Pierre Gasly shares insights into Alpine's remarkable qualifying performance. In Las Vegas, Gasly achieved the best qualifying result for Alpine this F1 season, marking a personal career milestone.

Pierre Gasly attributed his strong performance at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he achieved Alpine's top qualifying position of the season, to an "aggressive" car set-up.

The French driver caused a major surprise by securing third position on the starting grid, trailing only behind George Russell from Mercedes and Carlos Sainz from Ferrari, after delivering an impressive performance in the Q3 session.

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This was not only the highest qualifying position Pierre Gasly has achieved since he began his Formula 1 career in 2017, but it also represented the best showing for Alpine this season. It surpassed the earlier top performance by his teammate Esteban Ocon, who had previously secured a P4 in a rain-soaked qualifying session in Brazil.

"It's unbelievable because it's the first time this has happened. To be honest, we didn't expect to secure a spot in the top three during the qualifying," Gasly mentioned.

"The lap was amazing, particularly on this circuit where you're constantly close to the walls throughout – it was full of adrenaline and very thrilling."

"Upon completing the lap, I sensed it was a strong performance, but hearing over the radio that I'd be starting third tomorrow was simply incredible. I'm absolutely thrilled."

When questioned about the strength of his car in Las Vegas, Gasly explained: "We opted for a particularly bold setup concerning downforce, which means we're using minimal downforce on this circuit."

"We aim to optimize the straight sections, which naturally makes navigating the corners a bit more difficult for us. However, it's undoubtedly a demanding circuit. The weather is quite chilly, making it a unique challenge compared to other races in the season."

"I felt comfortable in the car starting from the first practice session. The second practice session was successful, and the third one also turned out well. During the final qualifying session, we succeeded in performing well with just one set of new tires. Our speed was definitely impressive."

"At the moment, I'm really happy. Even though it's just the qualifying round, I believe this is the first time I've secured a spot in the top three. It definitely feels like a significant achievement."

Following a surprising double podium finish in Brazil, Alpine has managed to pull three points ahead of Haas in the constructors’ championship. This puts the French team in a position to solidify their hold on sixth place even further.

However, Gasly remains cautious and is not allowing himself to become overly optimistic about the prospect of securing another podium finish.

"I'm not really focused on that right now," he asserted. "I believe we understand our goal. We're in competition with Haas and AlphaTauri for the constructors' championship."

"Clearly, the outcome of that qualifying session was incredible. It's satisfying to be ahead of Max, McLaren, and the others. However, ultimately, that’s not our main competition. We'll put forth our best effort in the race tomorrow."

"It's tough dealing with the graining issue here, so we'll be diligent in our preparations tonight to boost our opportunities for tomorrow. Starting from P3 definitely enhances our prospects of scoring valuable points."

Lewis is a frequent presence at international Grands Prix events for Crash.net. As an on-site reporter, he often shares the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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Christian Horner has suggested that Red Bull might consider replacing Sergio Perez, indicating a potential change in their driver roster ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Christian Horner has hinted at the possibility of Red Bull altering their Formula 1 driver roster ahead of the 2025 season.

Sergio Perez has a contract for the upcoming season after agreeing to an extension earlier this year, yet his future is uncertain because he keeps falling short compared to his teammate Max Verstappen.

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As early as this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen has the opportunity to clinch his fourth consecutive drivers' world title. Meanwhile, Red Bull is facing a challenging battle to retain their constructors' championship title.

In the last 15 races, Perez has managed to score just 48 points, while Red Bull has fallen to third place in the constructors' championship. They trail McLaren, the current leaders, by 49 points, with only three races left in the season.

Red Bull's team boss, Horner, has stood by Perez in the past, but he acknowledged that the team "urgently requires" the Mexican driver to improve his performance.

"Sergio is our driver, and our goal is to maximize his performance," Horner mentioned to the official Formula 1 channel. "He has faced a challenging period in terms of his form in recent weeks and months."

"From the perspective of the team, it's crucial for us to have both vehicles performing at the top level as a duo, which hasn't been the case so far. Therefore, we're really hoping Checo can deliver impressive results in these final three races."

"However, it's impossible for us to secure the constructors' championship without having that."

Red Bull might choose to elevate either Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson from their affiliated team, RB. Additionally, Franco Colapinto, who is temporarily driving for Williams, has been suggested as a potential candidate to take Perez's place.

Horner mentioned that Red Bull has the liberty to postpone their final decision until just before the start of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, if necessary.

He stated that they have a clear understanding of the contract situations for all their drivers.

"If we wanted to, we could delay the decision until the Melbourne event next year since our drivers are already contracted."

"However, by year's end, we will review all the data at our disposal."

Lewis frequently travels worldwide to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. He usually provides on-the-scene updates, sharing the experiences and perspectives of key figures in the racing community.

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Why Formula 1 Drivers Are Already Praising the New Race Director

The newly appointed Formula 1 race director, Rui Marquez, has quickly garnered a favorable reaction from the drivers.

George Russell and Carlos Sainz have praised the new Formula 1 race director, Rui Marques.

This weekend, the Las Vegas Grand Prix will feature Marques as the race director for the first time. He stepped into this role for the last three races of the 2024 season after Niels Wittich unexpectedly left his position.

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Although there have been worries about when the FIA made its decision, Mercedes driver and GPDA director Russell is pleased with how well Marques has adjusted to his new position.

"Honestly, I'd say it's positive," Russell remarked. "We've gone through a period where our feedback is acknowledged, but not much actually changes."

Several drivers mentioned the track boundaries at turn four as a point of concern. On a street circuit, it seemed somewhat excessive, so an immediate adjustment was made.

"As drivers, we desire to have our voices acknowledged and to witness immediate action, and up to now, the response has been favorable."

Carlos Sainz from Ferrari expressed that the drivers' gathering in Las Vegas was "the most productive in quite a while."

Carlos Sainz expressed that taking on the position of race director with only three races remaining in the season is an enormous challenge, especially considering the complexity involved in the role within Formula 1.

"He has a challenging job with numerous factors to manage, but right from the start, he's performed exceptionally well."

"The drivers' meeting yesterday was among the most productive we've experienced in quite some time."

George remarked on the situation at the exit of turn three, noting that they had also requested alterations to the pit entry. This was to ensure the line was more visible, as the pit entry line was practically invisible, causing significant concern.

"Today, when we arrived at the track, we noticed that the pit entry line had been expanded with a blue marker. Everyone agreed that this change was well-executed and appreciated. The meeting we had yesterday was very productive, and I feel optimistic because our feedback was taken into account."

Lewis frequently travels to various global locations to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. By providing on-site reports, Lewis shares the narratives of the key figures involved in the sport.

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Mercedes perplexed by remarkable performance

George Russell acknowledges that Mercedes is baffled by their impressive showing during practice sessions in Las Vegas.

George Russell expressed that Mercedes is puzzled by their surprisingly strong performance at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

On the inaugural day of activities in Sin City, Lewis Hamilton led the field in both practice sessions, achieving a Mercedes 1-2 finish in the first practice with George Russell. In the second practice, Russell secured the third position, just behind Lando Norris of McLaren.

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Russell acknowledged that the reason for Mercedes' remarkable performance remains unknown to everyone.

"Absolutely, it was an amazing day. Honestly, we're a bit puzzled as to why things went so well, but I'd really like to explain it to you," Russell remarked.

"Clearly, it was just a practice session. Lewis performed exceptionally well on the track. From the very first lap, he's been fully committed, and the car has been functioning smoothly. However, we have to consider that we're on a street circuit, which tends to be quite messy."

