Doubts Arise Over Mercedes' 2025 F1 Championship Ambitions Due to End-of-Season Performance Concerns

The potential for Mercedes to secure the F1 championship in 2025 has come under scrutiny.

Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer is doubtful that Mercedes will be in the running for the championship in 2025.

In 2024, Mercedes experienced their most challenging season in more than ten years, securing fourth place in the Formula 1 Constructors' Championship.

Mercedes managed to secure four wins, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton each claiming two, but their performance was highly erratic.

Since the new regulations were implemented in 2022, Mercedes has struggled to consistently perform at the top level in Formula 1, unable to fully understand the necessary elements for maintaining speed.

Jolyon Palmer, who competed with the Renault team during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, is skeptical about Mercedes improving their performance by 2025

According to Palmer on the BBC's Chequered Flag podcast, Las Vegas was the location where their car performed exceptionally well. However, he noted that Vegas is an unusual track with unique conditions not found elsewhere.

"Even Qatar experienced cooler temperatures the following week. Although it wasn't as cold as it gets in Las Vegas, the conditions were quite different."

"Each year brought its own surprises. The year 2022 was particularly puzzling. The team performed impressively towards the end, with Russell securing a victory in Brazil. This led to the expectation that they had figured things out for 2023. However, 2023 was equally perplexing. Once again, the team gained momentum, with Hamilton showing strong performances towards the season's conclusion, notably in Austin, and ultimately securing third place in the championship standings."

"You might have assumed that 2024 would be their breakthrough year. However, 2024 has turned out to be quite puzzling. Then, towards the end of the year in Vegas, Hamilton and Russell suddenly perform impressively. This makes you think that 2025 might be their year. You understand what I mean. I'm not entirely convinced it will happen, but we'll have to wait and see."

A significant change is on the horizon for Mercedes in 2025, marking their first racing season without Hamilton since 2012.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a talented 18-year-old, is advancing from Formula 2, while Russell is expected to take on the role of the primary team leader at Mercedes.

As the regulations stay consistent throughout the winter, an exhilarating competition is anticipated at the forefront among McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull.

Mercedes is aiming to achieve the crucial consistency they need during the winter season to narrow the distance from the leading three teams.

In any case, they are placing their expectations on 2026 and the updated engine regulations.

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Helmut Marko points out where Liam Lawson needs to improve before the 2025 F1 season. Helmut Marko evaluates Liam Lawson as he is expected to move up to Red Bull in 2025.

Helmut Marko has commended Liam Lawson for proving himself to be a "tenacious competitor" in Formula 1, yet he pointed out that Lawson must work on maintaining steadiness throughout the races.

Lawson is anticipated to join Red Bull as Max Verstappen's teammate for the Formula 1 season in 2025.

Although Lawson was consistently outperformed in qualifying by his Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda, with a record of 6-0, the two were frequently divided by a margin of under one-tenth of a

Lawson's ability to adjust and potential for growth, despite his limited experience in F1, have made him a strong candidate to compete for Red Bull in 2025.

Red Bull has not yet made a decision, as they continue to engage in "positive discussions" aimed at reaching an agreement with Sergio Perez.

Evaluating Lawson's performance in Formula 1 to this point, Marko admitted he is yet to determine if the New Zealander has the potential to be "a top driver."

"Liam has demonstrated that he's a formidable competitor, unafraid to challenge renowned drivers such as Alonso, Hamilton, and Perez," Marko mentioned during the Inside Line F1 Podcast.

"Now that he might have a complete season, he must prove that he can compete effectively once more. In terms of qualifying, he performed similarly to Yuki. We need to observe how much progress he makes to determine if he has the potential to become one of the top drivers."

"I would also mention that he consistently performs well in races and achieves top times regardless of the type of driver. Although there is still some variability in his performance, it's important to note that he hasn't participated in ten Grand Prix events yet. Gaining more experience will naturally help him improve."

The most challenging role in Formula 1 for Lawson

If Red Bull elevates Lawson to the position of Verstappen’s partner, he will face the most difficult role in Formula 1.

