Latest news with #DietrichMateschitz
The Herald
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
Horner's departure leaves F1 wondering what next for Verstappen
Christian Horner's sacking as Red Bull team boss, a seismic moment for the sport despite warning tremors, raises immediate questions about the future of star driver Max Verstappen. The Dutch driver, who won his fourth title in a row last year, has a contract to 2028 but is wanted by both Mercedes and Aston Martin and has performance clauses that make an early exit possible. Verstappen's importance is fundamental. The most sought-after driver on the grid is an absolute number one in a team struggling to find anyone else who can get even close to him on the track. The champion has scored 165 of his team's 172 points in 12 races so far this season and has had three teammates in less than a year. But he is only third in the championship, his hopes of a fifth crown this season receding fast with a hefty 69 points now between him and McLaren's leader Oscar Piastri. If Verstappen leaves, whose seat does he take? Will it be his old Mercedes foe George Russell or Italian 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli? And where will they go? Horner had once been seen as the glue that bound a winning team, the young leader of a group whose success confounded those who dismissed them as just an energy drink brand, and shook up the sport. Then, after Red Bull won eight drivers' titles, six constructors' championships and 124 races, the empire began to fall apart. The death of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022 removed a key pillar of support for Horner and led to reports of a power struggle between the team's Austrian and Thai owners. Then in early 2024, after the most dominant season in the sport's history with Red Bull taking 21 wins in 22 races and Max Verstappen the third of his four titles, Horner faced allegations of misconduct from a female employee. He denied them, and was cleared after an investigation, but that was not the end of the story for a man in office since 2005, the only principal Red Bull have had since entering the sport as constructors. Some paddock regulars called time on Horner even then, seeing his position as untenable, but the 51-year-old pulled through and seemed to have cemented himself back in position. Married to Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell, Horner enjoyed his own celebrity and has been a main man in the popular Drive to Survive Netflix docu-series, ever combative with sparring partner Toto Wolff at Mercedes. Verstappen's father Jos was in the opposing camp. He called for Horner to go, saying his presence would tear the team apart, and Adrian Newey — the star designer who has won titles with multiple teams — announced his departure to Aston Martin. Sporting director Jonathan Wheatley left to become principal of Sauber, guiding them to the podium with Nico Hulkenberg at Silverstone last weekend, and aerodynamics head Rob Marshall joined now-champions McLaren.
Hans India
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Formula 1 to race in Austria through to 2041 with new extension
Spielberg (Austria): The iconic Austrian Grand Prix will remain on the F1 calendar through 2041 inclusive, following the long-term extension of Formula 1's contract with promoter Projekt Spielberg GmbH & Co KG. The Austrian Grand Prix boasts a long and prestigious history in Formula 1, having appeared on the calendar 37 times, with the first race taking place in 1964. The Red Bull Ring, situated in the Styrian mountains, first hosted the event in 1970 and offers one of the most picturesque settings for a Formula 1 race, with drivers navigating the 4.3 km circuit known for its elevation changes and mix of high- and low-speed corners that encourage wheel-to-wheel battles. The circuit dropped off the calendar in 2004, but in 2010 the late Dietrich Mateschitz invested in the Red Bull Ring, funding renovations that revitalised the facility and led to its return in 2014. Since then, the race has become a favourite among fans and drivers alike. A roll call of greats from Formula 1's 75-year history have taken the top step in Austria, including Alain Prost, Niki Lauda, Michael Schumacher and Alan Jones. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said, "Austria has long been an incredibly special race for Formula 1 so it's fantastic we have secured the long-term future of a Grand Prix so deeply rooted in the sport's history. "The vision and passion of Dietrich Mateschitz gave the race the investment and attention that allowed it to return as an incredible event on the Formula 1 calendar. "Each year, returning to the stunning Styrian mountains is a highlight – an experience that evokes incredible emotion among our drivers, teams, and fans alike, creating an atmosphere unlike any other. "I want to extend my sincere thanks to Mark Mateschitz and Thomas Uberall and his team for their unwavering dedication to excellence, and to our incredible Austrian fanbase, whose enthusiasm and loyalty continue to elevate this iconic race." Four drivers from the current grid have also claimed victory in Austria. Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and George Russell have all triumphed at the Red Bull Ring, with Verstappen holding the record for the most wins on five (four under its guise as the Austrian Grand Prix and once when it featured as the Styrian Grand Prix in 2021). Mark Mateschitz added, 'I am delighted that Formula 1 will remain at the Red Bull Ring for many years to come. I am proud to continue my father's legacy and to preserve the rich history of motor racing in Styria and at the Red Bull Ring – with and, above all, for the people of the region. "Austria's close ties to Formula 1 are an excellent foundation for our long-term partnership. Working together, we intend to continue this success story for many years to come.' Thomas Uberall, General Manager of the Red Bull Ring, said, 'This long-term commitment to us by Formula 1 is a great honour and a wonderful challenge that we are happy to undertake on behalf of the fans and the Murtal region. "The new contract is of inestimable importance for the future. The long-term security of the Austrian Grand Prix will trigger further investment in infrastructure and means tremendous added value for the Murtal region, for Styria and for Austria."
