Page 2 - Formula One

Lewis Hamilton kept his Ferrari move so quiet even his parents didn't know

Formula 1 great Lewis Hamilton kept his Ferrari move so closely guarded that he didn't even tell his parents until the day it was announced. The British driver rocked the F1 world when it was announced on Feb. 1 he was joining the Italian manufacturer next year, despite signing a new contract with Mercedes last summer. I didn't speak to anybody. I didn't tell my parents till the day of it being announced. So, no one knew," Hamilton told a BBC podcast. I really wanted to do it for myself. Ultimately, I had to find out what would be the best for me. It then emerged that the two-year deal penned with Mercedes and announced last August was actually for one year with an option for a second year, which Hamilton did not take. Hamilton informed Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff of his decision to leave only the day before over breakfast at Wolff's home. They have become close friends over the years after Hamilton joined Mercedes from McLaren in 2013. The 39-year-old Hamilton and Michael

Hamilton's team switch: Ferrari gambles on new red storm for 2025 F1 season

Hamilton is hungry for a podium finish. His move from Mercedes to Ferrari could be a recipe for success or a disaster in the making

Not concerned about report on gambling sponsorship: Sauber F1 team

The Sauber Formula 1 team says it is not concerned by a report that it could potentially face a fine in Switzerland over its sponsorship deal with online gambling company Stake. Swiss broadcaster SRF reported Tuesday that the national gambling regulator had opened proceedings against Sauber. The team is based in Switzerland, where gambling advertising by foreign companies is restricted. SRF reported a fine of up to 500,000 Swiss francs (USD 573,000) was possible. In an e-mailed statement to The Associated Press, the regulator, known as the ESBK, said it would not comment on any proceedings. It said Stake's online gambling website was not approved to operate in Switzerland and had been on a blocked list since 2021. "Sauber Motorsport AG have always complied and continue to comply with all existing regulations, both Swiss and of whichever country we race in," Sauber said in an e-mailed statement Wednesday. "The report of an ongoing investigation by the Swiss Authorities does not con

Formula One extends Japanese Grand Prix contract at Suzuka to 2029

The Japanese Grand Prix will stay on the Formula One calendar until at least 2029 after a five-year contract extension to keep the race at the Suzuka Circuit. It's a sign of confidence in the Japanese GP ahead of a move from its usual date in September or October to April, between the races in Australia and China. That's part of efforts to reduce the distance that teams travel between races and cut back on carbon emissions. The extension was announced Friday by F1 and Honda Mobilityland, the Honda subsidiary that owns the track. Suzuka is a special circuit and part of the fabric of the sport, so I am delighted that F1 will continue to race there until at least 2029, F1's president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement. Suzuka's traditional slot later in the season has seen it often play a crucial role in deciding the title. Max Verstappen secured his second championship there in 2022. The Japanese GP was first part of the F1 schedule in 1976 and Suzuka hoste

Why is Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes, and where will he be heading now?

Lewis Hamilton shocked the motorsports world when the seven-time Formula One champion said he will leave Mercedes at the end of the season to join Ferrari, which had tried to land Hamilton before he signed his latest contract extension with the Silver Arrows. Hamilton only finalized a two-year extension with Mercedes at the end of August. Mercedes said Thursday the 39-year-old British driver has activated a release clause in that new deal that will allow him to join Ferrari in 2025. I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old, Hamilton said in a team statement. It's a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge. Hamilton moved from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013 and won six of his seven titles with the Silv

Right time to move to Formula E, no regrets about chasing F1 dreams: Jehan

Indian racer Jehan Daruvala says it's the right time for him to move to Formula E, adding that he has no regrets about spending a few extra years in the junior series for a shot at the elusive Formula 1. Jehan moved to Formula E after spending four years in the F1 feeder series Formula 2, where he was a part of the Red Bull junior team. However, he failed to land a seat in F1. Post Formula 2 stint, the 25-year-old served as a reserve driver for Mahindra Racing in Formula E for a year. "In hindsight yes, everything is different. I was pushing to get into Formula 1 for those few years so I don't have any regrets," Jehan told PTI ahead of his debut Formula E race here. "I feel like I have come here (Formula E) at the right time, I have matured and I'm still only 25, still young," he added. Jehan will drive for the Maserati MSG Racing, becoming only the second Indian to take part in the all-electric series after Karun Chandhok. Jehan's learning process with the Gen 3 Formula E car wi

Formula E could return to India as soon as 2025: Co-founder Alberto Longo

Formula E could return to India in 2025 and discussions with other cities to host a race will begin soon, said co-founder Alberto Longo, making it clear that the electric series is keen to race in the country despite the Hyderabad E-Prix cancelation. The Hyderabad race, which was scheduled to take place on February 10, was cancelled last week after just one season with Formula E alleging a breach of the host city agreement by the newly-elected Telangana government. "We are working to coming to India in the future, we will be starting conversations with different cities in India soon," Longo told PTI ahead of the season-opening Mexico E-Prix. "But we will be looking to race in India in the future, hopefully as soon as 2025," he added. He also revealed that one Indian city has already expressed interest in hosting the electric race. "Too fresh (the Hyderabad cancellation), but there has been some approach when they got to know the news of us not coming back to Hyderabad. There was o

Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll sells F1 team stake at £1 bn valuation

The deal comes on the eve of the much-hyped Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend and shows the growing appeal of F1 in the US, the Aston Martin team said in a statement on Thursday

Kush Maini joins young driver development programme of Alpine F1 team

India's Kush Maini on Tuesday joined the young driver development programme of Alpine Formula 1 team. Before Kush, Jehan Daruvala was another Indian who was on the driver programme of a Formula 1 team -- Red Bull Racing in his case -- but he could not graduate to the highest level after three mixed Formula 2 seasons under their wings. Kush, 23, is competing in his rookie Formula 2 season. The Bengaluru-based driver secured his first Formula 2 podium with a third-place finish in the Sprint Race in Australia and his best Qualifying result of second at Silverstone. He currently sits just outside of the top 10 in the championship standings having secured 11 point scoring finishes across the season. Kush's brother Arjun was a development driver with the Haas Formula 1 team but he too could not reach the pinnacle of four-wheel racing. Kush will join the growing Alpine Academy line-up which currently features drivers such as Alpine F1 Team Reserve Driver Jack Doohan and 2022 FIA Formula

Formula One: Verstappen bids for record-breaking 10th straight win at Monza

For Max Verstappen it's not about records, it's about winning. The Red Bull driver could do both at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday as he looks to firmly etch his name in the Formula One record books. Having equaled Sebastian Vettel's F1 record of nine straight victories at the Dutch GP last weekend, Verstappen can break it on the famous Monza track. But the 25-year-old is focused on one sole thing: the victory. I mean, I never thought that I would win nine in a row, first of all, Verstappen said. But yeah, now that we are here, of course I'll try to win 10, but it's more about that I want to just win." Vettel set the consecutive wins record in 2013 with Red Bull during its first dominant era when he won four straight titles and Verstappen remembers how astounded he was as a teenager when he saw the German driver achieve that feat. I remember when he did it, I said 'Wow, that's just a crazy number. I think no one ever will do something like that', Verstappen said. And here we

Felipe Massa ready to go to court as he claims was robbed of 2008 F1 title

Former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa says he is ready to take Formula One's governing body to court to press his claims that he was robbed of the 2008 title, which he lost by one point to Lewis Hamilton. Massa said in an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday that he has given governing body FIA and Formula One Management until the end of next week to respond to a letter the Brazilian sent them this month, in which he claims both had deliberately ignored the misconduct (at the Singapore Grand Prix) that stripped him of that title. The Brazilian added he is 100% ready to take the case to court if he hears nothing back before then. I trust and I really believe that for justice that we will show what happened was not correct, the 42-year-old Massa told the AP at his apartment in Sao Paulo. I am the champion, and I feel that. I feel that I have the title. The 16th champion of Formula One for Ferrari. We proved that season that we deserved it. Massa's claim centers around an ...

Max wins Dutch GP to equal Vettel's F1 record with 9th straight victory

Runaway Formula One leader Max Verstappen won a rain-marred Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday to equal Sebastian Vettel's F1 record of nine straight victories. The Red Bull star clinched his third straight victory from pole position at the Zandvoort track, with veteran Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso finishing second and picking up a bonus point for the fastest lap. Alpine driver Pierre Gasly crossed the line in fourth place behind Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, but the Frenchman moved up to third because Perez was given a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane. The chaotic race was held up for 40-minutes by a late red flag after Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu crashed. It restarted with a rolling start on Lap 65 of 72, in a race that featured multiple tire swaps as changing weather conditions played havoc with strategy calls. The race restarted with Verstappen ahead of Alonso, Perez and Gasly. After two laps behind the safety car, Verstappen comfortably pulled away for his 11th win

Formula One: Verstappen wins Belgian GP to extend huge lead at the top

Defending Formula One champion Max Verstappen emphatically won the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday for an eighth straight win and 10th overall of a crushingly dominant season. He finished 22.3 seconds ahead of teammate Sergio Perez to give Red Bull and easy 1-2. It moved Verstappen ominously closer to a third straight world title and his own F1 record of 15 wins from last year. Verstappen is 125 points ahead of Perez after just 12 races, and his next target is matching Sebastian Vettel's F1 record of nine straight wins with a victory at the Dutch GP when the lopsided season resumes on Aug. 27. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc finished in third spot for a third podium of the season, with Lewis Hamilton in fourth for Mercedes ahead of Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso. George Russell was sixth for Mercedes, with Lando Norris (McLaren), Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), and Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) completing the top 10. Leclerc started on pole ahead of Perez, with Hamilto

