Lewis Hamilton will hope returning home for the British Grand Prix and a new sprint race format can kickstart Mercedes' faltering challenge in the Formula One title battle.
Round 10 of the 2021 season takes place at Silverstone, a venue where Mercedes have won seven of the last eight races.
Six of those triumphs came for Hamilton and he has a total of seven British Grand Prix wins, having also triumphed there for McLaren in 2008.
That is already a record for most F1 wins at a driver's home circuit and if he can secure an eighth victory, he will match Hungary – which is next on the calendar this year – as his most successful race.
Victory will not come easily, though, with Max Verstappen coming into the event after winning three races in a row for the first time in his F1 career.
The in-form Red Bull star has built an impressive 32-point advantage over Hamilton in the drivers' championship that could have been bigger were it not for his late tyre woe in Baku.
Verstappen has taken one more pole position this year (four) than in the rest of his F1 seasons combined (three).
The constructors' standings are also looking good for Red Bull, who are 44 points clear.
Two straight podiums for Valtteri Bottas have come at a good time as he fights for his Mercedes future, while Sergio Perez – who sits third in the drivers' standings – will want to recover from a ragged race in Austria.
LAST TIME OUT
Verstappen eased to yet another victory at the Red Bull Ring, as he won in front of huge support at the Austrian Grand Prix to complete a triumphant triple-header having won in France prior to the two races at his team's home circuit.
The Dutchman led from start to finish again after claiming pole.
Hamilton's hopes of reeling him in – dismissed as "out of the question" after qualifying – were hindered by another fine drive from Lando Norris, with the Mercedes great starting where he finished in fourth.
Bottas was the big mover, up from fifth to second, benefiting from keeping clear of controversy as numerous drivers – notably including Norris and Perez – tangled in costly fashion.
Norris claimed a superb third despite a time penalty and has now collected points in 14 consecutive races – his longest streak and the best ongoing run in the series. Fernando Alonso in 2007 was the last McLaren driver to enjoy such a stretch.
Carlos Sainz took fifth ahead of Perez, who was hit with two penalties.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR AT SILVERSTONE
The new sprint event and revised race weekend format is undoubtedly the most intriguing aspect that will be closely followed at Silverstone.
Qualifying will take place on Friday, which sets the grid for the first-ever sprint race in F1 on Saturday, with all cars to be fitted with soft tyres.
The results of the sprint race, which will last 100km – around 17 laps – will then determine the grid for Sunday.
Points (three for the winner, two for second and one for third) will also be awarded in the sprint race, with drivers getting a free tyre choice for sprint race and the main grand prix.
Practice, meanwhile, will be cut from three sessions to two.
Aside from the new format, Mercedes are bringing an upgrade to the circuit, which Hamilton and Bottas will hope revitalises their fortunes in the battle against Red Bull.
TOP FIVE OPTA STATS
Super Silverstone – This will be the 55th race at the famous circuit, which has held more grands prix in F1 than all but two tracks – Monza (70) and Monaco (67).
Hamilton hope – Having finished fourth in Austria, Hamilton is bidding to avoid finishing two consecutive races outside the podium for the first time since 2017 (Mexico and Brazil).
Pole drought – Mercedes have gone five consecutive races without reaching the pole position in F1, their worst run since 2019 (seven between Hungary and Mexico).
Mercedes misery – Toto Wolff's outfit are winless in their last five GPs, their worst run without a win in the Hybrid Era (since 2014) and as many races without finishing first as in their previous 17.
Red Bull flying high – The team have won six races in 2021 including the last five. The last time they won so many in a season was in 2013, when Sebastian Vettel won the championship for them.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 182
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 150
3. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) – 104
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 101
5. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) – 92
Constructors
1. Red Bull – 286
2. Mercedes – 242
3. McLaren – 141
4. Ferrari – 122
5. AlphaTauri – 48
Fraser McConnell secures second in thrilling Nitrocross final at Richmond Raceway
Jamaica’s Fraser McConnell delivered a stellar performance, finishing second in the final of the second round of the Nitrocross season at Richmond Raceway on Sunday. Despite a half-spin on the opening lap that cost him the lead, McConnell fought hard throughout the six-lap race, coming within just 0.759 seconds of the eventual winner, Sweden’s Oliver Eriksson.
Eriksson, driving for Olsbergs MSE, capitalized on McConnell’s early mishap to snatch the lead, which he held for the remainder of the race. However, McConnell, piloting his DRR Dodge vehicle for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing + Team Frazzz, kept the pressure on the Swedish driver, reducing the gap to just 0.302 seconds by lap four. Both drivers took their joker laps on the final lap, but Eriksson maintained his lead to claim victory.
