Latest news with #ItalianGP
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Kimi Antonelli makes frank admission before Monaco GP – 'I need to learn'
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has admitted that he needs to 'learn to say no' from the Monaco Grand Prix onwards, after feeling overwhelmed by the support of his fans at Imola Mercedes' rising star Kimi Antonelli has candidly opened up about feeling the intense pressure from the fans at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, a stone's throw away from his birthplace in Bologna. The Formula 1 newcomer found himself amidst a whirlwind of attention in only his seventh outing in the sport. Speaking humbly, the youngster who was brought in to replace the departed Lewis Hamilton admitted he's still got to master the art of balancing fan interactions with personal space, especially as the fervent crowd may have contributed to his less-than-stellar performance and early exit from the race. Antonelli's car was retired in Italy thanks to a throttle issue, and now, with Monaco GP qualifying in the books, the Silver Arrows have all but thrown their chance of signincant points out the window with an abysmal starting grid spot of P14 for George Russell, and P15 for the youngster who has shed some light on the lessons he is learning in F1. "I need to learn sometimes to say 'no' and take a bit more time for myself," confessed the 18-year-old as he contemplated how last weekend unfolded. "I absolutely love the support of the fans. I just think on my side, I didn't manage the energy that well, and that compromised definitely the performance on track. "I could feel it. I was not as relaxed. I was a bit more tense while driving. So, ahead of the next home race [the Italian GP in September], it was a really good lesson." Antonelli had a tough time in Italy, starting 13th on the grid after a sub-par qualifying session and eventually retiring after struggling with overheating tyres. In contrast, his teammate George Russell had a stronger qualifying session, securing P3, but also faced overheating issues during the race, reports the Express. As a result, Russell was overtaken by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Hamilton, as well as Lando Norris and Alex Albon, ultimately finishing a lowly P7. Despite the challenges in Imola and now Monaco, Mercedes spokesperson Bradley Lord remains optimistic, believing that the team will learn from their experience and adapt for future races, including the summer visit to Monza. "For all of us, and for Kimi, the highest priority first and foremost is performance," Lord told Autosport. "We knew this would be a big weekend, and there's been a lot of attention. I think within the team, we've seen him as focused as ever and concentrated. "But, obviously, experiencing all of this for the first time, all the things you can control but also all the things you can't control, is a new phenomenon. "We've got to view it as a learning experience, understand what were the moments that lifted him and gave him energy, and which bits potentially felt like overload. "And then we'll adapt for both busy race weekends and particularly for the next home race in Italy in September as we go forward," concluded Lord.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aprilia stands firm over Jorge Martin contract saga
Aprilia has stood firm over Jorge Martin's push to be released from his contract early and expects the defending MotoGP world champion to remain at the team at least until the end of 2026, it has said in a statement. The Italian manufacturer has remained silent on the matter since exclusively revealed Martin intended to invoke a clause in his contract to be released from the second year of his deal for 2026, allowing him to leave at the end of the season. Advertisement The agreement signed by Aprilia and Martin last year at the Italian GP is set to hold no binding effect for the second season. understands that in the version accepted by Aprilia, Martin's representatives included a clause granting him full freedom to accept offers from other teams if he was not among the title contenders after last Sunday's French GP at Le Mans. Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia Racing Aprilia Racing '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 team has no comment on matters that do not directly concern it but expects other teams to refrain from making any kind of offer to riders who are under contract. Such behaviour would, in any case, not be legitimate. Advertisement '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 with the RS-GP.' Aprilia's comment on it 'expect[ing] other teams to refrain from making any kind of offer to riders who are under contract' is believed to be aimed at Honda, which could be Martin's destination if he is released early from his current contract. Honda has no intention of making any move until Martin resolves his ongoing conflict with Aprilia and is officially free, while Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola held a meeting with Hikaru Tsukamoto, his Honda counterpart, at Le Mans. The situation is remarkable following Martin's switch to Aprilia as reigning MotoGP world champion after winning the title last year with Pramac Ducati. Advertisement Two pre-season injuries sidelined Martin from the first three rounds in Thailand, Argentina and Austin, and he returned in Qatar, still not fully recovered, only to suffer a serious injury that resulted in nearly two weeks of hospital treatment in Doha due to a pneumothorax. While a return to action date hasn't been set yet, it seems unlikely he will be fit to return before the German GP, the 11th round, scheduled for 11-13 July. To read more articles visit our website.
Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
F1: How Red Bull and Max Verstappen surprised McLaren at Imola GP
When Max Verstappen took only his second win of this Formula One season at Imola, the overwhelming consensus was that the Red Bull car had finally picked up some pace along the way to the Italian GP. On Sunday, Verstappen brilliantly overtook McLaren's Oscar Piastri in the first corner of the first lap and then never relinquished his hold on the race. Verstappen has been plagued with a slower car this season, one that had been slower than the McLaren's until Imola. In Italy, the Red Bull clearly had the pace to keep in front, signalling that their updates to the car was starting to show promise. 'At all times, Max, he had the pace,' the Red Bull team principal Cristian Horner said. 'He was able to respond. It never felt that we were under pressure from behind. I think we had the pace to cover whatever they could throw at us. 'Definitely we've managed to put some performance on the car and get it into a better window,' said Horner. 'Since Brazil last year, which was a wet race, that's the first time I can remember in a long time we've had the pace to really pull away and out-deg the McLaren. That's very encouraging.' McLaren team principal Andrea Stella agreed with Horner's assessment that the Red Bull had picked up pace and was now seriously challenging on the front against the McLaren. Verstappen's win in Japan came in conditions where overtaking was extremely tough and his pole position provided enough to win him the race. At Italy though, it was his pace and the minimal tyre degradation that helped in the win. 'We were a little surprised to be honest here by the pace of Red Bull,' he said. 'The race was very much decided by the swap of positions between Oscar and Max in corner one. After that we tried to chase him but effectively we didn't have enough race pace today to be able to beat Max.'
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Hamilton looks like his old self again, but Ferrari's woeful run continues
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton gestures to supporters before the 2025 Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at the Imola autodrome. PHOTO: AFP The tifosi, the super-enthusiastic followers of Ferrari's racing fortunes, always crave solid results. But never more so than when their beloved red cars race on home ground. Thus the Emilia-Romagna GP at Imola is second only to the Italian GP at Monza in their hearts. And like most intense fans, they don't take well to failure. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
‘It's hard for this situation to continue' – Iconic F1 Grand Prix faces being AXED amid ‘difficult' circumstances
It is not the first time the GP has been cut RED FLAG 'It's hard for this situation to continue' – Iconic F1 Grand Prix faces being AXED amid 'difficult' circumstances Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ICONIC F1 grand prix track is at risk of being axed from the race calendar. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola could be set to host its last F1 race. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix could be cut from the F1 calendar 4 The track was reintroduced back in 2020 4 Stefano Domenicali has said it would be 'difficult' to keep the race Credit: Getty The famous circuit is the host for this weekend's race in the 2025 season. But F1 president Stefano Domenicali has admitted that it could be cut from the calendar. There are currently two races in Italy, the one in Imola as well as the Italian GP at Monza. Domenicali has suggested that with the increased interest in the motorsport, it could prove "difficult" for both to be kept. He told RAI radio: "Italy has always been and will be an important part of Formula 1. "It will be increasingly difficult to have two races in the same country because interest in F1 is growing and it's a situation we will have to deal with in the coming months. "It's hard for this situation with Imola and Monza to continue together on the calendar for long." The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari debuted back in 1981. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS However, it has previously been cut as it was left off the calendar from 2006 until it was reintroduced in 2020. This was when the race was rebranded as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton fumes 'have a tea break while you're at it' at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-up 4 No other country in Europe has more than one race but Spain will have next year. This is down to the overlap between the new Madrid track and last year of the Barcelona circuit. The USA has three races with tracks in Miami, Las Vegas and Austin. Speaking in 2024, Domenicali admitted that some tracks in Europe could become rotational in the calendar. He said: "We have some news to share very, very soon with regard to the possibility in the mid-term to have some rotational European Grand Prix and some other new options coming later. "This is something that, of course, we will clarify in the due course. "It is true that we have a large demand for new possible venues that want to come in. "Our choice will always be balanced between the right economic benefits that we can have as a system and also to leverage in the growth of the market. "That we can see potential that will be beneficial for us to grow our business even further." Meanwhile, ahead of this weekend's race Ferrari star Charles Leclerc has missed media duties due to illness.