"The pace is increasing with each lap. Just because we were quick today doesn't guarantee the same performance tomorrow, especially with the track likely to be three seconds quicker. It's a nice surprise, though."

When questioned about the possibility of Mercedes losing performance over the course of the weekend, Russell responded: "I wouldn't say it's something we're worried about. The idea that we're dropping in performance might not be entirely accurate."

"I believe the situation is largely due to our competitors not utilizing their maximum power. On Fridays, they might be operating with slightly more fuel than we do, which means they've traditionally been holding back a bit more. When they stop doing this, they return to their usual performance level."

"There might be a chance of that occurring again tomorrow, but the difference we demonstrated earlier today and later tonight has been quite significant."

"I'm certain that the other competitors will put in a lot of effort overnight to narrow the distance, but I really wish we can maintain our current performance."

During a break in practice, Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes, humorously remarked, "I believe we are the champions of dirty tracks."

The first practice session is consistently impressive, but as soon as the track grip improves, their performance tends to drop. However, it's worth noting that the difference in performance was quite significant.

"It's the largest issue we've encountered in FP1 so far, so we'll need to spread some dust for all sessions tomorrow, whether it's during qualifying or another part of the day."

"I don't think the other teams will keep this edge for long. I truly hope that we won't lag behind as we have on certain tracks before, but instead stay competitive and contend at the front."

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix events for Crash.net. By often providing on-the-ground coverage, Lewis shares the narratives of key figures in the sport.

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James Vowles discloses that recent accidents have resulted in Williams incurring a staggering cost in the millions.

James Vowles highlights the substantial expenses Williams faces for repairing damages after recent severe crashes.

James Vowles, the head of Williams F1, has calculated that recent accidents have led to repair costs amounting to several million dollars for the team.

The team from Grove endured a tough sequence of races, experiencing five significant crashes involving drivers Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto during the recent events in Mexico and Brazil.

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Albon couldn't participate in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix because a severe crash during qualifying left his car beyond repair before the race. His teammate, Colapinto, also experienced significant crashes during both qualifying and the main race.

Williams is facing a shortage of spare parts as the last three races of the season approach, leaving them in a difficult position. Vowles has disclosed that this situation has become a financial strain on the team.

"You've reached figures in the millions, somewhere between three and ten. These are significant numbers when you consider our current situation," Vowles stated to ESPN during the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

"In my 25 years working in the sport, I have never encountered the level of damage we faced in Mexico and Brazil. We experienced five significant accidents over just two races. It's challenging to assign blame for these incidents; it’s simply a part of motor racing, but having five…"

"The incident resulted in the loss of five front wings, five floors, five rear wings, three gearboxes, two engines, and two chassis. It's an unbelievable amount of damage."

Vowles commended his team's tremendous effort during the interval between the races in Mexico and Las Vegas to ensure that both Williams cars were repaired and brought up to the same standards.

He described it as an enormous team effort to bring two fully updated cars with the correct specifications to Las Vegas, despite having limited spare parts available.

What makes me feel proud is that during a time of great adversity, when we were at our lowest and felt defeated, the team managed to rise up even more powerful than before. They were determined to show everyone that we are still in the game and will continue to battle for every opportunity until the championship concludes.

"It was an honor to guide the team during that time."

Lewis frequently travels to various countries to cover Grands Prix events for Crash.net. He is often on-site to report on the happenings, focusing on the key figures in the racing world.

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Motorists are frustrated with what they describe as a "dysfunctional" FIA, raising important questions about the ongoing dispute. "It appears to me that they don't have the time to resolve their own issues, much less engage in discussions with the drivers," one source commented.

Martin Brundle has raised concerns about the Grand Prix Drivers Association focusing on less critical issues in their message to the FIA.

George Russell, who leads the GDPA, stated in Las Vegas that the organization in charge of Formula 1 has not addressed their complaints.

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The GDPA launched a new Instagram profile to express disapproval of the FIA's strict approach to profanity, which resulted in Max Verstappen receiving a penalty of community service.

Sky Sports' Brundle expressed his surprise about the GDPA discussions on Instagram, noting that the focus seemed to be more on underwear and jewelry instead of seeking more information on the guidelines for professional stewards or drivers.

"It's evident that the FIA is currently not functioning properly."

"The frequent turnover of top staff is quite significant. From my perspective, they barely have the time to organize themselves, much less communicate with the drivers."

"That's how it's always been. I initiated the current version of the GDPA alongside Michael Schumacher and Gerhard Berger. Back in 1994, I was serving as the chairman."

"The motorists have consistently sought to reach an agreement."

The people involved, including the owners and Formula 1, are not keen on allowing drivers to express their opinions.

The FIA is facing more controversy after race director Niels Wittich was dismissed with just three races left in the season.

Wittich asserted that he was forced to leave, while Verstappen expressed his surprise at the situation.

Brundle expressed that it's quite challenging to make sense of the situation. Niels mentioned that he was let go and had anticipated being present.

He went on to say, "It's understandable that the drivers are upset, and I can't fault them, for discovering through social media that the race director has been replaced with just three races remaining. It doesn't make any sense."

"Drivers have consistently attempted to form a union. However, uniting them is challenging due to their diverse nature and the transient characteristics of the group, especially this season."

Jenson Button commented, "It's beneficial that they are vocal and united in their views."

Danica Patrick expressed the view that when an organization attempts to overshadow the talent of its members, it usually doesn't succeed.

"You need to collaborate with them. These individuals are your warriors, putting their lives on the line."

In the end, it's Niels who ensures their safety.

"Whenever it seems like your opinions are ignored, especially when you're significantly contributing to the sport, it feels unsettling."

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

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Jenson Button reignites discussion on Lewis Hamilton's age and reaction times

"Perhaps there's a slight decline…"

Jenson Button has speculated that Lewis Hamilton's age might be a factor contributing to his underwhelming qualifying performances this season.

This season, with three races remaining, Hamilton trails his teammate George Russell in F1 qualifying sessions, with a record of 16 losses to 5 wins.

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This indicates that during this season, for only the second time in his 12-year stint with Mercedes, he will be outperformed by a teammate in direct qualifying competition.

Former McLaren teammate Button emphasized that Hamilton traditionally excels in qualifying sessions.

However, Button mentioned to Sky Sports, "He's nearing 40. Perhaps you lose just a little bit as you age."

"You are competing with individuals who are in their twenties. Even if your reflexes are excellent, they won't match the sharpness of someone who is 20 years old."

"You might lose that minor advantage that doesn't affect a race, but it becomes more noticeable during qualifying."

"It can be painful to watch the younger drivers not only show speed during qualifying but also demonstrate remarkable consistency throughout the sessions."

The Mercedes team has reasons to feel hopeful as both drivers prepare for Saturday's F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Hamilton secured the fastest times in both practice sessions on Friday, while Russell came in second in one

Mercedes has faced challenges this season, experiencing a decline in competitiveness as race weekends progress.

During the previous race in Brazil, Hamilton was unable to advance past Q1 during a rain-affected qualifying session and ended up securing the 10th position in the grand prix.

He showed up again in Vegas, confessing that during the low point of his disappointing performance in Brazil, he considered quitting.

As Hamilton led the practice session on Friday in Las Vegas, Button expressed his delight by saying, "I'm truly glad he's participating, and I have no doubt we'll witness Lewis at his finest."

However, it is uncertain if he will manage to outqualify his teammate Russell for just the sixth time in 17 tries.

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

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Lewis Hamilton has been described as expressing doubt in his tone. Meanwhile, Ferrari has shown remarkable speed during races this year.

Lewis Hamilton's optimistic demeanor couldn't completely hide the "doubt in his tone," according to observers.

The Mercedes driver was the fastest in both practice sessions on Friday during the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

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On a fruitful day for Toto Wolff's team, George Russell initially secured second place before moving to third.

Hamilton expressed satisfaction with his W15, noting, "We'll find out if the car remains consistent tomorrow."

Danica Patrick from Sky Sports commented, saying, "His tone definitely had a hint of doubt."

"They have never managed to fully understand or control this vehicle."

"I hope he concludes his time with Mercedes on a high note."

He discussed the speed they have during races. However, he can be optimistic because Ferrari's race pace this year has been remarkable.

"As someone who competes, it's impossible to stop at any time."

"He was thrilled even though it was just a practice session. For a driver, each practice is important."

"I hope they maintain that throughout the weekend. Both are experienced drivers who rarely err, which could work to their advantage this weekend."

Hamilton has only three races left before he leaves Mercedes to join Ferrari.

For the last three years, Hamilton has been unable to compete for an F1 title because his car has not been up to standard.

After securing a victory at Silverstone this year, he is set to join Ferrari in 2025 with the goal of achieving an unprecedented eighth championship title.

Currently, he has the opportunity to aim for the pole position at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, having recorded the quickest time during practice sessions.

Jenson Button commented that the team is just as astonished as everyone else, especially considering the performances in the last few races.

In Austin, they were extremely fast on Friday but completely off pace on Saturday.

"The conditions, surface, and climate in Las Vegas are distinct."

"I believe they will be strong contenders. The battle at the front will be intense, with no fewer than four or five cars vying for the top qualifying spot."

Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Carlos Sainz finished in the top five during practice, but the Red Bull drivers lagged behind at an unexpectedly slow pace.

On Friday, Max Verstappen secured the 17th spot, while Sergio Perez finished in 19th place.

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

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Liam Lawson explains his remarks regarding McLaren and the national anthem, saying, "It was intended as a joke." He noted, "I found it amusing when I brought up this topic during a podcast. The comment was meant humorously, but it seems it was taken quite seriously."

Liam Lawson feels that his comments about McLaren's choice to play the British national anthem when they secure a victory in F1 were "misunderstood".

Lawson expressed doubts about the decision made by the Woking team to play the British national anthem after their Formula 1 race victories instead of the New Zealand anthem.

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McLaren was established in 1963 by Bruce McLaren, a celebrated racing figure from New Zealand, and joined Formula 1 in 1966.

McLaren has raced with a British license, which means that all of their 188 wins have been celebrated with the playing of ‘God Save the King’.

During a recent episode of The Red Flags podcast, Lawson raised this issue.

The New Zealander stated, "It doesn't add up. This is a team from New Zealand, yet the name remains McLaren."

"Red Bull, despite being located in the UK, plays the Austrian national anthem. On the other hand, McLaren, also based in the UK, is considered a New Zealand team."

"It's utter nonsense, to be frank, particularly for those hailing from New Zealand. Bruce McLaren holds legendary status."

During the pre-race FIA press conference for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Lawson was questioned regarding his remarks.

He stated that his critique was intended as a humorous comment.

"I believe these are lessons I'm picking up in Formula 1. As Lando pointed out, things can be misinterpreted," he clarified. "It's quite ironic; I chuckled when I made that remark on a podcast. It was intended as more of a joke, but it ended up being taken very seriously."

"I don't have much more to contribute on that topic. Naturally, I'm extremely proud of my New Zealand heritage and our achievements in motorsport. Bruce McLaren stands out as a true legend in New Zealand's motorsport history."

"During my younger years, I admired and gained a lot of knowledge from this person."

"Certainly, I'm proud to be from New Zealand, but I don't have any comments to make about the national anthem."

Connor, known for his keen insight into Formula 1's controversies and narratives, is the driving force behind our objective reporting.

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Former F1 driver, who lost his seat, is being considered as an ideal candidate to join Sky Sports as Damon Hill's successor. Daniel Ricciardo is named as a potential replacement for Hill at Sky Sports F1.

According to Johnny Herbert, Daniel Ricciardo, who was recently let go, would be a perfect fit to take over Damon Hill's position at Sky Sports F1.

Damon Hill, who won the world championship in 1996 and has been an integral member of the Sky Sports commentary team since they acquired the UK broadcasting rights for Formula 1 in 2012, recently revealed his surprising decision to leave after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

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According to Herbert, a former colleague and ex-Formula 1 driver, Sky should consider inviting Ricciardo to join their television team, given that his time in grand prix racing seems to have ended following his replacement by Liam Lawson at RB.

Herbert stated to FlashscoreUSA.com that his choice for a new addition to the F1 Sky team would be Daniel Ricciardo.

"He possesses the necessary experience, a friendly appearance, and is appealing on screen, making him quite well-liked. He has a pleasant personality and effectively communicates the knowledge he has gained from his experiences."

"He has experienced both ups and downs, and those are the stories that captivate audiences. Daniel would make a great addition."

Herbert disclosed that Hill felt discontented due to the negative comments directed at him on social media following his recent critique of Max Verstappen from Red Bull.

Herbert mentioned that since Damon Hill began his punditry career in 2012, he has consistently questioned the reasons behind his involvement in it.

Each year, he expressed uncertainty about repeating the experience. Yet, for the following 12 years, he returned consistently! Honestly, I'm not sure if it was his choice or if Sky influenced the decision.

"Was it because he wasn't enjoying it? Possibly. I understand he faced criticism over the Max situations, and perhaps he thought, 'I don't need this.' There are changes happening. If he was forced out, it raises questions about the future of Martin Brundle and David Croft."

He felt extremely upset about the intense backlash he faced due to his remarks about Max. Damon, who has a son with Down syndrome, actively supports the Halow Project through his charitable endeavors. Much of the hostility directed at me for criticizing Max's driving was channeled through social media platforms associated with the charity, which was absurd.

Individuals were accessing the Halow charity's Instagram profile to reach out to me. Perhaps the influx of negative comments influenced his decision. Detractors also utilized the BRDC's account to criticize me over issues like the time penalties, the qualifying rounds in Brazil, and starting positions lower down the grid. We faced allegations of being unfairly biased against Max.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. He often provides on-site reports, sharing the narratives of key figures in the motorsport world.

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George Russell Expresses Frustration Among F1 Drivers Towards FIA

Currently, it seems there is no immediate action, which has caught me off guard. However, it's possible that developments may occur in the future.

George Russell has revealed that the FIA has yet to reply to the statement made by the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association concerning improper behavior by F1 drivers.

At the beginning of this month, the GPDA shared an extensive message on their newly launched Instagram page, discussing various topics.

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The letter addressed the matter of profanity, highlighting instances where Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were fined. It also urged FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to reflect on his choice of words and manner of speaking.

The FIA has experienced a few chaotic weeks recently, as they decided to substitute F1 race director Niels Wittich with Rui Marques for the last three races of the season.

During a press conference held by the FIA in Las Vegas before the race this weekend, Russell, who leads the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, was questioned about whether the FIA had contacted him after the previous statement was made.

Russell responded, "Not right now, which is somewhat unexpected for me, but there might be developments later. We'll see."

The letter also brought up the topic of penalties.

Russell believes that there isn't enough clarity regarding the final destination of the funds collected by the FIA through fines.

Russell stated that a couple of years back, during discussions with the FIA about the presidential elections, the focus was on transparency and the intention to reinvest funds into grassroots racing, which everyone supports.

When discussing hefty fines, it's clear that several drivers in the lineup have the financial means to pay them without issue. However, there are likely some newcomers who would struggle to pay a $1 million penalty.

"We need clarity on where the funds are being reinvested and whether they are being directed towards grassroots initiatives or training programs. Our main concern is having transparency and a clear understanding of the original promises."

