Bernie Ecclestone lists his renowned £500 million Formula 1 collection for sale

Former Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has decided to sell his famous £500 million collection of F1 memorabilia.

Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has decided to sell his renowned car collection.

The assortment includes 69 vehicles, spanning from a 1931 Bugatti Type 54S to the legendary Ferrari F1 car driven by Michael Schumacher that clinched the championship in 2022.

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A 94-year-old individual is putting it on the market with the help of Tom Hartley Jnr, a UK company that specializes in high-performance cars.

Additional notable pieces in the collection are Formula 1 cars once driven by renowned champions like Mike Hawthorn, Niki Lauda, and Schumacher.

Several Brabham cars, which were part of the team owned by Ecclestone in the 1970s and 1980s, are also included.

Ecclestone is eager to sell his collection because he wants to see where it ends up, rather than leaving the task to his wife, Fabiana Ecclestone, in the future.

Ecclestone stated, "For over half a century, I've been acquiring these vehicles, always ensuring I choose the finest examples available."

“I cherish all of my vehicles, but I've reached a point where I need to consider their future if I'm no longer around, which is why I've chosen to put them up for sale."

"Having gathered and possessed them for quite some time, I want to know their whereabouts instead of leaving the task to my wife if I'm not here."

Hartley Jnr stated that the collection has a value that reaches several hundred million dollars.

He mentioned, "The collection includes numerous cars valued in the tens of millions, with the total worth of the collection reaching several hundred million."

"The collection covers seven decades of racing history, yet for me, the standout pieces are undoubtedly the Ferraris."

Among the notable Ferraris is the 'Thin Wall Special', renowned for being the first to defeat Alfa Romeo. Other significant models include the 375 F1, which secured victory for Alberto Ascari at the Italian Grand Prix, and the championship-winning cars driven by Lauda and Schumacher.

A Challenging Year for Ecclestone

The ex-Formula 1 chief has faced difficulties this year, now ranking as the second highest tax contributor in the United Kingdom.

He had to pay a large settlement after being convicted of not disclosing over £400 million stored in a Singaporean trust.

Ecclestone avoided a prison sentence by consenting to a tax payment of £652.6 million.

For more than four decades, Ecclestone led Formula 1, during which time the sport saw a significant rise in its popularity.

His time in office concluded in 2017 following the purchase of ownership by Liberty Media.

Since that time, Ecclestone has only occasionally been seen in the Formula 1 paddock.

He created a buzz by alleging that both he and former FIA president Max Mosley were aware of the 'Crashgate' scandal, in which Renault manipulated the outcome of a race to secure Fernando Alonso's victory at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

This subsequently affected the 2008 championship battle and might be the reason Felipe Massa did not secure the world title.

After Ecclestone initially admitted to the claims but later recanted, Massa initiated a lawsuit.

Connor, known for his keen insight into the controversies and narratives of Formula 1, is the core of our impartial journalism.

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Max Verstappen criticizes F1 stewards with a remark about immediate investigations.

"I'm aware that if I hadn't eased off, it would have been looked into immediately."

Max Verstappen has stated that he believes he "would have been immediately scrutinized" if he had committed the same violation as Lando Norris during the F1 Qatar Grand Prix.

In the midst of the Qatar Grand Prix, Verstappen observed that Norris had considerably reduced his lap time on the start-finish straight while double-waved yellow flags were being displayed.

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Over the team radio, Verstappen asked, "Can you verify if he slowed down for the yellow flag? There was a yellow flag in the middle of the straight."

Gianpiero Lambiase, his race engineer, promptly verified that Norris had not eased off the throttle.

The F1 stewards quickly looked into the incident, resulting in Norris receiving a significant 10-second stop-and-go penalty.

Due to the penalty, Norris was pushed to the end of the pack but ultimately ended the race in 10

During the FIA press conference following Sunday's race, Verstappen expressed his belief that if he had exceeded the speed limit under yellow flag conditions, similar to what Norris did, it would have been scrutinized without another driver's involvement.

"To be honest, I realized I had eased off the gas when I noticed the double yellow flags," he explained. "I was fully aware that if I hadn't slowed down, it would have immediately triggered an investigation. So, you're just conscious of it. Yes, I did inquire if he had also eased off, especially since he got a DRS from a slower car at that moment."

