Max Verstappen discusses maintaining concentration during Red Bull's internal political turmoil and controversies.

Recently acclaimed quadruple Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen stated that he maintained his concentration on racing activities amidst the chaotic political drama that surrounded his Red Bull team.

Securing a fifth-place position at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the 27-year-old racer clinched the drivers’ championship, sealing the 2024 world title with a couple of races left to go.

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Verstappen kicked off the season with remarkable performance, however, his Red Bull squad faced turmoil when a woman working for the team accused team leader Christian Horner of sexual harassment.

The dispute involving Horner sparked internal political conflicts that included Max Verstappen's dad, Jos, along with Red Bull's motor racing consultant and Verstappen's trusted advisor, Helmut Marko, casting uncertainty over the future of the Dutch racing driver.

Despite distractions away from the track, Verstappen remained unfazed, and in the face of Red Bull's performance downturn, he maintained his composure to join the elite group of only six drivers in F1 history to secure a minimum of four world championships.

"The start was somewhat chaotic, to put it mildly, but I tend to stay composed under such circumstances," Verstappen commented post-race.

"I believe it's quite challenging to distract me in any way. My attention is keenly directed towards the aspect of racing. I'm aware that once I'm behind the wheel, I become oblivious to everything else, whether it's good or bad.

"I simply concentrate on what's in front of me, which is to deliver a strong performance and push the car to its maximum speed."

Horner described Verstappen's most recent championship victory as his "greatest and most challenging" to achieve.

In response to whether he shares Horner's perspective, Verstappen said, "I believe that as well."

"Reflecting on the previous season, I felt we had a superior car, yet it seemed our team's accomplishment of securing ten consecutive wins wasn't fully acknowledged by everyone. Despite our car having a clear advantage, I believe its dominance was somewhat overstated in people's perceptions."

"Without a doubt, the 2023 season stands out as my top performance. It's a period I'll fondly remember, especially since, even when our car setup wasn't ideal, we managed to remain competitive. Our car consistently demonstrated strength during races, allowing us to secure victories."

"However, I take great pride in this season since, for the majority of it—around 70%—we weren't driving the quickest car. Despite that, we managed to increase our lead, which is certainly an achievement I cherish."

Lewis frequently covers Grand Prix events globally for Crash.net. Typically delivering reports directly from the venue, Lewis shares insights into the lives and narratives of key figures in the sport.

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F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Driver Evaluations: George Russell Demonstrates Leadership Potential for Mercedes

Who stood out as the top performer in the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix?

George Russell – 10

In Las Vegas, Russell put on a stellar performance to secure his second win of the season. Starting from the pole position, he dominated the race and was a worthy victor.

Lewis Hamilton – Rating: 7.5

Hamilton faced challenges during the qualifying rounds in Las Vegas, erring on his two attempts in Q3. Despite this, he emerged as arguably the fastest driver on the track, managing to climb up to a second-place finish. He was closing in on Russell in the race's concluding laps, although Russell mentioned he was controlling the pace from the lead.

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Carlos Sainz – 8

Sainz had a commendable performance throughout the weekend. He showed great strength during the qualifying rounds. Though he initially dropped a position to Leclerc at the start, he managed to regain his place as the Ferraris faced difficulties with their medium tyres. In the end, despite a challenging period on hard tyres, he successfully secured a podium finish.

Charles Leclerc – 7.5

Leclerc ranked behind Sainz in the qualifying rounds and also ended up trailing him in the final race. Was he less quick than Sainz? Likely not. However, situational factors and adhering to team strategies didn't favor him.

Max Verstappen – 9

Verstappen consistently maximizes the RB20's potential. He maintained a solid second position during the race's mid-section before falling behind the pair of Ferraris.

Lando Norris – 8

It was a challenging weekend for McLaren, limiting Norris to a maximum finish of sixth place during the race.

Oscar Piastri – 6

Piastri consistently lagged behind Norris in terms of pace. Additionally, he incurred a penalty due to a premature start.

