Luke Smith

Senior Formula 1 Writer at The Athletic

Senior Writer covering Formula 1 for @TheAthletic. Order my book ON THE GRID at link in bio! 📚

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Articles

Lando Norris self-destructs late, George Russell claims win

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Luke Smith |Madeline Coleman

George Russell won Formula One's 2025 Canadian Grand Prix for Mercedes ahead of Max Verstappen, while behind the title-contending McLaren drivers collided and Lando Norris retired. The incident occurred just as Oscar Piastri and Norris were homing in on Kimi Antonelli's third place late in the race, McLaren had long looked out of it, with Norris misjudging an attempt to pass his teammate on lap 67 of 70.
Streamlined start, a ratings test and a punishing close

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Madeline Coleman |Luke Smith

The 2025 Formula One season hasn't even reached its halfway point yet, but the schedule for next year's campaign was released Tuesday, with a few notable changes as F1 works to regionalize the schedule and make progress toward its net-zero carbon goals. We'll still have 24 grand prix weekends, with Australia opening the calendar and the season finale taking place at Abu Dhabi once again.
F1 Mailbag: Why Lance Stroll was 'upset' in Spain

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Madeline Coleman |Luke Smith

Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix offered no shortage of controversy and storylines as Formula One signed off from its second triple-header of the season with a bang. Max Verstappen's collision with George Russell, an act the Mercedes driver believed to be deliberate, dominated the post-race headlines. It was a big moment in Verstappen's fading title defense, resulting in a time penalty that dropped him to 10th and a further sanction that has now left him on the verge of a one-race ban.
What we're hearing about Formula One's 2026 calendar

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Luke Smith

Formula One may only be one-third of the way through its current season, but 2026 is already firmly in mind for many people in the championship. Next year marks the start of a new F1 car-design era, and with engine rules being overhauled too, the teams are scrambling to finalize their plans. Plus, several seats for 2026 are unconfirmed - the driver transfer market's 'silly season' is only rumbling along quietly right now.
Why the Red Bull driver will never change the way he races

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Luke Smith

"I get really tired of all the comments saying I should change my approach. I will never do that, because it brought me to where I am right now."That quote from Max Verstappen, given at the 2018 Canadian Grand Prix when he was 20 years old, feels as relevant today as it did then. His comment came in response to questions about a string of crashes and incidents he'd experienced at the start of that season, his fourth F1 campaign.
Max Verstappen's self-inflicted blow to his F1 title hopes undid so much brilliance

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Luke Smith

BARCELONA, Spain - In a year in which McLaren has emerged as Formula One's dominant team with a brilliant car and two outstanding drivers, Max Verstappen's efforts to stay in the hunt for the World Championship must be applauded. He produced magic at Imola two weeks ago to score an unlikely win, pulling off a stunning pass at the start on Oscar Piastri before controlling proceedings at the front. Even without the quickest car, he was staying in the fight.
Max Verstappen on verge of F1 race ban after penalty for George Russell clash in Spanish GP

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Luke Smith

Max Verstappen is on the verge of a one-race ban in Formula One after his penalty for clashing with George Russell in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen collided with Russell in the closing stages of the race in Barcelona on Sunday after being instructed to give the position up to the Mercedes driver. He was adjudged to have gone off the track at Turn 1 to stay ahead following a safety car restart. No action was ultimately taken on what happened at the first corner.
Piastri wins, Verstappen misery, surprise Ferrari podium

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Madeline Coleman |Luke Smith

Oscar Pisatri dominated Formula One's 2025 Spanish Grand Prix to win ahead of his McLaren teammate Lando Norris and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Max Verstappen had long threatened the leaders by unleashing a three-stop strategy to their two pit stops, before a late safety car period shook up the race and the world champion became embroiled in a controversy with Mercedes driver George Russell.
Lance Stroll out of Spanish GP, to undergo procedure after hand and wrist pain

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Madeline Coleman |Luke Smith

Lance Stroll will not compete in the Spanish Grand Prix because of "pain in his hand and wrist, which his medical consultant believes is in relation to the procedure he underwent in 2023," Aston Martin announced late Saturday evening. According to the team, the 26-year-old has been suffering for six weeks, and Stroll "will undergo a procedure to rectify these issues before focusing on his recovery." The 2023 incident referenced is a cycling accident that required surgery.
Fernando Alonso is point-less so far in F1 2025. But he isn't thinking of retirement yet

4 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Luke Smith

BARCELONA, Spain - Two years ago, Fernando Alonso arrived in Barcelona for his home Formula One race, the Spanish Grand Prix, renewed. His decision to leave Alpine for Aston Martin for 2023 was inspired - vaulting him from midfield mediocrity to podium contention once again. Only one botched pit call stopped him winning that year in Monaco. Scoring that elusive 33rd F1 win, a decade after his 32nd, seemed within reach.