Formula One Social Feed | Formula 1 News

Silverstone needs to curb "hugely expensive" F1 ticket prices - Hamilton Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton expressed concern over ticket pricing for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, citing rising living costs as a factor in the event's slow ticket sales. The remaining grandstand tickets are priced around £600 and general admission tickets are available for over £400, with the circuit yet to sell out its full capacity ahead of July's event. Hamilton emphasized that ensuring affordable ticket prices should be a priority due to high cost of living expenses.. Source: Motorsport

Red Bull downgraded? The key questions for F1 2024's frontrunners The 2024 Formula 1 season has seen Red Bull dominate the first few races, but recent events have shown a more competitive landscape with three different teams taking pole position in the last four races. Ferrari and McLaren have won two and one race respectively, while Mercedes nearly won another. The upcoming Spanish Grand Prix will test the teams' competitiveness on a traditional circuit, which should suit Red Bull's car better. Despite some weaknesses exposed at certain tracks, Red Bull still holds a healthy advantage in both championships. McLaren has had impressive development over the past year, transforming from a struggling team to one of Red Bull's closest challengers. Ferrari started the season strong but has since slipped back, and Mercedes' sudden surge to the front in Montreal raises questions about whether it is another false dawn for the team or if they have made significant progress with their loaded front wing and floor profile. The upcoming triple-headers will give an indication of how much Red Bull's advantage has been reduced.. Source: The Race

Six things we've already learned from F1's Spanish Grand Prix Carlos Sainz Jr. is undecided about his future post-Ferrari, weighing options between Sauber (Audi works team) and Williams. Sergio Perez is struggling with form due to compromised car settings aimed at fixing ride quality issues. Logan Sargeant received an updated floor on his car, expected to improve speed. George Russell is taking more risks this season after feeling he didn't push himself enough last year. Esteban Ocon's public outburst during the Canadian GP sparked controversy with Alpine, despite attempts to shut down discussions. Pierre Gasly criticized Ocon for not cooperating quickly enough with position swap instructions. Zhou Guanyu requested a chassis and parts change due to poor performance, averaging 0.550 seconds behind teammate Bottas in qualifying times. He hopes the change will give him a fresh start and regain his original driving feel.. Source: The Race

Hamilton asks F1 fans not to spread "negativity" with favouritism claims Lewis Hamilton, a Formula 1 driver, asked his fans not to spread negativity after a recent debate about possible favoritism towards his teammate George Russell. Hamilton's results have been scrutinized, particularly in comparison to Russell's, who leads him by 14 points in the drivers' standings and has a 9-2 qualifying head-to-head record. Hamilton chose not to use Mercedes' new front wing in Monaco, citing concerns about risking a crash and being forced to start from the pitlane, but still qualified two places behind Russell. Despite this, Hamilton praised Russell's hard work and dedication to the team, emphasizing the importance of support rather than negativity.. Source: Motorsport

How teams are solving the logistical puzzle of F1's triple-headers Formula 1 teams are facing logistical challenges due to triple-headers, with three consecutive race weekends without breaks. To address this, Mercedes is using sustainable fuel (HVO100) for its trucks to reduce carbon emissions and achieve Formula 1's net zero target by 2030. McLaren has also adopted HVO this year. Formula 1 is trialing low-emission power systems at select events and increasing its HVO fleet. Teams are reducing operations, shifting from air to sea freight for flyaways, and exploring "flyaway kits" to reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions. The 2025 calendar will pose logistical challenges, including a triple-header event requiring careful planning. Formula 1 is working towards making significant changes to reduce its environmental impact by focusing on sustainable energy sources, introducing new technical regulations, exploring alternative materials, and implementing sustainable practices at events.. Source: Motorsport

Remote control cars, lifelike dolls and flying to the moon – Getting to know the real Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri, a young Australian Formula 1 driver, describes himself as "relaxed, calculating, and chilled." He developed his passion for F1 due to the noise of the cars and his love for driving. His first experience with driving was at age 7-8 when he went karting after a remote control car race was cancelled due to rain. Piastri passed his driving test on the first attempt, showcasing his natural talent behind the wheel.. Source: Formula 1

What drives your dreams? A chance to WIN a Dream Weekend at Silverstone Here is a summary of the article: Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton credited fans for helping him secure second place at last year's Silverstone Grand Prix. This year, MoneyGram is offering a "Silverstone Dream Weekend" competition to UK residents aged 18+, allowing one winner and their guest to experience the Paddock Club, qualifying, and the race from the Farm Curve Grandstand. The prize also includes a tour of the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team factory on the Monday after the Grand Prix, giving a behind-the-scenes look at an F1 team's operations. The competition closes June 23, 2024, with the winner being notified on June 27, 2024.. Source: Motorsport