Naturally, as we exited Turn 1, I noticed he had significantly closed the gap.

"I simply requested the team to verify it. It was a standard inquiry, after all. I'm aware that they're generally very stringent when it comes to double yellow flags."

Verstappen expressed his frustration in Qatar

Despite securing his ninth Formula 1 victory of the season and achieving his first win in dry conditions since the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen remained annoyed due to the actions of Mercedes driver George Russell.

After the qualifying session, Verstappen received a penalty that moved him back one spot on the starting grid. The race stewards determined that he had been driving excessively slowly during the third qualifying segment, which also caused an obstruction for Russell.

Verstappen received an unusual penalty because drivers are seldom penalized for going too slow during qualifying, especially since Russell, whom Verstappen allegedly blocked, was not on a fast lap.

Verstappen was also annoyed by Russell's conduct in the stewards' room.

The driver who has won the world championship four times expressed that he no longer respected Russell following the British racer's efforts to have Verstappen penalized.

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Isack Hadjar's chances of entering Formula 1 have improved as Red Bull's enthusiasm for Franco Colapinto wanes. Hadjar might become a new face on the 2025 Formula 1 lineup.

Isack Hadjar might have the opportunity to debut in Formula 1 with VCARB, as Red Bull seems less interested in Franco Colapinto.

According to reports from The Race and AMuS, Colapinto's reputation has declined recently, following initial interest from Red Bull and Alpine in the Argentine driver.

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Franco Colapinto's standout early showings for the Williams team, stepping in for Logan Sargeant at the Monza circuit, attracted attention from both Red Bull and Alpine.

If Red Bull ultimately chooses to part ways with Sergio Perez, or if Perez himself opts to leave, the team will be in need of a new driver to join either their primary team or their development squad.

Red Bull had some reservations about Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, which led them to consider Colapinto as a compelling alternative.

Rumors circulated that Telmex, the Mexican sponsors of Perez led by Carlos Slim, might have supported Colapinto. This would potentially address the funding gap created by a driver exchange if Colapinto took over.

Should Red Bull decide to switch out Perez for Tsunoda or Lawson, Colapinto might have become part of VCARB.

Nonetheless, their enthusiasm for Colapinto has diminished following a series of challenging races he faced with Williams.

Mistakes made without pressure and slower speed compared to Alex Albon, along with a rumored release cost of approximately £20 million, have deterred Red Bull from pursuing Colapinto.

Consequently, Hadjar should be chosen to fill any open position at VCARB for the upcoming season.

Hadjar is involved with Red Bull and is competing for the Formula 2 championship.

Although Red Bull isn't completely sure that he will become a future world champion, he is the next candidate and would merit a chance.

Alpine and Flavio Briatore have decided not to pursue their interest in Colapinto, after considering the possibility of bringing him to Enstone.

Despite having secured Jack Doohan for the upcoming season, who will be making his Formula 1 debut by replacing Esteban Ocon at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend, Colapinto's performance has attracted Briatore's attention.

At least for the moment, Doohan seems to be secure as we approach 2025.

Ultimately, this indicates that Colapinto will be absent during the initial months of the coming year.

If a spot becomes available on the team during the season, he will likely be among the team's top choices for a new driver.

Connor, known for his keen insight into F1's disputes and narratives, is the core of our impartial journalism.

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Unexpected events outside the race attract attention at the F1 Qatar Grand Prix

A summary of what you may have overlooked in Qatar, brought to you by Stewart Bell

This year's event in Qatar was full of excitement, even though the drivers' championship had already been decided. The pyramid kerbs were adjusted, and the cooler temperatures were notable. The race featured several multi-car collisions, two tire blowouts, three safety car deployments, and a host of penalties.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull clinched his fourth championship title by finishing fifth in Las Vegas. On race day, he avoided any penalties and went on to achieve his second consecutive victory at Lusail, marking his ninth win of 2024 and the 63rd of his career overall.

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However, Lando Norris, his competitor, didn't have the same fortune in Qatar, even though he engaged in an intense contest with the Dutch driver for over half of the race.

