Latest news with #RalfSchumacher
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Christian Horner attacks Ralf Schumacher over his Max Verstappen conspiracy theory
Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner has dismissed claims that Max Verstappen intentionally crashed at the Spanish Grand Prix as 'utter nonsense'. During an emotionally charged race at the Circuit de Barcelona on Sunday Verstappen lost his cool with his rival George Russell after being asked to hand his place back to the Mercedes star. The stewards found Verstappen to blame for the collision and handed him a 10-second penalty that plunged him from fifth to a 10th-place finish. The disappointing showing means Verstappen now sits third in the Formula One drivers' standings, behind Lando Norris and more than 40 points adrift of leader Oscar Piastri. Following the race driver-turned-pundit Ralf Schumacher made the baseless claim that the Dutchman has been intentionally sabotaging his performances. Schumacher's theory derives from reports that Verstappen has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave Red Bull at the end of 2025 if he finishes below third in the drivers' standings at the end of the season. 'One has to pay attention now – if such a clause exists – why such things suddenly happen?' Schumacher said on Sky Germany after Sunday's race. 'And why do you incur a penalty that is so unnecessary? It could also be that once you've made the decision for yourself, you no longer want to ensure that it remains that way.' The wild claims have drawn the ire of Red Bull chiefs, including team principal Christian Horner, who called the theory 'stupid'. 'This theory is utter nonsense,' Horner told Bild. 'I haven't heard anything so stupid in a long time. Max is a racer through and through. He always wants to win and would never act like that.' Horner has long endured a mixed relationship with his star driver, with the husband of former Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell repeatedly butting heads with Verstappen's father, Jos. In June of last year Jos accused Horner of trying 'to force him out of a Legends Parade' as part of the festivities surrounding the Austrian Grand Prix.
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Max Verstappen slammed for ‘incredibly dangerous' decision ahead of F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix by Ralf Schumacher
Circuit he raced at was dubbed the 'green hell' by British legend Stapp right there Max Verstappen slammed for 'incredibly dangerous' decision ahead of F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix by Ralf Schumacher Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MAX VERSTAPPEN has been blasted for his "incredibly dangerous" decision to race under a secret identity at one of motorsport's deadliest circuits. The reigning world champion went incognito last week to test a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the official session ahead of the third round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Max Verstappen has been slammed for his 'dangerous' decision to race in a test at the Nurburgring Credit: The Mega Agency 4 Verstappen drove under a fake name in a testing session ahead of the third round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie 4 Ralf Schumacher blasted the Dutchman's act as 'not very smart' Credit: Getty Racing under the name, Franz Hermann, he was seen running with the Emil Frey Racing team, who employ Thierry Vermeulen, son of Verstappen's manager, Raymond. However, Verstappen - who celebrated becoming a dad before the Miami Grand Prix - has been slammed by former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher for racing at such a dangerous track. The German ace gave his view on the Dutchman's appearance while on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, saying: "If I had been the team principal, I'd have asked Verstappen if he's still all there. "To do something like that on the Nordschleife of all places is not very smart. I know, for many, it's a viewpoint they don't want to hear, but I find the Nordschleife incredibly dangerous. READ MORE IN F1 'Hasn't finished' F1 boss and former Hamilton colleague gives verdict on Ferrari struggles "That's just the way it is, especially at this level and at these speeds." The Nurburgring Nordschleife is one of the most deadly circuits not only in F1, but in motorsport history. The Nordschleife - which at 12.9 miles is the longest permanent racetrack in the world - was dubbed the "green hell" by Sir Jackie Stewart, while there are estimated to have been at least 70 reported deaths there. Three-time F1 champion Niki Lauda suffered severe burns during a terrifying crash at the track in 1976, which had come after he had protested the race going ahead on safety grounds. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Recalling his time on the circuit, Schumacher said: "I then think back to when DTM races were banned here because those cars were going too fast, but today's GT3 cars are also insanely fast and everything happens neck-and-neck. "Something happens faster than you think. Doing this somewhere else, okay, but for most people the Nordschleife still represents the biggest challenge." 'People can't handle the truth' - Verstappen FUMES after being given five-second penalty and takes swipe at F1 bosses Following the test there, Verstappen will now be focused on the Emilia Romagna GP. The 27-year-old trails by 32 points to championship leader Oscar Piastri. Red Bull have brought a major upgrade package to Imola including a dramatic overhaul of the sidepod design as F1 kicks off a European triple-header of races. Speaking to media before the race, Verstappen said: "The team has been working really hard, and we will need to hit the ground running. "Imola is a really old school and iconic track that is really technical, and I always enjoy racing here. "It is difficult to overtake, so qualifying will be key here." Verstappen has won each of the last three races at the track dating back to 2021, with the 2023 race not being held due to floods in the region surrounding the circuit.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Max Verstappen slammed for ‘incredibly dangerous' decision ahead of F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix by Ralf Schumacher
MAX VERSTAPPEN has been blasted for his "incredibly dangerous" decision to race under a secret identity at one of motorsport's deadliest circuits. The reigning world champion went incognito last week to test a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the official session ahead of the third round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). 4 4 4 Racing under the name, Franz Hermann, he was seen running with the Emil Frey Racing team, who employ Thierry Vermeulen, son of Verstappen 's manager, Raymond. However, Verstappen - who celebrated becoming a dad before the Miami Grand Prix - has been slammed by former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher for racing at such a dangerous track. The German ace gave his view on the Dutchman's appearance while on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, saying: "If I had been the team principal, I'd have asked Verstappen if he's still all there. "To do something like that on the Nordschleife of all places is not very smart. I know, for many, it's a viewpoint they don't want to hear, but I find the Nordschleife incredibly dangerous. "That's just the way it is, especially at this level and at these speeds." The Nurburgring Nordschleife is one of the most deadly circuits not only in F1, but in motorsport history. The Nordschleife - which at 12.9 miles is the longest permanent racetrack in the world - was dubbed the "green hell" by Sir Jackie Stewart, while there are estimated to have been at least 70 reported deaths there. Three-time F1 champion Niki Lauda suffered severe burns during a terrifying crash at the track in 1976, which had come after he had protested the race going ahead on safety grounds. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Recalling his time on the circuit, Schumacher said: "I then think back to when DTM races were banned here because those cars were going too fast, but today's GT3 cars are also insanely fast and everything happens neck-and-neck. "Something happens faster than you think. Doing this somewhere else, okay, but for most people the Nordschleife still represents the biggest challenge." Following the test there, Verstappen will now be focused on the Emilia Romagna GP. The 27-year-old trails by 32 points to championship leader Oscar Piastri. Red Bull have brought a major upgrade package to Imola including a dramatic overhaul of the sidepod design as F1 kicks off a European triple-header of races. Speaking to media before the race, Verstappen said: "The team has been working really hard, and we will need to hit the ground running. "Imola is a really old school and iconic track that is really technical, and I always enjoy racing here. "It is difficult to overtake, so qualifying will be key here." Verstappen has won each of the last three races at the track dating back to 2021, with the 2023 race not being held due to floods in the region surrounding the circuit.
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Schumacher tells Hamilton he 'should have apologised' over Ferrari controversy
Ralf Schumacher has hit out at Lewis Hamilton for his comments on the radio during the Miami Grand Prix, insisting that the Mercedes driver should have apologised Ralf Schumacher has claimed that Lewis Hamilton should have said sorry to Ferrari for his radio remarks at the Miami Grand Prix. The seven-time champion was annoyed after team orders to swap positions with Charles Leclerc. Chasing sixth place and stuck behind team-mate Leclerc, Hamilton's tyres were overheating, leading to his impatient outburst over team radio. Although Ferrari eventually acquiesced, Hamilton still couldn't contain his frustration. To the message advising him of the imminent switch, he retorted: "Ah, have a tea break while you're at it! Come on!" Later, after Leclerc had regained the position and when told about Carlos Sainz closing in, Hamilton sarcastically replied: "You want me to let him pass as well?" Hamilton later passed off his radio comments as nothing of any significance. Reflecting on the exchange, he said: " Fred [Vasseur, team principal] came to my room. "I just put my hand on his shoulder and was like, 'Dude, calm down, don't be so sensitive'. "I could have said way worse things on the radio. You hear some of the things others have said in the past... Some of it was sarcasm. "Look, you've got to understand we're under a huge amount of pressure within the car. You're never going to get the most peaceful messages coming through in the heat of the battle. And yeah, it was fine. We said we'll take it." However, former Williams and Toyota driver Schumacher remains unconvinced by this explanation, reports the Express. Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, he said: "Hamilton, that was somehow off the mark. "If you really want to get past, that's one thing; he was faster at the time. But then give it back without a fight." Schumacher added that a more gracious approach would have suited Hamilton better, given his experience and age. He added: "And afterwards, I don't pretend that I meant it sarcastically. Instead, I just say that I'm sorry. That shouldn't really happen with his experience and his age. He could have acted a bit more cleverly. I think that would have suited him better. "Of course, the relationship [with Ferrari] is tarnished by such actions. That will stick, and he has to know that himself. There is now a need for clarification, and it will definitely be discussed – especially internally, how to deal with it in the future."
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
F1 news LIVE: Lewis Hamilton warned over Ferrari honeymoon and Lando Norris ‘ready to win title'
Lewis Hamilton prepares for his Ferrari debut as the 2025 Formula 1 season begins in Melbourne this week at the Australian Grand Prix, although he has been warned that there could be an initial period of adapting. After making the blockbuster move from Mercedes to partner up with Charles Leclerc, the Scuderia will hope to dethrone Red Bull's Max Verstappen, with the Dutch driver bidding for a fifth successive F1 crown. However, former driver Ralf Schumacher has said on the Sky Germany podcast 'I don't think he [Verstappen] has a chance' after Red Bull's late-season struggles last year. After the official three-day pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit, excitement is building around McLaren, with Lando Norris and this week's home favourite Oscar Piastri moving into title contention, with former McLaren star Mika Hakkinen stating that Norris is now ready to win the Drivers' Championship after what happened towards the end of last season. While George Russell now leads the Silver Arrows, they also have Kimi Antonelli who is among an exciting crop of rookie drivers in F1 this year, as is Briton Ollie Bearman, who spoke exclusively to The Independent this week about his title ambitions.F1 returns for 2025 season at Australian Grand Prix on Sunday Lando Norris starts 2025 campaign as favourite for Drivers' Championship and Mika Hakkinen says he's 'ready' to win the title Lewis Hamilton poised for Ferrari debut after making switch following 11 years with Mercedes but warned over expectation of a honeymoon Exclusive interview – Ollie Bearman: 'You only get one shot in F1 – my ultimate goal is to be a world champion' Four-time defending champion Max Verstappen told he has 'no chance' of title in struggling Red Bull by Ralf Schumacher Oscar Piastri signs long-term extension with McLaren: 'It's a no-brainer' 08:30 , Flo Clifford A group of prominent Formula 1 figures showed their support for Michael Schumacher at the Race of Champions in Sydney as they urged the seven-time world champion to 'keep fighting'. Mick Schumacher, the German great's son, and former F1 driver Sebastian Vettel were among those in attendance as a banner was unveiled at the Accor Stadium. Schumacher suffered a traumatic brain injury in a skiing accident in 2013 and has not since been seen in public, with few updates provided by his family about his health as he rehabilitates privately. Michael Schumacher tribute unveiled by son Mick and Sebastian Vettel: 'Keep fighting' 08:15 , Flo Clifford Max Verstappen does not have 'a chance' of a fifth straight F1 Drivers' Championship win in 2025, according to former driver Ralf Schumacher. Schumacher believes Verstappen delivered a 'rescue' effort in a struggling Red Bull car last year but he won't be able to do the same again. McLaren's Lando Norris is the favourite to win the title this season and Schumacher is adamant Verstappen will be powerless to stop the Brit and others at the front of the grid. Speaking on the Sky Germany podcast, Schumacher said: 'Last year it was clear. Red Bull was very strong at the start of the season, but then they couldn't handle the car. Verstappen was the rescue. 'However, he will have to get used to everything coming to an end. I don't think he has a chance.' 08:00 , Flo Clifford The dispute between four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell shows no sign of abating as the new season gets underway. The pair memorably clashed after the Qatar Grand Prix last season, when Verstappen, the eventual winner, was penalised for impeding the Brit. Russell claimed that afterwards Verstappen threatened to "purposefully go out of his way to crash into me and 'put me on my head in the wall'", while his Dutch counterpart said he had 'lost all respect' for the Mercedes driver. 'No love lost' between Russell and Verstappen as feud rumbles on 07:45 , Flo Clifford Lewis Hamilton has admitted that incidents of black footballers being racially abused in Italy did make him think twice when deciding to move to Ferrari this year. The seven-time F1 world champion has switched to Ferrari after 12 years and six world titles at Mercedes. His first race in Scuderia red is at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on 16 March. Hamilton is also F1's first and only black driver and has detailed in the past the 'traumatising' racial abuse he has suffered, detailing in 2023 that he had bananas thrown at him and was repeatedly called the 'n-word' at school. He was also racially abused at F1 testing in Barcelona in 2008. Serie A footballers such as Mike Maignan and Moise Kean have been subject to racial abuse in the past and Hamilton did admit that racist chanting at Italian matches 'crossed his mind' when making the decision to move to Ferrari last winter. Lewis Hamilton admits racism in Serie A 'crossed his mind' before Ferrari F1 move 07:30 , Flo Clifford As foolish as it sounds, Ollie Bearman's manager was actually cut off from the call which changed the life of his most precious client. Fortunately, the British teenager himself was not short of credit on his phone. Ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last March, Ferrari suddenly needed a driver after Carlos Sainz fell ill. Relaxing idyllically off the shores of the Red Sea fresh from securing pole position in F2, 18-year-old Bearman spotted Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur's name on his phone and, right then, knew he was about to be given the opportunity of a lifetime. Kieran Jackson chats exclusively to the British F1 rookie sensation: F1 star Bearman: 'You only get one shot – my goal is to be a world champion' 07:15 , Flo Clifford Taking the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi at the final race of 2024, bringing home a first constructors' title in 26 years for McLaren, brought up mixed emotions for cheerful chappy Lando Norris. On one hand, it was pure elation. A member of the McLaren family for eight years, this meant as much to Norris as anyone else. He described it as a 'perfect' end to the season, beating Ferrari to the championship by 14 points. And he'd need no invitation; he was going to get 'hammered' later that night over the border in Bahrain. Yet in the same breath, even amid joyous papaya-clad celebrations on the pit-wall, the boy from Bristol could not help but sample that bittersweet taste. 'It's been a special year,' he said over team radio, before adding: 'And next year is going to be my year, too.' Why Lando Norris knows there are now 'no excuses' – he has to win 2025 F1 title 07:00 , Flo Clifford For the second year running, there will be no new races on the schedule. 2026 is set to be different, though, with Madrid already confirmed as the new home of the Spanish Grand Prix, meaning 2025 could be the last year Barcelona hosts an F1 race. Other calendar alterations include a triple-header in April between Japan-Bahrain-Saudi, while Spain has moved forward three weeks to the end of May/start of June. Belgium and Hungary have swapped weekends too, with Budapest now hosting the final race before the customary summer break. This year sees a four-week gap in autumn but there will be no such space in the calendar next year, with just one week's rest in-between Singapore and Austin in October. 06:45 , Flo Clifford Here's the calendar for 2025: ROUND 1 - AUSTRALIA - Albert Park, Melbourne - 14-16 March ROUND 2 - CHINA (sprint weekend) - Shanghai International Circuit - 21-23 March ROUND 3 - JAPAN - Suzuka International Racing Course - 4-6 April ROUND 4 —BAHRAIN - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir - 11-13 April ROUND 5 - SAUDI ARABIA - Jeddah Corniche Circuit - 18-20 April ROUND 6 - MIAMI (sprint weekend) - Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium - 2-4 May ROUND 7 - EMILIA ROMAGNA - Imola Circuit - 16-18 May ROUND 8 - MONACO - Circuit de Monaco - 23-25 May ROUND 9 - SPAIN - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 30 May-1 June ROUND 10 - CANADA - Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal - 13-15 June ROUND 11 - AUSTRIA - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg - 27-29 June ROUND 12 - GREAT BRITAIN - Silverstone Circuit - 4-6 July ROUND 13 - BELGIUM (sprint weekend) - Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 25-27 July ROUND 14 - HUNGARY - Hungaroring, Budapest - 1-3 August ROUND 15 - NETHERLANDS - Circuit Zandvoort - 29-31 August ROUND 16 - ITALY - Monza Circuit - 5-7 September ROUND 17 - AZERBAIJAN - Baku City Circuit - 19-21 September ROUND 18 - SINGAPORE - Marina Bay Street Circuit - 3-5 October ROUND 19 - UNITED STATES (sprint weekend) - Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 17-19 October ROUND 20 - MEXICO - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 24-26 October ROUND 21 - BRAZIL (sprint weekend) - Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 7-9 November ROUND 22 - LAS VEGAS - Las Vegas Street Circuit - 20-22 November ROUND 23 - QATAR (sprint weekend) - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail - 28-30 November ROUND 24 - ABU DHABI - Yas Marina Circuit - 5-7 December 06:32 , Jamie Braidwood Oscar Piastri has signed a multi-year deal with McLaren on the eve of the opening race of the new Formula One season. Piastri, 23, who was already under contract until 2026, has now secured his long-term future with the British team. The Australian driver finished fourth in the championship last year. He opened his winning account in Hungary before claiming a second victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. With McLaren expected to carry over their constructors'-winning form into the new season, Piastri is set to battle with team-mate Lando Norris for the world title. Speaking after his contract extension was announced, Piastri, gearing up for his third season on the F1 grid, said: 'It's a great feeling knowing that I'm part of McLaren's long-term vision.' Oscar Piastri signs long-term extension with McLaren: 'It's a no-brainer' 06:30 , Flo Clifford The 2025 F1 season officially kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday. We'll have all the news here and the build-up to the weekend's action.
