Sergio Perez Addresses Rumors Surrounding His F1 Future
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F1 returns to the Circuit of the Americas this weekend for the US Grand Prix – and the fifth sprint weekend of the season.
Max Verstappen sealed the 2023 world title last time out in Qatar and also claimed his 14th grand prix victory of the season. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was driver of the weekend, however, winning the sprint race and coming second in the grand prix on Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton had a weekend to forget, crashing into Mercedes team-mate George Russell, while the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were among the chasing pack. Lando Norris finished third to secure a double podium for McLaren.
Verstappen won a thrilling race at COTA last year, edging out Lewis Hamilton who has still not won a race since the 2021 season. Hamilton is, however, a five-time winner at the circuit.
Follow live updates from the United States Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX – QUALIFYING
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Lewis Hamilton wants Formula One to remain ‘extreme’ amid Qatar complaints
Lewis Hamilton said Formula One must not become “too soft” and challenged his fellow drivers to embrace pain amid a safety backlash following the last round in Qatar.
Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell branded the race a fortnight ago “beyond the limit of what is acceptable” as temperatures in the drivers’ cockpits exceeded 50 degrees.
Canadian Lance Stroll said he faded in and out of consciousness because of the extreme heat and humidity in Lusail.
Kieran Jackson20 October 2023 21:10
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What is the race schedule?
Sprint shootout: 6:30pmSprint race: 11pm
Kieran Jackson20 October 2023 20:59
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Kieran Jackson20 October 2023 20:37
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F1 drivers react as sport governing body increases size of fines
Lewis Hamilton and his fellow Formula One drivers could be fined up to one million euros following a dramatic change to the sport’s rulebook.
Ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, F1’s governing body announced it has increased the maximum sanction that stewards can impose on a driver from 250,000 euros (£218,000) to 871,500 euros (£760,000).
The FIA said the amount had been static for the last 12 years and “does not reflect the current needs of motor sports”.
But the decision was met with surprise by the grid’s drivers. Daniel Ricciardo, back in action after missing five races with a broken hand, calling it “scary”, and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen branding the move “ridiculous”.
Kieran Jackson20 October 2023 20:28
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A classic Yuki burst of anger in practice…
Kieran Jackson20 October 2023 20:13
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Lewis Hamilton set to rival Max Verstappen for pole in Austin
Lewis Hamilton raised the prospect of challenging Max Verstappen for pole position at the United States Grand Prix after he finished third in practice.
Hamilton trailed Verstappen by 0.281 seconds in the sole running before qualifying later on Friday with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc splitting the rivals.
But the seven-time world champion, in his upgraded Mercedes, clocked the fastest first and second sectors before hitting traffic in the final part of his speediest lap at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas.
Verstappen claimed his third world title in as many years at the previous round in Qatar.
Kieran Jackson20 October 2023 19:59
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Kieran Jackson20 October 2023 19:47
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Max Verstappen quickest in FP1!
Lewis Hamilton went fastest in the first and second sectors… but then it all went missing! Only third-fastest in the end, 0.281 secs off Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman once again the quickest, but it’s relatively close! Charles Leclerc is second, a tenth back, with Sergio Perez in fourth and Kevin Magnussen fifth.
6-10: Russell, Albon, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Gasly
McLaren struggling a fair bit about there… Norris and Piastri only 15th and 19th respectively.
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson20 October 2023 19:32
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Max Verstappen back on top
As we go through the qualifying simulations on soft tyres, Max Verstappen is 0.156 secs clear of second place with a 1:35:912.
Charles Leclerc is in second for Ferrari, with Sergio Perez in third. But it could change in the final five minutes… Lewis Hamilton on a flier…
Kieran Jackson20 October 2023 19:27
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Oscar Piastri almost in the wall!
What a save from the Aussie!
Piastri loses control of the car in sector one and it looks set to spin into the wall… but he saves it and only turfs up a load of dirt off track!
Relief in the McLaren garage!
Kieran Jackson20 October 2023 19:10
