McLaren has committed to adopting 'bold strategies' with their 2025 Formula 1 vehicle as they aim for the drivers' championship. The team plans to embrace 'risks' with the design of their 2025 race car.

McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, has disclosed that his team is embracing 'bold risks' with their Formula 1 car for the 2025 season.

Earlier this month at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the team secured their first F1 constructors' championship since 1998, edging out Ferrari by a slim margin of 14 points.

McLaren has experienced an impressive comeback, especially considering they were the slowest team at the beginning of the 2023 season.

As the regulations haven't changed during the winter, McLaren is anticipated to be the leading team, thanks to their impressive performance in the latter part of the year.

Even though they have the upper hand, Brown has confessed that the team plans to be daring with their design and development choices.

According to Motorsport.com, Brown mentioned that they are entering the upcoming year at their maximum capability.

"We're approaching things differently now, feeling more confident and ready to take bold steps as we work on developing next year's car."

The team isn't approaching things with a mindset of making small adjustments, thinking the car is already in a good place. For next year's model, they're taking bold and daring risks.

"I believe that to lead, you must aim to surpass everyone, rather than just aiming to match their level, which was our approach at the beginning of this year."

The change in mindset is happening now: 'Our goal is to outperform everyone else.'

McLaren aims to capture the F1 drivers' championship

Following their success in winning the constructors' championship, McLaren is setting its sights on achieving the drivers' title next season.

The most recent time they won a drivers' championship was in 2008, thanks to Lewis Hamilton.

Lando Norris secured a second-place finish, trailing far behind Max Verstappen, who clinched the championship during the Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2024.

Norris has admitted that he must enhance his skills in various aspects to surpass Verstappen.

From an operational standpoint, McLaren must replicate their efforts, as they have missed out on several potential victories throughout the season.

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and offers from the racing world straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Connor, with his keen awareness of F1's dramas and narratives, is the core of our objective journalism.

Explore Further

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive up-to-date F1 news, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers straight from the paddock delivered to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Stories

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to copy any text, images, or drawings in whole or in part by any means.

Website Layout

Crash.Net

Charles Leclerc is unfazed by Lewis Hamilton: "Facing the challenge will elevate him." "Throughout this year, Charles has made significant progress. This challenge will push him to reach the level both he and Ferrari require."

Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has suggested that Charles Leclerc will improve his performance before Lewis Hamilton joins the team in 2025.

In 2025, Leclerc is set to join forces with Hamilton at Ferrari. However, partnering with a driver who has won several world championships is not new for the driver from Monaco.

In his initial two seasons with Ferrari, Leclerc teamed up with Sebastian Vettel.

Over the course of both seasons, Leclerc consistently outperformed, which eventually led to Vettel's departure from the team.

Although Carlos Sainz has offered a solid challenge, Leclerc continues to be Ferrari's strongest contender for a championship chase.

In an interview with Plejmo.com, Herbert encouraged Leclerc to be assertive and not hesitate when Hamilton joins the team next year.

According to Herbert, Charles Leclerc will not hesitate to assert himself. When Sebastian Vettel joined the team as a four-time world champion, Leclerc managed to become the team's leading driver. He won't be intimidated by Lewis Hamilton.

He understands the importance of being both cautious and respectful, fully aware of the potential threat he poses. However, he is determined to be at his best when the conflict begins.

"Charles has made significant progress this year. The challenge will elevate him and Ferrari to the level they require."

Ferrari announces the unveiling date for their 2025 Formula 1 car

Even though 2025 is still in the future, Ferrari has already scheduled the debut of their upcoming race car.

The unveiling of Ferrari's Formula 1 car for the 2025 season is scheduled for February 19, following the sport's first-ever season launch event.

Teams are anticipated to present show cars at the 'F1 75 Live' event, while they are still permitted to conduct their individual launch events separately.

In the past few years, Ferrari has been unveiling their vehicles prior to conducting a test run at their Fiorano circuit.

This would allow Hamilton to experience his new Ferrari before the pre-season tests begin in late February.

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

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

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

With a keen awareness of Formula 1's debates and narratives, Connor serves as the core of our fair reporting.

Explore Further

Join our Formula 1 Mailing List

Receive up-to-date Formula 1 news, special features, interviews, and offers straight from the paddock in your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Headlines

Additional Updates

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Informed with Crash MotoGP

Copying or reproducing the text, photos, or images, whether in full or in part, is prohibited in any manner.

Site Map

Crash.Net

Lewis Hamilton remembers the poignant moment when Mercedes decided to change their car livery to black in 2020.

Lewis Hamilton has expressed his surprise that Mercedes consented to change their livery to black for the 2020 F1 season.

Lewis Hamilton and team principal Toto Wolff reminisced about the past as they reviewed all their championship-winning vehicles.

In a video published on Mercedes' YouTube channel, Hamilton and Wolff took a look back at the W05, the car that clinched the championship in 2014, and continued their journey through to the renowned W11 from 2020.

During the 2020 season, which was impacted by COVID-19, Mercedes surprised everyone by abandoning their usual silver color scheme in favor of an all-black look.

The dark-colored design paid tribute to Formula 1's efforts to enhance diversity and equality within the sport, an initiative championed by Hamilton during that period.

In 2021, the completely black design persisted, but Mercedes has now introduced a mix of black and silver.

In discussing the new livery, Hamilton openly shared his thoughts and expressed his surprise that Mercedes consented to the change.

"I was genuinely shocked. After our conversation about changing the car's color to black, I was at my father's place. I was in disbelief when you called to tell me that everyone was on board," Hamilton remarked.

"Let's move swiftly," Wolff interrupted.

Hamilton described the phone call as highly emotional. He recalled being at his father's home, and upon ending the call, he thought to himself, "Wow, they are actually changing the car to black, they've given their approval."

"It represented a significant move for Mercedes, as the Silver Arrows competed in black," Wolff commented.

"The black color made it look the most impressive. It reminded me of a nightrider, if you get what I mean? It appeared really stylish. That's the reason we chose it," Hamilton explained.

"We're planning to keep moving forward," Wolff stated.

"Do you plan to keep going?" Hamilton responded.

“Yes, it's what you delivered,” Wolff finished.

The fastest car in Formula 1 history is often considered to be the Mercedes W11 from the 2020 season.

Although it didn't achieve the same level of success as Red Bull's RB19, which secured victories in 21 out of 22 races, it might have been the quickest in terms of raw speed.

The W11 consistently showed its superiority during qualifying sessions, frequently finishing more than 0.7 seconds ahead of the team in second place.

Mercedes lost out on more wins because the pandemic led to a shortened season.

Mistakes in operations during the events in Monza and Bahrain led to the W11 not securing as many victories as it was capable of achieving.

Max Verstappen's exceptional performance for Red Bull led him to victories at both the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Sign up for our F1 Newsletter

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

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

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

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our F1 Newsletter

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

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Updated with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to reproduce any part or the entirety of the text, images, or drawings in any way.

Website Layout

Crash.Net

Valtteri Bottas is set to come back to Mercedes as a reserve driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season. In 2025, Valtteri Bottas will rejoin Mercedes.

Valtteri Bottas is set to come back to Mercedes as their backup driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

After failing to secure a full-time position with Sauber for the upcoming year, there was widespread speculation about Bottas potentially rejoining Mercedes.

On Thursday afternoon, Mercedes announced that Bottas will serve as the team's third driver for the 2025 season.

Valtteri Bottas was with the Mercedes team for a duration of five years, from 2017 to 202

During their tenure as teammates, the duo managed to stay undefeated in the constructors' championship, even in the face of tough challenges from Ferrari and Red Bull.

Valtteri Bottas aims to keep the spotlight on himself at Mercedes, as he prepares for a return to competitive racing in 2026.

In a recent announcement, Bottas expressed his satisfaction by stating, "After weeks of speculation, I'm excited to reveal that I'll be rejoining the Mercedes team as their Third Driver for the 2025 season. This feels like coming home, and I couldn't be happier. I'm grateful to Toto, the crew in Brackley, and everyone associated with the Mercedes brand for their warm welcome back."

"In spite of the difficulties faced in recent years, I am confident that I have much more to give to Formula 1. Ever since I was a young child of five in Nastola, Finland, my ambition has been to succeed in the highest level of motorsport."

Over the past 12 years, I've been lucky to experience numerous amazing moments throughout my Formula 1 career. Going back to the venue where many of these memories were made, I'm eager to leverage all the insights I've gathered to assist the team in performing well and advancing towards our aim of competing for world championships.

Is there a chance Bottas will come back to F1 in 2026?

After not securing a place with the Audi team, Bottas will be looking for an opportunity to join the grid in 2026.

His choices are restricted, as most of the grid members have contracts lasting several years.

Cadillac plans to enter the Formula 1 circuit in 2026, potentially as an 11th team, which could provide Bottas with another opportunity to come back to F1.

He will encounter tough competition, as there are several seasoned individuals waiting on the sidelines.

Sergio Perez is currently without a team following his release from Red Bull, and both Kevin Magnussen and Zhou Guanyu are also absent from the lineup.

Sign up for our F1 Newsletter

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

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Connor, known for his keen insight into Formula 1's controversies and narratives, is the core of our fair and balanced reporting.

Explore Further

Join Our F1 Newsletter

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

To learn more, refer to our Privacy Policy.

Recent Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Informed with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to fully or partly reproduce text, images, or illustrations in any manner.

Site Map

Crash.Net

Brad Binder: "This year has been packed with obstacles" – Exclusive Interview

"Considering how events have unfolded, you wouldn’t anticipate being in 5th place in the championship."

Brad Binder shone brightly at the start of the MotoGP season in Qatar, but struggled to maintain that success throughout the next 19 races.

Two near wins at Lusail hinted that 2024 could finally be the season where Binder and KTM make a strong bid for the championship.

However, in the subsequent 38 races, the South African competitor did not secure another podium finish.

The RC16 fell behind the Ducatis, while Binder experienced a challenging season marked by a personal high of 19 crashes and some difficult qualifying sessions, such as starting from the last position at Le Mans.

Despite the challenges, he persevered and secured fifth place in the world championship, which was only one position lower than the previous year. Once more, he was the top performer among riders not using Ducati bikes.

Nevertheless, his point total was 76 less compared to his performance in 2023.

"Honestly, it's obvious that this season hasn't met our expectations," Binder stated in an exclusive interview with Crash.net.

In truth, we've been facing more challenges than we had anticipated.

"Nobody is really thrilled about our current situation, that's certain."

"The whole team, along with everyone at the factory, is putting in a tremendous amount of work, which provides me with a great deal of reassurance."

"I strongly believe that we won't be staying here much longer."

A mystery this season has been the impressive performance of Binder and KTM in Qatar, where they stood out amidst the competition between future title contenders Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin, only to lose their edge afterward.

Following his impressive performance in Lusail, where he earned 29 out of a possible 37 points, Binder's next strongest showing was in Aragon, where he secured 17 points.

According to Binder, one reason was that the Ducatis were affected by vibrations caused by the updated Michelin rear tire at Lusail. While his RC16 didn't seem to have this issue initially, the circumstances quickly changed.

"Frankly speaking, I noticed during the race in Qatar that the other riders were experiencing significant chatter, while we didn't have any," stated Binder, who was the sole KTM rider to finish among an all-Ducati top seven at Lusail.

"It seems they were definitely losing some time in certain areas. I managed to close the gap, particularly in a couple of corners where they were struggling with chattering. That really worked in our favor, I would say."

"Following that, it became apparent that they managed to make a minor advancement."

The MotoGP racer, who has won two races, also highlighted that he hasn't reached his full potential this year.

He mentioned that there were some races where they performed exceptionally well, but unfortunately, he hasn't had a remarkable year overall. He admitted to experiencing setbacks, encountering difficulties, and even qualifying last at Le Mans, of all places.

The past year has been filled with obstacles, yet being in fifth place in the championship standings is surprising considering the difficulties faced, including my numerous setbacks and crashes.

"It's not only us facing challenges; many others have experienced a tougher season than they expected."

Certainly, similar to Ducati's competitors, KTM struggled to completely master the updated rear tire.

"We're still figuring things out," Binder admitted. "We've discovered a few elements that appear to be more effective."

"The main focus right now is figuring out precisely what we require to increase our speed."

As part of that procedure, the final stages were utilized to collect information for the year 2025.

On the day before the Sepang event, he mentioned that they plan to experiment with a slightly altered downforce setup to determine if it can address any of their issues.

A challenge identified by Binder is the insufficient speed maintained through the corners.

He admitted that they are indeed experiencing a slight decline in mid-corner roll speed compared to previous times.

"That's one area we need to focus on improving. However, the situation is quite complicated and can't be resolved by simply identifying the issue and applying a quick fix."

Binder, who recorded the sixth-fastest time during the post-race testing in Barcelona, is set to return to the 2025 KTM prototype at Sepang in February.

For two decades, Peter has been present in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is deeply involved in covering the story of Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

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

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to reproduce any part of the text, pictures, or drawings, whether in full or partially, in any manner.

Website Layout

Crash.Net

Six key races in the battle for the 2024 MotoGP championship

These were the six pivotal races where Jorge Martin outpaced Francesco Bagnaia by at least ten points, ultimately securing his championship victory…

At the end of this year's world championship, Jorge Martin, the new MotoGP champion, had a narrow lead of just ten points over his competitor Francesco Bagnaia, out of a possible 740 points for the season.

In these six races, Martin, who became the first satellite team rider to win a title in the 'MotoGP' era, surpassed the current double champion Bagnaia by at least that margin…

1. In the second round of the Portimao Grand Prix, Martin secured first place, earning 25 points, while Bagnaia did not finish the race, receiving no points.

Martin, representing Sprint, and Bagnaia, racing for GP, each secured a victory in the season's first race in Qatar. As they headed to Portugal, only three points separated them in the standings.

The duo finished in third and fourth positions during the Portimao Sprint. However, Martin managed to secure an unexpected 25-point lead against his key competitor by clinching victory in the grand prix. Meanwhile, Bagnaia faced difficulties and ended up crashing towards the end of the race after a clash with Marc Marquez while they were vying for fifth place.

Round 4 of the Jerez Sprint saw Martin clinching first place, earning 12 points, while Bagnaia did not finish the race, resulting in zero points for him

During the wet Jerez Sprint, Bagnaia experienced his second race of the season without earning points. The incident occurred on the third lap at Turn 1 when he was caught between Marco Bezzecchi and Brad Binder, leading to his crash and exit from the race.

