2023 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

[Fortitude]

Why was the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix cancelled?
The flooding in the Emilia Romagna region has left homes ruined and thousands evacuated.
Wednesday 17 May 2023 18:26
Harry Smith
GPFans

Firstly, F1 explained that: "It is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel, and it is the right thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region."

Also at the centre of the decision to postpone was the strain the event would have had on the local emergency services. Given the dangers and risks involved in holding an F1 race, local emergency services must be on hand in the event of incidents to ensure the safe running of the event.

Putting on the Grand Prix would have taken emergency services away from the life-threatening circumstances facing residents of the Emilia Romagna region.

‘Homes ruined and thousands evacuated’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...na-grand-prix/


MAJOR Imola rescheduling update with '99 per cent' chance revealed
Thursday 18 May 2023 07:52
Harry Smith
GPFans

No hope in 2023: Unfortunately for those hoping to see F1 cars back on the tarmac of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, it looks like there will be no rescheduling of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix for 2023.

As reported by TuttoSport, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the president of the Italian Automobile Club, said: “The Imola GP is cancelled, [with] 99 per cent chance it will be re-scheduled for 2026 after the contract extension.”

This is in line with the comments of Sky Sports News reporter Craig Slater, who explained: "Almost impossible that it will be [rescheduled]. That's the guidance that I've been given."

‘MAJOR Imola rescheduling’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...na-grand-prix/


Pictures show why Imola GP simply had to be cancelled
22:03 Wed, 17 May 2023.
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport

In the end, F1 was left with simply no other choice than to cancel the Emilia Romagna GP at Imola this weekend.

Extreme weather has battered the region over recent weeks and, after another deluge in the build up to the grand prix weekend, F1 made the early, and correct, decision to go no further with the schedule at the iconic race track.

Landslides and floods have devastated communities and businesses in the region and, as the emergency services battle to protect those most severely affected, F1, understandably, felt it simply could not ask them to stretch even further to support a sporting event the size of a grand prix.

‘Pictures’;

https://www.givemesport.com/pictures...-be-cancelled/


‘We’re sorry’: Imola’s devastating ‘23 reality laid bare as F1 reacts to seismic call
May 18th, 2023 6:57 am
Michael Lamonato from Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)

Organisers of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix accept that their race is unlikely to be rescheduled this season after severe weather forced its cancellation. Northern Italy’s deadly flooding event forced F1 to call off the Imola race on Wednesday, having evacuated the paddock in the face of heavy rain the night before.

On Wednesday night the death toll had risen to nine, with several more people still missing and more people still displaced from their homes, while several towns had been completely inundated by dramatically high water levels. Formula 1 was decisive in calling off this weekend’s activities, though it appeared to leave the door open to the possibility of rescheduling the race later in the year.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali later confirmed to Italy’s Sky Sports that he would prefer to find space for Imola in this year’s calendar. “We are sorry for the Imola fans and enthusiasts, we will try to find the right solution,” he said. “Given the tight calendar of 2023, it is difficult to think of being able to recover this year, but we have a moral obligation for those who have worked so hard, and we‘ll see.”

‘Imola’s devastating ‘23 reality laid bare’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...a2907484b91863


Emilia Romagna GP cancelled: What will F1 do next?
The 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola was cancelled due to devastating floods in Northern Italy
May 17, 2023
By Ed Spencer
Total Motorsport

After Formula 1 announced the 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola would be cancelled because of poor weather, questions were immediately raised as to what will happen to the race? Will it be cancelled or just postponed?

With a tightly congested calendar in place for 2023, finding a free weekend later in the year when F1 could race at Imola would be an arduous task due to the lack of time on hand to fix a date for the rescheduled race.

What next for Imola? Despite an official statement from F1 not mentioning whether the race would be cancelled completely or rescheduled, Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) president Angelo Sticchi Damiani confirmed the race will not go ahead in 2023, opening discussion of having a race instead in 2026.

‘Cancelled or just postponed?’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...led-what-next/

[Fortitude]

F1 all clear for Monaco GP as staff allowed back into Imola track.
Essential Formula 1 personnel have been allowed back into the Imola circuit on Thursday to help pack down and get ready to ship equipment to the next race in Monaco.
18th May 2023, 11:45
By: Jonathan Noble
Motorsport.com

With F1 on a tight schedule to get out of Imola and get things built up for next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, there was still some time pressure to get things moving – especially as some Italian roads remain closed so journey times will likely increase.

The demand not to enter the track was valid throughout Wednesday but on Thursday morning, as the weather situation eased, it was agreed that staff that were essential to the de-rigging of team equipment could enter. This will allow any team garages, motorhomes and other facilities that had been put up early this week to get packed away, so then arrangements for the drive to Monaco can be sorted.

With work now underway at Imola, F1 has no concerns that there will be any consequences from the race cancellation on next weekend’s Monaco GP.

‘Ship equipment to the next race in Monaco’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...rack/10470787/


F1 not expecting Imola cancellation to impact Monaco Grand Prix
18 May 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

F1 does not anticipate any impact to the preparation for next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Access to the circuit remains restricted but Crash.net understands that essential personnel were allowed back in on Thursday morning to de-rig the paddock.

This is to aid the packing up and shipping out process, with teams needing to travel to Monaco in time for the next race on May 28. It is expected that all equipment will arrive on time and there will be no delays in setting up for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Some areas of the region received half their annual rainfall in just 36 hours, resulting in 14 rivers breaking their banks and the flooding of 23 towns, including Faenza, where the AlphaTauri F1 team’s factory is located.

‘No delays’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102653...pact-monaco-gp


F1 does not anticipate any delays to Monaco after Imola cancellation
18 May 11:57AM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

Formula 1 does not expect there to be any set-up delays to next weekends Monaco Grand Prix, as personnel have been allowed access to the Imola circuit to dismantle motorhomes and equipment.

The Monaco GP is still scheduled to take place on 26th - 28th May as planned, making it the first in what will become a double-header with the Spanish GP between 2nd - 4th June.

