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IOL News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli may vacate seat for Max Verstappen
Andrea Kimi Antonelli. left, has impressed in his rookie Formula One season but may be temporarily moved to Alpine if Mercedes finalise a deal for Max Verstappen. Photo: AFP Image: AFP Formula One rookie sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 18, is likely to be the one to vacate his Mercedes seat should Toto Wolff pull the trigger on a blockbuster move for Max Verstappen, according to Italian media. The F1 world watched with anticipation at the start of the season as Wolff's gamble on the Italian teenager either threatened to backfire or deliver big. Replacing Lewis Hamilton was never going to be straightforward, but it only took a couple of races for Antonelli to prove he might be championship material. The Italian fought from P16 to finish P4 on debut during a wet Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. Since then, he has claimed a P3 podium during a dream race weekend for Mercedes, with George Russell taking the win. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Despite showing enormous promise, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Mercedes are actively exploring a temporary placement for Antonelli at Alpine — a team currently struggling to find a reliable partner for Pierre Gasly. Alpine are also set to become a Mercedes customer team from next season, giving further credence to the potential switch. What added fuel to the Antonelli transfer speculation was a boating sighting off the coast of Sardinia this week. Vessels belonging to both Verstappen and Wolff were reportedly seen in the same stretch of the Mediterranean, suggesting the two may have met to discuss a potential deal. George Russell stoked the fire even more after confirming in Austria that talks with Verstappen were 'ongoing'. The idea of Verstappen lining up alongside Russell once seemed unthinkable, largely due to their frosty relationship. But now, it could become a reality as changes continue to unsettle Red Bull Racing. Although Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until 2028, it has emerged that a performance clause could allow him to leave early. Should the reigning world champion fall below fourth in the Drivers' Championship by the Hungarian Grand Prix, a release clause could be activated — opening the door for Mercedes. Red Bull, who once dominated the sport, appear a shadow of their former selves. Key personnel have departed the Milton Keynes outfit, most notably team principal Christian Horner. Laurent Mekies of Racing Bulls has been linked as a potential successor, but the team's direction remains uncertain. Verstappen's quest for a fifth consecutive title is under threat, with McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri leading the charge at the sharp end of the grid. Meanwhile, Antonelli has delivered more than Wolff could have hoped for from a teenager — though not without error. He has shown occasional inexperience, including a high-profile incident in Austria when he collided with Verstappen on the opening lap, forcing both drivers to retire. Should he be moved, Alpine would be fortunate to acquire the young Italian, who could provide the boost they need to mount a proper midfield challenge against the likes of Williams.
The Print
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Print
Plot twists, penalties & papaya dominance, F1's 2025 season is pure chaos in motion
While Formula One is traditionally centred around pole positions, tyre management and strategy, the 2025 season has produced some viral and memorable moments. New Delhi: With its mayhem and chaos, Formula One in its current season has felt less like a motorsport championship and more like a reality TV show with viewers clutching as if they were witnessing Netflix docu-series Drive to Survive in real time. First, McLaren, dubbed the team in papaya, caused a stir when Oscar Piastri bounced back from a disappointing Australian Grand Prix by converting pole position into an assured victory. Then, Lando Norris followed up by clinching a podium just nine seconds behind Piastri. Real drama unfolded when Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were disqualified from the race as their cars failed to clear post-race technical checks. Leclerc's car was found to be 1 kg lighter than the minimum weight requirement, while Hamilton was disqualified due to excessive wear on the skid block—the same issue with the wooden plank beneath the car that had previously cost him a second-place finish at the 2023 United States Grand Prix when he was driving for Mercedes. Alpine's Pierre Gasly finished 11th but was also disqualified for failing post-weight check-ins. If Shanghai was the opening act, Bahrain was the ultimate plot twist. One of the highlights was when McLaren's rising star Piastri clinched pole position at the onset and converted it into a spectacular win at the Bahrain Grand Prix. His teammate Norris, who ascended from sixth to third position, quite literally planted his flag and dipped. Meanwhile, Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda and Williams' Carlos Sainz were caught in a minor collision, which forced Sainz to retire from the Grand Prix, a race he later admitted had been 'frustrating'. Also Read: The F1 movie is visually revolutionary. That still can't make up for a weak storyline F1 never stays quiet for long Bahrain delivered the chaos, Miami brought the heat and then Monaco added the glitz. Drama unfolded at the Miami Grand Prix where Red Bull's Max Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty for an unsafe release into the path of Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes. It wasn't just messy, but also shattered the momentum with Verstappen being dropped down the order and injecting fresh chaos into an already volatile midfield. Monaco in May delivered its trademark glitz but fell short on fireworks. Norris claimed pole and