Author Profile: Leopold Pleijsier

Leopold Pleijsier

Leopold Pleijsier

F1 Journalist

30090 published articles
10 Sep 2026 latest publication

Leopold Pleijsier founded F1-Fansite.com in 2001 and has followed Formula 1 since the early 1980s. He writes about daily F1 news, race weekends, drivers and the sport’s history.

Latest story: Antonelli's market value now climbs towards EUR 50m?

'minimum pitstop time' proposal voted down by bosses

Safety talks to mandate a minimum time for pitstops in future have fallen at the first hurdle, it has emerged. F1 race director Charlie...

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26 Jul 2013

Webber's successor to be decided after Hungary

The F1 world is hanging on the protagonists' every word, as Red Bull nears a decision about who will replace Mark Webber in 2014....

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26 Jul 2013

What happens during installation laps?

Installation laps... We all know the drivers have to complete them, mainly on Fridays during Free Practice sessions... But do you know what the drivers...

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26 Jul 2013

Wolff: Red Bull on track for another title

Mercedes' Toto Wolff has all but conceded the 2013 title. The German squad is currently second only to Red Bull in the constructors' championship,...

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25 Jul 2013

F1 considers minimum time for pitstops

Formula one is considering introducing a minimum time limit for pitstops, as the clampdown on pitlane safety continues. After a cameraman was hospitalised by...

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25 Jul 2013

Hungary to be last Sauber drive denies Hulkenberg

Nico Hulkenberg on Thursday rubbished rumours Hungary will be his last grand prix with Sauber. The rumours said the German could be set to...

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25 Jul 2013

Mateschitz hints 'excellent' Ricciardo to win Red Bull seat

Daniel Ricciardo on Thursday appeared to move another step closer to landing his dream seat at Red Bull Racing. After the young Australian tested...

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25 Jul 2013

Hamilton's focus questioned by F1 legend Surtees

John Surtees, F1's 1964 world champion, has questioned Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton's focus. Briton Hamilton, while regarded by many as perhaps the most naturally...

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25 Jul 2013

F1 pays almost no tax

A clever tax arrangement sees formula one pay a tiny amount of tax, it has emerged. Writing in The Independent, leading F1 business journalist...

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25 Jul 2013

Alonso: Vettel points gap 'a bit too much'

Fernando Alonso has admitted he needs to start making up ground on runaway championship leader Sebastian Vettel. Having won two grands prix so far...

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25 Jul 2013

Side-impact crash test to be abolished by FIA

F1's governing will abolish the side-impact crash test, German magazine Auto Motor und Sport reports. Until now, the individual teams have been responsible for...

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25 Jul 2013

Frijns might replace Hulkenberg

A series of events has come together to form formula one's very latest hot rumour. After the financially-struggling Sauber failed to pay him on...

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25 Jul 2013

Fittipaldi - Massa's future depends on slump recovery

Brazilian legend Emerson Fittipaldi thinks the second half of 2013 will be crucial to countryman Felipe Massa's future. Having emerged from his performance slump...

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25 Jul 2013

Button expects McLaren to beat Force India

Although now firmly focused on 2014, McLaren should be able to overtake Force India by the end of the season. That is the view...

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25 Jul 2013

Lauda: Austria GP detractors not 'sensible'

Niki Lauda has hit out at the detractors, following reports Austria's return to the calendar next year might stumble at hurdles. It is claimed...

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24 Jul 2013

2014 calendar to have 20 races insists Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone has played down suggestions the 2014 F1 calendar could blow out to an unprecedented 22 races in 2014. The reports, including in...

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24 Jul 2013

Todt facing contender for new FIA term

Jean Todt could face a contender as he vies for another term as FIA president. London's Times newspaper said the potential candidate is David...

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24 Jul 2013

Mercedes using infrared camera to monitor tyres

Mercedes is the author of the latest F1 innovation, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. Suffering in recent years with a lack of...

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24 Jul 2013

Ecclestone hints woman could succeed him

Monisha Kaltenborn has raced into pole position to succeed Bernie Ecclestone at the very top of formula one. It emerged recently that, as a...

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24 Jul 2013

F1 could have record 22 races in 2014

It is possible Bernie Ecclestone will ask the FIA to ratify a whopping 22-race formula one calendar for the 2014 season. That is the...

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24 Jul 2013

Friday appearances may be no more for Kovalainen

  Heikki Kovalainen has admitted he is unlikely to reappear for Caterham during Friday practice sessions in 2013. "I think not," said the Finn,...

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24 Jul 2013

Red Bull must clear hurdles for Austria GP return

Red Bull needs to clear some hurdles before the Austrian grand prix can go ahead in 2014. The energy drink company and Bernie Ecclestone...

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24 Jul 2013

Ecclestone, Red Bull, agree deal for 2014 Austria GP

Bernie Ecclestone has agreed a deal with Dietrich Mateschitz for a grand prix at the renovated and relaunched Red Bull Ring in 2014. The...

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23 Jul 2013

Moscow City Racing: Onboard Video

Get on board of the F60 for a lap with Kamui Kobayashi in Moscow.

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23 Jul 2013

Moscow City Racing: F1 interview with Kamui Kobayashi

Kamui Kobayashi's first public appearance as a driver working for Scuderia Ferrari was an opportunity for the Japanese driver to sum up his race season...

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23 Jul 2013

Behind the scenes with Rosberg at Goodwood 2013!

Follow Nico Rosberg behind the scenes at the 2013 Festival of Speed, meeting Mercedes fans and Professor Green!

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23 Jul 2013

Money halting F1 returns says Petrov and Kobayashi

A lack of sponsors are keeping former podium-getters Vitaly Petrov and Kamui Kobayash out of formula one. After losing his Caterham seat and also the...

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23 Jul 2013

Surer - Criticism 'a deterrent' for Pirelli successors

F1 teams will only have themselves to blame if they are left without tyres next year, according to a leading commentator. Pirelli's increasingly vocal...

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23 Jul 2013

Sirotkin: Pay-driver label 'completely wrong'

Sergey Sirotkin, set to smash the record next year as the youngest ever F1 racer, has hit back at claims he is a "pay...

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23 Jul 2013

Vergne: Ricciardo should get seat over Raikkonen

Jean-Eric Vergne has admitted he would prefer to see teammate Daniel Ricciardo become the next driver at Red Bull Racing. Although Red Bull, and...

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23 Jul 2013