#ferrari monza gp2

[petit-papillion]

These are the 296 GTS Carlos and Charles will be driving in Miami. As mentioned in the precious videos, Charles will drive the Azzurro La Plata and Carlos will be driving Azzurro Dino.

Wait, wait, wait, hold on. Did I miss something? They gonna drive them when? Some kind of a drivers parad or what?

My first thought was that these will be the cars they drive to and from the track every day. Like last year Charles drove a silver Ferrari and Lando captured this lovely video of him on the way to the track:

🎥 f1vero

But it really makes more sense that they would use them for the Drivers' Parade, because they've had some pretty cool Ferraris in Miami in the past. Here is Charles at the 2022 Miami GP in a Ferrari Monza GP2:

📸 reddit/mshorts

And last year Carlos had to join Charles in his Ferrari 348, because there was something wrong with Carlos's car:

📸 XPB Images, Mark Sutton

In case anyone missed it, here is the video where they talk about Charles and Carlos driving the blue 296 GTS's in Miami:

[bumblely]

today's Kym Illman's instagram post about Pierre & Charles put back in chronological order with additional information about their careers:

(the second photo has the potential to become a meme; I'd like to know what they were talking about 😂)

2018 - their first full season in F1: Charles with Alfa Romeo, after his F2 World Championship in 2017 with Prema Racing, ahead of Nicholas Latifi (5th), Nyck de Vries (7th) or Alex Albon (10th) and his GP3 series World Championship in 2016 with ART Grand Prix; and Pierre after his GP2 title in 2016, followed by a second place in the Japanese Super Formula Championship, one-half point behind 2017 champion Hiroaki Ishiura, he also raced in FE (New York ePrix) and replaced Daniil Kvyat for 5 GPs at the end of 2017 at Toro Rosso: Malaysia, Japan, Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

Charles finished his first season in 13th place in the drivers' championship with 39 points scored (30 points ahead of teammate Marcus Ericsson), and Pierre in 15th place, with 29 points scored (15 points ahead of teammate Brandon Hartley).

-

2019 - both promoted in the top three teams: Charles at Ferrari alongside Sebastian Vettel after a swap with 2007 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen; and Pierre, at Red Bull, after Daniel Ricciardo left for Renault, alongside Grand Prix winner and Red Bull star Max Verstappen. Charles became a Grand Prix winner twice: at the Belgian GP, in honour of his and Pierre dear and beloved friend Anthoine Hubert, and a second time, the following week, at Monza, in front of thousands of Tifozzi - a first for Ferrari since Fernando Alonso in 2010.

I think this photo was taken during Pierre's first (unexpected) podium of 2019, at the Brazilian GP, after he was sent back to Toro Rosso during the summer break, replacing Alex Albon who was thus making his way back to Red Bull, after only half a season.

Charles finished the drivers' championship in 4th position, behind Max Verstappen and Mercedes drivers and ahead of his teammate, with 264 points scored (24 points ahead of teammate Sebastian Vettel) with 2 wins, 7 poles 10 podiums (and 18 times in the points in 21 races). Pierre finished the season in 7th position, with 95 points scored, one podium (Brazil) and 14 points finishes (58 points ahead of teammate Daniil Kvyat* who drove the Toro Rosso all season, unlike Pierre).

-

2020-21: two Grand-Prix winner - after Pierre's unexpected victory in Monza 2020, one year after Charles, two childhood best friends walking in the paddock, laughing together, but rivals on the track. Charles confirmed at Ferrari in 2020 despite a car that was performing well below expectations, becoming the lead driver in 2021 after veteran 4-time world champion Sebastian Vettel left for Aston Marton, replaced by Carlos Sainz. In 2021, Charles was overtaken in the drivers' championship by his teammate (164.5 points to 159), with both drivers on equal terms. Pierre had a very good season in 2020: the team's second win, at Monza, twelve years after Sebastian Vettel's victory in 2008 on the same circuit. He confirmed his role as leader of Alpha Tauri by achieving the best season in terms of points in the history of the team* (change in point allocation since 2010 & longest season in F1 history), alongside rookie Yuki Tsunoda who learned by his side.

