Lewis Hamilton unveiled an ultra-rare 1/1 Ferrari trading card by Topps, featuring his signature and 'Still We Rise.' This premium collectible from the Topps Dynasty line highlights the booming F1 memorabilia market. With Hamilton's record-breaking card sales and his impending move to Ferrari in 2025, this release amplifies excitement for his future with the Scuderia, symbolizing the growing commercial impact of F1 stars and their iconic team transitions.
Las Vegas is under a severe weather warning ahead of its F1 Grand Prix, while Red Bull has revealed Max Verstappen's feelings on their 2026 power unit project. Mercedes' Toto Wolff has issued a strict no-distraction policy, and Ferrari plans a special anniversary tribute at the Las Vegas GP. Porsche also confirmed a second factory team for Formula E's Gen4 era.
Lewis Hamilton has unveiled a spectacular diamond-encrusted helmet for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, a dazzling one-off design embracing the city's glitz. This move highlights F1's commitment to spectacle and entertainment in the U.S. market, with Hamilton's unique lid set to be a major talking point, perfectly aligning with Las Vegas's opulent image.
F1 insider Leo Turrini reports that teams are actively courting Charles Leclerc, with Aston Martin showing significant interest, as Ferrari's ongoing struggles test his loyalty. With the 2026 regulation changes approaching, the driver market is expected to undergo a major reshuffle, and Leclerc is a prime target for teams seeking a championship-caliber driver. His manager, Nicolas Todt, confirms top drivers are waiting to see car performance before committing, putting pressure on Ferrari to deliver a winning package.
Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko comments on the team's leadership transition, stating that both Christian Horner and Laurent Mekies have brought their own merits to the role of team principal. With Red Bull returning to winning ways, Marko describes the current atmosphere in Milton Keynes as being "like the old days," attributing the turnaround partly to the significant influence of Max Verstappen and Laurent Mekies's collaborative engineering approach.
Jenson Button believes Lewis Hamilton is nearing a significant breakthrough with Ferrari, despite a challenging debut season. Recent races show Hamilton's qualifying and race pace improving, narrowing the gap to teammate Charles Leclerc. With only three chances left to secure a podium and extend his career record, Button suggests Hamilton is adapting to the unique Ferrari car, signaling a potential strong finish to the season and momentum for the future.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko compared junior driver Isack Hadjar to Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, citing his exceptional ability to quickly adapt to new circuits. This high praise comes as Red Bull deliberates its 2026 driver lineup. With other contenders facing challenges, Hadjar's strong performances and Marko's endorsement position him as a prime candidate for a senior team promotion, hinting at a significant future role in Formula 1.
Nico Hulkenberg is urging realism for Audi's highly anticipated F1 entry in 2026, despite acknowledging the massive increase in attention and expectations. The veteran driver emphasizes that while it's a huge opportunity, winning races from day one is unlikely due to the significant advantages held by top teams. He believes his vast experience will be crucial in helping Audi fast-track its learning curve, focusing on a long-term development journey.
F1 fans have strongly refuted McLaren CEO Zak Brown's labeling of Max Verstappen as a "bruiser" and his driving as "arrogant." As Verstappen closes in on another title, Brown's comments sparked a fan poll, where the overwhelming majority disagreed, highlighting a split in perception regarding Verstappen's aggressive yet highly successful racing style.
Max Verstappen is contemplating designing his next house to incorporate a significantly larger and more advanced racing simulator, inspired by Red Bull's professional rig. The four-time F1 champion views simulator work as crucial for performance, using it for extensive setup correlation and race drills. This ambition highlights his deep commitment to virtual racing, which he believes directly enhances his real-world driving skills and has even influenced motorsport licensing criteria.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend faces mixed weather, with a notable threat of rain during Thursday's practice sessions, following recent floods in the city. Conditions are expected to stabilize by Friday, leading to a clear and dry track for qualifying and Saturday's main race. Teams must quickly adapt to potential early wet conditions before the anticipated dry and cool race night under the Las Vegas lights.
The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix will challenge drivers with significantly colder night-time temperatures, contrasting sharply with recent hot and humid races. Forecasts indicate potential rain for Thursday's FP2 session and cool conditions throughout the weekend, with race day expected to be dry and clear. Managing tire performance and car setup in the cold will be critical for teams aiming for success on this unique street circuit.
