British Grand Prix: 7 burning questions as F1 heads to Silverstone

One of the crucial climactic moments in latest Method 1 reminiscence occurred only a few quick days in the past when an on-track battle between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen — that has been brewing for weeks — lastly boiled over. A collision between the 2 on Lap 64 of the Austrian Grand Prix kicked off hours of debate over who was at fault, and hypothesis about what lies forward.

Nonetheless, the time for speaking attracts to a detailed rapidly this week, because the British Grand Prix on the historic Silverstone Circuit is ready to get underway, the ultimate race of an F1 tripleheader that has taken the grid from Barcelona to Austria and now Silverstone … whereas altering the complexion of the F1 season.

Listed here are the tk burning questions forward of the British Grand Prix.

The place do Max and Lando go from right here?

This query is important not only for the British Grand Prix, however for the remainder of the 2024 F1 season, if not past.

The place do Lando Norris and Max Verstappen go from right here?

Is their on-track battle which has been simmering for weeks — and the next Lap 64 collision — the second that modifications every little thing on the grid? Or will a couple of days of respite and a few inner discussions, maybe even a pint or two, see each events transfer on from the incident and switch the web page? And what occurs if, as anticipated, these two lock horns in Silverstone or past? Will both driver method issues in another way within the wake of Austria?

Over on social media a minimum of, there’s hope that within the days and weeks forward the 2 groups and drivers emphasize laborious however honest racing, because the “Norris versus Verstappen” battle that’s shaping up appears to be probably the most intriguing title combat since 2021. However, as we’ll notice in a minute, that season was not with out its share of controversial moments, past the ultimate laps of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Then there’s the potential for what issues appear like at Media Day Thursday. The bevy of post-race questions and solutions in Austria appeared primed to construct the incident into one thing even greater, however will the assembled media look to maneuver past the incident itself and to the longer term, or will the incident and what it means on a private degree be the main focus?

Then there’s the truth that the grid leaves Austria and Purple Bull Ring behind to make the journey throughout the English Channel to Silverstone and the British Grand Prix, a house race for Norris. Will what is certain to be a charged atmosphere issue into the equation?

The place Norris and Verstappen go from right here is the burning query within the sport proper now, and beginning in only a few hours we’ll get our first glimpse at how that query is answered.

How will race officers deal with issues going ahead?

Picture by Mark Thompson/Getty Pictures

One of many extra fascinating viewpoints on the Norris-Verstappen conflict got here from McLaren Workforce Principal Andrea Stella. As you would possibly count on, the McLaren boss backed his driver to the fullest.

However he additionally had some criticism for the way race officers have dealt with related battles up to now.

Talking with Ted Kravitz of Sky Sports activities F1 instantly after the Austrian Grand Prix, Stella pointed to how race stewards usually took a hands-off method up to now. “I see that your complete inhabitants on this planet would know who’s accountable aside from a bunch of individuals,” started the McLaren boss to Kravitz.

“However the issue behind it’s that for those who don’t deal with this stuff actually, they’ll come again. They’ve come again right now as a result of they weren’t addressed correctly up to now when there have been some fights with Lewis [Hamilton] that wanted to be punished in a harsher method. You study now to race in a sure method, which we are able to contemplate honest and sq..”

Kravitz instantly pointed to the 2021 São Paulo Grand Prix which noticed an identical duel between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, and an incident the place it appeared to many watching that Verstappen had pressured Hamilton off the monitor. However race officers took no additional motion.

You possibly can see that incident right here and make your individual dedication.

Returning to Stella, the McLaren boss indicated that Brazil 2021 was simply one among “many” such incidents.

“Sure, there’s many episodes,” continued the McLaren boss. “The very fact is that we now have a lot respect for Purple Bull, a lot respect for Max – they don’t want to do that. It’s a technique to virtually compromise your repute. Why would you try this?”

Stella then concluded his ideas with Kravitz.

“I believe the stewards discovered that Max was absolutely guilty on this episode. So it’s not about racing in a drivers’ method, it’s about racing throughout the laws,” stated Stella. “And the laws have to be enforced in a method that’s efficient, as a result of when a automobile is out of the race as a consequence of this accident, the punishment must be proportionate to the result.

