Latest news with #RedBullRacing
New York Times
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
Is Austria F1's most beautiful track? Plus, Norris leads early at the Red Bull Ring
Prime Tire Newsletter | This is The Athletic's twice-weekly F1 newsletter. Sign up here to receive Prime Tire directly in your inbox on Tuesday and Friday. Welcome back to Prime Tire, where today we're going to celebrate something wonderful in Formula One. I'm Alex, and Luke Smith will be along later. The hills are alive with the sounds of Styria. F1 sounds, in fact, as the current V6 hybrid engines make their final appearance at this glorious track. The deeper, flatter engine notes the current cars produce compared to previous eras may not be one of every F1 fan's favorite things, but the sights of the Austrian Grand Prix venue are surely up there. Advertisement There's just something great about the Red Bull Ring, or the Österreichring, as it was, or even the A1-Ring for F1 fans of the 1990s and early 2000s. It mainly comes down to the track's stunning location in central Stryia, where the undulating topography has the drivers feeling like they're climbing (and descending) a mountain every lap. Ringed by proper peaks, here fans can see the cars at multiple places around the track from just a single vantage point. It's a stunning location for a race track. Now then, all together… 🎶 Doe — deer have made famous appearances at this place (nearly tragically for Stefan Johansson in 1987 and more amusingly for Juan Pablo Montoya in 2001). 🎶 Ray — the track gets plenty of golden sun during the summer months, but the altitude can have rain coming down thunderously very quickly. 🎶 Me — I've been twice, to cover Formula Two in 2017 when Charles Leclerc ran riot for Prema Racing and again in 2023, when Max Verstappen did likewise for the home F1 team. 🎶 Fa-r — over 120 miles from the Austrian capital Vienna, to be precise. But it's a lovely drive down the Autobahn, in and out of many mountain-hewn tunnels. 🎶 Sew — I guess those lederhosen outfits Red Bull and Mercedes wheel out fairly regularly here? 🎶 La — the vociferous voices of Verstappen's orange army, which camps out en masse every year at the Red Bull Ring. 🎶 Tea — no, really just Red Bull here, and Madeline Coleman tells me iced gummy bear flavor is on offer this year. 🎶Do-n't worry, I won't break out into full 'Edelweiss,' and it must be noted here that there have been several high-profile negative incidents at this track even in recent years. The 2022 Austrian GP, for example, was marred by appalling harassment of female fans, as well as instances of homophobic and racist slurs being hurled from some out-of-control 'fans'. F1 issued a statement, but all-around good egg Sebastian Vettel said something that was actually worth listening to. Advertisement 'There should be zero tolerance,' said the then Aston Martin driver. 'If people have a good time and drink too much, that's OK, but it doesn't justify or excuse wrong behavior.' But at least the setting for the Austrian GP is magical, and the racing tends to back that up. Think Michael Schumacher versus Montoya here in 2001, Schumacher versus everyone and briefly on fire in 2003, and Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg colliding on the last lap in 2016. Or Verstappen's thrilling battle with Leclerc in 2019, and of course, that Lando Norris clash for the Dutchman in 2024. Did you also know that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who hails from Vienna, also worked here as a driving instructor in the mid-1990s? 'I was working for a racing school and I was living in the farmhouse,' Wolff explained in Friday's team principals' FIA news conference in Austria. 'There were lovely people — egg and bread in the morning, a glass of milk. And then I was teaching people to drive Formula Ford cars around the old Österreichring. The highlight of the day was shaking those cars down in the evening and making them ready for the next day.' This place just seems to breed stories, so over to Luke to reveal the lovely view they tend to get written alongside in Austria. I am writing today's Inside the Paddock from the media center at the Red Bull Ring, which offers what is unquestionably the best view of the season from our 'offices' for any F1 weekend. The incredible glass structure alongside the main straight has the media center at the very top, offering views of the majority of the circuit. I've got Turn 1 right ahead of me, Turn 3 to my right in the distance, plus the left-handers of Turn 6 and 7. It's hard when the race is ongoing to keep an eye on the screens in the media center and not watch the actual cars out on the track! Advertisement It's a funny thing to explain to reporters in other sports, often watching in stadiums that offer a total view of an entire field. It's actually quite rare for us to get any kind of view of the track in F1 media centers nowadays (some don't even have windows!), so we're making the most of it this weekend. The only tiny drawback is we're not actually inside the paddock — the title of this section is a lie! — meaning it requires taking an elevator down the back of the track's main grandstand and then walking through a tunnel under the main straight to get up to the paddock for interviews and chats with sources. But, overall, this has to be one of the best facilities of the season. Oh, and to Alex's point about the beauty of this race, I've been loving the drive to and from the track each day through the mountains. Way to go, Austria. Swapping you for Milton Keynes next week, where we're staying for the British GP, will bring me rather back down to earth… Here are the main takeaways from today's on-track action in Austria: Final practice in Austria takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET and 11:30 a.m. UK on Saturday, with qualifying to follow at 11 a.m. ET and 3 p.m. UK. Follow it all with us. 📫 Love Prime Tire? Check out The Athletic's other newsletters.
