Formula One heads to Brazil this weekend in a quick turnaround from the Mexican Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will be hoping to build on the positive momentum gained in Mexico City, with a surprise second-place finish delighting the Briton.
Hamilton appears increasingly optimistic that he can catch Max Verstappen and finally end his two-year wait for a race win. Mercedes enjoyed an excellent time in Brazil last year, with George Russell earning his maiden triumph and Hamilton coming second.
A repeat would be a huge ask of the Silver Arrows but it might be their best chance of defeating the dominant Verstappen and Red Bull.
Express Sport brings you all the latest F1 news below…
Marko gives verdict on Alonso to Red Bull rumours
Helmut Marko has suggested that Fernando Alonso started the rumours about a switch from Aston Martin to Red Bull himself.
“As for the rumours about Alonso,” Marko told F1 Insider, “I can well imagine that Alonso spread them himself because his results with Aston Martin have been very disappointing recently after the brilliant start to the season.
“It wouldn’t be the first time that he used his home media to create a mood. Once again and for the record, we only have sporting goals in mind that we will keep ourselves busy with until the last race in Abu Dhabi. And they are that we want to win all the races and make it clear to Perez that he is runner-up.”
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Sainz unsure over sprint race future
Carlos Sainz has discussed his frustrations with the sprint race format as the drivers prepare for another weekend of Saturday action in Brazil.
“Right now, I agree that six is enough,” Sainz said ahead of the Brazilian GP. “But I agree that Saturday is too revealing of what’s going to happen on Sunday, which is basically the first stint of the race of Sunday, what you’re watching on TV.
“And this doesn’t help. I think the show is the main race, is the grand prix. So if you’ve arrived to that point, you’d better try something else on Saturday.
“Is that reverse grids? Is that single-lap qualifying? I don’t know. But I think given that the sprint format is a bit of an experiment going on right now in Formula 1, I would be open to keep experimenting to see which format is best.”
Alonso looking forward to Brazilian GP despite recent struggles
Fernando Alonso has discussed Aston Martin’s chances this weekend, claiming that he is looking forward to Sunday despite two miserable weekends in a row.
“The double DNF in Austin and Mexico hurts a lot but we have another chance here in Brazil,” Alonso explained during media day on Thursday.
“I’m happy that it’s a triple-header because you don’t have time to feel the pain. You immediately jump in the air and you try again and I think it’s going to be a better weekend, hopefully, this one with less experiments and more straightforward.”
Drugovich signs new Aston Martin deal
Aston Martin have signed a new contract with Felipe Drugovich that will keep the Brazilian with the team as a test and reserve driver for 2024.
This news was partnered with the announcement that Drugovich will step behind the wheel of the AMR23 in FP1 in Abu Dhabi, marking his second Grand Prix weekend appearance of the season.
“I’m really proud to be continuing to work with Aston Martin for a second season,” Drugovich explained following the announcement.
“This year, I’ve learnt a huge amount – not just at the racetrack, but working with the engineers in the simulator and from the development programme that was designed for me. I’m proud of the contribution I’ve been able to make, and pleased that I’ve been able to help progress the development of AMR23.”
Ricciardo feeling fine after Mexican GP masterclass
Daniel Ricciardo has suggested that he felt like the ‘old Ricciardo’ at the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend.
The Aussie turned in one of the performances of the season on the Saturday, qualifying fourth on the grid, and then he followed that up with a P7 on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the Brazilian GP, he explained: “Obviously this sport, you have to keep backing it up. Of course, we had a good weekend but one is not enough.
“The last year or two didn’t have many weekends like that but I’m just rebuilding, and trying to find the old me. And Mexico felt like that.”
Grosjean secured race seat for 2024
Former Haas driver Romain Grosjean has signed for IndyCar minnows Juncos Hollinger Racing for the 2024 season.
The 37-year-old departed Andretti Autosport at the end of last season following a campaign that promised a first IndyCar win, but ultimately fizzled out in disappointment.
Grosjean will partner up with Argentine touring car legend Agustin Canapino at Juncos Hollinger Racing, replacing the outgoing Callum Ilott in the No.77 car.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix not at risk of cancellation
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is not at risk of cancellation despite the UK foreign office warning tourists against travelling to the country.
Brits have been told not to travel to the Middle East country due to the supposed increased risk of a terrorist attack.
It comes amid the ongoing conflict between in Israel and Palestine.
However, F1 has confirmed that the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will still go ahead.
Russell makes Mercedes complaint
George Russell wants “clarity” from Mercedes after braking and fuel issues hindered him in consecutive race weeks.
Russell said he was lucky to finish sixth at the Mexican Grand Prix after suffering from a braking issue. He had struggled with a fuel problem in the US weeks earlier.
“It was like driving on ice for the last 15 laps, which was a pretty miserable feeling and I was very lucky to finish P6,” Russell said after the Mexican Grand Prix. “We were strong here last year, we qualified on the front row and probably should have had a podium last year.
“We’ve definitely performed well, but this weekend has been about tyres as it has been for everyone. Qualifying was a total surprise for many teams, for good or bad, but I’m hopeful Brazil won’t be that sensitive [on tyres].
“I’m not too worried because of the reason behind [the deficit to Hamilton]. It’s been two race weekends in a row, two different reasons.
“Last time [in the United States] it was the fuel [saving] which lost the tyres, this weekend it was the brakes. We need some clarity.”
