Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has confirmed the sale of a 15% stake to American billionaire George Kurtz, valuing the F1 team at an unprecedented $6 billion. Wolff emphasized that this reflects the team's substantial profitability and robust financial health, not mere optimism. This record-breaking deal highlights Formula 1's soaring commercial appeal and signals its burgeoning status as a top-tier global sports franchise.
Red Bull is fending off McLaren's inquiries into Max Verstappen's controversial engine swap at the Brazilian Grand Prix, with McLaren suggesting the move for performance reasons should fall under F1's cost cap. Red Bull insists its actions are legitimate and within regulations, exposing a regulatory loophole that the FIA acknowledges as a weakness, set to be resolved with new rules in 2026.
Oscar Piastri briefly reposted a controversial quote from Bernie Ecclestone suggesting McLaren favors Lando Norris, reigniting rumors of team favoritism. The incident, quickly deleted, comes as Piastri's performance has dipped relative to Norris, adding fuel to ongoing speculation about internal dynamics at McLaren and the intense scrutiny on F1 team relationships.
Red Bull's chief engineer, Paul Monaghan, has firmly defended the team's decision to change Max Verstappen's power unit in Brazil after McLaren questioned the move with the FIA. Monaghan dismissed McLaren's inquiry as a "hand grenade" tactic, asserting that Red Bull's actions were legitimate and compliant with regulations, despite ambiguity around whether such changes fall under the F1 cost cap. The outcome of the FIA's assessment could set a precedent for future engine management strategies.
Toto Wolff has sold a portion of his Mercedes F1 team shares to American tech billionaire George Kurtz for $300 million, valuing the team at $6 billion. Kurtz, CEO of CrowdStrike and a former Le Mans winner, will also serve as a technology advisor, aiming to leverage F1's growing commercial opportunities, especially in the US. Wolff maintains the team's long-term stability and strategic direction are unchanged.
Felipe Massa's $82 million lawsuit regarding the 2008 F1 title will proceed to trial after a UK court ruling, marking a "tremendous victory" for the former Ferrari driver. While his hopes of being retrospectively crowned champion were dismissed, claims of "unlawful means conspiracy" against F1, the FIA, and Bernie Ecclestone will move forward, making Massa "more confident than ever" in his fight for justice.
Charles Leclerc is optimistic about Ferrari's prospects in Las Vegas, feeling the team is "not in a bad place" after a promising opening day, despite a minor gearbox issue. Following a challenging Brazil GP, Ferrari's strong performance in FP1 and FP2 suggests a significant turnaround, positioning them to compete for pole against Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull. Leclerc remains focused on car improvements, aiming to capitalize on their pace.
The FIA has reassured Formula 1 drivers that the 2026 cars will be less physically demanding, addressing widespread complaints about the current generation's rigidity and low-running setups. Single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis noted that while the new cars will still favor low-running aerodynamics, it will be less aggressive, leading to a "softer overall" setup for better mechanical grip, aiming to alleviate the physical toll on drivers.
The opening day of the Las Vegas Grand Prix faced significant disruptions due to multiple red flags and an unexpected pink Cadillac incident on track, cutting short vital practice time for F1 teams and drivers. These issues on the new street circuit underscored the challenges of a major new event, impacting preparations and raising questions about operational smoothness for this high-profile U.S. race.
Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger has voiced concerns over a potential collision between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as their championship battle intensifies. Berger sees both drivers pushing to the extreme and warns the team must manage the situation to prevent an on-track incident that could jeopardize their title hopes. He tips Norris as the favorite but believes Piastri should not be underestimated.
Max Verstappen faced a challenging start at the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to cold temperatures and a slippery track, affecting tire grip and driver confidence. Despite the Red Bull RB21's usual low-drag strengths, these unique conditions made the initial practice sessions difficult. Verstappen anticipates significant track evolution throughout the weekend, which he believes will be crucial for Red Bull to adapt and unlock performance as he chases his fifth consecutive drivers' title.
Red Bull Racing chief engineer Paul Monaghan confirmed that Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda ran with different car setups at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This deliberate strategy, aimed at optimizing performance for each driver, reflects a meticulous approach that could continue through the season's end, with teams constantly fine-tuning for marginal gains and future development insights.
