You dont have javascript enabled! Please enable it!

Pierre Gasly

2025 F1 season/2025 Japanese Grand Prix/alexander albon/Formula 1/Liam Lawson/Pierre Gasly/Yuki Tsunoda

Two other drivers Red Bull dropped on Lawson’s exit · RaceFans

Admin
on

Two of Liam Lawson’s rivals on the grid have first-hand experience of getting the boot from Red Bull.

Alexander Albon, who spent a year and a half at the team before being replaced, said Red Bull’s decision to drop Lawson after just two rounds was “tough on Liam.”

Lawson failed to score in either of his first two grands prix in a Red Bull. “He has had a tough few races, but it does take time,” said Albon, who spent a year as a reserve driver for the team after losing his seat at the end of 2020, then returned to race for Williams.

Albon believes more people appreciate the Red Bull has particularly unusual handling traits now compared to his difficult season alongside Max Verstappen five years ago.

Alexander Albon, Red Bull, Bahrain International Circuit, 2020
Albon was replaced by Sergio Perez – whose seat Lawson took

“Now it seems [there’s] more understanding that it’s not an easy car to drive,” he told the official F1 channel. “When I was first in it, it felt like that.”

While Lawson started just 11 races for Red Bull’s other team before his promotion at the beginning of the year, Albon had only done one more when he got his chance. However he found the handling characteristics of the cars produced by Red Bull’s two teams were extremely different.

“From my experience, it’s quite differently-balanced to the [Racing Bulls] car, more than other cars. So when the drivers change from [Racing Bulls] to Red Bull, one car’s quite front-limited and one’s quite rear-limited. So you get this bigger swing than even a Williams to a Red Bull or from a [Racing Bulls] to a Williams.”

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

The Racing Bulls chassis proved competitive over the opening races. Yuki Tsunoda, who has taken Lawson’s place at Red Bull, qualified fifth for the season-opener at Melbourne. Albon believes Lawson could rebound quickly back at his former team.

Pierre Gasly, Red Bull, Hungaroring, 2019
Gasly lasted just 12 races at Red Bull

“I think there’s a huge possibility for Liam to bounce back and be immediately strong this weekend,” he said. “There’s a chance for Yuki to prove to everyone that he can also be capable in a Red Bull car.

“For Liam, he’s going back to a team that he knows, that he had great results with, a balance that I imagine he’s a bit more comfortable with in a car that he’s more used to.”

“What’s nice to see is Yuki is up for the challenge more than anything,” Albon added. “I think his attitude is the right attitude to have. I think he’s got to go into it believing he can do it.”

Like Lawson, Pierre Gasly returned to Red Bull’s second team when they dropped him in the middle of 2019 after just 12 starts. He raced alongside Tsunoda for three seasons and spoke to his former team mate after the news broke of his promotion to Red Bull.

“We spoke on the phone [about] obviously the way that I was also given this opportunity, just in terms of what didn’t quite work out and things that could have been different,” Gasly explained.

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

Although Gasly believes Tsunoda is quick enough to perform well at Red Bull, he said that is no guarantee he will succeed there.

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2025
Tsunoda has shown he’s quick enough, says Gasly

“He’s got the experience, he’s got the speed,” said Gasly. “I’ve always backed him up. I’ve raced against him and with him for two years, I’ve seen his raw speed, I’ve seen what he was capable of doing already back at the time. Back in 2021, all these years I’ve always said he is an extremely fast driver.

“So he’s got the speed, I think he’s got a strong character. Does it mean it’s going to be successful in Red Bull Racing? No. Can he be successful in Red Bull Racing? Yes. But it’s slightly more complicated than that.

“I just wish him the best. I’ve shared my thoughts and my experience from my time there. Time will tell, but I think he’s definitely a very strong driver. And in Formula 1 these days, you’ve got many strong drivers on the grid, so it’s not all down to your speed. There’s slightly more to it, but hopefully he can make the best out of this opportunity.”

Gasly said Tsunoda has clearly matured since his first season in F1 four years ago when he showed speed but also was involved in a few collisions and often sounded agitated on his radio. “He always had the raw speed,” said Gasly. “It was a little bit too hectic behind the wheel at times and on the radio.

“I think in that sense he’s matured enough in minimising the mistakes. It’s a fine line between pushing right at the limit or over-pushing slightly too much, which can be quite costly in Formula 1. I think [he’s] tuned that. Looking at the past few seasons, I think he’s been putting in very strong performances.”