Nico Hulkenberg impressively navigated through the midfield, securing an additional four points for Haas in the constructors' standings, propelling them past Alpine.

Yuki Tsunoda – 8

Similar to Hulkenberg, Tsunoda stood out in the mid-pack battle, securing a few points for his performance.

Sergio Perez scored a 5.5

Perez experienced yet another disappointing weekend, exiting in Q1. Nonetheless, he managed a commendable performance, securing a 10th place finish.

Fernando Alonso – 7.5

Positioned as the 10th-ranked squad in qualifying, even trailing Sauber, Aston Martin managed to end up just shy of scoring points, thanks to a bold strategy involving two pit stops, which is commendable.

Kevin Magnussen – 6.5

Magnussen, who had been performing notably well of late, found himself outshone by his Haas teammate in the Las Vegas race. Despite adopting a one-stop strategy, it wasn't enough to secure him a spot in the points.

Zhou Guanyu – 7.5

This weekend was Zhou's best performance of the year. He made it to Q2 and achieved a commendable 13th place in the starting lineup. He was competing for points but fell behind after switching to hard tires.

Franco Colapinto – 6.5

Despite outpacing his teammate Albon in the qualifying rounds, Colapinto had a significant crash in Q2. Starting from the pit lane, he managed to deliver a steady performance, ultimately securing a 14th place finish.

Lance Stroll – 6

Stroll had a forgettable weekend, with his qualifying prospects dashed by a mechanical problem in the third free practice session, limiting him to a single attempt in the first qualifying round. Additionally, his race performance suffered due to problems with his radio communication.

Liam Lawson – 5.5

Lawson faced a challenging weekend, lagging behind Tsunoda in speed and at no point did he appear to be in the running for a top 10 finish.

Esteban Ocon – 6

Ocon couldn't reach Gasly's impressive performance during the qualifying rounds, and his prospects for scoring points were dashed by an odd occurrence in the pit lane. When Ocon entered the pit stop, he was forced to continue without stopping because his team was not prepared for him.

Valtteri Bottas scored a 5.5

It was a disappointing weekend for Bottas, who unexpectedly found himself slower than Zhou, an occurrence that has been rare this year.

Alex Albon – 6.5

Albon was eliminated in the first qualifying round due to exceeding track boundaries, and a problem with his power unit led to his premature exit from the race.

Pierre Gasly – 8.5

Gasly delivered an outstanding qualifying performance, securing third place on the grid for his Alpine. Unfortunately, an engine failure led to an early exit from the race.

Connor, with his keen awareness of F1's debates and narratives, serves as the core of our impartial journalism.

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Lewis Hamilton exceeded Mercedes' expectations with his impressive performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. "Lewis surpassed all of our predicted outcomes today to secure second place."

Mercedes announced that Lewis Hamilton exceeded all their pre-race predictions to secure a second-place finish at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Hamilton delivered an impressive performance, advancing from a starting position of tenth to secure a second-place finish, trailing only behind his Mercedes teammate George Russell.

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The driver, who has won the world championship seven times, likely had the fastest race pace during Sunday's competition. However, he was left disappointed by another subpar performance in the qualifying round.

Hamilton appeared to be a solid candidate for securing the pole position, but a pair of errors during Q3 resulted in him starting 10th on the grid.

He maneuvered past the competition and managed to narrow Russell’s advantage to roughly seven seconds as the race concluded.

Mercedes' head of trackside engineering, Andrew Shovlin, thinks that Hamilton's inability to overtake the Ferraris hindered his opportunity to compete with Russell for victory in Las Vegas.

Shovlin expressed surprise at their performance, admitting that they hadn't expected Las Vegas to be a favorable track for them. "It's been fantastic to witness how well the car has been performing," he remarked. "From the very first practice lap on Thursday, we showed speed. While we anticipated strong performance in individual laps from those sessions, it was particularly motivating to observe our competitive race pace today."