Antonelli won’t make Formula 1 debut at Spanish GP after FIA rule change The FIA has changed its rules to allow drivers under 18 years old to compete in Formula 1, but Andrea Kimi Antonelli's debut is not imminent. Despite being a potential target for Williams due to Logan Sargeant's poor performance, all teams have confirmed unchanged driver lineups for the Spanish Grand Prix. Mercedes may consider promoting Antonelli to replace Lewis Hamilton at the end of the season, potentially starting with a customer team like Williams. The next event in Austria will be a sprint race, where Antonelli would only have one hour of practice before qualifying if he makes his debut.. Source: Race Fans

Cool under fire: Why Max Verstappen is thriving in a more competitive F1 Red Bull's Formula 1 team, led by driver Max Verstappen, unveiled its new RB20 car earlier this year, sparking debate on whether its radical design would maintain its advantage or create risks that could allow others to close in. Despite Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff predicting Red Bull could win every race, Verstappen remained calm and focused on improving the car rather than trying to replicate last season's success. As the season progressed, Red Bull faced challenges from other teams, particularly McLaren and Ferrari, but Verstappen stayed grounded, acknowledging that the cars are getting closer together due to regulations changes. With an advantage of 56 points in the championship, Verstappen believes it's natural for people to expect too much from successful teams and then criticize them when they don't meet those expectations. He is focused on improving his performance and team's development program to maintain their lead, emphasizing the importance of executing race weekends effectively. Despite having a strong run of results, he acknowledges that the competition has closed the gap and that mistakes can occur under pressure. Verstappen prioritizes constant hard work to achieve results and remains focused on his own performance, with no desire to compare himself to others.. Source: Racer

Gasly fears "tough" F1 run for upgrade-less Alpine Pierre Gasly, an Alpine driver, is preparing for a challenging period as his team's car will not receive any upgrades "in the near future". Despite finishing 9th and 10th at the Canadian Grand Prix, Alpine struggles to compete with other teams, currently sitting in 8th place in the constructors' championship, 28 points behind Red Bull. Gasly praised the team's good teamwork and emphasized the importance of staying focused until upgrades are introduced later in the year. He acknowledged that Williams and Haas have competitive cars, making it difficult for Alpine to catch up without upgrades.. Source: Motorsport

British GP still chasing sell-out as Red Bull F1 dominance takes its toll The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is expecting a crowd of 465,000-470,000 despite concerns about ticket sales due to a lack of British drivers in the championship hunt. The event has introduced a festival vibe with music concerts, comedy acts, and fan zone appearances from F1 stars. Ticket prices may vary depending on the day and time of booking due to dynamic pricing, but managing director Stuart Pringle believes it incentivizes fans to book early. Silverstone is investing £16.2 million in an international karting circuit and £3 million in a new kart circuit to support young British drivers and promote British motorsport. The event's popularity has been driven by F1's recent boom, with the post-Covid bounce helping to lift the popularity of all events.. Source: Motorsport

THIS WEEK IN F1: 10 tricky quiz questions on Grand Prix history in Spain and the week's F1 news After a one-week break, Formula 1 resumes competition with the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a long-standing fixture on the calendar that has hosted thrilling races and memorable on-track battles over the years.. Source: Formula 1

F1 podcast: Will Red Bull's dominance return at the Spanish GP? The upcoming Spanish Grand Prix has sparked debate about whether Red Bull will continue to dominate the top spot or if other teams like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes can challenge them. The current balance of power in Formula 1 is uncertain, with Sergio Perez's recent struggles affecting his team's performance. Meanwhile, the FIA has granted an exemption to its 18-year-old minimum age requirement for superlicences, paving the way for drivers Kimi Antonelli and potentially Colton Herta to participate in the sport.. Source: The Race

The RACER Mailbag, June 19 Here is the summary: The mailbag discusses two topics in IndyCar. The first topic is Oliver Askew's replacement at Arrow McLaren SP with David Malukas, which Marshall Pruett believes was a good decision due to uncertain return timeline. Askew has since joined Meyer Shank Racing. The second topic is the proposed "international series" exhibition series, which faces an obstacle in finding suitable time slots on the calendar due to FOX's commitment to airing NFL and NASCAR.. Source: Racer