In 2020: Charles finished the drivers' championship in 8th position with 98 points (55 points ahead of his unlucky teammate Sebastian Vettel, 12th) with two podiums (Austria, Great Britain), while Pierre finished in 10th position with 75 points and one win (43 points ahead of his teammate Daniil Kvyat).

In 2021: Charles finished the drivers' championship in 7th position with 159 points (5.5 points behind his teammate Carlos Sainz Jr, 5th) with one podium (Great Britain), Pierre, on the other hand, finished the championship in 9th position with 110 points and one podium (Baku) (78 points ahead of his rookie teammate Yuki Tsunoda).

[russell-63]

I want him to set the record at RedBull Ring too. I mean he got his 1st title at his rivals home race, at the home race of his ex rival and the person everyone thought will be the new star, in Spain, (where they also showed with blackface) he broke Senna's pole record, he then reached 100 at the same track too. He took the championship lead from Seb at his home race in Germany. Then beating both Ferraris on the track in Monza he won the title woth Mercedes. He drove one of the best races in F1 history at his own home race. He drove the best qualy lap in the history of F1 at the track when no one thought he'll be in the top 3. He broke Schumi's record for most poles in Monza He equaled Schumi's record for most wins in Germany, then set the new record at the new track. He helped Mercedes to win 7th championship at the track called Enzo Dino Ferrari, that is also a huge part of f1 history. Then just to be a little bit more extra he won his 7th title in Turkey where he won his gp2 title. And he did it in equaly dramatic way. Like name more iconic duo than Lewis and those poetic cinema moments.

I'm impressed by the list of his achievements, no one truly ever does it like him and that's more than good for him 😌👏🏻 I want it to happen at the RB track, it would be another piece of poetic cinema and I'd enjoy that!

[vro0m]

vro0m’s rewatch - 13/288

2007 Italian GP

(recap + gifs)

Ayo it’s Monza !

First things first we learn that Raikkonen crashed hard during quali. It’s a McLaren front row with Alonso in pole. Massa third.

Annnnnnd the Ferrari-McLaren espionage saga continues. The World Motorsport Council is meeting next week AND there’s an Italian police investigation into McLaren supposed spying activities now. The FIA couldn’t penalize McLaren because they didn’t have any hard evidence that they used the information from Ferrari to make their car faster. The next meeting on Thursday is to hear new evidence that could prove precisely that. The FIA demanded that all 3 McLaren drivers (meaning Lewis, Alonso and Pedro de la Rosa) surrender any email that mentions Ferrari while assuring them that in return they wouldn’t be punished. Alonso refused to talk about said emails to itv.

Lewis says his job is to race, not to care about these matters. He tried not to think about it too much. He says he has 100% confidence in his team. He’s a bit emotional. He says that depending on the verdict, he might not have a job next week so yeah.

He’s supportive of Ron Dennis who’s been supportive of him since he was 13.

Now we see Raikkonen’s crash. It’s a big one, wow. In post-quali interviews, he explains “I just locked the rear brakes and unfortunately it turned right and not left”. Wtf. Lewis says it’s nice to have a McLaren front row on Ferrari’s turf : “We just need to make sure we try and bring it home same positions tomorrow… Or similar positions.”

He then talks about his last year in Monza. That’s when he got his GP2 title and learned he was going to be a F1 driver. He tells the story of how he was discussing it with Ron Dennis throughout the year begging him not to give the seat away to someone else, trying to convince him he’d be ready. In Monza, after the F1 quali as Raikkonen was celebrating his pole, he pulled Lewis aside and said “I’m gonna give you a chance.” Lewis describes him as being all quiet and serious and says he wasn’t sure what he meant at the time : testing? the actual seat? He knew it was a good thing whatever it was and was buzzing inside but put on a “professional smile” and just said thank you lol.

Anyway, the cars are getting on the grid. Formation lap.

And they’re racing !

Great start though aggressive from Lewis who almost pushes Massa out in the grass but the Ferraris catch up to him. He still manages to get through while defending and keeps his place. His driving is a bit frantic, Massa is fighting hard.

Oh no big crash! Coulthard is off the track in the barriers. The replay shows it’s actually not as bad as it looked thankfully. Safety Car is out though, but they couldn’t catch up to the leaders so they’re in the middle of the pack lol.

