Motorsport

Subterms

    More stories

    • 188 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton’s ‘head is no longer 100 per cent in racing’, claims two-time F1 champion

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON no longer has his head 100 per cent in racing, according to Mika Hakkinen.Seven-time world champion Hamilton is set to sign a new Mercedes deal “in days” as revealed by Toto Wolff.
      Mika Hakkinen has claimed Lewis Hamilton no longer has his head ‘100 per cent’ in racingCredit: Getty
      Hamilton has not won a race since 2021Credit: Rex
      However, Hakkinen, who has two world titles to his name from triumphs in 1998 and 1999, suggested the Brit’s head has been turned by more “important” matters away from racing.
      Speaking to Unibet, the 54-year-old was asked about rumours linking Hamilton with Ferrari, before replying: “Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari would be a surprise. Does money motivate drivers? 
      “I know Lewis’ head is not 100 per cent in racing anymore. It’s completely normal. But does money motivate? 
      “Of course it does, but there are many risks involved. I think it’s highly unlikely he will join Ferrari.  
      READ MORE ON LEWIS HAMILTON
      “I always say that when people get older, the order of your thoughts change. Your priorities in life change. Formula 1 just won’t be the most important thing anymore.
      “It wouldn’t surprise me when the competition gets tougher and young drivers emerge, what George Russell is doing with Lewis at the moment, result-wise, it’s not an easy situation.  
      “Does Lewis have enough energy to wake up every morning, give his everything and bring results so that he can beat his team-mate? Is that the right future for him?”
      Hamilton has scored two podiums this season and sits fourth in the standings, but has not won a race since December 2021 amidst Mercedes’ pace struggles.
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      The 38-year-old is working on an F1 movie starring Brad Pitt and a documentary regarding his life.
      In the last week the former McLaren driver has been linked with a stunning relationship with Shakira after the pair were pictured having dinner after the Spanish Grand Prix.
      However, he has also been spotted cosying up to Brazilian supermodel Juliana Nalu, sparking rumours of a relationship among fans.
      Hakkinen also gave his thoughts on McLaren following early season struggles, and backed the team to be surprise competitors to runaway leaders Red Bull as the season progresses.
      The Finn added: “I don’t think anyone is able to catch up this year.
      “The only surprise I think we’ll see is McLaren’s possible progress during the next two months.
      “I think they will surprise us massively.
      “Just in terms of the speed of the car, they will probably challenge Red Bull.”
      Read more on The Sun
      Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have hoovered up every race win so far this season, with the Dutchman on course for his third title on the spin.
      Rivals will be hoping to close the gap at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      I used to be an F1 driver and even beat Ayrton Senna to three race wins… now I’m a multimillionaire aircraft dealer

      by

      THIERRY BOUTSEN is used to life in the fast lane – and now the former Formula One star is flying high as a multimillionaire aircraft dealer.The now 65-year-old Belgian raced in F1 for the Arrows, Benetton, Williams, Ligier and Jordan. 
      A former F1 star is now raking it in as an aircraft dealerCredit: Getty
      Thierry Boutsen achieved three Grand Prix wins in his F1 careerCredit: Getty
      He took to the track in 164 Grands Prix and beat the late, great Ayrton Senna on three occasions to claim a trio of victories.
      Boutsen also achieved 15 podium finishes in total before retiring in 1993.
      However, his career has continued to accelerate – albeit not on the race track.
      Explaining all to Monaco Life, Boutsen said: “I honestly had no idea that private jets existed until I was 18-years-old.
      READ MORE F1 NEWS
      “A family friend was CEO at Abelag (a private jet operator) in Brussels and he invited me to work there as a mechanic in the aircraft maintenance department. I enjoyed every minute of it – discovering these extraordinary flying machines.
      “I was even invited on board to do a post maintenance test flight.That is when I promised myself, should I one day have earned enough money, I would buy and fly my own plane.
      “I had to wait 12 years for that. Since then, flying has been a passion, like driving race cars.”
      He continued: “I had no intention of starting a company in the beginning. I was always flying my own plane from racing event to racing event, or marketing event to marketing event, for private or business purposes.
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      “Then I had a request in 1997 from a colleague of mine, former F1 driver Heinz Harald Frentzen, who wanted to buy the same plane I was using at the time but he didn’t know how to get it or how to complete the paper work etc. So, I said I would do it for him, and he ended up being my first customer.
      “Immediately afterwards, I had a request from Keke Rosberg to buy a similar airplane for him; then I had to buy one for Mika Hakkinen, and then Michael Schumacher came to me and said he wanted to sell his Challenger.
      “I did about 10 transactions, just in the racing world. I was doing the job as if it was for me – with a lot of passion, dedication and attention to detail. People loved it.
      “So, we decided to go further and explore Europe. My wife Daniela and I started Boutsen Aviation: she was in charge of the marketing and presentation and I was in charge of the commercial side.
      “At the end of 2000 we had our first employee, Dominique Trinquet – who is still with us today and is now president of the company. We have nine people working with us here in Monaco, and we have representatives in India, Russia, northern Europe, eastern Europe and Switzerland.”
      Boutsen then revealed: “We have sold 385 planes to date, and every time we make a sale, we celebrate it is a success for the whole team. Our team in aviation is like a racing team – everyone is working together to get the job done and using their capabilities to 100 per cent, or sometimes even more. It will be a very important milestone when we get to 400, but it is due to the hard work of everybody of the company.
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year

