Aston Martin's competitors might come to regret not hiring Adrian Newey. "Eventually, the outcome will be victory."

Lawrence Stroll is recognized for outpacing his major competitors in securing Adrian Newey's contract.

In March, Newey is set to leave Red Bull and join Aston Martin, allowing him plenty of time to oversee the development of their 2026 car as the new F1 regulations come into effect.

When Newey joined Aston Martin as both a managing technical partner and a shareholder, it enabled the company to fend off Ferrari's interest.

"According to Carig Slater from Sky Sports, Lawrence Stroll has invested with the expectation of gaining returns."

"How did Aston Martin manage to secure Newey before other potential contenders?"

Many key figures from other teams, who were expected to pursue Newey, expressed that they did not want to engage in a competitive bidding process for his expertise.

"Today, it seems that many people wish they had spent more money and pushed harder to make things happen."

"It seems that, right now, achieving victory at some point appears to be unavoidable."

Ted Kravitz commented: "In my opinion, the other teams did not show the same level of ingenuity as Lawrence Stroll demonstrated."

"Which other teams would have given Newey an equity stake in the company?"

Ferrari was unlikely to offer him any shares. Williams might have considered it, but was Newey interested in facing that challenge? As for McLaren, they wouldn't have provided shares either.

"Toto Wolff and INEOS are not interested in reducing their ownership stake in Mercedes to secure Newey."

Stroll possessed the adaptability and creativity needed to become a high-level partner within the team.

"They might have proposed £30 million or £40 million, or any amount, but Lawrence was innovative."

"This is something we've observed in different sports."

Slater mentioned that if you've read Newey's book, you're aware that this is something he has desired.

"If you're truly committed to acquiring him, figure out how to make it happen."

"I believe Stroll retained most of his stake in the team. It's possible to make him a shareholder without greatly reducing the shares of the main stakeholders."

"He accomplished what was necessary to secure his position. Ultimately, he'll be the one enjoying the outcome."

"Those who missed this chance will eventually wish they hadn't."

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Lewis Hamilton requires a "new beginning" at Ferrari, while Bono remains with Mercedes.

"Transitioning to a new team like Hamilton is involves starting over, which means leaving behind your previous engineer and physiotherapist…"

Jacques Villeneuve, the F1 world champion from 1997, thinks that Lewis Hamilton should "begin anew" when he joins Ferrari for the 2025 season.

Hamilton is set to debut in Ferrari's iconic red at the Australian Grand Prix in March.

During his debut with Ferrari, he will not have the support of his reliable race engineer, Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington.

Bono won't be joining Hamilton at Ferrari, which means the seven-time world champion will experience working with a new race engineer for the first time since 2012.

The duo shares a strong bond, leading to Hamilton securing six world championships with Mercedes.

Bono additionally coined the popular term ‘Hammertime’ that fans love.

Bonnington has been elevated to a new position as the head of race engineering at Mercedes.

In an interview with Governor Sport, Villeneuve discussed the advantages of beginning entirely anew.

"When you make a significant change, as Lewis Hamilton is doing, it means you begin anew without bringing along your previous team members, such as your former engineer or physiotherapist like Angela Cullen," he stated.

"He has achieved victories driving for both McLaren and Mercedes, so that's not a concern."

In early 2023, Hamilton parted ways with Angela Cullen, an important figure in his close-knit team.

For several years, Cullen served as Hamilton's physiotherapist while he was with the Mercedes team.

Villeneuve stated: "I’m not sure about the dynamics between Angela and Lewis. In my experience, drivers typically depend on their engineers, who are the individuals closest to them during a race weekend."

"The driver consistently relied on this individual, fostering trust in the process. The physiotherapist belongs to the select group of trusted individuals whom the driver depends on."

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Lewis Hamilton Receives Cautionary Message Regarding Michael Schumacher’s Last Formula 1 Competitions

"Hamilton Takes Another Risk with Ferrari"

Lewis Hamilton has been warned that finishing his Formula 1 career on a high note isn't assured, as even Michael Schumacher couldn't achieve it.

