Mattia Binotto acknowledges "tense moments" within the Audi F1 project as they prepare for their 2026 entry, citing the complex power unit development as a major challenge. Despite Audi's ambition to contend for a world championship by 2030, Binotto emphasizes the long journey ahead, underscoring the demanding nature of building a competitive F1 team from scratch.
NASCAR champion Kyle Larson, known for his bold claim about being a better driver than Max Verstappen, was involved in a spectacular upside-down crash during a USAC Midget race. Leading with five laps left, a late-race contact sent his car flipping. Larson, however, walked away from the incident completely unharmed, maintaining his reputation for versatility and resilience in motorsport.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella explains Oscar Piastri's recent dip in form is due to an "anomalous" streak of low-grip conditions, not a loss of skill. After leading by 34 points, Piastri now trails teammate Lando Norris by 24. Stella highlights the 'weird' and repetitive track characteristics that expose similar weaknesses, along with a confidence blow from a team order, as key factors. Despite setbacks, Piastri remains optimistic, noting flashes of strong pace, as McLaren works to optimize the car and overcome these challenges.
Sergio Perez, after an 11-month break and a challenging exit from Red Bull, is set to return to Formula 1 with the new Cadillac team. He revealed that his final months at Red Bull were marked by demotivation, but his forced hiatus helped him rediscover his passion for the sport. Fresh off a test run in a Ferrari SF-23, Perez is now fully reinvigorated and sees his multi-year agreement with Cadillac as his final, significant project in F1, aiming to make a strong impact from the outset.
1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill revealed he rejected a Ferrari offer to partner Michael Schumacher, explicitly told he would be 'number two.' Hill's decision, driven by his core principle of always having the best chance to win, prevented a fascinating rivalry from playing out within the same team. This sheds light on the intense dynamics and career choices at the sport's pinnacle.
Kimi Antonelli's standout performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix, securing two second-place finishes and outperforming teammate George Russell, has reignited the promise surrounding the young driver. After a challenging mid-season, Antonelli's resilience and ability to fend off Max Verstappen have drawn praise from Toto Wolff, signaling his potential to become the F1 star Mercedes has been anticipating, especially as he prepares to fill Lewis Hamilton's shoes in 2026.
Max Verstappen candidly assessed Red Bull's 2024 F1 season, stating they 'haven't been good enough' to secure the drivers' championship. Despite a late-season resurgence with upgrades and new leadership, a significant early-season points deficit to Lando Norris has left him 49 points behind, making a fifth title highly improbable. Verstappen acknowledges the team's ongoing efforts to win races, despite the championship outcome.
Lewis Hamilton and other F1 stars are reportedly earning millions from millions of fake Instagram followers. A new analysis reveals Hamilton pockets nearly £28,000 per sponsored post from his bot army, highlighting significant issues with social media authenticity and its impact on sports marketing.
Audi is entering Formula 1 with a clear, patient, and purpose-driven strategy, aiming for championship glory by 2030. Recognizing the immense challenge, the German manufacturer is investing heavily in developing its own power unit and transforming the Sauber operation into a top-tier factory team. Unlike past newcomers, Audi's board fully supports this long-term vision, understanding that success in F1 requires a phased approach of growth, consolidation, and relentless innovation.
Sebastian Vettel has launched his new environmental project, 'F1FOREST,' encouraging F1 drivers, fans, and communities to draw trees and share their significance. Inspired by the Amazon rainforest, the initiative aims to create a collective 'forest' of drawings to raise awareness and foster environmental action, leveraging the F1 platform for global engagement and conservation efforts.
Lewis Hamilton is vocally defending Formula 1's emerging young drivers, including Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman, from criticism by 'older guys' whom he suggests lacked significant achievements. Drawing on his own F1 debut experience, Hamilton highlighted the immense pressure from complex cars, social media, and media scrutiny that today's rookies face. He pledged long-term support for the youth, urging them to keep their heads down and praised Franco Colapinto as a rising star, emphasizing the need for positive encouragement over unearned negativity.
Formula 1 fans largely doubt Ferrari's ability to recover second place in the Constructors' Championship after a dismal Brazilian Grand Prix. Following a double DNF, the Scuderia dropped from second to fourth, now trailing Mercedes and Red Bull by significant margins. Only 13% of fans believe Ferrari can bridge the gap in the final three races, highlighting widespread skepticism about their season recovery.
