Others

Audi has appointed former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto as the new head of its Formula 1 project, effective August 1. Binotto, 54, will assume the role of Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer, overseeing the team's operations from the Sauber factory in Hinwil, Switzerland.The move comes as part of a restructuring within Audi's F1 project, with former McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl and Audi executive Oliver Hoffmann departing. Binotto's appointment is seen as a significant coup for Audi, given his extensive experience in Formula 1.Binotto joined Ferrari in the mid-1990s and served as Chief Technical Officer before being promoted to Team Principal in 2019. He left the role in 2022 after three years, during which time Ferrari achieved several race wins and podium finishes.Audi CEO Gernot Dollner expressed his delight at Binotto's appointment, stating that his "extensive experience of more than 25 years in Formula 1" will be invaluable to the team. Dollner also explained that the restructuring aims to streamline management structures, reduce interfaces, and improve decision-making processes.Nico Hulkenberg, who will leave Haas at the end of the season, has been confirmed as the first driver for Audi's F1 team. The German driver described the move as "interesting" and "very exciting."The future of current Sauber drivers Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas remains uncertain beyond the current campaign.

Max Verstappen's frustration boiled over at the Hungarian Grand Prix, leading to a public rebuke from his own engineer. The reigning world champion blamed Red Bull's strategy for his disappointing fifth-place finish, but his engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, swiftly dismissed his complaints as "childish."Verstappen's outburst came after a collision with Lewis Hamilton on lap 63 of the 70-lap race. The Dutchman attempted to overtake Hamilton at Turn One but locked up his brakes and crashed into the Mercedes driver. Verstappen immediately took to the team radio to vent his frustrations, accusing Hamilton of moving in his "braking zone."Lambiase, known for his calm demeanor, responded with uncharacteristic firmness. "I am not even going to get into a radio fight with the other teams, Max," he said. "We'll let the stewards do their thing. It's childish on the radio, childish."Verstappen defended his behavior, claiming that it was acceptable to be vocal on the radio. However, his outburst raised questions about his ability to handle pressure as McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari close the gap on Red Bull.The incident was the latest in a series of controversies involving Verstappen. In recent races, he has been involved in collisions with Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc, leading to accusations of reckless driving.Hamilton, who finished third in Hungary, downplayed the incident with Verstappen. "I think he was much quicker," Hamilton said. "I moved a little to defend and I left enough space on the inside, but he locked up and then obviously couldn't turn."Verstappen's advantage in the drivers' championship has been trimmed to 76 points by Lando Norris. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has expressed concern about the team's recent performance, particularly Perez's struggles in qualifying.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri secured a historic front-row lockout for McLaren at the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking the team's first such feat since 2012. Norris claimed pole position with a blistering lap of 1:15.227, edging out his teammate by a mere 0.022 seconds.Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, had to settle for third place, despite a valiant effort in the tense wet-dry qualifying session. The Dutchman was just three-hundredths of a second behind Norris, while Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five.Charles Leclerc, in the second Ferrari, qualified sixth, ahead of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin. Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, both driving for Red Bull, secured ninth and tenth positions, respectively.Norris's pole position was his second in four races and the third of his career. The 24-year-old Briton is eager to challenge Verstappen for the championship title and believes this pole position is a step in the right direction."I'm very happy with that," said Norris. "It wasn't easy at all in difficult conditions, so ending up on top is the best for us all and a great result for the team."Piastri, who is making his Formula 1 debut this season, was thrilled with his second-place finish. "It's the first 1-2 for McLaren for a long time and an amazing result for us," he said.Verstappen acknowledged the challenge he faced in qualifying. "I tried," he said. "We have been behind the whole weekend and I tried to make it as close as possible, but it wasn't enough."The qualifying session began in cooler weather with light rain falling. McLaren's Norris and Piastri were among the first to take to the track on soft slick tires. Sergio Perez of Red Bull suffered a setback when he crashed into the wall at Turn Eight, resulting in a red-flag stoppage.After a brief delay, the action resumed with Perez hanging on in ninth position. However, he ultimately failed to advance to Q2, marking his fourth Q1 exit in six outings. George Russell of Mercedes also struggled in Q1, finishing 17th and out.In Q2, Sainz initially set the pace, but Hamilton and Verstappen soon took over. Norris eventually claimed the top spot with a lap time of 1:15.540. Hamilton struggled to survive in 10th, while Nico Hulkenberg of Haas, Valtteri Bottas of Sauber, Alex Albon of Williams, Logan Sargeant, and Kevin Magnussen missed the cut to the top-ten shootout.In the final Q3 session, Norris and Verstappen battled for pole position. Norris ultimately prevailed with a lap time of 1:15.227, despite rain beginning to fall. Tsunoda crashed at Turn Five, prompting a red-flag stoppage. The session resumed with limited time remaining, but only Ricciardo improved his time to take ninth from his teammate.

