Latest news with #FORMULAOne
The Sun
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Lewis Hamilton faces Ferrari doubts after Hungary struggles
FORMULA One's summer break comes at the right time for Lewis Hamilton, who has reignited doubts about his Ferrari future with candid remarks after a difficult Hungarian Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion, now 40, has yet to secure a podium in his debut Ferrari season, leaving fans and analysts questioning his long-term prospects. Hamilton's season has been a mix of frustration and fleeting optimism. After a strong declaration in June that he was committed to Ferrari, his tone shifted dramatically in Hungary. Following a disappointing 12th-place qualifying, he called himself 'useless' and hinted at potential team dissatisfaction. Post-race, he remained cryptic, saying, 'There's a lot going on in the background,' without elaborating. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur dismissed concerns, attributing Hamilton's comments to typical frustration rather than deeper issues. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who worked with Hamilton for years, noted the Briton's tendency to be hard on himself. 'Lewis has always worn his heart on his sleeve,' Wolff said. Hamilton's struggles are undeniable. He has not won a race since December 2022 and is enduring his longest podium drought—16 races. Teammate Charles Leclerc has outperformed him, securing five podiums this season. The gap in qualifying (10-4 in Leclerc's favour) and race results (11-2) highlights Hamilton's challenges. Despite the setbacks, Wolff remains confident in Hamilton's drive. 'Lewis has unfinished business in F1,' he said. However, voices like 1996 champion Damon Hill and former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone have questioned whether Hamilton should consider stepping away. With major regulation changes in 2026, Hamilton's focus remains on long-term success. But for now, the August break offers a chance to reset before the season resumes. - Reuters
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Derek Warwick suspended as F1 Steward for media remarks
FORMULA One's governing body suspended former racer Derek Warwick as Canadian Grand Prix steward on Friday for unauthorised media comments about current drivers. The FIA did not specify what the 70-year-old Briton, who raced from 1981 to 1993, had said but media reports said Warwick had been quoted by a betting platform talking about the Spanish Grand Prix. Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen was handed three penalty points in Spain for a collision on June 1 with Mercedes George Russell, a sanction that left the Dutch driver one point away from a ban. 'Following recent unauthorised media comments, the FIA has taken the decision to suspend Derek Warwick from his duties as driver steward for this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix,' the governing body said in a statement. 'He will be replaced by Enrique Bernoldi who will be officiating from the remote operations centre in Geneva for the remainder of the event. 'After discussion Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologised. Derek will resume his duties as a steward in the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix.' Warwick is the second steward to be dropped this year for unauthorised comments, with compatriot Johnny Herbert suffering that fate in January because his work as a media pundit was declared incompatible with the role.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Ferrari target 'magnificent' third straight Le Mans 24 Hour triumph
FERRARI'S FORMULA One fortunes may be flagging but the Italian constructor start this weekend's Le Mans 24 Hour Race as favourites targeting a third consecutive triumph in motorsport's fabled endurance classic. Roger Federer is acting as celebrity starter with the tennis icon getting the 93rd edition of the jewel in four-wheeled endurance racing's crown underway at 1600 local time (1400GMT) on Saturday. Twenty-four hours later, through daylight, darkness and dawn, the 21 elite Hypercars will battle it out over 300 laps (4,000 kilometres plus) in front of a sell-out 320,000 crowd burning the midnight oil with copious quantities of coffee and beer. Ferrari made a triumphant return after a 50 year absence to land Le Mans' centenary race in 2023, repeating the feat last year. The Prancing Horse stable ended Toyota's run of five consecutive wins from 2018 to 2022 with the Japanese manufacturer out to reclaim their crown 40 years after their first Le Mans appearance. A shake-up in the regulations for 2023 sparked fresh interest in the premier class and this year Ferrari, Toyota and Porsche face challenges from Aston Martin, Cadillac, BMW, Alpine, and Peugeot. Ferrari's position as the team to beat is bolstered by their bright start to the season, reeling off wins in the first three world endurance races in Qatar, Imola and Belgium. But Antonio Fuoco, who took the chequered flag 12 months ago along with Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen, is taking nothing for granted. 'Compared to last year, everyone is closer to the other, it's going to be a tough battle,' forecast the 29-year-old Italian driver. Ferrari team manager Batti Pregliasco is wary of the threat posed by Toyota. 'The idea of winning a third Le Mans in a row would be magnificent,' he said. 'But the Toyotas are very strong here because they have the experience, the ability, and the means to win.' 'Bitter-sweet' Nyck De Vries was sharing driving duties in the Toyota that came off second best in 2024, and the 30-year-old Dutchman is hungry for revenge. 