Latest news with #ex-F1
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Alpine boss Flavio Briatore ‘should not be back in F1', says Johnny Herbert
Johnny Herbert believes Flavio Briatore should 'not be back in F1' after the Italian maverick returned to the paddock with Alpine as de facto team principal. Briatore, 75, will enact all the duties of former team principal Oliver Oakes after the Briton's resignation three weeks ago, due to personal reasons. Advertisement While Briatore's official title will remain 'executive adviser', he is effectively back as team boss 17 years after the 2008 Crashgate scandal, when he was initially given a lifetime ban from the sport for his role as Renault team principal in Nelson Piquet Jnr's deliberate crash in Singapore. Briatore's ban was later overturned in the French courts but, given his chequered past, ex-F1 driver Herbert believes it's wrong that the Italian has returned in a team-leading capacity in the paddock. 'I didn't agree when Flavio Briatore came back and I still don't agree that he's back,' Herbert said. 'But he is back and he's in the battle. He's now head of the Alpine team and running it. Advertisement 'Those decisions have been made, as I said, don't agree. I don't think it's the right thing, he's back.' Briatore, who returned to Renault-owned Alpine last summer as 'executive adviser', recently decided to drop Jack Doohan after just seven races for Argentine driver Franco Colapinto. Flavio Briatore is back as de facto team boss at Alpine (Getty Images) However, with a keen eye on new regulations in 2026 and a chance for Alpine to narrow the gap to the frontrunners, Herbert believes Briatore could target a seasoned veteran in the F1 cockpit. 'If Briatore is someone who gets Sergio Perez at Alpine and Perez does a good job and then Flavio gets on his side, he'd be in a very strong position,' Hebert said, in quotes associated with 'If it doesn't go well, you'll have exactly what's happened with Jack Doohan. Advertisement 'That is always going to be part of what Flavio does. He will always choose one. 'He's one who has always done that and that's where it can be very damaging for the driver's career, but also just mentally.' Alpine failed to score points at the last race in Monaco; F1 next heads to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.
Wales Online
7 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
David Coulthard plane crash that claimed two lives put the brakes on F1 playboy lifestyle
David Coulthard plane crash that claimed two lives put the brakes on F1 playboy lifestyle David Coulthard was involved in a plane crash in 2000, just five days before the Spanish Grand Prix, but the F1 star decided to race and finished second David Coulthard competed in a F1 race five days after a plane crash (Image: AFP via Getty Images ) David Coulthard demonstrated immense resilience when he competed in a Formula 1 race just five days after surviving a devastating plane crash that left him with broken ribs and claimed the lives of two. The incident occurred in 2000 when the 54-year-old, then racing for McLaren, was a passenger on a private jet bound for his home in the South of France. Alongside his then-girlfriend Heidi Wichlinski and trainer Andy Matthews, Coulthard was on board when the plane suffered engine failure en route to Nice, necessitating an emergency landing in Lyon. Tragically, the impact and subsequent fire claimed the lives of captain David Saunders and co-pilot Dan Worley, as the cockpit was torn from the aircraft. Miraculously, Coulthard and Wichlinski escaped with relatively minor injuries. Despite the Spanish Grand Prix being just five days away and his own painful condition, Coulthard chose to push through and participate in the race, driven by his second-place standing in the championship at the time. Reflecting on the harrowing experience in an interview with the Daily Star in 2023, Coulthard said: "It wasn't meant for me to depart on that particular day. Article continues below "Obviously, it was tragic for the pilots and their families. My girlfriend and my trainer at the time were on board, and we were able to leave the aircraft relatively unscathed, with just a few broken ribs. The ex-F1 driver suffered only broken ribs in the plane crash (Image: Sygma via Getty Images ) "You then, like every major moment in your life, have decisions to make. I think the one thing with sports, irrespective of which sport it is, is that it teaches you to move on, to compartmentalise what happened and why it happened, and then you turn the page. "You've got to keep moving forward in life and in sport, particularly. That's what I chose to do: keep moving forward. I was physically capable of competing in that Grand Prix." Coulthard secured an impressive second place in Spain, completing a McLaren 1-2 alongside two-time F1 world champion and team-mate Mika Hakkinen. "I did my best in terms of reaching out to the families and the pilot's family and informing them of my intention to race and do so in their memory," he continued. "You're met with something that is obviously a major, major life-changing event; you can dwell on those moments and keep reliving them, or you can just move on, and that's what I've chosen to do." Despite the traumatic experience, Coulthard decided not to let it hinder him and confessed he still travels by air frequently. "I spend my life on aircraft, at least a month each year, in terms of hours," he disclosed. "I only spend 11 months of the year on the ground. The Scotsman continues to fly despite the traumatic crash (Image: Getty Images ) "The rest is spent in the air. I'm not a fan of worrying about things out of your control, I have to travel. If I wanted to be a control freak, then I would learn how to fly and get my own aircraft." The crash not only left Coulthard injured but also prompted a personal transformation, as he acknowledged that the loss of the two pilots spurred him to leave behind his playboy ways. "Knowing that two families' lives had been changed forever – they were fathers, they were husbands, they were sons – it was horrible, absolutely horrible," he expressed on the Pitlane Life Lessons podcast. "What that did do was make me grow the f*** up. I think I'd just turned 30 and I was living the comforts of being well paid as a Formula 1 driver, jumping on private planes and all the good things [...] I think I was getting a little bit spoiled without realising it. Article continues below "That was a massive kick up the ass to slow down, not on the race track, be a bit more aware of decisions I was making and get rid of the 'I want this, make it happen now' attitude."
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Bernie Collins and Andy Stevenson join Grand Prix Trust
Sky Sports pundit Bernie Collins and long-serving Aston Martin Formula 1 team sporting director Andy Stevenson have been appointed trustees of the Grand Prix Trust. The trust was founded by three-time world champion Jackie Stewart in 1987 and is a benevolent fund that helps support those who either currently or have previously worked in F1 and have fallen on hard times. Advertisement The organisation is led by ex-F1 driver and commentator Martin Brundle, while other existing trustees include former Williams technical chief Patrick Head, ex-team boss Ross Brawn and Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley. Collins has become a popular pundit in recent years having previously served as head of strategy at Aston Martin. Stevenson, meanwhile, has worked at the team since its F1 debut under the Jordan guise in 1991, when he served as a mechanic. 'We are delighted to welcome Bernie Collins and Andy Stevenson as additional trustees for the Grand Prix Trust,' said Brundle. Andy Stevenson, Sporting Director, Aston Martin F1 Team Andy Stevenson, Sporting Director, Aston Martin F1 Team Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Advertisement 'They are two highly regarded F1 industry professionals with considerable experience, and who also have a passion and respect for our 75-year-old sport. As we increase the reach and achievements of the Trust, they will play an important role.' Collins said she felt 'privileged' to be joining the board of trustees and added: 'I look forward to being part of the great work that the Grand Prix Trust undertakes and contributing in a positive way.' Stevenson said: 'I'm honoured to have been invited to join the Board of Trustees for the Grand Prix Trust. 'The Trust plays a vital role in supporting the people who have given so much to the world of motorsport, often behind the scenes. Advertisement 'I'm proud to contribute to an organisation that offers practical help and guidance to members of our community when they need it most. 'It's a privilege to be part of something that reflects the values of care, respect, and long-term commitment within the sport.' Alongside supporting those who have spent at least two years working in F1, the trust also offers a bursary fund to help children from underprivileged backgrounds progress through college and secure jobs in the sport. To read more articles visit our website.
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
No Martin Brundle grid walk at Imola as new Sky Sports contract explained
Martin Brundle, fresh from collecting his OBE from the Prince of Wales, will be missing from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola under the terms of his Sky Sports contract Formula 1 fans hoping for a gloriously chaotic Martin Brundle grid walk at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will be left disappointed. The Sky Sports star and ex-F1 racer's pre-race walks have become the stuff of legend since he started performing them for ITV back in 1997, producing an abundance of hilarious and awkward moments over the years. However, with the F1 calendar swelling to 24 grand prix, the 65-year-old doesn't attend every race weekend. Brundle will miss eight rounds this season, including round seven at Imola, the first of a triple-header including Monaco and Spain. The 16-race limit is part of the new contract Brundle recently agreed with Sky, who have been trimming costs amid F1's bloated schedule. Even at the races he does attend, Brundle isn't duty-bound to undertake a grid walk every time. Under the terms of his contracts with broadcasters over the years, he performs a grid walk at three out of every four races he attends. Despite the popularity of his grid walks among fans, who often complain when they are missing from a race weekend, Brundle himself isn't a fan. As he collected his OBE from the Prince of Wales this week for his services to motorsport and broadcasting, he told Sky Sports: 'We get in amongst it. 'The grid gets very busy. There must have been a thousand people on there in Vegas. I can't see anybody half the time, I can't see an F1 car sometimes! Because it's a bit edgy - and sometimes we failed miserably - people are living it whether I'm having a good day or a bad day. 'I've never watched one in 27 years of doing it because it's not my natural habitat, to run around being cheeky and interrupting people. But it's grown a life of its own.' Brundle was a proud man after picking up his gong from Prince William but was quick to pay tribute to his Sky Sports colleagues He said: 'It made me feel very lucky and very privileged. 'As always with something like this, you receive on behalf of an awful lot of other people because either they were designing and creating and fixing my racing cars, or working with us in the broadcasting industry. "You can't do anything on your own at the level of Formula 1. I've been very lucky to have two careers in F1 as a driver and a broadcaster, which this award has been presented for. When the letter came through just before Christmas, I was ecstatic." Another familiar voice missing from Sky's F1 coverage this weekend is regular commentator David Croft, who, like last year, is set to miss occasional races this year. He has been replaced by Harry Benjamin, BBC Five Live's regular F1 commentator. Natalie Pinkham is fronting Sky's coverage from the iconic Italian circuit, with Ted Kravtiz on reporting duty. Jacques Villeneuve, 1997 world champion, and top female racer Jamie Chadwick are part of Sky's punditry team.
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Iconic Ferrari with 201mph top speed to sell for record £2.3m – it's the fastest road car of all time
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) An iconic Ferrari with 201mph as its top speed is to sell for a record £2.3 million. The red F40 is known as the fastest road car of its time thanks to its twin-turbocharged 3L, V8 engine. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 The 1989 Ferrari F40 available for sale Credit: Jam Press/Oliver Hirtenfelder/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's 10 The red F40 can do 201mph thanks to its twin-turbocharged 3L, V8 engine Credit: Jam Press/Oliver Hirtenfelder/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's 10 The Ferrari has had a restoration but still has its original chassis, body, engine, and gearbox Credit: Jam Press/Oliver Hirtenfelder/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's Brand new in 1989 the 478bhp supercar - famed for its angular shape - was as worth about £163,000. In today's money, when taking into account inflation, it would be priced at a hefty £424,000. But the six-figure sum is nothing compared to its expected auction sale price, where its tipped to go for over 14 times its original cost. If it goes for the guide price, the stunning car will smash the £1.7m recouped at auction for an F40 two years ago. The Ferrari has had a restoration but still has its original chassis, body, engine, and gearbox. Other original features are its tool roll, Agip tyre kit, exhaust and seatbelts. And what's more - it has only done a mere 10,749 miles in the last 36 years. That works out at only 298 per year on average. The F40 was so popular at the time it was owned by ex-F1 race champ Nigel Mansell. Late football legend Diego Maradona and tenor Luciano Pavarotti had one too. 10 It has only done 10,749 miles in the last 36 years Credit: Jam Press/Oliver Hirtenfelder/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's 10 The F40 was so popular at the time it was owned by ex-F1 race champ Nigel Mansell Credit: Jam Press/Oliver Hirtenfelder/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's 10 It is being sold by RM Sotheby's in Milan, Italy Credit: Jam Press/Oliver Hirtenfelder/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's 10 It is tipped to go for over 14 times the original price when it goes under the hammer Credit: Jam Press/Oliver Hirtenfelder/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's It's being sold by RM Sotheby's in Milan, Italy, next Thursday, Luxury Auto News reports. A spokesperson for the auction house said: 'Famously the final design to be signed off by Enzo Ferrari. 'The F40 of 1987 was initially forecast for a 400-strong production run in celebration of the marque's 40th anniversary. 'However, Maranello records show that this figure eventually stretched to 1,315 units as buyers kept being enticed. 'Little wonder, given the intoxicating recipe of a lightweight Kevlar and carbon fibre construction being propelled by a twin-turbocharged 3L V8. Of those cars, chassis number 80763 offered here was completed on 27 July, 1989 and delivered to its first owner one week later. 'The Ferrari then moved to the United Kingdom in 1997, where it remained for more than two decades. 'Under the care of a new owner, the car was submitted to Italy in 2021 for a complete rotisserie restoration on the doorstep of the Ferrari factory. 'The restoration has been captured in a complementing photo album, which is beautifully housed in a matching-colour carbon fibre and Kevlar case. Once finished, the F40 enjoyed a momentous April 2022. 'That month, it was registered in France in addition to being awarded prestigious Ferrari Classiche certification in recognition of its matching-numbers chassis, body, engine, and gearbox. 'The car remained with its then-custodian until May 2023, at which point it was purchased by the consigning owner.' 10 The car has beautiful red seats to match the exterior Credit: Jam Press/Oliver Hirtenfelder/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's 10 It's known as the fastest road car of all time Credit: Jam Press/Oliver Hirtenfelder/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
