Oscar Piastri's manager, Mark Webber, has called on the young Australian to "find the strength to fight back" following a recent dip in performance that has seen him fall 24 points behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris in the F1 championship. Webber emphasizes the need for Piastri to tap into his inner drive after a challenging period, including incidents at the Brazilian Grand Prix, as he aims to regain momentum for the final races of the season.
A French court is poised to rule on December 3 in a legal challenge against the FIA's presidential election process. Candidate Laura Villars initiated the proceedings, alleging difficulties in forming her presidential list due to restrictive rules, particularly concerning regional vice-president nominations. This case could significantly impact the upcoming election and the path for current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to secure a second term.
Willi Weber, Michael Schumacher's former manager, sees striking similarities between Max Verstappen and Schumacher, highlighting their shared dedication and relentless pursuit of success. Verstappen's recent dominant performance in Brazil, overcoming a pit lane start to finish third, exemplifies his instinctual genius and championship mindset, drawing awe and concern from competitors. Weber, who has known the Verstappen family for decades, notes that while their driving styles differ—Verstappen being more instinctual and Schumacher more calculated—both drivers share an unwavering commitment to the sport, sacrificing personal glamour for athletic achievement.
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff reveals Kimi Antonelli's strong performances on unfamiliar tracks stem from reduced pressure and lower expectations, allowing him to focus purely on driving. Antonelli's recent Interlagos podium against Max Verstappen, alongside successes in Canada and Miami, highlight this trend. Wolff emphasizes managing expectations while confident in Antonelli's long-term potential with Mercedes.
Following Ferrari chairman John Elkann's call for drivers to "talk less and focus on driving," Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have publicly reaffirmed their commitment and emphasized team unity. The drivers' responses come after Ferrari's disappointing double DNF in Sao Paulo, which saw them drop to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, intensifying pressure to perform in the final races of the 2025 season and avoid their first winless year since 2021.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur lamented a "tough Sunday" and a "very harsh" outcome at the São Paulo Grand Prix after Charles Leclerc was an unwitting victim in a collision that led to his retirement. Coupled with Lewis Hamilton's DNF, Ferrari suffered their second double retirement of the season, causing them to slip to fourth in the constructors' championship. Vasseur emphasized the significant 'double penalty' of losing crucial points in the ongoing championship battle.
Ferrari chairman John Elkann publicly criticized his F1 drivers for "talking too much," prompting a swift and defiant response from Lewis Hamilton on Instagram. This public spat, following a disastrous São Paulo weekend, reveals deep tensions within the team. While Elkann aims for accountability, a veteran Ferrari insider lambasted his remarks, suggesting the core issues lie beyond the drivers. This friction could either motivate or further destabilize Ferrari's quest for F1 glory.
McLaren is shaking up its Driver Development Programme, announcing the departure of junior drivers Ugo Ugochukwu, Martinius Stenshorne, and Brando Badoer. Simultaneously, the team welcomes 18-year-old Matteo De Palo, a runner-up in the 2025 Formula Regional European Championship. This overhaul reflects McLaren's rigorous approach to cultivating future F1 talent, emphasizing performance and strategic alignment within its pipeline.
Ferrari chairman John Elkann criticized Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, telling them to "talk less" and "focus" on driving after a challenging season and a disastrous Brazilian Grand Prix. Both drivers quickly responded on social media, with Hamilton vowing not to give up and Leclerc emphasizing the importance of unity to turn the team's situation around in the fight for second place in the Constructors' Championship.
Lewis Hamilton issued a defiant message after a challenging Brazilian Grand Prix, stating he "will not give up" despite a disappointing weekend for Ferrari. The seven-time world champion's resolve comes as Ferrari struggles for points, impacting their constructors' championship standing, with President Elkann calling Brazil "a huge disappointment." Hamilton's commitment aims to rally the team for the remaining races.
Ferrari President John Elkann's public criticism of drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, suggesting they 'talk less' and questioning team performance, has stirred controversy. Experts argue this intervention risks destabilizing the team, demotivating key drivers like Leclerc who have overperformed, and highlights a return to problematic internal politics that have hampered Ferrari historically. The comments are seen as a misdirected focus from underlying technical issues, potentially creating more friction than unity.
Max Verstappen delivered a "sensational" performance at the São Paulo Grand Prix, recovering from a pit lane start to finish third. Red Bull's bold decision to overhaul the car's setup and fit a new power unit after a disappointing sprint race proved pivotal, bringing the car "alive" and enabling Verstappen's remarkable comeback, a drive hailed as one of his best.