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Formula 1 to race in Austria through to 2041 with contract extension
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, talks on his smartphone before free practice at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo. David Davies/PA Wire/dpa The Austrian Grand Prix will remain on the Formula One calendar through to 2041 following a long-term extension to its contract, F1 said in a statement ahead of this year's race on Sunday. "Austria has long been an incredibly special race for Formula 1 so it's fantastic we have secured the long-term future of a Grand Prix so deeply rooted in the sport's history," F1 president Stefano Domenicali said. Advertisement The event has appeared on the calendar 37 times, with the first race taking place in 1964. The current venue Red Bull Ring first hosted the event in 1970. The circuit dropped off the calendar in 2004, but in 2010 the late Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz invested in the Red Bull Ring, funding renovations that revitalized the facility and led to its return in 2014. "The vision and passion of Dietrich Mateschitz gave the race the investment and attention that allowed it to return as an incredible event on the Formula 1 calendar," Domenicali said. Four drivers from the current grid have also claimed victory in Austria: Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and George Russell. For Sunday's race, Lando Norris of McLaren will start on pole position.
Hamilton Spectator
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Austria to stay on Formula 1 calendar through 2041 after contract extension
SPIELBERG, Austria (AP) — The Austrian Grand Prix is set to stay on the Formula 1 schedule until 2041 after a long-term extension was announced Sunday for the race at the Red Bull Ring. Austria already had a contract through 2030, agreed two years ago, and the new extension sees it match the Miami Grand Prix as the only F1 events contracted into the 2040s. The Austrian Grand Prix is closely connected with Red Bull's presence in F1. The Red Bull company's co-founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, who died in 2022, funded the renovations that allowed it to return to the calendar in 2014 after an 11-year absence, and rebranded it as the Red Bull Ring. 'I am delighted that Formula 1 will remain at the Red Bull Ring for many years to come,' his son Mark Mateschitz said in a statement Sunday. 'I am proud to continue my father's legacy and to preserve the rich history of motor racing in (the region of) Styria and at the Red Bull Ring – with and, above all, for the people of the region. Austria's close ties to Formula 1 are an excellent foundation for our long-term partnership. Working together, we intend to continue this success story for many years to come.' It continues a trend by F1 of planning for decades to come with unusually long deals for certain circuits. The Canadian Grand Prix was extended to 2035 earlier this month, while Miami got its extension through 2041 last month. Other Grands Prix with more than a decade to run on their contracts are Bahrain, which agreed a deal in 2022 that is valid through 2036, and the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne has an agreement through 2037. ___ AP auto racing:
Winnipeg Free Press
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Winnipeg Free Press
Austria to stay on Formula 1 calendar through 2041 after contract extension
SPIELBERG, Austria (AP) — The Austrian Grand Prix is set to stay on the Formula 1 schedule until 2041 after a long-term extension was announced Sunday for the race at the Red Bull Ring. Austria already had a contract through 2030, agreed two years ago, and the new extension sees it match the Miami Grand Prix as the only F1 events contracted into the 2040s. The Austrian Grand Prix is closely connected with Red Bull's presence in F1. The Red Bull company's co-founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, who died in 2022, funded the renovations that allowed it to return to the calendar in 2014 after an 11-year absence, and rebranded it as the Red Bull Ring. 'I am delighted that Formula 1 will remain at the Red Bull Ring for many years to come,' his son Mark Mateschitz said in a statement Sunday. 'I am proud to continue my father's legacy and to preserve the rich history of motor racing in (the region of) Styria and at the Red Bull Ring – with and, above all, for the people of the region. Austria's close ties to Formula 1 are an excellent foundation for our long-term partnership. Working together, we intend to continue this success story for many years to come.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. It continues a trend by F1 of planning for decades to come with unusually long deals for certain circuits. The Canadian Grand Prix was extended to 2035 earlier this month, while Miami got its extension through 2041 last month. Other Grands Prix with more than a decade to run on their contracts are Bahrain, which agreed a deal in 2022 that is valid through 2036, and the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne has an agreement through 2037. ___ AP auto racing:
