/08/2022, 16:11
The Race

Though there was silence as the Formula 1 summer shutdown kicked in – once the commotion about the extraordinary situation at Alpine had died down – it’s looked increasingly inevitable that Daniel Ricciardo would be giving up his McLaren seat with a year still to run on his contract.

As hopes of a turnaround in his form faded, so too did his chances of keeping his seat for 2023 – even if the ball was in Ricciardo’s court. The end result was Wednesday’s sensational, if unsurprising, announcement that the relationship will end a year early at the conclusion of the current campaign.

So, why didn’t the partnership work? Was it ever likely to succeed? Is either party more responsible than the other for the failure? And can Oscar Piastri do any better if and when he lands the seat? Our writers have their say.

AN INEVITABLE – AND SAD – OUTCOME
Scott Mitchell

FLASHES OF OLD HAVE BEEN ALL TOO SELDOM
Gary Anderson

NEITHER PARTY IS MORE TO BLAME THAN THE OTHER
Mark Hughes

RICCIARDO HAS TO SHOULDER RESPONSIBILITY
Edd Straw

McLAREN HAS PROBLEMS TOO
Ben Anderson

McLaren now has the most exciting line-up in F1’s midfield
Josh Suttill

‘Verdict From The Race’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/our-v...-mclaren-exit/

Mick Schumacher linked with Alpine amid ‘ruined Haas relationship’.
Mick Schumacher’s chances of remaining at the Haas F1 Team appear to be decreasing, with it being announced that former F1 driver and Ferrari reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi will take part in two FP1 sessions for the American team.
23 August 2022
by Nick Golding

Schumacher is currently without a contract for next season, with the German only having two realistic options remaining should he want to continue in the championship. The first option is to remain at Haas; however, his relationship with the team isn’t believed to be particularly strong at the moment, despite having improved considerably throughout the season.

It’s been discovered that Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi follows Schumacher on Instagram, perhaps an indication that Rossi is a fan of the young German. Schumacher’s uncle, ex-F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, believes his nephew is a “candidate” to replace Fernando Alonso at the French team.

Should the German move to Alpine then it would most likely involve him leaving the Ferrari academy, something which has been rumoured. The favourite for the Alpine seat remains Daniel Ricciardo; however, the German’s age could prove more beneficial should the Enstone-based team be wanting to target their line-up with the future in mind.

‘Ruined Haas Relationship’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/mick-schu...-relationship/


Mick Schumacher may have three rivals for 2023 Haas seat including Daniel Ricciardo
12:02, Wed, Aug 24, 2022
By Joshua Lees

MICK SCHUMACHER is out of contract with Haas at the end of the 2022 season, and his future remains up in the air following a mixed run of form.

Formula 1 starlet Mick Schumacher could well have three rivals for his Haas seat in 2023, including Australian star Daniel Ricciardo. Schumacher made his first big break onto the F1 scene after securing a seat with Haas in 2021

As well as the Giovinazzi and Ricciardo, one other name linked with Schumacher’s seat is Nico Hulkenburg according to F1 journalist Lawrence Barretto. Hulkenberg is currently the reserve driver at Aston Martin, and has previous F1 experience with Williams, Force India, Sauber and Renault.

‘Three rivals for 2023 Haas seat’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ciardo-F1-news


Ex-Mercedes boss defends Mick Schumacher, tears into Haas for controversial decision
Antonio Giovinazzi will get two practice outings with Haas in 2022.
24 August 2022
by James Clifford

Former vice president of Mercedes Motorsport, Norbert Haug, disagrees with Haas’ decision to run Antonio Giovinazzi in practice sessions at the Italian and United States Grand Prix.

“Every kilometre a driver doesn’t get, doesn’t help him on the race weekend,” he told Sky Germany. “I don’t know if there is possibly a contractual agreement with Ferrari, focusing on its own drivers is something a team like Haas would need.”

The German believes that his young compatriot has shown enough to convince Haas that he is worth a new contract, but he implores the team to show Schumacher more support. “If I say on one side ‘I expect more points’, then a driver must also be able to say ‘I expect more practice’,” added Haug.

‘Norbert Haug defends Mick Schumacher’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/hes-not-a...sial-decision/


HAAS OR ALPINE? SCHUMACHER A ‘CANDIDATE’ FOR ALONSO SEAT
With Haas extension rumours floating about, who should Schumacher sign with?
Jay Winter 3 days ago

Formula 1 driver Mick Schumacher is facing a tough decision to make regarding his future in F1. If you thought the huge shakeup of the 2023 grid was over, think again.

With Sebastian Vettel announcing his retirement, Alonso moving to Aston Martin and Oscar Piastri denying driving for Alpine in 2023, the door has opened for Mick Schumacher to snap up the seat on the French team. That is what former F1 driver and Schumacher’s uncle, Ralf Schumacher believes.

“Mick has not yet signed a contract,” Ralf told Sky Germany when asked about his nephew’s short-term future with Haas. “Therefore, he would be a candidate. A candidate with speed as we have seen. Nico Hulkenberg is also still in the starting blocks. Then, there is the question of Daniel Ricciardo.”

‘HAAS OR ALPINE?’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/ha.../?nowprocket=1


Alpine CEO eyes Mick Schumacher for 2023
08:10 Mon, 22 Aug 2022.
Grandpx.News

Mick Schumacher may be inching towards a plum Alpine race cockpit for 2023. The young German is rumoured to be struggling to maintain the confidence of both the Haas team as well as Ferrari’s F1 driver development ‘academy’.

His uncle Ralf Schumacher, however, thinks 23-year-old Mick is “a candidate” to replace Fernando Alonso at Alpine, with the Renault-owned team’s preferred driver Oscar Piastri likely heading to McLaren.

“It turns out now that Laurent Rossi, the CEO of Alpine who has been mucking up a lot of stories over the past couple of years, has followed Mick Schumacher on social media,” said Alexey Popov, the Russian F1 commentator for Match TV.

‘Mick Schumacher may be inching towards a plum Alpine race cockpit for 2023’;

https://grandpx.news/alpine-ceo-eyes...cher-for-2023/

“Discussions are still on” to keep Belgian Grand Prix on F1’s 2023 calendar.
The fate of the Belgian Grand Prix is not yet sealed, despite speculation the race will not appear on the 2023 Formula 1 calendar.
Posted on 25th August 2022, 8:0825th August 2022, 0:09
Written by Keith Collantine

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said yesterday “discussions are still on” concerning the future of the race. “We are in Spa this weekend so you will see them a lot of time in my office,” he added. The event is one of several facing pressure from additions to the calendar in Las Vegas, Qatar and potentially South Africa next year. However Domenicali said the sport will make concessions towards heritage tracks such as Spa-Francorchamps which cannot afford the high hosting fees commanded by other venues.

“It’s true that we are working and discussing with other promoters to see if they’re ready for a full commitment already this year or next year,” he said. “But I would say the balance, that has been always a point that we have discussed, is to find the mix of the races where we’re going to have at least one-third in Europe, one-third in the Far East area, and the other one in America and the Middle East. So we want to be balanced.

“Of course, we are talking about a business where investments, financial contributions, are very important. But we have always said that the traditional races, the races that we know cannot bring the money that the others are bringing, have full respect from us. So you will see that this will be respected also not only this year, but also in the future.” However classic venues such as Spa or Monza are not entitled to places on the schedule solely due to their heritage, said Domenicali.

‘We are talking about a business where investments, financial contributions, are very important’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/08/25/...2023-calendar/


Spa hopes boosted as Kyalami F1 return unlikely for 2023
12:53 Thu, 25 Aug 2022.
By Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

The Belgian Grand Prix’s hopes of retaining a place on the 2023 Formula 1 calendar look improved as the revival of the South African Grand Prix is likely to be delayed. F1 is yet to reveal even a provisional calendar for next season but the return of a race in Kyalami in 2023 had long been a target as the championship continued its global expansion.

At the same time, classic venue Spa – host of 54 grands prix – looked set to controversially drop off the calendar as the number of European races diminishes to make room for new ones. Stefano Domenicali, F1 CEO, travelled to Kyalami to meet with the prospective race promoter after June’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the hope was that the race could be held in April next year.

“I always say we want to have a race in Africa, and today the most likely place to have a race in Africa is South Africa,” said Domenicali this week. “Discussions are going on. When we’re talking to new promoters we’re looking for a very clear and solid long-term commitment, because we cannot be there for one year and then ‘game over’.”

‘Spa hopes boosted’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/spa-h...kely-for-2023/


Domenicali: Traditional F1 races have full respect from us
25 August, 2022
Reuters

The future of the Belgian Grand Prix after Sunday’s race is uncertain but reports of its demise may be premature says Stefano Domenicali while insisting he remains respectful of the sport’s traditional venues. Speaking on Wednesday, F1 chief Domenicali said F1 sought a balanced mix of a third in Europe, a third in the Far East and the others in America and Middle East, the most lucrative region of all for the sport’s balance sheet.

“Of course, we are talking about a business where investments, financial contributions are very important but we have always said that the traditional races, races that we know cannot bring the money that the others are bringing, have full respect from us.”

“You will see that this will be respected also in the future. With Belgium, discussions are still on. We are in Spa this weekend so you will see them (the local promoters) a lot of times in my office,” added Domenicali who went to South Africa in June to discuss the possibility of that country’s Kyalami circuit returning to the F1 calendar in 2023.

‘Future of the Belgian Grand Prix after Sunday’s race is uncertain’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/08...us-belgian-gp/


Reports of Belgian GP axe premature says Domenicali
AUGUST 25, 2022
Grand Prix.

Reports that fabled Spa-Francorchamps will definitely lose its Formula 1 race after this weekend's Belgian GP are premature.

That was the word on Wednesday from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who also said discussions are ongoing with promoters in Monaco and France.

"I read somewhere that it will be the last time in Belgium," he told international F1 journalists. "I would be careful with that, very careful."

‘Belgian GP axe premature’;

https://www.grandprix.com/news/repor...omenicali.html


F1 shouldn’t have sprint races every weekend like Moto GP, say drivers
2022 Belgian Grand Prix
Posted on 25th August 2022, 18:22
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham

Formula 1 drivers don’t want the series to adopt Moto GP’s plan of holding sprint races every weekend. The motorbike series announced last week every round in 2023 will include an extra sprint race held after qualifying on Saturdays. F1 began experimenting with a similar format last year but has only held three per season so far.

Max Verstappen, who has won both sprint events so far this year, says the format has added little to F1 and doesn’t want to have the extra races every weekend. “I would not enjoy it,” he admitted. “I just don’t like it. I think that Sunday emotion and feeling should be special. That’s the only time you race. That’s how I grew up racing, anyway: Sunday is the day to race.”

“Anyway, so far, from the sprint races we’ve had, not a lot has drastically changed in terms of results. More or less everyone starts on the same tyre and that’s where you finish because you are scared to have a crash or whatever because [then you] start in the back for the main race where the big coins are. Everyone is also a bit like, ‘okay, just make sure we finish the race without any trouble’. So that’s not what you want really.”

‘F1 shouldn’t have sprint races every weekend’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/08/25/...p-say-drivers/

'I still believe': Charles Leclerc refuses to give up on Formula 1 title dream.
Leclerc appeared to have resolved his doubts and committed himself again to leading Ferrari's bid for a first title since Kimi Raikkonen's triumph in 2007.
August 26, 2022 10:51:37 IST
Agence France-Presse

Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium: A defiant Charles Leclerc on Thursday said he still believes he can beat Max Verstappen and win this year’s world title for Ferrari, starting with a perfect result at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Despite facing an 80-point deficit in the championship with nine races remaining, the 24-year-old Monegasque driver maintained an optimistic outlook and declared he retained his faith in a fallible Ferrari team.

“I still believe in the championship of course,” he told reporters at the majestic Spa-Francorchamps circuit. “It’s going to be a very difficult challenge, but I will believe in it until the very end. I think we will take it one by one as a team, each race, but for sure we need to try and maximise every opportunity that we have ahead.”

'I Still Believe';

https://www.firstpost.com/sports/i-s...-11117841.html


Charles Leclerc not giving up hope of ending Ferrari’s F1 title drought
Thursday 25th August 2022 10:30 PM
Jamie Woodhouse

Charles Leclerc returns from the summer break recharged and still believes that the 2022 title race is not over. It was a summer break then which Leclerc felt he very much needed. Asked by reporters ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix if he felt recharged by the summer break, Leclerc replied: “Yes. And I needed it.”

“I mean the first part of the season has been full of highs or lows. So, loads of emotions and there’s lots of accumulation of emotions, which leads to being tired. So, I was quite happy to go on the holidays and I used these three weeks in the best way possible with my family, my friends. And yeah, it was just great.”

Asked how he views the next nine races, considering that 80-point gap, Leclerc replied: “Well, I think we’ll take it one by one as a team. “But for sure we need to try and maximise every opportunity that we have ahead, and I still believe in the championship of course, it’s going to be a very difficult challenge, but I will believe in it until the very end.”

‘Not Giving Up Hope’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/charle...-hope-remains/


Leclerc: Ferrari must now 'maximize' every opportunity ahead
25/08/2022 at 16:42
Phillip van Osten

Charles Leclerc says he'll continue to believe in the world title as long as the math allows him to do so, but he admits that Ferrari now needs to maximize every opportunity that comes its way in the back half of the season.

Leclerc pointed to Sebastian Vettel's incredible run in the latter part of 2013, when the Red Bull charger won nine consecutive races to seize the title, as and act - although a massively difficult one - to follow.

"I have to do like Sebastian Vettel in 2013, when he won every race after the summer break," he said. "Maybe it's easier said than done but I'll do my best."

‘Must now 'maximize' every opportunity’;

https://f1i.com/news/451577-leclerc-...ity-ahead.html


Leclerc vows to maintain championship belief "until the very end"
Thursday 25 August 2022 17:40
Will Gray

Charles Leclerc has declared he 'still believes' he can win the world title despite an 80-point deficit to Red Bull rival Max Verstappen.

“Between Red Bull and ourselves, there is very little. Maybe sometimes we are a tiny bit stronger, sometimes they are a tiny bit stronger. Now there is also Mercedes coming into the fight, which is nice.”

“But at the end, I think the one that wins eventually is the one that just puts a great weekend together, so that will define the differences between the two teams.”

‘Vow to maintain championship belief’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/90...eclerc-belief/


Ferrari urged to remember 2007 Hamilton title defeat in battle with Verstappen
Thursday 25 August 2022 13:09
Ian Parkes

Ferrari has been urged to recall the 2007 F1 championship fight as it bids to overturn a yawning deficit to Max Verstappen in this year's title showdown.

Fifteen years ago, Kimi Raikkonen's challenge appeared a forlorn one as he trailed Lewis Hamilton by 17 points with two races remaining in an era when it was only 10 points for a victory.

But in the penultimate grand prix in China, Hamilton slid off into a gravel trap on entry into the pit lane and then suffered mechanical issues in the final race in Brazil, while Raikkonen won both events to clinch his sole crown by a point from the Briton and his then McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso.

‘Remember 2007’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/90...rstappen-2022/

Sainz heads Leclerc in opening Belgian GP session
Carlos Sainz led a Ferrari 1-2 during a disrupted opening practice session to Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix.
by Phillip Horton

Sainz set a time of 1:46.538s to finish just 0.069s faster than Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc as Formula 1 returned to action after the summer break. Sainz’s benchmark came before a lengthy red flag period, and a subsequent rain shower, which denied drivers the chance to improve.

The session resumed with 11 minutes remaining but as the field began to push on hot laps rain began falling, before swiftly intensifying, prompting the drivers to tip-toe around to the pit lane. World Champion Max Verstappen was third ahead of a weekend in which he is set to start from the lower half of the grid due to an engine penalty.

It came on a day in which Alfa Romeo announced that its partnership with Sauber will conclude by the end of the 2023 season. Sauber has been widely linked to Audi, which finally confirmed on Friday that it will enter Formula 1 in 2026 as a power unit constructor.

‘Ferrari 1-2’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2022/...an-gp-session/


(FP1) First Practice Results – 2022 Belgian Grand Prix
Spa, Belgium
26/08/2022, 14:09
by Emer Hedderman

Results (Classification):
1. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari -1:46.538
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.069
3. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.217
4. George Russell Mercedes +0.858
5. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.899
6. Alexander Albon Williams Racing +1.297
7. Daniel Ricciardo McLaren +1.543
8. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +1.772
9. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +1.882
10. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +1.936

‘Belgian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the first practice ahead of the 2022 F1 World Championship race at Spa-Francorchamps’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp1-first-...and-prix-79882


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from first practice for the Belgian Grand Prix
26 August 2022
Formula 1.
Beck Hart [Special Contributor]

‘FP1: As it happened’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...UlLHBZ6AK.html


FP1 Highlights: Belgian Grand Prix
26 Aug 2022
Formula 1.

Watch highlights from first practice at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...588926291.html


Everything that happened in first Belgian GP F1 practice
26/08/2022, 14:19
The Race
By Josh Suttill

Carlos Sainz led a Ferrari one-two in the opening Formula 1 practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix as a late-session downpour prevented improvements.

