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Albon had ‘best car since I joined Williams’ before retirement | RaceFans Round-up
Alonso gets Saudi F1 podium back after penalty ruling overturned
However, shortly after the chequered flag, the FIA announced that Alonso had been handed a 10-second penalty for having not properly served a five-second penalty he had been given for failing to line up within his grid box earlier in the race.
This dropped Alonso from third down ...Keep reading
Alonso gets third place back after FIA cancels penalty | 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Late penalty call “not a very good job” by FIA – Alonso | 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Grid rule Alonso broke is necessary despite “painful” penalty – Verstappen | 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Sergio Perez robbed of championship lead by Max Verstappen
Sergio Pérez emphatically claimed his first win of the 2023 F1 season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, after a dominant display from pole position.
The Mexican did initially lose the lead to Fernando Alonso at the opening corner of the race but was soon back past the Spaniard when DRS was activated.
From that moment onwards, Pérez was seemingly in cruise control, with the Mexican having eased away from the rest of the field.
His advantage was broken following a Safety Car, though, which brought team-mate Max Verstappen back into contention for the win.
READ: Revealed: Red Bull were concerned about Max Verstappen reliability ahead of Saudi GP
This didn’t faze Pérez at all, with the 33-year-old having restarted the race beautifully, before building a five-second advantage.
Whilst Verstappen did work his way into second, the gap remained between five and six seconds for the entirety of the second half of the race, with the pair having consistently exchanged the fastest lap of the race.
Pérez and Verstappen didn’t need to go as fast as they were, with the pair having both risked a potential mechanical failure by lapping at an extraordinary pace.
Both drivers were keen for the fastest lap and the additional point that comes with it; however, Red Bull effectively told both drivers not to worry about setting the fastest lap as the race reached its climax.
As the final lap began, Pérez held the fastest lap and was looking set to claim the victory and the championship lead, only for Verstappen to defy the team and claim the fastest lap.
As a result, Verstappen maintained his championship lead by a single point, seemingly to the annoyance of Pérez.
The pair shared an awkward moment in the cooldown room after the race.
In the cooldown room, Perez asked Verstappen if he got fastest lap at the end, to which the Dutchman replied yes.
They then awkwardly looked at each other, with the Mexican clearly not too pleased.
Perez arguably had every reason to be frustrated with Verstappen’s antics, given that the Dutchman was told that the fastest lap wasn’t a concern after asking what time he needed to set.
The Mexican actually questioned why himself and Verstappen were pushing so hard in the closing laps, with Checo having explained after his victory why he asked the team why they were purposefully pushing so hard despite boasting a sizeable advantage.
“Obviously they have more information than us, and I think the team did a fantastic job on letting us race,” Pérez told Autosport.
“I just felt like there was a point where, for the last 10 laps or so, that we had very similar pace within a 10, faster or slower.
George Russell to be stripped of podium as #AstonMartin to undo Fernando #Alonso penalty https://t.co/BUCbRleiGd
— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) March 19, 2023READ: David Croft: ‘Absolutely not an insult to anyone who’s designed that Mercedes’
“And I just felt like the gap [if both continued to push] would have been probably a little bit less or a little bit more, but it wouldn’t have changed anything.
“I was just thinking about the car; I was having some strange vibrations and obviously what happened to Max [in qualifying] was on the back of my mind today.
“I’m sure it was on the back of the mind of the team as well. So it was just a matter of making sure both cars finished to get maximum points.”
The post Sergio Perez robbed of championship lead by Max Verstappen appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.
‘Call Jean Todt’: Ferrari slammed for team orders stance in Saudi GP
Heading into the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Ferrari were hoping to build on a relatively successful qualifying session.
After Charles Leclerc’s engine penalty he started the race in P12 while his teammate Carlos Sainz started in P4.
With Sainz starting fourth, the aim would have been for the Spaniard to score a podium whilst Leclerc climbed the order as much as possible to recover a strong haul of points.
Unfortunately for the Scuderia, their race did not go to plan, ending with Sainz in P6 and Leclerc in P7.
READ: Angela Cullen breaks silence on ending Lewis Hamilton relationship
This result disappointed Ferrari fans, who have taken to social media to express their feelings about their team’s early season form.
“Honestly, just stay in Maranello for the remaining races. Better than having to deal with this embarrassment every other week. At least in 2020 there was an explanation! Now it’s just embarrassing,” posted one fan on Twitter.
In Bahrain, Ferrari looked to be slower than Red Bull but certainly in the fight for podiums but in Jeddah, the Scuderia seemed some way off the pace.
