https://www.scmp.com/rss/318194/feed The 2015 Formula One season is the 66th season of the highest class of open-wheel racing, held from 15 March to 29 November. Eleven teams and 22 drivers compete in 19 Grands Prix. Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes is the defending champion. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Nico Rosberg's victory in Sunday's season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may not install him as favourite to unseat his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, but it has given the three-time champion much to ponder ahead of the 2016 season. After three straight wins, the 30-year-old German has rebuilt his confidence and the confidence of the Mercedes team in him while Hamilton, who won his second successive title with Mercedes a month ago, appears to have struggled to find the motivation to resist his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1885427/2015-season-ends-sun-setting-formula-one?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1885427/2015-season-ends-sun-setting-formula-one?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Dec 2015 02:25:35 +0000 Nico Rosberg wrapped up the Formula One season on a winning high in Abu Dhabi on Sunday with teammate and triple world champion Lewis Hamilton second in a record 12th one-two finish of the year for dominant Mercedes. The German’s third win in a row, from a sixth successive pole position, dashed Hamilton’s hopes of a 44th career victory in car 44 on the 44th anniversary of the founding of the United Arab Emirates. Austin [in Texas] was a tough weekend and since then I’ve just come back a lot... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1885099/nico-rosberg-ends-formula-one-season-hat-trick-high-after-winning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1885099/nico-rosberg-ends-formula-one-season-hat-trick-high-after-winning?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Nov 2015 15:56:53 +0000 Nico Rosberg produced one of the best laps of his career when he snatched his sixth straight pole position with a dramatic late effort in Saturday's qualifying for Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 30-year-old German, who was trailing, outpaced his Mercedes teammate and newly-crowned three-times world champion Lewis Hamilton by 0.377 seconds with his final effort in a closely-fought twilight session under floodlights at the Yas Marina circuit. Primarily, I would just like to win... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1884862/late-effort-puts-nico-rosberg-pole-season-finale-abu-dhabi-grand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1884862/late-effort-puts-nico-rosberg-pole-season-finale-abu-dhabi-grand?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Nov 2015 16:45:45 +0000 Lewis Hamilton wants to bring Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg’s winning run to a halt and finish his triple-championship year on a high at this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 30-year-old Briton, whose form and focus have drifted since he clinched his third drivers’ title triumph at last month’s United States Grand Prix, says he wants to thank his fans for their support with another triumph at the Yas Marina circuit. He secured his second title and first with Mercedes at the Abu... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1883889/lewis-hamilton-wants-end-triumphant-formula-one-season-high-note?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1883889/lewis-hamilton-wants-end-triumphant-formula-one-season-high-note?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Nov 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Lewis Hamilton wants to bring Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg's winning run to a halt and finish his triple-championship year on a high at this weekend's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 30-year-old Briton, whose form and focus have drifted since he clinched his third drivers' title triumph at last month's United States Grand Prix, says he wants to thank his fans for their support with another triumph at the Yas Marina circuit. He secured his second title and first with Mercedes at the Abu... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1883483/f1-title-may-be-bag-lewis-hamilton-wont-take-foot-gas-final-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1883483/f1-title-may-be-bag-lewis-hamilton-wont-take-foot-gas-final-race?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Nov 2015 03:35:33 +0000 There are some swish cafes fronting the marina in Abu Dhabi. The gossip there, and at the paddock next door, will be about what the 2016 season will hold. There may still be the season-ending race in the UAE before 2015 is done and dusted, but with championships decided and no double points here (thank goodness), you could be forgiven for letting your mind wander. There’s much to speculate on, most of which won’t be decided any time soon. One thing we do know is that there will be a new team on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1883140/fascinating-2016-season-store-formula-one-fans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1883140/fascinating-2016-season-store-formula-one-fans?