McLaren

Subterms

    Latest story

    213 Shares74 Views

    F1 agree blockbuster £150million deal to keep iconic race track on the calendar with new date revealed

    by

    FORMULA ONE has agreed a £150million deal to keep the legendary Monaco race track on the calendar into the 2030s.There had been rumours suggesting Monaco was under consideration to be AXED from the calendar.Monaco has struck a deal to stay on the F1 calendar until 2031Credit: GettyThe 2024 race won by Charles Leclerc was watched by 70 million peopleCredit: ReutersHowever, earlier today it was announced Monaco would remain in F1 until at least 2031 after striking a new six-year deal.The circuit has been an ever-present feature in the motorsport, with the track synonymous with the glitz and glamour associated with F1.But, according to the Daily Mail, this new deal was only struck after organisers agreed to double their previous annual contribution to £25m a year.A statement from F1 on the agreement said: “Formula 1 will continue to race around the streets of Monaco until 2031 inclusive, following a six-year extension to the existing agreement with the Automobile Club of Monaco (ACM) that runs through the 2025 season.READ MORE IN F1″Part of the first Formula 1 World Championship calendar back in 1950 and present since 1955, the Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most famous sporting events in the world and the ultimate test of concentration and skill for F1 drivers.”Located on the banks of the French Riviera, the field must navigate the scenic streets of Monte Carlo, tackling the slowest corner on the F1 circuit, the Loews Hairpin, and the iconic Casino Square and Swimming Pool sections.”Five of the current F1 grid sit alongside legends including Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda in having triumphed around the 3.3km circuit.”Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have all won multiple times, alongside Sergio Perez and hometown hero Charles Leclerc – who created history this year when he became the first Monegasque to win the Grand Prix in F1 history.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe 2024 weekend was watched by a cumulative audience of 70 million fans worldwide.Meanwhile, the race has also seen its date on the calendar moved.Greatest F1 track on Earth’ created featuring iconic parts from Silverstone, Spa and SuzukaIn 2025 the weekend will be held on May 23-25, but from 2026 this will be pushed back to the first full weekend in June each year.The last time the Monaco Grand Prix was raced in June came back in 2003 when Juan Pablo Montoya won for Williams, with McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen in second and Ferrari’s Schumacher in third.The last full June weekend for Monaco was in 2000, when McLaren’s David Coulthard beat Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello and Benetton’s Giancarlo Fisichella.F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “I’m delighted that Formula 1 will continue to race in Monaco until 2031.“The streets of Monte Carlo are unique and a famous part of Formula 1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains a race that all drivers dream of winning.”I would like to extend a special thanks to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco and everyone involved in the extension of this important partnership.“This agreement signals a new era of partnership and innovation between Formula 1 and Monaco. “It is the future focused leadership of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco which will allow us to create an optimised calendar, which reduces pressure on logistics, and to decrease the environmental impact of our global championship, as we continue the path towards our Net Zero goal by 2030.”As well as the race itself, Monaco is home to many stars on the F1 grid.The F1 Monaco race also marks one-third of the coveted Triple Crown title, alongside winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Indianapolis 500, a feat only achieved by the legendary Graham Hill.Aston Martin’s Alonso is the only active F1 driver close to the Crown, having won the 24 Hours Le Mans twice and two F1 championships.Alonso has competed in the Indianapolis 500 three times, with his best finish being 21st in 2020.READ MORE SUN STORIESF1 will return for the final stretch of races this season on November 24, starting in Las Vegas.It then heads to Qatar before concluding in Abu Dhabi across three consecutive weekends, with Verstappen in pole position to claim a fourth drivers title.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

    More stories

    • 250 Shares60 Views

      in Motorsport

      Calls for McLaren to stop playing God Save the Queen as use of anthem after F1 races labelled ‘complete bulls***’