The Sun
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Max Verstappen reveals why he snubbed Lewis Hamilton's F1 film red carpet in favour of changing smelly nappies
MAX VERSTAPPEN would rather be changing nappies at home than wearing a tuxedo on the red carpet. They certainly don't make 'em like four-time world champion Verstappen anymore, who has been as real as they get this season in the world's most luxurious sport. 6 6 6 The Dutchman has swerved two red carpets for Lewis Hamilton 's new Hollywood movie, starring Brad Pitt, and has not even watched the film yet. He would rather be on dad duties with his two-month old baby Lily, enduring sleepless nights and changing nappies which he admits: 'Some are more smelly than others'. Verstappen has also been dipping his toes in other areas of motorsport, like testing a GT3 in Spa during the first F1 movie premiere in New York as his patience continues to wear thin in F1. He is focused on his growing family of girlfriend, Kelly, the daughter of former F1 world champion Nelson Piquet, their daughter Lily and his step daughter Penelope, who are based in Monaco. Verstappen, at the Red Bull Ring ahead of his team's home race in Austria, told SunSport: 'Being authentic is not something I have to try and focus on. It's just who I am. 'I don't like to be on the red carpet and dress up in a suit. I don't like to interact with people that I don't really know, and have a fake smile and fake chat. It's horrible, I just don't enjoy it. 'I prefer to hang out with my friends and spend time with my little family. I also have a lot of other projects going on outside of F1. 'So any extra work like red carpets is not what I want to do. I'm at a stage of my career where I've achieved so much professionally. 'I'm just focusing outside of it now, like my big passions to make life more enjoyable and not just being performance driven.' Verstappen is fiercely private when it comes to his family but when asked about his being a girl dad, he added: 'It's super cute. I'm trying to spend as much time making it all work. Max Verstappen goes for a spin around the upgraded F1 circuit at Zandvoort 'With the nappies, some are more smelly than others!' Verstappen rose to fame as something of a villain due to Netflix's hit docu-series Drive to Survive. It didn't help that his route to his first world championship title in Abu Dhabi in 2021 was tarnished by a safety car mishap which many felt stole the crown from Lewis Hamilton. There is also a dark side there, which was on show at the Spanish Grand Prix three-weeks ago when he rammed into George Russell to leave him one point away from a race ban. But he has won over more hearts than ever in recent years, being unapologetically himself and unafraid to stand up to the sport's governing body, the FIA, and its controversial president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. He even won over his old rival Hamilton when he was ordered to do community service for dropping an F-bomb in an FIA press conference last year. He has remained tight-lipped in press conferences this season, but his silence has spoken volumes for the dissatisfaction from most drivers towards the FIA's rules. He said: 'I think it's a bit of a Dutch thing. I'm straightforward. I'm the same on track. I say the same in the paddock as I do with my friends. It's important to be honest. 'When I'm not happy with something I say it, I let people know, that approach works really well for me.' There has been constant speculation surrounding Verstappen's future with him growing increasingly exasperated with the FIA and the slog of marketing requirements for drivers. After all he is the centrepiece of a sport stacked with millionaires flashing their cash, designer outfits and superyachts - but Verstappen just loves to burn rubber. 6 The Dutchman would rather avoid the spotlight entirely, so much so that he recently used a fake name Franz Hermann to secretly test a Ferrari at the Nurburgring where he smashed a lap record. Verstappen's next goal is securing a Nordschleife permit, a special racing license, to compete in events at the Nurburgring, including the Nurburgring 24 Hours, rather than chasing records in F1. There has been talk of Verstappen taking a year off in 2026 and he says it is outside ventures like the Nurburgring appearance that are keeping him in F1, for now. He added: 'The fake name was because I wouldn't be on the entry list. People would have known way far in advance and there would be way more people there. 'What I'm doing outside F1 makes me stay around a bit longer in F1. I'm trying to make it work and keep it fun. 'I want to get my license (Nordschleife permit), so I need to do a race in a slower car so I'm planning on that. 'When you do things outside of F1, it's more relaxed, which doesn't mean it's less professional and my desire to win is the same. It's something I really enjoy exploring. 'It's important to enjoy my time. Time passes so quickly and I want to look back and be around for my family.' 6
Scottish Sun
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Max Verstappen set for major race change for first time in F1 career at Austrian Grand Prix
