Former Ferrari strategy chief Inaki Rueda has been appointed as the Formula 1 sporting director for Audi, according to an announcement from Sauber.

Inaki Rueda, who previously led strategy at Ferrari, has taken on the role of sporting director for Audi's Formula 1 team.

Starting in 2025, Rueda is set to become part of the team, succeeding Beat Zehnder. Zehnder will transition to a new position as the director of signature programs and operations.

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This is one aspect of the broader reorganization at Sauber in anticipation of Audi joining F1 in 2026.

Sauber has revealed that Giampaolo Dall’Ara will be their new leader of race engineering.

He will be responsible for managing the department's activities at both the racetrack and the Hinwil location.

Sauber stated that the new appointment aims to enhance coordination on all matters related to car performance. This initiative is designed to ensure a collaborative approach to performance issues, and as a part of this strategy, the Race Engineering department has been merged into the Technical Group.

Dall’Ara, who graduated from the Politecnico di Milano, possesses a rich history in motorsport. He has held significant positions, such as within the Alfa Romeo DTM team and at Sauber Motorsport, where he served as the Head of Test Engineering and Head of Track Engineering.

Since 2016, he has been managing his own consulting business. His extensive experience makes him well-suited to enhance race performance and work closely with the Technical Group.

Sauber has had a tough time in the 2024 F1 season, not managing to earn any points with four races remaining.

Mattia Binotto, the former leader at Ferrari, took on the role of Audi's CEO after joining the company earlier this summer.

Binotto remains faced with an important choice regarding the selection of drivers for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The Italian must choose between Valtteri Bottas or a less seasoned alternative, with options being Franco Colapinto or Gabriel Bortoleto.

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Damon Hill has expressed criticism towards Red Bull's handling of Max Verstappen: "The team never seems to criticize him."

"Christian always has a defensive stance when it comes to Max, making it seem like Max can do anything he wants."

Damon Hill, who won the Formula 1 world championship in 1996, has urged Red Bull to discuss Max Verstappen's aggressive driving style during the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen received penalties totaling 20 seconds during the Mexico race due to two separate incidents involving his Formula 1 championship competitor, Lando Norris.

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Verstappen forced Norris wide at Turn 4 and then made an audacious attempt to overtake at Turn 7 shortly afterward.

The Dutch racer has faced significant criticism, with Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle cautioning Verstappen that his actions could damage his Formula 1 "legacy."

During a discussion on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Hill expressed doubts about how Red Bull has managed their top driver, suggesting that "it seems as if Max has the liberty to act as he pleases."

Hill mentioned that there is never an effort to explain his driver in a manner that others would understand.

Christian often makes comments that seem to defend Max. It seems as if Max has the freedom to act however he wishes.

According to reports, his team refrains from publicly criticizing his driving style. In the context of a competition, this approach seems acceptable.

"Ultimately, a discussion needs to happen. The team has a duty to influence the driver's mindset as well."

Max Verstappen's driving style has been compared to that of Ayrton Senna, with Hill characterizing the Brazilian driver's approach as "extremely aggressive."

Hill mentioned that Ayrton Senna was quite aggressive in his driving style, using some harsh tactics, which were also subject to scrutiny during that period.

"I'm getting ready to travel to Brazil, and I certainly don't want to offend any supporters of Senna. They are well aware that he was an incredibly skilled racer, although there were times when his emotions would occasionally take control."

This is the point where the FIA or the relevant sports authorities need to take action. They should be able to declare, 'We desire competition and enjoy the intensity, but it needs to be managed.'

"It's not acceptable to engage in reckless driving simply to maintain your position, nor is it fair to block others from advancing because you don't want to be passed. Therefore, there should be a system in place to hold drivers accountable for such actions."

"If Max continues in this manner, there will be lasting doubts about the wisdom of his driving style. He possesses immense talent and capability, which he can leverage to overcome his competitors. It shouldn't simply resemble a bumper car race."

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Jos Verstappen criticizes F1 stewards post-Mexico, hinting at potential "conflict of interest"

"The FIA needs to carefully examine who they appoint as stewards and ensure that there is no potential for a conflict of interest to arise."

Jos Verstappen has criticized the F1 stewards following two separate 10-second penalties given to Max Verstappen during the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen received penalties totaling 20 seconds due to two separate incidents involving his Formula 1 championship competitor, Lando Norris, at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

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The Dutch driver ended up in sixth place, and with Norris taking second, his advantage in the championship has been reduced to 47 points.

The sanctions imposed on Verstappen in Mexico were harsher than those he faced at any other time this year. This is especially noteworthy because, in Austin, he avoided any penalties after pushing Norris off the track during the first lap.

In an interview with the Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, Jos stood up for his son's driving skills, explaining that "he must drive this way" because the RB20 is currently lacking in competitiveness.

Jos expressed that while discussions could go on indefinitely, ultimately it doesn't matter because Max should drive according to his own preferences.

"He must take these actions since the car's performance falls short, and he's putting in every effort to secure the championship."

A man aged 52 implied that the officials working in Mexico have a dislike for Max, which may explain the severe punishments.

In Mexico, Johnny Herbert, who used to work as an analyst for Sky, served as the FIA's driver steward.

"However, Max won't alter his approach to driving just because there are a few stewards around who already have a negative opinion of him," Jos commented.

The FIA needs to carefully evaluate the selection of stewards, ensuring that their appointments do not suggest any potential conflicts of interest.

"From past drivers who may feel more empathetic towards specific racers or teams."

According to Max, the crucial issue is that the fundamental design of the car is flawed.

"Observing his teammate's performance, it was clear that even Haas outpaced Red Bull during the race."

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Sergio Perez's wealthy supporter might pull out of sponsoring Red Bull: "It's not set in stone."

"Our plan is to stay with Checo, no matter where he goes, we will support him."

Sergio Perez's financial supporter, Escuderia Telmex, has issued a caution that they might cease their sponsorship deal with Red Bull. However, they are committed to maintaining their support for the Mexican driver, regardless of whether he remains with the team or not.

Escuderia Telmex has been a sponsor of Perez for many years. The company was established by billionaire entrepreneur Carlos Slim.

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In 2013, Forbes magazine listed Slim as the wealthiest individual globally, boasting an impressive fortune of $78 billion.

Carlos Slim Domit, the president of the company and son of Slim, spoke about their position on continuing to sponsor Perez and Red Bull moving forward.

The future of Perez in Formula 1 has been widely discussed due to his recent lackluster performance.

Since the race in China last April, the Mexican driver has not secured a podium finish in any competition.

Christian Horner has suggested that Perez might be substituted after the Brazil race for the last three events of the season.

In an interview with ESPN in Mexico, Slim Domit assured that their support for Perez will persist, and their sponsorship with Red Bull is not connected to it.

"We are currently in discussions with the team, and although nothing is finalized yet, our ongoing intention is to continue our partnership with Checo," stated Slim. "We aim to support Perez for as long as possible, without any hesitation."

The matter of Checo's contract is separate from any sponsorship discussions for us, and this has been the case since he joined the team. However, if the chance to stay with the team were to end, we would definitely still support Checo.

"The plan is to stick with Checo, no matter where he goes, we will support him."

Perez aims to recover at the Sao Paulo GP this weekend.

The Red Bull racer ended up in 17th place, finishing last in the race held in their home country

He was eliminated in the first qualifying session and later received a penalty for starting prematurely.

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Red Bull acknowledges interest in Franco Colapinto as speculation emerges about Carlos Sainz's potential departure. Reports suggest that the career paths of Franco Colapinto and Carlos Sainz may be connected.

Christian Horner has revealed that he has asked about whether Franco Colapinto might be available.

Williams driver Colapinto has drawn attention from various teams throughout the Formula 1 paddock after stepping in for Logan Sargeant five races back.

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The roster of F1 drivers for the 2025 season is theoretically finalized, which leaves Colapinto without a seat for the next year unless Red Bull decides to make a significant alteration.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner described Colapinto as a fascinating driver, according to AMUS.

"To many people's surprise, his performance far exceeds what his time in Formula 2 indicated."

"I wouldn't be doing my job well as a team leader if I didn't look into his availability."

Red Bull is contemplating the possibility of replacing Sergio Perez after his disappointing performance at the Mexico City Grand Prix last weekend.

Liam Lawson might be moving up from the sister team of Red Bull, creating an opportunity that could be taken by Colapinto.

According to AMUS, Alpine is reportedly interested in Colapinto after Flavio Briatore recognized his talent.

Carlos Sainz's potential departure clause?

Williams has secured a deal with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, the victor of last weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix, for the 2025 season.

Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon form a thrilling partnership as drivers for a team competing in the middle of the pack.

