Lewis Hamilton seeks a new beginning at Ferrari, leaving Bono behind at Mercedes

"Embarking on a significant change, such as the one Lewis Hamilton is undertaking, implies starting anew without bringing along your previous engineer or physiotherapist…"

1997 Formula One world champion Jacques Villeneuve thinks it's crucial for Lewis Hamilton to have a fresh start as he makes the move to Ferrari in the 2025 season.

For the first time, Hamilton is set to compete in the iconic Ferrari red during the Australian Grand Prix in March.

In his debut race with Ferrari, he will be missing his dependable race engineer, Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington.

Bono won't be accompanying Hamilton in his move to Ferrari, indicating that for the first time since 2012, the seven-time world champion will work with a different race engineer.

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

Bono popularized the widely loved term 'Hammertime'.

Bonnington has advanced to take on the position of head of race engineering at Mercedes.

Conversing with Governor Sport, Villeneuve shared his perspective on the benefits of beginning anew.

"Embarking on a significant change, as Lewis Hamilton is doing, signifies starting anew, which includes not bringing along your previous engineer or physio, such as Angela Cullen," he explained.

"He has achieved victories with McLaren and also with Mercedes, indicating there's no problem at all."

In early 2023, Hamilton experienced the departure of Angela Cullen, a crucial person in his close-knit team.

For several years while he was with Mercedes, Cullen served as Hamilton's physical therapist.

Villeneuve stated, "I'm clueless about the dynamics between Angela and Lewis. In my view, the driver always depends on their engineer, who becomes their closest confidant during a race weekend."

"The physiotherapist has always been someone the driver could depend on, fostering a sense of trust. They are included in the tight-knit circle of confidants the driver turns to for support."

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Keenly attuned to the dramas and narratives of Formula 1, Connor is the core of our impartial journalism.

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

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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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Possessing a keen awareness of Formula 1's disputes and narratives, Connor serves as the central figure of our objective journalism.

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Jorge Martin acknowledges three MotoGP competitors who improved his performance in the 2024 championship race. He remarked, "If it wasn't one of them winning, it was the other who had the chance to take the victory…"

Jorge Martin has acknowledged that his top three competitors in the MotoGP championship have played a significant role in improving his skills as he clinched the 2024 world title.

Martin clinched his inaugural premier class championship in a fiercely contested battle that stretched to the final moments, ultimately securing victory by a margin of 10 points over his rivals. The former Pramac team member emerged as the champion.

The Spanish racer made history by being the first rider from an independent team to clinch the championship in the current era, marking Ducati's third world champion following victories by Francesco Bagnaia and Casey Stoner.

Report: Initial Indications of Promise in Jorge Martin's First Aprilia MotoGP Test

During the final part of the 2024 season, Martin and Bagnaia stood out as the leading contenders. Bagnaia clinched victory in 11 grand prix races, while the rider who ultimately became the world champion secured three wins throughout the season.

On several occasions, Martin found himself in direct competition with Gresni's Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini, a factory Ducati racer, both of whom finished in the top four of the standings, just behind the leading pair.

"Martin expressed that Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, and Enea Bastianini have all contributed to his improvement as a rider, pushing him to put forth his maximum effort."

"When one wasn't on the brink of victory, the other was, and I was always in the mix, which ultimately made the difference."

"The title was extremely challenging to secure, as we set a new historic points record, indicating just how competitive the event was, making our victory over them truly remarkable."

Martin has stated that after his world championship victory, he defeated "the best version" of both Bagnaia and Marquez in 2024.

In 2025, the current champion will switch to Aprilia for his attempt to defend his title. This move comes after Ducati reversed an earlier decision this year, opting to elevate Martin to its main team instead of choosing Marquez.

So far, Martin has not announced whether he will use the number one plate.

During last month's post-season test in Barcelona, when Martin first rode the RS-GP, he used his usual number 89 on his bike.

In 2025, Bastianini will depart from Ducati as he accepts an opportunity to join KTM, where he will compete for the Tech3 team alongside Maverick Vinales, who previously rode for Aprilia.

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New Aprilia Technical Director Clarifies Departure from KTM: “Compatibility Issues Arose”

Fabiano Sterlacchini appointed as Aprilia's technical leader

Fabiano Strelacchini, the newly appointed technical director at Aprilia, stated that his departure from his MotoGP position at KTM was a decision reached by both parties. He noted that the move came after realizing there was no longer strong alignment between them.

Having spent a significant amount of time at Ducati, Sterlacchini departed to become part of the KTM initiative in June 2021.

By the summer of this year, Sterlacchini had departed from his position with the Austrian company and was introduced as Aprilia's new technical director during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.

He takes over the position from Romano Albesiano, who is moving to Honda after playing a crucial role in guiding Aprilia from their return to MotoGP in 2015, when they were at the back of the pack, to achieving their first race victories.

In an interview with TG Regione Marche, Sterlacchini discussed his choice to part ways with KTM, mentioning that logistics played a role in his decision, although he was aware of this factor from the beginning.

"There were reasons behind the decision; once it became clear that there was no longer significant compatibility, both parties mutually agreed to it."

At the conclusion of the racing season, Sterlacchini took on his new position with Aprilia, marking a significant shift for the Italian company. This change is accompanied by a new roster of riders.

Aprilia is excited to have 2024 world champion Jorge Martin join their factory team, partnering with Marco Bezzecchi. Meanwhile, newcomer Ai Ogura advances to compete for Trackhouse.

Following the initial trial with the new team in Barcelona last month, Sterlacchini remarked, "Things are progressing quite smoothly."

"The first strategies adopted by Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi were quite promising."

"They demonstrated several impressive features of the bicycle."

"Clearly, there will be areas that require improvement, but interacting with these two riders will provide us with a benchmark to assess our current standing and identify the areas that need our attention."

"Both riders hail from extremely fast bikes, and notably, Jorge is the current world champion."

In 2024, Maverick Vinales secured a grand prix victory in America for Aprilia, making it the only other manufacturer besides Ducati to achieve such a feat that year.

However, a decline in performance for the RS-GP during the latter part of the season led Aprilia to fall to third place in the manufacturers' rankings, trailing behind KTM.

The rider who achieved the best position in the championship for the team was Vinales, who will transfer to KTM in 2025, finishing in seventh place.

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Why the Spanish Grand Prix Stands Out as MotoGP’s Top Race of 2024

In the newest episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the team shares their thoughts on why the Spanish Grand Prix was the standout event of the 2024 season.

The 2024 MotoGP season was filled with unforgettable events, yet there was one race that truly captured everyone's attention.

Throughout a schedule comprising 20 rounds, a total of 40 races took place, with Ducati emerging as the dominant force, ultimately clinching the world championship.

Francesco Bagnaia clinched yet another victory at the Jerez circuit during the Spanish Grand Prix, increasing his tally to 11 Sunday wins in the 2024 season.

However, he faced strong competition throughout from Marc Marquez of the Gresini team. Marquez, riding a 2023 model Ducati, was still getting accustomed to the new bike following his significant transition from the factory Honda team at the conclusion of last season.

Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Marquez and Bagnaia carried the tension of their recent confrontation at the Portuguese Grand Prix, which had occurred only weeks earlier, into the closing laps of the race.

According to Jordan Moreland, who manages social media for Crash.net, the Spanish GP in 2024 became an unforgettable event due to a series of perfect circumstances.

In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, he mentioned that people will undoubtedly be saying, "It has to be Sepang."

"The initial four laps have been completed. Ideally, such excitement would occur in the final stages of the race. Historically, the most thrilling races have featured significant events unfolding at the conclusion."

"In my view, the race that truly exemplified this year's excitement and provided a glimpse into potential developments for the next year was the event in Jerez."

"There was a moment in the season that truly captivated me—when Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia faced off. I was on the edge of my seat, feeling the palpable tension as I watched."

Marquez is chasing closely behind and successfully overtakes him, but Bagnaia quickly regains his position. The two riders collide, and Marquez attempts another move on the following lap. They remain neck and neck until the finish.

