https://www.scmp.com/rss/316030/feed The 2014 Formula One season is the 65th season of the highest class of open-wheel racing, held from 16 March to 23 November. Eleven teams and 22 drivers compete in 19 Grands Prix. Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull is the 2013 champion. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel continued his positive start to life with Ferrari by going fastest again on a rain affected second day of pre-season testing in Jerez on Monday. The German took nearly two seconds off the fastest time he set on Sunday to record a best time of 1min 20.984secs in his 88 laps. Vettel’s start to the new campaign is in stark contrast to his disastrous test in Jerez, during a troubled final season with Red Bull last year, when he lodged just 11 laps over two... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1700203/speedy-sebastian-vettel-tops-testing-again-ferrari?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1700203/speedy-sebastian-vettel-tops-testing-again-ferrari?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2015 03:02:27 +0000 The Korean Grand Prix, dogged by years of financial problems, has been dropped from the 2015 Formula One calendar, organisers confirmed Wednesday. The sports governing body, the FIA, dropped the Yeongam race from the final version of this year’s schedule published on its website late on Tuesday, reducing the season to 20 races. “We have repeatedly conveyed our position to F1 organisers that we are unable to return to the race this year,” a Korean Grand Prix official said. The Korean event in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1675949/korean-grand-prix-dumped-f1-calendar-after-heavy-losses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1675949/korean-grand-prix-dumped-f1-calendar-after-heavy-losses?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2015 01:58:29 +0000 French Formula One driver Jules Bianchi did not slow sufficiently under warning flags before crashing at the Japanese Grand Prix, an International Automobile Federation (FIA) report found. "Bianchi did not slow sufficiently to avoid losing control at the same point on the track as [Adrian] Sutil," concluded the 396-page report, a summary of which was released on the FIA's website. Bianchi suffered the most serious F1 race injury since the death of Ayrton Senna in 1994 when he hit a recovery... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1655620/formula-one-driver-jules-bianchi-crashed-going-too-fast-under?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1655620/formula-one-driver-jules-bianchi-crashed-going-too-fast-under?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Dec 2014 13:08:29 +0000 British driver Lewis Hamilton clinched his second Formula One title in style with victory at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, with title rival Nico Rosberg drifting out of contention after failing to recover from a poor start. Hamilton, the 2008 F1 champion, entered the race with a 17-point lead over his Mercedes rival Rosberg, needing only a top-two finish to guarantee the title. "World champion - I can't believe it! Thank you so much guys," Hamilton screamed over his race... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1647336/emotional-lewis-hamilton-seals-formula-one-championship-abu-dhabi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1647336/emotional-lewis-hamilton-seals-formula-one-championship-abu-dhabi?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Nov 2014 16:34:30 +0000 Nico Rosberg edged out title rival Lewis Hamilton by the slimmest of margins yesterday to take pole position for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the two will fight for the Formula One world championship. Hamilton was quicker than Rosberg in the first two qualifying sessions, but the German driver set the pace in the third. Hamilton almost went off track as his brakes locked heading into the final corner. Like the F1 season itself, this weekend has been close between the Mercedes... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1646581/nico-rosberg-takes-pole-ahead-lewis-hamilton-who-slips?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1646581/nico-rosberg-takes-pole-ahead-lewis-hamilton-who-slips?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Nov 2014 17:48:27 +0000 The strain and tension hung in the air of a crowded room at the Yas Marina circuit on Thursday when Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg faced the media ahead of their decisive double points showdown in Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The two barely made eye contact after a posed photograph and handshake. The body language spoke more candidly than their answers. Hamilton, who leads the title race by 17 points after a strained and sometimes acrimonious title duel with his Mercedes teammate, kept his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1644939/tension-mounts-final-showdown-desert?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1644939/tension-mounts-final-showdown-desert?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:22:22 +0000 Formula One driver Jules Bianchi has been brought out of an artificial coma and arrived back in France on Wednesday nearly seven weeks after his near-fatal crash at the Japanese Grand Prix. The 25-year-old Frenchman’s family said in a statement that the Marussia driver was still listed as “critical” and that he could remain in a serious way for a long time. They said they were delighted that he has stabilised enough to be flown to a hospital in Nice, near the family home. “Jules is no longer in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1644335/jules-bianchi-out-coma-and-back-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1644335/jules-bianchi-out-coma-and-back-france?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Nov 2014 01:39:30 +0000 And so it has come down to this. Last race, double the points, double the jeopardy if you happen to be Lewis Hamilton. Abu Dhabi, the manufactured marina is host to the manufactured nail-biting finish to the season. Those, including this column, that have objected to double points for the last race will have to concede Bernie Ecclestone's point that without it, the championship will already be close to a done deal for Hamilton. Under normal points, if rival Nico Rosberg won, the Briton would... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1643967/pit-stop-season-ends-double-drama?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1643967/pit-stop-season-ends-double-drama?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Nov 2014 15:07:05 +0000 The Caterham Formula One team have made 230 employees redundant, while still planning to race in the Abu Dhabi season-ender, an administrator said. Finbarr O'Connell said the team, who went into administration last month, would take 40 people to the Yas Marina circuit with their expenses to be paid from money raised through a crowd-funding initiative. Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi would resume his role with Caterham at the November 23 race, a team statement said. The other driver would be... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1642350/caterham-raises-funds-compete-season-finale-abu-dhabi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1642350/caterham-raises-funds-compete-season-finale-abu-dhabi?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2014 15:15:30 +0000 The next two weeks could be the biggest challenge yet for Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg take their Formula One title battle down to the wire in Abu Dhabi. The Austrian is prepared for a bumpy ride all the way to the chequered flag at Yas Marina, in a race with double points on offer for the first time. The end of the season is not the end of the world. We will aim to provide the two of them with a car which is capable of winning more... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1637644/major-test-mercedes-storm-brews-over-f1?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1637644/major-test-mercedes-storm-brews-over-f1?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Nov 2014 14:15:30 +0000 Germany’s Nico Rosberg won the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday to end team mate Lewis Hamilton’s run of five successive victories and cut the Briton’s championship lead to 17 points with one race remaining. Hamilton took the chequered flag 1.4 seconds behind after setting the fastest lap, with Mercedes breaking Formula One records with 11 one-two finishes and 30 podium placings in a season. There’s still all to play for. I just need to keep this going now Nico Rosberg “It was a great... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1636312/nico-rosberg-sets-last-day-title-showdown-lewis-hamilton-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1636312/nico-rosberg-sets-last-day-title-showdown-lewis-hamilton-after?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Nov 2014 02:00:00 +0000 The British-based Marussia Formula One team were shut down yesterday, with some 200 staff told the company had ceased trading and they were being made redundant. Administrators FRP Advisory, based in London, said the team had "no sustainable operational or financial structure in place to maintain the group as a going concern". "The joint administrators have now ceased trading Marussia F1 Team and, unfortunately, have had to make the remaining staff redundant," it added. It makes me very sad... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1634701/end-road-marussia-f1-team-brazilian-grand-prix-practice-starts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1634701/end-road-marussia-f1-team-brazilian-grand-prix-practice-starts?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:28:30 +0000 Lewis Hamilton can expect the passionate Interlagos crowd to be on his side when the Formula One championship leader seeks his sixth win in a row, and 11th of the season, in this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix. That has not always been the case at the Sao Paulo circuit, where the local drivers can count on strong support, but this year the title battle comes down to a straight duel between Hamilton and Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg. I've got a Brazilian passport now. I need to learn... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1634540/lewis-hamilton-feels-love-brazilian-fans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1634540/lewis-hamilton-feels-love-brazilian-fans?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:45:00 +0000 Lewis Hamilton expects another fierce challenge from Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg when the pair resume hostilities at the Brazilian Grand Prix with the season-ending Abu Dhabi double points lottery looming. Only days after claiming his 10th win of the season at the United States Grand Prix in Texas, Hamilton has pledged to work as hard as possible to triumph again in his bid for a second championship. But the 2008 champion knows that even if he wins at Interlagos on Sunday, and his German... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1633646/hamilton-will-take-nothing-granted?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1633646/hamilton-will-take-nothing-granted?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Nov 2014 14:55:50 +0000 There is good news and bad news this week. The good news is boss Bernie Ecclestone has admitted this financial crisis is his fault. The bad news is that he doesn't know how to fix it. Perhaps the more interesting news is that it might not matter what Bernie thinks in the not to distant future, with the first signs that the sport's owners, CVC Capital Partners, have sidestepped the octogenarian and dealt with the Formula One teams directly. There has been talk that this mighty sport might be in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1632922/ecclestone-feels-heat-over-cash-pot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1632922/ecclestone-feels-heat-over-cash-pot?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:12:51 +0000 Money has always talked in Formula One but now, with Caterham and Marussia in administration and only nine teams at the US Grand Prix, the talk is increasingly about money itself. The cost of competing in Formula One has become the hot topic and, with no sign of agreement on how to bring it down and share revenues more equally as smaller teams are demanding, will only become hotter. The sport, with 19 races this year and 20 scheduled for 2015, has annual turnover in excess of US$1.5 billion with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1631350/bernie-ecclestones-admission-proves-money-sets-pace-f1?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1631350/bernie-ecclestones-admission-proves-money-sets-pace-f1?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Nov 2014 14:52:44 +0000 Race by race and point by point, Lewis Hamilton is tightening his grip on the Formula One world championship and squeezing out Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg. But not so far as to eliminate his rival as a title threat. Not yet. Hamilton won the US Grand Prix on Sunday, moving 24 points clear of Rosberg with just two races left. It was Hamilton’s second win in Texas in three years, his 10th of the season and fifth in a row. So far, I’ve done what I’ve needed to do. I should continue to do the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1631017/lewis-hamilton-takes-chequered-flag-us-grand-prix-edge-closer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1631017/lewis-hamilton-takes-chequered-flag-us-grand-prix-edge-closer?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Nov 2014 01:30:15 +0000 Lewis Hamilton said "it would suck big time" if he failed to win this year's world championship in Abu Dhabi because of F1's controversial decision to award double points at the final race. Looking calm and confident throughout a routine drivers' news conference at the Circuit of the Americas ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix, Hamilton said he was not wasting energy thinking about it. This is the rule that they have brought in for the first time. Do I agree with it? I don't know... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1629329/abu-dhabi-loss-would-suck-big-time-hamilton?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1629329/abu-dhabi-loss-would-suck-big-time-hamilton?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2014 14:59:31 +0000 Formula One has had to modify its qualifying format after financial problems ruled the Caterham and Marussia teams out of Sunday’s US Grand Prix while Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel is set to be sidelined by an engine penalty. Stewards said in a statement on Thursday that the slowest four cars in the first session would play no further part in qualifying with the next slowest four also dropping out in the second phase. That will still leave 10 drivers fighting for pole position in the final... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1628928/caterham-and-marussia-withdrawals-force-us-grand-prix-qualifying?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1628928/caterham-and-marussia-withdrawals-force-us-grand-prix-qualifying?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2014 02:29:45 +0000 Marussia and Caterham “may not be the last” Formula One teams to go bust given the incredibly high cost of Grand Prix racing, the former head of world motorsport’s governing body believes Anglo-Russian outfit Marussia became the second team in four days, following Caterham, to enter administration on Monday. Marussia, whose lead driver Jules Bianchi is fighting for his life after a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix, will miss the US Grand Prix on Sunday while administrators look for new... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1626536/mosley-calls-level-formula-one-playing-field?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1626536/mosley-calls-level-formula-one-playing-field?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2014 02:30:45 +0000 Hong Kong's Adderly Fong Cheun-yue described his history-making drive in a Formula One car as "thrilling" as he completed almost 400km in his dream machine in Spain. The 24-year-old Vancouver-born Fong drove into the history books by becoming the first Hong Kong racer to drive a Formula One car, completing 99 laps and 396km in a two-year-old Sauber C31 at Valencia's Circuit Ricardo Tormo. Fong is hoping his historic ride will allow him to obtain an FIA super licence, having fulfilled the minimum... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1623143/hong-kongs-adderly-fong-thrilled-first-f1-test-drive-valencia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1623143/hong-kongs-adderly-fong-thrilled-first-f1-test-drive-valencia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Oct 2014 13:45:15 +0000 Three races left in the season and Lewis Hamilton has a lead in the championship of 17 points. It's been quite a turnaround, and the Russian Grand Prix proved a few things. Firstly, the gods seem to be smiling on the Briton. After his travails in the first half of the season, his progress now seems serene. Arch-rival and teammate Nico Rosberg is scrabbling to keep up. His ill-advised late braking at the start of the race in Sochi seemed to be the mark of a man who is not at ease with himself or... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1622267/pit-stop-lewis-hamilton-deserves-be-head-pack-heading-us-grand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1622267/pit-stop-lewis-hamilton-deserves-be-head-pack-heading-us-grand?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2014 13:34:35 +0000 Marussia expressed shock and anger on Wednesday at media allegations that French driver Jules Bianchi had ignored warning flags and been told to go faster by the Formula One team before he crashed and suffered critical head injuries in Japan. The British-based team issued a statement rejecting what it referred to as “entirely false” reports about events at Suzuka 10 days ago. “The Marussia F1 Team is shocked and angered by these allegations,” it said. The team has made clear that its highest... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1617304/marussia-rejects-allegations-jules-bianchi-told-go-faster-crash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1617304/marussia-rejects-allegations-jules-bianchi-told-go-faster-crash?