F1 qualifying LIVE: Carlos Sainz on pole for United States GP while Lewis Hamilton will start third
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz took pole position for the United States Grand Prix after beating team-mate Charles Leclerc to top spot by 0.065 seconds.
Leclerc will be demoted 10 places following an engine penalty, promoting world champion Max Verstappen to the front row for Sunday’s race at the Circuit of the Americas. Sergio Perez qualified fourth in the other Red Bull, but drops back to ninth for exceeding his number of allocated engine parts.
Lewis Hamilton finished fifth but will take advantage of the penalties served by Leclerc and Perez to occupy third position on the grid, with Mercedes team-mate George Russell one spot back.
Verstappen’s build-up to what should be his championship party in Austin, Texas has been dominated by talk of his Red Bull team’s breach of last year’s budget cap. Team principal Christian Horner went on the attack on Saturday morning, labelling McLaren boss Zak Brown’s claims of cheating as “shocking and appalling”.
Follow F1 updates at the United States GP as Carlos Sainz takes pole position
F1 US GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING UPDATES
Sebastian Vettel knocked out of Q2, also out: Albon, Gasly, Zhou, Tsunoda
Daniel Ricciardo knocked out of Q1, also out: Magnussen, Ocon, Schumacher, Latifi
Charles Leclerc has a 10-place grid drop for new engine components; Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso have a five-place drop
BREAKING NEWS: Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has died at the age of 78
Christian Horner ‘appalled’ by budget cap cheating accusation from Zak Brown
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Red Bull boss Christian Horner ‘appalled’ by budget cap cheating accusation from Zak Brown
Sunday 23 October 2022 00:59 , Kieran Jackson
A furious Christian Horner admitted he was “shocked and appalled” that McLaren boss Zak Brown accused his team of cheating and said the insinuation has led to children of Red Bull staff being bullied at school.
Horner sat alongside Brown in a fiery press conference supposed to preview Sunday’s United States Grand Prix – the first race since Max Verstappen claimed his second world championship – but it instead centred around the cost cap row which has engulfed Formula One.
Red Bull exceeded last year’s £114million budget cap when they carried Verstappen to his contentious title win over Lewis Hamilton. Although F1’s governing body the FIA is yet to confirm by how much Red Bull overspent, it is understood the figure is £1.8m.
Earlier this week, Brown wrote to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and said a financial breach “constitutes cheating”.
“Obviously Zak’s letter is tremendously disappointing,” said Red Bull team principal Horner. “For a fellow competitor to accuse you of cheating, and to accuse you of fraudulent activity is shocking. It is absolutely shocking that another competitor, without the facts or without any knowledge of the details, can be making those kind of accusations.”
Christian Horner ‘appalled’ by budget cap cheating accusation from Zak Brown
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: George Russell..
Sunday 23 October 2022 00:52 , Kieran Jackson
“We always hope for me. We know qualifying isn’t our strongest point. Step forward.
“This is a long track, tests the cars a lot. We’re trying to understand what we need for the car next year.
“I’m not going to be celebrating because I’m half-a-tenth off. It’s been a tricky couple of races for more. Went to Singapore, problem with the brakes, re-occurred in Japan, we’ve got a bit closer. I definitely don’t feel quite at the level that I was earlier at the season.
“I want to win races, be on pole and fight for Championships. I’m not going to be focusing on Lewis.”
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton...
Sunday 23 October 2022 00:42 , Kieran Jackson
“It was not the first sector for me, not the last one. It was a really difficult qualifying session, was feeling so good, was really hopeful that we’d be much closer than we were. The car was such a handful all of a sudden - I was expecting a bit more.
“These guys, particularly Red Bulls, are much quicker on the straights - on pure pace, the gap stays the same no matter what upgrade we bring. We’ll give it everything we’ve got tomorrow.”
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Here’s the starting grid for tomorrow!