“And we had twice earlier than that episode shifting below braking. So I believe it’s simply evident we now have to implement the best way to go racing as a result of we need to have enjoyable, we need to take pleasure in.”

In order that leads us to the race stewards now, and the way they’ll deal with issues going ahead. They could level to the penalty handed right down to Verstappen in Austria — the ten-second penalty together with two factors on his Tremendous License discovering him “predominantly at fault” for the collision — as an indication that they’re intervening to beat back any additional incidents on the monitor. Maybe they’re proper. However you greatest consider that if the #1 and the #4 come shut this weekend, plenty of eyes can be watching.

Not simply the 2 drivers, however the race stewards as properly.

Can Meredes hold their scorching streak going?

As we now have famous over the previous few days the most popular workforce in F1 over the previous three race weekends?

Mercedes.

Upgrades the workforce began rolling out on the Miami Grand Prix started bearing fruit in Imola and Monaco however was one thing of a bumper crop since then. Over the previous three race weekends, the Silver Arrows have banked 100 factors, greater than some other workforce on the grid, together with each Purple Bull and McLaren.

And as we’ll see in a second, far more than Ferrari.

Can Mercedes hold this streak going at Silverstone?

Phrase out of the workforce was optimistic on that entrance within the hours after George Russell’s win in Austria. Within the workforce’s post-race report on Sunday Lewis Hamilton famous that Silverstone would possibly go well with the present configuration of the W15. “We now stay up for Silverstone,” stated Hamilton. “It’s at all times such a particular weekend, and I can’t wait to see all of the followers there. It’s a monitor that ought to hopefully go well with us a bit of higher than right here in Austria so let’s see what we are able to do.”

Alongside related strains, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff outlined that the success in Austria on a monitor that has not at all times been fertile floor for the workforce illustrates simply how far they’ve come. “We now stay up for Silverstone subsequent week. We’re inspired by our general efficiency this weekend at a monitor that has not usually been a [favorite] for our vehicles,” stated Wolff. “Our goal over the subsequent few races is to proceed to indicate progress and goal to get nearer to the entrance.”

Can they hold it rolling this week?

Will we lastly study the place Carlos Sainz Jr. is headed?

Picture by Clive Rose/Getty Pictures

The conflict between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen knocked what was the top-line query on the thoughts of everybody related to F1:

The place is Carlos Sainz Jr. headed for subsequent season?

Sainz stays the massive fish within the driver switch market, and whereas all indicators pointed to the Spanish driver signing on the dotted line with Williams for subsequent 12 months, Alpine has emerged in latest weeks as a severe contender for his providers.

Sainz outlined forward of the Spanish Grand Prix {that a} choice was coming “quickly,” however appeared to take a unique method within the moments after his podium end in Austria. When requested about his contract scenario after ending third within the Austrian Grand Prix Sainz indicated he was not going to be pressured into deciding earlier than he was prepared.

“As I stated earlier than, for positive that strain, I’m not going to obtain it on a Sunday afternoon after a podium we’re eager to take pleasure in. As I stated earlier than, I believe it’s typically, like George was saying, we take it as a right once we’re on one among these podiums, celebrating, sporting a Ferrari go well with, and I used to be considering, attempt to take pleasure in this second as a result of who is aware of when it’s going to be the subsequent time sooner or later,” stated Sainz on the post-race FIA Press Convention Sunday. “In order a lot as perhaps there are some groups which can be nervous or pressuring me, it’s time for me additionally to take pleasure in this second of being on a podium.

“And I’m going to be sincere and easy with the groups, but it surely’s such an necessary choice for me additionally that I’m going to take on a regular basis that I must take it. And if there’s groups that can’t wait or are a bit impatient, I can not do something about it. It’s going to be my future, my choice, and I’m going to attempt to be as sincere as doable with everybody and provides myself the time that I would like.”

If — hypothetically — Sainz had been to signal with Williams, saying it forward of the British Grand Prix may be one thing the Grove-based outfit could be eager to do. Will that be what occurs this week, or will this choice linger previous the British Grand Prix, and maybe into the summer season shutdown and past?

If that’s the case, will that open the driving force market floodgates?

If Sainz does announce his 2025 vacation spot this week, will that open the 2025 driver floodgates?

