It has been confirmed this morning (31/3/22) that the city of Las Vegas, USA, will stage the Las Vegas Grand Prix from 2023 onwards.
It is understood the deal is for till the end of 2025, also it will be a street race incorporating the iconic Vegas Strip. F1 plans for a Saturday night race to be held next November, first time since 1985 South African Grand Prix that F1 has held a race on a Saturday, breaking with its traditional weekend format to secure a prime-time slot for the US audience (similar to boxing).
F1 previously held a race in Las Vegas in 1981 and 1982, constructing a temporary circuit around the parking lot of the Caesars Palace casino which was widely criticised and poorly attended by fans.
It will be the third Formula 1 event in the USA in a season, following on from the United States Grand Prix in Austin, which joined the calendar in 2012 and Miami from this season onwards.
Review of the second roound of the 2022 F1 season at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, in the the centre of Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Overall, the race itself was entertaining race to watch from start to finish. Sergio Pérez was on pole for Sunday's race ahead of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr..
Pérez took the lead at the start ahead of Leclerc and Verstappen. Until tbe end of lap 15, when Pérez pitted for tyres, while Leclerc stayed in the lead. Then on lap 16, Nicholas Latifi retired after hitting the wall at turn 27 resulting of the safety car, both Ferrari drivers and Max Verstappen pitted for tyres under the safety car.
Then on lap 47, after a few atempts taking the lead, Current Formula 1 Champion Max Verstappen took the lead on the pit-straight ahead of Charles Leclerc and stayed there to the end to conclude with a race win in this seasons Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for Max Verstappen's first race win of the season.
While, Charles Leclerc finished in second place in the Ferrari, Leclerc was half a second behind Verstappen at the end.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz Jr. finished in third place in the other Ferrari to complete the podium, Sainz Jr. was eight seconds behind Verstappen at the end of the fifty lap race.
Highlights of the race below, enjoy.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 6
Lewis Hamilton - 6 (finished tenth)
George Russell - 7 (finished fifth)
Red Bull Racing - 8
Max Verstappen - 9 (race win)
Sergio Pérez - 8 (pole, finished fourth)
Ferrari - 8
Charles Leclerc - 8 (finished second, fastest lap)
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 8 (finished third)
McLaren - 6
Daniel Ricciardo - 5 (DNF, Clutch)
Lando Norris - 7 (finished seventh)
Alpine - 7
Fernando Alonso - 7 (DNF, Engine)
Esteban Ocon - 7 (finished sixth)
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, in the the centre of Jeddah, for the second night race of the season.
So Predictions for the race, for the win I predict Charles Leclerc for the race win in the Ferrari, Max Verstappen second in the Red Bull, and third place for Carlos Sainz, Jr. in the other Ferrari. Don't forget Sergio Pérez, Kevin Magnussen, Valtteri Bottas, the Mercedes drivers, the Alpine drivers, and the AlphaTauri drivers as-well for a podium place.
Review of Round One of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship at Sebring International Raceway on the outskirts of Sebring, Florida, U.S.A.
The Alpine Elf Matmut team won the race overall and the Hypercar class too of Nicolas Lapierre, André Negrão and Matthieu Vaxivière in their Alpine A480, Gibson 4.5 L V8.
While, second place was the Toyota Gazoo Racing, with the team of Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa in their Toyota GR010 Hybrid; Toyota 3.5 L Turbo V6; they were thrity-seven seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, third place was the Glickenhaus Racing, with the team of Olivier Pla, Romain Dumas and Ryan Briscoe in their Glickenhaus SCG 007 LMH, Glickenhaus 3.5 L Turbo V8; they were a lap behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP2 class (all cars using the Gibson 4.2 L V8 engine), United Autosports USA team of Paul di Resta, Oliver Jarvis and Josh Pierson in their Oreca 07 won LMP2 class. They finish in fourth place overall and they were two laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP2 Pro-Am Cup Class (all cars using the Gibson 4.3 L V8 engine and a team must have a Bronze-rated driver in their line-up) AF Corse team of Nicklas Nielsen, François Perrodo and Alessio Rovera in their Oreca 07 won LMP2 Pro-Am class. They finish in twelfth place overall and they were three laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Pro class, was won by Porsche GT Team of Michael Christensen and Kevin Estre won in their Porsche 911 RSR-19. They finish in seventeenth place overall and they were eleven laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Am class, was won by Northwest AMR team of Paul Dalla Lana, David Pittard and Nicki Thiim in their Aston Martin Vantage AMR. They finish in twenty-first place overall and they were fourteen laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Highlights of the 1000 Miles of Sebring below, enjoy.
