Max Verstappen wins third consecutive Formula One world championship
While Max Verstappen may have wrapped up the World Championship with a second-place finish in the sprint race in Qatar last time out, there is plenty to fight for below him with Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez both still battling.
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With five rounds of the season remaining, the gap between Perez and Hamilton currently stands at 30 points with Red Bull hoping that the Mexican can do what he failed to last season and confirm the team’s first-ever one-two finish in the Drivers’ Championship.
Unfortunately for Red Bull, Checo’s recent performances have been extremely concerning. While Verstappen continues to dominate from the front, Perez scored just a single point between the two races in Qatar last weekend.
Hamilton did suffer his first DNF of the season during the Qatar Grand Prix meaning that the gap between the pair didn’t come down much, but that was a clear warning shot to Perez who is hanging on to his Red Bull career.
Don’t miss… Lance Stroll may face FIA punishment because of Qatar Grand Prix controversy[LATEST]
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Hamilton has clear retirement plans after F1
Lewis Hamilton has insisted he has no intention to race in any other motorsports categories when he decides to leave Formula 1.
The 38-year-old recently penned a deal with Mercedes that will take him beyond his 40th birthday to 2025. After he brings the curtain down on his career, Hamilton has said he will race other vehicles – but not competitively.
“I don’t feel the urge to enter other competitions after F1,” he told French TV broadcaster Canal+.
“I love watching races like Le Mans, it looks incredible. I love Moto, I’ve always loved MotoGP. I still do, I’ve got two superbikes. I think I’ll ride motorbikes, but not competitively.
“I’ve got lots of other things to do, I don’t think I’ll be doing any more competitions, at least not as a professional. It takes too much time.”
Red Bull chief Marko responds over Tsunoda link
Helmut Marko has issued a hands-off warning to any F1 team looking to snap up Yuki Tsunoda in the future.
The Japanese driver has been linked with a move away from Red Bull if he does not succeed Sergio Perez at the team for the 2025 season.
Aston Martin are said to be one of the teams interested due to their forthcoming partnership with Honda, but Marko says the team would only allow Tsunoda to leave if they are paid a huge fee.
“Tsunoda is under contract with us,” the Austrian told F1 Insider.
“If Aston Martin were interested in him as early as next year, they would first have to come to an agreement with us.”
Perez insider breaks silence on retirement claim
An insider from Sergio Perez’s camp has spoken out against claims the Red Bull star may retire, describing the reports as ‘a load of nonsense’.
The Mexican has come under increasing scrutiny after some below-par performances in the RB19 this season compared to Max Verstappen.
It was initially thought he would race until 2026 before considering hanging up his racing gloves, but speculation persists he may bow out before then.
However, GPFans claim to have questioned a source close to Perez’s camp, who said reports of an imminent announcement on his retirement were “a load of nonsense”.
Belgian GP ‘extends’ contract
Organisers for the Belgian Grand Prix have reportedly agreed a one-year extension to host the race at Spa-Francorchamps in 2025.
According to Belgian newspaper Le Soir, the race will definitely take place in both 2024 and 2025. Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws claim that Spa may need to alternate with Zandvoort, which could upset Max Verstappen as it is the Dutchman’s home race.
Belgian politician Willy Borsus, the Walloon economy minister, said the government also backs the deal as it brings in “seven euros for every one invested”.
AlphaTauri decide on rebrand for 2024
AlphaTauri CEO Peter Bayer says the team will move ‘closer’ to Red Bull with their rebrand but was tight-lipped on what the name will actually be for 2024.
The Italian-based team are the sister outfit for Red Bull and it seems Bayer is keen for them to edge closer to the team after their previous name was Toro Rosso – wjhich translates to ‘Red Bull’ in Italian.
“Discussions are going very well, unfortunately I cannot disclose yet what the name will be,” said Bayer. “The shareholders have decided on the identity of the team, we will move a bit closer to the Red Bull family.
“It’s an exciting period to see the birth of a Formula 1 team, it’s a unique experience, I’m very happy to live through that.”
Haas reveal home race shake-up
Haas have revealed special driver overalls for the United States Grand Prix next weekend as they prepare for their home race.
F1’s only American team will head into next weekend’s race knowing that the pressure is on to deliver points after rivals Alfa Romeo recorded their first double-points finish of the season in Qatar last time out.
However, there should be something for the home fans to cheer. Haas are expected to bring their B-spec car to the United States Grand Prix.
The design will align Haas more towards a Red Bull design and development trajectory, hopefully giving them the edge in the battle for P8 in the Constructor Championship.
