A slight malfunction at FF1 Race Control this weekend has resulted in both the results and the race report being delayed.

The former is down to me, the latter ... well that is down to me not nagging Greg. So either way I'm on the hook! 😕

My only excuse was the late text message we received last thing on Saturday evening - "I need to be out of my room at University by 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. Can you pick me up?"

Ever was it so...

I'll leave Greg to - hopefully - supply the race report

PS - Thanks to the eagle eyed Neil Ward who messaged me all concerned he hadn't had his results email. Nice to know someone out there cares Neil!

James

After a Spanish siesta that lasted a few days now that we have some semblance of a summer, the race report is ready! Following a recent trend in F1, it was actually an entertaining race. Whilst the headline of [spoiler alert] "Max wins again" feels all too familiar (and to some of us that's not a negative), he was pushed very hard.

Qualifying was a fairly standard affair. The main shock being Perez reaching Q3! He was joined by both Alpines in perhaps their strongest showing this year. I'm sure their team principal was rather nervous with both drivers lining up next to each other. Piastri had a frustrating Q3, with a lap time deleted for track limits and a mistake on his second run meaning he set no time.

At the front, Ferrari were looking to turn their fortunes around but find themselves perhaps 4th fastest as they were beaten by both Mercedes again. This put 3 Brits in the top 4. The front row was separated by the tiniest of margins, Norris pipped Verstappen by just 0.02s! McLaren have finally found their form after nearly 10 years away from consistently battling at the front, and have car matching the dominant Red Bull.

The race got off to a fiery start, Lando running Max on the grass on the run into turn 1. But it was Russell who got a tremendous start and tow leap frogging both into the lead with Max still in second.

Verstappen made a crucial pass on lap 3 to take the lead and give himself some breathing space from Norris. It was looking to be a strong 4-way fight for victory with Hamilton still in the mix.

Tyre degradation and high temperatures meant it was a 2 or 3 stop race. All to play for and keeping strategists on their toes. Norris extended his first stint to give himself a offset to the cars in front. He still had work to do to pass Russell and chase after Verstappen. His radio messages showed he had only one thing on his mind: victory. A podium will no longer cut for the most recent first time winner.

This offset meant the closing laps were quite tense. Norris gradually closed the gap Verstappen right until the end, but the Red Bull driver had enough left to take the flag by just 2s from his papaya. This moves Norris up to 2nd in the Championship now, although still 69 points off the current #1 car.

Russell dropped off towards the end after being given a set of hard tyres, with Hamilton claiming the final spot on the podium. That's the second 3-4 finish for Mercedes in 2 races, who a beginning to find their stride again. Ferrari weren't far off but will be disappointed with 5th and 6th. Piastri recovered well to take 7th, with Perez recovering from a grid penalty to take 8th. Alpine will be happy with their second double-points finish in a row, not least because their drivers avoided each other.

Red Bull still lead the Constructors, and Verstappen still leads Drivers, both leads having been extended, and both being helped by now having multiple rivals to take points from each other. With multiple drivers and teams looking like they can win races, it's becoming a very exciting season. But surely in end, we all want the trophies to stay in Milton Keynes ... right?