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Gulf Today
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Gulf Today
Leclerc ends Ferrari barren run with stunning pole ahead of McLaren
Charles Leclerc stunned himself and runaway leaders McLaren with an exceptional late lap to end Ferrari's barren qualifying run by claiming pole position for Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix. Excelling on a circuit that on Thursday he had described as his worst of the year, the 27-year-old Monegasque clocked a best lap of one minute and 15.372 seconds to beat the champion team which had dominated every previous practice session. 'Wow, wow!, Mama Mia!' exclaimed Leclerc after his beautifully-judged late lap on Saturday put him top in windy conditions at the Hungaroring and claim his first pole of the season for the Italian team. 'Today, I don't understand anything about F1! The whole of qualifying has been so extremely difficult - and when I say that I am not exaggerating. 'It was super difficult for us to get to Q2 and Q3, in Q3 the conditions changed a little bit and everything became a lot trickier and I knew I had to just do a clean lap to target third. 'But at the end of the day, it's pole position and I definitely did not expect that. Honestly, I just don't have any words for this. It's one of my best poles and the most unexpected.' While series leader Oscar Piastri and the Australian's McLaren team-mate and title rival Lando Norris found themselves unable to cope with changing conditions in the final minutes, Leclerc improved his lap time to snatch his unexpected pole. Charles Leclerc reacts after he won the qualifying session at the Hungaroring circuit in Mogyorod, near Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday. AFP It was his first at the Hungaroring, his first this year and first since last year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku as well as the 27th of his career. It was Ferrari's first pole in Hungary since Sebastian Vettel in 2017. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fifth ahead of team-mate Lance Stroll, the pair enjoying their best qualifying of the season, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto seventh ahead of Red Bull's four-time champion Max Verstappen and the two Racing Bulls rookies Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar. While Leclerc celebrated his and Ferrari's success, team-mate and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton struggled to swallow his disappointment after qualifying 12th and being knocked out in Q2. 'I'm useless,' said the 40-year-old Briton. 'Absolutely useless. The team has no problem. You've seen the car on pole so they probably need to change driver.' Hamilton's frustration as he fights to find form after moving to Ferrari this year was clear as he ducked into the team motor home without removing his helmet. But Leclerc had proved the potential of the Ferrari car with their recent upgrades package, even in what proved to be challenging changing conditions. 'I could feel it was changing a lot and I was on the lower side of the downforce so, when the rain started in Q2, I was hoping that it wouldn't stay for long,' said Leclerc. 'It didn't but the conditions changed which made everything very tricky and at the end we were on pole position!' Looking ahead to the race, Leclerc said: 'The start and Turn One will be key, but I have no idea how it will go. One thing for sure is that I will do absolutely everything in order to keep that first place! 'If we manage to do that then that should make our life easier for the rest of the race.' Piastri said he had been unable to improve due to a change of wind direction in Q3. Agencies
The Independent
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Turkey joins host of countries eyeing F1 race – and could step-in as soon as 2026
Turkey is looking to claim a permanent spot back on the F1 calendar and has offered the services of Istanbul Park for 2026 should any country be unable to host their race. The Turkish Grand Prix first appeared on the sport's calendar in 2005 for seven iterations, before it was dropped in 2011. However, the race at the popular Istanbul circuit returned in the Covid-hit years of 2020 and 2021. However, the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) have made it known their desire to host a race again. While the 24-race 2026 calendar has already been published, Istanbul could step in if any race – such as the new street track in Madrid, with the race scheduled in September 2026 – is not ready in time. 'As is known, the 2026 calendar has already been announced,' TOSFED president Eren Uclertopragi told Autosport. 'Nevertheless, in the event that a race cannot be held for various reasons, we could host the Turkish Grand Prix.' However, Ulcertopragi has made it known that Turkey – alongside a host of other countries such as South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, Thailand and South Korea – wants a long-term spot on the schedule. 'There is a strong commitment from the government to bring Turkey back onto the Formula 1 calendar with a permanent and long-term agreement. 'Unlike during the pandemic, we do not want to host a one-off replacement race; instead, we aim to secure a place on the calendar through a long-term contract.' The federation's president added that a potential bid has the backing of Turkey's government and its location offers advantages, especially if any potential race can be paired with the nearby Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 'Turkey still has a very popular and unique track, a population of 85 million, great interest in the sport among young people, a market where more than 1.2 million cars are sold annually, factories or major distributors of most F1 car brands located here, and a geopolitical position,' he said. 'The huge spectator potential in countries within a two-to-three-hour flight from Istanbul makes it a country that could add significant value to the F1 calendar if included. 'Preferably, September is a month when the weather is good in Istanbul and students return to school. Therefore, I think it would be very convenient to organise the race in September. 'The fact that the Azerbaijan GP will also take place in our sister country in September could make things easier for Formula 1 teams in terms of logistics. A race that can be held before or after going to or returning from Baku would be a relatively lower-cost and easier operation for F1.' With the Dutch Grand Prix set to leave the calendar after 2026 and Barcelona also dropping off, two spots could open up for 2027. F1 is keen to host a race in Africa, the only habitable continent it does not host an event in, while a street track in Bangkok is also being considered by bosses of the sport.
