Helmut Marko identifies the dismissed F1 driver as his most significant error in his role as Red Bull advisor

Helmut Marko admits his greatest error throughout his tenure in Formula 1.

Helmut Marko identified recruiting Nyck De Vries as his "greatest error" in his role as an advisor for Red Bull’s Formula 1 team.

Since 2005, Marko has been instrumental in overseeing Red Bull's junior program.

The Austrian frequently plays a pivotal role in choosing which emerging racers join the squad and who gets to make their Formula 1 entrance with Racing Bulls (previously known as AlphaTauri and Toro Rosso).

After Pierre Gasly opted to depart from the squad for Alpine at the conclusion of 2022, Red Bull encountered a scarcity of drivers.

They decided against allocating the seat to any of their less experienced drivers, choosing instead to bring on De Vries.

De Vries earned points during his single race with Williams, filling in for Alex Albon at the 2022 Italian Grand Prix.

Nonetheless, the Dutch driver faced difficulties in delivering strong performances after being awarded the permanent position for the 2023 season.

After only 10 races, Daniel Ricciardo took over his position.

"Without question, my most significant error concerns Nyck De Vries," Marko admitted to Autosprint.

He performed impressively during his first outing with Williams at Monza. However, his development stalled upon his move to AlphaTauri.

"He boasted an impressive resume, having clinched the FIA F2 title and the Formula E world championship. However, according to our timing data, Nyck wasn't the right fit for our team. In his efforts to increase his speed, he ended up making errors."

Marko and Red Bull have taken lessons from past errors, choosing to elevate internal talent for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Liam Lawson has taken over Sergio Perez's position to partner with Max Verstappen, as Isack Hadjar teams up with Yuki Tsunoda at RB.

Red Bull's youth initiative has achieved remarkable success.

Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen emerged victorious, securing several world championships with Red Bull.

Ricciardo secured victory in seven out of his eight races for the team, whereas Gasly achieved a win with their affiliate team in 2020.

Carlos Sainz departed from the Red Bull group to pursue a successful career with Renault, McLaren, and, more notably, Ferrari.

Currently, there are eight Formula 1 racers who have previously participated in Red Bull's junior development program at various stages of their driving careers.

Verstappen, Sainz, Gasly, Albon, Tsunoda, Hadjar, Lawson, and Jack Doohan comprise the group of eight drivers.

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest Formula 1 stories, behind-the-scenes insights, exclusive interviews, and special offers delivered straight to your email.

For additional details, refer to our Privacy Policy.

Connor, with his keen insight into F1's disputes and narratives, is the core of our impartial journalism.

Explore Further

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive stories, interviews, and special offers from the racing circuit straight to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Current Updates

Additional Updates

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

Copying or reproducing text, photos, or illustrations, whether entirely or partially, is strictly prohibited in any manner.

Site Map

Crash.Net

Liam Lawson Advised to Demonstrate 'Mental Resilience' When Facing Max Verstappen at Red Bull

"Liam Lawson has been given a significant opportunity, a chance to shine, yet history shows that drivers who are immediately promoted to the primary team often falter rapidly."

1997 Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve opines that Liam Lawson must demonstrate his mental fortitude as he prepares to face Max Verstappen as a teammate at Red Bull in 2025.

Following merely 11 appearances in Formula 1, Lawson was selected to fill Sergio Perez's spot at Red Bull.

This implies that Lawson faces the toughest challenge in Formula 1, competing directly with Verstappen within the same team.

In recent times, Verstappen has outperformed Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Perez, with Lawson poised as his next competitor.

Facing a challenging road ahead, Lawson will contend with the difficulties of having minimal Formula 1 experience, compounded by Red Bull's decline in rankings towards the close of the previous year, making his 2025 season particularly daunting.

In a conversation with Action Network, Villeneuve commented, "This represents a significant opportunity for Liam Lawson, a major chance. However, we've witnessed drivers who are immediately promoted to the primary team often fail quite swiftly.

"Therefore, it remains to be seen what his psychological resilience and true skill level are, since it's still uncertain. Essentially, his Formula 2 season, time spent racing in Japan, or his competitions with Tsunoda cannot be considered definitive indicators of his capabilities."

"Legally, Lawson's role is to assist Verstappen. However, in his own mindset, that's not the case. He sees himself as Verstappen's potential replacement, which means he'll aim to demonstrate both resilience and speed."

"Hopefully, this will increase the pressure on Max, motivating him to enhance his driving skills, thereby aiding the team in achieving further advancements."

Villeneuve outlines objectives for Lawson by 2025

Red Bull expects Lawson to surpass the performance of his predecessor significantly.

Perez's slump in performance led to Red Bull falling to third place in the F1 constructors' standings, marking their lowest ranking since 2019.

Villeneuve believes Lawson's goal should be to finish just one or two positions shy of Verstappen by 2025.

"He added that if the car isn't capable of winning, meaning they're not in contention for the championship, then the only acceptable outcome for Lawson would be to finish either directly behind Verstappen or within two positions of him, at most."

"Nothing else counts as much. Winning races accumulates a substantial number of points because there's a significant gap between first and second place. Whereas, ending up in third, fourth, or fifth place, the points difference is minimal."

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive the most recent updates, exclusive stories, conversations, and special offers from the racetrack straight to your email.

For additional details, refer to our Privacy Policy.

Keenly attuned to F1’s debates and narratives, Connor is the core of our impartial coverage.

Explore Further

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest Formula 1 insights, behind-the-scenes, one-on-one conversations, and special offers delivered straight to your email.

For additional details, refer to our Privacy Policy.

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Updated with Crash MotoGP

Copying or replicating the content, images, or drawings, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

Website Directory

Crash.Net

Crash.net has discovered that Mercedes is breaking away from the norm by deciding not to have a launch event for their new F1 vehicle.

Crash.net has discovered that Mercedes has decided not to conduct a launch event for their 2025 Formula 1 car, deviating from their usual practice.

In past seasons, Mercedes has unveiled their latest Formula 1 vehicle at Silverstone, followed by a brief initial run and a day dedicated to filming, all taking place before the pre-season trials commence.

Nonetheless, Mercedes has opted not to proceed with this in 2025, signifying that the period following Lewis Hamilton's tenure will start without a formal unveiling.

Mercedes' W16 competitor will make its debut as the Silver Arrows take advantage of a filming day at Bahrain International Circuit on February 25th, with drivers George Russell and newcomer Andrea Kimi Antonelli taking turns behind the wheel.

This is scheduled to occur one day prior to the commencement of pre-season trials, which are set to run from February 26th to 28th in

Excluding 2021, Mercedes has consistently organized a launch-type event at Silverstone each year starting from 2017.

Mercedes plans to debut their 2025 racing colors alongside all other teams during Formula 1's official season kickoff on February 18th at the O2 Arena in London, although the W16 car won't make its first appearance until the end of February.

Ferrari, now Hamilton's team, was the pioneer in revealing the launch date for their 2025 car.

Scuderia is set to unveil their latest car at the Fiorano circuit in Maranello on February 19, where the seven-time world champion alongside newcomer Charles Leclerc will have their initial drive.

Williams is set to unveil their latest FW47 contender in a unique, one-time paint scheme at Silverstone on February 14.

Antonelli accumulates significant test distance

In related news, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff disclosed that Antonelli has accumulated "nearly 9000 kilometers" of driving in F1 vehicles before his inaugural season.

The 18-year-old who recently moved up from Formula 2 is taking over Hamilton's position at Mercedes.

Over the past year, Antonelli has had the opportunity to drive a variety of classic Mercedes F1 vehicles across multiple tracks, aiding in his preparation for his debut season.

The Italian racer conducted his inaugural trial of the year on Wednesday at Jerez, taking the wheel of Mercedes' 2020 championship-winning W11 vehicle, adorned in a camouflage paint scheme.

Wolff has been eager to temper anticipations about Antonelli, who experienced a crash shortly after his initial F1 practice session at Monza the previous year.

"Wolff stated that anticipating him to secure the pole position in Melbourne, clinch the race victory, and instantly challenge for the championship is a gamble, as such outcomes are unlikely to occur."

"Adopting the perspective that the young man is 18, highly skilled, yet naturally needs time to mature and is expected to err, then the gamble is minimal. This is our rationale for proceeding. We view 2025 as a year of change, aiming to ready him for 2026."

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest Formula 1 updates, unique content, one-on-one interviews, and special offers straight from the race track to your email.

Refer to our Privacy Policy for additional details.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. Typically providing live updates from the event locations, Lewis shares the narratives of the key figures in the racing world.

Explore Further

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest Formula 1 stories, behind-the-scenes exclusives, interviews, and special offers delivered straight to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

Copying or reproducing any content, be it text, images, or illustrations, in full or in part, is strictly prohibited.

Website Directory

Crash.Net

Jacques Villeneuve suggests that "appetite," not years, determines Lewis Hamilton's F1 trajectory

"The critical factor is whether Lewis Hamilton shares Fernando Alonso's level of desire or lacks it."

Jacques Villeneuve believes that Lewis Hamilton's intense desire to compete is what keeps him active in Formula 1, rather than his chronological age.

Earlier this month, Hamilton celebrated his 40th birthday as he begins a fresh journey with Ferrari for the next racing season.

Since the 1990s, no Formula 1 racer over the age of 40 has claimed victory in a grand prix – a feat Hamilton aims to achieve with his new team.

Next week, Hamilton is anticipated to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari for his initial real-life experience after spending a day in the simulator.

The seven-time world champion is expected to pilot Ferrari's 2022 contender, the F1-75.

In a conversation with Action Network, the individual from Canada commented on Hamilton, stating: "It all hinges on whether Lewis Hamilton possesses the same level of desire as Fernando Alonso. He's aiming for one more championship, specifically with Ferrari, which ought to fuel his ambition. However, when faced with challenges, it's uncertain whether he'll demonstrate the same resilience and fighting spirit as Alonso, or instead ponder if it's the moment to pursue different avenues in his life."

"Physically, there are no obstacles. He's in excellent shape, very strong, and capable of continuing for another decade without any issues. However, the real challenge lies in his mental state and motivation."

Hamilton's Age Not a Concern

Villeneuve pointed to Hamilton's ex-teammate, Nico Rosberg, whose dwindling passion for F1 culminated in his decision to retire, as an example.

"He emphasized that when it comes to athletics, it's not about how old you are. The key is your mental preparedness to dedicate everything to the process, to commit to the rigorous training, to sleep and wake with your goals at the forefront of your mind. There comes a time when it might not hold the same significance or take precedence in your life. That's the moment your performance starts to decline, and it's not necessarily due to any physical limitations."

"It's exhausting, yet it's also what sustains you. It motivates you. And when you halt it, you recognize after a couple of months, 'Wow, this is dull.'"

"That lifestyle is essential for you. You crave the thrill, the continuous chase. When you're truly passionate about something, when it captures your heart, it becomes addictive."

Consider Nico Rosberg, who found greater joy outside of racing. Clearly, his enthusiasm didn't match the same intensity.

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive up-to-date Formula 1 updates, exclusive content, one-on-one interviews, and special offers straight from the race track to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Connor, with his keen insight into Formula 1's disputes and narratives, is the core of our impartial journalism.

Discover More

Sign Up for Our Formula 1 Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest Formula 1 developments, unique stories, one-on-one conversations, and special offers straight from the track to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

Copying or replicating any part of the text, images, or graphics in any manner is strictly forbidden.

Index Page

Crash.Net

Verstappen's circle responds to Aston Martin rumors with a straightforward reply

The group surrounding Max Verstappen has issued a response…

When inquired about their thoughts on the rumor that Aston Martin is readying a £1 billion bid for the services of the four-time world champion, the team surrounding Max Verstappen provided a succinct reply consisting of just two words.

According to the Daily Mail, Aston Martin is reportedly ready to present an unprecedented offer to acquire Verstappen.

However, Aston Martin clarified to Crash.net that the report was inaccurate.

Verstappen's crew has yet to make their statement, responding evasively to GP Blog.

Their reply was: "That's pleasant."

Is there a possibility for Verstappen to switch to Aston Martin down the line?

Currently, Verstappen has a deal with Red Bull that extends through to the close of 2028.

Nonetheless, his prospects with Red Bull have been in doubt because of strong attention from Toto Wolff and Mercedes.

The chaos surrounding Christian Horner, coupled with Red Bull's decline in results, fueled rumors regarding Verstappen's potential departure from the team.

The speculation didn't originate from the Dutch driver, with Verstappen affirming his satisfaction at Red Bull.

Nevertheless, he's insistent on being in the quickest vehicle available.

Should Verstappen part ways with Red Bull, Aston Martin could be a logical choice.

Having the financial support of Lawrence Stroll, securing Verstappen with a substantial salary is feasible.

Aston Martin has brought Adrian Newey into their engineering group and secured Honda as their engine supplier, making the Silverstone-based squad more appealing to Verstappen.

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive up-to-date Formula 1 news, exclusive content, one-on-one interviews, and special offers straight from the circuit to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Connor, with his keen insight into F1's disputes and narratives, stands at the core of our impartial journalism.

Discover More

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive the freshest F1 updates, unique stories, behind-the-scenes interviews, and exclusive offers straight to your email

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

Copying or replicating the text, images, or illustrations in full or in part is strictly prohibited.

Site Index

Crash.Net

Nico Rosberg sends caution to Lewis Hamilton regarding upcoming battle with Charles Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton alerted about the tough competition he will face at Ferrari from his new Formula 1 counterpart.

Nico Rosberg has cautioned his ex-Formula 1 teammate Lewis Hamilton about the significant challenge he will encounter competing against Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.

Hamilton is set to join forces with Leclerc, marking a significant new phase in his celebrated Formula 1 journey with Ferrari, after making a high-profile move from Mercedes.

The seven-time world champion is set to compete directly against Leclerc, one of Formula 1's most thrilling and rapid drivers, who is widely regarded as the fastest in terms of single-lap speed.

Holding the record for the most Formula 1 pole positions at 104, Hamilton has faced challenges in recent qualifying rounds. In the previous season, he was significantly outperformed by his ex-Mercedes teammate George Russell, with a head-to-head score of 19-5 in Russell's favor.

Rosberg, the 2016 world champion who retired from Formula 1 shortly after winning the title, thinks his ex-teammate must elevate his performance to maintain an advantage against Leclerc.

Inquired about his opinion on who would prevail in the rivalry between Leclerc and Hamilton, Rosberg shared with Sky F1 that, based on [Abu Dhabi], Charles would certainly be the one to watch.

"Given that Charles is expected to perform comparably to George Russell, who is among the top of the upcoming generation of racers, aside from Verstappen who is slightly ahead, and considering Lewis is currently facing challenges, the reasons for which remain unclear."

"Thus, if we're speaking of the current situation, Charles is poised to outperform him just as George Russell has been doing – yet Lewis remains the all-time greatest."

"We continue to hold optimism that he will return to his peak performance, which should place him marginally ahead of Charles by the year's end."

Davidson believes Hamilton deserves 'benefit of the doubt'

Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Anthony Davidson believes Lewis Hamilton deserves the "benefit of the doubt" regarding his qualifying challenges in what has been a challenging last season with Mercedes in 2024.

"Davidson believes they're optimistic that his passion will reignite once he's behind the wheel, enabling him to rediscover his rhythm," Davidson remarked.

"I believe the year 2024 has been especially challenging for Lewis. Speaking from my own experience as a former driver, it's hard to fathom enduring an entire season while being aware that you're about to retire and that your long-standing partnership is coming to a close."

