Latest news with #HaasF1Team
Newsweek
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Haas F1 Team Receives Purchase Offers: 'Really pushing'
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. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has opened up on the numerous offers people made in the last 18 months to purchase the American outfit, with some even "pushing" to seal a deal, as Haas enters its tenth year in Formula One. He also highlighted the role of team owner Gene Haas and his dedication to keeping the team on the F1 grid. Komatsu has been a part of Haas since its F1 journey began in 2016, standing by through its highs and lows. The team witnessed huge challenges in the Covid-19-affected year of 2020, with struggles continuing through to the 2023 season when Haas finished last in the Constructors' Championship. Then-team principal Guenther Steiner was ousted ahead of the 2024 season, the year in which Haas witnessed significant progress under Komatsu. The managerial changes and failures from 2023 prompted several parties to approach Gene with offers to buy the team. However, Komatsu emphasized that Gene is passionate about F1 and has no interest in selling the team. Haas F1 Team's British driver Oliver Bearman takes part in the first practice session ahead of the Formula One British Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England, on July 4,... Haas F1 Team's British driver Oliver Bearman takes part in the first practice session ahead of the Formula One British Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England, on July 4, 2025. More BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images Opening up on his upcoming run with Gene at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in a Haas VF-23 F1 car to celebrate the team's tenth anniversary, Komatsu said ahead of the British GP: "This year when he [Gene] came to Miami, I could see that he actually enjoyed just being there. "He always asks lots of technical questions because he's interested, but that hasn't changed. On top of that, he was just enjoying the occasion. "I thought, wow, I'm going to ask him if he wants to drive in Goodwood. He didn't know much about Goodwood, but now he's driving, he read about it, and he's really excited for him to again experience things like that." Addressing the pushy offers that came Gene's way to acquire Haas, Komatsu added: "Honestly, he's seen lots of changes. He's so engaged now. He understands the details as well. What's the best way to put it? He's always been very passionate about the sport and the result. He always wants us to improve, which is what we need from the owner. He was always behind us. "I don't know everything, but in the last 18 months he's had numerous offers to buy the team. He's not interested. He really enjoys being the owner of the F1 team. Currently one out of 10, from next year one out of 11. That's such a privileged position to be in. "He came in at a time when F1 wasn't like this. He stuck with us during such a difficult period of COVID. Now he's enjoying it. "Honestly, Gene's so committed. He's coming here [to Silverstone], obviously. He's arriving Friday or tomorrow and then staying for Goodwood. He's enjoying it. That's the main thing. "We are grateful that we have such a passionate owner, so committed. He's not interested in selling at all. I can tell you recently I had some people really pushing to buy it, [Gene's] not interested. He got even annoyed that these guys are asking so many times."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Oliver Bearman slapped with 10-place grid drop for F1 Monaco GP
Oliver Bearman has been hit with a 10-place grid penalty for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix after overtaking Carlos Sainz under red flag conditions during second practice. The Haas Formula 1 rookie overtook the Williams driver at La Rascasse after the session was red-flagged early on for Oscar Piastri's crash at Sainte Devote. Advertisement According to an FIA report, Haas informed Bearman 'rather late' and 'just before the overtake happened', but video footage showed a light panel directly in front of him at the time. 'The dashboard also indicated the red flag well before the overtake took place,' the report added. 'The regulations require the drivers to 'immediately' reduce speed and proceed slowly back to their respective pits. The same regulations caution drivers of the fact that in a red flag situation, 'overtaking is forbidden' and that drivers should 'remember that race and service vehicles may be on the track'. 'The driver claimed that he saw the red flags but decided not to slow down abruptly because he felt that slowing down abruptly would have been more dangerous and that what he did was a safer way of handling the situation. Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Advertisement 'We disagreed with his decision to not take steps to slow down sufficiently to avoid overtaking another car and instead proceeding slowly back to the pits, as required. 'The whole purpose of requiring drivers to slow down immediately is for safety – they will not know what is in front of them or the reason for the red flag being shown. This is particularly so in a track like Monaco. 'In the circumstances, there is no mitigating factor for the fact that he overtook a car under a red flag and we therefore imposed a penalty of a 10 grid place drop for the Race and 2 penalty points.' It comes after Bearman had finished 15th in both Friday practice sessions, causing the 20-year-old to admit it was a 'tough' day but was positive for the rest of the weekend. Advertisement 'We did a good step with the car from FP1 to FP2 and I was pretty happy with the balance,' Bearman told F1TV. 'We tried to short run the medium and see how its performance was across one lap and it seemed pretty robust. 