Latest news with #FormulaOneBelgianGrandPrix
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
F1 Summer Shutdown: Why Teams Can't Touch Their Cars
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. Following the Hungarian Grand Prix, Formula One heads into the summer break for the next three weeks, until August 29, marking the first long break for drivers and teams since the Christmas break after the 2024 season. However, for two weeks out of the three, none of the teams can work on their cars. Given the hectic 24-race calendar that sees drivers and teams operating at their limit, F1's governing body, the FIA, has set a two-week summer shutdown period for all teams where they are not permitted to develop their car, design car parts, use the wind tunnel, or conduct meetings. F1 teams are free to choose any 14-day window in the entire summer break, but they must confirm the start and end dates to the FIA. The mandate has been put in place by the governing body to allow team members of all ranks to take time off. As a result, teams found violating the rule are liable to receive a penalty. However, teams are allowed to support other projects that are not connected to F1. In addition, they are also allowed to work on heavily damaged cars that were damaged in the race before the shutdown, but only after written permission has been obtained from the FIA. Formula One drivers line up on the pit lane before the start of the first practice session of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, on July 25, 2025. Formula One drivers line up on the pit lane before the start of the first practice session of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, on July 25, 2025. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP/Getty Images It must be noted that apart from drivers, team principals, mechanics, and engineers, other departments such as marketing, finance, legal, and housekeeping are allowed to function normally. F1 heads into a much-needed break after 14 rounds, with the eventful Hungarian Grand Prix confirming that the final championship battle will more than likely be between McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. While the latter leads the Drivers' Standings with 284 points, Norris is placed second with a gap of just 9 points. Norris maintained a strong lead in the second half of the race at the Hungaroring after Piastri and Charles Leclerc pitted. McLaren's flawless one-stop strategy worked in his favor, despite Piastri's aggressive charge in the last four laps on fresher tires. Speaking after securing his fifth victory of the season, Norris said: "I'm dead. I'm dead. It was tough. We weren't really planning on the one-stop, but after the first lap, it was kind of our only option to get back into things. "The final stint with Oscar catching, I was pushing flat out. Rewarding even more because of that. The perfect result today. "I didn't think it would get us the win, I thought it would get us maybe into second. I knew if I had clean air and could push, I could maybe make things work, and that's what we did. "It always is a bit of a gamble these kind of things. It also requires no mistakes, good laps, good strategy, and that's what we had today." He added: "We're so tightly fought it's hard to say if momentum is on anyone's side. "It's tough but fun racing against Oscar. Credit to Oscar he put up a good charge and I just about held on."
Newsweek
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Charles Leclerc Addresses Relationship With Ferrari Engineer
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. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc addressed his relationship with his race engineer, Bryan Bozzi, after the Belgian Grand Prix, full of intense radio messages between both parties. Leclerc pulled off a fantastic result at Spa, getting a shock podium despite new upgrades coming to Max Verstappen's Red Bull. The race was challenging as the Ferrari driver faced intense pressure from Verstappen throughout the entire race. "Leave me alone, please," the Monegasque proclaimed over the radio after Bozzi said what the gap was between the driver and Verstappen. Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc looks on before the start of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, on July 27, 2025. Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc looks on before the start of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, on July 27, 2025. Photo by"I can have no information, then when he's getting close, I have too much information. Keep it constant. Don't worry." The Ferrari driver is known for his intense reactions on the radio during races, especially when he is under pressure. After the race, he explained his tense messages to his engineer and clarified his position with Bozzi. "I love Bryan, we have a great relationship and it's true that sometimes in the car Brian always gives me a lot of information," Leclerc said after the race. "Most of the time, I need this information. Today, honestly, it was so complicated as a race that I decided, and I didn't say it in the most polite way, but we'll talk about it, but I'm sure there's no problem because he knows me, when you drive in a car like this at 300 km per hour it's never easy. "So with the adrenaline, I was quite raw, but well, it's okay, everything is going well." "no, i love my engineer, i love