handled the race start with clinical precision, reaffirming that McLaren's resurgence wasn't just a flash in the pan. While practice saw its share of drama–including crashes from Hamilton and Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar–race day played out with surprising restraint. Up front, it was a clean shuffle among the usual suspects: Leclerc, Norris and Verstappen held onto formation like chess pieces on a million-dollar board. No wild overtakes, no rain curveballs, just textbook precision on Formula One's most unforgiving circuit. The Austrian Grand Prix came in hot–or rather locked up and reckless–as Antonelli ploughed into Verstappen at Turn 3 of the first lap. It wiped both of them out and an early safety car was triggered. Verstappen was fuming over the team radio but attempted to keep it cool after the race. Antonelli took the blame upon himself and Red Bull's golden weekend ended before it even began. Then came Silverstone, or the British Grand Prix, where rain, with penalties and redemption arcs arrived in dramatic fashion. The first shakeup came when Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was spun at turn 11 following a clumsy collision with Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls, prompting a safety car that bunched up the field. A record was broken and Norris claimed a home win. Meanwhile, Piastri was slapped with a 10-second penalty for safety car infringement. There was no end to the excitement. Sauber's Nico Hülkenberg finally landed his first-ever podium after 239 starts in Formula 1, the longest any F1 driver has had to wait for a podium result. He celebrated it with a LEGO trophy, which looked straight out of a toy aisle. However, the F1 world was shaken later in the week with the sudden departure of Christian Horner, who acted as the team principal for Red Bull Racing. He led the team for nearly 20 years. Apart from this the latest speculation surrounded Verstappen leaving Red Bull to join Mercedes for the upcoming Formula One season. Pushed on whether he would set a deadline for Verstappen to decide, Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff confirmed 'conversations behind closed doors' were ongoing. George Russell, the Briton who drives for Mercedes, claimed that he has not been given a new Mercedes contract beyond the current season due to the team having 'ongoing talks' with Verstappen. So far, this season has been 30 percent strategy, 70 percent storyline and 100 percent unpredictable. Drivers are switching teams, penalties are flying and fans are hanging on to the drama by a thread. And the best part? We're only halfway done. (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also Read: As F1 world grapples with Red Bull boss Christian Horner's exit, fans have one question—why
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Marc Marquez celebrates 200th MotoGP win at Sachsenring
DPA/Agencies Hohenstein-Ernstthal (Germany) Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez celebrated his 200th race in the premier class with a win at the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring on Sunday. It was his ninth win at the German GP, this time in front of a record crowd of 256,441 people. The Ducati rider claimed his seventh win this season to extend his lead in the championship standings. Marquez is widely considered one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time. Just 10 riders finished the race, marking the first time in MotoGP since the 2011 Australian Grand Prix that so few saw the chequered flag. The starting grid was already depleted, with just 18 riders starting Sunday's 30-lap Grand Prix. During the race, eight riders ultimately failed to make the finish due to crashes. Marc Marquez's brother, Alex, was injured but took an unlikely second-place finish, while Francesco Bagnaia made his way into third having come from 10th on the grid. While the rest of the grid struggled to remain on their bikes at this notoriously tricky Sachsenring track, Marc Marquez enjoyed a dream afternoon. Setting off from pole he was never challenged, crossing the line over six seconds clear for his seventh perfect weekend of 2025 having also won Saturday's sprint. At the midway stage of the 22-race campaign Marquez leads brother Alex by 83 points in the riders' standings, with his Ducati factory teammate Bagnaia a yawning 147 off the lead. 'My confidence is super high now coming here with three wins in a row and now it's four,' beamed Marquez. 'I have to be really concentrated for the second half of the season,' he added. His younger sibling was competing despite fracturing his left hand at the Dutch MotoGP a fortnight ago. For Marquez this was his seventh race win of the year and fourth on the trot as he tightens his grip on a seventh MotoGP world title - and first since 2019 - to draw level with the legendary Valentino Rossi. The last time only 10 riders completed a MotoGP was in Australia, 14 years ago. Results & Standings (Top 10) 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Ducati) 40min 42.854sec, 2. Alex Marquez (ESP/Ducati-Gresini) at 6.380sec, 3. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) 7.080, 4. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) 18.738, 5. Fermin Aldeguer (ESP/Ducati-Gresini) 18.916, 6. Luca Marini (ITA/Honda) 24.743, 7. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 24.820, 8. Jack Miller (AUS/Yamaha-Pramac) 25.757, 9. Raul Fernandez (ESP/Aprilia-Trackhouse) 25.859, 10. Alex Rins (ESP/Yamaha) 39.419 DNF: Miguel Oliveira (POR/Yamaha-Pramac), Pedro Acosta (ESP/KTM), Johann Zarco (FRA/Honda-LCR), Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA/Ducati-VR46), Lorenzo Savadori (ITA/Aprilia), Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Aprilia), Joan Mir (ESP/Honda), Ai Ogura (JPN/Aprilia-Trackhouse) Overall (after 11 of 22 races) 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Ducati) 344 pts, 2. Alex Marquez (ESP/Ducati-Gresini) 261, 3. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) 197, 4. Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA/Ducati-VR46) 142, 5. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Ducati-VR46) 139, 6. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Aprilia) 130, 7. Johann Zarco (FRA/Honda-LCR) 104, 8. Pedro Acosta (ESP/KTM) 99, 9. Fermin Aldeguer (ESP/Ducati-Gresini) 92, 10. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) 87
The 42
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Pleasant pitstop in Adelaide culminates with Lions' last warm-up
THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL known as Illuminate Adelaide is running at the moment in the capital of South Australia. Light shows and music bring energy to the city after dark. It's the Australian winter now, so sundown is not long after 5pm. The bright colours are welcome. There is a lovely atmosphere around the city as families enjoy the interactive parts of the festival. Andy Farrell is hoping for a few moments of illumination himself when his Lions take on the AUNZ Invitational XV on Saturday [KO 11am Irish time, Sky Sports] in their final warm-up game before meeting the Wallabies in the first Test next weekend. The Lions will move onto Brisbane on Sunday and they're all looking forward to having a full week of preparation in one place without a midweek game to worry about. Farrell insisted he wasn't 'whingeing' when he brought up the tough schedule again on Thursday, but he is eager for the singular focus of the Test week. For everyone else, it has been a pleasure to get this three-night pitstop in Adelaide. South Australia certainly isn't known as rugby union country. They don't get many Wallabies Tests here. The last one was in 2022 when they beat the Springboks and Marika Koroibete, who plays for the AUNZ side, made a phenomenal try-saving tackle on Makazole Mapimpi. The time before that was in 2004. A lights show at the Art Gallery of South Australia. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo So while this Lions game isn't a Test, the rugby locals in Adelaide are happy to have them in town. Their last visit was back in 1888, so the folk in Adelaide have been waiting a while. Advertisement Aussie Rules is king in these parts. The city of around 1.35 million people has two AFL clubs, Port Adelaide Football Club and Adelaide Football Club, both of whom play games at the Oval. There's also an A-League soccer team, Adelaide United. Australia play cricket Tests at the Adelaide Oval and there are two local professional basketball teams, as well as the Adelaide Giants of the Australian Baseball League, and ice hockey's Adelaide Adrenaline. They used to have the Australian Grand Prix in Formula One here, but that moved to Melbourne in 1996. Adelaide is young. Founded in 1836, it is impressively neatly planned, with the descent of our plane from Canberra giving a great view of the regular rectangular grids of buildings in between dead-straight streets. There are wide boulevards and lots of parks around the city centre, as well as the River Torrens flowing through it. Adelaide Oval, where the Lions game takes place, is a short stroll from the CBD. Thursday evening's Lions press conference was at the enchanting St Peter's College, which is certainly the nicest school most of the travelling media have ever seen. It looks like Hogwarts from Harry Potter, only more polished. Its Memorial Hall, built for alumni who lost their lives in World War I, is monumental. The sports facilities are elite. Once the drama of the Lions team naming, Blair Kinghorn's injury, and Jamie Obsorne's call-up had died down, it was time to sample the local cuisine and wine. Good Gilbert was exceptional, as was their recommendation of the Hains & Co bar downtown. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO Friday meant a chance to visit the calming Botanic Gardens and to get out on the fantastic running trails along the River Torrens, leading all the way to the ocean at Henley Beach. Staring out at the St Vincent Gulf and onwards to Antarctica was one of those moments when you realise this job brings you to cool places. The Lions did their usual captain's run at the Adelaide Oval, which will welcome lots of visiting supporters. The last few days have been the first time in which touring Lions supporters have been noticeable. It will be Test week before they truly make their presence felt, but there has been an uptick in Adelaide. The city will benefit hugely from the Lions' visit, with hotels, restaurants, and bars cashing in. Local authorities said they anticipated 15,000 visitors from abroad and other Aussie states just for this game. A fanzone has been set up on the riverbank and they're expecting a big crowd at the 53,500-capacity Adelaide Oval. Anyone with a match ticket gets free transport on the buses and trams. Opportunity now beckons for the Lions in Adelaide in this final audition for the first Test and they'll be expecting a powerful challenge from an AUNZ side that contains lots of power and class. This game should be the engaging culmination of a very pleasant visit to Adelaide. AUNZ INVITATIONAL XV: Shaun Stevenson; AJ Lam, Ngani Laumape, David Havili (co-captain), Marika Koroibete; Tane Edmed, Folau Fakatava; Aidan Ross, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen; Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (co-captain); Shannon Frizell, Pete Samu, Hoskins Sotutu. Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu'a, George Dyer, Matt Philip, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Jock Campbell. LIONS: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van Der Merwe; Fin Smith, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Will Stuart; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne (captain); Henry Pollock, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl. Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Finlay Bealham, Scott Cummings, Josh van der Flier, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Owen Farrell. Referee: Andrea Piardi [Italy].