George Russell's dominance in Formula 1 continued at the British Grand Prix, as he secured his second pole position in four races. The Mercedes driver outpaced his teammate Lewis Hamilton by 0.171 seconds, with McLaren's Lando Norris completing an all-British top three.Russell's success was largely attributed to the wet weather conditions during qualifying. The Mercedes car has consistently performed well in cooler temperatures, as evidenced by Russell's pole position at the Canadian GP. The wet-to-dry qualifying session at Silverstone provided the ideal conditions for the Mercedes to excel on the soft tire runs.Max Verstappen, the championship leader, had a disappointing qualifying session by his standards. He went off into the gravel in Q1, potentially damaging his car's downforce. This incident hindered his performance throughout qualifying, leaving him in fourth place.With rain expected on Sunday, Russell is well-positioned to secure his second consecutive win after his victory at the Austrian GP. However, Hamilton, an eight-time winner at Silverstone, will be a formidable challenger. Norris, in the McLaren, has also shown impressive pace in recent races and could pose a threat to the Mercedes duo.Ferrari's struggles continued at Silverstone, with Nico Hulkenberg in the Haas outqualifying Carlos Sainz. Charles Leclerc failed to make it to Q3, further highlighting Ferrari's decline in performance. Lance Stroll also outqualified Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin team.Sergio Perez had a disastrous qualifying session, crashing into the gravel in Q1. This marked another Q1 elimination for the Mexican driver.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen emerged victorious in the Sprint race at the Austrian Grand Prix on Saturday, outpacing the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Verstappen maintained his lead from the start, but Norris briefly overtook him with a bold move on Lap 5. However, Verstappen swiftly regained the position, allowing Piastri to pass Norris.Behind the top three, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton sandwiched Carlos Sainz, followed by Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez. Sainz made a decisive move on Russell at Turn 4, while Hamilton held off Leclerc, Perez, Kevin Magnussen, and Lance Stroll.Norris, determined to challenge Verstappen, closed in on the Red Bull and overtook him at Turn 3. But Verstappen responded with a lunge at Turn 4, where Norris' exit was compromised, allowing Piastri to slip past.Verstappen commented on his performance, stating, "It was a good first lap, but once the DRS opens, it's hard to get out of it. A few exciting battles, but once we cleared the DRS, I could do a bit more of my own race."He acknowledged the challenge posed by McLaren, saying, "They have two cars pushing flat-out. We had to work for it. A few things to think about where we could do better, especially for tomorrow."The Sprint race sets the grid for Sunday's main event, where Verstappen will aim to extend his championship lead. The longer race distance and tire wear will present additional challenges, making the outcome unpredictable.

McLaren's Lando Norris stunned the field with a breathtaking final lap to snatch pole position from Max Verstappen at the Spanish Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday. The Briton's blistering time of 1:18.750 denied Verstappen by a mere two hundredths of a second, marking Norris' second career pole.Verstappen, the reigning world champion, had appeared poised to start from the front of the grid for the fourth consecutive race. However, Norris' late surge shattered his hopes, leaving the Red Bull driver to settle for second.Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will start on the second row for Mercedes, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will occupy fifth place.Norris, who claimed his maiden Grand Prix victory in Miami earlier this season, expressed his delight at securing pole. "Today was the perfect lap," he said. "Max seemed a bit stronger, but we made some changes. I'm super happy to be on pole, it's going to be tough but we're here to win!"Verstappen, who holds a commanding 56-point lead in the championship standings, acknowledged Norris' impressive performance. "Lando did a great lap," he said. "We were very close, but he deserved it today."The Spanish Grand Prix marks the 10th round of the 24-race season and the first of a triple header, with races in Austria and Silverstone scheduled over the next two weekends. Verstappen, who won his maiden Grand Prix in Barcelona in 2016, will be aiming to extend his winning streak at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.Norris' pole position is a significant boost for McLaren, who have struggled for consistency this season. The team will be hoping to capitalize on their strong qualifying performance and challenge for a podium finish on Sunday.

