Latest news with #CarlosSainz
Newsweek
a day ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
F1 Drivers Break Silence on FIA's Release of Racing Guidelines
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Formula One drivers have opened up on the FIA's push for transparency by publishing a racing guidelines document, which outlines the current rules and the corresponding penalties. Drivers have often called for more transparency from F1's governing body pertaining to the regulations following several instances where rules were applied inconsistently by the FIA stewards for similar incidents. Related: New FIA Guidelines Suggest Max Verstappen Should Have Been Banned From Racing The newly released document aims to inform and educate everyone connected to the sport. Now, drivers have had their say about the step taken by the FIA. Carlos Sainz Williams' Carlos Sainz said that while there are matters yet to be addressed by the FIA, publishing the regulations for transparency is a step forward. He said ahead of the race weekend in Austria: Race start during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Canada. Race start during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Canada."I think there's no secret that, as drivers, we've felt over the last few years that there's been a bit of a lack of transparency and a lack of understanding with the main governance of the FIA, and even though the intentions might have been good sometimes, I felt like drivers have been always a bit left out, and sometimes our opinions were not listened to enough. "There have been corrections, and we felt like there has been a good reaction to those corrections. But clearly, other times, we haven't felt that way, and we've made it very clear with our statements. "But I can only see a way forward and getting better, because this year has certainly been frustrating for the most part. So let's see if it improves, and maybe today's press release from the FIA is already a sign of the intentions of making everything a bit clearer." George Russell George Russell emphasized that the FIA's efforts make no difference to the drivers. He added: "Obviously, this is maybe more transparency for you, but for us, it doesn't really change anything. "I think it is positive that you have those papers to understand what they are working towards. I think we'll have to see in due course. There have obviously been some small changes in the last couple of months, positively." Lewis Hamilton Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton claimed that the document would not change anything about the way he drives. He said: "I'm not driving to these guidelines, if I'm really honest, I'm just driving what I feel naturally. But, of course, the FIA stewards have a tough job. Every racing manoeuvre looks different. "I think having some sort of boundary is good. I've not really had any problems in terms of they've not affected me so far. "Different people come in, and different people come up with different things, year on year, and some of them are good. Some of them are not so good. I don't want to judge it just yet." Pierre Gasly Alpine's Pierre Gasly acknowledged that the FIA was working on the grey areas in the regulations. He added: "To me, it's clear on how hard you can race and the limit of it. "Obviously, as drivers, you always take it right up to the limit and try to use any grey area that you can. But I think step by step, we're reducing these grey areas. And I think it's, at least to me, it's very clear on what you can do and can't do." Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri pointed out that the document contains guidelines, but the stewards will be in charge of handing out the penalties. He explained: "I think the first important thing to point out is that they are guidelines. They're not set-in-stone rules. "Trying to put in words every single racing scenario is impossible. So, it's a very difficult job. I think these guidelines provide the Stewards with some guidelines on what should be acceptable and what's not. "Obviously, there are still degrees of factors that can't really be written down. Every situation is different, but I think it at least gives us as drivers some clarity on what is and isn't allowed. "There have probably been some tweaks since they came out — I can't remember when they came out exactly, but maybe in the last 18 months or so. "It's just important that people don't treat them as black and white — this is what needs to happen, this is what isn't going to happen — because even if you wrote 10 pages of lines and a driver's going to find a grey area just from the situation you end up in. "So I think it's important to recognise that and not jump to conclusions like, "it says this in this sentence, so this is what should happen." It's still in the stewards' hands." Max Verstappen plainly stated that he "hadn't seen" the guidelines since he was "busy."
