Latest news with #LanceStroll
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Lance Stroll Destroys 2026 F1 Regulations in Brutal Rant
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Aston Martin Formula One driver Lance Stroll has ridiculed the 2026 F1 car and new regulations, calling the whole exercise a "science project" championship. For the first time in the history of premier class racing, cars will run on 50 percent electric power starting next year, with the other half coming from a conventional internal combustion unit powered by sustainable fuels. 2026 marks the year when F1 enters a new era of regulations. The cars will be lighter and slightly more compact than the current ground effect cars. The 2026 car has been designed to promote closer racing that supports easy overtaking. One of the most standout features will be active aerodynamics on both the front and rear wings, which will replace the current Drag Reduction System. The active aerodynamics will reportedly feature two modes: X-mode for drag reduction on the straights and Z-mode for increased downforce on corners. A manual override system will provide the extra electrical energy for a power boost while overtaking. However, there has been much skepticism from several F1 personalities about whether the cars will enable close racing, especially when they run out of electric energy during races. Stroll expressed his disappointment with the new regulations. He said: Aston Martin's Canadian driver Lance Stroll drives during the first practice session at the Red Bull Ring race track in Spielberg, Austria, on June 27, 2025, ahead of the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix. Aston Martin's Canadian driver Lance Stroll drives during the first practice session at the Red Bull Ring race track in Spielberg, Austria, on June 27, 2025, ahead of the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix. ERWIN SCHERIAU/APA/AFP/Getty Images "We'll get a bit of an idea in the test and then in Australia, but the regulations, I think, are a bit sad. "I have driven it in the sim, and that's why I'm a bit sad. It is a shame that in Formula 1, we're taking the path of electric energy, and we've had to take all the downforce off to support the battery power. "It would just be fun to see some light, nimble, fast cars with lots of downforce, and just to simplify the whole thing a little bit, so less of an energy battery championship science project and more of a Formula 1 racing championship. "So I don't love the idea of the new regulations, and I think a lot of the drivers can agree on that, and I don't think some of them can talk about it for political reasons. "It is exciting to think about cars that can scream a little louder, be lighter and just not depend or focus so much on energy or batteries or the power train, that is not very racey." Stroll's concerns could be valid, and it is likely that F1 and its governing body, the FIA, agree with the general feeling. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem admitted that the current cars are complicated and expensive to develop. Thus, the sport could revert to V8 engines by 2029. He said: "The current engine is so complicated, you have no idea, and it is costly. R&D [research and development] is reaching $200 million, and the engine is costing approximately $1.8m to $2.1m, so if we go with a straight V8, let's see. "Many of the manufacturers produce V8s in their cars, so commercially it's correct. How much is it? You drop it. The target is more than 50% in everything." "To us, the V8 is happening. With the teams now, I'm very optimistic, happy about it. FOM [Formula One Management] are supportive, the teams are realising it is the right way. "We need to do it soon... you need three years, so hopefully by 2029 we have something there, but the fuel is also very expensive, and we have to be very careful with that. Transmissions are very expensive."
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Lance Stroll Trashes Aston Martin Car In An Explosive Rant
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. Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll voiced his displeasure with the current car in an explicit-loaded rant. Stroll started the British Grand Prix in P17, but the rain and safety cars allowed the 26-year-old to work his way up the grid and score points. He ran as high as third and looked on for a potential podium finish. Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg ended up securing the last step on the podium. Lance Stroll of Canada and Aston Martin F1 Team looks on in the Pitlane during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 06, 2025 in Northampton, England. Lance Stroll of Canada and Aston Martin F1 Team looks on in the Pitlane during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 06, 2025 in Northampton, England. Photo byStroll finished seventh, netting a nice haul of points for the driver, though his radio message after the race was extremely blunt: "Yeah crazy is an understatement, I mean it's the worst piece of sh*t I've ever driven to be honest," he told his engineer. The statement from Stroll isn't rare - he is known for losing his temper. According to ESPN, the Canadian driver damaged multiple items in the team's garage after being eliminated in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix. He ended up not racing in Spain due to a hand injury, which potentially resulted from his frustration. Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Stroll was notably upset about how his season went. "So I think there's, there's definitely, you know, just been like some cr*p going on and just not kind of putting it together," he said. In the same press conference, the long-time F1 driver hit back at critics who believe that he doesn't even want to race in the sport. "I think Formula 1 is a business with very short-minded opinions," he added. "And if you have two good races, you're the best driver in the world. And if you have two bad ones, you're not good enough. You shouldn't be here anymore and you're s**t. "So I think you know that's the business. That's how it's always been. It's how it always will be. "I think you know when you have a crap day. You don't enjoy having a crap day. If you have a good day, you enjoy having a good day. So I think that's just how it is." This season, Stroll has scored 20 points at the halfway mark of the season. He scored those points in three out of the first 12 races. Aside from those impressive finishes, he typically does not fight for points and is often stuck at the back of the grid. Stroll will hope for a more comfortable time behind the wheel of the Aston Martin in the second half of the season. More F1 news: How Lewis Hamilton Made the F1 Movie Production More Expensive For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Sauber's success is an F1 anomaly as teams switch focus to 2026
Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll of Canada leaves the pit lane during the British Formula One Grand Prix race at the Silverstone racetrack in Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. AP Photo/Andrej Isakovic, Pool) Kick Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany steers his car during the British Formula One Grand Prix race at the Silverstone racetrack in Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) Kick Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany holds the trophy as he celebrates 3rd position during the British Formula One Grand Prix race at the Silverstone racetrack in Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) Kick Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany, right wearing helmet, celebrates with his teammates for his 3rd position during the British Formula One Grand Prix race at the Silverstone racetrack in Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) Kick Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany, right wearing helmet, celebrates with his teammates for his 3rd position during the British Formula One Grand Prix race at the Silverstone racetrack in Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll of Canada leaves the pit lane during the British Formula One Grand Prix race at the Silverstone racetrack in Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. AP Photo/Andrej Isakovic, Pool) Kick Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany steers his car during the British Formula One Grand Prix race at the Silverstone racetrack in Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) Kick Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany holds the trophy as he celebrates 3rd position during the British Formula One Grand Prix race at the Silverstone racetrack in Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) Kick Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany, right wearing helmet, celebrates with his teammates for his 3rd position during the British Formula One Grand Prix race at the Silverstone racetrack in Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) SILVERSTONE, England (AP) — Sauber celebrated a rare podium finish with Champagne donated by its Formula 1 rivals. After all, this wasn't meant to be its year. Mercedes sent over a staffer to Sauber bearing bottles of Champagne and a message of congratulations after Nico Hülkenberg's surprise third place at the British Grand Prix on Sunday. It was his first podium as a driver and the team's best finish in 13 years. Advertisement Sauber personnel jumped and sang as the sparkling wine was sprayed around the team's hospitality site. Not bad for a 'building year,' as Hülkenberg put it in February. Sauber was one of the teams eyeing 2026 opportunities before 2025 even began. The biggest rule change in a generation brings smaller cars with movable front and rear wings and more electrical power. Teams who have been also-rans in 2025 have the chance to make a big step forward. The teams eyeing a leap forward At the halfway point of the 2025 season, Aston Martin, Williams and Sauber — to be rebranded Audi next year — all have ambitious plans for 2026. Advertisement Development work at Aston Martin's brand-new wind tunnel across the road from the Silverstone circuit is 99% focused on next year's car, team principal Andy Cowell said Friday. It's the first Aston Martin overseen by design great Adrian Newey, who's created title-winning cars for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull over nearly 40 years in F1 and is the star signing of the team's new era. 'He pushes the boundaries," Cowell said. 'He packages 10 things into the space where only one would normally fit.' It's been a quiet 2025 on track. Aston Martin had its first double points finish of the season Sunday, with Lance Stroll seventh and Fernando Alonso ninth. Advertisement At Williams, driver Alex Albon was testing out 2026 ideas in the simulator before the 2025 season began. The team has invested heavily in behind-the-scenes reforms to recapture its glory days as a serial title-winner in the 1980s and 1990s. Turning Sauber into the Audi works team brings a new level of expectation, while General Motors joins F1 in 2026 with its Cadillac brand. Front-runners have more to lose Top teams in particular face a tricky question to judge when to stop developing this year's car and go all-in on 2026. Red Bull was the big winner from the last major changes in 2022 as Max Verstappen won four straight titles. There's big change this time without Newey and with a new engine partnership between its Red Bull Powertrains unit and Ford. Advertisement Verstappen's future is unclear amid speculation he could leave for Mercedes. It would be a 'disaster' for Red Bull to lose him, McLaren boss Zak Brown told the Associated Press on Saturday. 'Sport goes in cycles," Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said last week. 'We've had two incredibly successful cycles in Formula 1, and what we want to do is build towards the next cycle.' "Of course we want that to be with Max but we understand the pressure that there is next year, with us coming in as a new power unit manufacturer.' The last time the rules changed, McLaren showed it's possible to start a new F1 era slowly but evolve into a title contender. It took over two years until the breakthrough win, though. ___ AP auto racing:
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Aston Martin Formula 1 boss excited for Silverstone Grand Prix
A Formula 1 team principal said he hoped to "put on a show" for fans ahead of its "home race" at the British Grand Prix this Aston Martin F1 team's £200m headquarters, located across the road from the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, opened in team is one of seven British-based F1 outfits, but none can claim to be closer than the Aston Martin HQ on Dadford Road."We look out the window and there's the circuit." said Andy Cowell, who is also the team's chief executive. "It's very definitely our home race and we're looking forward to seeing all the fans with green T-shirts and green caps on and hopefully we can put on a good show."The team, owned by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, is eighth in this season's constructors' championship with two-time world drivers' championship winner Fernando Alonso and Stroll's son, Lance, racing for 1 is marking its 75th anniversary in 2025 and Cowell, who formerly worked for the Brackley-based Mercedes team, said he had many fond memories of races at Silverstone."I guess seeing Lewis Hamilton with the gold [Royal Automobile Club] trophy a few times," he said. "Having contributed to that was a special moment". Aston Martin's £200m home features a factory and wind tunnel for testing the performance of its to BBC Radio Northampton's Motorsport Show about the building, Guy Austin, who designed the campus, said: "You look out of the window here, look at the view everybody gets out of this building... it's extraordinary. There's no other Formula One team that offers that."Creating the very best environment allows us to attract the very best talent and hopefully retain the very best talent because we're creating the best environment in Formula 1. "I can confidently say that, because I've delivered every factory in this country for Formula 1, apart from McLaren." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Newsweek
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
F1 Confirms Future Of Austrian Grand Prix With Contract Announcement
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. Formula One has announced a long-term contract extension with the promoter of the Austrian Grand Prix, Projekt Spielberg GmbH & Co KG. This seals the Red Bull Ring's spot on the F1 calendar until 2041. The announcement comes hours before the Grand Prix in Austria, where Lando Norris is set to start from pole position. Located around the Styrian mountains, the Red Bull Ring first hosted a Grand Prix in 1970. The circuit's turning point arrived when the late co-owner of Red Bull GmbH, Dietrich Mateschitz, took crucial steps to elevate it to Grand Prix standards in 2010, marking its return in 2014. Lance Stroll of Canada driving the (18) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR25 Mercedes leads Fernando Alonso of Spain driving the (14) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR25 Mercedes on track during practice ahead of the F1... Lance Stroll of Canada driving the (18) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR25 Mercedes leads Fernando Alonso of Spain driving the (14) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR25 Mercedes on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. MoreAnnouncing the long-term contract extension, Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said in a statement: "Austria has long been an incredibly special race for Formula 1 so it's fantastic we have secured the long-term future of a Grand Prix so deeply rooted in the sport's history. "The vision and passion of Dietrich Mateschitz gave the race the investment and attention that allowed it to return as an incredible event on the Formula 1 calendar. "Each year, returning to the stunning Styrian mountains is a highlight – an experience that evokes incredible emotion among our drivers, teams, and fans alike, creating an atmosphere unlike any other. "I want to extend my sincere thanks to Mark Mateschitz and Thomas Überall and his team for their unwavering dedication to excellence, and to our incredible Austrian fanbase, whose enthusiasm and loyalty continue to elevate this iconic race." Mark Mateschitz, son of Dietrich Mateschitz, added: "I am delighted that Formula 1 will remain at the Red Bull Ring for many years to come. I am proud to continue my father's legacy and to preserve the rich history of motor racing in Styria and at the Red Bull Ring – with and, above all, for the people of the region. "Austria's close ties to Formula 1 are an excellent foundation for our long-term partnership. Working together, we intend to continue this success story for many years to come." Thomas Überall, General Manager of the Red Bull Ring, said: "This long-term commitment to us by Formula 1 is a great honour and a wonderful challenge that we are happy to undertake on behalf of the fans and the Murtal region. "The new contract is of inestimable importance for the future. The long-term security of the Austrian Grand Prix will trigger further investment in infrastructure and means tremendous added value for the Murtal region, for Styria and for Austria."
