LEWIS HAMILTON F1 SPEEDING PENALTY MARTIN BRUNDLE DUBBED AS 'HARSH' QUESTIONED

The pit lane speeding penalty issued to Lewis Hamilton in Hungary has been questioned.

Hamilton was hit with yet another penalty in Hungary

Sky Sports F1 pundit Anthony Davidson has questioned the five-second time penalty issued to Lewis Hamilton for pit-lane speeding at the Hungarian Grand Prix. 

Seven-time world champion Hamilton was hit with his second penalty in two days - and fourth in the past three race weekends - after the stewards found he had exceeded the 80km/h pit lane speed limit by just 0.1km/h during Sunday’s race at the Hungaroring. 

Hamilton finished fourth on the road but the penalty dropped him to fifth behind Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc once it was applied after he crossed the line. 

Hamilton picked up another penalty in Hungary

Analysing the incident on the SkyPad, former F1 driver Davidson said he could not see what Hamilton did wrong. 

“I’ve looked at this so many times and I can’t work out why he gets a penalty,” Davidson said during Sky Sports F1’s coverage of the Hungarian Grand Prix. 

“For me, he slows down sufficiently well. We’ve got this marker board on the left-hand side that stipulates the 80km /h speed limit. I don’t see that [speeding].

“Let’s have a look at the exit. Obviously knew he was under time pressure to get out in that race with Antonelli. Again, for me, it sounds like he releases the pit lane button on the line itself.

“This guy knows what he’s doing when it comes to white lines and when to press the button. Maybe there was just an error when he was a bit too close to the line on the actual speed of the car and they were just pinged by that. Who knows.

“Strange that it only happened that one time. I don’t have enough data here and I can only go by the sound of when he’s pressing that button. For me, it looked totally fine on the way in, and on the way out.” 

Hamilton finished fourth on the road but was demoted to P5

Fellow ex-grand prix driver turned Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle described the penalty as “harsh”, but acknowledged the rules have to be black-and-white. 

“It’s like being a quarter of a kilo underweight. You’re going to feel aggrieved, but the rules are the rules in that respect,” Brundle said. 

“Where my alarm bells are going off is in Monaco, where a lot of drivers there were getting this 0.1 [over the speed limit], and then of course we had all the shenanigans after the race. 

“They set their pit limiters throughout the weekend, they aim at 59 and a bit if its a 60kp/h limit, or 79 and a bit. They really fine-tune it. We see a lot of penalties on a Friday, a few hungered euros for going over the pit lane speed limit.

“But it’s perceived as a competitive advantage, and when you see how close those lines are with Antonelli for example, if somebody goes ‘0.1’s alright, so 0.3’s alright’ then suddenly you get ahead. 

“So there has to be a cut-off point. Whether it’s the width of the car, the weight of the car, the speed of the car in the pit lane. 

“It’s painful and it’s harsh but it’s the rules, as long as he was actually doing that speed, which they weren’t in Monaco.”

- Lewis Larkam

DAVID COULTHARD DEFENDS KIM KARDASHIAN AFTER MARTIN BRUNDLE MONACO GP GRID WALK BACKLASH

David Coulthard has defended Kim Kardashian after criticism over her Monaco Grand Prix appearance

Kim Kardashian on the grid.

Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has weighed in on the comments surrounding Kim Kardashian's appearance at the Monaco Grand Prix, defending the reality television star after she didn't speak to Martin Brundle.

Kardashian became a big talking point of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend after she turned down an interview with Brundle during his famous Sky Sports F1 grid walk and was later seen picking up race winner Kimi Antonelli's towel after the race.

The incident led to widespread online criticism, but Coulthard believes the online hate was unwarranted.

Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, the 13-time grand prix winner revealed that Kardashian had been very polite to him during his own broadcasting duties on the grid. 

"Well, I'll go first as the least following of any of that social thing. I do a grid walk with Viaplay, which is I guess like Sky but more in the northern European countries, and she spoke to me," he said.

"So it feels a little bit like it's a set-up because Martin is as famous for people not talking to him as he is for people talking to him. So it actually helps perpetuate that. Taking a towel, that's maybe a bit not correct but does she actually understand that that's for the driver? She might have just thought it was a Monaco freebie."

When pressed on what he spoke to Kardashian about, Coulthard explained: "I said, 'Having a nice time in Monaco? To which she said, 'yes.' I wasn't going to ask, 'Who are you supporting?' because that would be quite clear. It would be funny if she said Kimi."