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Christian Horner's fate may have been sealed after ‘cold' interaction with Red Bull owners at Austrian Grand Prix
CHRISTIAN HORNER'S fate my have been sealed after a frosty interaction with Red Bull's owners in Austria, reports claim. Horner was sensationally SACKED by Red Bull with immediate effect after 20 years as team principal on Wednesday. 7 Christian Horner reportedly endured a cold reception at the Austria Grand Prix Credit: Getty 7 Chalerm Yoovidhya holds the majority 51 per cent stake in Red Bull Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Horner has faced a turbulent 18 months on and off the track, after the sexting scandal over inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague leaked in March 2024. The Brit, 51, has had several rows with Jos Verstappen, father of star driver Max, since the fallout, with several high-profile figures quitting the team, including legendary chief designer Adrian Newey. Reports of hostility among Red Bull's team have continued to grow even after Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing by an internal investigation. And there has been reports of a growing rift between Horner and Red Bull's Thai owners, who chose not to sack him after the scandal broke. READ MORE HORNER NEWS Chris cross Horner SACKED by Red Bull after 20yr stint just 12 months on from sext scandal F1 journalist Joal Lischika reported seeing the owners greet Horner "coldly" in the hospitality unit at the Austria Grand Prix weekend in June. The Yoovidhya family, through Chalerm Yoovidhya, holds the majority 51 per cent stake, while the late Dietrich Mateschitz's son, Mark Mateschitz, inherited his 49 per cent share. To make matters worse Red Bull suffered its worst home race result in recent history, with Max Verstappen crashing out after three laps after being hit by Mercedes No2 Kimi Antontelli. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda had a particularly difficult time, being lapped twice on his way to finish dead-last of those who crossed the chequered flag. 7 Max Verstappen was wiped out by Kimi Antonelli in Austria 7 Despite reports, Horner and the majority owners put on a show of unity as they posed for pictures in the paddock in Austria Credit: AFP CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Four-time world champion Verstappen, 27, qualified down in seventh, while Tsunoda finished qualifying in P18. Despite reports, Horner and the majority owners put on a show of unity as they posed for pictures in the paddock in Austria on June 29. But according to Lischika, there was apparently a growing feeling that Horner simply held too much power, after taking charge of operations during Red Bull's inception in 2005. Red Bull's Christian Horner gives low down on car before F1 season kicks off with Australian Grand Prix Horner, married to Spice Girl Geri Haliwell, was chairman of Red Bull Racing, Red Bull Technology, Red Bull Power Trains, and marketing. The owners have since appointed Laurent Mekies as the new CEO of Red Bull Racing, stepping up from the Racing Bulls team. Horner reportedly had another row with Jos at Silverstone on Sunday, according to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher. Schumacher told the Boxengasse-podcast: "There was another argument or a heated exchange, at least visually and verbally between Jos, Christian Horner, and the press officer. "You could see that Jos was anything but happy with the situation". 7 Geri and Christian appeared hand in hand at the Bahrain Grand Prix after the scandal broke 7 It comes after a series of rows between Verstappen Snr and Horner, with the Dutchman repeatedly calling for Horner's dismissal after the sexting scandal broke hours before the Bahrain race in 2024. Horner's wife Geri was reportedly devastated by the scandal, but stood by her husband in showing signs of solidarity at key races. In total, Horner won EIGHT drivers' championships and six constructors' titles. For the first time ever, a new team principal, Mekies, will lead Red Bull at the Belgian Grand Prix on July 27 after a three week break.