David Coulthard has conveyed the disappointing news that Hamilton's switch to Ferrari may not yield the results he is anticipating.

In 2025, Hamilton is set to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari, aiming to secure his record-breaking eighth Formula 1 championship.

He would surpass Schumacher, who had returned from retirement for a three-year period with Mercedes but did not manage to secure another grand prix victory during that time.

In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Coulthard stated, "Lewis Hamilton is not the sole focus of Mercedes, and Hamilton himself has expressed that he is not solely dedicated to the team."

Similarly, when Michael returned from retirement to join Mercedes, it was hard to picture him as anything other than a legendary figure associated with Ferrari.

However, the appeal of returning to Mercedes, coupled with his confidence and determination that he could still succeed, drew him back.

"He spent a few years there and performed decently, but it wasn't quite like his initial experience in Formula 1."

Former Formula 1 racer Coulthard commented, "Lewis is taking another gamble with Ferrari."

"This could potentially result in a revitalization of his performance and a battle for the world championship title. However, it will be difficult as he needs to overcome the speed of Charles Leclerc."

The pairing of Hamilton and Leclerc in Ferrari's revamped team is astonishing in theory.

However, Coulthard is concerned that Hamilton may not be able to surpass Leclerc, especially since he has been consistently outperformed in qualifying by his Mercedes teammate, George Russell, throughout the year.

According to Coulthard, a crucial element shared by all the legends throughout history is their ability to qualify and compete in races.

"If Lewis, who is now 40, has slowed down in his football abilities, he might find it challenging to outperform Charles throughout the year."

"That's a valid question that people ought to be asking, but it's his responsibility to provide the answer."

"The responsibility is his, and it's not our place to belittle him or claim he's incapable."

"Each of these individuals has the power to determine their own future."

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Fernando Alonso's determination to compete for a championship at the age of 45 is set to be challenged. "Adrian mentioned that it comes down to mental determination."

It has been proposed that Fernando Alonso needs to conquer the mental determination necessary to secure another F1 championship victory.

Fernando Alonso, driving for Aston Martin, stands to gain from collaborating with Adrian Newey as he approaches the final phase of his Formula 1 career.

Currently 43 years old, Alonso unexpectedly sees a chance to enhance his collection of titles beyond the two he secured with Renault.

He has a contract with Aston Martin that lasts until the conclusion of 2026. This will be the inaugural season in which he will drive a car entirely developed by Newey, who is set to join the team.

"Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz remarked that nothing is out of the realm of possibility."

Fernando Alonso will be 44 years old when Adrian initially begins to make an impact. By the time he gets behind the wheel of the first car designed by Newey and competes for the championship, he will be 45.

I inquired with Newey regarding this topic. Adrian mentioned that it largely depends on mental determination. If you still have the speed, but your mind grows weary, you eventually lose the desire to continue.

"If Fernando can defy those expectations and desires to continue, there's no reason preventing him from doing so."

"Could Fernando secure a third championship title at the age of 45? It's possible he might achieve that elusive 33rd victory in 2025 with a car shaped by Newey's expertise."

Both Newey and Alonso have expressed interest in collaborating with one another throughout the years.

Although they nearly ended up on the same team at Red Bull, Alonso ultimately decided not to join the initiative that would eventually lead to championship victories for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, despite having discussions.

Ted Kravitz recalled that Paul Monaghan, who is currently with Red Bull, used to serve as the race engineer for Fernando Alonso when they were both at Renault.

"He played a significant role in persuading Fernando to join Red Bull in 2009."

"He was nearly there, yet ultimately, it wasn't meant to be."

Starting in March, Alonso will partner with Newey, who he considers his ideal collaborator.

However, he needs to overcome the challenges posed by his age to completely benefit from Newey's exceptional car design skills.

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Adrian Newey's Timeline for Steering Aston Martin into Formula 1 Title Contention

Aston Martin boasts "the two most influential engineers in Formula 1"

According to reports, Adrian Newey has the potential to transform Aston Martin into contenders for the F1 championship in just three years.