bryan! we have a great relationship... today, honestly, it was such a complicated race that i decided- and i didnt tell him in the most polite way, but we'll talk about it. but im sure theres no problem because he knows me" — clara (@leclercsletters) July 28, 2025 Despite the Ferrari SF-25 struggling this season to fight for wins, Leclerc has achieved five podium finishes through 13 races. The current F1 car regulations allow him to benefit from his blistering qualifying pace. Leclerc is neck and neck with Verstappen in terms of outright one-lap pace. The Italian racing team isn't lying down this season as the team brought a massive upgrade pack to the European swing of races, which concludes with Hungary. Leclerc is happy with the direction that the team is going, even if the results aren't there yet. "Honestly, we've had what we expected with this upgrade and that's really positive. We need to keep learning about how to maximise this new upgrade," he added. "It's still pretty new, but it's a good first weekend and I'm happy that we are on the podium to thank the whole team back in Maranello. We keep pushing and hopefully we'll put soon a bit more pressure on the McLarens." F1 news: Lewis Hamilton Lends Support to Mercedes' Starlet Amid Struggles Max Verstappen's 2026 Decision Reportedly Made Amid Mercedes Rumors Nico Rosberg Shares Awkward Moment With Jos Verstappen After Horner Questioning For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Gulf Today
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Drivers Hamilton and Verstappen unhappy with overcautious procrastination
Multiple world champions Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton both accused race organisers of being overcautious on Sunday when the start of the Belgian Grand Prix was delayed by 80 minutes following heavy rain. Four-time world champion Verstappen said he believed that instead of suspending the race after one formation lap behind the Safety Car, Race Control should have kept the field out on the track to clear standing water. 'It wasn't even raining,' he said, referring to the decision taken at the scheduled race start time of 1500 local time (1300 GMT). 'Of course, between Turns One and Five, there was quite a bit of water. Max Verstappen looks on after a red flag delayed the start of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, on Sunday. AFP 'But if you do two or three laps behind the Safety Car, then it would have been a lot more clear -- and the rest of the track was ready to go anyway. 'It's a bit of a shame. I knew that they would be a bit more cautious because of Silverstone, but this also didn't make sense. 'Then, it's better to say 'let's wait until it's completely dry' and we'll start on slicks because this is not really wet weather racing for me.' Instead of staying out, however, the field were taken back into the pit lane to wait for more than an hour, waiting until improved weather conditions prevailed. The race then began with a rolling start after four laps behind the Safety Car. Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton races during the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, on Sunday. AFP Verstappen finished off the podium for the third consecutive race as series leader Oscar Piastri led team-mate Lando Norris home in a convincing McLaren 1-2. Ferrari's Hamilton said race organisers had over-reacted after Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and Alpine's Isack Hadjar collided at Silverstone in poor visibility. 'We started the race a little bit too late, I would say,' he said. ''I kept shouting that 'it's ready to go it's ready to go', but they kept going round and round. 'I think they're probably over-reacting from the last race, where we asked them not to re-start the race too early because the visibility was bad. 'This weekend, I think they just went too far the other way. We didn't need a rolling start.' After a disappointing Saturday when he was twice eliminated in the first part of qualifying, for the sprint race and the Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion responded with a rousing drive through the field from 18th to finish seventh. Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during a rain delay for the start. AP 'I always love races like that where you're challenged and have to make your way through the field,' said the 40-year-old Briton. 'But, ultimately, I'm disappointed to have had not such a great weekend -- definitely one to forget, but at least I've still got some points. 'And, we outscored Mercedes, but I've got to go back -- and you can't always get it right. There are lots of factors that contributed to Friday and Saturday, but ultimately me. Obviously I recovered a little bit today, but big thanks to the team. I will try and come stronger next week.' However, Williams driver Carlos Sainz supported the decision as 'a safe call' given the history of the sprawling high-speed circuit. 'My respect to the Race Director because he told us after Silverstone - and the accidents at Silverstone - that he would play it safer here and that is what he did,' said Sainz. He accepted that the race could have started much earlier on a 'normal' circuit, but pointed out that as a result of the decision taken the race was run for a full 44 laps. 'On a normal track, yes,' he said. 'I think maybe we could have started earlier by five or ten minutes. But at Spa-Francorchamps, and with the history of the track, it is better to be safe than sorry. Agencies
