Albon: New Williams F1 package “good platform to start on”

The package, which represents a significant change of concept, was first introduced on Albon’s FW44 at Silverstone.
However a wet FP1 and qualifying and then Albon’s first-lap retirement in the race meant that the team only gathered a limited amount of data.
After a clean weekend in Austria that saw Albon finish the race in 12th place, the team has a much better idea of where it now …Keep reading

Ricciardo “not walking away” from McLaren or F1 in 2023

Since arriving at McLaren last year Ricciardo has struggled to adapt to the Woking team’s machinery.
Apart from a rare highlight winning the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, the Australian has generally struggled to match established team-mate Lando Norris in either qualifying or races, which has prompted speculations about the 33-year-old’s future.
PLUS: The key considerations Ricciardo must …Keep reading

Leclerc: Austrian GP victory “needed” after five-race F1 slump

The Monegasque driver took his first win since April’s Australian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday, with better tyre management on his F1-75 allowing him to overtake and beat pole position man Max Verstappen.
The triumph was especially significant because it came off the back of what Leclerc has labelled a ‘disaster’ sequence of races where Ferrari had thrown away opportunities …Keep reading

Former F1 race director Masi responds to FIA departure

Masi was given the race director job after Charlie Whiting passed away on the eve of the 2019 Australian GP, and he held it for three full seasons until last year’s Abu Dhabi GP controversy proved to be the trigger for his departure from the job in February.
He returned to Australia in April, but remained an employee of the FIA, while his future role remained under discussion.
The FIA …Keep reading

Verstappen: F1 race directors need to stop being “stubborn” in its stances

Discontent has been growing among the drivers for some time now over the apparent lack of consistency in stewarding over matters such as on-track battles and track limits.
This was prevalent in last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, where there were 43 incidents of track limits violations by the stewards, while George Russell felt his five-second penalty for his first-lap collision at Turn 4 …Keep reading