Formula 1: Good month, bad month — January 2023
Charting the ups and downs of the F1 circus
Good Month
WG CDR Norris
Lando Norris negotiated the ensuing shower of debris from the Stroll/Alonso crash in Austin like a deft World War II Spitfire pilot, his front left wheel cover being smashed off by a heavy impact.
Would say boo…
Mexican fans boo Hamilton – it might not fit F1’s new de-cigged, de-grid-girled image but let’s face it: partisan crowds, what’s not to love?
![Mexican fans boo](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Mexican-fans-cheers-800x450.jpg)
Mexican fans boo Hamilton
Grand Prix Photo
Brazilian Sprint
Two years in a row this Sprint has been extremely entertaining – should we just limit it to Interlagos?
Need a lift?
It might make the racing miserable but at least Mexico City’s podium section features F1’s equivalent of a dumb waiter, hoisting the winner’s car aloft like some kind of sacrificial offering to the racing gods.
![Verstappen wins Mexican GP](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Verstappen-wins-Mexican-GP-800x450.jpg)
Verstappen celebrates at the Mexican GP
GettyImages
Andretti rolls back the years
Who doesn’t appreciate an 82-year-old all-time racing legend getting behind the wheel of a (kind of) modern McLaren F1 car?
![Andretti McLaren F1](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Andretti-McLaren-F1-800x450.jpg)
Andretti behind the wheel of an McLaren F1
Grand Pix Photo
Bad Month
Christian – so sensitive
Hilarity from Christian ‘Rogue Marshal’ Horner accusing Zak Brown of affecting Red Bull employees’ mental health by suggesting that the champion team had been “cheating”. Pot-kettle-black somewhat.
Dishing it out
Verstappen also a picture of grace recently: boycotts Sky, has acrimonious Hamilton prang then sticks up two fingers (metaphorically) to Pérez – charming!
Wailing at PitWall
Brad Pitt semi-blanked Martin Brundle on the US grid walk, causing consternation for fanatics of St Martin the world over.
![Bard Pitt on the grid](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Bard-Pitt-on-the-grid-800x450.jpg)
Brad Pitt on the grid walk
Getty Images
Apple waver
Honourable mention to possibly the worst F1 chequered flag-waver of all time, Apple CEO Tim Cook at Austin.
![Tim Cook waves flag](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Tim-Cook-waves-flag-800x450.jpg)
Tim Cook waving the checkered flag
Getty Images
Feeble fine
After delaying several times, the FIA actually manages to get its act together, then hands out a limp £6m fine to the world’s biggest energy drink company.