Newsweek
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Piastri Slams Rolling Start After Winning Belgian GP: "I Was Disappointed"
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. McLaren driver Oscar Piastri secured another win at the Belgium Grand Prix, growing his lead in the Drivers' Championship, but he wasn't happy with every aspect of the race. The race got delayed by more than an hour after rain poured down on the track. It eventually got started under a rolling start. Pole-sitter Lando Norris controlled the pack behind him for the first four laps of the race under a safety car, much to the chagrin of Piastri. Considering how poorly the modern Formula 1 cars deal with following behind another car, the lap one developments matter more than ever as the top four fight for the lead at the front. McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri waves after winning the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, on July 27, 2025. McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri waves after winning the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, on July 27, 2025. Photo byNorris's control meant Piastri was limited in his ability to attack on the opening lap, leaving the Aussie driver "disappointed." "Once I knew I was close, to be honest, I was a bit disappointed," he said. It was a rolling start because I thought that was going to take away some opportunity, but I got a good exit out of Turn 1, was able to stay close. "When I was that close, I knew I was just going to lift a little bit less than Lando did and try and keep it on the track. "And, yeah, it was a bit lively up over the hill, but, no, I managed to make it stick. "And then from there, the tire helped me out. So, no, proud of my first lap." The title leader showed his overtaking chops on the opening lap. He stayed patient and waited for Norris to have a slide before making the move. Once Piastri got past his teammate, the race became straightforward with clear air in front of the Aussie and set the fastest lap of the race as soon as he got in front. With his sixth win of the season, he leads the Drivers' Championship by 16 points, a solid lead with one more race until the summer break in August. Belgium Grand Prix Results
Newsweek
26-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Nico Rosberg: Christian Horner Red Bull F1 Sacking "Unthinkable"
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. Sky Sports F1 commentator Nico Rosberg addressed Christian Horner leaving Red Bull after the massive shake-up. Horner got removed from his position after the board at the energy drink company lost confidence in his leadership. He was embroiled in several controversies as the team leader, including personal scandals. Red Bull became a powerhouse under Horner, but over the past 18 months, it has experienced a downturn in form. Former Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies has been promoted to the main leadership position at Red Bull, replacing Christian Horner. Newly appointed Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies (R) speaks for a television next to former German driver Nico Rosberg ahead of the start of the Sprint Race of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix... Newly appointed Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies (R) speaks for a television next to former German driver Nico Rosberg ahead of the start of the Sprint Race of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, on July 26, 2025. More Photo byThe team is moving forward and trying to get a reset, though Rosberg remains shocked at Horner's absence. "Christian Horner not being here anymore is unthinkable. That's completely unreal," he said on the Sky Sports broadcast. "It was a big, big shock and surprise to everybody, including himself. He didn't see it coming at all, nor did anybody in the team. "But of course, it was a long time in the making. Coming on from last year, from all the issues that he'd been having there, so I think this was just a result of that. "But nobody really still knows 100 percent what exactly happened." Red Bull sits in fourth among the constructors' standings, more than 200 points behind the leading McLaren team. The team's lead driver, Max Verstappen, sits in third, but far from title contention, trailing Lando Norris by a little less than 60 points. Red Bull is on track for a disappointing season, considering its lofty ambitions from the team and its driver. The driver alongside Verstappen hasn't carried their weight over the last few years, exacerbating the issue within half the team. Verstappen has clauses in his contract that could trigger a move to another team, leaving Red Bull desperate to change their fortunes. A combination of the team's struggles, Verstappen's impending exit, and Horner's alleged inappropriate conduct towards a female employee likely all contributed to a drastic in-season decision. Even after all the success Horner brought, the team's ownership decided that enough was enough. More news: Emotional Kimi Antonelli Opens Up About Confidence Struggles At Belgian GP Lewis Hamilton Issues Apology After Rough Belgium GP Weekend Max Verstappen Issues RB21 Verdict After Red Bull Upgrades at Belgium GP For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
