THE FRENCH Grand Prix is HERE!
Champion Lewis Hamilton will be aiming to bounce back with the Brit star slipping to four points behind leader Max Verstappen.
- Qualifying: 2pm today
- Race time: 2pm Sunday
- TV channel: Sky Sports F1
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
KERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM
Mercedes have complained that the Turn 2 yellow kerbs have caused ‘hundreds of thousands of pounds’ worth of damage ‘for going three feet wide’.
The FIA will face questions over the issue following today’s running – and it would not be a surprise to see them ditched.
Yet race director Michael Masi shot back over radio ‘it is more than three feet’ after Valtteri Bottas was among those running over the kerbs.
LEW: I’M STRUGGLING
Disgruntled Lewis Hamilton was third in today’s practice having swapped chassis with Valtteri Bottas and admitted he was struggling at the Paul Ricard Circuit.
He said: “It was quite a struggle this week for everyone.
“Maybe it was because the inflated tyres, which are higher than ever before and we are all sliding around.
“I am looking at every option and we have made lots of changes and done a lot of analysis but we won’t know if that works until we go out in P3.”
NORRIS REACTION
Lando Norris was 10th fastest in practice today.
Here’s what the Brit’s had to say…
MORE GUENTHER, PLEASE
Who doesn’t love some Guenther Steiner content after a long day or practice?
It was another difficult afternoon for Haas, as Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin were the slowest drivers in practice.
ALONSO REACTION
It was a good day at the office today for Fernando Alonso, who was fourth fastest in practice…
STROLL REACTION
Lance Stroll has been reflecting on a disappointing day for Aston Martin…
HAMILTON REACTION
Disgruntled Lewis Hamilton was third in today’s practice having swapped chassis with Valtteri Bottas and admitted he was struggling at the Paul Ricard Circuit.
He said: “It was quite a struggle this week for everyone.
“Maybe it was because the inflated tyres, which are higher than ever before and we are all sliding around.
“I am looking at every option and we have made lots of changes and done a lot of analysis but we won’t know if that works until we go out in P3.”
FROM BAD TO VERS
Max Verstappen set the pace in practice for the French GP – with Valtteri Bottas breathing down his neck.
The Red Bull man, who leads the drivers’ championship from Lewis Hamilton, was just 0.008 seconds quicker than under-fire Bottas.
Bottas said: “I am confident with the car and I can trust it as well. It is going to be close.
“We were expecting Red Bull to be strong. I am sure they have much more to come and so do we.”
GEARED UP
England’s players have been revved up to face Scotland on Friday – by trying to beat F1 ace, Lando Norris on a simulator.
McLaren star Norris revealed that he has been messaged by players who are trying to beat his benchmark time for a lap of Brands Hatch, set on a computer at England’s training camp at St George’s Park.
Norris said: “I am supporting England and speak to some of the guys. Mason [Mount] sent me a jersey to wear, which I will be wearing.
“I know a lot of them are motorsport fans too, who want to come to some of the races when they can.
“They have two simulators installed by my brother at Cool Performance, so they are doing hot laps of Brands Hatch when they are resting in between training.
“I know they are trying to beat my lap time I did for Brands. I don’t think any of them have done it yet. I know Mason messaged me to say he is trying hard to beat me.”
ALP-FINE
Fernando Alonso was the fourth fastest in practice today.
The two-time world champion is yet to finish better than P6 this season and will be hoping to continue his good form heading into the weekend.
Can he get a first F1 podium for Alpine?
RICCIARDO’S STRUGGLES CONTINUE
It was another bad day for Daniel Ricciardo in practice.
He was the 14th fastest, four places behind McLaren team-mate Lando Norris.
He’s finished in P7, P6, P9, P6, P12 and P9 in the first six races of the season.
Can the 31-year-old turn his form around in France?
SHOCKER FOR ASTON MARTIN
Aston Martin did not have a good FP2 ahead of this weekend’s Grand Prix.
Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll were 15th and 16th fastest, with only the Williams and Haas drivers going slower.
It’s a far cry from two weeks ago, when Vettel finished P2 at the Azerbaijan GP.
FINAL STANDINGS IN FP2
KERBS CAUSING CHAOS
Final element from FP2 is that Red Bull have asked to remove the kerbs that cost Verstappen some bodywork at Turn 2.
A frank exchange between the team and race director, Michael Masi.
Red Bull: “It is a huge penalty for going wide – penalty is around £100,000.”
Masi: “Teams have asked for physical limits, they were there in 2019…I will have a look at it”.
FP3 IS DONE
Verstappen leads and looks good.
Bottas looks inspired and revived.
Hamilton unhappy in third place and said so.
Alonso a surprise in P4 but getting up to speed for Alpine.
BOTTAS IS LOOKING STRONG IN FRANCE
And boys does he need it. Questions about his future. Two races with no points. Down in sixth place in the championship.
He knows he needs a win this weekend before the pressure builds.
VERSTAPPEN TOPS FP2 PEREZ IN 12TH
ALONSO REDISCOVERING FORM
It has not been the return to F1 he wanted, as he has been soundly beaten by his teammate. But there are signs he is getting back up to speed.
HAMILTON UNHAPPY
He radios his team and says: “There is something not right with the car, man!”
BOTTAS STILL LEADS HAMILTON
Remember, there was that curious decision from Mercedes to swap their chassis over for this race.
Unusual to do it. Even more strange to announce it. Perhaps a way to show there is no preferred driver? Or to give under performing Bottas a lift?
CHARLES LECLERC GOING FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE POLES
But this could be one race too much. Ferrari were fortunate in Monaco and Azerbaijan, but they are off the pace in France so far.
They have some work to do if they are to catch the Mercs and Red Bull.
BITS FALLING OFF VERSTAPPEN’S CAR
He runs over the kerbs and a part breaks off. Red Bull immediately radio race control to request the part is returned to the garage.
That’s Red Bull wanting to protect their upgrades from prying eyes and to reattach it to Verstappen’s car.
SPIN FOR MAZEPIN
Death, taxes and spins for the Russian, as the Haas driver loses grip and slides around.
DIZZYING PAINT WORK AT PAUL RICARD
The red, white and blue painted lines is all rather striking but this track has so far served up two dull races in 2018 and 2019.
Both of those won by Lewis Hamilton, who is going in search of his hatrick.
FP2 IS GO IN FRANCE
It was a Merc 1-2 in the morning session. Can Red Bull find a way back?
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