Aston Martin succeeded in the crucial effort to hire Newey, notably beating out Ferrari in the process.

When the chief technology officer of Red Bull announced his plans to leave, he quickly became one of the most sought-after figures in the Formula 1 community.

According to Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz, this development has a transformative impact on Formula 1, Aston Martin, and the drivers' futures.

"We are situated on property that was once owned by Eddie Jordan at the Silverstone facility. Jordan, who manages Newey, has been exceptional in handling negotiations."

"It's monumental."

"It's more complicated than just stating that Newey has joined the team formerly known as Jordan."

"Such an incredible team, an outstanding facility, significant investment, and promising future opportunities…"

"With Newey joining the team, they are expected to compete for the championship within two years, and at most, three years."

"That's a groundbreaking development for Formula 1."

According to Craig Slater, Newey becomes part of Aston Martin's already formidable team.

"Nuclear fusion is the topic at hand, and we have Andy Cowell and Newey present. One is an expert in engines, and the other in cars," he mentioned.

"In Formula 1, Newey and Cowell stand out as the most influential engineers. Over the past three decades, Newey has been particularly noteworthy. During Mercedes' era of supremacy, Cowell is the only one who has been able to rival Newey's impact."

Newey is set to officially become part of Aston Martin in March. This timing allows him to have an impact on the design of their 2026 vehicle, which will be the first under the new regulatory framework.

In 2025, Newey is set to collaborate with Fernando Alonso, fulfilling one of his personal ambitions, alongside teammate Lance Stroll.

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Max Verstappen's water cooler holds an interesting tale about a company that has become crucial in the world of Formula 1. Yeti, known for their water coolers, is a sponsor of the Red Bull team, according to Stewart Bell.

Yeti, a partner of Oracle Red Bull Racing, expressed that it is "incredibly honored" to have contributed to Max Verstappen's achievement of his fourth consecutive Formula One World Championship in Las Vegas last Sunday. The American firm joined forces with the team in 2022 with the initial goal of supporting sustainability initiatives at their Milton Keynes headquarters.

The current World Champions have collaborated on several initiatives with the iconic cooler manufacturer, extending far beyond the initial goal of creating reusable items to reduce waste at their facilities. This partnership is a significant point of pride for the multinational corporation, which employs over 1,000 people and is based in Austin, Texas.

Bill Neff, the Head of Marketing at Yeti, expressed his admiration for Oracle Red Bull Racing, highlighting that the team's impressive performance on the track is truly inspiring. He shared these sentiments exclusively with Crash.net, noting that it is an honor for Yeti to feature them among their partners.

Similar to Oracle Red Bull Racing, Yeti started from modest origins. Nearly two decades ago, in 2006, brothers Roy and Ryan Seiders embarked on a mission to create a cooler that they could use daily.

Neff mentions that it was completely unrelated to the various drinkware and other products they create.

The primary concern wasn't how well the cooler kept ice. Ryan was looking for a cooler sturdy enough to stand on so he could cast his fishing line from the side of a boat. The existing coolers available back then were unstable and prone to tipping over and getting damaged. This need led to the creation of our Tundra Hard Cooler.

Similar to the famous quote from the 1989 movie "Field of Dreams," which says, "If you build it, they will come," interest in Yeti's coolers quickly caught on among outdoor enthusiasts in the United States. The trend started with fishing and hunting circles, before expanding to include whitewater rafting enthusiasts and barbecue pitmasters.

Interest significantly increased when Yeti broadened its product line to include more user-friendly drinkware in 2013, while maintaining their 'built tough' philosophy.

The Seiders brothers never imagined they would team up with a Formula One team. However, according to Yeti's Head of Marketing, Neff, this is not just any typical collaboration. Interestingly, it all started with a message through the networking site, LinkedIn.

Oracle Red Bull Racing was collaborating with us on brainstorming sessions, and we decided to take a friendly approach. We have a mutual appreciation, so we thought, why not explore potential opportunities together? That's essentially how it all began," he explains.

They then proposed that Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez would benefit from having an improved water bottle. Believing we could take on this task, we visited the team and crafted the straws specifically for them. These bottles aren't available for purchase, as they are exclusively made for the team.

"At that point, we realized that these coolers might be perfect for storing our dry ice. We thought, 'Absolutely, that would be fantastic.'"

"We're now assisting in cooling the engines and brakes, which means we're supporting the performance aspect of these cars. Initially, we didn't intend to display our logos on their products, but that's changed. This marks a significant advancement in our collaborative efforts."

For Yeti, collaborating with Oracle Red Bull Racing is ideal since its products directly address the team's requirements, adding significance beyond a standard licensing agreement. Nonetheless, the company still enjoys conventional partnership perks such as hosting events to appreciate its staff and customers.

"We aim to keep things as simple as possible," Neff explains. "Providing hospitality isn't our top priority; instead, we focus on ensuring our products serve as effective tools. However, if I had the chance, I'd attend every race because they're incredibly enjoyable. Austin is a major event for us, as is Melbourne. Silverstone is another race where we consider inviting some guests."

Similar to the other teams in the Formula One paddock, Yeti is already focusing on 2025 to enhance its offerings. This effort is aimed not only at benefiting its partner, Oracle Red Bull Racing, but also at improving the experience for its broader range of customers.

Neff emphasizes the importance of performing to the best of their abilities on all projects for their clients and maintaining active engagement.

"I aspire for us to maintain a strong spirit of collaboration, consistently discovering enjoyable methods that appeal to the [F1] fans, and ensuring that our contributions help the team succeed. These are my aspirations. They have responsibilities to fulfill, and if we can assist them in enhancing their performance – that's fantastic."

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Speculation arises regarding when Lewis Hamilton might first drive a Ferrari F1 car. A potential date has surfaced for Hamilton's debut in a Ferrari Formula 1 vehicle.

Lewis Hamilton is expected to drive a Ferrari F1 car for the first time in January.

The driver, who has won the world championship seven times, is set to make a major move to Ferrari beginning in 2025, following the end of his 12-year career with Mercedes.

Hamilton couldn't participate in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi because of his contract with Mercedes. However, he is scheduled to drive a 2023 Ferrari at the start of the new year.

According to AutoRacer, Ferrari has not announced an exact date, but the event is planned for January 21 or 22.

The testing is anticipated to take place at one of Ferrari's test circuits, either Fiorano or Mugello. Imola, which is close by, might also be used as a backup option if necessary.

The Italian team is eager to provide the 39-year-old British driver with a chance to get acclimated before the official pre-season testing event in Bahrain, scheduled for February 26-28.

Ferrari's team leader, Fred Vasseur, acknowledged that Hamilton's initial performance will be heavily influenced by the weather conditions.

"We rely heavily on the weather, and January presents challenges," Vasseur mentioned at Ferrari's customary end-of-year media luncheon.

Undoubtedly, it's a moving experience, as he's likely envisioned this moment for around two decades. This means there will be an emotional impact, but after one lap, he must shift his focus!

Initial test days involving TPC (Testing Of Previous Cars) and Pirelli are scheduled, followed by the championship's official kickoff at The O2 on February 18th. The next day, February 19th, the unveiling of the new car will occur. After these events, the team will head straight to Bahrain, commencing a challenging stretch that will continue until the race in Melbourne.

"Indeed, the preparation time is brief, with only about four weeks available at the factory before the initial event, but that's just the way it is."

Vasseur remains unconcerned about Hamilton's adjustment

Vasseur expressed confidence that Hamilton will adapt to Ferrari's F1 cars without any issues, even if he has limited time on the track before pre-season testing begins.

"It's challenging, but he's bringing his own expertise," Vasseur stated. "He's not the newcomer of the year, so I have no concerns about it."

According to Vasseur, Hamilton will participate in multiple simulator sessions to familiarize himself with Ferrari's 2025 car, set to debut on February 19.

The Frenchman stated that, although there is a significant amount of procedure to absorb over the next few days, he is confident that the individual has the experience necessary to handle it.

