Latest news with #ScuderiaFerrariSF-25
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Ferrari Clears SF-25 F1 Car of Blame After Lewis Hamilton's Belgian GP Spin
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 Scuderia Ferrari Formula One team has ruled out a technical problem on Lewis Hamilton's SF-25 F1 car, which was suspected as the likely cause of his spin during the Belgian Grand Prix sprint qualifying on Friday. Hamilton was on his flying lap in SQ1, but on the penultimate corner, his car's rear locked up momentarily, causing him to spin out. The incident ruined his lap time, leading him to start the sprint race in P18. A technical fault was suspected for the unusual oversteer. Sky Sports F1's Anthony Davidson noted clunking in Hamilton's downshifts. He said after qualifying: "I hear a lot of locking in the rear axle on the car. That clunking is backlash in the gearbox. I don't blame the driver for that moment. Something is going on there in the downshift phase of that Ferrari. I give Lewis the benefit of the doubt for that one." Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 25, 2025 in Spa, Belgium. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 25, 2025 in Spa, F1's Martin Brundle also noted the unusual nature of the incident. He said: "It looks like a technical issue. Nobody will be more surprised than Lewis. It's almost like the engine sort of stalled out, and every time he pulled another shift it's just locked the rear axle." Sky F1's Naomi Schiff spoke to Ferrari team members ahead of the sprint race and revealed their verdict after Hamilton's SF-25 was thoroughly analyzed. She said: "Speaking to some members of the team, they'd looked at the data, analysed everything they could, and they haven't been able to come up with any technical issues, so they've ruled that out. We speculated yesterday that maybe there was a bit of locking on the rear because of the gearbox, the down shifts, but they've ruled that out. "But you've got to say that it is very uncharacteristic, especially in those dry conditions to have rear locking. I mean, it is possible that Lewis didn't adjust the brake bias, but yeah, unfortunate for him that he wasn't able to put those laps together." Schiff also referenced Hamilton's admission that he had never experienced his rear stepping out under braking. The seven-time world champion revealed his frustration after the qualifying session. When asked by Craig Slater what happened, he said: "I spun." Asked if the rear locked, he said: "[Yeah] First time, I think, in my career." When asked for an assessment of his SF-25, Hamilton said: "Not great, not great. Yeah, there's not really a lot to say." Quizzed about the sprint race on Saturday, which follows qualifying for the main race, the Briton said: "Tomorrow's a new day, so we'll try I'm massively frustrated, so... A lot of work's gone in, and to be there is not really great. So, yeah, hopefully tomorrow will be better."
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Lewis Hamilton Not to Blame for Belgian GP Sprint Qualifying Disaster
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton suffered a spin during the Belgian Grand Prix sprint qualifying when he was on a flying lap in SQ1. He spun out unexpectedly on the penultimate corner at Spa-Francorchamps. A technical fault is likely the cause behind the incident. Ferrari came into the race weekend with fresh upgrades for the SF-25 F1 car, including the new rear suspension. Unfortunately, Hamilton's car span as he downshifted for the corner, pushing him off the track. As a result, he will start from 18th in Saturday's sprint race. Anthony Davidson of Sky Sports F1 noted the clunking in the gearbox audio just before Hamilton spun out. He said: "I hear a lot of locking in the rear axle on the car. That clunking is backlash in the gearbox. I don't blame the driver for that moment. Something is going on there in the downshift phase of that Ferrari. I give Lewis the benefit of the doubt for that one." Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 25, 2025 in Spa, Belgium. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 25, 2025 in Spa, F1 presenter Martin Brundle confirmed that it was likely a technical issue rather than a mistake on Hamilton's part. He said: "It looks like a technical issue. Nobody will be more surprised than Lewis. It's almost like the engine sort of stalled out, and every time he pulled another shift it's just locked the rear axle." The 40-year-old was happy that Ferrari had brought in upgrades for the SF-25 this weekend. When asked if he expected a performance improvement, Hamilton said on Thursday: "No. I think well firstly we'll get to test the suspension tomorrow and I'm sure there's gonna be learnings from it, we'll kind of figure out how to fine-tune it and to try to extract performance from it. On the simulator, there's no difference, but I'm sure across different circuits, perhaps, there'll be benefits. "So I think for me the positive thing is arriving at the filming day, where you see that new bits are coming, you see that we are getting development because in had an upgraded floor in Bahrain, then it was quite some time before we got another upgrade, I think it was Austria, and wasn't necessarily to what I would have thought we would have. "If you look at some of the other teams, they bring them small pieces every single weekend, like Red Bull often do or Mercedes do, for example. Ours are more like big chunks along the way. So, I think I was just really happy to see that there clearly is a big push back at the factory. "There are a lot of changes and then to see the results of those changes takes time. So, I was just really grateful to see that we've got new parts. We'll try and put them to use this weekend."
