Friday, March 29TRUSTED FEARLESS INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS PORTAL

Tag: Formula One

Sports

Powerful partners, marriage to a Spice Girl, ruthless operator: Red Bull’s Christian Horner quickly rose up ranks in F1

In 2005, when an energy drinks manufacturer, keen to have their brand associated with high octane adventure sports, decided to enter motor racing as outsiders in an environment dominated by legacy automobile companies, they hired an outsider to run the ship too.At 31, untested and relatively unknown, Christian Horner joined the high table of Formula One as team boss at Red Bull Racing. Motorsport legends like Ron Dennis at McLaren and Jean Todt at Ferrari became overnight contemporaries. A highly politicised sporting environment became his home. Fierce competition, cutthroat margins, intense public scrutiny became an everyday reality. 19 years, seven drivers championships, and six constructors’ titles later, Horner stands as the longest serving team principal in the paddock. Beneficial ...
Sports

Lewis Hamilton set for shock switch to Ferrari in 2025: Reports | Racing News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: According to multiple media reports on Thursday, seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton is reportedly poised for a surprising transition from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025, stepping in as a replacement for Spanish driver Carlos Sainz.Both Mercedes and Ferrari have refrained from commenting on the speculation surrounding what could potentially be the most sensational driver move of the 'silly season.'Reports suggest that Mercedes principal Toto Wolff is expected to brief the team before a formal announcement later today, as per Sky Sports television.Hamilton, who is currently 39 years old, has been associated with Mercedes since 2013, securing his first championship title with McLaren back in 2008. His existing contract is set to expire at the end of next year, and...
Sports

Lewis Hamilton to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari in 2025: Reports

Lewis Hamilton, 7-times Formula 1 champion, is set to join Ferrari from Mercedes for the 2025 season, according to various news reports. Though Mercedes and Ferrari are yet to comment publicly on the matter, the reports state that Hamilton will join as a replacement for Spanish driver Carlos Sainz. The 39-year-old Hamilton who has been associated with Mercedes since 2013 had won his first title in 2008 when he was the member of McLaren. His current contract with Mercedes is expected to expire next year. “I do believe we have a North Star now. Which I don’t think we’ve had for two years. But still getting there is not a straight line. I think we understand the car so much better. They have developed great tools in the background. So naturally, I’m hopeful, but I’m not going to hold my br...
Sports

Shreyas Iyer gifts Team India jersey to Formula One star Max Verstappen | Off the field News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India's star batsman Shreyas Iyer gifted his Team India jersey to Formula One driver Max Verstappen during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Red Bull Racing took to X (formerly X) and shared a picture of Shreyas with Max. "Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer gifted his jersey to Max," Red Bull racing tweeted. Iyer also took to his Instagram stories and shared the picture. Verstappen extended his record for wins in a Formula One season, capturing his 19th victory at the circuit's 2023 finale on Sunday at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.The previous record was 15, set by Verstappen in 2022. He eclipsed that weeks ago en route to 19 wins in 22 events -- the most dominant season by a driver in F1 history."An incredible season. It was a bit emotional on the in lap," said Verstappen. "The last t...
Sports

Lewis Hamilton ends 2nd straight season without a single race win as rumours spread about him angling for move to Red Bull

As Max Verstappen rode to his third straight Drivers’ Championship coronation at the Abu Dhabi GP — setting multiple records along the way like winning 19 races in a season, scoring 21 podium finishes, and becoming the first driver to lead over 1000 laps throughout a season — his one-time arch rival Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes limped past the chequered flag in ninth spot. It’s been a humbling season for Hamilton, who may have finished third in the drivers’ standings but was a stunning 341 points behind Verstappen. The seven-time world champion sent a pointed message to his team via an interview with Sky Sports. “At this moment, I don’t really know (about next season). For Red Bull to win by 17 seconds — and they haven’t developed their car since August — is definitely a concern,” said ...
Sports

Formula 1: Carlos Sainz claims thrilling victory in Singapore Grand Prix | Racing News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Carlos Sainz led from start to finish, securing a thrilling victory that left fans on the edge of their seats in a heart-pounding Singapore Grand Prix. The race took an unexpected twist on the final lap as George Russell, charging in his Mercedes from third place, crashed out. Lando Norris followed Sainz closely to claim second place, with Lewis Hamilton taking third. The unexpected turn of events meant that championship leader Max Verstappen, who has been unstoppable recently, finished in fifth place, marking the first time Red Bull failed to win a race this season.Carlos Sainz demonstrated exceptional control and strategy as he brilliantly led the night race from pole position to clinch only his second career win. His previous triumph was at the British Grand Prix at Silver...
Sports

Max Verstappen claims record 10th straight F1 win at Italian GP | Racing News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Red Bull's Max Verstappen took a record 10th Formula One win in a row on Sunday in a one-two finish with Sergio Perez at Ferrari's home Italian Grand Prix.Verstappen's victory at Monza's "Temple of Speed" outside Milan was also Red Bull's 15th in succession -- another Formula One record.Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who started on pole position, finished third for Ferrari for his first podium appearance of the season. The championship leader Verstappen also stretched his lead in the standings over Perez to 145 points with eight rounds remaining.The 29-year-old has now won 12 of this season's races and is all but certain to claim his third consecutive F1 title after breaking a record he shared with Sebastian Vettel by winning in Zandvoort last weekend.The Dutch driver made it 10 in a...
Sports

Max Verstappen wins Dutch GP for record-equalling ninth successive victory | Racing News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Red Bull's Max Verstappen on Sunday celebrated a record-equalling ninth successive Formula One victory after winning a chaotic and rain-halted Dutch Grand Prix for the third year in a row.The race started dry before sudden rain caused chaos at the end of lap one, with another dry period followed by a torrential downpour that brought out red flags on the 65th of 72 laps with cars skidding off.But despite the rain, Verstappen managed to match Sebastian Vettel's record run of nine consecutive victories.Fernando Alonso for Aston Martin took second with Alpine's Pierre Gasly completing the podium at Zandvoort."Fantastic job, the weather didn't make it easy for us," said Red Bull's double world champion.The home favourite's 11th success from the 13 races staged this season extended...
Sports

F1: Verstappen takes a crushing eighth win in a row at Belgian Grand Prix | Racing News – Times of India

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (Belgium): Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen roared to a crushing eighth win in a row, one short of the all-time record, in a Red Bull one-two with Sergio Perez at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.Red Bull's 13th consecutive victory made the team the first in the sport's 73-year history to win the opening 12 races of a season, one more than McLaren managed in 1988 with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.Verstappen, who started sixth after a five-place grid penalty, extended his championship lead over Perez to 125 points -- effectively five races -- after taking the chequered flag 22.3 seconds ahead of the Mexican."I knew we had a great car, it was just about surviving turn one," said the double world champion, who has now won in Belgium for the last three years ...
Sports

F1 leader Max Verstappen wins rain-hit Belgian GP sprint race, Oscar Piastri is second

Two-time reigning Formula One champion Max Verstappen won the rain-hit sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday to extend his huge lead over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to 118 points. It was Verstappen’s ninth straight win including the two sprint races he has won this season. He collected eight points for the victory and will look to extend his overall lead further in Sunday’s main race as he continues his march to a third straight world title. “That was not bad,” Verstappen said with casual understatement. He finished a comfortable 6.7 seconds ahead of McLaren driver Oscar Piastri and 10.7 clear of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly. “I’m getting more and more comfortable with the car, which is much better than it was at the start of the year,” said the 22-year-old Piastri. “It’s been ...
Sports

Morning Digest | Over 13,000 detained in Manipur over the last fortnight; Delhi prepares as Yamuna river level set to cross danger mark again, and more

Meitei women protesting against ongoing violence in Imphal, Manipur on Sunday, July 23, 2023. | Photo Credit: Ritu Raj Konwar Over 13,000 detained in Manipur over last fortnight; more suspects identified in May 4 sexual violence caseThe Manipur police have detained over 13,000 people, holding them in preventive custody, and destroyed nearly 290 bunkers over the past fortnight, to bring a semblance of law and order in the violence-hit State.Delhi prepares as Yamuna River water level crosses the danger mark againDelhi administration is bracing for a possible repeat of the flooding seen 10 days ago, as the Yamuna water level breached the danger mark again on Sunday.Six die in different incidents as heavy rain leads to flooding in GujaratUnprecedented flooding claimed parts of the Saurasht...
Sports

Max Verstappen takes 6th win in a row at British Grand Prix | Racing News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Formula One leader Max Verstappen on Sunday won the British Grand Prix as Red Bull remained unbeaten in 2023 to equal McLaren's 1988 record run of 11 victories in a row.Lando Norris of McLaren finished second in front of a 160,000-strong home crowd at Silverstone, with his fellow Briton and seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton third for Mercedes after starting seventh.It was Verstappen's 43rd career win and his eighth in 10 races this year as he increased his lead ahead of team-mate Sergio Perez in the drivers' championship to 99 points.Norris's McLaren team-mate Australian rookie Oscar Piastri finished fourth ahead of George Russell, Perez, two-time champion Fernand Alonso of Aston Martin and Williams' Alex Albon.Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz came home nint...
Sports

Max Verstappen wins in Austria with ease to extend series lead | Racing News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Double world champion Max Verstappen on Sunday crusied to a seventh win out of nine this season, clinching Red Bull's home Austrian Grand Prix. The victory for Verstappen was his fifth successive this season as he took another step towards a hat-trick of world title. Verstappen, who also victorious in Saturday's 100km sprint race at Spielberg's Red Bull Ring, stretched his lead over Mexican team mate Sergio Perez to 81 points with the win on Sunday. Charles Leclerc finished second as Ferrari earned a milestone 800th podium finish while Perez went up from 15th to finish third in a race littered with time penalties. "That is the full sweep, classy Max, very very classy," said Red Bull boss Christian Horner over the team radio."The car was on fire!" replied Verstappen after his ...
Sports

Max Verstappen ready to maintain winning run, stretch his lead | Racing News – Times of India

