Yahoo News OLD - F1 LIVE: Lewis Hamilton ‘knocked off his perch’ at Mercedes as Red Bull face Max Verstappen backlash
As the dust settles on the Monaco Grand Prix, Formula 1 moves towards the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with more intrigue than ever surrounding the 2022 season. Sergio Perez is one of the most fascinating characters in the sport, triumphing in a chaotic and thrilling race in Monte-Carlo on Sunday, before immediately extendeding his Red Bull contract to 2024 on Monday. The good news kept coming for Red Bull when the FIA dismissed complaints against both drivers, Perez and Max Verstappen, from Ferrari. But there is potential conflict in the air if Perez can keep his resurgence going to challenge the world champion’s superiority.
Ferrari are in some kind of turmoil with Charles Leclerc not only losing pole position but even a podium spot in his home race and more ground in the title race. There was a public spat between driver and team after calls by the team during the rain-delayed race proved exceptionally costly to leave the Monegasque furious.
Mick Schumacher thankfully walked away unharmed from a crash which saw his Haas machinery sensationally split in two, while there was again frustration for Lewis Hamilton as he was stuck behind an unaccommodating Fernando Alonso. Follow live news and reaction from the Monaco Grand Prix, plus build-up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix:
Formula 1 news
Sergio Perez signs new Red Bull contract in wake of Monaco GP triumph
Nico Rosberg believes Sergio Perez has sent message to Red Bull with Monaco win
Max Verstappen hints he ‘might’ quit in 2028 when Red Bull contract expires
Brundle calls for FIA “root and branch” review
Max Verstappen admits he ‘might’ quit F1 when Red Bull contract ends
Thursday 2 June 2022 19:00 , Michael Jones
Max Verstappen has said that he “might stop” racing in Formula 1 at the conclusion of his long-term contract with Red Bull.
The 2021 world champion signed a new deal earlier this year that will keep him at the team through to the end of the 2028 F1 season.
The 24-year-old has spent his entire career with in the Red Bull set-up, entering the grid with Toro Rosso as a 17-year-old before stepping up to Christian Horner’s team for the fifth race of the 2016 season.
Though the Dutchman will be 31 when the contract comes to an end, Verstappen has now suggested that he is keen to pursue other opportunities in motorsport and may consider leaving F1, though admits he is not certain what the long-term future holds.
Max Verstappen admits he ‘might’ quit F1 when Red Bull contract ends
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren is ‘over’, claims Jacques Villeneuve
Thursday 2 June 2022 18:50 , Michael Jones
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren F1 is “over”, according to 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who believes that the team are preparing to move on from the Australian.
Ricciardo has endured a tough and uncompetitive start to the 2022 campaign, sitting outside of the top ten in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
The 32-year-old has scored only eleven points, 37 fewer than teammate Lando Norris, and again finished outside of the points at the Monaco Grand Prix for the fourth consecutive race.
While Ricciardo’s contract runs until the end of the 2023 season, Zak Brown, team principal at McLaren, hinted last week that it may contain a get-out clause that would allow the team to move on from the driver.
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren is ‘over’, claims Jacques Villeneuve
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso still have ‘needle’ between them, Martin Brundle claims
Thursday 2 June 2022 18:40 , Michael Jones
Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton still have ‘needle between them’ following their battle at the Monaco Grand Prix, says ex-racer Martin Brundle.
Hamilton was showing far superior pace than Alonso at the Monte Carlo circuit but failed to find a way past the Spaniard as he was forced to settle for eighth place.
Alonso backed up Hamilton for a lengthy period towards the end of the race, so much so that he ended up 34 seconds behind sixth place Lando Norris.
And Brundle feels the Monaco race showed there is still some tension between the two former world champions who were teammates at McLaren 15 years ago.
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso still have ‘needle’, says Martin Brundle
Sergio Perez crash cost Max Verstappen position, claims father
Thursday 2 June 2022 18:30 , Michael Jones
Max Verstappen was denied a place by Sergio Perez’s crash in qualifying at the Monaco Grand Prix, according to the world champion’s father.
Jos Verstappen has criticised Red Bull for their tactics in Sunday’s race, claiming they ‘threw away points’ for his son.
While he also maintains his son would have finished higher up than fourth on the grid had qualifying not been prematurely ended.
“Perez actually won the race because of the earlier pit stop,” Verstappen Sr. said in his column.
“The team can perhaps explain that as a gamble, but they had already seen, with for example Gasly, that the intermediates were the best option at that time.
“I would have liked them to go for Max, but of course, I am not entirely objective. I think 10 points from Max have been thrown away here.
“Especially with the two retirements we’ve had, we need every point. Don’t forget that Ferrari currently has a better car, especially in qualifying.
“Max also had bad luck in qualifying, because in his last run he was significantly faster and on his way to second place, until the crash of Perez. Then everything would have been different.”
Red Bull face Max Verstappen backlash for prioritising Sergio Perez
Thursday 2 June 2022 18:20 , Michael Jones
Red Bull face a potential Max Verstappen backlash for prioritising Sergio Perez at the Monaco Grand Prix, according to the world champion’s father.
Jos Verstappen has criticised Red Bull and claimed they ‘threw away points’ for his son.
“Red Bull achieved a good result, but at the same time exerted little influence to help Max to the front,” Verstappen said in his column on the official Verstappen website.
“That he finished third, he owes to Ferrari’s mistake at that second stop of Charles Leclerc.
“The championship leader, Max, was not helped in that sense by the chosen strategy. It turned completely in Checo’s favour.
“That was disappointing to me, and I would have liked it to be different for the championship leader.”
Lewis Hamilton struggle leads Toto Wolff to call for changes at Monaco Grand Prix
Thursday 2 June 2022 18:10 , Michael Jones
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes Fernando Alonso’s battle with Lewis Hamilton at the Monaco Grand Prix proves the track needs to be changed.
Hamilton was driving significantly quicker than seventh place Alonso for a lengthy period towards the end of the race as the Spaniard attempted to preserve his tyres.
Alonso dropped more than 30 seconds behind Lando Norris in sixth but Hamilton still failed to find a way past the Alpine driver before the end of the race.
And Wolff feels the situation involving the two former world champions is a demonstration that the Monaco race needs to reinvent itself.
Lewis Hamilton struggle leads Toto Wolff to call for changes at Monaco Grand Prix
George Russell has ‘knocked Lewis Hamilton off his perch’, claims Eddie Jordan
Thursday 2 June 2022 18:00 , Michael Jones
George Russell has knocked Lewis Hamilton off his perch and is now “top dog” at Mercedes F1, according to former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan.
In his rookie season with the Silver Arrows, Russell has consistently guided the W13 to respectable finishes, ending every race so far in the top five - the only driver in the sport to do so.
By contrast, seven-time world champion Hamilton has struggled to cope with an under-performing car and his third place at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix is the only race in which he’s finished above his teammate.
George Russell has ‘knocked Lewis Hamilton off his perch’, claims Eddie Jordan
Tsunoda targeting Red Bull move
Thursday 2 June 2022 17:50 , Michael Jones
Yuki Tsunoda hopes to one day drive alongside Max Verstappen for Red Bull and battle for the world championship after progressing from his current role with AlphaTauri.
“It would be nice driving with [Verstappen],” Tsunoda told Racing News 365 in an interview.
“I think [he is] currently the best driver on the grid – next to me! [I have been able to] learn lots of things [from] him when I got to Red Bull. If I was to drive with him that would be good.
“Of course, to be World Champion, I have to beat him. If I beat him, you can feel like one of the best drivers in Formula 1.
“Max is kind of the target of what I have to aim for, or the reference driver I have to aim [for]. Hopefully I can drive with him in the future for the same team.”
Fernando Alonso explains how Lewis Hamilton cost Esteban Ocon points at Monaco Grand Prix
Thursday 2 June 2022 17:40 , Michael Jones
Fernando Alonso says Lewis Hamilton cost Esteban Ocon points at the Monaco Grand Prix after the pair collided.
The coming together between Hamilton and Ocon gave the Alpine driver a five-second time penalty and when Alonso heard he stepped up the pace to try and help out his teammate. But Hamilton, who was behind Alonso but in front of Ocon, didn’t push the same which meant Ocon didn’t go faster to make up for the penalty.
“We had to do a lot of tyre management,” said Alonso. “We had some concerns that the yellow tyres (medium) could grain a lot on our car, and the first 10 or 15 laps I took care of the tyres a lot.
“After that I pushed again when they told me Esteban had to make a five-second gap, but at that point Hamilton didn’t want to push, hold Esteban at the back – yeah, disappointing.”
Alonso explains how Hamilton cost Ocon points at Monaco Grand Prix
Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari united in opposition to current F1 budget cap
Thursday 2 June 2022 17:30 , Michael Jones
Formula 1’s top three teams have shown a united front in speaking out against the sport’s current budget cap, with Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari chiefs all stressing the difficulty of sticking to the imposed limit.
Every F1 team is working with a cost cap of £119million this season, a move that is intended to ensure a more equal level of competition, but drastic inflation and a severe rise in freight costs have put teams at risk of exceeding that amount in expenditure.
“At the time we all agreed to those reductions, nobody could have predicted what was going on in the world and how that is driving inflation in every household globally,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports.
Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari united in opposition to current F1 budget cap
Team Principal Guenther Steiner unhappy over Mick Schumacher’s Monaco crash
Thursday 2 June 2022 17:20 , Michael Jones
Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner is unhappy over Mick Schumacher’s Monaco crash, insisting the team must ‘move forward’.
“I’m feeling alright,” said Schumacher. “Obviously it’s very annoying. I think in terms of pace we were definitely there, it’s just a matter of keeping it on track, and unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that.
“The pace felt strong, and it felt like we were able to attack and push. We just ended up being a little too wide, which is maybe a matter of 10cm at the end, and that was enough to lose all grip that you thought you had. And unfortunately the result is as it happened.”
Nico Rosberg believes Sergio Perez has sent a message to Red Bull with Monaco Grand Prix win
Thursday 2 June 2022 17:10 , Michael Jones
Former Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg says Sergio Perez’s Monaco Grand Prix win has sent a message to Red Bull.
The Mexican driver, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is racing well this campaign and sealed the victory in Monaco, a week after following team orders in Spain to let teammate Max Verstappen pass him twice.
Perez’s performances are exactly what he needs to be showing Red Bull principal Christian Horner, according to Rosberg.
“[It’s the] best way to say: ‘Don’t do that with me, guys, I want to fight for the world championship as well here.’ And what a brilliant weekend, everything perfect,” Rosberg told Sky Sports F1.
Nico Rosberg believes Sergio Perez has sent a message to Red Bull with Monaco GP win
Charles Leclerc told not to criticise Ferrari as ‘he’s screwed up enough himself’
Thursday 2 June 2022 17:00 , Michael Jones
Ex-Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher says Charles Leclerc shouldn’t criticise Ferrari for their mistakes as the star has “screwed up enough himself”.
Leclerc was left fuming after the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday as his team told him to pit for new tires before changing their minds. By the time Ferrari told Leclerc that they had reversed their decision, he had already boxed. The moment cost the Monegasque the lead in his home race.
“He’s screwed up enough himself, so he should be meek,” Schumacher told Sky Germany. “Things happen. You win together and lose together. So far, the team has done less wrong than he has.”
Charles Leclerc told not to criticise Ferrari as ‘he’s screwed up enough himself’
Lando Norris admits Monaco Grand Prix was ‘scary’ and ‘nerve-wracking’ experience
Thursday 2 June 2022 16:50 , Michael Jones
Lando Norris said the Monaco Grand Prix was a “scary” and “nerve-wracking” experience due to the wet conditions. The race was delayed by over an hour due to the poor weather and the track was still damp when the race finally got underway.
Norris managed a sixth-place finish but admitted it was difficult to drive aggressively due to the fear of making a mistake.
“I can’t describe how tough driving a Formula 1 car is in really wet conditions around this circuit,” he told Sky Sports F1. “It’s one of the most nerve-wracking, scary things I’ve ever done in my life.”
Lando Norris admits Monaco Grand Prix was ‘scary’ and ‘nerve-wracking’ experience
Monaco Grand Prix should not take place in F1 for granted, Toto Wolff claims
Thursday 2 June 2022 16:40 , Michael Jones
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Monaco should not take its place on the Formula One calendar for granted.
As it stands, Sergio Perez’s drive to victory on Sunday, will be the last on Monte Carlo’s famous streets unless a new deal is agreed. F1’s American owners Liberty Media, and the Automobile Club de Monaco, remain locked in discussions.
It is unlikely the sport’s showpiece event will fall off the schedule, but a contract extension is not imminent. Indeed, it could be several months before an agreement is reached.
F1 bosses are understood to be pushing for changes to the two-mile course – which has been largely unchanged since the first race in the principality almost a century ago – while there are also question marks over the track’s facilities. Sunday’s race was delayed following a power outage after a downpour moments before the start.
Toto Wolff tells Monaco not to take place in F1 for granted
‘The pendulum will swing’: Hamilton backed to turn his luck around by Toto Wolff
Thursday 2 June 2022 16:30 , Michael Jones
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says the “pendulum will swing” in Lewis Hamilton’s favour after a tricky start to the Formula 1 season for the driver.
Hamilton is currently sixth in the drivers’ standings in a campaign where many expected him to win a record eighth world title. The British star is having trouble with the car and he has had some unlucky spells on the track.
Most recently he had contact with Esteban Ocon at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday and was then held up by Fernando Alonso so he couldn’t progress higher than eighth place. Wolff says Hamilton’s time will come this season, however.
‘The pendulum will swing’: Lewis Hamilton backed to turn luck around by Toto Wolff
Lewis Hamilton done with ‘teeth and jaw moving all the time’ in ‘shaking’ Mercedes
Thursday 2 June 2022 16:20 , Michael Jones
Lewis Hamilton says he is “done shaking” and that his Mercedes car has his teeth and jaw “moving all the time”.
The seven-time world champion has had issues with his car this season, mainly porpoising, and has failed to reach the heights that many thought this campaign would bring. He is targeting an eighth world title, which would put him one ahead of joint-record-holder Michael Schumacher.
But so far it’s Mercedes teammate George Russell who is getting more out of the Mercedes. Russell is the only driver to have finished in the top five of every race this season. Hamilton will have the opportunity to revive his campaign at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in June but says he needs improvements on the car.
“I’m praying the car doesn’t feel like it does here,” he told Motorsport.com after finishing eighth in Monaco on Sunday. “This was the worst in this car so far because of the potholes.”
Lewis Hamilton done with ‘teeth and jaw moving all the time’ in ‘shaking’ Mercedes
Charles Leclerc needs to watch his words criticising Ferrari, warns Damon Hill
Thursday 2 June 2022 16:10 , Michael Jones
Charles Leclerc needs to watch his words after criticising his Ferrari team following a botched Monaco Grand Prix, says Damon Hill.
Leclerc’s bad luck at his home track continued for another year when rain brought an element of chaos to Sunday’s race, after he had convincingly won pole during Saturday qualifying.
Red Bull took advantage of the conditions to overcut their Ferrari rivals during the switch from wet to intermediate tyres early in the race, and Leclerc’s problems were compounded when he was brought into the pits immediately behind his teammate Carlos Sainz, forcing him to wait.
Championship leader Max Verstappen finished third and extended his advantage in the standings over Leclerc, who finished fourth, as Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez took victory ahead of Sainz.
“Let down is not the word,” said Leclerc of his Ferrari team after the race, speaking to Sky Sports.
Charles Leclerc needs to watch his words criticising Ferrari, warns Damon Hill
Christian Horner pushes Sky Sports reporter into swimming pool after Monaco Grand Prix
Thursday 2 June 2022 16:00 , Michael Jones
Christian Horner celebrated Red Bull’s successful outing at the Monaco Grand Prix by pushing Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater into a trackside swimming pool.
Sergio Perez secured the victory on Sunday, while teammate Max Verstappen came third to overtake Charles Leclerc as leader in the drivers’ standings.
Ferrari began the race with a front-row shutout, as Leclerc started on pole in his home race and Carlos Sainz lined up second. Leclerc’s misfortune in Monaco continued, however, as he came fourth, though Sainz was able to retain second spot.
After Sunday’s race, Horner was interviewed by Slater as the pair stood next to a trackside swimming pool, which the Red Bull team principal pushed the Sky reporter into while sporting a grin.
Christian Horner pushes Sky Sports reporter into swimming pool after Monaco GP
Toto Wolff accuses Fernando Alonso of Formula 2 driving in Monaco Grand Prix
Thursday 2 June 2022 15:50 , Michael Jones
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has accused Alpine driver Fernando Alonso of “Formula 2” driving as he held up Lewis Hamilton at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The British star was thwarted twice by Alpine on Sunday, first after making contact with Esteban Ocon and then due to Alonso’s slower driving.
Wolff has called for changes to be made to the Monaco Grand Prix to make it easier for faster drivers to overtake.
“I think what we need to look at is Monaco,” Wolff told Sky Sports. “If a car can slow down by almost five seconds and hold everybody up, it is just a shame for the racing here, so maybe we can look at the track layout and the things we can do so we are not having a procession or having a strategy game or qualifying race.”
Toto Wolff accuses Fernando Alonso of Formula 2 driving in Monaco GP
Formula 1 drivers shocked Mick Schumacher’s car split in two in ‘massive’ crash at Monaco Grand Prix
Thursday 2 June 2022 15:40 , Michael Jones
Formula 1 drivers were “shocked” to see Haas star Mick Schumacher’s car rip in half during his crash at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Schumacher lost control of the car coming into the swimming pool section after switching to dry tyres following poor weather conditions. The 23-year-old, son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, escaped unharmed but that did not stop his colleagues from sharing their shock at the wreckage.
“When I saw the gearbox completely out, it was quite shocking,” AlphaTauri star Pierre Gasly told Motorsport.com. “For the red flag, they took some time, but it was the right thing to do. I was a bit surprised we had [virtual safety car] and not a safety car straight away. But I need to review the race, it was quite long, quite a lot happened.”
F1 drivers shocked Mick Schumacher’s car split in two in ‘massive’ crash at Monaco GP
Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 title defeat left Nico Rosberg in ‘incredible pain’
Thursday 2 June 2022 15:30 , Michael Jones
Nico Rosberg has admitted he felt “incredible pain” while watching his former Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton lose the Formula 1 title this season.
Hamilton entered the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – the final race of the year – level on points with title rival Max Verstappen, and the Briton led much of the race to seemingly set up a victory and title win.
However, the emergence of a safety car late in the race led the FIA to effectively allow a final-lap shootout between Hamilton and Red Bull’s Verstappen, with the Dutch-Belgian taking the win to claim his first F1 title.
Rosberg was Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes between 2013 and 2016, winning the drivers’ championship in the last of those seasons before retiring from the sport.
Lewis Hamilton’s F1 title defeat left Nico Rosberg in ‘incredible pain’
Sergio Perez extends Red Bull contract until 2024
Thursday 2 June 2022 15:20 , Michael Jones
Sergio Perez has signed a two-year contract extension to remain at Red Bull until the end of the 2024 season.
The announcement follows the Mexican’s victory at the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend, which saw Perez close the gap to championship leader and teammate Max Verstappen to just 15 points.
Perez joined Red Bull from Racing Point ahead of the 2021 season and went on to finish fourth in the drivers’ championship.
Perez said: “For me, this has been an incredible week. Winning the Monaco Grand Prix is a dream for any driver and then to follow that with announcing I will continue with the team until 2024, just makes me extremely happy.”
Sergio Perez extends Red Bull contract until 2024
‘Leave him alone’: Sebastian Vettel sends message to Mick Schumacher’s critics
Thursday 2 June 2022 15:10 , Michael Jones
Sebastian Vettel has suggested that it is best to “leave alone” Mick Schumacher after the Haas driver’s heavy crash at the Monaco Grand Prix.
