FLOYD ON F1: Tension between Hamilton and Russell boiling over

Any questions regarding the FIA’s new regulation over flexibility within the bodywork and its appendages certainly got blown out of the water at the Japanese F1 Grand Prix last weekend.

Particularly the one driven by current champion Max Verstappen. The Dutchman left no one in doubt from FP1 on Friday to the chequered flag on Sunday afternoon, sadly the same could not be said for his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, whose race day became a comedy of errors.

Two five-second penalties and four penalty points said it all. Plus the rather bizarre reappearance towards the race finale in an apparent bid to eliminate the possibility of one five-second penalty being applied at the start of the next round in Qatar. Whether it succeeded should make for interesting reading.

ALSO READ: FLOYD ON F1: The day common sense went out the window

McLaren up, Ferrari down

An interesting and entertaining race with a great performance from both McLaren drivers. It proves the progressive upgrades have really worked for the Woking team.

Then the strange loss of form from Ferrari. Although Charles Leclerc did finish fourth with his Singapore winning team-mate Carlos Sainz in sixth.

Also interesting was the rather definite comment between the two Mercedes drivers following an incident where Lewis Hamilton went wide into a left hander forcing George Russell off the track. Russell responded with a curt: “Who do we want to fight here, each other or the others?”

ALSO READ: FLOYD ON F1: Aerodynamic advances have stifled closer racing

Tension in Mercedes camp

It was the second consecutive race Russell was critical of Hamilton. The multiple world champion pushed him hard in the closing stages in Singapore, resulting in a barrier collision.

Is a competitive element raising its head between the old and new guard within the Brackley-based team?

The chance of joining the F1 circus has ended for almost all applicants with the exception of one, that of the Andretti-Cadillac team following vetting by the FIA. But there is still a very large hurdle to clear, the approval of F1’s owners and the ten existing teams. As of writing there really does not seem to be any general consensus. Some are adamantly against, very few approving and a few still sitting on the fence.

ALSO READ: FLOYD ON F1: Felipe Massa case could set precedent

F1 teams not willing to share

It comes down to finances with many of the top teams unwilling to dilute their share of the annual income.

With all the articles relating to how well the series is doing and the incredible interest globally, plus increased attendance and television viewership, I am left wondering whether Liberty Media could not find deeper pockets to allow expansion within the sport.

The F1 show now moves to Doha for the Qatar Grand Prix on the weekend of 5 and 6 October.