F1

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 legend Sir Frank Williams in stable condition in hospital as family ask for privacy for 78-year-old

      by

      SIR FRANK WILLIAMS’ family have asked for privacy with the Formula One legend ‘stable’ in hospital with an unknown medical condition.
      The icon founded Williams in 1977 and turned it into one of the sport’s most successful teams.

      Sir Frank Williams is in a stable condition in hospitalCredit: Getty

      Williams has used a wheelchair since a car accident in France, on 8 March 1986Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      But he is now facing a health battle, with his family telling concerned fans they will provide an update on his condition shortly.
      A statement from his loved ones read: “Sir Frank Williams has recently been admitted to hospital where he is currently in a stable condition.
      “Frank’s medical condition is a private matter and therefore the family will not be releasing any further details at this time.
      “We ask for you to respect the family’s privacy. The team will release a further update in due course.”

      Williams has used a wheelchair since a car accident in France, on 8 March 1986, rendered him tetraplegic. 
      He has two sons, Jonathan and Jamie and daughter Claire, with his late wife Virginia, who passed away in 2013 aged 66.
      The Williams family left the team Sir Frank found over 40 years ago in September.
      After a series of difficult years, the team was sold to US investment group Dorilton Capital In August.

      Sir Frank and Claire, the deputy team principal, both stepped down.
      Williams won nine constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ titles.
      And they dominated F1 for large portions of the 1980s and 1990s.
      But their last win at a Grand Prix occurred in 2012 and for the past two seasons they finished last in the championship.
      Due to financial losses last year, the Williams family sought out new investment.
      And that led to them leaving the team to make way for new management.

      Sir Frank Williams and his daughter Claire stepped down from the team he created in SeptemberCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff calls the mistakes that cost George Russell victory in the Sakhir Grand Prix a ‘colossal f*** up’ live on Sky Sports More

    • 238 Shares189 Views

      in Motorsport

      Red Bull weighing up whether to snap up Sergio Perez for 2021 F1 season or stick with Alex Albon

      by

      RED BULL are weighing whether to sign up Sergio Perez for the 2021 season – or stick with Alex Albon.
      The Milton Keynes-based team have been linked to the Mexican, who was axed by Racing Point despite finishing in fourth place in the driver’s championship.

      Alex Albon has managed just two podiums for Red BullCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Experienced Mexican driver Sergio Perez is a surprise free agentCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      However, with no decision mate yet, Albon believes he has done all he can to impress his bosses into getting another season.
      Red Bull already have Max Verstappen in place for 2021, but boss Christian Horner says it was always the team’s intention to wait until the end of the season before confirming who was in the second seat.
      He said: “We’ve always said that we’ll go to the end of the year and then make our decision at the end of the season.
      “Alex had probably his strongest race weekend, actually, this weekend, which is encouraging for him.

      “But we now have a full picture of the season. And we’ll make that decision in the coming days.”
      Albon was fourth in the Abu Dhabi GP, and even though he was on the podium in Mugello and Bahrain, he said his performance at the Yas Marina Circuit was his best in 2020.

      I feel like I’ve done everything and I’ll leave it in the hands of others to decide.
      Alex Albon

      He added: “I feel like it was my best weekend in terms of performance. I [had] a lot of support from the guys at the factory and here and we didn’t give up.
      “To keep pushing and to have my best result, obviously under all the pressures of the weekend and everything going on, I’m proud of myself and I feel like it was a good closing end to the year.

      “Obviously, it’s not mine to say, really. But of course I feel like I’ve done everything and I’ll leave it in the hands of others to decide.”

      F1 driver George Russell thanks Williams for allowing him to race for Mercedes replacing Lewis Hamilton More

    • 200 Shares199 Views

      in Motorsport

      McLaren land cash windfall with £185m US investment and team coming third in F1 constructors’ championship

      by

      MCLAREN have been handed a double cash windfall worth around £250million.
      The Woking-based team have made no secret of their struggle during the coronavirus pandemic, as racing was put on hold and sports car sales dried up.

      The McLaren crew celebrated their ascent to third place after Sunday’s raceCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz both claimed podiums in 2020 after a long barren run for the British teamCredit: Splash News

      They even put their iconic HQ up for sale in the hope of raising funds, but have now replenished their coffers after selling off a third of the company to US investors in a £185million deal.
      And Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz’s fifth and sixth-place finish in the Abu Dhabi GP guaranteed the team third place in the F1 constructors’ championship.
      Lucrative prize money increases with each position in the standings.
      And by jumping Racing Point on the final weekend of the season, McLaren bagged an larger payment worth several million pounds.

      The top-three finish is also their first since 2012, when Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button drove for the team.
      Norris claimed his first career podium with an opening weekend third-place finish in Austria.
      Spanish star Sainz added another in Monza, having bagged McLaren’s first podium since 2014 with third in last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
      And the British marque is still yet to win a race since Button took the chequered flag over eight years ago at Interlagos.

      But there is renewed optimism that they are closing the gap to Red Bull and Mercedes, after unexpectedly jumping Ferrari amid the Italians’ nightmare 2020.
      Sainz leaves for the Prancing Horse ahead of next season with former Red Bull race winner Daniel Ricciardo replacing him at McLaren.
      There is hope that this extra windfall will maintain their push – alongside rival bids from Fernando Alonso’s Alpine and Sebastian Vettel’s Aston Martin, formerly known as Renault and Racing Point.

      Watch Michael Schumacher and Jos Verstappen talk about kids’ future in F1 16 YEARS ago as Mick and Max prepare for 2021 More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Watch Lewis Hamilton celebrate historic F1 season by performing DOUGHNUTS as he turns attention to new Mercedes deal

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON will turn his attention to getting his new Mercedes deal done now the F1 season is over.
      The world champ finished third in the Abu Dhabi GP after Max Verstappen claimed an excellent victory for Red Bull.

