Motorsports Racing News & Blog Articles

Renowned for his prowess on the racing circuit, two-time World Champion Max Verstappen made a detour on route to the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, with a thrilling pivot from land to sea to join Alinghi Red Bull Racing in their 37th America’s Cup preparations. 

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Verstappen visited the heart of Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s operations in Barcelona for an exclusive tour that offered a backstage look at the Swiss challenger’s pre-race planning for the 37th America’s Cup, being held in Barcelona next year.

The visit comes just before the Spanish Grand Prix, where Verstappen is looking to seal an impressive seventh straight win for his team in the 2023 championship.

Described as the nautical equivalent of Formula 1, America’s Cup boats leverage cutting-edge aerodynamics and material technology that parallels the impressive Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19, Verstappen’s race-winning vehicle.

Oracle Red Bull Racing is taking its connection with fans worldwide to the next level by announcing that the Team has entered a multi-year partnership with innovative software company Mysten Labs to build on Sui, which will become the Team’s Official Blockchain partner.

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Launched in May, Sui is a first-of-its-kind Layer 1 blockchain and innovative contract platform that facilitates on-chain experiences that keep users fully engaged and creates dynamic, composable, and creative on-chain assets. Oracle Red Bull Racing conducted an extensive market analysis to find a blockchain that empowers race fans to engage in novel new ways. Sui will enable fans to connect with Oracle Red Bull Racing through an expanding range of immersive digital experiences accessible to a global audience.

Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner said:

Oracle Red Bull Racing was an early adopter of Blockchain technology in Formula 1, recognising its potential to connect fans worldwide with the Team in a truly unique and forward-thinking way. Partnering with Sui will elevate that experience, making access more straightforward, secure, and engaging.

Evan Cheng, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mysten Labs, said:

Blockchain technology’s potential to fundamentally change how humans transact, interact and communicate is enormous. We are incredibly pleased to match Sui’s best-in-class performance with Oracle Red Bull Racing. With this partnership, we can demonstrate the true power of blockchain technology to build communities around a novel and ground-breaking connected experiences.

We sat down with Alessandro Alunni Bravi, managing director and team representative of Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake, to talk about his impressive career path, Formula 1, Audi and driver management. Alessandro studied law and started his career as a motorsport journalist.

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You learned law at the university but quickly started to work in motorsports. Were you always interested in racing?

I have had a passion for motorsports since a very young age. I was born in a little village in Central Italy. It was the place where the Coloni F1 Team had their base. I was fortunate enough to be so close to a Formula 1 team. Furthermore, there was a racetrack nearby where they hosted international races like Formula 3000, which was very popular back in the 80s, so I’ve always been passionate. I also raced myself when I was around 18 years old. Eventually, I tried to combine motorsports with my profession, which is being a lawyer. I started to work with different teams and drivers, taking care of their interests in terms of contracts. In the early 2000s, I started working with Andrea Dovizioso, who needed an Italian lawyer to manage certain items in his contract. It’s been a long journey, and I made it step by step. I was working as a team principal in GP2, and I was also dealing with driver management. I worked with several people around motorsports, and it has made me who I’m today. Actually, I’m getting old! (Laughs)

You started your career as a motorsport journalist; why did you choose journalism?

Created in 1946, Formula 1 has grown to be the greatest racing competition of all time. The F1 World Championship comprises numerous events, known as the Grand Prix, where drivers compete for points based on their finishing position. These races occur in several locations across the globe, the most famous including Monaco, Britain, Italy, Belgium, and Abu Dhabi.

Monaco Grand Prix

Founded in 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix is among the world’s most prestigious racing events. The track’s layout has largely remained unchanged but is considered an especially challenging circuit since it occurs amidst the narrow streets of Monaco. Although a stunning location, the track acts as an ultimate test of skill with the impossibility of overtaking, significant elevation changes, difficult corners, and even an extended tunnel. From 1984 to 1993, legendary rivals Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost ruled the circuit, only being won throughout this time by them. Ultimately, Senna won the race a record-breaking 6 times, while Prost accomplished 4 wins. Other notable champions include Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher, each holding 5 wins.

British Grand Prix

The British Grand Prix has remained a classic and beloved event dating back to 1926. It has been primarily held in Silverstone, a former Royal Air Force base, a circuit loved by drivers for its high-speed and intense corners. Lewis Hamilton, among the most successful F1 driver of all time, boasts an unmatched 8 wins at his home race; in fact, his first British triumph in 2008 was a highly touching moment for fans and Hamilton alike. Jim Clark and Alain Prost come in second with a considerable distance of 5 wins.

Italian Grand Prix

The Italian Grand Prix is one of the oldest in the world, launching in 1921, most hosted in Mosta, Milan. With rapid acceleration and sharp turns requiring complete precision, the Monza circuit is a thrilling racing exhibition. Team strategy is especially critical in this circuit with this need for meticulous tire management, overtaking prospects, and the timing of pit stops. As their home track, the Italian Grand Prix is of particular importance to Ferrari, who leads the record with an impressive 20 victories. In terms of specific players, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton hold the top spot with 5 wins, respectively.

Belgian Grand Prix

The Belgian Grand Prix, established in 1925, is normally held at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps located in the Ardennes countryside. The natural terrain, paired with the unpredictable weather, makes the course especially challenging. At one point, it rained for 20 years consecutively during the race. Top car performance, therefore, is fundamental for this circuit, with a focus on exceptional rain performance and tire management. These tricky conditions have, however, ensured many memorable races over the years, including the infamous collision between Senna and Prost. Michael Schumacher leads this Prix with 6 wins, followed by Ayrton Senna with 5, while Jim Clark, Kimi Räikkönen, and Lewis Hamilton possess 4.

Formula 1 has today announced the extension of its Global Partnership with Heineken following seven years of successful collaboration between the two global brands.

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Since 2016, Heineken has played a vital role in celebrating and amplifying the spectacle of Formula 1 through many activities, including track activations, providing world-class DJs at events and enhancing fan experiences globally. The extended partnership will usher in a new phase in Heineken and F1’s relationship and focus on engaging Formula 1’s growing fanbase in meaningful and creative ways whilst also providing world-class entertainment moments, including performances from Heineken’s newly announced global ambassador, Dutch superstar DJ Martin Garrix.

The Dutch beer brand will use F1’s global platform to provide messaging around responsible consumption and promote Heineken 0.0, a premium zero-alcohol product – as part of their responsible drinking programme. Since entering the world of motorsport in 2016, Heineken has been committed to driving real change towards the attitudes around drunk driving, launching their ‘When You Drive, Never Drink’ campaign and has also committed to investing 10%+ of all media budgets to supporting responsible consumption programmes.

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MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is delighted to announce a new partnership with MGM Resorts International, the global entertainment company’s first collaboration with a Formula 1 team.

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The partnership will see MGM Resorts International branding on the steering wheel of the VF-23 during the Monaco, Singapore, Austin and Las Vegas races, as well as a digital and social presence in MoneyGram Haas F1 Team promotional content throughout the season.

MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and MGM Resorts will offer exclusive fan activations at select properties, including team and driver meet and greets, at-track offerings, including garage tours, and a full program over the course of the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, held on November 16-18.

MGM Resorts International joins the growing list of American brands partnering with America’s Formula 1 Team, joining the roster of title sponsor MoneyGram, Chipotle and TravisMathew with Palm Angels and Oakberry, also having a significant presence in the States.

Online shopping has exploded in recent years, allowing us to get a range of products conveniently delivered to our front doors with the click of a button. If you’ve had your fair share of car breakdowns, online shopping may be a less painful way to repair your car. There’s no wasted time or hassle, assuming you’re mechanically adept, can do the work yourself, and know exactly what parts you need.

Regular maintenance is the least your car deserves. It means timely changes to consumables like oil, brake pads, and spark plugs to ensure your car runs smoothly. But some issues are hard to diagnose on the first go, and you’ll want a code scanner to pinpoint what exactly went wrong and which part or parts need replacement. More serious problems may also mean you’ll need the car towed to your local shop.

Here, most of us make our first big mistake: letting the mechanic source the auto parts for us. You’ll pay more for something you need and more for something you don’t. Buying your own auto parts is cheaper. It lets you choose the brand and ensures you get top-quality parts compatible with the car. There are no markups, additional costs, or pats on the back. Shopping online also means that your order arrives within three business days, no matter where you are.

