Formula 1: Articles & News Reports.

[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/...-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/mcl...di-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/lew...an-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/...ren-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/a...JObm7eZJXdCWXT


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-k...-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-vers...e-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-...025-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-s...niche-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/a...ZrB949evTW1ywo


‘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/mar...an-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/20...44045509003047


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-bu...st-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-norr...alifying-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-s...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/a...M8oTeVIuL2edHd


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-s...niche-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/...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...an-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-...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...-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/mcl...nd-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-ch...rrari-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-...-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-alread.../?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/...-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/an...57402635011462


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-versta...-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-tsuno...ed-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/...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/mclare...udi-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-ve...rabian-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-...-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-s...niche-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-...appen-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-a...ian-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-ve...ian-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/...eddah-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...g-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/12...-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...-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-...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-s...ment-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-...udi-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/motorsp...1c95d5c181e07b


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-a...sdag-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-on...85?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/piastr...laren-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/moto...21-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-...91594-20250421


‘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/...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/osc...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/12...udi-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-...udi-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.../?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/mar...025-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/motorsp...bd92a5cbd68e4f


‘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/lew...e-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-mintzlaf...-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/motorsp...nformal-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...6-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...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/motorsp...770fc8599495fd