F1 Today | Chandhok exclusive on Hamilton, and F1 to have a new boss
F1 News
Today may not have seen so much breaking news in the world of Formula 1, but there were still interesting stories circulating, including rumours as to why Niels Wittich left his post as F1's race director. Along with this, there is more from GPblog's exclusive with Karun Chandhok as he speaks about Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari, and F1 will have a new boss as Greg Maffei leaves as Liberty Media CEO.
Chandhok exclusive: "Lewis still has the magic"
Former F1 driver and current Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok has been speaking exclusively with GPblog, and today, he spoke about Lewis Hamilton and the huge move he will be making at the end of the 2024 season, joining Ferrari for the 2025 season to try and find his record-breaking eighth world title.
It has been an extremely rough year for the 39-year-old, looking well off the pace many times this year behind the wheel of the W15. However, wins at the British Grand Prix and the Belgian Grand Prix highlight the pace that he still possesses, and Chandhok believes that there will still be a great chance for Hamilton to take the title when he moves to the Scuderia.
"We saw in Silverstone that when the car is strong and ready to win, he can win. We saw it in Spa also. So when the car is right, Lewis still has the magic. Silverstone, what he did in the last 15 laps, only Lewis, Max or Fernando [Alonso] can do that. That pace and managing the tyres, that was magic Lewis. He still has it," says the former driver. Be sure to read the full article above.
Liberty Media CEO to step down in 2024
The 2024 season may not be over, but changes will already be made for next year. Liberty Media, the owner of Formula 1's commercial rights, will have a new CEO come the 2025 season, with the current top man Greg Maffei stepping down from the role at the end of the year.
The interim successor will be John Malone, taking the title on an interim basis. Maffei will become a Senior Advisor on 1 January to help with the transition of a new leader. Under his leadership, Liberty Media have become one of the largest media, communications, sports and entertainment companies, with Formula E and MotoGP also owned by the company.
“On behalf of the Liberty Media board, I’d like to thank Greg for his leadership, creativity and dedication,” said John Malone in a statement after the news became official.
Possible explanation for Wittich's decision to leave
Yesterday, the news broke that Niels Wittich will no longer be the F1 race director, leaving effect immediately before the Las Vegas Grand Prix. There was a lot of talk as to why the German made the decision to leave his post, but Witich told Motorsport-Magazin that he did not resign himself.
Then, Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater explained that a disagreement between Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA president, and Wittich, led to the departure of the German. He also continued by saying that multiple sources reported back to him saying that Wittich would indeed have been sacked. The British presenter went on to say, "I have to say, that is not what the FIA are saying in the statement, but that's what I am being told. And I cannot ascertain a specific reason why he is leaving."
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