Since 2019, Verstappen's teammates have outperformed him in qualifying on just 11 occasions.

He outperformed Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, leading to both drivers eventually losing their positions.

Perez has spent four years with the team, and although he has outlasted those who came before him, his success can largely be attributed to the performance of the Red Bull car.

The Mexican team's lackluster performance in both 2021 and 2024 resulted in them missing the constructors' championship, even though Verstappen secured the drivers' title.

Lawson is set to take on the challenging task of approaching Verstappen, as McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes are anticipated to exert significant pressure on Red Bull in the coming year.

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"Potential Escape Clause Could Pave the Way for Alex Albon's Red Bull Return

Rumors suggest that a contractual 'get-out clause' might allow Alex Albon to leave Williams and rejoin Red Bull."

It has been reported that Alex Albon's contract with Williams includes a provision allowing him to leave and rejoin Red Bull.

Sky Sports F1's pitlane correspondent, Ted Kravitz, shared the details in the most recent episode of the network's podcast.

At the conclusion of the 2020 season, Red Bull decided to part ways with Albon due to his inability to keep up with Max Verstappen's level of performance. Sergio Perez stepped in to fill the position, but it now appears that he may be at risk of losing his spot for the 2025 season

Following a year serving as Red Bull's backup driver, Albon earned a permanent spot with Williams for the 2022 season and has successfully restored his standing in the racing world over the last three years.

Liam Lawson, who stepped in for Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull for the last six races of the 2024 season, is anticipated to succeed Perez in his position at the team.

However, Kravitz argues that this choice is not the right one and thinks Albon would be a more suitable option.

Reporter Kravitz expressed the view that Alex Albon, surprisingly, could be a key figure. He suggested that it wouldn't have required much persuasion from the engineering side to move Albon away from Williams.

"Williams had the option to include Franco Colapinto and Carlos Sainz in their lineup, which would have been ideal. Additionally, having Alex Albon would have provided a familiar benchmark to compare with Max Verstappen."

"Albon has gained more experience and maturity, allowing him to effectively manage interactions with Max and navigate the entire scenario. It's unclear why this hasn't been addressed."

Earlier this year, Albon finalized a contract extension with Williams that spans multiple years.

Kravitz mentioned that, to his knowledge, there is a provision in Albon's contract with Williams that would permit him to exit the team if Red Bull expresses interest in re-signing him.

Perez's departure is confirmed

Kravitz asserts that the choice to replace Perez for the upcoming season was finalized during the Qatar Grand Prix, which is the second-to-last race of the season.

Perez's disappointing showings last season contributed to Red Bull falling to third place in the constructors' championship, trailing McLaren and Ferrari.

According to Kravitz, the situation became completely evident to him following the race in Qatar. He mentioned that Christian Horner presented the constructors’ championship rankings on a sheet of paper during his press conference with journalists after the race.

"Every Sunday evening after the race, you can easily figure out what's on Christian Horner's mind based on the document he carries to his press conference."

Following the race in Mexico, he analyzed the telemetry data of Lando and Max, explaining which specific corners were involved and why he believed the two ten-second penalties given to Max were too severe.

Without any prompting, he suddenly mentions the constructors' standings, highlighting all the points that Sergio Perez failed to secure for the team.

"Considering the points Max has accumulated, this constructors' trophy rightfully belongs to Red Bull. However, due to Sergio Perez's performance, it isn't."

Christian Horner brought the constructors’ standings to Qatar, which led to the decision being made around that time. Since then, the focus has been on terminating the contract and settling the payment.

"We note that he hasn't done it, but he has departed from the team. Now, it’s just about managing the situation."

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Helmut Marko provides an update about the decision on the Red Bull seat, stating, "Negotiations are progressing positively." He noted that it was the initial occasion for shareholder involvement, yet reiterated that discussions are moving forward in a positive direction.

Helmut Marko has disclosed that "constructive discussions are underway" as Red Bull considers a possible alteration to their Formula 1 driver roster for the year 2025.

It is anticipated that Red Bull will swap out Sergio Perez for Liam Lawson in the Formula 1 season of 2025.

Despite Perez's contract with the team running through the end of 2025, discussions are underway to decide if the Mexican driver will transition to a role as an ambassador or receive a buyout.

According to Marko's column in Speedweek, an announcement regarding the decision is anticipated before the Christmas holiday.

During a recent episode of the Inside Line Podcast, Marko provided the latest information.

"The talks are still in progress. I’m confident that a resolution and a statement will be made this week," he stated.

"You're correct; it's a complicated situation. This marks the first occasion that shareholders have been part of the process. However, as mentioned, there are constructive discussions taking place."

"Please be patient. I think a decision will be made and announced this week."

Will Lawson Replace Tsunoda?

It seems likely that Red Bull will choose Lawson to team up with Max Verstappen, rather than continuing with Tsunoda.

In 2024, Tsunoda consistently outperformed Lawson in qualifying sessions, achieving a 6-0 record. Despite this, the difference in their times was frequently less than one-tenth

Lawson's quick adjustment to the Formula 1 environment has caught the attention of F1 leaders, particularly due to his eagerness to compete against drivers like Fernando Alonso.

Since Pierre Gasly left at the close of 2022, Tsunoda has excelled, surpassing Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo, and Nyck de Vries in performance.

The Japanese racer stated that Red Bull was pleased with his technical insights during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.

Despite his impressive performance and an encouraging test result, it appears he hasn’t secured a spot on the main team.

Tsunoda is expected to continue for a fifth year with Red Bull, probably teaming up with Formula 2 second-place finisher Isack Hadjar.

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Experienced F1 official claims respect endures in the paddock despite critiques

An experienced FIA steward asserts that respect is still prevalent in the F1 paddock amidst criticism

Experienced Formula 1 steward Johnny Herbert has asserted that there is a mutual respect among people in the paddock, even though the sport faces significant criticism regarding its officiating.

The stewards from the FIA in Formula 1 faced heightened scrutiny after several notable events occurred towards the close of the 2024 season, with Max Verstappen being a central figure in many of these incidents.

Max Verstappen initially avoided any penalties for his aggressive defense against Lando Norris during the United States Grand Prix, prompting a review of the racing regulations.

The driver, who has won the world championship four times, received two separate 10-second penalties for collisions involving Norris during the race in Mexico.

Jos Verstappen, the father of Max Verstappen, criticized Herbert after the event in Mexico, suggesting there might be a "conflict of interest."

The Red Bull racer has been outspoken in his disapproval of the stewards, referring to them as "idiots" after receiving a penalty for causing Oscar Piastri to spin during the final race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

No Hostility Among F1 Participants

In an interview with CoinPoker, Herbert, who serves as an FIA steward, stated that there is no ongoing hostility between the officials and the drivers.

"The drivers are more united than ever and act as a cohesive group. They are also very vocal about their views," he stated.

"It's been over three decades since I've witnessed such unity. It's beneficial that they have a voice. The more they express themselves, the more attention they receive. This is crucial for them."

"In the racing community, you simply keep going. Sure, there are times when you clash or feel annoyed, but you continue forward. It's the sole approach. There's no lasting resentment towards drivers or their parents."

"Being a steward is widely recognized as a challenging role. Personally, I haven't noticed any negative effects on my relationships with others in the paddock. There's a mutual respect among everyone involved."

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The decisive pit stop that secured McLaren's victory in the 2024 Formula 1 world championship

McLaren was just 0.7 seconds shy of missing out on the F1 constructors' championship.

Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, stated that without an extremely fast pit stop, his team would have been defeated by Ferrari in the F1 constructors' championship.

Lando Norris clinched a win at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, which led McLaren to claim their ninth constructors' championship title, marking their first triumph since 1998.

