Lewis Hamilton Wins Dramatic Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Formula 1 drama was at his peak in Baku as Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo both Red Bulls drivers sensationally collided with each other to hand lucky Lewis Hamilton his first victory of the season  at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hamilton was given victory and the championship lead on a plate after looking set to finish third.

 In four races there have been three different winners from three teams, Valtteri Bottas was on course to win after Mercedes took advantage of a late safety car to jump long-time leader Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari, but after Vettel had thrown away second place with a mistake at the restart, Bottas suffered a puncture on the next lap.

Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo have been told to apologise to Red Bull's 800 staff after they took each other out of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at 220mph.The pair's mutually race-ending shunt was the fifth time they had gone wheel-to-wheel in Baku. And, after touching tyres earlier in the afternoon, their final collision had an air of inevitability about it.

Lewis Hamilton took his first race win since October and only led on the final two laps after team-mate Valtteri Bottas suffered dramatic late puncture,  Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel are for now comfortably clear of the rest on points, Hamilton needed his win in Baku badly, after a generally underwhelming start to the season from him and his team and no victories for the world champion since the US Grand Prix last October.

Formula 1 pre-season testing: More problems for McLaren

McLaren's task of starting the Formula 1 season on a high have been hit by series of problems in pre-season testing.

The latest is a car, driven by Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne, breaking down three times on day one of the final test in Barcelona.

The first two failures were caused by a battery problem, the third a loss of hydraulic pressure.

McLaren completed the fewest laps on Tuesday and Vandoorne was 12th fastest of the 13 drivers taking part.

McLaren headed into the pre-season tests following their switch from Honda to Renault engines with hopes of competing for podium finishes this season.

They split with Honda last season after three seasons of poor performance and reliability and claimed that they had a chassis that was on about the same level as Red Bull.

McLaren Having A Tough Start To Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing

Two-time champion and McLaren driver Fernando Alonso lost control at the last corner of Barcelona's Circuit de Cataluña when his right rear wheel came off at the Formula 1 pre-season testing.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo set the fastest time ahead of Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas. Alonso and McLaren recovered to set the seventh fastest time of the day. McLaren blamed a "wheel nut issue" and Alonso lost valuable running in the best conditions.

Alonso was initially classified fifth but was demoted to seventh when it was confirmed he had cut the chicane on his fastest lap to ensure he was not delayed by Toro Rosso's Brendon Hartley.

Fastest times from day one

1 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Red Bull-Renault - One minute 20.179 seconds

2 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes - 1:20.349

3 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari - 1:20.506*

4 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault - 1:20.547

5 Carlos Sainz (Spa) Renault - 1:22.168*

6 Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes - 1:22.327

7 Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren-Renault - 1:22.354**

8 Brendon Hartley (NZ) Toro Rosso-Honda - 1:22.371*

9 Lance Stroll (Can) Williams-Mercedes - 1:22.452*

10 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas-Ferrari - 1:22.578*

11 Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari - 1:23.408*

12 Nikita Mazepin (Rus) Force India-Mercedes - 1:25.628

13 Sergey Sirotkin (Rus) Williams-Mercedes - 1:44.418*

Ferrari Threaten To Quit Formula One

FERRARI president Sergio Marchionne has warned they could quit Formula One if the new owners plans for the future go ahead.

Liberty Media got into the drivers seat of F1 in January and revealed their engine blueprint earlier this week.But according to Grand Prix 247 the new plans could jeopardise the relationship with the sports most iconic team.

Marchionne told analysts in a conference call: "It (Formula 1) has been part of our DNA since the day we were born. But if we change the sandbox to the point it becomes an unrecognisable sandbox, I don't want to play anymore."

The new proposal - set for when the current contract with teams expired at the end of 2020 - is aimed to level the playing field by introducing cheaper and simpler engines which includes removing the MGU-H.

The blue print has been met with scepticism but Ferrari are the first manufacturers to threaten to stop racing entirely.

Lewis Hamilton Wins Fourth World Title

Lewis Hamilton clinched his fourth world title at the Mexican Grand Prix despite finishing only ninth after a clash with rival Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton's fourth world title makes him unquestionably the most successful British Formula 1 driver in history, moving him one championship clear of Sir Jackie Stewart.

He joins Vettel and Frenchman Alain Prost on four world titles, behind only Michael Schumacher, the all-time record holder on seven, and Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio's five.

Hamilton put his hands to his helmet as he crossed the line, slowing the car down to a crawl as he sought to take in his achievement on the slowing down lap.

Formula One Drops 'Verstappen Rule'

Formula 1 has dropped its so-called "Verstappen rule" aimed at dangerous driving in racing situations.

A regulation banning a practice known as "moving under braking" was adopted last year after drivers complained about Max Verstappen.

But governing body the FIA has decided a catch-all rule covering potentially dangerous driving is a better way of policing close-racing incidents.

"Before we said any move under braking would be investigated," said F1 director Charlie Whiting.

"Now, we have a simple, broad rule that says effectively if a driver moves erratically or goes unnecessarily slowly or behaves in a manner that could endanger another driver then he will be investigated.

Paddy Lowe Joins Williams as Chief Technical Officer

Former Mercedes technical boss Paddy Lowe has joined Williams as Chief Technical Officer.

The 54-year-old, who was instrumental in Mercedes' run of three successive Driver's and Constructor's Championship wins, has long been tipped to make the move to Williams.

He left Mercedes in January, having previously been placed on gardening leave by Mercedes this winter after a difference of opinion with F1 boss Toto Wolff about the future direction of the team.

Lowe will take responsibility for the technical side of the business, and will take a position on the board of directors and an undisclosed shareholding in the company.

Lowe's first F1 role came at Williams in 1987, since when he has taken in roles with McLaren and Mercedes.

Lowe said: "I've always had a deep respect for Williams - my first team in Formula 1. It is a huge honour to return in this leadership position and to have the opportunity to become a shareholder. I am extremely motivated to play my part in bringing success back to the team.

Hamilton Shows Energy for Monster Deal

Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton has agreed a partnership deal with Monster Energy.

The Mercedes F1 driver, twice a World Champion, has signed a multi-year endorsement agreement with the energy drinks company. The deal will see Hamilton release his own brand of energy drink in the future.

The arrangement is designed to complement the existing deal between Monster and the Mercedes F1 team, but will see Hamilton work on projects outside his racing career.

Rodney Sacks, Chairman and CEO of Monster Energy, said, ''Lewis is truly a remarkable athlete and talent who is a friend of the company, so this is a natural progression for us both"

Mercedes Appoint ex-Ferrari Technical Director

Former Ferrari Technical Director James Allison has joined Mercedes in the same role.

Allison, 48, left Ferrari in July having re-joined the team three years previously. The Brit has previously worked for Renault and Lotus.

Cambridge graduate Allison replaces Paddy Lowe as Technical Director of the German racing team. Lowe led Mercedes to three successive drivers and constructors championships between 2014 and 2016, before leaving his role in January.

"It's a massive privilege to be given the trust of a position in a team that has done so spectacularly well in the past three season." said Allison.

"I am looking forward to playing my part in helping Mercedes go from strength to strength in the coming years."

Allison will report to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who added: "It wasn't an easy task to find the right personality who can strengthen our experienced group of engineers, give our talented young team members the space to develop and also bring his own vision to this role.

New F1 Boss Carey Guarantees British Grand Prix Future

Newly-appointed Formula One Chief Executive Chase Carey has assured fans that the British Grand Prix will survive despite doubts over the future of Silverstone.

The British Grand Prix has been a loss-maker in recent years, but Chase has declared that it will remain a part of the F1 season. Chase also indicated he believes Western Europe to be the foundation of the sport and wishes to develop the sport in those areas.

Silverstone first hosted the British event in 1950 and has been the permanent host of the competition since 1987

Bernie Ecclestone Removed From Formula One Role, as Liberty Media Completes Takeover

Bernie Ecclestone has been removed from his role running Formula One, after Liberty Media formally completed its $8bn takeover of the sport.

Ecclestone, 86, has been in charge of the racing series since 1978. However, he has been replaced as Chief Executive by F1 Chairman and 21st Century Fox Vice-Chairman Chase Carey, and will revert to a role as chairman emeritus and advisor to the board.

Former Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn has returned to F1, heading up the sporting and technical division of the franchise.

Liberty Media began its takeover of F1 in September and completed the deal on January 23. Liberty Media is due to be renamed The Formula One Group following their acquisition of the sport.

Ecclestone had his first involvement with Formula One in 1958, and in the following decades moved into a position of relative autonomy within the sport. After taking over commercial rights from the teams in the mid-90s, he then paid $360m to Max Mosley in a TV rights deal.

Liberty Media are reportedly ready to engage digital media in ways Ecclestone never did, as well as secure the futures  of flagship F1 races and generate interest in new markets

'Several Teams Interested' in F1 Stakes

Formula One Chairman Chase Carey has announced that several Formula One teams have expressed interest in investing in the company.

Liberty Media, who have made substantial progress in a takeover bid for the series, announced in 2016 that they would offer stakes in the competition to F1 teams.

Liberty Media are prepared to issue F1 shares to teams at $21.26, which is significantly lower than the Liberty Media price of $28.

The takeover of F1 by Liberty Media is reportedly expected to be formalised and completed by the close of the month

Frederic Vasseur Leaves Role as Renault Team Principal

Frederic Vasseur has left his role as Team Principal of Renault's Formula One team after just one campaign.

A Renault statement said there had been a mutual agreement for the two parties to separate, with the decision effectively immediately.

The French F1 side have undertaken a substantial restructure in recent weeks, with the team enduring a challenging first season back in F1, finishing ninth in the Constructors' Championship.

Renault are planning to substantially staff numbers from 400 to 600 for the 2017 season

Paddy Lowe Leaves Mercedes

Paddy Lowe has left his role as technical boss of the Mercedes F1 team.

Lowe helped the German team to three consecutive Constructors' Championships from 2014 to 2016, with Lewis Hamilton (twice) and Nico Rosberg taking the Drivers' Championship titles during that time frame.

Lowe is now expected to join Williams to head up the technical sphere for the Williams group. However, the deal taking him to Williams is reportedly yet to be completed.

Former Ferrari technical director James Allison is reportedly likely to replace Lowe at Mercedes, but again the move is subject to confirmation

Fresh concern over F1 British Grand Prix

The British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) are reportedly considering activation of a break clause in its race deal with Silverstone.

The BRDC has a contract to host the British Grand Prix until 2026 due to a 17-year deal agreed in 2009, but the event has continually garnered concerns due to consistent loss-making.

It currently costs BRDC £18m per year to host the event, with a 5% increase per season. The BRDC are said to be considering exercising their break clause, which would see the contract come to an end in 2019.

The British GP, which has been contested annually since F1's inception in 1950, is one of the highest-attended events on the calendar, but has "fallen short of budget" on past occasions.

Formula One Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone revealed that "two other tracks have contacted us and we are keen to keep a British Grand Prix"

French Grand Prix to Return to Formula One

The French Grand Prix will return to the Formula One season in 2018, unhealthy bringing to an end a ten-year absence from the sport.

France hosted the world’s first Grand Prix in 1906, medicine and continued to host meetings until funding difficulties forced the suspension of the event in 2008.

The 2018 race will be held at former venue Le Circuit Paul Ricard, which last held the event in 1990. France is the second European country to re-enter the Formula One calendar, following the reestablishment of the Austrian Grand Prix.

There are currently two French drivers in Formula One, with Haas’ Romain Grosjean finishing 13th in the 2016 season.

Germany dropped from Formula 1 calendar

Germany has been dropped from next year’s Formula 1 calendar as the FIA announce their new calendar for 2017. The race in Brazil is also under threat as it has been listed as provisional.

Germany was unable to complete a deal for a race to be held in Hockenheim in 2017. It is the second time in three years the German Grand Prix has not featured in the calendar, and as an agreement could not be struck for 2015.

The Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, which had been in doubt as well, has been confirmed.

The F1 season will start at Melbourne Park, Australia on March 26 and end with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 26. 

2017 calendar in full: 

26 March Australia (Melbourne) 

9 April China (Shanghai) 

16 April Bahrain (Sakhir) 

30 April Russia (Sochi)

14 May Spain (Barcelona)

28 May Monaco 

11 June Canada (Montreal)

25 June Azerbaijan (Baku)

9 July Austria (Spielberg)

16 July Britain (Silverstone)

30 July Hungary (Budapest) 

27 August Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)

3 September Italy (Monza)

17 September Singapore (Marina Bay)

1 October Malaysia (Sepang) 

8 October Japan (Suzuka) 

22 October USA (Austin)

29 October Mexico (Mexico City)

12 November Brazil (Sao Paulo) - TBC

26 November Abu Dhabi

Barcelona to host MotoGP until 2021

Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya is set to host a round of the MotoGP world championships until at least 2021 after extending their contract for five more years, announced Dorna Sports.

The circuit has been hosting the MotoGP since 1992.

Jordi Baiget, Minister of Business and Knowledge at the Generalitat de Catalunya, said: “To have renewed this contract is very significant for us, due to the economic movement and the jobs it will help to generate. The investment in the grand prix at the Circuit reinforces Montmeló as a hub of economic growth. It also establishes the area as a powerhouse for the automotive industry"

Spain is currently set to host four races including at the MotorLand Aragon track and Valencia's Ricardo Tormo circuit, which play host to the upcoming season-ender, both also signed up until 2021.

Formula E Welcome Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd (MGP) and Formula E Operations Ltd have signed an agreement by which Mercedes have taken an option to enter the FIA Formula E Championship in season five.

According to the option agreement, Mercedes may choose to be one of the maximum of 12 entries to be proposed by the championship promoter to the FIA to enter from the 2018/19 season.

Mercedes could take one of the two new entries that will be allocated in season five - subject to approval of the FIA - when the all-electric racing series goes from the current format of two cars per driver, to a single car for the entire event.

The current 10 teams in Formula E are all expected to continue in season five and beyond in their existing format, or joining forces with other OEM’s.

Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, said: “We are delighted to confirm that we have reserved one of our two new entries in season five for MGP. Formula E wants to become the platform where car manufacturers test and develop the technologies that they will then introduce on their road cars

Williams F1 Return to Profit

Williams F1 has returned to profit in its latest financial figures. The F1 arm of the company reported a £0.2million profit, following a £31.5million loss in 2014.

Williams said the improved results are "primarily due to increased commercial rights and sponsorship income following a significant improvement in on-track performance during the 2014 Formula 1 season".

Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC, the holding company of the Williams group of companies, saw its revenue increase from £90.2million in 2014 to £125.6million last year.

It reduced its EBITDA from a loss of £37million in 2014 to a loss of £31.5million, as it published its financial results for the year ending December 31 2015.

"Our 2015 financial results represent a major improvement, with strong revenue growth and positive cashflow," said CEO Mike O'Driscoll.