George excelled at leading the race, effectively handling safety car threats and maintaining his tyres in better condition than those of the competitors trailing him. This victory was another merited achievement and marked the third win of his Formula 1 career. On the other hand, Lewis surpassed all our predicted models to secure second place.

His last effort was phenomenal, although he might feel disappointed that getting caught up in traffic cost him valuable time, preventing a battle for victory. Nevertheless, securing first and second places is an excellent outcome for the team. With only two races remaining in the season, everyone is eager to see how things will unfold.

"We are fully committed to putting in maximum effort to replicate our success in Qatar and Abu Dhabi."

Mercedes secured their first double victory of the season at the Las Vegas event.

This marked their fourth win this year, putting them just one behind McLaren and Ferrari, who each have five wins.

Connor, known for his keen insight into the controversies and narratives of Formula 1, is central to our objective journalism.

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Ferrari chief's candid opinion after Charles Leclerc states "politeness backfires on me"

Fred Vasseur addresses Las Vegas frustration

Ferrari's chief is adamant that the frustration felt by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in Las Vegas won't lead to any issues.

Leclerc expressed his frustration over the team radio, stating that "being nice screwed me over" as he ended up in fourth place, just one position behind his teammate Sainz, during the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

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Discussion surrounded pit stop tactics and team commands, yet Leclerc also suggested there were additional directives that were not followed.

Ferrari's team leader, Fred Vasseur, assured Motorsport, "I have absolutely no concerns."

They consistently find themselves in a situation where they either feel compelled to express their opinions or choose to remain silent.

"They provide commentary during the cooldown lap without always having a complete understanding. We'll talk it over, and it won't become a problem."

We must steer clear of conflict. However, at this point, I believe it's crucial to align with the team's strategy from the start of the stint. Carlos was already in laps three or four of his stints.

"I believe it's largely due to the circumstance being challenging for all involved. However, we'll have a conversation about it this evening. It shouldn't pose a problem.

During our conversation about the pitstop strategy with Carlos, I mentioned that he seemed to be overlooked in comparison to Liam Lawson and possibly Yuki Tsunoda. He was inclined to make a pitstop, whereas our preference was to have him continue on the track.

In the midst of our conversation, we found ourselves having to exchange roles, leading to some confusion. However, once they're behind the wheel, they each possess a unique perspective on the race.

Ferrari continues to hold the second position in the constructors' standings, with only two races left, behind only McLaren.

The team has surpassed Red Bull in recent races, yet the grievances voiced by Leclerc and Sainz indicate that not all is well within the renowned Italian squad.

Ferrari is on the brink of experiencing a significant transformation, with just two races left.

In 2025, Lewis Hamilton is set to join forces with Leclerc, marking an intriguing addition to the narrative of Formula 1's most decorated driver and its top-performing team.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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An ousted Formula 1 driver is on the verge of securing a new contract for a position with Mercedes

Toto Wolff announces that an agreement is nearly finalized

Mercedes is poised to benefit from a seasoned Formula 1 driver being ousted from their racing position.

Valtteri Bottas will no longer be driving for Sauber in the upcoming season, leaving him without any options to continue his racing career.

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A possible return to Mercedes as a reserve driver is being considered.

"Everything is still up in the air, no agreements have been finalized," Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, told Viaplay while in Las Vegas.

"However, should he return to our family, we would be overwhelmed with happiness."

"One could argue that being able to welcome a driver of Valtteri's caliber back into the Mercedes fold, particularly with his skill and up-to-date knowledge of the latest car models, is an incredibly fortunate position to be in."

Wolff was questioned on the chances of finalizing a deal to re-sign Bottas.

"He conceded that it was just a question of when."

Bottas, alongside his Sauber colleague Guanyu Zhou, has yet to earn any points this season due to their struggles with the least competitive vehicle in Formula 1.

During the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Zhou finished in 13th place, while Bottas came in 18th.

In 2026, Sauber is set to transform into Audi, and looking ahead, they plan to introduce a fresh pair of drivers for the upcoming season.

Nico Hulkenberg has been acquired from Haas, along with Gabriel Bortoleto, a Formula 2 racer previously with McLaren.

Bottas and Zhou find themselves without options, however, Mercedes provides their ex-driver an opportunity to remain involved.

In a similar fashion, Mercedes quickly hired Mick Schumacher as a backup driver after he was left without a Formula 1 racing position.

In 2025, Bottas is set to rejoin an updated Mercedes team, which will no longer include his previous team colleague, Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton is set to move to Ferrari, making way for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli to take up the driving duties for Mercedes.

Bottas secured victories in 10 Grand Prix events while racing for Mercedes.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of sports including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Valtteri Bottas has expressed skepticism about his potential connection with Red Bull, suggesting that he might not be favored by individuals associated with the team. Bottas has ruled out the possibility of joining Red Bull for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Valtteri Bottas believes he is unlikely to be considered for a position with Red Bull in the 2025 F1 season.

A 35-year-old driver from Finland will not be racing next season because Sauber has decided to bring in Gabriel Bortoleto, the current leader of the Formula 2 championship, to join Nico Hulkenberg. This is part of the new team lineup for the future Audi team.

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As Sergio Perez faces increasing pressure at Red Bull due to ongoing struggles and underperformance next to Max Verstappen, there has been speculation that Bottas might be considered a viable replacement, offering a more seasoned alternative to the embattled Mexican driver.

However, Bottas is skeptical about being a genuine contender, as he believes that certain individuals at Red Bull may not be particularly fond of him.

Valtteri Bottas reportedly mentioned to the press in Las Vegas, as per RacingNews365, that he senses certain individuals at Red Bull have a dislike for him, though he is unsure of the reason.

"In my opinion, it's not a possibility."

As General Motors moves closer to joining Formula 1 as the 11th team in 2026, there may be the possibility of two additional slots becoming available on the racing grid.

In response to a question about whether he would consider driving for the American automobile manufacturer, Bottas said, "Yes, it's possible!"

Valtteri Bottas is anticipated to rejoin Mercedes in 2025 as a reserve driver. During his previous tenure with the team from 2017 to 2021, he claimed victory in 10 Grand Prix races over five years.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged in Las Vegas that it is only a matter of time before Bottas returns to the Silver Arrows.

Wolff mentioned to Viaplay that although no agreements have been finalized, the prospect of welcoming him back into the team would bring immense happiness to everyone.

One could express that having a driver such as Valtteri rejoin the Mercedes team is a significant advantage. His skill and up-to-date experience with current car models make this a fortunate situation.

"During the final stages of negotiations, it often seems like lawyers are trying to derail the contracts. I'm kidding—they are excellent lawyers, and it's just a matter of time."

Lewis frequently travels across the globe to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. He typically provides on-the-scene reports, sharing the narratives of key figures within the racing world.

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Lando Norris is confident that he has the ability to challenge and potentially defeat the 'flawless' Max Verstappen in the 2025 Formula 1 season. The British driver is optimistic about his chances of disrupting the reign of the recently crowned F1 world champion in the upcoming season.

Lando Norris believes he will have the ability to compete with and overcome Max Verstappen for the F1 world championship in the upcoming season.

The McLaren racer’s chances of securing his first world championship title were dashed in Las Vegas, as he ended up in sixth place, trailing just behind Red Bull's Verstappen, who claimed the world champion title for the fourth year in a row.

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Norris stated that Verstappen performed flawlessly during the 2024 season and fully earned the world championship title with two races left in the season.

"Huge congratulations to him. He truly earned it," Norris remarked. "Throughout the entire year, he hasn't made any mistakes. That's his strength—he doesn't have any weaknesses or negatives."

"When he has the fastest vehicle, he controls the races effortlessly. Even when his car isn't the quickest, he remains right on our tail, nearly clinching victories regardless."

"He hasn't shown any negative traits. Throughout the entire year, he hasn't had any poor performances. His lowest finish was around fifth place. He drove consistently well, just as Max typically does, and there's nothing to criticize about his performance."