The McLaren racer's hopes were dashed when he overlooked the double waved yellow flags on the main pit straight. As a result, he received a harsh 10-second stop-and-go penalty along with three penalty points. This left him finishing in 10th place at the end of the race, with the fastest lap earning him a bonus point as his only consolation.

In what appeared to be a possible violation identified by the top-ranking Dutch driver, who happens to be a friend of Norris, the situation intensified. This came after the Dutchman had already stirred things up earlier in the weekend by suggesting that, had he been behind the wheel of the British driver’s McLaren MCL38, he might have secured the championship before reaching Las Vegas.

After the race, Verstappen inquired whether the driver had slowed down. He remarked, "It's reasonable to question this, especially when you have complied by reducing speed. That's the consequence you face. The rules regarding yellow flags are pretty strict. I've experienced this firsthand with penalties before, and that's just how it goes."

Carlos Sainz and George Russell make a sponsor connection in Qatar

Away from the racing circuit, events took an unexpected turn when tennis icon Novak Djokovic was announced as the Global Brand Ambassador and Wellness Advisor for Qatar Airways, a key Formula 1 sponsor. Rather than playing tennis with some of the drivers, Djokovic found himself at the well-known Doha salon, HD Cutz. There, while getting a haircut, he engaged in a conversation about F1.

"This is like the Formula One of haircuts," remarked the Joker. "I can't see precisely what he's doing, but I completely trust him."

Novak Djokovic is quite familiar with Formula 1 and its racers. He crossed paths with Carlos Sainz from Ferrari at the Monte Carlo Masters in April. Additionally, he often encounters Mercedes' George Russell during his regular visits to a nearby gym.

He expressed his enthusiasm for Formula One, stating that he has been an avid supporter since childhood. Michael Schumacher was his hero in the sport, and he enjoyed watching him race. Since then, he has kept up with all the individuals who have contributed to making Formula One popular around the world.

The Joker, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles in men's singles, is eager to improve his skills alongside Lewis Hamilton, another champion based in Monaco.

In a recent encounter, Djokovic recounted their initial meeting, during which they discussed a variety of topics. Djokovic extended an invitation for a brief tennis lesson, which the individual seemed interested in accepting. The person admitted that he wanted to improve his tennis skills and expressed dissatisfaction with his current level. Djokovic believes he can assist him in enhancing his game.

Lewis Hamilton Faces Challenges at Qatar Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton experienced significant difficulties at the Qatar Grand Prix. The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion admitted, "I am certainly not quick anymore," following his seventh-place qualification for Saturday's Sprint. On Sunday, he was penalized twice during the race: initially receiving a 5-second penalty for a false start, followed by a drive-through penalty for exceeding the 80 km/h speed limit in the pit lane by 12.5 km/h. Ultimately, the British driver ended the race in 12th place.

However, Hamilton entered the weekend with a grin, fresh from completing astronaut flight training with the Polaris program in the United States.

As part of a program organized by Mercedes sponsor IWC Shaffhausen, the British individual geared up and was ready for a one-hour flight aboard the L-39 Albatros jet.

During a series of standard maneuvers, Hamilton experienced a peak force of 7.5G, which surpasses the gravitational forces astronauts endure during their launch into space. These maneuvers involved both speeding up and slowing down to feel lateral g-forces.

"It's like you're gliding through the clouds," he remarked. "It's quite a distinct experience. We descended, swooping near the runway, which was a bit wild because of how close we got. Then, we pulled back on the stick to ascend again – that was amazing!"

Before taking to the skies, Hamilton received a thorough briefing and examination of the aircraft. However, the instructor was quickly amazed by the racing legend's abilities as soon as they were in the cockpit.

"We were deeply engaged in aerobatics, conducting tests to assess acceleration and deceleration," stated John "Slick" Baum, who serves as the Philanthropy Director and Instructor Pilot for the Polaris Program.

Naturally, we aimed to experience some G-forces, beginning with four, then progressing to five and six, ultimately reaching seven and a half Gs today. The pilot demonstrated exceptional skill and control, and I was truly amazed by his flying prowess.

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Alpine and Mercedes are currently in discussions about Esteban Ocon's potential early departure, according to a report by Lewis Larkam from Qatar.