'Finishing second last year was a great result but after such a long race, with so many different emotions, it felt bitter-sweet, so we want to put that right this year,' said De Vries, summarily sacked by Red Bull's then Alpha Tauri sister team midway through the 2023 F1 season. De Vries is one of a cluster of former F1 drivers including former world champion Jenson Button seduced by the lure of adding their name on the hallowed Le Mans roll of honour - just as Fernando Alonso did in 2018-19 for Toyota, the veteran Spaniard emulating the likes of F1 greats from yesteryear like Graham Hill, Phil Hill and Jochen Rindt. Joining the 21 Hypercars are 17 entries in the LMP2 class and 24 in the LMGT3 category in an event that has been visited by tragedy over the years, with 22 drivers perishing. Le Mans, where eye-watering speeds of up to 400kmh have been reached on the Sarthe circuit's Mulsanne straight, marks the 70th anniversary of the 1955 disaster this weekend when pieces of debris from Pierre Levegh's car rained down on the crowd, killing 81 spectators, although a definitive death toll was never established. A sombre reminder then of the dangers faced by the 186 drivers taking part -- including the all women 'Iron Dames' LMGT3 team of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Fry and Celia Martin. The encouraging news for this brave bunch is that the French met office forecast looks benign, with no rain or storms predicted over the weekend which kicks off with qualifying for pole on Thursday night.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Ferrari Target Le Mans Hat-Trick as 2024 Race Begins Saturday
FERRARI'S FORMULA One fortunes may be flagging but the Italian constructor start this weekend's Le Mans 24 Hour Race as favourites targeting a third consecutive triumph in motorsport's fabled endurance classic. Roger Federer is acting as celebrity starter with the tennis icon getting the 93rd edition of the jewel in four-wheeled endurance racing's crown underway at 1600 local time (1400GMT) on Saturday. Twenty-four hours later, through daylight, darkness and dawn, the 21 elite Hypercars will battle it out over 300 laps (4,000 kilometres plus) in front of a sell-out 320,000 crowd burning the midnight oil with copious quantities of coffee and beer. Ferrari made a triumphant return after a 50 year absence to land Le Mans' centenary race in 2023, repeating the feat last year. The Prancing Horse stable ended Toyota's run of five consecutive wins from 2018 to 2022 with the Japanese manufacturer out to reclaim their crown 40 years after their first Le Mans appearance. A shake-up in the regulations for 2023 sparked fresh interest in the premier class and this year Ferrari, Toyota and Porsche face challenges from Aston Martin, Cadillac, BMW, Alpine, and Peugeot. Ferrari's position as the team to beat is bolstered by their bright start to the season, reeling off wins in the first three world endurance races in Qatar, Imola and Belgium. But Antonio Fuoco, who took the chequered flag 12 months ago along with Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen, is taking nothing for granted. 'Compared to last year, everyone is closer to the other, it's going to be a tough battle,' forecast the 29-year-old Italian driver. Ferrari team manager Batti Pregliasco is wary of the threat posed by Toyota. 'The idea of winning a third Le Mans in a row would be magnificent,' he said. 'But the Toyotas are very strong here because they have the experience, the ability, and the means to win.' 'Bitter-sweet' Nyck De Vries was sharing driving duties in the Toyota that came off second best in 2024, and the 30-year-old Dutchman is hungry for revenge. 'Finishing second last year was a great result but after such a long race, with so many different emotions, it felt bitter-sweet, so we want to put that right this year,' said De Vries, summarily sacked by Red Bull's then Alpha Tauri sister team midway through the 2023 F1 season. De Vries is one of a cluster of former F1 drivers including former world champion Jenson Button seduced by the lure of adding their name on the hallowed Le Mans roll of honour - just as Fernando Alonso did in 2018-19 for Toyota, the veteran Spaniard emulating the likes of F1 greats from yesteryear like Graham Hill, Phil Hill and Jochen Rindt. Joining the 21 Hypercars are 17 entries in the LMP2 class and 24 in the LMGT3 category in an event that has been visited by tragedy over the years, with 22 drivers perishing. Le Mans, where eye-watering speeds of up to 400kmh have been reached on the Sarthe circuit's Mulsanne straight, marks the 70th anniversary of the 1955 disaster this weekend when pieces of debris from Pierre Levegh's car rained down on the crowd, killing 81 spectators, although a definitive death toll was never established. A sombre reminder then of the dangers faced by the 186 drivers taking part -- including the all women 'Iron Dames' LMGT3 team of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Fry and Celia Martin. The encouraging news for this brave bunch is that the French met office forecast looks benign, with no rain or storms predicted over the weekend which kicks off with qualifying for pole on Thursday night.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Move up a gear
Equipment is split among air, sea and road freight. FORMULA One visits 24 locations annually across 21 countries, and its equipment needs to be present. It is a gargantuan operation. 'I've been here 39 years. We used to do 16 races, five international, now it's 15 international and nine Europeans,' Paul Fowler, vice president of motorsport product for DHL Motorsport, Formula One's longtime logistics partner, said in an interview. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