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Nov 2015 03:40:31 +0000 Nico Rosberg put his success into perspective on Sunday after he sealed his place as runner-up in this year’s world championship by winning the Brazilian Grand Prix. He won the race, which was preceded by a ceremonial act of respect in memory of the victims of Friday’s terror attacks in Paris, ahead of his Mercedes teammate and newly crowned three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. It was a great weekend for me here, of course, but everything is relative because of what happened in Paris Nico... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1879175/nico-rosberg-remembers-paris-after-denying-lewis-hamilton-first?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1879175/nico-rosberg-remembers-paris-after-denying-lewis-hamilton-first?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Nov 2015 01:00:45 +0000 McLaren drivers Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button stepped onto the Formula One podium for the first time this season on Saturday – but only in jest after yet another qualifying nightmare in Brazil. Neither of the two former world champions made it through the opening phase at Interlagos, with Spaniard Alonso told by the team to pull over before he had even got a timed lap under his belt. “No power,” he said, before parking on the grass. Jokes apart, I think it has been a very frustrating weekend... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1879000/mclaren-drivers-finally-make-podium-alonso-and-button-grab-photo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1879000/mclaren-drivers-finally-make-podium-alonso-and-button-grab-photo?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Nov 2015 06:45:00 +0000 Two races to go in the F1 season, you could forgive the drivers and the teams for feeling it's like the end of a school term - a bit of a breeze. After all, the drivers and team championships have been decided and Mercedes have nothing left to prove. The thing is, it doesn't work that way in this sport. An F1 driver is a competitive beast, and none more so than world champion Lewis Hamilton. He won his third title in the United States, and on the evidence of the race in Mexico, he has no... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1877917/done-deal-title-hamilton-wont-ease-brazil?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1877917/done-deal-title-hamilton-wont-ease-brazil?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Nov 2015 02:10:24 +0000 Nico Rosberg stood highest on the post-race podium, wearing a big black sombrero as the champagne sprayed amid chants of “Ole! Ole!” from the massive crowd. There was no way he was tossing this hat at anybody. This one was a keeper. Muchas gracias! This is the best podium of the year Nico Rosberg Rosberg won the first Mexican Grand Prix since 1992 on Sunday for his fourth victory this season, denying Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in his bid to tie the Formula One record of 13 victories in a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1874824/nico-rosberg-wins-returing-mexico-gran-prix-mercedes-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1874824/nico-rosberg-wins-returing-mexico-gran-prix-mercedes-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Nov 2015 00:45:15 +0000 Mexicans celebrated the return of Formula One after a 23-year wait on Sunday, with a fiesta atmosphere of mariachi music, sombreros and wild cheers for favourite son Sergio Perez. While Perez fell short of accomplishing his dream of climbing the podium in front of his home crowd, the nearly 135,000 fans roared when the Mexican driver’s Force India car passed the finish line in eighth place. I have never seen a crowd like this. It’s like a football game Lewis Hamilton “It’s very exciting. We’ve... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1874822/sergio-perez-falls-just-short-doesnt-affect-mexican-fiesta?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1874822/sergio-perez-falls-just-short-doesnt-affect-mexican-fiesta?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Nov 2015 00:30:30 +0000 Nico Rosberg will start on pole in the Mexican Grand Prix after outpacing his Mercedes team-mate and newly-crowned three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in qualifying on Saturday. Six days after their wheel-banging duel in Texas, where Hamilton won the United States Grand Prix to clinch the title, Rosberg secured his fourth consecutive pole by 0.188sec as Mercedes claimed their 13th front row lockout this year. It was the 20th pole of Rosberg’s career and continued to leave Hamilton... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1874610/angry-nico-rosberg-takes-pole-mexico-ahead-team-mate-lewis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1874610/angry-nico-rosberg-takes-pole-mexico-ahead-team-mate-lewis?