Both Mercedes finished above the Ferrari’s topping off a poor day for the Scuderia in their hunt for second place in the constructors’ championship.
Leclerc managed to catch up to Sainz following a safety car caused by Lance Stroll’s retirement and some fans were frustrated by the fact that Ferrari refused to issue team orders to allow the Monegasque driver to pass his teammate.
“Did you all forget what team orders are? Call Jean Todt, he’ll tell you how to use them,” said another fan on Twitter.
Aston Martin boss opens up on Fernando #Alonso ‘infecting’ the team https://t.co/1nbuGZ6i5A
— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) March 18, 2023READ: George Russell to get Saudi GP podium as Fernando Alonso to be handed penalty
After two races, Ferrari now sit fourth in the constructors’ championship, behind Red Bull, Aston Martin and Mercedes.
With Red Bull looking almost unbeatable so far this season, Ferrari simply cannot afford to be losing ground to Aston Martin and Mercedes in their battle for second place.
The Scuderia will be hoping for a better result next time out in Australia, where a very different track will test the versatility and true potential of the SF-23.
The post ‘Call Jean Todt’: Ferrari slammed for team orders stance in Saudi GP appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.
David Croft: ‘Absolutely not an insult to anyone who’s designed that Mercedes’
Sergio Pérez successfully backed up his pole position at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with an emphatic victory, as Red Bull managed a second consecutive 1-2 of the season due to a fantastic comeback from reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
After initially losing the lead at the opening corner to Fernando Alonso, Pérez quickly regained the lead, with Red Bull’s straight-line speed having been phenomenal at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Pérez’s overtake on Alonso was really the final time he was seen all race, apart from when he restarted the race perfectly following a brief Safety Car period.
Verstappen, on the other hand, had a much more eventful race after starting P15, following his driveshaft failure during qualifying.
READ: Charles Leclerc makes massively worrying Red Bull claim
As expected, the Dutchman breezed his way into the top six, before benefitting from the Safety Car period.
The double world champion was one of the last drivers to switch from the medium to the hard compound, with the likes of Ferrari having boxed both of their drivers’ moments before the race’s only Safety Car was brought out.
As a result of pitting during the Safety Car period, Verstappen jumped both Ferrari drivers’ and re-emerged onto the circuit in fourth.
It meant Verstappen had plenty of time to attack the podium places, something he immediately did after overtaking George Russell with ease.
Verstappen overtook Russell as they approached the final corner, with the Mercedes driver having had absolutely no answer to the Red Bull driver’s rocket ship.
The Dutchman’s straight-line speed was so remarkable, that Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft admitted that it was like watching an F1 car overtake an F2 car.
Croft added that it was “absolutely not an insult to anyone who’s designed that Mercedes”, with Red Bull simply having an unbeatable car and being especially strong with DRS open.
Lewis Hamilton heartbreak as he narrowly misses out on P4 after Fernando #Alonso penalty https://t.co/XgaSrpCzch
— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) March 19, 2023READ: Toto Wolff makes surprising claim about Max Verstappen issue
The Dutchman went on to overtake Alonso just as easily, before cruising home to claim second place and the fastest lap.
“I was in second, we had a big gap behind and so at one point, we decided to just let’s say, call it a day and just settle for second,” Verstappen explained after the race.
“Anyway, it was a good recovery. I gave [fastest lap] a go at the end, and luckily it worked out.”
The post David Croft: ‘Absolutely not an insult to anyone who’s designed that Mercedes’ appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.
Saudi F1 struggles show Ferrari not second best, says Sainz
That penalty was earned for a change of the control electronics unit after Leclerc retired from the Bahrain season opener, while Sainz was fourth a fortnight ago as Ferrari struggled with its ...Keep reading
Revealed: Red Bull were concerned about Max Verstappen reliability ahead of Saudi GP
With the first two rounds of the 2023 season now complete, it appears that the only thing that can stop Red Bull is themselves.
Both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez were forced to monitor an issue towards the end of the Bahrain Grand Prix and the team’s issues continued in Saudi Arabia.
Ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session, Red Bull decided to change Max Verstappen’s gearbox to give him the best possible chance of securing pole position.
The Dutchman was however unable to set a lap time in Q2, as a driveshaft issue forced Verstappen to retire from qualifying.
READ: Lewis Hamilton admits he doesn’t ‘feel connected’ as he addresses George Russell performance
Ahead of the Grand Prix, Red Bull were then forced to change a number of components, with the team deciding to put the gearbox that Verstappen used on Friday back into the RB19.
Red Bull also decide to change the left and right-hand side suspension including driveshafts ahead of the race.
