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British GP Qualifying: George Russell beats Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris to Silverstone pole as Red Bull hit trouble | F1 News

On: July 6, 2024 By: admin

George Russell edged out Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton and McLaren’s Lando Norris to pole position for the British GP as the race’s three home drivers waged an intense fight to head Sunday’s Silverstone grid.

For the first-time ever in the history of the British GP, and the first time anywhere in F1 since 1968, the front three positions on the grid will be taken up by a trio of British drivers.

Russell, who won last week’s Austrian GP after profiting from the collision between Norris and Max Verstappen, took his second pole in four races by a 0.171s margin from Hamilton after a final lap of 1:25.819.

On a difficult and disappointing day world championship leaders Red Bull, Verstappen qualified only fourth after his pace was compromised by floor damage sustained when an error sent him through the gravel at Copse corner amid on-off rain during a frantic Q1 session.

But qualifying was again far worse for team-mate Sergio Perez whose recent woes deepened after he spun out at the same turn, beached his car in the gravel and qualified on the back row in 19th place.

With the Red Bulls out of the pole picture, Russell, Hamilton and Norris took centre stage in front of the passionate home Silverstone crowd and turned the battle for pole in to an exclusive all-British fight.

Oscar Piastri was fifth in the second McLaren with Nico Hulkenberg again impressing in qualifying to take sixth, ahead of both Ferraris as the Scuderia suffered fresh disappointment.

Carlos Sainz was only seventh while Charles Leclerc was knocked out in Q2 and will start from 11th.

More to follow…

Sky Sports F1’s live British GP schedule (all F1 sessions on Sky Showcase)

Sunday July 7
8:15am: F3 Feature Race
9:50am: F2 Feature Race
11:50am: Porsche Supercup
1:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday – British GP build-up
3pm: The BRITISH GRAND PRIX
5pm: Chequered Flag: British GP reaction
6pm: Ted’s Notebook

F1’s summer triple-header concludes with the big one, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Showcase, with Sunday’s race at 3pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

British GP: George Russell tops wet Silverstone practice from Lewis Hamilton ahead of qualifying | F1 News

On: July 6, 2024 By: admin

George Russell set the pace from Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in a wet final practice for the British Grand Prix.

Heavy rain fell in the morning at Silverstone but stopped in time for practice, where Mercedes immediately looked strong in the cold, wet conditions.

Russell was just 0.035s quicker than Hamilton, with Friday’s fastest driver Lando Norris 0.185s off the 1:37.529 benchmark time ahead of qualifying, which is live at 3pm on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Showcase.

After the three Brits there was a gap of six tenths to Carlos Sainz in fourth and championship leader Max Verstappen was 0.864s behind Russell.

Verstappen had a spin early in the session, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly also lost control of his car but beached it in the gravel and caused a short red flag.

Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri and Fernando Alonso made up the top eight.

Rain mixes up pecking order

For the first half of the session, there was no rain and the track continued to get faster with the drivers electing to use just one set of intermediates for the practice hour.

Several drivers traded top spot but Russell pipped Hamilton as the Mercedes pair were told where to find lap time on the radio, with different lines being used.

Mercedes have traditionally been strong in the rain, so will be hoping the wet weather continues into qualifying later on.

The only fully wet competitive qualifying this year was Sprint Qualifying in China, where Norris beat Hamilton to pole.

After topping both of Friday’s practice sessions, Norris said he was open to rain and he also looks strong in the wet.

Verstappen has often delivered when it mattered most, so cannot be ruled out. However, Red Bull look to be on the back foot compared to McLaren in all conditions, and Mercedes in the rain.

Sky Sports F1’s live British GP schedule (all F1 sessions on Sky Showcase)

Saturday July 6
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: British GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: British GP Qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook

The Open qualifying: Justin Rose reaches Royal Troon but Sergio Garcia falls short | Golf News

On: July 3, 2024 By: admin

Justin Rose came through qualifying for The Open at Royal Troon but his ex-Ryder Cup team-mate Sergio Garcia came up agonisingly short for the second successive year.