Sunday 23 October 2022 00:32 , Kieran Jackson
1. Carlos Sainz
2. Max Verstappen
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. George Russell
5. Lance Stroll
6. Lando Norris
7. Valtteri Bottas
8. Alex Albon
9. Sergio Perez*
10. Sebastian Vettel
11. Pierre Gasly
12. Charles Leclerc*
13. Yuki Tsunoda
14. Fernando Alonso*
15. Kevin Magnussen
16. Daniel Ricciardo
17. Esteban Ocon
18. Mick Schumacher
19. Zhou Guanyu*
20. Nicholas Latifi
*denotes grid-place penalty
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Toto Wolff...
Sunday 23 October 2022 00:29 , Kieran Jackson
“I think the update worked. For tomorrow, we could be part of some exciting games.
“Austin was never great for us but it’s worked well.”
On Mateschitz’s passing: “He is one of the most incredble entrepreneurs who ever existed. There’s no one like him, a sad day for all of us Austrians.”
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz...
Sunday 23 October 2022 00:20 , Kieran Jackson
“It was fun. Very tricky with the wind, very gusty at every corner. Bit of an adventure, but I put together a good lap without mistakes. Pole was a long time coming.
“For tomorrow, I think Red Bull are still favourites - they have a better race-pace. We’re going to do everything we can to stay ahead tomorrow and win the race which would be an amazing way to end these last three races.”
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc...
Sunday 23 October 2022 00:15 , Kieran Jackson
“The last lap wasn’t great, Carlos did a better job today.”
On Mateschitz’s passing: “It’s a sad loss for motorsport, all my thoughts go to his family.”
“I will give my best, we start 12th with the engine penalty. I’ll give my best, no crazy risks...
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Max Verstappen...
Sunday 23 October 2022 00:10 , Kieran Jackson
On Dietrich Mateschitz’s sad passing: “Hard news for everyone. What he’s meant for Red Bull and the sport, and for me. Really tough, very tough day. We missed out by a little bit.”
“Today in qualifying was very fine margins, if you could switch your tyres on better. But we are there, I’m expecting a good race tomorrow.”
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz is on pole position!
Sunday 23 October 2022 00:04 , Kieran Jackson
Wow, that was dramatic! It looked like it’d be Charles Leclerc for most of that session, but the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz went less than a tenth quicker - and has pole! Only Sainz’s second ever pole in Formula 1... after Silverstone earlier this year!
Max Verstappen third, with Sergio Perez fourth. Hamilton 5th, Russell 6th.
7-10: Stroll, Norris, Alonso, Bottas
A reminder of Leclerc and Perez’s grid drop... meaning Verstappen will start second on the grid with Hamilton third!
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: 2:00 to go in Q3!
Saturday 22 October 2022 23:58 , Kieran Jackson
Lance Stroll with an impressive lap out on his own with the rest of the grid in the pits preparing for their second laps - he goes seventh fastest.
So currently, a top-five of: Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, Verstappen, Perez....
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: 6:00 to go in Q3!
Saturday 22 October 2022 23:56 , Kieran Jackson
It’s a Ferrari lock-out at the moment at the top - Charles Leclerc 0.159 seconds ahead of Carlos Sainz, with a stormer from Lewis Hamilton putting him third, three-tenths down on Leclerc, but ahead of Max Verstappen in fourth!
5-10: Perez, Russell, Alonso, Norris, Bottas, Stroll
A reminder: Leclerc has a 10-place grid drop for the race, meaning it would be a Sainz-Hamilton front row at the moment!
Second runs to come - how much will that order change?!
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Q3 is underway!
Saturday 22 October 2022 23:50 , Kieran Jackson
Plenty of cars out straight away - 12 minutes for the top-10 shootout at the Circuit of the Americas!
Who will be on pole for tomorrow’s United States GP?!
Those in action now: Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Russell, Hamilton, Perez, Alonso, Stroll, Bottas, Norris
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Q2 DONE - VETTEL OUT!!
Saturday 22 October 2022 23:45 , Kieran Jackson
It looked like Lando Norris was out in 11th... until Zhou Guanyu had his lap time deleted right at the end! Hearbreaking for the Chinese driver - for exceeding track limits at turn 12.
11-15 and out of Q2: Albon, Vettel, Gasly, Zhou, Tsunoda
Leclerc and Verstappen seperated by only five-hundredths of a second. Exciting heading into the top-10 shootout!
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: 6:00 to go in Q2!
Saturday 22 October 2022 23:35 , Kieran Jackson
Leclerc, Verstappen and Sainz are the top-three, with the big three teams again dominating the top-six positions.
Currenltly in the bottom-five (11-15): Albon, Tsunoda, Stroll, Gasly, Vettel
Lando Norris just a few hundredths safe at the moment in 10th.
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Q2 is underway!
Saturday 22 October 2022 23:27 , Kieran Jackson
15 minutes in Q2 to decide who will be in the final top-10 shootout at the Circuit of the Americas!
Williams’ Alex Albon, who snuck through in 15th from Q1, is the first man out onto the track...
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Q1 DONE - RICCIARDO OUT!
Saturday 22 October 2022 23:22 , Kieran Jackson
Another nightmare for Daniel Ricciardo in qualifying - he’s out in Q1 in 16th!
Perhaps even more surprisingly, Esteban Ocon is also out... down in 18th!
16-20 - and out in Q1: Magnussen, Ricciardo, Ocon, Schumacher, Latifi
Sainz, Leclerc and Verstappen the top-3. Lewis Hamilton had a lap time deleted but is easily safe anyway in fourth.
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: 2:00 to go in Q1!
Saturday 22 October 2022 23:18 , Kieran Jackson
Current bottom-five (16-20): Tsunoda, Albon, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Zhou
Nicholas Latifi in his Williams in the precarious 15th spot at the moment, with Tsunoda just 0.005 seconds down!
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: 8:00 to go in Q1!
Saturday 22 October 2022 23:14 , Kieran Jackson
All the frontrunners look very safe here - Carlos Sainz is on top, 0.498 seconds ahead of Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc - with Max Verstappen third. Lewis Hamilton 4th, Sergio Perez 5th, George Russell 6th.
More importantly at the bottom: Current bottom-five (16-20) are: Tsunoda, Albon, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Zhou (the Alfa Romeo has had a lap time deleted for exceeding track limits)
Schumacher, Vettel and Ocon are 13-15 and in danger heading into the second runs in a few minutes...
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: We’re underway in Q1!
Saturday 22 October 2022 23:02 , Kieran Jackson
Qualifying begins at the Circuit of the Americas - 18 minutes in Q1 which will see the bottom-five drivers knocked out.
It’s breezy in Austin, Texas, meaning it could well be a challenging session for the grid. Max Verstappen was fastest in FP3 earlier, can he back that up with another pole at COTA?
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Lando Norris insists he would beat Lewis Hamilton if they were team-mates
Saturday 22 October 2022 22:52 , Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris believes he could beat Lewis Hamilton if the pair were Formula 1 team-mates in the future.
The McLaren driver, who signed a lucrative new deal with the Woking-based team at the start of the year until 2025, is currently seventh in the 2022 Drivers Standings, 79 points behind Hamilton in sixth.
Hamilton, who is yet to win a race this year in a frustrating year for Mercedes, has a good relationship with compatriot Norris, often praising his driving skills on team radio.
Yet Norris - coming to the end of his fourth season in F1 and 15 years Hamilton’s junior - insists he could beat the seven-time world champion if they were team-mates in the same car.
Ahead of this weekend’s US Grand Prix, asked the question directly in a video for British GQ, Norris said: “That’s a tough question - I’ve got to say yes.
“By no means would it be easy. Lewis is one of the greatest ever. But if you want to do well, you’ve got to believe you’re better than the rest.”