The 25-year-old from Britain believes that both he and his team will be in a stronger position to mount a more formidable challenge in the upcoming year, following their effort to extend the title competition to the last rounds of the current season.

He expressed his confidence by stating, "I believe I am capable of competing for a championship, and I'm pleased to say that with assurance. I possess the necessary skills, and I am certain of my abilities."

"I definitely have areas I need to improve, but I'm confident in my ability to compete with Max. I'm proud to acknowledge that, as I believe Max is not only the top driver globally right now but also ranks among the greatest in Formula 1 history."

While some individuals might not share my view, I feel fairly certain about this, which doesn't happen often. Therefore, I genuinely relish and take pleasure in the opportunity to compete head-to-head with him.

In two or three decades, I might reflect on competing against such a skilled driver. I'm pleased for him as he truly earned the championship, but I aim to challenge him more in the upcoming year.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. He is often on location, providing reports on the happenings and sharing the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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Jos Verstappen urges Red Bull to improve their performance even though Max Verstappen secured the F1 championship. "Naturally, we wish he could, but he's not driving the quickest car, or else he would dominate every race."

Jos Verstappen has urged Red Bull to "pull themselves together" even after Max Verstappen secured his fourth straight F1 championship.

The Red Bull racer secured his fourth championship by finishing in fifth place at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

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Since the Spanish Grand Prix, Max has only managed to win a single race, as McLaren and Ferrari have shown improved performance.

Red Bull encountered difficulties in advancing the RB20, resulting in their fall in the rankings.

Although this year's car is more user-friendly, it has often lagged behind the McLaren and Ferrari in terms of speed in the latest races.

Jos firmly believes that improvements are necessary for Max to secure a fifth consecutive championship.

In response to his son's championship win, Jos mentioned to Verstappen.com: "The event in Brazil was absolutely incredible. His performance, moving up from the back of the pack and consistently setting the quickest laps during the final ten laps, truly confirmed the championship for me."

When questioned about the prospects for next year, the response was: “It’s impossible to predict. Naturally, we wish that he could, but without the quickest car, winning all the races isn’t feasible. Improvements are necessary for competitiveness in the coming year.”

"The group is aware of the necessary changes, and it is their responsibility to implement them."

The 52-year-old confessed to feeling "anxious" before the race, despite not being physically present at the Red Bull garage in Las Vegas.

He admitted to feeling anxious, saying he woke up at four in the morning and couldn't get back to sleep. "There's always that sense of tension," he remarked, "but he achieved it. It might not have been exactly how Max hoped, but the important thing is that he succeeded."

"I was under the weather with a mild flu, so I decided to keep my distance to avoid giving it to Max. Additionally, the time zone difference is an issue, and I need to prepare for my own upcoming race."

"We had an advantage, but it hinged on how the car would evolve. I wasn’t always optimistic, but Max demonstrated his true capabilities, particularly in Brazil. His performance there was extraordinary and ultimately secured him the championship."

Possessing a keen awareness for the controversies and narratives in Formula 1, Connor serves as the core of our impartial journalism.

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George Russell's Win in Las Vegas GP Shatters 43-Year-Old F1 Record

A long-standing Formula 1 record, held for 43 years, was surpassed during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, thanks to George Russell's victory.

George Russell's win at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in Formula 1 has resulted in the breaking of a record that stood for 43 years.

Russell's victory in Las Vegas marks the seventh driver to secure multiple wins in the F1 2024 season.

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Max Verstappen, the 2024 Formula 1 champion, has secured victory in eight races. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris have each claimed three wins.

George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, and Oscar Piastri each have claimed victory twice.

Featuring seven distinct multiple-time winners, this surpasses the previous record of six set in 1981.

In 1981, Nelson Piquet, who secured the Formula 1 championship, claimed victory in three races, matching the achievement of his closest competitor, Alain Prost.

Alan Jones, Carlos Reutemann, Gilles Villeneuve, and Jacques Laffite each secured two victories.

In 1981, John Watson also emerged victorious, although he only secured one win.