Key moments
– Sainz 0.069s faster than Leclerc
– Verstappen third ahead of Russell
– Magnussen’s Haas stops on track, causes red flag
– Late-session shower stops improvements

‘FP1: The Race Round Up’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/every...p-f1-practice/


Sainz leads Ferrari one-two as rain ends first practice early at Spa
2022 Belgian Grand Prix first practice
Posted on 26th August 2022, 14:15
Written by Will Wood

Carlos Sainz Jnr topped the times ahead of Ferrari team mate Charles Leclerc during a first practice session which was interrupted by a red flag and ended in a rain shower. Sainz’s best time of a 1’46.538 saw him go fastest of all, 0.096s faster than Leclerc and two tenths quicker than Max Verstappen. Late rainfall prevented many drivers from improving their best times in the final 20 minutes of the session.

The circuit was slightly damp due to light spitting of rain before the session begin, leading to a handful of cars venturing out on intermediate tyres when the pit exit lights shone green. However, it quickly become clear the track was more than dry enough for slicks, and drivers switched less than five minutes into the session.

Verstappen had to take avoiding action in the pit lane when Nicholas Latifi was released in front of the Red Bull driver as he made his way towards the pit exit. Verstappen cut inside of the Williams to get by and the stewards noted the incident, but determined that no further investigation was necessary.

‘Sainz leads Ferrari one-two’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/08/26/...-early-at-spa/

Verstappen leads Leclerc by eight-tenths in second practice.
Max Verstappen was comfortably fastest of all in second practice for the Belgian Grand Prix, leading title rival Charles Leclerc by eight tenths of a second.
Posted on 26th August 2022, 17:24
Written by Will Wood
2022 Belgian Grand Prix second practice

Lando Norris was third-quickest for McLaren. However all the top three drivers in this session will take grid penalties for exceeding their power unit parts allocation.

The second and final practice session for the race at Spa-Francorchamps was again affected by rain in the later stages, with Verstappen setting the fastest time on the soft tyres midway through the session to end Friday fastest of all.

After earlier rain had effectively ended first practice early, the track was fortunately dry and ready for action when the second and final hour of the day’s running began. With a high risk of rain later in the hour, teams wasted no team in getting their cars out on the track.

‘Verstappen leads Leclerc by eight-tenths’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/08/26/...cond-practice/


(FP2) Second Practice Results – 2022 Belgian Grand Prix
Spa, Belgium
28/08/2022, 17:02
by Emer Hedderman

Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:45.507
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.862
3. Lando Norris McLaren +1.082
4. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.128
5. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +1.142
6. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +1.386
7. Fernando Alonso Alpine +1.468
8. George Russell Mercedes +1.535
9. Daniel Ricciardo McLaren +1.748
10. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +1.839

‘Belgian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the second practice ahead of the 2022 F1 World Championship race at Spa-Francorchamps’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp2-second...and-prix-79895


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from second practice for the Belgian Grand Prix
26 August 2022, 16:01.
Formula 1.
Becky Hart [Special Contributor]

‘FP2: As it happened’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...4PqY8SXZf.html


FP2 Highlights: Belgian Grand Prix
26 Aug 2022
Formula 1.

‘Watch highlights from second practice at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...151836066.html


Verstappen, Leclerc amongst Six Drivers with Grid Penalties for Belgium Grand Prix
August 26, 2022
By Paul Hensby

Oracle Red Bull Racing have opted to change multiple components on Verstappen’s power unit, with a fresh Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, energy store and control electronics. The team had hinted of impending changes during the summer break and have opted to introduce the new elements in Belgium rather than in his home event at Zandvoort the following week.

Scuderia Ferrari have also opted to change the power unit on Leclerc’s F1-75, meaning the Monegasque driver will also be at the back on Sunday afternoon at Spa-Francorchamps. Ferrari have had multiple issues with their power units throughout the season, with Leclerc twice retiring from the lead due to his engine failing.

Also set to take penalties for fresh engine components are McLaren F1 Team’s Lando Norris, Alfa Romeo F1 Team’s Valtteri Bottas, BWT Alpine F1 Team’s Esteban Ocon and Haas F1 Team’s Mick Schumacher.

‘Six Drivers with Grid Penalties for Belgium Grand Prix’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...um-grand-prix/


Horner explains Verstappen's engine change and grid penalty
26/08/2022, ‎17‎:‎50
Author Jake Nichol

The Red Bull team boss believes it is best for the team "strategically" to take a grid penalty hit at the Belgian Grand Prix. Christian Horner says it would have been "tight" for Red Bull on engine mileage for the remainder of the Formula 1 season, hence Max Verstappen's grid penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Verstappen was fastest of all in FP2 at Spa-Francorchamps, ending 0.862s quicker than Charles Leclerc to follow on from third fastest in the first session earlier in the day. However, Verstappen, and indeed Leclerc, are among a clutch of drivers who will drop to the rear of the field for Sunday's Grand Prix, having exceeded their engine allocation by taking new parts.

In the case of the World Champion, Red Bull have fitted a fourth Internal Combustion Engine, Turbo Charger, and MGU-H and MGU-K, meaning he will start from the rear of the 20-car grid. Verstappen's ultimate starting position will still be determined in qualifying as if he finishes ahead of Leclerc, he will start ahead of the Ferrari driver.

‘Verstappen's engine change explained’;

https://racingnews365.com/horner-exp...d-grid-penalty


Sergio Pérez: Red Bull 'looking competitive' despite disjointed Belgian GP practice
26 Aug 2022
Formula 1.

Sergio Pérez thinks that Red Bull are "looking competitive" ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix despite the Mexican's disjointed Friday practice sessions at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

‘Looking competitive';

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...605938557.html

Perez tops third Belgian GP practice, crash for Leclerc.
Sergio Perez led a Red Bull 1-2 in the third practice of Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had a minor crash.
27/08/2022.
By Valentin Khorounzhiy

Key moments:
> Red Bull in control
> Leclerc’s Ferrari escapes crash
> Schumacher compromised by issue

The two Ferraris sat out the first third of the session in its entirety, but once they headed out Carlos Sainz and Leclerc established themselves out in front.

However, they were soon usurped by Perez – and they were on course to be surpassed by the other Red Bull of Max Verstappen, too, only for him to be advised to abort his lap in the final sector due to an apparent Pierre Gasly off.

‘Red Bull in control’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/perez...h-for-leclerc/


(FP3) Third Practice Results – 2022 Belgian Grand Prix
27/08/2022
Spa, Belgium
by Emer Hedderman

Results (Classification):
1. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing -1:45.047
2. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.137
3. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.777
4. Lando Norris McLaren +0.918
5. Fernando Alonso Alpine +1.014
6. George Russell Mercedes +1.024
7. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +1.073
8. Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin +1.119
9. Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.554
10. Pierre Gasly AlphaTauri +1.557

‘Belgian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the final practice ahead of the 2022 F1 World Championship race at Spa-Francorchamps’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp3-third-...and-prix-79908


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from final practice for the Belgian Grand Prix
27 August 2022
Formula 1.
Becky Hart [Special Contributor]

• Overview:
o Round 14 of the 2022 season comes from Spa, Belgium
o Sergio Perez finished top of a dry FP3 session
o There are a whole raft of grid penalties being applied after plenty of drivers took new PU components
o That includes title rivals Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen
o It is another overcast and grey day, with a possibility of showers

‘As It Happened’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...JHupMnDV3.html


HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the action from the third practice session in Spa as Perez leads Red Bull one-two
27 August 2022
Formula 1.

Sergio Perez put in a superb late lap to lead a Red Bull one-two in the third practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix, ahead of qualifying later today.

On the soft tyre, Perez set a time of 1m 45.047s to lead team mate Max Verstappen, in second, by 0.137s. Carlos Sainz was the lead Ferrari in third, 0.777s behind the Mexican driver, with Lando Norris putting in another impressive session to go up into to P4, ahead of Fernando Alonso in fifth.

It was a tricky session for Mercedes, with George Russell in sixth and Lewis Hamilton down in 12th, while Charles Leclerc was seventh fastest in the Ferrari.

‘FP3: Highlights’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...dW3kcuU6k.html


2022 Belgian GP FP3: Onboard for Sergio Pérez’ fastest lap
27 Aug 2022
Formula 1.

Ride onboard as Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez posts the fastest lap of final practice at the 2022 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, with a time of 1:45.047 at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

‘Onboard Video’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...069587391.html

Verstappen wins qualifying but Sainz on pole for Belgian GP.
Max Verstappen dominated qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix, but it will be Carlos Sainz starting on pole position at Spa-Francorchamps.
27/08/2022, ‎16‎:‎38

Max Verstappen won Formula 1 qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, but it will be Carlos Sainz who starts on pole position after grid penalties are applied. Verstappen's 1:43.655s lap was quickest of all at Spa-Francorchamps, but after taking engine and gearbox penalties, he drops down to 15th place.

Sergio Perez will ride shotgun on the front row, just over two-tenths behind Sainz who could not improve to snatch pole outright on a scrappy final Q3 lap. Charles Leclerc was fourth fastest on the day, but Ferrari once again messed up his strategy.

Running off-sequence to the rest, Leclerc was fitted with fresh Soft tyres for his sole Q3 lap, despite seemingly being planned to go out with a scrubbed set. He emerged again late on to tow Sainz up the Kemmel Straight, but Sainz could not find the required 0.632s to Verstappen.

‘Sainz on pole for Belgian GP’;

https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...for-belgian-gp


Qualifying Results – 2022 Belgian Grand Prix
Spa, Belgium
27/08/2022.
by Emer Hedderman

Q3
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:43.665
2. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.632
3. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.797
4. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.888
5. Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.515
6. Fernando Alonso Alpine +1.703
7. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +1.838
8. George Russell Mercedes +2.111
9. Alexander Albon Williams Racing +2.172
10. Lando Norris McLaren +2.513

‘Belgian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying for this weekend’s 2022 F1 World Championship race at Spa-Francorchamps’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-79913


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix
27 August 2022
Formula 1.
Becky Hart [Special Contributor]

‘As It Happened’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...lHYGQ9i1l.html


What the Belgian GP grid will actually look like
27/08/2022.
By Josh Suttill

With seven of the 20 Formula 1 drivers facing major grid penalties at the Belgian Grand Prix, the actual grid order looks starkly different from the qualifying result. So, who is actually starting where for the Belgian GP?

Belgian GP starting grid
1. Sainz
2. Perez
3. Alonso
4. Hamilton
5. Russell
6. Albon
7. Ricciardo
8. Gasly
9. Stroll
10. Vettel
11. Latifi
12. Magnussen
13. Tsunoda
14. Bottas
15. Verstappen
16. Leclerc
17. Ocon
18. Norris
19. Zhou
20. Schumacher

‘Grid Order’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/what-...lly-look-like/


Wolff laments Mercedes’ “worst qualifying session” since he joined them
2022 Belgian Grand Prix
Posted on 27th August 2022, 19:14
Written by Will Wood and Claire Cottingham

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said their qualifying performance at Spa was the worst he’d experienced during his time with them. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will start from fourth and fifth on the grid respectively for tomorrow’s race at Spa after they recorded the seventh and eighth best times in Q3. The pair will gain three positions on the starting grid due to penalties for Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Esteban Ocon.

Wolff admitted the 1.8-second margin between Verstappen and Hamilton’s best times in Q3 was an unacceptable performance for the team which took pole position for the last race before the summer break in Hungary. “You can’t be on pole three weeks before – albeit for very different conditions, different track – and then be 1.8 seconds off the pace, the next one,” Wolff said.

“There’s something which we totally don’t understand, or seem to get right. Clearly Red Bull is here in a league of their own. What is the next Ferrari, eight or nine tenths off? So I don’t know what that is, but that is no consolation. “It’s for me, the worst qualifying session that I had in 10 years. Irrespective of what positions we are going to start tomorrow and just even being on pole the [previous] weekend and then three weeks later being nowhere is just not acceptable for ourselves.”

‘Mercedes Worst Qualifying Session’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/08/27/...e-joined-them/


Hamilton calls 1.8s gap in qualifying 'a kick in the teeth' as Russell predicts Verstappen will win Belgian GP
27 August 2022
Formula 1.

The deflated Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell ended up seventh and eighth fastest respectively in Spa qualifying, forcing them to reflect on a tough day in the office – with Hamilton calling the gap to pace-setter Verstappen “a kick in the teeth”, as Russell even predicted a win for the Dutchman, despite Verstappen’s P15 starting position after grid penalties.

Hamilton will start the race in fourth – after being promoted up the order due to Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Esteban Ocon’s engine penalties – but the Briton could not hide his disappointment at the 1.8s gap to Verstappen’s fastest Q3 time, even admitting he would not miss driving the W13 at the end of the year.

“I mean, obviously everyone is working for improvements. And we came here very, very optimistic that we are going to be able to be close [the gap to Red Bull and Ferrari],” said Hamilton. “Half a second, who knows, but to be 1.8s behind is a real kick in the teeth. But it is what it is. It’s a car that we continue to struggle with and I definitely won’t miss it at the end of the year.”

‘A Kick In The Teeth';

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...zDDfRFsKn.html


Qualifying Highlights: Belgian Grand Prix
27 Aug 2022
Formula 1.

Watch highlights from qualifying at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix.

‘Qualifying Highlights’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...895643236.html

Not One F1 Driver Will Start Where They Qualified After Crazy Belgian GP Penalties.
F1 qualifying: Seven grid penalties mean chaotic starting order in Belgium.
Aug 27, 2022 5:35 PM
By Eoin Harrington

F1 qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix threw up a bit of a bizarre scenario on Saturday afternoon, as the amount of grid penalties being taken by drivers up and down the field meant that not one driver will start Sunday's race in the position they qualified in.

Max Verstappen was fastest but, after taking a new engine, he was handed with a "back of the grid" penalty, meaning Carlos Sainz will start from pole. Verstappen's main championship rival Charles Leclerc also took a similar penalty, meaning the order at the front of the grid is quite shaken up for Sunday's race at Spa-Francorchamps.

The engine regulations in the sport dictate that drivers must take position drops if they exceed a certain amount of engine components over the course of the season. Seven drivers incurred those penalties ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, meaning that the grid looks rather different to how the running order looked at the end of qualifying.

‘Crazy Belgian GP Penalties’;

https://www.balls.ie/motorsport/f1-q...ies-spa-522132


Martin Brundle attacks 'ridiculous' grid penalty rules ahead of Belgian GP
15:32, Sat, Aug 27, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth

MAX VERSTAPPEN and Charles Leclerc will start the Belgian Grand Prix from the back of the grid. Martin Brundle has attacked F1’s grid penalty system as “horribly confusing” and says it “looks ridiculous”. He said the current system seems a “bit silly” after seven drivers were issued penalties ahead of qualifying.

Six of those drivers, including title challengers Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, have been ordered to start from the back of the grid. However, Brundle explained a penalty system to limit new parts was crucial to stop big teams from pulling away,

He said: “I’ve been shown how they calculate that, how they apply the penalties car by car and then move them back down again. It’s horribly confusing. It seems a bit silly, because the power units are around, they are in existence, as Christian Horner often says they do a world tour anyway..

‘Ridiculous Grid Penalty Rules’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ian-grand-prix


Verstappen aims to ‘survive Lap 1’ and take podium as dominant qualifying win turns to P15 on grid
27 August 2022
Formula 1.

Championship leader Max Verstappen took P1 in qualifying at Spa but will start 15th, while Red Bull team mate Sergio Perez finished the session in third and will be promoted to second on the grid for Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix. Both drivers shared their lofty aims for the race...

Verstappen’s Q3 lap ensured he would at least start ahead of rival Charles Leclerc – not to mention the rest of the drivers who copped back-of-grid penalties for engine penalties – and the Dutchman managed to set the fastest Q3 time by six tenths of a second.

Given his performance on Saturday and recent recovery from P10 to victory in Hungary, Verstappen said: “I think with the pace we have in the car, I want to move forward, and I want to be at least on the podium. “Yeah, I mean survive, of course, Lap 1 – that’s the most important [thing]. Then after that I need to pass a few cars before of course you get into a competitive position. I mean, it’s a bit like Hungary as well. Of course we’re a bit further back now, but the basics are the same.”

‘Survive Lap 1’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...1QellH7Gp.html


Sainz vs Perez, a mixed up grid, and Lap 1 slipstreaming – What To Watch For in the Belgian GP
27 August 2022
Special contributor
Chris Medland

From the fastest driver in qualifying starting in 15th place to a top three grid position for Fernando Alonso; and from two drivers chasing their second wins of the season to a crucial tow on the opening lap, we pick out some key areas to keep an eye on when the lights go out at Spa-Francorchamps… 1. Verstappen’s charge from the back If you watched qualifying without knowing about any existing grid penalties, you might have been a bit confused by some of the tactics employed by certain teams, but probably not by the sight of Max Verstappen setting the fastest time.

2. Sainz vs Perez for the win Verstappen’s demotion – along with that of Charles Leclerc who qualified in fourth place but starts one position behind the Dutchman in 16th – means the front row will be made up of the other two Ferrari and Red Bull drivers, with Carlos Sainz on pole position from Sergio Perez. 3. Multiple other drivers out of position As already mentioned, the top two in the championship will start far down the order with Verstappen and Leclerc lining up alongside each other on the eighth row, but they’re not the only quick cars that need to produce a recovery drive.