Norris faced significant pressure, particularly after his teammate, Oscar Piastri, was spun by Max Verstappen at the first corner. Nevertheless, Norris remained flawless in his performance as he held off the challenge from Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

His fourth victory of the season ultimately placed the title out of Ferrari's grasp, leading to McLaren securing the championship by a margin of 14 points.

The McLaren pit crew played a key role by executing an essential two-second pit stop for Norris, who came in after Sainz had been closing the gap with newer tires. With Norris ultimately winning by just 5.8 seconds, the precise timing of the pit stops was critical to his success.

Brown praised the McLaren pit crew for their impressive performance in high-pressure situations.

In an interview on the High Performance podcast, Brown expressed that he wouldn't have liked the pressure of being on the pit crew tasked with executing a two-second pit stop, yet they successfully accomplished it.

"Consider the immense pressure involved. Although the season consists of 24 races, we were just approximately seven-tenths of a second from not winning the championship."

"Lando managed to emerge 1.6 or 1.7 seconds ahead of Carlos, who was showing impressive speed. With the turbulent air conditions, even though Lando might have had some extra performance to give, if Carlos had been within DRS range, defending against him would have been difficult. The Ferrari is extremely fast on straight sections, and Lando would have faced challenges due to the disturbed air."

Visualize this scenario: Carlos arrives and accomplishes a pit stop in just 2.2 seconds, setting a high benchmark. The pressure is immense to surpass that. However, they rose to the challenge and executed the fastest pit stop of the race. This level of performance has been consistent for the team throughout the year, and it has been truly remarkable.

McLaren's Standard Strategy

Brown expressed his desire for McLaren to treat the final race of the season just like any other, even though the championship was on the line.

He stated that things need to continue as they normally would. However, he acknowledged that while it's simple to claim this, the reality is different, as everyone is aware that the situation isn't normal.

Numerous individuals inquired about any changes I planned to implement for this race or the recent ones. My perspective is that it's essential to continue with the strategies that have led to my current success.

The moment you begin to alter your approach, it's as if you're saying, hold on, we've been executing excellent pit stops throughout the year and even hold the world record. There's no need to explain what's at stake; I believe they were already aware.

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The pivotal pitstop that secured McLaren's victory in the 2024 F1 world championship

McLaren narrowly avoided missing out on the F1 constructors' championship by a margin of just seven-tenths of a second.

Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, stated that if it weren't for an exceptionally fast pit stop, his team would have been overtaken by Ferrari in the fight for the F1 constructors’ championship.

Lando Norris clinched a win at the final race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which led McLaren to capture their ninth constructors' championship title, marking their first achievement in this category since 1998.

Norris faced significant pressure, particularly following the incident where his teammate, Oscar Piastri, was spun by Max Verstappen at the first corner. Despite this, Norris performed flawlessly, successfully holding off the challenge from Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

His victory in the fourth race of the season effectively prevented Ferrari from claiming the championship, allowing McLaren to secure the title with a 14-point lead.

The McLaren pit crew played a pivotal role by executing a critical pit stop for Norris in just two seconds. This stop occurred after Sainz, who was closing in on Norris with newer tires, had already pitted. Given that Norris crossed the finish line with a winning margin of just 5.8 seconds, the precision and efficiency during the pit stops were crucial to his victory.

Brown praised McLaren’s pit crew for how well they performed when faced with pressure.

Brown expressed on the High Performance podcast that he wouldn't have envied the pit crew responsible for executing a pit stop in just two seconds, yet they accomplished it.

"Imagine the intensity. Even though the season includes 24 races, we were just approximately seven-tenths of a second from not winning the championship."

"Lando emerged ahead of Carlos by 1.6 or 1.7 seconds, and Carlos was quick. In those conditions, with the disturbed air, even if Lando had some extra speed to give, I doubt we could have held him off if he had DRS. The Ferrari is extremely fast on the straights, and Lando ends up in the turbulent air."

Picture this: Carlos enters for a pit stop, completing it in just 2.2 seconds, setting a challenging benchmark. The pressure is immense, but the team rises to the occasion, executing the fastest pit stop of the entire race. This level of performance has been their hallmark throughout the year, and it’s truly remarkable.

