Motorsport

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 chiefs add never-before-seen features including an ICE RINK to Las Vegas track to deliver ‘best Grand Prix ever’

      by

      F1 CHIEFS have added never-before-seen features to the Las Vegas track to give fans the “best Grand Prix ever”.The event will see an ICE RINK installed above the Paddock Club and the inclusion of the Ferrari Challenge.The Las Vegas GP is scheduled for NovemberCredit: GettyThe Ferrari Challenge has been added to the weekendCredit: AP:Associated PressEmily Prazer claims it will be the ‘best ever’Credit: LinkedInThe race weekend in November will also showcase the F1 Academy, and there is hope of adding the female-only series in the future.An F1 Festival has also been set up to run on the Friday and Saturday which has sold out its 30,000 tickets per day.Chief commercial officer for F1 and Las Vegas Grand Prix Emily Prazer has insisted that they are “excited” about this season’s race.She said: “We know what we have to do before the grand prix this year.READ MORE ON F1″We’re adding Ferrari Challenge. So that will be coming, we’re super excited about it. We took on the feedback last year of not having a support race.”Logistics last year were our number one concern, which again I think everyone understood.”So now we feel much more comfortable being able to extend the operating hours and the track activity.”It was just a year-one confidence thing honestly, and now we’re feeling pretty good about it. Ferrari also brings a crowd that loves Las Vegas as you’d expect.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”So it’s a natural one for us to go after, and they’ve been incredible partners.”Prazer has claimed that the plans are being tied ti make sure it is the “best Grand Prix ever”.Cost of an F1 carSavage sackings in F1THE world of F1 can be savage, with employees discarded like used tea bags.Danish driver Kevin Magnussen was a rising star of the McLaren team when he made his debut in 2014 alongside Jensen Button.But when he finished the season trailing in eleventh place, he was swiftly replaced by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.Instead of breaking the bad news to him in a face-to-face meeting, boss Ron Dennis got his assistant to send Magnussen a short and impersonal email.Worst still, the curt message landed in Kevin’s inbox on his 23rd birthday.Read more tales of F1’s brutal world including one boss who was labelled an ‘executioner’ and a driver dumped by a brisk TEXT.She added: “We’re scaling back a bit as we want to focus on actually delivering the best grand prix ever.”The casinos are adjusting what they were doing around the race.”The Wynn, the Bellagio, they all did incredibly well, but the reason we’re doing festivals downtown is to enhance the average person coming to Vegas that weekend and not putting them off.”I think the first year, none of us knew how the racing was going to turn out.”So we wanted to overcompensate because we wanted to make sure that it was a full, until you see those cars go around the track and see what actually happens it’s very hard to just watch it on simulators going ‘oh, it’s going to be a good race’.”We had confidence, don’t get me wrong. But when that came to life obviously for us everybody wanted it to be very Vegas-driven. And so do the partners in Vegas.”They ultimately drive a lot of our mentality, the MGMs, Wynns, Caesars, they’re incredible partners, but you see how they market the destination.”We said, ‘right, let us take it up 15 notches’, which I think we did in year one. But the intent is to scale some of that back.”We felt that we did do too much, the Wednesday night was a one-off.”I will never, ever be allowed to spend that amount of money again on a 30-minute show. We were nominated for an Emmy, but apart from that, it was a project in itself.”Prazner has also spoken about the adding of an ice rink above the Paddock Club in a move that is not seen “anywhere else”.She said: “We talk about Las Vegas within Formula 1 as almost like our little bit of an incubator that we get to try some different things and push the boundaries a bit more, because it’s Vegas.”So we’re putting an ice rink on the roof of the Paddock Club in Vegas this year. You would never see us do that anywhere else.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But the intent is like, ‘how do we create more of an entertainment proposition?’”The idea is, honestly, that if you look at the size of the Paddock Club and making sure that you actually activate all the space, it was one of those of, ‘what do we do?’ It’s a lot of fun.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

    • 250 Shares169 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton reveals he’ll have to fly FIGHTER JETS when he retires from F1 as Brit legend reveals retirement plan

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed the reason he is still competing in Formula One, despite admitting he has had thoughts about retirement.The seven-time world champion has gotten back on the top step of the podium twice this season following a two-season win drought.Lewis Hamilton has revealed what he will need to do after retiring from F1Credit: GettyThe Brit opened up on his retirement plansCredit: RexHamilton, 39, is swapping the silver arrows of Mercedes for the scarlet red of Ferrari at the start of next season after stunning the world by announcing a two-year deal with the Scuderia at the start of the year.After making his debut in 2007, the 2025 season will be his 19th behind the wheel of an F1 car, but Hamilton has now revealed that his thrill-seeker lifestyle has left him unable to step away.He said: “For me personally, when I get strapped in the first time and they start up the car, I get the same bubbly feeling inside. “And then when everyone moves the tyre blankets away and you pull out into the pit lane and drive out into Turn 1 and just do your first lap, I always get a huge thrill.READ MORE IN F1″There’s so many moments that I still pinch myself that I still get to do this. It’s really something I wish you could all feel and experience. “But the cool thing… and it’s probably why I’m still racing, is that it’s not become such the norm that I don’t feel it.”If I was numb to it, that would really suck, and I’d probably be doing something else. But I’d have to fly fighter jets or something… to come anywhere near close.”Hamilton has openly flirted with doing other things after his F1 career ends.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe has already done some acting and had a hand in producing movies, including Brad Pitt’s F1 film scheduled for release next year.But fighter jets, which Hamilton almost worked with when he was asked to star in Top Gun: Maverick, would be a different ballpark altogether.Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for himF1 drivers sometimes surpass 6Gs of lateral force behind the wheel, while fighter jets can sometimes hit as high as 9Gs.That being said, Hamilton said he has no immediate plans to retire, and while speaking to Esquire magazine he added: “There are days I’m like, ‘shoot, I don’t know how much longer I can go.”There are days I’m like, ‘shoot, I’d love a break’ because you don’t get a real big break in the season like other sports. “You’re not really getting a huge amount of downtime. But I do have, mentally, a plan of where I would like to extend to.”I’ve just got to strategise and sequence things. Is there a time when I’m not all in, and I’m just not in love with it anymore? F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon”That’s the moment that hopefully never happens, in the sense that I’ve fallen out of love with it.”But I will know when I need to stop. I want to make sure I really max it out while I can and fully enjoy this sport I’ve done my whole life. There are so many people that have finished their careers early.”And I’ve spoken to many who’ve said they wish they could have just done one more year or two. “And they’re like, ‘Stay in as long as you can!’ But I don’t want to do it if I’m not good.”Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes was confirmed as Kimi Antonelli before the most recent race in Monza, Italy, though the teen suffered a scary crash as he took to the wheel during Free Practice One.Hamilton finished 5th as future Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc expertly pulled off a one-stop strategy to outrun the aggressive two-stop of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and claim victory.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe next race this coming weekend sees F1 return to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.Haas driver Kevin Magnussen has been replaced by teen prodigy Ollie Bearman after picking up too many penalty points on his super licence.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

    • 200 Shares129 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton receives fashion advice from Vogue editor Anna Wintour as they watch US Open Final

      by

      VOGUE US editor Anna Wintour serves up some fashion advice for F1 star Lewis Hamilton as they watch the tennis together.The pair greeted each other before seeing Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, beat America’s Jessica Pegula at the women’s singles final of the US Open in New York.Anna Wintour serves up some fashion advice for Lewis Hamilton as they watch the tennis togetherCredit: AFPThe pair greeted each other at the final of the US Open in New YorkCredit: ReutersThey watched Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula at thewomen’s singlesCredit: ReutersLewis, 39, and Anna are huge tennis fans and last watched a game together at Wimbledon in 2018.Anna, 74, is thought to have advised him on his fashion deals — including with Tommy Hilfiger.Lewis was invited to her annual Met Gala event for the first time in 2015 and said: “That was a very overwhelming experience. “There’s just so much glitz and glamour.”Read More on ShowbizNaomi Campbell may have made a major mistake this week by bad-mouthing Anna on stage – in a room of fashion’s biggest movers and shakers.During a speech at a New York Fashion Week ceremony for Harlem’s Fashion Row, the Vogue editor-in-chief – who is famous for her dark glasses – referred to Naomi’s notorious lateness.She told the audience: “I am a very punctual person, and I have the honour of presenting tonight to someone who is often late.”But Naomi, who wore a black gown and had a bandage on her knee, lived up to her reputation and was so late that Anna eventually left.Most read in MotorsportHarper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Samira Nasr presented her with the Fashion Icon Award.From Stella McCartney’s feud with an icon to Anna Wintour slamming Kate Moss – how the fashion industry exploded in 90s More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Onlookers left stunned as F1 star Fernando Alonso’s £2.3m Aston Martin Valkyrie is filmed on back of tow truck

      by

      FERNANDO ALONSO’S custom-made £2.3million Aston Martin supercar was spotted on a tow-truck.Crowds gathered outside his Monaco address, watching in shock as the luxury car was lifted off the truck.Fernando Alonso’s signature logo is embroidered on every seat of his new ValkyrieThe car features the number 14 on the number plateCredit: YouTube/Pistons BrothersThe dark green Aston Martin Valkyrie was personally designed by Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey.It features a personalised licence plate – Alonso’s lucky number 14, which goes back to his go-karting days and he still uses in F1 races as well as embroidered seats with his logo.The Valkyrie is an extremely complex V12-powered hypercar using a lot of actual F1 technology. The bespoke supercar was being delivered to one of Alonso’s Monaco properties, according to Spanish news outlet Eldesmarque.READ MORE IN F1A team of technicians, including one sitting behind the wheel took charge of the delicate delivery.The sport car’s codename is Nebula, an acronym for Newey, Red Bull and Aston Martin.It has a maximum horsepower of 1,155PS and can go from 0-60mph in under 2.5 seconds thanks to its hybrid 6.5 litre V12 powertrain.It is painted in Satin Aston Martin Racing Green with contrasting AMR Satin Lime Graphics.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSExposed carbon fibre – the material which makes up around 85 per cent of an F1 car – adorns the roof, engine cover and lower aero while a Titanium Aston Martin Wings badge sits proudly on the nose.The carbon fibre theme continues inside Alonso’s new set of wheels, as swathes of Pure Black Alcantra are paired with a contrasting AMR Lime stitch.Watch Lewis Hamilton’s potential successor Antonelli fail Mercedes audition with HUGE blunder in Italian GP practiceAlonso personally designed the carCredit: Aston MartinIt has a max horsepower of 1,155PS and can go from 0-60mph in under 2.5 secondsCredit: Aston MartinHowever, one of the most intricate details of the car comes with a red anodised aluminium accelerator pedal etched with the number “14”, another reference to his driver number.Speaking about the car, the two-time F1 champion said: “It’s hard to put into words how much I have been looking forward to this day.“To sit at the wheel of my own Valkyrie; one that I have worked on designing so closely with the team at Q by Aston Martin is certainly a day to remember. “Valkyrie truly is an F1 car for the road, with so much of the knowledge and technology taken from all the experience Aston Martin has on track and I can’t wait to hit the road.”The car was built at Aston Martin’s UK Headquarters in Gaydon, where a team of highly skilled technicians have hand-built each of the 150 cars, with each Valkyrie taking over 2000 hours to create.Newey meanwhile is believed to be jumping ship away from Max Verstappen’s team in a £20m deal with Aston Martin in the coming days.Newey’s exit looks set to be announced before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix next week.Newey, 65, – dubbed ‘the man who can see air’ – has reportedly turned down Ferrari and a host of other suitors, including McLaren to join Aston Martin.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconThe Valkyrie logo is etched on the backCredit: Aston MartinIt took a team more than 2,000 man hours to complete the carCredit: Aston MartinHe will work with Stroll’s driver son Lance, 25, and double world champion Alonso, the oldest man on the grid at 43.Meanwhile, Alonso pushed as hard as he could in the closing laps of the Italian Grand Prix as he finished 11th on Sunday.The Spaniard two-stopped and ran in the top 10 for chunks of the race.But he found himself playing catch up after being overtaken by the one-stopping Williams of Alex Albon and Kevin Magnussen’s Haas.READ MORE SUN STORIESAston are having a disappointing season, sitting a distant P5 in the constructor’s championship.On Newey’s potential arrival, Alonso said on Sunday: “Well, it’s still only rumours. And I think it’s not only one man’s job to fix things.”It sports many intricate details on its interiorCredit: Aston MartinIt is painted in Satin Aston Martin Racing Green with contrasting AMR Satin Lime GraphicsCredit: Aston Martin🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Nascar driver Tyler Reddick overcomes horror illness behind the wheel which had him ‘throwing up’ to seal season title

      by

      TYLER Reddick has secured the Nascar Regular Season title – despite a horror illness almost stalling his drive at the Southern 500.The 23XI Racing driver suffered from the effects of a stomach bug during Sunday’s showdown at Darlington Raceway. Tyler Reddick fought through illness to steer his No. 45 Toyota to tenth place at the Southern 500Credit: GettyThe 28-year-old poses alongside his trophy after becoming the regular season championCredit: GettyReddick and the 23XI Racing crew were joined by NBA legend and team co-owner Michael JordanCredit: GettyReddick desperately radioed his team for help during the grueling race at one of Nascar’s most punishing tracks. “‘I’m throwing up, sh***ing myself, all of the above,” Reddick told his crew chief.23XI Racing is co-owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan, who memorably battled through his own illness issues during 1997’s Flu Game in the NBA Finals. Reddick received medicine during a pitstop, continuing his race as he battled rival Kyle Larson for the regular-season points title.The 28-year-old would go on to finish 10th, beating Larson to the crown by a single point.He would later deny to reporters that he had been sick or defecated in his No. 45 Toyota. “My bad, false alarm!” he laughed at the post-race press conference.Reddick’s four-year-old son Beau battled a stomach illness last week, with the Nascar star developing symptoms on Friday.Most read in MotorsportHe revealed the team had give him crackers, Tums, and fluid to keep his race going in the searing South Carolina heat.”Just really thankful that a lot of great people on our team, they were feeding me the right stuff in the car to help me manage it best as I could,” he continued.‘It was worth it,’ claims Nascar star after suffering gruesome injury while celebrating first series victory”Just smart people. They were able to put the right stuff in my drink to help calm my stomach down. “At one point, I was just waiting to puke all over myself. Thankfully they kept that from happening. “A whole lot of other gross stuff. We were able to avoid a lot of that, which was nice, but it was extremely uncomfortable in the car all night.”Reddick will now turn his attention to the ten-race postseason. At one point, I was just waiting to puke all over myself.Tyler ReddickNascar.comHis tenth-placed finish sees him ranked as the third seed for the playoff opener next weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.”It’s just a testament to all the hard work that everyone at 23XI, here at the race track, week in and week out, back at Airspeed, puts into this,” Reddick added. “We’re on Year 4 of their goals, right? It’s just been really, really fun the last two years to be a part of this process, building up to where we want to be. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I mean, it takes a lot of hard work to be consistent as we’ve been through the summer stretch. Both years really feel like we had rocky starts to get going. “It’s nice to be able to get to where we did in the middle of the year and start thinking about points.” More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Terrifying moment MotoGP rider is crushed under rival bike in high-speed crash but incredibly escapes serious injury

      by

      MOTOGP stars Alex Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia miraculously escaped serious injury at the Aragon Grand Prix on Sunday.The two riders collided at Turn 13 with six laps to go and slid off the track.Alex Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia collided and suffered a horrific crashCredit: APBoth riders somehow escaped without serious injuryCredit: RexBagnaia said the blame was on MarquezCredit: RexMarquez appeared to cut across the back of Bagnaia while they were going shoulder-to-shoulder into the turn.They both subsequently came off their bikes and slid across the gravel at high speed.Bagnaia got crushed under the Spaniard’s bike as a result, but somehow avoided serious injury.A statement from his team later confirmed that he was okay.Read More in FootballIt read: “Bagnaia is back in the garage after undergoing a medical check-up. He has sustained contusions but no fractures and has been declared FIT.”Bagnaia was left furious after the race and claimed the crash was entirely Marquez’s fault.He said: “It’s not that I have to explain a lot of things. The dynamic is what it is. It’s worrying that there are riders who do certain things.”When I was on the inside I felt a hit of gas, and he didn’t stop accelerating until he threw me off.Most read in MotorsportMarquez said it wasn’t his faultCredit: Rex”The worst of all, what makes me most angry is the data. The telemetry reveals that, after the contact, [Marquez] went from accelerating 40% to 60%. It’s dangerous to race with someone who does these things.”Normally, one tries to avoid contact, although the data shows that there are people who do not see it that way.”However, Marquez disagreed and said: “Nothing is going to change what happened.”If anyone could avoid contact it was him, who knew I was there. I had no knowledge that [Bagnaia] was on the outside.”The only thing I told the Race Direction members is that, if he had left a little more space between us and had not traced to the inside, nothing would have happened.”FIM MotoGP stewards announced no further action would be taken following the collision.Marquez’s brother, Marc, went on to win the race. More

