McLaren recorded the quickest pit stop in Formula 1 history on Sunday at the Qatar Grand Prix. Lando Norris’ second stop at the Lusail Circuit, on lap 28, clocked in at 1.8 seconds – 0.02 seconds quicker than the previous record. That previous landmark of 1.82 seconds was set by Red Bull with a Max Verstappen stop at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix. But what makes this new record more astounding is that the tyres are heavier – 18-inch compared to 13-inch – on the current generation of cars. It means McLaren are firm favourites to secure the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award this season. Red Bull had also set the previous-best time this season, with a 1.98 second stop for Sergio Perez in Budapest in July. Norris finished the race in third place as McLaren secured a second consecutive double podium with Oscar Piastri coming home in second place, behind race winner and 2023 world champion Max Verstappen. It was another excellent day for the papaya, 24 hours after Piastri claimed his first taste of victory in F1 after winning the sprint race. With five races left, McLaren are now just 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Martin in the constructors’ standings after a mid-season resurgence. Norris is seventh in the world championship, four points clear of Mercedes’ George Russell, with Piastri ninth in the standings. Read More What Lewis Hamilton’s clash with George Russell tells us about state of play at Mercedes Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide as Max Verstappen wins in Qatar The rise of Oscar Piastri: A genuine rival for Lando Norris at last

F1 driver Esteban Ocon has revealed he was “throwing up” during the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday 8 October. Humidity, 40C temperatures and high-speed corners made the race incredibly tough for the drivers, with Lando Norris also calling the conditions “too dangerous”. After finishing seventh in the race for Alpine, Ocon explained that he was sick over the course of two laps - something that has “never happened” in the past. “I was throwing up by lap 15, 16. For two laps I think,” Ocon told Sky Sports. “I was doing that and thinking ‘s***, it’s going to be a long one’. I managed to get it under control just mentally and just focus on what I’ve got to try and do.” Read More Mikel Arteta hails ‘fantastic’ young Arsenal side as they break Man City hex Sir Alex Ferguson praises wife Cathy as he reveals ‘she sacrificed everything for me’ Ryder Cup venue engulfed by raging fire as smoke fills air in drone footage

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The post-race video on Mercedes’ social media channels was exquisitely timed. It captured Lewis Hamilton walking over to George Russell in the Silver Arrows motorhome in Qatar: an apology, an embrace. “Sorry about that, it wasn’t your fault,” said the seven-time world champion. No fallout. No outrage. The message was clear: let it be known that the collision which derailed both drivers’ race on Sunday night is unequivocally brushed under the carpet. Incidents like this happens. It is, after all, racing. However, the reality is that this one has been brewing for some time. The initial rumblings on team radio tell a better story. Russell, sandwiched in-between Max Verstappen and Hamilton at turn one, bellowing: “Come on, what the hell! That is two races in a row.” Somewhat remarkably, he recovered from dead last to finish fourth. Hamilton, though later taking full responsibility, insisted he was “taken out by his team-mate.” The 38-year-old was left beached in the gravel, his race run after a matter of seconds. All in all, it marks the end of quite a tumultuous month for Mercedes in Asia. Because what has largely characterised Hamilton and Russell’s relationship since the latter joined from Williams at the start of 2022 – his long-awaited opportunity of a lifetime – is respect. Two British drivers, 13 years apart. Hamilton: one of the greatest of all time. Russell: the next big thing. Both have grown equally frustrated at Mercedes’ underperformance in the past 18 months. A period defined by a car with a misdirected philosophy. A period of anguish and pain, both literally with last year’s porpoising and mentally with constant problems and a lack of pace. A period of one win in 39 races. But despite all the issues, respect had been maintained. And, they both say now, it still is. The video – captioned “actions speak louder than words” – points to that. But the touch paper has most certainly been lit. It started in Singapore, when Russell’s eagerness to taste victory resulted in a last lap mistake and shunt into the wall. Hamilton was on his tail then and profiteered to finish on the podium. A week later, in Japan, it intensified. The pair scrapped on numerous occasions, both on track in feisty moves and off track with different strategies and approaches. Russell, upon resisting an initial team order to let Hamilton pass, was told in no uncertain terms: “This is an instruction, George.” Hamilton was also unsatisfied with his team’s tactics in Suzuka, told to stay within DRS range to Russell behind to help his team-mate defend from Carlos Sainz. In the end, the elder statesman finished fifth, two places clear of his junior. So contrary to what both may believe, Sunday’s first turn collision – when both had a sniff and a glimpse of the lead – had been in the offing for Hamilton and Russell. And while both may well want to leave the Middle East with a mantra of forgive and forget, it points to a deeper tale emerging within the team. Both signed new deals last month until the end of the 2025 season. Both are desperate for success: Hamilton for that record-breaking eighth title, a title unjustly snatched from him in Abu Dhabi in 2021, and Russell to simply be in a fight for a championship. But when two competitive animals, vying to be No 1, are left fighting for every point and position, clashes are something of an inevitability. This incident will not be the last. We saw it with Hamilton and Nico Rosberg; a partnership with blew up at various points in 2016. Further back, you only have to go to Hamilton’s rookie season when he squared up to two-time world champion Fernando Alonso across the garage. It is little wonder Hamilton says his team-mate between 2017-2021 – when he won four of his seven titles – was his favourite. Valtteri Bottas never quite had the pace to match-up to the indomitable Hamilton. But Russell does not want to fall into that same bracket. Telling The Independent a year ago of his “ultimate goal” to win a world championship, his ambitions are sky-high. So much so, in fact, that he finished above his team-mate in last season’s standings and will be ruing a few errors this year which means he currently trails Hamilton by 62 points and is languishing in eighth spot, now below Lando Norris. Behind the impeccable politeness is an intense competitiveness and Russell is not interested in playing second fiddle. It all makes for an intriguing sub-plot to play out in the remaining five races of the season as we cross over to the Americas. The state of play in the Mercedes garage is bubbling up, to a point where something may well have to give. Toto Wolff was absent in Japan and Qatar due to undergoing knee surgery, but dialled in on Sunday to calm Russell down. After the incidents in the past two races, no doubt he will be back present in Austin in two weeks’ time and, frankly, both drivers might just need their boss back in town. The respect still seems present between the two Brits – but for how much longer? Read More Lewis Hamilton apologises to George Russell after crash in Qatar: ‘It wasn’t your fault’ F1 drivers unhappy after ‘dangerous’ Qatar Grand Prix causes fainting and vomiting Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide as Max Verstappen wins in Qatar F1 drivers unhappy after ‘dangerous’ Qatar Grand Prix causes fainting and vomiting ‘I was passing out in the car’: Lance Stroll explains how Qatar heat took its toll Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide as Max Verstappen wins in Qatar

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