Latest news with #BackstageBoxengasse
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Schumacher tells Hamilton he 'should have apologised' over Ferrari controversy
Ralf Schumacher has hit out at Lewis Hamilton for his comments on the radio during the Miami Grand Prix, insisting that the Mercedes driver should have apologised Ralf Schumacher has claimed that Lewis Hamilton should have said sorry to Ferrari for his radio remarks at the Miami Grand Prix. The seven-time champion was annoyed after team orders to swap positions with Charles Leclerc. Chasing sixth place and stuck behind team-mate Leclerc, Hamilton's tyres were overheating, leading to his impatient outburst over team radio. Although Ferrari eventually acquiesced, Hamilton still couldn't contain his frustration. To the message advising him of the imminent switch, he retorted: "Ah, have a tea break while you're at it! Come on!" Later, after Leclerc had regained the position and when told about Carlos Sainz closing in, Hamilton sarcastically replied: "You want me to let him pass as well?" Hamilton later passed off his radio comments as nothing of any significance. Reflecting on the exchange, he said: " Fred [Vasseur, team principal] came to my room. "I just put my hand on his shoulder and was like, 'Dude, calm down, don't be so sensitive'. "I could have said way worse things on the radio. You hear some of the things others have said in the past... Some of it was sarcasm. "Look, you've got to understand we're under a huge amount of pressure within the car. You're never going to get the most peaceful messages coming through in the heat of the battle. And yeah, it was fine. We said we'll take it." However, former Williams and Toyota driver Schumacher remains unconvinced by this explanation, reports the Express. Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, he said: "Hamilton, that was somehow off the mark. "If you really want to get past, that's one thing; he was faster at the time. But then give it back without a fight." Schumacher added that a more gracious approach would have suited Hamilton better, given his experience and age. He added: "And afterwards, I don't pretend that I meant it sarcastically. Instead, I just say that I'm sorry. That shouldn't really happen with his experience and his age. He could have acted a bit more cleverly. I think that would have suited him better. "Of course, the relationship [with Ferrari] is tarnished by such actions. That will stick, and he has to know that himself. There is now a need for clarification, and it will definitely be discussed – especially internally, how to deal with it in the future."
News.com.au
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Jack Doohan crashes out in Miami, heaps pressure on Aussie's spot on grid
Jack Doohan's tough start to his Formula One career has continued after the Australian crashed out of the Miami Grand Prix on the opening lap. Oscar Piastri won in Miami on Monday morning (AEST), becoming the first McLaren driver since 1998 to win three races in a row as he held off teammate Lando Norris to extend his lead in the championship. Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every qualifying session and race in the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship™, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during racing. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. But it wasn't such good news for Doohan, who started 14th on the grid but came unstuck at Turn 1 when he made contact with Liam Lawson in an incident that ultimately ended both their races early. 'That's wretched luck for Jack Doohan, who outqualified his teammate Pierre Gasly for the first time,' Sky Sports commentator David Croft said. Doohan's front left tyre went straight off the rim and he was forced out of the race with a tyre puncture. Martin Brundle said on Sky Sports it 'wrecked both their races'. Lawson was fuming, telling Racing Bulls team radio: 'I got completely hit mate, I got no idea what the Alpine was doing.' The incident continued Doohan's turbulent start to his F1 career at Alpine — his results from the six races so far are: DNF, 15th, 15th, 14th, 17th, DNF. Doohan crashed out in Australia and suffered a huge crash in practice in Japan last month, which was due to Doohan having the DRS flap on his rear wing open and taking too much speed into the corner. The son of MotoGP legend Mick Doohan has shown glimpses of strong pace but his spot on the grid will come under scrutiny if he continues to be involved in crashes and rack up DNFs. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes Doohan's seat is safe for 2025 despite the pressure of Alpine's highly touted reserve driver Franco Colpainto waiting in the wings. 'That's why it's maybe a bit harsh and unfair, but I would say that in relation to the other rookies, you can see that he's someone who might not necessarily be competing for the world championship at some point, so to speak,' Schumacher said on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast. 'And if the money doesn't come in from Colapinto, then I don't think he will be exchanged for the time being, because I hear Doohan also has a sponsor worth $17.7m AUD in the bag, and that has to be paid out somehow. 'I can imagine that he will survive somehow, but Flavio (Briatore, Alpine Executive advisor) is always good for a surprise.' Doohan's crash in Miami came after the 22-year-old hit out at Alpine after a pit lane blunder saw him eliminated in the opening qualifying session. Doohan and Yuki Tsunoda were both blocked in their attempts to get back on the track for a final flying lap in the session. They were unable to get out of pit lane before the session ended. Doohan was furious with his Alpine team's failure to get him back on the Miami street circuit — and gave them a piece of his mind over the team's radio. Replays on Sky Sports showed a communication error put Doohan behind teammate Pierre Gasly in the pecking order in a move that ultimately resulted in members of the Alpine crew needing to physically push the car backwards to make the turn out of the garage. The delay saw other cars move ahead of him in the queue and he was never given an opportunity to complete his final flying lap. To say he was angry is an understatement. 'That's not acceptable,' he fumed over team radio. 'If you're going to send him [Gasly] before me, you have to make sure he's ready. 'I can't turn out and have to turn in because he's going to turn into me. 'Then you put me out in Q1. That's a joke.'
