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☆ Formula One: Inside the ‘incredible’ world of a grid walk
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —There is arguably nothing more glamorous, and chaotic, in sport than an F1 grid just moments before a race. And while stepping onto an F1 grid remains an unfulfilled dream in the lives of many motorsport fanatics around the world, for Jodie Porter, it’s simply a part of the day job. It’s the best of the sport that you can experience,” Porter tells CNN Sport. Please don’t get run over.’”Mixing with the starsMany fans around the world only get to experience the grid through the eyes of one particular journalist: Martin Brundle. As they approached the grid, Porter says a security guard stopped the Australian singer from entering because her open-toe sandals were not permitted on the track.

Persons: Jodie Porter, it’s, –, Porter, Kylie Minogue, Terry Crews –, ” Porter, It’s, celebs, dripped, David Beckham, Clive Mason, you’ve, I’m, Martin Brundle, Paolo Banchero, Patrick Mahomes, Megan Thee Stallion’s, “, “ Martin, Terry Crews, Minogue, Lewis, ” Organizations: CNN, Social, Red, Hospitality, CNN Sport, Red Bull, Prix, Qatar, Getty, Sports, NFL, Ferrari, Las Locations: Las Vegas, Vegas, Monaco, Sin City

☆ Formula One set to change sprint format for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The governing FIA said on Friday its Sporting Advisory Committee would present a final proposal to the F1 Commission in January. "The Commission gave overall support for an update to the sprint format for 2024 to further rationalise the weekend by separating Sprint activities from those for the Grand Prix," the FIA said in a statement. Six of this year's 22 rounds were sprint weekends, including the Qatar Grand Prix in which Red Bull's Max Verstappen clinched his third world title on a Saturday. The current format has qualifying for the grand prix on Friday with sprint qualifying and standalone race filling Saturday's schedule. Points could be awarded more widely for the sprint race, with a possible reverse grid element also under consideration.

Persons: Stefano Rellandini, ABU, Max Verstappen, Red, Christian Horner, Alan Baldwin, Ed Osmond Organizations: Prix, FiA, REUTERS, FIA, Sporting, F1, Sprint, Qatar, Red Bull, F1 Commission, Thomson Locations: Monza, Italy, ABU DHABI, Qatar, London

☆ Mick Schumacher to race for Alpine in world endurance
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - October 7, 2023 Mercedes' reserve driver Mick Schumacher ahead of the sprint shootout REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 22 (Reuters) - Mick Schumacher will race for Alpine in the world endurance championship next season while continuing as Formula One reserve driver for Mercedes. Alpine announced the 24-year-old German, son of seven-times F1 world champion Michael, on Wednesday as one of six drivers competing for them in two A424 Hypercars. Schumacher will join French drivers Nicolas Lapierre, Matthieu Vaxiviere, Charles Milesi and Paul-Loup Chatin as well as Austrian Ferdinand Habsburg. Mercedes confirmed separately that the German, who raced for Haas in Formula One in 2021 and 2022, would continue as their reserve. "A new chapter is beginning for me with Alpine," said Schumacher.

Persons: Mercedes, Mick Schumacher, Rula, Michael, Schumacher, Nicolas Lapierre, Matthieu Vaxiviere, Charles Milesi, Loup Chatin, Austrian Ferdinand Habsburg, I've, Le Mans, Williams, Alan Baldwin, Ed Osmond Organizations: Qatar, One, Mercedes, Alpine, Haas, Formula One, Le, Formula, Thomson Locations: Lusail, Qatar, Paul, Austrian, London

☆ Di Giannantonio takes Qatar GP win, Bagnaia extends championship lead
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Victory marked a special weekend for Di Giannantonio, who also finished second in Saturday's sprint . I was struggling with the front (tyre) but I saw Pecco (Bagnaia) making little mistakes," a grinning Di Giannantonio said in a post-race interview. Bagnaia lost the lead with four laps to go but the Ducati rider has still put one hand on the rider's championship after extending his lead over Martin to 21 points. Up front, Di Giannantonio did not let up. "We managed to do a perfect start, I tried to create a gap but Diggia (Di Giannantonio) was incredible.

Persons: Racing's Fabio Di Giannantonio, Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin, Di Giannantonio, Bagnaia, Luca Marini, It's, Martin, Marini, Marc Marquez, Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo, Jack Miller, Giannantonio, we've, Jorge, Rohith Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Qatar, Prix, MotoGP, Circuit, VR46 Racing, Ducati, Thomson Locations: LUSAIL, Qatar, Bengaluru

☆ Carlos Sainz wins inaugural Netflix Cup – and immediately smashes it
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Ferrari Formula One driver Carlos Sainz got his hands on the inaugural “Netflix Cup”, only to stare in horror as it tumbled out of them. Clutching a bottle of champagne in his other hand, Sainz was chatting with the American when the cup tumbled out of his grip. We’re here to have a good time.”Homa plays a shot in front of the Las Vegas Sphere. A $4.56 million dollar charity donation was offered by the PGA Tour if a hole-in-one was made, though no player achieved the feat. Lynch laughs with characters dressed in "Squid Game" outfits.

Persons: CNN —, Carlos Sainz, Justin Thomas, Sainz, Thomas, Pierre Gasly, Tony Finau –, Collin Morikawa –, Finau, David Becker, Gasly, McLaren’s Lando Norris, Alex Albon, Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Joel Dahmen, Bert Kreischer, Kay Adams, Marshawn Lynch, “, ” Thomas, ” Homa, –, Lynch, Max Verstappen Organizations: CNN, CNN — Ferrari Formula, Netflix, Wynn Golf Club, Getty, Super Bowl, NFL, Las Vegas, PGA, Vegas, F1, Qatar, Prix Locations: Las Vegas

Already given one career lifeline this season, Ricciardo missed the last five races with a broken left hand. But he returns this week to the U.S. Grand Prix, where the 34-year-old Australian has a history of having some cheeky fun. Long time no see," Ricciardo said to the group of his fellow drivers when he walked into Thursday's news conference. The hand feels good,” Ricciardo said, adding that the bone break that required surgery was worse than initially expected. Eventually there will have to be a serious side to the racing, which has not been so good for Ricciardo in recent years.

Persons: Daniel Ricciardo, Ricciardo, “, ” Ricciardo, I'm, ”, Red Bull, Lando Norris, AlphaTauri, Nyck De Vries, Liam Lawson, It’s, Lawson, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, “ Charles, ” Haas, Kevin Magnussen, Hamilton, let's, ” Hamilton, Williams, Logan Sargeant, Aston, Lance, Estebon Ocon, ” Sargeant Organizations: U.S, University of Texas Longhorns, Renault, McLaren, Austin, FIA, Qatar Grand Prix Locations: AUSTIN, Texas, Americas, Austin, Ricciardo, Hungary, Belgium, TEXAS, Qatar

☆ FIA 'revisiting' Hamilton track-crossing incident in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The governing body said on Sunday it was 'revisiting' the incident. "The FIA notes that Lewis was apologetic during the subsequent stewards hearing into the incident and acknowledged that the crossing was a serious safety breach," said a statement. "However, in view of his role model status, the FIA is concerned about the impression his actions may have created on younger drivers." The stewards report at the time said Hamilton had reached the inside edge of the track just seconds before Russell arrived at high speed after exiting the pits. The governing body is likely to want to set clearer guidelines and more stringent penalties for such a breach in future.

Persons: Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Hamad I Mohammed, Lewis, George Russell, Hamilton, Russell, Joe Turney, Tom Pryce, Alan Baldwin, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Qatar, Mercedes, Briton, FIA, Kyalami, Thomson Locations: Lusail, Qatar, Hamilton, Italy

He jumped straight out of the cockpit and crossed the circuit, which is a breach of regulations. But given his role model status within the series, and the danger represented, governing body FIA feels this may not have been enough. Hamilton reached the inside edge of the Losail track shortly before Russell arrived at full speed having exited the pit lane. He is third in the F1 standings behind Red Bull drivers Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, who clinched his third straight F1 title in Qatar. Alpine driver Esteban Ocon vomited inside his helmet as track temperatures reached 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).

