Author: Lena Ferle

Alpine driver Jack Doohan had a challenging weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix, accumulating four penalty points on his super licence across the sprint race and the Grand Prix itself. While the Australian finished 20th in the sprint and 13th in the main race, Doohan left the Shanghai International Circuit without championship points but with a handful of penalties instead. What are penalty points? Penalty points are issued by the FIA to drivers who commit infractions during races, serving as a disciplinary measure to encourage safer and fairer competition. These points accumulate on a driver’s super licence, and if a…

Lewis Hamilton’s promising start to the weekend unravelled after Ferrari’s setup changes backfired, leaving him struggling for pace in the Grand Prix before a post-race disqualification sealed his disappointment. Reflecting on the misjudged adjustments, the seven-time world champion admitted, “I know not to do that again.” Hamilton’s weekend took a sharp turn after a strong performance in the Sprint race, where he dominated from start to finish. Managing his tyres effectively, he pulled four seconds clear of Oscar Piastri in the closing laps, while Charles Leclerc trailed behind in fifth, 12 seconds adrift. However, as Ferrari sought further improvements for…

​The second seat at Red Bull Racing has long been a subject of intense scrutiny and speculation, often perceived as challenging to fill effectively. This narrative began during the era of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, where internal team dynamics were strained, leading to notable on-track clashes. However, the difficulty of securing a stable and competitive second driver became more pronounced following Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018.​ Post-Ricciardo era: A revolving door Ricciardo’s exit left a void that Red Bull struggled to fill. Pierre Gasly was promoted from Toro Rosso (AlphaTauri/Visa Cashapp RB) but faced challenges adapting to the main…

What was shaping up to be a redemption weekend for Lewis Hamilton has ended in disaster, as the Ferrari driver has been disqualified from the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix due to excessive skid wear on his car. After a tough Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton bounced back in style by winning the Sprint Race and looking set for a strong points haul on Sunday—but now, all of it has been wiped away. A weekend that started with promise for Hamilton Coming into Shanghai, Hamilton had a point to prove. The Australian Grand Prix had been a nightmare—poor qualifying, race struggles, and…

The first sprint of the season at the Chinese Grand Prix saw Lewis Hamilton to stand on the top step of the podium, followed by Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. The Shanghai International Circuit had been resurfaced for the year, providing strong grip from the outset—something the drivers welcomed. However, this also raised concerns about tyre degradation, particularly on the front tyres. While medium compounds appeared the safest option, some teams might have risked the softs or played it conservatively with the hards. The Sprint at the Chinese GP spanned 19 laps. There was no mandatory pit stop or tyre…

The first and only Free Practice session of the F1 Chinese Grand Prix saw Lando Norris on top of the timesheets, followed by Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri. What happened in the week between the races? As Formula 1 returned for its second race in a week, the Chinese Grand Prix set the stage for answers to key storylines from Australia. With rain threatening to shake up the grid, teams faced an unpredictable challenge in Shanghai. McLaren’s dominance in Melbourne raised questions about whether their advantage would continue, especially with the FIA’s clampdown on flexi-wings. Ferrari aimed to recover from…

As F1 prepares for its second race in a week, many stories from Australia await to be answered in the land of the rising sun.

Red Bull is working on upgrades aimed at closing the performance gap to McLaren. They intend a timeline of “three to five races” for their introduction, according to team advisor Helmut Marko. The story for Red Bull so far At the start of the 2025 season, Red Bull found itself trailing McLaren, the defending constructors’ champion. McLaren’s speed was evident right from Bahrain testing. They confirmed their strong form at the Australian Grand Prix, where Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked out the front row, leaving Verstappen behind by a margin of three-tenths. In the race, the McLarens showed superior…

Formula 1 is a sport built on speed, skill, and relentless determination. But F1 is also a sport of immense pressure—where the line between success and failure is razor-thin. So, when young Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar broke down in tears after crashing on the formation lap of his first-ever Grand Prix in Australia, was it really a sign of weakness? Or was it just a reminder that F1 drivers are human, too? For Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, the answer seemed clear. The Austrian dismissed Hadjar’s visible distress, saying the 19-year-old had “put on a tearful show” and calling…

The FIA has announced that a stricter rear-wing deflection test will come into effect from the Chinese Grand Prix onwards. This decision follows the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, where teams were asked to use cameras during practice sessions to capture the on-track deformations of their cars. After reviewing the footage, the FIA determined that a more stringent test is necessary for the upper rear wing, though it confirmed that all cars in Melbourne complied with regulations. What does the FIA statement say? In an official statement, the governing body explained: “As has been previously communicated, between the end of the…