George Russell leads Mercedes One-Two in the Las Vegas Grand Prix 

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George Russell dominated the Las Vegas Grand Prix from pole to podium, securing Mercedes their 60th one-two finish and setting a new milestone in Formula One history with seven drivers winning multiple races in a single season. 

Russell earned his redemption win in Las Vegas after the one pit-stop strategy at the Belgium Grand Prix in which he was later disqualified in the Mercedes one-two for an underweight car. 

In Las Vegas, he won his third Grand Prix equalising title contender Lando Norris. 

Mercedes Formula One Driver, Russell said in a statement: “We had great pace throughout and we were comfortable in the lead.” 

Lewis Hamilton’s remarkable drive from tenth to second helped Mercedes earn their first one-two finish since Russell’s first Grand Prix win at São Paulo in 2022. 

The Las Vegas podium might mark the final Mercedes one-two for Hamilton and Russell before Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Scuderia Ferrari. 

Hamilton has achieved 55 out of 60 Mercedes one-two podiums. 

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The Mercedes cars dominated the free practice weekend, with good timings from Hamilton until practice three, and a continuous top three for Russell. 

Russell dominated by leading 49 of 50 laps, while Hamilton showcased his skills by setting 18 fastest laps as he climbed from tenth to second. 

Hamilton overtook faster cars to drive beside his teammate, including fellow Briton McLaren driver Lando Norris, and Red Bull Championship winner Max Verstappen. 

Trackside Engineering Director, Andrew Shovlin said in a statement: “Lewis meanwhile outperformed all our simulations today to achieve P2.” 

During the three-week Formula One break, there was a debate over Hamilton’s shelf life from Mercedes, with his departure to Scuderia Ferrari after nine years. 

Hamilton set two new records: his 202nd podium finish and becoming the first driver on the podium at 36 out of 38 different tracks. 

His outstanding performance won the fan vote for Driver of the Day in the same Grand Prix that crowned Max Verstappen World Champion. 

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The World Championship title has been a long battle this season with multiple race winners, and McLaren having the dominant car. 

Norris placed sixth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix which made it mathematically impossible for the title fight. 

Max Verstappen placed only one position ahead of Norris earning him the points difference for the 2024 World Drivers Championship. 

Verstappen’s fourth World Drivers Championship title equals him with Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel. 

Hamilton and Michael Schumacher maintain the highest amount with seven titles. 

Despite the title loss, Norris continues his fight for second place in the Formula One Championship against Scuderia Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. 

https://twitter.com/hamiltonprop_/status/1859255665195208816

The mix of the Mercedes drivers at the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the Red Bull World Driver Championship win disprove the long-held belief the faster car always wins in Formula One. 

Norris, driving the fastest car with help from his teammate Oscar Piastri, continued to lead the Constructor Championship for McLaren Mercedes with 608 points. 

Ferrari remains at 584 points with both Red Bull and Mercedes far behind. 

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In the last races of the 2024 season, Hamilton remains the last McLaren driver to win the World Drivers Championship back in 2008. 

As the 2024 season nears the end with only two races left, Mercedes’ resurgence and Hamilton’s endurance in his abilities leave fans and critics wondering what lies ahead for the team without Hamilton and how Hamilton will drive in the Ferrari. 

https://twitter.com/chrissyoriginal/status/1860118073585619274

Chasing Legends or Cheating Legacy? Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and the Fight for a Fair Championship.

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Jenson Button fought against all odds, against the voices that implored he would never make it. He dragged his car to the finish line, and after years of trying, he finally achieved his dream of winning a Championship.

Aryton Senna destroyed himself, his limbs, and his car to become World Champion to the point he could not even hold a trophy above his head. He lost his life chasing Michael Schumacher for the World Championship.

Lewis Hamilton’s parents worked multiple jobs to get him into karting, and Nico Rosberg tried to protect him from racially motivated bullying. Lewis Hamilton was the first Black driver in Formula One, he won nine consecutive podiums in his first nine races, tied Michael Schumacher’s WDC record, and faced adversity at every turn.

