Motorsport

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 could have a new joker in town as Oscar Piastri eyes F2 title and Norris and Ricciardo’s comedy crown

      by

      LANDO NORRIS and Daniel Ricciardo will have a new challenger for Formula One’s joker’s crown if Oscar Piastri has his way.
      The lively Aussie is preparing for a debut season in the F2 championship off the back of consecutive titles in the Formula Renault and F3 series.

      Oscar Piastri is preparing for his debut season in Formula 2Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      And fans online have instantly taken to 19-year-old Piastri’s self-deprecating social media antics.
      With F1 is plotting its way as a more fan-friendly sport, Piastri believes drivers with comic timing are vital to motorsport’s personality.
      He told SunSport: “I think in terms of my own social media that’s just how I am. Most of my tweets that got likes was when something was humorously going wrong.
      “They were fun to write but they were somewhat for my own sanity and also there’s no point in getting bogged down in negative stuff.

      “If you can take any kind of positive spin, whether that’s getting 5,000 likes on Twitter or whatever, that’s always going to be a positive.
      “I think we all know Lando [Norris] is a pretty funny character and he is very personable and quite jokey.
      “I think he said that maybe he should be a bit more serious, but in F1 there is definitely no harm in having those personalities on the grid. That’s certainly why fans gravitate towards certain drivers.
      “Daniel Ricciardo is a perfect example of that as well, F1 would probably be a bit less happy and smiley place without him, so it’s certainly a good thing.”

      Piastri has taken a couple of tips from Mick Schumacher since inheriting the German prodigy’s Prema seat for the season ahead.

      Quarantine, day number: somewhere in the middle.I have watched an unhealthy amount of darts being played on TV.
      — Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) December 22, 2020

      Already involved in an F1 Young Drivers’ test, the Melbourne native is very highly rated and yet was not afraid to rue his at-times bad luck on course to winning last year’s F3 title.
      Looking back over last season, he analysed: “My racecraft was something that carried me through, my qualifying performances were not amazing. I generally made life a bit more difficult for myself in the races.
      “Also keeping a calm head and keeping my confidence in myself, I knew I could still go out and win races even if I wasn’t on pole.
      “We had a few mechanical issues, it was getting a bit challenging. Being mentally resilient was a massive part of it.”
      Schooled in the UK throughout his teens, Piastri describes the ‘big sacrifice’ he took after leaving home to pursue his dream.
      He began his career as just a young lad in remote control car racing, taking any opportunity to step up before moving to Europe.
      He added: “I raced remote control cars from when I was about six, my dad’s business is a car tuning business anyway so motorsport has run in the family for a while. 
      “He came back from a business trip in America with a remote control monster truck and I started driving that around, he asked if I wanted to start racing it. 

      Setting myself a target of winning the championship is ambitious. It’s not impossible but it’s certainly not going to be easy.
      Oscar Piastri

      Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo are now team-mates after the Aussie joined McLarenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “We did that for a few years and it was pretty cool, then we went into electric on-road stuff, then we met someone who was in go-karts and that kicked it all off.”
      Piastri is signed to the Renault Sport Academy ahead of the French marque’s conversion to Alpine for Fernando Alonso’s arrival in 2021.
      A move into F1 is undoubtedly on the agenda but the ambitious youngster is well aware of the steep learning curve ahead of him.
      He continued: “Coming off the back of an F3 championship is very beneficial for a lot of things; my CV, my confidence.
      “I’m not expecting it to be easy by any stretch of the imagination – setting myself a target of winning the championship is ambitious. I don’t think it’s impossible but it’s certainly not going to be easy.
      “It’s very rare for someone to win F2 at their first attempt, so I’m keeping my expectations in check. But there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be confident.”
      ONLINE CASINO OFFERS: CLAIM OVER £800 IN BONUS CASH

      With a title in two years ‘realistic and achievable’, Piastri notes that he had the same plan in F3 before swooping to first place in his rookie year. 
      If that achievement is anything to go by, F1 fans may have yet another rocket-fast joker to add to their follows.
      Looking ahead to the new season, Piastri summarised: “I just like racing and driving fast cars so for me that’s plenty motivation and excitement.”

      Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo launch the new McLaren 2021 F1 car More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Mercedes staff ‘live in constant fear’ ahead of new F1 season as Lewis Hamilton’s crew worry about repeating success

      by

      MERCEDES Technical Director James Allison has revealed the team are living in ‘constant fear’ about replicating last year’s success the 2021 season.
      Despite the Silver Arrows winning seven consecutive Constructors’ Championships, the 52-year-old has stated there is always a worry their car isn’t fast enough.

      Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team are the ones to beat in the 2021 F1 ChampionshipCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Mercedes go into the 2021 season as the huge favourites for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship.
      And the team were boosted by Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension earlier this month to put an end to speculation over his future.
      But with Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine and Aston Martin all bringing in a new driver, Allison has opened up on the anxiety surrounding his team.
      In quotes obtained by Essentially Sports, he said: “We exist for one purpose.

      “And that is to produce a racing car that’s capable of fighting at the front, and hopefully, securing wins and championships.
      “At this stage of the year, you hope you’ve done enough work.
      “But we’re never certain until the cars are actually on a track, doing it for real.”
      Before adding: “Alongside all that excitement is the fear and that fear nagging away continuously at you.

      Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner
      “The moment you open your eyes in the morning, all the way through the day until you go to bed at night, the fear that you haven’t done enough.”
      Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes Max Vertsappen could be eyed up by Mercedes when Hamilton’s deal expires after this season.
      He said: “I am sure that should Lewis decide to stop, then Max will naturally be the driver at the top of the list.
      “Mercedes also have George Russell and other drivers available to them.
      “It is all down to relationships and us having a competitive car and there are no guarantees for 2022.
      “It is a complete clean sheet of paper so if there is going to be a significant mix-up of the order, one would assume it will come with that big regulation change.
      “The reality is, that yes of course, as there has always been, there is an element of performance-related clauses to Max’s contract.
      “It will be down to us to deliver a competitive car. That is what he wants and that is what we want, so we are in an identical situation.”

      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff insists Lewis Hamilton’s new £40m deal was never in doubt More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Mercedes staff ‘living in constant fear’ ahead of new F1 season as Lewis Hamilton’s crew worry about repeating success

      by

      MERCEDES Technical Director James Allison has revealed the team are living in ‘constant fear’ about replicating last year’s success the 2021 season.
      Despite the Silver Arrows winning seven consecutive Constructors’ Championships, the 52-year-old has stated there is always a worry their car isn’t fast enough.

      Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team are the ones to beat in the 2021 F1 ChampionshipCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Mercedes go into the 2021 season as the huge favourites for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship.
      And the team were boosted by Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension earlier this month to put an end to speculation over his future.
      But with Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine and Aston Martin all bringing in a new driver, Allison has opened up on the anxiety surrounding his team.
      In quotes obtained by Essentially Sports, he said: “We exist for one purpose.

      “And that is to produce a racing car that’s capable of fighting at the front, and hopefully, securing wins and championships.
      “At this stage of the year, you hope you’ve done enough work.
      “But we’re never certain until the cars are actually on a track, doing it for real.”
      Before adding: “Alongside all that excitement is the fear and that fear nagging away continuously at you.

      Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner
      “The moment you open your eyes in the morning, all the way through the day until you go to bed at night, the fear that you haven’t done enough.”
      Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes Max Vertsappen could be eyed up by Mercedes when Hamilton’s deal expires after this season.
      He said: “I am sure that should Lewis decide to stop, then Max will naturally be the driver at the top of the list.
      “Mercedes also have George Russell and other drivers available to them.
      “It is all down to relationships and us having a competitive car and there are no guarantees for 2022.
      “It is a complete clean sheet of paper so if there is going to be a significant mix-up of the order, one would assume it will come with that big regulation change.
      “The reality is, that yes of course, as there has always been, there is an element of performance-related clauses to Max’s contract.
      “It will be down to us to deliver a competitive car. That is what he wants and that is what we want, so we are in an identical situation.”

