Author Profile: Leopold Pleijsier

Leopold Pleijsier

Leopold Pleijsier

F1 Journalist

30108 published articles
12 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: Qualifying Report & Results 2026 Spanish F1 Grand Prix

Ross Brawn happy with Lewis Hamilton's criticism

Ross Brawn insists he has no problem with Lewis Hamilton's criticisms of the new Mercedes. After six years with McLaren, the 2008 world champion...

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11 Feb 2013

Feet Nico Hulkenberg too big for Sauber C32

Nico Hulkenberg's feet are too big for the footwell of the new Sauber C32. As he began his career with the Swiss team at...

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11 Feb 2013

Daniel Ricciardo: F1 GP victory not impossible for Toro Rosso

A race win is not out of the question for Toro Rosso in 2013. That is the claim of Daniel Ricciardo, who this year...

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11 Feb 2013

Olivier Panis: Renault link key to Charles Pic teamswitch to Caterham

Caterham's links with French manufacturer Renault was key to Charles Pic's Marussia switch. That is the claim of Olivier Panis, the former grand prix...

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11 Feb 2013

F1 comeback will be difficult for Kamui Kobayashi

The world of F1 is "obviously" moving on without Kamui Kobayashi, according to experienced Japanese journalist Kunio Shibata. Kobayashi, who according to 1980 world...

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11 Feb 2013

Pirelli eyes Kovalainen for F1 test role

Heikki Kovalainen is a strong candidate to become a test driver for official F1 tyre supplier Pirelli. But Paul Hembery, the Italian marque's F1...

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11 Feb 2013

David Coulthard's sister died

David Coulthard's younger sister Lynsay (35) has died, British media report. The former McLaren and Red Bull driver was reportedly told the bad news...

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11 Feb 2013

HD pictures 2013 F1 Wintertest Jerez day 2-4

HD pictures about the wintertest sessions day 2 to 4. See Pedro de la Rosa driving the Ferrari F138.

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10 Feb 2013

F1 tickets German GP at Nurburgring with discount

Finally the German F1 GP got it's host for the 2013 F1 season. The Nurburgring will be the podium for the 2013 Geman F1...

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9 Feb 2013

Niki Lauda: Mercedes top 3 F1 championship contender

Sebastian Vettel is the best, but Mercedes can be a top-three contender in 2013. That is the claim of Niki Lauda, the triple world...

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9 Feb 2013

Force India eyes Karthikeyan for 2013 F1 seat

Narain Karthikeyan has emerged as a surprise contender to fill the final spot on the 2013 grid. Although the Indian driver and team boss...

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9 Feb 2013

Ferrari F1 denies Alonso rib injury rumours

Ferrari on Friday denied F1 rumours Fernando Alonso is nursing an injury. Most suspect that the Spaniard is sitting out the Jerez test this...

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8 Feb 2013

Pedro de la Rosa's Ferrari F1 career was smoking

Pedro de la Rosa's Ferrari career got off to a smoky start on Friday morning, as the first test of the 2013 pre-season wraps...

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8 Feb 2013

Pirelli - Carosello - 1966

The achievement of the International Championship in Monza in 1956 -- 1966 - Auth. Roberto Gavioli - Provided by Fondazione Pirelli. See all Juan Manuel...

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8 Feb 2013

Juan Manuel Fangio in "Extraordinario" -- 1965

Pirelli historical short movie -- 1965 - Auth. Roberto Gavioli - Provided by Fondazione Pirelli. See all Juan Manuel Fangio info & statistics.

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8 Feb 2013

Caterham Unchained - Episode 1

We're going to be vlogging from inside the Caterham F1 Team throughout our 2013 season.

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8 Feb 2013

Lotus F1 Team Hits the Lights

How can you make Formula 1 - the greatest show on earth - even more spectacular? Well, just add lazers of course! Take a...

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8 Feb 2013

Fastest lap times Jerez F1 wintertest final day 4

The first week of testing for the 2013 F1 season is over. We saw almost all new car be tested to the limit. There...

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8 Feb 2013

Massa fastest in new Ferrari F138 F1 wintertesting day 3

Felipe Massa emotions were in the brazing zone on Thursday, despite putting Ferrari's new F138 on top of the test timesheets at Jerez. "It...

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8 Feb 2013

Kimi Raikkonen splits up with wife

Kimi Raikkonen has split up with his wife after an eight years of marriage. When a McLaren driver, the Finn married former Miss Scandinavia...

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8 Feb 2013

Sauber wants reserve F1 driver Frijns to race in 2013 season

Peter Sauber has urged Robin Frijns, the Swiss F1 team's new reserve driver, to find a race cockpit in another series for 2013. Recently,...

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8 Feb 2013

Maldonado: Bottas not a green rookie

Pastor Maldonado, who in 2013 enters his third F1 season with Williams, thinks new teammate Valtteri Bottas will get quickly up to speed. Actually,...

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8 Feb 2013

Christian Horner doubts F1 teams will drop vanity panels

Christian Horner thinks 'vanity panels' are here to stay. This year, the FIA has allowed designers to cover the unseemly 'step' in the noses...

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8 Feb 2013

Pat Symonds: F1 exit for Timo Glock because Marussia needs every penny

Marussia parted with Timo Glock because a backmarker team needs every million. That is the claim of Pat Symonds, the former Renault 'crash-gate' conspirator...

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8 Feb 2013

Paul Di Resta enjoying status as Force India only F1 driver

Paul di Resta has admitted he is quite enjoying his current status as Force India's only race driver. Since parting with now Sauber racer...

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8 Feb 2013

Red Bull's Adrian Newey wants to manage as little as possible

Adrian Newey has revealed a secret of his success at Red Bull -- the team lets him get on with the job of designing...

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8 Feb 2013

Meet Nico Hülkenberg - Sauber F1 Team

Meet Nico Hülkenberg! We asked Nico about his thoughts on the upcoming season. This is what he told us.

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8 Feb 2013

Meet Esteban Gutiérrez - Sauber F1 Team

Meet Esteban Gutiérrez! We asked Esteban about his thoughts on the upcoming season. This is what he told us.

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8 Feb 2013

James Rossiter hits mechanic in Jerez F1 pitstop

James Rossiter, Force India's simulator driver, crashed into a mechanic on Thursday morning at Jerez. The 29-year-old Briton, with F1 experience under his belt...

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7 Feb 2013

Felipe Massa quick with Ferrari F138 on F1 wintertest at Jerez day 3

Today on the 3rd day of the 4 days Jerez F1 wintertesting in Spain, Felipe Massa sets very quick lap times on the timesheets...

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7 Feb 2013