We see a replay of the start : there’s actually been contact between Massa and Lewis, which explains why he missed the apex of the second corner. In the meantime, the whole SC situation sorted itself out and the cars are now in correct order behind it. Rosberg also cut the second chicane which might be investigated too. Apparently McLaren directly contacted Charlie Whiting (lol so that happened back then already?) to ask what they wanted to do about Lewis cutting the corner but he just didn’t answer.

Safety Car in at the end of the fifth lap. Unscheduled pitstop for Massa on lap 10, wonder what that was about. Seems there’s an issue with the car? Yep. One lap later, they retire the car. Raikkonen in 3rd is now 10 seconds behind Lewis, himself 1.7 seconds behind Alonso.

18 laps in, Lewis pits for new hard tyres which means there will have to be a second stop to put on the softs. He locked up coming in to hit the pitlane speed limit, hopefully he did that in time… Now Alonso also pits and comes back out in front.

So Raikkonen is leading and the Ferrari strategy makes McLaren very nervous. He looks like he’s on a 1-stop strategy which might change the outcome of the race. But we’ll see, as he now pits. Depending on how long it takes = how much fuel they put in = how long he can stay out, we’ll know. And that’s 11 seconds! Definitely a one stopper. The McLarens go past as Raikkonen exits the pitlane but they have to stop again and he doesn’t! However, he’s also now much heavier than them. They need to pull a gap significant enough that they can make the second stop and still come out in front of him.

Alonso is 2.8 clear of Lewis who is already 19 seconds ahead of Raikkonen. It’s probably not gonna work out for Ferrari, they just don’t have the pace this weekend.

Ah but now with 17 laps to go Lewis seriously needs to accelerate if he wants to keep his second spot on the podium! Alonso is safe in front though. And there we go, 4 laps later it’s happening. Will he make it? The pitstop only lasts 6 seconds which is very quick for 2007. But here is Raikkonen! Yep. Lewis is now third. He didn’t make it. That’s gonna be rough.

OH NO WAY! He OVERTOOK Raikkonen! Yes show them boy! It was so unexpected we didn’t even get to see it happen. Come on show us a replay already. Oooooh it was daring.

10 laps to go and… it’s the end of the race!

In the post-race interview, Alonso is asked about what it means to win here after such a hard week for the team. He answers in a very egocentric manner talking only about what it means to him given he had never won there before. Doesn’t say one word about the team. Lewis is asked his own questions and unprompted says how important it was for him to keep the 1-2 for the team, whatever it took, because they’ve worked so hard lately. The difference in character is louder and louder imho.

Ron Dennis is seen getting an ovation from the whole McLaren team. He’s very emotional, as he was on the podium.

Lewis is still leading the WDC but only by 3 points now.

[f1chronicle]

Lance Strolls To Pole Untroubled By Constant Rains As Max’s Second, Perez’s Third Sets Perfect Tone To Turkish GP!

Not just speed or sheer dominance alone, FORMULA 1 is also about correcting major wrongs. For instance, the last Canadian driver to take pole was Jacques Villeneuve. A fact that remained unchanged for nearly two decades which is precisely when Villeneuve’s compatriot Lance Stroll righted a woeful anomaly in F1 history in putting his Racing Point right on top at the 2020 Turkish GP.

But was that expected?

Who saw this coming?

Only if you were a master punter or say, a clairvoyant would you have predicted Saturday’s pole-sitter, a task that given sheer difficulty thanks to incessant rains and knowing FORMULA 1’s penchant for the uncertain was as difficult as climbing a summit barefooted.

But in usurping the challenge of driving around at the daunting Istanbul Park despite barely any visibility, both Racing Point drivers were right on the money, young Lance Stroll clinching a maiden career pole with Sergio Perez in third.

Max Verstappen, who all but pipped the Canadian ended with a feisty second.

So was that any easy? Or was the second- actually not the worst-possible place to begin the 2020 Turkish GP, given its still the front row- down to the wrong tyre choice?

If the flying Dutchman is to be believed, then “the Intermediates didn’t really work for us,” as Max referred to the tyre choice, something that hardly bothered the two flying Racing Points, functioning with better grip especially against tremendous rains.

While the intermediates did the trick that the two Mercedes-powered cars were so hoping for, the dazzling duo achieving their best starts to any Grands Prix this season, it wasn’t that pleasing a sight for the ‘best team on the grid!’

Not Exactly Hammertime in Quali for Legendary LH!

Even as Lewis Hamilton managed only a Sixth, a fairly unusual result given his usual lofty standards, with teammate Bottas down in Ninth, there were several marked improvements for those who led and trailed the two Mercedes’.

For instance, Alex Albon grabbing another impressive Fourth, stacking his machine right behind Perez, meanwhile, Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo- arguably speaking, the driver of the season behind the two Mercedes’- grabbing a fighting Fifth on the grid.

Though the man in the other Renault, Esteban Ocon, who until Q1 had been the fastest on the grid, fell further down to seventh, again not a terrible slot on the grid.

Alfa’s Males Strike

That told, the 2020 Turkish GP qualifying shall always be remembered for a special moment for Alfa Romeo. Never before in the thirteen rounds held so far had both Alfa Romeos managed to break into Q3.

But then hasn’t Turkey been welcoming to FORMULA 1’s Iceman Kimi Raikkonen, winner of the 2005 race (with McLaren)?

In going eighth and tenth fastest, respectively, Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi sprung conquered a grid position that Frederic Vasseur will take happily any day having witnessed the constantly jarring troubles of his Swiss team on the much-important Saturdays.

Yet again, another pleasant surprise that probably not even Kimi or ‘Tonio’ would’ve guessed at the start: what do you reckon?

Further down the grid were Lando Norris in eleventh, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel on twelfth (albeit the faster of the two Scuderias), and Carlos Sainz Jr. in the other McLaren, the Spaniard bisecting the two Ferraris as Leclerc– in Fourteenth- struggled for grip, going wide at Turn 1 during the closing stages to end an insipid run.

Packed midfield

Pierre Gasly, who’s greatest moment since the inspiring Monza win came at the behest of a brave Portimao drive (P5) could only gather a lowly Fifteenth, perceptibly adding to his frustration, a bit like the rest of the actors on a slippery Turkish stage.

That said, Kevin Magnussen of Haas, who had been so promising despite battling incessant rains in a curtailed (rain-affected) Q2- the usual story for much of Saturday- slipped down to Sixteenth.

Daniil Kvyat, fresh from a stellar drive at Imola where he gathered a fourth endured a tough race, spinning around a slippery track especially at a time where he would’ve liked to have focused hard and held on decisively to a much stronger grid position instead of ending on Seventeenth.

Meanwhile, Romain Grosjean, who funnily even missed his flight to arrive at Istanbul, also the destination of his two important GP2 wins, and was due to start the 2020 Turkish GP from Nineteenth, benefitted from Russell being relegated to the very rearend of the grid on Twentieth.

But what can the experienced driver do with a P19, we are yet to see?

But there was more disappointments for drivers further at the back!

Russell, who also suffered the heartbreak of yet again failing to score that elusive point at Imola in the last race, as a result of a late ruling by the stewards, found himself usurped by teammate Nicholas Latifi who too spun in the closing stages, the Canadian managing no better than a very poor Nineteenth.

The avid youngster was penalized for exceeding the allocated number of power unit parts.

This meant that he would come last in the pecking order, driving a machine with which he shall once again hope to punch above his weight just as he has done all this while.

All of that said, Sunday’s returning Turkish GP 2020 shall possibly uphold the victory of the one who’ll persist against all odds, which given the way the final grid has shaped, may not only be down to Racing Points facing Mad Max alone. It could be the weather too, it could also be some opening lap skirmish, which may unexpectedly color a contest which already looks fascinating.

