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Filip Cleeren
Author

Filip Cleeren

After concluding his journalism studies Filip decided to jump in at the deep end and become a freelance motorsports writer, which took him on a nomadic 50-country journey from Indianapolis to Le Mans and from Melbourne's Albert Park to the Dakar in Argentina. Born and raised in Belgium and now settled in sunny Barcelona, Spain, Filip first joined Motorsport.com in 2015 to help establish the Dutch edition before transitioning to the English-language team. In 2023 he became one of Motorsport Network's main F1 correspondents, with the 2026 season his fourth year on the ground at the majority of grands prix. Being Flemish, when he's not covering F1 you're likely to catch him watching pro cycling instead, but he also has a soft spot for Southampton FC and the Toronto Blue Jays. Don't ask!

Latest articles by Filip Cleeren

Oscar Piastri tears into "unacceptable" Carlos Sainz incident, accepts McLaren strategy

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Hungarian GP
Oscar Piastri tears into "unacceptable" Carlos Sainz incident, accepts McLaren strategy

F1 Hungarian GP: Lando Norris takes first 2026 win as frustrated Oscar Piastri retires

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Hungarian GP
F1 Hungarian GP: Lando Norris takes first 2026 win as frustrated Oscar Piastri retires

McLaren responds to Oscar Piastri's "not ideal" upgrade frustration

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Hungarian GP
McLaren responds to Oscar Piastri's "not ideal" upgrade frustration

Kimi Antonelli handed grid drop for yellow flag infringement in F1 Hungarian GP qualifying

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Hungarian GP
Kimi Antonelli handed grid drop for yellow flag infringement in F1 Hungarian GP qualifying

George Russell to undergo Mercedes engine change, but avoids F1 Hungarian GP grid drop

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Hungarian GP
George Russell to undergo Mercedes engine change, but avoids F1 Hungarian GP grid drop

Lewis Hamilton slapped with grid drop for impeding Oscar Piastri in F1 Hungarian GP qualifying

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Hungarian GP
Lewis Hamilton slapped with grid drop for impeding Oscar Piastri in F1 Hungarian GP qualifying

Kimi Antonelli risks grid drop as stewards launch Hungary F1 qualifying investigation

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Hungarian GP
Kimi Antonelli risks grid drop as stewards launch Hungary F1 qualifying investigation

F1 Hungarian GP: Lando Norris pips Lewis Hamilton to nail biting pole position

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Hungarian GP
F1 Hungarian GP: Lando Norris pips Lewis Hamilton to nail biting pole position

F1 Hungarian GP: Lando Norris edges Lewis Hamilton in final Hungaroring practice

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Hungarian GP
F1 Hungarian GP: Lando Norris edges Lewis Hamilton in final Hungaroring practice

Charles Leclerc: "I don't expect us to have today's gap" in F1 Hungary qualifying

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Hungarian GP
Charles Leclerc: "I don't expect us to have today's gap" in F1 Hungary qualifying

F1 Hungarian GP: Lewis Hamilton tops FP2 as Franco Colapinto brings out red flags

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Hungarian GP
F1 Hungarian GP: Lewis Hamilton tops FP2 as Franco Colapinto brings out red flags

Lance Stroll misses F1 Hungary FP2 after Aston Martin suspension failure

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Hungarian GP
Lance Stroll misses F1 Hungary FP2 after Aston Martin suspension failure

Carlos Sainz warned, Max Verstappen let off for F1 Hungary GP incident

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Hungarian GP
Carlos Sainz warned, Max Verstappen let off for F1 Hungary GP incident

F1 Hungarian GP: Charles Leclerc tops FP1 as Lance Stroll brings out red flags

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Hungarian GP
F1 Hungarian GP: Charles Leclerc tops FP1 as Lance Stroll brings out red flags

Malaysia investigating F1 2026 round as Bahrain plan fades

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Hungarian GP
Malaysia investigating F1 2026 round as Bahrain plan fades

‘If you're not ready to adapt, you're not good enough’ - Lando Norris addresses F1's 2026 changing driving styles

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Hungarian GP
‘If you're not ready to adapt, you're not good enough’ - Lando Norris addresses F1's 2026 changing driving styles

Mercedes introduces new 612hp F1 safety car

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Hungarian GP
Mercedes introduces new 612hp F1 safety car

Cadillac's Sergio Perez fears Aston Martin's Hungary B-spec will "close the gap"

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Belgian GP
Cadillac's Sergio Perez fears Aston Martin's Hungary B-spec will "close the gap"

Why nationality should be 'no factor' as Haas considers Fornaroli and Camara for F1 2027

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Hungarian GP
Why nationality should be 'no factor' as Haas considers Fornaroli and Camara for F1 2027

McLaren brings long-awaited Hungary F1 upgrade, trials 'Macarena' rear wing

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Belgian GP
McLaren brings long-awaited Hungary F1 upgrade, trials 'Macarena' rear wing

Oscar Piastri among drivers skipping FP1 as rookies join F1 Hungary weekend

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Belgian GP
Oscar Piastri among drivers skipping FP1 as rookies join F1 Hungary weekend

Fernando Alonso: F1 future decision hinges on rules, not Aston Martin’s performance

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Fernando Alonso: F1 future decision hinges on rules, not Aston Martin’s performance

Mercedes "still struggling" to understand George Russell's deployment issues

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Belgian GP
Mercedes "still struggling" to understand George Russell's deployment issues

McLaren: Lando Norris had outright pace for second in F1 Belgian GP

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Belgian GP
McLaren: Lando Norris had outright pace for second in F1 Belgian GP

Winners and losers from F1's Belgian Grand Prix

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Belgian GP
Winners and losers from F1's Belgian Grand Prix