‘F1 does not anticipate any delays’;

https://racingnews365.com/f1-does-no...a-cancellation


Imola circuit to refund ticket holders for cancelled grand prix
2023 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
Posted on 18th May 2023, 13:12
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

The circuit will offer “all buyers who have purchased tickets through the sales network and the TicketOne.it purchasing platform” the choice of a refund of their ticket prices or the opportunity to convert their tickets for the 2023 event to next year’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix instead.

Due to the ongoing impact of the flooding in the region, the circuit says that ticketholders will be contacted with details about how to claim their refunds or ticket conversions via an email from the Automobile Club of Italy (ACI Sport) through TicketOne.it over the coming days.

‘Refunds’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/18/...ed-grand-prix/


Why the Emilia Romagna GP could not be rescheduled
18 May 2:50PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365

After a slow and steady start to the campaign, the F1 calendar is into the heart of its action with a busy summer period lined up.

The only gap for Imola to slot into before the summer break would have been on July 16. On the face of it, an Austria-Britain-Imola triple-header would have been logistically possible, but the presence of Hungary and Belgium immediately after left the prospect of an absurd quintuple-header.

That brings the calendar to the end of August. The Italian Grand Prix is scheduled for September which would have made the most sense in terms of logistics. But Zandvoort kicks off what is already a triple-header at the end of August and Imola slotting in after Monza would spark another five-in-a-row stretch, ending in Japan.

‘Could not be rescheduled’;

https://racingnews365.com/why-the-em...be-rescheduled


F1 drivers de Vries, Tsunoda affected by Italy flooding as grand prix canceled
May 18, 2023 GMT
Associated Press

IMOLA, Italy (AP) — Formula One drivers Nyck de Vries and Yuki Tsunoda have shared stories of struggling to get out of the deadly flooding in northern Italy after this week’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was canceled. De Vries and Tsunoda drive for AlphaTauri, which is based in Faenza, a city close to the Imola track and which has been flooded. Rescuers used boats to transport people through the flooded streets of Faenza on Thursday.

Nyck de Vries: “Faenza is already flooded and I am unable to get to my hotel. Returning to the highway is no option either. Stuck in a little village with one fully booked hotel,” he posted on Instagram on Thursday, recounting his experience with pictures and video of roads blocked by landslips.
“Fortunately McLaren got stranded there earlier and their front jack (mechanic) Frazer was kind enough to give me his room. The following morning, the hotel lobby turned into an emergency shelter for people who were forced to escape their homes during the night.”

Yuki Tsunoda: “After a horrible night the town is heavily impacted: dust, mud, and the smell of gasoline everywhere,” the Japanese driver posted on social media on Wednesday. “Currently people are struggling to find food and especially places to stay, after many have been evacuated from their own homes.”

‘Shared stories’;

https://apnews.com/article/f1-imola-...55b5916b2ca33d

[Fortitude]

F1 star spotted shifting mud in flooded Italy streets after Emilia Romagna GP called off.
Formula 1 fans hailed Yuki Tsunoda after he was spotted helping locals with the clean-up effort after severe flooding in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.
18:41, 18 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror

Free of his F1 responsibilities this weekend, Tsunoda might have made the trip to Monaco early to prepare for the next race. But instead, he was pictured with other AlphaTauri staff on Thursday with a shovel in hand helping to clean up streets in Faenza – one of the worst affected places.

Fans on social media were full of praise for the Japanese racer. One wrote: "I'm so proud of @yukitsunoda07, he's becoming a fine leader. I'm sending my thoughts and prayers.” Another said: "This is what you wanna see out of the F1 role models, well played Yuki."

And a third added: "Yuki honestly seems like such a pure and kind person – kudos to anyone doing anything to support the affected areas this week. The sport may be global but the teams are still local and connected to their communities." On his own account, Tsunoda shared footage of the flooding and a description of what he had seen as he urged fans to support the emergency flood relief fund which has been set up. "After a horrible night the town is heavily impacted," he wrote.

"This is what you wanna see out of the F1 role models, well played Yuki";

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...g-mud-30016881


Emilia Romagna GP cancellation: Tsunoda helps flood relief efforts
19 May 8:30AM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365

Yuki Tsunoda has given a helping hand to the Emilia Romagna flood relief efforts after the cancellation of this weekend's Grand Prix at Imola. The AlphaTauri driver has been pictured assisting with the clean-up operation in the region following excessive rainfall and flooding.

Writing on Twitter, Tsunoda said: "After a horrible night the town is heavily impacted: dust, mud, and the smell of gasoline everywhere.”

"Currently people are struggling to find food and especially places to stay after many have been evacuated from their own homes."

‘Tsunoda helps flood relief efforts’;

https://racingnews365.com/emilia-rom...relief-efforts


Watch: AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda joins clean-up efforts in flood-hit Faenza
18 May 2023 7:37 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Yuki Tsunoda has been putting his free time to fantastic use by helping the people of Faenza in their clean-up mission following the recent flooding. AlphaTauri have been posting information on their social media channels relating to how people can donate to aid the recovery mission, and Tsunoda has certainly been playing his part too.

Footage and images would emerge on social media of Tsunoda helping the people of Faenza to clean up the town as the flood waters begin to subside, with the town looking to get back to some sort of normality. The images also show the scale of the devastation suffered in the region, Formula 1 rightly determining that it would have been inappropriate to press on with the race weekend and place unnecessary extra strain on the emergency services.

Here's Yuki Tsunoda in the streets of Faenza, helping in the recovery from the recent flooding.
So admirable ❤️ pic.twitter.com/B63KVw14f9
— formularacers (@formularacers_) May 18, 2023

‘Yuki Tsunoda joins clean-up efforts’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/yuki-t...fforts-faenza/


Tsunoda spotted in Italy flood clean-up; De Vries reveals near-miss in torrential rain: F1 Pit Talk
May 19th, 2023 5:04 pm
Michael Lamonato from Fox Sports

The Emilia-Romagna floods have affected millions of people in the northern Italian region, including some from the two Formula 1 teams based in the region. While F1 has been caught up in the storms, AlphaTauri and Ferrari are particularly connected to the tragedy, with both teams based in the inundated region.

On Thursday Ferrari announced that it would donate €1 million to the recovery effort. The team said the money would go towards “projects for environmental recovery and the management of hydrogeological instability” in the region. “In times of difficulty Ferrari has always stood by its community,” Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said. ”We wanted to provide a concrete and immediate response to the most urgent needs of the population of Emilia-Romagna, which has been tried by a serious environmental disaster.”

But while Ferrari has been touched by the disaster, AlphaTauri has been directly and severely affected, with parts of its Faenza home town submerged by more than a metre on Tuesday, when the rain was at its heaviest. It’s elicited a necessarily different response from the team — and from its drivers. Yuki Tsunoda has swapped his steering wheel for a shovel to help clean up his adopted home town of Faenza after this week’s flood.

‘Swapped steering wheel for a shovel’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...96c70ab584dc27


Yuki Tsunoda takes to the streets in Faenza to shovel mud
22:58 Thu, 18 May 2023
GP ONE

https://www.gpone.com/en/2023/05/18/...tml?refresh_ce


Emilia Romagna flooding: Yuki Tsunoda reveals extent of awful damage in AlphaTauri’s hometown
17 May 2023
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net

Yuki Tsunoda has shown images of Faenza engulfed by the dreadful floods that caused the cancellation of the F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

“After a horrible night the town is heavily impacted: dust, mud, and the smell of gasoline everywhere,” AlphaTauri driver Tsunoda posted to social media. Currently people are struggling to find food and especially places to stay,after many have been evacuated from their own homes. Please, anything you can do to help is appreciated.”

‘Yuki Tsunoda reveals extent of awful damage’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102651...uri-s-hometown


Formula One drivers affected by flooding in Italy as grand prix is cancelled
18 May, 2023 14:39
Associated Press Reporters
The Irish News

AlphaTauri said its factory has not been affected by the floods and “everything is being done to ensure the safety of our employees and their families”.

The team and both its drivers issued appeals for donations to help people affected by the floods. It is unlikely the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix will be rescheduled because of the busy calendar.

‘Flooding in Italy’;

https://www.irishnews.com/news/world...elled-3286659/

[Fortitude]

Ferrari donates €1 million to the Emilia-Romagna flood relief fund, F1 matches it.
With the grand prix at Imola called off because of flooding, Ferrari and F1 each chip in seven-figure sums.
Published: 19 May 2023
Joe Holding
TopGear

Just a couple of days after the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was sensibly called off in light of severe flooding in the region, Ferrari and Formula 1 itself have both announced they'll donate €1 million to the relief effort.

The money will go to the Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection, and will be spent on boosting the area’s environmental recovery and help manage the ‘hydrogeological instability’ that’s contributed to the disaster so far.

“In times of difficulty, Ferrari has always stood by its community,” said Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna. “We wanted to provide a concrete and immediate response to the most urgent needs of the population of Emilia-Romagna, which has been tried by a serious environmental disaster. With the coordination of the local authorities, to whom our heartfelt thanks go for their tireless work, this aid will bring comfort and a tangible sign of the solidarity of the entire Ferrari family.”

‘Ferrari has always stood by its community’;

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/mot...-f1-matches-it


Emilia Romagna GP: Formula 1 donates £870k, food and water to flood relief effort after Imola cancellation
Last Updated: 19/05/23 2:31pm
Sky Sports

Formula 1 has donated £870,000 (€1m) to the Emilia Romagna flood relief effort and also donated food and water that would have been used at this weekend's cancelled grand prix to a group organising food banks for those affected.

F1 has donated £870,000 to the Emilia-Romagna Region's Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection to support the communities affected by the flooding in the region.

‘Flood relief effort’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...a-cancellation


Formula 1 adds €1 million to Emilia Romagna relief fund
19/05/2023 at 16:17
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who was born and grew up in the Emilia Romagna, was particularly affected by this week’s natural disaster.

“The situation facing the communities in the region is terrible, but I know that the resilience and passion of the people in the region, like so many across Italy, will prevail through this crisis.”

“We must do everything we can to support them at this difficult time and that is why we are donating to help support the relief efforts on the ground. My thoughts, on behalf of the entire Formula 1 community, are with everyone affected and we want to thank the emergency services for their incredible work.”

‘Resilience’;

https://f1i.com/news/474609-formula-...lief-fund.html


F1 makes enormous donation to Emilia-Romagna disaster relief after deadly floods
19 May 2023 1:39 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

Formula 1 will give €1 million to the disaster relief fund in Emilia-Romagna after heavy flooding has caused major disruption in the area. The region has faced severe weather since the start of the month causing the Santerno River, which runs right next to the track, to burst its banks and cause damage to the paddock area.

Formula 1 said it would provide €1 million to the Emilia-Romagna Region’s Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection to support the communities affected by the flooding in the region, matching the figure donated by Ferrari.

Food and water that would have been used in the Paddock Club, the circuit, team/F1 hospitality has also been donated to a group organising food banks to aid those affected by flooding.

‘Disaster relief fund’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-don...romagna-imola/


F1 donates €1m to Emilia Romagna flood relief
19/05/2023
NEWS STORY
Pitpass

F1 has followed the example of Ferrari in donating to the relief fund set up in the wake of widespread devastation in the Emilia Romagna region.

On Thursday, Ferrari announced that it is donating 1 million euros to the Emilia-Romagna region's Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection, the money to be used to help the local population affected by the recent flooding, with a particular focus on projects for environmental recovery and the management of hydrogeological instability.

Today (19/05/2023), Formula 1 announced that it too will be making an immediate €1m donation to the agency.

‘€1m’;

https://www.pitpass.com/75132/F1-don...a-flood-relief

[Fortitude]

Impressive driver lineup to join Verstappen in replacement Imola race.
A host of professional racing drivers will join Max Verstappen in the Real Racers Never Quit event.
19 May 6:43PM
Author Luke Murphy
RacingNews365

Max Verstappen will be joined by a host of professional racing drivers to race in an online event at the Imola circuit, following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Verstappen's sim racing outfit Team Redline, with whom Verstappen competes in numerous virtual races, will revive their Real Racers Never Quit event, which was used during the COVID outbreak in 2020.

Following the confirmation of the event, which takes place at 15:30 CET on Sunday May 21, a host of drivers from the Red Bull stable, Formula E and Formula 2 have been announced for the event.

‘Replacement Imola race’;

https://racingnews365.com/impressive...ent-imola-race


Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have different weekend plans after Imola GP cancelled
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled on Wednesday after severe flooding in the region.
13:00, Fri, May 19, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have put together very different schedules after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled. Red Bull star Verstappen will still be racing as he participates in an esports event.

Meanwhile, Hamilton has snubbed track action for partying as he was spotted at a glamour ball on Wednesday. The Mercedes star was snapped at the launch of Hailey Bieber’s beauty line in London just hours after F1 bosses officially confirmed the race would not go ahead.

The 38-year-old was spotted wearing a black suit jacket on top of an olive green tiger print shirt. He also donned sunglasses, thick glittering earrings and black boots at the event held at the Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone.

‘Glamour ball’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-grand-prix-f1


Max Verstappen among sterling line-up announced for virtual Imola replacement race
19 May 2023 7:59 PM
Henry Valantine

Max Verstappen will be racing in the virtual world this weekend, with his sim racing team announcing an esports event with a high-profile grid after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled.

A virtual alternative is going to take place on Sunday and Verstappen is headlining a field that contains a host of Team Redline’s own drivers, along with multiple guests which were announced on Friday, including Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan, reigning F2 champion and Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich and star of Australian Supercars, Shane van Gisbergen.

Current Formula 2 drivers Ayumu Iwasa, Richard Verschoor, Jak Crawford, Isack Hadjar and Enzo Fittipaldi have also been named, as well as Formula E’s Antonio Felix da Costa and Oliver Rowland.

‘Virtual Imola replacement race’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...lacement-race/


Max Verstappen thinks outside the box to find new race to take part in after Imola cancellation
Verstappen and a swathe of other racing drivers are still planning on competing this weekend despite the cancellation of the F1, F2 and F3 races at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
19:26, 19 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror

At the time of writing, none of Verstappen's F1 rivals have been announced as taking part. But plenty of those who would have been competing in F2 and F3 this weekend have signed up, along with a swathe of Red Bull junior drivers and some from other series.

Among the F2 stars set to take part are Red Bull development drivers Isack Hadjar, Ayumu Iwasa, Jak Crawford and Enzo Fittipaldi. Jack Doohan, an Alpine junior, has also confirmed his participation along with F2 racer Richard Verschoor and reigning F2 champion Felipe Drugovich, now an Aston Martin F1 reserve driver.

Representing the Formula E championship will be Porsche racer Antonio da Costa and Oliver Rowland of Mahindra Racing. And Australian Supercars driver Shane van Gisbergen will also be taking part, along with Red Bull esports driver Sebastian Job and a handful of Team Redline regulars. Williams junior Luke Browning, who won the prestigious Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award in 2022, will fly the flag for F3 alongside Gabriel Bortoleto. And Formula 4 racer Arvid Lindblad, also part of the Red Bull setup, rounds off the list of drivers confirmed so far.

‘Max Verstappen thinks outside the box’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...dline-30026525


Inside Max Verstappen's race preparation as Red Bull star dominates Hamilton and Leclerc
Max Verstappen has given fans a special behind-the-scenes look at his pre-race build-up.
14:08, Fri, May 19, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth

Max Verstappen has lifted the lid on his pre-race preparations in a behind-the-scenes look into the Red Bull garage. A video released by Verstappen shows the Dutchman going through reaction tests, exercises and debriefs before stepping into the car.

It gives an insight into how the 25-year-old gets into race-winning mode, having beaten Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in recent seasons. The footage was taken at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where Verstappen secured P2 behind team-mate Sergio Perez. The reigning champion starts off with a reaction test using an innovative Blazepod system.

The tool lights up different buttons with drivers timed on how quickly they can hit each one. The device is used by many drivers on the grid including Alex Albon, Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly.

‘Special behind-the-scenes look at his pre-race build-up’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...lewis-hamilton

[Fortitude]

More details confirmed for Verstappen's Imola charity sim race.
Following the news that Max Verstappen will compete in a replacement race at Imola this weekend, more details on the format have been revealed.
20 May 3:00PM
Author Luke Murphy
Co-author Jan van der Burgt

Max Verstappen's sim racing team, Team Redline, have confirmed more details about the format for the relaunched 'Real Racers Never Quit' contest. Following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix due to severe flooding in the region, Team Redline confirmed that they will run a virtual racing event at the Imola circuit.

The contest will include Verstappen, along with a collection of professional and sim racing drivers, and takes place on Sunday 21st May at 15:30 CET. Speaking to RacingNews365, Team Redline director Atze Kerkhof credited Verstappen with the idea, and explained how easy it was to compile a list of promising drivers.

"The idea was all on the initiative of Max Verstappen himself," said Kerkhof. "When it became clear that the F1 race was not going ahead, they approached us asking if we could set something up at short notice."

‘Imola charity sim race’;

https://racingnews365.com/more-detai...arity-sim-race


Max Verstappen team-mate heaps praise on Red Bull star for role in Imola back-up plan
Max Verstappen has played a key part in organising something a bit different for F1 fans to sink their teeth into this weekend.
21:13, Sat, May 20, 2023
By Charlie Gordon
Daily and Sunday Express

Max Verstappen has received high praise from fellow Team Redline member Atze Kerkhof for the role he has played in organising a live streamed virtual replacement for this weekend's cancelled Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The sim race will take place on Sunday afternoon, giving F1 fans something to keep up with on the day they would normally see Lewis Hamilton and co battle it out on track.

F1 authorities cancelled the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix due to severe flooding in the area, which has forced thousands of residents out of their homes and left at least 14 dead. Drivers from varied racing backgrounds, including several members of Team Redline - the sim racing squad he joined in 2015 - are part of the 24-strong line-up poised to compete in Sunday's virtual contest.

One of Verstappen's fellow Team Redline members, Kerkhof, who will also take part in the race, claims that the initiative was the Dutchman's doing. "Max himself came up with the idea of organising a sim race so that there is still something to do this weekend for the fans," he told Motorsport.com, via GP Blog.

‘Key part in organising something a bit different for F1 fans’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-imola-f1-news


Verstappen to race at Imola F1 REPLACEMENT this Sunday
Saturday 20 May 2023 10:57
Matthew Hobkinson
GPFans

Max Verstappen will be taking part in a virtual race this weekend after his sim racing team confirmed that an esports event will go ahead following Formula 1’s decision to cancel the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The full line-up is still to be announced, but with Verstappen among those confirmed for the event, fans are already rightly beginning to get excited. The race is set to take place at 2:30pm (GMT) on Sunday 21 May, where it will be shown live on streaming platform Twitch through Team Redline’s own channel.

‘Imola F1 REPLACEMENT’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...race-red-bull/


Van Gisbergen joins Verstappen for Imola sim racing event
Saturday 20th May, 2023 - 8:18pm
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Max Verstappen, Shane van Gisbergen, and Jack Doohan are set to compete in the virtual world in a sim racing event on Sunday.

You asked, we delivered: RRNQ makes its long-awaited return this sunday! ������
Stay tuned for the line-up…@VerstappenCOM @redbull pic.twitter.com/G92ZkdwmGL
— Team Redline (@TeamRedlineSim) May 18, 2023
�� Shane van Gisbergen confirmed to join #RRNQ �� pic.twitter.com/vWOC3qfxxd
— Team Redline (@TeamRedlineSim) May 19, 2023
�� Jack Doohan confirmed to join #RRNQ �� pic.twitter.com/eIpqsdasIV
— Team Redline (@TeamRedlineSim) May 19, 2023
�� Max Verstappen confirmed to join #RRNQ �� pic.twitter.com/veUQJti2yX
— Team Redline (@TeamRedlineSim) May 19, 2023

‘You asked, we delivered’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/20...-racing-event/


Max Verstappen among drivers competing in iRacing event at virtual Imola circuit Sunday
May 20, 2023
By Madeline Coleman
The Athletic

Fans can watch via Team Redline’s Twitch channel for free starting at 15:30 CEST/9:30 a.m. ET.

Driver line-up
1. Max Verstappen: F1 driver for Red Bull
2. Gianni Vecchio: Team Redline driver
3. Enzo Bonito: Team Redline driver
4. Luke Bennett: Team Redline driver
5. Chris Lulham: Team Redline driver
6. Jeffrey Rietveld: Team Redline driver
7. Kevin Siggy: Team Redline driver
8. Atze Kerkhof: Team Redline driver
9. Josh Thompson: Team Redline driver
10. Diogo Pinto: Team Redline driver
11. Sebastian Job: Red Bull Racing eSports team
12. Gabriel Bortoleto: F3 driver for Trident
13. Jack Doohan: Alpine F1 reserve driver, F2 driver for Invicta Virtuosi Racing
14. Richard Verschoor: F2 driver for Van Amersfoort Racing
15. António Félix da Costa: Formula E driver for Porsche
16. Oliver Rowland: Formula E driver for Mahindra
17. Shane van Gisbergen: Australian Supercars and will make NASCAR debut at Chicago with Trackhouse Racing
18. Felipe Drugovich: Aston Martin F1 reserve driver
19. Luke Browning: F3 driver for Hitech Pulse-Eight and part of the Williams Driver Academy
20. Arvid Lindblad: F4 driver and part of the Red Bull Junior Team
21. Enzo Fittipaldi: F2 driver for Rodin Carlin and part of the Red Bull Junior Team
22. Ayumu Iwasa: F2 driver for Dams and part of the Red Bull Junior Team
23. Isack Hadjar: F2 driver for Hitech Pulse-Eight and part of the Red Bull Junior Team
24. Jak Crawford: F2 driver for Hitech Pulse-Eight and part of the Red Bull Junior Team

‘Fans can watch via Team Redline’s Twitch channel for free starting at 15:30 CEST/9:30 a.m. ET’;

https://theathletic.com/4536166/2023...e-event-imola/


TeamRedline

Imola charity sim race

https://www.twitch.tv/teamredline

[Fortitude]

Verstappen, Doohan winners in Imola flood relief sim event.
Live-streamed on Twitch, the event saw more than 24,000 viewers, with proceeds raised going directly to the flood relief effort.
Monday 22nd May, 2023 - 2:09am
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Max Verstappen and Jack Doohan were winners in a special Team Redline sim racing event at Imola to raise money for Italian flood relief. The sim racing event was held in place of what would have been the Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, an event cancelled due to floods in the region around Imola.

Four races were held, starting with Formula 3 for which Verstappen qualified on pole and won. The field, which included Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich, a raft of F2 and F3 drivers, and a host of sim racers, then switched to the Mazda MX5.

Though fastest in qualifying for the race, a community vote saw Verstappen start last, with Red Bull-backed Formula 2 racer Ayumu Iwasa winning. Having watched on for the opening two races, Norris joined in the Formula Ford encounter, the third race of the programme.

‘24,000 viewers’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/22...ief-sim-event/


Max Verstappen praised for organising Imola GP replacement race
21 May 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen has been praised by fellow Team Redline member Atze Kerkhof, with the Dutchman being responsible for making today’s charity sim event possible.

Kerkhof revealed that it was Verstappen who spoke to Team Redline about putting an event on to support the flood relief in Emilia-Romagna, with the sim racer admitting that it “says a lot” about the Red Bull driver’s character.

