2023 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

"Out of this world" - Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix ticket prices and packages are ridiculously expensive.
The Emperor package: Just a cool $5 million. Wynn Las Vegas package: At a cost of $1 million. Lucky 888 package: At a cost of $888,000.
15th November 2023, 09:58
John McDougall
SPORTbible

A video on TikTok has listed the various tickets and packages on offer, which are quite frankly crazy money. A standard general admission ticket just to get in is $500, though that is dirt cheap compared to what is coming up. The Venetian Tower package includes three night stay there, two grandstand tickets, food and non-alcoholic drinks included for $8,800. The Augustus Premium package will give you a king-size bedroom, access to the F1 Paddock - with wi-fi a chargeable extra - at a cost of $115,000.

The Lucky 888 package comes with a couple of suites and four standard rooms, 10 grandstand tickets, but only eight driver meet and greet tickets, at a cost of $888,000. The Wynn Las Vegas package includes six VIP tickets with access to all of Wynn Casino offerings, such as golf and spa facilities, plus airport transfers - but at a cost of $1 million.

And last but by no means least, the Emperor package, which probably hints at the upcoming cost, includes a Nobu sky villa with a terrace for up to 75 people, 12 tickets to the F1 Paddock, a Rolls Royce driver for the weekend to ferry you about, as well as VIP tickets to go and see Adele in concert. And the cost of this, you ask? Just a cool $5 million. So if you're thinking of going, you might need quite a few mates involved to chip in and get the cost down.

"Out of this world";

https://www.sportbible.com/f1/las-ve...76891-20231001


FIRST LOOK: The all-new F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit in pictures
15 Nov 2023
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

A first look at the all-new F1 Las Vegas Street Circuit which will host this weekend's 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. F1 will race in Las Vegas for the first time since 1982 at an all-new street venue.

The event will be spectacular given the iconic Vegas Strip backdrop, with several A-list celebrities no doubt attending. Here's a look at the circuit ahead of this weekend...

‘Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit in pictures’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104084...d-prix-circuit


First pictures from the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend
F1 Pictures
Posted on 15th November 2023, 11:40
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans

A new street track has been formed using the famous Las Vegas Strip, several of the roads surrounding it and a new, purpose-built paddock. The course loops around many distinctive hotels and landmarks.

‘First pictures’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/11/15/...-prix-weekend/


First Las Vegas GP track impressions drop with red flag prediction issued
15 Nov 2023 12:00 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Former Formula 1 driver Karun Chandhok has praised Las Vegas Grand Prix organisers for the job they have done producing the circuit and getting it ready “well in time” for the race. “I have to say, they’ve done a really good job,” Chandhok said in a video he posted on X [formerly Twitter].

“The tarmac looks really good, pretty high grip I think as well. Given the temperatures, I was a bit worried about the grip level, but I think the tarmac could be quite grippy actually. It’s been amazing to walk around the track and see that it’s all done well in time, no last-minute panics, so very impressive and I’m looking forward to seeing cars on track.”

Talking about the subject further, the Sky Sports pundit believes there could be potential for red flags over the course of the weekend as the drivers get to grips with navigating the tight confines of the walls around Las Vegas. Alongside that, the temperature drop-off they will experience on the long straights into hard braking zones in cold temperatures will prove to be a “very tricky” challenge for the drivers.

‘Red flag prediction issued’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/karun-...st-impressions


Beyond the bloated hype, why the Las Vegas GP is worth waking up for
November 15th 2023
Author: Motor Sport
Motor Sport Magazine

Can the Las Vegas Grand Prix live up to the hype? For F1’s marketing department, this season appears to have been less about the championship and more about ticking off the days until the series returns to Nevada.

There have been launch parties, demonstrations, and even countdown clocks to the race muscling in on recent grands prix. There’ll be no respite when the engines start up either, with a bloated schedule of events, one-off liveries, and heavily-branded hoardings, not to mention a vast orb of advertising planted right next to the circuit.

But at least there’s hope of genuine entertainment as cars tear down The Strip at more then 200mph, past the famous neon skyline, which is more than can be said for the much-derided previous effort in the 1980s, held in the Caesars Palace car park. F1 has invested heavily in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and that extends to a one-off opening party this year, which could make the Miami Grand Prix, with its over-the-top driver introductions and celebrity appearances, seem like a village disco.

‘Launch parties, demonstrations, and even countdown clocks’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...?nowprocket=1#


These crazy things can be expected during the F1 weekend at Las Vegas
15 November 2:30PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

This weekend the Formula 1 circus will descend on the entertainment city of the world: Las Vegas. Will it be a race to remember, or will what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas? The start time in Las Vegas is set for Saturday, November 18 at 22:00 local (Sunday, 06:00 GMT time).

It's a long-standing tradition for F1 races to be held on Sunday, but in this case an exception has been made so that the race in other time zones will not take place on Monday. In fact, three of the next four races will be held on a Saturday, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia following suit in 2024 because of Ramadan.

Special kerbs: Las Vegas is also known as a gambling city and the organisation has come up with a nice way to commemorate it. The kerbs will be painted to have the shapes of spades, diamond and clubs on them, adding extra character to the street circuit. Hopefully nobody will be gambling with track limits...

‘Crazy things can be expected’;

https://racingnews365.com/these-wack...d-in-las-vegas


Las Vegas GP Weather: Latest forecast for F1 race on The Strip
The Las Vegas GP is the last of three F1 races in the USA in the 2023 world championship - could it be the first with rain?
November 15, 2023
By Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport

The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix marks a journey into the unknown for Formula 1 – and not in the Hangover-esque fashion that’s usually associated with trips to Sin City. A new track featuring sessions starting at midnight in a desert is a recipe for uncertainty, with tyre temperatures predicted to be a major issue, despite Pirelli bringing their softest tyres in an attempt to combat the problem.

The nature of the Las Vegas Strip circuit will only compound the problem too, with long straights, not many corners and even fewer high-speed turns. The flat-out run along The Strip itself is even longer than the nearly-straight to end a lap of Baku, a generous corner count tallies 16 and only a handful aren’t slow-speed, while the smooth track surface will make the rubber even more chilled.

‘Latest forecast’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/las...ace-the-strip/

Inside F1's lavish Las Vegas GP launch party that left drivers ‘looking like clowns’.
The drivers were placed on raised platforms that lifted them onto giant plinths lined up along the pit straight in a scene reminiscent of the Hunger Games franchise. From there, they could wave at the spectators while a striking lights show occurred in the background.
07:46, Thu, Nov 16, 2023
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

The Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend started on Thursday with all 20 drivers taking part in an eye-catching opening ceremony in front of a star-studded crowd on the streets of Sin City. This VIP treatment also translated into the F1 paddock, where a giant ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign had been erected. As the drivers made their way into the area, the sign would change to show their name. Drivers were then greeted by a number of Elvis impersonators as they navigated past the melee as well as members of the Blue Man Group.

Each driver was greeted by Elvis impersonators and Blue Man Group members (Image: GETTY)
The Ferrari boys are Piff the Magic Dragon fans #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/m1k7lsAWSR
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) November 16, 2023
Naturally, these theatrics have attracted some mixed responses with Lando Norris claiming: “It's more of a show than it was a few years ago, to be honest, I just want to come here and drive." Reigning world champion Max Verstappen added: “We are just standing up there, looking like a clown.”

Verstappen has been the driver most critical of the spectacle surrounding the Las Vegas GP. Speaking to RacingNews365 ahead of the opening ceremony, he stated: “This is 99 per cent show and 1 per cent sport. It doesn't bother me at all. I don't feel anything about it, to be honest. I just want to focus on performing. In any case, I don't like all the things that come with it. Sometimes it's part of it, but it doesn't bother me at all."

‘Reminiscent of the Hunger Games franchise’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...P-launch-party


Verstappen: Las Vegas GP ‘99% show 1% sporting event’
Thursday 16th November, 2023 - 6:44pm
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

Max Verstappen has delivered a scathing early assessment of the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, declaring it to be “99 percent show and one percent sporting event.”

Verstappen was speaking after being involved in an opening ceremony that incorporated a drone display, followed by musical performances from a range of artists before the driver pairings from each team were elevated onto a raised platform in front of a packed main grandstand along the start-finish straight.

For the three-time F1 champion, it was clearly a spectacle conducted through gritted teeth as in his media session that followed soon after he made clear his displeasure at being in Las Vegas for what he feels is already more of an exhibition.

‘Spectacle conducted through gritted teeth’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/11/16...vegas-gp-show/


Lewis Hamilton: Las Vegas will never match Silverstone
Lewis Hamilton has taken six Grand Prix victories in the USA for McLaren and Mercedes
November 16, 2023
By Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport

Lewis Hamilton stressed he’s still excited for the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix despite admitting The Strip Circuit doesn’t look exciting and will never be like Silverstone on the Formula 1 calendar.

“It is a big show for sure,” Hamilton told the media. “And it’s never going to be like Silverstone, but maybe over time the people in this community, the community here will grow to love the sport just as we’ve had the privilege of growing up and experiencing.”

“Maybe the track will be good, maybe it’ll be bad. It was so-so on the sim, it’s definitely not Silverstone but I think don’t knock it until you try it.”

‘Never match Silverstone’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...h-silverstone/


PADDOCK INSIDER: How the Entertainment Capital of the World is living up to its billing ahead of the Las Vegas GP.
Walking into the paddock on Wednesday evening ahead of media day, the organisers of the Las Vegas Grand Prix left visitors in doubt as to where they were in the world...
16 November 2023
F1 Correspondent & Presenter
Lawrence Barretto
Formula One - Official Site


A chorus of Elvises greeted the drivers as they strolled through the entrance gates, individual bespoke ‘Welcome to Vegas’ signs with the drivers’ names were on hand for each to pose with – after, of course, they were handed a sparkly sequin-emblazed jacket with ‘Las Vegas 23’ plastered on the back.

As you wander down the huge paddock, lavish hospitality units straddle one side – each with their team logo etched in neon lights above the door. Opposite, several teams have brought bespoke designs for the garage doors – with Haas tweaking the famous Vegas sign to read 'Welcome to Haas Vegas'.

Look up and you’ll see an enormous four-level building, the length of three American Football fields back-to-back. An F1 logo that adorns the top of the building and is so big and bright, you’ll likely be able to see it from the planes taking off and landing at nearby Harry Reid International Airport.

‘A chorus of Elvises’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...z1VxzJksV.html


'Not much margin for error' - Lance Stroll on Las Vegas GP challenge
16 Nov 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Having tested the circuit on the simulator Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll is expecting a "challenging" time at this weekend's 2023 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

'Not much margin for error';

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...977777526.html

Formula One is bringing thousands of racing fans to Las Vegas this weekend. Not everyone is thrilled about it.
Just don’t expect most local residents to be excited about it.
10:20 AM EST, Thu November 16, 2023
By Leah Asmelash
CNN

F1 has invested more than half a billion dollars in the three-day event, creating a star-studded spectacle complete with fancy parties, celebrity chefs and musical performances by J Balvin, Journey, John Legend, Keith Urban, Steve Aoki and many others.

After two days of practice and qualifying runs, the race itself will take place Saturday night, allowing for peak visuals with the drivers zooming past such illuminated landmarks as Caesar’s Palace, the Bellagio fountains, the Paris hotel’s faux Eiffel Tower and the new Sphere entertainment venue. The cheapest seats cost more than $800.

But for locals, the reality is a little more complicated. Residents have complained on social media and to local news outlets about steep prices, event-related traffic gridlock, barriers blocking public views of the Strip and their sense that the event is geared to high rollers but not to the average fan.

‘Thousands of racing fans’;

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/16/t...cec/index.html


The 10 craziest features at the Las Vegas Grand Prix as race dubbed 'the Super Bowl of F1'
Published 15:36, 16 November 2023 GMT
Ryan Smart
SPORTbible

10 of the most eye-catching features in the build-up to raceday.
A floating Red Bull in a nightclub: Yeah, we're not sure about this one either.
F1 car in a restaurant: If you liked the Red Bull hanging from a nightclub roof, here's another Red Bull placed on a casino table - as you do.
A real F1 wedding chapel: If you want an F1-themed wedding in Vegas, there is a special F1 wedding chapel set up near the race track.

Cars with underfloor LED lights.
Special drone show: Part of Wednesday's opening ceremony saw a drone show take place.
Vegas-themed helmets: There are plenty of Las Vegas-themed helmets that have been unveiled by the drivers this week.

Celebrity appearances: Sunday's grid will likely be a who's who of world superstars (good luck, Martin Brundle).
Interactive F1 Sphere: F1 has taken over Vegas' iconic Sphere.
Can the race live up to expectations?

‘10 craziest features at the Las Vegas Grand Prix’;

https://www.sportbible.com/f1/f1-las...58210-20231116


Hollywood star blown away by 'genius' F1 legend ahead of Las Vegas Grand Prix
Thursday 16 November 2023 16:27
Sam Cook

Canadian actor Keanu Reeves has hailed Ross Brawn as a genius after spending time with him and his former colleagues as part of a Disney+ documentary. 'Brawn: The Impossible Story' was released this week, and takes a look at the famous standalone season for the Brawn GP team, in which they won a world championship double.

Jenson Button and Brawn GP's success is arguably the greatest fairytale that Formula 1 has ever and likely will ever see. After motorsport giant Honda's withdrawal from F1 at the end of 2008, Brawn famously 'bought' the team for £1, and stuck a Mercedes engine in the back of a newly designed car.

In that one season, Button managed to win the drivers' championship and helped, alongside Rubens Barrichello, seal the constructors' championship too, before the team was sold to Mercedes in 2010.

‘Disney+ documentary.’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...as-grand-prix/


Las Vegas Grand Prix: Formula One taking expensive gamble that isn't guaranteed to pay off
16 November 2023 at 0:54 pm
Matt Majendie
Yahoo! UK & Ireland

Formula One is gambling big on Las Vegas to the tune of at least £400million — and there is no guarantee it will pay off.

A sell-out in excess of 100,000 spectators a day is expected. Prices in some quarters are astronomical, notably a £4m Emperor Package, which includes a five-night stay in a 10,000square foot villa at Caesars, a private chef and Rolls-Royce, among other luxuries.

‘Expensive gamble’;

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/las-vegas-...d10L-F2ozJG5jw


Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix Drivers' Conference
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Motorsport
Racecars

DRIVER GROUP 1 – Nico HÜLKENBERG (Haas), Zhou GUANYU (Alfa Romeo), Fernando ALONSO (Aston Martin), Lando NORRIS (McLaren), Carlos SAINZ (Ferrari)

DRIVER GROUP 2 – Yuki TSUNODA (AlphaTauri), Pierre GASLY (Alpine), Lewis HAMILTON (Mercedes), Sergio PÉREZ (Red Bull), Alex ALBON (Williams)

‘F1 Grand Prix Drivers' Conference’;

https://www.racecar.com/news/99373/m...ers-conference


Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit tipped to create nail-biting action
Thursday 16 November 2023 17:12
Anna Malyon
GPFans

Chandhok also delved into the intricacies of planning the circuit, acknowledging the challenges of a street circuit, and understanding that the city couldn't come to a standstill just because F1 was in town. “The first priority is safety,” he told the Sky F1 Podcast.

“They’ve got to make sure that if they’re going to make these tracks with these big straights and slow corners at the end of it, you’ve got to have runoff area. In case there’s a brake failure or drivers have an incident or an issue you’ve got to have escape for them.”

“I think they’ve done a really good job here. You know it looks like you’ve got some really good width to get side by side action. “You’ve got to do all of this work while the city is still living,” he added.

‘Nail-biting action’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ok-sky-sports/


Pirelli warn of serious tyre issues at 2023 Las Vegas GP
Temperatures could be as low as 12 degrees for the race in Las Vegas
November 15, 2023
By Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Formula 1’s tyre provider Pirelli have warned the teams to expect graining at the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix due to the cold conditions, long straights and lack of fast corners making it hard to maintain temperatures in tyres. Graining is a form of blistering, and it happens when the temperature on the inside of the tyre differs from the surface of the temperature on the outside causing rapid tyre degradation restricting both overall speed and stint lengths.

In order to combat this, Pirelli have brought their softest range of tyres to Las Vegas. However, they do not expect it to be enough despite rejecting different methods of using the heat blankets to allow the tyres to leave the pits slightly warmer than usual.

“We have opted for the three softest tire compounds [C3 to C5] because the temperatures are expected to be very low,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli’s sporting director.

‘Pirelli warn of serious tyre issues’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-las-vegas-gp/

F1 forced to cancel first Las Vegas GP session as unsafe track destroys two cars.
Carlos Sainz Jr ground to a halt and Esteban Ocon needed a new chassis as the first practice session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was cancelled due to track conditions.
05:23, 17 Nov 2023
By Rich Jones Assistant Sports Editor
The Mirror

Cars finally took to the track around the iconic strip for the first time on Thursday night after months of buildup. However, the action didn’t last long after Carlos Sainz Jr ground to a halt after sustaining damage to his Ferrari.

Sainz pulled over on the Strip in the final sector after encountering a problem with his car. He bottomed out against something on track under yellow flags which killed his engine and saw him forced to stop his car.

The yellow flag was upgraded to a red flag, stopping the session as FIA officials went out to inspect what has happened. They later confirmed a drain hole cover was to blame for the damage.

‘Unsafe track destroys two cars’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...elled-31460529


(FP1) First Practice Results – 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix
17th November 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari -1:40.909
2. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +2.537
3. Kevin Magnussen Haas +3.352
4. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +3.488
5. Esteban Ocon Alpine +4.456
6. George Russell Mercedes +4.588
7. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +4.915
8. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +4.999
9. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +5.884
10. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +6.238

‘Las Vegas Grand Prix – Here are the results from the shortened opening practice session for this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race around Las Vegas’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp1-first-...and-prix-83511


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from first practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix
17 November 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...jgGr32moD.html


F1 Live - Las Vegas GP Free Practice 1 Watchalong | Live timings + Commentary
Friday, 17 November 2023
Racing Statistics

F1 Live Las Vegas Grand Prix FP1 Watchalong | Sao Paolo GP Live | USA GP Live F1 Live Timings, Updates and Commentary of all F1 Sessions with Racing Statistics. Lets Watchalong!

‘Free Practice 1 Watchalong’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxeCQhhtI3s


‘It is unacceptable for F1’ – More problems for Las Vegas Grand Prix as first practice session is abandoned
Friday, 17 November 2023
Philip Duncan
The Irish Independent

Formula One bosses were dealt a hugely embarrassing blow after first practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix was cancelled.

The running under the lights of the Las Vegas strip was suspended when Carlos Sainz broke down in his Ferrari with just eight minutes on the clock.

INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPH: Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, of Spain, looks at the bottom of his car after running over a manhole cover during the first practice session for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, in Las Vegas.

‘It is unacceptable for F1’;

https://www.independent.ie/sport/oth...589471203.html


Vegas FP1 Red Flagged after 9 minutes due to track issue
17th November 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

After the sphere counted down to the start of the session, it was Lance Stroll who was the first to take to the circuit. As is the custom at Aston Martin, he pitted at the end of his out lap so it was Valtteri Bottas who put the first time on the board, a 1:50.227 on the hard tyres.

After just over ten minutes Race Control announced that the session would not be resumed as a drain cover issue needed to be investigated. During the Red Flag, Alpine was working on Esteban Ocon’s car after he took damage from what was also suspected to be a drain cover and he, and most likely Sainz, would need a chassis change.

The FIA then posted an update which said “Following inspection, it was the concrete frame around a manhole cover that has failed. We now need to check all of the other manhole covers which will take some time – we will be discussing with the local circuit engineering team about the length of time it will take to resolve and will update with any resultant changes to the schedule.”

‘Vegas FP1 Red Flagged after 9 minutes’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/vegas-fp1-...ck-issue-83510


Max Verstappen fears proven right as Las Vegas GP track defect explained
17 Nov 2023 5:20 AM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

It was a loose drain cover that caused a farcical end to the first practice session of the Las Vegas GP. FP1 was just eight minutes old when Carlos Sainz drove over the loose cover on the Strip straight, causing a nasty thud to his car and significant damage that left him stranded by the side of the road.

With barely a sixth of the time completed, the FIA cancelled the session as they believed the loose cover was a significant enough safety issue and could not be fixed within the remaining time.

As for how the issue occurred, Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz reported that the frame of the drain cover and may have come up from the pressure caused by cars going over it. “You would say ‘well, wouldn’t this show up in any kind of inspections earlier on when the track was inspected?’” Kravitz posed. “Our understanding of the manhole cover was that it’s actually the frame around it that has come up naturally.”

‘Max Verstappen fears proven right’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...vegas-gp-track


Brundle fears ANOTHER Las Vegas GP session will be cancelled
Friday 17 November 2023 07:12
Cal Gaunt
GPFans

Sky Sports F1 pundit Brundle does not expect to see the cars back out on track for the second practice session. “That’s it. That’s it for today I think, from my experience. Fixing that, checking everything else that’s out there and fixing that and letting it dry and making sure it won’t come out again, is a big job.”

"Then, theatrically they’re going to open the strip as soon as the F1 is finished, if that’s on the strip. I believe it is, isn’t it? On the way down to turn 14. That’s a very, very big issue, if they are other areas like that like around the track.”

"As I said, at that moment at top speed where the car’s ran at their lowest, when they’re compressed with the aerodynamics, so that’s where it’s going to show up first, but they’ll have to check everything else, because of the Venturi underneath the car.”

“Big job”;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...sky-sports-f1/

Fred Vasseur livid with ‘unacceptable’ Sainz drain damage in Las Vegas FP1.
“We f***ed up the session for Carlos. We won’t be part of FP2 for sure, I think it’s just unacceptable for F1 today.”
November 17, 2023
By Ed Spencer
Total Motorsport

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has chastised the organisers of the Las Vegas Grand Prix after Carlos Sainz suffered session-ending damage in the opening practice session.

Ten minutes into Formula 1’s first session back in Las Vegas since the 1982 Caesars Palace GP, Sainz drove over a loose manhole cover on the strip, wrecking his Ferrari’s floor and ending the session early.

“We damaged completely the monocoque, the engine, the battery,” an enraged Vasseur told media after the session. “I think it’s just unacceptable, it cost us a fortune.”

‘Unacceptable’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...las-vegas-fp1/


Fears grow ‘that’s it’ for Las Vegas GP Friday over track safety issues
17 Nov 2023 5:54 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle says that from his experience, the on-track action is over on the opening day of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Drivers ventured out for their exploratory laps of this new territory, the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, as Formula 1’s hotly-anticipated Las Vegas GP weekend got underway.

‘But, with less than 10 minutes gone, the red flags were out as Carlos Sainz brought his Ferrari to a stop down the Strip straight’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/martin...gp-friday-over


Four big consequences of F1's Las Vegas GP FP1 nightmare
Nov 17, 2023
by Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

A nightmare start to Formula 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, with the opening practice session abandoned early on, has big consequences. FP1 was red flagged after just eight minutes when Carlos Sainz hit a loose drain cover on one of the city street circuit’s long straights and slowed to a halt in his Ferrari. Just over 10 minutes later the FIA said the session would not be resumed – a decision that has significant consequences in the worst possible beginning for F1’s brand new, big-ticket event.

A BIG ISSUE TO FIX: The cause of the problem was identified swiftly: the concrete frame around a manhole cover failed. This seems to have let the cover be partially lifted as cars drove over it and left it hanging loose before Sainz struck it.

NOT A GOOD LOOK AT ALL: The hype, the expense, the attention – there are huge expectations for this grand prix. And this is nothing other than an extremely unfortunate, problematic way to begin. It is the worst possible start. Fans on-site will surely feel shortchanged even if the schedule is amended to, say, increase the running in FP2.

‘DAMAGED CARS, LOST VITAL RUNNING’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f...fp1-nightmare/


Carlos Sainz car wrecked as £565m Las Vegas Grand Prix plunged into chaos within eight minutes
17th November 2023, 8:14 am
Sean O'Brien
talkSPORT

The highly-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix got off to an embarrassing start as first practice was cancelled within eight minutes. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz struck a loose manhole cover at 200mph on the Las Vegas Boulevard and the running was immediately suspended.

Alpine star Esteban Ocon was also caught up in the chaos and smashed into the debris. Shortly afterwards, it was announced the session would not be resumed and there are doubts over whether second practice will take place.

The Spaniard emerged unscathed but Ferrari chief Frederic Vasseur confirmed ‘extensive’ damage to the car, including the monocoque, engine, and battery. Vasseur said: “He (Sainz) said I hit something on track, and he didn’t know what it was. It is just unacceptable for F1.” Meanwhile, Alpine revealed the chassis on Ocon’s car needed to be replaced.

‘£565m Las Vegas Grand Prix plunged into chaos within eight minutes’;

https://talksport.com/sport/1644655/


Second F1 practice delayed and extended at Las Vegas GP
Nov 17, 2023
by Josh Suttill
The Race

The second Formula 1 practice session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix will take place two hours later than planned and will be extended to 90 minutes. First practice on the brand-new Las Vegas Strip circuit went embarrassingly wrong just eight minutes into the session when both Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz sustained damage to their cars as a result of the track surface.

"We are currently expecting around two hours of delay from the originally scheduled start time for FP2 in order for the local circuit engineering team to carry out the necessary works on the track," it said. "The session will be extended to 90 minutes. Will update with more specifics when they’re available."

‘Chaos within eight minutes’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/s...-las-vegas-gp/


When Las Vegas GP practice will start after F1 session cancelled over track safety
A loose manhole cover in first practice saw the session cancelled after just a few minutes while the rest of the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend is on hold while the track is fixed
Nov 17, 2023
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

Second practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was heavily delayed after the first was cancelled over a safety issue which caused significant damage to two cars. As a result, second practice which was due to begin at 8am GMT was delayed indefinitely. The hope was that the session would be able to take place on Friday as planned but, given it was already past midnight in Las Vegas when that call was made, time was limited.

Even if practice is able to take place, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said his team will not be able to get Sainz's car ready in time for him to take part. He described the situation as "just unacceptable" as he told reporters that chassis, engine and battery damage had been done.

"The show is mega and I am very happy with what [F1 commercial rights holders] Liberty [Media] did around the race but we have to separate the show and the sporting side," said the Frenchman. The show is mega. The opening ceremony was something mega in F1 but it is not because you are doing this that you don't have to do the job on the sporting side. You can do the show and do a good job on the sporting side."

‘When Las Vegas GP practice will start’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...y-fia-31460809


Ferrari echo Max Verstappen criticism as Las Vegas GP practice scrapped in F1 shambles
First practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was cancelled after 20 minutes while the start of the second has been delayed due to unsafe conditions on the newly-created F1 track
Nov 17, 2023
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

Furious Ferrari chief Frederic Vasseur flew off the handle after issues on the Las Vegas Grand Prix track which saw practice cancelled did damage to Carlos Sainz's car which will "cost a fortune".

His words echo those of Max Verstappen who was left very unimpressed after taking part on the 'opening ceremony' for the event on Wednesday night. The champion slammed the event as being "99 per cent show, and one per cent sporting event".

‘Ferrari echo Max Verstappen criticism’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...rrari-31460654

Las Vegas GP: Leclerc leads Ferrari one-two in trouble-free Practice 2.
With the lights going green at 2:30am local time after all the drain covers and water valves had been secured, drivers finally got their first proper look at the new street circuit on and around the Strip.
17 November 2023
Ben Issatt.
Inside Racing12:13

The Ferraris upped the ante on their second set with Leclerc claiming P1 on a 1m35.265s, almost half a second clear of teammate Sainz. The Monegsque even had time for a small tussle with Verstappen as the pair went side-by-side down the Strip and through the chicane section.

Fernando Alonso improved to sit a hundredth behind his fellow countryman in third, while street circuit specialist Sergio Perez was the lead Red Bull in fourth. Valtteri Bottas was a strong fifth for Alfa Romeo, as Verstappen only managed sixth after being one of the earlier drivers to switch onto high fuel runs.

Nico Hulkenberg took seventh running the old-spec Haas, ahead of Lance Stroll in eighth. Lewis Hamilton was the fastest Mercedes in ninth as Alex Albon completed the top 10 for Williams.

‘Leclerc leads Ferrari one-two’;

https://www.insideracing.com/formula...ree-practice-2


(FP2) Second Practice Results – 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix
17th November 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari -1:35.265
2. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.517
3. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.528
4. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.820
5. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +0.864
6. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.918
7. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +1.224
8. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.231
9. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +1.398
10. Alex Albon Williams Racing +1.423

‘Las Vegas Grand Prix – Here are the results from the extended second session ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race around Las Vegas’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp2-second...and-prix-83534


LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from second practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix
17 November 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site

‘As it happened’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...fTBwAYZ5U.html


F1 Live - Las Vegas GP Free Practice 2 Watchalong | Live timings + Commentary
17th Nov 2023
Racing Statistics

F1 Live Las Vegas Grand Prix FP2 Watchalong | Sao Paolo GP Live | USA GP Live F1 Live Timings, Updates and Commentary of all F1 Sessions with Racing Statistics. Lets Watchalong!

‘Free Practice 2 Watchalong’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmuc1dkokd0


F1 fans removed from grandstands ahead of delayed Vegas FP2
17th Nov 2023, 10:34
AUTHOR: Alex Kalinauckas
Motorsport.com

A since-deleted statement released by the Vegas race on its social media platforms read: "Due to logistical considerations for our fans and our staff, we have made the determination that we will be closing all Las Vegas Grand Prix fan areas at 1.30am. We look forward to welcoming fans back later today for exciting FP3 and qualifying sessions".

Motorsport.com understands that fans have had to leave the fan areas due to security team shifts ending, which means the grandstands and fan zones cannot operate as expected. It is not currently clear why the statement was deleted from the Vegas race's social media accounts.
But the development means the FP2 session will therefore take place in front of empty grandstands and finish at 4am, the time the sections of track that take in public roads were supposed to be fully open to the public.

Skid Carrera: I'd be so pi**ed off if I'd paid for tickets and got ejected. I'm surprised they're not reporting armed conflict at this point...
Mionel Lessi: this is what you get for the most expensive tickets of the season

‘F1 fans removed from grandstands’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...-fp2/10547613/


Carlos Sainz hit with Las Vegas GP grid penalty as stewards blame ‘highly unusual circumstances’
17 Nov 2023 10:02 AM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

Carlos Sainz has been hit with a grid penalty for changing parts as the FIA admitted regulations did not allow them to overlook it.

Sainz drove over a loose water cover during FP1 that destroyed his car, causing significant damage to the survival cell, internal combustion engine, energy store and control electronics.

But despite the fault being entirely on the FIA, Sainz has still been handed a minimum 10-place penalty for taking a third energy store of the season, outside the permitted pool.

‘Grid Penalty’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/carlos...p-grid-penalty


F1 fans share their fury over farcical start to Las Vegas Grand Prix
17th November 2023, 10009:31
Alex Daniel
Indy

Dom
Hello everyone, F1 has been cancelled so welcome to the Las Vegas Invitational golf tournament

@tsimiks
Las Vegas GP FP1 session went down the drain, literally.

Michael Jimenez
This is par for the course (no pun intended) on Vegas roads. They wanted a street circuit…well…here you go for the authentic Vegas driving experience!

rem
real footage of drivers hitting the drain covers at las vegas gp

‘Got off to a disastrous start’;

https://www.indy100.com/sport/f1-las-vegas-grand-prix

‘We flew only for today’ - Disappointed F1 fans react to Las Vegas GP ejection.
Police were seen clearing out the grandstands shortly before FP2 got underway after a delay of two-and-a-half hours while drain cover fixes were implemented.
17 Nov 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater reported that fans “waited patiently” for up to five hours in the hope of seeing some action before being told to leave at 1.30am local time. Slater said he understood this was “due to the contract of the staff members here elapsing at that time” but added “there was no prior warning that this could happen”.

“Ridiculous,” one fan told Sky. “We waited for four hours and they gave us hope by saying ‘at 2am we’re going to have the race’. But nothing happened. And now they are telling us to leave. So what a night!”

Another explained: “We came from Los Angeles, we flew only for today. We spent the money for the airplane, the tickets for this place, and nothing.” One said: “I’ve been here for the last two-to-three hours at least and then we were asked to leave.”

‘We flew only for today’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104103...as-gp-ejection


F1 fans 'threatened with trespass charge' after disastrous Las Vegas GP start
November 17th 2023
Author: Cambridge Kisby
Motor Sport Magazine

Police reportedly threatened spectators with trespass charges unless they left the circuit after a lengthy delay when Carlos Sainz‘s Ferrari hit a loose drain cover on the track at the start of the first practice session. Red flags brought that session to a close and pushed the start of the second practice session back by 90 minutes, well into the early hours of the morning.

“Paid $3000 for a ticket to get kicked out after FP1 got cancelled,” wrote X user Paul Loeffel. “You couldn’t pay your employees to put on an event”. Fans were further angered when they were moved on from areas outside the track where they could still watch the action through black sheets which were meant to block the view. “Las Vegas PD [police department] and private security are kicking people off of every potential viewing spot,” Loeffel added.

'Threatened with trespass charge';

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...?nowprocket=1#


F1 off to rough Las Vegas start. Ferrari damaged, fans told to leave before practice ends at 4 a.m.
Nov 17, 2023
By JENNA FRYER - AP Auto Racing Writer
The Globe and Mail

The Las Vegas Grand Prix had a bumpy opening when the first practice of the $500 million Formula One race was halted nine minutes into the session Thursday night because Carlos Sainz Jr. ran over a water valve cover that badly damaged his Ferrari.

It caused the first practice to be aborted, a delay of 2 1/2 hours before second practice for track repairs, and all spectators were removed from viewing areas ahead of the 90-minute session that ended at 4 a.m. local time — the deadline for F1 to return the roads to Las Vegas commuters.

‘F1 off to rough Las Vegas start’;

https://morganton.com/ap/sports/f1-o...6fbed9f5c.html


Police eject fans minutes before Las Vegas FP2
17 November 1:50PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

Fans were ejected from the grandstands by local police forces minutes before FP2 started at 2:30am local time in Las Vegas. Once track action did resume, fans were unable to watch it from the grandstands as workers had already left the track premises. It is understood that the F1 Paddock Club also stopped its hospitality, while the Las Vegas Grand Prix promoter issued a statement on social media claiming fan areas were being closed.

It read: "Due to logistical considerations for our fans and our staff, we have made the determination that we will be closing all Las Vegas Grand Prix fan areas at 1:30am PT. We look forward to welcoming fans back later today for exciting FP3 and qualifying sessions."

As it was deemed unsafe for spectators to be in the stands without stewards, local authorities removed them from their seats - some of which cost upwards of $800 for the weekend.

‘Fans were ejected’;

https://racingnews365.com/police-eje...-las-vegas-fp2


F1’s treatment of Las Vegas fans “obviously not acceptable” – Ocon
Formula 1
Posted on 17th November 2023, 15:04
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans

Ocon, one of the drivers whose car was damaged in the opening practice session, was glad F1 managed to resume practice, but offered his sympathy to the fans who had bought tickets but saw no running today besides the severely truncated opening session.

“It’s been good to finally get some running,” said Ocon. “Obviously I’m feeling sorry for the fans out there, though. Hopefully we’ll catch back up on the show and have some good show for them tomorrow because they haven’t seen a car run today and that is obviously not acceptable.”

“Obviously not acceptable”;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/11/17/...ceptable-ocon/


F1 fans WALK OUT after being left fuming at Las Vegas Grand Prix
Friday 17 November 2023 14:27
Sam Cook
GPFans

Formula 1 fans were left unimpressed by events during Friday practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and were eventually ushered away from the circuit having seen just eight minutes of action.

With FP2 scheduled to start at midnight local time, most fans stuck around, before it was announced that FP2 would also be delayed. That led to a number of fans opting to leave the circuit, emptying the grandstands at the inaugural Las Vegas GP, which had promised so much after an impressive opening ceremony.

When it was eventually announced that an extended FP2 would take place at 2am, there had been some hope for fans that had decided to remain of seeing some F1 cars in action. However, with staffing and safety concerns, it was decided that fans would need to leave the circuit, meaning FP2 resulted in a 90 minute 'lockdown style practice session', as described by Martin Brundle, which didn't start until 2:30am local time.

'Lockdown style practice session';

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...i-drain-cover/


F1 fans removed from grandstands before second practice in Las Vegas
Formula 1
Posted on 17th November 2023, 12:04
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham

The delayed second practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix took place in front of empty grandstands after fans who had arrived were told they had to leave. The promoters charged unusually high prices for the tickets, with access to general admission areas retailing for over $800 (£640). Drivers including Charles Leclerc, Daniel Ricciardo and Valtteri Bottas raised concerns over the cost of attendance before the weekend began.

‘F1 fans removed from grandstands’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/11/17/...-in-las-vegas/


F1 fans rage after being kicked out of Las Vegas GP
Friday 17 November 2023 13:51
Anna Malyon
GPFans

The Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend is anticipated to host hundreds of thousands of fans, but FP2 unfolded behind closed doors as spectators were cleared from the grandstands and fan zones before the session commenced. Sky F1 pundit Ted Kravitz explained the reason behind removing fans from the areas, expressing sympathy for those who attempted to stay despite the unexpected delay.
“It looks to me now that the marshals, certainly on this grandstand opposite the pits, the police, the spectator marshals are making sure that everybody is leaving,” said Kravitz. “They’re clearing the grandstands and that I do feel extremely sorry.”

“When we were all waiting, when I was waiting at the back straight or rather the second corner straight here, I could see there were, I would say about 60 to 80 hardy fans who were sitting, maybe having a nap, but they wanted to see FP2. My heart was with them, and I was happy that they were still going to stick with it.”

‘F1 fans rage after being kicked out’;

https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/?search=...rchheadlines=1


Delayed Las Vegas Grand Prix practice session occurs without fans
November 17, 2023 - 7:56 am
By Mick Akers / Las Vegas Review-Journal

After an hourslong delay, the second round of Las Vegas Grand Prix practice commenced at 2:30 a.m. Friday, but fans weren’t in the stands to witness it.

‘Without fans’;

https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports...-fans-2941124/

This is just getting better and better.

TikToker slams £1.3bn F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix where even $6000 VIP tickets have obstructed view of the track as Sin City residents, holidaymakers - and even World Champion Max Verstappen - bemoan the scandal-hit race.
A TikToker has slammed the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix where VIP ticket holders have spent thousands to witness the glitzy spectacle - only to discover they've been landed with an obstructed view of the track.
Published: 20:04, 17 November 2023
By Matt Drake and Arthur Parashar
Mail Online

TikTok channel Casinocompwallet posted a video of their lacklustre view of the street circuit from the VIP area, which they said cost $6000 to enter. 'This is the racetrack for the f1 from the VIP suite, you're behind the Heineken House in Las Vegas, the race few minutes and let's take a look at the track view from up here. Absolutely spectacular.'

The camera then pans to show a strip of the racing track which is partially obscured by lighting scaffolding. You can also see grim looking concrete floors behind wire fencing and even more of the track is also obscured by a Las Vegas banner/bridge stretching above the course.

When asked where he enjoyed driving on the race track, F1 World Champion Max Verstappen, pictured, said: 'No. I've had better tracks in my life'

‘$6000 VIP tickets have obstructed view of the track’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-hit-race.html


Verstappen SLAMS Las Vegas Grand Prix track after chaotic practice
Friday 17 November 2023 21:12
Sam Cook
GPFans

Max Verstappen has admitted that he didn't enjoy driving around the Las Vegas Street Circuit during practice. Verstappen, who has been rather critical of the whole show in Vegas even before the racing began, has revealed his first thoughts on the track.

“Slippery, we didn’t run a lot in FP1 so it took time to rubber in a little more,” he told Sky Sports F1. “In the end, it was better. We managed to do the whole programme which, I guess, is most important for today."

When asked if he enjoyed driving the track, Verstappen said: “No, no. I’ve had better tracks in my life. I said that yesterday. There is nothing new that I’ve discovered. We just get on with it.”

‘Verstappen SLAMS Las Vegas Grand Prix’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ctice-chaotic/


'CATASTROPHE': US media outlets on Las Vegas Grand Prix farce
Friday 17 November 2023 23:27
Sam Cook
GPFans

The opening night of the Las Vegas Grand Prix has been widely criticised by US media, after a series of events that left an embarrassing feeling for Formula 1.

US media angry at Las Vegas GP: The New York Post kicked things off with a story attacking quite how expensive it has been for Vegas to host an F1 race. They stoked up their readers with a story of how it took less than nine minutes for the '$500 million event to have its first catastrophe.'

Meanwhile, the Washington Post decided to focus on fans' experience at the track, with some harsh words for the organisers, who are unlikely to be giving refunds to fans. CNBC took a similar route, whilst USA Today led with the fact that world champion Max Verstappen is seemingly underwhelmed by the whole event.

'CATASTROPHE';

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...r-catastrophe/


The Biggest Threat to F1’s $500M Vegas Grand Prix Is…a Loose Drain Cover?
Our correspondent on the Strip details the (potentially overblown) fallout from the practice incident, which damaged three cars, most significantly that of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz
By Wiliiam Goodman
November 17, 2023 3:09 pm
InsideHook

Like a cliché terrible night in Vegas, Formula 1 will be looking to forget the events of Thursday evening. Roughly nine minutes into the first practice session for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz appeared to run over something on the track, resulting in a shower of Fourth of July-worthy sparks. Fans, keen to see some fireworks, had no idea this moment would be the most exciting they’d bear witness to that night.

Spectator experience (or lack of it) became the source of a rather heated exchange during a regularly scheduled team principal press conference. The media room was about half-full as information trickled out that two other cars — the Alpine of Esteban Ocon and the Alfa of Zhou Guanyu — also sustained damage related to the drain cover. But none had damage as significant as Sainz, prompting some hot remarks from Ferrari boss Frédéric Vasseur, who immediately declared the situation “unacceptable.”

While I was at an event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier in the evening, a group of attendees pooled together to grab an Uber instead of taking a shuttle bus back to ensure they arrived on time to watch the practice so as not to miss a moment. Those same viewers were eventually asked to leave the grandstands entirely as the second practice session moved from midnight to 2 a.m., and then back again to 2:30 a.m. Police officers and security guards were documented moving the crowds out of the grandstands before turning off the lights.

‘Loose Drain Cover’;

https://www.insidehook.com/sports/bi...cover%ef%bf%bc


Minority of fans offered compensation after Las Vegas GP debacle
Saturday 18th November, 2023 - 12:56pm
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

Formula 1 has offered just six percent of fans compensation following the debacle that unfolded on the opening day of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The tens of thousands of spectators who had gathered to witness the long-awaited spectacle were left short-changed as they witnessed only eight minutes of track action.

LVGP has now confirmed that all those who held a Thursday-only ticket will receive a US$200 voucher for the official store. “We appreciate your patience while we remedied the situation. This was not a decision we took lightly. As a thank you for your support, we would like to offer you a $200 voucher to the Las Vegas Grand Prix Official Shop.”

‘Formula 1 has offered just six percent of fans compensation’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/11/18...-compensation/


F1 and FIA have questions to answer after Las Vegas GP shambles
Saturday 18th November, 2023 - 10:00am
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

For the second time in recent Formula 1 history, the self-proclaimed pinnacle of motorsport was made to look like a laughing stock in the United States. After months of hype and hyperbole, and an eye-watering half-a-billion US dollar price tag, the long-awaited Las Vegas Grand Prix began in inauspicious circumstances, and on its opening day, concluded with empty grandstands and angry fans.

It was not a good look, and now F1, as was the case 18 years ago and the Michelin tyre debacle, the sport is faced with repairing a damaged reputation. At 8.30pm local time on Thursday evening, the drawn-out build-up finally ceased as Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll became the first driver to take to the 6.201-kilometre track, with all of Vegas’ neon splendour serving as a glorious backdrop. Eight minutes later, however, a worst-case scenario unfolded as the first practice session was red-flagged.

Soon after, with a team principals’ press conference featuring Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur and Toto Wolff from Mercedes, the Frenchman’s ire was obvious as he described what happened to Sainz as “unacceptable”. Wolff was asked whether what had unfolded was “a black eye” for F1, to which he declared it “nothing”, and that “nobody would talk about it tomorrow”, sparking a retort from a member of his audience that his comment was “absolute rubbish”.

‘Las Vegas GP shambles’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/11/18...s-gp-shambles/


Nevada residents at shortened F1 practice receive $200 ‘fan appreciation’ voucher
Published: Nov. 18, 2023 at 1:51 AM GMT
By C.C. McCandless
Fox 5 Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - After Thursday night’s first practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix was cut short after less than ten minutes, some local fans are receiving compensation for the inconvenience.
A “fan appreciation” email was sent to Nevada residents in attendance and it included a $200 merchandise credit.
“Guests were able to enjoy food and beverage and entertainment,” said a Las Vegas Grand Prix spokesperson. “But this is an extra gesture to share appreciation to Nevada residents.”

‘$200 ‘fan appreciation’ voucher’

https://www.fox5vegas.com/2023/11/18...ation-voucher/


Vegas GP fans offered $200 F1 merchandise vouchers after being sent home
Fans with single-day tickets who only caught eight minutes of Thursday practice for the disrupted Las Vegas Grand Prix have been offered Formula 1 merchandise vouchers by the organisers.
NOV 18, 2023, 3:18 AM
AUTHORFilip Cleeren
Motorsport.com

F1 and the Las Vegas Grand Prix released several statements explaining the situation. But rather than offering an apology or refund, fans who only hold a Thursday ticket, and therefore only got to see eight minutes of practice, were given $200 vouchers to spend in the event's online merchandise store.

‘Rather than offering an apology or refund’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/v...hers/10548006/

F1 Las Vegas GP: Russell fastest as red flag ends FP3 early.
Mercedes driver George Russell topped final practice for Formula 1's Las Vegas Grand Prix that was red-flagged five minutes before the end.
NOV 18, 2023, 6:19 AM
AUTHORFilip Cleeren
Motorsport.com05:52

Following a disrupted first day of running on Thursday night and Friday morning, most of which was held behind closed doors, fans were welcomed back into the grandstands to witness final practice on the streets of Las Vegas.

Verstappen was poised to retaliate with a purple first sector, but followed AlphaTauri's Daniel Ricciardo into the Turn 12 run-off area.
That opened the door for Russell and McLaren's Oscar Piastri to trade the lead, with Russell ahead until a red flag five minutes before the end, which curtailed FP3.

The stoppage was caused by Albon, who tapped the wall hard coming out of Turn 5 and lost the left-rear wheel on his Williams.
With Albon unable to finish his final flyer, team-mate Logan Sargeant took up the mantle to claim third after what had been a promising display for the Grove team.

‘Russell fastest as red flag ends FP3 early’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/l...edes/10548080/


(FP3) Third Practice Results – 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix
18th November 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. George Russell Mercedes -1:34.093
2. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.398
3. Logan Sargeant Williams Racing +0.552
4. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.560
5. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.613
6. Alex Albon Williams Racing +0.633
7. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.695
8. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.760
9. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +0.815
10. Kevin Magnussen Haas +0.974

‘Las Vegas Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the final practice ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race around Las Vegas’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp3-third-...and-prix-83551


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from third practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix
18 November 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...a7T05gDIu.html


F1 Live - Las Vegas GP Free Practice 3 Watchalong | Live timings + Commentary
18 November 2023
Racing Statistics

F1 Live Las Vegas Grand Prix FP3 Watchalong | Sao Paolo GP Live | USA GP Live F1 Live Timings, Updates and Commentary of all F1 Sessions with Racing Statistics. Lets Watchalong!

‘Free Practice 3 Watchalong’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caS9qOlv_d0


George Russell tops red flagged final practice ahead of Las Vegas GP qualifying
November 18, 2023
By Matt Neill
Total Motorsport

George Russell topped the timing charts for Mercedes in third practice at the Las Vegas GP ahead of qualifying with a time of 1:34.093.

The session was red flagged and not resumed with four minutes left on the clock after Alex Albon hit the barriers, causing significant damage to his Williams and sending his left rear tyre rolling down The Strip.

‘George Russell tops red flagged final practice’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/geo...gp-qualifying/

Leclerc takes Vegas pole as Sainz’s penalty costs Ferrari a front row lock-out.
Charles Leclerc secured the first pole position in the history of the Las Vegas Grand Prix after beating team mate Carlos Sainz Jnr in qualifying.
18th November 2023.
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

With under three minutes remaining, the field returned to the track for their final runs of qualifying. While both Ferraris had brand new soft tyres for this last attempt, Verstappen remained on tyres that were just a handful of laps old.

Leclerc improved by three tenths of a second to lower his own provisional pole time to a 1’32.726. Verstappen abandoned his fianl attempt, returning to the pit lane and guaranteeing that a Ferrari driver would be quickest. The question being whether Leclerc or Sainz would be fastest was decided when Sainz completed his lap and was 0.044s slower than his team mate, sitting in second.

That ensured Leclerc would take pole position for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen will start alongside him on the front row as Sainz’s 10-place grid penalty, a consequence of the damage he incurred due to a broken water valve cover on Thursday, means he will start from at least 12th on the grid.

‘Leclerc takes Vegas pole’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/11/18/...-row-lock-out/


Qualifying Results – 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix
18th November 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Q3
1. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari -1:32.726
2. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.044
3. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.378
4. George Russell Mercedes +0.386
5. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.513
6. Alex Albon Williams Racing +0.597
7. Logan Sargeant Williams Racing +0.787
8. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +0.799
9. Kevin Magnussen Haas +0.811
10. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.829

‘Las Vegas Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying for this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race around Las Vegas’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-83563


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix
18 November 2023
Becky Hart.
Formula One - Official Site

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...s3qmu6Gdy.html


F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023 - Qualifying - As it happened
18 November 2023
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

A recap of what happened in qualifying for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

‘As it happened’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-las...e-live-updates


F1 Live - Las Vegas GP Qualifying Watchalong | Live timings + Commentary
18 November 2023
Racing Statistics

F1 Live Las Vegas Grand Prix Qualifying Watchalong | Sao Paolo GP Live | USA GP Quali Live F1 Live Timings, Updates and Commentary of all F1 Sessions with Racing Statistics. Lets Watchalong!

‘Qualifying Watchalong’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKU_SgHve5U


Las Vegas GP: Charles Leclerc storms to pole with Williams the surprise package
18 Nov 2023 9:07 AM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Charles Leclerc dominated Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying to take pole position for the race on Saturday night, with an excellent performance over one lap. He pipped Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz to the P1 slot, but the Spaniard will have to drop 10 places come the race. Further back, both McLaren drivers were knocked out in Q1, before both Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez were knocked out in Q2, leaving a mixed-up grid for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Logan Sargeant, Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon all improved enough to knock not only Perez into the drop zone, but Lewis Hamilton too, with the Mercedes driver qualifying 11th. The Williams duo performed excellently to line up sixth and seventh, which will become a third-row lockout for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

‘Williams the surprise package’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/las-ve...lifying-report

Las Vegas GP: Max Verstappen WINS captivating race, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc second and Sergio Perez third as Lando Norris crashes out early.
Max Verstappen won a captivating Las Vegas Grand Prix – a race of twists and turns, crashes, courage and mistakes that lived up to its hot billing on the Strip.
Published: 07:35, 19 November 2023
By Jonathan McEvoy for MailOnline
Mail Online

‘Viva Las Vegas,’ chorused the victor, the latest Elvis impersonator in town, from his Red Bull throne. A bet on the world champion may be the safest punt in all Sin City but it did not always look like that under the bright light of this inaugural event.

The outcome was an 18th win in 21 rounds for Verstappen, yet the most precarious and fluctuating of the season, and the Dutchman only finally pulled off the victory on lap 37 of 50 when he passed Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari in a blur of increasing inevitability.

‘Max Verstappen WINS captivating race’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rez-third.html


Race Results – 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix
19th November 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -50 laps
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +2.070
3. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +2.241
4. Esteban Ocon Alpine +18.665
5. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +20.067
6. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +20.834
7. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +21.755
8. George Russell Mercedes +23.091 *
9. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +25.964
10. Oscar Piastri McLaren +29.496

‘Las Vegas Grand Prix – Here are the provisional results from today’s 2023 F1 World Championship race around the streets of Las Vegas’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/race-resul...and-prix-83584


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix
19 November 2023
Becky Hart
Special Correspondent.
Formula One - Official Site

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...eW8jmQcb0.html


F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023 - As it happened
19 November 2023
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

‘As it happened’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-las...3-live-updates


Perez ‘wasn’t expecting’ Leclerc last-lap Vegas GP overtake
19 November 2023, 09:21
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Sergio Perez admits he “wasn’t expecting” the overtake that saw Charles Leclerc pip the Red Bull driver to second place on the final lap of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Having been caught out in qualifying and slumped to a Q2 exit, Perez eventually recovered to claim third and his first podium result since the Italian GP in September. However, Perez’s comeback bid took a substantial blow at the start when he had to pit to change his front wing after suffering damage against Valtteri Bottas’ Alfa Romeo.

“It started really difficult with a lot of damage,” Perez rued. “Initially we broke the front wing, so we basically went all the way to the back of the grid. And then progressively we were [overtaking] one-by-one and things were going well, we had really strong pace on that first stint, so we put back ourselves in contention.”

‘Perez’s comeback bid’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...s-gp-overtake/


Lewis Hamilton makes Las Vegas GP feelings clear after another Mercedes F1 struggle
Lewis Hamilton started the Las Vegas Grand Prix 10th on the grid after a poor qualifying but suffered even more misfortune during the race, despite making up a few positions
19 November 2023
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

"Really challenging race," he said. "I started on the hard tyre which was tricky in the beginning and, obviously, I got hit from someone behind, I think Carlos [Sainz]. I was then just trying not to hit the cars that had spun round and I lost five or six places." He quickly set about recovering and made immediate progress back up the leaderboard. But another challenge presented itself when contact with Oscar Piastri left Hamilton with a puncture.


The seven-time world champion said: "After that I was making my way back and doing great, the tyres were feeling good and the pace was strong. I went up the inside of Piastri... I don't really know exactly what happened but I got hit from behind. I think it was a racing incident, but I just felt a thud.”

"I didn't have a puncture immediately so I was accelerating but as I got alongside the pit lane entry I felt the rear was moving and thought, 'Damn, it's too late to come in'. So I had to do a whole slow lap and must have lost 40 seconds or something. I'm grateful that I was able to come back and apologies to the team for the poor qualifying yesterday. There are strengths within our car but sometimes it's just really hard to get the performance out of it."

‘More misfortune’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...esult-31475050

No refund for ejected Las Vegas GP fans – and no apologies.
F1 fans who were treated to just eight minutes of track action in FP1 on Thursday in Las Vegas and who patiently waited for FP2 to finally roll around only to be ejected from their seats will not be given a refund by F1.
18/11/2023 at 06:39
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Fans who had purchased tickets for Thursday's practice were understandably disappointed, with many calling for a refund or compensation. In response, single-day ticket holders were offered a $200 voucher to spend on site in Las Vegas at F1’s official merchandise store. Three-day ticket holders were offered nothing despite being deprived of a full day of action.

None of the statements released by F1 or the Las Vegas GP organisers included a hint of an apology to the fans, or the inclusion of the words ‘sorry’ or ‘regret’. It was an omission that shocked many. However, Formula 1’s reluctance to issue a formal apology for the disrupted day is likely rooted in legal and liability concerns. By offering a public apology or an admission of guilt, the organization could inadvertently open itself up to claims of negligence or wrongdoing from fans, sponsors, and other stakeholders.

F1’s approach has allowed it to acknowledge the disruption without formally admitting fault, potentially minimizing its legal exposure. Ultimately, F1's decision to prioritize its legal and financial interests over a full-fledged apology is simply a calculated risk. But it’s one that likely won’t go down well with the congregation of fans that were unceremoniously walked off the premises in the middle of the night.

‘No refund and no apologies’;

https://f1i.com/news/493995-no-refun...apologies.html


Ejected F1 fans at Las Vegas Grand Prix only offered voucher, not a refund for FP2 mess
18 Nov 2023
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

The portion of F1 fans who were ejected from the Las Vegas circuit ahead of second practice have been offered a voucher to spend in the store, rather than a refund, it has been revealed.

Ahead of FP3, circuit organisers confirmed that affected fans would be issued a $200 voucher to spend in the Las Vegas GP store. There was no mention of a refund - or an apology.

‘Only offered voucher’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104114...efund-fp2-mess


Las Vegas fans offered shop vouchers instead of refunds after ejection
18 November 4:44AM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Las Vegas Grand Prix organisers have offered vouchers worth $200 to Formula 1 fans with single-day tickets - as no apology or refund was provided.

A statement was released shortly after FP2 ended at 04:00 local time on Friday morning, but no mention of a potential refund or apology has been forthcoming by the promoter, with fans only due to be present being offered a $200 dollar voucher for use in the official merchandise stall.

‘Offered shop vouchers’;

https://racingnews365.com/las-vegas-...ered-voucher-a


Fans outraged after waiting hours, not being allowed at second Formula 1 practice in Las Vegas
16:51 Sat, 18 Nov 2023.
CBS Austin

KSNV spoke with fans at the first practice session who were outraged with how things went. We waited until about 12:30 and nobody was telling us anything," said Henderson resident Olivia Vantrease. "We were trying to ask them please, but it also seemed like they didn't know what was going on either. So once 12:30 came around and we figured that the race wasn't going to happen, we decided to leave."

Rich Murtaugh said he and his wife and two kids who came from New York just for Formula 1 spent $10,000 just on tickets for all three days of the event. He believes if you add flight, hotel and other costs, they will be paying closer to $30,000 for their trip to Vegas. Murtaugh said police threatened to arrest him for trespassing at one point when he wanted to stay and watch the second practice session that was pushed back–and he said he wasn't the only one.

“It just was very, very frustrating for all the money," said Murtaugh. "I mean, I understand things happen, but they should have let us you know told us earlier you know that cup was there all night. We sent it in the cold. You know me and my two kids and my wife for hour after hour after hour. We're all excited to see it and then only to be told that if we didn't leave we'd be arrested.” Murtaugh claims they were escorted out of the venue and that his family walked about four miles to get back to their hotel around 4:30 in the morning.

‘Fans outraged’;

https://cbsaustin.com/news/nation-wo...acecar-driving


No refund, no apology – Vegas GP and F1's handling of day one mess
Nov 18, 2023
by Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

Paying fans who witnessed fewer than 10 minutes of green flag running at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Thursday and were not allowed to watch second practice are not being offered refunds. They are also yet to receive an apology and Thursday-only attendees have only been compensated in the form of a $200 voucher to spend at the Las Vegas GP official store.

F1 says most fans attending the event are here for all three days but several who only had a Thursday pass have informed The Race of their disappointment about a massively compromised experience. Thursday-only fans were contacted on Friday with a repeat justification of how it played out but were not apologised to.

A final declaration that this will continue to be a great event and “let’s get back to racing” also missed the point that this is not an option for those who only had tickets for Thursday. Whether they are in the minority of event-goers here or not, making any fan feel like their treatment and their disappointment can be shrugged off this easily is wrong and could easily cost F1 their support.

‘Final declaration that this will continue to be a great event and “let’s get back to racing” also missed the point that this is not an option for those who only had tickets for Thursday’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/l...ractice-delay/

Troubled Las Vegas Grand Prix hit by lawsuit on behalf of 35,000 fans.
Already controversial for its price tag, comparisons to non-league English football and an incident with a manhole cover, Formula One's return to Sin City has hit another sharp curve.
Sunday 19 November 2023 03:58, UK
Sky News

News of the lawsuit comes after Verstappen - reigning world champion - compared the Las Vegas Grand Prix to the fifth tier of English football, while suggesting fans just want to get "s***-faced".

"Monaco is Champions League and this is National League," he said.

"I feel like the show is important, but I like emotion. When I was a little kid, it was all about the emotion of the sport that I fell in love with and not the show. As a real racer, the show shouldn't matter."

‘Lawsuit on behalf of 35,000 fans’;

https://news.sky.com/story/troubled-...-fans-13011313


Formula One fans file a class-action lawsuit against the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Las Vegas-based Dimopoulos Law Firm and co-counsel JK Legal & Consulting filed the lawsuit against the Las Vegas Grand Prix and its owner, Liberty Media, in Nevada state court seeking at least $30,000 in damages.
Last Updated: Nov 18, 2023 at 8:37 pm
By Mark Anderson
Associated Press
Chicago Tribune

Race officials since have offered a $200 discount at the official gift shop, but only for those who held single-night tickets Thursday. The majority of fans have three-day passes.

‘Seeking at least $30,000 in damages’;

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...gce-story.html


Formula 1 fans file lawsuit against Las Vegas Grand Prix
Nov 18, 2023, 02:21
By The Associated Press
NBC News

LAS VEGAS — Formula One fans upset at being forced to the leave the Las Vegas Grand Prix venue early Friday morning before the start of the second practice session filed a class-action lawsuit.

Las Vegas-based Dimopoulos Law Firm and co-counsel JK Legal & Consulting filed the lawsuit against the Las Vegas Grand Prix and its owner, Liberty Media, in Nevada state court seeking at least $30,000 in damages.

‘Formula 1 fans file lawsuit’;

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/...rix-rcna125864


F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix face lawsuit after practice canceled, fans escorted out
19:05 Sat, 18 Nov 2023.
by News 3 Staff
KSNV Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix is facing a lawsuit after canceling its first practice Thursday night and having thousands of fans escorted out. Dimopoulos Law Firm and co-counsel JK Legal & Consulting filed a class action lawsuit in Nevada state court Friday night. According to a statement, the action came on behalf of the 35,000 people who purchased tickets to the 'practice run' that was cut short after nine minutes without refunds.

Fans were then sent home around 1:30 a.m. before the Second Free Practice and unable to watch due to 'public safety concerns.' The lawsuit alleges breach of contract, negligence, and deceptive trade practices against the defendants.

‘Lawsuit after practice canceled, fans escorted out’;

https://news3lv.com/news/local/f1-la...s-escorted-out


Las Vegas GP hit with lawsuit over 'deprived' fans who were forced to leave early
21:07 Sat, 18 Nov 2023.
Callum McAvoy
Metro.co.uk

A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix in relation to fans who were forced to leave their seats early. F1 is back in Sin City after more than 40 years at a brand-new street circuit – an event the sport’s bosses have gone all out for.

Fans were understandably furious, more so because the Las Vegas Grand Prix is by far the most expensive race on the calendar, with many paying thousands of pounds to attend. Now, the Las Vegas Grand Prix has been hit with a lawsuit that alleges breach of contract, negligence, and deceptive trade practices.

Dimopoulos Law Firm and co-counsel JK Legal & Consulting filed the suit on Friday in Nevada District Court on behalf of 35,000 fans who purchased tickets to Thursday’s practice sessions. ‘We will vindicate the rights of the fans that traveled great distances and paid small fortunes to attend, but were deprived of the experience,’ Dimopoulos Law Firm owner and lead attorney Steve Dimopoulos said in a statement.

‘Class action lawsuit’;

https://metro.co.uk/2023/11/18/f1-la...o=newsnow-feed

F1 fans tear down view-blocking screens during Las Vegas GP.
Formula 1 fans watching the Las Vegas Grand Prix tore down controversial track view-blocking screens along the public areas of the city’s famous Strip during the returning race, Motorsport.com has learned.
19th November 2023, 12:32
AUTHORAlex Kalinauckas
Motorsport.com

READER COMMENTS:

Liverian
Good! I have a local park which I walk through most days, take my kids to, etc. Every year they have an 'exclusive' event where they fence off the park, put barriers up and only allow access to people wealthy enough to enter - denying access to most local residents, so I fully support these fans tearing down the wealth divide screens!

BerthaDeCool
Overcharging for under-sold tickets then blocking a site or two where normal people/tourists can watch for free with no danger to themselves or the drivers.
And yet Liberty say they're trying to attract new fans?
The only (minimal) damage her is to the promoters' pocketbooks.

Vegas_Observer
Instead of F1, rename it to CF1 for Cluster F*** One. Next year they can call it CF2, the next CF3 and so forth. Months of road closures, employees need hrs to get to or from work for this? 3 days of racing? Just talked to a few friends who work on the strip. They actually made less money than a regular weekend. And the F1 clowns are going to put the locals thru this every yr for the next decade? Guess what happens next year when most of the employees call off.

‘Controversial track view-blocking screens’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...s-gp/10549048/


Fans are suing Formula 1 after being forced to leave grandstands in Las Vegas
NOVEMBER 19, 20232:44 PM ET
By Joe Hernandez
NPR

"We have all been to events, like concerts, games and even other Formula 1 races, that have been cancelled because of factors like weather or technical issues," F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and Las Vegas Grand Prix CEO Renee Wilm said in a statement. "It happens, and we hope people will understand," they added.

Not all of them did. A group of fans is now suing the Las Vegas Grand Prix and owner Liberty Media in a lawsuit seeking at least $30,000 in damages, The Associated Press reported. Neither the Dimopoulos Law Firm nor JK Legal & Consulting, who represent the plaintiffs, immediately responded to NPR's request for comment. Formula 1 gave attendees who held single-day tickets to Thursday's events a $200 voucher to the Las Vegas Grand Prix gift shop, journalist Chris Medland reported, while those who held three-day passes received nothing.

"It happens, and we hope people will understand," they added. Not all of them did’;

https://www.npr.org/2023/11/19/12140...gas-grand-prix


'Deprived of the experience': F1 fans file lawsuit over Las Vegas Grand Prix
Sunday 19 November 2023 at 10:03am
ITV

Organisers of the Las Vegas Grand Prix are facing a class action lawsuit following the chaos to the start of this weekend’s race on the strip.

Spectators who held a $200 general admission ticket for Thursday’s two practice sessions have since been offered a voucher for the same amount to be redeemed on merchandise. But those in attendance on a three-day pass – the cheapest of which cost $500 (£400) – will not receive any compensation.

On Friday, Nevada-based Dimopoulos Law Firm and co-counsel JK Legal & Consulting filed a lawsuit with the Nevada District Court seeking damages for the 35,000 paying spectators. “We will vindicate the rights of the fans that travelled great distances and paid small fortunes to attend, but were deprived of the experience,” said Dimopoulos Law Firm owner Steve Dimopoulos in a statement.

'Deprived of the experience';

https://www.itv.com/news/2023-11-19/...gas-grand-prix


Las Vegas Grand Prix: Formula One fans file class-action lawsuit
November 18, 2023 08:50 PM
by Associated Press
Washington Examiner

Formula One fans upset at being forced to leave the Las Vegas Grand Prix venue early Friday morning before the start of the second practice session filed a class-action lawsuit.

Las Vegas-based Dimopoulos Law Firm and co-counsel JK Legal & Consulting filed the lawsuit against the Las Vegas Grand Prix and its owner, Liberty Media, in Nevada state court seeking at least $30,000 in damages.

‘Formula One fans file class-action lawsuit’;

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/n...action-lawsuit


F1 and Las Vegas GP hit with lawsuit after opening-day shambles
Sunday 19th November, 2023 - 9:34am
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

Those fans in possession of a Thursday-only ticket, representing just six percent of those in attendance, were offered a $200 voucher to spend in an official store as compensation. Spectators with a three-day ticket were offered nothing. That has resulted in a Las Vegas law firm, Dimopoulos, with JK Legal & Consulting serving as co-counsel, filing a suit with the Nevada District Court on Friday on behalf of 35,000 fans who had purchased tickets for Thursday’s practice.

Five individuals have been named as plaintiffs in the suit against Liberty Media, owner and promoter of the Las Vegas GP, and TAB Contractors Inc., a company charged with track maintenance. The lawsuit, seeking $30,000 for each fan for ‘general’ and ‘special’ damages’ given associated travel and hotel expenditure, alleges breach of contract, negligence, and deceptive trade practices against the defendants.

Lead lawyer Steve Dimopoulos said: “We will vindicate the rights of the fans that travelled great distances and paid small fortunes to attend, but were deprived of the experience.” In response, when contacted by Speedcafe, a spokesperson for LVGP said: “We cannot comment on the litigation. Our focus is on ensuring that our fans have an entertaining experience in a safe and secure environment which is always our top priority.”

‘Opening-day shambles’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/11/19...gp-f1-lawsuit/


Verstappen tears into Las Vegas organisation after practice shambles
18 November 1:00PM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Max Verstappen is one of the most outspoken drivers in the history of Formula 1, maybe even the most, with his comments on the Las Vegas Grand Prix particularly strong, especially for the reigning World Champion.

He described the opening ceremony as making drivers look like "clowns" and also that the event was 99% for the show and just 1% sporting event. And that was even before the on-track shambles of FP1, and the embarrassment of FP2 when fans were evicted from grandstands at 01:30 local time as security and other staff had finished their shifts.

He described the track as boring - describing Monaco as something all tracks should aspire to. "This is the Eredivisie, while Monaco is the Champions League," he told media including RacingNews365, referring to the Dutch top-flight football league and the European Cup, respectively. "There's nothing wrong with the Eredivisie, by the way, but everyone wants to win the Champions League, right? How [the event is put together] and how it looks, there is nothing wrong with it, but [the Champions League] is top of course."

‘Verstappen tears into Las Vegas organisation’;

https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...-total-blamage


F1 a victim of its own hubris in latest Grand Prix debacle as Las Vegas shambles unfolds
17 Nov 2023 4:00 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com

Formula 1’s much-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix has got started in the worst possible circumstances – and it’s all entirely self-inflicted. F1’s return to Sin City sought to banish the demons of the past when the much-maligned Caesars Palace circuit held two races back in the early 1980s – the tiny car park track doing little to capture the imagination of the American public.

High on the swell of huge audience figures as American media company Liberty Media has helped push the sport into the consciousness of their home country, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is the first taken on with F1 itself as the organiser and promoter – dealing directly with the city of Las Vegas to incorporate some of the most iconic aesthetics of the city into the F1 track.

Having given itself an incredibly tight deadline to make the ‘inaugural’ Las Vegas Grand Prix happen in late 2023, fears about the readiness of the F1 track appeared to be allayed approaching the weekend as it became evident that, somehow, everything had been built in time.

‘F1 a victim of its own hubris’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-a-v...-vegas-debacle

Ferrari to discuss Sainz damage compensation ‘in private’ with F1.
Scuderia boss Fred Vasseur was left fuming by the situation and will seek compensation from Formula 1 – the promoter of the Las Vegas GP – for the costs incurred by the team due to the water valve incident.
20/11/2023 at 08:23
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

Just minutes into last Thursday’s opening session, Sainz ran over a loose water valve cover while running down the Strip. The car’s sheer energy threw up the valve cover’s concrete frame, which inflicted terminal damage to the Spaniard’s chassis but also to the SF-23’s power unit, control electronics and energy store.

The incident led to the cancellation of FP1 and to a thorough inspection of the track, with FP2 going ahead after a delay of several hours, with no spectators allowed in the grandstands which has led to a class action lawsuit being filed against the promoters of the Las Vegas GP on behalf of 35,000 single day ticket holders.

Adding insult to injury for Ferrari, Sainz – who qualified second behind teammate Charles Leclerc – was handed a 10-place grid penalty for taking on a new ES element as there are no provisions in the sporting regulations that allow the stewards to waive the sanction in a case of force majeure.

‘Fred Vasseur was left fuming’;

https://f1i.com/news/494401-ferrari-...e-with-f1.html


SAINZ ON HIS TRIUMPH OVER ‘THOSE WHO WANTED ME TO BE PENALISED’
After receiving a 10-place grid penalty, Carlos Sainz started in P12 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. His weekend didn't get much better after being involved in the turn one incident, having to battle tyre graining, and fighting his way through the field. The Ferrari driver came home in P6
November 20, 2023
Rhiannon Temporal
FormulaNerds

Carlos Sainz blames oil from the drivers’ parade for the turn one incident, but is “very happy” to finish above “those who wanted me to be penalised”

If there is one driver on the grid who will look back on the maiden Las Vegas Grand Prix with negative memories, it will be Carlos Sainz. First, the Ferrari driver received a 10-place grid penalty for taking a third energy store outside of his allocation. This was after he fell victim to a loose drain cover in free practice one.

The Scuderia tried to appeal for a ‘derogation of the Sporting Regulations’ but was denied, much to the chagrin of Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur. On race day, the Spanish driver started P12 on the grid after qualifying P2. But Sainz’s bad luck wouldn’t end there as he was involved in the turn one incident on the opening lap. However, Sainz was able to battle through the field to finish P6.

“Very happy” to finish above “those who wanted me to be penalised”;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/sa...-be-penalised/


Ferrari fury: Vasseur’s million-dollar outrage over Vegas damage
20th November 2023, 07:04
Andrew Maitland
Grandpx.news

n the aftermath of the Las Vegas GP, the saga of mishaps and misfortunes continues to unfold. Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s team boss, is at the center of a brewing storm, contemplating seeking compensation for an incident that significantly impacted Carlos Sainz’s race weekend and may have far-reaching financial repercussions for the team.

The controversy stems from a manhole cover incident that disrupted the opening day’s track action. This mishap not only caused the cancellation of track sessions but also led to the furious ejection of spectators from the venue. Compounding the issue, affected ticket-holders were offered a mere $200 voucher instead of a full refund, sparking a class-action lawsuit against race organisers and F1 owner Liberty Media.

The financial implications of the incident are staggering. The damage to Sainz’s Ferrari, including the race chassis, engine, battery, and gearbox, is estimated at around $1.5 million. This damage led to a ten-grid drop penalty for Sainz, adding to the team’s woes. Vasseur, expressing his frustration, said, “This will cost us a fortune.” The incident’s timing is particularly critical as it could affect Ferrari’s standing in the constructors’ championship, potentially costing them millions if Mercedes maintains its lead.

‘Vasseur’s million-dollar outrage’;

https://grandpx.news/ferrari-fury-va...-vegas-damage/


Sainz blames ‘unacceptable’ oil spill for opening corner carnage
Monday 20th November, 2023 - 9:55am
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe

In the minutes before the grand prix got underway, officials worked to clean up an oil spill on the left-hand side of the starting grid, a result of the classic cars used for the drivers’ parade. “I saw a lot of oil from the cars that we used to do the drivers’ parade, which is another thing for the FIA to look at,” Sainz observed.

“I think that it’s not fair. All the oil was on the inside line. Apart from the dirty track already being there, in front of all that we put cars that are leaking oil into the track one hour before the race. It is, again, unacceptable. That probably caused a lot of the crashes into Turn 1.”

‘Unacceptable oil spill for opening corner carnage’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/11/20...orner-carnage/


Vasseur blames 'worse case' timing for Leclerc loss
19 November 4:20PM
Author Rory Mitchell
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur believes the timing of the Safety Car during the Las Vegas Grand Prix made Charles Leclerc lose out on a potential win. The Monegasque had completed his pit stop four laps before it was brought out, due to debris on track after contact between Max Verstappen and George Russell on Lap 25 at Turn 12.

It was a 12th pole in a row Leclerc has failed to win from - but Vasseur was left ruing the timing of the deployment. "On our side it's a strange feeling when you do the pole position, you overtake three times the Red Bull and you finish P2. It's not usual," Vasseur told media, including RacingNews365.

"Also the timing of the Safety Car was the worst-case scenario for us, four laps after our pit-stop but it is what it is. Charles did a good job but I think even Carlos, if you consider the FP1 story plus the incident in Turn 1, he's P20 and he's coming back to P6."

‘Timing of the Safety Car’;

https://racingnews365.com/vasseur-bl...r-leclerc-loss


Ferrari want answers over red flag delay which led to “millions” in damage
Formula 1
Posted on 19th November 2023, 14:59
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham

Ferrari intend to have discussions about a claim for compensation over the damage done to Carlos Sainz Jnr’s car when he struck a loose water valve cover during first practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The team wants to know why the session was not immediately red-flagged when the broken cover was noticed. Team principal Frederic Vasseur said it caused “millions” in damage, in addition to causing Sainz to receive a 10-place grid penalty for using his third energy store of the season, exceeding the maximum allocation.

The incident occured eight minutes into the opening practice session at the new Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Yellow flags were displayed at the Strip before Sainz arrived at the broken cover. Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon and Fernando Alonso all passed through the area before Sainz arrived and hit the loose cover. At that point the session was still under yellow flags, and was only red-flagged after Sainz came to a stop.

Vasseur said the session should have been stopped more quickly. “The main issue for me on this case is that when you put the first yellow flag, it means that you saw something,” he said. “You don’t put the yellow flag by anticipation. It means that the guy who put the yellow flag – and the yellow flag obviously on my board, this is coming from the race control – it means they saw something and then took one minute before putting the red flag. When it’s a straight line and you have metallic parts and [drivers] are at 340kph.”

‘Ferrari want answers over red flag delay’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/11/19/...ons-in-damage/

Verstappen takes swipe at Las Vegas GP after INSULTING F1 decision.
…stating that he would 'tear the whole place down' if offered a $200 voucher instead of a refund.
Sunday 19 November 2023 20:42
Anna Malyon
GPFans

Instead of providing a refund, the Las Vegas Grand Prix announced that fans with single-day tickets would receive a $200 (£160) voucher to spend in the official shop. This sparked outrage, with even three-time world champion Verstappen criticising the decision, claiming that he would not tolerate such a situation.

"Then they make money from it too," said Verstappen to De Telegraaf. "Awesome! If I were a fan, I would tear the whole place down. This can't be true, can it?" Spectators waited for five hours before being told to leave from the circuit at 1:30 am, with fans speaking to Sky Sports F1 journalist Craig Slater, saying it was "disappointing."

"Ridiculous," said one fan. "We waited for four hours, and they gave us hope, they said yeah, we're going to have the race. Then nothing happened and now they're telling us to leave. We came from Los Angeles, we flew only for today," another fan added. "We spent the money for the airplane, the tickets for this [the race] and nothing. As of now, individuals with full weekend tickets will receive no compensation for the disrupted Friday, despite having paid hundreds or even thousands. “

'Tear the whole place down';

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...as-grand-prix/


Every word of Toto Wolff's furious Las Vegas GP rant as reporter argues "this is rubbish"
The suggestion that delays to practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix might be a "black eye" to Formula 1 ahead of its new glamour event did not go down well with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff
09:47 Fri, 17 Nov 2023.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

Toto Wolff lost his cool as he furiously clashed with reporters at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in a bad-tempered press conference. Asked if it was a "black eye" to Formula 1, the Austrian replied: "That is not a 'black eye' – this is nothing. We are [on] Thursday night, we have a free practice session one that we're not doing. They're going to seal the drain covers and nobody's going to talk about that tomorrow morning anymore."