Toto Wolff has stated that Mercedes is in talks with Alpine regarding the possibility of ending Esteban Ocon's F1 contract ahead of schedule, with additional discussions set to take place today (Monday).

Following Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix, news broke that Ocon will be leaving his position at Alpine, with Jack Doohan taking over for the upcoming season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next weekend.

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Alpine made the announcement official on Monday morning.

In July, Ocon finalized an agreement to move to Haas for the next season. Subsequently, in the following month, Alpine revealed their plan to elevate their current reserve driver, Doohan, to take Ocon's place.

Ted Kravitz, the pitlane reporter for Sky Sports F1, suggested that Esteban Ocon and Flavio Briatore, an adviser for Alpine, reached an agreement. This arrangement reportedly set the stage for Ocon's early exit and allowed Jack Doohan to make his Formula 1 debut ahead of schedule.

Wolff stated that discussions involving Mercedes, who remain in charge of overseeing Ocon's career, and Alpine are set to proceed on Monday.

Wolff informed the media, including Crash.net, that Esteban and their team have a contractual agreement with Alpine regarding driver services, which is set to conclude at the year's end. This is the fundamental aspect of the situation.

The discussion revolves around finding a more effective strategy that could help Esteban prepare more efficiently for Haas in the future. Whether this involves participating in the Abu Dhabi event or not is part of the ongoing conversation. These discussions took place today and are set to continue on Monday.

Alpine desires a resolution that is "beneficial for all parties"

The head of the Alpine team, Oliver Oakes, admitted that the French company is looking for a solution that is "beneficial for all parties involved."

Oakes mentioned that while the topic has been brought up in conversations, no final decision has been made yet.

The situation is somewhat complicated because, while he is part of our team, he is also officially under contract as a Mercedes junior driver. Naturally, he is interested in being released from his obligations ahead of schedule as well.

The decision seems to benefit everyone involved, coming from multiple perspectives. Bringing Jack in sooner is a positive step. Similarly, for Esteban, moving forward early makes sense. Overall, the conversation feels quite organic.

Truthfully, Esteban has played a significant role in this team, and it's mutually beneficial for both parties involved.

Oakes commented, "You might argue that previous disagreements have influenced the situation. However, I believe the primary reason is more of a natural progression, as he's set to move on next year."

"Would it work for both of us to schedule the final round a little earlier? Additionally, it might be beneficial to bring Jack into the team now, allowing him to get comfortable and settle his nerves before next year’s event in Australia."

"It appears that this option is agreeable to everyone, so let's talk about it. This doesn't necessarily mean a decision has to be made right now. I'm confident that Toto and Flavio have a strong rapport, and they'll likely make the best decision for both parties."

Lewis frequently travels worldwide to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. By being present at these races, he provides firsthand accounts and shares the narratives of key figures in the motorsport arena.

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Alpine announces a driver swap for the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, involving Esteban Ocon. Esteban Ocon is set to leave Alpine sooner than initially expected.

Alpine has officially announced the major driver swap that had been speculated, set to take place at the season's final F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next weekend.

Esteban Ocon is set to exit his car, allowing Jack Doohan the opportunity to participate in his first F1 race.

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Ocon has secured a contract with Haas for the 2025 season, but he is leaving his position with Alpine one race sooner than initially planned.

This change of drivers for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix allows Ocon to get behind the wheel of the Haas car during the postseason test, scheduled for Tuesday following the final race.

Doohan, set to embark on his first season with Alpine next year, will have the opportunity to experience some racing this year as an added benefit.

Doohan is set to collaborate with Pierre Gasly in Abu Dhabi, and the two will also partner in 2025.

Mercedes played a role in discussions concerning Ocon's early departure from Alpine, as they continue to oversee his career.

Following the Qatar Grand Prix, Toto Wolff commented on their participation in the discussions.

Wolff mentioned that they had talked about whether there might be a more effective way for Esteban to prepare for Haas in the future. If this preparation involves not participating in the Abu Dhabi event, they are open to considering it.

The head of the Alpine team, Oliver Oakes, remarked, "The input is truly multifaceted. You could argue that bringing Jack onboard early is beneficial."

