Latest news with #SQ1
News18
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- News18
Lewis Hamilton Backs Kimi Antonelli: 'To Be Thrown In At The Deep End At 18'
Last Updated: Lewis Hamilton came out in support of Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, praising the 18-year-old's performance despite recent criticism. Lewis Hamilton has strongly supported Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, asserting that the 18-year-old is 'doing fantastic" despite growing criticism regarding his recent performances in Formula 1. 'I can't imagine what it's like at 18, or try to imagine what it's like at 18 to do what he's been doing," Hamilton was quoted as saying to Sky Sports. 'I think he's been doing fantastic to be thrown in at the deep end at 18. He didn't even have his driving licence when he started racing, so I think it's a lot on someone's shoulders and I think he's doing a great job." Who Is Kimi Antonelli? Antonelli, who replaced the seven-time World Champion at Mercedes this season, began his F1 career with a series of strong results, including five points finishes in the first six races and a podium in Canada. However, a dip in form has followed. The Italian crashed out with Max Verstappen in Austria, failed to score at Silverstone, and had a disappointing weekend in Belgium—failing to get out of SQ1 and Q1 before finishing outside the points. He was visibly emotional during post-race interviews. The pressure isn't entirely new. Antonelli also struggled under the spotlight in 2024, when he crashed during his F1 practice debut at Monza amid intense hype. He later admitted to being mentally and physically exhausted ahead of his home race at Imola this year, drained by the obligations that came with racing on Italian soil. But Hamilton believes Antonelli is handling the pressure as best as anyone could at such a young age. 'He's got a great group of people around him. I think he's just got to take it in his stride, which I think he is," said Hamilton. 'And as I say, he's got Bono [Pete Bonnington, Hamilton's former engineer] beside him, so he couldn't have anyone better." (With inputs from IANS) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Newsweek
26-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Emotional Kimi Antonelli Opens Up About Confidence Struggles At Belgian GP
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 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli looked crushed after a disappointing Belgium Grand Prix Qualifying. Antonelli finished 20th in sprint qualifying due to spinning out of control after pushing too hard on his final lap of SQ1. He finished in 17th place for the sprint race, gaining a few places, but was unable to capture any points. Then, in qualifying for the grand prix, Antonelli finished in P18, a much lower position than the car merits. Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes walks in the paddock during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 26, 2025 in Spa, Belgium Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes walks in the paddock during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 26, 2025 in Spa, Belgium Photo byHis teammate, George Russell, starts sixth, showcasing the potential of the W16 as a car that belongs in a points-scoring position. During the media session after the race, Antonelli appeared emotional following another performance. "Yeah, I mean, since the European [leg of the] season, I've been struggling to find confidence with the car, and I feel like I've done a backward step," the Italian driver said. "It's a difficult moment for me because I feel like I have no confidence on pushing. Yesterday I tried to push a bit too much, and then I spun, and then it kind of hurts the confidence even more. "But it's a difficult period, I think. We know the limitation we have since quite a lot, but with the way I'm driving, I'm just increasing the problem. And that gives me even less confidence with the car." He was only about three-tenths away after Q1, making his performance not a complete disaster, but it is a far cry from the impressive pace that he has shown over the first handful of races. During the North American swing, he scored a sprint race win at Miami and his first podium finish in Canada. Since then, it has been downhill for the driver, who voiced his concerns about the changes to his driving style as the car evolved. "Well, the team has been trying to help me as much as possible," he added. "But on my side I'm probably trying to change the way I'm driving too much. And it feels like I'm not driving naturally. It's very forced the way I'm driving and it's just difficult." The Italian will start from the pit lane as the team makes adjustments to the car, depending on the weather conditions, which are expected to bring rain to the track throughout the race. Belgium Grand Prix Qualifying Results Lando Norris (McLaren) Oscar Piastri (McLaren) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) Alex Albon (Williams) George Russell (Mercedes) Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) Esteban Ocon (Haas) Ollie Bearman (Haas) Pierre Gasly (Alpine) Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) Carlos Sainz (Williams) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) Franco Colapinto (Williams) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Telegraph
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Liam Lawson on being Verstappen's No 2 and criticism: ‘I could not care less what Zak Brown says'
Liam Lawson spent Monday of this week recovering from his Melbourne ordeal by going to a spa in the Victorian capital 'and then to a sound bath'. For those unfamiliar with what a sound bath is, Lawson describes it as 'a bit hippy dippy'. 'Basically, you lie down in a tank and they play lots of different instruments, and there are like 'rain noises' in the background,' he says. 'My friend recommended it.' Is it nice? 'I mean, I sleep to rain noises so I loved it.' Red Bull 's newest recruit sits back in the sunshine on the balcony of the team's paddock home in China and closes his eyes, basking in the warmth. It was no wonder Lawson felt the need to 'decompress', as the New Zealander describes it, after Australia. It was a bruising first weekend as Max Verstappen's team-mate. Lawson, who was controversially promoted to the second Red Bull seat after Mexican Sergio Perez was summarily dismissed at the end of last term, struggled badly in Melbourne, suffering from reliability issues, qualifying down in 18th, and then crashing out late in what was a wet and wild race. That was after his mechanics had bolted on a different rear wing and rear beam wing in the hope of getting him back up the field. 'Very, very tough,' is how Lawson describes the weekend as a whole. 'I was disappointed, not only for myself but for all my family and friends who came over from New Zealand to support me. And the team obviously. I was just gutted, to be honest. We've all spent a lot of time preparing for this, and the guys worked really, really hard before the race to do a last-minute change. 'In some ways, though, I'm glad that we have another race this weekend straight away.' The bad news for Lawson – who was speaking before the track action in China got under way on Friday – is it looks as if it may get worse before it gets any better. China being a sprint weekend, the drivers had just one practice session on Friday to get up to speed before qualifying for Saturday's sprint race. And Shanghai is another brand new track for Lawson to get to grips with. Again he looked ill at ease, going off in practice on Friday morning and then bombing out SQ1 on Friday afternoon, qualifying 20th and last for the sprint race. 'Mate, I'm really sorry,' he told his team as he made his way back to the pits. 'I honestly could not get the tyres down.' Predictably, Lawson's struggles were put in an even harsher light by the brilliance of his team-mate, who after finishing second behind Lando Norris in Australia, went within a whisker of claiming sprint pole in China. Lawson admits it has been an eye-opener watching Verstappen up close. 'Just the way he gets up to speed and gets straight on it, you know?' he says. 'There's no delay, there's no warm-up.' Perhaps a little forced humility is no bad thing on Lawson's part. The 23-year-old came across as pretty brash last year after replacing Daniel Ricciardo in Red Bull's junior team Racing Bulls with six races of the season remaining. Lawson proceeded to ruffle feathers by getting into spats with Perez and Fernando Alonso, even giving the former the finger after passing him in Mexico. 'I'm not here to make friends,' he reasoned at the time. It was a punchy start, and to be honest the New Zealander's spikiness and sharp elbows probably won him the Red Bull seat, clearly impressing Christian Horner. But that same attitude may have lost him friends. Social media has not been kind to Lawson in the last week or two, with many delighting in his struggles, and championing Yuki Tsunoda as a possible mid-season replacement. Far from brash, Lawson – who grew up in Pukekohe just south of Auckland as one of five children (three sisters and a brother) – proves to be easy and engaging company, honest about the bumpy start to his Red Bull career and happy to laugh at himself. He jokes about his new shorter hairstyle for this season, complete with peroxide highlights. 'And a perm!' interjects his press officer. Has he had a perm? 'No,' Lawson protests. Then a sheepish smile. 'OK, yes I have. But the feedback so far has been pretty positive.' He can still do punchy. Asked about Zak Brown's observation last weekend that Red Bull promoted the wrong man – the inference being they ought to have backed Tsunoda – Lawson quips he 'couldn't care less' what the McLaren chief says. 'I think he's still hurt because I talked about his national anthem,' he adds, referring to a podcast he did last year in which he joked it was 'bulls---' that McLaren used the British national anthem given they were founded by a Kiwi Bruce McLaren. Does he have some sympathy for Tsunoda at least? 'Honestly? No,' Lawson admits. 'You can't in this sport, and anyway if I look back over our career, I was team-mates with him in F3 and I beat him. In Euro Formula I was team-mates with him in New Zealand, and I beat him there. And then in F1 last season, I think honestly, if I look at all the times he got promoted instead of me in those early years, then no. He's had his time. Now it's my time.' How long it will be Lawson's time will depend on how quickly he can get up to speed. He knows that. And if he didn't, Helmut Marko, Red Bull's irascible motorsport advisor, reminds him of it regularly. The Austrian, 81, is not known for his patience. Marko made headlines last weekend when he described the debut performance of Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar as 'embarrassing' after he crashed on the formation lap in Melbourne. Lawson knows what such blunt feedback feels like. But he credits Marko with giving him a thicker skin, recalling 6am phone calls back in the day in which he was told to pull his finger out. 'As much as it is hard, and it sucked at the time, to be able to deal with the pressure of driving in Formula One you need to have exposure to that,' he says. 'Otherwise you're just not ready for it when you're here.' Lawson is going to have to call on all of his reserves of durability over the coming weeks. Marko said publicly in Australia that the Kiwi would have 'three to five races' to impress. Lawson will salvage what he can from this weekend, but admits that Suzuka in a couple of weeks time, a circuit with which he is more familiar from junior formulae, may be a better gauge. 'I've never lost confidence in me,' he says. 'I know this weekend's going to be pretty tough, on a new track. But every weekend I spend in this car, I'm learning.' In the meantime, he may need a few more sound baths to deal with the stress. Does he really listen to rain when he sleeps? 'Yes, it's my most played thing on Spotify,' he smiles. 'I put it on when I go to bed. I hate it when it's deadly silent.'
Zawya
19-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
HDP signs contract with Consolidated Contractors Company to develop SQ1 in New Cairo
Egypt - Housing and Development Properties (HDP), the real estate arm of the Housing and Development Bank, has signed a construction contract with Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) to carry out the construction work for the residential units of the Square One Exclusive Residences (SQ1) project. The development promises a premium residential experience in a prime location in El Choueifat, New Cairo. With a total investment of EGP 1.7bn, HDP is committed to delivering all residential units within 30 months, reflecting the company's strong financial standing and dedication to meeting client expectations. The move also strengthens its position as one of the leading real estate investment firms in Egypt and the Middle East. The contract signing was attended by Amgad Hassanein, Vice Chairperson of HDP; Mohamed Tarek, Regional Director of CCC Africa; Hossam Issa, CEO of HDP; and Mahmoud Abdin, CCC Egypt Manager. Amgad Hassanein expressed his pride in partnering with CCC, a leading global construction company with over 70 years of experience, operating in Egypt for more than 30 years and present in 54 countries worldwide. He emphasized that this collaboration will ensure a high-quality residential experience with a modern lifestyle in a prime location, while enabling HDP to meet its scheduled delivery timeline for the SQ1 project. HDP consistently collaborates with top-tier contractors to ensure superior residential developments, supported by Housing and Development Bank services, which has been a key player in Egypt's urban development for over 45 years. Hassanein also highlighted the role of MAK Architects (Mona Hussein, Karim El Assal, Ahmed Hussein) in designing SQ1. Their expertise brings modern, luxurious architecture to the project, aligning with global urban development trends while incorporating advanced technologies and high-quality construction standards. This approach ensures a future-ready residential community that is both attractive for living and investment. HDP has achieved remarkable success, launching eight real estate projects within just two years of its establishment. The company is now planning further expansion in East and West Cairo, as part of a strategic vision to introduce new large-scale projects in key locations. These developments aim to deliver premium, sustainable housing solutions while adhering to the highest quality and efficiency standards, positioning HDP as a leading real estate developer in Egypt and the Middle East. Mohamed Tarek, CCC's Regional Director for Africa, expressed his pride in collaborating with HDP and being entrusted with the residential phase of SQ1. He highlighted SQ1's strategic location, spanning 10 acres in the heart of New Cairo's El Choueifat district, near Square One Mall. Tarek reaffirmed CCC's commitment to completing all construction work on schedule, adhering to global occupational safety standards, and delivering a distinctive living experience aligned with Egypt's current urban expansion plans to boost investor and buyer confidence.
Daily News Egypt
18-03-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
HDP Signs Contract with Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) to Develop SQ1 in New Cairo with EGP 1.7bn Investment
Housing and Development Properties (HDP), the real estate arm of the Housing and Development Bank, has signed a construction contract with Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) to carry out the construction work for the residential units of the Square One Exclusive Residences (SQ1) project. The development promises a premium residential experience in a prime location in El Choueifat, New Cairo. With a total investment of EGP 1.7bn, HDP is committed to delivering all residential units within 30 months, reflecting the company's strong financial standing and dedication to meeting client expectations. The move also strengthens its position as one of the leading real estate investment firms in Egypt and the Middle East. The contract signing was attended by Amgad Hassanein, Vice Chairperson of HDP; Mohamed Tarek, Regional Director of CCC Africa; Hossam Issa, CEO of HDP; and Mahmoud Abdin, CCC Egypt Manager. Amgad Hassanein expressed his pride in partnering with CCC, a leading global construction company with over 70 years of experience, operating in Egypt for more than 30 years and present in 54 countries worldwide. He emphasized that this collaboration will ensure a high-quality residential experience with a modern lifestyle in a prime location, while enabling HDP to meet its scheduled delivery timeline for the SQ1 project. HDP consistently collaborates with top-tier contractors to ensure superior residential developments, supported by Housing and Development Bank services, which has been a key player in Egypt's urban development for over 45 years. Hassanein also highlighted the role of MAK Architects (Mona Hussein, Karim El Assal, Ahmed Hussein) in designing SQ1. Their expertise brings modern, luxurious architecture to the project, aligning with global urban development trends while incorporating advanced technologies and high-quality construction standards. This approach ensures a future-ready residential community that is both attractive for living and investment. HDP has achieved remarkable success, launching eight real estate projects within just two years of its establishment. The company is now planning further expansion in East and West Cairo, as part of a strategic vision to introduce new large-scale projects in key locations. These developments aim to deliver premium, sustainable housing solutions while adhering to the highest quality and efficiency standards, positioning HDP as a leading real estate developer in Egypt and the Middle East. Mohamed Tarek, CCC's Regional Director for Africa, expressed his pride in collaborating with HDP and being entrusted with the residential phase of SQ1. He highlighted SQ1's strategic location, spanning 10 acres in the heart of New Cairo's El Choueifat district, near Square One Mall. Tarek reaffirmed CCC's commitment to completing all construction work on schedule, adhering to global occupational safety standards, and delivering a distinctive living experience aligned with Egypt's current urban expansion plans to boost investor and buyer confidence.