'We need to see where we stand because I did my performance laps on medium, which was quite different to some of the others. I think there's some good signs from today and let's hope to build on them and improve tomorrow.' Photos from Monaco GP - Practice Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Clive Rose / Getty Images Clive Rose / Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes, Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes, Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Juan Pablo Montoya Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Juan Pablo Montoya Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Pierre Gasly, Alpine Pierre Gasly, Alpine Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor of Alpine F1 talks with Lawrence Stroll, Owner of Aston Martin F1 Team. Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor of Alpine F1 talks with Lawrence Stroll, Owner of Aston Martin F1 Team. Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Laura Mueller, Race Engineer of Haas Laura Mueller, Race Engineer of Haas Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Red Bull Racing front wing detail Red Bull Racing front wing detail Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Pierre Gasly, Alpine Pierre Gasly, Alpine Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images A marshal looks down the pit lane A marshal looks down the pit lane Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Clive Rose / Getty Images Clive Rose / Getty Images Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool George Russell, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Bryn Lennon - Getty Images Bryn Lennon - Getty Images Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool George Russell, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Andy Hone / Motorsport Images George Russell, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Kym Illman / Getty Images Kym Illman / Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Alexander Albon, Williams Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Alexander Albon, Williams Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Alexander Albon, Williams Alexander Albon, Williams Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images Read Also: Oscar Piastri: McLaren has pace for F1 Monaco GP despite "very messy" Friday To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rivals at odds over who caused first-lap crash in Saudi Arabian GP
Motorsport photo Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly have both refused to accept the blame for causing a race-ending crash for each driver in Jeddah. Tsunoda's Red Bull made contact with the Alpine of Gasly at Turn 4 on the opening lap of the race. Advertisement It was one of a series of exciting manoeuvres on lap one, with race winner Oscar Piastri tangling with Max Verstappen at the front, earning the Dutchman a five-second time penalty. Pierre Gasly, Alpine Pierre Gasly, Alpine Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Meanwhile Gasly, who was seventh last time out in Bahrain in a positive result for the Frenchman, said he was also not to blame. He said: 'There's no need to say too much about it. I know him. It was never intentional but on my side, I had a good line coming into Turn 4, I could brake quite late and try and leave as much space as I could on the outside of Turn 4. 'So I already have the car pass the white line. I had to keep my two wheels inside the track to make sure the pass was done. Advertisement 'I mean, at the end of the day, it's a tiny touch, but it's just a shame it's put a stop to both of our races.' Photos from Saudi Arabian GP - Race Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Alexandra Saint Mleux Alexandra Saint Mleux Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Peter Fox - Getty Images Peter Fox - Getty Images Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of SAMF with Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of SAMF with Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Jack Doohan, Alpine Jack Doohan, Alpine Peter Fox - Getty Images Peter Fox - Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Carlos Sainz, Williams, Alexander Albon, Williams Carlos Sainz, Williams, Alexander Albon, Williams Peter Fox - Getty Images Peter Fox - Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Peter Fox - Getty Images Peter Fox - Getty Images Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Peter Fox - Getty Images Peter Fox - Getty Images Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Lars Baron Lars Baron Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal, Ferrari Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal, Ferrari Colin McMaster Colin McMaster Mario Isola, Director of Pirelli Mario Isola, Director of Pirelli Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Flavio Briatore, Alpine Flavio Briatore, Alpine Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Andy Cowell, Aston Martin Racing Andy Cowell, Aston Martin Racing Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Giuseppe Cacace - AFP - Getty Images Giuseppe Cacace - AFP - Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Alex Pantling - Formula 1 Alex Pantling - Formula 1 Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Alex Pantling - Formula 1 Alex Pantling - Formula 1 Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Alex Pantling - Formula 1 Alex Pantling - Formula 1 Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Gabriel Bouys - AFP - Getty Images Gabriel Bouys - AFP - Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes Lars Baron Lars Baron Pierre Gasly, Alpine Pierre Gasly, Alpine Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Carlos Sainz, Williams Lando Norris, McLaren, Carlos Sainz, Williams Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Williams Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Williams Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Jack Doohan, Alpine Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Jack Doohan, Alpine Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images George Russell, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team, Alexander Albon, Williams Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team, Alexander Albon, Williams Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Carlos Sainz, Williams Carlos Sainz, Williams Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Williams, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Williams, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Zak Brown, McLaren Zak Brown, McLaren Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Lars Baron Lars Baron Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Lars Baron Lars Baron Zak Brown, McLaren Zak Brown, McLaren Peter Fox - Getty Images Peter Fox - Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLaren Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lars Baron Lars Baron Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Peter Fox - Getty Images Peter Fox - Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Lars Baron Lars Baron Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lars Baron Lars Baron Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Lars Baron Lars Baron Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Lars Baron Lars Baron Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Lars Baron - Motorsport Images Lars Baron - Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Peter Fox - Getty Images Peter Fox - Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lars Baron - Motorsport Images Lars Baron - Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Zak Brown, McLaren Zak Brown, McLaren Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pierre Gasly predicts 'difficult' Saudi Arabian GP for Alpine
Motorsport photo Such are the political sensitivities embedded in the Alpine team's Anglo-French make-up that the shortcomings in the engine bay represent a weakness that dare not speak its name. 'You know I can't answer that question' was Pierre Gasly's polite but firm reply in Jeddah when asked to account for how much of the difference in Alpine's performance in Japan (where Gasly finished 13th) and Bahrain (where he was seventh) was down to car balance, and how much to power unit performance. Advertisement 'The reality is this is the package we have and this package allowed us to fight for a good position in Bahrain. And I think this is what we need to build on. 'There are still areas where we can do better. There are things we can change, there are other things we can't change.' Gasly did concede that the Saudi Arabian street circuit is one on which Alpine might face a struggle. A picture is emerging from the races so far of the A525 is a relatively benign and well-balanced car, which thrives in flowing medium-speed areas but is held back by the power unit's hybrid system running out of electrical charge on the straights. At Suzuka, this manifested itself by Gasly being as quick as the frontrunners through the flowing 'S' curves at the beginning of the lap, then losing ground between the hairpin and 'Spoon' corner, then again on the run to 130R. By the same token, the long straights of the Shanghai circuit – where neither Alpine driver troubled the top 10 – brutally punished the car. Advertisement The Jeddah track has relatively few sections that are perfectly straight, but has a profusion of high-speed corners taken flat, or nearly flat. It also has relatively few hard stops, which has implications for the amount of electrical energy that can be harvested under braking – even more critical for Alpine given the Renault PU is known to be less efficient in this area than rivals. Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Clive Mason - Getty Images Clive Mason - Getty Images 'We know there are tracks where potentially things could be a bit more tricky and a bit more difficult for us,' said Gasly. 'But then at the same time, we know what we fight with and this is what we've got. Advertisement 'And we've got to go to fight with what we have. So yeah, I think on paper we know this track is quite sensitive to it [the limitation on electrical deployment]. 'But now it's up to us to try to be as competitive as we can and, hopefully, we can still make something out of this weekend.' The team is still digesting the lessons from a Bahrain weekend where the A525 was fast enough to qualify in the top 10 on a circuit where the abrasive track surface exerts a toll on the tyres and the efficiency of the underbody aerodynamics. Alpine had shown well at the pre-season test there – but other teams that had come away from the test in a positive frame of mind underperformed relative to their expectations last weekend, potentially as a result of the hotter ambient temperatures. 'In the winter test I think we saw the car was working well in Bahrain,' said Gasly. Advertisement 'Obviously that was the only sample we had at the time so we thought we would be able to reproduce that sort of performance in the first few weekends, which wasn't quite the same. It's not like we were miles off – like in Australia we still managed to get to Q3, came short of it in Suzuka, but generally it didn't feel quite as good. Read Also: Alpine's 12-month F1 turnaround: P20 to P4 on Bahrain GP grid Pierre Gasly eyes 2026 F1 championship: "I could be world champion" Five things to watch out for at the Saudi Arabian GP 'And then going back to Bahrain sort of put the car back to what I felt there. So, it's more in terms of analysis, which obviously in a few days is quite difficult to get all these answers. Advertisement 'But I think over the next few weeks before Miami, hopefully we can get a better understanding on why the car in these conditions worked the way it did and what somehow didn't really favour us in the first few races.' To read more articles visit our website.
New York Times
11-04-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
Will Trump's tariffs hurt Formula One's new and existing teams? It's complicated
Tariffs issued by U.S. President Donald Trump wreaked havoc on domestic and global economies as countries and industries worldwide grapple with the potential burden. While he suddenly reversed his decision on Wednesday and lowered several of the hefty duties on most countries, a 25 percent tariff on automotive imports remains. However, the trade war between the U.S. and China continues to escalate, as the administration announced increased retaliatory tariffs. Advertisement Businesses worldwide are determining what to do and what will happen with these tariffs in place, and motorsport series such as Formula One are no different. Haas Automation, which is owned by Gene Haas and is the primary sponsor of the Haas F1 Team, said in a statement earlier this week that it 'is in the process of studying the full impact of tariffs on our operations.' A spokesperson for the Haas F1 team, however, said ahead of this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix that there is 'no impact to the team' and insisted it is 'business as usual.' But questions remain about what these tariffs could mean for F1 and the teams in the long term. The sporting side may largely be insulated from the impact, but could the sport be susceptible to the global financial market? Similar to how the market is subject to change, it is unclear overall precisely how much the tariffs could impact F1 teams in the short and long run, especially considering it's unknown how long the tariffs will be in place and whether they will increase or decrease. But here are the big questions the global sport faces as we explain the tariffs and the potential complications. Tariffs are essentially taxes on imported goods. On March 26, the Trump administration imposed 25 percent tariffs on 'automobiles and certain automobile parts.' The president invoked Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the president to adjust imports if 'an article is being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten or impair the national security,' according to the statute. The administration's March announcement stated that the automobile industry in the U.S. 'is vital to national security and has been undermined by excessive imports threatening America's domestic industrial base and supply chains.' Advertisement The president has claimed his tariff policy will correct years of what he sees as unfair treatment by other nations, resulting in factories and jobs coming back to the United States. While some tariffs on most countries will be subject to a 90-day freeze, automobile and auto parts tariffs are not included at this time. As for what is impacted by the 25 percent tariffs, the list is wide-ranging. The White House did note that the tariffs can be expanded. The 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles went into effect on Thursday, April 3, and the tariff on the automobile parts imported into the U.S. is expected to be in effect by May 3. The Trump administration previously stated that vehicles and parts that comply with the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade agreement between the three countries, will be tariff-free. The American Automotive Policy Council, which represents Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Stellantis, released a statement from President Matt Blunt on March 26 in response to the Trump administration's automotive tariffs. Blunt said, in part, it was 'critical that tariffs are implemented in a way that avoids raising prices for consumers and that preserves the competitiveness of the integrated North American automotive sector that has been a key success of the President's USMCA agreement.' It's worth remembering that Liberty Media, an American company, owns F1. But looking deeper into the sport, there are numerous American sponsors, an American team currently competing on the grid (Haas), another squad joining next year that will be headquartered in Indiana (Cadillac), and three races that are stateside — Miami, Austin and Las Vegas. The supply chain is one area under considerable scrutiny, as it is not publicly known what materials and parts are shipped in and out of the United States when it comes to building F1 cars. The tariffs could mean Cadillac and Haas, plus Ford's deal with Red Bull regarding engine supply from 2026, may be more vulnerable than other teams that are run only in Europe. Despite Haas stating that the tariffs won't impact the F1 operation, its parent company, Haas Automation, will take a significant hit. Haas Automation released a statement on Wednesday detailing the early impact of the tariffs, including 'a dramatic decrease in demand for our machine tools from both domestic and foreign customers.' The company subsequently cut overtime at its Oxnard, California, manufacturing plant, stopped hiring, placed 'new employment requisitions on hold,' and reduced production. Advertisement Haas Automation acknowledged the 'tariffs will have a significant impact' on its business but expressed optimism that the current administration would 'come up with solutions to provide relief for U.S. manufacturers.' The Oxnard plant employs 1,700 people and there are factory outlets across the country. But there are concerns beyond the U.S market. 'Haas Automation is particularly concerned about the potential reduction of tariffs on machine tools from certain countries, such as Japan, Taiwan, and Korea, without a corresponding reduction in tariff rates for imported raw materials and components into the U.S,' the company said in its statement. Haas Automation and other similar companies use such raw materials to make their own products in the United States. 'Such a scenario would be catastrophic to the $5 billion U.S. machine tool industry, which is a key component of U.S. national security.' Haas Automation also detailed that machine tools are essential parts of the American manufacturing infrastructure. It's worth noting that Haas Automation also has a significant Chinese market and the tariff standoff between the U.S. and China continues to escalate. China increased its tariffs on America to 84 percent and Trump responded on April 9 by increasing the tariff on imports from the Asian country to 145 percent. The natural question arising from this concerns what it means for the Haas F1 operation, its development plan and recruiting process. According to Haas, there's no change to those areas. To an extent, the team saying it's business as usual seems correct for now, as the F1 operation is an independent company under the Haas umbrella. But F1 teams are generally marketing vehicles for companies, such as Aston Martin or Red Bull. It raises the profiles of businesses and car manufacturers globally, which was the primary reason Gene Haas decided to enter F1 in 2016. Advertisement Earlier this year, Haas F1 team principal Ayao Komatsu revealed this season will be the first that Gene Haas hasn't had 'to put his money in' to help the team's budget, thanks to additional prize money earned last year and new sponsorship cash from Toyota. Haas and the Japanese car manufacturer announced a technical partnership in 2024. But not all of the car manufacturers in F1 are involved in the U.S. market. Renault hasn't sold cars stateside since the 1980s, making these tariffs less of a worry when funding its F1 team (Alpine), beyond overall additional financial constraints amid the turbulent global economy. These two American car manufacturers are entering F1 next season in different capacities. Ford has a strategic partnership with Red Bull to build engines under the new regulations from 2026 until at least 2030. According to the car manufacturer, it provides 'expertise in areas including battery cell and electric motor technology as well as power unit control software and analytics.' The engine, though, is being built in Milton Keynes, England, with Red Bull keeping a majority of the development in-house at its Red Bull Powertrains division. Meanwhile, General Motors is entering the F1 scene with its Cadillac brand becoming the 11th team on the 2026 grid, and the team will operate from three locations — Silverstone, England; Fishers, Indiana; and Charlotte, North Carolina. Cadillac F1 headquarters will be in Fishers, Indiana, but its European base will be at Silverstone — and that facility is already up and running. Operating within 'Motorsport Valley' in the UK and using a customer Ferrari engine in its early years on the grid could provide Cadillac with some insulation from the tariffs. However, Cadillac has remained firm about being an American motorsports team. It remains to be seen what the potential impact could be on these operations, if there is any at all. The future health of the U.S. automobile industry could influence matters. Ford and Cadillac have yet to respond to The Athletic's request for comment. F1 has been here before relatively recently and in similar circumstances. The current global market slump echoes the decline from the Global Financial Crisis of the late 2000s. Back then, in response to severe ensuing financial constraints, several major car manufacturers pulled out of their team-owning F1 commitments (Honda, BMW, Toyota) or reduced their stake in a squad (Renault). Advertisement As mentioned, F1 team ownership or sponsorship models are huge marketing strategies for car manufacturers. Such initiatives, therefore, come under threat – if not cancelled outright, as 2008-2009 showed – if companies are forced to make major budget cutbacks. In some markets specific to F1, the automotive industry was already suffering significantly even before tariffs joined the agenda. For instance, Germany, which has one team entry from Mercedes and will get another with Audi joining in 2026. Audi owner Volkswagen only reached a late deal to avert major factory closures and forced layoffs in Germany in late 2024 after a huge drop in profits, via an agreement to cut more than 35,000 jobs over the coming years to 2030. Luxury car brands involved in F1 are also under significant pressure from the 25 percent tariffs on imported cars coming into the U.S, plus the similar tariff coming on importing car parts. Ferrari, for instance, has committed to absorbing the tariff-related costs for three of its models sold in the U.S. – the Ferrari 296, SF90 and Roma – but warned that to stay on track for its financial targets in 2025, prices for its other cars will go up by 10 percent. While Ferrari is the only team that has competed in F1 since the world championship began in 1950 and is worth so much that its continued participation is considered generally fixed, these numbers illustrate the problems facing the Italian team and nearly all its rivals right now when margins are threatened. Plummeting stock prices are also relevant to Liberty Media, which owns F1's commercial rights, and the Formula One Management company that runs the championship. Both are traded primarily on the Nasdaq stock exchange as FWONA and FWONK. As with so much of this developing tariff story, the full implications can't yet be known. F1's Europe-centric operations should, in any case, provide a degree of insulation from the specific market impacts of tariffs, given that the teams build their cars at source. The competitors are also in a much stronger financial state than during the Global Financial Crisis. Advertisement Much of this has to do with how F1's cost cap rules have contributed to inflating teams' worth north of $1 billion, for all squads. This limits spending on car design and production to $135 million for all teams bar Haas, which has a lower limit of $120 million as it outsources much of this process to other companies. The rules are an attempt to create competitive parity between the teams. At the very least, this is a topic that is not going to disappear fast.
