Latest news with #SafetyCar
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Formula One 2025: A story of resilience and redemption at Silverstone
Fate unravels in unexpected ways — there's no way to predict who ends up on the right side of things, and who pays the price. The 2025 Silverstone Grand Prix typified that truth. On a weekend that began with a mix of expected patterns and unpredictable turns, it ended with redemption for a veteran, heartbreak for some, and a home victory for a rising British star. McLaren's 1–2 finish extended its season-long dominance, with Lando Norris once again leading the charge — but there's no denying that seeing the third-place winner, Nico Hulkenberg of Kick Sauber, finally have his day brought a bright smile to many a face. To walk into the paddock season after season, longing for an elusive moment of glory, the German's elation was shared by one and all. For him, this wasn't just a podium — it was a narrative arc finally coming full circle. After 239 races, 15 seasons, eight constructors, and many near misses, he was finally able to reap the rewards of his toil and hard work, capping an emotional, ecstatic weekend for a driver who no longer bears the painful record for most races in F1 history without a podium. For homeboy Norris (left), fortune smiled wider. With the eyes of a passionate British crowd — including thousands at the iconic 'Landostand' fixed on him, the McLaren driver was a man on a mission and delivered a mighty performance that gave him the golden memory of being crowned the British GP champion. It was a confidence-boosting victory that could prove pivotal in his title bid — a battle that has been shifting gears every round. Starting from third, behind teammate Oscar Piastri, the changing weather and theatrics never bothered a focused Norris. Winning at Silverstone, his true home, was the dream he'd long waited for. What certainly helped his push was the harsh hand dealt to the other side of the McLaren garage. Silverstone was a missed opportunity and a chapter Piastri would like to forget quickly. A 10-second penalty for erratic driving behind the Safety Car — after he had cruised past pole-sitter Max Verstappen — dented his chances. Nico Hulkenberg is all smiles after grabbing third place ahead of Lewis Hamilton. | Photo Credit: REUTERS A gamble backfires Verstappen was poised for a better outing after the Austria disappointment, but it was Red Bull's ambitious choices that sealed his fate. The Dutchman was sensational in Saturday's qualifying to steal pole with a mighty lap. But the gamble of driving a heavily tweaked car — the team's gamble to opt for a low-downforce setup, compromising balance in corners for greater speed on the straights — backfired. A wet-and-dry race is always a challenge for drivers, and with Verstappen having to fight the car, he was out of the lead and soon tumbled further. Though making his way back up to fifth, his increasing inability to challenge the McLaren duo deepened Red Bull's woes. What was once an invincible partnership is now withering rapidly. Only a few days after the race, Red Bull announced that its long-time Team Principal, Christian Horner, had been stripped of his duties. A 20-year tenure that saw six Constructors' titles and eight Drivers' crowns came to a grinding halt. Whether Red Bull's future leads to recovery or collapse, one thing is certain — the old guard is gone, and the overhaul is in motion. A veteran's day to remember Amid all the turmoil at the front — a championship fight swinging wildly, a giant in disarray, and varying results — it was a quiet, beaming Hulkenberg who gave Silverstone its purest moment. Though far from the frontrunners in outright pace, Hulkenberg's charge from the back of the grid (19th) to the podium was nothing short of miraculous. That he succeeded with one of the slowest cars on the grid made the achievement even more remarkable. To put it into perspective, there was less than a 10-second gap to the fourth-placed car with more than a handful of laps still to go. Hulkenberg had to nail every turn until the very last corner. And the driver in hot pursuit? None other than Lewis Hamilton — the nine-time British GP winner, now in Ferrari red, desperate to extend his streak of 11 consecutive British GP podiums. The fire was alive in the experienced Hamilton, but Hulkenberg extracted every ounce from the neon green car (below), holding him off with composure. Hamilton never came close, but he was among the first to praise the veteran who finally had his day and gave the sport a memory that will be cherished for years.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 F1 Power Rankings: Belgian Grand Prix Update
