The indelible marks etched onto the Buddh International Circuit remain vivid even after a decade has passed since Formula 1 last graced Indian tracks.

While the resurgence of international motorsport in India has seen it host a Formula E race in Hyderabad and a thrilling MotoGP weekend, the abrupt cancellation of the 2024 Hyderabad E-Prix has cast shadows over the nation’s dedication to staging international racing spectacles.

The crescendo of cheers and celebration at the end of a Grand Prix sometimes dissipates into an aura of uncertainty. Post-race penalties, while integral to maintaining fairness and upholding regulations, have cast a shadow over the immediate excitement of a race finish, prompting contemplation on their impact on Formula 1’s overall allure.

The asphalt will bear witness to the final race of the season for F1 Academy this weekend and the crowning of its first champion. F1 Academy, the phoenix that emerged from the ashes of W Series, has certainly faced its fair share of difficulties to overcome, persevering through its rollercoaster of challenges and triumphs but rounding off the season having secured broadcasting rights to their races.

A champion crowned. A rookie’s sensational performance witnessed. The Qatar GP will be etched in history as the host of Max Verstappen’s third consecutive world championship and Oscar Piastri’s first sprint race victory. Yet, despite being the host of such incredible milestones, the 2023 Qatar GP also marked unique tire rules, countless track limit violations, and intense heat that left drivers exhausted and unable to get out of their cars post-race.

Outstanding rookie performances aren’t foreign to Formula 1. Legends like Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve, and Jackie Stewart started their debut seasons with incredible performances. While it may still be early to draw direct comparisons to these greats, McLaren's Oscar Piastri has unquestionably delivered some captivating moments in his rookie season, including securing his first podium at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz has shattered Red Bull's dominant streak of 14 consecutive race wins, a feat that many believed to be nearly impossible as the blue car claimed victory after victory this season. His triumph marks his second victory in Formula 1, donned in the iconic scarlet of Ferrari. Sainz, however, has frequently come under fire for not being on par with his blisteringly rapid teammate, Charles Leclerc.

An FE World Champion axed from F1 for underperforming after 10 races into his first full season in the championship, overshadowed by the return of a beloved race-winning personality.

Max Verstappen. The prodigy. The Dutch Lion.

Ten races have gone by and he’s won eight of them. Phases of dominance like this have passed in the sport before, often sparking debate. While some argue that such dominance should not be admired, attributing it solely to the car, one cannot overlook the remarkable consistency and skill of drivers who push a great car to its absolute limit…

Honda rider Marc Marquez has withdrawn from racing in Sachsenring, following five crashes at the event. The Spaniard’s latest crash during this morning’s warm-up session resulted in a fracture in his right hand.

W series was a free-to-enter all-women racing series, first launched in 2018 to provide equal opportunity in motorsport for women, by removing the financial barriers holding back drivers from progressing up the ladder…

What to look out for this Spanish Grand Prix…

CIRCUIT CHANGES

The final sector of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will return to its original configuration by getting rid of the chicane. Interestingly, the chicane was initially installed in 2007 in an effort to better track safety and to improve overtaking chances. Reverting to the original layout is expected to improve overtaking on the main straight and into the opening turns as cars can now follow each other more easily with the new regulations.

The 2023 Grand Prix of Kazakhstan has been called off from the MotoGP calendar, meaning the 2023 MotoGP season will not be the longest in the history of the series. Anticipating a final approval at the track homologation stage, MotoGP added two extra races from Kazakhstan and India to the provisional schedule for 2023. However, the 2023 Grand Prix of Kazakhstan had to be cancelled due to ongoing homologation work at the circuit and existing operational issues on a worldwide scale.

Franz Tost will step down as team principal of AlphaTauri at the end of the 2023 season. This move comes as part of a new structural reshuffle within the Italian outfit. announced with Laurent Mekies, currently Ferrari’s Sporting Director, rejoining the team. Tost will step down as team principal after 19 seasons at the helm, having been appointed team principal on Red Bull Racing’s takeover of the erstwhile Minardi F1 Team.

The Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi is widely popular for hosting the season finale of the Formula 1 season. But from 2024 onward, the track is to host an Autonomous Racing League: a self-driving car league with Super Formula Cars that drive completely pilot-less. It aims to provide an immersive experience where viewers can also follow along with augmented reality and virtual reality updates.

Engines roared to life, the ground shook at its sheer power, and the five starting lights went out. The cars raced at 300 kph down the main straight, and the Qatar inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix was underway at the Lusail International Circuit in 2021.

Formula 1 recently announced their new series F1 Academy: An all-women racing series feeding into Formula 3, and is set to run from 2023 to 2025 at seven venues around the world. Historically, motorsport has been male-dominated, and there has been little representation of women in the sport, from drivers to engineers to journalists.

Haas F1 team lineup for 2022 is confirmed with Kevin Magnussen partnering with Mick Schumacher as he signs a multi-year deal with the team. With the departure of Nikita Mazepin from the team after losing his seat, many names seemed to be in the mix for the second Haas seat including Antonio Giovinazzi and Nico Hulkenberg. But after Danish journalist, Jonas Hüttel reported that Kevin Magnussen was Haas’ preference to fill the seat, the issue of his Peugeot Le Mans contract seemed to be the only problem.