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☆ Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari in shock move: Reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes ahead of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on November 26, 2023. Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is on the cusp of a surprise move from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, according to multiple media reports. Hamilton first signed with Mercedes in 2013 and went on to win six of his seven world titles with the team between 2014 and 2020. If Hamilton were to leave Mercedes for Ferrari, it is reported he would likely replace Ferrari's Carlos Sainz given that his teammate, Charles Leclerc, recently signed a fresh contract extension. The start of the next Formula 1 season gets underway in Bahrain from Feb. 29.

Persons: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Hamilton, it's, Toto Wolff, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc Organizations: Abu, Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, United, United Arab Emirates, Ferrari, Sky Sports, BBC Sport, ESPN, CNBC, Mercedes, Hamilton Locations: Abu Dhabi, United Arab, Bahrain

[1/5] Formula One F1 - Las Vegas Grand Prix - Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S - November 18, 2023 Ferrari's Charles Leclerc celebrates after qualifying in pole position REUTERS/Finn Blake Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies Ferrari first and second in Las Vegas qualifyingLeclerc on pole but penalty drops Sainz 10 placesVerstappen to start on front row for Red BullWilliams in surprise third row sweep, McLaren struggleLAS VEGAS, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Charles Leclerc put Ferrari on pole position for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday with Red Bull's triple Formula One world champion Max Verstappen stepping up to join him on the front row. Leclerc was fastest in all three qualifying phases down the floodlit Strip, with its neon backdrop of landmark hotels and casinos, for his third pole in the last four races. The Monaco driver was still disappointed with his laps, and a pole time of one minute 32.726 seconds only half a tenth faster than Sainz. Red Bull's Sergio Perez, who can clinch second place overall in the championship this weekend, will start 11th as Sainz drops to 12th. Qualifying started at midnight on Friday, making Las Vegas the first grand prix since Japan in 2019 where the pole position was decided on the same day as the race.

Persons: Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Finn Blake, Ferrari, Leclerc, Verstappen, Red Bull Williams, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Sainz, George Russell, Pierre Gasly, Williams, Alex Albon, Logan Sargeant, Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo, Kevin Magnussen, Haas, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull's Sergio Perez, MCLARENS, McLarens, Britain's Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Aston, Lance, Zak Brown, Alpine's Esteban Ocon, Frenchman, Ocon, Alan Baldwin, Kirsten Donovan, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Las Vegas, Las Vegas Strip, Sainz, McLaren, LAS VEGAS, Monaco, Mercedes, Alfa, U.S, Aston, Sky Sports, Verstappen, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, Sin City, Dutch, Japan, London

☆ Sainz hit with Las Vegas grid drop after drain damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Formula One F1 - Las Vegas Grand Prix - Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S - November 16, 2023 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. walks into the pits REUTERS/Mike Blake Acquire Licensing RightsLAS VEGAS, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Ferrari's Carlos Sainz will have a 10 place grid penalty at the Las Vegas Grand Prix after a loose drain cover wrecked his car and forced the cancellation of Thursday's opening practice. Race stewards turned down the Italian team's request for penalty-free repairs because they said they were obliged to apply the regulations as written. "I think it's tough for a team to arrive in Vegas and to have this kind of incident," he said. First practice lasted only eight minutes before Sainz's Ferrari hit the drain cover in a storm of sparks. "You've got to say that's force majeure, that's nothing of their own doing," he told Sky Sports television.

Persons: Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr, Mike Blake, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Spaniard Sainz, Ferrari, Fred Vasseur, Sainz's Ferrari, McLaren, Zak Brown sympathised, You've, Alan Baldwin, Toby Davis Organizations: Las Vegas, Las Vegas Strip, LAS VEGAS, Ferrari, Sky Sports, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, Vegas, London

☆ Verstappen takes record 16th win of the season in Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Angelica Medina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Only three drivers have won more races in the history of the sport and Verstappen could have passed Sebastian Vettel, next in his sights on 53, by the end of the season. The win was also his 14th in the last 15 races and a fifth in six editions of the grand prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Second is a priority for dominant Red Bull who have never yet finished a season with their drivers first and second. The race resumed from a standing re-start, with Verstappen accelerating into the distance and Leclerc second on the hard tyres but seven-times world champion Hamilton right behind on mediums. Verstappen had seized the safety car period as an opportunity for a cheap second pitstop and some fresh hards while Leclerc had pitted just before Magnussen's accident.