McLaren's Standard Operating Procedure

Brown emphasized that he wished for McLaren to treat the season's final race just like any other, even though the championship title was on the line.

He stated that things need to continue as they normally would. However, he acknowledged that while it's simple to express, the reality is different, as everyone is aware that the situation is far from normal.

Many individuals inquired about my plans for this race and the previous ones. My belief is that it's essential to continue with the strategies that have brought you success so far.

"As soon as you alter your approach, it's like, hold on, we've been performing excellent pit stops all season, we even hold the world record, there's no need to remind them of the stakes. I believe they were already aware of it."

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Charles Leclerc Criticizes Misleading Media Coverage on Relationship with Carlos Sainz

Charles Leclerc has expressed his disapproval of how the media has represented his remarks concerning his departing Ferrari teammate, Carlos Sainz.

Charles Leclerc has taken steps to clarify the nature of his relationship with his ex-Ferrari Formula 1 teammate, Carlos Sainz.

Following four seasons together at Ferrari, Leclerc and Sainz will no longer be teammates. Sainz is set to join Williams, which opens up a spot for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is transferring from Mercedes.

Leclerc expressed his frustration over how his remarks before the second-to-last race of the season in Qatar were misinterpreted.

Before the Qatar Grand Prix, the driver from Monaco expressed, "I've mentioned this often; on one side, it's not as though I'll be missing him intensely since he'll still be around in the paddock, probably just about 20 meters away."

During the final race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Leclerc expressed his dissatisfaction with the way certain media organizations had represented his remarks.

"In recent days, I've noticed a number of inaccurate headlines," stated Leclerc.

The statement I made has been somewhat misinterpreted. Regarding my comment about not missing Carlos, I simply meant that he is only 20 meters away from me in the paddock.

"I've genuinely had a fantastic connection with Carlos. As an individual, he's truly a great person."

"We have consistently maintained an exceptionally strong relationship."

Leclerc maintains that their relationship is ‘really good.’ Despite experiencing some tensions on the track, particularly during the Las Vegas Grand Prix which led to Leclerc expressing his frustration over the radio, he emphasized that they share a solid relationship.

Leclerc acknowledged that while there have been moments of friction on the track, it is a common occurrence.

"In the end, while both of us compete for Ferrari, our goal is also to secure race victories."

"When we are in such close competition on the track, there will inevitably be disagreements between the parties involved."

"What stands out to me is that each time we faced a situation like this, we emerged a little stronger and more united."

"We have an exceptionally strong bond and share many interests beyond just racing."

"While [Sainz] won't be with the team next year, I believe we'll probably still attend races together to enjoy each other's company."

"Our relationship is very strong, so I genuinely hope everything goes well for him."

Starting in 2025, Leclerc will team up with Hamilton, marking his third different Ferrari partner.

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Daniel Ricciardo comments on the ongoing dispute between Max Verstappen and George Russell, describing it as "a challenging conflict to overcome." Ricciardo shares his thoughts on the tension between Verstappen and Russell.

Daniel Ricciardo has shared his thoughts on the disagreement between Max Verstappen and George Russell that occurred at the end of the F1 season.

The final race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, was overshadowed by a verbal clash between Verstappen and Russell.

This occurred after the Qatar Grand Prix, where Verstappen received a one-position grid penalty due to a minor incident with Russell during the qualifying session.

Verstappen was annoyed by Russell's involvement in the penalty decision and his behavior during the meeting with the stewards.

Following the race on Sunday, the racer from the Netherlands stated that he no longer had any respect for Russell. He maintained this position during the press event in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Russell responded strongly to Verstappen, suggesting that Verstappen struggles to cope with challenges. He also alluded multiple times to Verstappen's conduct during the 2021 championship fight with Lewis Hamilton.

Since that time, Verstappen has suggested that he might mend fences with Russell, expressing his belief that "we will resolve it once more."