      “We have 16 planes for sale on an exclusive basis. We sell all types of business jets, but 70 to 80 per cent of our planes are transatlantic, like Challengers, Gulfstreams, Falcons… big planes that can travel from Nice to Los Angeles, for instance. We also sell biz-liners like the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) and Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ).
      “These planes used to sell for between 20 and 35 million. Today, it’s between 15 and 25 million for exactly the same airplane. This is because the inventory has increased.
      “During lockdown, some people wanted to get rid of their planes because they had no need for them. A plane is expensive to buy and maintain, so if you have one that just sits in a hangar for six months, it’s not worth it.”
      But the icon’s future is very much not only in the air as he keeps busy with a number of other successful business interests.
      He added: “I am also the Chairman of the Boutsen Group which includes Boutsen Design, run by my wife Daniela, to offer a bespoke and individual design and decoration service for business jets, superyachts and residences.
      Read more on The Sun
      “I also run Boutsen Classic Cars, sourcing and selling high-end classic road and race cars for discerning collectors.
      “Then we have the Boutsen Racing Team, and we compete all over the world.”
      Ayrton Senna (left) pictured with Belgian Boutsen back in 1990Credit: Getty
      Boutsen retired in 1993 and embarked on his new business ventureCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll claims F1 has become ‘billionaire boys club’ after Lewis Hamilton demanded change

      by

      ASTON MARTIN F1 team owner, Lawrence Stroll, admits the sport has become “the billionaire boys club”.Lewis Hamilton used the term when he said he felt F1 had become overrun by young drivers with rich parents.
      Lawrence Stroll says F1 is an expensive sport dominated by very wealthy racersCredit: The Times
      Lewis Hamilton reckons it would be tough for someone from his background to break into F1Credit: PA
      And the seven-time world champion, 38, believes it would be impossible for him to break into the sport from his background if he tried to do it now.
      Hamilton told Spain news publication AS: “Growing up in a normal working-class family, there is no way I could be here – the guys you are fighting against have that much more money.
      “We have to work to change that to make it more accessible, for the rich and for people with more humble origins.”
      The likes of Lance Stroll, the son of the Aston Martin tycoon, Nikita Mazepin, Lando Norris and Mick Schumacher have all come from wealthy families.
      Read more on F1
      And Stroll, who is worth around £2.1billion ($3bn), and funded his son’s racing career said: “Racing is definitely expensive, from go-karting on up, there’s no doubt about it.
      “It’s a lot less expensive to play golf or play tennis but F1 it’s an expensive sport, there’s machinery. There’s a lot of people who run the machines.
      “You have to be a very wealthy individual or a very large corporation to be able to afford to be in Formula One.
      “I don’t know what Lewis’s comment was referring to but this is a sport that is very capital intensive.
      “If you look at, for example, building a new building or a new wind tunnel, that’s well over £150million.
      “But Formula One is definitely an expensive sport to be in, there’s no question about that.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      Stroll completed his takeover of Aston Martin car company in 2021 and then rebranded the former Racing Point F1 team, more commonly remembered as Force India.
      Not only is he building a new factory, but he is upping staff levels from 500 to 800 employees in pursuit of challenging the likes of Red Bull and Mercedes for titles.
      When quizzed how long it will take before they are competitive, he added: “I think it’s four, five or six years.
      “We’re currently in a good place. We share Mercedes’ wind tunnel, but it is not as good as having your own.
      “Facilities wise, we’ve definitely outgrown our current site.
      “We’re putting up a lot of temporary facilities in order to accommodate all these new employees.
      “But as far as plans going forward, like pretty much every other business I own, is to win.
      “In this case, winning and Formula One obviously means world championships. 
      “Ultimately, that’s what we are striving for. That’s what I am striving for.
      “We all know very well that success in Formula One or any other business for that matter doesn’t come overnight.
      “That takes years to put the right people, the right tools, the right processes in place.
      Read more on The Sun
      “But we’re building and investing in our team with the ambition of moving up the grid year by year.
      “And our ultimate ambition is to win world championships.”
      Stroll (right) says his team are targeting world championship winsCredit: Rex More