A tough campaign for Schumacher continued in Monte Carlo, with the 23-year-old clipping a barrier on entry to the Swimming Pool Section and fortunate to avoid serious injury after sliding into the wall.
It was the German’s second major collision of the season, with his Haas again worryingly breaking in half in the incident.
After a promising debut season last year, Schumacher is yet to score in 2022 and has not been able to consistently match the performance of Kevin Magnussen, who replaced Nikita Mazepin as his teammate ahead of the start of the season.
‘Leave him alone’: Sebastian Vettel sends message to Mick Schumacher’s critics
Norris disagrees with Hamilton assessment of Monaco Grand Prix start
Thursday 2 June 2022 15:00 , Michael Jones
Lando Norris has disagreed with Lewis Hamilton and said that it was “not safe” to start the Monaco Grand Prix on time on Sunday.
The race was delayed by more than an hour due to heavy rain showers in Monte Carlo, a decision that has since been criticised by Mercedes’ Hamilton.
The seven-time world champion suggested that weather was not reason enough for such a lengthy delay to proceedings getting under way.
Norris, however, believes the right approach was taken and the race could not have gotten under way on time.
Lando Norris disagrees with Lewis Hamilton assessment of Monaco Grand Prix start
Martin Brundle doesn’t expect F1 owners to ‘blink first’ in Monaco Grand Prix stand-off
Thursday 2 June 2022 14:50 , Michael Jones
Martin Brundle has suggested that the owners of Formula 1 will not “blink first” as speculation continues over the future of the Monaco Grand Prix.
The race in Monte Carlo has been virtually ever-present since F1’s first season in 1950, but no deal has yet been agreed over a return to the principality in 2023.
The tight street circuit has been criticised by fans and drivers in recent years particularly, with suggestions that it is ill-suited to the sport’s continuing evolution.
Liberty Media completed its takeover of a controlling stake in F1 in early 2017 and has since overseen a popularity boom, with the calendar set to again expand next season, and the prestige and history of an event in Monaco perhaps now less necessary.
Martin Brundle doesn’t expect F1 owners to ‘blink first’ in Monaco GP stand-off
‘I would bite back’: Toto Wolff lifts lid on early relationship with Lewis Hamilton
Thursday 2 June 2022 14:40 , Michael Jones
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that the early days of his relationship with Lewis Hamilton involved some stern guidance from the Austrian.
Hamilton won his first Formula 1 title with McLaren in 2008, but since joining Mercedes in 2013, the Briton has become a seven-time world champion – sharing the record with Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton won back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015, before winning four in a row from 2017 to 2020.
And opening up on how the driver’s relationship with the Mercedes team has changed over the years, Wolff told the Daily Mail: “This is Mercedes, we have no place for the genius jerk.”
Toto Wolff lifts lid on early relationship with Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen admits he ‘might’ quit F1 when Red Bull contract ends
Thursday 2 June 2022 14:30 , Michael Jones
Max Verstappen has said that he “might stop” racing in Formula 1 at the conclusion of his long-term contract with Red Bull.
The 2021 world champion signed a new deal earlier this year that will keep him at the team through to the end of the 2028 F1 season.
The 24-year-old has spent his entire career with in the Red Bull set-up, entering the grid with Toro Rosso as a 17-year-old before stepping up to Christian Horner’s team for the fifth race of the 2016 season.
Though the Dutchman will be 31 when the contract comes to an end, Verstappen has now suggested that he is keen to pursue other opportunities in motorsport and may consider leaving F1, though admits he is not certain what the long-term future holds.
Max Verstappen admits he ‘might’ quit F1 when Red Bull contract ends
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren is ‘over’, claims Jacques Villeneuve
Thursday 2 June 2022 14:20 , Michael Jones
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren F1 is “over”, according to 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who believes that the team are preparing to move on from the Australian.
Ricciardo has endured a tough and uncompetitive start to the 2022 campaign, sitting outside of the top ten in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
The 32-year-old has scored only eleven points, 37 fewer than teammate Lando Norris, and again finished outside of the points at the Monaco Grand Prix for the fourth consecutive race.
While Ricciardo’s contract runs until the end of the 2023 season, Zak Brown, team principal at McLaren, hinted last week that it may contain a get-out clause that would allow the team to move on from the driver.
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren is ‘over’, claims Jacques Villeneuve
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso still have ‘needle’ between them, Martin Brundle claims
Thursday 2 June 2022 14:10 , Michael Jones
Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton still have ‘needle between them’ following their battle at the Monaco Grand Prix, says ex-racer Martin Brundle.
Hamilton was showing far superior pace than Alonso at the Monte Carlo circuit but failed to find a way past the Spaniard as he was forced to settle for eighth place.
Alonso backed up Hamilton for a lengthy period towards the end of the race, so much so that he ended up 34 seconds behind sixth place Lando Norris.
And Brundle feels the Monaco race showed there is still some tension between the two former world champions who were teammates at McLaren 15 years ago.
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso still have ‘needle’, says Martin Brundle
Sergio Perez crash cost Max Verstappen position, claims father
Thursday 2 June 2022 14:00 , Michael Jones
Max Verstappen was denied a place by Sergio Perez’s crash in qualifying at the Monaco Grand Prix, according to the world champion’s father.
Jos Verstappen has criticised Red Bull for their tactics in Sunday’s race, claiming they ‘threw away points’ for his son.
While he also maintains his son would have finished higher up than fourth on the grid had qualifying not been prematurely ended.
“Perez actually won the race because of the earlier pit stop,” Verstappen Sr. said in his column.
“The team can perhaps explain that as a gamble, but they had already seen, with for example Gasly, that the intermediates were the best option at that time.
“I would have liked them to go for Max, but of course, I am not entirely objective. I think 10 points from Max have been thrown away here.
“Especially with the two retirements we’ve had, we need every point. Don’t forget that Ferrari currently has a better car, especially in qualifying.
“Max also had bad luck in qualifying, because in his last run he was significantly faster and on his way to second place, until the crash of Perez. Then everything would have been different.”
Red Bull face Max Verstappen backlash for prioritising Sergio Perez
Thursday 2 June 2022 13:50 , Michael Jones
Red Bull face a potential Max Verstappen backlash for prioritising Sergio Perez at the Monaco Grand Prix, according to the world champion’s father.
Jos Verstappen has criticised Red Bull and claimed they ‘threw away points’ for his son.
“Red Bull achieved a good result, but at the same time exerted little influence to help Max to the front,” Verstappen said in his column on the official Verstappen website.
“That he finished third, he owes to Ferrari’s mistake at that second stop of Charles Leclerc.
“The championship leader, Max, was not helped in that sense by the chosen strategy. It turned completely in Checo’s favour.
“That was disappointing to me, and I would have liked it to be different for the championship leader.”
Lewis Hamilton struggle leads Toto Wolff to call for changes at Monaco Grand Prix
Thursday 2 June 2022 13:40 , Michael Jones
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes Fernando Alonso’s battle with Lewis Hamilton at the Monaco Grand Prix proves the track needs to be changed.
Hamilton was driving significantly quicker than seventh place Alonso for a lengthy period towards the end of the race as the Spaniard attempted to preserve his tyres.
Alonso dropped more than 30 seconds behind Lando Norris in sixth but Hamilton still failed to find a way past the Alpine driver before the end of the race.
And Wolff feels the situation involving the two former world champions is a demonstration that the Monaco race needs to reinvent itself.
Lewis Hamilton struggle leads Toto Wolff to call for changes at Monaco Grand Prix
Tsunoda targeting Red Bull move
Thursday 2 June 2022 13:30 , Michael Jones
Yuki Tsunoda hopes to one day drive alongside Max Verstappen for Red Bull and battle for the world championship after progressing from his current role with AlphaTauri.
“It would be nice driving with [Verstappen],” Tsunoda told Racing News 365 in an interview.
“I think [he is] currently the best driver on the grid – next to me! [I have been able to] learn lots of things [from] him when I got to Red Bull. If I was to drive with him that would be good.
“Of course, to be World Champion, I have to beat him. If I beat him, you can feel like one of the best drivers in Formula 1.
“Max is kind of the target of what I have to aim for, or the reference driver I have to aim [for]. Hopefully I can drive with him in the future for the same team.”
George Russell has ‘knocked Lewis Hamilton off his perch’, claims Eddie Jordan
Thursday 2 June 2022 13:20 , Michael Jones
George Russell has knocked Lewis Hamilton off his perch and is now “top dog” at Mercedes F1, according to former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan.
In his rookie season with the Silver Arrows, Russell has consistently guided the W13 to respectable finishes, ending every race so far in the top five - the only driver in the sport to do so.
By contrast, seven-time world champion Hamilton has struggled to cope with an under-performing car and his third place at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix is the only race in which he’s finished above his teammate.
George Russell has ‘knocked Lewis Hamilton off his perch’, claims Eddie Jordan
Fernando Alonso explains how Lewis Hamilton cost Esteban Ocon points at Monaco Grand Prix
Thursday 2 June 2022 13:10 , Michael Jones
Fernando Alonso says Lewis Hamilton cost Esteban Ocon points at the Monaco Grand Prix after the pair collided.
The coming together between Hamilton and Ocon gave the Alpine driver a five-second time penalty and when Alonso heard he stepped up the pace to try and help out his teammate. But Hamilton, who was behind Alonso but in front of Ocon, didn’t push the same which meant Ocon didn’t go faster to make up for the penalty.
“We had to do a lot of tyre management,” said Alonso. “We had some concerns that the yellow tyres (medium) could grain a lot on our car, and the first 10 or 15 laps I took care of the tyres a lot.
“After that I pushed again when they told me Esteban had to make a five-second gap, but at that point Hamilton didn’t want to push, hold Esteban at the back – yeah, disappointing.”
Alonso explains how Hamilton cost Ocon points at Monaco Grand Prix
Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari united in opposition to current F1 budget cap
Thursday 2 June 2022 13:00 , Michael Jones
Formula 1’s top three teams have shown a united front in speaking out against the sport’s current budget cap, with Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari chiefs all stressing the difficulty of sticking to the imposed limit.
