FIA president Jean Todt visited Jeddah for the final grand prix before he steps down and the contest to elect his successor is expected to be close.
Paddock Diary articles archive
RaceFans regular diaries from the Formula 1 paddock.
Paddock Diary: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix part one
2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Posted onJust how fine did the organisers cut it with completion of the new Jeddah Corniche Circuit? Here’s the view from the paddock at the first Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Paddock Diary: Qatar Grand Prix part two
2021 Qatar Grand Prix
Posted onBetween interminable waits for stewards’ decisions in Qatar, talk in the paddock often turned to whether the next circuit Formula 1 visits will be completed in time.
Paddock Diary: Qatar Grand Prix part one
2021 Qatar Grand Prix
Posted onFriday’s decision from the stewards landed while the title-contending team bosses faced the cameras. Lucky coincidence for F1 or a bit of stage-management?
Paddock Diary: Mexico City Grand Prix part two
2021 Mexico City Grand Prix
Posted onYuki Tsunoda didn’t realise how badly he’d affected the Red Bull drivers’ laps in qualifying until he spoke to media. That and more stories from the Mexico City paddock.
Paddock Diary: Mexico City Grand Prix part one
2021 Mexico City Grand Prix
Posted onFormula 1 has begun to loosen its Covid-19 restrictions in the paddock, and the festival atmosphere is back at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Paddock Diary: Turkish Grand Prix part two
2021 Turkish Grand Prix
Posted onA strong crowd turned up for the ninth Turkish Grand Prix, but will Istanbul Park get a tenth race? Dieter Rencken reports from the paddock.
Paddock Diary: Turkish Grand Prix part one
2021 Turkish Grand Prix
Posted onThe massive improvement in grip levels at Istanbul Park since last year means teams are getting reacquainted with the unique set-up challenge it poses. Dieter Rencken reports from the paddock.
Paddock Diary: Russian Grand Prix part two
2021 Russian Grand Prix
Posted onPaddock chatter around a race in Qatar, F1’s 2022 calendar and VW Group subsided as a drama-filled race yielded Lewis Hamilton’s 100th career win.
Paddock Diary: Russian Grand Prix part one
2021 Russian Grand Prix
Posted onAnti-doping sanctions mean there will be no pre-race performance of the Russian national anthem at Sochi this weekend. Dieter Rencken brings more stories from the paddock.
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.
Paddock Diary: Italian Grand Prix part one
2021 Italian Grand Prix
Posted onAfter Valtteri Bottas’ coming move to Alfa Romeo is announced, Dieter Rencken makes a well-timed trip to the Sauber-run team ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
Paddock Diary: Dutch Grand Prix part two
2021 Dutch Grand Prix
Posted onGeorge Russell encountered a spot of difficulty convincing the Zandvoort security team to let him in. More stories from the paddock at a buzzing Dutch Grand Prix.
Paddock Diary: Dutch Grand Prix part one
2021 Dutch Grand Prix
Posted onThe 2022 F1 driver market and the fall-out from last weekend’s farcical event in Belgium are the top talking points in the paddock as F1 returns to Zandvoort.
Paddock Diary: Belgian Grand Prix part two
2021 Belgian Grand Prix
Posted onWhile Formula 1 fans were badly let down at Spa, talk of postponing the race to Monday was unrealistic, writes Dieter Rencken at the track.
Paddock Diary: Belgian Grand Prix part one
2021 Belgian Grand Prix
Posted onAnother enormous crowd of Max Verstappen fans greeted the championship contender at Spa. Dieter Rencken brings the latest from paddock.
Paddock Diary: Hungarian Grand Prix part two
2021 Hungarian Grand Prix
Posted onCould a change in CEO at Honda lead to a Formula 1 return? Will a Texan Grand Prix appear in the second half of 2021? More stories from Hungary.
Paddock Diary: Hungarian Grand Prix part one
2021 Hungarian Grand Prix
Posted onAmid the ongoing paddock buzz over that Silverstone crash, the real intrigue at the Hungaroring surrounds the top FIA man heading to Audi to work on its Formula 1 project.
Paddock Diary: Austrian Grand Prix part two
2021 Austrian Grand Prix
Posted onMax Verstappen’s crushing win was cheered by a huge contingent of Dutch fans as Formula 1 welcomed its biggest audience since the pandemic began.
Paddock Diary: Austrian Grand Prix part one
2021 Austrian Grand Prix
Posted onA second consecutive weekend in the Stryian mountains offers up an opportunity to catch up with one of Austria’s motorsport mavericks – while Verstappen fever spreads further.