Latest news with #HungarianGrandPrix
The Guardian
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Toto Wolff confirms Mercedes are again considering swoop for Max Verstappen
Toto Wolff has confirmed Mercedes are once more considering a move to tempt the four-time world champion Max Verstappen, with a place potentially available at the team from next season as George Russell has yet to have his contract renewed for 2026. Russell had revealed on Thursday that Mercedes were interested in Verstappen, stating: 'It's only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing.' Wolff was then faced with a barrage of questions on the subject when the Mercedes team principal addressed the press at the Austrian Grand Prix and ultimately acknowledged that the team were indeed investigating options with the Dutch driver and suggested that talks were taking place. 'As a team principal responsible for the best car brand in the world it is clear you're exploring what a four-time world champion is going to do in the future,' he said. Verstappen is contracted with Red Bull until 2028 but is understood to have performance-related exit options available to him if he is outside the top four by the summer break that falls after the Hungarian Grand Prix. He is currently third. Wolff was open in his previous pursuit of Verstappen until the middle of last season when the Dutch driver committed to staying at Red Bull and Mercedes signed Kimi Antonelli on a multiyear deal. In Austria, Wolff insisted he did not want to hide any negotiations from his drivers. 'What we are trying to do in the team is be transparent,' he said. 'You can choose to hold things under wraps, or do what we've done in the last 20 years I've been here is putting it out there and saying this is the situation. These drivers are clever people and they talk to each other. 'I'm saying it how it is and there's no such thing as saying we are going to sign Max, because it's so far away that it's not realistic at that stage. So with George, we talk about everything.' Verstappen did not deny talks were taking place when asked. 'I don't think we need to talk about that,' he 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.' Last year when faced with the same questions at this race, Verstappen emphatically confirmed he would remain at Red Bull. His team have brought upgrades to the Red Bull Ring, hopeful they might improve his fortunes, but it was Russell who was quickest in first practice in Spielberg, while McLaren's Lando Norris, also boasting upgrades, topped the time sheets in the second session in what is something of a big weekend for the British driver. Intensely self-critical, Norris will have subjected himself to no little soul-searching in the two weeks since he climbed disconsolately from his stricken car at the Canadian Grand Prix after hitting his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion The clash was considered inevitable at some point between the two drivers vying for the world championship but its implications have far more import for Norris. The Briton was attempting to pass Piastri in Montreal, clipped the Australian's car and clattered off into the pit wall, his race over. He held his hands up immediately, his contrition clear even, as McLaren had already all but acknowledged it was a matter of when not if the two finally came together, given the team's stance on allowing their drivers to race one another. Yet for McLaren there has been no panic and certainly no sudden imposition of restrictions curtailing their drivers' freedom to compete. Having dealt with it, it is business as usual. For Norris, however, it represents a bruising reminder of quite what is at stake and the intensifying pressure on him to deliver if he is to retain his world championship ambitions. With 10 races gone he trails Piastri by 22 points and while it is far from an insurmountable gap with 14 meetings to go, of more concern is that the form is overwhelmingly with the Australian. Norris had begun as favourite and had taken victory in the season opener in Australia, where Piastri made his only major mistake thus far, spinning off in sudden, treacherous rain in Melbourne. Since when and until Canada, the Australian enjoyed a run of eight consecutive top-three finishes including five wins. Norris's performances in contrast have been peppered with minor errors and some more costly, including Canada and crashing out of qualifying in Saudi Arabia. 'Lando himself will have to show his character to overcome this kind of episode,' said the team principal, Andrea Stella, and Austria is a chance for Norris to reset and reassert at a key moment for the 25-year-old.
