Fernando alonso

Carlos Sainz sees that Fernando Alonso is leading the popularity vote in their native Spain, but he perfectly understands why. In recent years it has been Sainz at the forefront of Spain’s Formula 1 hopes as a Ferrari driver, winning for the first time at the 2022 British Grand Prix, that a season where he also claimed a further eight podium finishes. All the while Alonso was fighting to pick up the scraps in the midfield-running Alpine, but with his F1 2023 switch to Aston Martin thrusting Alonso back into the podium scene, his fans back in Spain, where he and Sainz both hail from, are out in full enthusiastic force once more. Alonso has featured in five of the seven podiums so far this season, with a P2 in Monaco representing his best result, and though he was unable to get near the top three at the most recent attempt, his home race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the support of the home crowd did not waver. Sainz though made it clear that there is no feeling of … [Read more...] about Carlos Sainz responds to jealousy suspicions over Fernando Alonso popularity

With Fernando Alonso still going very strong over 40, Nico Rosberg used that as inspiration to discuss his time as team-mate to Michael Schumacher when he returned to F1. Schumacher initially called time on his legendary Formula 1 career after the 2006 campaign, by which point he had broken a plethora of records with the jewel in the crown being his status as a seven-time World Champion. But after a Ferrari return in 2009 to cover for the injured Felipe Massa was thwarted for Schumacher by a neck injury, the German racer secured a return to Formula 1 for 2010 as he and Nico Rosberg became team-mates at the new Mercedes team. Schumacher’s return lasted three seasons, though did not feature anything like the success of his past, with a P3 finish at the 2012 European Grand Prix and setting the fastest qualifying lap in Monaco that year serving as the highlights. Having turned 41 in his first Mercedes season, he bowed out at the age of 43. And now Alonso, who ended Schumacher’s … [Read more...] about Nico Rosberg reveals Michael Schumacher’s adaptation struggles upon F1 comeback

Wanting more from Aston Martin after falling behind Mercedes in Spain, Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack has confirmed that “something is coming” for the Canadian Grand Prix. Off the podium at his home race in Barcelona, Alonso wasn’t dejected by the result but instead determinedly said that “it will not happen again” and that Spain was Aston Martin’s “last race without podiums”. But with Mercedes having taken a notable step forward with the introduction of their B-spec W14, Alonso is facing tight competition for that final spot on the podium. In Spain it went to Mercedes where Lewis Hamilton and George Russell capitalised on an off-weekend for Sergio Perez to finish 2-3 behind race winner Max Verstappen. Alonso has made it clear he not only wants that to be a one-off but he wants to be fighting Verstappen for the race wins, and soon. “I think that in two weeks we will see a completely different picture and, hopefully, we will fight with the Red Bulls soon,” he said. “In … [Read more...] about Aston Martin tease ‘something is coming’ to rival Mercedes upgrades

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has reportedly broken up with his long-time partner, Spanish journalist Isabel Hernaez. The duo had always seemingly made a great effort to hide much of their relationship and private life from the public eye, having been together for seven years. Though as reported by Spanish publication Hola , Sainz and Hernaez have now gone their seperate ways, with rumours, unconfirmed by the pair, that unfaithful acts played a key role in their break up. There has been a theme of F1 driver’s relationships ending in recent times. Sainz’s fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso recently announced his split from Austrian TV presenter Andrea Schlager, while Sainz’s Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc also went through a recent break-up as his relationship with Charlotte Siné came to an end. With the Hola report mentioning a career focus now for both Sainz and Hernaez, it is safe to say that he is facing a huge challenge on the racetrack with his Ferrari team. … [Read more...] about Carlos Sainz reportedly splits up with partner after seven-year relationship