"It seems beneficial for Esteban to make an early transition. This decision appears to be advantageous for all parties involved."

Ted Kravitz from Sky Sports revealed that Flavio Briatore, the head of Alpine, negotiated an important agreement to have Ocon leave his position sooner than planned, allowing Doohan to take his place for the Abu Dhabi race.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of events, including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Pierre Gasly shares his thoughts on working with Esteban Ocon over the past two years at Alpine as the team announces a change for the Abu Dhabi event.

Pierre Gasly has shared his thoughts on working alongside Esteban Ocon at Alpine, noting that their collaboration is characterized by a "highly professional approach."

Following the conclusion of the F1 Qatar Grand Prix, it was revealed that Ocon would not compete for Alpine in the final race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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On Monday morning, Alpine officially announced that Jack Doohan would be taking over from Ocon.

Ocon is set to leave the team for the Abu Dhabi event, enabling him to participate in the post-season testing session with Haas on Tuesday.

Ocon and Gasly have been competitors since their days in karting as children, which has resulted in a tense relationship.

Although Ocon and Gasly have come near one another during races, they have mostly kept a professional rapport while being teammates at Alpine.

Following the race in Qatar on Sunday, Gasly was questioned regarding the possibility of Ocon leaving early.

Gasly expressed to the media in Qatar, with Crash.net in attendance at the paddock, that he believes their collaboration with Esteban over the past two years has been very effective. He highlighted the professionalism in their approach.

"We share the same goals, and from that moment, we understood the importance of steering the team in a unified direction. Generally, our feedback has aligned. This season hasn't been the simplest for us as a team, given our starting point."

"However, the progress we've made over the year is clearly due to the entire team's efforts and the collaborative way we've motivated each other."

Gasly shines in Qatar, boosting Alpine to sixth place

The 2020 Italian Grand Prix champion delivered an outstanding performance during Sunday's race at the Lusail International Circuit.

Gasly secured a fifth-place finish, boosting Alpine's position to sixth in the F1 constructors’ championship standings.

As they approach the Abu Dhabi event, Alpine holds a five-point lead over Haas.

Connor serves as the central figure in our fair and balanced coverage, possessing a keen awareness of the controversies and narratives within F1.

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Christian Horner criticizes George Russell for being overly dramatic in Qatar, as reported by Lewis Larkam.

Christian Horner, the head of the Red Bull Formula 1 team, has criticized George Russell for his behavior during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, calling it "hysterical."

Horner thinks that Mercedes and Russell exaggerated the situation that resulted in Red Bull's Max Verstappen losing his pole position and being moved to second on the starting grid in Qatar.

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Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, overcame a penalty to secure his ninth victory of the season in Sunday's thrilling race.

Horner mentioned to the press, including Crash.net in Qatar, that the penalty given on Saturday seemed to be largely influenced by George's overly dramatic behavior throughout the weekend.

"It seemed like there was some strategic maneuvering involved in that situation."

Horner implied that the penalty fueled Verstappen's resolve, prompting him to swiftly pass Russell right from the beginning of the race.

"Max, he seemed let down," he clarified.

"If you consider the situation from an objective standpoint, it could be said that George might have been speeding during a slow lap, especially with two slower cars in front of him. This raises the possibility that he was driving carelessly."

Receiving that penalty was aggravating, but he was already eager to secure victory in this race, and I believe it just fueled his determination to have a strong start.

Horner mentioned, "Let's just say he wasn't thrilled with the choice."

"The choice was quite unusual given the situation yesterday, as both vehicles were moving slowly. It seemed to me that George and the Mercedes team exaggerated the incident."

Max received a one-position penalty, which was an unusual occurrence during a slow lap.

"Despite starting from the least favorable position on the grid, he managed to make it one of his best starts of the season. He was resolute in his intention to brake later than George, regardless of where George chose to apply his brakes."

"And transformed that starting spot on the grid into first place by the time they reached the end of the first turn."

Verstappen expressed that he no longer respects Russell following the race, as he was displeased with how the Mercedes driver handled the situation.

Verstappen expressed his astonishment while seated in the stewards' room, noting the unexpected events unfolding around him.