    • 175 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton cosying up with Brazilian model despite rumours ‘love triangle’ romance with Shakira

      by

      LEWIS Hamilton is rumoured to have been cosying up with a model despite reports of a romance with Colombian star Shakira.Fans of the F1 ace believe he’s been getting intimate with Brazilian model Juliana Nalu after spotting clues in their social media pictures.
      Lewis Hamilton is rumoured to have been cosying up with 25-year-old model Juliana NaluCredit: Instagram
      Fans believed she was in the hot tub of this photograph and her arm was visible in front of Lewis – taken during the holiday to AntarcticaCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Lewis at Coachella where fans think Juliana is visible in the backgroundCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      It comes after rumours the pair are dating have been circulating on and off for some time.
      The 25-year-old model, who dated Kanye West, was spotted in the background of one of Lewis’ Coachella pictures in May.
      Earlier this year fans of the racing star were convinced the pair were an item when it seemed they might have been away together in Antarctica with friends.
      In a screenshot of Hamilton and friend Shaun White in the hot tub, the arm of an unidentifiable woman can be seen next to the British racing driver.
      Read More in sport
      And F1 fans believe it to be the supermodel, who also shared pictures from Antarctica over the course of the trip.
      One social media user said “Of course he’s on the same boat. Check Shaun White’s Insta. They’re in the hot tub and a girl (Juliana Nalu?) in Lewis’ arms.”
      Another added: “Juliana Nalu with Lewis Hamilton. LOL this darling is too good.”
      More recently both Lewis and Juliana appeared to post photos from a New York restaurant on the same day, although it was unclear if they were there together.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Model Juliana also regularly posts stunning pictures on Instagram, with Lewis showing his appreciation by liking one of her recent shares.
      The model also made an appearance at the Miami Grand Prix paddock in May, where Hamilton was competing.
      Lewis and Shakira were first spotted getting cosy after races in Spain and the US, sparking rumours of a “love triangle” involving Hollywood star Tom Cruise.
      A source close to the pair told People that the two are in the beginning stages of dating after being spotted together multiple times.
      The source said: “They’re spending time together and in the ‘getting to know you’ stage.
      “It’s fun and flirty.”
      Speculation that the famous duo are in a “love triangle” with Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise could potentially put Sir Lewis and Cruise’s 10-year bromance in jeopardy.
      The two were first spotted when Shakira attended the Miami Grand Prix last month, and they seem to have shared an intimate dinner afterwards.
      Videos appeared to show the Hips Don’t Lie singer and the Formula One legend mingling in the popular restaurant, Cipriani, in Miami.
      Only days after the dinner, Lewis showed off his chivalry when he whisked the Colombian songstress off for a boat day with pals in Miami.
      Shakira was grinning as they cruised around Biscayne Bay with pals, before being dropped off at the dock of her £12million mansion.
      They were later photographed together at a dinner with friends, following Hamilton’s race at the Spanish Grand Prix – and Hamilton’s arm was wrapped around her.
      The pair headed out for dinner after the race with singer Mustafa sharing snaps of the group on Instagram.
      Despite the rumours, other sources close to the couple claim they’re “just friends”.
      Shakira has seen some major life changes in the last year, after her bombshell split from ex Gerard Pique and her move to Miami.
      She told the audience at an awards show recently: “It’s been a year where I’ve realised we women are stronger than we think, braver than we believed, more independent than we were taught to be.
      Read more on The Sun
      “Because what woman hasn’t at some time in her life forgotten herself because she’s seeking the attention and love of someone else? It happened to me, more than once.”
      The couple split last summer as the Spanish World Cup winner ditched her for Clara Chia Marti, 23.
      Fans online think Juliana and Lewis were at the same restaurant in New York on the same dayCredit: Instagram
      Lewis was seen at the same New York restaurant as Juliana
      The F1 ace and Colombian singer were seen enjoying a boat day together recentlyCredit: MEGA
      They were later seen having dinner with friends
      The F1 star has liked Juliana’s stunning snaps on Instagram More

