Fernando Alonso has had a great start to the 2023 season with his new team, Aston Martin, and is set to sell his prized possession, the legendary Ferrari Enzo. The Enzo is a rare and remarkable sports car, with only 400 ever built. It features a powerful 6.0-liter V12 engine, reaching speeds of 217mph and accelerating from 0 to 60mph in just over three seconds. This iconic vehicle, named after Ferrari's founder, is known for its sleek design and cutting-edge technology. Previous owners include Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Rod Stewart, and Eric Clapton. The Enzo will be auctioned at the esteemed L'AstaRossa event in Monaco, with an estimated value of $5.4 million.
Click here to read the full article by Dan McCarthy (gpfans.com)
Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo will end its sponsorship of Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen and the Dutch Grand Prix after this season. Jumbo has been a major sponsor of Verstappen since his Formula 3 days, but the company's CEO, Ton van Veen, announced that they will no longer be involved in sports sponsorship altogether. This decision is unrelated to recent investigations into money laundering involving former CEO Frits van Eerd. Van Veen explained that while Verstappen is a popular figure, Jumbo's focus is on being a food retailer, and they cannot allocate the sponsorship funds to other areas like customer benefits, sustainability, or health initiatives. In addition to Verstappen, Jumbo will stop sponsoring the Dutch Grand Prix and its cycling team, Jumbo-Visma. However, Verstappen's manager hopes to end their collaboration with a third world title.
Click here to read the full article by Rory Mitchell and Marnik Kok (racingnews365.com).
Ferrari has introduced a new sidepod design for its Formula 1 car, inspired by Red Bull's successful concept. The new sidepods are a significant change from Ferrari's previous design, which featured a central section resembling a bathtub. Instead, the new design has a more horizontal upper surface that helps direct airflow toward the rear of the car. This concept, known as the "downwash" design, is similar to what other teams like Alpine, Aston Martin, and Mercedes have adopted. This change is a response to the team's struggles with grip levels and wind direction during races. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz praised the team's efforts in bringing the upgrade to the Spanish Grand Prix earlier than expected.
Click here to read the full article by Jonathan Noble (motorsport.com).
Sergio Perez is refusing to let setbacks dampen his spirit as he gears up for the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite crashing in qualifying at Monaco and enduring a race without points, Perez is resolute in his belief that he can still contend for the championship title. The Red Bull driver recognizes the challenge of competing against Verstappen but remains determined to outperform him and considers it his main objective. Perez understands the impact of his mistakes and accepts that he cannot afford any more setbacks. While the odds are against him, he remains optimistic and motivated to make a comeback.
Click here to read the full article by Scott Mitchell-Malm (the-race.com)
Fernando Alonso, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and several other F1 drivers have made their way to the Spanish GP. Zhou Guanyu and Neymar exchanged boots, and the soccer superstar had the chance to engage with other drivers.