Martin secured victory in the Sprint race; however, the next day saw a dramatic shift as Bagnaia claimed an impressive win in the Grand Prix, outperforming Marc Marquez, while Martin unfortunately crashed and did not finish.

Le Mans Sprint, Round 5: Martin finishes in first place, earning 12 points, while Bagnaia did not finish and receives 0 points.

Bagnaia did not complete his second consecutive Sprint and experienced his third race without points out of six attempts, owing to a technical problem at Le Mans.

Bagnaia stated that the bike was acting unpredictably, which forced him to withdraw.

Martin achieved his sole 37-point maximum weekend of the season by securing victories in both French races, while Bagnaia came in a close third behind Martin and Marc Marquez in the grand prix.

Round 12 of the Aragon Grand Prix saw Martin finish in second place, earning him 20 points, while Bagnaia did not finish and received zero points.

Despite Bagnaia's fall during the Sprints at Catalunya and Silverstone, which were the 6th and 10th rounds respectively, Martin managed to earn only six points from Catalunya and nine from Silverstone.

The Spanish rider committed errors during the Mugello Sprint and, more prominently, at the Sachsenring Grand Prix, which was the ninth round. It was at this event that Bagnaia claimed the championship lead for the first time since the Qatar race.

Martin regained the lead at Silverstone, but it wasn't until the 12th round at Aragon that the Spaniard managed to widen his lead over Bagnaia by more than 10 points in one race. He secured second place behind Marc Marquez, while his main competitor, Bagnaia, suffered a crash following a crucial late-race collision with Alex Marquez while battling for third place.

With only a single point and difficulties maintaining traction during the Sprint, the Aragon weekend turned out to be Bagnaia's most challenging of the season.

Round 14 of the Grand Prix took place in Misano, located in Emilia Romagna. Martin secured second place, earning 20 points, while Bagnaia did not finish the race and received no points.

At the San Marino round, Bagnaia managed to reduce Martin's lead in the championship by 16 points, capitalizing on Martin's significant error of pitting when it started to drizzle during the Grand Prix. Bagnaia further narrowed the gap by an additional three points by clinching victory in the Emilia Romagna Sprint, during MotoGP’s second stop at his home circuit.

Approaching the Grand Prix, Bagnaia trailed Martin by only four points. However, he faced his seventh non-finish of the season after crashing during a braking maneuver as he attempted to catch up with Martin and Enea Bastianini.

The sole positive outcome for Bagnaia was Bastianini's victory over Martin, achieved through a contentious maneuver on the final lap.

6. Sepang Sprint, Race 19: Martin finishes first, earning 12 points, while Bagnaia does not finish and receives 0 points.

The sixth and last significant shift benefiting Martin occurred during the second-to-last round at Sepang, and it was undoubtedly the most expensive.

Bagnaia maintained his chances for the championship by securing a victory in the rainy conditions at Buriram the weekend before, reducing Martin's advantage to 17 points.

There were 74 points up for grabs, and Bagnaia was considered the more formidable competitor at Sepang. He made an impressive start by securing pole position ahead of Martin, setting a new lap record in the process.

In the concluding surprise of what Bagnaia described as a 'season filled with errors,' due to the non-finishes both he and Martin experienced, the Ducati Lenovo racer lost control and fell from second place behind the Pramac competitor during the Sprint. This incident marked his eighth and last non-finish of the season.

As Bagnaia clinched victory in the last three races, Martin secured podium finishes each time, ultimately securing the championship title during the 40th and last race of the season in Barcelona. It was here that Bagnaia also achieved his fifth flawless 37-point score of the year.

Bagnaia’s Top Five Key Races…

These are the five races, listed in the order they occurred, where Bagnaia managed to significantly reduce Martin's lead in the world championship standings by at least ten points, thereby sustaining his chances for the title.

Jerez GP, 4th Round: Bagnaia secured victory and earned 25 points, while Martin did not finish. Mugello Sprint, 7th Round: Bagnaia again took first place, gaining 12 points, with Martin failing to complete the race. Sachsenring GP, 9th Round: Bagnaia clinched another win with 25 points, as Martin did not finish. San Marino GP, 13th Round: Bagnaia finished in second place, collecting 19 points, and Martin came in 15th. Mandalika Sprint, 15th Round: Bagnaia was victorious once more, adding 12 points to his tally, and Martin finished in 10th place.

Sign up for 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 review our Privacy Policy.

For two decades, Peter has been involved in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently at the center of the news regarding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

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

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Breaking Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Get the Latest from Crash MotoGP

Copying or reproducing any part or whole of the text, images, or drawings in any manner is prohibited.

Site Map

Crash.Net

Red Bull has recognized that Liam Lawson is up against a significant challenge when competing with Max Verstappen.

Christian Horner, the head of the Red Bull team, has acknowledged that joining Max Verstappen as a teammate in Formula 1 will be a challenging prospect for Liam Lawson.

A 22-year-old from New Zealand has been elevated from the Racing Bulls team to join world champion Verstappen in 2025, after Red Bull decided to release Sergio Perez.

On Thursday, Lawson's advancement was officially announced, following the news of Perez's exit from Red Bull, which broke on Wednesday.

Even though Lawson has participated in just 11 grand prix races during his two separate periods with Racing Bulls in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Red Bull is confident that he is prepared to team up with four-time world champion Verstappen.

Lawson is set to be Verstappen's fifth partner at Red Bull since 2016, succeeding Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Perez.

Partnering with Verstappen in Formula 1 is considered the most challenging role due to the Dutch driver's remarkable consistency and exceptional performance.

After Ricciardo's departure from the team, Red Bull has determined that Gasly, Albon, and Perez do not meet the criteria for the second seat.

Horner referred to Lawson as a "true competitor" and recognized the significant challenge that lies ahead for Red Bull's latest driver.

"Liam has shown through his time with Racing Bulls that he can consistently achieve impressive outcomes. According to Horner, Liam is a true competitor who isn't hesitant to challenge the top racers and emerge victorious."

Competing with Max, who has won the championship four times and is considered one of the all-time greats in Formula 1, is certainly intimidating. However, I am confident that Liam has the ability to meet this challenge and achieve impressive results for our team in the coming year.

Lawson aims to gain insights from Verstappen

Despite not decisively outperforming his teammate, Lawson was chosen over Yuki Tsunoda and is eager to draw on Verstappen's "expertise" for guidance.

Lawson expressed that being named a driver for Red Bull Racing is a dream he has had since he was eight years old, and he has been striving to achieve this goal throughout his life.

The journey up to this point has been amazing. I'm really thrilled to team up with Max and gain insights from a world champion. I'm certain that his knowledge will be invaluable to me. I'm eager to start.

Lawson's lap times were generally slower than Tsunoda's by 0.077 seconds, and he only managed to outpace the Japanese driver in qualifying for the sprint events in Brazil and Qatar.

Red Bull believes that Lawson has the potential to advance further, having shown impressive abilities both in single-lap performance and throughout race distances. Additionally, Lawson has caught Red Bull's attention with his technical insights and strong mindset.

Upon his return following Red Bull's decision to part ways with Ricciardo, Lawson made an immediate impact by delivering an impressive performance. He navigated through the pack to secure a ninth-place finish at the United States Grand Prix.

He ended the race in the same spot at a chaotic and rainy Sao Paulo Grand Prix, after achieving his best-ever qualifying position of fifth place.

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the world of F1 delivered straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix events for Crash.net. By providing on-the-scene reports, Lewis shares the narratives of key figures within the sport.

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our F1 Newsletter

Receive the newest updates on F1, along with exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the racing circuit, directly in your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Breaking Updates

Additional Reports

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Informed with Crash MotoGP

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

Site Map

Crash.Net

MV Agusta is set to be sold as KTM faces financial difficulties, leading to an investigation. The administrator is placing KTM's shares in the renowned Italian company on the market.

The administrator is overseeing the sale of KTM's majority share of 50.1% in MV Agusta, as the Financial Market Authority has initiated an investigation into the Pierer Mobility Group.

The Austrian company is currently experiencing a significant financial crisis, prompting it to initiate self-management measures to avoid going bankrupt.

Over the past few weeks, KTM has dismissed hundreds of employees, and more job cuts are anticipated. Additionally, the company's workers will not receive their salaries during the Christmas period.

Recent speculation has surfaced regarding the potential sale of KTM's majority ownership in MV Agusta. The Austrian company initially acquired shares in the Italian motorcycle brand in 2022.

This week, a regional court in Austria revealed that plans are in motion for the administrator to sell PMG's 50.1% controlling interest in MV Agusta.

MV Agusta is facing similar overproduction challenges as KTM, as reported by Autosport. There are currently 2,000 unsold units from the brand stored in an Austrian warehouse. Meanwhile, employees in Italy have consented to reductions in their salaries.

KTM is under scrutiny from Austria’s Financial Market Authority to determine if PMG adhered to disclosure requirements.

As reported by the Austrian Press Agency, the focus of the investigation will be on the period between May and November when PMG revised its business projections and experienced changes in its leadership.

At the beginning of this year, the number of members on KTM's board was reduced from six to two, due to the fact that the extent of the company's financial difficulties had not been completely uncovered.

A gathering of the creditors is scheduled for Friday, where they will decide whether KTM can remain in business.

Recently, KTM has not provided much information on how this scenario might impact its MotoGP plans. However, several individuals mentioned back in November that the 2025 schedule will proceed as intended.

Subsequently, there were media speculations suggesting a halt in development. Despite this, KTM participated in a private testing session at Jerez last week, featuring Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa.

KTM's monetary problems have affected its other grand prix endeavors, leading to the disappearance of the GASGAS and Husqvarna brands from the Moto2 and Moto3 lineups for the 2025 season.

The Tech3 MotoGP team, which operated under the GASGAS name during 2023 and 2024, is set to revert to the KTM brand in 2025.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter to receive the most recent updates, special content, interviews, and offers directly from the paddock, delivered straight to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

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

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Breaking Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Informed with Crash F1

Stay Updated with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to entirely or partially copy text, images, or artwork in any manner.

Website Map

Crash.Net

Max Verstappen shares a goodbye note with Sergio Perez, expressing gratitude by saying, "I will always be grateful."

Max Verstappen honors Sergio Perez.

Max Verstappen expressed his gratitude towards Sergio Perez, appreciating his directness and sincerity throughout their partnership as teammates in Formula 1.

On Wednesday, Red Bull revealed that they would be ending their partnership with Perez before the 2025 season, effectively concluding his career in Formula 1 for the time being.

Just 24 hours afterward, it was revealed that Liam Lawson would be joining Verstappen as his new teammate for the 2025 season.

Lawson is set to become the fifth teammate of Verstappen at Red Bull, following in the footsteps of Perez, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, and Daniel Ricciardo.

Verstappen expressed his appreciation for Perez's role at Red Bull, highlighting not only his skills as an F1 teammate but also his admirable personal qualities.

In a brief video shared on Red Bull's social media platforms, he remarked, "I recall this moment [referring to a photo of Perez and Verstappen celebrating in parc ferme following the 2021 Abu Dhabi race]."

"He has been an excellent teammate to me. As evident in this image, his assistance in that race was crucial, and it wouldn't have been possible without him. I will forever be grateful to him for that."

"I believe the key factor has always been to keep things enjoyable, simple, and sincere."

"It's rare to have a teammate about whom you can say so many positive things."

"I'm really grateful to Checo personally, not just as a colleague. Collaborating with him has been a great experience."

Perez's Key Contribution to Verstappen's Maiden F1 Championship

Although Red Bull did not secure the 2021 constructors’ championship, losing it to Mercedes, Perez's support was vital in assisting Verstappen to clinch the drivers’ championship.

During the Turkish Grand Prix, Perez's defensive driving prevented Lewis Hamilton from securing important points, possibly denying him a spot on the podium.

In the final race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Perez played a pivotal role by firmly defending against and delaying Hamilton. This strategy prevented the seven-time world champion from having enough time for a pit stop when the Virtual Safety Car or Safety Car was activated.

Despite Michael Masi's mismanagement of the race, if Hamilton had managed to establish a large enough lead over Verstappen, he could have pitted to change to new tires and possibly stayed in front following the disputed Safety Car restart.

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive the freshest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the F1 scene straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Connor, known for his keen insight into Formula 1's controversies and narratives, serves as the core of our objective reporting.

Explore Further

Join Our F1 Newsletter

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

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Updated with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to copy any part of the text, photos, or images, whether in full or in part, in any manner.

Site Layout

Crash.Net

2025 F1 Driver Line-Up: Which Drivers Are Confirmed and Speculated for the 2025 Season?

This is the current contract status for each F1 driver as we look towards the 2025 season.

Here is the list of Formula 1 drivers for the 2025 season, along with details about each driver's contract status.

Red Bull Racing has Max Verstappen secured under a long-term contract, though it includes a clause allowing him to leave if Helmut Marko departs from the team. However, Verstappen is confident that this scenario will not occur.

Sergio Perez's exit was revealed just one week prior to Christmas, after an unsuccessful season in 2024.

The following day, it was revealed that Liam Lawson would take his place.

Lewis Hamilton's major transfer to Ferrari in 2025 is the pivotal change that the driver market hinged on.

He will team up with Charles Leclerc, who has also signed a long-term contract to remain with the team.

Due to Hamilton joining the team, Carlos Sainz was displaced from his position.

Mercedes has secured George Russell's services through the conclusion of 2025. Meanwhile, the young prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli will move up from Formula 2 after only one season to take over from Lewis Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari.

McLaren has secured long-term contracts for their thrilling pair of drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Aston Martin announced that Lance Stroll, who is the son of the team's billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll, has secured a contract that extends into the next year and further into the future.

Fernando Alonso has entered into a long-term agreement with Aston Martin, severing ties with Mercedes.

Williams successfully secured a deal to add Ferrari's Carlos Sainz to their team.

Carlos Sainz was replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, leading him to explore opportunities with teams such as Mercedes, Red Bull, Sauber, and Alpine during the initial months of 2024.

As his choices became limited, he decided to trust the team led by James Vowles.

Renowned racer Alex Albon has caught the attention of leading teams, yet he has once again expressed his dedication to staying with Williams.

