Formula 1: Articles & News Reports.

[Fortitude]

Wolff, Brown and Horner share their predictions ahead of F1 2025 'epic season'.
"At the end of the day, you know, when the flag drops, the bullshit stops.” Toto Wolff.
6 Feb 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

Wolff cautious about Mercedes' chances in 2025: Last year was not a good one for Mercedes... again. The team's performance change was like night and day, even across sessions during the same race weekend. "We've been scratching our head a lot last year, particularly in the beginning. Like all the other teams, we had up and downs, very dominant performances in Vegas and then other races that were not so good," said Wolff to Sky Sport.

Will Verstappen make it five on the trot? Before sizing up Red Bull Racing's potential come next season, Horner seems to agree with most experts and pundits. "I think [2025] is going to be a mega year," said the Briton. While acknowledging McLaren's 2024 success, he also reminds his rivals that Red Bull have something they don't: Verstappen.

Brown, wary of McLaren's rivals next season: Many in the F1 paddock are naming McLaren driver, Lando Norris, as the favourite to take the Drivers' title in 2025, in that regard, Brown reamins rather coy. "I heard about that today, but I actually haven't seen it yet," adding that, "I think he's definitely one of the favorites."

‘F1 2025 'epic season'’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/326299/wolff-brown-and-horner-share-predictions-ahead-of-f1-2025-epic-season.html


‘Problem’: McLaren and Ferrari have a ‘problem’ that could cost Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton the 2025 F1 title
6 Feb 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Dutch racing driver Mike Hezemans feels Norris goes into the 2025 Formula 1 season as the favourite to win the title. He cites the 25-year-old as the pre-season favourite as Hezemans believes McLaren still have a superior car over Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes.

Yet while Hezemans has Norris as the pre-season title favourite, he thinks Verstappen’s fifth championship in a row awaits the Red Bull driver. The Dutchman claims glory is again on the cards as unlike Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari have a ‘problem’ having two ‘too good’ drivers.

Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton cannot rely on team orders like Max Verstappen can. Hezemans added: “That’s McLaren’s whole problem. They actually have two drivers who are too good and too close together, and that might also be Ferrari’s problem. And I don’t think they have that problem at Red Bull! So, I think in the end Max will become world champion again.”

‘Problem having two ‘too good’ drivers’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mclaren-and-ferrari-have-a-problem-that-could-cost-lando-norris-and-lewis-hamilton-the-2025-f1-title/


Toto Wolff would ‘rather not talk too much’ about Mercedes’ 2025 F1 hopes
6 Feb 2025
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has admitted that he would “rather not talk too much” about the team’s Formula 1 prospects in 2025 before pre-season testing has taken place. “These cars are so complicated to hit the sweet spot, that we’ve only done it on a few occasions,” Wolff told RacingNews365.

“We were ultra-dominant in Las Vegas [where it finished 1-2], and then at other tracks, we were unable to contest for a podium. So I’d rather not talk too much and see how we can perform in the tests and see whether we have solved some of those balance issues, get on top of the tyres and then we shall see.”

“Rather not talk too much”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/02/06/toto-wolff-would-rather-not-talk-too-much-about-mercedes-2025-f1-hopes/


F1 News: Red Bull 2025 car will have small operating window
Feb 7, 2025
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

Technical director Pierre Wache makes clear the RB21 will have very limited margin for error. Red Bull prioritising “overall potential” over comfort. Technical director Pierre Wache says Red Bull will still be navigating a tightrope in 2025:

“The overall potential decreases if you increase the window,” he told motorsport.com. “If you look at other teams’ cars and how they’re positioned, they’re all insanely stiff. What you want is to produce the fastest car. But it’s not the case that a car is slow because the window in which it operates is small. What you want is to be in the right window for each circuit, so that you can anticipate that.”

However, according to Wache, a small operating window is necessary to optimise potential: “Why would you want to extend the window and flatten the overall potential of a car? You want the fastest car compared to the others. will not reduce the overall potential to make it easier operationally,” emphasised Red Bull’s technical director. “You can reduce the potential to help drivers to use the car, but not to help engineers to use the car.”

‘RB21: Navigating a tightrope’;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsports/2025/02/07/f1-news-red-bull-2025-car-will-have-small-operating-window/


Many in F1 paddock expected ‘earthquake’ Max Verstappen announcement before 2025 season
8 Feb 2025
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Many people in the F1 paddock were expected ‘earthquake’ Max Verstappen move to Mercedes before 2025 season. As per a report from Motorsport.com, it looked as though ‘F1 was about to experience another earthquake almost immediately’ after Hamilton’s move to Ferrari.

Naturally, Mercedes were in need of a replacement for the seven-time champion – and they had their hearts set on signing Verstappen. The Dutchman’s future with Red Bull was thrown into uncertainty at the start of the season. The internal civil war between the two sides of the ownership – sparked by the allegations against Christian Horner – lef to speculation that Verstappen could leave the team.

‘Expected ‘earthquake’ Max Verstappen announcement’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/many-in-f1-paddock-expected-earthquake-max-verstappen-announcement-before-2025-season/


‘Very big surprise’: Lando Norris snubbed as £4.5m a year F1 rival backed to be ‘surprise’ 2025 title contender
7 Feb 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Lando Norris is the pre-season favourite to win the 2025 Formula 1 title for many yet Jan Lammers does not think the McLaren racer is the driver to deny Max Verstappen. Lammers thinks that while pundits like Karun Chandhok believe Norris is the pre-season title favourite, Piastri proved last year that he has the ‘mental resilience’ to endure a season-long duel over the title in 2025. He is also a proven champion after winning F2 and F3 as a rookie.

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko often questioned Norris’ mental strength to beat Verstappen in the 2024 title fight. So, having proven that he can consistently improve and be their lead racer, Lammers feels McLaren’s £4.5m a year Piastri can be a ‘surprise’ title threat. “Oscar Piastri,” Lammers told RacingNews365. “He has had an incredible upward trend with winning all the [junior] championships. He is used to the most, he knows himself the most as a champion.”

“Then you know that you have the speed, but also the balance and the mental resilience to spread that over an entire season.” He adds: “Formally, I have to say that if McLaren are the main threat to Red Bull, then it will be Lando Norris who will win. But then I still think that Piastri could be a very big surprise.” Few pundits believing he is the driver to dethrone Verstappen does not stop Piastri stating “I feel ready” to fight for a Formula 1 title, though. He was also the top-scoring driver from the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix to the Singapore Grand Prix when Piastri registered 183 of his 292.

‘Very big surprise’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/lando-norris-snubbed-as-4-5m-a-year-f1-rival-backed-to-be-surprise-2025-title-contender/

[Fortitude]

Ferrari have granted Lewis Hamilton a great honour with their chosen date for 2025 car reveal.
“The SF-25 will thus be officially presented on the day of birth (recorded in the registry office on 20/02/1898) of Enzo Ferrari”. Piergiuseppe Donadoni posted on X (formerly Twitter).
8 Feb 2025
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Ferrari’s new livery will be unveiled at the sport’s launch event – F175 – at the O2 Arena in London on February 18th – the event will be Hamilton’s first public appearance as a Ferrari driver. The following day, the SF-25 will get its first outing in Fiorano before, as per journalist Piergiuseppe Donadoni, the car is officially presented on February 20th – Enzo Ferrari’s birthday.

‘Great honour’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ferrari-have-granted-lewis-hamilton-a-great-honour-with-their-chosen-date-for-2025-car-reveal/


'Focus more': Juan Pablo Montoya thinks Lewis Hamilton’s arrival has forced Ferrari into one important change
9 Feb 2025
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

Juan Pablo Montoya believes that the Italian team have changed their focus after Hamilton’s arrival and that priority may not sit with Leclerc this season. “It could be a little bit of an [awkward] thing how everything is going to happen at Ferrari. Everything was always that they wanted Charles to do well. Now they are really going to want Lewis to do well.”

“Personally, I don’t think that you being Ferrari, are going to hire Lewis Hamilton and you are going to do tests and everything and you are going to focus more on Charles’ needs than on what you need.”

How Lewis Hamilton fared against Charles Leclerc in Ferrari’s Pirelli tyre test. Hamilton and Leclerc’s best times in Ferrari’s Barcelona test were over seven-tenths slower than what Norris managed, but there’s little context behind how those laps were set. Perhaps more significant was that the Brit managed to go just over one-tenth faster than his new teammate, despite completing the same number of laps (Hamilton 87 vs Leclerc 86).

‘Lewis Hamilton, one-tenth faster’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/features/juan-pablo-montoya-thinks-lewis-hamiltons-arrival-has-forced-ferrari-into-one-important-change/


Will Hamilton survive the duration of his two-year Ferrari F1 deal?
Lewis Hamilton is tied into his Ferrari contract until the end of the 2026 F1 season, but Bernie Ecclestone does not think the partnership will last that long.
09 Feb 2025
Samuel Coop
RacingNews365

Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone does not believe Lewis Hamilton will see out the entirety of his contract with Ferrari, which runs to the end of 2026. The British F1 mogul feels the relationship between the two, which has been billed as the most iconic partnership in F1 history, will fall flat.

However, Ecclestone did provide reasons for his prediction, even if the logic might not completely hold up. Hamilton is in pursuit of an elusive and record-breaking eighth F1 drivers' title, but Ecclestone nonetheless has suggested the 40-year-old has less motivation than he would have if he were not already a champion.

‘Will Hamilton survive?’;

https://racingnews365.com/will-hamilton-survive-the-duration-of-his-two-year-ferrari-f1-deal


Toto Wolff acknowledged he made big mistake with Lewis Hamilton - 'You weren't happy'
The team principal spoke about his time working with Lewis Hamilton.
Feb 9, 2025
Amos Murphy
Daily and Sunday Express

Toto Wolff has hinted he made a mistake that might’ve led to Lewis Hamilton departing Mercedes. Wolff explains the disagreement, which centred around the team’s novel zero-pod concept to comply with the new ground-effect regulations, with Hamilton during an episode of Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’.

Wolff said: "Last year, the development of the car, you weren't happy with me. You know, sticking to the concept from last year, holding on to it because of the encouraging results at the end -- the biggest [failure].” The concept was eventually changed as per Hamilton’s request, with the British driver able to produce more consistent results at the back end of the 2023 season, finishing the campaign in P4.

'You weren't happy';

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2011959/toto-wolff-lewis-hamilton-mercedes-ferrari


Red Bull mechanic Nicholas admits: 'It's really exciting what Hamilton is doing'
10 Feb 2025
Savannah Lenz
GPblog.com

Speaking to talkSPORT, Nicholas weighed in on the very important switch of Hamilton to Ferrari and what that could mean for the Briton and teammate Charles Leclerc. "It's really exciting. I think if you're going to get the best out of Lewis, it's going to be when he's fired up like a new opportunity like this of Ferrari. I think we're all aware it clearly means a great deal to him."

He continues: "Ferrari, with its history and passion, is something that a lot of drivers want to have as a part of their careers. It'd be really exciting. I think he and Charles Leclerc will work really well together. From the limited interaction I have with Charles, he seemed like the kind of guy who's always going to want to learn from someone with sort of the experience of Lewis."

‘Exciting’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/326763/red-bull-mechanic-looks-out-for-lewis-hamilton-at-ferrari.html

[Fortitude]

No break for Norris as he works to be 'more prepared than last year'.
“It’s been a good winter, probably one of the busiest I've had in terms of training and preparation.” Lando Norris.
10 Feb 2025
Savannah Lenz
GPblog.com

Norris 'feels good' after his time during the winter break. But as far as relaxing, he admits he did not do much of it. “I feel like it's been utilised well, and more efficiently than last year, so I'm happy about that. If anything, I’m just more excited to get back going again."

“I’ve done many different things, in many different countries, just making sure, in every aspect, that I can be more prepared than last year,” As far as what lies on the horizon for the McLaren driver, Norris says it's "more training – getting back to the factory for a lot of simulator time and just getting back to work.”

‘No break’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/326773/lando-norris-is-ready-for-the-2025-season.html


Mario Andretti thinks Lando Norris learned one important lesson in 2024 that could lead to him becoming a world champion
10 Feb 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Mario Andretti, the former F1 and IndyCar champion was speaking to F1 Maximaal and reviewing Norris’ 2024 season, he said: “Norris will learn a lot from this. If you haven’t had that experience of starting at the front before, this is something you have to learn.”

“You also notice that that pressure was there because he didn’t even want to talk about the title situation for a while. He didn’t have good starts either, but he learned. He definitely learned. With both drivers, it was clear that they have improved themselves, and they now know how to handle exciting situations. They both show they can win races, and that’s the ultimate proof you want for yourself.”

“If I compare it to my own career: when I started winning at that level, I realised that maybe I belonged at that level. You just get more confidence then, and confidence is crucial. This is why you always have to keep improving so that at some point you realise you can handle the pressure. You feel after a win then: I have proved that I can handle it. That is very important, and young talents should also say this to themselves. You also have to show it, and not just talk about it.”

‘Handling exciting situations’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mario-andretti-thinks-lando-norris-learned-one-important-lesson-in-2024-that-could-lead-to-him-becoming-a-world-champion/


'Everything matters': Zak Brown now believes McLaren face a ‘good problem’ in 2025 after title-winning season
10 Feb 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

The team worked hard in the off-season to produce a car capable of going up against Red Bull, who had dominated the 2023 with the RB19. Ex-Red Bull engineer Rob Marshall played a key role in turning around their fortunes, while a few other backroom changes by team principal Andrea Stella streamlined the team’s technical output and made upgrades more consistent.

McLaren and Norris are expected to be title contenders in 2025, given their car will be an evolution of what they had last year. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has said the team faces a ‘good problem’ that might impact their season when speaking on the Intercooler podcast.

Brown: “We get a little less wind tunnel time because we won the championship, so it’s a good problem to have.
Prosser: “Does that make a difference?”
Brown: “About 10%. In F1, everything matters because the field is covered by less than 2%. In the good old days when you had unlimited budgets, you could make it up in other areas. Now we have limited resources and the same level, which is why you saw seven drivers win races.”

'Everything matters';

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/zak-brown-now-believes-mclaren-face-a-good-problem-in-2025-after-title-winning-season/


Why Rob Marshall is ‘really impressed’ with McLaren compared to his previous role at Red Bull
27 Aug 2024
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

McLaren now has the fastest car in Formula 1 after Lando Norris blitzed Max Verstappen to victory in the Dutch Grand Prix by 22.8 seconds. It was the first time Verstappen was beaten by a winning margin over 20 seconds since Lewis Hamilton in 2021, with McLaren firmly asserting themselves as the benchmark to beat.

Marshall replaced David Sanchez in the role of chief designer in January, having left Red Bull midway through 2023. He was part of Red Bull’s inner success team for 18 years having worked closely with Adrian Newey, contributing to their title-winning success through the early 2010s with Sebastian Vettel. Former F1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer believes Marshall has brought the ‘secret sauce’ from Red Bull to McLaren, with his influence immediately being felt.

The engineer has reportedly been impressed by McLaren’s resources behind the scenes, which has been a key aspect of their recent race-winning form. “We’ve heard from Rob Marshall and he’s been saying what he’s been really impressed by since coming over to McLaren from Red Bull is that everything that they try out coordinates perfectly with the wind tunnel, with the simulations. So they know it’s going to work. They put it on the car and it works,” said Stuart.

‘Secret sauce’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/why-rob-marshall-is-really-impressed-with-mclaren-compared-to-his-previous-role-at-red-bull/


McLaren's finally maximising a key Red Bull signing a decade later
Feb 11, 2025
by Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

McLaren's technical director in charge of aerodynamics Peter Prodromou has signed a multi-year contract extension that reflects how the team is finally maximising a signing it made a decade ago. Not until team principal Andrea Stella reimagined the technical structure at McLaren in early 2023, a few months into his reign as team principal.

Privately, senior figures at McLaren described the shift in Prodromou's responsibilities - being made technical director, aerodynamics as part of a three-pronged technical leadership team - as getting him directly involved in aero design work again, rather than being marginalised and more involved in management tasks.

Stella's reworking of the technical leadership, including empowering Prodromou, unlocked latent potential from the existing workforce and facilities. He put a greater emphasis on what could be achieved short-term, which encouraged different concepts to be explored and brought to the car more quickly. That this was done without sacrificing due diligence, to ensure that new developments like the final floor upgrade of 2024 was introduced without unexpected side-effects, was a testament to the efficiency and creativity that was unlocked - with Prodromou at the heart of it.

‘Maximising’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mclaren-finally-maximising-key-red-bull-signing-12-years-later/


‘Didn’t fall apart’: McLaren boss Zak Brown explains ‘what went wrong’ for rivals Red Bull during the 2024 F1 season
11 Feb 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Zak Brown explains ‘what went wrong’ for Red Bull during the 2024 Formula 1 season. Brown was talking about what made McLaren so successful last season and said: “It was the leadership, the camaraderie, the trust, the transparency, the culture and you can’t buy that. “What you need is the right people working together. And Andrea’s got a great phrase, ‘Don’t eat the poison biscuits,’ within your own team.”

“They’ve got a great wind tunnel, they’ve got a great racing car, what went wrong there is the environment was destabilised. They’ve lost some people, the technology didn’t fall apart overnight and I think it’s hard when you’re dominant for as long as they have been, and at Mercedes, people then want to move on and hit the ceiling. So, I think I hope to have that challenge in three, four, five years, I’ve got a team that’s used to winning championships and then keeping hold of them becomes a challenge.”

‘Didn’t fall apart’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mclaren-boss-zak-brown-explains-what-went-wrong-for-rivals-red-bull-during-the-2024-f1-season/


Zak Brown reveals past ‘toxic atmosphere’ in McLaren F1 team
7 Feb 2025
Jack Oliver Smith
Motorsport Week

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has revealed that the prestigious Formula 1 team had a “toxic” atmosphere upon his arrival in 2016. Brown revealed the state of affairs at McLaren was beyond what he had already anticipated. “It was a lot worse than I thought,” he said. “I came in knowing that things weren’t in great shape. You could see the [lack of] brands on the car, you could see the results.”

“It was pretty toxic on the shop floor as far as the politics and, as Andrea [Stella, team principal] calls it, poison biscuits. There were lots of poison biscuits being passed around. At the time. I think we were all convinced the problem was the [Honda] power unit. It was the ghosts that people were seeing and the conspiracy theories on the shop floor. So we got that out of the system and very transparent, definitely a no-blame culture.”

‘No-blame culture’ key to newfound return to success. The no-blame culture, according to Brown, was crucial in seeing McLaren rise back to the top of the F1 tree, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri taking six wins between them to edge out Ferrari in the Constructors’ battle. “It’s so easy in the sport [and] it’s very frustrating that if you make a mistake – driver makes a mistake, strategy, tyre, mechanical – to get angry at that person and that’s very unhealthy.”

‘Past ‘toxic atmosphere’ ’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/02/07/zak-brown-reveals-past-toxic-atmosphere-in-mclaren-f1-team/

[Fortitude]

George Russell: Mercedes “optimistic” about 2025 step forward.
As Mercedes finalise their work on the W16 before Bahrain testing, George Russell says the team is optimistic about their progress. The British driver anticipates a more competitive Mercedes in 2025 – with notable changes from last season.
Feb 7, 2025
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

Russell: We are going in the right direction. Speaking with Sky Sports, George Russell explained the team’s development progress: “There have been a lot of – I wouldn’t say changes directly from last year to this year – these are things that have been in the pipeline for a long time.Items we couldn’t quite put on the car in 2024, but we’ve been working on them for a long time. We’re optimistic it will be a good step in the right direction,” underlined the Mercedes driver.

The 2025 season is a huge test for George Russell, who is tasked with leading the team in Lewis Hamilton’s absence. Russell believes that with the right machinery, he is ready to deliver for Mercedes: “You obviously never know what your rivals have done. Throughout this year, with a thought on 2026 – whether teams continue developing or not – that’s going to be intriguing.”

“I feel ready, everybody at the team is so motivated. I feel that these years – you know – it’s sort of been trial and error. But every time we’ve had a chance to win, we’ve won. And that’s what gives me the optimism that if we do have the car, we can achieve it.”

“Optimistic”;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsports/2025/02/07/george-russell-mercedes-optimistic-about-2025-step-forward/


Jordan on Mercedes struggles: ‘Russell grabbed that car by the horns’
7 Feb 2025
Jenny Garnett
GPblog.com

On the Formula For Success podcast, Eddie Jordan shared his views on how Hamilton's final year at Mercedes went. "At the end of the day, George Russell grabbed that car by the horns and he made it do different things to what Lewis was. Lewis has been driving since he was five, seven or eight years of age, so he’s not going to drive something that is not up to his liking," Jordan shared, offering high praise to the seven time world champion's teammate George Russell.

'George absolutely demolished Hamilton': "He made the point, I don’t know if you saw, a very private, recent interview with him where he had said to Toto and to Bono that there was something seriously wrong with the back of the car, that it wasn’t conveying confidence in the corner. He just didn’t feel that the car was giving him the confidence to push to the level that he needed to do to get pole positions and race wins," Jordan continued, speaking about how lack of confidence in the car affected his performance.

Jordan concluded by praising Russell's performance in 2024, "Having said that, George absolutely demolished him (Hamilton) in qualifying and to some extent in the races as well. So well done George Russell. He has a big future and we’re desperately keen to see how he gets on next year."

'George absolutely demolished Hamilton';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/326398/eddie-jordan-reviews-george-russel-and-lewis-hamilton-at-mercedes.html


Russell reveals 'brutal' preparation for new Mercedes F1 role
George Russell will be stepping up to a new role with the Mercedes F1 team in 2025.
1 Feb 2025
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

Ahead of his first season in the senior driver role, Russell has detailed how he returned to training early and underwent "brutal" sessions. “I started my physical preparation with Aleix [trainer] on 2 January," he explained. “We have done a few weeks now, the second week was absolutely brutal.”

“We build into it, the last thing you want to do is go out too hard and injure yourself. I kept moving over the break anyway, keeping mobile to avoid sitting around all day doing nothing. Exercise for me is more than just a physique, it’s a great way of making me feel good and helps my mental health – that’s why I don’t want to stop."

'Brutal preparation’;

https://racingnews365.com/russell-reveals-brutal-preparation-for-new-mercedes-f1-role


George Russell highlights key weakness he is aiming to address in F1 2025
29 Jan 2025
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

George Russell has revealed he is aiming to improve his race pace in the upcoming Formula 1 season, having admitted that it was “not always the best” throughout 2024. “My goals are very much the same and the approach has not changed,” Russell said in an exclusive interview with Mercedes.

“Formula 1 is so unique, so you cannot really set goals like that. If I say that I want to win four races this year because last year I won three, I am not going to be satisfied if I win five but the car is capable of 10. I tend to keep my goals on more details targets. Last year qualifying was my strength, but my race pace was not always the best.”

“I know I have the speed over one lap, but there is no reason why I should not be able to convert that over the course of a race. I need to work on some elements to achieve that, and there will be some other goals – that perhaps are not clear to the fans at home but are at the forefront of my mind.”

‘Improve race pace’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/01/29/george-russell-highlights-key-weakness-he-is-aiming-to-address-in-f1-2025/


Russell handed ‘arse kicked’ warning amid brutal criticism
Two-time Le Mans winner and former F1 driver Gijs van Lennep has said George Russell is going to get his "arse kicked" in a withering character assassination of the British driver.
8 Feb 2025
Samuel Coop & Jan van der Burgt
RacingNews365

Speaking on the Ziggo Sport programme Langs de Vangrails about the en vogue issue of drivers swearing and the FIA clampdown on it, the 82-year-old used the opportunity to address his feelings towards Russell. "It's a difficult problem," he stated. "If it were up to me they can say anything, they just shouldn't slander each other.”

He segued to talk about the 26-year-old British driver, adding: "Look at Russell. You think, 'that's a nice guy, beardless, a neat guy', but meanwhile, behind everyone's back, that's the biggest crook of all time." It is something Van Lennep, who raced in eight grands prix in the 1970s, evidently cannot stomach.

"You should give that one a hefty yellow card," he said, leaning into Max Verstappen's assertion from the Qatar Grand Prix last year that Russell is two-faced. "He [Russell] behaves so nicely and thinks he is doing everything right and Max Verstappen is not," Van Lennep continued. "That's the kind of guy I think they should tackle at some point. But he will get his arse kicked, you know. Formula 1 will be something this year..."

"It's a difficult problem";

https://racingnews365.com/russell-handed-arse-kicked-warning-amid-brutal-criticism


George Russell and Valtteri Bottas relationship update after Finn 'tried to kill him'
George Russell and Valtteri Bottas have clashed in the past.
Feb 8, 2025
Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

The pair clashed after a high-speed crash in damp conditions in Imola during the 2021 campaign, sparking fury from the Brit, who watched his chances of scoring his first F1 points vanish in a storm of shattered carbon fibre. “I asked him if he was trying to kill us both,” Russell told Sky Sports F1 in the aftermath of the crash.

“We’re going incredibly fast. We know the conditions. In his eyes, he is not really fighting for anything. A P9 is nothing for him, but for us, it’s everything.” Russell was furious in the immediate aftermath of the crash and appeared to smack Bottas, who was still in his wrecked Mercedes’ cockpit, on the head. Before clambering out of his Williams car, he called the Finn a “d***head”.

However, analysis of the crash led a number of pundits and fans to lay the blame on Russell, who jolted off the dry line and lost control of his Williams machine on the damp Imola Tarmac. In a later appearance on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Russell explained that he reached out to Bottas after the crash. “I did give him a phone call, which he didn’t answer,” he revealed.

‘Lay the blame on Russell’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2009741/George-Russell-Valtteri-Bottas-Mercedes


Mercedes W16 developments spark title hopes for Russell
10 Feb 2024
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

George Russell believes Mercedes has taken a significant step forward with its 2025 Formula 1 challenger, the W16, expressing optimism that the team can finally close the gap to the front after struggling under the sport’s current regulations.

The 26-year-old is embracing the challenge and even setting his sights on a championship fight if the W16 delivers the performance Mercedes is hoping for. “We’re working as hard as we can for it to be this year, but everybody is fully on board, and it’s going to be an exciting season,” he concluded.

With Russell leading the charge and a renewed sense of belief within Mercedes, the 2025 season could mark the start of the team’s resurgence as they push to reclaim their place at the top of Formula 1.

‘W16 developments spark title hopes’;

https://f1i.com/news/530382-mercedes-w16-developments-spark-title-hopes-for-russell.html

[Fortitude]

Leclerc fastest on final day of Pirelli tyre test at Barcelona.
1'14''971 for Leclerc, 1'16''759 for Hamilton, and 1'15''815 for Piastri.
6 Feb 2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Productive Day for Pirelli’s Tyre Development: The three drivers completed a combined total of 300 laps throughout the day. Leclerc and Hamilton each logged 74 laps in the Ferrari, while Piastri covered an impressive 152 laps in the McLaren.

While lap times were recorded – 1'14''971 for Leclerc, 1'16''759 for Hamilton, and 1'15''815 for Piastri – these figures hold little significance given the differing work programs being carried out for Pirelli. Reflecting on the test, Pirelli Motorsport Director Mario Isola highlighted the valuable insights gained from the two days of running.

“It was a very useful session, particularly when it came to providing a comparison between the various different constructions for next season, as well as experimenting with some compounds from the harder end of the range,” commented Isola.

‘Leclerc fastest’;

https://f1i.com/news/530201-leclerc-fastest-on-final-day-of-pirelli-tyre-test-at-barcelona.html


Leclerc provided assertive advice to overcome Hamilton threat
Ferrari enters a new era this year with Lewis Hamilton linking up with Charles Leclerc at the Italian squad.
8 Feb 2025
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has highlighted the importance of the early races in the season for Charles Leclerc in his head-to-head fight with Lewis Hamilton. Jordan believes it will take Hamilton a handful of races to get up to speed, which Leclerc can use to get an early lead over the seven-time champion.

"Leclerc is there now seven years, he knows everybody,” Jordan said on the Formula For Success podcast. “He knows all the people and what to say, the language. He’s the darling of Maranello. However, he will be surprised. I think he had a certain way with him over Sainz.”

“Lewis, I think he will hit the ground running - well, I don’t want to say hit the ground running, I think it will take him two or three races. I would urge Leclerc to get on his bike at the early stage because that’s when Leclerc is going to show certain amounts of dominance.”

‘Get on his bike at the early stage’;

https://racingnews365.com/leclerc-provided-assertive-advice-to-overcome-hamilton-threat


Leclerc ready for ‘greatness’ says former Ferrari race engineer
10 Feb 2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has long been considered one of the most gifted drivers in Formula 1, and according to his former race engineer Xavi Marcos, the Monegasque is poised for greatness. And Marcos's assessment of Leclerc's talent – including his ability to extract the most from any car – is glowing.

“Charles is an exceptional driver, he has a truly incredible natural talent,” Marcos told formula1.it. “His strength is being able to adapt immediately to the car in his hands and being able to tell everything that happens while driving.”

He pushes set-up changes a lot, even beyond normal limits or what the engineers suggest. As a technician he’s fun, you can think outside the box. He’s grown so much in racing, he’s strong in tyre management, for me he’s OK in everything. He’s ready to be really great.”

‘Ready for greatness’;

https://f1i.com/news/530367-leclerc-ready-for-greatness-says-former-ferrari-race-engineer.html


Leclerc gets great 'down-to-earth' praise from former race engineer
12 Feb 2025
Kada Sarkozi
GPblog.com

Xavier Marcos Padros (also known as Xavi for many fans), has played a key role in Charles Leclerc's Ferrari journey. The Spaniard was the driver's race engineer until a mid-season switch that took place prior to the Emilia Romagna GP in May. Xavi only has praise for the Monegasque driver.

Over the time he spent together with Leclerc, Marcos got to know the driver really well. According to him, winning Grand Prix races didn't change him at all. “As a person, he is humble, polite and has always treated me with respect," he continued praising Leclerc.

"Despite his success, he has always remained down-to-earth. When you're young, famous and a driver at Ferrari, it's easy to change. But he didn't - and that's something to admire him for," the former Ferrari race engineer concluded.

'Down-to-earth';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/326996/charles-leclerc-gets-nice-compliments-from-xavi-marcos-ferrari.html


‘The methodology’: Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has now made one important change to Charles Leclerc’s race preparations
3 Feb 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Frederic Vasseur has changed Charles Leclerc’s F1 race preparations at Ferrari. Journalist Matteo Novembrini was asked about the changes Vasseur has made after replacing Mattia Binotto and one of the areas that has been improved is how Ferrari organise their practice sessions. When providing more details, Novembrini said: “This year, it was also seen in the operations on the track. So, in the methodology of the work on the track, a mentality more oriented towards the race [was created by Vasseur].

“Just see what happened in free practice. I remember Leclerc who if he made a mistake, was going around in FP2 on a Friday and asked repeatedly to try something again. It happened so that if a wrong lap occurred, after two attempts, they said no, now we have to try the race setup. It hadn’t always happened like this before. So, this is a mentality that tried to give priority to the aspects of the race starting from Friday.”

“Then, once one driver happened to make a mistake in using the wrong set – obviously nobody is perfect – but I liked to see this awareness when Vasseur arrives to say, ‘OK, Ferrari is lacking in this [understanding their own mistakes]’, and is working to eradicate a certain mindset that probably remained inside the team. They worked in a certain way because the team has changed some personnel, but it has not been completely overturned.”

“Priority to the aspects of the race starting from Friday”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ferrari-boss-frederic-vasseur-has-now-made-one-important-change-to-charles-leclercs-race-preparations/


Sainz: Ferrari, Leclerc ready to win F1 titles
14 Feb 2025
Sky Sports

Williams driver Carlos Sainz says Charles Leclerc and his former Ferrari team are "ready" to win Formula 1 titles this year.

"Let's see how everyone starts the year but I remember saying to all the Ferrari people when I left that they are ready to fight for championships and win a championship this year," Sainz told Sky Sports News at Williams' car launch.

"All the learning processes that I'm doing right now with Williams, when I left Ferrari, the team was bang on, perfect to go for it. I think Charles, because he's the only guy I know and I don't know Lewis personally or his driving etc., I know Charles is ready to fight for a championship."

‘Ready to win F1 titles’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13309303/carlos-sainz-williams-driver-says-ferrari-and-charles-leclerc-ready-to-win-f1-titles-in-2025-season


Lewis Hamilton will be concerned when he hears what Pirelli chief has said about Charles Leclerc
5 Feb 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Lewis Hamilton faces a tough challenge against Charles Leclerc at Ferrari for the 2025 season, as he attempts to win his eighth world title. The question of how well Hamiton will fare against Leclerc is on everyone’s mind, with Peter Windsor expecting the Monogasque to outperform the seven-time world champion. Speaking to F1Maximaal.nl, head of motorsport Mario Isola has recently said something that could concern Hamilton heading into the new season.

Pirelli chief impressed by Charles Leclerc in 2024: Leclerc is expected to be the quicker driver in qualifying at Ferrari this year, which will put him in prime position to outrace Hamilton depending on where their car is in the competitive pecking order. The Monogasque impressed Pirelli chiefs last year with his drive in Abu Dhabi, where Leclerc was hailed for completing an ‘epic’ opening lap in which he overtook 11 cars.

“It’s a mix of elements. In different races we see different reactions. Max was mentioned, but we also have other examples, such as Leclerc in Abu Dhabi,” Isola points out. “That means it is possible to make up for positions if you do your job the right way.”

‘Peter Windsor expecting the Monogasque to outperform the seven-time world champion’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/lewis-hamilton-will-be-concerned-when-he-hears-what-pirelli-chief-has-said-about-charles-leclerc/

[Fortitude]

'He can do it': 'He's ready to go for it': Ex-team principal Guenther Steiner's huge Oscar Piastri title call.
"I think he has the right car now and I think this is his year," he told the Herald Sun.
Feb 17, 2025
Emily Patterson
Channel 9's Wide World of Sports

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes that hometown hero Oscar Piastri can not only win next month's Australian Grand Prix but this year's Formula 1 world championship as well. Coming into his third F1 season, Piastri has two Grand Prix victories to his name from 2024.

With McLaren completing a stunning turnaround to now offer a consistently competitive car and Piastri only growing in confidence and experience, Steiner expects a local winner at Albert Park sooner rather than later. "I think he has the right car now and I think this is his year," he told the Herald Sun. "He over-delivered for a rookie in 2023 and in '24, he followed up with some improvement. And this year, now he's ready to go for it."

'He can do it';

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-2025-guenther-steiner-comments-oscar-piastri-world-championship-call-20250217-p5lcv2.html


McLaren identifies areas for Piastri improvement
Work carried out by McLaren and Oscar Piastri has helped identify areas the young Australian needs to improve as he heads into the 2025 F1 season.
17 February 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Piastri ended the 2024 season speaking about a need for greater consistency. The Australian was out-qualified by teammate Lando Norris on 21 occasions last season, leading him to point to those performances as an area that needed attention. That drew him to view qualifying as the main area of focus but analysis with the team has since revealed that it’s not the Saturday session specifically that he needs to focus on.

Instead, there are other elements that are contributing to his qualifying performances, with the onus therefore on improving those. That process has been a key part of Piastri’s workload after a much-needed summer break spent on home soil. “For the first few weeks or first couple of weeks, it was pretty much just relax and not think about racing for a period of time, especially with the end to the season and kind of the scheduling of the end of the season,” Piastri admitted.

“When you come back into the new year, then everyone has the time and hopefully the energy to go back into the details of what went well last year, what didn’t go so well. For me, in my experience, there’s not that much use in going through things without the evidence to kind of go alongside it. I think separating the break into two periods of relaxing and then how you’re going to go better this season, that comes a little bit later in the new year.”

‘Areas for Piastri improvement’;

https://speedcafe.com/mclaren-identifies-areas-for-piastri-improvement/


Australian F1 rookie Oscar Piastri makes HUGE declaration ahead of 2025 season with McLaren
• Enjoyed a strong debut season in 2024
• Will return to Melbourne Park this year
• Is bullish about his chances on the track
13 February 2025
IAN CHADBAND FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS


Oscar Piastri has enjoyed his first drive in the new Formula One McLaren and offered the bold declaration: 'I do think that I can become world champion this year.' Asserting he's a different driver to 12 months ago, the Australian, who won two grand prix last year while finishing fourth in the championship, explained how he expected 'much more' this year as he took the new MCL39 for its first spin at Silverstone.

'I want to win the world championship this year,' said Piastri, who can't wait to start his season in front of his home Melbourne crowd in a month's time at the Australian Grand Prix in the car he now believes could transport him to the ultimate prize of being the first home world champion since Alan Jones in 1980. 'We are starting on a clean slate and I do think that I can become world champion this year.’

‘HUGE declaration’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-14395873/Australian-F1-rookie-Oscar-Piastri-makes-HUGE-declaration-ahead-2025-season-McLaren.html


Oscar Piastri targeting F1 title tilt having addressed key weaknesses during 2024
13 Feb 2025
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Oscar Piastri believes he now retains the attributes to mount a title bid in Formula 1 in 2025 having worked hard to address the weaknesses he pinpointed 12 months ago.

“I feel like 12 months ago I was going into the season still with some weaknesses that I wasn’t particularly confident with. I think through last season I addressed them. It’s now just about addressing them every weekend and making sure that I’m putting my best foot forward every weekend and that is what is going to be the difference.”

“So yeah, I’m confident. I think we’ve still got some things to work on and I’m definitely not the finished product, but I don’t think anyone necessarily is. And I think if we can work on some of the things that we’ve set out to do in this off-season then I’ll have a lot of tools to be able to try and make that happen.”

‘Mount a title bid’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/02/13/oscar-piastri-targeting-f1-title-tilt-having-addressed-key-weaknesses-during-2024/


"I don't think anyone..." - Oscar Piastri fires warning to McLaren teammate Lando Norris over 2025 F1 season
Oscar Piastri has sent a warning to the likes of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.
14 Feb 2025
Marcus Chan
SPORTbible

McLaren star Oscar Piastri has sent a stern warning to teammate Lando Norris and the rest of his Formula 1 rivals ahead of the new season.

"I do think that I can become world champion this year. I feel like 12 months ago I was going into the season still with some weaknesses that I wasn't particularly confident with. Through last season I addressed them and it's now just about addressing them every weekend.”

"I'm confident and I think we've still got some things to work on. I'm definitely not the finished product but I don't think anyone necessarily is. If we can work on some of the things that we've set out to do in this off-season, then I'll have a lot of tools to be able to try and make that happen."

‘Oscar Piastri fires warning’;

https://www.sportbible.com/f1/oscar-piastri-lando-norris-mclaren-max-verstappen-071145-20250214


Piastri insists ‘I can be World Champion’ as he expands on rules of engagement with Norris for 2025
14 Feb 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Oscar Piastri is confident that he can potentially become World Champion in 2025, with the McLaren driver also feeling assured that he and team mate Lando Norris are “crystal clear” on their rules of engagement entering into the season.

It was a hugely successful year for the papaya squad in 2024, having sealed their first Constructors’ crown since 1998 while Norris finished P2 in the Drivers’ Championship, the Briton proving to be Max Verstappen’s closest challenger.

“Like I’ve said, we’re both starting on zero. There’s every opportunity for either one of us to go win races. Of course if there becomes a points difference in either direction towards the end of the season and we need our team mate’s help then we’ll try and help each other out.”

‘Rules of engagement’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/piastri-insists-i-can-be-world-champion-as-he-expands-on-rules-of-engagement.3aXBxw471nTYcMEcf8EIY7


Norris, Piastri and a new weapon in the armoury – McLaren are going into 2025 with a ‘swagger’
14 Feb 2025
Formula One - Official Site

McLaren proved last year that they could deliver a sustained tilt at the title by overhauling Red Bull to win their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998. Had they been firing on all cylinders from the first round in Bahrain, rather than when they brought an upgrade to race five in Miami (which yielded Lando Norris’ first Grand Prix victory), they could well have made it a championship double with the Drivers’ title.

So, it’s unsurprising that the mood at Silverstone on Thursday, when they sent out their 2025 challenger the MCL39 for the first time on a damp and chilly track was buoyant. The team have something of a swagger, as Oscar Piastri put it – a sensation that comes hand in hand with success. And that’s why they are laser-focused on going one better this year and that’s not just defending their Constructors’ Championship but also bringing home a first Drivers’ title since Lewis Hamilton clinched the prized piece of silverware back in 2008.

“That’s our objective (to fight for the titles from the first race),” said Piastri, when we caught up in The Wing building at Silverstone with the sound of Norris pounding around the track just a few metres away. “Last season, the first few races were a little more difficult than we would have liked and then we came on strong from Miami with that first upgrade. Hopefully we can start the year on that note instead of having to wait a few races.”

‘MCL39’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/norris-piastri-and-a-new-weapon-in-the-armoury-mclaren-are-going-into-2025.23iciqJ0EwO7A508elwpql

[Fortitude]

Adrian Newey has demanded Aston Martin avoid doing one thing at their factory until he starts working.
Adrian Newey asks Aston Martin to avoid using new wind tunnel before his arrival.
16 Feb 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Aston Martin find themselves in no man’s land heading into the 2025 Formula 1 season. Back-to-back fifth-place finishes in the constructors’ championship don’t tell the full story of what’s currently happening at Aston Martin. The design genius has been brought in from Red Bull and journalist Piergiuseppe Donadoni believes that he’s already influencing Aston Martin’s development plans.

Journalist Federico Albano was speaking to Donadoni on Autoracer’s livestream and said: “For Aston Martin, it seems to be that everything is being designed for the 2026 project in the meantime. In short, it’s a bit of a drag, that’s my impression.” Donadoni replied: “By the way, on Aston Martin, they are making a good move in the sense that the new wind tunnel is almost ready. So, they are not yet in the tunnel with the 2026 car, but what they are doing is they are using a strategy of saving hours in the tunnel to wait for Adrian Newey.”

“So, in these first weeks of the year, they are using fewer hours in the tunnel than they could use to be able to have more time between now and June 30. They want to exploit Adrian Newey for the 2026 project especially, so it’s a strategy that he wanted which is very interesting and very intelligent because they don’t have the tunnel ready yet, but it will be ready in a few days. You still don’t have Newey yet and therefore surely for them, it’s a transition year.”

‘Want to exploit Adrian Newey for the 2026 project especially’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/adrian-newey-has-demanded-aston-martin-avoid-doing-one-thing-at-their-factory-until-he-starts-working/


Top Adrian Newey priority emerges as ‘low’ Aston Martin expectations surface
17 Feb 2025
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Aston Martin are “waiting for Adrian Newey to put out the fires” following his arrival from Red Bull in time for the start of the F1 2025 season. That is the claim of Roberto Merhi, the former F1 driver, who believes the team are braced for an underwhelming start to the new campaign.

Speaking to Spanish publication COPE, Merhi, who made a total of 13 starts with the now-defunct Manor team in 2015, has claimed that Aston Martin are in for a challenging start to the new season as they wait for Newey to work his magic. Yet he believes Aston Martin should still have enough to be ahead of the likes of Williams, Sauber, Haas and Red Bull junior outfit VCARB.

He said: “From what I understand, Aston is not going to get off to a very good start. They are waiting for Newey to put out the fires. We have to wait a bit. In theory, Aston Martin should be ahead of Williams. They beat them last year and, as a team, they have made a step forward in the last three years. I think we will have a battle with Sauber first, Haas and RB.”

“Waiting for Adrian Newey to put out the fires”;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/adrian-newey-aston-martin-insider-fires


Adrian Newey reveals chances of working on Aston’s 2025 car
Feb 7, 2025
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

Adrian Newey is undoubtedly an integral part of the Aston Martin project – with the 2026 regulations representing a key moment for the team. Lawrence Stroll’s squad will rely on Newey to produce his usual magic for the next generation of cars. However, there is also the question of how the British team will perform this season.

A balancing act for Newey. Because of this, as he explained in an interview, he will have to adapt to the team’s demands: “My concentration will clearly be on ’26,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. No doubt Lawrence [Stroll] will want me to be a little bit involved in the ’25 car. Whether I can really contribute anything or not – I’ve got no idea until I start.”

Newey breaks down 2026 regulations: Considering Honda’s partnership with Aston Martin, this is a critical element to consider: “There has to be a chance that one manufacturer will come out well on top, and it will become a power unit dominated regulation – at least to start with. And there’s a chance, if it’s on the combustion engine side, that [advantage] will last through the length of the Formula. Because the way the regulations are written, it’s quite difficult for people behind to catch up. If it’s on the electrical side, then there’s much more ability to catch up.”

‘A balancing act’;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsports/2025/02/07/adrian-newey-reveals-chances-of-working-on-astons-2025-car/


Newey will also work on 2025 Aston Martin car
JAN 27, 2025
GrandPrix.com

Other team members are not backing Fernando Alonso's claim that success will "certainly not" come for Formula 1 team Aston Martin in 2025. New team boss Andy Cowell, meanwhile, is notably more optimistic than Alonso about the coming season. “Can we win the world championship in 2025?” he said. “Who thinks we can? Nobody? Well, look what McLaren did. So why can't we?”

Newey, however, warns that all the well-financed teams have basically maxed out the full potential of their existing 'ground effect' car concepts ahead of the final season of the current regulations.

He says the top four teams - McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes - all look like potential race winners for 2025. “It's a clear sign that we have come pretty close to the limit”, Newey explained. Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur agrees. “There are no longer any upgrades that provide more than four or five points of usable downforce.”

“So why can't we?”;

https://www.grandprix.com/news/newey-will-also-work-on-2025-aston-martin-car.html


Alonso rules out F1 2025 championship bid as Adrian Newey arrival impact assessed
2 Feb 2025
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com

Alonso believes, but the regulation changes next season mark a major opportunity as F1 introduces new power units and chassis rules. “Not for 2025 for sure,” Alonso told Spain’s DAZN, “because the cars are going to be the same as this year and it’s going to be practically impossible for us to make such a big jump. “Hopefully, it will be better than 2024, but not to win the championship.”

“Then, in 2026 there will be a change of regulations and we will have Adrian Newey working on the project from this April (sic). We have to hope to have a good year, but winning the championship is a big deal. Even so, I know the expectations are going to be high when we are in the 2026 pre-season or at the presentation of the car’.”

Aston Martin is seeking to bounce back from an underwhelming 2024, in which the team nonetheless secured the same fifth-place finish in the championship it secured the previous year with far stronger results.

“Hopefully, it will be better than 2024”;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/fernando-alonso-aston-martin-team-to-watch-f1-2025-championship-not-on


Alonso: ‘No potential for Aston Martin to win in 2025’
29 Jan 2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Optimism for 2026 Amid Regulatory Changes. Aston Martin’s long-term focus is firmly set on the upcoming 2026 regulations, which will introduce sweeping changes to the technical landscape of Formula 1. “There will be some regulatory changes, and Adrian Newey will start working on the 2026 project in April,” he highlighted. “I hope to be able to get more podiums, some wins, and fight for the championship.”

Alonso’s Undiminished Competitive Spirit. Despite a decade-long drought since his last Formula 1 victory, Alonso remains as fiercely competitive as ever. The Spaniard, known for his relentless drive, has made it clear that his hunger for success has not waned.

“Even now, after 20 years, if I go to a karting circuit and see myself second on the timesheet, a tenth or half a tenth from the first, I have the same inner anger, the same frustration, that I might not even have dinner that night,” he admitted. “I don’t like to lose, no matter how hard I work: it will always be like this.”

‘Alonso’s Undiminished Competitive Spirit’;

https://f1i.com/news/529863-alonso-no-potential-for-aston-martin-to-win-in-2025.html


‘Not so easy’: Honda president has just said the last thing Adrian Newey wants to hear ahead of Aston Martin partnership
29 Jan 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Newey will arrive for his first day in Silverstone as Aston Martin’s managing technical partner and as a shareholder on March 3 after leaving Red Bull last year. He will rank beside CEO and new Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell at the top of the Formula 1 team’s leadership.

Aston Martin will even be a works Honda power unit team in 2026 after the Japanese crew switched allegiances from Red Bull “We are struggling,” Watanabe conceded, via quotes by Speedcafe. “Now, we are trying our best to show the result next year. Everything is new. The motor is a new 355-kW, very compact one we need. Also, the lightweight battery, it’s not so easy to develop. And also the small engine with the big power. Everything is very difficult, but we try our best.”

Newey will be devastated to hear Watanabe admit that Honda are ‘struggling’ to develop an engine for F1’s new 2026 power unit regulations with Aston Martin becoming a works entry. It will have been the last thing Newey wanted given his concerns about the new regulations.

“We are struggling”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/honda-president-has-just-said-the-last-thing-adrian-newey-wants-to-hear-ahead-of-aston-martin-partnership/

[Fortitude]

F1 75 crowd has clear message for FIA with boos.
That there's no love lost between the fans of Formula One toward the FIA was more than clear during Tuesday night's event.
18 Feb 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

Something remarkable happened during the F1 75 event. While fans were hugely excited for each livery unveiling, the FIA was on the receiving end of harsh booing from the crowd. While the governing body was being complimented on their work in motorsport, loud boos broke out from the audience.

When the FIA's name came up, loud boos immediately broke out from the audience, a clear demonstration of the displeasure fans are currently experiencing toward the governing body. The booing may be stemming from the new code of conduct and penalties the FIA announced as a response to what the governing body views as misbehaviour from competitors in its sanctioned championships.

One of the things it seeks to regulate is the use of 'inappropriate language' in its racing classes. In Formula 1, for instance, fines can be issued to competitors who do not abide by the recently introduced regulations with up to a €120,000 value. Drivers will also face race bans and even points deductions in the championship should they be found in breach of the FIA's conduct guidelines.

‘Clear message for FIA with boos’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/328223/formula-1-fans-with-boos-towards-fia-during-f1-75-event.html


The 7 funniest, weirdest, and wildest moments from F1 75 Live
This is what happens when Formula 1 puts Machine Gun Kelly, Gordon Ramsay, and 10 teams in a room (okay, an arena)
Feb 19, 2025
Emily Selleck
Motorsport.com

Celebrity chef and F1 super fan Gordon Ramsay was sitting in the audience, notably alongside Stefano Domenicali, when Whitehall asked the famously foul-mouthed TV personality about the FIA's swearing ban. His response:

"Listen, I think it's an industry language. The fact that these athletes are pushing themselves to the extreme. So sometimes if it comes out, let them be real. Let it go, come on! They're risking their life every time. They're traveling over 200 miles an hour. So if the sh—". That's when his mic cut — though the O2 crowd roaring in approval let the FIA know where F1's audience largely stands on the matter.

Aston Martin went full James Bond. Lawrence Stroll might've slipped F1 a few dollars to get a sightly bigger time allotment than the other teams (for legal reasons, I'm joking). Aston's segment featured a James Bond-inspired clip, with animated versions of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll parachuting into the O2 before the actual pair landed in the audience in the Bond-esque formal suits…

‘Wildest moments’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-75-best-weirdest-wildest-moments/10696887/


Ranking every F1 team's 2025 launch show from worst to best
Feb 19, 2025
The Race

10 Red Bull The ‘follow the truck’ video would’ve been a cool piece of standalone social media… Not giving the reigning four-time champion driver a chance to speak during his and Liam Lawson’s brief appearance at the end was another one.
9 Alpine Had Alpine forgotten it was also unveiling a car? It seemed that way as the DJ element went on, and on, and on, and repetitively on.
8 Haas Haas's big 'we're an American F1 team' pitch felt slightly at odds with the rest of its presentation and in general with the way Haas has approached things in recent years.

7 Racing Bulls If this was purely a livery ranking then Racing Bulls would be right up there - there was near universal love for that livery in our virtual workspace during the launch - but unfortunately the other elements of its launch let it down - at least for the majority of us.
6 Williams Not the flashiest or most innovative, but a sensible and well-paced mix of nod to heritage, evocative video, use of the actual stage, plenty of time with drivers, boss and car in front of the audience, and also carried off with a nice bit of polite swagger from James Vowles.
5 Mercedes We saw the new livery in some dazzling lights and heard from team boss Toto Wolff and race drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Perfectly passable if slightly forgettable. - JS

4 Sauber Proper theatrics! Lots and lots and lots of drummers! Glowing green drumsticks! Closer to the vibe of a traditional standalone over-the-top glitzy launch than anything anyone else pulled off.
3 Aston Martin Aston Martin should absolutely continue to lean in as hard as it can to the James Bond thing. It’s classic for a reason. In the midst of the two hour long continuous stream of livery/car launches, Aston’s stood out.
2 Ferrari Given this was Lewis Hamilton walking out onto a stage in Ferrari overalls in London, Ferrari didn’t have to do too much to make a success of its slot.

'1 McLaren McLaren just pips Ferrari to the top spot on our list with our F1 enthusiasts being wooed by the presence of so many championship-winning McLarens on stage;'

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/ranking-every-f1-team-2025-launch-show-worst-to-best/


Hamilton sends London wild on massive night for F1
Feb 19, 2025
RacingNews365

Lewis Hamilton received a heroes welcome in London, as F1 75 took over the British capital! All 10 liveries for the 2025 season were revealed, with Racing Bulls having dazzled with an entirely new look! Swearing was also a big topic on the night. Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes and Nick Golding, as they reflect on a historical night for F1.

‘Massive night for F1’;

https://racingnews365.com/hamilton-sends-london-wild-on-massive-night-for-f1


Unveiled: Formula 1's ten teams show off 2025 liveries
18 Feb 2025
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

The Formula 1 community, joined by 14,000 fans, packed London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday evening for the highly anticipated 2025 season launch extravaganza. The event, a dazzling mix of motorsport heritage and cutting-edge design, served as the perfect stage for the grand unveiling of the liveries that will represent the ten teams this year.

Under the spotlights and amid the glitz, the covers were lifted to reveal each team’s latest colors, setting social media abuzz as fans debated their favorite looks. With new sponsors making their mark and some teams opting for streamlined, carbon-heavy aesthetics, the liveries told stories of innovation, ambition, and tradition.

‘Formula 1's ten teams’;

https://f1i.com/news/530797-unveiled-formula-1-teams-show-off-striking-2025-liveries.html


Success or failure? Our verdict on F1's 2025 launch event
18 Feb 2025
The Race

A pleasant surprise Scott Mitchell-Malm: “I really thought I'd struggle to enjoy parts of this but the show got off to a strong start, especially host Jack Whitehall (who I was dubious about) leaning heavily into ribbing F1's biggest names. That injected a lot of energy into it - and the right tone - even on the broadcast.”

Focus was on the wrong stars Gary Anderson: “I’m a bit old-school when it comes to this sort of thing, having been around F1 for some 52 years, but from my point of view I just wish they would have given the cars, drivers and probably team principals more time and let them do the talking. Their part in the livery presentation was more or less non-existent.”

Us sceptics were wrong Jon Noble: “I, along with probably many people in F1, will admit to having been wrong. Was it perfect? No. But it hit the mark in so many different ways.”

Much better than 10 separate launches Samarth Kanal: “There was plenty to cringe about during F1 75: lengthy and weird videos; Jack Whitehall; that Alpine DJ set; the Gordon Ramsay cameo; Brad Pitt’s reputation somehow remaining intact... Yet I couldn’t help but laugh at some of Whitehall’s jokes, that Ramsay bit, and yes, even during that Alpine DJ set did I manage to crack a smile. It was all so bizarre - and it was fun. So, I might have cringed, but the cynicism I felt before the event faded away rapidly. If it captured new fans, that’s even better.”

F1's never been more fun Josh Suttill: “There's a fine line between cringe and entertainment and I think F1 mostly got the balance right tonight - certainly far more often than I and probably most hardcore fans feared. Whoever wrote Whitehall's script deserves a raise. So often F1 is the butt of the joke but this felt like F1 laughing along with its audience rather than at the audience. It might have been an anniversary F1 75 celebration but this was very un-F1 in the best possible way.”

How it should be done every year Matt Beer: “Yes, it had rough edges… But overall, it was fun, wasn't it? It didn't take itself too seriously, it hit the balance between mass appeal and respect for F1's hardcore fandom and heritage pretty well. It was a massively impressive spectacle and logistical triumph.

More 'show' than 'sport' - and that's fine Edd Straw: “I'm very much aware this event is not aimed at a cynical journalist very familiar with the world of Formula 1 - but knowing that I had concerns that it wouldn't deliver for the fans who paid big money to attend. Judging by the reaction, that was misplaced. It's exactly what a global sport that wants to build an even bigger fanbase should be doing - looking outwards and making itself look accessible and fun. There's no reason why F1 can't be both this and detailed inspection of sidepod design variations during pre-season testing.”

‘Verdict’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-2025-launch-event-our-verdict/

[tbazsi95]

Why Every F1 Car Has A Secret Camera (Never Seen Footage)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OicuNle79s

[Fortitude]

Tifosi Swarm SF-25 Shakedown In Fiorano [Photo Gallery].
The Tifosi were out in force at Fiorano for the SF-25 shakedown with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Feb 20, 2025
F1 Chronicle

‘Out in force’;

https://f1chronicle.com/tifosi-swarm-sf-25-shakedown-in-fiorano-photo-gallery/?nowprocket=1


Lewis Hamilton's debut laps in the Ferrari SF-25 F1 2025 car at Fiorano | First FLAT-OUT session!!
Feb 19, 2025
NM2255 | Raw Car Sounds

Lewis Hamilton completed his first flat out laps in Ferrari's new SF-25 F1 2025 car today at Fiorano circuit as the seven-time Formula 1 world champion continued his preparation for a huge season in red!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUdsPV7wqtQ


Behind Ferrari’s Curtain: SF-25 Exclusive Interviews You Can’t Miss!
Feb 19, 2025
Racing Avenue Clips

Dive into the exclusive world of Ferrari’s latest masterpiece, the SF-25! In this video: never-before-heard insights from Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Fred Vasseur, Enrico Gualtieri, and Loic Serra as they discuss the innovation, strategy, and future of Ferrari F1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8X0WoyrGFs


Lewis Hamilton - The First Ferrari Interview
Feb 19, 2025
Ferrari

Watch as Lewis Hamilton goes through his arrival at Ferrari, takes in the iconic surroundings, and relives his first experiences with the team, from putting on the red suit for the first time, to being surrounded in a red Formula 1 cockpit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz47Js3kW7E


"It's everything I dreamed of and more!" ��| Lewis Hamilton explains his love for Ferrari
Feb 19, 2025
Sky Sports F1

With Ted from a Ferrari show room to Lewis Hamilton at Maranello, the seven-time world champion looks ahead to the new season, how it felt to drive the Ferrari car for the first time and the support he's had from the Tifosi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9RzBcBpwk4


Hamilton praises Ferrari's differences: 'Nothing like what I've had'
Feb 20, 2025
Toby Nixon
GPblog.com

Speaking to GPblog and others, the 105-time Grand Prix winner said: "It's completely different. I thought, ‘It's another Formula One car.’ I thought it would be [like] when I went from McLaren to Mercedes; there were similarities, but I guess it's still powered by Mercedes. So the sound, the vibration was all the same. It was similar. And whilst there were slightly different characteristics of the car. This is a step, with the whole thing being completely different," he revealed.

"It's a really exciting experience. This is something I've really enjoyed trying to get and wrap my mind around, particularly also just in settings, and the terminology they use, the different ways that they can set up a car. That's taking some getting used to, for sure."

"I've been waiting such a long time for it, so firing the car up, it's like such a new, uncharted journey, and it's the most exciting thing that's happened to me for as long as I can remember. It's nothing like the car that I had before over the last 10, 12, 17, years," Hamilton said in his first Ferrari interview.

'Nothing like what I've had';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/328465/lewis-hamilton-has-better-feeling-with-ferrari-than-mercedes-in-formula-1.html


[B]Lewis Hamilton insists Ferrari ‘has the ingredients’ to win F1 titles
Feb 20, 2025
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Lewis Hamilton has expressed that his opening weeks as a Ferrari driver have proven to him that the team possesses “all the ingredients to win” again in Formula 1. When asked whether he was convinced that the timing to come to Ferrari was right, Hamilton replied: “100 per cent. I don’t have the slightest doubt or question in my head.”

“I’m in the right place at the right time and it’s a great privilege to be here, to join this team and to work with everyone to try to build and continue the great historical tradition of this team. Every day has been exciting. Even last night, walking on that stage [at the F1 75 livery event at London’s O2] dressed in red was something totally new for me.”

“To be able to meet and experience the fans is something very different doing it as an opponent or doing it as a Ferrari driver. To begin a journey together with them and the team is something that left me speechless.”

‘Has the ingredients’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/02/20/lewis-hamilton-insists-ferrari-has-the-ingredients-to-win-f1-titles/


Charles Leclerc: Lewis Hamilton has made Ferrari F1 move at ‘the right time’
Feb 20, 2025
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

“I think Lewis is coming into the team in [at] the right time,” Leclerc told media including Motorsport Week once he had completed his debut run in the team’s SF-25 car. “I think Fred is a guy that has a very big strength of keeping the emotional level of the team at a very good level, and we’ve been so much more solid on that in the last past years.”

“Obviously the fact that Lewis has joined the team has been a big boost and has been amazing in so many ways. But I feel like the team is very, very calm and very calm and very clear in what is the direction to work in and not getting too affected by everything that is going on around the team, and that is extremely important and that’s great to see.”

“It’s always very, very interesting the first few weeks with a new team-mate, and especially when your team-mate is Lewis Hamilton,” he added. “He’s achieved so much, it’s super interesting, and it’s super cool for me to be able to analyse how he actually works day to day with his engineers. What are the comments that he makes, what are the things that he puts particular attention on, because obviously it’s been a very successful approach.”

‘Leclerc learning alongside Hamilton at Ferrari’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/02/20/charles-leclerc-lewis-hamilton-has-made-ferrari-f1-move-at-the-right-time/


Lewis Hamilton gave Ferrari ‘cultural shock’ as Alesi offers behind-the-scenes insight
20 Feb 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Former Ferrari F1 driver Jean Alesi revealed the backstage reaction to Lewis Hamilton within the team after completing his Mercedes switch. And it is good news for the seven-time World Champion, as the opinions which Alesi has been getting from Ferrari personnel on Hamilton are very positive indeed.

“I know many people in Ferrari. He impressed everybody,” Alesi – who claimed his sole F1 victory with Ferrari at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix – told Sky Sports F1. “He impressed everybody from his presence, the way he presented himself to the team. Really, he was a cultural shock for Ferrari, to have such a champion, and without taking anything to Charles and Carlos Sainz [sic], but so far, he impressed everybody.”

“Impressed everybody”;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-hamilton-impressed-everyone-ferrari-jean-alesi

[Fortitude]

Gary Anderson names which F1 team has taken ‘bigger steps’ with their 2025 cars between McLaren and Ferrari.
Unless Red Bull or Mercedes take impressive steps forward, or another team on the grid stuns the rest of the paddock, Ferrari and McLaren will be the favourites at the start of 2025.
20 Feb 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Gary Anderson thinks McLaren have taken ‘bigger steps’ with their 2025 F1 car than Ferrari. Anderson was asked which out of the 2025 McLaren and Ferrari he ‘particularly liked the look of’ ahead of the other and said: “Well, the one thing I would say is that McLaren have, I suppose you could say, taken risks in my opinion with how far they’ve exploited the longitudinal suspension geometry. Using braking and accelerating to try to control the aero platform of the car.”

“And my biggest worry with that is that from my experience, it’s one of these that is so difficult to simulate. It’s about driver feel, it’s about how the driver is affected by it all. So, I think on the track, if McLaren don’t have problems, then I think McLaren have taken bigger steps than Ferrari. I think they’ll still be together battling quite closely and that’s what I want to see. And I want to see Red Bull join the club, Mercedes join the club, [and] perhaps even Alpine join the club.”

“We want a competitive season. It’s the end of these rules, there’s going to be a separation of this grid in 2026 for sure because of the rule change for them because it’s quite big. So, this year’s the fourth year of ground effect rules as we know them and I would love to see a season where we have no idea who’s going to win the championship until the last couple of races.”

Bigger steps’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/gary-anderson-names-which-f1-team-has-taken-bigger-steps-with-their-2025-cars-between-mclaren-and-ferrari/


F1 icon Nigel Mansell in no doubt over ‘monumental’ Lewis Hamilton prediction that fulfils eight-year Ferrari prophecy
20 Feb 2025
Joe Brophy
talkSPORT

Asked what he makes of the latter's move to Ferrari, 'Il Leone' said: “Well, having been there and done it, I think it’s absolutely fantastic! I mean, Ferrari’s a dream come true and Lewis is doing everything right.”

“Lewis is a complete class act, he’s going to surprise a lot of people this year. [He’s] not surprised me, but I think he’s going to get the job done and Ferrari between him and Charles Leclerc, Ferrari is overdue for winning a championship or both championships. So, the timing I think of coming together with Ferrari is monumental. I think it’s so exciting!”

‘Monumental’;

https://talksport.com/motorsport/2947701/f1-nigel-mansell-lewis-hamilton-prediction-ferrari-title/


Fernando Alonso thinks Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari boss is wrong about how the season will pan out
21 Feb 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Fernando Alonso explains why Frederic Vasseur is wrong about how 2025 F1 season will pan out. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has previously told The Race that the competitive landscape is likely to be decided in the first races of 2025, however, Alonso does not think this is the case.

“I feel that the Bahrain tests and the first races will be less relevant than usual. In the last two years, I have seen that during the season,” said Alonso. “Before, it seemed that starting the year well guaranteed you continuity and in these last two years we have seen radical changes in McLaren in 2023, in Mercedes last year, [now] Haas….”

“If the team hits the key in race nine, the season is so long that until race 24 there is a lot to solve. So, I take it a little more calmly how to face the preseason and a good year for us means, at least, equalizing what we did last year. We were fifth in Constructors, I think we were not the fastest fifth at the end of the year and we have to return, at least, to those benefits throughout the year.”

‘The first races will be less relevant than usual’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/fernando-alonso-thinks-lewis-hamiltons-ferrari-boss-is-wrong-about-how-the-season-will-pan-out/


Nigel Mansell Backs Lewis Hamilton For Magical Ferrari Debut Win, Predicts ‘Momentous’ F1 Season
Feb 21, 2025
F1 Chronicle

Speaking with ESPN, the 1992 world champion shared his enthusiasm for Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari, stating, “I think it’s absolutely brilliant. Lewis has done something absolutely amazing. If not the greatest … I think he is the greatest ever. I hope he wins first time out like I did, because that’s a magical moment to win your first race with a new team. Ferrari is right at the top of their game.”

“The timing is perfect. Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari and [Mclaren] as well. It could be the most momentous year in Formula 1,” Mansell added. The former champion also emphasized the unique and special nature of driving for Ferrari, drawing comparisons to the reverence shown to the Pope.

“Driving for Ferrari … a lot of people go and visit the Pope. The Pope goes to visit Ferrari! All the church bells ring when Ferrari wins. It doesn’t happen in any other country like that,” Mansell explained, highlighting the unparalleled passion and dedication of the Tifosi.

‘Momentous’;

https://f1chronicle.com/nigel-mansell-backs-lewis-hamilton-for-magical-ferrari-debut-win-predicts-momentous-f1-season/?nowprocket=1


Nigel Mansell and Jackie Stewart invited just one current F1 driver to special legends dinner
20 Feb 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Fernando Alonso joined F1 legends dinner in London. In the days before the F1 75 launch, a dinner was hosted by F1 legends including Nigel Mansell, Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti, Emmerson Fittipaldi and Mika Hakkinen at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant in Mayfair. Fernando Alonso was present at the legends dinner and was seemingly the only current driver from the grid to be invited.

Posting about the dinner on social media, Andretti said it was the “best time” and that it was “so fun” to meet up with fellow big personalities of F1. Several of them would go on to attend the F1 launch at the O2, where their cars were displayed on stage including Fittipaldi’s McLaren and Hakkinen’s from his title-winning season.

Fernando Alonso and F1 legends write messages to open in next 25 years. Alonso said that his former team boss, Giancarlo Minardi, who gave him his first drive in F1 in 2000 was also present at the event. He revealed that each of the drivers did something special by hand-writing messages and putting them into a locked box for the future. I guess we will have to wait until F1’s 100th anniversary until we see exactly what these legends of the championship have written.

‘Special legends dinner’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/nigel-mansell-and-jackie-stewart-invited-just-one-current-f1-driver-to-special-legends-dinner/


George Russell confident Mercedes won't 'fall into trap' again with W16 car during 2025 F1 season
George Russell is optimistic that Mercedes will make a stronger start to the season than they have managed in recent campaigns; watch F1 pre-season testing live on Sky Sports F1 from February 26-28
21 Feb 2025
Sky Sports

George Russell says he is confident Mercedes are "not going to fall into a trap" with their 2025 car in the same way they have done in recent seasons. Speaking as Mercedes' W16 was revealed at F1's all-team launch in London, Russell said: "I think it's going to be a significant change this year, to be honest. Every year we've uncovered a problem, we've solved it, and it's created a new one.

"We've probably been a lot more disciplined with every change that we've made and been more thorough than ever in terms of the simulator running - just to ensure we're not going to fall into a new trap. And so far, it's a reasonable step, obviously you have no idea what everyone else is doing and it's going to be, I feel like, quite an interesting season with how people deploy the resource between 2025 and 2026."

‘Optimistic that Mercedes will make a stronger start to the season’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13312708/george-russell-confident-mercedes-wont-fall-into-trap-again-with-w16-car-during-2025-f1-season


Toto Wolff clarifies Mercedes’ Ineos future after reported sponsorship cutbacks
20 Feb 2025
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

Ineos has long been a major player in the sporting world, owning or sponsoring ventures in the likes of football, sailing and rugby, but there are reports that the British company is scaling back on some of its outgoings. This comes following the news that New Zealand Rugby is suing Ineos for alleged breach of contract, claiming they walked away from a six-year deal three years early.

Sailor Ben Ainslie is also reportedly mulling over taking Ineos to court following his departure from the America’s Cup team. These potentially costly outgoings, along with a $1.6 billion purchase for a portion of Manchester United, has Ratcliffe looking to cut costs, notably with the football club but also by ending its sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur.