After the Singapore Grand Prix, Ricciardo, who had exited from Formula 1, shared his perspective on the matter.

During an interview with The Red Flags Podcast, Ricciardo remarked, "It's compelling TV. This is the first instance I've witnessed George getting upset."

When questioned about whether it was wise to engage in a rivalry with the current world champion, Ricciardo replied: "Not right now. The young guy, Verstappen, is really on point. I think it's a challenging fight to come out on top of."

Ricciardo has expressed a clear disinterest in returning to Formula 1, despite potential interest from Cadillac.

Cadillac is preparing to join Formula 1 as the 11th team in 2026 and has been associated with various drivers.

It is anticipated that they will bring on board an American talent, with Colton Herta being the leading contender.

Aside from that, it is anticipated that Cadillac will prioritize seasoned drivers, considering options such as Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, Kevin Magnussen, and possibly Sergio Perez, who may be available.

It seems that the ex-Red Bull racer has fully stepped away from Formula 1.

In a brief interaction with a fan, Ricciardo was questioned about Cadillac and responded by saying, "No, I'm finished."

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Max Verstappen engaged in 'productive discussions' with Mercedes

Max Verstappen shares insights into his discussions with Mercedes while contemplating his future in Formula 1 with Red Bull.

Max Verstappen shared that he engaged in "highly productive discussions" with Mercedes regarding the possibility of becoming part of their team.

The four-time Formula 1 world champion became Mercedes' top choice for a driver after Lewis Hamilton unexpectedly revealed in February that he would be joining Ferrari for the 2025 season.

Mercedes' team boss, Toto Wolff, made efforts for several months to attract Max Verstappen during a challenging beginning of the season for Red Bull. However, he ultimately abandoned his pursuit to sign the 27-year-old Dutch driver away from Red Bull.

Wolff chose to elevate the young talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes to join George Russell for the upcoming season, while dismissing rumors about attempting to secure Verstappen in the near future.

In an interview with the Dutch broadcaster Viaplay, Verstappen discussed the conversations he had with Mercedes while contemplating his future in Formula 1.

"The major teams certainly catch people's attention, yet I am already part of a significant team myself. I've experienced considerable success with them, and it genuinely feels like a second family to me," Verstappen revealed.

"Naturally, we maintain open communication with one another. I'm truthful when I say that we've had meetings. Our discussions have been productive, and I believe everyone has consistently approached them with honesty and transparency."

"Conversely, I have a strong sense of loyalty to my team, and it feels like a place where I truly belong. As a result, there's not much more I need to accomplish right now. Given my youth, there's plenty of time for new opportunities and developments down the road."

Verstappen has 'no issues to raise'

Max Verstappen, whose contract with Red Bull extends through 2028, emphasized once again that he is "extremely satisfied" with the team based in Milton Keynes and has no intention of departing.

This comes even though the controversy involving Red Bull team boss Christian Horner earlier this year led to tensions with Jos Verstappen, Max's father, and resulted in the exit of major figures such as iconic designer Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.

He explained that in Formula 1, it's rare for a person to break their contract. Unlike in football, where players might sign a five-year deal but depart after just one year, this isn't usually the goal in F1.

"It's impossible to predict what the future holds, whether that's next year or two years from now. Since it's beyond my control, I don't spend much time worrying about it. Right now, I'm extremely satisfied with my current situation, especially after securing another championship victory."

Naturally, the car requires some enhancements, which is quite understandable. However, I feel positive about my place in the team, where I can truly be myself.

"Everyone is putting in maximum effort to consistently provide me with top-quality resources. I have no complaints in that regard."

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Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are predicted to be the major rivals to watch in Formula 1 by 2025. The focus for Piastri is solely on himself, disregarding others, which is the mindset he needs to bring into the upcoming season where McLaren is expected to lead the pack.

Former Formula 1 racer Johnny Herbert anticipates that the competition within the McLaren team will be the major showdown in 2025.

McLaren clinched their first F1 constructors' championship victory since 1998, edging out Ferrari in a close battle for this year's title.