New York Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
Watch Brad Pitt Burn Rubber in ‘F1'
In 'Anatomy of a Scene,' we ask directors to reveal the secrets that go into making key scenes in their movies. See new episodes in the series on Fridays. You can also watch our collection of more than 150 videos on YouTube and subscribe to our YouTube channel. While the racing is as swift as the camerawork in 'F1,' this particular scene is built on a pause. That moment of stasis takes place during the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2023. Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a veteran driver, has been recruited by the owner of a floundering Formula One team. And Sonny's style is at odds with that of his team principal, Kaspar Smolinski, (Kim Bodnia). Here, Sonny loses a tire and needs to go into the pit. 'So much of the strategy is built around tire compounds,' the film's director, Joseph Kosinski, said during an interview in New York. 'And at this particular race in Hungary, which tends to be a very hot race, you want a harder tire compound that's going to last more laps.' 'But Sonny has a different plan in mind,' Kosinski continued, 'which is to try to create a safety car situation. And in order to have as much control and grip as possible, he's asking for a soft tire because he knows he's going to only need it for a lap or two anyway.' Sonny asks for the soft tires as he pulls into the pit, but Kaspar insists on hard ones. When the soft tires are put on, Sonny won't move, creating the scene's most tense moment of conflict. 'You get to see the two forces coming together: the team principal, who wants to stick with the plan they all discussed, and Sonny Hayes coming in with a plan of his own that he hasn't shared with anyone, and it makes for this great scene between Brad Pitt and Kim Bodnia.' Read the 'F1' review. Sign up for the Movies Update newsletter and get a roundup of reviews, news, Critics' Picks and more.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Hungaroring Undergoes Renovation Ahead of Hungarian Grand Prix
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. The Hungarian Grand Prix underwent renovations over the past year, transforming the track ahead of the 2025 race. The refurbished circuit's changes focussed on the grandstands, giving the spectators a better view. There is a new terrace and commentator booths, along with a new media center. The new adjustments provide a different view, which gives a better angle for those in attendance while giving the infrastructure a modern touch. Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W15 battle for track position round turn two... Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W15 battle for track position round turn two at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 21, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. More Photo byCEO of the Hungaroring Zsolt Gyulay touted the changes as putting the track on par with the newer tracks recently developed. "The goal was to replace the outdated infrastructure with a modern, efficiently operated pit building that meets all professional requirements of motorsport," Gyulay told Additionally, the track authorities announced a new building that can hold 40 garages, administrative offices, a terrace, and a new storage facility. This building is meant to provide a hub for race officials, the teams, and special guests. "Starting next year, we will have a main building that meets all standards—not only for automotive and motorsport events, but also for conferences and large-scale gatherings," he added. They plan to finish the building in April 2026. The outside of the building is already done, though the interior still needs work. The Hungaroring was built in the mid-1980s and held its first race around the same time. It is a purpose-built track, meaning it stays a racing course all year round. The track hasn't gone through major changes since its inception, but now it is getting some much-needed investment. Given its long history in motorsport, the track is a hotspot for the country and generates a ton of revenue, according to Hungarian State Secretary for Sport, Ádám Schmidt. "The circuit and the Hungarian Grand Prix have become integral parts of Hungary's recent history," Schmidt said. "The event arrived with the winds of political change and over the decades has justifiably become a favorite venue for the stars of the F1 circus. "The Hungarian Grand Prix is typically the most attended sporting event in Hungary. Last year, over 300,000 people visited the circuit, with around 80 per cent of spectators arriving from abroad. "The total GDP impact of hosting the event exceeds 26 billion forints [$74.4 million]. "Every single forint [Hungarian currency] invested by the government into the Hungaroring has generated more than one and a half forints of revenue for the Hungarian economy." Formula 1's deal with the Hungarian race runs until at least 2032. The track has security heading into the foreseeable future, though upgrades like this will help the race stay on schedule going forward.
