MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — After only five races, the situation
Formula 1
This season, there’s already an intriguing title fight with significant internal organizational ramifications.
Oscar Piastri hasn’t hesitated to demonstrate that he won’t stay behind his teammate Lando Norris, preventing Norris from becoming the designated No. 1 driver at McLaren Racing. Piastri secured this by claiming victory in three out of the first five races this season, thereby taking control of the driver championship leaderboard.
Once considered McLaren’s heir apparent, Norris finds himself trailing Piastri by 10 points this season, with only one win under his belt so far. As Formula One heads to the United States for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, team principal Zak Brown has stated emphatically that there won’t be any internal conflicts regarding this title battle. For now, he plans to allow things to unfold organically.
“Let them compete,” Brown declared to The Associated Press. He won’t label a driver as No. 1 or enforce any team instructions unless one racer pulls significantly ahead in the championship contest.
“We’ll only make that decision if it becomes clear, like it did last year at a certain point,” Brown said. “Until then they will get the same treatment. There may be instances when one has an upgrade that the other doesn’t have yet, but that’s the extent of it right now. We want to let them race.”
Last year, Norris secured his inaugural win at Miami during the race held near Hard Rock Stadium, breaking Max Verstappen’s two consecutive victories at the same location. Initially labeled with the unflattering nickname “Lando NoWins” upon arriving in Miami, Norris quickly erased this tag and celebrated enthusiastically along South Beach after clinching the victory.
I somewhat envy Lando for securing his initial victory at this track since I’m certain that Sunday evening must have been quite exhilarating,” stated competitor Pierre Gasly. “It’s one of those races where you hope everything goes smoothly on Sunday so you can genuinely celebrate into the night.
How was Norris’ party?
“He replied with an embarrassed smile, ‘I can’t recall.’”
Norris was subsequently questioned about whether he feels worried that Piastri has gained traction by securing victories in three consecutive races, especially considering Norris had only won once.
Not concerned in the slightest. He’s performing well and has earned it. That’s all there is to it,” Norris stated. “Momentum isn’t something I put too much stock in. I’m putting forth my best effort. While I acknowledge making several errors and falling short of where I should be, I am confident that I will reach that standard before long.
It’s fight number six out of 24. I won’t keep saying this indefinitely, but I realize I must start making progress and shift into high gear,” Norris went on. “I have the speed, I maintain the pace, and certainly my racing pace is solid. There’s only one aspect I need to refine. It’s a tricky issue, yet I remain optimistic that I will sort it out.
Hamilton acknowledges difficulties with Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari this season hasn’t been smooth sailing for the seven-time champion, and he’s acknowledged that these difficulties might persist throughout the whole year.
Hamilton is in his debut season with Ferrari following 12 years at Mercedes. He secured victory in the sprint race held in Shanghai using a Ferrari but hasn’t managed to achieve a top-four position in any of the Grands Prix so far this season. Currently, he lags behind his teammate Charles Leclerc by 16 points in the drivers’ championship rankings.
He compared his present transition to when he initially joined Mercedes.
The initial six months were challenging as I adapted to collaborating with new team members. Clearly, the current group of engineers is accustomed to configuring cars for a distinct driver and driving technique, whereas my experience lies in operating vehicles designed for another driving approach,” Hamilton stated. “It involves several factors coming together. I am certainly putting in significant effort to acclimate to this setup without doubt.
He’s also attempting to adapt to increased time in Italy, a nation where he’s finding it challenging to pick up the language yet thoroughly enjoying the cuisine.
Struggling to steer clear of pizzas and pasta,” Hamilton mentioned. “In just two days, I devoured about three pizzas. I’ve got this guy who’s been supplying me with pizza regularly.
“I’m not residing in Italy at the moment, but I still hope to find ways to spend more time there throughout the year,” he went on. “My Italian isn’t improving much, so I might have to immerse myself completely. However, the team has been doing well with numerous changes and an immense workload since my arrival.”
U.S. television rights
Stefano Domenicali, the F1 president, stated that he did not have any new information regarding the championship’s continuous search for a TV partner in the United States.
ESPN will not be extending its agreement with F1 when the current contract expires at the end of this year. It has been reported that ESPN currently pays somewhere between $75 million and $90 million each year to Formula One Management for broadcasting rights in the United States.
Domenicali has emphasized the significance of Formula 1’s presence in North America, noting substantial growth over the past five years. Currently, F1 holds three events annually in the United States—and made an announcement.
a 10-year extension with Miami
On Friday, the schedule includes races up until 2041 — with this being the fifth time overall in North America. Next season, Formula One will feature both Ford and General Motors in the lineup: Ford joining forces with Red Bull as a supporting partner, and Cadillac entering as the eleventh official team under factory backing.
There are ongoing talks and multiple parties expressing interest to discuss,” Domenicali stated on Friday. “The positive aspect is the significant level of interest, but we must ensure our credibility within an environment where prominent professional sports hold substantial importance for this market. Our objective is to identify the ideal location with suitable offerings to cater to the dedicated fanbase in the United States.
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AP auto racing:
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Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press
