Motorsport

Subterms

    More stories

    • 175 Shares129 Views

      in Motorsport

      Major F1 rule change announced that provides huge hint over Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes replacement

      by

      ANDREA KIMI ANTONELLI’S hopes of being promoted to Mercedes’ Formula 1 driver line-up have been handed a major boost.The FIA announced today that it has reduced the minimum age restriction to 17-years-old.Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025Credit: GettyWonderkid Andrea Kimi Antonelli could take his seat at MercedesCredit: GettyThe governing body will allow teens of that age to race in Formula One if they have “consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition.”Antonelli has long been expected to take the vacant Mercedes seat for 2025 to partner George Russell at the team.There is a space on the grid available as Lewis Hamilton is departing for Ferrari.The seven-time world champion has signed a mega £100m two-year deal.READ MORE IN F1The Bologna-born Antonelli turns 18 on August 25 this year and could theoretically make his FP1 debut, or even race, prior to F1’s summer break.It was reported that an enquiry earlier this year had been made to the FIA about granting the teenager a superlicence despite him not yet being 18.Antonelli has been supported by Mercedes since he raced in karts and chief Toto Wolff recently dropped a major hint that he would be driving in F1 next season.At the Canada Grand Prix last week, Wolff said: “Carlos Sainz deserves a top seat. He’s done a fantastic job.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSInside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.
      “But for us, we’ve embarked on a route now. “We want to reinvent ourselves a little bit going forward and Kimi Antonelli definitely plays a part in that.”Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for him🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      George Russell apologises and fights back tears after blowing F1 pole as Max Verstappen wins wet Canadian Grand Prix

      by

      GEORGE RUSSELL apologised to his Mercedes team for an “ugly race” as he scuppered pole position to Max Verstappen.It was a tough day in the office for the British 26-year-old who fought back tears after the race as he had to settle for third place.George Russell fought back tears after blowing pole positionCredit: GettyIt was a wet race in CanadaCredit: GettyMeanwhile Verstappen overcame chaos and rain to toast his third consecutive win in Canada ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris in second.Russell, who claimed his first podium of the year. said: “It was an ugly race on my behalf. Sorry for that. I’m very sorry for that.”It felt like a missed opportunity. We were really quick on the inters at the beginning, then Lando came through.”Then we jumped back on the slicks. I made a couple of mistakes out there, pushing the limits and paid the price for it.READ MORE ON F1″Nevertheless, first podium of the year. We truly had a fast car this weekend and to be in the mix fighting for victory was really fun.”The race was jam-packed with action fresh off the back of Monaco which Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton slammed for being a snooze fest after there had been no overtakes from the top ten drivers.Verstappen said: “It was a pretty crazy race. I love it. That was a lot of fun. Those kinds of races, you need those once in a while.”Russell crawled off the line in his Mercedes at the start but just stayed in front of Max Verstappen by a whisker.Most read in MotorsportVerstappen praised the ‘crazy race’Credit: RexEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSDrama erupted from lap 17 when Verstappen was thrown into the clutches of Norris after running wide at Turn One to hand Russell some valuable breathing space.The McLaren driver had set his sights on overtaking the Red Bull on the long straight and breezed past him to nab P2.Cost of an F1 carBut Norris wasn’t done there as he overtook Russell on the straight before Max Verstappen swiped the Mercedes driver’s place, leaving him in third.On lap 25 the first safety car was called into action as Logan Sargeant spun into the barrier on his way out of Turn Four in his Williams.24-year-old Norris stayed out while everyone else pitted, leaving him trailing behind Verstappen and Russell in third.Verstappen’s engineer Gianpiero Lambiase aimed a sly dig at Norris’ Miami Grand Prix win in a nod to the safety car incident by saying “What goes around comes around. That’s Miami back”.Verstappen, Norris and Russell continued to squabble for first, second and third throughout.More drama erupted as Sergio Perez wrapped up a dismal weekend by spinning out at Turn Six into the barrier and out of the race.Cue the safety car again as more chaos saw Alex Albon come off worse with a tussle with Carlos Sainz – leaving both drivers out of the race.It was a miserable afternoon for Ferrari in general who had earlier retired his car after suffering problems with the engine.Piastri and Russell tussled on lap 63 at Turn 10, making contact before the British driver lost his spot to his teammate Lewis Hamilton.Hamilton sniffed the podium and used his DRS to ease past Piastri, onto the tail of Norris but Russell edged back into third with one lap to go.READ MORE SUN STORIESNorris said: “It was chaos. It was eventful. To be honest, I felt like I drove a good race the whole time from start to finish. The first two stints were very strong.“I had amazing pace. But then the Safety Car had me over, just like it helped me in Miami, it’s now had me back over.” More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Daniel Ricciardo leaves interviewer speechless with X-rated blast on live TV in reply to Villeneuve’s brutal takedown

