A preview of the 2018 Formula One World Championship season, part 1.
The snow has fallen and the cobwebs brushed from the tools, Formula One is back in full swing with cars launched and pre-season testing about to start. Chance one for the travelling circus to reconvene and see who has had the best winter to move up the grid or re-assert its dominance in the pinnacle of motorsport. But there are many stories yet to be written, so let’s dive into F1 2018, the year of the Halo.
Lewis Hamilton tops the final practice session at the 2017 British Grand Prix.
Silverstone sunshine went missing as Lewis Hamilton went fastest ahead of qualifying, edging Sebastian Vettel in overcast conditions at the British Grand Prix. With just 0.032 seconds separating the title-rivals, before rain fell to switch the programs. Catching out few drivers, and Max Verstappen’s engineer.
First free practice at the Brazil Grand Prix topped by Lewis Hamilton.
At Felipe Massa’s final home Grand Prix and a must-win race for Lewis, Hamilton kicked off the weekend on top. Leading Verstappen by a tenth of a second, while Massa came home in eighth place.
First free practice at the USGP topped by Lewis Hamilton.
Formula One’s time in Texas kicked off with Hamilton bettering Rosberg to set the pace. Hamilton from the off had the better of his championship-leading team-mate, covering Rosberg’s times across the 90-minutes and lead the way ahead of Red Bull. Continue reading
Max Verstappen tops first free practice at the Singapore Grand Prix.
With the sun setting in Singapore, Red Bull opened practice with the third one-two at the Marina Bay Circuit. While Hamilton, Alonso and Hulkenberg trialled the Halo and Mercedes laid down the benchmark on the soft compound tyres.
Italian Grand Prix opening practice topped by Nico Rosberg.
Monza, the Temple of Speed and the scene of Schumacher’s and now Massa’s Formula One retirement, marked the start of the 2016 Italian Grand Prix with Rosberg fastest.
First free practice at the German Grand Prix topped by Nico Rosberg.
Halo postponed, but a German on top was not as Nico Rosberg topped the opening practice session at the Hockenheimring. With a lap time already one-second faster than pole two years ago, Rosberg edged out Hamilton to top the opening 90-minutes. While Ferrari edged Red Bull in the battle for second-best.
Hamilton’s victory and questions raised on double yellow flags – the 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix.
With victory around the Hungaroring, Hamilton became the most winningest driver at the Hungarian Grand Prix to leave the circuit with the championship lead. But questions still remained from qualifying, where double yellow flags cost Hamilton his chance at pole while a lift gifted Nico the top spot.
Hamilton won his third British Grand Prix in a row as Rosberg breached the radio regulations. Here are 8 things we learnt from the 2016 British GP.
Crowd favourite, and crowd surfing, Hamilton won his fourth Grand Prix around the Silverstone Circuit as the reigning Formula One champion reduced his team-mate’s lead to a single point. Rosberg’s lead leaving the weekend could have stood slightly higher, but Mercedes came under fire as the first team to be punished for a breach of the radio regulations.
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Formula One rolled out onto the Silverstone circuit, where Lewis Hamilton topped the opening practice session at the British Grand Prix.
Silverstone, the home of British motorsport, welcomed back Formula One – where Lewis Hamilton topped the first free practice session of the weekend. Hamilton, and Rosberg, showed remarkable early pace at the British Grand Prix – as the Silver Arrows lapped 1.8 seconds faster than their rivals on the medium tyres.
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Kyle Archer 