“Max also puts a lot of time and energy into racing outside Formula One,” Kerkhof told Motorsport.com. “The fact that he immediately started thinking about organising an alternative event after the race in Imola was cancelled says a lot in that respect.”

‘Max Verstappen praised’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/max-verst...lacement-race/


Live: Verstappen in action in Imola charity race
21 May 4:11PM
Author RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

In one of a number of charity events this weekend, Verstappen has been joined by a number of top racers to raise money for the relief effort, which you can watch below!

‘Imola charity race’;

https://racingnews365.com/live-verst...-race-on-imola


Lando Norris causes carnage after gatecrashing Max Verstappen stream
21 May 2023 4:32 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Lando Norris joined Max Verstappen as a surprise guest among a star-studded virtual line-up during an afternoon of sim racing in aid of charities providing help for the Emilia-Romagna region. McLaren driver Norris had set up his own stream on Twitch as a watchalong of the event to try and raise further awareness and help encourage more donations.

He had not initially planned on taking part in the racing, but eventually set up a steering wheel and joined in the fun in qualifying for the Formula Ford portion of events. The whole stream took place in good spirits and for his appearance, Norris jumped the start from near the back of the grid, seeing him sail into the lead and proclaim at the top of his voice: “MV1, eat my dust, baby!”

Verstappen quickly reeled him in, however, and passed Norris around the outside at Piratella, seemingly going outside the white lines in doing so and Norris retorted with a smile: “Track limits! FIA!”

‘Jumped the start from near the back of the grid: “MV1, eat my dust, baby!” ’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lando-...en-sim-stream/


Verstappen surprised by Norris in hilarious Imola charity event
21 May 5:32PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365

F1 World Champion Max Verstappen was targeted by his teammates and joined by a surprise guest during a hilarious running of the Real Racers Never Quit charity race.

A switch back to single-seaters in the third race saw McLaren's Lando Norris join affairs having watched along with proceedings on his own Twitch stream. The Briton's struggles behind the wheel left him open to lighthearted criticism from the event commentary as well as the other drivers.

Norris did provide laughter when jumping the entire field at the start of the final race, before being caught by Verstappen for an F1 driver showdown. The Dutchman escaped the incident as the field bunched up, with Norris predictably in the middle of the carnage.

‘Lighthearted criticism from the event commentary as well as the other drivers’;

https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...-charity-event

[Fortitude]

F1 teams face Monaco GP challenges amid desire to reschedule aborted Imola race.
Teams have been packing up everything they had set up in the Imola paddock to move it to Monaco.
06:00, 21 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
Mirror

More immediate attentions turn to the next race, just a week away. Teams had already transported their equipment to the Imola track and set a lot of it up before the race was called off, meaning it had to be disassembled again ready to be move.

Essential staff were allowed back into the paddock on Thursday to begin that process. The flooding did not affect the circuit too badly – but many roads in the region were rendered impassable by the deluge which has presented some challenges.

Teams have had to use some alternative routes to transport freight out of the badly affected areas but, by and large, disruption has been minimal. Had the Imola race gone ahead, then the disassembly and transport process would not have begun until afterwards and so they have had an earlier start than usual.

‘Desire to reschedule aborted’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...elled-30030902


‘Our people are stuck’: Some teams could be forced to miss 2023 Monaco GP
The Emilia-Romagna region has been devastated by torrential rain and horrific flooding in recent days.
20 May 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Following the cancellation of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Formula 2 director of operations Marco Codello has warned that transporting everything to Monte-Carlo for next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix is set to be incredibly difficult, with no plan having been made yet in regard to when they’ll leave Imola.

‘Incredibly difficult’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/our-peopl...023-monaco-gp/


How cancelled Imola GP has shown Tsunoda’s biggest F1 change
Saturday 20 May 2023 12:57
Daniel Austin
GPFans

Rather than disappear for a few days, either taking an extra little holiday or just hanging around Monaco early, one driver stepped up to help the relief effort. On Thursday AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda was spotted assisting in the clean up alongside colleagues from his team, using a shovel to shift mud and water away from streets in the area. Afterwards, the 23-year-old also posted a call to action on his social media channels.

“After a horrible night the town is heavily impacted: dust, mud, and the smell of gasoline everywhere,” he wrote online, before appealing for donations from F1 fans. “Currently people are struggling to find food and especially places to stay, after many have been evacuated from their own homes. Please, anything you can do to help is appreciated.”

Given AlphaTauri are based in Faenza, a small town located in Emilia Romagna and only a half-an-hour drive from the Imola track, the impact on the team, its personnel and their families is clear. Seeing Tsunoda take on such a leadership role in the aftermath of the devastation is the testament to the character development he has undergone since joining F1 and latterly moving to Italy to be closer to the team.

‘Character development’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...elled-weather/


Imola avoids HUGE F1 fee after Grand Prix cancellation
Saturday 20 May 2023 13:57
Joe Ellis
GPFans

Imola has avoided a whopping fee from F1 despite the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, according to reports.

There really was nothing Imola could do to prevent the cancellation of the race with the efforts of everyone local focused on helping the region get through these floods.

The £20million fee is usually mandatory for any track to host an F1 race but circumstances such as this can make the fee null and void.

‘Imola avoids HUGE F1 fee’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...tion-20m-fine/


Monaco GP delay? Ferrari boss weighs in on fears after Imola F1 cancellation
Sunday 21 May 2023 13:55
Matthew Hobkinson
GPFans

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has admitted that Formula 1 teams should have enough time to get to Monaco to set up for the race without delays after the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

“We were supposed to leave Imola on Sunday evening, which gives us a margin now,” he told France’s Auto Hebdo. Despite access being restricted during the week, teams would never have been expected to pack down and ship out their gear until after the race on Sunday.

Even if there are delays in the journey from Imola to Monaco, given F1’s decision to cancel the race ahead of the weekend, there should be enough time for teams to mobilise without too great a cause for concern.

‘Gives us a margin’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-fred-vasseur/

[Fortitude]

WATCH: Monaco Grand Prix Preview – who will master the Monte Carlo streets in 2023?
21 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site.

Sergio Perez showcased his street racing credentials at last year’s Monaco Grand Prix as he reigned supreme to seal a dramatic victory – but can he do the same in 2023? The Red Bull driver, along with his team mate Max Verstappen, has shone this year with the team winning every Grand Prix so far in 2023.

With Verstappen at the top of the drivers’ standings on 119 points, and Perez just behind in second on 105 points, the duo look set to star once again around the streets of Monte Carlo. Could Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston Martin challenge on a circuit unlike any other?

‘Who will master the Monte Carlo streets’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...ShUtetcez.html


Who will master Monaco? 2023 Monaco Grand Prix Preview Show
21 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site.

Join Will Buxton, Lawrence Barretto, Jolyon Palmer and Sam Collins in this look ahead to the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix.

‘Who will master Monaco?’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...588635688.html


The most dramatic moments from the Monaco Grand Prix
06:07 Mon, 22 May 2023.
Sky Sports

Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Monaco Grand Prix.

‘Most dramatic moments’;

https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...aco-grand-prix


Full weekend schedule for the F1 2023 Monaco GP
22 May 8:55AM
Author RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

Date Event Time (BST) Time (Local)
Friday 26 May Practice 1 12:30-13:30 13:30-14:30
Friday 26 May Practice 2 16:00-17:00 17:00-18:00
Saturday 27 May Practice 3 11:30-12:30 12:30-13:30
Saturday 27 May Qualifying 15:00-16:00 16:00-17:00
Sunday 28 May Race 14:00 15:00

‘Full weekend schedule’;

https://racingnews365.com/full-weeke...2023-monaco-gp


Best Onboard Moments: 2008 Monaco Grand Prix
22 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Travel back to 2008 and drive through the streets of Monte Carlo for a memorable and action-packed 2008 Monaco Grand Prix.

‘Best Onboard Moments’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...116151784.html


IT'S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we're excited about ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix
22 May 2023
Chris Medland
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site

1. Well, it’s Monaco! There’s just something so utterly mind-blowing about seeing Formula 1 cars on the streets of Monaco, and it never gets old. 2. Thoughts with Emilia-Romagna: As excited as we all are to get back to action in Monaco, there remains the sadness that there was no racing possible at Imola last weekend. The scenes in the Emilia-Romagna region were terrible as the widespread flooding and landslides hit the area, leading to the decision – made with all the relevant local authorities – to call off the race.

3. A threat to Red Bull? While the two team mates could well enjoy another thrilling battle on a track where Perez won last year, Monaco also provides the best opportunity for the chasing pack to put an end to Red Bull’s run. 4. The question marks surrounding upgrades: If we rewind to last week’s It’s Race Week feature, one of the main topics was about upgrades, and the new Mercedes parts that were planned for Imola in particular. Not that Mercedes were going to be on their own, of course,

5. Rookies ready for a steep learning curve: Upgrades might be an unknown for some teams, but so too will be how rookie drivers will take to the challenge of Monaco. 2023’s grid is full of immense talent, but prior knowledge of how it feels to take a Formula 1 car around this track certainly helps the more experienced drivers get up to speed.

‘5 storylines’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Un2LCV4ie.html


Sky Sports pundit calls Mercedes desperate for ‘introducing’ Monaco upgrade
Mercedes were set to introduce their new concept in Imola last weekend, before the Grand Prix was cancelled.
22 May 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Ex-Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer doesn’t understand why Mercedes are introducing their new concept at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, a circuit where the Briton believes “you’re not gonna learn” much. Palmer discussed Mercedes’ choice to introduce the new concept in Monaco whilst discussing what the teams will be telling their drivers to do this weekend, with a common message being to avoid the famous barriers.

“Don’t crash, but it’s so easy to do,” Palmer told F1’s official YouTube channel. “I’ve been in a situation with Lotus before they became Renault, where the parts were so few and far between. It was very much, ‘if you crash, we might not be racing but we certainly won’t be racing the new part. That’s the thing about Monaco, it’s not the place to bring upgrades. The track is so different to anything else.”

‘Not the place to bring upgrades’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/sky-sport...onaco-upgrade/


Forecasts suggest RAIN could play havoc at the Monaco Grand Prix
19:19 Mon, 22 May 2023.
Harry Smith
GPFans

Stormy skies in Monaco - According to a forecast from The Weather Channel, there is "potential disruption due to thunderstorms" until Wednesday, just one day before the paddock opens for F1 activity.

The forecast predicts that rain will be a constant throughout this week, and while Tuesday is expected to remain sunny, the rain will be a consistent threat from Wednesday onwards.

‘RAIN could play havoc’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...r-forecast-f1/


Session times for the 2023 F1 Monaco GP
The 2023 Monaco GP is set to provide one of the most exciting qualifying sessions of the season
May 22, 2023
By John Smith
Total Motorsport

Formula 1 is back after an unscheduled three-week break with the Jewel in the Crown, the Monaco Grand Prix. Find out the session times for the sixth round of the 2023 F1 season. Monaco is all about qualifying, with Q3 being one of the highlights of the year as the drivers look to find the limit without going over the edge.

The 2023 Monaco GP takes place on the weekend of May 26-28 and will be a 77-lap race. Red Bull continue to dominate the season, having won all five races so far and Max Verstappen leads the F1 driver standings by 14 points from teammate Sergio Perez. But, the slow average speed will mean Ferrari, Aston Martin and Mercedes will fancy their chances at beating Red Bull on merit.

‘The most exciting qualifying sessions of the season’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/ses...-f1-monaco-gp/

[Fortitude]

Charles Leclerc’s Monaco curse: From F2 double DNF to crashing Lauda’s iconic Ferrari.
Whether he believes it or not, the Charles Leclerc Monaco curse is well-known amongst F1 fans and dates further back than his start in motorsport’s premier competition.
22 May 2023 7:30 AM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

It may be his hometown but Monaco has not been a happy hunting ground for Charles Leclerc so far in his career. When Leclerc made his Formula 1 debut for Sauber in 2018, he became just the fourth driver in the history of F1 to hail from Monaco and compete in a race.

