Don Robbie

What can F1 fans expect in 2022? By Felix Holland At the end of the longest season in F1 history, drivers and teams deserve a well-earned break over the festive period - but they won’t be able to relax for long.  The 2022 campaign starts on March 20 in Bahrain and pre-season testing begins a month before, so teams need to get their skates on if they’re to be ready.  Add in a whole new batch of technical regulations – the biggest rule changes since 2014 – and it’s certainly not going to be a quiet winter.  Everyone might want to see another Mercedes v Red Bull showdown, especially after what happened in Abu Dhabi, but is that going to happen?  Here’s what we can expect in 2022…  A MIXED GRID  With such significant rule changes, F1 is going to look totally different next season.  After eight years of slight evolution, it's back to the drawing board in 2022. All 10 teams are starting from scratch and that will lead to some unpredictable results up and dow...

By Oli Dickson Jefford Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton provided one of the most thrilling battles in F1 history throughout 2021, with the title race hanging in the balance up until the very final lap of the season.   It was a battle that ebbed and flowed throughout the campaign and was stacked with high-quality racing – along with a decent helping of controversy. Verstappen’s charge and ultimate title victory has breathed new life into F1 and anticipation is building for 2022, though this is already a legendary rivalry no matter what happens in the future. F1 is a sport full of classic rivalries, so where does Hamilton v Verstappen rank among those?  Hunt v Lauda, 1976 Many would have learnt about James Hunt and Niki Lauda’s rivalry from ‘Rush’ but for fans of the sport, this is a rivalry many will know like the back of their hand. Heading into the 1976 season Lauda, a hard-working, quiet and understated driver, had the world at his feet after winning his first world title w...

Hamilton's History: Looking back at some of the closest title fights By Charlie Bennett A classic Formula 1 title race has been on the cards since the very first day of pre-season testing, but few saw a year as tense as this.  With 16 wins between them from 20 races, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have dominated the 2021 championship and, as we head for the final chapter of this epic thriller, just eight points separate the two.  Verstappen has the lead but Hamilton has the experience and it's that unquantifiable factor that many think will tip the scales in the Brit's favour. So, as he chases title No.8, let’s look back at some of Hamilton's other title battles.  2007 – A ROOKIE ASSASSIN  With his boyish looks, it’s hard to believe Hamilton turns 37 next month and has been an F1 driver for 14 years.  It’s also easy to forget he once drove for McLaren, who were perhaps the quickest team on the grid when they snapped him up in 2007.   F1 needed a new...

Preview of the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix By Oli Dickson Jefford  Lewis Hamilton will hope to put Max Verstappen under further pressure when the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix takes place this weekend. The title was seemingly heading Verstappen’s way, but a stunning drive from Hamilton in Brazil means that the Dutchman’s lead has been cut to 14 points. With the drivers and constructor’s title races heating up, the 21st race of 2021 promises to provide even more drama. Grand Prix: Losail International Circuit Following the Singapore, Bahrain and Sakhir Grand Prix’s, the Qatar Grand Prix will be the fourth in F1 history to run as a night race. The race was a late introduction into the 2021 calendar, replacing the Australian Grand Prix which was cancelled due to covid-19 restrictions. The Losail International Circuit is 5.38km long and drivers will contest 57 laps on Sunday’s race, with a switch back to standard practice and qualifying after last week’s sprint race. With several nice s...

Mexican Grand Prix Review: Verstappen dominates to extend championship lead as Red Bull close in on Mercedes in constructors' race By Oli Dickson Jefford Max Verstappen edged closer to a first world title with a dominant display at the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday. The Red Bull star holds a 19-point lead over seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton with only four races to go for the Brit to knock the Dutchman off the top of the leader board. Where the race was won and lost Red Bull were favourites to win this weekend, meaning that the Mercedes 1-2 in qualifying led by Valtteri Bottas came as a surprise. Yet, when the race began, it was immediately advantage Red Bull and that never looked like changing. Verstappen eased past both Mercedes cars with teammate and home favourite Sergio Perez also starting well, while Bottas spun and ended up at the back of the field. The Finn was stuck in 18th following the opening lap chaos, and was never able to recover. With Bottas at the back, Ham...