Latest news with #Drivers'
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Ted Kravitz thinks Christian Horner ruled out Red Bull bonuses after Monaco GP
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has reportedly given up on winning the Constructors' Championship, which could have financial implications for some staff Sky Sports F1 pundit Ted Kravitz has shared that Red Bull 's team principal, Christian Horner, seems to have thrown in the towel on winning the Constructors' Championship, which could spell financial trouble for some of the team's staff. The Monaco Grand Prix saw Lando Norris clinch his first victory, with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri taking third place behind local favourite and Ferrari ace Charles Leclerc. McLaren continues to rack up crucial points in both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships, leading the latter by a staggering 319 points after eight rounds. They are a massive 172 points ahead of Mercedes, who sit in second place. Current four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen finished fourth in Monaco, while his Red Bull colleague Yuki Tsunoda only managed to secure 17th place. Red Bull are currently third in the Constructors' Championship with 143 points, just one point ahead of Ferrari. Given the seemingly unbridgeable gap between them and McLaren, it appears unlikely they'll be able to close the deficit - a sentiment apparently echoed by Red Bull's team principal, as per Sky Sports ' Kravitz. During 'Ted's Notebook', where Kravitz shares his insights on the latest race and gathers reactions from the paddock, he revealed a telling comment made by Horner about the fate of the Constructors' Championship, reports the Express. The Sky Sports F1 reporter interpreted Horner's words as a sign that those with performance-related bonuses might miss out. "Christian Horner on the Constructors' Championship, I thought was interesting earlier in the weekend," Kravitz said. "In a bit of change since Sergio Perez was in the team, he said: 'Well I think we have to discount the Constructors' Championship.'" Kravitz continued: "Obviously, they kind of do because they haven't found a solution to somebody scoring points with their second car. That's the first time Horner has actually said it. So, if you work at Red Bull and you're after a bonus for winning the Constructors' Championship, I think you can whistle goodbye to it this year." Horner's comments came before the weekend's Grand Prix, where he emphasised the team's dedication to Verstappen's pursuit of five consecutive championships—a record only possessed by Michael Schumacher's dominance with Ferrari in the early 2000s. "Our full focus is on the driver's championship," the Brit declared. "Obviously [if] both cars are scoring, and the more that Yuki works his way up the order, the bigger role he can play. I mean, you saw him play a small role today, working hard to keep Oscar behind him for a crucial lap or so. "But yes, for us, all focus is on that drivers' championship. We've got a very clear number one in our team, and that's where, obviously, the main focus is." Verstappen, currently third in the Drivers' standings, was visibly frustrated after Monaco, where a mandatory last-lap second pit stop saw him drop from first to fourth, watching Norris, Leclerc, and Piastri zoom past to snatch the podium spots. The latest regulation introduced in Monaco this year drew the ire of drivers, with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon echoing Verstappen's discontent. "You can't race here," the exasperated 27-year-old said to Sky Sports F1. "It doesn't matter what you do. One stop, 10 stops. Even at the end, I was in the lead, my tyres were completely gone and you still can't pass. "Nowadays with an F1 car, you can just pass an F2 car around here. I get it but I don't think it's worked. We were almost doing Mario Kart. Then we have to install bits on the car and maybe you can throw bananas around! Slippery surface!"
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
How Brawn GP became the surprise Formula 1 team that beat all odds to become champions
Brawn GP (via Getty Images) In 2009, a tale was witnessed that still echoes around the F1 paddock: that of the emergence of Brawn GP. Conceived out of the wreckage of the Honda F1 team , which suddenly walked away from motorsport in the midst of the global financial crisis, Brawn GP had all the ingredients for disaster. But instead, it made history as it went on to win both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships in their sole season of competition. From Honda's departure to Brawn's crisis rebuild Moore on the Grid: BTS at 3 Sisters Circuit Summer Sprint Round 2 When Honda announced its departure from Formula 1 at the turn of 2008, it left hundreds of engineers, a nearly finished car, and a well-equipped facility in Brackley on hold. But Team Principal Ross Brawn was not about to walk away. He brokered a management buyout and rescued the project in the nick of time. With a new entity—Brawn GP—they required an engine partner. Whilst Ferrari were supportive, Ross Brawn opted to partner with Mercedes-Benz, a move that saved the team beyond 2009. At the heart of this miracle was the BGP001—a nondescript-looking car in its white, sponsor-less colours, but beneath which lay technical brilliance way beyond the competition. Perhaps most strikingly, it boasted a double diffuser—a cunning reinterpretation of the new 2009 rules permitting an additional air channel beneath the car, producing far greater downforce. While the majority of the grid had interpreted the rules conservatively, Brawn GP took advantage of a loophole. Only Toyota and Williams had used similar designs, and none of them had done it as well. Other teams complained, but the FIA declared the diffuser legal, leaving everyone else scrambling to catch up. Even though Brawn GP seemed to have emerged out of nowhere, the car was a result of rigorous Honda R&D before their withdrawal. Honda had spent lavishly on wind tunnel testing—utilising several in the UK and Japan—and even tested hybrid system components that would set a precedent for future F1-era innovations. The team was so far in front of development that it even had an effect on the 2009 aero shift; employing sophisticated CFD simulations and taking advantage of technical loopholes well ahead of competitors had made adjustments. Outside of the diffuser, the BGP001 's aerodynamic solution was full of innovation. The front wing, specially designed, assisted in better tyre wake management, with the adjuster on the inboard section instead of being concealed within the endplates—increasing outwash capacity. The wing itself had a multi-element endplate and double cascade configuration to better control airflow, with the addition of a complex bargeboard system and high-mounted wing mirror struts providing additional vortex creation. A broad, metal bib beneath the chassis contained ballast, aiding aerodynamic equilibrium. A 'snowplow' configuration splits this space and tapers airflow towards the car's underfloor, vital for optimising diffuser efficiency. Although 2009 saw the introduction of KERS to Formula 1, Brawn GP decided against it. Honda had experimented with hybrid technology prior to their departure, even testing nose-mounted battery locations—a revolutionary concept needing special FIA crash test clearance. However, the changeover to Mercedes power and alternative chassis configuration rendered the fitting of KERS impossible. Despite this, the natural aerodynamic efficiency and weight distribution of the car more than made up for the lack of energy recovery. Competitors such as Red Bull Racing and McLaren eventually came up with their own versions of the double diffuser , but their designs were frequently limited by suspension design. Red Bull's RB5, featuring pull-rod rear suspension, had little room to fit in the extra airflow channel. By the time their rivals caught up—midway through the season—Brawn GP had a lead that no one could challenge. Jenson Button won six of the first seven Grands Prix, while his teammate Rubens Barrichello scored two more victories towards the end of the season. A championship fairytale With minimal mid-season evolution courtesy of budget restraints, Brawn GP fell back on the sheer genius of its out-of-the-box package. Even with upgradations by richer teams during the season, the early-season supremacy was enough to win both titles. The 2009 Drivers' Championship was won by Jenson Button, while in its sole season of existence, Brawn GP won the Constructors' title. Ross Brawn had achieved the unthinkable. Also read: Brawn GP's 2009 title-winning F1 car sold for a staggering $3.8 million at Miami Grand Prix Now, the BGP001 is remembered as a championship-winning car which brought together imagination, determination, and vision when presented with a golden opportunity.
