F1

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares169 Views

      in Motorsport

      Heartbreaking Michael Schumacher health update as F1 star’s ex-manager says he has ‘no hope of seeing him again’

      by

      MICHAEL Schumacher’s ex-manager says he has no “hope” of seeing the F1 legend again.Willi Weber revealed that he had received “no positive news” after allegedly being shut out of the racing star’s life for the last 10 years.
      Michael Schumacher’s long-term manager Willi Weber does not believe he will ever see him againCredit: Alamy
      Weber is often credited with discovering Schumacher in 1989Credit: Getty
      Very little is known about the 54-year-old’s health which has become a closely-guarded secretCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Schumacher, 54, considered by many to be the greatest driver in Formula One history, hasn’t been seen in public since his devastating skiing accident in 2013.
      December 29 will mark a decade since the racer suffered a horrific ski accident in the French Alps that left him in a medically-induced coma for 250 days.
      Ever since, any information about the state of his condition has been a closely-guarded secret kept by his privacy-focused family led by wife Corinna.
      The long-term manager of the seven-time F1 champion, Weber, 81, has now opened up about how never believes he will see his former protégé again.
      read more on schumacher
      He told the Cologne Express: “When I think of Michael now, unfortunately I don’t have anymore hope that I will see him again.
      “No positive news after ten years.”
      He also recalled how gutted he felt about not being able to see Schumacher immediately after the accident.
      “Of course, I regret that very much and blame myself. I should have visited Michael in the hospital. I mourned like a dog after his accident.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      After three or four years of allegedly being shut out of Schumacher’s life, Weber said: “For me it was clear: ‘Well, now it’s over. This crap needs to get out of my head'”.
      Back in 2017, Weber extraordinarily accused the racing legend’s family of not being honest to the public about the Schumacher’s condition.
       “I find it very unfortunate that Michael’s fans do not know about his health.
      “Why are they not being told the truth?”
      And in July last year, Weber once again made headlines by demanding that the Schumacher family come out with the truth about his health.
      He said he was still “angry” that he had not been kept informed once since the F1 legend’s ski accident.
      He told Italian sports publication La Gazetta dello Sport: “I tried hundreds of times to contact Corinna and she didn’t answer.
      “I called Jean Todt to ask him if I should go to the hospital and he told me to wait – it’s too early.
      “They kept me out, telling me it’s too early, well now it’s too late. It’s been nine years. Maybe they should just say it the way it is.”
      Weber has been credited with discovering Schumacher in 1989 when he signed him up to his F3 team.
      He has previously said that the racing great was “like a son to me”.
      It comes as Schumacher’s close friend and former boss Jean Todt revealed the F1 veteran “is no longer the Michael we knew”.
      “Michael is here, so I don’t miss him,” he told French paper L’Equipe in a recent interview.
      “He’s just not the Michael he used to be,” the ex-Ferrari and FIA boss said.
      “He’s different and he’s wonderfully guided by his wife and children who protect him. His life is different now, and I am privileged to share moments with him.
      “Unfortunately, fate struck him ten years ago. He is no longer the Michael we knew in Formula 1.”
      Last month, Schumacher’s F1 pal Mark Blundell shared heartbreaking regrets over the racing legend’s tragic skiing accident.
      The former McLaren driver, who called Schumacher “ruthless and brilliant”, said he hopes the Ferrari racer is fit enough to understand the sport.
      Blundell, 57, raced in Formula One and competed against the German legend in the 90s.
      Speaking to OLBG, he said: “At the end of the day, what happened to him was incredibly difficult to take.
      Read more on The Sun
      “I don’t know where we are today with Michael’s health as he’s rightly guarded.
      “He’s still around, and hopefully he understands what’s going on. That would be a plus. It’s very difficult.”
      Schumacher was skiing with his son, Mick, when he suffered a devastating head injuryCredit: AFP
      The pair worked together for decades up until 2012Credit: Alamy More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton and Co given hope for 2024 F1 season as Red Bull chief reveals Max Verstappen’s weakness

      by

      RED BULL director Helmut Marko has revealed the key aspect in which Max Verstappen can still improve.The Dutchman dominated Formula 1 in 2023, winning 19 of the 22 races.
      Max Verstappen has dominated Formula 1 in recent yearsCredit: PA
      Verstappen won his third world title on the bounce and is expected to make it four next time out.
      But Marko, 80, believes he still has room to improve.
      Speaking to Sky Germany, Marko said: “Here and there he gets a little impatient when the car is not exactly to his liking.
      “He becomes even faster and takes more care of the material. That gives him an advantage again. I would never have thought it possible, so I don’t see any limits to the top.”
      READ MORE F1 NEWS
      Marko believes that the best is yet to come for F1’s most dominant driver, in daunting news for other competitors.
      He added: “It’s his absolute will to win, he can go to the limit in every situation. He does that with aplomb and ease.
      “He has made a very decisive step in tyre management. He can drive at the limit without pushing the tyres.
      “He knows how far he can go. We haven’t seen the peak yet.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
      McLaren team principal Andrea Stella recently snubbed seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton when naming his three best drivers on the grid.
      Speaking to DAZN, Stella said: “Lando [Norris] is already one of the best drivers on the grid.
      “He is very fast, very good in the race, with tire management… When I think about Lando, I think that if the team and I gave him a good car, he would be able to fight for the championship.
      “When we talk about being the most complete, I definitely think of Fernando Alonso. He basically has no weaknesses.
      “I think this makes him unique. He is not the best in many things, but he is very strong in all of them.
      “Lando, I think his development as a driver will make him so complete. He reminds me a little of Fernando.
      “My top 3 drivers with the same cars would be Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso.”
      Lewis Hamilton was snubbed by McLaren tam principal Andrea StellaCredit: Alamy More

    • 275 Shares179 Views

      in Motorsport

      Max Verstappen must cough up more than £1MILLION to compete in F1 next season – but Lewis Hamilton pays less than half

      by

      MAX VERSTAPPEN will have to pay more than £1MILLION to compete in F1 next season.The Dutch star, 26, claimed his third successive drivers’ championship in 2023 with a record 16 wins and 575 points.
      Max Verstappen will have to pay more than £1million to take part in the 2024 seasonCredit: Rex
      Lewis Hamilton will only have to pay £431,000 to compete next yearCredit: Alamy
      But the price of his dominant year means he will have to shell out a substantial amount to compete in 2024.
      F1 racing licences for the following season are always calculated by the previous term’s points totals.
      The base cost for the drivers is nearly £9,000, before each point accumulated incurs an additional £1800.
      This means Verstappen’s 575-point total racks up a payment of more than £1m.
      READ MORE IN F1
      The overall total for the Dutch driver stands at £1,046,911.
      However, it is likely Red Bull will cover the cost of the racing licence for their star man.
      Meanwhile, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton will only have to pay £431,349 to compete in 2024 – less than half the fee of rival Verstappen.
      He picked up just 234 points and failed to win a race for a second consecutive season.
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
      Williams driver Logan Sargeant, who claimed just one point in the 2023 season, will pay the least amount after accumulating a total of just £10,800.
      Verstappen has complained in the past about having to pay the hefty fees.
      He said: “I don’t think it’s right that we have to pay so much.
      “It doesn’t happen in other sports either. And there are more and more races.”
      There will be a record 24 races next season, up from 22 in 2023. More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Motorsport

      Michael Schumacher’s pal Jean Todt gives update on F1 legend’s condition saying ‘he is no longer the Michael we knew’

      by

      MICHAEL Schumacher’s close friend and former boss Jean Todt has said the F1 legend “is no longer the Michael we knew” in the latest update on his condition.December 29 will mark a decade since the racer’s tragic ski accident in the French Alps that left him in a medically-induced coma for 250 days.
      Michael Schumacher’s fans got another glimpse on the driver’s condition as his close friend and former boss Jean Todt, left, gave the latest updatesCredit: AFP
      The ex-Ferrari and FIA boss said Schumacher is ‘no longer the Michael we knew’Credit: AFP
      Schumacher, now 54, hasn’t appeared publicly ever since as his family provided very few updates on his condition.
      But now, ex-Ferrari and FIA boss Todt has given fans a glimpse into Schumacher’s current state.
      “Michael is here, so I don’t miss him,” he told French paper L’Equipe in a recent interview.
      “He’s just not the Michael he used to be.
      Read more on Schumacher
      “He’s different and he’s wonderfully guided by his wife and children who protect him.
      “His life is different now, and I am privileged to share moments with him.
      “Unfortunately, fate struck him ten years ago.
      “He is no longer the Michael we knew in Formula 1.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      F1 presenter Florian König also revealed the one thing he tells every curious fan asking about Schumacher’s health.
      Speaking to German producers ARD, König said: “Whenever someone speaks to me, at the airport or elsewhere, the question often comes up: ‘Do you know how Michael is doing? Do you know what’s going on now?’
      “I always say the same thing: I don’t ask the family at all.”
      The presenter, 56, explained why he also doesn’t seek answers from the Schumacher family.
      “I absolutely respect the fact that they only gave very sparse information, and I think that’s right,” he said.
      König, one of RTL’s Formula One faces for many years, added: “I notice from these questions that people are still interested and that they still share in his fate.”
      Meanwhile, Schumacher’s F1 pal Mark Blundell shared heartbreaking regrets over the racing legend’s tragic skiing accident.
      The former McLaren driver, who called Schumacher ruthless and brilliant, said he hopes the Ferrari racer is fit enough to understand the sport.
      Blundell, 57, raced in Formula One and competed against the German legend in the 90s.
      Before getting into F1, the two also raced in sports cars.
      And now the former McLaren star has opened up about Michael’s tragic skiing crash which left him in a medically induced coma in December 2013.
      He said: “At the end of the day, what happened to him was incredibly difficult to take.
      “I don’t know where we are today with Michael’s health as he’s rightly guarded.
      “He’s still around, and hopefully he understands what’s going on. That would be a plus. It’s very difficult.”
      Speaking to OLBG, Blundell expressed his regrets over Michael not being able to share amazing anecdotes from his thrilling career – and said it is a “huge loss” for the F1 community.
      “Michael is a big loss for F1 as he had all of those titles under his belt, and we’re sadly not able to hear about those accolades and how he went about getting them.
      “It’s such a shame we missed out on his insight.
      “We also missed on how he could have supported his son and other up-and-coming drivers.
      “That’s a huge loss.”
      It comes as a new five-part documentary by German broadcaster ARD might shed some light on what happened all those years ago and how the former Ferrari and Benetton star is now faring.
      “Being Michael Schumacher”, to be aired on December 28, will explore the driver’s early years including his rise to prominence, from a go-karting background to one of the best drivers in Formula 1 history.
      Read more on The Sun
      The new series will follow a 2021 documentary produced by Netflix in which Schumacher’s wife Corinna remained tight-lipped about her husband’s condition, saying only that he was “different” post-crash.
      Corinna is known to have protected her husband’s privacy to such an extent that only their immediate family and the closest of their friends know any details about how he is doing.
      The Ferrari star won seven world championships in his racing careerCredit: Alamy More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Jenson Button, 43, to make shock RETURN to motor racing 14 years after winning F1 world title

      by

      JENSON BUTTON will make a shock return to elite level racing in 2024.The 2009 Formula One champion will compete in next season’s World Endurance Championship.
      Jenson Button will return to motorsport next yearCredit: PA
      Button has signed a deal to drive in the eight-round season, which includes the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.
      He will be behind the wheel of a Porsche 963 for Hertz Team Jota.
      Button will share driving duties with fellow Brit Phil Hanson and Denmark’s Oliver Rasmussen.
      The new season begins with a race in Qatar on March 2.
      READ MORE ON MOTORSPORT
      On returning to the track, Button said: “I’m thrilled to be racing with Hertz Team Jota in the 2024 World Endurance Championship.
      “I’m already looking forward to the first race in Qatar but also know there’s a lot of work to be done so that we arrive prepared.”
      Button will be 44-years-old at the time the campaign starts.
      And 14 years would have passed since he won the F1 world championships with Brawn-Mercedes.
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
      Button retired back from the sport in 2017, having also driven for Benetton, Renault, Honda and McLaren.
      Since quitting F1, he has worked as a pundit for Sky Sports and as an adviser for Williams. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Fans in stitches at ‘worst name for a team in F1 history’ as Alfa Romeo rebranded for upcoming season

      by

      FANS have been left in stitches after seeing Alfa Romeo’s rebranded name for the next F1 season.The Italian carmaker has seen its spot in the 2024 season confirmed alongside the likes of Red Bull Racing and Mercedes.
      Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake has been rebranded for the new F1 seasonCredit: Getty
      The Sauber-works team has agreed to a new sponsorship deal with Australian streaming platform Kick.com.
      The F1 team finished 9th in the Constructors’ Champions in the 2023 season.
      For the 2024 season, the team will have a new name of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber thanks to their rebrand.
      And F1 fans have not been won over by the name as they remained unimpressed on social media.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      One fan posted: “Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber might be the worst name for a team in F1 history.”
      A second commented: “Worst name ever.”
      A third wrote: “This is terrible! Personally don’t like it. It just doesn’t sound cool.”
      A fourth said: “How did they go from ✨Alfa Romeo✨ to this? 😭.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
      A fifth complained: “I can’t get over why ‘Team’ is in the middle of the name….?”
      Another added: “Kick Stake Sauber F1 Team makes much more sense, no? Still sounds w**k, but makes more sense…”
      Red Bull Racing enjoyed huge success during the most recent season.
      The team won the Constructors’ Championship with 860 points.
      While driver Max Verstappen won the driver’s title having won 19 races. More

    • 188 Shares189 Views

      in Motorsport

      Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton SNUBBED as McLaren boss names three best current F1 stars

      by

      MCLAREN team principle Andrea Stella snubbed Sir Lewis Hamilton when naming the top three drivers currently in Formula One.Hamilton, 38, has won a record seven world championship titles since his debut season in 2007.
      Andrea Stella has named his top three drivers in F1Credit: Getty
      The McLaren chief snubbed Lewis HamiltonCredit: Splash
      However, the Hertfordshire-born driver has struggled to match rival Max Verstappen over the last two seasons.
      Amid Mercedes’ on-track struggles, Hamilton finished sixth in the Driver Standings last year and third this term.
      And Stella thinks he is no longer among the best drivers on the grid.
      The Italian believes three-time world champion Verstappen is the best, along with Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso.
      READ MORE ON F1
      He told DAZN: “Lando is already one of the best drivers on the grid.
      “He is very fast, very good in the race, with tire management… When I think about Lando, I think that if the team and I gave him a good car, he would be able to fight for the championship.
      “When we talk about being the most complete, I definitely think of Fernando Alonso. He basically has no weaknesses.
      “I think this makes him unique. He is not the best in many things, but he is very strong in all of them.
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
      “Lando, I think his development as a driver will make him so complete. He reminds me a little of Fernando.
      “My top 3 drivers with the same cars would be Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso.”
      Red Bull topped the constructors championship standings this year, with Mercedes finishing second and Ferrari third. More

    • 225 Shares129 Views

      in Motorsport

      Christian Horner accuses Mercedes of ‘f***ing up’ with ‘poor Lewis Hamilton’ when Max Verstappen won F1 world title

      by

      RED BULL team boss Christian Horner has accused Mercedes of “f***ing up” on the day Lewis Hamilton missed out on the 2021 World Championship in controversial manner.The infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw the British star miss out the F1 world title to Max Verstappen.
      Christian Horner accused Mercedes of ‘f***ing up’ with Lewis Hamilton at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
      Max Verstappen bagged the win at that year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
      Verstappen won the World Championship title that day
      Hamilton was unable to secure a record-breaking eighth F1 title
      December 12 marked the second anniversary of the 2021 season finale which saw Hamilton dethroned from his streak of F1 title wins.
      He had won four years in a row before he gave up his crown to Dutch driver Verstappen following a controversial decision.
      FIA race director Michael Masi did not enforce the Safety Car rules correctly which led to a one-lap shootout for the title.
      Hamilton, who was leading the whole race, was set to secure his eighth world championship but was beaten to the title in the dying seconds with his rival on fresher tyres.
      READ MORE F1 NEWS
      Verstappen overtook the Brit at the Turn 5 hairpin to take the race victory along with the F1 title.
      And it was found the Dutchman had pitted for a new set of soft tyres ahead of the restart while Hamilton was left exposed on worn hard tyres.
      Horner accused Mercedes of making a strategic error with their driver.
      He told Sky’s A League Of Their Own “I have absolutely no idea” why the race is so well-known.
      Most read in Motorsport
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Horner continued: “Mercedes f***ed up. They left poor Lewis out there on tyres that had done pretty much most of the race and we’d pitted with Max, so he was on a fresh set of tyres.
      “Max made the move.”
      Horner revealed Verstappen never planned to complete the decisive pass at the hairpin but aimed to launch a move up the inside as he struggled with a cramp in his left leg.
      He said: “The interesting thing is where Max passed him – it caught Lewis completely by surprise.
      “After the race, Max told us he didn’t intend to overtake him there but he got cramp behind the Safety Car and he couldn’t feel his left foot properly, so he thought: ‘Oh, f*** it, I’m going for it anyway.
      “And then, when they were going down the straight, he was trying to wake his left foot up to hit the brakes for the next chicane.” More