However, any penny-saving measures will not be applied to Mercedes it seems with co-owner Toto Wolff saying his business partner was there to stay.

‘Clarification’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-wolff-clarifies-mercedes-ineos-future-after-reported-sponsorship-cutbacks

[tbazsi95]

The Gilles Villeneuve circuit at Montreal with snow in the last days
2619

[Fortitude]

Verstappen and Red Bull to be at the front again?' 'I've heard they've done a good job'.
1992 F1 world champion Nigel Mansell expects a great battle for the championship will happen this season in the competition. According to the Briton, Max Verstappen and Red Bull will bounce back, and with four frontrunners, he expects a very interesting year of Formula 1.
22 Feb 2025
Kada Sarkozi
GPblog.com

According to the former Lotus, Williams and Ferrari driver, Red Bull Racing and the Dutchman will be back and based on the information he received, they will be able to do just that. "The exciting thing about F1 in 2025 is that Max (Verstappen) won’t lie down with Red Bull. I’ve heard Red Bull have done a good job with the car over the winter," the told Mail Sport.

While, Mansell wishes that Lewis Hamilton would win the title next season this season, he also sees another two teams entering the equation. "McLaren were outstanding last year and if they got their act together a little bit sooner, they could have won the (Drivers’) Championship so both Lando (Norris) and (Oscar) Piastri are going to be challenging," he continued about the British squad. "And, of course, you mustn’t forget Mercedes with George Russell. Toto Wolff is not there to make up the numbers," the former world champion added.

‘Bounce back’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/328721/nigel-mansell-on-verstappen-red-bull-good-job-over-the-winter.html


Jos Verstappen: 'If Red Bull can't do it now, you fear for the next years'
22 Feb 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

Jos Verstappen is on the one hand optimistic about Red Bull Racing and his son Max's 2025 season, but at the same time he worries: Will Red Bull manage to build a championship-worthy car again? "If they can't figure it out now, then you do worry for the years after," he said.

Looking ahead to the new season, Verstappen Sr., says he has many question marks. What will the balance of power of be, he does not know: "You do not know how the others are doing, so everything is new. Next week they will test and then you can see a bit of what is happening, but not quite yet either. So it is a matter of waiting and hoping that Red Bull has made a good car, because that is incredibly important for Max," Jos Verstappen told RaceXpress.

Out loud, Verstappen Sr., wondered whether Red Bull "can still do it?", after a season during which the Austrians seemed to have lost their way. "With these new people, to then put down a good car.... You take that into next year too, when everything is new. If they can't get out of it now, you do worry for the years after that. So we are optimistic, but we want to see it progress."

‘Many question marks’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/328743/jos-verstappen-fears-coming-years-if-red-bull-does-not-plug-leak.html


Mansell shares ‘exciting’ insider update on the Red Bull RB21
22 Feb 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

In a major boost for reigning World Champion Max Verstappen, Red Bull has done a “good job” with their new creation, the RB21.

That is the information heard by Formula 1 legend Nigel Mansell, who for as much as he wants to see Lewis Hamilton and his former team Ferrari back on top in F1, warns that Verstappen and Red Bull “won’t lie down” in the much-anticipated F1 2025 season to come.

And as the RB21 readies to hit the track – a filming day in Bahrain scheduled on Tuesday, February 25, the day before pre-season testing commences – Mansell has heard good things from his sources about Red Bull’s new challenger.

“The exciting thing about F1 in 2025 is that Max won’t lie down with Red Bull. I’ve heard Red Bull have done a good job with the car over the winter.”

‘Max won’t lie down with Red Bull’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/nigel-mansell-heard-red-bull-done-good-job-rb21


Verstappen in spotlight: 'They were stable weeks, a normal rhythm'
25 Feb 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

One driver after another tested an old F1 car in recent weeks, some drivers have already had the shakedown with their new cars. And Max Verstappen? The Red Bull Racing driver reported to his employer's factory later than his F1 colleagues. Not that Verstappen was slacking off in the meantime. Instead he was quietly preparing himself for what will undoubtedly be a long and hectic season.

He told Dutch press, including GPblog. "I also tried to do that as much as possible in January, to do this kind of thing as late as possible. So actually January was very nice. A lot of training at home, stable weeks, so to speak, a normal rhythm. Now it's a few final weeks before it starts and it's different again; a few days of training and now again, not, because you're on the road."

Everyone wants to know the same thing at the moment: Can Verstappen clinch his fifth title on the trot in 2025? This early in the season, Verstappen says he has no idea. After all, his RB21 has yet to make its first run. "In all the years I've experienced the winter months, it's never been 100 per cent clear how good or how bad something is. That's why I'm neutral on it, I'll just wait until I've driven the car myself. Then you know a bit more," concluded the Red Bull Racing driver.

‘Normal rhythm';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/328769/verstappen-clear-on-f1-75-event-would-rather-stay-at-home.html


How dominant will Verstappen be over Lawson?
Max Verstappen has not finished an F1 season behind a team-mate since his first year with Red Bull in 2016.
22 Feb 2025
RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

Liam Lawson faces a daunting task in 2025 being alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, in what is the New Zealander's first full-time F1 seat.

Not since Daniel Ricciardo in 2016 has Verstappen finished a season behind a team-mate; however, he did not race for Red Bull in the opening four rounds that year.

The Dutchman is also chasing a fifth consecutive F1 drivers' title in the upcoming campaign, giving the 27-year-old extra motivation.

‘How dominant?’;

https://racingnews365.com/how-dominant-will-verstappen-be-over-lawson


Team preview: Amid team changes and a new driver, can Red Bull reclaim the Constructors’ crown in 2025?
25 Feb 2025
Anna Francis
Formula One - Official Site

In one way it’s business as usual for Red Bull entering into 2025, with Max Verstappen again ready to defend his title after sealing his fourth consecutive World Championship. But in other respects the picture has changed dramatically from this time last year, given the departures of some high-profile figures within the team as well as the arrival of a new driver – and not to mention the loss of the Constructors’ Championship. Here’s the lowdown on the Milton Keynes-based outfit ahead of the campaign…

It’s season number 10 as a Red Bull driver for Max Verstappen, who arrives into the campaign having taken perhaps his most hard fought Drivers’ Championship yet. This achievement has elevated the Dutchman even further into the upper echelons of the record books, making him one of only six drivers to score four World Championships while his victory tally of 63 has put him third in the all-time list.

Meanwhile it’s all change on the other side of the garage. Following the exit of Sergio Perez after a tough season for the Mexican, Liam Lawson has been promoted after impressing during his previous super-sub stints for Racing Bulls. Given the loss of the Constructors’ Championship last time out, the pressure will be on the New Zealander to help the team bounce back.

‘Team changes’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/team-preview-amid-team-changes-and-a-new-driver-can-red-bull-reclaim-the.1YHbfFU8XtDYZ5ULXNJ3Qa


Red Bull ‘happy’ to see McLaren regarded as favourites in F1 2025
22 Feb 2025
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has asserted that he’s “happy” to see the pressure on McLaren and Lando Norris rather than his team going into the 2025 Formula 1 season. “It’s sometimes good not to be the favourite. It puts the pressure on others,” Horner told media including Motorsport Week at the F1 75 season launch in London.

“I’d be very happy to see Lando go into the first race as the favourite, but it’s meaningless until we get to that first race. Even then, Melbourne’s a pretty unique circuit. I think you need to see that first batch of flyaways to get a real true read of form and degradation. We’ve got new surfaces in China. There’s a lot of moving parts and it’s such a long season. So, let’s see how it plays out.”

‘Happy to see the pressure on McLaren and Lando Norris’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/02/22/red-bull-happy-to-see-mclaren-regarded-as-favourites-in-f1-2025/

[Fortitude]

Gary Anderson's verdict on, Red Bull's secretive 2025 F1 car, 2025 Mercedes F1 car, Aston Martin's crucial 2025 F1 car, Ferrari's '99% new' 2025 F1 car, the 2025 Haas F1 car, Williams's 2025 F1 car, the boldest part of McLaren's 2025 F1 car.


Gary Anderson's take on Red Bull's secretive 2025 F1 car
Feb 25, 2025
Gary Anderson
The Race

Red Bull has just released the first pictures of its new car for 2025, and I have to ask why it has bothered given what we've seen appears to be a few shots of a polished-up 2024 car with lighting and background that makes it very difficult to see anything.

It looks like the car has a very shallow nose profile.
The inboard end of the top front wishbone forward leg is raised right to the top of that surface (green ellipse).
Red Bull has retained the nose-to-front wing forward flap cover panel which means no slot gap.

From this side view of the radiator intake, sidepod and engine cover, the whole thing doesn’t look much different.
It retains the pushrod-operated rear suspension (red highlight) with a reasonable amount of anti-lift on the top wishbone forward leg (light blue highlight).

‘Gary Anderson's 2025 technical analysis’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/red-bull-secretive-rb21-reveal-gary-anderson-technical-analysis/


Gary Anderson's verdict on surprising 2025 Mercedes F1 car
24 Feb 2025
Gary Anderson
The Race

Let’s have a close look at what Mercedes has revealed of its W16 so far, with the proviso that what we see now might not be what we see during the team's shakedown on Tuesday, pre-season testing later in the week or at the season-opener in Melbourne. Mercedes has pulled the wool over our eyes in the past and is quite capable of doing the same again.

Mercedes' front wing has changed since last year but it’s difficult to see to what degree.
Front suspension: There is a slight difference in the angle of these two pictures which makes the top wishbone look higher but other than that the layout looks very similar to last year.
Radiator inlet: Where other teams seem to have opened up their cooling inlets, Mercedes seems to have really gone to town on minimising its sidepod inlet.

Sidepod: The undercut on the front corner of the sidepod (red highlight) is now more of a full length undercut.
Engine cover: More defined are the now-common cannon exits coming off the drivers' shoulders.
Floor sides: I’m surprised that we are not seeing more differences in this area because I would have thought that three months of aerodynamic research would have brought something to the package.

‘Gary Anderson's 2025 technical analysis’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mercedes-2025-f1-car-w16-gary-anderson-technical-analysis/


Gary Anderson's verdict on Aston Martin's crucial 2025 F1 car
Feb 23, 2025
Gary Anderson
The Race

With Adrian Newey being about a week away from ‘officially’ starting his new job with Aston Martin, the pressure is on the existing technical group to prove that they actually know what makes an F1 car tick.

Front wing: In its press release, Aston claims to have made a lot of changes to the front wing to help the front grip in low speed corners.
Front suspension: This is very similar to last year, I can't see any major differences in anti dive, top wishbone forward leg

Radiator intake: This new style of inlet (red highlight) is beneficial when you are running high angles of front wing, the top peak is roughly where the airflow separation point happens
Sidepod: The surface profile of the sidepods are less complicated than last year's version.
Rear suspension: Aston uses the Mercedes transmission system and with it, I’m pretty sure most of the rear suspension layout.

‘Gary Anderson's 2025 technical analysis’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/aston-martin-2025-f1-car-technical-analysis-gary-anderson/


Gary Anderson's verdict on Ferrari's '99% new' 2025 F1 car
Feb 23, 2025
Gary Anderson
The Race

The new Ferrari Formula 1 car has now hit the track and what's on show at Fiorano seems to be pretty consistent with the renders the team released of the SF-25, although there are no guarantees that this is what we will see in Bahrain when the cars start running for pre-season testing.

A wheelbase change: It looks like Ferrari has slightly lengthened the wheelbase by moving the front wheels forward.
Front suspension: Ferrari has gone to the pullrod (blue line above) front suspension… … mainly for aerodynamic optimisation and to allow further areas and direction for development.

Front wing: There's no big difference from last year, but for me the nose is fairly wide and boxy (blue arrows above) just where the front wing attaches to it.
Sidepod and radiator: The radiator inlet area is larger than last year. I think this comes about from the thinking that it could be a competitive season and that when running in traffic you need to make sure you can cool the car.

Gary Anderson's 2025 technical analysis’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/99-percent-new-2025-ferrari-f1-car-sf-25-gary-anderson-verdict/


Gary Anderson's verdict on the 2025 Haas F1 car
Feb 18, 2025
Gary Anderson
The Race

The restructuring at Haas prior to 2024 produced major benefits, with team principal Ayao Komatsu turning it into an engineering-led operation. I always say the devil is in the detail, but I must admit I expected just that little more externally-visual difference.

There is a very slight difference in the rear view mirror shroud, with the addition of a top and bottom horizontal vane to control the wake as it comes around that curved front surface and spills into the flat surface where the mirror lens is situated, but that’s about it.

Haas has retained the 2024-specification pushrod front suspension supplied by Ferrari, rather than taking the new pullrod version that we are expecting Ferrari to introduce.
The one change I have spotted is the detail of the rear-wing-to-endplate transition. I have highlighted this area with the green ellipse, and included a cropped version.

‘Gary Anderson's 2025 technical analysis’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/gary-anderson-verdict-2025-haas-f1-car/


Gary Anderson's verdict on Williams's 2025 F1 car
Feb 14, 2025
Gary Anderson
The Race

We've now seen the second 2025 Formula 1 car courtesy of Williams and I'm a little surprised that we haven't seen more differences between its 2024 and 2025 cars. Team principal James Vowles said that Williams was focusing on driver-usable downforce… But as I often say, it's the detail that counts and we really don't see enough of that to comment with any degree of confidence on whether Williams has achieved that this year.

Front wing and front suspension: As I have said many times, it all starts at the front of the car. There seems to be a slightly different loading of the front wing, which has the trailing edge highlighted in yellow, and the transition from the section under the nose looks less pronounced.
Sidepod: From a side view we can see changes to the sidepod profile. Williams now has more of a bathtub effect than just a short sidepod, which is highlighted with a red line on the image below.

Mercedes rear suspension: This year it's the latest 2025 Mercedes package (understood to be a 2024 carryover) complete with rear suspension. The main change is going from a pullrod to a pushrod rear suspension system, which is highlighted with the green line.

‘Gary Anderson's 2025 technical analysis’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/williams-2025-f1-car-gary-anderson-verdict/


Gary Anderson: The boldest part of McLaren's 2025 F1 car
Feb 13, 2025
Gary Anderson
The Race

The wait is over and we have our first look at a 2025 Formula 1 car courtesy of McLaren's Silverstone shakedown. As you'd expect given the secrecy over new cars, there's only a handful of images available - some from distant angles - but there are still some detail changes that we can pick out if you look closely enough.

Looking at what we've seen so far, there's one area that immediately grabbed my attention: McLaren has gone to town on its front and rear suspension geometry. Team boss Andrea Stella said most of the changes on the 2025 car are to optimise the aerodynamic package. This overall increase in anti dive using the top wishbone will achieve that…

Sidepod inlet: Radiator intake-wise (green highlights above), McLaren has altered the opening to more of an upside down L-shape.
Revised airbox: It is slightly wider and appears to be shallower - perhaps McLaren has just been watching the Six Nations, as it's more like a rugby ball shape?

‘Gary Anderson's 2025 technical analysis’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/gary-anderson-mclaren-2025-f1-car-verdict/

[Fortitude]

1st Day of Winter Testing done | Afternoon report: It's going to be close in 2025.
…and from the past 4 hours of on-track running, it's the usual suspects at the top and one outlier. Here's a look at how the session unfolded.
26 Feb 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

As Norris topped the timesheets, Sainz went even quicker and managed to slot himself in P5, just behind Verstappen. Although Hadjar moved up to Tsunoda’s time, and managed to slot in behind his teammate after having spent the majority of the session adrift off the Japanese's pace, the Racing Bulls rookie went off track once again at turn 7.

Verstappen placed himself behind Norris with a 1:30.6, almost two and a half tenths behind his McLaren rival, only to be pushed down to P3 by Mercedes driver, Russell.

Ocon, Hadjar and Verstappen did the most laps in the afternoon, with the Haas driver doing 88, the Racing Bulls driver 76 and the Red Bull Racing driver 74. How close will it be in 2025? At least during the afternoon session, Verstappen, Norris and Russell set the records for sectors 1 through 3 respectively.

‘It's going to be close in 2025’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/329381/1st-day-of-winter-testing-done-afternoon-report-2025-will-be-close.html


Are Mercedes ‘copying’ Red Bull in F1 2025? Testing sparks debate
26 Feb 2025
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Brackley may now be looking beyond their in-house ideas in a bid to save their championship hopes as Ted Kravitz suggests they’ve peered over at what Red Bull produced last time out as a source of inspiration. Mercedes have made significant design alterations for the 2025 season, prompting speculation that they are adopting Milton Keynes’ successful aerodynamic concepts, which led to 17 wins in 2022, 21 in 2023 and nine in 2024.

“[Kimi] Antonelli has stepped into the car, which looks like the Red Bull,” Kravitz told Sky Sports F1 at the Bahrain International Circuit. “They have certainly taken some design cues from recent Red Bulls, but they have taken it to a more extreme level. Just beneath the wing mirror, you can see one of the sidepod air intakes is the vertical one which Red Bull brought to their car last year. It’s extreme and a different design idea to the Mercedes of last year.”

‘Peered over at what Red Bull produced last time out as a source of inspiration’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/mercedes-copying-red-bull-f1-2025-testing-sparks-debate/


'So fascinating': Ted Kravitz shares why Max Verstappen’s first push lap of 2025 F1 testing was ‘crucial’ for Red Bull
26 Feb 2025
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

Speaking on Sky Sports F1, Ted Kravitz said that because so much of their car has changed, it was a ‘crucial’ lap for the team. “Max was obviously going for it and certainly everybody in the garage was keen to see what that lap was going to be. We’ve got them all lined up here,” he said.

“We’ve got Christian Horner, Helmut Marko and Liam Lawson, as well as GP Lambiase, all the other engineers, just looking at the pictures, watching Max on that lap. So, I think that was a crucial lap and it’s just going to be so fascinating because, I don’t know if everyone watched the press conference in the break, but Christian Horner underlining how much is different on this RB21. He said every single surface was changed from last year.”

‘Crucial’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ted-kravitz-shares-why-max-verstappens-first-push-lap-of-2025-f1-testing-was-crucial-for-red-bull/


Edd Straw's trackside verdict on every 2025 F1 car
26 Feb 2025
Edd Straw
The Race

Amid question marks about fuel loads, run plans and engine modes on day one of 2025 Formula 1 testing, what can't be hidden is how the cars look on track.

Watch from trackside for enough time, and at different corners, and you are guaranteed to see every car being leaned on in a way that will expose its traits. That's what makes following pre-season testing from behind the tyre barriers so fascinating. Every time a car passes, you grab a snapshot for assimilation into the growing tapestry of understanding.

All 20 drivers ran on the first day in 2025, offering a whistle-stop tour of the key players for the coming season. As a result, we can tease out early signs of the car characteristics we will soon become familiar with. These impressions are drawn from trips to watch trackside both in the 'morning' and 'afternoon' running in Bahrain and should be regarded as nothing more definitive than first impressions.

‘Edd Straw's trackside verdict’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/every-2025-f1-car-trackside-verdict-edd-straw/


Lando Norris looks every inch the world-championship favourite as McLaren star leads day one of pre-season testing - while Lewis Hamilton's first outing for Ferrari fails to impress
• Last year's world championship contender looked threatening in Bahrain
• Mercedes star George Russell was second-fastest, with Max Verstappen third
• But Hamilton found himself in the bottom-half of the pack on his public debut
26 Feb 2025
JONATHAN MCEVOY
MailOnline

Lando Norris lived up to his billing as world-championship favourite by setting the fastest time on the opening day of pre-season testing in Bahrain. In an afternoon session that was paused for an hour after a power cut plunged the garages and paddock into darkness, the McLaren man pipped his fellow Brit George Russell, of Mercedes, to top spot by 0.157sec.

Red Bull’s Verstappen was third quickest on the day, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc fourth best after he took over driving duties from Lewis Hamilton, who was 13th fastest on his first publicly timed outing in the red car since his £50m-a-year move from Mercedes.

‘World-championship favourite’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-14439641/Lando-Norris-world-championship-favourite-McLaren-day-one-pre-season-testing-Lewis-Hamilton-Ferrari.html


Verstappen reacts: This is how his first run with Red Bull's RB21 went
25 Feb 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

Max Verstappen has completed his first kilometres in Red Bull Racing's new RB21. At a windy Bahrain circuit, the reigning champion was the first to subject the new car to a small test during the shakedown this Tuesday. Afterwards, Verstappen addressed how the session had gone for him so far.

"It’s good to be back on track in Bahrain for this Filming Day before we head into Testing," Verstappen said. "It is really nice to be back driving again and to get into RB21 for the first time. I got a few laps in, but today was more about getting comfortable in the car, seeing what fits and we will then learn more about the car over the next few days."

As we know, Red Bull has had a challenging 2024, in which the team no longer had the fastest car. The coming days should show whether that has changed. "We know what last year’s limitations were, so it is important that we assess the pace over the next few days and see if we have improved. We don’t have a long time before the first race so, over Testing, we hope to get a lot of mileage on the car and lots of runs in to understand where we can find time."

‘Shakedown on Tuesday’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/329177/verstappen-reacts-this-is-how-his-first-run-with-red-bull-s-rb21-went.html


Feedback from Verstappen prompts enthusiastic Marko in Bahrain
26 Feb 2025
Tim Kraaij
GPblog.com

The feeling at Red Bull Racing is good after the first day of the winter test. Helmut Marko was positive to GPblog.com, but still mentioned McLaren as the team that, like last year, looks very strong.

Max Verstappen's feedback, after he drove around the track for more than a race length in the afternoon, was also positive, according to Marko. ''Good. He says the car is better put together. When they make changes, the car responds in the right way. During his fastest lap, he had a small wobble. However, the longruns we saw were very impressive.''

Overall, Red Bull Racing can therefore be very satisfied after the first day in Bahrain, according to Marko. The goals set, to make the car faster and more predictable, have all been achieved. On to day two, where only Liam Lawson will be in action for Red Bull Racing.

‘The feeling at Red Bull Racing is good’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/329410/marko-enthusiastic-after-first-day-of-testing-and-feedback-from-verstappen.html

[Fortitude]

Sainz narrowly leads Ferrari pair in second day of test.
Carlos Sainz Jnr finished his allocation of pre-season testing for Williams by putting them on top of the times on the second day of running in Bahrain,
27th February 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

The driver who was fastest in pre-season testing last year, for Ferrari, posted the quickest time of the test so far. He set a 1’29.348 shortly after returning to the cockpit following the lunch break. The two cars of his former team got within a tenth of a second of his time, Lewis Hamilton second for Ferrari ahead of Charles Leclerc.

Sainz was one of two drivers to complete the entire day solo. He logged 127 laps, the most of any driver. Liam Lawson, the other driver who had a car to himself all day, fell short of the 100-lap count after being confined to his garage towards the end of the morning session with an apparent power unit problem.

‘Sainz fastest’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/02/27/sainz-narrowly-leads-ferrari-pair-in-second-day-of-test/


Lando Norris hints at big McLaren development mistake
The Brit believes McLaren may have work to do on the rear of their car
27 Feb 2025
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Could McLaren have made a key development mistake ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, potentially costing them the constructors’ championship, as Lando Norris hints the team still have a lot of work to do ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

“Nothing’s been majorly addressed. Let’s say it’s not like that much has changed from what we’ve tried to do,” Norris added told members of the media, including Total-Motorsport.com. “Just try to do just try to make the car quick all around and add more load.

“That’s the most simple way of looking at it, honestly. We still want to try and focus on some areas more than, more than others, and we’ve struggled a bit more in the rear than we would have liked, over yesterday and today.”

‘Key development mistake?’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-2025-lando-norris-hints-big-mclaren-development-mistake/


Hamilton issues stinging response to Wolff after ‘shelf life’ remark
Lewis Hamilton is not messing around with a response to a Toto Wolff comment about his age.
27 Feb 2024
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

In a book released in November 2024 charting the inside story of Mercedes' season, Wolff said that Hamilton's decision to quit for Ferrari for '25 "helps us because it avoids the moment where we need to tell the sport’s most iconic driver that we want to stop ... We’re in a sport where cognitive sharpness is extremely important, and I believe everyone has a shelf life."

Reflecting on Wolff's 'shelf life' comment, Hamilton launched a passionate defence. "Don't ever compare me to anybody else," he told TIME. "I'm the first and only black driver that's ever been in this sport, I'm built different.”

"I've been through a lot, I've had my own journey and you can't compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present Formula 1 driver in history. Because they are nothing like me. I'm hungry, driven, I don't have a wife and kids. I'm focused on one thing, and that's winning. That is my number one priority."

‘Stinging response’;

https://racingnews365.com/hamilton-issues-stinging-response-to-wolff-after-shelf-life-remark


'I really enjoy driving this car' - Hamilton's early 2025 Ferrari verdict
Feb 27, 2025
Josh Suttill, Jon Noble
The Race

So what’s his initial feeling with the car? Does it suit him better than the 2024 Mercedes W15 that so often frustrated him? “I think it’s a bit early to say but I’m really enjoying the car,” Hamilton said on Thursday.

“We’re slowly bonding I think. Yesterday was a so-so day. It was OK. But yesterday we got through all of our run plan. We’re testing a bunch of things. So I’m not doing set-up changes or directing where I want the car to go. We’re just getting through the motions. Today was a bit more of getting to explore a bit of my interaction with my engineer. So far I really enjoy driving this car.”

'I really enjoy driving this car';

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/i-really-enjoy-driving-this-car-hamiltons-early-2025-ferrari-verdict/


Red Bull suspicions bring reminder of F1's biggest sandbagger
Feb 27th 2025
Cambridge Kisby
Motor Sport Magazine

The lack of obvious changes between the 2025 Red Bull and last year's F1 car has raised speculation that the team is sandbagging, and holding back radical parts. It's denied by the team, but wouldn't be the first time it has happened...

Unsurprisingly, amid the speculative atmosphere of the F1 testing, suspicions have been raised that the team has a more extensive upgrade hidden away, ready to whip out and stun the paddock at the first race of the season in Australia. So has Red Bull run out of ideas, or is it mounting an elaborate cover-up?

The answer to both questions appears to be no. When asked about the RB21’s supposed lack of development over the winter, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was quick to fire back. “Every surface on our car is different to last year, it just looks similar because it’s a similar philosophy,” he said during a press conference on the opening day of testing. “And you can see other cars have converged with that.”

‘Sandbagging suspicions’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/red-bull-suspicions-bring-reminder-of-f1s-biggest-sandbagger/?nowprocket=1#


Verstappen happy with RB21: 'Already a big difference'
Feb 27th 2025
Jenny Garnett
GPblog.com

Max Verstappen is so far satisfied with the work Red Bull Racing has done to fix the performance issues which arose in the team's 2024 F1 car. He has already concluded that the RB21 is an overall improvement on its predecessor.

On day two of the winter test in Bahrain, Verstappen was asked about his initial feeling toward the 2025 car. "So, I think the direction that we are working into is good. So we just need to follow that and see how much we can extract out of that. But at the moment, it's really early days. So, [there are] a lot of things that we are still discussing and wanting to improve. But, yesterday, like I said, I enjoyed it, and that's already a big difference to last year."

So far, the four-time world champion is delighted with the RB21, with which he will try to win his fifth Formula 1 world title. "It's just improved everywhere compared to last year. I don't want to go too much in detail. It's not necessary. We keep that for ourselves. But, let's see. I've done half a day. So, there's a lot to analyse also, but it's positive," he continued.

‘Improved everywhere compared to last year’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/329552/max-verstappen-praises-red-bull-s-improved-rb21.html


David Croft says Adrian Newey made one bizarre request for his Aston Martin office during secret factory visit
27 Feb 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

David Croft says Adrian Newey requested a bed in his Aston Martin office. Croft was commentating alongside Rachel Brookes and she explained: “If you speak to anybody at Aston Martin and you listen to them or you feel the energy that is there at the moment ahead of his arrival and the way people are speaking about it and the way the people there seem to be reenergized inspired by the fact that he’s coming, you can see just what sort of influence he brings.”

“It’s more than just what he does on a car.” Croft continued: “I had a fabulous story about Adrian Newey during the discussions with Aston Martin, you know when he was rumoured to have gone on a tour to the factory. They closed it down, they took him to the design office, showing him where he would be, where his office would be, where the drawing board and all of that and he asked, ‘Where do I sleep?’”

“They were like, what do you mean where are you going to sleep? At home probably. “No, no, no, no sometimes I’ll be here working late in the night, it could get to two o’clock in the morning, there’s no point going home, I’ll have a little snooze and I’ll get back to it again.’ So they had to make provisions to have somewhere nearby.”

‘Adrian Newey requested a bed in his Aston Martin office’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/david-croft-says-adrian-newey-made-one-bizarre-request-for-his-aston-martin-office-during-secret-factory-visit/

[Fortitude]

Russell pips Verstappen to fastest time of final day of testing.
However his best effort was two-tenths of a second slower than the quickest time of the test, set by Carlos Sainz Jnr yesterday.
28th February 2025
Keith Collantine
F1i.com

Sainz’s team mate Alexander Albon was briefly fastest today after producing a 1’29.650 with a run on the C4 tyres. However Max Verstappen moved to the top with a quicker time on the C3 tyres, then Russell took that from him using the same tyres, with just six minutes remaining.

Oscar Piastri produced McLaren’s fastest time of the test to end the day fourth-fastest, with what looked like a conservative effort. That lap moved him ahead of Pierre Gasly, who ran a sequence of increasingly fast laps after the lunch break, and ended up fifth.

The day’s two sessions were each interrupted due to unusual incidents. The first occured almost three-quarters of an hour before the lunch break, when a pane of glass fell onto the pit straight from a flag gantry above. The second interruption was potentially even more serious. Shortly after the lunch break ended, with the track live once more, a bus entered the circuit at the run-off area on the outside of turns nine and ten.

‘Russell pips Verstappen’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/02/28/russell-pips-verstappen-to-fastest-time-of-final-day-of-testing/


Max finishes test days in P2: 'We will see in Melbourne where we are at'
28 Feb 2025
Kees-Jan Koster
Verstappen.nl

After the final day of this three-day winter test, Max commented: “I think we had a decent day. We had a few little problems, but overall we completed quite a bit of what we tried to do. I think it was not bad, but at the same time there is still work to do.”

“It was what I kind of expected, we just keep on working and trying to improve. Hopefully we will be ready for Melbourne, learn a bit more, and see where we are at. I do not expect us to be the fastest at all, but at the same time it is very difficult to tell where everyone’s pace is. There is some work to do for us.”

‘Decent day’;

https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/5721/


Verstappen admits Red Bull have ‘work to do’ as pre-season testing concludes
28 Feb 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Max Verstappen shared mixed feelings after pre-season testing came to an end at the Bahrain International Circuit on Friday, saying there is “still a bit of work to do” for Red Bull.

“I think it wasn’t bad, but at the same time there is still a bit of work to do. However, it is what we expected and we will keep on working and keep on trying to improve and, hopefully, as we go into [the first Grand Prix in] Melbourne, we will learn a bit more by going through all the data and see where we are at.”

“It is difficult to tell where everyone’s pace is, so there is still a bit of work to do for us. We are looking forward to starting racing properly again in Australia.”

‘Work to do’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/verstappen-admits-red-bull-have-work-to-do-as-pre-season-testing-concludes.7wBAIm5eQDymUfEoJ4XR1s


What we learned from F1 2025 pre-season testing Day 3
What did we learn as the final day of the 2025 F1 pre-season test came to a close?
28 Feb 2025
Ewan Gale
PlanetF1.com

Red Bull searching for answers: A far from vintage three days of testing for Red Bull was typified by constant set-up changes on the final day in Bahrain.
Aston Martin setback by Stroll illness: Lance Stroll had struggled overnight between day 2 and 3 as he came down with illness, which saw Aston Martin switch run plans around and put Fernando Alonso in the car for the morning.

Alpine lays down its pace for first time this week: It took until the final day of the test but Pierre Gasly put a potential marker down for Alpine‘s pace in the midfield battle.
Track temperature the key to laptime comparison: Anyone looking at the long run data from the past two days will notice that those running mock races on day 3 were slower than the previous day of running.

Bizarre incidents overshadow stunning reliability: Other than a small issue for Mercedes, a bodywork failure for Haas and other small niggles across the other two days for various teams, there were no huge problems for any of the 10 outfits.

‘What we learned’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/what-we-learned-f1-2025-pre-season-testing-day-3/


What we learned watching all 10 F1 cars trackside in testing
28 Feb 2025
Thomas Maher
Total Motorsport

McLaren’s MCL39 looks to be the car to beat to start the F1 2025 season, even if it looks a little reluctant at times… What quickly became evident is that there is a paddock-wide belief that it’s McLaren who have the car to beat to start the season – even if the handling of the car isn’t quite where the drivers want it to be just yet.

Red Bull look to have got on top of the handling and balance issues of last year, but the RB21 looks set to start in a chasing position, along with Mercedes. The consensus around Ferrari is that the switch from push-rod to pull-rod suspension is something of a head-scratcher, given the strong position and relentless performance Ferrari ended the 2024 season in.

Behind Ferrari, the majority seem to agree it’s Alpine, although Williams also appear to have joined in the fight to be best of the rest – tying in with Andrea Stella’s Thursday comments that there may be as many as six or seven teams in the mix, although Carlos Sainz was at pains to downplay any potential leap forward by Williams when he spoke to media on Friday.

‘What we learned watching’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-testing-2025-pecking-order-mclaren-track-observations


Lewis Hamilton causes a stir off track at F1 testing – but are Ferrari in title contention for 2025 season?
28 February 2025
The Independent

In a week where all eyes were on Lewis Hamilton’s first public outings in the Ferrari cockpit, it was away from the racetrack where he made his biggest waves.

Acting as creative director for his own TIME photoshoot and interview, in which he posed next to a stallion named Aroma, the seven-time F1 world champion caused a stir with his punchy comments directed at “older, white men”.

“I’ve always welcomed the negativity,” he said, in the interview. “I never, ever reply to any of the older, ultimately, white men who have commented on my career and what they think I should be doing. How you show up, how you present yourself, how you perform slowly dispels that.”

‘Punchy comments’;

https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-testing-results-rankings-ratings-2025-lewis-hamilton-b2706804.html


Lewis Hamilton ‘really struggling’ as ‘nasty Ferrari’ catches Brundle’s eye
28 Feb 2025
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Alex Brundle, the racing driver and son of respected Sky F1 Martin Brundle, was unimpressed by the Ferrari while studying onboard footage of one of Hamilton’s laps on Friday in Bahrain.

“Anywhere where it’s got its tail to the wind, Hamilton is really struggling to get it into the apex. This is going to be a better lap for him, but it doesn’t look happy. Big understeer through the mid corner it’s probably one of the better corners of [Hamilton’s] lap.”

“It looks really, really nasty behind the [wheel], whatever they’ve done to that Ferrari for Hamilton, whatever they’re testing. Of course, you take avenues that don’t always work, but that isn’t friendly.”

‘Really struggling’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-hamilton-ferrari-nasty-alex-brundle


[B]Jolyon Palmer in awe of five-podium F1 driver who unleashed ‘hell’ with final lap times in Bahrain test
28 Feb 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Jolyon Palmer loves seeing the ‘shackles’ come off for Pierre Gasly and Alpine at F1 testing. Before leaving the commentary box on the final day of testing, Alex Jacques asked Jolyon Palmer for his highlight of the three days. He pointed to Gasly at Alpine.

The Frenchman was one of the form drivers on the grid at the end of last season, surging into the top 10 in the championship at the expense of Nico Hulkenberg. After Alpine’s unforgettable double podium in Brazil, he finished fifth in Qatar and seventh in the Abu Dhabi finale.

He also qualified a season-high third for the Las Vegas GP, only to retire with mechanical issues. Perhaps this was an indication that Alpine can occasionally disrupt the top teams in 2025. “Gasly unleashing hell in the Alpine this afternoon!” Palmer said. “Nice to see the shackles coming off.” Jolyon Palmer.

‘In awe’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/jolyon-palmer-in-awe-of-five-podium-f1-driver-who-unleashed-hell-with-final-lap-times-in-bahrain-test/

[Fortitude]

Wache: Magnitude of Red Bull progress ‘not as big as we expected’.
Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache acknowledged that the team’s three-day test in Bahrain had not unfolded as seamlessly as hoped, though its car’s raw pace appeared promising.
01/03/2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

“It was not as smooth a test as we expected and the team expected, but it is better to find some problems here than later down the line and it is why we are here, to understand the car,” he said.

“We tried to explore the potential of the car and tried to understand how it responds to different set-ups, and I think we more or less achieved that.” For Red Bull, the hiccups – evident in garage tweaks throughout Friday’s running – were a chance to probe the RB21’s limits before the stakes rise.

An Uncertain Pecking Order. Both Wache and Verstappen hesitated to peg Red Bull’s standing among its rivals. “I think it’s very difficult to see a starting order for Melbourne across the grid right now,” Wache noted. “You see that four teams look quite quick, including us, but we didn’t look too much at other teams, we tried to focus on our programme.”

‘Magnitude of Red Bull progress ‘not as big’;

https://f1i.com/news/531780-wache-magnitude-of-red-bull-progress-not-as-big-as-we-expected.html


Ferrari searching for balance and answers at end of F1 test
Mar 1, 2025
Jon Noble
The Race

Given Ferrari had been tipped to be McLaren's main threat in the 2025 Formula 1 season, how it fared in Bahrain testing may have left some wanting.

From an encouraging first day where Charles Leclerc seemed to be quite at ease with the new SF-25, the subsequent two days of running gave the impression of there being a gap between Ferrari and McLaren.

In fact, based on Lando Norris's astonishing long run on the second evening that put him 30 seconds up the road in a like-for-like comparison with Leclerc, indications point to Ferrari not only being behind but also facing a potential extra threat from the improved Mercedes.

‘Left some wanting’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/ferrari-searching-for-balance-and-answers-at-end-of-f1-test/


Winners and Losers from F1 Preseason Test Days in Bahrain
Defending Formula 1 Constructors' champion McLaren looks strong, while Red Bull produced mixed results.
FEB 28, 2025
PHILLIP HORTON
AutoWeek

Strong McLaren Eyes Good Start: McLaren captured the attention during the evening of the second day of running with a very strong race run for Lando Norris, while Oscar Piastri’s simulation on the final day was also good.
Mixed Test for Verstappen, Red Bull: Max Verstappen will have it work cut out for him in his bid to defend the F1 Drivers’ Championship. Verstappen didn’t carry out a full race simulation during testing, with Red Bull finishing bottom of the mileage charts, and after the final day of running was so-so over the team’s situation.

Lawson Aware of Tough Start: New Red Bull driver Liam Lawson did not have the smoothest of preseason tests, as one of the only drivers to have a half-spin on a push lap through turn 3, and he also lost some running time due to a loss of engine water pressure.
Antonelli Searching for Short-Run Lessons. Kimi Antonelli has big shoes to fill at Mercedes in replacing Lewis Hamilton. “I think was a pretty positive test, everything went well with the car, overall it went pretty smooth,” Antonelli said. “I still need to understand more about the car, and especially about the tires, in the quali lap, the window where they work is hard to get right.”

Hamilton Happy with Life at Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton is enjoying his first few months driving for Ferrari. Hamilton is continuing in his assimilation process, unpicking minor but crucial details such as different working practices after his 12 years at Mercedes, different settings, and fostering relationships and understanding with his engineers and the remainder of the team.

‘Winners and Losers’;

https://www.autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a63978671/winners-losers-from-f1-preseason-test-days-bahrain/


What Lawrence Stroll was seen doing before he left F1 testing as Aston Martin drop ‘like a stone’
1 Mar 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz encountered Stroll in the paddock and made an optimistic comment about the AMR25. Kravitz indicated that the Canadian shook his head in response. The billionaire isn’t known for his patience. Stroll got ‘pretty loud’ with Aston Martin staff after last year’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where an upgrade package failed to deliver.

“I was going to give them the benefit of the doubt until I spoke to Lawrence Stroll, who was leaving,” Kravitz said. “When I got to the point of the car, I said ‘oh the car looks better’ [shakes head]. They have dropped back.”

Most notably, Adrian Newey has joined from Red Bull. Newey will start work on Monday, so it’s unclear whether he have any meaningful influence over the 2025 car. According to David Croft, Newey has asked for a bed in his office. That’s a strange request, but one that shows his commitment to winning with the Silverstone-based team.

‘Like a stone’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/what-lawrence-stroll-was-seen-doing-before-he-left-f1-testing-as-aston-martin-drop-like-a-stone/


Mixed bag for McLaren in pre-season testing
McLaren remains the title favourite heading into this year’s F1 season despite a mixed experience during pre-season testing in Bahrain.
1 March 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri looked strong over a long run, but the MCL39 also appeared a handful. While clear room for improvement, McLaren has maintained its mantle as favourite as the F1 circus now heads to Melbourne. Across the three days of running in Bahrain it proved itself to be a well-rounded car, and a step forward in low-speed than its predecessor, a machine that delivered McLaren its first world title in a generation.

“Last year, I think we ended up with a car that was pretty well rounded, and hopefully we can continue that this year,” Piastri reasoned. “Bahrain has not been our happiest of tracks, certainly in my time at McLaren, but hopefully we can change that with this year’s car. So I’m excited to see what we’ve got. We’re not going to know until we get to Melbourne, really, but I think the signs have been positive.”

‘Mixed bag for McLaren’;

https://speedcafe.com/mixed-bag-for-mclaren-in-pre-season-testing/


Hamilton delighted with Ferrari's performance, but fears McLaren are ahead
01 Mar 2025
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Having completed his first pre-season testing with the Scuderia, Lewis Hamilton echoed Leclerc's words, claiming that the weather conditions caused an unusual factor in Manama. "Overall, it’s been a great few days and we’ve made some strong progress as a team. We had to finish a little earlier than planned today, and the weather has been hard to predict all week, but that’s how testing works sometimes, and we’ve managed to gather a lot of good information to build on before the season starts.”

Asked about the pecking order, the seven-time F1 champion insisted that McLaren looked incredibly strong given Lando Norris' race simulation on the second day of the running in Sakhir. “Obviously it's a lot hotter today but the McLaren did a great run yesterday. And I think also Max did a decent one today, even with the temperatures. So again it's hard to know what fuel loads everyone is running, as we're all doing different on our own programs.”

‘Fears McLaren are ahead’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/26381


Breaking Down F1'S Top Tech Upgrades From Testing In 2025
01 Mar 2025
Motorsport.com

F1's 2025 pre-season testing is now over, and we've seen the first views of what the 2025 Formula 1 grid will look like. But what tech upgrades stood out the most? From sidepods to suspension, engine covers to noses and more, Jake Boxall-Legge sits down with his trusty (digital) pen to break down the biggest tech trends from F1 pre-season testing, leading up to the 2025 Australian Grand Prix.

‘F1'S Top Tech Upgrades’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/video/breaking-down-f1s-top-tech-upgrades-from-testing-in-2025/659356/

[Fortitude]

Assessing the Performance of F1 Teams: A Comprehensive Ranking Post 2025 Pre-Season Testing.
In essence, the 2025 pre-season testing has provided a treasure trove of data and insights that will influence not only the initial races but also the broader championship narrative.
March 2, 2025
Darius Needham
FormulaNerds

From unexpected gains by McLaren to the implications of the new Hamilton-Ferrari alliance, this early glimpse into team performance provides valuable insight into their potential for success. Let’s dive deeper into the comprehensive rankings and assess where each team stands after these crucial pre-season tests.

McLaren has particularly stood out with impressive gains, showcasing their engineering prowess. The ongoing competition between Red Bull and Ferrari also illustrates how different teams are approaching the season with varying strategies and setups. Verstappen from Red Bull admitted that there’s work to do, signifying their admission of ongoing technical challenges. In contrast, the Hamilton-Ferrari alliance has sparked discussions, as both sides look to exploit their strengths.

Strategy and adaptability, as showcased by teams like Alpine and AlphaTauri, will play a critical role in shaping the initial races of the season. Noted teams such as Mercedes and Ferrari could either uphold their status or face challenges based on how well they integrate their learning from testing.

‘Comprehensive Ranking’;

https://formulanerds.com/features/f1features/assessing-the-performance-of-f1-teams-a-comprehensive-ranking-post-2025-pre-season-testing/?nowprocket=1


F1 testing data discovery indicates true Red Bull pace compared to Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes
2 Mar 2025
Pablo Hidalgo
PlanetF1.com

Red Bull Racing remain one of the biggest unknowns after Formula 1’s Bahrain pre-season test, as Max Verstappen’s team appears to have been hiding their pace heading into 2025. This data analysis was contemplated from the second day of pre-season, but we decided to wait until the last day to get more data and answers to provide to readers — and we knew Red Bull deserved a separate, deeper dive. With a much shorter stint than his rivals, Lawson ran similar lap times to Leclerc and Antonelli, but was still far from Norris and McLaren at more than three and a half tenths of a second difference per lap. Lawson in his second part of the race simulation loses almost a second per lap to Leclerc and Antonelli!

If we look at the telemetry of the fastest laps of Leclerc and Lawson in this stint we get the answer: Red Bull is really hiding its real pace especially in the low speed corners. Appart from using a very conservative engine map for their race simulation, what might be really be causing this is a car running with extra weight -sandbagging- which is why we see Lawson struggling at low speed corners and having to drop pace hitting clearly lower engine revs.

The only conclusion we can draw from this analysis of the race simulations is that Red Bull is undoubtedly not as far behind Ferrari and Mercedes, as the data seems to indicate. Mercedes looks stronger than Ferrari and Red Bull in windy, low-grip conditions but a small step behind when suffering from higher degradation in ‘normal’ track conditions.

‘Unknowns’;

https://www.planetf1.com/features/red-bull-racing-test-data-bahrain-ferrari-mercedes


Red Bull are ‘internally’ saying something seismic about Lando Norris’ 2025 McLaren F1 car
2 Mar 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Red Bull think they could be this far behind McLaren at the Australian Grand Prix. According to The Race, some are ‘very worried’ about McLaren’s pace. The 2025 season is forecast to be one of the closest ever, but the narrative may now be shifting. Speaking on Autosport’s YouTube channel, journalist Ronald Vording relayed an ominous message from Red Bull. They feel they’re competing with Mercedes and Ferrari for a best-of-the-rest role behind McLaren.

“Everyone in the paddock agrees,” Vording said. “I just talked to some people from Red Bull, they also said it seems to be really close behind McLaren. But they say McLaren seem to be a bit ahead. They don’t how much ahead – it could be two-tenths, it could be five-tenths – but they are the team to beat.”

Vording couldn’t put an exact figure on McLaren’s advantage. But Auto Motor und Sport’s Michael Schmidt has heard that they could be put four-tenths clear of Red Bull. You hear internally at Red Bull, they are expecting a three to four-tenth difference,” Schmidt said. “That would be a lot when you consider how close they were last year. This is a truly seismic claim. It suggests Norris may not only have a contending car this year – he may have a dominant one.”

‘Something seismic’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/red-bull-are-internally-saying-something-seismic-about-lando-norris-2025-mclaren-f1-car/


Piastri: McLaren heading to Melbourne ‘in decent shape’
01/03/2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Piastri, reflecting on the MCL39’s performance, highlighted its reliability as a launchpad. “I think it was a productive three days. We tried a lot of things and learnt a lot,” he said. “Some things felt quite good, others still need improvement but working through this is exactly what testing is for.”

“The car ran pretty much faultlessly, which was a solid place to be starting from. We've got a lot to review before Melbourne, but I think we’re going into it in decent shape.” His 84 laps underscored the car’s consistency, even if perfection remains a work in progress.

‘In decent shape’;

https://f1i.com/news/531795-piastri-mclaren-heading-to-melbourne-in-decent-shape.html


Red Bull points to McLaren and Ferrari trick: 'They're still using it'
28 Feb 2025
Nicole Mulder
GPblog.com

According to Pierre Wache, Red Bull Racing's Technical Director, it is clear that some teams are once again pushing the limits. "It is still going on," he told The Race. "I think Ferrari and McLaren are doing the mini-DRS stuff still."

There will be no protests for now, as the cars in Bahrain do not undergo extensive checks to see how far they comply with the regulations. In Melbourne, this will be different. "It will be [discussed]," predicts Wache. "It is quite visible."

To curb the use of the mini-DRS effect, the FIA has tightened the regulations surrounding the use of the so-called 'flexiwings'. For instance, the minimum opening of the rear wing has been reduced from 10-15mm to 9.4-13mm and the DRS bodywork is only allowed to have two positions: open or closed. Flexible intermediate positions are not allowed. In addition, teams must further strengthen their rear wing to prevent deflection of the component.

‘Pushing the limits’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/329884/red-bull-points-to-mini-drs-mclaren-and-ferrari.html


Stella’s warning: Williams could crash the top four party
02/03/2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella noted Williams’ standout performance in pre-season testing in Bahrain, and specifically the impressive single-lap pace of their FW47 car. “We see there are definitely several cars that are in condition to put together very competitive lap times, which I think are competitive in absolute terms,” Stella told the media, quoted by Motorsport Week.

Asked who among the chasing pack stood out, Stella pointed straight at Williams. “I’ve seen that in terms of one-lap pace in addition to the top four that seem to be certainly Williams, very competitive,” he said. “I’m really stating the obvious because I’m sure everyone will have seen the data. They are the same data that I look at.”

‘Williams could crash the top four party’;

https://f1i.com/news/531845-stellas-warning-williams-could-crash-the-top-four-party.html


Alonso calls Norris out: 'Now that he has the winning car, he says that'
2 Mar 2025
Savannah Lenz
GPblog.com

After being told that Lando Norris thinks there will be more than 14 race winners, Fernando Alonso joked: “Now that he has the winning car, he says that. When he was in the fifth or sixth team, he was saying that only one team will win all the races.”

Alonso, who has already said it looks like McLaren has an advantage this season, said “This is a normal confident speech. It is good for him but it is going to be difficult.” He said, “Reliability is so good on these days. There are not many retirements, there are not many incidents. Strategies are quite defined.”

‘McLaren has an advantage this season’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/330117/fernando-alonso-on-lando-norris-confident-speech.html

[Fortitude]

March 3, 2025: A historic date for Aston Martin, Newey AND Verstappen?
In a few years, the date 3 March, 2025 may just turn out to be a historic one in Formula 1 history. Will Verstappen be Aston Martin's next big signing?
3 Mar 2025
Ludo van Denderen
GPblog.com

With this outlook, 3 March 2025 could be a historic day. Is this the moment when Aston Martin actually started transforming from midfield to top team? A question that concerns not only everyone within Aston Martin, but also one that Max Verstappen would like to see answered.

It is no secret that Aston Martin - and certainly Adrian Newey - wants to bring Verstappen to the team. But the Red Bull Racing champion will only consider such a move if he sees potential in the Aston Martin project. And so that is up to Newey. Then, who knows, maybe another historic moment for the British team will follow at some point, when Verstappen signs his commitment with Aston Martin?

‘March 3, 2025’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/330127/adrian-newey-officially-starts-at-aston-martin-what-does-verstappen-do.html


New Aston Martin designer Adrian Newey ready to get back to drawing board
3 Mar 2025
The Japan Times

London – Adrian Newey will be literally going back to the drawing board when Formula One's foremost designer starts work at Aston Martin on Monday.

The 66-year-old Briton, whose departure from Red Bull was announced last May, famously likes to work with pencil and paper in a sport awash with supercomputers and data-crunching on a mind-blowing scale.

"His office is ready, the drawing board's there," team principal Andy Cowell told reporters during testing in Bahrain last week.

‘Drawing board, pencil and paper are ready’;

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/03/03/more-sports/newey-start-aston-martin/


Adrian Newey ‘objective’ revealed ahead of long-awaited Aston Martin arrival
2 Mar 2025
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Team principal and CEO Andy Cowell revealed the team’s “objective” with Newey, who is set to join in the newly-created role of managing technical partner, will be for him to not only be involved with the design of their F1 2026 car, but to help “lift our quality standards” to ensure they become title challengers in future.

Firstly, though, an office big enough to house one of his famed drawing boards has been checked off the list. “Everybody on site is excited at the thought of working with him, so when he arrives, there is a new office that’s large enough for a drawing board to go in. So that’s in place.”

‘Office big enough to house one of his famed drawing boards’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/adrian-newey-aston-martin-objective-arrival


Adrian Newey reveals first Aston Martin "target" as former Red Bull CTO arrives in Silverstone
Mar 2, 2025
Lydia Mee
Motorsport.com

Newey revealed what his first priorities would be upon joining the team. He explained: "I'm just looking forward to it and what will be, will be. The first target really is to get to know everybody here, understand how everybody works, and try to integrate myself with everybody.”

"It's talking to the drivers, it's talking to my fellow engineers, trying to bounce ideas off them. Getting that sort of creative flow going. Together with great partners like Honda and Aramco, they have all the key pieces of infrastructure needed to make Aston Martin a world championship-winning team and I am very much looking forward to helping reach that goal."

‘First Aston Martin "target"’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/adrian-newey-reveals-first-aston-martin-target-as-former-red-bull-cto-arrives-in-silverstone/10699966/


Aston Martin reveals where Adrian Newey’s focus will lie as F1 designer begins role
3 Mar 2025
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week
Motorsport Week

Aston Martin has addressed that Adrian Newey’s initial work at the team will be split between improving both its 2025 car and the new rules coming to Formula 1 in 2026.

“You know, everybody’s super excited to work with Adrian,” Cowell told select media including Motorsport Week in Bahrain. “His record speaks for itself. So we’re looking forward to welcoming him on site, doing an induction for a new employee. Might be a little bit different.”

“And starting work on introducing him to the key technical players within our business, showing him the business tools for engineering the car, and then getting stuck into creating a 2026 car and helping the improvements on 2025.”

‘Initial work, improving both its 2025 car and for 2026’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/03/aston-martin-reveals-where-adrian-neweys-focus-will-lie-as-f1-designer-begins-role/


What is on Newey’s to-do list on his Aston Martin arrival
Mar 3, 2025
Ronald Vording
Motorsport.com

The walls of Adrian Newey's office have already been painted, Andy Cowell revealed during testing in Bahrain. It refers to an anecdote from Newey's time at McLaren, when the designer added more colour to his office, leaving Ron Dennis utterly speechless, as the team boss was used to everything grey. "Ron turned purple," Newey joked at the time.

Enrico Cardile, who joins from Ferrari, and Newey. Cardile has officially been appointed as chief technical officer and "will oversee the architecture, design, and build of the new cars," according to the team. Newey's official title is "Managing Technical Partner," alongside becoming a co-shareholder of the Silverstone-based team.

Dual technical leadership is nothing new and is how Newey operated at Red Bull as well. There, Pierre Wache managed the daily operations as technical director, while Newey looked at the bigger picture. Wache explained this division of roles in a recent interview: "He was not involved in the process on a daily basis but approached things more from the sidelines and constantly challenged us.”

‘Colour to his office’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/newey-aston-martin-to-do-list/10700072/


Who is Adrian Newey? Everything you need to know about the legendary Aston Martin designer including net worth
3 Mar 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

After studying aerodynamics and aeronautics at university in the late 70s, Adrian Newey’s ambitions were always to work in motor racing. He was initially rejected by a lot of teams before a call came from Harvey Postlethwaite, who was chief of design at Fittipaldi. The team raced in sports cars and Newey worked on their March 83G GTP, which almost won the 1983 Daytona 24-hour race. It would go on to achieve success later in the 1983 season, before winning Daytona in 1984 with the Kreepy Krauly Racing team.

After a brief stint working in Indycar in the mid 80s, Newey’s F1 success story starts in 1988 when he joined the March/Leyton House team. Newey was signed up as technical director in 1990 and immediately achieved success with Ivan Capelli in the 881 by taking podiums at Spa and Estoril, and going on to achieve sixth in the Constructors’ battle. Despite being fired from Leyton House at the end of the season due to a decline in results, Newey would go on to join Williams which would be the start of his impressive F1 career record.

Adrian Newey signed as chief designer under Patrick Head at Williams in 1991.
An unsuccessful tenure at McLaren does not end well for Adrian Newey.
Adrian Newey takes soft drinks company Red Bull to world champions.

‘Who is Adrian Newey?’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/who-is-adrian-newey-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-legendary-f1-designer-including-net-worth/


"What will be, will be," says Newey
03/03/2025
Pitpass

As he finally arrives at Aston Martin, Adrian Newey insists that he is making no promises. Of course, when you've designed championship winning cars for three different teams over four decades, it is widely accepted that you will continue, which is exactly why Aston Martin signed him, while Ferrari failed.

Newey's main focus will be the 2026 car and the rules overhaul, however, following an uninspiring test, the Briton will almost certainly need to spend some time working on the team's 2025 contender, surely one of the least impressive over the course of the three days in Bahrain.

"What will be, will be";

https://www.pitpass.com/79560/What-will-be-will-be-says-Newey

[Fortitude]

Stella’s warning: Williams could crash the top four party.
The data didn’t lie: Williams, powered by new signing Carlos Sainz, had topped the timesheets on day two with a blistering single-lap pace that turned heads across the paddock.
2 Mar 2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

“We see there are definitely several cars that are in condition to put together very competitive lap times, which I think are competitive in absolute terms,” Stella told the media, quoted by Motorsport Week.

For Stella, it was a sign that 2025 might rewrite the pecking order. “So if anything my take so far is that I was thinking before coming here that in the past we used to talk about the top three,” he said. “Then thankfully McLaren has kind of added and now we have the top four.”

“But perhaps this year we might have to adapt our language again, which will be great for Formula 1 and then maybe the top five or the top six. So we will see. Certainly there seem to be a few quick cars out there.” Asked who among the chasing pack stood out, Stella pointed straight at Williams.

‘The data didn’t lie: Williams’;

https://f1i.com/news/531845-stellas-warning-williams-could-crash-the-top-four-party.html


F1: Williams could become threat for top 4 teams, say McLaren
Mar 5, 2025
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

McLaren’s Andrea Stella elaborated on why James Vowles’ squad should not be underestimated: “We see that at low fuel, there are definitely several cars that are in condition to put together very competitive lap times, which I think are competitive in absolute terms…”

“It’s interesting that, for instance, Williams were very strong in the second sector. Which is not only a sector of braking acceleration, is also a sector with a couple of medium-speed corners. So I think this should say that Williams might have improved in that area.”

In many ways, it is important to exercise caution about the lap times set by James Vowles’ team in Sakhir. Fundamentally, Williams were running significantly less fuel than the top teams when setting their personal best times. Of course, this is not to say the FW47 is not a clear step forward on its predecessor.

‘Williams could become threat for top 4’;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsports/2025/03/05/f1-williams-could-become-threat-for-top-4-teams-say-mclaren/


Williams a surprise threat ahead of Australian GP
McLaren boss Andrea Stella has singled out Williams as a potential surprise packet as the F1 circus heads to Melbourne for next weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.
5 March 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

McLaren emerged as the team to beat during the three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain late last month. That reaffirmed the belief the Papaya squad is the favourite for the championship this year. However, team principal Stella is wary of the closing challenge posed by the field. “I’ve seen that, in terms of one lap pace, in addition to the top four… certainly Williams very competitive,” he said. “I’m sure everyone will have seen the same data that I look at.”

“Already last year, going through qualifying sessions, it was quite tight,” Stella admitted. “Those sessions in which you enter [Q1] and you think we’re going to go through with one set of tyres, just the first run will be enough; often we needed to go out again and it was still quite close from a lap times point of view. What I’ve taken from these two days is that, if anything, there is going to be even more of this as we start this 2025 season.”

‘Williams a surprise threat’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-mclaren-williams-stella-vowles-testing-pace-rivalry-comments-reaction/


Will Williams end painful three-year wait?
Williams have featured on the F1 podium 313 times in its history in the pinnacle of motorsport, although it has not added to that list since 2021.
4 Mar 2025
Nick Golding
RacingNews365

Williams has not claimed a podium in Formula 1 in over three years, although the team enters the new season in a fascinating position. The Grove-based outfit's most recent podium came in the unusual 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, with George Russell finishing second.

At a soaked Spa-Francorchamps, Russell qualified in second. Following a significant delay due to extreme weather, the first two laps were completed behind the safety car. A red flag was flown on the third lap, with no restart possible. It holds the record for the shortest race in F1 history. Since then, Williams has not been in a position to compete for a podium.

‘Painful three-year wait’;

https://racingnews365.com/will-williams-end-painful-three-year-wait


Williams delighted with the reliability of their FW47
4 Mar 2025
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Williams' chief engineer Dave Robson highlighted the reliability of the FW47 as its main strength, with only minor technical issues having hindered the team's on-track preparation for the upcoming season. "Alex was back in the car for the final day of winter testing. Conditions were more challenging today with the strong gusts making testing more difficult.”

"However, we were still able to complete some useful work across a range of fuel loads. In preparation for the season ahead, we scanned a range of car configurations and tyre compounds. Once again, the FW47 was mostly reliable with only a few minor issues affecting the programme. This puts us in a good place for the opening races of the season."

‘FW47 was mostly reliable’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/26391


Joy for Carlos Sainz? Williams gains uncovered in F1 testing data analysis
3 Mar 2025
Pablo Hidalgo
PlanetF1.com

Carlos Sainz and Williams to start F1 2025 as best of the rest? In the short pre-season in Bahrain the team led by James Vowles seems to have made a clear step forward with the new Williams FW47. Carlos Sainz was the fastest driver during pre-season testing with a lap time of 1:29.438. Of course, no top team went in search of performance and if they had, they would have beaten this lap time.

Still, the telemetry data shows that the FW47 is a car with good aerodynamic efficiency on the straights, but still struggles to find grip on slow-speed corners as we can see in the following graph compared to Lewis Hamilton’s brand new Ferrari SF-25. The FW47 seems to have a certain ease in making the softer compounds work in the optimal operating window. However, it struggles more with the harder tyres in the long runs.

While there are many doubts about the relative differences between McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes, everything seems a little clearer in the middle of the grid. Williams seems to have an extra point of potential ahead of Alpine and Racing Bulls while Aston Martin, Sauber and Haas seem to be a step behind these three teams.

‘FW47 is a car with good aerodynamic efficiency’;

https://www.planetf1.com/features/carlos-sainz-williams-fw47-data-f1-testing


What Williams can learn from its last great F1 leap forward
Mar 5, 2025
Edd Straw
The Race

Williams's leap forward in 2014 was no more than a dead cat bounce, with little chance of it leading to a sustained return to frontrunning form. That's the big difference in what it hopes to achieve in 2026 as, with the financial conditions prevalent in F1 now very different, there should be no reason why it can't hold onto any big gains made.

The one problem is that 2026 probably comes too early to expect Williams to repeat its 2014 trick and be able to jump forward to the extent that it's the second-fastest car. Williams might look well placed to make a leap from the back to the front of Formula 1's midfield in 2025, but team principal James Vowles has long been clear that the team's resources are focussed on the opportunity presented by the new regulations to make an even greater leap forward in 2026.

‘Williams's leap forward’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/what-williams-can-learn-from-its-last-great-f1-leap-forward/

[Fortitude]

Russell approves the return to Melbourne: "Definitely should be the opener".
Russell on returning to Melbourne for the season opener: "I think it's great starting in Melbourne.”
4 Mar 2025
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

“Melbourne's naturally a great place, but of course, it takes a long time to get there. And I think the last couple of years, when it's been race three, you've already had quite a heavy start to the season with testing [in] Bahrain in general, whereas at the start of the season, things are a little bit calmer and it takes less of a toll on the body. So I feel it definitely should be the opener," Russell explained at the F1 75 Live event in London.

"I think when you look at last year, I don't think there's really any trends of where cars go well and when they perform poorly. So I think whoever wins in Melbourne or even if the team dominates, I don't think that necessarily means they'll go on to dominate the season. If they win the opening four races, that's a better indicator," Russell concluded.

“Great starting in Melbourne”;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/330412/f1-george-russell-on-the-australian-grand-prix-season-opener-in-melbourne.html


Doohan and Piastri headline free Australian GP fan event
7 March 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Australian Grand Prix organisers have supplemented this year’s event with an all-new festival in Melbourne Park Oval. Starting on Wednesday, the initiative offers a cost-free way for fans to engage with the Australian GP without attending the circuit. Doohan and Piastri will kick off the festival with an appearance at 3pm AEDT on Wednesday.

“The appearance of Oscar and Jack offers fans a free and exclusive opportunity to hear from the drivers ahead of their home race, something usually reserved for ticket holders attending the Grand Prix at Albert Park.,” said Australian GP boss Travis Auld.

“Over the five-day festival, fans will also get the opportunity to hear from Formula 1 reserve drivers and team principal, Supercars drivers and even Australia’s own 2025 Dakar Rally winner, extending the excitement of race week from the track to Melbourne Park Oval.” On top of the Q&A appearances, the fan festival will boast a big screen, display car, and virtual selfies. The five-day festival starts on Wednesday and runs throughout the weekend.

‘Fan event’;

https://speedcafe.com/doohan-and-piastri-headline-free-australian-gp-fan-event/


Norris backed to vanquish Verstappen and Hamilton with early boost
3 Mar 2025
Samuel Coop
RacingNews365

Who will win the Australian Grand Prix?
Answer Share of vote
Lando Norris 32.29%
Max Verstappen 22.87%
Lewis Hamilton 17.94%
Charles Leclerc 10.31%
Oscar Piastri 9.87%
George Russell 2.69%
Kimi Antonelli 0.90%
Liam Lawson 0.45%
Someone else 2.69%

‘Norris backed’;

https://racingnews365.com/norris-backed-to-vanquish-verstappen-and-hamilton-with-early-boost


Every F1 team ranked after 2025 testing
1 Mar 2025
The Race

10 Sauber: Being the slowest based on headline laptimes is one thing, but doing so in harness with unspectacular long-run pace in a car that is visibly the trickiest to drive adds up to a bleak picture for what was already last year’s worst team.
9 Aston Martin The fact Aston Martin had a disrupted test, completing only 306 laps – more only than Red Bull – perhaps shrouded the car’s potential. But on top of the inconclusive, but unspectacular, laptimes there were signs trackside of instability at corner entry, meaning the drivers often had to hesitate briefly after the initial turn in to ensure the rear end didn’t give up on them. That’s a time and confidence-sapping trait.
8 Haas: It was only the ninth-quickest car on single-lap pace, but it again looks set to be a competitive midfield proposition. As team principal Ayao Komatsu says: “we are in the ballpark, I don’t know exactly where”.
7 Racing Bulls: The team had to chip away at an understeer problem over the course of the Bahrain test, and there were still signs of a slight front limitation on the final day - but nothing too serious. In the hands of Yuki Tsunoda, in particular, the car looks like a good package with significant data accumulated and mileage logged.

6 Alpine: We might even be harsh on Alpine by ranking it only sixth, given it looks to be nip and tuck with Williams for the head of the midfield. Generally, the Alpine ran a little heavier on fuel load than the Williams in Bahrain, with the two cars looking to have similar pace.
5 Williams: Williams set the fastest laptime of the test, on the second day of running. While that led to some tipping it to join the lead group, that seems a step too far - as Carlos Sainz admitted when he said “I don’t think we’ve done the necessary step to be fighting with the top teams this year”.
4 Red Bull: The Red Bull RB21 is unquestionably fast enough to be in the leading group of four, but it appears to have inherited at least some of its predecessor’s problems. Watching from trackside, there were signs of the balance problems with the car not looking easy to get turned in and rotated through the corner consistently when pushing. Even when quick, the car looked tricky.

3 Ferrari: At its best, the car is nimble and strong, almost inseparable from the Mercedes in both poise on-track and in laptime. But it occasionally exhibited some more prominent limitations – sometimes understeer, sometimes rear sliding, sometimes excessive tyre wear. It seems the test was slightly disappointing given how well sorted McLaren looked and the step Mercedes has apparently made.
2 Mercedes: The Mercedes was unusually serene on track throughout the Bahrain test. It looked consistent, giving drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli real confidence.It also showed a good turn of pace, with the numbers placing it at a very similar level to Ferrari. Given the car looked so well balanced, despite a persistent front-brake-locking problem, that’s given it the marginal edge in our ranking. Russell described the test as “seamless”, reflecting the positive mood in the team.
1 McLaren: McLaren was only fifth fastest based on headline laptimes, but make no mistake - its race pace was mighty and clear of everyone. That means its status as pre-season favourite has been confirmed.

‘Rankings’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/every-f1-team-ranked-after-2025-testing/


Lewis Hamilton 'ready' as Ferrari boss warns F1 rivals ahead of Australian Grand Prix
Mar 6, 2025
Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

"It was nice to start on the track after the first two months of enormous enthusiasm,” Ferrari boss Vasseur told Italian news outlet Corriere Della Sera. “Even though he is a seven-time world champion, he is living a completely new experience. It's not easy to change teams. He's known new procedures, he had to get used to a different steering wheel and different software. They were intense days, it went well in Bahrain, and now he’s ready for Melbourne."

'Ready';

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2023392/Lewis-Hamilton-Ferrari-Australian-Grand-Prix


'Would not be at all surprised': Ted Kravitz predicts three-win F1 star to beat Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen onto the Australian GP podium
6 Mar 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Kravitz, impressed by the speed of the Mercedes car during testing, has backed George Russell to prevail. That means Hamilton and Verstappen will both miss out, in addition to Charles Leclerc and youngsters Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson.

“I would not be at all surprised if we saw George Russell on the podium in Melbourne,” Kravitz said. “Maybe if you’re saying the McLaren is the fastest car, it could be a Norris-Piastri, Piastri-Norris first and second. I would say that George Russell has got a great chance of being third. That Mercedes is quick. I would put that Mercedes behind the McLaren on the grid, maybe ahead of the Ferraris.”

'Prediction';

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ted-kravitz-predicts-three-win-f1-star-to-beat-lewis-hamilton-and-max-verstappen-onto-the-australian-gp-podium/


Ralf Schumacher fears a ‘difficult’ year awaits one-pole driver whose 2025 F1 car is a ‘disaster’
6 Mar 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Ralf Schumacher is not holding out hope for one driver ahead of the 2025 season-opening Australian Grand Prix as their car was a ‘disaster’ at F1 testing in Bahrain. Ralf Schumacher fears for Nico Hulkenberg as Sauber’s 2025 car was a ‘disaster’ at F1 testing. Expectations for the term ahead are not high as the C45 was just the ninth-best car in qualifying or race simulations at F1 testing.

So, Schumacher fears for Hulkenberg and even questions his German compatriot’s move as Audi will focus on 2026 when the automotive giants make Sauber a works team. He also has questions for Sauber/Audi COO Mattia Binotto plus new team principal, Jonathan Wheatley.

Schumacher told Sky Sports Germany’s Backstage Boxengasse podcast: “Hulkenberg [faces a] difficult initial situation. Audi, last year of these regulations, they’ll be looking at ‘26. What can his motto be this year? I’m a little sorry about that because the car is really still a disaster, at least as it looks at the moment. But maybe something else will come to it. However, I’m afraid that Binotto is such a nice guy, but I don’t know exactly, I’m not quite sure yet if he sees the big picture now.”

‘Fears for Nico Hulkenberg’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ralf-schumacher-fears-a-difficult-year-awaits-one-pole-driver-whose-2025-f1-car-is-a-disaster/

[tbazsi95]

Fresh pictures about construction at the Hungaroring
https://www.instagram.com/p/DG5jC4rNAoT/

[tbazsi95]

BREAKING: Cadillac confirmed as 11th team on the 2026 F1 grid​
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/cadillac-receive-final-approval-to-join-formula-1-grid-in-2026-as-11th-team.1saxQLtLPc7k9TFl4eNrQN

[Fortitude]

F1 formally approve arrival of new Cadillac team with Silverstone base to enter sport from 2026.
Formal confirmation has now been reached between world motorsport’s governing body the FIA and FOM, with Cadillac F1 to become the grid’s 11th team from 2026 onwards.
7 Mar 2025
• Charles Crook
CitiBlog

The move will see Cadillac become the first new entry to the Formula One grid since Haas joined in 2016. In a statement on the F1 website, Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “As we said in November, the commitment by General Motors to bring a Cadillac team to Formula 1 was an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport.

“I want to thank GM and TWG Motorsports for their constructive engagement over many months and look forward to welcoming the team on the grid from 2026 for what will be another exciting year for Formula 1.”

The team operators previously opened a Silverstone base in April 2024 as part of their approach to get started on their attempts to enter the sport, with the 48,000 square foot facility adjacent to the race-track intended to house manufacturing facilities, ADM, electronics, R&D and additional office and meeting facilities. The site is one of three that will be used by the team, alongside further facilities in the American states of Indiana and North Carolina.

‘Cadillac team with Silverstone base’;

https://citiblog.co.uk/2025/03/07/f1-formally-approve-arrival-of-new-cadillac-team-with-silverstone-base-to-enter-sport-from-2026/


F1 confirm new team - powered by Ferrari - will join the grid next year with at least one of the drivers likely to be American
• A bid, headed by US team Andretti, was first rejected but a deal has been done
• 1978 world champion Mario Andretti is set to be involved with team as an advisor
• The other 10 teams on the grid had been against introduction due to prize money
By PA
7 Mar 2025
MailOnline

The other 10 teams had largely been against the introduction of a new outfit because of the dilution of prize money. However, it is understood Cadillac's ambition to become a full works team and commitment to a future power unit of their own - as well as the significant financial involvement of General Motors in the project - was too good for the sport to resist.

Cadillac, a division of American motoring giant General Motors, will be supported by TWG Motorsports and powered by Ferrari before it develops its own engines. It is expected that at least one of Cadillac's drivers will be American. Briton Graeme Lowdon has already been announced as the team principal and it will have a base at Silverstone.

‘At least one of Cadillac's drivers will be American’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-14474309/F1-new-team-Ferrari-join-grid-American.html


Cadillac F1: Who are the key personnel at America’s latest Formula 1 team?
07 Mar 2025
Elizabeth Blackstock
PlanetF1.com

TWG Motorsports: Cadillac F1’s ownership group: The motorsport division was created to absorb the increasing motorsport investments made by TWG Global, which now include the Cadillac F1 team, Andretti Global’s IndyCar and Formula E endeavors, NASCAR’s Spire Motorsports team, IMSA’s Wayne Taylor Racing, and the Walkinshaw Andretti United Supercars team.

Graeme Lowdon: Cadillac F1 team principal: Lowdon has been actively involved in motorsport since the mid-1990s, and with his ties to Virgin Group, he assisted Richard Branson in the founding of the Virgin Racing F1 team that went on to become Marussia, then Manor.

Nick Chester: Technical director: Chester started at Simtek as a vehicle simulation researcher before moving to the Arrows Formula 1 team in 1995. His role evolved from vehicle simulation engineer to suspension designer to race engineer. After that, Chester headed to Benetton, Lotus, and Renault…

‘Key personnel’;

https://www.planetf1.com/features/cadillac-f1-who-are-the-key-personnel-at-americas-latest-formula-1-team


Who should Cadillac sign as its F1 drivers for 2026?
Cadillac has officially been approved for an F1 entry in 2026 - but we want to know who should be signed as its driver line-up!
7 Mar 2025
Jake Nichol

There will be an 11th team on the F1 grid for the 2026 season after Cadillac received final approval for its entry. The General Motors project will join the grid from the start of next season after passing all technical and commercial tests and will mark GM's first taste of F1.

Former Marussia boss Graeme Lowdon has been signed as team principal, but the identity of the driver pairing has yet to be confirmed. With that in mind, RacingNews365 wants to know who you think should be its driver line-up. To do so, vote in the poll below, and we will select the top two options from the number of votes cast to declare a result!

‘Who should Cadillac sign?’;

https://racingnews365.com/who-should-cadillac-sign-as-its-f1-drivers-for-2026


Cadillac F1 chief addresses driver rumours after 2026 entry confirmed
American driver Colton Herta has been linked to the Cadillac F1 team.
Mar 7, 2025
Lydia Mee
Motorsport.com

Cadillac F1 team principal Graeme Lowdon has addressed the rumours surrounding the driver lineup for the team, which has now been formally approved to join the Formula 1 grid in 2026. “There’s some very talented drivers still out there. We hadn’t been able to be in the driver market until the entry was confirmed. Now it has, we can move forward with that.

“In terms of timing, we’re not putting any timeline on driver announcements or anything like that but for sure, there will be in time. For sure we’re going to hire drivers based on merit. But as such, we see no reason why we won’t have American drivers in time.”

“There’s nothing preventing a driver being selected on merit and being American. I think that would be something that a lot of fans would really want to see as well. At the end of the day, the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is based in the US. We have an operation in the UK, but it’s headquartered in the US and it is a US team as well. I’m fairly sure that hiring on merit and having a US driver are entirely compatible objectives for the team.”

‘Driver rumours’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/cadillac-f1-team-chief-addresses-driver-rumours-after-2026-entry-confirmed/10701253/


Cadillac F1 entry ‘transformative’ as FIA president welcomes ‘milestone’ moment
7 Mar 2025
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

In a statement, Ben Sulayem said: “Today marks a transformative moment, and I am proud to lead the Federation in this progressive step for the championship. The FIA Formula One Championship’s expansion to an 11th team in 2026 is a milestone.”

“GM/Cadillac brings fresh energy, aligning with the new FIA 2026 regulations and ushering in an exciting era for the sport. The Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s presence in the paddock will inspire future competitors and fans. Their entry strengthens our mission to push motorsport’s boundaries at the highest level.”

‘Transformative’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/cadillac-f1-2026-team-entry-approved-fia-mohammed-ben-sulayem


Analysis: ‘We don’t just want to turn up and race’ – Cadillac’s challenge ahead as F1’s 11th team prepare to hit the grid in 2026
7 Mar 2025
Lawrence Barretto
Formula One - Official Site

Cadillac have done a deal with Ferrari to use their power units and gearboxes from next season. The race is now on to be ready for 2026 – and while it’s going to be a massive challenge, the American outfit is up for it. “In terms of being ready to race, everything is on schedule,” Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, who knows how to get a Formula 1 team set up having brought Virgin Racing into the sport in 2010, told F1.com.

“We don’t just want to turn up and race, we want to be as competitive as we possibly can be. From that point of view, for sure we would have loved to have had more time and more people because the more of that you have, the more performance you can build in. But we recognised that the process itself requires a huge amount of energy and effort.”

“In terms of timeline for production, we’re happy with where that stands. We’ve been using a lot of time up to now doing a lot of testing and validation of individual components, things like testing of noses, squeeze testing of chassis elements and the like. There’s an awful lot of work that has gone on in the background. There’s still a lot of work to do. We’re in a significantly better position now that we’re now a fully-fledged F1 team. We will have access to all the data and information that all the other teams have.”

‘Hit the grid in 2026’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/analysis-we-dont-just-want-to-turn-up-and-race-cadillacs-challenge-ahead-as.3BD4ObP5MXNyrINwqc4kUY

[Fortitude]

Joy for McLaren? Max Verstappen’s blunt Red Bull assessment ahead of Australian GP.
Max Verstappen has admitted that Red Bull have “too much work to do” to stop McLaren winning next weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, the opening race of the F1 2025 season.
8 Mar 2025
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

According to PlanetF1.com’s best guess regarding the initial pecking order, based on conversations with teams up and down the paddock as well as from watching the cars trackside in Bahrain, McLaren are set to start the F1 2025 campaign with the quickest car with Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari all battling behind.

With the Red Bull RB21 carrying a striking resemblance to its predecessor, technical director Pierre Waché admitted at the conclusion of the Bahrain test that he is “not as happy as [he] could be” at this stage of the season.

Waché revealed that the RB21 “did not respond how we wanted at times”, a common complaint of the 2024 car, raising doubts over how much Red Bull have improved since the end of last season. He went on to add that while the team are heading in the right direction with development, “the magnitude of the direction was not as big as we expected.”

‘Max Verstappen’s blunt Red Bull assessment’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-verstappen-red-bull-defeat-mclaren-f1-2025-australian-gp


Hamilton slower than last year? 'I would put Mercedes ahead of Ferrari'
7 Mar 2025
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz sees Lewis Hamilton's former team Mercedes "ahead of the Ferraris" as Formula 1 gears up for the Australian Grand Prix. Many saw it as a move to chase a record-breaking eighth world title, but according to Kravitz, speaking on Sky Sports News, it may be his former team who have more pace to start the season: "That Mercedes is quick. I would put it behind the McLaren in terms of where they are on the grid, and maybe ahead of the Ferrari's early on."

"I would say that George Russell has got a great chance of being third. And watch out for Kimi Antonelli too. It's great to have an Italian back in Formula 1, but when all the attention is on the man who went from Mercedes to Ferrari, it might be an Italian driver not in a Ferrari who manages to get on the podium," concluded Kravitz.

"That Mercedes is quick”;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/330736/f1-ted-kravtiz-on-lewis-hamilton-and-ferrari-battling-mercedes-in-australia.html


Why Williams staff are privately feeling ‘really nervous’ before the Australian Grand Prix
7 Mar 2025
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Williams do not want to get carried away with testing performance before Australian Grand Prix. Early indications are that Williams have taken a step forward in development. Sainz went quickest on day two of testing ahead of the two Ferraris. But according to journalist Mat Coch, the staff in Grove are ‘really nervous’ heading into the Australian Grand Prix. They do not want to get carried away with their display in Bahrain, despite signs being good for their 2025 prospects.

Coch said via Speedcafe: “I was actually messaging a few people at Williams over the three days of testing and they don’t want to get themselves carried away. They’re really nervous, they’re saying: ‘It’s only testing!’ But the signs are good. Certainly when you look at the last couple of years, they’ve been struggling for points. They were in that battle for sixth but they were an arm’s length away from it really last season in terms of the constructors’ championship.”

“This year they look very much in the fight, not just for sixth but potentially for fifth as well. That’s a huge step forward in terms of where that team has come from in recent years. And what it does, it also validates all the work they’re doing off track because there’s been a huge amount of investment since Dorilton Capital bought that team in 2020. They’ve spent off the top of my head 857.2 million Australian dollars, work that out say 500 million American? That’s a huge amount of money to invest in a team.”

‘Really nervous’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/why-williams-staff-are-privately-feeling-really-nervous-before-the-australian-grand-prix/


Christian Horner names 'standout' car ahead of F1 season-opener
Pre-season testing in Bahrain saw the F1 teams roll out their new challengers for the year ahead, with one catching the eye of Red Bull's Christian Horner.
8 Mar 2025
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

“Into this cycle of regulations, it’s clear that the cars have converged and they look very, very similar,” Horner told media including RacingNews365. “I think probably Ferrari is a standout as probably being a differentiator.”

“That’s inevitable, marginal gains are going to be there. Every surface on our car is different to last year, it just looks similar because it’s a similar philosophy. You can see other cars have converged with that. That’s what is going to make the racing so tight this year, that some cars might suit some circuits better than others.”

‘Ferrari is a standout’;

https://racingnews365.com/christian-horner-names-standout-car-ahead-of-f1-season-opener


Bernie Ecclestone sells £500 million F1 car collection to Red Bull co-owner
8 Mar 2025
Jack Oliver Smith
Motorsport Week

According to the MailOnline, Mark Mateschitz, the son of the late Red Bull founder Dietrich, who inherited his father’s 49 percent share in the business, has snapped-up the collection of 69 cars from Mr Ecclestone. Ecclestone appeared happy with the sale, commenting: “These are unique vehicles. They have written sport history and marked technical milestones.

They embody 70 years of F1 history. “It means a great deal to me to know that this collection is now in the very best of hands. Mark is the best and most worthy owner we could ever imagine.” The collection comprises of a plethora of cars from various era, and features a strong presence of Ferraris, including the F2002, which helped Michael Schumacher to his fifth World Championship with 11 wins from 17 races.

Another notable car in the collection is the Brabham BT46, commonly known as the ‘fan car’, from 1978, when Ecclestone was owner of the team. Designed by Gordon Murray, the car utilised a fan which extracted air from underneath, creating a huge amount of downforce. It raced just once, at the Swedish Grand Prix, and took Niki Lauda to victory, but was pulled by the team thereafter due to concerns raised by other teams.

‘They embody 70 years of F1 history’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/08/bernie-ecclestone-sells-500-million-f1-car-collection-to-red-bull-co-owner/

[Fortitude]

"McLaren are three tenths ahead," reveals Helmut Marko.
Following the three-day pre-season testing, Red Bull's motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko insisted that the Milton Keynes-based outfit still needs to iron out a few issues with its new car.
10 Mar 2025
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Red Bull's motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko insisted that the Milton Keynes-based outfit still needs to iron out a few issues with its new car. “I’m not disappointed with the RB21, but it would have been nice if our adaptations and innovations had worked right away. The car is more predictable, it reacts to changes in trim as it should, there is no longer the unpredictability that characterized much of 2024. Some news didn’t work and this means we still have room for improvement.”

Marko expects McLaren to carry over its competitive advantage into the upcoming season, estimating that the reigning world champion outfit enjoying a gap of two-three tenths of a second which is mainly due to better tyre degradation. “We still have 2-3 tenths to be at the level of McLaren, which has had a much better degradation than ours in terms of tires,” concluded Marko.

"McLaren are three tenths ahead";

https://www.f1technical.net/news/26403


F1 Australian GP 2025 Schedule
This year, we kick off the Formula 1 season in Australia, something that last happened in 2019. Check out the full schedule of the F1 Australian GP here and don’t miss the moment the red lights go out!
10 Mar 2025
RacingNews365 Staff

The schedule of the F1 Australian GP is automatically adjusted to your time zone.
F1 schedule Australian GP

Session
Date Time
Free practice 1 Friday 14 March 02:30 - 03:30
Free practice 2 Friday 14 March 06:00 - 07:00
Free practice 3 Saturday 15 March 02:30 - 03:30
Qualification Saturday 15 March 06:00 - 07:00
Race Sunday 16 March 05:00 - 07:00

‘Schedule’;

https://racingnews365.com/f1-australian-gp-2025-schedule


Rising rain threat for Australian Grand Prix
This weekend’s Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix faces an extra threat with an increasing risk of rain forecast.
10 March 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Cars hit track for the first time on Friday with Thursday, opening day of the four-day event, given over to local support categories, headlined by Supercars. Current forecasts predict cool but dry conditions to start proceedings, with an expected top of 23.

Things will warm and brighten up on Friday, with a top of 29 on the cards as F1 heads out on track for the first time. The warmer conditions are expected to remain on Saturday, though there is a 40 percent chance of showers according to the Bureau of Meteorology. That is largely expected overnight and, while potentially making the Albert Park circuit greasy, forecasts suggest it should not otherwise interrupt proceedings for the first F1 qualifying session of the year.

However, the threat of rain during the day is real moving into Sunday. Temperatures are expected to fall slightly while the chance of any rain in Melbourne increases to 70 percent, with estimates of up to eight millimetres over the day. That is predicted to hit Melbourne in the afternoon, with the chance increasing from noon.

‘Rising rain threat’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-australian-gp-melbourne-weather-forecast-rain-details/


‘People in the paddock’ spotted staff at 95-race F1 team looking miserable after 2025 Bahrain testing
9 Mar 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Kimi Raikkonen former engineer Julien Simon-Chautemps was speaking on The Race F1 Podcast and his sources in the paddock gave him the lowdown of what was happening during testing. It sounds like staff in the Aston Martin garage weren’t having the best time after a tricky end to 2024.

Aston Martin staff had ‘long faces’ after watching their cars during pre-season F1 testing. “And then for me, one of the disappointments was Aston [Martin]. Talking to some people in the paddock and you were there, I wasn’t, but apparently they had some long faces over there, like not very happy. They clearly don’t have the pace in qualifying or in the race. So they’re around P8.”

‘Miserable’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/people-in-the-paddock-spotted-staff-at-95-race-f1-team-looking-miserable-after-2025-bahrain-testing/


'I am 100% convinced' - Former Red Bull driver makes key Newey claim
Adrian Newey has started work at Aston Martin - with one former Red Bull racer sure success will be delivered.
9 Mar 2025
Jake Nichol & Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Former Red Bull driver Christian Klien is "100% convinced" that Adrian Newey will ultimately deliver F1 success to Aston Martin in the future. "This year's Aston Martin doesn't seem to be good, but it remains to be seen if Newey can do something for the car right away, I don't know, but I do think he will come up with something. However, it is not clear if he can implement them for this season, especially with the focus on 2026, which will be his main focus," Klien told RacingNews365.

"Aston Martin has done incredibly well in bringing Newey in, I am 100% convinced he still has it in him, and I remember how he made Red Bull a top team. He succeeded because he knew who to work with and created a fantastic team around him and built it step-by-step, but it did take a few years. Even at Red Bull, he needed some time to let everything fall into place, and in my view, a perfect process takes about five years.”

"The question therefore is whether he has come in time for Fernando Alonso (who will turn 49 in 2030). They will become a top team, but it is difficult to say in what time frame that will happen. It is not easy to gather a good team of people, and you have to take them away from other teams, and then also deal with gardening leave, but it is definitely not a 'one-man team' with Newey. One of his great strengths is that he knows exactly who to sign, that is why he is absolutely the right man for Aston Martin, he will be a success story."

‘100% convinced’;

https://racingnews365.com/i-am-100-convinced---former-red-bull-driver-makes-key-newey-claim


Honda tipped to come out on top in F1 2026 power unit regulation shake-up
09 Mar 2025
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com

Honda has been tipped to create the best powertrain in Formula 1 during the next regulation cycle as new engine regulations will shake up the formbook next season. Honda is set to return to Formula 1 as a full-blown supplier in 2026, having agreed on a works supply deal with Lawrence Stroll’s Aston Martin team as Red Bull has embarked on a partnership with Ford to create Red Bull Powertrains for its two teams.

Otmar Szafnauer is a former veteran of Honda motorsport, having been on the board of Honda’s F1 team and becoming vice-president of Honda Racing Developments in the mid-2000s. Saafnauer believes that even if Honda doesn’t immediately have the best powertrain in F1 2026, it won’t take long for the Japanese manufacturer to rise to the top. “If I look back at what they did with these regulations when they came in with McLaren, again, they didn’t start off with the best powertrain and ended up with the best powertrain,” he said.

“They will absolutely end up with the best powertrain. They work hard. They have the resources to do it, they have the infrastructure to do it. They have smart powertrain engineers. And one thing Honda has always prided itself on is being a powertrain company, a powertrain-led company. So every CEO at Honda Motor Company has been an engine engineer. They’ve had no other CEOs other than engine engineers.”

‘Tipped to create the best powertrain in Formula 1’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/honda-tipped-to-impress-new-f1-power-unit-rules-cycle-2026

[Fortitude]

IT'S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we're excited about ahead of the 2025 Australian Grand Prix.
That’s right everybody, it’s finally race week again! More than three months after last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a new Formula 1 season is set to kick-off and there is plenty to get excited about, so here are just a few of the fresh topics ahead of the race weekend in Melbourne.
10 Mar 2025
Chris Medland
Formula One - Official Site

Home hope for Piastri: Australian drivers have not had the best of luck at their home race over the years. Since the race became a part of the World Championship in 1985 – then in Adelaide – there has never been an Australian driver classified on the podium.

Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari: Seeing Hamilton in red has been one thing so far this year, but seeing him racing in red is going to be quite another. Hamilton has been doing everything he can to get up to speed as quickly as possible, in the knowledge that 2025 is likely to be an extremely competitive season. He also has one of the quickest drivers on the grid alongside him in Charles Leclerc, so he’s set for a stern test.

While not technically a rookie, Liam Lawson will start his first full season in F1 at Red Bull after impressing for Racing Bulls last year, taking over as Max Verstappen’s team mate from Sergio Perez. Although Lawson will drive for a team that finished ahead of Mercedes in the Teams’ Championship, perhaps the most high-profile rookie is Kimi Antonelli stepping up to replace Hamilton, with the 18-year-old Italian continuing a remarkable rise through the ranks

‘5 storylines’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/its-race-week-5-storylines-were-excited-about-ahead-of-the-2025-australian.cT1DrJA9UiJysIhX7u1EY


Mercedes over the hill? Wolff looks to Australia: 'This is just the beginning'
10 Mar 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

In a press release, Mercedes team principal and CEO, Toto Wolff, speaks… ''We will write the opening lines of our next chapter at the Australian Grand Prix. It's an exciting time as we build upon the incredible legacy of the Mercedes brand in motorsport. We will be striving to set new benchmarks and fulfil new dreams in the years ahead. That will take every single one of us: from the drivers to the mechanics, engineers, everyone at Brackley and Brixworth and, of course, our fans," reads the start of the hopeful message.

Stating the components that make-up Mercedes' DNA, ''Innovation; Pushing the boundaries; The pioneering spirit of our founders,'' what 'drives them forward', he of course, addresses its "homegrown" all new driver lineup of Russell, and Hamilton's replacement, Andrea Kimi Antonelli. ''With George and Kimi, two homegrown talents from our junior programme graduates, we have a strong driver line-up that combines experience, youth, and raw speed. It is an exciting duo that will lead us into our next era.''

''As a team, we had an uphill challenge over the winter. Our competitors finished 2024 strongly and we know that Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren in particular, should have a performance advantage over us initially,'' added Wolff… "Both drivers commented favourably on the W16 after the three days, and we seem to have made improvements. Of course, the only thing that matters is how we measure up against the stopwatch relative to our competitors. We will certainly begin to get a clearer picture on that this weekend.''

‘Components that make-up Mercedes' DNA’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/331274/wolff-hopeful-of-mercedes-future-after-new-era-is-begun-amid-hamilton-exit.html


'I'm ready' - Defiant Norris reveals McLaren 'momentum' hope
Lando Norris' pursuit of a maiden F1 drivers' title begins this weekend in the first round of the 2025 F1 season.
10 Mar 2025
Nick Golding
RacingNews365

On the second day of testing, Norris delivered a stunning race simulation, leaving the paddock pointing at McLaren as the team to beat at Albert Park. "I’m excited to get the 2025 season started in Melbourne!" said Norris. "It’s a special track for me as this was where I made my debut with McLaren back in 2019.”

"This circuit has been good to us in the past, and hopefully, we’ve carried our momentum from 2024 into this year. We had a productive test, but we won’t know where we stand until Qualifying on Saturday. I think this should be a very exciting season with a lot of close racing. There’s going to be a lot of competition, which should hopefully make it exciting for the fans to watch. I’m ready to get the season started!"

'Momentum hope’;

https://racingnews365.com/im-ready-defiant-norris-reveals-mclaren-momentum-hope


Five unforgettable Australian Grand Prix moments from title-deciding collision to Jenson Button masterclass
11 Mar 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill collide at Adelaide in 1994: Perhaps one of the most controversial moments in F1 history was when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill collided during the 1994 title showdown.
Ralf Schumacher gets airborne during 2002 season opener: Ralf Schumacher’s start to the 2002 season would last all but 400m when he created a spectacular crash trying to overtake Rubens Barrichello.

Jenson Button goes from last to first in 2010 masterclass: Jenson Button was always known as a wet weather master when he was in F1, and that was on full display in only his second race with McLaren.
Daniel Ricciardo loses podium in 2014: It is the dream of any driver to stand on the podium of their home race and it appeared as though Daniel Ricciardo has achieved that in 2014 when he crossed the line in third. But post-race he would be disqualified for exceeding the fuel flow allowed within the permitted amount by the FIA.

Fernando Alonso escapes injury after big 2016 crash: The 2016 season was already turning into a difficult one for Fernando Alonso after McLaren’s partnership with Honda got off to a rocky start. Alonso found himself at the back of the grid due to the poor reliability of the Honda power unit, and would go on to suffer a spectacular crash when racing with Esteban Ocon.

‘Unforgettable’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/five-unforgettable-australian-grand-prix-moments-from-title-deciding-collision-to-jenson-button-masterclass/


Australian GP facing rising threat ahead of 2025 season-opener
If you're heading to Albert Park this weekend, an emergency poncho or two might come in handy...
10 Mar 2025
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

As of 19:00 AEDT on Monday 10th March (08:00 UK) there is a 64% and rising chance of rain showers blowing through Melbourne and Albert Park at 15:00 AEDT on Sunday afternoon (04:00 UK) - the time the race is set to begin.

There is currently a huge storm system in the Tasman Sea off the coast of Tasmania and New Zealand, the bulk of which will hit the southern island before another system moves in behind in, drawing wind and rain from the Southern Ocean, near Antartica.

If the rain does hit the Albert Park circuit, it will come in from the south-west, meaning the final corners would be the first to be impacted if a shower pops up during the race, although race day morning itself is forecast to be extremely wet.

‘Rising chance of rain showers blowing through Melbourne and Albert Park’;

https://racingnews365.com/australian-gp-facing-rising-threat-ahead-of-2025-season-opener

[Fortitude]

Ex-McLaren mechanic now fears one ‘total disaster’ scenario between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in 2025.
Oscar Piastri is expected to go toe-to-toe with his teammate this year, having had two seasons to settle into the car and learn about its characteristics.
11 Mar 2025
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

Marc Priestley fears ‘total disaster’ at McLaren if Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri fight for F1 title. Piastri admitted one 2024 move on Norris wasn’t appropriate after causing a stir on lap one of the Italian Grand Prix. For the first time, it showed that the two may not be the best of friends when it comes to fighting on the track. It was at a time of real need for Norris, who needed to win to keep his title hopes alive.

Marc Priestley is worried that a similar level of disregard could produce a nightmare situation for his ex-team in 2025. “They go in 25′, day one, both drivers have the same shot at winning the title,” he said. “If they produce a car that is either the quickest or right up there, the only thing standing between them and the world championship is probably the other one. I’ve never seen a situation ever in Formula 1, and I don’t believe it’s true it can happen, where the drivers stay friends when that’s the scenario. It rarely happens.”

“It happened with us in 2007 with Fernando and Lewis – total disaster. It happened with Nico and Lewis at Mercedes again,” Priestley continued. “This isn’t just about Lewis by the way. This is the rare occurrence when your car is dominant and there’s no other challenge from outside. It’s one of your two drivers is going to win the one thing they’ve both dreamt of since kids.”

‘Fears’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ex-mclaren-mechanic-now-fears-one-total-disaster-scenario-between-lando-norris-and-oscar-piastri-in-2025/


[B]Why hometown hero Piastri could finally break the curse of Albert Park
11 Mar 2025
Oliver van Bronswijk
The Roar

The Australian Grand Prix has had a funny effect on our homegrown talents across the years. Despite Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo having capable podium-scoring machinery at the hands of Red Bull Racing, neither managed the feat. History has not been favourable for Australians since the debut of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide in 1985.

It took until 2002 for a full-time race driver to come back to an Australian in the form of Mark Webber. Whilst he did stand on the podium in 2002, it was for finishing fifth in a Minardi. A miraculous achievement but awards no trophy. His Red Bull successor Daniel Ricciardo also stood on the podium and lifted the second-place trophy in 2014. But he was disqualified the next day for breaching fuel consumption regulations.

In 2025, we have two Australians on the grid: Jack Doohan racing for Alpine and Oscar Piastri for McLaren. No offence to Doohan but as it’s his second Grand Prix and in a midfield car, he is unlikely to podium on Sunday. Oscar Piastri on the other hand has a real opportunity.

‘The curse’;

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/03/12/why-hometown-hero-piastri-could-finally-break-the-curse-of-albert-park/


Oscar Piastri hoping for fast start to F1 title challenge in Melbourne at Australian Grand Prix
11 Mar 2024
Michael Doyle
ABC Online

In short: Oscar Piastri has a genuine chance of winning his home grand prix this weekend, a feat not achieved by an Australian since the race was added to the Formula 1 world championship. McLaren stormed home in 2024 to claim its first F1 constructors' championship since 1998, with Piastri winning in Hungary and Azerbaijan.

For Piastri to become Australia's first world champion since Alan Jones in 1980, the McLaren driver says he needs to hitting the ground running to start the season. "Definitely, I'm going in with the hope and ambition to fight for the drivers' title and to help the team retain the constructors' title," Piastri said in an interview with McLaren ahead of the season-opener in Melbourne. "With the season we've just had, it would be silly to aim for anything less — certainly to prepare for anything less — but we'll see how we come out of the gates and reassess from there."

"Last year, for the most part, was a good step up from my rookie season, but I still need to improve," he said. "I think my good weekends were very strong, but it is about getting to a place where all of my weekends look like that. That's the big key. There are some specific areas I want to focus on to go faster, but it's mostly about trying to be at the top of my game, consistently."

‘Genuine chance of winning’;

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-12/oscar-piastri-hoping-for-fast-start-to-f1-title-challenge/105036878


‘Mess up on this, you cannot be part of McLaren’: Aussie’s rivalry reset after team orders ultimatum
10 Mar 2024
Fox Sports (Australia)

Oscar Piastri is about to embark on just his third Formula 1 campaign, but his target in 2025 is clear. “I want to win the world championship this year,” he said, per Autosport. “I do think that I can become world champion this year.” It’s a quote as understated as the 23-year-old Melburnian himself.

Piastri is used to the competitive limelight. He won three junior titles on the bounce, all in succession, to make himself one of the most hyped rookies in years on debut in 2023. But it’s taken him three years to get what the paddock assumes will be a title-contending car, McLaren having unexpectedly surged to the constructors championship last season.

“We have discussions with our race drivers before every race,” Stella said. “We talk about our principles, going racing. One principle, just to make an example — I don’t want to disclose too much, but this one is simple — is: the interest of the team comes first. If you mess up on this matter, you cannot be part of the McLaren Formula 1 team. That’s the principle.”

‘Papaya rules?’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/formula-one/papaya-rules-how-piastri-can-beat-norris-to-17year-mclaren-first/news-story/189b315233fb18c88d7c048f0c95ba12


McLaren locks Piastri down with long-term contract extension
Mar 11, 2025
Josh Suttill
The Race

Oscar Piastri has committed to a multi-year extension on his current McLaren contract that should keep him at the Formula 1 team until at least 2028. Partway through his rookie F1 season in 2023 Piastri signed a long-term deal with McLaren stretching until the end of 2026. Now on the eve of the 2025 F1 season starting at the Australian Grand Prix in Piastri's home city of Melbourne, he has agreed a new "multi-year extension" to the contract.

"It's a great feeling knowing that I'm part of McLaren’s long-term vision," Piastri said. "The team had the belief in me when we signed in 2022, and the journey we've gone on over the past two seasons to help return McLaren to the very top of the sport has been incredible. There are so many talented and special people working at MTC [the McLaren Technology Centre] who have helped me to become a Formula 1 race winner very early in my career.”

"Therefore, I'm very proud to be continuing to represent this legendary team for many years to come. I'm excited to fight for the big prizes as a McLaren driver and after last year's fantastic achievements, it has made me even hungrier to stay at the sharp end."

‘Multi-year extension’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/oscar-piastri-mclaren-f1-contract-long-term-extension/


Analysis: Why McLaren have locked down Piastri to a new contract extension now
11 Mar 2025
Formula One - Official Site

McLaren have made a habit of not wanting to hang about when it comes to handing out contract extensions to their drivers and senior leadership team in the last couple of years. Their latest move to extend Oscar Piastri’s stay at the team still further proves how much he impressed them in his second year, how highly they rate him and how sought-after he is by some of their rivals.

Piastri only joined McLaren at the start of 2023, the Australian leaping over from Alpine and impressing so quickly, he earned a multi-year extension after just 15 races with the iconic British team. Ahead of this third campaign in F1, McLaren have locked him down until at least the end of 2027 and possibly longer – though as with any F1 contract, there are likely to be a plethora of options and clauses on both sides.

‘Impressed them in his second year’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/analysis-why-mclaren-have-locked-down-piastri-to-a-new-contract-extension.4eVUpIzJo6VoiCspcKnn50

[Fortitude]

Lando Norris rubbishes ‘short-sighted’ claims of McLaren advantage over F1 rivals.
Lando Norris has slammed the “short-sighted” notion that McLaren holds an advantage over its Formula 1 rivals ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
March 13th, 2025
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

“I know there’s a lot of expectation and it’s what everyone says,” Norris told select media including Motorsport Week on Thursday. “It was really, it was just my one race run I did made everyone believe this [advantage] quite heavily. It was a good race run, but it was also in the most perfect conditions.”

“Oscar [Piastri] did a race run the next day that was a lot slower. Not because he drove worse but simply because the conditions on the final day were considerably slower. So I’m quite surprised so many people are so short-sighted, especially people you wouldn’t expect to be, making so many conclusions before you even start the season.”

“But everyone just wants to play that game of looking like the underdog and playing it down. We just focus on ourselves and it’s nice that so many people are thinking about us and talking about us. Great publicity for us so I thank all of them.”

‘Lando Norris has slammed the “short-sighted” notion’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/13/lando-norris-rubbishes-short-sighted-claims-of-mclaren-advantage-over-f1-rivals/


‘We are not the quickest at the moment’ – Verstappen assesses where Red Bull stand ahead of Australian Grand Prix
March 13th, 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Max Verstappen believes that Red Bull are “not the quickest at the moment” going into the first race of the 2025 season in Australia, though the Dutchman is confident that the picture can “change quite quickly” as the year progresses.

Asked ahead of the weekend in Melbourne about the sort of shape that Red Bull are in entering into this season, Verstappen responded: “Positive shape, I guess. I don’t know! I guess we’ll find out more this weekend and after. We’ll try to do our best – there’s not really much more that we can do. Testing is not many days, so we found a few areas we can work on and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”

In terms of whether the RB21 felt like a step forward from its predecessor during the three days of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, the reigning World Champion added: “Yeah, I think naturally there’s an improvement, but there are still things that we want to improve on and to do better. This is a different track to Bahrain so that already will feel a bit different to drive the car here, but step by step.”

“We’ll try to do our best”;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/we-are-not-the-quickest-at-the-moment-verstappen-assesses-where-red-bull.63xxEYC7fyJww4QeUvN3ma


‘You’ve got to be careful’: F1 experts’ warning for McLaren ahead of Australian GP – Pit Talk
March 13th, 2025
Fox Sports (Australia)

Sky Sports’ Formula 1 experts have warned that tensions could flare up between McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris if the duo aren’t properly managed and take points off each other this season. “There’s McLaren team personnel getting lost in the paddock because they haven’t been at No. 1 in the pitlane since 1998, when most of the staff weren’t even working there,” Sky Sports commentator David Croft while speaking on Fox Sports.

“We’re in for a brilliant season with McLaren. If they are head and shoulders above the rest, as the form in testing seems to suggest, that’s great for us, because there’ a team that will give both drivers equal chance to go out and race, which might not be the best way to win a title, but it’s great for us in the commentary box.”

Fellow pundit Martin Brundle predicted that McLaren wouldn’t choose a designated No. 1 driver to prioritise throughout the season, instead letting Piastri and Norris battle it out on the track. McLaren start the season as favourites in the teams’ championship, but you have to assume that Oscar and Lando will take points off each other like they did last year,” Brundle said. “You’re working for a team, but you're competing as an individual. They all want to be world champion.”

‘You’ve got to be careful’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/formula-one/youve-got-to-be-careful-f1-experts-warning-for-mclaren-ahead-of-australian-gp-pit-talk/news-story/68c36941091e7f84aa511d2817441ac6


Williams boss James Vowles tells Carlos Sainz where he wants him to finish at the Australian Grand Prix
12 Mar 2025
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

“A successful season to me is obviously building on last year,” said Vowles. “What I mean by that is not just fundamentally in championship position but making sure that we have a much better grasp of what we’re doing in terms of developmental items, of use of the product. It’s also items that aren’t really relevant to the 24 races you see at home.”

“But making sure that we’re able to run the car programme and those 24 races in succession and tandem with developing next year’s car, without hindering it at the same time whilst we’re building the team and building technologies underneath as well.

“So effectively it’s this continued transformation that will take place across ’25 and ’26 as well without effecting our on track performance. A good season on track for me looks like that we have a constant or a commonplace position in the top 10 in qualifying and in racing and I think we have the drivers to do it. We have a good foundation to work from so that is our aspiration and goal.”

‘Top 10’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/williams-boss-james-vowles-tells-carlos-sainz-where-he-wants-him-to-finish-at-the-australian-grand-prix/


Lawson: Australian GP feels like a home race
This weekend’s Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix feels like a home race for Liam Lawson.
13 Mar 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

“Myself and the team have prepared a lot for the season which has been great,” Lawson said. “It’s been my first official pre-season in Formula 1, so it’s nice to bring all the hard work we’ve done into Melbourne for this weekend.”

“It’s obviously really exciting to get the season underway and, of course, have my first Australian Grand Prix,” Lawson said. “It’s close to home, so it feels like a home race for me. I’m looking forward to my first weekend with the team,” he added.

“Home race”;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-lawson-australian-gp-home-race-red-bull-comment/


Hamilton hails ‘most exciting period of my life’ as he gets set for Ferrari debut in Australia
13 Mar 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Asked for his pre-race feelings in Thursday’s driver press conference, Hamilton said: “I’m very, very fortunate I’ve had this amazing career in F1. Starting with McLaren here in 2007 was an epic feeling, then starting with a new team again in Mercedes was incredibly special.”

“I think this is very reminiscent probably of my first year. For all those years I’ve gone up and down the paddock, looking at and seeing the red garage, and now I’m actually in the red garage… It’s a really nice feeling. I think just, always through the years, the pressure that I’ve put on myself has always been 10 times higher than any other pressure that can be put upon me,” he commented.

“I’ve not joined this team and been made to feel any pressure. I have an expectation for myself, I know what I can bring, I know what I can deliver, and I know what it’s going to take to do that. It’s just getting your head down and working away. I come with a very open mind coming into this weekend.”

“Very fortunate”;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/hamilton-hails-most-exciting-period-of-my-life-as-he-gets-set-for-ferrari.3rud7jVdu5IaeasD7KISfD

[Fortitude]

Australian GP: Verstappen trails Racing Bulls as Leclerc pips McLaren in FP2.
Charles Leclerc beat the McLaren drivers to P1 in Friday’s second practice for the Australian Grand Prix in an intriguing session that saw Racing Bulls the faster of the Red Bull outfits.
14 Mar 2025
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

While Leclerc once again won the Ferrari battle and Oscar Piastri edged ahead of Lando Norris, it was Yuki Tsunoda who was the fastest of the Red Bull quartet, with Isack Hadjar also ahead of Max Verstappen.

‘Racing Bulls the faster of the Red Bull outfits’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/australian-grand-prix-2025-fp2-report


F1 2025 Australian Grand Prix – FP2 Results
14 Mar 2025
Motorsport Week

1 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:16.439
2 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:16.563 0.124
3 Lando Norris McLaren 1:16.580 0.141
4 Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls 1:16.784 0.345
5 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:16.859 0.420
6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls 1:17.019 0.580
7 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:17.063 0.624
8 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 1:17.161 0.722
9 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:17.279 0.840
10 George Russell Mercedes 1:17.282 0.843

‘FP2 Results’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/14/f1-2025-australian-grand-prix-fp2-results/


Australian GP: Norris tops red-flagged FP1 as Bearman crashes
14/03/2025
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

McLaren’s Lando Norris topped the timesheet at Albert Park in a disrupted opening practice for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. The session at Albert Park was marred by two red flag interruptions, but Norris clinched the top spot with a late effort of 1m17.252s, edging out Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

The first red flag came after debris was spotted on the track, likely from Jack Doohan’s Alpine, which had dragged gravel onto the racing line at the newly reprofiled Turn 6. Once cleared, Verstappen took advantage of the soft tires to momentarily set the fastest lap at 1m17.696s.

Just as the frontrunners started to gain momentum on fresh soft tires, the session was interrupted by a heavy crash involving Oliver Bearman at Turn 10. The Briton lost control, slamming the right side of his car into the barriers before debris scattered across the track. The session remained paused for several minutes before resuming with just 11 minutes to go.

‘Red-flagged FP1’;

https://f1i.com/news/532522-australian-gp-norris-tops-red-flagged-fp1-as-bearman-crashes.html


Australian GP: Free Practice 1 Results
Full results from Free Practice 1 for the Formula 1 Australian GP from Albert Park.
14 March 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Diff Best
1 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 21 1:17.252s
2 55 Carlos Sainz Williams – Mercedes 25 0.149s 1:17.401s
3 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 21 0.209s 1:17.461s
4 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 20 0.418s 1:17.670s
5 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 21 0.444s 1:17.696s
6 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes 18 0.461s 1:17.713s
7 63 George Russell Mercedes 26 0.464s 1:17.716s
8 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin – Mercedes 23 0.484s 1:17.736s
9 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls – Honda 25 0.595s 1:17.847s
10 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin – Mercedes 20 0.805s 1:18.057s

‘Free Practice 1 Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-melbourne-australian-grand-prix-free-practice-1-fp1-results/


Leclerc asserts early dominance over Hamilton in blistering Australian GP practice
FP2 provided an early window into how the teams are stacking up going into the first true test of qualifying on Saturday.
14 Mar 2025
Ian Parkes
RacingNews365

Charles Leclerc offered a glimpse into his potential early dominance over new Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton following the second practice session for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Leclerc left his lower-fuel, soft-tyre run late in the window set aside for such running in the hour-long session, knocking McLaren's Oscar Piastri off the top spot by 0.124s.

Leclerc finished 0.420s ahead of seven-time F1 champion Hamilton, who had to settle for fifth quickest, and with a clear indicator the car at his disposal has so much more to offer. Lando Norris, who was quickest in FP1, was third on the timesheet, 0.141s behind Leclerc and 0.117s down on local lad Piastri.

‘Leclerc asserts early dominance over Hamilton’;

https://racingnews365.com/leclerc-asserts-early-dominance-over-hamilton-in-blistering-australian-gp-practice


Martin Brundle spots ‘massive’ Max Verstappen issue watching Red Bull trackside at Australian Grand Prix
14 Mar 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Max Verstappen and Red Bull struggled on the opening day of the Formula 1 season at the Australian Grand Prix. Verstappen begun the defence of his title after winning the last four in succession. The Dutchman was only seventh fastest in FP2, more than six-tenths of a second off the pace set by Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. Somewhat damningly, Verstappen was also slower than Racing Bulls duo Yuki Tsunoda (fourth) and Isack Hadjar (sixth).

Martin Brundle notices Max Verstappen grappling with oversteer at Australian Grand Prix. At the start of FP2, Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle watched the drivers circulate from a vantage point at turn one. He said the car that looked the most unstable was Verstappen’s Red Bull. The Dutchman had to correct a ‘massive’ slide when pushing through the high-speed chicane. There was an improvement when he next arrived, but the RB21 was still ‘loose’.

‘Martin Brundle spots ‘massive’ Max Verstappen issue’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/martin-brundle-spots-massive-max-verstappen-issue-watching-red-bull-trackside-at-australian-grand-prix/


Marko’s concerning Aus GP verdict after ‘not promising’ Red Bull step
14 Mar 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

“The first practice was better,” Marko admitted to Sky Germany. “What we made in terms of changes was not promising.”

As a result, Marko believes the “maximum” Red Bull can now hope to achieve is a “second row” start at Albert Park and a podium and, with the RB21 moving “between understeer and oversteer”, Marko pointed out “of course that also goes on the tyres during the long run”, far from ideal in a race situation.

“It seems that McLaren is the strongest team, and then it gets tight between Ferrari, Mercedes and us,” Marko added.

'Marko’s concerning Aus GP verdict';

https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/F1/Grands+Prix/Australian+GP

[Fortitude]

Australian Grand Prix: Post Qualifying press conference.
Congratulations, Lando. A great lap. Just how good was that final lap in Q3?
LN: Good enough, I guess. Tricky because of my first lap and going off track. And just with how tight it's been, especially with Oscar.
15/03/2025
Pitpass

Max, congratulations, it's P3 this time around. Big turnaround. How are you feeling with that performance?
Max Verstappen: No, it was good. Yesterday was quite tough. So for us to be in P3 today, I take that. The quali laps were very exciting. A lot of good grip around here and some fast corners, so that's always fun in an F1 car.

Oscar, massive congratulations. It's a front-row start and an all-McLaren front. How are you feeling having done that at home for the first time?
Oscar Piastri: Yeah, pretty happy. It's obviously great to start the year on the front row - probably one position further back than I would have liked, but I think it's a great start for the year and great to have the team on the front row. So now we reset and see what tomorrow has in store.

We saw that the conditions out there were tricky, drivers going off the track, going over kerbs. How hard was it to put it all together with the margins being so fine?
LN: Very. I mean, the team have done such a good job, the car is extremely quick. And when you put it together, it's unbelievable. It's just difficult to put it together. So really it was like a little fight between me and Oscar today, and it was a tough one. Especially after my first lap, where I went off and got track limits, then I knew the second lap...

‘Press conference’;

https://www.pitpass.com/79637/Australian-Grand-Prix-Post-Qualifying-press-conference#google_vignette


Australian GP: Qualifying Results
Full results from Qualifying for the Formula 1 Australian GP from Albert Park.
15 Mar 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Diff Q1 Q2 Q3
1 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 20 1:15.912s 1:15.415s 1:15.096s
2 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 18 0.084s 1:16.062s 1:15.468s 1:15.180s
3 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 17 0.385s 1:16.018s 1:15.565s 1:15.481s
4 63 George Russell Mercedes 21 0.450s 1:15.971s 1:15.798s 1:15.546s
5 22 Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls – Honda 18 0.574s 1:16.225s 1:16.009s 1:15.670s
6 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes 21 0.641s 1:16.245s 1:16.017s 1:15.737s
7 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 20 0.659s 1:16.029s 1:15.827s 1:15.755s
8 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 23 0.877s 1:16.213s 1:15.919s 1:15.973s
9 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine – Renault 21 0.884s 1:16.328s 1:16.112s 1:15.980s
10 55 Carlos Sainz Williams – Mercedes 21 0.966s 1:16.360s 1:15.931s

‘Qualifying Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-melbourne-australian-grand-prix-qualifying-quali-results/


F1 2025 Australian Grand Prix – FP3 Results
15/03/2025
Motorsport Week

Position Driver Team Time Gap Laps
1 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:15.921 16
2 George Russell Mercedes 1.15.960 0.039 16
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:16.002 0.081 18
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:16.188 0.267 21
5 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:16.206 0.285 19
6 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:16.252 0.331 22
7 Alex Albon Williams 1:16.258 0.337 21
8 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:16.378 0.457 21
9 Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls 1:16.455 0.534 17
10 Lando Norris McLaren 1:16.597 0.676 19

‘FP3 Results’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/15/f1-2025-australian-grand-prix-fp3-results/


Winners and losers from the 2025 Australian Grand Prix qualifying
15 Mar 2025
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

Winner: McLaren Loser: Ferrari
Winner: Yuki Tsunoda Loser: Liam Lawson

Winner: Williams Loser: Haas
Winner: Jack Doohan Loser: Aston Martin

‘Winners and losers’;

https://www.planetf1.com/features/winners-and-losers-2025-australian-grand-prix-qualifying


David Croft questions how F1 broadcast team treated ‘sensational’ Yuki Tsunoda at Australian Grand Prix
15 Mar 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Yuki Tsunoda was arguably the star of qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix. He qualified fifth in one of the best Saturday showings of his career. Tsunoda couldn’t match his third place at a sodden Sao Paulo last November, but P5 is his highest-ever grid slot in Australia. He’s joined on the third row by the equally impressive Alex Albon at Williams.

The Japanese driver notably out-paced the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. He was just over a tenth behind Mercedes driver George Russell. Tsunoda appears to have responded well to Red Bull’s latest snub. Liam Lawson got the seat next to Max Verstappen despite only having 11 races of experience.

Sky Sports commentator David Croft called Tsunoda’s lap ‘sensational’, but he was baffled that F1’s broadcast team didn’t show him until he crossed the line at the end of Q3. It was clear that he was on for a big lap from the times he posted in sectors one and two. “That’s sensational from Yuki Tsunoda!” Croft said. “I don’t know why we weren’t watching that. His timing for the first and second sector put him right on the cusp of that top-five appearance. That is Yuki Tsunoda’s best-ever qualifying in Albert Park.”

“That’s sensational from Yuki Tsunoda!”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/david-croft-questions-how-f1-broadcast-team-treated-sensational-yuki-tsunoda-at-australian-grand-prix/


Tsunoda hails 'magic lap' as he takes stunning P5 in Australian Grand Prix Qualifying
15 Mar 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Yuki Tsunoda has described his stunning Qualifying effort at the Australian Grand Prix as a “magic lap”. While his time was 0.574s off the pole lap of Lando Norris, the Japanese driver was just 0.189s shy of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull in third. “I can say definitely, it was a magic lap,” said Tsunoda. “I think I was able to put it together as well, the quality of lap was the best of the previous runs of the week so far.”

“Also, I got a bit of help from Lando into Turn 9, a bit of a tow, so combined with everything, that laptime came a bit out of nowhere. I’m very happy but also, I think just the car pace so far throughout the week was consistently good, so that gave me extra confidence into Qualifying and this happened.”

“Huge credit to the team. They’ve worked very hard throughout the off-season and I’m happy now.” Alongside rookie team mate Isack Hadjar, who qualified 11th, the two Racing Bulls drivers had been consistently in or around the top 10 positions across the three free practice sessions.

‘Magic lap';

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/tsunoda-hails-magic-lap-as-he-takes-stunning-p5-in-australian-grand-prix.28bUHXNFo0hBHgJTOK2ZU7


Lewis Hamilton left searching for answers after Ferrari Australian GP Qualifying struggles
Seven-time world champion admits gap to pole was “unexpected” as he continues to adapt to life at Ferrari
15 Mar 2025
John Smith
Total Motorsport

Lewis Hamilton indicated he is still getting to grips with life at Ferrari, after qualifying eighth for the 2025 Australian GP, a performance that left him nearly nine-tenths off Lando Norris’ pole time for McLaren, as the Scuderia’s struggles to keep up were apparent.

“I had a really good time out there today. Everything’s been a first this weekend. My first P1 with Ferrari, my first practice sessions and first qualifying – and it’s been a lot of work to really adapt to this car,” Hamilton said when speaking to Sky Sports F1 about his Australian GP Qualifying struggles. “It’s so much different here to what I’ve experienced in the past, but it’s been interesting.”

While Hamilton acknowledged progress had been made over the weekend, he admitted that he hadn’t anticipated being so far off pole position: “I definitely didn’t expect us to be… I didn’t know that I would be nine tenths off or eight tenths off today, but there is a lot to dissect, for sure.”

‘Searching for answers’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-2025-lewis-hamilton-searching-answers-ferrari-australian-gp-qualifying-struggles/

[Fortitude]

Lando Norris seizes stunning Australian GP victory after weather chaos and crashes.
McLaren’s Lando Norris triumphed in a dramatic and rain-soaked Australian Grand Prix, overcoming late-race chaos, sudden downpours, and relentless pressure from Max Verstappen.
16 Mar 2025
John Smith
Total Motorsport

A late Safety Car period, triggered by separate crashes for Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) and Liam Lawson (Red Bull), set up a nail-biting finish. With Verstappen closing fast in the final laps and DRS within reach, Norris showed incredible composure to hold on for victory — a defining moment in his career.

“After the final Safety Car, I knew Max would be right there, but I just focused on keeping it clean and hitting my marks. It was tricky out there,” Norris later reflected on his win.

Behind them, George Russell capitalized on the late chaos to grab a podium for Mercedes, while Alex Albon delivered one of his finest performances yet, finishing fourth for Williams. Rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli crossed the line in fourth but dropped to fifth after a penalty for an unsafe pit release, still marking an impressive F1 debut.

‘Nail-biting finish’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-lando-norris-wins-australian-gp-2025-chaos-crashes-weather/


Australian GP: Race Results
Full results from the Formula 1 Australian GP from Albert Park.
16 Mar 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps/Diff
1 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 57 Laps
2 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda + 0.895
3 63 George Russell Mercedes + 8.481
4 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes + 12.773
5 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes + 15.135
6 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin – Mercedes + 17.413
7 27 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber – Ferrari + 18.423
8 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari + 19.826
9 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes + 20.448
10 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari + 22.473

‘Race Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-melbourne-australian-gp-race-results/


Oscar Piastri Nightmare: Australian GP Curse Strikes Again
Oscar Piastri’s hopes of securing a fairytale podium at his home race were dashed in dramatic fashion when the Australian GP curse claimed another victim.
16 Mar 2025
John Smith
Total Motorsport

What began as a promising weekend for Piastri ended in heartbreak, adding his name to the list of Australian drivers who have failed to reach the podium at their home race — a list that includes Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo. Piastri wasn’t the only Aussie to suffer during the chaotic race. Jack Doohan, Australia’s other representative on the grid, crashed out on the first lap, intensifying the local fans’ disappointment.

Although Piastri had earlier lost P2 to Max Verstappen, he managed to reclaim the position and was running a strong race until his costly error on Lap 44. After sliding off and recovering, he found himself near the back of the field but fought his way back into the points to finish ninth, narrowly avoiding a total disaster.

‘Australian GP curse’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-oscar-piastri-australian-gp-curse-2025-spin/


Hadjar, Doohan and Sainz all crash out after less than a lap as Australian Grand Prix gets off to dramatic start
16 Mar 2025
Formula One - Official Site

The Australian Grand Prix got off to a chaotic start, with Isack Hadjar, Jack Doohan and Carlos Sainz all crashing out before the end of lap one. The formation lap began in treacherous conditions after rain had caused limited running in the support categories, with only F3 completing any racing laps.

“Usually, I take it step by step and we were keen on having the best out-lap possible for the race start,” said Hadjar afterwards. “Early in the lap, you try to warm the tyres and I overdid it. It’s the tiniest mistake you can do and the car is just unsavable and you’re just a passenger. It feels terrible.”

Explaining his exit, Doohan said: “I didn’t really understand what happened, to be honest, until I got back. Just looking at it, whether it was the white line, the inters not up to temperature, it just seemed as I upshifted to fourth I lost the car. Lesson learned and I made sure that I spent some time with the boys to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”

‘Chaotic start’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/hadjar-doohan-and-sainz-all-crash-out-after-less-than-a-lap-as-australian.4LlZvVRi0XG8Mmjc8kf7k6


Isack Hadjar ’embarrassed’ after Australian GP exit: Lewis Hamilton’s father steps in after heartbreaking crash
The rookie’s dream debut ends in disaster as Anthony Hamilton offers words of comfort after shocking formation lap crash
16 Mar 2025
John Smith
Total Motorsport

Isack Hadjar’s long-awaited Formula 1 debut at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix ended in heartbreak before the race even started, as the Racing Bulls rookie suffered a devastating crash on the formation lap, with Anthony Hamilton picking up the pieces.

As Hadjar returned to the garage, still visibly emotional, Anthony Hamilton approached him with a warm embrace and private words of encouragement — a powerful reminder of the tight-knit nature of the Formula 1 paddock when tragedy strikes.

Reflecting on the moment, Hadjar shared: “It means a lot knowing that he knew where I was. How bad I felt, to go and see me in the worst moment ever, I think it’s nice just from him. I really appreciate that.”

'Words of comfort';

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-isack-hadjar-crash-australian-gp-2025-anthony-hamilton-consoles/


Australian Grand Prix result: Liam Lawson crashes out in the wet as Lando Norris wins Formula 1 season opener
16 Mar 2025
Alex Powell
NZ Herald

Liam Lawson failed to finish his first full race with Red Bull, as wet conditions wrought havoc on Formula One’s Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park. Starting from pit lane after a change to his rear wing following Saturday’s qualifying session, Lawson had impressively managed to keep his car on track in treacherous conditions, that saw three drivers out of the race before the end of the opening lap.

But having seen off the initial showers, the return of the rain on lap 45 saw Lawson lose control at turn two, hit the wall, and retire from the race altogether. Red Bull’s decision to pit Verstappen first and leave Lawson out for one lap ultimately backfired, as the Kiwi became one of six drivers to fall victim to the slippery track.

‘Leave Lawson out for one lap ultimately backfired’;

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/motorsport/formula-1/australian-grand-prix-result-liam-lawson-crashes-out-in-the-wet-as-lando-norris-wins-formula-1-season-opener/YASKDX62MJD2JDK5XKZO76AYTE/


"Slow" Hamilton asks Ferrari for help during Australian Grand Prix
16 Mar 2025
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

For Hamilton, after qualifying P8 in his first qualifying session for his new team, there was yet more to deal with thanks to the huge amounts of rain, which the seven-time world champion seemed to struggle with in his brand-new machinery.

"Let me know where I'm slow, struggling with driveability, the car is snappy," said the 40-year-old after the race got into its groove, with an aborted start occurring due to Hadjar's crash, as well as a safety car due to Doohan's heavy accident.

"Turn 11 and 12," was the response from new race engineer Riccardo Adami, who also did that job for Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz. The Italian engineer was also told off by Hamilton, telling him to "leave me to it" after informing him twice that his 'overtake mode' was back in use.

"Turn 11 and 12";

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/332637/f1-lewis-hamilton-asks-for-help-during-the-2025-australian-gp.html


Our verdict on F1's chaotic Australian GP + 2025 title fight clues
Mar 16, 2025
The Race

An early title twist: Scott Mitchell-Malm.
Properly ominous: Val Khorounzhiy.

Don't be too hard on the gamblers: Matt Beer.
Confirmation of a big McLaren 2025 headache: Jon Noble.

Questions for Piastri, Ferrari and race control: Gary Anderson.
Watch out for Verstappen: Ben Anderson.
Norris 2.0 passes first stress test: Josh Suttill.

‘Our verdict - The Race’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/our-verdict-on-chaotic-australian-gp-f1-2025-title-fight-clues/

[Fortitude]

'Why?': Jolyon Palmer questions ‘jittery’ McLaren pit wall decision despite Lando Norris win at the Australian Grand Prix.
McLaren took victory in the Australian Grand Prix with Lando Norris, but it could have been a one-two victory for the defending Constructors’ Champions.
16 Mar 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Jolyon Palmer questions McLaren team orders for Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Piastri was told by his team to hold station after he got to within half a second of Norris, despite the fact that he was lapping four-tenths faster per-lap.

The Australian responded by saying “Ok, but I’m faster” when Stallard said he should stay behind Norris while they pass the backmarkers. Piastri was then told he was free to race Norris once the gap subsided to two seconds, something Palmer could not understand.

“Why the four laps though? Why four laps in, Piastri gets to half a second back with DRS [on Norris] and they say ‘Whoa, whoa, drop back’ then he gets to two seconds back and it’s like ‘race on…’ – it’s like a Safety Car in the middle of the race. I think they were jittery on the pit wall,” said Palmer.

‘Jittery McLaren’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/jolyon-palmer-questions-jittery-mclaren-pit-wall-decision-despite-lando-norris-win-at-the-australian-grand-prix/


Debate | McLaren's team orders decided Australian Grand Prix
16 Mar 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

Lando Norris was a deserved winner of a very complicated Grand Prix, however, his success at one point was under threat by McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri. At this pivotal point in the race, the papaya team issued team orders to stop an impending fight for the lead between their both drivers, a decision that decided the race in Norris' favour.

As Piastri drew ever-near to Norris, McLaren's "let them race" philosophy went out the window, as they issued team orders advising their recently renewed talent to hold position, killing the Australian's momentum and effectively deciding, not only the potential race result, but also revealing who their chosen challenger for the 2025 Drivers' title is, in both cases, the answer would be: Lando Norris.

After Piastri had fallen back to 2,7 seconds behind his teammate, McLaren overturned the team orders and told the Australian that the "free to race" philosophy had been reinstated. Bu by them the damage to the driver of their #81 car had already been done. Did McLaren's team orders impact the race result, and did they effectively revealed who their contender for the Drivers' title will be in the 2025 season?

‘McLaren's team orders’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/332910/debate-mclaren-s-team-orders-revealed-who-their-1-driver-is.html


Driver of the day award at the Australian GP was a shocker - it should have gone to incredible Hulkenberg
16 Mar 2025
Sarah Thomas
The Roar

It’s been hard to contain my outrage at the first race of the season. Not because of Liam Lawson’s pitiful performance, or because of Oscar Piastri’s unfortunate spin, but because the public voted Driver Of The Day as race winner Lando Norris.

…the true driver of the day, who has genuinely been robbed of this award for at least a year, Nico Hulkenberg. Last year, it took Sauber until Qatar, the second last race, to score a single point. They were the joke of the sport, who seemed to be in limbo in anticipation for their Audi takeover. That is until Nico Hulkenberg finished 7th from 17th, ahead of both Ferraris.

I have been consistent in my praise of Hulkenberg, and for a team that was essentially a tractor last season to have scored six points in one race, I believe that is what driver of the day should be celebrating. So to the fans voting. Do better. Watch the race, not just the winner.

‘Driver of the day award’;

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/03/17/driver-of-the-day-award-at-the-australian-gp-was-a-shocker-it-should-have-gone-to-incredible-hulkenberg/


Ted Kravitz noticed something very worrying about Isack Hadjar on the grid before his Australian Grand Prix crash
16 Mar 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Hadjar was the first of four drivers taking part in their first full Formula 1 season to crash during the Australian Grand Prix. He managed to navigate the first corner on the formation lap before losing control and spinning into the barriers and forcing an abandoned start.

Ted Kravitz was speaking on Ted’s Notebook after the race and noticed something quite worrying about Hadjar on the grid before his first Grand Prix came to a very swift end. Analysing how every team and driver performed in Melbourne, Kravitz said: “What can you say about Isack Hadjar? You saw the emotion of Formula 1 and what it means to him.”

“I’ve got to say Isack Hadjar was looking pretty nervous on the grid and then he had one of those sort of crashes that you can when you light up the rear wheels of a rear [wheel] drive car and it just swapped around and he went into the barrier. He didn’t even make the start and was consoled by his hero’s dad, Anthony Hamilton. Isack’s hero of course if you watched our show in the beginning, his hero is Lewis Hamilton and Anthony Hamilton knowing that put his arm around Hadjar as he was crying his eyes out walking down the paddock.”

‘Looking pretty nervous on the grid’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ted-kravitz-noticed-something-very-worrying-about-isack-hadjar-on-the-grid-before-his-australian-grand-prix-crash/


Australian GP conclusions: Norris 2.0, the Max factor and why Hamilton needs time
17 Mar 2025
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Lando Norris and McLaren are stronger for the experience of 2024.
‘The Max factor’ will buy Red Bull time in F1 2025.

Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari are still in the process of getting to know each other.
Liam Lawson must survive these tricky first few weeks at Red Bull.

Is Fernando Alonso starting to look his age?
F1 driving style analysis: The genius of Fernando Alonso.

‘Australian GP conclusions’;

https://www.planetf1.com/features/australian-grand-prix-2025-conclusions


Aussie F1 GP finishing order changed as Mercedes win protest in rare development
Mar 17th, 2025
Tyson OttoFfoxsports Australia

The final results of the Australian Grand Prix were overturned hours after Lando Norris had claimed victory on Sunday in Melbourne. FIA stewards were forced to backflip on a penalty handed down to Mercedes rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli after he had been penalised late in the race for an unsafe release in pit lane.

Stewards initially ruled Antonelli had cut off Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg after his final pit stop with the German forced to brake to avoid contact. However, in a rare move, Mercedes successfully protested the penalty handed down by race officials. Mercedes officials were clearly not happy with the initial ruling and asked for a right of review.

It took only a matter of minutes for the result to be overturned. “Having examined the new video, plus additional video previously not available to the Stewards and taken from the helicopter, the Stewards decide to reverse the previous Decision,” an FIA statement said.

‘Aussie F1 GP finishing order changed’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/formula-one/f1-2025-australian-grand-prix-result-overturned-as-mercedes-win-protest-on-kimi-antonelli-call/news-story/8f3f6378294e0def3aa28128c4af223e


Sainz reveals reason for his crash at the Australian Grand Prix
17 Mar 2025
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Following the incident, the four-time F1 race winner took on the role of a strategist, and his input helped the team decide what calls to make with their other car. "First of all, a massive congratulations to Alex and the team; he did a great job and started off our season on the right foot. For me, we’ve looked at the data and could quickly spot what happened, so this leaves me calmer about the situation.”

"Without going into details, it’s related to the upshifts when in Safety Car Mode. I’m obviously frustrated about it and feel sorry for everyone in the team. I spent the rest of the race trying to help on the radio and I’m happy I could at least participate in that way. Thankfully China is already next weekend and I can’t wait to jump back in the car," concluded Sainz.

“Related to the upshifts when in Safety Car Mode”;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/26449


Norris reveals 'story time' debate after 'shocking' McLaren call
Lando Norris dabbled in a spot of "story time" at the Australian Grand Prix as he navigated the tricky conditions.
16 Mar 2025
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

Lando Norris has described a "story time" debate with engineer Will Joseph during his run to victory at the Australian Grand Prix.

"To be honest, today, I wouldn't say we were snappy, I felt like I was having story time with Will on the radio, we were talking so much every lap, I might as well have just left my radio open for the whole race.”

‘Lando Norris dabbled in a spot of "story time" at the Australian Grand Prix’;

https://racingnews365.com/norris-reveals-story-time-debate-after-shocking-mclaren-call

[Fortitude]

Wolff delighted with Mercedes: 'Enough pace to challenge at the front'.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli's scintillating drive at Melbourne, from P16 to P4, gave Mercedes the edge on the Constructors' championship, rounding off George Russell's quieter podium-worthy drive to P3...
18 Mar 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

"We leave Australia with many positives but also a healthy dose of realism as to where we stand in the pecking order. The W16 provided a stable platform for the drivers, was less prone to swings in performance relative to the conditions than its predecessor, and at moments, showed strong enough pace to challenge at the front. It's clear we have taken a good step forward over the winter. Our focus is now on unlocking more potential and adding performance. We are excited for that challenge," Wolff began in a Mercedes press release.

"For Kimi, he could not have asked for a more difficult task on his Grand Prix debut: starting out of position, facing extremely difficult conditions and, at times, a treacherous track. Nevertheless, he handled everything that was thrown at him with a maturity beyond his years.”

‘Wolff delighted’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/333233/toto-wolff-looks-ahead-to-chinese-gp.html


Wolff assesses Antonelli’s performance after impressive P4 on debut in Australia
18 Mar 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Toto Wolff believes Kimi Antonelli got the “result that he merits” after finishing fourth on debut at the Australian Grand Prix. Asked if the Italian's performance in Melbourne made him feel vindicated for selecting the teenager to partner George Russell, Mercedes Team Principal Wolff said: “I think we always knew his potential since he was a kid. He performs under pressure.”

“In Qualifying that wasn’t his doing, he just hit the bump at the wrong place. He would have qualified much further ahead. In the Grand Prix, we saw that he was able to reel in everybody slowly but surely without making any mistakes. He had a little spin, but otherwise P4 is the result that he merits.” Offering his assessment after the opening weekend, Wolff added: “If you look at the real pace today, the pace result would be P4, P5.”

“I think it is a solid first weekend but looking at it from a glass half-empty side, you have to say that the pace of the McLaren is just very strong. It’s something we need to understand, the way they are able to manage the tyres, and to extract the performance. We need to get better if we want to fight on merit for race victories and world championships. There is definitely something we need to find.”

‘Impressive P4’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/wolff-assesses-antonellis-performance-after-impressive-p4-on-debut-in.4BFXY4vomjvjqPHFLGMktW


‘No warning’: F1 team principal totally blindsided’ by how slow his drivers were at the Australian Grand Prix, ‘no warning…’
18 Mar 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Haas were ‘totally blindsided’ by lack of performance at the Australian Grand Prix. Journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm was speaking on The Race F1 Podcast... Ocon and Bearman were the last two classified drivers to finish the race and he explained: “That team was absolutely stunned by its lack of pace this weekend.

“I think it’s totally blindsided by the issues that it’s had. It had no high-speed performance at all this weekend, clearly some kind of aerodynamic issue. What is unclear at the moment because they don’t even know is whether or not there is just something that is absolutely not working on that car, which means it is simply not producing the aerodynamic performance.”

“Or, if something about the way they’ve set the car up, put the cars together, whatever this weekend has just ended in the absolute worst-case scenario for it because there was no sign of this at testing. Haas looked really solid in the midfield and didn’t look like it was in trouble at all because from our perspective, there was no sign of this at all, but they were completely surprised by this. I’ve spoken to people in Haas and Ayao Kamatsu has said as well that there was no warning of this in testing.”

‘No warning’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/f1-team-principal-totally-blindsided-by-how-slow-his-drivers-were-at-the-australian-grand-prix-no-warning/


[B]Racing Bulls apologises to Yuki Tsunoda after F1 Australian GP blunder
18 Mar 2025
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

Reflecting post-race, Mekies ruled that the team’s strategy gamble didn’t pay off, holding his hands up to the Racing Bulls’ mistake. “Yuki was performing very strongly until the rain returned,” he said. “There is nowhere to hide, we got our last call wrong, and it cost us very dearly today.”

“For this we apologise to Yuki; the gamble to keep him out didn’t pay off but it’s part of the harshness of motorsport. There is only one way to improve, by working harder together as a team and to come back stronger.”

Tsunoda was clearly disappointed to have lost such a strong result after performing at the top of his game all weekend. “It’s definitely something we have to discuss between the team, but it’s a shame that until then we were fighting very strong and we almost scored massive points for this weekend, so yeah, very disappointed,” he told select media including Motorsport Week post-race.

“Nowhere to hide”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/18/racing-bulls-apologises-to-yuki-tsunoda-after-f1-australian-gp-blunder/


Ferrari Make Vow to Lewis Hamilton After Australian GP Disaster
18 Mar 2025
James Hicken
Give Me Sport

Fred Vasseur, Ferrari team principal, has said major improvements will be made to the communication between the pit wall and the car after a disappointing Australian Grand Prix... It was not just a challenging race for the Scuderia, however, as there were three Safety Cars and tricky weather conditions to give the drivers and pit wall a major strategy headache. The complexity of the race also created tensions in the communication between Hamilton and his engineer Riccardo Adami, who could be heard having snappy exchanges over the team radio.

“It’s the first race,” Vasseur explained. “The first time we have to communicate between the pit wall and the car. But we can do a better job, to know each other a bit better. For sure, it was not a clean one at all, but the strategy was difficult. Probably, we need to find a better way to communicate between the car and the pit wall. We will learn from this one, but it’s not an issue.”

‘Communication’;

https://www.givemesport.com/ferrari-make-vow-lewis-hamilton-after-australian-gp-f1/


Lewis Hamilton's dad shares what he told crying F1 driver after Australian GP disaster
Lewis Hamilton's father consoled a tearful Isack Hadjar at the Australian Grand Prix.
Mar 17, 2025
Archie Griggs
Daily and Sunday Express

Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony has lifted the lid on what he told Isack Hadjar after his unfortunate crash at the Australian Grand Prix. The young Frenchman was preparing to make his F1 debut in Melbourne but did not make it to the grid after spinning out on the formation lap. Revealing what he told the Racing Bulls driver, Hamilton told Canal+: "I just felt terrible for him, so I thought: 'You know what, I just need to go and tell this kid to keep your head high, walk tall, you’re going to come back'.”

"I think he’s a phenomenal driver, I really do. There’s more to come from Isack than we probably have seen this weekend." Hamilton said he felt compelled to offer a crumb of comfort to Hadjar, being fully aware of the sacrifices he would have needed to make to reach the F1 grid. "As soon as I saw what happened to Isack, my heart fell and I just felt for him," added Hamilton.

"It was just so sad to see, because I know how hard it is when these kids are eight years of age and they dream of becoming a Formula One driver. There’s a lot of pressure all of the way up and you’re sitting on the grid for your first race and it doesn’t happen. That’s got to be the worst feeling in the world and I just felt for him. I just wanted to give him a hug. I felt for him like a father."

"Phenomenal driver”;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2028595/Lewis-Hamilton-dad-Isack-Hadjar-Australian-Grand-Prix


Max Verstappen must be worried after F1 expert declares Red Bull aren’t ‘anywhere near’ McLaren in key area
17 Mar 2025
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

Red Bull enjoyed a mixed start to their season as one car crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix while the other made the podium. Max Verstappen reminded everyone why he has won the last four consecutive drivers’ championships by finishing second in changeable conditions (not that the reminder was required). Red Bull may have the second-fastest car, but it’s hard to tell after one race at a rather unique track to the Formula 1 calendar.

Marc Priestley thinks that the Milton Keynes-based outfit weren’t anywhere near the papaya cars over a race distance. "Yesterday felt a little like a damage limitation to some extent, which is not what you’d expect to see for Red Bull and Max on the first day of the season,” he said.

“They did not have a car that was anywhere near capable of matching the McLaren in race conditions. In qualifying actually, although Max didn’t quite deliver the perfect lap on Saturday, there were signs that their car is very quick or can be very quick over a lap.”

‘Must be worried’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/features/max-verstappen-must-be-worried-after-f1-expert-declares-red-bull-arent-anywhere-near-mclaren-in-key-area/

[Fortitude]

Confident Norris eyes China success as first F1 sprint beckons.
Early championship leader Lando Norris knows he will face a new series of challenges at this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, including the first sprint race of the season.
19 Mar 2025
France 24

It is a fast turnaround to China, where teams will have just 60 minutes of practice on Friday morning to fine-tune their set-ups before the afternoon's sprint qualifying shootout. The 19-lap sprint race is on Saturday morning before grand prix qualifying later the same day. Sunday sees the main race over 56 laps.

Norris finished a distant second behind Verstappen's Red Bull when Formula One returned to China last April after a five-year absence, but the Englishman is now the man to beat. "I'm confident that when we go to China we can be very strong because we were strong there last year with not a very good car," Norris said after his Melbourne victory.

‘Confident Norris’;

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250319-confident-norris-eyes-china-success-as-first-f1-sprint-beckons


F1 supremos enforce new rule after clip from Australian GP impacts Chinese race
The FIA has decided to enforce stricter checks on the technical rules and car restrictions for the F1 Chinese Grand Prix after reviewing on-board footage from the season-opening Australian race
18 Mar 2025
Daniel Moxon
Daily Star

The FIA is set to enforce stricter technical checks on Formula 1 cars, starting from this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix. The rear wings of some cars have been under scrutiny since the last test, with at least one team lodging a complaint with the FIA about others allegedly using overly flexible wings on track.

Given the short notice of this announcement, an additional 0.25mm of flexibility will be allowed exclusively for this weekend's Chinese GP. Teams were informed about this change on Monday morning, March 17, posing a logistical challenge as they prepare to head to Shanghai.

An FIA statement declared: "Having analysed footage from the rear wing deformations combined to the static deflections measured inside the FIA garage in Melbourne, the FIA has concluded that sufficient grounds exist for a tougher test to be introduced from the forthcoming Chinese Grand Prix on the upper rear wing.”

‘Enforce new rule’;

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/f1/f1-rear-wing-rule-change-34885676


Marko Saw New China GP Flex Clampdown Coming
Mar 18, 2025
F1 Chronicle

A leading Dutch journalist thinks he knows why Dr Helmut Marko left Australia with a smile on his face. Describing Max and father Jos as “pessimists” and himself an “optimist”, Red Bull advisor Marko said he thought the team could close a quite substantial pace gap to early championship leaders McLaren within five races.

Journalist Erik van Haren suspects that Marko, 81, might even have been predicting a faster turnaround even than that. “On Sunday, insiders were already reporting that the FIA would be checking rear wings more strictly from now on,” he wrote in De Telegraaf newspaper.

Amid his optimism, however, even Marko has his doubts about whether the FIA really can curb ingenious F1 engineers who find ways to swerve around the rules. “The teams simply have much more manpower than the FIA,” he told Servus TV. “So in my view, what cannot be verified cannot be permitted.”

‘Left Australia with a smile on his face’;

https://f1chronicle.com/marko-saw-new-china-gp-flex-clampdown-coming/?nowprocket=1


Wolff delighted with Mercedes: 'Enough pace to challenge at the front'
18 Mar 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

Andrea Kimi Antonelli's scintillating drive at Melbourne, from P16 to P4, gave Mercedes the edge on the Constructors' championship, rounding off George Russell's quieter podium-worthy drive to P3, as such the German team is effectively level with McLaren, and ahead of Red Bull and Ferrari in the Constructors' standings, as Mercedes CEO and Team Principal, Toto Wolff, looks ahead to the Chinese Grand Prix.

Wolff looks ahead to the Chinese Grand Prix: "We now head to Shanghai and look forward to returning to China after what was a remarkable Grand Prix last year. You could sense the passion and energy from the fans as F1 returned to the country for the first time in five years. As the world's largest automotive market, and one of the world's biggest economies, China is crucial to the sport's global footprint. I am sure this year will see another great event," the Mercedes team boss concluded.

‘Challenge at the front';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/333233/toto-wolff-looks-ahead-to-chinese-gp.html


Lewis Hamilton Sees Untapped Potential in His Ferrari Ahead of Chinese GP
Mar 18, 2025
Saajan Jogia
Newsweek

Ferrari Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton believes his Ferrari SF-25 F1 car has more performance to offer than what was displayed at the Australian Grand Prix last weekend. Hamilton secured the tenth spot in the wet race due to a failed pit strategy but stressed that setting the car up perfectly was key to improving performance.

He acknowledged that while the car's dry performance was confidence-inspiring in the practice sessions, he struggled on race day. Suggesting that the right settings could help extract more performance from the car, Hamilton said: "I'm grateful I got through it, and I came out of it with a little bit of stuff, at least it's one point.”

"Obviously didn't go off or spin today, but lacking pace for sure. But I do believe the car has more performance than we were able to extract this weekend. It was even less performance, for example, in the race, but I think it's all settings."

‘Untapped Potential in His Ferrari’;

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/article302269464.html#storylink=mainstage_card


Horner looks forward to the Chinese GP: 'The first representative race'
18 Mar 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

McLaren was the dominant team during the Australian Grand Prix. Not only do they have a strong car, but they also managed their tyres the best. However, Christian Horner does not want to draw any conclusions about the pecking order in F1 just yet.

Horner won't draw conclusions until after China: He says the next Grand Prix will give more clarity on the hierarchy in F1. "Actually China is probably going to be the first circuit. Bahrain is unusual because of the track surface there. This circuit is pretty unique."

"China is the first representative race circuit of quite a few of the venues coming up and so it'll be fascinating to see how the car performs there," Horner said.

'The first representative race';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/332869/christian-horner-won-t-draw-any-conclusions-yet-after-australia-gp.html


Set your alarms for early 2025 Chinese Grand Prix: Here's the schedule!
18 Mar 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix will be the first sprint event of the season, as such it will have only one practice session. Find out the times for when all the on-track action will take place around the Shanghai International Circuit here!

2025 Chinese Grand Prix schedule
FP1: 03:30 UK time
Sprint Qualifying: 07:30 UK time
Sprint: 03:00 UK time
Qualifying: 07:00 UK time
Race: 07:00 UK time

‘Here's the schedule!’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/333234/set-your-alarms-for-early-2025-chinese-grand-prix-here-s-the-schedule.html

[Fortitude]

IT's race week: 5 storylines we're excited about ahead of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix.
After a thrilling and dramatic season-opener in Australia it’s a quick turnaround for the Formula 1 paddock as the teams head to China, with plenty to look forward to after Sunday’s first race. Here are a few of the talking points heading to Shanghai...
19 Mar 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Can Piastri bounce back? It was a tough end to an extremely promising weekend for Oscar Piastri in Melbourne, as the home hero saw his hopes of victory slide off the track behind team mate Lando Norris late in the race.

Ferrari trying to unlock more performance. McLaren’s pace in Australia was largely expected, but Ferrari were also predicted to be a podium contender from the start of this season based on what had been seen in testing.

Rookies getting a quick second chance. Speaking of making use of the experience from the first race of the season, there are a number of rookies who will be looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and having the chance to put the memory of Melbourne behind them.

‘5 storylines’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/its-race-week-5-storylines-were-excited-about-ahead-of-the-2025-chinese.4kPPpXWGargPq3fL6nknUG


Herbert suggests McLaren ‘advantage’ will be gone after flexi-wing action
19 Mar 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

The FIA has confirmed a new technical directive which comes into force immediately for the Chinese Grand Prix regarding flexing wings. And in the opinion of three-time F1 race winner turned pundit Johnny Herbert, this will hit McLaren after their winning start to the F1 2025 campaign.

According to Red Bull’s technical director Pierre Waché, McLaren and Ferrari are “doing the mini-DRS stuff still“, yet the FIA issued a statement “to further confirm that during the Melbourne event all cars tested against the requirements of Article 3.15.17 and found to comply, therefore all cars raced in Melbourne were deemed to be legal”.

‘McLaren ‘advantage’ will be gone’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/johnny-herbert-mclaren-fia-technical-directive-flexi-wing-advantage


Verstappen optimistic: 'Red Bull working hard to improve'
19 Mar 2025
Jenny Garnett
GPblog.com

After a podium finish in the opening race of the season, Max Verstappen is looking forward to this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix. The Dutch driver argues that his team has learned a lot from the race weekend in Melbourne and is doing all it can to turn the tide.

Verstappen explains that Red Bull suffered a lot in Melbourne due to tyre degradation, but has a positive update for his fans. "The tyre degradation particularly impacted us in Melbourne, but we came away with a lot learnings and ways to improve," he stated.

"It is the first Sprint weekend of the season so we need to make sure we have the best set up of the car possible and score as many points as we can," he continued. "We don’t have a huge amount of time to turn everything around, especially with just one practice session, but the Team are working hard to improve."

'Red Bull working hard to improve';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/333332/max-verstappen-looks-ahead-to-the-formula-1-chinese-grand-prix.html


Liam Lawson's debut race for Red Bull was one to forget.
Mar 19, 2025
Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

Helmut Marko has revealed that Red Bull will judge Liam Lawson after ‘three to five races’ after the New Zealander endured a nightmare debut for the Milton Keynes squad at the Australian Grand Prix last weekend. Lawson’s Red Bull bow resembled his F1 debut for AlphaTauri at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix in many regards.

On race day, his troubles worsened. Lawson failed to make any significant headway from his lowly starting position, and when the conditions worsened later in the race, he crashed his RB21 into the wall while trying to navigate a rainy surface with slick tyres on.

According to Marko, the rookie’s performances will soon be under the microscope. “He wanted to show what he can do, and unfortunately, that went wrong,” he said. “We have to let him cool down a bit now and observe his development over the first three to five races.”

‘Liam Lawson's debut race’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2029239/Liam-Lawson-Red-Bull-Chinese-Grand-Prix


Pérez's sponsor on Red Bull exit: 'Too many issues involved'
19 Mar 2025
Jenny Garnett
GPblog.com

Jimmy Morales has spoken out about the way Red Bull Racing dealt with Sergio Pérez and his Formula 1 exit. The former driver states that Pérez no longer felt comfortable at Red Bull, revealing that there were flare-ups with Helmut Marko back in Formula 3.

an old acquaintance of Pérez, argues that there was plenty of interest in Pérez from other teams, but that Red Bull's late announcement meant there were no options left. "They had already signed other drivers by then," he said in the Formula de 2 podcast.

The managing director of Escuderia Telmex Telcel, the company that has been Pérez's sponsor for many years, also confirmed that the Mexican no longer felt comfortable with the team. "There are many interests at play. Whether it's fair or not, the internal pressure and Red Bull's advice... There are too many issues involved. Our driver didn't feel comfortable anymore."

‘Flare-ups with Helmut Marko’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/333314/p-rez-s-sponsor-on-red-bull-exit-too-many-issues-involved.html


Four F1 teams' cars missing ahead of Chinese Grand Prix this weekend - what has happened?
19th Mar 2025
David George
National World

Four F1 teams are reportedly missing their cars just days before the Chinese Grand Prix gets underway. According to journalist Kym Illman, four teams have turned up in China to find that their cars have not made the journey from Australia. The likes of McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes and Aston Martin are reportedly all affected.

There seem to have been disruptions to freight transport out of Melbourne, meaning F1 cars are missing from the paddock - with just two days until free practice begins on Friday, March 21.

Posting on YouTube, Illman said: “I think many of the other teams may also be impacted by this. There is doubt that some of the F1 teams will have their cars ready for free practice on Friday. It’s going to be very tight as to whether or not teams will have their cars.”

‘Four F1 teams' cars missing’;

https://www.nationalworld.com/sport/formula-1/teams-cars-missing-days-before-chinese-grand-prix-5040477


FIA step in after F1 teams hit by ‘logistical challenges’ for Chinese GP
19 Mar 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

The FIA has made an alteration to the curfew times imposed on all 10 F1 teams due to “logistical challenges” ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. This means that teams will now face only a six-hour period on Wednesday night where they cannot work on their cars, rather than the usual 11.5 hours, a system in place to control the workload placed on team personnel at a race weekend.

The FIA notes: “Due to the logistical challenges for the official tyre supplier resulting from delays in freight arrival, specially the requirement to revise the fitting schedule for Wednesday, the following concessions will be made: On the Wednesday, and for this event only, the curfew period will be reduced by a period of five and a half hours for a maximum of six operational personnel for the sole purpose of tyre preparations post tyre fitting from the tyre supplier.”

Respected F1 photographer Kym Illman had claimed in the build-up to the race weekend that four teams – including McLaren and Red Bull – were caught up also in the issues with freight arriving in Shanghai. “The four tech affected teams are Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and Williams.”

‘FIA step in’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/fia-curfew-change-chinese-gp-logistical-challenges

[Fortitude]

Eddie Jordan: F1's ultimate wheeler-dealer team boss.
The former racer, team boss and broadcaster succumbed to an “aggressive” form of bladder and prostate cancer in the early hours of 20th March 2025.
Mar 20th 2025
James Elson
Motor Sport Magazine

A motor-mouthed wheeler-dealer reminiscent of ‘60s GP upstart British garagistas, he also represented the opportunism of the brash, colourful ‘90s F1 scene with packed paddocks of hopeful pre-qualifiers and lurid liveries which caught the eye.

The team the Irishman set up, Jordan Grand Prix, lives on as the Aston Martin F1 outfit, and is still based in its original location at Silverstone. However, both the presence of Jordan’s former team and his larger-than-life personality mean his legacy is still felt in F1 today.

A man who could delight and confound in equal measure, his former F1 team manager Trevor Foster told Motor Sport: “One day he’s a character you’d drive off the end of the earth for, and the next… if you had a gun you’d shoot him.”

‘F1's ultimate wheeler-dealer team boss’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/eddie-jordan-f1s-ultimate-wheeler-dealer-team-boss/?nowprocket=1#


Eddie Jordan: F1’s last ‘rock and roll’ star, while others ‘were Ascot’
20 Mar 2025
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com

Eddie Jordan’s unique style helped him become a huge success in Formula 1, according to his contemporary, David Kennedy. Former Shadow Grand Prix driver David Kennedy has paid tribute to Eddie Jordan, following the sad passing of the Irish F1 team boss.

“He was a one-off. There’s no question about that,” Kennedy said, “It’s a very sad occasion. He was a great ambassador for the sport in general, and particularly for Irish motorsport. There were three of us who really started at the same time – myself, Derek Daly, and Eddie Jordan, and we were probably the first vanguard that left Ireland to seek our fame and fortune in the UK.”

“Where Eddie went one way, into team Racing and team management, myself and Derek went into driving. But what Eddie did… he had a magic gift. He was able to turn a very ordinary situation into something spectacular and who would have imagined that, with the minuscule resources that he had, he would be able to take on the likes of McLaren and Ferrari?”

‘F1’s last ‘rock and roll’ star’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/eddie-jordan-tribute-david-kennedy


Gary Anderson's personal tribute to Eddie Jordan
Mar 20, 2025
Gary Anderson
The Race

I woke up this morning to the sad news that Eddie had lost his battle with cancer. He fought it valiantly, but once it gets a hold it is all down to luck. Eddie was someone who so often beat the odds and achieved the impossible - so it’s hard to believe he’s gone.

When he asked me to design his first Formula 1 car in late-1989, I thought he was mad and said no. Eventually, with a little help from my wife Jennie, he persuaded me to take the job, and in early 1990 I set to work on designing the Jordan 191, or the Jordan 911 as it was originally known.

Formula 1 is very different now and I don’t see anyone coming in and doing whatever EJ did for F1. He was the team owner, team principal, financial director, commercial director and team motivator all rolled into one. In reality, he made F1 what it is today. He showed that if you are willing to put it all on the line personally, then you can achieve it. We all, and especially EJ, loved getting one over the big boys. And we had the pleasure of doing that many times, which is probably why the team had so many fans.

‘To his wife Marie, family and friends, my love goes out to you all. EJ, you will be dearly missed’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/eddie-jordan-tribute-gary-anderson-f1/


Damon Hill explains why he’ll ‘never’ forget his first Eddie Jordan encounter, ‘opportunity of a lifetime’
20 Mar 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Damon Hill recalls the ‘test of my life’ with Eddie Jordan. Hill raced for Jordan during the final two seasons of his F1 career in 1998 and 1999. He was responsible for their first-ever win at the 1998 Belgian GP.

But he’d been inextricably linked to Jordan at the outset of his career. Speaking on the Formula for Success podcast just last week, he recalled the Irishman’s role in his first significant single-seater test. Hill explained that Jordan wanted a combination of ‘cash and speed’ from any driver before backing them. Fortunately, the youngster was able to put up the funds for ‘the opportunity of a lifetime’.

“Eddie had come from Ireland and set up his team and he’d got a reputation,” Hill said. “He was angling for any driver with cash and speed. That was the criteria. If you had cash, that was a good thing, he’d take that. I got a test with him. In his version of events, he gave me the test of my life, the opportunity of a lifetime. I seem to remember something like £2,000 for 20 laps, maybe it was £20,000. I can’t remember. It seemed to be a lot of money in the day. He’s never let me forget it.”

‘Opportunity of a lifetime’:

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/damon-hill-explains-why-hell-never-forget-his-first-eddie-jordan-encounter-opportunity-of-a-lifetime/


Revealed: Eddie Jordan's last public words - on podcast released TODAY - hours before his death at 76
20 March 2025
M BROOKES
MailOnline

The pair were answering fans' questions and Coulthard spoke about being asked whether he ever fancied getting back into a car to race in his 50s. Coulthard revealed his response was always that his peak was in his 30s, and he would just be a worse version of himself nowadays.

Jordan quickly shot back: 'Does that apply to your sex drive as well, David?' Coulthard chuckled before replying: 'No, I'm getting better at that!' Jordan was having none of it as he jokingly replied: 'You lying b******!'

He then added: 'Don't get too high on your own supply,' to which Coulthard responded: 'No complaints!' Jordan ended the hilarious interaction by pronouncing he was 'very happy to hear' Coulthard was having no problems with his sex life.

‘Eddie Jordan's last public words’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-14515631/Eddie-Jordans-public-words-podcast-released-TODAY-hours-death-76.html


What Eddie Jordan once said about his ‘legacy’ in Formula 1 resurfaces after his passing
Thu 20 March 2025 12:30
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

Eddie Jordan had the pleasure of running a Formula 1 team for 15 seasons between 1991 and 2005, making his mark on the sport in a unique way. His striking yellow cars stuck in the memory of fans, while his 7UP machine is not only synonymous with Michael Schumacher’s debut but also for being one of the greatest liveries ever.

Eddie Jordan admitted his Formula 1 ‘legacy’ was his well-run team. Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast in 2018, Jordan shared what he felt his legacy in the sport would be. “Some people will probably look to the rock and roll image and think that was it. I think the yellow car of Jordan.”

“Of course, when I say the yellow car, my favourite of all time was the 7up Michael Schumacher car. That was a very pretty car. My legacy is that I was able to come into it with very little and I left it with more than I came in. However, that’s not important. In that time, every single member of staff got paid. Every single supplier got paid and generally, where possible, absolutely on time.”

‘Legacy was his well-run team’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/features/what-eddie-jordan-once-said-about-his-legacy-in-formula-1-resurfaces-after-his-passing/


Bernie Ecclestone explains why he won't attend F1 legend Eddie Jordan's funeral
The ex-Formula One supremo has revealed he won't be attending Eddie Jordan's funeral.
Mar 20, 2025
Amos Murphy
Daily and Sunday Express

As revealed after Jordan’s passing, Ecclestone has no intention of going to his chum’s funeral. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “I would have given him an open cheque because I trusted him totally. I won’t be going to his funeral. I don’t go to funerals. I may not go to mine. He certainly won’t go to mine. So, it’s all fair. It always was with Eddie.”

Ecclestone, who is now into his nineties, had remained in contact with each other, with the Brit mourning the loss of his Irish companion. He added: “I am very, very sad because Eddie was a special guy. Tell me which team principal today is like him. You can’t give me one because there isn’t one. They don’t make them like that now. We will never replace him in Formula One.”

“I may not go to mine. He certainly won’t go to mine. So, it’s all fair. It always was with Eddie.”

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2030130/Eddie-Jordan-funeral-Bernie-Ecclestone

[Fortitude]

Damon Hill: Eddie Jordan was like the missing member of Rolling Stones – I will miss him dearly.
There will be a blizzard of scarcely believable stories paying tribute to Eddie Jordan at this sad time − and for a very long time to come. We may have lost Eddie, but we at least have that to look forward to.
21 Mar 2025
Damon Hill
The Irish Independent

People who knew him, or even those who had never met him, will be keen to add to what he said, or who he was, or what he did for them. None of them will say he was an awful person, or that he didn’t care, or that there was some malice lurking beneath that gregarious exterior.

Indeed, there was no boundary between his exterior and his interior. Eddie was unashamed of who and what he was. We all envied him his lack of restraint, even though it could make you wince with embarrassment on most occasions.

Eddie bounced from place to place, never resting. He had the energy of a nuclear power station. He was to social convention what a wrecking ball is to a tower block. He just didn’t care for stupid rules and niceties. He would cut the “crap” right out and be alarmingly direct and familiar without ever being impolite.

‘Eddie Jordan was like the missing member of Rolling Stones’;

https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/motor-sport/damon-hill-eddie-jordan-was-like-the-missing-member-of-rolling-stones-i-will-miss-him-dearly/a1164182381.html


Aston Martin pay a stunning tribute to Eddie Jordan
21 Mar 2025
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

Aston Martin will drive at the Chinese Grand Prix with a tribute to the late Eddie Jordan... "Honoring a true legend of our sport and team. Eddie Jordan's name will proudly feature on our car this weekend as we pay tribute to his incredible legacy in motorsport," is the caption of a video posted by Aston Martin on Thursday morning.

In two posts, Aston Martin reveal that the logo above the name is a derivative of the original Jordan Grand Prix logo from 1991, the year Jordan's team debuted in Formula One.

Aston Martin coming up with such a tribute is not surprising, of course. The current Aston Martin is an offspring of the team founded by Jordan. The Irishman first sold his own team to Midland, before continuing under the name Force India in 2008. That team was eventually bought up by Lawrence Stroll and consorts, transforming it from Racing Point to Aston Martin. However, it is still the same team from Silverstone.

‘Tribute to Eddie Jordan’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/333789/aston-martin-pay-a-stunning-tribute-to-eddie-jordan.html


Oscar Piastri leads Formula 1 drivers in paying emotional tribute to Eddie Jordan
20 Mar 2025
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

The Formula 1 paddock has been hit with some hard news ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix following the passing of Eddie Jordan. For all he was a vibrant personality, once hilariously called a ‘village idiot’ by Ron Dennis, Jordan’s legacy in Formula 1 meant a lot to him. He always tried his best to pay his staff on time, despite the demands of running an independent team and was largely successful.

All 20 drivers on the current grid are already in Shanghai for this weekend’s event, and some have been sharing their thoughts on social media already. “Proper racer. Will be sorely missed,” wrote McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in an Instagram story.

“Extremely sad to learn that Eddie has passed away. A true icon and loved character of our sport. Passionate, loyal and truly one of a kind. He will be dearly missed. R.I.P,” said Carlos Sainz on his Instagram. And finally, Esteban Ocon added on his Instagram: “I was lucky enough to know Eddie. A great character of our sport and an even better person. My thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Eddie.”

‘Emotional tribute’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/oscar-piastri-leads-formula-1-drivers-in-paying-emotional-tribute-to-eddie-jordan/


Coulthard shares emotional tribute to Eddie Jordan: 'A gift to F1'20 Mar 2025
Kada Sarkozi
GPblog.com

Former driver and the founder of Jordan Grand Prix Eddie Jordan has passed away after battling prostate cancer. The Irishman was an important figure in the world of Formula 1, and a good friend of David Coulthard. The Briton shared a touching tribute on social media today.

In his Instagram post, Coulthard wrote: "Eddie Jordan was a force to be reckoned with beyond what anyone could expect in Formula 1. He was a gift to Formula 1 & he was a gift to Ireland. You never knew quite where his madness would take you next, but you always got there with a smile on your face."

"There will be endless people telling Eddie Jordan stories as long as there is still Formula 1 around. It has been an honour calling him and friend & all of our love to his family & his four children, Mikki, Zoe, Kyle & Zak."

'A gift to F1';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/333740/coulthard-shares-emotional-tribute-to-eddie-jordan.html


Christian Horner sends message after Eddie Jordan’s death and shares the advice he gave him during his first year in F1
20 Mar 2025
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Christian Horner shares the advice Eddie Jordan gave him in his first year in F1 in a touching tribute;
His post on Instagram read: “Very sorry to hear Eddie Jordan has sadly passed. Eddie was a hugely colourful character who I first met in 1991 as a young driver at his then new factory after his first year in Formula One. His advice, “get a good sponsor… welcome to the Piranha Club!”

“I was fortunate to overlap with him when I came into Formula One. He was in the twilight of his F1 career race wise (indeed he even tried to sell me his team!) but went into other media activities where he was always full of energy and fun to work with.

“Formula One has lost a legend and we will miss his wit and his Irish charm. On behalf of Oracle Red Bull Racing we send our sincere condolences to Marie and the children at this sad time; our thoughts are with them.”

“God speed Eddie!”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/christian-horner-sends-message-after-eddie-jordans-death-and-shares-the-advice-he-gave-him-during-his-first-year-in-f1/


Jake Humphrey breaks down in tears as he gives emotional on air tribute to his former BBC F1 co-host Eddie Jordan after his death at 76
20 Mar 2025
LEWIS BROWNING
MailOnline

Presenter Jake Humphrey has given an emotional on-air tribute to former colleague Eddie Jordan, breaking down into tears after the Formula One legend died at the age of aged 76. Humphrey worked alongside Jordan - as well as David Coulthard - on BBC's coverage of Formula One between 2009 and 2012, when he left the channel to join BT Sport.

Speaking on BBC 5 Live on Friday just hours after Jordan's death was revealed by his family, Humphrey struggled to hold it together as he broke down while reading a statement to Jordan. The duo would travel the world to cover the sport for the broadcaster, with Humphrey the anchor and Jordan among the punditry team, and Humphrey was keen to remember those days when talking about his friend.

'He won races, which was remarkable, but more important than that, he won hearts,' Humphrey said. 'I remember when I left F1, a lot of people questioned why I left the BBC to join BT Sport, and I'll never forget he pulled me to one side and said, "I know why you're doing this, you want to be with your kids". My wife was pregnant at the time, and I said, "You're absolutely right". He was the only person in F1 that knew I was walking away to be with my family.'

“He won hearts’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-14520995/Jake-Humphrey-breaks-tears-emotional-tribute-Eddie-Jordan.html


Gary Anderson pinpoints the ‘great’ achievement Eddie Jordan accomplished in his first season that shaped F1 today
20 Mar 2025
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Gary Anderson says Jordan Grand Prix finishing fifth in 1991 proved to F1 that small teams could compete. Anderson was a close friend and colleague of Jordan. He was headhunted by the Irishman to design Jordan Grand Prix’s first car in 1991, having previously worked for McLaren. Together, they guided the team to an impressive fifth-place finish in their debut season. Jordan scored 13 points – one more than Tyrrell in sixth – with de Cesaris finishing fourth twice in Canada and Mexico.

Speaking on the Off The Ball YouTube channel, Anderson shared how most small teams ‘disappeared’ off the grid after a few races in F1. Jordan proved that those teams were capable of competing if they were willing to ‘fight’ – something that has shaped the sport today. "It is remarkable. I mean the thing that I think that Eddie, and to a lesser degree myself, did for Formula 1 was to prove to Formula 1 that a small tea could do well and it was worth fighting for,” he said. “Before our campaign in 1991, I think most small teams just floundered, they were there for two or three races or whatever, half the season and then just disappeared.”

“Together we fought the fight and we did finish fifth in the championship. As I say there was the big four at that time; McLaren, Ferrari, Benetton and Williams. It was hard to get in among the points but boy it was a good day when you did! Whenever you mixed in with those big boys on a Sunday afternoon and scored some big points, it was such an achievement. And I think that taught Formula 1 to a great degree what it is today, that if you’re willing to fight, get your head down and have a go, there is a chance you can actually do a good job.”

‘Willing to fight’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/gary-anderson-pinpoints-the-great-achievement-eddie-jordan-accomplished-in-his-first-season-that-shaped-f1-today/

[Fortitude]

BREAKING NEWS: Lewis Hamilton takes POLE in China Grand Prix Sprint qualifying as Ferrari star bounces back following dismal debut in Melbourne.
“I'm a bit in shock. I can’t believe we get a pole for the sprint! It puts us in good stead for the race.”
21 Mar 2025
JONATHAN MCEVOY
MailOnline

To paroxysms of cheering from the home crowd, Hamilton pipped Red Bull’s defending champion Max Verstappen (the man who simply refuses to yield even in inferior equipment) by 0.018sec.

‘First, I want to say a big thank you to this amazing crowd we have today,’ said Hamilton, a winner of a record six grands prix in China. ‘I didn't expect that result but I’m so happy and so proud. The last race was a disaster for us and we knew there was more performance in the car but we weren’t able to extract it.’

‘To come here to a track I love is great. Shanghai a beautiful place, the weather has been amazing and the car came alive from lap one. We made some great changes. The team did a fantastic job in the break to get the car ready. I'm a bit in shock. I can’t believe we get a pole for the sprint! It puts us in good stead for the race.’

“I'm a bit in shock”;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-14522569/Lewis-Hamilton-Lando-Norris-Chinese-GP-Ferrari.html


F1 Chinese GP 2025 – Sprint Qualifying Results
21 Mar 2025
Brandon Sutton

F1 Chinese GP 2025 Sprint Qualifying results
Check out the full F1 2025 Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying results from Shanghai below.
Pos. Driver Team Result
1. Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:30.849
2. Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.018
3. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.080
4. Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.208
5. George Russell Mercedes +0.320
6. Lando Norris McLaren +0.544
7. Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +0.889
8. Yuki Tsunoda Racing bulls +0.924
9. Alex Albon Williams +1.003
10. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.133

‘Sprint Qualifying Results’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-chinese-gp-2025-sprint-qualifying-results/


Chinese GP: Lewis Hamilton takes Sprint pole with Shanghai lap record
21 Mar 2025
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Lewis Hamilton has his first pole position in red, the Ferrari driver beating Max Verstappen to the coveted grid slot in Sprint Qualifying in China. Although McLaren were expected to dominate, it was 2021’s title rivals who came to the fore on Friday afternoon with Hamilton 0.018s up on Verstappen having set a new lap record.

Liam Lawson out in SQ1, slowest of all.
Carlos Sainz disappointed by SQ2 exit.
Lewis Hamilton clinches pole position with lap record.

‘Shanghai lap record’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/chinese-grand-prix-2025-sprint-qualifying-report


Hamilton voices 'shock' after major Ferrari breakthrough
Lewis Hamilton secured his first sprint pole position since the 2021 British Grand Prix.
21 Mar 2025
Nick Golding
RacingNews365

Lewis Hamilton has voiced his "shock" after securing sprint pole ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. "I can't believe it actually, we got a pole in a sprint. It's obviously, not the main race, so we've got work to do for tomorrow, but this puts us in good stead for the race."

Whilst sprint pole is a huge achievement so early into Hamilton's Ferrari career, he is aware of how difficult the sprint race and the grand prix will be. "I didn't get to do a race run in Bahrain," revealed Hamilton. "Obviously, we did the race last weekend in in the wet. But tomorrow will be kind of my first real long-ish run, or race run, and Sunday will be my first proper race run in the dry with this car. So I'll be learning.”

"I'm hoping that we can hold on to it, but I think the McLarens are very, very, very fast, as is Max [Verstappen], but we're in a good position. We'll stay positive and keep our heads high and keep pushing forwards."


‘Lewis Hamilton has voiced his "shock" after securing sprint pole’;

https://racingnews365.com/hamilton-voices-shock-after-major-ferrari-breakthrough


Hamilton on sprint pole — Lawson is last: what happened in Chinese GP sprint qualifying
March 21st 2025
Dominic Tobin
Motor Sport Magazine

Lewis Hamilton will start alongside Max Verstappen for the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix sprint after a brilliant lap secured him pole for the Saturday morning race. Two late laps by Hamilton and Verstappen — split by less than two-hundredths of a second — pushed McLaren’s Oscar Piastri back to the second row of the grid, ahead of Charles Leclerc.

“It’s amazing to see the number 1 when you stop — and [to] be in the red car,” said Hamilton. “I’m a bit gobsmacked, a bit taken aback by it. I didn’t know when we’d get to this position.” Lando Norris had topped the timesheet in the second SQ2 segment of sprint qualifying but failed to make an impact in the final stage: a slide on his fastest lap left him sixth.

Liam Lawson would have gladly taken that result: he continued his steep learning curve at Red Bull, qualifying dead last after struggling to reduce his tyre temperature ahead of his flying lap.

“I’m a bit gobsmacked, a bit taken aback by it”;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/hamilton-on-sprint-pole-lawson-is-last-what-happened-in-chinese-gp-sprint-qualifying/?nowprocket=1#


Everything that happened in Chinese GP practice
Mar 21, 2025
Matt Beer
The Race

The session became a late scramble for a run on soft tyres after a red flag to retrieve Jack Doohan's Alpine, which had stopped in a run-off area. Those qualifying simulations briefly produced a Ferrari 1-2 with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, before Norris split them in an initially very close top three.

But Norris had made errors on that lap, and his second attempt on those tyres produced a 1m31.504s - two seconds quicker than last year's pole time on the newly-resurfaced track - and Leclerc was left 0.454s behind with his own second effort.

Full results
1 Lando Norris (McLaren) 1m31.504s
2 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.454s
3 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.649s
4 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.691s
5 George Russell (Mercedes) +0.873s
6 Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) +1.003s
7 Alex Albon (Williams) +1.183s
8 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +1.262s
9 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +1.370s
10 Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) +1.430s

‘Chinese GP practice’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/chinese-grand-prix-f1-practice-results-2025/

[Fortitude]

Norris bins it on lap 1, Hamilton keeps Verstappen behind.
All eyes were on Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen at the start. With 11 world titles on the front row of the grid, no surprise, but the battle never came to a head. Hamilton had a good start, shut the door on the Dutchman, leaving the Red Bull Racing driver to settle for second place.
22nd March 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

Lando Norris suffered a major setback after starting the sprint race in China. Entering turn five, Norris veered off the track and touched the grass. Resulting in the Briton dropping from P6 to P9.

Lando Norris had the worst start of the top drivers. The Briton got away well, but at turn five Norris found himself on the outside. The McLaren driver seemed to open up the wheel just a little too much, prompting him to touch the grass, lose control of his McLaren and from P6, dropped back to P9.

‘Norris bins it on lap 1’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/334198/lando-norris-throws-away-points-again-with-poor-start.html


F1 2025 Chinese Grand Prix – Sprint Race Results
22nd March 2025
Motorsport Week

Position Driver Team Gap
1 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari
2 Oscar Piastri McLaren 6.889
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull 9.804
4 George Russell Mercedes 11.592
5 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 12.190
6 Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls 22.288
7 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 23.038
8 Lando Norris McLaren 23.471
9 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 24.916
10 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 38.218

‘Sprint Race Results’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/22/f1-2025-chinese-grand-prix-sprint-race-results/


2025 Chinese GP Sprint: Hamilton defends the lead from Verstappen at the start in Shanghai
Lewis Hamilton keeps the lead at the Sprint start at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix.
22nd March 2025
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2025-chinese-gp-sprint-hamilton-defends-the-lead-from-verstappen-at-the-start-in-shanghai.1827262090481359254


Hamilton wins the Sprint, Piastri P2, Verstappen P3, Norris bins it
22nd March 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

Lewis Hamilton capitalises on his first success with Ferrari, and wins the Sprint race in China, from Oscar Piastri in P2 and Max Verstappen in P3. As they lined up on the grid, Max Verstappen pointed his car toward Lewis Hamilton’s path, to try and gain the edg on the Briton and contain any potential overtake attempt on his position.

The lights went off, Hamilton had a good reaction and was able to cover off Piastri. Charles Leclerc managed to defend from Russell, and tried to attack Oscar Piastri into Turn 3, as Lando Norris went into Turn 5 very compromised and lost two places as his MCL39 got bent out of shape.

On lap 14, Piastri felt brave enough to have a look on the inside of Verstappen into Turn 1, as the Dutchman defended with everything he could to force3 Piastri to go around the outside. Shortly after Verstappen complained to engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, that both of his front tyres were dead. Sure enough a couple of laps later, Piastri lined up Verstappen for an overtake into Turn 14, and though the Dutchman didn’t make it easy, the battle between the two was always fair.

‘Lewis Hamilton capitalises’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/334211/hamilton-wins-the-sprint-piastri-p2-verstappen-p3-norris-bins-it.html


Hamilton wins “masterclass of tyre management” in Shanghai sprint race
22nd March 2025
RaceFans

Lewis Hamilton scored his first victory as a Ferrari driver in the sprint race at Shanghai. He was never headed over the 19-lap encounter after leading Max Verstappen away from the grid.

Verstappen held second place for much of the race until Oscar Piastri passed him with four laps to go. As the drivers nursed their medium compound tyres to the finish, Verstappen clearly thought better of trying too hard to defend his position, and Piastri gained the place with little difficulty in the extended DRS zone.

“Masterclass of tyre management”;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/03/22/hamilton-wins-masterclass-of-tyre-management-in-shanghai-sprint-race/

[Fortitude]

Oscar Piastri came alive to beat George Russell and Lando Norris to pole.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri seized the first proper pole position of his Formula One career at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday with the fastest lap yet around the Shanghai International Circuit.
22 Mar 2025
Alan Baldwin
Evening Standard

The Australian, a two-time race winner who has had sprint poles before, lapped in one minute, 30.641 seconds and was joined on the front row for Sunday's start by George Russell after the Mercedes driver put in a storming final effort of 1:30.723.

McLaren's Lando Norris, the winner of the season-opener in Australia and leader of the championship, abandoned his final lap and will start third with Red Bull's Max Verstappen fourth.

Ferrari filled the third row, with Lewis Hamilton securing fifth after winning the earlier sprint race and teammate Charles Leclerc sixth.

‘Oscar Piastri came alive’;

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/formula-one/oscar-piastri-chinese-grand-prix-2025-f1-b1218225.html


F1 2025 Chinese Grand Prix – Qualifying Results
22 Mar 2025
Motorsport Week

Position Driver Team Laptime Gap
1 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:30.641
2 George Russell Mercedes 1:30.723 0.082
3 Lando Norris McLaren 1:30.793 0.152
4 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:30.817 0.176
5 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:30.927 0.286
6 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:31.021 0.380
7 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls 1:31.079 0.438
8 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:31.103 0.462
9 Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls 1:31.638 0.997
10 Alex Albon Williams 1:31.706 1.065

‘Qualifying Results’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/22/f1-2025-chinese-grand-prix-qualifying-results/


Oscar Piastri considered aborting pole-setting Chinese GP lap
22 Mar 2025
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Oscar Piastri has revealed he considered aborting the lap that secured him a maiden pole position in Formula 1 at the Chinese Grand Prix up until a late improvement. “Yeah, my first lap was honestly better than my second lap, but just at the hairpin at the end of the straight, I lost a bit of time and didn’t do the best hairpin,” he said.

“And then the second lap, I was about two-tenths down on myself. So I kind of just went, why not send it into the hairpin? And I gained those two-tenths back and then found a little bit more in the last corner.”

“So yeah, I honestly was, without that hairpin, I was tempted to box before that. So I’m pretty happy now that I didn’t, but I just did a good corner. That was all.”

‘Considered aborting the lap’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/22/oscar-piastri-considered-aborting-pole-setting-chinese-gp-lap/


George Russell thrilled with ‘rewarding’ P2 in 2025 Chinese GP Qualifying
The British driver did not expect to start so far up the grid in Shanghai
22 Mar 2025
Euan Burns
Total Motorsport

As Russell admitted following Qualifying for the 2025 Chinese GP, the McLaren‘s didn’t make the best of their pace advantage: “When we are able to bring it all together, we can definitely compete right at the front. I’m therefore really pleased that we were able to qualify P2 and will start on the front-row tomorrow.”

“I don’t think anybody expected to be challenging the McLaren‘s, but I don’t think they optimised what they had today. P3 would have been a good result, so P2 is a great result. I’m proud of the whole team and the job they’ve done.”

‘George Russell thrilled’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-george-russell-thrilled-p2-2025-chinese-gp-qualifying/


Norris making “too many mistakes” and not as comfortable as in Melbourne
22nd March 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

“It’s tight and close but it was a much better job than we did yesterday – and I did yesterday,” he said. “The car was feeling much better and I was feeling definitely more comfortable.” However he admitted there were “still too many mistakes from my side.”

“I’m not as comfortable as I was in Australia,” explained Norris, who won from pole position in Melbourne. “It’s just tricky, but it is for everyone, and I just haven’t done the best job. Oscar has done a very good job.”

I don’t think it was so much run plan,” he said. “I just think we didn’t get as much out of the car yesterday. I obviously locked up and went straight. The car’s easily quick enough for pole, so I just did a terrible job yesterday.”

“Too many mistakes”;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/03/22/norris-making-too-many-mistakes-and-not-as-comfortable-as-in-melbourne/


Hamilton reveals Ferrari masterplan to win Chinese GP
Chinese GP Sprint winner Lewis Hamilton will start fifth on the grid for Sunday's race.
22 Mar 2025
Jake Nichol & Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

"We made a couple of changes to the car to rectify some of the problems we had, and I don't know if it is the wind, but the car became quite snappy," Hamilton told media including RacingNews365 in Shanghai.

"The changes were to improve race performance, but it was definitely harder on the single lap, so it is going to be interesting. How you use the tyres is going to be key, but I feel optimistic for tomorrow, I'll try to get a good start and jump at least one car and slowly make my way up.”

"Tonight, I am just going to make a masterplan of how to win and I'm going to try and execute it, that's the mindset I have. There are going to be swings and roundabouts, right, there are going to be ups and downs and we didn't expect to be fifth and sixth, or I didn't expect to be where I am, but its what we are going to be faced with through the season.”

‘Masterplan of how to win’;

https://racingnews365.com/hamilton-reveals-ferrari-masterplan-to-win-chinese-gp


Red Bull prepared to fire Liam Lawson after 2025 Chinese GP woes as Marko drops hint
Lawson says he “needs to get a grip” after qualifying last on the grid in Shanghai.
22 March 2025
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

“It is very, very tough,” Lawson told Sky Sports F1 of trying to drive the 2025 Red Bull car. “And yeah, I can get upset at the traffic issues and things like that, but it shouldn’t be the difference between me getting through or not. I have a whole lot of things to sort out myself before I can look at getting a little bit of traffic and things like that. So, it’s just frustrating.”

“I mean the [working] window is very small in this car, but it’s not an excuse. It’s just something I need to get a grip on. And we have sort of glimpses of it, where it feels good, but it’s just a very small window and I just need to get on top of it.”

“F1 is a competitive sport,” Marko cryptically told Sky Germany in China, as the key Red Bull figure hints the Lawson could be fired if he doesn’t step up his performances as Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar find themselves waiting on the wings.

“Needs to get a grip”;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-red-bull-prepared-fire-liam-lawson-2025-chinese-gp-woes-helmut-marko-drops-hint/

[Fortitude]

Piastri wins Chinese GP as Norris survives brake scare for McLaren 1-2.
Oscar Piastri converted his first Formula 1 pole position into victory in the Chinese Grand Prix, leading home a McLaren 1-2 as Lando Norris nursed his car home in the closing laps with a brake issue.
Mar 23, 2025
Jack Cozens
The Race

In what was a cagey race at the front as the durability of the hard tyre made a one-stop strategy viable, Piastri ultimately had a comfortable margin throughout over team-mate Norris.

But the final winning margin of 9.748 seconds was flattered by Norris having to manage an increasingly critical brake problem late in the race, one that required him to back off significantly on the final two laps.

Piastri did have to resist a challenge for the lead into the first corner from fellow front-row starter George Russell, but the Mercedes ended up on a compromised inside line and that allowed the second McLaren of Norris to sweep through into second place.

‘Piastri wins Chinese GP’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/oscar-piastri-chinese-gp-victory-lando-norris-brake-scare/


Chinese GP: Race Results
Full results from the Formula 1 Chinese GP from Shanghai International Circuit.
23 March 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps/Diff
1 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 56 Laps
2 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes +9.748s
3 63 George Russell Mercedes +11.097s
4 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda +16.656s
5 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +23.211s
6 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +25.381s
7 31 Esteban Ocon Haas – Ferrari +49.969s
8 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +53.748s
9 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes +56.321s
10 87 Oliver Bearman Haas – Ferrari +61.303s

‘Full results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-shanghai-chinese-gp-race-results/


BREAKING NEWSLewis Hamilton clashes with Ferrari engineer AGAIN and is made to swap places with Charles Leclerc in miserable Chinese Grand Prix - as Oscar Piastri wins it
Lewis Hamilton endured another tough afternoon, similar to when in Melbourne.
23 March 2025
JONATHAN MCEVOY
MailOnline

Serenity at the front for Oscar Piastri. Victory from pole in China for the Australian. And another day of turbulence in paradise for Lewis Hamilton. Perhaps it was an improvement on his fortunes in Melbourne a week before, when he finished 10th. But not much. Again, he clashed with his race engineer Riccardo Adami, and had to make way to let his team-mate Charles Leclerc through. This is not the optimum scenario when you are hailed as the GOAT and have been signed on £60million-a-year. We are not talking here about a sophomore but a seven-time world champion.

Having to switch was even more wounding for Hamilton because Leclerc's front wing was flapping about, perhaps even grazing the ground (after the two touched on lap one – Leclerc's fault). In a sport where a millimetre is potentially an aerodynamic eureka moment, this was surely a handicap for the Monegasque. Long before lap 20 of 57 when Hamilton and his pit wall were debating whether their trophy recruit should move aside, it was obvious that Leclerc had the greater pace. Hamilton knew it, saying: 'I think I'm going to let Charles through because I'm struggling.'”

Adami replied: 'We are swapping cars at Turn 14.'
Hamilton: 'I'll let Charles through when he's closer.'
Hamilton, again: 'I'm closing up a little bit (on Russell ahead of him).'
Adami: 'Can we swap this lap.'
Hamilton: 'I'll tell you when we can swap.'
Hamilton let Leclerc through at the start of lap 21. Leclerc, unimpressed by being held up, said: 'This is a shame. The pace is there.'

‘Nhe optimum scenario’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-14527925/Lewis-Hamilton-clashes-Ferrari-Oscar-Piastri-Chinese-Grand-Prix.html


Lando Norris suffers ‘worst nightmare’ at Chinese GP after ignoring McLaren orders
Lando Norris struggled through the final few laps of the Chinese Grand Prix.
Mar 23, 2025
Charlie Gordon
Daily and Sunday Express

After completing a McLaren one-two behind Piastri, Norris told Sky Sports just how terrifying it was in the closing stages of the Grand Prix. "It was scary," he said. "It's like my worst nightmare. If I have a nightmare it's when the brakes are failing, and I was losing three to four seconds in the last couple of laps. So I was a bit scared, but we survived and got to the end."

On whether he could otherwise have challenged Piastri for the victory, Norris added: "It doesn't matter now, really, does it? It doesn't matter. He deserved the win and he drove very well all weekend, so I'm happy with the second [place]. "It's great points for us as a team with a one-two, so a big thanks to everyone in papaya. It's just how we wanted the race to go, so we're very happy."

"It was scary";

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2031156/lando-norris-chinese-grand-prix-mclaren


Lando Norris thinks one Chinese Grand Prix overtake reminded him of Michael Schumacher
23 Mar 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Lando Norris compares George Russell move to Michael Schumacher. After Russell emerged ahead of Norris in the pit stops, the McLaren driver would retake the place a couple of laps later with an aggressive move using DRS down the start/finish straight on Russell into Turn 1.

Norris said it reminded him of the ‘horrible’ defensive move Michael Schumacher once pulled on Rubens Barrichello at the 2010 Hungarian Grand Prix when he forced the Brazilian into the pit wall.

Norris: “That reminded me of Schumacher and Barrichello that one.”
Russell: “Was you Barrichello?”
Norris: “Just put me in the wall!”
Oscar Piastri: “Don’t tell Andrea [Stella] that because he’ll never stop talking about it!”

‘Russell: “Was you Barrichello?”’;

https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/F1/Grands+Prix/Chinese+GP#search


Yuki Tsunoda could replace Liam Lawson at the Japanese GP
Mar 23, 2025
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

Red Bull are understood to be considering an immediate swap of Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson. After another poor showing in China, Lawson’s position at Red Bull is hanging by a thread – and Tsunoda is ready to capitalise. After the Australian GP, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko downplayed Lawson’s struggles.

They argued that limited track time and mixed conditions were the biggest influences on the Kiwi’s results. However, Lawson is very clearly struggling, crossing the Chinese GP in P15. Even after two rounds, the situation is becoming unsustainable for Red Bull, who could turn to Tsunoda for a promotion.

‘Becoming unsustainable’;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsports/2025/03/23/yuki-tsunoda-could-replace-liam-lawson-at-the-japanese-gp/

[Fortitude]

Three F1 Drivers Disqualified as FIA Shake Up Chinese GP Results.
In a dramatic post-race twist, the FIA disqualified three drivers following the conclusion of the Chinese GP turning the final race order on its head.
Mar 23, 2025
Emma Fisher
Last Word On Sports

Post-Race Drama: Despite this, the real drama only emerged hours after the chequered flag. The FIA confirmed in an announcement that Leclerc, Hamilton, and Gasly had all been disqualified for separate breaches of technical regulations.
Following post-Race technical checks, 3 cars have been disqualified from the #ChineseGP ���� #FIA #F1 pic.twitter.com/C27QHwmJ29
— FIA (@fia) March 23, 2025

The scrutiny began when routine post-race checks revealed both Leclerc’s Ferrari and Gasly’s Alpine were under the minimum weight of 800kg. Consequently, both drivers fell foul of Article 4.1 of the FIA technical regulations, leading to their disqualification from the results. Meanwhile, further investigation into Hamilton’s car revealed another costly error.

According to the FIA, the Briton’s Ferrari failed the skid block wear test, with measurements falling below the mandatory 9mm thickness. This infringement breached Article 3.5.9 e) of the technical rulebook. Soon after, the FIA confirmed Ferrari’s nightmare double disqualification, removing their drivers of their fifth and sixth-place finishes. Gasly’s penalty left Alpine equally empty-handed.

‘Dramatic post-race twist’;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsports/2025/03/23/three-f1-drivers-disqualified-as-fia-shake-up-chinese-gp-results/


Chinese GP: Updated Race Results
Full results from the Formula 1 Chinese GP from Shanghai International Circuit.
23 Mar 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps/Diff
1 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 56 Laps
2 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes +9.748s
3 63 George Russell Mercedes +11.097s
4 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda +16.656s
5 31 Esteban Ocon Haas – Ferrari +49.969s
6 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +53.748s
7 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes +56.321s
8 87 Oliver Bearman Haas – Ferrari +61.303s
9 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin – Mercedes +70.204s
10 55 Carlos Sainz Williams – Mercedes +76.387s

‘Updated Race Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-shanghai-chinese-gp-race-results/


Ferrari pair Hamilton + Leclerc both disqualified from Chinese GP.
Here's what doomed both drivers to an embarrassing double disqualification for the team.
Mar 23, 2025
Josh Suttill
The Race

Why Leclerc's been disqualified: Leclerc was referred to the stewards when the FIA's F1 technical delegate Jo Bauer found his Ferrari to be 1kg under the 798kg weight limit (accounting for a required two-litre fuel sample).

This was nothing to do with Leclerc's front wing damage that Ferrari did not replace during the race as teams are required to repair damage before being weighed - and the spare front wing it fitted was actually 0.2kg heavier than the original anyway.

Why Hamilton's been disqualified: Hamilton was referred to the stewards for excessive skid wear (part of the plank assembly underneath the car) and the stewards elected to disqualify him shortly after Leclerc.

‘Doomed’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/lewis-hamilton-charles-leclerc-disqualified-ferrari-chinese-gp-f1/


Hamilton, Leclerc and Gasly disqualified: Here are the Chinese GP's results
Mar 23, 2025
Kada Sarkozi
GPblog.com

After the race, three cars were found illegal by the FIA, and therefore were referred to the stewards. Lewis Hamilton's SF-25 failed because of the rearmost skid's thickness was below the 9 millimetres required after the conclusion of the Chinese Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly were disqualified because their cars did not reach the minimum weight limit after the measurements took place.

‘Hamilton, Leclerc and Gasly disqualified’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/334848/hamilton-leclerc-gasly-disqualified-chinese-gp-new-results.html


Ferrari issues statement following brutal Chinese GP disqualifications
Ferrari suffered a double disqualification from the Chinese Grand Prix - the first time in its history that has happened.
23 Mar 2025
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

Ferrari statement in full
"Following the FIA post-race scrutineering both our cars were found not to conform to the regulations for different reasons," began the statement, supplied to media including RacingNews365.

"Car 16 (Leclerc) was found to be underweight by 1 kg and car 44 (Hamilton)'s rearward skid wear was found to be 0.5mm below the limit.

"Charles was on a one-stop strategy today and this meant his tyre wear was very high, causing the car to be underweight.

"With regard to Lewis’ skid wear, we misjudged the consumption by a small margin.

"There was no intention to gain any advantage.
"We will learn from what happened today and make sure we don’t make the same mistakes again.
"Clearly it’s not the way we wanted to end our Chinese GP weekend, neither for ourselves, nor for our fans whose support for us is unwavering."

‘Support for us is unwavering’;

https://racingnews365.com/ferrari-issues-statement-following-brutal-chinese-gp-disqualifications


Wolff hands Mercedes driver rare ‘10 out of 10′ for ‘faultless’ Chinese GP drive
23 Mar 2025
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff handed George Russell a rare “10 out of 10” for his drive at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday.

Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli won the fan-voted Driver of the Day award, but it was Russell who finished on the podium behind the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

‘10 out of 10′;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/wolff-hands-mercedes-driver-rare-10-out-of-10-for-faultless-chinese-gp-drive


Martin Brundle makes subtle Liam Lawson dig after making five-word Red Bull prediction at the Chinese Grand Prix
23 Mar 2025
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

Liam Lawson struggled the most of any driver throughout the weekend, and qualified 20th for both the sprint and the main race. Lawson is performing nowhere near the expected standard. So much so, that his team may already be picking his replacement.

Whether it’s because he will be racing for another team or because he will continue to struggle, Martin Brundle has taken a subtle dig by suggesting that Oscar Piastri will only have to fight one Red Bull at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.

“He’s got every chance but he’s going to have to beat Norris and Mercedes, and Ferrari, and at least one Red Bull,” he said on Sky Sports F1 after the Chinese Grand Prix.

‘Subtle’

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/martin-brundle-makes-subtle-liam-lawson-dig-after-making-five-word-red-bull-prediction-at-the-chinese-grand-prix/


Max Verstappen shuts down Red Bull exit talk despite tough Chinese GP weekend
23 Mar 2025
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Max Verstappen has dismissed talk that he could lose patience with Red Bull in Formula 1 as the team experienced a challenging weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix. Red Bull’s conspicuous regression since a dominant beginning to the previous campaign has triggered persistent speculation about a possible Verstappen departure.

However, Verstappen has quashed suggestions that the Austrian squad’s continued struggle this season might prompt him to start thinking about a move elsewhere. “I hear this all the time,” he said. “But for me, nothing changes. I’m actually very relaxed, I’m very positive in my mind. I’m enjoying life.”

“Every time I jump in the car, I just try to do the best I can. And I’m not thinking about anything else, to be honest. I feel good in life in general, if that’s in the car or outside the car. And that’s actually what matters the most.”

“I hear this all the time”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/23/max-verstappen-shuts-down-red-bull-exit-talk-despite-tough-chinese-gp-weekend/

[Fortitude]

‘We are concerned’ – Red Bull boss reveals crisis meeting that could affect Max Verstappen’s future amid Mercedes rumours.
Red Bull are considered by some to have the fourth fastest car this season, and should that order play out, the Dutchman could well be looking for the exit door.
23 Mar 2025
Connor Andrews
talkSPORT

Asked if he’s concerned about that eventuality and the car’s pace by Sky Germany, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko admitted things are getting serious.

“There is a meeting in Milton Keynes this week where it will be discussed when and how we can make up for the deficit we currently have,” he said. “Until then, the goal is to score points wherever possible and as many as we can. We are concerned, but it’s not like we’re throwing in the towel just yet.”

‘Crisis meeting’;

https://talksport.com/motorsport/3045018/max-verstappen-red-bull-concern-mercedes-f1-china/


Max Verstappen to join Red Bull crisis talks
Max Verstappen is set to join crisis talks at Red Bull as it looks to fight back to the front of F1.
23 Mar 2025
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

Max Verstappen is to join an emergency meeting Red Bull has planned for next week after the Chinese Grand Prix. Reflecting on his race, Verstappen was initially stumped as to where time could be found on the car, as the future of Liam Lawson following another poor weekend will be discussed. "It’s difficult to say when you don’t really know where or how to find it at the moment," he told Sky Sports F1.

"We have 10 days, hopefully we can learn a little bit more and be a bit more competitive." As for the meeting, Marko explained that Verstappen will be joining the meetings planned. "Max will visit the factory next week to discuss where the weak spots are," he told Motorsport NL.

"We have to improve the car as quickly as possible, but we know it will take time. We have seen that the picture can differ per circuit and even per compound. McLaren is clearly ahead and we have to find something to counter that."

‘Emergency meeting’;

https://racingnews365.com/max-verstappen-to-join-red-bull-crisis-talks


Red Bull now completely stuck after ill-advised, rushed decision
Sergio Perez may not be Max Verstappen. But it's now obvious that he got a raw deal at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Mar 21, 2025
Asher Fair|
Beyond the Flag (Weblog)

While their future decisions are what really count, one cannot help but wonder if their decision to replace Sergio Perez was premature. During the 2024 season, Perez signed a multi-year contract extension to remain with Red Bull through the 2026 season. But his performance in the second half of the season resulted in him being dropped in favor of Lawson. What many questioned at the time was why Red Bull went with Lawson as opposed to the more experienced Yuki Tsunoda, who has competed for the team now known as Racing Bulls since 2021.

But perhaps the better question is why they needed to replace Perez in the first place. Yes, it's a strange question to ask now, given how eager everybody was at the time to see someone else in Perez's seat. Perez's performance down the stretch in 2024 certainly left a lot to be desired. So was Perez's performance really that terrible, given what he had to work with?

In the season's first five races, of which Verstappen won four, Perez racked up four podium finishes. Beyond that, when Red Bull's decline became evident, he did not finish on the podium, yet he only had three actual Grand Prix finishes outside of the points. It's not ideal, especially when you add in the five retirements. But suffice it to say that Red Bull would happily take P8 with the way things are going for Lawson right now. Even with his struggles, Perez finished with more than twice the number of points as Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso in P9. Lawson, on the other hand, can't even beat the backmarkers.

‘But perhaps the better question is why they needed to replace Perez in the first place’;

https://beyondtheflag.com/red-bull-now-completely-stuck-ill-advised-rushed-decision


Jacques Villeneuve slams Lawson as ‘worse than Perez’
Jacques Villeneuve questions Red Bull’s decision to replace Sergio Perez with Liam Lawson
22 Mar 2025
John Smith
Total Motorsport

Red Bull‘s controversial decision to replace Sergio Perez with Liam Lawson for the 2025 Formula 1 season is quickly turning into a nightmare, with Jacques Villeneuve taking aim to slam the rookie and his poor performances. Appearing on F1TV, Villeneuve didn’t mince words: “Right now, it’s worse than it was with Perez.” The Canadian legend emphasised that Lawson was brought in to give Red Bull a dependable second driver, but his results have been dismal.

Villeneuve believes Red Bull’s cutthroat culture under Helmut Marko will not tolerate failure for long. “Red Bull is not a team where you can afford to have a bad weekend,” Villeneuve stated. “Marko places massive pressure on his drivers. He expects mental strength, and if you’re not up to it, he cuts you off.”

‘Jacques Villeneuve questions Red Bull’s decision to replace Sergio Perez’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-jacques-villeneuve-slams-liam-lawson-worse-sergio-perez-red-bull/


Sergio Perez ‘laughing his head off’ over Liam Lawson Q1 exit in Ted Kravitz quip
15 Mar 2025
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

PLEASE NOTE: Ted’s Notebook after the Australian Qualifying.

Appearing on his Ted’s Notebook Sky F1 show, Kravitz quipped that Perez will have been left amused by Lawson’s early exit. He said: “Let’s be fair to him, because he was up against it with no preparation in free practice three after a pneumatic problem on the power unit, so didn’t get any preparation and a couple of mistakes on his last lap meant that he was out in Q1.”

“I’ve written here in my notebook: ‘Somewhere in Guadalajara, Mexico, a man called Sergio is laughing his head off.’ I think that’s unfair, but you will consider that Sergio might feel today that he might have done better than P18.” Breaking into laughter, Kravitz continued: “I think that’s unfair in many ways [as] Liam didn’t have any preparation.”

“But you can only hope – for Lawson’s sake, I guess, and for Red Bull Racing’s designs on a Constructors Championship – that this is not a pattern that is going to be repeated with their other car apart from that driving genius Max Verstappen. [Red Bull won’t want the other car] to be going out in Q1 because that is not what they paid off Sergio Perez for a year ahead of his contract [expiration date]. Liam does have the old [Red Bull RB21] nose, a different nose to Max Verstappen. That might be something to do with it.”

‘PLEASE NOTE: Ted’s Notebook after the Australian Qualifying’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/sergio-perez-liam-lawson-ted-kravitz-australian-gp


‘If you left Ricciardo there...’ Blame game over Red Bull driver fiasco takes turn
Mar 24th, 2025
Michael Lamonato
Fox Sports (Australia)

Liam Lawson is in the gun after just two races in 2025, but the stunning scale of his struggles has seen fingers also pointed at Red Bull, who have been accused of creating an environment that sets others up for failure.

Lawson, who was preferred for the seat over Daniel Ricciardo, Sergio Perez and Yuki Tsunoda, had another shocker — and the team is starting to panic. The Kiwi qualified last on Saturday night, and on Sunday the team started him from pit lane to run some extreme experiments with his set-up in a bid for a more drivable car. The result was deeply uninspiring.

‘The team is starting to panic’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/formula-one/f1-2025-chinese-grand-prix-liam-lawson-latest-updates-red-bull-accused-of-setting-up-for-failure-max-verstappen/news-story/5c3b5cf61d1b84620b003db63e0f795a


Should Red Bull drop Lawson now? Our verdict
Mar 24, 2025
The Race

Go back in time or suck it up, Scott Mitchell-Malm: “Yes, this is at the absolute worst end of anyone's expectations. Worse, even. It has been dreadful so far.”
Don't scapegoat Lawson too, Ben Anderson: “It's really not acceptable for Red Bull to continue to hide behind Verstappen's freakish abilities and make yet another scapegoat of its second driver.”
Give the guy a chance, Gary Anderson: “We all know that being Verstappen's team-mate is no walk in the park, but Lawson seems to be just that bit too far off Verstappen's pace for it to be just the fact that Max is a demigod.”

Drop Lawson and start evaluating a new candidate Josh Suttill: “You'd assume Red Bull would swap Tsunoda and Lawson if it was Tsunoda who was picked to replace him before Suzuka…”
Give Lawson a last chance at Suzuka, Jon Noble: “…moving him aside now, putting Tsunoda into an extremely difficult handling car amid the pressure environment of his home race runs the risk of Red Bull jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.”

Dropping Lawson now would be absurd, Edd Straw: “For Red Bull Racing to be considering dropping Lawson this early is absurd. It was only a few months ago he was talked of as the obvious choice, with his robust mentality and supposed driving-style similarities to Verstappen cited as the reason. How flimsy was that judgement if ditching him is already being considered?”

‘Our verdict’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/should-red-bull-drop-lawson-now-our-verdict/

[Fortitude]

Italian media lash out at 'chaotic' Ferrari.
Ferrari's first double disqualification in its 75-year F1 history has unsurprisingly led to a backlash in the Italian media.
24 Mar 2025
Ian Parkes & Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

'Red alert already: Ferrari, no more mistakes allowed', screamed the headline in the Gazzetta dello Sport. As for what followed, no punches were pulled - "From Lewis Hamilton's first win in the sprint race to a double disqualification that tastes like a fool's errand. Ferrari, over the weekend in Shanghai, really went from stars to dust. What happened yesterday after the race, when Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were excluded from the standings for technical irregularities, was one of the ugliest pages in the history of the Prancing Horse.”

Corriere dello Sport described Ferrari's situation as "a disaster", and that it was "a black day in China". It added: "No less than two disqualifications for the Scuderia. And for two different reasons. That, too, after a mediocre race that hits hard. McLaren won't care, they drove the perfect race. Behind [George] Russell, Verstappen finished fourth, again limiting the damage."

Corriere della Sera said the disqualifications for Ferrari were "an embarrassment" and "a performance to be ashamed of". It claimed that "a big change will have to be made to get close to McLaren again - the team that grabbed its 50th double [one-two], with supremacy."

‘Tastes like a fool's errand’;

https://racingnews365.com/italian-media-lash-out-at-chaotic-ferrari


“It’s a disgrace”: The real reason Hamilton, Leclerc and Gasly were excluded (and it’s shocking)
March 24, 2025
James-Fiorucci
FormulaNerds

Hamilton Penalized: A Worn Skid Block Costs Dearly: Let’s begin with Lewis Hamilton, a six-time world champion who crossed the finish line in sixth place in Shanghai. During the post-race checks, officials discovered excessive wear on the skid block beneath his Ferrari. According to Article 3.5.9 of the FIA regulations, the skid block’s minimum thickness (9 mm) must be strictly respected. Unfortunately, Hamilton’s car exceeded the allowable wear limit, resulting in immediate disqualification. Ferrari acknowledged the technical oversight, explaining, “We underestimated the wear during the race.”

Leclerc and Gasly: 1 kg Too Light, Instant Disqualification!: For Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly, the issue was equally embarrassing. Leclerc finished fifth, while Gasly crossed the line in eleventh position. But to everyone’s astonishment, their cars weighed exactly 799 kg during inspection, falling 1 kg short of the FIA’s minimum required weight of 800 kg (Article 4.1). Ferrari explained their single-stop strategy had excessively worn the tires, resulting in this critical drop in weight. Alpine also recognized their error, stating, “This is a mistake we must take responsibility for,” according to the French team’s management.

“It’s a disgrace”;

https://formulanerds.com/flash/its-a-disgrace-the-real-reason-hamilton-leclerc-and-gasly-were-excluded-and-its-shocking/?nowprocket=1


Ferrari admit Lewis Hamilton’s Chinese Grand Prix disqualification was due to losing key ‘trait’ from 2024 F1 car
24 Mar 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Charles Leclerc was thrown out because his car was 1kg under the 800kg minimum weight limit when his car was weighed after the race with all the fuel drained, even with the FIA fitting a spare front wing after his was damaged in the race. Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from the Chinese GP because of excessive skid wear, with the skid blocks being 0.5mm under the 9mm minimum. The infractions cost Ferrari 18 points and means they now trail Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship after the first two races of the season.

Discussing their start to the 2025 season on the Formel Schmidt podcast, journalist Michael Schmidt reveals what Ferrari told him that confirms they have made a step back compared to last year’s car. Ferrari made an important change to their suspension for the SF-25, in a bid to open up development opportunities and close in on McLaren after losing out in the Constructors’ Championship. The resulting effect is that the car must now be run lower than they did in 2024, which is why they fell foul of the rules in China according to Schmidt.

“In Melbourne they had raised the car after fears they would come into conflict with the plank. They have admitted to me now that it was a calculation error, which means they’re at the limit with the ground clearance,” said Schmidt. “Last year Ferrari was a very good-natured car that worked with a bit higher ground clearance. Apparently that’s no longer the case this year, you have to drive this Ferrari extremely low, that’s how it looks after two races to keep up with the competition.”

‘Calculation error’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ferrari-admit-lewis-hamiltons-chinese-grand-prix-disqualification-was-due-to-losing-key-trait-from-2024-f1-car/


'Disaster, chaos': Ferrari 'incompetence' ripped in ferocious reaction to Shanghai shocker
Mar 24, 2025
Damien McCartney
Channel 9's Wide World of Sports

It was the first Ferrari double disqualification in the 75-year history of Formula 1. Turin sports paper Tuttosport wrote the team had "plunged into an abyss from which it may be difficult to rise again. At least not quickly." Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, Ralf Schumacher was far more scathing. "Incompetence," he said.

The skid block on the bottom of Hamilton's car was found to be half a millimetre too thin. The skid blocks must be 10mm thick, but the rules allow for 1mm of wear during a race. Hamilton's skid block was as narrow as 8.5mm. Having already completed the 19-lap sprint race on Saturday, which Hamilton won, Schumacher said the Brit's race engineers should have been able to gauge how much the skid block would wear.

"You can assume that the engineer should know what he's doing," the brother of seven-time world champion Michael said. "The wear on the underbody was already clearly visible there. Saturday was so good, (Sunday) they've been disqualified. Of course that's not on."

'Disaster, chaos';

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-2025-chinese-grand-prix-ferrari-blunder-analysis-reaction-20250324-p5lm9h.html


Ferrari face 'painful reading' after double disqualification horror-show
It was F1 history for all the wrong reasons for Ferrari in the Chinese Grand Prix.
24 Mar 2025
Ian Parkes
RacingNews365

Martin Brundle has no doubt Ferrari will feel the 'pain' from the Italian media following its double disqualification nightmare at the Chinese Grand Prix. It was the first time in Ferrari's 75-year F1 history - 1102 grands prix - it had both its drivers disqualified.

Former F1 driver and Sky Sports expert analyst Brundle said the DSQs -including that of Alpine's Pierre Gasly - were a "sting in the tail" to the weekend. "Leclerc and Gasly were thrown out due to being marginally underweight," wrote Brundle, in his post-race analysis.

"Hamilton's car was thrown out for running too close to the ground and overly wearing away the legality skid block underneath by half a millimetre. "This rule is in place to stop teams running these ground-effect aero cars too low to gain performance but then trashing super expensive floors every day. Especially in the Italian media, it will be painful reading for Ferrari this week despite the sprint victory."

'Painful reading';

https://racingnews365.com/ferrari-face-painful-reading-after-double-disqualification-horror-show


Lewis Hamilton Was Unlucky to be Disqualified at Chinese GP Damning Video Shows
24 Mar 2025
Alp Salfur
Give Me Sport

A clip of Sky Sports presenter Craig Slater trended on social media for his explanation of the Hamilton disqualification. In the clip, Slater picked up the ID card of his fellow presenter, detailing how the margin of thickness of the plank of Hamilton's car was less than the width of the card in his hand, yet concluding that rules must be followed regardless of how small the margin is.

"Less than the width of this [ID card], is the margin by which Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified from the Grand Prix today. But they have to draw the line somewhere, and the team accept that there are no mitigating circumstances."

‘Damning Video’;

https://www.givemesport.com/lewis-hamilton-unlucky-disqualification-ferrari-chinese-gp-f1/


Did tyre wear really cause Leclerc's Chinese GP disqualification?
Mar 24, 2025
Jon Noble
The Race

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur, who is pushing his team to be the very best it can, has been open in the past about the level of aggression that is needed to be successful. Interestingly, speaking to The Race last year, Vasseur said that there was no way any team could be conservative these days in its choices – and that included car weight.

"We have to be at the limit on every single item of the car," he said. "We have to be aggressive. And it's a challenge to be at the limit of the weight, to be at the limit of the plank, to be at the limit of the cooling, to be at the limit of the fuel. It's a challenge because in the end you are taking more and more risk.”

“And so why George was disqualified [in Spa] was because we are all like this [on the edge]. I think that Mercedes, five years ago, carried five kilos of fuel to be safer. But today, nobody can do this kind of exercise. We are all on the edge of being disqualified every single weekend." In China, Ferrari fell on the wrong side of that.

"We have to be at the limit”;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/did-tyre-wear-really-cause-leclercs-chinese-gp-disqualification/

[Fortitude]

Red Bull to drop Liam Lawson and bring in Yuki Tsunoda as replacement.
Liam Lawson will be demoted to Racing Bulls for the third race of the season in Japan next week, with Yuki Tsunoda moving in the opposite direction to be Max Verstappen’s team-mate at the senior Red Bull team.
26 Mar 2025
Tom Cary
The Irish Independent

Telegraph Sport understands there are still details to sort out so the switch has not yet been finalised, but the decision has now been made. Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, admitted in China on Sunday evening that he was weighing up whether to pull Lawson out of the firing line just two races into the new season.

“Liam is obviously confidence-wise struggling with the car at the moment, which is why we made some significant changes today to see if we could find a more confidence-inspiring set-up for him,” Horner said. “I think Liam still has got potential, we’re just not realising that at the moment. I think the problem for him is he’s had a couple of really tough weekends, he’s got all the media on his back.”

“The pressure just naturally grows in this business, and I feel very sorry for him. You can see it’s very tough on him at the moment. He’s a young guy, we’ve got a duty to look after him and we’re going to do the best that we can to support him.”

‘The decision has now been made’;

https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/motor-sport/red-bull-to-drop-liam-lawson-and-bring-in-yuki-tsunoda-as-replacement/a644263892.html


Why Red Bull’s Japanese Grand Prix driver swap would benefit Liam Lawson more than Yuki Tsunoda
26 Mar 2025
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Tsunoda finished sixth in the Sprint in Shanghai, with the Japanese driver and Isack Hadjar both making Q3 for Sunday’s race. Qualifying an impressive seventh and ninth, the pair could not capitalise and failed to score points. Racing Bulls have been unlucky not to score more than three points so far. A botched strategy call in Melbourne in the tricky conditions and Tsunoda’s front wing breaking in the dirty air of Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin in Shanghai cost the team most points.

The reality is that the VCARB 02 is stronger than many would have thought in pre-season. In many ways, it is an easier machine to drive than the RB21. This is by the defending four-time champion’s own admission, who finished off the podium in Shanghai behind the McLarens and George Russell. Astonishingly, Verstappen said Lawson would be better off at Racing Bulls as the Red Bull is more difficult to drive.

It would be incredibly harsh for Lawson to lose his seat at the Milton Keynes squad after little to no time in the 2025 car. However, with Racing Bulls’ current trajectory and previous experience with the team, it is a move that could see a dramatic improvement from the Kiwi driver.

‘Astonishingly, Verstappen said Lawson would be better off at Racing Bulls’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/why-red-bulls-japanese-grand-prix-driver-swap-would-benefit-liam-lawson-more-than-yuki-tsunoda/


Red Bull not confirming reports Tsunoda will replace Lawson at Japanese Grand Prix
25th March 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Red Bull has not confirmed reports in multiple publications claiming it has decided to drop Liam Lawson after just two starts for the team. French Formula 1 broadcaster Canal Plus and Dutch newspaper de Telegraaf are among those declaring the shock change will happen before the next round of the world championship.

Both named Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda as Lawson’s replacement. Tsunoda would therefore start his first race for Red Bull in his home event at Suzuka. However a Red Bull spokesperson would not confirm the reports when contacted by RaceFans.

‘Red Bull not confirming reports’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/03/25/red-bull-not-confirming-reports-tsunoda-will-replace-lawson-japanese-grand-prix/


Why Lawson has paid the price for Perez's failings
Mar 26, 2025
Jon Noble
The Race

That Red Bull is getting ready to drop Liam Lawson in a swap deal with Yuki Tsunoda just two races into the 2025 Formula 1 season is extraordinary - even for a team that loves to make a change. It points to something having gone catastrophically wrong between the high hopes that Red Bull had of Lawson's potential just a few months ago when it paid Sergio Perez off to go for him.

And while on paper the results seem to justify a move - Lawson's dire qualifying performances (18th, 20th and 20th) are the worst run a Red Bull driver has ever had - the fact that they are so bad is quite difficult to understand. Over a 10-day period between first practice in Australia this year and race day in China, Red Bull's view has changed completely - with the squad deciding that there is little point persevering with Lawson.

If it has looked at its data and concluded that there is no point continuing with Lawson then it must feel that he and the RB21 are incompatible. The tricky characteristics of the car, which even Verstappen has described as being confusing and difficult to cope with at times, has certainly contributed a lot to Lawson being all at sea.

‘Extraordinary’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/liam-lawson-red-bull-f1-paying-price-for-sergio-perez-failings/


How much Honda is willing to pay Red Bull to have Yuki Tsunoda partner Max Verstappen
26 Mar 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer
Rory Mitchell
Liam Lawson faces the prospect of having the shortest Red Bull career in the team’s history, after a disastrous start to his 2025 campaign. The 23-year-old replaced Sergio Perez but has so far been unable to deliver any improved performance alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull.

Red Bull offered £17 million by Honda for Yuki Tsunoda to partner Max Verstappen in 2025. Tsunoda’s seat at Racing Bulls is already part of an arrangement between power unit manufacturer Honda and Red Bull, having brought him up through the Honda Formula Dreams Project.

The Japanese car maker currently pays at least €10 million (£8 million) a year for his seat at Racing Bulls, but the report in De Limburger stated that Honda was willing to up that to €20 million (£17 million) for Tsunoda to partner Verstappen at Red Bull. The report goes on to say that Christian Horner ignored the offer when it was presented to him at the end of last year, but now they have reopened negotiations in the aftermath of Lawson’s poor start to 2025.

‘Red Bull offered £17 million by Honda for Yuki Tsunoda’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/how-much-honda-is-willing-to-pay-red-bull-to-have-yuki-tsunoda-partner-max-verstappen/


'Red Bull held summit meeting in Dubai over Lawson and Tsunoda swap'
26 Mar 2025
Ewan J Gale
GPblog.com

GPBlog revealed on Tuesday that Red Bull Racing has decided to promote Yuki Tsunoda to become Max Verstappen's teammate, with Liam Lawson dropping back to Racing Bulls after just two races. Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf has reported that a summit was held in Dubai on Tuesday, where Chalerm Yoovidhya - the major Thai shareholder - lives, with the decision to swap the drivers made.

With Tsunoda now expected to be confirmed as Verstappen's teammate, Honda is reported to be involved in the deal, with it suggesting that millions are being paid to help with the swap. This is an intriguing point given the Japanese manufacturer's switch to Aston Martin for next year.

GPBlog also reported that Verstappen is not in favour of the switch. The Dutchman had seemingly indicated to Red Bull management that Lawson should stay in place, though the team opted to do the switch anyway. What that says about the four-time world champion's future with the Milton Keynes-based team is yet to be seen.

‘Summit meeting in Dubai’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/335331/red-bull-racing-held-summit-meeting-in-dubai-over-lawson-and-tsunoda.html

[Fortitude]

‘That’s clear’: Ralf Schumacher thinks it is ‘clear’ three-win F1 driver is now ‘fighting for his future’.
Ralf Schumacher thinks George Russell is ‘fighting for his future’ at Mercedes.
26 Mar 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Among the Formula 1 drivers on expiring contracts are both Mercedes stars, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Silver Arrows last handed Russell a new deal in August 2023, while Antonelli only penned a one-year deal to replace Lewis Hamilton at the Brackley crew. Russell has so far stepped up to his new role as Mercedes’ clear team leader with P3 finishes at the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix. Thanks also to his fourth-place finish in the Sprint in Shanghai, the 27-year-old ranks third in the F1 drivers’ championship with 35 points, too.

But as Mercedes continue to be linked with a move for Max Verstappen, Schumacher thinks Russell’s results are a sign of the Briton fighting for his place. He even feels Toto Wolff has ‘a luxury problem’ with Verstappen potentially an option along with Mercedes’ current drivers. “For [Wolff], the question is, of course, what to do because he has two drivers who are close to his heart,” Schumacher told Sky Germany. “George Russell, who is currently fighting for his future – that’s clear, you can really tell – and also Kimi Antonelli, who he thinks highly of.”

‘That’s clear’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ralf-schumacher-thinks-it-is-clear-three-win-f1-driver-is-now-fighting-for-his-future/


George Russell provides perfect response to Mercedes sack threats as Toto Wolff amazed
George Russell is currently without a contract for the 2026 F1 season but has put his best foot forward so far...
Mar 25, 2025
Fasika Zelealem
Daily and Sunday Express

Rumours that Wolff was courting the Dutchman last season to replace Hamilton were rife, but the Austrian has poured cold water on such a move while praising Russell's driving ability. Only nine points behind championship leader Lando Norris, Wolff branded the Brit's drive in China "10 out of 10".

Speaking after the Chinese Grand Prix, he said: "I never give 10 out of 10 because I think there is always better. We haven't seen the perfect race, but considering the circumstances that George had in China, it is a 10 out of 10.

"He extracted the maximum of this car, the tyres, the strategy, and it was a brilliant drive. All these discussions about Lewis, who is the biggest person in the sport leaving to Ferrari, is a great story, Kimi coming in as the youngest driver and the high potential, and little was said about George.

‘Best foot forward’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2031964/george-russell-mercedes-toto-wolff-F1


What Russell did not want to tell Mercedes over team radio at Chinese GP
25 Mar 2025
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Mercedes driver George Russell has revealed he knew early on in the Chinese Grand Prix that it would become a one-stop race, but did not want to give the game away over team radio. But with doubts having been raised throughout the grid over strategy, with the hard compound tyres not used all weekend up to that point, Russell was one of the drivers in the field to realise only one stop would be necessary on Sunday.

He admitted to being “a bit annoyed” that going for that strategy was “so easy” and wanted more of a “50-50 decision” in the race for strategic variability. That said, he did not want to alert other teams to his feelings around strategy at that time, in case it gave others an advantage – but added he felt it was one of his “strongest” weekends in his Formula 1 career so far.

“It was quite exciting when I saw [Lando Norris]. Today definitely P3 was the maximum and the fair result. I’m very happy with this weekend. It’s been one of the strongest and most solid weekends overall in F1, very consistent lap after lap. Being six, seven seconds ahead of Max in the race and 12 ahead of the Ferraris is a very strong result for us. I’m happy.”

‘Did not want to give the game away over team radio’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/george-russell-mercedes-talks-chinese-gp-revealed


‘That’s not right’: Toto Wolff frustrated with what people are saying about Mercedes driver George Russell, ‘that’s not right…’
25 Mar 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Toto Wolff is frustrated with the little fanfare George Russell gets at Mercedes. Yet despite Russell’s strong start to the season, Mercedes team principal Wolff has hit out at the lack of fanfare the Briton receives. Wolff believes Russell was overlooked by many ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 campaign in favour of focusing on Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli.

Hamilton dominated the headlines with his move to Ferrari, while Mercedes promoted their academy prospect Antonelli to replace the seven-time F1 champion beside Russell. Antonelli even became the third-youngest driver to start a Formula 1 Grand Prix yet in Australia at 18. Russell staying under the radar frustrated Wolff as the Mercedes chief is convinced he is one of the top three drivers on the 2025 F1 grid.

The King’s Lynn native could even be on his way to being the best driver on the grid given how Russell scored P3 in the Chinese GP, for Wolff. “I never give 10/10 because I think there is always better,” Wolff stated, via Sky Sports. “We haven’t seen the perfect race but considering the circumstances that George had in China, it is a 10/10. He extracted the maximum of this car, tyres, strategy and it was a brilliant drive.

‘That’s not right’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/toto-wolff-frustrated-with-what-people-are-saying-about-mercedes-driver-george-russell-thats-not-right/


Analysis: Where Mercedes is missing out to McLaren in F1 2025
Mercedes has the second-fastest F1 car so far in 2025, but where does it lose out to McLaren's pacesetting MCL39?
Mar 25, 2025
Jake Boxall-Legge
Motorsport.com

The 'working window' of the Mercedes seems to be larger and drop-off with tyre wear also appears reduced, although there have been few circuits to entirely test that theory. That said, Russell was among one of the first drivers to predict a transition to the one-stop; evidently, tyre wear looked good on the W16. The car is also benign enough for Andrea Kimi Antonelli to grow into his debut year, with rookie mistakes having largely been kept to a minimum so far.

But the W16 still paled in keeping life in the tyres versus McLaren, and this is the key weakness that Russell has identified from his opening two races with the team.
"I think their strength is probably in tyre management," Russell said. "We saw the one-stop was pretty comfortable. "Let's see when we go to a circuit where it's much more overheating, like we saw in Melbourne on the intermediate tyres or like we saw in Bahrain testing. They were even stronger."

In comparing Russell's China race stints with winner Oscar Piastri's, there's a difference on the medium tyre of around 0.2-0.6s per lap and at around 0.1-0.5s (excluding anomalies) on the hard tyre. Russell's battling with Norris at the start of each stint may also have put a little bit of premature wear into the tyre. Compare that to qualifying, and there really was very little between McLaren and Mercedes.

‘Analysis’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/analysis-where-mercedes-missing-out-mclaren-f1-2025/10706962/


Wolff claims Russell is quicker than Verstappen and Hamilton
The Mercedes star is third in the drivers’ championship after securing two third place finishes.
26 Mar 2025
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

“We haven’t seen the perfect race,” Wolff told members of the media, including Total-Motorsport.com. “But considering the circumstances that George had in China, it is a 10 out of 10. He extracted the maximum of this car, the tyres, the strategy, and it was a brilliant drive.

“All these discussions about Lewis, who is the biggest person in the sport leaving to Ferrari, is a great story, Kimi coming in as the youngest driver and the high potential. And little was said about George. I always said that’s not right because he’s one of the top drivers out there.”

“If you want me to name three that I consider to be the top [drivers], he’s absolutely among those three, if not top two, and maybe on his way to top one. George is a Mercedes driver,” Wolff added. “So we love having him in the team. He was a junior driver and a Mercedes grown talent. I have something to be proud of and this is where all my concentration goes to.”

“George is a Mercedes driver”;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-toto-wolff-george-russell-quicker-max-verstappen-lewis-hamilton/


Wolff will not be seen Mercedes' garage during the Japanese Grand Prix
24 Mar 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

Toto Wolff will not be present at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Mercedes team boss will miss out on the third race weekend of the year. Wolff will be temporarily replaced by Bradley Lord, Mercedes' Chief Communications Officer who will represent the team that weekend.

In the paddock of the Shanghai International Circuit, Wolff indicated that he will not travel to the Suzuka circuit, where the Japanese Grand Prix will be held in a fortnight. "No, it's a coincidence that I'm missing that again. It's not the jet lag," jokes the 53-year-old Austrian.

Last year, Wolff was also initially not supposed to be present at the Japanese GP, but then the Mercedes team boss changed his plans at the last minute because it would feel "wrong" for him not to be with his team at a crucial moment in the season.

‘Wolff will not be seen’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/335084/wolff-not-present-on-behalf-of-mercedes-at-japanese-grand-prix.html

[tbazsi95]

Mercedes' reserve driver, Valtteri Bottas will take to the track in a McLaren on Thursday, driving one of the former cars of the defending constructors' champion on the Barcelona asphalt strip, home to the Spanish Grand Prix.

[Fortitude]

Tsunoda confirmed to replace Lawson at Red Bull from Japanese GP.
London – Yuki Tsunoda will race for Red Bull from his home Japanese Formula One Grand Prix next week with struggling New Zealander Liam Lawson demoted to sister team Racing Bulls in a straight swap.
Mar 27, 2025
Alan Baldwin
The Japan Times

Tsunoda started the season strongly and has shrugged off an early career reputation for being excitable and erratic. The 24-year-old has been itching for the chance to show what he can do at a top team.

‘Yuki Tsunoda will race for Red Bull from his home Japanese Formula One Grand Prix’;

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/03/27/more-sports/red-bull-tsunoda-lawson/


Tsunoda bids 'amazing' Racing Bulls farewell after Red Bull promotion
Yuki Tsunoda is finally getting his chance at the senior Red Bull team, bidding goodbye to his Racing Bulls team.
27 Mar 2025
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

Tsunoda had his first Red Bull test following the 2024 season, and was initially unsure as to why he had been overlooked for promotion, but following a strong start to 2025, albeit only scoring points in the China Sprint race due to team strategy blunders, has been handed the chance he has long craved, taking to social media to say farewell.

"Hey guys, Yuki here, I just wanted to say thank you to the team and the amazing VCARB fans for such an incredible ride, and so many special memories" Tsunoda said, still in his Racing Bulls team kit. "I'm staying in the Red Bull family, so I won't be far and will see you guys around the paddock."

‘Tsunoda bids 'amazing' Racing Bulls farewell’;

https://racingnews365.com/tsunoda-bids-amazing-racing-bulls-farewell-after-red-bull-promotion


From rookie rage to an ‘outstanding’ all-rounder – Tsunoda’s rollercoaster ride to a Red Bull seat
Mar 27, 2025
Mike Seymour
Formula One - Official Site

Speaking a few weeks earlier about Red Bull’s apparent unwillingness to promote him, and the likelihood of Lawson getting the nod for 2025 instead, Tsunoda commented: “I always say that I definitely deserve that seat. I can’t say more than that. It’s up to them.”

“But this thing, I can’t control. It’s just part of life. I just have to keep doing what I’m doing. Whenever they keep sending their driver to me to beat me, I just keep destroying them, so that’s what I’m going to do.” Lawson, with only 11 starts compared to Tsunoda’s 87, was ultimately given the chance.

Tsunoda gets the call – but can he crack the code? Tsunoda does, at least, have a positive outing at last year’s post-season test in Abu Dhabi to take confidence from, an experience that left him feeling “happy more than ever” when I spoke to him in a break between on-track runs. While the RB20 and RB21 are different beasts, Tsunoda enjoyed his time behind the wheel of last year’s challenger, and earned praise from Red Bull for how he conducted himself throughout the test – which included providing “excellent feedback”.

‘Tsunoda’s rollercoaster ride’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/from-rookie-rage-to-an-outstanding-all-rounder-tsunodas-rollercoaster-ride.4Rh7CMnRySQf6r8EB9uBv2


Racing Bulls chief shares heartfelt message after Yuki Tsunoda's move to Red Bull
Liam Lawson has been replaced at Red Bull by Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Mar 27, 2025
Lydia Mee
Motorsport.com

Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies has commented on the Japanese driver's exit, stating: "We're incredibly proud of Yuki earning his well-deserved move to Oracle Red Bull Racing! His progress last year, and more recently from the very start of 2025, has been nothing less than sensational. Personally, and collectively, it has been an immense privilege to witness those progresses for all of us in Faenza and in Milton Keynes.”

"Yuki's energy and positivity has lightened up every corner of our factories and of our garage and he will always be a Racing Bull! We wish him all the success he deserves at ORBR. Everyone here at VCARB is looking forward to working hard with Liam to give him the best environment possible for him to shine in our car and to express the talent we all know he has.”

"He fit in so well last year, and we cannot wait to challenge ourselves and grow as a Team. With Isack having started so strongly with us already, we know we have a young and strong lineup."

"We're incredibly proud of Yuki earning his well-deserved move to Oracle Red Bull Racing!”;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/racing-bulls-addresses-yuki-tsunoda-exit-as-liam-lawson-joins-for-japanese-gp/10707447/


The important role Honda played in Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull move
Mar 27, 2025
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

Honda ‘delighted’ by Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull promotion: “We are delighted that Yuki Tsunoda, a graduate of Honda’s driver development program, has made great progress in his fifth year as an F1 driver and will be racing for Oracle Red Bull Racing, one of the strongest teams in F1,” Watanabe said on Thursday. “We look forward to his future success.”

Whether Tsunoda can thrive where Lawson faltered remains to be seen, given the long-documented struggles of drivers in the second Red Bull seat, but Tsunoda himself is adamant that its the faster car in comparison to the VCARB 02.

As well as this, Tsunoda wasn’t alarmed by his RB20 testing outing in Abu Dhabi, telling the media in Shanghai that “he didn’t feel that” the car was difficult to drive. If that is the case, and Tsunoda can deliver on the task set to him by Red Bull, he could end a 13-year wait for a Japanese driver on an F1 podium.

‘Honda ‘delighted’ by Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull promotion’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/27/the-important-role-honda-played-in-yuki-tsunoda-red-bull-move/


WHY RED BULL'S DRIVER SWAP ISN'T JUST ABOUT LAWSON'S FAILURE – BUT TSUNODA'S EXCELLENCE
OPINION: When weighing up the motives that prompted Red Bull to so suddenly abandon Liam Lawson as its second driver, it’s important to remember not just that the New Zealander failed to impress at the start of the season – but also how Yuki Tsunoda has changed the perception of himself within the team over the past months
Mar 27, 2025
Oleg Karpov
Motorsport.com

If they’ve decided to drop him now, it means they don’t hear a single RB21 sensor crying out for them to wait. But it’s not only Lawson’s data they must have studied. It must have also been Tsunoda’s strong start to the year – and more importantly, his reaction to what happened over the winter – that played a massive role in them considering a swap. The decision last December to leave him in Faenza was harsh too. It also wasn’t fair.

Tsunoda had consecutively beaten Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo, and then Lawson. He could be forgiven for feeling disrespected and unjustly demoralised after outperforming all of his recent team-mates. It wouldn’t have been surprising if he lost all motivation, desperately trying to find an answer to the inevitable question: what more could he possibly have done to deserve that Red Bull seat? He swallowed it. He went back and worked on himself instead of choosing to blame an unfair world. And he came back stronger.

On Friday morning in Shanghai, Laurent Mekies gave Motorsport.com a great insight into how Tsunoda dealt with what he must have felt was an injustice. “When he came back to Europe, honestly, we saw straight away that he was in super strong spirits,” said the Frenchman. “Already in the opening weeks of work in Faenza, in the simulator, he was in very, very strong spirits straight away. High motivation, very focused, down to the details, hard willingness to work even harder than what he was doing. And then we went to the Bahrain test, and after those three days, we looked at each other and we said, ‘We have another Yuki’. That’s what we said to each other internally.

‘We have another Yuki’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/why-red-bulls-driver-swap-isnt-just-about-lawsons-failure-but-tsunodas-excellence/10707326/

[Fortitude]

Helmut Marko impressed by what Yuki Tsunoda has just done on Red Bull simulator before Japanese Grand Prix.
It might be a pure coincidence that Tsunoda’s first race will be his home GP. Red Bull decided that they had to make an immediate change after what they saw in China.
28 Mar 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Speaking to ServusTV, Marko offered a verdict on the 24-year-old’s performance. He apparently showed ‘very good’ pace, while also offering the team useful technical feedback. Marko is optimistic that Tsunoda can match his virtual times in the real world, or at least get within a couple of tenths. His familiarity with the circuit should help him. The Austrian is also relieved that the new signing is making his debut in a conventional race weekend.

Lawson perhaps suffered from only having one hour of practice before Sprint qualifying in China, a circuit he hadn’t driven before. “Tsunoda has already been on the simulator with us at Red Bull Racing and has given us some very good results,” Marko said. “He also made technical statements. Yuki is in his fifth year and, yes, it is his home Grand Prix, but Suzuka is one of the most difficult race tracks, which as a Japanese driver he knows very well from the junior formulae. We see that as an advantage.”

He added: “He was on the simulator for two days and simulators like these are so accurate that you can compare the times with reality to within a tenth or two tenths. That’s one thing and the other, thank God, is that it’s a normal Grand Prix, which means he has three practice sessions and then a qualifying session. So the preparation time is relatively good for him.”

‘Helmut Marko impressed’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/helmut-marko-impressed-by-what-yuki-tsunoda-has-just-done-on-red-bull-simulator-before-japanese-grand-prix/


Croft has advice for Tsunoda: "Don't qualify last at your home Grand Prix!"
28 Mar 2025
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

"I suppose the glib remark is don't qualify last for the home Grand Prix," joked Commentator David Croft when asked what advice he would have for the Japanese driver when speaking to Sky Sports News. "He might have a sensational weekend, and I hope he does. We go back to 2012, don't we, for the last time we had a Japanese driver on the podium, and that was Kamui Kobayashi at the Japanese Grand Prix. It will be a fairy tale to see Yuki Tsunoda get on the podium in front of his home fans, and I'm sure that's what Honda, who are Yuki Tsunoda's backers, are wanting and secretly hoping for and why they probably had quite a big part and played quite a big part in getting Yuki Tsunoda that seat for this particular race. There's no coincidence that it is the Japanese Grand Prix coming up next.”

"But, thinking long term, if Yuki gets a long term, he's got to get to within a couple of tenths of a second in qualifying of his teammate Max Verstappen. He's got to score consistent points and be there to take the chances when they come his way. Don't think about beating Max Verstappen yet, although I'm sure Yuki would dearly love to do that. Max is the best driver on the grid, currently," continued the British commentator.

"Forget about who his teammate is, just go out and do the maximum he can each and every session, every qualifying session and every race. And that maybe might ease the pressure that he's now going to be put under because there is a huge pressure difference between racing for Racing Bulls, despite doing very well and being very unlucky not to score points in the first two races, and racing for Red Bull, who are expectants of championship wins, championship points, and championships," concluded Croft.

"He might have a sensational weekend, and I hope he does”;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/335538/f1-david-croft-advice-for-yuki-tsunoda-joining-red-bull-racing-2025.html


Yuki Tsunoda gets first Red Bull boost after replacing Lawson
28 Mar 2025
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com

In the press release announcing the change, Red Bull had explained that, in having access to four seats on the grid, the switch is an exercise in “driver rotation”, suggesting that further changes could be made in the second Red Bull cockpit should Tsunoda also flounder.

But Tsunoda need not worry if he fails to hit the ground running, as Red Bull has no plans to make any further changes, according to advisor Helmut Marko. Speaking to the BBC, Marko said Tsunoda will be given until “the end of the season” at Red Bull to prove himself “because we believe he can do the job”.

This would seem to shut down any possibility of Red Bull rotating their second cockpit any further this season, including the possibility of giving Isack Hadjar a shot if Tsunoda underperforms. The switch means Red Bull will now race with the line-up many felt was the more sensible as the speculation towards the end of last season pitted Lawson and Tsunoda against each other for the seat alongside Verstappen.

“We believe he can do the job”;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/yuki-tsunoda-helmut-marko-boost-rest-of-season-f1-2025


Christian Horner already sent 10-word warning to Yuki Tsunoda as Red Bull reality sets in
Red Bull chief Christian Horner knows all too well the steep challenge facing any driver who takes up a spot next to Max Vertsappen, with Yuki Tsunoda next up
Mar 28, 2025
Chris Burns
Daily and Sunday Express

“Max is the hardest team-mate in the world to have," the Red Bull chief once said. His warning comes as Tsunoda is set to become Verstappen's SIXTH stablemate at Red Bull. Lawson has now followed Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly Alex Albon and Sergio Perez in failing to make the grade next to Verstappen. Perez, the man who made way for Lawson, also fired a warning shot to any young driver who was about to take up a seat next to the Dutch star.

“Being teammates with Max at Red Bull as a young driver, I wouldn’t like to be in those shoes, if I’m honest," Perez said. "People cannot underestimate the level of challenge that there is in this seat.”

Team principal Horner said: "We came into the 2025 season with two ambitions, to retain the World Drivers' Championship and to reclaim the World Constructors' title and this is a purely sporting decision. We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21 and Yuki’s experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car" Tsunoda will now head into the Japanese Grand Prix on April 6 with the eyes of the sport on him.

“Max is the hardest team-mate in the world to have";

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2033677/Formula-1-Red-Bull-Christian-Horner-Liam-Lawson-Max-Verstappen


Tsunoda spotted in Red Bull after shock F1 promotion
Yuki Tsunoda is already settling into life as a Red Bull driver ahead of his home race next weekend!
28 Mar 2025
Nick Golding
RacingNews365

Yuki Tsunoda has been spotted in a Red Bull for the first time since his promotion to the Milton Keynes-based team was announced. Ahead of his competitive Red Bull debut, Tsunoda has been busy getting to know the team, with Red Bull having posted a video of the Japanese driver jumping into a car for what appears to be a seat fit.

The timing of the switch is fitting for Tsunoda, with Red Bull also set to run a special livery in Suzuka to thank Honda for a successful relationship.

‘A seat fit’;

https://racingnews365.com/tsunoda-spotted-in-red-bull-after-shock-f1-promotion

[Fortitude]

There's a new favorite to beat Lando Norris, and it's not Max Verstappen.
Oscar Piastri now has the best chance to beat teammate Lando Norris to the 2025 Formula 1 world championship.
Mar 27, 2025
Asher Fair|
Beyond The Flag

Verstappen, the four-time reigning world champion, is still second behind Norris in the standings, and only by eight points, an extremely narrow margin given the massive advantage McLaren have had over Red Bull from a performance standpoint so far this year.

Even if Verstappen continues to finish a couple spots higher than the Red Bull should be finishing on pure pace, McLaren's advantage is such that Norris, on paper, should be able to score more points over a 30-race (24 Grands Prix, six sprint races) season than his rival, simply by not making any catastrophic mistakes.

And now Verstappen isn't even the favorite to beat Norris. Now it's Piastri after his Shanghai domination, even as he still sits behind the 27-year-old Dutchman in the standings. Aside from his off-course excursion in Melbourne, Piastri has probably had a stronger start to the 2025 season than Norris, which is exactly what he needed to avoid being placed in the much-feared No. 2 driver role at the Woking-based team.

‘Piastri has probably had a stronger start to the 2025 season than Norris’;

https://beyondtheflag.com/new-favorite-beat-lando-norris-not-max-verstappen


Guenther Steiner has seen ‘upbeat’ Oscar Piastri change which suggests he’s now ‘got the edge’ over Lando Norris
27 Mar 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Steiner was speaking on The Red Flags Podcast after the race in Shanghai and when asked about who he believes is leading the way between the two McLaren drivers, he said: “I think Oscar, at the moment, has got the edge.”

“In China, in my opinion, he showed that he has got the edge. I think all the time he was better, I would say. So I don’t know, maybe Lando didn’t like China, a little bit like me. If I would have to put money now on the world champion, I would put it on Oscar Piastri.”

“And you saw him speaking after the pole position qualifying, in the interview, he seemed to be pretty upbeat because normally he doesn’t speak a lot. You could really see that he’s enjoying it. And I think he wants more of it because he enjoyed that quite a bit. So, I think he’s in a good position now.”

“...money... ...on Oscar Piastri”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/guenther-steiner-has-seen-upbeat-oscar-piastri-change-which-suggests-hes-now-got-the-edge-over-lando-norris/


Norris under fire: "That's how you never become world champion"
26 Mar 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde has criticised an 'asleep' Lando Norris over his performance during the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix... "That's how you never become world champion."

At the first round of pitstops, Mercedes managed to close the gap between George Russell and Norris, with the driver of the #63 car successfully gaining the position on the McLaren driver after a tight tustle between the two. "Russell went in just a little earlier. It was a nice moment, when Russell immediately passed Norris on the outside. I thought that was a super action," says Van der Garde to Viaplay. "Norris was really asleep there, by the way. You know it’s going to be a fight, so you have to make yourself wide and push him out. Nothing happened."

Pointing to Norris' failure to keep Russell behind, Van der Garde: "That's how you never become World Champion. If you keep driving like this, and let things like this happen, you won’t take that title. You have to use every millimetre in a fight," advised the Dutchman who still sees that "Norris is still a bit anxious."

‘Norris under fire’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/335397/norris-under-fire-that-s-how-you-never-become-world-champion.html


'Never become world champion' - Lando Norris handed brutal title verdict by ex-F1 driver
27 Mar 2025
Ailsa Cowen
talkSPORT

Lando Norris’ World Championship credentials have been put under scrutiny by a former F1 driver (Giedo van der Garde) after just two races. Russell, who was the first of the two to stop, executed an undercut that erased Norris’ on-track advantage, resulting in them rejoining the circuit side by side. Despite reclaiming the position from Russell and securing a strong second-place finish behind Piastri, van der Garde expressed concern.

“Russell went in just a little earlier,” Van der Garde told Viaplay. “It was a nice moment when Russell immediately passed Norris on the outside. I thought that was a super action. Norris was really asleep there, by the way… …That’s how you never become World Champion.” He added: “If you keep driving like this and let things like this happen, you won’t take that title. You have to use every millimetre in a fight. Norris is still a bit anxious.”

According to the Dutchman, this wasn’t the first signal this season indicating that Norris might not yet be ready to contend for the World title. “We can also remember that Norris got all nervous in the last laps [in Australia] because he had Max behind him,” Van der Garde said. “Come on, man! You know you have a good car and that you are good. Just go for it and make sure you’re there.”

'Never become world champion';

https://talksport.com/motorsport/3058243/lando-norris-brutal-world-title-prediction-f1/


McLaren not developing to Norris' taste helped them to become contenders?
29 Mar 2025
Kada Sarkozi
GPblog.com

While Lando Norris often makes remarks about his McLaren car, the Woking-based squad have the best in terms of performance on the grid this moment in time. Technical Director Neil Houldey explained why they do not develop their car to suit the Briton more. "I think, like [Norris] said, he stopped asking for what he likes and we've produced a faster car. We just try and generate the fastest car that we possibly can, and he is good enough to manage that and change his driving style to suit,"

Houldey explained to media in China how they could get to a point that by the end of pre-season testing, the British team were already considered the favourites. The driver tends to make comments about struggling with the MCL39. After qualifying in China, he said: "Just a couple of mistakes again, kind of been my case this weekend, but the car was feeling a bit better today. I've got a lot more comfortable with the car, so a step in the right direction, especially from yesterday where I was struggling a lot and even this morning I was struggling a lot. A much better direction that we're going in."

Houldey continued in Shanghai: "If we focused on trying to make the car work for his driving style, then we may well end up with a slower car. I think so far it looks like we've taken the right route. And luckily Lando is awesome enough to cope with that and to find a fast way of driving it."

‘Best in terms of performance on the grid’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/335747/mclaren-not-suiting-norris-helped-them-to-have-a-faster-car.html


What's stopped McLaren from crushing dominance so far
28 Mar 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
The Race

McLaren struggled to extract the same level of performance seen in Australia. The sprint weekend format disrupted preparations, forcing the team to make adjustments on the fly in the three hours before qualifying rather than overnight as on a normal weekend. "On the first day in China, we encountered some issues with tyre behaviour and car balance," Stella explained. "We had to make changes and ask the drivers to adapt their approach."

By Saturday after the sprint race, McLaren had finetuned its set-up, increasing the car’s aerodynamic load while maintaining the same rear wing configuration used in Australia. The beam wing was slightly extended, albeit still in a single-rod format. These adjustments, along with improved tyre management, mitigated the graining issues seen in the sprint race.

The MCL39 continues to struggle in dirty air, a trait carried over from last season. This became evident during the sprint race, where Norris, despite having a quick car, failed to make progress and was stuck in sixth place for the entirety of the race. Meanwhile, Piastri was unable to launch a sustained attack on leader Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari and had to settle for second place.

‘MCL39 continues to struggle in dirty air’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/whats-stopped-mclaren-from-crushing-dominance-so-far/


McLaren’s ‘real secret weapon’ revealed amid F1’s flexi-wing saga
27 Mar 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

When speaking to Sky F1 alongside team principal Andrea Stella after that Chinese GP one-two, Zak Brown would reveal what the “secret weapon” for a McLaren team which has started 2025 in imperious form actually is. “Definitely wasn’t what it might look like on paper,” said Brown on the result, a nod to Norris’ brake pedal issue.

“Team did a great job with strategy. Once again, I think we’ve shown we’ve got the best driver line-up. And then our real secret weapon is, to my left, the best team principal in Formula 1. So you put those combos together, and all the great work that the men and women have done at McLaren, back at the MTC [McLaren Technology Centre], and here at the racetracks, we’re getting great results.”

Stella – Michael Schumacher’s former Ferrari performance engineer, who went on to become race engineer to Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso – has held the McLaren team principal role since 2023 and in that time has overseen the team go from one of F1’s slowest to Constructors’ Champions.

“Secret weapon”;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/zak-brown-mclaren-real-secret-weapon-andrea-stella

[Fortitude]

‘More concern’: Ted Kravitz noticed ‘something’s not right’ with Carlos Sainz at Williams after listening to his final radio messages.
Williams Racing have gone under the radar with how strong their start to the season has been.
24 Mar 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Alex Albon currently sits sixth in the drivers’ championship after scoring points in back-to-back races. Williams secured a double points finish at the Chinese Grand Prix with Carlos Sainz sneaking into P10. Ted Kravitz notices Carlos Sainz’s problem at Williams during the Chinese Grand Prix. Kravitz was reflecting on how each team performed in Shanghai on Ted’s Notebook and when he reached James Vowles’ team, he said: “A good day for Williams because they have scored some points. But the more concern is about Carlos Sainz.”

“Lovely Carlos Sainz is having a really torrid time at the moment because at the end of the race, he was congratulated sort of by his engineer, saying the usual things, we’ll get better next race and I know you’ve got the pace in you. And Carlos’ response was, ‘It’s really difficult, I’m faster than this. There’s lots of work to do still, I’m faster than this,’ and that is true. So, something’s not going right with the Carlos Sainz [to] Williams move at the moment.”

“They weren’t sure if they had done enough to cure the tyre wear but they probably had with Alex Albon.’ Sainz was up one [position] early on, pitted on lap 18, then passed Gasly. Alex Albon held out quite long on the medium tyres, he said, ‘Don’t hold me out too much,’ but delivered two [six] points on his 29th birthday, well done for him.”

‘More concern;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ted-kravitz-noticed-somethings-not-right-with-carlos-sainz-at-williams-after-listening-to-his-final-radio-messages/


Vowles dismisses Sainz chassis claim
28 Mar 2025
NEWS STORY
Pitpass

Williams boss, James Vowles has spoken out following claims that Carlos Sainz has started the season with an inferior (2024) chassis. Understandably, Vowles is keen to nip this particular little drama in the bud. "So a clear statement on this one, both Alex and Carlos are using exactly the same equipment, the same chassis, the same front wings, the same gearboxes," he declares in the latest Vowles' Verdict video for the Grove outfit.
"Everything is of the same specification and standard," he adds. "More specifically, the question was are we running a '24 chassis with Carlos," says the Briton, in response to questions sent in to the team by fans. "Both drivers are running an evolution of last year's chassis, so it's evolved exactly the same way.”

"We always intended to go through the last year of the regulations making sure that we are effectively evolving our chassis rather than redesign it from scratch," he explains. "That's really important because it allows us to put our eggs in an investment basket of 2026 and beyond, it's not a financial question, it's time resource.

“Using exactly the same equipment, the same chassis, the same front wings, the same gearboxes";

https://www.pitpass.com/79768/Vowles-dismisses-Sainz-chassis-claim


The reasons behind Sainz's struggles and slow Williams start
RacingNews365 takes a look at what is behind Carlos Sainz's slow start to life at Williams, and hears from the man himself.
29 Mar 2025
Jake Nichol & Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Sainz qualified in 10th in Melbourne, but was some 0.325s down on Albon, with this coming down to 0.134s in China, although Albon was 10th and Sainz in 15th, for an average of 0.229s with Albon's average grid position being 8.5 to Sainz's 12.5. It's an inauspicious start for Sainz as Williams is currently above even Ferrari in the constructors' standings having enjoyed its best start to a season since Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas hauled 20 points from the first two races of 2016.

"It is something that obviously puzzles me because ever since I jumped into this car, I've been really quick, in Abu Dhabi and in Bahrain testing," says Sainz to media including RacingNews365. "A Sprint weekend never helps with the learning because you cannot test much, but [China] was also my first race distance which I couldn't do in Melbourne.”

"But my feeling is that there is something fundamental I got wrong and that we need to analyse. I can be very quick in certain corners and in certain scenarios, it is just when you go to push a bit further to find the lap-time as the track ramps up, whatever I seem to be doing doesn't pay off and I seem to be going slower than quicker. It is a bit of a counterintuitive thing going on right now."

"It is something that obviously puzzles me”;

https://racingnews365.com/the-reasons-behind-sainzs-struggles-and-slow-williams-start


Williams make two ‘clear’ Carlos Sainz observations after tricky start
26 Mar 2025
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Williams team principal James Vowles said Carlos Sainz has “room to go” when it comes to adapting to the FW47, and acknowledged the team has “more to do to help him get comfortable.” Sainz scored his first point as a Williams driver at the Chinese Grand Prix, albeit after three drivers were disqualified after the race on Sunday.

Team principal Vowles again heaped praise on his new driver for the work he has helped with behind the scenes at Williams, while acknowledging there is more to do to get him up to speed. “There’s elements that I wanted to make sure the world really realised how great Carlos is under the scene,” Vowles explained on Sky F1.

“Because when a driver has a difficult race, they internalise, they feel responsible for it, and Carlos did the opposite. He came out and wanted to help Alex get a strong result, and I think it’s clear that he still has more room to go to adapt to the car, and we have more to do to help him get comfortable.”

‘Two ‘clear’ Carlos Sainz observations’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/williams-two-carlos-sainz-observations-tricky-start


David Coulthard absolutely loved what Alex Albon said on the team radio at the Chinese Grand Prix, ‘feisty confidence…’
25 Mar 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

While all the attention was on McLaren’s one-two finish, Ferrari’s double disqualification and Liam Lawson’s struggles at the Chinese Grand Prix, the performance of Alex Albon went under the radar. The chaos unravelling at the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season has played straight into the hands of Williams and Alex Albon.

Alex Jacques was commentating alongside David Coulthard and Jolyon Palmer on the race in Shanghai for Channel 4 and watching the midfield battle. Albon’s race engineer spoke on the team radio and said: “We’re happy with tyres for now, but we…” but before he could finish his statement, the Williams driver said: “Yeah, I’m good, I am good. I am better than everyone, let’s relax. I am very comfortable.”

Palmer reacted to his comment and said: “Wow, that is some confidence, isn’t it? Alex Albon in 11th, making big changes to his car, he spoke to us yesterday and said that he wasn’t sure if it was enough. “Nine laps later, and he is breezing it!” Coulthard replied: “I love that! We all know that he’s one of the loveliest guys in the paddock but don’t you just love that feisty confidence? That tells you a lot about a racing driver’s psyche. He feels he’s got it under control, just let the race come to me.”

“Yeah, I’m good, I am good. I am better than everyone, let’s relax. I am very comfortable”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/david-coulthard-absolutely-loved-what-alex-albon-said-on-the-team-radio-at-the-chinese-grand-prix-feisty-confidence/

[Fortitude]

Ocon and Bearman hail ‘amazing’ Haas turnaround after double-points haul in China.
Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman heaped praise on the Haas team for unlocking pace in the VF-25 that enabled both drivers to register points at the Chinese Grand Prix.
24 Mar 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Following a hugely disappointing opening weekend in Australia that saw the Haas duo finish as the final classified finishers, there was a drastic improvement just one week later with both landing spots inside the top 10. Ocon and Bearman had initially claimed P7 and P10 respectively, but the pair were later promoted to P5 and P8 following the disqualifications of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton ahead of them, meaning that they bagged a combined 14 points.

Starting in 11th and running the same strategy as most drivers ahead of him, Ocon began with the medium Pirelli compound before switching mid-race to mediums. Despite gaining positions on Racing Bulls drivers Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda, who gambled on a two-stop strategy, the Frenchman gained further places over Williams’ Alex Albon and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and looked comfortable managing the threat from behind.

“It was not many days ago that we were dead last in Melbourne and it was looking difficult,” reflected Ocon. “We didn’t sleep much, I couldn’t eat very much – in the words of Ayao [Komatsu – Haas team principal] – but it was all worth it because we discussed everything on where to unlock that performance from the car. We knew there was more performance to be had. Obviously, it’s a good surprise to see that. We still can improve more and that’s where we are, so it’s very good signs.”

‘Amazing Haas turnaround’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/ocon-and-bearman-hail-amazing-haas-turnaround-after-double-points-haul-in.5kQeZxKicQPvupbfDqOKAh


Why Haas's 'broken' 2025 F1 car still isn't fixed
25 Mar 2025
Jon Noble
The Race

It's hard to know what the biggest shock of the Formula 1 season has been so far for Haas. Was it that its car proved so bad in Australia that team boss Ayao Komatsu initially thought something must have been broken on it, or that just one week later in China his team produced an instant response to deliver one of the most impressive turnarounds of recent years?

But despite its point tally lifting it to sixth place in the constructors' championship, ahead of Aston Martin and just three points behind Ferrari, Haas is not pretending it is out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination.

Team boss Komatsu in particular thinks that the reality of Haas's situation can be outlined in quite simple terms: Melbourne exposed a major car weakness that still needs sorting, while Shanghai served to mask it.

‘Haas's 'broken' 2025 F1 car’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/why-broken-haas-2025-f1-car-still-is-not-fixed/


Haas chief wary of ‘big problem’ with VF-25 despite ‘amazing reaction’ in China
24 Mar 2025
Harry Whitfield
Motorsport Week

Haas secured a double points finish at the 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, but Team Principal Ayao Komatsu admitted inherent flaws remain with its car. Collecting an impressive haul of 14 points from Sunday’s race, Komatsu hailed the response from his crew. “It was an amazing reaction from the whole team,” he said.

“Australia was a shock to us, not something we were expecting based on Bahrain testing – but, man, what a reaction.” However, the Japanese motorsport executive was quick to point out that the result was probably circuit-specific, as issues with the aerodynamic nature of its car have yet to be fixed.”

“I’m not kidding myself to say we solved the problem – we haven’t,” said Komatsu. “So certain circuits we go to, we’re still gonna have a big problem. But when we can operate the car in the way we want, thanks to the circuit characteristics, this is what we can do.”

‘Big problem with VF-25’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/24/haas-chief-wary-of-big-problem-with-vf-25-despite-amazing-reaction-in-china/


Komatsu lauds Haas team’s ‘amazing reaction’ in China comeback
23 Mar 2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

The Australian debacle had blindsided Haas. Pre-season testing in Bahrain had hinted at a competitive car, but Melbourne’s high-load corners exposed a critical aerodynamic flaw, triggering uncontrollable bouncing that crippled their performance. “Australia was a shock to us, not something we were expecting based on Bahrain testing – but, man, what a reaction,” Komatsu said.


What followed was a masterclass in collaboration. “Everybody – people in Italy, the UK, US, and trackside, working together within the space of several days… Honestly I'm so happy with the way we've been working since that shock to get the result here,” he added. Engineers, mechanics, and strategists rallied across continents, dissecting the VF-25’s weaknesses and devising a plan to maximize its potential in Shanghai. The result? A car that, while still flawed, was wielded with precision to suit the circuit’s demands.

Komatsu remains grounded. The VF-25’s aerodynamic woes haven’t vanished—they have merely been masked by Shanghai’s layout. “I'm not kidding myself to say we solved the problem – we haven't,” he admitted. “So certain circuits we go to, we're still gonna have a big problem – but, when we can operate the car in the way we want, thanks to the circuit characteristics, this is what we can do. We delivered today.”

‘Amazing reaction’;

https://f1i.com/news/533777-komatsu-lauds-haas-teams-amazing-reaction-in-china-comeback.html


Bearman ‘super happy’ to be in the points in Shanghai
23 Mar 2025
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Rooky driver Oliver Bearman didn’t expect to score points in China but felt ‘ in the groove’ in the Haas car.

‘Super happy’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/bearman-super-happy-to-be-in-the-points-in-shanghai.1827374598805419701


Oliver Bearman claims F1 ‘messed me around’ with Chinese GP radio broadcast
26 Mar 2025
Jack Oliver Smith
Motorsport Week

Oliver Bearman has claimed Formula 1 television coverage “messed me around” when they broadcast a radio message at a misleading moment during the Chinese Grand Prix. “I feel really, really bad for saying that,” he said. “They messed me around, because I didn’t say that to Carlos. They played it at a strange time because I didn’t say that to Carlos.”

“I said it to Lawson and the Alpine because I switched them back. And that’s always the most fun move, I’m sure you can agree, for a racing driver. “I went to the outside, they went deep, so I got them on the exit, and that’s always cool. Yeah, just wanted to clear that one up. It wasn’t against Carlos.”

“But yeah, I had a lot of fun with that, a lot of confidence on the brakes. I had a little lock up trying to overtake Stroll at one point. But then I learned from it, and after that, I was, was really enjoying it.” Bearman had every justification to be cheerful, having come from 17th on the grid to finish ninth – then inheriting seventh after other Ferraris were disqualified – to score his first points of the campaign.

“Messed me around”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/03/26/oliver-bearman-claims-f1-messed-me-around-with-chinese-gp-radio-broadcast/

[Fortitude]

Tsunoda targets podium finish in Japan after Red Bull move.
TOKYO: Yuki Tsunoda has targeted a podium finish at his home Japanese Grand Prix this weekend after his "unreal" promotion to the Red Bull team in place of the axed Liam Lawson.
31 Mar 2025
Japan Today

"I don't want to raise expectations too much but I want to finish on the podium at this Japanese Grand Prix," the 24-year-old said at an event with Red Bull partner Honda in Tokyo on Sunday. "It has all fallen into place and now I'm standing here, and that's thanks to the support of everyone," said Tsunoda.

Tsunoda urged Japanese fans to get behind him at Suzuka for his Red Bull grand prix debut. "The thing that I'm looking forward to most is that there couldn't be a more pressurised, challenging situation than this," he said. "It's also my debut, so with all these things added up I think it's going to be an unbelievably exciting race."

‘Targeted a podium finish’;

https://japantoday.com/category/sports/tsunoda-targets-podium-finish-in-japan-after-'unreal'-red-bull-move


Yuki Tsunoda Says Red Bull Handling ‘Right Fit’ For Him
Mar 31, 2025
F1 Chronicle

Marko admits that Tsunoda’s better feeling at the wheel of the 2025 Red Bull compared to Lawson could indicate a change of team strategy. “We are considering using a different setup for the second car,” he said, “so that it is less aggressive and easier to handle.”

Tsunoda commented: “I think my idea of what kind of car I want is different from Max’s. I want to understand Red Bull’s car first and then build a good car for myself.” When the 24-year-old tested Red Bull’s 2024 car late last year, Tsunoda explained that it suited his driving style.

“Well, that was a bit of a sales pitch,” Tsunoda laughed, “but I was able to drive normally then too, so I think it’s the right fit for me.”

‘Right Fit’;

https://f1chronicle.com/yuki-tsunoda-says-red-bull-handling-right-fit-for-him/?nowprocket=1


Yuki Tsunoda makes immediate Red Bull impact with RB21 simulator work
01 Apr 2025
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Helmut Marko confirmed Red Bull gave Yuki Tsunoda several simulator sessions following the Chinese Grand Prix, which offered “very good” feedback to the team. Marko emphasised the team’s point that the Japanese driver has been put in the seat, in part, to offer his experience and feedback, given his additional time in the sport compared to Lawson.

Marko explained to Motorsport.com: “Once again, Yuki is in his fifth year, and experience in such difficult conditions is an enormous factor. Yuki has repeatedly emphasised that he’s actually the right man for Red Bull Racing. We gave him two or three simulator sessions, and those were very good.”

“Also his technical feedback — something he had been criticised for in the past — was very solid. We had to act quickly, and everything was positive. Also the technical feedback — which he had often been accused of lacking, that he didn’t understand the technical side or couldn’t set up a car — that also turned out to be incorrect.”

‘Immediate Red Bull impact’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/helmut-marko-yuki-tsunoda-red-bull-first-feedback


'I'm excited': Patient Tsunoda’s Red Bull chance five years in the making
31 Mar 2025
Ben Waterworth
Roar Guru
The Roar

A lot can happen in Formula One in just a short period of time, just ask any driver currently involved in the Red Bull family. Only three weeks ago in Melbourne, then Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda sat down with The Roar to talk about how he was feeling ahead of the 2025 season.

During his chat with me last month, a relaxed Tsunoda said the constant talk around him not getting the second Red Bull seat at the beginning of the season wasn’t phasing him. Instead, he was quick to talk up how good he was feeling in 2025 for a season that will see him reach the 100 race milestone.

“I’m feeling really good,” he said. “I’m feeling refreshed… I’m excited to show myself that I have gained more compared to last year, which I think last year was already a pretty good season. I’m excited to show myself out there to everyone.”

'I'm excited';

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/04/01/im-excited-patient-tsunodas-red-bull-chance-five-years-in-the-making/


F1's Yuki Tsunoda Aims High For Red Bull Debut at Home Race In Japan, Hopes For Podium Finish
MAR 30, 2025
JJ STAFF
31 Mar 2025

During an event over the weekend, Yuki opened up about his upcoming first race and how he hopes to place top three, while also acknowledging that he will still need to get comfortable in the car.

“I don’t want to get my expectations too high, but first and foremost, I want to get on the podium at the Japanese GP,” he said, via Motorsport Japan. “However, I don’t think it will go so well from the start, so I need to understand the car first, and gradually check how it compares to the Racing Bulls’ car from FP1. Once I can naturally enjoy driving it, I think the results will follow. If that result is a podium, that would be fantastic.”

“I never thought I’d be racing for Red Bull at the Japanese GP,” Yuki admitted. “I’m happy, but I also feel like the team is changing… I don’t think I’ve ever been in a more pressured and challenging situation in my life, so I think it’s going to be an incredibly exciting race.”

‘F1's Yuki Tsunoda Aims High’;

https://www.justjared.com/2025/03/30/f1s-yuki-tsunoda-aims-high-for-red-bull-debut-at-home-race-in-japan-hopes-for-podium-finish/


F1 Today | Tsunoda won't find RB21 'tricky' and Japanese GP livery teased
30 Mar 2025
Toby Nixon
GPblog.com

The final day of the first non-race week of the 2025 season is coming to an end. From tomorrow, F1 fans can start looking forward to the third round of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix at the iconic Suzuka Circuit. Yuki Tsunoda isn't feeling too nervous heading into his Red Bull debut…

"I don’t want to raise expectations too much, but for this Japanese Grand Prix, I want to finish on the podium. That said, I know it won’t be easy right from the start," Tsunoda said at a Honda event at their Aoyama headquarters. Still, he does not want to get carried away either.

"My priority is to first understand the car, how it behaves compared to the VCARB. If I can naturally enjoy driving it as I get familiar with it in FP1, then the results will follow. And if that leads to a podium finish, that would be incredible."

‘Yuki Tsunoda isn't feeling too nervous’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/335930/f1-today-tsunoda-won-t-find-rb21-tricky-and-japanese-gp-livery-teased.html


Tsunoda recognises 'extreme pressure' as Red Bull debut awaits
Yuki Tsunoda faces a huge task at Red Bull, with the team having put its faith in him to help improve the RB21.
31 Mar 2025
Nick Golding
RacingNews365

"When I first got the call, I thought: 'Wow, this is going to be interesting,'" said Tsunoda, speaking at a Honda event at its Aoyama headquarters. "More than anything, I’m excited about the challenge ahead. "There aren’t many moments in life where you face this kind of extreme pressure and an opportunity as big as this, so I can only imagine that it’s going to be an incredibly thrilling race.”

"At first, I was too busy to even take the time to fully appreciate the excitement. I had to jump straight into the simulator, do seat fittings, and take care of a lot of other preparations. Of course, getting promoted to Red Bull is an amazing opportunity, but before anything else, I wanted to talk to my engineers and the people who had supported me," revealed Tsunoda.

"So, despite all the emotions, I actually felt quite calm. Since I was a reserve driver this year, I had already done a seat fitting before. But back then, I remember thinking: 'Why am I even doing this? I’m not going to be racing anyway.'"

'Extreme pressure';

https://racingnews365.com/tsunoda-recognises-extreme-pressure-as-red-bull-debut-awaits

[Fortitude]

All eyes on Tsunoda at Japan GP after ruthless Red Bull move.
Yuki Tsunoda will be centre of attention at his home Japanese Grand Prix this weekend after joining Max Verstappen at a Red Bull team desperate to reel in McLaren following their ominous start to the season.
02/04/2025
Suzuka (Japan) (AFP)
France 24

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has told the Japanese driver to get as "close as possible" to Verstappen, said Tsunoda, whose highest finish at a race is fourth in 2021 at Abu Dhabi for RB, then called AlphaTauri.

"In the end Red Bull Racing are focused on Max scoring a drivers' championship," Tsunoda told the BBC. "He also promised me, in some situations, that if I'm able to be in front of Max that he wouldn't necessarily ask me to swap positions and make Max win."

Tsunoda said he will be happy if he can finish in the top 10 and score points on his Red Bull debut. Now in his fifth Formula One season, he has shown pace this season.

‘All eyes on Tsunoda’;

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250402-all-eyes-on-tsunoda-at-japan-gp-after-ruthless-red-bull-move


Yuki Tsunoda could adapt at Red Bull faster than Lewis Hamilton has at Ferrari for one crucial reason
1 April 2025
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Lawson looked ‘frazzled’ behind the scenes as he could not get to grips with the RB21’s setup – much like his predecessors. Meanwhile, Tsunoda had fared much better in the VCARB 02, reaching Q3 in every qualifying session thus far – but has only managed three points after poor strategy calls. Now, Tsunoda is being thrust into a high-pressure situation as he makes his debut for Red Bull at his home race at Suzuka.

He will have to get to grips with the team’s setup, much like Lewis Hamilton is currently doing at Ferrari – but the 24-year-old could adapt to his environment faster. Naturally, relationships take time to gel, and Tsunoda and Wood will be no different. However, Red Bull’s latest recruit is already used to having a change in this department, as Ernesto Desiderio replaced his long-time engineer Mattia Spini at Racing Bulls last summer.

Despite the change, Tsunoda seemed to be unaffected as he mostly outperformed Lawson at the Faenza-based outfit in 2024 and showed encouraging signs in 2025 with regular Q3 appearances. The Japanese driver has proved he can adapt quickly, which could see him gel faster than Hamilton at Ferrari.

‘Could adapt at Red Bull faster’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/yuki-tsunoda-could-adapt-at-red-bull-faster-than-lewis-hamilton-has-at-ferrari-for-one-crucial-reason/


Will Tsunoda grab his career-making Red Bull chance? Five Japanese GP talking points
2nd April 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

The stakes are sky-high for Yuki Tsunoda as he takes his chance to drive for Red Bull on home ground and potentially secure his future in Formula 1. Even by Red Bull’s standards, booting Liam Lawson out after just two rounds was a brutal call. But his departure hands a precious opportunity to a driver whose chances of staying in Formula 1 beyond the end of this year did not look great beforehand.

He is the third different driver in four races to occupy the garage adjacent to that of world champion Max Verstappen. Lawson and Sergio Perez before him couldn’t make the Red Bull handle to their liking.

Not only must Tsunoda succeed where they failed, he needs to do it at one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar with all the attendant pressure of being the only Japanese representative on the grid. This will be his toughest challenge in F1 by a long way.

‘The stakes are sky-high’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/04/02/will-tsunoda-grab-his-career-making-red-bull-chance-five-japanese-gp-talking-points/


Yuki Tsunoda made F1 fans ‘erupt with laughter’ after giving one answer about his Red Bull promotion
1 April 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Tsunoda was speaking to fans at Honda’s Aoyama headquarters in Tokyo and answered questions about his career and recent Red Bull promotion. He was asked about his seat fitting with the team and replied: “Once you sit in an F1 cockpit, the view is the same. Sorry, that’s boring. Actually, I did have a seat that was adjusted for me. This year, I was the reserve driver [for Red Bull], so I had a seat fitting before the official Bahrain test.
“At the time, I thought, ‘Why am I making this?’ I thought, ‘I’m not going to race anyway,’ so I made the seat as I pleased. But after sitting on it once, I thought, ‘Ah, this is good enough.’ So when the transfer was decided, I was a little worried, thinking, ‘Am I going to use that seat?!’ but this time I worked seriously and I think I was able to make a good seat. I’m confident in the seat,” Tsunoda said, laughing.

One of the comments Tsunoda made after his post-season test with Red Bull in Abu Dhabi is that the car suits his driving style. When asked about that comment, he admitted: “Well, that’s a bit of a sales pitch. I was able to run normally there too, so I think it’s the right fit.” His ‘sales pitch’ answer saw the room ‘erupt with laughter’ and highlighted just how much support and how popular he is among his fans in Japan.

‘Sales pitch’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/yuki-tsunoda-made-f1-fans-erupt-with-laughter-after-giving-one-answer-about-his-red-bull-promotion/


Yuki Tsunoda discusses F1 Japanese Grand Prix after Red Bull promotion
01 Apr 2025
Michael Doyle
ABC Online

Speaking at a function hosted by automaker Honda, who has heavily backed Tsunoda's career, the Japanese driver said making his Red Bull debut in his home country "feels like fate". "To be honest, I never expected to be racing for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix," Tsunoda said, as reported by publisher Motorsport.

"This is the final year of Red Bull and Honda's partnership, so getting to race in Suzuka as a Red Bull Racing driver feels like fate. Everything has fallen into place in just the right way for me to be standing here today. There aren't many moments in life where you face this kind of extreme pressure and an opportunity as big as this, so I can only imagine that it's going to be an incredibly thrilling race."

"Feels like fate";

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-02/yuki-tsunoda-discusses-f1-japanese-grand-prix-red-bull-promotion/105100782


Sergio Perez gives three reasons why he thinks Yuki Tsunoda will succeed at Red Bull this season
1 April 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Sergio Perez believes Red Bull can still succeed in 2025 despite an early driver swap between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda. Perez thinks they have made the right decision in the short term, given the experience Tsunoda can bring and help them fix their problems. “I really want the team to do well, as I have a lot of friends at the team. I spent four years with them and I want to see them doing well. It’s just a very hard thing to talk about,” said Perez.

“Right now, I’m on the outside, I’ve been in touch with some team members there – but when you’re not there internally, it’s hard to know [what’s happening]. For me, it was very simple, the car is just quite difficult to get 100% out of it, to get the confidence out of it – and the things I struggled with, even Adrian [Newey, the team’s former design chief] talked about them.”

“But I want to wish them the best. Woody, who is a great friend of mine, is engineering Yuki now so I really hope they do well. Yuki has the talent, has the speed and, more than that, you need the mentality to cope with it. I think he has the right mentality and the right attitude to cope with it. I hope they will succeed.”

‘Red Bull can still succeed in 2025’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/sergio-perez-gives-three-reasons-why-he-thinks-yuki-tsunoda-will-succeed-at-red-bull-this-season/


Yuki Tsunoda reveals ‘very direct’ warning he’s received from Christian Horner before Red Bull debut
1 April 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Yuki Tsunoda is looking to do what no F1 driver has since Daniel Ricciardo – beat Max Verstappen. The Dutchman has wiped the floor with each of his last four teammates. In 2017, Ricciardo outscored Verstappen by 32 points as the two Red Bull drivers placed fifth and sixth in the championship. The latter was still a teenager at the start of that season, but Tsunoda goes up against him in his prime.

Speaking to the Japan Times, Tsunoda revealed the ground rules that team principal Christian Horner had set out ahead of his debut at Suzuka this weekend. Horner has made it very clear that Verstappen is the number one driver. He doesn’t necessarily expect Tsunoda to move over if he’s ahead at any point, though that of course depends on the circumstances. Verstappen is currently eight points behind Lando Norris in the championship fight.

Horner wants Tsunoda to take the same approach that was clearly working for him at Racing Bulls. The hope is that he can offer a useful new perspective on car development. “He told me very direct that the first priority is Max, to do whatever they can to score a world championship for Max and also be as high as possible for the team championship,” Tsunoda said. “I’m to support Max but at the same time, he just said to do whatever you’re doing with [Racing Bulls] and just perform and help the development for the car.”

‘Very direct warning’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/yuki-tsunoda-reveals-very-direct-warning-hes-received-from-christian-horner-before-red-bull-debut/

[Fortitude]

‘It can’t get crazier than this’ – Tsunoda on his Red Bull promotion, new team mate Verstappen and the ‘complete unknown’ he faces at Suzuka.
Yuki Tsunoda was the star of the show as Red Bull staged a series of demo runs on the streets of Tokyo on Wednesday – the newly promoted racer showing off his fresh colours to a passionate home crowd before this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
02 Apr 2025
Formula One Official Site

It’s just past midday when cheers erupt around a specially designed street course in the port area of Japan’s capital. Not only has Tsunoda arrived in town, waving to thousands of delirious fans with a huge grin on his face, but Red Bull are about to let him loose in some rather special cars.

Flanked by the aforementioned Verstappen, as well as the demoted Liam Lawson and continuing Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar, it is the latest development in a remarkable week for Tsunoda, who will finally make his debut for the senior team at Suzuka. “I mean, I feel like I’ve gone back to F2 right now!” the feeder series race winner tells F1.com with a chuckle, when asked to reflect on the day. “I used to wear this nice dark blue kit in F2 and had a lot of success there.”

“Still, [with Red Bull’s special Suzuka livery], apparently I’m going to wear a white suit again, so I can’t get rid of white suits that quickly! But I’m very excited [about the step up] and I’m feeling very motivated. It can’t get crazier than this situation,” he continues, when asked about that apparent confidence, and how good he is feeling after a stellar start to 2025 with Red Bull’s sister team. “I’m sure there’s a lot of pressure from Red Bull, this home Grand Prix, but I think the only thing I can do is enjoy [it] for now.”

‘It can’t get crazier than this’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/yuki-tsunoda-red-bull-promotion-max-verstappen-japanese-grand-prix-2025.53NmPj8umsoW9L0aKaVreX


“Can’t wait’’: Yuki Tsunoda ‘can’t wait’ to see two things in Max Verstappen’s data ahead of Red Bull debut at the Japanese Grand Prix
2 Apr 2025
Kyle Archer
F1Oversteer

Yuki Tsunoda wants to take advantage of becoming Max Verstappen’s new Red Bull teammate at the Japanese Grand Prix by learning from ‘the best driver on the grid’. Tsunoda is eager to now use his chance as Verstappen’s teammate to learn how he finds the performance from Red Bull’s car.

“We have a good relationship already from the first year [together in the] Red Bull [family],” Tsunoda has told the Formula 1 website. “He’s a really, really nice guy. I can’t wait [to be his teammate]. He’s one of the best drivers – the best driver probably on the current grid. I’ll just learn as much as possible from him [about] how he’s driving [and] how he’s able to extract the performance from the car.”

“Can’t wait’’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/yuki-tsunoda-cant-wait-to-see-two-things-in-max-verstappens-data-ahead-of-red-bull-debut-at-the-japanese-grand-prix/


Tsunoda expects his driving style will work at Red Bull “otherwise I wouldn’t be here”
3rd Apr 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Yuki Tsunoda is confident he will be able to cope with the unusual handling characteristics of Red Bull’s car following his sudden promotion to the team after the last race. “First of all, I didn’t feel yet the exact trickiness what the driver is saying,” he said. “I have a bit of an idea from the simulator, but it’s always a bit different from the simulator to the real car. So I’ll see after [first practice] if I have to change set-up, but I don’t think I have to change my driving style because in the end, so far it works well, I guess, with [Racing Bulls], otherwise probably I wouldn’t be here wearing this logo.”

“So I’ll just do whatever I was doing previously and I’ll go step-by-step to build the pace and everything. But let’s see, maybe I don’t have to do that, maybe the car is good straight away. In the last years I think Red Bull had pretty good performance last season, both cars, so I’m quite looking forward to it. If you’re able to push with that car straight away, with more than I guess above 95 [percent] just for the reference, you start to feel a bit of sliding front and rear first thing,” he explained. “You feel sliding once you start turning in, at the front and rear you see the limitation.”

He felt able to push the car and get a feel for its limitations. “In the Abu Dhabi test, fortunately there are a lot of run-off areas, so I was able to push immediately, knowing that even I push and if I go too much I know that there’s a bit of space to be forgiven. That’s why I was able to push it immediately. At the same time, at that point, I felt quite okay with the car. The RB20 had a historically big limitation with instability and I think it was quite clear, visible, that as soon as I turned in, it was always happening with that kind of characteristic. So probably even [though] I was not pushing enough, I already felt those things.”

‘Confident’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/04/03/tsunoda-expects-his-driving-style-will-work-at-red-bull-otherwise-i-wouldnt-be-here/


Tsunoda: Not hearing from Marko on Red Bull F1 promotion is "very unusual"
Apr 3, 2025
Filip Cleeren
Motorsport.com

Tsunoda said he was informed shortly after the Shanghai weekend by team principal Christian Horner that there might be some imminent news on his future. But the Japanese driver says he hasn't yet heard from Red Bull's driver advisor Marko, which he found "very unusual".

"The first call I got was from Christian right after China, that I should maybe be prepared for when things are going to change a little bit," Tsunoda said. "I guess it was Tuesday or something like that.”

"Surprisingly, [Marko] didn't call me yet, very unusual. So, I'm not sure if he was busy with other things. I can't wait to see him, how he's going to react to me [moving]. But yeah, it's very unusual. From F3 to F1, he was always calling me, but this time he didn't call me. So, I'm sure there's not anything from his side. We have still a good relationship, so let's see how he reacts to that."

"Very unusual";

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/tsunoda-not-hearing-from-marko-on-red-bull-f1-promotion-is-very-unusual/10709258/


Tsunoda aims to "take learnings from" Verstappen
03 Apr 2025
Balazs Szabo
RaceFans

Ahead of his debut race with Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda insists that he aims to take learnings from four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen as he makes his move from Racing Bulls to the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

"I need to be as close to Max as possible to try and compete for the Constructors’ title and benefit the Team strategically in every race. I am aware of the challenges the RB21 has and my job is to try to understand it and develop this car too. My first challenge is to get to grips with this car, I have driven it on the sim but my first time will be in practice, so I have to get up to speed quickly.”

"I’ve been working with my new team in the UK over the last week to prepare as best I can and I will continue that ethic once we get to Suzuka. I will take learnings from Max and try and get the most from this weekend for the Team. My goal is to drive fast, give lots of feedback and make the car better," concluded the Japanese driver.”

"Take learnings from";

https://www.f1technical.net/news/26515


Sergio Perez offers support to Tsunoda after shock Liam Lawson demotion
Sergio Perez supports Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull, claiming that he has the right "mentality to cope" with the role.
Apr 3, 2025
Lydia Mee
Motorsport.com

While speaking to the media ahead of his Red Bull F1 debut in Japan, Tsunoda revealed that he had received messages and support from Perez and his former AlphaTauri team-mate Pierre Gasly. He commented:

"I got a message from Pierre that he wanted to call me about the experience he had in Red Bull, the things that he should have done in Red Bull, and he just wanted to share a couple of ideas that could work for the coming races in Red Bull.”

"So it was very nice of him, and it was very useful tips. Also, I got one from Checo as well. All the Red Bull family drivers, very supportive message, and those two are very supportive to me, so I really appreciate it, and one of the drivers I really respect most of all."

‘All the Red Bull family drivers, very supportive message’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sergio-perez-supports-tsunoda-after-lawson-red-bull-demotion/10709288/


Pierre Gasly backs Yuki Tsunoda for Red Bull success: "He's got the speed"
Apr 3, 2025
Lydia MeeMark Mann-Bryans
Motorsport.com

When asked by Motorsport.com if he had spoken to Tsunoda about his new move, the Alpine driver responded: "Yeah, we spoke on the phone. Obviously, the way that I was also given this opportunity in terms of what didn't quite work out and things that could have been different. I think he's got the experience, he's got the speed.”

"I've always backed him up. I've raced against him and with him for two years. I've seen his raw speed. I've seen what he was capable of doing already back at the time. We can look back in 2021, all these years, I've always said he was an extremely fast driver.”

"He's got the speed, I think he's got a strong character. Does it mean he's going to be successful in Red Bull Racing? No. Can he be successful in Red Bull Racing? Yes, but it's slightly more complicated. I just wish him the best. I've shared my thoughts and my experience from my time there. Time will tell, but I think he's definitely a very strong driver.”

"Got the speed";

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/pierre-gasly-backs-yuki-tsunoda-for-red-bull-success-hes-got-the-speed/10709266/

[Fortitude]

Japanese GP: Tsunoda closes in on Verstappen as McLaren and Merc vie for top honours in FP1.
All eyes were on Yuki Tsunoda as the Japanese driver made his Red Bull debut in FP1 at Suzuka, and he was only a tenth down on Max Verstappen.
04 Apr 2025
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Lando Norris set the pace ahead of George Russell and Charles Leclerc, with the Red Bull team-mates fifth and sixth. The drivers ventured out of the pit lane with all eyes on the Red Bull line-ups as Yuki Tsunoda contested his first practice session as a Red Bull Racing driver, with Liam Lawson returning to Racing Bulls. The big question was, could Tsunoda grab a first practice top-ten for the second RB21?

‘Tsunoda closes in’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/japanese-grand-prix-2025-fp1-report


Japanese GP: Free Practice 1 Results
Full results from Free Practice 1 for the Formula 1 Japanese GP from Suzuka.
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Diff Best
1 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 23 1:28.549s
2 63 George Russell Mercedes 28 0.163s 1:28.712s
3 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 26 0.416s 1:28.965s
4 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 24 0.502s 1:29.051s
5 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 22 0.516s 1:29.065s
6 22 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull – Honda 24 0.623s 1:29.172s
7 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin – Mercedes 24 0.673s 1:29.222s
8 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls – Honda 27 0.676s 1:29.225s
9 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 27 0.735s 1:29.284s
10 55 Carlos Sainz Williams – Mercedes 27 0.784s 1:29.333s

‘Free Practice 1 Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-suzuka-japanese-gp-free-practice-1-results-standings-times-details/


Tsunoda impresses in Japanese GP practice
Yuki Tsunoda impressed on debut with Red Bull to end the opening practice hour sixth fastest.
Speedcafe

Lando Norris topped the session in a McLaren that looked far from settled with George Russell second and Charles Leclerc third. It was a competitive hour with all four leading teams somewhere in contention, though Tsunoda’s presence in sixth, just a tenth away from Max Verstappen in fifth, caught the eye.

Tsunoda’s initial laps in a Red Bull were hardly electric, some 1.8s down on Verstappen. Red Bull had opted for a different tyre strategy from most, with soft compound tyres on both cars while most of its rivals ran mediums.

According to Tsunoda, the early balance was good, though he admitted he’d hardly begun pushing the RB21. Still, his early laps saw him move to within half a second of Verstappen as the Dutchman complained his car was flexing.

‘Impressed on debut’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-suzuka-japanese-gp-practice-1-fp1-tsunoda-times-results-report-standings/


FP1 Highlights: 2025 Japanese Grand Prix
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Watch highlights from first practice ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.

‘FP1 Highlights’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/fp1-highlights-2025-japanese-grand-prix.1828447253456408867


Christian Horner reacts to Yuki Tsunoda's first Red Bull FP1 + FULL analysis
Apr 4, 2025
Sky Sports F1

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner speaks to Sky Sports F1 after the first practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend to discuss Yuki Tsunoda's performance and on the swap with Liam Lawson. Anthony Davidson also joins to give full SkyPad analysis of how Yuki got on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yePBr0mFcQ

[Fortitude]

FIA take immediate action after grass fires at Japanese GP.
Two separate grass fires during the second practice at Suzuka have resulted in the FIA taking pre-emptive measures to prevent a repeat.
04 Apr 2025
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com

“While we continue to look into the fires that occurred during FP2, our focus before tomorrow will be on taking preemptive measures,” an FIA spokesperson said. “The grass has been cut as short as possible, and loose, dried grass has been removed from affected areas.”

“Prior to tomorrow’s sessions, the grass will be dampened, and specific response teams will be stationed around the track.” Last year, at the Chinese Grand Prix, similar fires prompted the FIA to carry out in-depth investigations into the matter, given that the weather wasn’t as dry and hot as what Suzuka is currently experiencing.

Similar precautions were taken during that Grand Prix weekend, although a firm answer as to the root cause was never established – while sparks from the cars were an ignition source, it wasn’t clear why the fires were catching as easily as they did.

‘FIA take immediate action’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/fia-take-immediate-action-after-grass-fires-at-japanese-gp


Japanese GP : Free Practice 2 Results
Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Formula 1 Japanese GP from Suzuka.

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Diff Best
1 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 13 1:28.114s
2 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 12 0.049s 1:28.163s
3 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls – Honda 12 0.404s 1:28.518s
4 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 14 0.430s 1:28.544s
5 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls – Honda 13 0.445s 1:28.559s
6 63 George Russell Mercedes 13 0.453s 1:28.567s
7 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 14 0.472s 1:28.586s
8 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 9 0.556s 1:28.670s
9 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine – Renault 13 0.643s 1:28.757s
10 55 Carlos Sainz Williams – Mercedes 9 0.718s 1:28.832s

‘Free Practice 2 Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-suzuka-japanese-gp-free-practice-2-fp2-results-timing-standings-times/


Four red flags disrupt second Japanese GP practice
Apr 4, 2025
Jack Benyon
The Race

Oscar Piastri topped FP2 at Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix as four red flags effectively halved the session and obscured our view of the Red Bull driver swap everyone is keeping such a close eye on this weekend. With such truncated running - over 37 minutes of the session lost to red flags - taking any major insight from Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull or Liam Lawson at RB was tough.

Especially as Red Bull's Tsunoda was on an out lap and just starting a fast lap when the third red flag emerged, while Verstappen had already got his soft-tyre run in. With just over seven minutes remaining when the green flag emerged, Tsunoda didn’t bother trying a soft tyre run and will seemingly save that for FP3 as he got some medium running in.

Verstappen was eighth and 0.556s behind the fastest time, and lamented “understeer everywhere” as the RBs were ahead of the Red Bulls. Tsunoda was 18th and 2.511s off without a representative effort.

‘Obscured view’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/four-red-flags-disrupt-second-japanese-gp-practice/


Fires and horror crash stoke Japanese GP chaos
Apr 4, 2025
RacingNews365

A horror 185 mph crash for Alpine's Jack Doohan and two shock grass fires caused chaos on Friday at Suzuka, as the drivers lost 36 minutes of running in second practice ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

McLaren topped the timesheets ahead of Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar, as the sister team again outshone Red Bull; however, Yuki Tsunoda was much closer to Max Verstappen than many expected. Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes and Nick Golding, as they dissect a crazy Friday in Japan!

‘Chaos’;

https://racingnews365.com/fires-and-horror-crash-stoke-japanese-gp-chaos


'Shocked the pitlane' - Update issued after 180mph crash at Japanese Grand Prix
4 Apr 2025
Connor Andrews
talkSPORT

Jack Doohan is thankfully OK after a shocking 180mph crash in Japanese Grand Prix practice. Speaking over team radio Doohan said: “I’m OK, what happened?” And Sky Sports' pitlane reported Ted Kravitz has since offered a further update. "He is OK. He spent a bit of time at the medical centre and wanted to check his physical body and then his head whether he suffered a concussion,” Kravitz said.

“They have confirmed that the crash was at 300 kilometres an hour, so that is 180 miles an hour, and the other crucial thing the team are doing is checking the data to see if anything was wrong on the car. It’s inconclusive at the moment whether anything broke on the car that they need to know about for the future, not only for Dohaan and the rebuilt car but also his teammate Pierre Gasly and to better understand whether they have some manufacturing or design issue with the car itself.”


“They're going through the data at the moment, it was actually Doohan’s second push lap, he’d done four laps during the day, done an out lap and did an hot lap, he was the beginning of his second hot lap when the accident happened. “We haven’t seen a crash at this speed and this sort of impact certainly in 2025 and I can’t think of one in 2024. 185 miles an hour. It really shocked the whole pitlane.”

'Shocked the pitlane';

https://talksport.com/motorsport/3084013/jack-doohan-crash-medical-update-japanese-grand-prix-f1/


What exactly caused Doohan's massive crash - onboard analysis
Apr 4, 2025
yelistener

F1 Japan Suzuka Onboard Doohan's telemetry obtained through MultiViewer for F1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqgBbZ4UyC8

[Fortitude]

Fires again strike Japanese GP practice as Norris finds lap time spark.
Lando Norris edged McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in a final practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix that again blighted by two track-side fires.
5 Apr 2025
Ian Parkes
RacingNews365

The FIA had vowed to take pre-emptive measures to ensure there would be no repeat of the two fires that took place during FP2. But despite cutting the grass as short as possible, and dampening it throughout, a further two fires took place in FP3.

The second red flag occurred with seven minutes remaining, leading to the FIA opting not to restart the session, denying all the drivers to conduct a practice start afterwards. With the session halted it was Norris who finished with the leading time of 1:27.965s - the fastest lap of the weekend to date - just 0.026s ahead of Piastri, reversing the order from the conclusion of second practice.

Mercedes' George Russell was just over a tenth off the pace to lie third, and seemingly the closest challenger to the McLarens at this stage.

‘Final practice session’;

https://racingnews365.com/fires-again-strike-japanese-gp-practice-as-norris-finds-lap-time-spark


Japanese GP : Free Practice 3 Results
Full results from Free Practice 3 for the Formula 1 Japanese GP from Suzuka.
5 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Diff Best
1 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 17 1:27.965s
2 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 17 0.026s 1:27.991s
3 63 George Russell Mercedes 15 0.112s 1:28.077s
4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 13 0.449s 1:28.414s
5 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 21 0.532s 1:28.497s
6 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 13 0.559s 1:28.524s
7 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes 19 0.589s 1:28.554s
8 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine – Renault 15 0.638s 1:28.603s
9 22 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull – Honda 15 0.820s 1:28.785s
10 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls – Honda 16 0.821s 1:28.786s

‘Free Practice 3 Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-suzuka-japanese-gp-free-practice-3-fp3-results-times-standings/


Grass fires blight final hour of Japanese GP practice
Two grass fires interrupted the final hour of practice for tomorrow's Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.
5 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

The interruptions came despite efforts by organisers and the FIA to mitigate the problem which had triggered the red flag twice during second practice on Friday. Overnight, the FIA introduced measures designed to mitigate the issue that blighted Free Practice 2 yesterday; the grass verges had been cut short, clippings cleared, water applied, and response crews stationed around the circuit. It clearly proved insufficient as teams lost out on another seven minutes of track time ahead of qualifying.

McLaren showed it is again the team to beat, though Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri only held a slender margin over George Russell’s Mercedes. The early soft tyre runs saw the Ferrari pairing of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton top proceedings ahead of the two McLarens. Both Norris and Piastri had been caught out at Degner 2, bouncing over the kerb and into the gravel.

When they did string a lap together, they proved fastest, comfortably so – over three-tenths clear of Leclerc. Piastri was quickest on a 1:27.768s, a slim 0.05s quicker than Norris. Leclerc closed in with another lap, but McLaren had pace in hand.

‘Grass fires blight final hour’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-suzuka-japanese-gp-grass-fires-practice-3-fp3-report-results-mclaren-norris/


FP3: Norris leads Piastri and Russell during final Japanese GP practice session
5 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Lando Norris topped the timesheets in the third and final practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, the McLaren man having led the way from team mate Oscar Piastri and Mercedes’ George Russell.

As the times kept on tumbling – before another red flag was thrown in the closing stages owing to a trackside fire – it was Norris who had set the fastest time on a 1m 27.965s, putting him 0.026 clear of Piastri, while Russell was one-tenth back from Norris in third.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton put their Ferraris in fourth and sixth respectively, while sandwiched between them was Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver – along with Piastri – will be investigated after the session for allegedly failing to follow the Race Director’s instructions.

‘Lando Norris topped the timesheets’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/fp3-norris-leads-piastri-and-russell-during-final-japanese-gp-practice.vsfGLvqpbhuKiCx2Abrom


Ted Kravitz says Lewis Hamilton had to suspend ‘activities’ before Japanese Grand Prix after call from Ferrari
5 Apr 2025
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Ferrari called Lewis Hamilton to an emergency meeting in Maranello before the Japanese Grand Prix. Ferrari engineers tried to lift Hamilton’s spirits in his garage at Suzuka by giving him a teddy of his pet dog Roscoe. This came before the team had called him to an emergency meeting in Maranello to get their problems ‘figured out.’

Kravitz noted on Sky Sports F1 before FP1 that the team admitted they got it wrong with Hamilton’s plank weat disqualification in China, but only by a ‘tiny amount.’ “The Leclerc underweight disqualification was quite a simple thing. Ferrari say there were quite a few things that contributed to that but they know what that was,” he said.

“But clearly the Lewis Hamilton plank wear and it was only by half a millimetre, was just outside the tolerance. Of course, Lewis wants the most downforce from this Ferrari, you get the most downforce by running the car as low as possible to the ground. Ferrari did call a meeting, called Lewis Hamilton back from his activities in the far east in China and Japan, back to Maranello just for a day on Tuesday to get it all figured out and then Lewis came back out here to Japan, to acclimatise to the time difference.”

‘Teddy of his pet dog Roscoe’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ted-kravitz-says-lewis-hamilton-had-to-suspend-activities-before-japanese-grand-prix-after-call-from-ferrari/

[Fortitude]

Max Verstappen Snatches 'Insane' Pole For Japan GP In Track Record.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen smashed the track record to snatch pole position for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.
• April 05, 2025
• Agence France-Presse
NDTV.com

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen smashed the track record to snatch pole position for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris, as Yuki Tsunoda qualified a lowly 15th in his Red Bull debut. Verstappen clocked a blistering lap of 1min 26.983sec in his Red Bull, 0.012sec ahead of championship leader Norris, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri third. Verstappen set a new Suzuka track record with his final lap in Saturday's qualifying, pipping Norris right at the death.

"Each session we kept making little improvements, then the last lap was flat out," said Verstappen, who has won the Japanese GP for the last three years. "In a Formula One car around here is insane. This is a proper highlight for us to be back on pole here."

'Insane';

https://sports.ndtv.com/formula-1/max-verstappen-snatches-insane-pole-for-japan-gp-in-track-record-8093001


Japanese GP: Qualifying Results
Full results from Qualifying for the Formula 1 Japanese GP from Suzuka.
5 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Diff Q1 Q2 Q3
1 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 17 1:27.943s 1:27.502s 1:26.983s
2 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 15 0.012s 1:27.845s 1:27.146s 1:26.995s
3 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 18 0.044s 1:27.687s 1:27.507s 1:27.027s
4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 21 0.316s 1:27.920s 1:27.555s 1:27.299s
5 63 George Russell Mercedes 17 0.335s 1:27.843s 1:27.400s 1:27.318s
6 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 18 0.572s 1:27.968s 1:27.639s 1:27.555s
7 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls – Honda 18 0.586s 1:28.278s 1:27.775s 1:27.569s
8 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 23 0.627s 1:27.942s 1:27.610s 1:27.610s
9 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes 20 0.632s 1:28.218s 1:27.783s 1:27.615s
10 87 Oliver Bearman Haas – Ferrari 21 0.884s 1:28.228s 1:27.711s 1:27.867s

‘Qualifying Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-suzuka-japanese-gp-qualifying-quali-results-standings-times-grid/


‘Incredibly rewarding’ – Verstappen hails ‘insane’ lap in Suzuka as he seals first Grand Prix pole since Austria 2024
5 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Max Verstappen hailed the "incredibly rewarding" experience around Suzuka as he sealed his first pole position since last year's Austrian Grand Prix. The Dutchman will start Red Bull’s final Japanese Grand Prix with engine partner Honda from the front of the grid, marking his fourth consecutive Suzuka pole success.

Asked if he was surprised to find himself at the front of the pack, Verstappen said: “Yeah, I am! We tried the best we could to get the best possible balance with the car, but it wasn’t easy even in Qualifying. Every session, we just kept on making little improvements, and I think that’s where we made the difference.”

“The last lap was just flat out. Around here, being on the limit or maybe a bit over in places is incredibly rewarding.” He added: “It’s insane in a Formula 1 car around here. Sector 1 especially is unbelievable. The new Tarmac as well just gives you even more grip so to commit is even harder.”

“Just kept on making little improvements”;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/incredibly-rewarding-verstappen-hails-insane-lap-in-suzuka-as-he-seals-first.7mmrgbrZ48MpYnomk02GG6


Max Verstappen makes honest assessment of Red Bull car despite Japanese GP pole position
Max Verstappen knows that keeping the McLaren's behind him in Suzuka will not be easy
5 April 2025
Euan Burns
Total Motorsport

During the post-qualifying press conference, Verstappen admitted that Friday’s flexing problem with the car had been fixed, but there were still other issues that needed to be addressed and they will be a factor during the race on Sunday.

“Actually it was a bit better. I think that issue was a lot better today. But at the same time, the through corner balance is still what we need to work on. But yeah, I think on low fuel over one lap, some bits you can mask a little bit. But it’s still not like I go into the lap fully confident and comfortable,” Verstappen told the press, including Total-Motorsport.com.

“So the last lap I was like, well, I’m just going to not try and feel uncomfortable – just send it in and see what we get. It’s very rare, of course, that a lap like that then can stick, but this time it worked well. We know that we have some issues that we want to solve, but it’s clearly not easy to solve them at the moment.”

‘Some issues that we want to solve’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-max-verstappen-honest-assessment-red-bull-car-2025-japanese-gp-pole-position/


‘It’s a shame’: Yuki Tsunoda ‘didn’t expect’ one thing on his Red Bull debut at the Japanese Grand Prix, ‘it’s a shame…’
5 Apr 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Yuki Tsunoda could only qualify P15 on his debut for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix, with Liam Lawson even out-pacing the home hero on his return to Racing Bulls. Kanagawa native Tsunoda admits he ‘did not expect’ his first qualifying session with Red Bull would finish in Q2 after feeling confident with his pace from practice at the Japanese GP. He especially felt strong in FP3, when Tsunoda was P9 and only 0.288s from Verstappen in P5.

“Surprisingly, I think I feel OK in terms of pressure,” Tsunoda told Sky Sports F1 (5/4, 08:29). “The last Q2 lap was probably the most pressured time. I had the pace from FP3, so I didn’t expect it to be like this, how I ended up like that today. So, it’s a shame. But at least the positive is that I’m starting to understand the car. It’s quite difficult to operate this car properly, it’s quite narrow [compared to] the Racing Bulls’ car.”

“I didn’t expect it to be like this”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/yuki-tsunoda-didnt-expect-one-thing-on-his-red-bull-debut-at-the-japanese-grand-prix-its-a-shame/


Adjusted starting grid for 2025 F1 Japanese Grand Prix after penalty
Check out the full starting grid for the 2025 F1 Japanese Grand Prix from Suzuka!
5 Apr 2025
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

It is Verstappen's fourth successive Japanese GP pole, with new team-mate Yuki Tsunoda only 14th on the grid after qualifying 15th fastest.
The reason for the change is due to a three-place grid penalty for Carlos Sainz for impeding Lewis Hamilton in Q2. The Williams driver drops from 12th to 15th, allowing Fernando Alonso, Liam Lawson and Tsunoda to shuffle forward one place.

Position Driver Team
1st Max Verstappen Red Bull
2nd Lando Norris McLaren
3rd Oscar Piastri McLaren
4th Charles Leclerc Ferrari
5th George Russell Mercedes
6th Kimi Antonelli Mercedes
7th Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls
8th Lewis Hamilton Ferrari
9th Alex Albon Williams
10th Oliver Bearman Haas

‘Adjusted starting grid’;

https://racingnews365.com/full-starting-grid-for-2025-f1-japanese-grand-prix

[Fortitude]

Revealed: What Max Verstappen said to Lando Norris after dramatic Japanese GP pit moment.
Max Verstappen quipped that Lando Norris’s McLaren was “quite an expensive lawnmower” after their near miss at the pit exit during the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
06 Apr 2025
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

All three drivers discussed the incident in the cooldown room ahead of the podium ceremony, with Piastri first to bring up the subject as Verstappen arrived. Piastri said: “I had a good seat to watch the pit exit. That was close! As I was coming down the straight, I saw grass everywhere. I was like: ‘Oh.'”

Verstappen laughed and replied: “Something happened!” The drivers were then seated before watching a highlights reel of the race with Norris and Verstappen having a brief exchange when their skirmish appeared on screen.

Norris: “I saw that wall coming quite quickly.”
Norris: “Bet I got track limits for that.”
Verstappen: “It’s quite an expensive lawnmower.”
Norris: “Had a floor specially made for it.”

“Quite an expensive lawnmower”;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-verstappen-lando-norris-japanese-gp-pit-moment


Japanese GP: Race Results
Full results from the Formula 1 Japanese GP from Suzuka.
6 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps/Diff
1 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 53 Laps
2 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes +1.423s
3 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes +2.129s
4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +16.097s
5 63 George Russell Mercedes +17.362s
6 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +18.671s
7 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +29.182s
8 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls – Honda +37.134s
9 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes +40.367s
10 87 Oliver Bearman Haas – Ferrari +54.529s

‘Full results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-susuka-japanese-gp-race-results-standings-order/


Verstappen beats McLarens in Japanese GP after Norris pit run-in.
Max Verstappen held off the McLaren duo in the Japanese Grand Prix for his and Red Bull's first win of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Apr 6, 2025
Valentin Khorounzhiy
The Race

In what was a largely static first lap all throughout the field, Verstappen covered off Norris right away off the line and consolidated the lead - which he quickly eked out into a solid buffer. It hovered around two seconds for much of that first stint, with Piastri closer to Norris than Norris to Verstappen, but the championship leader did attempt to put some pressure on Verstappen later on, pushing closer up as McLaren made a bluff pitstop call on lap 18.

But George Russell pitting out of fifth the following lap meant the real strategies had to play out then and there, with Piastri stopping to cover off the Mercedes' potential undercut - which meant both Verstappen and Norris were called in the next lap. Verstappen's victory bid nearly went begging then and there - as his tyre change was a second slower than Norris', timed at 3.3s versus 2.3s by McLaren.

It meant Norris drew alongside as he darted out of McLaren's pitbox at the end of pitlane, though Verstappen's front wheels remained well ahead - and as they arrived at pitlane exit, Norris refused to back out and went skipping over the grass towards Turn 1. The stewards felt this was fair game, with the incident 'noted' but quickly dismissed as not requiring further investigation.

‘Verstappen beats McLarens’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/verstappen-beats-mclaren-drivers-japanese-gp-f1-norris-pitlane-run-in/


Verstappen smashes Suzuka record in dominant Japanese GP victory
Max Verstappen turned in a brilliant display at Suzuka to claim his fourth-consecutive Japanese Grand Prix win, a new record at the circuit.
6 Apr 2025
Samuel Coop
RacingNews365

Max Verstappen controlled the Japanese Grand Prix from the front to seal victory over the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, his fourth in a row at Suzuka - a new record. Charles Leclerc enjoyed a comfortable and uneventful day to claim fourth, ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell.

Kimi Antonelli had a day for the history books as well, becoming the youngest-ever driver to lead an F1 race, beating Verstappen's record from 2016 by just two days. The 18-year-old also became the youngest driver to clinch the fastest lap in a grand prix.

Fellow rookie Isack Hadjar scored the first points of his career by finishing eighth, with Alex Albon continuing his ever-present top 10 streak in 2025. All 20 drivers finished at Suzuka, something that was achieved four times last season.

‘Max Verstappen turned in a brilliant display’;

https://racingnews365.com/verstappen-smashes-suzuka-record-in-dominant-japanese-gp-victory


2025 Japanese Grand Prix: Verstappen crosses the line to take his first victory of the season
6 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Max Verstappen takes the chequered flag to seal his first win of 2025 – and his fourth victory in a row at Suzuka.

‘Thank you Guys, Wow!”;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2025-japanese-grand-prix-verstappen-crosses-the-line-to-take-his-first-victory-of-the-season.1828634457620257594


‘Yuki Tsunoda was named Driver of the Day’: Red Bull will be worried by what Ted Kravitz spotted in Yuki Tsunoda’s data at the Japanese Grand Prix
6 Apr 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Yuki Tsunoda had a Red Bull debut to forget after such a promising start to the race weekend. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner sent Liam Lawson a message after he outqualified the Japanese driver at the first opportunity on his return to Racing Bulls when an enforced swap was put in place after his disappointing start to the season.

While Tsunoda finished ahead of Lawson during the race, Ted Kravitz spotted something during his performance that left him worried and will already be concerning Red Bull. “Just a quick one on Yuki Tsunoda, I’ve been following his lap times, they’re not great. He’s about five seconds off a point, which is currently held by Ollie Bearman, and making very little impact on Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin ahead of him.”

So that early promise of Yuki Tsunoda this weekend in the Red Bull has not shown in the race at all.” Tsunoda was named Driver of the Day by fans at Suzuka, despite making up just two places over the 53-lap race. He overtook Lawson during the opening stages, before taking advantage of a slugging Pierre Gasly pit stop to overtake his former teammate.

‘Yuki Tsunoda was named Driver of the Day’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/red-bull-will-be-worried-by-what-ted-kravitz-spotted-in-yuki-tsunodas-data-at-the-japanese-grand-prix/

[Fortitude]

Villeneuve slams McLaren strategy: 'Trying not to win'.
Jacques Villeneuve tore into McLaren's tame strategy at the Japanese Grand Prix, going as far as to say they were "trying not to win".
06/04/2025
James Fiorucci
F1i.com

The Suzuka International Racing Course proved particularly difficult to overtake on, with very few overtakes witnessed during the 53-lap Grand Prix. This was the case for the top three, who remained in their starting grid positions at the finish line with Verstappen, Norris and Oscar Piastri in first, second and third respectively. This raised the question: why didn't at least one of the McLaren drivers attempt an alternative strategy to try and get past Verstappen?

Sky Sports F1 pundit Jacques Villeneuve was disappointed that McLaren didn't try something different in terms of strategy. He said: "Why would you stop Norris, when your team-mate has already stopped? Why won’t you take a gamble? You have two drivers out there!" exclaimed Villeneuve after the race.

"It’s as if they’re trying to not win. You need a winning attitude when you want to win. You need to want to win. You cannot just be on the defensive. Panicking, being afraid of 'are you doing what might be right?'," added the Canadian former Formula 1 driver.

“Trying not to win”;

https://f1i.com/news/534887-villeneuve-slams-mclaren-strategy-trying-not-to-win.html


Oscar Piastri issues telling statement after Aussie 'robbed' of place at Japanese F1 Grand Prix.
The Aussie driver has spoken out after drama erupted with McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
6 April 2025
Sam Goodwin
Yahoo! Australia

Oscar Piastri has declared he only had himself to blame for McLaren not giving him a shot at chasing down Max Verstappen in the Japanese Grand Prix after many felt he was dudded by his own team. The Aussie driver finished third in Suzuka on Sunday, with Verstappen first and teammate Lando Norris second.

Late in the race, Piastri told his team he felt he had the pace to chase down leader Verstappen and try and snatch victory. But his team ordered him to stay behind Norris and refused to tell his teammate to yield.

Piastri was clearly quicker than Norris, who wasn't making any ground on Verstappen at the front. The situation left F1 fans fuming, with many saying McLaren had robbed Piastri of second place and potentially first, labelling it a "joke" and a "farce".

‘Piastri told his team he felt he had the pace to chase down leader Verstappen’;

https://au.news.yahoo.com/oscar-piastri-issues-telling-statement-after-aussie-robbed-of-place-at-japanese-f1-grand-prix-211823529.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jLm5ld3Nub3cuY28udWsv&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANVj7zQmyohOaf6iX6fliwpcF_-F9uBZbhfT_WPbL4OUsRLcnA_AOc0JxyMXisScWUJP3zUie2qy6 X3m6IypzgCP6qQSkJUmJQYHNiH5My1sCZjzBBuHbY7fIuQyk1O Pn4Kw73rEsw8LR1PIiWIKnFabfPhNKDW06C9EzHigC0Yg


Explained: Why Piastri didn’t attack Norris at the Japanese GP
6 Apr 2025
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Piastri urged McLaren to help him in the closing laps as he sat on Norris’ rear wing, but the team opted not to issue a team order. “If Lando is still saving, I think he should go soon,” Piastri said over the radio. “I think I have the pace to get Max.”

Told that “this is Lando’s pace”, he reiterated: “Okay, like I said, I think I have the pace to get Max.” McLaren didn’t order Norris to move over and although Piastri got within 0.6 seconds of his team-mate, he didn’t attempt a pass either. He eventually crossed the line seven-tenths behind the Briton.

Asked about the radio communication with the team, he downplayed it. “There wasn’t much to be honest,” said the Australian driver. “For me, I felt like I had really strong pace and felt like if I had the track position I could go and get Max. But that’s what happens when you qualify behind, unfortunately.”

‘Explained’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/oscar-piastri-explains-why-he-didnt-attack-lando-norris-japanese-gp


Lando Norris downplays Japan F1 pit lane incident with Max Verstappen
6 Apr 2025
Harry Whitfield
Motorsport Week

As the Red Bull driver peeled into the pits, Norris followed him in, and the McLaren team completed a quick turnaround to allow him to rejoin the pitlane alongside Verstappen. Norris attempted to pass his rival before rejoining the track, but he ran out of room and ended up on the grass, as the stewards quickly determined that the incident required no further investigation.

Over the team radio, the McLaren driver suggested that he had been forced onto the grass by Verstappen. However, speaking after the race in parc ferme, Norris went back on his earlier verdict.

“It’s racing, I think,” the 25-year-old said. “I mean, he was still ahead; it kind of squeezes into one. Max is the last guy I expect to give me any space, in a good way and in a racing way, so nothing more than that.”

“It’s racing, I think”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/06/lando-norris-downplays-japan-f1-pit-lane-incident-with-max-verstappen/


Verstappen's perfect Japan GP shows McLaren won't get easy ride
Apr 6, 2025
Nate Saunders
ESPN.co.uk

SUZUKA, Japan -- Perfection. Magical. Inspirational. Whatever word you used to frame Max Verstappen's Japanese Grand Prix victory -- and superlatives were in high supply throughout the weekend -- it was something special.

Sunday's race was not a classic by any means, but Verstappen's weekend was a vintage of a different kind. It was a race win built on the bedrock of a scintillating qualifying lap that beat the benchmark McLarens to pole position on Saturday, and then the trademark pace and unshakeable composure which kept both orange cars at arm's length on Sunday, even when the consensus was they have the class-leading car in the F1 field.

Speaking on the radio just after the checkered flag, long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase succinctly summed up Verstappen's performance: "That's perfection. Just perfection, Max. Fantastic." It was hard to disagree. Bar a short period in the pit-stop phase and a close shave with Lando Norris on pit exit, Verstappen had controlled proceedings out in front. Red Bull boss Christian Horner labeled the four-time world champion's performance "inspirational" in his own congratulatory message on the cool-down lap.

‘McLaren won't get easy ride’;

https://www.espn.com/racing/f1/story/_/id/44511630/verstappens-perfect-japan-gp-shows-mclaren-wont-get-easy-ride


NORRIS QUESTIONS MCLAREN STRATEGY, BUT FELT JAPANESE GP WAS LOST IN QUALIFYING
Lando Norris has offered his thoughts on McLaren pitting him on the same lap as Max Verstappen in Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix
Apr 6, 2025
Filip Cleeren
Motorsport.com

Lando Norris says McLaren should have pitted him before Max Verstappen to try to defeat the Red Bull Formula 1 driver, but thinks the Suzuka race was lost in qualifying. While the McLarens were the quicker cars, overtaking at Suzuka proved almost impossible, and Norris and Piastri never found clear air to extract the pace out of the MCL39.

"Maybe we could have tried a bit more with strategy and overcut or undercut," he said. "We just boxed on the same lap for some reason, so there are some things we'll discuss. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.”

"I probably should have just tried to undercut. The thing is there's always the safety car risk. I don't think I could have gone longer because then I think I would have lost a position, so that wasn't on the cards. But yeah, I think we probably should have just tried to undercut and tried something different."

“Overcut or undercut";

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/norris-questions-mclaren-strategy-but-felt-japanese-gp-was-lost-in-qualifying/10710458/

[Fortitude]

'There's not much more in the car': Lewis Hamilton's admission as Ferrari title dream fades.
Dismal performance from the Ferrari garage will be first on the list to change according the drivers, with glimpses of pace in Japan leaving them hungry for better results in this weekend's race in Bahrain.
Apr 8, 2025
Sophie Wisely
Wide World of Sports

The seven-time world champion admitted he believed the Maranello-based team was sliding down the constructors standings and that to survive the dominant nature of the top three teams, Ferrari need to find pace quickly.

"Yeah, I think it looks like we are third, [or] Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and then us sort of thing, so we've got some improvements to make," said Hamilton.

'There's not much more in the car';

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-2025-ferrari-charles-leclerc-lewis-hamilton-performance-japan-20250408-p5lq40.html


“I’d really like info where I’m slow”: Hamilton’s struggles with his car at Suzuka
7th April 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Lewis Hamilton revealed Ferrari has identified a problem with its car which it intends to fix following his seventh-placed finish at Suzuka. As the first driver on the grid to start the race on the hard rubber, Hamilton pursued an alternative strategy to many of those around him. That gave him the opportunity to spend more of the race in clearer air than his rivals did.

He wasn’t happy with his pace, however, and repeatedly asked his race engineer Riccardo Adami for information on where he was losing time and how to gain it. In his third grand prix for Ferrari, Hamilton’s relationship with his engineer appears to be working more smoothly, but he is still learning how to get the best from the Ferrari and how to tune it to his liking.

‘Hamilton’s struggles’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/04/07/id-really-like-info-where-im-slow-hamiltons-struggles-with-his-car-at-suzuka/


Ferrari have now discovered the same car problem that plagued Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2024
8 Apr 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Ferrari’s 2025 F1 car has a small working window – just like last year’s Mercedes. Ferrari and Hamilton looked like the class of the field in the Sprint sessions in Shanghai, but otherwise, they’ve often seemed to be the fourth-fastest team. How can the performance swing so significantly?

According to Bild, ‘the Ferrari is not a bad car’, but ‘the working window is too small’. That means the car is only a contender within narrow parameters – be it set-up, temperature or track conditions. Hamilton ‘doesn’t like that at all’, having been plagued by a similar issue at Mercedes in 2024. Speaking to Autosport last summer, he described the W15 as ‘peaky’. To demonstrate that point, Hamilton’s average qualifying position last year was 8.5, but he jumped into the top three in Spain, Great Britain and Belgium.

In addition to Bild’s report, AutoRacer add that Ferrari are dealing with an ‘unpredictable rear’ on the SF-25. Leclerc has been able to adapt his driving style to cope. But speaking before the season started, Sky Germany pundit Ralf Schumacher said Hamilton ‘can’t cope’ with a loose back end. It chronically undermines his confidence in the car. Sure enough, Jacques Villeneuve said during the coverage of the Japanese GP that Hamilton’s Ferrari ‘slides a fair amount’. That also has the effect of heating up the tyres, so it can be self-perpetuating.

‘Small working window’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ferrari-have-now-discovered-the-same-car-problem-that-plagued-lewis-hamilton-at-mercedes-in-2024/


On-board Lewis Hamilton camera reveals ‘not a good sign’ for Ferrari
7 Apr 2025
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Watching as Lewis Hamilton fought his SF-25 around the Suzuka circuit, Jacques Villeneuve says the lack of rear-end grip has to be a huge concern for the Scuderia. And it is a problem that does not bode well for future races.

“Looking at the Ferrari, it’s not got the most stable rear end I would have thought,” said David Croft. Jacques Villeneuve, joining him in commentary in Japan, replied: “I was about to say, the Ferrari slides a fair amount. We’re looking at the Ferrari, it’s moving around, sliding around, heating up the tyres. That’s not a good sign for the longer run.”

“You could also tell that [George] Russell had a much tighter line. He would back off a bit so that he could have a tighter exit and get on the gas better.” Hamilton went from eighth to seventh in the Grand Prix, only passing Isack Hadjar, and later confirmed there was an issue with his SF-25.

“It’s moving around, sliding around, heating up the tyres”;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/on-board-lewis-hamilton-reveals-not-a-good-sign-for-ferrari


‘Both sides of the garage’: Hamilton’s thinly-veiled dig at Ferrari as honeymoon over
Apr 7th, 2025
Afp
7 Apr 2025

Lewis Hamilton has admitted he “didn’t have the pace to challenge” after finishing seventh at Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, with fourth-place Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc saying it was a “lonely” race. “We didn’t have the pace to challenge the top three, and that’s something we’ll be working hard to address ahead of the next rounds,” Hamilton said.

“I went with a set-up that felt good overall but it just didn’t give me everything I needed out there. The team’s been doing an incredible job, and we’ll keep pushing together to find those gains,” Hamilton said. Meanwhile, the British driver insinuated that his side of the garage was performing worse than Leclerc’s, confirming his Ferrari has an “issue” that is in the process of being fixed.

“I’m really hoping in the next race we’ll see hopefully some positive changes,” Hamilton said. “Through the first three races there’s been a bit of a deficit between both sides of the garage on some elements of the car. On my side, underperforming. With what I had, that is the best result I could get.” Pressed further, he continued: “We found something on the car that’s been underperforming the last three races. I’m really hoping that when that’s fixed, I’ll start getting a bit better results.”

‘Hamilton’s thinly-veiled dig’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/formula-one/honeymoon-well-and-truly-over-as-lewis-hamilton-reveals-underperforming-ferrari-problem/news-story/cf9b9f8cb1bf74b9913a285ccaf95afa


Lewis Hamilton Hoping New Floor To Solve Ferrari Flaw
Apr 7, 2025
F1 Chronicle

Ferrari is pinning its hopes on a much-needed floor upgrade that will reportedly make its debut this weekend in Bahrain. Team boss Frederic Vasseur admits the 2025 car is lacking pace. “We’re missing two to three-tenths of a second in qualifying,” he told Sky Italia. “In the race, it’s even more. We’re talking about three to four-tenths.”

Ferrari faced some criticism for not fast-forwarding the debut of the new floor – reportedly to fix a clear flaw – to Suzuka. “We don’t have to and won’t change our approach,” Vasseur said. “And you’ll never improve by three to four-tenths in one go.” For his part, Lewis Hamilton can hardly wait for the much-needed upgrade, admitting that at present, the ride-height needs to be set “higher than we would like”.

“We found something that wasn’t delivering the desired performance in the last three races, and I hope we can achieve better results once we get that under control,” said the seven-time world champion. I hope we have this under control by the next race. Hopefully, when the new parts arrive, it shouldn’t be there anymore. The step we need is in rear downforce.”

‘Much-needed floor upgrade’;

https://f1chronicle.com/lewis-hamilton-hoping-new-floor-to-solve-ferrari-flaw/?nowprocket=1

[Fortitude]

What F1 teams do well at the Bahrain Grand Prix with Ferrari and Mercedes successful.
Ferrari holds the most victories in Bahrain having won the first race in 2004 and separately across different eras including 2008, 2010, 2017, and 2022.
8 Apr 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

WINS TEAM YEARS
7 Ferrari 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2017, 2018, 2022
6 Mercedes 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021
4 Red Bull 2012, 2013, 2023, 2024
2 Renault 2005, 2006
Fernando Alonso won on his debut with Ferrari in 2010 after a spark plug failure denied Sebastian Vettel a win for Red Bull. They only have four victories at the circuit, having also achieved back-to-back victories in 2023 and 2024.

Mercedes first won the race in 2014 after the impressive duel between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg for the win, while Renault won back-to-back with Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006. Ferrari and Mercedes hold the joint record for most wins for a power unit manufacturer in Bahrain, with Mercedes taking victories for three different teams.

In 2009 they (Mercedes) won with Brawn GP with Jenson Button and their victory in 2020 was Racing Point’s one and only win for the Sakhir GP with Sergio Perez.

‘Ferrari holds the most victories’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/what-f1-teams-do-well-at-the-bahrain-grand-prix-with-ferrari-and-mercedes-successful/


How did Verstappen beat Norris at 2025 Japanese GP? Can he do it in Bahrain?
The Red Bull RB21 found itself competitive with McLaren as the Dutchman won for the first time
8 Apr 2025
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

So, hamstringed in Suzuka, the papaya-coloured cars couldn’t opt for a chance to try to over-cut Verstappen when he chose to pit as they called Norris into the box immediately. Piastri, who did the extra lap, didn’t make much headway on the Dutchman either. That allowed the 28-year-old the platform to control the tempo of the race, combined with the impact of dirty air and just the one DRS zone, without much risk from behind as long as he ensured he didn’t mess up.

The Bahrain International Circuit is completely different. With three DRS zones and long straights, there are more opportunities to overtake another car, to create a tyre offset or mix it up when it comes to strategic options. That, combined with the spike in temperatures causing more degradation, leads the pack to expect McLaren to dominate there – an ominous warning after their pace in Australia and China.

“I don’t think we’ve seen the real McLaren yet,” Mercedes‘ George Russell told Sky Sports F1 in Japan. “We raced on three cold weekends. When we go to Bahrain with 35 degrees or even to Saudi Arabia, it will be there that they will be able to really excel, so we have to keep our feet on the ground.”

‘Hamstringed in Suzuka’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/how-did-verstappen-beat-norris-at-2025-japanese-gp-can-he-do-it-in-bahrain/


Max looks ahead to Bahrain GP: 'I think it will be a tough race for us'
8 April 2025
Niels Hendrix
Verstappen.nl

Max says: “Bahrain is typically somewhere where we have gone well: the track is very technical and of course it is under night race conditions which is a bit different. It is going to be hot and think it will be a tough race for us.”

“There are still things to improve on the car: we are still working on our tyre management and lacking some pace so we will just need to work hard and constantly push the car to the limit. However, I do always enjoy going there so looking forward to seeing what this week brings and hopefully we can maximise the performance of the car as best we can.”

‘Still things to improve on the car’;

https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/5763/


Lewis Hamilton will be delighted to see Ferrari ‘equipped’ with one important upgrade at the Bahrain Grand Prix
9 Apr 2025
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

Ferrari are heading into the Bahrain Grand Prix with the fourth-fastest Formula 1 car in 2025, after a dramatic fall over the winter. Lewis Hamilton’s arrival in Maranello was meant to help elevate their performance to a new level, but they have just fallen backwards so far.

Ferrari’s winter developments for the SF25 have not worked, and they have fallen back behind Mercedes and maybe Red Bull too. Neither driver sits in the top five of the drivers’ championship and three races have yielded zero podiums. Far more was expected of them before pre-season testing.

‘Ferrari, fourth-fastest Formula 1 car in 2025’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/features/lewis-hamilton-will-be-delighted-to-see-ferrari-equipped-with-one-important-upgrade-at-the-bahrain-grand-prix/


The rumoured new upgrade that could propel Hamilton and Leclerc
8 Apr 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

After Suzuka came and went, Ferrari reportedly will introduce their new floor for the SF-25 at the Bahrain Grand Prix. As Formula 1 quickly moves on to this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, part two of this season’s first triple-header, Ferrari will reportedly introduce a new floor carrying the intention of giving Hamilton and Leclerc a much-needed boost.

With respected Italian publication Formula Uno Analisi Tecnica citing a ‘lack of balance and pure performance’ with the SF-25, it is reported that a new floor is on its way for Bahrain, one designed to trigger better stability and balance in the Ferrari car, opening up its working window.

One caveat to Ferrari’s proposed upgraded floor is that it has been designed to generate more efficient downforce at the ride heights which Ferrari have to work with at present, as it is reported that should the team go lower, then they run the risk of skid block wear becoming an issue once again.

‘Could propel Hamilton and Leclerc’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/rumoured-ferrari-floor-upgrade-goals-bahrain-gp


Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli ‘learned’ one thing in Japan he now wants to exploit at the Bahrain Grand Prix
8 Apr 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Andrea Kimi Antonelli enjoyed a record-breaking race in the Japanese Grand Prix yet is learning all the time as a Formula 1 driver during the Mercedes star’s rookie campaign. The Italian had never driven around Suzuka prior to heading to the Japanese GP for the third round of his debut F1 season. But Antonelli overcame his early struggles to build confidence to score points in a third straight Grand Prix with the Mercedes driver’s P6 finish last Sunday.

Antonelli was ‘lost’ after practice at the Japanese GP and struggling for confidence at a track he had never raced before last week. But advice from reserve driver Valtteri Bottas ahead of qualifying helped Antonelli work his tyres into the right temperature window for sector one.

Mercedes also changed Antonelli’s set-up before qualifying and those tweaks further helped the Italian build his confidence around Suzuka. So much so, in fact, that Antonelli regrets not being even more aggressive with his set-up in qualifying and aims to change that in Bahrain. Antonelli said, via quotes by Motorsport.com: “The first sector is not easy. You have to find the right timing in all the corners. Also, with the set-up, we started conservatively because I didn’t have confidence.”

‘Learnt to be more aggressive with his set-up in qualifying’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mercedes-rookie-kimi-antonelli-learned-one-thing-in-japan-he-now-wants-to-exploit-at-the-bahrain-grand-prix/


Aston Martin set to disappoint Fernando Alonso amid ‘difficult’ admission ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix
8 Apr 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Aston Martin racer Fernando Alonso is still yet to score a single point after the opening three rounds of the 2025 season and he expects a ‘difficult’ Bahrain Grand Prix next. Alonso will be trying to get off the mark at the Bahrain GP as point-less trips to Australia, China and Japan returned his worst start to a year since 2017.

Their form is unlikely to improve anytime soon as Aston Martin will have effectively the same car in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. That is according to Marca, which reports that Aston Martin do not plan to bring ‘significant’ upgrades to the AMR25 until at least the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola on May 16-18. They see the Miami Grand Prix two weeks before the first European race as a ‘lost weekend’.

F1 will enjoy a one-week break following the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix next weekend before a quick stop in America for the Miami GP ahead of another week off. But as Miami is also an F1 Sprint weekend, only getting one practice session deters Aston Martin from taking upgrades. “With what we learned in the first three races, we’re here now to confront some things we had doubts about in testing,” Alonso said. “So, we’ll use practice for that there and I think it will be a difficult finish again. But in difficult finishes we’re going to keep trying. So, we’re not going to give up, for sure.”

‘In difficult finishes we’re going to keep trying’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/aston-martin-set-to-disappoint-fernando-alonso-amid-difficult-admission-ahead-of-the-bahrain-grand-prix/

[Fortitude]

Why McLaren can strike back – What to watch for at Bahrain GP.
Four races into the 2025 F1 season and we’ve had four different winners – will there be a fifth at the Bahrain GP this weekend?
9 Apr 2025
Pablo Elizalde
Motor Sport Magazine

Lando Norris leads Max Verstappen by a single point going into the fourth round of the season in the Bahrain GP following the Red Bull driver's win in Japan. Here's what to look out for at Sakhir

While McLaren has looked imperious on pure pace, a Max Verstappen masterclass saw Red Bull win in Japan, with Lewis Hamilton snatching the sprint spoils in China.

As a result, just one point separates Lando Norris and Verstappen at the top of the table. Will either of the championship’s top two contenders prevail at Sakhir, or there be yet another name at the top of podium?

‘What to watch for’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/why-mclaren-can-strike-back-what-to-watch-out-for-in-the-bahrain-gp/?nowprocket=1#


How does the F1 championship look heading into the Bahrain GP?
9 Apr 2025
ESPN.co.uk

Max Verstappen has caught up to Lando Norris in the drivers' championship, just one point behind after three races, but Red Bull and Ferrari have work to do to catch up with McLaren. With just one win in three races, Max Verstappen has managed to get himself within one point of leader Lando Norris in the drivers' championship.

McLaren, however, are 36 points ahead of Mercedes in the constructors' championship with two performing drivers. The Papaya team were one of two teams not to change their line up coming into 2025, which has boosted the start of their season as the other teams look to catch up.

Times below in BST (British Summer Time).
Friday
Free practice one: 12:30-13:30 BST
Free practice two: 16:00-17:00 BST
Saturday
Free practice three: 13:30-14:30 BST
Qualifying: 17:00-18:00 BST
Sunday
Race starts: 16:00 BST.

‘Just one point behind after three races’;

https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/44598544/bahrain-grand-prix-f1-predictions-stats


Max Verstappen will be worried by what ‘experts’ are now saying about McLaren ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix
9 Apr 2025
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

In a report by Auto Motor und Sport, many ‘experts’ believe that McLaren will have the advantage in the hotter temperatures. With the Bahrain Grand Prix and Jeddah next up, it is a perfect opportunity for the Woking squad to capitalise. The opening three races were ‘quite chilly’ in comparison, as was pre-season testing at Sakhir back in February. Now, in April, the track temperature and weather conditions will be significantly warmer in Bahrain – music to McLaren’s ears.

However, this will be a concern for Verstappen, especially considering that Red Bull have struggled to find the right balance for the RB21. Despite winning at Suzuka, the team cannot find the right operating window at the moment. Andrea Stella doubts Verstappen can ‘make the difference’ throughout the season. While he has extracted the most out of the RB21 so far, it is clear the machine is inferior compared to McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari.

So far, Verstappen has scored all of Red Bull’s points in 2025. While Yuki Tsunoda improved on Liam Lawson by reaching Q2 at Suzuka – something the New Zealander failed to do in the opening two races – he was still off the pace to his teammate and ex-Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar. The second car is not capable of scoring points, regardless of which driver is piloting it. While Verstappen can still fight at the front, the hotter track conditions in the Middle East could expose Red Bull’s weakness.

‘McLaren will have the advantage in the hotter temperatures’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/max-verstappen-will-be-worried-by-what-experts-are-now-saying-about-mclaren-ahead-of-bahrain-grand-prix/


Four reasons why Max Verstappen won’t win the F1 2025 Bahrain GP
The world champion bids for his second win of the season after victory in Japan.
9 Apr 2025
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

DRS zones Suzuka is very unique by possessing just the one DRS zone… … Bahrain, has three… That means that if Verstappen is being pursued by around a second once again, the cars behind will have three opportunities to close up to the gearbox of the Red Bull car for free, a stark contrast to Suzuka.
Tyre degradation Secondly, Bahrain is a lot hotter than Japan and this holds a critical impact on the temperatures as they are poised to spike in the Middle East. This plays directly into McLaren’s hands.

Strategy options diverse A two-stop strategy also lets teams play around with the specific lap they pit on too. For example, it’s far easier to opt to extend a stint for a tyre advantage later into the race; but conversely teams can also be aggressive by pitting sooner to catch rivals off guard.
Downforce levels The secret to Verstappen’s pole lap and subsequent defence in the F1 2025 Japanese GP was the slimmer rear-wing he ran compared to the downforce levels of the McLaren cars.

‘Four reasons’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/four-reasons-why-max-verstappen-wont-win-the-f1-2025-bahrain-gp/


‘Very difficult’: Gary Anderson sees a ‘big concern’ for Ferrari after what he’s ‘hearing’ about Lewis Hamilton’s F1 car
9 Apr 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Gary Anderson has seen signs in Ferrari’s early-season struggles that hint the SF-25’s problems are at least partly due to the car’s mechanical platform. Ferrari changed the front suspension set-up on their 2025 F1 car in the winter to try to manage its ride height easier. Anderson now feels their suspension could become a ‘big concern’ as Ferrari are unlikely to change their set-up mid-season. The ex-Jordan technical director especially fears for Ferrari if, as he is hearing, the team must raise their ride height to keep the rake of their car stable.

“Making in-season changes on either front or rear suspension geometry is very difficult,” he told The Race. “So, I don’t expect to see much difference between the early Grands Prix and the last race in Abu Dhabi. That could be a big concern for Ferrari… As we seem to be hearing, the Ferrari loses a lot of performance when they need to raise the ride height. And it’s no surprise to me – if they have indeed done as little as it visually appears with the percentage of anti-dive to support the front of the car under braking and reduce its rake change.”

‘Very difficult’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/gary-anderson-sees-a-big-concern-for-ferrari-after-what-hes-hearing-about-lewis-hamiltons-f1-car/


Our bold predictions for the Bahrain Grand Prix
10 Apr 2025
PlanetF1.com

A strong return for Liam Lawson By Elizabeth Blackstock

Carlos Sainz scores his first true Williams top 10 By Jamie Woodhouse

Sainz to out-qualify and out-race Albon for the first time By Henry Valantine

Lando Norris to win with a 20-second gap to the first non-McLaren driver By Oliver Harden

‘Bold predictions’;

https://www.planetf1.com/features/bahrain-grand-prix-2025-predictions


Formula 1: How to watch the Bahrain Grand Prix on TV and what to know
9 April 2025
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MailOnline

61 - Verstappen has scored all of Red Bull´s 61 points this season. The last time a Red Bull driver other than him scored a point was Sergio Perez in Las Vegas in November.
50 - Piastri is heading into his 50th race in F1, all with McLaren.
0 - Two-time champion Fernando Alonso is among five drivers yet to score a point in 2025 after he placed 11th in Japan. The others are Alpine´s Pierre Gasly and rookies Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto and Jack Doohan.

‘How to watch’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-14586655/Formula-1-How-watch-Bahrain-Grand-Prix-TV-know.html

[Fortitude]

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari boss is now refusing to answer one ‘sensitive’ question before Bahrain Grand Prix.
Privately, Ferrari have set a date when they may give up on 2025. Ferrari are waiting until next month to see if they can unlock more performance, and if they haven’t made real progress, Vasseur could pull the trigger and go all-in on 2026.
10 Apr 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Ferrari are bringing an upgrade to this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix in the hope of ending their podium drought. The Scuderia are fourth in the constructors’ championship after a disappointing start. Speaking on ESPN’s Unlapped podcast, journalist Laurence Edmondson emphasised the importance of the upgrade. Ferrari may be inclined to ‘cut their losses’ if they can’t find a solution to their ride-height issue.

“In having to lift that [the car], it seems they’ve lost a bit more performance, taken it out of its happy place,” Edmondson said. “If they can’t find a solution to that, you also have to look at this season and, at what point do you just say ‘cut the losses, it’s going to be a bad year, we’re too far off in the championship to do much, it would be great to get a Grand Prix victory at some point, but actually the bigger deal here is 2026 onwards’.”

“If you go into that and you’re off the pace, then that could take years to set right. I wonder if there will be a cutoff point. Fred was asked about this at the start of the year and I think he said ‘we will consider that’. He’s now stopped answering that question. It’s become a little bit more sensitive as to when you actually think ‘right, championship’s not on this year, what are we really going to gain by continuing to develop this car, let’s shift all our focus to next year’.”

‘Sensitive question’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/lewis-hamiltons-ferrari-boss-is-now-refusing-to-answer-one-sensitive-question-before-bahrain-grand-prix/


Hamilton expecting “a bit more downforce” from Ferrari’s Bahrain GP upgrade
10th April 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s race in Bahrain, Hamilton confirmed he is seeking an improvement in his car’s rear-end balance. “We’ve got an upgrade this weekend, so I’m excited,” he told the official F1 channel. “We’re going to hopefully have a bit more downforce.”

“I’m not really feeling a huge amount of issues, it’s just we lack overall performance at the moment pace-wise, which we hopefully will take a step [with] this weekend. On my side, it’s rear end, it’s a little bit, and that’s about it.”

“I’ve done quite a bit of driving since the test that we had here, so I should be a lot more comfortable in the car than I was through testing here,” said Hamilton. “We’ve got an upgrade, got a better understanding of the set-up, so hopefully should bode well for a better weekend.”

“A bit more downforce”;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/04/10/hamilton-expecting-a-bit-more-downforce-from-ferraris-bahrain-gp-upgrade/


Ferrari debuting new floor that might eradicate Hamilton 'deficit'
Apr 10, 2025
Matt Beer, Edd Straw
The Race

Hamilton caused intrigue in Japan last weekend when he referred to a “deficit” on his car and said “on my side, something is underperforming”, having been behind his team-mate throughout the event. Faced with multiple questions on Thursday about the disparity that he’d suggested, Hamilton always responded with a reference to the new floor Ferrari has for Bahrain - saying “we’ve got new floors this weekend, so it should be gone”.

The Race understands Ferrari will also bring a new rear brake duct and a small new wing on the rear pillar to complement the floor. The prospect of the upgrades left Hamilton very “excited” heading into his fourth weekend as a Ferrari driver.

“The team has worked really hard, as teams do, they work incredibly hard to be able to bring upgrades. So to have that here at the track we tested at, more knowledge about the car and how to extract more from it - I feel really positive going into the weekend,” he said.

‘Hamilton very “excited” ’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/ferrari-debuting-new-floor-that-might-eradicate-lewis-hamilton-deficit/


Hamilton warns Ferrari fans at Bahrain GP: Don’t expect anything special
The Brit is chasing his first victory at the Bahrain International Circuit since 2021.
11 April 2025
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Hamilton warns Ferrari fans ahead of F1 2025 Bahrain GP not to expect miracles. “Don’t. Simple as that,” Hamilton warns, as per ESPN. “Don’t wait for anything. Just watch and enjoy. We’re working as hard as we can, and that’s all I can say. I have nothing else to add to that.”

“I’m not really feeling huge amounts of issues,” Hamilton later told Sky Sports F1. “It’s just that we lack overall performance, pace wise, which we’ll hopefully take a step this weekend. We got an upgrade this weekend so I’m excited. We’re going to hopefully, have a bit more downforce. On my side, it’s rear-end a little bit and that’s about it.”

‘Not to expect miracles’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/lewis-hamilton-warns-ferrari-fans-2025-bahrain-gp-special/


Red Bull set to be at ‘more severe’ disadvantage for Bahrain GP
11 Apr 2025
Elizabeth Blackstock
PlanetF1.com

It wasn’t long ago that Red Bull Racing had mastered the tyre degradation game. Doing so required a multi-faceted approach that took into consideration car design, circuit characteristics, driving style, and strategy, and it gave the Milton-Keynes team a seemingly massive leg-up on the competition.

The RB21, though, is a much different story. In 2025, the drivers at Red Bull are tackling a much more unbalanced car — and a lack of balance between the front and the rear makes it more challenging to master the art of tyre deg. During a press conference ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Verstappen was asked about expectations for tyre degradation this weekend.

“It will be more severe,” the reigning champion told media, including PlanetF1.com. “On paper, from what we’ve seen so far this season, that’s not, let’s say, ideal for us compared to McLaren. But it’s up to us to try and find those improvements in the car or in the tyre behavior and just go from there.”

‘Red Bull are tackling a much more unbalanced car’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-verstappen-red-bull-severe-disadvantage-bahrain


War of Words: Norris hits back at Verstappen at 2025 Bahrain GP
The Brit responds to the Dutchman’s claims he would perform better in the McLaren.
10 Apr 2025
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Following the race, Verstappen said if he was in the McLaren that “nobody would have seen him”, implying Norris didn’t fully exploit his car, but now the 24-year-old hits back at his rival ahead of the F1 2025 Bahrain GP as they begin their war of words.

“He’s not better at everything,” Norris told members of the media, including Total-Motorsport.com. “I don’t mind. He can say what he wants. I don’t care honestly. Everyone can say what they want and believe what they want. I believe that both Oscar and myself are good drivers.”

“He’s maybe better at some things, but he’s not better in every area. I have a lot of respect for Max, but I also know some things are not true. He can come and test our car any day that he wants, and I’ll be excited to see the disappointment on his face after he gets out.”

‘War of Words’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/war-of-words-lando-norris-hits-back-max-verstappen-f1-2025-bahrain-gp/


Russell expects 'race pace' to be the key to Bahrain GP success
10 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Mercedes driver George Russell says Sakhir is "the least important track in terms of qualifying", and expects race pace to be the major factor during this weekend's Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix.

'Race pace to be the key’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/russell-expects-race-pace-to-be-the-key-to-bahrain-gp-success.1829025213428113103

[Fortitude]

Bahrain GP: Norris edges Gasly in blazing FP1.
The 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix roared into life under a blazing desert sun on Friday, with McLaren’s Lando Norris seizing the spotlight in the day’s opening practice session at Sakhir.
11/04/2025
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

Norris set the early pace on medium tyres with a 1m35.249s, a lap that lingered unchallenged but trailed Carlos Sainz’s winter testing benchmark by six seconds. Williams’ Alex Albon briefly nipped at the McLaren driver’s heels, shaving his gap to within a tenth before Sauber’s rookie Gabriel Bortoleto upended the order.

The Brazilian, bold on soft tyres, fired off a 1m34.628s to claim the lead at the halfway mark, signaling his intent as F1’s newest contender. Gasly then joined the soft-tyre surge, but Norris answered emphatically, reclaiming the top spot with a lap that left the field scrambling.

As the clock ticked down, Ferrari and Mercedes held back on soft-tyre runs, focusing instead on setup tweaks. Hamilton, driving a Ferrari sporting a heavily revised floor and diffuser, waited until the final moments to unleash his best effort, slotting into third and bumping Albon to fourth.

