Race driver Villars becomes first female candidate for FIA presidency
28-year-old Swiss racer intends to run against Ben Sulayem and Mayer
The big stories from the past week in motor sport from the Archive.
It may be only January, but Argentina twice hosted Formula 1 this week. Denny Hulme opened the 1974 season with a win, capitalising on Reutemann’s Brabham slowing, and Andretti was dominant in 1978, winning in “smooth, unruffled style”.
The week began with news that Maria de Teresa de Filipis, the first woman to race in Formula 1, had died at the age of 89. In 2012, Rob Widdows met her to hear her stories. Giancarlo Fisichella, former F1 driver and double Le Mans class winner, celebrated his 43rd birthday, and fellow Roman – with five wins at La Sarthe to his name – Emanuele Pirro turned 54. Olivier Gendebien, one shy of Pirro, was also born this week in 1924. Two of the biggest names in American motor racing history were born this week: Carroll Shelby was born 93 years ago, and American AJ Foyt 82. Also this week, Kazuki Nakajima turned 31, and Piero Taruffi passed away 28 years ago.
28-year-old Swiss racer intends to run against Ben Sulayem and Mayer
McLaren’s F1 dominance in 2025 has been underpinned by a deceptively simple factor that none of its key challengers has been able to replicate.
With Oliver Bearman facing the threat of an F1 race ban for the next four grands prix, Haas could soon be forced to find a stand-in. We look at the drivers who could replace him
From Red Bull's potential resurgence to McLaren's title duel, tyre strategy gambles, Bearman's race-ban threat and renewed scrutiny on driving rules, Baku promises another weekend of intrigue