      Lewis Hamilton celebrated his F1 return by performing doughnutsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Brit finished third in Abu Dhabi but had already scooped the Driver’s ChampionshipCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      That’s a wrap for the season! 💨🏁Gotta say a massive thanks to my team. It’s been one hell of a year with you guys and I’m so grateful for everything we’ve accomplished together. Let’s keep making #HIS7ORY together🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/KTK7YBZQOT
      — Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) December 13, 2020

      Hamilton pulled doughnuts in his F1 car to celebrate the end of the year, but is still suffering from the effects after testing positive for Covid-19.
      Still coughing during a post-race interview, he said he was “grateful to be alive”.
      He said: “I don’t think I’ve ever been so blown. My body isn’t feeling great but look on the bright side, I made it through.
      “I didn’t think any time last week that I would be here, so, I am just truly grateful for my health and to be alive.

      “I am looking forward to recovering over the next period of time we have and being back into training and getting my body back to where I know it should be.
      “You can’t win them all, so, I think considering the past couple of weeks that I’ve had, I am really, generally, happy with the weekend.
      “It’s obviously not 100 per cent, it’s not as good as I’d perhaps have liked but congratulations to Max. That was a really hard race for me.
      “All year physically I have been fine, but today I definitely wasn’t so I am just glad it is over.”

      I didn’t think any time last week that I would be here, so, I am just truly grateful for my health and to be alive
      Lewis Hamilton

      Before Hamilton can put his feet up, he will hold discussion with Merc boss Toto Wolff over new terms.
      He is understood to have agreed wages of up to £40million for at least two years while the two are now haggling over the fine print, including media and sponsorship requirements.
      When quizzed as to when he can expect to sign the deal, Hamilton added: “Hopefully over the next couple of weeks.
      “We would love to get it done before Christmas. The plan is to be here at Mercedes next year and I want to be here.
      “Us as a team have more to achieve both in and out of the sport, so I hope we can begin talks again this week and get it tied up before Christmas.”
      Take nothing away from Verstappen’s win, but this was a dreary GP as the Yas Marina circuit served up another dullard after some excellent races in this short season.
      A total of 17 GPs in 23 weekends has been a punishing schedule for those on the road, who won’t want telling it is just 95 days until practice in Melbourne for the 2021 season opener.

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

      Verstappen is hoping that this, his second win of 2020, bodes well for his chances of wrestling the title out of Hamilton’s hands next season.
      He said: “It is a great way to finish the season and a big boost for everyone in the team.
      “I just hope that we learn from previous years that we have to be stronger at the beginning of the season to be able to give the Mercedes drivers a little bit of a harder time.”

      Lewis Hamilton expresses appreciation for support after testing positive for COVID-19 coronavirus More

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton ‘grateful to be alive’ after COVID-19 scare and reveals he’s physically tired after Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

      by

      F1 champion Lewis Hamilton has revealed he is “grateful to be alive” after his coronavirus scare.
      The 35-year-old returned to the circuit for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, after he was forced to sit out the Sakhir GP after testing positive for COVID-19.

      Lewis Hamilton says he’s glad to be alive after his coronavirus scareCredit: Splash News

      And he managed to finish third in a thrilling race in the Middle East, which was won by Max Verstappen.
      Speaking from the podium, Hamilton said he was happy to be back – but was still feeling the after-effects of the virus.
      “You can’t win them all so considering the past couple of weeks I’m really happy with the weekend,” Hamilton said.
      “It’s not 100 per cent as good as I would’ve liked. That was a really hard race for me physically.

      “All year I’ve been fine but today I wasn’t. I’m just glad it’s over.
      “I didn’t think any time last week I would be here so I’m just really grateful for my health and to be alive and looking forward to recovering and getting my body back to where it should be.”
      After testing positive with coronavirus, Hamilton spent 10 days in isolation.
      He was given permission to travel to Abu Dhabi where he was tested on arrival last Thursday and the rapid test also produced a negative result.

      As that test fell within the 96 hour window stipulated by the FIA, Hamilton was granted entry to the paddock and was allowed to take part in practice sessions.

      Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of Valtteri Botta and Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      However, Max Verstappen was victorious at Yas Marina – holding off the challenge of Valtteri Bottas and Hamilton to win the final race of the F1 season.
      As was the case in qualifying, Verstappen narrowly edged out Valterri Bottas to win his second GP of 2020 and end the year on a high.

      The Red Bull driver followed up his first pole position yesterday with a convincing performance in an otherwise uneventful GP on Sunday.
      He said: “It was really enjoyable. We had a good start today and then I looked after the tyres but the car had a really good balance.
      “We did basically everything right and from the front you can control the pace a bit more and it makes everything easier.”

      Lewis Hamilton expresses appreciation for support after testing positive for COVID-19 coronavirus More

    • 275 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      Max Verstappen holds off Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton to win Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and end 2020 season on a high

      by

      MAX VERSTAPPEN beat Lewis Hamilton to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina during the final race of the F1 season. Brit hero Hamilton had already wrapped up the F1 Driver’s Championship but could only finish THIRD on his return from coronavirus quarantine. As was the case in qualifying, Verstappen narrowly edged out […] More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Silverstone rename pit straight in honour of Lewis Hamilton after F1 legend’s seventh world title in huge first

      by

      SILVERSTONE has renamed the pit straight in honour of Lewis Hamilton after his seventh world championship title. Hamilton landed his latest title triumph last month and has been rewarded with this honour by the international circuit. The British Racing Drivers’ Club, which owns Silverstone, announced the honour that the international pit straight will now be […] More