Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas remains optimistic about his future in Formula 1 beyond the conclusion of his current contract at the end of this season. Having joined the team during its Alfa Romeo phase in 2022, Bottas is eyeing a continuation with the squad as it transitions into the Audi works team for the 2026 season following the impending buyout. However, recent developments have brought uncertainty to Bottas’s plans. The team recently announced the signing of Nico Hulkenberg from Haas on a multi-year deal for the upcoming season, leaving only one seat available for Bottas to pursue. Desp ..read more

There are growing concerns regarding Lewis Hamilton’s experimentation with his car’s set-up and its potential ramifications for Mercedes’ long-term development. Hamilton’s recent performance at the F1 Chinese Grand Prix has sparked discussions about his approach. Despite displaying prowess in sprint qualifying and the sprint race, Hamilton’s decision to alter the set-up of his W15 prior to the main event proved detrimental. This move, he claimed, led to an error that compromised his qualifying session, relegating him to an 18th-place start. Despite a commendable recovery to finish in 9th posit ..read more

Helmut Marko has affirmed that Daniel Ricciardo must be “clearly faster” than Yuki Tsunoda if he wishes to be considered for a return to Red Bull next season. Marko acknowledged, “that hasn’t been the case so far.” Ricciardo faced challenges in the early races in matching Tsunoda’s pace. Despite demonstrating improvements following a chassis alteration in China, his retirement, due to being punted off by Lance Stroll, has left him without a point this season. In the quest to partner with Max Verstappen next season, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, and current seat holder Sergio Perez are all vying for the ..read more

It’s been suggested that Adrian Newey might part ways with Red Bull, even forfeiting a staggering salary of £10 million annually. Since he arrived from McLaren in 2006, Newey has been a pivotal figure in Red Bull’s success, crafting championship-winning cars for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Red Bull currently reigns as the dominant force in Formula 1, with Verstappen alone securing victory in 48 out of the last 71 races since his inaugural championship-winning season in 2021. Despite sealing a new long-term contract less than a year ago, rumors surfaced this week indicating Newey’s des ..read more

Max Verstappen has reiterated his desire for a serene atmosphere within Red Bull Racing amidst ongoing uncertainties behind the scenes. Despite the team’s off-track turmoil, Verstappen has kicked off his title defense strongly, securing four wins in the first five races of the 2024 Formula 1 season, propelling himself to a 25-point lead over teammate Sergio Perez in the Drivers’ standings. Despite the distractions, Red Bull’s performance on the track has remained formidable. However, questions loom over Verstappen’s future with the team. Following the dismissal of an investigation into Christi ..read more

Sergio Perez finds himself entangled in negotiations with Red Bull Racing, yet he remains determined to stay put. Despite his contractual uncertainties, Perez asserts his unwavering commitment to Formula 1, even if it means departing from the Red Bull stable. As the season progresses, Perez’s contract with Red Bull is approaching its conclusion, prompting discussions with key figures such as Dr. Helmut Marko and team principal Christian Horner regarding potential extensions. Marko has hinted at Perez’s preference for a three-year deal, a proposition that Red Bull seems hesitant to entertain am ..read more

Carlos Sainz is actively seeking a new team in Formula 1, with Audi emerging as a potential destination as they prepare to debut on the grid in 2026. Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has disclosed that Sainz has received a lucrative three-year proposal from Audi, beginning in 2025. Audi’s entry into Formula 1 is set for 2026, marking a significant addition to the grid as they take over the Sauber-operated entity currently known as Stake. The German automaker has wasted no time in bolstering its lineup, recently announcing the signing of Nico Hulkenberg from Haas. Sainz finds himself in need o ..read more

Martin Brundle cautioned that if Adrian Newey were to leave Red Bull and join a rival team, it would pose a significant setback for anyone involved. Brundle emphasized that Newey‘s departure would result in a “double whammy,” allowing the acquiring team to benefit from his intellectual prowess while preventing others from utilizing his talents. Despite having a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2025, Newey’s future with the team has come under speculation. Red Bull reiterated their stance, affirming that they have no knowledge of Newey joining any other team. As the chief technology offi ..read more

Ferrari’s team principal, Frederic Vasseur, has voiced his stance on the proposed adjustments to F1’s points system for the upcoming 2025 season, shedding light on a potential issue while expressing his openness to the modifications. Vasseur has indicated that he is receptive to the proposed changes in the F1 points system, leveraging his insights gained from his tenure with Alfa Romeo to shape his perspective. However, amidst his support for the alterations, he has pinpointed a specific concern that simply extending the points-earning positions would not resolve. The recent gathering of the F ..read more

Toto Wolff, Ola Kallenius, and Sir James Ratcliffe mean business: a meeting with the Verstappen clan is on the agenda. In recent weeks, what was seen at Red Bull was merely an apparent truce, which seemed to reveal its weakness entirely with yesterday’s news of the decision – effectively not strongly denied – by Adrian Newey to leave the team. A departure that could trigger a sensational domino effect, in which several key figures of the world champion team are reportedly negotiating their own exits from the team, disgusted by the handling of the Horner situation. According to F1-Insider, the ..read more