Motorsport

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Ben Hunt: Rift between F1 and sport’s governing body getting wider and wider… and Monza shambles won’t help

      by

      THE FIA’s handling of the Italian Grand Prix can only have driven a bigger wedge between Formula One and the sport’s governing body.It is a curious relationship where they both currently need each other to function — but there is a growing feeling that a divorce is on the cards.
      F1 and the FIA are heading in different directions and the Monza GP won’t helpCredit: Getty
      A little bit of background: the FIA were founded in 1904 and have their headquarters in Paris.
      And unlike Fifa, who oversee just football, the FIA are responsible for all motorsport categories.
      They ensure the rules are in place and adhered to, issue racing licences and are responsible for the safety of drivers and spectators.
      F1, meanwhile, are owned by American company Liberty Media, who own the licence to stage the championship, generating profit from deals with circuits, sponsors and TV companies.
      Read More In F1
      They are responsible for paying the teams their prize money.
      However, the relationship between F 1 and the FIA has become increasingly strained, despite being bound together in a deal that was struck with their previous chiefs.
      In 1995, ex-F 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone agreed a 100-year contract with then FIA president Max Mosley to acquire the F 1 commercial rights from the FIA.
      Those rights have since been sold to Liberty Media, who are now bound by those same legal terms agreed by Ecclestone and Mosley.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Yet it is not currently a happy marriage.
      The stench from the end of the 2021 season and the FIA’s bungling of the outcome to the championship in Abu Dhabi was embarrassing for F 1.
      Liberty have worked hard to encourage new fans to follow the sport but the poor handling harmed the sport’s reputation.
      The weak result of the FIA’s own investigation — published on the eve of the Bahrain GP — was equally unhelpful, despite replacing Michael Masi as race director.
      There is also the curious relationship between the F 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali and new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
      The latter has put himself on the podium more times than Lewis Hamilton this season and is always front and centre of every presentation, unlike predecessor Jean Todt.
      His tough stance on banning jewellery threatened to overshadow F 1’s new Miami Grand Prix earlier in the season.
      Even more annoying for F 1 was his resistance to their proposal to introduce sprint qualifying races.
      The short-race format on Saturday’s to determine the grid is a hit with fans and promoters, while the teams are supportive, too.
      But the president has dug his heels in over the matter and is widely believed to be seeking compensation from F 1.
      For the time being, F 1 have not found an exit in their legal contract with the FIA but with teams now adding their weight to the strained relationship, maybe Liberty Media will be forced to start rethinking their options.
      In their defence, the FIA have been trying to apply the rules as they see fit, using a book of regulations that have been amended and changed over the years to suit.
      The best thing they could do now would be to rip up the old rulebook and come up with a new one in time for next season.
      As for Ben Sulayem — who insists on being called ‘Mr President’ — he is obviously enjoying himself and the associated power.
      He surely needs to put the vanity aside and focus on getting his house in order.
      Otherwise, there could be no other option but for teams to force a breakaway series under a new name.

      BRIT KID BEARS SCARS
      BRIT whizkid Oliver Bearman was denied a Formula Three title shot in Monza because stewards stopped the finale with under five laps to go.
      Bearman, 17, had battled into second when the red flag came out — and the race never resumed due to scheduling.
      Ironically, the stewards could have allowed it to play out in the time they decided the outcome of the championship, which eventually went to Victor Martins.
      The Frenchman was crowned, despite a five-second time penalty for four track limits violations in Italy.
      Prema Racing hotshot Bearman had been chasing Zane Maloney for the victory, which would have secured him the title but the  premature end to the race saw him end the season in third place.

      NAKED TRUTH
       POOR Sky F 1 Germany presenter Sandra Baumgartner stumbled into a naked Dutchman in Monza.
      A group of Max Verstappen fans had built a makeshift grandstand out of some scaffolding.
      But circuit chiefs moved in to confiscate the structure and, when Baumgartner arrived on the scene, she was greeted by a man in the nude and his inflatable bath.

      ROSSI SEES RED
       ALPINE chief executive Laurent Rossi is fuming at missing out on signing Oscar Piastri — despite admitting his team bungled his contract.
      The Aussie joined McLaren for next season after Rossi revealed he was “leaving the door ajar for him”, which Piastri walked through and negotiated a better deal.

