Another dramatic weekend of Formula 1 has been and gone for fans. With our look at all the action from the grid plus new developments for next season, here's our latest TrackDays roundup…
- Milestone 100th win for Hamilton in Russia
This weekend's Russian Grand Prix was a very close run thing, with Team McLaren's Lando Norris taking an early lead which was ultimately rescinded in the final laps in favour of Lewis Hamilton. The Team Mercedes driver thus took home his 100th F1 career win at Sochi, with a final race time of 1:30:41.
And despite having to take a three place grid penalty he was slapped with at the Italian GP a fortnight ago, it wasn't a bad weekend for Team Red Bull's Max Verstappen either, who finished second. An agonisingly close 2 points now separate the two rivals at the top of the overall season standings to date.
Norris meanwhile was only able to finish in seventh place, but the fact Hamilton's win was by such a small margin of points has raised questions about how strong his grip on the Championship title remains with just six races left to go this season. It's not unfair to say that most of his victories so far this year have been by default or extenuating circumstances, compared to his record breaking run of glory in 2020.
Nevertheless, speaking to the press, Hamilton's Team Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has made it clear that all are in fighting mood to keep his title, saying: "The change in approach is that Lewis pretty much decided not to bail out any more when he thinks the corner is his … If both wanted to avoid collisions, we would have less. If they [Hamilton and Verstappen] both feel it is right not to bail out, then we will see more."
- Whitmarsh appointed to Aston Martin
Team Aston Martin confirmed last Tuesday (21st September) that former Team McLaren head honcho Martin Whitmarsh will be instated as a new senior executive from next month. The news comes as the team - which returned the Aston Martin name to the grid after a lengthy absence at the start of the year - currently struggle mid-table in the season standings to date, with drivers Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll in 12th and 13th place respectively.
Speaking of his new role as Group Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin Performance Technologies, which will oversee both the team and the Aston Martin brand's technical expertise in other industries, and his new colleague and boss Lawrence Stroll, Whitmarsh said: "I know what it takes to win in Formula 1, and, inspired by Lawrence's leadership and backed by the skill, passion and resolve of the workforce, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure that our team becomes the winning operation that Lawrence is determined that it should be."
He also added: "I am very enthused about the formation of the new Aston Martin Performance Technologies, and I am excited about the prospect of developing and applying our technical capabilities and intellectual property as a successful and profitable new business."
- Miami GP dates confirmed for May
The newly added Miami fixture in the F1 calendar that was announced earlier this year for 2022 has now had its first race weekend for next season confirmed. As previously reported here on TrackDays, it will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida (home of the Miami Dolphins American football team), with the first races happening from 6th - 8th May next year.
Construction of the Miami International Autodrome at the stadium in readiness for next season is now underway, as revealed by event organisers in a teaser video posted on Instagram last Thursday (23rd September), which shows the track and race infrastructure slowly taking shape.
Richard Cregan, CEO of the Miami GP, has promised fans they are in for excitement and surprises aplenty, saying: "The circuit construction is progressing in line with expectations, and now that we have our date confirmed with Formula 1 … There is no doubt in my mind that the Formula 1 community and the sport's fanbase worldwide are going to be amazed by what they see next May."
Make sure you keep visiting our News page here on the TrackDays website to get all the very latest updates on the current Formula 1 season. To book your next Formula 1 Single Seater driving experience via available dates or purchase of our open gift vouchers, visit our dedicated Formula 1 Experiences page today.
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