Tag: Race Preview

2020 Austrian GP preview

Posted on by James Mackenzie

The Burning Questions

I mean…where to start…

How will the new socially distanced F1 play out? Will it have a significant impact?

Who has the fastest car?

Will anyone have made any dramatic changes since pre-season testing?

Can Max Verstappen and Red Bull continue their winning streak in Austria?

How will Sebastian Vettel approach his final season at Ferrari?

The Track

The Stats

Track Length: 4.318 km

Laps: 71

Race Distance: 306.452 km

First Grand Prix: 1970 (Spielberg) | 1963 (Austria)

Race Lap Record: Kimi Räikkönen| Ferrari | 2018| 1:06.957

Outright Lap Record: Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 2019 | 1:03.003

Most Driver Wins: Alain Prost | 1983, 1985, 1986

Most Constructor Wins: McLaren | 1984, 1985, 1986, 2017, 1998, 2000, 2001

The Weather

The Quotes

Sebastian Vettel | “We have to be realistic when it comes to the pecking order seen at the tests, but we are not downhearted.”

Mattia Binotto | “The truth is that the outcome of the tests led us to take a significant change of direction in terms of development, especially on the aerodynamic front.”

Carlos Sainz | “Everyone at McLaren can be 100 per cent sure that until the last lap of the last race, I’m going to be a McLaren driver pushing flat-out and being fully focused on the McLaren job.”

James Allison | “We’ve got quite a lot of ideas about how to make [the car] quicker and quite a lot of those ideas were already in train and through the design office before we shut down nine weeks ago.”

The Photos

The Predictions

Podium

Pole Position

Fastest Lap

Driver of the Day

2019 Abu Dhabi GP preview

Posted on by James Mackenzie

The Burning Questions

Who can go into the winter break on a high?

How will relations be between the two Ferrari drivers and within the team?

Who will claim third in the Drivers’ Championship?

Can Hülkenberg get a podium in possibly his last ever race??

The Track

The Stats

Track Length: 5.554 km

Laps: 55

Race Distance: 305.355 km

First Grand Prix: 2009

Race Lap Record: Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | 2009 | 1:40.279

Outright Lap Record: Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2018 | 1:34.794

Most Driver Wins: Lewis Hamilton | 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018

Most Constructor Wins: Mercedes | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

The Weather

The Quotes

Charles Leclerc | “Seb probably shouldn’t have gone to the left and he knows it and I could have done a better job of avoiding him going to the left. What is important is everything is clear now and we move forward.”

Mattia Binotto | “We discussed together and I think that they understand what happened was not acceptable. We know how to move forward.”

Toto Wolff | “The underperformance in Brazil means we head to Abu Dhabi with a point to prove. Yas Marina has been a good circuit for us in the last years and we’ll push hard to continue in the same way.”

Claire Williams | “We look forward to [Nicholas Latifi] stepping up into this new role, as we look to fight our way back to the midfield.”

Lewis Hamilton | “There’s always room to improve and we’ve not been perfect all year, we’ve not won every single race and there are areas we can definitely round up and do better.”

The Photos

The Predictions

Podium

Pole Position

Fastest Lap

Driver of the Day

2019 Brazilian GP preview

Posted on by James Mackenzie

The Burning Questions

With the title wrapped up, can we still get an exciting race?

Will we get any more clues as to the effect the power unit clarifications have had on Ferrari?

How will Albon perform now that his seat for next year is confirmed?

Who of Leclerc, Verstappen and Vettel will leave the weekend leading the battle for third in the championship?

Surely we’re overdue another crazy, wet race? Interlagos quite often delivers them…

The Track

The Stats

Track Length: 4.309 km

Laps: 71

Race Distance: 305.909 km

First Grand Prix: 1973

Race Lap Record: Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 2018 | 1:10.540

Outright Lap Record: Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2018 | 1:07.281

Most Driver Wins: Michael Schumacher | 1994, 1995, 2000, 2002

Most Constructor Wins: Ferrari | 1976, 1977, 1990, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2017

The Weather

The Quotes

Lewis Hamilton | “When people talk about history, it just doesn’t fully resonate at the moment. But at some stage I’m sure it will.”

Alexander Albon | “To get the call-up originally after Hungary, it was quite a daunting prospect really. But I felt like I could do something and, to be honest, the races that I’ve had, I have been pretty happy with. To get the final call to tell me that I’m staying for next year, it feels really good.”

