
New British F1 team bid confirmed for 2026 season after major investment
British racing team Hitech Grand Prix have confirmed their bid to join the F1 grid for the 2026 season after announcing a major new investment deal. Hitech GP, who currently race in F2, F3 and F4, were reported to be one of a number of prospective new entries into Formula 1, alongside the likes of Andretti-Cadillac and Panthera Team Asia. Now, after announcing new investment with its parent company Hitech Global Holdings Limited selling a 25 per cent stake to Kazakh businessman Vladimir Kim, Hitech confirmed they have lodged a bid to the FIA to secure a spot in three years’ time. Hitech, based at Silverstone, stated in a press release that its F1 project was a “move that would complete its single-seater ladder and demonstrate that Hitech has all the right people, experience and resources to compete alongside the best teams in the world.” Kim, whose companies have previously sponsored Kazakh athletes such as champion boxer Gennadiy Golovkin, holds his main interests in the mining, banking and aviation sectors – with Hitech his first involvement in motorsport. “Motorsport has been a long-standing personal interest for me, and I am delighted to be entering into a partnership with an organisation that has enjoyed success in so many categories and has such ambitions for its future,” he said. “We have an established involvement with sport; however, this is our first global investment in motorsport. “Its dynamic appeal, growing exposure, business-to-business marketing opportunities and burgeoning fan base are aligned with my ambitions personally and commercially.” Hitech CEO Oliver Oakes added: “I am delighted to welcome Vladimir Kim to the Hitech group. “During our discussions we found many natural synergies and I know that his support will be invaluable as we seek to build on Hitech’s success and work towards achieving its broader ambitions over the years to come.” Audi are already confirmed to be joining the grid in 2026, taking over from the Sauber works team currently branded as Alfa Romeo, and announced their first test driver last week. Read More Audi name first driver to join F1 team ahead of 2026 season entry Inspired by Schumacher, meet the Hong Kong billionaire targeting a new Formula 1 team Why have Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney invested in an F1 team? Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to invest in F1 team ‘There will be crashes’: George Russell sends stark warning to F1 bosses
1970-01-01 08:00

Chaos in Russia is morale booster for Ukraine as it pushes on with early stages of counteroffensive
The armed rebellion against the Russian military may have ended quickly, but the disarray within the enemy’s ranks was an unexpected gift and timely morale booster for Ukrainian troops
1970-01-01 08:00

Taylor Swift turned down Meghan Markle's 'handwritten' invite to her podcast
Singer Taylor Swift turned down Meghan Markle’s personal request to appear as a guest on her now-cancelled podcast Archetypes. When they stepped down as working members of the royal family in January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle soon found other roles that kept them busy. Through their podcast production company, Archewell Audio, they brokered a deal with Spotify, through which Markle launched her own podcast series, Archetypes. The first episode was released in August 2023, but the podcast series was axed after just one season, despite high-profile guest stars such as tennis legend Serena Williams and pop icon Mariah Carey. But, even with her vast connections, Markle was unable to secure Taylor Swift who declined her invitation to appear on the podcast after she had sent her a hand-written letter. According to the Wall Street Journal, singer Swift turned Markle’s personal request down to appear on Archetypes via a representative, for unknown reasons. In the podcast series, Markled discussed the history of negative stereotypes used to label women with her celebrity guests. It won the top podcast award at the People’s Choice Awards, but despite this, it was cancelled by Spotify in June after airing 12 episodes. The cancellation comes as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly struggled to come good on the $20 million Spotify deal, leading to its collapse. Bill Simmons, Spotify’s head of podcast innovation and monetisation, called the pair "f**king grifters”. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

Bruce Willis' daughter happily screams 'it's dad' as Emma Hemming leads family trip to see actor's wax statue and Hollywood star
Bruce Willis' daughter Evelyn, 9, stopped in front of the wax figure and wagged her finger at it in amusement
1970-01-01 08:00

When Meg Ryan was blamed for divorce with Dennis Quaid: 'It was a very unhealthy marriage'
Meg Ryan said, 'It was a great story. But what wasn't in the story was the reality of my marriage for nine years'
1970-01-01 08:00

Why was Jon Hamm arrested? When ‘Mad Men’ star played a key role in vicious fraternity hazing scandal
Jon Hamm was accused of being one of the 'chief tormentors' in Mark Allen Sanders' hazing attack at the University of Texas
1970-01-01 08:00

F1 fans react as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney buy stake in Alpine team
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney who own Wrexham Football Club are now making waves in motorsport after buying a stake in Formula One team Alpine. The pair are part of a group that also includes fellow Hollywood actor Michael B. Jordan, other investors include Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners who have made the $200m (approximately £157m) investment. While Reynolds and McElhenney will their stake through Reynolds’ Maximum Effort Investments vehicle as per Deadline. This sum represents a 24 per cent stake in the team, and the deal values the British and French-based Alpine Racing, at about £706m, according to the BBC. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Alpine, whose drivers are Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, currently sit fifth in the constructors’ championship and so far this season have achieved one podium finish with Esteban Ocon coming third in the Monaco Grand Prix. Ocon currently sits ninth in the drivers’ championship, with his teammate Pierre Gasly in tenth. "This association is an important step to enhance our performance at all levels," Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi said of the investment. Of course, Reynolds and McElhenney are no strangers to investing in a sports team after they bought Wrexham Football Club back in 2021, and this season the Welsh side won promotion to the Football League for the first time in 15 years and reached the fourth round of the FA Cup. Since the news of this deal broke, F1 fans have been reacting to the news with many hoping for an F1 x Deadpool collaboration... Here are some of the best reactions: This surely means, we'll be seeing Reynolds and McElhenney at an F1 race soon... Elsewhere, Ryan Reynolds ‘visits The Great British Bake Off tent’ and McLaren Formula One drivers reveal their Grand Prix day diets. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

Joe Rogan stumbles upon Mike Tyson's secret spat with Starbucks: 'I can't believe you never had a cup of coffee'
On an episode of his podcast, Joe Rogan found out if Mike Tyson had ever been to a Starbucks
1970-01-01 08:00

Ukraine Recap: Germany Ready to Place 4,000 Troops in Lithuania
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1970-01-01 08:00

Julia Roberts was offered 'Sleepless in Seattle' role first but director Nora Ephron wanted Meg Ryan to play Annie
'Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are just such a jewel of a fit in that,' said Julia Roberts
1970-01-01 08:00

Madison Beer has found a new hobby in gaming
Madison Beer feels like she is living a double life after taking up gaming whilst continuing to work on her upcoming album.
1970-01-01 08:00

Why did Jon Hamm and Jennifer Westfeldt break up? ‘Mad Men’ star’s 18-year relationship ended when he met Anna Osceola
Hamm and Westfeldt left Hollywood in shock when they announced their split in 2015, after 18 years together
1970-01-01 08:00