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lando Norris blows huge chance to close lead on Max Verstappen as Brit chokes pole position once again

      by

      LANDO NORRIS choked again at the start of the Italian Grand Prix to put a major dent in his title hopes.Charles Leclerc roared “Mamma Mia!” as he tasted victory in the home of the Ferrari faithful with his second win of the season.Ferrari star Charles Leclerc won the Italian Grand PrixCredit: AFPMax Verstappen extended his winless streak to six racesCredit: RexLando Norris choked again at the Italian Grand Prix to put a dent in his title hopesCredit: GettyIt was the same old story for Norris though who started in pole position but failed to finish the opening lap in first-place for the fourth time this season.Oscar Piastri left his McLaren team-mate for dust by passing the pole-sitter on the opening lap by the second chicane.The Australian driver was relentless throughout and finished in second while Norris nipped into third with five laps to go ahead of fourth-place Carlos Sainz.Lewis Hamilton had to settle for fifth while Max Verstappen stretched his winless streak to six races – his worst run of form since 2020.Read More on F1It was a disastrous start for George Russell who veered off the track in his Mercedes and into the run-off area, leaving him in seventh despite starting in third.The British driver was left with a damaged wing which forced him to pit on lap 11 for a new front-wing and a fresh set of tyres.The pressure was clearly getting to Norris who hit a BOLLARD on his way into the pit lane on lap 15 as he tried to slow down.Title rivals Verstappen and Norris began an epic battle for fourth as the Dutchman coolly held off the McLaren driver on lap 40.Most read in MotorsportBut Norris hit back strongly and eased past the Red Bull driver on the main straight just one lap later.To the delight of the Monza fans it was a Ferrari one-two from lap 39 until lap 48 with Leclerc nine seconds clear in front.Watch Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton’s tense exchange after Hungarian Grand Prix as fans hint at ‘underlying issue’ The McLaren drivers weren’t going out without a fight though and Norris passed Sainz on the second attempt.Piastri was snapping at Leclerc’s heels on fresher tyres but the six-second gap between them with two laps to go felt like a stretch before Leclerc crossed the line. More

    • 263 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Savage sackings that prove F1 is world’s most cut-throat sport – including star axed by email from PA… on his birthday

      by

      WITHIN days of smashing his car at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend, Logan Sargeant’s career was up in flames too.The Williams driver crashed and burned during practice for the race at Zandvoort, and was swiftly removed from his seat in the team for the rest of the season.Logan Sargeant was axed after crashing out of the Dutch Grand Prix last weekendCredit: GettySargeant’s car was badly damaged at the Circuit Park ZandvoortCredit: GettyMagnussen, with his wife Louise Gjorup, was fired by emailCredit: AlamyMick Schumacher, pictured with girlfriend Laila Hasanovic, was reportedly told he was being released from Haas while standing in a hotel lobbyCredit: InstagramOf course, in the savage world of motor racing, Sargeant, 23, is just the latest in a long line of drivers to be brutally axed without warning.Here, we explore the scandalous sackings that prove Formula One is the world’s most cut-throat business – including the racer unfortunate enough to be let go by email on his birthday.Sacked by PA on his birthdayDanish driver Kevin Magnussen was a rising star of the McLaren team when he made his debut in 2014 alongside Jensen Button.But when he finished the season trailing in eleventh place, he was swiftly replaced by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.Instead of breaking the bad news to him in a face-to-face meeting, boss Ron Dennis got his assistant to send Magnussen a short and impersonal email.Worst still, the curt message landed in Kevin’s inbox on his 23rd birthday.”It was a short paragraph explaining that there would be nothing for me in the future,” recalled Magnussen, now 31. “It arrived on my birthday actually.”A year earlier his predecessor Sergio Perez, 34, had been offered a contract, signed the documents and sent them back to McLaren – only to learn he was being dropped in favour of Magnussen.Most read in Motorsport’Crashgate’ scandalWhen Renault decided to axe Nelson Piquet Junior in 2009 it led to one of the biggest scandals to ever engulf the sport.After Piquet, the son a of a three-time F1 World Champion, failed to score any points at all in the first half of the season, team boss Flavio Briatore fired him.Formula One’s Highest EarnersBut Piquet shot back – alleging that Briatore and other members of the management team had ordered him to deliberately crash out of the Singapore Grand Prix to help teammate Fernando Alonso secure a victory.Renault and Briatore launched criminal proceedings, claiming that Piquet was blackmailing them so he could finish the season.Investigations eventually revealed that Piquet’s claims were true, in what became known as the ‘Crashgate’ scandal.Renault were slapped with a two-year suspended ban by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for conspiring to cause a crash.The aftermath of Nelson Piquet’s crash into a wall at the Singapore Grand Prix in September 2008.Credit: Sutton ImagesNelson Piquet leaves FIA headquarters in Paris after hearing at the World Motor Sports Council as part of the “Crashgate” affair in 2009.Credit: AFPItalian Flavio Briatore in October 2008, shortly before firing Piquet from the Renault team.Credit: EPA”The conditions I had to deal with have been very strange to say the least,” said Piquet later. “There are incidents that I can hardly believe occurred myself.”A manager is supposed to encourage you, support you, and provide you with opportunities. “In my case it was the opposite – Flavio Briatore was my executioner.”‘Dumped by text’Red Bull picked up a reputation for being ruthless right from the start.They were said to be tough on all their drivers, even four-time ChampCar winner Sebastien Bourdais, who signed up to partner with Sebastian Vettel at their team Toro Rosso in 2008.Bourdais car flew as he crashed with team mate Sebastien Buemi, Force India’s Adrian Sutil and Renault’s Nelson Piquet the start of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix in 2009.Credit: ReutersSebastien Bourdais and his wife Claire in the pits after the qualifying session of the French Grand Prix in June 2008.Credit: AFPWhen the Frenchman struggled to make progress, he was swiftly dropped in favour of young Spanish driver Jaime Alguersuari.And he later revealed he had been dumped by a brisk TEXT from team boss Franz Tost.”The way they got rid of me was very disappointing,” said Bourdais. “He did not speak with me. He did not call me. “Everything was done by SMS, which to me has no style.”Tost denied the allegations, saying: “I told Monsieur Bourdais personally that he is not going drive anymore and did not write any SMS.”F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconDitched for last race over rantAlthough he almost triumphed in the 1990 World Championship for Ferrari, the following year was a disaster for Alain Prost.He finished in fifth place but openly criticised his car at the Japanese Grand Prix.”After a few laps, the shock absorbers no longer worked and the steering was incredibly hard,” said Prost, now 69.”At the end of the race, I said it was like driving a horrible truck, no pleasure.”Prost with Ferrari’s Sporting Director Cesare Fiorio in Portugal back in 1990Credit: GettyProst retired from the 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix after his clutch seized and he spun off the trackCredit: GettyBoss Claudio Lombardi was furious and fired him ahead of the season closer in Australia.Lombardi said later: “The behaviour of Alain Prost during this season has not been at the level that Ferrari would like from a top driver.”His behaviour insider and outside the team meant that Ferrari had to stop the relationship.”Read of sacking on AutosportJolyon Palmer smashed into Romain Grosjean of Haas F1 Team at the Russian Grand Prix in 2017.Credit: EPAPalmer in the pit lane at Silverstone in July 2017.Credit: EPAWhen he was a member of the Renault team in 2017, British commentator Jolyon Palmer, now 33, was replaced by Carlos Sainz.The problem was that nobody had told him and Palmer only realised what was happening when he logged on and saw the news online. “I knew when I read it on Autosport,” he explained.”And then I knew it was true as well, I spoke to some people. “That was it.”Axed by faxHeinz-Harald was supported by wife TanjaCredit: GettyHeinz-Harald crashed into the guard rail during the Monaco time trials in May 1997.Credit: ReutersJordan driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen was axed by the Irish team midway through 2001 – by fax.His contract was unceremoniously torn up following an exchange of views at Silverstone, which resulted in Frentzen taking Jordan to court.The contract dispute was resolved ‘amicably’ at the end of 2002.Mick SchumacherLast year Mick Schumacher was reportedly told he was being released from Haas while standing in a hotel lobby with team boss Guenther Steiner.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe German driver, 25, had failed to secure his seat, and with Haas bringing in veteran Nico Hulkenberg for 2003, he was sacked ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.Steiner told Bild+: “He was certainly suspecting something, he doesn’t live under a rock.”Mick and his partner Laila Hasonovic during the Spanish Grand Prix in June.Credit: GettySchumacher with Haas F1 team’s Italian team principal Guenther SteinerCredit: AFP More