Newsweek
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
IndyCar Driver Calls Out F1 After 2026 Calendar Changes: 'Single Handedly Ruined Motorsport Xmas'
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. IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin has called out Formula One for shuffling the 2026 calendar, which has "ruined" the opportunity for fans to watch the "3 crown jewels." The Monaco Grand Prix is usually held on the same day as the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 race in Charlotte and the Indianapolis 500. In 2026, the Monaco GP will be held on 7th June, while the Canadian Grand Prix has been moved to an earlier date, which clashes with the IndyCar and NASCAR races. The swapping of the Monaco and Canadian Grands Prix has led McLaughlin to criticize the shuffle, who pointed out that motorsport fans won't be able to enjoy all the events since the Canadian GP would be held at a similar time. This prompted him to suggest that F1 has "single handedly ruined Motorsport Xmas." Revealing his feelings on X, he wrote: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes leads Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes Max Verstappen of... Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes leads Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 and the rest of the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 25, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. More"Congrats to @f1 who single handedly ruined Motorsport Xmas. Indy 500 will be a scene next year. As well as the Coke 600. Good luck." He added: "FYI.. I'm just sad for the race fan in me that loved watching 3 Crown Jewels on the same day. But instead we've decided to compete with each other instead of just enjoy pure Motorsport. Anyway, that is all." FYI.. I'm just sad for the race fan in me that loved watching 3 Crown Jewels on the same day. But instead we've decided to compete with each other instead of just enjoy pure Motorsport. Anyway, that is all. — Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) June 10, 2025 F1's 2026 calendar was recently unveiled, with the biggest change being the introduction of Madrid, which will host the Spanish GP. However, to accommodate the new venue in a packed calendar, Imola has been dropped. Notably, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya also faced a threat since its F1 contract expires at the end of 2026. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton admitted that dropping Barcelona from the F1 calendar would be a shame and voiced his support for classic F1 circuits. Newsweek Sports reported his statement: "I think ultimately losing any of the classics, and this is one of the classics, I think would be a shame, because as I said, it's a great city. "There's a great following here in Spain, particularly since Fernando [Alonso] was here. As long as we have a race in Spain, that's what matters most. "This feels like the home of Formula 1 in Spain. But it's okay to progress as a sport, and I know Madrid, as I said, is a great location." He added: "As long as they build a good circuit, which I'm less hopeful for - building new circuits is very, very hit and miss. 90 plus per cent of the time, it's worse. "As long as it's a better circuit, or as good a circuit, I'm not bothered either way."
Newsweek
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Charles Leclerc Reacts to Miami Sprint Race Crash Amid Lewis Hamilton's Podium Finish
Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc gets ready before the 2025 Miami Formula One Sprint at Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida, on May 3, 2025. Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc gets ready before the 2025 Miami Formula One Sprint at Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida, on May 3, 2025. 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. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc crashed out of the Miami Sprint Race before it started, as rain poured onto the track and he lost control during the tire warm-up laps. The early part of Saturday was marked by rainfall, with conditions likely more suitable for wet tires than the intermediate tires on Leclerc's car. The large puddles of standing water increased by the second, causing Leclerc to aquaplane and completely lose control against one of the many walls on the Miami street track. He was set to start the sprint race in P6, where he could have captured a potential podium finish given the shifting conditions. "There could be many, many reasons, but at the end of the day, I'm the one behind the wheel," Leclerc told the media after his crash. "So, I mean, it's a mistake and a big one because, obviously, on the lap to the grid, that's never what you want. "I was completely out of control in the back straight. "I wasn't even flat out, so I wasn't trying to push in the straights, but there was a lot of aquaplaning, and the car was just not responding to anything I was doing anymore, and it was the wall." Charles Leclerc hits the wall!! 😱 With rain falling heavily, Leclerc sustains heavy damage on his way to the grid after contact with the wall#F1 #F1Sprint #MiamiGP — Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2025 The race eventually got underway, and Leclerc's teammate Lewis Hamilton captured a podium finish based on the seven-time world champion's bold decision to come in earlier for slick tires. The rain subsided quickly during the race, and the humid heat allowed the track to dry rapidly. Ferrari got the strategy right and pitted Hamilton at the right time, which could have likely led to at least a P4 finish for Leclerc. Hamilton was not particularly fast either, struggling to stay ahead of Williams' car, which resulted in the drastic tire choice. After his second podium with the Scuderia, Hamilton noted how he and Ferrari had decided. Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 02, 2025 in Miami, Florida. Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 02, 2025 in Miami, Florida."I really, really did struggle on the inters. I think everyone was struggling on them and I just, I made that call at the end. I was like, 'I'm coming in because I was going nowhere," he said. "So, take the risk, take the gamble and it paid off. I wish we had another couple of laps to give these guys (Norris and Piastri) a bit of a fight, but, you know, big congrats to McLaren as always. "I was so happy, really, really happy with the results to get up here, because it wasn't looking very good through qualifying. "Obviously, we were a chunk off these guys and then to get onto the inters, I was just sliding around. "I had the Williams behind me, I think, and there was another one behind him who was most likely to get overtaken by. So, I was like, I've got to roll the dice. "I was full lock through turn 12 and full lock through turn 16 and it still wasn't turning, so I was like, let's just go for it. Honestly, I should have done it maybe a lap or two before that."