In 2024, Sergio Perez stands out as the sole driver among the leading four teams who did not secure a win.

Should the Mexican driver secure victories in the last two races, Formula 1 would boast eight drivers with multiple wins in 2024, underscoring the high level of competition this season.

As the regulations are unchanged during the winter, the competition among the leading four teams might become more intense.

McLaren is the sole team to keep both of their drivers for the 2025 season.

Norris is set to continue partnering with Piastri for a third consecutive year.

Hamilton is stepping in for Sainz at Ferrari, partnering with Leclerc, as Andrea Kimi Antonelli takes over the spot vacated by the seven-time world champion at Mercedes.

Although Perez is under contract for the following year, his recent lackluster performance might lead to his replacement by either Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, or Franco Colapinto.

Connor, known for his keen insight into Formula 1's debates and narratives, is central to our fair and objective coverage.

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Luca Marini shares a differing opinion on Honda compared to Joan Mir, issuing a caution about advancements.

Luca Marini has responded to assertions made by his MotoGP teammate, Joan Mir, who stated that Honda failed to introduce any new developments during the post-season test. However, Marini cautioned that advancements would still require time.

Mir expressed dissatisfaction following the test session held in Barcelona last week. He described the experience as "unproductive" because Honda did not introduce any new components, resorting instead to previously used materials.

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Johann Zarco from LCR mentioned that he tested a new motorcycle from Honda but found it to be "not beneficial." However, he emphasized that there is no reason to worry at this point.

In contrast, Marini mentioned that he had more to evaluate than he initially anticipated, noting that the 2025 prototype will definitely serve as the foundation for the Sepang test.

The Italian rider observed that the updated chassis enhanced the bike's front-end performance, yet it did not address the rear traction problems that have plagued the Honda throughout the year.

"I honestly had a lot of options to explore on my end."

"I initially thought there wouldn't be much to test, as that was the original plan. However, I ended up with a variety of things to try out, including a new prototype bike that is certain to serve as the foundation for the Sepang test."

"Clearly, it's not yet as speedy as the regular bike we used over the weekend, but there was a positive discovery."

"We definitely need to address the consistent weaknesses of the bike, but while some aspects went well, others did not."

"This is completely typical for the initial trial of the 25 [bike]."

Regarding the updated chassis, he mentioned, "I believe it has made a significant difference, as the structure has undergone major modifications."

"The front section contains something beneficial, something uplifting."

"We still have to make enhancements to the rear section, and there are numerous settings we need to experiment with since the frame represents a significant modification."

"They transformed significantly to grasp future directions. While some aspects may be beneficial, others might not be."

Marini pointed out that the examination of the chassis wasn't conducted flawlessly, suggesting that any drawbacks might not be linked to the frame itself but could instead be connected to the general configuration of the bike.

Honda is set to conduct their final test of 2024 at Jerez this week, and Marini has noted that "there are also new elements, which I would describe as quite intriguing."

When questioned about whether it was feasible for Honda, who ended up at the bottom of the constructors’ standings in 2024, to make a major improvement by the initial test of 2025, he responded: “I’m not sure. It might be a bit premature before Sepang. We’ll probably have to wait until around mid-season to achieve a substantial advancement.”

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Red Bull's Verstappen and Teammates Try Out Honda Acura ARX-06 GTP

Max Verstappen, along with his teammates, experience driving a new vehicle.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull, shortly after securing his fourth consecutive World Championship in Formula One on the Las Vegas circuit, was already contemplating his eventual retirement. The Dutch driver mentioned that a time will come when he desires to "take it a bit easier."

Max Verstappen concluded the thrilling nighttime Formula 1 race exactly where he began, in fifth position. At 27 years old, he needed to finish just one spot ahead of his championship contender, McLaren's Lando Norris, to secure the title on American grounds. With this achievement, he mathematically ensured his victory with two races remaining in the season.

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After securing his initial goal of winning four World Championships, Verstappen's thoughts have started to drift.