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Nov 2015 05:45:30 +0000 Nico Rosberg set the fastest time for Mercedes in Mexican Grand Prix practice on Friday as large crowds welcomed Formula One back to the country after a 23-year absence. The German, who is fighting for second place in a championship already won by team mate Lewis Hamilton, lapped the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit with a best of one minute 21.531 seconds. "It feels like a kart circuit with a lot of very tight corners and the two stadiums are really spectacular with all the fans," said Rosberg. Red... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1874372/nico-rosberg-fastest-formula-one-returns-mexico-first-time-1992?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1874372/nico-rosberg-fastest-formula-one-returns-mexico-first-time-1992?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Oct 2015 02:53:12 +0000 Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton said he saw little reason to try and help Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg beat Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and finish runner-up in the Formula One standings. The Briton also said at the Mexican Grand Prix that the two drivers had not discussed their first corner coming together at last weekend’s US Grand Prix or a hat-tossing incident before the podium ceremonies. "We haven’t spoken, not that I think we really need to," said Hamilton, who won his 10th race of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1874003/why-should-i-help-rosberg-says-lewis-hamilton-mexico-grand-prix-im?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1874003/why-should-i-help-rosberg-says-lewis-hamilton-mexico-grand-prix-im?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Oct 2015 00:57:03 +0000 I don't know how you might classify these things, but surely Lewis Hamilton is now a legend of motor racing. He's world champion again, with his third title; a second in a row. It's been suggested, not unreasonably, that this is now the Hamilton era of F1. The title was wrapped up in Austin, and now Hamilton has three races - including this weekend's welcome return to Mexico - to bask in the glow of his own success. It's been borne not only by the brilliance of Mercedes, but also by the Briton's... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1873438/lewis-hamilton-now-class-act-mature-and-formula-one-track?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1873438/lewis-hamilton-now-class-act-mature-and-formula-one-track?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:45:41 +0000 Newly crowned three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton basked in the glory of emulating childhood hero Ayrton Senna on Sunday, describing his United States Grand Prix triumph as his “greatest moment”. As his Mercedes team celebrated all around him, soaking him in champagne, the 30-year-old Briton reflected on his role-model status and his hopes and inspirations in the aftermath of an astonishing race and achievement. This is the greatest moment of my life Lewis Hamilton He was choking back the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/1872118/there-senna-superman-lewis-hamilton-clinches-third-world-title-formula-one?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/1872118/there-senna-superman-lewis-hamilton-clinches-third-world-title-formula-one?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Oct 2015 02:45:45 +0000 Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton compared the treacherous conditions to “playing with a rattlesnake” after heavy rain washed out qualifying at the US Grand Prix on Saturday. The Briton, who was fastest in a slippery final practice session for Mercedes, will have to wait until Sunday morning to try and secure a 50th career pole before aiming to clinch his third title with three races to spare. It’s difficult to explain how tricky it is out there, difficult for people to understand. I’m... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1871864/qualifying-heavy-us-grand-prix-rain-playing-rattlesnake-says-lewis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1871864/qualifying-heavy-us-grand-prix-rain-playing-rattlesnake-says-lewis?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Oct 2015 02:31:24 +0000 Torrential rain and electrical storms wiped out afternoon practice at the United States Grand Prix on Friday, plunging Sunday’s race into doubt as Texas braced for collateral damage caused by Hurricane Patricia. The scheduled second practice session was initially postponed indefinitely because marshals at the Circuit of the Americas were unable to work because of the close proximity of the lightning. Hopes of starting the session later were dashed when it was confirmed that practice had been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1871638/hurricane-patricia-threatens-cancellation-formula-one-us-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1871638/hurricane-patricia-threatens-cancellation-formula-one-us-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Oct 2015 02:40:13 +0000 Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of winning his third Formula One world championship at the US Grand Prix were boosted on Thursday when closest rival Sebastian Vettel said he would have a 10 place penalty on the starting grid. Vettel’s Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen will take a similar penalty, which will further reduce the team’s chances of beating Hamilton’s Mercedes unless the weather, which is expected to be wet, intervenes. “We will have the hit of a 10 places penalty for a new engine at this event... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1871272/sebastian-vettels-new-engine-penalty-sees-lewis-hamilton-tighten?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1871272/sebastian-vettels-new-engine-penalty-sees-lewis-hamilton-tighten?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2015 01:19:56 +0000 Lewis Hamilton took full advantage of his Mercedes' teammate Nico Rosberg's mechanical misfortunes to seize a commanding victory in yesterday's incident-filled Russian Grand Prix and take a massive lead in the title race. The defending two-time world champion started second on the grid, inherited the lead when Rosberg slowed and then retired, after seven laps, with throttle pedal problems and claimed his ninth win of the season and 42nd of his career with ease. That lifted the Briton up to 302... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1866444/lewis-hamilton-reigns-again-mercedes-teammate-nico-rosberg-retires?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1866444/lewis-hamilton-reigns-again-mercedes-teammate-nico-rosberg-retires?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Oct 2015 15:45:51 +0000 Formula One drivers expressed safety concerns on Saturday after energy-absorbing barriers ended up on top of Carlos Sainz’s Toro Rosso when he crashed into them in final practice for the Russian Grand Prix. "It was shocking to see he was so deep in the barriers and he was covered by them, too," four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel told reporters. "The idea is not for the barriers to come on top of you or the car go under, so it is something we need to understand," added the German Ferrari... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1866244/f1-drivers-concerned-after-safety-barriers-land-top-carlos-sainz?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1866244/f1-drivers-concerned-after-safety-barriers-land-top-carlos-sainz?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Oct 2015 02:30:46 +0000 Nico Rosberg out-qualified his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton to claim pole for the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi on Saturday. Rosberg, trailing Hamilton by 48 points in the world championship, claimed his third pole of the season by three tenths of a second with a time of 1 minute, 37.113 seconds. I am just enjoying being on pole at the moment. The constructors championship is a really important target for us again this weekend Nico Rosberg It was Rosberg’s third pole of the season and the 18th... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1866236/nicol-rosberg-pole-russian-grand-prix-he-outshines-lewis-hamilton?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1866236/nicol-rosberg-pole-russian-grand-prix-he-outshines-lewis-hamilton?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2015 17:30:15 +0000 Nico Rosberg is heading into this weekend's Russian Grand Prix determined to keep alive his bid for the drivers' world title by beating defending two-time champion and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton on a track that may throw up tyre problems for most teams. The 30-year-old German, who is 48 points adrift of the Briton after winning three races, to Hamilton's eight, this season said he felt he had enough positive feelings to draw on to justify his optimism as he prepared for a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1865389/upbeat-nico-rosberg-harbours-formula-one-title-hopes-russia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1865389/upbeat-nico-rosberg-harbours-formula-one-title-hopes-russia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2015 16:55:04 +0000 "GP2 engine, GP2." With an exasperated groan, Fernando Alonso finished his curt radio message to the McLaren pit wall in the Japanese Grand Prix. It was an astonishing outburst, given the Spaniard knew television coverage would beam the comments around the world. Astonishing because his comment came at the Japanese Grand Prix, the home of engine supplier Honda; in fact at the track the Japanese firm owns. The grand old British team are in a deep, deep hole at the moment. They are saddled with an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1864994/mclaren-need-drastic-changes-put-brake-their-bleak-fortunes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1864994/mclaren-need-drastic-changes-put-brake-their-bleak-fortunes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2015 14:30:30 +0000 Five talking points from the Japanese Grand Prix, won by Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes: Ayr apparent For once the swagger and the bling image melted away as Lewis Hamilton seemed genuinely awe-struck at matching boyhood hero Ayrton Senna’s tally of 41 race wins in Japan. Tears welled up in his eyes on the podium, before he spoke of his joy at drawing level with the Brazilian great. Indeed, the manner of Hamilton’s victory was almost Senna-like in its dominance. Psychological damage While Hamilton... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1861977/five-things-we-learned-japanese-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1861977/five-things-we-learned-japanese-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Sep 2015 03:00:15 +0000 Lewis Hamilton won the Japanese Grand Prix yesterday to equal the late Ayrton Senna's tally of 41 Formula One victories and move 48 points clear of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg with five races remaining. On a sunny afternoon at Suzuka, in marked contrast to the dark and tragic 2014 race that he also won, the double world champion seized the lead from pole-sitter Rosberg at the start and never looked back. The win was the Briton's eighth of the season, with Rosberg anchoring the eighth one-two... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1861884/briton-lewis-hamilton-lets-emotions-flow-after-equalling-boyhood?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1861884/briton-lewis-hamilton-lets-emotions-flow-after-equalling-boyhood?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Sep 2015 15:15:45 +0000 Jules Bianchi’s father admits he still cannot bring himself to watch Formula One almost a year after the Frenchman’s fatal crash at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Marussia driver smashed into a recovery vehicle in rain and fading light last October, suffering severe head injuries. He died in July after nine months in a coma. “Perhaps in a few months, a few years, I can see a grand prix,” Philippe Bianchi told the BBC from his home in the south of France. “But for the moment it is too... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1861276/one-year-jules-bianchis-death-his-father-still-finds-formula-one-too-painful?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1861276/one-year-jules-bianchis-death-his-father-still-finds-formula-one-too-painful?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Sep 2015 02:30:03 +0000 Britain's Jenson Button said yesterday that his sense of joy had disappeared from Formula One amid rumours the former world champion is set to retire from the sport. Refusing to be drawn on speculation that he had failed to secure a contract extension with underperforming McLaren, Button said in Japan: "I don't like finishing 14th, I don't like finishing 10th. That's not what excites me." The 35-year-old, who captured the world title in 2009, has endured a hugely frustrating season because of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1861176/mclaren-driver-jenson-button-gives-little-away-whether-he-quitting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1861176/mclaren-driver-jenson-button-gives-little-away-whether-he-quitting?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:53:27 +0000 Mercedes go into Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix hoping to show that their baffling lack of pace in Singapore was just a one-off but Lewis Hamilton and team mate Nico Rosberg need some convincing. "I don’t have any confidence. I don’t have any information to give me that confidence," world champion Hamilton said when asked how confident he was that Suzuka would be different. "I’m hoping it’s a one-off but it was a strange weekend to say the least. I’m hoping it’s a one-off but it was a strange... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1860713/worried-lewis-hamilton-hopes-japan-grand-prix-shows-singapore?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1860713/worried-lewis-hamilton-hopes-japan-grand-prix-shows-singapore?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2015 06:30:15 +0000 Who left the gate open? Organisers were facing serious security questions after a spectator wandered onto the circuit and down the track, prompting a double-take from race-leader Sebastian Vettel who thought he was seeing things. While it wasn’t clear how or why the fan was on the track, pictures on social media showed a gate to the street circuit open and unguarded. A 27-year-old man was arrested and “is assisting police with investigations”, a statement said. Technical glitch Engineers... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1860083/howd-fan-get-track-5-talking-points-singapore-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1860083/howd-fan-get-track-5-talking-points-singapore-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2015 06:37:29 +0000 Lewis Hamilton said he was “carrying the baton” for Ayrton Senna as he bids to match his idol’s tally of 41 wins in 161 races at the Singapore Grand Prix. Hamilton said he felt like he was now winning on behalf of the late Brazilian, whose career was cruelly cut short at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at the age of 34. Comparisons are now striking as Hamilton, 30, can also match Senna’s record of eight consecutive pole positions, and this year stands to equal his haul of three world titles. I’m... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1859289/i-feel-ayrton-lewis-hamilton-carrying-baton-senna-singapore?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1859289/i-feel-ayrton-lewis-hamilton-carrying-baton-senna-singapore?