Lando Norris insists he would beat Lewis Hamilton if they were team-mates
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Red Bull only team to over-spend
Saturday 22 October 2022 22:40 , Kieran Jackson
Last Monday’s announcement from the FIA found that Red Bull were the only team to go over the budget cap in the 2021 season - the same year Max Verstappen controversially won the driver’s championship.
The sport’s governing body found that Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine, AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo, Williams and Haas had all complied with the rule, Aston Martin were guilty of a procedural breach whilst Red Bull breached the procedural and minor overspend limits.
Red Bull now face a penalty - still to be determined by the FIA, while there are reports that the governing body have offered an “Accepted Breach Agreement” to Red Bull.
Red Bull had organised a press conference at the Circuit of the Americas for Friday morning. However, having not engaged in talks with the FIA as planned, that press conference has been postponed for the time being.
This is what could happen to the team:
Minor breach = overspend of less than 5%. Penalties could be:
- Public reprimand
- Deduction of Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship points
- Suspension form one of more stages of a competition
- Limitations on ability to conduct aerodynamic or other testing
- Reduction of the cost cap
Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to the 2021 Drivers Championship by eight points
BREAKING NEWS: Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has died at the age of 78
Saturday 22 October 2022 22:34 , Kieran Jackson
The Austrian co-founded the energy drink in 1987 and was keen on promoting extreme sports from an early age.
In 2004 he took over the Jaguar F1 team and rebranded it to what we know today as Red Bull Racing.
He helped drive his team around from midfielders to world champions in just 6 seasons.
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Budget cap rules ‘need tightening up’ after Red Bull breach, says Martin Brundle
Saturday 22 October 2022 22:29 , Kieran Jackson
Martin Brundle insists F1’s budget cap rules need “tightening up” in the wake of Red Bull’s “minor financial breach” as revealed last Monday.
Red Bull, who have won last year’s and this year’s Drivers Championship with Max Verstappen, say they’re “surprised and disappointed” after the FIA found they were guilty of an overspend of the 2021 cost cap.
Their punishment is yet to be determined, with the options ranging from a fine to points deductions. Aston Martin were also found guilty of a procedural breach, as were Red Bull. Yet Sky Sports pundit and ex-F1 driver Brundle believes the 5% overspend margin - when a breach goes from minor to major - is still too much and the rules need to be “rigid.”
“What seems crazy to me is that a minor breach can be up to 5% overspend on the cost cap at 7 million,” he said on Sky’s Any Driven Monday show.
“We know that’s a massive upgrade on a car, maybe even a B-spec for some teams. So that needs tightening up for starters, because what’s the point in having 140 million, whatever the number ends up being, and then having this five percent variance?”
F1 budget cap rules ‘need tightening up’ after Red Bull breach, says Martin Brundle
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: ESPN and F1 announce new US television deal until 2025
Saturday 22 October 2022 22:14 , Kieran Jackson
Formula One and ESPN have agreed a new broadcast deal in the United States until at least 2025, it has been confirmed.
ESPN has broadcast F1 in the US since 2018 and the new deal will keep commercial-free, live telecasts for all races on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC, all owned by the Walt Disney Co. ESPN Deportes will continue as the Spanish-language home of F1 in the U.S.
The deal comes ahead of Sunday’s US Grand Prix, which will air on ABC. Terms were not disclosed. Under the new deal, at least 16 races will be on ABC or ESPN and all race weekends will include live coverage of practice and qualifying.
ESPN has been the U.S. rights holder in a boom time for F1 and the series will expand its calendar to a record 24 races in 2023. That includes three in the U.S. in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas. Only the Texas race was on the calendar when ESPN took over broadcast rights four years ago.
Last season saw an average of 949,000 viewers, the network said. That has increased to more than 1.2 million tuning in on average over the first 18 races this season.
ESPN and F1 announce new US TV deal until 2025
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: FIA admits error with Pierre Gasly’s tractor near-miss at Japanese GP and changes rules
Saturday 22 October 2022 21:59 , Kieran Jackson
Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, has changed its rules after admitting it made a mistake in sending out a crane at the rain-hit Japanese Grand Prix.