New York Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
F1 Austrian GP live updates: Follow latest from FP1 and FP2 at the Red Bull Ring today
Those who want to step back from the corporate labelling might like a little history lesson here. For this former airfield was soon modelling into a racing track, hosting its first action as the Osterreichring in 1969. It held its first grand prix a year later. After decade-long absence following numerous crashes and a Hermann Tilke redesign, the A1 ring was back on the calendar from 1997 and after Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz bought the track in 2004 after it was again dropped from the schedule, the renamed Red Bull Ring has been an F1 mainstay since 2014. In this 11-race run, Red Bull — well, Max Verstappen — has won four times. The track is relatively short, comes with just 10 corners and plenty of gradient changes, both uphill and down. Only Spa-Francorchamps has a greater elevation change through a lap. The highlight is Turn 9, also known as Rindt, as the cars tear through the high-speed right hander in the midst of a roaring trip downhill. Here are the key circuit facts: Circuit length: 4.326 km (2.688 miles) (2.688 miles) Laps: 71 Lap record: 1:05.619s (Carlos Sainz, 2020) (Carlos Sainz, 2020) First GP: 1970 You can take a trip around the delights of the Red Bull Ring with Madeline Coleman 's circuit breakdown, which is linked below.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Sainz Lifts Lid on Lando Norris' Frustration Inside McLaren F1 Garage
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Williams Racing Formula One driver Carlos Sainz has revealed startling comments made by McLaren driver Lando Norris about the 2025 MCL39 F1 car. The comments arrive days after Norris crashed into his teammate, Oscar Piastri, at the Canadian Grand Prix. Sainz said ahead of the upcoming race weekend in Austria that Norris is "lacking a bit of the feeling" with the car compared to last year's MCL38, which helped Norris challenge Max Verstappen for the 2024 championship battle. While Verstappen managed to secure his fourth title over Norris due to his racing prowess, the impressive battle between the two drivers placed Norris as a strong championship rival for this year. Carlos Sainz of Spain and Williams walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 26, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Carlos Sainz of Spain and Williams walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 26, 2025 in Spielberg, since the start of the 2025 season, Norris has been overshadowed by Piastri, who has improved his race starts, leading to flawless qualifying and race performances. Piastri leads the 2025 championship battle with 198 points, 22 more than Norris in second with 176 points. While the points gap doesn't guarantee a championship victory for Piastri, it does represent a situation that has been challenging for Norris. McLaren overhauled its car over the winter break to smooth the rough edges and build on last year's strong foundation, a step that might have altered certain characteristics of the car, especially how it feels to drive. Sainz highlighted Norris's ability to win a championship but revealed the problem he was facing with the 2025 title contender. The Spaniard said: "It has not been easy for Lando," he told F1. "When I talk to him, he clearly is lacking a bit of the feeling he had with the car, compared to previous years. It's a bit unfortunate that that happens exactly a year after he's fighting for the world championship. "It's, I think the fate, and somehow the way that F1 can go. We've seen the careers of many drivers being compromised by having a year where the car just doesn't seem to go exactly where you like. You can name Daniel [Ricciardo], for example, when he changed to McLaren. "If that happens exactly the year that there is a championship car, it's unfortunate, and that is why F1 is such a complex sport, because it doesn't depend purely on you and your talent but also on a lot of things coming together at the same time and at the right time. "My feeling is that Lando, as a driver, has the capacity to turn things around with his talent, with his speed. There are still plenty of races where anything can happen, and it will all come down to whether he can put those laps together in quali at the right time." As F1 teams are expected to switch their focus to the 2026 car soon, it remains to be seen if McLaren addresses this concern with the MCL39.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Discipline key for McErlean and Treacy in punishing Rally of Gods
Motorsport There's little, if any need for the Irish crew of Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy to look for inspiration as they set out on the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece today. Equally familiar as the "Rally of Gods", the 17th stage event that had its ceremonial start beneath the shadows of the Parthenon Thursday evening, is one of most gruelling events of the 14-round WR campaign. McErlean and Treacy already know the depth of the challenge as it's similar in many respects to Rally Italia Sardegna (previous round) where the Kilrea/Killeagh duo spent much of the time sweeping the roads onboard their M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 after re-joining under Super Rally. As he addressed that experience, he also hinted at future plans. "This year is all about growth. Sardinia was unfortunate for us, but at the same time, we were able to gain so much valuable information for the future - and this season is all about building the full toolkit. Everything we learn here helps us grow stronger for what lies ahead." On the Acropolis (the immediate future) he added, "It's another rally where survival matters. You have got to be smart, Sunday's final leg is longer than usual, so the rally keeps throwing challenges right to the finish.' The Greek terrain is unforgiving and punishing on tyres, allied to its high altitude and searing heat, it's as much a mental test as it is physical. McErlean (who finished eighth last year in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) concluded, "Our mindset is all about discipline, learning and managing the rally in the right way.' Over the years, M-Sport Ford has a strong record at the Acropolis with icons Carlos Sainz, the late Colin McRae, Marcus Gronholm and Mikko Hirvonen all victorious. Along with McErlean, Gregoire Munster, Martins Sesks and Jourdan Serderidis complete this weekend's M-Sport quartet. Reigning WR champion Belgian Thierry Neuville won last year's edition where Hyundai Motorsport had a lock-out of the podium places. A repeat performance would certainly be a welcome boost as they bid to halt the Toyota dominance of both championships. Hyundai are 69 points behind in the Manufacturers' title while (Drivers' title) Estonia's Ott Tanak trails series leader Elfyn Evans by 25 points with Neuville 50 points from the summit. Neuville said, " My goal is to outscore my opponents, but I would like to build some momentum and return to the podium.' First off the start line, series leader Elfyn Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) will again have to sweep the loose gravel from the roads. A one-time 43 points lead is now 19 with team mates Sebastien Ogier (unbeaten on gravel this season) second and Kalle Rovanpera, a double Acropolis winner, one point further behind. The Junior WRC reaches the halfway mark with all nine crews in Hankook shod Ford Fiesta Rally3 Evos tackling the event including Donegal's Eamonn Kelly and his Monaghan co-driver Conor Mohan. Spain's Carlos Sainz (senior) has ended speculation with an announcement that, following "thoughtful reflection" he will not contest the FIA Presidential election later this year. Currently, Mohammed Ben Sulayem (current president) is unopposed for the election that is set to place at the FIA general assembly in Uzbekistan on December 12th. Motorsport Ireland has confirmed that its Motor Sport Council has refused an application from the Galway Motor Club to re-schedule the Galway Rally on September 21st next. The Galway International Rally remains postponed due to the Storm Éowyn last February. Motorsport Ireland has informed the Galway organisers of the council's decision and advised that "International" status are not awarded to one-day events. Given the already congested nature of the Irish motorsport calendar and the proximity of the 2025 Galway International Rally, it's unlikely that the event will be rescheduled. Meanwhile, following his third straight ITRC win of the season Derry's Callum Devine (66 pts) has increased his lead of the NAPA series to twenty points. Donegal trio David Kelly (46pts), Declan Boyle (40pts) and Michael Boyle (37points) have amassed their scores from all four rounds, Devine's total is from three events. In the co-drivers' championship (that will have a new champion) Patrick Walsh (58pts), Andy Hayes (46pts) and Darragh Mullen (43pts) are the current top trio.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Max Verstappen REFUSED to film nightclub scene with Brad Pitt in new F1 movie
Max Verstappen reportedly snubbed Brad Pitt by refusing to film an extra nightclub scene with him in the hotly-anticipated new Formula One film. 'F1' was released on Wednesday with bosses hoping it will make giant strides in America and replicate the success of Netflix 's Drive To Survive series. Pitt, Damson Idris and Javier Bardem star in the new movie, which tells the story of a former driver as he makes a comeback to partner new team mate Joshua Pearce at the fictional APXGP team. Formula One teams were keen to help producers and granted the film stars unprecedented access to their facilities. McLaren handed them access to their Woking headquarters, used as AGXGP's base, while Williams allowed them to use their wind tunnel for four days. Silverstone was essentially rented out to film-makers for three months in summer 2023, leaving junior drivers unable to use the track. But while teams were happy to accomodate the Hollywood A-listers, not all of the drivers were as keen. Four-time world champion Verstappen even declined to take part in an extra nightclub scene with Brad Pitt, according to The Telegraph. The Dutch Red Bull racer also missed the film's premiere in New York and the drivers' exclusive screening in Monaco. Across the paddock there was a more welcoming reaction to the movie. 'I'll just say, for the pure F1 fan, be open-minded to Hollywood films,' Williams driver Carlos Sainz said. While seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is an executive producer. The Brit's production company Dawn Apollo features in the opening credits and has been credited with playing a decisive role as he helped train Pitt and Idris in Formula 2 cars. Joseph Kosinski, who was behind Top Gun: Maverick, and directed the latest potential blockbuster, revealed ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix: 'Lewis was the first person I reached out to. 'I sent him an email and said, 'I want to make it as authentic as possible. Will you help me?' And luckily, Lewis said, 'Yes'. 'He was involved in all the technical details with fascinating advice. In Hungary, for instance, he said, 'If Brad's going to let someone pass during a blue flag and he wants it to be as tight as possible, he's only going to do that at turn six'. That kind of detail, I couldn't have gotten from anywhere else.'