Max Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen has slammed a report claiming the driver is “avoiding tax” in the Netherlands by living in Monaco. Domiciled in Monaco instead of the Netherlands, Verstappen is living in a tax haven as the Principality does not tax individuals on their income. That saves him a pretty penny as, with an annual income of some 64 million euros, Verstappen would be paying a large portion of that over to the taxman if he was living in the country under whose flag he races, as the Netherlands’ top income tax rate is 49.5%. According to De Volkskrant, if Verstappen ‘remains based in Monaco until 2028, his tax benefit will increase to at least 200 million euros over 13 years.’ The article went onto question if that was ‘morally acceptable behaviour’. Vermeulen has hit out at the suggestion of tax avoidance. “It is factually incorrect what is written by De Volkskrant,” RTL quotes the Dutchman’s manager as having told Dutch programme Jinek. PlanetF1.com … [Read more...] about Max Verstappen’s camp respond to €200million tax avoidance claims

Now seemingly on the right path with their car’s development, Damon Hill has told Mercedes to do “really badly” for the rest of this season in order to gain extra ATR [aerodynamic testing restrictions] allowance for 2024. After much speculation, Mercedes arrived at round six of this year’s championship with a B-spec W14, one that no longer featured zero-pods but instead had bulk on the sides for the first time in F1’s new ground effect aerodynamic era. Already the changes, which it must be noted also included a new floor and front suspension, are paying off with the team securing a double podium at the Spanish Grand Prix where Lewis Hamilton was second to George Russell’s P3. The result created cause for optimism, Mercedes now dreaming of closing the gap to Red Bull and becoming the team that ends their winning streak. But even if they win a race, or four, the championship trophies are all but Red Bull’s as, barring disaster, they hold a 135-point advantage in the … [Read more...] about Damon Hill’s ‘absolutely stupid policy and strategy’ to assist Mercedes in 2024

Sebastian Vettel made amends for his last-lap defeat at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve two years ago and bolstered his championship lead with his third victory of 2013. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free It wasn’t a flawless performance from Vettel – he brushed the wall on the way and ran wide at the first corner. But if he occasionally looked like throwing victory away no one ever looked like taking it off him. Vettel streaks away as Bottas goes backwards The same two drivers shared the front row as last year: Vettel ahead of Lewis Hamilton . But the opening laps were strikingly different: far from keeping Vettel in his sights, Hamilton could only look on as the Red Bull drove away in the opening laps. Behind them Valtteri Bottas fought hard to hold onto his hard-won third place from qualifying but his car was clearly unequal to the struggle. Nico Rosberg passed him off the line and Mark Webber got past in the opening corners. Bottas defended firmly … [Read more...] about 2013 Canadian GP review: Vettel makes amends for 2011 – F1 Fanatic

In the round-up: In-season testing is set to to return in 2014. Links Your daily digest of F1 news, views, features and more. Four in season test sessions return in expanded 2014 F1 calendar (James Allen on F1) “The package envisages the end of the Young Drivers test session, a reduction in straight line aerodynamic test days from eight to two, while promotional days are also cut to two. In their place, the F1 teams will remain in place for a two day test with one car after four European Grands Prix. Barcelona and Silverstone will be two of the venues. Eight of the eleven teams voted for the new measures which meant that it had the majority required to pass.” Hamilton admits braking affected race (Autosport) “We haven’t cured anything. It has been a long period of time since Barcelona where there was big trouble there. We have picked up a couple of techniques and worked on it, which helps.” Title fight wide open – Red Bull (BBC) “While the points look … [Read more...] about In-season testing to return in 2014 · RaceFans

Adrian Sutil criticised the decision of the FIA stewards to hand him a drive-through penalty during the Canadian Grand Prix. Sutil was penalised for failing to respond to blue flags when he was being lapped by Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in the latter stages of the race. “Quite disappointing with the drive-though,” Sutil said afterwards. “I was just racing Raikkonen, I was trying to push on. I gave them the straight to pass me, that’s where Hamilton overtook me then with the DRS as well.” “So I thought, ‘OK’, they were one lap behind me but that’s usual in this kind of circuit. I spent many laps behind lapped cars until I got past. “It’s just so inconsistent decision all the time by the FIA. it’s something I don’t understand.” His team agreed with his view of the penalty, telling him on the radio after the race it was “harsh”. The stewards ruled Sutil had ignored blue flags from turn three to turn thirteen. Sutil’s problems began when he tangled with Valtteri … [Read more...] about Sutil’s criticises ‘inconsistent FIA’ after penalty · RaceFans