Persons: Hamilton, Mercedes Leclerc, Perez, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Alain Prost's, Sebastian Vettel, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Verstappen, Bull, Mercedes's Lewis Hamilton, Leclerc, Kevin Magnussen, Ferrari, Red, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, McLaren's Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, AlphaTauri's Daniel Ricciardo, Mercedes George Russell, Russell, Ricciardo, Alex Albon, Williams, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Haas's Nico Hulkenberg, HAAS, Magnussen's Haas, Dane, Aston Martin, Lance, Bottas, Fernando Alonso, AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda, Alan Baldwin, Ken Ferris, Clare Fallon, Lincoln Organizations: Mexico City, Prix, Autodromo Hermanos, Red Bulls, Red Bull, Briton, AlphaTauri, Renault, Hamilton, Alfa, Piastri, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, French, Hamilton, London

☆ Hamilton says unchecked cars were also illegal in Austin
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Angelica Medina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MEXICO CITY, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Lewis Hamilton claimed on Thursday that more cars than his Mercedes and Charles Leclerc's Ferrari were illegal at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin and called for a fairer system of post-race checks. Both teams accepted their punishment and blamed the sprint format, with only one practice session, and particularly bumpy track. Only four of the 15 cars that finished the race were checked for such a breach, however. "I have heard from different sources that there were many cars that had not been tested and were also illegal," Hamilton told reporters ahead of this weekend's race in Mexico City. "It's unlikely two cars (from the same team) are that different, so if one car is illegal, there is a high chance that the other car is," said the Briton.

Persons: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Charles Leclerc's Ferrari, Leclerc, George Russell, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Hamilton, Max Verstappen, McLaren's Lando Norris, Alan Baldwin, Christopher Cushing Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S, Prix, FIA, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Austin, Mexico City, Dutch, London

☆ Formula One statistics for the Mexican Grand Prix
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] Formula One F1 - United States Grand Prix - Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. - October 22, 2023 Red Bull's Sergio Perez in action during the race REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 25 (Reuters) - Formula One statistics for Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix at Mexico City's Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, round 19 of the 22-race season. CHAMPIONSHIPRed Bull and Verstappen have won both championships already, Verstappen his third and Red Bull their sixth. Red Bull have won 17 of 18 races, with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz winning in Singapore. Red Bull have also had a team record six one-two finishes in 2023. PODIUMSix teams and 11 drivers have made a podium appearance this season: Red Bull, Alpine, Aston Martin, McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari.

Persons: Sergio Perez, Brian Snyder, Mexico City's Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Max Verstappen, Red, MEXICO Red Bull's Sergio Perez, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Hamilton, Bull, Verstappen, Red Bull, Alain Prost, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Singapore . Red Bull, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Sainz, Aston Martin, McLaren, Mercedes, Michael Schumacher, Alonso, Alfa Romeo's, Zhou, Perez, Mercedes's George Russell, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda, Satoru Nakajima, Kamui Kobayashi, McLaren's Lando Norris, Nick Heidfeld's, Alan Baldwin, Ed Osmond Organizations: United, Prix, Mexico City's Autodromo Hermanos, MEXICO Red, Mercedes, Red, WINS Verstappen, Ferrari, Aston, Thomson Locations: United States, Americas, Austin , Texas, U.S, Netherlands, MEXICO, Mexico, Singapore, Singapore . Red, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Austin, Hamilton, Hungary, Italy, Verstappen, Brazil, Australia, China, London

☆ Verstappen holds off charging Hamilton for 50th F1 win
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Dominant Red Bull and Verstappen, who started in sixth place and whose win was the first in Austin by a driver not on the front row, have already secured the constructors' and drivers' titles. "The whole race, I was struggling a lot with the brakes," said Verstappen, who was booed by some of the crowd as he stood on the podium. "I normally never really struggle with braking so far in my F1 career, but it was definitely a bit of a problem." "Forecast P2, maybe the win," the 38-year-old was informed over the radio as he chased down the McLaren. Alpine's Esteban Ocon was the first retirement, his race ending on lap seven after a first lap collision with McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Brian Snyder, Hamilton, Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Lando Norris, Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, McLaren, leapfrog Aston Martin, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Red Bull's Sergio Perez, Leclerc, George Russell, Alpine's Pierre Gasly, Aston, Lance, AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda, Perez, Alain Prost, Red Bull, Sebastian Vettel's, Alpine's Esteban Ocon, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Piastri, Aston Martins, Fernando Alonso, Haas, Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg, Alan Baldwin, Ken Ferris Organizations: United, Prix, Mercedes, McLaren, AUSTIN, U.S, Bull, Circuit, DRS, Hamilton, Thomson Locations: United States, Americas, Austin , Texas, U.S, Austin, AUSTIN , Texas, Saudi Arabia, Alpine's, Mexico, London

☆ Verstappen wins Austin sprint race
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Formula One F1 - United States Grand Prix - Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. - October 21, 2023 Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the sprint race REUTERS/Brian Snyder Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Verstappen wins sprint from poleHamilton second, Leclerc thirdAUSTIN, Texas, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Red Bull's triple world champion Max Verstappen won a U.S. Grand Prix sprint race from pole position on Saturday with old foe Lewis Hamilton second for Mercedes. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took third after being passed by Hamilton at the start of a race that paid points to the top eight finishers. The main event at the Texas track is on Sunday with Leclerc starting on pole position and Verstappen chasing his 50th grand prix win from sixth on the grid. Dominant Red Bull and Verstappen have already secured both the constructors' and drivers' world championships with a fistful of races to spare. In the early laps, Verstappen and Hamilton ran close enough for the Briton to have DRS (drag reduction) but then the Red Bull pulled away.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Brian Snyder, Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Bull, Red Bull, McLaren's Lando Norris, Red Bull's Sergio Perez, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, George Russell, Alan Baldwin, Ed Osmond Organizations: United, Prix, Hamilton, U.S, Mercedes, Austin's Circuit, Ferrari, Alpine, Thomson Locations: United States, Americas, Austin , Texas, U.S, AUSTIN , Texas, Hamilton, Texas, Verstappen, London

☆ 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

☆ 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 resumes normal service with top time in Japan
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SUZUKA, Japan, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Red Bull's runaway Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen roared back from defeat in Singapore to set the fastest lap in the first practice for the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday. Verstappen's best time of one minute 31.647 seconds was 0.626 quicker than Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, the winner in Singapore. McLaren's Lando Norris was third fastest, 0.745 off the pace with a late switch to the soft tyres, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fourth and 0.927 slower than Verstappen. Perez, 151 points behind Verstappen after 15 of 22 races, was only 11th and 1.396 seconds slower than his team mate. Red Bull are set to retain their constructors' title in Japan on Sunday, needing to score only a point more than Mercedes.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Verstappen's, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, McLaren's Lando Norris, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Max, McLaren, Zak Brown, Perez, Red Bull, Mercedes, George Russell 13th, Lewis Hamilton, Yuki Tsunoda, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Williams, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson, Aston, Lance, Alan Baldwin, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Suzuka, Sky Sports, Verstappen, Thomson Locations: SUZUKA, Japan, Singapore, Marina Bay, Mexican, London

☆ 'Smooth operator' Sainz ends Red Bull's winning streak
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"We nailed the race," said Sainz after his second career win for the Italian team and first since Silverstone last year. The Spaniard eked out his hard tyres for 42 laps, winning at the slowest possible speed, for Ferrari's first victory since Charles Leclerc triumphed in Austria in July last year. No team has ever won every race in a season of more than 10 rounds but Red Bull had looked capable of doing so until Singapore struck. Mercedes trimmed Red Bull's lead in the constructors' standings to 308 points, keeping them waiting at least another weekend for the title. Verstappen, who started on the hard tyres, moved up to second with Perez fourth but they were soon overhauled and plunged down the field after stopping under normal conditions.

