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Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Christian Horner's likeliest next F1 move named and two reasons it's not Ferrari
Christian Horner has been tipped to join an F1 backmarker team rather than Ferrari following his shock dismissal by Red Bull after 20 years in charge of the team The prospect of Christian Horner joining Ferrari has been dismissed for two key reasons. Horner's stint as Red Bull team principal came to an abrupt end when he was sacked this week, closing a 20-year era during which he steered the team to 14 world championships. Parent company Red Bull GmbH announced Horner's immediate release without citing a reason. His departure came 17 months after he was accused by a female staff member of "inappropriate behaviour". Horner always denied the claims and was cleared of any wrongdoing following two investigations. Horner, 51, is widely expected to return to the F1 paddock at some stage, with a potential blockbuster move to Ferrari being rumoured. Horner's name has previously been connected with the iconic Italian outfit, with company chairman Ferrari chairman John Elkann approaching him in 2022. However, Ferrari appointed Fred Vasseur as their team leader, who now faces intense scrutiny due to the squad's lacklustre performance so far this season. That led to Horner-to-Ferrari speculation resurfacing earlier this summer. However, Sky Sports pundit and ex-F1 driver Karun Chandhok has cited Horner's apparent reluctance to relocate to Italy and the fact that design guru Adrian Newey won't be joining him as reasons why the move won't happen. Ferrari wanted Newey following his decision to quit Red Bull last year amid increasing tension with Horner. But he joined Aston as a managing technical partner while also acquiring a stake in the Silverstone-based outfit. Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Chandhok said: "I think the combination of Horner and Newey was a much more attractive package for Ferrari." Chandhok believes a move to Alpine, where Horner's friend Flavio Briatore runs the team as executive advisor, is more likely. He added: "I can see him landing at Alpine more than I can see him landing at Ferrari. "At his stage in life, does he want to uproot everything? The commute to Enstone (where Alpine are based) is pretty much the same as the one to Milton Keynes (Red Bull's base)." Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz can also see Horner joining Renault-owned Alpine, who sit at the foot of the constructors' standings. He said: "Much better if he thought Alpine was an option, another British-based team with Flavio there, with a team that's very like Red Bull. "A lot of people in Entone are ex-Red Bull and vice versa. That would be a much easier place for him to go. "The Ferrari option, as tempting as it might have been, especially a few months ago, knowing what was going to happen (with his Red Bull exit)... but I think he'd already made his mind up not to do Ferrari and if Alpine is an option, that's a much better way to go." Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle also sees Horner potentially joining Alpine, but suggested he may want more than just the role of team principal. He said: "I think Christian will be desperate to get a stake in a team going forward and have some ownership rather than be a hired hand. He obviously won't be able to do that (ownership) at Ferrari, as entertaining as that job might be."
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
F1 star's dad fumes at critics in social media post after British GP trolling
Franco Colapinto is battling to save his Formula 1 career after a series of poor performances since replacing Jack Doohan at Alpine just six rounds into the season Franco Colapinto's father has hit back at social media trolls for targeting the under-pressure Alpine driver in the wake of his Silverstone nightmare. Colapinto, who impressed during his brief stint at Williams last season, replaced Jack Doohan in the Renault-owned team just six rounds in 2025. However, he is now under pressure himself after a string of underwhelming performances and crashes. Colapinto had a disastrous weekend at the British Grand Prix, crashing in Q1 and then starting the race from the pitlane. With the track wet but drying, he was among the drivers to gamble by pitting for slicks at the end of the formation lap. However, he failed to re-emerge from the pits due to what the team called a 'driveline' issue. It was unclear whether the car or Colapinto was to blame for the issue. The weekend came at the worst possible time for the 22-year-old, who could be replaced, with Alpine approaching Mercedes over the availability of vastly experienced reserve driver Valtteri Bottas. The Finn, a long-time teammate of Lewis Hamilton before being replaced by George Russell in 2022, is eager to get back into a race seat after being dropped by Sauber at the end of last season. He could get the chance at Alpine this season, potentially before the summer break, which begins after the Hungarian Grand Prix at the beginning of August. Given Colapinto's struggles, he has come in for stinging criticism from trolls on social media, prompting his dad, Anibal, to hit back. Colapinto Sr posted on Instagram: 'Don't feel bad when someone speaks ill of you. Remember that successful people are criticized by mediocre and envious people.' Adding to Colapinto's Silverstone frustration, he saw Alpine team-mate Pierre Gasly take an excellent sixth place. The Argentine said: "I'm sad and frustrated for having ended the weekend like this, which had started well compared to Pierre, and I'm a bit sad about how it ended. 'It was a good race seeing everything that happened: the rain, tyre changes, and all the weather conditions that made the race changeable. 'I think during this weekend I was faster than Pierre and seeing where he is now finishing, maybe we had a good opportunity. We have to keep working focused on what's coming, but it's a shame not being able to even start. It makes me very angry. 'There were many opportunities. I would have loved to be in the race and try something. A bit of frustration for not even being able to start is something no driver wants.' It remains to be seen whether Colapinto will still be in the car when the F1 season resumes with the Belgium Grand Prix at Spa at the end of July.
TimesLIVE
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Alpine appoint Nielsen to run F1 team day-to-day
Renault-owned Alpine appointed former sporting director Steve Nielsen on Friday to handle the day-to-day running of the Formula One team after the departure of principal Oliver Oakes. The Enstone-based team, effectively run by executive adviser and former principal Flavio Briatore who will continue to have overall charge, said Nielsen would start work as MD on September 1. Nielsen has most recently been working for Liberty Media-owned Formula One, after a brief period as sporting director at the governing FIA. He was also sporting director when Renault won championships in 2005 and 2006 under Briatore. Alpine, last in the constructors' championship but switching to Mercedes engines next year, also appointed Kris Midgley as head of aerodynamic development. Midgley previously worked at Ferrari as principal aerodynamicist and is also returning to the Enstone factory after a stint from 2007 to 2013. Oakes, the team's fifth boss in four turbulent seasons, resigned in May for personal reasons after being appointed in July last year.
The Star
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Motor racing-Alpine appoint Nielsen to run F1 team day-to-day
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - F1 75 Live Season Launch - The O2, London, Britain - February 18, 2025 The Alpine car is revealed during the launch REUTERS/Andrew Boyers/File Photo SILVERSTONE, England (Reuters) -Renault-owned Alpine appointed former sporting director Steve Nielsen on Friday to handle the day-to-day running of the Formula One team following the departure of principal Oliver Oakes. The Enstone-based team, effectively run by executive adviser and former principal Flavio Briatore who will continue to have overall charge, said Nielsen would start work as managing director on September 1. Nielsen has most recently been working for Liberty Media-owned Formula One, after a brief period as sporting director at the governing FIA. He was also sporting director when Renault won championships in 2005 and 2006 under Briatore. Alpine, last in the constructors' championship but switching to Mercedes engines next year, also appointed Kris Midgley as head of aerodynamic development. Midgley previously worked at Ferrari as principal aerodynamicist and is also returning to the Enstone factory after a stint from 2007-13. Oakes, the team's fifth boss in four turbulent seasons, resigned in May for personal reasons after being appointed in July last year. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Christian Radnedge)
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Alpine appoint Nielsen to run F1 team day-to-day
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - F1 75 Live Season Launch - The O2, London, Britain - February 18, 2025 The Alpine car is revealed during the launch REUTERS/Andrew Boyers/File Photo SILVERSTONE, England - Renault-owned Alpine appointed former sporting director Steve Nielsen on Friday to handle the day-to-day running of the Formula One team following the departure of principal Oliver Oakes. The Enstone-based team, effectively run by executive adviser and former principal Flavio Briatore who will continue to have overall charge, said Nielsen would start work as managing director on September 1. Nielsen has most recently been working for Liberty Media-owned Formula One, after a brief period as sporting director at the governing FIA. He was also sporting director when Renault won championships in 2005 and 2006 under Briatore. Alpine, last in the constructors' championship but switching to Mercedes engines next year, also appointed Kris Midgley as head of aerodynamic development. Midgley previously worked at Ferrari as principal aerodynamicist and is also returning to the Enstone factory after a stint from 2007-13. Oakes, the team's fifth boss in four turbulent seasons, resigned in May for personal reasons after being appointed in July last year. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Seller's stamp duty hike will curb short-term speculation; market effect likely minimal: Analysts Singapore NTUC says some foreigners taking on platform work illegally, calls for work group to address issue World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Tourism bump from Lady Gaga concerts raked in up to estimated $150m for Singapore economy Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Life Book review: OB Markers sequel Ink And Influence makes catch-22 proposal for The Straits Times
