Charles Leclerc says it was not until after the Belgian Grand Prix that he accepted his world championship hopes were over. The Ferrari driver had started the campaign in great shape, winning two of the opening three races of the season to open up an early title lead.<\/p>\n
However, a mixture of Red Bull\u2019s strong recovery as well as a combination of his own and Ferrari’s mistakes, plus reliability allowed Max Verstappen to steadily pull clear as the season wore on. But while Leclerc’s hopes faded away, he says he still maintained hope of carrying on the fight right up until Verstappen’s total dominance of the Spa weekend.<\/p>\n
It was after Spa, that the Ferrari driver started to accept that realistically the chances of winning the title were over. At that race, the Dutchman was in a class of his own as he led home teammate Sergio Perez for a Red Bull 1-2.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Motorsport.com about when he finally accepted the title was no longer a possibility, Leclerc said: “Many people believe that this moment is the French Grand Prix, but for me it was in Spa. During the summer break, I believed that we still had the possibility to stay in the race until the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen the Belgian Grand Prix arrived and it was the first weekend of the season in which Red Bull was truly superior in terms of pace. After that weekend I thought it would be very difficult to keep our chances intact in the world championship\u201d<\/p>\n
The Monacan says the areas where the team needs to improve are, tyre management, communication, strategy and reliability, which they struggled with in the first half of the season. However, he says there has\u00a0 been progress, although he accepted their were sometimes \u2018less obvious\u2019 choices.<\/p>\n
He added \u201cAs far as tyre management is concerned, we still have to make some progress. We have seen a stronger Red Bull on this front, especially in specific conditions, such as at Suzuka. In summary, we know what we are missing, and on some fronts, I am already seeing steps forward.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Carlos Sainz is talking about reinvention; about reconfiguring his entire approach to driving to try to get on terms with his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc this year. Despite Ferrari\u2019s difficult second half of the season, the Spaniard has taken his first pole position and victory.<\/p>\n
However, the big concern for this thoughtful perfectionist has been that for a long time in 2022 he struggled to meet his own high standards. Sainz told BBC News, \u201cIt has been an extremely challenging season for me. I found a lot of setbacks at the beginning of the year with this new car, with the new regulations, that didn’t adapt to my driving style.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to reinvent myself in many ways to try and find the pace. I didn’t give up. I kept pushing even in the difficult moments, and you can see it paying off now at the end of the season in terms of speed.\u201d Sainz can be described as honest, self-critical, humble, determined, and hard-working, however, he has found it difficult to adapt to the 2022 cars which hasn\u2019t helped given Max Verstappen\u2019s dominance this season.<\/p>\n
Sainz’s struggles manifested themselves in Leclerc’s overwhelming superiority in the first part of the season. The car has an oversteer balance – where the rear is loose and tends to move and slide – which Leclerc loved but Sainz could not handle as well.<\/p>\n
Leclerc out-qualified Sainz in the first eight races in a row, at an average advantage of 0.265 seconds, as the older man struggled with the characteristics of the car.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have never been 0.2-0.3secs off any team-mate in F1 and I can never accept that,\u201d says Sainz, who was actually marginally faster than Verstappen in qualifying when they were team-mates at Toro Rosso at the beginning of their careers, and neck-and-neck with Norris at McLaren in 2019-20.<\/p>\n
He says he believes that he is quick in any car, but this year he found himself with a car he wasn\u2019t comfortable with but competitive. In finding a suitable driving style he explained he needed to find new ways of driving and he wishes everything had been more natural. For Sainz, it was a case of \u2018trial and error\u2019 which allowed him to \u2018discover\u2019 a new path.<\/p>\n
Gradually, things began to come together for Sainz. He fought for victory with Verstappen in Canada, just losing out, in a race Leclerc started from the back with an engine-related grid penalty.<\/p>\n
Then, at the British Grand Prix, came that first pole, won superbly in the wet, with Leclerc third behind Verstappen. That was partly because Ferrari wrecked Leclerc\u2019s chances with a strategy error.<\/p>\n
In the second half of the season, Sainz has out-qualified Leclerc four times through the Monacan and has been on average a hundredth quicker. Against a man some regard as perhaps the fastest in F1 over one lap, it is some achievement.<\/p>\n
Sainz beat Leclerc in Mexico, but the strong trend this year is that Leclerc has been the faster Ferrari driver in races, even in the second half of the season, after Sainz made his progress in qualifying. Sainz is happy to admit that is an area in which he needs to progress.<\/p>\n
He explained that his race execution this season has been weaker partly because he has struggled with the new tyres, meaning he is more limited on his strategy more than he was at McLaren.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has described Max Verstappen\u2019s second championship as the most dominant performance he has seen from a driver. The Dutchman took his second title as well as breaking the record for most wins in a season, with him having fourteen wins with two races to go.<\/p>\n
While single-team domination is quite common in Grand Prix racing, Horner reckons that the nature of Verstappen\u2019s charge stands out this year.<\/p>\n
Asked by Motorsport.com, if he felt 2022 was the most dominant campaign from a single driver that he had ever seen, Horner said: \u201cThere\u2019s been years of domination with Mercedes, but I think as an individual driver, probably yes. He\u2019s won the most Grands Prix in a year now, within twenty-two races.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cOn top of that, he\u2019s won two sprint races, and he\u2019s not won all of them from pole position. He\u2019s had to fight and race for a lot of those victories. I think when we look back at the end of the year, it is an absolutely outstanding year that Max has driven.\u201d<\/p>\n
Horner believes that Verstappen hasn\u2019t put a wheel wrong, saying its incredible the level of consistency he has achieved. With Red Bull having won the constructors\u2019 championship, its title double is the first since the glory years it enjoyed with Sebastian Vettel from 2010 to 2013.<\/p>\n
Comparing the two drivers, Horner reckons that Verstappen is not given the praise he deserves considering just how well he is performing right now. He says they are two phenomenally successful drivers and what makes Verstappen is achievements puts him amongst one of the greats and most successful drivers in the sport.<\/p>\n
Adding, \u201cI actually think his achievements sometimes don\u2019t receive the plaudits that they should, because I think actually, what we\u2019ve witnessed this year, is an absolutely outstanding performance from a driver that is very much at the top of his game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Horner believes that Red Bull deserves some credit for having helped produce the cars and performance to have allowed drivers like Verstappen and Vettel to shine.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lewis Hamilton has been made an honorary citizen of Brazil on Monday by the country’s lower house of Congress and dedicated it to his boyhood idol, the late Brazilian triple-world champion Ayrton Senna.<\/p>\n
The seven-time champion Brazilians by unfurling the Brazilian flag from his Mercedes during the slowing down lap after winning the last year at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit and later carrying the flag onto the podium.<\/p>\n
“I feel like now I’m one of you,” the Mercedes driver said in a crowded session of Congress packed with admirers in Brasilia days ahead of this weekends in Sao Paulo Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
Hamilton took his first championship at Interlagos in 2008, in one of the most dramatic final laps in the sport’s history he passed Timo Glock at the final corner taking fifth thus securing the championship by a point.<\/p>\n
A smiling Hamilton, wearing a royal blue suit, received Brazil’s legislative medal of merit, a diploma and made a speech thanking his fans and dedicating the honour to Senna.<\/p>\n
Hamilton said, \u201cI have so many amazing memories of Brazil, and particularly 2021. Knowing you guys would cheer me on the way was one of the most special moments of my entire life. I can’t wait for us to continue to strive ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the ceremony, congressmen also highlighted Hamilton’s social activism, including his defence of minority groups and environmental causes. Hamilton pledged to continue pushing for diversity and said that visiting the Amazon rainforest was one of his dreams.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pierre Gasly thinks it is too early to know whether or not current teammate Yuki Tsunoda has what it takes to lead Alpha Tauri next year. The Frenchman will leave the team to join Alpine, he will be replaced by Nyck de Vries.<\/p>\n
But having built up a good friendship with Tsunoda during their two years together, he is hopeful that the Japanese youngster can overcome his weaknesses and prove himself a strong asset going forward.<\/p>\n
Asked in Mexico if he felt Tsunoda has what it takes to be a team leader, Gasly said: \u201cI think only time will tell whether he’s got what it takes to lead the team. His path to F1 was kind of fast forward. He went F4\/F3\/F2, and straight to F1 at quite a young age, with not so much experience. So I think only time will tell.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut for sure he has improved massively this year. [I would] not be surprised to see him improving again next season. I think he knows what he needs to work on, a bit of self-control.\u201d Gasly says that Tsunoda has good people around him, and the environment is right for him to develop in.<\/p>\n
Though he is leaving the team, Gasly says he will continue to remain in touch with Tsunoda. They live in the Milan area of Italy and the Frenchman is sure they will catch up over the winter. He says he really appreciates their being \u201cno bull***\u201d from his current teammate.<\/p>\n
Adding \u201cHe is a very unique character, he’s got a great sense of humour, no filter, which can be quite surprising at times. He’s a great human being.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Formula One could be destroyed, that\u2019s the warning from FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, if online abuse, including death threats, against volunteers and officials, was left unchecked.<\/p>\n
Ben Sulayem in a piece on the governing bodies website, said a female steward recently received death he said threats while staff had been targeted with harassment and hate posts for years. He wrote \u201cThe level of sustained toxicity has reached crisis point. It is time for all of us to unite – and to act.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spanish race steward Silvia Bellot was targeted after double world champion Fernando Alonso was penalised in Austin and then reinstated a few days later on review. The Emirati described the abuse as \u201cutterly deplorable\u201d towards the volunteer.<\/p>\n
He says \u201cWe have to ask ourselves, who would want to pursue becoming a top official in this environment? The reality is obvious, if this continues it will destroy our sport.”<\/p>\n
The president said the FIA was talking to social media platforms and working with governments and other sports governing bodies “to make strong commitments for joint action.”<\/p>\n
The FIA had also commissioned research into online abuse in sports and partnered with technology platform Arwen to detect and remove abusive content through the use of artificial intelligence software.<\/p>\n
Analysts of online platforms have suggested that the sports younger audience driven mainly by the Netflix series Drive to Survive, has become more tribal.<\/p>\n
Last season’s final race triggered a huge controversy with Max Verstappen denying Lewis Hamilton a record eighth title after then FIA race director Michael Masi changed the safety car procedure. Masi revealed in July he had received online death threats, while Verstappen and Hamilton spoke out in Mexico this month about social media becoming increasingly toxic.<\/p>\n
Formula One in July launched a “Drive it Out” initiative after incidents of racist and homophobic behaviour by spectators and the sexual harassment of female fans at races.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This weekend marks the start of the final double header and races of the season, one question remains can anyone stop Max Verstappen from taking a clean sweep in the second half of the season? That on paper given the form we have seen and the strength of Red Bull I think it is difficult in normal circumstances for them to be beaten they have been strong in races and that should also help them in the sprint on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Ferrari, have been Red Bull\u2019s biggest challenger this is going to be a big test in Mexico City they looked to really struggle at altitude. This is the second highest circuit on the calendar so you need to wonder what lessons did they learn, can they make progress and get everything right to challenge for victories.<\/p>\n
Mercedes, as we know have been stronger in the races and if they have a good sprint and end up ahead of the Ferraris it will be interesting to see if they can get close to Red Bull. This whole weekend is going to be about strategy, on paper it\u2019s a circuit with so many variables, grass, gravel and weather strategy making the right decisions at the right time.<\/p>\n
Interlagos has in recent years created close racing and it has been an outlier, you need to wonder is that going to lead to more great scraps between the likes of Alpine, McLaren and Alpha Tauri? They could score big here given the variables and while the French manufacture has one hand on fourth, can their rivals cause upset?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Spa where the championship was over \u2013 Leclerc Charles Leclerc says it was not until after the Belgian Grand Prix that he accepted his world championship hopes were over. The Ferrari driver had started the campaign in great shape, winning two of the opening three races of the season to open up an early title<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9831,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[51,122,124,304,306,369,390,412,675,707,709,712,754,1283,1298,1360,1544,1584,1637,1642,1766,1768,1769,1843,1862,1987,2186],"class_list":["post-11283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-analysis","tag-51","tag-alpha-tauri","tag-alpha-tauri-red-bull","tag-brazil","tag-brazilia","tag-carlos-sainz-jr","tag-charles-leclerc","tag-christian-horner","tag-f1-today","tag-fernando-alonso","tag-ferrari","tag-fia","tag-formula-one","tag-max-verstappen","tag-mercedes","tag-mohammed-ben-sulayem","tag-pierre-gasly","tag-prixview","tag-red-bull","tag-red-bull-racing","tag-sao-paulo","tag-sao-paulo-gp","tag-sao-paulo-grand-prix","tag-lewis-hamilton","tag-social-media","tag-the-weekend-ahead","tag-yuki-tsunoda"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.f1vault.co.uk\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.f1vault.co.uk\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.f1vault.co.uk\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.f1vault.co.uk\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.f1vault.co.uk\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11283"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.f1vault.co.uk\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11283\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.f1vault.co.uk\/index\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.f1vault.co.uk\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.f1vault.co.uk\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.f1vault.co.uk\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}