      REMEMBERING HER MAJESTY
      THE MotoGP World Championship will observe a minute of silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II during the Aragon Grand Prix in Spain on Sunday.
      The race at the Motorland circuit takes place the day before Her Majesty’s state funeral in London from 11am. More

    • 213 Shares169 Views

      in Motorsport

      Alex Albon suffers respiratory failure after appendicitis surgery as Williams F1 driver needing time in intensive care

      by

      FORMULA ONE star Alex Albon was rushed to intensive care over the weekend after suffering from respiratory failure.The 26-year-old Williams driver was diagnosed with appendicitis on Saturday morning, with his place behind the wheel for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix taken by Nick de Vries.
      Alex Albon spent Saturday night in intensive careCredit: Getty
      But in a statement today, Williams confirmed Albon had suffered “complications” following surgery and admitted to intensive care at a hospital in Monza.
      The Thai-British driver spent the night on a ventilator before being transferred to a general ward on Sunday morning.
      A statement from the Brit F1 team said: “Further to Alex Albon’s diagnosis of appendicitis on the morning of Saturday 10 September, he was admitted to San Gerardo hospital for treatment.
      “He underwent a successful laparoscopic surgery on Saturday lunchtime.
      Read More In F1
      “Following surgery, Alex suffered with unexpected post-operative anaesthetic complications which led to respiratory failure, a known but uncommon complication.
      “He was re-intubated and transferred to intensive care for support.
      “He made excellent progress overnight and was able to be removed from mechanical ventilation yesterday morning.
      “He has now been transferred to a general ward and is expected to return home tomorrow. There were no other complications.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      Albon is expected to recover in time for the Singapore GP on October 2nd.
      The statement continued: “Alex’s full focus is on recovery and preparation ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix later this month.
      “Alex would like to thank the excellent care and support he has received, including from the nursing, anaesthetic and ICU teams at Osperdale San Gerardo – ASST Monza, the FIA medical team, his Performance Coach Patrick Harding, the Williams Racing team and Dr Luke Bennett from HINTSA Performance.”
      Albon’s best result this season was P9 at the Miami GP back in May.
      He joined Williams earlier this year, replacing George Russell who left to link up with Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
      Dutchman De Vries, 27, was drafted in to race instead of Albon yesterday.
      He finished P9 on his F1 debut in Monza, equalling Albon’s best result of the 2022 campaign, and was voted as driver of the day by fans.
      Albon is expected to make a full recoveryCredit: Getty
      Nick de Vries raced in Albon’s place on SundayCredit: Splash More

    • 263 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      ‘Want to win on track’ – Red Bull chief Christian Horner hits out at Italian GP ending behind controversial safety car

      by

      CHRISTIAN HORNER has hit out at the ending of the Italian Grand Prix, after a safety car denied fans as grandstand finish. Sunday’s race ended behind the safety car following a late crash from McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo, much to the dismay of fans, Ferrari and even Horner.
      Christian Horner wanted the race to be ended with racing conditionsCredit: Rex
      Max Verstappen celebrated his first career victory at Monza, but was booed on the podiumCredit: The Mega Agency
      The Italian Grand Prix ended behind the safety carCredit: Getty
      The Red Bull team chief told Sky Sports F1: “We don’t want to win a race under a safety car.
      “It’s something we’ve talked about for many many years, that they should finish racing. There was enough time to get that race going.”
      Ricciardo, who will be replaced at McLaren by compatriot Oscar Piastri for next season, suffered an oil leak on lap 47 which caused him to stop on track.
      But despite the track being cleared for the final lap, race directors opted to finish the race under the safety car, perhaps fearing the similarities which might be drawn to events at Abu Dhabi last season.
      READ MORE ON MOTORSPORT
      Bringing in the safety car would have set up a sprint finish between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, who were both vying for the lead of the race.
      However, the race controversially ended under safety car conditions despite the pleas of Leclerc and the Italian crowd to get racing back underway.
      Verstappen ended up winning the race and extending his lead at the top of the Championship, while Leclerc and George Russell finished second and third respectively.
      Despite the danger Verstappen’s lead would have been under, Horner was bullish about their chances of winning the race even if it had resumed.
      Most read in Motorsport
      “We had the faster car and we would have liked to win the race on the track, not behind the safety car,” he added.
      “We share the disappointment of all the fans, because it took away a grandstand finish.
      “It goes against the principles of what we’ve discussed previously. The biggest losers were the fans.”
      Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto was far more critical of the decision, saying: “Finishing behind a safety car is never great, not for us, but F1 and the show. I think there was time for the FIA to act differently today.
      “After Abu Dhabi last year, we had long discussions with the sport because the final objective is to try and restart the race in a safe manner, and I think today we could have.”
      Lewis Hamilton, who made up good ground to finish in P5, agreed with the race directors decision, but gave no illusions as to his feelings towards the rules which controversially denied him an eighth world title.
      He said: “That is the rule that it should be, right? So only one time, in the history of the sport, that they haven’t done the rule (at Abu Dhabi).”
      Read More on The Sun
      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also agreed that “this time” the rulebook had been followed.
      Following Verstappen’s 11th win of the season, his lead over second placed Leclerc is now 116 points, and the Dutchman could theoretically win his second title in Singapore – the next race. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      ‘Great result’ – Lewis Hamilton piles praise on Mercedes after climbing from 19th to 5th at controversial Italian GP

      by

      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON was happy with his result at the Italian Grand Prix after fighting back to finish fifth.The Mercedes star, 37, started 19th on grid after taking a fourth power unit of the season.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton was pleased with his result after a difficult test at MonzaCredit: Splash
      Max Verstappen won again to make it five on the bounceCredit: Alamy
      Before the race the Brit joked about how bored he would be since overtaking is notoriously tough at Monza.
      But Hamilton showed great panache and even overtook Lando Norris and Pierre Gasly in one swift move, which left race winner Max Verstappen impressed.
      The Brit was pleased to get points on the board given the difficult circumstances – as he also suffered damage from debris on the first lap.
      After the race he tweeted: “P19 ➡️ P5. Great result, especially given how much of a struggle it was at the start.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      “Thanks always to the team, feels good to bring home some points 🇮🇹🏁.”
      But Hamilton was not pleased that the race ended behind a safety car as it brought back bad memories from Abu Dhabi last year – when he should have won the race and the world championship by finishing behind a safety car.
      He told Sky Sports of the safety car incident: “It always brings memories back.
      “That is the rule that it should be, right? So only one time, in the history of the sport, that they haven’t done the rule…”
      Most read in Sport
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Verstappen was the beneficiary on both occasions and has now won the last five races, including his first ever at Monza.
      The result means the Dutchman can possibly retain his title at the next GP in Singapore with five races still to go. More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Motorsport

      How Max Verstappen can win F1 title at Singapore GP with FIVE races to go after dominant season

      by

      MAX VERSTAPPEN can win a second consecutive world title at the next Grand Prix in Singapore – FIVE races before the season ends.The Dutch driver registered a fifth consecutive win, and 11th of the season, at the Italian GP on Sunday.
      Max Verstappen could mathematically win his second title with five races to spareCredit: Reuters
      Charles Leclerc is a whopping 116 points behind VerstappenCredit: EPA
      The 2021 champion now has a 116 point lead over his nearest rival, Charles Leclerc, after a dominant campaign behind the wheel.
      Verstappen has been in a different league to everyone else, and can wrap up the title when the action resumes in October.
      The Russian GP was scheduled to be next on the calendar, but the race was postponed following the invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.
      That means the Singapore GP on October 2nd is the next chance for points.
      Read More In Sport
      The title will be his for a second year on the bounce if he extends his lead to 138 points by the end of that Grand Prix, with five races and one sprint race remaining.
      That would be the case if Verstappen wins the race, and Leclerc finishes ninth or lower.
      He also leads Sergio Perez by 125 points, and George Russell by 132 points.
      The Dutch driver has the record for most wins in a season firmly in his sights.
      Most read in Motorsport
      The current record of 13 wins in a season is held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.
      But with six races left, Verstappen needs to win just three of those to become the outright record holder.
      While the record for most consecutive race wins could be on the card.
      Another record held by Vettel, who won nine races on the bounce in 2013. More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Watch moment Lewis Hamilton overtakes two F1 rivals with ease at Italian GP to earn big praise from rival Max Verstappen

      by

      THIS is the brilliant moment Lewis Hamilton overtook TWO rivals in one move at the Italian Grand Prix.And it was so impressive that even rival Max Verstappen was blown away watching it.

      Lewis Hamilton produced a thrilling double overtake at the Italian GPCredit: Sky Sports
      Hamilton, 37, secured a fifth-place finish in Sunday’s race at Monza.
      That’s despite starting in 19th place while also suffering damage from debris on the first lap.
      The pinnacle of Hamilton’s terrific race came on Lap 36 when McLaren’s Lando Norris emerged from the pit lane.
      He immediately became tangled in a battle with AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly.
      READ MORE ON F1
      But Hamilton, who was ninth at the time, quickly closed the gap to the pair.
      He then found a better line for traction out of the first chicane to slip past both rivals into seventh place.
      Hamilton’s soft tyres then allowed him to pull away before eventually overtaking McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.
      After the race, winner Verstappen and Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell – who came third – were both watching replays as they waited for the trophy presentation.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Even rival Max Verstappen was left impressed by Hamilton’s moveCredit: Getty
      A clip came up of Hamilton’s double overtake, forcing Verstappen to excitedly point it out.
      Russell quickly absorbed the action before exclaiming: “Oh wow!”
      Speaking after the race, Hamilton expressed his delight at clawing back a fifth-place finish from the back of the grid.
      He declared: “It was a good race, I didn’t expect (the result).
      “The guys were saying anywhere between sixth and fourth was possible, that always feels like a stretch for me, but I had fun.
      “It was tricky in the beginning, with the car heavy and behind everyone, trying to avoid a collision at the first corner and ended up getting stuck behind an AlphaTauri once again.
      Read More on The Sun
      “But I’m really grateful that I got through and got those points.
      “In the end, the two guys behind had fresher tyres so I’m kinda glad it finished the way it did.” More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Fuming Lewis Hamilton slams F1 for allowing Max Verstappen to finish Italian GP behind safety car after Abu Dhabi chaos

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON fumed that Sunday’s Italian GP “brings memories back” of last year’s controversial title decider in Abu Dhabi.The Brit was denied a record eighth world title after now-axed race director Michael Masi failed to follow the rules and finish the season behind the safety car.
      Lewis Hamilton said today’s race “brings memories back” of the controversial title decider in Abu Dhabi last yearCredit: Sky Sports
      Max Verstappen was allowed to win behind the safety car in Monza, while Hamilton was not in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
      Max Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the final lap to snatch the title out of his grasp last December.
      Fast forward nine months and Verstappen was allowed to finish the Italian GP in Monza behind safety car, in line with regulations.
      After the race Hamilton, who made up 14 places to finish fifth after starting at the back of the grid, blasted the decision that cost him last year
      Hamilton told Sky Sports on the safety car incident: “It always brings memories back.
      Read More On F1
      “That is the rule that it should be, right? So only one time, in the history of the sport, that they haven’t done the rule…”
      Australian Masi was sacked in February following his controversial handling of the Abu Dhabi GP.
      And Hamilton has clearly not forgotten the manner in which he was denied another title.
      F1 fans were also left fuming that Verstappen was allowed to finish behind the safety car, while Hamilton was not last year.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Victory for Verstappen saw the Dutch driver extend his lead at the top of the standings to a whopping 116 points.
      It was an 11th win of the season for the 2021 champion, and a fifth on the bounce.
      The Red Bull ace can even WIN the title if results go his way in Singapore. More

    • 250 Shares129 Views

      in Motorsport

      Fans convinced F1 is fixed as Max Verstappen wins Italian GP behind safety car months after Lewis Hamilton was ‘robbed’

      by

      FORMULA ONE fans are NOT happy after Max Verstappen won the Italian Grand Prix behind a safety car.A slow reaction from the FIA race steward meant Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren took an age to be recovered, allowing Verstappen to take the chequered flag at procession speed.
      Max Verstappen won in Monza after a late safety carCredit: Reuters
      Lewis Hamilton was denied an eighth world title in Abu Dhabi after Michael Masi called in the safety car earlyCredit: AFP
      And the crane used to recover it was reversing into oncoming traffic, prompting many to question why a red flag was not deployed.
      Nevertheless the race was allowed to continue and finish behind the safety car, eliminating the chance of any late drama.
      That is the exact opposite of what happened in the 2021 title decider in Abu Dhabi, where Verstappen passed Lewis Hamilton on the final lip to steal the championship.
      On that day a late safety car was erroneously called back into the pits before completing an additional lap as required, giving time for Verstappen to pass Hamilton and take the title from his Brit rival.
      Read More In F1
      And Sunday’s controversy has once again stirred up anger from Hamilton fans about last year’s dramatic end to the season.
      One wrote: “So Fraudstappen can finish the race behind the safety car but you broke the rules so that Lewis couldn’t?”
      Another said: “Verstappen leading = Race ending under safety car. Hamilton leading = rules broken to give 1 lap racing.”
      A third claimed: “They’re gifting Verstappen another win. This sport is a joke, a joke.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      And another sarcastically remarked: “I’m stunned the @fia didn’t break regulations to get the lapped cars by for a one lap shootout, that’s their policy isn’t it?”
      The decision by the since axed FIA chief Michael Masi cost Hamilton a record eighth world title.
      Speaking on the safety car incident, Hamilton said: “It always brings memories back.
      “That is the rule that it should be, right? So only one time, in the history of the sport, that they haven’t done the rule…”
      While Verstappen already has one hand on a second consecutive crown.
      His win in Monza was a fifth in a row, and 11th of the season overall.
      He now leads Charles Leclerc by 116 points in the standings, and can even wrap up the title in Singapore next time out if he leaves with an unassailable 138 points ahead. More