Carlos Sainz Jnr poured scorn on reports which emerged on social media claiming he’d been injured in a football match.
Claire Cottingham's articles on RaceFans
Claire has worked in motorsport for much of her career, covering a broad mix of championships including Formula One, Formula E, the BTCC, British GT and W Series. In doing so, she has worked for an extensive list of companies including the BBC, Channel 4, Formula One, 5 Live, Eurosport, BT Sport and ITV in a variety of roles - including lead presenter, writer, pitlane reporter and a historic role as the first female motorsport commentator on terrestrial TV. Claire’s extensive experience goes far beyond motorsport however, and has seen her cover a wide and varied selection of sports on a local, national and international level - ranging from reporting on county cricket matches through to being part of the Olympic Broadcast Services team for both the Olympic and Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
Verstappen and Perez wary of threat from rivals’ one-lap pace in Monaco
2023 Monaco Grand Prix
Posted onRed Bull’s drivers believe their vulnerability in qualifying could play into their rivals’ hands at the Monaco Grand Prix.
“A shame” Honda are leaving Red Bull for Aston Martin – Verstappen
2023 Monaco Grand Prix
Posted onWorld champion Max Verstappen says it is a “shame” Red Bull’s power unit manufacturers Honda will switch to Aston Martin in 2026.
Ferrari did not make a contract offer to Hamilton, says team boss Vasseur
2023 Monaco Grand Prix
Posted onFerrari team principal Frederic Vasseur firmly rejected reports the team had made an offer to Lewis Hamilton.
“No reason” why Alonso won’t drive an Aston Martin-Honda in 2026 – Krack
2023 Monaco Grand Prix
Posted onAston Martin team principal Mike Krack expects to see Fernando Alonso in one of their Honda-powered cars in the 2026 season.
Mercedes will introduce its planned Imola upgrade for W14 in Monaco
2023 F1 season
Posted onMercedes will not delay the major upgrade planned for its W14 following the cancellation of this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Mercedes face moment of truth as hopes hinge on critical Imola update W14
News Focus
Posted onMercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the W14’s handling as “poisonous” at the last race before they introduce an upgrade package they hope will revitalise their season.
Rookie drivers ‘need three years minimum in F1’ – Tost
2023 F1 season
Posted onAlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost says new Formula 1 drivers need at least three years to prove they can compete at the top level.
Aston Martin radio messages reveal how “older brother” Alonso helps Stroll
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted onFernando Alonso says he is helping Lance Stroll as the younger driver will lead Aston Martin “for the next 10 or 15 years.”
How slashing practice to a single hour in Baku tripped up F1 teams
News Focus
Posted onSeveral F1 teams suffered set-up headaches in Baku after the single practice session was disrupted by a red flag. Do they need more than an hour?
Aston Martin hoping DRS fix works in Miami after Stroll manages fault in race
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted onFernando Alonso’s run of podiums ended at the Azerbaijan GP, but after DRS problems earlier in the weekend he had reason to smile on Sunday.
Red Bull must build a “buffer” over rivals before development cut bites – Horner
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted onRed Bull must extend their points lead over their rivals before they feel the impact of their reduced aerodynamic testing allocation, says team principal Christian Horner.
Too much ‘wasted time’ in new sprint race weekend format – Hamilton
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted onLewis Hamilton believes Formula 1’s new sprint race format could be condensed into two days, while George Russell wants more opportunity to alter set-ups.
Ferrari can’t “bull**** ourself” about gap to Red Bull after podium – Vasseur
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted onFerrari team principal Frederic Vasseur says the team is still well off Red Bull’s pace, despite taking their first podium of the season in Azerbaijan.
Paddock Diary: 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted onFormula 1’s 11th-hour changes to the format of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix did not produce the thriller many hoped for. Claire Cottingham reported from the paddock for RaceFans.
Sainz felt “always very on the limit of crashing” during Azerbaijan GP
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted onCarlos Sainz Jnr felt he was “was always very on the limit of crashing” during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to his lack of confidence in his Ferrari’s handling.
Albon: My front wing looked like a dog had “chewed it off” after Baku clash
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted onAlexander Albon said the front wing of his Williams looked like a dog had “chewed it off” after a clash at the start of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“Overperforming” floor and plank legality fears led to pit lane start for Ocon
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted onAlpine chose to start Esteban Ocon from the pits because they feared he would fail a legality check on his car’s plank if they did not change his A523’s set-up.
Perez just needs to win on a “proper circuit” now – Horner
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted onSergio Perez needs to replicate his form on street circuits at permanent venues, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said following his driver’s win yesterday.
Ocon’s pit lane scare “like a scene from Group B rallying days”
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted onPreventing a repeat of Sunday’s pit lane scare isn’t “rocket science”, says Alpine’s trackside operations director Alan Permane.