Max Verstappen revealed he told Red Bull to 'keep an eye' on Gabriel Bortoleto before his F1 debut, highlighting the young Brazilian's potential. Despite a contract with McLaren, Bortoleto joined Sauber after winning the F2 title, a move that could reshape future team dynamics. Verstappen's endorsement not only boosts Bortoleto's profile but also deepens the champion's connection with Brazilian fans.
Felipe Massa is pressing on with his legal challenge against the FIA, FOM, and Bernie Ecclestone over the 2008 F1 title, which he claims was stolen due to "Crashgate." Seeking $82 million, Massa revealed he told journalists in 2009 that Fernando Alonso allegedly knew about Nelson Piquet Jr.'s deliberate crash. The former Ferrari driver awaits a court decision that could redefine F1 championship history and accountability.
Sergio Perez has completed a highly successful two-day private test at Imola, driving a Ferrari SF-23 as part of Cadillac's preparations for their 2026 Formula 1 entry. The Mexican driver, sidelined for a year, reportedly showed impressive pace without pushing, with Cadillac team boss Graeme Lowdon stating, "He wasn't even pushing." This test highlights the growing partnership between Cadillac and Ferrari and signals Cadillac's serious intent for their F1 debut.
Oscar Piastri's F1 title bid is fading due to a performance slump compared to teammate Lando Norris. Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve advises Piastri to "personalize" the McLaren car, mirroring Norris's approach, to regain his competitive edge. Piastri acknowledges his struggles but maintains optimism, believing he can find consistency amidst current challenges.
Today's top F1 news includes George Russell proposing a 'magical' solution as a GPDA director, Max Verstappen's Nordschleife win prompting a rule change, Fernando Alonso questioning F1's 2026 overhaul, and Jacques Villeneuve warning Ferrari after driver criticism. These stories highlight ongoing debates and strategic shifts in Formula 1.
F1 pundit Davide Valsecchi is concerned about Ferrari's long-term strategy with Lewis Hamilton, stating that Charles Leclerc has 'destroyed' the seven-time world champion this season in qualifying and races. Valsecchi believes Hamilton's age and current performance, following struggles against George Russell, make him a risky choice to build Ferrari's future around, while Leclerc remains the team's 'rock solid' asset.
Sergio Perez secretly completed his first F1 test in nearly a year, driving a two-year-old Ferrari at Imola. This unique arrangement facilitated Cadillac's F1 team, which Perez will join in 2026, to gain crucial operational experience and train staff alongside Ferrari, their future power unit supplier. The covert test, run with an all-black car and unbranded gear, focused on familiarizing the team with F1 procedures, marking a significant step in Cadillac's preparations.
Austrian broadcaster ORF has apologized after former F1 boss Franz Tost called Gabriel Bortoleto's mother 'stupid' during the Brazilian Grand Prix broadcast, following her son's crash. The remarks drew significant backlash, prompting ORF to promise measures to prevent future incidents. This comes amidst other unsportsmanlike conduct controversies within F1, highlighting a need for greater professionalism.
Ralf Schumacher suggests Ferrari chairman John Elkann's recent comments expose internal turmoil, indicating a 'fire under the roof' at the F1 team. Schumacher believes Elkann's remarks are a deliberate response to high expectations and pressures, particularly concerning Lewis Hamilton's expensive signing and subsequent performance. He urges Charles Leclerc to consider alternative options and even suggests Hamilton should be replaced by Oliver Bearman due to underperformance and cost.
Pirelli's highly durable F1 tyres are making races too predictable, with calls for a mandatory two-stop strategy to inject more drama and strategic complexity. Current compounds allow for excessively long stints, reducing on-track action and diminishing the excitement of tyre management. While a recent mandatory two-stop experiment in Monaco had mixed results, implementing such a rule long-term could reinvigorate F1 by forcing diverse strategies and making degradation a more critical factor.
Fernando Alonso, a seasoned Formula 1 driver, has expressed significant reservations about the 2026 regulations, specifically concerning how the radical changes, including active aerodynamics and increased battery power, will affect overtaking. He fears that the new rules might inadvertently discourage drivers from attempting passes due to complex energy management and the ability for both leading and following cars to use similar aerodynamic aids, potentially diminishing the on-track spectacle.
Ferrari has launched an exclusive Las Vegas Grand Prix merchandise collection, featuring current driver Charles Leclerc and future signing Lewis Hamilton. The high-end range, including a £99 T-shirt and £540 sneakers, is a collaboration with Puma and Ray-Ban, strategically leveraging driver star power to engage fans and generate revenue while building anticipation for the 2025 season and Ferrari's performance at the upcoming Vegas GP.