Next Stop 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in seven weeks time for Round Two of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
As the title says a Sebring 12 Hours Review of the race at Sebring International Raceway.
Cadillac Racing team won the race overall and Daytona Prototype international class too of Earl Bamber, Neel Jani and Alex Lynn in their Cadillac DPi-V.R, Cadillac 5.5 L V8.
While, JDC-Miller MotorSports team finished in second place in their Mazda RT24-P, Cadillac DPi-V.R, Cadillac 5.5 L V8; the team of Loïc Duval, Tristan Vautier and Richard Westbrook; they were six seconds behind the leaders. Meanwhile, Whelen Engineering Racing team finished in third place in their Cadillac DPi-V.R, Cadillac 5.5 L V8; the team of Mike Conway, Pipo Derani and Tristan Nunez; they were fourteen seconds behind the leaders.
In LMP2 class (all cars using the Gibson 4.2 L V8 engine), PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team of Scott Huffaker, Mikkel Jensen and Ben Keating in their Oreca 07 won LMP2 class. They finish in seventh place overall and they were six laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP3 class (all cars using the Nissan 5.6 L V8 engine), Sean Creech Motorsport team of João Barbosa, Malthe Jakobsen and Lance Willsey in their Ligier JS P320 won LMP3 class. They finish in thirteenth place overall and they were twenty laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In GT Daytona Pro Class, Corvette Racing team of Nicky Catsburg, Antonio García and Jordan Taylor in their Chevrolet Corvette C8.R GTD won Daytona Pro Class. They finished in sixteenth place overall; they were twenty-eight laps behind the leaders.
In GT Daytona Class, Cetilar Racing team of Antonio Fuoco, Roberto Lacorte and Giorgio Sernagiotto in their Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020 won Daytona Class. They finished in twenty-second place overall; they were thirty laps behind the leaders.
Review of the second round of the 2022 MotoGP season at Mandalika International Street Circuit, on the outskirts of Mandalika in west of Indonesia for the Indonesia GP.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that race was won by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Miguel Oliveira on his works KTM RC16.
Second was Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider and Current MotoGP Champion Fabio Quartararo on his works Yamaha YZR-M1, he was two seconds behind Oliveira at the end. While, third was Pramac Racing rider Johann Zarco on his his Ducati Desmosedici GP22, he was three seconds behind Oliveira at the end of the race.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-three 765cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Idemitsu Honda Team Asia rider Somkiat Chantra on the Kalex. Second was Mooney VR46 Racing Team rider Celestino Vietti on the Kalex, he was three seconds behind Chantra at the end of the race. While, third was Flexbox HP40 rider Arón Canet on the Kalex, he was four seconds behind Chantra at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Leopard Racing rider Dennis Foggia on the Honda. Second was Aspar Team rider Izan Guevara on the Gas Gas, he was two seconds behind Foggia at the end of the race. While, third was CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP rider Carlos Tatay on the CFMoto, he was four seconds behind Foggia at the end of the race.
Review of the first round of the 2022 F1 season at Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Overall the race itself was a great race to watch to start the season. It was the race where Charles Leclerc controlled the race from the start of the Grand Prix to the end, on pole for Sunday's race, took the lead at the start of the race and never looked back; lead most of the laps and despite Max Verstappen to take the lead a few times, it was Leclerc day, even the fastest lap as-well to win this seasons Bahrain Grand Prix for Charles Leclerc first race win of the season.
While, Carlos Sainz Jr. finished in second place in the Ferrari to complete a Ferrari one-two finish since 2019, Sainz Jr. was five and half seconds behind Leclerc at the end.
Meanwhile, Sir Lewis Hamilton finished in third place in the Mercedes to complete the podium, Hamilton was ten seconds behind Leclerc at the end.
Finally, a quick mention to Guanyu Zhou in the Alfa Romeo finishing tenth place becoming the first Chinese driver to score point, Zhou was twenty-three seconds behind Leclerc at the end of the fifty-six lap race.
Highlights of the race below, enjoy.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 7
Lewis Hamilton - 8 (finished third)
George Russell - 7 (finished fourth)
Red Bull Racing - 7
Max Verstappen - 8 (finished nineteenth/DNF, three laps down/Fuel pump)
Sergio Pérez - 7 (finished eighteenth/DNF, lap down/Engine)
Ferrari - 9
Charles Leclerc - 10 (pole, race win, fastest lap)
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 9 (finished second)
McLaren - 5
Daniel Ricciardo - 5 (finished fourteenth)
Lando Norris - 5 (finished fifteenth)
Alpine - 6
Fernando Alonso - 6 (finished ninth)
Esteban Ocon - 7 (finished seventh)
It was confirmed yesterday (17/3/22), that Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel has tested positive for coronavirus and will miss this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix. Nico Hülkenberg replacing him for this weekend (possibly next weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix too).
Vettel is the second Formula 1 driver within a week to test positive from the virus after Daniel Ricciardo (tested postive during pre-season testing last week, is cleared to race this weekend).
Vettel has gone into self-quarantine, along with all his close contacts, as per F1's track-and-trace system.
Nico Hülkenberg, who last raced in Formula 1 with the team (named as Racing Point) back in 2020 at both Siverstone rounds replacing Segrio Perez, and replacing Lance Stroll for the Eifel Grand Prix. Is currently Aston Martin's test-driver, will step in to replace Vettel, making his Grand Prix return once again alongside Lance Stroll for this weekends Bahrain Grand Prix.
Anyway, get well soon to Sebastian Vettel. Also, stay safe everyone.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir.
So Predictions for the race, for the win I predict Charles Leclerc for the race win in the Ferrari, Max Verstappen second in the Red Bull, and third place for Carlos Sainz, Jr. in the other Ferrari. Don't forget Sergio Pérez, the Mercedes drivers, the McLaren drivers, the Aston Martin drivers, the Alpine drivers, and the AlphaTauri drivers as-well for a podium place.
Today post is a 2022 F1 preview, all the teams and drivers. Also, predicting this seasons Drivers' and Constructors' Championships ahead for 2022. Starting of with last seasons Constructors' Champions Mercedes:
Mercedes: Out goes Valtteri Bottas in comes George Russell alongside Sir Lewis Hamilton. F1 W13 hasn't look fast in testing or are they hidding an ace up their sleeve. Challenging for both championships is a must for Mercedes.
Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez are retain for another season. RB18 looks fast in testing (fastest in testing). Challenging for both championships is a must for Red Bull.
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, Jr are retain for another season. F1-75 looks fast in testing, better car, better power units in testing so far. Challenging for both championships is a must for Ferrari.
McLaren: Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo are retain for another season. McL36 looks fast in testing. McLaren could beonce again contender for wins this season, third in the Constructors' standings once again might be the realistic target for McLaren this season.
Alpine: Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon are retain for another season. A522 look fast in testing. A few podiums may happen again this season and fifth in the Constructors' standings once again might be a realistic target for Alpine this season.
AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda are retain for another season. AT03 look fast in testing. A few podiums may happen this season and fifth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for AlphaTauri this season.
Aston Martin: Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll are retain for another season. AMR22 hasn't look fast in testing, fifth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for Aston Martin this season.
Williams: Out goes George Russell in comes Alexander Albon alongside Nicholas Latifi. FW44 looks much faster than last seasons car FW43B, eighth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target once again for Williams this season.
Alfa Romeo: Out goes both Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen, in comes Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou. C42 looks much faster than last seasons car C41, eighth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target once again for Alfa Romeo this season.
Haas: Out goes Nikita Mazepin in comes the returning Kevin Magnussen a season away from Formula 1 alongside Mick Schumacher. VF-22 looks much faster than last seasons car VF-21, eighth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for Haas this season.
So predictions time, who's going to win the World Drivers' Championship this season for 2022? My prediction is Max Verstappen to take his second World Drivers' Championships this season because of performance and reliability in testing. The improvements from Red Bull might be enough for Verstappen to win this seasons title.
But, if Verstappen doesn't step up Lewis Hamilton could take his eighth World Drivers' Title if things goes his way. My dark horse for the championship is Charles Leclerc if Ferrari are on the ball. Don't count out either George Russell, Sergio Pérez and Carlos Sainz, Jr will also challenge for this years title as-well. It will be another close drivers' championship once again this year in my opinion, as it might go down to the wire.
My top three prediction for the Drivers' Championship are:
1st Max Verstappen
2nd Charles Leclerc
3rd Lewis Hamilton
Constructors' Championship: I will predict that Red Bull will win the constructors championships. And don't forget Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren, they will be certainly be challenging the constructors championship as-well.
My top three prediction for the Constructors' Championship are:
1st Red Bull
2nd Mercedes
3rd Ferrari
Predictions for this weekends Bahrain Grand Prix in the next post, for now, Bye.
It was confirmed on Wednesday Afternoon (9/3/22) that Haas F1 Team has re-sign former driver Kevin Magnussen as their second driver for 2022 season on a multi-year deal, replacing Nikita Mazepin.
Magnussen was set to race in WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and World Endurance Championship this season with Ganassi Racing and Peugeot part of their driver line-ups for the 2022 seasons. With the news of Mazepin sacking last week, Magnussen was released from his contracts with both Peugeot and Chip Ganassi Racing for his return to F1 with Haas this season.
Overall, I didn't expect that choice whould happen. But, yet a no brainer for Haas to re-hire Kevin Magnussen once again with his experience with the team.
Review of the first round of the 2022 MotoGP season at Losail, Doha in Qatar for MotoGP's first night race of the season. And for the season ahead, all MotoGP classes are reviewed (MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE).
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that race was won by Gresini Racing MotoGP rider Enea Bastianini on his Ducati Desmosedici GP21.
Second was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Brad Binder on his works KTM RC16, he was only three tenths of a second behind Bastianini at the end. While, third was Repsol Honda Team rider Pol Espargaró on his works Honda RC213V, he was thirteen tenths of a second behind Bastianini at the end of the race.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-three four-stroke class), that race was won by Mooney VR46 Racing Team rider Celestino Vietti on the Kalex. Second was Flexbox HP40 rider Arón Canet on the Kalex, he was six seconds behind Vietti at the end of the race. While, third was Elf Marc VDS Racing Team rider Sam Lowes on the Kalax, he was ten seconds behind Vietti at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Rivacold Snipers Team rider Andrea Migno on the Honda. Second was Aspar Team rider Sergio García on the Gas Gas, he was four hundredths of a second behind Migno at the end of the race. While, third was CIP Green Power rider Kaito Toba on the KTM, he was five tenths of a second behind Migno at the end of the race.
It was confirmed yesterday (5/3/22) that Haas F1 Team has parted company with Nikita Mazepin and title sponsor Uralkali, two weeks ahead of the opening round of the 2022 season in Bahrain, due to Russia invasion of Ukraine.
Mazepin’s position at Haas had been unclear throughout last week in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russian native Mazepin has been backed heavily by the Uralkali firm controlled by his father, Dmitry, who has had close ties with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
In a short statement issued Haas confirmed that it has severed ties with both Mazepin and Uralkali.
“As with the rest of the Formula 1 community, the team is shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine and wishes for a swift and peaceful end to the conflict,” concluded a statement.
No word, who will replace Mazepin’s place at Haas this season. Reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi will do pre-season testing next week at Bahrain.
Early rumours for Mazepin’s replacement could be Pietro Fittipaldi, former Alfa Romeo F1 driver and Ferrari reverse driver Antonio Giovinazzi, Aston Martin reverse driver and former Renault driver Nico Hülkenberg, or Formula 2 Champion and Alpine reverse driver Oscar Piastri. If I was Haas I would go with Antonio Giovinazzi for the short term.
As for Nikita Mazepin the reason he lost his drive because it was out of his and the team control at the end of the day.
It was confirmed yesterday (3/3/22) that Red Bull will retain Current Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen through to the end of the 2028 Formula 1 season.
Verstappen's current Red Bull deal was set to expire at the end of the 2023 season. Has opted to sign a new deal with Red Bull covering the next seven seasons, that he will earn at least £30 million a year, rising to a maximum of £40 million, depending on bonuses matching Sir Lewis Hamilton gets at Mercedes.
Verstappen joined Red Bull from Toro Rosso in May 2016 replacing Daniil Kvyat, winning on his team debut at the Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen won the Formula 1 Drivers Championship last season with ten Grand Prix wins.
Overall, a very good decision from Red Bull to keep Max Verstappen for the next seven seasons. It's a very good deal for Red Bull for the next seven seasons.
It was confirmed on Tuesday (2/3/22), this seasons Russian Grand Prix has been officially cancelled due to Russia invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian Grand Prix was set to be the seventeen round of the season on 25th September at Sochi Autodrom. The race is off due to country invasion of Ukraine, making it impossible to hold a race this year (and maybe for a few years for now).
Now, there is a strong possibility that Haas driver Nikita Mazepin (who is Russian) will miss the season due to Visa issues which could effect going into most countries.