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2015 01:58:16 +0000 The Southeast Asian haze. It has been enough to send expats back home and locals scurrying indoors for cover. Now it’s threatening to disrupt the Singapore Grand Prix. Indonesian farmers have been burning off forests for agriculture, as they have done for years. It’s a dramatic illustration of the retreat of the rainforest in the area, but it’s also having unwanted effects in the city state. Other sports have been postponed because of the air quality, and organisers are keeping a close eye on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1858715/pollution-threatens-singapore-grand-prix-future-lotus-almost-murky?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1858715/pollution-threatens-singapore-grand-prix-future-lotus-almost-murky?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2015 06:32:25 +0000 Lewis Hamilton’s 40th career victory in Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix and, with it, a 53-points advantage in the drivers’ world championship was confirmed late Sunday after a two-hour stewards’ inquiry. The defending two-time world champion had faced possible disqualification following a technical report that claimed his Mercedes team had raced on tyres that were set at a pressure that was too low and infringed the technical regulations. But in a statement issued nearly three hours after the race,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1855852/lewis-hamiltons-monza-f1-win-mercedes-under-tyre-scrutiny?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1855852/lewis-hamiltons-monza-f1-win-mercedes-under-tyre-scrutiny?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Sep 2015 15:15:00 +0000 We head towards the Monza Grand Prix, with safety very much top of the Formula One agenda. It is, of course, a subject that is always on the minds of those in the sport, but recent events have once again focused the mind. Since the F1 fraternity was last together in Belgium, we have had the terrible news of the death of Justin Wilson. The British driver died racing in the IndyCar 500 series in the United States. He was hit by flying debris during the event at the Pocono circuit, and died of head... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1854757/pit-stop-tragedy-fuels-safety-debate-attention-whether-cockpits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1854757/pit-stop-tragedy-fuels-safety-debate-attention-whether-cockpits?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Sep 2015 13:45:30 +0000 IndyCar driver Justin Wilson has died from a head injury suffered when a piece of debris struck him at Pocono Raceway. He was 37. IndyCar made the announcement on Monday night at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Watch: Justin Wilson is hit by flying debris during IndyCar race Wilson was a British driver who lived outside Denver in Longmont, Colorado. He was hit in the head during Sunday’s race by a piece of debris that had broken off another car. Wilson’s car veered into an interior wall at the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1852336/british-ex-formula-one-driver-justin-wilson-dies-head-injuries-after-being-hit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1852336/british-ex-formula-one-driver-justin-wilson-dies-head-injuries-after-being-hit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Aug 2015 01:45:45 +0000 Justin Wilson sustained severe head injuries and is in a coma in critical condition after the Briton was struck by debris from another car during the closing laps of the penultimate race in the IndyCar Series on Sunday, officials have said. WATCH: The moment Justin Wilson was struck in the head by flying debris The 37-year old former Formula One driver, a seven-times winner in IndyCar racing, was airlifted to hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and will remain there for further evaluation,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1852051/british-ex-formula-one-driver-justin-wilson-severely-injured-and-coma-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1852051/british-ex-formula-one-driver-justin-wilson-severely-injured-and-coma-after?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Aug 2015 02:45:30 +0000 Two-time world Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton extended his lead in this year's title race to 28 points with a near-flawless victory ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday. Starting from his 10th pole position of the season and sixth in succession, the 30-year-old Briton dominated with some ease as he finished a controlled 2.058 seconds clear of the German. Incredible job done by the team throughout the weekend. It was a dream and the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1851980/near-flawless-lewis-hamilton-cruises-victory-belgian-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1851980/near-flawless-lewis-hamilton-cruises-victory-belgian-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Aug 2015 16:05:23 +0000 Nico Rosberg had every reason to stop and consider his mortality yesterday on Friday after escaping unhurt from a spectacular high-speed tyre failure during second practice at the Belgian Grand Prix. At 30, and married for a year, he will surely have thought of his wife Vivian who is expecting their first child at any time. He has a private plane on stand-by at Liege airport in case she goes into labour and he is needed – and the Mercedes team allow him to make a flying visit home to Monaco. A... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1851645/formula-one-dad-be-nico-rosberg-thinks-baby-lucky-escape-crash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1851645/formula-one-dad-be-nico-rosberg-thinks-baby-lucky-escape-crash?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Aug 2015 16:40:31 +0000 Jenson Button has put behind him the trauma of the burglary, in which he and his wife Jessica were allegedly gassed earlier this month, to focus on his return to work at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix. The 35-year-old Briton, who won the world title in 2009, said the experience had been "scary" for them both when he spoke of the incident for the first time after they had arrived together in the Spa paddock. "You never want anyone in your house who you haven't invited when you are there and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1851566/jenson-button-ready-move-after-scary-break?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1851566/jenson-button-ready-move-after-scary-break?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Aug 2015 15:36:18 +0000 Four weeks on from a poignant and incident-packed Hungarian Grand Prix, the Formula One circus is back this weekend with defending champion Lewis Hamilton aiming to increase his lead in this year's title race at the classic Belgian Grand Prix. The 30-year-old Briton, who has a 21-point advantage over his Mercedes teammate German Nico Rosberg in the drivers' championship after 10 of this year's 19 races, wants not only to stay on top, but to erase all memories of last year's events with a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1851214/rested-lewis-hamilton-ready-resume-f1-momentum-after-summer-break?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1851214/rested-lewis-hamilton-ready-resume-f1-momentum-after-summer-break?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Aug 2015 15:03:17 +0000 Kimi Raikkonen expressed his love for Ferrari after the Formula One team said the Finn would be staying with them next year in an unchanged line-up with Germany's Sebastian Vettel. "What can I say?... for me, to be able to stay another year at Ferrari means that the dream goes on," the 35-year-old said on the team website after an announcement that caught the sport off guard. "The Scuderia [team] is my family, as I always said, it's here [that] I want to end my career. I am more committed than... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1851211/kimi-raikkonen-confirms-hell-stay-ferrari-end-2016?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1851211/kimi-raikkonen-confirms-hell-stay-ferrari-end-2016?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Aug 2015 14:55:55 +0000 Thieves are suspected to have pumped gas into British Formula One driver Jenson Button’s rented holiday home on the French Riviera, rendering him and his wife Jessica unconscious, before making off with her engagement ring and other valuables, a spokesman said on Thursday. The couple were in a villa in the glitzy resort of Saint-Tropez with friends when the robbery happened on Monday evening. Two men broke into the property whilst they all slept and stole a number of items of jewellery... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1847315/formula-one-ace-jenson-button-gassed-and-robbed-french-riviera-villa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1847315/formula-one-ace-jenson-button-gassed-and-robbed-french-riviera-villa?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Aug 2015 03:00:15 +0000 German driver Sebastian Vettel delivered an emotional high-speed tribute to his late colleague Jules Bianchi yesterday when he stormed to victory for Ferrari in a dramatic and incident-filled Hungarian Grand Prix. The four-time world Formula One champion claimed his second victory of the season and 41st of his career - drawing him level with the late Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna in equal third on the all-time list - after leading from the start to dominate a thrilling and unpredictable... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843932/sebastian-vettel-wins-emotionally-charged-hungarian-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843932/sebastian-vettel-wins-emotionally-charged-hungarian-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Jul 2015 17:00:15 +0000 Nico Rosberg was looking for answers in Hungary on Saturday after being outqualified by Formula One world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton for the ninth time in 10 races. Rosberg was the qualifying king last year – winning the inaugural pole position trophy with 11 poles to Hamilton’s seven. Most of it is not explicable for me. I don’t understand why it’s such a big difference to last year at the moment Nico Rosberg The table has been overturned in spectacular fashion this season with Hamilton... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843754/nico-rosberg-struggles-answers-lewis-hamiltons-hungary-qualifying?