Even after all of these changes, the race was not plain sailing for Verstappen who impressively recovered from his P15 start to finish in P2, behind his teammate Sergio Perez.
Towards the latter stages of the race, Verstappen began to report concerns over his driveshaft to his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase.
The Dutchman told his team that there was a high-pitched sound coming from his car when he was driving at high speeds, becoming increasing more alarmed as the issue persisted.
As it turned out, the issue did not hinder Verstappen as he was able to finish the Grand Prix a fair distance ahead of Fernando Alonso in third place.
#SaudiGP: Cracks beginning to show in Lewis Hamilton and George Russell relationship https://t.co/PokkmWekEi
— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) March 19, 2023READ: Toto Wolff makes surprising claim about Max Verstappen issue
The 25-year-old even managed to set the fastest lap of the race on the final lap, ensuring that he stays ahead of Sergio Perez in the drivers’ championship by a single point.
Heading into the Australian Grand Prix in two weeks’ time, Verstappen will be hoping to return to winning ways and begin to build up a lead ahead of his teammate in the drivers’ championships.
With Red Bull looking head and shoulders ahead of their rivals, Verstappen will be hoping to create some breathing space between himself and his teammate to wrap up his third title as soon as possible.
The post Revealed: Red Bull were concerned about Max Verstappen reliability ahead of Saudi GP appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.
Max Verstappen has awkward moment with Sergio Perez after ignoring team orders
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen put on an excellent display at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, as the Dutchman successfully salvaged a podium at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, despite having started 15th.
Verstappen was forced to start from 15th after being eliminated in Q2, following an unexpected driveshaft failure.
Prior to his mechanical failure in qualifying, the 25-year-old was the clear favourite for pole, after he topped all three practice sessions.
Given how quick he’d been all weekend, Verstappen was expected to still be a threat for the victory; however, he failed to really challenge for the win due to team-mate Sergio Pérez having dominated the race from pole.
READ: Max Verstappen opens up on risk of missing 2023 Saudi Arabian GP
Verstappen worked his way through the field in rapid fashion, with the Dutchman having elevated himself into second as the race surpassed the halfway point.
When it became apparent that Verstappen wasn’t going to win, the double world champion began to ask his team what the fastest lap was, in order to claim an additional point.
Interestingly, it was Pérez who held the fastest lap as the race moved towards its climax, with the Mexican having been looking on-track to move into the championship lead.
Seemingly aware of this, Verstappen identified that he wanted the fastest lap, to keep himself in the lead.
With five laps remaining and any hope of victory gone, Verstappen asked his race engineer: “What’s the fastest lap?”
“We are not concerned with that at the moment Max,” Verstappen’s race engineer abruptly replied.
“I am,” responded Verstappen.
With the team having seemingly been against him setting the fastest lap, Verstappen took it upon himself to set the fastest lap of the race on the final lap, something which resulted in an awkward conversation after the race.
“Did you get the fastest lap, in the end?” Pérez asked Verstappen in the cool down room.
“On the last lap, yeah,” replied Verstappen whilst nodding.
Pérez had also asked his race engineer over the radio what the fastest lap was, only to be given the same response that Verstappen received.
It means that Verstappen leads the championship by a single point heading into the Australian Grand Prix.
George Russell to be stripped of podium as #AstonMartin to undo Fernando #Alonso penalty https://t.co/BUCbRleiGd
— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) March 19, 2023READ: Saudi GP: Cracks beginning to show in Lewis Hamilton and George Russell relationship
“It wasn’t very easy to get through the field, through the first sector. Very happy to be on the podium,” Verstappen said after the race.
“I was in second, we had a big gap behind so at one point we decided to call it a day and settle for second, which anyway was a very good recovery.
“I gave it a go at the end so luckily it worked out,” added the Dutch driver, referring to the fastest lap.
The post Max Verstappen has awkward moment with Sergio Perez after ignoring team orders appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.
Russell: Alonso's penalties in Saudi Arabian GP "too extreme"
Alonso's second penalty, announced after the podium ceremony when he had celebrated his 100th F1 career ...Keep reading
Charles Leclerc fumes at engineer in Jeddah as his patience with Ferrari runs out
Charles Leclerc’s 2023 season continues to be one of frustration for the Monegasque, after a potential top-five finish was taken away from the 25-year-old, following an error by his race engineer.
Despite having qualified second at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Leclerc was forced to start from P12 after being slapped with a 10-place grid penalty.
Leclerc took a 10-place grid penalty into the second round of the season, due to being fitted with a third set of control electronics.
The Ferrari drove got through his two legal sets of control electronics at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, where he retired with an engine failure.
READ: Max Verstappen opens up on risk of missing 2023 Saudi Arabian GP
Thankfully, there was no engine concerns for Leclerc on Sunday, with the Monegasque having actually started the race very strongly.
Leclerc quickly got himself into the top eight, before being called into the pit’s moments before the only Safety Car of the race occurred.
It was during the only Safety Car of the race where Leclerc lost his cool with his race engineer, after not being fed information quickly enough.
Leclerc was told to “push” at a section of the circuit whilst he’d already arrived there, something which resulted in the Monegasque falling behind Lewis Hamilton.
Leclerc was absolutely furious with the error from his team, which effectively cost him fifth, given that is where Hamilton finished the race.
“Try to push from Safety Car Line One. Lewis Hamilton just pitted.” said Leclerc’s race engineer.
“XAVI YOU NEED TO TELL ME THAT BEFORE! I MEAN COME ON!” Leclerc shouted.
Leclerc ultimately crossed the line in seventh, whilst Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz claimed sixth.
It at least meant the Ferrari driver got his first points of the season, with Leclerc having risen to eighth in the standings on six points.
Lewis Hamilton heartbreak as he narrowly misses out on P4 after Fernando #Alonso penalty https://t.co/XgaSrpCzch
— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) March 19, 2023READ: Saudi GP: Cracks beginning to show in Lewis Hamilton and George Russell relationship
Whilst that’s a positive, questions will once again be asked about Ferrari’s race pace, with the Italians having had no answer for Red Bull, Aston Martin or Mercedes.
As a result, the Maranello-based team are fourth in the constructors’ championship after two races.
They’ll be hoping for better fortunes at the Australian Grand Prix in two weeks, where Leclerc claimed victory 12 months ago.
The post Charles Leclerc fumes at engineer in Jeddah as his patience with Ferrari runs out appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.
Perez wants ‘review’ with Red Bull after losing fastest lap point to Verstappen | 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Hamilton says he would have been in a “better position” with Russell’s set-up’ | 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Perez says "pushing for nothing" F1 radio call was about reliability
Perez also reported that his brake pedal was beginning to go "long", but both drivers were informed that none of the data on the pitwall was of any immediate concern to the engineers.
Verstappen was continuing to try ...Keep reading
George Russell to be stripped of podium as Aston Martin to undo Fernando Alonso penalty
George Russell is set to be demoted back to P4 at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, as Aston Martin have a great chance of appealing the post-race penalty Fernando Alonso was slapped with in Saudi Arabia.
Alonso had crossed the finish line in P3 to score his second consecutive podium for the Silverstone-based team.
However, he was handed a 10-second post-race penalty for incorrectly serving his 5-second time penalty – which he was awarded for being out of position in his grid slot at the race start.
Specifically, a jack was touching the car while Alonso was still serving the penalty in his pit-box.
READ: Saudi GP: Cracks beginning to show in Lewis Hamilton and George Russell relationship
This led to the FIA penalising Alonso, in the same manner Esteban Ocon was penalised for incorrectly serving his penalty at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.
However, while Ocon was notified of this additional penalty during the race, Alonso was penalised after the grand prix was over.
And crucially, as Alonso – whose infringement took place on lap 19 out of 50 – wasn’t notified of his second penalty within 30 laps of it taking place, it seems Aston Martin have an excellent chance of successfully appealing and reversing it.
This is because the regulations stipulate that the FIA stewards have a maximum of 30 laps to inform a driver of a penalty; otherwise they escape punishment for the infringement.
If Aston Martin can successfully reverse the penalty, it would see the Spaniard reclaim his podium, while Russell would drop back to P4, one position ahead of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
#SaudiGP: Cracks beginning to show in Lewis Hamilton and George Russell relationship https://t.co/PokkmWekEi
— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) March 19, 2023READ: Lewis Hamilton heartbreak as he narrowly misses out on P4 after Fernando Alonso penalty
Speaking after the race, Russell admitted that the penalty was “pretty harsh”, though the Mercedes driver certainly wasn’t complaining.
“I’m pleased to come home in P4, but I think the penalty for Fernando was pretty harsh,” Russell said in a post-race interview.
“They are deserving podium finishers today. But I’ll take an extra trophy, so I’m not complaining too much.”
The post George Russell to be stripped of podium as Aston Martin to undo Fernando Alonso penalty appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.
Alonso: Something "really wrong" with FIA system for late F1 Saudi GP penalty
But, after the podium ceremony, he was given another 10-second penalty for work starting on his car when the first penalty was served in his pitstop, dropping behind George Russell and to fourth in the final results.
It duly denied Alonso his ...Keep reading