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

One of the climactic moments in current Formulation 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.

Nevertheless, the time for speaking attracts to an in depth shortly 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 below are the tk burning questions forward of the British Grand Prix.

The place do Max and Lando go from right here?

This query is crucial 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 all the pieces 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 strategy issues otherwise within the wake of Austria?

Over on social media at the least, there may be hope that within the days and weeks forward the 2 groups and drivers emphasize arduous however truthful racing, because the “Norris versus Verstappen” battle that’s shaping up seems to be probably the most intriguing title combat since 2021. However, as we are going to observe 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 may be the potential for what issues appear to be 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 target?

Then there may be the truth that the grid leaves Austria and Crimson 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 setting 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 are going to get our first glimpse at how that query is answered.

How will race officers deal with issues going ahead?

Photograph by Mark Thompson/Getty Photographs

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 comparable battles previously.

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 strategy previously. “I see that your entire 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 in the event you don’t deal with this stuff truthfully, they may come again. They’ve come again at present as a result of they weren’t addressed correctly previously when there have been some fights with Lewis [Hamilton] that wanted to be punished in a harsher manner. You study now to race in a sure manner, which we are able to think about truthful and sq..”

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

You’ll be able to see that incident right here and make your personal willpower.

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

“Sure, there may be many episodes,” continued the McLaren boss. “The very fact is that we’ve got a lot respect for Crimson Bull, a lot respect for Max – they don’t want to do that. It’s a technique to virtually compromise your fame. Why would you do this?”

Stella then concluded his ideas with Kravitz.

“I feel the stewards discovered that Max was totally guilty on this episode. So it’s not about racing in a drivers’ manner, it’s about racing inside the rules,” stated Stella. “And the rules should be enforced in a manner that’s efficient, as a result of when a automotive is out of the race as a consequence of this accident, the punishment must be proportionate to the end result.

“And we had twice earlier than that episode transferring beneath braking. So I feel it’s simply evident we’ve got to implement the way in which 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 may deal with issues going ahead. They might level to the penalty handed all the way 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 keep at bay any additional incidents on the observe. Maybe they’re proper. However you finest imagine that if the #1 and the #4 come shut this weekend, a whole lot of eyes might be watching.

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

Can Meredes maintain their scorching streak going?

As we’ve got famous over the previous few days the most well liked group in F1 over the previous three race weekends?

Mercedes.

Upgrades the group 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 every other group on the grid, together with each Crimson Bull and McLaren.

And as we are going to see in a second, way more than Ferrari.

Can Mercedes maintain this streak going at Silverstone?

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

Alongside comparable strains, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff outlined that the success in Austria on a observe that has not all the time been fertile floor for the group illustrates simply how far they’ve come. “We now sit up for Silverstone subsequent week. We’re inspired by our total efficiency this weekend at a observe that has not usually been a [favorite] for our vehicles,” stated Wolff. “Our intention over the following few races is to proceed to point out progress and intention to get nearer to the entrance.”

Can they maintain it rolling this week?

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

Photograph by Clive Rose/Getty Photographs

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 large fish within the driver switch market, and whereas all indicators pointed to the Spanish driver signing on the dotted line with Williams for subsequent yr, Alpine has emerged in current weeks as a critical contender for his providers.

Sainz outlined forward of the Spanish Grand Prix {that a} choice was coming “quickly,” however appeared to take a unique strategy 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 certain that stress, 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 feel it’s generally, like George was saying, we take it with no consideration once we’re on considered one of these podiums, celebrating, sporting a Ferrari swimsuit, 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 following time sooner or later,” stated Sainz on the post-race FIA Press Convention Sunday. “In order a lot as possibly 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 trustworthy and simple with the groups, however it’s such an essential 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’t do something about it. It’s going to be my future, my choice, and I’m going to attempt to be as trustworthy as potential with everybody and provides myself the time that I would like.”

If — hypothetically — Sainz had been to signal with Williams, asserting it forward of the British Grand Prix is perhaps one thing the Grove-based outfit can 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 time shutdown and past?

In that 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 current 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 in the course of 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 feel a whole lot of guys are ready for him to make a transfer after which ultimately all the opposite items of the puzzle will fall. That’s the reality of that.”

Magnussen discovered help in Zhou Guanyu per week later. In the course of 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 resolve on the finish of the day. However hopefully he could make his choice sooner,” stated Zhou. “After which I feel that can simply flip round lots the driving force market.”

Trying 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 yet another seat for the drivers searching for a experience. Which 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.

Nevertheless, ought to Sainz shock the paddock and signal with Alpine, then the Williams seat may very well 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 might 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 current 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 in the course of 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 feel a whole lot of guys are ready for him to make a transfer after which ultimately all the opposite items of the puzzle will fall. That’s the reality of that.”

Magnussen discovered help in Zhou Guanyu per week later. In the course of 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 resolve on the finish of the day. However hopefully he could make his choice sooner,” stated Zhou. “After which I feel that can simply flip round lots the driving force market.”

Trying 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 yet another seat for the drivers searching for a experience. Which 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.

Nevertheless, ought to Sainz shock the paddock and signal with Alpine, then the Williams seat may very well 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 might definitely set a number of strikes into movement.

Can Ferrari cease the bleeding?

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

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

Ferrari.

Whereas Mercedes leads the way in which with 100 factors over that interval, adopted by 84 for McLaren and 79 for Crimson Bull, Ferrari has simply 39 factors throughout this current 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 end result 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 group along 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 Crimson Bull’s case.

Can they flip issues round at Silverstone?

“I feel, if something, it simply proves that the final two weekends haven’t been straightforward,” stated Sainz on Sunday when requested concerning the group’s current struggles. “We’ve been all the time the primary Ferrari ending behind the primary Mercedes. Even in the event you depend Canada, you would argue these three weekends in a row. So I feel Crimson 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 at first of the yr.

“So it reveals that we have to work arduous. 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 convey a step and enhance our efficiency.”

Concerning Silverstone, Sainz indicated that the group was working arduous 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 facility pushing flat out, you recognize, to know the troubles that we’ve hit within the final couple of weekends and making an attempt to convey already for Silverstone a bundle that enables us to carry out a bit higher within the high-speed corners as a result of it’s clearly been our weak spot,” stated Sainz. “Yesterday, Max was a lot faster by 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 velocity, so we have to do a step. Clearly, we need to be aggressive there. And we’re going to combat all the pieces we are able to and attempt to discover all the pieces we are able to, sorry, to make ourselves extra aggressive there.”

With the fast turnaround, Ferrari is beneath large stress to ship this weekend and stem the tide.

Which younger driver shines in observe?

Photograph by James Sutton – Formulation 1/Formulation Motorsport Restricted through Getty Photographs

Two groups have already introduced that younger drivers might be dealing with driving duties in at the least one observe session at Silverstone. Williams introduced that Franco Colapinto can be stepping in for Logan Sargeant throughout FP1, whereas Oliver Bearman might be getting within the cockpit of the VF-24 for the third of his six scheduled observe 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 observe. Replace: Alpine has since confirmed that Jack Doohan might be driving in FP1 on Friday. That announcement comes forward of subsequent week’s crucial testing session alongside Mick Schumacher

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

“I’ve so many feelings. I’m extraordinarily delighted and it’s a vital second in my life and my profession. I would be the most ready I can; I might be doing a whole lot of laps within the simulator and finding out the small print wanted to drive this yr’s automotive. I’m actually trying ahead to experiencing the brand new automotive after driving final yr’s in Abu Dhabi,” stated Colapinto within the group’s announcement. “To have the ability to drive it at a observe like Silverstone is a privilege, it’s considered one of my favorite tracks and to drive it on the group’s dwelling race means lots. To all of the Argentine followers – I hope you take pleasure in FP1 as a lot as I’m going to! It’s an essential second for our nation and I’m so grateful for all of the help I’ve been given. I’m going to provide my all to make you proud!”

For Bearman, nonetheless, that is his third stint in a observe 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 might be in a seat at Haas full-time subsequent yr.

And Haas group boss Ayao Komatsu admitted earlier this yr that Bearman was “into consideration” 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 observe this weekend, and can Bearman inch nearer to a full-time spot within the grid?