Persons: Lewis Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercedes, George Russell, Russell, Lewis, Red Bull, Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen, Aston Martin, Lance, Logan Sargeant, Williams, Esteban Ocon vomited Organizations: Qatar, Prix, FIA, Hamilton, Red Locations: Saudi Arabia, Qatar

☆ Red Bull 'desperately' need Perez to find his form - Horner
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The next three races are in Texas, Mexico and Brazil where Perez can count on strong support as the only Latin American driver. "I think we really need to sit down with Checo (Perez)because we know what he’s capable of and he’s not hitting that form at the moment," Horner told reporters. "We desperately need him to find that form to keep this second place in the championship. Perez and Verstappen were level 2-2 on wins until Miami, when Verstappen started a run of 10 wins in a row. We’ve done that and the next best thing after that would be to have both your drivers first and second," said Horner.

Persons: Sergio Perez, Hamad I Mohammed, Bull, Christian Horner, Perez, Max Verstappen, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Checo, he’s, Horner, Verstappen, Red, McLaren, it’s, Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo, Alan Baldwin, Toby Davis Organizations: Qatar, REUTERS, Formula, Miami, Mercedes, Ferrari, Thomson Locations: Lusail, Qatar, Texas, Mexico, Brazil

☆ FIA to take action after Qatar GP 'extreme weather'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO:Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - October 8, 2023 Williams' Logan Sargeant in action during the race REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 9 (Reuters) - Formula One's governing body will take action to protect drivers from the sort of extreme heat and humidity they suffered during Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix, it said on Monday. The International Automobile Federation said in a statement it had "begun an analysis into the situation in Qatar to provide recommendations for future situations of extreme weather conditions. "Research from other series, such as cross-country events in extreme climates, will be examined for potential applications to circuit events." The FIA noted that next year's race in Qatar will be held in December, when temperatures should be lower, but said it preferred "to take material action now to avoid a repeat of this scenario." The inaugural Qatar Grand Prix in 2021 was held in late November.

Persons: Williams, Logan Sargeant, Al Omari, Max Verstappen, Verstappen, Angelica Medina, Alan Baldwin Organizations: Qatar, REUTERS, Sunday's Qatar, Prix, International Automobile Federation, FIA, Qatar Grand Prix, Thomson Locations: Lusail, Qatar, Paris, Singapore, Miami, Mexico City, London

LOSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Formula One drivers will have to change tires at least every 18 laps in the Qatar Grand Prix, which should make a three-stop strategy inevitable in the 57-lap race Sunday. The governing body, the FIA, is acting over concerns that the Pirelli tires are being damaged when cars run over the pointed “pyramid” kerbs used at the Losail circuit. Cars that use the same tires for more than 18 laps will be considered to be "in an unsafe condition” and reported to the stewards, the FIA said. Any laps done in earlier sessions on tires that are then re-used for the race will count toward the total. The FIA and Pirelli suspect the problem is caused by “high-frequency interference” when cars run over the kerbs.

Persons: Max Verstappen Organizations: Prix, FIA, Pirelli, Tires, Drivers, Red Bull Locations: LOSAIL, Qatar

☆ Hamilton out as Mercedes team mates collide in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - October 8, 2023 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in action as he crashes out of the race REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed Acquire Licensing RightsDOHA, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Lewis Hamilton accused Mercedes team mate George Russell of taking him out of the Qatar Grand Prix after the two collided at the first corner of the opening lap on Sunday. Russell continued after a pitstop but Hamilton's car ended up in the gravel minus a rear wheel. "I got taken out by my own team mate," said the seven times Formula One world champion over the radio. What the ...," exclaimed Russell as he made his way back to the pits with the safety car deployed. Team boss Toto Wolff, who is not in Qatar due to recent knee surgery, then came on the radio to tell Russell to focus on the race.

Persons: Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Hamad, Mohammed, George Russell, Russell, Hamilton, I've, Toto Wolff, Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Alan Baldwin, Ken Ferris Organizations: Qatar, Rights, Prix, Hamilton, Ferrari, Thomson Locations: Lusail, Qatar, Russell

☆ Verstappen adds race win to Qatar title weekend
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But pace was OK. Another win, unbelievable," said Verstappen, who finished 4.8 seconds clear of Piastri. The relatively slim gap flattered the Australian, with Verstappen never looking like he was under any pressure and also setting fastest lap. Verstappen, now 209 points clear of Perez at the top of the standings, led cleanly from pole position and raced away unchallenged. After that I could just manage my pace and make sure that the tyres were always in a good window," Verstappen said. Four drivers collected time penalties for repeated track limits violations -- Perez, Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Alex Albon.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Hamad, Mohammed, Piastri, Norris Mercedes, Bull, Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, Verstappen, Christian Horner, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Mercedes, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Hamilton, Russell, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Alfa Romeo, Guanyu Zhou, Red Bull's Sergio Perez, Perez, Aston, Lance, Pierre Gasly, Williams, Alex Albon, Albon, Alan Baldwin, Ed Osmond Organizations: Qatar, McLaren, Pirelli, Alfa, Thomson Locations: Lusail, Qatar, DOHA, Singapore

CNN —When it comes to Formula One, the sky is the limit for Max Verstappen. And Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes his driver, despite being only 26, is already among the very best in the history of the discipline. Mark Thompson/Getty ImagesVerstappen’s historic yearRed Bull has won 15 out of the 16 races this F1 season. Verstappen alone has won 13 of these races with teammate Pérez seeing the checkered flag first on two occasions. “That second position for Checo [Pérez] is something very, very valuable to us, something we have never achieved before, having drivers first and second in the Drivers’ World Championship.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez’s, Verstappen, Red Bull, Christian Horner, “, ” Horner, Amanda Davies, ”, Lewis, Hamilton, Michael, Schumacher, Ayrton, Senna, Horner, Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso, ” Alonso, Mark Thompson, Bull, Pérez, “ He’s, McLaren, John Thys Organizations: CNN, Qatar, Prix, Reuters, Getty, Drivers ’, Drivers Locations: Doha, AFP, Bahrain, Qatar

☆ Max Verstappen crowned Formula One world champion
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Issy Ronald | Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Max Verstappen was crowned Formula One world champion for the third time, securing the title in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday. Super proud of the job of the team,” Max Verstappen told Sky Sports. A dominant seasonMax Verstappen celebrates his third world title. When such an impressive car is driven by one of the all-time greats, which Verstappen now is, it is sporting alchemy. Only five other drivers have won more world titles: Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez –, Verstappen, It’s, ” Max Verstappen, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, Mercedes ’ George Russell, Clive Rose, Bull, Sergio Pérez, Red Bull, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Christian Horner, “, I’ve, Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Sebastian Vettel Organizations: CNN, Qatar, Prix, Sky Sports, Singapore Locations: Bahrain

☆ Verstappen seals third F1 title as Piastri wins sprint
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Verstappen, who has won 13 of 16 grands prix so far including 10 in a row, replied: "Yeah, unbelievable guys. The last to take the title on a Saturday was Brazilian triple champion Nelson Piquet in the 1980s. "When he (Verstappen) got through to second I thought I was going to be in a bit of trouble, but the pace was good. First Sprint win sounds pretty cool," said Piastri, who finished 1.871 seconds ahead. While Piastri led away into the first corner on the medium tyres, with Russell using his softs to slot into second, Verstappen on mediums dropped initially to fifth and Perez to 11th.

Persons: Perez, Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Sergio Perez, Alpine's Esteban Ocon, Haas's Nico Hulkenberg, Bull, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Christian Horner, Max, It's, Horner, German Sebastian Vettel, Nelson Piquet, NORRIS, Lando Norris, Mercedes, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, Williams, Alex Albon, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, Russell, AlphaTauri's Liam Lawson, Logan Sargeant, Alan Baldwin, Andrew Cawthorne, Ed Osmond, Toby Davis Organizations: McLaren, McLaren DOHA, Red, Qatar, Prix, Team, Sprint, Aston, Thomson Locations: Dutch, German, Brazilian, Lusail

☆ Verstappen on course for third title in Qatar sprint
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - October 7, 2023 Red Bull's Max Verstappen after finishing the sprint shootout in third place Pool via REUTERS/Darko Bandic Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Piastri on sprint pole with Norris alongsideVerstappen to start third with third title in sightPerez starts eighthHamilton qualifies 12thDOHA, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Red Bull's Max Verstappen was on course to secure his third Formula One championship on Saturday after qualifying third for a Qatar Grand Prix sprint race with sole title rival and team mate Sergio Perez five places behind. Verstappen need finish only sixth in the sprint -- and take three points -- to secure his third successive world championship. "He (Verstappen) is not interested in the three points. He's interested in the maximum points," Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports television. Only the top eight score points in the sprint.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Darko Bandic, Norris, Verstappen, Perez, Hamilton, Sergio Perez, Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, He's, Christian Horner, Mercedes, George Russell, Ferraris, Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, Nico Hulkenberg, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, Alpine's Esteban Ocon, Max, he's, Lewis Hamilton, Alan Baldwin, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Qatar, REUTERS, Formula, Prix, Bull, Sky Sports, Haas, FIA, Pirelli, kerbs, Thomson Locations: Lusail, Qatar, DOHA

SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — Runaway series leader Max Verstappen returned to dominant form on Sunday, winning the Japanese Grand Prix and moving a step closer to securing his third consecutive Formula One drivers’ championship. The Red Bull driver, who missed out on the podium a week ago in Singapore, started from pole and held on for his 13th win of the season. McLaren driver Lando Norris was second, 19.4 seconds back of Verstappen, while his teammate Australia rookie Oscar Piastri was third for his first F1 podium. With Verstappen’s win, Red Bull secured this year’s constructors’ title, their sixth overall and second in a row. Verstappen increased his lead over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to 177 points.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Red Bull, McLaren, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Perez, Haas, Kevin Magnussen, Norris, Valtteri Bottas, Charles Leclerc, Mercedes ’ Lewis Hamilton Organizations: Australia, Red, Red Bull, Prix, Alfa, Ferrari Locations: SUZUKA, Japan, Singapore, Verstappen, Qatar, Marina Bay, Piastri

☆ Red Bull take constructors' title as Verstappen wins in Japan
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

McLaren's Lando Norris and Australian rookie Oscar Piastri, on a grand prix podium for the first time, finished second and third. The constructors' title was Red Bull's sixth since they entered the sport in 2005 and they did it at a circuit owned by engine partner Honda. "Max, that was absolutely fantastic," said team boss Christian Horner over the radio in congratulating Verstappen on a 48th career win and Red Bull's 15th of the season. Verstappen defended against the McLarens at the start, with Norris seizing the opportunity to pass Piastri and slot into second place. His final retirement ended Red Bull's 100% finishing record for the season.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Issei Kato, Bull, Perez McLaren's Norris, Piastri, Sergio Perez, McLaren's Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Verstappen, Perez, Red Bull's, Honda, Max, Christian Horner, Norris, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, George Russell, Mercedes, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Hamilton, Kevin Magnussen, Alan Baldwin, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Suzuka, Prix REUTERS, Red Bull, Prix, Mercedes, Ferrari, Thomson Locations: Suzuka, Japan, SUZUKA, Dutch, Mexican, Qatar, Singapore, London

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