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Ben Vinel
Author

Ben Vinel

Ben Vinel joined the Autosport team as a news writer and editor in January 2024 after eleven years at Motorsport France and its predecessor ToileF1.com, specialising in Formula 1 and junior formulae. Ben previously taught French at Bishop Stopford School in Kettering and Bowdoin College (Brunswick, Maine) but jumped at the opportunity to work full-time in motorsport journalism thereafter.

Latest articles by Ben Vinel

Why McLaren thinks Norris is even better now than his F1 title-winning year

Formula 1
Formula 1
Dutch GP
Why McLaren thinks Norris is even better now than his F1 title-winning year

Red Bull officially named F1's best engine as FIA makes ADUO results public

Formula 1
Formula 1
Dutch GP
Red Bull officially named F1's best engine as FIA makes ADUO results public

What caused Verstappen’s F1 Dutch GP crash

Formula 1
Formula 1
Dutch GP
What caused Verstappen’s F1 Dutch GP crash

Why Verstappen's 2026 Mercedes contact was very different from last year's

Formula 1
Formula 1
Dutch GP
Why Verstappen's 2026 Mercedes contact was very different from last year's

How Buemi and Di Grassi defined Formula E’s Gen1 era

Formula E
Formula E
London ePrix I
How Buemi and Di Grassi defined Formula E’s Gen1 era

Budkowski replaces Lowdon as Cadillac F1 boss

Formula 1
Formula 1
Budkowski replaces Lowdon as Cadillac F1 boss

Why McLaren has struggled to get the most of Mercedes’ F1 engine

Formula 1
Formula 1
Why McLaren has struggled to get the most of Mercedes’ F1 engine

How Cadillac is ‘building its plane while flying in it’ in F1

Formula 1
Formula 1
How Cadillac is ‘building its plane while flying in it’ in F1

What would you like to ask David Malukas?

IndyCar
IndyCar
Markham
What would you like to ask David Malukas?

Clark, Senna, Antonelli – How the grand chelem age record has evolved

Formula 1
Formula 1
Clark, Senna, Antonelli – How the grand chelem age record has evolved

What is it like being a Williams F1 simulator driver?

Formula 1
Formula 1
What is it like being a Williams F1 simulator driver?

You Ask The Questions: Esteban Ocon

Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
You Ask The Questions: Esteban Ocon

Audi won’t upgrade F1 power unit again until 2027

Formula 1
Formula 1
Audi won’t upgrade F1 power unit again until 2027

The challenge Haas faces in trying to meet F1 budget cap: "Fighting with both hands tied"

Formula 1
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
The challenge Haas faces in trying to meet F1 budget cap: "Fighting with both hands tied"

How Pirelli will deal with F1’s unexpected return to Sepang

Formula 1
Formula 1
Bahrain GP in Malaysia
How Pirelli will deal with F1’s unexpected return to Sepang

No more battery info on F1 TV graphics? ‘Fans don’t care about that’, F1 boss responds

Formula 1
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
No more battery info on F1 TV graphics? ‘Fans don’t care about that’, F1 boss responds

How F1 2026 has been a season of two halves for Ferrari so far

Formula 1
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
How F1 2026 has been a season of two halves for Ferrari so far

Norris: I was better than Piastri in every sense in battle for Hungarian GP victory

Formula 1
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Norris: I was better than Piastri in every sense in battle for Hungarian GP victory

How blue-flag malfunction caused chaos in F1 Hungarian GP

Formula 1
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
How blue-flag malfunction caused chaos in F1 Hungarian GP

Malaysia will officially host F1's 2026 Bahrain GP

Formula 1
Formula 1
Malaysia will officially host F1's 2026 Bahrain GP

Hamilton under investigation by stewards over impeding Piastri in Hungarian GP qualifying

Formula 1
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Hamilton under investigation by stewards over impeding Piastri in Hungarian GP qualifying

F1 juniors shine in F2 2026 title fight

FIA F2
FIA F2
Spa-Francorchamps
F1 juniors shine in F2 2026 title fight

The new strengths Antonelli has shown in F1, 12 months on from 'reaching the bottom'

Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
The new strengths Antonelli has shown in F1, 12 months on from 'reaching the bottom'

Why Hamilton sees Mercedes as ‘still the team to beat’ at Belgian GP

Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
Why Hamilton sees Mercedes as ‘still the team to beat’ at Belgian GP

Alpine explains Gasly's crash that red-flagged FP2

Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
Alpine explains Gasly's crash that red-flagged FP2

Red Bull expects to run its ‘Macarena’ wing again at next F1 race

Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
Red Bull expects to run its ‘Macarena’ wing again at next F1 race

‘Like being asked to draw the Mona Lisa’ – Russell explains how he is struggling to match Antonelli

Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
‘Like being asked to draw the Mona Lisa’ – Russell explains how he is struggling to match Antonelli

Aston Martin to use new Honda engine at F1 Dutch GP

Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
Aston Martin to use new Honda engine at F1 Dutch GP

What would you like to ask Esteban Ocon?

Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
What would you like to ask Esteban Ocon?

Formula E Sanya: Dennis wins red-flagged race as championship leader Evans retires

Formula E
Formula E
Sanya ePrix
Formula E Sanya: Dennis wins red-flagged race as championship leader Evans retires

You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica

Formula 1
Formula 1
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica

Why Le Mans DNF was a “dagger in the heart” of Bourdais

WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Why Le Mans DNF was a “dagger in the heart” of Bourdais

How the #8 Toyota lost the 2026 Le Mans 24 Hours

WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
How the #8 Toyota lost the 2026 Le Mans 24 Hours

Le Mans 24h, H8: Safety car blows race wide open

WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Le Mans 24h, H8: Safety car blows race wide open

Le Mans 24h, H1: Toyota takes lead from 15th on the grid

WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Le Mans 24h, H1: Toyota takes lead from 15th on the grid

How Romain Dumas is walking in the footsteps of other Le Mans legends

WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
How Romain Dumas is walking in the footsteps of other Le Mans legends

“I know I’m going to die here” – Davidson reflects on back-breaking Le Mans crash

WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
“I know I’m going to die here” – Davidson reflects on back-breaking Le Mans crash

Le Mans 24h: Cadillac leads BMW in FP4

WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Le Mans 24h: Cadillac leads BMW in FP4

Le Mans 24h: BMW inherits pole position after Cadillac penalty

WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Le Mans 24h: BMW inherits pole position after Cadillac penalty

Le Mans 24h: Alpine fastest in qualifying, Le Mans-winning Ferrari is out

WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Le Mans 24h: Alpine fastest in qualifying, Le Mans-winning Ferrari is out

Le Mans 24h: Cadillac dominates FP1 with rivals 1.7s down

WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Le Mans 24h: Cadillac dominates FP1 with rivals 1.7s down

Mercedes takes blame for Russell Monaco GP penalty

Formula 1
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Mercedes takes blame for Russell Monaco GP penalty

Cadillac loses maiden F1 point as Perez penalised

Formula 1
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Cadillac loses maiden F1 point as Perez penalised

Russell “beyond frustration” after dismal, point-less Monaco GP

Formula 1
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Russell “beyond frustration” after dismal, point-less Monaco GP

Leclerc reveals reason for Monaco GP crash: “Three out of four brakes not working”

Formula 1
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Leclerc reveals reason for Monaco GP crash: “Three out of four brakes not working”

Leclerc explains crash that cost shot at Monaco GP pole

Formula 1
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Leclerc explains crash that cost shot at Monaco GP pole

Russell bemused by pace deficit to F1 title rival Antonelli

Formula 1
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Russell bemused by pace deficit to F1 title rival Antonelli

Alonso slams 2026 F1 cars as “worst ever” in Monaco

Formula 1
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Alonso slams 2026 F1 cars as “worst ever” in Monaco

Aston Martin’s “random downshifts” leave Alonso wary of Monaco GP crashes

Formula 1
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Aston Martin’s “random downshifts” leave Alonso wary of Monaco GP crashes

What would you like to ask Robert Kubica?

WEC
WEC
What would you like to ask Robert Kubica?

McLaren: Pirelli F1 tests will help Ferrari, Red Bull for rainy Canadian GP

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
McLaren: Pirelli F1 tests will help Ferrari, Red Bull for rainy Canadian GP

Hamilton’s sim-less approach seems to pay off as he outqualifies Leclerc twice at Canadian GP

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Hamilton’s sim-less approach seems to pay off as he outqualifies Leclerc twice at Canadian GP

F1 Canadian GP: Russell wins sprint after Antonelli clash

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
F1 Canadian GP: Russell wins sprint after Antonelli clash

Why Aston Martin hasn’t updated its F1 car since March

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Why Aston Martin hasn’t updated its F1 car since March

Norris points out a key problem with F1 2026's energy management demands

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Norris points out a key problem with F1 2026's energy management demands

F1 Canadian GP: Antonelli fastest ahead of sprint qualifying, Russell spins

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
F1 Canadian GP: Antonelli fastest ahead of sprint qualifying, Russell spins

What will F1's switch to a 60-40 power split bring? The drivers give their verdict

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
What will F1's switch to a 60-40 power split bring? The drivers give their verdict

Williams signs key leaders from McLaren, Mercedes, Alpine

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Williams signs key leaders from McLaren, Mercedes, Alpine

How Hamilton switched to a "different approach" for F1 Canadian GP

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
How Hamilton switched to a "different approach" for F1 Canadian GP

How Colton Herta is chasing his F1 dream

Formula 1
Formula 1
How Colton Herta is chasing his F1 dream