Formula 1

[PlatformEdgeVT]

By not taking the fastest lap, Norris lost out on his first Grand Chelem, and any possibility of winning the drivers championship this year.

There are 6 races left, and Lando Norris is 52 points behind Max Verstappen. He needs an average of 9 points more than Max Verstappen per race to win the World Driver's Championship this year, so it is possible.

 

[gswindale]

By not taking the fastest lap, Norris lost out on his first Grand Chelem, and any possibility of winning the drivers championship this year.

What's the points defecit?

I think he's still mathematically in with a chance.

Questions need to be asked about why a team/driver with no interest in either championship decided to make a very late pit stop to claim the fastest lap thereby denying any driver in the top 10 from a potentially valuable point.

I could understand Red Bull pulling such a stunt with Perez as it clearly benefits Verstappen, but RB should not be interfering in this way

 

[Donny Dave]

Quite possibly Ricciardo's farewell gift to Red Bull.

 

[najaB]

Questions need to be asked about why a team/driver with no interest in either championship decided to make a very late pit stop to claim the fastest lap thereby denying any driver in the top 10 from a potentially valuable point.

Were any rules broken in doing so? Surely the point is worth something to them as well.

 

[JamesT]

Were any rules broken in doing so? Surely the point is worth something to them as well.

Only a driver finishing in the top 10 gets the bonus point. Ricciardo finished 18th and last so merely gets the accolade of fastest lap.

 

[gswindale]

Were any rules broken in doing so? Surely the point is worth something to them as well.

No rules were broken, but Ricciardo was running 18th (& last) and therefore well outside the criteria to earn the point for fastest lap.

I'm not sure how far ahead Perez was of Colapinto in 11th, but the situation smacks of Red Bull realising the constructors championship is gone, but doing what they can across 2 teams to try and keep hold of the driver's title, as why else pass on the opportunity to score 1 extra point and reduce the oppositions score accordingly.

 

[SynthD]

Daniel Ricciardo’s fastest lap means Max Verstappen can finish 2nd to Lando Norris in all remaining Grands Prix and Sprints, regardless of fastest lap bonus points, and STILL win the drivers' championship.

This is @F1’s tweet. I missed out the first-second key detail. Verstappen can finish second for the rest of the year and still win WDC.

 

[DarloRich]

Lando Norris wins the Singaporean Grand Prix, and almost had fastest lap until Daniel Ricciardo took it.

A last race hurrah for Danny ric?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There are 6 races left, and Lando Norris is 52 points behind Max Verstappen. He needs an average of 9 points per race to win the World Driver's Championship this year, so it is possible.

I think you meant "9 points per race more than Verstappen"?

Yes, it's definitely possible - and things could get very interesting in the remaining few races in this respect.

 

[JamesT]

I think you meant "9 points per race more than Verstappen"?

Yes, it's definitely possible - and things could get very interesting in the remaining few races in this respect.

Also, half the remaining races are sprint format, which provides extra points scoring opportunities.

 

[357]

I do like how so many people think it's all a conspiracy - instead of thinking "there's a high chance it's Daniels last race and he probably wanted to absolutely send it for one last time"...

 

[DarloRich]

I do like how so many people think it's all a conspiracy - instead of thinking "there's a high chance it's Daniels last race and he probably wanted to absolutely send it for one last time"...

I am sure it was that and not something else.

Ricciardo was not in a position to take the point ( outside of the top 10) so the whole effort was dedicated to saving Verstappen a point in the drivers championship. Also Ricciardo has had plenty of opportunities to "send it" during the season and, erm, hasn't. In fact he hasn't "sent it" for about 5 years! He was, I believe, the only driver in the 4 red bull cars to have a clear track to have a bash at the fastest lap. Amazing luck.

Same old Red Bull. It is part of the game for them having 2 teams to use that to thier advantage. No one else is able to do that. Whether they should or not is a different question.

 

[sannox]

Yeah, as much as 'it's his last race so we went for fastest lap' is a good line, with it benefitting the sister team, questions were always going to be asked.

 

[DarloRich]

Yeah, as much as 'it's his last race so we went for fastest lap' is a good line, with it benefitting the sister team, questions were always going to be asked.

why RB don't just admit it was tactics and be done with it is beyond me! ( i know they cant/wont for all manner of reasons but we all know what it was about)

 

[Mogster]

Sky suggested that if Norris wins every race with Verstappen second (plus sprints and fastest lap) from now then they will be equal on points by Abu Dhabi. I haven’t done the maths myself. It’s still highly unlikely but more than just mathematically possible.

A no score for either with the other scoring heavily would either throw it up in the air for Norris or make Verstappen a dead cert. It’s interesting that you can’t get decent odds on Norris for WDC now.

 

[Bald Rick]

Sky suggested that if Norris wins every race with Verstappen second (plus sprints and fastest lap) from now then they will be equal on points by Abu Dhabi. I haven’t done the maths myself. It’s still highly unlikely but more than just mathematically possible.

A no score for either with the other scoring heavily would either throw it up in the air for Norris or make Verstappen a dead cert. It’s interesting that you can’t get decent odds on Norris for WDC now.

Yep. I wonder of McLaren will rue not giving some team orders a few races back…

 

[Tetchytyke]

People are focusing on Danny Ric’s fastest lap but Kevin Magnussen did it too, it’s just he had his lap deleted for track limits.

 

[357]

People are focusing on Danny Ric’s fastest lap but Kevin Magnussen did it too, it’s just he had his lap deleted for track limits.

Why let facts get in the way of a good conspiracy theory!

 

[PG]

Why let facts get in the way of a good conspiracy theory!

Talking of conspiracy theories - just watched Ted's Notebook - he had an impromptu interview with Williams team principal James Vowles who said of Franco Colapinto

...incredibly proud of what he's doing, there's more to come.

How secure is Sainz's contract for next year?

 

[DarloRich]

People are focusing on Danny Ric’s fastest lap but Kevin Magnussen did it too, it’s just he had his lap deleted for track limits.

I thought it was Hulkenburg who was running in the points

 

[sannox]

People are focusing on Danny Ric’s fastest lap but Kevin Magnussen did it too, it’s just he had his lap deleted for track limits.

Was Magnussen's not a result of him clouting the wall, getting a puncture and coming out on fresh tyres and thus with time advantage rather than pitting deliberately to do so.

Apparently Red Bull were thinking of pitting Perez from 10th to deny Norris the point.

 

[Crithylum]

Apparently Red Bull were thinking of pitting Perez from 10th to deny Norris the point.

Doing so would suggest that they are more concerned about Verstappen vs Norris than Ferrari in the constructors. Although losing to Ferrari means they get more wind tunnel time for their 2026 car.

Given how fast Norris was in the first stint, I’m surprised they couldn’t pull a pitstop gap and box Lando anyways

 

[D365]

By not taking the fastest lap, Norris lost out on his first Grand Chelem, and any possibility of winning the drivers championship this year.

Why is that? Norris has an effective [and developing] teammate to hopefully, where practicable, put a buffer between himself and Verstappen in the remaining races.

Quite possibly Ricciardo's farewell gift to Red Bull.

Ricciardo’s departure from VCARB [and replacement with Lawson] is now confirmed.

 

[SynthD]

Why is that? Norris has an effective [and developing] teammate to hopefully, where practicable, put a buffer between himself and Verstappen in the remaining races.

I overstated it, it’s just that Lando can win every race and still lose. It’s a tipping point people attach a lot of weight to.

 

[najaB]

I overstated it, it’s just that Lando can win every race and still lose. It’s a tipping point people attach a lot of weight to.

My prediction is that Verstappen will come fifth in one of the US races and will be chasing an eight-point deficit to Norris for the rest of the season. Norris to win by three points.

 

[Crithylum]

My prediction is that Verstappen will come fifth in one of the US races and will be chasing an eight-point deficit to Norris for the rest of the season. Norris to win by three points.

Given Mclaren strategy this season, Lando winning every race is by no means a sure bet.

Personally, I the most likely non-Verstappen championship is that we see multiple (>=2?) repeats of Monza/Baku and Norris wins most races, but still fumbles a few.

Riccardo taking the fastest lap is arguably significant, as 1 point per race is critical for the championship at the current progress, however, Mclaren/Norris have blundered so many points this season:
16 at Silverstone (Norris and Piastri would've taken points off Max)
7 at Hungary
a few more at Spa
up to 13 from a poor quali strategy at Baku (they didn't need an optimal track to get through Q1, should've copied Ferrari in going out a few minutes before everyone else)
Without these Lando would be ~10 points behind Max and favourite for the championship

 

[gswindale]

Renault are finally abandoning their full works F1 programme

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/alpine-to-end-f1-engine-programme-after-2025/10659346/

Renault has confirmed that it is to pull the plug on its Formula 1 engine operations ahead of the new rules era in 2026.

This is a disappointing end for the team, but not unsurprising.

Maybe Michael Andretti needs to get on the phone to Flavio?

 

[D365]

Maybe Michael Andretti needs to get on the phone to Flavio?

Andretti Global has indicated that they are not interested in purchasing the Enstone outfit.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Renault are finally abandoning their full works F1 programme

They’ll be back again in 2029, having burned all their expertise. Exactly the same as when the Enstone team ran Mercedes engines in 2015.

 

[BigDog]

I believe Daniel Riccardo's fastest lap has prevented Norris from winning the title if him and Max finish one two for the remainder of the races.