McConnell’s tenacity and consistent lap times ensured he and Eriksson distanced themselves from the rest of the field. Belgian driver Viktor Vranckx finished third, securing his first podium finish in Nitrocross and becoming the youngest podium finisher in the premier Group E class at just 19 years old.
In a race filled with drama, reigning champion Robin Larsson managed to advance from sixth on the grid to finish fourth, while Tanner Foust completed the top five. Lia Block, who was running in fifth, finished sixth after being overtaken by Foust on the final lap.
McConnell’s second-place finish solidifies his position in the championship standings, where he now sits 11 points behind new leader Eriksson. Larsson, Saturday’s winner in Richmond, is third, trailing McConnell by four points. Vranckx’s podium finish places him fourth in the overall standings, 16 points ahead of Andreas Bakkerud, who retired from Sunday’s race after sustaining terminal damage in a collision.
As the Nitrocross season heats up, McConnell remains a strong contender for the title, and his resilience in Richmond demonstrates that he’s far from done in his pursuit of the championship.
Fraser McConnell's team secures Dodge sponsorship for Nitrocross season
Jamaica’s motorsport sensation, Fraser McConnell, is set to begin his third season in Nitrocross this Saturday and Sunday with exciting news—his team, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, has officially secured a sponsorship deal with Dodge.
The partnership means McConnell will race in the 1,000-plus-horsepower
Fraser McConnell, who has rapidly ascended the ranks in Nitrocross, is eager to begin this season with the backing of Dodge, a brand synonymous with power and performance.
"It’s an honour to have a powerhouse brand like Dodge come on board to support us this season. Their commitment to motorsport aligns perfectly with our team's vision for success, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together," said McConnell.
Last season, McConnell made waves in the Nitrocross circuit, capturing multiple wins and securing a second-place finish, just behind champion Robin Larsson. With victories in Phoenix and Las Vegas and a runner-up spot in Round Six, McConnell is determined to build on his previous success.
As he prepares for the Richmond race this weekend, McConnell is confident and ready to make an impact.
"This new partnership with Dodge is a huge boost for the team, and I can't wait to hit the track. Richmond is a brand new venue, which makes it an exciting challenge for everyone. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got, and with the support of Dodge, we’re ready to take on the world."
Fans can look forward to a thrilling Nitrocross season, with 10 rounds spanning five venues, including stops in Richmond, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Miami, and Las Vegas, running from September 7 through March 2. Fraser McConnell and his team, now powered by Dodge, are poised to deliver an unforgettable season filled with high-speed, adrenaline-fueled action.
Action is live on Rumble at 3:00pm Jamaica time.
Binotto: Audi role was the only Formula One job I wanted
Mattia Binotto insists the opportunity to have "full control" over Audi's Formula One venture is the only project that could have enticed him back into the sport after leaving Ferrari.
Binotto spent 18 months out of F1 after leaving his role as Ferrari team principal at the end of the 2022 season, when the Scuderia's title challenge faded in disappointing fashion.
But in July it was confirmed he would take over from Andreas Seidl as the figurehead of Audi's F1 project, with the German manufacturer set to take Sauber's place on the grid from the 2026 season onwards.
Binotto had been part of Ferrari's team since 1995, contributing to eight constructors' championship triumphs before stepping up to become team principal in 2019.
He says the Scuderia still feels like his family, but the chance to mould the Audi team in his image was too good an opportunity to turn down.
"To be back is great for me. I'm very happy with the new challenge. All my past life has been with Ferrari – 28 years is a long time," he told the Formula One website.
"I started there as a graduate – it has become my family but now that is the past. Now I'm coming back in the paddock wearing a new shirt.
"After Ferrari, I thought I would accept only a real challenge. Honestly, Audi was the only team I hoped to join, because of the challenge, because of the ambition, because it's for Audi, the very first time in F1.
"I'm lucky they called me. It had been very sudden. In a couple of days, we decided. It was simple.
"The opportunity was to be empowered for the entire project, full power – and that was what I was looking for. I'm so grateful and thankful for the offer, but very conscious how much there is to do.
"The gap is very big to be a winning team. But we have the resources, we have the support from Audi. I think we have all we need to achieve it."
Sauber are the only team yet to pick up a point in the constructors' championship this season, sitting six points behind Williams at the foot of the standings.
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