‘Blazing FP1’;

https://f1i.com/news/535309-bahrain-gp-norris-edges-gasly-in-blazing-fp1.html


Bahrain GP: Free Practice 1 Results
Full results from Free Practice 1 for the Formula 1 Bahrain GP from Bahrain International Circuit.
11 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Diff Best
1 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 22 1:33.204s
2 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine – Renault 21 0.238s 1:33.442s
3 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 21 0.596s 1:33.800s
4 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes 22 0.724s 1:33.928s
5 31 Esteban Ocon Haas – Ferrari 17 0.980s 1:34.184s
6 27 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber – Ferrari 22 1.058s 1:34.262s
7 7 Jack Doohan Alpine – Renault 22 1.192s 1:34.396s
8 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls – Honda 22 1.193s 1:34.397s
9 22 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull – Honda 22 1.280s 1:34.484s
10 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 23 1.304s 1:34.508s

‘Free Practice 1 Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-bahrain-gp-free-practice-1-fp1-results-standings-details/


Everything that happened in first Bahrain GP practice
Apr 11, 2025
Josh Suttill
The Race

Lando Norris kicked off Friday at Formula 1's Bahrain Grand Prix by topping an opening practice session that featured six FP1-only rookies. McLaren did the most soft tyre running in FP1 of any of the frontrunners, with Norris topping the session on a 1m33.204s.

Hamilton was third fastest with the new Ferrari floor with a late soft tyre run that left him almost six tenths adrift of Norris's benchmark. Albon was fourth for Williams ahead of Ocon and Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg, who was an impressive sixth, albeit over one second adrift.

Having reported a "shocking" balance aboard his Racing Bulls car, Liam Lawson later posted the eighth-fastest time just behind Jack Doohan’s Alpine. The top 10 was completed by Yuki Tsunoda's Red Bull and McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who made a mistake on his soft tyre run and so set his fastest time on the mediums.

‘Everything that happened’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/bahrain-gp-f1-2025-first-practice-what-happened/


Ted Kravitz delivers ‘serious’ verdict on Ferrari’s Bahrain Grand Prix upgrades after spotting ‘lovely’ part
11 Apr 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Ted Kravitz has realised Ferrari’s upgrades for Bahrain Grand Prix are ‘serious’. Kravitz praised Ferrari’s engineers for their ‘lovely’ new bargeboard as he inspected the SF-25 in the Bahrain Grand Prix pit lane. It occasionally takes teams multiple races to optimise an upgrade, so judgement should be reserved.

Kravitz says Ferrari are hopeful of transforming their season from this weekend onwards. Hamilton won the Sprint in China but the team haven’t had a podium in a Grand Prix yet. “Four big changes to the biggest single generator of downforce on the car – that’s the floor,” said Kravitz. “Let’s have a look.”

“Look how lovely the angle is of this bargeboard. That’s new. The cut-out on here is new. These fences feeding the air down to the underside of the floor, they are new. These floor edges are also new. There’s a new diffuser. You know when a team brings a new diffuser to a race, they’re serious about generating loads of lovely downforce. This is a significant upgrade – an upgrade that Ferrari are hoping is going to transform their season and get them back to winning ways.”

‘Serious’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ted-kravitz-delivers-serious-verdict-on-ferraris-bahrain-grand-prix-upgrades-after-spotting-lovely-part/


Martin Brundle disappointed in Lando Norris as he falls into Max Verstappen’s ‘clever’ trap at Bahrain Grand Prix
11 Apr 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Martin Brundle says Lando Norris ‘shouldn’t have bitten’ after Max Verstappen McLaren dig. Brundle fears that he suffered a psychological defeat after taking what he saw as bait. “Was he firing it at the team or the McLaren drivers?” host Simon Lazenby asked.

“Both,” Brundle replied. “It was twofold. It was to give his team a hurry-up and to poke the two McLaren drivers. Direct hit, because they both went on the defensive. Risky strategy, because what Max is saying there to the 1,500 people back at base who’ve just given him a race-winning car is ‘your car’s not very good’.”

“That can motivate them, but both McLaren drivers – certainly Lando there – said a bit the same thing about his car, ‘have a go in it, you’ll be disappointed Max’. They shouldn’t have bitten on that one. It was quite clever psychology from Max.”

‘Your car’s not very good’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/martin-brundle-disappointed-in-lando-norris-as-he-falls-into-max-verstappens-clever-trap-at-bahrain-grand-prix/

[Fortitude]

Piastri leads McLaren one-two as Alonso’s steering wheel comes off in practice.
Oscar Piastri led a comfortable one-two for McLaren in the second practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
11th April 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

George Russell, who got closest to the two McLaren drivers, lapped over half a second slower than the Chinese Grand Prix winner. Only the McLaren drivers lapped the Bahrain International Circuit in less than 91 seconds.

However a question mark remained over Red Bull’s form at the end of the session. Not for the first time this year, Max Verstappen’s best time in practice left him behind one of the Racing Bulls, in this case Isack Hadjar.

Charles Leclerc gave Ferrari some encouragement, setting a best time just a hundredth of a second slower than Russell in fourth place. Lewis Hamilton could only manage eighth.

‘McLaren one-two’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/04/11/piastri-leads-mclaren-one-two-as-alonsos-steering-wheel-comes-off-in-practice/


Bahrain GP : Free Practice 2 Results
Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Formula 1 Bahrain GP from Bahrain International Circuit.
12 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Diff Best
1 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 27 1:30.505s
2 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 27 0.154s 1:30.659s
3 63 George Russell Mercedes 23 0.527s 1:31.032s
4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 25 0.540s 1:31.045s
5 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 26 0.722s 1:31.227s
6 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls – Honda 23 0.733s 1:31.238s
7 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 25 0.825s 1:31.330s
8 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 21 1.071s 1:31.576s
9 87 Oliver Bearman Haas – Ferrari 26 1.079s 1:31.584s
10 55 Carlos Sainz Williams – Mercedes 26 1.118s 1:31.623s

‘Free Practice 2 Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/bahrain-gp-free-practice-2-results-2/


Everything you need to know about second Bahrain GP F1 practice
Apr 11, 2025
Jack Cozens
The Race

Oscar Piastri ended Friday at the Bahrain Grand Prix with the fastest time as he and McLaren Formula 1 team-mate Lando Norris set an ominous pace in second practice. George Russell got closest on his qualifying simulation run, setting a 1m31.032s that was 0.527s slower than Piastri's best.

Charles Leclerc gave Ferrari some cause for optimism by improving to fourth, a mere 0.013s behind Russell, but that lap carries the caveat that it was set with just over 20 minutes of the hour-long session remaining - with the three faster times all set more than 10 minutes earlier.

That late Leclerc improvement - he'd been 10th prior to that - meant he ended up splitting the Mercedes cars, with rookie Kimi Antonelli fifth at the head of a tighter pack. Hadjar was faster too than the senior Red Bull team's Max Verstappen, who was seventh and eight tenths slower than the McLarens he beat to victory in Japan last weekend.

‘Everything you need to know’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/everything-you-need-to-know-about-second-bahrain-gp-f1-practice/


Piastri leads McLaren one-two in Bahrain FP2 as rivals struggle to keep pace
Oscar Piastri topped the timesheets in second practice at the Bahrain Grand Prix as McLaren underlined their early dominance over Mercedes and Ferrari
11 Apr 2025
John Smith
Total Motorsport

Oscar Piastri delivered a statement of intent for McLaren by leading a commanding one-two in FP2 at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, with teammate Lando Norris close behind under the lights at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Russell best of the rest as Mercedes chase McLaren. Behind the dominant McLaren duo, George Russell placed third for Mercedes, over half a second adrift of Piastri’s pace-setting time. The W16 appeared strong on the straights but lost ground to McLaren in the higher downforce sections of the track.

Charles Leclerc led the charge for Ferrari, placing fourth with a 1:31.054, splitting the two Mercedes drivers as rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli took fifth in a solid showing for the Brackley-based team.

‘RiRals struggle to keep pace’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/oscar-piastri-mclaren-one-two-fp2-bahrain-gp-2025/


FP2: Piastri leads Norris as McLaren dominate second practice in Bahrain
11 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri topped the timesheets during Friday evening’s second practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, leading the way from team mate Lando Norris and Mercedes racer George Russell. After a baking hot first hour of practice, FP2 served up more representative twilight conditions for teams and drivers – the sun setting and the floodlights switching on around the Sakhir venue, as they will ahead of Qualifying and the Grand Prix.

As the minutes ticked by and every driver completed a lap with the red-marked rubber, the McLarens impressively moved to the fore – Piastri pumping in a 1m 30.505s and Norris a 1m 30.659s to put the papaya cars around half a second clear of the field. Russell grabbed the ‘best of the rest’ slot with his own improvement, 0.527s back, with Ferrari’s Leclerc taking fourth over Antonelli, high-flying Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar and Verstappen, who reported further issues relating to his brakes late on.

‘FP2’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/fp2-piastri-leads-norris-as-mclaren-dominate-second-practice-in-bahrain.6hgnIau0Uo5Z8G3IbLiCFL

[Fortitude]

Piastri flying in final practice at Bahrain Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri has set a red-hot pace in final practice at the Bahrain Grand Prix, leading the timesheets and setting himself up for a crack at pole position in qualifying.
12 April 2025
AAP
The West Australian

The Australian comfortably outpaced teammate Lando Norris in final practice at the Sakhir circuit on Saturday as McLaren enjoyed a one-two, while Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen was only eighth. Piastri's best lap was timed at one minute 31.646 seconds with championship leader Norris 0.668sec slower.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc ended up third in the session but he was 0.834 off Piastri's time, after losing his left wing mirror earlier in the session. "I can't believe how fast those McLarens are at the moment," said Alpine's Pierre Gasly. Mercedes' George Russell was fourth, 1.181 slower than Piastri, with rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli fifth and Gasly sixth in a session that was run in temperatures of 30 degrees celsius.

‘Piastri flying’;

https://thewest.com.au/sport/motorsport/piastri-flying-in-final-practice-at-bahrain-grand-prix-c-18352561


Bahrain GP : Free Practice 3 Results
Full results from Free Practice 3 for the Formula 1 Bahrain GP from Bahrain International Circuit.
12 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps
1 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 12 1:31.646s
2 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 17 0.668s 1:32.314s
3 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 18 0.834s 1:32.480s
4 63 George Russell Mercedes 12 1.181s 1:32.827s
5 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 11 1.270s 1:32.916s
6 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine – Renault 17 1.328s 1:32.974s
7 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls – Honda 14 1.377s 1:33.023s
8 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 12 1.381s 1:33.027s
9 55 Carlos Sainz Williams – Mercedes 14 1.446s 1:33.092s
10 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 17 1.465s 1:33.111s

‘Free Practice 3 Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/bahrain-gp-free-practice-3-results-2/


McLaren dominates third free practice session at Bahrain Grand Prix Formula One
12 Apr 2025
Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Apr. 12 (BNA): McLaren driver Oscar Piastri set the fastest time during the third free practice session of the 2025 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, recording a time of 1 minute 31.646 seconds, ahead of his teammate Lando Norris by 0.668 seconds, reflecting the team's clear dominance in this session.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished in third place, 0.834 seconds behind the leader, while Mercedes drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli came in fourth and fifth, respectively.

The session was interrupted by a technical incident when Nico Hülkenberg's car unexpectedly stopped, which required the activation of the virtual safety car before the session resumed.

‘McLaren dominates’;

https://www.bna.bh/en/news?cms=q8FmFJgiscL2fwIzON1%2bDgChqgxvInpTziTKnGZ TwPk%3d


Piastri dominates final Bahrain GP practice
Apr 12, 2025
Matt Beer
The Race

Oscar Piastri had a huge margin over his Formula 1 rivals in another McLaren-dominated practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Practice three is not the most relevant session at Sakhir, given how much hotter the conditions in it were than what's expected in the evening qualifying session that's coming up.

But that's just as well for everyone not in a McLaren, with Charles Leclerc's Ferrari the only rival car within a second of Piastri's 1m31.646s benchmark. Even Piastri's team-mate Lando Norris was six tenths of a second off that, though Norris had compromised himself by going wide on his first flying lap on his final set of soft tyres and did his time later in that run.

‘Piastri dominates’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/piastri-dominates-final-bahrain-gp-practice/


Ferrari losing ‘everywhere’ as untelevised team radio message sparks alarm
12 Apr 2025
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

At one point during the session, Leclerc was heard saying: “Piastri did a 31.6?”
Bozzi replied: “Yes”
“Where the hell are we losing the time?” Leclerc asked incredulously.
Bozzi: “A bit everywhere.”
Hamilton fared no better in final practice in Bahrain, lapping 1.465 seconds off the pace in 10th and slower than the Williams of Carlos Sainz, the driver he has replaced at Ferrari for F1 2025.

Leclerc’s worrying team radio message comes after the Ferrari drivers were divided on the impact of the team’s new floor following Friday’s running in Bahrain, with Hamilton convinced that the upgrade represented a clear step forward.
He said: “The upgrades are definitely working.
“And a big, big thank you to everyone back home for working so hard on bringing the upgrades, because it’s never an easy thing.
“It’s a lot of work that goes on in the wind tunnel and a lot of work that goes on in fabricating and putting together these floors.”

‘Ferrari losing everywhere’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrari-charles-leclerc-team-radio-message-sf-25-fp3


2025 Bahrain GP FP3: Russell spins as the drivers struggle for grip in final practice
12 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

With high temperatures dropping grip to very low levels in final practice in Bahrain, George Russell was one driver who found the limit, spinning his Mercedes late on in the session.

‘Russell spins’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2025-bahrain-gp-fp3-russell-spins-as-the-drivers-struggle-for-grip-in-final-practice.1829206637683855660

[Fortitude]

Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying results: Piastri dominates Norris as Verstappen in disarray.
Oscar Piastri stormed to pole position at the Bahrain Grand Prix as championship rivals Lando Norris and Max Verstappen could only secure P6 and P7 grid slots respectively.
Apr 12, 2025
Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

The nerves were jangling in the Red Bull garage heading into the final Q1 runs. Neither Verstappen nor Yuki Tsunoda managed to extract a representative lap time from the ill-behaving RB21, leaving them in the elimination zone with a minute remaining. Fortunately for Christian Horner, both made it out on their final runs. There was also a redeeming moment for Jack Doohan, who ended the session in P5. The Australian’s performance was under the microscope heading into qualifying after a costly crash during FP2 in Japan last weekend.

Q2 was red-flagged after just a few minutes following a crash for Esteban Ocon at Turn Two. The Haas racer lost control on the outside kerb, sending his VF-25 machine spinning rear-first into the barriers. When action resumed, Red Bull’s drivers found themselves in ninth and tenth. Fortunately for Verstappen and Tsunoda, Doohan and Isack Hadjar were unable to improve enough to drop them into the bottom five.

‘Piastri dominates’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2040898/Bahrain-Grand-Prix-qualifying-results-Oscar-Piastri-Lando-Norris


F1 Bahrain GP 2025 – Qualifying Results
Oscar Piastri was the class of the field and took pole position for the 2025 Bahrain GP
12 April 2025
John Smith
Total Motorsport

Pos Driver Team Time
1 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:29.841
2 George Russell Mercedes +0.168
3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.334
4 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +0.372
5 Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.375
6 Lando Norris McLaren +0.426
7 Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.582
8 Carlos Sainz Williams +0.839
9 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +0.931
10 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull +1.462

‘Qualifying Results’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-bahrain-gp-2025-qualifying-results/


Piastri on pole and Norris only sixth in qualifying for F1's Bahrain Grand Prix
12 Apr 2025
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MailOnline

SAKHIR, Bahrain (AP) - Oscar Piastri took pole in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday as his McLaren teammate and standings leader Lando Norris could only manage sixth. George Russell was a surprisingly strong challenger and took second for Mercedes, .168 of a second off Piastri's time. Charles Leclerc qualified third for Ferrari and Norris was .426 off the pace in sixth.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen was seventh after reporting a "terrible" problem with his brakes and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was ninth for Ferrari. Esteban Ocon had a heavy crash in his Haas in the second part of qualifying, causing a delay. He signaled to the team he wasn't hurt. Verstappen is one point off standings leader Norris after winning the Japanese Grand Prix last week.

‘Piastri on pole’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-14602769/Piastri-pole-Norris-sixth-qualifying-F1s-Bahrain-Grand-Prix.html


F1 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix – Qualifying Results
12 Apr 2025
Motorsport Week

Oscar Piastri took pole position at the 2025 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday evening, setting a time of 1:29.841s. The Australian racing driver just pipped the Mercedes of George Russell, who set an astonishing lap and matched the pace of the McLarens throughout qualifying.

Charles Leclerc qualified in third for Ferrari ahead of the other Silver Arrows car of Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Pierre Gasly shone throughout the sessions and put his Alpine car on the third row by qualifying in fifth place.

Just behind the Frenchman was Lando Norris, who failed to join his team-mate on the front row. Max Verstappen in the Red Bull qualified in seventh, behind the championship leader.

‘Qualifying Results’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/12/f1-2025-bahrain-grand-prix-qualifying-results/


Norris and Verstappen suffer as Piastri stuns under the Bahrain lights
Oscar Piastri claimed an important pole position at the Bahrain International Circuit, whilst championship rivals Lando Norris and Max Verstappen qualified only sixth and seventh, respectively.
12 Apr 2025
Samuel Coop
RacingNews365

Oscar Piastri soared to pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix, beating George Russell by one-and-a-half tenths of a second under the lights in Sakhir.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc rounded out the top three, with Kimi Antonelli and Pierre Gasly completing the top five.

‘Piastri stuns’;

https://racingnews365.com/norris-and-verstappen-suffer-as-piastri-stuns-under-the-bahrain-lights

[Fortitude]

Piastri perfect as ‘clueless’ Norris slumps to sixth; Hamilton’s gap to Leclerc grows: Talking Points.
Come Monday morning, Australia’s Oscar Piastri could be leading the Formula 1 world drivers championship for the first time in his young career.
April 13th, 2025
Michael Lamonato
Fox Sports (Australia)

Starting from pole with teammate and title leader Lando Norris down in sixth after an unpredictable hour of qualifying, if the McLaren drivers finish where they’re set to start — or even if Norris rises to fourth — the Australian will move to top spot at his teammate’s expense.

It would be the first time an Australian has topped the title table since Mark Webber’s stretch in the lead between Italy and Japan in 2010. Of course it’s too early in the season to start talking about the championship table. More important, however, is what such a switch — whether it happens this weekend or, as appears almost inevitable, at some other point this season — signifies in the context of this season.

‘Piastri perfect’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/formula-one/piastri-perfect-as-clueless-norris-slumps-to-sixth-hamiltons-gap-to-leclerc-grows-talking-points/news-story/a72d68db3245f80af81ddd05a1e8ec69


‘I feel like I’ve never driven an F1 car’ – Norris left searching for answers after disappointing P6 result in Bahrain…
12 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Lando Norris cut a downbeat figure after Qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix, with the McLaren driver having to settle for sixth on the grid while team mate Oscar Piastri charged to pole position. Asked to explain what happened as the session drew to a close, Norris said: “I was just slow. I’ve been slow this whole weekend, to be honest. Nothing too surprising, honestly. I’ve just been off it.”

“I feel like I’ve just never driven an F1 car before. I’m struggling a lot, I don’t know why. I need to try and find some answers.” He added: “The car’s amazing. I have nothing to complain about. The car, the team are doing an amazing job, Oscar’s on pole by a good chunk. I’m thankful for the team, they’re doing an amazing job, just I’m letting them down.”

“I feel like I’ve just never driven an F1 car before”;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/i-feel-like-ive-never-driven-an-f1-car-norris-left-searching-for-answers.6ZQ3j29RQO4lcA2wmZEJP9


Lando Norris near speechless after disastrous qualifying in Bahrain
12 Apr 2025
Kieran Jackson
The Independent

Lando Norris could not hide his disappointment after a disastrous qualifying on Saturday at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The championship leader will start Sunday’s race in sixth place, despite his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri starting on pole position.

Intriguingly, Norris will start a spot ahead of Max Verstappen – who is just one point behind him in the driver standings.

‘Lando Norris near speechless’;

https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/lando-norris-qualifying-f1-bahrain-mclaren-b2732215.html


Verstappen 1, McLaren 0: F1 Analyst Explains Max’s Psychological Edge Over Norris & Piastri
12 Apr 2025
Samriddhi Jaiswal
Athlon Sports
Macon.com

Speed isn't just about raw horsepower in Formula 1 - it's about mental horsepower, too. And after the Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen proved once again why he's the sport's undisputed master of mind games.

A seemingly casual post-race jab at McLaren - "You wouldn't have seen me if I was in that car" - wasn't just banter. According to F1 analyst Karun Chandhok, it was a calculated psychological strike, one that gave the Red Bull star a stealthy 1-0 advantage over rising rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

"I read two things into that statement," Chandhok explained. "One was a message to his own team which was 'I won you this race but I'm going to need a car that's quicker than this if you want me to win the world championship.' But he was also playing a psychological game with Lando and Oscar and, to be honest, they bit. It was 1-0 there for Max in that little needle game."

‘Verstappen 1, McLaren 0’;

https://www.macon.com/sports/article304091711.html#storylink=mainstage_lead


Lando Norris: McLaren driver dejected after Bahrain GP qualifying struggle leaves him sixth as Oscar Piastri takes pole
Championship leader Lando Norris said he had "no idea" why he failed to deliver in Sakhir qualifying; Norris to start five places behind polesitting team-mate Oscar Piastri; watch the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday at 4pm, with build-up from 2.30pm live on Sky Sports F1
12 Apr 2025
Sky Sports

A despondent Lando Norris felt he just wasn't quick enough after qualifying sixth for the Bahrain GP in his McLaren A deflated and frustrated Lando Norris admitted he was "just not quick enough" after slumping to an unexpected sixth place on the Bahrain Grand Prix grid as McLaren team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri surged to pole.

‘Despondent Lando Norris’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13346947/lando-norris-deflated-after-bahrain-gp-qualifying-struggle-leaves-him-sixth-on-grid-with-oscar-piastri-on-pole


‘Watch his hands’: Oscar Piastri reminds Karun Chandhok of Alain Prost with one aspect of Bahrain Grand Prix pole lap
12 Apr 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Chandhok lauded Piastri on Sky Sports F1 (12/4, 18:29) after scoring pole for the Bahrain GP with the McLaren driver’s ‘silky smooth’ lap that drew echoes of Prost’s car control. The ex-HRT racer also likened Piastri’s car control to Jenson Button and felt it was like slow motion.

Chandhok said: “Down into Turn 1, watch his hands. Look at how smooth he is. Look at how calm the steering inputs are. That is a driver at one with his car, completely comfortable. It is just like watching a Jenson Button or an Alain Prost lap. Silky smooth.”

He also continued: “Just watch Oscar’s hands into 13. Just see. How smooth is that? It’s like watching it in slow motion but it’s not. That is genuinely a driver so comfortable, he knows exactly where the car is going to be and the car is predictable.”

“It is just like watching a Jenson Button or an Alain Prost lap. Silky smooth”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/oscar-piastri-reminds-karun-chandhok-of-alain-prost-with-one-aspect-of-bahrain-grand-prix-pole-lap/


WRITTEN BEFORE OSCAR PIASTRI QUALIFIED ON POLE: Piastri demolishes the pack in final practice
Oscar Piastri was in a class of his own in Free Practice 3 for the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix.
12 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Piastri was more than six-tenths clear of his nearest rival, teammate Lando Norris, with Charles Leclerc the only other driver within a second of the Australian. It was otherwise uneventful as McLaren and Piastri stamped their authority on the pack.

With strong pace throughout the three practice sessions, it is that combination that heads into Qualifying as favourites for pole.

‘Piastri demolishes the pack’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-bahrain-gp-practice-3-fp3-piastri-mclaren-results-report/


Oscar Piastri qualifies on pole for F1 Bahrain Grand Prix
12 Apr 2025
ABC Online

Australian Oscar Piastri will start the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix from pole position. It is the second grand prix pole of Piastri's career, after qualifying quickest in China earlier this year.


Piastri was a class above on Saturday in Bahrain, having also been the fastest in that day's practice session. The Melbourne-born McLaren ace produced a blistering lap of 1:29.841 to qualify fastest ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

"“[It] felt like I’ve been comfortable all weekend, and there’s no better place to start than on pole,” Piastri said. "[I] can’t thank the team enough for the car they’ve given me and I’m excited for the race tomorrow."

‘Piastri was a class above on Saturday in Bahrain, having also been the fastest in that day's practice session’;

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-13/oscar-piastri-qualifies-on-pole-for-f1-bahrain-/105169766

[Fortitude]

Dominant Piastri wins action packed Bahrain Grand Prix.
Australia's Oscar Piastri has won the Bahrain Grand Prix for McLaren as if there was nobody else on track. Starting from pole he was never really challenged. Behind him, lots of action that eventually saw Russell battle his own car to finish second as Norris finished third.
13 Apr 2025
Steven De Groote
F1 Technical

When the lights went out, Piastri managed to get into the corner first despite a fierce challenge by Russell who even briefly locked the front left while braking as late as possible. Leclerc didn't really have a poor start but he lost one spot before Turn 1 to Russell and then has Norris in his mirrors who powered out of the Turn 1 - Turn 2 complex to get aside of the Ferrari, eventually overtaking him through the outside of Turn 4.

At the start of the penultimate lap Norris is right behind Russell and it was clear Russell was fighting his heart out, edging on the limit of grip of traction out of the final corner to not fall victim of the McLaren with DRS wide open. Same situation for the final lap though this time Russell had to defend the inside line, which he did perfectly. This left Norris without a chance in Turn 4 as well and despite being very very close, Russell secured a well deserved second place while Norris can be happy with third after the disappointment of qualifying.

The final lap did still provide a position change as after continuing pressure, Verstappen made it past the Alpine of Gasly to take 6th place. A decent comeback, especially if we compare that to Antonelli who essentially got caught out by the safety car after having been on soft tyres for only 5 laps. Bearman ended up being the best rookie today by securing a point for Haas, in addition to 8th place for Ocon. All this happened without worrying race winner Oscar Piastri. The Australian drove an impeccable race after laying the foundations in qualifying on Saturday.

‘Dominant Piast’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/26611


Bahrain GP: Race Results
Full results from the Formula 1 Bahrain GP from Bahrain International Circuit.
14 Apr 2025
Mat Coch


Pos Num Driver Team Laps/Diff
1 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 57 Laps
2 63 George Russell Mercedes + 15.499s
3 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes + 16.273s
4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari + 19.679s
5 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari + 27.993s
6 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda + 34.395s
7 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine – Renault + 36.002s
8 31 Esteban Ocon Haas – Ferrari + 44.244s
9 22 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull – Honda + 45.061s
10 87 Oliver Bearman Haas – Ferrari + 47.594s

‘Race Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-bahrain-gp-race-results-standings-finishing-order-details/


Oscar Piastri converts pole to take assured F1 Bahrain GP victory
14 Apr 2025
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

McLaren‘s Oscar Piastri was cool, calm and collected as he clinched victory from pole position at the 2025 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix. Mercedes’ George Russell combated late-race technical gremlins to clinch second as Piastri’s McLaren team-mate Lando Norris recovered from qualifying disappointment to take third.

Piastri gets the job done in Bahrain. With 10 laps to go, Piastri’s lead was 4.9s over Russell, who had a 1.6s buffer to the Leclerc/Norris duo as Hamilton started to endure a period of loneliness in fifth. Norris tried another nibble on Leclerc at Turn 4 on Lap 49, but the Ferrari driver kept the McLaren at bay once more.

The McLaren driver finally got the move done around the outside of Turn 4 on Lap 52 as Russell started experiencing technical issues, from accidentally opening his DRS, complaining of gear issues and having the threat of his dash going off. The accidental DRS opening meant Russell would be investigated post-race, but his immediate worry was Norris closing in.

‘Oscar Piastri converts pole’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/13/oscar-piastri-converts-pole-to-take-assured-f1-bahrain-gp-victory/


Peerless Piastri dominates Bahrain GP
Oscar Piastri dominated the Bahrain Grand Prix to deliver McLaren's first-ever win in the event.
14 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

The Australian started from pole and commanded the race, only ceding top spot through the pit sequence. He led George Russell, who survived a reliability scare in his Mercedes, with a combative Lando Norris in third.

However, Russell’s second was under a cloud with the Brit facing a post-race investigation for a DRS issue. Jack Doohan ran inside the points for long stretches but fell down to 13th at the flag, while Liam Lawson was 13th.

At the race start, Piastri jumped from pole as George Russell and Charles Leclerc went side by side in the fight for second.

‘Peerless Piastri dominates’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-bahrain-gp-piastri-mclaren-win-report-result-order-details/


Russell under investigation for illegal DRS use during Bahrain Grand Prix
13th April 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

George Russell is under investigation after finishing second in the Bahrain Grand Prix, for potentially using DRS when it should have been deactivated.. The stewards have summoned him and a Mercedes team member to meet them at 8:45pm local time over his “alleged usage of the DRS system outside the pre-defined activation zones.”

Drivers are only permitted to activate DRS during the race when they are within one second of the car in front at certain pre-defined points on the track. Ordinarily drivers are unable to activate DRS when they are not close enough as it is detected by the timing system. However a problem developed regarding the timing system on Russell’s car during today’s race. This was the reason why Russell’s name periodically dropped down the order on Formula 1’s official timing screens.

‘Russell under investigation’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/04/13/russell-under-investigation-for-illegal-drs-use-during-bahrain-grand-prix/

[Fortitude]

Oscar Piastri celebrates ‘perfect’ Bahrain Grand Prix victory to reach second in F1 championship standings.
“It’s gonna be one hell of a party tonight! Mega weekend everyone, mega! That was pretty damn fun!” Piastri declared over the team radio, although this quiet achiever noted later that, actually, he wouldn’t be joining any celebrations because he had to think of next week’s race in Saudi Arabia.
14 April 2025
Ian Chadband
The West Australian

Australian Oscar Piastri has earned another majestic Formula One triumph from pole position to win the Bahrain Grand Prix and move into second place in the world drivers’ championship. The McLaren driver hailed it as an “incredible weekend” following his 50th grand prix start on Sunday after he held off a challenge on the first corner from Mercedes’ George Russell at the floodlit Sakhir circuit and then utterly dominated, even after a mid-race restart under the safety car.

The man from Melbourne became the first driver this season to win two grands prix, following his China victory, and he claimed the biggest margin of any winner, outpacing Russell by more than 15 seconds while McLaren teammate and championship leader Lando Norris finished third. Team principal Andrea Stella called it a “perfect drive, a perfect weekend by Oscar”.

““It’s gonna be one hell of a party tonight!”;

https://thewest.com.au/sport/f1/oscar-piastri-celebrates-perfect-bahrain-grand-prix-victory-to-reach-second-in-f1-championship-standings-c-18363772


Russell reveals ‘all sorts of failures’ he experienced in tense Bahrain GP as he avoids penalty
13 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site

“It felt all under control for a moment, then suddenly we had a brake-by-wire failure, so the pedal was going long, then it was going short… I didn’t know what was going on… the steering wheel wasn’t working properly,” Russell explained. “It was really hard-fought to keep Lando behind; I think one more lap and he would have got me pretty comfortably. Nevertheless, I’m really pleased with P2.”

Pressed on the Drag Reduction System trouble that was discussed with his engineer over the radio, he continued: “We were basically having all sorts of failures. We did an override on the DRS, and on one lap I clicked the radio button and the DRS opened.”

“I straightaway closed it again, backed off, nothing gained, and I lost more than I gained – it was only open for a split second. It kind of goes to show the amount of issues we were having, but as I said, I’m really pleased with P2.”

‘All sorts of failures’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/russell-reveals-all-sorts-of-failures-he-experienced-in-tense-bahrain-gp-as.5YQ7yimfGY0DxD5RyluSby


Mercedes boss Toto Wolff offers George Russell high praise after multiple car issues in Bahrain
Toto Wolff was once again thrilled by George Russell's driving.
13 April 2025
Euan Burns
Total Motorsport

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has been praising Russell a lot this season and when speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, he showed how impressed he was by how the former Williams man dealt with all of the issues. “Him managing the system coming in and out while keeping Norris behind him is just an unbelievable drive. What he did secured a podium,” Wolff said.

“On top of that, taking the soft for such a long time was also great between managing and then attacking when he needed to.” Expanding more on the brake-by-wire issue, Wolff explained why Russell had to work so hard to deliver so many points for the team.

“If you haven’t driven a race car that has a BBW or conventional brake, it’s like when power steering fails and then imagine you have to adjust between one corner having it and the next one not having it. That was just very good skill,” Wolff explained. “We feared we would lose the whole dash which would mean no buttons, no wheels to turn any of the settings, no shift lights and we had it in the back of our mind that it takes concentration away.”

‘High praise’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-mercedes-boss-toto-wolff-praises-george-russell-car-issues-bahrain-2025/


Max Verstappen's manager confronts Helmut Marko in Red Bull garage after Bahrain GP chaos
Max Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen was involved in an angry confrontation with Red Bull chief Helmut Marko
Apr 13, 2025
Daniel Moxon
Daily and Sunday Express

Speaking live on his show, Ted's Notebook, the Sky Sports pit lane reporter recounted the incident: "At the end of the race, I was waiting around here for some team principals and Raymond Vermeulen, Max's manager, came into the Red Bull garage and gave Helmut Marko what can only be described as a piece of his mind," he said. "He was remonstrating with Helmut Marko who was just standing there, taking it, and then Raymond stormed off to the back of the garage sort of taking his pass off as he went. Clearly, they are not happy."

Verstappen struggled throughout the weekend, suffering brake issues during qualifying which saw him start seventh on the grid. Despite an eventful race, he was only able to gain one position by the finish. After a disheartening performance in the latest race, Red Bull's top brass, including Helmut Marko, Christian Horner, Pierre Wache, and Paul Monaghan, urgently gathered to dissect their team's issues.

Post-crisis talks, Marko expressed his concern to journalists: "It's a very difficult day for Red Bull, that's obvious to all of us. We have to get, as soon as possible, performance in the car again and also standards like a pitstop have to work. The car is not the fastest and then the pitstops are not working. That is not acceptable." He further revealed the severity of the situation by stating: "[It is] very alarming. We know that we are not competitive and there will be parts coming in the coming races and hopefully they bring improvement. We have a lot of problems. The main problem is balance and trip."

‘Max Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen was involved in an angry confrontation’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2041216/max-verstappen-manager-confronts-helmut-marko-red-bull-garage-bahrain-grand-prix


Marko voices fear over Verstappen Red Bull exit
Following a difficult weekend in Bahrain, Helmut Marko has admitted he fears Max Verstappen could opt to leave the team.
13 Apr 2025
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

Speaking to Sky Deutschland, Marko called on Red Bull to make rapid improvements or risk being eliminated from championship contention. “It is clear: we need to make progress,” he said. “Not progress in points, but on the stopwatch. And with a performance like we are putting in now, unfortunately, nothing will come of the world championship.”

The four-time champion has been linked with a departure from the team across the last 12 months with Mercedes and Aston Martin labelled as potential destinations. When asked how big the worries are that Verstappen could opt to leave, Marko replied: “Those are very big.”

“Improvements have to be made in the near future so that he has a car he can win with. It shouldn't be a fluke, like in the rain in Brazil or in Japan. There the track came to him and he set a magic lap. There has to be a stable base.”

‘Fear over Verstappen Red Bull exit’;

https://racingnews365.com/red-bull-crisis-marko-fears-verstappen-departure


Ted Kravitz reacts to MANIC race and catches up with Oscar Piastri �� Ted's Bahrain GP Notebook
Apr 13, 2025
Sky Sports F1

Sky Sports F1's Ted Kravitz reacts to a nail-biting Bahrain Grand Prix, won by McLaren's Oscar Piastri, ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and team-mate Lando Norris. Elsewhere Red Bull and Max Verstappen struggled and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton fought through the pack to finish fifth with the Driver of the Day award.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9trwrBQleIg

[Fortitude]

Luca di Montezemolo has u-turned on Ferrari signing Lewis Hamilton after attending the Bahrain Grand Prix.
“His dream of a world championship title at Ferrari will not come true!” Luca di Montezemolo.
14 Apr 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Luca di Montezemolo is a Ferrari legend, having acted as team principal during the 1970s and overseen Niki Lauda’s two championship wins for the Scuderia. However, the excitement he had around Hamilton signing has dissipated after attending the Bahrain Grand Prix. “Hamilton is a big champion, he will do everything to end his career with a world title. (Charles) Leclerc wants to win his first title, this will be so much fun. With two number ones, it will be even more important to have a car capable of winning, that’s fundamental. Otherwise, this move will be very risky.”

However, when speaking to Blick while attending the race in Bahrain, Di Montezemolo u-turned on his previous positivity around Hamilton and simply said: “His dream of a world championship title at Ferrari will not come true!” When pushed further on the problems Ferrari are facing, he explained: “The team has lacked leadership for years. Yes, it lacks soul. They used to work day and night, and the company used to stand for passion. And now they’re chasing success almost aimlessly!” Not only that, but he questioned another driver’s decision Ferrari have made, and said: “All of Italy is wondering why an Italian like Kimi Antonelli is driving for Mercedes and not Ferrari.”

‘U-turned’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/luca-di-montezemolo-has-u-turned-on-ferrari-signing-lewis-hamilton-after-attending-the-bahrain-grand-prix/


Fred Vasseur sends Ferrari clear instruction after early Lewis Hamilton struggles
Lewis Hamilton took his best grand prix finish of fifth for Ferrari in the Bahrain Grand Prix after a tricky start.
14 Apr 2025
Jake Nichol & Ian Parkes
RacingNews365

Fred Vasseur has urged Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari to "calm down" after the seven-time F1 champion's early struggles with the team. Vasseur - who worked with Hamilton in the junior categories - feels fine margins are making the difference for the 40-year-old as he urged the team to remain composed.

"After [the sprint race] in China, we were speaking about the prize-giving ceremony, and after the race in China, it was a total disaster," Vasseur told media, including RacingNews365. "In terms of management, we have to take it easy, to calm down as the issue is that, probably for us, the ups are a bit higher and the downs are a bit lower.”

"It means that if we want to keep a consistent approach, which we did very well in the last two years, we have to stay calm to improve hundredths of seconds by hundredths of seconds… …with the field we have now, if you miss two or three-tenths in qualifying because you made a mistake, you will lose six or seven positions."

"Calm down";

https://racingnews365.com/vasseur-sends-ferrari-clear-instruction-after-early-hamilton-struggles


Max Verstappen's F1 future thrown into doubt as details of ugly bust-up at Red Bull emerge
Verstappen's manager had a fiery run-in with a Red Bull chief after the Bahrain Grand Prix.
15 Apr 2025
Andrew Reid
Yahoo! Australia

Red Bull's F1 adviser Helmut Marko admits he has "great concern" about Max Verstappen's future with the team beyond this season, following the four-time world champion's latest struggles at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Verstappen was once again left frustrated by the lack of speed and performance-related issues of the Red Bull car in Bahrain, and it culminated in a fiery post-race incident involving the Dutchman's manager Raymond Vermeulen and Red Bull supremo Marko.

"At the end of the race, Raymond Vermeulen, Max’s manager, came into the Red Bull garage and gave Helmut Marko what can only be described as a piece of his mind," Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz reported.

‘Fiery run-in’;

https://au.news.yahoo.com/max-verstappens-f1-future-thrown-into-doubt-as-details-of-ugly-bust-up-at-red-bull-emerge-011722532.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jLm5ld3Nub3cuY28udWsv&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACL-D0Sv2ptT_80Yvh5hAZldE45ZX2l0rYPTbVa4lv1cqWlWCk4-QhgRSVbpWX79SUKqx77yl53KfnZRfCutKhOW7qhKrZd9j2YEnn PjFXiB1wJATasxFU7upVso3zMHF_bJFUUjnRu0TqqaDNVVpoS4 5dfrALTOT9SklqQxXbun


Red Bull chief speaks out after bust-up with Max Verstappen’s manager
Apr 14, 2025
Callum McAvoy
Metro.co.uk

Marko has now emerged from the bust-up saying he is ‘greatly concerned’ that the reigning world champion will leave the Formula 1 team at the end of the season.

This incident come just days after the details of Verstappen’s release clause were revealed, with the driver able to leave Red Bull before the end of his contract in 2028 if he drops out of the top three in the championship.

Aston Martin and Mercedes have been closely linked with the 27-year-old and Marko now concedes that an early exit is very much a possibility.

‘Red Bull chief speaks out’;

https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/14/red-bull-chief-speaks-bust-up-max-verstappens-manager-22904037/?ito=newsnow-feed


“Oh my God that was difficult”: Full radio from Verstappen’s luckless Bahrain GP
14th April 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Lap: 1/57 VER: 1’43.877
Verstappen: Lando is over his grid box.
Lambiase: Okay, understood, thanks.
Lap: 11/57 VER: 1’59.918
Verstappen is late leaving his pit box as the team’s pit exit lights remain on red
Verstappen:Fuck’s sake, man.
Lap: 27/57 VER: 2’00.045
The team are slow to change Verstappen’s front-right wheel. He shakes his head
Lambiase:And strat five, white line on the exit, strat five, white line on the exit.

Lap: 55/57 VER: 1’38.687
Lambiase: Max, there’ll be two laps remaining next time round. You have six seconds of press-and-hold to use. But it will drain the battery, so I recommend you use that on the last lap and we’ll leave it to you where you want to use it, whether that’s down to turn one or to turn four. So two laps remaining.
Lap: 57/57 VER: 1’37.662
Verstappen passes Gasly at turn four
Lambiase: There is some more available, two seconds.
Lambiase Press and hold, overtake, two seconds now.

Chequered flag
Lambiase: Okay, nice overtake and P6. Plenty of pick up on the way in, please Max. Pick up on the way in.
Verstappen: Yeah, that was at least positive, that last lap. Oh my God, that was difficult. Jesus.
Horner: Good move on the last lap there Max, that was a tough afternoon in the office so plenty to go away and look at but you drove your heart out today, well done.
Verstappen: Yeah, unfortunately a lot of things on our side also went wrong in that race, that doesn’t help.
Lambiase: Yep.

“Oh my God that was difficult”;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/04/14/oh-my-god-that-was-difficult-full-radio-from-verstappens-luckless-bahrain-gp/


Jacques Villeneuve accuses Lando Norris of ‘cracking under pressure’ after spotting ‘costly’ Bahrain Grand Prix error
14 Apr 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve was analysing the Bahrain Grand Prix race on Instagram and was quick to praise Piastri on his second victory of the year. However, he wasn’t impressed with Norris and explained: “Very different race to Suzuka, well there, they had to do tyre management, today, we had to do lots of pit stops, but surprisingly the soft tyres were the good ones.

“Piastri, master of the weekend, controlled qualifying, controlled the race, mostly with his teammate showing signs of cracking under pressure. It seems to be the story of the season, little mistakes here and there, they’re costly, but he managed to salvage the lead of the championship, but he has to pay attention now because Piastri is not far behind.”

‘Cracking under pressure’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/jacques-villeneuve-accuses-lando-norris-of-cracking-under-pressure-after-spotting-costly-bahrain-grand-prix-error/


Lando Norris shows familiar signs as Piastri emerges as title contender
14 Apr 2025
Kieran Jackson
The Independent

Lando Norris: “Everyone says I’m leading the championship, I don’t know how at the minute, I’m pretty surprised,” Norris said. It wasn’t his first self-deprecating quote of the weekend – it likely won’t be his last of the season.

It was a theme, starting in Spain last June, which persevered throughout Norris’s inaugural title tilt up against Max Verstappen in 2024. Despite his obvious skill behind the wheel, Norris would often present a figure of self-doubt, constantly questioning his abilities, particularly up against one of the modern greats in the Dutchman.

‘Self-deprecating quotes’;

https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/lando-norris-oscar-piastri-f1-mclaren-bahrain-b2732625.html

[Fortitude]

Which F1 drivers do well at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with Max Verstappen successful in Jeddah.
Max Verstappen is the most successful driver in Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
15 Apr 2025
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Max Verstappen is the most successful driver at Jeddah, having first triumphed in 2022 after a late race battle with Charles Leclerc, in which he fought back from fourth on the grid. His 2024 win was more straightforward, winning with ease from Sergio Perez and a full 18 seconds clear of Leclerc who finished in third for Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton took victory in 2021, which would put him level on points with Verstappen in the title showdown heading into Abu Dhabi, while Perez won one of three races in 2023 behind the wheel of the RB19.

‘Most successful driver’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/which-f1-drivers-do-well-at-the-saudi-arabian-grand-prix-with-max-verstappen-successful-in-jeddah/


Verstappen reveals how Red Bull will fight McLaren in Saudi Arabia
The Dutchman is hopeful Red Bull’s performance will be closer to the Japanese GP, which he won.
15 April 2025
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Max Verstappen is hopeful Red Bull might fight McLaren at the F1 2025 Saudi Arabian GP as he reveals the reasons why the team should perform better than how they did at the Bahrain International Circuit. “Last year we did well in Jeddah,” Verstappen said in a press release. “It’s a semi-street circuit with very high speeds, so that makes it fun to drive on.”

“Normally there is less tire wear on this circuit, so it should be a better race for us. We will have to give everything one more time before this triple header comes to an end. Hopefully we can get a little more pace out of the car, and we will perform like in Japan again.”

‘Red Bull will fight McLaren’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/max-verstappen-red-bull-fight-mclaren-f1-2025-saudi-arabian-gp/


Verstappen pins hopes on a better race in Jeddah after horrendous Bahrain Grand Prix
14 Apr 2025
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Having endured a tough and tricky day in Bahrain, Verstappen has called out for improvements, but he has already set his sights at next weekend's round in Jeddah. “P6 was at least a positive result considering all the things that went wrong today. The start was not good, we struggled with tyre management all race, and I had no grip or pace on the hard tyres.”

"During our pit-stops there was a problem with the lights which cost us a lot of time in the pits and put us back in to traffic. Unfortunately our second pitstop was worse than the first and at one point I was in last place. I enjoyed the fight at the end with Pierre and the overtake on the last lap, I tried to maximise our points until the very end.”

"To finish P6 at the end was the best that we could do, this was not the weekend that we wanted but we have to keep on trying to improve. We are working on finding solutions and solving the issues we have at the moment to hopefully be more competitive in Jeddah."

‘Verstappen pins hopes on a better race’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/26617


F1 driver was handed incorrect Saudi Arabian GP grid penalty due to 'glitch' in system
15 Apr 2025
Ryan Smart
Yahoo! Sport

The FIA have been forced to rescind a grid penalty for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after it was shown to have been awarded incorrectly. A glitch on the FIA's race control systems meant that the fact Sainz had actually served his penalty didn't register. The system normally flags automatically when penalties have been served during races.

The timing systems went down during the second half of the Grand Prix in Bahrain, with Mercedes' Russell also experiencing faults with his steering wheel dashboard, brake-by-wire system and transponder. The Brit was investigated for a DRS infringement after the race but the stewards decided to take no action against him.

As for Sainz, the FIA later released clarification that they had rescinded his three-place grid penalty, acknowledging the error on their systems. A short statement from F1's governing body read: "Penalty was served and should not be converted to a grid position penalty."

‘The FIA have been forced to rescind a grid penalty’;

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/f1-driver-handed-incorrect-saudi-170935302.html


How to watch the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, WEC at Imola and more
14th April 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live session times
Event Date Start Time End Time Time Zone Channels
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: First practice Friday 18th April 2:30pm 3:30pm Europe: London UK: Sky Sports F1, US: ESPN2
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Second practice Friday 18th April 6:00pm 7:00pm Europe: London UK: Sky Sports F1, US: ESPN2
F1 Academy: Jeddah Corniche Circuit race one Saturday 19th April 1:20pm Europe: London UK: Sky Sports F1, US: ESPN+
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Third practice Saturday 19th April 2:30pm 3:30pm Europe: London UK: Sky Sports F1, US: ESPN2
World Endurance Championship: Six Hours of Imola qualifying Saturday 19th April 2:30pm Europe: London UK: FIAWEC TV, US: FIAWEC TV
Formula 2: Jeddah race one Saturday 19th April 4:15pm Europe: London UK: Sky Sports F1, US: ESPN+
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Qualifying Saturday 19th April 6:00pm Europe: London UK: Sky Sports F1, US: ESPNEWS
World Endurance Championship: Six Hours of Imola Sunday 20th April 1:00pm Europe: London UK: FIAWEC TV, US: FIAWEC TV
F1 Academy: Jeddah Corniche Circuit race two Sunday 20th April 1:05pm Europe: London UK: Sky Sports F1, US: ESPN+
Formula 2: Jeddah race two Sunday 20th April 2:25pm Europe: London UK: Sky Sports F1, US: ESPN+
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Race Sunday 20th April 6:00pm Europe: London UK: Sky Sports F1, US: ESPN2

‘How to watch’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/04/14/how-to-watch-the-2025-saudi-arabian-grand-prix-wec-at-imola-and-more/

[Fortitude]

Max Verstappen brushes off Red Bull exit suggestions.
Max Verstappen refused to entertain suggestions he could walk away from Red Bull at the end of this year, insisting he is only focused on improving his car ahead of this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Apr 17, 2025
Laurence Edmondson
ESPN.com

Ahead of this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen was asked about his future and the potential to join another of F1's top teams. "A lot of people are talking about it [my future] except me," Verstappen told reporters on Thursday.

"Like I said before, I just want to focus on my car, work with the people in the team -- that is the only thing I am thinking about in Formula 1 at the moment. I am very relaxed."

When asked if he was considering leaving the team by F1 commentator David Croft, Verstappen responded: "You focus on commentating, I'll focus on driving and we don't need to worry about any other scenarios."

"A lot of people are talking about it [my future] except me";

https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/44717088/max-verstappen-brushes-red-bull-exit-suggestions


LIVE: F1 Saudi Arabian GP media day updates from the paddock.
News from the F1 paddock at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit ahead of this weekend's grand prix
Apr 17, 2025
Live Commentary
Jake Boxall-Legge
Motorsport.com

06:59:10 pm
NORRIS: COMPRESSED START TO 2025 HAS STOPPED OVERTHINKING
Although it was obvious last weekend that Lando Norris wasn't the happiest chappie in the paddock, he's grateful that he has a chance to get another go straight away this weekend to deliver a better performance.

06:53:42 pm
A QUIET NIGHT IN: PIASTRI "KEPT IT SENSIBLE" WITH BAHRAIN WIN CELEBRATIONS
Oscar Piastri described the McLaren celebrations after securing victory last weekend in the most Oscar Piastri way possible. If he was any more level-headed, he'd have a flat-top...

06:49:40 pm
HAMILTON ON JEDDAH: DRIVERS ARE WORKING OVERTIME TO PERFORM
To round out the Ferrari duo, Lewis Hamilton has given the Jeddah circuit his thumbs up - although I feel like the drivers are surprisingly positive about it every year. Nonetheless, here's what he said about Saudi Arabia's high-speed venue.

‘LIVE: F1 Saudi Arabian GP media day updates’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/live-text/f1-saudi-arabian-gp-live-updates-media-day/1124388/


‘Seen less’: Lando Norris is losing the ‘launchpad for his superiority’ against Oscar Piastri at McLaren according to Jolyon Palmer
17 Apr 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Jolyon Palmer thinks a key reason why Piastri has recovered 20 of his 23-point deficit in three rounds is that Norris is losing his ‘stronghold’ in qualifying at McLaren. He has had the better of the Australian just twice this year, and could have qualified behind Piastri in Japan.

Norris scored pole for the Australian GP, and it proved decisive in the 25-year-old winning in Melbourne. Yet Piastri got and converted his first F1 pole to win in China before doubling up in Bahrain, and Andrea Stella admits Norris finds McLaren’s 2025 car more difficult to drive.

“Qualifying was a stronghold for Norris last season,” Palmer told the F1 website. “He beat his teammate 20-4 in the head-to-head, and it was the launchpad for his superiority within McLaren and his late title challenge in 2024.”

‘Launchpad for his superiority’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/lando-norris-is-losing-the-launchpad-for-his-superiority-against-oscar-piastri-at-mclaren-according-to-jolyon-palmer/


Lewis Hamilton will love what Ferrari insiders are saying about his Saudi Arabian Grand Prix chances after Bahrain updates
17 Apr 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Lewis Hamilton was in a position to sound far more positive after the Bahrain Grand Prix than in his previous post-race interviews in Japan and China. report from the Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport has shared more details about the changes Ferrari have recently made to their car.

They believe the Ferrari have ‘nearly doubled’ the peak operating window of the SF-25 with their first set of updates this season, and the new floor has undeniably had a ‘positive impact’ for both Hamilton and Leclerc.

The extremely fast street circuit in Saudi Arabia is completely different to the track in Bahrain, and has a much smoother track surface compared to the abrasive asphalt at the previous race. Gazzetta reports that Ferrari staff believe this could create the ‘ideal condition’ for Hamilton and Leclerc, with an ‘increase of about 30%’ compared to the team’s performance in Bahrain expected.

‘Bahrain updates’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/lewis-hamilton-will-love-what-ferrari-insiders-are-saying-about-his-saudi-arabian-grand-prix-chances-after-bahrain-updates/


Our bold predictions for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
17 Apr 2025
Editor
PlanetF1.com

Charles Leclerc, not Lewis Hamilton, on the podium. By Michelle Foster
Alex Albon and Isack Hadjar to both finish in the top five. By Oliver Harden

Jack Doohan to score his first point(s) in Jeddah. By Henry Valantine
Fernando Alonso maintains his point-less streak. By Elizabeth Blackstock

‘Bold predictions’;

https://www.planetf1.com/features/2025-saudi-arabian-grand-prix-predictions


F1 Fantasy: top picks & predictions for the 2025 Saudi Arabian GP
Apr 17th 2025
James Elson
Motor Sport Magazine

There are several key choices that could help you win big in F1 Fantasy for this weekend's 2025 Saudi Arabian GP. Here are our predictions; tips on drivers to avoid; which chips to play and further analysis

Oscar Piastri’s 2025 Bahrain GP was a masterclass in showing your F1 mettle, while his team-mate and main rival Lando Norris went to pieces.

It paid off for those who took Motor Sport’s Fantasy advice, the points flying in for McLaren’s Melbourne charger and others in our team – giving us crucial information on who to pick for this weekend’s Saudi Arabian GP.

‘Top picks & predictions’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/f1-fantasy-top-picks-predictions-for-the-2025-saudi-arabian-grand-prix/?nowprocket=1#

[Fortitude]

Piastri: ‘Attacking’ key to championship push in 2025.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri believes that staying aggressive, race after race, will ensure his greatest chance of winning the world title at the end of the year.
18/04/2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

His early-season misstep at the Australian Grand Prix that tested his resolve, as he slid off in difficult conditions and left Melbourne empty-handed. Yet, the McLaren driver quickly turned the page, showcasing a mental strength that has become a hallmark of his racing persona.

“I think it is a strength of mine, yes. I think one of hopefully a few strengths of mine, but it is something that I have kind of recognised myself as a point of difference and is something that I’ve tried to work on,” he said, speaking in Jeddah ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Even after Melbourne, it was painful in the few days afterwards, but I think the fact that I had such a strong weekend through practice, qualifying and was on the pace in the race, that was more encouragement than disappointment.”

“I feel like the whole season has been going well and I’ve just been trying to get the most out of what we know is a quick car. It’s been a fun first few races and hopefully, more. think it’s just genuinely very early. We’ve still got 20 races to go. I’m under no illusion that I’m trying to fight for a championship, but I knew that from before the season started,” he said.

‘Attacking’;

https://f1i.com/news/536215-piastri-attacking-key-to-championship-push-in-2025.html


Lando Norris not expecting instant turnaround to 2025 struggles despite McLaren answers
18/04/2025
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Lando Norris revealed that McLaren has discovered some answers to his struggles with the team’s 2025 Formula 1 car, but he isn’t anticipating an instant turnaround. “A lot of me has been trying to figure out the issues, the struggles, and the reasoning behind it, which is the most difficult thing,” Norris said.

“We have started to figure out some things where I struggle, why I struggle and the reasons for these struggles and trying to implement things for this weekend. I’m trying to improve in those areas, so it is not like I want to come into this weekend and I’m full of confidence and know that things are going to turn around.”

“There are still things I’m going to be struggling with because there are certain things that you cannot change. But there are things I’m able to, from a driving style point of view. It is stuff I’ve never had to think of before, it is just not my normal way of driving or thinking.”

‘Discovered some answers’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/18/lando-norris-not-expecting-instant-turnaround-to-2025-struggles-despite-mclaren-answers/


Montezemolo slams Ferrari: A team ‘without a soul’ in 2025
16/04/2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Montezemolo’s visit to the Sakhir paddock – the first since the 2014 Italian Grand Prix – was a moment laced with nostalgia. “How do I feel as a fan? Sad because I see a team without a soul,” he said. “Ferrari is passion, Ferrari is about working day and night, Ferrari is about never giving up. And I am also a little angry because I was hoping that at least this year we would see a truly competitive car from the start.”

‘Without a soul’;

https://f1i.com/news/536088-montezemolo-slams-ferrari-a-team-without-a-soul-in-2025.html


Charles Leclerc: Ferrari ‘expects something more’ from F1 upgrade in Saudi Arabia
16/04/2025
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

“I’m pretty sure that without the floor I wouldn’t be P3,” Leclerc told select media, including Motorsport Week, after qualifying in Sakhir, adding, “it’s probably not the best track to extract the maximum out of this new upgrade, but in the next few weekends we shall see more of it.”

“We are three tenths away from McLaren, our performance is similar to that of Mercedes while Red Bull has been a bit more inconsistent so far, and this makes it more difficult to have a clear picture of their potential,” Leclerc explained.

‘Expects something more’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/18/charles-leclerc-ferrari-expects-something-more-from-f1-upgrade-in-saudi-arabia/


Hamilton hits back at Ferrari criticism with forthright plea
After a mixed start to life at Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton addresses scrutiny, urges patience, and vows to help build something special
18 Apr 2025
John Smith
Total Motorsport

Lewis Hamilton has called for calm amid increased scrutiny and criticism over his early performances with Ferrari in 2025, urging fans and pundits alike to take a long-term view of what he insists is a work in progress.

“On one side it’s to be expected – it [Ferrari] is the greatest team in Formula 1 history, it’s that special,” Hamilton told the press in Jeddah, including Total-Motorsport.com. “Of course there’s more stories that are written about it and people have opinions. And it’s not always been smooth sailing. So, just from my perspective, you can’t work with a team and change things overnight.”

‘Urges patience’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/hamilton-hits-back-at-ferrari-criticism-with-forthright-plea/


Mercedes' Russell sees Bahrain P2 as 'the validation we needed' for 'more rounded' 2025 car
18 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site (Video)20:05 Thu, 17 Apr

Speaking ahead of this weekend's Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, Mercedes' George Russell reflects on his fine P2 at the Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend.

‘Validation’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/mercedes-russell-sees-bahrain-p2-as-the-validation-we-needed-for-more-rounded-2025-car.1829668225454918997


‘If you perform, everything is good’ – Russell responds to speculation over new Mercedes contract
18 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site

“The fact is, drivers have had contracts and if they don’t perform they get booted out. For drivers, performance is our currency – that’s what we’ve got, and if you perform everything is good, so I’m just excited to go racing this weekend, focus on performance and the future sorts itself out.”

Pushed further on whether there was any truth to some of the rumours that are circulating, Russell responded: “A few of them are reasonably close I guess, but at the end of the day we’ve never discussed a contract prior to May or June in a season.”

‘If you perform, everything is good’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/if-you-perform-everything-is-good-russell-responds-to-speculation-over-new.22emYnkrfMdQovopYW9e06


Max Verstappen: Red Bull can’t scapegoat old wind tunnel amid development crisis
18 Apr 2025
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

“Of course, we’re not entirely happy with it and we’re working on a new wind tunnel,” Verstappen told Dutch media and Autosport.

“It just takes time, but we already knew that. It’s not a new thing this season. We saw back in 2023 that you can’t detect certain things in the wind tunnel. But the team has experience with that, so they know which direction they should develop in.”

“The only issue is that they can’t perfect some small details. But it worked in 2022 and 2023, and in 2021 we also had a good car under different regulations. So I wouldn’t just attribute everything to [the wind tunnel].”

“Of course, we’re not entirely happy”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/18/max-verstappen-red-bull-cant-scapegoat-old-wind-tunnel-amid-development-crisis/


Yuki Tsunoda sets Max Verstappen target: 'I can beat him'
Many drivers have struggled for form alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull - Yuki Tsunoda is looking to break that trend.
18 Apr 2025
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

“It's my first time driving a completely different car - I only drove with VCARB for the last four years, so it's the first time I drove a completely different team's car,” Yuki Tsunoda said.

“I’m trying to use that, and I know that if I unlock that area, I would be able to probably beat him [Verstappen]. I know myself that I can't beat him straight away, so I'm just trying to build a good baseline and wait for the moment that I can be in the [best] shape.”

'I can beat him';

https://racingnews365.com/yuki-tsunoda-sets-max-verstappen-target-i-can-beat-him

[Fortitude]

Saudi Arabian GP: Gasly tops FP1 as Verstappen ‘just can’t turn the car’.
Pierre Gasly was the pacesetter as the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix race weekend got underway on Friday.
18 Apr 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Pierre Gasly surprised F1 by posting the fastest time in first practice for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. It is the first time Gasly has topped a session since he did so in final practice for last year's Dutch Grand Prix, underlining the pace in his car at present after he qualified sixth for last weekend's race in Bahrain.

Leclerc had an opportunity to swiftly depose Gasly after setting the fastest middle sector, but missed out by 0.070s. On his second attempt, the minor errors which Norris feels have undermined him this season reared again as he made a slight error out of the high-speed Turn 1, forcing him to take to the immediate Turn 2 run-off, compromising his lap.

Norris had to settle for second quickest behind Gasly, with Leclerc and Piastri also within a tenth of a second of the Frenchman. Russell, whose best soft tyre lap was only marginally quicker than that on the medium, finished sixth, and effectively the filling in a Williams sandwich as Alex Albon and Sainz were on either side of him.

‘Gasly tops FP1’;

https://racingnews365.com/charles-leclerc-cited-for-dangerous-move-as-pierre-gasly-stuns-f1-field


Saudi Arabian GP: Free Practice 1 Results
Full results from Free Practice 1 for the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian GP from Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
19 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Diff Best
1 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine – Renault 24 1:29.239s
2 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 24 0.007s 1:29.246s
3 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 27 0.070s 1:29.309s
4 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 24 0.102s 1:29.341s
5 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes 22 0.367s 1:29.606s
6 63 George Russell Mercedes 20 0.379s 1:29.618s
7 55 Carlos Sainz Williams – Mercedes 25 0.540s 1:29.779s
8 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 26 0.576s 1:29.815s
9 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 25 0.579s 1:29.818s
10 22 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull – Honda 25 0.582s 1:29.821s

‘Free Practice 1 Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-saudi-arabian-gp-practice-1-fp1-results-standings-times-jeddah-corniche-circuit/


Saudi Arabian GP: Gasly steals the show in Jeddah FP1
18/04/2025
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

The Alpine charger’s late flyer on soft tyres shook up the pecking order. Norris, leading the drivers’ championship by three points, admitted pre-session that he’s still grappling with the MCL39’s driveability.

Yet, he and teammate Oscar Piastri – who finished fourth – kept McLaren firmly in the mix, sandwiching Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third. While FP1’s afternoon timing limits its relevance, the session offered a tantalizing glimpse of the pecking order.

Gasly’s pace suggests Alpine could be a dark horse, but McLaren’s consistency and Ferrari’s lurking threat keep them as favorites.

‘Gasly steals the show’;

https://f1i.com/news/536231-saudi-arabian-gp-gasly-steals-the-show-in-jeddah-fp1.html


Charles Leclerc cited for 'dangerous' move as Pierre Gasly stuns F1 field
Pierre Gasly pulled a lap from out of the blue to take the honours at the end of first practice for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
18 Apr 2025
Ian Parkes
RacingNews365

Pierre Gasly pulled a lap from out of the blue to take the honours at the end of first practice for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Pierre Gasly surprised F1 by posting the fastest time in first practice for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

With Norris out front with a soft-tyre lap of 1:29.246s, Alpine's Gasly popped in a time 0.007s quicker than the Briton to oust him from top spot. It is the first time Gasly has topped a session since he did so in final practice for last year's Dutch Grand Prix, underlining the pace in his car at present after he qualified sixth for last weekend's race in Bahrain.

Leclerc had an opportunity to swiftly depose Gasly after setting the fastest middle sector, but missed out by 0.070s. On his second attempt, the minor errors which Norris feels have undermined him this season reared again as he made a slight error out of the high-speed Turn 1, forcing him to take to the immediate Turn 2 run-off, compromising his lap.

‘Out of the blue’;

https://racingnews365.com/charles-leclerc-cited-for-dangerous-move-as-pierre-gasly-stuns-f1-field


2025 Saudi Arabian GP FP1 results - Gasly quickest from Norris
Apr 18th 2025
Pablo Elizalde
Motor Sport Magazine

Formula 1's 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend kicked off with Pierre Gasly on top of the times in first practice at Jeddah. Pierre Gasly was the surprise pace-setter in first practice for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as the fifth round of the season kicked off at Jeddah.

The Alpine driver, who scored the team’s first points of the year in Bahrain last weakened, posted a best time of 1m29.239s to lead the afternoon’s running ahead of Lando Norris‘s McLaren. Gasly set his quickest time on Pirelli’s medium tyres, finishing 0.007s ahead of the championship leader.

‘Surprise pace-setter’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/2025-saudi-arabian-gp-fp1-results-gasly-quickest-from-norris/?nowprocket=1#

[Fortitude]

2025 Saudi Arabian GP FP2 results - Norris fastest as Tsunoda crashes.
Norris led a McLaren 1-2 in second practice at Jeddah as Red Bull's Tsunoda crashed against the wall.
Apr 18th 2025
Pablo Elizalde
Motor Sport Magazine

Lando Norris led a McLaren 1-2 in second practice for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, heading Oscar Piastri in the night-time session.

Championship leader Norris outpaced Piastri by 0.163s with a time of 1m28.267s, the duo leading the Red Bull of Max Verstappen, who enjoyed a better session than in the afternoon and wound up over two tenths behind the Briton.

The 60 minutes of running were interrupted by a red flag with little over five minutes to go after Yuki Tsunoda crashed his Red Bull into the wall at the final corner.

‘FP2 results’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/2025-saudi-arabian-gp-fp2-results-norris-fastest-as-tsunoda-crashes/?nowprocket=1#


Saudi Arabian GP: Free Practice 2 Results
Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian GP from Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
19 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Diff Best
1 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 20 1:28.267s
2 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 21 0.163s 1:28.430s
3 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 22 0.280s 1:28.547s
4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 21 0.482s 1:28.749s
5 55 Carlos Sainz Williams – Mercedes 23 0.675s 1:28.942s
6 22 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull – Honda 19 0.696s 1:28.963s
7 63 George Russell Mercedes 20 0.706s 1:28.973s
8 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine – Renault 21 0.839s 1:29.106s
9 27 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber – Ferrari 20 0.926s 1:29.193s
10 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes 22 0.953s 1:29.220s

‘Free Practice 2 Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-saudi-arabian-gp-free-practice-2-fp2-jeddah-corniche-circuit/


Lando Norris leads McLaren 1-2 in Friday night Saudi Arabian GP practice
19 Apr 2025
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

Lando Norris ended Friday practice on top at the 2025 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as he led a McLaren one-two in FP2. Norris’ benchmark effort, 1:28.267s, was 0.163s clear of McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, who had a nervy moment brushing the wall at the exit of the final corner at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

And unsurprisingly, McLaren was the team on top, but Max Verstappen could take solace in placing his Red Bull in third, 0.280s off Norris’ benchmark. There were mixed fortunes at Ferrari with Charles Leclerc fourth and Lewis Hamilton languishing in 13th place, seven tenths slower than his team-mate.

‘McLaren 1-2’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/18/lando-norris-leads-mclaren-1-2-in-friday-night-saudi-arabian-gp-practice/


Lewis Hamilton under investigation after 'dangerous' near-miss
Lewis Hamilton must visit the stewards' office following the most-important practice session ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
18 Apr 2025
Nick Golding
RacingNews365

Lewis Hamilton will be investigated following the conclusion of second practice ahead of this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion was driving slowly on the racing-line through turns 17 and 18 of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, ahead of a fast-approaching Alex Albon.

Albon was on a push lap when he suddenly had to take avoiding action to miss colliding with the slow-moving Ferrari driver. The Williams driver quickly complained that Hamilton's driving was "dangerous", with the stewards to determine after the session if Albon was impeded by the 40-year-old.

‘Under investigation’;

https://racingnews365.com/lewis-hamilton-under-investigation-after-dangerous-near-miss


Yuki Tsunoda issues Red Bull apology as Saudi Arabian GP crash explained
18 Apr 2025
Elizabeth Blackstock
PlanetF1.com

The Red Bull Racing crew look set to have a long night thanks to a crash by Yuki Tsunoda late in Free Practice 2 ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Tsunoda issued an apology to the team in the aftermath, but it won’t be the result the Japanese driver was hoping.

“Just turning too much and clipped the inside wall and just had damage,” Tsunoda told F1TV after the session. “After that, just no control. Apologies to the team; pace was looking good, so it’s a shame.” As far as the rest of the session went, Tsunoda noted that “the qualifying [simulation] lap was pretty good. A bit compromised with [tyre] warm up, but so far pretty OK.”

“I had a limited time on the long run which I caused by myself [with the crash] so I can’t really complain. It’s not definitely not how I wanted to end up, that’s for sure. The short runs are okay, I just compromised a bit with the warm-up, so there’s a bit more [lap time] there.”

‘Qualifying [simulation] lap was pretty good’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/yuki-tsunoda-red-bull-apology-saudi-arabian-gp-crash-explained

[Fortitude]

Will Piastri’s new qualifying pace give him a title edge?
Piastri worked over the winter to improve his one-lap form, and it appears to have paid dividends. The team mate qualifying battle now stands at 3:2 in his favour, including the Shanghai sprint.
APRIL 19, 2025
Adam Cooper's F1 Blog

Since then the Aussie has scored two wins from pole position, and he’s shown beyond all doubt that his one-lap pace has taken a big step since last year, when Norris was dominant.

“I think the hard work we’ve been putting in definitely has been making a difference,” he says. “I think I’ve felt comfortable in qualifying, and felt like I’ve taken a bit of a step up. I think last year it wasn’t much that I often missed out by.

“But this year I’ve had a couple qualifying just on the wrong side of that gap still, but also more qualifyings on the right side of that gap now. So it’s been a lot of hard work in a lot of different areas, trying to get those last few hundredths of a second. And I think it has been paying off.”

‘3:2 in his favour’;

https://adamcooperf1.com/2025/04/19/will-piastris-new-qualifying-pace-give-him-a-title-edge/


Lando Norris makes surprising confession after topping FP2 at F1 2025 Saudi Arabian GP
The McLaren ace admitted he spent Friday working on himself and his driving style.
19 Apr 2025
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

“It was a decent first day,” Norris told F1 TV at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. “It always feel chaotic around here, because it’s so fast. A lot of walls; a lot of near misses. “I think today has really been a day off, trying to work on my driving and trying to work on myself more than probably trying to work on the car.”

“And I’ve been getting more confident. It’s a good start to the weekend, productive. Gaining confidence, gaining feeling. From what I wanted to achieve today, I think I’m on the right track.”

‘Surprising confession’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/mclaren-lando-norris-surprising-confession-topping-fp2-f1-2025-saudi-arabian-gp/


ANALYSIS: Ferrari elect to run the most loaded rear wing in Jeddah
19 Apr 2025
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Among the top teams, Ferrari appear to have mounted the most loaded rear wing in Jeddah. The Scuderia has brought an upgraded rear wing to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, introducing a modified, decambered, shorter chord top rear wing flap element. Interestingly, Leclerc used the new rear wing in both practice sessions while Hamilton's SF25 was equipped with the new configuration for the second hour of running.

Even by trimming the top edge of the flap, Ferrari's rear wing is still the most loaded among the four top teams due to its loaded V-shaped mainplane. Despite the higher rear wing, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc achieved top speeds of 332kph and 331kph respectively.

Commenting on its new rear wing, the Scuderia noted: "Adapting to the peculiarities of the Jeddah circuit aerodynamic efficiency requirements, this option is adding granularity in the available downforce level options on the baseline rear wing."

‘Most loaded rear wing’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/26643


'Works perfectly': Lewis Hamilton seriously impressed by what he saw in Charles Leclerc’s onbord before Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
18 Apr 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Lewis Hamilton can’t yet replicate Charles Leclerc’s ‘really impressive’ driving style. Leclerc will take part in his 131st race for Ferrari this weekend, which puts him fourth on the team’s all-time list. Only Michael Schumacher (180), Kimi Raikkonen (151) and Felipe Massa (139) are ahead.

Clearly, that gives him an advantage over newcomer Hamilton. But speaking to Sky Sports on Thursday, the seven-time world champion praised Leclerc’s command of a recalcitrant Ferrari. Hamilton has, as is routine, been studying his teammate’s onboard as he looks to close the gap. He also wants to emulate his engineering approach – settle on a set-up early and only make minor tweaks thereafter.

“Charles has obviously driven this car for a long time,” he said. “The driving style he has works perfectly with the car. He loves sliding the rears, loves a really oversteery car, which is really impressive to see. Also, from the moment we get there at the weekend, he doesn’t really change the car a huge amount. I’ve tried pretty much everything now with the car, so I’ve learnt what does and doesn’t work. Then in terms of the inputs I put into the car, I’m adjusting those, to hopefully start to extract more performance from it.”

‘Settle on a set-up early and only make minor tweaks thereafter’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/lewis-hamilton-seriously-impressed-by-what-he-saw-in-charles-leclercs-onbord-before-saudi-arabian-grand-prix/


George Russell pinpoints ‘decisive weekend’ to upset McLaren dominance
19 Apr 2025
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

George Russell has pinpointed the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix as a “decisive weekend” that has the potential to upset McLaren’s current dominance. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella admitted to Sky Sports F1 before the season began, “There will be a small adjustment required from race nine.”

Speaking to the media ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP, Russell said (via Autosport) front wing flexibility is, “obviously where McLaren have excelled, so until that race I don’t really see the pecking order shifting. That will be a decisive weekend to see whether they take a step backwards and the pack closes up,” he added.

Until then, Russell, who has starred so far this campaign as one of McLaren’s troublemakers, scoring three podiums, hopes to keep himself in the mix through Round 9. “We are finding ourselves in a position that we’re 40 points behind McLaren in the championship through probably mistakes of theirs, as opposed to pure car performance,” he said.

‘Decisive weekend’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/19/george-russell-pinpoints-decisive-weekend-to-upset-mclaren-dominance/


‘Getting most out of the tyres’ the deciding factor in Saudi Arabia as Russell pushes to catch McLaren
19 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site

George Russell believes that the deciding factor in this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be about “getting the most out of the tyres” as Mercedes look to challenge pacesetters McLaren. “It always comes down to the same, which is getting the most out of the tyres,” he said. “I think we tried some things, me and Kimi [Antonelli] did some different things which was valuable to try and learn. I think we got a bit of a direction from that.”

“I was intrigued to see the long-run pace but unfortunately with the red flag [after Yuki Tsunoda’s crash] at the end we didn’t manage to see that. I think it’ll be a close battle again for the next best team and hopefully we can try and sneak up there, but McLaren are very good again.”

‘Getting most out of the tyres’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/getting-most-out-of-the-tyres-the-deciding-factor-in-saudi-arabia-as-russell.6ZEF7RwwJObm7eZJXdCWXT


Prime suspect identified in new Tsunoda crash discovery at Saudi GP
19 Apr 2025
Jamie Woodhouse

An incident which has been analysed in greater detail by three-time IndyCar race winner Kyle Kirkwood, who has uncovered a design quirk of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit wall whacked by Tsunoda which he believes instigates the crash.

An incident which played out in the blink of an eye after that small misjudgement, Kirkwood analysed the footage in greater depth and discovered ‘many sharp joists’ in the construction of that wall, believing he has found the answer therefore to what halted Tsunoda.

Writing on X, Kirkwood posted: “Would like to point out, If you look closely, you can tell the corner is made up of 10ft(ish) flat walls that have many sharp joints where they connect. He [Tsunoda] happened to hit one of the joints perfectly. If this was a smooth wall or hits in a flat portion, this likely isn’t a crash.”

‘Prime suspect’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/kyle-kirkwood-saudi-arabian-gp-track-joists-yuki-tsunoda-crash


Max Verstappen Offered 'Deal of the Century' to Leave Red Bull
19 Apr 2025
Give Me Sport

Max Verstappen could be on his way out of Red Bull Racing with a record-breaking deal in place to tempt him away to a rival team, according to recent reports. And according to this latest report by Italian media outfit La Gazzetta dello Sport, Verstappen could be set to earn, by far, the most lucrative driver contract in F1 history to leave the Red Bull family and join Aston Martin on a three-year contract worth €264m (yes, you read that correctly).

The Italian newspaper's claims are based on interest from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia to take over the ownership of Aston Martin, with their strong financial power being the key to the €264m dangled in front of Verstappen's face. The Saudi Arabian giants were already a key part of the team as the title sponsor under the name of oil company Aramco.

‘€264m (yes, you read that correctly)’;

https://www.givemesport.com/max-verstappen-offered-staggering-money-leave-red-bull-f1/

[Fortitude]

Saudi Arabian GP: Norris aces FP3 as Verstappen blasts ‘ridiculous’ Hamilton.
Oscar Piastri was the only driver to get close to Norris, forced to settle for P2 in the sister McLaren, while Max Verstappen found himself strangely irked by Lewis Hamilton in the run-off.
19 Apr 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

The Ferraris were the first of the big-hitters to join the leaderboard, but with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc seven-tenths off new leader Jack Doohan, there was more time to come. As the session ticked past halfway, Piastri, Norris, Verstappen, Leclerc and Tsunoda was the top five. Behind the McLarens the order continued to shift, but Piastri’s 1:28.470 was keeping him out of reach, with Norris maintaining a grasp on P2.

Verstappen meanwhile reported “weird engine braking” as he fell nine-tenths shy of Piastri, and took issue with a “ridiculous” Ferrari driven by Hamilton who had taken to the run-off as Verstappen approached. “Jeez” meanwhile was Hamilton’s word for the day on team radio, as he was told the eye-watering deficits he had to make up. He was 1.7 seconds off Piastri’s pace and eight-tenths off Leclerc. He reduced that to 1.3s off Piastri.

But there was a late sting in the tail as Norris snatched top spot from his team-mate, a 1:27.489 enough to see off Piastri by two-hundredths. Russell, Verstappen and Leclerc completed the new and final top five, while Piastri survived a late whack of the wall at Turn 4/5.

‘Norris aces FP3’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/saudi-arabian-grand-prix-2025-fp3-report


Saudi Arabian GP : Free Practice 3 Results
Full results from Free Practice 3 for the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian GP from Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
20 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Diff Best
1 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 16 1:27.489s
2 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 17 0.024s 1:27.513s
3 63 George Russell Mercedes 15 0.627s 1:28.116s
4 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 12 0.845s 1:28.334s
5 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 20 0.883s 1:28.372s
6 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes 14 0.900s 1:28.389s
7 55 Carlos Sainz Williams – Mercedes 13 1.081s 1:28.570s
8 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine – Renault 15 1.136s 1:28.625s
9 22 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull – Honda 12 1.181s 1:28.670s
10 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 16 1.190s 1:28.679s

‘Free Practice 3 Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-saudi-arabian-gp-free-practice-3-fp3-jeddah-corniche-circuit/


FP3: Norris pips McLaren team mate Piastri in final practice at the Saudi Arabian GP
19 April 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Lando Norris ended the third and final practice session of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend fastest of all, leading his McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri by 0.024s while George Russell was best of the rest in third. Setting up an intriguing Qualifying session, drivers were finding time on their second timed efforts on the soft tyres following one or two cooldown laps. This process also highlighted how traffic could be an issue later on Saturday, with Isack Hadjar one driver caught out by a slower driver when on a timed effort.

Cautious of the threat of yellow or red flags, drivers were sent out onto the track for their second runs on fresh soft tyres with 17 minutes remaining. George Russell revealed Mercedes’ hand with a 1m 28.214s to move briefly to the top, before Piastri bettered this by 0.701s with a 1m 27.513s, an effort that Norris fell 0.158s short of. But in the closing stages, Norris found time and reversed these positions, with his session-best 1m 27.489s clear of Piastri by 0.024s.

Having found an extra tenth, Russell improved to third while Verstappen benefitted from a tow to go fourth, although 0.845s off the pace. Hamilton’s struggles continued in the second runs as he ended the session four tenths and seven places behind fifth placed Leclerc. In 12th, Hamilton’s gloomy Friday feeling that he was simply trying to reach the top 10 and make Q3 looked like an ever-increasingly difficult task.

‘Norris pips McLaren team mate Piastri’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/fp3-norris-pips-mclaren-team-mate-piastri-in-final-practice-at-the-saudi.1yUxtfZ6ZrB949evTW1ywo


‘No wonder’: Martin Brundle is not surprised Lewis Hamilton was ‘shocked’ by one thing Ferrari told him at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
19 Apr 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Hamilton has been off Leclerc’s speed at the Saudi Arabian GP all weekend after taking P8 in FP1 and P13 in FP2 with 0.506s and 0.622s gaps to the Monegasque in P3 and P4. He goes into qualifying with a big deficit as Hamilton tries to be Ferrari’s lead driver for the first time.

Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami also surprised Hamilton as he told the 105-time Grand Prix winner how much time he was losing per sector in FP3 at the Saudi Arabian GP. The 40-year-old has struggled for pace all year, with his average Grand Prix qualifying position P7.5. Hamilton asked his race engineer, ‘How far am I down on the sectors?’ during FP3. To which, Adami replied: “Seven-tenths first sector, four-tenths second sector and we aborted the last sector.” Adami’s astonishing information stunned Hamilton, who simply responded: “Jeez…”

Brundle said on Sky Sports F1 (19/04, 16:04): “There’s been entire Grand Prix events where he wouldn’t have lost seven-tenths to anybody, let alone in one sector. No wonder he was shocked by it. I think he’s going the wrong way with the set-up of the car for him. He’s clearly got to find his way with the car and his engineer. But Lewis is not seven-tenths off in the first sector of this track and the car’s just not with him. He’s just not comfortable in it. It’s not working and it’s almost uncomfortable viewing and listening.”

‘No wonder’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/martin-brundle-is-not-surprised-lewis-hamilton-was-shocked-by-one-thing-ferrari-told-him-at-the-saudi-arabian-grand-prix/


Verstappen fourth in third free practice in Jeddah
19 April 2025
Misha van der Kroon
Verstappen.nl

With just under twenty minutes to go, Max is back on track. The McLarens raise the pace, with Piastri setting a 1:27.513. Although Max improves again with a 1:28.413, it only placed him P5, nine-tenths off Piastri’s benchmark.

After a brief return to the pits, Verstappen heads out once more in the final moments of the session. He manages one last improvement, setting a 1:28.334 to end the session in P4, 0.8 seconds off the fastest man, Lando Norris. McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri is just 0.024 seconds behind in P2, while George Russell follows six-tenths behind the McLarens in his Mercedes.

‘Verstappen fourth’;

https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/5781/


2025 Saudi Arabian GP FP3: Hadjar has ‘water flying around his helmet’
19 April 2025
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Isack Hadjar was struggling with his onboard drinks system in final practice for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

‘Water flying around’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2025-saudi-arabian-gp-fp3-hadjar-has-water-flying-around-his-helmet.1829844045509003047


Red Bull hand Yuki Tsunoda boost with private test planned after Saudi Arabian GP
19 Apr 2025
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Yuki Tsunoda is to driver Red Bull’s title-winning RB19 car from 2023 in a private test at Silverstone next week, the team have confirmed to PlanetF1.com. Tsunoda has acquitted himself well since replacing Liam Lawson at Red Bull’s senior team after the first two races of the F1 2025 season, showing encouraging pace in the tricky RB21 car in Japan and Bahrain.

Speaking to media including PlanetF1.com in Jeddah on Thursday, Tsunoda issued a progress update on his start to life at Red Bull, revealing that he is “getting there” with the RB21. He said: “I wouldn’t say 100 per cent [confident] yet, but it’s definitely more than for sure Suzuka and more than how I started in Bahrain, so it’s getting there.”

“These things won’t go straight away. Especially in Saudi you need to build up anyway throughout the week, but definitely more confidence than last week. In terms of confidence level, I’m quite happy with the level I am considering [I have only done] two races. I’m sure it will come more. But I’m just trying to understand how this car operates, how this car performs well.”

‘Red Bull hand Yuki Tsunoda boost’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/red-bull-yuki-tsunoda-rb19-test-silverstone

[Fortitude]

Lando Norris misery continues with shock Saudi Arabian qualifying crash.
That is a complete disaster for Lando Norris.
19 Apr 2025
Samuel Coop
RacingNews365

Lando Norris crashed in the final section of qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, bringing out the red flag. The McLaren driver will now start the race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in P10 after hitting the wall in the first sector, on the exit of Turn 5.

The five-time grand prix winner called himself a "fucking idiot" over team radio after confirming to the Woking squad that he was okay. Team-mate Oscar Piastri appeared to just get his first Q3 push lap in before the red flag was flown. The clock has stopped with 8:32 left to run in the session.

‘Lando Norris misery continues’;

https://racingnews365.com/lando-norris-misery-continues-with-shock-saudi-arabian-qualifying-crash


Verstappen mugs McLaren as Norris crashes in Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying
A brilliant lap from Max Verstappen has seen the Red Bull driver steal pole position away from McLaren at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
20 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

McLaren was favourite for top spot heading into the session but ended it with Lando Norris in the wall and Oscar Piastri only second fastest. Norris crashed out in the opening moments of Qualifying 3 while his teammate missed out on a third career pole by just a tenth of a second. Without a time to his name, championship-leader Norris will start Sunday’s race from 10th.

With just over a minute remaining, Russell moved onto provisional pole, completing his lap as Piastri was beginning his. It was marginally faster, but behind the Australian, Verstappen was flying. The McLaren driver managed a 1:27.304s to bump Russell off provisional pole, but it didn’t last. An incredible lap from Verstappen saw the Red Bull driver steal pole once again, as he’d done in Japan, with a 1:27.294s.

‘Verstappen mugs McLaren’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-saudi-arabian-gp-jeddah-verstappen-pole-qualifying-result-report-pole-mclaren-norris-crash-details-times/


Must see: Norris dramatically crashes out of Q3 in Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying
20 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site

McLaren's Lando Norris dramatically crashed out of Qualifying in Q3, relegating him to 10th on the grid for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in what could be a pivotal moment in the championship battle. Norris' session came to an end when he stamped on the throttle too quickly, hopping across the exit kerb, before smashing into the concrete wall at Turn 5 and sliding to a halt. Offering an immediate assessment via team radio, Norris called himself an "idiot".

Only McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri had set a time in that phase of Qualifying, with the Australian having tapped a wall himself, while George Russell had also reported an impact with his floor over a kerb.

With Piastri eventually having to settle for P2 on the grid, after Max Verstappen's storming pole lap, the incident could have a pivotal impact on the Drivers' Championship – the McLaren pair separated by three points with the Red Bull driver himself only eight points behind the standings leader.

‘Norris called himself an "idiot"!’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/must-see-norris-dramatically-crashes-out-of-q3-in-saudi-arabian-gp.2XPRd8gfM8oTeVIuL2edHd


Saudi Arabian GP: Qualifying Results
Full results from Qualifying for the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian GP from Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
20 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Diff Q1 Q2 Q3
1 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda 19 1:27.778s 1:27.529s 1:27.294s
2 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 18 0.010s 1:27.901s 1:27.545s 1:27.304s
3 63 George Russell Mercedes 16 0.113s 1:28.282s 1:27.599s 1:27.407s
4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 19 0.376s 1:28.552s 1:27.866s 1:27.670s
5 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 17 0.572s 1:28.128s 1:27.798s 1:27.866s
6 55 Carlos Sainz Williams – Mercedes 23 0.870s 1:28.354s 1:28.024s 1:28.164s
7 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 20 0.907s 1:28.372s 1:28.102s 1:28.201s
8 22 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull – Honda 16 0.910s 1:28.226s 1:27.990s 1:28.204s
9 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine – Renault 22 1.073s 1:28.421s 1:28.025s 1:28.367s
10 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes 11 1:27.805s 1:27.481s

‘Qualifying Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-saudi-arabian-gp-qualifying-results-standings-times-jeddah-corniche-circuit/


Verstappen denies Piastri for pole after heavy crash for Norris in qualifying
19th April 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Max Verstappen will start the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position after narrowly beating Oscar Piastri in qualifying. Red Bull claimed pole position for the fourth year in a row at Jeddah. However championship leader Lando Norris will start down in 10th after crashing in the final phase of qualifying. Q3 was only running long enough for Piastri to set the fastest time when it was red-flagged – and the cause was his team mate.

While Piastri was approaching the final corner, Norris had run too deep into turn four, thumped across the kerb and slid into the barrier. He reported he was unhurt, but the left-hand side of his MCL39 was extensively damaged and his qualifying session was over. “Fecking idiot,” he cursed.

By the time Verstappen came back around to finish his final lap, he was down to third place. Russell had produced another strong lap to lay his claim to pole position, only to see Piastri beat it. Verstappen lost a little time in the middle of the lap but claimed it back at the end, snatching pole away from Piastri by just a hundredth of a second.

“Fecking idiot,” Lando Norris cursed’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/04/19/verstappen-denies-piastri-for-pole-after-heavy-crash-for-norris-in-qualifying/


‘He’s struggling’: Sam Bird saw one sign that ‘shows’ Lewis Hamilton is ‘struggling’ in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
19 Apr 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Lewis Hamilton is enduring another difficult weekend with Ferrari at the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after only managing to qualify in P7 for Sunday’s race in Jeddah. The 40-year-old has struggled for pace in every session at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit and is now set to start the Saudi Arabian GP on the fourth row of the grid. Hamilton could only do a 1:28.201 lap in Q3, whilst Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc posted a 1:27.670 to claim P4.

It has been far from the weekend that Hamilton would have hoped for after also only setting the eighth, 13th and 12th-quickest lap times in FP1, FP2 and FP3. Ferrari surprised Hamilton with the speed he lost each sector in FP3, as well, and he struggled to improve in qualifying. Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton found himself on the back foot from the off in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian GP on Saturday.

He would advance to Q2 with the ninth-best lap time in the opening part yet needed two bites of the cherry to avoid a shock early exit in Jeddah. Hamilton dropped to the cusp of the elimination zone after only posting a 1:28.642 lap with his first attempt in Q1. So, Ferrari resorted to pitting the Briton to fit another new set of the soft compound Pirelli tyres, with which Hamilton would improve to a 1:28.372 to secure P9.

‘He’s struggling’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/sam-bird-saw-one-sign-that-shows-lewis-hamilton-is-struggling-in-qualifying-for-the-saudi-arabian-grand-prix/

[Fortitude]

Piastri has no regrets: Final flyer in Q3 ‘the best I could have done’.
In a heart-stopping qualifying session for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri came tantalizingly close to pole position, missing out by a mere 0.01 seconds to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
20/04/2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Piastri was straightforward about the quality of his final lap, describing it as the best he could have delivered. “There wasn’t much more left in that lap,” commented the Aussie, quoted by Speedcafe. “I’m happy with the job I did. I think it was playing catch-up a little bit through the first part of qualifying and then that last lap felt more or less like the best I could have done.”

‘No regrets’;

https://f1i.com/news/536521-piastri-has-no-regrets-final-flyer-in-q3-the-best-i-could-have-done.html


Will Lando Norris mistakes cost him F1 drivers' title?
Lando Norris made perhaps his biggest mistake of the season yet in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, can he keep getting away with it?
20 Apr 2025
RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

Norris has been incredibly hard on himself in recent weeks, outlining his mistakes and how he must stop making them. Despite this, he is yet to stop making unnecessary mistakes, opening the door to Piastri and Verstappen. Suzuka is the only circuit Norris has not made a genuine mistake at this season, raising a crucial question. Will Norris' mistakes cost him a first drivers' championship come the end of the campaign?

‘Lando Norris mistakes’;

https://racingnews365.com/will-lando-norris-mistakes-cost-him-f1-drivers-title


McLaren forced to delete ill-judged post about Lando Norris after Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying crash
19 Apr 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

McLaren delete poorly-worded Lando Norris post after he said he was ‘okay’ on the radio. “Lando is okay,” they wrote, “not what any team wants to see.” Clearly, they were referring to the accident, but one can see how that post would be misconstrued. Realising their misjudgement, McLaren deleted and revised the post. “Red Flag,” the second draft read. “Lando has had an incident on track. He is okay and out of the car.”

‘Ill-judged post’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mclaren-forced-to-delete-ill-judged-post-about-lando-norris-after-saudi-arabian-grand-prix-crash/


Furious Charles Leclerc delivers shock verdict on Ferrari upgrades
Ferrari's upgrades have not had the desired effect, as an unhappy Charles Leclerc explains.
20 Apr 2025
Jake Nichol & Ian Parkes
RacingNews365

"I'm not happy, I am really not happy," Leclerc told media, including RacingNews365. "I mean, I finished P4 and I put everything out there, but for now, the performance of the car is just not there. I either have massive oversteer or massive understeer, but the end result is that I don't have enough grip to reproduce what the guys in front are doing.”

"At the moment, I feel good in the car, I've found the sweet spot of the car and matched my driving style, and in the last three qualifying sessions, I've managed to maximise the potential of the car - but the potential is just not yet at the level I want."

‘Shock verdict’;

https://racingnews365.com/furious-charles-leclerc-delivers-shock-verdict-on-ferrari-upgrades


Lewis Hamilton needs a ‘brain transplant’ with Ferrari ‘bosses not happy’
20 Apr 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

When asked after qualifying what he needs in order to gel with the SF-25, Hamilton simply replied: “A brain transplant.” The responses got more concerning still, when Hamilton hinted that patience is wearing thin with the Ferrari higher-ups over his performances with the team so far.

‘Brain transplant’

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-hamilton-needs-a-brain-transplant-ferrari-not-happy-results


Italy Already Losing Faith In Lewis Hamilton
Apr 20, 2025
Media
F1 Chronicle

After all of the pre-season hype, Lewis Hamilton’s red adventure at Ferrari is already turning grey. “From promises to doubts,” the headline at Corriere della Sera reads, referring to the “more complicated than expected” transition for the seven-time world champion from Mercedes to Maranello.

Some are wondering if 40-year-old Hamilton’s Ferrari adventure could end as soon as December. Former high-profile Ferrari engineer Luigi Mazzola told Sky Italia that Hamilton’s 2025 season reminds him of Sebastian Vettel’s ill-fated last couple of seasons in red.

‘Losing Faith’;

https://f1chronicle.com/italy-already-losing-faith-in-lewis-hamilton/?nowprocket=1


George Russell rues not mimicking Max Verstappen qualifying strategy in Saudi Arabia
19 Apr 2025
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

George Russell rued not following polesitter Max Verstappen’s two-lap run plan during qualifying for the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. “I have a little bit of mixed feelings right now because I felt there was a bit more on the table,” Russell told select media, including Motorsport Week.

“There was a lot of pressure going into that last lap because Oscar had a lap on the board. I think the run plan that Max did for two laps was a really good one and one we didn’t really consider.”

‘Mixed feelings’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/19/george-russell-rues-not-mimicking-max-verstappen-qualifying-strategy-in-saudi-arabia/


Antonelli left ‘a bit disappointed’ despite top five qualifying result
19 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli reckons he lost three or four tenths of a second on his final run in Q3, and could have been even higher on the grid than his P5 result.

‘A bit disappointed’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/antonelli-left-a-bit-disappointed-despite-top-five-qualifying-result.1829857402635011462


Max Verstappen thanks surprise figure for critical Red Bull call
Max Verstappen deployed a different strategy in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
20 Apr 2025
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

Max Verstappen has hailed race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase for deciding upon a different strategy, which allowed him to claim pole position in Saudi Arabia. Following Lando Norris's crash early in Q3, most of the field elected to just complete a single run on their new sets of soft tyres, but Verstappen did not.

He aborted his first flying lap before actually starting, thanks to the Norris red flag, meaning he could use these tyres for another run before switching over to his second, brand-new set. To achieve this strategy in the time frame left, Verstappen had to carry three laps more of fuel - an entire run - and complete a race-style pit stop, with the Dutchman 0.001s up on Oscar Piastri after the first lap.

"At the end of the day, GP said: 'Let’s fuel it for two laps. So you do the first lap on the used out-lap tyre, then pit and go onto the new. You carry more fuel, so you’re a bit slower on the first time.’ But it was the right call. It was definitely the right thing to do for me in terms of feeling with the car and building up to the limit."

‘Max Verstappen: The right call’;

https://racingnews365.com/max-verstappen-thanks-surprise-figure-for-critical-red-bull-call


Yuki Tsunoda airs frustration after latest Red Bull mishap
20 Apr 2025
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

“I had a massive snap in Turn 4,” Tsunoda told media including RacingNews365. “When I push more, [this] unpredictable snap keeps happening and it’s just really hard to reach the limit.”

“That’s why when it comes to Q3, when it all counts, you push hard. In VCARB, you know where the limit is and I can squeeze out the last few milliseconds. Currently, it’s hard to find the limit and I’m getting messy laps all the time. I’m really frustrated [about] that.”

‘Frustration’;

https://racingnews365.com/yuki-tsunoda-airs-frustration-after-latest-red-bull-mishap

[Fortitude]

Verstappen Pole Full Team Radio - Saudi Arabia Qualifying 2025.
Team Radio: Max Verstappen Saudi Arabia Qualifying 2025 I added tire info and subtitles to explain. Also I cleaned up the sound but sometimes a word got lost in the engine sound.
Apr 19, 2025
RAWE CEEK

Please remember the voice-overs are my opinion only. I am just a fan like most of you. If you have any major corrections for the translation let them know in the comments, it will help other viewers. Be respectful please.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwtxp99eEss


Tsunoda Full Team Radio - Saudi Arabia Qualifying 2025
Apr 20, 2025
RAWE CEEK

Team Radio: Yuki Tsunoda Saudi Arabia Qualifying 2025 I added subtitles to explain, sound effects for entertainment. Also I cleaned up the sound but sometimes a word got lost in the engine sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXwoErVKHA0


Max Verstappen: Saudi weekend ‘the story of Red Bull RB21 car’
20 Apr 2025
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

Even through practice in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen wasn’t confident pole position was on the cards.
“I think one standout is, of course, again McLaren being very competitive, but from our side there’s still quite a bit of work to do and things to understand,” the Dutchman said on Friday, having finished third to the papaya machines and a tenth behind.

That margin grew to over eight tenths in FP3 and had Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner worried. “I think we all came out of FP3, almost slightly depressed thinking ‘christ, it’s a battle to be on the second row here,’” Horner told Sky Sports F1 after qualifying.

Verstappen, meanwhile, told select media, including Motorsport Week, “I felt immediately more confident when I headed into qualifying. “We made some minor changes to the car, but they were clearly big enough to feel, and I think that’s a bit the story of our car,” he added. “It can be really hit and miss. When we get it right, I think it’s competitive, of course.”

‘The story of Red Bull RB21 car’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/20/max-verstappen-saudi-weekend-the-story-of-red-bull-rb21-car/


‘McLaren sandbagging?’ – Horner reveals surprise over Max Verstappen pole
20 Apr 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Christian Horner explained how Red Bull pondering over possible “McLaren sandbagging” turned to elation when Max Verstappen claimed Saudi Arabian Grand Prix pole. “Coming into that qualy off FP3, it was all about who was going to be third,” Horner told Sky F1. “And suddenly, Q1, Max went quickest, and you think, ‘hang on, are McLaren sandbagging here?’”

“And then Q2, we were right there again. And then the unfortunate accident for Lando in Q3, there were only four cars with two new sets [of tyres], which were the two McLarens, George [Russell] and Max. Thankfully, Lando was okay, but it left it right on the cusp of doing two times, for which there was 25 seconds of margin, or do you just hang in there and do one? We elected to do the two times, which puts you under pressure because if there’s any issue at all, you’ve lost that margin.”

“What was super impressive for me was that, because you take the pit stop, you’ve got to carry the fuel. So he had six or seven kilograms more fuel on that first lap, which he went quickest, put the pressure then on the other guys. And then again, his last lap was outstanding. To get that pole, our second in the last three races, is really rewarding. A phenomenal performance by Max and the team, and good to have Yuki [Tsunoda] up there in Q3 as well.”

‘McLaren sandbagging?’

https://www.planetf1.com/news/mclaren-sandbagging-caution-christian-horner-max-verstappen-pole-saudi-arabian-gp


How Max Verstappen shocked McLaren to claim Saudi Arabian GP pole
Max Verstappen stormed to pole position in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, but just how exactly did the Red Bull driver defy the odds yet again?
20 Apr 2025
Pepijn van der Hulst & Nick Golding
RacingNews365

Red Bull made crucial setup changes ahead of qualifying which made a big difference to the RB21, as did a clever Q3 strategy after Lando Norris crashed out. The Austrian outfit opted to run Verstappen twice despite just eight minutes on the clock, with a normal pit stop having been conducted between the Dutchman's two hot laps.

It was a qualifying session of fine margins, with a different driver and car having been fastest in each sector. Verstappen was quickest in sector one, George Russell in sector two and Piastri in the final sector. Verstappen had a one-tenth advantage over Piastri and Russell through the first sector, courtesy of Red Bull's RB21 boasting remarkable top speed over its rivals.

‘How Max Verstappen shocked McLaren’;

https://racingnews365.com/how-max-verstappen-shocked-mclaren-to-claim-saudi-arabian-gp-pole


Verstappen set to start with fresh engine as Honda equips its four cars with new PU components in Jeddah
20 Apr 2025
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen will race with a fresh power unit at today's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after Honda has elected to equip its four cars with new PU components.

Honda has equipped its four cars - the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen, Yuki Tsunoda and the Racing Bulls of Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson - with a fresh internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-K, MGU-H and exhaust system. For the Kiwi, it is already his third ICE which means that he will only have one more fresh unit to use for the remainder of the 24-race season.

‘Fresh engine’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/26641

[Fortitude]

Piastri: 'I wasn't coming out of Turn 1 in 2nd'.
Oscar Piastri expressed delight at winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, revealing that he had no intention of making Max Verstappen's life easy at Turn 1 after the start.
20/04/2025
James Fiorucci
F1i.com

It was a hard-fought victory for the Australian driver, as the fast and twisty nature of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit took a visible physical toll on the drivers out on track.

Piastri, who started the Grand Prix from second on the starting grid after setting a time just 0.010 seconds slower than Verstappen in Qualifying, pulled alongside the Dutchman in the run up to the first corner.

The 24-year-old was ahead of Verstappen when the latter cut the second corner and re-joined the track back in the lead of the race. Stewards deemed this a violation of the regulations, and handed Verstappen a five-second penalty for the infringement.

‘Hard-fought victory’;

https://f1i.com/news/536557-piastri-i-wasnt-coming-out-of-turn-1-in-2nd.html


Saudi Arabian GP: Race Results
Full results from the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian GP from Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
21 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Pos Num Driver Team Laps/Diff
1 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren – Mercedes 50 Laps
2 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull – Honda + 2.843s
3 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari + 8.104s
4 4 Lando Norris McLaren – Mercedes + 9.196s
5 63 George Russell Mercedes + 27.236s
6 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes + 34.688s
7 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari + 39.073s
8 55 Carlos Sainz Williams – Mercedes + 64.63s
9 23 Alex Albon Williams – Mercedes + 66.515s
10 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls – Honda + 67.091s

‘Race Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-saudi-arabian-gp-race-results-standings-times-finishing-order-details-jeddah-corniche-circuit/


Oscar Piastri storms to Saudi Arabian GP victory after early Max Verstappen penalty
Oscar Piastri takes control of the championship battle by winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the expense of Max Verstappen.
20 April 2025
Euan Burns
Total Motorsport

“Looking for a couch! It was a pretty tough race,” Piastri said after the race. “Very happy to have won. Made my case into Turn 1, it was tricky to follow – I couldn’t stay with Max at the end of the first stint, I chewed up my tyres.”

“We still need a bit more, Max was a little bit too close for my liking. Once I got on the inside, I was not coming out of Turn 1 in second. In the end that is what got me the race, so very happy with the work we do on the starts.”

‘Oscar Piastri takes control of the championship battle’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-oscar-piastri-victory-saudi-arabian-gp-2025-max-verstappen-penalty/


Max Verstappen cuts short awkward Saudi Arabian GP interview after Oscar Piastri question
Max Verstappen was not feeling talkative after climbing out of the car.
Apr 20, 2025
Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

Max Verstappen was caught up in an awkward interview with David Coulthard after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Dutchman told the former Red Bull driver that he was going to 'keep it short' after being asked about his lap-one incident with Oscar Piastri. Verstappen started the race from pole position, but got a difficult launch on the outside lane. Piastri, meanwhile, was strong out of the blocks and pipped the four-time world champion to the apex on the approach to Turn One.

After climbing out of the cockpit, Verstappen faced Coulthard for the customary post-race interview. However, when he was asked about the Turn One incident, he was visibly unimpressed. "I'm going to keep it quite short," Verstappen stated. "I just want to say a big thank you to the fans here in Jeddah. It's been a great weekend. I love the track. The rest, it is what it is. I'm looking forward to Miami, so I will see you there."

"I'm going to keep it quite short";

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2044256/Max-Verstappen-Oscar-Piastri-Saudi-Arabian-Grand-Prix


Max Verstappen cuts interview short after FIA issue Saudi Arabian GP penalty
20 Apr 2025
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

Max Verstappen had little to say in the immediate aftermath of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as he ignored a question about the opening lap incident between him and Oscar Piastri.

Pole sitter Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage off track but despite calling it “f**king lovely” during the race, afterwards he chose not to say anything.

Asked for his reaction, Verstappen said just 46 words before handing the microphone back to David
Coulthard.

‘46 words’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-verstappen-cuts-interview-short-after-fia-issue-saudi-arabian-gp-penalty


Max second in Saudi Arabian GP: 'It is what it is'
20 April 2025
Stefan Meens
Verstappen.nl

On the in-lap after the chequered flag, Max said: “We did everything right, thanks guys. I gave it everything and it is what it is.” The Oracle Red Bull Racing added whilst speaking to the FOM world feed after the race: “I want to keep it brief. I want to thank the fans here in Jeddah. It was a great weekend, and I love this track. I’m looking forward to Miami.”

'It is what it is';

https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/5784/

[Fortitude]

“You can’t be critical in any form”: Verstappen explains silence over Jeddah penalty.
“It has to do with social media in general and how the world is,” said Verstappen. “I prefer not to talk a lot because sometimes your words can be twisted or people interpret it in a different way. It’s honestly better not to say too much. So that’s what I’m trying to do.”
20th April 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Max Verstappen refused to give his view on the penalty which potentially cost him victory today, and offered several reasons why. “It’s just the world we live in,” he added when asked to elaborate. “You can’t share your opinion because it’s not appreciated, apparently, or people can’t handle the full truth. Honestly, it’s better if I don’t say too much. It also saves my time because we already have to do so much.”

“It’s honestly just how everything is becoming. Everyone is super-sensitive about everything. And what we have currently, we cannot be critical anyway. So less talking [is] even better for me.” During the off-season the FIA broadened its definition of what constitutes “misconduct” by drivers. It also introduced a new regime of fines and, for multiple offences, suspensions and points deductions.

Verstappen said this is another reason why he was reluctant to discuss the incident. I know I cannot swear in here,” he said, “but at the same time, you also can’t be critical in any form that might ‘harm’ or ‘[en]danger’… let me get the sheet out. There’s a lot of lines, you know. So that’s why it’s better not to talk about it – you can put yourself in trouble, and I don’t think anyone wants that.”

‘Max Verstappen refused to give his view on the penalty’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/04/20/you-cant-be-critical-in-any-form-verstappen-explains-silence-over-jeddah-penalty/


'I cannot share my opinion': Max Verstappen stays tight-lipped on race-deciding penalty
20 Apr 2025
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MailOnline

Verstappen told his Red Bull team over the radio during the race that he felt Piastri had forced him off the track. The four-time champion repeatedly refused to go into any more detail in a televised interview and a later news conference.

"The start happened, turn one happened and suddenly it was lap 50 (the last lap). It just all went super fast," Verstappen said in response to one question. "The problem is that I cannot share my opinion about it because I might get penalized also, you know, so it´s better not to speak about it."

'I cannot share my opinion';

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-14630363/I-share-opinion-Max-Verstappen-stays-tight-lipped-race-deciding-penalty.html


'People can't handle the truth' - Max Verstappen refuses to explain frustration at Saudi Arabian GP penalty for incident with Oscar Piastri
Max Verstappen finished second in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after receiving a crucial five-second penalty; Verstappen started from pole but was penalised following a first-corner battle with race winner Oscar Piastri
20 Apr 2025
Sky Sports

Max Verstappen has claimed people not being able to "handle the full truth" was part of the reason he couldn't explain his discontent at receiving a crucial penalty during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Asked if he was frustrated at having to bite his tongue, Verstappen added: "I think it's just the world we live in. You can't share fully your opinion because it's not appreciated, apparently, or people can't handle the full truth.”

‘People not being able to "handle the full truth"’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13352418/max-verstappen-refuses-to-explain-frustration-at-saudi-arabian-gp-penalty-for-incident-with-oscar-piastri


Max Verstappen gives blunt 13-second answer after penalty in Saudi Arabia GP
The Red Bull driver was unhappy with the five-second penalty for a clash with Oscar Piastri
20 Apr 2025
Kieran Jackson
The Independent

Max Verstappen refused to discuss the five-second penalty which changed the course of the Saudi Arabian GP – as the reigning F1 world champion finished behind winner Oscar Piastri.

Red Bull driver Verstappen, who started on pole, reacted slower at lights out with second-placed Piastri surging down the inside heading into turn one.

Verstappen left the racetrack, failing to make the corner, but maintained the lead from the McLaren driver – who appealed for the Dutchman to give the place back.

‘Blunt 13-second answer’;

https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/max-verstappen-penalty-f1-oscar-piastri-saudi-arabia-b2736446.html


Christian Horner disputes Max Verstappen penalty with 'photo evidence'
The Red Bull boss has defended his driver after a Saudi Arabian Grand Prix penalty.
20 Apr 2025
Jake Nichol & Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

"I thought it was very harsh, we didn't concede the position because we didn't believe that he'd done anything wrong," Horner told media including RacingNews365. "You can quite clearly see at the apex of the corner, we believe Max is ahead and under the rules of engagement they discussed previously, it was a very harsh decision.

"If we'd given it up, the problem is then that you run into the dirty air and drop back and then risk problems with George [Russell, in third place]. So the best thing was at that point, to take the penalty, get your head down and keep going. What was a shame was that our pace versus the McLaren in the first stint was in good shape, and we had to serve the penalty on the same stint as Oscar.”

"He finished 2.6s ahead, and without the penalty, it would have been a win, but there was always going to a difference of opinion over a very marginal decision like that. I can't see how they got to that conclusion, they both got in at the same speed, Oscar runs deep into the corner and Max can't just disappear. So perhaps these rules need a relook, and I just don't know what has happened to 'let them race on the first lap,' that just seems to have been abandoned."

'Photo evidence';

https://racingnews365.com/christian-horner-disputes-max-verstappen-penalty-with-photo-evidence


Horner insists Verstappen was wrongly penalised in Saudi Arabia
Red Bull boss Christian Horner insists Max Verstappen was unjustly penalised during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
21 Apr 2025
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Speaking with the media in the wake of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Horner armed himself with a image taken from Verstappen’s onboard camera. It showed the Dutchman’s front wheels ahead of Piastri’s as they negotiated the first left-hander.

“When you look at that, I can’t see how they got to that conclusion,” Horner argued. “They’ve both gone in at the same speed. Oscar ran deep into the corner; Max can’t just disappear at this point in time. Perhaps these rules need a re-look at. I don’t know what’s happened to ‘let them race’ on the first lap. That seems to have been abandoned.”

‘Wrongly penalised’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-saudi-arabian-gp-verstappen-piastri-track-limits-penalty-horner-red-bull-reaction-comment-response/

[Fortitude]

Norris issues ‘I’m the best’ verdict after Piastri takes championship lead.
“I have the confidence that the pace is there, and I feel like I’m the best at the minute, but I make my life too tough on Saturday.” Lando Norris.
20 Apr 2025
Elizabeth Blackstock
PlanetF1.com

When asked how he felt about seeing his teammate take over the championship lead, Norris said, “I’m not surprised because of all the mistakes I’ve made over the last few Saturdays. My Sundays, I think I’m pretty happy with — they’ve been pretty strong. All of my Sundays, the pace has been good.”

“I have the confidence that the pace is there, and I feel like I’m the best at the minute, but I make my life too tough on Saturday. I’m making myself work for it; it makes my Sundays a little bit more fun at times. I gotta work on my Saturdays, and if I can work on my Saturdays, I’m confident I can get back to where I was.”

‘Norris issues ‘I’m the best’ verdict’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lando-norris-reacts-oscar-piastri-championship-lead-saudi-arabian-gp


The extraordinary truth behind Piastri’s stunning title surge... and why it’s only bad news for Norris
April 22nd, 2025
Michael Lamonato from Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)

There’s one clear winner from F1’s five-race opening stanza of 2025. His name is Oscar Piastri. The season’s only repeat winner and the only driver to start from the front row more than twice, Piastri finds himself 10 points clear at the top of the championship standings with just over 20 per cent of the campaign completed. He’s now the undisputed favourite to claim the 2025 drivers title in just his third year as a Formula 1 driver.

Of course it’s early days yet. A lead of 10 points is nothing with 19 grands prix remaining. But the Australian will enter the next phase of the season with all the momentum and riding a wave of considerable confidence after having outscored teammate Lando Norris by 33 points since his bruising ninth-place finish at the Australian Grand Prix back in March.

‘The extraordinary truth’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/formula-one/breaking-down-the-big-gains-behind-proud-piastris-new-title-lead/news-story/f52602a79053cbe7db1c95d5c181e07b


Lando Norris to miss 'one of the best days of my life' as Brit gets serious in title fight
Lando Norris is making big sacrifices in his World Championship fight.
Apr 21, 2025
Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

Lando Norris will not be in attendance at the King’s Day festivities in the Netherlands as the Brit gets serious about his World Championship fight. The McLaren racer will spend his weekend off training as he looks to take the battle to Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. The 25-year-old partied with celebrity DJ and close friend Martin Garrix on Koningsdag in 2024, which celebrates the birth of King Willem-Alexander on 27 April each year.

Norris was even spotted with bandages across his face after cutting his nose on another partygoer’s glass during the festivities. However, there will be no repeat of such an incident this time around. With a fortnight’s break leading into the Miami Grand Prix - where Norris claimed his first career victory in 2024 - the Bristol-born racer will be training hard in the gym and poring over data at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking.

‘Brit gets serious’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2044383/Lando-Norris-title-fight-Koningsdag-Amsterdam


Norris or Piastri? Right now, there is only one driver McLaren should be backing
One keeps making costly errors while the other is a doubt-free zone
April 21, 2025
Kevin Garside
i News

This was supposed to be the year of Lando Norris, yet five races in, the championship lead has passed to a McLaren teammate who has won three times to his once. Fastest in every session in Saudi Arabia until he hit the wall at turn five in the final qualifying session, Norris is once again ruing costly errors that are taking the stress out of Oscar Piastri’s weekends.

McLaren’s winter overhaul has made the car quicker, but the price for that is a more nervous disposition and a sweet spot that is harder to navigate, particularly, in the case of Norris, through the slower corners. For Piastri, the 2025 model has effectively come to him, the balance of the car more suited to his characteristics when it is on the limit. In other words, the car behaves as he expects it to. Norris, on the other hand, is constantly on edge, the car stubbornly refusing to bend to his will as it did last year.

‘Norris or Piastri?’;

https://inews.co.uk/sport/formula-one/lando-norris-oscar-piastri-mclaren-backing-3651285?ITO=newsnow


Piastri vs. Norris: Which One Is McLaren F1’s Favorite Kid?
Equal wins, a championship lead and a contract extension: McLaren F1 faces a double-edged sword with two title-contending drivers.
Apr 21, 2025
OLIVIA HICKS
The Drive

A month before Formula 1 hit the track for the first time in 2025, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri already held a quiet kind of confidence: “I can become World Champion this year,” the Australian driver stated bluntly in February. The self-assurance was inspired, if not a bit premature. The pair of McLarens hadn’t even commenced a test lap. And if one of the two was likely to end up on top it was Lando Norris’ No. 4.

But the championship leader, as calm and collected as ever, brushed off any comparisons or needling questions about team dynamics after he sped to victory in Jeddah: “I’m not that bothered by the fact that I’m leading the championship, but I’m proud of the work and the reasons behind why we’re leading the championship.”

‘McLaren F1 faces a double-edged sword’;

https://www.thedrive.com/news/piastri-vs-norris-who-will-mclaren-f1-favor


Oscar Piastri leads the F1 drivers’ championship. Here’s why he can win it this year
April 21, 2025
Russell Bennett
The Age

Until Piastri’s race win on Monday, the last Australian to lead the F1 world championship was Mark Webber – now Piastri’s manager – for Red Bull in 2010. McLaren’s “papaya rules” are set to allow Piastri the best shot at what no Australian has achieved since Alan Jones with Williams 45 years ago – winning the F1 drivers’ title.

In a nutshell, papaya rules mean that Piastri and teammate Lando Norris can go head-to-head – no one driver is prioritised over the other. McLaren are backing both drivers in equally. And this season, it looks like Piastri, not Norris, will come out on top.

“Papaya rules”’

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/motorsport/oscar-piastri-leads-the-f1-drivers-championship-here-s-why-he-can-win-it-this-year-20250421-p5lt33.html


Oscar Piastri has secret 'Lando Norris clause' in new McLaren deal as contract details 'leaked'
Published 16:10 21 Apr 2025 GMT+1
Nasir Jabbar
SPORTbible

Oscar Piastri has a 'Lando Norris clause' in his new McLaren deal as details of his contract have emerged. Piastri is 'protected' from teammate Norris in his challenge for the 2025 F1 world championship. That's according to Jacques Villeneuve, who claims a clause in the 24-year-old's deal forbids McLaren from giving priority in a race to the 25-year-old Brit.

Villeneuve, who won the 1997 F1 title, revealed: "They cannot give Lando priority over Oscar because of the contract. He has a contract that protects him. As long as both drivers can win the championship, there won't be team orders unless there's something significantly big for the constructors' title or if one of them is having an issue in a race like last year."

‘Secret 'Lando Norris clause'’;

https://www.sportbible.com/f1/oscar-piastri-lando-norris-clause-mclaren-deal-891594-20250421


‘You’re the effective leader’: Full radio from Piastri and Verstappen’s Jeddah tussle
22nd April 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Lap: 4/50 PIA: 1’34.247, VER: 1’33.831
Stallard He accelerates out of the final corner as the race restarts
Verstappen has a five-second penalty.
Stallard Oscar, Verstappen five-second penalty. That means you’re the effective race leader at the moment. We just want to build a gap to Russell. DRS enabled.

Lambiase Exit turn 18
Gap behind 1.1. Information, you have been given a five-second time penalty for the incident at turn one. Head down.
Verstappen Oh, that is…
Lambiase Yeah, Max…
Verstappen …really lovely!
Lambiase Yep. Yep. No comment.
Verstappen Oh don’t worry, I don’t care
Lambiase Mode nine

“You’re the effective leader”;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/04/22/youre-the-effective-leader-full-radio-from-piastri-and-verstappens-jeddah-tussle/


‘He is confirming’: Oscar Piastri ‘forcefully’ makes big change at McLaren after winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for Gian Carlo Minardi
22 Apr 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Minardi wrote on the former F1 team owner’s website: “In Saudi Arabia we saw a weekend under the banner of McLaren – but especially under the name Oscar Piastri, who forcefully took the number one spot within the team led by Andrea Stella, as well as the lead in the ladder by taking his third win of the season. He is confirming that he is a complete driver.”

“Forcefully took the number one spot”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/oscar-piastri-forcefully-makes-big-change-at-mclaren-after-winning-the-saudi-arabian-grand-prix-for-gian-carlo-minardi/

[Fortitude]

Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur defends driver's form in X-rated rant after Saudi Arabian GP.
"But this is f****** b******t. At the end of the day, we are in competition. You have ups and downs.” Fred Vasseur.
22 Apr 2025


Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has defended Lewis Hamilton's early-season form in an X-rated rant following another disappointing weekend for the seven-time world champion at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Vasseur was further probed on Hamilton's performance by the journalists in attendance at his post-race briefing, and eventually snapped back. Asked how Hamilton's form had fallen off so "dramatically", Vasseur replied: "It's not dramatically. We did five races so far. I know that you want to have the big headlines tomorrow that 'Fred said this'.

"But this is f****** b******t. At the end of the day, we are in competition. You have ups and downs. When we have up, we are not world champions. When we have down, we are not nowhere. It's just a competition."

"But this is f****** b******”;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13353123/lewis-hamilton-ferrari-team-principal-fred-vasseur-defends-drivers-form-in-x-rated-rant-after-saudi-arabian-gp


‘Not one second’ – Lewis Hamilton causes more alarm in SF-25 assessment
21 Apr 2025
Elizabeth Blackstock
PlanetF1.com

Asked if he was comfortable behind the wheel of the SF-25 during the race, Hamilton responded, “No. There was not one second [where I was comfortable].” The brief response encouraged a deeper line of questioning from Sky F1, particularly regarding the capabilities of the car.

“Well, clearly the car is capable of being P3, so Charles did a great job today — so I can’t blame it on the car,” he replied. Asked if he could pinpoint any reasons behind his own struggles, he could only respond, “No.”

“There’s nothing to say, ‘Hey, this is the issue,’” the seven-time World Champion admitted. “At the moment there’s no fix,” he said. “This is how it’s going to be for the rest of the year. It’s just going to be painful.”

‘Not one second’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-hamilton-ferrari-alarm-saudi-arabian-gp


Foul-Mouthed Vasseur Slams Hamilton Critic
Apr 22, 2025
F1Chronicle

Frederic Vasseur could not hold back the expletives as he slammed recent reporting about Lewis Hamilton’s struggle to get up to speed at Ferrari. There is no doubt that the seven-time world champion is yet to live up to the pre-season hype of his move from Mercedes, with Ferrari boss Vasseur even admitting as he departed Jeddah: “He’s having too many ups and downs.”

The partisan Italian media agrees, with La Gazzetta dello Sport declaring that Hamilton has so far fallen “well short of expectations”. But Vasseur was particularly triggered by a reporter who asked the Frenchman why he thinks 40-year-old Hamilton’s personal performance has dropped so “dramatically” in 2025.

“Dramatically?” Vasseur exclaimed. “We did five races so far! I know you want a big headline saying ‘Fred said this’ but this is f—–g b——t.”

‘Frederic Vasseur could not hold back the expletives’;

https://f1chronicle.com/foul-mouthed-vasseur-slams-hamilton-critic/?nowprocket=1


Martin Brundle shares how Ferrari now privately ‘feel’ about Lewis Hamilton’s start to the 2025 F1 season
21 Apr 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Brundle was speaking on Sky Sports F1 (20/4 4:53 pm) ahead of the race in Saudi Arabia with Hamilton lining up three positions behind his teammate. He explained what he’d been told by the team in a private meeting ahead of the Grand Prix and shared,

“Ferrari used an analogy today to say to us when Crofty and I were having our race day briefing, that it’s like putting on someone else’s skis or ice skates, or something like that. It takes a bit of time to get used to them, and that’s how they feel about it.” Brundle was then asked how Hamilton managed to win the Sprint Race in China if he’s struggling so much and elaborated,

“Different tracks, the Sprint is a much shorter race of course, much less fuel onboard, he got out front and he stayed out front. It looked like, I think I described it on the day as vintage Lewis Hamilton, and that’s how it seemed. And you’re thinking, ‘Wow, he’s back in business, he’s back in the game!’, but sadly, it’s not turned out to be that way since then with the longer Grand Prix format.”

‘An analogy’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/martin-brundle-shares-how-ferrari-now-privately-feel-about-lewis-hamiltons-start-to-the-2025-f1-season/


Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur launches into expletive-laden rant after Lewis Hamilton’s ‘horrible’ race
April 23rd, 2025
Nic Savage from Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has leapt to Lewis Hamilton’s defence, rubbishing any suggestion the seven-time world champion’s form has declined since his off-season switch. Despite the underwhelming results, Vasseur told reporters in Jeddah he remained “2000 per cent behind” Hamilton.

“I will give him support and we will start from tomorrow morning to try to find solutions and reasons and to work on it early in the morning,” Vasseur said on Sunday. “But honestly, I am not too worried. If you have a look on what he did in China or what he did in the race in Bahrain last week, or even on the first part of the session in this weekend, the potential is there for sure.”

“We just have to adjust the balance because we are, collectively, Lewis and us, we are struggling with the balance of his car and (how) he is working the tyres. It’s a kind of negative spot but I think the potential of the car is there and we will try to solve that.” Vasseur also took issue to a reporter’s claim that Hamilton’s form has dropped off dramatically since he joined Ferrari.” “I know that you want to have the big headlines tomorrow that, ‘Fred said this.’ But this is f***ing bull***t.”

‘Fred Vasseur has leapt to Lewis Hamilton’s defence’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/formula-one/ferrari-team-principal-fred-vasseur-launches-into-expletiveladen-rant-after-lewis-hamiltons-horrible-race/news-story/dc247680f8ed6effacbd92a5cbd68e4f


‘Inexplicable’: Minardi slams Hamilton for Ferrari star’s issue that ‘did not line up’ with a seven-time F1 champion
22 Apr 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Lewis Hamilton had to watch Charles Leclerc gift Ferrari their first Grand Prix podium of the 2025 F1 season in Saudi Arabia, while he could only get a seventh-place finish. A whopping 30.969 seconds even split the Scuderia duo at the chequered flag on Sunday as Hamilton finished the Saudi Arabian GP in the same position the 40-year-old started. Leclerc had qualified in P4, but was able to pass Mercedes’ George Russell with a different strategy.

“Leclerc’s Grand Prix is also to be applauded,” Minardi said on his website. “Not only did he give Ferrari their first podium of the season in a GP, but he hid and lessened the car’s real problems, which were instead very evident with Hamilton, who had a pace that did not line up with a seven-time world champion. At the present time, it is rather inexplicable.”

‘Inexplicable’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/lewis-hamilton-slammed-for-ferrari-drivers-inexplicable-issue-that-did-not-line-up-with-a-seven-time-f1-champion/

[Fortitude]

Mintzlaff shuts down Verstappen rumors: ‘He owes a lot to Red Bull’.
Mintzlaff painted a picture of calm resolve – and above all, loyalty. “No. I'm convinced that he will continue to take the long road he has taken with Red Bull so far.”
24/04/2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

In the heat of swirling speculation surrounding the future of Max Verstappen, Red Bull GmbH managing director Oliver Mintzlaff stepped into the spotlight in Saudi Arabia last weekend, issuing a strong and unambiguous message: Verstappen will be racing with Red Bull in 2026.

Despite rumors linking Verstappen to Aston Martin, Mercedes, and even a speculative sabbatical in 2026, Mintzlaff pointed to the binding agreement already in place and Verstappen’s own prior sentiments. “On the one hand, he has signed until the end of 2028 for a reason, and on the other hand, he has recently positioned himself clearly,” Mintzlaff continued.

“Max once told me that he started his career at Red Bull – and would like to end it there. As far as I know, nothing has changed in this regard.” Still, Mintzlaff didn’t shy away from framing the loyalty as a two-way street. “We benefited a lot from Max, the best driver in the world. But the truth is that he owes a lot to Red Bull,” he emphasized.

‘Calm resolve’;

https://f1i.com/news/536882-mintzlaff-shuts-down-verstappen-rumors-he-owes-a-lot-to-red-bull.html


George Russell and Red Bull reportedly held “informal” talks
Apr 22, 2025
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

When speaking to the media last weekend, George Russell was relatively nonchalant about his contractual situation. He made some curious comments about F1 contracts as a whole: “From my side, there is literally no stress, no worries whatsoever,” he told Sky Sports.

“I think when it comes to contracts, everyone gets so excited about it. And the fact is, drivers have had contracts – and if they don’t perform they get booted out. For drivers, performance is our currency, that’s what you’ve got. If you perform, everything’s good. So I’m just excited to go racing this weekend, focus on performance, and the future sorts itself out.”

“Informal talks;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsports/2025/04/22/george-russell-and-red-bull-reportedly-held-informal-talks/


George Russell holds Christian Horner talks in shock Red Bull driver twist – report
23 Apr 2025
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Mercedes driver George Russell has held talks with Christian Horner over a potential switch to Red Bull Racing for the F1 2026 season, it has been claimed. It is said that talks have not yet progressed to serious negotiations over a contract for the F1 2026 season.

The suggestion of talks with Horner has raised the possibility of a sensational seat swap between Russell and Verstappen, with the latter becoming Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s new team-mate at Mercedes and Russell heading in the opposite direction.

Speaking at last year’s Singapore Grand Prix, Horner hinted that Russell could emerge as a target for Red Bull for F1 2026, remarking that “it would be foolish not to take that into consideration” with Russell nearing the conclusion of his Mercedes contract.

‘A target for Red Bull’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/george-russell-christian-horner-red-bull-f1-2026-driver-talks


Red Bull ‘informal talks’ add twist to Russell’s 2026 F1 future
23/04/2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Alongside Oscar Piastri, he’s been one of the standout drivers of the year – and it’s no surprise that he’s catching the eye elsewhere. But despite his performances, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has yet to ink a new deal with the Brit. That said, he’s made it clear that Russell is still firmly in the team’s future plans.

But for Russell, a move to Red Bull could be a risky bet. The team’s ambitious 2026 engine program, developed in-house for the first time in partnership with Ford, is reportedly grappling with development hiccups. Unlike Mercedes, whose power unit prowess is expected to shine under the new rules, Red Bull’s unproven engine could leave them playing catch-up.

For Russell, swapping Mercedes’ proven pedigree for Red Bull’s uncertain future might feel like trading a sure thing for a roll of the dice – especially if Verstappen’s exit leaves the team in flux.

‘Informal talks’;

https://f1i.com/news/536858-red-bull-informal-talks-add-twist-to-russells-2026-f1-future.html


Russell-Red Bull rumour turns spotlight back on Verstappen in simmering F1 silly season
Apr 24th, 2025
Michael Lamonato from Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)

George Russell has held informal talks with Red Bull Racing principal Christian Horner about a possible blockbuster team switch, according to reports. The Race has reported Red Bull Racing has sounded out Russell on his 2026 availability as a precaution should Max Verstappen abandon the team at the end of the season. Russell is out of contract at the end of the season.

Russell’s reported informal talks with Red Bull Racing follows a report from Autosport that Russell is close to signing a two-year contract extension valued at around US$30 million (A$47.2 million) per season. The three-time grand prix winner has been in sparkling form this season, collecting three podium finishes and two front-row starts to put himself fourth in the championship standings.

The Briton was asked in Saudi Arabia whether the report of an imminent new deal was true. Alternative rumours were also put to him, including that he hadn’t started negotiations with Mercedes yet and that his strong start to the year was frustrating Verstappen’s negotiating position. Russell appeared to suggest the latter two rumours were valid. “A few of them are reasonably close,” he told Sky Sports. “At the end of the day, we’ve never discussed a contract prior to May or June in a season.”

‘Russell-Red Bull rumour’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/formula-one/russellred-bull-rumour-turns-spotlight-back-on-verstappen-in-simmering-f1-silly-season/news-story/4c8331de89b54e5a65770fc8599495fd

[Fortitude]

Albon and Sainz praise teamwork as Saudi Arabia double points finish puts Williams fifth in standings.
Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon both scored for Williams in Saudi Arabia to lift their team back above Haas into fifth in the standings. Sainz recorded his strongest finish of the season with eighth as he came home ‘best of the rest’ while Albon was hot on his heels in ninth.
21 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site

“I think today, honestly, we managed to nail a very good race and on top of that managed to help Alex to make sure he was getting in the points,” said Sainz. “So, very happy we managed to execute a very good race, even though the pit stop for the first time in the year [was] a bit compromised, a bit slow. We managed to push on, push forward and I did a very quick last lap showing the pace I had today was very good.”

It seems Sainz has turned a corner since his early struggles to get on top of the FW47, in Bahrain showing good pace until a collision ended his race while here he was able to hold his own in the top 10. “It was definitely a challenging start to the season, but it was always going to be with the adaption process,” he added. “I always warned it was not going to be easy, and I took it step by step, to be in race five at the level that I am… if I keep the philosophy I’m taking, I think we are going in the right direction.”

‘Teamwork’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/albon-and-sainz-praise-teamwork-as-saudi-arabia-double-points-finish-puts.6ocVwwpbmYt01zJoWPAlwx


Carlos Sainz's proved his worth to Williams in the Saudi Arabian GP
Four-time race winner Carlos Sainz was one of the most enticing free-agents ahead of the 2025 season, and his race to eighth in Jeddah showed exactly why Williams fought for him
Apr 22, 2025
Jake Boxall-Legge
Motorsport.com

"The team asked me to give the DRS to Alex to make sure Hadjar didn't have a chance of passing us," Sainz recalled. "It's a tricky one because you always feel like it exposes you, especially in a high speed track where the DRS has a very big effect. You always get a bit nervous about it because you know from there on, you cannot put a foot wrong if you do a mistake or hit a wall or whatever.”

"But in the end it worked, and I could show my pace in in the last lap; I had a lot of pace, which is really good sign. It's not the same when it comes from your idea, because you know you're 100% sure – when it comes from the team, you always struggle a bit more to commit to it because it doesn't come natural for you. But I think we did the right call in the end.”

‘DRS to Alex’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/carlos-sainzs-jeddah-race-showed-why-williams-moved-heaven-and-earth-to-get-him/10715907/


Williams F1 2025 Resurgence: A comeback in the making
Apr 22, 2025
Scott Gulbransen
Sportsnaut

Williams’ transformation extends beyond its drivers and leadership to its bold development strategy. In a move that underscores their forward-thinking approach, Vowles revealed that Williams was among the first teams to halt wind tunnel development on the current FW47, redirecting efforts to the 2026 car, the FW48, designed for the sport’s upcoming regulatory overhaul. This decision carries risks—rival teams may continue to refine their 2025 cars, potentially gaining an edge in the short term.

Yet, it reflects Williams’ commitment to building a championship-contending future, much like an NFL team investing in young talent while still competing for the playoffs. Sainz emphasizes the importance of the ongoing development of the FW47, as understanding its full potential will inform the design of the 2026 car, ensuring no opportunity for learning is missed.

‘Resurgence’;

https://sportsnaut.com/f1/formula-1-news-williams-f1-2025-resurgence-comeback-in-making/


Ocon admits Haas ‘struggled’ in Jeddah after P14 finish
20 Apr 2025
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Esteban Ocon is already looking ahead to the next race in Miami after a difficult run to 14th place in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

‘Struggled’’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/ocon-admits-haas-struggled-in-jeddah-after-p14-finish.1829949609893267247


‘I wasn’t able to do much today out there’ admits Bearman after P13 finish in Saudi
20 April 2025
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Ollie Bearman says Haas have work to do to find more pace after he finished 13th in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

‘Work to do’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/i-wasnt-able-to-do-much-today-out-there-admits-bearman-after-p13-finish-in-saudi.1829950021328366449


‘If I would have been there’: Guenter Steiner claims he could have tempted a ‘very good’ driver to race for Haas in 2025 instead of Esteban Ocon
24 Apr 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Haas secured an all-new driver line-up for the 2025 F1 season, but Guenther Steiner would not have signed Esteban Ocon to join Oliver Bearman if he were still in charge. Guenther Steiner would have kept Nico Hulkenberg at Haas over signing Esteban Ocon. Steiner feels he might have been able to tempt Hulkenberg to stay at Haas instead of the 37-year-old moving to Sauber as a factory Audi driver if the Italian-American was still at their helm.

Hulkenberg signed a three-year, £16.5m Audi contract before Haas hired a successor. “I think I would have signed Ollie Bearman,” Steiner told the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast. “And what I always say is I would have tried to keep Nico because I think Nico is a very good driver. And I think, maybe, if I would have been there, maybe he would have stayed.”

‘If I would have been there’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/guenter-steiner-claims-he-could-have-tempted-a-very-good-driver-to-race-for-haas-in-2025-instead-of-esteban-ocon/


Unheard Fernando Alonso radio message from Saudi GP emerges and it's completely damning
23 Apr 2025
tom jenkins
Yahoo! Sport

During last week's race, Alonso was in constant dialogue with his race engineer, and the Spaniard was clearly baffled by the machine he had under him. "I can't do it. If I lose the DRS [of the car in front of him] I'm dead," he said. "I don't know how I could have lost the DRS having had DRS on the previous lap. I can't maintain this pace. It's crazy. The level of risk... is incredible. Pushing at this level is not sustainable," he added.

"We need three or four cars to finish out of the race to score a point," he claimed. “I gave everything on track and it was hard to keep up the pace with the cars in front – we were just not quick enough," he said via F1.com “P11 is the worst position probably, but we need to get used to it. It’s going to be difficult to score points this year.”

‘Damning’;

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/unheard-fernando-alonso-radio-message-163801962.html


Aston Martin reels from poor start, holds crisis meeting
23/04/2025
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

The team has slipped further from the sharp end of the grid, prompting what team principal Andy Cowell described as a crisis meeting following another underwhelming race weekend in Saudi Arabia. “We’re getting together to have a think about what we’ve learned over this triple-header, and [ask] what do we do going forward?” Cowell revealed post-race. “Can we get more out of the car? Yes, I think we can.”

“100% of Adrian’s designing time is focused on ’26,” Cowell confirmed ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP. Alonso, ever the pragmatist, supports that approach despite the current struggles. “I think ultimately it’s his decision,” he said when asked if Newey should get involved with the AMR25. “He has enough experience, knowledge and background to know what is best. And I think he’s working only on 2026, so if he’s deciding that, I totally support that.”

‘Crisis meeting’;

https://f1i.com/news/536844-aston-martin-reels-from-poor-start-holds-crisis-meeting.html


Adrian Newey ‘doesn’t go to meetings’ or ‘answer emails’ in Aston Martin progress update
25 Apr 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell lifted the lid on what Adrian Newey has been up to since arriving at the team in March. “From day one we made sure we prepared his working environment, he came in and went to meetings about the new rules, about the concepts we had worked on. We explained the countdown to the first test and the first race. And we pointed out all the deadlines for submitting information for the production of this [2026] car.”

“He went straight to work with engineers to do sketches on his drawing board. He’s in that design cycle to design fundamental parts of the car. Ninety per cent of the creation of a car is in the factory and that’s where we want Adrian. He has his office, everyone who walks past says that whenever they see him he’s always drawing on the whiteboard. Sure, he doesn’t go to meetings, he doesn’t answer emails, he’s just putting together a fast car – and we all support that process.”

“One-hundred per cent of Adrian’s designing time is focused on ’26,” said Cowell. “He joined in March, so there was a period of him getting up to speed with the regulations, up to speed with the concept work that we’ve been doing in the preceding couple of months. And there are some tough deadlines to meet for releasing monopod details, transmission details, and the cars are running earlier for the ’26 season.”

‘He’s always drawing on the whiteboard’;

‘Progress update’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/adrian-newey-aston-martin-support-no-meetings-email-replies-approach