logo
Ferrari win Le Mans for third year in a row

Ferrari win Le Mans for third year in a row

TimesLIVE7 days ago

The #51 factory Ferrari of 2023 winners Alessandro Pier Guidi, Antonio Giovinazzi and James Calado completed the podium with last year's winners Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen and Miguel Molina fourth in the #50 Ferrari.
Kubica's triumph came on the same weekend as the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, scene of his only Formula One win with BMW Sauber in 2008 after a huge crash at the same track in 2007.
It also capped an astonishing racing redemption story for the 40-year-old whose Formula One career ended after a near-fatal rally crash in Italy in 2011 that partially severed his right forearm.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Watch: Ferrari F80 dubbed ‘fastest road car' they've ever been in by Hamilton, Leclerc
Watch: Ferrari F80 dubbed ‘fastest road car' they've ever been in by Hamilton, Leclerc

The Citizen

timea day ago

  • The Citizen

Watch: Ferrari F80 dubbed ‘fastest road car' they've ever been in by Hamilton, Leclerc

Both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton hare the sentiment that the Ferrari F80 is the quickest road car they have ever been in. Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari journey is off to a flying start — quite literally. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion, who recently joined the Scuderia, has already had his hands on the steering wheel of the company's most powerful road car to date: the Ferrari F80. Not long after his first day at Maranello — where he posed beside the iconic F40, Enzo Ferrari's final signed-off creation — Hamilton made headlines again by expressing a desire to one day bring a modern homage to life, rumoured to be called the 'F44'. But while that project brews in the background, Hamilton is clearly wasting no time enjoying what's already on offer. Invited by Ferrari to drive the F80 around the Fiorano test circuit, Hamilton joined current teammate Charles Leclerc for a high-speed session in the hybrid hypercar. And the verdict? As expected, glowing. 'Fastest road car I've ever been in,' the Brit enthused — quite the statement from someone who's piloted the Mercedes-AMG One, a car built with Formula 1 tech and a Nürburgring lap record under its belt. Clearly impressed, Hamilton even hinted at adding the F80 to his personal garage: 'Okay, I've got to order me some of these one day.' With only 799 examples planned and reportedly already spoken for, one would imagine Ferrari might still make a plan for its newest star signing. 'This is another level,' he added, calling it 'the fastest road car Ferrari has done.' Leclerc, meanwhile, is no stranger to the F80. The Monégasque driver was part of the hypercar's launch campaign, having previously driven it at Fiorano shortly after its official reveal. Before his departure from the team, Carlos Sainz Jr. also sampled a camouflaged prototype and gave it his stamp of approval. Now racing for Williams, the Spaniard was one of the first to get a taste of the electrified machine. As for Hamilton, despite owning a Pagani Zonda (which he once described as 'terrible to drive' but praised for its soundtrack), the V6-powered F80 appears to have left a far greater impression — both in performance and refinement. Whether or not the F44 concept sees the light of day, the F80 is already proving a fitting welcome gift for Hamilton in red. Watch the video here:

Team boss Vowles signs long-term Williams F1 contract
Team boss Vowles signs long-term Williams F1 contract

TimesLIVE

time2 days ago

  • TimesLIVE

Team boss Vowles signs long-term Williams F1 contract

Williams team principal James Vowles has signed a new long-term contract, the former Formula One world champions said on Thursday. Vowles, 45, joined Williams from Mercedes in 2023 and has helped turn around their fortunes with the British-based team fifth overall after 10 of 24 races. Williams, who gave no details about the contract, have scored more points (55) this season with drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon than in the last three combined. Vowles said the team had "felt like home from the moment I walked through the door". "We are all united in our ambition to build on our legacy and win World Championships again. Over the past two years we have focused on fixing the foundations, and have a platform to go for glory in the years to come."

Kyalami's F1 upgrade approved, circuit owner urges government to act
Kyalami's F1 upgrade approved, circuit owner urges government to act

The Citizen

time3 days ago

  • The Citizen

Kyalami's F1 upgrade approved, circuit owner urges government to act

South Africa is one step closer to hosting a Formula One Grand Prix. The Citizen reports that Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit owner Toby Venter has, however, put a damper on celebrations, citing a lack of commitment from government. Venter yesterday announced that the FIA has approved the proposed upgrades Kyalami requires to host a Formula One race for the first time since 1993. The circuit has been granted a three-year window to comply. He is confident the upgrades, for which the circuit will foot the bill – estimated to be between R90 and R180m – and set to take three months, can be completed before the end of the year. But Venter stopped short of predicting a date for F1's big return, saying that 'government needs to engage with Formula One to make it happen like they do all over the world'. This, according to the Kyalami boss, is something that is required in addition to the bid steering committee set up by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, which must consider bids for the F1 race. ALSO READ: Kyalami or Cape Town? Race to host SA F1 Grand Prix revs up Government 'must engage' 'The bid steering committee is doing its work and we can't speak on its behalf. But unfortunately, for this to go forward, government has to engage a Formula One map,' said Venter. 'That has not happened yet. Other countries have taken the lead around the world, where the government has paid a deposit to Formula One management in entering a memorandum of understanding. We are waiting for government to play its part.' Other local bids are expected to come from Cape Town and Wakanda Smart City, while Rwanda has also expressed its intention to be the first to bring F1 back to Africa. 'Kyalami is the most recognisable and event-ready circuit on the African continent. No other circuit on the African continent can lay claim to a fraction of the motorsport history of Kyalami,' added Venter. Rich Kyalami F1 history 'The track hosted 21 Grands Prix from 1967 to 1993. Its list of winners includes Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Jim Clark and our very own Jody Scheckter.' The 16-corner, 4.529km layout underwent a major revamp after Venter bought it at an auction in 2014. Extensive upgrades ensured Grade 2 status from the FIA, the world's controlling body for motorsport. British-based company Apex Circuit Design was last year tasked with drawing up the plans for upgrades Kyalami needs to achieve the required Grade 1 status to host F1 racing. The grading is determined by the kilogram-to-horsepower ratio. The ratio of F1 cars is the lowest of any motorsport class and therefore requires the highest FIA certification. 'We will not be the roadblock. If the process is held up, it will be something outside our control,' said Clive Bowden, the director and founder of Apex Circuit Design. MotoGP to follow later 'From an engineering point of view, Kyalami requires relevant minor technical alterations to meet the regulations. I'm very confident it can be done within three months without interrupting the track's busy calendar. ALSO READ: Binder: Sleeping at home and racing at Kyalami will be 'sick' 'Turns two and 13 need extended run-off zones. Five, six, seven and 10 also require some work ranging from moving gravel closer and changing the kerbs. 'We have considered hosting MotoGP, but not for the moment. It is considered part of a long-term project.' The F1 calendar for 2026 has already been released without South Africa on it. This means the earliest local motorsport fans can bank on an F1 return is in 2027. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture was sent questions about its engagement with the FIA.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store