Ecclestone sells historic $500m car collection to Red Bull heir, Insider reports Audi's Sauber takeover faces setbacks, and other big updates

Ecclestone sells historic $500m car collection to Red Bull heir

Bernie Ecclestone sold his 69-car collection to Red Bull heir Mark Mateschitz for an unknown amount, but reports say it is worth around $500m. The collection includes famous F1 cars driven by legends like Alberto Ascari, Niki Lauda, and Michael Schumacher. Mateschitz plans to keep the cars in good condition, add more over time, and open them to the public in a museum. Ecclestone said he only sold the cars because he was assured they would be properly displayed rather than hidden away.

Click here to read the full article by Jake Nichol (racingnews365.com)

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Insider reports Audi's Sauber takeover faces setbacks

Audi will fully take over Sauber in 2026, but the transition has been difficult, with leadership changes and no team principal until April. David Croft said it is hard to hire staff because Switzerland is expensive, so Audi is setting up a UK base. After finishing last in 2024, the team signed Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025. Mattia Binotto is acting as team principal until Jonathan Wheatley takes over in April.

Click here to read the full article by Lydia Mee (motorsport.com)

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How Tsunoda responded to Red Bull snub

Yuki Tsunoda was disappointed to lose the Red Bull seat to Liam Lawson, but he didn’t let it bring him down. Instead, he has focused on leading Racing Bulls, and his team boss, Laurent Mekies, says he has returned with a better mindset. Red Bull and Honda have made it clear that Tsunoda now needs to prove himself on his own, so he has hired a new manager and is making the most of his chance. Racing Bulls is supporting him fully, expecting him to guide the team while rookie Isack Hadjar takes time to learn.

Click here to read the full article by Jon Noble (the-race.com)

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Pastrana & Vettel face off in Australia’s first Race of Champions

Australia is set to host its first-ever Race of Champions this weekend, bringing together top drivers from different disciplines to compete in identical cars. X Games gold medallist Travis Pastrana and 4-time F1 champ Sebastian Vettel share their thoughts on the race. But what’s tougher, motorsport or Sydney traffic?

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Sainz joins Tucci’s star-studded dinner party

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Coz, I mean, come to think of it, a good meal is nothing without great company. That’s exactly why Stanley Tucci invites an unexpected mix of guests from celebrities to scientists, including Carlos Sainz, British singer Melanie C, and popular fashion designer Tan France, where they skip the small talk and dive into real conversations. They share stories of cherished heritage, big ambitions, and roads not taken.