According to Auto Motor Und Sport, Sainz's contract with Williams includes a clause that allows him to join Red Bull in 2026 should an opportunity become available.

There are doubts about Max Verstappen's plans for the distant future, especially with the upcoming changes to F1 engine rules set for 2026.

The supposed exit clause in Sainz's contract has implications for Colapinto.

While there seems to be no opportunity for him at Williams in 2025, he might become essential for them in 2026 if Sainz departs.

There is no chance of Colapinto being "loaned" to Red Bull for a year, according to Helmut Marko.

Marko informed AMUS that they are only interested in Colapinto if he is fully committed to them, dismissing the idea of him driving their car while still under a Williams contract.

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Red Bull acknowledges an investigation into Franco Colapinto as claims surface regarding Carlos Sainz's potential departure clause. Reports suggest that the career trajectories of Franco Colapinto and Carlos Sainz may be linked.

Christian Horner has acknowledged asking about whether Franco Colapinto is available.

Since stepping in for Logan Sargeant five races back, Colapinto, driving for Williams, has garnered significant attention from various teams throughout the Formula 1 paddock.

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The 2025 F1 driver roster is theoretically finalized, leaving Colapinto without a seat for the upcoming season—unless Red Bull decides to make a significant alteration.

Red Bull's team principal, Christian Horner, reportedly described Colapinto as a fascinating driver, according to AMUS.

"Contrary to what his performance in Formula 2 indicated, he has exceeded expectations significantly for everyone."

"I wouldn't be doing my job properly as a team leader if I didn't look into his availability."

Red Bull is contemplating the possibility of replacing Sergio Perez, whose performance at his home race in Mexico last weekend was disappointing.

Liam Lawson might be moving up from the Red Bull sister team, potentially creating an opportunity that Colapinto could step into.

According to AMUS, Alpine has shown interest in Colapinto, after Flavio Briatore recognized his potential.

Carlos Sainz's Departure Option?

Williams has secured the services of Carlos Sainz from Ferrari for the 2025 season. Sainz recently emerged victorious at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon form an intriguing pair of drivers for the team competing in the middle tier.

According to Auto Motor Und Sport, Sainz's contract with Williams includes a provision that allows him to switch to Red Bull in 2026 should a position become available.

There are doubts surrounding Max Verstappen's future in the sport, especially with the upcoming changes to the engine regulations in Formula 1 set for 2026.

The rumored exit clause in Sainz's agreement impacts Colapinto as well.

Even though there isn't a spot for him at Williams in 2025, the team might require his services in 2026 if Sainz departs.

Could Colapinto possibly be 'loaned' to Red Bull for a year? Helmut Marko firmly rejects this idea.

Marko informed AMUS that they are only interested in having Colapinto fully committed to them, eliminating any chance for him to drive their car if he stays under a Williams contract.

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Fernando Alonso will not participate in the media events scheduled for Thursday in Brazil due to being treated for an infection.

Aston Martin has announced that Fernando Alonso will be absent from the media day at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix once more.

Due to being unwell, Alonso was absent from the media events on Thursday in Mexico City.

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The Spanish driver got back into the AMR24 car for Friday's practice session ahead of his 400th grand prix race.

Alonso's race came to an early end due to a mechanical problem.

Alonso apparently was not in peak physical condition during the race in Mexico, as Aston Martin revealed that he went back to Europe for additional medical care.

Aston Martin announced that he experienced an "intestinal infection" leading up to the weekend event in Mexico.

The team from Silverstone firmly asserts that Alonso will be driving at Interlagos.

The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team announced that Fernando Alonso will not participate in his scheduled media engagements in Brazil.

Before the Mexico City Grand Prix, Fernando had been dealing with an intestinal infection.

He went back to Europe to get additional medical care from an expert.

The additional day of therapy has postponed his trip to Brazil, but it guarantees that he will be prepared for the races this weekend.

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EXCLUSIVE: Ayrton Senna "had moments of losing his temper, even getting into physical altercations" with reporters

Stewart Bell speaks with Ayrton Senna's press officer, who shares insights into the racing legend's intense interactions with the press.

In the world of sports, some of the most remarkable tales stem from individuals who remain away from the public eye. These are the people who have been part of the journey but aren't usually the first to be consulted for their perspective. They are the true insiders…

Betise Assumpção-Head is known for her role as the former personal press officer for the legendary Ayrton Senna, who was a three-time World Champion in Formula 1 racing.

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Remarkably, Assumpção-Head's path to reaching the top of the motor racing world began with her passion for volleyball, which she started playing at the age of 14. However, when it came to her professional life, the Brazilian chose to pursue a career in journalism covering the sport. At 21, she landed her first reporting position as a maternity leave replacement at Folha de S.Paulo, a daily newspaper in São Paulo, just a year after earning her degree in journalism.

"Assumpção-Head mentions that volleyball experienced a significant surge in popularity by the time she completed her education."

"During that era, we had an exceptional team, ranking as the second-best globally. However, since volleyball wasn't well-known, I found myself in the perfect position to document it. I was familiar with all the players, having traveled with several and even played in the same club as them."

Before long, she encountered Senna, who was destined to become a Formula 1 legend, as he ascended in the sport.

Honda has released an incredible advertisement showcasing three-time Formula 1 world champions Ayrton Senna and Max Verstappen. 👏 📹 @hondapic.twitter.com/oj3KP5YcF8— Crash.net – Formula 1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) October 9, 2024

Question: Can you describe your initial encounter with Ayrton Senna?

Betise Head (BH): "When I started working for Folha de S.Paulo, Ayrton would contact the media each time he came back to Brazil. At the time, he was competing in Formula 3 and Formula 3000. Even though he already had a small agency, he would still reach out to journalists, and they would often send me, the newcomer. No one else was interested, thinking, 'Oh, it's just a guy wanting to announce he's won a race.'"

"I ended up tracking his professional journey, almost by accident. I'm not even a fan of motor racing. Nonetheless, he kept appearing in my life every few months. In 1985, I transitioned from working at Folha to joining Placar, a football magazine. However, they decided to expand their focus to cover a variety of sports due to low sales."

In 1986, Ayrton received the title of sportsperson of the year, which was well-deserved. It was a significant event, especially since he was set to join Lotus the next year. I was assigned to create a feature on him, so I visited his office, conducted interviews with him and his family, met with [helmet designer] Sid [Mosca], and even got hold of his helmet. This experience allowed me to become quite familiar with his circle, you might say.

"I wasn't exactly a friend, but we maintained a good professional rapport, and they appreciated all my work and contributions."

What took place after that point?

BH recalled that in 1987, she made the decision to travel to England. As a woman in sports media, she often found herself assigned to less desirable tasks, being given assignments that others were not interested in taking on.

"I relocated to London and started living with my sister, who lived around 300 meters from Wimbledon. By chance, Ayrton's closest friend was acquainted with my sister through advertising projects in Brazil. They ran into each other, and he mentioned that he was heading to Wimbledon, asking if he could park his car at her place. She agreed without hesitation! Little did we know that Ayrton was accompanying him."

While at Wimbledon, I unexpectedly met him, and he inquired about my presence there. I explained that I planned to remain and work on my English skills. However, at the conclusion of the event, when he arrived to pick up the car, I encountered Ayrton once more. Ayrton mentioned that he was heading to dinner with the Japanese representatives from Honda, as he aimed to persuade them to join McLaren. He invited me to accompany him to the dinner.

Question: What led to you taking on the role of his press officer?

BH shared that after about a year, he received a phone call from the person who needed a companion for the races. This individual had previously worked with a Brazilian journalist who would write for him. However, the journalist also contributed to other outlets and had family responsibilities, which required him to focus on providing for them.

"They initially attempted that approach but soon discovered conflicting interests. As a result, someone suggested my name to him. It was some individuals I had previously worked with at a car magazine. They had since started their own agency and were handling his public relations in Brazil. Surprisingly, he reached out to me personally, which many people find hard to believe!"

He mentioned, "I'm curious if you'd be interested in joining this endeavor. I'm currently in a huge dispute with [former FIA President Jean-Marie] Balestre. I'm unsure if I'll even be able to compete, but if I do, I'd like you to be part of it." I agreed and began covering just the Grand Prix events. Each day, I crafted a press release. Back then, before the internet was widely available, most journalists didn't have access to reliable information. In Brazil, only the largest newspapers and TV networks could afford to send reporters around the globe; otherwise, they had to depend on international news agencies.

Each day, I would share an article that was a legitimate news piece, complete with details and unique quotes, but focused primarily on Senna. After all, he would naturally be the focal point of any Brazilian article, right?

"I would send the material to Brazil, where it would be shared with approximately 350 newspapers. This gave him significant visibility, and when we included photos, the reach expanded further."

Q: How was the experience of working with Ayrton?

BH explained that a significant part of his role was focused on helping Ayrton manage his time efficiently. On several occasions, he mentioned to Ayrton that he noticed how stressed he seemed after leaving engineering meetings.

"I managed his media interactions by organizing group interviews with different publications, ensuring there was no overlap. I recorded all the sessions. After conducting several of these interviews, I compiled a comprehensive file containing details about him and the questions he had previously addressed."

"I would approach the journalist and inform them that they would have a 20-minute interview with Ayrton. However, I would provide them with a detailed file about him and insist that they read it thoroughly. I would advise them against asking basic questions like his sister’s name, as he would find that disrespectful and might end the interview abruptly."

"Imagine having just 20 minutes to speak with Ayrton Senna, and then choosing to ask him what his favorite color is. Surprisingly, some people actually did that!"

Ayrton wasn't fond of giving interviews. However, if you managed to engage him in a meaningful conversation, he was hard to pull away. Despite the engineers' attempts to whisk him off, he truly enjoyed an engaging and stimulating discussion.

He enjoyed clarifying his thoughts and had a desire for others to comprehend him. He appreciated engaging with fascinating and smart individuals.

Back in the day, when Formula 1 was more accessible and fans or others would approach him during his walks, he had a simple strategy. He would direct them to speak with me, explaining that I kept a record of everything and would relay all necessary information to him. I assured him to pass all concerns my way, emphasizing that handling such matters was my responsibility. He didn’t need to fret; we would manage the situation together.

Question: Did any problems arise regarding the media?

BH mentioned that he would become upset if people took advantage of the system, as this would lead to physical interactions.

In the current era, there are structured interview zones and organized procedures. However, back then, reporters would approach him directly at the rear of the garage before he even had a chance to speak with his engineer, which left him quite frustrated.

"I halted the situation by informing the journalists that while everyone is working against the clock, it's really the Europeans who are in a rush. The South Americans have more flexibility. I arranged the interview schedule, placing the Brazilians at the end."

"The Europeans were prioritized since they made up the largest group. After arranging everything, you might spot some individuals lingering at the rear of the garage. You'd advise them, 'If you hang around at the back of the motorhome, he'll avoid coming out because he can see you waiting.'"

"He might be upset because you're blocking access to the engineers' office. When you treated everyone equally, they got it, since before I arrived, most of them didn't have any way to reach Ayrton. So, everyone valued it."

"He would remain present until the very last question was asked, even in three different languages. I would handle the situation, making sure to dismiss people once they had their turn. The questions were always the same each week, with nothing fresh, and I had everything documented."

"I would often visit the pressroom, and everyone there understood that they could rely on me for details, since I was aware of his statements. We didn't manipulate the information; I simply conveyed it to them."

He explained that, given the circumstances, that was what he intended—it reflects his beliefs and so on. It's straightforward, and it's astonishing that more people don't adopt this approach regularly.

Question: Thirty years have passed since he died during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Can you describe what that challenging day was like for you?

BH described the day as if operating on instinct, simply going through the motions. He mentioned that Leonardo, his brother, was present, and he was determined to secure a private room in the hospital for him, ensuring that the media couldn't contact him.

"I wasn't the one responsible for delivering formal announcements. The hospital handled that task. I interacted with a few individuals who emerged."

Following the declaration of his death, there was just one request made of me that I refused to fulfill – they needed someone to confirm the identity of the body. I declined to do it.

Gerhard Berger, a friend, had informed me that he had visited the hospital and expressed a desire to see him. I inquired if he was certain about this decision, as we had received advice against visiting due to the severity of his head injuries. Nevertheless, Berger insisted on seeing him.

He returned pale and said, "I shouldn’t have gone in there. Please make sure no one else enters."

After everything was finished, I returned to the Imola track around 10:30 p.m. and sat in the motorhome, where all my belongings had been left behind.

A segment aired on Sky TV featuring Ayrton, who appeared sun-kissed and wore a vibrant yellow shirt. His hair was damp, likely from jet skiing, and he expressed his joy by saying, "I love my life here; it's beautiful."

"At that moment, I broke down and cried without restraint. I found myself unable to halt the tears or catch my breath. The situation was unchanged the next day."