"We have the benefit of using the simulator, which will allow him to conduct both race and qualifying simulations. This will ensure he is completely ready with the steering wheel and familiar with all the specific details of the car."

"However, this does not concern me, and it is not the most significant hurdle."

Lewis Hamilton will make his debut in Ferrari's iconic red attire at the Australian Grand Prix, which kicks off the racing season on March 16.

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Speculation surrounds Sergio Perez's future career plans, with talks of a potential return to Ferrari in a different racing series. Could a Ferrari comeback be in the cards for Perez?

Sergio Perez might be heading towards a career in the World Endurance Championship, which could lead to him joining forces with Ferrari once again.

Spanish outlet Marca has reported that Perez is allegedly in the final stages of discussions with Ferrari about potentially joining the WEC series.

On Wednesday night, it was revealed that Perez would be leaving Red Bull, resulting in him being without a seat in Formula 1.

The decision's timing results in no available spots on the grid for Perez, which sidelines him for the 2025 season.

Perez will have the opportunity to think about his choices and decide if he wishes to come back to Formula 1.

Perez's potential path back to Formula 1 appears to be limited to Cadillac. Supported by General Motors, this entry is anticipated to join the grid as the 11th team in 2026.

Should Perez be unwilling to join a team that is currently not performing well, he might consider transitioning to the World Endurance Championship with Ferrari.

According to Marca, Perez might be considering a comeback to Ferrari.

Prior to joining McLaren in 2013, Perez was involved in Ferrari's development program for young drivers.

In 2012, his performance made him a potential contender to become a Ferrari driver, but the team eventually chose to retain Felipe Massa instead.

Perez did not have a successful year with McLaren, which led him to join Force India in 2014.

Perez stayed with the team located in Silverstone until the conclusion of 2020.

In 2021, he joined Red Bull, taking over the position from Alex Albon.

In 2023, Perez secured second place in the drivers' championship, marking the first time Red Bull achieved a one-two finish in the rankings.

Perez continues to have a keen interest in F1, as highlighted by the previously mentioned report.

Despite Perez's standing suffering due to a disappointing 2024 season, his substantial financial support will likely make him appealing to several teams.

Prior to joining Red Bull, Perez had earned the reputation of being Formula 1's "midfield king," frequently achieving impressive results with less competitive cars.

At the age of 34, Perez still has several years left to contribute to Formula 1.

The question is whether he is ready to engage once more with the demanding F1 calendar, considering that his young family lives in Mexico.

Cadillac might be a potential choice for him, although other opportunities could arise if the new rookie drivers face challenges next year.

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Max Verstappen could be considering a move to Aston Martin as questions arise about Red Bull's prospects. Reports suggest that Verstappen has reasons to be "quite worried" about the future of his current team.

Max Verstappen is rumored to be moving to Aston Martin for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

This is the belief of Juan Pablo Montoya, an ex-Formula 1 racer and victor of seven grand prix races, who is certain that despite his achievements with Red Bull, Verstappen will eventually move on to a different team.

In 2024, Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive drivers' championship, overcoming not only performance challenges on the track but also dealing with political unrest within the Red Bull team.

Montoya believes that Verstappen has reason to be "quite worried" about Red Bull's engine plans for 2026. Red Bull Powertrains will collaborate with Ford to develop their own engine in response to the new Formula 1 regulations, after Honda steps away from the sport.

Montoya thinks that Verstappen might be persuaded to move to Aston Martin. This team is set to become Honda's factory team in 2026, and they will also welcome Adrian Newey, a former Red Bull designer, early next year.

Montoya mentioned to LuckyBlock that if he were in Max's position, he would have significant worries regarding the engine plan for 2026.

"Many believe he could join Mercedes, but I believe it's more likely that he'll land at Aston Martin."

Adrian Newey and Honda have been part of a successful partnership at Red Bull. Additionally, Lawrence is known for not accepting 'No' as a response.

"If Lawrence is interested in you, he will go to great lengths to win you over. He possesses enough appeal to make Max think, 'That's fantastic.'"