"Kimi can buy me dinner." Valtteri Bottas jokes about his part in Antonelli’s Belgian GP win

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Belgian GP
"Kimi can buy me dinner." Valtteri Bottas jokes about his part in Antonelli’s Belgian GP win

All Mercedes cars struggled with power issue at Belgian GP start, reveals Toto Wolff

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Belgian GP
All Mercedes cars struggled with power issue at Belgian GP start, reveals Toto Wolff

Lewis Hamilton keeps fourth in F1 Belgian GP as mechanic escapes unhurt

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Belgian GP
Lewis Hamilton keeps fourth in F1 Belgian GP as mechanic escapes unhurt

Ferrari criticises "mega harsh" Lewis Hamilton penalty in F1 Belgian GP

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Belgian GP
Ferrari criticises "mega harsh" Lewis Hamilton penalty in F1 Belgian GP

George Russell furious at "dangerous" battery issue before Hamilton Spa clash

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Belgian GP
George Russell furious at "dangerous" battery issue before Hamilton Spa clash

George Russell out of F1 Belgian GP after Lewis Hamilton contact

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Belgian GP
George Russell out of F1 Belgian GP after Lewis Hamilton contact

Why F1 drivers are being beaten by their own power units

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Belgian GP
Why F1 drivers are being beaten by their own power units

Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari "didn't feel the same" after Belgian GP practice crash

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Belgian GP
Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari "didn't feel the same" after Belgian GP practice crash

“Serious issue at play” – Why George Russell changed his mind about deficit to Kimi Antonelli

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Belgian GP
“Serious issue at play” – Why George Russell changed his mind about deficit to Kimi Antonelli

Explained: How yellow flag error cost Charles Leclerc in Belgian F1 qualifying

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Belgian GP
Explained: How yellow flag error cost Charles Leclerc in Belgian F1 qualifying

Max Verstappen: I wouldn't be on Belgian GP front row without Isack Hadjar's help

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Belgian GP
Max Verstappen: I wouldn't be on Belgian GP front row without Isack Hadjar's help

Why Cadillac abandoned its split F1 livery

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Belgian GP
Why Cadillac abandoned its split F1 livery

Aston Martin braced for one more weekend of pain in F1 Belgian GP

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Aston Martin braced for one more weekend of pain in F1 Belgian GP

Mercedes "chasing" George Russell improvement after messy Belgian GP Friday

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Belgian GP
Mercedes "chasing" George Russell improvement after messy Belgian GP Friday

How Racing Bulls let a driver shootout decide who got its Spa F1 cooling upgrade

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How Racing Bulls let a driver shootout decide who got its Spa F1 cooling upgrade

Isack Hadjar set for Belgian GP grid penalty after F1 engine change

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Belgian GP
Isack Hadjar set for Belgian GP grid penalty after F1 engine change

"Not the same challenge" or an "interesting" exercise? - Drivers on Spa's appeal in F1 2026

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Belgian GP
"Not the same challenge" or an "interesting" exercise? - Drivers on Spa's appeal in F1 2026

Red Bull reverts to conventional rear wing in Belgium after worrying Max Verstappen crashes

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Belgian GP
Red Bull reverts to conventional rear wing in Belgium after worrying Max Verstappen crashes

Lando Norris faces Belgium GP grid drop as McLaren takes new Mercedes F1 power unit parts

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Lando Norris faces Belgium GP grid drop as McLaren takes new Mercedes F1 power unit parts

Why F1's future engine rules offer new opportunities but also new pitfalls

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Why F1's future engine rules offer new opportunities but also new pitfalls

Toto Wolff: I stand by Mercedes' performance focus, but now we must sort reliability

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Toto Wolff: I stand by Mercedes' performance focus, but now we must sort reliability

Audi highlights “importance of efficiency” in next-generation F1 engines

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Belgian GP
Audi highlights “importance of efficiency” in next-generation F1 engines

The Next Generation: Luke Browning

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British GP
The Next Generation: Luke Browning

Fernando Alonso has "no idea" what he’ll do when he eventually retires from F1

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British GP
Fernando Alonso has "no idea" what he’ll do when he eventually retires from F1

Audi's Mattia Binotto calls for F1 ADUO rethink amid exploit fears

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British GP
Audi's Mattia Binotto calls for F1 ADUO rethink amid exploit fears

Mercedes investigating George Russell's British GP top speed issue

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British GP
Mercedes investigating George Russell's British GP top speed issue

One year on: How Red Bull changed post-Christian Horner

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One year on: How Red Bull changed post-Christian Horner

Why Fred Vasseur's steady hand is exactly what fervent Ferrari needs right now

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British GP
Why Fred Vasseur's steady hand is exactly what fervent Ferrari needs right now

Toto Wolff expecting strong Ferrari challenge for 'rest of F1 2026'

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British GP
Toto Wolff expecting strong Ferrari challenge for 'rest of F1 2026'

Fred Vasseur dismisses Ferrari F1 title talk: "Let's focus on Spa"

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British GP
Fred Vasseur dismisses Ferrari F1 title talk: "Let's focus on Spa"

F1 could move away from customer power units in 2031

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British GP
F1 could move away from customer power units in 2031

Toto Wolff: I wish Abu Dhabi 2021 had been handled like the F1 British GP

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British GP
Toto Wolff: I wish Abu Dhabi 2021 had been handled like the F1 British GP

Juan Pablo Montoya calls for F1 rule change after Kimi Antonelli penalty

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British GP
Juan Pablo Montoya calls for F1 rule change after Kimi Antonelli penalty

Winners and losers from F1 British GP

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British GP
Winners and losers from F1 British GP

Mercedes won't contest Kimi Antonelli's British GP track limits penalty

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Mercedes won't contest Kimi Antonelli's British GP track limits penalty