French driver Pierre Gaslysaid he could have been killed after he narrowly missed the tractor deployed to recover Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari.
The FIA launched an investigation into the grisly incident – and while it maintained the correct procedures were followed as laid out at the time – the recovery vehicle should not have entered the circuit as Gasly attempted to catch the rest of the pack in safety car conditions.
The FIA concluded that a recovery vehicle will no longer be allowed on the track until all the drivers are grouped behind the safety car.
Gasly’s near miss came eight years after Frenchman Jules Bianchi crashed into a recovery vehicle in Japan. He died from his injuries nine months later.
FIA admits error with Gasly’s tractor near-miss at Japanese GP and changes rules
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton has F1 movie meeting with Brad Pitt ahead of US GP
Saturday 22 October 2022 21:44 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton dined with Hollywood star Brad Pitt ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix – as the two men continue to plot their Formula One blockbuster.
Hamilton, 37, is producing a new movie which stars Pitt as a former driver who comes out of retirement to coach an up-and-coming talent. Apple has bought the rights to the film with a reported budget of $140million (£125m).
Tucked away inside a private room at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood Restaurant in downtown Austin on Thursday night, Hamilton and Pitt, 58, were joined by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Greg Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media – the American company which owns F1 – was in attendance, as were Hamilton’s father, Anthony and stepmother, Linda. Joseph Kosinski – the man behind Top Gun: Maverick, who will direct the F1 movie – also sat at the table.
Pitt then met with the grid’s other team principals at the Circuit of the Americas on Friday to brief them about the film F1 bosses hope will prove as successful as the popular Netflix Drive to Survive series.
Lewis Hamilton has F1 movie meeting with Brad Pitt ahead of United States GP
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Red Bull boss Christian Horner ‘appalled’ by budget cap cheating accusation from Zak Brown
Saturday 22 October 2022 21:29 , Kieran Jackson
A furious Christian Horner admitted he was “shocked and appalled” that McLaren boss Zak Brown accused his team of cheating and said the insinuation has led to children of Red Bull staff being bullied at school.
Horner sat alongside Brown in a fiery press conference supposed to preview Sunday’s United States Grand Prix – the first race since Max Verstappen claimed his second world championship – but it instead centred around the cost cap row which has engulfed Formula One.
Red Bull exceeded last year’s £114million budget cap when they carried Verstappen to his contentious title win over Lewis Hamilton. Although F1’s governing body the FIA is yet to confirm by how much Red Bull overspent, it is understood the figure is £1.8m.
Earlier this week, Brown wrote to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and said a financial breach “constitutes cheating”.
“Obviously Zak’s letter is tremendously disappointing,” said Red Bull team principal Horner. “For a fellow competitor to accuse you of cheating, and to accuse you of fraudulent activity is shocking. It is absolutely shocking that another competitor, without the facts or without any knowledge of the details, can be making those kind of accusations.”
Christian Horner ‘appalled’ by budget cap cheating accusation from Zak Brown
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: FP3 DONE!
Saturday 22 October 2022 21:02 , Kieran Jackson
Nip and tuck right at the end of the session there... but it’s Max Verstappen at the top of the standings, 0.320 seconds quicker than Charles Leclerc in second!
Carlos Sainz makes up the top-three, with Sergio Perez fourth and Lewis Hamilton fifth - but only half-a-second behind Verstappen! Feint signs of hope for the seven-time world champion.
6-10: Alonso, Russell, Vettel, Stroll, Bottas
McLarens of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo in 11th and 15th respectively.
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: 10 minutes to go in FP3!
Saturday 22 October 2022 20:51 , Kieran Jackson
No change at the top so far - Perez, Hamilton, Verstappen in the top-three, with Max almost losing the rear a moment ago as he starts a flying lap!
However, they will all do their quali runs to finish off now, will the top of the charts change?
