Latest news with #ImolaGP
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
MotoGP 2025: Aprilia expects Jorge Martin to honour contract, warns rivals to back off
Aprilia has not had any negotiations with MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin to modify his contract and allow for an early exit, the team said on Thursday, while also firing a warning to other outfits to back off from approaching him. Martin, who won his first MotoGP title last season with Pramac Racing, switched to Aprilia on a two-year deal, but the 27-year-old has had a nightmare start to the season, having yet to score a point after six rounds. Wrist and ankle injuries sustained in a pre-season testing crash prevented him from competing in the first three rounds before a crash in his first race in Qatar led to a collapsed lung and bruised ribs that kept him off the bike for weeks. After reported that Martin was unhappy and wanted to activate a clause that would release him from his contract at the end of the year, the Italian team said the deal would run its course. 'The contract between Aprilia Racing and Jorge Martin is valid and in effect and, as such, it must be respected by both parties until its expiration (at the end of 2026),' Aprilia said in a statement ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix. ALSO READ | Max Verstappen's thrilling Imola GP win: Top numbers, stats from the race 'Aprilia Racing has honoured it in full, within the agreed upon timelines and terms, and will continue to do so in the future. Aprilia Racing denies that any negotiations have taken place between the parties to modify the duration of the contract, which remains as originally agreed upon,' the statement added. Aprilia added that other teams should 'refrain from making any kind of offer to riders who are under contract. 'The entire team will continue to support Jorge throughout his recovery process, as it always has, and looks forward to seeing him back on track,' it said. Martin has yet to comment on the speculation but posted a cryptic message on Wednesday saying, 'This comeback is personal. Day 1,' presumably talking about being cleared to race again. However, Aprilia will have Marco Bezzecchi and Lorenzo Savadori competing at Silverstone this weekend.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Fernando Alonso's Four-Word Radio Meltdown Shakes Imola GP
Fernando Alonso's radio meltdown at the Imola GP caught everyone's attention after the two-time World Champion let loose a furious four-word outburst that perfectly captured his frustration. Starting 5th on the grid after a strong qualifying performance, Alonso looked poised for points. But as the race progressed, his Aston Martin faded. Advertisement When Yuki Tsunoda—driving the second Red Bull car—cleanly passed him, Alonso dropped to 13th, triggering an explosive moment on team radio. 'It's a wreck. I'm the unluckiest driver in the [expletive] world,' Alonso shouted, a four-word phrase that summed up the difficult weekend for both driver and team. Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso at Circuit of the Miron-Imagn Images This outburst wasn't entirely out of character. Alonos is known for his fiery passion and brutally honest feedback, especially when things don't go his way. But this latest meltdown underscores a growing frustration at Aston Martin, where progress has seemingly stalled since the early promise of 2023. Tsunoda's pass only added to Alonso's visible anguish, with Aston Martin development falling behind rivals. Advertisement At Imola, the headlines won't just remember Verstappen's stunning overtake or Ferrari's struggles—but Alonso's four-word radio meltdown that revealed the depth of his frustration. Related: Toto Wolff Sends Powerful Message Before Imola GP
South Wales Guardian
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Guardian
Red Bull are building a bit of momentum – Team principal Christian Horner
Verstappen completed a superb first-corner overtake on pole-sitter Oscar Piastri to fire himself to a second win of the season in Red Bull's 400th Formula One race. Lando Norris made a late move on McLaren team-mate Piastri to clinch second and cut the Australian's championship lead to 13 points, with Verstappen 22 points adrift ahead of next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix. Verstappen showed the pace to outgun the McLaren pair throughout the race, even after a late safety car saw his lead evaporate. Team principal Horner was delighted that Red Bull were able to have the edge on McLaren for pace and believes it bodes well in Verstappen's bid for a fifth successive drivers' championship. 'It's been a very positive weekend and I think we're building a bit of momentum, which is important at this stage in the championship,' Horner said. 'To have the pace that we did in the race, I would say that's probably, since certainly Brazil last year – which was a wet race – the first time I can remember in a long time we've had the pace to really pull away and out-deg the McLarens. 'A second win and arguably we should have won in Jeddah. 'It's an important win for the team at this stage of the championship, it feels like we're building a little bit of momentum behind the scenes. FULL SENDDD!! 💪 MAX WINS IN IMOLAAA!!#ImolaGP 🇮🇹 || @Max33Verstappen — Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 18, 2025 'It's a timely win championship wise. It keeps the pressure on and keeps us in touch.' Talk over Verstappen's future has dogged the team throughout a tricky start to the season, where they have been off the pace of McLaren as Piastri won four of the first six races. Horner hailed the Dutchman's focus on driving the team forward. 'All year he's been working hard behind the scenes. He's been very supportive in the team,' Horner said. 'There's always a lot of noise outside of our team but never inside and everybody is just focused on the job. 'Everybody is leaving Imola upbeat about the upcoming races.' McLaren opted not to allow Norris to pass Piastri, on older tyres, at the safety-car restart to attack Verstappen. The British driver instead had to complete a bold overtake on his team-mate with five laps remaining, with the pair close to making contact. DRIVER STANDINGS AFTER 7/24 ROUNDS Verstappen closes the gap to the McLarens 👀#F1 #ImolaGP — Formula 1 (@F1) May 18, 2025 Horner does not believe Norris would have threatened Verstappen and says McLaren having two drivers fighting for the title inevitably brings such issues. 'I think today we had the pace to cover whatever they could throw at us,' Horner added. 'Obviously they've got two drivers who are fighting for a world championship. 'At some point, self interest will always outweigh team interest. So they did a good job to not make contact. 'It was commendable that they were allowed to race but you could see how close it got.'
