Court convicts three in Schumacher blackmail case, McLaren becomes first team to reveal 2025 car, and other big updates

Court convicts three in Schumacher blackmail case

Three men have been convicted for attempting to blackmail Michael Schumacher's family over his private medical records. Yilmaz Tozturkan, the main perpetrator, received a three-year prison sentence for threatening to release confidential files. His son, Daniel Lins, got a suspended sentence and a fine, while former Schumacher estate security guard Markus Fritsche also received a suspended sentence. The Schumacher family is unhappy with the verdicts and may appeal. 

Click here to read the full article by Michelle Foster (planetf1.com)

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McLaren becomes first team to reveal 2025 car

McLaren has become the first team to showcase its 2025 Formula 1 car, the MCL39, during a promotional filming day at Silverstone, with drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri sharing driving duties. The team will reveal the car’s final design on February 18 at the F175 Live event. CEO Zak Brown said they are focused on defending both Championships but know other teams have improved.

Click here to read the full article by Balazs Szabo (F1 technical.com)

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O’Ward joins Jerez tire test with McLaren

McLaren and Alpine tested Pirelli’s 2026 prototype tires at Jerez with modified 2023 cars on the rough 4.4km track. Pierre Gasly drove for Alpine, while McLaren gave IndyCar race-winner Pato O’Ward another opportunity in F1 machinery. Gasly set the fastest lap at 1’18.092 and did four more laps than O’Ward, who finished with a 1’19.484 time. The test continues tomorrow with Jack Doohan driving for Alpine while Mercedes takes over from McLaren with George Russell.

Click here to read the full article by Keith Collantine (racefans.net)

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How Verstappen crushes his teammates

Liam Lawson’s promotion to Red Bull is a dream come true, but being Max Verstappen’s teammate can be a nightmare. Just ask Gasly, Albon, or Perez. Confidence can crumble fast. Sainz and Ricciardo held their own, but Lawson faces one of F1’s toughest challenges—going up against Verstappen in the same car.

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How F1 took off with a $500m bet

Did you know that Formula 1 reportedly spent upwards of half a billion dollars transforming the always-bustling Las Vegas into a street circuit? That’s more than some small nations’ GDP—for just one 90-minute race! But was this how it turned things around globally and broke into the U.S. market?