"I have a passion for racing and enjoy challenging myself against top competitors in the field," he expressed.

"However, a time will come when I simply want to unwind more, you know? Life is short. As you approach your late 30s or early 40s, it's only natural that your body begins to slow down a little, right? Sure, I could continue in Formula One, but I also want to explore other things, enjoy life, reflect, and make the most out of my time on Earth."

Certainly, the main objective is to secure eight titles, which would indeed be incredible. However, it's not absolutely essential.

Red Bull drivers take the Acura ARX-06 GTP car for a spin

You requested, and we made it happen! Check out @Max33Verstappen as he experiences his inaugural drive in the ARX-06! 👀#F1 #AcuraARX #HRC #RedBullRacing pic.twitter.com/WBdzhyHfyN— Honda Racing Global (@HondaRacingGLB) November 21, 2024

You requested, and we made it happen! Check out @Max33Verstappen as he experiences his inaugural drive in the ARX-06! 👀#F1 #AcuraARX #HRC #RedBullRacing pic.twitter.com/WBdzhyHfyN

Throughout the weekend, all eyes were on the Dutch star, especially considering the high stakes. The attention began as early as Wednesday before the race when Verstappen made his way to Las Vegas Speedway. There, he had the opportunity to test the Acura ARX-06 GTP vehicle during a promotional event for the Honda Civic Hybrid.

The full roster of Red Bull's Formula 1 team, featuring Sergio Pérez and both VCARB drivers, gathered for some multi-discipline entertainment. Meanwhile, Honda invited Scott Dixon, a six-time IndyCar champion, allowing Yuki Tsunoda—who faced potential entry issues into the USA—to drive Chip Ganassi's championship-winning IndyCar.

Colin Braun, driving the 2025 Meyer Shank Acura GTP, provided guidance to Verstappen in the ACURA ARX-06. Verstappen, meanwhile, was considering strategies for swift driver swaps in an upcoming endurance race.

He remarked that the shift to a closed cockpit and wearing a helmet would be significant for him, moments before speeding down the track.

Yuki Tsunoda takes the wheel of the Indycar powered by Honda that clinched the championship! He receives guidance from six-time champion Scott Dixon. #F1 #IndyCar #HRC #Hybrid #VCARB pic.twitter.com/2xBhB1sA3a— Honda Racing Global (@HondaRacingGLB)

Las Vegas was adorned with stars and stripes as over 70 celebrities attended the Grand Prix on Saturday. However, it was the Mercedes team, symbolized by their iconic three-pointed star, that stole the spotlight on the racetrack. George Russell took the lead, followed by Lewis Hamilton, securing Mercedes' 60th one-two finish. This marked the team's first such achievement since the São Paulo race in 2022.

The factory team dominated each session, making the weekend's events incredibly seamless, which was a stark difference from 2023. That year marked F1's return to Las Vegas after 40 years, but the event was marred by damaged water valve covers on the track. This issue disrupted the first practice session and pushed back the second, following the destruction of Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari and damage to Esteban Ocon’s Alpine.

"Faced with a challenging initiation during the inaugural event, Las Vegas Grand Prix CEO Renee Wilm explained that the organizing team lacked the time and resources to perfect everything in the first year."

Wilm mentioned that they had a year and a half to organize the inaugural Grand Prix, which in hindsight seems quite absurd.

"Emily Prazer, the Chief Commercial Officer, and I initially didn't realize the extent of collaboration required and the significant resources needed for certain aspects that weren't directly related to Formula 1."

"We were skilled at organizing hospitality and had a clear vision for the Paddock Club. We understood the process of constructing a racetrack. However, we lacked the necessary resources in our first year to effectively handle certain aspects, such as communication, traffic management, and collaboration with officials and public works."

However, memories faded following an exhilarating inaugural race, which saw spectators and major brands come back in large numbers for an even more impressive 2024 event. This edition also featured a support category in the Ferrari Challenge.

"It's certainly a major occasion," commented Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing. "There are lots of sponsors present, which is thrilling."

Norris's aspirations dashed

Lando Norris, representing Brown's team, bid farewell to his dreams of clinching the 2024 drivers' championship on the iconic track. He came in sixth, finishing just behind Verstappen. The 63-point deficit as they head to Qatar effectively ended his title chances. However, the real setback occurred at the earlier race in Brazil, where the Dutch driver claimed victory in wet conditions, starting from 17th position.

The team reached Nevada with the expectation that Red Bull's standout driver was very likely to secure the championship title in the United States.

"I'm not worried that he might lose the championship this weekend," Brown stated in Las Vegas.

In truth, given his current standing in the points, it's probably because Max doesn't have to exert much effort to secure the championship. However, our plan remains unchanged: we will continue to focus intently on winning each race every weekend and then see how things turn out.

Las Vegas recently served as a filming location for Jerry Bruckheimer's upcoming Formula 1 movie, scheduled to be released in June 2025.

Actor Brad Pitt, portraying the character Sonny Hayes, was captured on camera collapsing at the track. However, this was a planned scene in the script. The live race filming will conclude at the final event of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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Fabio Quartararo expressed his disappointment over not securing podium finishes. However, he mentioned that he's beginning to take pleasure in riding the bike as it allows him to test its limits.

Fabio Quartararo entered the winter off-season having unexpectedly secured the second-fastest time during the MotoGP test in Barcelona.

The show delivered a much-needed lift for Yamaha at the conclusion of their most challenging season during the 'MotoGP' era.

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For the first time since it was introduced in 2002, Yamaha's M1 did not secure a spot on the grand prix podium. The factory team's top racer, Quartararo, finished the season in 13th place in the world championship standings.

What will the French person request from Santa Claus this Christmas?

"The main thing I need initially is power and grip," Quartararo remarked, as he tested a modified chassis, aerodynamics, swingarm, and engine.

"In terms of traction, we are significantly lacking, and I believe improving this is crucial to increasing our speed."

"The energy boost from Santa Claus arrived ahead of schedule, but I'm going to request even more since we anticipate needing it!"

Looking back on what he described as his most challenging season in the top tier, where he managed three podium finishes and secured tenth place in the championship standings last year, Quartararo remarked:

"Certainly, there's disappointment that we couldn't secure any podium finishes or exceptional races. However, it's crucial for us to leave with a sense of progress from our performance in the last four races."

During the wet Jerez Sprint, Quartararo nearly secured a spot on the podium, but a penalty related to his tires after the race cost him his third-place finish.

At the Sepang race, his top achievement was finishing in sixth position.

Although the outcomes are not meeting the expectations of Quartararo or Yamaha, the 2021 world champion firmly believes that progress is being made in the project.

Emphasizing the significant presence of engineers from both Japan and Italy in the pit area during the test, Quartararo stated:

This year, we've enhanced both the bicycle and the way we work on it.

Yamaha faced challenges in completely altering their mindset, which required a significant amount of time. There have been numerous updates, including new personnel and a fresh team. Additionally, many noticed that Augusto Fernandez was present with us in the garage.

"In my opinion, there are significant changes underway, including within the testing team. Gradually, we will regain our position. Naturally, I wish this could occur immediately, but it requires patience as the project is steadily improving."

Is Quartararo feeling more competitive following the outcomes of the Barcelona test?

"I sense an increase in speed and a feeling of being nearer, though I'm unsure exactly how. It's challenging to conduct a thorough analysis on a test day. However, regarding our positioning, we seem slightly improved, even if it is only a test."

"We'll find out our true standing after the final day in Thailand next year."

Quartararo emphasized that he is once more finding joy in riding the M1.

"It's not even like working for me," he stated. "I'm having fun with the bike. I've started to truly enjoy it because I can test its boundaries."

"We are determined to return to the top, and we will take every possible action to achieve this goal promptly."

For two decades, Peter has been deeply involved in the paddock and witnessed the career of Valentino Rossi from start to finish. He is now closely following the developments regarding Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges facing Marc Marquez.

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