Max Verstappen's dominance continued at the Canadian Grand Prix as he secured his third consecutive victory, extending his lead in the drivers' championship. After a challenging start to the season, Verstappen bounced back with a commanding performance, aided by strategic calls from his team.Starting second on the grid, Verstappen faced a competitive field, including pole-sitter George Russell of Mercedes. However, the race was far from straightforward, with two Safety Car interventions adding to the drama. Verstappen capitalized on these interruptions, making timely pit stops and managing the gaps effectively.Despite a suspension issue, Verstappen remained unfazed, showcasing his resilience and determination. He crossed the finish line 3.879 seconds ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren, who had a strong race and secured his second podium of the season.Mercedes' Russell finished third, ahead of a frustrated Lewis Hamilton, who was unable to match his teammate's pace. The race also saw the retirement of both Ferraris, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz failing to finish.Verstappen's victory marked his 60th career win and lifted him to 194 points in the drivers' championship, 56 points clear of Leclerc. Red Bull also extended their lead in the constructors' race, moving to 301 points ahead of Ferrari.Norris, who finished second, praised the chaotic and eventful race, while Russell expressed disappointment with his performance. The race also featured a strong showing from McLaren, with Oscar Piastri finishing fifth and bringing the team their first points in Canada since 2014.

Charles Leclerc's emotional victory at the Monaco Grand Prix marked a historic moment for the principality and a significant shift in the Formula 1 championship order. Leclerc became the first Monegasque to win on home soil since 1931, breaking a 93-year "curse."The Monaco Grand Prix is renowned for its challenging street circuit, where driver skill often trumps car performance. Leclerc's triumph showcased his exceptional talent and the importance of chassis and downforce optimization.However, Leclerc's victory also signaled a change in the championship dynamics. For the first time this season, Max Verstappen's Red Bull did not appear to be the fastest car on the grid. Verstappen's sixth-place finish in Monaco was his worst result since the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix.The shift in the championship order began with Lando Norris' maiden F1 victory in Miami. Norris' McLaren proved to be competitive, even on a circuit where overtaking is relatively easy. Verstappen's inability to catch Norris raised questions about Red Bull's dominance.At Imola, Verstappen narrowly defeated Norris, who finished just seven tenths of a second behind. Norris expressed confidence that he could have overtaken Verstappen with a few more laps.In Monaco, McLaren and Ferrari dominated the top four positions, reminiscent of the 1990s and 2000s when these teams were the sport's powerhouses. Sergio Perez's poor results in Miami, Imola, and Monaco further indicate that Red Bull's car is no longer the fastest.Leclerc's victory has brought him within 31 points of Verstappen in the championship standings. McLaren's consistent podium finishes have positioned them as a potential title contender. The constructors' championship is also closely contested, with Red Bull leading Ferrari by just 24 points.With 16 races remaining in the longest season in F1 history, there is ample time for McLaren and Ferrari to catch up and challenge Red Bull. The 2024 season could potentially feature a three-horse race for the championship, with Verstappen, Leclerc, and Norris vying for the crown.

Max Verstappen's dominance in qualifying continued at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, as he secured his eighth consecutive pole position, equaling the record set by the legendary Ayrton Senna. The Red Bull driver's blistering lap time of 1:14.746 was a testament to his exceptional talent and the team's unwavering performance.Verstappen's achievement was particularly poignant, coming three decades after Senna's tragic death at the same circuit. "It's a great start to the year but also very special 30 years since he passed away at this track," said Verstappen. "Of course, very pleased to get pole here and in a way it's a nice memory to him."Oscar Piastri, in his McLaren, came tantalizingly close to snatching pole from Verstappen, posting a time just 0.074 seconds slower. The Australian's impressive performance was a testament to his growing confidence and the team's progress.Lando Norris, Piastri's teammate and the winner of the previous race in Miami, secured third place, followed by Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. Carlos Sainz and George Russell rounded out the top six, while Yuki Tsunoda, Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo, and Nico Hulkenberg completed the top 10.Sergio Perez, Verstappen's teammate, suffered a disappointing qualifying session, failing to make it past Q2. The Mexican's frustration was evident as he muttered "what a mess" over the team radio.Piastri, despite narrowly missing out on pole, was thrilled with his performance. "My lap was a bit scruff in the final corner, but it is so difficult to do a perfect lap at this circuit," he said. "But I'm very happy."Norris, who claimed his maiden victory two weeks ago, acknowledged the tight competition. "P3 is not a bad job and both of us are within a tenth of P1, so it is all about tiny margins," he said. "We've had a good day and a good weekend so far."Verstappen's pole position sets the stage for an exciting race on Sunday, as he aims to extend his winning streak and further cement his dominance in Formula 1.