Frankly, it's quite disheartening because we all come together with mutual respect. Throughout my career, I've frequently been in that conference room with fellow racers, and I've never witnessed anyone attempting to undermine someone else to such an extent.

"After that, I no longer had any respect."

Max Verstappen shared with the Dutch TV channel Viaplay that while someone may seem very courteous when the cameras are rolling, their demeanor changes significantly when you're with them privately.

"I really can't tolerate that. You might as well just go away. I want nothing to do with you."

Lewis frequently travels to various Grands Prix events globally for Crash.net. He often covers the events live, sharing the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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Insights from Qatar: Latest Developments in Sergio Perez Rumors

An on-the-ground update from Qatar about Sergio Perez's future in Formula 1.

Sergio Perez seems likely to be replaced by Red Bull when the 2024 Formula 1 season concludes.

After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix wraps up the season, Red Bull plans to finalize its roster of drivers for the 2025 Formula 1 season in a meeting with major stakeholders scheduled for next week.

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Although he has a contract for the upcoming season and remains optimistic about racing with Red Bull in 2025, Perez has faced an uncertain situation for months because of his poor performance streak.

The Mexican driver has accumulated only 152 points this season, while his teammate Max Verstappen has secured 429 points. These underwhelming results have led to Red Bull losing the constructors’ championship.

According to a recent ESPN report, Perez is set to depart from Red Bull when the 2024 season concludes.

While Perez's long-discussed exit seems to be becoming a reality, the uncertainty lies in how he will actually leave.

Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull, suggested after the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday that he would prefer Sergio Perez to make the decision to step aside voluntarily, rather than having to make the choice for the six-time grand prix victor.

When asked by Crash.net about the future of Perez, Horner replied, "I'll allow Checo [Pérez] to make his own decision. No one is pressuring him to choose a specific path. It's clearly an uncomfortable position for him to be in."

According to Crash.net, Red Bull will not make any announcements or decisions until the conclusion of the Abu Dhabi finale.

Who is set to take over from Perez?

Liam Lawson is the leading contender to take Perez's place and join Verstappen as his new teammate starting next season.

In this situation, Isack Hadjar, a junior driver for Red Bull and a competitor in the Formula 2 championship, would be moved up to join Yuki Tsunoda at the affiliate team, which will be rebranded as Racing Bulls the following year.

Substitute driver for Williams, Franco Colapinto, appeared to be a potential candidate for Red Bull. However, on Sunday, Horner appeared to dismiss the possibility of Colapinto being considered.

"He is undoubtedly a skilled individual aiming to secure a full-time spot in Formula 1," Horner stated. "Our Red Bull junior team boasts a strong group of talented drivers, and I'm confident that Franco will eventually make it to the starting lineup."

Discussing Hadjar, who has the potential to clinch the F2 championship during the final race in Abu Dhabi, Horner remarked: "It was encouraging to witness Isack Hadjar performing well in Formula 2 today."

"There is approximately a half-point gap between the drivers as they head into the final race in Abu Dhabi. In the previous race in Qatar, Liam and Yuki had similar speed, showing that we have a strong lineup of drivers."

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. By providing on-site reports, Lewis shares the narratives of key figures within the sport.

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Driver Ratings for the 2024 F1 Qatar GP: Was This Lewis Hamilton's Most Challenging Race with Mercedes?

Which Drivers Excelled During the Weekend at the F1 Qatar Grand Prix?

Max Verstappen – 9.5

In Qatar, Verstappen showcased his exceptional skills once again, securing his ninth Formula 1 win of the 2024 season. The only drawback of his weekend was a somewhat absurd one-position grid penalty. This penalty was given for driving too slowly during the qualifying session, which inadvertently impeded George Russell, even though Russell was not on a flying lap at the time.

Zhou Guanyu – 9

In Qatar, Zhou Guanyu was rightly named driver of the day. He earned a better qualifying position than his teammate Bottas and then delivered an impressive performance during the race, securing a finish within the point-scoring positions.

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Fernando Alonso – 9

Alonso stood out as a key player in the midfield. Despite Aston Martin facing challenges with their car's overall speed, which Alonso attributed to insufficient pace on the straights, a strategic decision to revert to medium tires during the Safety Car phase was vital in helping him fight back to secure a seventh-place finish.

