F1 Grand Prix Preview, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montréal, Canada.

Round 10 of the 2025 F1 season takes place in Canada, at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montréal.

 

Toto Talks Canada

We’re eager to get back on track in Montreal after a challenging triple header. We showed an improved performance in Barcelona and that is something for us to build on. However, we know we need to be more consistent, and continue to make progress with the W16, if we are to rediscover some of our form from earlier in the season. We enjoyed a strong race here in 2024, and I hope we can repeat that level of performance this time round.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a great track with its mix of low-speed corners and long straights often creating an exciting race. Montreal is a superb host city for F1 too and the fans always create a brilliant atmosphere. We’re looking forward to seeing Doriane racing once again as F1 Academy returns to action. She has put in some strong performances so far this year and we will be supporting her as she looks to challenge for the lead of the championship in Canada.

 

Fact File: Canadian Grand Prix

 

·         The 4.361 km Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is similar in its characteristics to that of the Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan. Long straights requiring lower drag are punctuated by slower speed corners such as chicanes and hairpins that require higher downforce.

·         The 14 corners of the circuit comprise six left-hand and eight right-hand turns. Most of the corners are in a similar speed range, which is at the lower end of the scale compared to the rest of the circuits on the 2025 calendar.

·         This will be the 44th F1 Grand Prix to take place at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Only Spa, Silverstone, Monaco, and Monza have hosted more.

·         Several corners come as a double change of direction (left/right or right/left combinations) that require good responsiveness from the car. These include the combinations that comprise turns one and two, turns three and four, turns six and seven, turns eight and nine, and the final chicane at turns 13 and 14.

·         The 405-metre pit lane ranks eighth in terms of length across all the circuits we race at. However, time expended during a pit stop is not especially high, as drivers are spared the inconvenience of going through the last chicane, instead entering the pit lane directly. Additionally, the pit exit feeds in at Turn two, thus drivers avoid having to negotiate the first corner too.

·         The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is traditionally regarded as tough on brakes, similar to the Austrian GP. However, there are usually fewer cooling problems in Canada than in Spielberg because the lap distance is greater and there is more time for the brakes to dissipate temperature.

·         The wall on the exit of the final corner has been dubbed ‘The Wall of Champions’ ever since 1999, when Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Jacques Villeneuve all had their races ended at the turn through crashes.

·         Along with Miami, Austria and Las Vegas, Montreal has the most heavy-braking zones on the F1 calendar with three.

·         Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher share the record for the most wins at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with seven.

·         The circuit is located on the Île Notre-Dame, an island that hosted the World Expo in 1967. The Expo 67 American Pavilion, which became the Montreal Biosphere and is now an environmental museum, is a visible reminder of this.

·         The man-made body of water outside the track – which drivers cross over to get into the paddock – was built to host the rowing and canoeing events at the 1976 Summer Olympic Games.

 

Doriane Pin talks Canada

I am really excited to go racing in Canada for the first time with F1 ACADEMY. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a completely new track to me, and I have been preparing thoroughly for the race weekend on the simulator in the past few days.  

The expectations are really high as I am just one point away from Maya (Weug) in the drivers’ standings. I am fully focused on delivering a strong performance there and the goal is clear: take the lead of the championship this weekend. 

Spanish F 1 Grand Prix Preview, Barcelona, 2025

 

Toto Talks Spain

We will be looking to get back on track in Barcelona this weekend. It is a circuit that provides a good test of a car, with a mixture of low, medium, and high-speed corners. That will be useful for assessing our recent updates and our position relative to our competitors as we move into the second third of the season.

With 16 races left, there is a long way to go. The team is still pushing to find performance and this weekend’s updated front wing technical directive will provide another level of intrigue. We are focused on ourselves though and looking forward to having the opportunity to do a better job than we have done at the last two races.

 

Fact File: Spanish Grand Prix

 

·         The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is an ideal track for testing an F1 car, as it has a wide range of corner types and speeds, plus some long straights. Slow-speed corners like Turns 5 and 10 focus on mechanical grip, but high-speed sections such as Turns 3 and 9 test a car’s aerodynamic grip.

·         Sector three is incredibly important and drivers can find a lot of lap time here in the slow corners. It can be rare for a driver to set three purple sectors at the circuit, because maximising grip and being faster in sector one will overheat the tyres for the crucial third sector.

·         The chicane in the final sector of the lap was removed for the 2023 race, reverting back to the previous track layout for the final two corners. 

·         Most of the track’s low-speed turns are left-handers and most of the right-handers are taken at high speeds. So slightly different car set-ups can be used on the left and right-hand sides, and that track characteristic also means the left tyres wear out quicker, while the right tyres experience lower temperatures.

·         24 of the 34 races that have taken place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya have been won from pole.

·         The start of the ground effect era at the start of 2022 presented a very different challenge for the drivers around the track. For example, the long Turn 3 is now taken at 225 km/h, compared to 240 km/h in 2021. The fast Turn 9 is now a 250 km/h right-hander, whereas in 2021 it was taken at around 265 km/h.

·         Barcelona is one of three tracks that George Russell has recorded two podium finishes at in Formula 1. Melbourne and Baku are the other two.

·         Barcelona first appeared on the calendar in 1991 and has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix in every season since.

·         Lewis Hamilton recorded his 100^th pole position at the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix while driving for the team. 

·         Lewis Hamilton holds the record for most consecutive wins at a Grand Prix circuit with five in Barcelona (2017-2021). He shares this record with Ayrton Senna and Monaco (1989-1993)

·         George triumphed at Barcelona in 2018 while driving in Formula 2. He shared the podium that day with future F1 drivers Lando Norris and Nyck de Vries.

·         Junior Driver Noah Strømsted continues his maiden FIA Formula 3 campaign in Barcelona, with the track set to host round five of the 2025 championship.

Junior Driver Noah Strømsted Talk Spain

 

Noah Strømsted

I am looking forward to Barcelona, it is a track I know very well. We did our pre-season test at the circuit this year, so we already have some experience with the car there. 

It’s going to be very tight as every driver is familiar with the layout, but we will do our best to get some good points.

The SLK 230 Kompressor Roadster on Display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum

Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 of the R 170 model series in the communication colour yellowstone (Mercedes-Benz colour code 685). Photo taken in New York in 1996. (Photo index number in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive: A96F2883)

• The popular roadster is part of the special “Youngtimer” exhibition at the Mercedes-Benz Museum
• Until 2 November 2025 with a total of ten iconic young classics
• Coupé and roadster: The electro-hydraulic vario-roof was a stroke of engineering genius
• The SLK specifically appealed to younger customers as part of the product offensive at the time

“Close-up” – the name of this series from the Mercedes-Benz Museum says it all. Each instalment tells surprising, exciting and interesting stories about vehicles from the exhibition. In the spotlight this time: the SLK 230 Kompressor (R 170 series) in the special “Youngtimer” exhibition, Collection Room 5. Until 2 November 2025, this exhibition will be showing ten vehicles from the 1990s and 2000s in a colourful and lively presentation. 

No. 4/2025: Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor 

Showing its colours: It stands there like a ray of sunshine on wheels. In bright yellow, or more precisely in yellowstone (Mercedes-Benz colour code 685), the Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor from the R 170 model series dominates the “Easy Life” theme island of the current “Youngtimer” special exhibition at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. 

Colourful exclamation mark: This yellow refuses to lie low. And that’s exactly what it was designed for: the yellowstone paint finish was the communication colour for the market launch of the SLK in spring 1996; it sent out a powerful signal of a new departure. The concept worked brilliantly, the roadster attracted an enormous amount of attention at its premiere – and marked the transformation of the entire brand. Within the Mercedes-Benz product offensive, the SLK was the pioneer for a succession of new premium vehicles bearing the three-pointed star that were to permanently change the brand image. And today, yellowstone suits the SLK of the R 170 series just as well as it did in 1996. But the SLK was also popular in many other colours back then. 

Roadster with a twist: The R 170 model series was a coupé and roadster in one – thanks to the vario-roof. The electro-hydraulic folding roof made of steel was a stroke of engineering genius. At the touch of a button, it folded smoothly into the boot in a fascinating choreography. And, hey presto, an open-top roadster. This system made Mercedes-Benz a pioneer in the segment, and defined a new standard for year-round driving pleasure. Important for everyday use: the boot still retained some load capacity with the roof open. 

Performance with principle: The SLK 230 Kompressor was the best-selling model in the series. Its four-cylinder engine with mechanical supercharger developed 142 kW (193 hp) – a powerful statement in the compact sports car class. It delivered superior power from low engine speeds while remaining refined and efficient. In technical terms, the power unit took its lead from great role models. The renowned Mercedes-Benz S-series of the 1920s also had a supercharger to increase performance. And it returned in a modern interpretation in the 1990s. Less was more: lower fuel consumption, more torque. 

Form follows passion: The design of the SLK is a statement. The roadster appears to have been cast from a single mould. Its clear lines, the short, crisp silhouette, the emphasised horizontal front with the classic Mercedes-Benz SL grille – all this lends the vehicle a timeless sportiness. No superfluous gimmicks, no fashionable affectations. The SLK is not garish – yet in the special exhibition it presents itself confidently on its dais with pink design elements. 

Connecting the inside with the outside: The interior follows the same logic as the exterior, with a tidy and high-class appearance. With large dial instruments, clearly arranged controls and high-quality materials, the cockpit has a timeless, classic look even almost 30 years after the premiere of the R 170 series. 

Market launch with resounding effect: Mercedes-Benz initially presented SLK concept vehicles at the 1994 motor shows in Turin and Paris. These vehicles reflected the spirit of the times, and reactions were very positive. The production model was launched in 1996. The immense demand was an indication of how many people wanted to drive this compact roadster. Open, sporty, fresh – values that truly inspired. And the SLK quickly became an emotive and tangible image-builder for the brand. More than 310,000 units had been produced by 2004. 

Automotive culture in transition: For many millennials, the SLK was the first Mercedes-Benz that exuded sunshine and weekend fun. It became the poster car for a new generation of customers. A car that radiated less in the way of luxury, but still inherently carried the brand’s virtues, such as design and safety. 

Back to the future: The yellow SLK 230 Kompressor at the Mercedes-Benz Museum is part of the current special exhibition “Youngtimer”. It will be on display in Collection Room 5 until 2 November 2025. Ten iconic vehicles from the 1990s and 2000s are specially exhibited in a colourful and entertaining presentation. The theme islands range from “Easy Life” to “Refinement” and “Space”. They embed the vehicles in the lifestyle of their era. Interactive stations with topics ranging from generative image creation (with the help of artificial intelligence) to retro gaming accompany the exhibition, and also bring the turn of the millennium into the present.

The Cult Film *Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!* -- 1965

Released in 1965, *Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!* stands as one of the most notorious and influential cult films in the history of cinema. Directed by Russ Meyer, known for his work in the genre of sexploitation films, the movie defied conventional norms of the time with its unabashedly bold themes and radical approach to storytelling. It is both a celebration of wild, untamed femininity and a scathing critique of societal expectations of women.

The film follows three seductive women—Varla (Tura Satana), Rosie (Haji), and Billie (Lori Williams)—as they engage in a series of violent and chaotic actions after a confrontation at a remote desert location. Varla, played by Satana, emerged as an icon of feminist strength, challenging the usual depiction of women in cinema as passive or submissive. Her fierce, dominating presence on screen was groundbreaking, with her character being one of the earliest representations of an empowered, violent woman in mainstream films. Varla's cold and calculating nature, mixed with her physical prowess, made her a character that audiences had never seen before.

At the time of its release, the film was met with controversy. Critics dismissed it for its overt sexual themes, violence, and exploitation of women, but over time, *Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!* earned its place in cinematic history. It became a source of inspiration for filmmakers and a cultural touchstone for those interested in transgressive, experimental cinema. Meyer's unorthodox style, with his high-energy direction, kitschy aesthetic, and daring themes, influenced later filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino, who often cited Meyer as a major influence on his own works.

Today, *Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!* is celebrated as a campy yet powerful statement on female agency, violence, and rebellion. It has a lasting legacy, often regarded as a precursor to modern exploitation films and an emblem of the audacious spirit of the 1960s counterculture.

Mercedes-Benz Plans for Le Mans, June 11-15 ,2025

•       Mercedes-AMG with LMGT3 to compete in the 24h Le Mans endurance classic for the first time

•       Car designs based on the Sauber-Mercedes C9 from 1989

•       Christoph Sagemüller: “I am delighted that we are able to continue this history at Le Mans.”

Affalterbach. Mercedes-AMG is celebrating a comeback at the 24 Hours of Le Mans together with Customer Racing Team Iron Lynx – after 26 years, the brand with the star is back at La Sarthe. Three Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 will be on the starting grid for the endurance classic from 11 to 15 June. A special design concept has been developed for the prestigious 24-hour race: The livery of the three cars is reminiscent of the Sauber-Mercedes C9 from 1989. Back then, the Silver Arrows with start numbers #63 and #61 achieved a legendary one-two victory. Among those at the wheel of the victorious number 63 was Jochen Mass, who sadly passed away recently.

The current cars with start numbers #60 and #61 are registered for the entire FIA WEC season in the LMGT3 class. The Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 #60 will be driven by Italian trio Matteo Cairoli, Matteo Cressoni and Claudio Schiavoni – all three have competed at Le Mans on multiple occasions. The Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 #61 will be driven by Martin Berry (AUS), who made his FIA WEC debut with Iron Lynx at Spa-Francorchamps and Lin Hodenius (NED) – who, at 18, is the youngest driver on the grid for the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans. The line-up is completed by experienced Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Maxime Martin from Belgium. The third car with start number #63 qualified for the championship last year via the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). The father-son duo Stephen and Brenton Grove (both AUS) will be joined by Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Luca Stolz (GER). It will be the first Le Mans start for the two Australians. Luca Stolz already competed in the endurance classic at La Sarthe in 2018.

Preview -- F1 GP Imola, The First Leg of the 2025 Formula 1 Season

Toto Talks Imola

We head to Imola having completed one quarter of the season. From those first six races, we can draw the following conclusions: we have made progress from last year, with the W16 a more balanced car than its predecessor; we have scored some solid results, with four podiums in that run of races; and we have more work to do if we want to challenge for victories.

Our focus is on making gains on that final point as we begin the European leg of the season. The team at Lauda Drive have been working hard to do that and we will be bringing several updates over the coming races. F1 is a relative game, though, and we know our competitors will make progress too. It will be interesting to see how that plays out on track.

Imola also marks Kimi's first home race. He grew up nearby in Bologna, and it will be a special occasion for him. But it's a race that pays 25 points, like every other, and that's the only thing that counts at the end of the season. George and Kimi will be focused most of all on achieving the best possible result on track.

 

Fact File: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

  Construction of the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari first started in 1950 and the circuit hosted its debut race in 1953. 

·         The track has hosted F1 races under three different names: the San Marino Grand Prix, Italian Grand Prix and Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

·         Having hosted a race every year between 1980 and 2006, the circuit disappeared off the calendar in 2007, but returned in 2020 as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

·         The team captured its seventh consecutive World Constructors’ Championship with a 1-2 at Imola in 2020.

·         The 2023 edition of the race was cancelled due to devastating flooding around the track and in the surrounding region.

·         At 548 metres, the distance spent under the pit lane speed limit at Imola is the longest on the calendar.

·         It takes drivers nearly 25 seconds to navigate during a stop in the race.

·         The race also has the highest level of fuel consumption seen on the 2024 calendar.

·         With an average ambient air temperature of 14.8 degrees, the race could also be described as one the coldest of the season.

·         Changes have been made to the track last year with gravel traps at T9 and exits of Turns 11 to 15.

·         The 2025 edition is getting one step softer than last year with the use of the C6 tyre compound for the first time this season. 

·         The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is an important step in the season, marking the beginning of the European leg but also being Kimi Antonelli’s home Grand Prix

Jochen Mass (1946-2025)

Jochen Mass, former Mercedes-Benz racing driver, Le Mans winner, and long-time brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz Classic, passed away on 4 May 2025 at the age of 78. His golden era in motorsport stretched from the 1970s into the 1990s. One of his career highlights was his overall victory at the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Sauber-Mercedes C9. After retiring from active racing, Mass continued to inspire fans by driving famous vehicles from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection at numerous events.

“Jochen Mass had a captivating way of recounting stories from his long and distinguished career. As our brand ambassador, he represented us for many years and inspired our brand’s fans with his approachable, friendly manner. He knew how to bring our classic legends to life with his immense knowledge and experience. I always valued the exchange with him. It was always a personal highlight to bring the Mercedes-Benz racing icons onto the road with him.“

Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH

From Formula One to Group C

Jochen Mass was born on 30 September 1946, in Dorfen near Munich and grew up near Mannheim. His varied racing career took him from touring cars all the way up to Formula One. In 105 Grand Prix appearances, Mass amassed 71 World Championship points with McLaren and Arrows, achieving eight podium finishes, and won one Grand Prix. This makes Mass the most successful German Formula One driver of his era. One of his greatest triumphs was his victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1989 with his Sauber-Mercedes C9. Three years later, he switched into team management in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM). Mass maintained his close links with Mercedes-Benz after his active career, appearing at numerous classic car events as a Mercedes-Benz Classic brand ambassador.

Jochen Mass’ career started as a sailor on the world’s oceans. After completing an apprenticeship as a mechanic, he embarked on his multifaceted motorsport career in 1968, racing touring cars for Alfa Romeo and as a works driver for Ford from 1970 to 1975. In 1972, he won the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps alongside Hans-Joachim Stuck in a Ford Capri 2600 RS. At the same time, he competed in Formula 2 and was runner-up in the 1973 European Championship driving a Surtees TS15. In the same year, Mass made his Formula One debut at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone for the Surtees team.

After his years in Formula One, Mass competed in the 1984 Paris–Dakar Rally, in a Mercedes-Benz 500 SLC (C 107) for Albert Pfuhl’s team. With the title of German Sports Car Champion under his belt in 1985 and more than a decade as a works driver for Porsche (1976 to 1987), he joined the Sauber-Mercedes works team in 1988. Driving the first Silver Arrow since 1955 – the Sauber-Mercedes C9 in 1989 – Jochen Mass claimed victory at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Manuel Reuter and Stanley Dickens, and finished the season as runner-up in the World Endurance Championship for Prototypes. In 1990, Mass took on the role of mentor to the three Mercedes-Benz juniors who would later rise to greatness in their careers: Michael Schumacher, Karl Wendlinger and Heinz-Harald Frentzen. During the 1990 Group C season, the trio shared a Mercedes-Benz C11 with Jochen Mass and achieved numerous successes. In Le Mans 1991, Jochen Mass, Jean-Louis Schlesser and Alain Ferté were forced to retire their C11 after 21 hours, despite holding a commanding lead, due to a technical fault. At the end of the year, Mass concluded his career with a fifth-place finish at the World Championship round in Autopolis, Japan. In 1992, Jochen Mass took part in a balloon race across the Atlantic, and from 1993 to 1997 he was a Formula One commentator on television.

Brand ambassador at the wheel of a legendary Silver Arrow

Legendary Mercedes-Benz racing driver Sir Stirling Moss once described Jochen Mass as “a driver with an extraordinary feel for racing cars and great expertise, who is well-versed in the racing history of all eras”. That is how it happened that Mass took part in numerous historic events on behalf of Mercedes-Benz Classic. Among other events, he took part in the 2005 Mille Miglia – half a century after Stirling Moss’s legendary victory in this famous road race with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR. At the time, Moss said of Mass: “Jochen is a kindred spirit to me.”

Whether supercharged touring cars from the W 06 series, a Grand Prix racer from the first Silver Arrows era, a Group C racing car, the 300 SLR from 1955, or a Mercedes-Simplex from the early days of the automobile: As a brand ambassador, Jochen Mass captivated audiences at many renowned classic car events at the wheel of the brand’s historic racing vehicles. He was a regular guest at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed, where he embraced the culture of celebrating historic motorsport. In 2024, he said of his drive in the Mercedes-Benz C11 at Goodwood: “That of course stirs emotions and memories of the challenging world of motorsport over 30 years ago. In Goodwood, the companions of those days come together – drivers, teammates, mechanics, engineers. The Festival of Speed never fails to inspire me with its unique atmosphere and incredible variety.”

F1 Miami Grand Prix Preview 2025

Toto Talks Miami

We have had a good start to the season but we have no sense of entitlement or complacency. We want to continue, and build on, the positive trajectory we have established so far in the first five races. Saudi Arabia was a more challenging Grand Prix but, with temperatures high and the same tyre compound range as in Jeddah, we have plenty of learnings we can take into this weekend. We are therefore hopeful of a more competitive showing.

Miami is an iconic city and the whole event has become one of the set-piece races on the calendar. This year, we have several exciting activations including film premieres, technology forums, partner events, our own trackside hospitality offering and more, as we celebrate the roots of both Miami and the team. We will have a different look as part of that campaign this week as we drop our first special edition adidas collaboration. We are also looking forward to seeing Doriane on track in a bespoke Miami livery as part of F1 Academy. It's going to be an action-packed weekend and we hope to make it a highlight of the 2025 season so far, on and off the track.

Fact File: Miami Grand Prix

• This will be the fourth Miami Grand Prix, with the race first appearing on the calendar in 2022.
• The 5.412 km Miami International Autodrome is the 11^th track based in the USA to host a Grand Prix –  Las Vegas became the 12^th when it debuted on the calendar in 2023.
• The track in Miami ranks high in terms of top speeds achieved comparative with other circuits, with only Monza, the Circuit Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico, Baku, and Las Vegas seeing higher top speeds this season. Miami together with Baku are amongst the highest circuits for drag sensitivity.
• After the first edition of the race in 2022, the track was resurfaced with a new aggregate, offering improved grip for the drivers with the aim of increasing overtaking opportunities.
• The Miami International Autodrome is one of nine on the 2025 F1 calendar to run in an anti-clockwise direction.
• Miami hosted the F1 Sprint format for the first time in 2024 and will do so again in 2025.
• F1 ACADEMY and our team junior driver Doriane Pin will again be on the F1 support bill schedule this weekend, as it was in 2024.
• Miami is the only Grand Prix on the current F1 calendar that the Mercedes F1 works team has not won a race at. The team in its current guise (since 2010) has won everywhere else except for the Netherlands, but Juan Manuel Fangio did win the 1955 Dutch Grand Prix for the Silver Arrows.
• 75 different circuit patterns were designed, and 36 simulated, before the final track layout was decided on before the first race in 2022.
• The circuit races around the grounds of the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins NFL team and the Miami Open ATP and WTA tennis tournaments.
• Off track, the team hospitality units within the paddock have been moved on to the pitch inside Hard Rock Stadium. A new Paddock Club building has also been built.

Pope Francis drove himself around the Vatican in a used Renault 4

 

Thanks to Ed for pointing this article out to me!

Pope Francis has made no secret of his efforts to save money and reform the Vatican's finances and now he's found a new way to cut costs.

The Pontiff accepted a gift of a 20-year-old car and drove himself around St. Peter's Square.

The car was a gift from Father Renzo Zocca, who told Italian magazine Famiglia Cristiana he wanted to give the Pope a gift following his effort to create a church for the poor.

"What better than my old Renault 4?" he asked.

Vatican spokesman Rev. Ciro Benedettini said Francis accepted the 1984 Renault 4, and actually did his own driving.

The car, in spotless papal white, has 190,000 miles on its odometer and a manual gearbox.The BBC's David Willey in Rome said the Pope's bodyguards were amazed when he took the keys and drove off.

"The security personnel next to me were very concerned because they understood that he would be tooling around the Vatican in my car," Zocca told Famiglia Cristiana.

"I left some snow chains in the trunk. You never know," he added.

Pope Francis is known for his humble lifestyle and said he used to drive the same car back in his native Argentina.

He's been on a push to convince Vatican priests to save money by skipping expensive limousines.

For decades, popes have used the fortress-like Popemobile, which features a raised seat and panoramic, bullet-proof windows, for public trips outside Rome.

But Francis has already been parking the Popemobile in favor of simpler, open-topped cars.

Preview -- F! Grand Prix RACE IN Saudi Arabia

The fifth race of the 2025 F1 season takes place in Saudi Arabia, the final leg of the triple-header. 

• Toto talks Saudi Arabia
• Fact File: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
• Stat Sheet: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Toto Talks Saudi Arabia

Bahrain was an eventful race. George battled through several failures on his car to take P2 along with his, and the team's, third podium of the season. It was a superb drive from him under significant pressure, aided by the calm troubleshooting input from the team. We are hard at work to understand what caused the issues we had in order to avoid a repeat in the future.

For Kimi, Bahrain was an important part of the learning curve. He showed through the weekend that he had the pace to challenge for the top-five. He found himself out of position on the opening lap though and, as he fought back in the opening two stints, his tyres suffered. Switching to a different strategy, he was then unfortunate with the timing of the Safety Car and our choices didn’t give him the chance to fight back to the points.

It has been easy to forget that Kimi is in the very earliest stages of his F1 career given his performances so far. Bahrain will prove an important milestone in his continued development.

We now head to Saudi Arabia for the final race in this triple-header. Although we were encouraged by our performance in Bahrain, Jeddah poses a different challenge. We go from a rear-limited track to one that is more front-limited, with several high and medium-speed sections. It would be foolish to try and predict the likely order but we will be aiming to fight for the podium once again.

Another driver aiming to do similar will be our F1 Academy racer, Doriane (Pin). It’s round two of the championship and we will be supporting her trackside as she bids to increase her points lead.

Fact File: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

• The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is held on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, located in a waterfront area next to the Red Sea.
• The location presents similar challenges to Abu Dhabi with sand blowing onto the track and changes in wind direction from day to night.
• The Jeddah Corniche Circuit has the most corners of any track on the F1 calendar with 27: 16 left and 11 right.
• The pit lane in Jeddah is the fourth longest on the F1 calendar, but the time spent in the pit lane is the second shortest of the year at 15 seconds.
• It is also the third-longest track we visit at 6.174km. Only Las Vegas and Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium are longer.
• Turn 13 has a 12% gradient, with banked corners opening up more lines and helping to build momentum onto the next sweeping, high-speed section.
• Turn 2 is the slowest corner on the circuit, taken around 80 km/h, whilst the quickest are Turns 20, 21, and 26 which are taken at 300 km/h.
• Owing to its nature as a street circuit, Jeddah has a high risk of incidents leading to Safety Cars. Across the four races in Saudi Arabia to date there have been five full Safety Car periods, and two red flags.
• Drivers will spend around 70% of their lap time at full throttle around the Corniche. Only Melbourne and Monza record a higher figure than that.
• Jeddah has the fourth-shortest pit lane on the calendar, and drivers will only lose 15 seconds by making a pit stop, the third-shortest loss of the season.
• The run down from pole position to the first braking point is the fourth-shortest of the season. Only Belgium, Baku and Las Vegas are shorter.
• Mercedes won the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021 with Lewis Hamilton. First held in December as the penultimate race, the event has taken residence in the early portion of the season ever since.
• In 2024, Jeddah hosted the first round of the all-female F1 ACADEMY series – which officially joined the F1 support bill full-time that season. It will host the second round of the championship in 2025.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing sports car “722”

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing sports car (W 196 S) with number 722 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Legend Room 7: Silver Arrows – Races and Records. Close-up of the dashboard with labelling of the display and control elements.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing sports car (W 196 S) with number 722 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Legend Room 7: Silver Arrows – Races and Records. Close-up of the dashboard with the central rev counter and other elements. Photo: Thomas Niedermüller. (Photo index number in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: D851163)

Mille Miglia (Brescia/Italy), 1 May 1955. Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson, the eventual overall winners, on the starting ramp in the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing car (W 196 S) with number 722. (Photo index number in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: R314)An imposing number: The “722” stands out immediately. The large, red number shines on the front, sides and rear of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing sports car at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. This is one of the brand’s most famous racing cars – the Silver Arrow with which Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson won the Mille Miglia 70 years ago. What a successful racing début for the 300 SLR! The number stands for 7:22 am. That was the set time for the British team to leave the starting line on 1 May 1955. It was the beginning of an epic 1,000-mile road race from Brescia to Rome and back.

Made for the road: A Silver Arrow with indicators and lights, number plate and country identifier? The equipment of the 300 SLR in the racing curve in Legend Room 7 seems unusual for a motorsport vehicle. The dashboard even looks almost like something from a 1950s passenger car. But this is deceptive: the racing sports car was a thoroughbred competition vehicle based on the W 196 R Formula 1 racing car. Unlike the latter, the 300 SLR had road approval. It was built for long-distance races on public roads closed for this purpose, as well as for competitions on racing circuits.

Workplace: The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR has a large array of controls. For example, a rotary switch to the left of the steering wheel activates the ignition and switches the parking, dipped and main beam headlamps in several stages. The starter button is located directly to its left. The indicator switch is located to the right of the steering wheel. The red control lamps for the indicators and ignition are to the right of the rev counter; the blue lamp for the main beam is to the left. By way of comparison, the W 196 R has just three round gauges and one switch.

Fresh air and sparks: In the 300 SLR, the driver also operates the fresh air flap with a lever at the bottom left of the dashboard, regulates cold starting with the choke on the far right behind the steering wheel, and keeps an eye on the warning indicator for the fuel reserve on the right below the rev counter. And finally, the Scintilla magneto ignition switch is positioned almost level with the front passenger. The choice between the settings 0, 1, 2 and 1+2 determines which magneto is switched on – or whether both work at the same time. The Swiss manufacturer Scintilla (Italian for “spark”) has been majority-owned by Bosch since 1954.

Full focus: The driver has a direct view of the large, centrally positioned Veglia rev counter through the steering wheel. The scale goes up to 11,000 rpm, with the red marker for the optimum engine speed at 7,000 rpm – that is where the three-litre M 196 S in-line eight-cylinder engine produces a continuous output of 203 kW (276 hp). To the left and right of the rev counter are smaller gauges for oil pressure and coolant temperature. The only thing the racing car lacks is a speedometer, because the motto is always this: drive as fast as the technology and route allow.

Three or four spokes: The perfection of Mercedes-Benz even allowed racing drivers to choose the steering wheel. 70 years ago, Stirling Moss opted for a three-spoke steering wheel in order to always have an optimum view of the instruments. Immediately after winning the Mille Miglia, the British racing driver was given the steering wheel as a souvenir. Instead, the mechanics fitted the four-spoke version in his racing sports car in 1955. Today, the 300 SLR “722” is once again equipped with an authentic reproduction of the three-spoke steering wheel. As a matter of honor, Stirling Moss always used his original 1955 steering wheel as a brand ambassador in this car.

Big “D”: The racing sports car has a large “D” on the boot lid. This is a clever detail in its own right: the country identifier for the Federal Republic of Germany can be flipped up and unlocks the hatch. There are two spare wheels underneath. For all the car’s roadworthiness, a rear silencer has been dispensed with and two open tailpipes trumpet their message on the right side of the vehicle. That is why there is no door there. Only the driver can get in and out more easily on the left with the help of a low, upswinging flap.

Just like in the saddle: A look inside the roadster reveals the unusual layout of the pedals. The accelerator and brake pedals are located to the right of the wide transmission tunnel, while the clutch is operated on the left. The upholstery of the bucket seat is covered in chequered blue gabardine fabric, also familiar from the 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198). The side bolsters are covered with blue leather. In the transmission tunnel, the drive shaft rotates at up to 7,800 rpm and transmits the power of the eight-cylinder engine to the transmission on the rear axle.

Aerodynamic: The body of the 300 SLR is aerodynamically optimised. This also includes the two streamlined shrouds behind the head restraints. These can be folded up with a quick-release fastener. The one on the driver’s side exposes the fuel filler cap. A plastic windscreen protects the crew of the 300 SLR from the powerful airstream in the open-top racing car. In 1955, the material allowed for a frameless construction with a strong curvature, especially at the sides.

Full speed ahead with the pacenotes: Owing to the special pedal layout, the driver’s seat widens towards the front. The co-driver therefore has to make do with a narrower and lower bucket seat. Nevertheless, it is essential that the co-driver has a good view of the route. The navigation by co-driver Denis Jenkinson was a major factor in the victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia. The British motoring journalist read the details of the route out to Stirling Moss from a roll of paper held in a sturdy metal case screwed to the dashboard. An authentic reproduction of these pacenotes is on display in front of the racing curve as part of the Mercedes-Benz Museum’s “33 Extras” series.

At the limit: The British star racing driver got the utmost out of the 300 SLR in the 1955 Mille Miglia. Whether on narrow mountain passes, through towns or on long, flat straights, thanks to the navigating Jenkinson, he always drove at the limit. After 10:07:48 hours for the 1,600 kilometres and with a sensational average speed of 157.6 km/h, the two crossed the finishing line. “Almost 100 mph!” A magic number that Moss never forgot. The outstanding speed ensured a spectacular victory and the best time ever achieved at the Mille Miglia. Juan Manuel Fangio in second place in the overall rating completed the double triumph for Mercedes-Benz.

Car autograph: “We did it together – my thanks and affection”. Sir Stirling Moss wrote this dedication and signed his name on the silver paint of the bonnet directly in front of the driver’s seat on 19 May 2005, 50 years after his legendary victory. “The 300 SLR was the finest car ever built”, he said in 2015 about the vehicle, adding, “To drive this Mercedes was fantastic!” The racing driver’s life was inextricably linked with the 300 SLR. When he passed away on 12 April 2020 at the age of 90, Mercedes-Benz Classic honoured him with, among other things, the short film “The Last Blast”. It shows a unique drive of the “722” through London, the home of the great Mercedes-Benz racing driver and long-standing brand ambassador of Mercedes-Benz Classic. Link: https://media.mercedes-benz.com/article/0c4a0a8f-bb46-43f7-b578-fa5827b921a1/(lightbox:video/1db0357c-347e-4c0a-bf8b-231cab8b68c5)

Successful season 70 years ago: 1955 was the most successful motorsport season until then for Mercedes-Benz. After a dramatic finale in the Targa Florio in October, the 300 SLR (W 196 S) won the World Sportscar Championship for the brand. Fangio won his second Formula 1 World Championship in a row with the Silver Arrow W 196 R. 1955 also saw the serious accident at Le Mans with 83 fatalities, among them Mercedes-Benz works driver Pierre Levegh. However, the tragedy was not the decisive factor in the brand’s withdrawal from racing at the end of the 1955 season. The decision had been made beforehand because, from 1956 on, the company wanted to concentrate entirely on the development of new production vehicles. The 300 SLR enjoyed just one brilliant year on the racetrack.