Every F1 team is working with a cost cap of £119million this season, a move that is intended to ensure a more equal level of competition, but drastic inflation and a severe rise in freight costs have put teams at risk of exceeding that amount in expenditure.
“At the time we all agreed to those reductions, nobody could have predicted what was going on in the world and how that is driving inflation in every household globally,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports.
Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari united in opposition to current F1 budget cap
Team Principal Guenther Steiner unhappy over Mick Schumacher’s Monaco crash
Thursday 2 June 2022 12:50 , Michael Jones
Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner is unhappy over Mick Schumacher’s Monaco crash, insisting the team must ‘move forward’.
“I’m feeling alright,” said Schumacher. “Obviously it’s very annoying. I think in terms of pace we were definitely there, it’s just a matter of keeping it on track, and unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that.
“The pace felt strong, and it felt like we were able to attack and push. We just ended up being a little too wide, which is maybe a matter of 10cm at the end, and that was enough to lose all grip that you thought you had. And unfortunately the result is as it happened.”
Nico Rosberg believes Sergio Perez has sent a message to Red Bull with Monaco Grand Prix win
Thursday 2 June 2022 12:40 , Michael Jones
Former Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg says Sergio Perez’s Monaco Grand Prix win has sent a message to Red Bull.
The Mexican driver, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is racing well this campaign and sealed the victory in Monaco, a week after following team orders in Spain to let teammate Max Verstappen pass him twice.
Perez’s performances are exactly what he needs to be showing Red Bull principal Christian Horner, according to Rosberg.
“[It’s the] best way to say: ‘Don’t do that with me, guys, I want to fight for the world championship as well here.’ And what a brilliant weekend, everything perfect,” Rosberg told Sky Sports F1.
Nico Rosberg believes Sergio Perez has sent a message to Red Bull with Monaco GP win
Charles Leclerc told not to criticise Ferrari as ‘he’s screwed up enough himself’
Thursday 2 June 2022 12:30 , Michael Jones
Ex-Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher says Charles Leclerc shouldn’t criticise Ferrari for their mistakes as the star has “screwed up enough himself”.
Leclerc was left fuming after the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday as his team told him to pit for new tires before changing their minds. By the time Ferrari told Leclerc that they had reversed their decision, he had already boxed. The moment cost the Monegasque the lead in his home race.
“He’s screwed up enough himself, so he should be meek,” Schumacher told Sky Germany. “Things happen. You win together and lose together. So far, the team has done less wrong than he has.”
Charles Leclerc told not to criticise Ferrari as ‘he’s screwed up enough himself’
Lando Norris admits Monaco Grand Prix was ‘scary’ and ‘nerve-wracking’ experience
Thursday 2 June 2022 12:20 , Michael Jones
Lando Norris said the Monaco Grand Prix was a “scary” and “nerve-wracking” experience due to the wet conditions. The race was delayed by over an hour due to the poor weather and the track was still damp when the race finally got underway.
Norris managed a sixth-place finish but admitted it was difficult to drive aggressively due to the fear of making a mistake.
“I can’t describe how tough driving a Formula 1 car is in really wet conditions around this circuit,” he told Sky Sports F1. “It’s one of the most nerve-wracking, scary things I’ve ever done in my life.”
Lando Norris admits Monaco Grand Prix was ‘scary’ and ‘nerve-wracking’ experience
Monaco Grand Prix should not take place in F1 for granted, Toto Wolff claims
Thursday 2 June 2022 12:10 , Michael Jones
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Monaco should not take its place on the Formula One calendar for granted.
As it stands, Sergio Perez’s drive to victory on Sunday, will be the last on Monte Carlo’s famous streets unless a new deal is agreed. F1’s American owners Liberty Media, and the Automobile Club de Monaco, remain locked in discussions.
It is unlikely the sport’s showpiece event will fall off the schedule, but a contract extension is not imminent. Indeed, it could be several months before an agreement is reached.
F1 bosses are understood to be pushing for changes to the two-mile course – which has been largely unchanged since the first race in the principality almost a century ago – while there are also question marks over the track’s facilities. Sunday’s race was delayed following a power outage after a downpour moments before the start.
Toto Wolff tells Monaco not to take place in F1 for granted
‘The pendulum will swing’: Hamilton backed to turn his luck around by Toto Wolff
Thursday 2 June 2022 12:00 , Michael Jones
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says the “pendulum will swing” in Lewis Hamilton’s favour after a tricky start to the Formula 1 season for the driver.
Hamilton is currently sixth in the drivers’ standings in a campaign where many expected him to win a record eighth world title. The British star is having trouble with the car and he has had some unlucky spells on the track.
Most recently he had contact with Esteban Ocon at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday and was then held up by Fernando Alonso so he couldn’t progress higher than eighth place. Wolff says Hamilton’s time will come this season, however.
‘The pendulum will swing’: Lewis Hamilton backed to turn luck around by Toto Wolff
Lewis Hamilton done with ‘teeth and jaw moving all the time’ in ‘shaking’ Mercedes
Thursday 2 June 2022 11:50 , Michael Jones
Lewis Hamilton says he is “done shaking” and that his Mercedes car has his teeth and jaw “moving all the time”.
The seven-time world champion has had issues with his car this season, mainly porpoising, and has failed to reach the heights that many thought this campaign would bring. He is targeting an eighth world title, which would put him one ahead of joint-record-holder Michael Schumacher.
But so far it’s Mercedes teammate George Russell who is getting more out of the Mercedes. Russell is the only driver to have finished in the top five of every race this season. Hamilton will have the opportunity to revive his campaign at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in June but says he needs improvements on the car.
“I’m praying the car doesn’t feel like it does here,” he told Motorsport.com after finishing eighth in Monaco on Sunday. “This was the worst in this car so far because of the potholes.”
Lewis Hamilton done with ‘teeth and jaw moving all the time’ in ‘shaking’ Mercedes
Charles Leclerc needs to watch his words criticising Ferrari, warns Damon Hill
Thursday 2 June 2022 11:40 , Michael Jones
Charles Leclerc needs to watch his words after criticising his Ferrari team following a botched Monaco Grand Prix, says Damon Hill.
Leclerc’s bad luck at his home track continued for another year when rain brought an element of chaos to Sunday’s race, after he had convincingly won pole during Saturday qualifying.
Red Bull took advantage of the conditions to overcut their Ferrari rivals during the switch from wet to intermediate tyres early in the race, and Leclerc’s problems were compounded when he was brought into the pits immediately behind his teammate Carlos Sainz, forcing him to wait.
Championship leader Max Verstappen finished third and extended his advantage in the standings over Leclerc, who finished fourth, as Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez took victory ahead of Sainz.
“Let down is not the word,” said Leclerc of his Ferrari team after the race, speaking to Sky Sports.
Charles Leclerc needs to watch his words criticising Ferrari, warns Damon Hill
Christian Horner pushes Sky Sports reporter into swimming pool after Monaco Grand Prix
Thursday 2 June 2022 11:30 , Michael Jones
Christian Horner celebrated Red Bull’s successful outing at the Monaco Grand Prix by pushing Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater into a trackside swimming pool.
Sergio Perez secured the victory on Sunday, while teammate Max Verstappen came third to overtake Charles Leclerc as leader in the drivers’ standings.
Ferrari began the race with a front-row shutout, as Leclerc started on pole in his home race and Carlos Sainz lined up second. Leclerc’s misfortune in Monaco continued, however, as he came fourth, though Sainz was able to retain second spot.
After Sunday’s race, Horner was interviewed by Slater as the pair stood next to a trackside swimming pool, which the Red Bull team principal pushed the Sky reporter into while sporting a grin.
Christian Horner pushes Sky Sports reporter into swimming pool after Monaco GP
Toto Wolff accuses Fernando Alonso of Formula 2 driving in Monaco Grand Prix
Thursday 2 June 2022 11:20 , Michael Jones
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has accused Alpine driver Fernando Alonso of “Formula 2” driving as he held up Lewis Hamilton at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The British star was thwarted twice by Alpine on Sunday, first after making contact with Esteban Ocon and then due to Alonso’s slower driving.
Wolff has called for changes to be made to the Monaco Grand Prix to make it easier for faster drivers to overtake.
“I think what we need to look at is Monaco,” Wolff told Sky Sports. “If a car can slow down by almost five seconds and hold everybody up, it is just a shame for the racing here, so maybe we can look at the track layout and the things we can do so we are not having a procession or having a strategy game or qualifying race.”
Toto Wolff accuses Fernando Alonso of Formula 2 driving in Monaco GP
Formula 1 drivers shocked Mick Schumacher’s car split in two in ‘massive’ crash at Monaco Grand Prix
Thursday 2 June 2022 11:10 , Michael Jones
Formula 1 drivers were “shocked” to see Haas star Mick Schumacher’s car rip in half during his crash at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Schumacher lost control of the car coming into the swimming pool section after switching to dry tyres following poor weather conditions. The 23-year-old, son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, escaped unharmed but that did not stop his colleagues from sharing their shock at the wreckage.
“When I saw the gearbox completely out, it was quite shocking,” AlphaTauri star Pierre Gasly told Motorsport.com. “For the red flag, they took some time, but it was the right thing to do. I was a bit surprised we had [virtual safety car] and not a safety car straight away. But I need to review the race, it was quite long, quite a lot happened.”
F1 drivers shocked Mick Schumacher’s car split in two in ‘massive’ crash at Monaco GP
Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 title defeat left Nico Rosberg in ‘incredible pain’
Thursday 2 June 2022 11:00 , Michael Jones
Nico Rosberg has admitted he felt “incredible pain” while watching his former Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton lose the Formula 1 title this season.
Hamilton entered the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – the final race of the year – level on points with title rival Max Verstappen, and the Briton led much of the race to seemingly set up a victory and title win.
However, the emergence of a safety car late in the race led the FIA to effectively allow a final-lap shootout between Hamilton and Red Bull’s Verstappen, with the Dutch-Belgian taking the win to claim his first F1 title.
Rosberg was Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes between 2013 and 2016, winning the drivers’ championship in the last of those seasons before retiring from the sport.
Lewis Hamilton’s F1 title defeat left Nico Rosberg in ‘incredible pain’
Sergio Perez extends Red Bull contract until 2024
Thursday 2 June 2022 10:50 , Michael Jones
Sergio Perez has signed a two-year contract extension to remain at Red Bull until the end of the 2024 season.
The announcement follows the Mexican’s victory at the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend, which saw Perez close the gap to championship leader and teammate Max Verstappen to just 15 points.
Perez joined Red Bull from Racing Point ahead of the 2021 season and went on to finish fourth in the drivers’ championship.
Perez said: “For me, this has been an incredible week. Winning the Monaco Grand Prix is a dream for any driver and then to follow that with announcing I will continue with the team until 2024, just makes me extremely happy.”
Sergio Perez extends Red Bull contract until 2024
‘Leave him alone’: Sebastian Vettel sends message to Mick Schumacher’s critics
Thursday 2 June 2022 10:40 , Michael Jones
Sebastian Vettel has suggested that it is best to “leave alone” Mick Schumacher after the Haas driver’s heavy crash at the Monaco Grand Prix.
A tough campaign for Schumacher continued in Monte Carlo, with the 23-year-old clipping a barrier on entry to the Swimming Pool Section and fortunate to avoid serious injury after sliding into the wall.
It was the German’s second major collision of the season, with his Haas again worryingly breaking in half in the incident.
After a promising debut season last year, Schumacher is yet to score in 2022 and has not been able to consistently match the performance of Kevin Magnussen, who replaced Nikita Mazepin as his teammate ahead of the start of the season.
‘Leave him alone’: Sebastian Vettel sends message to Mick Schumacher’s critics
Norris disagrees with Hamilton assessment of Monaco Grand Prix start
Thursday 2 June 2022 10:30 , Michael Jones
Lando Norris has disagreed with Lewis Hamilton and said that it was “not safe” to start the Monaco Grand Prix on time on Sunday.
The race was delayed by more than an hour due to heavy rain showers in Monte Carlo, a decision that has since been criticised by Mercedes’ Hamilton.
The seven-time world champion suggested that weather was not reason enough for such a lengthy delay to proceedings getting under way.
Norris, however, believes the right approach was taken and the race could not have gotten under way on time.
Lando Norris disagrees with Lewis Hamilton assessment of Monaco Grand Prix start
Martin Brundle doesn’t expect F1 owners to ‘blink first’ in Monaco Grand Prix stand-off
Thursday 2 June 2022 10:20 , Michael Jones
Martin Brundle has suggested that the owners of Formula 1 will not “blink first” as speculation continues over the future of the Monaco Grand Prix.
The race in Monte Carlo has been virtually ever-present since F1’s first season in 1950, but no deal has yet been agreed over a return to the principality in 2023.
The tight street circuit has been criticised by fans and drivers in recent years particularly, with suggestions that it is ill-suited to the sport’s continuing evolution.
Liberty Media completed its takeover of a controlling stake in F1 in early 2017 and has since overseen a popularity boom, with the calendar set to again expand next season, and the prestige and history of an event in Monaco perhaps now less necessary.
Martin Brundle doesn’t expect F1 owners to ‘blink first’ in Monaco GP stand-off
‘I would bite back’: Toto Wolff lifts lid on early relationship with Lewis Hamilton
Thursday 2 June 2022 10:10 , Michael Jones
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that the early days of his relationship with Lewis Hamilton involved some stern guidance from the Austrian.
Hamilton won his first Formula 1 title with McLaren in 2008, but since joining Mercedes in 2013, the Briton has become a seven-time world champion – sharing the record with Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton won back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015, before winning four in a row from 2017 to 2020.
And opening up on how the driver’s relationship with the Mercedes team has changed over the years, Wolff told the Daily Mail: “This is Mercedes, we have no place for the genius jerk.”
Toto Wolff lifts lid on early relationship with Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen admits he ‘might’ quit F1 when Red Bull contract ends
Thursday 2 June 2022 10:00 , Michael Jones
Max Verstappen has said that he “might stop” racing in Formula 1 at the conclusion of his long-term contract with Red Bull.
The 2021 world champion signed a new deal earlier this year that will keep him at the team through to the end of the 2028 F1 season.
The 24-year-old has spent his entire career with in the Red Bull set-up, entering the grid with Toro Rosso as a 17-year-old before stepping up to Christian Horner’s team for the fifth race of the 2016 season.
Though the Dutchman will be 31 when the contract comes to an end, Verstappen has now suggested that he is keen to pursue other opportunities in motorsport and may consider leaving F1, though admits he is not certain what the long-term future holds.
Max Verstappen admits he ‘might’ quit F1 when Red Bull contract ends
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren is ‘over’, claims Jacques Villeneuve
Thursday 2 June 2022 09:50 , Michael Jones
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren F1 is “over”, according to 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who believes that the team are preparing to move on from the Australian.
Ricciardo has endured a tough and uncompetitive start to the 2022 campaign, sitting outside of the top ten in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
The 32-year-old has scored only eleven points, 37 fewer than teammate Lando Norris, and again finished outside of the points at the Monaco Grand Prix for the fourth consecutive race.
While Ricciardo’s contract runs until the end of the 2023 season, Zak Brown, team principal at McLaren, hinted last week that it may contain a get-out clause that would allow the team to move on from the driver.
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren is ‘over’, claims Jacques Villeneuve
Fernando Alonso still in pain from Australian Grand Prix crash
Thursday 2 June 2022 09:40 , Michael Jones
Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso has said he is still feeling the effects of a qualifying crash in Australia last month and expects to suffer for months to come.
The Alpine driver had bandages on both wrists after Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix and told reporters they were a consequence of his Melbourne accident.
“It’s still from Australia,” he said, referring to a crash into the wall at Albert Park. “Bones, ligaments, tendons, everything is a mess at the moment.
“I need two or three months and there is no surgery, nothing you can do. Just rest. Unfortunately, every two weeks I have to drive so I try to rest at home but it will take a few months,” added the 40-year-old.
‘Everything is a mess’: Fernando Alonso still in pain from crash in Australia
Brundle calls for ‘root and branch change’ in F1 after Monaco start farce
Thursday 2 June 2022 09:30 , Michael Jones
Martin Brundle has called for “root and branch” change to Formula 1 after the delayed start to the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix.
Racing failed to get under way for more than an hour after the scheduled start time in Monte Carlo, with the race directors reluctant to order a start in wet weather.
Significant precipitation fell just before the race was due to begin but had ceased by 2pm BST, though race organisers had already ordered a delay.
More rain then fell, making the track unsafe for racing, but according to former F1 driver Brundle, the delay was entirely unneccessary.
The 62-year-old believes measures are in place to allow wet-weather racing and urged the sport to “empower” both the race director and F1’s communications department to make sure messaging is clearer in the future.
Martin Brundle calls for ‘root and branch change’ in F1 after Monaco start farce
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso still have ‘needle’ between them, Martin Brundle claims
Thursday 2 June 2022 09:20 , Michael Jones
Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton still have ‘needle between them’ following their battle at the Monaco Grand Prix, says ex-racer Martin Brundle.
Hamilton was showing far superior pace than Alonso at the Monte Carlo circuit but failed to find a way past the Spaniard as he was forced to settle for eighth place.
Alonso backed up Hamilton for a lengthy period towards the end of the race, so much so that he ended up 34 seconds behind sixth place Lando Norris.
And Brundle feels the Monaco race showed there is still some tension between the two former world champions who were teammates at McLaren 15 years ago.
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso still have ‘needle’, says Martin Brundle
Sergio Perez crash cost Max Verstappen position, claims father
Thursday 2 June 2022 09:10 , Jack Rathborn
Max Verstappen was denied a place by Sergio Perez’s crash in qualifying at the Monaco Grand Prix, according to the world champion’s father.
Jos Verstappen has criticised Red Bull for their tactics in Sunday’s race, claiming they ‘threw away points’ for his son.
While he also maintains his son would have finished higher up than fourth on the grid had qualifying not been prematurely ended.
“Perez actually won the race because of the earlier pit stop,” Verstappen Sr. said in his column.
“The team can perhaps explain that as a gamble, but they had already seen, with for example Gasly, that the intermediates were the best option at that time.
“I would have liked them to go for Max, but of course, I am not entirely objective. I think 10 points from Max have been thrown away here.
“Especially with the two retirements we’ve had, we need every point. Don’t forget that Ferrari currently has a better car, especially in qualifying.
“Max also had bad luck in qualifying, because in his last run he was significantly faster and on his way to second place, until the crash of Perez. Then everything would have been different.”
Red Bull face Max Verstappen backlash for prioritising Sergio Perez
Thursday 2 June 2022 09:00 , Jack Rathborn
Red Bull face a potential Max Verstappen backlash for prioritising Sergio Perez at the Monaco Grand Prix, according to the world champion’s father.
Jos Verstappen has criticised Red Bull and claimed they ‘threw away points’ for his son.
“Red Bull achieved a good result, but at the same time exerted little influence to help Max to the front,” Verstappen said in his column on the official Verstappen website.
“That he finished third, he owes to Ferrari’s mistake at that second stop of Charles Leclerc.
“The championship leader, Max, was not helped in that sense by the chosen strategy. It turned completely in Checo’s favour.
“That was disappointing to me, and I would have liked it to be different for the championship leader.”
‘Russell has knocked Hamilton off his perch’, claims Jordan
Thursday 2 June 2022 08:50 , Jack Rathborn
Eddie Jordan insists George Russell has “knocked Lewis Hamilton off his perch”.
In his rookie season with the Silver Arrows, Russell has guided the W13 to respectable finishes, landing a top five finish in ever race - the only driver in the sport to do so.
“Absolutely, I think the big surprise is, everybody globally, in Formula 1 context, thinks that Lewis Hamilton is top dog,” Jordan said when asked if Russell had prove he deserved his promotion in the off-season.
“But he’s no longer top dog, not even in that team because Russell has taken his perch away.
“And I think it’s very interesting to watch and I want to see how Lewis is going to overcome that.”
