F1 News Roundup: Piastri's Role, Bono's Penalty Slam, Hamilton's Future, and Vettel's Hint
Today's F1 news features Oscar Piastri's potential role as McLaren's second driver after their Las Vegas disqualification, and Mercedes engineer Peter Bonnington's strong criticism of a "complete BS" penalty. Ross Brawn discussed Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari future tied to 2026 rules, while Sebastian Vettel hinted at a racing comeback after testing a Porsche hypercar. Red Bull also playfully mocked McLaren's double DSQ.
Wednesday's F1 news saw a new concern for Oscar Piastri after McLaren's recent double disqualification, with Mercedes race engineer Peter Bonnington criticizing a "complete BS" penalty. Meanwhile, Ross Brawn weighed in on Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari move, and Sebastian Vettel offered a clue about his future plans.
Why it matters:
The recent developments could significantly impact team dynamics and future strategies across multiple F1 contenders. McLaren's situation with Piastri and Norris might dictate their approach for the rest of the season, while Bonnington's strong comments highlight ongoing tensions with stewards. Hamilton's future at Ferrari remains a hot topic, especially with new regulations on the horizon, and Vettel's potential return adds intrigue to the driver market.
The Details:
- Piastri's Potential Wingman Role: Following McLaren's double disqualification at the Las Vegas Grand Prix for excessive skid-block wear, Oscar Piastri now trails teammate Lando Norris by 24 points and is level with Max Verstappen in third. This situation could lead McLaren to prioritize Norris in the final two races of the 2025 season, potentially cementing Piastri's role as a number two driver.
- Bono Slams Mercedes Penalty: Untelevised team radio from the Las Vegas Grand Prix revealed Mercedes race engineer Peter Bonnington's strong reaction to Andrea Kimi Antonelli's five-second penalty for a false start. Bonnington, known as Lewis Hamilton's race engineer, called the penalty "complete BS" after Antonelli still managed to finish third post-disqualifications.
- Ross Brawn on Hamilton's Ferrari Move: Legendary technical director Ross Brawn expressed confidence in Lewis Hamilton overcoming his current struggles. However, Brawn emphasized that the new F1 2026 regulations will be crucial for Hamilton's success at Ferrari, drawing parallels to his instrumental role in Michael Schumacher's Ferrari triumphs and signing Hamilton for Mercedes.
- Vettel's Racing Return Hint: Sebastian Vettel has not ruled out a future return to racing, confirming discussions with Porsche after testing their hypercar earlier in 2024. This fuels speculation about the four-time world champion's competitive future following his retirement from F1 at the end of the 2022 season.
- Red Bull's Taunt to McLaren: Red Bull's official sim racing team's Instagram account playfully mocked McLaren's double disqualification in Las Vegas. They offered "friendly advice" to their rivals regarding skid-block wear, escalating the ongoing rivalry between the two teams.
The big picture:
The F1 landscape is constantly shifting, with team strategies, driver roles, regulatory impacts, and potential comebacks all playing a part. McLaren's in-house battle, the ongoing scrutiny of FIA decisions, the long-term prospects of a seven-time champion at a new team, and the potential return of a four-time champion collectively paint a dynamic and exciting future for the sport, with 2026 regulations looming large as a critical inflection point.
What's next:
McLaren's team orders, if implemented, will be a critical storyline in the remaining races of the 2025 season. The FIA's response to criticism regarding penalties will also be watched closely. As for Hamilton and Vettel, their respective journeys, one to a new team and the other a potential return, will dominate headlines, particularly as the 2026 rule changes approach, which Brawn sees as pivotal for Hamilton's success.