09:16 am
Trauma overcome! Norris can now do the first round!
Lando Norris has acquired a somewhat dubious reputation this season for throwing away a possible victory on the first lap, especially because he was unable to convert starts from pole position into a lead lap. This curse seems to have been broken with the Singapore Grand Prix and Andrea Stella has explained why:
“We did a little analysis as a group, including Lando, and went through every single start and every single first lap of the season,” and also noticed moments where Norris could be defended.
“I think in Zandvoort, for example, both cars had cold tyres because the team had a problem and both cars didn’t get off to a good start. I think at first glance it looked like Lando had a great chance there. But in reality the situation wasn’t so clear.”
But one word is important for Andrea Stella, namely trust:
“You gain confidence. And you become comfortable with starting from pole position and understanding what you have to do, also in terms of defending territory to stop people from [die Führung] to take over.”
In Austin, Norris can once again prove that he has finally got the issue under control and that Singapore was not a flash in the pan.
© Motorsport Images
12:30 p.m.
Happy Birthday!
Patrick Friesacher is celebrating his 44th birthday today. The Austrian, born in Wolfsberg, drove in 11 races for Minardi in Formula 1 in 2005 and was part of the Red Bull squad, or still is today.
Fun fact: at the scandalous Grand Prix in Indianapolis, Friesacher almost made it onto the podium, but a problem with the Minardi prevented this and Tiago Monteiro managed this “feat” in the Jordan.
© LAT
12:01 p.m.
The dream is over
The Audi bosses have apparently finally decided that Mick Schumacher is not an option for the vacant Sauber cockpit in 2025, the BILD experience.
The information provided by colleagues also matches that of Motorsport-Total.com and other observers in the paddock that Valtteri Bottas is the top favorite for the place alongside Nico Hülkenberg.
© circuitpics.de
11:21 am
Full focus forward
At Alpine, we continue to try to encourage each other to pull together into the future.
That’s why Flavio Briatore and team boss Oliver Oakes, among others, were at the Enstone factory yesterday to signal that they are behind the team and will really attack again after the last long Formula 1 break.
10:32 am
Bouncing? Not with Ferrari!
Sometimes an update can work wonders, not only for our technical devices in the home, but also for Formula 1 teams when they want to get undesirable developments under control again.
After an update in Spain, the Ferrari had major problems with bouncing, i.e. touching the asphalt. This has now obviously been brought under control with updates, which could also explain the increase in performance for Charles Leclerc.
Kevin Hermann has summarized the details for you.
© Motorsport Images
09:45 am
Playful child Ocon
Apparently, Esteban Ocon can only think about the Formula 1 race when he goes to his dentist.
The light was quickly converted into a steering wheel.
09:03 am
Bottas or fresh blood?
There is still one last cockpit available at a team outside the Red Bull cosmos for the 2025 Formula 1 season, namely at Sauber.
Roger Benoit from Swiss Blick published a story at the weekend that they had already agreed on a one-year contract extension with Valtteri Bottas. The latter denied this, but compared and praised his own performances at the weekend with those from his Mercedes days.
If it is true that Bottas has not yet signed, then the two other candidates Gabriel Bortoleto, currently a McLaren junior in Formula 2, and Franco Colapinto, who has come to the fore in Formula 1 at Williams, are still in the running if Hinwil wants to rely on fresh blood.
Advantage for Sauber, you can take your time with the decision.
© Motorsport Images
08:52 am
Unsportsmanlike or a nice gesture?
Even after a few days, some of your emotions have not yet subsided when it comes to Daniel Ricciardo’s fastest lap at the Singapore Grand Prix.
At the end of the race, the Australian was ordered to pit in what was supposed to be his farewell race, to put on soft tires and drive the fastest lap. He managed to do that, secured a great moment for himself, but also stole Lando Norris’ extra point. The reactions were mixed, including from you.
Reader Falk wrote me an email and had the following opinion:
“Basically, you can have this discussion, but only if McLaren is also fighting for the World Championship. They have shown in the last few races that they don’t want it that way and have let their drivers drive, so it’s no problem for me if Racing Bulls secures the round.”
Falk is alluding to the fact that the hotly debated team order in Budapest and Monza was not given, which could potentially cost Norris the points he needs for the drivers’ world championship.
Therefore, “I wish him well from the heart and it is a nice memory of the last race for him,” he says in reference to Daniel Ricciardo.
© Motorsport Images
08:42 am
Good morning
Good day and hello to the Formula 1 live ticker on Thursday.
Break in the premier class, but not with us, we’re still ticking! Kevin Scheuren is in charge today and I’m looking forward to spending the day with you. If you have any questions, comments, criticism or topic requests, please send me an email via our contact form, with the hashtag #AskMST on X or send a message to Instagram. I try to integrate everything as best as possible.
Here you can read yesterday’s live ticker again.
Have a great day and enjoy the Formula 1 live ticker.
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