Latest news with #F1
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Max Verstappen Reportedly Makes Decision On 2026 F1 Season
Max Verstappen Reportedly Makes Decision On 2026 F1 Season originally appeared on The Spun. Speculation of Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull will go back on hold for another year. Chatter has persisted about the four-time Formula One champion leaving Red Bull amid interest from Mercedes. Although Verstappen is under contract through 2028, ESPN's Nate Saunders reported Monday that he could have left after the 2025 season if he placed fourth or lower in the season standings after this Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix. The 27-year-old is third ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell. Verstappen can't fall to fourth this weekend, so he's seemingly staying put in 2026. Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko confirmed as much in an interview with telling the German outlet that Verstappen will return to the team next season. Talk of Verstappen leaving has persisted since last summer, as Mercedes principal and CEO Toto Wolff has made no secret of his interest in poaching F1's top star. "I don't think that's how Formula One works – where then suddenly you can say, 'Well, bye guys.' It's not how it works," Verstappen told reporters last July when asked about his 2025 plans. "I have a long contract with the team. I'm very happy where I'm at." Last month, Russell indicated that Mercedes has stalled his extension talks because of the team's pursuit of Verstappen. The 27-year-old's contract ends after this season, and Russell is now unable to surpass Verstappen for third place and give Mercedes a chance to replace him. Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports weeks ago that he thinks Verstappen is tired of all the rumors of an exit. However, the team has since replaced him with Laurent Mekies. "It's a lot of noise," Horner said. "I think Max gets quite annoyed by it. We're very clear with the contract that we have with Max until 2028. Anything is entirely speculative that is being said. We tend not to pay too much attention to it." Meanwhile, Verstappen's chances of securing a fifth straight F1 title are dwindling. He trails McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris by 81 and 65 points in the standings, respectively, past the season's midway Verstappen Reportedly Makes Decision On 2026 F1 Season first appeared on The Spun on Jul 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Was Brad Pitt ‘Threatened' by Ex-Girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow's Success? Here's What Reports Reveal
Gwyneth Paltrow has spilled the beans over her relationship with her former partner, Brad Pitt. The couple dated for nearly four years in the 90s and called it quits within a year of getting engaged. While putting out the actress' life stories in the new biography, the author, Amy Odell, took a dig at Pitt, claiming that he was 'threatened' by her success back in the day. After meeting on the sets of Se7en, the sparks immediately flew between Paltrow and the Fight Club star. After dating for a couple of years, the actor popped the big question to the Ironman star, to which the answer was yes. However, things did not work out between the two, and after the split, Pitt went on to marry Jennifer Aniston. Was Brad Pitt insecure of his then-girlfriend's power to grab attention? Odell, while spilling the details of Gwyneth Paltrow 's relationship with Brad Pitt, wrote that the actress 'cried about Pitt multiple times.' An anonymous source claimed that Pitt 'seemed to feel threatened by her success and all the attention she received.' '[Aucoin's] advice to Paltrow was frank: 'You really need to end this,'' revealed the author in the biography. When the duo began to date, Pitt had already made a name for himself in the industry by starring in movies like 12 Monkeys, Legends of the Fall, and Sleepers. On the other hand, fame struck Paltrow very quickly. She attracted success and attention, climbing up the steps of popularity rapidly. According to the previous media reports, despite Paltrow and Pitt ending their relationship in 1997, it was difficult for the actress to move on. When the F1 star went on to tie the knot with Aniston, the Marvel star was pretty bummed about it. She allegedly told her friend that the actor 'has terrible taste in women.' The Marty Supreme star also called her former partner 'dumber than a sack of s–t.' However, Pitt and Aniston filed for divorce within five years of marriage.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
F1 Insider Sees Mekies Changing Red Bull's Max Verstappen-Only Culture
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Mercedes Formula One driver and Sky Sports F1 presenter Nico Rosberg has revealed that Laurent Mekies' Red Bull appointment to replace Christian Horner has uplifted Yuki Tsunoda's form, in a team that was "for Max Verstappen" and which "only cared about Max Verstappen." Horner, who served as the team's CEO and team principal for 20 years, was ousted with immediate effect after the British Grand Prix. Mekies was deemed the most suitable successor to Horner, given his impressive track record with Red Bull's junior F1 team, Racing Bulls. Rosberg was present at Spa-Francorchamps for last weekend's Belgian GP, where he noticed a motivated Tsunoda, given the presence of Mekies, with whom he shares a good rapport. Several reports suggested that Verstappen was given more preference over his teammates under Horner's leadership. Tsunoda is currently Verstappen's third teammate in the last 12 months. Sergio Perez faced significant challenges in 2024 with the RB20 F1 car, which eventually led to his ousting after the season finale. Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps... Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 27, 2025 in Spa, Belgium. MorePerez's replacement, Liam Lawson, also faced similar challenges, resulting in his demotion to Racing Bulls after the first two races of the 2025 season. Tsunoda earned his Red Bull promotion at his home race in Suzuka, replacing Lawson. However, he too faced difficulties with his new team's F1 car. Red Bull reportedly designed its car around Verstappen, which caused his teammates to struggle. Rosberg pointed out that Tsunoda looked more motivated with Mekies last weekend. Notably, the Japanese driver qualified P7 for Sunday's race at Spa, his best qualifying result with Red Bull thus far. This was after Mekies decided to use the upgraded floor on Tsunoda's RB20, which was kept as a spare for Verstappen. Revealing that Tsunoda is receiving the attention he needs from a team principal since Mekies took over Red Bull, Rosberg said on Sky F1: "He has now really empowered Yuki Tsunoda this weekend. He has given him the new upgrade, that he can have the new floor himself as well, not just Verstappen. "He gives him a thumbs up and a smile after sessions. After qualifying, they connected as Yuki was driving in. He saw Laurent on the pit wall, giving him a big smile and a thumbs-up. "That makes a huge difference to a driver when suddenly, he sees that he has the support from the team. Whereas before, he said, I heard that he felt like he was on a bit of an island on his own, in a team that was for Max Verstappen and they only cared about Max Verstappen. "Now, Laurent straight away is also caring about Yuki." Could this be the start of a new era at Red Bull under Mekies? Related: Yuki Tsunoda Handed Last-Minute Upgrade by Red Bull's New Team Principal
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Williams Racing F1 Team Announces New Chief Operations Director Signing
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Williams Racing Formula One team has announced the appointment of Axel Kruse as the team's new chief operating director. Kruse replaces Fred Brousseau, who parts ways with the Grove-based team to return to his home in Canada. Brousseau started his journey with Williams in 2023 as COO following a 26-year career with Pratt & Whitney. However, after two years, Williams has had to look for top talent that can aid the team in operating at a "championship level." Kruse's link to Williams dates back to the early 2000s, when he worked for BMW. During this period, the German marque served as an F1 engine supplier for Williams. Kruse then moved to Sauber, where he worked as COO for 15 years. The role transition at Williams will be gradual once Kruse starts on September 1. Team principal James Vowles welcomed Kruse in a statement and thanked Brousseau for his contributions. He said: A Williams Formula One car sits in Downing Street on July 2, 2025 in London, England. This weekend the British Grand Prix will be held at Silverstone as the sport celebrates its 75th anniversary... A Williams Formula One car sits in Downing Street on July 2, 2025 in London, England. This weekend the British Grand Prix will be held at Silverstone as the sport celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025. More"I am excited to welcome Axel to Atlassian Williams Racing as we continue to invest in the people, technology and infrastructure needed to achieve our goal of returning to the front of the grid. Axel is the latest top talent to join us from within the F1 paddock and will continue the important work started by Fred to make our operations truly Championship-level. I would like to thank Fred for everything he has done and we all wish him well as he returns home to Canada." During Kruse's time with BMW, Williams finished second in the Constructors' Championship for two years. Addressing the "unfinished business," Kruse added: "I am thrilled to be joining Atlassian Williams Racing and can't wait to get started. Williams is an iconic Formula 1 team with huge ambition and momentum, and I look forward to working with everyone at Grove to deliver success on track. As a young engineer I saw first hand the professionalism and passion at the team as we finished second in the Constructors' Championship – there is unfinished business, and the target must be to finish first." Feeling proud of what the team had achieved, Brousseau said: "Having actively embarked on our transformation journey over the past two years, we're now starting to see clear signs of progress — both from a business results and track performance perspective. With this sustainable positive momentum now in place throughout the organisation, the time feels right for me to return home and begin the next chapter of my journey. "I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved together and, above all, grateful for the passion and dedication of the people — they are the true heart of Williams. Being welcomed into this team and the world of Formula 1 has been a genuine privilege. I'll continue cheering proudly from afar as Williams pushes forward on its path back to the front of the grid."
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Woman at centre of Christian Horner scandal leaves Red Bull for a new role in motorsport
The woman at the centre of the scandal that almost brought down Christian Horner last year has left Red Bull and now has a new role in motorsport. The 'female employee', as she was usually referred to in media reports, made accusations of inappropriate and coercive behaviour of a sexual nature against then Red Bull team principal Horner. She has not been named by Mail Sport for legal reasons, and her identity remains a secret from the public. Horner, husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was cleared of misconduct by two separate investigations led by KCs. Earlier this month, the 51-year-old executive effectively left Red Bull after 20 years in charge, during which time he led them to 14 world titles. He was not given an explanation for being 'released from operational duties' three weeks ago on Tuesday. A severance package worth up to £60million to settle his contract has yet to be agreed. Despite having her claims rejected, the woman remained on Red Bull's payroll for many months afterwards, suspended on full pay, though that arrangement is believed to have stopped some time ago. It has now emerged that she has taken up a new position. The paddock was electrified in Bahrain last March when an anonymous email, containing a slew of racy text messages purporting to be between Horner and the employee, was sent to F1's leading figures and media. Horner was absent from the F1 paddock at the Belgian Grand Prix for the first time since 2004, instead watching avidly from home as Oscar Piastri won, with Red Bull's defending champion Max Verstappen fourth.