      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff insists Lewis Hamilton’s new £40m deal was never in doubt More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      AlphaTauri chief slams Lewis Hamilton’s £40m-a-year Mercedes contract but F1 legend has to ask who he is

      by

      ALPHATAURI team principal Franz Tost has called for a £10million per year salary cap for all Formula 1 drivers.
      The comments come after Lewis Hamilton recently penned a new £40m contract with Mercedes for the 2021 season as he seeks a record-breaking eighth world title.

      Hamilton is looking to win a record eighth Formula 1 world title in 2021Credit: EPA

      Tost went on record as saying drivers “should be happy to drive these cars”, but Hamilton did not appear on the same page when he was quizzed about the idea.
      “Who said that?” asked Hamilton after being told about Tost’s quotes, to which press conference host Tom Clarkson replied: “Franz Tost.”
      Hamilton then added: “Who’s that?”, with Clarkson responding: “Team principal of AlphaTauri.”
      Hamilton, looking a little dumbfounded, then said: “Oh…okay.”

      But Tost was unphased by the dismissive nature of Hamilton’s reaction.
      “I laughed,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport when asked for his response.
      “I don’t care if Lewis knows me or not. I am interested that there is now a commission that discusses the salary cap of drivers.”
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner
      Hamilton has won four successive championships, a run which stretches back to 2017.
      Meanwhile, Mercedes have won each of the last seven titles since Sebastian Vettel’s fourth victory back in 2013.
      The 2021 season is set to get underway in Bahrain on March 28, a race Hamilton won from Max Verstappen in 2020.

      Lewis Hamilton hikes to the top of a mountain every morning to ‘set his goals’ More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Michael Schumacher’s son Mick annoyed by F1 rule changes ahead of debut season as practise time is slashed

      by

      MICK SCHUMACHER is bemused by the lack of pre-season testing as he gears up for his F1 debut.
      The 21-year-old son of legend Michael will race for Haas in Formula One this season.

      Mick Schumacher will not have much time to get used to his Haas before the season startsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Schumacher won the F2 Championship last season with Prema Racing and is confident of stepping up to the big league.
      But he’s not happy at the little time he’ll have to get used to his new Haas car.
      F1 drivers and teams usually have six to eight days testing in Barcelona over two sessions before the season starts.
      But this season they’re limited to just three days in Bahrain from March 12-14 – two weeks before the season starts in the Middle East.

      Schumacher said: “As a team, we only have three days of testing instead of six or eight days as in the previous years.
      “That means I only get one and a half days of testing before my first race – and then an hour less training.
      “No, I don’t like to hear that. But those are the rules. We’ll certainly make ends meet with that too.
      “But of course, my biggest goal is to drive as much as possible.”

      The young German won the F2 Championship last season to earn a seat with HaasCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      Coronavirus and travel restrictions played havoc with the F1 calendar last season.
      The 2020 campaign saw just 17 races – compared to this year’s scheduled 23 – in only Europe and the Middle East.
      Schumacher added: “Fortunately, I have the opportunity to do it at home and practice my routes there and sharpen my driving skills.
      “But none of that is as good as sitting in a real car or in a reasonably large simulator like a Formula 1 team.”
      He also revealed last year he is using tips from his seven-time world champion father Michael.
      Schumacher Sr was critically injured in a skiing accident in 2013.
      But the expertise he passed on to his child before his accident continues to be helpful.

      Schumacher Jr told RTL: “Of course I use some of my father’s tips – even from my karting days.
      “At the same time, we are obviously different people and had different experiences in the junior classes.
      “And you have to drive the cars differently today too.
      “We have a Formula 2 car that weighs 780 kilos, the cars back then weighed 500 kilos. But nevertheless, of course there are some similarities.”

