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Newsweek
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Mercedes Chief Toto Wolff Fears Christian Horner Return With the FIA
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. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff fears a return of former Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner with Formula One's governing body, the FIA. Wolff joked that he would "be in the s**t" if Horner returned with the FIA. Red Bull parted ways with Horner after the British Grand Prix with immediate effect, replacing him with former Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies. This weekend's Belgian Grand Prix will mark Red Bull's first race in F1 without Horner leading the team. Wolff and Horner are not known for their friendship. Their rivalry peaked during the 2021 season when Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen battled closely for the championship. Wolff hinted that Horner won't be away from F1 for a long time, joking that he would be in trouble if Horner joined the FIA. When asked if he was going to miss Horner, Wolff said: Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff talk in the Team Principals Press Conference during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome... Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff talk in the Team Principals Press Conference during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 05, 2023 in Miami, Florida. More Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images "In a way, yes. He was one of the main [characters] and I don't think he has gone forever, I think he's going to pop up in some kind of function. "I need to be careful, he could be rocking up at the FIA, and then I am really in the shit, so you never know. But if you look at it, he was a main protagonist, he was controversial and polarising and not soft-washed, and that is good from the entertainment factor. "From that perspective, he is going to be missed, and his track record speaks for itself." When asked if he had contacted Horner after his exit, he said: "No, not yet, I didn't find it appropriate for the time being, but I certainly will [contact him]." Wolff has been in the news recently, given reports about his talks with Verstappen for a potential future signing with Mercedes. Clearing the air, Wolff revealed at Spa that George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will likely form Mercedes' driver lineup in 2026. He said: "Discussions have been taking place over the last weeks and months, so they are all up to date. "The direction of travel is that we want to continue with George and Kimi. That is the first priority. "But you can't look past someone like Max and the plans he has for the future. We did that, but I don't think there will be any big surprises." Dismissing reports of meeting Verstappen off the coast of Sardinia during the mini break in July, Wolff said: "What's new is that people are doing photo collages with airplanes. We've never had that before. "But if you spend your holidays close to each other, it doesn't mean that you're going to work together in Formula 1. "We have always gotten along well and by chance we like to spend our holidays at the same places."
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Mercedes Chief All But Confirms 2026 F1 Driver Lineup Amid Max Verstappen Rumors
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. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has named George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as the team's priority for the 2026 Formula One season. The revelation comes after Max Verstappen was strongly linked to Mercedes. Russell and Kimi Antonelli's current contracts expire at the end of 2025, and both drivers are without a confirmed seat for the next season. Russell opened up about Mercedes' ongoing talks with Verstappen last month, when asked about his contract extension. The rumor mill was on overdrive with reports of Verstappen's potential move to Mercedes, given the car challenges being faced by Red Bull. The ousting of team principal Christian Horner added to the speculation about the Dutch driver's future with Red Bull, despite his contract lasting until the end of 2028. While Wolff acknowledged after Russell's admission that there were fewer chances of Verstappen signing with Mercedes for the 2026 season, he has now confirmed that Russell and Kimi Antonelli are the outfit's priority. Speaking to ORF, as quoted by Planet F1, he said: Toto Wolff, Executive Director of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team in the Team Principals Press Conference during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in... Toto Wolff, Executive Director of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team in the Team Principals Press Conference during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. More"Discussions have been taking place over the last weeks and months, so they are all up to date. "The direction of travel is that we want to continue with George and Kimi. That is the first priority. "But you can't look past someone like Max and the plans he has for the future. We did that, but I don't think there will be any big surprises." The Mercedes team boss also addressed a report that tracked Verstappen's private jet to Sardinia, the same location where Wolff was vacationing. While rumors suggested that the two met off the coast in their yachts, Wolff has dismissed the report. He said: "What's new is that people are doing photo collages with airplanes. We've never had that before. "But if you spend your holidays close to each other, it doesn't mean that you're going to work together in Formula 1. "We have always gotten along well and by chance we like to spend our holidays at the same places." What is positive for Mercedes is that Russell stood his ground despite Wolff's discussions with Verstappen, confirming his loyalty to his team. Russell said after the Canadian GP last month: "I'm not talking with anybody else and any teams who have shown interest. "I have been quite open to say my intentions are to stay with Mercedes. That's always been clear. And I am loyal to Mercedes. They gave me this chance to get into Formula 1. "There haven't been any hard feelings with any of the talks that have been going around, especially around Max. Because, like I said on numerous times, why wouldn't teams be interested in Max? "If every driver had no contracts for next year, Max would be number one for every single team. And that's understandable. But ultimately, there are two seats for every race team. "I knew if I continue to perform as I'm doing, my position would not be under threat whatsoever. So, I feel in a good place. "We're in no rush to do contract negotiations. We want to win together. Especially Kimi and I being team-mates now – we're getting a result like today, both junior drivers from Mercedes, we're both doing the job in terms of performance. Why would you want to change something that's working?"
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Former Driver Backs Max Verstappen for IndyCar Debut
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Former IndyCar driver Arie Luyendyk has revealed that he would love to see Max Verstappen in IndyCar someday. Verstappen's Red Bull contract runs until the end of 2028, but his comments from 2021 offer a clearer picture of a move to another discipline after his Formula One career. Luyendyk, famously known as 'The Flying Dutchman', won the iconic Indianapolis 500 twice, in 1990 and 1997. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2014. Verstappen has spoken about his future after F1 on several occasions in the past. His most likely destination the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Luyendyk's statements suggest he has been following the four-time world champion closely and expressed his wish to see Verstappen competing in IndyCar. He said on The RACER Channel: Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing in the Drivers Press Conference during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 05,... Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing in the Drivers Press Conference during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 05, 2025 in Northampton, England. More"I would love to see him in an IndyCar. Yeah, he's an amazing talent. And on top of that, he's a nice guy. To me, he is." Luyendyk then praised Verstappen, comparing his radio communication with Red Bull to Lando Norris' messages with McLaren. He added: "I was watching the Brazilian race on Netflix, and there's the radio communication. And then you hear Lando on the radio, and then you hear Max, and it's like you're listening to a 12-year-old Lando and you're listening to a 30-year-old veteran Max. "So calm, so calculated. Like, 'Yeah, I can last another five minutes in this weather,' you know, and Lando was saying, 'Oh, we're all going to die,' or something like that. "He can do so much at the same time. He's a multitasking kind of guy. And I think it stems from all the racing he did as a kid in go-karting. But then the sim racing, that helps him a lot too in that – like he was following Lando somewhere, and he said he didn't slow down enough when there was a yellow out, and Lando got a penalty for that. He just sees it – the whole picture – he's got it in one nanosecond." Despite Luyendyk's inclination to see Verstappen in IndyCar, the Red Bull driver revealed in 2021 that he only preferred to watch the series, given his dislike for ovals. He said: ''I love to watch. It's of course a little bit different to F1, but I think that's also nice and makes it very interesting to watch. And from my side, I'm of course happy to be in Formula One, because I'm not personally a big fan of ovals. The street tracks and road courses are good, but nah, I would not be a big fan of oval racing myself. "It's just the risk of a big crash is big, and of course I know in Formula One there also is risk of an impact, but when you hit a certain wall with 200-plus mph, it's not enjoyable. And that risk is higher in IndyCar, and especially if you would hit someone else and you go into the fence, there are plenty of examples where it doesn't end well or you end up being really hurt. So for me, I love to watch it. I have a lot of respect for the drivers who do it, but I'm happy where I am."
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
B2 on Dee Hsu's comeback: Everybody has their own pace
16 Jul - Fans of "Dee Girls Talk" will have to wait a little longer for Dee Hsu to return to production, as it looks like nothing has been set in stone between the TV host and the show. Producer B2 recently revealed as much when he appeared at the press conference of the new talent show, "Cosmic Angels", saying that he and Dee have a mutual understanding. "If there is nothing urgent, we don't bother each other," he said. Regarding her hiatus from her talk show, which she's been on break from for over six months following sister Barbie Hsu's passing, B2, real name Chen Yan-ming, commented that whether she returns depends entirely on her own timing and preferences. "Everyone has a different pace. As close friends, we don't intrude. I won't even ask what she's been up to lately," he said. "Sometimes she asks about our ratings, and I'll tell her they're good. That's about the extent of it. He also added that everything is going well with Sandy Wu as the temporary host, saying, "Once Dee is ready to return, she is welcome anytime." (Photo Source: B2 IG)
Reuters
15-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
China suffers $7.6 billion in losses from natural disasters in H1 2025
BEIJING, July 15 (Reuters) - Natural disasters across China in the first half of 2025 have resulted in direct economic losses totalling 54.11 billion yuan ($7.55 billion), an official from the emergency response ministry said on Tuesday. A total of 307 people were either confirmed dead or missing due to the disasters, while 2.18 million hectares of crops were damaged, the official told a press conference. ($1 = 7.1709 Chinese yuan renminbi)