Persons: Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Caroline Chia, Sainz, Red, Norris, Perez, Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen's, McLaren's Lando Norris, Red Bull, George Russell, Hamilton, Lando, eked, Ferrari's, Charles Leclerc, Verstappen, Sergio Perez, LAWSON, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo, Kevin Magnussen, Haas, Logan Sargeant's Williams, Alpine's Esteban Ocon, Russell, Carlos, Alan Baldwin, Ken Ferris Organizations: Singapore, Circuit, Prix, Lewis Hamilton REUTERS, Hamilton, Ferrari, DRS, Silverstone, Alpine, McLaren, New, Formula One, Ferraris, Thomson Locations: Singapore, SINGAPORE, Italy, Austria, Monaco, Japan, AlphaTauri, London

Learn moreThe season might have said its goodbyes to Europe for the year, but we can help you say hello to a free F1 live stream of the Singapore GP. So take a look at the guide below for everything you need on how to watch the Singapore F1 live stream for free from anywhere. Where to Watch a free Singapore F1 live streamThis weekend's simplest option for a free F1 live stream is using a VPN to tune into one of the free European streams mentioned above. How to watch the Singapore F1 live stream with a VPNSign up for a VPN if you don't have one. Turn it on and set it to a country with a free live stream.

Persons: We've, Red Bull, Verstappen, Perez, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Russell, LeClerc, ExpressVPN Organizations: Singapore, Red Bulls, BBC, RTL, US ESPN, ESPN Locations: Europe, Singapore, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, TV's

☆ Ferrari on top in Singapore practice with lizards on track
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Formula One F1 - Singapore Grand Prix - Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore - September 14, 2023 Ferrari's Charles Leclerc signs autographs for fans as Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. car is seen in the pits ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix REUTERS/Edgar Su Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Charles Leclerc set the pace as Ferrari led one-two in first Friday practice for a Singapore Grand Prix that could finally end Formula One champions Red Bull's record run of 15 wins in a row. Team mate Carlos Sainz was 0.078 slower in a session with yellow flags to warn drivers of monitor lizards crossing the track. Verstappen has yet to win in Singapore, or start on pole there, and Red Bull had identified Ferrari as the main threat coming into the weekend after their strong performance in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. "I think this track is going to be one of the toughest of the season for us," Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports television. "There's a lizard again on the track, bit smaller this time," said Verstappen, who encountered a much bigger one on the same track in 2016, over the team radio.

Persons: Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr, Edgar Su, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Red, Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Verstappen, Red Bull, Christian Horner, McLaren, Mercedes, McLaren's Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Perez, Russell, Alan Baldwin, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Singapore, Circuit, Singapore Grand Prix REUTERS, Rights, Prix, Monza, Sky Sports, Briton, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Rights SINGAPORE, London

☆ Sainz fastest for Ferrari on his birthday at Monza
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummaryCompanies Verstappen fastest in first session, Sainz top overallFerrari's Sainz celebrating 29th birthdayPerez brings out red flags at ParabolicaVerstappen chasing record 10th win in a rowMONZA, Italy, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Ferrari's Carlos Sainz celebrated his 29th birthday and kept the home crowd happy with the fastest lap in practice for the Italian Grand Prix on Friday after Formula One leader Max Verstappen set the early pace. The Spaniard lapped Monza's 'Temple of Speed' with a best time of one minute 21.355 seconds with McLaren's Lando Norris second and 0.019 slower in a second session that was twice red-flagged. Red Bull's Verstappen was top of the first session, in 1:22.657, ahead of a weekend that could secure him a record 10th win in a row. Sainz was second fastest in that opening practice. Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes used only hard tyres during the opening session.

