Pierre Gasly discloses the secret to Alpine's incredible qualifying performance

In Las Vegas, Pierre Gasly achieved both his personal best and Alpine's top qualifying position of the F1 season.

Pierre Gasly attributed his Alpine's "bold" configuration for achieving the team's top qualifying performance of the season at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The French driver surprised everyone by securing the third spot on the starting grid, right behind Mercedes' George Russell and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, thanks to an impressive lap in the final qualifying round, Q3.

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This achievement represented Gasly's top qualifying outcome since his Formula 1 debut in 2017, as well as Alpine's most impressive display of the year, surpassing the team's prior record held by Esteban Ocon, who secured fourth place in a rain-affected qualifying session in Brazil.

"Gasly expressed astonishment, remarking, 'This is an unprecedented event, truly incredible. To be honest, we never anticipated securing a spot among the top three in the qualifying round.'"

"The lap was amazing, particularly on this circuit where you're constantly close to the walls at every turn – it's a thrilling experience filled with adrenaline and excitement."

"As I crossed the finish line, I felt confident about my lap, but hearing over the radio that we secured the third spot for tomorrow's lineup was truly incredible. I'm genuinely thrilled."

In response to a query about the robust performance of his car in Las Vegas, Gasly explained, "We opted for a quite bold setup regarding downforce, meaning we're utilizing minimal downforce on this circuit."

"We aim to extend the straight stretches as much as possible, which admittedly makes navigating the turns a bit more difficult. However, I do believe it's a demanding circuit. The temperatures are quite low, making it a unique event in the season."

"From the get-go, I felt comfortable in the car starting with P1. P2 was successful, as was P3. Then, during Q3, we successfully pulled it off using just a single set of new tires, which also demonstrated that we had a strong pace."

"Definitely, at this moment, I'm quite satisfied. Clearly, it's just the qualifying round, but I believe this might be the first instance I've qualified in the top three. It certainly felt like an extraordinary occasion."

Following an unexpected two-podium finish in Brazil, which put Alpine ahead of Haas by three points in the constructors' standings, the French team now has an opportunity to solidify their hold on the sixth position.

However, Gasly is staying grounded and not letting himself get too caught up in the idea of securing another podium finish.

"Right now, that's not exactly on my mind," he emphasized. "Our goal is pretty clear to us. Our competition in the constructors' standings is primarily with Haas and AlphaTauri [RB]."

"Clearly, the outcome of the qualifying session is impressive. It's gratifying to have outperformed Max, McLaren, and the rest. However, realistically, they're not our direct competitors. Nonetheless, we'll put forth our utmost effort in tomorrow's race."

"The terrain here poses a challenge due to its graining. Therefore, we'll dedicate ourselves to preparing thoroughly this evening to enhance our prospects for tomorrow. Certainly, starting from the third position, we bolster our opportunity to score significantly."

Lewis frequently covers Grand Prix events globally for Crash.net. By being on-site, Lewis shares the narratives of key figures in the sport.

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Max Verstappen discusses maintaining his concentration during races despite the chaotic political issues at Red Bull.

Max Verstappen, who has recently secured his fourth F1 world championship title, stated that he maintained his concentration on racing despite the chaotic political issues affecting his Red Bull team.

The 27-year-old secured a fifth-place result at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which was sufficient for him to hold onto his championship title and clinch the 2024 world championship with two races left in the season.

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Verstappen kicked off the season with impressive performance, but his Red Bull team became embroiled in controversy following accusations of sexual harassment against team principal Christian Horner by a female staff member.

The dispute involving Horner sparked political disagreements that included Verstappen's father, Jos, as well as Red Bull's motorsport advisor and trusted ally of Verstappen, Helmut Marko. This situation raised questions about the future of the Dutch driver.

Despite the distractions away from the circuit, Verstappen remained unfazed. Even though Red Bull experienced a decline in their performance, he maintained his composure and successfully secured his place as the sixth driver in Formula 1 history to achieve at least four world championships.

"The start was somewhat chaotic, but I tend to remain pretty composed in such scenarios," Verstappen commented following the race.

"It's quite challenging to unsettle me with anything. My attention is entirely on the racing aspect. Once I'm behind the wheel, everything else fades away, whether it's good or bad."

"My main priority is the task at hand, which is to perform well and push the car to its maximum speed."