He has been the voice in Verstappen's ear throughout his entire He has been the voice in Verstappen's ear throughout his entire Red Bull Racing career STAPPED IN HIS TRACKS Max Verstappen set for major race change for first time in F1 career at Austrian Grand Prix MAX VERSTAPPEN will be without his right-hand man for the first time in his Formula One career at the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend. The 27-year-old's long-serving race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase has not made the trip to the team's home race in Spielberg. 4 Max Verstappen must navigate his first F1 race without one of his closest allies in Austria Credit: EPA 4 Verstappen's chief engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will miss his first F1 race since 2016 for personal reasons Credit: Getty It will be the first time that Lambiase won't guide Verstappen through a race since the Dutchman stepped up from Toro Rosso to Red Bull Racing in May 2016. Also known simply as 'GP' in the paddock, Lambiase has been the voice in Verstappen's ear for every single one of his 219 races. Their relationship proved an instant success after Verstappen won on his debut at the Spanish Grand Prix to become the youngest race winner in F1 history. Plenty of glory has been achieved together over the years, including four straight world titles – Verstappen now pushing for what would be a record-equalling fifth successive championship crown. READ MORE F1 NEWS I'VE GOT LEW Hamilton gives F1 rival lift on his private jet after he was booked on EasyJet Lambiase was initially race engineer to Daniil Kvyat but, when the Russian was replaced mid-season by an 18-year-old Verstappen, he remained in the role. The Italian-British engineer, 44, will miss the Austrian Grand Prix, the 11th race of the season, for personal reasons, according to ESPN. In 2021, the Independent reported that Verstappen suggested he'd QUIT F1 if Lambiase left the team, the pair coming up against fierce battles with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes that year. In Lambiase's place comes Simon Rennie, an experienced Red Bull employee who previously served as a race engineer and is currently Group Leader of Simulation Engineering at the team. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Rennie,45, has plenty of experience in the role, having performed it for the likes of Fernando Alonso, Robert Kubica and Kimi Raikkonen at Renault. He joined Red Bull in 2013, initially serving as race engineer to Mark Webber and then to Daniel Ricciardo before moving to a factory role in 2019. Max Verstappen goes for a spin around the upgraded F1 circuit at Zandvoort He is no stranger to temporary stints back at the track, having served as Alex Albon's race engineer in 2020 for a brief spell. Rennie is expected to fill in for just one weekend with Lambiase expected to return to his trackside duties at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone next weekend. Verstappen trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 43 points ahead of Austria, with Mercedes reportedly keen on prizing him from Red Bull if he wants out. 4 Lambiase is the engineer in charge of all pit-to-car communication with Verstappen on his earpiece during the races
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Max Verstappen heads into Red Bull's home race with upgrades and growing uncertainty
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, centre, arrives at the Red Bull Ring racetrack, in Spielberg, Austria, Thursday, June 26, 2025, ahead of the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands attends a news conference at the Red Bull Ring racetrack, in Spielberg, Austria, Thursday, June 26, 2025, ahead of the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands attends a news conference at the Red Bull Ring racetrack, in Spielberg, Austria, Thursday, June 26, 2025, ahead of the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands attends a news conference at the Red Bull Ring racetrack, in Spielberg, Austria, Thursday, June 26, 2025, ahead of the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, centre, arrives at the Red Bull Ring racetrack, in Spielberg, Austria, Thursday, June 26, 2025, ahead of the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands attends a news conference at the Red Bull Ring racetrack, in Spielberg, Austria, Thursday, June 26, 2025, ahead of the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands attends a news conference at the Red Bull Ring racetrack, in Spielberg, Austria, Thursday, June 26, 2025, ahead of the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) Max Verstappen at the Red Bull Ring is usually a recipe for success. The defending Formula 1 champion has an upgraded car for his team's home race in Austria — where he's won five times — on the back of an encouraging second place in Canada, where his two McLaren rivals collided. Advertisement Zoom out, though, and the situation is much more uncertain. Verstappen remains at risk of a one-race ban for too many penalty points, Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda is usually too far adrift to help him, and Verstappen's own future is far from clear. "I don't think we need to talk about that,' Verstappen said Thursday when asked to confirm whether he'll stay with the team for 2026. 