Toto Wolff was ready to make a difficult choice regarding Lewis Hamilton: “I was willing to go through with it. However, it would have been a nightmare for both of us.”

Toto Wolff disclosed that he was ready to inform Lewis Hamilton that he was too old for his Mercedes F1 contract to be extended if Hamilton had decided to switch to Ferrari.

On the night before the season started in February, it was revealed that Hamilton made a surprising move to Ferrari, ending his longstanding relationship with Mercedes.

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Hamilton, having secured six out of his seven championship titles with Mercedes, continues to hold the record as the most successful driver-team partnership in the history of the sport.

In the past few years, Mercedes has found it challenging to fully understand and adapt to the ground effect regulations in Formula 1.

In recent weeks, much attention has been focused on Hamilton leaving Mercedes, spurred by the publication of a new book called ‘Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane’.

In the book, Wolff stated that "everyone has an expiration date," implying that Hamilton might no longer be at his peak, and his exit avoided a challenging discussion in the future.

Although Wolff mentioned that the remark was taken out of context, the head of Mercedes did acknowledge that he was prepared to let Hamilton know that his contract would not be extended.

During a conversation with The Guardian, Wolff expressed, "I would have gone through with it. However, it would have been a nightmare for both me and him."

"Advantages of Transition"

Wolff decided to elevate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, an 18-year-old prodigy, to take Hamilton's spot.

The Austrian thinks that Hamilton's choice to depart brings evident "advantages in change."

“There’s an emotional aspect since we’ve shared this journey,” Wolff explained. “While the friendship will evolve, the intensity of our emotions will remain strong. In fact, this marks the beginning of a new kind of friendship with Lewis.”

"In my professional view, change always brings advantages. We've implemented fresh regulations, reorganized our structure, and are entering a new phase with our experienced driver, George Russell, who is now 27, and our younger driver, Kimi Antonelli, who is 18. Combined, their ages are just a bit more than Lewis, who will turn 40 in January. This is really thrilling."

Connor is the core of our impartial coverage, possessing a keen sense for the controversies and narratives within Formula 1.

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FIA's Race Director Change Before Las Vegas Grand Prix Called "Insane" | "Experience is Essential"

The FIA's choice to replace race directors just before the Las Vegas Grand Prix has been termed "insane."

David Croft, the F1 commentator for Sky Sports, is puzzled by the FIA's abrupt choice to switch race directors just before the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The FIA made a surprising announcement last week that Niels Wittich would be resigning from his position as race director, a job he had been performing since 2022.

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A day later, it was revealed that Wittich had been dismissed, a fact he verified to the German outlet Motorsport-Magazin.

Current F2 and F3 race director Rui Marques has taken over Wittich's position.

In response to the announcement, Croft referred to the alteration as "insane."

"To begin with, he hasn't resigned; he's been dismissed," Croft stated on the Sky Sports F1 podcast. "He acknowledged this himself and communicated it to several reporters."

The FIA will not allow the race director to leave with only three races remaining unless there is a valid reason from their perspective. Introducing a new race director at this stage is challenging. Although Rui Marques has performed admirably in F2 and F3, he has never held the position of race director in F1.

"Attempting that prior to a street race in Las Vegas, especially one set at night, with numerous chances for mishaps, seems unwise. This type of race demands seasoned expertise, a composed mindset, and someone who isn't new to the role. Honestly, I find it quite astonishing."

According to Croft, the timing of this change isn't optimal, especially with the possibility of Las Vegas being a challenging weekend to handle.

The first event faced issues with unsecured manhole covers and session delays, and races held on street circuits typically experience a higher number of collisions and incidents, requiring the race director to swiftly decide on issuing red flags.

"I’m uncertain about the issues that have arisen between the FIA and Niels Wittich," Croft mentioned. "I am not aware of the reasons behind the FIA's decision to immediately dismiss their race director."

"Completing it before Las Vegas is certainly quite unusual. I'm not expressing concern, as I don't want to suggest that Rui Marques will perform poorly—I genuinely don't know what to expect. I trust that the FIA believes he is capable. I am confident he will put in his best effort, but having experience in these situations is crucial. This is a weekend filled with intense pressure."

"I wish for everything to proceed without issues. Ideally, we will experience a relatively uneventful weekend without incidents like loose drain covers, crumbling tarmac, or numerous accidents. This event might prove to be quite challenging for the new race director. The FIA has parted ways with their previous race director, and their compliance officer is no longer with them either."

Connor, known for his keen insight into the controversies and narratives of Formula 1, is central to our objective journalism.

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Toto Wolff has launched a new critique against Christian Horner, stating, "His words aren't trustworthy." Wolff has taken issue with Horner's quick response to the brief FIA investigation that took place last year.

Toto Wolff has once again criticized Christian Horner concerning the brief inquiry by the FIA following accusations of a conflict of interest.

In December 2023, the FIA revealed that it was investigating a potential conflict of interest involving Wolff, the head of the Mercedes team, and his spouse, Susie Wolff, who serves as the CEO of the F1 Academy.

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According to Business F1 magazine, competing team leaders expressed worries about the Wolffs possibly exchanging sensitive information.

Mercedes and Formula 1 swiftly responded to the inquiry, with Susie labeling the accusations as "misogynistic."

The inquiry was swiftly concluded once all nine competing teams issued statements in support of the Wolffs.

During a recent discussion with The Guardian, Wolff expressed his lack of enthusiasm regarding Horner’s prompt response.

The head of Mercedes stated, "I can handle a lot of criticism; I'm accustomed to it. However, when my wife, who is completely uninvolved and has a spotless reputation, is brought into a dispute, that's where I draw the line."

The reaction was overwhelmingly positive. I didn’t reach out to any team myself. Fred took charge and remarked, “This situation is incredibly unjust.” From Guenther Steiner to James Vowles, everyone quickly got involved. They were all prepared to back us, except for Christian, who hesitated to sign a document in our favor.

Explaining why Horner hesitated to put his name on the document, he mentioned: "From what I gather, Horner stated: 'I'm conducting my own interview with Sky and I'll declare that I'm not involved. I won't be signing the document.' The remaining nine teams responded: 'That's alright.' However, he was clearly advised that it might not reflect well on him, and he should participate in the statement."

In the second version, he attempted to include the term 'official' in the statement. He aimed to indicate that none of the team principals had lodged an official complaint with the FIA. The other teams responded by saying, "Okay, we'll issue our statement and you can do yours." Ultimately, he agreed and signed it.

"No, I don't believe his statements are trustworthy. In my view, Susie became a victim of unintended consequences, largely due to a lack of respect for her accomplishments both as a woman in racing and as an agent of change. Additionally, it seemed like an attempt to create problems for me by showing disrespect towards my wife, undermining the difficult path she navigated to reach her goals both on and off the track."

Connor, known for his keen awareness of F1's disputes and narratives, is the core of our objective reporting.

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Which Formula 1 driver has accumulated the highest number of penalty points in the sport's history? The driver who is on track to win the championship also leads the rankings for having the most penalty points.

Since the penalty points system was implemented in 2014 for Formula 1, Max Verstappen has accumulated the highest number of points.

Formula 1 implemented this system to address substandard driving behavior. According to the regulations, accumulating 12 penalty points within a year results in a suspension for one race. These points are removed from a driver's record after a year.

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Kevin Magnussen, representing the Haas team, made F1 history by being the inaugural driver to face a one-race suspension due to collecting 12 penalty points within a year, which occurred at the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean had to watch from the sidelines after causing a major crash at the start of the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix. However, his penalty was given before the penalty points system was implemented.

Although Magnussen made a historic mark for unfortunate reasons, it is in fact the Red Bull driver, who is on the verge of becoming a four-time world champion, who has accumulated the highest number of points.

Since he began racing in Formula 1 with Toro Rosso in 2015, Verstappen has accumulated a record 39 penalty points over 206 grand prix races. This is two points more than Magnussen and five points ahead of his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez.

Max Verstappen presently holds five penalty points on his driving license, following the expiration of two points from the previous year's Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 18.

The additional five he collected in Austria, Mexico, and Brazil during this season will remain until next year.

Max Verstappen accumulated seven penalty points during his fierce championship battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2021. His highest tally of penalty points in one season occurred in his rookie year, 2015, when he collected a total of eight points.

Top 10 F1 Drivers Accumulating the Most Penalty Points

A Breakdown of Why Verstappen Received 39 Penalty Points

Monaco Grand Prix 2015 – Incident with Romain Grosjean (resulting in two points)

2015 Hungarian Grand Prix – Three Instances of Safety Car Exceeding Speed

2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – exiting the track and obtaining a benefit (first instance)

2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – failure to comply with blue flag signals (tw

2016 Mexican Grand Prix – departing the track and obtaining an advantage (incident one)

2017 Hungarian Grand Prix – two incidents involving a crash with Daniel Ricciardo

2017 U.S. Grand Prix – Exiting the Circuit and Benefiting (Part One)

2018 Chinese Grand Prix – two incidents involving a crash with Sebastian Vettel

The 2018 Italian Grand Prix featured two incidents involving Valtteri Bottas.

2018 Russian Grand Prix – two incidents of speeding under yellow flag conditions

2018 Japanese Grand Prix – returning to the track without caution (incident one)

2019 Monaco Grand Prix – two incidents of unsafe release

2019 Mexican Grand Prix – exceeding speed limits under a yellow flag (second

2021 Italian Grand Prix – two crashes involving Lewis Hamilton

2021 Qatar Grand Prix – two instances of speeding under yellow flag conditions

2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – exiting the track and obtaining a benefit (incident one)

2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – two incidents involving Lewis Hamilton in a crash

Brazilian Grand Prix 2022 – two incidents involving Lewis Hamilton

2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix – Charles Leclerc was pushed off the track twice.

2024 Austrian Grand Prix – two incidents involving Lando Norris

2024 Mexican Grand Prix – caused Lando Norris to veer off the track on two occasions

2024 Brazilian Grand Prix – Violation involving the Virtual Safety Car (first instance)

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. He often provides on-the-ground reports, sharing the stories of key figures in the racing world.

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Sergio Perez has stated that he turned down proposals from two different Formula 1 teams to depart from Red Bull in 2025.

Sergio Perez stated that he turned down "two offers" from different Formula 1 teams for the 2025 season.

The future of the Mexican driver is still a hot topic of discussion due to his ongoing struggles in performance when compared to his Red Bull teammate, Max Verstappen. This uncertainty persists even though Perez secured a contract extension earlier this year that includes the upcoming season.

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In the last 15 races, Perez has managed to earn just 48 points, and his difficulties have played a role in Red Bull dropping to third in the constructors’ championship, trailing McLaren and Ferrari.

In an interview with GQ magazine, Perez mentioned that he had two chances to switch teams, but he chose not to reveal the names of the teams that showed interest.

Upon examining the situation, I realized that I genuinely appreciate the challenge I face at Red Bull. Being Max's teammate is a significant test. It's an experience that essentially prepares you for everything.

"I expressed my desire to conclude my career at the pinnacle, facing the highest level of pressure."

Liam Lawson from RB and Franco Colapinto, who is temporarily driving for Williams, are among the drivers rumored to possibly take over Perez's position at Red Bull next season.

Rumors continue to circulate following Red Bull team boss Christian Horner's acknowledgment that Perez's underperformance is "frustrating."

"It's the nature of the sport. If you have one or two poor performances, there's a lot of negative commentary directed at you," Perez remarked.

"It's also an aspect of the team's culture, particularly with Red Bull. The discussions around contracts and other related conversations are simply part of the competitive landscape."

In the end, during tough times, there's always a lot of chatter. However, in reality, 90 percent of people in the field would have wished for a career like mine.

As a driver, your focus is solely on what's ahead – the upcoming race, the next hurdle, the future category, or the subsequent contract. It's a constant cycle of looking forward to what's coming next.

Occasionally, it's beneficial to take a moment to reflect on the distance you have covered. The sport can be extremely harsh.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. He often provides on-the-ground reports, sharing the stories of key figures in the sport.

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Lance Stroll will keep his spot with Aston Martin for as long as he wishes to compete in Formula 1, according to statements suggesting his seat is secure until he decides to step away from the sport.

It has been suggested that Lance Stroll can keep his position with Aston Martin for as long as he desires to compete in Formula 1.

Lance Stroll's racing efforts have often been criticized, especially in comparison to his teammate, Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion. The scrutiny intensified after Stroll's accident during the formation lap at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

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The awkward exit prompted some to wonder if retaining Stroll on the team, which is owned by his billionaire father Lawrence, aligns with Aston Martin's lofty goal of becoming world champions in the future.

However, according to BBC Sport journalist Andrew Benson, Stroll will keep his place at Aston Martin for as long as he chooses to compete in Formula 1.

In a Q&A session before the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Benson suggested that although Lawrence Stroll has not explicitly stated it, those familiar with him and his associates think he acquired a Formula 1 team to support his son, Lance, with the ultimate goal of seeing Lance crowned as world champion.

Lance will remain in the car for as long as he desires to pursue a career in F1. The major question for the team is what will occur if he ever decides he no longer wishes to continue.