Leclerc’s first appearance around the historic Monte Carlo circuit came in 2017 during his F2 days. The future Ferrari man was driving for Prema Racing when he claimed pole and was leading during the early stages but trouble would come following his first pit stop. The next time Leclerc would race at the circuit would be in an F1 car with Sauber and it looked like he may be on course to finish the race for the first time, that was until lap 72…

By the time the next race came round, Leclerc was now in the seat of a Ferrari but the streets of Monte Carlo continued to prove a difficult obstacle. To start with, he was eliminated in Q1 meaning he began the race in P15 due to Antonio Giovinazzi’s grid penalty.

‘Charles Leclerc’s Monaco curse’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/charle...-curse-monaco/


Can Leclerc overcome Monaco Grand Prix curse?
23 May 12:00PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has failed to finish on the podium at his home race with a number of nightmarish results along the way. Charles Leclerc will arrive at his home race at the Monaco Grand Prix aiming to finally reach the podium.

His F1 record on the streets of the Principality makes for painful reading, with his fourth-place finish last year his best result. But with Red Bull so dominant and Aston Martin fancying their chances of a strong result, is Leclerc's curse set to continue?

‘Leclerc's curse’;

https://racingnews365.com/can-lecler...and-prix-curse


Charles Leclerc downplays early season 2023 crashes as ‘normal’
22 May 2023 3:15 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Criticised by former F1 drivers over his recent crashes, Charles Leclerc insists “mistakes are normal” because he is pushing hard in an under-performing Ferrari.

Crashing twice at the Miami Grand Prix, both accidents at Turn 7 first in practice and then in qualifying, David Coulthard told Channel 4 that it was “not acceptable and that’s a chink in his armour” while Martin Brundle told Sky Sports “it’s holding him and the team back.”

According to Leclerc, mistakes are “normal” as he has to “explore the limits” of the track in order to bring out the best in his Ferrari. “I concentrate entirely on the speed and on exploring the limits of the racing car, mistakes are normal,” he insisted to Speedweek.

“Mistakes are normal”;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/charle...hes-as-normal/


Leclerc has ‘full trust’ in Vasseur’s Ferrari mission
Tuesday 23rd May, 2023 - 1:43pm
By Ian Parkes

Charles Leclerc is adamant he is fully behind Fred Vasseur’s plans for Ferrari despite a difficult start to his reign as the new Scuderia boss. “He’s just starting this process now,” said Leclerc. “Until now he has basically been trying to analyse the situation as quickly as possible in order to do the best changes possible for the future.”

“I think the big part of the job will be done from now on so we will see, but obviously, I speak a lot with Fred and I know what are his middle- and long-term plans for the team. I’m completely behind him and I trust him fully. I’m sure these are the right choices and it goes in the right direction for the team. So for that, I’m looking forward to it. But let’s wait and see.”

‘Full trust’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/23...sseur-mission/


Leclerc 'NOT CONFIDENT' in short-term Ferrari F1 future amid Hamilton bid
Monday 22 May 2023 17:57
Jay Winter
GPFans

Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc has admitted that he is "not confident" about Ferrari's short-term future due to the "significant" gap in performance between his team and Red Bull.

Regarding the car concept, Leclerc admitted that it was still too early to draw conclusions. "For the car concept, we are looking into it, and it is still too early to take conclusions out of it," he said. "It hasn't worked the way we wanted, but that doesn't mean we need to change completely from now. But we have some ideas on where we need to work on."

Leclerc's admission comes at the same time as Ferrari are reportedly preparing an offer of £40 million per season to bring Hamilton to Maranello for 2024, according to Mail Sport. According to the report, talks between the two parties are advancing and Ferrari president, John Elkann, is already in close contact with Hamilton regarding the move.

'NOT CONFIDENT';

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ull-f1-future/


Ferrari plan for Charles Leclerc speaks volumes amid mega Lewis Hamilton contract offer
Lewis Hamilton will reportedly be tempted to join Ferrari by a huge contract offer with his Mercedes future not set in stone, though questions remain over what it would mean for their current drivers
16:03, 22 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror

A Daily Mail report claimed Ferrari chairman John Elkann has been in close contact with Hamilton over his future in a bid to tempt him away from the Mercedes team he has called his family. A £40m contract will reportedly be offered to the 38-year-old on top of the assertion that he will have a better chance of winning more titles with the Italian outfit.

According to prominent reporter Giuliano Duchessa, writing for Formu1a.uno, Ferrari has turned to Leclerc first to open renewal talks. Elkann is said to be heavily involved in those talks as well, with the team perhaps wary of persistent links between Leclerc and a move to Mercedes.

It is a hint that Sainz might be the one replaced if Ferrari were to tempt Hamilton to quit Mercedes and make the move to Maranello. That said, Leclerc may well be the driver the Silver Arrows turn to replace the seven-time world champion if faced with the prospect of losing him.

‘Tempted to join Ferrari by a huge contract offer’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...peaks-30044979


Inside Ferrari's plans to sign Lewis Hamilton as two scenarios could see brutal sacking
Lewis Hamilton could be at the centre of a driver transfer storm with Ferrari set to axe one of their stars.
08:38, Mon, May 22, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth

Ferrari are prepared to lose one of their drivers in a bid to secure the services of Lewis Hamilton, according to reports. The Italian marque are understood to have two scenarios on the table with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz both at risk of losing their seats.

The deal would see Carlos Sainz get sacked from the team just three seasons into his Ferrari career. This would create one of the strongest driver line-ups on the grid and issue a statement of intent on the team’s ambitions for success.

However, the squad would effectively have two star drivers in the team which may cause issues in any future title battle. Tensions rose at Red Bull when Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel were partnered up while a similar situation emerged between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at the Silver Arrows.

‘Two scenarios could see brutal sacking’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...c-carlos-sainz