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 In his 15th season in F1, Lewis Hamilton produced perhaps the greatest drive of his career in Brazil. Everything had gone against the seven-time world champion in the early stages of the weekend, as he was forced to start at the back of the grid for sprint qualifying. And even after his stunning performance in that, a five-place grid penalty meant he dropped from fifth to tenth for yesterday’s starting grid.  But that extra barrier was no issue, as he stormed up the field to seal one of his greatest victories - and keep his title hopes alive. Hamilton closes in on title race Momentum was definitely with Max Verstappen in the title battle, who had won the past two races and took a 21-point lead to the starting grid. The Dutchman was fancied by many to win this weekend and started Sunday’s race well ahead of Hamilton in second place. He instantly took the lead from Valtteri Bottas but could not stay ahead of a charging Hamilton. The weekend was not without cont...

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...

 Seat changes - a round-up of all the driver changes across the F1 landscape, with just one driver yet to be confirmed By Oli Dickson Jefford Another year, another F1 driver merry-go-round. Every season brings intrigue about which drivers may leave the sport, who may or may not keep their place at the team, and who will move elsewhere. While seven teams have decided to retain their 2021 driver line-up, three teams have made changes... The Finnish line: Bottas replaces retiring Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo were likely to change at least one driver, and they were the first team to confirm a new  face  with Valtteri Bottas joining the team. Bottas is replacing fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who confirmed he is calling time on his F1 career following months of rumours. A ten-time Grand Prix winner, 32-year-old Bottas brings an experience to Alfa Romeo that will be crucial as the team look to build a more competitive car. His move left a gap at Mercedes, and many people’s d...

By Oli Dickson Jefford Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s title battle continues this weekend at the US Grand Prix in Texas. After Valtteri Bottas’ win at the Turkish Grand Prix, race 17 of the 2021 season takes place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin this Sunday. With a sellout crowd and the first proper title fight in several years nearing boiling point, a cracking weekend of racing is set to take place. Grand   Prix   Profile The first American   Grand   Prix   was held back in 1908, and it has intermittently been a part of F1 in the championship’s 71-year history. Iconic circuits such as Watkins Glen and Indianapolis have previously held the   US   Grand   Prix , but since returning to the calendar in 2012 it has solely been held in Austin. The Circuit of the Americas has grown in popularity since its introduction, with an electric atmosphere guaranteed and some high-quality races in the past decade. The 5.5km long circuit features two...