McLaren pioneering new environmental change
McLaren will become the first team on the grid to use recycled carbon fire on their car when they trial this at the United States Grand Prix next weekend.
The scheme is aimed at contributing to McLaren’s target of making their F1 operation net zero by the year 2030.
Speaking about the initiative, McLaren F1 CEO Piers Thynne said: “We’re proud to team up with V Carbon to lead the charge in sustainable materials, running with recycled carbon fibre at the Austin GP. The potential future applications of rCF are hugely exciting.
“V Carbon offers up to 85% of carbon fibre’s original strength, making it strong enough for a variety of applications in F1, and beyond. We will continue to work closely with the FIA, F1 and fellow teams to help accelerate change.”
Name change coming for Aston Martin
Lawrence Stroll has confirmed that Aston Martin will have a new title sponsorship for 2024 with Cognizant staying on board, but not as a title sponsor.
He explained in the aftermath of the announcement: “Through the first phase of their partnership with us, they’ve achieved that – now, lots more people know who Cognizant are and what they do.
“This was always planned as phase two of that relationship – after achieving global brand awareness, they are deepening their partnership with us, they are applying their digital transformation to our business – both on and off the racetrack – and we are now building a deeper, broader relationship with them.
While Stroll didn’t confirm who the new title sponsor of “The new team name will be confirmed in early 2024.”
Vasseur hits out at track limits
Fred Vasseur has called on the FIA to take control of track limits issues after a weekend filled with penalties at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Discussing the need for change, Vasseur said: “I would say that the biggest issue for me of the weekend is track limits.
“Because you know when you are going to Spielberg that you will have issues with track limits, and we had issues with track limits here, and you get the results two hours after the race.
“And when we came before the weekend, we told them exactly the same, that it will be a festival. And it was a festival.”
Verstappen still looking at his performances
Max Verstappen has answered the question of whether or not he prefers to dominate a championship like 2023 or enjoy a tough battle like 2021.
“Yes and no. I mean, yes, to fight different teams,” he told Sky Sports F1. “But on the other hand, I also really challenge myself. I really try to get the best out of myself every single weekend.
“I try to look at things that I can do better and I try to improve as a driver, which I think is also great because you have all this success, right?
“But every single year you learn and you become better as a driver, not necessarily faster, but probably you can handle situations a bit better because of your experience and you learn from your difficult moments, your good moments.”
Ricciardo gives fitness insight
Daniel Ricciardo has given an insight into the fitness required to compete in F1 at the highest level.
“We probably don’t have the biggest muscles in the world because we have to be very lightweight,” Ricciardo said in an interview with OKX.
“I can speak from experience that I’ve jumped out of the car on several occasions, saying, ‘That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.’”
The Australian is currently recovering from a broken metacarpal bone in his hand and is expected to return to the cockpit at the United States Grand Prix next weekend in Texas.
No Alpine engines for Andretti
If Andretti are to step onto the F1 grid in 2026 then it will not be with Alpine as their engine supplier with that option now expired.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Bruno Famin explained: “We had a pre-contract with Andretti, which has expired because they were supposed to be granted an F1 entry before a given date.
“It means right now, if we want to do something with Andretti, we need to negotiate a full contract, a formal contract. So right now, we have absolutely no contract with Andretti.”
“Everybody knows what the situation is. We need something, and we need a decision from F1 before resuming with Andretti.”
Wolff reveals long-term Hamilton replacement
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes that they have the perfect long-term replacement for Lewis Hamilton in Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli.
Discussing the future of his line-up with Gazzetta dello Sport, Wolff Said: “There are fast and interesting drivers, there is no doubt. But we focus on ourselves. And on our future men. Antonelli, for example, is a very talented Italian driver in whom we have invested.
“He won everything in F4, is leading the Formula Regional championship and has shown that he is really strong, fantastic to see. But we don’t want to put too much pressure on him.
“Let’s finish the work for 2023, then we’ll see what to do next year in agreement with his family who is very balanced. Andrea is only 17 years old, we don’t want to burn him, we have to let him become an adult. We need to do everything calmly.”
Marko gives concerning Checo future update
Helmut Marko has claimed that Sergio Perez needs to leave Red Bull if he is to reclaim the best form of his career.
“You mustn’t forget, I brought him to the team back then. But this is simply Verstappen’s fate, he is suffering now,” Marko said in a conversation with OE24.
“That was already the case with Gasly, after a weak performance at the Red Bull Ring, he was already lapped at the next race in Hungary. Seen this way, Berger’s statement [about Perez] is the right one: He needs a change in climate and team.
“Now let’s see how the next two races go. But the team and he are aware that he is in a crisis.”
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