Formula 1

Sebastian Vettel says Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali used a “very unlucky choice of words” when he said it was “very unlikely” a woman will be on the grid within five years. Italian Domenicali used the phrase “realistically speaking, unless there is something like a meteorite,” when discussing the issue. Aston Martin driver Vettel said:

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell said they believe a win for Mercedes is “close” as the Formula 1 season resumes at the Belgian Grand Prix. Mercedes have had a difficult season but progress in recent races culminated with their first double podium at the last race before the summer break in Hungary. Hamilton said he

Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali says he does not expect a woman to race at the top level of the sport in the next five years. Domenicali said it was “crucial to give the maximum possibility for women to come to F1 – we are totally dedicated to that”. But he added: “Realistically speaking, unless

Daniel Ricciardo will leave McLaren at the end of the season. The team said they and the Australian had “mutually agreed” the split, but McLaren admitted they had precipitated the move. The announcement is expected to be followed by confirmation that McLaren have signed Australian Oscar Piastri – the Formula 2 champion and Alpine reserve.

Formula 1 reconvenes at the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend – the end of its summer break marking the start of a hectic run of nine races in 12 weeks that will decide the 2022 World Championship, and much more besides. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen appears to be heading inexorably towards a second world title,

PA Media Bernie Ecclestone has denied fraud over an alleged failure to declare about $650m in overseas assets. The 91-year-old former Formula 1 boss indicated a not guilty plea to a charge of fraud by false representation at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. He is accused of failing to declare a trust in Singapore with a bank

Former F1 driver Stoffel Vandoorne clinched the Formula E title for the departing Mercedes team at the season’s final race in South Korea on Sunday. Jaguar’s Mitch Evans needed to win and hope Vandoorne finished no better than eighth but the Belgian made sure of the title by finishing second to Venturi’s Edoardo Mortara in

Turning down a role as a fighter pilot in Tom Cruise film Top Gun: Maverick was “the most upsetting call that I think I’ve ever had”, says Lewis Hamilton. The British seven-time Formula 1 world champion said he accepted a part in the hit sequel to the original 1986 film. However, he had to pull

Charles Leclerc admits “emotions have run extremely high” in a tumultuous first part of the season for himself and his Ferrari team. “Whether it was in highs or lows, there was no race with no emotions,” Leclerc says. “It’s either win, or leading and then some problems occur or whatever. So it’s been a first

Williams have retained Alex Albon as their driver in Formula 1 for what they say is next season “and beyond”. The team announced on Tuesday that they had signed a “multi-year agreement” with the British-born Thai driver. Albon said: “The team are pushing hard to progress, and I am really motivated to continue on this

Oscar Piastri says he will not replace Fernando Alonso at Alpine next season – after the team said he would. Alpine announced on Tuesday afternoon that the 21-year-old would race “in line with the commitments made by the team to the young Australian”. But Piastri then tweeted that he had “not signed a contract with

Britain’s seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton has joined the incoming ownership group of three-time Super Bowl winners the Denver Broncos. Hamilton has been brought into the group by Walmart boss Rob Walton, who is in the process of completing a reported $4.65bn (£3.81bn) takeover of the franchise. The Waltons are America’s richest family and

Honda is to continue supplying technical support to Red Bull in Formula 1 until the end of 2025. The Japanese company officially pulled out of F1 last year, but agreed to continue to supply engines and engineering support to Red Bull until the end of 2023. That agreement has now been extended by a further

Alpine have admitted that Fernando Alonso’s decision to switch to Aston Martin caught them by surprise and was caused by a contractual dispute. Team boss Otmar Szafnauer said Alpine offered a deal for 2023 with an option for 2024, but 41-year-old Alonso “wanted something longer”. Szafnauer said Alpine’s concerns were that Alonso’s abilities may wane

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso is to drive for Aston Martin from 2023 on a multi-year contract. Alonso, F1 champion in 2005 and 2006, returned to the sport in 2021 after a two-year hiatus racing elsewhere. “I still have the hunger and ambition to fight to be at the front,” Alonso said. “Aston Martin is clearly

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen drove an outstanding race to win the Hungarian Grand Prix from 10th on the grid despite a spin costing the lead. Verstappen passed title rival Charles Leclerc twice raising fresh questions about Ferrari’s race operations. Red Bull’s pit strategy also vaulted Verstappen ahead of pole-sitter George Russell, who lost out on

Former race director Michael Masi says he received death threats following the controversy that saw Max Verstappen claim his debut world title last year. The 44-year-old failed to apply the regulations correctly in a safety-car period at the end of December’s final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. It led to the Dutchman, 24, passing Britain’s

In the space of 24 hours in Hungary this weekend, Formula 1 turned upside down. On Friday afternoon, the Mercedes team were completely lost. Their car had been a second a lap off the pace in practice and the drivers stayed at the track with the team until 11pm trying to work out what to