      by

      DANIEL RICCIARDO has given an X-rated response to heavy criticism from Jacques Villeneuve.The RB driver was blasted by Villeneuve this week after a turbulent start to the Formula One season.Daniel Ricciardo has given a cheeky response to Jacques Villeneuve’s criticism of his careerCredit: Sky SportsVilleneuve slammed Ricciardo and claimed he ‘can’t cut it’ in F1 anymoreCredit: GettyRicciardo has failed to outperform team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in all but one of the eight races this year, prompting former world champion Villeneuve to slam his career as a whole.The 1997 champ, 53, questioned why Ricciardo was even racing in F1 anymore, claiming that the Aussie “can’t cut it” anymore.He also suggested that the 34-year-old is “finding excuses” while slamming his career as a whole by adding: “I think his image has kept him in F1 more than his results.”But Ricciardo has hit back at the scathing review of this racing career after finishing fifth in qualifying ahead of this afternoon’s Canadian Grand Prix.READ MORE IN F1PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.

      Speaking to Sky Sports F1, he said: “I’ve just been told [about the criticism] I don’t listen or read [it].”But there’s definitely some people out there who, yeah whatever, I won’t give him the time of day.”Top five, I’ve been quick all weekend. “Less than two tenths from pole so… eat s***!”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDaniel Ricciardo’s career in F1
      Hispania Racing
      Ricciardo made his F1 debut at Silverstone in 2011 for Hispania Racing, finishing 19th, before he went on to race 10 more times that season.
      Toro Rosso
      He began his first full season in F1 with Toro Rosso in 2012, securing six top 10 finishes including in the opening race of the season in Australia.
      Ricciardo finished the year six points behind team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne in the drivers’ standings.
      He then secured seven more top 10s in the 2013 season, beating Vergne by seven points.
      Red Bull
      Ricciardo joined Red Bull for the 2014 season where he would race for five years, winning seven races.
      He finished the 2014 and 2016 seasons in third place in the drivers’ standings behind only the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
      Ricciardo also finished ahead of four-time world champion team-mate Sebastian Vettel in two of their three seasons together.
      Renault
      Ricciardo signed for Renault in 2019 and finished his two seasons with the team in ninth and fifth.
      He beat team-mates Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon, before he was snapped up by McLaren.
      McLaren
      Ricciardo’s eighth and most recent Grand Prix victory came at Monza in his first season with McLaren.
      Yet despite that victory, he finished his two seasons with the team well adrift of fellow McLaren man Lando Norris and was released at the end of the 2022 campaign.
      Red Bull reserve and AlphaTauri
      Without a seat for the 2023 season, Ricciardo became Red Bull’s reserve driver behind Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
      When Nyck de Vries was then released by AlphaTauri in July, Ricciardo raced eight races for the team with a best-place finish of eighth.
      RB
      AlphaTauri became RB in 2024 but Ricciardo has struggled so far this season, finishing no higher than 12th in the opening eight races.
      He sits on five points while team-mate Yuki Tsunoda is flying on 19, four places above him in the drivers’ standings.

      Ricciardo gave a cheeky smile as he signed off from the interview with the X-rated ending and walked away from the microphone.The reporter was left speechless at the unbelievable moment.Jacques Villeneuve’s brutal verdict on current F1 star leaves fans in shockRicciardo will feature in his 250th Grand Prix when the lights go out in Montreal this weekend.His career has seen him rack up eight wins and 32 podium finishes across more than five teams spanning over 12 years.Ricciardo finished fifth in qualifying for the Canadian Grand PrixCredit: Getty More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 teen Ollie Bearman to join Haas in 2025 after epic breakthrough – but will earn pittance compared to Lewis Hamilton

      by

      BRITISH wonderkid Ollie Bearman will reportedly join Haas in 2025 but will earn a smidgen of Lewis Hamilton’s wages.Bearman, 19, stole the show in his F1 debut in the Saudi Grand Prix after finishing a respectable seventh on a difficult course.Oliver Bearman will join Haas next seasonCredit: YouTube / Sky Sports F1After impressing for Ferrari in the Saudi Grand Prix two months agoCredit: AFPThe then 18-year-old caught the public’s imagination after stepping in for Ferrari driver Carlos Saniz, who needed surgery for appendicitis in March.And now Bearman will become the fourth British driver on the grid, alongside Hamilton, George Russell and Lando Norris, according to The Mail.However he will earn significantly less than his compatriots. While Hamilton is paid £50million-plus by Mercedes, Bearman is expected to sign for between £250,000 and £300,000 at Haas.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBearman currently competes in the FIA Formula Two and is a Formula One reserve and test driver for Ferrari and Haas.The Ferrari Driver Academy is paid nothing for competing in Formula Two, though the Italian team cover the cost of competition.His promotion to a full-time F1 seat was helped by his brilliant performance in Saudi Arabia, and departure of Nico Hulkenberg for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.Bearman showed a solid display in qualifying, narrowly missing out on a place in Q3 to Hamilton as he earned 11th on the grid.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBearman, however, would more crucially get the better of Hamilton in one race day in Jeddah.He managed to hold off the charge of two of Britain’s biggest stars in Norris and Hamilton in the closing stages to finish seventh in his maiden F1 race.Sergio Pérez thanks fans as he looks forward to Montreal race After the race, former world champion Damon Hill said: “A star is born.”Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, who was alerted to Bearman’s quality by his performance in Saudi, has given the Chelmsford-born star eight practice sessions in their car this season.Bearman became the youngest British F1 driver in history and the third youngest overall.Three-time world champion Max Verstappen, who also earns £50m a year, is the youngest driver to ever start a race at just 17 years and 165 days.Lance Stroll is the second youngest driver to receive a call up at just 18 years and four months old, when he started for Williams in 2017. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      ‘Just witnessed a murder on live TV’ – Jacques Villeneuve’s brutal verdict on current F1 star leaves fans in shock

      by

      FORMULA ONE world champion Jacques Villeneuve brutally questioned why Daniel Ricciardo is still in the sport in a rant that left fans astonished.Eight-time Grand Prix winner Ricciardo, 34, has struggled in his RB car so far this season, failing to outperform team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in all but one of the eight races.Jacques Villeneuve was damning in his assessment of Daniel RicciardoCredit: Sky SportsRicciardo has struggled for several years in F1Credit: RexIt continues a trend of several difficult years for the Australian – who struggled at McLaren despite winning in Monza in 2021, before he failed to secure a seat for the start of the 2023 season.And 1997 F1 world champion Villeneuve, 53, pulled no punches in his assessment of Ricciardo’s recent form.Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “Why’s he still in F1? Why?”We are hearing the same thing now for the last four or five years. ‘We have to make the car better for him’. Sorry, it’s been five years of that. No, you are in F1.READ MORE IN F1″Maybe you make that effort for Lewis Hamilton whose won multiple championships. You don’t make that effort for a driver who can’t cut it.”If you can’t cut it, go home, there’s someone else to take your place. That’s how it’s always been in racing, it’s the pinnacle of the sport.”There’s no reason to keep going and to keep finding excuses, and you all talk about that first season or first two seasons, he was beating a [Sebastian] Vettel that was burnt out, that was trying to invent things with the car to go win and just making a mess of his weekends.”Then he was beating for half a season [Max] Verstappen when Verstappen was 18 years old, just starting, that was it, he stopped beating anyone after that.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhen asked if he thinks Ricciardo is overrated, he added: “I think his image has kept him in F1 more than his actual results.”Reacting to the clip, one fan said: “Just witnessed a murder on live TV 💀.”Lewis Hamilton grimaces as he ‘eats a dog biscuit’ in NFL schedule release video for team F1 star part ownsAnother added: “Spicy Jacques. Love it!!”While a third replied: “Lol this guy woke up and chose violence 😂.”And a fourth responded: “Not scared to speak his mind. We need more commentators like this.”Ricciardo will race his 250th Grand Prix in F1 this weekend when the lights go out in Montreal.He was considered one of the favourites to partner Verstappen next season in what would have been a dream return to Red Bull – where he won seven races between 2014 and 2018.But his drop off in form saw him fall away from the conversation, before Sergio Perez signed a two-year extension to keep him with the constructors’ champions.Daniel Ricciardo’s career in F1
      Hispania Racing
      Ricciardo made his F1 debut at Silverstone in 2011 for Hispania Racing, finishing 19th, before he went on to race 10 more times that season.
      Toro Rosso
      He began his first full season in F1 with Toro Rosso in 2012, securing six top 10 finishes including in the opening race of the season in Australia.
      Ricciardo finished the year six points behind team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne in the drivers’ standings.
      He then secured seven more top 10s in the 2013 season, beating Vergne by seven points.
      Red Bull
      Ricciardo joined Red Bull for the 2014 season where he would race for five years, winning seven races.
      He finished the 2014 and 2016 seasons in third place in the drivers’ standings behind only the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
      Ricciardo also finished ahead of four-time world champion team-mate Sebastian Vettel in two of their three seasons together.
      Renault
      Ricciardo signed for Renault in 2019 and finished his two seasons with the team in ninth and fifth.
      He beat team-mates Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon, before he was snapped up by McLaren.
      McLaren
      Ricciardo’s eighth and most recent Grand Prix victory came at Monza in his first season with McLaren.
      Yet despite that victory, he finished his two seasons with the team well adrift of fellow McLaren man Lando Norris and was released at the end of the 2022 campaign.
      Red Bull reserve and AlphaTauri
      Without a seat for the 2023 season, Ricciardo became Red Bull’s reserve driver behind Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
      When Nyck de Vries was then released by AlphaTauri in July, Ricciardo raced eight races for the team with a best-place finish of eighth.
      RB
      AlphaTauri became RB in 2024 but Ricciardo has struggled so far this season, finishing no higher than 12th in the opening eight races.
      He sits on five points while team-mate Yuki Tsunoda is flying on 19, four places above him in the drivers’ standings. More

    • 263 Shares179 Views

      in Motorsport

      Isle of Man TT 2024: Schedule, start times, results, live stream & TV channel as event sees major scheduling changes

      by

      THE historic event dubbed by many as the ‘world’s most dangerous race’ is approaching the finish line after Michael Dunlop became the most successful rider EVER earlier this week.The Northern Irishman had been chasing his uncle Joey’s record for years but finally cracked it in 2024, winning the Supertwin TT to make it win No 27.The Isle of Man TT is back for another year of incredible racingCredit: PACEMAKER PRESSHis uncle Joey – after whom the Joey Dunlop Cup is named – had held the previous record for 25 years.Hundreds of people have died in the race’s history as motorbikes thunder around winding country lanes at 120mph.It was part of the Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship – now MotoGP – for 27 years before being scrapped due to safety concerns and continues to face consistent calls that it should be scrapped. It can only be the Isle of Man TT, which returned on Saturday, June 1.What is the Isle of Man TT?The annual racing event had its first race in 1907 and has been held on the Isle of Man almost every year since.The event consists of a number of time trial races on public roads that are closed over a two week period – the first week for practice and qualifying and the second for racing.There are currently six classes of races – the Senior TT, Supersport TT, Superbike TT, Superstock TT, Supertwin TT and Sidecar TT.The Senior TT is the showpiece event and has run continuously since 1909.The Isle of Man TT is open to all riders from any country as long they have a valid National Entrants or FIM Sponsors Licence for Road Racing, plus a driver’s licence.The event has only been cancelled because of World War I (1915-1919) and World War II (1940-1946) and just three times since 1947 – because of the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 and in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid-19.The ‘TT’ in Isle of Man TT actually stands for Tourist Trophy rather than Time Trial, as many believe.Isle of Man TT schedule & resultsRace Day 1 – Saturday, June 1
      9am – Mountain Road closes
      10am – All roads close
      10.30am – Superbike/Superstock qualifying
      12pm – 40 Years of Arai at the TT Parade
      1.30pm – Supersport TT race 1 – Winner: Michael Dunlop
      4pm – Sidecar TT race 1 – Winners: Ryan and Callum Crowe
      Race Day 2 – Sunday, June 2
      11.30am – Mountain Road closes
      12.30pm – All roads close
      1.30pm – Solo warm up
      2.40pm – Superbike TT race – Winner: Peter Hickman
      Race Day 3 – Tuesday, June 4
      All events cancelled
      Race Day 3 – Wednesday, June 5
      9am – Mountain Road closes
      10am – All roads close
      10.30am – Solo warm up (1 lap)
      11.45am – Supertwin TT race 1 – Winner: Michael Dunlop
      Race Day 4 – Thursday, June 6
      9am – Mountain Road closes
      10am – All roads close
      10.30am – Solo warm up (1 lap)
      11:20am – Sidecar TT race 2 – Winners: Ryan and Callum Crowe
      1pm – Superstock TT race 1 – Winner: Davey Todd
      Race Day 5 – Friday, June 7
      TBC – Mountain Road closes
      TBC – All roads close
      TBC – Solo warm up (1 lap)
      TBC – Supersport TT race 2 (4 laps)
      TBC – Superstock TT race 2 (3 laps)
      Race Day 6 – Saturday, June 8
      9am – Mountain Road closes
      10am – All roads close
      10.30am – Solo warm up (1 lap)
      11.45am – Supertwin TT race 2 (2 laps)
      1.30pm – Rutter Legacy Lap (Parade Lap)
      2.30pm – Senior TT race (6 laps)
      How can I watch the Isle of Man TT?The 2024 Isle of Man TT is not being broadcast on live TV.Instead, those who want to watch the race as it happens need to purchase the TT+ Live Pass, which costs £19.99 to cover the qualification and all races.The TT+ Live Pass can then be streamed through a TV, smartphone, laptop or tablet and also includes analysis, interviews and other features.ITV4 will have a nightly highlights show at 9pm from Friday, May 31 until the final race day on June 8.What is the prize money for the Isle of Man TT?The six races of the Isle of Man TT have a combined pot of £243,400 – the Senior TT race is the most lucrative of the annual event, with a total prize pot of £84,500 and £25,000 going to the winner.The Superbike TT race has a shared prize pot of £62,000, while the Supersport TT offers a combined prize pot of £30,400.Both the Superstock TT and Sidecar TT earns riders a share of £23,500, while the Supertwin TT will offer a total pot of £19,500.The full Isle of Man TT prize money breakdown can be found here.Who has won the most races at the Isle of Man TT?Joey Dunlop had been the overall race leader with 26 wins to his name at the event – with his last one coming in 2000.Dunlop, who died aged 48 after crashing during a race in Estonia, has a statue on the island and the Joey Dunlop Cup is awarded to the most successful rider at the event each year.Michael Dunlop has now PAST his uncle’s record as the most successful Isle of Man TT rider everCredit: PacemakerDunlop was voted as Northern Ireland’s greatest-ever sports star in 2015 and his funeral was attended by more than 50,000.But the great man has now been caught and overtaken by nephew, Michael Dunlop, who entered the event with 25 wins before winning the first race of 2024 to equal Joey’s record.The 35-year-old star then added another win – having won four races in 2023 – to take the overall record.After his record-breaking win, the younger Dunlop said: “I’m no better than Joey, I never was, and I’ve got no intentions of being better than him, but everyone has always aspired to beat him.”It’s an honour.”How many people have died at the Isle of Man TT?The Isle of Man TT is known as one of the most dangerous event in sport for good reason.Riders race around public roads at 120mph, surrounded by brick walls, telephone polls and houses. Since 1937, the only year in which there has NOT been a fatality is 1982.A total of 280 people – riders, officials and fans – have died, with 156 of those riders during the actual Isle of Man TT.Extend that to the Manx Grand Prix, usually held in August, the total reaches 269.Another ten officials have died, the most recent in 2006, while six spectators have also died, including two in 2007.Three people died last year (one in the main TT and two in the Manx Grand Prix), while 2022 was the joint-deadliest year ever.Six riders died that year, the same as in 1970. More