4. Alonso and Albon’s lofty grid spots There are two other drivers who are somewhat out of position but in more positive terms, with Fernando Alonso starting from third place after outqualifying the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. 5. A crucial tow on the opening lap Ironically, it can sometimes be better to exit the first corner in second position rather than first at Spa-Francorchamps due to the nature of the track layout in Belgium.

‘What To Watch For’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...L0PNYUd74.html


Sergio Pérez thinks Belgian GP victory is 'definitely' possible
27 Aug 2022
Formula 1.

Sergio Pérez thinks that a victory in Sunday's 2022 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix is "definitely" possible from P2 on the grid and the Red Bull driver "will go for it" at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

‘Sergio Pérez Victory Is 'Definitely' Possible’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...018484060.html


Verstappen backed for blast-from-the-back Belgian GP win by F1 rivals
Sunday 28 August 2022 04:00
Sam Hall

Max Verstappen has been backed by his F1 rivals to deliver a crushing Belgian Grand Prix victory despite starting from 15th on the grid.

Asked if he anticipated the battle at the front to be purely between himself and Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, Sainz said: "Not entirely, no, especially with the pace Max has.

"As soon as there's either a safety car that can help him close the gap, or with the pace he has, if you translate it into 44 laps, he can come back, and we've seen him do it before."

‘Max Can Come Back’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/90...-win-red-bull/


STRATEGY GUIDE: What are the possible race strategies for the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix?
28 August 2022
Special contributor
Chris Medland

Formula 1 is finally back after the mid-season break – and it’s back with a bang as the top two in the championship will start well down the order thanks to a raft of grid penalties. So ahead of the race, let’s take a look at the different strategic options available to the teams in Belgium. What’s the quickest strategy? It took a while for everyone to get a read on the tyres this weekend due to the tricky weather on Friday, when the two practice sessions took place in damp conditions.

How about a different option for the top 10? So for anyone who thinks they might struggle to make the softs last long enough at the start of the race, the next quickest strategy is a two-stopper. Usually it’s a clear choice between one or two stops, but at Spa-Francorchamps overtaking is not as difficult as at some venues and therefore track position is less valuable.

What are the options for the bottom half of the field? For a further variation of the two-stop strategy, some drivers can consider using softs on two occasions. It’s strange to include him in the “bottom half of the field” section, but Max Verstappen has that particular strategy open to him after saving two new sets of softs by only completing one run in Q3 – when he ended up comfortably quickest but has a grid penalty that sees him start 15th.

‘Wait, but what’s the weather doing?’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...rpukMd5Ar.html

Verstappen cruises to dominant Belgian GP win as Leclerc only sixth.
Max Verstappen extended his Formula 1 championship lead with a crushing victory in the Belgian GP, from 14th on the grid.
28/08/2022, ‎15‎:‎32
Author Jake Nichol

Max Verstapppen stormed from 14th on the grid to claim his ninth victory of the Formula 1 season in the Belgian Grand Prix, as title rival Charles Leclerc could only manage a penalised sixth. An early safety car allowed Verstappen to climb into the top 10 by Lap 5, and was running third behind Carlos Sainz and teammate Sergio Perez.

Sainz pitted for fresh Mediums on Lap 12 - the same lap as Verstappen passed Perez at the Turn 5 Les Combes chicane to take the lead. He pitted for the first time at the end of Lap 15, rejoining 4.6s behind Sainz, although the World Champion quickly reeled Sainz in, taking the lead again on Lap 18.

In the end, Verstappen crossed the line ahead 17.841s clear of Perez, who secured a one-two for Red Bull. It is the 28th Grand Prix victory for Verstappen, whose championship lead is now 101 points as Leclerc faltered.

‘Verstappen cruises to dominant Belgian GP win’;

https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...-leclerc-fifth


Race Results – 2022 Belgian Grand Prix
Spa, Belgium
28/08/2022.
by Emer Hedderman

Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing – 44 laps
2. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +17.841
3. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +26.886
4. George Russell Mercedes +29.140
5. Fernando Alonso Alpine +73.256
6. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +74.936 *
7. Esteban Ocon Alpine +75.640
8. Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin +78.107
9. Pierre Gasly AlphaTauri +92.181
10. Alexander Albon Williams Racing +101.900

‘Belgian Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from today’s 2022 F1 World Championship race at Spa-Francorchamps’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/race-resul...and-prix-79939


Max Verstappen wins Belgian Grand Prix - 'This car is a rocket ship!'
28/08/2022
SKY

‘Red Bull's Max Verstappen wins the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa’;

https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...ian-grand-prix


‘What an idiot!’ – Fernando Alonso slams Lewis Hamilton after crash at Belgian Grand Prix
Sunday 28 Aug 2022 2:49 pm
Sean Kearns

Fernando Alonso labelled rival Lewis Hamilton an ‘idiot’ during an explosive rant after the pair collided in the first lap of the Belgian Grand Prix. Hamilton, starting behind Alonso, saw his race come to a premarture end when he was told ‘stop, stop, stop’ by his Mercedes team after colliding with the Spaniard.

The pair both made a strong start by surging past Sergio Perez but Hamilton wanted to go one better by slipping past Alonso. Hamilton’s former team-mate successfully blocked off the move but that didn’t stop the Englishman attempting the takeover.

What an idiot!’ Alonso said on radio. ‘Closing the door from the outside. I mean, we had a mega start but this guy only knows how to drive and start in first.’

‘Only knows how to drive and start in first!’;

https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/28/ferna...o=newsnow-feed


Lewis Hamilton responds to Fernando Alonso calling him an 'idiot' after Belgian GP crash
LEWIS HAMILTON was forced out of the Belgian Grand Prix after an accident with Fernando Alonso on the first lap.
15:26, Sun, Aug 28, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth

Lewis Hamilton has claimed he “don’t care” after Fernando Alonso called the Mercedes star an “idiot” after their lap one crash. Hamilton swept around the outside of Fernando Alonso in a bid to take second on lap one.

Hamilton accepted the blame for the shunt as he recorded his first retirement of the season. He told Sky Sports F1: “No. Looking back at my footage, he was in my blind spot. I didn't leave him enough space. It's my fault today. Just so sorry to the team.

"It doesn't really matter he said that. I don't really care. It was my fault. I couldn't see him actually. He was right in my blind spot. Just recuperate, get back on the treadmill."

‘In my blind spot’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...and-prix-crash

'I don’t expect it to be like that every single race weekend' says Verstappen after leading dominant Red Bull 1-2.
Max Verstappen won the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix in emphatic fashion, the reigning champion starting 14th and finishing nearly 18 seconds ahead of team mate Sergio Perez as Red Bull collected maximum points.
28 August 2022
Formula 1.

Verstappen made it up to P8 behind the Safety Car that was brought out for Valtteri Bottas's spin, and then into the podium places shortly after. The Dutchman, who extended his championship lead over team mate and runner-up Perez, was asked if this was the most dominant win of his F1 career.

“I think if you look at the whole weekend, yes, the car has been incredible from FP1. I don’t think we expected it to be like this but sometimes it’s nice when things positively surprise you, and it’s been really enjoyable to drive the car around here this year.”

“I don’t expect it to be like that every single race weekend… just because of the track layout, more downforce on the car to get round, less straights as well. So definitely, it will be closer, yes.
“But we of course again made a bigger gap which is of course very nice, but we know that we have to score points every single weekend,” he said.

‘I don’t expect it to be like that every single race weekend’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...M70CPd1VR.html


HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the action from the Belgian Grand Prix as Verstappen dominates to lead Red Bull 1-2
28 August 2022
Formula 1.

Max Verstappen put in a phenomenal drive after starting in P14 to win the Belgian Grand Prix – leading home Red Bull’s fourth one-two finish of the season.

Verstappen started on the soft tyre as he looked to make early gains through the field. And the championship leader did just that, taking the lead of the Grand Prix on just Lap 12, before pulling away from the field to seal his ninth victory of the season.

Sergio Perez overtook Carlos Sainz to take second place, with the Spaniard holding off George Russell in the Mercedes to take the third place. It was a tough afternoon for Charles Leclerc, who crossed the line in P5, but was demoted to sixth after speeding in the pit lane.

‘Video Player Link’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...rOeCgvJ4t.html


Pérez felt 'lucky' to recover after nightmare start
28 Aug 2022
Formula 1.

Sergio Pérez felt "lucky" to claw back a podium finish after a terrible race start for the Red Bull driver at the 2022 F1 Belgian Grand Prix.

‘Feeling Lucky’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...350281044.html


“I don’t think we can be satisfied with this weekend” – Mercedes’ Toto Wolff
August 28, 2022
By Joe McCormick

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team‘s Toto Wolff is, understandably, disappointed with the outcome of Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix after suffering an early retirement on Lewis Hamilton‘s side of the garage, and finishing a decent fourth place with George Russell – but a long distance away from the leaders in race and single-lap pace.

Wolff is not happy with the gap to the dominant Oracle Red Bull Racing as the Silver Arrows prepare to race at Zandvoort next Sunday. “I don’t think we can be satisfied with this weekend – if you see Verstappen, he has leaped above us all. We really need to find out how we can improve our car because the gap is just too big.”

“We’re giving the drivers a very difficult car to drive and it hasn’t got the pace on a single lap so we need to work ourselves out of this situation. Over the next four days, we’ll be putting our heads together, setting our sights on the next race and also next season. It’s important we stay level-headed, keep our spirits up and don’t flip too much between elation and depression – this weekend is a low but in Hungary three weeks ago, we were thinking we will absolutely win a race, so we’ll never give up,” Wolff concluded.

‘Important we stay level-headed’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...es-toto-wolff/


Red Bull’s Christian Horner: “This was our biggest ever achievement to date”
August 28, 2022
By Ashley Cline

Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner was thrilled with the team’s result at the Belgian Grand Prix, where the team pulled off a 1-2 finish and fastest lap. With Max Verstappen taking victory after starting fourteenth due to an engine replacement penalty, Spa marked the lowest starting position the team had ever won from. “This was our biggest ever achievement to date. We have never won a race from as far back as P14 and to take a 1 – 2 with Checo, along with fastest lap, is an outstanding achievement.”

Horner said that Verstappen had performed incredibly, as the Dutch driver was able to advantage of the chaotic first lap to move himself up the ranks, and overtook the rest of the grid with his great pace and solid tyre management. On the other side of the garage, Sergio Perez maintained his position against the rivaling teams of Scuderia Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team with a solid effort to ensure a second place finish.

“It’s a fantastic win for Max and he has been in a class of his own on the track this weekend but it really is a team victory; for everyone here and all the team back in Milton Keynes. There is a lot of hard work that goes in behind the scenes that contributes to a performance like today and would also like to thank HRC for their contribution to this victory.”

‘A lot of hard work that goes in behind the scenes’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ement-to-date/


Belgian GP: Sunday's action in pictures
28/08/2022 at 19:15
Phillip van Osten

It was a sunny and warm day at the races for Formula 1 fans at Spa-Francorchamps, and an even brighter afternoon for Red Bull and its supreme leader Max Verstappen who, despite a lowly grid spot, trounced his rivals from start to finish.

Check out our recap in pictures of Sunday's Belgian GP, round 14 of the 2022 F1 World Championship.

‘Sunday's action in pictures’;

https://f1i.com/news/452098-belgian-...ictures-3.html


2022 Belgian Grand Prix: Every driver's over the line team radio
28 Aug 2022
Formula 1.

Listen to every radio broadcast as the drivers cross the line at the end of the 2022 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix.

‘Every driver's over the line team radio’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...440961193.html


Spa To Remain On Formula One Calendar In 2023
17:08 Sun, 28 Aug
iafrica.com

The Belgian Grand Prix will remain on the Formula One calendar next year, the sport announced on Sunday after speculation the race at Spa-Francorchamps could be dropped.
“Formula One can confirm that the Belgian Grand Prix will be on the 2023 calendar following an agreement to extend our partnership together,” it said in a statement ahead of the 55th edition of the grand prix.
Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali had cautioned this week that reports of the race’s demise might be premature.
While Spa will return, the prospects of holding a race at South Africa’s Kyalami circuit appeared to have receded.

‘Spa To Remain On Formula One Calendar’;

https://iafrica.com/spa-to-remain-on...endar-in-2023/

'Ferrari's Plan Æ': 2022 Belgian GP – Goin' up, goin' down.
Just when you think Ferrari has exhausted the ways to mess up, the Scuderia digs even deeper and finds a new level of failure.
Motor Sport Magazine
29/08/2022, 13:28
Author: James Elson

In qualifying, the Italian team put new tyres meant for the race on Leclerc when he was simply sent out to give Sainz a tow.

Then, after presenting the Monegasque with a myriad of strategic options mid-race, which he surely would have struggled to decide on at 200mph, his confused colleagues called Leclerc into the pits for a risky late fastest lap attempt, putting him behind Fernando Alonso with two laps left.

After overtaking the Spaniard, Leclerc was hit with a pitlane speeding penalty, seeing him drop to sixth. ‘Mamma Mia’ doesn’t even cut it anymore.

‘Digging even deeper and finds a new level of failure’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...-up-goin-down#


Alonso sends dig in Ferrari's direction: They always do strange strategies!
29/08/2022, ‎12‎:‎30
Author Rory Mitchell
Co-author Dieter Rencken

Fernando Alonso sent a dig to his old team Ferrari after they pitted Charles Leclerc at the end of the Belgium Grand Prix in a bid to get the fastest lap point. Alonso, who raced for the Italian team between 2010 and 2014, was surprised that Ferrari chose to risk Leclerc at such a late stage in the race when he was guaranteed to finish ahead.

Despite informing the team that he didn't want to risk his fifth position, Ferrari told Leclerc to pit with two laps to go. He emerged behind Alonso at the pit exit but was able to retake it on the final lap, utilising the faster grip from the Soft tyres and tow down the Kemmel straight.

"I was surprised! Ferrari always does strange strategies, so that was one of those," Alonso told Sky Sports F1.

‘Ferrari always does strange strategies’;

https://racingnews365.com/alonso-sen...nge-strategies


Mattia Binotto defends Ferrari after Scuderia mocked for controversial Charles Leclerc decision.
29 August 2022
by James Clifford

Charles Leclerc lost P5 at the Belgian Grand Prix after Ferrari's risky move did not pay off. Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto, has no regrets after Charles Leclerc picked up a penalty while trying to go for the fastest lap of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto, has no regrets after Charles Leclerc picked up a penalty while trying to go for the fastest lap of the Belgian Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old was awarded a five-second penalty as a result and, having been forced to pass Alonso on the final lap, he did not get the fastest lap either. “It was really, really borderline,” he told Motorsport.com. “We were not using our normal sensors measuring the speed because they have failed during the overheating of the front-right due to the tear-off of Max, and our recovery [system], maybe it was not such accurate.”

‘Sensors Failed’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/mattia-bi...lerc-decision/


Are Ferrari finally awakening to reality of championship loss?
Monday 29th August 2022 12:15 PM
Thomas Maher

The extent of Ferrari’s defeat to Red Bull at Spa-Francorchamps seems to have triggered concession from Mattia Binotto and Charles Leclerc. It is said there are five stages of grieving a loss – denial, anger, bargaining, depression and, finally, acceptance.

After the (few) ups and the (many) downs of the 2022 Formula 1 season, everything about the Belgian Grand Prix post-race interviews with Ferrari’s main men suggested they have reached the stage of acceptance that, to all intents and purposes, the 2022 World Championship has been lost.

Throughout the first half of the season, Ferrari became particularly adept at throwing away strong positions and potential, but could count on their F1-75 showing the pace to be a bother for the Red Bull team.

‘Ferrari Finally Awakening!’;

https://www.planetf1.com/features/fe...pionship-loss/


Video: What was most concerning about Ferrari’s crushing loss
29/08/2022, 19:17
The Race

Ferrari was left surprised, confused and worried after being demolished by Formula 1 rival Red Bull in the Belgian Grand Prix – and the big concern now is whether it can happen again.
Max Verstappen was able to dominate the Spa race despite only starting 14th, while Ferrari turned a pole position into third for Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc had a tough run to sixth having only started one place behind Verstappen.
It was a crushing performance from Verstappen and Red Bull, so much so that Leclerc called it a “strange” leap and admitted Ferrari didn’t know how it happened.

‘Video looking at the factors that made this possible and why Ferrari is so concerned it might not just be a one-off’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/video...crushing-loss/

Why McLaren went home empty-handed from Belgian Grand Prix.
McLaren principal Andreas Seidl explained that a lack of traction out of Turn 1 at Spa left his drivers stuck and unable to progress.
Monday 29th August 2022 10:00 PM
Jamie Woodhouse

Lando Norris was among the group of drivers to drop towards the back of the grid due to a power unit-related penalty, though with these penalties promoting Daniel Ricciardo to a starting spot of P7, McLaren still had reason for some optimism.

The race though did not go as McLaren would have hoped, Ricciardo crossing the line all the way down in P15, with Norris recording a P12 finish, meaning McLaren left Spa with zero points.

Norris had explained that McLaren just did not have enough of a pace advantage over rival midfield teams to escape the ‘DRS train’, while Ricciardo was left ruing his straight-line speed, feeling that a sub-optimal rear wing spec was holding him back.

‘Lack Of Traction Out Of Turn 1’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/mclare...-gp-explained/


Ricciardo weighed down at Spa by older-spec rear wing
29/08/2022 at 17:23
Michael Delaney

Daniel Riccardo faced an uphill battle from the outset at Spa relative to McLaren teammate Lando Norris, with the Aussie running an older-spec, higher drag rear wing on his MCL36. McLaren implemented several upgrades on its car ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, and one updated element included a Spa-specific low drag rear wing.

Unfortunately, the team only had two such wings in its cases and Norris was the logical recipient of the element. "On Daniel’s side, we had an issue with the latest rear wing and we only had two for this event here," explained McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl.

"So we had to go back to an older rear wing, which meant slightly more downforce and therefore a bit less top speed, which wasn’t what we wanted to run, clearly."

‘Daniel Riccardo faced an uphill battle from the outset’;

https://f1i.com/news/452384-ricciard...rear-wing.html


‘Daniel Ricciardo looked a broken man at the Belgian Grand Prix’
Monday 29th August 2022 5:00 PM
Michelle Foster

Daniel Ricciardo looked a “broken man” to Martin Brundle in Sunday’s Belgian GP, the former driver questioning whether the Aussie really wants to continue in Formula 1 next season. Brundle says he looked a “broken man I’m not enjoying watching Daniel,” he said on Sky Sports. “It’s painful isn’t it. I consider him a friend and I rate him massively as a person and a racing driver.”

“If I was McLaren I would have been doing the same thing because he’s struggling to get pace and you can’t take that for another 18 months. I would have done exactly the same thing. How they’ve done it — they’ve made an agreement, this is a tough business.”

“Daniel didn’t convince me that he wanted to stay on the grid, that he wanted to go to Alpine or anywhere else. I think he potentially does, but I saw a bit of a broken man, I didn’t see ‘I’m going to win a race this year, I am going to be on the grid next year. I’ll show them they’ve made the wrong decision here’.”

‘Daniel Ricciardo looked a broken man’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/daniel...artin-brundle/


Norris on Ricciardo's issues: 'That's life – you adapt to the car'
F1 AUGUST 29TH 2022
AUTHOR Adam Cooper

It’s no secret that Daniel Ricciardo’s impending split with McLaren is a simple result of his failure to match team mate Lando Norris over the past season and a half. “I guess I’m surprised because when Daniel came into the team, of course, everyone expected more. I’m sure he expected more from himself. So, when you look at it that way, you are surprised.”

“It’s not me having a dig or anything, but when you look at the results, if you want two guys to be at the same level and so on, then in a way, you’re not surprised. It’s just hard to know when to call it, I guess, which is what they’ve done.” Asked if he’d been involved in any discussions about Ricciardo’s future he adds: “It makes no difference to me. It’s not my job, it’s his career, not my career.”

Given how competitive he has been over the past couple of years Norris has watched the situation unfold with some bemusement, sitting in team press briefings while Ricciardo has fielded endless questions about his poor form and explanation of how he couldn’t get on with either the MCL35M or its very different successor. Norris makes it clear that it’s not been easy for him either.

‘Everyone Expected More’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...apt-to-the-car


Seidl denies morale at McLaren has been compromised.
29/08/2022
NEWS STORY

McLaren team boss, Andreas Seidl has played down suggestions that the dropping of Daniel Ricciardo has affected team morale. Finishing 12th (Norris) and 15th (Ricciardo) pretty much summed up a dismal weekend for the Woking outfit, a weekend that followed a difficult week.

On Wednesday, following weeks (months?) of speculation, the team announced that it would not be retaining Riccardo for 2023, which led to the inevitable backlash on social media. "In today's world, we've seen with the various campaigns and all the activity around social media, that unfortunately some fans, fortunately not most, are quite abusive on social media," said Zak Brown on Saturday when asked about the backlash.

"I think all you can do is ignore it," he continued. "You don't have to like it, but those that choose to hate are really not the types of fans that you want in sport. Certainly people are entitled to their opinions and I don't mind the cheering and booing that you get in sports, but some people do take it way too far.”

‘McLaren morale compromised denial’;

https://www.pitpass.com/73452/Seidl-...en-compromised


Lando Norris outlines major issue with McLaren car as Oscar Piastri decision imminent
LANDO NORRIS suggests his McLaren car was lacking pace after finishing outside the points at the Belgian Grand Prix.
14:31, Mon, Aug 29, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth

Lando Norris has claimed McLaren’s DRS is “pretty shocking” and has been costing the team overtaking opportunities. The Briton predicted his car was capable of beating the Red Bulls in a straight line but then lost out when the rear wing flap opened.

Speaking on race day in Spa, Norris explained: “I think we were probably one of the quicker ones on the straights. Where we lose a lot is in DRS for some reason. In DRS we’re pretty shocking, some cars are a lot better than others.”

“Like, in a pure straightline condition, I think yesterday we were quicker than Red Bull. But then the Red Bull opens DRS and gains another 15kph and is a completely different league to a lot of people, [so there’s] something we’re maybe missing with DRS. Maybe that makes our overtaking opportunities less than other people.” Norris was competitive across the free practice sessions, regularly setting times faster than the Mercedes and Ferraris.

‘Major issue with McLaren car’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ri-news-latest


Daniel Ricciardo: Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says he 'doesn't recognise' former driver amid McLaren exit.
Last Updated: 29/08/22 5:23pm
SKY

McLaren and Ricciardo last week confirmed a 'mutual termination' of his contract at the end of the 2022 season; the former Red Bull's F1 future is in doubt; Christian Horner also offers opinion on Oscar Piastri saga

Christian Horner says he "doesn't recognise" Daniel Ricciardo as the same driver he was during his time with Red Bull, following the Australian's "very sad" exit from McLaren.

"It's just very sad," Horner told Sky Sports F1. "Obviously, I'm not close to it. I've spoken to Daniel a little bit. I don't recognise him as the same driver as he was with when he was with us. He's one of the best guys out there. He's definitely got that capability. His confidence has been zapped. We're used to seeing him on the podium, doing shoeys, messing around with that big smile, and we don't see any of that anymore.”

‘Confidence has been zapped’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...d-mclaren-exit

Wolff: W13 going to the caves not Mercedes museum.
Toto Wolff gave a harsh yet fair judgement of Mercedes’ W13, claiming it will not have a high place in the Mercedes museum, but belongs in the caves.
29 August, 2022
Jad Mallak

“We came here and we were very optimistic that we would be able to be close – half a second,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1. “To be 1.8 seconds behind is a real kick in the teeth but it is what it is. It’s a car that we continue to struggle with and I definitely won’t miss it at the end of the year,” he admitted. “For me, it’s just about focusing on how we design and build next year’s car,” the Briton said with a hint of throwing in the towel.”

Toto Wolff was clearly dissatisfied with his team’s performance in Spa, where Verstappen “leaped above” everyone, and when asked about Hamilton’s sentiments towards his 2022 ride, he seemed to be of the same opinion. “We are in a situation where the championship will be concluded in Europe probably and that car will not… I don’t think it’s going to have the highest place in the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Maybe going to go a little bit in the caves,” the Mercedes boss revealed.

It’s very difficult to cope with these swings,” Wolff said on Sunday of the W13’s fluctuating performance. “We had a totally subpar performance yesterday; fighting you know being beaten by the Alpines, Albon very strong. Valtteri would have been right there. Norris probably too. And then in the race at times we go three seconds a lap faster,” he revealed. “Big question marks about what’s going on. It is not where we should be with the structure and the knowledge to understand the racing car but we don’t with this one.”

‘Maybe going to go a little bit in the caves’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/08...rcedes-museum/


Toto Wolf: Mercedes have to stick to principles despite being in ‘dungeon’.
After another trying weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix, Wolff referred to their desperate straits as a “dungeon” which was proving harder to cope with than anything the team had experienced before.
Tue, 30 Aug, 2022 - 07:50
Giles Richards

Wolff conceded it was hard to cope with being relegated to an also-ran. “They say you never lose you learn, I can tell you it is f***ing difficult,” he said.

“All these nice Instagram posts and everything we have talked about over the eight years, about how we are going to take this when you arrive in the dungeon.

“To stick to your principles and your values, to keep the spirit up and continue to relentlessly seek to get better? Phew. There is more to write a book about this year than there is about the last eight years.”

‘I can tell you it is f***ing difficult’;

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/...-40950569.html


Christian Horner has ‘to thank Toto’ and his flexi-floor TD for Red Bull’s 1-2
Monday 29th August 2022 1:00 PM
Michelle Foster

Christian Horner has joked he should thank Toto Wolff for insisting on porpoising and flexi-floor technical directives after Red Bull romped to a 1-2 at the first race weekend in which the TD was in play. Earlier this season Mercedes complaints about porpoising and the long-term impact it could have on their drivers’ health led to the FIA wanting to introduce a technical directive aimed at measuring the cars’ levels of oscillations.

In the process of putting that together, the FIA discovered that some teams may have been playing in a grey area in the regulations that allowed them to flex their floors by more than the allotted 2mm. As such the FIA enforced TD39, which came into play at the Belgian Grand Prix, clarifying the wording surrounding the flexibility of the cars’ planks and skid blocks.

Horner says he probably owes Wolff a thank you. “On the face of it I’d probably have to thank Toto for the TD,” Horner told reporters at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. “In all seriousness, I think this circuit has played to our strengths. A lot was made and a lot of expectation was put on that TD, so perhaps it’s hurt others more than it’s hurt ourselves. We haven’t really changed the way we operate the car.”

‘On the face of it I’d probably have to thank Toto for the TD’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/christ...cal-directive/


Helmut Marko mocks Mercedes boss Toto Wolff on new F1 rule changes at Belgian GP
MERCEDES struggled to match the pace of the dominant Red Bulls at the Belgian Grand Prix.
11:14, Mon, Aug 29, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth

The new changes were expected to bring Mercedes closer to their rivals but had the opposite effect as Red Bull pulled away. Lewis Hamilton was a staggering 1.8 seconds slower than Max Verstappen in qualifying while George Russell was unable to hold onto the leaders on race day.

In a swipe at Wolff, Marko said: “Maybe we will have to change something about the chassis because of Toto's new guidelines. They worked very well this weekend! We thank him. It seems that Mercedes have fallen back even further!"

George Russell had accused Red Bull of running flexible floors last time out in Hungary but Red Bull stressed they were doing nothing wrong. Verstappen also took shots at Mercedes after qualifying as he laughed that the rule changes had made little difference to the pecking order.

‘Maybe we will have to change something about the chassis because of Toto's new guidelines’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ian-grand-prix


Mercedes facing 'difficult' decision regarding concept of 2023 F1 car
30/08/2022 at 16:48
Phillip van Osten

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says the Brackley squad is facing a "difficult situation" regarding its 2023 car, as it must carefully evaluate the design concept of its future contender. Mercedes is in the midst of troubled season, marked by the complex aerodynamic issues that have undermined the performance of its new-generation W13.

"It's a very difficult situation because we obviously have a certain concept of a car," explained Wolff, referring to Mercedes' design approach for 2023 that it is in the process of deciding. It's not like we can experiment a lot this year and just simply dial stuff out and test.”

"So whatever we decide for next year needs to be carefully evaluated because clearly our data don't give us the results, and don't correlate with the reality. We have massive swings in performance that we can't really get on top of. So in this moment to take a decision for next year, whatever it may be, like changing the concept dramatically, how can you be sure that that's the better direction to go because clearly we'll be starting a little bit way back?"

‘Our data don't give us the results, and don't correlate with the reality’;

https://f1i.com/news/452431-mercedes...23-f1-car.html

Mattia Binotto says he would be ‘very surprised’ if Red Bull aren’t cheating.
Mattia Binotto is confused as to how Red Bull can afford to introduce a new lightweight chassis.
30 August 2022
by Finley Crebolder

Mattia Binotto thinks that Red Bull could be exceeding the budget cap, and that the FIA aren’t monitoring the matter closely enough. Ferrari and Red Bull started the 2022 campaign fairly evenly matched, but the latter team have now pulled ahead in terms of both points and pace.

That was abundantly clear to see at the Belgian Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen won with ease despite the fact that he started down in P13 while the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz was on pole. To make matters worse for Binotto and co, the Dutchman said that his team will be introducing a new, lighter chassis in the coming rounds.

“We are getting a new chassis in the future,” he stated in Spa. “I don’t know how much lighter it will be, but if it works it will help us.” The Ferrari team principal is confused by this revelation as his own team don’t have the budget left to make such changes.

‘Mattia Binotto is confused’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/mattia-bi...rent-cheating/


Mattia Binotto defends Ferrari after Scuderia mocked for controversial Charles Leclerc decision
Charles Leclerc lost P5 at the Belgian Grand Prix after Ferrari's risky move did not pay off.
29 August 2022
by James Clifford

Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto, has no regrets after Charles Leclerc picked up a penalty while trying to go for the fastest lap of the Belgian Grand Prix. Leclerc entered the weekend with a grid penalty that would see him start 15th behind Max Verstappen, but Red Bull’s pace at Spa was, for everyone not of am energy drinks persuasion, scary.

Binotto affirmed after the race that faulty sensors were not going to deter his team from trying to collect an additional point at Spa. “It was really, really borderline,” he told Motorsport.com.

“We were not using our normal sensors measuring the speed because they have failed during the overheating of the front-right due to the tear-off of Max, and our recovery [system], maybe it was not such accurate.”

‘Borderline’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/mattia-bi...lerc-decision/


“Today’s race did not live up to our expectations” – Ferrari’s Mattia Binotto
August 28, 2022
By Joe McCormick

The Belgian Grand Prix was another event that didn’t quite go the way of Scuderia Ferrari. Oracle Red Bull Racing have extended their lead in the Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Championship with an impressive one-two finish at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, while the Italian outfit were only able to finish third and sixth.

Ferrari Team Principal, Mattia Binotto, says the team need to “roll up [their] sleeves” if they want to catch up to the huge points deficit between themselves and Red Bull. “Today’s race did not live up to our expectations. Red Bull has done a great job and the performance difference between them and us this weekend, in terms of pace and also tyre degradation was clear to see.”

“Carlos drove a good race. Charles was unlucky in the very early stages and from then on he had even more of a job on his hands. As a team, we just have to roll up our sleeves and continue to improve the performance of our car. The next race at Zandvoort features a track with completely different characteristics and we are ready to give it our best shot as always, aiming for the win.”

‘Says the team need to roll up their sleeves’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...attia-binotto/


Ferrari express "concern" with Red Bull performance
Tuesday 30 August 2022 07:00
Ian Parkes

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has expressed "concern" at Red Bull's pace over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. Max Verstappen left his rivals trailing around Spa-Francorchamps, finishing over six-tenths of a second quicker than Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in qualifying before delivering a crushingly dominant victory from 14th on the grid.

Asked as to how big his hope Spa was an outlier, Binotto replied: “I don’t think that there is any hope in that. It [the pace] has been a true difference between us and the Red Bull. If I look back, they were also faster in Hungary, which is a different type of track - high downforce. Overall, I think that simply the Red Bull is a faster car than we have got in terms of overall efficiency, and Spa is where you need efficiency, both from the aerodynamics and from the power unit."

“What I think is more concerning is they were capable of running a lower downforce [package] but still having a great type of speed in the middle sector where you need downforce. So, they got both [parts] which is back to the efficiency. They got low drag and great downforce on the track.”

‘More Concerning, Capable Of Running A Lower Downforce’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/90...l-performance/


Mattia Binotto accuses Red Bull of cheating, urges FIA to take action
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez stormed to a Red Bull one-two in Belgium.
29 August 2022
by James Clifford

Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto, has been left wondering if Red Bull are complying with the financial regulations this season. Charles Leclerc won two of the opening three races as Red Bull struggled to find their feet, suffering three reliability failures between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

Leclerc led the Drivers’ Standings, while he and Carlos Sainz had given the Scuderia a healthy advantage in the Constructors’ Championship. However, the Austrian side hit back in Imola with a highly effective upgrade that has seen them win nine of the last 11 races as of Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Binotto, naturally, has to find answers as to how his team are so far adrift of the pace of their rivals, and he lands upon a potential breach of the $145 million budget cap. “I would be very surprised if that [rate of upgrades] was possible for other teams,” he said. “You have to ask yourself whether the monitoring is sufficient. Unfortunately, only a few people at the FIA keep an eye on it.”

‘FIA urged to take action’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/mattia-bi...o-take-action/


‘Outside perceptions’ of Ferrari strategy errors this year are wrong – Binotto
2022 Belgian Grand Prix
Posted on 30th August 2022, 11:07
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto rejected claims the squad made the latest in a series of strategic errors during last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc questioned the team’s decision to make a late pit stop during Sunday’s race at Spa-Francorchamps. The team intended to fit a fresh set of tyres in a bid to set the fastest lap of the race and take the bonus point that came with it.

Ferrari pressed aheda with the plan, but it backfired. Leclerc was passed by Fernando Alonso when he rejoined the circuit, and although he was able to repass the Alpine, he lost some time doing so at the beginning of his final lap. Not only was Leclerc unable to beat Max Verstappen’s fastest lap time, he also collected a penalty for speeding in the pits, which dropped him behind Alonso. Ferrari’s attempt to gain an extra point therefore ended up costing them two.

“Obviously there is always a need to improve and there are lessons learned on which we are looking and reflecting,” he said. “But if I look back at the season, I think there is a lot of perception from outside compared to what are the truth and the reality. I think sometimes we’re not doing these things that may have been perceived as mistakes.” The decision to pit Leclerc at the end of Sunday’s race “was the right call”, Binotto stated. “You need to be brave in F1. If there is an opportunity to try to get the fast lap and there was the margin on Fernando to stop on that and try to go for it, I think it was the right decision.”

‘ ‘Outside perceptions’ Wrong’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/08/30/...wrong-binotto/

Dutch Grand Prix “going to be pretty crazy!” – Max Verstappen.
Max Verstappen is buzzing to get going with his home Grand Prix, after the Dutchman dominated the field at the Belgian Grand Prix to claim his ninth victory of the season.
August 31, 2022.
By Nick Golding

Verstappen is predicting it to be a “pretty crazy” weekend, as he looks to deliver in front of his home supporters. “After the successful weekend we’ve had in Spa, I’m really looking forward to the Dutch GP. There’s a lot more downforce required at the track in Zandvoort so it will be harder for us to be dominant, I expect Ferrari to be strong there.”

“I of course want a good result but it’s important to always score points, lets hope we can do a good job. It will be great to have my family there supporting me, I’m just going to enjoy the weekend with all the fans, it’s going to be pretty crazy.”

Sergio Pérez moved to second in the standings last weekend, after finishing on the second step of the podium at Spa-Francorchamps. Despite finishing second, the Mexican driver was still blown away by his team-mate, but then again so was everyone! Pérez is aiming to be closer to his team-mate this weekend, at a venue he calls a “brilliant place”.

‘Max is buzzing to get going at Zandvoort’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ax-verstappen/


Can anyone spoil Verstappen's party? 2022 Dutch GP: what to watch for
F1 August 31st 2022
Author Edward Hardy

Last season was the first Dutch GP in 36 years, and the crowd certainly made up for lost time with an atmosphere as good as any on the calendar. The grandstands were full, flares were being set off, the music was pretty loud – but the crowds were there to see one man.

“It’s an old school circuit, the atmosphere here has been outstanding,” said Verstappen’s Red Bull team boss Christian Horner at the time. “I think in my entire career I’ve never heard so much support for a driver. It’s been like being in a nightclub for three days.”

“The way that Max has handled that pressure, we’ve seen it in other drivers at home races, sometimes it can get to them. But I think the intensity and the noise has just been insane.” However, this year Verstappen will return as a world champion and being en route to back-to-back titles, a similar atmosphere should be expected.

‘It’s been like being in a nightclub for three days!’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...2022-dutch-gp#


Marko: Max would have won in Spa from 20th!
31/08/2022, ‎10‎:‎00
Author Michael Butterworth
Co-author Jesse Janse

Red Bull Special Advisor Helmut Marko says Max Verstappen would have won last weekend's Belgian Grand Prix even if he had started from the back of the grid. Speaking after the race, Marko acknowledged that Verstappen's level of dominance was such that he could have won from 20th on the grid.

"I think so," Marko told media including RacingNews365.com when asked whether such a feat would have been possible, adding that Verstappen's father Jos had been confident in his son's abilities to win despite a grid penalty.

"We knew already before the [summer] break that we would change the engine here, and thought, 'okay, at least let's try to get points', but after the qualifying lap, we thought a podium should be possible, but Jos said, 'no, he will win'," said Marko.

‘Winning With Consummate Ease’;

https://racingnews365.com/marko-max-...-spa-from-20th


Verstappen: 'Harder' for Red Bull to dominate at Zandvoort
31/08/2022 at 15:04
Phillip van Osten

Local hero Max Verstappen heads into his home race next weekend as the grand favourite after his crushing win in Spa, but the Red Bull charger expects to have a "harder" time at Zandvoort.

"There’s a lot more downforce required at the track in Zandvoort so it will be harder for us to be dominant, I expect Ferrari to be strong there. I of course want a good result but it's important to always score points, lets hope we can do a good job.”

"It will be great to have my family there supporting me, I’m just going to enjoy the weekend with all the fans, it’s going to be pretty crazy."

‘Zandvoort Will Be Harder’;

https://f1i.com/news/452474-verstapp...zandvoort.html


Max Verstappen to seal second championship at Singapore GP
Max Verstappen boasts a 93-point lead in the Drivers' Championship over second-placed Sergio Pérez.
30 August 2022
by Nick Golding

Red Bull Racing chief advisor Dr Helmut Marko believes that Max Verstappen will retain his World Drivers’ Championship with “two or three” more wins, which could realistically see the Dutchman win the championship at the first fly-away race following the European races.

In all honesty, unless Verstappen has a complete breakdown, then he will retain his crown. This could realistically happen at the Singapore Grand Prix should he win the upcoming Dutch and Italian GP’s. If Verstappen wins at Zandvoort, Monza and at the Marina Bay Circuit, he will have at least a 118-point lead over Leclerc if the Ferrari driver finishes all three races in second.

The 24-year-old needs to leave Singapore with a 125-point advantage to retain his title, and with three consecutive P2’s seemingly unlikely for Leclerc, then Verstappen could be champion at the start of October with five races to go.

‘Second Championship Seal At Singapore GP?’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/max-verst...-singapore-gp/

Why Verstappen is expecting a tougher test at Zandvoort.
Max Verstappen is anticipating a harder fight for victory at this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix than he had last weekend in Belgium.
31/08/2022, ‎13‎:‎30
Author Michael Butterworth

Such was Verstappen's dominance that Red Bull Special Advisor Helmut Marko said the Dutchman could even have won at Spa from the back of the grid. However, the tighter confines of the Zandvoort circuit will require a very different setup to Spa, and Verstappen noted that his home race may see Ferrari return to form.

"After the successful weekend we had in Spa, I'm really looking forward to the Dutch Grand Prix," said Verstappen, who won last year's race at Zandvoort (main picture). "There's a lot more downforce required at Zandvoort, so it will be harder for us to be dominant, and I expect Ferrari to be strong there.”

"Of course I want a good result, but it's important to always score points. Let's hope we can do a good job. It will be great to have my family there supporting me, I'm just going to enjoy the weekend with all the fans, it’s going to be pretty crazy."

‘Tougher Test At Zandvoort’;

https://racingnews365.com/why-versta...t-at-zandvoort


WATCH: Relive the action from last year's Dutch GP ahead of this weekend's return to Zandvoort
31 August 2022
Formula 1.

Max Verstappen is set to return to his home race this weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix for the first time as a world champion. But before we go racing again, let's relive the Red Bull driver’s triumph at last year’s race in Zandvoort.

Returning to the calendar for the first time since 1985, the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix saw home hero Verstappen start on pole ahead of title rival Lewis Hamilton. The Red Bull driver was then able to hold off the challenge of the Briton all afternoon - including when Valtteri Bottas held up Verstappen, allowing Hamilton to close within a second - to seal a well earned victory in front of an ecstatic home crowd.

Hamilton pitted late to take the fastest lap but took the chequered flag in second place, ahead of Bottas in third. It was a great afternoon for AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly who finished in fourth ahead of Charles Leclerc in fifth.

‘Relive 2021 Dutch GP action’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...VHzxMBKbs.html


Horner: We’ll try to keep Verstappen within a bubble in Zandvoort
1 September, 2022
Jad Mallak

Christian Horner revealed that Red Bull will try and keep Max Verstappen within a team bubble in Zandvoort to help him focus away from the noise as well as manage expectations. The Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen’s home race has become an annual celebration of the 2021 Formula 1 Champion by the legions of the Orange Army, expected to flood the circuit in Zandvoort in support of their national hero.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner doesn’t see the current advantage the team and their star driver hold this season, especially after their dominant showing in Spa last weekend as a reason to relax. “I think you have to keep the pressure on because as soon as you don’t, you start making mistakes,” he said. “So we will approach Zandvoort with exactly the same discipline that we have done every grand prix this year.”

As for Verstappen’s workload, Horner said: “There are no additional activities for Max compared to a standard grand prix weekend. “Of course, there will be an awful lot of noise around the circuit but we will try to keep him within a bubble inside the team to try to manage expectations,” he revealed.

‘Keep Verstappen within a bubble in Zandvoort’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/09...-in-zandvoort/


Dutch Grand Prix weather: Will Zandvoort dodge the rain?
Thursday 1st September 2022 8:30 AM
Jamie Woodhouse

Friday, September 2 – FP1 and FP2. Fans can expect the track to be bathed in sunshine throughout Friday as the race weekend action kicks off with the first two practice sessions.

Saturday, September 3 – FP3 and qualifying. By the time of FP3, drivers can expect 62% humidity as some sunny intervals break through the cloud cover at times, with temperatures nudging into the low 20s as the wind strength slowly begins to decline. The threat of rain also grows, though at this stage it is described as a low chance. Qualifying then begins at 1500 local time, with the prospects of rain starting to increase towards the end of that session, should it run as planned without interruptions.

Sunday, September 4 – race. According to the current forecast, the threat of rain will actually be lower on race day compared to Saturday, but much of the race activity is set to take place under cloudy skies, with the Dutch Grand Prix getting underway at 1500 local time.

‘Dutch Grand Prix Weather’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/2022-d...-prix-weather/


Sergio Perez expects Ferrari, Mercedes to be in the mix at Zandvoort
Thursday 1st September 2022 10:00 AM
Jamie Woodhouse

Sergio Perez expects Ferrari and Mercedes to be a threat to Red Bull once more around Zandvoort during the Dutch Grand Prix. It was a story of Red Bull domination in Belgium, at least from one side of the garage, as Max Verstappen found a different level to leave the chasing pack behind.

Perez though anticipates that situation will change for the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort, believing Red Bull’s Spa dominance was specific to that track. Asked for his thoughts on Red Bull’s pace at Spa, Perez replied: “Yeah, well, I think they got the car was certainly the fastest today.

“And especially Max was very impressive. The whole weekend, especially come the race, he was just on another level today. So that’s great to have, but I think it’s very track specific. I think when we are back to Zandvoort we will have the Ferraris and Mercedes back into contention.”

‘Sergio Perez expects Ferrari, Mercedes to be in the mix’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/sergio...rt-contenders/

Ferrari expect to be fighting at the front in Zandvoort.
Ferrari are confident they will be a lot closer to Red Bull in this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix than they were in Belgium last Sunday.
20:58 Thu, 01 Sep 2022.
Reuters

The race is a home one for Red Bull's runaway Formula One leader Max Verstappen, who was in a league of his own at Spa-Francorchamps and won in front of his Orange Army of fans in the Netherlands last year.

"I don't think we are as bad as it seems," said Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who was third in Belgium behind a Red Bull one-two after starting on pole position. And I'm pretty sure that we can be back on from this weekend and be fighting again for pole and win," added the Spaniard, who turned 28 on Thursday.

Team mate Charles Leclerc agreed that Ferrari should be much more competitive. "We are super-motivated and after Spa there has been so much work to try and understand from where the lack of pace was coming from," he said.

‘Ferrari expect to be fighting at the front’;

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sp...9-01/?rpc=401&


Bad news for Ferrari: Team doubts Spa deficit was track specific.
Trounced by Red Bull at the Belgian Grand Prix, Mattia Binotto doesn’t think there is “any hope” that Red Bull’s superior pace was solely down to the circuit.
Tuesday 30th August 2022 12:15 PM
Michelle Foster

Rather, he concedes, they are “faster” compared to Ferrari than what he had expected. Red Bull returned from the summer break to all but quash any lingering hopes of a Ferrari World title, Max Verstappen putting in his most dominant display yet.

But while fans and pundits wanting a thriller all the way to the final race of the season are hoping Sunday’s beating was due to the nature of the circuit, Binotto has quashed those dreams. “I don’t think there is any hope in that,” he said as per Motorsport.com.

“It has been a true difference between us and the Red Bulls this weekend. If I look back, I think they have been slightly faster in Hungary, which has been a different kind of track, high downforce. So overall, I think simply today, the Red Bull is a faster car compared to what we’ve got in terms of overall efficiency, because Spa is where you need efficiency in terms of the aerodynamics and power unit.”

‘Red Bull are “faster” compared to Ferrari than what Mattia Binotto had expected’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrar...rack-specific/


Charles Leclerc: Ferrari 'have ideas' where deficit to Red Bull lies
01 Sep 2022
Formula 1.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc speaks to F1's Will Buxton ahead of the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix, with the Monegasque driver having taken just a single podium finish in the last nine grands prix.

‘Ferrari Have Ideas';

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...963768154.html


Verstappen and Sainz expect intense battle for Dutch Grand Prix victory
F1 September 1st 2022
Author Edward Hardy

Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz both believe the fight between Red Bull and Ferrari will be much tighter at the Dutch Grand Prix than it was in Spa last weekend. Verstappen was unstoppable as he won the Belgian Grand Prix by 17.8sec, despite starting 14th on the grid due to an engine penalty.

Both he and Sainz put the performance difference down to the circuit favouring Red Bull’s car, and expect the gap to close once more at high-downforce Zandvoort. Speaking ahead of the Dutch GP, Sainz was optimistic when asked if Ferrari could take the fight to Red Bull. “I think so,” he said. “I think we should just be going back a bit to where we were before the summer break.

I think Spa was a great example of how an off-weekend can just change the perception so much in Formula 1 – I don’t think we are as bad as it seems. I’m pretty sure that we can be back on form this weekend and be fighting again for pole and win.”

‘Intense Battle For Dutch Grand Prix Victory’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...-prix-victory#


How have things gone so wrong at Ferrari this F1 season?
20:41 Thu, 01 Sep 2022.
by C Wolsey
Kettle (UK)

The recent Belgium Grand Prix was meant to be the turning point in Ferrari’s season. Admittedly there have already been high points, such as when Charles Leclerc led the team back to their winning ways in this year’s Formula One World Championship curtain raiser in Bahrain.

Oddschecker, which provides no deposit offers for sports betting, made Max Verstappen the favourite to retain the championship trophy which he won in dramatic fashion last season, and with eight races remaining, it looks as though they will be proven right.

The problems began for Ferrari in Barcelona, when Charles Leclerc’s engine failed him as he was on course for a comfortable victory. The same thing would occur three weeks later in Azerbaijan, when the engine of the prancing horse would once again let its head driver down while he was leading.

‘Poor decisions end Leclerc’s title challenge’;

https://kettlemag.co.uk/how-have-thi...his-f1-season/


Charles Leclerc not sure Ferrari have ‘final answers’ yet for Red Bull pace
Thursday 1st September 2022 5:45 PM
Jamie Woodhouse

After an all-conquering display for Max Verstappen and Red Bull at Spa, Charles Leclerc is not sure Ferrari have a final answer yet. As Formula 1 re-emerged from its summer slumber, Verstappen came flying out of the blocks to deliver an utterly dominant Belgian Grand Prix performance.

Leclerc does believe that Ferrari have made progress in working out how to reel Red Bull back in, but he is not sure whether they have all the answers at this stage. “We are super motivated and after Spa there’s been so much work to try and understand from where the lack of pace was coming from,” Leclerc told Sky F1.

“And I think we’ve got some directions to push in, but whether we have the final answers, we don’t know yet. We know where to push and hopefully we’ll have a final answer as quick as possible. I mean, I think we struggle to believe that the package is suddenly so much quicker from one weekend to the other. So, there is a bit of track characteristic for sure, but it’s not all down to that.”

‘Not sure Ferrari have ‘final answers’ yet’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/charle...swer-red-bull/


Leclerc asserts he hasn’t lost trust in Ferrari F1 team
16:57 Thu, 01 Sep 2022.
by Fergal Walsh
Motorsport Week

Charles Leclerc says he has not lost faith in the Ferrari Formula 1 team amid a run of questionable strategy calls. Despite the blunder being the latest in a run of erroneous calls, Leclerc asserts that he still has full faith

“We need to keep the trust in the team,” Leclerc said. “I think this is super important, especially whenever you find more difficult moments. Overall as a team we are very united and I do fully trust the team. We always try to improve the process.”

“On my side I always try to push to be better and better and that’s what we do. Whatever is said outside I try not to pay attention to it and try to focus on ourselves to get better.”

‘Have not lost trust in Ferrari F1 team’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2022/...rrari-f1-team/

Wolff reveals Mercedes' "dungeon" mentality.
Wolff claims Mercedes is currently "in the dungeon" as it attempts to discover a path to again winning grands prix with a car it is struggling to understand after changes to the aerodynamic regulations were introduced for this season.
Wednesday 31 August 2022 04:00 - Updated: 11:30
Ian Parkes

Toto Wolff believes more could be written in a book about what he has learned from this past season than in the previous eight combined from Mercedes' dominance.

Mercedes stands on the brink of losing its grip on a constructors' championship it has won for the past eight years, and even worse, is faced with the prospect of not winning a race in a single season for the first time since 2011. "Today, we're getting it wrong," said Wolff. "The non-correlation in the various areas [of the car] is causing us to not perform.”

"Now maybe there is a single thing that overshadows everything and therefore we are not doing it justice to question every part of the car. Are the tyres something we fundamentally don't understand, and actually all the rest is good? Is the aero or mechanical balance messing it up? That is so difficult. As we say, you never lose you learn, and I can tell you it's f***ing difficult.

‘Past Season Book, More Written, Compared To Previous Eight Seasons Combined’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/90...eon-mentality/


WOLFF’S FRUSTRATION ON MERCEDES STRUGGLES: “WE’RE GETTING IT WRONG”
The Mercedes Team Principal admitted the team is yet to find a solution to its problems
12:01 Wed, 31 Aug 2022.
Dalila Zanardo
FormulaNerds

The solution to Mercedes’ struggles is yet to be found, as proven by Team Principal Toto Wolff admitting keeping up the morale is difficult while facing uncertainty regarding the car’s performance on the track.

For a team that has won so much in its recent history, keeping up the morale is difficult when facing disappointment, as admitted by Wolff: “As they say in F1, you never lose, you learn. But I can tell you it’s very difficult: with all these nice Instagram posts and everything we’ve talked about over eight years about the way we’re going to take this.”

“When you’re arriving there in the dungeon, to stick to your principles and to your values, keep the spirit up and really continue to relentlessly seek to get better…. there’s more to write a book about this year than there is about the last eight years.”

‘Toto WOLFF’S FRUSTRATION’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/wo.../?nowprocket=1


Toto Wolff furious with Mercedes after Lewis Hamilton complains
Sir Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were nearly two seconds off Max Verstappen's pole time in Spa.
28 August 2022
by James Clifford

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is struggling to understand how the Silver Arrows went from pole position in Hungary to the fourth row in Belgium.

The seven-time champion could scarcely believe his ears when his engineer, Peter Bonnington, told him that he was 1.8 seconds behind pace setter Max Verstappen, as Mercedes’ rollercoaster season hits its latest low point.

There will undoubtedly be more high ebbs for the Brackley-based side during the final nine rounds of the season; a team that has won eight championships in a row will be just fine, but times are tough for the moment.

‘Seven-time champion could scarcely believe his ears’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/toto-wolf...ton-complains/


Wolff: Weekends like Belgium fire you up
1 September, 2022
Jad Mallak

Toto Wolff tried to air a sense of defiance after Mercedes’ humbling 2022 Belgian Grand Prix, claiming the team is fired up to tackle the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix this weekend in Zandvoort. “Belgium was a challenging weekend for us as a Team, but those weekends are the ones that really fire you up and make you dig deeper,” Toto Wolff said in Mercedes’ preview of this weekend’s race.

“There were such big extremes across the weekend; from the pace differences on Saturday and Sunday, to the difficult first lap for Lewis and George’s late charge for a podium,” he added. “We’ve been working hard to understand our Spa struggles and thankfully we don’t have long to wait until we can bring utilise and maximise those learnings.

“The Dutch Grand Prix is next, and it was a real party atmosphere last year,” he said. “It’s an interesting, old-school track with sweeping bends, banked corners and a lot of character. So, we’re excited to be back there and to take on the circuit’s challenges with this year’s car,” Wolff concluded.

‘Wolff Fired Up’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/09...m-fire-you-up/


Toto Wolff Wanting Mercedes To “Dig Deeper”
September 1, 2022
By Joe Briley

Mercedes team principle Toto Wolff is looking for his team to bounce back and dig deeper as Formula 1 travels to Netherlands for the challenging and exciting Zandvoort GP. Wolff spoke on the struggles of the Belgium GP and the differences in pace between qualifying and the race.

“Belgium was a challenging weekend for us as a Team, but those weekends are the ones that really fire you up and make you dig deeper. There were such big extremes across the weekend; from the pace differences on Saturday and Sunday, to the difficult first lap for Lewis and George’s late charge for a podium.”

‘Dig Deeper’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...to-dig-deeper/


Mercedes’s 2023 F1 car concept ‘needs to be decided in the next weeks’ – Wolff
2023 F1 season
Posted on 1st September 2022, 7:1431st August 2022, 23:47
Written by Ida Wood and Claire Cottingham

Mercedes’ decision on what direction to take with major parts of its 2023 Formula 1 car need to come “in the next weeks”, says team principal Toto Wolff. The 14th car Mercedes has produced since returning to F1 as a chassis constructor in 2010 is in the early stages of planning. The team have not determined whether it will be an evolution of this year’s F1 W13 car – which is the currently Mercedes’ first win-less chassis in a decade – or take a different design direction.

“It’s a very difficult situation because we obviously have a certain concept of the [2022] car, and it’s not like we can experiment a lot this year and simply [try] stuff out and test,” said Wolff during the Belgian Grand Prix. So whatever we decide for next year, it needs to be carefully evaluated because our data doesn’t give us the results, doesn’t correlate with the reality.”

“We have massive swings in performance that we can’t really get on top of. In this very moment to take a decision for next year, whatever it may be, changing the concept dramatically, how can you be sure that’s the better direction to go?”

‘2023 F1 car concept ‘needs to be decided’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/09/01/...t-weeks-wolff/

Max Verstappen has nightmare start to Dutch GP as smoke pours out of Red Bull.
Smoke was seen pouring out of the back of Max Verstappen's Red Bull as he pulled up during FP1 at Zandvoort, leaving his mechanics with a repair job to do quickly on Friday
12:17, 2 Sep 2022
By Daniel MoxonF1 Writer

Smoke was seen pouring out of the back of Max Verstappen's Red Bull as he pulled up during FP1 at Zandvoort, leaving his mechanics with a repair job to do quickly on Friday. Max Verstappen suffered an early blow to his Dutch Grand Prix chances after suffering a gearbox problem in the first free practice session of the weekend.

The Red Bull star managed just one hot lap before coming to a stop in the middle of the circuit. Smoke could be seen pouring out of the back of his car, and it wasn't long before the driver confirmed the source. Verstappen jumped quickly onto team radio to inform his engineers that there was "something wrong with the gearbox".

A virtual safety car was introduced, before that was quickly upgraded and the session red flagged. Verstappen was the left to trudge back to the paddock while his car was recovered. The sight of the stricken Red Bull pulled over at the side of the track was a worrying one for the home fans, many of whom were stood up in silence.

‘Home fans stood up in silence’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ctice-27892727


(FP1) First Practice Results – 2022 Dutch Grand Prix
Zandvoort, Netherlands
02/09/2022, 12:34
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. George Russell Mercedes -1:12.455
2. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.240
3. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.390
4. Lando Norris McLaren +0.474
5. Daniel Ricciardo McLaren +0.622
6. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.672
7. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.961
8. Fernando Alonso Alpine +1.178
9. Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.508
10. Alexander Albon Williams Racing +1.608

‘Dutch Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the first practice ahead of the 2022 F1 World Championship race at Zandvoort’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp1-first-...and-prix-79954


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from first practice for the Dutch Grand Prix
02 September 2022
Formula 1.
Becky Hart [Special Contributor]

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Z43wU8azg.html


Mercedes Lead First Free Practice At The Dutch GP
September 2, 2022
By Joe Briley

George Russell led teammate Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. in the first free practice session of the weekend at the FIA Formula 1 World Championship Dutch GP. Russell finished 0.240s ahead of Hamilton with a time of 1:12.455, while Sainz was a further 0.150s behind the British leader.

It was an impressive session for Mercedes, with Russell and Hamilton running a 1-2 finish. However, it wasn’t without controversy. Seven time FIA Formula 1 World Champion Hamilton was seen to impede a number of cars around the circuit with him reporting issues of a loss of radio throughout his practice runs.

Max Verstappen set the pace early on the hard tyre but his session was cut short just ten minutes in after an issue with his gearbox that forced him to stop on track and bring out the red flag.

‘Mercedes Lead First Free Practice’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...-the-dutch-gp/


Several drivers summoned for impeding after Dutch GP FP1
02/09/2022, ‎13‎:‎50
Author RacingNews365 Staff

Several drivers have been summoned by the Formula 1 stewards for alleged impeding during FP1 for the Dutch Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, Sebastian Vettel, and Lando Norris were all summoned for "Alleged breach of Article 37.5 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations."

This section of the sporting regulations states: "Any driver taking part in any practice session who, in the opinion of the stewards, stops unnecessarily on the circuit or unnecessarily impedes another driver shall be subject to the penalties referred to in Article 37.4"

‘Called up to see the stewards post-FP1’;

https://racingnews365.com/several-dr...r-dutch-gp-fp1


Verstappen set to escape gearbox grid penalty at Dutch GP
02/09/2022, ‎13‎:‎38
Author Rory Mitchell

Max Verstappen has escaped a gearbox penalty following his stoppage in Dutch GP FP1. Max Verstappen will not receive a Formula 1 gearbox penalty following his stoppage in Dutch Grand Prix FP1. The Dutchman reported an issue between fourth and fifth gear before his car stopped out on track with a transmission issue, after just completing seven laps in front of the home crowd.

Prior to the session Red Bull changed the main shaft locking insert without incurring a penalty, however, Verstappen will also escape any further grid penalties following a change made at Spa Francorchamps last weekend.

Red Bull increased the pool of gearboxes when they took the Power Unit penalties for the Belgian Grand Prix. This means they didn't have to break a gearbox seal, and crucially means Verstappen escapes taking a grid drop this weekend.

‘Max escapes gearbox grid penalty at Dutch GP’;

https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...x-grid-penalty

FP2: Leclerc leads the way as Ferrari take charge in Zandvoort.
It was a Ferrari 1-2 in the second practice session at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc narrowly pipping team mate Carlos Sainz to set the fastest time, with rivals Red Bull having a disjointed day.
02 September 2022
Formula 1.

On a bright and sunny afternoon in Zandvoort, the drivers filed out on track for their first run of the second session, the majority on medium tyres, with Sainz leading the way early on with a time of 1m 13.412s to head Leclerc by 0.025s.

And after 15 minutes of running the drivers made their way back into the pit lane – leaving a silent track - to fit on a pair of brand-new set of soft tyres in preparation for the customary Friday afternoon qualifying simulations.

And after 15 minutes of running the drivers made their way back into the pit lane – leaving a silent track - to fit on a pair of brand-new set of soft tyres in preparation for the customary Friday afternoon qualifying simulations.

‘FP2: Ferrari 1-2’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...me2ijOIE3.html


(FP2) Second Practice Results – 2022 Dutch Grand Prix
Zandvoort, Netherlands
by Emer Hedderman
02/09/2022, 16:27
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari -1:12.345
2. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.004
3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.072
4. Lando Norris McLaren +0.103
5. George Russell Mercedes +0.310
6. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.401
7. Fernando Alonso Alpine +0.503
8. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.697
9. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.960
10. Daniel Ricciardo McLaren +1.017

‘Dutch Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the second practice ahead of the 2022 F1 World Championship race at Zandvoort’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp2-second...and-prix-79967


LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from second practice for the Dutch Grand Prix
02 September 2022
Formula 1.
Becky Hart [Special Contributor]

‘LIVE COVERAGE’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...BhBNCwMDz.html


Dutch GP: Leclerc leads tight top three as Red Bull struggle in Practice 2
02 September 2022
Ben Issatt

Charles Leclerc was quickest as less than a tenth covered the top three drivers in Practice 2 at the Dutch Grand Prix. The Ferrari man posted a 1m12.345s during the soft tyre runs, pipping teammate Carlos Sainz by just 0.004s with Lewis Hamilton only 0.072s behind in third.

Red Bull's difficult day continued with Max Verstappen only eighth quickest as he returned to the track following his gearbox problems in Practice 1. More worryingly, the home hero was still half a second faster than Sergio Perez in P12 in the other RB18.

‘Leclerc leads tight top three’;

https://www.insideracing.com/formula...-in-practice-2


F1 ruling clears way for Piastri to drive for McLaren in '23.
02/09/2022, 16:04
Technical upgrades: Dutch GP FOX Sports

Oscar Piastri will join McLaren on a multiyear deal in 2023 after Formula One's contracts board ruled in his favor and against Alpine on Friday. Alpine was in dispute with Piastri — the team's reserve driver — after he said he didn’t want promotion to the Alpine seat vacated by Fernando Alonso for next year.

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer wanted to retain the 21-year-old Australian driver. The matter went before F1's Contract Recognition Board this week and the four-person tribunal ruled that McLaren had an existing contract in place.

“The only contract to be recognized by the board is the contract between McLaren Racing Limited and Mr Piastri dated 4 July 2022," governing body FIA said in a statement. "Mr Piastri is entitled to drive for McLaren Racing Limited for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.”

‘Formula One's contracts board ruling’;

https://www.foxsports.com/articles/f...-mclaren-in-23


Piastri thanks Alpine for support after confirming departure to McLaren
2022 Dutch Grand Prix
Posted on 2nd September 2022, 15:55
Written by Keith Collantine

Oscar Piastri has thanked Alpine team members for their support after his move to McLaren for next season was confirmed. The dispute between Alpine and McLaren over Piastri’s services was resolved today by the FIA’s Contract Recognition Board. Piastri, who has been an Alpine junior driver since 2020, will make his F1 debut for McLaren.

“I am super-excited to be joining the grid and with such a prestigious team like McLaren,” said Piastri on social media after the CRB’s decision was announced. “I have no doubt it’s a great place to start my career. It’s been a long road up until this point.”

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl said they never had any doubt the CRB would rule in their favour having hired Piastri to replace Daniel Ricciardo alongside Lando Norris. “In terms of the Contract Recognition Board, to be honest for us, that was never a case,” he told Sky. “Therefore, I guess it’s better you ask the other party involved why they thought they had a case and therefore this is not really any surprise for us.

‘Piastri thanks Alpine for support’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/09/02/...re-to-mclaren/

‘We can do better than this’ says Verstappen after rocky start to home weekend at Zandvoort.
“We have the whole night to look at things and of course FP3 as well. I will try of course to be more competitive.”
02 September 2022
Formula 1.

Max Verstappen faced a tough start to his home weekend as gearbox issues cut short his first practice session, before Ferrari topped the timesheets in FP2, which left the reigning champion asking for much more from the Red Bull RB18.

“Yeah, just missing out in FP1 on the soft tyre, I think on that hard tyre [in FP2] we couldn’t really tell the balance because we had such little grip in the tyre and then you are a session behind. We went into FP2 and the balance wasn’t great, but in an hour’s session you can’t really change the car a lot, so we tried to deal with what we had, and that wasn’t great today so we’ll have the night to deal with things. For sure we can do better than this.”

Asked if he was surprised by the lap time gap to Ferrari, he replied: “To be honest, while driving it I was not really surprised when I saw the lap time difference, so there is a lot of things we can improve on.

‘Whole night to look at things’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...ldFUnvNR9.html



Sergio Pérez: 'We certainly need to improve for qualifying'
02 Sep 2022
Formula 1.

Red Bull's Sergio Pérez admits he couldn't get a "proper read on his soft tyre" after finishing P7 and P12 in Friday's two practice sessions at the 2022 Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix.

‘Need To Improve’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...869012308.html


Marko explains cause of weak Red Bull Friday at Zandvoort
02/09/2022, ‎20‎:‎02
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Dieter Rencken

Red Bull endured a difficult day at Zandvoort on Friday, but Helmut Marko has shed light on the team's troubles. "We drastically overestimated the value of the Hard tyres," Marko explained to media including RacingNews365.com. We felt good on those tyres, when we thought we would have not grip on those tyres."

However, Marko admits this lulled Red Bull into a sense of false security, with the team struggling for balance and pace. "At the moment, we have don't have a good balance, no grip, and the tyres overheated way too quickly.”

"[Sergio] Perez had all those problems in first practice, but we thought it was just his Friday form. Often it is not very impressive. The hard tyre probably won't even be used during the race - that's why we drove on it right at the start of FP1 - because we wanted to get rid of it. We were at the front on those tyres, so we thought we were in a good position."

‘Red Bull lulled into a sense of false security’;

https://racingnews365.com/red-bull-e...y-at-zandvoort


Max Verstappen expects Saturday gains after disrupted Dutch GP practice
02 September 2022
Ben Issatt
Formula 1

Max Verstappen does expect gains on Saturday after a tricky Practice at the Dutch Grand Prix. The reigning world champion was only eighth fastest at Zandvoort on Friday afternoon, after losing out on most of the first session due to a gearbox problem.

But while it is clear Red Bull's rivals are more competitive, Verstappen wasn't too concerned about his situation. "Just missing out on FP1 on the soft tyre," he said on what the biggest problem was on Friday.

Verstappen and Red Bull definitely have work to do though, with almost seven-tenths between himself and the leading Ferraris. "To be honest while driving, I was not really surprised when I saw the lap time difference," Max said on the deficit. “There are a lot of things we can improve on. We will try to, of course, be more competitive."

‘Saturday Gains Expected’;

https://www.insideracing.com/formula...ch-gp-practice


Not all car: ‘Max Verstappen makes the difference’ at Red Bull
Max Verstappen has won nine races this season.
2 September 2022
by James Clifford

Dutch racing driver, Tom Coronel, sees a negative side to the current stranglehold his compatriot, Max Verstappen, has over Formula 1. The reigning champion has eased to victory from 10th or lower in both of the last two races in Hungary and Belgium, so the lack of competition is slightly concerning for Coronel.

