Latest news with #EmiliaRomagnaGrandPrix
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What F1 is clamping down on with flexi-wings at the Spanish GP
From this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix onwards, the testing regime governing the front wings of Formula 1 cars will be toughened to reduce the amount of permitted flex under load. Under Article 3.15.4 of F1's technical regulations, the flap areas of the front wings may deflect under load by no more than 15mm. This is now being reduced to 10mm. Aero-elasticity has been an occasional focus of intrigue since the 1990s. It's impossible for a wing or similar area of bodywork to be infinitely rigid under the loads experienced at speed, so a degree of flex is inevitable. Many teams have exploited – and continue to exploit – this by designing areas of bodywork to deform or flex under load in a relatively controlled manner, potentially cutting drag and enabling cars to achieve higher top speeds. Materials science has reached the stage where it is relatively straightforward to use finite element analysis to lay up the carbon-fibre sheets in a composite component in such a way that they achieve an optimum strength and weight, along with a predictable amount of flex. As the current technical regulations mature and gains become harder to find, subtle tricks involving aero-elasticity have returned to the agenda and become the subject of frequent clampdowns by racing's governing body. Last year there was a brouhaha surrounding McLaren's rear wings, which rivals claimed were flexing in such a way that the gap between the two main planes increased slightly while at speed, cutting drag. The FIA introduced new parameters and testing procedures to prevent this so-called 'mini-DRS', including high-definition onboard cameras to monitor the rear wings during practice. These were tightened up again before this year's Chinese Grand Prix weekend; footage emerged of the McLaren rear wing appearing to flex during the season-opener in Australia, but FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis had already decided on stricter measures during the pre-season test in Bahrain. Changes to the front-wing testing regime were decided upon in January, though the introduction was delayed until the Spanish Grand Prix to give teams more time to adapt their designs in what is a highly complex area with potentially long lead times from concept through simulation to manufacture. It's understood some teams – Red Bull being particularly vociferous – argued in favour of bringing in the new tests for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix rather than Spain. Franco Colapinto, Alpine Franco Colapinto, Alpine Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Advertisement 'This phased approach allows teams to adapt without the need to discard existing components unnecessarily,' explained the FIA. 'These adjustments are aimed at further refining our ability to monitor and enforce bodywork flexibility regulations, ensuring a level playing field for all competitors to promote fair and exciting racing.' The key challenge with testing is that it's impossible to measure wing flex while the car is moving. Instead a static load – in this case 1000 Newtons – is applied on both sides of the front wing simultaneously, and the areas under load must not deflect by more than 10mm. One Newton is the force required to make 1kg of mass accelerate in the direction of the applied force at a rate of one meter per second squared. The smaller rear flaps are subjected to a 60-Newton load and may deflect by no more than 3mm at the outboard edge. This is to prevent too much flex being engineered into the so-called 'fish plates' which connect these wing elements to the main plane. Naturally there has been much speculation and intrigue surrounding who might have been using such techniques, how much they have benefitted and how much they may be affected by the change in testing regulations. Red Bull have frequently and publicly pointed the finger at McLaren concerning wing flexibility; since the MCL39 has passed all the existing tests, Red Bull's only recourse has been to share video footage on social media to keep the issue alive. To read more articles visit our website.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Automotive
- First Post
Lewis Hamilton's relations with Ferrari under scanner once again after F1 icon snubbed over radio after Monaco GP
Lewis Hamilton's relationship with Ferrari appears to have taken another hit during Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, where the seven-time F1 world champion finished fifth nearly a minute behind McLaren's Lando Norris, who won the race at the street circuit. read more Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton steers his car at Circuit de Monaco during the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, 25 May. Reuters Lewis Hamilton's maiden season with Ferrari has been far from smooth, with the seven-time Formula 1 world champion struggling to make an impact this year. The Briton, the joint-most successful racer in F1 history with seven world titles, the same as the legendary Michael Schumacher, is yet to stand on the podium even once eight races into the 2025 season. This is the same individual who happens to be the only driver in F1 history with 200 or more podiums (202). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 40-year-old's relationship with the Italian constructor appears to have taken another hit during Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, where Hamilton finished fifth nearly a minute behind McLaren's Lando Norris, who won the race at the street circuit with a timing of 1:40:33.843. Hamilton and Adami's radio woes continue in Monaco Hamilton attempted to engage Ferrari engineer Riccardo Adami after Sunday's race in Monaco, but was met with silence. Tension appeared to have been brewing between Hamilton and Adami towards the end of the race with the former asking, 'Are they still ahead by a minute?' Adami replied by stating that the drivers ahead were 'fighting', but the response appeared to have annoyed Hamilton. 'You're not answering the question. But it doesn't really matter, I'm just asking, am I a minute behind or…?' Hamilton asked again, to which the Italian engineer replied by stating that those at the front were '48 seconds ahead'. Hamilton attempted to patch up with the Ferrari engineer while driving through Circuit de Monaco's tunnel section at the end of the race, but was met with silence, although it could not be confirmed with Adami was deliberately ignoring him or had simply left the communication. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sky Sports had quizzed Hamilton about his team's radio message, 'Push now, this is our race'. 'It wasn't very clear… the information wasn't that clear. I didn't really understand 'this is our race'. 'I didn't know what I was fighting for. Am I fighting for the next spot ahead? In actual fact when I look at the data I wasn't near anybody ahead. I used up my tyres a lot in that moment but I was so far away from them,' Hamilton said. Hamilton and Adami have been making headlines for the wrong reasons more often than not in what has been a scratchy season so far for the former, with the F1 star unable to forge the kind of bond with the Italian that he had with Peter Bonnington at Mercedes. Hamilton, however, had heaped praise on his engineer for doing a 'fantastic job with his communication' at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Italy the previous weekend where he had finished fourth. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
USA Today
3 days ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari engineer have awkward radio exchange after Monaco Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari engineer have awkward radio exchange after Monaco Grand Prix Show Caption Hide Caption Miami Grand Prix to feature drivable F1 cars made out of LEGOs Ever wonder what a F1 care made out of LEGOs would look like? Well the Miami Grand Prix has you covered as these unveil these drivable cars ahead of Sunday's race. Sports Pulse Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix proved a more interesting race than the most recent event at Formula 1's most iconic circuit. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen waited until the final lap to pit his Red Bull to meet the mandatory two-stop requirement and cede the lead to pole sitter Lando Norris. The McLaren driver earned the team's first win in Monaco since 2008 and his first at the track in F1, as well. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Verstappen and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five runners. After the race, Hamilton had an awkward radio exchange with his engineer Riccardo Adami. "Are you upset with me or something?" Hamilton said on the cool down lap. Adami appeared not to respond. In the closing laps of the race, Hamilton had asked Adami a question about the gap to the top four drivers. "Are they still ahead by a minute?" Hamilton asked. "Charles on [medium tires] and the McLarens on [hard tires]," Adami responded. "Lapping [1:16]. Very close to each other, fighting." "You're not answering the question but it doesn't really matter," Hamilton said. "I'm just asking, am I a minute behind or?" "48 seconds," Adami said. Hamilton answered questions about the radio communication after the race. "The information wasn't exactly that clear," Hamilton said. "I didn't fully understand [when Adami said] 'this is our race.' I didn't know what I was fighting for. Am I fighting for the next spot ahead or? When, in actual fact, I look at the data and I wasn't anywhere near any of the guys up front." Hamilton said that misunderstanding caused him to push harder than needed on his tires. The seven-time champion did manage to make up some positions in the race after a penalty for impeding during qualifying dropped him down to seventh on the starting grid. His fifth-place finish follows a fourth-place result in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix a week prior.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Kimi Antonelli makes frank admission before Monaco GP – 'I need to learn'
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has admitted that he needs to 'learn to say no' from the Monaco Grand Prix onwards, after feeling overwhelmed by the support of his fans at Imola Mercedes' rising star Kimi Antonelli has candidly opened up about feeling the intense pressure from the fans at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, a stone's throw away from his birthplace in Bologna. The Formula 1 newcomer found himself amidst a whirlwind of attention in only his seventh outing in the sport. Speaking humbly, the youngster who was brought in to replace the departed Lewis Hamilton admitted he's still got to master the art of balancing fan interactions with personal space, especially as the fervent crowd may have contributed to his less-than-stellar performance and early exit from the race. Antonelli's car was retired in Italy thanks to a throttle issue, and now, with Monaco GP qualifying in the books, the Silver Arrows have all but thrown their chance of signincant points out the window with an abysmal starting grid spot of P14 for George Russell, and P15 for the youngster who has shed some light on the lessons he is learning in F1. "I need to learn sometimes to say 'no' and take a bit more time for myself," confessed the 18-year-old as he contemplated how last weekend unfolded. "I absolutely love the support of the fans. I just think on my side, I didn't manage the energy that well, and that compromised definitely the performance on track. "I could feel it. I was not as relaxed. I was a bit more tense while driving. So, ahead of the next home race [the Italian GP in September], it was a really good lesson." Antonelli had a tough time in Italy, starting 13th on the grid after a sub-par qualifying session and eventually retiring after struggling with overheating tyres. In contrast, his teammate George Russell had a stronger qualifying session, securing P3, but also faced overheating issues during the race, reports the Express. As a result, Russell was overtaken by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Hamilton, as well as Lando Norris and Alex Albon, ultimately finishing a lowly P7. Despite the challenges in Imola and now Monaco, Mercedes spokesperson Bradley Lord remains optimistic, believing that the team will learn from their experience and adapt for future races, including the summer visit to Monza. "For all of us, and for Kimi, the highest priority first and foremost is performance," Lord told Autosport. "We knew this would be a big weekend, and there's been a lot of attention. I think within the team, we've seen him as focused as ever and concentrated. "But, obviously, experiencing all of this for the first time, all the things you can control but also all the things you can't control, is a new phenomenon. "We've got to view it as a learning experience, understand what were the moments that lifted him and gave him energy, and which bits potentially felt like overload. "And then we'll adapt for both busy race weekends and particularly for the next home race in Italy in September as we go forward," concluded Lord.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Lewis Hamilton's name change, Monaco winner's net worth, dating history