Nico Rosberg was determined to prove that he, too, was a World Champion Driver, not in the shadow of his best friend Lewis Hamilton. The man who could only eat the cereal they used to share the weekend leading up to him winning the World Championship.

Max Verstappen was the little boy the Formula One world tried to protect against his father, the youngest-ever driver to win a Grand Prix. A figure that dominated the 2022 season in the same flame as Michael Schumacher.

Oscar Piastri, a future World Champion, was unjustly given team orders to switch with McLaren’s first driver, Lando Norris. The man who dominated Formula 2 and reached the second-highest rookie points after Lewis Hamilton is his teammate in his sixth season. The driver who outperformed in his second season is his teammate in his sixth season.

It is not fair.

If Lando Norris cannot win a championship on his merit, he does not deserve one.

It is a blatant disrespect to past World Driver Champions who fought their entire career for the honour of holding the trophy, fought adversity throughout, and destroyed their cars and bodies to drag across the finish line.

McLaren ordered Oscar Piastri to swap with Lando Norris in the Brazil 2024 Sprint, a crucial race that could potentially determine the outcome of the championship.

Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are fighting this championship in cars that could never compete with a McLaren.

Oscar Piastri has taken orders at his home race since the beginning of the 2024 season to switch with Lando Norris, his teammate at McLaren.

Oscar Piastri deserves a place in the fight for the championship.

Are FIA Penalties Consistent? Analysing the Verstappen Rule, Hamilton’s Experiences, and the Future of Formula One.

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Max Verstappen was handed a twenty-second penalty during the Mexico Grand Prix 2024 for leading Lando Norris off the track with his defensive tactics.

This penalty follows a controversial five-second Lando Norris penalty in the Austin Grand Prix 2024.

After the Austin race, the FIA stewards rejected McLaren’s Right of Review Petition, concluding that Verstappen, as the defending driver, was not required to give Norris room to pass.

Max Verstappen has used this FIA grey area, a term used to describe the ambiguity in the rules that allows for interpretation, to his advantage his entire career.

Following the 2016 United States Grand Prix, the FIA clarified its rules regarding defensive driving, commonly called the Verstappen Rules.

These guidelines include:

  • No Moving Under Braking
  • Safe and Predictable Defence

An illustrative example of these rules being applied against Verstappen occurred during the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton executed a defensive manoeuvre against him.

The disparity in how these rules are enforced raises questions, particularly after Verstappen’s twenty-second penalty in Mexico. While some view the penalty as overly harsh, it also prompts speculation about potential agendas.

Following the contentious 2021 Championship, the FIA acknowledged human error in handling race regulations during the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The race director at the time, Michael Masi, was replaced after the late deployment of a safety car led to a disputed finish, significantly impacting the championship outcome of two drivers with 369.5 points.

The order of unlapping during this incident allowed Verstappen to close the large gap to Hamilton, leading to his dramatic final lap pass.

An additional lap with a safety car was not completed, nor was a complete unlapping.

Only five cars were able to unlap under the safety car.

Throughout the 2021 season, the FIA’s penalties played a pivotal role in the competitive and extremely aggressive landscape. A similar scenario unfolded at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where Hamilton overcame adversity to win. Had Verstappen faced penalties in Brazil akin to those issued in Mexico, the championship’s outcome could have been vastly different.

Max Verstappen’s unchecked aggression by the FIA would have cost Lewis Hamilton his life at Monza 2021 if not for the invention of the halo (followed by Jules Bianchi’s death in the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix).

This only resulted in a three-place grid penalty. In comparison, Pierre Galsy received a ten-place grid penalty for a new power unit, which almost every driver this season has gone over.

The complex relationship between the FIA and Lewis Hamilton has come under scrutiny, particularly regarding allegations of racial bias. As the first and only Black driver in Formula One, Hamilton’s success story has attracted both admiration and criticism, and the perception of differential treatment raises uncomfortable questions about the sport’s integrity.

Why, then, does Lando Norris receive this special treatment and not Lewis Hamilton?

Is there a desire to end Verstappen’s dominance in the same way as Hamilton’s dominance?

Or is there an underlying racial motivation for removing Lewis Hamilton’s eighth world title, which would have placed him above Michael Schumacher?

The FIA must provide clear and consistent guidelines on defensive driving. The Sport can not afford to have rules open to interpretation or manipulation to serve specific agendas.

Clear guidelines will ensure fair and transparent competition, reassuring fans and participants about the sport’s future.

Shifting Gears: The Battle for the 2024 Formula One Championships.

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Amidst the buzz about the Drivers’ Championship contenders, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, a surprising development has emerged: Ferrari, a team not initially in the spotlight, has made a significant push for both championships.

Ferrari’s triumph at the Austin Grand Prix has boosted its momentum and established it as a formidable competitive force. They sit just eight points behind Red Bull, with two drivers battling for podium finishes. Charles Leclerc is proving to be a fierce contender in the title chase.

One thing that sets Red Bull apart from other top teams is the disparity in performance between their drivers. Over the seasons, Sergio Pérez (Checo) has consistently pulled his weight, arguably contributing to Max Verstappen’s World Drivers Championship wins. However, his points took a turn in the 2024 season. This disparity is evident in their individual race performances and the points they contribute to the team.

While the first driver usually scores higher based on skill, the gap between Checo and Max is significantly larger each race than that of any other team.

Three names have repeatedly surfaced among commentators regarding who should leave Formula One:

  • Logan Sargeant for Williams Racing
  • Daniel Ricciardo for Visa Cash App RB
  • Sergio Pérez for Red Bull Racing

Two of these drivers departed midway through the season, yet Checo remains and has renewed his contract for the next season. The departures of Sargeant, Ricciardo, and Pérez stem from performance issues, team dynamics, and contractual negotiations.

This situation is particularly unfair to promising young talents like Yuki Tsunoda, who has consistently outperformed his teammates, and Franco Colapinto, a mid-season F1 debutant who has already demonstrated his ability as a top-tier driver.

This will mark Mercedes’ lowest position in the Constructors’ Championship since 2012. The Mercedes car’s reliability issues have plagued them throughout the season. Following recent car upgrades, both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton spun out during the Austin weekend—an unusual occurrence for either driver.

While McLaren appears poised to win the Constructors’ Championship, the cards favour a fourth title for Max Verstappen.

But this is Formula One; anything can happen, and everything is still to play for.

The Monsequence of another Lando bottled pole: Can Charles Leclerc win the 2024 Championship?

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Data Visual created via Flourish by Skye Collacott Williamson.

The Monsequence of another Lando bottled pole: Can Charles Leclerc win the 2024 Championship?

Charles Leclerc, mathematically, is still in the hunt for the 2024 Drivers’ Championship.

Does the Ferrari driver have what it takes to stop the three-time consequential Champion?

With three race wins to his name this year, he’s overtaken Lando Norris, both in race victories for the season and total career wins. Yet, as impressive as that sounds, closing the gap to Max Verstappen remains daunting.

Charles Leclerc, Prince of Ferrari, is better known as the unluckiest man in Formula One. Ferrari’s infamous inconsistency plagues both Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc.

Time and again, strategic blunders and pitstop errors have robbed him of victories, and nowhere is that more evident than his home race in Monaco.

Twice, Leclerc has qualified on pole in the streets where he grew up, only for Ferrari to squander his chance at victory with poor decisions.

Everything changed in this 2024 season with a historical moment.

The Monsequence: A Historic Home Win

After 70 years of waiting, Ferrari finally delivered in Monaco.

Charles Leclerc became the first Monegasque driver to win on home soil in Formula One history. The long-awaited victory broke a curse and reignited Leclerc’s championship hopes.

It was a symbolic win, not just for Leclerc but also for Ferrari, signalling that they might finally have the package to challenge Red Bull.

This week, Charles Leclerc further demonstrated his drive. He may not have the fastest car, but he is the fastest driver.

Leclerc overtook three cars in Lap 1 of the recent United States Grand Prix in Austin, despite Lando Norris on pole.

While the Mclaren has consistently shown speed, Lando has developed a reputation for faltering under pressure, as we saw earlier this season in Monza. In that race, Norris lost ground to Leclerc and his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri.

Leclerc’s path to the title is mathematically possible with six races remaining, but it’s an uphill battle.

The Path to Victory: What Needs to Happen

For Leclerc to win the championship, the following scenario must unfold:

  • Leclerc must finish 1st in all six remaining races.
  • Norris must finish 4th or lower in those races.
  • Verstappen must finish 5th or lower in the same span.

This is without consideration of DNFs, penalties, or fastest lap points, yet this is a big speculation. Verstappen has proven dominant despite Red Bull letting him down, and he won a sprint race in the Austin GP.

Leclerc, on the other hand, needs everything to go right—Ferrari strategies, including pitstop decisions and race tactics, reliability, and race execution all need to align perfectly.

The Reality: A Battle for Second

While a championship win remains improbable, Leclerc could still secure second place in the standings. His recent form suggests that he can surpass Norris in the final races, provided Ferrari doesn’t falter. Should Norris continue to stumble from the pole and Verstappen remain in a comfortable lead, the fight for runner-up could be where Leclerc shines.

Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond

Even if 2024 doesn’t end with a title, there is a glimmer of hope for the future. Speculations are rife about a potential Ferrari superteam in 2025, with the legendary seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton possibly teaming up with Leclerc.

If this materializes, Leclerc would not only benefit from Hamilton’s mentorship but could also find himself in a more competitive car, capable of consistently challenging for wins.

Maybe all the stars will align in 2025, Leclerc’s fortunes will change, and he will finally have the machinery and team dynamics to mount a serious challenge for the title.

And maybe Lando Norris will come third in the Max Verstappen v Lando Norris championship battle.

Our Last Smile: Daniel Ricciardo’s Final Pit-Stop in Formula One

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This Formula One season has seen two significant changes: Logan Sargeant, a two-season driver with one point replaced half-way through and Daniel Ricciardo, a seasoned driver with eight Grand Prix wins and fourteen seasons replaced after Singapore. Both drivers deserved a more dignified exit from the sport.

A memory resurfaces of a former Red Bull retirement, Sebastian Vettel ended his career with Aston Martin in a beautiful send-off. At the very least, Daniel deserved a Red Bull kick, a symbolic gesture of respect and recognition for his contributions to the team and the sport.

He gave his life, his contagious smile, and his heart to Formula One.

Since the age of nine, Daniel Ricciardo has lived a life where his body and the car are inseparable. At the conclusion of the Singapore Grand Pix, he sat still, unwavering like his resilience. His final connection. His last moments before all his childhood dreams shattered before him, all the times his team disappointed him, and all his sacrifices to assist Max Verstappen. His last race was a tribute point to his former teammate, earning the fastest lap to aid Max one last time in the 2024 championship. This is the last time his body will feel the heat behind a Formula One car, the last point he shall ever receive before they sever the connection between Ricciardo and his car—the brutal amputation.

A Formula One driver without a seat or a car.

‘If a survey could be made of the 22 Formula One drivers to establish who smiles the most, has the sunniest disposition and seems to be generally the nicest guy, Ricciardo would surely be the leader’ – The New York Times. To echo all the drivers, his infectious energy and genuine personality have left an indelible mark on the sport.

Though he never became a World Champion, Daniel Ricciardo’s kindness left a lasting legacy on the world. While Visa Cash App RB may not have given him a proper send-off, his fellow drivers expressed their admiration, a testament to his profound impact on the sport.

‘You leave a legacy of always being yourself, which in this sport is never easy. You’ve taken it all with the biggest smile, and I salute you for it’ – Lewis Hamilton.

‘You’ve been an incredible competitor over the years. Thanks for the many fun battles and the infectious energy you brought to our sport both on and off the track’ This is a heartfelt tribute from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

‘These statistics and accolades are not the only measure of who you are and what you have achieved’—Christian Horner.

In 2010, Daniel Ricciardo made his ‘indelible mark’ during his test session for Red Bull Racing. He raced the fastest time by over a second faster than his future teammate, Sebastian Vettel, a man with four World Drivers’ Championships under his belt. This performance at Abi Dubai in his young driver’s career led to his full-time debut in Formula One at the 2011 British Grand Prix with HRT before joining Red Bull’s sister team, Toro Rosso, in 2012 (now known as Visa Cash App RB).

In 2014, he replaced fellow Australian Mark Webber at Red Bull, finishing third in the championship, ahead of teammate Vettel and at the start of Lewis Hamilton’s domination run. He repeated this result in 2016 during the battle between Nico Rosberg and Hamilton; the struggle of the childhood buddies overshadowed his efforts during the season.

The words Barcelona 2016 enlight two expressions: those who gasp in horror at the notorious Brocedes crash between Nico and Lewis, the distraught at the downfall of childhood best friends turned rivals, and those who smirk, ready to discuss Max Verstappen’s legacy debut race and consequently debut win, becoming the youngest Formula One race winner. However, behind the veil of debuts and lovers’ spats, Ricciardo led the race until Red Bull Racing gave a better pit-stop strategy to the young Max Verstappen.

Tensions between Ricciardo and Verstappen, who is dubbed ‘Mad Max’ for his aggressive driving, escalated in Monaco, resulting in a crash that cost Daniel a potential Monaco win in 2016. Redemption fell in 2018 when Ricciardo finally won the Monaco Grand Prix.

After signing with Renault in 2019-2020, Ricciardo joined McLaren, where he won his last Formula One victory at Monza in 2021, which team principal Zak Brown has tattooed on his arm.

Ironically, in 2023, he was replaced by the younger Australian driver Oscar Piastri at McLaren, echoing his earlier career moves. He returned to Red Bull as a reserve driver before joining Visa Cash App RB in 2024, continuing the cyclical nature of his jounrey.

It comes as no surprise that Liam Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo. However, the situation could have been handled more respectfully. The team principal, Laurent Mekies, suggested it may be his last race, but it was not confirmed.

It was assumed by Christian Horner’s response that Red Bull was using the break between Singapore and Austin to decide on Liam Lawson’s future before his contract finished.

Instead, what remains is Max Verstappen’s ‘Thank you, Daniel’ and the image of Ricciardo savouring his last moments as a driver:

‘The cockpit is something that I got very used to for many years… I just wanted to savour the moment’- Sky Sports.

References :

Hamilton, Lewis. https://www.instagram.com/lewishamilton/ .

Horner, Christian. https://www.instagram.com/p/DAYw6AzMPSz/?img_index=1 .

Mercedes-AMG Petronas. https://www.instagram.com/p/DAYtY1FtSFP/ .

Sky Sports F1. ‘An F1 farewell? 🥲 Teary Daniel Ricciardo’s emotional final moments of Singapore GP’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEB-wzVRFNs . Published 27 September 2024.

Sky Sports F1. ‘Thank you Daniel Ricciardo’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z54bzAWYnSQ . Published 26 September 2024.

Spurgeon, Brad. The New York Times. ‘The Other Side of Mr. Nice Guy’ https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/03/sports/autoracing/the-other-side-of-mr-nice-guy.html . Published September, 2016.