    • 188 Shares199 Views

      in Motorsport

      Gareth Bale looks visibly annoyed as he reveals why he is BOYCOTTING ‘unfair’ Formula 1

      by

      GARETH BALE revealed he is no longer an F1 fan as he is still fuming over the way the 2021 season ended.Sir Lewis Hamilton was denied the title in dramatic circumstances in Abu Dhabi as Max Verstappen took the chequered flag and the championship.
      Gareth Bale revealed he is no longer an F1 fan after the Abu Dhabi debacle
      Max Verstappen snatched the 2021 championship from Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
      Bale was outraged at F1 for bending the rules to allow a winner-takes-all duel between Hamilton and Verstappen to take place.
      He said on an appearance on Random Golf Club: “I don’t after what happened to Hamilton a few years ago.
      “It was not fair. The fact he had to go through all the traffic and couldn’t pit stop.
      “Like how they let it happen…as soon as he was let through and he was full of petrol it was never a race.”
      READ MORE IN F1
      Several fans were up in arms over the manner in which the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was concluded.
      Many claim Verstappen was given an unfair advantage as he was able to pit following a crash in which a safety car was deployed, where fresh tyres were put onto his car.
      Former race director Michael Masi initially instructed the lapped cars not to overtake the safety car, but reversed his decision under pressure from Red Bull chief Christian Horner.
      Mercedes instantly appealed the decision, but team principal Toto Wolff eventually dropped the objection.
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      However fans have since launched a petition calling for Verstappen to be stripped of his title, which has attracted 100,000 signatures.
      The FIA’s official report blamed “human error” for the error but stopped short of offering a full apology or taking responsibility for the controversy.
      It also FAILED to identify whether Masi had been influenced by the radio messages between himself and the Red Bull pitwall. More

    • 263 Shares149 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 star George Russell cheekily offered career change to new sport after home-town team ask him to come for a trial

      by

      FORMULA ONE star George Russell has been cheekily offered a career change by his hometown football club.The Mercedes driver and his team-mate Lewis Hamilton both recently recorded podium finishes in the Spanish Grand Prix.
      George Russell has been offered a cheeky chance to change careerCredit: Alamy
      The F1 star says he would love to play for hometown club King’s Lynn FCCredit: TWITTER
      The 25-year-old is now looking to continue that good form in this weekend’s Canada GP.
      However, if he ever feels that life on the F1 race track is proving to be too much then he could always pull on his football boots.
      The former Williams driver recently took part in a Q&A that has now circulated online.
      Russell was asked: “If you were a football player, the place you start your career at would be?”
      READ MORE ON F1
      The pedal-to-the-metal star instantly replied with: “If I was a football player, the place I’d start my career at would be King’s Lynn FC.”
      The clip soon went viral on Twitter, and it did not go unnoticed by the National League North football club.
      And replying to it, they even tagged in the British racing ace as they offered him an unlikely career change.
      Along with a winking emoji, they wrote: “You are more than welcome to come down and try out, @GeorgeRussell63 #UpTheLynn.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Russell’s only Formula One victory came last year at the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
      Meanwhile, King’s Lynn suffered relegation from the National League back in the 2021-22 campaign.
      They were then left heartbroken in their attempts last season to bounce straight back with promotion.
      Despite finishing as runners-up in the National League North, they were thrashed 4-1 by Kidderminster Harriers in the play-off semi-finals.
      TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football More

    • 225 Shares189 Views

      in Motorsport

      When is the F1 British Grand Prix? TV channel, stream FREE, FULL schedule and how to get tickets

      by

      The 2023 British Grand Prix returns to Silverstone next month.The annual competition is set to take place after the Austrian Grand Prix which is scheduled to be at Speilberg the week before.
      Carlos Sainz was victorious at the 2022 British Grand PrixCredit: GETTY
      Currently, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen hold a dominant lead after multiple wins this season including the most recent Spanish Grand Prix.
      British favourite Lewis Hamilton is also looking to end an 18-month winless streak despite predicting a harder race at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix due to a more complex track.
      The iconic race will take place over 52 laps of the 5.891 kilometre track.
      When is the British Grand Prix?

      The British Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, July 9th.
      The race is scheduled to take place at 3pm BST.
      The Silverstone Circuit is the track.

      READ MORE FORMULA 1
      What TV channel is it on and can I live stream it for free?

      The F1 British Grand Prix will be shown on Channel 4 and Sky Sports F1 Channel, with coverage starting on the 7th July.
      You can live stream it on Channel 4’s free app ALL 4 for free provided you have an account and can be downloaded onto any mobile or tablet device.
      Sky Sports customers can also stream it live on the NOW app which is also free to download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Can I still get tickets for Silverstone?

      Tickets are still available to purchase on the Silverstone website.
      Multiple options are available for the different days over the weekend or for a full three-day weekend pass.
      All tickets will be digital copies that will be downloaded automatically onto the free Silverstone App.

      British Grand Prix Schedule
      Friday, July 7th

      Practice 1: 12:30pm – 1:30pm BST
      Practice 2: 4pm – 5pm BST

      Most read in Motorsport
      Saturday, July 8th

      Practice 3: 11:30am – 12:30pm BST
      Qualifying: 3pm – 4pm BST

      Sunday, July 9th

      Grand Prix – 3pm BST

      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

    • 188 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton has surprising F1 rival to thank for playing cupid amid Shakira dating rumours

      by

      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON and Shakira were introduced thanks to the help of another Formula One driver.The Brit’s rival is said to have a “very good relationship” with both Hamilton and the pop star.
      Formula One legend Sir Lewis Hamilton is rumoured to be dating ShakiraCredit: Rex
      Shakira broke up with Gerard Pique last yearCredit: Rex
      Rumours suggest Sir Lewis and the Colombian superstar are dating after they were spotted enjoying a boat trip in Miami and having dinner with friends in Barcelona.
      And Spanish sports journalist Pipi Estrada claims Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz set up his Mercedes rival with Shakira.
      Estrada said: “It is because of friends in common.
      “She knows that Hamilton likes her music and, all of a sudden, she gets the bug to know about Formula One and that’s how they got together.
      Read More on F1
      “There is a key thing in this relationship. Carlos Sainz knows Shakira and Carlos Sainz has a very good relationship with Hamilton.
      “That’s where they’ve come together. That’s where this relationship is born, with Carlos Sainz.”
      This comes after more speculation claiming Hamilton and Shakira are in a “love triangle”, which includes Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise.
      That could potentially put Sir Lewis and Cuise’s 10-year bromance in jeopardy.
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      The singer has been pictured with both men recently after splitting with Barcelona legend Gerard Pique last year.
      Their breakup came after Pique was rumoured to have cheated on the 46-year-old.
      But Shakira is believed to be taking her time before seriously committing to another relationship.
      Hamilton reportedly has Formula One rival Carlos Sainz to thank for playing cupidCredit: Rex More