We've reached the midpoint of the 2025 Formula 1 season and this week's F1 power rankings are full of fast risers and big fallers. It was a chaotic and messy British Grand Prix, with surprises galore and big names that are licking their wounds after a bad weekend. Here are the 2025 F1 Power Rankings heading into the Belgian Grand Prix in two weeks. 1. Lando Norris | McLaren lando norris F1 power rankings british grand prix Lando Norris bolted to a big win at his home Grand Prix by winning at Silverstone for the first time and securing his second consecutive victory. He began in third position and showcased his racing skills, navigating the changing weather conditions with precision, making strategic pit stops and maintaining a high pace. Norris acknowledged that the race was stressful, despite his admission that he was not at his absolute best. He received his biggest bit of luck when Oscar Piastri's 10-second penalty was imposed. Add in Max Verstappen's spin, and things were just going the young Brit's way. Lando Norris made considerable inroads in the race to the driver's championship, reducing Piastri's championship lead substantially. Advertisement 2. Oscar Piastri | McLaren oscar piastri f1 power rankings Oscar Piastri had a good day and a very bad day at Silverstone, fighting with Lando Norris for first place and passing Max Verstappen to maintain his position at the front during two Safety Car periods. The Safety Car period ended his day when he received a controversial 10-second penalty for his erratic driving behavior, which included a sudden brake at the restart. The penalty resulted in a missed victory opportunity, leaving the Australian driver befuddled. His second-place finish maintained his championship lead, but teammate Lando Norris is fast on his heels. 3. Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari Lewis Hamilton Ferrari F1 Lewis Hamilton finished in a respectable P4, narrowly missing out on a podium finish at his home race. He described the British Grand Prix as a challenging race, admitting that his Ferrari was tough to drive in the mixed conditions, particularly struggling with understeer and tire degradation in low-speed corners. Despite an imperfect run, his performance was a good outcome compared to his teammate Charles Leclerc's struggles, as Hamilton outqualified and outraced him. He was in contention for third, chasing Nico Hulkenberg in the closing stages, but a slightly early pit stop for slicks likely cost him the podium. Advertisement 4. Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber nico hulkenberg f1 sauber Nico Hulkenberg was undoubtedly one of the stars of the British Grand Prix, securing his maiden F1 podium in his 239th career start from an incredible 19th on the grid. His deep experience was on display in the treacherous wet-dry conditions, as he made perfect strategy calls, including a well-timed switch to fresh intermediates and later to slicks. His flawless pace and lack of errors allowed him to climb through the field, and he put up a gritty defense against Lewis Hamilton to cement his third-place finish. This momentous finish for Sauber and Hulkenberg was widely celebrated in the paddock, with many peers acknowledging his long-awaited shower of champagne on the podium. 5. Max Verstappen | Red Bull max verstappen red bull f1 Max Verstappen had a tough race at Silverstone, finishing fifth despite starting on pole position. His Red Bull, set up with a low-downforce wing for dry conditions, became undrivable in the wet, leading to him visibly fighting the car throughout. A rare and significant spin after the second Safety Car restart caused him to drop from second to tenth place. Although his recovery to P5 was described as a miracle given the car's struggles and Red Bull's rapid tire degradation, his Sunday performance was a painful contrast to his brilliant qualifying. He continues to drop further behind in the race for another world championship. Advertisement 6. Pierre Gasly | Alpine pierre gasly alpine f1 power rankings Pierre Gasly delivered Alpine's best result of the year, finishing a strong P6. Despite difficult practice sessions, he secured a Q3 appearance and drove a formidable race, especially in the mixed conditions. His decision to stay on intermediate tires for the opening laps proved to be the right one, allowing him to run solidly in the top 10. He successfully battled with big names like Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen, ultimately passing Lance Stroll on the final lap to clinch sixth place. Gasly was understandably ecstatic after the race, proud to have seized the opportunity presented by the chaotic conditions. 7. Charles Leclerc | Ferrari Charles Leclerc took a big dive in our rankings this week, after enduring what he called a 'horror show' at the British Grand Prix, describing it as one of the most challenging races of his career. He finished a lowly 14th after struggling to keep his Ferrari on track from start to finish. His early gamble to pit for slick tires on the formation lap proved a mistake and he had multiple off-track excursions during the race. Leclerc also underachieved in qualifying and made contact with teammate Carlos Sainz, further compromising his race. His lack of race pace compared to Hamilton made it a weekend he'll want to forget. Advertisement 8. George Russell | Mercedes George Russell had a frustrating home race, going as far as to say that absolutely nothing went his way throughout the entire weekend. Starting fourth, he finished 10th, salvaging only a single point. His race was severely impacted by two ill-timed decisions to switch to slick tires: first on the formation lap, which was hampered by a Virtual Safety Car, and again later in the race when the track wasn't ready, leading to a spin into the gravel. Despite a strong pace in the race, his dual slick gambles backfired, preventing him from converting his potential into a stronger result. 