Singapore GP Sprint Qualifying Report

As usual, when we go to the OG night race, everything looks amazing in Singapore; the car livery's dazzle, the lights shine out, drivers choose sparkling helmet designs.  All was not going so glisteningly well for the FIA.  Having had to prostrate themselves for the wet running conditions software glitch last week in Bahrain, sorry Malaysia, no, sorry, Bahrain, a similar incident was triggered when Perez crashed his Cadillac in Sprint Qualifying 1 and a Red Flag stopped the session.  Something about this meant that when the drivers went back out again, some of them had limits put on their Power Units.  Is this what all that fuss was about a fortnight ago when we were told that AI would kill us all?

I didn't see the whole incident but I do feel that Cadillac possibly need to sack both drivers and start afresh next year.  And I am not asking them to hire Ocon.  Piastri, Verstappen and Hadjar were all effected by the timing of the Yellow and Red Flags and had one shot to put in a quick lap to get them through to the second session.  They all managed it, indeed Verstappen went fastest of  everyone.  Out went Linblad, Stroll, Alonso, Perez, Bottas and Sainz.  Sainz was one of the drivers who the software failed for and it seems unfair that he should be starting behind Perez.  The results show that Williams just don't seem able to pull themselves back into any kind of contention again.  If they finish the year battling with Cadillac, this is a new low and think they should rebrand as a new kind of Formula 1 team and bring back Sargeant and Latifi, with Stroll as reserve driver.

Former championship challenger, Russell, had a huge lock up in the first series of runs in the second session and nearly put himself out of contention.  The Ferraris look very fast at this circuit and Leclerc was quickest in the session.  Colapinto, Hulkenberg, Bearman, Bortoleto, Alonso and Ocon were dismissed.

The final session was straight-forward.  Several drivers could have taken pole but the Mercedes did not seem to be in contention, certainly not that of Antonelli, perhaps it was past his bedtime?  Verstappen took pole, followed by Russell (who should be cheered), Leclerc (deserved second?), Piastri (from out of nowhere), Norris, Hamilton (should have had a better result), Antonelli, Hadjar (will be looking to get closer in the proper Qualifying), Lawson and Gasly.  Lawson's year continues to look much better than the last one.

One can only assume that Verstappen on Sprint Pole for the Sprint means Sprint victory and Sprint points for the Red Bull driver.  Lots of Red Flags and Safety Cars are the only way out of a procession.  As I said, where are Latifi and Sargeant when you need them?

Netherlands GP Sprint Qualifying Report

We arrived at Zandvoort to breaking driver news...Albon and Sainz would be staying with Williams!  No, Verstappen had signed for four more years with Red Bull, ending all exciting speculation that he would be with a different team next season. 

There was change at Red Bull though, Hadjar had damaged his wrist over the holidays so Lawson was moved to stand in at the main team from Racing Bulls.  Tsunoda was brought in from the cold to drive in that seat.

Into the lap-setting and Antonelli was quick to go off through the gravel in the first session.  Alonso did something similar.  Aston Martin had brought upgrades to the last race and now it was their power unit provider, Honda's turn to bring the goods but the drivers were out in 19th and last places.  The six drivers out were Bearman (who seems to have lost it compared with the flailing Ocon), Sainz, Stroll, Bottas, Perez and Alonso.  It turned out a piece was broken on the wing on that slowest car.

The second session passed off with no incidents.  Lawson and Tsunoda were the best of the rest but that was still a good showing in new cars to them.  Behind them were Colapinto, Hulkenberg, Ocon and Albon.  The Williams is really struggling at this track (and the rest of them really).

There were quite a few drivers who could have taken Sprint Pole but in the end it was Russell, who will not stop going on about getting engaged.  Norris and LeClerc took the other "podium" places then Piastri, Antonelli, Versappen, Hamilton, Gasly, Bortoleto and Linblad.  It's good to see the two top drivers in the championship a little further back and having to work for it.

Andrea Stella warned that despite his drivers starting in great positions there was lots of uncertainty for the Sprint.  The weather may be a problem.  It would be interesting to see how it all pans out.

GB GP Sprint Qualifying Report

It was gusty in Silverstone but sunny enough too so there were challenges but nothing too tricky for the drivers.  There were several British drivers in contention for the Sprint Pole: Russell, Hamilton and possibly Norris.  They just had to watch out for Italian Antonelli or perhaps Leclerc, desperate for a bit of glory at last.

The first SQ session was a parade of drivers and the bottom six nicely lined up in their teams to help their mechanics the next day: two Haas (Bearman then Ocon), two Cadillacs (Perez then Bottas), two Aston Martins (Alonso then Stroll).  If rumours are correct that both Ocon and Bottas are considered to be under-performing by their teams and may be replaced then surely somebody has to look at Stroll?  Both Williams got through which was a good show for their home track.

Norris lost a bit of his car, which would slightly affect the aerodynamics for the rest of Sprint Qualifying.  It didn't matter because we couldn't spot the McLarens on the track as they had changed their livery to green and white and looked remarkably similar at speed to a couple of other teams.

The Ferraris have brought a new engine to this track and it was doing wonders for them.  Hamilton was the fastest in the second session.  If you include the Racing Bulls then the top teams are really excluding any mid-runners from getting into the top ten this season.  Gasly, Bortoleto, Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Sainz and Albon went out.  Sainz has been comprehensively beating his team mate this year which possibly  shows that he never would have been any challenge to Verstappen at Red Bull.  Gasly has been chasing the top runners' tails all season and it would not surprise me if the gossip that Alonso may become his team mate next year turned out to be true.

With less of a gap, that meant that all the top five teams went for the same strategy in the final session: one lap at the end.  Six minutes we waited for the cars to come out.  I was surprised at least one Racing Bull driver didn't try to do something in that time.  I think some of those drivers really could have done with a lap to get their eye in; I'm looking at you George.  Hamilton took a very convincing pole, roared on by his fellow Brits.  Behind him was Antonelli, Verstappen (a Red Bull resurgence?), Leclerc, Russell (losing it all on his home track), Norris, Piastri (not able to keep up with his team mate this year), Hadjar, Lawson and Linblad (who was really proud to have made it through).

The Sprint Race would be a good indication of where the points will go in the main Race.  It didn't look like the British weather would have much of an impact either.

Canada GP Sprint Qualifying Report

There were so many reasons to look forward to this race.  The Brits were excited that Hamilton might be strong for a win as he gained his maiden victory at Canada.  The Brits were excited because it would probably rain (indeed the race start time had already been put back before a wheel had graced the tarmac).  The Brits were excited that Russell might attempt a comeback at a title challenge rather than let his young upstart team mate walk away with the drivers' championship.

It was not going well for the Brits or the wildlife though as Albon hit a groundhog on the track and then crashed his car.  Williams could not fix it in time for him to compete in Sprint Qualifying.  Lawson also wouldn't be starting because he had a hydraulics problem.

The drivers went out and tootled about and all was as normal until Alonso went into the barriers and the session was Red Flagged.  He had locked up and went nose-first into the tyres, which would have hurt and the barriers would need to be fixed.  Drivers were desperate to be first out of the pit lane.  Mechanics were poised with hands raised to let them out.  Hamilton had been the quickest but still felt the need to go out again at the restart.  The next eight stayed in the pits.  Colapinto, Ocon, Bearman and Gasly did not get across the starting line in time.  Stroll was not able to better his time or gave up.  Out went Perez, Stroll, Gasly, Bottas, Albon and Lawson.

In the second session, Russell finally found his groove and was the quickest driver.  There were a few cars fighting it out to just get through with Verstappen crossing everything in ninth place.  It was Sainz who took tenth, which will make Williams wonder what Albon could have done.  Out went Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, Colapinto , Ocon, Bearman and Alonso, who could not go out with his broken car.

Hamilton continued to look strong in the final session.  With two minutes to go Russell went quickest with all purple sectors and the commentators called it.  However Hamilton was still going along with a few others.  They were stretching the life of the tyres and Norris was able to get onto the front row, knocking Hamilton off; Piastri pushing him back further.  Hamilton should have come out later because Antonelli was also able to put in a quicker lap.  The grid would like up with Russell on pole, then Antonelli, Norris, Piastri, Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Hadjar, Linblad and Sainz.

The questions for Saturday would be whether Russell could maintain this advantage and whether Mercedes will continue their run of poor starts.  There are a number of drivers who could take the win.  Giving that the Sprint is supposed to be speedy was quite lengthy in the end thanks to Alonso.

Miami GP Sprint Qualifying Report

There was much more to discuss in the build-up to the Miami event than usual because of the long gap between races.  Firstly, there are changes to the fancy electrics; these were explained but I don't think even if I was interested I wouldn't really understand them.  After that there are personnel changes: Verstappen's long time engineer will be leaving Red Bull for McLaren in...2028.  Leading however, is Allan McNish at Audi.

Failing to make adjustments for the changes was Stroll, who beached himself at the side of the track and a Yellow Flag was brought out for quite a considerable period.  Norris led the first session with Lawson, Ocon, Perez, Bottas, Alonso and Stroll going out.

The second session was uneventful with LeClerc leading this time and Bortoleto, Hulkenberg, Bearman, Albon, Sainz and Lindblad going out.  Sainz was very unhappy on the radio with how little progress Williams had made over the month hiatus.

It looked like it could be a McLaren front row for the Sprint but Antonelli split them in the end.   The top ten were Norris, Antonelli, Piastri, LeClerc, Verstappen, Russell, Hamilton, Colapino, Hadjar and Gasly.  It's a fairly predictable top ten, even if the order isn't.  

I don't feel I can many predictions for the Sprint because we just don't know how the regulation changes are going to effect the racing.  What I will predict for Race Qualifying is that it will be unpredictable; some teams will learn a lot from this and improve.  There is lots to find out this weekend.

China GP Sprint Qualifying Report

Before the race weekend had even started it was rumoured that things were being ditched from the season: namely the Saudi Arabia and Bahrain races.  If I haven't said it before, damn Trump!

Then we went into this session and Perez' Cadillac was not ready to race and stayed in the pits.  Bortoleto and Bearman both went off on big trips through the gravel but made it through to the next session.  There will be disappointment in Williams as Sainz and Albon were out, followed by Alonso and Stroll, Bottas and Perez.  Two by two.

Verstappen was asking his team to check the "driveability" of the car between sessions.  That's the sort of question I ask of a mechanic.  The Red Bulls ended up ninth and tenth, with Verstappen having a big off.  Russell was fastest with Antonelli behind him for the second session in a row.  I'm not sure why Mercedes went out for a second run when Ferrari didn't.  Out went Hulkenberg, Ocon, Lawson, Bortoleto, Linblad and Colapinto.

Five cars had not set a time with seconds to go in the final Qualifying session, including both McLarens.  Russell took the Sprint pole of course, with his team mate next to him.  Norris got a surprisingly good result in third, how funny we should be saying that.  Hamilton was next, splitting the McLarens.  LeClerc was sixth; Gasly seventh beating former team mate Verstappen.  Finishing up the top ten was Bearman and Hadjar.

I think behind the Mercedes it might be a good race although teams might hold back, saving the car for the main race.

Qatar GP Sprint Qualifying Report

Sainz was asked his opinion on the current interpretations of the driving standards guidelines.  He said that there should be no guidelines and recent drivers, like those providing analysis, should make the judgement.  That boy always makes sense.

Bortoleto went into SQ1 with a five place grid penalty hanging over him.   It was a fairly boring session until the last milliseconds when Antonelli knocked Hamilton out - thanks for the seat mate!  It looked like Aston Martin were going to be strong with Alonso hanging onto pole position but Stroll was out.  Verstappen took first place at the very end.  The five drivers leaving Sprint Qualifying were Stroll, Lawson, Hamilton, Gasly and Colapinto.  It was another dire session for Alpine.  Hamilton was as monosyllabic as former Ferrari driver, Kimi Raikkonen, in the press pit.

Antonelli only just scraped through into SQ3 as Hadjar had a lap time deleted.  This session was even more boring than the last.  The two McLarens were fastest with Norris ahead and then Verstappen.  The five drivers out were predictable too: Hadjar, Bearman, Bortoleto, Hulkenberg and Ocon.  Normal order seemed to have been restored.

Alonso was very angry with the number of drivers on track (precisely on the same spot) at the end of SQ2 and Verstappen was very angry with his car and how much it was porpoising at the start of SQ3.  This time the track improved as the time ticked down and Verstappen's hold on pole tumbled away, perhaps his team should have listened to him?  Even Tsunoda beat him and I had assumed he was already out or perhaps forgotten on the baggage carousel at the airport.  The top ten were Piastri, Russell, Norris, Alonso, Tsunoda, Verstappen, Antonelli, Sainz, LeClerc and Albon.  Piastri needed some kind of strong racing event.  Albon seems to be falling into Sainz's shadow.

Piastri will go all out to get in the Sprint to get as many points as he can, the championship is all but lost to him unless he does.   It should be a great Sprint.

Brazil GP Sprint Qualifying Report

The rain that had been forecast for this event had not arrived on the Friday.  Brazil, a traditional circuit feels like a mad choice to host a Sprint.

The first session was bog-standard.  Norris, Verstappen and Alonso (nice) were fastest.  Disappointingly, Sainz was last, not putting in a final quick lap.  He said it was the worst execution ever.  I don't really know what that means...his fault?  The teams fault?  The four ahead of him but still out of the competition were Colapinto in 16th, Lawson, Tsunoda and Ocon.  Colapinto has signed a new contract for next year, I wonder if Tsunoda will get the same, this kind of performance...

There was a little more drama in SQ2, in the dying seconds LeClerc spun on the track and came to a complete halt before getting going again.  This brought out waved yellow flags which meant cars needed to slow down.  His team mate, Hamilton was the first victim to this.  Out went Hamilton, Albon, Gasly, Bortoleto and Bearman.  Alonso was quickest, followed by Norris and Russell.  Norris seemed to have the upper hand on his team mate and main championship rival, Piastri.  Verstappen was heavily criticising his car.

At the end, there was a final push from all ten drivers in the last couple of minutes.  Norris held pole at the time, followed by Antontelli.  Piastri finished first and couldn't do better than third.  Norris did not better his time but did keep pole, as Antonelli also couldn't do better but neither could anyone else.  Verstappen went purple for the best time in the first sector and then did personal bests in the second two sectors and it appeared that he would take pole for this but actually finished seventh.  There's a real shake up in the line up; I wonder if some teams are playing it safer with engines and parts for the Sprint and others are really going for some cheap points?  The top ten are Norris, Antonelli, Piastri, Russell, Alonso, Verstappen, Stroll, LeClerc, Hadjar and Hulkenberg.

Aston Martin have found something in Brazil and it can't be put down to Alonso's talent as Stroll made the top ten too.  There was a lot of booing for Norris and I don't understand why.  I hope it'll be a great wee Sprint but it might not be short, there is the danger there will be more sitting in the pits than racing.  Fingers crossed.

US GP Sprint Qualifying Report

 As usual there was a lot of talk about how everyone involved in F1 loves going to Austin; so we're all very pleased for them.  The most there was to say about the track on the first competitive event of the weekend was that there was gusty wind but enough about the barbeque beans.

I feel like the last time there was a disaster with traffic it was in America too.  The cars that desperately needed to improve their times all came out of the pits together in a traffic jam, which didn't do anyone any favours as they couldn't get going on a quick lap whilst blocking each other.  Out went Bearman, Colapinto, Tsunoda, Ocon and Bortoleto in last, whose lap time was deleted and therefore failed to set any time at all.  Norris, Piastri and Verstappen were quickest.

Racing Bull have a new livery for the weekend, which appeared to be flames as viewed when the cars were travelling at speed.  This seems to be in poor taste and I hoped poor Grosjean didn't see it.  When I did some research though, it is not flames but a tortoiseshell pattern in honour of a new prepaid Tortoise card from VCarb, their sponsor.  This is being fronted by Shaboozey, whose most famous (or only?) song is A Bar Song (Tipsey).  This seems in poor taste and I hope it doesn't mean that Hadjar and Lawson will be as slow as the animal they are representing.

In SQ2, Ferrari were putting in desperate last laps to try and stay in Qualifying and knocked out Antonelli.  He was followed by Hadjar, Gasly, Stroll and Lawson (who also didn't get a lap time in as his was deleted for track limits).  Norris was the fastest again and it seemed like pole was his for the losing.  (We all know how it will go if something is Norris's for th losing).

For the pundits the big story seemed to be that Hulkenberg was flying and that Antonelli was not in the top ten.  I would argue the bigger story is Tsunoda finishing in 17th.  Is this the Jonathan Wheatly effect, leaving Red Bull for Sauber?  Both Williams were also through to the final session.

All the top drivers waited until the end to put in one quick lap, a risky strategy but as the weekend had not been filled with crashes, Safety Cars and Yellow Flags, it seemed a managable risk.  Norris looked like he had pole, but then, as always, Verstappen took it from him.  They finished Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Hulkenberg (!), Russell, Alonso (again, no mention of this great performance), Sainz, Hamilton, Albon and LeClerc.  The Williams had beat the Ferraris.

With a Sprint it is all down to the start as there are few laps after it to make up places.  It will be interesting to see how punchy Piastri is, I assume he will not want to risk sustaining damage to his car but is he slowly becoming more hot-headed?  I feel this is a big opportunity for Hulkenberg and Alonso to make a splash this season, with nothing to lose.  How safe Verstappen plays it should be a indicator of how much he believes he is in with a shot at the Drivers' Championship.

Belgium GP Sprint Report

With Antonelli and Hamilton both taking their top tier cars out of Sprint Qualifying in the first session, the Sprint Race could have been very spicy with the grid jumbled up and drivers wishing to advance.  Colapinto would be starting from the pit lane and took the chance to reduce his wing size.  Piastri would be keen to maintain his position at the front and further stake his claim to the world championship.

There was drama on the way to the grid as Gasly was told to bring his car in to box but he went to his slot and had to be wheeled off with a water leak.

It was Piastri versus Verstappen off the grid with only 15 laps to battle it out.  Neither will have wanted to damage their car ahead of Qualifying that afternoon.  Verstappen waited a couple of corners and took the lead, with LeClerc getting past Norris.  It was all down to the skinny wings.  

Three laps later, Norris was able to retake the position.  The long Spa laps took an age to play out.  And then, all of a sudden, they had passed.  The McLarens had been unable to challenge the Red Bull.  Apart from those two early overtakes there was only one other, which made the event slightly pointless, more of a tyre test than a race.  Obviously it was Hamilton and Albon past Alonso at the back for no points on the last lap.

So it was Verstappen ahead of Piastri, Norris, LeClerc, Ocon, Sainz, Bearman and Hadjar, in that order, in the points.  Lawson, in his Racing Bull, finished one place ahead of "promoted" Tsunoda in his Red Bull.  Can Mekies make a difference to the team?  Will we discover as the season drives slowly downhill to it's end how much Horner had been Ferrariing things up?

Miami GP Sprint Qualifying Report

Formula 1 arrived in Miami for some glitz and glamour.  Lando Norris went for a disco ball helmet design, which was a big hit with my 7 year old.  Now we've been coming to the track for a few years, less is made of how much it is a party.

In the first session, it was very busy on the track at the end.  Tsunoda didn't manage to cross the line in time to put in a final lap and was out.  This must have been disappointing for Red Bull. Norris got held up by his bestie, Verstappen, who seemed to hold up his team mate too, who in turn made some disparaging remarks in the press pen.  Fatherhood must be distracting the driver.  Out went Stroll, Doohan, Tsunoda, Bortoleto and Bearman.  The Mercedes were the two top drivers, then Albon, Norris, Sainz and Piastri.  The Mercedes engine was going great guns at this track.  Doohan was very angry on team radio about his release from the garage during the session, it could have been unsafe and he felt that it disadvantaged him.  Briatore won't like him having been so public in his criticism.  It won't do him any favours.

Unfortunately Sainz made a mistake and had a huge lock-up, going right off track, which meant Williams couldn't keep up the form in the second session.  There were a few bumps to the wall on the back straight, mostly notably by Gasly.  Other than Sainz, who didn't end up setting a time at all, there were no surprises amongst the drivers going out: Hulkenberg, Ocon, Gasly and Lawson.  Norris and Verstappen were quickest.

In the final session, Russell only put in one flying lap and sat on pole as everyone else went out.  It was nip and tuck.  Verstappen took pole from the Mercedes, then Antonelli took it.  We waited for the McLarens to put in quicker times but they couldn't.  It finished: Antonelli, Piastri (looking ever stronger than his team mate, again, even the 7 year old has switched allegiance), Norris, Verstappen, Russell, LeClerc, Hamilton, Albon, Hadjar and Alonso.  Toto Wolff had a huge grin as his choice of replacement for Hamilton came good.  Russell was quick to get to parc ferme to congratulate him.  It was the fastest lap time ever set at Miami.

Verstappen was confident that he could make up some places in the Sprint but both Ferrari drivers were despondent that they could do anything in the Sprint or the main event.

China GP Sprint Qualifying Report

It was a beautiful sunny Friday in Shanghai for Sprint Qualifying and I think it caught a lot of fans off-guard that the second race of the season, and in a double-header too, would be a Sprint weekend.

The first session saw Hamilton put in the quickest lap with Doohan, Gasly, Ocon, Hulkenberg and Lawson going out.  The Kiwi complained that he "could not get the tyres down".  I expect Gasly, Ocon and Hulkenberg had high hopes that this was the year that they weren't all out in the first session of every session.  I caught myself realising that the Haas were now green and then remembered Hulkenberg had moved to mark the back with a different team this season.

