F1 News

In a statement released by Formula 1 on Wednesday, officials announced that this weekend’s Grand Prix at Imola will be abandoned amid raging floods that have forced thousands to flee their homes.

After a meeting between Formula 1, the President of the FIA and relevant authorities, including Ministers, the President of the Automobile Club of Italy, the President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Mayor of the City and the promoter, the decision has been taken to not proceed with this weekend’s event.

The area where the race was due to take place has been under a red weather warning after severe rainfall, with the swollen Santerno River behind the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit sending water flooding across parts of the track.

Italy’s deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, had called for the race to be postponed over the deadly weather conditions, as officials wanted to ensure all efforts were concentrated on tackling the emergency situation.

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Heeding the warnings, Formula 1 and the regional authorities had urged teams and personnel to not go to the circuit on Wednesday due to the risk posed by the dangerous conditions.

George Russell responded to the situation in Italy, issuing an apology to fans who were travelling to the event to support Mercedes, stating how safety has to come first.

“Sorry for the fans that this weekend’s race has been cancelled but the safety of everyone involved always has to come first,” Russell posted on Twitter.

“Wishing all the best to everyone in the Emilia-Romagna region and surrounding areas that have been affected by these floods.”

“It is such a tragedy to see what has happened to Imola and Emilia-Romagna, the town and region that I grew up in, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding and the families and communities affected,” Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said in an official statement.

“I want to express my gratitude and admiration for the incredible emergency services who are working tirelessly to help those who need help and alleviate the situation – they are heroes and the whole of Italy is proud of them.

Christian Horner worried about Lewis Hamilton as #Mercedes to unleash B-spec car https://t.co/T14XCnMhUd

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 17, 2023

READ: Lando Norris warned Oscar Piastri could force him out of McLaren

“The decision that has been taken is the right one for everyone in the local communities and the F1 family as we need to ensure safety and not create extra burden for the authorities while they deal with this very awful situation.”

“My thoughts and those of the entire FIA family are with those affected by the terrible situation in the Emilia-Romagna region. The safety of everyone involved and recovery efforts are the top priority at this time,” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem added.

Formula 1 isn’t the only sport to have been affected by the weather conditions, with cycling’s Giro d’Italia and the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome being impacted.

The post George Russell reacts to Emilia Romagna Grand Prix being cancelled appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Formula 1 took the step to unilaterally terminate its contract with Russia, dropping the Russian Grand Prix from the calendar.

The situation has left the promoters of the event looking for financial compensation, having paid for an event that didn’t happen.

“They owe us money,” promoter Alexey Titov told Russian news agency Tass.

“We ask Formula 1 to return it. It was paid but there was no spectacle.

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“They admit that there is a debt so in this sense there is no litigation, but they say that they are technically unable to return the money.

“We, as an organisation, were once controlled by VTB Bank, which was a technical sponsor, so there are legal sanctions barriers for the return of funds,” Titov added.

“Is there any hope of getting the money back? Of course – this is the country’s money and I’m not afraid of saying it.”

Russia first hosted a Grand Prix in 1913 and 1914 but the outbreak of war would disrupt plans for future races, with the event not returning to the calendar for 100 years.

The race rejoined the calendar as an annual fixture, with the Sochi Autodrome having played host to the event from 2014-2021.

Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most number of wins at the permanent circuit, having taken 5 P1 finishes.

#RedBull admit they considered selling #AlphaTauri as they provide new update https://t.co/VesCGQXTsA

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 15, 2023

READ: Max Verstappen shocks team-mate with overtaking skills

Mercedes has an even stronger track record around the circuit, securing eight wins thanks to Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Valtteri Bottas.

No other team has managed to secure victory on the Russian track, although McLaren’s Lando Norris came close in 2021 after he took pole.

Unfortunately for Norris, a poor strategy call as rain fell saw him slip off the track and throw away his P1 position, eventually ending the race in P7.

The post ‘They owe us money’: Russia demands compensation from Formula 1 appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

On Tuesday Formula 1 still hoped the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix might go ahead. But by Wednesday it was clear the severe flooding meant it had to be called off.

Formula 1’s CEO, Stefano Domenicali, has shut the door on speculation concerning an introduction to a rule change after Red Bull have run riot, claiming 5 race wins out of 5.

Suggestions have circulated urging for F1 and the FIA to intervene in order to even out the playing field, bringing competition closer.

Domenicali was clear on his stance, insisting: “We cannot intervene in the performance of the teams,

“I am sure what we did in terms of financial regulations will help to minimise the gap on the technical side. But the truth is that Red Bull just did a better job than the others.

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“At the same time, it would be foolish to say that the season is over,

“I’m sure the path that Formula 1 has taken with the upper budget limit and different development options for the teams will level out the field sooner or later,” the Italian stated.

Such conversation may appear bizarre considering we’re still so early in the season.

However, the pace and power of Red Bull is so exceptional that many deem the season to be over already.

The recent Miami Grand Prix was home to yet another Red Bull 1-2 finish.

Max Verstappen won the race comfortably, with teammate Sergio Perez finishing 5 seconds behind. Red Bull’s nearest rival was Fernando Alonso who came in 26 seconds slower than Verstappen.

Mercedes man Lewis Hamilton finished the race 51 seconds slower than Verstappen, exposing the extreme difference in class this season.

Christian Horner remains concerned

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has stayed vigilant, mindful that the season is far from over.

“I think winning 23 races is unimaginable,” he told the Financial Times.

“You have 23 races, there is reliability to deal with, the weather, strategy and also an element of luck.

Christian Horner worried about Lewis Hamilton as #Mercedes to unleash B-spec car https://t.co/T14XCnMhUd

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 17, 2023

READ: Lando Norris warned Oscar Piastri could force him out of McLaren

“Mercedes has a completely new car on the way, from what we hear,”

“Ferrari has some updates too. It’s easy to get carried away by what’s happening here and now.”

Mercedes and Ferrari will be hoping their new additions can help close the gap on Red Bull who lead the constructors’ battle with a whopping 224 points.

The shock contenders Aston Martin trail with 102, Mercedes with 96, and Ferrari fourth with 78.

The post Stefano Domenicali’s comments will be music to Max Verstappen’s ears appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

The promoter of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix expects Formula 1 will allow it to hold its cancelled race at a future date.

The mood at Mercedes remains muddled. Questions over the contract of seven-time Word Champion Lewis Hamilton persist, and the significance of the new Mercedes upgrades have been contradicted internally.

So far this season Lewis Hamilton has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons – no doing on his part.

Hamilton has attracted worldwide attention after various sightings with pop-star Shakira, but the Englishman has also been linked with an illustrious move to Italian giants Ferrari.

Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes runs out at the end of the season and team principal Toto Wolff has changed his stance regarding the progression of negotiations.

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Wolff recently went back on his comments which suggested the team were “100% committed” to keeping Hamilton.

Now it appears things have taken an abrupt turn.

“I want the best for him, but in that role I need the best for the team. That can be the only time in our 10 or 11 years when we are together and our objectives diverge.” said Wolff.

George Russell and Toto Wolff have conflicting opinions on upgrades

With Hamilton and Wolff apparently far off in their negotiations, one would assume the harmony in the camp exists with George Russell.

However, questions over the impact of Mercedes’ upgrades have been reworked, rewritten, and dismissed.

Sergio #Perez urged to risk getting sacked by #RedBull https://t.co/GYay7g4G8F

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 17, 2023

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On the one side of the Mercedes sea-saw, you have Toto Wolff – adamant that the upgrade package meant for Imola was a substantial one.

On the opposite side is George Russell, insistent that they aren’t to expect much.

Nonetheless, the situation at Mercedes may seem calamitous but upgrades are imminent, and Lewis Hamilton’s manager, Penni Thow, has been able to act as a middleman to alleviate the awkwardness of negotiations.

The post Toto Wolff opens the door to Lewis Hamilton quitting Mercedes in a few months appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Ahead of the now-cancelled Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, McLaren’s Lando Norris took a shot at George Russell on social media, amusingly recreating his pose from the F1 opening title sequence.

Russell’s pose, with his head down and arms outstretched, went viral earlier this year, as fans and teams shared memes of the driver in various amusing settings.

Standing in the McLaren headquarters, Lando Norris took on the iconic pose on a bridge at the Surrey base.

McLaren shared the photo on social media on Tuesday afternoon with the caption “When @LandoNorris pulls out ‘The Russell.’”

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Mercedes couldn’t help but respond to McLaren’s joke, defending their driver from the rival team’s mockery.

“George Russell. Trendsetter. F1 race winner,” Mercedes tweeted on Tuesday afternoon, sharing the photos of their driver and Norris.

While Norris and Russell have had their fair share of on-track battles, the two drivers have found themselves at different ends of the grid this season, as Mercedes fights for top ten spots, while McLaren is stuck at the back.

Russell has secured a season best of P4 in Saudi Arabia and Miami, while Norris has only secured two top ten finishes, with P6 in Australia and P9 in Azerbaijan.

Max #Verstappen shocks team-mate with overtaking skills https://t.co/i9hH8379MY

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 16, 2023

READ: Lewis Hamilton refuses to take responsibility for fans’ boredom

Both teams are looking to mount a comeback in the next few weeks, as they roll out upgrades to their cars in a bid to address performance failures.

Heading into round 6 at the legendary Italian circuit, Mercedes is sitting on 96 points in P3 of the Constructors’ Standings, while McLaren is down in P5 with 14 points.

In the Drivers’ Standings, Lewis Hamilton sits in P4 and Russell in P6, while McLaren’s Norris is in P9 and Oscar Piastri is down in P14.

The post Lando Norris and George Russell trade blows online appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Sure, there have been rain impacted races, like Spa in 2021, and days lost to extreme events like the typhoon that hit Suzuka qualifying day in 2019, but the abandonment of an entire Grand Prix just days before it starts is quite unprecedented.
But just like the last non-Covid cancellation, of the 2011 season opener in Bahrain because of the political situation in the country, there are times ...Keep reading

The writing was on the wall for the first European round of the season after extreme rainfall caused severe floods throughout the Emilia Romagna region, including parts of the Imola circuit's paddock. Following crunch talks between F1, the FIA and the local authorities, the decision was taken on Wednesday to call off this weekend's event, so all focus could go to restoring infrastructure and ...Keep reading

Formula 1 is unlikely to reinstate the cancelled Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola to its schedule this year.

F1 confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the Imola race would not take place following discussions with "the president of the FIA, the competent authorities including the relevant ministers, the president of the Automobile Club of Italy, the president of Emilia Romagna region, the mayor of the city and the promoter".
In a statement, F1 said: "The decision has been taken because it is not ...Keep reading

Formula 1 drivers and teams have voiced their support after the series took the rare step of cancelling this weekend's round of the world championship.

At least two people have died due to the weather conditions that have hit the area throughout May. Heavy rain caused more than a dozen rivers to burst their banks during a 24-hour period, while red weather warnings for flooding and landslides remain in place for this weekend.
This has led many locals to be displaced, while emergency flood relief fundraisers have been created.
F1 instructed ...Keep reading

Formula 1's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola this weekend has been called off due to flooding of the venue and the local area.

Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle is to step down next month after four years in charge of the all-electric single-seater world championship.

For the second time in a few weeks, adverse weather has wreaked havoc on Emilia Romagna, with reports emerging from severe floods near the Imola circuit, the city of Bologna and other parts of the Italian region.
Ahead of crisis talks between F1, the FIA and the Italian authorities on whether the Imola race weekend will go ahead or not, F1 personnel have been told to stay away from the circuit ...Keep reading

The Italian outfit is looking to make gains to its SF-23 car to help address the issues it has faced in matching the pace of rival Red Bull in race conditions. 
While the car looks very competitive over a single lap in qualifying, its inconsistent performance and the lack of confidence that Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have in it at times has left it lacking on Sundays. 
The ...Keep reading

On what should have been a critical set up day for teams ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the pits and paddock will instead be left empty as preparations are derailed by the unprecedented weather situation in Italy.
Multiple sources from teams have revealed that they have been requested by authorities not to travel to the Imola circuit while the ongoing situation is assessed.
Intense ...Keep reading

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says it became clear early in their talks with Ford how keen the American car-making giant was to return to F1 with them.

Lando Norris could find himself being forced out of McLaren by a series of strong performance from Oscar Piastri, according to Formula 1 team manager Peter Windsor.

The Australian’s skill has been evident on track, even with the challenges presented by the poor performance from the car.

Piastri joined McLaren at the start of 2023, replacing his fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo, with the team hoping that the rookie driver would help to push Norris by providing more competition internally.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Windsor argued that Piastri has the potential to rise to the top of the sport, even having the skill to thrive at Red Bull or compete on level terms with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.

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“From what I’ve seen now, I think he’s got short corners,” Windsor said, addressing Piastri’s start to the season.

“I think he’s got lovely touch. I think he drives really, really well and he’s got enormous potential.

“In a Red Bull right now, he’d be really quick.

“In a Ferrari, he’d be not far away from Sainz out of the box.

“It’s very early days [so] obviously he’s not as quick as George [Russell] or Lewis [Hamilton] or Charles [Leclerc] or Max [Verstappen].

“But I think he’s potentially right up there. And this is the problem for Lando.

“I’m not saying that Lando’s not as quick if not quicker.

“I think Lando’s got enormous potential as well, but he’s in danger at the moment of going sideways in terms of his career at McLaren and Piastri has got nothing to lose at McLaren.

“He can only gain by looking good alongside Lando.

“This is an important year for Lando because he needs to come out of it basically being three tenths to five tenths quicker than Piastri everywhere and blowing him away. That’s not happening yet.

#Formula1 CEO fires shot at Bernie Ecclestone https://t.co/I7qxCCbWyP

— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 16, 2023

READ: Mercedes make surprising claim about Imola upgrade package

“And if it’s not happening, Lando needs to be in another team getting his career going with some sort of skyrocket because Piastri’s eating into Lando’s stock right now, I think.”

Windsor was originally critical of McLaren over its decision to drop Ricciardo after only two seasons at the team, believing he had had a strong pairing with Norris.

Now, Windsor fears the changing dynamic at the team could lead Norris to seek other options on the grid.

While Norris is tied into a contract with McLaren until 2025, he has previously been linked to Mercedes and Red Bull, with many seeing him as a future world champion.

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