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

Miss nothing from RaceFans

Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:

2025 Japanese Grand Prix

Browse all 2025 Japanese Grand Prix articles

Formula 1

Ferrari’s Leclerc and Hamilton disqualified from F1 Chinese GP

Admin
on

Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have both been excluded from the Chinese GP after falling foul of the technical regulations, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly also thrown out of the results.

During post-race scrutineering Leclerc’s and Gasly’s cars were both found to weigh 799kg after fuel was removed, one kilogram below the minimum weight limit. In Leclerc’s case, his damaged front wing was replaced by a spare example during the weighing.

Read Also:

Explaining Leclerc’s case, FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer reported: “After the Race, car number 16 was weighed and its weight was 800.0 kg, which is the minimum weight required by TR Article 4.1,” FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer’s report said. “As the front wing was damaged (the missing FW endplate was recovered and weighed with the car), the car was re-weighed with an official spare front wing assembly of car 16 and its weight was 800.5 kg. After this, fuel was drained out of the car and 2.0 litres of fuel were removed.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Photo by: Clive Mason/Getty Images

“The car was weighed again on the FIA scales (with the official spare front wing assembly of car 16) and the weight was 799.0 kg. The calibration of the scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. For information the spare front wing was 0.2 kg heavier than the damaged one used during the race. As this is 1.0 kg below the minimum weight requested in TR Article 4.1, which also has to be respected at all times during the Competition, I am referring this matter to the Stewards for their consideration.”

The scrutineers also took issue with Hamilton’s rearmost underbody skid block showing excessive wear beyond the 1mm wear limit. Hamilton’s blocks were down to 8.5 to 8.6mm thickness depending on the measuring point, with the minimum limit set at 9mm.

“The rearmost skid was measured according to the team’s legality documents submission in accordance with TD039 L, item 1.2 b) i). Measurements were taken along the stiffness compliant area at three different points of the periphery (inner arc). The recorded measurement were 8.6 mm (LHS), 8.6 mm (car centerline) and 8.5 mm (RHS). As this is less than the 9 mm minimum thickness required by TR Article 3.5.9 e), I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration,” the FIA noted.

In their separate stewards’ hearings neither Ferrari nor Alpine representatives made excuses for the oversight: “During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly,” the stewards noted in each individual case. “The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.”

Leclerc and Hamilton lose their double points finish in fifth and sixth respectively in a big blow for Ferrari, while Gasly had already finished outside the top 10 in 11th but could have inherited points.

Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Carlos Sainz, Williams

Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Carlos Sainz, Williams

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

The amended result means Esteban Ocon moves up to a sensational fifth for Haas, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Alex Albon and Oliver Bearman are all promoted as well. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Williams man Carlos Sainz have now moved up into the final points-paying positions.

In 2023 Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, and Leclerc were also disqualified from the United States GP in Austin for excessive skid wear.

Photos from Chinese GP – Race

In this article

Filip Cleeren

Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton

Pierre Gasly

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari

Alpine

Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics

2025 Chinese Grand Prix/2025 F1 season/charles leclerc/Pierre Gasly

Hamilton, Leclerc and Gasly disqualified from Chinese Grand Prix · RaceFans

Admin
on

Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly have been disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix after their cars failed post-race technical checks.

Neither of the teams affected, Ferrari and Alpine, contested any of the stewards’ rulings. They accepted the measurements were made correctly and said the infringements were caused by “genuine errors” on their part.

The stewards issued identical explanations for Leclerc and Gasly’s disqualifications after the technical delegate reported their cars weighed less than the 800kg minimum weight limit.

They noted the two cars were “weighed by the FIA technical delegate inside and outside scales with both scales showing the same result of 799kg after the customary draining of fuel and the replacement of a broken front wing.

“The calibration of both scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. During the hearing there was no challenge to the FIA’s measurements which are taken to be correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly. There are no mitigating circumstances and that the team[s] confirmed that it was a genuine error by them.

“The stewards determine that article 4.1 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty of a disqualification needs to be applied for such [infringements].”

Hamilton was disqualified because his plank assembly was found to be beneath the minimum thickness of nine millimetres.

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

“The plank assembly of car 44 [Hamilton] was measured and found to be 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centerline) and 8.5mm (RHS),” the stewards noted. “This is below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations.

“During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly. The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.