In the second session, it looked like all the promise Williams had made at the first race of the season was disappearing, with Sainz out.  But Albon put in a great lap to get through in 7th.  Hadjar gave his team mate Tsunoda a slip stream to get him through but didn't set a lap time himself.    Out went Alonso, Bearman, Sainz, Bortoleto and Hadjar,  Norris was quickest.

The third and final session had a funny end.  Norris didn't set a particularly fast lap and pitted to withdraw from the contest.  Hamilton was fastest (and surprised), followed by Verstappen (spicy), Piastri, LeClerc, Russell, Norris, Antonelli, Tsunoda, Albon and Stroll.  Hamilton was presented by some strange Pirelli gismo for this endeavour.

How many times will Tsunoda outqualify Lawson by many many places before he gets called up to Red Bull?  Lawson had nothing much to say to the press other than "um" and "frustrating."

Russell thought the Sprint will be an interesting race.

Qatar GP Sprint Qualifying Report

The dust had settled from Las Vegas and we were back at the dustiest of tracks, Qatar.  Once again, LeClerc looked to be the favourite but would the weekend leave him cursing again?

In the first Sprint Qualifying session, Norris was the strongest but the others were snapping at his heels.  Perez let his team down again by finishing SQ in 16th, ahead of Tsunoda, Ocon, Zhou and Colapinto, a nice mix of the teams at the slower end of the field.

In the second session, the McLarens continued to look strong but Piastri was all over the shop with Norris quickest again.  Out went Alonso, Albon, Bottas, Stroll and Magnussen.

The third session held no surprises for who took pole: Norris.  Russell managed to outpace Piastri for second place.  Sainz and LeClerc were 4th and 5th, then Verstappen, Hamilton, Gasly, Lawson and Hulkenberg.  It was so comfortable for Norris that he was out of the car whilst others were still coming round the track.

Overnight Perez and Colapinto decided to start from the pit lane with everyone else lining up on the grid as expected.  Piastri was able to overtake Russell off the line and Hamilton also got a good start and made up a place, with Verstappen losing three places.  Perez was running last.

During the race LeClerc made an excellent overtake on Hamilton and Russell had a couple of unsuccessful attempts on Piastri but other than that there was nothing of any note in the Sprint until the last milliseconds.  As the two McLarens approached the finish line, there was an incredibly tight switch were Norris gave Piastri the win as he had done for him in Brazil.

Behind the top three were Sainz, LeClerc, Hamilton, Hulkenberg and Versappen.  It was good points for Haas but not what Red Bull needed.  Horner commented after the race that Perez hadn't actually got going quick enough when the lights went out at the end of the pit lane, just ambled out.

Norris spoke that the team didn't want him to risk handing the win to Piastri but he managed it.  It was telling how little the Sprints mean to the drivers that he said he wasn't bothered about it.

For those wondering who the hell James Hinchcliffe is, as he keeps popping up, he was a Canadian Indycar driver.

Brazil GP Sprint Qualifying

With only one practice session and a new track surface, there was quite a bit of jeopardy going into this first competitive outing of the event.  Bearman was back driving again, replacing Magnussen who was ill.

In the first Qualifying Session, the Haas continued to look good again, finishing in 7th and 8th.  The Williams' took 3rd and 9th too.  Out went Alonso, Ocon, Tsunoda, Stroll and Zhou.  It seems that Aston Martin are going backwards in their progress, they are urgently needing Newey's input.  Norris took 1st place comfortably.

In the second session, Red Bull messed things up for Perez by not sending him out soon enough to cross the line for a final hot lap, he qualified 13th.  Hamilton was also out in 11th.  Bearman beat his team mate, as Hulkenberg finished 12th whilst he went through.  Colapinto was 14th and Bottas 15th.  Norris again was fastest.

The final session brought a surprise though, with Piastri pulling a lap out to take pole.  Norris aborted his final lap and held 2nd place.  LeClerc also found something extra and got 3rd.  Verstappen, once again, ran out of steam and came in 4th, ahead of Sainz, Russell, Gasly, Lawson, Albon and Bearman (another good drive by the new super sub).  Piastri seemed to be contemplating a win but surely will need to give any points to Norris if he is in a position to do so.

The bumpy track made it hard for the drivers to see and Hamilton had found it painful.  It wasn't known how this would affect the drivers and their vehicles during a long race.  There was a lot of talk about possible wet weather and different tyre usage across the teams.

When the Sprint came, Alonso, Stroll and Zhou all started from the pit.  Piastri admitted going to the grid that he probably wouldn't be allowed to win.

