Latest news with #F1GrandPrixofAustria
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
F1 Under Fire From Fan Over Alleged Grand Prix Ticket Overcharging
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. A Formula One fan has criticized F1's official ticketing website on Reddit, claiming that they were overcharged for Austrian Grand Prix tickets that were available for much less at the circuit. The fan received a disappointing response when they approached for a refund. Several fans have commented on the thread, revealing similar experiences. The fan in question has been furious and has asked others to remain cautious when purchasing F1 tickets online. The comments in the thread suggest that the official website selling F1 tickets is an agent, while the circuit is the actual seller. The aggrieved fan stated they received neither a refund nor an apology for being overcharged. The post, which is titled " overcharged me €500+ – be cautious," read: "Bought Austrian GP general admission tickets in January. Asked their customer support what tickets my kids (2 & 5) needed – they said full-price. So I paid €195 + €8 handling each. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 leads George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W16 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria... Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 leads George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W16 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. More"Two weeks before the race, tickets arrived showing €150 each. At the track, I learned kids under 14 are free. I overpaid €500+ on tickets for €300! "Post-race, I tried email – always got "undeliverable" after 24h. On WhatsApp, they instantly refused any refund, no apology. "We enjoyed the weekend and don't regret going, but we could have saved €500 or used that money for much better seats. "So my advice is to buy directly from the circuit or better resellers to avoid overpaying." One fan responded with a similar experience at the 2024 Belgian GP. The comment read: "Buying directly from the circuit is much cheaper. I dont remember how much but last year I went the full weekend to Spa and the price difference on the websites was significant." Comment byu/pafpajpav from discussion informula1 Another fan offered a piece of advice: "Always by tickets from the tracks website. F1 is the middle man/reseller when you buy from f1 tickets" [sic] Comment byu/pafpajpav from discussion informula1 This fan stated it wasn't F1's fault. The comment read: "With many concerts (or any event really) that have both in-house and third party (Ticketmaster, StubHub, etc) ticket availability, it is in your best interest to always check the venue's website first. Their prices are usually lower and, in the very least, avoid the dumb service surcharge. "These tickets are usually the first to go when tickets go on sale. "I understand it's a bit frustrating to pay extra, but just be aware next time. The F1 ticket website didn't really do anything wrong here. It's clear they didn't get any of these "free for 14 and under" tickets. I wouldn't expect them to say "go to the track website for free 14 and under tickets" either." Comment byu/pafpajpav from discussion informula1 One fan stated that they faced an entirely different situation, advising that it's always good to compare prices on multiple websites before making a purchase. The comment read: "Had the same but different thing when buying tickets for the Dutch GP. The Dutch GP site was saying €800 per person for the three days but on the f1 site, the same tickets are €400 and some change each. So it really does pay to shop around."
Newsweek
09-08-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Lewis Hamilton Exposes Inequality in F1 Employee Salaries, Urges Reform
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Ferrari Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton believes the sport is yet to evolve in many areas, especially those surrounding employee salaries, driver contract terms, and the lack of diversity in the paddock. Hamilton has been known to lead several initiatives outside of F1, especially those related to social issues. Now, he has addressed topics that need urgent attention in the sport. The subject came up in an interview with Belgian publication RTBF during the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, where the seven-time world champion was asked if he was looking forward to leaving behind a legacy in the premier class of motorsport when he retired. Hamilton's response was quoted by Planet F1, which stated: "Today, I think differently. There have been so many great drivers; every era has always had its No. 1, so it matters less to me today. What I focus on is what I can contribute concretely." Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari walks in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari walks in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, then went on to highlight the areas in F1 that need work, which are not only limited to employee earnings and diversity in the sport, but also smaller operational aspects where even a small change could bring about a big difference. He added: "I also think that the F1 system needs to evolve. Drivers are bound by contracts that prevent them from talking to other teams. They can't even talk to other teams. "F1 has grown enormously, with revenues skyrocketing from £700 million to over £3 billion. This growth is not reflected in all employees' salaries, which have not kept pace with the business." He added: "There is still a significant lack of diversity in the paddock, and many things still need to change in our sport. In the past, drivers like Niki Lauda pushed for greater safety. Today, we need to create more access and more opportunities. "When we visit all these countries, we must avoid leaving a mess behind. There should be upcycling and a proper recycling system. Every weekend, food is wasted. Meanwhile, people are dying of hunger. We can work with food banks to redistribute it. "There are so many positive things we can do here. Not everything has been done yet, and that's normal. It's not about being perfect, but about making progress every year." Hamilton then opened up on the influence he has on people who make key decisions, stressing that he was not in F1 to only "shut up and drive," but also to have "difficult conversations" that could bring about a positive change. He said: "I think that's my role; I can get into the right rooms. Sometimes people tell me, 'Shut up and drive.' But that's not me. I drive, yes, but I also do more. I can meet with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom or even a president if necessary. I can enter important rooms and have difficult conversations. That's just how I am, and that's how I'll continue to be."
Newsweek
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Lewis Hamilton Opens up on 'Complicated' Love Life Amid F1 Goals
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Ferrari Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton has opened up about how "complicated" it is to have a love life amid the full-time commitment to the sport. Hamilton also spoke about his goal of securing an eighth world title with Ferrari, stressing that the team has all the necessary ingredients to make it happen. Hamilton quit his 12-year association with Mercedes to chase the goal of winning a championship with a legendary team like Ferrari. However, since his Ferrari debut this season, the going hasn't been easy. The seven-time world champion's love life has not been a complete secret. The years of his early success in F1 saw him linked to Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger. In recent years, he was linked to other popular names such as Shakira and Sofia Vergara. It is being speculated that Hamilton is currently dating British singer Raye, who worked with him for the F1 movie. Raye was also seen cheering for Hamilton in the Ferrari garage during his debut race at the 2025 season opener in Melbourne. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari speaks in the media pen during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari speaks in the media pen during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, however, has revealed that he remains committed to his goals, and with time running out, he has chosen to remain focused on Grand Prix racing over anything else. When asked by RTBF about the challenges of finding a partner who understands his passion and the difficulties that come in the way of having a private life, Hamilton said: "Yes, it's very complicated, especially in today's world. I see other drivers and I wonder how they manage: some have children, are married, have girlfriends. "I went through that when I was in my twenties. I made a different choice: I decided to maximize the time I have here because it's shorter than people think. I don't want to have any regrets, or think that I could have given more. For the last ten years, I've focused on my performance." Hamilton suggested that he will be able to focus on the other areas of life after his F1 retirement. He said: "And when I retire, I'll be able to do what I want. I'll be able to dedicate myself to other things without constraints." But at the moment, the Ferrari driver is focused on achieving his dreams and goals. Listing them out, he added: "As long as I'm competing, I stay focused on my health, my well-being, my mental health and my driving technique. I want to be the best engineer I can be and the best teammate too. That's my main goal: I want to win. "I've been lucky enough to win with great teams in the past. With Mercedes, with McLaren, it was incredible. But my My dream is to win a title with Ferrari. It hasn't happened in a long time. Ferrari has all the ingredients to win, you just have to put it all together. That's what I'm trying to do behind the scenes with Fred Vasseur and the team."
Newsweek
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Christian Horner Tipped For F1 Return in Bombshell Team Ownership Role
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 Formula One driver and Sky Sports F1 reporter Martin Brundle has revealed that Christian Horner will likely return to the sport in a "part ownership or ownership role." Owning a team wholly or partly while leading it could offer Horner complete control, something he was reportedly seeking at Red Bull Racing. Horner was dropped from the role of CEO and team principal after the British Grand Prix for reasons that are yet to be revealed. Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies was promoted to Red Bull to replace Horner. Horner's sudden exit after a 20-year association with Red Bull shocked the F1 world. However, Brundle believes that Red Bull's Verstappen-centric approach led to Horner's departure, especially since the team's current car of the ground effect era is reportedly designed around the four-time world champion. That could be one reason why none of Verstappen's three teammates in the last year has been able to adapt to Red Bull's challenger. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Brundle said: Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria."This is the crux of it, I think the mistake they've all made at Red Bull is allowing it to become a one-driver team. "The tail's wagged the dog there for quite a long time. They've had some what appears to be dreadful driver decisions that had some common sense upfront, when they put a driver in who was going well somewhere else." In addition, Horner's alleged desire to have full control of the team reportedly played against him. Brundle added: "All of that has played out and then Christian wanting to keep hold of the overall control of the direction in every aspect." Despite being a friend of Horner, Brundle said that the media didn't spare him when it needed answers. However, pointing out what F1 had lost, he said: "I don't agree with everything Christian said and done, nor him me. We have completely opposite jobs in this paddock. We've given him quite a hard time from time to time on a Friday in this show. "But we've lost a pantomime villain. I think that's really bad news for F1, because the other villains, like Zak and Toto have nobody to have a go at now. Christian's a friend of mine, and I don't do fair-weather friendships." Brundle then opened up about Horner's potential F1 return. He said: "I feel sorry for him, I feel bad for him, but I think he will re-emerge somewhere else in a part ownership role or ownership role." Could Horner come back as a co-owner with one of the teams on the grid? The former team boss has been linked to the Alpine F1 team, especially given his friendship with Alpine's executive advisor, Flavio Briatore. BBC Sport reported that around 20% of Alpine's shareholdings are up for sale, a potential option for Horner if he wanted to return as a co-owner. This could be possible, especially after the exit of former Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes. Although the Enstone-based team hired Steve Nielsen as managing director, who starts in September, Horner still has strong backing through his experience at Red Bull to demand a large amount of control at Alpine. Having ceased its engine operations, Alpine becomes a Mercedes customer team in 2026, when F1 enters a new era of regulations. However, it remains to be seen if Horner would be interested in co-owning a team strongly linked to Mercedes, whose team principal and co-owner, Toto Wolff, has been his arch-rival.
Newsweek
26-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Helmut Marko Reveals Details On Christian Horner Sacking: Who Made The Decision And Why
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Red Bull Racing senior advisor Helmut Marko opened up on former team principal Christian Horner's ousting after the British Grand Prix, revealing who made the decision and the likely reason behind the major announcement. Red Bull parted ways with Horner after a partnership of 20 years that celebrated eight drivers' championships and six team titles. The sudden nature of his exit has raised questions about the reason for Horner's departure. Horner was replaced by former Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies. The team has not revealed the reason for his ousting, but now, Marko has opened up, revealing that the managing director of Red Bull GmbH, Oliver Mintzlaff, took the call to part ways with Horner. Speaking to Sky Deutschland, the 82-year-old advisor said: "The decision was made by Oliver Mintzlaff. We informed Christian Horner of this on Tuesday in London after the Silverstone race, at the same time officially thanking him for these 20 years and for these eight World Championship titles." Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal Christian Horner walks in the paddock during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal Christian Horner walks in the paddock during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, added that performance was one of the concerns that led to the decision. He said: "This was the result of various factors, but above all, the performance wasn't quite as good as it could have been. "Fortunately, we were able to bring Laurent Mekies into the family. His responsibilities will be significantly reduced, with the main focus being on racing." Newsweek Sports also reported Max Verstappen's comments ahead of the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps. The Dutch driver stated that he was told about the decision a day before the announcement by Red Bull and hinted that the reason would be made public. He said: "I have a good relationship with them, you know, so I think it's quite normal that they inform some people in the team before it goes out. I think it's a standard practice. "I gave them my opinion. And I keep that to myself. And if they want to say more about it, they will do. And you will hear about it." The four-time world champion added that Horner's exit does not influence his future with Red Bull. He said: "I don't think it will matter at all for my decision in the future. And yet, the only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can make it, really. And like I said, the last one and a half years have not been what we want to be. Now we try and be more competitive this year a little bit, but for sure also with the new regulations." He added: "Sitting here, you look back at those 20 years of Red Bull, I think we've had a lot of great years, great results. There are also years where it's not going that well. And I think the last one and a half years have not gone how we would have liked. "Management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction probably. Everyone else of course has to anyway agree to that and look forward. And I am looking forward. But at the same time, we do appreciate, of course, those 20 years and especially from my side the 10, 11 years that I've been part of Red Bull. "Those things will always be remembered. And the relationship between myself and Christian, for example, that doesn't change. Of course, he's not here now during a race weekend. But it's still like a second family to me."
