Three-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen has been sanctioned for using inappropriate language.

The Dutch driver has had one bad weekend after another (except for his P2 at the last race) and it seems that his F1 car is to blame. Lacking stability at high speed, with severe tire degradation, the Redbull is no longer dominant, and that’s getting on Verstappen’s nerves.

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Max Verstappen sanctioned by the FIA

A few weeks ago, at the Singapore Grand Prix press conference, Max Verstappen let slip some abusive language when talking about his F1 car. He reportedly called it “f****d” after being frustrated with its performance. This did not please the FIA at all, who sanctioned him with 2 days of community service. In response to this sanction, Verstappen had been less than forthcoming and uncooperative at the second press conference. FIA Commissioner Johnny Herbert explained why the FIA had sanctioned the driver. According to him, the conferences are broadcast on an international scale, calmly, and the drivers must be professional by using appropriate language.

Who was Jules Bianchi, last driver to die in Formula 1?

Verstappen: a strong character

The Dutch driver was summoned to explain himself to the FIA during a discussion lasting around 30 minutes. It was reported that he understood and accepted the FIA’s decision, but reacted in a rather unusual way. Indeed, after having been very uncooperative and loquacious during the second press conference, he went and organized his own unexpectedly to express his displeasure. Max Verstappen has a strong character, and although he shows it on the track, he also knows how to show it off the track, as when he had been pushing Esteban Ocon around in the pits following an accident at the Brazilian Grand Prix 2018.

Support from other Formula 1 drivers

Many drivers agree with Verstappen: the decision borders on the ridiculous. Lewis Hamilton even went so far as to say that he wouldn’t comply with the sanction if it were up to him. It’s not the first time that drivers have challenged FIA decisions for events that took place off the track. In fact, in 2022, the FIA tightened the rule that drivers are not allowed to wear jewelry in their F1 cars. Hamilton again, then 7-time World Champion, went to a press conference covered in jewelry to protest publicly.

In my opinion, a banal call to order would have been enough. Usually, when drivers are punished for using foul language, they do it on the radio, in their F1 cars, because it wasn’t intended to be broadcast. You have to distinguish between hot reactions and the choice of vocabulary. I think it’s logical that Verstappen should be called to order, but I find the sanction a little ridiculous because it infantilizes the Dutch driver. Let’s not forget that we’re watching top-level sport, performed by humans under constant pressure.

Ten years ago, Jules Bianchi suffered a tragic accident in Formula 1 at the Suzuka Grand Prix.

Although very rare in recent years, fatal accidents in Formula 1 do happen, reminding us that the sport remains dangerous, and that drivers show immense courage when get in their F1 cars.

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A destiny as a Formula 1 champion

Jules Bianchi was a French Formula 1 driver born in 1989. His interest in motor sport stemmed from his great-uncle, a driver at Le Mans. He began his career in karting, then Formula Renault, where he showed a certain talent. He then joined the Ferrari Driver Academy. From then on, many saw in him the potential to become a world champion, and the ability to drive in Formula 1 for Scuderia Ferrari. Bianchi joined Formula 1 in 2013 with Marussia, one of the smallest constructors on the grid. Despite a weak car, he put in some fine performances, including a P9 at Monaco in 2014.

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The accident of Jules Bianchi

It’s October 05, 2014, during Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. The weather is catastrophic: it’s pouring with rain. Adrian Sutil, then driving for Sauber, loses control of his F1 car and crashes into a safety rail. A mobile crane was brought in to lift and remove Sutil’s car. At the same time, Jules Bianchi also lost control of his F1 car and crashed into the mobile crane. He suffered severe head injuries and spent 9 months in a coma. He died on July 17, 2015. A promising destiny tragically shattered by an accident that highlighted a cruel lack of safety in Formula 1 and motorsport in general.

A fatal crash that will save Formula 1 drivers

Although terribly cruel, his accident will not have been in vain, as it will have helped shake things up in terms of safety by bringing about two major innovations:

• The Virtual Safety Car (2015): virtual deployment of the safety car, forcing drivers to instantly reduce their speed. The VSC saves the many seconds needed to deploy the safety car.
• The Halo (2018): extremely robust titanium structure attached to the car’s chassis, protecting the driver’s head.

The Halo has already saved 3 lives

The Halo has already saved the lives of at least 3 Formula 1 drivers, Charles Leclerc at the Belgian Grand Prix in 2018, Romain Grosjean during his terrible crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2020, and Lewis Hamilton during his crash with Max Verstappen at the Italian Grand Prix in 2021. Despite the progress made in terms of safety, there are still areas for improvement. Sometimes, race management still takes too long to deploy the Safety Car or the VSC, as was the case at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2022. Under the same weather conditions as in 2014, Pierre Gasly (also French) narrowly missed hitting a truck on the track.

Finally, I must point out that Bianchi is the first to die in Formula 1 since Ayrton Senna & Roland Ratzenberger in 1994. There has been just 1 death since 1994, compared with 9 between 1975 and 1995. Let’s hope Bianchi was the last to lose his life in Formula 1.

2024 was the 75th edition of the Formula 1 championship, and to mark the (almost) end of the season, I’d like to pay tribute to the 5 most-used circuits in Formula 1 history.

Suzuka circuit (Japanese Grand Prix)

• Number of times used: 32
• Lenght: 3,60 mi
• Number of corners: 18
• First edition: 1987

The Suzuka circuit is one of the most legendary in the world, thanks to its unusual layout. Shaped like an 8 and featuring a series of “S” bends, it was built in 1962 by Honda as a test track. With the exception of visitor facilities, the circuit has remained virtually unchanged since the 1960s.

It has been the scene of some memorable confrontations, such as Alonso’s incredible overtake on Schumacher in the 130R corner, or Alain Prost’s collision with Ayrton Senna in 1989.

Spa-Francorchamps circuit (Belgian Grand Prix)

• Number of times used: 56
• Lenght: 4,35 mi
• Number of corners: 19
• First edition: 1950

Built in 1921, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit might be the longest Formula 1 circuit still used. Imagine a forest, throw in a few straights, some fast technical corners and you’ve got one of the world’s best-known circuits. This is where you’ll find the most famous series of bends: Eau Rouge and Raidillon. Since its creation, it has been modified to enhance driver safety.

Spa-Francorchamps has been the scene of many spectacular races, such as the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix crash involving over 13 F1 cars, but also of sad tragedies such as the loss of French Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert in 2019.

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Silverstone circuit (British Grand Prix)

• Number of times used: 58
• Lenght: 3,66 mi
• Number of corners: 18
• First edition: 1950

The Silverstone circuit was built on a former World War II airfield. It is probably one of the oldest circuits, having hosted the very first Grand Prix in Formula 1 history. Resurfaced in 2010, its impressive sequence of Maggots, Becketts and Chapel corners can almost be passed flat out by today’s F1 cars.

Recently, we’ve witnessed some spectacular races, including the crash of Chinese driver Guanyu Zhou in 2022, Carlos Sainz’s first win in the same year, and Lewis Hamilton’s first home victory since 2021. What an emotional podium!

Monte-Carlo urban circuit (Monaco Grand Prix)

• Number of times used: 69
• Lenght: 2,07 mi
• Number of corners: 19
• First edition: 1950

Monaco… Formula 1’s most legendary circuit. A must-see event of the season, it is reputed to be the most technical and the most difficult track. Imagine racing through an entire city, taking tight corners between safety rails and mega yachts.

There, it’s the qualifying session that’s most important. For while the lavish event is impressive, the race is usually far less so. Today’s cars are too wide to fight it out on the principality’s streets. Ayrton Senna holds the record of 6 victories in Monaco. And for the first time in history, a Monegasque driver won the Monaco Grand Prix this year. Charles Leclerc won on home soil with a masterful qualifying session and a controlled race. The pride of Scuderia Ferrari fans and of his country!

Monza circuit (Italian Grand Prix)

• Number of times used: 74
• Lenght: 3,60 mi
• Number of corners: 11
• First edition: 1950

Built in 1922 and little modified since, the Monza circuit is one of the oldest circuits still in operation, and perhaps my favorite. Known as the “Temple of Speed”, it features numerous straights and some more recent chicanes introduced for safety reasons. A speed oval was even built but later abandoned.

Here, too, we’ve seen some interesting races and notable victories, such as the french Pierre Gasly in 2020, and Daniel Ricciardo in 2021. With 74 uses, Monza is an iconic circuit that has seen almost every Formula 1 season.

The 5 most frequently used circuits in Formula 1 since 1950 are Monza, Monaco, Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and Suzuka. 4 of these circuits are European logicaly given that the sport was born in Europe.

For the second time in his career, Daniel Ricciardo had to say goodbye to Formule 1. This time, it’s definitive.

It’s retirement time for the 35-year-old Australian driver. After almost a full season with Racing Bulls, the daughter team of Redbull Racing, where he was still No. 1 driver 6 years ago. Considered one of Formula 1’s most promising talents, how did he go from dream to forced second retirement?

Daniel Ricciardo’s promising Formula 1 debut

Recruited by Redbull for testing prior to the 2008 season. He went on to shine for Redbull Racing in Formula Renault and British F3.

In 2011, he returned to Formula 1 with HRT for a year, before joining Redbull Racing’s daughter team Toro Rosso for the following two seasons. Here he was able to showcase his real talent.
In 2014, when Mark Weber retired, he finally became a Redbull Racing driver alongside Sebastian Vettel. This was his most prolific year, winning 3 races and 8 podiums.

In the years that followed, Ricciardo scored another 5 landmark victories, including the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix and the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, as well as numerous podiums. He adopts a bold, aggressive attitude, like a ratel, hence his nickname “Honey Badger”.

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The broken fate of Daniel Ricciardo

After a brief stint with the Renault F1 Team, where he produced no results, he drove for two years with Mclaren F1 alongside Lando Norris. In 2021 at Monza, a spark! The two Mclaren drivers scored the only one-two finish of the season: P1 for Ricciardo and P2 for Norris after a spectacular crash that knocked Hamilton and Verstappen out of the race.

The following year, Mclaren went downhill and failed to produce any results. The F1 car was bad, and with the exception of his victory in 2021, Daniel Ricciardo had one bad weekend after another. He ended up leaving Forumle 1 for the 1st time.

A last chance in F1 that wasn’t enough

His smile and joviality were missed in the paddock, and Christian Horner, head of Redbull Racing, offered him a job as reserve driver for the team that had seen him shine.

In mid-2023, he steps in at last minute to replace Nick De Vries, who was then driving for AlphaTauri, the junior team of Redbull Racing. On his return, however, he suffered a broken wrist in a crash at the Zandvoort Grand Prix, and would only return for the last few races, replaced by the talented young driver Liam Lawson.

This 2024 season will therefore be his last, because despite the idyllic goal of replacing Sergio Perez at Redbull Racing, he continues to post poor results, has less and less confidence in F1 because of its instability, and unfortunately is losing his credibility.

After 8 wins, 32 podium and 3 pole positions, what’s next for Daniel Ricciardo? Indycar? WEC? Vineyard? The opportunities are numerous. He’s already launched his own DR3 wine, and I hear it’s excellent.

In any case, people will remember him as an extremely likeable driver, loved by drivers, the paddock and adored by spectators. As for me, I’ll keep this cap you signed, which I bought from a track marshal in Monaco in 2019… Thank you Honey Badger !

52 points is the gap between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in the F1 Drivers’ Championship, with 6 Grand Prix and 3 sprint races remaining.

Mclaren has already taken the lead from Redbull F1 Team in the Constructors’ Championship, but that’s not enough. In Formula 1, it’s the drivers’ title that counts most. It would be a magnificent achievement, especially as Mclaren hasn’t won a title (driver or constructor) since 2008, and Verstappen was invincible just a few months ago.

If Mclaren makes no mistakes, and Redbull does, Lando Norris could be Formula 1 World Champion in 2024.

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Lando Norris and Mclaren in top form.

The British manufacturer has built a rocket this season, but Norris is also very good and very consistent in his results. After the Singapore Grand Prix, he added 3 wins, 11 podiums and 5 pole positions to his palmares. Only Verstappen has done better, thanks to his excellent start to the season.

With the best driver pairing on the grid maximizing every opportunity, Mclaren leads the Formula 1 constructors’ championship for the first time in over 10 years.

Despite his excellent performances, he could already be ahead of Verstappen if Mclaren had selected him as N°1 driver at mid-season.

Reasons why Lando Norris can’t win the F1 Drivers’ Championship.

In Formula 1, a team can decide to let its drivers fight it out on track, without favoring anyone in the strategy, as Mercedes-AMG does for example, or “sacrifice” one of the two drivers in favor of the other to maximize the potential for gaining points. This is what the Redbull F1 Team has been doing for years now. Mclaren has struggled to make up its mind (and that’s only to be expected when you consider what its team-mate has achieved).
Also, Oscar Piastri is not at the same stage of his career as his team-mate, yet his learning curve seems much faster. If he continues at this pace, he could well overtake Norris in 2025, as he makes very few, if any, mistakes.
Norris is certainly very fast, but sometimes lacks lucidity when under pressure. Of his 5 pole positions, he has only once stayed in the lead after the first lap. Why does he always miss his starts? Many people feel that he doesn’t yet have what it takes to be Formula 1 World Champion.

What’s more, the car has to perform well at every Grand Prix, and there are doubts about that. The Mexican circuit doesn’t seem suited to the Mclaren. Piastri also needs to be both cooperative with his team-mate, and at Verstappen’s level to make him lose precious points. Then Redbull F1 Team can make their car work much better. They’ll probably bring in a package of improvements, and that can be a game-changer. They can catch up with the other constructors, and once again crush all the competition.

But with a bit of luck and a better strategy, Norris could be just a few points behind Verstappen and therefore in a much better position to win the title.

Lando Norris is going to be Formula 1 world champion in 2024.

However, he hasn’t had much opportunity to show his true racing intelligence and agility on the track this year. He’s only been in contact with his opponent a handful of times, and the only time Verstappen and Norris have fought was at the Austrian GP. That ended in a crash and retirement.

Beyond that, Norris has perfect control of his F1 car. He has grip, stability and manages tires to perfection. That’s not been the case with his rivals in recent races. In my opinion, Lando Norris clearly deserves his place in the standings. He can win the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship because he still has enough opportunities to score big points.

I don’t think Verstappen will systematically finish second over the next 9 races (6 races + 3 sprint races). Redbull seems to have recovered its performance, but Scuderia Ferrari continues to be a front-runner and Oscar Piastri continues to perform well in most races. There are 6 GPs left before the end of the season, and I think Mclaren will accept that Norris’ interests must come before Piastri’s.

If Lando Norris wants to be F1 World Champion, he has to do it this year, because next year it may be too late. The performances of the top 4 teams are tightening up, his team-mate Piastri will be experienced enough to try his luck, and 2026 will mark the start of new regulations, with all-new F1 cars. This will put all the manufacturers on an equal footing.

Whatever happens, I hope the title goes down to the very last Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, just as it did in the 2021 Formula 1 Championship, when Hamilton lost his 8th drivers’ title on the last lap. We’re almost there!

We’ve been waiting for it – rumors have been persisting in the paddocks for several months – Alpine is stopping its Formula 1 engine development program by the end of 2025 season. Goodbye, Renault E-Tech RE24.

How did Alpine get here?

In 2022, F1 regulations implemented an engine development freeze, locking in power unit designs until 2026.

In concrete terms, this meant that from 2022 onwards, engine constructors were no longer allowed to modify their power unit to increase their power. The problem was that Renault, which develops the engine for Alpine F1 Team had failed in its initial development and suffered from a cruel lack of power compared to the other engines on the grid. In Formula 1, a few less horsepower means many fewer mph at the end of the straight, and therefore less performance.

Not great in a discipline where you must overtake your rivals to win.

The management of the Alpine F1 Team, under the direction of Luca de Meo (Renault), has therefore decided to abandon their in-house engine development program and plan to purchase a new engine to install in their F1 car. Apparently, this new engine will come from Mercedes-AMG.

As a result, Alpine F1 Team is expected to save tens of millions of dollars, as the engine supply contract is expected to cost between $15M and $20M, compared with over $100 million to build the engine themselves.

The news out of Alpine with France-based Renault power unit programme to cease operations after 2025 🚨📰#F1 https://t.co/shtjqGJkmh

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2024

A reminder of the engines currently on the grid.

For the 2024 season, apart from Renault’s E-Tech RE24, only 3 different engines are on the grid:

• The Mercedes M15 E Perfomance powers Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, of course, as well as Mclaren, Aston Martin and Williams F1 Team.
• The Ferrari 066/12 powers Scuderia Ferrari, Stake F1 Team and Haas F1 Team.
• The Honda RedBull Powertrain RBPTH002 powers the two Redbull teams (which should change by 2026).

Why is it such a shame for Alpine and for France?

Renault has been developing and manufacturing Formula 1 engines since 1977. This French team has won numerous races and titles, notably during the great era of Fernando Alonso and Flavio Briatore in 2005 – 2006 with the formidable naturally-aspirated V10.

Until now, the Alpine F1 Team has been split into 2 entities: the chassis department in Enstone, England, and the engine department in Viry-Chatillon, France. For the chassis department, nothing to report, but for the engine department, this means that many employees will have to be mobilized on new projects that exclude Formula 1. The Viry-Chatillon center is to be converted into a high-tech development center for Alpine’s other Motorsport divisions. These include WEC and F2.

It’s a shame for France, which is losing its only Formula 1 development center. A French F1 car developed abroad doesn’t look good. Let’s at least hope that this heavily symbolic amputation will enable the Alpine F1 Team to get back on its feet in 2026.

So, what’s the plan?

Luca de Meo, Managing Director of the Renault Group, has made up his mind: no more Alpine engines. This raises the question of whether his objective is broader than simply restoring power to the F1 car. By saving tens of millions of dollars and teaming up with masters in the art of team management like Flavio Briatore to turn things around (despite the mess he was in), Alpine’s management seems intent on restoring some economic value to the team.

De Meo has denied that he wants to sell the Alpine F1 Team. Let’s hope, then, that this patrimonial sacrifice serves a purpose! See you in 2026 to find out.

Only two weeks left until the USGP, so in the meantime, here are 5 (very) good reasons to watch the second national F1 event of this exciting season, which takes place on October 20, 2024!

1- The F1 drivers’ championship has never been so hotly contested this year.

Max Verstappen now has a lead of just 52 points over second-placed Lando Norris. A lead that seems to be shrinking weekend by weekend, although thanks to his performance at the Singapore GP, the Dutch driver can now finish 2nd in every race and still remain champion.

Indeed, Daniel Ricciardo, by taking the fastest lap point from Norris, deprived him of one precious point that could have won him the championship if he had won all the forthcoming races. Now he has no choice : win everything and pray that Verstappen makes a mistake.

2- Circuit of the Americas, a legendary track.

Near Austin, Texas, the Circuit of the Americas is a legendary track on which F1, Moto GP, Nascar and WEC endurance prototypes race. The 3.427-mile and 20-turn track was designed by architect Hermann Tilke, and is based on some of the best-known circuits, including Silverstone, Interlagos and Suzuka. Its spectacular gradient is the 3rd highest of the season, after Spa and Suzuka.

3- The constructors’ championship is still up for grabs!

Who will be crowned, Mclaren or Redbull?

Mclaren leads the championship for the first time since 2014. With 516 points, the British team leads Redbull by 41 points. That sounds comfortable, but in the constructors’ championship, the gaps can change quickly! A crash, a puncture or a race event can very well reverse the trend. Who will emerge victorious at the end of this GP? The trend seems to be in Mclaren’s favour, with 2 drivers still on top form. Not so for Redbull…

4- Ferrari and Mercedes will bring trouble.

Neither was able to win the Singapore GP. The Ferrari drivers drove a very good race despite a disastrous qualifying session, while the 2 Mercedes drivers made the most of their weekend. Even if neither team finishes first in the constructors’ championship, there are still some big points to be won, which will inevitably spice up the battle for the drivers’ championship!

5- Return of the Sprint format!

The next Sprint race of the season will be in Austin, at the USGP on October 19. There will be two separate races this weekend. With a much shorter duration than the Sunday race, drivers are on maximum attack and taking more risks. But be careful not to take too many, because as we said earlier, the drivers’ championship is going to be decided down to the last point this year, and you don’t want to waste any of it!

The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix promises to be exciting, and will mark the start of a triple header, i.e. 3 grand prix weeks in a row! See you on Thursday, October 18 for Free Practices!

Other questions on the 2024 Formula 1 US Grand Prix :

What is the schedule for the 2024 Formula 1 US Grand Prix?

• 10/18: Free Practice 1 – 12:30 pm
• 10/18: Sprint Qualifying – 04:30 pm
• 10/19: Sprint Race – 01:00 pm
• 10/19: Qualifying – 05:00 pm
• 10/20: Race – 02:00 pm

Who will win the 2024 US GP?

Given the current momentum, it looks like Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri.

What year was COTA built?

Circuit Of The Americas was built from 2010 to 2012 and opened in 2012.

When is the next 2024 F1 race?

The next F1 race will be the Mexican Grand Prix on October 27, 2024.