Sebastian Vettel | “Somehow there’s always drama here. There’s always something happening, it’s quite unpredictable.”

Valtteri Bottas | “If I can perform at the level I want to, that tends to upset the other side of the garage a little bit, and I know being on the other side as well it can lead you to mistakes. I have a plan for next year but I am really not willing to share it so we will find out.”

Nico Hülkenberg | “Next year I will not be on the grid. I will not retire as a driver. But, for now, it will be a year without running. I don’t know what will happen in the future, I’m not in a hurry. I don’t see myself as a test pilot.”

The Photos

The Predictions

Podium

Pole Position

Fastest Lap

Driver of the Day

2019 United States Grand Prix preview

Posted on by James Mackenzie

The Burning Questions

Can Hamilton wrap up the title?

…When Hamilton wraps up the title, will there be any impressive theatrics from the Americans/Liberty?

With its varied layout, which car will COTA suit the best?

Can Verstappen stop his recent run of mishaps?

Chances of another Kimi win?..

The Track

The Stats

Track Length: 5.513 km

Laps: 56

Race Distance: 308.405 km

First Grand Prix: 2012 (Austin) | 1959 (US) | 1950 (US incl. Indy 500)

Race Lap Record: Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2018 | 1:37.392

Outright Lap Record: Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2018 | 1:32.237

Most Driver Wins: Lewis Hamilton | 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

Most Constructor Wins: Mercedes | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

The Weather

The Quotes

Lewis Hamilton | “I never thought I would have five titles. If I am able to get a sixth one, it will be pretty unreal. I don’t think I’ve hit peak yet and I plan to continue to get stronger.”

Max Verstappen | “I like to fight hard but on the edge. If they want me to stay behind, it’s better to stay at home. I really want to take the fight to them because that’s what we are here for. We fight for victories because that’s what we live for.”

Kimi Räikkönen | “I think even if we are 10 seconds slower, for people to watch the races, if it’s more exciting nobody cares. Every year the times are slightly different.”

Daniil Kvyat | “This is a nice place to go racing, there’s a good atmosphere from the fans at the track and I think all the drivers appreciate the city of Austin itself, so we like going there.”

The Photos

The Predictions

Podium

Pole Position

Fastest Lap

Driver of the Day

2019 Mexican GP preview

Posted on by James Mackenzie

The Burning Questions

Can Lewis Hamilton clinch the world title this weekend?

Or can Valtteri Bottas use the momentum of his win in Japan to take the challenge to his teammate?

Which car will deal with the low altitude best?

Will there be any more drama between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen?

With thunderstorms forecast over the weekend, could we have our first wet Mexican race?

The Track

The Stats

Track Length: 4.304 km

Laps: 71

Race Distance: 305.354 km

First Grand Prix: 1963

Race Lap Record: Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 2018 | 1:18.741

Outright Lap Record: Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull | 2018 | 1:14.759

Most Driver Wins: Jim Clark/Nigel Mansell/Alain Prost/Max Verstappen | 1963, 1967/1987, 1992/1988, 1990/2017, 2018

Most Constructor Wins: Lotus/McLaren/Williams | 1963, 1967, 1968/ 1969, 1988, 1989/1987, 1991, 1992

The Weather

The Quotes

Lewis Hamilton | “Mexico is generally our worst race of the year because of the way our car is set up and it’s going to be a tough one for us.”

Sebastian Vettel | “Over the past couple of years, we have been on an upward trend in Mexico, although Red Bull has been the team to beat. But I think the gaps between us are getting smaller, so let’s see how we get on this year.”

Toto Wolff | “The four remaining races are not going to be easy and we expect Mexico to be the most difficult.”

Mattia Binotto | “After two races in which we could have done better, we arrive in Mexico determined to win. We will be aiming for our sixth consecutive pole, before looking to convert that into victory.”

Sergio Pérez | “Racing in Mexico is the highlight of the season for me. When I see the busy grandstands, I feel very proud and the support from the people is fantastic.”

Daniel Ricciardo | “I love that they have Mariachi bands everywhere.”

The Photos

The Predictions

Podium

Pole Position

Fastest Lap

Driver of the Day

2019 Japanese GP preview

Posted on by James Mackenzie

The Burning Questions

Will there be more drama at Ferrari?

What effect will the Mercedes upgrade have?

Are we going to have (lots of) rain with a typhoo heading for Suzuka?

Can Mercedes wrap up the Constructors’ Championship?

Which enthusiastic Japanese fan will have made the best hat?

The Track

The Stats

Track Length: 5.807 km

Laps: 53

Race Distance: 307.471 km

First Grand Prix: 1987 (Suzuka) | 1976 (Japanese GP)

Race Lap Record: Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren | 2005 | 1:31.540

Outright Lap Record: Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2017 | 1:27.319

Most Driver Wins: Michael Schumacher | 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004

Most Constructor Wins: Ferrari/McLaren | 1988, 1991, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2011/1987, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

The Weather

The Photos

The Predictions

Podium

Pole Position

Fastest Lap

Driver of the Day

2019 Russian GP preview

Posted on by James Mackenzie

The Burning Questions

Has that Ferrari upgrade changed the pecking order this season or was Singapore an outlier?

Can Sebastian Vettel push on now having put some demons to rest with a win?

Will tensions rise further in the Ferrari camp?

Will we see the longest winless run for Mercedes in the hybrid era?

Who will come out on top in the McLaren/Renault fight this weekend?

Will Valtteri hear from James during the race?

How awkward will the cool down room with Putin be this year?

The Track

The Stats

Track Length: 5.848 km

Laps: 53

Race Distance: 309.745 km

First Grand Prix: 2014

Race Lap Record: Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 2018 | 1:35.861

Outright Lap Record: Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 2018 | 1:31.387

Most Driver Wins: Lewis Hamilton | 2014, 2015, 2018

Most Constructor Wins: Mercedes | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

The Weather

The Photos

The Predictions

Podium

Pole Position

Fastest Lap

Driver of the Day

2019 Singapore GP Preview

Posted on by James Mackenzie

The Burning Questions

Can Sebastian Vettel recover from a crushing weekend in Monza?

Will the Mercedes or Red Bull be the best car around Marina Bay? Or maybe even Ferrari?!

How will Alexander Albon cope in his first true head-to-head test against Max Verstappen?

Will Verstappen get through the first corner unscathed this weekend?

Can Renault keep up the momentum from their strong result in Italy?

The Track

The Stats

Track Length: 5.063 km

Laps: 61

Race Distance: 308.706 km

First Grand Prix: 2008

Race Lap Record: Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 2018 | 1:41.905

Outright Lap Record: Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2018 | 1:36.015

Most Driver Wins: Lewis Hamilton/Sebastian Vettel | 2009, 2014, 2017, 2018/2011, 2012, 2013, 2015

Most Constructor Wins: Mercedes | 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018

The Weather

The Photos

The Predictions

Podium

Pole Position

Fastest Lap

Driver of the Day

2019 Italian GP preview

Posted on by James Mackenzie

The Burning Questions

Can Ferrari take another win and send the Tifosi wild with a first win in almost 10 years?

Will Alexander Albon build on his promising Red Bull debut?

Can Sebastian Vettel take the fight to Charles Leclerc and recover some credibility?

The forecast is for rain…could we have another Germany on our hands?..

Will Max Verstappen bounce back or could we be about to see a string of errors like early 2018?

Any more ‘silly season’ twists incoming?

The Track

The Stats

Track Length: 5.793 km

Laps: 53

Race Distance: 306.720 km

First Grand Prix: 1950

Race Lap Record: Rubens Barrichello | Ferrari | 2004 | 1:21.046

Outright Lap Record: Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | 2018 | 1:19.119

Most Driver Wins: Lewis Hamilton/Michael Schumacher | 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018/1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006

Most Constructor Wins: Ferrari | 1951, 1952, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1966, 1970, 1975, 1979, 1988, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010

The Weather

The Photos

The Predictions

Podium

Pole Position

Fastest Lap

Driver of the Day

2019 Belgian GP preview

Posted on by James Mackenzie

The Burning Questions

How will Alexander Albon cope with his promotion to Red Bull?

And how will Pierre Gasly do in the Toro Rosso?

Can Ferrari finally win a race?

Will we find out who gets the Mercedes seat for 2020? (And the Renault one potentially…)

Can F1 pick up where it left off with another excellent race?

The Track

The Stats

Track Length: 7.004 km

Laps: 44

Race Distance: 308.052 km

First Grand Prix: 1950

Race Lap Record: Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 2018 | 1:46.286

Outright Lap Record: Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2017 | 1:42.553

Most Driver Wins: Michael Schumacher | 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002

Most Constructor Wins: Ferrari | 1952, 1953, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2018

The Weather

The Photos

The Predictions

Podium

Pole Position

Fastest Lap

Driver of the Day