Sidepodcast - All for F1 and F1 for all

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Drain cover chaos halts practice in Sepang

Grosjean hits the wrong kerb in Malaysia

Sidepodcast: Drain cover chaos halts practice in Sepang

by Christine

There was drama in both free practice sessions in Malaysia, but for two different reasons. In FP1, the start of the session was delayed by thirty minutes because of the rain, and things got going only to find drivers slipping and sliding their way around the track. Pierre Gasly made his debut, whilst Sergey Sirotkin, Sean Gelael, Charles LeClerc and Antonio Giovinazzi were all also in action.

Sebastian Vettel secures Singapore pole, with Red Bull behind

Qualifying for the night race is completed

Sidepodcast: Sebastian Vettel secures Singapore pole, with Red Bull behind

by Christine

With Red Bull leading all three of the practice sessions in Singapore, they had looked in a great position to fight for pole position. The battle went down to the very last flying laps, but both Verstappen and Ricciardo were pipped to pole position by Sebastian Vettel. Kimi Räikkönen ended up fourth, with the Mercedes drivers having to settle for fifth and sixth on the grid.

Honda target top three championship finish with new partners Toro Rosso

Lofty aims for engine supplier after team switch

Sidepodcast: Honda target top three championship finish with new partners Toro Rosso

by Christine

You would think Honda might learn from talking up expectations too soon into a new partnership, but they have quickly revealed their goals with the Toro Rosso team just one day after the deal was announced. The power unit supplier want to push Toro Rosso to at least third in the championship next season, despite finishing no higher than sixth with McLaren, and Toro Rosso finishing no higher than sixth... ever.

Carlos Sainz to join Renault for one year in 2018

Toro Rosso loan out driver to partner Hülkenberg

Sidepodcast: Carlos Sainz to join Renault for one year in 2018

by Christine

Following directly from the news of Renault ditching Toro Rosso and moving to McLaren as engine supplier, driver news surely followed. Carlos Sainz, who has been at Toro Rosso since his F1 debut in 2015, will join the Renault squad for one year only, on loan to the team to partner Nico Hülkenberg. This will leave Jolyon Palmer without a race seat, unless someone else snaps him up.

New championship leader as Hamilton wins from pole in Monza

Quiet race in Italy see Lewis jump Sebastian

Sidepodcast: New championship leader as Hamilton wins from pole in Monza

by Christine

There were so many grid penalties handed out ahead of the Italian Grand Prix that barely anyone started where they qualified. The potential for chaos was there, with out of position drivers throughout the field, but unfortunately it didn’t quite come to pass. Lewis Hamilton led from pole position and was comfortable throughout the race to take the victory, with Bottas second and Vettel third. That promotes Lewis into the lead of the title battle for the first time this year.

Hamilton converts pole to win in unspectacular Spa race

Force India crash dominates Belgian race

Sidepodcast: Hamilton converts pole to win in unspectacular Spa race

by Christine

Hamilton was worried about the condition of his tyres and had to lead through a safety car restart, but he dealt with the pressure from Sebastian Vettel and converted his pole position into another race victory. Vettel got alongside the Mercedes a couple of times but didn’t have the power in his Ferrari engine to muscle through, settling for second place. Daniel Ricciardo finished on the podium, after Bottas dropped back in the final stages and Räikkönen was penalised for failing to slow down during yellow flags.

Hamilton equals pole positions record at Spa

Busy session sees Lewis lead Sebastian

Sidepodcast: Hamilton equals pole positions record at Spa

by Christine

Lewis Hamilton never really looked troubled as he soared to pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix, equalling the record held by Michael Schumacher for pole positions - 68. The qualifying session remained dry, but the conditions didn’t help Felipe Massa who has been having a difficult weekend. Both Williams drivers dropped out in Q1, and Massa also has a grid penalty for ignoring yellow flags in FP3.