Persons: Sainz, Ferrari's Sainz, Perez, Verstappen, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, McLaren's Lando Norris, Bull's Verstappen, Gianpiero Lambiase, Sergio Perez, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Leclerc, Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, Lewis Hamilton, It's, we've, Mercedes, Andrew Shovlin, Bull, Russell, Liam Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo, Felipe Drugovich, Lance, Aston Martin, Alan Baldwin, Toby Davis, Ken Ferris Organizations: Speed, Monza, Briton, Mercedes, Ferrari, New, Aston, Ascari, Thomson Locations: MONZA, Italy

☆ Verstappen takes record-equalling ninth win in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Bart H. Meijer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Verstappen now leads Perez, his closest rival, by a mighty 138 points with nine races remaining. Red Bull lead Mercedes by 285 points with Aston Martin 40 points further back and 14 ahead of Ferrari. Verstappen came in a lap later but resumed well down the field and set about closing the gap. The safety car was deployed from lap 16 to 21 when U.S. rookie Logan Sargeant crashed his Williams at turn eight. Verstappen appeared to be cruising to victory until the final deluge and the halt after Alfa Romeo's Guanyu Zhou crashed heavily, without injury.

Persons: Alonso, Perez, Max Verstappen, Bull, Sebastian Vettel's, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, Pierre Gasly, Red Bull's Sergio Perez, Verstappen, Mercedes, chatted, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton, Briton Lando Norris, McLaren, Alex Albon, Williams, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Esteban Ocon, Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo, Lawson, Charles Leclerc, Leclerc, George Russell, Norris, Logan Sargeant, Alfa Romeo's, Zhou, Alan Baldwin, Ed Osmond, Pritha Sarkar, Giles Elgood Organizations: Prix, Zandvoort, Monza, Aston, Renault, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Mercedes, ., Hamilton, Briton, Alfa, Thomson Locations: ZANDVOORT, Netherlands, . New, AlphaTauri, London

☆ Verstappen takes Dutch GP pole for third straight year
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The outcome left Red Bull's runaway championship leader perfectly placed for a record-equalling ninth successive win on Sunday, with his team chasing a 14th straight victory. Norris, fastest when the session was halted with four minutes remaining after Charles Leclerc crashed his Ferrari, ended up second. Verstappen's time of one minute 10.567 seconds on a drying track was 0.537 faster than Norris could manage. FINAL SESSIONThe pole was Verstappen's eighth in 13 races this season and 28th of his career. New Zealander Liam Lawson, making his F1 debut as replacement for the injured Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri, qualified in last place.

Persons: Norris, Russell, Max Verstappen, McLaren's Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Max, George Russell, Mercedes, Alex Albon, Williams, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, Bull's Sergio Perez, Verstappen's, Logan Sargeant, Albon, Sargeant, Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff, Hamilton, Aston, Lance, AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda, Tsunoda, Lewis, Wolff, Sainz, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Ferrari, Liam Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo, Red, Alan Baldwin, Hugh Lawson, David Holmes Organizations: McLaren, Williams, Prix, Zandvoort, Ferrari, Briton, U.S, Verstappen, New, Red Bull, Thomson Locations: London

☆ Verstappen takes a crushing eighth win in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Verstappen, who started sixth after a five-place grid penalty, extended his championship lead over Perez to 125 points -- effectively five races -- after taking the chequered flag 22.3 seconds ahead of the Mexican. He is heading for a third title with plenty of races to spare, the only real doubt being where he might seal it. Charles Leclerc, who started on pole for Ferrari, completed the podium with Lewis Hamilton fourth and securing fastest lap for Mercedes. A little bit of pit stop training," Verstappen suggested with 14 laps remaining. I was there and he just turned in like I didn't exist," said the Australian rookie who finished second in Saturday's sprint.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Johanna Geron, Perez, Leclerc, Sergio Perez, McLaren, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Red, Gianpiero Lambiase, Lambiase, Max, Hamilton, Combes, Verstappen's, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, sidepod, Alan Baldwin, Clare Fallon Organizations: Belgian, Prix, Bull, Ferrari SPA, Sunday, Ferrari, Mercedes, Thomson Locations: Spa, Belgium, Dutch, Mexican

☆ Verstappen pips Piastri to pole for Spa sprint race
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

McLaren's Piastri had been on top of the timesheets until the final seconds when double world champion Verstappen went 0.11 quicker with a lap of one minute 49.056 seconds on a drying track. The standalone sprint format is being used at Spa for the first time, the third of six such events this season. Piastri said he "couldn’t have got much more out of that" and was happy to be on the front row. The provisional pole changed hands swiftly in the final shootout, with Hamilton fastest then Red Bull's Sergio Perez, Gasly, Sainz and Piastri before Verstappen's predictable final flourish. "It's good to get a clean end to qualifying," said Verstappen, with more rain forecast later.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Stephanie Lecocq, Perez, Max Verstappen pipped, Oscar Piastri, McLaren's Piastri, Verstappen, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, Piastri, McLaren's Lando Norris, Alpine's Pierre Gasly, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Bull's Sergio Perez, Gasly, Sainz, Alpine's Esteban Ocon, Mercedes George Russell, Daniel Ricciardo 11th, Russell, Aston, Lance, Fernando Alonso, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Belgian, Prix, Spa, Ferrari, Sunday's, Hamilton, Thomson Locations: Spa, Belgium

☆ Verstappen wins Belgian Sprint with Piastri second
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SummaryCompanies Verstappen wins sprint from pole, Piastri secondChampion now 118 points clear of team mate PerezPerez retires after clash with HamiltonGasly third for AlpineSPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, July 29 (Reuters) - Red Bull's Max Verstappen won a rain-delayed and shortened sprint race from pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday to stretch his Formula One lead to 118 points. Australian rookie Oscar Piastri started and finished second for McLaren, after leading briefly during a safety car period, with Frenchman Pierre Gasly a morale-boosting third for misfiring Alpine. Half the field followed Piastri straight into the pits at the start to change to intermediate tyres while Verstappen stayed out on full wets. I could come in first but then I might be blocked by other cars, there might be a safety car and then you lose out massively. "This is a sprint race, we want to see them racing," he said.

Persons: Perez Perez, Hamilton Gasly, Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, Frenchman Pierre Gasly, Sergio Perez, Mercedes's Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, McLaren's Lando Norris, George Russell, Mercedes, Gasly, Anthoine Hubert, Verstappen, Bull, Aston Martin's, Fernando Alonso, Max, we've, Perez, Hamilton, Ferraris, Norris, Red, Christian Horner, Toto Wolff, Leclerc, Alan Baldwin, Hugh Lawson, Clare Fallon Organizations: Belgian, Prix, McLaren, Spa, Briton, Red Bull, Thomson Locations: Belgium, Verstappen's, Pouhon, Eau Rouge, Stavelot

☆ Hamilton pips Verstappen for record pole in Hungary
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

We've been pushing so hard over this time to finally get a pole and it just feels like the first time." Every session has been up and down," said Verstappen, who had been chasing his sixth pole in a row. McLaren's Lando Norris qualified third with Australian rookie team mate Oscar Piastri alongside and Alfa Romeo's Guanyu Zhou fifth. The Australian, a winner in Hungary with Red Bull in 2014, will start 13th with Tsunoda 17th on the grid. China's Zhou was fastest in the first phase on hard tyres, with Norris quickest in phase two on mediums.

Persons: Hamilton, Verstappen, Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Briton, It's, I've, hoarse, I’ve, We’re, McLaren's Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Alfa Romeo's, Zhou, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Valtteri, Alfa Romeo, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, Red Bull's Sergio Perez, Haas's Nico Hulkenberg, George Russell, Russell, Daniel Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Alonso pipped, China's Zhou, Alan Baldwin, Frances Kerry Organizations: Hamilton, Australian, Alfa, Aston, Verstappen, Miami, Tsunoda, Christian, Thomson Locations: Hungary, Hungarian, Saudi Arabia, Japanese, London

☆ Perez crashes in first Hungarian practice
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Formula One F1 - Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary - July 21, 2023 Marshals remove Red Bull's Sergio Perez car from the track during practice REUTERS/Bernadett SzaboBUDAPEST, July 21 (Reuters) - Red Bull's Sergio Perez made a nightmare start to his Hungarian Grand Prix weekend by crashing after two minutes of Friday's opening practice before rain made the rest of the session largely meaningless. "I cannot believe this," said Perez over the team radio, with the stricken car looking like it had suffered some heavy damage. Perez missed the rest of the session, with the car taken back to the pits on a truck for mechanics to start what could be extensive repairs. Mercedes' seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton, winner a record eight times in Hungary, was one of the seven. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz also brought out red flags when he beached his car on a kerb at turn three with 14 minutes remaining.

