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F1 2022

Ax^ said:
some dedication

will watch the highlights later :D
Click to expand...
Very wise.

You can keep a finger poised over the fast-forward button. :thumbs:

The best bit of FP2 on Sky was a long interview between Crofty and the head of Pirelli, discussing testing, construction, formulation, tread patterns and other super-geeky delights.
 

F1 2022 Japanese Grand Prix​

Fernando Alonso topped the timesheets in a wet Free Practice 1 for the Japanese Grand Prix. The Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were second and third, with the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez sixth and tenth. With heavy rain falling at the start of the session, every driver headed out initially on Wet tyres, before improving conditions and tumbling lap times prompted a change to Intermediate tyres halfway through the session. However, the rain picked up again towards the end of the hour, with no drivers attempting any serious running in the session's final ten minutes. The wet conditions are expected to remain around Suzuka for Free Practice 2 later in the day.

FP1 times

1 Fernando ALONSO Alpine1:42.248
2 Carlos SAINZ Ferrari+0.315
3 Charles LECLERC Ferrari+0.386
4 Esteban OCON Alpine+0.774
5 Kevin MAGNUSSEN Haas F1 Team+1.010
6 Max VERSTAPPEN Red Bull Racing+1.114
7 Mick SCHUMACHER Haas F1 Team+1.513s
8 Lando NORRIS McLaren+1.641
9 Valtteri BOTTAS Alfa Romeo+1.721
10 Sergio PEREZ Red Bull Racing+1.986
11 Guanyu ZHOU Alfa Romeo+2.181
12 Daniel RICCIARDO McLaren+2.238
13 Lewis HAMILTON Mercedes+2.310
14 Lance STROLL Aston Martin+2.322
15 Alexander ALBON Williams+2.543
16 Pierre GASLY AlphaTauri+2.630
17 Nicholas LATIFI Williams+3.176
18 George RUSSELL Mercedes+3.855
19 Yuki TSUNODA AlphaTauri+3.944
20 Sebastian VETTEL Aston Martin+5.842
 

Japanese Grand Prix FP2​

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton gave Mercedes an encouraging 1-2 in FP2 for the Japanese Grand Prix at soggy Suzuka. Yet to win this season, Mercedes are without their team principal Toto Wolff who is sitting out this weekend, but they showed they could be contenders to gatecrash the potential World Championship party for Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. After a wet FP1 when the timesheet was headed by Alpine’s Fernando Alonso, there was no let-up to what looks like proving a mixed weekend in terms of the weather on F1’s return to Japan for the first time since 2019.

Due to the conditions, it was inevitably decided that Pirelli’s 2023 tyre testing during the session would be scrapped, and yet the extra half hour added to FP2 for that purpose remained. They will try again at the United States Grand Prix next time out, with Mexico added as a substitute venue for the test. The additional 30 minutes was of no significance for Mick Schumacher though, the Haas driver unable to take part after a crash at the end of FP1 that required a chassis change. Nicholas Latifi in the Williams was the first driver to head out for both an out and a push lap, followed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. Latifi, who has lost his Williams seat for next season, had an early spin and Sainz dipped his wheels in the gravel as the circuit remained treacherous.


As the first half hour was completed and the rain began to ease off, Russell in the Mercedes felt brave enough to try the intermediate tyres and as he immediately set comfortably the fastest time, the others swiftly followed suit. Yuki Tsunoda ran wide and through the gravel having crashed out of the Singapore Grand Prix the previous weekend while Charles Leclerc also had a minor ‘off’ on his out-lap, concerned with how his Ferrari had been handling upon exiting the garage. A brake problem was later identified but Leclerc said the feeling was “still really bad for some reason”.

Russell and team-mate Hamilton were top of the standings by over six tenths of a second from Red Bull duo Verstappen and Sergio Perez as the session entered its last 15 minutes, and that is how it remained after 90 minutes more likely to have provided clues for a potential wet race on Sunday than a likely dry qualifying according to the forecast.

FP2 times​

1 George Russell Mercedes 1:41.935
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.235
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.851
4 Sergio Perez Red Bull +0.899
5 Kevin Magnussen Haas +1.252
6 Carlos Sainz Ferrari +1.269
7 Fernando Alonso Alpine +1.598
8 Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +1.798
9 Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.949
10 Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo +2.590
11 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +2.774
12 Nicholas Latifi Williams +3.027
13 Alexander Albon Williams +3.104
14 Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +3.322
15 Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin +3.326
16 Lando Norris McLaren +3.950
17 Daniel Ricciardo McLaren +4.095
18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin +4.841
19 Pierre Gasly AlphaTauri +5.174
20 Mick Schumacher Haas No time
 

Japanese GP FP3​

Verstappen, who will be guaranteed a second title this weekend if he wins and takes fastest lap, found just shy of three tenths over Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc to head the pack. Although there was some surprise that FP1 and FP2 took place at all given the pre-event forecast for a washout, the wet running on Friday had a lasting impact as it paved the way for a hectic start to the final hour of practice on Saturday. With all three dry Pirelli compounds still to be assessed by the teams, the end of the pit lane was a hive of activity as FP3 began, with FP2 pacesetter George Russell and Sainz leading a queue of cars.

Again, given the time constraints, only the Alfa Romeo duo opted for instal laps as everyone else stayed put out on track to quickly set a headline time before the switch to race stints, Medium-shod Russell soon posted the first effort, lapping in 1m37.969s before Sainz on softs lowered that to 1m35.491s – with the offset between C2 and C3 tyres predicted to be 1.2s. Then, as is seemingly par for the course during free practice running this season, champion-elect Verstappen blew the times away at his first attempt after five minutes. He pounded the soft-shod RB18 round in 1m32.050s to sit 1.186s clear of teammate Sergio Perez as McLaren’s Lando Norris ran 2.2s adrift in third but kept a whisker ahead of Daniel Ricciardo.

After the opening salvo, Sainz headed up the Ferrari attack in eighth while Leclerc was 11th after his first run on medium tyres, the Monegasque notably sideways exiting Degner corner. The Mercedes pair, meanwhile, were down in 14th and 15th as Hamilton pipped Russell, the seven-time champion fighting snaps of oversteer induced by the high wind speeds. Alpine’s Fernando Alonso was, at that time, the quickest driver fitted with hard tyres – the two-time champion running ninth and 0.9s faster than Hamilton on the same C1 white-walled rubber.

Then came a mid-session lull – notable for Sainz locking into the chicane and blaming it on Leclerc a few metres up the road – as most settled in for race stints and dropped several seconds off the pace. But as the final 30 minutes kicked off, several cars gunned it for the top of the leaderboard again, with the Ferraris jumping to first and second on a set of fresh, red-walled soft tyres. Sainz deposed Verstappen by some 1.085s as he bolted to a 1m30.965s and as per the wet running, found a few tenths over Leclerc who buzzed the timing line in 1m31.388s. Verstappen’s older time was still good enough for third behind the red cars, though, as Alonso improved to fourth, running the Alpine 1.588s off the pace but on the slower medium compound. Stablemate Esteban Ocon did similar, as he slotted into fifth on the same tyre.

Verstappen, running out of step with the other frontrunners, later emerged on a set of medium tyres and impressively ran second, lapping only 0.351s shy of Sainz with 15 minutes to go. But the Dutch driver did still improve on his earlier soft-shod effort by some seventh tenths. After another fallow period as drivers returned to the pits, the final nine minutes brought the arrival of qualifying simulations as the field changed tack to focus on soft-tyre glory runs. Leclerc used his new boots to set the fastest time in the first sector and with two personal best runs through S2 and S3, retook second as he ran 0.015s than Sainz’s existing time. The Spaniard then failed to improve with five minutes left on the clock, Sainz dropping half a tenth apiece in sectors two and three compared his earlier benchmark.

Verstappen then fought back with purple runs across the board to retake first place courtesy of a 1m30.671s, duly finding three tenths over the Ferraris and 0.8s over the Mercedes. With no late improvements, Verstappen remained top of the tree over the Ferraris as Alonso ended the session in fourth, running 0.649s adrift but keeping Perez at arm’s length. The second Red Bull driver ran to fifth but some 0.843s slower than his team-mate as Russell headed the Mercedes duo in sixth to pip Hamilton and Norris. Ocon, meanwhile, clocked ninth as Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) completed the top 10. Ricciardo wound up 11th ahead of Alex Albon in the Williams. Mick Schumacher, who crashed on an in-lap in FP1 to miss the entirety of FP2 owing to a chassis change, followed Haas teammate Kevin Magnussen home in 16th. Pierre Gasly, who this morning was announced as an Alpine driver for 2023 and will be replaced at AlphaTauri by Nyck de Vries, completed the order in 20th.

Japanese Grand Prix - Free Practice 3 results​

PosDriverTeamTimeGapLaps
1Max VerstappenRed Bull1:30.671s21
2Carlos SainzFerrari1:30.965s+ 0.294s27
3Charles LeclercFerrari1:30.980s+ 0.309s26
4Fernando AlonsoAlpine1:31.320s+ 0.649s20
5Sergio PérezRed Bull1:31.514s+ 0.843s24
6George RussellMercedes1:31.530s+ 0.859s28
7Lewis HamiltonMercedes1:31.589s+ 0.918s25
8Lando NorrisMcLaren1:31.747s+ 1.076s26
9Esteban OconAlpine1:31.750s+ 1.079s21
10Lance StrollAston Martin1:31.838s+ 1.167s24
11Daniel RicciardoMcLaren1:31.860s+ 1.189s27
12Alexander AlbonWilliams1:31.946s+ 1.275s26
13Valtteri BottasAlfa Romeo1:31.971s+ 1.300s23
14Sebastian VettelAston Martin1:32.222s+ 1.551s24
15Kevin MagnussenHaas1:32.290s+ 1.619s22
16Mick SchumacherHaas1:32.366s+ 1.695s23
17Yuki TsunodaAlphaTauri1:32.377s+ 1.706s26
18Zhou GuanyuAlfa Romeo1:32.385s+ 1.714s23
19Nicholas LatifiWilliams1:32.868s+ 2.197s25
20Pierre GaslyAlphaTauri1:32.881s+ 2.210s24
 

Pierre Gasly to join Alpine for 2023 ​

Pierre Gasly will join Esteban Ocon in an all-French line-up at Alpine from 2023 while Dutchman Nyck de Vries replaces him at Alpha Tauri. The double move follows Fernando Alonso's decision to leave Alpine for Aston Martin after they failed to meet his demands for a new deal. Gasly leaves Red Bull for the first time in his career after it agreed to release him from his contract. De Vries makes his full-time Formula 1 debut after years on its fringes.

Gasly, 26, said he was "delighted to begin this new chapter in my F1 career. Driving for a team that has French roots is something very special," he said. "I know the strengths of Alpine having raced against them over the past couple of years and, clearly, their progress and ambition is very impressive." Gasly and Ocon become the first entirely French driver line-up in F1 since 1994. The two have a long history, not always cordial. Both from Normandy, they were childhood friends in their early years in karting but then fell out. Gasly said four years ago: "I started to beat him and he didn't like it so we're not friends any more."

Team principal Otmar Szafnauer said Alpine had discussed the plan with Ocon before committing to Gasly. Szafnauer said: "Esteban was very supportive, Pierre as well. They're professionals. And they have no issue we're working together. And hopefully the friendship will rekindle they were friends at one point. But from a professional perspective, they're both very happy to work with each other."

De Vries, the 2021 champion of the all-electric Formula E series and Mercedes reserve driver, emerged as a candidate for Red Bull's sister team after their attempts to recruit IndyCar star Colton Herta failed. The American, who has tested for McLaren this season, does not qualify for an F1 driver super-licence and governing body the FIA refused to allow him an exception despite Red Bull's request. De Vries, 27, convinced Red Bull he was the right driver to replace Gasly with an impressive F1 debut for Williams as a stand-in for Alex Albon at the Italian Grand Prix last month. De Vries, the 2019 Formula 2 champion, stepped in at the last minute when the British-born Thai was hospitalised with appendicitis and came home in ninth place.

De Vries said: "After Formula 2, I took a slightly different path with motorsport, but F1 has always been my dream and I'm grateful to be able to fulfil it. I've had a lot of chances to experience the 2022 car this year and I think that has put me in a great position for the upcoming season, I hope this has helped to prepare me for what is to come." He joins Japanese Yuki Tsunoda, who was confirmed as continuing with Alpha Tauri next season last month.
 
Max looking pretty strong for the title tomorrow, if his overtaking is on par with the last few races. What's the weather forecast like for tomorrow, any chance of rain?
 
Buddy Bradley said:
Max looking pretty strong for the title tomorrow, if his overtaking is on par with the last few races. What's the weather forecast like for tomorrow, any chance of rain?
Click to expand...
Meant to be dry but rain late in the day, not expected during the race
 
Max very nearly took Nozza and himself out, weaving across the track.

Max: "Unbelievable, mate!"

Stewards' enquiry.

Prediction: Red Bull will go into auto-whinge turbo mode. Marko will threaten to sue the FIA, Mercedes and Planet Earth unless Max is awarded the race victory a day early. The stewards will throw a full Masi and obey, and additionally award Max next year's championship. Nozza will get a 35,000-place grid penalty and become ineligible to start a race until 2063.