"Frustrated with the circumstances"

Between the races in Brazil and Las Vegas, the FIA experienced another resignation when Paolo Basarri stepped down from his role as compliance officer.

Russell acknowledged that the FIA is "undoubtedly not the most stable organization" and noted that many drivers are "likely frustrated with the current circumstances."

He acknowledged that everyone is putting in maximum effort to perform their duties effectively. "The FIA experiences frequent changes, making it an unstable environment," he mentioned. "This instability might be the reason why implementing some of the desired changes has been difficult."

Certainly, each person has their perspective on their experiences. I believe that if we sense our voices are being heard and some of the adjustments we suggest are put into action, it could boost our confidence. After all, our aim is to improve the sport.

A lot of drivers are likely frustrated with how things are going. It appears that the situation is largely moving in the wrong direction.

Connor plays a crucial role in our impartial coverage, thanks to his keen sense of Formula 1's disputes and narratives.

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Lando Norris acknowledges that he wasn't prepared to compete against Max Verstappen for the Formula 1 championship. Lando Norris looks back on his initial attempt at contending for the F1 title with Max Verstappen.

Lando Norris admitted that he wasn't fully prepared to challenge Max Verstappen for the F1 championship at the beginning of the season.

At the beginning of the year, Norris had a sluggish performance, but by the middle of the season, he emerged as the closest competitor to Verstappen.

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After the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix concluded, the difference in points between the two was only 52.

Since then, although McLaren has been slightly ahead of Red Bull, Verstappen has increased his advantage to 62 points and is close to securing the F1 championship.

This weekend at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen has the opportunity to secure the championship if he finishes in a position better than Norris.

Looking back on this season, Norris mentioned during the FIA pre-race press conference, “Entering a season with the goal of trying to win is a completely different mentality compared to what we experienced this year. The season has unfolded in a unique way."

"In the early stages, we were quite behind, beginning as the third or fourth best team. For a significant period, this was our standing. Meanwhile, Red Bull showcased an unprecedented level of dominance, surpassing all other teams throughout the year. Although we have achieved impressive speed and have often been among the fastest, our lead has typically been much narrower. Replicating the substantial gaps that they established at the start of the year is virtually unachievable for us."

"I believe I've performed well overall, but it's evident… You can always count on my honesty about whether my performance has been good or poor, or if our team has succeeded or fallen short. I aim to be truthful in my assessments. There have been numerous races where we failed to achieve the necessary level as a team. Take Silverstone, for instance; we should have secured a 1-2 finish, yet we were far from achieving that outcome."

Initially, Norris believed he wasn't prepared to compete against Verstappen. However, now at 25 years old, he feels his performance is nearing the standard needed to challenge the Red Bull driver.

"There have been occasions when our team didn't meet the standards required of a world championship-winning team. Additionally, there have been numerous instances where my own performance fell short of what is necessary to secure a championship," Norris stated.

"I likely wasn't fully prepared to compete with Red Bull and Max. Now, I feel ready, but it's probably too late to take on that challenge."

Norris admitted that competing with a driver of Verstappen's skill level is difficult, praising him as "one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1."

"There might have been other racers in the past who were prepared for a similar challenge," he stated. "However, no one has faced Max so early in their career, midway through the season, and managed to offer what I believe is a decent contest. I'm in the mix, but no one else is really doing it. I've given it my all, but it hasn't been enough."

"I have consistently acknowledged that fact. In my opinion, Max ranks among the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1. It's unlikely that Formula 1 will see a driver surpassing Max's skills in the future."

"In my view, that's what I truly stand by, and challenging someone of such high caliber requires more than what I've accomplished this season. However, I believe my performance since the summer break has brought me nearer to the level I need to reach. I feel I'm getting closer to being capable of competing for it next year."

Connor, known for his keen awareness of F1 controversies and narratives, serves as the driving force behind our impartial coverage.

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