So what will it be- a Stroll in the park for Lance or Sergio’s moment wherein he dabbles both the Honeybadger as well as the bull-run. You listening, Max?

from WordPress https://ift.tt/38MKORR via IFTTT

[italianaradio]

MotoGP, a Misano novità importanti sul futuro di Valentino Rossi

Nuovo post su italianaradio https://www.italianaradio.it/index.php/motogp-a-misano-novita-importanti-sul-futuro-di-valentino-rossi/

MotoGP, a Misano novità importanti sul futuro di Valentino Rossi

MotoGP, a Misano novità importanti sul futuro di Valentino Rossi

Tutto pronto sul circuito di Misano per il Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, nuova tappa del Motomondiale 2019. Intanto, nella classe MotoGP continua a tenere banco il futuro di Valentino Rossi. Il Dottore nei giorni scorsi ha lasciato intendere che potrebbe correre nel “Circus” fino a 43 anni. Intervistato da Sky Sport, il centauro pesarese ha fatto chiarezza dicendo: “I risultati dell’anno prossimo saranno importanti per capire se avrò ancora la forza e la velocità necessaria per continuare oppure no. Nel frattempo, bisogna fare una terza parte di stagione bene, ci sono ancora 6-7 gare, si lavora e certe cose si possono mettere su già quest’anno. Abbiamo già fatto due test con la moto 2020, questo è positivo. C’è ancora tanto da lavorare, alcune cose vanno meglio e altre invece non vanno. Si lavorerà almeno fino a febbraio dell’anno prossimo per avere il prototipo finale. La Yamaha si sta impegnando, arriviamo ai test e abbiamo delle cose da provare vere”.

I complimenti di Vale a Quartararo e Leclerc. Sul centauro francese Rossi ha detto: “Quartararo ha un talento fuori dal comune, mi aspettavo fosse veloce ma non così. I tempi che fa nelle prove sono veramente incredibili. Lui sale in moto e non pensa a niente, non ha un trascorso di esperienze negative. Questo aiuta, anche se lui soprattutto ha un gran talento”. A seguire un commento sulla Formila 1 e sul grande protagonista di Monza: “Leclerc è un fenomeno, un pilota vero. Si vede dai risultati che ha ottenuto. Ha vinto la GP3, ha vinto la GP2 al primo anno, è arrivato in Formula 1 con l’Alfa Romeo ed è andato subito forte. È salito sulla Ferrari e sta facendo paura. È fortissimo, Monza secondo me è stato un weekend indimenticabile. La Formula 1 è bella perché c’è tutta la generazione futura, da Norris a Verstappen, che va forte”.

Valentino Rossi in conferenza. Parlando nelle tradizionali conferenze del giovedi in vista del GP, il Dottore ha dichiarato: “Misano per me è sempre un Gran Premio speciale, è il mio Gran Premio di casa vero e proprio. Nelle ultime gare sono andato un po’ meglio, ma a Silverstone dopo un solido weekend in gara volevo lottare per il podio anche se non ero abbastanza forte per farcela. Ci riproveremo a Misano, abbiamo fatto qualche test, il passo è abbastanza buono e mi sentivo abbastanza bene in moto. Siamo pronti e vedremo se saremo abbastanza forti per lottare per il podio. Abbiamo testato alcuni pezzi importanti, ho avuto buone sensazioni, non c’è una grossa differenza però mi è piaciuto sia il nuovo scarico che il nuovo forcellone. Yamaha ha lavorato nella direzione giusta, le sensazioni sono positive”. Forza Dottore!

Tutto pronto sul circuito di Misano per il Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, nuova tappa del Motomondiale 2019. Intanto, nella classe MotoGP continua a tenere banco il futuro di Valentino Rossi. Il Dottore nei giorni scorsi ha lasciato intendere che potrebbe correre nel “Cir…

Fabio Camillacci

[ultrasfcb-blog]

Formula 1: Is Kimi Raikkonen right to stay in F1? - Jolyon Palmer

Formula 1: Is Kimi Raikkonen right to stay in F1? - Jolyon Palmer

Formula 1: Is Kimi Raikkonen right to stay in F1? – Jolyon Palmer

Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer, who left Renault during the 2017 season, has joined the BBC team to offer insight and analysis from the point of view of the competitors.

The Singapore Grand Prix wasn’t a classic by any means. Lewis Hamilton took a good step closer to the title with a dominant victory, but while the 2018 title fight is starting to fizzle out, there is already plenty to get excited about for 2019.

This year’s driver-transfer market has probably been the most interesting I can remember. There have been so many switches, resulting in plenty of new pairings and match-ups that will be fascinating to watch in 2019. It looks like of all 10 teams, only Mercedes will remain unchanged.

The most exciting changes for me are two movers into top teams – Charles Leclerc to Ferrari and Pierre Gasly to Red Bull.

Why it’s good to take risks on drivers

It is always interesting to see new, young faces in top drives, and down the years it’s actually been very rare that a young star has failed to deliver when a top team has taken a risk on them.

In the last decade, Red Bull took a chance with Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo, Sebastian Vettel and McLaren with Lewis Hamilton, and all went on to win races or championships for those teams and be extremely successful.

The only exceptions have probably been Daniil Kvyat – who arguably was promoted too soon at Red Bull in 2015 and subsequently dropped – and Heikki Kovalainen, who replaced Fernando Alonso at McLaren in 2008.

Kovalainen won a race and Kvyat had a few podiums, but they both failed to reach the heights expected of them at the time of the move.

All in all, the stats say that teams who make bold driver choices benefit from them. I think it’s not only good for the sport to see new faces in the hunt to win races in the top teams, but it’s also good for those teams as well.

Leclerc the right call for Ferrari

Twenty-year-old Sauber driver Charles Leclerc, will partner Sebastian Vettel in 2019

A couple of months ago, Vettel stated a preference to retain Kimi Raikkonen as his team-mate next year. Of course he would. As a driver, you are always compared to your team-mate and Vettel has had the measure of Raikkonen for four years now.

Raikkonen is a fair driver, who doesn’t involve himself in too much politics and gets on with Vettel. It’s a harmonious relationship within the team, but a fresh new youngster will be a different thing for Vettel to deal with and he may need to up his game again.

After Vettel had won four straight world championships at Red Bull, Ricciardo replaced the retiring Mark Webber as his team-mate in 2014 and immediately beat the German, in a team that was built around him after a dominant era.

Ferrari are poised to see another title slip through their hands right now as Hamilton seems imperious and Vettel has made a few too many mistakes in comparison this year.

Vettel’s errors ultimately may end up costing him this title, but overall he has been extremely good. The fact he is still 67 points ahead of Raikkonen in spite of those mistakes tells you the level he can operate at. But Hamilton’s season has been unbelievable, faultless; his best in Formula 1 in my opinion.

Fresh motivation and impetus in the team for next year in the form of the very promising rookie Leclerc is a big step in the right direction for Ferrari.

Red Bull’s case is different because they were forced to replace Ricciardo after his decision to switch to Renault.

Gasly also a good call for Red Bull

French driver Pierre Gasly will replace the departing Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull next season

I’m sure Red Bull would have preferred to keep their race winning Australian, but Ricciardo’s surprise switch to Renault (another exciting prospect and story for the neutral to see in 2019) meant they had a natural choice between Gasly and Carlos Sainz.

They chose Gasly, another driver with an impressive rookie campaign under his belt at Toro Rosso, and I look forward to seeing how he gets on alongside Verstappen next year.

Like Ferrari, Red Bull are a team who need a fresh new impetus after a disappointing season this year. A switch to Honda engines for 2019 is a big deal, but a new driver line-up will also give them a fresh start to build for the future again in a new era for the team.

Some great talent missing out

Overall, it’s been a positive driver market, with plenty of changes at the front end of the grid, and still some seats to be settled further back as well.

But there’s a log jam of extremely good talent coming through that is a bit of an underlying frustration, mainly for Toto Wolff, whose Mercedes team have plenty of them on their roster.

Esteban Ocon, a Mercedes junior, is set to lose his seat at Force India and have no 2019 F1 drive at all. This would be a big shame for the sport. And George Russell, the current Formula 2 championship leader, is struggling to make the natural step up to F1.

For Ocon, his performances have made him worthy of a top drive in F1, but he has the doors closed off from the main Mercedes team for next year at least by their decision to retain Hamilton and Bottas for 2019.

Russell, meanwhile, is below Ocon in the Mercedes pecking order. Recent reports have linked him to a seat at Williams for next year to replace Lance Stroll, who is surely bound for Force India – now owned by his father. If Russell and Williams can make a deal work, it would be a great step for the promising Brit.

All the latest F1 Gossip

A seat in F1 is unbelievably tough to achieve. There are only 20 in the world, and at grass roots go-karting there are millions of young drivers who all aspire to get there at what will be a cost that varies between reasonable and huge.

I dreamt of being an F1 driver from an extremely young age, but in reality I never thought I would actually get there. The stats speak for themselves and it is an almost impossible challenge.

Only once I was winning GP2 – the forerunner of F2 – in 2014 did I think it could realistically happen.

Every step a driver moves up the ladder, the dream becomes more of a reality. But even winning F2 is not enough these days. When I was GP2 champion in 2014 I needed a year as an F1 reserve in 2015 to get a chance (as well as a reasonable amount of good fortune). It was the same for both Vandoorne and Gasly in the following years.

That’s why there’s a frustration when drivers who are under performing stay in F1, because the talent pool coming through is so vast and so good.

Should Raikkonen have quit?

Raikkonen signing for Sauber on a two-year deal is a strange one for me, and many in the paddock were surprised by the move as well.

Having driven in top F1 machinery since his switch to McLaren in 2002, Raikkonen is stepping back to a midfield team, with next to no hope of a podium despite Sauber’s recent progress.

Yes, Raikkonen was on pole at Monza earlier this month, setting the fastest lap ever set in a Formula 1 car, narrowly pipping Vettel and Hamilton. But that was only his second pole position in more than 10 years, while Vettel has had five this year alone.

Raikkonen’s lap of one minute 19.119 seconds meant he averaged 163.793mph

On the whole, Raikkonen has had a brilliant F1 career. I remember growing up watching him putting in some mesmerising performances for McLaren, before winning his title with Ferrari in 2007. And he has generated a huge and loyal fanbase with his trademark ‘ice man’ personality.

But the results haven’t been there of recent years. He hasn’t outperformed a team-mate since the first half of 2013 against Grosjean in the Lotus. In 2014, he scored a third of the points of team-mate Fernando Alonso on his return to Ferrari.

Mercifully for him, Alonso left at the end of the year and he has been closer to Vettel since. But only in 2016 has Raikkonen got within 100 points of his team-mate at the end of the year. This year is going a similar way, with the gap between the two up at 67 points now with six races left.

Raikkonen will be 41 by the time his two-year contract at Sauber expires, and with drivers’ careers extending ever further it makes it that much harder for new talent to make the grid.

If they are still at the top of their game, as Alonso appears to be at 37, with a brilliant seventh place for McLaren in Singapore on Sunday, then of course there’s no reason to stop. Although, ironically, Alonso has decided to call time on F1 at the end of the year.

But for Raikkonen, bar the odd flash of pace, it feels like his best was a while ago.

Nonetheless his experience could help Sauber develop in the short term, as long as he can retain motivation in a car in which he will probably do well to score points.

And although it’s surprising, it is nice to see that Raikkonen really is still in love with F1 and the thrill of driving.

Big hopes for Norris

Meet Lando Norris – McLaren’s new kid on the block

The final exciting mover over the summer, especially from a British point of view is Lando Norris moving to McLaren to replace Vandoorne.

I have sympathy for Vandoorne because I know how good he can be, and for some reason he hasn’t been able to deliver that at McLaren against Alonso. I hope he can find a seat elsewhere to prove himself, but it isn’t looking too likely right now.

Norris, on the other hand, is a reason for British fans to get excited. Currently second in F2 behind Russell, he has won every single-seater category he’s raced in at the first attempt. While he’s enjoyed a vast amount of testing in all series he’s competed in as well, he’s made the most of it with some dominant displays.

His ability in the wet is plain to see, and for me that signals a natural talent, an innate ability to find grip and balance within a car. That’s the stuff that you can’t really teach a driver.

With McLaren going backwards this year, it isn’t ideal timing, but as I said above, just to get into F1 is phenomenally hard in itself and Norris now has a platform where he can show off what he can do to the world.

When Hamilton won GP2 and was promoted to McLaren in 2007, he had the benefit of a lot of testing and a race-winning car. Norris will not have either, but he will also have less pressure and that can have benefits as well.

The icing on the cake for the UK and motorsport on the whole would be for Russell to join him on the grid, making three British drivers for the first time since 2016.

BBC Sport – Formula 1 ultras_FC_Barcelona

ultras FC Barcelona - https://ultrasfcb.com/formula1/12888/

#Barcelona