Horner described Verstappen's most recent title as his "most impressive and challenging" championship victory.

When questioned about whether he shares Horner's perspective, Verstappen responded, "I believe I do as well."

"Last year, our car was incredibly strong, but there was a sense that our achievements as a team, especially winning 10 consecutive races, weren't fully recognized. Although our car had a clear advantage, I don't believe it was as unbeatable as many perceived."

"2023 stands out as my most successful season. I'll always reflect on it fondly because, even when our setup wasn't ideal, we managed to secure victories. Our car consistently performed well during races, allowing us to win."

"I'm extremely proud of this season because, for about 70% of it, we didn't have the quickest car. Despite that, we managed to increase our lead, which is an achievement I'm very proud of."

Lewis frequently travels to international Grands Prix for Crash.net. He often covers the events on-site, sharing the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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Drivers are frustrated with the "ineffective" FIA, raising significant questions about the dispute.

"It appears to me they are too busy to get their act together, much less engage in discussions with the drivers."

Martin Brundle has raised concerns about why the Grand Prix Drivers Association didn't focus on more significant matters in their communication to the FIA.

George Russell, the leader of the GDPA, announced in Las Vegas that the Formula 1 administrators have yet to address their complaints.

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The GDPA launched a fresh Instagram profile to express disapproval of the FIA's strict policy on profanity, resulting in Max Verstappen being sanctioned with a community service penalty.

Sky Sports' Brundle expressed his astonishment regarding the focus on the General Data Protection Act (GDPA) issues on Instagram, noting the lack of emphasis on rules for professional stewards or drivers, and instead, an unexpected concern with underwear and jewelry.

"Undoubtedly, the FIA is currently facing operational challenges."

The constant turnover of top staff is remarkable. It appears they don't even have the chance to get organized, much less communicate with the drivers.

"Since its inception, my journey with the present version of the GDPA commenced alongside Michael Schumacher and Gerhard Berger. By 1994, I had assumed the role of chairman."

Drivers have consistently aimed to reach an agreement.

"The stakeholders, the owners, and Formula 1 seem to prefer that the drivers don't express their opinions."

The controversy surrounding the FIA has deepened following the dismissal of race director Niels Wittich, with only three rounds left in the season.

Wittich has asserted that he was forced to leave, while Verstappen has acknowledged his surprise.

Brundle stated, "It's hard to make sense of. Niels mentioned he was let go. He had every anticipation of being present."

He went on to say, “Obviously, the drivers are upset, and rightfully so. Finding out through social media that there's a new race director with just three laps remaining is utterly illogical.

"Drivers have consistently sought to form a union. However, they can be quite a diverse group, given the transient nature of their profession, especially this season."

Jenson Button remarked, "It's positive that they are vocal and united in their stance."

Danica Patrick commented, "I believe that whenever an organization attempts to surpass the capabilities of its talent, it never succeeds.

"You must collaborate with them. These individuals are your warriors, the ones who are putting their lives on the line."

Ultimately, it is Niels who ensures their safety.

"Whenever you sense that your contributions are overlooked, especially when you're a major player in the sport, it simply doesn't feel right."

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

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

George Russell – 10

In Las Vegas, Russell showcased exceptional skill to secure his second win of the season. Leading the race from the start, he proved to be a rightful victor.

Lewis Hamilton – 7.5

Hamilton faced ongoing difficulties during the qualifying session in Las Vegas, making errors on both of his attempts in Q3. Despite this, he appeared to be the fastest racer during the actual race, managing to climb back up to secure a second-place finish. In the last 12 laps, he was in pursuit of Russell. However, Russell mentioned that he was maintaining control from the lead position.

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Carlos Sainz – 8

Sainz delivered a commendable performance throughout the weekend. He showcased exceptional skill during the qualifying rounds. Although he initially dropped a position to Leclerc at the start of the race, he managed to regain his spot as both Ferrari drivers faced challenges with their medium compound tires. Despite a rough stretch on the hard tires, Sainz ultimately made a comeback to secure a spot on the podium.

Charles Leclerc – 7.5

In the qualifying rounds, Leclerc was outperformed by Sainz, and he also crossed the finish line behind his teammate in the race. Was his pace genuinely less than Sainz's? It's unlikely. However, the situation and his role in supporting the team's strategy didn't work in his favor.

Max Verstappen – 9

Verstappen remains adept at maximizing the potential of the RB20. He maintained a solid second place during the middle segment of the race before falling behind the two Ferraris.

Lando Norris – 8

McLaren faced challenges throughout the weekend, limiting Norris to a sixth-place finish in the race.

Oscar Piastri – 6

Piastri lagged significantly behind Norris in terms of speed. Additionally, he received a penalty for starting before the lights went out.

Nico Hulkenberg – 8

Hulkenberg impressed once again with a strong performance in the midfield, earning Haas four additional points in the constructors’ championship, which allowed them to surpass Alpine.

Yuki Tsunoda – 8

Similar to Hulkenberg, Tsunoda delivered a strong performance in the midfield battle, earning a few points as a result of his efforts.

Sergio Perez – 5.5

Perez faced yet another disappointing weekend, being eliminated in the first qualifying session. Despite the setback, he managed to drive commendably and secured a 10th place finish.

Fernando Alonso – 7.5

Aston Martin ranked as the slowest team in qualifying, trailing even Sauber. Despite this, Alonso's use of a bold two-stop strategy enabled him to end the race just shy of earning points, a commendable effort.

Kevin Magnussen – 6.5

Following a series of notable performances, Magnussen emerged as the second-strongest Haas driver during the Las Vegas event. Unfortunately, a single-stop strategy was not enough to secure him any points.

Zhou Guanyu – 7.5

Zhou had his best performance of the season over the weekend. He advanced to the second qualifying session and earned a respectable 13th starting position. He was in contention for scoring points until he lost ground on the hard compound tires.

Franco Colapinto – 6.5

Colapinto managed to qualify ahead of his teammate Albon, but unfortunately, he was involved in a significant crash during the second qualifying session. Despite starting the race from the pit lane, he delivered a steady performance and crossed the finish line in 14th

Lance Stroll – 6

Stroll had a low-profile weekend, largely due to a mechanical problem in the third practice session that limited him to a single attempt in the first qualifying round. Additionally, a radio malfunction negatively impacted his performance during the race.

Liam Lawson – 5.5

Lawson had a challenging weekend, trailing behind Tsunoda in terms of speed and never really appearing to be in the running for a top 10 finish.

Esteban Ocon – 6

Ocon couldn't replicate Gasly's impressive performance during the qualifying session. His opportunity to earn points was thwarted due to an unusual event in the pit lane. As Ocon entered the pits, he ended up having to continue driving because his team wasn't prepared.

Valtteri Bottas – 5.5

It was a challenging weekend for Bottas, as he was slower than Zhou, a situation that hasn't occurred often this year.

Alex Albon – 6.5

Albon was eliminated in the first qualifying session due to track limits, and a problem with his power unit led to his early exit from the race.

Pierre Gasly – 8.5

Gasly showcased an impressive performance during qualifying, securing third place on the starting grid for his Alpine car. Unfortunately, his race was cut short when his engine failed, forcing him to retire early.

Connor, who closely follows F1's disputes and narratives, is the core of our impartial journalism.

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

Who excelled the most at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix?

George Russell – 10

Russell showcased exceptional skill in Las Vegas, securing his second win of the season. Leading the race from the pole position, he proved to be a worthy champion.

Lewis Hamilton – 7.5

Hamilton faced challenges during qualifying in Las Vegas, making errors on both of his Q3 laps. However, during the race, he appeared to be the fastest on the track, managing to climb back up to finish in second place, closing the gap on Russell in the last 12 laps. Despite this, Russell mentioned that he was controlling the race from the lead position.

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Carlos Sainz – 8

Sainz delivered a strong performance throughout the weekend. He excelled during the qualifying session, and although he initially lost a position to Leclerc in the first lap, he managed to regain his spot as both Ferrari drivers faced challenges with their medium tires. Despite a somewhat messy stint on the hard tires, Sainz successfully bounced back to secure a podium finish.

Charles Leclerc – 7.5

Leclerc qualified just behind Sainz and ended the race trailing him as well. Was he actually slower than Sainz? Likely not. However, situational factors and team strategies did not play in his favor.

Max Verstappen – 9

Verstappen consistently extracts peak performance from the RB20. He maintained a solid second place during the race's middle segment but eventually fell behind both Ferraris.

Lando Norris – 8

It was a challenging weekend for McLaren, limiting Norris to a sixth-place finish in the race.

