Latest news with #Formula1GrandPrix
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
FIA approves Kyalami's final upgrade design for potential Formula 1 return
Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit has moved a step closer to hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix after motorsport's governing body, the FIA, approved final design proposals to upgrade the venue to grade 1 status. The grade 1 classification is a prerequisite for any circuit wishing to host a Formula 1 event. Once the planned upgrades are completed and the circuit passes a final inspection, Kyalami would become the only FIA grade 1 circuit on the African continent. At a media briefing on Wednesday, circuit owner Toby Venter and Clive Bowen, founder and director of UK-based Apex Circuit Design, outlined the five-year process that led to FIA approval. Apex, a well-known circuit design firm, also worked on the layout for the Miami Grand Prix. 'This is a defining moment for South African motorsport,' said Venter. 'When we acquired Kyalami in 2014, we made a commitment to restore it, not just as a world-class venue, but as a beacon for motorsport across the African continent. The FIA's acceptance of our grade 1 design is a major step forward in that journey.'
Newsweek
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Lewis Hamilton Calls Out F1 for Replacing Classic Circuits with 'Worse' New Ones
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. Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has called out the sport for replacing "classic" F1 circuits with new ones, "90 percent" of which are "worse." New venues are being added to the calendar to meet the increasing demand for F1. However, with 24 races being the operational ceiling for the sport at present, old circuits will have to be dropped to make way for new ones. While a rotational system for several European circuits has been planned to ensure they remain a part of F1, classic circuits, such as Imola, have been dropped from the 2026 F1 calendar to make way for a Grand Prix in Madrid. In addition, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya's contract expires after the race next year, raising questions about its long-term future in the sport. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari answers questions in the media pen during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 1, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari answers questions in the media pen during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 1, 2025 in Barcelona, admitted that losing the Barcelona circuit would be a shame. He said: "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." The 44-year-old driver revealed his preference for older circuits, which are better to race on than most new ones that don't meet his expectations. 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." The dropping of Italy's Imola circuit from the calendar raised eyebrows, particularly since the circuit had allocated funds for the 2026 round, as reported by Newsweek Sports. However, Imola Mayor Marco Panieri has confirmed that efforts will be made to regain its lost spot in F1. He said: "This is not the time for controversy, buck-passing and resignation. Now is the time for everyone to take responsibility and resume discussions for a return to the calendar. This is why in recent days, since May 26, we have asked the Government and the sports authority for an Institutional Round Table to precisely examine the terms and methods of support and joint work to bring the Formula 1 Grand Prix back to Imola. "To those who live and love Imola, Emilia-Romagna and this Grand Prix, we say that in a moment in which it would be easy to give in to useless polemics and disappointment, it is instead the time for tenacity and increasingly constructive commitment from everyone. The game does not end here and up until now we have done things that only a few years ago seemed impossible. "We continue to believe in it, with conviction and clarity, with the pride of a territory that, together with other institutional partners, has demonstrated its ability to dream big and concretely build opportunities."
Forbes
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Superyachts, Superstars, And Supercars Shine At The Monaco Grand Prix
Watching Lando Norris win the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix from the top deck of a superyacht is the ... More ultimate flex Watching the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix from the top deck of a superyacht just hits different. Like way different. First off, being on the top deck of a superyacht is always, um, pretty great. A chef usually prepares trays hors d'oeuvres, and there's always a nice crew member to make sure you have enough ice in your drink. But, when your superyacht is mere feet from the Monaco streets that legends of Formula 1 have raced on since 1929, even the most jaded luxury traveler can get a bit giddy. Monaco's balconies become prized places to watch the Monaco Grand Prix in May And since the cars literally race around the harbor, and the city rises up from the harbor to form an amphitheater that's dotted with countless balconies filled with race fans, watching the race from a yacht puts you right in the center of the action. The parties never stop at the Monaco Grand Prix Now, for those of you that don't know, each Formula 1 Grand Prix is comprised of way more than just one race. There are practice days. And a day to qualify—that determines where the cars start on race day. There are days where sponsors get to take their VIP's out on the track for 'hot laps' in various high-performance sports cars. And all sorts of other race cars (Formula 2, Formula 3, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup) that practice and race in the days leading up to race day Sunday too. MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 24: Albert II, Prince of Monaco with Christian Horner, Team Principal of ... More Oracle Red Bull Racing, Frederic Arnault, CEO of LVMH Watches and Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH in the Pitlane during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 24, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco (Photo by) So, what do you think happens onboard all of the yachts in the harbor once the all the cars stop racing around the track each day leading up to the main event? Parties. Lots and lots of parties. In fact, few events bring more of the world's largest and most recognizable superyachts together in one place than the Monaco Grand Prix. The large parties on many of the trackside yachts often go all day (and night) long. While the larger yachts that are anchored offshore shuttle their VIP's in and out to various events. Patrick Dempsey (aka McDreamy) outside the Oracle Red Bull Racing garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix ... More of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 25, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by) But that's just the yacht scene. Some lucky yacht guests and other VIPs get invited into pit lane. And that's on a whole other level of exclusivity. First off, not only are the mind-boggling, multi-million-dollar race cars are all right there—close enough to touch behind flimsy fabric barriers like you see in the customs line at the airport. The good-looking, multi-million-dollar race car drivers are all right there—close enough to touch—too. Of course, touching the cars or the drivers is strictly forbidden. But, you get the point. Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Scuderia Ferrari greets his fans before the third practice session ... More ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, on May 24, 2025. (Photo by Nicola Ciancaglini Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Then there are the celebrities. Like lots of celebrities. And the cool thing is they all seem to be as impressed by the cars and the drivers as mere mortal fans would be so close to Charles Leclerc's Ferrari Formula 1 race car, four-time world champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull car, and the 18 others on the grid. MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 25: (L-R) Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos attend the F1 Grand Prix Of Monaco ... More on May 25, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/WireImage) This is probably partly due to the raw nature of pit lane. It's not the red carpet or like any other 'normal' VIP area. It's loud. It's hot. It can be crowded and even a bit chaotic. And the truth is, on race day, the celebrities are just like everybody else—fans. MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 25: Kylian Mbappé attends the F1 Grand Prix Of Monaco on May 25, 2025 in ... More Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/FilmMagic) Of course, each team also has numerous hospitality areas for VIPs as well. Like the Red Bull Energy Station where the RB17 hypercar was on display. I'm told it was designed F1 legendary engineer Adrian Newey and Red Bull Advanced Technologies to be unlike any other hypercar on the track. The RB17 hypercar on display at the Red Bull Energy lounge at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix It features a two-seater carbon fiber monocoque chassis with a semi-stressed mid mounted naturally aspirated V10 engine that red lines at 15,000 rpm. And power is transferred to the rear wheels via a carbon fiber gearbox. And since it weighs under 2,000 pounds, and has more than 1,200 HP, the RB17 is touted to be able to deliver F1-equivalent lap times and top speeds over 217 MPH, while remaining easy to own and operate. The RB17 is a hypercar unlike any other Oh yeah, it looks very, very fast. And don't you think the RB17 would look extremely cool on the foredeck of a superyacht at next year's Monaco Grand Prix? Yes, I do too. Stay tuned.
Sky News AU
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Georgie Crozier urges Sam Groth to 'explain' after using her chauffeured vehicle to take him home while 'smashed'
Liberal MP Georgie Crozier has blasted her colleague Sam Groth after it was revealed he used her taxpayer-funded chauffeur to drive him and his wife home from the Australian Open last year. Mr Groth, who was reportedly "smashed", and his wife were driven to their Rye home, almost 100km south of Melbourne, in order to get back from the tennis after a private fundraiser held with Nationals MP Jade Benham and subsequent boozing in the tennis precinct party zone. While the incident happened in January 2024, the Herald Sun revealed the details on Friday. The former tennis player is under heavy scrutiny for the misuse of the vehicle as taxpayer-funded vehicles are provided to government ministers and senior opposition figures for them to use while carrying out public duties. Parliamentary guidelines state they must not be used for 'improper personal' purposes, for the 'private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person', or for 'non-public purposes' such as political party fundraisers. In addition to the vehicle revelations, Mr Groth was also found by Herald Sun to have charged taxpayers to stay in luxury hotels while he was attending sporting events, including $317 for accommodation on two occasions during the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne. Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin faced questions over the reports but backed Mr Groth insisting he fulfilled the requirement of meeting with stakeholders at the fundraiser. Ms Crozier, however, said the people of Victoria deserved better from one of its public figures. Sources told the Herald Sun Mr Groth had said to Ms Crozier he wanted to borrow her chauffeur-driven vehicle for a work event but that when she found out "he was smashed", she was furious at her colleague. 'Sam needs to explain his actions, I can't. I don't know the full details of what happened on the day. I think it's up to the leadership to explain his actions," she said. 'There are people around the state who are in so much despair — the drought, cost of living, the issues around health. 'Every single Victorian I think deserves much better.' Mr Groth spoke to the media on Friday where he defended his actions and denied he was drunk, but failed to admit whether he misled Ms Crozier over the use of the vehicle. 'At the Australian Open in 2024, I attended in both an official capacity and a personal one," he said. 'I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative. The accusations around intoxication are wrong. 'Everything was and is above board. It has all been officially disclosed. There is nothing to hide.'
AU Financial Review
27-05-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Melbourne records busiest month on record for hotel rooms sold
Melbourne experienced its busiest month on record for the number of hotel rooms sold in March, a take-up rate that analysts say dispels lingering concerns that the market is oversaturated after a big lift in supply over the last five years. The Formula 1 Grand Prix, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and a swathe of international stars performing concerts in March trumped the impact of even Taylor Swift's Melbourne visit in February 2024 for the city's hotel market.