Rose has played in every Open since 2007 when fit – he was absent in 2022 because of a back injury – and extended that run after taking one of four places in final qualifying at Burnham Burrow in Somerset.

The 43-year-old former US Open champion, who has missed the cut at four of his last five majors, was eight under par for 36 holes and finished level with fellow Englishman Dominic Clemons, who just over a week ago was denied a spot at Troon when he was beaten in the final of the Amateur Championship.

“Right now I’ve a little bit of a buzz because it’s super exciting to have got through,” Rose told Sky Sports.

“There’s moments where you’ll just want to qualify for The Open just to be at another Open – and that might come in my career – but I still feel like I can win The Open.

“And to win it, you’ve got to be in it, so that was key today to come here and get the job done to give myself an opportunity at that dream.”

Garcia misses out as crowds flock to follow Spaniard

While Rose kept his Open dream alive, further north at West Lancashire near Liverpool, Garcia finished two strokes adrift of the top four, just as he had done 12 months ago.

The 44-year-old’s low world ranking after joining LIV Golf means the only major he currently qualifies for on merit is The Masters as a former champion.

He remains a big name, evidenced by the hundreds of people who followed him, but that created its own problems as there were significant delays on every hole because of the huge gallery.

It resulted in his group being given a warning after eight holes as they had fallen four minutes behind play but Garcia said that was unfair due to the circumstances and felt that had contributed to a couple of dropped shots which would ultimately prove crucial.

“The marshalls were doing as good a job as they could do but we had to stop pretty much on every tee for two or three minutes because people were walking on the fairways,” Garcia said.

“I don’t think they took that into account and that was unfortunate as it made us rush. On a day like today, where the conditions are so tricky, you might need a little bit of extra time and because of that I made a couple of bogeys which might have cost me getting to Troon.”

Garcia was looking to qualify for his 100th major, which will now somewhat fittingly be marked at Augusta National next year.

The Spaniard was surpassed by Royal Liverpool amateur Matthew Dodd-Berry, who finished joint-top at West Lancashire on six under with Sam Horsfield, with fellow DP World Tour professionals Dan Brown and Masahiro Kawamura also qualifying.

Another Englishman, Matthew Southgate, took top spot at Royal Cinque Ports on six under, ahead of Australia’s Elvis Smylie and Spanish amateur Jaime Montojo.

At Dundonald Links, just five miles from Royal Troon, England’s Sam Hutsby came out top on eight under, with Spaniard Angel Hidalgo and Irish amateur Liam Nolan joint second on five under and Scot Jack McDonald coming through a play-off.

When is The Open on Sky Sports?

Sky Sports is once again the home of The Open, with round-the-clock action on Sky Sports Golf and live coverage from all seven days of tournament week at Royal Troon.

There’s six hours of live coverage on Monday July 15 and seven hours on Tuesday, with 10 hours of build-up, news and interviews on Wednesday ahead of the final men’s major of the year getting under way on Thursday July 18.

Wall-to-wall begins from 6.30am for the first two rounds, ahead of the opening tee shot at 6.35am. There is also lots of extra coverage available throughout each day via the red button on Sky Sports Golf, along with Sky Q and Sky Glass, with Featured Groups and Featured Hole feeds.

Who will win the final men’s major of the year? Watch The 152nd Open at Royal Troon live from July 18-21 on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, majors and more with NOW.

Yuki Tsunoda: RB driver fined for using offensive slur about rival during Austrian GP qualifying | F1 News

On: June 30, 2024 By: admin

Yuki Tsunoda has been fined €40,000 after making an offensive comment about a fellow Formula 1 driver during Austrian Grand Prix qualifying.

Tsunoda, who competes for Red Bull’s junior team, RB, took aim at Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu over the radio after he believed he was obstructed in the pit-lane.

The 24-year-old Japanese driver used an expletive and a slur against disabled people.

Tsunoda faced the stewards who slapped him with a €40,000 (£33,901) fine – with half of the sanction suspended for the remainder of the season.

A statement from Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, read: “During the hearing the driver was very apologetic and explained that because English is not his first language he was unaware until after the session what the meaning of the words used is in the English language.

“He said that he was horrified when he learned this.

“He contended that his understanding of the words was different, but acknowledged that this should not be considered as an excuse for what he did.

“The stewards appreciate the honesty of the driver, but reinforce the fact the words used are offensive and wholly inappropriate.

“The stewards determine that a severe fine is required, but also take into account the genuine remorse of the driver and his offer to issue a public apology and for these reasons decide to suspend part of the fine imposed.”

Tsunoda, now in his fourth F1 season, posted his own message of apology on social media later on Saturday.

“I wanted to say big apologies what I said in the radio today,” he wrote. “Obviously I didn’t use it intentionally and was completely misunderstanding from myself that exact meaning of it.

“I now have better understanding for what the word means and am very apologetic for what I said. This type of language has no place and is not tolerated and for that I am sorry.”

Tsunoda will start Sunday’s race from 14th on the grid at the Red Bull Ring.

F1’s triple-header continues with the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday’s big race at 2pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

Austrian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton laments ‘pretty disastrous’ Sprint Qualifying for Mercedes | F1 News

On: June 29, 2024 By: admin

Lewis Hamilton lamented his performance in Sprint Qualifying after putting his Mercedes car sixth for Saturday morning’s race at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion had an off-track moment in SQ1, had to battle with traffic ahead of him, and then finished over half a second behind Sprint polesitter Max Verstappen in the final session.

Hamilton, who was fifth-fastest in the only Practice session for this weekend’s Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, found little to be optimistic about for the Sprint and instead turned his attention towards qualifying for Sunday’s main race.

“I wasn’t in the mix at all, the whole session was pretty disastrous from our point of view,” Hamilton said.

“Practice was good, the car felt good, I don’t think we had the pace to be on pole, but very bad laps.

“I don’t think overtaking is mega here, but we’ll give our best. It’s usually not such an eventful race, so I think the focus will be mostly on getting a better qualifying tomorrow.”

Mercedes team-mate George Russell was 0.216 seconds ahead of Hamilton to put himself fourth on the grid for the Sprint, albeit over three-tenths of a second off reigning world champion Verstappen’s best SQ3 lap of 1:05.685.

Nevertheless, Russell is confident he can be battling it out with the Red Bull driver and the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri – second and third on the grid respectively – for a podium in the Sprint.

“P4 is still a great place to be for the fight tomorrow,” Russell said. “Definitely fighting for the podium in the Sprint.

“Obviously, eyes on the main race is the most important thing but validation again that we are in the mix now.

“Probably a bit ahead of Ferrari at the moment but McLaren are still a small smidge ahead, but it’s nice to be at the front end a bit more consistently.”

Sprint race set for resumption of Verstappen vs Norris duel

Six days after lining up alongside each other on the front row for the Grand Prix in Spain, Verstappen and Norris will again be in direct combat for the start of Saturday’s 24-lap Sprint after qualifying first and second respectively at the end of a closely-fought duel for pole in SQ3.

Norris, who trails Verstappen by 69 points in the standings ahead of a Sprint that offers eight points to the victor, is optimistic he can again challenge the world champion for the win over Saturday’s shorter race distance.

“From what we see at the minute, yes,” replied Norris when asked if he could vie for the Sprint win.

On his qualifying performance, Norris added: “I think it was reasonably good. I never got quite comfortable probably until my final lap, so I’m happy with that.

“It’s close as it has been for the whole year, so no difference, but that must have been a nice lap by Max and it’s a good position for the race.”

Unlike at Barcelona, it is Verstappen who starts with the advantage of pole this time and the Dutchman has appeared quickly in the groove around Red Bull’s home track so far.

“Of course, there are always areas where we can improve, so we will look at that tonight. Hopefully a good start to the weekend,” said Verstappen.

“At the end of the day, when everyone is pushing flat out, McLaren were again behind me. For sure, they are quick as well. We seemed quick in the high-speed, which is nice around here. Hopefully we can keep that going.”

Sky Sports F1’s live Austrian GP schedule

Saturday June 29
8.25am: F3 Sprint
10am: Austrian GP Sprint (race starts at 11am)*
12.25pm: F2 Sprint
2pm: Austrian GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: Austrian GP Qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook

Sunday June 30
7.25am: F3 Feature Race
8.55am: F2 Feature Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Austrian GP build-up*
2pm: The AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Austrian GP reaction*
5pm: Ted’s Notebook

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event

F1’s triple-header continues at the Austrian Grand Prix with the Sprint format at the Red Bull Ring. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday’s big race at 2pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

Lewis Hamilton pleased with ‘beautiful’ third for Spanish GP after qualifying breakthrough and now eyes win | F1 News

On: June 23, 2024 By: admin

Lewis Hamilton said Mercedes’ return to contending at the front of the F1 grid had been a “long time coming” after they locked out the second row at the Spanish Grand Prix and he delivered the best qualifying result of his disappointing season.

The seven-time world champion will start inside the top four for the first time in 15 races and is not ruling out what would be a first race win since December 2021.

Hamilton qualified in what he termed a “beautiful” third position, directly behind polesitter Lando Norris and second-placed Max Verstappen, for the long run down to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya’s first corner of Sunday’s 2pm race.

He also out-qualified team-mate George Russell – who claimed pole last time out in Canada in the first significant example of a belated Mercedes renaissance – for just the second time this season. With Hamilton 0.002s faster than the younger Briton, they start a race in the top four together for the first time since last October’s Qatar Grand Prix.

“It has been a long time coming for us as a team,” an encouraged Hamilton told Sky Sports F1.

“For us to be in this position where we get a third and a fourth and are starting to be more consistent in that realm is huge.

“Really big huge thanks to everybody back in the factory because it really is down to everyone there who have put the extra hours in to bring upgrades, bring new parts, keep refreshing them.

“To be designing and really assisting in moving this car in the right direction. It is getting more and more enjoyable to drive as a race car.”

Hamilton, who had topped Q1 after a second run on new tyres and then finished second-quickest Q2, was within 0.2s of Verstappen and Norris after the first laps of the pole-deciding Q3 but the gap grew to 0.318s on the final run.

Still, the Briton reckons that Mercedes’ real deficit was actually half that amount had everything gone perfectly and is therefore remaining full optimism for a race when tyre wear and management is set to be key in deciding the outcome.

“We are not very far away. I think three tenths, I think the real gap is about a tenth and a half maybe,” he added.

“I think Max is particularly fast on long runs, I think their car is still ahead, as is probably Lando’s. However, I am going into tomorrow to try and win.

“We are in a beautiful spot. P3 is a good position to start with.

“I think the long run wasn’t looking bad so I hope that translates. I think the start needs to be a shake and bake with Lando maybe.

“I am just going to remain optimistic.”

Speaking in the earlier post-qualifying press conference, Hamilton did accept that fighting for the win “would be very difficult” but suggested the fact that Mercedes have both their cars in the top four could prove strategically advantageous in a race that is set to feature two pit stops per car.

Oscar Piastri, Norris’ McLaren team-mate, is ninth while an-out-of-form Perez starts 11th in the second Red Bull.

“There’s two of us, so hopefully we can apply pressure as a team to both of the cars ahead in order to maybe play out something in strategy and slowly climb up,” said Hamilton.

“I think it’s all about degradation and how you look after the tyres, so we won’t know until we get into that first run.”

Russell declares: We have the pace to fight for win

Russell, meanwhile, admitted the final three-tenths deficit to the front row was “probably a little but bigger than we expected” after the promise of the weekend’s earlier sessions.

“I think we believed (we could challenge for pole), the car has been feeling great, and historically we have gone well here in Barcelona,” he said.

“I think the gap to Lando and Max was probably a little bit bigger than we expected.

“I don’t think Lewis and I put the perfect lap together, we did good laps, but on a challenging track like this, you have to put the tyres in the right window and just find those last couple of tenths and that is what Lando managed to do and we didn’t.

“P3 and P4 is a really great place to fight.”

And on their victory prospects, Russell – whose quest to win from pole in Canada was undone by mistakes in changeable conditions, declared: “I think we do have the pace to fight with Max and Lando for victory.”

Sky Sports F1’s live Spanish GP schedule

Sunday June 23
7.45am: F1 Academy Race 2
9am: F3 Feature Race
10.30am: F2 Feature Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Spanish GP build-up
2pm: The SPANISH GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Spanish GP reaction

Formula 1 heads back to Europe as the championship moves on to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix and the start of a triple-header. Watch every session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

Spanish GP Qualifying: Lando Norris produces last-gasp pole lap to beat Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton | F1 News

On: June 22, 2024 By: admin

Lando Norris produced a sensational final lap to defeat Max Verstappen and secure just his second Formula 1 pole position in a thrillingly competitive Spanish GP qualifying.

In a session that underlined McLaren’s growing strength and the ever-increasing competition at the front of F1 after two years of Verstappen-Red Bull dominance, Norris delivered under pressure when it mattered around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a final lap of 1:11.383.

Verstappen had held provisional pole after the first Q3 laps and improved by two tenths more on his final attempt, but Norris made the difference seconds later by a mere 0.020s.

Mercedes will start from a second-row lockout after their own improvement continued in a competitive hour when they were a factor throughout.

For just the second time in 10 races this season, Lewis Hamilton out-qualified team-mate George Russell and will start a season-best third.

Mercedes outpaced Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc and home favourite Carlos Sainz to start fifth and sixth respectively.

Incredibly, just 0.035s separated those four cars.

Pierre Gasly was a stunning sixth on a morale-boosting weekend for Alpine, which also saw Esteban Ocon make Q3 in ninth.

Sergio Perez, who gave team-mate Verstappen a tow on his final lap, was only eighth and will drop to 11th on Sunday’s grid owing to a three-place penalty carried over from Canada.

More to follow…

Sky Sports F1’s live Spanish GP schedule

Spanish GP: Carlos Sainz edges out Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc ahead of qualifying | F1 News

On: June 22, 2024 By: admin

Carlos Sainz edged out Lando Norris in another tight practice session ahead of qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix.

The top four were split by less than one tenth of a second with Charles Leclerc in third and Max Verstappen in fourth but the session ended with some drama at the end, when Leclerc made contact with Norris.

Leclerc was on a fast lap and appeared to be unhappy about being impeded by Norris, so slowed down and moved left, making small contact with the McLaren driver.

Just moments later Leclerc, Verstappen and Sainz all nearly tangled, with the first Leclerc-Norris incident under investigation by the stewards.

Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were in fifth and sixth but both drivers are also on the fringe of being in the hunt for pole in qualifying, which is at 3pm on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event.

Ahead of final practice, a fire broke out at McLaren’s hospitality and Sky Sports News understands that at least two fire staff personnel were treated for smoke inhalation but their condition is not thought to be serious.

Narrow margins at the front

All weekend, there has been little to separate Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes, even though the gaps were expected to increase at the front due to the track layout.

Sainz was 0.030s ahead of Norris on the last soft tyre runs in final practice, with Leclerc only 0.037s behind his Ferrari team-mate.

Verstappen, who has a fourth power unit in his car this weekend, so is on the verge of needing a grid penalty for using a fifth engine, was 0.074s behind Sainz but has shown he can produce when it matters most this year.

Russell set the pace in the first half of the session but dropped to fifth at 0.174s behind, with Hamilton in sixth after not putting a clean lap together.

Sergio Perez has a three-grid place penalty for Sunday’s race, after driving back to the pits last time out in Canada with a damaged rear wing, and could be starting in the midfield as he’s been lacking performance all weekend.

The Mexican was three-quarters of a second slower than Sainz, ahead of Williams’ Alex Albon, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

Several drivers under investigation

Leclerc is hoping to repeat his Monaco heroics where he converted pole into a win, but could be hit with a grid penalty.

His swerve towards Norris on the run down to Turn Seven was described as a moment of “road rage” by Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandhok.

He is meeting the stewards to explain his actions after being frustrated at alleged blocking from Norris, then came across Verstappen and Sainz also having their own incident, without colliding, on the run down to Turn 10.

Earlier in the session, Lance Stroll had a similar incident where he made contact with Lewis Hamilton as he also showed his anger at alleged impeding.

Sky Sports F1’s live Spanish GP schedule

Saturday June 22
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.10pm: Spanish GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: Spanish GP Qualifying
5pm: F1 Academy Race 1

Spanish GP: UK schedule, when to watch Practice, Qualifying and Grand Prix in Barcelona live on Sky Sports F1 | F1 News

On: June 14, 2024 By: admin

Formula 1 returns to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix as a hugely anticipated triple-header of European races get under way at the classic circuit.

After a thrilling run of races which has seen four different teams competing for victories, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is expected to provide a reliable picture of the pecking order as a series of the sport’s more traditional tracks arrive on the calendar.

World championship leader Max Verstappen overcame McLaren and Mercedes cars which appeared to have more pace than his Red Bull to triumph at the end of a dramatic weekend in Canada, but perhaps the most significant takeaway from Montreal was the Silver Arrows of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton being back in contention.

McLaren’s Lando Norris won in Miami at the start of May and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finally won his home race in Monaco for the first time at the end of the month, leaving plenty of mystery as to who will come out on top over the coming weeks.

The action will come thick and fast, with the Austrian and British grands prix following on back-to-back weekends, with only a one-weekend break before races in Hungary and Belgium take us to the summer break. Yes, that means five of your next six weekends will be filled with Formula 1 live on Sky Sports!

Red Bull have expressed confidence that Barcelona, and some of the other upcoming circuits, should better suit their RB20 than recent tracks, while the chasing pack will hope to prove they can challenge Verstappen at any venue.

Also on the schedule in Barcelona is the return of F1 Academy, with Britain’s Abbi Pulling seeking to build on the Miami double that gave her a 34-point lead at the top of the standings.

There’s also F2 and F3 action in Spain, with F1 2025 hopefuls Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli in action once more.

The most crucial F1 moments of the weekend will come with Qualifying at 3pm on Saturday, and the 66-lap race at 2pm on Sunday.

Sky Sports F1’s live Spanish GP schedule

Thursday June 20

1.30pm: Drivers’ Press Conference

Friday June 21

7.45am: F1 Academy Practice
8:50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Spanish GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying
3.35pm: Spanish GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5.25pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
6.15pm: The F1 Show

Saturday June 22
9.35am: F3 Sprint
11:15am: Spanish GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.10pm: Spanish GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: Spanish GP Qualifying
5pm: F1 Academy Race 1

Formula 1 heads back to Europe as the championship moves on to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix. Watch every session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from June 21-23 live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

Daniel Ricciardo: RB driver gives fiery response to Jacques Villeneuve criticism after strong Canada qualifying | F1 News

On: June 9, 2024 By: admin

Daniel Ricciardo insisted he won’t give his critics “the time of day” as he addressed comments made by Sky Sports F1 pundit Jacques Villeneuve at the Canadian Grand Prix.

F1’s 1997 world champion Villeneuve, said on Friday that Ricciardo’s “image” rather than his results have extended the RB driver’s career in the sport.

Ricciardo, an eight-time race winner, was left without a drive in 2023 after being let go by McLaren but returned midway through last season to replace Nyck de Vries at Red Bull’s junior squad.

The Australian responded by producing his best qualifying performance of the season on Saturday, finishing fifth at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Ricciardo told Sky Sports F1: “I’ve just been told. I don’t listen or read but yeah, there’s definitely some people out there who… yeah, whatever, I won’t give them the time of day.”

The 34-year-old then pointed to his strong performance throughout the weekend and jokingly made an expletive remark before pretending to end his interview with Sky Sports F1’s Rachel Brookes.

“Top five, I’ve been quick all weekend. We’re less than two tenths from pole, so *** ****”

Ricciardo had been outqualified by team-mate Yuki Tsunoda on all but one occasion this season going into Saturday’s session, while the Japanese driver also holds a 6-1 advantage in race results.

A one-year contract extension for Tsunoda was announced ahead of qualifying in Canada on Saturday, with Ricciardo’s future still up in the air.

“I think this year hasn’t really been always a question of if I’ve still got the speed to do it, it’s just been the consistency, which I haven’t been able to show it week in, week out,” Ricciardo said.

“It’s definitely been more of a struggle, or more than I thought. But I know the speed is there and it’s just tapping into it. And I look at myself first.

“You’re always trying to fine tune the car but I feel like it’s more just getting myself in that sweet spot.

“Maybe 10 years ago it came easier. Maybe when you’re a kid, you just jump in and drive, and the older you get, the more things are around your life and involved, and can maybe interfere.

“It’s just trying to acknowledge that and make sure I’m coming into the weekend with a clear head and ready to go.”

Villeneuve: Ricciardo needed the push

Reacting to qualifying in Montreal, Villeneuve insisted that Ricciardo needs to maintain Saturday’s level of performance to prove he deserves to remain in F1.

“Like Christian (Horner) said, he needs the push and the pressure, and it worked. It paid off,” Villeneuve said.

“It’s working well. The car suits him this weekend and when you have a car that suits you, you drive at your best.

“That was one good qualifying. If he can carry on this weekend like this and do four, five, six more races like this, then he’ll be fine. But like he said, he’s been lacking consistency this year.

“He’s been given chances. Even during this whole season, it’s been a tough season, and he keeps getting a chance. So he needs to show it on track. Today was a good qualifying. He needs to carry on.”

Sky Sports F1’s live Canadian GP schedule

Sunday June 9
5.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday – Canadian GP build-up
7pm: THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
9pm: Chequered Flag – Canadian GP reaction
10pm: Ted’s Notebook

Formula 1 is on Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix and you can watch every session at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve this weekend live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday’s race at 7pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

Tag: qualifying

British GP Qualifying: George Russell beats Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris to Silverstone pole as Red Bull hit trouble | F1 News

British GP Qualifying: Top 10

Sky Sports F1’s live British GP schedule (all F1 sessions on Sky Showcase)

British GP: George Russell tops wet Silverstone practice from Lewis Hamilton ahead of qualifying | F1 News

Rain mixes up pecking order

Sky Sports F1’s live British GP schedule (all F1 sessions on Sky Showcase)

The Open qualifying: Justin Rose reaches Royal Troon but Sergio Garcia falls short | Golf News

The Open – final qualifying

Garcia misses out as crowds flock to follow Spaniard

The Open Live

When is The Open on Sky Sports?

Yuki Tsunoda: RB driver fined for using offensive slur about rival during Austrian GP qualifying | F1 News

Austrian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton laments ‘pretty disastrous’ Sprint Qualifying for Mercedes | F1 News

Sprint race set for resumption of Verstappen vs Norris duel

Sky Sports F1’s live Austrian GP schedule

Lewis Hamilton pleased with ‘beautiful’ third for Spanish GP after qualifying breakthrough and now eyes win | F1 News

Russell declares: We have the pace to fight for win

Sky Sports F1’s live Spanish GP schedule

Spanish GP Qualifying: Lando Norris produces last-gasp pole lap to beat Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton | F1 News

Sky Sports F1’s live Spanish GP schedule

Spanish GP: Carlos Sainz edges out Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc ahead of qualifying | F1 News

Narrow margins at the front

Several drivers under investigation

Sky Sports F1’s live Spanish GP schedule

Spanish GP: UK schedule, when to watch Practice, Qualifying and Grand Prix in Barcelona live on Sky Sports F1 | F1 News

Sky Sports F1’s live Spanish GP schedule

Daniel Ricciardo: RB driver gives fiery response to Jacques Villeneuve criticism after strong Canada qualifying | F1 News

Villeneuve: Ricciardo needed the push

Sky Sports F1’s live Canadian GP schedule