      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff insists Lewis Hamilton’s new £40m deal was never in doubt More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Fernando Alonso posts training snap as F1 legend is back in action just DAYS after he was hospitalised in bike crash

      by

      TWO-TIME Formula 1 king Fernando Alonso is back in the saddle just days after fracturing his jaw in a crash – and keen to show off his return.
      The Spaniard posted an Instagram snap of his workout in the Swiss sunshine as he still aims to launch his F1 comeback next month.

      Fernando Alonso looked as strong as ever in training, despite surgery on his jaw and teeth just days ago following a crash with a carCredit: EPA

      Spanish motor-racing great Fernando Alonso also went through some body-strengthening exercises as he bids to be ready for the new F1 seasonCredit: Instagram @fernandoalo_oficial

      And stunning ex-wife Raquel del Rosario was one of the first to give his recovery the thumbs up on social media.
      Alonso showed no obvious signs of the jaw damage he suffered when he was knocked off his bike by a car on the outskirts of Lugano where he now lives.
      The 39-year-old looked happy and relaxed while he listened to music on headphones as he worked out, posting: “Vitamin D, elastics and some walks to keep the level high.
      “Happy with everything and grateful for your messages.”

      The snap was the first he had posted since leaving hospital in Bern on Monday following an operation to have his upper jaw re-positioned following last Thursday’s collision.
      A TV crew pictured him leaving hospital with a face mask on alongside a doctor.
      Gran Canaria-born singer Raquel, married to Alonso between 2006 and 2011 and still a friend, responded to his message with flexed biceps and heart emoticons.
      But she was beaten to first place by Alonso’s new team Alpine, who responded with messages on Instagram and Twitter where a spokesman described him as “bulletproof.”

      Former F1 king Fernando Alonso was up the challenge of a swift returnCredit: EPA

      Alonso’s girlfriend Linda Morselli was by the Spaniard’s side in hospital
      Former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore was also quick to offer the Spaniard his encouragement for a swift recovery with applause emojis.
      And another impressed fan wrote: “This man had me worried for more than 12 hours and not even a week has passed.
      “He looks absolutely perfect and started training. What a man.”
      The race is now on for Alonso to recover in time for the start of the new F1 season in Bahrain on March 28.
      He is returning to Formula 1 with Alpine, previously known as Renault, after a two-year absence from the sport.
      Alonso’s Italian model girlfriend Linda Morselli, who rushed to his hospital bedside after he was knocked off his bike while finishing a training session, is understood to be with him as he bids to recover in time for the new season.
      Testing for the new season is taking place between March 12 and 14.
      Alonso was transferred from a hospital in Lugano to another in Bern so he could be operated on last Friday.

      Swiss police said after his collision with a woman driver who was turning left into a supermarket car park that he had broken his jaw.
      Alonso won two world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006.
      He quit F1 after leaving McLaren at the end of the 2018 season.
      His return to the grid for the 2021 season comes 20 years after he made his F1 debut with Minardi in 2001, starting a career which brought him 32 Grand Prix victories and 97 podiums across stints at Renault, McLaren and Ferrari.
      Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez was among those to wish Alonso a speedy recovery in the aftermath of his crash, tweeting “All my best wishes for Fernando Alonso.

      “We hope his injuries from this accident are minimal. A big hug.”
      Alonso and his former wife have stayed friends since their split in 2011.
      Raquel, 38, now lives in Los Angeles with her current partner, photographer Pedro Castro, and their two sons Leo and Mael.

      Fernando Alonso hospitalised ahead of F1 return after being hit by car while cycling in Switzerland More

    • 188 Shares199 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 star Sebastian Vettel selling EIGHT supercars worth £5million including rare limited edition Ferrari Enzo

      by

      SEBASTIAN VETTEL is having a garage clear-out like no other after putting some of his multi-million pound supercar collection up for sale.
      The four-time F1 champ has enlisted the help of supercar salesman Tom Hartley Jnr to flog the motors.

