2022 - A Look Ahead

[Fortitude]

Verstappen leads Ferrari pair in final Japanese GP practice.
Max Verstappen set the fastest lap in Saturday's final practice at Suzuka, the Red Bull driver edging Ferrari's Carlos Sainz by 0.294s in the first dry session of the race weekend.
08/10/2022 at 05:17
Michael Delaney

After Friday's rain drenched day at Suzuka, teams were finally facing drier prospects on Saturday for the final dress rehearsal before qualifying.

After a lull in the track activity, qualifying sims became the norm and as the front-runners ramped up the pace, Verstappen knocked Sainz off the top spot with a 1m30.671s that put the Dutchman conclusively out of reach inthe closing stages of the session.

FP3 thus concluded with a Red Bull-Ferrari top three followed by Alonso and Perez who completed the top-five. Thereafter followed Russell and Hamilton while McLaren's Lando Norris, Ocon and Aston Martin's Lance Stroll rounded off the top ten.

‘Verstappen leads Ferrari pair’;

https://f1i.com/news/456375-verstapp...-practice.html


(FP3) Third Practice Results – 2022 Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka, Japan
08/10/2022, 05:07
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:30.671
2. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.294
3. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.309
4. Fernando Alonso Alpine +0.649
5. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.843
6. George Russell Mercedes +0.859
7. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.918
8. Lando Norris McLaren +1.076
9. Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.079
10. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.167

‘Japanese Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the only dry practice of the weekend, FP3, ahead of the 2022 F1 World Championship race at Suzuka’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp3-third-...and-prix-80186


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from third practice for the Japanese Grand Prix
08/10/2022, 03:51
Becky Hart [Special Contributor]
Formula One - Official Site

Hello and welcome back to a much drier Japan...
What a difference a day makes. Gone are yesterday's overcast skies spewing droplets of rain all over the track and creating rivers and puddles aplenty. Instead, the sun is out, the track is dry and FP3 is going to be jam-packed with action as a result.

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...DDx8PpC3j.html


Everything that happened in final Japanese GP F1 practice
08/10/2022, 05:18
The Race

Max Verstappen beat the Ferraris by three tenths of a second in the first dry running of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend at Suzuka.
________________________________________
Key moments
> Verstappen sets immediate rapid pace
> Ferraris on top in middle of session
> But Verstappen 0.294s clear in the end
> Session fully dry after Friday rain

‘Everything that happened’;

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


F1 – Verstappen quickest in final practice for Japanese Grand Prix
08.10.22
FIA (Press Release)

F1 Drivers’ World Championship leader Max Verstappen topped the final practice ahead of qualifying for the 2022 FIA Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix beating Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz by almost three tenths of a second in the first dry practice session of the sport’s return to Suzuka.

After heavy rain on Friday led to two sessions run on full wet or intermediate tyres, Saturday presented teams with more favourable conditions and led to a bust final hour as driver attempted to get a read on the C1-C3 slick tyres on offer in Suzuka.

Verstappen then returned the action, this time on medium tyres, and he demonstrated the superior pace of the Red Bull by jumping to P2, 0.351 off Sainz on the less grippy tyres. In the final ten minutes the session, with new softs for most, improvements came thick and fast. Leclerc used moved back to second, crossing the line just 0.015 off Sainz’s existing pace. Sainz then went for his qualifying simulation but couldn’t improve.

That left the door open for Verstappen and with purple times in all three sectors he jumped back to first place courtesy of a lap of 1:30.671s, 0.294 ahead of Sainz and just over three tenths clear of Leclerc.

‘Verstappen quickest’;

https://www.fia.com/news/f1-verstapp...ese-grand-prix


Max Verstappen reveals why his dad isn’t attending the Japanese GP
Max Verstappen could win his second world championship at the Japanese GP, but his dad won't be there to celebrate with him.
8 October 2022
by James Clifford

A win with the fastest lap will take the Red Bull man over the line, and Jos has previously stated his intent to be present at every race so that he can see the second championship come home.

However, Max has since confirmed that his dad is not going to be in Suzuka this weekend, and will instead be spending some quality time at home. “It’s also important to spend time with the family at home, that’s why he can’t be with everyone. But of course, we talk on the phone every day,” said Verstappen.

Jos has been competing in the Belgian Rally Championship this year, embarking on a new racing challenge having scored two podiums with Benetton in 1994.

‘Dad isn’t attending’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/max-verst...e-japanese-gp/

[Fortitude]

Verstappen on pole for Japanese GP but under investigation after Norris near-miss.
Max Verstappen secured a crucial pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix but now faces an anxious wait to see if he will retain top spot on the grid at Suzuka.
Saturday 8 October 2022 08:03
Ian Parkes

Verstappen, who can become a two-time champion by winning the race and claiming the point for the fastest lap, is under investigation following a hair-raising incident in Q3.

At one stage during the first runs of the session, McLaren's Lando Norris had to take to the grass out of the high-speed 130R to avoid Verstappen weaving in his Red Bull and travelling slowly in the middle of the circuit.

Verstappen's first lap in the top-10 shoot-out was good enough to clinch his fifth pole position of the season, finishing just 0.010secs ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, and his team's first at this track since 2013.

‘Verstappen on pole, but under investigation’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/93...-lando-norris/


Qualifying Results – 2022 Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka, Japan
08/10/2022, 07:29
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Q3
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:29.304
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.010
3. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.057
4. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.405
5. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.861
6. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.957
7. Fernando Alonso Alpine +1.018
8. George Russell Mercedes +1.085
9. Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin +1.250
10. Lando Norris McLaren +1.699

‘Japanese Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying for this weekend’s 2022 F1 World Championship race in Suzuka’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-80208


LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix
08 October 2022
08/10/2022, 06:44
Becky Hart [Special Contributor]
Formula One - Official Site

‘As it happened’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...0KjVtfmmR.html


Pierre Gasly in huge meltdown at Japanese Grand Prix hours after AlphaTauri exit confirmed
Pierre Gasly announced his AlphaTauri exit at the Japanese Grand Prix hours before qualifying.
07:35, Sat, Oct 8, 2022
By Joe Krishnan

Pierre Gasly vented his frustration with AlphaTauri after failing to make it out of the first qualifying session at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Frenchman had announced his exit from the Red Bull-owned team just hours before on Saturday morning and he was left fuming with his car's performance after only qualifying in 17th for Sunday's race at Suzuka.

