Most recent 15 F1 News items:
Friday, 1 Nov 2024
Max Verstappen Faces Grid Penalty at São Paulo GP as Red Bull Pushes Engine Limits- Max Verstappen and Jos Face Backlash Over FIA Bias Claims - 4
- Sainz Sr. Slams Rumors Amid Son’s Red Bull Negotiation Fallout - 3
- Perez’s F1 Future Hangs as Red Bull Evaluates Costly Decline - 2
- Magnussen Awaiting Audi Talks as Binotto Remains Unresponsive - 1
- Verstappen's Camp Faces Internal Conflict as Brazil GP Heats Up
- Rwanda and South Africa Push for First F1 Race Since 1993 - 1
Thursday, 31 Oct 2024
F1 Team Bosses Under Scrutiny as US Justice Tightens Grip - 1- Herbert Slams Verstappen Bias Claims Amid FIA Stewards Controversy - 8
- Red Bull Ponders Perez’s Future Amid Brazil GP Struggles - 1
- Horner Admits Colapinto Could Pressure Albon as 2025 Looms - 1
- Schumacher Urged to Avoid Audi-Sauber Amid Ongoing Team Struggles - 2
- Verstappen Calls F1’s 24-Race Calendar a Major Imposition - 1
- All info you need to see before the 2024 Brazilian F1 GP starts - 1
Wednesday, 30 Oct 2024
Verstappen’s Aggression Under Scrutiny as Title Battle Heats Up - 14- FIA Enforces Fines on Alpine & Honda for Budget Cap Breaches
- Perez's Final Races Loom as Red Bull Eyes Future Talent - 1
- Magnussen Shocks F1 with Audi Sauber Talks After P7 Finish - 3
Tuesday, 29 Oct 2024
Aston Martin Struggles as Austin Upgrades Fail to Deliver Pace - 2- Leclerc in Trouble for Using F-Word After Mexican GP? - 1
✅ Check out all our F1 News & Updates »
McLaren-Honda's all-champion driver lineup is putting a brave face on its situation.
As in Australia, the two MP4-30s were due to line up dead last on the grid in Malaysia.
The only cars slower around Sepang circuit are the Manors, who were outside the minimum 107 per cent qualifying time.
Those cars would only race "at the stewards' discretion", read a report at F1's official website.
Roberto Merhi, however, was confident the FIA would be on the former Marussia team's side. "We were only outside the 107pc because of problems with the car.
"Our best times this weekend were within 107pc," the Spaniard argued, "so there should be no problem even though it will be difficult to be in the rain for my first race in F1."
Indeed, the FIA duly confirmed that both Will Stevens and Merhi will race on Sunday, saving McLaren the ignominy of lining up on the grid dead last.
The McLaren duo has, however, been unusually upbeat this weekend, even though the new works collaboration with Honda appears to be floundering at present.
"We are struggling," acknowledged Fernando Alonso, who qualified behind his teammate Button, "but the progress with the car has been fantastic since Australia."
Button agreed that the step since Melbourne has been "massive".
Alonso added: "I knew it would be tough but we were much further behind in Australia. If we continue like this," he joked, "within three or four races we will be on pole."
The Spaniard might be forgiven, however, for already regretting his decision to leave Ferrari just as the Italian team appears to be coming good.
In wet and dry conditions, Sebastian Vettelhas been quick throughout at Sepang, and on Saturday managed to split the two Mercedes cars for the grid.
"It would be nice to give them a hard time," said the German after qualifying, when asked if he might also be able to challenge Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in the race.
"It's been too chilled for them (Mercedes) for a while," Vettel smiled.
Alonso, however, insists he has no regrets about joining McLaren-Honda, arguing that he gave his own tenure in red five full years to succeed.
"I have a tough challenge ahead of me," he said, "but it's going to taste better when we do it.
"In my career I have experienced some beautiful moments, with Ferrari it was a fantastic experience but five (years) was enough -- I didn't want it to be seven years in second or third, even if I need to take some risk (at McLaren-Honda) for this first year," added Alonso.
Please share this on social media:
✅ Check out more posts with related topics: