Latest news with #AndreaKimiAntonelli
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Helmut Marko: 'No reason' Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull despite exit clauses
After crashing out of the Austrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen trails Oscar Piastri by more than 60 points at the top of the F1 standings. Despite the lacklustre performance, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko says the team isn't concerned that performance-related exit clauses could pave the way for an early departure for the Dutchman. Verstappen's retirement from the Austrian GP was the cherry on top of an awful cake for Red Bull at its home grand prix. The Dutchman was shunted out of the race by Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Turn 3 on lap one. Further back, Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was stuck scrapping to finish off the bottom of the order against Alpine's Franco Colapinto, but picked up a 10-second penalty that secured his last-place finish. Advertisement Verstappen clearly couldn't bear to watch the performance unfold once he was out of the race, as he reportedly checked out and tuned in to the Spa 24 Hours to watch his GT team pick up a class win. The result in Austria ended Red Bull's 77-race points-scoring streak in F1 and means it has now been five races since Verstappen's last grand prix victory. As such, questions are swirling about what this dry spell could mean for Verstappen's future at the squad. The four-time F1 champ is contracted with the Milton Keynes-based team until the end of 2028, but it is believed that this deal has several exit clauses baked in that would allow Verstappen to walk away if he or the team isn't performing as expected. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing, Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing, Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing With Verstappen now stuck in third in the standings and Red Bull adrift in fourth, the results could be seen as sub-par in Verstappen's eyes. But team advisor Marko has stepped in to quell any concerns fans may have about the Dutchman's future with the squad. Advertisement 'I assume people will use a race like this to stir things up,' said Marko after the race in Spielberg. 'But again: Verstappen has a contract through 2028. Like all top drivers, there are performance-based exit clauses – but as things currently stand, there is absolutely no reason that this contract won't be fulfilled.' Marko admitted that he couldn't recall the details of the exit clauses 'off the top' of his head, but remained adamant that there 'is currently no reason to worry about any sort of exit.' While the team remains committed to Verstappen and his future at the squad, the four-time world champion hasn't done much to counter claims of an impending departure. Advertisement Read Also: 'Everything just fell apart' – the Red Bull issues hitting Max Verstappen's F1 title hopes Red Bull admits F1 title hopes in tatters after Max Verstappen's Austrian GP clash When asked ahead of the race in Austria if he was 'going to be driving for Red Bull Racing next year,' the Dutchman gave a curt reply that did little to confirm his stance. 'I don't think we need to talk about that,' Verstappen said. 'I don't know, do you want me to repeat what I said last year? 'I don't know. It's the same answer. I don't even remember what I said last year, really. But again, it's not really on my mind. Just driving well, trying to push the performance. And then we focus on next year.' No wonder, then, that the rumours of a shock move to Mercedes or a switch to follow Adrian Newey to Aston Martin are getting harder to ignore. To read more articles visit our website.
The Star
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Motor racing-Azerbaijan GP on a Saturday in 2026, F1 to test in January
Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 29, 2025 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull's Max Verstappen crash out during the race REUTERS/Gintare Karpaviciute LONDON (Reuters) -Formula One will race on a Saturday in Azerbaijan next year to avoid a clash with a national day and pre-season testing will start behind closed doors at Spain's Barcelona circuit in January. Formula One and the governing FIA said the change of date for the race in Baku had been made at the request of the promoter and government stakeholders. Originally scheduled for September 27 next year, it will now be held on the 26th with each day of the event also moving forward. That will mean Formula One having two Saturday races on next year's 24-round calendar, with the Las Vegas night grand prix scheduled for November 21. Formula One is entering a new engine era next season with major technical changes and the new cars will hit the track earlier than usual, with teams having three pre-season tests to shake out any gremlins. The first on January 26-30 will be a private one at the Circuit de Catalunya. The second and third, with the usual access for media, will be in Bahrain between February 11-13 and 18-20. The season starts in Australia on March 8. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Christian Radnedge)
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Azerbaijan GP on a Saturday in 2026, F1 to test in January
Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 29, 2025 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull's Max Verstappen crash out during the race REUTERS/Gintare Karpaviciute Azerbaijan GP on a Saturday in 2026, F1 to test in January LONDON - Formula One will race on a Saturday in Azerbaijan next year to avoid a clash with a national day and pre-season testing will start behind closed doors at Spain's Barcelona circuit in January. Formula One and the governing FIA said the change of date for the race in Baku had been made at the request of the promoter and government stakeholders. Originally scheduled for September 27 next year, it will now be held on the 26th with each day of the event also moving forward. That will mean Formula One having two Saturday races on next year's 24-round calendar, with the Las Vegas night grand prix scheduled for November 21. Formula One is entering a new engine era next season with major technical changes and the new cars will hit the track earlier than usual, with teams having three pre-season tests to shake out any gremlins. The first on January 26-30 will be a private one at the Circuit de Catalunya. The second and third, with the usual access for media, will be in Bahrain between February 11-13 and 18-20. The season starts in Australia on March 8. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Max Verstappen out of F1 Austrian GP after Kimi Antonelli clash
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has been eliminated from the Austrian Grand Prix after being tagged by Andrea Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap. In the uphill run towards the Turn 3 right-hander, ninth-place starting Antonelli appeared to miss his braking point, ducking to the inside to avoid the cars ahead of him. He then locked his tyres to spear straight into the back of Verstappen at the apex. Advertisement Both Verstappen and Antonelli were out on the spot with terminal damage to their cars, with the incident bringing out the safety car. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Lando Norris successfully defended his pole position to lead on the lap 4 restart, with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri passing Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for second. Lewis Hamilton was fourth after a prolonged fight with the second Mercedes of George Russell. Antonelli risks a further grid drop for next week's British Grand Prix in Silverstone as the FIA race stewards are set to investigate the collision after the race. To read more articles visit our website.
Daily Maverick
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Maverick
Formula One prodigy Kimi Antonelli hungry for more podiums after maiden top-three finish
After recently graduating from high school in Italy, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is looking forward to focusing fully on his racing. Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli came into the 2025 Formula One season touted by many observers as being the most exciting rookie. A steady start, which he juggled with his schooling responsibilities, sees him occupying seventh spot on the drivers' standings. At the Canadian Grand Prix Antonelli (18) claimed third spot to earn his first podium placing since making the big leap onto the senior circuit. The Mercedes driver is surfing a wave of expectation with the same precision that he handles the steering wheel. Strong start Antonelli announced himself to the world with aplomb during the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March, finishing fourth behind rivals Lando Norris (McLaren) and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Antonelli's teammate George Russell rounded off the podium, but the Italian teenager caught the eye for a self-assured drive amid wet and gloomy conditions. From the 10 races of the season to date, Antonelli has six top-10 finishes — including that maiden podium placing in Australia. However, it has not been all plain sailing for the highly regarded youngster. He also has two retirements to his name — including during his home race, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Having invited his fellow matrics to watch him on the race track for the May contest, Antonelli was forced to retire after lap 46 of the 63-lap race. He was in 10th spot at the time, before a throttle issue crippled his car. Antonelli hinted that he may have been caught up in the excitement of the occasion, vowing to take the disappointment of that race in his stride and use it as fuel for future success. 'Definitely this weekend was good learning. On my side, I didn't manage everything well. I didn't take enough time for myself on most occasions. That hurt me for this weekend,' reflected Antonelli in May. 'I was wasting energy. It affected the performance in the car. On that side, it was a really good lesson,' the teenager stated. High school graduate It may have been a harsh lesson, but it seems to have steered Antonelli in the right direction. On the back of his maiden podium appearance, Antonelli has graduated from high school. During that ill-fated home Grand Prix, Antonelli shared how difficult it was juggling being an elite racer and preparing for his final exams as a high school student. 'Well, I'm not able to attend school, but I'm trying to study as much as I can. Especially in those little moments I have free time,' the Mercedes prodigy said. 'I'm getting help from the school as well to try to catch up because I've definitely missed a lot of work during this time.' Antonelli has now completed secondary school after passing his exams. This will allow him to focus fully on racing. After tasting being on the podium for the first time, the 18-year-old will be hungry to make a few more returns to it. Winning a race or two would be a welcome bonus. 'I'm super happy to have finished this journey, which was important to finish. Now I can just focus on racing, and it's a big relief as well,' Antonelli said. The rookie said such was the pressure of writing his exams that he did not even have a moment to wrap his head around his milestone in Canada. However, with the weight of his studies off his shoulders Antonelli is beginning to grasp what his Canadian Grand Prix display can lead to. 'It was such a special moment. I remember going on the podium, I had goosebumps, especially after hearing people chanting my name. It was a really special moment,' said Antonelli. 'Also to see the whole team in the pit lane, my dad as well, that is a memory that I will remember forever. It took me quite long because when something such as this happens, it's something so big that it takes a little bit for the brain to realise,' the Italian driver added. '[It] was a really good result, big relief on my side, and this has to be a turning point because obviously now I showed to myself that I can do it. Now, because the feeling is so good, you just want more,' Antonelli stated. Great expectations Antonelli was one of a handful of rookies who made the big leap into Formula One this season. Others include Oliver Bearman (Haas), Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber), Jack Doohan (Alpine), plus Racing Bulls pair Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson. While the majority of his counterparts have struggled for traction in their debut seasons, Antonelli has expertly handled the pressure of expectation. Mercedes could have opted for an experienced driver to step into the massive void left by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Instead, they trusted academy prospect Antonelli with the hotseat alongside Russell. Antonelli joined the Mercedes academy in 2019 after a successful career in the karting scene. His team has been honing him for this moment ever since. Mercedes even fast-tracked his rise up the ranks as they parachuted him straight into Formula Two in 2024. Having enjoyed success in Formula Regional, the next step for the Italian teenager would have been rising up to Formula Three. He skipped this step as Mercedes prepared him for the main event. Even as he finished sixth on the standings that season, his team felt he was ready to compete in Formula One this year. So far, Antonelli has vindicated this faith and the Mercedes hierarchy is backing the Italian to be a major force in years to come. Initially signed on a one-year contract, Antonelli's positive start has already triggered conversations of a long-term partnership. 'Antonelli will probably need a three-year programme. That's how long a young driver needs to challenge a more experienced and faster teammate. But we would never have entrusted the seat to a driver who we don't consider a potential world champion,' Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said on the Bloomberg Podcast. The team's dreams for Antonelli are major. However, early in his career the youngster has shown great ability when it comes to handling pressure. If he can maintain his upwards trajectory, he can join racers such as Michael Schumacher, Hamilton and Verstappen in living up to a promising debut season. On the flip side of the coin, he could end up like Nico Hulkenberg or Pastor Maldonado — two young prospects who never quite lived up to the expectations that were placed on their shoulders. DM