      by

      LIAM LAWSON has slammed McLaren for playing God Save the King when they win races, labelling the decision “bulls***”. The Kiwi F1 driver, who competes with RB, believes McLaren should ditch the anthem given the team was founded by a New Zealand motor sport legend. Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo on the roster at RB following this year’s Singapore Grand PrixCredit: GettyGod Save the Queen is played as the constructor’s anthem whenever McLaren win racesCredit: AFPMcLaren, Britain’s most successful F1 team, was founded by four-time grand prix winner Bruce McLaren in 1963.Lawson said on the Red Flags podcast: “It’s a New Zealand team, the name is still McLaren. I have no idea,“Red Bull play the Austrian national anthem and the team’s based in the UK. McLaren’s based in the UK, but it’s a New Zealand team.“It’s completely bulls***, that’s what it is.READ MORE F1 NEWS“Honestly! Especially if you’re from New Zealand… because Bruce McLaren is an absolute legend.”Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo on the roster at RB following this year’s Singapore Grand Prix.McLaren play the British anthem after race wins because they race under a British licence, since the team was founded in England and has always been based in the country.But the team still runs the papaya colour scheme McLaren used in the team’s first race victory at Spa in 1968, and its first logo featured the flightless kiwi bird. Most read in MotorsportF1 star Valtteri Bottas completes Ironman triathlon in his own back garden just days after being axed by SauberBruce McLaren, also a designer and engineer, was tragically killed in an accident while testing a car in Britain in 1970.He toasted four F1 race wins, the final one being the Belgian Grand Prix in 1968.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMcLaren was also a runner-up in the 1960 F1 drivers’ championship and took out the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.The race team, which is the second-oldest on the grid, has claimed 188 Formula One race wins, 12 drivers’ championships and eight constructors’ championships. More

    • 263 Shares127 Views

      in Motorsport

      Huge F1 row erupts on eve of Brazilian GP as Red Bull accuse title rivals McLaren of illegally tampering with tyres

      by

      A HUGE row has erupted before the Brazilian GP between Red Bull and McLaren.Red Bull have accused their title rivals of injecting water into their tyres to cool them.Red Bull, who have Christian Horner as team principal, have accused McLaren of tampering with their tyresLando Norris in action for McLaren in the Sprint raceThe constructor, who have Christian Horner as team principal, claim McLaren have inserted either water or an unknown substance through a valve in the tyre.They first came to that conclusion in Singapore when a jet of water came flying out of the tyre rims.Red Bull have informed the FIA, who will reportedly keep a close eye on the allegation.McLaren have dismissed Red Bull’s theory. While a spokesperson for Pirelli tyres has confirmed if they felt there was anything tampering with their equipment, they would have told the FIA themselves.Read more F1 newsPirelli regularly collect all the tyres after F1 races and analyse them.The reason for using water, or any other substance, to cool tyres before they are fitted to their cars in a race is to help limit thermal degradation.This, in turn, would help drivers drive faster, especially in the later stages of a Grand Prix.The FIA have already banned this practice before.Most read in MotorsportSeveral teams, including Red Bull, were said to have done it a number of years ago.Lando Norris tells reporter ‘I hate this question so much’ and shakes head as battle with Verstappen takes fresh twistNow Red Bull believe their rivals are doing it and achieving better performances.Red Bull and McLaren are already at loggerheads – with their drivers Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, respectively, fighting to be world champion.McLaren’s ‘mini DRS’ was scrutinised by Red Bull recently, which forced them to tweak the design after conversations with the FIA.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCurrently champ Verstappen’s lead at the top was cut to 44 points, after Oscar Piastri let Norris through to win the Sprint.However, in the constructor’s standings it’s a different story.McLaren lead Red Bull by a whopping 63 points, with their nearest rival being Ferrari who trail by only 34 points. More

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lando Norris suffers huge dent to F1 world championship dream after qualifying shocking 17th for Azerbaijan GP

      by

      LANDO NORRIS suffered a shock exit in Q1 to put a major dent in his title hopes in Azerbaijan.The 24-year-old had to settle for P17 after he was knocked out of the first qualifying session in Baku due to a yellow flag coming out before he could finish his lap.Lando Norris was booted out in Q1 for the Azerbaijan GPCredit: GettyCharles Leclerc will star on pole ahead of Oscar Piastri and Carlos SainzCredit: AFPThe Brit is 62 points behind leader Max Verstappen in the F1 drivers’ championship.Meanwhile, McLaren are only eight points away from Red Bull in the F1 constructors’ title race.Norris said: “The lap was easily good enough but it was a yellow flag so I had to back off.”On potentially making up positions, he added: “I don’t think it’s as easy as that.READ MORE ON F1″Honestly following is pretty much impossible around here and overtaking is a lot worse than what everyone thinks.”I hope I’m wrong and I hope there are plenty of chances but I’m not expecting so, there are a lot of cars behind.“It’s very low downforce which is pretty much impossible to overtake, I’m not expecting a lot from 17th.”But we will put in a good plan tonight and do our best.”Most read in MotorsportBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesCharles Leclerc secured pole position in his Ferrari, fresh off the back of his win two weeks ago in Monza.McLaren may be thinking twice about their decision to prioritise Norris in his title fight as his team-mate Oscar Piastri secured second.The most shocking Silverstone scandals from spying to cheating and X rated displays🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁Verstappen slumped into just sixth place, behind his team-mate Sergio Perez who came in fourth.Carlos Sainz finished third while George Russel was fifth and Lewis Hamilton came in seventh.It was a chaotic qualifying in Baku, with a member of the Williams pit crew leaving a cooling fan attached to Alex Albon’s car in Q3.Max Verstappen in conversation with Christian HornerCredit: ReutersLewis Hamilton works his way around the streets of BakuCredit: GettyWill Smith popped in to see the Ferrari teamCredit: EPA More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Watch F1 star Lando Norris drive unique McLaren P1 car round Silverstone – but can you spot why it’s so incredible?