It was touch and go off the start.  Norris made a great one but couldn't get past Piastri and Verstappen was nearly past LeClerc but he held him off.  By lap 7, Norris was on the radio wondering why Piastri hadn't let him past already.  Given that he had been complaining to the media about being asked about the Drivers' Championship; either he wants Piastri to help because it is important to him or he has given up and shouldn't be asking the team.

Nothing much happened for most of the race but with a couple of laps to go, Hulkenberg's engine blew and he pulled up at the side of the track.  McLaren's hand was forced and Piastri was told to switch places with Norris before any action was taken to bring out a Virtual Safety Car, Safety Car or Red Flag, which would mean they couldn't maximise Norris's points.  This proved wise as a Virtual Safety Car was called, which meant that the drivers had to hold position.  This ended with a couple of corners to go.  Piastri had allowed Verstappen to get too close during this and was nearly overtaken.  It was important that Norris gave his team mate DRS.

Lawson, the Williams and Hamilton were unluckily just outside the pits.  Before the race, everyone had said that Ferrari were streets ahead of Red Bull but this didn't prove to be the case in the Sprint, let's hope that they have more in the tank for the actual race.

As soon as the drivers were out of the car, a notice came from the Stewards that Verstappen was being investigated for a Virtual Safety Car Infringement.  He also carries a five place grid penalty for an engine change.  Perhaps the new engine is what helped him challenge Ferrari in the Sprint.  We would see in Qualifying and, more so, in the Race, if Red Bull just needed a little power boost.

US GP Sprint Report

There were some new bits of tarmac to worry about on the Austin track and Red Bull had some bit of kit on their car that other teams were worried about, not the FIA though.  We were back after an unusual wee holiday mid-season.

Sprint Qualifying is always hyped up but not really worth the interest.  Obviously both Saubers were out at the bottom, then Albon, who did a magnificent 360 degree spin at the end of his hot lap, Ocon and Piastri, whose fastest lap time was deleted after running wide and exceeding track limits, were out in the first session.

The second Qualifying session saw little grumbles from cars and drivers, all starting to trip over each other.  Perez could only manage 11th, Alonso 12th, Lawson (replacing Ricciardo) 13th and then Gasly and Stroll.  Both Haas were straight through to the final session at their home track.  Alonso suffered with a lap time deletion and was dropped to 15th.

In the third session, the other Williams of Colapinto also spun.  It was uncertain who would take pole, any driver from at least four teams could have taken it.  In the end Verstappen took it on the last possible lap, ahead of Russell.  Behind them was LeClerc, Norris (who needs the Sprint points), Sainz, Hulkenberg, Hamilton (who won't be happy sandwiched between two Haas), Magnussen, Tsunoda and Colapinto.

The next day, for the Sprint itself, Albon started from the pits and the Qualifying order was somewhat jumbled from all the deleted times.

There were plenty of battles off the line; Norris quickly made it up to second, with LeClerc and Russell battling behind.  Verstappen held his lead.  Things were quiet for a couple of laps and then the two Ferraris started to battle, dangerously so.  Russell caught back up with Norris and started to demand his place back.

Halfway through teams were beginning to get concerned about tyre wear; the Mercedes seemed to suffer the most with Russell losing places to both Ferraris.  Piastri was awarded a 5 second penalty for forcing Gasly off the track, with such a short, well, Sprint, it seemed to take an enormous length of time for the stewards to make this decision.

It looked like the main interest in the last couple of laps would be whether the Ferrari or Mercedes team mates would take each other out.  However, as the last lap started, Norris locked up and Sainz got past.  As it was looking like he could take the place back, he slid off again.  LeClerc held a massive drift as Verstappen rounded the corner ahead of them to win.

The podium was completed by Sainz then Norris, who will be kicking himself.  Tyre wear could potentially be a massive factor, alongside track limits in the main race.  LeClerc was ahead of the two Mercedes, then the two Haas, who ran a quiet race.  The top ten was completed by Perez and Piastri.

To round off the event, it was left to Sting to present some funny, large metal cards.  The FIA really can't decide how to celebrate and reward these races that aren't races without it seeming like the anti-climax it is.

Austria GP Sprint Qualifying Report

The only news after one Free Practice session in Austria was that Norris had been off.  Hamilton had an off too at the start of Sprint Qualifying and had his time deleted but still managed to get through.  Ricciardo was knocked out by his team mate, who had an off on his fastest lap (I don't think Danny will be getting a Red Bull seat anytime soon), Hulkenberg, 7 places behind Magnussen in a reversal of the usual situation at Haas, Bottas, Albon and Zhou, with Sargeant going through in 14th.