Lewis Hamilton struggle leads Toto Wolff to call for changes at Monaco Grand Prix
Thursday 2 June 2022 08:40 , Jack Rathborn
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes Fernando Alonso’s battle with Lewis Hamilton at the Monaco Grand Prix proves the track needs to be changed.
Hamilton was driving significantly quicker than seventh place Alonso for a lengthy period towards the end of the race as the Spaniard attempted to preserve his tyres.
Alonso dropped more than 30 seconds behind Lando Norris in sixth but Hamilton still failed to find a way past the Alpine driver before the end of the race.
And Wolff feels the situation involving the two former world champions is a demonstration that the Monaco race needs to reinvent itself.
Lewis Hamilton struggle leads Toto Wolff to call for changes at Monaco Grand Prix
Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari united in opposition to current F1 budget cap
Thursday 2 June 2022 08:31 , Jack Rathborn
Formula 1’s top three teams have shown a united front in speaking out against the sport’s current budget cap, with Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari chiefs all stressing the difficulty of sticking to the imposed limit.
Every F1 team is working with a cost cap of £119million this season, a move that is intended to ensure a more equal level of competition, but drastic inflation and a severe rise in freight costs have put teams at risk of exceeding that amount in expenditure.
“At the time we all agreed to those reductions, nobody could have predicted what was going on in the world and how that is driving inflation in every household globally,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports.
Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari united in opposition to current F1 budget cap
Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari united in opposition to current F1 budget cap
Wednesday 1 June 2022 18:00 , Karl Matchett
Formula 1’s top three teams have shown a united front in speaking out against the sport’s current budget cap, with Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari chiefs all stressing the difficulty of sticking to the imposed limit.
Every F1 team is working with a cost cap of £119million this season, a move that is intended to ensure a more equal level of competition, but drastic inflation and a severe rise in freight costs have put teams at risk of exceeding that amount in expenditure.
“At the time we all agreed to those reductions, nobody could have predicted what was going on in the world and how that is driving inflation in every household globally,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports.
“We’re seeing it in Formula 1, we’re seeing it with logistics, we’re seeing it with energy costs. That to me is something the FIA need to take into account.”
More here:
Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari united in opposition to current F1 budget cap
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 17:40 , Karl Matchett
Yuki Tsunoda hopes to one day drive alongside Max Verstappen for Red Bull and battle for the world championship after progressing from his current role with AlphaTauri.
“It would be nice driving with [Verstappen],” Tsunoda told Racing News 365 in an interview.
“I think [he is] currently the best driver on the grid – next to me! [I have been able to] learn lots of things [from] him when I got to Red Bull. If I was to drive with him that would be good.
“Of course, to be World Champion, I have to beat him. If I beat him, you can feel like one of the best drivers in Formula 1.
“Max is kind of the target of what I have to aim for, or the reference driver I have to aim [for]. Hopefully I can drive with him in the future for the same team.”
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 17:20 , Karl Matchett
Eddie Jordan feels Lando Norris is putting Daniel Ricciardo in the shade at McLaren to such an extent that the Australian needs to find a way to mount a comeback quickly, or else face a dramatic downturn in his career.
Norris has clocked up 48 points to Ricciardo’s 11 and Jordan feels the decline could be a swift one.
“He’s letting races flow by, and you very seldom get a chance to claw this back,” Jordan told Channel 4.
“I think I’d be watching his career path from now on, because I’m not sure how much further he can go.
“Lando is destroying him, mentally, physically and on the track.
“And when you have that kind of a scenario inside of a team, it gets to you.
“So he needs to shake it up immediately.”
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 17:00 , Karl Matchett
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes Fernando Alonso’s battle with Lewis Hamilton at the Monaco Grand Prix proves the track needs to be changed.
Hamilton was driving significantly quicker than seventh place Alonso for a lengthy period towards the end of the race as the Spaniard attempted to preserve his tyres.
Alonso dropped more than 30 seconds behind Lando Norris in sixth but Hamilton still failed to find a way past the Alpine driver before the end of the race.
And Wolff feels the situation involving the two former world champions is a demonstration that the Monaco race needs to reinvent itself.
Read Wolff’s thoughts here:
Lewis Hamilton struggle leads Toto Wolff to call for changes at Monaco Grand Prix
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 16:40 , Karl Matchett
Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton still have ‘needle between them’ following their battle at the Monaco Grand Prix, says ex-racer Martin Brundle.
Hamilton was showing far superior pace than Alonso at the Monte Carlo circuit but failed to find a way past the Spaniard as he was forced to settle for eighth place.
Alonso backed up Hamilton for a lengthy period towards the end of the race, so much so that he ended up 34 seconds behind sixth place Lando Norris.
And Brundle feels the Monaco race showed there is still some tension between the two former world champions who were teammates at McLaren 15 years ago.
Speaking in his Sky Sports column, he said: “[Lando] Norris had that luxury of an extra stop because behind him Fernando Alonso went into a steady, but necessary for him, tyre preservation mode with the rest of the field queued up behind him, starting with a very frustrated Lewis Hamilton.
“‘That’s not my problem’ said Fernando, and you can’t help but sense there’s still needle between them after their McLaren season as teammates back in 2007.”
More here:
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso still have ‘needle’, says Martin Brundle
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 16:20 , Karl Matchett
Zhou Guanyu says his close call with Yuki Tsunoda was a scary occasion as he just about saved his car from a collision after the wet conditions threatened to cause a crash.
Mick Schumacher was involved in a massive crash which he thankfully walked away from unscathed, but Alfa Romeo driver Zhou says he was just focused on keeping his wheels on the track.
“That was probably one of the closest laps ever behind Yuki, so I really had to dive up the inside at the last minute, and, unfortunately, he tried to cover a little bit and then the moment I tried to avoid that, I hit the wet patch.
“That was just about [keeping] the car on track there.”
Told that his save had looked “cool” in real-time, Zhou was honest about his in-the-moment feelings - but was looking forward to a different perspective.
“It wasn’t too cool in the cockpit, it was pretty scary! But it will be nice to have a look at the replay.”
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 16:00 , Karl Matchett
Ferrari were left perplexed by F1’s decision to not sanction Red Bull pair Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez during the Monaco GP, for perceived pit lane violations.
A protest went unheeded and left Mattia Binotto astounded, with Italian journalist Roberto Chinchero pointing out the lack of consistency in decision-making once more.
“Both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez touched the yellow line exiting the pit lane. The two Red Bull drivers have done a manoeuvre that in the past has been sanctioned,” he told Motorsport.com.
“The FIA had not even opened an investigation and only after the Ferrari complaint, the case was discussed.
“The decision is scandalous: the RB18 did not cross the line with all the tyres so there was no violation for the stewards. A judgment that contradicts previous sentences.”
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 15:45 , Karl Matchett
One of the moments of the weekend when Sunday’s race finally got underway was Pierre Gasly managing to edge past Daniel Ricciardo in unconventional fashion, surging past him as they made the entry to Swimming Pool.
It was the need to take risks which saw Gasly switch tyres first and that paid off as he got inventive.
“It was pretty tight, but I was so much faster than these guys, I just needed to calm myself,” Gasly explained after the race.
“I’d caught them so quickly, and then after you are like, OK, I want to pass, but it’s like if the guy is defending well, suddenly you’ve got no space on the right, no space on the left.
“Then you have to be creative. That’s what I tried to do. At the end of the day, F1 drivers, we are kind of artists, we need to find always new ideas.
“I tried to come up with unusual places to overtake, and that worked out, so I’m pleased with that.”
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 15:30 , Karl Matchett
Daniel Ricciardo continues to struggle in his McLaren car somewhat and team boss Zak Brown recently acknowledged that the Australian had not lived up to expectations so far.
The comments came as a surprise to Jensen Button, who highlighted the importance of ensuring drivers are in the right frame of mind come race day.
“Zak is his own man and I can’t change his thoughts and what he says, but I was surprised that he came out and said that,” Button said on Sky Sports F1.
“Everyone with the team should be protecting these drivers.
“Formula 1 is a real mental game. They all have immense skill but you don’t perform if your head is not in the right place.
“I was surprised Zak came out and said he was not meeting expectations – we all know that. But when your Team Principal comes out and says that, it definitely hurts.
“I’m hoping they have talked since and they can just focus on getting the best out of Daniel and the team around him for the rest of the year. Then we’ll see where he ends up in the future.”
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 15:15 , Karl Matchett
Sergio Perez is revelling in his weekend victory and points out it was a big deal for his area of the world too, in a sporting sense, becoming the first Mexican to win the Monaco GP.
“Certainly, in terms of history of the sport, I’m a big fan of my sport,” he said, per Planet F1. “So, certainly knowing what it means to win a race like this.
“I mean, they’re all very important, but certainly this is very special. And it goes very, very high in the list for my country.
“I certainly feel like at the moment, I’m the only Mexican – or even Latin American – driver on the grid.
“So, it just shows how difficult it is for us – not saying that for European drivers, it’s easy – but it just shows how difficult it is for us to make it into the sport and to have successful career in this sport.
“It is quite hard, but I have to say I’m extremely proud of it.”
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 15:00 , Karl Matchett
Max Verstappen has said that he “might stop” racing in Formula 1 at the conclusion of his long-term contract with Red Bull.
The 2021 world champion signed a new deal earlier this year that will keep him at the team through to the end of the 2028 F1 season.
The 24-year-old has spent his entire career with in the Red Bull set-up, entering the grid with Toro Rosso as a 17-year-old before stepping up to Christian Horner’s team for the fifth race of the 2016 season.
Though the Dutchman will be 31 when the contract comes to an end, Verstappen has now suggested that he is keen to pursue other opportunities in motorsport and may consider leaving F1, though admits he is not certain what the long-term future holds.
Max Verstappen admits he ‘might’ quit F1 when Red Bull contract ends
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 14:45 , Karl Matchett
Max Verstappen’s father has accused Red Bull of favouring Sergio Perez over his son at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Perez secured his first victory of the season in Monte Carlo, rising from third on the grid to win with a fine drive during a chaotic, incident-filled race.