Knowing Which Part You Need

Owners of cars still under warranty will be fortunate (in most cases), as the spare parts and labour costs are covered. Most issues, though, come later on and with higher mileage. The first warning sign is any light in the dash. Ignoring the issue, as most of us do if the car runs as usual, may lead to more costly repairs down the road.

A simple diagnostic scan in cars fitted with OBDII ports will detect what’s wrong and, depending on the software in the scanner, tell you the course of action to remove the fault. Some codes have minor glitches that can be deleted, but others require more attention. And if it’s an engine issue, the check engine sign will remain on.

Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake will add to the range of unique experiences offered to their guests alongside events of the 2023 Formula One season, as the team names Aioka its Global Concierge Supplier.

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Having operated in the events industry, from sports to entertainment, for over fifteen years, Aioka creates bespoke customer experiences, making any event memorable from the start until the end: sourcing exclusive hospitality options to arranging additional features such as travel, accommodation, dining and entertainment. Aioka’s vision is to continue developing in its field, creating outstanding and unique event experiences worldwide – with the support of a diverse team of specialists who embody and represent this philosophy.

To celebrate the launch of the new partnership, Aioka will be present with Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake at this week’s Monaco Grand Prix. Having hosted events at the most famous Grand Prix on the calendar for several years, Aioka will take a premier spot in the iconic harbour of the Principality, the perfect viewing place to follow all action on and off the track.

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The 2023 Formula 1 power list is here. Paddock magazine presents its 12th 100 Most Influential People in Formula 1 list. It’s our annual register of the most influential people in the industry.

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To determine the ranking, we considered more than 200 of the most influential players in Formula 1, and we evaluated their influence by using metrics in four major areas: economic power, command, newsworthiness, and impact — a subjective measure that captures how important they are in their respective positions.

We’ve gathered a team of experts in the racing business for this occasion. After much research, the team sent an online survey to motorsport professionals and then tweaked the final results.

Introduction

Max Verstappen kept Red Bull’s 2023 winning record intact by overcoming a rain shower – and the chaos that ensued – in the closing stages of the 2023 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, leading home Aston Martin rival Fernando Alonso and the Alpine of Esteban Ocon.

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Greg Maffei is in charge of the Liberty network of businesses as they contend in the mobile digital era. Stocks of Liberty consistently exceeded benchmarks and competitors. Liberty Media ranked fifth in Fortune’s list of the World’s Most Admired Media & Entertainment Companies for 2017–2018.

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Maffei is the president and chief executive officer of Liberty Media Corporation, a media and entertainment conglomerate that also holds a stake in Live Nation Entertainment and subsidiaries like SiriusXM, the Atlanta Braves, and Formula 1. He is the President and CEO of both GCI Liberty and Liberty Broadband Corporation. The main assets of GCI Liberty are its subsidiary GCI and its holdings in Charter Communications and Liberty Broadband. The main asset of Liberty Broadband Corporation is a 25% voting stake in Charter Communications. In addition, Greg Maffei is the chairman and CEO of Liberty TripAdvisor, which has a controlling stake in the travel site.

Additionally, he holds the position of Executive Chairman of Qurate Retail, Inc., which includes digital commerce companies like QVC, HSNi, and Zulily, as well as stakes in FTD and ILG. In addition, Maffei serves as Director of Charter Communications and Zillow and Chairman of Live Nation Entertainment, Pandora, SiriusXM, and TripAdvisor, all of which are connected to Liberty.

Maffei was CFO at Microsoft, Chairman and CEO of 360networks, and Co-President of Oracle before joining Liberty in 2005. He has also been the chairman of Expedia and Starz and a director of Barnes & Noble, Citrix, DIRECTV, Dorling Kindersley, Electronic Arts, and Starbucks.

Italian manager Stefano Domenicali was born on May 11, 1965. Chase Carey was replaced as CEO of Formula One Group by him. He first became interested in racing when he went to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track on weekends to assist in the paddock and the media centre.

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After retiring as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini, Stefano Domenicali began serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Formula 1 in January 2021. Mr Domenicali joined Formula 1 after an accomplished career in the automotive sector, where he was successful in both commercial and motorsport capacities.

He began working for Ferrari in 1991 after earning a business management degree from the University of Bologna. He oversaw the Mugello race from 1992 to 1994 and participated in the DTM and other racing competitions. Prior to being elevated to Team Manager in December 1996, he served as Ferrari’s sporting department’s head of personnel from 1995 to 1996. He was also responsible for sponsorship interaction.

He remained there until January 2001. After a brief stint as Logistics Manager, he became the team’s Sporting Director in 2002. On November 12 2007, Ferrari announced Domenicali would take on the role of Director of the Ferrari Formula One team, a position previously held by Jean Todt and became team principal in 2008. Under his leadership, Ferrari won the 2008 Constructors’ Championship before enduring a less competitive 2009 season in which the team won only a single race. In 2010, the team won five races and finished third in the Constructors’ Championship behind Red Bull Racing and McLaren.

Ola Kaellenius was born on June 11, 1969 in Vastervik, Sweden. He finished his military service in the Swedish Army in 1988–1989 after attending school and receiving his Abitur at the Danderyd Grammar School (Sweden). He attended the Stockholm School of Economics (Master in Finance and Accounting) and the University of St. Gallen from 1989 to 1993, receiving his CEMS degree (Master of International Management).

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As a trainee in the International Management Associate Program, he joined Daimler-Benz AG in 1993. In 1995, Kaellenius led a team and, later, a department at the Corporate Controlling unit of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. in Tuscaloosa, USA. In 2000, after moving back to Stuttgart, he was appointed head of purchasing for Mercedes-Benz Cars Engine Emission Management. He was named Director of Project Alliance at Mercedes-Benz Cars Procurement in 2001. He assumed the role of Director of Procurement for Mercedes-Benz Cars Powertrain in 2002.

In 2003, Kaellenius became the Executive Director of Operations at McLaren Automotive Ltd. in Woking, England. He also spent the next part of his career in the United Kingdom. In 2005, he was named Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines Ltd. in Brixworth.

In 2009, Kaellenius served as the Vice President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. In 2010, he returned to Germany to work at Mercedes-AMG GmbH in Affalterbach as vice president and managing director. He was appointed group president of Mercedes-Benz Cars in 2013 and was in charge of marketing and sales.

John Elkann was named Executive Director of Stellantis on January 17, 2021. On the same day, he was also named Chairman. He previously served as FCA’s Chairman and Executive Director beginning on October 13, 2014. From April 21, 2010, he was Chairman of Fiat S.p.A., where he served as Vice Chairman in 2004 and board member since 1997. John Elkann is also Chief Executive Officer of Exor N.V. and Chairman of Giovanni Agnelli B.V.

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Born in New York in 1976, John Elkann obtained a scientific baccalaureate from the Lycée Victor Duruy in Paris and graduated in Engineering from Politecnico, the Engineering University of Turin (Italy). He worked at different FCA Group companies in the UK, Poland, and France during college. In the U.K. and Poland, he worked in manufacturing; in France, he worked in sales and marketing. He started his professional career in 2001 at General Electric as a member of the corporate audit staff, with assignments in Asia, the United States and Europe.

Elkann was baptized and raised Catholic. Elkann married Donna Lavinia Borromeo (born Lavinia Ida Borromeo-Arese on March 10 1977, in Milan, Italy), a prominent Italian aristocratic family member of the House of Borromeo. She is the daughter of Don Carlo Ferdinando Borromeo, Count of Arona (born in 1935), and the son of Vitaliano Borromeo, the 2nd Prince of Angera. They married in a Roman Catholic ceremony in the Cappella Bianca on Isola Madre, one of the Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore. They have three children.

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Lawrence Stroll became Executive Chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda in April 2020 after leading a strong investment consortium to take a stake in the group. The Canadian businessman is famed for acquiring and building luxury brands such as Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Asprey and Garrard and for his passion for the luxury automotive and motorsport sectors. Stroll’s role as Executive Chairman demonstrates that he is actively engaged in the future of Aston Martin Lagonda.

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Stroll’s career began 30 years ago when his family acquired the Pierre Cardin children’s wear licence for Canada.

In 1989, Stroll formed Sportswear Holdings Limited with Hong King fashion investor Silas Chou. They bought the Tommy Hilfiger and Pepe Jeans brands, which Aston Martin partner Hackett owns. In 2003, Sportswear Holdings acquired a majority interest in Michael Kors, where Stroll and Chou led the business through its successful IPO.

From 2000 until August 2022, Stroll owned a Canadian race car circuit, Circuit Mont-Tremblant, in Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains.