BRIDGERTON’S Simone Ashley is in pole position to feature in the sequel to Brad Pitt’s movie F1.
The 30-year-old, who starred with Jonathan Bailey in the Netflix romance, was cast in this year’s flick but her scenes were cut.
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Simone Ashley is in pole position to feature in the sequel to Brad Pitt’s movie F1Credit: GettySimone wows in a barely there outfitCredit: GettySimone shot to fame after starring in the hit Netflix show Sex EducationCredit: Getty
A source said: “A script is already in the works with early plans to go into production next year.”
As well as appearing in Sex Education, Ashley has also lent her acting chops to suspense drama Thriller.
She shot to fame after starring in the hit Netflix show Sex Education.
The star developed her acting skills at the Arts Ed school in Chiswick, which specializes in Musical Theatre & Acting degrees.
Simone has spoken about coming from a traditional Indian family, who finds her acting career “quite scary and unsettling”.
She told Veylex: “My parents are incredibly protective over me, and sometimes I found it quite stifling.
“It made me want to escape and do things my own way. I’ve always been a bit rebellious in that sense.”
“I am incredibly privileged to be apart of a generation where young women from all over the world have more opportunity than ever before, where we are being less stereotyped and walls and being broken down slowly.”
Simone strikes a pose in this ensembleCredit: GettyBrad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in F1Credit: AlamySimone (as Kate Sharma) with Jonathan Bailey (as Anthony Bridgerton), in Netflix show BridgertonCredit: Netflix
HUGE sports fan? Setting sail on the seas doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the big game or your fitness regime.
Modern cruise ships come kitted out with all the latest wellness gear whether its high-tech courts, sports bars showing the latest footie games or themed itineraries for mega fans.
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Cruise fans can stay match-fit at sea with ships offering sports bars, fitness zones and even fan-themed voyages including the likes of F1 and NFLCredit: Royal Caribbean
From footie sailings with NFL tickets to island-hopping cycling tours, Sophie Swietochowski picks five of the best sports voyages.
TAKE ON CROATIA ON TWO WHEELS
Pedal through paradise on a week-long Sail Croatia cruise exploring sun-soaked islands and stunning coastal trailsCredit: Supplied
You’ll spend three nights in Miami then day four at sea where you can enjoy minigolf or volleyball on board, before reaching Ocho Rios in Jamaica. You’ll head to Grand Cayman then back to Miami.
GO: The nine-night NFL cruise is from £2,079pp, including Heathrow flights and Miami hotel stay. Leaves November 7. See iglucruise.com.
WATCH GRAND PRIX IN ABU DHABI
Petrolheads can hit top gear with a luxury Gulf cruise that includes an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tickets, music performances and F1 legends on boardCredit: Getty
FORMULA One legends will be putting their pedals to the metal in Abu Dhabi this December for the much-anticipated grand prix.
And if one cruise line understands what racing fans want, it’s Celestyal. You’ll have to splash the cash, but it’ll be worth it for this cruise.
The Arabian Gulf package includes a short stay in a four-star hotel on the Corniche – the five-mile promenade – in Abu Dhabi and three-day grandstand ticket to the Grand Prix.
This is followed by a five-night Desert Days cruise, with an overnight stop in Dubai.
If you’ve never made it to the Grand Prix before then prepare to be dazzled as fans will not only be watching their racing favourites whizz round the tracks, they’ll also enjoy performances from Benson Boone, Post Malone, Metallica and Katy Perry.
And the F1 fun continues on board, with passengers joined by guest speakers, former race ace David Coulthard and sports host Laura Winter, as they sail between Dubai, Yas Island and Abu Dhabi.
GO: The seven-night Desert Days & Abu Dhabi Grand Prix cruise costs from £2,390pp including flights from the UK, all transfers, two-night hotel stay, three-day grandstand ticket and cruise.
The price also includes an exclusive beach party on Sir Bani Yas island. See celestyaltravel.com.
PUMP SOME IRON AROUND THE MED
Stay ship-shape at sea with Princess Cruises’ gyms, courts and fitness classes – then unwind in the spa after exploring the Med’s top destinationsCredit: David Parker
KEEN to keep on top of your fitness? Princess Cruises has 18 ships offering top-notch gyms, blood-pumping classes and state-of-the-art courts.
Whether you’re a pickleball enthusiast or prefer something more low-key, the sports court of Sun Princess has something for all.
More of a runner? The gym isn’t short of treadmills, and there’s also an outdoor running track. There are fitness classes too, from pilates to spin. Revive aching muscles at the spa.
Explore Naples in Italy, Chania in Greece, Kusadasi in Turkey and Mykonos and Athens in Greece on this seven-night Med voyage.
GO: A seven-day Mediterranean with Italy & Turkey sailing is from £796pp departing Rome on May 23. Flights extra. See princess.com.
SINK HOOPS IN THE CARIBBEAN
Score big on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, with sports bars, courts, rock climbing and surf simulators on a sun-soaked Caribbean voyageCredit: Getty
MORE of an all-rounder? You’ll love the adults-only Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade on board Royal Caribbean’s newest ship Star of the Seas.
The lively venue is crammed with screens showing the biggest sports games and events.
For something more physically challenging, the sports court has a basketball area, pickleball and football. Or at Adrenaline Peak, guests can take on the rock-climbing wall or try riding waves on the surf simulator.
MAX VERSTAPPEN blasted Formula One title rival Lando Norris for getting in his way after failing to land a maiden pole position at the Singapore Grand Prix.
George Russell denied old rival Verstappen the front row seat with a lightning-quick lap of 1:29.158 – a new record at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
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Max Verstappen blasted Lando Norris for getting in his way during Singapore GP qualifyingCredit: X / SkySportsF1
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Lando Norris bit back at the hot-tempered commentCredit: Getty
Verstappen, 28, is eyeing a first-ever win in Sunday’s race to complete the career set of winning at every F1 track on the 2025 calendar.
The raging Red Bull driver replied: “Yeah, that’s what happens when there’s a car two seconds in front of you cruising in front.
“So that’s noted, will be remembered as well.”
When pressed on the identity of the culprit, Verstappen replied: “Not Oscar [Piastri]. So yeah, that was a bit of a shame. Otherwise, I think it could have been close for a pole.
“It’s very exciting here in qualifying. A little bit disappointed not to be first but for us this weekend the car has been really good.
Briton Russell was delighted with his top spot, a first-ever pole for him in Singapore after a “challenging day” on Friday following a crash in FP2.
He said: “It’s good to come back and get a good result today.
“There’s a long sweaty race tomorrow but I knew there was potential in the car because Kimi [Antonelli] was doing an amazing job all weekend and I gained quite a lot from seeing what he was capable of doing.”
George Russell forced to abandon Singapore GP qualifying after smashing into barriers and mangling Mercedes
On the prospect of keeping four-time world champion Verstappen behind him going into Turn 1, Russell added: “Yeah, I mean Singapore’s not always been the kindest to me in the past.
“That’s been through my own doing the majority of the time. I’m not going to get carried away with this pole position. But it’s the best place to start.
“There’s a good pole side advantage here so I like to think I can hold the lead into Turn 1, but obviously this guy on my left is pretty good at race starts and sending it down the inside.”
Such a claim seemed off-beat considering Verstappen is 69 points behind McLaren championship leader Oscar Piastri, who scored third in Saturday’s qualifying.
Yet wins in Italy and Azerbaijan and a strong result in qualifying is threatening to split the drivers’ title race wide open despite the comparative dominance of McLaren for most of the season.
Piastri said: “I obviously would have wanted more but I don’t think we had four-tenths in it to go and get pole.”
Team-mate Norris, who will start P5 in the race, addressed Verstappen’s claim after the session.
He said: “Red Bull always complains. There was no problem with Max driving behind me. Yes, he was riding behind me. But there was such a huge distance, so no problem.”
There was early hope for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari in qualifying as he topped the first session, but he ultimately ended up in P6 with team-mate Charles Leclerc in P7.
Team boss James Vowles later confirmed the brakes had reached temperatures of over 1000 degrees before Albon was forced to retire.
But Mercedes ace Russell then sparked more chaos in FP2 as his car went straight on into the barriers at Turn 16.
As he attempted the right hander he lost the rear before the snap correction sent him flying into the wall and prompting the first red flag of the session.
It was an incident labelled “weird” by the Briton over the team radio.
Liam Lawson followed suit not long after as he hit the wall in the run off of Turn 17.
That saw his front-left go flying down the track and the plank under his car grind along the floor as his Racing Bulls drive skidded to a halt at the pit lane entrance.
And following the restart, Charles Leclerc bizarrely smashed into McLaren‘s Lando Norris in the pit lane following an unsafe release from the Scuderia mechanics.
CHRISTIAN HORNER has been warned that a Formula One return with Aston Martin would “not work”.
Horner, 51, was handed a whopping £80million payout for leaving Red Bull Racing after he was sacked as team principal in July and replaced by Laurent Mekies.
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Guenther Steiner has warned Christian Horner an F1 return would not workCredit: Getty
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Horner can return to the sport in 2026 and has been linked with a number of teamsCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
But the ex-F1 chief, formerly the longest-serving team boss in the paddock with 20 years of service which yielded 14 drivers and constructors titles, is already plotting a way back into the sport after it was revealed he was “missing” it.
Horner’s payout was less than the £110m he could have had for the full duration of his deal which had run to 2030.
But SunSport understands taking the lower offer means he is free to return to F1 as early asspring2026.
However, former Haas boss and Drive to Survive fan favourite Guenther Steiner has claimed reuniting the pair at the team’s Silverstone base would not work.
Steiner, 60, told Lottoland: “In the last year the problem between Adrian and Christian was one of the reasons why Adrian left Red Bull.
NOTHING screams luxury like a top-notch yacht, so it’s no wonder Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been hosting Max Verstappen on his boat in a bid to woo the popular driver away from Red Bull.
The Formula One World Champion, 27, has been spotted sunning himself topless on the vessel just off the coast of Sardinia.
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Toto and his wife Susie regularly use the yachtCredit: Instagram
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Max owns his own yacht that could rival Toto’sCredit: Getty
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Toto’s yacht is 50 meters in length and has a Jacuzzi on the forward deckCredit: Mangusta yachts
In photos that emerged last week, he was seen enjoying the heat as he laughed with Toto, 53, who was dressed all in white.
The luxurious yacht, named Mangusta 165, is believed to have cost the racing boss £20million and spends most of the time moored in Monaco when not in use.
F1 is currently on its summer break, with the next race not until August 31 in Zandvoort.
Max’s break with the Mercedes boss has refuelled rumours that he might move to the team when his contract with Red Bull is up.
The four-time world champion told RacingNews365: “I’m in the middle. Maybe it’ll be good, maybe it’ll be bad – we’ll see.
“I’m very open-minded, honestly. I don’t even think about it too much – I’m just enjoying the moment.
“When I sit in the car next year, we’ll figure it out. I’m not making the rules anyway.”
Toto has owned his yacht, which is 50m in length and has a top speed of 25 knots, since 2023.
It boasts five bedrooms and can host 12 guests, who can also enjoy use of the jet skis and a hot tub.
The Mercedes boss isn’t the only F1 star to own a fancy yacht. Here we look at battle of the boats.
Lando Norris kisses girlfriend Margarida Corceiro after winning
Max Verstappen
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Max is reported to have bought a 33m yacht that he’s named Unleash the LionCredit: https://www.youtube.com/@MangustaYachts
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It boasts a huge living dining area inside the shipCredit: https://www.youtube.com/@MangustaYachts
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And the large master bedroom boasts a king-sized bedCredit: https://www.youtube.com/@MangustaYachts
He might have spent the beginning of his summer break on Toto’s yacht, but the F1 driver has his own boat – which has been described as a ‘Bond villain’s weekend getaway’.
It can hold up to 12 guests alongside five crew, meaning Max and partner Kelly Piquet have ample space for entertaining as well as room for their daughter, Lily, born in May.
It has an open deck to the rear which is fitted with white couches and is thought to have an area to store a speed boat.
He also has a large stateroom inside, but little else is known about the pricey vessel’s interior.
Max moored the yacht in Monaco this year when he was competing in the principality’s Grand Prix but he hasn’t posted photos since its purchase earlier this year.
George Russell
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George and girlfriend Carmen Mundt spend a lot of time on his yachtCredit: instagram/carmenmmundt
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The yacht boasts a lounging deck for sunbathing and enjoying the wavesCredit: pershing yacht
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It has four cabins that can accommodate up to eight guestsCredit: pershing yacht
British F1 ace George, 27, is the latest driver to join the yacht owner’s club with his Pershing 6X.
He splashed out £2.2million on the luxurious vessel following his success on the track.
The boat might be smaller than grid rival Max’s, but it’s not tiny either.
It has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a kitchen and a spacious upper deck living area.
And he’s been showing the yacht off on his social media with girlfriend Carmen Mundt, 26, and a host of friends on board.
They also have a stash of pricey water toys and the racer has posted videos of him and others on a hydrofoil skimming across the sea.
Like rival Max, George is also spending his summer break from the circuit on the boat off the coast of Sardinia.
Fernando Alonso
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Fernando has made sure his yacht is as eco-friendly as possibleCredit: Sunreef Yachts
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The catamaran features 68.6 square metres of solar panelsCredit: Sunreef Yachts
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He claims he loves the peace he gets from being on the oceanCredit: Sunreef Yachts
Spanish driver Fernando, 44, has owned a Sunreef Power Eco 60 since 2023 after signing an order for it back in 2021.
Each yacht from the brand is a bespoke creation for the buyer.
The 18.3m long vessel is solar-powered, giving the boat eco-friendly credentials that most yachts don’t have.
“I think [Sunreef] is the only company that takes sustainability to a very serious level,” said Alonso during an interview with BOAT International.
“To have a fully electric catamaran powered by solar panels made perfect sense to me.”
The solar panels cover 68.6m squared across the yacht, including the roof and hull sides.
It’s equipped with two 360kw electric motors and a set of 990kwh batteries which are solar powered – making the yacht essentially silent when moving.
One of the smaller yachts owned by an F1 star, it can accommodate up to six guests and four crew.
But, for Fernando, size doesn’t matter.
Alonso said: “On board, all that matters is peace of mind, fresh air, and good company. Yachting should not be about ego.
“For me, it’s about sharing good moments and being respectful towards the environment.”
Lawrence Stroll
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The Aston Martin F1 boss has traded his huge yacht for a slightly smaller oneCredit: Getty
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Faith isn’t a small vessel at 262ft long and repotedly has a swimming pool on boardCredit: Feadship
Billionaire Lawrence, 65, has splashed some of his enormous fortune on a 262-foot long floating mansion for a cool £184.5million.
The Aston Martin F1 team owner downsized from his original yacht, Faith, to Project 714 in March – and has now also renamed it Faith.
The upper decks, enclosed in glass, contain a swimming pool, a games deck and a helicopter landing pad with a hangar below, according to Luxury Launches.
Inside, there are seven guest cabins which can hold up to 14 people as well as space for 20 crew members.
It’s thought the large vessel, which has a top speed of 17knots, has annual running costs of up to £20million.
Lawrence’s previous boat could host up to 18 people across nine cabins and had a crew of 34.
It also boasted a private cinema, nine-meter swimming pool plus a spa and plunge pool.
He sold it to business tycoon Michael Latifi when he decided to downsize to a slightly smaller vessel.
Lewis Hamilton
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Back in 2017 Lewis entertained model Bella Hadid on a yachtCredit: BackGrid
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Lewis has his own gigantic yacht which featured in a music videoCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
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He also charters yachts when entertaining family and friends on the waterCredit: Splash
British driver Lewis, 40, is also a member of the F1 yacht club with Sunseeker 90, which he is thought to have bought in 2009 for around £2.9million.
And when he’s not feeling like being on his own boat, he charters other vessels that boast a bigger range of rooms and activities.
Sunseeker 90 is 91.9feet and can sleep up to eight guests. It boasts a top speed of 30 knots meaning it’s a speedy boat.
The yacht is normally moored in Monaco, where Lewis resides during the off season.
It features American walnut carpentry, air-conditioning, a huge kitchen and an entertainment area with a shower where guests can rinse off after a dip in the sea.
He was seen entertaining model Bella Hadid, 28, on a yacht back in 2017, but it’s not clear if he used his own boat or rented one for entertaining.
Lewis has also been spotted entertaining pals over the years, including former teammate Nico Rosberg and his own family.
Charles Leclerc
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Charles owns not one, but two yachts so he can do different things with eachCredit: https://www.instagram.com/charlottesiine/
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His Riva yacht, named Sedici, can reach speeds of up to 37 knotsCredit: Instagram
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His second yacht, named Monza, is named after the circuit where he placed 1st in 2019Credit: Instagram @charles_leclerc
Ferrari driver Charles, 27, appears to be a big fan of spending time on both his yachts – because who would have one when you could have two?
He owns a Riva 66 Ribelle named Sedici, which is Italian for sixteen – his race number – and a Riva Dolceriva open cruiser.
Sedici is a 20m sports yacht that can reach speeds of up to 37 knots and has three cabins inside.
He brought it to the Monaco Grand Prix this year, like many of his fellow drivers.
It seems to be his favourite of the two boats, as he often shares snaps from holidays on it, many with it in the background while he swims.
His second vessel is named Monza after the world-famous racing circuit – and is a speedy boat.
Charles paid approximately £1.5million for it back in 2020 and reportedly bought it to commemorate winning the Grand Prix at Monza the year before.
It’s 48ft long and can accommodate up to four guests across two cabins.
The lower deck has an L-shaped sofa with a coffee table in the centre. The master cabin has a huge king-sized bed as well as an ensuite.
The Brad Pitt-led racing film “F1 The Movie” sped to the top of the box office this weekend, another in a string of big summer movies that Hollywood hopes will keep driving people to theaters.
The big-budget film from “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer hauled in $55.6 million in the U.S. and Canada, according to studio estimates. That’s better than analysts had expected for a non-sequel racing movie. People who read pre-release audience surveys had anticipated a debut of $40 million to $50 million.
Powered by the global appeal of Formula One racing, the film took in an additional $88 million internationally. Still, with a reported budget of more than $200 million, not including marketing costs, “F1” will still need significantly more ticket sales to break even.
Nonetheless, with “F1,” the iPhone maker has its first box office hit.
While Apple TV+ has found critical success with its shows, including “Severance,” “The Studio” and “Your Friends & Neighbors” — and notched its first best picture Oscar win in 2022 with “CODA” — its films had not yet clinched box office gold.
Its previous star-studded and filmmaker-driven movies have struggled at theaters, including the 2024 spy comedy “Argylle” and space-age romantic comedy “Fly Me to the Moon,” starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum.
“F1” benefited from a heavily promoted Imax run, which helps make it seem like a must-see on the big screen. Imax screens accounted for 23% of the domestic weekend revenue for “F1,” the cinema technology provider said Sunday. Around 55% of domestic sales came from large-screen formats including Imax, Dolby Cinema and motion seats.
As usual, Apple worked with a major studio to handle the theatrical release. “F1” is being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, adding to the studio’s winning streak that includes “A Minecraft Movie,” “Sinners” and “Final Destination Bloodlines.” Pitt and Dede Gardner’s Plan B Entertainment produced along with Bruckheimer.
Quality also helped.
“It’s emotional, it’s exciting, it’s got romance, it’s got humor,” producer Jerry Bruckheimer told The Times earlier this month. “It’s the reason I got into this business — to make movies that thrill you on that big screen, that you walk out feeling you’ve been on a real journey and got lost for a couple of hours. That’s the goal every time.”
Strong reviews from audiences and critics bode well for the film’s future grosses and its eventual performance on streaming for Apple. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the movie a grade of “A,” while the movie holds a critics’ score of 83% “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes.
Not faring as well was Universal Pictures’ murderous doll sequel “M3GAN 2.0,” which debuted with a weak $10 million and landed in fourth place at the domestic box office, behind holdovers “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Elio.”
The Blumhouse film was expected to open with around $20 million. It fell far short of the success of the original, which opened with $30 million in 2023 and eventually collected $180 million worldwide.
Overall, though, it’s been a strong last few months for the horror genre, starting with Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” which has now grossed $364 million worldwide, and followed by “Final Destination Bloodlines” and zombie franchise revival “28 Years Later.”
The staying power of movies like “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Lilo & Stitch” shows the continued draw of family-friendly films at the box office, which have been major winners since the spring. The exception has been Disney and Pixar’s original animated movie “Elio,” which notched Pixar’s worst opening weekend ever last week.
“Elio” collected about $11 million Friday through Sunday, bringing its total to a poor $42 million in the U.S. and Canada for the $150-million animated picture.
Times staff writer Josh Rottenberg contributed to this report.
The first thing you notice in Jerry Bruckheimer’s Santa Monica office isn’t the full-size suit of armor from 2004’s “King Arthur” or the shelves lined with awards and celebrity photos. It’s the pens: dozens of ornate Montblancs, carefully arranged in display cases.
His wife gives them to him, Bruckheimer explains dryly. After nearly half a century of hits, what do you give the guy who has everything? “I sometimes write thank-you notes with them,” he says. Alongside neatly stacked copies of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times — which he says he still reads daily, in print — the pens reflect something ingrained in the legendary producer, a fondness for ritual, precision and old-school order.
Now 81, at an age when most of his peers are content to reflect on past glories in between tee times and early-bird specials, Bruckheimer still starts each day with a rigorous workout. (“I pick hotels based on the gym,” he says.) Then it’s back to doing what he’s always done: assembling the next blockbuster. Across more than 50 films — including culture-shaping hits like “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Top Gun,” “Bad Boys,” “The Rock,” “Armageddon” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” — his work has earned over $16 billion worldwide, cementing his name as shorthand for sleek, pulse-pounding entertainment. His elegant, brick-walled office, larger than the Detroit home where his working-class German immigrant parents raised him, stands as a monument to what that discipline helped build. “Our tiny little house was about as big as this room here,” he says, glancing around.
For Bruckheimer, success has never been about flash or chance. “The harder you work,” he says, in what amounts to a personal mantra, “the luckier you get.”
That philosophy is on full display in his latest production, “F1,” an adrenaline-fueled racing drama starring Brad Pitt as a retired Formula One driver lured back to the track to mentor a young phenom (Damson Idris) on a struggling team. Shot during actual Formula One races across Europe and the Middle East, and with a budget north of $200 million, “F1” speeds into theaters Friday with the kind of high-stakes ambition only someone with Bruckheimer’s track record could pull off.
Damson Idris, left, and Brad Pitt in the movie “F1.”
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
From the outset, the project, which reunites Bruckheimer with “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski and screenwriter Ehren Kruger, sparked a bidding war among virtually every studio and streamer, ultimately landing as a co-production between Apple and Warner Bros.
“One of the reasons I went to Jerry,” says Kosinski by phone from his car, “is because I knew I was asking two massive corporations — Apple and Formula One — to work together. They’re both incredibly specific about their brands and how they do things. It took someone with Jerry’s CEO style of producing to be the diplomat in the middle and actually make it happen. He’s seen it all.”
Bruckheimer attributes the early frenzy around the project to the package’s pedigree: an appealing story, an A-list star and the global popularity of Formula One. But for Bruckheimer, it’s not just about star power or scale. “It’s emotional, it’s exciting, it’s got romance, it’s got humor,” he says. “It’s the reason I got into this business — to make movies that thrill you on that big screen, that you walk out feeling you’ve been on a real journey and got lost for a couple of hours. That’s the goal every time.”
Pitt’s character, Sonny, is in some ways a reflection of Bruckheimer: a seasoned pro forever chasing one more victory out of a sheer love of the chase. “Jerry could easily be on an island somewhere relaxing,” says Kosinski. “But he’d much rather be on set every day, meeting actors, hassling the marketing team, dealing with the studio. He just loves the job. His passion for it seems kind of endless.”
“F1” arrives at a moment when the Bruckheimer-style movie — star-driven, high-concept, engineered for maximum emotional impact — has surged back into fashion. In truth, it never entirely disappeared. But in an age of franchise fatigue, ironic tentpoles and streaming saturation, the earnest, four-quadrant spectacle had started to feel like a relic — until “Maverick” reminded Hollywood how potent that formula could still be.
The 2022 sequel didn’t just help bring moviegoing back to life after the pandemic; it earned Bruckheimer his first best picture Oscar nomination and raked in a staggering $1.5 billion worldwide. Even he didn’t see that coming.
“The early tracking said that you’re not going to get young people — nobody under 35 or 40 cares about this movie,” he remembers. “It ended up surpassing every possible metric. Anybody who tells you they know what’s going to be a hit, they don’t have a clue. You just don’t know.”
Tom Cruise in a scene from “Top Gun: Maverick”
(Paramount Pictures)
“F1” is not Bruckheimer’s first time around the racing track. Thirty-five years ago, at the height of his era-defining run with his late producing partner Don Simpson, he made “Days of Thunder,” a testosterone-fueled NASCAR drama that reunited the “Top Gun” team of Tom Cruise and director Tony Scott. The film epitomized the Bruckheimer-Simpson formula: glossy visuals, radio-ready soundtracks and MTV-style swagger. Tales of ballooning costs, nonstop rewrites, off-screen indulgence and on-set clashes swirled around the production, becoming the stuff of Hollywood lore.
Asked about the chaos surrounding “Days of Thunder,” Bruckheimer answers with his trademark restraint, the measured calm of someone who has spent decades managing egos, headlines and costly productions.
“There were definitely rewrites — that’s true,” he says. “As far as the budget going up, Paramount had a strict regime, and it’s not like you could go over budget easily. We wrecked a lot of cars, I’ll tell you that. I don’t think there was one standing at the end.”
Bruckheimer remembers the shoot as tough but exhilarating, a product of Scott’s notoriously seat-of-the-pants directing style. “Tony was just balls to the wall,” he says. “Joe [Kosinski] is balls to the wall too, but calculated. Joe’s got everything planned out. Tony would get on the set and see something over there and say, ‘We’re changing it, we’re going over there.’ It was a little more of a helter-skelter approach, but we somehow got through it. We held it together.”
By the time “Days of Thunder” was released in 1990, Bruckheimer and Simpson had spent nearly a decade together — a combustible but wildly productive run that had already delivered “Flashdance,” “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Top Gun.” Simpson, with his insatiable appetite for drugs and Hollywood excess, could be volatile and self-destructive. But Bruckheimer credits him with sharpening his eye for story and deepening his understanding of how the business really worked.
“I started in commercials — little 60-second stories — and Don was trained as a story executive,” says Bruckheimer, who began his career in advertising in Detroit and New York. “He was developing 120 projects every year so he knew every writer, every director. He had this great wealth of knowledge about the business: who’s good, who’s not good, who can talk a good game but can’t deliver. He was great with story and humor. He just was a genius at all this kind of stuff.”
The partnership was a crash course for them both: an informal academy with a class roster of two. “I went to school during those years — and so did he,” Bruckheimer says. “He didn’t know how to make a movie. He was an executive, so when he walked on set, all he really knew was not to stand in front of the camera. I picked up a lot of what he knew — and vice versa.”
“I’m sure I’ll be remembered somewhere along there — maybe not, maybe yes,” Bruckheimer says, reticent to dwell on legacy. “I’m still working picture to picture.”
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
If Simpson was the explosive, sometimes erratic half of the duo, Bruckheimer was always the steady one: disciplined, controlled, methodical. He’s known for rarely raising his voice. But he admits even he has limits. “I try not to,” he says. “I usually don’t. But when people lie to you, when they say something’s going to be there and it’s not and they keep giving you a bunch of bulls—, yeah, you can raise your voice a little.”
Following “Days of Thunder,” Simpson and Bruckheimer would go on to make several more hits, including “Dangerous Minds,” “Crimson Tide” and “The Rock” before Simpson’s death in 1996 at age 52 from heart failure related to drug use. “It’s unfortunate that we lost him,” Bruckheimer says softly.
After decades in the business, Bruckheimer says he has learned to choose collaborators carefully. “Life’s too short,” he offers. “We’re such a small business, your reputation follows you everywhere you go.”
When his team hires a director or an actor, he says, they always do their research. “How were they on their last movie? Brad has a phenomenal reputation. Will Smith has a phenomenal reputation — minus that,” he adds, discreetly alluding to the 2022 Oscars slap. “Tom Cruise too. I’ve worked with actors who just want to know when they can leave. I try to avoid that.”
The landscape of Hollywood, of course, looks nothing like it did during the ’90s Simpson-Bruckheimer heyday. Studios that once ran on instinct and big personalities now operate more like data-driven conglomerates, reshuffling execs and hedging bets in a fractured, streaming-dominated market.
“It’s changed a lot,” Bruckheimer says. “Streaming hit a lot of places hard. They spent too much money and now they’ve got problems with that. Some of the studios aren’t healthy. But the business, if you do it right, is healthy.”
For all the hand-wringing about collapse, Bruckheimer has heard it before.
“There always was doom,” he says. “When TV came in, people said nobody would go to the theaters again. When I started, it was video cassettes. Everyone said that’s the end. Then DVDs — that’s the end. I’ve been doing this over 50 years and that doom has been there every time a new technology shows up. And yet, look at what’s happened. Look at ‘Minecraft.’ Look at ‘Sinners.’ Look at ‘Lilo & Stitch.’ If you do it right, people show up.”
He reaches for one of his favorite analogies: “You’ve got a kitchen at home, right? But you still like to go out to eat. You want to taste something different. That’s what we are. We’re the night out,” he says. “And if we give you a good meal, you’ll come back for more.”
By any measure, Bruckheimer has already accomplished more than almost anyone in the business, with a far-reaching empire that spans television (“CSI,” “The Amazing Race”), video games and sports. In addition to big-budget tentpoles, he has occasionally championed more grounded, character-driven fare, from “Dangerous Minds” and “Black Hawk Down” to the recent Disney+ biopic “Young Woman and the Sea.” But for all his success, he has never stopped looking for the next story. A new “Top Gun” script is underway. “Days of Thunder” may get another lap. Even “Pirates of the Caribbean” is back in motion.
Bruckheimer ultimately credits the directors and actors — and the tight-knit team at his company — with keeping him in the game. “I’m just the guy who says, ‘You’re really talented. I want to work with you.’ ”
Even as a kid, he says, that was his gift. “I can’t focus the way a director or writer focuses — I’m too ADD. But I always put things together. I put together a baseball team and a hockey team when I was very young. I always had the ability to gather people around a common cause.”
As for thoughts of his legacy, he demurs. “I’m sure I’ll be remembered somewhere along there — maybe not, maybe yes,” he says. “I’m still working picture to picture. You’re only as good as your last movie. So you better be on your toes.”
MICHAEL Schumacher’s former boss has given rare insight into the F1 legend’s condition – 12 years after the skiing accident that changed his life.
While the German seven-time world champion, now 56, hasn’t been seen in public since 2013, his Benetton manager says he speaks often with Schumacher’s family.
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Flavio Briatore (right) has revealed insight into the health of F1 icon Michael Schumacher (left)Credit: Press Association
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Schumacher pictured on the shoulders of Briatore and race director Tom Walkinshaw after his 1994 World Championship victory has not been seen since 2013Credit: Alamy
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His wife Corinna gave an update on his health in a rare 2021 documentaryCredit: Alamy
Flavio Briatore, 75, led the Benetton F1 team during Schumacher’s breakthrough years, playing a key role in his first two world championships.
Briatore appeared to confirm to an Italian newspaper that Schumacher is bed-bound, amid scarce details of his condition due to the family’s commitment to privacy.
“If I close my eyes,” he told Corriere della Sera, “I see him smiling after a victory.
“I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed. Corinna and I talk often, though.”
“Only three people can visit him and I know who they are.”
Claims that Schumacher can no longer speak were echoed by his son Mick in a 2021 Netflixdocumentary about his father’s life.
The 26-year-old driver said: “I think dad and me, we would understand each other now in a different way now.”
In the 2021 documentary, Corinna gave a rare update, revealing Schumacher is still undergoing rehabilitation and is “different, but here” following his life-changing injuries.
What do we know about Schumacher since his accident?
MICHAEL Schumacher’s life changed forever on December 29, 2013, when a skiing accident left the seven-time F1 champion with a severe brain injury.
Since then, his family has protected his privacy, with only a select few remaining in contact with the racing legend.
December 29, 2013 – The skiing accident: Schumacher suffers a life-threatening head injury while skiing off-piste in Méribel, France. He falls and hits his head on a rock, causing severe brain trauma despite wearing a helmet. He is airlifted to a hospital in Grenoble, where he undergoes two emergency surgeries. Doctors place him in a medically induced coma to reduce swelling in his brain.
January 2014 – Schumacher fights for his life: Schumacher remains in a coma. Doctors describe his condition as “critical but stable”. His family, led by wife Corinna, remains at his bedside. The world’s F1 community rallies behind him, with fans holding vigils outside the hospital.
June 2014 – Schumacher brought out of his coma: After nearly six months, Schumacher is brought out of his coma. His family confirms he is no longer in a coma but gives no further health details. He is transferred from Grenoble to a rehabilitation facility in Lausanne, Switzerland.
September 2014 – Back home: Schumacher is moved to his family home near Lake Geneva. Corinna announces he will continue his recovery at home, with a dedicated medical team.
2015–2018 – Mystery surrounding his health: Reports suggest Schumacher is receiving round-the-clock medical care at home, costing £50,000 per week. Jean Todt reveals he still visits Schumacher and that they watch F1 races together.
May 2017– German magazine sued by Schumacher’s family: The magazine Bunte has to pay Michael Schumacher €50,000 (£42,000) in damages after claiming in 2015 that Schumacher would walk again. The Hamburg regional court determined that the statement was false and infringed upon Schumacher’s right to privacy.
September 2019 – Schumacher secretly transferred to Paris: French media reports that Schumacher is taken to Paris for stem cell therapy at the Georges-Pompidou Hospital. The procedure is led by renowned surgeon Dr. Philippe Menasché. Details of the treatment remain undisclosed.
December 2019 – Manager issues rare statement: Schumacher’s longtime manager Sabine Kehm says his condition will remain private. She dismisses speculation and false reports about his health.
September 2021 – Netflix documentary “Schumacher” released: A new Netflix documentary, Schumacher, provides rare insights into his life. Corinna speaks publicly about his condition for the first time, saying: “Michael is here. Different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength.”
December 2023 – 10 years since the accident: Schumacher turns 55. The anniversary of his accident is marked by tributes from the F1 world. Jean Todt confirms he still sees Schumacher regularly and describes his visits as “full of affection”.
September 2024 – Daughter Gina’s wedding: Gina Schumacher, 27, marries longtime boyfriend Iain Bethke at the family’s £27million Majorca villa. Reports claim Schumacher attends the wedding, but close friend Johnny Herbert later calls it “A1 fake news”. Guests are reportedly required to hand over their phones to prevent leaks.
December 2024 – Schumacher to become a grandfather: Gina announces she is pregnant, three months after her wedding. She shares the news on Instagram, writing: “Impatiently awaiting the arrival of our little girl.”
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Schumacher’s initials ‘M.S’ can be seen signed on the bottom part of the helmet belonging to fellow F1 icon Sir Jackie StewartCredit: Matt Wardle and Bell Racing
Emotional moment Michael Schumacher’s son and Sebastian Vettel pay tribute to stricken F1 legend
Johnny Herbert, Schumacher’s teammate at Benetton between 1994 to 1995, described the signature as an “emotional” moment.
He told FastSlots: “It’s wonderful news that Michael Schumacher signed Jackie Stewart‘s helmet. It was a wonderful moment.
“We haven’t seen something emotional like this in years, and hopefully, it’s a sign.
“Hopefully, Michael is on the mend. It’s been a long, horrible journey for the family, and maybe we’ll hopefully see him in the F1 paddock soon.”
Schumacher is one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, winning world titles in 1994, 1995 and five consecutive years from 2000 to 2004.
He also racked up 71 fastest laps and 155 podiums during his racing career.
When asked who the greatest driver of all time is, Briatore told Corriere de Sera: “I don’t know who the greatest is, because we’ve had Schumacher, Senna, Alonso.
“Now, the number one is definitely (Max) Verstappen. I have two cars at Alpine, so I would like to have two Verstappens.”
MAX VERSTAPPEN is on the verge of a Formula One race ban after race stewards made a decision over his collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty for “undoubtedly” causing his collision with George Russell
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Verstappen appeared to deliberately drive into the Brit at Turn 5 of the Spanish GPCredit: Sky Sports
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The FIA later hit the Dutchman with three penalty points, leaving him one off of a race banCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
That punishment dropped him from P5 when he crossed the line to P10, which opened a massive 49-point gap between himself and championship leader Oscar Piastri.
A further investigation from the FIA after the race saw the 27-year-old avoid disqualification, despite calls from Nico Rosberg on Sky Sports commentary.
However, F1‘s governing body decided that Verstappen‘s actions also warranted three points on his Super Licence, declaring the collision was “undoubtedly caused” by him.
And this has placed him on the verge of a ban for an F1 race later this season.
With the three points added from his exploits in Barcelona, Verstappen is now just one penalty point away from a race ban.
F1’s penalty points system works on a 12-month rolling basis, and Verstappen currently sits on 11 penalty points out of the maximum of 12 before a ban.
But the next time the four-time world champion will see any of his penalty points expire will be on June 30.
That means Verstappen will need to be on his best behaviour at both the Canada Grand Prix on June 15 and then Red Bull’s home race at the Austrian Grand Prix on June 29.
Picking up another penalty point in Montreal would mean a ban for Verstappen at the Red Bull Ring, while a point in the second race would mean he is banned from the British Grand Prix on July 6.
Verstappen will become the first-ever reigning world champion to be hit by a ban if he picks up another point in either of those races.
One of F1’s most recognisable voices reveals Leclerc and Hamilton moments that will live with him forever
However, if he stays clean across the next two race weekends then Verstappen will see two points expire from his licence and move down to nine.
After that he will need to avoid further incident going all the way to October 27th.
The chaos in Spain began after a safety car restart caused by Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli veering into the gravel.
Verstappen nearly spun and Charles Leclerc overtook him before Russell, 27, nearly went into the back of him, with the Dutchman going off track onto the escape road.
He was then told by his team to give the place back to the Brit, believing he had gained an unfair advantage by leaving the track.
Fuming Verstappen swore down the radio at the decision before slowing up.
What are Verstappen’s penalty points and when do they expire?
Two points: Expire 30th June 2025.
These were awarded for causing a collision with Lando Norris at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix.
Two points: Expire 27th October 2025.
These were awarded for forcing Lando Norris off track during the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix.
One point: Expires 1st November 2025.
This point was awarded for being under the minimum VSC delta time during the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint.
One point: Expires 1st December 2025.
This point was awarded for driving unnecessarily slowly on a cooldown lap during qualifying for the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix.
Two points: Expire 8th December 2025.
These were awarded for causing a collision with Oscar Piastri during the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
TheMercedesman thought he was letting him through at Turn 5 but his rival then appeared to intentionally ram into the side of him, which landed Verstappen in hot water.
Speaking after the race, Russell said: “I’m too close to give my opinion on behalf of the drivers. It’s like in Austin last year, some of the best moves ever then you go to Mexico and he lets himself down a bit.
“You go to Imola with one of the best moves of all-time, then this happens. It cost him and his team a lot of points. Charles and I actually dropped off like a stone on those last two laps.
“He probably could have come back to fight for the podium, so I won’t lose any sleep [over it]. We have our own problems and that’s making our car go faster.”
Verstappen himself said: “I don’t need to say anything about it because it doesn’t matter anyway.
“I had a big moment there in the last corner. Unfortunately the hard tyres had very low grip so that was quite painful. Basically, we just ran out of tyres.
“In hindsight, was it better to stay out? Maybe, I don’t know. It’s always easy to say afterwards. Because of those hard tyres, you get into those situations.
“I think [the strategy] was good, I think it worked for us. It was the best way forward. It was racy and I liked it. Unfortunately we didn’t get the benefits at the end.”
LEGENDARY racing driver Michael Schumacher’s Monaco-winning Ferrari has sold for a staggering £13.4million.
Schumi raced the F2001 to victory twice in 2001 – including the famous Monaco Grand Prix.
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Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari F2001 has sold for £13.4millionCredit: Getty
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Schumi raced the F2001 to victory twice in 2001Credit: EPA
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Schumacher lifts the trophy after victory in the 2001 Formula One Monaco Grand PrixCredit: Getty
Chassis number 211 made its final appearance at the 2001 Hungarian Grand Prix where the racing legend qualified on pole position and took top step on the podium.
The icon went on to win the title that year – his fourth of seven – with a records points haul ahead of team-mate Rubens Barrichello.
The F2001’s dominance also saw Ferrari take its 11th contructors’ title.
The historic motor was sold by RM Sotheby’s for an eye-watering £13.43million.
It marks the most expensive of Schumacher’s Formula One cars to be sold at auction.
The Ferrari F2001 was a cornerstone of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari’s record-setting, multiple Formula 1 World Championship-winning pomp at the turn of the 21st Century,” the car’s listing reads.
“Chassis 211 holds the remarkable distinction of being the only Ferrari aboard which the German won both the Monaco Grand Prix and Drivers’ title in the same season, as the Scuderia clinched the 2001 Constructors’ crown.
“A two-time Grand Prix winner with a brace of World Championships to its name, chassis 211 is among the most significant of modern-day race cars.”
The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.
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Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion, and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.
He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.
At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.
At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered.
But the coma ended up lasting 250 days – more than eight months.
After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.
Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status.
Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him.
Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain.
Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be “conscious”, although few other details were given about his state.
LANDO NORRIS has boycotted social media after falling behind McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in the F1 title race.
Despite Norris’ pre-season billing as the Championship favourite, the McLaren star has been outdone by the Aussie’s momentum in the opening six races of the season.
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Lando Norris has faced a torrent of abuse and is ditching social mediaCredit: Alamy
And Norris has been subject to fresh hate and abuse since falling 16 points behind Piastri, who – despite playing second fiddle to the Brit last year – is the new bookie’s favourite.
Speaking to reporters including SunSport in the McLaren motorhome at Imola, Norris opened up about his online detox ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this Sunday.
The 25-year-old admitted: “I’ve not been on social media for a few weeks now.It’s not something I enjoy. I don’t need to be on it. It’s my life and I can do what I like.
“I enjoy not going on my phone as much as I used to. I still text my friends.
“But I see social media as a waste of my time and energy. I don’t need it or want it. I don’t find it interesting.
“I’ve got more time to do things that I want to do, I play golf and train and want to be productive.”
Of course, it’s still too early to write any driver off with 16 more races up for grabs, but the feeling in the Norris camp seems somewhat bleak going into the European triple header.
Despite sitting second in the standings, Norris also revealed he feels “unhappy” with how his MCL39 feels and isn’t bothered about winning the title.
Asked if he was thinking about the title standings, Norris said: “No, is the answer.
“I don’t care about it and won’t think about it. It is easy for things to change.
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“Oscar has done a good job. But a lot of it is just focusing on myself. “He’s just another competitor. Another guy, he’s just dressed in the same colours.
“It’s been clear that there have been differences from last year in how the car works, how it acts, and how I’m able to get lap time out of it and perform.
“I’m obviously not happy at the moment, but we will see with the upgrades this week.”
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, 40, unfollowed everyone on Instagram, including all of his Ferrari team, in the days after his played-down radio spat with team strategists in Miami last time out.
On this, Norris added: “Lewis can do what he wants, good for him.”
The Brit’s first season since leaving Mercedes has been a big let down so far, as the Scuderia were meant to be challenging for the title after finishing second in the Constructors race last season.
Instead, Andrea Stella’s team linger a staggering 152 points behind leaders McLaren in the, while Hamilton sits 90 points adrift of Piastri and behind both Silver Arrow drivers in seventh.
GEORGE RUSSELL “won’t be saying thank you” anytime soon after blasting Formula One’s swearing rules as too “ridiculous” in the first place.
The Mercedes star, who sits fourth in the Championship standings, showed no gratitude to F1‘s governing body after labelling the walk-back on rules as “suspect” ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
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George Russell has criticised the FIA’s stance on swearing and criticising officialsCredit: Getty
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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem dramatically reduced the fines after receiving backlashCredit: AFP
On Wednesday, the FIA climbed down on its previous stance of drivers facing potential bans and point deductions for swearing or criticising officials, and dramatically reduced the possible fines that can be issued.
Crucially, the stewards are now able to differentiate between ‘controlled’ and ‘non-controlled’ environments, meaning drivers are highly unlikely to be punished for swearing while competing, but will still face action for using offensive language in press conferences.
But Russell, was unmoved by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem cutting the first time fines from £33,700 down to £4,200.
The 27-year-old said: “I didn’t really have any reaction to the announcement because it was so ridiculous in the first place that we are just basically reverting on that.
“At the end of the day we’re not going to be saying thank you for something that was so crazy in the first place.
“We’ve just gone back to something that is slightly more in the name of common sense
“But we should never have moved away from that in the first place. You know, we shouldn’t even be having this conversation.”
Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, also revealed that he “wonders if the change was strategic timing” given that Ben Sulayem is up for re-election at the end of the season.
Ben Sulayem said when the rule change was announced that he had “led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships”.
But, Russell has refused that claim, saying: “We’ve still had no correspondence with anyone from the senior level at the FIA. So yeah, it’s all a bit suspect.”
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The seven-time champion said: “It seems a bit of a mess there at the moment. There are lots of changes that are needed, for sure.”
Red Bull‘s Max Verstappen – who last year was the first driver to be punished for saying his car was “f***ed” with a form of community service – said the change was “a bit better and it’s a start”.
Incredibly, Russell and Verstappen both backed the potential bid of Carlos Sainz Sr, the father of Williams driver Sainz, in this December’s FIA presidential election.
When asked if Sainz would be a better president, the world champion Red Bull star bluntly replied: “You can fill that in yourself.
“He’s very well respected in the world here and in the rally world as a former rally driver.
“Of course people always say it’s conflicting with his son but I think he’s professional enough to keep that separated from each other.
“I think it would be a great addition to run for president.”
Russell also dismissed the idea there could be a conflict of interest because of Sainz’s son, who is also a GPDA director.
The Brit said: “You’re so far removed from a technical standpoint. It’s down to the technical people within the FIA to be the rule makers.
“The president in years gone by has probably been far less involved than what we’ve seen recently and far less visible.”
F1 2025
THE new Formula One season is well underway – and one team appear to be running away with it.
A massive summer of change saw Lewis Hamilton move on from Mercedes and join Ferrari, while the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a big chance to end Max Verstappen‘s recent dominance.
The Red Bull ace is aiming for a record-equalling FIFTH consecutive world title.
AN ICONIC F1 grand prix track is at risk of being axed from the race calendar.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola could be set to host its last F1 race.
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Emilia Romagna Grand Prix could be cut from the F1 calendar
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The track was reintroduced back in 2020
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Stefano Domenicali has said it would be ‘difficult’ to keep the raceCredit: Getty
The famous circuit is the host for this weekend’s race in the 2025 season.
But F1 president Stefano Domenicali has admitted that it could be cut from the calendar.
There are currently two races in Italy, the one in Imola as well as the Italian GP at Monza.
Domenicali has suggested that with the increased interest in the motorsport, it could prove “difficult” for both to be kept.
He told RAI radio: “Italy has always been and will be an important part of Formula 1.
“It will be increasingly difficult to have two races in the same country because interest in F1 is growing and it’s a situation we will have to deal with in the coming months.
“It’s hard for this situation with Imola and Monza to continue together on the calendar for long.”
The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari debuted back in 1981.
However, it has previously been cut as it was left off the calendar from 2006 until it was reintroduced in 2020.
This was when the race was rebranded as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton fumes ‘have a tea break while you’re at it’ at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-up
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No other country in Europe has more than one race but Spain will have next year.
This is down to the overlap between the new Madrid track and last year of the Barcelona circuit.
The USA has three races with tracks in Miami, Las Vegas and Austin.
Speaking in 2024, Domenicali admitted that some tracks in Europe could become rotational in the calendar.
He said: “We have some news to share very, very soon with regard to the possibility in the mid-term to have some rotational European Grand Prix and some other new options coming later.
“This is something that, of course, we will clarify in the due course.
“It is true that we have a large demand for new possible venues that want to come in.
“Our choice will always be balanced between the right economic benefits that we can have as a system and also to leverage in the growth of the market.
“That we can see potential that will be beneficial for us to grow our business even further.”