“This is not good for Formula 1!” he told the RacingNews365.com podcast. Verstappen’s father and former F1 driver, Jos, naturally disagreed with the 50-year-old when they discussed it.

“If you then look at the difference with Perez, it is not the car and not the team: it is Max Verstappen who makes the difference. Jos said he is not interested, because winning the race is all that matters, that’s right!”

‘Not all car’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/not-all-c...e-at-red-bull/

‘It’s great to be back feeling competitive’ say Ferrari drivers after topping FP2.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz emerged quietly confident from Friday practice at Zandvoort after they scored a one-two finish in FP2 – but both sought a step forward for Saturday's qualifying session.
02 September 2022
Formula 1.

Sainz said: “It’s great to be back feeling competitive, being there at the top of the times all weekend. Also the car gave me great confidence. I’m optimistic going into the rest of the weekend, but also feeling cautious because I know everyone can suddenly find two-tenths and beat you.

“It’s great to be back at such a challenging track, demanding as it is. I enjoyed... driving out there, even better when you look at the times we did out there. It felt like we were back to being competitive after such a difficult weekend in Spa, but also very surprised with how quick everyone is – McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull – we are all within three tenths of a second, but I’m sure it will make everything very tight for tomorrow, and exciting,” he added.

Leclerc offered similar remarks after a successful Friday as he kept one eye on Ferrari’s competition – with Red Bull still to show their full hand – as he remarked that the Scuderia still need to iron out some understeer for Saturday.

‘Great To Be Back’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...iQRsUHBLL.html


Ferrari predicting ‘very tight’ tussle for Dutch Grand Prix pole position
Friday 2nd September 2022 8:45 PM
Jon Wilde

Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are both predicting a close Dutch Grand Prix qualifying session – with potentially a four-team fight for pole position.

“It’s great to be back at such a challenging track, demanding as it is,” said the Spaniard (Carlos Sainz )during his post-FP2 interview. “I enjoyed it a lot – even better when you look at the times we were doing across the whole day. “It felt like we were back at being competitive, a bit like we expected after such a difficult weekend at Spa [last time out].

Leclerc, whose Drivers’ title hopes look to have gone as he now trails Verstappen by 98 points, said: “We are all extremely close. It’s still a surprise to see everybody so close and it will be a tricky day tomorrow. “We are looking forward to doing another step forward. I wasn’t very much at ease with the car balance today, so hopefully we can work in the right direction and do another step tomorrow.”

‘Very Tight Tussle Predicted For Pole’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrar...p-pole-tussle/


Leclerc: We were all very close apart from Max and Checo
2 September, 2022
Paul Velasco

In July, Ferrari spoilt the party at Red Bull’s home race in Austria, with Charles Leclerc winning on their turf, this weekend they seem intent on also spoiling Max Verstappen’s homecoming.

Leclerc reported at the end of day one in Holland: “We picked up the pace a little in FP2, but we were not quite there with the car balance on my side. There’s some work ahead of us and I’m confident we can make a step forward by tomorrow.”

In the other car, Sainz was the form Ferrari driver at Spa-Francorchamps and was satisfied at the end of day one at Zandy: “Overall it was a good Friday here in Zandvoort. It was great to be back at such a demanding and challenging track for drivers and cars, so I enjoyed it a lot.”

‘Intent on also spoiling Max Verstappen’s homecoming’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/09...h-gp-parctice/


Dutch GP: Charles LecLerc And Ferrari Gatecrash Max Verstappen's Orange Army
• Updated: September 03, 2022 09:40 AM IST
• Agence France-Presse

Charles Leclerc topped the times ahead of team-mate Carlos Sainz as Ferrari spoiled the party in second practice for a huge crowd of local fans at the Dutch Grand Prix on Friday.

Expecting to celebrate the homecoming of Max Verstappen for the first time since he won the world championship last year, the fans were treated to a Ferrari revival ahead of third-placed Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes.

Red Bull's runaway leader of this year's title race was down in eighth after a troubled day that saw him pull up with a gearbox failure in opening practice topped by the two Mercedes.

‘Gatecrashing Max Verstappen's Orange Army’;

https://sports.ndtv.com/formula-1/du...e-army-3311837


Charles Leclerc: “We have work to do and I am confident that we can take another step forward”
September 2, 2022
By Jamie Partis-Nelson

Despite topping today’s second practice session, Scuderia Ferrari driver, Charles Leclerc, has stated that the team still has work to do if they are to contend for the race victory this weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Speaking after today’s action out on track, Leclerc demanded that his team take the necessary steps forward over night to protect their advantage over Oracle Red Bull Racing in the early stages of the weekend. “Compared to the first session, in the second we gained a bit of performance but in terms of balance we are not yet where I would like. We have work to do and I am confident that we can take another step forward for tomorrow.”

“Today we were all very close except Max and Checo but I think they had a day that was not without problems. It will be an interesting qualification. “

‘Leclerc demanded his team to take the necessary steps forward over night to protect advantage’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ward%ef%bf%bc/

Toto Wolff now ‘understands’ Mercedes’ pace fluctuations race by race.
The Mercedes CEO and team principal remained coy about exactly what he now knows about Mercedes’ circuit-specific performance, but is pleased to be back in the fight this weekend.
Friday 2nd September 2022 10:30 PM
Henry Valantine

Toto Wolff has said he and the team understand why Mercedes’ competitiveness changes from weekend to weekend, and that their Belgian Grand Prix issues were an “outlier” in the context of the season so far.

Mercedes’ qualifying pace at Spa was one of their largest deficits of the season compared to Red Bull and Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton lapping 1.8 seconds slower than Max Verstappen’s fastest effort, with George Russell having been on pole in the previous round in Budapest in July.

The team looked closer to the pace once again around the high-downforce layout at Zandvoort, which Wolff says plays into the strengths of the W13, with a totally different setup required compared to Spa.

‘Mercedes’ pace fluctuations now understood’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-w...-mercedes-w13/


Wolff cryptic on gains that place Mercedes "where the music plays"
Friday 2 September 2022 21:00
Sam Hall

Toto Wolff has suggested that invisible gains have pushed Mercedes back into the mix at Zandvoort. Asked what the best way forward is for Mercedes given its sensitive working window, team principal Wolff told Sky Sports F1: "I think it's more a question of things you don't see on the car than what you see.

"It's obvious we have a narrow sidepod concept and some other things, the rear floor is sticking out much more than on other cars.”

"And certainly that will play a role but much more important is how we have developed the car to run low on the floor where we can't run it and what does it do to our suspension kinematic and this is why at the moment, it is just a bit of trial and error."

‘Wolff cryptic "where the music plays"!’;


https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/90...ch-grand-prix/


Mark Hughes: Mercedes in Dutch GP lead fight as Red Bull stumbles
19:17 Fri, 02 Sep 2022.
The Race
By Mark Hughes

With Zandvoort representing a more conventional Formula 1 track after the outlier of Spa, we seem to be back to a more conventional 2022 competitive order, now that the cars are carrying a more normal wing level. That said, the Ferrari 1-2 in FP2 flattered it, given Max Verstappen’s loss of much of FP1 to a gearbox problem and how that impacted his run programme in FP2.

But when he was out at the same time Verstappen looked at least as quick, with a notable advantage in the twists of the middle sector. Mercedes also looked in a much more potent form than at Spa, with Lewis Hamilton lapping within half-a-tenth of the Ferraris and the W13 showing good long-run pace too.

Verstappen’s FP1 stoppage meant Red Bull was initially relying only on Sergio Perez’s runs on the hard tyre and the team adjusted the car around that – only to find when it switched to the mediums and softs that it made the hard tyre seem more uncompetitive than it actually was.

‘Mercedes lead fight at Dutch GP’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/mark-...bull-stumbles/


Mercedes’ Andrew Shovlin: “The car has been a lot easier to balance here than in Spa”
September 2, 2022
By Jamie Partis-Nelson

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team kicked off their Dutch Grand Prix weekend in impressive fashion as George Russell was able to top the timesheet in first practice, while Lewis Hamilton was able to finish both sessions inside the top three.

Shovlin touched on how both drivers had not yet found the perfect balance of the W13, and with considerable work on the car and setup expected overnight, the team could challenge Scuderia Ferrari and Oracle Red Bull Racing in qualifying tomorrow.

“The car has been a lot easier to balance here than in Spa and we look to be in a better place in terms of pace; we’re still missing a bit on single lap and long run but the gaps are a lot better than last week. The sessions were a bit messy with a few red flags but we managed to tick off our test items and have a decent idea where we are going with the car spec for tomorrow.”

‘Easier To Balance’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...-spa%ef%bf%bc/


Mercedes buoyed by race pace, wary of one-lap issues
19:13 Fri, 02 Sep 2022.
by Phillip Horton
Motorsport Week

Mercedes says it is confident that it has strong race pace at Formula 1’s Dutch Grand Prix but is wary it risks being masked by its qualifying speed.


Mercedes displayed an upturn in performance at Zandvoort compared to last weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton 1-2 in first practice.

Hamilton dropped behind the Ferrari drivers in FP2 but his best time was within a tenth of Charles Leclerc’s pace-setting lap, while Russell was a competitive fifth.

‘Mercedes buoyed by race pace’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2022/...ne-lap-issues/

Dutch GP: Charles Leclerc leads as Red Bull make gains in Practice 3.
Charles Leclerc set the pace in a very tight final practice at the Dutch Grand Prix.
03 September 2022
Ben Issatt


Charles Leclerc set the pace in a very tight final practice at the Dutch Grand Prix. The story early on was the resurgence of Max Verstappen, who, after a difficult Friday blighted by a gearbox problem, jumped half a second clear of the field after the first runs.

But when the second set of soft tyres went on for the final flying laps, it was Carlos Sainz and then Leclerc who went fastest with a 1m11.632s. George Russell would split the two Ferrari's in second for Mercedes, just 0.066s slower than the Monegasque.

Verstappen also improved on his earlier best but could only manage third, albeit after a small mistake on his first flying lap. After the chequered flag, there was a close call between Sainz and Perez as the Mexican was caught out by the fast-approaching Spaniard.

‘FP3: Charles Leclerc leads’;

https://www.insideracing.com/formula...-in-practice-3


(FP3) Third Practice Results – 2022 Dutch Grand Prix
03/09/2022, 12:16
Zandvoort, Netherlands
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari – 1:11.632
2. George Russell Mercedes +0.066
3. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.161
4. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.339
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.524
6. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.544
7. Fernando Alonso Alpine +0.695
8. Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin +0.859
9. Mick Schumacher Haas +0.926
10. Lando Norris McLaren +0.959

‘Dutch Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the final practice ahead of the 2022 F1 World Championship race at Zandvoort’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp3-third-...and-prix-79981


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from final practice for the Dutch Grand Prix
03 September 2022
Formula 1.
Becky Hart [Special Contributor]

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...kRFqslkXE.html


What took place in F1’s final Dutch GP practice at Zandvoort
03/09/2022, 12:14
By Valentin Khorounzhiy
The Race

Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc led the way in third practice of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend at Zandvoort, heading George Russell and Max Verstappen.

Key moments:
> Leclerc 0.066s ahead of Russell
> Verstappen shrugs off difficult Friday
> Step back for McLaren, step forward for Haas

F1 points leader Verstappen had missed most of Friday’s opening session and ended the day eighth-fastest, but made a very strong impression on his first run of FP3, first comfortably eclipsing his best time from Friday and then going one better with a 1m12.196s that stood as the best time of the weekend so far.

‘What took place in F1’s final Dutch GP practice’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/what-...-at-zandvoort/


‘So cringe’: Ultra-awkward moment between British journalists at 2022 Dutch Grand Prix
The driver market has sent everyone for a spin this summer.
3 September 2022
by James Clifford

After the contract recognition board (CRB)’s confirmation that Piastri’s contract with McLaren is valid, Croft threw down to Kravitz for him to explain what was happening. However, with little track action for the viewers to enjoy while he was talking, the latter decided to hold off until after the break.

“You can go to your break,” Kravitz told Croft. “Alright, you’re producing the show are you, Ted?” joked the commentator. “The only car on track is a Williams, and I can go on and on if you want, but I understood we were going to a break, and all I can see is a lot of cars in the garage,” explained Kravitz.

“And I do want to talk about Alpine and Oscar Piastri, and all of this, but it won’t in the interest of our viewers – our viewers want to see cars on track…” While Kravitz was rambling, Croft was repeating his name to get his attention, and he eventually told him, “Just go for it now, just tell us about Alpine, go for it.”

‘You’re producing the show are you, Ted’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/so-cringe...ch-grand-prix/


FP3 Highlights: 2022 Dutch Grand Prix
03 Sep 2022
Formula 1.

Watch highlights from final practice at Zandvoort ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix.

‘FP3 Highlights’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...596606766.html

Dutch GP: Verstappen pips Leclerc to pole by 0.021s.
Verstappen ended up with pole after reversing Leclerc's advantage from the opening Q1 runs, with the session marred by fans throwing flares onto the Zandvoort track, causing Q2 to be briefly suspended.
Sep 3, 2022, 3:18 PM
By: Alex Kalinauckas

Max Verstappen beat Charles Leclerc in qualifying for Formula 1's 2022 Dutch Grand Prix, with Sergio Perez spinning off late in Q3 and denying the Mercedes cars a final shot. Leclerc led Verstappen by 0.059s after the first Q3 runs, with the 2022 frontrunners converging on pace after Red Bull's tricky start to the weekend.

The Ferrari driver set the quickest times in the first and last sectors on his final lap, but being unable to replicate his best time in the middle part of the track cost him dear. This was because Verstappen roared to a purple sector and ended up with a best time of 1m10.342s, 0.021s quicker than his rival.

Carlos Sainz slotted into third just before Perez spun at the end of his final lap – the Mexican driver dipping his left-side wheels into the gravel at the exit of the penultimate corner and spearing around to the inside of the banked final turn.

‘Verstappen pips Leclerc to pole by 0.021s’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/d...021s/10362807/


Qualifying Results – 2022 Dutch Grand Prix
Zandvoort, Netherlands
03/09/2022, 14:29
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Q3
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:10.342
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.021
3. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.092
4. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.306
5. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.735
6. George Russell Mercedes +0.805
7. Lando Norris McLaren +0.832
8. Mick Schumacher Haas +1.100
9. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +2.214
10. Lance Stroll Aston Martin NC

‘Dutch Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying for this weekend’s 2022 F1 World Championship race at Zandvoort’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-79987


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix
03 September 2022
Formula 1.
Becky Hart [Special Contributor]

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...pnqknHiTp.html


Verstappen narrowly beats Leclerc to claim pole position at home again
2022 Dutch Grand Prix qualifying
Posted on
3rd September 2022, 15:273rd September 2022, 15:31
Written by Will Wood

Max Verstappen snatched pole position for his home grand prix by beating Charles Leclerc by just 0.021s in a tight qualifying session at Zandvoort. What appeared to be a tiny mistake at turn nine on his final Q3 lap cost Leclerc a tenth of a second, which allowed Verstappen to pip him for pole by just two-hundredths of a second. Carlos Sainz Jnr will start from third on the grid, with Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez and George Russell behind.

The local hero did not need an invitation and squeaked ahead of Leclerc by just 0.021s to snatch pole position to the delight of his legion of fans in the grandstands. There was still time for Perez and the Mercedes pair to improve, however a mistake from Perez at turn 13 saw the Red Bull spinning across the track and bringing out the yellow flags, which ruined the final flying laps of the Mercedes behind and guaranteed Verstappen took a second consecutive home pole position.

Leclerc was frustrated to settle for second place after being told he lost a tenth of a second with his mistake in the middle sector. Sainz secure third on the grid, ahead of Hamilton’s Mercedes, with Perez and Russell ending up in fifth and sixth after Perez’s late error.

‘Verstappen narrowly beats Leclerc’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/09/03/...at-home-again/


Dutch GP: Max Verstappen sends home fans wild by sealing pole
Published: 3 Sep 2022, 15:35
By George Dagless

Max Verstappen will start his home Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday afternoon as he took pole at Zandvoort by two-hundredths of a second.

The Dutchman’s home weekend did not get off to the start he would have wanted with a gearbox issue stopping his FP1 before it really got going, and the lack of running meant he and his team were still working on set-up come FP2 yesterday, with them still off of the pace.

However, by FP3 earlier today, Max was inside the top three and looking far more competitive and, indeed, when it mattered most of all, in qualifying, he delivered once again to send the home support into an orange sea of rapture.

‘Orange Sea Of Rapture’;

https://www.givemesport.com/88055642...y-sealing-pole


Verstappen praises Red Bull recovery after "difficult" Friday
03/09/2022, ‎15‎:‎30
Author Luke Murphy

Max Verstappen heaped praise on the Red Bull team after recovering from a turbulent practice session to secure Pole Position for the Dutch GP. Verstappen: 'Car enjoyable to drive again'. Speaking after qualifying, Verstappen was delighted with Red Bull's overnight work to bring him back to the front of the field.