Ferrari, Red Bull’s title rivals, had started the race with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz filling the front row but made several errors of strategy, allowing Verstappen to extend his advantage over Leclerc in the drivers’ championship standings after finishing third – one place ahead of the Monegasque.
However Jos Verstappen, Max’s father who started 106 races in Formula 1, feels that the team could have done more to allow the defending champion to challenge for victory in Monaco.
The 50-year-old thinks that Red Bull will need “every point” if his son is to hold off the challenge of Leclerc and cling on to his title.
Max Verstappen’s father unhappy with Red Bull for ‘favouring’ Sergio Perez
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 14:30 , Karl Matchett
Lando Norris has disagreed with Lewis Hamilton and said that it was “not safe” to start the Monaco Grand Prix on time on Sunday.
The race was delayed by more than an hour due to heavy rain showers in Monte Carlo, a decision that has since been criticised by Mercedes’ Hamilton.
The seven-time world champion suggested that weather was not reason enough for such a lengthy delay to proceedings getting under way.
Norris, however, believes the right approach was taken and the race could not have gotten under way on time.
Using the crash of Mick Schumacher, who was fortunate to escape without serious injury after his Haas was split in two during the race, as an example, the 22-year-old McLaren driver stressed that the driver safety must be paramount.
Read more:
Lando Norris disagrees with Lewis Hamilton assessment of Monaco Grand Prix start
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 14:15 , Karl Matchett
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren F1 is “over”, according to 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who believes that the team are preparing to move on from the Australian.
Ricciardo has endured a tough and uncompetitive start to the 2022 campaign, sitting outside of the top ten in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
The 32-year-old has scored only eleven points, 37 fewer than teammate Lando Norris, and again finished outside of the points at the Monaco Grand Prix for the fourth consecutive race.
While Ricciardo’s contract runs until the end of the 2023 season, Zak Brown, team principal at McLaren, hinted last week that it may contain a get-out clause that would allow the team to move on from the driver.
And Villeneuve believes that Brown’s reference to potential exit mechanisms may be bad news for Ricciardo.
Full report:
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren is ‘over’, claims Jacques Villeneuve
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 14:00 , Karl Matchett
Martin Brundle has called for “root and branch” change to Formula 1 after the delayed start to the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix.
Racing failed to get under way for more than an hour after the scheduled start time in Monte Carlo, with the race directors reluctant to order a start in wet weather.
Significant precipitation fell just before the race was due to begin but had ceased by 2pm BST, though race organisers had already ordered a delay.
More rain then fell, making the track unsafe for racing, but according to former F1 driver Brundle, the delay was entirely unneccessary.
The 62-year-old believes measures are in place to allow wet-weather racing and urged the sport to “empower” both the race director and F1’s communications department to make sure messaging is clearer in the future.
More here:
Martin Brundle calls for ‘root and branch change’ in F1 after Monaco start farce
Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari united in opposition to current F1 budget cap
Wednesday 1 June 2022 13:50 , Karl Matchett
Formula 1’s top three teams have shown a united front in speaking out against the sport’s current budget cap, with Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari chiefs all stressing the difficulty of sticking to the imposed limit.
Every F1 team is working with a cost cap of £119million this season, a move that is intended to ensure a more equal level of competition, but drastic inflation and a severe rise in freight costs have put teams at risk of exceeding that amount in expenditure.
“At the time we all agreed to those reductions, nobody could have predicted what was going on in the world and how that is driving inflation in every household globally,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports.
“We’re seeing it in Formula 1, we’re seeing it with logistics, we’re seeing it with energy costs. That to me is something the FIA need to take into account.”
More here:
Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari united in opposition to current F1 budget cap
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 13:40 , Karl Matchett
Yuki Tsunoda hopes to one day drive alongside Max Verstappen for Red Bull and battle for the world championship after progressing from his current role with AlphaTauri.
“It would be nice driving with [Verstappen],” Tsunoda told Racing News 365 in an interview.
“I think [he is] currently the best driver on the grid – next to me! [I have been able to] learn lots of things [from] him when I got to Red Bull. If I was to drive with him that would be good.
“Of course, to be World Champion, I have to beat him. If I beat him, you can feel like one of the best drivers in Formula 1.
“Max is kind of the target of what I have to aim for, or the reference driver I have to aim [for]. Hopefully I can drive with him in the future for the same team.”
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 13:20 , Karl Matchett
Alex Albon says the Monaco Grand Prix was a race to forget, after he had to retire his Williams car following a failure to reach Q2 earlier in the weekend.
“It was a tricky day out there and a bit of a scruffy performance from my side, too,” he said.
“The conditions meant that getting the brakes in the right window was really challenging, especially with all the variation that a drying track brings and the red flags.
“The car felt good whenever we had clean air though and I did feel competitive at points, so there are some positives to take away from today.
“Unfortunately, towards the end of the race I had an issue with the car which meant I had to retire.
“I think it’s probably a weekend to forget for us, but that’s how it goes sometimes.”
Lando Norris “destroying” McLaren teammate Daniel Ricciardo
Wednesday 1 June 2022 13:00 , Karl Matchett
Eddie Jordan feels Lando Norris is putting Daniel Ricciardo in the shade at McLaren to such an extent that the Australian needs to find a way to mount a comeback quickly, or else face a dramatic downturn in his career.
Norris has clocked up 48 points to Ricciardo’s 11 and Jordan feels the decline could be a swift one.
“He’s letting races flow by, and you very seldom get a chance to claw this back,” Jordan told Channel 4.
“I think I’d be watching his career path from now on, because I’m not sure how much further he can go.
“Lando is destroying him, mentally, physically and on the track.
“And when you have that kind of a scenario inside of a team, it gets to you.
“So he needs to shake it up immediately.”
Lewis Hamilton struggle leads Toto Wolff to call for changes at Monaco Grand Prix
Wednesday 1 June 2022 12:40 , Karl Matchett
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes Fernando Alonso’s battle with Lewis Hamilton at the Monaco Grand Prix proves the track needs to be changed.
Hamilton was driving significantly quicker than seventh place Alonso for a lengthy period towards the end of the race as the Spaniard attempted to preserve his tyres.
Alonso dropped more than 30 seconds behind Lando Norris in sixth but Hamilton still failed to find a way past the Alpine driver before the end of the race.
And Wolff feels the situation involving the two former world champions is a demonstration that the Monaco race needs to reinvent itself.
Read Wolff’s thoughts here:
Lewis Hamilton struggle leads Toto Wolff to call for changes at Monaco Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso still have ‘needle’ between them, Martin Brundle claims
Wednesday 1 June 2022 12:20 , Karl Matchett
Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton still have ‘needle between them’ following their battle at the Monaco Grand Prix, says ex-racer Martin Brundle.
Hamilton was showing far superior pace than Alonso at the Monte Carlo circuit but failed to find a way past the Spaniard as he was forced to settle for eighth place.
Alonso backed up Hamilton for a lengthy period towards the end of the race, so much so that he ended up 34 seconds behind sixth place Lando Norris.
And Brundle feels the Monaco race showed there is still some tension between the two former world champions who were teammates at McLaren 15 years ago.
Speaking in his Sky Sports column, he said: “[Lando] Norris had that luxury of an extra stop because behind him Fernando Alonso went into a steady, but necessary for him, tyre preservation mode with the rest of the field queued up behind him, starting with a very frustrated Lewis Hamilton.
“‘That’s not my problem’ said Fernando, and you can’t help but sense there’s still needle between them after their McLaren season as teammates back in 2007.”
More here:
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso still have ‘needle’, says Martin Brundle
F1 latest news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 12:00 , Karl Matchett
Zhou Guanyu says his close call with Yuki Tsunoda was a scary occasion as he just about saved his car from a collision after the wet conditions threatened to cause a crash.
Mick Schumacher was involved in a massive crash which he thankfully walked away from unscathed, but Alfa Romeo driver Zhou says he was just focused on keeping his wheels on the track.
“That was probably one of the closest laps ever behind Yuki, so I really had to dive up the inside at the last minute, and, unfortunately, he tried to cover a little bit and then the moment I tried to avoid that, I hit the wet patch.
“That was just about [keeping] the car on track there.”
Told that his save had looked “cool” in real-time, Zhou was honest about his in-the-moment feelings - but was looking forward to a different perspective.
“It wasn’t too cool in the cockpit, it was pretty scary! But it will be nice to have a look at the replay.”
Fernando Alonso still feeling effects of Australia crash
Wednesday 1 June 2022 11:40 , Karl Matchett
Twice Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso said he was still feeling the effects of a qualifying crash in Australia last month and expected to suffer for months to come.
The Alpine driver had bandages on both wrists after Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix and told reporters they were a consequence of his Melbourne accident.
“It’s still from Australia,” he said, referring to a crash into the wall at Albert Park.
“Bones, ligaments, tendons, everything is a mess at the moment.
“I need two or three months and there is no surgery, nothing you can do. Just rest. Unfortunately, every two weeks I have to drive so I try to rest at home but it will take a few months,” added the 40-year-old.
Formula One has six more races scheduled, divided into pairs of double-headers, before the August break.
When it was jokingly suggested that Alonso could hand his car to the Renault-owned team’s Australian reserve driver Oscar Piastri, the Spaniard replied: “Yes, but we need the points.”
Alpine are sixth in the constructors’ championship but only a point behind Alfa Romeo and 19 adrift of McLaren after seven races with the top three -- Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes -- way ahead.
Alonso finished seventh in Monaco, ahead of Mercedes’ seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton who was unable to find a way past on the narrow street circuit despite having a faster car and the Spaniard lapping well off the pace.
Alonso said his strategy in the final stint had been to manage the tyres for 15 laps before then pushing for the remaining 15 to the finish.
“It was Hamilton’s problem,” he said. “This is Monaco and I love to keep people behind.”
Reuters
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 11:20 , Karl Matchett
Ferrari were left perplexed by F1’s decision to not sanction Red Bull pair Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez during the Monaco GP, for perceived pit lane violations.
A protest went unheeded and left Mattia Binotto astounded, with Italian journalist Roberto Chinchero pointing out the lack of consistency in decision-making once more.
“Both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez touched the yellow line exiting the pit lane. The two Red Bull drivers have done a manoeuvre that in the past has been sanctioned,” he told Motorsport.com.
“The FIA had not even opened an investigation and only after the Ferrari complaint, the case was discussed.
“The decision is scandalous: the RB18 did not cross the line with all the tyres so there was no violation for the stewards. A judgment that contradicts previous sentences.”
Gasly explains ‘creative’ overtake in Monaco
Wednesday 1 June 2022 11:00 , Karl Matchett
One of the moments of the weekend when Sunday’s race finally got underway was Pierre Gasly managing to edge past Daniel Ricciardo in unconventional fashion, surging past him as they made the entry to Swimming Pool.
It was the need to take risks which saw Gasly switch tyres first and that paid off as he got inventive.
“It was pretty tight, but I was so much faster than these guys, I just needed to calm myself,” Gasly explained after the race.
“I’d caught them so quickly, and then after you are like, OK, I want to pass, but it’s like if the guy is defending well, suddenly you’ve got no space on the right, no space on the left.
“Then you have to be creative. That’s what I tried to do. At the end of the day, F1 drivers, we are kind of artists, we need to find always new ideas.
“I tried to come up with unusual places to overtake, and that worked out, so I’m pleased with that.”
Button shocked by McLaren boss comments on Ricciardo
Wednesday 1 June 2022 10:40 , Karl Matchett
Daniel Ricciardo continues to struggle in his McLaren car somewhat and team boss Zak Brown recently acknowledged that the Australian had not lived up to expectations so far.
The comments came as a surprise to Jensen Button, who highlighted the importance of ensuring drivers are in the right frame of mind come race day.
“Zak is his own man and I can’t change his thoughts and what he says, but I was surprised that he came out and said that,” Button said on Sky Sports F1.
“Everyone with the team should be protecting these drivers.
“Formula 1 is a real mental game. They all have immense skill but you don’t perform if your head is not in the right place.
“I was surprised Zak came out and said he was not meeting expectations – we all know that. But when your Team Principal comes out and says that, it definitely hurts.
“I’m hoping they have talked since and they can just focus on getting the best out of Daniel and the team around him for the rest of the year. Then we’ll see where he ends up in the future.”
F1 news
Wednesday 1 June 2022 10:21 , Karl Matchett
Sergio Perez is revelling in his weekend victory and points out it was a big deal for his area of the world too, in a sporting sense, becoming the first Mexican to win the Monaco GP.
“Certainly, in terms of history of the sport, I’m a big fan of my sport,” he said. “So, certainly knowing what it means to win a race like this.
“I mean, they’re all very important, but certainly this is very special. And it goes very, very high in the list for my country.
“I certainly feel like at the moment, I’m the only Mexican – or even Latin American – driver on the grid.
“So, it just shows how difficult it is for us – not saying that for European drivers, it’s easy – but it just shows how difficult it is for us to make it into the sport and to have successful career in this sport.
“It is quite hard, but I have to say I’m extremely proud of it.”
Christian Horner pushes Sky Sports reporter into swimming pool after Monaco Grand Prix
Wednesday 1 June 2022 10:00 , Karl Matchett
Christian Horner celebrated Red Bull’s successful outing at the Monaco Grand Prix by pushing Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater into a trackside swimming pool.
Sergio Perez secured the victory on Sunday, while teammate Max Verstappen came third to overtake Charles Leclerc as leader in the drivers’ standings.
Ferrari began the race with a front-row shutout, as Leclerc started on pole in his home race and Carlos Sainz lined up second. Leclerc’s misfortune in Monaco continued, however, as he came fourth, though Sainz was able to retain second spot.
After Sunday’s race, Horner was interviewed by Slater as the pair stood next to a trackside swimming pool, which the Red Bull team principal pushed the Sky reporter into while sporting a grin.
Christian Horner pushes Sky Sports reporter into swimming pool after Monaco GP
Max Verstappen admits he ‘might’ quit F1 when Red Bull contract ends
Wednesday 1 June 2022 09:45 , Karl Matchett
Max Verstappen has said that he “might stop” racing in Formula 1 at the conclusion of his long-term contract with Red Bull.
The 2021 world champion signed a new deal earlier this year that will keep him at the team through to the end of the 2028 F1 season.
The 24-year-old has spent his entire career with in the Red Bull set-up, entering the grid with Toro Rosso as a 17-year-old before stepping up to Christian Horner’s team for the fifth race of the 2016 season.
Though the Dutchman will be 31 when the contract comes to an end, Verstappen has now suggested that he is keen to pursue other opportunities in motorsport and may consider leaving F1, though admits he is not certain what the long-term future holds.
Max Verstappen admits he ‘might’ quit F1 when Red Bull contract ends
Max Verstappen’s father unhappy with Red Bull for ‘favouring’ Sergio Perez
Wednesday 1 June 2022 09:30 , Karl Matchett
Max Verstappen’s father has accused Red Bull of favouring Sergio Perez over his son at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Perez secured his first victory of the season in Monte Carlo, rising from third on the grid to win with a fine drive during a chaotic, incident-filled race.
Ferrari, Red Bull’s title rivals, had started the race with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz filling the front row but made several errors of strategy, allowing Verstappen to extend his advantage over Leclerc in the drivers’ championship standings after finishing third – one place ahead of the Monegasque.
However Jos Verstappen, Max’s father who started 106 races in Formula 1, feels that the team could have done more to allow the defending champion to challenge for victory in Monaco.
The 50-year-old thinks that Red Bull will need “every point” if his son is to hold off the challenge of Leclerc and cling on to his title.
Max Verstappen’s father unhappy with Red Bull for ‘favouring’ Sergio Perez
Lando Norris disagrees with Lewis Hamilton assessment of Monaco Grand Prix start
Wednesday 1 June 2022 09:15 , Karl Matchett
Lando Norris has disagreed with Lewis Hamilton and said that it was “not safe” to start the Monaco Grand Prix on time on Sunday.
The race was delayed by more than an hour due to heavy rain showers in Monte Carlo, a decision that has since been criticised by Mercedes’ Hamilton.
The seven-time world champion suggested that weather was not reason enough for such a lengthy delay to proceedings getting under way.
Norris, however, believes the right approach was taken and the race could not have gotten under way on time.
Using the crash of Mick Schumacher, who was fortunate to escape without serious injury after his Haas was split in two during the race, as an example, the 22-year-old McLaren driver stressed that the driver safety must be paramount.
More here:
Lando Norris disagrees with Lewis Hamilton assessment of Monaco Grand Prix start
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren is ‘over’, claims Jacques Villeneuve
Wednesday 1 June 2022 09:00 , Karl Matchett
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren F1 is “over”, according to 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who believes that the team are preparing to move on from the Australian.
Ricciardo has endured a tough and uncompetitive start to the 2022 campaign, sitting outside of the top ten in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
The 32-year-old has scored only eleven points, 37 fewer than teammate Lando Norris, and again finished outside of the points at the Monaco Grand Prix for the fourth consecutive race.
While Ricciardo’s contract runs until the end of the 2023 season, Zak Brown, team principal at McLaren, hinted last week that it may contain a get-out clause that would allow the team to move on from the driver.
And Villeneuve believes that Brown’s reference to potential exit mechanisms may be bad news for Ricciardo.
Full report:
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren is ‘over’, claims Jacques Villeneuve
Martin Brundle calls for ‘root and branch change’ in F1 after Monaco start farce
Wednesday 1 June 2022 08:49 , Karl Matchett
Martin Brundle has called for “root and branch” change to Formula 1 after the delayed start to the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix.
Racing failed to get under way for more than an hour after the scheduled start time in Monte Carlo, with the race directors reluctant to order a start in wet weather.
Significant precipitation fell just before the race was due to begin but had ceased by 2pm BST, though race organisers had already ordered a delay.
More rain then fell, making the track unsafe for racing, but according to former F1 driver Brundle, the delay was entirely unneccessary.
The 62-year-old believes measures are in place to allow wet-weather racing and urged the sport to “empower” both the race director and F1’s communications department to make sure messaging is clearer in the future.
Martin Brundle calls for ‘root and branch change’ in F1 after Monaco start farce
Charles Leclerc told not to criticise Ferrari as ‘he’s screwed up enough himself’
Tuesday 31 May 2022 19:05 , Alex Pattle
Ex-Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher says Charles Leclerc shouldn’t criticise Ferrari for their mistakes as the star has “screwed up enough himself”.
Leclerc was left fuming after the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday as his team told him to pit for new tires before changing their minds. By the time Ferrari told Leclerc that they had reversed their decision, he had already boxed. The moment cost the Monegasque the lead in his home race.
“He’s screwed up enough himself, so he should be meek,” Schumacher told Sky Germany. “Things happen. You win together and lose together. So far, the team has done less wrong than he has.”
Charles Leclerc told not to criticise Ferrari as ‘he’s screwed up enough himself’
Team Principal Guenther Steiner unhappy over Mick Schumacher’s Monaco crash
Tuesday 31 May 2022 18:50 , Alex Pattle
Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner is unhappy over Mick Schumacher’s Monaco crash, insisting the team must ‘move forward’.
“I’m feeling alright,” said Schumacher. “Obviously it’s very annoying. I think in terms of pace we were definitely there, it’s just a matter of keeping it on track, and unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that.
“The pace felt strong, and it felt like we were able to attack and push. We just ended up being a little too wide, which is maybe a matter of 10cm at the end, and that was enough to lose all grip that you thought you had. And unfortunately the result is as it happened.”
Monaco Grand Prix should not take place in F1 for granted, Toto Wolff claims
Tuesday 31 May 2022 18:30 , Alex Pattle
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Monaco should not take its place on the Formula One calendar for granted.
As it stands, Sergio Perez’s drive to victory on Sunday, will be the last on Monte Carlo’s famous streets unless a new deal is agreed.
F1’s American owners Liberty Media, and the Automobile Club de Monaco, remain locked in discussions.
Toto Wolff tells Monaco not to take place in F1 for granted
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