:rolleyes:
 
2022 F1 Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING RESULTS

Pos.DriverNat.TeamQ1Q2Q3
1Max VerstappenNEDOracle Red Bull Racing1m30.224s1m30.346s1m29.304s
2Charles LeclercMONScuderia Ferrari1m30.402s1m30.486s1m29.314s
3Carlos SainzESPScuderia Ferrari1m30.336s1m30.444s1m29.361s
4Sergio PerezMEXOracle Bull Racing1m30.622s1m29.925s1m29.709s
5Esteban OconFRABWT Alpine F1 Team1m30.696s1m30.357s1m30.165s
6Lewis HamiltonGBRMercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team1m30.906s1m30.443s1m30.261s
7Fernando AlonsoESPBWT Alpine F1 Team1m30.603s1m30.343s1m30.322s
8George RussellGBRMercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team1m30.865s1m30.465s1m30.389s
9Sebastian VettelGERAston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team1m31.256s1m30.656s1m30.554s
10Lando NorrisGBRMcLaren F1 Team1m30.881s1m30.473s1m31.003s
11Daniel RicciardoAUSMcLaren F1 Team1m30.880s1m30.659s
12Valtteri BottasFINAlfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen1m31.226s1m30.709s
13Yuki TsunodaJPNScuderia AlphaTauri 1m31.130s1m30.808s
14Zhou GuanyuCHNAlfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen1m30.894s1m30.953s
15Mick SchumacherGERHaas F1 Team1m31.152s1m31.439s
16Alex AlbonTHAWilliams Racing1m31.311s
17Pierre GaslyFRAScuderia AlphaTauri1m31.322s
18Kevin MagnussenDENHaas F1 Team1m31.352s
19Lance StrollCANAston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team1m31.419s
20Nicholas LatifiCANWilliams Racing1m31.511s
 

Pierre Gasly cost a huge eight-figure fee as Alpine bought out his Red Bull contract​

Pierre Gasly’s services came at a cost to Alpine of €10m (£8.8m), Sky have reported. Gasly will be in the F1 2023 driver line-up for Alpine after he signed a multi-year deal from Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri.

Nyck de Vries is his replacement at AlphaTauri.

"It was a clear call and definitely very attractive," Gasly told Sky. "It felt the right time for me to take my own start and take my career on my own and start this incredible story with Alpine. What's easy in Formula 1? Nothing is easy!" Gasly said. "I must admit I'm very thankful to everyone involved because everybody tried their absolute best to make it happen. On Red Bull's side, Christian [Horner, team boss] and Helmut [Marko, team advisor] understood how important, how big this opportunity was to me and my desire to go there and start this new adventure with Alpine."

Gasly added: "It's a big change in my career. I'm closing a nine-year chapter with Red Bull, having had a lot of success in younger categories as well as my five years in Formula 1, my first win, podiums. I'm starting a new chapter with Alpine. It's a fresh start."

Gasly will team with Esteban Ocon next season - the French duo have a rocky history but Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer insists that was taken into consideration. In the list of 2022 F1 driver salaries, Gasly and Ocon are both estimated to be earning £4.1m ($5m). But Alpine, without the costly Fernando Alonso who will leave for Aston Martin, are likely to have handed Gasly a bumper new pay packet.
 

Australia's Daniel Ricciardo set to sit out 2023 F1 season​

Daniel Ricciardo says he does not expect to be racing in Formula One next season, but is setting his sights on a return to the grid in 2024. Ricciardo's revelation comes after the latest spate of driver moves narrowed down the out-of-contract Mclaren driver's options. Earlier on Saturday, French manufacturer Alpine announced it had signed AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly on a multi-year deal to replace Aston Martin-bound Fernando Alonso. Shortly after, AlphaTauri said it was replacing Gasly with Dutchman Nyck de Vries, who impressed by taking points on his debut as a stand-in for Alexander Albon at Williams in last month's Italian Grand Prix. Ricciardo's only options to remain on the grid are with eighth-placed Haas or last-placed Williams.

"I knew they were talking for a while and I knew though they were very interested in Pierre," said Ricciardo at the Japanese Grand Prix. "I think the reality is now I won't be on the grid in 2023. I think it's now just trying to set up for '24," added the 33-year-old, who has won eight times in Formula One. Ricciardo, who twice finished third in the overall drivers' standings while racing for Red Bull, joined McLaren at the start of last season. He handed the former champions their first win since 2012 in a one-two with teammate Lando Norris at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix. But results have largely failed to meet expectations, with McLaren choosing to terminate his deal one year early to make way for fellow Australian and rising star Oscar Piastri, who will make his F1 debut with the team next year.

Ricciardo, who made his debut with now-defunct HRT at the 2011 British Grand Prix, has been linked with a reserve driver role at Mercedes alongside regulars Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. "It's kind of like just hitting pause for a little bit, as I see it, and, let's say, as far as my F1 career goes the full intention is for '24," said Ricciardo, who ruled out racing in another category. "As fun or cool as it sounds to compete in something else, the truth is mentally, I'm not there yet. I'm still so, so engaged in this and I think a bit of time off out of a seat will probably do me good."
 
I'd prefer a standing start, especially if it disadvantages half of the grid.

Lordy, this grid-walk on Sky is tedious.
 
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