Formula 1

UK Police have confirmed that they have recovered former F1 driver Gerhard Berger's Ferrari which was stolen at the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix.

On Thursday, a file of messages and pictures was emailed to leading figures in Formula One and dozens of international news organisations from an anonymous source.

Formula One made its first public comments on the affair that has rocked the sport three days before pre-season testing begins in Bahrain on Wednesday.

One of three active world champions but the only one still on the market for 2025, Fernando Alonso said he would talk first with Aston Martin if he decided to continue.

The British racer, who joined Mercedes in 2013, enjoyed a massively successful relationship with the Toto Wolff-led side and claimed six of his seven World Championship titles with the Silver Arrows.

The 52-year-old Austrian, who owns a one-third share of the Formula One team, announced the new agreement following a meeting with fellow shareholders INEOS and Mercedes-Benz.

Former Brazilian Formula One driver Wilson Fittipaldi Jr. was celebrating his 80th birthday.

The United States, Austrian, Brazilian and Qatari Grands Prix will again host sprints, which offer eight championship points to the winner.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner was quoted in the British media this week claiming that Hamilton's management team has "reached out" several times, adding that "earlier this year there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest".

Verstappen had been highly critical of the return of Formula One to Vegas after a 41-year absence but as he drove past the finish line he celebrated with a chorus of 'Viva Las Vegas' on the team radio.

Last year's winners Mercedes suffered a nightmare in Brazil on Sunday with unhappy team boss Toto Wolff comparing their Formula One car to a threewheeler and saying it did not deserve to win a race this season.

The Ferrari driver showed commanding pace as he clocked a fastest lap in one minute and 34.723 seconds to outpace McLaren’s Lando Norris by a tenth of a second

In the past, Hakkinen played significant role in the development of former Mercedes F1 race winner and current Alfa Romeo Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas.

The Red Bull driver topped the timesheets in dry conditions in Suzuka with a fastest time of 1min 28.877sec -- 0.581sec ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

Lando Norris was second in a McLaren with Lewis Hamilton crossing the line in third. Championship leader Max Verstappen was fifth as Red Bull failed to win a race for the first time this season.

The Red Bulls have been unstoppable in 2023, winning all 14 races, with flying Dutchman Verstappen taking the chequered flag 12 times.