Things did not get off to the best start in Q1 at Suzuka after failing to make it out of the bottom-five elimination zone after struggling with issues with his brakes. The 25-year-old was seen locking up into the hairpin and that mistake was costly as he failed to make it into Q2.

‘Pierre Gasly in huge meltdown’;

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


Pierre Gasly to join Alpine for 2023
Published: 8 Oct 2022, 06:38
By George Dagless

Pierre Gasly’s expected move to Alpine for 2023 has been confirmed ahead of Japanese Grand Prix qualifying this morning, with him leaving AlphaTauri.

The Formula 1 driver market this year has really captured the imagination, and we’re now one step closer to knowing the full line-up on the grid for 2023.

Indeed, Gasly had signed a contract earlier this year to stay with AlphaTauri for at least one more season but after it was revealed Fernando Alonso would be leaving Alpine for Aston Martin, speculation quickly grew that Gasly was the team’s first pick for Esteban Ocon’s new partner.

‘Pierre Gasly to join Alpine’;

https://www.givemesport.com/88068742...lpine-for-2023

[Fortitude]

Max Verstappen crowned world champion as Charles Leclerc penalised after Japanese GP.
Sergio Perez was gifted P2 after Leclefc was handed a five-second penalty for running wide at the final chicane. It gives Verstappen a 113 point lead in the championship meaning he is above the 112 he needed.
09:24, Sun, Oct 9, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth

Max Verstappen has secured his second world title at the Japanese Grand Prix. Max Verstappen has clinched his second F1 crown after taking victory at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Red Bull star took the championship with four races remaining after a post-race penalty for Charles Leclerc.

It’s the first time the championship has been decided at Suzuka since 2011 when Sebastian Vettel secured his second title. Poetically, Suzuka is also the circuit where the 25-year-old made his F1 debut with Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso eight years ago.

Verstappen has enjoyed a dominant campaign with 12 vistories already to his name. The champion can still beat Vettel and Michael Schumacher’s record of 13 wins in one season if he finishes on the top-step at two of the four races remaining.

‘Max Verstappen crowned world champion’;

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


Race Results – 2022 Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka, Japan
09/10/2022, 09:15
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -29 laps
2. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +27.066
3. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +31.763 *
4. Esteban Ocon Alpine +39.685
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +40.326
6. Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin +46.358
7. Fernando Alonso Alpine +46.369
8. George Russell Mercedes +47.661
9. Nicholas Latifi Williams Racing +70.143
10. Lando Norris McLaren +70.782

‘Japanese Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from today’s rain delayed and shortened 2022 F1 World Championship race at Suzuka.;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/race-resul...and-prix-80223


LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix
09 October 2022
Becky Hart [Special Contributor]
Formula One - Official Site

‘As it happened’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...ThFoadfp1.html


Verstappen secures championship in rain-affected Japanese GP win
Max Verstappen claimed the 2022 Drivers' Championship after taking a dominant win at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix
October 9, 2022
By Rahul Sharan

Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez would claim second after forcing Leclerc to make a mistake on the final lap at the final corner, which ultimately penalized the Monegasque driver.

Verstappen the champion: Leclerc would ultimately receive a five-second penalty, meaning that Verstappen is now the 2022 Drivers’ Champion. The Dutchman now joins the likes of Mika Hakkinen and Alonso in securing back-to-back championships with Verstappen in dominant form this year.

Verstappen will now focus on securing the most wins in a single campaign with the Red Bull needing two more wins to break the record.

‘Max Verstappen secures championship’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/ver...panese-gp-win/


Japanese GP: Verstappen crowned F1 champion after cruising to victory
Max Verstappen has been crowned the 2022 Formula 1 world champion in bizarre circumstances after Charles Leclerc copped a late penalty in a heavily delayed and wet Japanese Grand Prix.
Oct 9, 2022, 9:26 AM
By: Matt Kew
Motorsport.com

The Red Bull driver dominated a time-limited and controversial event at Suzuka to win by close to half a minute, but not scoring the bonus point for the fastest lap looked to leave him one point short of the title.

However, a post-race 5s penalty for runner-up Leclerc - adjudged to have squeezed Sergio Perez excessively out of the last corner - dropped the Ferrari racer behind the Mexican to hand Verstappen the championship.

The ever-changing weather forecast for the Suzuka weekend culminated in the rain shower that was originally predicted to hit after the race instead of dousing the grid in the build-up.

‘Crowned the 2022 Formula 1 world champion in bizarre circumstances’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/j...tory/10382004/


Confusion as Verstappen declared champion after shortened Suzuka race
Verstappen clinched the championship once it was confirmed his rival Charles Leclerc had been given a five-second time penalty for leaving the track on the final lap, which demoted him to third place.
2022 F1 season
Posted on
9th October 2022, 9:36
Written by Keith Collantine

Formula 1 has declared Max Verstappen has clinched the world championship for a second time in confusing circumstances following today’s Japanese Grand Prix. The driver cast doubt on claims he’d won the world championship after taking victory in today’s Japanese Grand Prix. The race only ran to 28 of the scheduled 53 laps – 52% of the scheduled distance.

F1 introduced new rules for 2022 which state reduced points will be awarded if less than 75% of the race distance is completed. However the FIA confirmed full points would be handed out for the race.

“The rules regarding the reduced points allocation (article 6.5) only apply in the event of race suspension that cannot be resumed,” an FIA spokesperson told RaceFans in a statement. “Therefore full points are awarded and Max Verstappen is world champion.”

‘The FIA confirmed full points would be handed out for the race.’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/10/09/...d-suzuka-race/

[Fortitude]

Confusion at Japanese GP as Johnny Herbert confirms Max Verstappen as F1 champion.
Max Verstappen discovered he had become Formula 1 world champion for a second time at the Japanese Grand Prix after Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was hit with a time penalty.
09:32, 9 OCT 2022
BY Mark Whiley

The news that the drivers’ championship had been confirmed even surprised Red Bull and Verstappen himself. The news was bizarrely broken to Verstappen by Johnny Herbert, who was conducting the post-race interviews. The Dutchman seemed confused, asking officials if he was indeed world champion.

"It's a pretty crazy feeling as I did not expect it as I crossed the line," said Verstappen. "I didn't know if it was going to be half points. I didn't know how many points I was going to get."

Verstappen won the shortened wet race, with Charles Leclerc crossing the line second just ahead of Sergio Perez. At the final corner on the final lap, the Ferrari left the track and gained an advantage as he tried to defend from the Red Bull driver. As a result, he was hit with a five-second penalty, dropping him to third behind Perez. The confusion emanated from the lack of clarity over how many points would be awarded given the race only saw 28 laps, having been red-flagged amid torrential rain earlier in the day.

‘Johnny Herbert confirms Max Verstappen as F1 champion’;

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/f1...on-f1-28190777


Ted Kravitz explains how Max Verstappen sealed world title
09/10/2022, 09:51
Sky Sports

Ted Kravitz explains how the confusing finish to the Japanese Grand Prix led to Max Verstappen becoming two-time world champion.

‘Ted Kravitz explains’;

https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...d-championship


Max Verstappen learns of F1 title win in most chaotic way possible
Sunday 9th October 2022 9:33 AM
Jon Wilde

Confusion reigned at the end of the Japanese Grand Prix over whether Max Verstappen was confirmed as 2022 World Champion or not.

In a race that was essentially condensed to around 40 minutes because of heavy rain at Suzuka, Verstappen’s 12th win of the season was never in doubt as he pulled further and further clear of his rivals.

The only question was whether the Red Bull driver could clinch a second World Championship with four races to spare, Charles Leclerc the only man who could stop him if he held off Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez for second place.

‘Most chaotic way possible’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...2022-champion/


Max Verstappen: It's crazy! What a year!
09/10/2022, 10:01
Sky Sports

Max Verstappen was as confused as everyone else at being told he was confirmed as world champion and says it's been a very special year.

‘It's crazy! What a year!’;

https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...ppen-its-crazy


Verstappen wins Japanese GP and 2022 F1 title amid confusion
09/10/2022, 09:38
By Matt Beer
The Race

Max Verstappen took victory in the interrupted, delayed and shortened Japanese Grand Prix and claimed his second Formula 1 world title as full points were awarded in unusual circumstances. Initially, it looked like there would be reduced points distribution due to the truncated race distance, plus the fastest lap going to Zhou Guanyu, which would mean Verstappen couldn’t celebrate the title in this wet and strange Suzuka race.

But after his parc ferme interview, Verstappen was declared to be the 2022 F1 champion with full points seemingly awarded because the race was restarted following a red flag – a situation that appears to circumvent the reduced points for less than 75% of race distance completed rule under which the win would have only earned 19 points.

Charles Leclerc narrowly beat Sergio Perez to second place on the road, but lost the place to a five-second penalty for going off at the chicane on the last lap and rejoining still ahead – a penalty that allowed Verstappen to take the title on Sunday instead of having to wait until Austin.

COMMENT made on THE RACE Message Board:
• Just Another Day
"So for all the journalists blaming Masi making mistakes on the interpretation of the rules please have a look at yourself a little as well, we are all only human, merci. Congratulations to Max and Redbull frighteningly dominant this year."

‘Title amid confusion’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/verst...mid-confusion/

[Fortitude]

‘F1 looked farcical’ – Our (The Race) verdict on controversial Japanese GP.
Farce overshadowed Verstappen’s triumph.
F1 wasn’t fit for Suzuka in the rain.
F1 can’t afford to keep taking risks like this.
Sky’s response was tone-deaf.
09/10/2022, 11:30
The Race

Farce overshadowed Verstappen’s triumph
Scott Mitchell-Malm
On what should be Max Verstappen’s day of days, F1 looked farcical at times.

F1 wasn’t fit for Suzuka in the rain
Matt Beer
From a ‘clock’ rule that cancels out a reduced points rule, to wet tyres that have to be used in certain situations but aren’t really good enough to be used, to the fundamental issue of recovery vehicles on track in heavy spray being a bad idea, F1 just didn’t seem prepared for Suzuka rain today.

F1 can’t afford to keep taking risks like this
Glenn Freeman
The fuss around full points being awarded and Verstappen being crowned world champion is inconsequential. Max was always going to win the title at some point. It’s perhaps a shame for him and Red Bull that they didn’t get that euphoric moment as he crossed the finish line, but it’s not a huge deal.

Sky’s response was tone-deaf
Josh Suttill
For those of us watching Sky’s coverage of the Japanese GP, it was disappointing to see their reaction to Gasly’s near-miss with the recovery vehicle.
Without the benefit of social media, you’d have been forgiven for thinking you were totally wrong to believe the deployment of the recovery vehicle while the drivers were on track in horrendous conditions was a terrible decision.

‘The Race: F1 looked farcical’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/f1-lo...l-japanese-gp/


Verstappen Wins 2022 World Championship! | 2022 Japanese Grand Prix
Oct 9, 2022 After an action-packed race in Suzuka Max Verstappen was crowned world champion for a second time after Charles Leclerc was handed a five-second penalty.

‘Verstappen Wins’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8nfEFvi5TA


Race Highlights | 2022 Japanese Grand Prix
Oct 9, 2022 Watch all the key moments from a pivotal race in the championship in Suzuka.

5Oblivion
Massive respect to the Japanese fans I had the honour of watching the race live with, hours waiting in the pouring rain for a race that looked like it might not happen, and yet they never wavered in their determination, best fans in the world! ����

‘Race Highlights’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J7cmh3MLp4


Max FINDS OUT he is the WORLD CHAMPION - Japanese GP 2022 Cooldown Room
Oct 9, 2022 Max is champion due to a 5s penalty to Leclerc. He wasn't sure until the cooldown room.

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


Japanese GP 2022 Podium Celebrations #formula1
Oct 9, 2022

‘Podium Celebrations’;

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


Leclerc accepts penalty which ended his championship hopes was “correct”
2022 Japanese Grand Prix
Posted on 9th October 2022, 11:32
Written by Keith Collantine

Charles Leclerc does not disagree with his Japanese Grand Prix penalty, which ended his chances of winning the world championship.

After crossing the line in second place ahead of Sergio Perez, Leclerc was demoted to third place behind his rival by a five-second time penalty. The stewards ruled he gained an advantage by going off the track at the chicane on the final lap while trying to out-run the Red Bull.

Leclerc admitted he wasn’t aware at the time that he was on the last lap of the race. “I did a mistake and tried to minimise it obviously by trying to go straight,” he explained. “I was not aware this was the last lap but a five seconds penalty was the right thing to do to be honest.”

‘Leclerc accepts penalty’;

https://www.racefans.net/2022/10/09/...s-was-correct/

[Fortitude]

‘I find it actually quite funny’ – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen not put out by confusion over second world title.
“What can I say? Incredible!” Verstappen said after hugging his pit crew who had simultaneously learnt the news. “It’s mixed emotions, very special to do it here, in front of the Honda people and the Japanese fans.”
October 10 2022 02:30 AM
Tom Cary

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was finally crowned world champion for a second time at Suzuka but only after an utterly bizarre finish to a rain-drenched, shortened Japanese Grand Prix. In extraordinary scenes, the Dutch driver, who had already given an immediate post-race interview to Johnny Herbert in which he denied he was disappointed to have missed out on the title, had to be called back and be told he was, in fact, a two-time world champion.

Verstappen won the race impressively by more than 25 seconds, but because only 28 of the scheduled 53 laps had been completed due to horrendous weather and multiple delays, almost everyone in the sport, including Verstappen, was under the impression he had only been awarded half points, which would not have been enough to see him again crowned champion.

It was only after the FIA confirmed that the regulations regarding reduced points allocations (Article 6.5) had been tweaked following the Spa debacle last year – when half points were controversially awarded for a “one-lap” race – and that they now only applied “in the event of race suspension that cannot be resumed”, that it became clear Verstappen had gained enough championship points to seal the title.

‘I find it actually quite funny’;

https://www.independent.ie/sport/oth...-42053352.html


Marko: Our strategist said we were one point behind
10 October, 2022
Reuters

Dr. Helmut Marko spoke of the confusion when Max Verstappen was announced as the 2022 Formula 1 World Champion revealing Red Bull’s data showed they were one point short.

Max Verstappen needed convincing he was a double Formula 1 World Champion on Sunday as even his Red Bull team were caught in the confusion that reigned after a delayed and shortened Japanese Grand Prix. Rivals Ferrari were also unsure the title battle was over as a sport full of data experts and technical boffins wrestled with new scoring rules introduced after a farcical wash-out in Belgium last year.

“We only found out when the speaker was saying congratulations for the world championship because our strategist said we were one point behind (the tally needed),” said Red Bull’s motorsport head Helmut Marko. “So big surprise, but a very nice surprise,” the Austrian admitted.

‘A sport full of data experts and technical boffins wrestled with new scoring rules’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/10...-point-behind/


Max Verstappen's coronation day at Suzuka in pictures
09/10/2022 at 17:15
Phillip van Osten

The 2022 Japanese Grand Prix left us with many talking points, but at the end of the day all the attention was on one man: race winner and freshly crowned F1 World Champion Max Verstappen.

The 25-year-old Dutchman joined six other drivers in the sport's annals who have two world titles to their name – Alberto Ascari, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mika Hakkinen and Fernando Alonso – and he did it with four races to spare.

But beyond the stats, it's perhaps Max's veritable stampede in the championship over the summer, which he resumed in Japan this weekend, and his unwavering momentum and will to achieve, race in and race out, that have elevated the Red Bull driver to 'legend' status in F1 well ahead of time.

‘Here's our recap in pictures of Max Verstappen's red-letter day at Suzuka’;

https://f1i.com/news/456814-max-vers...-pictures.html


In terms of raw performance… Max Verstappen is the best ever F1 driver
Max Verstappen became a two-time world champion after his victory at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix, but how good is the Red Bull driver and is he on his way to becoming one of the all-time greats?
October 9, 2022
By Nigel Chiu

Before you start laughing or post a comment after only reading the headline, let’s be clear – Max Verstappen is not the greatest Formula 1 driver ever, at least not yet.

Greatness requires longevity at the top of your sport for over a decade, doing things that can make your sport bigger off the track. Verstappen is getting there, but still has to prove himself over the next couple of years to join the conversation.

What we can argue is, in terms of raw, natural talent and speed, Verstappen is the best F1 driver the sport has seen. Hear me out.

‘Hear me out’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/max...1-driver-ever/


Verstappen on "perfect" Red Bull-Honda vindication - "People told us we were crazy"
Monday 10 October 2022 04:00
Ewan Gale

Max Verstappen believes his second world title being wrapped up at Honda's home in Japan feels "perfect" after the criticism faced by the manufacturer when joining Red Bull. Honda returned to F1 from a five-year sabbatical in 2015 with McLaren but endured a miserable three-year stay that dramatically lowered its reputation, with Fernando Alonso's constant barbs about its power and reliability becoming quotable moments amongst followers.

But after the McLaren partnership ended, however, Honda linked with Red Bull and AlphaTauri and since then has not looked back, surpassing the performance of Mercedes' all-dominant engine of the turbo-hybrid V6 era. Verstappen joined a list of legends to have won two titles with his 12th victory of the season at Suzuka in front of the adoring Japanese fans and the Dutchman conceded: "It does feel perfect.

"Because it's not only because of just, you know, that we are driving with Honda, you know, we've been really working together with them now for a few years, and with all the Japanese fans around. It's also where we came from together, because I think everyone, or most people, told us we were crazy when we started to work with them back in the day, is it going to work out, you know, because they had a tough time at that time. But you see, never give up and full dedication to make it work, and that's what happened."

"People told us we were crazy";

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/93...ed-bull-honda/


Why Perez is 'very proud' of Verstappen after early-season battle
10/10/2022, ‎17‎:‎25
Author Anna Francis

Sergio Perez has been left feeling "very proud" of Max Verstappen's drive to the title in 2022, despite missing out on fighting for the championship himself. After a difficult start to the season for Red Bull – in which they suffered reliability issues during the opening races – the team bounced back as the campaign progressed, with Perez looking particularly strong after winning the Monaco Grand Prix.

However, despite seeming to be on course to battle with Verstappen, Perez's own title bid slipped away as the Dutchman became increasingly dominant throughout the rest of the season. This culminated in Verstappen clinching his second World Championship at the shortened Japanese Grand Prix, while Perez finished the race in P2, having been promoted due to second-placed Charles Leclerc being handed a five-second time penalty for cutting a chicane on the final lap as he tried to hold off Perez.

"I am very proud of what Max has done this season; he has stepped up as a driver," Perez explained. "I was fighting with him in the beginning but then halfway through the year he moved into another gear, the way he drove in some races was unbelievable."

'Very proud of Verstappen’;

https://racingnews365.com/why-perez-...-season-battle


Mark Hughes: Ambiguity made F1 look amateur – but not Verstappen
10/10/2022,05:40
By Mark Hughes
The Race

Ambiguity about regulations made Formula 1 look amateur on Sunday at Suzuka. But there was zero ambiguity about Max Verstappen’s performance as he took apart the opposition to win his second world title in the most emphatic way imaginable.

The weather meant only 27 of the Japanese Grand Prix’s scheduled 53 laps were completed within the remaining two hours of the permitted three-hour window – after the initial two-lap race was red-flagged. Which was widely expected – even by Red Bull – to mean that the race winner would get only 19 points rather than 25. In which case Verstappen’s crown would not have been mathematically secure.

When the FIA announced that full points would be applied, virtually every sporting director in the pitlane checked and re-checked the relevant section of the regulations (which had been rewritten after the debacle at Spa last year). Yes, it was true. The regulation, as written, stipulates only what happens when a red-flagged race doesn’t run the full distance. Not what happens when a time-limited race runs to the chequered flag, such as this.

‘Yes, it was true’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/mark-...ot-verstappen/

[Fortitude]

‘He’s raised it to another level’ – Horner hails ‘truly, truly dominant’ Verstappen.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner heaped praise on Max Verstappen and the rest of the squad after the Dutchman sealed a “truly special” 2022 championship win at the Japanese Grand Prix.
09 October 2022
Formula One - Official Site

Verstappen took the crown with four races to spare as victory at Suzuka – and Charles Leclerc’s dramatic time penalty – gave him a points lead that cannot be overturned across the final four races.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Horner said: “It’s beyond all our dreams. Max has been truly, truly dominant [this season]. We came back from some difficulties in the first couple of races, but honestly, he and the team have just raised it to another level.

“I’m incredibly proud of everything he’s done, everything the team [has done] – all the men and women back in Milton Keynes have gone way and beyond under massive pressure. To achieve this championship is truly special.”

Horner went on to share some words of praise for Honda on their home soil, with the Japanese manufacturer and Red Bull recently extending their power unit support arrangement through 2025 – the final year before new engine regulations come into place. “It’s an amazing thing for Honda to win this here as well. That’s why we sent Asaki-san (Yasuaki Asaki), a long-time member of the Honda group, to go and get the constructors’ trophy for us today,” said Horner.

‘Asaki-san (Yasuaki Asaki) of the Honda group got the constructors’ trophy for us today’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...qZDfa0c5J.html


Horner: Max has grown from that first Championship
10 October, 2022
Jad Mallak

Christian Horner commended his star driver Max Verstappen who he claims has grown from his first Formula 1 Championship in 2021 to win his second in succession at Suzuka on Sunday.

“We thought it wasn’t going to be full points awarded,” Horner reflected , speaking to the media after the race on Sunday. We thought we’re a one point short. We were looking at pitting him for the fastest lap and so on. But wow, that is beyond all our dreams.”

Verstappen has won 12 races this season, and with Sergio Perez’s wins at Monaco and Singapore, that means Red Bull’s 2022 tally of wins is 14, a record for Milton Keynes.

‘Max has grown’;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/10...-championship/


Horner hails Verstappen title dominance after Suzuka success
Sunday 9 October 2022 11:35 - Updated: 11:39
Will Gray

But when Verstappen crossed the line, Red Bull did not believe he was a point short of the title as less than 75 per cent of the race distance had been completed. As the race had been able to resume after a two-hour red flag interruption, however, it transpired that full points could be awarded.

Asked how that compared to last year, Horner admitted: “A lot less stressful, less controversial. We thought it wasn’t going to be full points awarded. We thought we were one point short, so we were looking if we pit him for the fastest lap. That’s beyond all our dreams. What a script."

“It needs everything to come together to achieve the kind of results that we have and we have done that, we’ve achieved it and it was unexpected. We didn’t think that we would be able to achieve the necessary points today but it’s phenomenal.”

‘Horner hails Verstappen title dominance’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/93...rner-champion/


Red Bull boss explains Max Verstappen’s post-race confusion.
Max Verstappen won his second championship in Japan on Sunday in confusing and bizarre circumstances.
9 October 2022
by James Clifford

“We thought it wasn’t going to be full points awarded, so that’s obviously what swung it,” Horner told Sky Sports. “Because we thought we were one point short, we were looking at, ‘do we pit him for the fastest lap?’ and so on. But wow, that’s beyond all our dreams.”

It is victory number 12 for the now double world champion in a phenomenal title defence. “Max has been truly, truly dominant,” explained Horner. “That’s our 14th victory, that’s a record for us as a team. The way he’s driven from the first race – we came back from some difficulties in the first couple of races.”

“But honestly, he and the team have just raised it to another level. I’m incredibly proud of everything that’s done, everyone at the team, all the men and women back in Milton Keynes have gone way beyond under massive pressure.”

‘Phenomenal title defence’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/red-bull-...ace-confusion/


Helmut Marko pinpoints two moments when he saw a changed Max Verstappen
Sunday 9th October 2022 2:00 PM
Sam Cooper

Helmut Marko highlighted the two moments from this season he saw a change in Max Verstappen after the Dutchman secured his second World Championship. Marko was instrumental in the early career of Verstappen, being part of the decision-making team in first bringing him into Toro Rosso and then promoting him to the Red Bull seat.

It has been six years since Verstappen first made his winning debut with the team and he has now added two world titles to his name. But this season, the Dutchman has been praised for his maturity and Marko has picked two moments from the 2022 campaign when he realised a change had occurred in Verstappen.

“I always remember him saying [when he was] 46 [points] behind, he needs 33 or 36 races to catch up,” he told Sky Sports F1. “It didn’t take so long fortunately, but he’s far more relaxed. He’s a much more mature driver. Like in Budapest or Spa in the first corner, first lap. I thought ‘who is in this car?’ The lead car passes and once he is in free air, he shows his guts. So it’s a big step and I think it’s not the end what I’ve seen from his performance.”

‘Two moments pinpointed’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/helmut...ax-verstappen/


Max Verstappen reveals details of private phone calls with dad Jos after securing F1 title
Max Verstappen secured his second world title at the Japanese Grand Prix.
14:50, Mon, Oct 10, 2022
By Luke Chillingsworth

Max Verstappen has revealed details of two phone calls with dad Jos at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Dutchman revealed he spoke to his father during the red flag stoppage and again once he had been crowned champion in dramatic circumstances.

Verstappen told Channel 4 F1: “I just talked to him. He’s very proud. Nobody would have ever, within the family, would have thought we would ever achieve anything like this. Because you cannot imagine things like this. That’s why it is always really nice to try and share the moment together.

“I had him on the phone during the break, during the red flag and he’s like it doesn’t look like we are starting. And I said ‘yeah I think so, it’s not looking great’. But then luckily we started and we could do a race.”

‘Max Verstappen reveals details of private phone calls with Dad’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...rix-title-news

[Fortitude]

Red Bull overspend due to “free staff lunch every day”.
Daily free lunch for many of their 1,000 members of staff at their Milton Keynes headquarters is a key contributor to Red Bull’s overspend, the report states.
10 Oct 2022
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net

Red Bull were $1m-$2m in excess of the cost cap, a report from Dutch newspaper Telegraaf says.

They will be fined as their punishment, similarly to how Williams were fined $25,000 earlier this season for a procedural error, the same report says.

Costs over absent staff, due to illness, also contributed alongside catering fees. Red Bull expect a fine as their punishment, the report concludes. The FIA also found Aston Martin guilty of a procedural breach.

‘Daily free lunch a key contributor to Red Bull’s overspend’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/101438...unch-every-day


‘Surprised’ Red Bull still adamant it was below F1 cost cap
17:11 Mon, 10 Oct
By Matt Beer
The Race

Red Bull has expressed “surprise and disappointment” at the FIA’s ruling that it breached the cost cap regulations during Max Verstappen’s 2021 Formula 1 title-winning season.

The FIA officially announced on Monday that it did not consider this to be the case and that Red Bull was guilty of what it terms a “minor” overspend, which could equate to something up to $7.25million.

A statement issued by Red Bull insisted it was still confident of its innocence, and again hit out at rivals’ “conjecture and positioning” on the matter in the build-up to the FIA announcement.

‘Surprised Red Bull’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/surpr...w-f1-cost-cap/


Red Bull stand their ground on FIA cost cap revelations – "Surprised and disappointed"
The FIA said on Monday Red Bull had been found guilty of a "minor" overspend during the 2021 campaign, but the Milton Keynes-based team does not appear to accept that conclusion
17:07, 10 Oct 2022
By Daniel MoxonF1 Writer

In a statement released on social media shortly after the FIA's announcement, the team said: "We note the findings by the FIA of 'minor overspend breaches of the financial regulations' with surprise and disappointment.

"Our 2021 submission was below the cost cap limit, so we need to carefully review the FIA's findings as our belief remains that the relevant costs are under the 2021 cost cap amount. Despite the conjecture and positioning of others, there is of course a process under the regulations with the FIA which we will respectfully follow while we consider all the options available to us."

The team's reaction fits in with earlier statements made by Horner, in which he appeared adamant that he did not expect his team to be implicated in any breach of the rules despite rumours to the contrary. "I'm absolutely confident in our submission," he said in Singapore.

‘Absolutely confident in our submission’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...n-fia-28202436


Gary Anderson: Where Red Bull might gain from cost cap breach
17:52 Mon, 10 Oct
By Gary Anderson
The Race

The financial regulations that set out the budget cap are 56 pages long and contain plenty of grey areas for teams to exploit. There are plenty of exemptions including driver costs, the three highest-paid executives, heritage activities, various taxes, non-F1 activities, electricity and gas bills, bonuses, staff benefits, legal activities etc etc. If you were so minded, there are plenty of places to hide a few thousand, and probably a few million, dollars.

This is why I have always argued it would be simpler to make it cover everything as it would mean it’s all cut and dried. A team’s normal accounting declaration would cover it without question. But this is F1 and perhaps that’s too simple.

For a minor breach (anything less than 5%), this can be a deduction of drivers’ and/or constructors’ championship points, suspension from one or more stages of a competition (but not races), limitations on the ability to conduct aerodynamic or other testing, reduction of the cost cap. For a material breach, so 5% or more, those penalties are still available plus suspension from an entire competition and exclusion from the championship.

‘Where Red Bull might gain from cost cap breach’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/gary-...st-cap-breach/


Red Bull 'surprised and disappointed' by FIA's budget cap ruling
10/10/2022 at 17:42
Phillip van Osten

"We note the findings by the FIA of ‘minor overspend breaches of the financial regulations’ with surprise and disappointment," read a statement from Red Bull Racing.”

"Our 2021 submission was below the cost cap limit, so we need to carefully review the FIA’s findings as our belief remains that the relevant costs are under the 2021 cost cap amount.”

"Despite the conjecture and positioning of others, there is of course a process under the regulations with the FIA which we will respectfully follow while we consider all the options available to us."

'Surprised and disappointed';

https://f1i.com/news/456920-red-bull...ap-ruling.html

[Fortitude]

Alonso calls out Alpine: 'What are you doing this year to me?'
A frustrated Fernando Alonso had an unequivocal radio message for his Alpine crews after finishing seventh in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix, with the Spaniard hitting out at his team's strategy calls.
10/10/2022 at 10:49
Phillip van Osten

Crossing the line just 0.011s behind Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel, Alonso chastised his team over the radio on his slow down lap. "What a mistake, eh? I mean strategically, what are you doing this year to me?" he quipped. In the media pen, while taking a more cold-headed look at how events had unfolded for him, Alonso still rued his belated pitstops.

“I mean, it was difficult to read today, the conditions, and also the visibility was the biggest topic,” said the Spaniard. "We stopped very late every time that we decided to pit. At the beginning, I was alone with the full wets and I lost a couple of places and then at the end, we made an extra stop, but only six laps to the end, so there was no time really to make a difference, so we ended up in the same position."

Nevertheless, Alonso said the eventful race had given him so good fun. "Yeah, some fun out there, very chaotic for everyone. Even the last lap we didn’t know if it was the last lap or not. So I think it was difficult for everybody."

'What are you doing this year to me?';

https://f1i.com/news/456861-alonso-c...ear-to-me.html


Alpine believe Japanese GP chequered flag was waved too early
Tuesday 11th October 2022 8:00 AM
Jon Wilde

Alpine believe Fernando Alonso should have had one more lap to try and get past Sebastian Vettel in the Japanese Grand Prix. The team’s sporting director, Alan Permane, has expressed the opinion that the chequered flag was waved a lap too early at Suzuka.

That is because the race was truncated by the three-hour window in which a grand prix must be completed after it has begun, notwithstanding any stoppages such as occurred in Japan.

Starting on time even though rain was falling, the race was red-flagged before the end of the first lap after fourth-placed Carlos Sainz had crashed and Alex Albon also retired as a result of contact at the rear of the field.

‘Chequered flag was waved too early’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/alpine...hequered-flag/


Sebastian Vettel & Fernando Alonso battle looks unreal in helmet cam & fan footage
Published: 9 Oct 2022, 13:38
By Christian Wilson

Incredible footage showing Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel’s battle to cross the Suzuka circuit finish line has surfaced and it’s absolutely superb to watch.

The footage was taken from Alonso and Vettel’s onboard cameras near the end of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, which saw Max Verstappen claim his second Formula 1 World Championship title after winning the race.

The video begins with Alonso gaining on Vettel in the final lap. In heavy rain, he attempts to overtake him and the two have a battle around the chicane, both trying to gain the lead while avoiding a collision.

‘Fernando Alonso battle looks unreal in helmet cam’;

https://www.givemesport.com/88069127...am-fan-footage


Sebastian Vettel believes Fernando Alonso ‘was a bit aggressive’ in last-gasp Japan GP battle
Tuesday 11th October 2022 10:45 AM
Michelle Foster

Taking the chequered flag by 0.011s ahead of the charging Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel acknowledges it was “very, very close”. Vettel was voted ‘Driver of the Day’ at his favourite circuit, Suzuka, the Aston Martin driver hoping for a good result in his final Japanese Grand Prix.

Qualifying P9, he found himself fighting his former title rival Alonso on the opening lap and again at the very end of the timed grand prix. The latter was a thrilling battle between two World Champions, sadly one the TV coverage missed as the cameras focused on other drivers. Vettel started the last lap of the grand prix over two seconds ahead of Alonso but with the Spaniard on fresher intermediate tyres.

Alonso easily chased him down, before making a move down the inside into the first part of the chicane with barely an inch of space between the two cars. Vettel stayed firm, the two then accelerating down the hill to the finish line as they ran side-by-side.

‘Bit aggressive’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/sebast...ressive-japan/


Fernando Alonso welcomes Max Verstappen to the two-time World Champion club
Monday 10th October 2022 11:00 PM
Jamie Woodhouse

“Congratulations to Max and Red Bull,” said Alonso in an Alpine social media video. “It was outstanding, the job that they have been doing this year. When you win a championship [with] four races to the end, it means that you did something exceptional. Congratulations, welcome to the club!”

Alonso won his titles with Renault back in 2005 and 2006, coming close in 2007, 2010 and 2012 to adding further success, but ultimately falling narrowly short. The Spaniard then jokingly wished Verstappen “more luck than what I had” in that regard, though not too much luck as Alonso is eyeing a challenge for the title in his own right come next season as he waves goodbye to Alpine and hello to Aston Martin.

“Next year, hopefully you will have more competition than this year, and I’m [hoping to be] on that spot as well,” Alonso stated. By joining Aston Martin, Alonso will be linking up with a team very much intent on joining the battle for title glory in Formula 1, though 2023 will very likely be too early for the Silverstone outfit.

‘Fernando Alonso: “Congratulations to Max and Red Bull” ’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/fernan...itle-congrats/

[Fortitude]

Daniel Ricciardo may only have one option in a 2024 Formula 1 return.
Ricciardo’s reluctance to take a ‘lesser’ drive to maintain his presence on the grid could well backfire.
Tuesday 11th October 2022 6:00 PM
Henry Valantine

Daniel Ricciardo effectively confirmed he will not be on the Formula 1 grid next season, after Pierre Gasly took the vacant Alpine seat for 2023. This saw the most competitive drive available for next season taken up, with only backmarking Haas and Williams now holding an opportunity for a 2023 drive for Ricciardo.

We should make it clear now that losing a driver of Ricciardo’s pedigree, talent and popularity in Formula 1 is very much the sport’s loss, but there cannot be an automatic assumption that a seat will be there waiting for him in 2024. In a similar vein to how Sebastian Vettel’s continuation in Formula 1 partly hinged on having a seat which would see him fight at the front, Ricciardo’s reluctance to take a ‘lesser’ drive to maintain his presence on the grid could well backfire.

As could his additional reluctance to open himself up to racing opportunities elsewhere, insisting that Formula 1 is very much ‘Plan A’ for him. Ultimately, there is no way of knowing whether or not driving for Haas or Williams next year would see Ricciardo work out the problems he faced at McLaren and get back to his best, or a year on the sidelines could be good for him to clear his head – ‘one step back for two steps forward’, as he put it.

