Formula 1

Getty Images By Andrew Benson BBC F1 correspondent in Melbourne Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso was penalised 20 seconds for “potentially dangerous driving” at the Australian Grand Prix. The two-time world champion told stewards he had “got it slightly wrong” in the incident that led to a heavy crash for Mercedes’ George Russell. Alonso admitted

Getty Images By Andrew Benson BBC F1 correspondent in Melbourne Carlos Sainz led Charles Leclerc to a Ferrari one-two in the Australian Grand Prix as Max Verstappen’s domination of Formula 1 stalled. Sainz swept by the world champion’s Red Bull into the lead on the second lap before the Dutchman retired with a brake failure

Getty Images By Andrew Benson BBC F1 correspondent in Melbourne Lewis Hamilton was unable to explain his Mercedes team’s lack of pace in qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix after failing to make it into the top 10. The seven-time champion qualified 11th in Melbourne with team-mate George Russell seventh – Hamilton has now been

Getty Images By Andrew Benson BBC F1 correspondent in Melbourne Red Bull’s Max Verstappen fought off a challenge from Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz to take pole position for the Australian Grand Prix. Sainz was quickest in the first two parts of qualifying but the world champion bounced back in the top 10 shoot-out to take

CLIVE ROSE By Theo Leggett Business correspondent, BBC News Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund has taken full ownership of the McLaren Group, which builds high-end sportscars and owns a majority stake in the McLaren F1 team. The Bahraini fund, Mumtalakat, was already McLaren’s biggest shareholder. The deal follows a period of deep financial uncertainty for the

In practice yesterday wind was a problem for drivers, these generations of cars are very sensitive to wind. This particular circuit is what they call a green cicuit. It is not used much in the year and evolves over the course of the weekend, from being very low grip and that grip builds gradually as

Getty Images Toto Wolff said wife Susie “has always followed through on her convictions and values” after she began legal action against motorsport’s governing body. Susie Wolff, the F1 Academy series director, has lodged a case against the FIA following its conflict of interest inquiry into her last year. The inquiry was launched in December

Getty Images By Andrew Benson BBC F1 correspondent in Melbourne Williams driver Alex Albon interrupted first practice at the Australian Grand Prix with a heavy crash. The British-born Thai lost control on the exit of the Turn Six right-hander and smashed into the wall at Turn Eight, which follows shortly afterwards. He was unhurt. Albon

Getty Images By Andrew Benson BBC F1 correspondent in Melbourne Lewis Hamilton says there is “no transparency and no accountability” in Formula 1 as the sport continues to be rocked by off-track wrangles. The seven-time champion appeared to conflate controversies involving governing body the FIA and the behaviour of Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

Getty Images By Andrew Benson BBC F1 correspondent Susie Wolff has taken legal action against motorsport’s governing body the FIA following its controversial conflict of interest inquiry into her last year. Wolff is the director of the F1 Academy series for aspiring female drivers and wife of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. Wolff said she

Getty Images Formula 1’s governing body has cleared its president of claims he interfered with races in Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas last season. Mohammed Ben Sulayem was alleged to have intervened to overturn a penalty for Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. A whistleblower claimed the president told officials not

Getty Images Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz is set to return at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne after recovering from surgery for appendicitis. The Spaniard missed the Saudi Arabian GP this month, where 18-year-old Briton Oliver Bearman was a late replacement. Bearman finished seventh on debut in Jeddah but is likely to return to Formula

Getty Images Russian racing driver Nikita Mazepin has overturned European Union sanctions imposed as part of the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Mazepin, who drove in Formula 1 for Haas in 2021, and his father had assets frozen and were given a travel ban. His father, billionaire businessman Dmitry Mazepin, was deemed a close

Formula 1 is back this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix – and race day returns to a Sunday. Max Verstappen has made a strong start to the season, winning both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix. As teams prepare to travel to Albert Park in Melbourne, BBC Sport’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers

Getty Images By Andrew Benson BBC F1 correspondent The woman in the Christian Horner controversy has lodged an official complaint about his behaviour with Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA. BBC Sport has learned the complainant, who accused Red Bull’s team principal of inappropriate behaviour, has registered a grievance with the FIA’s ethics committee. Horner,

Reuters By Andrew Benson BBC F1 correspondent The woman who made accusations about Christian Horner’s behaviour is to appeal against Red Bull’s decision to dismiss her complaint. The woman, who Red Bull last week suspended from her position, accused the team principal of inappropriate and controlling behaviour. She will ask Red Bull to reconsider their

Getty Images By Andrew Benson BBC F1 correspondent Oliver Bearman says it was “really fulfilling” to have Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso praise him after his Formula 1 debut. The 18-year-old Briton finished seventh at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after replacing Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. Bearman told BBC Sport: “It was a proud

Getty Images Oliver Bearman wants to fulfil a “childhood dream” by earning a Formula 1 seat next year after making his debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The 18-year-old became the youngest Briton to start a grand prix when he was called up by Ferrari to replace Carlos Sainz, who had appendicitis. Bearman finished