Recently, Verstappen revealed that he engaged in "constructive" discussions with Mercedes. However, he emphasized that he has no intention of switching Formula 1 teams before his existing contract with Red Bull concludes in 2028.

Red Bull, after leading the F1 seasons in 2022 and 2023, now faces the challenge of climbing back up from third place in the 2024 constructors' championship.

According to Montoya, as competitors McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes continue to improve and narrow the distance to Red Bull, it is the team from Milton Keynes that faces the greatest challenges during the forthcoming winter pause.

In addition to Newey, Red Bull has seen the departure of other significant figures, such as sporting director Jonathan Wheatley. Wheatley is set to take on the role of team principal at the future Audi team.

Montoya stated that Red Bull has the most tasks to tackle this winter. He warned that if they do not address these issues, they could find themselves in fourth or even fifth place, no matter who their drivers are.

As the season concluded, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes had developed superior vehicles. Additionally, several mid-tier teams that were previously overlooked are now constructing impressive cars.

"Everyone is getting accustomed to the regulations. Red Bull excelled under these guidelines, but they are currently struggling to maintain their performance."

Verstappen has consistently expressed his contentment with being at Red Bull.

Max Verstappen explained to Dutch broadcaster Viaplay that it's rare for a Formula 1 driver to exit their contract prematurely. Unlike in football, where players might sign a five-year deal and then depart after just a year, such occurrences are not typical or intended in the world of Formula 1.

"While the future remains unpredictable, whether it's a year or two from now, it's something beyond our control, so I don't dwell on it. Currently, I'm quite content with my situation. We've secured another championship. Naturally, there are areas where the car can be enhanced, but that's to be expected. Overall, I'm comfortable with the team and feel free to be myself."

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

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Oscar Piastri has been labeled as the F1 driver who has the "most to prove" in the 2025 season. "I genuinely thought he would elevate his performance this year, and it's somewhat unexpected that he hasn't. I truly believed that he would outperform Lando this season."

F1 icon Juan Pablo Montoya has described Oscar Piastri as the driver who has "the most to demonstrate" in 2025.

In the 2024 Formula 1 drivers' championship, Piastri secured the fourth position, trailing his McLaren teammate Lando Norris by 82 points.

Although Piastri achieved impressive victories in Hungary and Azerbaijan, his performance during qualifying rounds remained worrisome.

He managed to qualify ahead of Norris just four times, ending with a 20-4 deficit in their direct competition.

Piastri demonstrated strong racing skills and the capacity to compete effectively when pressured, although his speed wasn’t particularly remarkable.

In a conversation with LuckyBlock, Montoya confessed that he anticipated greater performance from Piastri in the year 2024.

Montoya stated that Oscar Piastri is the driver who has the most to demonstrate in the upcoming season.

"I genuinely thought he would improve this year and I'm somewhat taken aback that he hasn't. I truly believed he would outperform Lando Norris this season."

"However, Lando made significant progress while Oscar did not."

Piastri is setting his sights on securing the F1 championship in 2025.

Nevertheless, he has acknowledged that he must improve his performance during the qualifying rounds.

At the conclusion of the year, he expressed that he believes he has made significant progress this season.

"There is still potential for improvement. I believe the main issue has been missing out on securing a few better positions during the qualifying rounds."

"I believe I haven't often taken the straightforward path during races. Consequently, a major goal for the off-season is to concentrate on improving those final fractions of a second."

"I believe I've demonstrated my abilities in every other aspect and have shown progress since my rookie year. Now, it feels like it's all about piecing everything together, as I think the differences are now minimal or even non-existent."

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Valtteri Bottas has reportedly engaged in discussions with a Formula 1 team regarding a potential comeback in 2026. The Finnish driver is aiming to make his way back to the F1 lineup in that year.

Valtteri Bottas is said to have engaged in discussions with Cadillac about the possibility of racing for them in Formula 1 come 2026.

Cadillac is poised to join Formula 1 as the 11th team in 2026 following the approval of their entry by F1.