Free Malaysia Today
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
Colapinto urges respect after online abuse against Tsunoda
Franco Colapinto is making his season debut for Renault-owned Alpine at Imola. (AP pic) IMOLA : Argentine Formula One rookie Franco Colapinto has urged his fans to be respectful after Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda received online abuse at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Colapinto, who is making his season debut for Renault-owned Alpine at Imola after replacing dropped Australian Jack Doohan, accidentally blocked Tsunoda in the first Friday practice with the Japanese gesticulating back. After the practice, Tsunoda received a series of abusive comments – much of them in Spanish – on his Instagram feed. 'I know they are extremely passionate, and they are always very harsh on people. They have to give respect, and that's what we all want,' Colapinto told reporters. 'There is a lot of hate on social media… so of course we always try and want, for all the drivers, to keep it respectful and keep it calm there.' Both Tsunoda and Colapinto crashed heavily in separate incidents during yesterday's qualifying. Back in February, after Colapinto joined Alpine as reserve with a widespread expectation that he would replace Doohan, the Argentine's manager urged fans to be supportive of the whole team. 'The haters who think they help Franco. You are doing him more harm than good,' Jamie Campbell-Walter posted on the X social media platform after Doohan received abuse. Tsunoda, who stepped up to the main Red Bull team from Racing Bulls in April as replacement for demoted Liam Lawson, told reporters he was aware of the situation and Formula One might have to step in eventually. 'If it continues and it's getting worse and worse, then at some point F1 should say something,' he said. Witness football history in Malaysia as Manchester United take on the Asean All-Stars – it's the clash you can't afford to miss. Book your seat now at before they're gone!
Leader Live
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Red Bull are building a bit of momentum – Team principal Christian Horner
Verstappen completed a superb first-corner overtake on pole-sitter Oscar Piastri to fire himself to a second win of the season in Red Bull's 400th Formula One race. Lando Norris made a late move on McLaren team-mate Piastri to clinch second and cut the Australian's championship lead to 13 points, with Verstappen 22 points adrift ahead of next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix. Verstappen showed the pace to outgun the McLaren pair throughout the race, even after a late safety car saw his lead evaporate. Team principal Horner was delighted that Red Bull were able to have the edge on McLaren for pace and believes it bodes well in Verstappen's bid for a fifth successive drivers' championship. 'It's been a very positive weekend and I think we're building a bit of momentum, which is important at this stage in the championship,' Horner said. 'To have the pace that we did in the race, I would say that's probably, since certainly Brazil last year – which was a wet race – the first time I can remember in a long time we've had the pace to really pull away and out-deg the McLarens. 'A second win and arguably we should have won in Jeddah. 'It's an important win for the team at this stage of the championship, it feels like we're building a little bit of momentum behind the scenes. FULL SENDDD!! 💪 MAX WINS IN IMOLAAA!!#ImolaGP 🇮🇹 || @Max33Verstappen — Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 18, 2025 'It's a timely win championship wise. It keeps the pressure on and keeps us in touch.' Talk over Verstappen's future has dogged the team throughout a tricky start to the season, where they have been off the pace of McLaren as Piastri won four of the first six races. Horner hailed the Dutchman's focus on driving the team forward. 'All year he's been working hard behind the scenes. He's been very supportive in the team,' Horner said. 'There's always a lot of noise outside of our team but never inside and everybody is just focused on the job. 'Everybody is leaving Imola upbeat about the upcoming races.' McLaren opted not to allow Norris to pass Piastri, on older tyres, at the safety-car restart to attack Verstappen. The British driver instead had to complete a bold overtake on his team-mate with five laps remaining, with the pair close to making contact. DRIVER STANDINGS AFTER 7/24 ROUNDS Verstappen closes the gap to the McLarens 👀#F1 #ImolaGP — Formula 1 (@F1) May 18, 2025 Horner does not believe Norris would have threatened Verstappen and says McLaren having two drivers fighting for the title inevitably brings such issues. 'I think today we had the pace to cover whatever they could throw at us,' Horner added. 'Obviously they've got two drivers who are fighting for a world championship. 'At some point, self interest will always outweigh team interest. So they did a good job to not make contact. 'It was commendable that they were allowed to race but you could see how close it got.'