“The stewards determine that Article 3.5.9 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty of a disqualification needs to be applied for such an infringement.”

The trio of disqualifications have caused significant changes to the race’s original finishing order.

Esteban Ocon moves up two places to finish fifth, and therefore scores Haas’s best result since the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix. Behind him Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Alexander Albon and Oliver Bearman all move up two places in the standings.

Two drivers who did not originally finish in the top 10 have claimed points. Lance Stroll has moved up to ninth and Carlos Sainz Jnr takes the final point in 10th.

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

Ferrari’s double disqualification means they fall from one point behind Red Bull to 19 adrift, and tied with Williams for fourth in the standings. Mercedes cut four points out of McLaren’s constructors’ championship lead, reducing it to 21.

The disqualifications only affect the results of the grand prix, not the sprint race, which Hamilton won.

For the Ferrari drivers, this is their second post-race disqualification due to a technical infringement in 18 months. Both were disqualified at the United States Grand Prix in 2023, when Hamilton drove for Mercedes, for excessive plank wear.

Updated: 2025 Chinese Grand Prix race result and championship points

Miss nothing from RaceFans

Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:

2025 Chinese Grand Prix

Browse all 2025 Chinese Grand Prix articles

Formula 1

Leclerc and Gasly at risk of Chinese GP disqualification for underweight cars

Admin
on

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly are under investigation for their cars being underweight after Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix, risking disqualification from the race.

Leclerc finished the Shanghai race in fifth despite a broke front wing, with Gasly ending outside the points in 11th.

Afterwards both cars were weighed by FIA scrutineers, with Leclerc’s damaged front wing replaced by a spare example. With the fuel removed from their respective cars, both Leclerc’s Ferrari and Gasly’s Alpine were measured at 799kg, 1kg below the 800kg weight limit.

The matter is now referred to the FIA’s race stewards, with both drivers all but certain to face disqualification from the race.

“After the Race, car number 16 was weighed and its weight was 800.0kg, which is the minimum weight required by TR Article 4.1,” FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer’s report said. “As the front wing was damaged (the missing FW endplate was recovered and weighed with the car), the car was re-weighed with an official spare front wing assembly of car 16 and its weight was 800.5kg. After this, fuel was drained out of the car and 2.0 litres of fuel were removed. The car was drained according to the draining procedure submitted by the team in their legality document.

“The car was weighed again on the FIA scales (with the official spare front wing assembly of car 16) and the weight was 799.0kg. The calibration of the scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. For information the spare front wing was 0.2kg heavier than the damaged one used during the race. As this is 1.0kg below the minimum weight requested in TR Article 4.1, which also has to be respected at all times during the Competition, I am referring this matter to the Stewards for their consideration.

Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Carlos Sainz, Williams

Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Carlos Sainz, Williams

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

On Gasly’s car, the FIA said: “After the Race, car number 10 was weighed and its weight was 800.0kg, which is the minimum weight required by TR Article 4.1. After this, a fuel mass check was carried out and 1.1kg of fuel were removed. The car was drained according to the draining procedure submitted by the team in their legality document. The car was weighed again on the FIA scales and the weight was 799.0kg. The calibration of the scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. As this is 1.0kg below the minimum weight requested in TR Article 4.1, which also has to be respected at all times during the Competition, I am referring this matter to the Stewards for their consideration.”

If Leclerc’s and Gasly’s disqualification is confirmed, Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll is set to move into the points by moving up from 12th to 10th.

In this article

Filip Cleeren

Formula 1

Pierre Gasly

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari

Alpine

Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics

Formula 1

Leclerc, Hamilton and Gasly disqualified from Chinese GP

Admin
on

Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have both been excluded from the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix for falling foul of the technical regulations, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly also thrown out of the results.

During post-race scrutineering, Leclerc’s and Gasly’s cars were both found to weigh 799kg after fuel was removed, 1kg below the minimum weight limit. In Leclerc’s case, his damaged front wing was replaced by a spare example during the weighing.

Explaining Leclerc’s case, FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer reported: “After the race, car number 16 was weighed and its weight was 800.0kg, which is the minimum weight required by TR Article 4.1.

“As the front wing was damaged (the missing FW endplate was recovered and weighed with the car), the car was re-weighed with an official spare front wing assembly of car 16 and its weight was 800.5kg. After this, fuel was drained out of the car and 2.0 litres of fuel were removed.

