Author Profile: Leopold Pleijsier

Leopold Pleijsier

Leopold Pleijsier

F1 Journalist

30014 published articles
3 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: How Formula 1 Became a Global Fan Phenomenon

F1 driver Grosjean to become father soon

Romain Grosjean will soon be a father. After his new wife Marion Jolles - who met Grosjean whilst a F1 television reporter - was...

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24 Mar 2013

Pirelli might change F1 tyres if asked unanimously

Pressure is mounting on F1 supplier Pirelli to change its tyres. It is being whispered ever louder in the Sepang paddock that Red Bull,...

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24 Mar 2013

Ecclestone: Hamilton rolled his eyes for Mercedes option

Lewis Hamilton wanted to be Sebastian Vettel's teammate at Red Bull this year, according to Bernie Ecclestone. Ultimately, the 2008 world champion left McLaren...

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24 Mar 2013

Alonso expects pressure from Raikkonen during F1 race

Fernando Alonso on Saturday sounded unfazed as his Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa continued to hold the upper hand. Brazilian Massa almost lost his seat...

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23 Mar 2013

Red Bull & Mercedes want 2012 Pirelli F1 tyres return

Top teams Red Bull and Mercedes want Pirelli to rush last year's tyres back into service. According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, the...

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23 Mar 2013

Qualifying results 2013 Malaysian F1 Grand Prix

Event: Malaysian F1 Grand Prix Track: Sepang Circuit Weather: Dry/wet Track temperature: 41°C Air temperature: 32°C Wind Speed: 2.3 mps Wind direction: North-East Air Pressure: 1001.7...

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23 Mar 2013

Lotus flattered by Newey's interest in E21 2013 F1 car

In Malaysia on Friday, Mark Webber was not the only top driver groaning about the overwhelmingly dominant factor in the paddock at present. "Tyres,...

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23 Mar 2013

Vettel: Friendship with Raikkonen can survive F1 battle

Sebastian Vettel insists he is not worried his friendship with Kimi Raikkonen will suffer as they go wheel-to-wheel for the title in 2013. The...

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23 Mar 2013

Press tip Fernando Alonso for 2013 F1 drivers title

The overwhelming majority of international media correspondents surveyed in the F1 paddock have tipped Fernando Alonso to win the 2013 title. Spanish newspaper AS's...

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23 Mar 2013

Caterham: Marussia merge would be of no use

Caterham has belatedly confirmed reports that talks about a possible merger with rival backmarker Marussia took place over the winter. In explaining the delay...

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23 Mar 2013

Sauber could have swapped F1 drivers for Australian GP

Sauber could have kept Nico Hulkenberg in the race last Sunday in Australia, it has emerged. Ultimately, the German sat out Melbourne with a...

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23 Mar 2013

Lotus wants new F1 contract talks with Kimi Raikkonen

Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez has left the door open for a new deal with current championship leader Kimi Raikkonen. Finn Raikkonen, who became...

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23 Mar 2013

Helmut Marko: Massa makes Ferrari F1 strong

Felipe Massa has made Ferrari a foe to fear for the constructors' world championship, according to Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko. Brazilian Massa struggled...

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23 Mar 2013

Worries about V6 F1 engines to spoil competition

Former F1 driver Christian Danner is worried the move from V8 to turbo V6 engines next year is a bad move for the sport....

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23 Mar 2013

Lap times 3rd practice 2013 Malaysian F1 Grand Prix

Event: Malaysian F1 Grand Prix Track: Sepang Circuit Weather: Dry Track temperature: 41°C Air temperature: 33°C Wind Speed: 2.8 mps Wind direction: North-East Air Pressure: 1003.8...

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23 Mar 2013

F1 rivals suspect Lotus to have unfair tyre advantage

As Melbourne winner Kimi Raikkonen continues his top form in Malaysia, Lotus' rivals are beginning to wonder if the team has an unfair advantage....

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22 Mar 2013

Caterham F1 Unchained - Episode 7

We're vlogging from inside the Caterham F1 Team throughout our 2013 season. Episode 7: Giedo unveils a special edition helmet for Sepang and to...

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22 Mar 2013

Lotus F1 driver Grosjean one step behind teammate Raikkonen

After Kimi Raikkonen eased to victory in Australia, and set the pace in Malaysia on Friday, the forgotten man of Lotus is Romain Grosjean....

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22 Mar 2013

Fernando Alonso not worried by Kimi Raikkonen's winning race pace

Fernando Alonso on Thursday said Kimi Raikkonen's winning pace in Australia a week ago is not a worry. Both the Spaniard and Raikkonen's Lotus...

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22 Mar 2013

Lewis Hamilton denies he considered 2013 sabbatical

Lewis Hamilton has denied Bernie Ecclestone's claim that he would have preferred a sabbatical in 2013 rather than stay at McLaren. Referring to the...

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22 Mar 2013

Massa denies Alonso strategy where Ferrari F1 team orders

Felipe Massa has denied suggestions last Sunday's 2013 season opener was clear evidence he is still Fernando Alonso's 'number 2' at Ferrari. Despite qualifying...

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22 Mar 2013

Nico cam: Malaysia 2013 Rainforrest

On tour with his Nico Cam. F1-driver Nico Rosberg in Malaysia. In the rain forest and visiting children at the National Heart Institute. And...

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22 Mar 2013

Robin Frijns to focus on Sauber F1 test role

New Sauber tester Robin Frijns will focus solely on his formula one role in 2013. The 21-year-old Dutchman had hoped to split his time...

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22 Mar 2013

Wolff to replace departing CEO Nick Fry at Mercedes

The latest subject of Mercedes' radical formula one shakeup is Nick Fry. A stalwart of the Brackley based team since its days as BAR,...

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22 Mar 2013

Robert Kubica turned down DTM offer for 2013 season

Robert Kubica has revealed he turned down an offer to return to premier circuit racing in 2013. The Pole, preparing for his first event...

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22 Mar 2013

Lap times 2nd practice 2013 Malaysian F1 Grand Prix

Event: Malaysian F1 Grand Prix Track: Sepang Circuit Weather: Dry/wet/dry Track temperature: 33°C Air temperature: 31°C Wind Speed: 2.8 mps Wind direction: South-East Air Pressure: 1002.0...

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22 Mar 2013

Sergio Pérez: No regrets for McLaren F1 team switch

Sergio Pérez insists he has no regrets about joining a McLaren team in crisis. The young Mexican admitted on Thursday that when he signed...

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22 Mar 2013

Lap times 1st practice 2013 Malaysian F1 Grand Prix

Event: Malaysian F1 Grand Prix Track: Sepang Circuit Weather: Dry Track temperature: 37°C Air temperature: 33°C Wind Speed: 2.1 mps Wind direction: West Air Pressure:...

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22 Mar 2013

Sauber Preview 2013 Malaysian F1 GP

Sauber F1 Team Race Preview for the 2013 Malaysian GP in Kuala Lumpur, Sepang Circuit. This time, Esteban Gutiérrez talks about his X-factor at...

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21 Mar 2013

Ross Brawn: Ferrari F138 was fastest car during Australian F1 GP

The headlines in Australia last weekend were that Red Bull dominated qualifying, before Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen eased to victory. But Ross Brawn, boss of...

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21 Mar 2013