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Daily Mirror
03-08-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Michael Schumacher 'embarrassed' F1 team boss with special delivery to his wife
James Vowles worked closely with Michael Schumacher at Mercedes when he was already a seven-time Formula 1 champion and got to know the German on a personal level Michael Schumacher has earned plenty of plaudits over the years for his achievements in Formula 1. But those who worked closest with him in the paddock also knew a different side to the seven-time World champion. One of those who had the pleasure of working closely with Schumacher during his time as an F1 driver is James Vowles. These days he is team principal at Williams but, before joining, he spent many years at Mercedes including between 2010 and 2012 when the German, brought out of retirement, helped to establish the outfit on the grid. He did not win a race over the course of those three seasons, but did manage on podium at the 2012 European Grand Prix held in Valencia. One of the biggest impressions Schumacher made on Vowles, though, was as a human. Speaking about the legendary racer on the High Performance podcast, Vowles gave an example of how Schumacher showed he cared about his colleagues. "First and foremost, he had a genuine interest in who you were and your life," the Williams chief said. "I went motorbiking on track with him - as in race bikes - on track with him in Paul Ricard, and we had the time of our lives. We both still laugh about it for many years after that," Vowles told hosts Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes. 'He knew at the time my partner's birthday – flowers arrive at home and it embarrassed me because I didn't do that much. He would take a genuine interest in who you are, who your family is, what drives you. Every single person in the team. And that's hard to do. "It's not because he's doing it because he wants to gain advantage. He does it because he really cares. That's Michael. The Michael you had front-facing in front of the media is a very different Michael to what was behind the scenes. And that's how he did it, fundamentally. So he would bring everyone on the journey and lead everyone on the journey. "He was a leader that absolutely, he would say, 'I'm going to go this way'. The team would follow him there, so much so that both sides of the garage wanted him to do well. So much so that one of my regrets in my career is we didn't get a win for him. That still hurts me today. He deserved a win." Sky Sports launches discounted Formula 1 package This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £43 £35 Sky Get Sky Sports here Product Description Vowles did not specify who his partner was at that time. But he is now married to surgeon Rachel Rolph and they together confirmed last month the birth of their second child together – after their first daughter, Elodie, was born in early 2024. Speaking about his "unbelievable" wife in a Telegraph interview days earlier, he said: "She's one of the best surgeons in the UK, trained in plastics and breast cancer. She's now doing a PhD on the use of mesh in the rebuild process post-mastectomy. Honestly, it's life-changing stuff. I just work in F1 – she's the clever one."
Miami Herald
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Ferrari's Latest Racing Project Trades the Race Track for the Open Seas
The pinnacle of all car-based motorsport, Formula One, is thought by many to be the most glamorous and cutthroat racing event in the entire world. Every year, billions of dollars are spent among ten unique teams for 20 of the most elite drivers to duke it out for glory on race tracks and street circuits all over the world. However, beyond the trappings of tarmac is another prestigious racing sport steeped in strict rules and tradition, where technology, guts, and grit go into creating a legacy built out of glory: sailing. Yes, sailing, like boats sailing. While Formula One may have its roots in European Grand Prix races dating back to the 1920s and 30s, the most prestigious international sailing competition, the infamous America's Cup, dates back 174 years to 1851, with just one racing team holding onto the title for 132 years in a row. In an announcement on June 25, Ferrari announced the Hypersail project, a new sailing initiative that blends Ferrari's racing heritage and automotive technological capabilities in an effort to revolutionize yacht racing. In collaboration with legendary Italian sailor Giovanni Soldini, Ferrari is building what it says will be the world's first 100-foot monohull ocean racing yacht with a foil-equipped keel. It's a major leap into uncharted waters for the brand, especially as this effort relies on a design meant to harness the power of the wind instead of a fire-spitting high-performance engine. Designed by famed French naval architect Guillaume Verdier, the boat is being built at a secret, undisclosed location in Italy and is slated to be revealed in 2026. The project brings Ferrari's flair for design, engineering, and speed into the world of offshore sailing, where its racing experience could be tested in a new way. "It perfectly aligns with Ferrari's tradition, drawing inspiration from our Hypercar, three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans," Ferrari Chairman John Elkann said. "Designing a yacht for offshore racing is perhaps the ultimate expression of endurance. Given Ferrari's appetite for race wins and trophies, it would be hard not to assume that the world's most successful Formula One team would be using this program as a way to announce that it is pursuing a run at the Louis Vuitton Cup; the challenger's tournament that takes place prior to the America's Cup. However, it might not happen yet. Although the next edition of the America's Cup is headed to the southern Italian city of Naples in 2027, with the Emirates airline-backed New Zealand team gunning to defend its title, Ferrari says it is not planning to compete-at least not with this boat. Like Formula One, America's Cup teams have to follow a strict ruleset, and the boat Ferrari made would be in violation of the AC75 ruleset currently agreed to as of the previous America's Cup that took place last year. The current America's Cup boats are restricted to just 75 feet long, and feature no keel underneath the boat. "[The] America's Cup is regulated, and this boat is thought to go beyond rules," Elkann said. "This project gives us the chance to experiment in new areas." Ferrari isn't saying what races this beast will compete in yet, but for now, the project aims to build the best boat possible. "Before setting sport targets, we want to finish developing the boat and bring it to sea," said Soldini. "Then we'll see what we can and can't do." Soldini, who's been racing across oceans for over 30 years, says the goal is to keep the crew size small, between eight and 12 people. Though they've set a launch window of 2026, he's not making promises about when. "It's obvious that we have quite a defined [time] goal, but the project is so complex that making it public today doesn't seem very wise," he said at a news conference at Ferrari's Maranello headquarters. "There are a thousand things to put together. We'll definitely put the boat in the water in 2026, but I'm not making any commitments about what quarter." Around 20 people work full-time on the Hypersail project, with another 80–90 supporting it. Ferrari says some of the boat's technology will carry over from the automotive side, especially since many of the personnel previously worked on the F80 supercar that was revealed in 2023. One of my favorite documentaries is called Untold: The Race of the Century. It's available on Netflix and it documents the successful challenge led by the Australia II team when they beat the New York Yacht Club for the first time during the 1983 America's Cup. That being said, it would be very interesting to see Ferrari enter the world of competitive sailing. With their kind of financial backing and engineering expertise, they could be a team as dominant as the New York Yacht Club if they ever consider competing in the America's Cup. The cup in itself takes place every three to four years, and it's as much a grueling challenge as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Daytona, or the Nürburgring. We can only wait and see. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Abandoned F1 track lies overgrown and covered in rubbish 13 years after last race as £255m of debt is racked up
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMULA ONE will have two Grand Prix events in Spain next year following the announcement of the 2026 calendar. The last time the country did this was between 2008 and 2012. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Fernando Alonso was the last winner of a race at the Valencia Street Circuit Credit: Getty Images - Getty 8 The track hosted five Grand Prix between 2008 and 2012 but ate up huge running costs Credit: Action Images - Reuters 8 It has now laid abandoned for 13 years with rubbish seen across the track 8 Weeds are now seen growing through the kerbs 8 Running costs totalled up to a staggering £255m in debts 8 The once picturesque harbour-view track still holds some scars of its past 8 Old sponsors and paint markings can be seen on the site The first was in Barcelona which remains a host for next year, while the second host - rather than Madrid - was Valencia for the European Grand Prix was the Valencia Street Circuit. Located near the port of Valencia, the F1 track record at the 3.4-mile circuit was set by Timo Glock in 2009 with a time of 1:38.683, though Fernando Alonso was the last race winner at the circuit. However, the track was far from popular with drivers for its mundane layout and eventually a lack of interest and funding saw F1 move away. The deal to bring it to F1 had allegedly been part of an election promise between former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Valmor Sport group, led by former motorcycle racer Jorge "Aspar" Martínez and Villarreal CF's president Fernando Roig. READ MORE IN F1 FAST TRACK Legendary F1 race to be renamed after 113 years with controversial new title But when Valmor went bankrupt through taking care of all the costs involved in running the races, the tracks seven-year deal was cut down to five and dug a financial hole worth £255million in debt. An estimated £87m is said to have been paid to Ecclestone, while there were also considerable costs for the construction of the circuit, television broadcasting and various invoices related to the organisation. All told, the Generalitat Valenciana had to fork out a bill of more than £85m to cover the losses. And the circuit itself has been left in a state of disrepair after being closed in 2013. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Some of it was converted back to walkways for the public. But the majority of the track looks like something out of an urban jungle. One of F1's most recognisable voices reveals Leclerc and Hamilton moments that will live with him forever Weeds have overtaken the slip roads on the site, rust has taken root on old safety barriers, and access tunnels have been flooded. Buildings on the site look every hour of their age, with a repurposed 19th-century warehouse showing signs of needing a major paint job. The track itself has not fared much better, with heaps of rubbish seen lying across it while weeds and plants grow out from under the kerbs of the circuit. Pit markings and tyre burns can also be seen over what was not cleared away, while there is even still some evidence of race sponsors from never-removed hoardings to painted pavement which has faded over time. Thieves have also had their way with what was left at the site. Anything valuable that might have been left over from the days of F1 has been gutted out. There was hope for the site in 2022 when an investment group was in talks with the City Council to reclaim the space, turning it into housing and flats for residents.
San Francisco Chronicle
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- San Francisco Chronicle
Are we nearing the end of Barcelona's run as an F1 city? Madrid addition puts race in doubt
MONTMELO, Spain (AP) — Barcelona may be quickly approaching its end as a Formula 1 city after more than three decades of racing in northeastern Spain. The grand prix is under contract through next year, but the addition of a race in Madrid also in 2026 has put a bullseye on the event that has been held near Barcelona since 1991. F1 has trended toward adding urban and temporary circuits, which offer spectators the services and attractions of a city and are not difficult to get to. That push was behind the announcement last year that Spain's capital would get its own race on a temporary circuit. Miquel Sàmper, who is president of the largely publicly-owned Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the regional minister for business and labor for Catalonia, visited the paddock ahead qualifying for the Spanish GP on Saturday. He told reporters that negotiations were ongoing with F1 to keep the race on the calendar in 2027 but they would take maximum discretion and, most importantly, time, just like 'the best cooking.' 'This will only go well if we are discrete,' Sàmper said. 'There are lots of possible options, and that is making this take longer. We are analyzing each and every one for its pros and cons, and keeping in mind the circumstances: there are more and more countries that want grand prixs.' Two races for Spain? F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said during the presentation of the Madrid event in January 2024 that that the arrival of new race wouldn't rule out keeping the Barcelona event on the calendar. Spain did briefly host two races when it had the European Grand Prix on a street circuit in Valencia from 2008-12. But Italy appears set to lose Imola, leaving it just the Monza race, as F1 expands in the United States, where it now holds three races, and seeks out new fans beyond the already tapped-out European market. When asked by The Associated Press if F1 had slammed the hood on the possibility of having two races in Spain, Sàmper said he couldn't comment. The Madrid race will become the Spanish Grand Prix, meaning that next year's race in Catalonia will have to get a new name. Sàmper said that is still being talked about with F1 as well. Drivers defend Barcelona Fernando Alonso made an impassioned defense of Barcelona on Thursday, going so far as to predict that it would stay on the calendar. 'It's good to have new countries as well that Formula 1 has moved to in the last decade. But at the same time, we need to keep some traditional circuits where the history of Formula 1 has been written and made,' the Spanish two-time champion said. Those bits of F1 history include a memorable duel between Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna as they jousted side by side down pitlane during the first Barcelona race. And for modern fans, current F1 champion Max Verstappen became the youngest race winner at age 18 on this track. 'For F1 in general," Verstappen said this week, 'it would be a bit of a loss, of course, if this track goes.' The circuit is considered a good standard track with high-speed and medium-speed turns. It has been regularly used for winter testing as well. The thinking goes: if your car performs here, it should perform well in most fixed tracks. Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton both won six times on this circuit as they amassed world titles. Hamilton agreed it is a 'classic' race, while adding it would be difficult for Madrid to build a better track. 'Building a new circuit is hit or miss, and 95% of the time it is worse,' Hamilton said. 'But as long as we have a good as circuit then it is OK.' Things to improve The 4.66-kilometer (2.89-mile) Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya layout is not conducive to overtaking. The best chance trailing drivers have is usually at the very start on the long run to the first turn. Officials have invested in recent years to improve facilities, but it still is difficult to get to despite being located on a hill above the working-class town of Montmelo some 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of Barcelona. Roads and commuter trains are overwhelmed by the more than 100,000 fans who come on race day. ___
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Are we nearing the end of Barcelona's run as an F1 city? Madrid addition puts race in doubt
Barcelona may be quickly approaching its end as a Formula 1 city after more than three decades of racing in northeastern Spain. The grand prix is under contract through next year, but the addition of a race in Madrid also in 2026 has put a bullseye on the event that has been held near Barcelona since 1991. F1 has trended toward adding urban and temporary circuits, which offer spectators the services and attractions of a city and are not difficult to get to. That push was behind the announcement last year that Spain's capital would get its own race on a temporary circuit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Lifetime Office 2024 License for Mumbai [Order] prime software Undo Miquel Samper, who is president of the largely publicly-owned Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the regional minister for business and labor for Catalonia, visited the paddock ahead qualifying for the Spanish GP on Saturday. He told reporters that negotiations were ongoing with F1 to keep the race on the calendar in 2027 but they would take maximum discretion and, most importantly, time, just like "the best cooking." "This will only go well if we are discrete," Samper said. "There are lots of possible options, and that is making this take longer. We are analyzing each and every one for its pros and cons, and keeping in mind the circumstances: there are more and more countries that want grand prixs." Live Events Two races for Spain? F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said during the presentation of the Madrid event in January 2024 that that the arrival of new race wouldn't rule out keeping the Barcelona event on the calendar. Spain did briefly host two races when it had the European Grand Prix on a street circuit in Valencia from 2008-12. But Italy appears set to lose Imola, leaving it just the Monza race, as F1 expands in the United States, where it now holds three races, and seeks out new fans beyond the already tapped-out European market. When asked by The Associated Press if F1 had slammed the hood on the possibility of having two races in Spain, Samper said he couldn't comment. The Madrid race will become the Spanish Grand Prix , meaning that next year's race in Catalonia will have to get a new name. Samper said that is still being talked about with F1 as well. Drivers defend Barcelona Fernando Alonso made an impassioned defense of Barcelona on Thursday, going so far as to predict that it would stay on the calendar. "It's good to have new countries as well that Formula 1 has moved to in the last decade. But at the same time, we need to keep some traditional circuits where the history of Formula 1 has been written and made," the Spanish two-time champion said. Those bits of F1 history include a memorable duel between Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna as they jousted side by side down pitlane during the first Barcelona race. And for modern fans, current F1 champion Max Verstappen became the youngest race winner at age 18 on this track. "For F1 in general," Verstappen said this week, "it would be a bit of a loss, of course, if this track goes." The circuit is considered a good standard track with high-speed and medium-speed turns. It has been regularly used for winter testing as well. The thinking goes: if your car performs here, it should perform well in most fixed tracks. Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton both won six times on this circuit as they amassed world titles. Hamilton agreed it is a "classic" race, while adding it would be difficult for Madrid to build a better track. "Building a new circuit is hit or miss, and 95% of the time it is worse," Hamilton said. "But as long as we have a good as circuit then it is OK." Things to improve The 4.66-kilometer (2.89-mile) Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya layout is not conducive to overtaking. The best chance trailing drivers have is usually at the very start on the long run to the first turn. Officials have invested in recent years to improve facilities, but it still is difficult to get to despite being located on a hill above the working-class town of Montmelo some 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of Barcelona. Roads and commuter trains are overwhelmed by the more than 100,000 fans who come on race day. So next year could be the swan song for F1 in Montmelo.