Persons: Sergio Perez, Bernadett Szabo, Bull's Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen, Perez, Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo, Christian Horner, Mercedes, George Russell, Oscar Piastri, Lance, Aston Martin, Lando Norris, Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Alan Baldwin, Toby Davis Organizations: REUTERS, Hungarian, Red, McLaren, Aston, Briton, Thomson Locations: Budapest, Hungary, Bernadett Szabo BUDAPEST, London

☆ Verstappen runs away with Austrian F1 sprint race
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Verstappen runs away with Spielberg sprintPerez second in Red Bull one twoMexican forces team mate onto grass at startSainz third for FerrariJuly 1 (Reuters) - Double world champion Max Verstappen ran away with an Austrian Grand Prix sprint race in a Red Bull one-two on Saturday to increase his Formula One lead over Mexican team mate Sergio Perez to 70 points. Verstappen took the chequered flag a hefty 21.048 seconds clear of Perez on a drying track at Spielberg's Red Bull Ring with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz finishing third in the 24 lap 100km standalone race. Hulkenberg had held second place until lap 12, when his intermediate tyres went off and Perez muscled past, followed by Sainz. The top eight score points in the sprint, with Verstappen taking the maximum eight and Perez seven. Both Red Bulls and Sainz stayed on the intermediate tyres throughout the race while others pitted for slicks as conditions improved.

Persons: Spielberg, Perez, Red Bull, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Verstappen, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Max, Aston, Lance, Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, Haas, Esteban Ocon, George Russell, Mercedes, McLaren's Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Hulkenberg, Sainz, Alan Baldwin, Toby Davis Organizations: Mexican, Sainz, Ferrari, Red Bulls, Alpine, Mercedes, slicks, Verstappen, Thomson Locations: Austrian, Dutch, London

☆ Verstappen leads Red Bull one-two on Sprint grid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The double world champion lapped his team's home Red Bull Ring with a fastest time of one minute 04.440 seconds on a drying track to complete a qualifying double after securing pole on Friday for Sunday's main grand prix. Red Bull have won all of them, Verstappen six. "It's nice to have a lockout in the Red Bull Ring for the team," said the Mexican, who was 0.493 slower than his team mate. "The sprint race doesn't really matter anyway," said Hamilton, who had his fastest effort deleted for exceeding track limits and was then overtaken by Verstappen while trying to set a valid lap. The race will be the second standalone sprint of the season after Baku, won by Perez in April.

Persons: Bull, Perez Norris, McLaren Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Sunday's, Perez, Red Bull, McLaren's Lando Norris, Haas, Nico Hulkenberg, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, Sainz, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, Lance, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Hamilton, Verstappen, Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, Alan Baldwin, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Austrian, Prix, Baku, Thomson Locations: Dutch, London

☆ Verstappen favourite for Red Bull's 100th win
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Red Bull have won 23 of the last 26 races, and 17 of the last 18, and will be only the fifth constructor to hit 100. Verstappen won last year in Canada from pole position ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, the seven times world champion who has won a record-equalling seven times there. "Of course, last year's win is still in my mind so hopefully we can do something similar this weekend," said Verstappen. Mercedes overtook Aston Martin for second place in the constructors' standings after Spain, where they were Red Bull's closest rivals. Ferrari received a morale boost last weekend when they won the Le Mans 24 Hours and enjoyed a strong weekend in Montreal last year.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Albert Gea, Ayrton Senna, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Red Bull, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Perez, Hamilton, Toto Wolff, Wolff, Aston Martin, Red, Lawrence, Lance, Jacques Villeneuve, Fernando Alonso, Alonso, Ferrari, Fred Vasseur, Alan Baldwin, Toby Davis Organizations: Prix, Spanish, Prix REUTERS, Circuit, Sauber, Bull, Austrian, Mercedes, CNBC, Reuters, Aston Martin, Le, Thomson Locations: Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain, Montreal, Dutch, Canada, Milton Keynes, Spanish, Monaco, New York, Canadian

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