F1 Hungarian GP: Max Verstappen records 7th consecutive win, Red Bull 12th

Formula One champion Max Verstappen needed only a few seconds to stamp his authority on the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday and win his seventh straight race of a crushingly dominant season. Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton started from pole position ahead of Verstappen, who muscled him out at the first corner and never looked back. Red Bull's 12th straight win, including the final race of 2022, broke McLaren's record for consecutive team wins set in 1988. That was so enjoyable to drive, 12 in a row that is unbelievable, Verstappen said. Unbelievable. I was really enjoying that last stint. Verstappen is cruising toward a third straight F1 title. His ninth victory overall complete with another bonus point for the fastest lap means the 25-year-old Dutchman already leads his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez by 110 points. McLaren driver Lando Norris finished second for the second-straight race and Perez was third for a much-needed second podium in six races. Verstappen's career

Formula 1: Max Verstappen takes 6th straight F1 win at British GP

On a day when Brad Pitt joined the Formula One grid to shoot his new movie, defending champion Max Verstappen was reduced to a cameo role in his own win with F1 fans gripped by the fight for second place. Apart from losing the lead to Lando Norris at the start and then taking it back Verstappen's cruise on Sunday to yet another win his sixth in a row lacked the Hollywood-style drama of Norris' battle with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton for second. That fits a pattern this season of dominant wins for the Red Bull driver and increasingly hard-fought battles behind him as Mercedes, Ferrari, Aston Martin and now McLaren jostle to be the second-fastest team. "It's very confusing, to be honest, because every single race it's someone else," Verstappen said. Filming for Pitt's upcoming F1-themed movie had been taking place all weekend around the F1 sessions, using black-and-gold cars from the fictional APX team. Pitt himself and co-star Damson Idris joined the grid in racing suits

Formula 1 calendar for 2024 'longest in history' with record 24 races

The 2024 Formula One season will feature 24 races for what will be the longest calendar in the sport's history. The season will begin in Bahrain on March 2 and finish in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 8. I am delighted to announce the 2024 calendar with 24 races that will deliver an exciting season for our fans around the world," said Stefano Domenicali, the president and CEO of Formula 1. There is huge interest and continued demand for Formula 1, and I believe this calendar strikes the right balance between traditional races and new and existing venues. The opening two races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will take place on a Saturday instead of Sunday to accommodate the Muslim holy period of Ramadan, organizers said. The Chinese Grand Prix will return for the first time since 2019. To achieve a more regionalized calendar and improve travel sustainability, three races have switched position for 2024. The Japanese Grand Prix will move from a September date to April, while the Azerba

Ryan Reynolds among new investors backing F1 team Alpine in $218 mn deal

After soccer, Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are setting their sights on Formula One. F1 team Alpine has secured a 200 million euro ($218 million) investment from a group of investors that includes the actors. French automotive company Renault Group Alpine's parent company said Monday that the group has acquired a 24% stake in the team. It includes Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners and Maximum Effort Investments, which is led by Reynolds. The transaction values Alpine Racing Ltd. around $900 million following this investment, the team said in a statement. "It will accelerate Alpine's growth plans and sporting ambitions in F1." Other investors include actor Michael B. Jordan. Reynolds and McElhenney completed a $2.5 million takeover of Welsh soccer team Wrexham in November 2020. The club was thrust into the global spotlight because of its A-list owners and secured promotion to the fourth tier of English soccer this season. With drivers Pierre Gasly and Est

Honda, Aston Martin to reignite partnership in 2026, Alonso onboard

Aston Martin is building a team to win, reconciling Honda and Fernando Alonso for F1 2026

Confetti canons instead of Champagne for podium celebrations in Hyderabad

The podium finishers of the inaugural Formula E race in India on Saturday will not get to 'pop the champagne', a decades old tradition in motorsport, as part of the victory celebrations. Instead, they will have to make do with confetti cannons. Keeping the 'local customs' in mind, all stakeholders of the Hyderabad race promoters Greenko, Telangana government, Formula E and the series champagne sponsor Moet & Chandon have decided to not use the bubbly on the podium, PTI has learnt. The use of champagne on the podium dates back to the 1950s and 1960s. Spraying the sparkling wine on the podium has become synonymous with the widely followed Formula 1. Five-time Formula 1 champion Juan Manuel Fangio was awarded a bottle of Moet & Chandon at the 1950 French Grand Prix and he opened it on the podium. However, champagne was sprayed for the first time in 1966 when Jo Siffert would "accidentally" pop the cork on the crowd to celebrate his win in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. The ...

Ford returns to F1 after 2 decades as racing series see surge in popularity

The automaker will reenter F1 in 2026, when new regulations will require teams to increase electrical power by as much as 50% and use fully sustainable ethanol as fuel