'It's not really in my mind. It's just driving and trying to push the performance, you know. And then we focus on next year.' What are Verstappen's options? Verstappen has a long-term contract through 2028, so in theory his Red Bull seat should be one of the safest on the grid. However, the deal has performance-related clauses which could reportedly allow a move. Advertisement In that case, the most obvious option could be Mercedes, which has yet to confirm either driver for 2026. That would mean Verstappen teaming up with an old foe in Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who'd also have to choose to drop either George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Dramatic changes to how F1 cars look and perform are coming in 2026, and Red Bull has to adapt more than most. For the first time in nearly two decades, it heads into a new era of F1 rules without design guru Adrian Newey, who left last year and is now at Aston Martin. The other leading teams are sticking with their current engine arrangements, but not Red Bull. The team has an in-house engine developer, Red Bull Powertrains, but it's switching partners for 2026 from Honda to newcomer Ford. Advertisement The second seat No team in F1 depends as much on one driver as Red Bull does on Verstappen. He's scored 155 of the team's 162 points this season. His teammates — first Liam Lawson, then Yuki Tsunoda — have struggled all season. That's helped to restore the reputation of Sergio Perez, who was dropped by Red Bull after scoring barely one-third of Verstappen's points last season. 'I know, deep down, they really regret it,' Perez said on a podcast this week. 'And I know that from a very reliable source. It's tough. I have very good friends there, and people might think I take pleasure in what happened, but no.' Advertisement Red Bull's car seems to favor Verstappen's driving style over anyone else's, but the Dutch driver says he can't diagnose the issue because he's been with the team since 2016 and has nothing else to compare it with. 'The thing is that I don't know any better, right?' he said Thursday. 'I mean, I've basically started with Red bull, so I only know one car and that's how I drive. I adapt to it. Is it the best? Is it the fastest? Is it not? I don't know." ___ AP Sports Writer Tales Azzoni in Madrid contributed to this report. ___ AP auto racing:
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Red Bull Confirms Timeline to Cease F1 Car Development
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Red Bull Racing senior advisor Helmut Marko has confirmed that a decision will be taken during the race weekend at Silverstone or Spa Francorchamps to halt the development of the 2025 RB21 F1 car. As Formula One approaches a new era of regulations in 2026, teams will have to juggle between the development of two cars this year. 2026 marks the year when F1 cars will be very different from the cars of the current ground effect era as new regulations will be introduced. Apart from being lighter and smaller with active aerodynamics, the new car will run on 50 percent electric power for the first time in the sport's storied history. The other half will be powered by an internal combustion unit running on sustainable fuels. However, given F1's budget cap rule, which limits how much teams can spend on the development of their cars in a given year, all outfits will have to carefully balance the development of both cars. Thus, choosing the perfect moment to shift focus from the 2025 car to the 2026 car will be most crucial. Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen stops in pit lane during the third practice session for the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 14, 2025.... Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen stops in pit lane during the third practice session for the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 14, 2025. More TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images Red Bull has partnered with Ford under the Red Bull Powertrains banner to develop engines for the new era, and Marko has admitted that a decision will likely be made next month to decide the developmental cut-off point. Speaking to Kleine Zeitung ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix race weekend, he said: "There's a precise allocation of how the wind tunnel and all the tools are used. At some point, however, they'll say: 'Okay, that's it for further development'. For two reasons: time - and the production of new parts takes time - and the cost cap. "So the question is: Where do you allocate your resources? "I assume after Silverstone or Spa at the latest, there will be a decision to focus entirely on the new car." A new regulatory era means it is tough to predict which team will have the most powerful and reliable power unit. Marko revealed details of Red Bull's progress and addressed Mercedes' power unit claim. He said: "Mercedes has declared itself the favorite, but there's no evidence of that. The development of the combustion engine alone is incredible. The engine is smaller than the one in my lawnmower! There are three or four things that are important for the new car: the combustion engine. "We're on board with that, and unless there are durability issues, it won't be a game-changer. The battery is crucial; we're starting with a conventional solution for that, and gasoline is a very important factor. Development in this area is going very well with our partner Exxon."
