This is being talked about in the Formula 1 paddock in France

It's getting hot in France. Already on Friday, the asphalt on the Formula 1 race track in Le Castellet had a temperature of up to 59 degrees. Air temperatures of consistently more than 30 degrees in the shade are expected at the weekend - but the weather is not the only topic in the paddock on the Côte d'Azur before qualifying on Saturday (16.00 p.m.).

Verstappen in focus: World champion Max Verstappen recently had to concede victory to Ferrari twice. Last year, the Red Bull driver won in Le Castellet on the way to his first title. Now he goes into the twelfth race of the season with a 38 point lead over Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. The best drivers of the year didn't give anything away in training, third-placed Verstappen had to beat Leclerc in second place, and only Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari was faster. Charles Leclerc (l.) and Sebastian Vettel in Le Castellet. © ANSA / SEBASTIEN NOGIER

New contract in prospect: Sebastian Vettel wants to continue driving in Formula 2023 at least until 1. “We have never hidden our intentions. We have had the first discussions,” said Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack Sky . The 35-year-old Vettel's contract expires at the end of the year and both sides want to extend it. However, there is no timetable for an agreement. “We’ll just wait and see for the next few days and weeks,” said Krack.

For the 300th time: “I didn’t know that at all,” replied Lewis Hamilton on Thursday when asked whether his 300th Formula 1 start was anything special for him. The Mercedes star is the sixth driver ever to achieve this record. After Hamilton's three third places, the Silver Arrows are hoping for further improvement. The 2018-year-old had already won in France in 2019 and 37, and most recently the record world champion came second behind Verstappen in 2021. By the way, Kimi Räikkönen has the most starts with 349. Fernando Alonso could lose his Alpine cockpit. © ANSA / SEBASTIEN NOGIER

Rumors about Alonso: The two-time world champion Fernando Alonso would like to continue his Formula 1 career even in old age, but the Spaniard does not yet have a contract beyond the end of the year. It also seems possible that the French Alpine team may rely on a youngster from 2023. The 21-year-old Oscar Piastri could get the cockpit of the 40-year-old veteran. “We are getting closer and closer to the news, but nothing has been decided yet,” said Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer Sky and announced on Friday: “There will be news soon.”

Heat: The drivers are facing two really hot weeks. Both in France and next week in Hungary, temperatures of over 30 degrees and lots of sunshine are forecast. The cars are put under even more strain than they already are. Tire management in particular is likely to become a problem. The stability of the technology is also being put to a tough test. The top teams Ferrari and Red Bull in particular have recently had problems with this. Luckily, Formula 1 isn't stopping off in Budapest this week: it's expected to be more than 40 degrees there at the weekend.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

This is being talked about in the Formula 1 paddock in France

Half of the Formula 1 season is over – now the race in France is on the agenda. Max Verstappen goes into the Grand Prix as favorite. The main tension is whether a former world champion can have a say in winning again.

Suggestions

Comments (0)