Formula 1 could scrap hybrids in next rules change after 2026 – Domenicali Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali predicts that new engine regulations in 2026 could be the last to require hybrid power units, as sustainable fuels are expected to become available. The 2026 rules will emphasize electrical power, but Domenicali believes that with climate-neutral fuel, conventional combustion engines may make a comeback. The decision was influenced by car manufacturers' pressure for increased electrical power, but now they might reconsider sustainability. From 2026, F1 teams will use synthetic fuel from a carbon-neutral source, which can be used in road cars when available at a reasonable price. Formula 1's technical director and FIA President have expressed concerns about hybrid units, citing complexity and expense. However, the Head of Motorsport argues that hybrids are crucial for reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency, and removing them would hinder innovation and sustainability efforts.. Source: Race Fans

What's the point if Renault's F1 team becomes a customer? Renault's Alpine F1 team may downsize or abandon its works engine program for 2026 due to declining performance, staff turnover, and lack of confidence. The move would be a significant blow to Renault's credibility in F1, implying a lack of commitment to the team's future success. The team has struggled to compete with top teams, having an underpowered engine eight years behind rivals, and lacks the necessary power to compete at the top level. The article questions Renault's commitment to F1, suggesting it may be using the sport as a branding exercise rather than truly competing at the highest level. Options for the team include investing in its own engine development or selling its engine technology to other teams, rather than relying on customer engines.. Source: The Race

Should Carlos Sainz pick Williams or Audi for 2025? Our F1 writers have their say Carlos Sainz is considering leaving Ferrari and weighing two options: joining Audi's Sauber team or Williams Racing. Audi offers the chance to be part of a team built around him, whereas every other top team already has drivers closely tied to the team. Audi's entry into F1 in 2026 makes it an attractive option with its ambition, resources, and potential for long-term success. However, Sainz may not be deterred by Sauber's current performance as he wants to be part of a fully-pledged manufacturer's team. Williams is also an option, undergoing significant changes under new principal James Vowles and having promising results from drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant. With a strong power unit partnership with Mercedes and ongoing development efforts, Williams may be a more attractive option than Audi's struggling Sauber team.. Source: Motorsport

Hamilton called his last race ‘one of his worst’ – but is it among his 10 poorest? Here is a summary of the article about Lewis Hamilton's disappointing performances in Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton has had several off-days throughout his career, including struggles with pace and misfortune. Despite being one of the top drivers in F1, he has finished outside the top 10 on multiple occasions due to various reasons such as mechanical issues, poor qualifying sessions, and mistakes on track. Examples include the 2008 Bahrain Grand Prix, where he finished 13th after a collision with Fernando Alonso, and the 2011 Indian Grand Prix, where he finished 7th despite starting 5th. He has also had issues with his car's tyres and engine problems, which have affected his performance. In recent years, Hamilton has struggled to adapt to new car designs and regulations, such as the "ground effect" rules introduced in 2022. His performances in specific races, including the European Grand Prix, German Grand Prix, Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, were marked by inconsistency and a lack of success compared to his usual high standards. Despite this, Hamilton continues to work with his team to improve their form and is seeking changes to his car's philosophy.. Source: Race Fans

Perez admits he needs result after Canadian GP “disaster” Sergio Perez needs a strong performance at the Spanish Grand Prix after struggling with poor results in Canada, taking only four points from the last three races and crashing out of the last two. He has been working with his team to identify issues and improve his performance. The Circuit de Catalunya will increase its solar power generation by almost doubling its existing panel count, providing half of the daily energy requirements for the track. A Formula 1 exhibition will be held at the Excel centre in London from August 23rd, featuring exhibits such as a destroyed VF-20 chassis and highlighting the technology and history of the sport. Trident driver Roman Bilinski will miss multiple rounds of the Formula Regional European Championship due to an injury sustained in a road car crash.. Source: Race Fans

Pourchaire makes shock exit from McLaren as Siegel lands long-term deal McLaren's IndyCar team has signed 19-year-old Nolan Siegel to replace Theo Pourchaire, who was hired as a replacement for David Malukas earlier in the month. Siegel will drive the number six car for the remainder of the season and into 2025. Prior to his new role, Siegel drove for HMD Motorsports in the Indy NXT by Firestone series and had a brief stint with Juncos Hollinger at the last IndyCar round, substituting for Agustin Canapino.. Source: Race Fans