      by

      LANDO NORRIS kept up his driving skills by driving a unique McLaren P1.The British driver will be hoping to close the gap to Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend.Lando Norris completed a unique stunt lap with McLarenCredit: The Mega AgencyNorris was seen driving a McLaren P1 around SilverstoneBut there was a shocking twist to the car’s makeupThe British driver was actually driving a to-scale McLaren P1 made of LEGOCredit: The Mega AgencyIn the meantime, Norris got back behind the wheel at Silverstone as he took out a McLaren P1 supercar, which can sell for around £800,000.However, the vehicle the 24-year-old drove out with had some strikingly different mechanics to a usual P1.The main difference being… it was made out of LEGO.Lego Technic recently launched a model of the McLaren P1 at a 1:8 scale as part of their sponsorship agreement with the car manufacturer.READ MORE IN F1But they have now outdone themselves after creating a to-scale version of the car.Indeed, only the electric battery, the tyres, seatbelt, steering wheel, and brakes are made of real parts, with the rest of the car being made with Lego bricks.Constructed in Czechia, the full-scale car features 342,000 Lego parts pulled from 393 different LEGO Technic elements.It weighs in at a staggering 1220kg overall – some 270kg lighter than the real-life P1 – and took 23 people 8,344 hours, or 347 days and 16 hours, of development.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTasks in the process included creating fully functional steering and integrated suspension to put into the car to make it driveable, while according to Planet F1, the exterior was made with extra rigidity in mind.In a video shared to McLaren’s YouTube channel, Norris was taken aback when first saw the car, admitting: ” Oh God, I’m nervous now.”F1 Driver Salaries in 2024: How Much Do They Make? However, the two-time F1 race winner managed to complete a successful lap around the Silverstone circuit, with the battery able to take the car up to speeds of almost 40mph.Norris was pleasantly surprised by the car’s handling, saying: “It actually drives pretty good.”It felt like a car, the steering I thought was pretty good. Copse, I did it flat, the old wing mirrors flapped a little bit – I thought I should stay off the kerbs here! It’s mint.”F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁Lubor Zelinka, The LEGO Group’s Design Manager Specialist said: “It’s quite an accomplishment, I’m so proud that me and part of our team can be here – and it feels great. It’s just a beautiful sight.”We had great collaboration [with McLaren] throughout the whole thing, we had the full 3D digital package for the car, unprecedented access to their engineering team, some time on their computer actually simulating our assumptions and ideas about a drivetrain on the virtual Silverstone track.“Overall, they were a great partner, down to actually gifting us a set of wheels and tyres and other parts from the real P1 to accomplish this.”The car features 342,000 Lego partsCredit: The Mega AgencyNorris was surprisingly happy with the steeringCredit: The Mega AgencyOnly a handful of items of the car including the tyres were not made of LegoCredit: The Mega AgencyThe project took a team of 23 people more than 8,000 hours to developCredit: The Mega AgencySavage sackings in F1THE world of F1 can be savage, with employees discarded like used tea bags.Danish driver Kevin Magnussen was a rising star of the McLaren team when he made his debut in 2014 alongside Jensen Button.But when he finished the season trailing in eleventh place, he was swiftly replaced by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.Instead of breaking the bad news to him in a face-to-face meeting, boss Ron Dennis got his assistant to send Magnussen a short and impersonal email.Worst still, the curt message landed in Kevin’s inbox on his 23rd birthday.Read more tales of F1’s brutal world including one boss who was labelled an ‘executioner’ and a driver dumped by a brisk TEXT. More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Emergency services rush to blaze at Spanish GP and McLaren hospitality suite evacuated after ‘fire in kitchen’