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2014 16:36:53 +0000 Critically injured French Formula One driver Jules Bianchi will not give up his fight for life but the situation remains desperate, his father Philippe said on Tuesday. Speaking to Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper in Yokkaichi, Japan, where the 25-year-old Marussia driver is in intensive care, Bianchi senior said it was a miracle his son was still alive. “The situation is desperate. Every time the phone rings we know it could be the hospital to say Jules is dead,” he said. “But first they... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1616837/jules-bianchis-parents-speak-desperate-situation-formula-one?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1616837/jules-bianchis-parents-speak-desperate-situation-formula-one?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2014 03:46:11 +0000 Lewis Hamilton reeled off his fourth consecutive victory to extend his lead in the Formula One drivers' title race and secure Mercedes' maiden triumph in the constructors' championship yesterday when he won the inaugural Russian Grand Prix in emphatic fashion. The 29-year-old Briton, starting from his 38th pole position, cruised to the 31st success of his career to draw level with fellow-Englishman Nigel Mansell in the record books, finishing the race 13.657 seconds ahead of Mercedes teammate... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1615436/lewis-hamilton-cruises-russian-grand-prix-victory-sochi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1615436/lewis-hamilton-cruises-russian-grand-prix-victory-sochi?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2014 16:39:23 +0000 On the eve of the inaugural Russian Grand Prix, Formula One has learned lessons from Jules Bianchi's life-threatening crash in Japan and will make key changes to improve safety, two of the sport's leading figures said. Jean Todt, president of the International Motoring Federation (FIA), and the ruling body's race director Charlie Whiting made it clear changes would be made in consultation with drivers and meetings had been held. The move comes as world championship leader Lewis Hamilton... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1614777/f1-make-key-changes-after-jules-bianchi-crash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1614777/f1-make-key-changes-after-jules-bianchi-crash?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Oct 2014 16:47:22 +0000 Jules Bianchi’s horrific Japanese Grand Prix accident has thrust driver safety further into the spotlight ahead of Russia’s Formula One debut on Sunday but race organisers say they are well prepared. Most of the marshals at the Sochi circuit are Russian, and will be working at a grand prix for the first time. They are supervised by experienced officials brought in from Australia’s CAMS motorsport body. Richard Cregan, who works closely with local promoter Sergey Vorobyev and was previously chief... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1612689/no-need-safety-fears-russias-first-grand-prix-insist-organisers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1612689/no-need-safety-fears-russias-first-grand-prix-insist-organisers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2014 02:34:23 +0000 Sochi during the Olympics was an odd place. The venues were good, the people charming and the Games were great, but my goodness, it seemed a scramble to be ready. Electricians on the promenade trying to get the new lights on, grass being sprayed green and unfinished houses on the perimeter of the Olympic Park wrapped up in canvases depicting completed dwellings. On the trip from the hotel (equally a work in progress) to the broadcast centre, you passed around the edge of the Olympic Park. There... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1612250/pit-stop-sochis-chance-make-huge-noise-it-hosts-russias-f1-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1612250/pit-stop-sochis-chance-make-huge-noise-it-hosts-russias-f1-race?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2014 15:51:54 +0000 French Formula One driver Jules Bianchi remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital in Japan after suffering a traumatic brain injury, a joint statement by his family and the hospital said on Tuesday. “Jules remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi. He has suffered a diffuse axonal injury and is in a critical but stable condition,” the statement, distributed by his Marussia team, read. “The medical professionals at the hospital are providing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1611415/shock-video-jules-bianchi-formula-one-crash-emerges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1611415/shock-video-jules-bianchi-formula-one-crash-emerges?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2014 09:29:43 +0000 Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel said yesterday his shock decision to leave Red Bull at the end of the season had come from the heart, denying that he was "running away". The German said ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix that he was close to signing for a new team, widely expected to be Ferrari. "I don't have anything I can confirm now," said Vettel, who won the last four world titles with Red Bull in a period of spell-binding dominance. "For now I can't say much. It shouldn't be too... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1609823/im-not-running-away-says-ferrari-bound-vettel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1609823/im-not-running-away-says-ferrari-bound-vettel?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2014 17:00:00 +0000 For someone not old enough to hold a driver's licence, Max Verstappen looked remarkably at ease at his first official Formula One outing yesterday. Verstappen, who turned 17 on Tuesday, became the youngest driver to take part in an F1 Grand Prix weekend when he piloted a Toro Rosso in yesterday's first practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Dutchman completed 22 laps at the demanding Suzuka circuit, setting the 12th-fastest time, lapping within four tenths of a second of his teammate... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1609084/teenager-max-verstappen-takes-it-easy-his-first-f1-drive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1609084/teenager-max-verstappen-takes-it-easy-his-first-f1-drive?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2014 15:30:25 +0000