Mark Webber explains why his protege Oscar Piastri is likely to be snubbed by Formula 1 even as he closes on his third title in as many seasons.
Dieter Rencken's articles on RaceFans
Dieter Rencken has held full FIA Formula 1 media accreditation since 2000, during which period he has reported from over 300 grands prix, plus other categories such as World Rally Championship, MotoGP, World Endurance Championship, World RallyCross Championship and Formula E for a variety of media outlets. He joined racefans.net as special contributor in 2018. Dieter is recognised as an authority on global motorsport politics and economics. He writes the annual 'What F1 Teams Spend' and F1 earnings guides and his weekly columns provide behind-the-scenes analysis of the sport. In 2012 he first unpicked F1’s previously opaque financial and governance structures, and has been credited with bringing much-needed transparency to F1. He has 'scooped' several of the sport’s biggest news stories, including the Aston Martin/Red Bull Valkyrie project, Haas F1’s formation, Carlos Sainz Jnr's shock move to Toro Rosso, Fernando Alonso’s Daytona and Dakar entries, and, more recently, Canadian Lawrence Stroll’s acquisition of Force India (Racing Point) and his subsequent take-over of Aston Martin.
How F1 politics is scuppering its efforts to court a new engine manufacturer
RacingLines
Posted onRivalries, clashing priorities and unintended consequences look likely to frustrate F1’s hopes of attracting a new engine manufacturer.
Herbert on his painful debut, Schumacher’s title-winning Benettons and more
My F1 Cars
Posted onAfter a brave F1 debut with Benetton, Johnny Herbert returned to the team to become a race-winner. He shared his career in cars with RaceFans.
US driver great to have but not essential, says Miami F1 race promoter
2021 F1 season
Posted onThe Miami Grand prix promoter says it isn’t essential to F1’s popularity in the USA for it to have an American driver.
“So many people love him”: Raikkonen’s rivals pay tribute to retiring champion
2021 F1 season
Posted onKimi Raikkonen’s past team mates and rivals paid tribute to the world champion who has confirmed he will retire at the end of year.
F1’s 2022 calendar plans revealed: 23 races, three ‘triple-headers’, shorter Monaco weekend
News Focus
Posted onFormula 1 is planning a record 23 races in 2022 plus three more triple-headers, while the Monaco Grand Prix weekend will be shortened.
F1 teams want increase for “extremely challenging” 790kg limit in 2022
2022 F1 season
Posted onFormula 1 teams are pushing for a further increase in the minimum weight limit for next year’s cars, which are being designed to new technical regulations.
Friday qualifying needs earlier start after “nearly dark” Monza session – Ricciardo
2021 Italian Grand Prix
Posted onFormula 1 shouldn’t hold qualifying as late in the day as it did at Monza last week, says Daniel Ricciardo, who was concerned by fading light during the session.
Drivers suggest sprint qualifying format changes after processional second race
2021 Italian Grand Prix
Posted onFormula 1 drivers have suggested changes to the series’ sprint qualifying races following a processional second running of the format at Monza.
“There’s still five in front of me”: How Raikkonen reacted to sixth on his debut
Interview
Posted onLongstanding Sauber team manager Beat Zehnder shares his favourite memories of Kimi Raikkonen throughout his 21-year F1 career.
Sainz pleased for McLaren despite “worst possible” result for Ferrari
2021 Italian Grand Prix
Posted onCarlos Sainz Jnr congratulated his former team McLaren on ending their eight-year win-less streak at Monza, but admitted the result is a blow for Ferrari.
Kubica saw “more Polish flags than Italian” at Monza
2021 F1 season
Posted onRobert Kubica was surprised by the amount of Polish support which appeared for him in his second appearance for Alfa Romeo last weekend.
Exclusive: Michael Masi on his first 50 grands prix as Formula 1 race director
RacingLines
Posted onThrough tragedies, wash-outs and even a pandemic, Michael Masi’s first 50 grands prix as Formula 1’s race director have proved relentlessly demanding.
Drivers need to be discouraged from taking out rivals – Wolff
2021 F1 season
Posted onMercedes team principal Toto Wolff says Formula 1 drivers need to be discouraged from deliberately tangling with rivals to prevent them scoring points.
Sprint trial “progressing in the right direction” – Domenicali
2021 F1 season
Posted onF1 CEO Stefano Domenicali remains pleased with the sprint qualifying format despite the poorly-received second running of the event at Monza.
Red Bull were advised Perez should let Leclerc past – Masi
2021 Italian Grand Prix
Posted onSergio Perez could have avoided his five-second time penalty in the Italian Grand Prix if his Red Bull team had heeded the words of Formula 1 race director Michael Masi.
Hamilton-Verstappen crash was ‘a racing incident, no danger’ – Alonso
2021 Italian Grand Prix
Posted onFernando Alonso said he saw no malicious intent and no danger in the collision between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen at Monza.
Why the ‘Leclerc precedent’ didn’t spare Ocon a penalty for Vettel clash
2021 Italian Grand Prix
Posted onEsteban Ocon was surprised to receive a penalty for an incident with Sebastian Vettel during the Italian Grand Prix, as he believed a previous case showed he would go unpunished.
Paddock Diary: Italian Grand Prix part two
2021 Italian Grand Prix
Posted onDid Carlos Sainz Jnr’s HANS fail in his crash? Will Imola replace Monaco on F1’s 2022 calendar? Dieter Rencken brings more stories from Monza.
Raikkonen announces he will return at next race
2021 Russian Grand Prix
Posted onKimi Raikkonen has indicated he expects to return to action at the next round of the world championship, the Russian Grand Prix.