Throughout the year, Lando Norris generally held an advantage over Oscar Piastri, but there were still several intense moments between the two.

In Hungary, Piastri managed to pass Norris at the beginning of the race, but he fell behind again during the second set of pit stops.

Consequently, McLaren instructed Norris to let Piastri pass, a directive the British driver was initially hesitant to follow.

During the first lap at Monza, Piastri made a move on Norris, which resulted in Norris falling behind and allowed Charles Leclerc to take the victory in the race.

McLaren revealed that starting from the Azerbaijan event, Piastri will have the job of supporting Norris.

The differences in their performance meant Piastri wasn't required to yield to Norris until the sprint race. However, Norris returned the gesture during the Saturday race in Qatar.

In a conversation with CoinPoker, Herbert anticipates that the competition between Norris and Piastri will be one of the most talked-about narratives of 2025.

"He [Piastri] possesses the correct mindset," he remarked. "His focus is solely on himself, and he isn't concerned with others. This is the approach he needs to maintain as McLaren enters the new season as the frontrunner."

Oscar is represented by Mark Webber as his manager. He understands the task ahead of him: if he starts off strong and takes control, he'll be in an excellent position. However, it's unlikely that Lando will make it easy for him. Lando has consistently excelled in his qualifying rounds and continues to deliver outstanding performances during races.

"The rivalry will drive both individuals to perform better. I admire Oscar's determined mentality. The most anticipated showdown next season is expected to be between Oscar and Lando! McLaren is predicted to lead the way, surpassing Red Bull, followed by Ferrari and Mercedes."

A significant year for Piastri

Following an impressive debut season, Piastri faced challenges in making substantial progress, especially in the qualifying rounds of his second year.

Throughout the 24 races, Piastri managed to qualify ahead of Norris just four times.

His finest performance occurred during the race day.

Although Piastri may not match Norris in sheer speed, his skill in close racing situations and calmness during crucial times have led to several significant performances.

To pose a genuine challenge to Norris, he must improve his performance in qualifying and enhance his overall speed.

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Daniel Ricciardo responds briefly to F1 comeback rumors as Cadillac shows interest

It appears Daniel Ricciardo has hinted at stepping away from Formula 1.

Daniel Ricciardo seems to have closed the chapter on his Formula 1 career, as indicated by his brief three-word reply to a supporter, despite Cadillac's possible interest in him.

Following the Singapore Grand Prix this year, Ricciardo bid farewell to his career in Formula 1.

Due to the Australian driver's lackluster performance, Red Bull opted to substitute him with Liam Lawson for the concluding races of the 2024 F1 season.

An additional team is expected to enter the competition in 2026, which might offer Ricciardo a chance to return to the sport.

The Australian athlete has nearly confirmed his retirement following a short conversation with a supporter during the weekend.

A fan inquired if Ricciardo had a Cadillac, to which the ex-Formula 1 driver responded, "No, I'm finished with that."

Cadillac will have plenty of choices in 2026, thanks to the arrival of many new drivers in the field.

With Ollie Bearman, Jack Doohan, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and Gabriel Bortoleto set to join the lineup next year, several seasoned drivers have lost their spots.

Kevin Magnussen, Valtteri Bottas, and Zhou Guanyu will not be participating in the 2025 season.

If Red Bull chooses to elevate either Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda, Sergio Perez might find himself among those who have been replaced.

Cadillac advisor Mario Andretti has revealed that the company aims to have a young American racer, potentially Colton Herta, join forces with a driver who has established experience in Formula 1.

In an interview with NBC Sports, he mentioned, "When it comes to potential candidates, Herta is certainly one we are considering."

"It seems wise to remain flexible about those options because we won't be participating as players in the upcoming season."

"Currently, the number of drivers exceeds the number of teams. While ten teams might appear sufficient, the pool of talented drivers is significantly larger."

"In our view, the initial plan should involve having one seasoned driver, regardless of nationality, alongside a promising young American driver. These are our current goals."

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