F1 news LIVE: Adrian Newey gives hint over next move as Lando Norris speaks in Imola
Follow all the latest news from the world of F1 ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
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Formula 1 returns to Europe for the first time this season as the iconic Imola circuit hosts the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.
Lando Norris claimed a stunning win – his first in F1 – last time out in Miami, beating Max Verstappen after a perfectly timed safety car and securing McLaren’s first win since September 2021.
Nonetheless, Verstappen still has a healthy 33-point lead in the drivers’ championship to Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third following another podium in Miami.
There’s work to do for Lewis Hamilton, though, who is enduring his worst-ever start to an F1 season, currently languishing down in ninth. Last year’s race at Imola was cancelled due to heavy flooding in the region, while Verstappen triumphed in 2022 and 2021.
Follow all the latest news from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with The Independent
Carlos Sainz:
On Imola: “It’s what we miss from the new venues, this old-school feeling. A big fan of coming back to places like Imola, Monaco. There’s a bit of work to do for these tracks for the show, for overtaking. We need to see how we can make the old school tracks more exciting and racing better.”
“This is a top-three circuit where you feel a Formula 1 car more than anyone else, at its peak. I love that.”
Daniel Ricciardo:
“Miami was a different weekend - massive high and Sunday story was completely different. You want to get back to it. It’s always nice to have a weekend off but right now I prefer to be racing, it’s good to be here.
“I know what is required from this car, I’m comfortable in it. The Saturday evening is not always easy to put together, it can mean a Q1 exit. It’s competitive - you’ve got to put it all together.”
Lando Norris:
“I celebrated appropriately for the occasion. But it’s another weekend, prepared and ready to go. I still think about it a lot but at the same time, you have to turn your focus to the next weekend. Hopefully try and replicate a similar thing - it was an incredible weekend, will remember for the rest of my life.
“We are better suited to Imola, it’s been one of our most successful tracks as a team and for me as a driver. We’re confident we can take steps forward, we won’t be there every weekend. I was lucky with the safety car and strategy worked out perfectly. I was quickest on track, the whole weekend was turning into something good. The car made some good steps forward, we have more things coming in the future.
Where are McLaren in the pecking order: “We’re third.”
Kevin Magnussen:
On penalty points: “The next time is a race ban so I’ll have to [be safer]. These situations where I’ve had to play the support role for my team-mate have been paying off! Since the rules as they are, I didn’t make the rules. I’m on 10 points so I have to be careful not to get a race ban.”
Carlos Sainz:
“Hopefully a bit of a step coming in the car this weekend. I still think it’s track dependent, Miami was a better suited track for our car. It felt back to normal. Hopefully Imola is a good track for us. We’re going to need to keep developing....”
On 2025 move, is it going to take some time? “I think so, it’s not moving too quick.”
FIA press conference:
Here’s who we are expecting in the press conference room at 1:30pm (BST):
- Pierre Gasly
- Carlos Sainz
- Kevin Magnussen
- Zhou Guanyu
- Lando Norris
- Daniel Ricciardo
The rest of the drivers will speak to members of the broadcast press, too.
What are the timings on track in Imola this weekend?
(All times BST)
Friday 17 May
- Free practice 1: 12:30pm
- Free practice 2: 4pm
Saturday 18 May
- Free practice 3: 11:30am
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 19 May
- Race: 2pm
Adrian Newey drops major hint over next move after Red Bull exit
Adrian Newey admits he is “seriously considering” joining another F1 team after he leaves Red Bull next year.
The 65-year-old design guru, who is credited with the current iteration of Red Bull car which is dominating the sport at the moment, is leaving Red Bull at the start of 2025 following 19 years with Christian Horner’s team.
Newey stated last week he was looking forward to a break, stating he was “a bit tired.” He added that he has not made up his mind yet about his future.
However, with Ferrari favourites to land Newey, the designer has revealed he will “probably go again” and join another team in the sport.
Full piece below:
Adrian Newey drops major hint over next move after Red Bull exit
Newey has been linked with Ferrari after announcing his departure from Red Bull at the start of 2025
Adrian Newey says he is “seriously considering changing teams, going somewhere else and doing another four or five years or whatever” after leaving Red Bull next year,
The 65-year-old added: “I feel a little bit tired at the moment, but at some point I’ll probably go again.”
Christian Horner gives X-rated ‘silent assassin’ jibe to Eddie Jordan
Christian Horner labelled Eddie Jordan a “silent assassin” after the ex-team boss negotiated Adrian Newey’s early release from his Red Bull contract.
Design guru Newey, Red Bull’s chief technical officer, will leave the team at the start of 2025 after 19 years working alongside Horner. Ferrari are the favourites to land Newey, who is yet to announce his next move.
In his exit announcement, Newey thanked his “close friend and manager” Jordan for his help – in a partnership which was not common knowledge – and Horner soon rang ex-team principal Jordan following Newey’s exit.
Full quotes below:
Horner gives X-rated ‘silent assassin’ jibe to Jordan over Newey exit
Red Bull’s design guru Newey will leave the team at the start of 2025 after 19 years working with Horner
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