Metro
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Fans convinced F1 icon 'cursed' Lando Norris before Canadian Grand Prix crash
Lando Norris crashed out of the Canadian Grand Prix and lost valuable points in the Formula 1 title race with Oscar Piastri – but was he cursed? George Russell impressively won from pole in Montreal on Sunday ahead of Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli – the 18-year-old's first F1 podium. There was late drama at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as Norris attempted to overtake McLaren teammate Piastri but misjudged a gap and ended up colliding with the Australian and a wall. The Brit was immediately out of the race but Piastri was able to continue and took the chequered flag in fourth-place, extending his championship lead over Norris to 22 points. Norris took full responsibility for the collision, saying he 'made a fool' of himself, but some fans believe an F1 champion may have actually jinxed the crash… 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg has garnered a reputation for seemingly inflicting bad luck on drivers and teams via the power of… selfies. On numerous occasions, the German has posted selfies with a driver's car ahead of a race or thrown his support behind a certain team, only for them to endure a miserable grand prix. For example, prior to qualifying for the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, Rosberg posted from the Red Bull garage, only for Verstappen to fail to claim pole position. The following day, he took a selfie with polesitter Lewis Hamilton's car and in the race the Mercedes man lost the lead before the first corner and finished fourth. In Canada, Rosberg avoided taking a picture of any cars but instead posted a selfie of himself on the start grid… in the exact spot that Norris and Piastri collided – something fans immediately noticed. 'The curse of Nico Rosberg lives on,' one Reddit user stated, while another added: 'Seriously this has to be studied. There's no way there can be this much coincidence.' 'His powers are too dangerous to go unchecked. How can we harness this power?' one fan jokingly asked. 'Bro cursed the guy right there,' was one comment on Instagram, while another read: 'I'm back from lap 67. BRO DID CURSE TURN 1.' Norris instantly accepted full responsibility for the collision, which could have major ramifications on the title race, saying: 'I didn't expect to pass Oscar on the outside into Turn One. It's just, I should never have gone for it, I guess is my complete hindsight thing. 'I thought he was starting to drift a little bit to the right, so I thought I had a small opportunity to go to the left. But it was way too much risk, especially on my team-mate. 'So, happy nothing happened to him. I paid the price for my mistake. 'Our rule number one is to not make contact with your team-mate and it's what I did. McLaren is my family. I race for them, you know, every single weekend. 'I try and do well for them, more than I often try and do well for myself. So, when I let them down like this and when I make a fool of myself in a moment like today, yeah, I have a lot of regret. 'I've let down the team. So, that's going to stay with me for a little while. But at the same time, part of moving on is trying to put it behind you and crack on with the next weekend.' Rosberg, who has previously acknowledged the curse's existence, is fearful that the mistakes are building up for Norris, telling Sky Sports: 'Lando did an amazing first lunge into the hairpin, that was beautiful. More Trending 'Then afterwards it was just very strange the mistake that Lando made. Super super strange. 'It's just one more mistake of the many, and this is a big mistake. He really committed, he doesn't back off or anything, he just stays full on throttle which is also a bit strange. 'The thing is that it also becomes a little bit traumatic at some point because you also start spiralling negatively down and down. You get this reputation of 'I'm making mistakes, I'm not good enough, I'm making mistakes' and it starts to get to you in your head. 'I've been through this and it gets really dark and especially when you make a mistake like today where everybody can see it and you hit your teammate. It's difficult for Lando to get out of that one.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Max Verstappen issues statement with F1 champion at risk of race ban MORE: Oscar Piastri wins Spanish Grand Prix after Max Verstappen crashes into George Russell MORE: What time is the F1 Spanish Grand Prix today? Starting grid and how to watch
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Haas driver Esteban Ocon says it's frustrating in his place: 'When I look back on all the other drivers of my generation…'
Image credit: Esteban Ocon/Instagram Esteban Ocon moved from Alpine to Haas this season but is yet to secure a podium for his new team. It seems the Formula 1 driver is now getting a bit impatient and restless while feeling the absence of a race-winning car. He is from the generation of Max Verstappen, who is already the reigning number one champion and, this year too, is aiming for a championship win with two victories in his kitty already. This is making Ocon even more frustrated. Esteban Ocon on his desire to have a race-winning car Sharing his feelings on falling short of what's needed for a race win or at least a shot at the podium, Esteban Ocon told in an interview, "It is frustrating, yes, when I look back on all the other drivers of my generation, they've all had a shot at a race-winning car at one point.' 'I'm probably the only one who's never really had the chance to drive one of these cars, but I believe with the right work ethic, how much I put into questioning myself, what I can do better. The amount of work I put in, between the factory, the simulator, with the engineers, and doing a good job on track, it will eventually come at one point,' he added. The Haas driver is still waiting for a race-winning car like Ferrari while currently standing in 10th position in the 2025 Formula 1 Driver Standings with 20 points. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos Portal Saúde do Homem Clique aqui Undo "I believe it will come, otherwise, I wouldn't be here trying so hard. It is good to be here fighting in the midfield, but my aim is to be fighting for wins, poles, and championships in the future, or championships at least once. But at the moment, it is not where we are, and we need to be doing the best to score points every race if we can," he said. Also Read: Lewis Hamilton is the Formula 1 driver with the most wins – here's the full list During his time with Alpine, Esteban Ocon won the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. He took the third spot on the podium at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2023 and the second spot at the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. This year, he is yet to score a podium with Haas.