Pierre Gasly – 9

In the latest races, Gasly has undeniably emerged as one of the standout drivers in Formula 1. In Qatar, he maintained his competitive edge, ultimately achieving a finish within the top five.

George Russell – 8.5

In Qatar, George Russell demonstrated his remarkable speed by securing consecutive pole positions. Although finishing fourth in Sunday’s race was likely the best outcome he could achieve, his score has been slightly affected by a penalty he received for a breach related to the Safety Car, despite it not impacting the final race results.

Charles Leclerc – 8.5

Overall, Leclerc had a clean and organized weekend. Although Sainz had the upper hand during the sprint, Leclerc proved to be the stronger Ferrari driver during the main race.

Kevin Magnussen – 8

Magnussen should have finished higher than ninth place, but Haas was disadvantaged by the timing of the Safety Car. As a result, the Danish driver fell behind Alonso and Zhou.

Carlos Sainz scored a 7.5 for his efforts over the weekend. He excelled during the sprint segment but found it challenging to keep up with his teammate during the traditional qualifying sessions and the main race. His performance was further hindered by an unlucky tire puncture, likely caused by debris from Alex Albon's Williams.

Oscar Piastri – 7

Despite securing a win in the sprint race and a spot on the podium, the weekend did not fully meet expectations for the Australian driver. If not for the collaborative effort with Norris during the sprint, Russell might have passed him. Additionally, before the Safety Car was deployed, Piastri trailed his teammate by nearly twelve seconds.

Valtteri Bottas – 7

Although teammate Zhou outperformed Bottas in qualifying, Bottas had an impressive start that kept him in the race for points. Unfortunately, a collision with Lawson caused slight damage to his car's floor early in the event. Despite this setback, Bottas battled fiercely and ultimately secured the 11th position.

Alex Albon – 6.5

The Williams team struggled to secure a spot within the top 10, lacking sufficient speed. In the first lap, Albon was involved in a spin caused by Stroll. Later, changing to soft tires during the Safety Car period did not yield the expected results.

Yuki Tsunoda – 6

Tsunoda had an impressive beginning, but both he and the Red Bull team struggled to match the speed of their competitors in the midfield. Similar to Albon, opting for the soft tires during the Safety Car period did not yield the desired results.

Lando Norris received a rating of 5.5. Throughout the Qatar weekend, Norris demonstrated impressive speed. However, his efforts were compromised when he neglected to slow down for double-waved yellow flags, leading to a 10-second stop-go penalty.

Liam Lawson – 5

Lawson experienced a challenging weekend filled with difficulties, and he received a penalty due to a collision involving Bottas.

Nico Hulkenberg – 5

Hulkenberg impressed during the sprint portion of the weekend. However, things went downhill for him during the qualifying session when he was eliminated in Q1. An awkward collision on the first lap then caused Ocon and Colapinto to exit the race.

Franco Colapinto – 5

Colapinto faced misfortune as the race began, finding himself caught in an unfortunate situation. Despite this, he couldn't match Albon's speed, which isn't shocking considering he's using an outdated suspension model because Williams is experiencing a parts shortage.

Lance Stroll received a rating of 4.5. During the first lap, Stroll was involved in a collision with Albon, preventing him from finishing the race. This incident caused damage to his car and led to a penalty from the race stewards, making it pointless for him to continue in the grand prix.

Esteban Ocon – 4.5

Ocon's last weekend racing for Alpine was not memorable. He struggled to keep up and was eliminated at the very first turn. The French driver is likely eager to move on and join the Haas team.

Sergio Perez – 3.5

Perez faced yet another challenging weekend. Although he managed to reach Q3 and performed consistently well during the race until the Safety Car period, he appeared to squander his efforts with a rookie error. Perez attributed his spin under the Safety Car, while on cold tires, to an unexpected "massive over delivery."

Lewis Hamilton – 3

Hamilton's situation couldn't be more challenging. The seven-time world champion lagged behind Russell by 0.3 to 0.4 seconds on single-lap performance. During the race, he incurred two penalties: one for jumping the start and another for exceeding the speed limit in the pit lane. It was an utter catastrophe.

