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Tag: Lewis Hamilton

  • Formula 1 races into record books with blockbuster first half of 2025

    Formula 1 races into record books with blockbuster first half of 2025

    MUMBAI: Full throttle, no pit stops! Formula 1’s 2025 season hasn’t just been about roaring engines and tight overtakes, it’s been a spectacle both on and off the track. From Brad Pitt’s F1: The Movie smashing box office records to sold-out Grands Prix pulling in millions of fans, the sport has hit top gear in its 75th anniversary year.

    The season opened with F1 75 Live at London’s O2, where 16,000 fans watched all ten teams unveil their new cars alongside live music from global stars like MGK, Tems and Take That. The livestream drew 7.5 million viewers worldwide, setting Youtube records and proving that F1 knows how to put on a show as much as a race.

    Hollywood soon joined the grid. Pitt’s racing blockbuster has already grossed more than 600 million dollars, making it the highest-earning sports film ever and his biggest box-office hit. Premieres in New York and London drew A-listers from Tom Cruise and Naomi Campbell to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, not to mention Formula 1’s biggest names behind the wheel.

    On track, the numbers are just as electrifying. More than 3.9 million fans attended the first 14 races, which is the highest ever mid-season tally, with Australia and Britain each topping 400,000. 11 of the 14 events sold out, while record-breaking crowds turned up in Spain, Canada and Belgium.

    Digital reach is also flying. Formula 1’s social media following has surged past 107 million, up 21 percent year-on-year, with Tiktok and YouTube highlights pulling in record views. Younger fans are driving the growth too: 43 percent of F1’s global fanbase is now under 35, and nearly half are women.

    Commercially, the grid is just as busy as the paddock. Partnerships with Disney, Pepsico, LEGO, Barilla and luxury powerhouse LVMH have broadened F1’s global appeal, while quirky activations such as LEGO driver parades and gourmet pasta pop-ups, have kept fans talking.

    And the best part? There’s still half a season left. With Zandvoort kicking things off this weekend, F1’s second act promises more drama, more speed and, if the first half is anything to go by, more records smashed.
     

  • WhatsApp launches new race car emoji with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 team

    WhatsApp launches new race car emoji with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 team

    Mumbai: WhatsApp is lighting up the Empire State Building green and launching a new race car emoji to celebrate its rapid growth in the United States, announcing double-digit growth in both daily users and messages sent on WhatsApp in the U.S.

    Today, WhatsApp released the new custom race car emoji that over two billion users will be able to use immediately in their chats, just in time for the Miami Grand Prix this coming weekend. Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, and CEO and team principal Toto Wolff, together flipped the Empire State Building’s famous light switch and turned the building’s iconic tower lights a bright WhatsApp green. The lighting was followed by a dynamic light show takeover of the building’s façade, which featured an animated projection of the new emoji racing through New York City.

    The celebration continues tomorrow, when WhatsApp and Mercedes-AMG F1 will bring the emoji to life as it shuts down Fifth Avenue for the first-ever demonstration of a Formula One car in Manhattan. Hamilton will be at the wheel of the speed demo, taking place alongside a life-sized replica of the emoji race car.

    Will Cathcart, Head of WhatsApp said: “Year after year WhatsApp is gaining solid ground in the U.S. because people want a private and secure way to communicate across platforms. WhatsApp is not only the best way to chat about a race with friends around the world, but also within the U.S. too, and we’re excited to celebrate this growth together with Mercedes and the Empire State Building.

    Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 team CEO and team principal Toto Wolff said: “In recent years, our sport and WhatsApp have both been on an impressive growth journey in the United States. The partnership between ourselves as a team and WhatsApp, our official messaging partner, is therefore a natural fit. We rely daily on WhatsApp for the privacy and security it affords in our communications, which is vital in F1.

    “We are also both passionate about connecting people through shared experiences, committed to telling incredible stories, and setting the benchmark in our respective fields. As we prepare for the first stateside Grand Prix this year, it is fantastic to celebrate our collaboration with several iconic moments and activations in New York City that are certain to get people talking.”

    Lewis Hamilton said: “I’ve always felt a special connection with the United States. I remember going to

    New York as a kid and dreaming about living in the city and I’ve been fortunate to spend a lot of time here since then. I’ve had many incredible experiences and connected with many amazing people in New York, but to drive an F1 car down Fifth Avenue and light up the Empire State Building is incredibly special. It’s something I never thought would be possible and it’s been even better to do it in partnership with WhatsApp, an app that keeps my connection to the US alive by making it easy to stay in touch with so many people stateside.”

    WhatsApp has become the leading choice for private cross-platform communication in the U.S.. No matter what phone you or your friends have, you can always share HD photos and videos, react in realtime in group chats that aren’t broken by blue-bubble/green-bubble, make voice and video calls to each other, all with the privacy and security of end-to-end-encryption. And now, you even access Meta’s most advanced AI from right within WhatsApp. Coinciding with the massive and growing popularity of Formula 1 in the United States, WhatsApp late last year announced a partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. As the official messaging partner for the team, WhatsApp is committed to bringing fans even closer to the sport.

  • Star Sports launches promo film ahead of Australian GP

    Star Sports launches promo film ahead of Australian GP

    Mumbai: Star Sports has launched a promo film ahead of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. The race will be broadcasted on Star Sports Select and Disney+ Hotstar on 10 April starting at 10:30 a.m.

    Titled “The Hunter Will Be Hunted,” the promo film emphasises how the hunt for supremacy is back on track as the challengers will look to hunt down and stop Max Verstappen and take his spot at the top of the F1 pyramid, according to the broadcaster.

    Seven-time driver’s world champion Hamilton who dominated the sport for the last decade was beaten by Max Verstappen in the 2021 season in one of the most dramatic finishes to an F1 season in Abu Dhabi last year.

    The promo film also highlights the new feature of the 2022 racing cars that will allow for closer racing and the potential for overtakes. The new season has brought with it new rules, and new drivers in various teams all of whom are gunning for the reigning champion Verstappen.

    This season, attention is drawn towards the front of the grid where Ferrari and Red Bull have performed well in the first two race weekends. In the opening race of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr pulled off a 1-2 finish. In the following race in Saudi Arabia, Max Verstappen grabbed a thrilling win for Red Bull edging Ferrari by 0.5 seconds.

    The Australian GP will be held at the Melbourne Circuit after a two-year hiatus. Hamilton and Mercedes have had a rocky start and the focus will also be on whether they will make a strong comeback during the Australian GP.

  • James Gough’s innovative idea will be incubated with the intent to prototype it at Formula 1®’s Media & Technology Centre

    James Gough’s innovative idea will be incubated with the intent to prototype it at Formula 1®’s Media & Technology Centre

    MUMBAI: Formula 1® Managing Director of Motorsports, Ross Brawn, and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Driver, Lewis Hamilton, today crowned James Gough the winner of this year’s USD $50,000 F1® Innovation Prize at the FORMULA 1 PIRELLI 2018 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX in Austin. The lifelong F1® fan from the UK developed his entry around the ‘My F1®’ themed challenge using the sport’s unique set of human, mechanical and technical data to create the ultimate customised viewing experience for fans worldwide.

    In a world-first for global sport, this year’s winning idea will be incubated with the intent to prototype it at Formula
    1®’s Media & Technology Centre in the UK. During the incubation, James will work closely with Formula 1® engineers to develop his idea, which – as the ultimate demonstration of fan engagement – has the potential to shape the future of the sport.

    F1® Innovation Prize is a joint initiative by Tata Communications, Formula 1® and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport. James beat out fierce competition from around the globe with his Virtual Smart Assistant idea, which stood out for the esteemed panel of judges. The app, which functions as a fan’s personal F1 guide, provides seamless, instant access to insights on each driver, team, car, practice session, qualifying or race-on-demand. As a result, it could help turn new fans from casual viewers into F1®  experts, while offering hardcore fans a whole new level of insights. Excitingly, not only is the proposed solution integrated with existing smart assistants including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, it is also equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. So, the more a fan uses the Virtual Smart Assistant, the more it learns about their preferences, customising the information it offers accordingly.

    The ‘My F1®’ theme of this year’s competition is part of Formula 1®’s mission to enable everyone – from trackside fans to the most casual armchair viewer – to create their own, more customised F1® experiences using different data points and digital platforms.

    “We want to break down the barriers of language and technical know-how so that more people around the world are able to immerse themselves in the greatest sporting spectacle on earth,” said Ross Brawn, Formula 1®. “Through new features like the Halo graphics and live events like our F1® Festival series, we’re continually looking for ways to bring more fans closer to the sport. That’s exactly what James’ winning idea seeks to do too in a truly innovative way. I look forward to seeing his concept come to life in our Media & Technology Centre.”

    “This is such an exciting time for the sport, with more and more ways for people around the world to get close to the world of F1®  – through social media, online, and of course the F1®  Innovation Prize,” said Lewis Hamilton. “There’s so much happening at any given second during a race. James’ idea was my favourite because it lets both die-hard fans and those who might be new to the sport make sense of it all and really immerse themselves in the action.”

    “I’ve been a huge fan of F1® since I was a teenager, but never in a million years did I think that one day I’d get the chance to be part of the F1® circus – that’s why winning means so much to me,” said James Gough. “Through my app, I want other fans to get a glimpse of being on the inside of the sport they love. I hope that my idea will help give fans access to all the data they want, and that they’re able to use the data to not only see what’s happening but to understand why it happened. It should lead to more people getting involved in the sport.”

    “During the last five years, this competition has shown us how much untapped potential there is in the global community of F1® fans, and now we’re taking this initiative one step further by turning the winning idea from concept to reality,” said Mehul Kapadia, Managing Director of Tata Communications’ F1®  business and the company’s Global Head of Marketing. “From bringing half a billion fans worldwide the Grand Prix action each season to testing in action cutting-edge technologies like UHD video and virtual reality – we’re excited to be part of the digital transformation of this great sport. Like with other multinational enterprises, it’s all about supporting Formula 1® as the organisation leverages the latest tech innovations to grow its global audience and open up new revenue streams.”

    The panel of judges for the 2018 F1® Innovation Prize included Lewis, Ross and Mehul, as well as Roberto Dalla, Managing Director of Broadcasting and Technical Operations, Formula 1®;  Technical Director of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, James Allison; and former F1® Driver and Sky Sports F1® commentator, Martin Brundle.
     

  • ‘CNN Style’ launches on CNN International from 9 April

    ‘CNN Style’ launches on CNN International from 9 April

    MUMBAI: ‘CNN Style’ is coming to TV screens from 9 April, 15 years after the iconic Elsa Klensch was last on the network, and on the back of style being reimagined for the digital age in 2015 with the launch of cnn.com/style.

    The first 30-minute monthly CNN Style show will air on CNN International from 9 April fronted by journalist and author Derek Blasberg. With exclusive access to the biggest names and events, Blasberg will bring the worlds of art, luxury, fashion, autos, architecture and design to life for CNN’s global audience. He will build on the unique legacy of style on CNN – epitomised by the iconic Elsa Klensch who defined style for viewers around the world for over 20 years.

    In 2016, ‘CNN Style’ will be at the definitive events in the style calendar – biennales, expos, fashion weeks, design festivals. The launch episode focuses on the contemporary art world, set against the backdrop of Asia’s pre-eminent international art fair, Hong Kong Art Basel.

    The show has a lot offer. For example, in her first major international TV interview in almost two years, the undisputed queen of the art world Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa AL- thani, sister of the Emir of Qatar and chairman of the Qatar Museums, speaks to CNN about her role in preserving and growing the family’s extraordinary collection of art.

    ‘CNN Style’ isn’t just a monthly TV show – its multi-media content will feature right across the CNN International network, with new segments and reports all under the ‘CNN Style’ banner. The first of these will be The Invitation – a regular feature that will air in prime time shows CNN Today and The World Right Now with Hala Gorani. Starting on April 20, CNN invites viewers to experience the personal workspace and headspace of the world’s most celebrated creatives, the homes they design, the runways they furnish, the exhibition spaces they fill.

    The return to TV follows the successful launch of ‘CNN Style’ on digital in July 2015. Since then, cnn.com/style has become a global destination that has collaborated with guest editors from Olivier Rousteing to Daniel Libeskind and Glenn Lowry, commissioned stylised content for CNN digital platforms and direct to social media, attracted a range of luxury advertisers and built a large audience with an average of 5.5 million unique users every month.

    Ellana Lee, Senior Vice President, CNN International, said; “We are taking inspiration from CNN’s rich past in style and reverse engineering the DNA from our hugely successful digital product to bring ‘CNN Style’ to TV viewers worldwide. With Derek Blasberg at the helm, our mission is to interview the most interesting people at the definitive events. This will be a surprising and elegant journey through the concepts and worlds of style.”

    Derek Blasberg said: “Style is so much more than getting dressed, or looking at pictures on a wall. Artistic expression comes in a variety of mediums and is an international, multi-billion dollar a year industry. What I’m excited about with ‘CNN Style’ is peeling back the layers of the worlds of art, architecture and design, and taking hard looks at the fashion, luxury and automotive industries to show how they affect the world at large. My career has introduced me to creative people from all walks of life, and it’ll be a pleasure to bring them to viewers around the world.”

     

  • ‘CNN Style’ launches on CNN International from 9 April

    ‘CNN Style’ launches on CNN International from 9 April

    MUMBAI: ‘CNN Style’ is coming to TV screens from 9 April, 15 years after the iconic Elsa Klensch was last on the network, and on the back of style being reimagined for the digital age in 2015 with the launch of cnn.com/style.

    The first 30-minute monthly CNN Style show will air on CNN International from 9 April fronted by journalist and author Derek Blasberg. With exclusive access to the biggest names and events, Blasberg will bring the worlds of art, luxury, fashion, autos, architecture and design to life for CNN’s global audience. He will build on the unique legacy of style on CNN – epitomised by the iconic Elsa Klensch who defined style for viewers around the world for over 20 years.

    In 2016, ‘CNN Style’ will be at the definitive events in the style calendar – biennales, expos, fashion weeks, design festivals. The launch episode focuses on the contemporary art world, set against the backdrop of Asia’s pre-eminent international art fair, Hong Kong Art Basel.

    The show has a lot offer. For example, in her first major international TV interview in almost two years, the undisputed queen of the art world Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa AL- thani, sister of the Emir of Qatar and chairman of the Qatar Museums, speaks to CNN about her role in preserving and growing the family’s extraordinary collection of art.

    ‘CNN Style’ isn’t just a monthly TV show – its multi-media content will feature right across the CNN International network, with new segments and reports all under the ‘CNN Style’ banner. The first of these will be The Invitation – a regular feature that will air in prime time shows CNN Today and The World Right Now with Hala Gorani. Starting on April 20, CNN invites viewers to experience the personal workspace and headspace of the world’s most celebrated creatives, the homes they design, the runways they furnish, the exhibition spaces they fill.

    The return to TV follows the successful launch of ‘CNN Style’ on digital in July 2015. Since then, cnn.com/style has become a global destination that has collaborated with guest editors from Olivier Rousteing to Daniel Libeskind and Glenn Lowry, commissioned stylised content for CNN digital platforms and direct to social media, attracted a range of luxury advertisers and built a large audience with an average of 5.5 million unique users every month.

    Ellana Lee, Senior Vice President, CNN International, said; “We are taking inspiration from CNN’s rich past in style and reverse engineering the DNA from our hugely successful digital product to bring ‘CNN Style’ to TV viewers worldwide. With Derek Blasberg at the helm, our mission is to interview the most interesting people at the definitive events. This will be a surprising and elegant journey through the concepts and worlds of style.”

    Derek Blasberg said: “Style is so much more than getting dressed, or looking at pictures on a wall. Artistic expression comes in a variety of mediums and is an international, multi-billion dollar a year industry. What I’m excited about with ‘CNN Style’ is peeling back the layers of the worlds of art, architecture and design, and taking hard looks at the fashion, luxury and automotive industries to show how they affect the world at large. My career has introduced me to creative people from all walks of life, and it’ll be a pleasure to bring them to viewers around the world.”

     

  • Discovery Turbo gears to give its audience thrill of Grand Prix 2013

    Discovery Turbo gears to give its audience thrill of Grand Prix 2013

    MUMBAI: Discovery Turbo is all set to give its viewers the thrill of Grand Prix of 2013 season even before the sporting event begins in India.  The 15-part series Inside Grand Prix 2013 highlights the Grand Prix scenario of upcoming event at Greater Noida and takes viewers behind the scenes of this year’s events in Australia, Malaysia, China, Monaco, Canada, Spain, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Italy and Singapore.

     

    How long does the transportation of the full F1 equipment for an overseas race take? What happens during a pit stop? How do F1 fans celebrate in Monaco or South Korea? How and where do the stars have their parties?  Premiering every night at 9 pm on Discovery Turbo, Inside Grand Prix 2013 follows the Formula One teams around the world and prepares viewers for each Grand Prix in the best way possible.

    An informative and highly entertaining F1 magazine-format series, it gets behind the scenes of elite motorsport and to the heart of action.  Premiering Sunday, 27 October, the India episode takes viewers on track at Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida to witness the preparations for the big sporting event.

     

    The viewers will follow their favourites like Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes AMG Petronas, England and Formula 1 world champion 2008), Sebastian Vettel (Infiniti Red Bull Racing, Austria and World Champion 2010, 2011 and 2012), Christian Danner (Formula One expert, Germany), and Michael Schumacher (Seven-time world champion, Germany) as they share curiosities and personal information from the mysterious F1 world.  The drivers also introduce their respective race tracks – with all its particularities, difficulties and key points.

     

    Travel to the Albert Park circuit in Australia where Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber F1 Team, Germany) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) explain the euphoria behind Formula One in the country.  The episode also celebrates Sauber F1, the Swiss team’s 20th anniversary in Formula One.  Debuting at the South African Grand Prix in Kyalami in March 1993, the team finished fifth and picked up two points with J.J. Lehto.  

     

    The show both informs and entertains viewers with exclusive interviews and stories of F1 sports celebrities and stars under various themes:

     

    In Close Up, the segment will take viewers to the drivers’ recommended places, restaurants, joints, hangouts and spots where one can have a blast and describes the culture of each country.

     

    Preview will showcase drivers and introduce the respective race track with all its accuracies, difficulties and key points such as the ideal line.

     

    Personal lets viewers hobnob with drivers, team chefs and engineers and will let them satiate their curiosity of the sports stars’ personal lives. Portraits of singular drivers, impressions from their childhoods, hobbies, motor sport careers, wishes, dreams, and successful moments form a part of each episode.

     

    Technology freaks can look forward to Techno section in which the complicated world of F1 is described in detail by F1 drivers, experts and animations leaving no questions unanswered.

     

    The Set Up will give the viewers a look at what goes on behind-the-scenes.
    The Legends will throw light on more than 60 years of F1 and share their moments from achieving milestones, world records, spectacular events, tragic accidents and overwhelming.

     

    The last segment News will provide the most important and updated information concerning F1 in a crisp format.