Three men, including a former security guard, have been convicted in the attempted blackmail of the Schumacher family. This comes after a group threatened to upload 900 photos, 600 videos, and medical reports of Michael Schumacher to the dark web unless the family paid a €15m ransom. The main person behind the crime was sentenced to three years in jail, but a second person was also given a six-month suspended sentence. Additionally, a former security guard at Schumacher’s home was handed a two-year suspended sentence, despite claiming he was not involved with the crime. The Schumacher family’s legal team intends to appeal the case against the former security guard, seeking a harsher penalty. The seven-time World Champion has remained out of the public eye after a ski accident in December 2013 left him with a serious brain injury. The family has succeeded in maintaining Schumacher’s privacy, with only those close to him knowing his true condition. Most of the evidence is in the German authorities’ hands, although a hard drive is still missing.
McLaren became the first team to unveil their 2025 challenger, the MCL39. The car was wearing a special orange testing livery as it made laps around the Silverstone Circuit for its promotional season launch event. Both drivers were given time behind the wheel, getting their first taste of the car they hope will bring them to the top of the championship table. Not many changes can be seen compared to previous designs. McLaren retains the pull-rod front suspension, although it changed the rear bodywork and air intake.
Williams also launched their 2025 car, the FW47, at a Silverstone launch event. Like McLaren, Williams opted to run a special blue testing livery, saving the real thing for the upcoming O2 launch event in London. Both drivers participated in the filming session around the circuit. The software firm Atlassian appears prominently on the car, starting its first year as the team’s title sponsor, something the team hasn’t had for the past five years. The most noticeable change on the new car is a slightly reprofiled waterslide, appearing to extend further back than last year’s car.
Footage of the new Haas car, the VF-25, was leaked on Sunday during the team’s private shakedown at Silverstone. The car was painted in a new livery with a white nose and side pods, black engine cover, and red wings and trim. However, this new livery may be a one-off testing livery ahead of the O2 livery launch in London.
Pirelli conducted its third tyre test of 2025, this time testing the 2026 slick tyres around Jerez. Drivers logged a total of 558 laps during the two days of testing. Alpine brought their 2023 car to be driven by Pierre Gasly on the first day and Jack Doohan the following day. McLaren brought the 2023 car to be driven by Pato O’Ward on the first day. Mercedes replaced McLaren in the second day, with George Russell behind the wheel of the 2024 W15. Next on the testing calendar for Pirelli will be another two-day test in Bahrain on March 2 and 3.
Former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has joined Williams as an ambassador for 2025. He will work alongside Jenson Button and Jamie Chadwick to help “strengthen the connection between the team’s celebrated history and its ambitious future,” although it’s unclear exactly what the role will entail. Villeneuve, the son of legendary Canadian F1 driver Gilles Villeneuve, raced in F1 from 1996 to 2006, securing the World Championship in 1997 with Williams. He also spent time at BAR and Sauber, although his most successful stint was at Williams. He still makes occasional appearances behind the wheel outside of Formula One and occasionally offers his insight into the sport in the media.
Esteban Ocon recently made his debut on the big screen with his former team. The film is a French romantic comedy called Lune de Miel avec ma Mere (or Honeymoon Crasher) which is available on Netflix. Ocon plays the cameo role of Damien, an Alpine F1 driver. In the film, he breaks up the wedding of the main characters Lucas and Elodie after she runs away with Damien during her wedding reception.
It can be challenging for even the most avid fans to keep up with the fast-paced world of Formula One. The Weekly F1 Recap is a series published each Monday that breaks down the action, both on and off the circuit, into bit-sized pieces. It's perfect for casual and experienced fans alike.
