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‘One of the most sensitive aspects of the investigation concerns the clients. According to what has emerged, the network would involve numerous prominent figures, including businesspeople, celebrities and several Serie A footballers, as well as Formula 1 drivers and hockey players. The number of sportspeople involved is described as ‘significant’ (around 70) and not limited to residents of Lombardy. Some of them, in fact, are said to have taken advantage of trips to Milan to attend the organised evenings. The investigation documents refer to a list of at least 70 clients, whose names are, however, redacted, although there is increasing speculation about players from Inter, Milan, Juventus, Sassuolo and Verona. Moreover, a couple of notable excerpts also emerge from the wiretaps: ‘I have a friend, an F1 driver… who is coming here to Milan tonight, he wants a girl,’ reads one intercepted conversation.’
McLaren driver development programme signs British karting talent Harry Williams (McLaren)
‘Harry joins the team’s talent pipeline, which has an overarching aim to help drivers progress towards Formula 1, IndyCar and the team’s upcoming World Endurance Championship entry. The programme, led by chief business affairs officer Alessandro Alunni Bravi, currently consists of Christian Costoya, Matteo De Palo, Leonardo Fornaroli, Ella Hakkinen, Ella Lloyd, Pato O’Ward, Gregoire Saucy, Ella Stevens, Dries Van Langendonck and Richard Verschoor.’
Zhenrui Chi joins the Aston Martin Driver Academy (Aston Martin)
‘The 17-year-old, regarded as one of China’s most promising young racing drivers, becomes the latest addition to the Academy’s expanding roster as the team continues to strengthen its long-term pathway for developing emerging talent from across the global motorsport landscape.’
IndyCar Officiating Statement following the Streets of Long Beach race (IndyCar)
‘During the lap 61 restart (…) IndyCar Officiating discovered a Push-to-Pass software failure, which led to a post-race review. (…) In the review, IndyCar Officiating learned that 12 cars utilised the system prior to the alternate start-finish line. IndyCar Officiating does not view this as a team or driver infraction.’
All-new FIA Formula Regional European Championship is go (FIA)
‘Drivers contesting the inaugural FIA Formula Regional European Championship in 2026 will be able to utilise Race Mode in their pursuit of on-track success. The new Race Mode push-to-pass system allows drivers to trigger full engine performance for a period of time when activated by a button pressed from inside the cockpit. Its introduction for the 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship season is the result of extensive research and development managed by the FIA.’
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Wonderduck, Hydro, Rylan Ziegler, Kadir Issa and BenH!
On this day in motorsport
Michael Schumacher’s San Marino Grand Prix win today in 2006 avenged his defeat to Fernando Alonso from 12 months earlier
65 today: Pierluigi Martini
20 years ago today Michael Schumacher resisted pressure from Fernando Alonso to win the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola