Monisha Kaltenborn becomes Sauber stakeholder

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F1 news: Peter Sauber begins to transfer the business of running a Formula One team to the next generation.

Credit: Sauber Motorsport AG

This is F1Minute - Monisha Kaltenborn becomes Sauber stakeholder.

Team boss, owner and director Peter Sauber has confirmed that he will be transferring a third of the Sauber Group stake to CEO Monisha Kaltenborn, as a reward for her good work, and to aid continuity in the future. Sauber himself will retain two thirds, and insists that this move should be a benefit for the employees.

He said: “When BMW pulled out of F1 in 2009, Monisha was instrumental in the team’s survival and since then she has been doing outstanding work in her capacity as CEO... My desire is to ensure that the company continues to be led as I would want over the long term... It means we can offer our employees a positive outlook for the future.”

Monisha simply adds: “For me this step is a mark of the greatest possible trust, which I will do everything in my power to justify.”

Meanwhile, both drivers are looking forward to the next Grand Prix, after a mixed weekend in Spain. Kobayashi finished fifth and hopes to repeat the feat, saying: “The last time I came fifth was last year in Monaco, and I am very much looking forward to returning to the principality.”



McLaren offer to lend a hand as Williams recover from fire

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F1 news: The Williams team return home as McLaren offers help and Frank says thank you.

Credit: Glenn Dunbar/LAT Photographic

Welcome to F1Minute - McLaren offer to lend a hand as Williams recover from fire.

The Williams team are beginning the road to recovery after a massive fire in the paddock after yesterday’s Spanish Grand Prix. Team members have been released from hospital after treatment for smoke inhalation, with just one remaining behind suffering from burns - although he should be able to return home soon.

Reuters report that a spokesperson from McLaren has offered the team their help, saying they will “replace whatever damaged equipment Williams might need to go racing in Monaco next week.”

Meanwhile, team boss Frank Williams spoke of his gratitude to the teams who helped in the paddock, saying: “Everyone at Williams F1 is extremely relieved that this event was contained as quickly as it was and the damage which occurred was, relatively speaking, limited in its nature.

"While the incident was unexpected and definitely most undesirable, it has demonstrated the genuine cohesiveness, camaraderie and spirit of co-operation that exists within the Formula One paddock. The astonishing response from the teams and other paddock personnel was immediate, unconditional and overwhelming.”



Michael Schumacher given five place grid drop for Monaco

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F1 news: Collision with Bruno Senna sends Schumacher five places back at the next race.

Credit: Mercedes AMG Petronas

This is F1Minute - Michael Schumacher given five place grid drop for Monaco.

Michael Schumacher has been handed a five place grid penalty for the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks time, after his crash with Bruno Senna during the race in Spain today. The Mercedes driver crashed into the back of the Williams on the thirteenth lap of the race, spinning both drivers off into the gravel. Schumacher was out of the car immediately, whilst Senna attempted to get his car back to the pitlane, eventually coming to a halt further round the track.

Immediately after the event, Michael laid the blame at Bruno’s door, saying: “You can see he moved right to defend his position, but right in the braking zone he moved left. I tried to move into the inside but too late. It was very frustrating. We would have got good points.”

Senna had a different take on the incident: “He's not going to say it's his own fault. He had much newer tyres than me, I guess our braking points were quite different into turn one. I already saw Grosjean braking late into turn one and hitting me, I didn't want Michael to do the same...”

The stewards investigated after the race, and clearly sided with Senna on the issue as it is Schumacher who gets the penalty.



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