Formula 1

Carlos Sainz led Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari one-two in Friday practice at the French Grand Prix. The Ferrari drivers, separated by just 0.101 seconds, had a surprisingly large advantage over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who was 0.550secs back in third at Circuit Paul Ricard. But on race pace, the tables turned, with championship leader

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz will have a grid penalty at the French Grand Prix for using too many engine parts. For now, he has only a 10-place penalty after using a third electronics control unit, one more than permitted. But following his engine fire in the Austrian Grand Prix, Ferrari are expected to take further parts

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez has called for spectators involved in offences of discriminatory abuse to be banned for life from Formula 1 events. His comments, and similar ones from colleagues, follow fans being subjected to racist, sexist and homophobic abuse at the last race in Austria. Perez said: “They are not welcome here. We

Sebastian Vettel says he wants to continue in Formula 1 next season. The four-time world champion, 35, is out of contract with Aston Martin at the end of the year and there has been speculation about his future. Speaking before this weekend’s French Grand Prix, Vettel said: “I am talking to the team. There is

Formula 1’s governing body has resisted pressure from teams to back down on its moves to limit the ‘bouncing’ of cars. Title contenders Red Bull and Ferrari were among those to object to the FIA’s attempts to control the amount cars can demonstrate the phenomenon. But an FIA statement said: “It is the responsibility and

Daniel Ricciardo says he is committed to Formula 1 and determined to stay with McLaren to the end of his contract next year. The Australian, 33, is contracted to McLaren until the end of 2023 but has been struggling to match the pace of team-mate Lando Norris this season. “I’m committed to McLaren until the

IndyCar driver Colton Herta says it remains his ambition to move to Formula 1 after completing a test for McLaren. The 22-year-old American drove the team’s 2021 car at Portimao in Portugal on Monday and Tuesday. Herta said: “It’s a goal of mine and has been for a while. There have been instances when I

Former Formula 1 race director Michael Masi has formally left motorsport’s governing body, the FIA. Masi has “decided to leave the FIA and relocate to Australia to be closer to his family and take on new challenges”. There was no mention of the Abu Dhabi controversy in the FIA statement. Masi’s failure to follow the

Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone will be charged with fraud by false representation following an investigation into overseas assets believed to be worth more than £400m. The Crown Prosecution Service said the charge follows an investigation by HMRC. “The CPS has authorised a charge against Bernard Ecclestone,” it said. The CPS said the charge

IndyCar driver Colton Herta is to test for McLaren this week. The American, one of the most highly regarded drivers in the US-based single-seater series, is a potential candidate for a future McLaren seat. Herta, 22, will drive a 2021 McLaren at Portimao in Portugal – where grand prix were held in 2020 and 2021

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc passed title rival Max Verstappen three times on his way to a commanding victory in the Austrian Grand Prix. Carlos Sainz was on course to make it a Ferrari one-two before he suffered an engine failure with 14 laps to go – the latest in a series for Ferrari. Leclerc faced a

Lewis Hamilton has criticised spectators at the Austrian Grand Prix for cheering when he crashed in qualifying at the Red Bull Ring. Hamilton went off at Turn Seven, close to grandstands packed with Dutch fans of his 2021 title rival Max Verstappen. “I was going through a bunch of stuff in the crash, but to

Sebastian Vettel has been handed a suspended 25,000 euros (£21,000) fine for walking out of the drivers’ briefing at the Austrian Grand Prix. The four-time champion was one of a number of drivers at Friday’s meeting who asked for explanations for inconsistent decision-making by officials. Race stewards said Vettel “left without permission and expressed frustration”.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took a controlled victory in the sprint race at the Austrian Grand Prix to edge further ahead in the championship. The Dutchman beat Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, extending his lead over Leclerc to 44 points. Leclerc fought off an early challenge from Sainz but was safe in second

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen pipped the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc to pole position at the Austrian Grand Prix with his final lap of qualifying. The world champion’s earlier fastest time had been beaten by Leclerc and his team-mate Carlos Sainz with their final laps but Verstappen snatched pole back. The Dutchman was just 0.029 seconds

F1’s budget cap has been increased as a result of the inflation crisis affecting the global financial system. Teams will be permitted to spend 3.1% more than previously – this year’s cost cap figure had been set at $140m. And the figure will be compounded for subsequent years. In addition, the introduction of a technical

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set an impressive pace in first practice at the Austrian Grand Prix before qualifying at this ‘sprint’ event. The world championship leader was 0.255 seconds quicker than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Mercedes’ George Russell was third, a further 0.145secs adrift. Lewis Hamilton was fourth, 0.207secs behind his team-mate. Qualifying sets the grid

Lewis Hamilton says recent progress by Mercedes has reassured him that he will be able to win a race this year. The seven-time champion is the only driver in history to have won a grand prix every year of his F1 career. Hamilton said consecutive podium finishes have “encouraged us that we are moving in