For the second half of 2024, Franco Colapinto will be driving for Williams, having taken over from Logan Sargeant. Colapinto currently has no contract for the 2025 season, and Williams does not have a spot available for him. However, other teams are reportedly interested in him.

Pierre Gasly has entered into a new extended agreement with Alpine.

The team announced that Esteban Ocon will not be part of their driving lineup in 2025.

Jack Doohan was announced as the successor to Ocon. Doohan is set to participate in his first season as a rookie in 2025.

Visa Cash Application Report: RB Update

Despite not securing a position with Red Bull's main team, Yuki Tsunoda will continue to be part of the RB organization.

As Lawson advances to a higher position, Isack Hadjar is anticipated to fill his previous role.

Nico Hulkenberg is set to leave Haas and sign a multi-year contract with Sauber beginning in 2025.

Gabriel Bortoleto, who is currently competing in Formula 2, has been chosen to partner with Hulkenberg. Bortoleto is set to start his first season in Formula 1 next year.

Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou of Sauber were released from their contracts by the team.

Starting in 2026, Sauber will be rebranded as Audi, with the German company having ambitious goals.

Haas F1 Team has announced that Nico Hulkenberg is set to depart for Sauber. Additionally, Kevin Magnussen's contract is coming to an end, and the team has confirmed his departure as well.

Ferrari's young talent, Oliver Bearman, made a significant impact during his first Formula 1 appearance, stepping in for the unwell Carlos Sainz. As a result of his impressive performance, he has secured a permanent position at Haas, taking over from Hulkenberg.

Esteban Ocon has joined the team alongside Bearman, moving over from Alpine.

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

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

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

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

Explore Further

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

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

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Stories

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Tuned with Crash MotoGP

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

Site Map

Crash.Net

Ferrari's leader reveals that discussions to persuade Lewis Hamilton were straightforward. Fred Vasseur mentioned that persuading Lewis Hamilton to become part of Ferrari was "not difficult."

Fred Vasseur has discussed for the first time the conversations he had with Lewis Hamilton, which resulted in Hamilton deciding to sign with Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton, who has won the world championship seven times, has decided to end his remarkable 12-year career with Mercedes. This decision paves the way for a major move to their competitors, Ferrari, starting in 2025

The announcement made in February took the Formula 1 community by surprise and is considered one of the most significant driver changes in the history of the world championship.

During Ferrari's yearly Christmas lunch with the press to mark the end of the season, team principal Vasseur remarked that persuading Hamilton to become part of the team was "very easy."

In 2023, we achieved more victories than Mercedes, which made it easy to persuade him that Ferrari would be a promising opportunity, Vasseur stated.

He had been dreaming of racing for Ferrari for around 22 or 23 years, as we talked about it back in 2004. This made the decision relatively easy.

"Occasionally, it's about luck or having everything fall into place, like him being available and Ferrari having an open seat at the same time."

"Connecting with him was straightforward. Our discussions began a year ago, and persuading him was effortless."

Vasseur expressed that he was 'never concerned' about Hamilton's performance. In his last season with Mercedes, the 39-year-old Hamilton faced a challenging time as he was consistently outperformed by his younger teammate, George Russell, during the qualifying rounds throughout the season.

Hamilton, who holds the record for the most pole positions in Formula 1 with 104, admitted during the second-to-last race of the season in Qatar that he is "definitely not fast any more" due to his difficulties in one-lap qualifying.

At the end of the year, Russell was 22 points ahead in the drivers' championship, while Hamilton finished in seventh place overall, marking the lowest ranking of his grand prix career so far.

Nonetheless, Hamilton concluded his time with Mercedes by delivering an impressive comeback performance. Starting from 16th position on the grid, he advanced to finish fourth in the final race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This included executing a last-lap maneuver to overtake Russell, closing a 14-second gap.

Vasseur maintains that he was "absolutely not concerned" about Hamilton's performance lately.

"He believed the qualifying session was challenging, but also felt that Lewis's performance during the Abu Dhabi qualifying wasn't connected to it," he stated.

"He performed exceptionally well in both the Vegas and Abu Dhabi races. I was not concerned at all about this matter, not even slightly."

This scenario, and I'm not blaming Lewis or Mercedes, is challenging to handle. It's understandable that if things aren't going smoothly, it could strain the relationship.

His mental state wasn't great, yet when it came to Brazil, he had a clear understanding. Despite this, his recent performances at several events have been impressive, so I have no concerns.

Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari as Charles Leclerc's teammate, taking over the position previously held by Carlos Sainz, who is moving to Williams.

Vasseur expressed that he isn't especially concerned about the situation involving Charles and Lewis. He mentioned that the two have a great deal of respect for one another and are well-acquainted, having discussed this matter for several months.

"It's far preferable to compete for the top three positions rather than battling for the last spots. Having conversations and strategies about achieving high rankings is a positive challenge for a team. I'm truly convinced that the team's performance is driven by the healthy competition between the two."

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the world of F1 straight to your email inbox.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for additional details.