    • 188 Shares199 Views

      in Motorsport

      Who is Michael Dunlop? Isle of Man TT rider and new race win record holder

      by

      THE name Dunlop has long been synonymous with time trial racing.Joey Dunlop is the most famous Isle of Man TT rider of them all – with the overall winner of the event handed the Joey Dunlop Cup and the Northern Irishman having a statue built on the island.Michael Dunlop has become the record holder for most wins at the Isle of Man TTJoey held the record for almost 25 years after his untimely death following a crash in 2000.Now his record has been overtaken, with Michael Dunlop the man to take it.Who is Michael Dunlop?Michael Dunlop is an motorcycle rider most famous for his exploits in the Isle of Man TT.He comes from that famous racing family as the son of Robert Dunlop, brother of William and nephew of Joey.Michael made his Isle of Man TT debut in 2007, finishing 25th aged just 18.Since then he has had one of the most spectacular careers in the sport.His first win came in the Supersport TT in 2009, while he has won four races in a single event three times – in 2013, 2014, and 2023.Since 2010, the only year he didn’t win a race was in 2015, when did not finish in four races and finished second in one other.With two wins so far in 2024 he has now passed uncle Joey as the most successful rider in the history of the Isle of Man TT – as well as taking home a bit of prize money for his wins.Who has won the most races at the Isle of Man TT?Until this year, Joey Dunlop had held the record since 2000.Joey won three races that year, aged 48, just weeks before his death in Estonia in another race.John McGuinness had come closest to threatening Dunlop’s record, winning 23 races between 1999 and 2015.But it was Michael who finally managed to overtake the great man.His win in the Supertwins TT made it win No 27 and his eighth in just 17 races since 2022.Most Isle of Man TT wins
      Michael Dunlop – 27
      Joey Dunlop – 26
      John McGuinness – 23
      Dave Molyneux – 17
      Ian Hutchinson – 16
      Mike Hailwood, Ben Birchall, Tom Birchall, Peter Hickman – 14
      Bruce Anstey – 12
      Steve Hislop, Phillip McCallen – 11
      Giacomo Agostini, Robert Fisher, Stanley Woods – 10
      Mick Boddice, David Jeffries, Ian Lougher, Siegfried Schauzu – 9
      Michael Dunlop in action on the Isle of ManCredit: PACEMAKER PRESSWhat did Michael Dunlop say about the record?Michael Dunlop said that “everyone’s inspiration was to be a Joey Dunlop around the Isle of Man”.He said: “I’m no better than Joey, never was.”Joey’s record stood for 24 years and it’s an honour. Joey was a special talent.”My record will be beaten one day but I don’t care.”He also said he had to overcome some issues on the day to win.”We had an issue in first practice and were struggling a wee bit but the boys worked hard on it and the bike was mint. “We had to push on as I knew we would.” More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Red Bull make shock Sergio Perez decision days after F1 star suffered horror crash at Monaco Grand Prix