With a keen sense for the controversies and narratives in F1, Connor is the driving force behind our fair and impartial reporting.

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Damon Hill praises Max Verstappen as "phenomenal" following his victory in the Qatar F1 race, stating, "That says it all." Damon Hill showers Max Verstappen with commendation.

Damon Hill, who won the F1 world championship in 1996, has praised Max Verstappen as "phenomenal" after his triumph at the Qatar Grand Prix.

On Sunday in Qatar, Verstappen secured his ninth win of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

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The racer from the Netherlands overcame a grid penalty that dropped him one position to seize the lead at the first corner of the Lusail International Circuit.

Even with Lando Norris applying some pressure from behind, especially following the Safety Car restart, Verstappen managed to secure the win. This marks his first victory in dry conditions since the Spanish Grand Prix in June.

Despite securing their second victory in the last three races, Red Bull has been officially eliminated from the running for the constructors' championship.

Sergio Perez did not complete the race, which means Red Bull is likely to end up in third place in the championship rankings.

Ending the championship in third place would mark their lowest finish since the year 2019.

Former Sky Sports F1 analyst Hill expressed his admiration for Verstappen on his X account.

A former driver for Williams expressed admiration for Verstappen, who is poised to become the first world champion to secure the title with a team ranked third or lower in the standings.

On his X account, Hill posted: “I believe this sums it up. To put it plainly, Max is extraordinary. The numbers speak for themselves.”

Verstappen Shines Again in F1 History

In a stellar performance, Verstappen has etched his name further into Formula 1 history by clinching his fourth world championship title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen is set to become the first driver since Keke Rosberg in 1982 to win the championship while racing for a team that places third or lower in the constructors' standings. Red Bull, currently sitting in third place, echoes the scenario when Williams finished fourth in 1982.

In the past few years, the team that has won the constructors' championship is usually the one whose driver also clinched the drivers' championship title.

Between 2009 and 2020, the team of the driver who won the championship also claimed the constructors' title.

In 2021, although Verstappen claimed the championship, Red Bull ended up in second place, trailing behind Mercedes.

The 2024 Formula 1 constructors' championship is set to be claimed by either McLaren or Ferrari, as the two teams are separated by only 21 points.

Red Bull's lower position in the team rankings can be completely attributed to Sergio Perez, who has not secured a podium spot since the Chinese Grand Prix back in April.

Connor, known for his keen awareness of F1’s disputes and narratives, serves as the core of our impartial reporting.

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Key Safety Car Issue Uncovered During Cooldown Room Discussion in Qatar

Max Verstappen and fellow drivers identify identical issue with Safety Car at F1 Qatar Grand Prix

A significant issue with the Safety Car was observed in the cooldown area following the F1 Qatar Grand Prix.

A tumultuous race unfolded at the Lusail International Circuit, necessitating three Safety Car interventions, one of which was due to tire failures experienced by Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz.

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Upon gathering in the cooldown room, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri all identified the same issue.

Potential Safety Car Issue at F1 Qatar Grand Prix?

Piastri commented, "The Safety Car's lights were not turning off!"

A confused Leclerc appeared to express his surprise by shrugging.

Piastri remarked, "In the second instance, as we all approached the final corner, I was completely uncertain about what would unfold…"

Verstappen, who won the race, then walked into the room.

Leclerc asked Verstappen, "What was happening with the Safety Car?"

Verstappen concurred, saying, "Indeed, they were damaged!"

"That's when I got mixed up. I thought to myself, 'what action should I take?'"

"I was definitely aware that they would leave."

"I was aware that they were no longer present, yet they still seemed to be active somehow…"

The group viewed the race highlights once more, particularly focusing on the mess caused by debris from Alex Albon's Williams car, which contributed to the disorder.

"The Sauber drove directly over the mirror," Verstappen observed.

Max Verstappen and his competitor, Lando Norris, missed out on an anticipated direct competition after Norris, driving for McLaren, received a 10-second penalty and had to fall back in the race standings.

Verstappen was questioned regarding his maneuver past Norris at the beginning: “Was there any contact between you two?”

He replied, "No, we had a very strong bond."

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, reporting on a wide range of topics including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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