Lewis frequently travels to various international Grand Prix events for Crash.net. He often provides on-the-scene coverage, 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 from the world of Formula 1 straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Current Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Updated with Crash MotoGP

It is not allowed to fully or partially reproduce text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Site Map

Crash.Net

What lies ahead for Yuki Tsunoda following Red Bull's decision for 2025?

Yuki Tsunoda finds himself at a pivotal moment in his F1 career after Red Bull's 2025 decision, reports Lewis Larkam.

Yuki Tsunoda is approaching a pivotal moment in his Formula 1 career after not being selected by the top-tier Red Bull team.

Red Bull has opted to elevate their Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson to replace Sergio Perez in 2025, resulting in Yuki Tsunoda spending a fifth season with their secondary team. Isack Hadjar, a Red Bull junior who finished as the runner-up in the Formula 2 championship, is anticipated to be his teammate.

Red Bull's decision strongly indicates that they do not consider Tsunoda a viable candidate for their main team. Instead, they see him as a valuable benchmark for evaluating other young drivers while he competes with their affiliated team.

Although this approach has benefited Tsunoda for multiple years, he believes he is now prepared for advancement.

Yuki Tsunoda, who managed to outpace Liam Lawson in qualifying at each of the six races that the New Zealander participated in towards the end of 2024, recently expressed to Sky Sports F1 that his focus remains solely on delivering strong performances as he has been doing this year.

"I have confidence in my abilities and aim to demonstrate my steady achievements, hoping that it will eventually alter their perspective."

"I will give my best effort and am confident in my abilities once I join Red Bull."

Although he stated that he had "impressed" Red Bull with his technical insights during his test drive at the end of the season in the RB20, he will not receive that chance. Instead, Lawson has been chosen for the 2025 season.

Tsunoda has demonstrated his speed in single-lap performance, achieving a superior qualifying record compared to Ricciardo and Lawson. Additionally, he has improved his consistency as a driver and has addressed his emotional reactions and outbursts during team radio communications, which were considered his most significant flaw.

At 24 years old, the seasoned Japanese grand prix driver, having nearly 100 races under his belt, is confronted with a challenging career decision: should he remain with the Red Bull team and aim to sway their opinion, or should he depart to pursue new opportunities with a different team?

Which other teams might Tsunoda consider joining?

Red Bull has decided to keep Tsunoda for now, but their agreement only lasts through the 2025 season. This means he will become a free agent in 2026, coinciding with major changes to F1's regulations.

If Tsunoda chooses to part ways with Red Bull, one of the most fascinating possibilities could be joining Aston Martin.

In an exciting development, Aston Martin is set to transform into Honda's official Formula 1 team. This change will occur when Honda assumes the role of their power unit supplier, taking over from Mercedes, starting in 2026.

Due to his association with Honda, Tsunoda is already being connected to Aston Martin.

However, making such a decision would ultimately rely on elements that Tsunoda cannot influence.

The initial question revolves around whether Fernando Alonso will choose to continue his illustrious Formula 1 career once his existing contract concludes at the end of the 2026 season.

The double world champion, set to turn 45 when his contract expires, has confessed he is viewing 2026 as potentially his last year in Formula 1. Nevertheless, the Spanish driver is not ruling out the possibility of extending his career beyond that.

The key factor influencing Alonso's decision will be how competitive Aston Martin is as Formula 1 enters a new regulatory period, with their car being designed by Adrian Newey. Should Alonso see any possibility of clinching a third world championship, he is likely to remain with the team.

The second seat belongs to Lance Stroll, whose father, Lawrence, is the billionaire owner of Aston Martin. Lance's position is essentially secure for as long as he wishes to continue racing, and it seems unlikely that his father would remove him from the team.

While the partnership between Aston Martin and Honda could be very attractive to Tsunoda, there might not be a spot available for him.

There might be opportunities with the Audi Formula 1 team set to launch in 2026, contingent on the performances of recent additions Nico Hulkenberg and newcomer Gabriel Bortoleto. Alternatively, positions could be available at Cadillac, which appears on track to become the 11th team in the world championship.

The initiative supported by General Motors could be a potential path for Tsunoda if he is interested in creating a team centered around himself, akin to what former Red Bull drivers Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly have achieved with Williams and Alpine, respectively.

Yuki Tsunoda might find motivation in Carlos Sainz’s achievements, which came after he parted ways with Red Bull when he was similarly passed over.

The driver, who has won four grand prix races, has previously competed for McLaren and Ferrari and is now transitioning to Williams, demonstrating that change can lead to better opportunities.

Red Bull's decision to overlook Tsunoda could lead him to think about switching to a different team.

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

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

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Lewis frequently travels worldwide to cover Grands Prix events for Crash.net. By providing on-the-ground coverage, Lewis shares the narratives of key figures in the sport.

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our F1 Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the world of F1 delivered straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Stories

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

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

Website Structure

Crash.Net