Benson added, "Lance Stroll undeniably possesses skill, as evidenced by his ability to secure pole position for Racing Point in rainy conditions in Turkey back in 2020. He occasionally delivers impressive performances. However, he still needs to demonstrate that he can consistently achieve such results."

Broadly speaking, throughout his Formula 1 career, Stroll has typically been outpaced by his teammates, with the exception of Sergey Sirotkin in 2018.

Considering that a racing team is required to have two cars, it seems unlikely that Stroll could become a world champion. This is because it's expected that any top-tier driver Aston Martin might recruit to race alongside him would likely be faster.

Fernando Alonso holds the primary position until the conclusion of 2026. By the time his agreement ends, he will be 45 years old, and he has yet to announce if he plans to extend his career beyond that point.

Should Alonso depart or if the team opts to hire a different driver, it's probable that another top-tier driver will take his place. Based on current evidence, this new driver would also be anticipated to outperform Stroll.

In Formula 1, the question of whether seats should be awarded based solely on talent has been a longstanding debate. Historically, there have been drivers who secured their positions at least in part due to the financial backing they provide. This is not surprising, given the high costs associated with the sport.

"Stroll is the owner of the team. Although some may disagree, he has the right to decide who drives the car."

Lewis frequently travels to global Grands Prix events for Crash.net. He usually covers the events in person, providing insights and narratives about key figures in the racing world.

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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff clarifies that his remark about Lewis Hamilton's "shelf life" was misunderstood, emphasizing that he did not mean to suggest Hamilton's best days in Formula 1 are over.

Mercedes Formula 1 chief Toto Wolff stated that his comment regarding Lewis Hamilton was "somewhat misinterpreted."

In the newly released book, Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane, team leader Wolff expressed his view that "everyone has a limited time," as he discussed Hamilton's surprising choice to make a major move to Ferrari.

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Some interpreted these remarks as implying that seven-time world champion Hamilton, who is currently 39 years old, might have already seen his best days, especially as he gets ready to part ways with Mercedes at the conclusion of this season.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4 before the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Wolff clarified that his previous comments were misunderstood.

He clarified that he was talking about how everyone gets older, whether it's while driving, playing sports, managing a team, or running a business.

"I'm attempting to figure out if I'm transitioning from being exceptional to just being average, as being average isn't enough in the world of Formula 1."

"Despite my personal evaluation, it appears that when the car is performing well, Lewis is fully capable of delivering top performances. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to provide him with the optimal car, which is a source of frustration both for him and for the team."

"He possesses remarkable intelligence. It's evident that he has changed since he was 20, but his wealth of experience and skill in racing are outstanding."

Hamilton has claimed victory in two grand prix races this season, but he is facing challenges as his successful tenure with Mercedes comes to a close. With Mercedes, he has secured six out of his total of seven world championships.

Mercedes has chosen to fill Hamilton's empty spot with their 18-year-old up-and-coming talent and Formula 2 standout, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will join George Russell in 2025.

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

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Lewis Hamilton stands out as an "exception" among a "bunch of antagonists," as a comparison is drawn with Max Verstappen. "I mention Lewis, but I clarify by saying that Lewis has achieved success in a manner that is notably free of controversy."

Ex-Formula 1 racer David Coulthard has referred to Lewis Hamilton as an "exception" in contrast to other legends of the sport.

Max Verstappen's bold driving tactics against Lando Norris in the 2024 F1 season have drawn parallels to legends such as Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.

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Over the years, Schumacher and Senna found themselves at the center of several contentious events, which contributed to their distinctive reputations.

Nevertheless, Coulthard believes that Hamilton cannot be placed exactly in the same league as Verstappen, Senna, and Schumacher due to a specific reason.

During an appearance on The Red Flags podcast, Coulthard remarked, "This is why Max should be considered alongside legends like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher."

"I mention Lewis, and I add Lewis in parentheses because he has achieved it in a manner that is, shall we say, not controversial."

"I recall an incident involving Max during his initial championship season in 2021 at Silverstone. That's probably the most aggressive contact I've witnessed from Lewis. Generally, he's known for his clean racing style and has managed to avoid much controversy throughout his career, making him somewhat of an outlier among those typically deemed as 'villains'."

Coulthard was questioned about whether Hamilton's clean reputation is a result of Mercedes' dominant era, which allowed him to take fewer risks.

He replied, "You're exactly right. There was a time when Lewis enjoyed an edge because of the car, and he's an outstanding driver. This does not take away from his achievements."

Naturally, when he has raced side by side with Max, Max usually ends up ahead due to his intense competitive drive.

"This is a discussion that will continue long after we're gone, examining the merits and faults. It also extends to other sports."

When it comes to Verstappen, Coulthard thinks that the Dutch driver is testing boundaries in the same way that Senna and Schumacher once did.

"There will always be individuals who are perceived as somewhat unconventional," he stated.

"What they have achieved is setting a new standard for the modern era. Michael accomplished this. Ayrton achieved it too."

"Max is achieving it. This is because each generation ought to surpass the previous one. However, being better doesn't necessarily imply being kinder; it simply means they fulfill expectations."

Connor, with a keen awareness of the controversies and narratives in F1, is central to our objective reporting.

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Lewis Hamilton is considered an "exception" among a "group of antagonists" when compared to Max Verstappen. Although I mention Lewis, I'd like to clarify that his achievements have been accomplished in a manner that is, let's say, not contentious.

Ex-Formula 1 racer David Coulthard has referred to Lewis Hamilton as an "exception" in relation to other legendary figures in the sport.

During the 2024 F1 season, Max Verstappen's bold driving tactics against Lando Norris drew parallels to legendary drivers Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.

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Throughout the years, Schumacher and Senna were engaged in several contentious events, which contributed to their distinct reputations.

Nevertheless, Coulthard believes that Hamilton does not exactly belong in the same group as Verstappen, Senna, and Schumacher for a specific reason.

During an appearance on The Red Flags podcast, Coulthard expressed that Max should be considered in the same league as legendary drivers like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

"I mention Lewis, although I add Lewis in parentheses because he has achieved it in a manner that can be described as quite straightforward and without controversy."

"I recall an incident involving Max during his first championship year in 2021 at Silverstone where there was contact with Lewis. That's probably the most aggressive I've seen Lewis in terms of contact. Generally, he's known for being a very clean racer, avoiding much controversy throughout his career. This makes him quite the exception among the so-called 'villains' in the racing world."

Coulthard was questioned about whether Hamilton's reputation for racing cleanly is due to Mercedes' era of dominance, which allowed him to take fewer risks.

He replied, “You’re completely right. There was a time when Lewis had the benefit of a superior car, and he is an outstanding driver. This doesn't take away from his achievements."

Certainly, in head-to-head battles with Max, it's usually Max who emerges victorious due to his fierce competitive nature.

"The discussion on the merits and demerits of this issue will continue for generations. Its impact reaches into other sports as well."

When it comes to Verstappen, Coulthard is of the opinion that the Dutch driver is testing boundaries in a manner similar to how Senna and Schumacher did in earlier times.

"There will always be individuals who are perceived as somewhat unconventional," he stated.

“What they've truly accomplished is set a new standard for the modern era's boundaries. Michael achieved this. Ayrton did as well.”

"Max is making it happen. This is because each new generation ought to surpass the previous one. However, being better doesn't necessarily imply being kinder; it means they achieve results."

Connor is the core of our impartial coverage, known for his keen awareness of F1's disputes and narratives.

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F1 Championship Scenarios: How Max Verstappen Could Clinch the Title in Las Vegas

A breakdown of the ways Max Verstappen might achieve his fourth Formula 1 world championship in Las Vegas.

Max Verstappen is close to securing the 2024 F1 world championship title, which he could achieve during the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend.

The Red Bull racer is close to making history as only the second driver in Formula 1, after Sebastian Vettel's streak from 2010 to 2013, to clinch their first four world championships in a row. This achievement comes after his remarkable comeback from 17th place on the starting grid to win in the chaotic and rainy Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

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In Brazil, Verstappen showcased his exceptional skills, increasing his lead in the championship standings to 62 points ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris. With just three grand prix events and one sprint race left before December 8, a maximum of 86 points is still available for competitors.

In straightforward terms, Verstappen will secure his fourth consecutive world championship if he departs Las Vegas with at least a 60-point lead over Norris.

The easiest ways for Verstappen to secure the championship in Las Vegas are by either winning the race for a consecutive year or by finishing ahead of Norris. In both situations, the competition for the title would come to an end.

Verstappen could secure the world championship if certain conditions are met…

Exploring scenarios where the championship battle extends to Qatar…

To ensure the championship race stretches at least until the Qatar Grand Prix, Norris needs to reduce the gap between himself and Verstappen to 59 points or, simply put, earn at least three more points than Verstappen. The most straightforward way for Norris to achieve this would be by clinching victory in Las Vegas, thereby eliminating other potential outcomes.

Despite the possibility of Norris advancing to the second-to-last race of the season, the chances are not in favor of the British driver.

If Verstappen doesn't perform poorly in the Las Vegas race, which is uncommon in Formula 1 recently, he will probably have the chance to clinch the championship once again during the Saturday sprint race in Qatar.

Only a select few can clinch the championship, yet Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, along with the teammates of Verstappen and Norris, Sergio Perez and Oscar Piastri, might still influence the outcome of the title race.

What is the situation with the constructors' championship?

Although the drivers' title seems nearly decided, the competition for the constructors' championship remains uncertain.

With only three races remaining in the season, McLaren is at the forefront, holding a 36-point advantage over Ferrari. They are striving for their first world championship victory since 2008 and aiming to secure their first constructors' championship since 1998.

Current world champions Red Bull remain in contention and have the opportunity to retain their title, as long as they manage to overcome a 49-point gap behind McLaren.

There are still 103 points up for grabs, meaning the constructors' championship won't be decided in Las Vegas.

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Former F1 driver Zhou Guanyu is reportedly being considered by Ferrari for their reserve driver position in 2025, following his departure from Sauber.

Zhou Guanyu might be appointed as a backup driver for Ferrari in the 2025 Formula 1 season.

According to reports from Italian media, Ferrari might provide Zhou with a chance to continue in Formula 1 following the loss of his permanent position at Sauber for the 2025 season.

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Sauber revealed earlier in the month that Zhou and his present teammate, Valtteri Bottas, would be departing from the team once the season concludes. The team, which will soon transform into Audi, has chosen to bring on board Formula 2 championship frontrunner Gabriel Bortoleto to finalize their completely revamped driver roster, joining forces with Nico Hulkenberg.

There is speculation that Bottas is expected to go back to Mercedes as a reserve driver, while Zhou is now rumored to be considered for a similar role at Ferrari.

According to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Ferrari anticipates that Zhou will become part of the team next season, working alongside Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in a supporting capacity.

Zhou is set to take over the role from Oliver Bearman, Ferrari's current reserve driver, as Bearman moves to Haas to become a full-time driver next season.

A 25-year-old driver from China has connections with Ferrari, as he was once a member of their driver academy from 2014 until 2018, before he moved to join Alpine’s junior program.

In an exclusive conversation with Crash.net, Zhou expressed his readiness to accept a reserve position should he lose his spot at Sauber, with the expectation that it might lead to a full-time comeback in Formula 1.

During a discussion at Monza, he explained, "Without a secured position, the sole option is to become a reserve driver and remain patient for openings." He also mentioned that he is not currently in discussions with any other team regarding a reserve position, as he believes there will be numerous opportunities available.

"It largely hinges on what assets they possess and the potential seat openings that other teams might offer down the line."

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. He is often on-site to share updates on the events and narrates the experiences of key figures in the racing world.

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Former F1 driver rumored for Ferrari's backup position in 2025

Reports suggest that Ferrari plans to recruit departing Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu as their F1 reserve driver for the 2025 season.

Zhou Guanyu might secure a position as Ferrari's reserve driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Italian media outlets are reporting that Ferrari might provide Zhou with a chance to stay in F1, as he has lost his full-time position with Sauber for the 2025 season.

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Earlier this month, Sauber revealed that both Zhou and his current teammate, Valtteri Bottas, would be departing the team after the season concludes. The team, which is set to become Audi, has chosen to bring in Formula 2 championship frontrunner Gabriel Bortoleto to join Nico Hulkenberg in their revamped driver roster.

Bottas is expected by many to rejoin Mercedes as a reserve driver, but now there are rumors that Zhou might take on a similar role at Ferrari.

According to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Ferrari anticipates that Zhou will become part of their team next season, serving as a backup to Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Zhou is set to take over the role of Ferrari reserve driver from Oliver Bearman, who will be moving to Haas to become a regular driver next season.

A 25-year-old driver from China has connections with Ferrari, as he was a member of the Scuderia's driver academy from 2014 to 2018, before moving to Alpine's junior program.

In an exclusive conversation with Crash.net, Zhou expressed that he would consider accepting a reserve position if he were to lose his spot with Sauber, with the aim of eventually making a full-time comeback to Formula 1.

During a conversation at Monza, he mentioned that without a regular position, being a reserve driver is the sole option while waiting for openings. Currently, he is not in discussions with any other team about a reserve driver position, as he believes many opportunities will arise.

"The decision largely hinges on their current assets and the potential seats that might open up on other teams in the future."

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix events for Crash.net. By providing on-site reports, he shares the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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