      The 2016 LaFerrari – which has his personal logo etched into the headrests – costs a cool £1.5millionCredit: tomhartleyjnr.com

      Sebastian Vettel has put a stunning collection of supercars up for saleCredit: PA:Press Association

      Vettel, who will race for Aston Martin in F1 this season after being dumped by, Ferrari has put up EIGHT cars for sale, including a bespoke LaFerrari.
      Here they are in all their glory – coming in at just a shade under £5million in total.
      2016 Ferrari LaFerrari – £1.5m
      One careful owner from new. Vettel ordered this direct from Ferrari and he has looked after the 950hp sought-after motor.
      It has been regularly serviced and has just 300 miles on the clock. Finished in Ferrari red, it has his own personal logo etched into the headrests.

      It has a Nero roof, Alcantara upholstery with Rosso stitching throughout, 4-point safety harnesses, Ferrari telemetry, integrated audio system, track inner camera kit, suspension lifting system, red brake calipers, carbon fibre fog lamp, carbon fibre mirrors, carbon fibre lower part, anti-stone chipping film, sport exhaust pipes.
      Forbes valued the car at £1.5million.

      Sebastian Vettel’s logo is etched into the headrestsCredit: tomhartleyjnr.com
      2004 Ferrari Enzo – £450k
      One of only 400 ever made, this Ferrari has a screaming 651hp 6.0-litre V12 engine that can easily power the car to over 200mph.
      Again, it is very low mileage for the year, just 1,100 miles have been driven in this beast.

      The car also benefits from a fantastic service history from new and Ferrari ‘Red Book’ Classiche certification confirming it still retains its original chassis, body, engine and gearbox.
      The usual going price of the car is in the region of half a million pounds.

      One of only 400 Ferrari Enzo cars ever madeCredit: tomhartleyjnr.com
      1996 Ferrari F50 – £1.3m
      This beauty was picked up by Vettel on his first season at Ferrari in 2015. He picked it up from a collector in Denmark.
      It has a 4.7-litre V12 engine that draws on the power unit in the back Ferrari’s former F1 cars. It has a full service history and stands with 4,312 miles on the clock.
      It comes complete with its flight case, hard top, roll hoops, tonneau cover, Ferrari ‘Red Book’ Classiche certification binder which confirms the car still retains its original chassis, body, engine and gearbox.
      The car also retains its original handbooks including the very important service/warranty supplement, luggage bag, spare key, Ferrari car cover, battery conditioner and documented history file.
      The retro F50 can cost millions depending on the rarity.

      The F50 is one of Ferrari’s iconic modelsCredit: tomhartleyjnr.com
      2016 Ferrari F12tdf – £725k
      Yours for around £725,000, ironically Vettel helped to launch this model in 2015.
      Finished in yellow triple layer paint it has large carbon fibre racing seats with the ‘Vettel’ logo and prancing horse embroidered on the headrests.
      Extras include a coloured steering wheel, carbon fibre dashboard, yellow rev counter, passenger display, high power hi-fi system, radio navigation and Bluetooth, integrated audio system and personalisation plate.
      The also include suspension lifting system, 20″ forged Diamond rims, yellow brake callipers, carbon fibre filter box, carbon fibre fog lamp, engine covers in carbon fibre and an engine cover.
      The cover is signed by all the technicians who worked on the car through the production and there’s also titanium exhaust pipes, carbon fibre headlight buckets, plus a parking camera.

      Sebastian Vettel is also selling his yellow Ferrari F12TDFCredit: tomhartleyjnr.com
      2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale – £350k
      Maybe he is bitter about being shown the door by Ferrari, because this was the German’s order with the team.
      He requested metallic black paint, a grey racing stripe. Again it has large carbon fibre racing seats with the ‘Vettel’ logo and prancing horse embroidered on the headrests.
      A 4-point safety harnesses, Alcantara central tunnel, headliner in Alcantara, coloured steering wheel, yellow rev counter plus loads of carbon fibre add ons.
      It has an asking price of £350,000.

