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/32629...ic-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/mcl...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/...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/motorsp...rating-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/man...e-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/lan...tle-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/fer...25-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...ortant-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-hamil...errari-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-a...rcedes-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/32676...t-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/32677...25-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/mar...orld-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...inning-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...e-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/m...2-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/mcl...024-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/...laren-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/motorsp...-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/32639...-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-re...rcedes-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/...ss-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-ha...utal-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-a...ottas-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...r-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-...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-pr...amilton-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-...-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/32699...s-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/fer...-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/12...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/lew...arles-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/motors...17-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-identi...i-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/fo...n-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/...s-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-...71145-20250214


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/a...1nTYcMEcf8EIY7


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/a...EwO7A508elwpql

[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/adr...tarts-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...-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/motorsp...tons-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...artin-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/fernan...ionship-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-n...n-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/hon...n-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/32822...-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/f...ents/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/r...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-s...e-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...-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/f...t-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.../?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 [big] 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/32846...formula-1.html


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/...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/...he-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-...ari-jean-alesi