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Fast Five: Ecclestone faces $400M fraud pre-trial, Schumacher family taking legal action, and other big updates

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Today's F1 News Delivered Faster Than a Pit Stop

Ecclestone faces $400M fraud pre-trial, Schumacher family taking legal action, and other big updates from around the world of Formula 1.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Ecclestone faces $400M fraud pre-trial
  • Schumacher family taking legal action over fake AI Interview
  • Phil Hill: America’s first F1 champ
  • Friction between Leclerc and Sainz
  • 10 ill-timed driver departures

Ecclestone faces fraud pre-trial

Bernie Ecclestone, former Formula 1 CEO, attended a pre-trial hearing in London for his upcoming fraud criminal trial. UK tax authorities accuse him of failing to declare over $400 million in a Singapore trust fund. Ecclestone, who has not entered a plea, is expected to plead not guilty. The trial is set for November 16, 2023, with another hearing scheduled for June 2023, and Ecclestone remains on bail.

Click here to read the full article by Jake Nichol (RacingNews365.com).

Schumacher family taking legal action over fake AI Interview

Following the AI-generated 'interview' purportedly with the seven-time World Champion published by German publication Die Aktuelle, the family of Michael Schumacher are set to take legal action against the magazine. This was confirmed by a spokesperson for the family who told news agency Reuters that appropriate legal action would be taken, with the family remaining protective of his condition.

Click here to read the full article by Jonathan Green (SkySports.com).

Phil Hill: America's first F1 champ

Philip Hill was one of two American drivers to win the F1 World Drivers' Championship and the only one who was born in the United States. Phil, who was born on this day in 1927, took the ‘61 title, but his happiness was cut short by tragedy.

Friction between Leclerc and Sainz

Tensions between Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz seem to be growing, according to former Ferrari team boss Peter Windsor. Leclerc's sarcastic radio comment thanking Sainz for a tow during the Australian Grand Prix weekend indicates underlying issues. Windsor believes that Leclerc's public display of frustration was "political" and suggests that it would be in his best interest to maintain a good relationship with Sainz, as he might need his support later in the season.

Click here to read the full article by Lewis Larkam (Crash.net)

10 ill-timed driver departures

Sebastian Vettel's exit from Aston Martin seems ill-timed, as he could have been one of Max Verstappen's main competitors this season. During Vettel's two-year stint with the team, he secured two podiums, although one was later revoked, while the team generally struggled in the lower midfield and finished seventh in the constructors' standings in both 2021 and 2022. As Vettel departs, Aston Martin leaps forward, with his replacement Fernando Alonso achieving three consecutive podiums in 2023 and becoming Red Bull drivers' closest rival in points. While Vettel had personal reasons for leaving and boasts an impressive record with 53 wins, 57 poles, and four titles, one can't help but question if his departure's timing was among F1's most unfortunate. This situation prompts reflection on other F1 champions or race winners in the past 40 years who left a team, either by choice or otherwise, just before it made significant performance improvements and delivered more competitive vehicles.

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