Formula One Mercedes

Time running out for Norris to catch Verstappen in F1 title chase

Time is running out on Lando Norris' Formula 1 title chase of Max Verstappen. Norris and McLaren leave Texas for the Mexico City Grand Prix further adrift from Verstappen after a disappointing United States Grand Prix weekend. The Red Bull driver won the sprint race, then took the final podium spot in the Sunday main event when Norris was penalized for leaving the track to pass him in the final laps. The penalty will be debated in the garages and paddock until next season. That won't help Norris in the standings now. Verstappen is chasing a fourth consecutive season championship. Norris is trying to win his first, and Texas gave him another taste of just how hard, if not impossible, it can be to take the title from the Dutch driver. Norris had the faster car in the late stages Sunday. He got stuck behind a stubborn Verstappen who refused to yield the place as the drivers battled over every inch of the track. When Norris finally made his move to third with about four laps to go, ra

McLaren boss Zak Brown calls the ongoing Formula 1 season the best

After a thrilling Azerbaijan Grand Prix, it seems like nearly half the field is capable of winning races in Formula 1. McLaren chief executive Zak Brown, whose driver Lando Norris is Max Verstappen's closest title challenger, says he's enjoying the best show he's seen in his eight years in F1. There have been six different winners in the last eight races, representing four different teams. Verstappen, whose dominance in 2022 and 2023 broke records, still leads the standings but his last win was in June. I think this is the best season I can think of ever in Formula 1 since I've been here," Brown told The Associated Press from the IndyCar season finale at Nashville Superspeedway in Tennessee. Could it even be better than the 2021 fight between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, which was decided on the final lap of the year and helped fuel F1's Netflix boom? Brown thinks it might be. That was mega exciting, but it's just two guys, two good guys. Now you've got four good teams in today'

Mercedes named Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton's replacement in Formula 1

Teenager Kimi Antonelli has been named as Lewis Hamilton's replacement next year at Mercedes, a day after his Formula One debut ended in the 18-year-old Italian driver hitting the wall. Antonelli took over for George Russell in the opening practice session for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza. But his much-anticipated first appearance lasted fewer than two laps, and only 10 minutes, after he lost control of his Mercedes at the Parabolica, sliding backward through the gravel and into the tire barrier. Team principal Toto Wolff said Saturday the crash would have no impact on Antonelli's F1 chances, and confirmation of his elevation as a junior driver with the team was confirmed ahead of final practice at his home event. It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025, Antonelli said in Saturday's announcement. Reaching F1 is a dream I've had since I was a small boy." Antonelli has been with Mercedes since he joined its junior program

Ferrari unveils $423,000 sports car with 1960s bloodline at Miami F1 GP

Ferrari's F1 team, which will welcome star driver Lewis Hamilton in the 2025 racing season, and its reputation for quality have helped make it the strongest luxury automotive brand

Lewis Hamilton says it feels 'surreal' to enter his last season at Mercedes

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton said Wednesday it feels "surreal" to be entering his last season with Mercedes before joining Ferrari for 2025. Speaking as Mercedes unveiled its 2024 car at Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix, Hamilton said it has been a privilege to work with the team. Hamilton has driven for Mercedes since 2013, winning six of his seven titles with the team, but is leaving at the end of the season to join Ferrari. The move has shaken up F1 and surprised Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. "It has obviously been emotional," Hamilton said. "It's very surreal to be here, given I came here in 2013, so 11 years with the team, starting my 12th, and it is such a privilege to work with a group of people where you see the work they're doing over the winter." Mercedes was due to do a brief "shakedown" run at Silverstone on Wednesday before heading to Bahrain for three days of pre-season testing next week. The focus will be on "getting the team back t

Mercedes loses both its protests after Hamilton loses title

Mercedes lost both of its protests after Lewis Hamilton lost the Formula One world title to Max Verstappen on the final lap of the last race at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. After losing the protests, Mercedes filed for reconsideration to the International Court of Appeal. Verstappen overtook Hamilton on Lap 58 in thrilling style after a crash involving Nicholas Latifi brought out the safety car with just a few laps left and confusion surrounded the restart. One of the lost protests was whether Verstappen had broken rules by passing Hamilton before the safety car period had ended, when they were jostling next to each other waiting for the restart. Although Car 33 (Verstappen) did at one stage, for a very short period of time, move slightly in front of Car 44 (Hamilton), at a time when both cars where accelerating and braking, it moved back behind Car 44," stewards concluded. "It was not in front when the Safety Car period ended (i.e. at the line). Accordingly, the Protes

Lewis Hamilton's ability to cope with adversity key to title fight

Facing the barriers of the Imola track, Lewis Hamilton could feel the race and potentially the title slipping away from him.

Mercedes one-two in practice at Imola, problems for Red Bull

Mercedes topped both practice sessions for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix as Red Bull endured a torrid day on Friday. Red Bull was favored heading to Imola but fortunes swung in Mercedes' favor as the reigning championship team managed a one-two in both practices while its rival finished each session with just one driver. Valtteri Bottas was fastest in both, edging Lewis Hamilton by just .010 seconds in the second practice and .041 in the first. Pierre Gasly, who briefly separated the two Mercedes drivers, was .078 slower than Bottas in the second practice. It is his AlphaTauri team's home race, with its Faenza base located 15 kilometers from the track Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, who looks set to be Hamilton's closest rival this season, had a problem with his car early in the second practice and his session ended abruptly 10 minutes in. Verstappen had been third-fastest in the morning, .058 behind Bottas. Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez failed to finish the morning practic

Emilia Romagna GP: Verstappen looks to break Mercedes' winning juggernaut

The Formula 1 caravan now moves to the historic Imola circuit

F1 champion Lewis Hamilton signs 1-year deal to stay at Mercedes

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will stay with Mercedes for a ninth season after signing a one-year deal, the team said Monday.

Lewis Hamilton wins F1 British Grand Prix for record sixth time

The defending five-time world champion clocked the fastest lap on his final lap to finish 25 seconds clear of Mercedes team-mate and nearest title rival Valtteri Bottas

Mercedes boss warns of 'team orders' after another Hamilton-Rosberg collision

After they crashed into one another again at the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg last evening