The Independent
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Miami Grand Prix Prediction: Norris to Get Back on Track in Florida
Formula 1 returns to the USA this weekend with the fourth edition of the always star-studded Miami Grand Prix, and the first US race of the season promises to continue the drama fans witnessed in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oscar Piastri climbed to the top of the Drivers' Championship last week with a win in Jeddah, replacing team mate Lando Norris, who could only manage fourth place, leaving him 10 points behind the Aussie. While McLaren have made an excellent start to 2025, a threat looms large in the rearview mirror in the form of world champion Max Verstappen. Red Bull's pace is closer to McLaren's than had previously been thought, and though a time penalty ruined his attempt to win in Jeddah, he's just 12 points behind Piastri in the Drivers' standings at this early point in the season. As has been the case ahead of most races this season, the McLaren duo are the two favourites for the race in Miami, with both offered at odds of 11/8, while Verstappen is a 5/1 shot with betting sites. Miami Grand Prix Betting Preview: McLaren at Home in Miami Piastri and Norris go into the sixth race of the 2025 season as the top two in the Drivers' Championship and they look tough to oppose at the narrow Miami International Autodrome, where overtaking is tough, but not impossible. The duo have been pre-race favourites on F1 betting sites ahead of pretty much every weekend so far this season, and it's the same scenario again in Miami, where Norris won his first race in Formula 1 last year. It's clear that everyone else will struggle to keep up with the pace of the McLaren cars this season, though it looks like Verstappen will put up the closest fight. However, with the Red Bull cars expected to perform worse than in Jeddah due to the heat in Florida, the Dutchman will need right at the top of his game if he's to add to the two wins he's already achieved in Miami. At the same time, it has been in the warmer temperatures where McLaren has excelled so far in 2025. To that end, it may be best to avoid a wager on Verstappen springing a surprise – instead, opt for a double of Piastri and Norris to finish in the top two, which is even-money with Bet365. Miami Grand Prix Tips: Russell to Land Another Podium Finish? While Verstappen remains the main challenger to a potential McLaren duopoly this season, Mercedes' George Russell isn't too far off the pace. The Briton sits just 14 points behind Verstappen in the Drivers' Championship and has managed three podium finishes from five races so far in 2025 (having finished fifth in the other two). Russell's best finish this season was second in Bahrain, and he's proven that he can compete with the McLarens on any given race weekend, finishing ahead of Norris in Bahrain. And with both Russell and team boss Toto Wolff acknowledging that the car has performed better than expected in warmer conditions so far, if Mercedes can learn from the mistakes in Jeddah, the Brit could be in line for another top-three finish. Elsewhere on the grid, Charles Leclerc is the other driver who'll hope to rival those at the top this season, but with the Ferrari man priced is a 7/4 shot this weekend to finish on the podium for only the second time in 2025. Ferrari have been off the pace in qualifying and that means Russell could sneak in ahead of the Red Bulls and Ferraris to clinch that last podium place. Responsible Gambling When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. When using gambling sites be aware that sports betting can be addictive. Please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. The same applies whether you're using new betting sites, slot sites, casino sites, casino apps, or any other gambling medium. Even the most knowledgeable punter can lose a bet, so always stick to a budget and never chase your losses. It's particularly important not to get carried away by any free bets or casino offers you might receive, both of which are available in abundance on gambling sites, but must be approached with caution. You can stay in control by making use of the responsible gambling tools offered, such as deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs. You may also want to visit the following free organisations to discuss any issues with gambling you might be having:
IOL News
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
McLaren holding cards as F1 title battle heats up after Piastri win in Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
McLaren has their fate in their own hands – and only they can spoil the party. The 2024 Constructors' champions took another confident step toward defending their crown, with Oscar Piastri clinching his third win of the season and Lando Norris collecting valuable points with a fourth-place finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this past weekend. 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 ✕ The Surrey-based outfit have now stretched their lead at the top of the standings to 77 points over second-placed Mercedes (111), who, despite not winning a race yet, remain the most consistent challengers behind McLaren. As the grid heads to Miami in a fortnight, Obakeng Meletse breaks down three of the biggest talking points ahead of round six of the 2025 Formula 1 season... Norris must fight way out of tight corner McLaren has unquestionably been the team to beat so far, leading both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. But within the orange camp, the dynamics are shifting. Oscar Piastri has emerged as the more composed and consistent contender, while teammate Lando Norris – despite his effort and raw pace – has struggled to convert performances into results. Costly errors and poor qualifying runs have seen the Briton slip from the top of the standings, as he is now trailing his Australian teammate by just 10 points. With Miami presenting another street circuit where overtaking can be limited, qualifying will be critical. For Norris, correcting his one-lap pace might be the key to reigniting his title challenge. Lando and Oscar on the mic 🎤 Appreciating the team's efforts 🧡#McLaren | #SaudiArabiaGP — McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 20, 2025 Leclerc steps up as Ferrari eye momentum Charles Leclerc continues to prove why Ferrari sees him as their long-term spearhead. Despite years of inconsistent machinery, the Monegasque has remained a steady performer – and this season, he's quietly delivering once again. While all eyes are on Lewis Hamilton's high-profile move to Maranello, it's Leclerc who's delivering results. A podium finish in Saudi Arabia marked Ferrari's first of the season, and he's clearly responding to the added pressure of partnering with the seven-time world champion. Hamilton, still adjusting to the red garage, hasn't quite matched Leclerc yet. But with Ferrari just 33 points off Mercedes in the Constructors' standings, a united push from both drivers could prove decisive in the months ahead. Podium moments in Jeddah 🏆 — Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) April 21, 2025 Verstappen still in the hunt Max Verstappen may not have the fastest car on the grid this year, but what he lacks in machinery, he makes up for in pure grit. Currently sitting third in the Drivers' Championship, the four-time champion has quietly closed the gap to just 12 points behind the leader. With a car that performs strongly on tracks that take kindly to high downforce, there are a few upcoming races where the team should have the upper hand. Historically, they've struggled on street circuits, particularly those filled with tight, slow corners. But as we've seen before, the 27-year-old behind the wheel can make all the difference.