Sir Lewis Hamilton has once again been named as the UK's richest active sportsperson, but the F1 star's life has seen a lot happen away from the track Formula One ace Sir Lewis Hamilton has once again topped the list as the UK's wealthiest active sportsman, according to the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List. The seven-time world champion was previously ranked as the 350th richest individual in the UK, boasting a staggering net worth of £350million. However, following his lucrative switch from Mercedes to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 Formula One World Championship, his fortune has skyrocketed, with his net worth now estimated at £385m, placing him 324th on the list. Hamilton's surprise move to Ferrari sent shockwaves through the F1 community, especially since he had inked a two-year contract with Mercedes the previous summer before opting to activate a one-year break clause. The 40-year-old is reportedly set to pocket an eye-watering £50m annually with his new team, having agreed to a two-season contract with an option for a third in 2027. This salary shatters the record for the highest F1 pay packet ever, a record previously held by Max Verstappen last season when he earned a base salary of £47m, reports Wales Online. Hamilton's earnings could potentially exceed his £50m salary, as this figure is not thought to include performance bonuses, meaning it could significantly increase if the season proves successful. However, after six races with Ferrari, the British star has yet to secure a podium finish, with his fourth placed finish at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix being his best performance with the Scuderia. He clinched his last World Championship title in 2020, equalling Michael Schumacher's seven-world-title record and solidifying his status as one of the greatest racing drivers ever. Since then, there's been plenty of buzz around Hamilton's life off the circuit, including whispers about his romantic connections with various A-list celebrities and even chatter about him considering a name change. Mirror Sport takes you through some of these occurrences. Surprise name change Hamilton made headlines when he announced a surprise name change. In 2021, after being knighted for his contributions to motorsport, Hamilton brought along his mother Carmen, who separated from his father Anthony during his childhood, to witness his knighthood ceremony conducted by King Charles at Windsor Castle. The year after his knighthood, Hamilton disclosed his intentions to honour his mother in an impactful way, declaring that he was in the process of legally adopting her maiden name, Larbalestier, into his own as a middle name. He said: "None of you might know that my mum's [sur]name is Larbalestier, and I'm just about to put that in my name. "Because I don't really fully understand the whole idea of why, when people get married, the woman loses her name. I really want her name to continue on with the Hamilton name." It's unknown as to whether Hamilton has followed through with the legal procedures to effectuate the name change. Lewis Hamilton's dating history Hamilton's love life continues to draw attention, especially considering his past relationships with prominent stars. Throughout his illustrious career, Hamilton's high-profile relationships and romantic life have been under intense media scrutiny. He has reportedly dated an array of A-list celebrities over the years, including his well-publicised romance with Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, which lasted for nearly eight years. The on-again, off-again relationship began when they met at the 2007 MTV EMAs but ended for good in February 2015, after three break-ups. At the time, both parties were said to be "devastated" by the split. Scherzinger moved on to date Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov, followed by Scottish rugby international Thom Evans, to whom she is now engaged. Hamilton, meanwhile, has been linked to numerous high-profile figures from the music, fashion, and entertainment industries. Some of these rumoured connections include supermodels Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, as well as singer Rihanna, all of whom he claimed were simply close friends. Other prominent names associated with the British racing star include singers Rita Ora, Nicki Minaj, and Shakira, alongside model Juliana Nalu, an ex-girlfriend of Kanye West. More recently, Hamilton sparked romance speculation when spotted having lunch with Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara, 12 years his senior, in New York. TMZ stated the couple were "engrossed in conversation" yet any whispers of romance have been squashed, as it appears they are both friends. Hollywood film role Hamilton is set to blaze his trail into Tinseltown later this year with 'F1: The Movie' hitting cinemas. He'll join Hollywood big-hitters like Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem in a fast-paced drama that's got motorsport fans' hearts racing. Pitt plays an ex-F1 driver pushed back onto the track to guide a young hotshot. Hamilton will be sharing the silver screen with all the speedsters from 2023's F1 teams, appearing as themselves. He has been praised by the directors, not just for his acting, but also as a producer, where he helped ensure the scenery and the happenings were as close to F1 reality as possible. Director Joseph Kosinski said to "The first day was really fun. It was me, Brad and Lewis Hamilton at the track together, all of us jumping in cars and driving each other around in sports cars, which was one of those things, I'll never forget having Lewis Hamilton as your driving instructor. "Brad and Damson are both driving in this film and in order to get them into these race cars, it required months, literally months of training. But what we learned and what Lewis was really interested [in] was seeing, did Brad know how to drive, right? Because if Brad can't drive, this whole film wasn't going to work. "What Lewis was very happy to discover was that Brad had a lot of just natural ability right from the start, and I don't know where he got that or if he was born with it, and he rides motorcycles, which I think has something to do with it. But he's just a very talented, naturally gifted driver, which for Lewis after that first meeting gave him a lot of confidence that we might have a shot at pulling this off."