      The 2015 Ferrari 458 has an asking price of £350,000Credit: tomhartleyjnr.com
      2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series – £275k
      An absolute thumper of an engine, this super car is powered by a twin-turbocharged V12 engine that is said to crank out 670hp.
      This model has a carbon fibre roof.
      Only 350 ‘Black Series’ were ever produced and this particular example was gifted to Vettel after his victory at the first ever Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix.
      It is expected to sell for around £275,000.

      He also has two Mercedes cars up for sale, including this black SL65Credit: tomhartleyjnr.com
      2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – £175k
      Another sporty Merc with plenty of punch thanks to a 6.2litre V8 engine.
      Painted in Magno Matte designo paint it has an AMG carbon ceramic braking system with yellow painted brake callipers and sports suspension.
      Inside, exclusive Nappa leather, AMG interior carbon fibre package, AMG performance steering wheel, Bang & Olufsen stereo.
      It will set you back £175,000.

      The 2010 SLS model is up for £175,000Credit: tomhartleyjnr.com

      2002 BMW Z8 Roadster – £175k
      Modelled on the BMW 507 used by James Bonds in the film ‘The World Is Not Enough’, the Z8 took ten-times longer to produce than a contemporary BMW as it was primarily assembled by hand.
      The most desired colour was Titan Silver metallic, of which only 1,895 examples were produced.
      Originally a US model, Vettel had this car converted to European specifications when he bought it in 2015.
      It has a £175,000 asking price.

      Sebastian Vettel also has a BMW Z8 RoadsterCredit: tomhartleyjnr.com

      F1 star Sebastian Vettel makes classy tribute to Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher with new helmet at Eifel GP More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Mercedes staff living in ‘constant fear’ ahead of new F1 season as Lewis Hamilton’s team worry about repeating success

      by

      MERCEDES Technical Director James Allison has revealed the team are living in ‘constant fear’ about replicating success in the 2021 season.
      Despite the Silver Arrows winning seven consecutive Constructors’ Championships, the 52-year-old has stated there is always a worry their car isn’t fast enough.

      Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team are the ones to beat in the 2021 F1 ChampionshipCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Mercedes go into the 2021 season as the huge favourites for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship.
      And the team were boosted by Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension earlier this month to put an end to speculation over his future.
      But with Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine and Aston Martin all bringing in a new driver, Allison has opened up on the anxiety surrounding his team.
      In quotes obtained by Essentially Sports, he said: “We exist for one purpose.

      “And that is to produce a racing car that’s capable of fighting at the front, and hopefully, securing wins and championships.
      “At this stage of the year, you hope you’ve done enough work.
      “But we’re never certain until the cars are actually on a track, doing it for real.”
      Before adding: “Alongside all that excitement is the fear and that fear nagging away continuously at you.

      Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner
      “The moment you open your eyes in the morning, all the way through the day until you go to bed at night, the fear that you haven’t done enough.”
      Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes Max Vertsappen could be eyed up by Mercedes when Hamilton’s deal expires after this season.
      He said: “I am sure that should Lewis decide to stop, then Max will naturally be the driver at the top of the list.
      “Mercedes also have George Russell and other drivers available to them.
      “It is all down to relationships and us having a competitive car and there are no guarantees for 2022.
      “It is a complete clean sheet of paper so if there is going to be a significant mix-up of the order, one would assume it will come with that big regulation change.
      “The reality is, that yes of course, as there has always been, there is an element of performance-related clauses to Max’s contract.
      “It will be down to us to deliver a competitive car. That is what he wants and that is what we want, so we are in an identical situation.”

      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff insists Lewis Hamilton’s new £40m deal was never in doubt More