In the round-up: “Horrible” long Virtual Safety Car period left Leclerc feeling dizzy • Gasly feared most of race would run under yellow • Prema clinch F2 title
Hazel Southwell's articles on RaceFans
Hazel is a motorsport and automotive journalist with a particular interest in hybrid systems, electrification, batteries and new fuel technologies.
How drivers prompted change in F1’s approach to human rights concerns
2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted onIn previous years, Formula 1 has turned a blind eye to issues in countries it travels to but since 2020 its “unconscious” era seems to have ended.
Hamilton texted Mazepin to apologise for near-miss in practice
2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted onNikita Mazepin said he is glad Lewis Hamilton faced no penalty for the incident between the pair in third practice after the pair swapped messages.
‘It’s not all won at turn one’: Verstappen’s unrewarded qualifying heroics examined
2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted onTurn one was the concern for Max Verstappen early in qualifying, as his team noted on the radio. But his bid for pole position ended 26 corners later.
Why Verstappen’s crash hasn’t ended his victory hopes – even if he gets a penalty
2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix pre-race analysis
Posted onMax Verstappen may have a five-place grid penalty after his qualifying crash but even that may not be enough to keep him from victory.
Gasly given warning for impeding Sainz in Q2
2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted onStewards have issued Pierre Gasly an official warning after the AlphaTauri driver impeded Carlos Sainz on a slow lap in Q2.
How teams’ shifting set-up priorities were captured in a revealing radio exchange
2021 Saudi Arabian GP Friday practice analysis
Posted onFormula 1 teams’ simulations of Jeddah didn’t quite match the reality, and the upshot is Saturday’s qualifying session has taken on even greater importance.
Bottas: “I wouldn’t be sitting on this seat” without Sir Frank Williams
2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted onValtteri Bottas has paid tribute to Sir Frank Williams, crediting him as responsible for the Mercedes’ driver’s chance in Formula 1.
Gasly predicts Verstappen will win title if he’s still ahead after Jeddah
RaceFans Round-up
Posted onIn the round-up: Gasly believes Verstappen has title edge • Cracked chassis felt “weird” to Leclerc in Qatar • Red Bull have all possible rear wings for Jeddah
Raikkonen ‘happy F1 career is soon over’ ahead of final races
2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted onAhead of the final two races in his long time in F1, Kimi Raikkonen said that he saw no need to get emotional about leaving.
Vettel ran all-women karting event in Saudi Arabia ahead of country’s first F1 race
2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted onSebastian Vettel organised an all-female karting event in Saudi Arabia to encourage local women into motorsport, ahead of Formula 1’s race in Jeddah.
Williams cars to carry tribute to late founder Sir Frank Williams at Saudi Arabian GP
2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted onWilliams’ cars will feature a tribute to Sir Frank Williams at this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, following the death of the team’s founder earlier this week.
Half-price F1 car track day and more great gift ideas for motorsport fans in 2021
2021 F1 season
Posted onFrom bargain fun to imaginative ideas to money-no-object splurges, here are our favourite present ideas for fans of Formula 1, Formula E, IndyCar and more.
Reserve role means 2022 is “going to be a long year” for Piastri – Ocon
RaceFans Round-up
Posted onIn the round-up: Reserve role means 2022 is “going to be a long year” for Piastri – Ocon • Olli Caldwell joins Campos for final F2 rounds • Vettel and Schumacher team up for Race of Champions
Askew moves into Formula E with Andretti
Formula E
Posted onOliver Askew will make his Formula E debut next year after Andretti confirmed he will join Jake Dennis for the 2022 season.
Gasly laments AlphaTauri’s “shocking” pace after failing to score from front row start
2021 Qatar Grand Prix
Posted onPierre Gasly was mystified by his loss of pace in the Qatar Grand Prix as he failed to score after starting on the front row of the grid.
Ocon repaid Alonso for Hungary by costing Perez ‘up to three seconds’ in pursuit
RaceFans Round-up
Posted onIn the round-up: Ocon repaid Alonso for Hungary by costing Perez ‘up to three seconds’ in pursuit • Tear-off ruined Tsunoda’s first stint • Alpine easier on tyres than rivals – Alonso
2021 Qatar Grand Prix interactive data: lap charts, times and tyres
2021 Qatar Grand Prix
Posted onPierre Gasly started on the front row but finished out of the points, while a Virtual Safety Car period helped the driver who started behind him to the podium.
Qatar GP punctures were “dangerous” and “just shouldn’t happen” – Norris
2021 Qatar Grand Prix
Posted onLando Norris said the sudden punctures he and other drivers experienced the Qatar Grand Prix were potentially “dangerous” and urged tyre supplier Pirelli to “make the tyres better.”
Pirelli suspect kerbs played a role in “sudden” punctures for four drivers
2021 Qatar Grand Prix
Posted onPirelli suspect high-speed impacts with kerbs contributed to the tyre failures four drivers experienced in the Qatar Grand Prix.