A number of drivers in latest weeks have pointed to Sainz as, to make use of the phrasing utilized by Haas driver Kevin Magnussen, the “cork within the bottle.” Talking forward of the Spanish Grand Prix throughout the FIA Press Convention Magnussen raised that notion when requested about his F1 future.

“He’s,” stated Magnussen whereas gesturing to Sainz when requested about why a choice was taking so lengthy. “Carlos is the cork within the bottle. I believe plenty of guys are ready for him to make a transfer after which finally all the opposite items of the puzzle will fall. That’s the reality of that.”

Magnussen discovered help in Zhou Guanyu per week later. Through the Thursday driver press convention, the Kick Sauber driver had this to say when requested about his 2025 plans. “Like, it’s very straightforward to say: we’re all ready for what Carlos desires to determine on the finish of the day. However hopefully he could make his choice sooner,” stated Zhou. “After which I believe that can simply flip round so much the driving force market.”

Wanting on the choices in entrance of groups and drivers alike, you possibly can see how Sainz is that proverbial “cork within the bottle.” Assuming for the sake of this hypothetical Sainz decides to signal with Williams, which takes away another seat for the drivers in search of a trip. That may see Alpine transfer in the direction of both Jack Doohan or Mick Schumacher as an possibility, then Valtteri Bottas considering a return to Kick Sauber, after which maybe Esteban Ocon taking one of many spots at Haas.

Nonetheless, ought to Sainz shock the paddock and signal with Alpine, then the Williams seat could possibly be the touchdown spot for Bottas, opening up Zhou for a return to Kick Sauber, after which on down the road.

So if Sainz does declare his 2025 intentions, it may definitely set a number of strikes into movement.

If Sainz does announce his 2025 vacation spot this week, will that open the 2025 driver floodgates?

A number of drivers in latest weeks have pointed to Sainz as, to make use of the phrasing utilized by Haas driver Kevin Magnussen, the “cork within the bottle.” Talking forward of the Spanish Grand Prix throughout the FIA Press Convention Magnussen raised that notion when requested about his F1 future.

“He’s,” stated Magnussen whereas gesturing to Sainz when requested about why a choice was taking so lengthy. “Carlos is the cork within the bottle. I believe plenty of guys are ready for him to make a transfer after which finally all the opposite items of the puzzle will fall. That’s the reality of that.”

Magnussen discovered help in Zhou Guanyu per week later. Through the Thursday driver press convention, the Kick Sauber driver had this to say when requested about his 2025 plans. “Like, it’s very straightforward to say: we’re all ready for what Carlos desires to determine on the finish of the day. However hopefully he could make his choice sooner,” stated Zhou. “After which I believe that can simply flip round so much the driving force market.”

Wanting on the choices in entrance of groups and drivers alike, you possibly can see how Sainz is that proverbial “cork within the bottle.” Assuming for the sake of this hypothetical Sainz decides to signal with Williams, which takes away another seat for the drivers in search of a trip. That may see Alpine transfer in the direction of both Jack Doohan or Mick Schumacher as an possibility, then Valtteri Bottas considering a return to Kick Sauber, after which maybe Esteban Ocon taking one of many spots at Haas.

Nonetheless, ought to Sainz shock the paddock and signal with Alpine, then the Williams seat could possibly be the touchdown spot for Bottas, opening up Zhou for a return to Kick Sauber, after which on down the road.

So if Sainz does declare his 2025 intentions, it may definitely set a number of strikes into movement.

Can Ferrari cease the bleeding?

Overlook Sainz’s future workforce, what about his current one?

As famous above Mercedes has been the most popular workforce in F1 over the previous three race weekends. However wanting on the prime 4 groups within the Constructors’ Championship standings, the workforce that has been the coldest?

Ferrari.

Whereas Mercedes leads the best way with 100 factors over that interval, adopted by 84 for McLaren and 79 for Purple Bull, Ferrari has simply 39 factors throughout this latest stretch. Following Charles Leclerc’s triumphant drive on the Monaco Grand Prix (and a podium end for Sainz in that race), Ferrari has struggled.

Ferrari endured a tough week in Montreal, as they endured a points-less consequence within the Canadian Grand Prix. Barcelona was a step higher, as Leclerc delivered a P5 and Sainz a P6, however Austria noticed one other step again for Leclerc, as he completed seventh within the F1 Dash Race, and out of the factors in the primary occasion.

Sainz salvaged one thing greater for the workforce together with his podium end within the Austrian Grand Prix, however the Scuderia have seen their rivals both pull nearer to them within the standings (taking a look at McLaren and Mercedes) or pull additional away from them in Purple Bull’s case.

Can they flip issues round at Silverstone?

“I believe, if something, it simply proves that the final two weekends haven’t been straightforward,” stated Sainz on Sunday when requested in regards to the workforce’s latest struggles. “We’ve been at all times the primary Ferrari ending behind the primary Mercedes. Even for those who rely Canada, you might argue these three weekends in a row. So I believe Purple Bull and McLaren had been in a league of their very own this weekend. Then there was a step. There was George and me battling for that P3, P4. And yeah, that was not the scenario originally of the 12 months.

“So it reveals that we have to work laborious. We have to perceive what’s occurred the final couple of races. And as soon as we perceive it, hopefully already for Silverstone, we are able to carry a step and enhance our efficiency.”

Relating to Silverstone, Sainz indicated that the workforce was working laborious again in Maranello to attempt to ship the upgrades wanted to spice up efficiency, significantly within the higher-speed corners.

“Nicely, I see the manufacturing unit pushing flat out, you understand, to know the troubles that we’ve hit within the final couple of weekends and making an attempt to carry already for Silverstone a package deal that permits us to carry out a bit higher within the high-speed corners as a result of it’s clearly been our weak point,” stated Sainz. “Yesterday, Max was a lot faster by way of there, however not solely Max, additionally Mercedes and McLaren had been a transparent step forward of us in these kind of corners. And we all know Silverstone is the king of the excessive pace, so we have to do a step. Clearly, we need to be aggressive there. And we’re going to combat every little thing we are able to and attempt to discover every little thing we are able to, sorry, to make ourselves extra aggressive there.”

With the short turnaround, Ferrari is below super strain to ship this weekend and stem the tide.

Which younger driver shines in follow?

Picture by James Sutton – Method 1/Method Motorsport Restricted by way of Getty Pictures

Two groups have already introduced that younger drivers can be dealing with driving duties in a minimum of one follow session at Silverstone. Williams introduced that Franco Colapinto could be stepping in for Logan Sargeant throughout FP1, whereas Oliver Bearman can be getting within the cockpit of the VF-24 for the third of his six scheduled follow classes for Haas this season. Bearman’s most up-to-date FP1 session for Haas got here on the Spanish Grand Prix when he completed nineteenth out of 20 drivers within the opening phase of follow. Replace: Alpine has since confirmed that Jack Doohan can be driving in FP1 on Friday. That announcement comes forward of subsequent week’s important testing session alongside Mick Schumacher

For Colapinto, that is simply his second time within the cockpit of an F1 automobile, and his first F1 session. His debut in an F1 automobile got here at post-season testing in Abu Dhabi final winter.

“I’ve so many feelings. I’m extraordinarily delighted and it’s an important second in my life and my profession. I would be the most ready I can; I can be doing plenty of laps within the simulator and finding out the small print wanted to drive this 12 months’s automobile. I’m actually wanting ahead to experiencing the brand new automobile after driving final 12 months’s in Abu Dhabi,” stated Colapinto within the workforce’s announcement. “To have the ability to drive it at a monitor like Silverstone is a privilege, it’s one among my favorite tracks and to drive it on the workforce’s residence race means so much. To all of the Argentine followers – I hope you take pleasure in FP1 as a lot as I’m going to! It’s an necessary second for our nation and I’m so grateful for all of the help I’ve been given. I’m going to present my all to make you proud!”

For Bearman, nevertheless, that is his third stint in a follow session for Haas this season, and it comes not solely in a season the place he made his F1 debut — and scored his first factors — changing an ailing Carlos Sainz Jr. in Saudi Arabia, but in addition as many count on he can be in a seat at Haas full-time subsequent 12 months.

And Haas workforce boss Ayao Komatsu admitted earlier this 12 months that Bearman was “into account” for a seat. “In fact we’re evaluating him,” stated Komatsu. “If he isn’t [under] consideration, we wouldn’t be operating him in FP1.”

How will these two younger drivers take to the monitor this weekend, and can Bearman inch nearer to a full-time spot within the grid?