Angus Cloud's unlikely journey from waiter to celebrated actor
There's a viral video of actor Angus Cloud that almost went unnoticed.
2023-08-02 00:57
Dark Mode Is (Finally) Coming to Microsoft Paint on Windows 11
Microsoft is officially testing a dark mode for Paint in Windows 11, nearly two years
2023-06-06 00:47
'Quordle' today: Here are the answers and hints for August 7
If Quordle is a little too challenging today, you've come to the right place for
2023-08-07 07:16
Snag a refurbished Kindle Oasis for $130 off before Prime Day
Save $130: As of October 9, a refurbished 8 GB Kindle Oasis (Lockscreen Ad-Supported) is
2023-10-09 22:47
Lululemon Just Launched Its First “Bodywear” Collection – & It’s So Soft
Lululemon has done it again: Just when we thought that the minds behind the brand couldn’t dream up softer, more sumptuous activewear and lounge pieces, they’ve come out with an inaugural bodywear collection called Wundermost.
2023-10-27 05:55
Gwyneth Paltrow gives ex-fiance Brad Pitt's skincare line her seal of approval
Gwyneth Paltrow has tried and tested Brad Pitt's Le Domaine Skincare line and given her verdict.
2023-10-02 18:16
The Rome EDITION Redefines Luxury in the Eternal City
ROME--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 5, 2023--
2023-07-05 17:26
Twitter's Advertiser Exodus Could Cost The Company $75 Million
If advertisers continue to pause their spending on Twitter/X, the company might lose up to
2023-11-26 01:19
Inspired by Schumacher, meet the Hong Kong billionaire targeting a new Formula 1 team
While Formula 1 may be struggling to invigorate the spectacle of racing amid another anticipated year of Red Bull dominance, one area it is not struggling in is the off-track coffers. With more races than ever before, and the bumper profits that go with it, an inevitable side-effect is wandering eyes from afar. The sport’s governing body, the FIA, has thus opened an “expressions of interest” process in January for new potential teams to join the current 10-team grid, perhaps as soon as 2025. Enter Calvin Lo: a Hong Kong-based billionaire. CEO of R.E. Lee International, the world’s largest life insurance broker, the 45-year-old has been “hooked” on the sport since glimpsing Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari on TV in the early 2000s. A trip to Shanghai for the first Chinese Grand Prix in 2004 underlined that adoration. But now, spectating from the paddock isn’t enough. “I’m having serious discussions about getting involved right now,” he tells The Independent, from an office in Singapore, with all the paperwork lying in front of him. “There’s actually quite a few proposals in front of me right now to see how I can participate. “F1 needs more teams. There’s too many talents in motorsport to not have more teams. But when I go through it, it is highly aspirational and absolutely, very ambitious. Still, I’d loved to be involved financially.” But not at the cost of his reputation. Financial prudence and sustainability are at the forefront of his thinking, with the extended FIA deadline for applications closing on Sunday. The entrance fee for any new team is $200m, shared by all the current teams. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has previously remarked that $1bn is realistically required to fight at the front, a figure Lo agrees is “fair” given the basic costs of recruitment and car development. “I won’t get myself into that vicious cycle where I can’t hit those financial markers,” he says, adamantly. “Putting money into the team is not the difficult part. It’s making sure it’s sustainable; otherwise it’s embarrassing for everyone. It’s very intricate, even with an established group of people, with all the sponsorship and the detail. “But there’s so much potential in this part of the world – it’d be so advantageous to the Asian community and to the F1 ecosystem.” Audi have already confirmed their entry in 2026, taking over from Alfa Romeo (Sauber), while American giant Ford has partnered with Red Bull for the world champions’ new powertrains division. While Lo was tight-lipped about naming potential partnerships, he did emphasise his eagerness to join forces with a new team via the current FIA process. Confirmed bids from Andretti Cadillac, as well as a mooted submission from junior formula outfit Hitech GP, were ruled out. An association with Panthera Team Asia, therefore, seems most probable at this point. Lo also has a financial link with Williams’ F1 team, who were bought by private investment firm Dorilton Capital nearly three years ago, but non-disclosure agreements preclude him from elaborating further. He was insistent, however, that any new team would not present a conflict of interest. Instead, his new venture, likely based out of Asia, would be his primary focus. The continent is a “huge untapped market” for the sport, in Lo’s view, amid the Americanisation of the sport witnessed at the weekend in Miami. An academy for drivers and academics alike is also a target. “To truly make F1 global, we cannot forget this part of the world,” he says. “There are races, but the penetration is not high and it’s wasted. “I would love to have an Asian team with a base in the Pearl River Delta [the wealthiest region in south China]. The initial few seasons would be tough but it’s important for the sport to have more exposure and commitment here. “It’d be great to have an academy here. Recruiting talents not just for F1, but aeronautics and legal avenues. For young people to be exposed to this kind of world, it could change someone’s life. “With [F1’s new regulations in] 2026 and the net-zero target of 2030, now is the perfect time to be involved behind the scenes.” Working in the shadows is just how Lo operates. Widely publicised as the “secretive” or “under-the-radar” billionaire – who has a net worth of $1.7bn (£1.3bn) according to Forbes – he covets privacy, despite a lucrative lifestyle which includes owning a suite of supercars and a collection of tip-top champagne, with a single batch costing $230m. “If I go into F1, you won’t see me,” he reveals. “It’s not my style. It’s also partly to do with my main business and working with clients. “In my view, the wealthier you are… you don’t go out and flaunt it. Well some do, most don’t!” McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes there will be at least four prospective teams interested in joining the sport, while F1’s regulations cater for only two more spots. Lo has been included in an initial application to play a financial role – even if he won’t be the face of said new team – and the FIA intends on making a decision about which teams will be granted a shot at the big time by the end of June. “By 2026, it will be a different world we live in and it’d be pretty amazing to be part of that change,” he concludes. “It’s now about looking at all the plans and making a decision truly from a financial point of view. “The skeleton is already there. It’s now just getting everyone to commit themselves.” Read More FIA formally opens applications for new teams to join F1 grid Andretti joins forces with General Motors to target Formula 1 entry FIA boss ‘surprised’ at ‘adverse reaction’ to Andretti’s F1 bid with Cadillac Aussie billionaire David Dicker enters race for new team to join F1 grid Ford to rejoin Formula 1 as engine partner for Red Bull from 2026
2023-05-12 15:18
Looking back on John Waters's 'Pecker' on its 25th anniversary
The legend and icon John Waters, a mustachioed Maryland man who talked the drag queen
2023-09-22 17:23
X lowers the eligibility requirements for creator monetization
Elon Musk really wants users to sign up for X Premium, the $8-per-month subscription service
2023-08-12 04:50
Watch: Carlos Sainz runs over loose drain cover on Las Vegas track as practice session turns to chaos
F1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix began in disastrous fashion as the first practice session on Thursday night (16 November) was abandoned due to a loose manhole cover. The session had only been going for eight minutes when Carlos Sainz’s car rolled to a stop on the Sin City strip, having suffered substantial floor damage. Onboard footage shows the moment his Ferrari, driving at speeds of over 200mph, went over the loose drain cover. Sainz veered to the side and stopped the car after the impact. A red flag was thrown and soon after, stewards announced the session would not resume. Read More Carlos Sainz breaks Netflix Cup trophy during F1 and golf crossover event Jacques Villeneuve becomes first F1 driver to get married in paddock at Las Vegas GP Luis Diaz’s father weeps in stands as his son scores days after release by kidnappers
2023-11-17 17:45
You Might Like...
Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office for Mac or Windows for under £40
Teenager who thought she was pregnant diagnosed with ovarian cancer
Bud Light dethroned as America's top selling beer after 2 decades with LGBTQ+ backlash ongoing
The small but mighty Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth speaker is down to its lowest price ever
Get Windows 11 Pro for only $29.97
Supermodels recreate iconic Vogue cover from 1990
Qatar minister picked to head UN labour conference
'Apple GPT' is already being used by Apple employees, might be used for AppleCare
