New long-term Ferrari deal for Leclerc imminent, Italian media report
RaceFans Round-up
In the round-up: Leclerc to extend deal with Ferrari – reports • Jaguar opens new Formula E HQ • F4 racer Lacorte joins Alpine academy
Alpine’s third choice narrowly out-scores Ocon in his first season at team
2023 F1 team mates head-to-head
Pierre Gasly took the Alpine seat two other drivers had turned down, then out-scored team mate Esteban Ocon despite being frustrated by the team’s tactics.
Verstappen will make more mistakes if we put him under pressure next year – Vasseur
Formula 1
Frederic Vasseur says that his Ferrari team have to find a way of turning up the pressure on Max Verstappen and Red Bull next season.
Stroll reaches 100 qualifying defeats in 136 starts at hands of latest team mate
2023 F1 team mates head-to-head
Lance Stroll has never out-qualified a team mate over a season of Formula 1. This season Fernando Alonso inflicted his 100th defeat in 136 races.
F1 needs quality events, not “races for the sake of doing them” – Perez
Formula 1
Sergio Perez says Formula 1 must not put races on just for the sake of having races amid concern over the demands of next year’s record-breaking calendar.
F1 should stay ‘sport before spectacle’ despite Red Bull dominance – Wolff
RaceFans Round-up
In the round-up: F1 should be ‘sport before spectacle’ – Wolff • Japan was Verstappen’s favourite victory • Lack of upgrades hurt us – Zhou
Is DRS-baiting dangerous, or a legitimate tactic?
Debates and Polls
Should drivers be allowed to deliberately slow down before DRS detection zones or is it too dangerous? Have your say in our poll.
Alonso wants to team up with me for Le Mans attempt – Verstappen
Formula 1
Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen says that Fernando Alonso has an interest in teaming up with him at Le Mans in the future.
“Benetton: Rebels of Formula 1” book reviewed
Reviews
A new book by Damien Smith covers the story of Benetton long before their current guise as Alpine. But is it worth a Christmas purchase?
Twenty-four races “pushing the bounds” of teams’ capacity – Vowles
RaceFans Round-up
In the round-up: 24 races “pushing the bounds” – Vowles • Hulkenberg expects early ’24 silly season • Fornaroli remains at Trident for F3 2024
Aston Martin “brutal with ourselves” about performance after finishing fifth
Formula 1
Aston Martin say they are not disappointed to have fallen from second in the constructors’ championship to eventually finish in fifth.
Caption Competition 226: AlphaTaur-eye
Caption Competition
What was Liam Lawson doing in the AlphaTauri garage before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix? Can you come up with the best caption for this picture?
Mercedes’ Austin upgrade gives Hamilton hope for stronger 2024
RaceFans Round-up
In the round-up: Mercedes’ Austin upgrades give Hamilton hope • Pirelli announce first compounds for 2024 • Bearman keen for more Haas mileage
Why have Williams kept the faith in Sargeant after heavy defeat to Albon?
2023 F1 team mates head-to-head
Rookie Logan Sargeant was vastly out-performed by his more experienced team mate Alexander Albon this year. Why have Williams kept him?
F1 grid is complete and unchanged for 2024 as Williams retain Sargeant
Formula 1
Williams have confirmed that Logan Sargeant will retain his seat within the team alongside Alexander Albon for 2024.
Alonso’s strong start, Norris’s late surge: Which F1 drivers beat their 2022 scores?
Formula 1
Only one driver increased their points score in 2023 by more than Max Verstappen did. Here’s how they all compared.
Mercedes’ team photo shows we still have a long way to go on diversity – Hamilton
Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton is proud of Mercedes’ efforts to increase the diversity of its staff but says it will be a “long slog” to achieve the results he wants.
Why luck was a factor in Perez’s penalty for “joke” comment
Formula 1
A recent change to Formula 1’s team radio broadcasts means remarks like Sergio Perez’s which got him in trouble could go unheard.
Sauber to run “heritage” identity for two years until Audi’s “big bang” arrival
RaceFans Round-up
In the round-up: Sauber will not run Audi branding until 2026 • More US viewers for Monaco than Vegas • Maloney quickest on second F2 test day
Verstappen’s season was the most successful ever – but was it the most impressive?
Round Table
Was Max Verstappen’s championship winning performance in 2023 the most impressive campaign ever? RaceFans’ writers have their say.