"Lewis likely faced considerable challenges. That probably explains his inconsistent performance. Let's afford him some understanding."

The narrative surrounding Hamilton's performance at Ferrari, particularly his ability to overcome his recent struggles in single-lap scenarios, is poised to be a major storyline throughout the 2025 season.

Hamilton is set to embark on his first race with Ferrari on March 16, kicking off the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive the most recent updates, exclusive content, interviews, and offers from the racing circuit straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Lewis frequently covers Grands Prix worldwide for Crash.net, providing on-site reports. He shares the narratives of the key figures in the sport.

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our Formula 1 Mailing List

Receive the freshest Formula 1 updates, behind-the-scenes content, one-on-one conversations, and special offers straight from the track to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Current Updates

Additional Updates

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Updated with Crash MotoGP

Reproducing any part or all of the text, photos, or illustrations in any manner is strictly prohibited.

Site Index

Crash.Net

LIVE COVERAGE: Gresini Racing reveals its 2025 MotoGP design

Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer unveil the 2025 Gresini team livery

The Gresini Racing squad is set to kick off its 2025 MotoGP campaign on Saturday, January 18, at the renowned Imola track in Italy, featuring riders Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer.

The 2025 season will mark Gresini's fourth year since becoming a fully independent team again, following their management of Aprilia's factory team from 2015 to 2021.

As Gresini embarks on its fourth year as a Ducati satellite team, it is set to have Alex Marquez return for his third season. Joining him will be newcomer Fermin Aldeguer.

Aldeguer is making the move from Moto2 after inking a contract directly with Ducati at the beginning of last year. The 19-year-old secured the fifth position in the Moto2 rankings last year and is among three newcomers to the lineup in 2025.

After teaming up with Ducati, Gresini has consistently achieved grand prix wins each year, initially with Enea Bastianini, followed by Fabio Di Giannantonio, and most recently with Marc Marquez in 2024.

In 2022, Alex Marquez had an impressive debut season with Gresini riding a Ducati. However, in the following year with the challenging GP23, he found it difficult to maintain that level of performance, achieving only one podium finish and concluding the season in eighth place in the rankings.

This season, Marquez and Aldeguer are set to compete using GP24 motorcycles.

The Gresini unveiling event is scheduled to start at 5:15 PM GMT.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the most recent updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock delivered straight to your email.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for further details.

Explore Further

Join Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Reports

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Track Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to reproduce the text, photos, or images in whole or in part in any manner.

Site Map

Crash.Net

Yamaha clarifies the situation following the end of its partnership with Valentino Rossi’s apparel brand

Yamaha outlines current relationship with VR46

Yamaha announced that they will be ending their association with Valentino Rossi's clothing brand in 2025.

It's a minor departure from the MotoGP icon closely associated with the motorcycle brand during his prime.

Up until this year, the clothing worn by Yamaha's MotoGP team was produced by the VR46 brand, owned by Rossi.

This year, Yamaha revealed a fresh partnership with the Italian company Macron to produce their official apparel.

Yamaha team manager Maio Meregalli was asked if they appear to be moving away from their previous connections.

However, Meregalli explained to GPOne, "It's a result, but it's not due to the attire."

"The discussions with the new supplier were initiated much earlier."

Valentino Rossi's VR46 organization and Yamaha have decided to end their partnership concerning the Moto2 team.

Pramac will take over the management of Yamaha's Moto2 team as they transition from their previous partnership with Ducati.

Meregalli clarified that a different branch of Yamaha, separate from the one managing MotoGP, initially handled the Moto2 before it was transferred to VR46.

"At the moment, there has been a shift in momentum."

The MotoGP organization will manage it, with Pramac being given the responsibility for its operation.

Rossi will maintain his connection with Yamaha by serving as an official ambassador.

The VR46 MotoGP team has deepened its partnership with Ducati.

This year, with Pramac moving over to Yamaha, VR46 stands to gain from the transition.

VR46 is set to become Ducati's primary satellite team. Consequently, they will have access to one factory-spec motorcycle this year.

Fabio di Giannantonio is set to compete using the same equipment as the official riders Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

James spent ten years as a sports journalist with Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of topics including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

Explore Further

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock directly in your email inbox.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Updated with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy the text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Site Layout

Crash.Net

Nico Rosberg cautions Lewis Hamilton before his competition with Charles Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton has been alerted to the difficulties he will face at Ferrari alongside his new Formula 1 teammate.

Nico Rosberg cautioned his ex-F1 teammate Lewis Hamilton about the significant challenge he will encounter when competing against Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.

Hamilton is set to join forces with Leclerc as he begins a new phase in his remarkable and celebrated Formula 1 career at Ferrari, following a major move from Mercedes.

The seven-time world champion is set to face off against Leclerc, one of Formula 1's most thrilling and speedy drivers, who is regarded by many as the fastest in a single lap.

Although Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most F1 pole positions with 104, he has faced challenges in qualifying over the past few seasons. Last year, he was decisively outperformed by his former Mercedes teammate, George Russell, in their direct qualifying battles, with a score of 19-5.

Nico Rosberg, who narrowly beat Lewis Hamilton to win the world championship in 2016 and then retired from Formula 1, thinks that his old teammate will have to improve his performance to maintain an advantage over Charles Leclerc.

When questioned about who he believes will triumph between Leclerc and Hamilton, Rosberg expressed to Sky F1 that if considering the Abu Dhabi race, his pick would undoubtedly be Charles.

"Charles is expected to perform at a level comparable to George Russell, representing the top tier of the emerging generation of drivers, with the exception of Verstappen, who has consistently been a notch above. Meanwhile, Lewis is currently facing challenges, and the reasons behind this remain unclear."

"If we consider today's circumstances, Charles would outperform him just like George Russell is currently doing. However, Lewis is still regarded as the greatest of all time."

"We are still hopeful that he will return to his top form, and if that happens, he is expected to be just ahead of Charles by the year’s end."

Hamilton Deserves Some Leeway

Former Formula 1 driver and current Sky Sports analyst Anthony Davidson believes that Lewis Hamilton should be granted some leeway for his challenges in qualifying as he faces a tough last season with Mercedes in 2024.

Davidson mentioned that they are optimistic his passion will reignite once he steps into the vehicle, helping him regain his confidence and drive.

"This year, 2024, has been especially challenging for Lewis. As someone who used to be a driver, I find it hard to fathom what it's like to go through an entire season with the knowledge that you will be stepping away and that the partnership will conclude."

"It was probably challenging for Lewis, which might explain his fluctuating performance. Let's cut him some slack."

The performance of Hamilton with Ferrari and his ability to overcome his recent struggles in qualifying are expected to be major talking points for the 2025 season.

Lewis Hamilton is set to participate in his first race for Ferrari at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which kicks off the season on March 16.

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive the most recent news, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the world of F1 straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix events for Crash.net. He is often on-site, providing reports on the events and sharing the narratives of key figures in the motorsport community.

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our F1 Newsletter

Receive the most recent F1 updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the paddock straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Breaking Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Get the Latest on Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy text, images, or drawings in any format.

Website Map

Crash.Net

Mercedes Chooses Not to Follow the Trend with W16 F1 Car Introduction

According to information obtained by Crash.net, Mercedes has decided not to organize a launch event for their newest Formula 1 vehicle.

According to information obtained by Crash.net, Mercedes has decided not to organize a launch event for their 2025 Formula 1 car, marking a departure from their usual practice.

In past years, Mercedes has unveiled their latest Formula 1 car at Silverstone and followed it up with a shakedown session and a filming day prior to the pre-season tests.

Nevertheless, Mercedes has opted not to proceed with this in 2025, indicating that the period following Lewis Hamilton's tenure will commence without a formal introduction.