Coulthard added that the championship could be a new interest for Kardashian, so it would be unfair to assume she knows the ins and outs of the series. 

"I think also what we've seen when you've got big American celebrities coming into the sport, I think the worst thing you can do is put them on the spot," he continued.

"Obviously, it would be easy for her to say she was supporting Lewis, but why would we assume just because we're embedded in Formula 1 that this is anything other than just a new interest?"

- Lydia Mee

KIM KARDASHIAN BLANKS MARTIN BRUNDLE DURING MONACO GP GRID WALK

 

Photo: Race Pictures

Martin Brundle's famous pre-race grid walk roduced another awkward celebrity encounter at the Monaco Grand Prix, with reality TV star Kim Kardashian appearing to blank the Sky Sports F1 presenter moments before the start of the race.

The Ferrari guest was one of the biggest names in attendance in Monte Carlo, attracting significant attention throughout the weekend as she spent time in the paddock alongside sister Khloe Kardashian and visited Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari garage.

As Brundle made his way through the packed Monaco grid, he spotted Kardashian and attempted to secure one of his trademark interviews. However, the television personality appeared unwilling to stop, with her entourage continuing to move her through the crowded pre-race scene.

The brief exchange quickly circulated on social media, with fans comparing it to several previous celebrity snubs that have become synonymous with Brundle's grid walk over the years. Despite the apparent rejection, the former F1 driver continued on without issue as he searched for other interview opportunities before lights out.

Kardashian's appearance marked her first high-profile visit to a Formula 1 paddock and generated widespread interest throughout the weekend. The American businesswoman and media personality was frequently shown on television coverage and was also seen watching events unfold from the Ferrari garage as Hamilton secured a strong grid position.

The incident adds another chapter to Brundle's long history of memorable grid walk moments. The Sky Sports commentator has become renowned for approaching celebrities regardless of their willingness to speak, creating a segment that many fans consider one of Formula 1's most entertaining pre-race traditions.

Brundle's persistence has previously led to awkward encounters with stars from the worlds of sport, film and music, particularly at glamour events such as Monaco where the grid is packed with VIP guests.

While Kardashian may not have provided Brundle with the interview he was looking for, the moment nevertheless became one of the most talked-about off-track incidents of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, proving once again that the grid walk can be almost as entertaining as the race itself.

- Ben Hunt

GEORGE RUSSELL ISSUED 'PSYCHOLOGICAL' WARNING AHEAD OF F1 CANADIAN GP

George Russell is looking to bounce back in Canada

Martin Brundle has warned George Russell that winning this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix is an important “psychological” step in his quest to win the Formula 1 World Championship.

The Mercedes driver has fallen 20 points behind teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ standings, with Italian teenager’s blistering seeing him triumph in the last three Grands Prix.

The results have swung against the pre-season narrative that Russell was indeed the title favourite, which was initially furthered with success in the opening round in Australia.

Whilst McLaren and Red Bull have appeared to catch-up to Mercedes, the German marque is still the standout overall favourite for both title crowns, leaving Russell with what appears to be a big chance to close the gap to Antonelli.

And whilst Brundle, speaking to Sky Sports News, acknowledged there is a “long way to go” in the championship, a victory in Montreal this weekend would give Russell a chance to firmly press the reset button.

“There’s a long way to go. There’s 482 points available in this championship,” he said.

“I don’t think the points deficit is that much of a problem for George Russell.

“For example, last year in Canada, Lando Norris had a clumsy accident with his team-mate Oscar Piastri in the McLaren, and that looked like he’d hurt his championship chances, then he goes on to become World Champion.

“This is only our fifth Grand Prix of the season, and it’s going to be a challenging one. It’s the first Sprint in Canada.

“It’s going to be cold. It might be wet on race day. It’s going to be quite the challenge.

"George needs to stop Antonelli in his tracks and get a few points back against him, but I think it’s more psychological than the mathematics.”

George Russell struggled to keep with teammate Kimi Antonelli in Miami, and enters this weekend’s race 20 points behind

'Mighty’ Antonelli but Canada strength could see George Russell resurgence – Brundle

Antonelli has certainly silenced the doubters, the teenager having been lambasted for a number of performances across his debut campaign, with Russell often outperforming the W16.

Brundle was full of praise for the sport’s youngest-ever title-leader, however did point out that Russell, who often performs well in Canada – winning the race last year, with Antonelli third – could prove to be a sterner test than he previously was last time out in the Miami Grand Prix.

“He’s been mighty, his speed, his consistency. He kept his head under pressure in Miami,” he said.

“George Russell struggles in Miami, but is very strong in Canada, so Kimi will have a bigger fight on his hands across the garage and a lot of teams are bringing upgrades.

“But, Kimi’s raw pace and consistency has been super impressive.”

With Antonelli still shaking off the 2025 criticisms, every Grand Prix feels like a litmus test for the young Italian. And if he can navigate the latest one, his title credentials will soar once again.

- Jack Oliver Smith

MARTIN BRUNDLE: MIAMI WILL BE RELAUNCH OF SEASON AFTER NEW F1 RULES

 

MAX VERSTAPPEN SCOLEDED OVER F1 CRITICISM: 'IT'S GETTING BORING'

Max Verstappen has not shied away from issuing criticism over the new-for-2026 F1 cars.

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle has brushed off Max Verstappen's criticism of the new F1 cars, insisting his complaints are getting “boring”.

Verstappen has been vocal in his disappointment with the new cars, which heavily rely on energy management and deployment to overtake a rival.

The four-time champion has warned that the cars could lead him to walk away from the sport at the end of the current season.

But Brundle has admitted to being tired of hearing about Verstappen's grumblings and threats to retire, insisting he should make a decision without calling attention to his predicament.

“Max is very unfiltered, he always has been,” Brundle told Sky F1.

“He’s talked a lot for a long time about ‘I'm not in this for the long haul, I’m not going to be hanging around here in my 40s’.

“Max would say ‘it's getting a bit boring now’ - I think it's getting a bit boring with what he's saying.

“Either go or stop talking about it, because it is what it is. You’ve got to make the most of it.”

However, Brundle acknowledged that Verstappen's talents would be a major loss to the sport.

“I would hugely miss his talent, his generational speed and car control,” he said. 

“It’s something that very few people in the history of motorsport have had, it’s quite extraordinary.” 

It has also been theorised that Verstappen could seek a drive elsewhere at a more competitive squad amid Red Bull's disappointing start to the campaign.

Weighing in on the possibility of Verstappen moving to a new team, Brundle added: “I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that, given they were building their own power train for the first time, that his management would have put in an exit clause at the end of this year to see how it goes.

“Mercedes is saying ‘there's no place at this particular inn at the moment’. So quite what he would do, I don't know.

- Fergal Walsh

MARTIN BRUNDLE DROPS VERDICT LEWIS HAMILTON'S F1 2026 CHANCES

Martin Brundle assesses Lewis Hamilton and George Russell's prospects heading into F1 2026.

Lewis Hamilton is still targeting an eighth world title

Martin Brundle is confident Lewis Hamilton will be in the mix of the championship picture during the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton endured a nightmare debut season with Ferrari as he suffered the most disappointing campaign of his storied F1 career.

Hamilton failed to finish on a grand prix podium during a season for the first time in his F1 career, while he was comprehensively beaten by teammate Charles Leclerc and ended the year with three consecutive Q1 eliminations.

But Brundle believes a reenergised Hamilton, even at 41, will be back in the mix at the front of the grid in 2026.

“As Formula 1 fans, we always want Ferrari to do well, don’t we? I’d love to see that come right for Lewis,” Brundle said on Sky Sports.

“He seems a bit happier. He will be great at using the tools that are available to him under the new regulations. He’s got to beat Charles Leclerc in the other Ferrari, because he’s right on it, as well.

“But a happy Lewis has always been, and not just at Ferrari, a fast Lewis. And I have to say, Ferrari have been quite innovative over the winter and they look in a better place than we’ve seen them for a few years now.

“So I’m confident that Lewis will have a better year.”

Brundle does not see a “clear favourite” for the championship and expects F1’s top four teams - McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari - to be battling it out for top honours.

"I see Ferrari being strong, I see both Ferrari drivers being strong," Brundle added.

"I think both McLaren drivers will be strong as well. Oscar will come back on a mission after what he learned last year; Lando, I don't think I've ever seen him yet not with that big grin on his face so far this year, he's just got that comfort now.

"The Red Bull looks really strong, and we know how Max's car control, which you'll need with these cars, will be incredible.

"So, for me, there's not a clear favourite."

Brundle has backed George Russell, who is the bookies’ favourite going into the 2026 season, to challenge for his first F1 world championship with Mercedes this year.

"I do think he's ready for it," Brundle said of the 28-year-old Briton, who is embarking on his eighth season in F1.

"He's a smart guy; they're all smart guys. George has got the team around him. Kimi [Antonelli] will be stronger this year in the other car, but George is completely out of Lewis [Hamilton]'s shadow there, he's the king of the castle at Mercedes-Benz

"He did all those years at Williams and then he went to Mercedes when they just stopped dominating, so he's done the hard yards.

"I think he's got the experience, he's got the car control, and I think he will command the respect in the team to help drive what's going to be an incredibly changeable year.”

Brundle continued: "We questioned that with Lando [Norris] last year, and Oscar [Piastri] too, whether they would wilt under pressure from Max [Verstappen], and they didn’t. I think George is in a very good place.

"Remember, [Russell] grew up in Lewis Hamilton's shadow at Mercedes, and he handled that, and eventually in the final year they were team-mates, he beat Lewis clearly.

"So, I have no doubts about him whatsoever. They're all world-class drivers in F1, you've got to beat them somehow.

"I think George has got so much experience now despite not being 30 yet, that I don't think anything will distract him if he's got a championship-winning car.”

- Lewis Larkam

LANDO NORRIS ISSUES SARCASTIC RESPONSE WHEN TOLD GEORGE RUSSELL IS FAVOURITE FOR THE 2026 F1 TITLE

Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

With the new F1 season now just weeks away, Lando Norris is looking to defend his F1 title for the very first time, but he is expected to face some stern competition from Mercedes’ George Russell.

Ever since making their F1 debuts together in 2019, both Lando Norris and George Russell have shown that the future of British drivers in the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport is in good hands.

They have cemented themselves as two of the best drivers on the grid, with Norris claiming a maiden world title with McLaren in the most recent term.

On the other hand, the Mercedes driver hasn’t quite reached the same heights as his compatriot yet, but Russell is expected to win at least one title before he calls it a day in the cockpit of an F1 car.

Lando Norris gave a sarcastic response after being told George Russell is the favourite in 2026

With one week of pre-season testing now out of the way, Mercedes appears to have a relatively strong package at the early stages of F1’s new regulations.

Now, that could all change by the time the grid hits the track in Melbourne at the start of March, but it’s impossible to rule out the Silver Arrows as a genuine title contender in the upcoming campaign.

Martin Brundle believes Russell will fancy his chances of securing a maiden title this season, and according to Sky Sports F1’s Craig Slater, the British driver is the ‘bookmaker’s favourite’.

When asked for his thoughts on this by Slater during an interview at McLaren’s Woking-based headquarters, Norris couldn’t help but laugh.

He sarcastically responded to the journalist with, “He is the massive favourite, to be honest with you. I completely agree with the bookmakers.”

Mercedes are regarded as the benchmark in the upcoming season largely due to their impressive reliability at last week’s shakedown in Barcelona.

Between Kimi Antonelli and Russell, the new W17 clocked in the most mileage out of any team on the grid.

The Briton also led his rivals in the overall lap count, completing a whopping 265 laps from just a day and a half inside the cockpit.

Lando Norris also detailed how an F1 title fight with George Russell would impact their friendship

Norris and Russell have shared an amicable relationship throughout their respective careers, from the rivalry they shared as they both climbed the single-seater ladder.

The reigning world champion was also asked how their friendship would deal with them both going head to head for a title by Slater.

Norris replied, “We’ll see. I mean, you know, me and George get along well. It’s not like we talk every day, but I think we have a lot of respect for one another.

“I think he shows that towards me, and I completely believe he’ll win a championship in the future. So whether that’s this year or next year, whatever it may be.

I’ve enjoyed my battles with him and he’s a lovely guy. So I’ve enjoyed all of it.”

- Ashley Hambly

LNDO NORRIS AIRS COMPLAIN ABOUT TEAMMATE OSCAR PIASTRI AHEAD OF JAPANESE GRAND PRIX

McLaren star Lando Norris has hit back at the critics taking a swipe at McLaren's success so far in the 2025 season having praised both himself and Oscar Piastri for the improvements made. McLaren have continued their 2024 constructors success into the 2025 season having finished on top of the podium in both races.

Norris won the opening race of the year at the Australian Grand Prix, before Piastri converted his qualifying success into a win having taken out the Chinese GP. There has been plenty of noise around whether Piastri and Norris will be allowed to race each other as competitors in the McLaren car after some controversy last year.

Lando Norris (pictured middle) has praised teammate Oscar Piastri (pictured left) for the way McLaren have started the 2025 season. (Images: Getty Images)

However, Norris and Piastri appear to be benefitting from McLaren's early season speed as they sit first and fourth, respectively, in the driver standings. And with the early success has come criticism McLaren's car is the reason behind the two GP wins.

Norris was quick to hit back at the suggestions and claimed the two drivers have a lot to do with their victories. "I think just the fact we have two good drivers is obviously making the biggest difference because, in certain cases, I don't think we necessarily had the quickest one ..." Norris told reporters on Thursday.

"But the fact that we have just two good drivers pushing each other makes, I think, just a bigger difference than people expect and take acknowledgement for." Piastri finished close to 10 seconds ahead of his nearest rival at the Chinese GP having converted pole position into a win for the first time.

Ferrari duo Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have not started the season the way they would have hoped as they languish in ninth and 10th on the standings. And while Norris wasn't disparaging the other teams when hyping up McLaren, he wanted Piastri and himself to receive the plaudits they deserve.

"I also think between Oscar and myself, we both improved our own driving a lot," he added. "And I also feel like I'm more prepared for whatever the situation may be, whether it is racing against (world champion) Max (Verstappen) or Oscar or Lewis or Charles, whoever.

"I feel like I'm more prepared to know what level I need to be at, whether it's going to be like a risky level or non-risk level." The Japanese GP will prove to be another marker in the season with Piastri and Norris allowed to push each other for the drivers championship.

McLaren have started the 2025 season with two victories in the F1.

.Lando Norris hits out at McLaren claims

But his biggest swipe at the critics came when he slammed suggestions McLaren's car is so much better than its competitors that it has made them 'unbeatable'. "I think the people that say that, the unbeatable stuff, is just nonsense and they just like to talk crap sometimes," he said.

"I think if you go back one year ago, Red Bull were a lot further ahead than we are now. The fact that they had two drivers (Verstappen and Sergio Perez) up there dominating, they were a lot further ahead than we are now. So I think, we're doing a very good job ... and yeah, we want to still try and increase our advantage more than what it is now."

Martin Brundle raises 'tense' McLaren battle

Speaking after the Chinese GP in his column for Sky Sports, F1 great Martin Brundle suggested McLaren are in for an interesting year with two competitive drivers. "Another question was whether Norris could mount a challenge on his team-mate and championship rival Piastri, but a disappearing brake pedal which became virtually non-existent on the final lap put paid to that, and Norris did well to just hold off Russell having another good day for Mercedes," Brundle wrote.

"Norris leaves China with one more point advantage over Verstappen in the championship than before he arrived, but more ominously for him, Piastri is now only 10 points behind. Next up is Suzuka. It's going to get intense between the McLaren pairing."

Lando Norris (pictured) has praised his team for the stellar start to the season.

Brundle's column came after Norris revealed it was refreshing both the two McLaren drivers have been given more freedom to go for it this year. "I think we're both excited — probably nervous and excited at the same time — as I'm sure the team will be," Norris said.

"But we're ready. We know that as much as we work together and we have a good time and enjoy ourselves, we both know we want to try and beat each other and show who's best. And that's inevitable. So there's no point trying to hide away from that fact or make something of it."

- Riley Morgan

MARTIN BRUNDLE ON BEING A GREAT ROLE MODEL

 

MARTIN BRUNDLE TAKES AIM AT ELON MUSK

 

MOST RACES WITHOUT A FASTEST LAP | FORMULA 1

 

MARTIN BRUNDLE EQUATING NORRIS TO SENNA

 Brundle has said he thinks Norris' victory in Miami is more nuanced than just luck. 

Lando became the 21st British driver to win an F1 race in Miami at the weekend 🇬🇧

 #Formula1 #norris #McLarenF1 #landonorris #mclaren #f1 #formula1 #GPblog #kevinmagnussen #formula1sport #F1News #maxverstappen #newey #f1news #lh44 #lewishamilton #f12024 #redbullracing #f1racing #sport

MARTIN BRUNDLE ON DANIEL RICCIARDO'S RETURN TO THE F1 GRID WITH ALFATAURI

 

MARTIN BRUNDLE RED BULL'S SPEED