      by

      A FIRE reportedly broke out in the kitchen of McLaren’s hospitality suite ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.Emergency services were called to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this morning ahead of the final practice session.Firefighters were called to a blaze at the Circuit de Barcelona-CatalunyaCredit: AFPThe McLaren team hub was evacuatedCredit: GettyIt is understood the fire started in the kitchen before the smoke spreadCredit: GettyMcLaren have confirmed no team members were injured in the fire that broke out at their hospitality area ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.Two fire personnel have been taken away to be treated for smoke inhalation, but their condition is not thought to be serious. pic.twitter.com/aPRqJ2R23k— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 22, 2024

      The blaze started inside with several fire engines and crews of firefighters arriving to get the chaos under control.An ambulance was also on the scene but McLaren confirmed no team members were injured. However, two people were taken away to be treated for smoke inhalation.But it is understood their condition is not serious.READ MORE ON F1Sky Sports News reported the incident related to a kitchen fire within the VIP area of the British-based team. The smoke spread to the top floor of the hospitality suite and therefore the entire building was evacuated. The fire was put out within minutes with extra security measures put in place.McLaren driver Lando Norris was pictured in his socks on the tarmac looking at the building – although it is unclear if the photo was taken before or after the evacuation.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMcLaren wrote on X: “This morning we evacuated our Team Hub paddock hospitality unit following a fire alert.”The team has been safely evacuated while the local fire brigade handle the issue.”Fears Lando Norris’ extreme fitness regime is UNSUSTAINABLE as F1 star’s workout and diet are revealed🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 Formula One made no reference to the incident on their own feed.Instead, they gave updates on third practice, which got underway at 11.30am – 12.30pm local time in Barcelona.Temperatures are set to peak at approximately 25C in the Spanish city today.Lewis Hamilton went quickest during Friday’s sessions as he looks to end his long wait for a race win – stretching back to December 2021.Qualifying takes place this afternoon with the race tomorrow afternoon at 2pm.And teams will know the importance of a strong performance in qualifying because 30 of the last 33 Spanish Grand Prix have been won by drivers starting on the front row – and 24 from pole. Max Verstappen is once again the runaway leader in the 2024 drivers’ championship – 56 points clear of Charles Leclerc with Norris seven further back in third. Firefighters tackled the blaze and put the fire outCredit: AFPTwo people were taken away to be treated after inhaling smokeCredit: Rex More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Max Verstappen holds off rampant Lando Norris in gripping finale to win Emilia-Romagna GP with Mercedes off the pace

      by

      MAX VERSTAPPEN warmed up for his victory at Imola by winning a 24-hour race online.The gaming-loving Dutchman took part in a marathon sim race in his motor home into the small hours.Max Verstappen extended his lead at the top of the F1 standingsCredit: ReutersLando Norris followed up his win in Miami by finishing second in the Emilia-Romagna GPCredit: GettyHe then jumped into the cockpit on Sunday and smashed the field to win his 59th Grand Prix.The Red Bull driver has a full gaming simulator setup in his motor home to compete online with Team Redline.Verstappen may have been thinking twice about his night time gaming sesh when he was hunted down by a late resurgence from McLaren’s Lando Norris.Norris’ fight-back came a lap too late as Verstappen was able to hold on and win by under a second.READ MORE ON F1Norris said: “Unlucky! Almost. We lost too much in the beginning. Another amazing weekend, well done everyone. A lot of points, another trophy. Let’s keep it up.”One or two more laps. That’s all I needed. It’s frustrating not to win. It feels more painful.”It hurts me to say it but one or two laps and I would have had him. I just lost out to him too much at the beginning. One or two laps more and it would have been beautiful.”It is the smallest margin that Verstappen has won by this season as Norris is proving to be the best of the rest after his maiden win in Miami last time out.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt was also the McLaren driver’s fourth podium this season.Verstappen added: “I had to work for that. We had a great race considering how it started.”Formula One’s Highest EarnersNorris found himself under the cosh from the two Ferrari drivers at the start and by the end of the third lap, Verstappen had stretched his lead to over a second from the Miami Grand Prix winner.Verstappen came within a whisker of taking out a chicane bollard, as he did in Miami but carried on bulldozing ahead.Sergio Perez again failed to compete with his Red Bull oppo as he went off track on turn 17 and lap 17 due to an unforced error.It was another dismal display by Mercedes who didn’t make any progress with Lewis Hamilton finishing in sixth and George Russell seventh.Hamilton suffered a blow when he careered onto the gravel after under braking on turn 13 on lap 26 in his Mercedes.Fernando Alonso was left sweating when his brakes on his Aston Martin caught on fire on his way out of the pits.Verstappen crossed the line a second ahead of the McLaren starCredit: GettyAlonso’s brakes are running HOT 🔥😲The Aston Martin driver keeps going and his brakes cool as he comes out of the pits 🌬 pic.twitter.com/bPe9vC8J3X— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 19, 2024