Oscar Piastri – 6

Piastri lagged behind Norris considerably once more. Additionally, he received a penalty due to a false start.

Nico Hulkenberg – 8

Hulkenberg put on an impressive performance in the midfield, securing four additional points for Haas in the constructors’ championship, which allowed them to surpass Alpine.

Yuki Tsunoda – 8

Similar to Hulkenberg, Tsunoda stood out in the battle among the midfield racers, earning a few points for his performance.

Sergio Perez – Rating: 5.5

Perez experienced yet another disappointing weekend, as he failed to progress past Q1. Despite this setback, he managed to perform adequately during the race, ultimately securing a 10th place finish.

Fernando Alonso – 7.5

In the qualifying session, Aston Martin ranked as the 10th-best team, even trailing Sauber. Despite this, Alonso managed to finish just shy of the points, thanks to a bold two-stop strategy, which is commendable.

Kevin Magnussen – 6.5

Following a series of strong performances, Magnussen was evidently the lesser of the two Haas drivers in Las Vegas. A single pit stop strategy was not enough to get him into a points-scoring position.

Zhou Guanyu – 7.5

Zhou had his best weekend of the season. He advanced to Q2 and achieved a respectable 13th place starting position. He was competing for points but fell behind after switching to hard tires.

Franco Colapinto – 6.5

Colapinto managed to outperform his teammate Albon in the qualifying rounds but unfortunately had a significant crash in Q2. Despite this setback, he put in a strong performance starting from the pit lane and ultimately secured the 14th position in the race.

Lance Stroll had a weekend to forget, rating a 6. His qualifying session was compromised due to a mechanical problem that emerged during the third practice session, leaving him with only a single attempt in the first qualifying round. Additionally, a radio malfunction further affected his performance on race day.

Liam Lawson received a score of 5.5. It proved to be a challenging weekend for him, as he lagged behind Tsunoda in terms of speed and didn't seem to be in the running for a top 10 position.

Esteban Ocon – 6

Ocon couldn't replicate Gasly's impressive qualifying performance, and his opportunity to score points was dashed due to an unusual event in the pit lane. When Ocon entered the pits, he had to continue driving without stopping because his team wasn't prepared for him.

Valtteri Bottas – 5.5

Bottas experienced a disappointing weekend, as he was slower than Zhou, which is an unusual occurrence for this year.

Alex Albon received a rating of 6.5. He was eliminated in the first qualifying round due to track limit violations, and a power unit problem later caused him to retire from the race prematurely.

Pierre Gasly – 8.5

Gasly delivered an outstanding performance during qualifying, securing the third spot on the starting grid for his Alpine. Unfortunately, his race was cut short when his engine failed, forcing him to retire early.

Connor, known for his keen insight into Formula 1's disputes and narratives, is central to our impartial journalism.

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Rumors circulate that Casey Stoner remains incredibly quick following a surprise appearance in Tavullia. "I was taken aback by how technically ready he is…"

During a recent visit to Italy, Casey Stoner attended the EICMA motorcycle exhibition in Milan and made a stop at the VR46 Motor Ranch. There, he met with his former MotoGP competitor Valentino Rossi and connected with the participants of Rossi's VR46 Riders Academy.

Luca Marini, who has been involved with the VR46 Academy since its official establishment in 2014, appreciated Stoner's insights into the technical aspects of contemporary MotoGP. Despite having departed from the sport 12 years ago, Stoner provided valuable opinions on its current status.

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Check out this Instagram post by Luca Marini, who goes by the handle @lucamarini10.

"I hold him in high regard; he is a rider possessing remarkable skill and velocity, coupled with a sharp intellect."

"I was surprised by his technical expertise. It's fascinating to discuss the current MotoGP era and its history with him; I believe he has some excellent insights."

"We'll have to wait and see if he has the drive to potentially take on a role in MotoGP down the line."

The HRC rider at present didn't have many opportunities to ride alongside Stoner at the Ranch. He mentioned, "I wasn't on the track with him during his last quick session; I only did a few initial laps with him to introduce him to the track and demonstrate the riding technique."

Nonetheless, the Italian was taken aback by Stoner's quick pace during his initial trip to the VR46 Ranch.

In Marini's words, Stoner was incredibly quick. Despite riding a two-stroke bike, which might not have been the ideal choice for speed at the VR46 Motor Ranch, he managed to achieve an impressive lap time during his initial attempt.