4-10: Leclerc, Sainz, Russell, Bottas, Alonso, Vettel, Ocon
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: 30 minutes gone in FP3!
Saturday 22 October 2022 20:33 , Kieran Jackson
It was Lewis Hamilton on top spot for a brief period before Sergio Perez went quicker by 0.110 seconds - Max Verstappen completes the top-three.
4-10: Leclerc, Sainz, Alonso, Vettel, Ocon, Stroll, Russell
Mick Schumacher encountered a problem out on track with his gearbox - he is yet to set a time in his Haas car as the engineers continue to work, will he get out for any running this session?
Daniel Ricciardo also had some issues with his braking, but he’s back out on track now.
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: 15 mins gone in FP3!
Saturday 22 October 2022 20:17 , Kieran Jackson
Bizarrely, only 12 cars have set lap times so far, with some teams perhaps wary of engine usage at this late stage of the season - and after a 90-minute FP2 last night...
Nevertheless, there’s less surprise with the top of the standings early on: Max Verstappen is 0.188 seconds quicker than Carlos Sainz in second, with Charles Leclerc in third.
4-10: Perez, Alonso, Ocon, Hamilton, Russell, Bottas, Norris
Seperately, it has been confirmed that Leclerc and Fernando Alonso will take new engine components this weekend - with grid drops to follow!
Five places for Perez, Alonso and Zhou Guanyu - 10 places for Leclerc.
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: FP3 is underway!
Saturday 22 October 2022 20:04 , Kieran Jackson
After a first practice where a quarter of the field didn’t take part and a second practice used for a Pirelli 2023 tyre test, FP3 today will be key for the drivers ahead of qualifying today - and will give us the most representative leaderboard possible!
The Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were quickest on Friday - can Red Bull and Mercedes respond today?
Full updates to follow...
Saturday 22 October 2022 19:56 , Kieran Jackson
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Lando Norris insists he would beat Lewis Hamilton if they were team-mates
Lando Norris believes he could beat Lewis Hamilton if the pair were Formula 1 team-mates in the future.
The McLaren driver, who signed a lucrative new deal with the Woking-based team at the start of the year until 2025, is currently seventh in the 2022 Drivers Standings, 79 points behind Hamilton in sixth.
Hamilton, who is yet to win a race this year in a frustrating year for Mercedes, has a good relationship with compatriot Norris, often praising his driving skills on team radio.
Yet Norris - coming to the end of his fourth season in F1 and 15 years Hamilton’s junior - insists he could beat the seven-time world champion if they were team-mates in the same car.
Ahead of this weekend’s US Grand Prix, asked the question directly in a video for British GQ, Norris said: “That’s a tough question - I’ve got to say yes.
“By no means would it be easy. Lewis is one of the greatest ever. But if you want to do well, you’ve got to believe you’re better than the rest.”
Lando Norris insists he would beat Lewis Hamilton if they were team-mates
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Red Bull only team to over-spend
Saturday 22 October 2022 19:44 , Kieran Jackson
Last Monday’s announcement from the FIA found that Red Bull were the only team to go over the budget cap in the 2021 season - the same year Max Verstappen controversially won the driver’s championship.
The sport’s governing body found that Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine, AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo, Williams and Haas had all complied with the rule, Aston Martin were guilty of a procedural breach whilst Red Bull breached the procedural and minor overspend limits.
Red Bull now face a penalty - still to be determined by the FIA, while there are reports that the governing body have offered an “Accepted Breach Agreement” to Red Bull.
Red Bull had organised a press conference at the Circuit of the Americas for Friday morning. However, having not engaged in talks with the FIA as planned, that press conference has been postponed for the time being.
This is what could happen to the team:
Minor breach = overspend of less than 5%. Penalties could be:
- Public reprimand
- Deduction of Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship points
- Suspension form one of more stages of a competition
- Limitations on ability to conduct aerodynamic or other testing
- Reduction of the cost cap
Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to the 2021 Drivers Championship by eight points
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton says ‘slap on the wrist’ is not enough for Red Bull
Saturday 22 October 2022 19:29 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton has told Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, that Red Bull must not escape breaking the financial rules with only “a slap on the wrist”.
The build-up to this weekend’s United States Grand Prix – the first race since Max Verstappen claimed his second world championship in Japan a fortnight ago – has been dominated by what sanction Red Bull will be dealt for exceeding last year’s £114million budget cap.
Although the FIA is yet to release details by how much Red Bull overspent when they carried Verstappen to a deeply controversial championship win over Hamilton in 2021, it is understood the figure is £1.8m. The punishments available to the FIA range from a reprimand, to a fine, to a deduction of drivers’ championship points.
The use of the latter would have an impact on last season’s result. Hamilton was denied a record eighth world crown by Verstappen at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. However, is not expected that last year’s championship will be reversed.
But speaking in Austin, Hamilton, 37, said: “I do believe the sport has to do something about this because if the FIA are quite relaxed with these rules then all the teams will just go over [the budget] and spend millions more.
“Only getting a slap on the wrist is not great for the sport. They might as well not have a cost cap in future. I do believe [FIA president] Mohammed [Ben Sulayem] and his team will make the right decisions. I have to believe that. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. I am just focused on doing the best job I can, and what they have done is done. I am looking forward, and looking at how I can win another world championship.”
Lewis Hamilton says ‘slap on the wrist’ is not enough for Red Bull
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Ferrari chief reveals why he believes F1’s ‘credibility is at stake’
Saturday 22 October 2022 19:14 , Kieran Jackson
Mattia Binotto, team principal at Ferrari, fears that Formula 1’s “credibility is at stake” with the budget cap row. Red Bull were found to have overspent in Monday’s FIA findings with their punishment yet to be determined.
The sport’s financial regulations define a minor breach as one less than 5% of the cap, set at $145m (£114m) in 2021, and a material one as more than that. But Binotto is certain that even a minor breach should be taken seriously.
“It’s definitely a shame that we are talking about it in October of the following season, because at this point, apart from implications on last year’s championship, there are also implications for the current one,” the Ferrari team principal told Sky Italia.
“Let’s wait until Wednesday before making a judgement but, whatever amount we are talking about, it’s important to understand that even if it is four million, which falls into the category of what is considered a minor breach, four million is not minor.”
Ferrari chief reveals why he believes F1’s ‘credibility is at stake’
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Lando Norris wants ‘hefty penalty’ for any teams who break F1 budget cap
Saturday 22 October 2022 18:52 , Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris has added his name to a growing list of Formula One drivers calling for a “hefty penalty” for teams who break the budget cap – claiming they would benefit for years to come from any infringement.
Red Bull were found to have overspent in Monday’s FIA findings with their punishment yet to be determined. The sport’s financial regulations define a minor breach as one less than 5% of the cap, set at $145m (£114m) in 2021, and a material one as more than that.
When asked if punishment needed to be swift and severe, the McLaren driver replied: “Of course. I think because teams are trying to find and trying to be as efficient as possible with every single thing that they do, any small amount over is, in any part of Formula One, maybe not huge, but depending on what it is, a big advantage.”
“Considering there has been such a rule implied to make things a bit more comparable for everyone, give all teams a better chance at fighting, then it’s just an unfair stat within the performance of Formula One. There should be a pretty hefty penalty for whoever does cross the line.”
Lando Norris wants ‘hefty penalty’ for any teams who break F1 budget cap
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: ESPN and F1 announce new US television deal until 2025
Saturday 22 October 2022 18:26 , Kieran Jackson
Formula One and ESPN have agreed a new broadcast deal in the United States until at least 2025, it has been confirmed.
ESPN has broadcast F1 in the US since 2018 and the new deal will keep commercial-free, live telecasts for all races on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC, all owned by the Walt Disney Co. ESPN Deportes will continue as the Spanish-language home of F1 in the U.S.