      by

      RED BULL have made a stunning U-turn by agreeing a new contract with Sergio Perez.The Mexican driver, 34, had an uncertain future at the Bulls due to his relative under performance to three-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen.Sergio Perez has signed a new Red Bull deal until 2026Credit: RexHowever, just one week after suffering a horror crash at the Monaco Grand Prix that cost the team “two or three million”, Perez – also known as Checo – has signed a new deal with the team to keep his seat until 2026.A statement on the team’s website said: “Oracle Red Bull Racing is pleased to announce that Checo has committed his future to the Team with a two-year extension to his existing contract.”The likes of Yuki Tsunoda and Carlos Sainz had been linked with taking the seat to partner Verstappen from 2025.But it seems Red Bull team bosses wanted a steady pair of hands as they navigate new waters from the 2026 regulation change.READ MORE IN F1Perez has won five races with the team and has 29 podium finishes with three pole positions, including the first by a Mexican F1 driver, and currently sits fifth in the driver standings this year.Team Principal and Red Bull CEO Christian Horner said on the move: “Now is an important time to confirm our line-up for 2025 and we are very pleased to continue working together with Checo. “Continuity and stability are important for the Team and both Checo and Max are a successful and robust partnership, securing our first ever one-two finish for the Team in the Championship last year. “Checo has had a strong start to 2024 with second places in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Japan and then his podium in China. Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The past few races have been tough, there is convergence on the grid, but we are confident in Checo and look forward to his return to proven form and performance, that we so often see. “Last year was a unicorn season and we will need to work hard to retain our titles, but we are assured in our line up and with the Team as a whole, which is imperative in what is shaping up to be a close fought Championship this year.”Sergio Pérez thanks fans as he looks forward to Montreal race Perez added: “I am really happy to commit my future to this great Team, it is a challenge like no other racing for Oracle Red Bull Racing, both on track and off track. “I am delighted to be staying here to continue our journey together and contribute to this Team’s great history for two more years. “Being part of the Team is an immense challenge, and one I love. We have a great challenge this year and I have full trust in the whole Team that the future is bright here and I am excited to be part of it. “I want to thank everyone for all the trust they are putting in me, it is a lot and I want to pay it back with excellent results on track, and off track. Why do F1 cars come apart so dramatically in a crash?F1 safety has come a long way in it’s 74 year history.
      Indeed, a massive tell of this is the safety features of the cars in the modern era.
      One feature of this is the way the cars break apart in a high-speed crash much like crumple zones seen in road cars.
      F1 cars now break apart during severe collisions as a means of dissipating the kinetic energy away from the driver taken during the incident.
      The cars themselves are built around a monocoque – also known as a “survival cell” – with 2018 seeing the introduction of the halo prominently on top around the drivers head to boost this further.
      This safety cell is made from 6millimetre of exceedingly strong carbon fibre composite with a layer of kevlar, which is penetration resistant and can absorb a huge amount of energy in a crash.
      Meanwhile, the halo was a large reason as to why Romain Grosjean survived his horror crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2020.

      “I think we have a lot of work to do, we have a lot more Championships to win together.”Checo’s new deal means half of the available seats for the 2025 season have now been filled.While there were no driver changes between this season and last season, next year has already threw up a number of major driver transfers.Lewis Hamilton stunned the world of motorsport by announcing he was leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari and partner Monaco race winner Charles Leclerc next year.Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg announced he was leaving Haas last week to join Sauber, which may pave the way for Brit teen Ollie Bearman to come into F1.Asides from Red Bull, McLaren are the only team to have already confirmed they are sticking with the same driver line up in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.Hamilton is replacing Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, and the Spaniard has been linked with a number of vacant seats on the grid, including Williams.Meanwhile, a separate incident at the Monaco GP saw Esteban Ocon lambasted by bosses at Alpine and has since led to the announcement that he will not carry on with the team next year.READ MORE SUN STORIESGeorge Russell (Mercedes), Alex Albon (Williams) and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) are the only other drivers to have confirmed seats in F1 for 2025.The next race for F1 will get underway in Montreal, Canada – where Hamilton celebrated the first of his record-breaking 103 F1 race wins 17 years ago – on June 9.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:
      Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
      Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton
      Mercedes: George Russell and TBC
      McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
      Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and TBC
      Williams: Alex Albon and TBC
      Sauber: Nico Hulkenberg and TBC
      Alpine: TBC x2
      RB: TBC x2
      Haas: TBC x2 More