"The mood following the event was electric, with both individuals joining in the celebrations. Marquez was particularly thrilled to find himself back on the podium."

"It provided a fresh perspective on Marquez's 2024 approach. Bagnaia demonstrated his determination when competing against Marquez, especially after their earlier encounter at Portimao. In my opinion, it was a classic MotoGP race, reminiscent of those from years past."

Experienced journalist Lewis Duncan from Crash shares a similar opinion to Moreland, stating: "The issue I have with the race at Sepang is that while the initial three laps were indeed thrilling, the remainder was incredibly boring. It was such a letdown that it wasn't even worth staying awake for."

"Feel free to express any complaints to me. A race is not determined by the initial three laps; it’s the final stretch that truly matters. Consider those legendary duels from history: Barcelona in 2009, the intense confrontations in Austria featuring Marc and Dovi [Andrea Dovizioso], and the thrilling Silverstone race in 2019."

"The initial three laps at Sepang were exciting, but I wasn't impressed with the remainder of the race. I prefer not to have all the action concentrated at the beginning."

"You wouldn't enjoy a movie if the most exciting part is at the beginning and then you're left with two hours of dull content."

"That's the reason I believe Jerez should host it, as it epitomized MotoGP at its finest. It reminded me of those classic duels and more recent contests that we still passionately discuss."

"Clearly, you also consider the factor of Marc riding an older model of the bike, which perhaps didn't show its shortcomings as much back then as it does now compared to the GP24."

At that stage, the GP23 wasn't considered an outstanding piece of machinery. Despite this, during just his fourth weekend on the bike, Marc managed to compete closely with the rider widely expected to clinch the world championship. This achievement certainly deserves a great deal of recognition for Marc.

"Indeed, Jordan, as you mentioned, it served as a glimpse of what might come next year, ideally building on the outcome from Portugal."

"The situation had several components: there was the uncertainty surrounding Portugal, an unclear future scenario, and anticipation about whether Marc could return to leading the pack."

"In my opinion, Jerez provided all of those elements."

Crash MotoGP's editor, Peter McLaren, believed that a number of races should be highlighted when looking back at the standout events of 2024.

"It's challenging, right?" McLaren remarks.

"Sepang is memorable due to the high stakes and the intense competition. However, the excitement was short-lived, as the race was cut short by typical problems like tyre pressure and other related issues."

"If you were seeking excitement, the Misano races delivered on that front, both of them were quite dramatic. When we reflect on the season, we might recall the COTA race as the one that disrupted Ducati's flawless run. Maverick Vinales' victory from the 11th position was an impressive performance."

"Another notable event to mention is the Catalunya sprint. It was filled with excitement and racing drama, featuring five different leaders over the course of 12 laps. At one point, there were three different motorcycle brands in the lead. Then, Bagnaia crashed, and Aleix Espargaro, just days after announcing his retirement, secured a victory at his home track."

"Another memorable moment comes to mind, but honestly, any of those could be highlighted. Le Mans also stood out as an exciting clash involving the two championship contenders and Marc Marquez."

"We felt somewhat let down by the races during the middle of the season as the excitement was lacking, although there were still some moments of good competition."

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Alex Rins Unveils Fascinating Detail About Yamaha's V4 MotoGP

The Spanish racer discussed testing the V4 configuration

Alex Rins disclosed that Yamaha had intended to conduct trials of its latest V4 MotoGP engine within the month, but the plan was scrapped because the engine was not prepared in time.

At the start of this year, Yamaha announced its plans to develop a V4 engine, marking its first departure from the inline-four engine it has consistently used throughout the contemporary period of MotoGP.

Transitioning to a V4 engine will align it with its competitors, although there has not been a specific timeline provided for when the engine might be deployed in competition.

Nonetheless, during his appearance on the Spanish version of the motorsport.com podcast, Rins shared an interesting piece of information that suggested the progress level of the new V4.

"Rins mentioned that the plan was to evaluate it during KTM's private testing session in Jerez, which took place in Spain at the beginning of December."

"Ultimately, it was unprepared and testing was not possible."

The podcast mentioned that Andrea Dovizioso was scheduled to test the V4 in Jerez, provided the unit was prepared.