Mercedes' W16 car will make its debut appearance during a filming day at the Bahrain International Circuit on February 25. The driving responsibilities will be split between George Russell and newcomer Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

This event is scheduled for the day prior to the start of pre-season testing, which will occur from February 26 to 28 in Bahrain.

With the exception of 2021, Mercedes has hosted a launch event at Silverstone every year since 2017.

Although the W16 won't make its debut until the end of February, Mercedes is set to reveal their 2025 livery at the official F1 season launch event on February 18. This event, featuring all the teams, will take place at London's O2 Arena.

Ferrari, the new team for Hamilton, has become the first to reveal the date for their 2025 car unveiling.

The racing team plans to unveil their latest vehicle at the Fiorano test circuit in Maranello on February 19. Both the seven-time world champion and his new partner, Charles Leclerc, are scheduled to take it for its inaugural drive.

On February 14, Williams will unveil their latest FW47 car at Silverstone, featuring a unique livery for the occasion.

Antonelli amasses significant test mileage

In other news, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff shared that Antonelli has completed "nearly 9000 kilometers" in Formula 1 cars before making his debut this season.

An 18-year-old who recently completed Formula 2 will take Hamilton's place at Mercedes.

Over the last year, Antonelli has tested a number of vintage Mercedes F1 cars on various tracks to get ready for his first season as a newcomer.

On Wednesday, the Italian driver undertook his initial test of the year at the Jerez circuit, piloting the Mercedes W11 car, which claimed the championship in 2020, adorned in a camouflage paint scheme.

Wolff has been eager to manage the expectations about Antonelli, especially after he crashed just minutes into his first F1 practice at Monza last year.

Wolff explained that if you anticipate him securing the pole position in Melbourne, clinching the race victory, and instantly vying for the championship title, then you're taking a significant risk because that's not going to occur.

"If we consider that the young man is 18, highly skilled, yet still needs time to develop and learn from his errors, then the risk involved is minimal. This is the reason for our decision. We view 2025 as a year of transition and aim to get him ready for 2026."

Sign up for our F1 Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the world of F1 right in your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Lewis frequently travels to various countries to cover Grands Prix events for Crash.net. He often provides on-site reports and shares the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

Explore Further

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the F1 world right in your email.

For further details, please review our Privacy Policy.

Breaking Updates

Additional Reports

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Updated with Crash MotoGP

Copying or reproducing the text, images, or illustrations, either in full or partially, is strictly prohibited in any manner.

Site Map

Crash.Net

Mercedes Breaks Tradition by Skipping Launch Event for W16 F1 Car

According to Crash.net, Mercedes has decided not to host a launch event for its newest Formula 1 vehicle.

According to information obtained by Crash.net, Mercedes has decided not to host a launch event for their 2025 Formula 1 car, marking a departure from their usual practice.

In past years, Mercedes has unveiled their latest F1 vehicle at Silverstone, where they also perform a shakedown run and a filming session prior to the start of pre-season testing.

Nevertheless, Mercedes has chosen not to proceed with this plan in 2025, indicating that the period following Lewis Hamilton's career will commence without a formal introduction.

The Mercedes W16 will be unveiled for the first time during a filming session at the Bahrain International Circuit on February 25. During this event, George Russell and newcomer Andrea Kimi Antonelli will take turns behind the wheel.

The event is scheduled for the day before pre-season testing begins, which is set to occur from February 26th to 28th in Bahrain.

With the exception of 2021, Mercedes has held a launch event at Silverstone each year starting from 2017.

The debut of the W16 will take place in late February, but Mercedes plans to reveal their 2025 car design at the same time as all other teams during the official F1 season launch on February 18 at the O2 Arena in London.

Ferrari, Hamilton's new team, became the first to reveal the date for their 2025 car unveiling.

On February 19, at the Fiorano testing circuit in Maranello, Scuderia will unveil their latest vehicle. The seven-time world champion, along with his new teammate Charles Leclerc, is scheduled to drive the car for the first time.

On February 14, Williams is set to unveil their latest FW47 race car with a unique livery at Silverstone.