9. Alex Albon | Williams alex albon williams f1 Alex Albon P8 in a nice drive after beginning from the 13th spot on the grid while recovering from a difficult Saturday. Albon expressed his disappointment about not qualifying for Q3, yet he demonstrated superior speed to his teammate Carlos Sainz. The Williams team made an excellent decision to switch Albon to slick tires during his final pit stop, maintaining his position inside the top 10. Albon finished his race by overtaking Fernando Alonso during the final lap to claim eighth place while showing strong speed and rhythm throughout the final part of the race. Advertisement 10. Lance Stroll | Aston Martin lance stroll aston martin f1 formula 1 Yes, Lance Stroll. Stroll made a strong recovery to finish P7 after starting 17th, securing Aston Martin's first double points haul of the year alongside Alonso. He showed a bold early gamble for slicks that worked out, allowing him to run as high as third briefly. However, his pace faded later in the race due to high tire degradation, causing him to drop positions, including being passed by Pierre Gasly on the final lap. While his race performance was better than his qualifying struggles, where he was eliminated in Q1 due to car nervousness, his inability to maintain pace ultimately limited his final position. Related Headlines
Daily Tribune
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Tribune
HRH Crown Prince hails McLaren's stunning 1-2 finish at dramatic British GP
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, was among those watching trackside as McLaren claimed a spectacular one-two finish at a rainsoaked and drama-filled British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Royal Backing for a Historic Win The Crown Prince, a long-time supporter of the team through Bahrain's investment in McLaren, congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and celebrated what HRH called an 'outstanding performance.' The Crown Prince also wished the team continued success as they push for the Formula 1 World Championship title this season. The win is another high point in a standout season for McLaren, who also took victory earlier this year at the Bahrain Grand Prix – a symbolic triumph at what the team calls its 'second home race.' That April win, led by Oscar Piastri and backed by a podium for Lando Norris, was McLaren's first ever victory at the Bahrain International Circuit. Silverstone Delivers Chaos and Glory And it was a performance worthy of royal applause. In changeable conditions that kept teams and drivers guessing, Lando Norris clinched his first British Grand Prix victory, with teammate Oscar Piastri following in second to give McLaren their first 1-2 at Silverstone in over a decade. 'This is as good as it gets,' Norris said after the race, visibly emotional as he described the victory as the realisation of a childhood dream. 'The fans carried me through the last few laps. It was chaotic, stressful – but amazing.' The race was anything but straightforward. Piastri took the early lead after passing Max Verstappen as the track began to dry, but with rain returning mid-race, strategy became everything. A well-timed double stack for intermediate tyres saw both McLaren drivers stay in contention, though a slower pit stop cost Norris track position temporarily. Piastri was later handed a 10-second penalty for a Safety Car infringement but managed to fight back to second after a strong stint on medium tyres. Meanwhile, Norris regained the lead and held on through changing conditions and multiple Safety Car periods. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella praised the entire squad: 'We leave our home race with a 1-2 – a fantastic result and a great reward for the team's effort. Lando drove brilliantly, and Oscar showed real resilience.' Bahrain's Growing Footprint in F1 For Prince Salman, the result was not only a proud moment as a supporter of McLaren but also a testament to the Kingdom's deepening ties with the world of Formula 1 — a sport in which Bahrain continues to play a pivotal role, both on and off the track.
eNCA
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- eNCA
Three things learned from British Grand Prix
Lando Norris confirmed he has rediscovered his mojo with a win at the British Grand Prix to ensure he can maintain a challenge for the Formula One drivers' championship in a likely McLaren team battle with Australia's Oscar Piastri. The 25-year-old Briton claimed another victory –- his fourth of the season and the eighth of his career –- backing up his win the previous weekend in Austria to move within eight points of championship leader Piastri. This latest triumph was built on solid team decisions, determination and an inspired will to succeed in hostile conditions. AFP Sport looks at three things learned from Sunday's chaotic contest at Silverstone: Title fight set to go to the wire AFP | Andrej ISAKOVIC At the mid-point in the 24-race season, Norris and McLaren proved that calm, error-free decision-making can be decisive when surrounded by confusion and crashes and that, even on a revered 'drivers' track' there are days when the pit-wall knows best. Norris won not only because he drove meticulously in treacherous conditions, maintaining his concentration and obeying orders, but because his McLaren engineers made well-timed and accurate calls for pit-stops. He beat the studious Piastri at his own game, by eschewing emotion during the race while the 24-year-old Melburnian was punished –- with a harsh 10-second mid race penalty -– for a rash moment of reckless heavy braking while leading behind the Safety Car. It was a rare self-inflicted setback for Piastri who admitted later, after his request for team orders to swap places with Norris was refused, that such a