"Leonardo, his brother, was present, and we were making efforts to keep him away from the media. We relocated him to a different hotel, but the press discovered his new location. In any case, it was challenging, but I managed to handle it."

"I spent several days working at the office in Brazil before heading to Monaco. There, Karl Wendlinger had a crash at the Nouvelle chicane, hitting the barrier. The situation was serious enough that he was placed in an induced coma. At that point, I felt overwhelmed and decided it was time to step back. I apologized and said that I needed to distance myself from everything."

"I took a 15-day break from work to visit my pregnant sister. We spent time relaxing on the beach without much conversation with others. Upon returning, there was interest in creating a book, but they preferred not to include specific information."

"I transitioned from barely managing each day to, three months later in late August, returning to Europe without any clear plans. I was uncertain about my next steps, so I simply proceeded without overthinking."

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Lando Norris has received a potential advantage in the F1 championship as Max Verstappen may face an engine penalty during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil this weekend.

Max Verstappen might face a grid penalty at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend if Red Bull decides to replace his engine.

Due to a problem with his power unit during Friday's sessions, Verstappen had to switch back to using an older engine.

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The driver from the Netherlands bounced back and secured a front-row starting position for his Red Bull car, placing him ahead of his F1 championship competitor, Lando Norris.

Nonetheless, Red Bull's competitiveness diminished during the race when Verstappen found himself lacking in straight-line speed, allowing Carlos Sainz to overtake him after the Safety Car restart.

Verstappen found himself entangled in two distinct situations with Norris, leading to a total of 20 seconds in time penalties.

The three-time world champion ended up in sixth place, while Norris secured the second position, resulting in a 10-point decrease in his championship lead.

Red Bull is contemplating providing him with a new engine for the last four races in order to remain competitive in the championship battle.

Given the numerous overtaking chances in Brazil, Red Bull would logically opt for a new engine there if they choose to make such a decision.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Marko expressed concern, stating, "What's more concerning is our inability to get the medium and hard tires to perform effectively."

"We were far behind the leading two teams, and one reason might be that on Friday, engine issues prevented us from driving."

"It's evident that action is needed. Additionally, we'll need to replace the engine since our speed on the straightaways has been lacking."

This engine, which was installed in the vehicle, was not meant to be there, making it likely that the situation in Brazil might occur.

Marko told Austrian broadcaster ORF that the engine Verstappen used in Mexico was meant just for practice sessions, indicating that its performance wasn't at its best.

Marko stated that the engine used was not meant for the race, and that as an engine ages, its efficiency decreases.

"The penalty would result in a drop of five positions. In a place like Brazil, this wouldn't be too harsh since overtaking is fairly straightforward there. However, we noticed we were lacking speed, specifically three to eight km/h, on the straight sections."

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Lewis Hamilton and George Russell discuss their internal team competition at the Mexico Grand Prix

The Mercedes pair competed against each other for track position in Mexico.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell engaged in close racing at the F1 Mexico City Grand Prix, but the encounter concluded without any issues.

Executives at Mercedes may have felt relieved to witness their two drivers engage in a fair competition for position.

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However, this is partly because of the mindset that Mercedes expects from its drivers during races, as Hamilton explained.

Toto Wolff stated, "We have such confidence in their skill and experience that we permit them to race freely."

Initially, I was certain there wasn't a moment when I felt things were becoming tense.

"We decided to contact George towards the end when it was evident that Lewis had the quicker vehicle. It seemed that one defensive maneuver on the straight was possibly made a little too late."

"I'm completely certain about both of them."

While in Mexico, Hamilton stated: "It's quite simple."

"I believe neither of us is foolish."

"George is incredibly intelligent and equitable. He also excels at positioning his car, which is beneficial for me as well."

When the team communicates over the radio and instructs to "maintain cleanliness," the natural response is "absolutely."

"When you're competing against someone, it's similar to any other match, but there's a twist because it's your teammate. This situation requires extra caution since both of you aim to complete the challenge."

Russell expressed that he enjoyed the challenge and mentioned that competing against Lewis is always enjoyable due to the tough yet fair nature of their rivalry.

During the Mexico City Grand Prix, Hamilton initially took the lead over Russell, but was subsequently passed by his teammate.

In the final part of the race, Hamilton managed to surpass Russell, securing a fourth-place finish, while Russell ended up in fifth.

Hamilton attributed his poor performance in the opening stint to understeer issues. On the other hand, Russell was dealing with a compromised front wing and was already using an older version of the W15 car due to a practice session crash.

However, the duel between teammates served as a model for other racing teams on how to compete, especially as Hamilton's time with Mercedes nears its end.

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Mercedes has reportedly "lost their direction" amid worries about the progress of the W15. Concerns were raised when the performance of the car in Mexico did not surpass that of the car at Silverstone, contrary to expectations.

According to Martin Brundle, Mercedes' fourth and fifth-place finishes in Mexico were "not encouraging."

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell overcame minor challenges to achieve strong finishes at the F1 Mexico City Grand Prix, both placing ahead of Max Verstappen from Red Bull.

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In a significant victory for Ferrari, they surpassed Red Bull to secure second place in the constructors' championship, thanks to a stellar performance by Carlos Sainz who clinched the race win. Charles Leclerc also made it to the podium, finishing in third place.

Sky Sports' Brundle commented on Mercedes, stating, "To be truthful, today hasn't been especially favorable for them."

Lewis has a fondness for the number 44, which coincidentally matched the number of seconds he finished behind the race winner. George, on the other hand, trailed by 48 seconds.

"Covering a significant distance is possible in 48 seconds when driving a Formula 1 car."

"This vehicle has triumphed in both the British Grand Prix and the Belgian Grand Prix."

"They have hit a standstill and seem to have veered off track with their updates."

"Was George really falling behind by two-tenths? Ideally, the car designed for Mexico should outperform the one used at Silverstone. However, this was not the case."

Lewis expressed confidence by saying, "we will get this together," yet it seems unlikely that today will be favorable for Mercedes.

Hamilton attributed his poor performance in the initial phase to understeer, which he had to work hard to overcome.

Following an accident during practice, Russell was using an older version of the W15. He had also been involved in a crash the previous week in Texas.

Although Mercedes needs to address certain issues ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, it was Ferrari, the team Hamilton is set to join, that captured all the attention.

Danica Patrick commented on Hamilton, questioning whether anyone has asked him if he's noticed Ferrari's impressive performance and if he's enthusiastic about it.

"Being in fourth and fifth place is positive, although there's a significant distance from the top position."

"Right from the start of the race, I could tell that Mercedes was going to perform well."

"Their final standing was impressive, largely due to the significantly cooler temperatures."

"When the temperature rises, their performance tends to decrease."

The drop in temperature provided them with a chance to take advantage and a moment to execute their plan.

"However, they haven't advanced in the same way that other teams, particularly Ferrari, have."

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New insider details surface from an animated drivers' meeting

A new angle is offered following F1 drivers' discussions on rules

Carlos Sainz has provided more information about the events that took place during the F1 drivers' meeting in Mexico, which was characterized as "spirited."

During the usual Friday gathering held on a grand prix weekend, it was said that the main topic of conversation was the incident in Texas involving Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, focusing on the interpretation of the regulations.

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Sky Sports' Craig Slater mentioned that Lando Norris and Max Verstappen had direct discussions regarding defense and passing maneuvers.

According to reports, certain drivers perceived the FIA's decision to alter the wording of the regulations as acknowledging their own fault.

Nevertheless, Ferrari's Sainz, who eventually emerged victorious at the Mexico City Grand Prix, has provided an additional viewpoint on the events that unfolded.

Sainz expressed that he found the meeting to be both constructive and beneficial.

Many drivers expressed their feelings regarding each scenario and shared their thoughts on the most suitable path moving forward.

The way you understand the regulations and the guiding principles that the stewards use to impose penalties hasn't changed for this weekend, and I believe these rules will be enforced in a similar way.

"Looking ahead, the meeting was fruitful, and I believe we will find solutions in Qatar that will enhance the drivers' comprehension and improve the overall racing experience."

"With any luck, it will improve."

Verstappen remarked, "Carlos described it flawlessly."

Charles Leclerc shared his thoughts, stating, "I won't delve deeply into the specifics of our internal discussions, but we are all eager to enhance certain situations we encountered in Austin, as I believe we weren't all aligned on those matters."

The FIA has shown a willingness to engage in dialogue, and they acknowledge that some adjustments are necessary.

"In the future, we intend to assist them in making more informed decisions and selecting tracks that potentially generate less controversy than Austin."

"If there's a gravel trap or a curb in certain corners, it would simplify things for everyone, but that's just the situation we have."

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