“The car was weighed again on the FIA scales (with the official spare front wing assembly of car 16) and the weight was 799.0kg. The calibration of the scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. For information the spare front wing was 0.2kg heavier than the damaged one used during the race. As this is 1.0kg below the minimum weight requested in TR Article 4.1, which also has to be respected at all times during the competition, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

The scrutineers also took issue with Hamilton’s rearmost underbody skid block showing excessive wear beyond the 1mm wear limit. Hamilton’s blocks were ground down to 8.5mm to 8.6mm thickness depending on the measuring point, with the minimum limit set at 9mm.

“The rearmost skid was measured according to the team’s legality documents submission in accordance with TD039 L, item 1.2 b) i),” the FIA noted.

“Measurements were taken along the stiffness compliant area at three different points of the periphery (inner arc). The recorded measurement were 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centreline) and 8.5mm (RHS). As this is less than the 9mm minimum thickness required by TR Article 3.5.9 e), I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Photo by: Clive Mason/Getty Images

In their separate stewards’ hearings neither Ferrari nor Alpine representatives made an excuse for the oversight. “During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly,” the stewards noted in each individual case. “The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.”

Leclerc and Hamilton lose their double points finish in fifth and sixth respectively in a big blow for Ferrari, while Gasly had already finished outside the points in 11th.

The amended result means Esteban Ocon moves up to a sensational fifth for Haas, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Alex Albon and Oliver Bearman are all promoted as well. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Williams man Carlos Sainz have now moved up into the final points-paying positions.

In 2023 Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, and Leclerc were also disqualified at the US GP in Austin for excessive skid wear.

In this article

Filip Cleeren

Formula 1

Pierre Gasly

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari

Alpine

Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics

2025 Chinese Grand Prix/2025 F1 season/charles leclerc/Formula 1/Pierre Gasly

Hamilton, Leclerc and Gasly at risk of disqualification over technical infringements · RaceFans

Admin
on

Both Ferrari drivers and Pierre Gasly are at risk of disqualification from the Chinese Grand Prix after their cars failed post-race technical checks.

Charles Leclerc and Gasly’s cars were found to weight 799 kilograms after post-race checks, including the removal of fuel, were performed. The minimum weight limit is set at 800kg.

Lewis Hamilton’s car failed a check of its rearmost skid, which is required to measure at least nine millimetres. Three measurements of of Hamilton’s skid at different points were less than this.

Representatives of Ferrari and Alpine have been summoned to meet the stewards.

The discrepancies were reported by FIA Formula 1 technical delegate Jo Bauer who has reported the matters to the stewards. The standard penalty for cars which fail technical checks is disqualification, as happened to George Russell in the Belgian Grand Prix last year, which he won before his car was found to be beneath the minimum weight limit.

Leclerc finished fifth in today’s race, Hamilton sixth and Gasly 11th. If all three drivers are disqualified, Lance Stroll will inherit ninth place and Carlos Sainz Jnr will move up to 10th.

Leclerc lost part of his front wing when he made contact with Lewis Hamilton at the start of the race. The stewards took this into account by comparing the weight of his damaged wing with that of a spare provided by Ferrari. The undamaged wing was 200 grams heavier.

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

Technical delegate’s reports on Leclerc, Gasly and Hamilton’s cars

After the race, car number 16 [Leclerc] was weighed and its weight was 800.0 kg, which is the minimum weight required by TR Article 4.1. As the front wing was damaged (the missing FW endplate was recovered and weighed with the car), the car was re-weighed with an [official] spare front wing assembly of car 16 and its weight was 800.5 kg.

After this, fuel was drained out of the car and 2.0 litres of fuel were removed. The car was drained according to the draining procedure submitted by the team in their legality document. The car was weighed again on the FIA scales (with the [official] spare front wing assembly of car 16) and the weight was 799.0 kg. The calibration of the scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. For information the spare front wing was 0.2 kg heavier than the damaged one used during the race.

As this is 1.0 kg below the minimum weight requested in TR Article 4.1, which also has to be respected at all times during the competition, I am referring this matter to the Stewards for their consideration.

After the race, car number 10 [Gasly] was weighed and its weight was 800.0 kg, which is the minimum weight required by TR Article 4.1. After this, a fuel mass check was carried out and 1.1 kg of fuel were removed. The car was drained according to the draining procedure submitted by the team in their legality document. The car was weighed again on the FIA scales and the weight was 799.0 kg. The calibration of the scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor.