At that point several journalists began mumbling among themselves in reaction to Wolff's answer. One went as far as to say aloud: "This is absolute rubbish, nine minutes of running." And Wolff appeared to hear that comment which led to him raising his voice and losing his temper, forcing Sky Sports to censor his foul language as they broadcast the full press conference.

"It's FP1 – how can you even dare trying to talk bad about an event that sets new standards to everything?" he raged. "You're speaking about a f***ing drain cover that's been undone, that has happened before. That's nothing – it's FP1. Give credit to the people that have set up this grand prix, that have made this sport much bigger than it ever was. Liberty has done an awesome job and just because in FP1 a drain cover has become undone, we shouldn't be moaning. The car is broken – that's really a shame. ForCarlos [Sainz], it could have been dangerous.”

‘Toto Wolff lost his cool’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...as-gp-31461405


Max Verstappen hits out at Toto Wolff: ‘I don’t expect anything less from him’
18 Nov 2023 11:45 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Max Verstappen says Toto Wolff would have changed his tune if it were his Mercedes car damaged in Las Vegas, following his rant at a journalist criticising the drain dramas that wrecked Carlos Sainz’s race weekend. Verstappen acknowledged that loose drains are not a new issue to crop up on a Formula 1 street track, though that does not mean grounds for criticism was not there.

And if it had happened to Mercedes, Verstappen said Wolff absolutely would have been up in arms on the opposite side of the fence. “That is true of course, that it happened before, but you’re supposed to learn from that,” Verstappen told Viaplay in response to Wolff’s rant. “You know that when you go to a street circuit, such things could cause problems. So you should be prepared for that.”

“And I think if it was his car, he would have spoken differently. But I don’t expect anything less from him. We would have been very angry too, like Ferrari. Absolutely, the entire car is ruined. Carlos also said that he didn’t feel his legs for a couple of seconds, so the accident could have been a lot worse.”

“If it had happened to Mercedes…”;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...drain-reaction


Wolff turns on F1 journalist in foul-mouthed ‘black eye’ rant.
Friday 17 November 2023 10:57
Cal Gaunt
GPFans

But Mercedes team principal Wolff has demanded that the organisers are given credit for their efforts rather than being criticised in the press.

"Have you ever spoken good of someone? Ever written a good word? You should about all these people that have been out here. Liberty has done an awesome job and just because in FP1 a drain cover has come undone, we shouldn't be moaning.”

His comments came in the same presser that saw Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur label the incident that led to FP1's abandonment 'unacceptable'.

"Have you ever spoken good of someone?”;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...in-cover-rant/


Toto Wolff digs up old graves as Mercedes boss makes cutting comment after Las Vegas GP
20:18 Sun, 19 Nov 2023.
By Liam Llewellyn
Daily and Sunday Express

Toto Wolff took a swipe at former race director Michael Masi after his controversial actions at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. On November 26 F1 will head to the Yas Marina Circuit for the final race of the season and it will be the last chance for teams to score some more points before another gruelling year comes to an end.

Wolff has not forgotten how Masi’s contentious decision in the latter stages of the race two years ago influenced the outcome and allowed Verstappen to win his first title. Speaking about heading to Abu Dhabi after Sunday’s Las Vegas GP, Wolff could not resist making some comments aimed at Masi indirectly.

“I think we’re going there pretty much equal on points. With a proper race director, so that should be fine," the Austrian told reporters. “Then let’s race. It’s all down to the last weekend. They are very quick and done a good job. I think we could have been on par today. But the result shows something different. To be honest, it’s good to have P2 as a positive to finish the season, but P2, P3 for me there is little… it doesn’t make me particularly cheerful anyway."

‘Toto Wolff digs up old graves’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...as-Vegas-GP-f1


JONATHAN MCEVOY: Toto Wolff's petulant meltdown will do nothing to win over hearts and minds in Sin City... as Formula One's American owners Liberty Media are put to the test
Published: 22:30, 17 November 2023
By Jonathan McEvoy for MailOnline
Mail Online

You would struggle to find more petulance from a professionally urbane charmer than Toto Wolff exhibited in his response to some pretty reasonable questions over what was quickly descending into the Las Vegas Grand Prix debacle.

Whereas world champion Max Verstappen could claim to have been vindicated in his verdict on Las Vegas’s evolving first dance in front of Sin City’s spectacular backdrop by calling it ‘99 per cent show and one per cent sport’, the Mercedes team principal demonstrated how hard and fast some of Formula One’s money men will run with the sport’s American owners, Liberty Media, come what may.

Yet Wolff, in contrast to Verstappen, was unconcerned by the unfolding mess of the practice sessions that had seen Sainz’s red car suck the manhole cover out of the tarmac at 198mph. Wolff’s high-handed dismissal of developments perhaps showed the pressure he is feeling at the ailing Mercedes team.

‘Toto Wolff's petulant meltdown’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rty-Media.html


F1 pundit makes concerning comment about Mercedes boss Toto Wolff after Las Vegas GP
Toto Wolff and Mercedes endured yet another tricky weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
13:54, Mon, Nov 20, 2023
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

IndyCar and NASCAR icon turned F1 pundit Danica Patrick has suggested that Toto Wolff looks “defeated” as Mercedes continue to struggle against the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren. Discussing the state of play at Mercedes with the Sky Sports F1 team, Patrick said: “They’ve got so much better throughout the year, but nothing to show for it. You can sense [that] Toto looked defeated, frustrated, tired maybe. Christian [Horner] was talking about the timing of this event.”

“It’s been a long year, everybody is wearing down. So I’m sure it’s feeling extra heavy to them now, especially when they have bad days. Especially when they get glimmers of hope.”

Things were looking up for the team after they introduced their critical new floor upgrade in time for the United States Grand Prix in Texas with Hamilton pushing Verstappen all the way that afternoon before his unfortunate disqualification, but Mercedes’ hopes of ending the season with a win unravelled in Brazil.

‘Toto Wolff looks “defeated” as Mercedes continue to struggle’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...1-Las-Vegas-GP

Vasseur fires Mercedes warning: 'We have the momentum'.
Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has laid down the gauntlet to Mercedes ahead of their season-finale battle for second place in the Constructors'.
20 November 4:00PM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Mercedes heads to Abu Dhabi on 392 points, just four ahead of Ferrari having seen its lead whittled down from 20 in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. It follows a trend of Ferrari gradually eating into Mercedes' lead over recent races, with Mercedes scoring 44 points since the United States GP, with Ferrari on 66 over the same period.

In 2022, Ferrari edged Mercedes in the battle for runner-up behind Red Bull, with boss Vasseur believing the Maranello squad has all the momentum with its SF-23 machine over the W14. "If you consider that we were 60 points them a few races ago, we are on a good path," Vasseur told media including RacingNews365.

"But Abu Dhabi will be a different story, four points is nothing or a lot”;

https://racingnews365.com/vasseur-fi...e-the-momentum


Mercedes ready for Abu Dhabi showdown with Ferrari: ‘Let’s race!’
20/11/2023 at 09:52
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Mercedes and Ferrari are only separated by four points ahead of F1’s season finale next weekend in Abu Dhabi, but Toto Wolff is looking forward to his team’s showdown with the Scuderia. "Lewis got hit twice and George had a mistake. That race summarises our season," rued a frustrated Wolff.

"A quick car that is able to fight for a podium. Lewis was doing [Charles] Leclerc’s times as well in free air. But then obviously he was involved in two accidents, and then George with Max, [so] you can’t win, you can’t be in the front."

Let’s race!’;

https://f1i.com/news/494407-mercedes...lets-race.html


Horner: Ferrari in ‘no man’s land’ with Vegas GP Safety Car
12:09 Mon, 20 Nov 2023.
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has sympathised with Ferrari for ending up in “no man’s land” when the Safety Car was deployed during the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur admitted the side didn’t even contemplate pitting Leclerc under the second Safety Car – a decision which Horner could understand.

Asked if Ferrari could have won if they replicated Red Bull’s strategy by stopping under the Safety Car, Horner said: “It’s very difficult for them to, you know, when you look at them, they’d been on the Hard tyre five laps at that point. To stop again for another new tyre after five laps, you can understand they’re a little bit in no man’s land.”

‘Ferrari in no man’s land’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...gp-safety-car/


Leclerc bemoans Las Vegas safety car as he felt ‘the win was ours’
Tuesday 21st November, 2023 - 3:37pm
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

Charles Leclerc was left with “mixed emotions” following a Las Vegas Grand Prix in which he felt the introduction of a safety car wrecked his victory bid, only to grab the runner-up spot at the death with a late-race pass on Sergio Perez. Following the race, Leclerc conceded to “mixed emotions”, adding: “On one hand, I’m extremely happy with the performance. We didn’t leave anything on the table. Until the last corner of the last lap, I gave it my all and managed to get that second place.”

“On the other hand, I’m obviously disappointed because I really believe that without the safety car, the win was ours, because we had a really good first stint on the medium and the hard was five laps newer than Max. I had a good four, five laps in order to bring them up to temperature, and we did a really good job on that, so I was really confident the win was ours.”

“But, unfortunately, there was the safety car. Max and Checo stopped and I stayed out on my five-lap used hard, which was not too much, five laps. But the problem is that when they cool down behind a safety car, to then restart a used tyre is incredibly difficult with those temperatures, and there we lost the race. But the last part of the race was extremely fun. That gave me a lot of adrenaline inside the car, and I really enjoyed it.”

‘The win was ours’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/11/21...gp-safety-car/


Perez: Leclerc 'got me back for Turkey 2020' with late overtake
20 November 6:20PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

Sergio Perez joked that Charles Leclerc 'got me back' following the Las Vegas Grand Prix with his final lap overtake. The Mexican managed to achieve his goal set by the team of finishing second in the Drivers' Championship, sealing a historic one-two for Red Bull with his third place, but was passed by Leclerc three corners from home with a lunge at the end of the Strip.

Leclerc pulled nearly 7G in braking deceleration force in the move, with Perez falling from the lead to third over Max Verstappen passed the duo. Perez felt the move was 'payback' over a late move in the low-grip/wet conditions of the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, and that he did have a chance to win the race.

‘Nearly 7G in braking deceleration force’;

https://racingnews365.com/perez-on-d...om-turkey-2020


Martin Brundle demands F1 rule change in Sky Sports pundit's verdict on unjust penalty
Former Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle was in the United States to watch the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix unfold as part of his role as a pundit for Sky Sports
• 19:22, 20 Nov 2023
By Tom Blow Sports Writer
The Mirror.

Martin Brundle believes Formula 1's stewards should be allowed to use their common sense after Carlos Sainz was handed a 10-place penalty at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Sainz was punished after a loose metal cover on the track surface smashed into the floor of his Ferrari during a practice session on Friday. The freak incident caused significant damage to the car's engine, energy store, control electronics and survival cell.

Ferrari were forced to change the energy store, but that wasn't permitted. Considering the damage was the result of a track error, Ferrari asked for a derogation of the sporting regulations. Yet the stewarding panel insisted these regulations "must be applied".

Sainz was understandably furious with the panel's decision, with Ferrari's team chief Fred Vasseur calling it "unacceptable". Brundle has plenty of sympathy and believes F1's rules must be changed to allow common sense to be used when applicable.

‘Formula 1's stewards should be allowed to use their common sense’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...rrari-31486796

'F1 disaster': Las Vegas locals say elite race was no economic boost.
“We call it the F1 disaster,” Bohn said. “It has affected my business with all the construction. Over the last year, I am down over $3 million in sales.”
Posted at 1:56 PM, Nov 21, 2023
By: Jaewon Jung
KJRH-TV

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix race is now in our rearview mirror. However, some locals still deal with ripple effects from the event and its preparations.

This includes Wade Bohn, the owner of Jay’s Market on Flamingo Road and Koval Lane. It’s adjacent to the temporary bridge built to control traffic from the F1 construction, but there are talks about making this bridge permanent. According to Bohn, the store lost more in revenue during the last year than during the pandemic.

He’s even had to cut his staff from 12 employees to 5. Bohn said if F1 has the same impact on his business next year, he may have to close shop. “Everything bypasses me on Flamingo,” he said. “My customer count runs about 550 a day where it used to be somewhere between 2 to 3 thousand.”

“We call it the F1 disaster”;

https://www.kjrh.com/f1-disaster-las...economic-boost


Coulthard: F1 chiefs likely annoyed by Verstappen criticism
21/11/2023 at 18:47
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

David Coulthard thinks that Formula 1’s top brass was likely angered by Max Verstappen’s scathing criticism last week of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Speaking to Channel 4 last weekend in Las Vegas, Coulthard suggested that Formula 1 probably wished it could put a gag order on Verstappen.


“Of course, they won’t like it”, Coultard said. “They will just think about bottom-line investment. They are cold, hard business people, at the end of the day. One shoe doesn’t fit all. If Max fits into the grumpy, 85-year-old ‘freaky Friday’ - if that’s who his character is, then be true to yourself.”

Asked if Red Bull team boss Christian Horner might have intervened and asked his driver to adhere to the guidelines, Coulthard replied: “Yes, I’m sure he would have had that conversation. But Max believes in freedom of speech.” Indeed, the 26-year-old bold racer is very much his own man when it comes to expressing his thoughts and opinions.

‘F1 chiefs likely annoyed by Verstappen criticism’;

https://f1i.com/news/494526-coulthar...criticism.html


Christian Horner’s F1 demand in X-rated Las Vegas Grand Prix assessment
21 Nov 2023 8:00 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

Christian Horner believes everyone is leaving Las Vegas “slightly f***ed” after the inaugural race on the world famous Strip. Especially after the events of Thursday, team personnel were asked to work until 6AM in the morning before trying to sleep during the day. Horner suggested that needs changing, even if it meant cutting off the European audience.

“It’s been a big event and, like in anything, there’ll be a bit of a debrief to go through what was good and what needs a bit of polishing,” Horner said. “When you look at the interest there has been in this race, it has been phenomenal. As a first event, of course, there are going to be many lessons to learn.”

“I think one of the things we look at is the running schedule because it’s been brutal for the team, and all the men and women behind the scenes. I think everybody’s leaving Vegas slightly f**ked.

‘X-rated Las Vegas Grand Prix assessment’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/christ...rix-assessment


F1 drivers call for time change for Las Vegas Grand Prix
11.21.2023
SportsBusiness Daily

F1 drivers have requested that the timing of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, from qualifying, the race and where it falls in the calendar, “be amended for next year,” according to Rebecca Clancy of the London TIMES. The race was held at 10pm PT on Saturday, which "worked well for the casinos, with their support essential if the circuit was to include the famous Strip."

For the Vegas race, the drivers were sent out at 2:30am for another 90 minutes for practice Friday, with many “feeling jaded.” George Russell admitted to four naps and he was "not alone in being tired." Daniel Ricciardo said that the 4am finish had left people “delirious.” The schedule was "simply too late."

‘F1 drivers call for time change’;

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.co...tionSource=sbd


Hundreds of celebs, a $500MILLION spend... and one loose drain cover that threatened to scupper it all! Inside the world's most expensive F1 event EVER in Las Vegas - and why it could turn out to be the best race on the calendar
Published: 17:00, 21 November 2023
By Ben Nagle For Dailymail.Com
Mail Online

While the entertainment capital of the world is buzzing with tourists, it has not been plain sailing for the locals, with one taxi driver telling DailyMail.com that they have endured six months of disruption and road closures as the city got itself ready for this three-day event. 'My prediction is that they'll only do one year, and never come back,' he tells me. In reality, like it or lump it, Formula One is here for the long haul.

Eight minutes was all it took. Eight minutes for the entire race weekend to be thrown into jeopardy... and all because of a loose drain cover on Las Vegas Boulevard. It had all turned into a bit of a mess, and it could be an expensive one too, with a class action lawsuit soon filed on behalf of the 35,000 fans that were turfed out. The next morning, a statement was released by the CEOs of F1 and the Vegas GP. It was 649 words, but 'sorry' wasn't one.

‘Hundreds of celebs, a $500MILLION spend... and one loose drain cover that threatened to scupper it all!’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...Las-Vegas.html


‘No fun’ or ‘fun’? ‘Solid’ or ‘sketchy’? Drivers’ verdicts on the Las Vegas F1 track
Formula 1
Posted on 21st November 2023, 16:59
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans

Was the Las Vegas Strip Circuit a simplistic course designed to encourage DRS passes? Or a surprisingly challenging and thrillingly fast street track? The venue for the first Las Vegas Grand Prix provoked different responses from the drivers, partly coloured by how successful they were or how well their cars suited the layout.

Before the race many had been concerned the track wouldn’t be very challenging to drive and that despite its many long straights overtaking would prove difficult as the surface lacked grip and the DRS would not be very powerful.

After the grand prix some of those views had changed. Most drivers found overtaking was possible, perhaps partly due to the extension of the DRS zone on the Strip before final practice. Concerns over the lack of grip remained, however, and a few drivers had specific ideas on how to improve the layout.

‘No fun’ or ‘fun’?;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/11/21/...egas-f1-track/

Huge financial implications and F1 careers on the line in Abu Dhabi finale.
There’s a huge amount to play for heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, with teams desperate to fight for every point come Sunday.
22 Nov 2023 6:00 AM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

The tight fight for ‘Best of the Rest’ behind Red Bull. “The one that I might be proud of is getting second for the team, just knowing how hard everyone’s worked back at the factory,” Hamilton told Channel 4. It’s been a tough two years for everybody, but the fact that we are fighting for second in the Championship is pretty amazing to recover in that way.”

The P7 Constructors’ fight will end – with huge financial implications. At the lower end of the standings, the good thing to see is that there has been no out-and-out backmarker all season long, making qualifying unpredictable and the racing exciting.
The in-house driver battles at Ferrari and Alpine still need a winner. Sainz and Leclerc have already had a mention earlier on, but the closeness of their battle in the Drivers’ standings has gone somewhat under the radar this season – with the Spaniard 12 points ahead of Leclerc heading into the final round.

A final opportunity for teams and drivers to get leave 2023 with silverware. Could a surprise be sprung or will the Red Bull/Verstappen juggernaut roll on one last time with one of the most dominant combinations in Formula 1 history? There’s only one way to find out.
One last chance to impress for Logan Sargeant. Only one seat remains unconfirmed for the 2024 grid and Logan Sargeant did his chances the world of good by qualifying a career-best P6 in Las Vegas last time out.

‘Huge financial implications and F1 careers on the line’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/abu-dh...f1-2023-season


What’s left to play for in F1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale?
21 Nov 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

Mercedes v Ferrari down to the wire. Can Mercedes hold off a resurgent Ferrari at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the battle to secure runner-up spot in F1 2023? With the drivers’ and constructors’ world championship titles both sorted, the biggest score left to settle in 2023 is the battle for second place behind Red Bull.

The battle for P4. While the championship top-three may already be cemented, there is a fascinating fight behind over fourth place in the drivers’ standings.
Millions at stake at the bottom. An important scrap is raging towards the bottom of the constructors’ championship, with four teams involved.

Mercedes' last chance to avoid unwanted stat. Abu Dhabi will provide Mercedes with their final chance to stand on the top step of the podium and avoid a winless season. Remarkably, Mercedes last endured a season without a single victory in 2011.

‘What’s left to play for’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/feature/104...-season-finale


Verstappen can break ANOTHER F1 record at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Tuesday 21 November 2023 17:57
Sam Cook
GPFans

Max Verstappen's record-breaking 2023 could still get better at the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as he looks to seal the record for the percentage of laps led in a single season.
Whilst the dominant Dutchman will have his eyes firmly set on the chance of overtaking Sebastian Vettel and having third place to himself on the list of all-time race winners, he may inadvertedly set the bar extremely high for another all-time achievement.

Having already sealed a hatful of records throughout the course of 2023 – arguably the most impressive of which being the amount of consecutive race wins – Verstappen is currently ahead of Jim Clark's lead lap percentage record heading into the final race in Abu Dhabi. The Red Bull man has, so far, led 75.06 per cent of all laps in 2023, a staggering statistic considering this has been a 22 race season.

‘Verstappen can break ANOTHER F1 record’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...cord-laps-led/


Mercedes boss Toto Wolff's Ferrari comment speaks volumes ahead of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff previewed the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the Silver Arrows' battle with Ferrari.
19:29, Tue, Nov 21, 2023
By Jack McEachen
Daily and Sunday Express

Mercedes lead Ferrari by just four points and all is still to play for in the United Arab Emirates. However, after leading his team to five consecutive double world championships - the only principal in history to do so - Wolff has played down the race for second and instead wants to be fighting for titles again.

“I think we’re going there on pretty much equal points [with Ferrari]... then let’s race,” said Wolff. “It’s all down to the last weekend. They are very quick, they’ve done a good job. I think we could have been on par today but the result shows something different, so let’s race.”

"To be honest, it’s good to have P2 as a positive to finish the season, but P2, P3 for me, there is little… it doesn’t make me particularly cheery anyway. How do you say – it doesn’t make [this year] better for me.”

‘Speaks volumes’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...i-Abu-Dhabi-GP


F1 champion makes alarming Mercedes prediction for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Tuesday 21 November 2023 18:57
Tyler Foster
GPFans

Button favours Ferrari in Abu Dhabi. Last year, Ferrari enjoyed a better weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit than Mercedes and the 2009 drivers’ champion has tipped the team to once again show their speed in the desert.

“[Abu Dhabi] is another circuit with long straights and 90-degree corners,” Button said. “It’s going to be similar, the Ferrari [cars] will be competitive there."

Based on recent form, Ferrari certainly have the upper-hand over their German rivals. They will have to overcome a four-point deficit, but will be victorious in the case of a tie due to Carlos Sainz’s earlier win in Singapore.

‘Button favours Ferrari’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...bi-grand-prix/

F1 pundit Patrick SLAMMED for 'out of touch' Las Vegas GP ticket suggestion.
Danica Patrick has been labelled 'out of touch' after suggesting fans who only saw nine minutes of action at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Thursday night should buy tickets for the whole weekend next year.
Saturday 18 November 2023 18:27
Cal Gaunt
GPFans

And it didn't take long for fans to take to social media to express their dismay at Patrick's suggestion.
Danica Patrick is out of touch with the reality of this situation. Aye people go to Vegas to experience Vegas but they don’t pay money for an event to miss out on it because of logistical issues that should have been considered beforehand. Poor opinion.
— Ezio Auditore (@JessOcarroll) November 18, 2023
Danica talking about the £200 dollar compensation is madness. ‘Maybe that will drive them to buy a full weekend ticket’ �� madness those people paid hundreds if not thousands of dollars #f1lasvegas
— Jamie Mizen (@JamieMizen) November 18, 2023
@SkySportsF1 Danica a real let them eat cake take on the fans being upset with not getting to see any cars on track yesterday.

Of course, the fans should have known that the #LVGP was meant to not be about the cars but the other things going on in Las Vegas that you cant get to
— Dave (@Boxhead_31) November 18, 2023
Is this Danica woman for real. People spent $1000's to see racing which didn't happen, then when it did they were kicked out. She says it will encourage them to buy weekend tickets next year and"let's face it, there's plenty to do in Vegas" So don't complain people. #F1Vegas
— Lynsey Collins (@forfeksakes) November 18, 2023

‘Danica a real let them eat cake take’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...et-suggestion/


DANICA PATRICK FACES BACKLASH FOR LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX FAN REMARKS
Danica Patrick faces criticism for urging fans who witnessed just nine minutes of action at the Las Vegas Grand Prix to purchase full weekend tickets next year
November 19, 2023
Theo Gayle
FormulaNerds

Sky Sports presenter and former racing car driver, Danica Patrick, has stirred controversy by suggesting that fans who saw just nine minutes of the action at the Las Vegas Grand Prix should consider purchasing tickets for the entire weekend next year.

BigRu: “Danica speaks frankly but since she hasn’t been on the same $$$$ level as many fans for many years I’m sure she has no idea where they are coming from. It’s called being grounded. Sorry Danica that’s the way it is.”

Dan: “Get rid of Danica.”
Bailey Dog Racing: “She needs to keep her trap shut, her last four or so comments were unnecessary, especially about Truex, when is she gonna learn to leave it alone, fans of what are or or were real racers have more than once recommended she just keep out of others business both on and off the track.”

‘BACKLASH’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/f1...x-fan-remarks/


Las Vegas business owners hit out at F1 as race weekend impact felt
Some local businesses in Las Vegas are far from pleased with F1, with this weekend's race keeping customers away
16:10, Fri, Nov 17, 2023
By Joshua Mbu
Daily and Sunday Express

There has been a number of issues off the track surrounding the event's construction and it appears to be hitting local business hard. The owner of Battista’s Hole in the Wall, Randy Markin, says his business has lost hundreds of customers a night as a result of the F1 race and its exclusionary construction, which has made it difficult for visitors to navigate their way around the city.

“We have at least 100 cancellations every night. It’s always the same line, people call up and say, ‘I’m really sorry, I can’t get there. Cabs won’t take us and car services won’t take us,’” he told FOX5. Markin, who is also the General Manager of Stage Door Casino on Linq Lane, revealed the losses the Casino has taken in a short time. “At Stage Door, we’re down a million and a half dollars in sales and that has really hurt my employees,” said Markin.

Popular AYCE seafood buffet was also pictured dead, with zero lines and zero customers. "When they add up the economic benefits of F1, we trust they’ll deduct losses at off-Strip casinos like Palms. Popular AYCE seafood buffet has zero customers, zero line. Bonus: Ask shows how many millions they’re losing over the next few days," a Las Vegas travel source page on X said.

‘Hitting local business hard’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...er-hits-out-F1


Las Vegas Grand Prix windfall? Not for these small businesses.
Despite some of the biggest businesses touting a successful Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, many owners of small businesses near the Strip have mixed feelings.
November 21, 2023 - 11:54 am
Las Vegas Review-Journal

Management at Jjanga Sushi and Oyster Bar, located just outside the racetrack on Flamingo Road near Koval Lane, said they were significantly impacted by the road closures and construction-related traffic in the months leading up to the race. They still prepared for big crowds last weekend by increasing staffing, creating new menus and shifting operations to align with the event times.

“But the reality of the weekend did not match our expectations,” manager Mike Shoro said. “We had issues with people parking in our shared plaza lot and then walking to F1, choosing not to frequent our business or one of our neighbors. It is what it is.”

Amanda Reber, a shift supervisor for the Strip Liquor store, called the weekend a “bust,” even though the store sits in the Gold Key Shops just north of Wynn Las Vegas and within walking distance of the racetrack. “We didn’t see any of the revenue that was brought for Formula One,” Reber said. “They talked a big game, but we didn’t see any of it.”

‘Mixed feelings’;

https://www.reviewjournal.com/busine...esses-2943941/


Max Verstappen moans supported by McLaren boss as key figures demand F1 changes
Max Verstappen's latest complaints are garnering support with F1 bosses facing pressure to make a change.
14:11, Wed, Nov 22, 2023
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has become the latest major F1 figure to question the show and glamour around the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Max Verstappen has been leading the charge for change with the reigning world champion extremely frustrated over the extra-curricular activities bestowed upon him in Sin City.

Stella has now offered his suggestions regarding how the Las Vegas GP organisers could improve the event, stating: “I think the timetable is very challenging. It's very challenging for the staff, and it's very challenging for everyone, so ideally this is also a matter that can be reviewed. And, what I could say [also] is that it was a stretch, it was taken to the limit, in terms of the spectacle, in terms of the entertainment and the show.”

“I think it's good to some extent because I'm sure it was enjoyed. But we just have to ask ourselves whether that's just going a little too far. Certainly the point of involving drivers we support 100% because the drivers are the engine of the popularity of the sport and the success of the sport. But at the same time, what I could see is that for the drivers as well, it's been a very busy weekend.”

‘McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has become the latest major F1 figure to question the show’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...pen-McLaren-F1

Lewis Hamilton has already made feelings clear on Nico Rosberg's Mercedes comments.
Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are back on the collision course - this time away from the track - as the pair share their differing views on Mercedes' chances of closing the gap on Red Bull.
06:50, Thu, Nov 23, 2023
By Joe Krishnan
Daily and Sunday Express

The former team-mates became accustomed to clashing with each other as they fought for the title, but with Hamilton still racing and Rosberg now working as a pundit, they are still likely to disagree on the German manufacturer's chances of success in the near future.

Rosberg, who won the world championship in 2016, believes there are signs that the team are making vast improvements. "We've seen flashes of brilliance from the Mercedes team just recently. They lack consistency. But look at Austin. They were challenging for the win there and actually had the fastest car over the weekend," Rosberg told the Daily Mail.

"I believe in Mercedes' ability because I was there. I know how strong they are. It's always still the same people," said Rosberg. "So certainly there is a chance that Hamilton could once again fight for the championship next year." Hamilton would likely beg to differ. Whether or not it is an attempt to conceal Mercedes' pace after visiting the factory a few months ago, in public, Hamilton has remained cautious when referring to their chances of closing the gap on Red Bull next year.

‘Collision course’;

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


Christian Horner drops bombshell revelation that Lewis Hamilton “reached out” over Red Bull move
22 Nov 2023
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net

Christian Horner has remarkably claimed that Lewis Hamilton “reached out” this year about a switch to Red Bull. Horner told the Daily Mail: “We have had several conversations over the years about Lewis joining. They have reached out a few times. Most recently, earlier in the year, there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest.”

“'But I can't see Max and Lewis working out together. The dynamic wouldn't be right. We are 100 per cent happy with what we have.” Horner also insisted that Hamilton held talks with the Ferrari chairman.

“He met John Elkann, too. I think there were serious talks,” Horner said. “'It was around Monaco (in May). There were definitely conversations, perhaps with Vasseur, too. But certainly with Elkann.”

‘Bombshell revelation’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104161...-red-bull-move


‘Still’: Rosberg explains ‘problem’ facing Hamilton and Mercedes to win 2024 F1 title
Nico Rosberg has explained the ‘problem’ still facing Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes as they strive to beat Max Verstappen and Red Bull to the Formula 1 drivers’ title in 2024.
Wed 22 November 2023 09:00
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

It has been a Red Bull whitewash in 2023 as Verstappen ran clear of the grid to take his third successive drivers’ title. The 26-year-old has won 18 of the 21 Grand Prix so far this year. He has also won 16 of the last 17, including each of the past six, with a run starting back in May. Hamilton has now failed to win in 44 consecutive F1 Grand Prix.

Mercedes are still playing catch-up to Red Bull after pursuing the wrong concept at the start of Formula 1’s latest ground effect era in 2022. The Silver Arrows ultimately ditched the no-sidepod idea this year. But their change in concept was too late for Hamilton’s title chances.

“We’ve seen flashes of brilliance from the Mercedes team just recently,” Rosberg has told the Daily Mail. “They lack consistency. But look at Austin. They were challenging for the win there and actually had the fastest car over the weekend. “So, we’ve seen that they’re starting to understand the car and they just have the problem that you still lack consistency. They still lack in straight line performance but they are starting to understand all that.

‘Still!’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/nic...2024-f1-title/


Rosberg predicts: 'Hamilton will fight for the world title next year'
22 November 7:30AM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

Mercedes was once the dominant juggernaut of Formula 1, but now they are struggling to finish on the podium. While times might look tough for the Silver Arrows, former driver Nico Rosberg believes it will not be long before they challenge for titles again. In two Formula 1 seasons Mercedes has taken just one victory: The 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix with George Russell. You would have to go further back to the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to come across Lewis Hamilton's last win with the team, a staggering amount of time considering they were once the juggernauts of F1.

"I believe in Mercedes ability because I was there. I know how strong they are. It's always still the same people," said Rosberg. "So certainly there is a chance that Hamilton could once again fight for the championship next year."

When asked if he would be happy if his former teammate took an eighth title, Rosberg replied: "I would be happy if Mercedes won, because that's kind of my racing family from the past. But then Lewis, I'm neutral there. I just would like a great fight for the championship, and may the best driver win. But I'm not biased in that sense, obviously."

‘Mercedes was once the dominant juggernaut of Formula 1’;

https://racingnews365.com/rosberg-pr...itle-next-year


Lewis Hamilton's 2024 hopes hang in balance as Toto Wolff makes huge Mercedes F1 change
16:42 Mon, 06 Nov 2023.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

Toto Wolff declared Mercedes will start their 2024 car plans from scratch after the team's lowest moment in its history. Wolff knows there is more wrong with their cars than just the rear wings and is planning a total overhaul. He declared after the Interlagos race: "A lot of change [is needed]. We need a different car next year. And today proves that is the right thing to do.”

“That is performance but it is not the explanation for a total off-weekend. This car, the development of this car, has been more plasters we put on something not right, and it shows that it is so unpredictable that it can swing either side." An upgrade introduced two weeks ago at the United States Grand Prix appeared to have made a big difference as Hamilton finished second in Austin, before being disqualified, and repeated the trick a week later in Mexico City – and that result was allowed to stand.

‘2024 hopes hang in balance’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...-hang-31375174

‘Mighty drive’: Martin Brundle hails 25-year-old driver who was simply fantastic in Las Vegas…
Martin Brundle has highlighted how just good Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll was last weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Tue 21 November 2023 20:00
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Brundle was writing about the latest new race on the Formula 1 calendar that has already become one of the most unique destinations in the sport’s history.

Speaking about the 25-year-old, Brundle said: “Lance Stroll had a mighty race for Aston Martin to claim fifth from 19th on the grid, and Sainz recovered from his grid penalty and running last on lap one to sixth at the flag.”

Unless Gasly or Ocon can finish on the podium in Abu Dhabi, Stroll will finish in the top ten of the Drivers’ Championship for the first time in his career. He needs to finish eighth or above to break his point record for one season as well and the fact he’s in that position is thanks to his late form.

‘Mighty drive’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mig...-last-weekend/


Aston Martin explain ‘key’ behind Stroll’s Vegas GP comeback
17:08 Tue, 21 Nov 2023
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack believes saving two sets of the Hard tyre for the Las Vegas Grand Prix was the “key” to Lance Stroll’s comeback in the race. “It was a good race but it was also a good race two weeks ago,” Krack said in reference to Stroll’s climb. “Yeah, it was quite good.

“I think the key today was to have a good understanding of the tyres and the strategy. It was always the plan to do something we did there. Now obviously there was a bit of luck involved in the beginning to make a lot of positions.”

“But I think all in all, the key today when you look at who had how many Hards left and who didn’t, I think you see in the ranking that the one-stop did not work with the exception of Esteban [Ocon]. I think everybody who did not have two [Hards] went out with one.”

‘The key today’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...s-gp-comeback/


Aston Martin not focused on McLaren in F1 Abu Dhabi finale
17:36 Tue, 21 Nov 2023.
AUTHORAdam Cooper
Motorsport.com

Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack insisted that the Silverstone outfit won’t be focused on its battle with McLaren at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekennd.

sked if the team will focus its strategy on beating McLaren, Krack said it simply has to get the best results it can. “For me, it doesn't change anything, compared to two or three races ago,” he said. “We can only influence what we do ourselves.”

“The first bit is we have to have a fast car in Abu Dhabi, because we are behind. So it's something that we are not on the defence, we have to go flat out, and then we see. We have to do the best possible, and then we see what is the result.”

‘We have to go flat out’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a...nale/10549705/


Aston Martin to continue F1 car experiments in Abu Dhabi
08:02 Wed, 22 Nov 2023.
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Aston Martin has confirmed it will continue experimenting with its 2023 Formula 1 car during this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the subsequent one-day test. Despite Lance Stroll recovering from a torrid run of form to record successive fifth-place finishes, Krack asserts that Aston Martin isn’t on top of its recent problems yet.

“We were not lost before,” Krack contended regarding Aston Martin’s mid-season slump. “I think it would be arrogant to say we are on top of everything. I said many times the cars are very complex and I think there is a lot to learn still from us. I will not say that we are on top of everything, but we have learned a lot from this year.” He added: “Everything that you learned, you have to take into the new car.”

‘Continue experimenting’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...-in-abu-dhabi/


Alonso issues brutal assessment of Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit
Tuesday 21 November 2023 11:57
Edward Hardy
GPFans

Fernando Alonso has claimed that the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit was not built for modern for Formula 1 cars. Despite the return of F1 to Las Vegas for the first time since the 1980s, Alonso expressed dissatisfaction with the suitability of the current crop of F1 cars for the track.

Alonso's critique focused on the challenging nature of the track, comparing it to the other venues on the F1 calendar. "There is not much fun to drive at this kind of circuits, at 360kph, with no grip, no visibility, and bouncing like hell," he said.

‘Brutal assessment’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-aston-martin/


Alonso ranks ‘unthinkable’ 2023 F1 season his best alongside 2012
23rd November 2023, 11:29
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Fernando Alonso believes his performance throughout an “unthinkable” 2023 campaign for Aston Martin ranks alongside 2012 as his greatest season in Formula 1.

“I’m happy with the personal performance,” Alonso said ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. “I think together with 2012 is the best season for me personally.

“I rate the best season in my driving and I was happy with everything. I was motivated, I was fit, I was performing in difficult conditions sometimes.”

“Unthinkable” 2023 campaign for Aston Martin’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...longside-2012/


Alonso: Low grip levels of Las Vegas track a ‘danger factor’
21/11/2023 at 08:21
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

While ambient temperatures during the Las Vegas weekend never dipped into the single digits as feared, next season’s round of racing in Sin City will take place two weeks later on F1’s schedule. “It was okay. The only thing was the level of grip, which is extremely low,” he said when asked to describe his evening.

“I know it’s the same for everybody but on a street circuit sometimes there is a danger factor. It seemed like we were running in half-dry, half-wet conditions, and on a street circuit, it’s a little bit strange.”

“These cars are made to go in Suzuka, Barcelona, at Silverstone, and to maximise Formula 1’s potential. So we need to balance the championship, balance the calendar. I think that’s what we are doing, but I don’t think this is the only way to go. We need to keep some traditional races as well, where a Formula 1 car can shine.”

‘Danger factor’;

https://f1i.com/news/494483-alonso-l...er-factor.html

McLaren battle Aston Martin at Abu Dhabi GP: Who wins at Yas Marina?
McLaren lead Aston Martin by 11 points in the constructors' championship heading into the 2023 Abu Dhabi GP
November 23, 2023
By Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Oscar Piastri believes that McLaren will bounce back to form after a tough 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix to secure third place in the constructors’ championship ahead of Aston Martin at the Abu Dhabi GP. McLaren qualified 16th and 19th in Las Vegas and only managed to score two points as Piastri finished 10th with the fastest lap, whilst Lando Norris crashed out of the race on the second lap.

The long straights exposed the MCL60‘s weakness with drag and aerodynamic efficiency. “I think definitely I think we’ve got the pace to be able to do it [beat Aston Martin],” Piastri said to media. “I think the sentiment is quite similar to what George [Russell] was saying that if we go out and do what we’re capable of and what the car’s potential is, then we should be okay.”

“But we’ve still got to go out there and do our job to get the most out of what we’ve got. Hopefully we can be quick, fighting well and truly at the front end and then the result will take care of itself.”

‘McLaren lead Aston Martin by 11 points’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...ns-yas-marina/


Norris provides condition update after Las Vegas crash
23 November 3:45PM
Author Fergal Walsh
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Lando Norris has insisted that he was “never that bad” physically following his crash at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Norris hit the barrier at Turn 12 early on in the race to bring his event to an early end. The McLaren driver appeared to be in distress over the team radio after the incident and was brought to the medical facility at the track before being transported to a nearby hospital.

All of the checks were precautionary and Norris was soon released from the hospital. The non-finish in Las Vegas marked Norris' first this year and dented his strong form, having scored five podiums in the previous six races. Norris will be back in the car this weekend in Abu Dhabi for the final round of the season and insisted there are no overhanging issues.

“Honestly, I was never bad,” Norris told media including RacingNews365.com. “They just wanted to do a lot of checkups and stuff, kind of the new normal nowadays it seems. But it was fine. “I was winded, just what you heard on the radio and stuff when I had the impact. I breathed in or out at the wrong time and it just kind of caught me off guard a little bit. It happened quite quickly, it was still a decent impact. But I was fine. I never struggled with anything.”

‘Condition update’;

https://racingnews365.com/norris-pro...as-vegas-crash


Lando Norris in awkward Ted Kravitz moment as F1 star asks 'what am I meant to say'
Lando Norris and Ted Kravitz were caught up in an awkward interview moment ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
13:26, Thu, Nov 23, 2023
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

Greeting the McLaren driver in the media pen, Kravitz said: "Luckily for you, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," referencing the 24-year-old's crash on lap four of the race. This produced an awkward giggle from Norris, who replied: "Thank you... what am I meant to say to that?" Norris had bottomed out when driving over a bump on lap four of the Las Vegas GP last weekend, sending him crashing into the outside wall at high speed before he cannoned off into the run-off area at Turn 12.

He was lucky not to collect team-mate Oscar Piastri in the wreck too with the rookie narrowly avoiding being struck by the out-of-control McLaren car on entry to the next corner. Kravitz went on to ask Norris whether or not he can achieve a podium in Abu Dhabi this weekend, to which he responded: "Yeah, I mean I hope so.”

"It's always been a track that I have liked and enjoyed... still prefer the old track to the new one but yeah I normally always perform well here. The car has always been decent here. But obviously we've taken some steps forward this year so I think we can have a good one. I would love to end the season on a high and with a podium, so that's our goal."

‘Awkward Ted Kravitz moment’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...is-Ted-Kravitz


Oscar Piastri pays tribute to Australia's Cricket World Cup heroes ahead of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Formula One star flaunts gift from Brett Lee
Published: 11:03, 23 November 2023
By Ollie Lewis For Daily Mail Australia
Mail Online

Oscar Piastri rocked up to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix wearing an Australian cricket top gifted to him by Brett Lee in an ode to the men's team after their World Cup triumph. Piastri watched from afar as Pat Cummins's side stormed to a six-wicket victory over tournament hosts and overwhelming favourites India on Sunday, becoming world champions for a record sixth time.

The McLaren star is a big cricket fan and took on teammate Lando Norris in the 'F1 Ashes' earlier this year, winning comfortably, and has now paid tribute to his countrymen ahead of the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi. 'Bowled up to the paddock like this today,' he tweeted alongside a photo of himself in the famous green and gold. '[Thank you] Brett Lee for your 2003 WC shirt'. Lee responded on Instagram: 'Absolute legend mate! It suits you. Go the Aussies'.

‘Oscar Piastri rocked up to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix wearing an Australian cricket top’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...up-heroes.html


Lando Norris: I'd love to end the season with a podium finish
11:00 Thu, 23 Nov 2023.
Sky Sports

Despite having crashed out of the last race in Las Vegas, McLaren's Lando Norris is optimistic he can finish the season on a high with a podium in Abu Dhabi.

‘Optimistic’;

https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...-with-a-podium


New on-board footage shows Lando Norris' 180mph crash at the Las Vegas Grand Prix from a 360-degree angle with the British McLaren star recording a first DNF of the season in Sin City after just three laps
Published: 19:06, 22 November 2023
By Dominic Hogan For Mailonline
Mail Online

Footage of Lando Norris' 180mph-crash at Sunday's Las Vegas Grand Prix has emerged, with the British McLaren driver unable to continue after just three laps of the race. On-board footage shows the incident, with Norris seeming to re-adjust at high speed when looking to avoid what looks to be a small piece of debris from the car in front of him.

As a result, he loses control heading into Turn 11, before spinning and colliding with the barrier on his right-hand side. With the sudden change in speed, his car spins so that the whole of the left-hand side is in contact with that barrier.

Norris then continues to spin in a circle as his car hurtles towards the barriers, where he at last comes to a halt. The Brit was surprisingly unhurt, and was able to leave his car and make his way off the track unassisted at the end of a bitterly disappointing weekend for him on a personal level.

‘New on-board footage shows Lando Norris' 180mph crash’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rand-Prix.html

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice stopped as Carlos Sainz smashes up Ferrari in big crash.
Second practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was red-flagged after just a few minutes when Carlos Sainz crashed his Ferrari at high speed on his first flying lap.
13:25 Fri, 24 Nov 2023.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

It also leaves the Ferrari engineers with a major repair job to get the car ready for FP3 and qualifying on Saturday. Speaking over the radio, Sainz blamed the accident on that car that was ahead of him on track.

He told the team: "I've crashed, guys. Dirty air from the car [in front]. It gave me a massive snap, the dirty air and the bump, I think." He then climbed out of his car under his own power to show that he was not suffering any lasting effects from the impact.

The Ferrari was quickly removed from the track but it was clear that the red flag was not going to be a short stoppage. Extensive damage was done to the Tec-pro barrier that Sainz hit when he crashed which needed to be repaired before the green flags could wave again. The clock kept ticking in the meantime, meaning all the teams were losing valuable track time.

‘Smashes up Ferrari in big crash’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...dhabi-31519615


(FP1) First Practice Results – 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
24th November 2023
by Emer Hedderman

Results (Classification):
1. George Russell Mercedes -1:26.072
2. Felipe Drugovich Aston Martin +0.288
3. Daniel Ricciardo AlphaTauri +0.361
4. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +0.381
5. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.559
6. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.593
7. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.604
8. Robert Shwartzman Scuderia Ferrari +0.631
9. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.648
10. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +0.653

‘Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the first practice session ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship in Abu Dhabi’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp1-first-...and-prix-83612


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from first practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
24 November 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Y0QqSosHd.html


Mercedes star George Russell quickest in opening practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with one of TEN rookies finishing second... as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are among those to sit out the session
Published: 11:16, 24 November 2023
By Press Association Sport Staff
Mail Online

George Russell finished fastest in opening practice for the concluding round of the Formula One season in Abu Dhabi. Triple world champion Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton sat out the first running with 10 rookie drivers blooded at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Three Britons were among them with Zak O'Sullivan, 18, and Jake Dennis, 28, making their Formula One weekend debuts for Williams and Red Bull respectively. Ollie Bearman, 18, who in Mexico made history by becoming the youngest British debutant at a Grand Prix, was handed his second practice appearance by Haas.

Dennis, in a Red Bull machine which Hamilton has described as the fastest ever seen in Formula One, finished 16th of the 20 runners, 1.1 seconds off the pace.

‘Mercedes star George Russell quickest in opening practice’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...t-session.html


HIGHLIGHTS: Russell leads impressive Drugovich and Ricciardo in Abu Dhabi FP1
24 November 2023
Formula One - Official Site

George Russell led the way in the first practice hour at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting the pace ahead of Aston Martin’s impressive reserve driver Felipe Drugovich and Daniel Ricciardo.

In unrepresentative conditions to what the drivers will face in qualifying and the race, Russell set the pace from start to finishing before ending up with a time of 1m 16.072s on the soft tyre.

‘HIGHLIGHTS’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...7wcCrrMqN.html

Abu Dhabi GP: Leclerc fastest as Sainz, Hulkenberg crashes cause lengthy red flags.
Charles Leclerc went fastest in a heavily interrupted Abu Dhabi Grand Prix FP2 session after Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz had a hefty crash early in the session.
24 Nov 2023 2:12 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

A sizeable impact at Turn 3 caused a 25-minute stoppage, before a further crash for Nico Hulkenberg caused further delays to the action as only around half of the free practice hour was filled with meaningful running.

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen were pipped to top spot in FP2, with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez rounding out the top five on Friday. A far from ideal Friday for Sainz given the huge repair job his team had in FP1 last weekend in Las Vegas, although that particular incident was through no fault of his own.

‘Hulkenberg crashes cause lengthy red flags’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/abu-dh...023-fp2-report


(FP2) Second Practice Results – 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
24th November 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari -1:24.809
2. Lando Norris McLaren +0.043
3. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.173
4. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +0.215
5. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.303
6. George Russell Mercedes +0.313
7. Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo +0.414
8. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.506
9. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.512
10. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.552

‘Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the second practice session ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship in Abu Dhabi’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp2-second...and-prix-83615


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from second practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
24 November 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/F1/Abu+Dhabi+GP


Lost running leaves Verstappen hunting balance as one Ferrari starts strongly
2023 Abu Dhabi GP Friday practice analysis
Posted on 24th November 2023, 22:20
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

You can tell the paddock already has one eye on their winter holidays. Out of all the rounds on the F1 calendar, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix holds the distinct honour of hosting the final race of the championship – which it has almost every season since it joined the series in 2009.

As the season finale, this event is supposed to be the grand climax of the year. The final chapter that sees all of the major storylines of the season culminating with champions crowned and the crucial places in the constructors’ standings finalised along with the millions of dollars of prize money to go with it.

However, at the end of the most one-sided season in the history of the sport, it’s hard not to wonder how many of the competitors are simply going through the motions to the end of the weekend, where they will receive a well-earned break from traipsing across the globe on a relentless racing schedule. Perhaps this was best illustrated by the world champions, Red Bull, choosing to run both of their compulsory Friday young driver allocations in the same first practice session at the Yas Marina circuit.

‘Verstappen hunting balance’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/11/24/...arts-strongly/


Lewis Hamilton's Abu Dhabi GP fear says it all as Max Verstappen fight 'years' away
Lewis Hamilton is worried about Mercedes at the F1 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend.
18:51, Fri, Nov 24, 2023
By Charlie Malam
Daily and Sunday Express

Lewis Hamilton is fearful about the prospect of missing out on Q3 in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend and his comments speak volumes about the team's troubles. The 2023 season comes to a close on Sunday in the Middle East where Hamilton has previously lifted six of his seven F1 titles.

Asked if he's optimistic of qualifying high up the grid after FP2, Hamilton said: "At the moment, no. I'm just going to try and see if there's a way to get into Q3. We've had difficult qualifying sessions and getting out of Q1 into Q2, for example, has always been a tough battle.”

"Even getting into Q3 is a challenge. It's going to be close. I'm not making excuses - I'm going to try and get on it tomorrow." And those are words seven-time world champion Hamilton probably never expected to come out of his mouth.

‘Max Verstappen fight 'years' away’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...Max-Verstappen

ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX: F1 FREE PRACTICE 3 RESULTS.
George Russell leads McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as Max Verstappen struggles in the final practice session of 2023 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
November 25, 2023
Nathan Hartley
FormulaNerds

Hitting the a quarter of the way through the session, Mercedes driver George Russell set the fastest time of the session. The 25-year-old set a 1:25,163 on the soft tyre, going 0.254 seconds quicker than Perez. Verstappen set his first time of the session – only enough to go third and half a second off Russell at the top.

Verstappen struggling still? The Dutchman was not afraid to express his discomfort with the RB19 yesterday. He felt that the balance was off, which was agreed with his teammate Perez. The 2023 world champion reported on the radio that his rear was “sliding a lot” after setting his first lap of FP3.

‘George Russell set the fastest time of the session, Verstappen struggling still?’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/ab...ice-3-results/


(FP3) Third Practice Results – 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
25th November 2023
by Emer Hedderman

Results (Classification):
1. George Russell Mercedes -1:24.418
2. Lando Norris McLaren +0.095
3. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.392
4. Alex Albon Williams Racing +0.511
5. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.681
6. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.735
7. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.776
8. Logan Sargeant Williams Racing +0.787
9. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +0.804
10. Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo +0.840

‘Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the final practice ahead of the 2023 F1 World Championship finale at the Yas Marina Circuit’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp3-third-...and-prix-83621


LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from third practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
25 November 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Becky Hart
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site

‘As it happened’;

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


F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 - Final Practice - LIVE UPDATES!
25th Nov. 2023, 10:20
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

‘LIVE UPDATES!’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-abu...e-live-updates


F1 Watchalong - Abu Dhabi GP FP3- with Commentary & Timings
25 November 2023
stuffeyy

‘FP3- with Commentary & Timings’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOpdh_wqw-g


Verstappen goes without key Red Bull figure ahead of Abu Dhabi F1 finale
Saturday 25 November 2023 09:42
Sam Cook
GPFans

Max Verstappen was without his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, during his practice session on Friday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The pair sat together during FP1 as rookies Jake Dennis and Isack Hadjar took the wheel of the two Red Bull cars as part of Formula 1 young driver rules. However when Verstappen jumped back in the car for FP2, there was no sign of Lambiase, who is lovingly known as GP.

Verstappen will be glad to hear that Lambiase is fully expected to be back for qualifying and the race at the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP, meaning we will likely be able to hear a fair amount of arguing between the pair. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner recently joked that Lambiase and Verstappen were like a married couple, and had been sent for marriage counselling during the summer break earlier this year.

‘Lambiase is fully expected to be back for qualifying’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-abu-dhabi-gp/


F1 race directors change Abu Dhabi GP rules at last minute because of Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen gave the stewards cause for concern ahead of Saturday's action at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
10:52, Sat, Nov 25, 2023
By Harry Smith


Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race director Niels Wittich was forced to declare overtaking in the pit lane as prohibited outside of extenuating circumstances after Max Verstappen caused chaos with his actions during Friday’s second practice session.

Verstappen found himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons on Friday following some impatient overtaking manoeuvres in the pit lane. The reigning world champion was in a rush to get out on track at the start of FP2, attempting to barge past both Mercedes drivers in the underpass. After moving past George Russell he came across his team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the middle of the pit lane, moving onto the outside kerb in an attempt to get around the seven-time world champion.

In doing so, Verstappen nearly made contact with the outside wall as he risked damage to his RB19 to gain track position. Having moved past both Mercedes cars, the Dutchman then pulled the same trick on Alpine driver Pierre Gasly before settling into his place in the queue.

‘F1 race directors change Abu Dhabi GP rules’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...Max-Verstappen


FP3: Russell leads Norris as Verstappen struggles during final Abu Dhabi GP practice
25 November 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Mercedes driver George Russell topped the timesheets in Saturday afternoon’s third and final practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, leading the way from McLaren’s Lando Norris while Max Verstappen continued to battle balance problems aboard his Red Bull.

After a disrupted first day of running, FP3 gave the field a chance to catch up on mileage and dial their cars in further at the Yas Marina Circuit, albeit with the side note that the conditions were largely unrepresentative compared to the evening qualifying session and race.

Across several soft tyre runs, Russell worked his way down to a benchmark time of 1m 24.418s to finish just under a tenth clear of Norris, with the latter’s team mate, Oscar Piastri, three tenths back in third position. Fourth went to the Williams of Alex Albon, as the Grove outfit push to secure P7 in the constructors’ standings, with Charles Leclerc the lead Ferrari in fifth but commenting over the radio that “I don’t understand” where the pace had gone after topping FP2.

‘Russell leads Norris as Verstappen struggles’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...oneJwg0MJ.html


Abu Dhabi GP: George Russell capitalises on Max Verstappen’s problems to top FP3
25 Nov 2023 11:35 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

George Russell claimed the final practice P1 of the 2023 championship as Max Verstappen struggled with a “jumping” RB19 around the Yas Marina circuit. Russell showed good place in Saturday’s final practice as he laid down a 1:24.418 to beat the McLaren teammates.

The trio took advantage of Verstappen’s troubles as the reigning World Champion finished down in sixth place having gone through no fewer than four set-up changes as he remained unhappy with the balance of his RB19 that was “bottoming” and “jumping”.

After Friday’s interrupted running, Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz in his rebuilt SF-23 didn’t waste any time getting into their programmes with the Ferrari driver 0.003s up on the Briton. They were blitzed by Sergio Perez as the Red Bull driver crossed the line with a 1:25.4 with half the field posting times within the first 10 minutes of play. Lando Norris was second in the early running ahead of Lance Stroll.

‘George Russell capitalises on Max Verstappen’s problems’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/abu-dh...023-fp3-report

Abu Dhabi GP: Max Verstappen pips Leclerc to pole for finale as Sainz, Hamilton toil.
Max Verstappen pipped Charles Leclerc to pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri getting his McLaren onto the second row.
25 Nov 2023 3:10 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

George Russell took fourth for Mercedes and Lando Norris ranked fifth for McLaren, though will be ruing a piece of oversteer on his final lap that could have left him higher up the grid come Sunday.

It was tougher going for Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton however, with Sainz knocked out in Q1 while the seven-time World Champion qualified P11 for the second race in a row in his Mercedes. The biggest name to drop out in Q1, however, was Carlos Sainz.

While he was only 0.578s off Verstappen’s Q1 benchmark, the close field saw him qualify P16, blaming traffic on his lap for not optimising his lap. Both Alfa Romeo drivers also dropped out, along with Kevin Magnussen, but after his big crash in FP2 on Friday, Sainz will have to perform a strong recovery on Sunday to make up the lost ground.

‘Max Verstappen pips Leclerc’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/abu-dh...lifying-report


Qualifying Results – 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
25th November 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
Q3
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:23.445
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.139
3. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.337
4. George Russell Mercedes +0.343
5. Lando Norris McLaren +0.371
6. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +0.523
7. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.639
8. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +0.663
9. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.726
10. Pierre Gasly Alpine +1.103

‘Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying for tomorrow’s 2023 F1 World Championship finale around the Yas Marina Circuit’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-83624


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
25 November 2023
Formula One - Official Site

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...7ENQoTcZe.html


F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 - Qualifying - As it happened
25 November 2023, 15:06
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

‘Qualifying - As it happened’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-abu...ng-it-happened


F1 Watchalong - Abu Dhabi GP QUALIFYING - with Commentary & Timings
25 November 2023
stuffeyy

‘Abu Dhabi GP QUALIFYING’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsD4O14XXQE


Lewis Hamilton adamant something’s wrong with his W14: “We set our cars up the same…”
25 Nov 2023
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

Speaking after qualifying, Hamilton conceded he was struggling with the “balance” of his W14. "Not great. Just struggling with balance,” he said. “I don't have any answers. Honestly, at this point it is what it is. We set our cars up the same but they don't read the same.”

"There's something not right on our side. I'm sure we will dive into it but all weekend we have struggled with the car. Two 11ths...it takes some good going for me not to get into Q3, so I will try and move my way up tomorrow."

‘Lewis Hamilton adamant something’s wrong with his W14’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104201...-our-cars-same


Carlos Sainz left rueing traffic hell after early Abu Dhabi GP qualifying exit
Sainz suffered an early exit from qualifying in Abu Dhabi after complaining of traffic issues.
November 25, 2023
By Ed Spencer
Total Motorsport

Carlos Sainz believes leaving the pits late cost him a spot in the second part of qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. After a heavy accident in FP2, Sainz came into Qualifying on the back foot on a weekend where the Maranello-based outfit needs maximum points to secure second in the constructors’ championship.

But Sainz found traffic during his fast laps in Q1 after leaving the pitlane late, and could not set a lap good enough to secure a spot in Q2, relegating him to 16th on the grid for the grand prix. “Clearly, the pace all weekend hasn’t been the strongest, and we needed a perfect Q1 and Q2 given how tight the field is,” explained a disappointed Sainz to the media after Qualifying.

“We had a very scrappy Q1 we went very late, we had a problem with the front wing we were the last car out. Once I opened my last lap, I found myself a load of traffic in sector 1 and lost a couple of tenths, which cost me the spot in Q2.”

‘Carlos Sainz left rueing traffic hell’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...alifying-exit/

Why Ferrari are favourites to beat Mercedes and secure second in the constructors championship.
Mercedes and Ferrari go head-to-head for second place in the 2023 F1 constructors' championship.
November 26, 2023
By Ed Spencer
Total Motorsport

With nearly everything related to the 2023 F1 world championship already confirmed, Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix focuses more on the fight for minor placings. Particular attention will be placed on the battle for second in the constructors’ standings between Mercedes and Ferrari, with the two teams separated by four points heading into the Abu Dhabi GP.

Although second isn’t regarded with the same fanfare as winning the constructors’ title outright, price money given to each team is up for grabs when lights go out in Abu Dhabi, with wind tunnel time also decided.

Saturday’s qualifying session saw neither a Mercedes nor Ferrari on pole despite showing promising speed in practice. Still, Charles Leclerc’s excellent second run has put him second on the grid, whilst George Russell is the highest of the Mercedes in fourth. But how will the battle for second play out?

‘Head-to-head’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/why...-championship/


Verstappen’s nearest challengers are focused on other rivals in finale
2023 Abu Dhabi GP pre-race analysis
Posted on 25th November 2023, 23:26
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

But there’s been nothing as close to a sure bet in Formula 1 history perhaps like Max Verstappen and Red Bull in 2023. A total of 18 wins from 21 rounds – an unparalleled level of sustained victory over such a long calendar of racing. Which is why it was so surprising to hear Red Bull team principal Christian Horner informing Verstappen after he had stormed to the final pole position of the 2023 season that team adviser Helmut Marko had lost €500 to him in a friendly wager by betting he would fail to qualify on the front row of the grid. After all, who would bet against Max Verstappen in 2023?

The reality is, heading into qualifying, there were valid reasons to be cautious about putting money on the world champion. After a disrupted Friday with only a limited level of running, Verstappen had complained about the balance of his car being anything but balanced. After an evening to go over the little data they had, Red Bull made changes to the car but the end result seemed the same. However, come qualifying, whatever settings changes race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase and his team made to car number one did the trick.

‘Helmut Marko had lost €500 to him in a friendly wager’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/11/25/...als-in-finale/


Ferrari boss Vasseur points blame after Sainz shock in Abu Dhabi
Saturday 25 November 2023 23:57
Sam Cook
GPFans

Another superb qualifying run from Charles Leclerc will see him line up alongside Red Bull's Max Verstappen for Sunday's race, his fifth consecutive front-row start. However, Leclerc's team-mate Carlos Sainz failed to make it out of Q1 for the first time since the 2019 Brazilian GP, leaving him with plenty to do if he is to score points for his team. With Mercedes' George Russell and Lewis Hamilton qualifying fourth and 11th respectively, it's all to play for at the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP.

Fred Vasseur has been commenting on a mixed final qualifying session of 2023 for Ferrari. “It was a bit dependant, but I think it was so tight that everything was possible," he told Sky Sports F1. "At one stage I was scared also to be out with Charles, I don’t know if it was Q1 or Q2. But it was a lot about the out lap and I think that at the end we understood a little bit more the approach and Charles did a mega job. But now it’s tomorrow that we score points and we have to score four points more than Mercedes. Everything is possible," he said before being asked about whether Sainz was unlucky to fall in Q1. "Yeah but today I don’t think you have to put everything on luck."

'Everything is possible';

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...attle-success/


Tsunoda looking to 'do all I can' to gift Tost P7 in the championship while Albon expects strong Williams in Abu Dhabi
25 November 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Yuki Tsunoda is hopeful of giving departing AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost the “best gift” by beating Williams to seventh in the constructors’ championship – while Alex Albon is expecting a close battle between the teams in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Tsunoda showed a good turn of pace throughout qualifying as he was third fastest in Q1 behind only Max Verstappen and Albon before placing eighth at the end of Q2. He continued to impress in Q3 as he went up to sixth on his first lap and, while his final attempt of the evening was good enough for seventh, he was promoted up the order after Sergio Perez’s time was deleted.

Reflecting on his performance, a delighted Tsunoda said: “Starting P6 is a great position. It won’t be easy because there are a couple of fast cars behind. Obviously, we have to put it all really, really together."

‘Tsunoda looking to do all I can';

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...W2wOL4t6w.html


Alonso hopes for ‘miracle’ to beat McLaren to P4
25 November 2023
by Sam Tomlinson
Motorsport Week

Fernando Alonso believes that Aston Martin needs nothing short of a “little miracle” if the marque is to pip McLaren to fourth in the standings after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Aston Martin enjoyed incredible early season form with its AMR23, in which Alonso claimed six podiums in the opening eight rounds.

The Silverstone-based marque held second in the standings until the Spanish Grand Prix but has since slipped to fifth going into the final event at the Yas Marina Circuit. Aston Martin was out-qualified by McLaren on Saturday when the Woking-based squad placed both of its cars in the top five in qualifying.

“I’m happy with qualifying, only one-tenth I think from Lando [Norris],” said Alonso who qualified seventh for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Unfortunately for our battle in the Constructors’ Championship both of them will start in front of us, but let’s see what we can do. Obviously, we need something to happen to beat them, but this is F1. It’s not exact mathematics and maybe tomorrow we have this little miracle and we will push until the last lap.”

‘Hopes for miracle’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...mclaren-to-p4/


Reaching Q3 in old-spec car shows major Haas upgrade failed – Hulkenberg
Formula 1
Posted on 25th November 2023, 18:41
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans

Nico Hulkenberg put the old-specification Haas chassis nine places ahead of the new version on the grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and called it “the story of our season” afterwards. Haas introduced a major overhaul of its chassis at the United States Grand Prix four races ago. However Hulkenberg has not been entirely comfortable with the new version and switched back to the old shape at the last round.

In qualifying today Hulkenberg lapped three-tenths of a second quicker in Q1 than team mate Kevin Magnussen managed in the revised VF-23. While Magnussen was eliminated in the first round and will start 17th, Hulkenberg went on to reach Q3 and claimed eighth on the grid. The previous version of the car tended to be very tough on its tyres during races and Hulkenberg says it remains to be seen whether he will be better off in the old specification by the end of the weekend.

“We’ll see about that tomorrow night,” he said in response to a question from RaceFans. “But I think it just confirms my impression that the updated car didn’t really give a significant step. They are probably very, very similar in terms of performance. Which in itself is not great because an update, you need it to work. So maybe it proved a point there. We’ll see tomorrow night.”

‘Reaching Q3 in old-spec car’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/11/25/...ed-hulkenberg/


Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas ultimatum: Change or fail
25 November 2023, 08:43
Andrew Maitland
Grandpx.news

Nico Hulkenberg’s return to Formula 1 this year with Haas has been great for his personal brand – and far from smooth sailing. As the 2023 season draws to a close, Hulkenberg, the team’s fastest driver this year, is delivering a blunt and uncompromising message to the Haas management: significant changes are imperative.

The German driver, at 36, didn’t mince words about the deep-rooted issues plaguing Haas, firmly directing his concerns at team boss Gunther Steiner and the higher echelons of the team’s management. Speaking to Ekstra Bladet newspaper, Hulkenberg issued what seemed like an ultimatum: “Gunther (Steiner) and the others in the management have to ask some serious questions and look at all areas.” He emphasized the need for a thorough overhaul, suggesting that mere tweaks wouldn’t suffice.

His decision to abandon the updated ‘B’ car in Las Vegas was a move that Hulkenberg believes sent a clear signal to the team. “I demonstrated to the team that the new car is not faster and that is of course a problem,” he told Sky Deutschland. His action was more than just a choice; it was a statement underscoring the gravity of the situation.

‘Ultimatum: Change or fail’;

https://grandpx.news/nico-hulkenberg...hange-or-fail/

Mercedes and Ferrari produce thrilling F1 fight as Max Verstappen wins Abu Dhabi GP.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell did just enough for Mercedes to beat Ferrari to second place, while Max Verstappen strolled to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory unchallenged.
26th November 2023, 14:34
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

Sergio Perez did his best to spoil the Mercedes party at the end after getting the better of Russell with a few laps to go. But a five-second time penalty meant he did not have enough of a gap to snatch the last podium place from the Brit.

And the fact Hamilton out-scored Carlos Sainz meant Mercedes had enough points to hold on to second place in the constructors' championship. Charles Leclerc let Perez past in a desperate attempt to slow Russell down, but it wasn't quite enough for Ferrari to leapfrog their rivals.

So Leclerc was second after Perez's penalty and Russell third, dropping the Mexican down to fourth place. Hamilton scored minor points while a Ferrari gamble with Sainz to wait for a safety car did not pay off and the Spaniard did not score at all.

‘Mercedes and Ferrari produce thrilling F1 fight’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...esult-31531378


Race Results – 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
26th November 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing – 58 laps
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +17.993
3. George Russell Mercedes +20.328
4. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +21.453 *
5. Lando Norris McLaren +24.284
6. Oscar Piastri McLaren +31.487
7. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +39.512
8. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +43.088
9. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +44.424
10. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +55.632

‘Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Here are the provisional results from today’s 2023 F1 World Championship finale race around the Yas Marina Circuit’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/race-resul...and-prix-83640


LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
26 November 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site

‘As it happened’;

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


F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 - As it happened
26 November 2023, 12:18
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

‘Follow the final F1 race of the season here with the Crash.net live blog’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-abu...3-live-updates


F1 Watchalong - Abu Dhabi GP RACE - with Commentary & Timings
26 November 2023
stuffeyy

‘Abu Dhabi GP RACE’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LenDjq364mU


Six F1 drivers under investigation for Abu Dhabi GP pitcrew infringements
UPDATEDNOV 26, 2023, 3:00 PM
AUTHORFilip Cleeren
Motorsport.com

During the second half of the 2023 season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit, Hamilton and Pierre Gasly were flagged for investigation over a possible pitstop infringement. They were soon joined by Verstappen, Williams drivers Logan Sargeant and Alex Albon plus Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu.

The FIA stewards said the matter would be investigated after the 58-lap race and further clarification from the governing body pointed out that the infringements were related to "pitcrew potentially not wearing the required eye protection during a stop".

Article 34.13 of the sporting regulations says: "All team personnel carrying out any work on a car in the pitlane when the car is in its pitstop position during the qualifying session, the sprint shootout, the sprint session or during a race pit stop, must be wearing helmets which meet or exceed the requirements of ECE 22.05 – European motorcycle road helmet, DOT – USA motorcycle road helmet or JIS T8133-2015, class 2 – JPN protective helmets for automobile users.
"The use of appropriate eye protection is compulsory."

‘Six F1 drivers under investigation’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/s...ents/10552164/


Abu Dhabi GP: Win No.19 for Max Verstappen as Mercedes beat Ferrari to P2
26 Nov 2023 2:35 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

It was a fitting end to the 2023 championship as the season’s dominant driver Max Verstappen cruised to victory in Abu Dhabi in yet another measured performance from the Red Bull driver. The victory, secured by 16 seconds ahead of Sergio Perez on the road, marked his 19th win in a 22-race season.

Perez was second at the line as Charles Leclerc tried to play a strategy game to give the penalised Perez a five-second gap to fourth placed George Russell. It, however, didn’t work with Leclerc second in the race, Russell third and Lewis Hamilton ninth.

That meant Mercedes beat Ferrari in the battle to finish second in the Constructors’ Championship by three points while Yuki Tsunoda’s four points weren’t enough for AlphaTauri to pip Williams to seventh.

‘Win No.19’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/abu-dh...23-race-report


Verstappen caps supreme season with Abu Dhabi GP, Mercedes hold off Ferrari
Max Verstappen's fitting 2023 Abu Dhabi GP victory capped an all-conquering season for Red Bull
November 26, 2023
By Adam Dickinson
Total Motorsport

Max Verstappen eased to a record-extending 19th victory in the 2023 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, ahead of Charles Leclerc and George Russell in an entertaining season finale. The big championship battles stayed alive until the end of the race, with both Leclerc and Russell staying abreast of the latest developments in the Ferrari–Mercedes battle for fourth.

Leclerc did all he could, but Carlos Sainz finished outside the points meaning Russell‘s third-place finish – just his second podium of the season – was enough to secure the place for Mercedes. Sainz was running in the top 10 for much of the race but ran hards on his first two stints, meaning he would’ve needed a red flag to save his race.

Sergio Perez finished second on the road but had picked up a five-second penalty for colliding with Oscar Piastri – Leclerc even let him by attempting to help him build up a cushion to Russell but ultimately Perez dropped to fourth. It capped a good recovery drive from the Mexican who was jumped by Lewis Hamilton at the start but fought his way through thanks to a very strong long second stint.

‘Verstappen caps supreme season’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...d-off-ferrari/

Hamilton concerned Red Bull 'hasn't touched' F1 car since August.
The downbeat seven-time world champion reckoned the scale of Red Bull’s dominance, given it has not brought a performance upgrade since the Dutch GP in last August, should be a “concern”.
27th November 2023, 09:25
AUTHORMatt Kew
Motorsport.com

Lewis Hamilton is ‘concerned’ about the size of the recovery facing Mercedes given Red Bull dominated Formula 1’s 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix despite not ‘touching the car since August'.

“Not great,” he said of his mood. “I just finished ninth; two really bad races [seventh in Las Vegas]. Red Bull won by 17 seconds and have not touched the car since August. So, you can pretty much guess where they're going to be next year… I was just slow throughout the race.”

Addressing the prospect of Mercedes overcoming its ground-effects slump to take the fight to rival Red Bull next season, Hamilton added: “[Red Bull] haven't even developed their car since August; it’s definitely a concern. But we've learned a lot about the car and it's just down to the team now and they know what they need to do. Whether or not we'll get there, we'll see.”

‘Red Bull 'hasn't touched' F1 car since August’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/h...gust/10552496/


Mercedes and Hamilton admit there is 'Everest to climb' to catch Red Bull next year.
27th November 2023, 10:00
BYRICHARD NEWMAN
TNT Sports

Red Bull are so far ahead that the rest of the Formula One teams have a “Mount Everest to climb” to catch up with them in 2024, according to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has warned there is a “Mount Everest to climb in order to catch up with Red Bull” in the 2024 Formula One season.

“There is a Mount Everest to climb in order to catch up with Red Bull,” Wolff said after the race. “Red Bull started the new regulations in 2022 with a massive advantage and they have been able to maintain it. We have a lot of respect for their achievements, from the engineering side, and the driver. Beating them under the current regulations is against the odds.”

Looking ahead to 2024, Hamilton was downbeat about Mercedes’ chances, even though the team are going through a complete redesign for the next campaign. “Red Bull won by 17 seconds and they have not touched the car since August or July,” Hamilton said. “So you can pretty much guess where they’re going to be next year. It’s not been a great year in general so there’s not a lot to take from it.”

‘A Mount Everest to climb’;

https://www.tntsports.co.uk/formula-...17/story.shtml


F1 2023 season report card: Red Bull flourish while Mercedes flounder
27th November 2023.09:50
Kieran Jackson, Formula 1 Correspondent
The Independent

So that’s that. 22 and out for Formula 1 in 2023. A season dominated, in all but one race, by Max Verstappen and Red Bull. Christian Horner’s team won 21 of the 22 races, with Verstappen claiming his record-extending 19th victory in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. It has been a near-faultless campaign, with the team securing their first ever one-two in the drivers’ championship too thanks to Sergio Perez’s runner-up spot.

But what about Mercedes and Ferrari, trailing in their wake? Aston Martin and McLaren were in the mix up top at different points of the season – while Williams took big steps in their first year under James Vowles. From 10th in the final 2023 constructors’ standings to first, we hand out the report cards to all 10 teams after another F1 season comes to a close.

‘Report card’;

https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-...-b2453845.html


The incredible records set by Max Verstappen in most dominant F1 season ever
27 Nov 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

Max Verstappen capped off the most dominant season in F1 history with a comfortable victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It marked the Red Bull driver’s 19th win in 22 races at the end of a season in which the Dutchman claimed his third consecutive championship crown.

Verstappen broke several records during an astonishing campaign. Here are all of them…
Wins: 19 (from 22 races)
Best win percentage: 86.36% (breaking Alberto Ascari’s record that stood since 1952)
Most consecutive wins: 10
Podiums: 21 (out of 22)
Points: 575 (out of 620 - 92.7% of possible points)
Laps led: 1003 (out of 1383)
Points gap to P2: 290 points

‘Incredible records set by Max Verstappen’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104218...er?language=en


Alain Prost in awe of Verstappen’s record-breaking F1 season
27 Nov 2023, 08:35
Andrew Maitland
Grandpx.news

Alain Prost, a revered name in the annals of Formula 1, has expressed admiration for Max Verstappen’s remarkable dominance in the 2023 season. Prost, known for his own era of supremacy alongside Ayrton Senna at McLaren, watched Verstappen and Red Bull rewrite history with an unprecedented 95.5 percent winning rate – 21 wins out of 22 races.

Prost, a quadruple world champion, viewed the 2023 season through the lens of a fan, detached from team affiliations. He recognized the criticism of a single team and driver’s dominance but chose to see it as a testament to Red Bull and Verstappen’s hard work. “When someone dominates like that, it’s the sum of the work that is necessary that you are seeing. And all you can say is congratulations,” Prost remarked.

“If you want to get to that level, you have to work better. I understand if it is frustrating at times, but on a personal level I thought it was great.” Regarding Verstappen, Prost believes the young Dutch driver’s unique blend of dedication, passion, and evolving skill sets him apart. “Max is still very young, but the focus he had on his career from the start and the passion for motorsport are very important,” Prost observed. He highlighted Verstappen’s candid nature and commitment to the sport, factors that contribute to his ongoing success and development as a formidable racer in Formula 1.

‘Alain Prost in awe’;

https://grandpx.news/alain-prost-in-...ing-f1-season/


Max Verstappen and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet share a victory kiss after he wins the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Published: 08:41, 27 November 2023
By Lily Jobson For Mailonline
Mail Online

Max Verstappen shared a victory kiss with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet after winning the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday. The Belgium-Dutch native, 26, completed a record-breaking season after winning an incredible 19th win from 22 races at the action-packed Red Bull race.

And to celebrate his astounding efforts that will go down in history, his model girlfriend, 34, was there to witness his triumph. The couple, who went public with their relationship on New Year's Day in 2021, looked happier than ever. The couple were also snapped seconds after the race finished, as Kelly could be seen reaching over the stands to congratulate Max with a kiss.

The Brazilian model looked sensational in a brown-tied corset top and slipped into a chic pair of white trousers. Max couldn't wipe the smile off his face after bagging another victory to add to his list of wins.

‘Sharing a victory kiss’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...rand-Prix.html

‘Absolutely flying’: Martin Brundle was seriously impressed with how quick 33-year-old driver…
Martin Brundle was very impressed with how quick Sergio Perez was during the closing stages of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
27th November 2023, 08:31
F1 Oversteer

Brundle was commentating alongside David Croft on Sky Sports F1 (26/11 2:12pm) and enjoyed the Mexican’s drive through the pack. Starting ninth in Abu Dhabi, Perez drove very well on the whole to work his way up the standings and Martin Brundle was impressed with his overall pace.

Speaking about the battle for the minor points yesterday, Brundle said: “They seem to be don’t they the Spanish drivers [Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz] but [Sergio] Perez then just 1.3 behind Lando Norris now. He’s only 4.1 behind George Russell, Perez is absolutely flying along on those fresh tyres.”

Perez will take heart from how he drove through the pack in Abu Dhabi and as Brundle suggests, he was flying when he changed his tyres. His penalty cost him a guaranteed place on the podium and although he wouldn’t have finished second were it not for the unique circumstances in the Constructors’ Championship, he’s got plenty to fight for next year including his place in the Red Bull team.

‘Absolutely flying’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mar...-in-abu-dhabi/


Christian Horner’s quip at Ferrari for doing ‘half the job’ in Abu Dhabi
27 Nov 2023 11:30 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Christian Horner says Charles Leclerc made the right call allowing Sergio Perez to pass him in Abu Dhabi, but he only did “half the job” as he didn’t back up George Russell. Leclerc deliberately slowed and Perez shot through up into second. It was thought that Leclerc would then try back up Russell by slowing him, but he opted not to.

Horner says that was why Ferrari didn’t beat Mercedes to second place. “Well, it was a logical thing to do from Ferrari’s position,” he told the media including PlanetF1.com. “The problem is they only did half the job.”

“They let Checo through and I think Checo demonstrated in that section of the circuit, you can hold up quite a bit of time there. So I think Charles needed to hold off George a little more to get that extra second. But it just means we’ve got a different neighbour next year.”

‘Half the job’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/christ...-job-abu-dhabi


Vasseur says Leclerc right not to back up Russell – Perez disagrees
27/11/2023 at 13:19
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur says Charles Leclerc was right not to hold up George Russell at the end of the Abu Dhabi GP as part of a last-ditch effort to swing the runner-up spot in the championship into the Scuderia’s camp.

After the race, Perez said that he had realized what Leclerc was attempting to do but admitted to being surprised that Leclerc did not hold up Russell more than he did, and especially through Yas Marina’s third sector.

“I mean, I was surprised that I thought Charles was going to hold back George in the end, you know, a bit in the final sector because I think I finished 1.1 seconds from George and thought he was going to hold him back,” said the Mexican. “It was quite easy to do in the final sector, but maybe he didn’t have the full information.”

‘Surprised that Leclerc did not hold up Russell’;

https://f1i.com/news/495390-vasseur-...disagrees.html


Ferrari ‘only half-did the job’ using Leclerc to keep Perez ahead of Russell – Horner
Formula 1
Posted on 27th November 2023, 8:14
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans

Ferrari didn’t go far enough in their efforts to use Charles Leclerc to hold up George Russell in their bid to claim second place in the constructors’ championship, says Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Horner pointed out Red Bull had used Perez to delay Lewis Hamilton successfully in the same race two years ago, and said Ferrari should have done the same.

“It was a logical thing to do in Ferrari’s position,” said Horner. “The problem is they only half-did the job. They let Checo through, but then didn’t – I think, as Checo’s demonstrated, in that sector of the circuit you can hold up quite a bit of time. So I think Charles needed to hold off George a little more to get that extra second.”

Leclerc revealed he decided on the gambit “as soon as I was aware about the five-second penalty” for Perez. “Then I was asking constantly the gap between George and Checo. “Then they told me that Checo had passed George, so I knew Checo was behind me and his best chance was obviously to get the DRS from me and try and pull away as much as possible from George. So I knew that there was quite a bit of discussion between my engineer and myself and I let him know as well that this was my plan but it didn’t work out.”

‘Ferrari only half-did the job’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/11/27/...ussell-horner/


Vasseur and Perez disagree on Leclerc’s late Abu Dhabi ploy
27th November 2023, 09:44
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur has disagreed with Sergio Perez that Charles Leclerc should have held up George Russell in the final sector at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Vasseur denied that Leclerc could have executed the strategy better, citing how it would have been difficult for him to ensure he also still remained ahead of Perez.

“Too fair, I don’t think so,” Vasseur said when asked about Leclerc’s tactics. “That’s because you could imagine, to block Russell, then you have also to be sure that Perez is in between you and Russell. If you want to block Russell, it’s a matter of hundreds of seconds. I’m not a big fan of this. We did our best in a fair way when we let Perez go, to give him the DRS, to try to help us, but too much would have been too much.”

“I’m not a big fan of this”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...bu-dhabi-ploy/


Under-pressure Perez sets BOLD target for 2024
Monday 27 November 2023 13:42
Shay Rogers
GPFans

Sergio Perez has admitted that he must improve his pace if he is to challenge for the championship next season alongside Max Verstappen. Perez: I was not totally at one, “One more better! I think we need better pace, better consistency,” he told Sky Sports F1. “I think we went through a bit of a rollercoaster this year. Next year we have a new opportunity. To be honest, I felt like I was not totally at one with the car.”

“I hope that next year will be a lot better, a lot stronger. We came back towards the end of the year.’ I think the last few race shave been a lot stronger for us. He’s [Max] has done the best season in the history, he’s been outstanding.”

Perez now has three months to sit down and reflect on the season, as he attempts to find a way to set himself up to beat the formidable Verstappen and the resurgent Lewis Hamilton in 2024. Unless he has a stellar year, it’s unlikely that he will be around in 2025, with a few junior drivers waiting in the wings for a chance at the top.

‘BOLD target for 2024’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...rovement-2024/

Wolff is wrong - catching Red Bull is far greater challenge than 'climbing Mount Everest'.
If Red Bull are Everest at 29,032 feet then Mercedes and Ferrari must be considered to be Mount Fuji at a lowly 12,395 feet. That is the gulf between them.

You need believe that you have given yourself a stronger platform to launch an attack next time around. But both Mercedes and Ferrari failed miserably at that. Mercedes is in a mess and two years into the rules cycle looks as far away as ever from truly getting its head around ground effects while to its credit, Ferrari did come on strong in the second-half of the season, but it was far too little, too late.

Both squads have effectively wasted a second year trying to catch Red Bull, who will head into year three of ground effects with an effective two-year head start as Mercedes and Ferrari start from scratch with new concepts. The RB20 will be a gentle evolution of the crushing RB19, and has been in development since the middle of the year with Red Bull able to turn the development taps towards 2024 and let the RB19 do its thing safe in the knowledge Mercedes and Ferrari, Singapore aside, were simply not up to scratch.

No wonder then Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claimed "there is Mount Everest to climb to catch Red Bull." But the challenge is far greater than that…..

‘Greater challenge than climbing Mount Everest';

https://racingnews365.com/wolff-is-w...-mount-everest


WOLFF: ‘WE ARE CHANGING THE CONCEPT’ AS MERCEDES LOOKS AT COMPLETE REDESIGN TO CHALLENGE RED BULL NEXT SEASON
Wolff has claimed that given the right car, Lewis Hamilton “will be fighting for a world championship” once again
November 27, 2023
Oliver Brindle
FormulaNerds

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has labelled Lewis Hamilton “the greatest driver in the world” following a “bad weekend” for the Brit at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, the Austrian compared the German team’s chances of overthrowing Red Bull’s domination next season to that of climbing Mount Everest.

“We had to be honest that this car was never going to be good enough to fight for a world championship. We took the decision in April to go back to the drawing board and come up with something different for next year. We are changing the concept. We are moving away from how we laid out the chassis, the weight distribution, the airflow, literally every component has been changed because only by doing that do we have a chance. You could get it wrong also. Everything is possible.”

‘WE ARE CHANGING THE CONCEPT’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/wo...l-next-season/


Wolff reveals Mercedes will keep 'important' 2023 car
Monday 27 November 2023 22:27
Sam Cook
GPFans

Toto Wolff has said that Mercedes won't just 'push the car into a corner somewhere' after a disappointing 2023 campaign. "I'm torn. Today we ‘won’ second place, but it still reminds you that it's not the first place," he said, speaking to Sky Germany after the Abu Dhabi GP. "That's why I always said that 2nd or 3rd makes little difference to me. It is important for the team that we now take the momentum with us from a positive weekend after so many negative ones. We just have to do a better job next year.”

"My first reaction is always that I want to push the car into a corner somewhere, but these two cars are important. Last year's car was so bold with the radical design we had. On paper it was fast but in reality it wasn't. That was a step that was perhaps important for our long-term development. We stuck with the car because we won in Brazil and we were really good there.”

“But then this year it was clear from the start that it wasn't possible. These cars are important in a way that you remember how quickly you can get it wrong. Well, someone said to us today that if you add up the last ten years, it was second, first, first, first, first, first, first, first, third, second. If we look back in 20 years, it won't sound so bad, but we want to keep fighting at the front for now."

‘Keep 'important' 2023 car’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...car-important/


Toto Wolff wrong about Red Bull as Lewis Hamilton's F1 fate is painfully clear
Red Bull finished the 2023 F1 season with more than double the points gathered by any other team while Max Verstappen alone scored more points than Lewis Hamilton and George Russell combined
12:46 Mon, 27 Nov 2023.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

Toto Wolff compared the Mercedes' challenge of catching rivals Red Bull in 2024 to climbing Mount Everest. You wish, Toto. Scaling the biggest mountain on the planet seems a whole lot more likely for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell than either of them dethroning Max Verstappen next season.

But there are so many factors that are working against them - not least the strength of the competition. Red Bull created a car so fast and Verstappen was on such lethal form throughout 2023 that they could have not bothered fielding Sergio Perez at all and still won both titles at a canter. The performance gap remains massive.

And, as Hamilton pointed out after limping to ninth in Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, that's after months of Red Bull not developing their RB19 car at all to focus solely on their next racing machine. A significant head start places Red Bull in pole position when it comes to getting their next challenger ready for the 2024 season. Right now, it's hard to imagine any scenario other than Christian Horner's team rocking up to pre-season testing in Bahrain with another car in a league of its own.

‘Toto Wolff wrong about Red Bull’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ilton-31537783


Wolff: 'Hamilton will win eighth F1 title' - if Mercedes delivers
28 November 5:00AM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

"From Lewis's perspective, he had a bad weekend," Wolff told media including RacingNews365. "That doesn't do anything about him being the greatest driver in the world, and if we are able to give him a car, then he will be fighting for a World Championship. I have no doubt.”

"It is clear that when you have a Formula 1 car like we have now, you will never lead with it and have good and bad weekends. But at the end, every time when we've seen that Lewis has somebody as a target in front of him, and it was about winning the race, then the real Lewis comes alive.”

"We just need to give him a car, that is the first thing. The second thing is that we have board in our factory showing all the Constructors' World Championship titles since 1958, and the table goes until 2050.”

'Hamilton will win eighth F1 title' – if……..’;

https://racingnews365.com/wolff-hami...cedes-delivers

Did Leclerc miss chances to be more ruthless against Mercedes?
The immediate aftermath… …variants of one question in particular: could Leclerc have gone further?
Nov 27, 2023
by Jack Benyon
The Race

Knowing that Perez had passed Russell, Leclerc forfeited what had been a 2.3-second advantage at the start of the final lap by slowing down enough on the approach to the Turn 5 hairpin to allow Perez both to gain DRS for the run down the back straight and to move into second on the road.

It's at this point you ask whether Leclerc could have done more; with the long straight that followed, it’s possible Leclerc could have given Perez DRS while staying ahead on the run to the Turn 6/7 switchback, then done the same on the DRS-assisted run to Turn 9, before bailing out of the way of the Red Bull.

Providing Perez understood this tactic, he’d have had the benefit of both a few km/h extra in the wake of the Ferrari down to Turn 6/7 plus another full dose of DRS to blitz past Leclerc. Maybe it wouldn't have been enough, but it surely would have offered a better chance of finding the extra one second needed to drop Perez in that gap between Leclerc and Russell.

‘Could Leclerc have gone further?’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/c...bi-grand-prix/


How Leclerc missed an unsportsmanlike trick to give Ferrari second in constructors’ championship
Charles Leclerc could have employed some on the limit tactics to deny Mercedes second place in the Constructors' Championship
November 27, 2023
By John Smith
Total Motorsport

Leclerc could have been very cheeky. There was a bit more Leclerc could have done though to try and make the gap between Russell and Perez more than five seconds.

Think back to the famous 2021 Abu Dhabi GP for a moment. Ironically, Perez held up Hamilton with an incredible defence in the middle of the race, costing the Mercedes driver around seven seconds from just over one lap.

He parked his car on the apexes and really slowed Hamilton down. Leclerc could have tried something similar on the last lap with Russell, but would have the problem of needing to finish within five seconds of Perez himself while putting Russell more than five seconds behind.

‘Charles Leclerc could have employed some on the limit tactics’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-championship/


Leclerc on Ferrari’s battle with Mercedes: ‘We gave absolutely everything, and it wasn’t enough’
26 Nov 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Charles Leclerc said he was desperate to help Ferrari seal P2 in the constructors’ championship ahead of Mercedes, but despite his second place in the season finale, it wasn’t quite enough.

‘Desperate’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...520190805.html


Charles Leclerc’s extreme efforts fail to prevent Ferrari embarrassment
Mercedes pipped Ferrari to second in the Constructors' Championship by just three points at the 2023 Abu Dhabi GP.
27 November 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Charles Leclerc did everything that he could on Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to try and help Ferrari defeat Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship, something the Italians ultimately failed to do.

In the closing laps, Leclerc got onto the radio to inform Ferrari that he’d try and give Perez slipstream and then P2, so that he could have clean air and build a five-second advantage over Russell. “Tell me the gap between Checo and Russell!” Leclerc said over the radio.

“If there is less than five seconds I will give him the slipstream and let him past.” This is exactly what Leclerc did, although Russell was still able to remain within five seconds of the Red Bull driver.

‘Extreme efforts’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/charles-l...embarrassment/


Charles Leclerc blast over team radio perfectly sums up his Ferrari frustration
Directly after finishing second in the Abu Dhabi GP Charles Leclerc could be heard swearing on team radio as he continues to show frustration toward Ferrari.
05:11, Mon, Nov 27, 2023
By JOSEPH MCBRIDE
Daily and Sunday Express

Ferrari finished four points behind Mercedes as George Russell made his way onto the podium despite their best efforts to keep him in fourth place. Leclerc allowed Red Bull driver Sergio Perez to pass him during the race as he still had a five-second penalty to serve, and Ferrari hoped their driver could overtake again and leave Russell stuck behind.

Their efforts failed and Leclerc was dejected at the end of the race, with his mood continuing as he stood on the podium next to Verstappen and Russell. It was picked up on the team radio that Leclerc had been denied some fun after racing action had finished for 2023, and the driver swore in frustration.

"I do some burnouts?" Leclerc said after the race, in what would be his final time in the car until next season. "No, no burnouts," the team replied. "For f*** sake, not even this?" Leclerc shouted back.

‘Ferrari frustration’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...dio-Ferrari-F1


FERRARI BOSS BLAMES LECLERC FOR LOSING P2 IN CONSTRUCTORS’
The Italian outfit settled for third in the Championship behind Mercedes
November 26, 2023
James Fiorucci
FormulaNerds

Vasseur puts the blame on Leclerc: Speaking after the race, Vasseur was disappointed to end the season behind historic rivals Mercedes. He believes Leclerc could have done more to swing the results in favour of the Italian team.

He told Sky Sports F1: “Yeah, it was Charles, could have been a bit more aggressive and to try to slow down Russell.” Nevertheless, the Ferrari Team Principal was happy to see the Scuderia achieve another podium.

He added: “But on the other end, I think for the team, it’s also important to finish on the positive tone… Charles P2 in the race and to finish like this, I think it’s a first good step for next year.” Leclerc also commented on his last gasp tactics to help out his team, claiming it was his own decision.

‘Could have been a bit more aggressive’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/fe...-constructors/

McLaren F1 boss makes bullish title prediction ahead of 2024.
Team boss Brown is in positive spirits ahead of next year's challenge, though he did concede that Red Bull are the favourites to retain their crown.
Tuesday 28 November 2023 15:57
Shay Rogers
GPFans

Zak Brown is confident in McLaren's ability to challenge in 2024 but admitted that Red Bull will still be the team to beat at the front of the Formula 1 field. "Well it's probably going to be Red Bull but I would not want to rule anybody else out," he told Sky Sports F1. "There’s a lot of great teams on the grid. We're feeling really good about our car for next year.

"[It's] hard to kind of know when Red Bull maybe stopped developing this year's car to get going on next year's. But we definitely feel like we will take a step forward but so will the entire grid and we’re just going to have to wait and see."

McLaren have just under three months to prepare their car for pre-season testing in Bahrain, where they will get a measure of whether they will be able to compete for their first title in over a decade.

‘Bullish title prediction’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-bull-f1-2024/


Domenicali points to McLaren as proof gains can be made in 2024
28 November 1:25PM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has voiced his expectation that the Formula 1 grid will see closer competition during next year's campaign - and pointed to McLaren as an example. Despite Red Bull's dominant season, Domenicali pointed to McLaren's progress throughout the year to counter the argument after the Woking-based squad rose from back-of-the-grid competition to consistent podium contention by the end of the year.

“With regard to the sporting side of it, I would say congratulations to Max,” Domenicali said. “It was something impressive in terms of maturity in terms of standards, to Red Bull, but also what I would bring home for that is on the sporting side once again, [there are] two elements.”

“One - to the ones that will say with a budget cap you cannot develop the car, I would say McLaren proves that is not right. You saw qualifying [in Abu Dhabi], 20 cars in less than one second. So qualifying, we are very, very close. Of course, race pace is different. And I think that these will be the major things that we're going to see different next year.”

‘McLaren as proof gains can be made’;

https://racingnews365.com/domenicali...er-competition


McLaren left standing in F1’s game of power unit musical chairs
28 Nov 2023 7:30 AM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

In 2023, the percentage of customer teams on the grid was 60%. In 2026, that number will lower to 40%. The new regulations brought in for that season onwards have already impacted the sport. Audi have secured their place. Honda and Ford were convinced to return to the fold while General Motors will enter as a power unit provider at the very least.

Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes and Alpine have their own in-house engine supplier with Red Bull’s going fully independent on that date. Aston Martin have secured what stands to be an extremely beneficial works deal with Honda and Sauber will become the works team of Audi.

That leaves, for now at least, McLaren, Williams, AlphaTauri and Haas as potential customers for those engine suppliers to lure. While AlphaTauri will stay with Red Bull and Haas most likely stick with Ferrari, that means just McLaren and Williams were the variables and it was the former that was of most interest.

‘McLaren left standing’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/mclare...cedes-reaction


McLaren F1 chief admits Mercedes deal was 'no-brainer'
Monday 27 November 2023 12:57
Sam Cook
GPFans

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has given his thoughts on the team's renewed engine partnership with Mercedes, revealing that the deal was never in any doubt. The Woking-based team will continue to use Mercedes power units until at least 2030, after a new contract was recently signed between the two teams.

Now, Brown has had his say on the continued partnership between the two teams. “We were always going to continue with Mercedes," he told Sky Sports at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Of course you do due diligence and see what everyone else is up to, to make a final decision. We’ve got a long history with Mercedes, we got back to our winning ways with Mercedes, they’ve done an outstanding job.”

"We’ve got a really close collaboration and I think we'll be even closer now. It was pretty much a no-brainer but they just had to work through the details. We’re really happy to announce it and have a real focus for the team that we know what we’re doing moving forward.”

'No-brainer';

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...s-engine-deal/


McLaren agrees F1 deal to lure Monster Energy from Mercedes
21:14 Tue, 28 Nov 2023.
AUTHORMatt Kew
Motorsport.com

Monster Energy has partnered with McLaren on what is described as a “multi-year” contract, which will lead to the recognisable ‘M’ logo featuring on the helmets, race suits, caps and drinks bottles (branded in the past by Coca-Cola) of drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from the 2024 season.

While McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has used his vast experience in the commercial and marketing sectors to bring on board an array of high-profile sponsors such as Google, Dell and British American Tobacco (Velo) - moves helped by the Netflix-led popularity boom for F1 - signing with Monster is made more significant since it draws the energy drink company away from rival team Mercedes.

Throughout the Three-Pointed Star’s run of eight constructors’ championship and more recent ground-effects struggles, the ‘M’ badge has featured on the helmet and race suit collar of Lewis Hamilton and team-mates Nico Rosberg and George Russell.

‘Lure Monster Energy’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/m...edes/10553288/


Brundle shares what really impressed him about McLaren driver Oscar Piastri
Ben Evans
Mon 27 November 2023 18:00
F1 Oversteer

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri capped off a fantastic rookie season in Formula 1 with another strong performance in Abu Dhabi according to Martin Brundle. The young Australian came home in sixth place and had some fascinating battles during the Grand Prix. Brundle hails Piastri defending in Abu Dhabi: The first driver Piastri had to showcase his talent against was George Russell, with David Croft saying:

“As George Russell tries around the outside of Oscar Piastri once again and that was a little easier for Oscar Piastri to fight. Russell’s giving it a right old go here but he just can’t take that fourth place off the Australian driver.” Brundle added: “No, he’s taken a wide, high line into that parabolic corner at the end of the second straight and Piastri’s too wise for that one and too calm.”

Later in the race, Piastri was battling Fernando Alonso and Brundle said: “He’s locked up again in turn six, that puts him out of position for seven and Alonso will again have DRS. But what impressed me there about Piastri is he didn’t go and defend fresh air, he didn’t go and make a defence he didn’t have to. He was confident enough that Alonso wasn’t going to lunge him and therefore he kept his momentum.”

“Piastri’s too wise for that one and too calm”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mar...oscar-piastri/

F1’s Messi: Why Aston Martin can’t afford to lose Alonso.
“Yes, yes, yes, and yes for every year he asks for,” de la Rosa said with a grin, showcasing his firm belief in Alonso’s continued prowess.
08:43 Sun, 26 Nov 2023.
Andrew Maitland
Grandpx.news

Krack also reflected on the unique mindset that sets Alonso apart from other drivers. “I’ve worked with drivers who were not even 30 and said ‘I have achieved everything’, even though they had not really achieved much,” he observed. In contrast, Alonso’s “great mentality and enormous determination” make him a standout figure in the sport.

Toni Cuquerella, an experienced former F1 engineer, concurs with this view. He analogizes Alonso’s significance to having a talent like Messi on a football team. “You have something that is working, it is perfect, who cares about age because he’s still so fast,”

Cuquerella said, stressing the irrelevance of age in the face of Alonso’s performance. His rhetorical question, “Would you renew him? I’d say ‘Are you stupid or what?'” underlines the perceived obviousness of the decision to retain Alonso.

‘F1’s Messi’;

https://grandpx.news/f1s-messi-why-a...o-lose-alonso/


‘My best season since 2012’ – Alonso full of praise for Aston Martin after bagging fourth in the drivers’ championship
27 November 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Fernando Alonso’s shock move from Alpine to Aston Martin for the 2023 season paid off in style as the two-time world champion finished in the points in Abu Dhabi to come home fourth in the drivers' championship, his best finish for a decade.

Alonso finished the Grand Prix where he started, a seventh place rounding out a season that contained eight podium finishes. It was an eventful race for the Spaniard as he found himself going wheel to wheel with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda at times, in the end two-stopping on his way to that P7 finish.

With Lance Stroll gaining places and sneaking home in P10 by the narrowest of margins, the Grand Prix was a decent way to round off the season. "If you’d told me before this weekend that I’d finish fourth in the Drivers’ Championship, I wouldn’t have believed you – so this is a real gift," Alonso said. "I’m really pleased with the way I’ve driven all season – I think this has been my best, most consistent season of driving since 2012. I think I got the maximum from the car all season.”

‘Alonso full of praise for Aston Martin’;

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


Alonso: Aston Martin deserved better than fifth in F1 standings
09:29 Tue, 28 Nov 2023.
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Fernando Alonso says he is “hurt” by Aston Martin’s failure to overcome McLaren in Abu Dhabi, insisting the team deserved “better” than fifth in the championship. After successive placings of seventh since morphing into Aston Martin, the Silverstone squad accumulated a record total of 280 points and eight podiums across 2023.

However, Aston Martin had initially begun the year battling for second in the standings, with Alonso scooping six top-three race finishes in the opening eight rounds alone. But the British marque soon got outdeveloped by Mercedes and Ferrari once the pair finally converged to the downwash sidepod solution first pioneered by Red Bull.

Aston Martin was then also overhauled by McLaren, who overturned a 137-point deficit after the eighth round into an 11-point advantage by the time the season ended. “I mean the fifth in the Constructors hurts a little bit as I think we were better than that or we were hoping better than that at the beginning of the year,” Alonso conceded.

‘Aston Martin deserved better than fifth’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...-f1-standings/


‘We had opportunities’ – Alonso picks out the races he thinks Aston Martin could have won in 2023
29 November 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Fernando Alonso believes Aston Martin had a shot at winning both the Monaco and Dutch Grands Prix in the season gone by, saying the team deserved to stand on the top step of the podium “more than anyone else” in 2023.

Asked if a race win had been on the cards for himself and Aston Martin over the course of the season, the two-time world champion commented: “I think it was possible. Probably Monaco was the closest, with a tyre call change or something. Maybe Zandvoort if we were in a different position in that restart or something.”

“We probably had opportunities [to win] here and there, and yes, I believe that we deserve it more than anyone else this year.” Pushed to name the biggest weakness Aston Martin must eliminate for 2024, in order to make another step forward, he said: “I think we need to find some consistency.”

‘We had opportunities’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...fLtwUVXu9.html


Our 2023 season in two minutes
26.11.2023
Aston Martin F1 - Official Site

An unforgettable year on our journey and through it all, your support has driven us on. Relive our 2023 season.

Fernando's arrival, the launch of the AMR23, Lance's determined comeback from injury, eight podiums, opening the AMR Technology Campus, bringing fans closer to the sport with I / AM, making a mark beyond the racetrack, and more...

2023 has been an unforgettable year on our journey.

‘An unforgettable year’;

https://www.astonmartinf1.com/en-GB/...in-two-minutes


Thank you, from everyone at Aston Martin F1 Team
25.11.2023
Aston Martin F1 - Official Site

Our drivers and team-mates took the time to express our deepest thanks to you, our fans, for being with us every step of the way on our journey in 2023.

From the first roar of the engines before the season had even started to the final lap turned in Abu Dhabi, you, our fans, have been with us on our journey in 2023 – through 22 Grands Prix and six Sprints. Your commitment to our team and your support has been felt by everyone at the AMR Technology Campus and at the track.

Your passion, loyalty, and energy have been a driving force behind every unforgettable moment we've forged on and off the track. We've seen you fly your flags and wear your colours, and heard your voices cheering us on every step of the way, and for that we're very grateful.

‘Thank you, from everyone’;

https://www.astonmartinf1.com/en-GB/...martin-f1-team


Alonso details Abu Dhabi ‘brake test’ against ‘clever’ Hamilton
08:34 Mon, 27 Nov 2023.
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Fernando Alonso explained how his sudden reduction in speed ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix stemmed from an intent to protect his position using DRS. The Aston Martin driver exited the pits for the second and final time with Hamilton right on his tail approaching the downhill, left-handed Turn 5 before the back straight.

However, Alonso gradually moved over towards the right-hand side of the circuit and then slowed, prompting Hamilton to radio in that he had been brake-tested by his rival. Following the incident, Hamilton had overhauled Alonso with the aid of DRS, only for the latter to return the favour along the next straight to preserve his advantage.

Asked to clarify his version of events, Alonso said: “Lewis is obviously very clever and understands the sport really good and has a lot of experience but I have more.” Alonso admits that he wasn’t entirely shocked by Hamilton’s protests and also referenced how the episode drew similarities to the pair’s battle in Canada 10 years ago. When asked whether he was surprised by his ex-McLaren team-mate’s remarks over the radio, Alonso replied: “Yes and no.”

“Lewis is obviously very clever…”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...ever-hamilton/

Ocon hopes Abu Dhabi test will help fix Alpine issues.
"It's going to be important to fix all of those things for next year, and start [the new season] and be on top of them." Estaban Ocon.
28/11/2023 at 13:44
Andrew Lewin
F1i.com

Estaban Ocon is hoping that today's test session in Abu Dhabi will have helped Alpine pin down what went wrong with their tyre management in Sunday's Grand Prix at the same venue.

Ocon started and finished the race in 12th place, putting him outside the points. His team mate Pierre Gasly began the race in tenth on a two-stopper and fared even worse, finishing just behind Ocon in 13th after an early clash with Lewis Hamilton.

It's a particular disappointment after both drivers finished the Las Vegas GP in the top ten, but illustrative of how the squad had found it difficult to sustain consistency from week to week.

‘Alpine issues’;

https://f1i.com/news/495496-ocon-hop...ne-issues.html


Ocon quickest in Abu Dhabi test
28/11/2023
NEWS STORY
Pitpass

Esteban Ocon tops the timesheets as 25 drivers pull the curtain down on the 2023 F1 season. All ten teams were represented at the test which was for young drivers and also to try the tyres for next season which in all honesty are the same as this year's.

"We had a very busy day with an important and extensive programme to go through," said pace-setter Ocon. "We ended up doing over two race distances and got through our plan successfully, testing different compounds, fuel loads and set-ups. It's always nice to see your name next to P1 but on test days these things are irrelevant!”

"We say goodbye to the A523 today, a car that brought us some highs and lows this season but which has also served as a base to emphasise the areas we need to improve in order to be better in 2024. Now it is time for some rest before starting our preparations for next season."

‘Ocon quickest’;

https://www.pitpass.com/76827/Ocon-q...Abu-Dhabi-test


‘Changing teams was always going to be difficult’ – Gasly reflects on his first year with Alpine.
26 Nov 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Pierre Gasly says he knows next year he and Alpine will start “with much stronger foundations” after he spent 2023 establishing himself with his new team.

‘Pierre Gasly reflects’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...922674376.html


Gasly blames Hamilton for damage that ruined his Abu Dhabi GP
15:52 Mon, 27 Nov 2023.
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Pierre Gasly held Lewis Hamilton accountable for curtailing his hopes of a points finish in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when the Mercedes driver made contact with the Alpine.

The Frenchman was running inside the points ahead of Hamilton on Lap 16 when he locked up into Turn 6, resulting in the Briton tagging the rear of Gasly’s car at the chicane. While Hamilton informed his team that he suspected he had lost some front-end performance, the seven-time champion rallied to secure ninth position by the end.

Meanwhile, Gasly contends that the touch hampered his race prospects more as he slumped to a 13th-place finish after “losing a lot of points of downforce” on his A523. “It wasn’t my day,” Gasly rued. “I think most of the damage was done when Lewis just came at the back of my car and just destroyed the whole diffuser at the back of it.”

‘Gasly blames Hamilton’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...-abu-dhabi-gp/


27-year-old F1 driver was absolutely furious with his team over the radio in Abu Dhabi
Ben Evans
Sun 26 November 2023 20:30
F1Oversteer.com

Alpine driver Pierre Gasly was not happy with his team in Abu Dhabi today and made his feelings clear over the team radio. Gasly was one of the many drivers on the grid who still had something to play for going into the final race.

Alpine decided to pit Ocon ahead of Gasly and subsequently leapfrogged him in the pit stops. The 27-year-old quickly contacted the team and said: “I don’t get how you can undercut me with the other car. I’m the leading car, I don’t understand. “You’ll have to explain to me.”

The team radio replied: “So, Esteban [Ocon] is 4.1 seconds ahead, just concentrate on tyre management, there’s a long way to go, we can make this work.” Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz explained: “Not quite sure how they’re going to make it work.”

‘Absolutely furious’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/27-...-in-abu-dhabi/


Pierre Gasly criticises Alpine as Lewis Hamilton damage wrecks Abu Dhabi finale
26 Nov 2023 7:06 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Pierre Gasly made it clear that Alpine’s undercut with his team-mate Esteban Ocon “should not happen”, though Lewis Hamilton did the main damage to his Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Gasly was understandably livid with that move from his team, confirming behind-the-scenes talks will take place to ensure there is no repeat.

“It should not happen,” Gasly told media including PlanetF1.com’s Thomas Maher. “The leading car always has the priority and we know it should not happen. So, I’m sure we’ll learn from it and I’m sure it won’t happen again. I think the main conversation will happen in the office and I’m sure we’ll have it, but shouldn’t have happened.”

Shortly before that controversial Alpine call, Gasly had taken a whack from behind courtesy of Hamilton’s Mercedes. It was immediately clear that Hamilton had front wing damage, but Gasly revealed that the Alpine diffuser was “destroyed” by the impact, costing him four-tenths of a second per lap. P13 was his final position as neither Alpine driver scored points, Gasly suggesting Hamilton “missed the braking point” and only made the corner by hitting him.

‘Pierre Gasly criticises Alpine’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/pierre...lton-collision


Alpine 'happy' to resume F1 engine talks with Andretti
28 November 5:10PM
Author Fergal Walsh
Co-author Aaron Deckers

Alpine has indicated that it would be happy to re-engage in serious talks with Andretti regarding the supply of Power Units if its Formula 1 bid is successful. Andretti's F1 entry is currently under the consideration of Formula One Management after it passed the FIA's criteria to form an 11th team. Previous discussions were held between Alpine and Andretti over an engine deal but the former explained last month that the pre-contract agreement has since expired.

F1's regulations state that should a team be left without an engine partner, the manufacturer with the fewest customer teams will be assigned to provide engines. Alpine currently only supplies its works team while for 2026 when new Power Unit regulations come into play, while Audi will power its own squad and Honda will return to the grid in partnership with Aston Martin.

Andretti is set to arrive in F1 with General Motors and its Cadillac division, should its bid be accepted. General Motors has already registered as a Power Unit supplier but would only enter in 2028, potentially up to three years after Andretti forms its team on the F1 grid.

‘Happy to re-engage’;

https://racingnews365.com/alpine-hap...s-wth-andretti

Albon: Williams did the ‘bare minimum’ to secure P7 in 2023.
Alex Albon admits that the Williams Formula 1 team did the “bare minimum” during the 2023 season to secure seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship.
13:43 Tue, 28 Nov 2023.
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Having ceased development on its FW45 challenger earlier than its rivals, Albon is optimistic that Williams’ decision to allocate resources to next season will pay dividends. The Grove outfit’s future prospects have also been boosted by the recent arrival of the experienced Pat Fry, formerly of Alpine, into the position of Chief Technical Officer.

“I mean, time will tell, obviously, he’s just joined the team, and I think he’s getting up to speed very quickly,” Albon said regarding the addition of Fry this year. “I feel like he understands the areas we need to improve in as well, and he will offer that guidance and mentorship to the team.”

“So I’m very excited to have him on board and I think, you know, we’ve sacrificed a lot this year to focus on next year’s car. We haven’t upgraded for much longer than our rivals. That can only be a good thing, I think. We did the bare minimum to finish P7, and now we’re eyes on to next year, obviously having Pat on I think this will be James’ [Vowles, Williams Team Principal] first proper year where he’s had true leadership in the development of the car, so let’s see.”

‘Bare minimum’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...re-p7-in-2023/


‘Lot of catching up’: F1 chief says some of his team’s facilities are 20 years out of date compared to rivals
Ben Evans
Tue 28 November 2023 12:00
F1 Oversteer

Williams chief technical officer Pat Fry has admitted that some of the team’s facilities are now up to 20 years out of day compared to their rivals. Fry was speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast at the conclusion of the 2023 Formula 1 season. However, Fry has admitted that while some of the facilities at Williams are first-class, there are others in desperate need of improvement.

The recently introduced spending cap in F1 makes that more difficult and arguably punishes smaller teams even more than the giants of the sport. Speaking about his first few months with the team, Fry said: “Well we certainly have a lot of catching up to do. Some bits of the company are if anything better than where I’ve come from [at Alpine], there’s other bits that you can could say are 15, 20 years out of date.”

“So, we’ve certainly got a lot of work to do and it’s not just the machinery or the tools as such, it’s also the methodologies we use to actually design a car. So, we need to be thinking about all of those, trying to move to the 21st century of actually designing things.”

‘Lot of catching up’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/f1-...red-to-rivals/


Williams' championship 'never just about money' - Vowles
28/11/2023 at 16:02
Andrew Lewin
F1i.com

Williams went into the final race of the 2023 season knowing they had a fight on their hands to keep hold of seventh place in the constructors' championship from an in-form AlphaTauri. Despite leading the race at one point, Tsunoda came up short and Williams duly clinched P7 in the final team standings. Not losing the spot is estimated to have been worth $9 million to Williams in prize fund money.

But James Vowles, who moved from Mercedes to take over as team principal at Grove at the start of the year after the unexpected departure of Jost Capito, said that the battle had never been just about the money.

"Probably the most important thing is that it sets the foundations for the team, that they have something to build on now," he told Motorsport.com after the race. "What I wanted to do was to stand up and go: this is the start of our journey.”

‘A fight on their hands’;

https://f1i.com/news/495485-williams...ey-vowles.html


Williams reveal final consideration before confirming 2024 F1 line-up
29 Nov 2023 10:30 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Crossing the line in 16th place, Sargeant’s race engineer Gaetan Jego said: “Thank you, Logan. Looking forward to next year buddy.” Vowles then added over the radio: “Well done, I’m sorry we didn’t have the car underneath you today to do more than that. You’re contribution this year has been excellent. It’s been a proud moment to watch you grow across the season so far. Looking forward to the winter together and many more.”

The Briton, though, was quick to tell F1TV that “you’re getting ahead of yourself.” But, he added: “Whatever happens, Logan has been in our academy for many, many years. He will always remain a part of our academy. He’s still an excellently quick driver.”

“But I think also, if we step away from that and look at the last five races and how he’s been improving, I think you can see signs that he’s doing what we need to earn the seat. But we’re not in a position to confirm that at this point in time. The main thing I want him to be aware of, is I’m proud of the steps he’s made.”

‘Final consideration’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/willia...n-2024-line-up


Vowles coy over Sargeant's Williams future
28 November 7:10PM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

When asked after the Yas Marina finale to confirm Sargeant, Vowles would not, insisting he would take his time to study Sargeant's case for a second season. "I'm afraid you're getting ahead of yourself, but whatever happens, Logan has been part of our academy for many, many years," he told F1TV when cool-down lap comments from Sargeant's engineer meant a renewal was imminent.

"He always will remain a part of our academy, he is still an excellently quick driver, but I think if we look at the last five races, he has been improving and stepping forward. There are signs he is doing what we need to earn the seat, but I am not in a position to confirm that.”

"The main thing I wanted him to be aware of is that I'm proud of the steps he's taken across this year and we have a lot of time across the winter."

‘Take his time to study’;

https://racingnews365.com/williams-s...geant-for-2024


'It looks fast' – Albon 'excited' by Williams' 2024 car after helping team seal P7 in the championship in Abu Dhabi
27 November 2023
Formula1OfficialSite

Alex Albon has already turned his attentions to Williams’ 2024 car after the team sealed seventh place in the constructors’ championship in Abu Dhabi – while Logan Sargeant reflected on his first season in Formula 1. “Yes, I’m definitely looking forward to a break, I’m dead, I’m very sick right now,” joked Albon. “I’ll use these next couple of months off and enjoy it but like you said I’m very excited for next year.”

“We’ve been spending so much time on the simulator working on next year’s car, I’ve seen the car in the wind tunnel as well – it looks great, it looks fast. I’m no aerodynamicist but if it looks wavy that’s a good sign. And on the simulator, it feels good as well. So, as you said, Christmas is only in a few weeks but for me it’s a bit more in February when we get to shakedown the car.”

'It looks fast';

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...KchJOxX1U.html

Tsunoda 'unaware' of career-first in Abu Dhabi that equalled Indy 500 winner.
Yuki Tsunoda led several laps during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but the Japanese driver has admitted that he wasn't aware he was heading the field at the time.
26 November 8:30PM
Author Fergal Walsh
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Yuki Tsunoda has admitted that he had no idea he held the lead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at one stage during the race. “I gave it everything,” he told media including RacingNews365.com. “To be honest, I didn't know I was leading the pack, so I'm quite surprised about it. Looking back at the first half of the season, we never thought about leading the pack.”

“So [a] massive, massive improvement and almost every race this year we've had upgrades, it's crazy and they deserve it. I wasn't able to give the biggest gift to Franz [P7 in the Constructors' Championship] but I gave it all and I showed at least my performance as appreciation for him.”

'Unaware of career-first’;

https://racingnews365.com/tsunoda-wa...g-abu-dhabi-gp


Tsunoda didn’t realise he was leading the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Formula 1
Posted on 26th November 2023, 19:37
Written by Hazel Southwell and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans

Yuki Tsunoda spent five laps leading the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but wasn’t aware he was heading the field at the time. The AlphaTauri driver rose to the head of the field as he was the last of the drivers who started on the medium tyre compound to pit. He hit the front of the field for the first time in his Formula 1 career on lap 18 and stayed there until he pitted on lap 23.

He needed to finish two places higher than he did in order to move them up in the championship. He doubted that would have been possible even with a different strategy. He said his long opening stint was intentional: “It was the plan, but we knew that it was going to be difficult. We were listening to what the tyres say and they held on quite well in the first stint. That helped, I think that was a key moment. I think in the end, what we [did] on the strategy itself was okay.”

“We were listening to what the tyres say”;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/11/26/...bi-grand-prix/


No regrets for Tsunoda as AlphaTauri narrowly miss out on P7 in the championship to Williams
26 November 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Yuki Tsunoda came into the final race of the season with the chance to do something incredible and secure P7 in the constructors' championship for AlphaTauri. Having qualified sixth, all he needed to do was finish there and they would be able to leapfrog Williams.

“At some point, I thought we could finish potentially top six but it just didn’t work out,” he said afterwards. “I don’t think we have regrets that we stayed out and tried to go one-stop. Just obviously a shame that we weren’t able to finish P7. At least I gave it all, everything, and happy for it.”

‘No regrets’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Y52irqMkG.html


How AlphaTauri's "crazy" F1 upgrade push helped Tsunoda deliver unthinkable feat
NOV 27, 2023, 4:25 PM
AUTHORAdam Cooper
Motorsport.com

Helped by floor updates to the AT04, Tsunoda qualified sixth at the Yas Marina track, and he held onto the position in the early laps, rising up the order as the frontrunners pitted. When Charles Leclerc came in, Tsunoda took over the lead for five laps, before making his late first and only stop.

He was only the second Japanese driver to lead a grand prix after Takuma Sato enjoyed a brief spell in front at the Nurburgring in 2004. The subplot was that sixth would have been enough to relieve Williams of P7 in the constructors' world championship on team principal Franz Tost's last day in charge. However, Tsunoda slipped behind Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso and ultimately claimed eighth, which was not quite enough.

‘Helped by floor updates’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/h...eat/10552550/+


Franz Tost bows out of F1 with “too stupid” dig at the AlphaTauri strategists
27 Nov 2023
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

Franz Tost has hit out at his AlphaTauri F1 team for being “too stupid to choose the correct strategy” after Yuki Tsunoda’s strategy didn’t quite work out.

“I’m pissed because we were too stupid to choose a correct strategy and because I had a lot of discussions on the pit wall because I said, bring Yuki in, we’re closed slowly,” he told Sky Deutschland. “I was told that it would work out. It’s pure arithmetic. I actually realised straight away that it probably wouldn’t work out.”

“I’ll say now: A seventh place was 100 percent realistic for Yuki. Sixth, not so much, because Perez was behind us in qualifying and was simply faster [in the race]. So you had to take that into account that he was ahead. We messed it up because the technicians who sit in front of the computer for hours couldn’t figure out a strategy that would ultimately work.”

“Too stupid”;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104224...ri-strategists


THE STRATEGIST: Did the wrong strategy cost AlphaTauri P7 in their constructors' battle with Williams?
28 November 2023
Bernie Collins
Former Aston Martin Head of Race Strategy
Formula One - Official Site

Tsunoda finished the race just 3.5 seconds behind Fernando Alonso – so had the Japanese racer completed a two-strop strategy instead of a one-stop, the time he would have saved might have gained him a position and two valuable points for AlphaTauri, who only finished three points behind Williams when it was all over.

Daniel Riccardo was of course the other potential points scorer for AlphaTauri, however a visor tear off blocking his brake duct forced an earlier than planned first pit stop and thus forced him onto a two-stop strategy. More importantly for Riccardo this resulted in him emerging on track behind both Williams drivers who were both on a more optimum two-stop strategy.

‘Did the wrong strategy cost AlphaTauri P7’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...VLCbZaT1j.html


Verstappen toasts Tost after 19th win completes dominant season
26/11/2023
France 24

After 18 years as the head of Red Bull's junior team, an operation that has been a conveyor belt of talent for the Milton Keynes-based outfit and others, Tost was on the Alpha Tauri pit wall for the final time.

"Thank you to everyone," said Verstappen on his in-lap after his record 19th win of the season and the 54th of his career. "And thank you to Franz Tost. He has had lots of us under his wings and it is his last race – so thank you to Franz."

‘Verstappen toasts Tost’;

https://www.france24.com/en/live-new...ominant-season


Former F1 driver pays tribute to paddock LEGEND after big exit
Wednesday 29 November 2023 16:57
Sam Cook
GPFans

Former Formula 1 podium-sitter Timo Glock has revealed that outgoing AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost will be missed by the whole of the paddock.

"As far as Franz Tost is concerned, we saw him on his last weekend as he always was: very straightforward and emotionless when it came to his farewell," he told Sky Germany. "Even though you might have seen a little shortly before the race that he was touched and occupied by it.
"This straightforwardness from Tost will be missed in Formula 1. But not just Formula 1, but also Red Bull. The way he worked with the juniors. He has trained many young drivers and many very good drivers have passed through his hands - including Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Verstappen. Therefore it is a loss for Red Bull, Formula 1 and also for us."

‘Missed by the whole of the paddock’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...nt-timo-glock/


‘It was not so easy at the beginning’ – Tost reflects on 18 years in charge of AlphaTauri
30 November 2023
Formula One - Official Site

“[Red Bull co-founder] Dietrich Mateschitz said to me, ‘Look, there are two pillars: you have to first of all use the synergies with Red Bull Technology, and second, to educate the young drivers – they must then come to Red Bull Racing, win races and, if possible, also championships’.

“I thought to myself, ‘OK, it’s clear what you want, boss’, and this is how we started. We got all the materials, the cars from Red Bull Technology, and maybe it worked a little bit too good, because in 2008, when we won at Monza, afterwards the FIA and the teams changed the regulations.

‘Not so easy at the beginning’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Qz9Vz5AFx.html

Alfa Romeo drivers ‘glad’ to see end of F1 season after difficult Abu Dhabi GP.
Both Alfa Romeo drivers have had to endure a tough and uncompetitive season, with the team ending the year ninth in the Constructors’ standings on just 16 points.
15:46 Tue, 28 Nov 2023.
by Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu admitted he was “glad” the 2023 Formula 1 season was over after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix proved to be another difficult race for him and the team. Zhou lined up 19th on the grid for the Abu Dhabi GP, with team-mate Valtteri Bottas having qualified just one place higher as both cars exited in the first segment.

Come the chequered flag, Zhou crossed the line in 17th place with Bottas 19th, and the Chinese driver admitted there was little on offer throughout the entirety of the race. Bottas was also despondent with the team’s race on Sunday at Yas Marina after enduring the consequences of an uncompetitive one-stop strategy.

Both drivers were well aware that a lack of car development was the root cause for the poor form, particularly towards the end of the season. “Let’s say our main rivals from the beginning of the season, they were able to just change massively, probably introduce a new car or B car over the season and made a very good step forward,” Zhou said.

‘Glad the 2023 Formula 1 season was over’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...-abu-dhabi-gp/


Alfa drivers relieved to see the end to ‘very long, tough season’
11:20 Wed, 29 Nov 2023.
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas were put out of their misery at F1’s season finale in Abu Dhabi, and not a moment too soon after their long and laborious 2023 campaign with Alfa Romeo.

For Zhou, last weekend’s epilogue pretty much summed up Alfa’s arduous season. “Yeah, didn’t do anything wrong, had a good start against opposition, but then the pace while everybody settled, we just started sliding backwards” he said. “So, unfortunately, it is how it is this year. Glad it’s finished, it’s been a very long, tough season.”

An equally unexcited Bottas pointed to his one-stop strategy as part of the reason for his lacklustre race. “The pace was not great today, I think that was the biggest issue of the race," said the Finn. “We also tried two different strategies between the cars; I went for the one-stop hoping it would work but for us but it just didn’t, the tyres just wouldn’t last and the pace was just way off the window.”

‘Put out of their misery’;

https://f1i.com/news/495656-alfa-dri...gh-season.html


'Alfa Romeo to exit F1 after failed negotiations'
30 November 5:00PM
Author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

It is becoming increasingly likely that we will no longer see Alfa Romeo as a sponsor in Formula 1 next year. The Italian car brand stepped down as Sauber's sponsor after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and does not seem to be able to find a new partner in F1.

Around the Monaco Grand Prix, rumours surfaced that Alfa Romeo would become a sponsor of Haas for next year when its partnership with Sauber expired. However, no official announcement was made as Alfa Romeo itself indicated in early 2023 that it would like to have more clarity regarding its sponsorship in motorsport by the end of the summer.

Following the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix there is still no official news on whether we will see Alfa Romeo back as a sponsor in motorsport next year. That, according to multiple RacingNews365 sources, is because negotiations between Alfa Romeo and Haas have stalled in recent months.

'Alfa Romeo to exit F1’;

https://racingnews365.com/alfa-romeo...r-in-formula-1


ALFA ROMEO COULD LEAVE FORMULA ONE AFTER THE 2023 SEASON
After finishing sixth in the constructors' championship in 2022, Alfa Romeo has dropped down to ninth this season which is the Swiss team's joint worst result in the constructors' championship since the Alfa Romeo name returned to Formula One in 2019
December 1, 2023
Rhiannon Temporal
FormulaNerds

But what is next for the Italian car brand? At first, there were plenty of paddock rumours surrounding a potential partnership with Haas. This would have been an exciting prospect. Not only would the Italian brand name be staying in Formula One. But Haas, one of the smallest teams on the grid, would receive some much-needed financial support. However, according to RacingNews365.com, talks between the two parties may have stalled.

Allegedly, Alfa Romeo was hoping to make a deal with Haas, similar to the one they previously had with Sauber. However, the sport has grown incredibly since the Sauber deal. Both as an attractive financial investment and in general popularity terms. Additionally, Haas has recently penned a multi-year deal with MoneyGram to be the American team’s title sponsor. Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner believes the deal is the biggest in the team’s history.

‘Two parties may have stalled’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/al...e-2023-season/


Harmonious Sauber team is vegetating
NOVEMBER 30, 2023
GrandPrix.com

Alfa Romeo, which will revert to its Sauber moniker for 2024 as the naming sponsor departs Formula 1, is merely treading water in Formula 1 ahead of the 2026 transition to works Audi status.

Highly-experienced veteran Swiss journalist Roger Benoit, a seasoned Sauber observer and critic, he thinks one of the team's biggest problems at present is the harmonious driver lineup. Since 2021, Alfa-Sauber have been the prime example of a driver relationship that is too harmonious, he told Blick newspaper, referring to Chinese Guanyu and his experienced Finnish teammate Bottas.

While other teams' drivers avoid each other at dinner, the Hinwil couple are always seen together, Benoit added. "You can't sense a rivalry at all. There's Leclerc and Sainz, Hamilton and Russell, Norris and Piastri, Hulkenberg and Magnussen. Verstappen is so dominant that he simply ignores Perez at Red Bull, he said.

‘Harmonious vegetation’;

https://www.grandprix.com/news/harmo...egetating.html


Sauber’s F1 dilemma: Waiting game or strategic mishap?
07:07 Thu, 30 Nov 2023.
Andrew Maitland
Grandpx.news

Alfa Romeo, soon to be officially known as Sauber once again, seems to be caught in a peculiar state of limbo. The team, bracing for a major transformation with Audi’s anticipated entry into Formula 1 in 2026, finds itself at a crossroads, according to insights from two distinguished F1 pundits, including Sky Deutschland’s commentator Sascha Roos.

Roos candidly assesses the team’s underwhelming performance, admitting, “The team is vegetating a bit. This wasn’t a good year for them and I’m afraid it won’t get any better in the next few years.” He also highlights the team’s singular focus: “They couldn’t find any bright spots at all. Everything is being put into preparing for Audi’s entry in 2026.” This statement underscores the team’s transitional phase, where current performances seem secondary to future prospects.

‘Waiting game or strategic mishap?’;

https://grandpx.news/saubers-f1-dile...ategic-mishap/


Sauber to run “heritage” identity for two years until Audi’s “big bang” arrival
RaceFans Round-up
Posted on 1st December 2023, 0:01
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

With the Alfa Romeo team reverting to their original identity of Sauber for 2024, team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi says that the team will not run Audi branding on their cars next season. “With Audi, we enter in 2026,” Alunni Bravi explained.

“Commercially speaking, it’s important to have a big bang in 2026 – not to dilute the Audi involvement with the team. So we will continue as Sauber based on the heritage of the group. Don’t forget that we are here since ’93 – so we will start from this heritage, so we are back to the future next year.”

‘Audi’s “big bang” arrival’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/01/...nd-up-01-12-6/