move would have been unfair. "Lando didn't do anything wrong," he said. "So, I don't think it would have been particularly fair to have swapped…. But, I know I deserved a lot more than what I got today. "I drove a really strong race, and when you don't get the result you think you deserve, it hurts -- especially when it's not in your control.' Like Norris, who was left to lick his wounds after crashing into Piastri in Canada, he now has time to reflect and respond, having allowed an increased level of emotion to surface in his racing. Hulkenberg revels in 'surreal' podium AFP | Andrej ISAKOVIC Nico Hulkenberg had the broadest grin in the paddock on Sunday thanks to the superb management of his race by the Sauber pit-wall team, enabling him to execute his race perfectly and claim a well-deserved maiden podium finish at the 239th attempt. His long-recognised, but rarely rewarded, talent ensured he fended off seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton's late charge for his first Ferrari podium and extend a personal run of 12 Silverstone top-three finishes. Like Norris, he gained from flawless decision-making with team chief Jonathan Wheatley, formerly sporting director of Red Bull, galvanising them as Hulkenberg progressed from the back of the grid to claim a "surreal" moment of joy. While others floundered, notably Ferrari and Mercedes with some high-risk decisions, steady stewardship from Wheatley paid off. Sauber are preparing for next year when they become Audi's factory team and with Hulkenberg's experience appear to be growing as a force this season. Verstappen still a title player AFP | Andrej ISAKOVIC He may have written himself off and be rumoured to favour a switch to Mercedes from Red Bull, but as he proved again Max Verstappen has the unique talent to out-perform rive the potential and failings of his car. "This car is just so difficult to drive," he complained after falling from second to 10th when he spun during Sunday's rain-hit chaos before he fought back to finish fifth. He had chosen to go with a low-drag rear-wing to snatch the 44th pole of his career on Saturday -– a choice that was risky and did not pay off when the torrential rain arrived on Sunday. But the seven-time champion proved that he could handle the challenge and thereby proved he may become a factor in the title race by winning more races and trimming the 69-point deficit behind Piastri.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
British Grand Prix: Lando Norris drinks champagne from a shoe, fans notice him and Oscar Piastri ignoring Nico Hulkenberg
Image credit: F1/X Lando Norris won the British Grand Prix on Sunday — his first home win. The McLaren driver celebrated the victory by performing the famous 'Shoey' tradition, popular among F1 winners at Silverstone Circuit. As part of the celebrations on stage, Norris drank champagne from his shoe — a ritual also performed by his teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished second, and McLaren CEO Zak Brown. Lando Norris performs Shoey after winning British Grand Prix Formula 1's official X handle shared a video from Lando Norris' Shoey celebration. As he stood on the podium with Oscar Piastri and Zak Brown, fans could be heard asking for the Shoey ritual to be fulfilled at Silverstone. As Norris prepared to drink the champagne in his shoe, Piastri wished him luck, saying, 'Cheers.' Norris then took a big sip from the shoe and reacted, 'That's disgusting.' Piastri and Brown also took a sip from the same shoe, after which Piastri flung the shoe into the crowd. However, many F1 fans couldn't bear the tradition. One fan reacted, 'Gross. I never understood this tradition.' Another said, 'This is too low! Very disgusting, and not something you should be proud of doing!' A third commented in disgust, 'This is tradition?' Another post read: 'Never thought I'd see these dudes doing a Shoey.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Show Off Your Talent: Enter the Ultimate Creator Contest! Tocsin Media & Marketing LLC Undo F1 fans slam Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for ignoring Nico Hulkenberg Many also slammed Norris and Piastri for ignoring the third podium finisher, Nico Hulkenberg. The Kick Sauber driver secured his first-ever podium, but was seemingly overlooked by Norris and Piastri as they celebrated the moment with champagne on the podium. A video showing them not joining Hulkenberg as he sprayed champagne went viral. 'Nobody cares about these two snobs who couldn't even celebrate Nico,' read one such comment. Oscar Piastri was upset over 10-second penalty While Lando Norris was happy, Oscar Piastri was visibly upset after receiving a 10-second penalty for a Safety Car infringement during the race. Without the penalty, Piastri likely would have won. When asked about the race, Piastri said, 'I really can't be bothered [to explain], there is no point – I can't change it. I did what I did at the first restart, and apparently one needed a penalty and one didn't. Anyway, the team did a great job, had a great car and a good haul of points for the team. I don't really understand, I need to look back and see, but I really don't feel I did anything different or anything wrong.' Also Read: British Grand Prix 2025: Lando Norris dominates home race with fourth win, Nico Hulkenberg claims maiden podium Norris is now just 8 points behind Piastri in the Formula 1 Driver Standings. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