"Unbelievable, especially after Friday where we had a difficult day," Verstappen told media. "I think we worked really well overnight with the whole team to turn it around, and today we had a quick race car.”

"It was very close, and a qualifying lap around here is insane. We changed a lot, because yesterday was a little bit rushed in FP2 do to get the car together, but today it was enjoyable to drive again."

‘We worked really well overnight with the whole team to turn it around’;

https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...fficult-friday

STRATEGY GUIDE: What are the possible race strategies for the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix?
What’s the quickest strategy? A week ago there were only a few cars that were willing to start on the soft compound tyre due to how difficult it was to make last at Spa-Francorchamps, but it’s clearly going to be the preferred starting tyre today in Zandvoort.
04 September 2022
Special contributor: Chris Medland

The second visit to Zandvoort since it returned to the calendar has seen good weather and a close battle between the top three teams so far, so let’s take a look at the different strategic options available to the field for the Dutch Grand Prix.

How about a different option for the top 10? Only Mick Schumacher can match that strategy of the remaining top ten runners, with both Haas and Williams also holding back two sets of mediums for the race. So a different option that is more likely for the likes of Lando Norris, Yuki Tsunoda and Lance Stroll is to also attempt at two-stopper but using another set of soft tyres.

What are the options for the bottom half of the field? The pit lane speed limit is set at 60kph at Zandvoort, so while it is a short pit lane that takes an inside line at Turn 1, the time loss is relatively high.
So the one-stop strategy is attractive if a driver can make it work, but it is likely to mean needing to use the hard compound tyre.

Wait, but what’s the weather doing? While the weather was good on Friday, it was a warm day on Saturday with the air temperature reaching over 27C during qualifying. That meant the tyres were easier to switch on but is what also highlights thermal degradation as a limiting factor.

‘Different Strategic Options’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...EwMAdR3dC.html


Dutch Grand Prix Qualifying Press Conference Transcript
Full transcript from the FIA hosted top three press conferences after qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix, Round 15 of the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship at Circuit Zandvoort.
3 September, 2022
FIA

Q: Max, for the second time in a row, pole position. That must be feeling great on your own soil.
Max Verstappen: Unbelievable, especially after yesterday as well. We had a difficult day but I think we worked really well overnight with the whole team to turn it around and today we had a quick race car again, but it was very close and a lap around here, a qualifying lap, is insane.

Q: Charles, that was close!
Charles Leclerc: Yeah, very, very close. I mean, Max did a great lap in the end. Our car was getting better and better through qualifying. At the beginning I was pretty scared, because Max was much, much quicker than us on used tyres. But then in Q3, the car came a bit more together and I managed to do that lap, which was close enough for P2. But tomorrow is the race and we’ll give it all.

Q: Carlos, were you happy with that lap?
Carlos Sainz: Yeah, it was a clean lap with no mistakes, just missing that last half a tenth to a tenth to beat Charles and Max. It was on the limit out there, every little metre of track that you could use and that you could push was counting. It wasn’t an easy quali from Q1 to Q2 to Q3, but I think in the end we did a decent job.

‘Qualifying Press Conference Transcript’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/09...cript-f1-2022/


2022 Dutch Grand Prix qualifying day in pictures
F1 Pictures
Posted on
3rd September 2022, 15:49
Written by Keith Collantine

‘Pictures from qualifying day for the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/09/03/...y-in-pictures/


Dutch GP: FIA Team Principals Press Conference
03/09/2022
NEWS STORY

Part One: Franz Tost, Jost Capito and Otmar Szafnauer.
Otmar, perhaps we could start with you please. First up, please can we get your reaction to yesterday's news from the Contract Recognition Board?
Otmar Szafnauer: Well, we want to thank the Contract Recognition Board first and foremost for convening and listening to both sides of the argument. They did a thorough and competent job and the process works.

Jost, we'll come to you now. And while we're talking about Oscar Piastri, did you talk to him about a seat in 2023?
Jost Capito: We talked to a couple of drivers for '23, so we had a couple of options. And of course, Oscar could have been an option. But that was an early stage of the season, just to check out what kind of options are available for '23.

Franz, we'll come to you now, and while we're talking drivers, in Canada, you told us that Pierre Gasly would definitely be an AlphaTauri driver in 2023. Is that still the case?
Franz Tost: Yes, he has a contract with Scuderia AlphaTauri.
Would you release him to another team?
FT: This decision from Red Bull.
So, as things stand, it's Gasly and Tsunoda for you in 2023?
FT: At this moment, yes.

‘FIA Team Principals Press Conference’;

https://www.pitpass.com/73517/Dutch-...ess-Conference


Formula One Qualifying Analysis: Three Teams Will Vy For Glory At The 2022 Dutch Grand Prix
20:57 Sat, 03 Sep 2022.
Contributor: Rob Reed
Forbes

Saturday’s prelude (qualifying) to the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix drew significant contrast from the prior weekend at Spa in Belgium. As you’ll recall, Verstappen was a full 1.8 seconds clear of Mercedes in qualifying. To put that in American sporting terms, it’s like a football game that ends at 50 to 3—a complete blowout. And that’s just the nature of Red Bull’s straight line speed. Fortunately, the Circuit Zandvoort in Holland is a stark contrast, where drivers rarely even see eighth gear. Instead, it’s characterized by banked turns and a series of technical corners, such that driver skill really comes into play when cars are properly setup with enough downforce. Tire degradation also appears to be an issue, which plays to Mercedes’ strengths.

What we witnessed throughout the practice sessions and qualifying was that the top three teams—Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes—each had good pace and would be separated by mere hundreds over the course of this short F1 lap. The Ferrari showed it was the superior car in terms of how it handled Zandvoort, especially tricky turn three with its awkward braking zone, steep banking at the apex and on the edge of track limits and then an aggressive curb to avoid on the exit. On this basis, Leclerc should have secured pole position, but a mistake in sector two cost him and Verstappen edged him by mere hundredths on what was also an imperfect lap.

The big disappointment for the Mercedes team and fans alike was Checo’s spin and yellow flag in Q3, which negated the final laps of pretty everyone save for Red Bull and Ferrari. Nevertheless, this leaves each of the three competitive teams starting first through sixth. With Ferrari two and three, it could set them up for a game of chess with Red Bull, especially if Leclerc gets a good start and manages to overtake Verstappen on the first lap. If Ferrari drop the ball, which has been the trend, then the door opens for Hamilton and possibly even Russell to come through with podiums.

‘Three Teams Will Vy For Glory’;

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robreed...ch-grand-prix/


Mark Hughes: How Verstappen climbed out of big Dutch GP hole
18:19 Sat, 03 Sep
By Mark Hughes
The Race

In the previous couple of races Max Verstappen was nowhere on the grid but clearly favourite for the race on account of a big inherent speed advantage. But at his home track of Zandvoort, only a supreme effort on his final run edged him clear of Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, which didn’t make the ideal lap.

This time, although Verstappen starts from pole, he doesn’t have a significant underlying pace advantage over Ferrari and only a small one over Mercedes. In what looks set to be a two-stop race, things could get very tight and Red Bull may be relying even more than usual on its driver to make the crucial difference.

Anything less than a Verstappen victory would obviously be a big disappointment for the excited but good-natured orange crowd here and the pole will only have heightened those expectations. But that pole was at least as much down to a small Charles Leclerc error into Turn 10 as it was the RB18’s pace and any Verstappen victory looks set to be far harder-fought than that he enjoyed here last year – or in the previous two races of this season.

‘How Verstappen climbed out of big Dutch GP hole’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/mark-...dutch-gp-hole/


Ted's Qualifying Notebook | Dutch Grand Prix
17:33 Sat, 03 Sep 2022.
Sky Sports

‘Sky F1's Ted Kravitz looks back at all the stories from qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix’;

https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...quali-notebook

Max Verstappen wins breathless Dutch GP as Lewis Hamilton suffers late nightmare.
Verstappen was the home favourite with two Ferraris behind him on the grid, though Hamilton and George Russell turned out to be his main opponents as Mercedes had a brilliant day at Zandvoort.
• 15:40, 4 Sep 2022
By Daniel MoxonF1 Writer

Lewis Hamilton came close to spoiling the Max Verstappen party at the Dutch Grand Prix – but was unable to prevent the Red Bull star from overtaking in the final few laps. A breathless race saw Mercedes live up to the hype they have received this weekend. Ferrari were unable to challenge the home favourite, but both Hamilton and George Russell were flying on hard tyres and putting race leader Verstappen under intense pressure during the middle stages.

But everything was changed by a virtual safety car, followed by the real thing. Hamilton took the lead of the race as Verstappen pitted for soft tyres, but Russell also came in under the main safety car and so the seven-time world champion lost his buffer, and was duly overtaken by the Dutchman.

He then tumbled down the order with Russell and Charles Leclerc overtook him, meaning he did not even manage a spot on the podium. Hamilton was furious over team radio, bombarding his race engineer with a series of X-rated messages.

‘Max Verstappen wins breathless Dutch GP’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ssell-27904614


Race Results – 2022 Dutch Grand Prix
Zandvoort, Netherlands
04/09/2022, 15:46
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing – 72 laps
2. George Russell Mercedes +4.071
3. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +10.929
4. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +13.016
5. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +18.168
6. Fernando Alonso Alpine +18.754
7. Lando Norris McLaren +19.306
8. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +20.916
9. Esteban Ocon Alpine +21.117
10. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +22.459

‘Dutch Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from today’s 2022 F1 World Championship race at Zandvoort’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/race-resul...and-prix-80002


Max Verstappen wins home Dutch Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton fumes at Mercedes
04/09/2022, 15:46
Philip Duncan
The Independent

Max Verstappen won the Dutch Grand Prix after a furious Lewis Hamilton’s charge for a breath-taking victory was derailed by a Mercedes strategy error.

Hamilton was second when Valtteri Bottas broke down in his Alfa Romeo with 15 laps remaining in Zandvoort.

Hamilton was furious with his team after being left on old tyres and the seven-time champion finished fourth after leading the race with 12 laps remaining.

‘Max Verstappen wins home Dutch Grand Prix’;

https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/dut...-b2159516.html


Lewis Hamilton slams Mercedes in expletive-ridden radio message after Dutch GP ruined
LEWIS HAMILTON launched an astonishing attack on his Mercedes team.
15:36, Sun, Sep 4, 2022 |
By Joe Krishnan

Lewis Hamilton ripped into his Mercedes team with an astonishing expletive-ridden rant after losing the lead to Max Verstappen at the Dutch Grand Prix. The Mercedes star was left distraught after the team decided to pit George Russell during the safety car, leaving Hamilton exposed on the restart on Lap 61.

‘Lewis Hamilton slams Mercedes in expletive-ridden radio message’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...d-Prix-F1-news


Dutch GP: Lewis Hamilton's livid team radio outburst as Mercedes cost him
Published: 4 Sep 2022, 15:58
By Sam Pearce

Lewis Hamilton is yet to go a full season in his Formula One career without a win during a full season, but time is running out this season after Mercedes struggled to adapt to the new regulations at the start of the season, forcing them to play catch-up.

As you can imagine, Hamilton was absolutely fuming with what unfolded after he looked in a great position to get the win and ultimately missed out on a podium, finishing fourth. So it was no surprise to see Hamilton on the team radio making his feelings known to the team. First of all he said: “That was the biggest **** up.”

But he wasn’t done there, he then ranted at his team further, conveying just how seething he was, and rightly so, he should be: “I can’t believe you s****d me like that. I can’t describe how p****d I am.” To add insult to injury for Hamilton, his team have hampered him and helped his teammate. Whilst Hamilton is a team player and will love to see his team have another P2 in the bag, his own fortunes will obviously have him irate.

“I can’t believe you s****d me like that. I can’t describe how p****d I am.”;

https://www.givemesport.com/88055961...cedes-cost-him


Lewis Hamilton blanks George Russell as anger boils over after dramatic Dutch Grand Prix
GEORGE RUSSELL benefited from team-mate Lewis Hamilton staying out after the safety car at the end of a chaotic Dutch Grand Prix.
15:52, Sun, Sep 4, 2022
By Stuart Ballard

Lewis Hamilton gave George Russell the cold shoulder in a tense moment after the Dutch Grand Prix with the seven-time world champion only managing fourth in the end.

‘Lewis Hamilton blanks George Russell’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-Prix-Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton receives Toto Wolff apology as Mercedes mistake costs Brit Dutch GP win.
TOTO WOLFF issued an apology to Lewis Hamilton after a chaotic finale at the Dutch Grand Prix.
16:14, Sun, Sep 4, 2022
By Joe Krishnan

Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton received an apology from team prinicipal Toto Wolff after a strategy error robbed the Briton of a first race victory of the season at the Dutch Grand Prix. The seven-time champion unleashed a tirade of expletives at his team after being passed by Max Verstappen following the safety car restart before coming home in fourth.

Hamilton’s race engineer Peter Bennington apologised to Hamilton for the events that led to the Briton coming home in fourth place and promised to review the incidents later in the day. And Wolff echoed his comments, admitting their gamble “didn’t work”.

"Sorry about that Lewis,” Bennington said. ‘Was looking good but we'll sit down and review the decisions that we made there." Wolff then followed his message by saying: “Yeah Lewis, sorry it didn't work out. We did what we discussed in the morning, we took a risk. It didn't work. Let's discuss between us in the office.”

‘TOTO WOLFF issued an apology to Lewis Hamilton’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...d-Prix-F1-news


Toto Wolff details private chat with Lewis Hamilton after Brit's horror end to Dutch GP
LEWIS HAMILTON had to make do with fourth after threatening to win the Dutch Grand Prix.
16:15, Sun, Sep 4, 2022
By Stuart Ballard

to Wolff has explained what he "discussed" with a clearly angry and disappointed Lewis Hamilton after an eventful Dutch Grand Prix. Hamilton, at one stage, looked the strong favourite to win his first race of the season with Mercedes opting for a one-stop strategy.

It looked as though Russell was going to be used in an attempt to block Verstappen catching Hamilton on the restart. But confusion ensued when Russell then demanded to come into the pits for softs, leaving Hamilton exposed to Verstappen.

Hamilton was then powerless at the restart to Verstappen overtaking him and it wasn't ong until both Russell and Charles Leclerc also passed the seven-time world champion. The 37-year-old was furious on team radio, accusing Mercedes of ruining his race entirely with Wolff later apologising to his star driver.

‘Toto Wolff details private chat’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...Russell-podium


F1 results: Dutch GP 2022 full standings as Hamilton left livid by Mercedes error which gifts Verstappen win.
September 4, 2022 4:15 pm(Updated 4:44 pm)
By Daniel Austin
Sports writer

Mercedes throw away the best chance of victory they’ve had all season just to chase a podium place. No wonder Hamilton isn’t happy. In a Formula One season where they have been unable to challenge for race victories due to the skittishness and sheer speed deficit of their car, the unified determination of the Mercedes team and Lewis Hamilton has kept the former winning machine moving slowly forward as they try to make their way back to the front.

Imagine their delight, then, when a chaotic final portion of the Dutch Grand Prix caused by a late safety car left Hamilton in first, with team-mate George Russell behind, separating him and home favourite Verstappen. Mercedes had their best shot at a win all year, and Hamilton the most likely chance of maintaining his record of taking at least one victory in every season he has raced in F1.

But suddenly, incomprehensibly, inexplicably, Mercedes threw it all away. Russell requested a pit stop to switch his medium tyres for softs, which would leave Verstappen exposed on fast rubber of his own and Hamilton hopelessly vulnerable. A bizarre strategy suggestion, surely? Nothing Mercedes would even consider from that position. A given that they would want to have a two-car buffer ahead of Verstappen. Right?

‘Hamilton left livid by Mercedes error’;

https://inews.co.uk/sport/formula-on...31?ITO=newsnow


Nico Rosberg: Lewis' frustration 'totally understandable'
04/09/2022, 16:37
Sky Sports

Nico Rosberg believes Mercedes should have left George Russell out to maximise Lewis Hamilton's chances of winning the race.

‘Lewis' frustration 'totally understandable' ’;

https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...lewis-hamilton


Dutch GP gives Mercedes "a lot of confidence" - Russell
04/09/2022, ‎16‎:‎36
Author Jake Nichol

George Russell was P2 at Zandvoort for his best result of the season after a challenging season. George Russell believes Mercedes can take "a lot of confidence" from the Dutch Grand Prix, after secured his best Formula 1 result of the season. Russell made a decision to put for Soft tyres behind a late Valtteri Bottas-inspired Safety Car, dropping down to third behind Max Verstappen.

On the restart, leader Lewis Hamilton was mugged by Verstappen who cleared off for the win, with Russell overtaking Hamilton on Lap 64 for P2 - the elder Briton falling away to P4 on old Mediums. "We like to keep it close always," joked Russell in his post-race world feed interview to David Coulthard.

"I think as a team today we showed incredible pace, I know the team result wasn't quite what we hoped for. But this gives us a lot of confidence and a lot of faith moving forward. I think it's incredible to see three different teams on the podium and we as Mercedes slowly getting closer to that top step, so let's keep on pushing."

"We like to keep it close always,";

https://racingnews365.com/dutch-gp-g...idence-russell