Yamaha won't have another chance to test its new V4 until the Sepang shakedown, as there are no more testing sessions scheduled until the end of January.

In a special conversation with Crash.net, Yamaha's head of technology, Max Bartolini, detailed the objectives behind the company's decision to transition to a V4 configuration.

"Regarding the V4, everyone's focus is primarily on the engine," he started.

"However, I believe the most significant benefit stems from the bike's design, rather than its engine."

"Regarding sheer strength, truly, based on what our engine team says, there shouldn't be a significant discrepancy."

"However, there are certain strategies for configuring the motorcycle's layout that become somewhat simpler with the V4 engine. Moreover, it allows for better alignment with the tires, as it all boils down to optimizing tire performance."

Yamaha performed impressively alongside Bridgestone. Undoubtedly, they've also experienced numerous successful races with Michelin. However, with Michelin, there's a greater focus on leveraging the rear tyres over the front.

"The [V4] engine configuration plays a significant role here; it allows for the motorcycle to be designed around the engine, focusing on the direction of the [rear tyre]. That's the main challenge."

"Truly, creating the V4 engine presents challenges, yet I believe it's more crucial to design the motorcycle with the V4 engine in mind."

Bartolini noted that there's no certainty of competing with the V4 in the upcoming season at any stage.

As manufacturers with concessions, Yamaha and Honda have the privilege to unveil new engine designs in the 2025 season, a benefit not available to their competitors.

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Trevathan: Acosta’s performance on his KTM MotoGP bike is unmatched by other riders

“He manages to find that additional 10% when others are only pushing 90%”

Paul Trevathan, the crew chief for Pedro Acosta, is of the opinion that other KTM MotoGP competitors would struggle to replicate what the Spanish rider achieves on his motorcycle.

Acosta quickly stood out in the MotoGP circuit during his inaugural season in 2024, securing nine top-three finishes in both sprints and grand prix races.

The 20-year-old rider, previously with Tech3, finished the season just two points shy of KTM's experienced rider Brad Binder, securing seventh place in the rankings. This achievement represents the best performance by a newcomer in the series since Fabio Quartararo's debut in 2019.

Explore Further: A Deep Dive into Pedro Acosta's First Year on the

In 2025, Acosta is set to join Binder in racing for KTM's official team.

Throughout 2024, Acosta consistently outperformed his KTM counterparts on the RC16, with Trevathan highlighting his ability to adapt as a significant characteristic of the Spanish rider.

In a special conversation with Crash.net, Trevathan was questioned about how Acosta stands out from the rest of the KTM riders. He explained, "Take, for instance, if other riders were to use his motorcycle, with the identical configuration, they still wouldn't be able to replicate his performance on it.

"Subsequently, he might be able to hop on their bicycle and effortlessly accomplish the same task, given his remarkable ability to adapt."

Trevathan attributes this to Acosta's self-perception as a motorcycle racer above all, which leads him to tailor his training regimen towards various motorcycling disciplines.

"He's really into biking, which I admire since he doesn't consider himself an athletic person; instead, he identifies as a motorcycle enthusiast," he explained.

"Thus, his interest isn't in competing in marathons or pursuing a career in professional cycling. His passion lies in motorcycle racing. Therefore, his preparation and knowledge are focused on mastering speed while riding a motorcycle."

"He continuously subjects himself to a variety of training methods while cycling, enabling him to constantly evolve. This ability to adapt is then transferred to the race track, where it's not necessary for the bike to be flawless."

"He believes the bicycle will never reach perfection. Thus, he continuously finds ways to enhance it."

"This section is truly remarkable. From a technician's perspective, having this at your disposal means you only need to reach 90% efficiency; it will effortlessly cover the remaining 10%."

Ultimately, the goal is to avoid mistakes, allowing him to handle everything else. However, when it comes to development or similar aspects, there can be challenges. This is similar to the situation with Honda and Marc Marquez, where an individual has the capacity to elevate things to a level unattainable by others.

"Following this, the capability is lost and suddenly the bicycle appears quite ordinary. This situation presents a significant challenge for the company to fully comprehend."

"However, this aspect of his character truly stands out as exceptionally rare in today's world. Additionally, his composed demeanor, especially within the penalty area, is noteworthy for never once showing agitation."

"Undoubtedly, there have been moments of frustration and expletives from him during his in-laps, given his straightforward nature. However, his professionalism within the team is exceptional."

"He never blames anything. There's this narrative that we hardly ever modify the bike significantly, and it holds truth. However, it's important to note that on numerous occasions, I've expressed, 'listen buddy, I'm present'."

"He mentioned, 'sure, but I'll reach out when I require assistance. First, let me try on my own.' This represents a growth opportunity for our organization and for me personally as a technician. It raises the question: if there's a performance improvement after a session because of adjustments made, is it due to the motorcycle or my own input?"

Therefore, ultimately, you're merely neutralizing one another's efforts. Hence, it's wiser to suggest, 'Alright, go ahead with your plan, and once you find yourself in trouble, inform me.'

"We're operating in this manner, and it's truly wonderful."

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Why Ducati MotoGP Competitors Feel Highly Confident with Gigi Dall’Igna

“He offers us riders substantial and straightforward backing”

Alex Marquez expresses that Ducati's General Manager, Gigi Dall'Igna, instills great confidence within the team, attributing this to his thorough involvement and oversight concerning the brand's MotoGP motorcycle.

In late 2013, technical genius Dall’Igna took over as general manager of Ducati, during a time when the Italian brand was experiencing its lowest point in the premier class.

Over the following years, Dall’Igna played a pivotal role in transforming Ducati into consistent contenders for the podium and victors in races, eventually leading the brand to become the dominant power in MotoGP.

Over the past three seasons, Ducati has clinched the riders' titles, and in 2024, the brand achieved unparalleled success by securing victories in 19 out of the 20 grand prix races.

Alex Marquez, who transitioned to the Ducati team by way of Gresini from Honda in 2023, has shared insights into why Dall’Igna has been a significant support for the team's riders.

"Marquez stated at a recent Estrella Galicia event that having him as a direct support for the riders boosts their confidence significantly."

"He's incredibly supportive. Regardless of the issue's size, he promptly addresses it and ensures the right individuals are dispatched to assist."

"You receive numerous references addressing issues related to the brand's team members or the tyres they utilize."

"They fully utilize all that others have accomplished."

"They don't directly instruct you on your actions, but they provide you with the necessary insights on what has proven effective for others. From there, it's the responsibility of each individual and their crew chief to determine their unique approach."

Ducati's participation in the 2025 MotoGP championship will see a decrease from eight to six motorcycles, as Pramac has opted to switch to Yamaha starting from the upcoming season.

Three GP25 factory bikes will also be entered for racers Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, and VR46 team's Fabio Di Giannantonio.

Alex Marquez is set to compete in the GP24, joining forces with Fermin Aldeguer at the Gresini team and Franco Morbidelli at VR46.

Dall'Igna recently mentioned that decreasing the number of Ducati motorcycles won't significantly impact the team, but he acknowledged that the improved teams at competing brands will present a greater challenge in 2025.

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Exploring the Crucial Incidents Leading to Sergio Perez Losing His Red Bull F1 Seat in 2025

An examination of the pivotal events leading to Sergio Perez's departure from his Red Bull F1 seat for the 2025 season.

Sergio Perez's time in Formula 1 has been put on pause, at least temporarily, after Red Bull opted to bring in Liam Lawson as his replacement for the 2025 season.

In 2024, Perez's performance couldn't keep pace, ending up a staggering 280 points adrift of his Red Bull colleague, Max Verstappen. This dip in form led to Red Bull slipping to third place in the F1 constructors' standings for the year, overtaken by both McLaren and Ferrari.

The delay in making the decision has resulted in a lack of available positions for Perez on the racing grid in 2025, forcing him to take a year off. Considering the intense stress and disappointing outcomes he has faced, this break could potentially be beneficial.

Should Perez decide he wishes to make a comeback to F1 down the line, his demonstrated skill in the midfield, along with substantial financial support, could pave the way for his return.

What were the pivotal events that led to his eventual dismissal?

Signs of struggle emerge in 2023

Perez has frequently experienced downturns in performance during the middle of the season over his tenure with Red Bull, spanning four years. However, he usually manages to regain his momentum towards the season's close. Specifically, in 2021, Perez encountered a stretch of eight races without securing a spot on the podium throughout the European portion of the season, only to bounce back with several podium finishes as the season concluded.

In the same vein, throughout 2022, he achieved a single podium finish in the stretch from Canada to Monza, which spanned six races. However, he rebounded impressively towards the year's close, securing what many consider his most outstanding victory at the Singapore Grand Prix.

In 2023, Perez faced significant challenges, especially during the qualifying rounds. Despite piloting what is considered the most superior F1 car ever, he was unable to reach Q3 in five straight races.

Despite this, Perez's best qualifying position remained third, signaling to Red Bull that there were underlying issues. Nonetheless, Red Bull's principal, Christian Horner, was ultimately content since Perez managed to secure the second spot in the drivers' championship. This resulted in a first and second place for the team in the standings, a feat they hadn't accomplished with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

Perez Kicks Off 2024 on High Note

Perez hit the ground running in 2024, securing top-three finishes in four of the first five contests. Yet, an untimely exit for Verstappen in one of the races paved the way for Perez to clinch a

Ferrari seized the opportunity, securing the top two positions at Albert Park. Meanwhile, Perez found himself isolated, finishing in a disappointing fifth place.

A grid penalty placed him at a disadvantage, yet it represented a lost chance for Perez, especially when Red Bull was showcasing a vehicle that was evidently superior to the competition.

Extension of contract fails to tackle downturn

The usual dip in form for the Mexican began to show during a challenging weekend in Monaco. Just before the upcoming race in Canada, Red Bull surprised everyone by extending his contract through to the end of 2025.

Despite his recent drop in performance, Red Bull aimed to provide Perez with reassurances and one fewer concern.

As the year progressed, Horner admitted that it was unsuccessful, as his performance continued to decline.

Clearly, during that period, Sergio was delivering outstanding performances. It's believed he secured four top-three finishes in the initial five races.

"Horner mentioned, 'To calm his nerves and maintain his performance level throughout the season, we decided to make an early move, which, unfortunately, didn't pan out as planned. Such is life at times.'"

Red Bull contemplated substituting him over the summer hiatus due to his substandard performance.

Lost chance in Baku

Following the summer hiatus, despite widespread rumors of Daniel Ricciardo taking his place, Azerbaijan presented Perez with a chance to achieve a significant outcome after he managed to keep his position.

Baku stands out as the sole circuit in the season where Perez has truly excelled beyond Verstappen, an outcome Red Bull had anticipated especially with the series of street races ahead. Perez deserves recognition for his impressive performance in Baku, where he managed to surpass Verstappen based purely on his skill.

He was in contention for victory against Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, but during the final laps, he collided with Carlos Sainz, resulting in both of them crashing into the barrier.

Avoidable accident damage along with an incident that could largely be blamed on Perez resulted in yet another lost chance.

Disappointment on home ground

Perez's performance continued to decline in the last few races of the season, yet the race in Mexico City presented a chance for him to bounce back.

Perez attributed his Q1 exit in front of his local supporters to a problem with the brakes. Additionally, his performance on race day was nearly humiliating, as he received a penalty for positioning himself too far ahead in his grid spot.

In his confrontation against his eventual successor, Lawson, he suffered setbacks, ending up overtaken and placing last in the rankings. Over the last five races, Perez managed to accumulate merely two points – a lower tally than that of Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu.

His performance eliminated Red Bull from the race for the constructors' championship before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, forcing them to face a major choice as the New Year approaches. Perez had a four-year stint at Red Bull, securing second place once and contributing to their two constructors’ championship victories.

He arrived just as Red Bull was getting back into the race for the championship, a chance that neither Pierre Gasly nor Alex Albon had the opportunity to experience.