Horner’s cost cap admission
Christian Horner says Red Bull are yet to see the full extend of their cost cap punishment.
One year ago, Red Bull was handed a fine alongside wind tunnel and CFD development reductions.
“Certainly, you’ve not seen the full impact yet because it obviously has compromised the amount of development that we’ve been able to do this year,” Horner said.
“Thankfully, we came out with a very strong car at the beginning of the year and we’ve been able to apply most of that development time, from quite early in the season, to next year’s car. So, that’s been important.
“With the wind tunnel restrictions that we’ve had, we’ve elected to use that on RB20, next year’s car, as opposed to continuing development on RB19.”
Ralf Schumacher’s heartbreaking admission
Ralf Schumacher admits life ‘isn’t fair’ as he opens up on coping with brother Michael’s condition.
Michael Schumacher suffered life-changing injuries following a skiing accident in 2013.
“Unfortunately, sometimes life isn’t fair. We have to accept it,” Ralf said.
“When I see his children Gina-Maria and Mick, my heart smiles. If someone in the family is looking for my advice, I’m there. They go their own way.”
Verstappen doubles down
Max Verstappen has doubled down on his criticism of sprint races.
Drivers will compete in another sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend.
“We should just get rid of the sprint weekend and then everyone can just set up their cars normally.
“It wouldn’t have happened that we would have had a normal race weekend.
“These things only happen when you have a sprint weekend where everything is so rushed into your in-between FP1 and qualifying.
“From our side, I think we went a bit too conservative, but that’s still better than the other way.”
It comes months after the Dutchman threatened to retire if changes kept being made to the F1 schedule, with more sprint races added.
He said at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix: “I don’t find that is in the DNA of Formula One to do these kind of sprint races. I hope there won’t be too many changes, otherwise I won’t be around for too long.
“I am not a fan of it at all. When we do all that kind of stuff, the weekend becomes very intense and we already do a lot of races.”
Brundle wants rule change
Former F1 driver Martin Brundle believes that a solution must be found to prevent traffic issues during qualifying.
Several key figures have spoken out about the issue over the past few days after drivers were investigated for blocking the pit lane during Mexican Grand Prix qualifying.
Sky Sports pundit Brundle believes a change in the rules is required, with the FIA hinting that laws could be adapted.
Brundle said: “Perhaps [drivers] should be obliged to stop in the middle lane rather than the fast lane. However, there are two issues there, the cars wouldn’t then be spaced out particularly well on track, and some circuits like Monaco don’t have the space for a spare middle pit lane like that.
“It does seem unfair for teams positioned at the far end of the pit lane, and those drivers who need to get out and get on with regard to their qualifying lap preparation. For now, I guess we have to explain that it’s an acceptable practice by precedent, let the drivers and teams sort it out among themselves, and look for a better solution.”
Ricciardo ‘hurt’ by question
Daniel Ricciardo was hurt by a press conference question asking if he was an entertainer first and foremost, the F1 Nation Podcast has suggested.
Ricciardo was asked if he saw himself as an entertainer over being a racing driver.
The question might have hurt the Australian and spurred him on to drive a brilliant race in Mexico.
Ricciardo came seventh in the AlphaTauri.
Concering weather forecast
Friday’s PF1 qualifying could take place amid huge downpours.
The sprint race means that teams have one and only practice session to get things right ahead of the main events.
But wide-ranging reports suggest that the practice session could take place in the backdrop of thundery showers in Brazil.
‘Heads could roll’ at Aston Martin
Aston Martin enjoyed an exceptional start to 2023.
Fernando Alonso’s arrival appeared to ignite a determination to match the big-hitters, with the Spaniard getting seven podiums in the early months of the season.
But that form has since dropped off. Former driver Richard Bradley believes there will be plenty of personnel changes over the winter months.
“They’re gonna have a serious, serious winter otherwise a lot of people are going to have their heads rolling and getting a few P45s I think,” he told the On Track Podcast.
“If you’ve gone down a path with a philosophy, unless you completely change the philosophy and then you’ve got all the issues that come with having to learn that, to be this bad at this stage they’re in quite big trouble.”
Perez offered lifeline
Sergio Perez could be handed a shock Red Bull contract extension, according to Total-Motorsport.
Perez is widely tipped to be replaced either this year or next, with his current deal running until 2024.
The Mexican has endured a tough season at Red Bull, struggling to keep the pace with partner Max Verstappen. Devastatingly, he crashed out early on in his home race last week.
But he is now reportedly in talks over a one-year extension to his contract.
Incidentally, the deal would expire in 2025 at the same time as Lando Norris’ terms at McLaren.
Norris has been widely tipped to be Perez’s successor, and their contracts ending at the same time would prevent Red Bull needing a stop-gap replacement for one year.
Hamilton ‘played role’ in Mercedes exit
Mercedes announced the departure of long-serving chief technical officerMike Elliott this week.
And Sky Sports have speculated that Lewis Hamilton’s frequent calls for change might have played a role.
The seven-time World Champion has often expressed his unhappiness with the direction of Mercedes’ car development.
He spent most of 2022 railing against the W13 car and has scarcely found the W14 much more suitable, despite a recent upturn in form.
Hamilton’s frustrations are likely not the only reason for Elliott’s departure, but there is reportedly a sense that they played a role.
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