Even though the current 10 teams opposed it, General Motors' plans to develop their own engine by the decade's end seemed to influence the decision-makers in the sport.

As 2026 approaches, Cadillac should begin considering its drivers.

As the 2025 lineup welcomes five newcomers, several seasoned drivers find themselves without a team.

Among them is Bottas, who has recently returned to Mercedes to take on the role of reserve driver for the upcoming year.

F1 journalist Lawrence Barretto has shared that Bottas has already spoken with Graeme Lowdon, the new head of Cadillac.

Bottas mentioned, "I've been acquainted with Graeme for quite some time. I anticipate that they will require some expertise, given the considerable amount of work ahead. This presents an opportunity for me."

At this point in my professional journey, I still have a lot to offer to the sport. Starting from the ground up would be quite fascinating. The drive comes from the idea that if everything is done correctly and there is good teamwork, reaching your goals will be fulfilling.

Bottas faced a challenging last season with Sauber, as he didn't manage to earn any points in the championship.

This resulted in his Sauber teammate, Zhou Guanyu, achieving a higher score than him.

Bottas maintained a high level of performance, managing to qualify ahead of Zhou in 21 out of 24 instances.

Cadillac's choices for the year 2026

In 2026, Cadillac will have plenty of choices at its disposal.

Mario Andretti, a crucial consultant for the team, has suggested that they are looking to pair an American driver with someone who has more experience.

When it comes to American candidates, Colton Herta stands out as the clear option.

Experienced drivers like Valtteri Bottas, Kevin Magnussen, and Sergio Perez are all options.

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"Mercedes' Performance in F1 2024 Criticized by Former Haas Chief"

Guenther Steiner, the former head of Haas, has expressed that Mercedes has no reason to feel proud about their performance in the 2024 F1 season.

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner commented that Mercedes did not perform well in the 2024 F1 season and has no reason to take pride in their performance.

The Mercedes team, known as the Silver Arrows, faced yet another challenging season. Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had difficulties managing the unpredictable and inconsistent performance of their W15 car.

Mercedes experienced some notable successes, securing four race wins throughout the season. However, they often found themselves as the fourth quickest team and ended the season in a distant fourth place in the constructors' championship, trailing behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull.

Günther Steiner expressed his opinion on the Red Flags podcast, saying that he believes Mercedes did not perform up to expectations. He pointed out that McLaren, which uses the same engine, achieved better results, and suggested that Mercedes would likely acknowledge this shortcoming.

"For a long period, no one using a customer engine managed to secure the World Championship title. However, they succeeded with commendable effort. I believe that the regulations played a significant role in this outcome, as they have remained unchanged for an extended period. This stability allows teams to become thoroughly familiar with their engine package each season. Additionally, the freezing of engine development has been advantageous, as it ensures the engine configuration remains consistent."

"You adjust the design of next year's car based on what you currently have, and having a clear understanding of your current resources ahead of time is beneficial."

"There were some factors that worked in their favor, but accomplishing this is still challenging without being a manufacturer of a power unit."

"McLaren has every reason to be pleased, while Mercedes has little to boast about regarding their actions."

Wolff is completely fine with losing to a client team. McLaren's victory in the constructors' championship marked the first time a customer team has claimed the title since Brawn GP did so in 2009.

Mercedes' team boss, Toto Wolff, stated that he had no problems with losing to a client team and described McLaren's victory in the championship as "a triumph for Mercedes motorsport."

After the race in Abu Dhabi, Wolff was questioned about whether he felt let down by losing to a customer team. Speaking to the press, including Crash.net, he expressed that if the works team couldn't secure a victory, he preferred being bested by a customer team.

"I have no issue with it; it indicates the standard we aim to achieve."

"There is absolutely no debate regarding the engine's performance or its drivability."

"Our clientele includes world champions, and we compete on equal footing. If they outperform us with superior execution and drivers, we accept that without issue."

"This achievement marks a triumph for Mercedes motorsport, setting our main goal as securing victory."

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Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix events for Crash.net. By reporting directly from the events, he shares the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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