F1

SPANISH motorsport legend Adrian Campos has died at the age of 60.
Campos is credited with spotting two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso having raced himself in F1.

Adrian Campos has died at the age of 60Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The Spaniard enjoyed a long career in motorsport and drove in Formula OneCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Racing for Minardi in the 1987 and 1988 seasons, he entered 21 races but failed to score a point before moving into motorsport management.
In 1998, he founded Campos Racing which provided a vital step up for Marc Gene, who raced in F1 for Minardi and Williams, and Alonso.
Campos’ attempts to move his team into F1 met financial difficulties in 2010 before a buyout confirmed the entry, as HRT, with the Spaniard named as executive vice-president.
And he continued to help bring through the next generation of racers until his death from Aortic dissection, a rare heart issue, on Wednesday.

Campos Racing confirmed: “Today is the saddest day in the history of Campos Racing.
“Our president and founder, Adrian Campos Suner, has left us.
“His heart stopped beating, but his memory will be the engine that will keep us all fighting to continue his legacy… Rest in Peace.”
Tributes flooded in for the racing icon, with veteran star Alonso speaking of his ‘sadness’.

One of the saddest days for the motorsports family. Thank you for believing in young people. Thank you and rest in peace.
Fernando Alonso

The Alpine driver tweeted: “One of the saddest days for the motorsports family.
“A driver and great promoter of this sport. Thank you for dreaming about Formula 1.
“Thank you for believing in young people. Thank you and rest in peace.”
Ferrari racer Carlos Sainz was among those to add his sentiment for the 60-year-old.
He wrote: “Very sad day for the death of Adrian Campos, undoubtedly a benchmark of our sport in Spain and internationally. My sincere condolences to all his family and friends. RIP.”
Carlos Sainz Sr, the F1 star’s dad and a Dakar Rally winner, tweeted: “We are very sorry for the death of Adrian Campos, driver, manager, and enthusiastic entrepreneur of Spanish motorsport.

Campos was an integral figure in Spanish motor racingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Uno de los días más tristes para la familia del automovilismo . Piloto y gran impulsor de este deporte. Gracias por soñar con la Fórmula 1. Gracias por creer en los jóvenes. Gracias y descansa en Paz 🙏 pic.twitter.com/khqWuQuarQ
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) January 28, 2021

“Our memory and all our encouragement for the whole family. Life reminds us that our path here is unknown and can be capricious. RIP.”
Former F1 racer and Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok wrote: “Very sad to wake up to news that Adrian Campos has passed away. I did my first GP2 test with him at the end of 2006 & remained friends ever since.
“A true racer who always enjoyed a chat about all things motorsport & a lovely man. Deep condolences to Campos Racing & his family.”
Marc Gene stated: “Today an enormous sadness floods me. He has left us, one of the people who has helped motor racing in Spain more than most.

“Without Adrian, I would never have reached F1. A great driver, team boss and above all a very good person. My condolences to his children, family and friends.”
Former F1 and Le Mans driver Roberto Mehri said: “I wake up with very sad news. Adrian Campos has left us, a great person.
“Thank you very much for helping me and supporting Spanish motorsport so much. A big hug for the family of Campos Racing in these hard times.”
IndyCar driver Alex Palou stated: “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be where I am. RIP Adrian.”

Hoy me inunda una enorme tristeza. Nos ha dejado una de las personas que más han ayudado al automobilismo en España. Sin Adrián yo nunca hubiera llegado a la F1. Gran piloto, team principal y sobretodo una muy buena persona. Mi más sentido pésame a sus hijos, familia y amigos. pic.twitter.com/hh8f5R9ZDX
— Marc Gené (@marc_gene) January 28, 2021

Fernando Alonso edges closer to F1 return as legend gets behind Renault car for first time ahead of 2021 More

EDDIE JORDAN believes Lewis Hamilton is digging in his heels over a new Mercedes contract in a wrangle over money.
Hamilton has yet to sign a new contract with the team despite insisting he was happy to commit to them.

Reigning world champ Lewis Hamilton has yet to agree a new Mercedes deal, less than two months before the start of the 2021 F1 seasonCredit: PA

Ex-F1 team chief Eddie Jordan reckons ‘a number of things’ are causing a hold-up over a possible new Mercedes deal for Brit Lewis HamiltonCredit: PA:Press Association

Merc boss Toto Wolff said the two were in discussions over Zoom but admitted their talks had caused a few “curveballs” for the lawyers overseeing the deal.
But former team boss Jordan believes the sticking points are over Hamilton’s worth to Mercedes, who recently announced petrochemical company, Ineos, had become a three-way owner alongside Mercedes Benz and Wolff.
Jordan also says he understands the 36-year-old is pushing for a 10 percent share of the team’s TV revenue.
He said: “There are a number of things that could be causing a hold up and there have been some changes with the team.

“There are some things that are relevant at the moment in that Toto has been in isolation due to COVID and Lewis is in America, so these negotiations are being done on Zoom.
“And number two, it is kind of complicated because Ineos, I believe, have bought into Mercedes because of the wealth of value that Lewis brings to that.
“I am not saying they did that exclusively because of Lewis because he is not going to be there forever.
“But the reality is it was a very important factor and you also have to factor in that people like Tommy Hilfiger, and sponsors like that, are only there because of Lewis.

“I have a little snippet of information and Lewis is saying ‘look guys, this is my salary, is this what I am being paid as a driver and for various other things that go along with the interviews and other aspects?
“‘But am I being compensated for bringing in sponsors? Am I being compensated for the arrival of Ineos?
“‘Am I being compensated for the increased television income you are getting as the constructors’ champion in the form of TV money?'”
Jordan says that Hamilton should also be focusing his attention on getting a slice of the lucrative TV payments Merc receive from F1.
The Irishman points to the example being set in American sports where the top stars earn bonuses on top of their salaries.
He added: “If I was his manager, I would be saying to Mercedes, ‘look, we add a lot of value to Mercedes’ overall income over the year. It is positively wrong to ignore that’.

“I believe Lewis is looking for 10 percent of the team’s television money and it is hard to understand why he would not be worth that.
“We are in the media and the amount of opportunities we have to interview Lewis are very slim. We stand in line like everybody else.
“But he is the first one we all want. We are at the press conferences because we need Lewis as he is a value to me and you and everybody else.
“It is like what is happening now in golf and basketball in America and the major stars are taking a piece off the top.
“The world of economics is changing but one thing that is for sure is the value of Lewis Hamilton has increased, that’s a fact.”
Jordan was speaking at the launch of his investment in travel and event app, Guestia, which allows event and travel companies to communicate with their guests and staff.

The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
He said: “When I saw this presented to McLaren I thought, God, I need to be involved in this because I am an entrepreneur and this was the most compelling piece of technology in the business I know about.
“We are talking about the F1 trucks leaving on a Sunday, the guys who are sent to set up the garages.
“We are talking about football, rugby or cricket and when you have different groups of people travelling there needs to be a coordinated set of instructions.
“If a plane gets delayed or a bus breaks down, you need to be able to change those instructions immediately.
“We were always trying to find a system as most teams in F1 still go along with a guidebook and pieces of paper and that is old hat.
“With this app you can even use it for people in the Paddock Club and, if there is a traffic jam outside, you can send a message to your guests to say hang on and enjoy another glass of Champagne rather than sitting in traffic.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan snubs Lewis Hamilton from his seven-man sports GOAT list amid calls for F1 star to be knighted More