Latest news with #Scuderia
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Lewis Hamilton's fate uncertain as Charles Leclerc repeats Ferrari concern
Ferrari come into the Spanish Grand Prix on the back of their best result of 2025 so far in Monaco setting up an intriguing weekend for Lewis Hamilton and a pessimistic Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc has once again downplayed Ferrari's chances of success, this time ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. But as he did the same before last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, where the Scuderia secured their best result of the season so far, it is difficult to know what to expect. Monegasque Leclerc was adamant that there would be little hope he could secure back-to-back victories in his homeland. But he was only narrowly beaten to pole position by Lando Norris and, with overtaking impossible in the race, would have won if he hadn't been pipped by the Brit in qualifying. And team-mate Lewis Hamilton produced his best qualifying result of 2025, going fourth quickest on Saturday. He was knocked down the grid by three places because of a penalty but was one of only a few drivers to make progress and finished fifth. Leclerc had been worried about most of the corners in Monaco being slow-speed, where Ferrari had struggled all year. Asked after the race why his predictions were so wrong, he hypothesised that it was because his team was able to focus purely on increasing pace at such turns. And, as a result, the 27-year-old said he does not believe Ferrari will be able to carry over those improvements in Barcelona this weekend. He said: "The only explanation I can find for now is that on a track like this, where there's only low speed – basically no high-speed corners – in most of the tracks, we had to take compromises in order to not lose too much in high-speed corners. "We don't have to set up the car in a way where we compromise anything here because we just focus on the low speed. And when we are on these kinds of tracks, it seems that there's some performance in the low speed from the car. "But we are a little bit stuck at the moment on other tracks, so I don't think we can apply it to any other tracks other than Monaco, unfortunately." His message was echoed by team principal Frederic Vasseur who is also cautious about where Ferrari stand. But the Frenchman is hoping that his outfit will at least be able to show progress in terms of its one-lap pace in Barcelona. He said: "Even if we were not happy with P2, I think we did a much better job in the preparation of the weekend, it went well. But it's not that we are on those two-day racing and it will work on every single track. I think that this is true for us, this is true for everybody on the grid. "With the tyres sometimes you finish the weekend and you have the feeling to have everything under control. You have to start from scratch a week after and that we have to keep an open mind and spend next week and do a good job again."
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Lewis Hamilton given F1 sack warning after Spanish Grand Prix controversy
Lewis Hamilton heads into the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend on the back of a positive result in Monaco, though the Barcelona track does not hold good memories for the Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton was threatened with the sack back when he was driving for Mercedes after crashing into team-mate Nico Rosberg during the 2019 Spanish Grand Prix. Hamilton is currently driving for Ferrari, with the Barcelona track the next stop this season. The British star has a mixed record at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, claiming five wins but also having his share of forgettable moments. One of the races Hamilton will not look back on with any fondness came in 2016. Hamilton started on pole for that race, ahead of then team-mate and title rival Rosberg. But the German driver flew round the outside of Hamilton in turn one to take the lead, with Hamilton fighting back. But as Rosberg defended his position, Hamilton was squeezed onto the grass. He lost control of his Mercedes car, colliding with Rosberg at turn four and putting both of the Silver Arrows out of the race. The incident infuriated team chiefs and led to boss Toto Wolff installing new rules of engagement. The late Niki Lauda, who was a key advisor to Mercedes, revealed that the duo were even threatened with the sack if they ignored the new guidelines. "We put some regulations in, we told them - especially in Barcelona when they pushed each other off the track - we said this was unacceptable for Mercedes," Lauda said in an interview with Graham Bensinger on YouTube. "We have to win, one of you guys has to win, you cannot push each other off. We had some rules put in, that you are not allowed to and you have to pay a penalty if you do it again or we will think of releasing you from your contract, because we are team players here and we cannot destroy each other. "Toto came up with some good rules and we had peace again. We fought hard and the accidents got reduced between them. The big discussion was whose fault was it? For me it was clear Lewis was too aggressive going to the right, hit the grass, couldn't stop his car and then hit [Nico] off. "I said right away if I have to choose between the two it's more Lewis' fault than Nico's fault. Lewis did not appreciate that, because he was of a different opinion. He said, 'Why do you criticise me?' I said, 'Excuse me. I cannot accept that you guys crash and then we have nothing and nobody's fault. For me it has to be somebody's fault.'" Hamilton is now starring for Ferrari, though it has been a difficult start to his time with the Scuderia. He did enjoy a positive Monaco Grand Prix, coming home fifth, with Hamilton keen to build on that in Barcelona. "I knew starting in P7 was going to be a challenge today, but it's good to see our progress overall. Once I found some clear air, I was able to make up a bit of ground," Hamilton said after Sunday's race. "We lost quite a bit of time in traffic and the balance wasn't quite where we wanted it. Still, we came away with a podium for Charles, as well as some solid points for the team and it's encouraging we're heading in the right direction. "We made a step forward in qualifying, which was a key focus, so a big thanks to everyone for the hard work in getting the car into a more competitive place across the whole weekend. We'll keep pushing and look to build on this in Barcelona."
Metro
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Metro
Lewis Hamilton avoids penalty after huge Monaco Grand Prix crash
Sir Lewis Hamilton's chances of winning the Monaco Grand Prix have taken a major blow after he crashed heavily in the final minutes of Saturday practice. Hamilton was well-placed to fight for victory at the iconic street circuit this weekend, with Ferrari emerging as the surprise pace setters. Teammate Charles Leclerc topped all three practice sessions at his home grand prix, ahead of championship contenders Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Hamilton is yet to finish on the podium since joining the Scuderia in 2025, with the Italian team lagging behind McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes, though he did win the sprint race in China. But his weekend in Monte Carlo has been heavily compromised by a heavy shunt in the third and final practice session. As the seven-time world champion approached turn three on a flying lap, he appeared to be caught out by slow moving traffic and their turbulent air. The Brit suffered a huge snap and while he tried to get back under control, he was powerless to stop the car from slamming into the barriers, wrecking the right side of his SF-25 and bringing out the red flag. 'Damn, hit the wall! Sorry guys,' the 40-year-old said over the team radio before jumping out unscathed. Ferrari mechanics now face a race against time to repair his car in time for qualifying at 3pm but thankfully for Hamilton, he is not at risk of being penalised over the incident. In the past, such a crash can result in a gearbox change which incurs a grid penalty for the race – a disastrous punishment in Monaco given the limited overtaking opportunities. But Sky Sports state that there are no longer any gearbox grid penalties, with reporter Ted Kravitz adding: 'It's about what you would imagine [to repair] so the front-right and the rear-right. 'I still think that they will just detach from the engine the gearbox. It is a big job but it would be ready for qualifying. 'I don't think we're looking at any doubt about Lewis Hamilton's car being ready for qualifying, it's just that lunch will be cancelled at Ferrari.' The slow cars involved in the crash, Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and Haas' Esteban Ocon, were very briefly investigated by the stewards but no further action was taken. As is the case every year at the narrow Monaco track, traffic has proven a major problem, with Leclerc crashing into the back of Lance Stroll and destroying his front wing just minutes into first practice on Friday. More Trending 'I don't know what he was going to do if he didn't crash because he was going to crash into the cars in front,' 2009 champion and Hamilton's former teammate Jenson Button said on Sky Sports. 'This is the problem. You are arriving at such high speed there, on the limit and you've got a car in front which is losing you all your downforce on entry. 'It's definitely Lewis' mistake but it was not an easy situation for him at that point. A loss of downforce has definitely hurt him there.' More to follow… For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Monaco Grand Prix: Plenty of horsepower in the car park as F1 stars enjoy working from home MORE: The 2025 Rich List reveals wealthiest people in the UK — who's on it? MORE: British couple killed after £300,000 Ferrari 'plunges off' mountain highway
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Lewis Hamilton sent ‘flying' after hitting huge bump as Ferrari involved in scary Monaco Grand Prix incidents
LEWIS HAMILTON was seen on a flying lap, literally, as he went airborne after driving over a kerb at the Monaco Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion enjoyed his best race result of the season in Imola after an impressive drive through the field. 5 5 5 However, the challenge of Monaco 's narrow street track posed some very different issues for the Scuderia as they endured a horror FP1. As the 40-year-old zoomed into the iconic "piscine" section of the track, he was forced to take evasive action as traffic ahead of him almost caused catastrophe. The Brit was forced to steer to the left to avoid a massive collision. This saw him drive straight over the kerb of the chicane, which then sent him flying into the air. Hamilton then miraculously managed to avoid his car crashing into the barriers but not before his car scraped along the floor. Reacting on the team radio, he said: "Ah f*** mate, so much traffic. "I have to box mate, I've just gone completely over the kerb mate." Hamilton ended the session in P9, clocking a fastest lap time of 1:12.690 from 30 laps of the circuit. Team-mate Charles Leclerc topped the session in his home race with a time of 1:11.964. But that was not before he suffered a nightmare start that saw him go off track. Soon after he was involved in a red flag incident as he lost the left half of his front wing after a collision with Lance Stroll. The Aston Martin driver had let one driver go heading into the famous hairpin turn, before veering right on to the racing line where Leclerc was racing along. The move saw Leclerc crash into the back of Stroll, who said he did not hear his team's radio call that the Monegasque was coming down. Stroll was handed a one place grid penalty for the incident by the FIA, who additionally slapped his super licence with a penalty point. Ahead of the weekend, Hamilton had said he was "buzzing" to race around Monaco in a Ferrari. He said: "It's a much different track… Ferrari have generally gone well here [in the past] but as you know, Qualifying is everything and we've struggled so far this year, so we'll see. "I've never driven this car at this track, so that will be new for me, it's a new characteristic to what I've experienced in the past. "But it's exciting to drive for the first time a Ferrari around these streets of Monte Carlo." Hamilton is currently P6 in the World Drivers Championship standings, nine points behind team-mate Leclerc. McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are one and two in the rankings with Red Bull's Max Verstappen close behind. 5 5
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Lewis Hamilton sent ‘flying' after hitting huge bump as Ferrari involved in scary Monaco Grand Prix incidents
LEWIS HAMILTON was seen on a flying lap, literally, as he went airborne after driving over a kerb at the Monaco Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion enjoyed his best race result of the season in Imola after an impressive drive through the field. Advertisement 5 Lewis Hamilton had scary incident at the Monaco Grand Prix Credit: Getty 5 He was forced to take evasive action to avoid a crash 5 The move sent him flying into the air as he went over the kerb However, the challenge of Monaco's narrow street track posed some very different issues for the Scuderia as they endured a horror FP1. As the 40-year-old zoomed into the iconic "piscine" section of the track, he was forced to take evasive action as traffic ahead of him almost caused catastrophe. The Brit was forced to steer to the left to avoid a massive collision. This saw him drive straight over the kerb of the chicane, which then sent him flying into the air. Advertisement READ MORE IN F1 Hamilton then miraculously managed to avoid his car crashing into the barriers but not before his car scraped along the floor. Reacting on the team radio, he said: "Ah f*** mate, so much traffic. "I have to box mate, I've just gone completely over the kerb mate." Hamilton ended the session in P9, clocking a fastest lap time of 1:12.690 from 30 laps of the circuit. Advertisement Most read in Motorsport BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Team-mate But that was not before he suffered a nightmare start that saw him go off track. Lewis Hamilton fumes 'have a tea break while you're at it' at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-up Soon after he was involved in a red flag incident as he lost the left half of his front wing after a collision with Lance Stroll. Advertisement The Aston Martin driver had let one driver go heading into the famous hairpin turn, before veering right on to the racing line where Leclerc was racing along. The move saw Leclerc crash into the back of Stroll, who said he did not hear his team's radio call that the Monegasque was coming down. Stroll was handed a one place grid penalty for the incident by the FIA, who additionally slapped his super licence with a penalty point. Ahead of the weekend, Hamilton had said he was "buzzing" to race around Monaco in a Ferrari. Advertisement He said: "It's a much different track… Ferrari have generally gone well here [in the past] but as you know, Qualifying is everything and we've struggled so far this year, so we'll see. "I've never driven this car at this track, so that will be new for me, it's a new characteristic to what I've experienced in the past. "But it's exciting to drive for the first time a Ferrari around these streets of Monte Carlo." Hamilton is currently P6 in the World Drivers Championship standings, nine points behind team-mate Leclerc. Advertisement McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and 5 Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc also had a horror start to the session after a crash at the Monaco hairpin Credit: AP 5
