Guenther Steiner Acquires MotoGP Team; Daniel Ricciardo Retires as Monza Practice Heats Up

Guenther Steiner, a prominent motorsport figure, has completed a significant acquisition in MotoGP. Meanwhile, F1 sees a major announcement with Daniel Ricciardo's retirement, coinciding with a busy practice day at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

Why it matters

These developments mark pivotal shifts in the motorsport landscape. Steiner's move into MotoGP leadership signals a new chapter for the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team, while Ricciardo's departure from active racing ends an era for one of F1's most popular drivers.

The big picture

Steiner's MotoGP Takeover:

• A consortium led by Guenther Steiner will acquire full ownership of the Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP and Moto3™ teams.
• This new structure is set to take full effect from 2026.
• This represents a significant expansion of Steiner's influence beyond his well-known F1 presence.

Daniel Ricciardo's Retirement:

• Ricciardo has officially retired from motorsport, announcing his new role as a global ambassador for Ford Racing.
• His final F1 race was the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, after which he was replaced by Liam Lawson.
• This transition marks a new era for Ricciardo, moving from active competition to an ambassadorial role.

Monza Practice Highlights

Free Practice 1 Results:

• Lewis Hamilton topped FP1 in his first Italian Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver, setting a 1m 20.117s lap.
• Ferrari secured an impressive one-two finish in front of the Tifosi.

Free Practice 2 Results:

• Lando Norris of McLaren led FP2 with a 1:19.878 lap time.
• Charles Leclerc was just under a tenth behind in second, with Carlos Sainz completing the top three.

Incident & Reactions

• Oscar Piastri Investigation: Piastri was not penalized by stewards for entering the pit fast lane too soon during FP2. However, McLaren received a reprimand for the incident.
• Norris's "One Second" Joke: Lando Norris light-heartedly commented that McLaren is usually a second ahead at this stage, after a surprisingly close Friday at Monza. He finished FP1 in sixth, with teammate Oscar Piastri sitting out for Alex Dunne.

What's next

Teams and drivers will now analyze the practice data to prepare for qualifying and the main race at Monza, while the broader motorsport world will watch the unfolding careers of Steiner and Ricciardo with keen interest.