Daily Tribune
23-03-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Tribune
Formula One: Chinese Grand Prix results
Oscar Piastri claimed a commanding victory in the 2025 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, held at the Shanghai International Circuit. The Australian driver, racing for McLaren, took control of the 56-lap race from start to finish, crossing the line in 1 hour, 30 minutes, and 55.026 seconds. Piastri's teammate, Lando Norris, secured second place, finishing 9.748 seconds behind his teammate. George Russell of Mercedes completed the podium in third, finishing 11.097 seconds off the lead. Despite some challenges, Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished in fourth, 16.656 seconds behind Piastri, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc rounding out the top five, 23.211 seconds behind. Lewis Hamilton, also driving for Ferrari, finished sixth, while Esteban Ocon (Haas), Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), and Alexander Albon (Williams) secured positions seven through nine. Oliver Bearman (Haas) completed the top ten, ahead of Pierre Gasly (Alpine) and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), who finished 11th and 12th, respectively. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Williams), Isack Hadjar (Red Bull), and Liam Lawson (Red Bull) finished in 13th to 15th, while Jack Doohan (Alpine), Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber), and Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) all finished one lap down. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) was forced to retire from the race on the fifth lap due to brake issues. World Championship Standings: In the driver's standings, Lando Norris leads with 44 points, closely followed by Max Verstappen (36 points) and George Russell (35 points). Oscar Piastri moves into fourth place with 34 points. In the constructors' standings, McLaren leads with 78 points, ahead of Mercedes (53 points) and Red Bull (36 points). Ferrari sits in fourth with 35 points, while Williams, Aston Martin, and Haas round out the rest of the field. As the season progresses, McLaren's strong performance in China puts them firmly in the hunt for both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. Formula One Chinese Grand Prix Results: Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:30:55.026 Lando Norris (McLaren) – +9.748s George Russell (Mercedes) – +11.097s Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +16.656s Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +23.211s Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +25.381s Esteban Ocon (Haas) – +49.969s Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +53.748s Alexander Albon (Williams) – +56.321s Oliver Bearman (Haas) – +1:01.303s Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – +1:07.195s Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – +1:10.204s Carlos Sainz Jr (Williams) – +1:16.387s Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) – +1:18.875s Liam Lawson (Red Bull) – +1:21.147s Jack Doohan (Alpine) – +1:28.401s Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 1 lap Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – 1 lap Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 1 lap Retirement: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – Brake issues (Lap 5) World Championship Standings (After Chinese Grand Prix): Drivers' Championship: Lando Norris (44 pts) Max Verstappen (36 pts) George Russell (35 pts) Oscar Piastri (34 pts) Kimi Antonelli (18 pts) Charles Leclerc (18 pts) Lewis Hamilton (17 pts) Alexander Albon (12 pts) Lance Stroll (8 pts) Esteban Ocon (6 pts) Nico Hulkenberg (6 pts) Yuki Tsunoda (3 pts) Oliver Bearman (1 pt) Constructors' Championship: McLaren (78 pts) Mercedes (53 pts) Red Bull (36 pts) Ferrari (35 pts) Williams (12 pts) Aston Martin (8 pts) Haas (7 pts) Sauber (6 pts) RB (3 pts)