MONTREAL: Refreshed by a Mediterranean break since winning in Spain, defending world champion Max Verstappen will be seeking to continue his dominant run and stretch his title-race lead in this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.The Red Bull driver, who won in Montreal last year, has reeled off successive victories in Miami, Monte Carlo and Barcelona to move 53 points clear of nearest rival and team-mate Sergio Perez in the drivers' championship.He has also led every lap since lap 48 in Florida, a total of 154, the longest unbroken run since 2012 when four-time champion Sebastian Vettel was equally supreme for the Milton Keynes-based team.Another win, in Sunday's 70-lap contest on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a high-speed semi-street track on the Ile Notre-Dame in the St Lawrence river, wo...
Sports

Max Verstappen wins in Spain to continue Red Bull sweep | Racing News – Times of India

MONTMELÓ (Spain): Defending double world champion Max Verstappen extended his lead in this year's title race to 53 points on Sunday when he completed a hat-trick by driving his Red Bull to a masterful victory in the Spanish Grand Prix.The 25-year-old Dutchman led from lights to flag to come home 24 seconds ahead of revitalised seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, in their much-improved Mercedes' cars.It was Verstappen's third consecutive win, his third in Spain, his fifth in seven races this season and the 40th of his career, achieved despite receiving three official warnings for exceeding track limits."It's such a big pleasure to drive a car like this," said Verstappen."And it showed again today. We were on different tyre strategies out there today and mostly I was on...
Sports

Max Verstappen on pole for the Monaco Grand Prix | Racing News – Times of India

MONACO: Max Verstappen claimed pole for the Monaco Grand Prix with Fernando Alonso keeping the Red Bull world champion company on the front row after qualifying on Saturday.Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will start Sunday's race on the second row alongside the Alpine of Esteban Ocon."You have to go all out and risk it all," said Verstappen."I knew I was behind, I'm very happy to be on pole for the first time here."The session was red-flagged when Sergio Perez smashed his Red Bull into a wall leaving last year's winner at the rear of the grid.With overtaking at a premium on the narrow twisting streets of the Principality Perez's misfortune could prove costly for his title challenge with the Mexican 14 points adrift of Verstappen going into this sixth race of the season.Carlos Sainz in the sec...
Sports

Max Verstappen leads Red Bull one-two in final Monaco practice, Lewis Hamilton crashes

Formula One champion Max Verstappen led a Red Bull one-two in final practice for the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday while Lewis Hamilton brought the session to an early end by crashing his Mercedes. Overall leader Verstappen lapped with a best time of one minute 12.776 seconds, 0.073 faster than Mexican team mate and last year’s Monaco winner Sergio Perez. The pair have between them won every grand prix this season, with four one-two finishes in five races and Verstappen leading by 14 points. Canadian Lance Stroll was third on the timesheets for Aston Martin, who had Fernando Alonso down in 14th, but the session was inconclusive as drivers were unable to get in their final flying laps. There’s nothing like Monaco 🇲🇨🤏 pic.twitter.com/OjS0J48wht — Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) May 26,...
Sports

Emilia Romagna F1 Grand Prix called off due to weather | Racing News – Times of India

The Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix, scheduled to take place at Imola, Italy, has been cancelled due to severe weather conditions in the region. The decision comes as devastating floods have led to the loss of lives and forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes. Italy's Transport Minister, Matteo Salvini, had earlier called for the race to be postponed so that all efforts could be focused on dealing with the emergency situation.Organisers stated that the cancellation was necessary to prioritise the safety of fans, teams, and personnel involved in the event. They also expressed their responsibility towards the towns and cities in the affected region, acknowledging the pressure already faced by local authorities and emergency services. The organisers commended the work of t...
Sports

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc denies talks with Mercedes: ‘Not yet’ | Racing News – Times of India

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc denied on Thursday he was talking to rivals Mercedes after a nightmare start to the Formula One season, but his 'not yet' comment was unlikely to dampen speculation.Leclerc has scored only six points from three races so far, retiring twice.A year ago he won two of the first three and was second in the other before Ferrari's challenge fell apart due to a lack of reliability, botched strategy and driver errors."No, there have not been any conversations. Not yet. Not for the moment," the Monegasque told reporters in Baku when asked about media speculation in Italy that his discussions with former champions Mercedes were an open secret."For now, I am fully focused on the project I am in today, which is Ferrari and I fully trust and am confident for the future. Then...
Sports

Jehan Daruvala eyeing Azerbaijan podium hat-trick | Racing News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Ace Indian race driver Jehan Daruvala will be eyeing his third consecutive Azerbaijan podium as Formula 2 returns to action at the Baku city circuit after a month-long break.The 24-year-old, who races for Dutch team MP Motorsport, finished third around the fearsomely fast, 6-km-long street track on his first visit to the venue in 2021.He followed that up with a second-place finish last year, crossing the line less than half a second behind the race winner.Now, batteries recharged, he is aiming to go one better to not only win but also make it three podiums from three races.“Baku has been something of a happy hunting ground for me. With the exception of the narrow, tight section that runs through the old city, the layout is quite similar to Jeddah, which plays to the strengths...