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843754/nico-rosberg-struggles-answers-lewis-hamiltons-hungary-qualifying?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jul 2015 17:38:54 +0000 Two days after attending the funeral of their colleague Jules Bianchi, Formula One’s leading drivers gather again Thursday to begin preparations for this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, the 10th race of a season dominated by Mercedes and their dueling duo of defending champion Lewis Hamilton and team-mate Nico Rosberg. Following emotional scenes in Nice, where Frenchman Bianchi was laid to rest after his death last Friday from injuries suffered in a collision with a recovery vehicle at last... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1842988/hungarian-grand-prix-paddock-set-be-subdued-drivers-return-action?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1842988/hungarian-grand-prix-paddock-set-be-subdued-drivers-return-action?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jul 2015 02:10:47 +0000 Race helmet perched on his coffin, Jules Bianchi was mourned on Tuesday as a “humble” winner in a Formula One career cut short in the sport’s first deadly crash in more than 20 years. Tributes mounted for the French driver, who died last Friday after nine months in a coma following a crash during last year’s Japanese Grand Prix. He always knew how to remain humble, nice with everybody and that made him different from the others Nicolas Todt, manager of Jules Bianchi “He was so natural, humble,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1842686/mourners-jules-bianchis-funeral-recall-formula-one-driver-humble?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1842686/mourners-jules-bianchis-funeral-recall-formula-one-driver-humble?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Jul 2015 16:57:19 +0000 French Formula One driver Jules Bianchi has died of critical head injuries sustained at last year’s Japanese Grand Prix, his family said on Saturday. He was 25. Bianchi had been in a coma since the accident at Suzuka last October. He passed away at a hospital in Nice, near his parents’ home in the south of France. “Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end,” said the Bianchi family. “The pain we feel is immense and indescribable.” Jules fought... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1841076/formula-one-driver-jules-bianchi-dies-nine-months-after-suzuka?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1841076/formula-one-driver-jules-bianchi-dies-nine-months-after-suzuka?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jul 2015 03:00:15 +0000 The father of French Formula One driver Jules Bianchi says he is “less optimistic” that his son will recover from the severe head injuries he suffered in a Japanese Grand Prix crash last October. Bianchi, 25, has been in a coma since the accident at Suzuka and is now in hospital in Nice, near his parents’ home in the south of France. “In general, progress needs to be made in the first six months,” Philippe Bianchi told France Info radio on Monday. “And now it’s been nine months and Jules has... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1838587/father-stricken-f1-driver-jules-bianchi-losing-hope-his-sons?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1838587/father-stricken-f1-driver-jules-bianchi-losing-hope-his-sons?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2015 02:46:47 +0000 Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton won his second successive British Grand Prix on Sunday to extend his lead in the Formula One standings over Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg. Hamilton – the first British driver since David Coulthard in 1999-2000 to post successive wins in the race – came home 10 seconds clear of Rosberg in yet another Mercedes 1-2, with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel third. I really wanted to do it for you guys. I am so thankful for all the support Lewis Hamilton Hamilton took... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1833285/lewis-hamilton-reigns-supreme-again-rainy-f1-british-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1833285/lewis-hamilton-reigns-supreme-again-rainy-f1-british-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Jul 2015 16:18:11 +0000 Nico Rosberg spelled out his Formula One championship potential to storm past pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton on the first turn and win the Austrian Grand Prix in style on Sunday. Amid the Mercedes one-two finish, it was the second year in a row the German had triumphed in the event and his third victory of the current season. It's an awesome feeling of course to win again here. The start made the race Nico Rosberg The race featured a heavy crash early on with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and McLaren's... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1824695/nico-rosberg-closes-gap-formula-one-championship-victory-austrian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1824695/nico-rosberg-closes-gap-formula-one-championship-victory-austrian?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Jun 2015 16:43:57 +0000