Latest news with #F1GrandPrixofAustria
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Carlos Sainz Breaks Silence on Scary Brake Fire Incident in Austrian GP
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Williams Racing driver Carlos Sainz has opened up on the brake fire incident that caused him to retire from the Austrian Grand Prix before it even started. This follows Sainz's complaints about the brakes on the previous day in qualifying, when he declared the car was undriveable. The poor qualifying caused the Spaniard to start the race from P19. Unfortunately, he was unable to get his FW47 F1 car going in the formation lap until the yellow flags were waved. Once he set off, Sainz returned to the pit lane, only to find the rear brakes of his car on fire. Fortunately, the team was able to douse the flames in time. Sainz's car was then taken into the garage, resulting in a DNS at the Austrian GP. Describing the problem, the 30-year-old driver suggested that the rear brakes on his car had engaged, which prevented him from setting off in the formation lap. He told the media: Carlos Sainz Jr of Spain and Williams speaks of disappointment in the media pen during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in Spielberg,... Carlos Sainz Jr of Spain and Williams speaks of disappointment in the media pen during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. More"Well, we have to see if there is some kind of relationship between yesterday and today. The fact is that another problem that we have to see exactly what could have happened. The car was braked from behind when I started the engine, and I could not move. "I managed to reset it, I did a lap, and it stopped again from the back and we had to retire. But yes, many things are happening to us lately. The truth is that this first half of the year is being a little heavy in that sense because things keep happening to us, but at some point, all this bad luck will end, and things will start to work out." Things have gone from bad to worse for Carlos 😩 He won't start the race ❌#F1 #AustrianGP — Formula 1 (@F1) June 29, 2025 Sainz's teammate Alex Albon also ended his race before the chequered flag fell. Williams had to call him back into the garage and retire the car, which marked his third consecutive DNF. The outfit is unsure about the root cause of the problem and has launched an investigation to prevent a similar incident. Related: Williams Launches Investigation Following Double DNF in Austrian GP Addressing the problems that plagued his and Albon's FW47, Sainz added: "As a team also now we have had a problem with Alex, by the looks of it. So we have to find out why we are having so many problems both in qualifying and in the race. Because it's already several weekends that we have brake problems, engine problems, overheating. Sometimes we are a little bit weak in that sense." Describing the Austrian GP as a disastrous race weekend, Sainz said: "Yes, very poor, really. All weekend with problems, and now both cars are out. It's a bit of a disastrous weekend for us, but we have to grit our teeth and see how we can improve."
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Andrea Kimi Antonelli Takes Out Max Verstappen in Dramatic Austrian GP Start
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. Mercedes Formula One driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashed into Red Bull's Max Verstappen on the opening lap of the Austrian Grand Prix. The incident was a hard knock for Verstappen, as it took both drivers out of the race. Following a late race start after Carlos Sainz's Williams FW47 caught fire, Kimi Antonelli braked late into Turn 3 and locked up his tires before crashing into Verstappen. Verstappen reacted on the team radio, saying, "I'm out. I got hit like crazy. F***ing idiots!" Antonelli appeared to apologize to Verstappen after the incident, which was a big setback for Mercedes and Red Bull. Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with a team member on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg,... Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with a team member on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. MoreThe crash was the second major incident of the day, after Sainz struggled to get his car going in the formation lap. The problem brought out the yellow flags before the Spaniard was able to launch the car. However, his car's brakes caught fire in the pit lane, prompting the Williams crew to swing into action. Though the fire was eventually put out, the incident led to a DNS. Speaking after the incident, Kimi Antonelli said: "I think it was a normal start, then going up to P3, I was just trying to maintain position. I didn't want to do anything because I knew there was no space in front. But then when I hit the brakes, I locked the rear, and I got caught by that, and I lost the car. "I had to first avoid the Racing Bulls, but then I just couldn't stop the car. Unfortunately, I hit Max. I feel sorry towards the team and him, of course." Kimi Antonelli confirmed that he apologized to Max for the incident. He said: "Well I just apologized straight away. I recognized it was a fault of me and I just felt sorry because I ended my race, but I ended his as well." Addressing the incident, Verstappen said: "I mean, we had a good start. That was a nice improvement from the last two races, where I was not particularly happy with the start. But yeah, then in Turn 3 the race was over. "Of course, at that point, I didn't know what happened, but we had quite a bit of damage on the car, and it turned off. So yeah, I guess unlucky a little bit yesterday in qualifying and unlucky today in the race. But if you look at the weekend, we were not where we wanted to be in terms of pace, and we have to try and analyze that and hopefully have a little bit more of a positive weekend next week." The Dutchman was asked what he said to Kimi Antonelli after the crash. He answered: "I just asked what happened, because he was the only guy there with me with his wheel hanging off. So I was like, maybe - well, I'm pretty sure he hit me. "Then of course I saw the footage once I came back, and it happens. Every driver has made a mistake like that in their careers. And Kimi is a very big talent, so he learns from that—and that's all fine." He added: "Yeah, of course it's not what you want. At the end of the day, I'm probably the most disappointed about it. But that's racing, you know. We've had a lot of great moments here, so maybe we got a little bit spoiled with that as well. Sometimes that's the case."
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Red Bull Boss Breaks Silence on Max Verstappen Future Amid Mercedes Link
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. Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has opened up on the topic of Mercedes' interest in signing Max Verstappen for the future, revealing that the four-time world champion is "quite annoyed" by the speculation. It all began after George Russell was asked about his Formula One contract extension with Mercedes, since his current contract expires at the end of 2025. The Briton expressed that talks were on hold considering Mercedes' ongoing discussions with Verstappen. Related: Verstappen to Mercedes? Russell Reveals Talks As His Contract Remains Up In The Air Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff did not deny the interest, despite his failed attempts to have Verstappen on board last year, before he signed Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko cleared the air by saying that Verstappen, whose Red Bull contract expires at the end of 2028, wasn't going anywhere. Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing speaks to Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal Christian Horner in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at... Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing speaks to Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal Christian Horner in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. MoreNow, Horner has addressed the "noise," stating that all reports are mere speculation. He told Sky Sports F1 after the Austrian Grand Prix qualifying session: "It is a lot of noise. I think Max gets quite annoyed by it. We are very clear with the contract that we have with Max until 2028. So, anything is entirely speculative that is being said, but we tend not to pay too much attention to it." When asked if the speculation was a deliberate attempt by Mercedes to upset Red Bull's home race at the Red Bull Ring, Horner said: "I can imagine that George is frustrated he hasn't been given a contract yet, but that's between him and his team. "The situation with Max, we know clearly where we're at and obviously as does Max. "Everything is subject to noise and, obviously, within any contract it remains confidential between the parties." Though Verstappen's stance on his F1 future with Red Bull is clear, Wolff stated that he was considering him for the long-term future. Newsweek Sports reported his comments: "I think when you look at the situation we have with Kimi [Antonelli] and George, we have a perfect line-up that we very much enjoy, that we believe is the future. "But at the same time, there is a four-time World Champion that needs to decide what he's going to do in the future, and that is just, as a team principal, you need to see where that is going. "But I think I give it a very little probability that this is going to happen." When asked if the little probability of having Verstappen in Mercedes was for 2026 or the long-term future, he said: "I don't know what's going to be in three or five years. "That's why you need to look at what should be considered on the long term." He added: "Nothing needs, in a way, to come towards favourable for us, because with George and Kimi is what we want to be and what we want to continue. "But, in order to plan right for the long term of the future, you've got to understand what other people do."
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Carlos Sainz Retires From Austrian GP After Car Fire
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. Williams Racing driver Carlos Sainz faced a huge issue at the start of the Austrian Grand Prix formation lap, leading him to retire from the race. This comes a day after Sainz faced technical problems during qualifying that led him to start P19. The Spaniard couldn't get his FW47 going in the formation lap as he reported being unable to slot his car into first gear. The yellow flags were waved as he struggled to start his lap. Eventually, he finished the formation lap and entered the pit lane only to find his rear brakes on fire. The Williams crew put the fire out but declared on the radio that his race was over. Carlos Sainz of Spain and Williams looks on in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 26, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Carlos Sainz of Spain and Williams looks on in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 26, 2025 in Spielberg, Sports F1's Karun Chandhok said about the incident: "That is such a deflating moment for the drivers. I had that a couple times in my career. "You do all your pre-race prep then something goes wrong. It's like a massive balloon that just goes pop, not just for Sainz but all of the engineers." With daytime temperatures soaring at the Red Bull Ring, Fernando Alonso, who starts in 11th place, reported some discomfort during the second race restart. He said: "I cannot tell you the temperature of the seat. It's maybe, I don't know, 200 degrees." The incident follows Sainz's challenges the previous day in qualifying, where he reported on the team radio that the car was "undriveable."
Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Helmut Marko Delivers Brutal Yuki Tsunoda Verdict at Austrian GP
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. Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko gave his assessment of Yuki Tsunoda's qualifying performance after the driver was eliminated in Q1. Tsunoda finished in P18 after qualifying, as the Japanese driver couldn't handle the hot and windy conditions on track. Reacting to Tsunoda's performance, Marko explained what happened to Tsunoda's side of the garage during qualifying. "With his first set, he [Tsunoda] was still somewhat within range. That would've even been enough for Q3. But with the changing conditions, Yuki just has a much harder time adapting. Max can drive over that," Marko told reporters. "But the main problem is that our car has too narrow a working window, and is also extremely edgy at the limit. You could see that clearly. When McLaren slides, the car corrects itself easily. With us, it's always a tightrope walk between going off and just barely keeping it together." Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Photo byTsunoda has struggled to control the RB21 after moving over from Racing Bulls - struggling like many of Max Verstappen's teammates have throughout the years. Out of desperation, Red Bull chose to swap Liam Lawson and Tsunoda following two underwhelming races by Lawson. Tsunoda, who raced several years with the Red Bull junior team, came in with high expectations considering his experience in F1 and the pace he showed during his time behind the wheel. Unfortunately, Tsunoda hasn't done much better than Lawson since taking over. He often gets eliminated in Q1 or Q2, though he has managed to qualify in the top 10 a couple of times and score some points as well. History at the Red Bull Ring indicates that there should be a safety car during the race. It should give Tsunoda a window to work his way up the grid, but Tsunoda will need to find some consistency in the car - which has eluded him. Austrian Grand Prix Qualifying results Lando Norris - McLaren Charles Leclerc - Ferrari Oscar Piastri - McLaren Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari George Russell - Mercedes Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls Max Verstappen - Red Bull Gabriel Bortoleto - Sauber Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes Pierre Gasly - Alpine Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin Alex Albon - Williams Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls Franco Colapinto - Alpine Ollie Bearman - Haas Lance Stroll - Aston Martin Esteban Ocon - Haas Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull Carlos Sainz - Williams Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber More F1 news: How Lewis Hamilton Made the F1 Movie Production More Expensive For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