As this is 1.0 kg below the minimum weight requested in TR Article 4.1, which also has to be respected at all times during the competition, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.

The skid wear of car number 44 was checked.

The rearmost skid was measured according to the team’s legality documents submission in accordance with TD039 L, item 1.2 b) i). Measurements were taken along the stiffness compliant area at three different points of the periphery (inner arc). The recorded measurement were 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centerline) and 8.5mm (RHS).

As this is less than the 9 mm minimum thickness required by TR Article 3.5.9 e), I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.

This article will be updated

Miss nothing from RaceFans

Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

2025 Chinese Grand Prix

Browse all 2025 Chinese Grand Prix articles

2025 Chinese Grand Prix/2025 F1 season/alexander albon/Andrea Kimi Antonelli/carlos sainz jnr/charles leclerc/Driver of the Weekend/Esteban Ocon/Fernando Alonso/Gabriel Bortoleto/George Russell/Isack Hadjar/Jack Doohan/Lance Stroll/Lando Norris/Lewis Hamilton/Liam Lawson/Max Verstappen/Nico Hulkenberg/Oliver Bearman/Oscar Piastri/Pierre Gasly/Yuki Tsunoda

Vote for your 2025 Chinese Grand Prix F1 Driver of the Weekend

Admin
on

Start, Shanghai International Circuit, 2025


Which Formula 1 driver made the most of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend?

It’s time to give your verdict on which driver did the best with the equipment at their disposal over the last three days.

Review how each driver got on below and vote for who impressed you the most at Shanghai International Circuit.

Driver performance summary

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

Vote for your driver of the weekend

Which driver do you think did the best job throughout the race weekend?

Who got the most out of their car in qualifying and the race? Who put their team mate in the shade?

Cast your vote below and explain why you chose the driver you picked in the comments.

Who was the best driver of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix weekend?

  • No opinion (0%)
  • Gabriel Bortoleto (0%)
  • Nico Hulkenberg (0%)
  • Carlos Sainz Jnr (0%)
  • Alexander Albon (1%)
  • Yuki Tsunoda (0%)
  • Isack Hadjar (2%)
  • Oliver Bearman (11%)
  • Esteban Ocon (8%)
  • Pierre Gasly (0%)
  • Jack Doohan (1%)
  • Fernando Alonso (0%)
  • Lance Stroll (0%)
  • George Russell (11%)
  • Andrea Kimi Antonelli (1%)
  • Liam Lawson (0%)
  • Max Verstappen (12%)
  • Lewis Hamilton (4%)
  • Charles Leclerc (1%)
  • Oscar Piastri (47%)
  • Lando Norris (1%)

Total Voters: 85

Loading ... Loading …

A RaceFans account is required in order to vote. If you do not have one, register an account here or read more about registering here
When this poll is closed the result will be displayed instead of the voting form.

2025 Chinese Grand Prix

Browse all 2025 Chinese Grand Prix articles

Debates and polls

Browse all debates and polls


2025 australian grand prix/2025 F1 season/alexander albon/Andrea Kimi Antonelli/carlos sainz jnr/charles leclerc/Driver of the Weekend/Esteban Ocon/Fernando Alonso/Gabriel Bortoleto/George Russell/Isack Hadjar/Jack Doohan/Lance Stroll/Lando Norris/Lewis Hamilton/Liam Lawson/Max Verstappen/Nico Hulkenberg/Oliver Bearman/Oscar Piastri/Pierre Gasly/Yuki Tsunoda

Vote for your 2025 Australian Grand Prix F1 Driver of the Weekend

Admin
on

Start, Albert Park, 2025


Which Formula 1 driver made the most of the Australian Grand Prix weekend?

It’s time to give your verdict on which driver did the best with the equipment at their disposal over the last three days.

Review how each driver got on below and vote for who impressed you the most at Albert Park.

Driver performance summary

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

Vote for your driver of the weekend

Which driver do you think did the best job throughout the race weekend?

Who got the most out of their car in qualifying and the race? Who put their team mate in the shade?

Cast your vote below and explain why you chose the driver you picked in the comments.

Who was the best driver of the 2025 Australian Grand Prix weekend?