"He should feel quite pleased with himself; he did excellent work."

In August 2024, Alex became a member of the Crash.net team after spending two years reporting on motorcycle consumer and racing news at Visordown.

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F1 racers have quickly taken a liking to the newly appointed race director, Rui Marquez.

George Russell and Carlos Sainz have praised the performance of the new Formula 1 race director, Rui Marques.

This weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix will be Marques' debut as the race director, stepping in for Niels Wittich for the last three races of the 2024 season after Wittich's unexpected exit.

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Despite some worries regarding when the FIA made its decision, GPDA director and Mercedes team member Russell has expressed admiration for how Marques has adjusted to his new position.

"Optimistic, truthfully," Russell noted. "We've experienced a period where our feedback is acknowledged, yet minimal action is taken."

Several drivers expressed concerns regarding the track boundaries at turn four. They believed it was somewhat excessive for a street circuit, leading to an immediate modification of the layout.

"This is the outcome we, as drivers, are hoping for. Our collective wish is to have our voices acknowledged and to witness immediate measures being implemented. Up to this point, the response has been encouraging."

Sainz from Ferrari characterized the recent drivers' gathering in Las Vegas as "among the most outstanding in recent memory."

"Sainz mentioned that he's been assigned an enormous challenge, joining the season with only three races to go, and pointed out that the role of a race director in Formula 1 is incredibly complex."

"There are numerous factors to manage, which suggests that he's been tasked with a challenging assignment. However, truthfully, right from the start, he's performed exceptionally well."

"Yesterday's meeting with the drivers was the most productive we've experienced in quite a while."

George remarked on the situation at the third turn exit, noting that they had requested adjustments at the pit entrance to enhance the visibility of the entry line. This was due to the fact that the pit entry line was virtually invisible to them, causing significant concern.

"Today, when we arrived at the track, we noticed that the pit entry line had been expanded and marked with a blue line. Everyone commented on how great this improvement was, appreciating the thoughtful changes made. The way our feedback was received and acted upon in yesterday's meeting left us feeling very positive and optimistic."

Lewis consistently travels to Grands Prix globally for Crash.net, frequently covering the events firsthand. He shares the narratives of key figures in the sport.

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Ferrari's team principal delivers a straightforward assessment as Charles Leclerc expresses frustration, claiming that "being nice has backfired on me." Fred Vasseur shares his thoughts on the controversy surrounding Las Vegas.

Ferrari's team leader assures that the frustration of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in Las Vegas will not escalate into an issue.

Charles Leclerc expressed his frustration over the team radio, stating that "being nice has backfired on me," after he ended up in fourth place at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, just behind his teammate Carlos Sainz, who secured third.

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Discussions were held about pit stop tactics and team directives, and Leclerc suggested there were additional commands that were ignored.

Ferrari's team leader, Fred Vasseur, expressed to Motorsport that he has no concerns whatsoever.

"The situation repeats itself where they either choose to comment or decide to stay silent."

"They're making remarks during the [slow-down] lap without having all the details. We'll talk it over, and it won't be a problem."

"It's crucial to steer clear of conflicts. However, at this point, I believe we should focus on managing the situation from the beginning, as Carlos was already managing by the third or fourth lap of his stints."

"I believe the main point is that the circumstances were quite challenging for everyone involved. However, we plan to talk about it this evening, so it shouldn't be a problem."

During our conversation with Carlos about the pit stop, I pointed out that he was potentially overshadowed by Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda. While he was eager to come into the pits, we preferred to have him stay on the track.

During our conversation, we faced the added challenge of switching places, which led to some confusion. However, once they were inside the car, they maintained their own perspective on the race.

With two races left in the season, Ferrari holds the second position in the constructors' championship, behind only McLaren.

In the latest races, they have surpassed Red Bull; however, the concerns raised by Leclerc and Sainz indicate that the renowned Italian team still faces some challenges.

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

In 2025, Lewis Hamilton is set to join forces with Leclerc, marking an intriguing new phase for both the most decorated driver in F1 history and its leading team.

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

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Brad Binder has delightful personal news to announce. Great news for the KTM racer.

Brad Binder and his spouse are anticipating the arrival of their newborn.

Courtney Binder, who is married to the MotoGP racer, shared the delightful announcement on social media.

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Courtney announced, "Our journey with you, little girl, will be our most exciting one so far." She added that Baby Binder is expected to arrive

With deep emotion, she remarked, "Chosen for this world by my brother or sister in the afterlife."

Check out this Instagram post created by Courtney Binder (@courtneybinder_). This content is shared by Courtney Binder (@courtneybinder_).

The KTM factory racer had a varied performance during the 2024 MotoGP season.

He ranked fifth overall, reaffirming his position as the leading rider not on a Ducati.

However, Binder was unable to secure any grand prix victories, while Aprilia managed to do so, as KTM occasionally faced challenges with its performance.

In the upcoming season, Pedro Acosta will team up with Binder in the factory garage.

KTM's Tech3 team will benefit from the expertise of Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini.

At present, in the off-season, Binder and his spouse have much more significant matters to attend to…

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

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Mercedes Chief Toto Wolff's frank perspective on the challenges overshadowing Lewis Hamilton's tenure

Mercedes leader emphasizes that it's not entirely a failure

Toto Wolff asserts that the last three less impressive seasons of Lewis Hamilton's time with Mercedes will not detract from his earlier achievements.

Hamilton has accumulated six out of his seven Formula 1 drivers' titles during a remarkable period with Mercedes, a chapter that will close at the conclusion of this season.

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By 2025, Hamilton aims to revive his aspirations for an F1 championship by transitioning to Ferrari.

However, Mercedes leader Wolff rejected the notion that three years of substandard equipment could cast a shadow over their iconic driver's tenure with the team.

"He described it as the world's most fiercely contested motorsport, expressing gratitude for their fortunate achievement of securing eight World Championship titles in a row."

"No other sport had seen that achievement, and Lewis secured seven drivers' championships."

"It's not possible to infer from this that you will always be victorious or that you are in contention for every single title. That's not how it works."

"The regulations underwent two modifications, yet we sustained our performance standards and secured championship titles."

"In 2022, we were unexpectedly hit by the introduction of new regulations. Up to this point, we've struggled to achieve consistent performance in the car, making it difficult to offer our drivers a vehicle that's reliable, with sufficient downforce, without any bouncing or hopping, and with a ride that's tolerable. Additionally, we're working on ensuring the tyres wear down in a controlled manner and maintain an optimal temperature, avoiding being excessively cold or hot."

"That's the nature of sports. It's quite simple."

A basketball player was questioned on if he believed his season was unsuccessful. He responded by mentioning that Michael Jordan competed in the NBA for 12 seasons and secured victories in six of them. He then posed the question, does this imply the entire career was a disappointment? Are the remaining six seasons to be considered failures?

"Having been partners in this competition for 12 years, we've managed to secure victory in eight of them. Does this mean the remaining instances were unsuccessful?

"Two years ago, we secured a third-place finish, improved to second place the previous year without a single race win, and this year, we triumphed in three races."

"Therefore, it wasn't entirely unsuccessful. It represented a notably positive period for both Mercedes and Lewis."

"We are committed to improving continuously. Our goal is to enhance our performance day by day, week by week. This commitment will persist into the next season and particularly ahead of the major event in 2026."

We hope for the very best for Lewis – along with a vehicle that's a bit more on the slower side. This year, Hamilton made a triumphant return, securing his first win since 2021 at the F1 British Grand Prix.

Since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021, Red Bull has gained the upper hand, while Mercedes has found itself trailing not only McLaren but also Ferrari throughout the

Hamilton has just three more Formula 1 races left with Mercedes before he switches to wearing red.

Wolff emphasized that farewells filled with emotion have not occurred yet: "I believe we're currently in the midst of the season. Therefore, the weekends seem as they always have."

"Actually, these sessions focused on discussing future growth aren't held that frequently, and we've gone without them for several months now. This is pretty much the norm as it stands."

"Currently, there isn't a strong sense of emotion as we approach the end, but I anticipate that as we get nearer to Abu Dhabi, and experience our final sessions and race together, it will indeed become quite significant. This is because we've shared an incredible partnership for so many years."

"However, with that being said, Lewis won't be fading into the background. Next year, Lewis will be part of the lineup, racing in a Ferrari."

We're not parting ways with the individual, merely the one behind the wheel.

"However, we are stepping into a new era. We're looking at a future led by our young talents, an 18-year-old and a 27-year-old, who will be taking the wheel. It's incredibly thrilling."

"Simultaneously, on a personal note, we extend our best wishes and happiness to Lewis. And perhaps, a vehicle that isn't quite as speedy."

"However, it was a choice he made, and we're fine with it."

Mercedes has announced that George Russell will be joined by newcomer Kimi Antonelli in the upcoming season.

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

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Former F1 driver on the verge of securing a new contract with Mercedes, says Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff has announced that an agreement is nearly finalized.

Mercedes is poised to benefit from the departure of a seasoned Formula 1 driver who has been removed from their racing position.

Valtteri Bottas has lost his spot with Sauber for the upcoming season and currently has no alternatives to continue his racing career.

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There is a possibility of returning to Mercedes as a reserve driver.

Mercedes team boss, Toto Wolff, told Viaplay in Las Vegas that no agreements have been finalized yet.

"If he were to return and be part of our family again, it would fill us all with happiness."

"You could express that having a pilot like Valtteri return to the Mercedes team is incredibly fortunate. His skill and recent experience with current models make this a significant advantage."

Wolff was questioned regarding the chances of finalizing a deal to have Bottas return.

"It's just a question of when," he confessed.

Valtteri Bottas and his Sauber teammate, Guanyu Zhou, have been unable to earn any points this season due to their challenges with what is considered the weakest car in the Formula 1 lineup.

During the Las Vegas Grand Prix in Formula 1, Zhou secured the 13th position, while Bottas finished in 18th place

In 2026, Sauber is set to transform into Audi and, with a focus on the future, plans to introduce a revamped driver lineup for the upcoming season.

Nico Hulkenberg has been recruited from Haas, along with Formula 2 racer Gabriel Bortoleto, who was previously associated with McLaren.

With limited options, Bottas and Zhou find themselves at a dead end. However, Mercedes might provide their ex-driver with an opportunity to maintain a connection with the team.

In a similar move, Mercedes quickly enlisted Mick Schumacher as a backup driver after he was no longer part of an F1 racing team.

In 2025, Bottas is set to rejoin an updated Mercedes team, but this time his previous teammate, Lewis Hamilton, will not be part of the lineup. Instead, Hamilton will make a move to Ferrari, and the Mercedes drivers will consist of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Bottas secured victory in 10 Grand Prix races while driving for Mercedes.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of topics including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Pecco Bagnaia mentioned that he and Marc Marquez have a comparable impression of the GP25. He stated that both his and Pecco's feedback were much alike.

Francesco Bagnaia states that he and Marc Marquez have had conversations about their input on the 2025 Ducati model.

This week, Bagnaia and new teammate Marquez teamed up in the official Ducati garage for the first time during the postseason test.

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As former champions both eager for victory, their partnership may be closely examined, but at present, they are jointly focused on creating the top GP25.

Bagnaia commented that the test was successful.

The recently introduced bicycle is functioning excellently and demonstrating significant promise.

Naturally, the team along with the engineers will keep working on enhancing it throughout the winter, since there are still aspects that require further refinement.

For example, when it comes to braking, the GP24 still sets the standard. The engine has a lot of power, which is satisfying, and the chassis is also impressive. We're certainly moving in the right direction.

Marc and I engaged in numerous conversations to exchange our feedback. Despite having distinct riding techniques, we were lucky to have a remarkably similar perception of the bike.

"In general, I'm satisfied with the outcome of the test."

Marquez commented, "Returning to my role as a factory rider felt great."

"In manufacturing team settings, the testing process varies slightly – there is a necessity to experiment with numerous elements and provide the most accurate feedback possible."

"Our primary attention was on enhancing the GP25, aiming to identify its improvements and drawbacks in comparison to the motorcycle I used this year."

In conclusion, we conducted a comparison with the GP24. There are still certain elements that require enhancement, since arriving at the track with a new motorcycle and immediately matching the performance of last year's model is challenging.

"The positive aspect is that both Pecco and I provided feedback that was quite alike, which will make it easier for the engineers to work on it during the winter months."

"On the whole, things are looking good, and I feel pleased."

In 2025, Marquez will transition from using the previous year's equipment at Gresini to the newest Ducati model.

He will be equipped with the same machinery as Bagnaia following a year of competing with an outdated model of the bike.

Marquez and Bagnaia are scheduled to test the GP25 during the Sepang shakedown next year.

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

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