‘May only have one option in a 2024 Formula 1 return’;

https://www.planetf1.com/features/da...024-f1-return/


‘I hated it’: F1 boss ‘tried everything’ before Ricciardo axe ... but one claim doesn’t add up
'Huge disappointment' Brown talks Dan | 02:28
October 12th, 2022 11:00 am
Jacob Polychronis from Fox Sports

McLaren boss Zak Brown has spoken in-depth about axing Daniel Ricciardo, saying he “hated” an experience he describes as the “toughest thing” he’s faced in motorsport. In an exclusive interview with Kayo Sports at the Bathurst 1000, Brown opened up on McLaren’s failed partnership with Ricciardo, whose F1 future is now in limbo after he was paid out of the third and final year of his contract.

Ricciardo will be replaced at McLaren in 2023 by fellow Australian Oscar Piastri, who Brown snapped up after conceding defeat in the battle to get the former up to speed. Brown said that, ultimately, McLaren felt like it had “tried everything” to help Ricciardo, who remained significantly slower than teammate Lando Norris after one-and-a-half seasons.

Amid a dispute between McLaren and Alpine over Piastri’s signature, the FIA’s contract recognition board revealed that the former lodged paperwork for the Australian signed on July 4. Ricciardo wasn’t told about his axing until after the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 31. Speaking weeks later, Ricciardo said he didn’t know Piastri was already signed by McLaren before the mid-season break.

‘I hated it’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...5aec8ae5a87276


McLaren boss Zak Brown refutes claims Daniel Ricciardo was blindsided by sacking and says it was the hardest moment of his career: 'I'm still a huge Daniel fan'
• Zak Brown reveals that sacking Daniel Ricciardo was hardest moment of career
• McLaren boss says 'we tried everything', but poor results forced the decision
• Brown says despite the sacking he will always be a huge fan of Daniel Ricciardo
Published: 07:24, 12 October 2022
By James Cooney For Daily Mail Australia

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has scotched suggestions that Daniel Ricciardo was blindsided by his sacking from the F1 team, and said the decision was the hardest thing he's had to do in his motorsports career.

Ricciardo, who finished 11th in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on Sunday, will likely be without a drive in 2023 and at 33 years of age, his F1 career may be at an end rather than just 'hitting pause' as he had said.

The eight-time Grand Prix winner was under contract with McLaren until the end of the 2023 campaign but after two underwhelming seasons, the team opted to part ways ahead of schedule.

‘Claims Daniel Ricciardo was blindsided refuted’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rmula-One.html


Alpine boss reveals why he snubbed Daniel Ricciardo for Pierre Gasly
Daniel Ricciardo is set to become Mercedes' reserve driver next season, replacing Nyck de Vries.
by Nick Golding
11 October 202211 October 2022

Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer actually confirmed whilst announcing Gasly for 2023 that they had spoken with Ricciardo, but that they opted for the Frenchman due to him being “fast and young”.

“At the beginning we discussed with a few drivers, including Daniel, and Pierre meets the criteria that I had to a tee – he’s experienced, fast and young,” said Szafnauer.

With a reserve role for 2023 the only option for the 33-year-old in Formula 1, he’s already setting his sights on a return to a full-time F1 seat in 2024.

‘Daniel Ricciardo is set to become Mercedes' reserve driver’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/alpine-bo...-pierre-gasly/


Daniel Ricciardo risks missing out on his Las Vegas F1 dream by dropping off 2023 grid
Ricciardo told reporters in Japan at the weekend that he expects to be left without a race seat in 2023, meaning he will miss out on the trip to Las Vegas he has been craving for years
21:16, 10 Oct 2022
By Daniel MoxonF1 Writer

Daniel Ricciardo looks set to miss out on one of his biggest Formula 1 wishes after admitting he will most likely drop off the grid next season. Instead of a race seat, he appears set to join Mercedes as a reserve – the role vacated by de Vries as he joins his new team. But unless one of Lewis Hamilton or George Russell is forced to miss a session for whatever reason, he will not be racing next year when his F1 dream becomes a reality.

Ricciardo has long spoken of his desire to see F1 make its way to Las Vegas. And that will happen for the first time in his career next year, with a street race along the famous Strip planned as the penultimate round of the 2023 championship. Back in 2017, at a press conference ahead of that year's Australian Grand Prix, Ricciardo was asked what his wish would be from Liberty Media, who had just completed their purchase of F1.

He did not hesitate in answering: "Race in Vegas," but he is almost certain to miss the first trip to Nevada. And he may never experience it as a driver at all. He has not given up on his F1 career – the Aussie made it clear he is hoping to have race seat options in 2024 – but it can be difficult for those who fall off the grid to get back on it again.

‘Ricciardo asked, in 2017, what his wish would be from Liberty Media… "Race in Vegas"’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...vegas-28204011


Alpine paid eye-watering sum to sign Pierre Gasly as Ricciardo follows Alonso example
Gasly was the Enstone team's top choice for their 2023 driver vacancy, but he still had a year left on his AlphaTauri contract so they had to open their chequebook
16:37, 11 Oct 2022
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror

Alpine paid almost £9m to persuade Red Bull to allow Pierre Gasly to rip up his AlphaTauri contract a year early to join the Enstone team, according to a report. That figure suggests Alpine were keen to finally get a top driver tied down to a contract. And that is no surprise, considering Fernando Alonso chose to leave rather than renew his deal and their preferred replacement, junior Oscar Piastri, preferred a switch to rivals McLaren.

While several other drivers were considered, it was clear that Gasly was their preferred option after they lost their legal battle for Piastri's signature. The stumbling block was whether or not AlphaTauri would allow him to leave, after already announcing he would honour the final year of his Red Bull deal before considering other options.

The deal looked to be in danger after Red Bull's attempts to sign IndyCar racer Colton Herta were thwarted by his ineligibility for an FIA superlicence. But then they turned their attention to Nyck de Vries, and beat Williams to the Dutchman's signature after his impressive F1 debut at Monza.

‘Alpine paid almost £9m’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...lonso-28211786