F1 Fast Five: FIA holds discussions with Turkish president over GP return, Police recover Ferrari stolen from ex-F1 driver, other big updates

FIA holds discussions with Turkish president over GP return

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the potential return of Formula 1 and the World Rally Championship to Turkey, focusing on the appeal of the modern Istanbul Park circuit and the economic benefits of hosting these events. Talks included recognition of TOSFED's expertise in event organization. Turkey previously hosted F1 races at Istanbul Park from 2005 to 2011 and during 2020-2021, as well as WRC events from 2003 to 2010 and 2018 to 2020. The Istanbul Park owners are seeking a new race contract, with a tender process demanding a significant rental fee and assurance of an F1 calendar entry from 2026. The winning bidder, to be announced in April, will also invest in circuit development and surrounding areas.

Click here to read the full article by Jonathan Noble & Kemal Şengül (motorsport.com)

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Police recover Ferrari stolen from ex-F1 driver 28 years ago

A Ferrari road car, previously owned by Gerhard Berger and stolen 28 years ago, was located by London's Metropolitan Police just four days after Ferrari informed them of a potentially stolen car being imported into the US from the UK. The car, valued at around £350,000 GBP, had been shipped to Japan shortly after the theft, then ended up in the UK for exportation to the US via a broker. The investigation involved collaboration with international authorities, Ferrari, and car dealerships, leading to the recovery of the vehicle. The second stolen car from the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix remains missing, with ongoing inquiries and no arrests made yet.

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

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RB and Ferrari spark teammate rivalries in season opener

Max Verstappen secured victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix, dominating the race and leading a Red Bull 1-2 finish, solidifying his position as the 2024 Formula 1 World Champion. Despite the early stage of the season, the intensity of team dynamics is already evident, with drivers like Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez facing internal competition within Red Bull. Meanwhile, at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc aims to assert his dominance over teammate Carlos Sainz, who is keen to prove himself worthy of a 2025 race seat, showcasing the intricate battles brewing within teams across the grid. As the season progresses, tensions are expected to rise, promising an array of teammate conflicts and strategic maneuvers on the track.

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

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Why Jos is escalating Horner crisis

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The controversy involving Red Bull and its F1 team boss, Christian Horner, has worsened after tensions within the team were revealed by Max Verstappen's father, Jos. Red Bull had hoped to put an end to the controversy surrounding allegations of Horner's behavior towards a female staff member when the parent company dismissed a "grievance" against him ahead of the new season. However, instead of resolving, the situation has escalated to unprecedented levels.

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A positive start for McLaren

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McLaren compared Norris's comments after the first race in 2023 to those after the first race in 2024. In 2023, Norris admitted that the race didn't go as planned due to unexpected issues, while in 2024, he described the Bahrain GP race as a good start to the year. Piastri supported Norris's view, calling it a positive start.