Antonelli accumulates significant test mileage

In the meantime, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff disclosed that Antonelli has completed "nearly 9000 kilometers" in Formula 1 cars ahead of his debut this season.

An 18-year-old who recently completed Formula 2 is set to take over Hamilton's spot at Mercedes.

Over the past year, Antonelli has driven various vintage Mercedes Formula 1 cars on multiple tracks to get ready for his debut season.

On Wednesday, the Italian driver undertook his initial test of the year at Jerez, piloting the Mercedes W11 car, which won the championship in 2020, and was adorned in a camouflage design.

Wolff has been eager to manage expectations about Antonelli, who experienced a crash just a few minutes into his first Formula 1 practice session at Monza last year.

Wolff stated that if you anticipate him securing the pole position in Melbourne, winning the race, and instantly contending for the championship, you are taking a significant risk because that is not going to occur.

The strategy involves acknowledging that the young man, at 18 years of age, possesses significant talent but will need time to develop and will inevitably make errors. This approach minimizes potential risks. This is the rationale behind our decision. We view 2025 as a year of transition and aim to ready him for 2026.

Sign up for our F1 Newsletter

Receive the newest updates on F1, including exclusive content, interviews, and special offers, delivered straight to your email.

To get additional details, please review our Privacy Policy

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

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our F1 Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers related to Formula 1, delivered straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Breaking Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Informed with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to reproduce text, photos, or illustrations in whole or in part in any format.

Site Map

Crash.Net

Jacques Villeneuve believes that Lewis Hamilton's future in Formula 1 hinges more on his "hunger" than his age. "The determining factor is whether Lewis Hamilton possesses the same drive as Fernando Alonso," he stated.

According to Jacques Villeneuve, it is Lewis Hamilton's "hunger" that is primarily driving the extension of his Formula 1 career, rather than his age.

Earlier this month, Hamilton celebrated his 40th birthday and is now beginning a fresh chapter with Ferrari for the next season.

Since the 1990s, no Formula 1 driver has managed to secure a grand prix victory in their 40s, a feat Hamilton aims to achieve with his new team.

Next week, Hamilton is anticipated to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari for the first time after spending a day in the simulator.

According to reports, the seven-time world champion is expected to get behind the wheel of Ferrari's 2022 race car, the F1-75.

In an interview with Action Network, a Canadian individual discussed Lewis Hamilton's situation, questioning whether Hamilton possesses the same drive as Fernando Alonso. This person noted that Hamilton is eager for another championship title, ideally with Ferrari, which should motivate him. However, they wondered if, when faced with challenges, Hamilton would continue to fight like Alonso or decide to pursue a different path in life.

"From a physical standpoint, there's nothing wrong. He's extremely fit and strong, capable of continuing for another decade without any concerns. However, the real challenge lies in his mindset and motivation."

Hamilton’s age is not a concern

Villeneuve pointed out that Hamilton’s ex-teammate, Nico Rosberg, eventually lost his passion for Formula 1, prompting him to retire.

"In sports, age isn't the main concern," he mentioned. "What's crucial is your mental readiness to commit entirely, to undergo all the training, to maintain a disciplined routine, and to remain focused solely on the sport. Eventually, there might come a time when it no longer holds the same significance or priority in your life. That's when performance can decline—not due to a direct physical cause."

"It's exhausting, yet it's also what gives you life and motivation. When you pause, after a couple of months, you start to think, 'Wow, this is dull.'"

"Craving that way of life is essential. The thrill and excitement keep you moving forward. When you're truly passionate and deeply love something, it becomes addictive."

Consider Nico Rosberg; he found more joy in not being part of the races, which indicates a different degree of passion.

Sign up for our F1 Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the world of Formula 1 directly in your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Possessing a keen sense for the dramas and narratives in Formula 1, Connor serves as the core of our objective journalism.

Discover More

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive the most recent Formula 1 updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers straight from the paddock to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Breaking Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Informed with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to fully or partially reproduce any written content, images, or drawings in any manner.

Site Map

Crash.Net