Latest news with #NelsonPiquet
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Nelson Piquet on Christian Horner's sacking from Red Bull: 'Some didn't like the team environment'
Nelson Piquet (left) with Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet (Image credit: Instagram) Nelson Piquet has divulged some inside details about what may have led to Christian Horner's sacking from Red Bull. He is the father of Red Bull champion Max Verstappen's girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, and a three-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion. The F1 veteran indicated that Horner's presence at Red Bull made it difficult for the team to hire new talent or bring back former colleagues. Who is Nelson Piquet? Christian Horner served as the Team Principal at Red Bull for 20 years, during which Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen won multiple Formula One World Championships. Verstappen is currently in a relationship with Kelly Piquet, the daughter of Nelson Piquet and his second ex-wife, Sylvia Tamsma. He is also the grandfather of Kelly and Max's baby girl, Lily. Nelson Piquet on what went wrong at Red Bull Dropping a truth bomb during the Pelas Pistas podcast, Nelson Piquet said, 'What's the reason they are struggling to keep Max? I heard it's that they have difficulty bringing some key people back or hiring, because some didn't like the team environment. Those little problems came up between [Horner] and Max's father. In a way, it bothered some people, and for them to bring the people they want back, some felt that with Christian there, it would be more difficult. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 痛みのない血糖測定器が何百万人もの人々の生活を変えています Wmet 今すぐ購入 Undo ' He continued, 'That's what people have been saying. It was about sharing tasks a little bit more, and Horner didn't want to do that. He wanted to maintain control over everything—both teams, over the engines; he wanted to be in control of everything. But for him, it was a win-win situation.' Piquet also stressed that Verstappen wasn't the reason behind Horner's dismissal. Horner was removed from his role at Red Bull during a season in which the team has struggled to maintain form, despite Verstappen winning the Drivers' Championship title last year. Piquet claimed, 'If he gets all the power, for him, it's a huge moral issue. And if he doesn't, he gets a huge amount of money — almost 100 million dollars. Maybe part of that is psychological, so they can get rid of him and hire this list of people back. It's not just because of Max.' Also Read: Sacked Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner's wife Geri Horner hit by £1 million debt Horner has reportedly been placed on gardening leave, during which he will receive a hefty salary. He has been replaced by Racing Bulls Team Principal, Laurent Mekies. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Meet the glam partners of Formula One stars from pro golfer to TikTok sensation
The rich and famous descended on Silverstone this weekend for the British Formula 1 race and the drivers were supported by faces just as glamourous as the celebrities behind the wheel. It was McLaren's Lando Norris who went over the line first with Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg second and third respectively. Here, takes a look at the stunning WAGs many of whom were there at the weekend as the F1 circus pulled into the UK. Dating Max Verstappen Verstappen and Piquet welcomed their first child together earlier this year. The F1 star announced the birth on Instagram, where he wrote: 'Welcome to the world, sweet Lily. Our hearts are fuller than ever - you are our greatest gift. We love you so much.' While Lily is Max's first child, model Piquet, 36, already has a daughter, Penelope, born in 2019, from her previous relationship with Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat, 30. Kelly is a 35-year-old model from Brazil and hasn't just bagged herself a boyfriend who is a four-time world champion, but also happens to be the daughter of one too - with her father, Nelson Piquet, having the same badge of honor himself. Nelson is a controversial figure and was fined for racist and homophobic comments about Lewis Hamilton two years ago. In an interview in November 2021, Piquet, 72, used a Portuguese racial slur in reference to the seven-time world champ. Hamilton called for action to change 'archaic mindsets' after footage of the interview surfaced. Piquet then apologized but argued that his comments were mistranslated. The judge in the case, Pedro Matos de Arrudo, said the compensation was 'so that, as a society, we can someday be free from the pernicious acts that are racism and homophobia'. Kelly and Max have been dating since January 2021 and are often spotted with Kelly's daughter, Penelope. The model recently pleaded with social media fans to stop spreading rumors about her after facing 'a strange and upsetting wave of accusations' in the last three years, some of which relate to her previous relationships. Alexandra Saint Mleux Dating Charles Leclerc Alexandra Saint Mleux is a TikTok influencer who stole the heart of her beau, Charles Leclerc over a year ago, with the two having made their first public appearance in March 2023. In May of the same year, her racing driver love confirmed the budding romance. Since then, the pair have only gained in strength and even appeared at the Monaco Grand Prix gala dinner with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene following Charles's home-race victory earlier this year. When she's not cheering her super speedy boyfriend on, she's filming lifestyle and home videos for her 886.900 TikTok followers. Her glamorous videos are the hallmark of an F1 WAG with her feed full of luxury travel locations, designer outfit fit checks and the odd few on glamorous yachts. Alex isn't just beautiful in herself, but is a fan of all things cultural, being a passionate art historian. Francisca Gomes Dating Pierre Gasly According to People magazine, Pierre, 27, has been dating model Francisca since 2022. The couple however didn't go Instagram official until 2023, when the driver shared a photo of the pair bringing in the new year together in Dubai. 'Let's hope for a year with good health, filled with love, dopamine, adrenaline and many TROPHIES!' he wrote in the post. 'I wish you all an incredible year to you and with your loved ones. Let's make it one to remember.' They have since made glamorous public appearances at events like Cannes Film Festival and Wimbledon - and as reported by People, Pierre has even called Francisca his 'lucky charm'. As well as being a model and influencer, Francisca - who is from Portugal - also appears to be a keen traveler. She often documents her adventures on Instagram, where she has 818,000 followers. Carmen Montero Mundt Dating George Russell Carmen Montero Mundt has been in a relationship with George Russell, 26, since 2020 - and as reported by GP Blog, the couple happily live in Monaco together. According to the outlet, 27-year-old Carmen has previously worked in finance - as an investor relations associate at Ruffer LLP in London - but recently announced that she is going back to studying. The driver's very glamorous girlfriend - who is originally from Spain and moved to the UK aged 18 - has a business degree from the University of Westminster. Carmen has more than 409,000 followers on Instagram, and often shares snaps of her luxury travels and enviable style online. The couple are understood to have met through friends in London, and have made a number of public appearances since first getting together. Lily Muni He Dating Alexander Albon Lily Muni He and Alexander Albon are a sporty couple match made in heaven - as both are accomplished athletes. Lily, 26, is professional golfer from China, who plays on the US-based LPGA Tour, while Alexander, 29, has been praised for his success in racing. As reported by NBC Sports, Lily was introduced to golf when she was only five years old, by her father. She grew up in Vancouver, Canada before moving to the U.S. and now is based in Los Angeles. In 2018, she opened up about her strategy for success throughout the Q-Series - not paying attention to her ranking during or after any of the final stage of the LPGA's qualifying tournament. She told as reported by NBC Sports: 'I didn't know I made it until everyone started congratulating when we were all done. 'It's the first time I've ever done that, not look where I stand on the leaderboard.' However, she admitted halfway through, her father accidentally let her know her place on the leaderboard. She and Alex started dating in 2019, after Lily watched a Netflix documentary on F1. 'I was in a slump. I was in a really bad place mentally. It was my rookie year and I wasn't playing well at all. A friend of mine convinced me to watch a (Formula One) documentary on Netflix called Drive to Survive'. They said, "I think you'd really like it. It helps you to see another perspective of a sport that's under so much pressure", she told Golf Week in 2021. 'So I watched the whole entire season in one day. I know as bizarre as this might sound, it got me really motivated in golf instantly.' After getting more curious about F1, Lily started following Alex on Instagram and 'really didn't think that much of it'. However, unbeknownst to her Alex was also getting into golf at the same time - and so followed her. 'I guess that's how we technically met,' she explained. 'We started talking on the phone. We were both rookies in 2019 and I thought that was extremely cool. 'Eventually he had an event in the States and afterwards, he and his friend took a little break in LA and that's how we properly met for the first time.' Rebecca Donaldson Dating Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz started his relationship with Rebecca Donaldson in 2023, with the pair first becoming an item in June two years ago. The 29-year-old Scottish model has been sighted at races with her beau, including at the Las Vegas GP, which he came incredibly close to winning in 2023. Donaldson has appeared on the covers of high-end fashion magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire since winning a beauty pageant aged 17, when she was a student at the prestigious Perth Academy, dreaming of breaking into the fashion industry. 'My mum entered me and I was really surprised when I found out,' she said at the time. 'I am really excited to have won and am really looking forward to entering the Top Model UK competition.' Rebecca was first linked to Keeping Up With The Kardashians star and Kourtney Kardashian's ex Scott Disick when the pair attended the premiere of a new series of the show in 2022. They dated for two months before splitting up in June of that year. She founded the activewear fashion label Muse in 2020 during the pandemic, explaining: 'I knew I wanted to create something that not only I would wear and be proud of putting my name against, but also something that was missing from the market.' The couple were first seen out together in Milan in June 2023, then fans started to think they were an item when they appeared at a golf course in Amsterdam in late August. One of Sainz's sisters began following her on Instagram, adding fuel to speculation about a romance, before Donaldson took to the catwalk at Madrid Fashion Week last month in front of members of the driver's family. While the pair haven't posted any shots of them together on their social media, they do comment on each other's posts regularly. Lily Zneimer Dating Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri, 23, enjoyed an impressive debut season on the grid in two years ago as he racked up 97 points and secured a creditable ninth-place finish in the drivers' standings. The Australian's private life has generally been kept quiet since he came into the F1 world, but he has shared snaps with childhood sweetheart Lily Zneimer on social media. In their most recent snap together, the pair could be seen on a trip to Japan. The pair met at school and have been dating for nearly five years, with Zneimer regularly supporting the Australian at events. She is reportedly still a student and the pair were also pictured together at the Autosport Awards. Lando Norris Margarida Corceiro After Lando split from Luisinha Oliveira in 2022, he has been enjoying a lowkey romance with Portuguese model and actress, Margaradia Corceiro. The pair were first seen together in May 2023 in a video on social media showing the 25-year-old driving his Fiat Jolly with her in the back of the classic car after she split from Barcelona star Joao Felix. They were later spotted together at the Monte Carlo Masters last April but have predominantly kept their on-off relationship out of the spotlight. Margarida is no stranger to flaunting her figure in scantily clad bikini snaps, sharing images from her trip to The Maldives. Back again: Norris reportedly rekindled his romance with Portuguese model Margarida Corceiro this year The McLaren star - who had held the record for most podiums without a race win - ended his barren run by beating triple world champion Max Verstappen to victory at the Miami Grand Prix in May 2024. Corceiro has appeared on a number of Portuguese television shows and as per Portuguese outlet Maria, was a contestant in the country's version of Dancing With The Stars in 2020. Norris and Corceiro continued to attend events together throughout much of last year before reports claimed that the pair had ended their short-term relationship. Confirming the news ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Norris coolly stated on-stage amidst a packed crowd after being asked if he would like a dog: 'If I do I need a girlfriend, and I don't have one.' However, it appeared the pair have rekindled their romance after Corceiro was spotted by TV cameras during qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix in May. Corceiro, a model and actress from Portugal, has had an on-off relationship with Norris Flavy Barla Dating Esteban Ocon Good news: Haas driver Esteban Ocon went public with his relationship with influencer Flavy Barla in 2023 Popular: Barla has amassed a large social media following Haas driver Esteban Ocon went public with his relationship with influencer Flavy Barla in 2023 following the breakdown of his five-year partnership with Italian model Elena Berri. Barla, a 22-year-old medical student and compatriot of Ocon, has amassed a large social media following in addition to appearances in several beauty pageants. The French lady won the coveted Miss Cote d'Azur in 2022 and finished as fifth runner-up in the 2023 Miss France contest. Barla has made a few appearances at Grand Prix to support her beau, with her first coming during the 2023 season finale in Abu Dhabi after she and Ocon were spotted in the paddock together. The couple keep fans up to date with their exciting globe-trotting life on their social media channels.
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Meet the glamorous Formula One WAGs gearing up to cheer on their men at Silverstone: The daughter of a controversial three-time champion, a TikTok fashion sensation - and a professional golfer who met her beau after bingeing Drive to Survive
The rich and the famous are set to descend upon Northampton this week as the F1 calendar reaches its peak for most British fans. Silverstone is a major day in the schedule for all drivers, especially those from these shores who dream of adding their name to a short list of British men to claim their home race. And in the case of many of the stars set to dual on the track, they'll be supported by faces just as glamourous as the celebrities who routinely try to avoid Martin Brundle when flouting their VIP access just minutes before lights out. Here, Mail Sport takes a look at the stunning WAGs to look out for this weekend as the F1 circus pulls into the UK. Kelly Piquet Dating Max Verstappen Verstappen and Piquet welcomed their first child together earlier this year. The F1 star announced the birth on Instagram, where he wrote: 'Welcome to the world, sweet Lily. Our hearts are fuller than ever - you are our greatest gift. We love you so much.' While Lily is Max's first child, model Piquet, 36, already has a daughter, Penelope, born in 2019, from her previous relationship with Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat, 30. Kelly is a 35-year-old model from Brazil and hasn't just bagged herself a boyfriend who is a four-time world champion, but also happens to be the daughter of one too - with her father, Nelson Piquet, having the same badge of honour himself. Nelson is a controversial figure and was fined £780k for racist and homophobic comments about Lewis Hamilton two years ago. In an interview in November 2021, Piquet, 72, used a Portuguese racial slur in reference to the seven-time world champ. Hamilton called for action to change 'archaic mindsets' after footage of the interview surfaced. Piquet then apologised but argued that his comments were mistranslated. The judge in the case, Pedro Matos de Arrudo, said the compensation was 'so that, as a society, we can someday be free from the pernicious acts that are racism and homophobia'. Kelly and Max have been dating since January 2021 and are often spotted with Kelly's daughter, Penelope. The model recently pleaded with social media fans to stop spreading rumours about her after facing 'a strange and upsetting wave of accusations' in the last three years, some of which relate to her previous relationships. Alexandra Saint Mleux Dating Charles Leclerc Alexandra Saint Mleux is a TikTok influencer who stole the heart of her beau, Charles Leclerc over a year ago, with the two having made their first public appearance in March 2023. In May of the same year, her racing driver love confirmed the budding romance. Since then, the pair have only gained in strength and even appeared at the Monaco Grand Prix gala dinner with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene following Charles's home-race victory earlier this year. When she's not cheering her super speedy boyfriend on, she's filming lifestyle and home videos for her 886.900 TikTok followers. Her glamorous videos are the hallmark of an F1 WAG with her feed full of luxury travel locations, designer outfit fit checks and the odd few on glamorous yachts. Alex isn't just beautiful in herself, but is a fan of all things cultural, being a passionate art historian. Francisca Gomes Dating Pierre Gasly According to People magazine, Pierre, 27, has been dating model Francisca since 2022. The couple however didn't go Instagram official until 2023, when the driver shared a photo of the pair bringing in the new year together in Dubai. 'Let's hope for a year with good health, filled with love, dopamine, adrenaline and many TROPHIES!' he wrote in the post. 'I wish you all an incredible year to you and with your loved ones. Let's make it one to remember.' They have since made glamorous public appearances at events like Cannes Film Festival and Wimbledon - and as reported by People, Pierre has even called Francisca his 'lucky charm'. As well as being a model and influencer, Francisca - who is from Portugal - also appears to be a keen traveller. She often documents her adventures on Instagram, where she has 818,000 followers. Carmen Montero Mundt Dating George Russell Carmen Montero Mundt has been in a relationship with George Russell, 26, since 2020 - and as reported by GP Blog, the couple happily live in Monaco together. According to the outlet, 27-year-old Carmen has previously worked in finance - as an investor relations associate at Ruffer LLP in London - but recently announced that she is going back to studying. The driver's very glamorous girlfriend - who is originally from Spain and moved to the UK aged 18 - has a business degree from the University of Westminster. Carmen has more than 409,000 followers on Instagram, and often shares snaps of her luxury travels and enviable style online. The couple are understood to have met through friends in London, and have made a number of public appearances since first getting together. Lily Muni He Dating Alexander Albon Lily Muni He and Alexander Albon are a sporty couple match made in heaven - as both are accomplished athletes. Lily, 26, is professional golfer from China, who plays on the US-based LPGA Tour, while Alexander, 29, has been praised for his success in racing. As reported by NBC Sports, Lily was introduced to golf when she was only five years old, by her father. She grew up in Vancouver, Canada before moving to the US, and now is based in Los Angeles. In 2018, she opened up about her strategy for success throughout the Q-Series - not paying attention to her ranking during or after any of the final stage of the LPGA's qualifying tournament. She told as reported by NBC Sports: 'I didn't know I made it until everyone started congratulating when we were all done. 'It's the first time I've ever done that, not look where I stand on the leaderboard.' However, she admitted halfway through, her father accidentally let her know her place on the leaderboard. She and Alex started dating in 2019, after Lily watched a Netflix documentary on F1. 'I was in a slump. I was in a really bad place mentally. It was my rookie year and I wasn't playing well at all. A friend of mine convinced me to watch a (Formula One) documentary on Netflix called Drive to Survive'. They said, "I think you'd really like it. It helps you to see another perspective of a sport that's under so much pressure", she told Golf Week in 2021. 'So I watched the whole entire season in one day. I know as bizarre as this might sound, it got me really motivated in golf instantly.' After getting more curious about F1, Lily started following Alex on Instagram and 'really didn't think that much of it'. However, unbeknownst to her Alex was also getting into golf at the same time - and so followed her. 'I guess that's how we technically met,' she explained. 'We started talking on the phone. We were both rookies in 2019 and I thought that was extremely cool. 'Eventually he had an event in the States and afterwards, he and his friend took a little break in LA and that's how we properly met for the first time.' Rebecca Donaldson Dating Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz started his relationship with Rebecca Donaldson in 2023, with the pair first becoming an item in June two years ago. The 29-year-old Scottish model has been sighted at races with her beau, including at the Las Vegas GP, which he came incredibly close to winning in 2023. Donaldson has appeared on the covers of high-end fashion magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire since winning a beauty pageant aged 17, when she was a student at the prestigious Perth Academy, dreaming of breaking into the fashion industry. 'My mum entered me and I was really surprised when I found out,' she said at the time. 'I am really excited to have won and am really looking forward to entering the Top Model UK competition.' Rebecca was first linked to Keeping Up With The Kardashians star and Kourtney Kardashian's ex Scott Disick when the pair attended the premiere of a new series of the show in 2022. They dated for two months before splitting up in June of that year. Donaldson has appeared on the covers of high-end fashion magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire since winning a beauty pageant aged 17, when she was a student at the prestigious Perth Academy, dreaming of breaking into the fashion industry. Pictured with Carlos in June 2024 She founded the activewear fashion label Muse in 2020 during the pandemic, explaining: 'I knew I wanted to create something that not only I would wear and be proud of putting my name against, but also something that was missing from the market.' The couple were first seen out together in Milan in June 2023, then fans started to think they were an item when they appeared at a golf course in Amsterdam in late August. One of Sainz's sisters began following her on Instagram, adding fuel to speculation about a romance, before Donaldson took to the catwalk at Madrid Fashion Week last month in front of members of the driver's family. While the pair haven't posted any shots of them together on their social media, they do comment on each other's posts regularly. Lily Zneimer Dating Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri, 23, enjoyed an impressive debut season on the grid in two years ago as he racked up 97 points and secured a creditable ninth-place finish in the drivers' standings. The Australian's private life has generally been kept quiet since he came into the F1 world, but he has shared snaps with childhood sweetheart Lily Zneimer on social media. In their most recent snap together, the pair could be seen on a trip to Japan. The pair met at school and have been dating for nearly five years, with Zneimer regularly supporting the Australian at events. She is reportedly still a student and the pair were also pictured together at the Autosport Awards. Lando Norris Margarida Corceiro After Lando split from Luisinha Oliveira in 2022, he has been enjoying a lowkey romance with Portuguese model and actress, Margaradia Corceiro. The pair were first seen together in May 2023 in a video on social media showing the 25-year-old driving his Fiat Jolly with her in the back of the classic car after she split from Barcelona star Joao Felix. They were later spotted together at the Monte Carlo Masters last April but have predominantly kept their on-off relationship out of the spotlight. Margarida is no stranger to flaunting her figure in scantily clad bikini snaps, sharing images from her trip to The Maldives. The McLaren star - who had held the record for most podiums without a race win - ended his barren run by beating triple world champion Max Verstappen to victory at the Miami Grand Prix in May 2024. Corceiro has appeared on a number of Portuguese television shows and as per Portuguese outlet Maria, was a contestant in the country's version of Dancing with the Stars back in 2020. Norris and Corceiro continued to attend events together throughout much of last year before reports claimed that the pair had ended their short-term relationship. Confirming the news ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Norris coolly stated on-stage amidst a packed crowd after being asked if he would like a dog: 'If I do I need a girlfriend, and I don't have one.' However, it appeared the pair have rekindled their romance after Corceiro was spotted by TV cameras during qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix in May. Flavy Barla Dating Esteban Ocon Haas driver Esteban Ocon went public with his relationship with influencer Flavy Barla in 2023 Barla, a 22-year-old medical student and compatriot of Ocon, has amassed a large social media following Haas driver Esteban Ocon went public with his relationship with influencer Flavy Barla in 2023 following the breakdown of his five-year partnership with Italian model Elena Berri. Barla, a 22-year-old medical student and compatriot of Ocon, has amassed a large social media following in addition to appearances in several beauty pagents. The French stunner won the coveted Miss Cote d'Azur in 2022 and finished as fifth runner-up in the 2023 Miss France contest. Barla has made a few appearances at Grand Prix to support her beau, with her first coming during the 2023 season finale in Abu Dhabi after she and Ocon were spotted in the paddock together.
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Max Verstappen reveals why he snubbed Lewis Hamilton's F1 film red carpet in favour of changing smelly nappies
MAX VERSTAPPEN would rather be changing nappies at home than wearing a tuxedo on the red carpet. They certainly don't make 'em like four-time world champion Verstappen anymore, who has been as real as they get this season in the world's most luxurious sport. 6 6 6 The Dutchman has swerved two red carpets for Lewis Hamilton 's new Hollywood movie, starring Brad Pitt, and has not even watched the film yet. He would rather be on dad duties with his two-month old baby Lily, enduring sleepless nights and changing nappies which he admits: 'Some are more smelly than others'. Verstappen has also been dipping his toes in other areas of motorsport, like testing a GT3 in Spa during the first F1 movie premiere in New York as his patience continues to wear thin in F1. He is focused on his growing family of girlfriend, Kelly, the daughter of former F1 world champion Nelson Piquet, their daughter Lily and his step daughter Penelope, who are based in Monaco. Verstappen, at the Red Bull Ring ahead of his team's home race in Austria, told SunSport: 'Being authentic is not something I have to try and focus on. It's just who I am. 'I don't like to be on the red carpet and dress up in a suit. I don't like to interact with people that I don't really know, and have a fake smile and fake chat. It's horrible, I just don't enjoy it. 'I prefer to hang out with my friends and spend time with my little family. I also have a lot of other projects going on outside of F1. 'So any extra work like red carpets is not what I want to do. I'm at a stage of my career where I've achieved so much professionally. 'I'm just focusing outside of it now, like my big passions to make life more enjoyable and not just being performance driven.' Verstappen is fiercely private when it comes to his family but when asked about his being a girl dad, he added: 'It's super cute. I'm trying to spend as much time making it all work. Max Verstappen goes for a spin around the upgraded F1 circuit at Zandvoort 'With the nappies, some are more smelly than others!' Verstappen rose to fame as something of a villain due to Netflix's hit docu-series Drive to Survive. It didn't help that his route to his first world championship title in Abu Dhabi in 2021 was tarnished by a safety car mishap which many felt stole the crown from Lewis Hamilton. There is also a dark side there, which was on show at the Spanish Grand Prix three-weeks ago when he rammed into George Russell to leave him one point away from a race ban. But he has won over more hearts than ever in recent years, being unapologetically himself and unafraid to stand up to the sport's governing body, the FIA, and its controversial president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. He even won over his old rival Hamilton when he was ordered to do community service for dropping an F-bomb in an FIA press conference last year. He has remained tight-lipped in press conferences this season, but his silence has spoken volumes for the dissatisfaction from most drivers towards the FIA's rules. He said: 'I think it's a bit of a Dutch thing. I'm straightforward. I'm the same on track. I say the same in the paddock as I do with my friends. It's important to be honest. 'When I'm not happy with something I say it, I let people know, that approach works really well for me.' There has been constant speculation surrounding Verstappen's future with him growing increasingly exasperated with the FIA and the slog of marketing requirements for drivers. After all he is the centrepiece of a sport stacked with millionaires flashing their cash, designer outfits and superyachts - but Verstappen just loves to burn rubber. 6 The Dutchman would rather avoid the spotlight entirely, so much so that he recently used a fake name Franz Hermann to secretly test a Ferrari at the Nurburgring where he smashed a lap record. Verstappen's next goal is securing a Nordschleife permit, a special racing license, to compete in events at the Nurburgring, including the Nurburgring 24 Hours, rather than chasing records in F1. There has been talk of Verstappen taking a year off in 2026 and he says it is outside ventures like the Nurburgring appearance that are keeping him in F1, for now. He added: 'The fake name was because I wouldn't be on the entry list. People would have known way far in advance and there would be way more people there. 'What I'm doing outside F1 makes me stay around a bit longer in F1. I'm trying to make it work and keep it fun. 'I want to get my license (Nordschleife permit), so I need to do a race in a slower car so I'm planning on that. 'When you do things outside of F1, it's more relaxed, which doesn't mean it's less professional and my desire to win is the same. It's something I really enjoy exploring. 'It's important to enjoy my time. Time passes so quickly and I want to look back and be around for my family.' 6
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
Monaco GP track breakdown: F1's crown jewel of risk, precision and rich history
The Monaco Grand Prix is the epitome of Formula One. The principality is known as a playground and a haven, attracting tourists and the rich and famous. It may be the world's second smallest independent state (at 0.76 square miles, barely half the size of New York's Central Park), but it's packed with casinos, designer malls and clubs. Each year, when the grand prix rolls around, the harbor fills with yachts as fans prepare for the thrill on track and champagne moments afterward on the podium. Advertisement Monaco's street track was part of the calendar for F1's inaugural season in 1950, and it's kept that place every year since 1955, except for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The iconic circuit is narrow, requiring pinpoint accuracy because even being a millimeter off can be a costly error as the drivers navigate around famous buildings, a tight hairpin, and past a slew of yachts. Early races saw the occasional car end up in the harbor; now, fans see costly shunts into the barriers. Overtaking is incredibly difficult (the 2003 race saw zero on-track overtakes), and strategy is critical. Nelson Piquet once said driving in Monaco is 'like riding a bicycle around your living room.' As the 2024 edition of the Monaco Grand Prix kicks off, here's all you need to know about one of the jewels in F1's crown. Though they've fluctuated over time, Formula One cars have gotten longer, wider and heavier as the machinery continues to advance, particularly in recent years. The cars' width increased from approximately 5.9 feet in 2017 to a maximum of 2000mm (6.56 feet) last season. This is around two meters, not counting the tires, which have also widened. When it comes to tight tracks like Monaco, where the circuit's space is dictated by its surroundings, the width can present unique challenges as drivers figure out how to navigate areas like the Turn 6 hairpin. The Monaco GP is part of motorsport's Triple Crown (along with the Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans) for a reason. It's 78 laps of pure adrenaline as drivers tackle the 19 turns in the heart of the principality, zipping past the iconic Monte-Carlo Casino, the yacht-filled harbor and more. Turn 1: Sainte Dévote The track's opening turn is a right-hander with a small chapel just beyond the barriers on the left. Expect to see lockups happen here, and cars go straight into the run-off. It's one of the few places you could see a shuffle in the grid during the opening lap, depending on who gets a better start. The Sainte Dévote Chapel dates to the 11th century and is dedicated to the patron saint of Monaco. Turn 3: Massenet The cars are at the top of the hill as they enter the tight, quick left-hand turn, one of the highest points of the circuit. This portion of the track runs in front of the opera house, named after French opera composer Jules Massenet. Turn 4: Casino Square This is one of the most iconic and recognizable corners on the circuit that even non-motorsports fans may know — the 1995 James Bond film 'Golden Eye' includes scenes filmed in the Monte-Carlo Casino. The right-hander takes drivers past the front of the establishment. Another off-track fun fact: Gambling is illegal for Monaco residents. According to the BBC, Princess Caroline felt the revenue shouldn't come from Monégasques instead from foreigners. Monaco citizens still get a good deal: They don't pay income taxes. Turn 6: The Hairpin This turn has had a couple of names over the years, including 'Loews Hairpin' or the 'Fairmont Hairpin,' the latter of which is the name of a famous hotel just outside the corner. Sandwiched between a pair of right-handers, it's one of the slowest turns on F1's calendar (think average car speed on a residential road type slow), and if the driver does not hit it correctly, they could turn the track into a typical street with a traffic jam. Advertisement Turn 8: Portier It's well recommended that drivers take the right-hander rather than heading off into the sea as the 20 cars barrel towards the tunnel. This corner is named after a nearby neighborhood, Le Portier. There have been a few infamous crashes here, such as in 1988 when Ayrton Senna's wreck led to his rival (and teammate) Alain Prost winning. Senna went straight to his Monaco apartment afterward and didn't contact the team until later that evening. In 2017, Jenson Button and Pascal Wehrlein were involved in a nasty-looking collision. Button was competing for McLaren in a one-off appearance and tried to make a move on the inside of Wehrlein's Sauber. The gap closed, and Wehrlein's car ended up sideways. Wehrlein later said, per Sky Sports, that his head touched the barrier. Then there's the more recent moment that caused a stir during the 2022 season when Sergio Pérez lost the rear of his car during qualifying and crashed backward into the barrier at Portier. Turns 10 and 11: Nouvelle Chicane After going through the tunnel, drivers are met with a prime overtaking opportunity in front of the yachts. The chicane was reprofiled in the 1980s, changing the name from Chicane du Port to Nouvelle Chicane (which means 'new' in French). Turn 12: Tabac A tobacco shop nestled outside the track gave this lefthander its name. During the 1950 grand prix, a wave crashed into this corner, causing a major pile up that eliminated a chunk of the grid. Turns 13-16: The Swimming Pool section This technical complex requires drivers to tackle two chicanes—the left-to-right Louis Chiron (named after a former Monégasque F1 driver) and a right-to-left sequence that takes them out of the swimming pool section. This latter sequence, Piscine, is a slower portion, as history has seen drivers clip part of the wall on Turn 15, which could break the suspension and/or send drivers flying into the barriers outside Turn 16. Advertisement Mick Schumacher crashed in this section during the 2022 race, splitting his car into two when he hit the barriers. Rascasse This reasonably narrow corner is named after a restaurant of the same name (which itself shares a name with the scorpionfish that's an ingredient in bouillabaisse). The right-hander's arguably most famous moment came during 2006 qualifying when Michael Schumacher caused a scandal of sorts. The stewards determined the Ferrari driver purposefully parked his car at Rascasse to prevent competitors from improving their times and sent him to the back of the grid for race day. Virage Antony Noghes Finally, we come to the portion named after the Monaco Grand Prix's founder. It's the rare point on the track where two cars can go side-by-side — and have before. In 2010, Michael Schumacher passed Fernando Alonso into this portion right as the safety car was leaving the track (and was subsequently dealt a penalty). But while Monaco is special, the racing product cannot be ignored. Multiple drivers criticized the race last year. Because teams are allowed to change tires during a red flag, most of the grid took the opportunity to make the swap, and the top 10 became a procession, those spots remaining unchanged from start to finish. At one point, Verstappen said over the radio, 'F— me, this is boring. Should have brought my pillow.' The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix was a tire management game, and changes have been made heading into this year's race. There is a required two-stop minimum for Sunday's race, in hopes of improving the racing product. Monaco's tight confines mean it's challenging to overtake, and strategy is important. The World Motor Sport Council said in its February statement: 'Following recent discussions in the F1 Commission, a specific requirement for the Monaco GP has been approved mandating the use of at least three sets of tyres in the race, with a minimum of two different tyre compounds to be used if it's a dry race.' Though it may sound dramatic, getting through Monaco is a matter of survival. In a tweet last year, Mika Häkkinen, who won the F1 world championship in 1998 and 1999 and the Monaco Grand Prix in 1998, acknowledged fans may feel the race is 'too predictable' because of the overtaking difficulty. But he argued it's still a noteworthy grand prix: 'For me, it's the challenge between the driver and the circuit, still unique in #F1.' The current F1 drivers agree. 'You need to really nail all of qualifying to get a lap together there, get the tires to work as well when it matters, it's always very tricky,' Max Verstappen said. 'Monaco is very special, I would say, in that sense.' Lando Norris agreed. 'It's a track where you want a good car, but you also just need to commit to everything,' he said. 'It's such a fast circuit. It's not like you kind of just turn the wheel slowly. You have to commit. You have to judge how close you're going to get to the apexes and that kind of thing. So there's a big element of risk. And when that comes into play, it kind of spreads out things a little bit, too.' Advertisement Charles Leclerc — a Monaco native who remembers watching Ferrari's red car zipping past from his friend's balcony growing up — detailed a particular approach to his home race. 'Monaco is so specific that we need to start a little bit from a blank page. And yeah, free practice is super, super important to build the pace little by little. But I'm confident we'll be strong. And as I've said many times, obviously, it's the same roads that I took by bus to go to school when I was younger. Now it's in a Formula One car. So that makes it extra special for me. So I'm really looking forward to it. To be in Monaco, a very special track I think for every driver because it's a very challenging track and extra special for me, as it's my home race.' Monaco balances risk versus reward — just how far do you push? 'Most often, it's just sheer luck,' Lewis Hamilton said last year. 'Throw it into the corner and come out with your eyes open. And hopefully you've made it round.' (Track video courtesy of EA Sports F1 — learn more about 'F1 25″ here.) (Lead image: Mark Thompson,; Design: Drew Jordan)