The deal comes ahead of Sunday’s US Grand Prix, which will air on ABC. Terms were not disclosed. Under the new deal, at least 16 races will be on ABC or ESPN and all race weekends will include live coverage of practice and qualifying.
ESPN has been the U.S. rights holder in a boom time for F1 and the series will expand its calendar to a record 24 races in 2023. That includes three in the U.S. in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas. Only the Texas race was on the calendar when ESPN took over broadcast rights four years ago.
Last season saw an average of 949,000 viewers, the network said. That has increased to more than 1.2 million tuning in on average over the first 18 races this season.
ESPN and F1 announce new US TV deal until 2025
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: FIA admits error with Pierre Gasly’s tractor near-miss at Japanese GP and changes rules
Saturday 22 October 2022 17:59 , Kieran Jackson
Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, has changed its rules after admitting it made a mistake in sending out a crane at the rain-hit Japanese Grand Prix.
French driver Pierre Gaslysaid he could have been killed after he narrowly missed the tractor deployed to recover Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari.
The FIA launched an investigation into the grisly incident – and while it maintained the correct procedures were followed as laid out at the time – the recovery vehicle should not have entered the circuit as Gasly attempted to catch the rest of the pack in safety car conditions.
The FIA concluded that a recovery vehicle will no longer be allowed on the track until all the drivers are grouped behind the safety car.
Gasly’s near miss came eight years after Frenchman Jules Bianchi crashed into a recovery vehicle in Japan. He died from his injuries nine months later.
FIA admits error with Gasly’s tractor near-miss at Japanese GP and changes rules
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Budget cap rules ‘need tightening up’ after Red Bull breach, says Martin Brundle
Saturday 22 October 2022 17:43 , Kieran Jackson
Martin Brundle insists F1’s budget cap rules need “tightening up” in the wake of Red Bull’s “minor financial breach” as revealed last Monday.
Red Bull, who have won last year’s and this year’s Drivers Championship with Max Verstappen, say they’re “surprised and disappointed” after the FIA found they were guilty of an overspend of the 2021 cost cap.
Their punishment is yet to be determined, with the options ranging from a fine to points deductions. Aston Martin were also found guilty of a procedural breach, as were Red Bull. Yet Sky Sports pundit and ex-F1 driver Brundle believes the 5% overspend margin - when a breach goes from minor to major - is still too much and the rules need to be “rigid.”
“What seems crazy to me is that a minor breach can be up to 5% overspend on the cost cap at 7 million,” he said on Sky’s Any Driven Monday show.
“We know that’s a massive upgrade on a car, maybe even a B-spec for some teams. So that needs tightening up for starters, because what’s the point in having 140 million, whatever the number ends up being, and then having this five percent variance?”
F1 budget cap rules ‘need tightening up’ after Red Bull breach, says Martin Brundle
F1 qualifying - US Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton has F1 movie meeting with Brad Pitt ahead of US GP
Saturday 22 October 2022 17:16 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton dined with Hollywood star Brad Pitt ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix – as the two men continue to plot their Formula One blockbuster.
Hamilton, 37, is producing a new movie which stars Pitt as a former driver who comes out of retirement to coach an up-and-coming talent. Apple has bought the rights to the film with a reported budget of $140million (£125m).
Tucked away inside a private room at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood Restaurant in downtown Austin on Thursday night, Hamilton and Pitt, 58, were joined by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Greg Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media – the American company which owns F1 – was in attendance, as were Hamilton’s father, Anthony and stepmother, Linda. Joseph Kosinski – the man behind Top Gun: Maverick, who will direct the F1 movie – also sat at the table.
Pitt then met with the grid’s other team principals at the Circuit of the Americas on Friday to brief them about the film F1 bosses hope will prove as successful as the popular Netflix Drive to Survive series.
Lewis Hamilton has F1 movie meeting with Brad Pitt ahead of United States GP