TimesLIVE
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Gayton McKenzie names potential sponsors for South African F1 Grand Prix
Sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie has given the strongest indication yet that the country may be close to securing a round of the Formula One championship at Kyalami. Speaking to parliament on Tuesday, he said after meetings with the management of F1, the 'crucial one' would happen in the next two weeks and would be attended by potential sponsors ready to fund the event, which reputedly costs about R2bn. Expected to take place in 2027, it would be the first F1 race to be held in South Africa since 1993, a grand prix won by Alain Prost in a Williams. McKenzie's comments come after Kyalami was recently given the green light for upgrades by the FIA, the organisation that runs F1 racing. Kyalami owner Toby Venter revealed last month the FIA had accepted final design proposals to upgrade the 4.5km circuit from Grade 2 to Grade 1 status, the international standard required to host Formula One racing. The upgrade requires no change to the circuit layout and focuses on enhancing run-off areas, barrier systems, debris fencing, kerbs and drainage. 'When we hosted the Fifa World Cup, we put our country on the map to host big events, and we should not turn back now,' McKenzie told parliament on Tuesday. 'What will be different this time is that government will not be expected to pay. Companies such as MTN, MultiChoice, Heineken and many more have raised their hands and will be present with us in the meeting with Formula One management at the end of the month. 'We've even had patriots saying whenever you need help come to us, one of them being the richest man in the country, Johann Rupert.' In December McKenzie set up an F1 bid steering committee to consider submissions from local promoters and three were received: one from Kyalami and two from Cape Town. While no official announcement has been made about which bid was successful, it is all but certain that Kyalami, which hosted its first F1 race in 1967 and has long held a prominent place in local motorsport, is the preferred option. Several attempts to bring the Grand Prix back to the country were thwarted due to the high cost of hosting the event. As a motorsport fan, McKenzie has campaigned for the country to be on the F1 calendar since his appointment as sports minister in July 2024. He said F1 can't be considered a world championship if it misses an entire continent. Morocco and South Africa have hosted world championship grands prix in the past, Casablanca in 1958, South Africa in East London in the 1960s and Kyalami 20 times between 1967 and 1993. McKenzie kick-started the process when he met Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in September. He said many laughed when he said Formula One should come back to South Africa. 'To those who say the country can't afford to host the F1, I'm saying the country can't afford not to host it,' he said, referring to the economic benefits he believed the event could bring in terms of tourism and temporary job creation. It is not known how much tickets would cost, but they are likely to be expensive. The cheapest adult ticket at this year's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne was about R2,000.
Biz Bahrain
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Biz Bahrain
Formula 1 and FIA 2026 calendar update
Formula 1 and the FIA are today announcing the 2026 pre-season testing dates. In 2026 there will be three tests: • Test one will be a private test and will take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya between 26 -30 January. • Test two will take place at the Bahrain international Circuit between 11-13 February. • Test three will take place at the Bahrain international Circuit between 18–20 February. We can also confirm that following a request from the Azerbaijan promoter and relevant government stakeholders, Formula 1 and the FIA have agreed to move the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix from Sunday 27th September to Saturday 26th to accommodate a national day. All the F1 teams have been informed of this change, which will mean each day of the event will move one day earlier. Scroll to Top
Time Out Abu Dhabi
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 dates have just been announced
Yas Marina will once again bring the curtain down on the Formula 1 season – but before the bubbly sprays start in Abu Dhabi, the 2026 schedule has been officially locked in. Formula 1 and the FIA have confirmed the official dates for pre-season testing ahead of the 2026 championship. Before the action arrives at Yas Marina, testing will get underway in Spain and Bahrain. First up is a private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from January 26 to 30, followed by two official sessions in Bahrain – February 11 to 13 and February 18 to 20. Bahrain will get an early taste of the season, but make no mistake – all roads still lead to Abu Dhabi for the grand finale. Next year, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is scheduled for December 4 to 6 – the final race of the 2026 season and, as always, one of the most glamorous and high-profile events in the F1 calendar. Expect the biggest names in motorsport, major musical acts and an electric atmosphere that transforms Yas Island into the centre of the racing world. Elsewhere on the calendar, there's been one notable date change: the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, originally set for Sunday September 27, will now be held on Saturday September 26. The switch comes at the request of local organisers to accommodate a national day, with the entire race weekend moving forward by one day. The full 2026 F1 season kicks off in Australia from March 6 to 8. From there, it spans five continents before making its final stop – where else? – right here in Abu Dhabi. More going on in Abu Dhabi The 27 best things to do indoors this summer in Abu Dhabi It's time for some air-conditioned bliss Yas Waterworld's epic new expansion is opening this summer – including 12 new slides Weeeeee! 25 brilliant beach and pool day passes in Abu Dhabi Grab your SPF – a lush day by the water awaits