      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Max Verstappen seals Emilia-Romagna GP pole in gripping qualifying but Lando Norris and McLaren team run F1 champ close

      by

      LANDO NORRIS and his McLaren team kept the pressure on Max Verstappen after a thrilling qualifier at Imola.World champion, Verstappen, took pole but he was pressed to the wire by Oscar Piastri who was just 0.074 seconds slower than the Dutchman.Max Verstappen has secured pole for the Emilia-Romagna GPCredit: AFPMcLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris kept the pressure on Red BullCredit: EPANorris, fresh off his win in Miami, will start the race in third as McLaren continued their epic revival with both cars a fraction off pole position.The 24-year-old said: “P3 is not a bad job at all. Within a tenth both of us for P1. Tiny margins but for us as a team we have had a great weekend.”Oscar did a great job and so did Max. Exciting. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”We are getting closer. To be ahead of Ferrari is also a nice result for us. It’s going to be close, it’s going to be a good race tomorrow.READ MORE IN F1″Hopefully it’s an exciting one. Tough, especially when the lap times are so tight. A lot of it is down to Lap One, strategy and the pit stops. It’s going to be a tough race.”Verstappen added: “It has been a difficult weekend so far, even this morning. Incredibly happy to be on pole here. I didn’t expect that.”We made some final changes before Qualifying and they seemed to make it feel better. I could push harder.”This track is unbelievable. To be on the limit here in Qualifying, close to the gravel, I touched the gravel in the last corner. The adrenaline is very, very high.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt was another miserable run for Mercedes, who saw George Russell finish in sixth and Lewis Hamilton in eighth as they were eclipsed by their engine customer McLaren.Sergio Perez’s nightmare continued as he slumped out of Q2, again failing to come close to his Red Bull oppo Max Verstappen.Lando Norris sheepishly admits he has ‘many girlfriends’ during lie detector test amid links to glam Portuguese modelTo rub salt in the wound, Red Bull’s B-team drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda from Racing Bull both made it into the top ten.Meanwhile Fernando Alonso suffered a woeful day as he went off track at the Tamburello leaving him eliminated in Q1 and could only qualify in last place in his Aston Martin.TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM HUGE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE FIGHT More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 ‘could introduce major rule change for 2025 season’ in bid to help teams outside ‘Big Five’ teams

      by

      FORMULA ONE are set to introduce a new points system next season that will boost competition on the track.The likes of Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Aston Martin have been been dominating F1 for a great part of the last few years.Formula One will introduce a new points system for the top 12, instead of the top 10Credit: SplashThat will create more competition for the Big Five, including FerrariCredit: RexBut racing chiefs are considering a new rule that will create a more equal competition between the Big Five and smaller teams.According to Bild, points will be awarded to the 12 best drivers from 2025 onwards.That will see more F1 teams reaping the rewards rather than just the top 10.The amount of points earned will remain the same for the top 7 as they will be gaining 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, eight and six – in that order.Read More on F1However, come next year, eighth place will lead to five points – one more than it used to be – ninth doubles to four points while 10th will become three instead of one.And 11th and 12th place will earn drivers two and one points respectively.Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has spoken in favour of that initiative.Horner said: “The competition is tough. Two groups have formed.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”There are the top 5 and then the teams from sixth to tenth place.“There is a fight for every single point.Kay Adams pretends to faint live on her show after Darius Butler delivers ‘huge’ F1 news like to ‘Tom Brady to Cowboys’Inside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.

      “But in the end you have to ask yourself what it would really change.”I’m completely impartial. But of course, points bring money. So I understand the concern.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More