  • No opinion (0%)
  • Gabriel Bortoleto (1%)
  • Nico Hulkenberg (6%)
  • Carlos Sainz Jnr (0%)
  • Alexander Albon (10%)
  • Yuki Tsunoda (1%)
  • Isack Hadjar (4%)
  • Oliver Bearman (0%)
  • Esteban Ocon (0%)
  • Pierre Gasly (0%)
  • Jack Doohan (1%)
  • Fernando Alonso (0%)
  • Lance Stroll (1%)
  • George Russell (2%)
  • Andrea Kimi Antonelli (19%)
  • Liam Lawson (0%)
  • Max Verstappen (8%)
  • Lewis Hamilton (1%)
  • Charles Leclerc (0%)
  • Oscar Piastri (2%)
  • Lando Norris (42%)

Total Voters: 83

Loading ... Loading …

A RaceFans account is required in order to vote. If you do not have one, register an account here or read more about registering here
When this poll is closed the result will be displayed instead of the voting form.

2025 Australian Grand Prix

Browse all 2025 Australian Grand Prix articles

Debates and polls

Browse all debates and polls


Formula 1

Gasly’s optimism that “pieces falling in the right place” at Alpine seems well placed

Admin
on

An effervescent Pierre Gasly believes that Alpine is operating at “the best” he has seen since joining the Anglo-French outfit in 2023, marking a considerable sea change in the team’s fortunes compared to its flat-footed start to last season.

It was only 12 months ago that Alpine began a campaign with an overweight car that could barely break out of the opening stage of qualifying, having offered a clattering hint that its weight-stripping processes had gone awry by ditching its Bleu de France livery for a barely painted scheme on its A524.

This led to the resignations of technical director Matt Harman and aerodynamics guru Dirk de Beer, who had fallen on their swords when last year’s car occupied the final row of the grid in Bahrain’s season opener.

But the green shoots of revival have since sprung. The team was opportunistic in its hiring of David Sanchez as executive technical director, as the Frenchman had failed to find a home at McLaren and lasted just three months in Woking. Further off-track shuffles did, at face value, appear to be ‘same old Alpine’ as Bruno Famin left his team principal role after a year at the helm and ceded control to Hitech’s Oliver Oakes.

The headliner was, indeed, the reinstatement of Flavio Briatore as an authoritative voice. Billed as the executive advisor, Briatore effectively operates as the F1 equivalent of a “director of football” – with Oakes as his head coach and tasked with running the racing operations. It’s a two-pronged approach that has worked for McLaren, where Zak Brown handles the commercial and shareholder interest, leaving Andrea Stella to get on with running the team.

With the triumvirate of Briatore, Oakes, and Sanchez involved in reviving the Renault works team’s ailing fortunes, it now starts the year in a much better position. Pre-season testing looked encouraging, and appeared to carry on from where Gasly left off at the end of 2024, when the team’s late-season developments ensured he could pose frequently among the front third of the order.

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

That continual improvement, Gasly says, has carried through into the winter – and he believes that the Bahrain test showed that the team had been reinvigorated.

“I must say I’m feeling good,” Gasly revealed ahead of this weekend’s 2025 opener in Melbourne. “Let’s say over the past two years, winter testing offered quite a lot of challenges for us as a team and then going this year in Bahrain, it felt like we started off in a much better place. I haven’t tried to read too much into all the data, I know there’s tons of stuff out, but it’s like when you know that 10 kg can make such a big difference.

“I feel the team is in a great place. New people in the team and the current ones are all supporting a very positive dynamic and momentum from the end of last year. So it feels all the pieces are falling in the right places. I think in terms of structure as a team, in terms of operation from what I’m seeing back at the factory, that’s the best I’ve seen the team since I arrived – in terms of, processes and mindsets and the way we are approaching the season.”

Although the incoming grandes fromages left their own mark on the team, credit must be given to Famin’s wide-reaching reforms before he departed the F1 set-up. When Harman and de Beer left, Famin spied the opportunity to reshuffle the technical deck – again adopting the McLaren approach of a three-pronged leadership structure.

Here, Alpine promoted from within; David Wheater was installed as the technical director for the aerodynamics department, Joe Burnell headed up the engineering department, and Ciaron Pilbeam took control of the new performance department.

Sanchez joined as the final piece of that particular jigsaw, offering a feedback loop with the heads of department to share ideas and ensure all departments could be linked together.

David Sanchez, Alpine Executive Technical Director

David Sanchez, Alpine Executive Technical Director

Photo by: Alpine

Gasly reckons that this evolution vindicated his decision to commit to Alpine, and explained that the A525 appears to have taken the late-season qualities from last year’s car while ironing out a handful of issues that caused him grief under traction.