Those teams who didn't have high hopes for reaching the final session only did one hot lap at the very end of the second session.  Magnussen went out in 11th, followed by both Aston Martins with Stroll ahead of Alonso, Tsunoda and finally Sargeant.

The final session was a little disastrous for some.  All ten drivers waited until the very last minute to get out of the pits.  Russell broke first and Hamilton was sent out as it was his turn to go out first.  LeClerc had a problem with his car and didn't make it around the track in time to set a Qualifying lap.

So Hamilton held pole at first but his team mate immediately bettered his time.  Both McLarens went ahead of the Mercedes before Verstappen took pole to a massive roar from the heavily biased crowd.  Norris will line up alongside him.  Sainz was able to split the Mercedes.  Perez only managed 7th.  Ocon beat Gasly to 8th and LeClerc was last having not set a time.

It may possibly a boring Sprint.  Can the Mercedes push forwards?  Can Ferrari and Perez get their act together?

Miami GP Spring Qualifying Report

Since the last race, more news has rocked the paddock: Adrian Newey is leaving Red Bull.  Would he even be at the race?  Would he be giving interviews if he was?  He was and he spoke to Brundle; letting the world know that he would be off spending time with the family and travelling, like a disgraced politician.

There were lots of new liveries to get to grips with as well.

It's a shorter format for the Spring Qualifying and not much of a chance to redeem a poor lap.  In the first session, Williams were out in the bottom with Albon's lap being deleted as he careered off the track and went outside track limits, which meant that his team mate and home track hero, Sargeant, was not plum last.  Both Saubers and Gasly also went out.  The McLarens took the first two top spots in the timings.

Several drivers hit the wall; Alonso nearly did, Ricciardo did but with no ill-effects and Hamilton too, putting him out of Qualifying.  Russell was 11th, then Hamilton, Ocon, Magnussen and Tsunoda.

Red Bull appeared to have turned up the engines for their final run in the third session and dominated in the end.  Verstappen took pole, then LeClerc, Perez and a stunning 4th from Ricciardo.  Next came Sainz, Piastri (who had been second all the way to his team mate), Stroll out-qualified Alonso, Norris (who had first spot until the last push) and Hulkenberg (who had briefly held pole!).

Verstappen felt that he put in a poor shift and someone else should have shown up and taken it.  He took the Etch-a-Sketch trophy and we were left to look forward to the Sprint.

China GP Sprint Qualifying Report

The first sprint race of the year saw us introduced to the new sprint format.  The sprint idea has been in place for 4 years and is now in its 4th reincarnation.  I thought I would have something meaty to look forward to after work on Friday but it was only the measly Sprint Qually.

Homeboy Zhou made it through the first session just ahead of Gasly, Ocon, Albon, Tsunoda and Sargeant.  At the close of the session the grass at the side of the track caught fire again.  The sparks from the skid blocks keep setting the hot, dry grass on fire.  What will happen if this occurs during a race?

The fire delayed the start of the second session, despite the rain.  Rain was predicted for the end of the session and it arrived bang on time with 3 minutes to go.  This killed the best laps of Russell and Ricciardo but you have to question why they didn't do better times earlier.  Out went Russell, Magnussen ahead of his team mate Hulkenberg, Ricciardo (at least beating his team mate for the first time this season) and Stroll (a mere 6 places behind his team mate, who has signed a 2 year contract this week).

The third session was properly wet and, thrillingly, they didn't red flag it but let the drivers get on with their job.  LeClerc spun off and clunked his rear wing against the tyre wall (the amount of damage was never reported).  Verstappen also went off but only after setting the fastest lap.  Zhou set a good time and then had his time deleted for track limits.  Vestappen did this a couple of times, along with Hamilton and Norris.  Pole kept changing as the laps were set and then times deleted (including Norris holding pole).  Just when it was looking like experience was the best quality to help you secure pole with Hamilton first then Alonso, Norris's deleted lap time was reinstated and he did take pole.  Behind him was Hamilton, Alonso, Vestappen, Sainz, Perez, LeClerc, Piastri, Bottas and Zhou.

Verstappen isn't known for his wet weather performance but with the rest of the weekend forecast to be dry this won't make any difference to whether or not he will win everything.

The most exciting thing was nearly Albon's panda helmet, which scored him a lot of airtime until he went out early but the rain made this a thriller but his friend Norris on pole is the big news.  Can he win it?