Perez is set to leave Formula 1, having felt the strain of the fierce rivalry and seeking some time off. His comeback to F1 hinges on his drive to compete among the middle pack and on whether the teams see him as a competent contender amidst a lineup brimming with youthful, promising drivers.

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Fernando Alonso's determination to compete for the championship at 45 will be put to the test

"Adrian mentioned it comes down to the power of the mind"

It has been proposed that Fernando Alonso needs to surpass his own psychological determination if he hopes to clinch another F1 title.

Aston Martin's Alonso is set to gain from collaborating with Adrian Newey during the final phase of his Formula 1 journey.

At 43 years old, Alonso is unexpectedly optimistic about winning more titles, adding to his previous two victories with Renault.

He has a contract with Aston Martin that lasts until the conclusion of 2026, marking the inaugural season in which he will drive a vehicle entirely designed by the newcomer, Newey.

"Everything's achievable," mentioned Ted Kravitz from Sky Sports.

"By the time Adrian begins to make an impact, Alonso will have reached the age of 44. He will be advancing to 45 years of age as he gets behind the wheel of Newey's inaugural vehicle, aiming for the championship title."

I inquired with Newey on the subject. Adrian mentioned it comes down to the power of the mind. If you're maintaining your speed but start to experience mental exhaustion, you lose the desire to continue.

"If Fernando is able to overcome that obstacle and has the desire to continue, then there's no justification for him not being able to do so.

"At 45, Fernando aiming for a third championship title? It's entirely possible he'll secure his elusive 33rd victory in 2025 with a car shaped by Newey's genius."

Over time, Newey and Alonso have both expressed their interest in collaborating with each other.

Alonso nearly joined forces with Red Bull, but after discussions, he decided not to be part of the team that eventually propelled Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen to championship victories.

"Kravitz recalled that when Alonso was with Renault, his race engineer was Paul Monaghan at Red Bull."

"He played a crucial role in attempting to persuade Fernando to join Red Bull in 2009."

He was nearly there, yet ultimately, it was not to be.

Starting in March, Alonso will be joined by his ideal partner, Newey.

However, he needs to overcome the challenges of age to fully leverage Newey's talent in car design.

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Lewis Hamilton receives a concerning caution regarding Michael Schumacher's last F1 competitions

"Lewis is taking another gamble with Ferrari"

Lewis Hamilton has been cautioned that a fairytale finish in F1 isn't a sure thing – as even Michael Schumacher was unable to achieve it.

David Coulthard has announced the unfortunate possibility that Hamilton's decision to switch to Ferrari may not yield the desired outcomes.

In 2025, Hamilton plans to leave Mercedes for Ferrari, aiming to secure an unprecedented eighth F1 championship title.

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

Coulthard conveyed to the Daily Mirror: "Mercedes isn't there solely for Lewis Hamilton, and Lewis Hamilton has emphatically stated that he isn't there solely for Mercedes.

Similarly, when Michael returned from retirement to join Mercedes, it was quite surprising to envision him as anything but a Ferrari icon.

The allure of returning to Mercedes, along with the conviction and aspiration that he was still capable, compelled him to come back.

"He spent a few years competing, managing to perform adequately, yet it didn't quite measure up to his initial run in Formula 1."

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

"This could potentially result in a revival of competitive form and a battle for the global title. However, it will be difficult as he faces the challenge of outpacing the incredibly quick Charles Leclerc."

Ferrari's refreshed pairing of Hamilton and Leclerc appears incredibly impressive at first glance.

However, Coulthard is concerned that Hamilton, who has consistently been outpaced in qualifications by his Mercedes teammate George Russell throughout the season, may struggle to surpass Leclerc.

"Coulthard mentioned that the essential element shared by all the greats throughout history has been their ability to qualify and compete."

"If Lewis, who is now 40, has slowed down a bit in terms of his football skills, then he might find it challenging to outperform Charles over a year."

"It's a valid inquiry that ought to be raised by anyone; however, it is his responsibility to provide us with the answer.

"This isn't about us dismissing his abilities or claiming he's incapable, since the power to do it lies within him."

"Every one of these individuals possesses the power to mold their own destiny."

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