“I know I’ve mentioned 10 months ago that I could see a lot of positive changes, even though we were at the back of the field. I could see there was a good change happening, which is the reason why I committed to this team because I could see all this great stuff and I’m pleased to see that it’s a constant evolution. I think it’s very clear where we’re heading,” he said.

“It was the case at the end of last year as well. I would say at the end of last year we got in a better place, but there were still a few things on the car which I didn’t like, which didn’t allow me to have the traction I wanted. We know we’ve improved a couple of things, there might be other stuff which might come with some compromises on some other tracks, so that’s why I don’t want to be too outspoken for now.

“But I think we start with a base that will give us some tools to work with for the start of the season. I’m as excited as you guys to see where we’re going to end up and where we’re going to fight. But it’s a much better place than 12 months ago, for sure.”

The one question that Gasly has is where Alpine slots in versus the top four teams; he expects “the status quo” to remain with McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes at the front, but feels that the midfielders can make a genuine step forward into the advantage conferred upon the big-hitters in last year’s championship. 

But the team has its own rivals to battle against; Aston Martin, Williams, Haas, and Racing Bulls are all vying to be in that mix, and all indications are that the midfield skirmish will become even more intense than last year.

Regardless, Alpine now feels that it is in a position to continue the momentum it built over last year – there was more to its progression than the Brazil 2-3 after all, and fighting for the points at the start of the year represents a significant, and much needed, turnaround.

Read Also:

In this article

Jake Boxall-Legge

Formula 1

Pierre Gasly

Alpine

Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics

Formula 1

McLaren ahead of Red Bull?

Admin
on

A crucial disclaimer after every Formula 1 testing session – including this week’s one – is that lap times say little.

Teams do not know each other’s exact programmes and this is even more true for outsiders. In particular, single-lap times say very little, as no team is showing its full hand yet while both fuel levels and engine modes are a big variable.

However, the long-run pace calculated by our data partner PACETEQ says more, especially when combined with GPS data and top speeds that can reveal a bit more about engine modes and possible sandbagging.

It means that the data does show a pattern in the end, of course with all the usual reservations and the note that teams will develop their cars towards the 2025 season opener in Melbourne on 14-16 March.

But as things stand, which F1 team ranks where after pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit?

10. Sauber

Nico Hulkenberg, Kick Sauber C45

Nico Hulkenberg, Kick Sauber C45

Photo by: Sauber F1 Team

It is a common belief across the F1 paddock that Sauber remains bottom of the pecking order, having finished last in the 2024 championship.

The C45 looks unstable and at the circuit’s double left, Turns 9 and 10, the Sauber drivers’ lines were different each lap with the car unable to do what Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto wanted it to do.

Sauber’s long runs were also unimpressive with an average gap of 1.3 seconds per lap. But, this comes as little surprise because much of its focus is already on 2026, when Sauber will morph into the Audi F1 Team to kickstart the next era of technical regulations.

9. Racing Bulls

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Although in a livery ranking Racing Bulls would be near the top, the 2025 F1 campaign is expected to be a difficult one for the Italian outfit.

Its driver Yuki Tsunoda confirmed this belief, as he explained that the team is in a weaker position now than it was one year ago in comparison to its rivals. So, the Japanese driver expects the team to struggle to score points in the opening rounds of 2025.

Racing Bulls’ long run pace was not too bad though, with an average gap of around one second per lap to McLaren. Tsuonda is still playing it cautiously and he will have a rookie team-mate this year in Isack Hadjar, who replaces now Red Bull driver Liam Lawson.

8. Haas

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

The margins between the midfield teams remain extremely small, which makes it difficult to position said squads in an exact ranking. 

The same goes for Haas, who did not really show a clear picture in the first two days of testing. It did produce some long runs with new signing Esteban Ocon on the final day, but it was not with a full tank or full race simulation. 

Ocon was over a second slower than McLaren in Paceteq’s numbers, but showed relatively little tyre degradation. It is what characterised Haas in 2024 and the American outfit seems to be building on it. 

7. Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Aston Martin is firmly focusing on the regulation overhaul in 2026, as it has signed legendary F1 car designer Adrian Newey while Honda is set to arrive as a power unit supplier. 

But, a team that’s as ambitious as the Silverstone-based outfit will be reluctant to see 2025 turn into a torturous campaign yet pre-season testing was not impressive.

