MOTORSPORTS

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Renault-owned Alpine condemned on Thursday online abuse of their Argentine Formula 1 driver ⁠Franco Colapinto for an incident in Japan as well as death threats directed at the team’s former racer Esteban Ocon in China. They also dismissed suspicions from some fans of ‘sabotage’ and that Colapinto was not being given equal equipment to teammate Pierre Gasly.

Colapinto was caught up in Oliver Bearman’s 308kph crash at Suzuka last Sunday, with the Haas driver swerving to avoid the Argentine’s much slower car and hitting the barriers with a force of 50G.

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Tension between Formula One drivers and the media is nothing new, but a striking moment unfolded at the Japanese Grand Prix when Max Verstappen refused to begin his press conference until a specific journalist left the room.

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Max Verstappen’s attempt to reset after a difficult start to his Formula One season ended in frustration after he was disqualified from a race he had convincingly won at the Nürburgring. The Dutch driver, a four time Formula One world champion, had taken part in a four hour endurance event in Germany on Saturday, only to see his victory overturned due to a technical violation involving tyre usage.

Verstappen, competing in the GT3 class, delivered a strong performance from the outset. Driving on the demanding 24.358 kilometre configuration of the Nürburgring, he secured pole position by a margin of nearly two seconds, underlining his pace and adaptability outside Formula One machinery. Sharing driving duties with French driver Jules Gounon and Spaniard Daniel Juncadella, Verstappen helped guide their Mercedes car, run by the Winward team and featuring Red Bull branding, to what initially appeared to be a dominant win.

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Kimi Antonelli secured the first victory of his Formula One career after winning the Chinese Grand Prix and leading teammate George Russell to a Mercedes one-two finish in Shanghai.

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A rejuvenated Lewis Hamilton said Thursday that he was more committed to Formula 1 “than ever” aged 41 and believes he trains harder than any other driver.

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A fuming Max Verstappen said Friday was “a disaster” after torrid practice and sprint qualifying sessions at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s Red Bull was almost two seconds behind championship leader George Russell’s Mercedes as he finished in eighth place in both sessions in Shanghai.