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Sebastian Vettel handed unusual F1 ban as he responds to talk of Red Bull return
Sebastian Vettel has been banned from returning to Formula 1 as a driver. But it is not the FIA who has barred the four-time champion from gracing the race track again - instead, Vettel has to answer to people far closer to home. In fact, it is the German racing legend's children who have told him in no uncertain terms that he cannot go back to his jet-setting life in F1. Part of the reason behind his retirement decision in 2022 was because of the stresses placed on family life by commitment to a full F1 race calendar. And now things have become even more intense. F1 now holds 24 events per year across the globe with six of them featuring Sprint races, placing greater strain than ever on those who have to travel for each of them. It is tough for their families, too, who rarely get to see a driver for most of the year. And that is why, Vettel has said, his three children have told him that they don't want him to make the return to the sport that so many F1 fans would love to see. "My children have indicated that I am not allowed to drive anymore," he told Sky Germany. "They really like me being there, and of course that's great to hear. "I've managed to find a rhythm outside of F1, well, and I have managed to keep the sweet peace in the family! I've gotten used to my new life." While a racing return seems to be off the cards, there are other roles in F1 that might suit Vettel which would not require so much travelling. One of them would be back at his old Red Bull team, after adviser Helmut Marko said he would be the ideal candidate to take over from him when he retires. Vettel has plenty of experience and younger drivers coming through Red Bull's academy would certainly benefit from his advice and wisdom. In that same interview, when pressed on Marko's words, he was coy on the subject as he replied: "Those are big questions to which there are no quick answers." But he was more forthcoming in an appearance on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast and did not rule out the possibility of an F1 role in the future. Vettel said: "There is only one Helmut and the role is quite clear. But yes, I think that in general, the exchange was very inspiring and of course, the experiences that I have and Helmut has are similar in a certain way. "He also grew up in motorsport, albeit at a completely different time, but the wheel still turns the same in a certain way, and the same things matter today as they did however many years ago, even if Formula 1 has changed significantly. I do think that there are many things and perspectives or parallels that could be passed on. "Whether that's something for the future, we'll see. I'm still in contact with him, I asked him how much longer he wanted to do it a few years ago, and he said not that much longer, and he's still doing it. So, as long as he still enjoys it and feels up to the job... It will be a shame if he leaves at some point, but of course the team then has to develop in a new, different direction."
News.com.au
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
$17m sponsor detail saving Jack Doohan's Formula 1 seat with Alpine
Jack Doohan's spot on the Formula 1 grid appears secure for 2025 and it's all thanks to a $17m sponsor detail. The Aussie driver's seat at Alpine has been in the spotlight with reserve driver Franco Colapinto looming as his replacement. Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every qualifying session and race in the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship™, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during racing. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Many believed the Argentinian should have been given the seat alongside Pierre Gasly following his impressive stint with Williams in the latter stages of the 2024 season. Despite enduring an incident filled start to his rookie season, which has featured two heavy crashes, the 22-year-old Aussie showed promising signs during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Doohan was also reportedly given only a handful of races to prove he belonged in the seat, but former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes he is locked in thanks to one major component … financial backing. Schumacher however delivered a brutal truth bomb to the Aussie, declaring he wasn't a driver who would reach the upper tiers of the sport. 'I don't want to say it quite as harshly as Dr. Marko said that he's a Class C driver,' Schumacher said on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast. 'He is not a Class C driver, certainly, he's a good driver, but, in my opinion, not good enough for Formula 1. 'It is still a bit early of course, and he has a very experienced teammate in Gasly, who is also settled into the team and is receiving support. 'That's why it's maybe a bit harsh and unfair, but I would say that in relation to the other rookies, you can see that he's someone who might not necessarily be competing for the world championship at some point, so to speak. 'And if the money doesn't come in from Colapinto, then I don't think he will be exchanged for the time being, because I hear Doohan also has a sponsor worth $17.7m AUD in the bag, and that has to be paid out somehow. 'I can imagine that he will survive somehow, but Flavio (Briatore, Alpine Executive advisor) is always good for a surprise.' While Doohan may have financial backing behind him, results must follow if he's to remain on the grid. The Aussie crashed out in the Australian Grand Prix, finished 15th in China before being elevated to 13th place. He was then lucky to walk away from a high-speed crash during a practice session in Japan before he recovered to finish 15th in the race. He showed promising signs in Bahrain, narrowly missing out on Q3 as he qualified 11th before slipping back in the race to finish 14th. During the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix he failed to make inroads as he started and crossed the line in 17th. Alpine currently sit equal last in the constructors standings, tied with Kick Sauber on six points. All of which were scored by Gasly during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Doohan will have another chance to show he belongs when the grid takes to Miami with the race set to get underway on May 5 from 6am (AEST).