Of course, Lance Stroll’s physical condition did not help forcing Aston Martin to switch its approach on the final day, but at no point did the British team really show a glimpse of speed or potential.

The car seemed stable when watching trackside at Turns 9 and 10, but both the short and long runs were not particularly quick.

6. Williams

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

Williams was a positive surprise of the three-day test in Bahrain, even though the squad has made no secret of its focus mainly being on 2026.

But its new driver line-up of four-time grand prix winner Carlos Sainz and double podium sitter Alex Albon has no doubt helped things. Sainz, who recently joined from Ferrari, has integrated himself into the team rather nicely and Williams boss James Vowles has been impressed by his feedback and experience.

Although Williams’ single-lap times offer little detail, its long-run pace compared to fellow midfield squads is relatively good. The British outfit had a productive test without any significant problems, so it looks set to become a serious player within the midfield.

5. Alpine

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Photo by: Alpine

F1 has four teams which are significantly ahead, so fifth-place is simply a case of ‘best of the rest’.

Alpine seems favourite for that tag after an impressive testing session, which marks a remarkable turnaround from 12 months ago when it had an overweight car. But that weight has now gone so Alpine’s pace looks promising and in the calculated long runs, Pierre Gasly was around six-tenths slower than the leaders. 

There was a significant difference between Gasly and his rookie team-mate Jack Doohan though, so an unbalanced driver line-up unlike Williams may come back to haunt.

4. Mercedes

George Russell, Mercedes

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

George Russell was roughly at Ferrari’s level in the long runs, as the Mercedes car looked relatively stable while watching trackside and the team suffered no major setbacks.

There being no setbacks is of course the most important thing at winter testing, especially as Russell previously indicated that Mercedes does not want to fall into the poor development trap of recent years.

Currently, there are no signs that that will happen in 2025 but Mercedes is still slightly behind on pace compared to the reigning constructors’ champion squad McLaren. 

Alongside Russell will be rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who had a solid pre-season test. ‘Solid’ is also the word that goes with Mercedes’ test as a collective.

3. Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari SF-25

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari SF-25

Photo by: Ferrari

Expectations for Ferrari this year are high, as it has added to a runner-up finish in 2024 with the signing of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

So, the Scuderia is of course aiming to end its 17-year championship drought but its long-run pace in Bahrain was not particularly impressive.

Ferrari lost time on the straights, which may indicate something about engine modes while Hamilton started a race simulation on Friday and aborted it after 12 laps.

The times and tyre degradation put him over four tenths behind McLaren, according to Paceteq, which was similar to team-mate Charles Leclerc a day earlier. More to come from Ferrari.

2. Red Bull

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images

It is pretty close between the top teams making it somewhat difficult to judge. But on Wednesday, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko and the four-time, reigning world champion Max Verstappen showed great optimism about the RB21.

Marko said its balance problems had been largely fixed, while Verstappen added that he is yet to encounter any negative surprises with this year’s challenger. But, the Dutchman is still adamant that there is more work to be done with technical director Pierre Wache sharing said belief. 

A full race simulation was also only completed by new driver Liam Lawson, who was seven-tenths short of McLaren’s Lando Norris. But if that were Verstappen in the car, the gap would have no doubt been less putting Red Bull just behind McLaren.

1. McLaren

Lando Norris, McLaren

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Reigning champion McLaren is the clear favourite for the 2025 F1 season. Speaking to members of the paddock, the consensus is that nobody really knows how far behind the rest may be and when looking at the data “it could be two-tenths, three-tenths or five-tenths”.

Nonetheless, McLaren has impressed and particularly when one considers the long run that Norris completed on Thursday. The 2024 drivers’ championship runner-up was consistently fast and the onboard footage may scare rivals even more. 

Competitors are also looking at McLaren’s 2025 car with interest. Red Bull, for instance, called McLaren’s new front suspension ‘interesting, but also risky’. More specifically, that’s about what McLaren is doing with the positioning of the wishbones and anti-dive. So far, it all seems to be working and at a track McLaren has found difficult in recent years.

Pecking order F1 Testing

Pecking order F1 Testing

In this article

Ronald Vording

Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton

Max Verstappen

Pierre Gasly

George Russell

Charles Leclerc

Lando Norris

Liam Lawson

Oscar Piastri

Gabriel Bortoleto

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Ferrari

Red Bull Racing

Mercedes

Sauber

McLaren

Alpine

Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics