F1 Covered

Hamilton was right: he had NO POWER to defend from LEC and RUS! 🪫 LEC reached 317 km/h without slipstream or overtake mode, HAM just 307 (Lap 42) And that's nothing: LEC reached 330 when in HAM's slipstream, but the latter didn't exceed 306 when the roles inverted! (Lap 43, and RUS overtook him) Behind HAM, LEC gained 0.391s on the main straight. Behind LEC, HAM LOST 0.250s (while RUS gained 0.529s) So: -For some reason (bug?) HAM didn't have the ERS power needed to defend ❌ -RUS could overtake HAM more easily than LEC did... even though he was 0.144s further behind on the straight! 🚀 @LewisHamilton @ScuderiaFerrari @Charles_Leclerc #F1

YOUNGEST CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER IN F1 HISTORY! ✨ Kimi Antonelli ✨ #F1 #JapaneseGP

OUT IN Q1 ❌ 17) Alex Albon, Williams 18) Ollie Bearman, Haas 19) Sergio Perez, Cadillac 20) Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac 21) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin 22) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin

Did you know... Suzuka is the only figure-of-eight track on the calendar 🤓 #F1 #JapaneseGP

Checo made his F1 debut 15 years ago today! 🗓️ #F1 #JapaneseGP #OnThisDay

A world first. Motorsport meets anime - for the first time ever. UNDONE brings together Atlassian Williams F1 Team and Dan Da Dan for a full capsule collection, including watches designed and developed by UNDONE Lab. Read more at bit.ly/4lXGTp4 @anime_dandadan | @animeDANDADANen

Remember the 'DRS fly-by overtakes'? That's nothing: RUS had a 49 km/h advantage over LEC on Lap 9 on the main straight! 🚀 (And still couldn't pass him) 💡Key points: -LEC used limited his power on that straight to preserve charge: he couldn't accelerate past 285 km/h even though the rules allow full deployment below 290 km/h -RUS was too greedy to wait for the longest straight and had to drain his battery on the start/finish line, only to lock up -That 49 km/h delta means a ~60% higher Power/Drag ratio for RUS, coming from higher power first, slipstream second -Behind them, HAM reached 311 km/h This is my take based on the opening laps: -To win the WDC, RUS needs to match LEC's battle skills -LEC needs a more effective Power Unit (the rotating wing will aid with energy management) What do you think? 🤔 #F1

Aston Martin heads into another race weekend with low prospects given its parts shortage and Honda engine issues - but it has made "good progress" in resolving the ongoing vibration issue nytimes.com/athletic/71108…

In Shanghai, #Ferrari introduced a small flap on the Halo to help clean up the airflow, diverting it away from the driver’s helmet and also directing it toward the upper air intake, all to improve aerodynamic efficiency. #f1 #ChineseGP #F12026 #f1tech #f1news #scuderiaferrari #leclerc #hamilton

Ferrari appear to have brought an interesting new device to the halo of their SF-26 this weekend! 🤓 Spotted on Thursday during pit stop practice, we'll await to see if it'll be used on track 👀 #F1 #ChineseGP

Action EVERYWHERE you looked 😍 #F1 #AusGP

Looking back at the replay of the start, the last light was only illuminated for a single frame (!) before all lights went off. Given F1 broadcasts at 50fps, that means the last light was on for less than 0.02s, much shorter than what the FIA recommends (0.2s) #F1 #AustralianGP

RACE PACE! #AustralianGP #F1 Mercedes built a rocketship, yet Ferrari wasn't far behind! Excellent comeback by VER Audi and Haas built cars which can lead the midfield this year, yet are ONE SECOND slower than the worst top-car (McL) Alpine struggled, yet was quicker than Williams. Cadillac is slowest by far! (But, unlike Aston, can finish races) Pace per team: 1)Merc (ANT) 2)Ferrari (HAM) +0.13s/lap 3)RBR (VER) +0.53 4)McL (NOR) +0.56 5)Audi (BOR) +1.53 6)Haas (BEA) +1.68 7)RBs (LIN) +1.84 8)Alpine (GAS) +2.12 9)Williams (ALB) +2.36 10)Cadillac (PER) +4.31 (!!) 11)Aston (?)

Haas leave Australia as the top midfield team, courtesy of Oliver Bearman's P7. Ayao Komatsu deserves so much credit for his leadership at that team.

Nico Hulkenberg's Audi is being wheeled back into the pit lane, meaning we're down to 20 cars on the grid. How very 2025... #F1 #AusGP

Heartbreak for Oscar! The hometown hero loses it on his way to the grid pre-race and sustains considerable damage 💔

Oscar Piastri has crashed and is OUT of the Australian Grand Prix before it begins 😮 #F1 #AusGP

🚨The FIA has reportedly reversed its decision. So, to recap ... Less than 2 hours before FP3: - FIA removes a straight mode zone 30 minutes before FP3: - FIA reverses its decision Nothing about these regs has shown that the sport is confident in them.

Sources in paddock suggest that FIA decision to scrap the T6/T9 active aero zone is going to be reversed following a revolt from teams. Fast developing situation. #F1.

FIA statement on straight-line mode: “Following feedback in last hour from Teams & Drivers, & additional analysis contributed by Teams, decision to remove Straight Mode zone #4 is rescinded. Further evaluation during and after FP3.” Why didn’t they ask teams first..?