Valtteri Bottas Returns to Mercedes: A Strategic Move as Reserve Driver for 2025 Amid F1 Grid Uncertainties
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.
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McLaren’s Bold Leap: Aiming for 2025 F1 Glory with ‘Brave Risks’ in Car Design
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.
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Rising to the Challenge: Charles Leclerc Unfazed by Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 Ferrari Arrival
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.
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Emotional Shift: Lewis Hamilton Reflects on Mercedes’ Bold Black Livery Decision and Its Impact on F1 Diversity
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.
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Red Bull’s New Challenger: Lawson’s Daunting Task Against F1 Titan Verstappen
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.
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End of an Era: Max Verstappen’s Heartfelt Farewell to Sergio Perez as Red Bull Teammate Transition Looms
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.
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Revving Up for 2025: Unveiling the Confirmed and Rumored F1 Driver Line-Up and Contract Shake-Ups
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.
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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.
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Ferrari’s Smooth Pursuit: How Fred Vasseur Sealed Lewis Hamilton’s Blockbuster Move
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."
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Yuki Tsunoda’s Pivotal Decision: Navigating Career Paths After Red Bull’s 2025 Setback
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.
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Red Bull’s Ruthless Roster: The F1 Drivers Caught in the Crossfire
Title: The F1 Drivers Red Bull Dropped Early
Sergio Perez managed to remain with Red Bull for four years before being let go at the conclusion of the 2024 F1 season. However, numerous other drivers at Red Bull faced dismissal much sooner…
Christian Klien
At the beginning of Red Bull's journey in Formula 1, Christian Klien was the initial casualty of the team's unforgiving approach.
After initially outperforming Vitantonio Liuzzi to claim the second seat at Red Bull next to David Coulthard, Klien was substituted by Liuzzi for four races, despite beginning the 2005 season strongly.
Following Liuzzi's inability to meet anticipated performance levels in his designated appearances, Klien was reinstated for the remainder of the season.
However, this situation did not last long. Klien was replaced by Robert Doornbos for the last races of the 2006 season. Despite this change, neither Klien nor Doornbos secured the position for 2007, as Red Bull opted to bring in Mark Webber instead.
Scott Speed made history as the first American to compete in Formula 1 since Michael Andretti did so in 1993. He was selected as a driver for Toro Rosso, partnering with Liuzzi, for the team's inaugural season in 2006.
After an underwhelming beginning to the 2007 season and not securing any points for Toro Rosso, Speed was replaced by the up-and-coming talent, Sebastian Vettel.
It was reported that Speed got into a physical fight with team boss Franz Tost, although Tost has refuted these claims. Speed also openly criticized his team prior to being let go after participating in 10 races.
Sebastien Bourdais joined Red Bull's secondary team as a partner to Sebastian Vettel. He found it challenging to keep up with his younger colleague and also faced some unfortunate situations.
During his debut, the French driver had to retire due to engine trouble after reaching as high as fourth place. In 2008 at Spa, he was set for a podium finish until late rain affected the race. His best qualifying position was ruined at Monza when his car failed to engage first gear on the starting grid. Additionally, he faced a contentious penalty in Japan that cost him a points finish.
Facing off against Swiss newcomer Sebastien Buemi in 2009 after Vettel was promoted to Red Bull, Bourdais did not meet the expectations set for him and was let go midway through the season.
Sebastien Buemi, at the age of 20, had a remarkable beginning to his Formula 1 career. He surpassed the performance of the veteran Bourdais and concluded his first season as the leading newcomer.
In 2010, Buemi was the top-ranked driver for Toro Rosso, consistently outperforming his teammates Bourdais and later Jaime Alguersuari during his three-year stint with the team. However, despite his successes, Buemi faced the disappointment of being replaced in 2012 when Toro Rosso decided to bring in Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.
Sebastien Buemi, who later achieved titles in both Formula E and the World Endurance Championship, continues to be affiliated with the Red Bull organization, serving as one of their backup drivers.
Jaime Alguersuari
At the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, Alguersuari became the youngest driver in Formula 1 history to race, being just 19 years and 125 days old at the time.
Alguersuari accumulated 31 points over the course of 46 Formula 1 races, but his departure from the Red Bull program was marked by conflict. He and Buemi were replaced by Ricciardo and Vergne.
After a short period competing in Formula E, Alguersuari decided to leave the world of motorsport in 2015 to focus on a new path as a DJ, adopting the stage name 'Squire'.
Jean-Eric Vergne joined Formula 1 in 2012 as a member of Toro Rosso's updated team, racing alongside Ricciardo.
The French driver, who received high praise, was seen as unlucky for not being promoted to Red Bull. In his debut season, he outperformed Ricciardo, but in the second year, Ricciardo excelled and secured a spot with Red Bull for the 2014 season.
In 2014, Vergne remained with Toro Rosso, teaming up with newcomer Daniil Kvyat. Unfortunately, Vergne faced a series of unfortunate events, including the announcement from Red Bull that Max Verstappen would replace him at Toro Rosso. This marked the second occasion where Red Bull passed over Vergne, opting to promote Kvyat to fill the spot left by Vettel instead.
Daniil Kvyat has experienced being let go by Red Bull three times, a record no one else holds. Red Bull's ruthless strategy in Formula 1 has impacted Kvyat like no other driver.
Following a promising debut season with Toro Rosso, Kvyat was recruited by Red Bull. He had a strong start, finishing 2015 as Red Bull's highest point earner, surpassing Ricciardo throughout the year.
In 2016, Kvyat's career took a turn for the worse. He became known as the 'torpedo' after a collision with Vettel during a race in China, where he still managed to reach the podium. Things got worse during his home race in Russia, where he hit Vettel twice within just two corners, accidentally affecting Ricciardo's race as well.
It turned out to be the final straw, leading to the Russian driver's abrupt dismissal at the following race in Spain, as Red Bull cleared the way for their rising star, Verstappen.
Kvyat being moved down after only four races in the season established a new approach for Red Bull in managing their young drivers.
Daniil Kvyat's performance at Toro Rosso significantly declined, resulting in him losing his position twice in just a few weeks. Initially, Pierre Gasly replaced him, followed by Brendon Hartley.
Although Kvyat was dropped from Red Bull’s driver program at the close of 2017, he made a comeback for a third time with the team in 2019 after Gasly was moved up to Red Bull. After spending two seasons there, he departed once more when he was beaten by Yuki Tsunoda for the 2021 seat.
Brendon Hartley had to be patient for nine years before Red Bull finally gave him a chance. This opportunity arose when he replaced Kvyat towards the close of the 2017 season.
After enduring a challenging season paired with the faster Gasly, Hartley was the next driver to be dismissed, having only managed to score points in three of the 21 races during 2018.
Helmut Marko, who oversees the development of drivers at Red Bull, concluded that the Kiwi's performances did not sufficiently impress to warrant future consideration for a spot on the Red Bull team. As a result, Hartley's time in the Red Bull driver program was notably brief.
Pierre Gasly
In 2019, Pierre Gasly's tenure as a driver for Red Bull was short-lived, as he participated in only 12 races before being reassigned to Toro Rosso. In a swap, Alex Albon took his place at Red Bull.
The French driver, who joined the team after Ricciardo's surprising move to Renault, found it difficult to keep up with Verstappen's results. At the time he was replaced, he was in sixth place in the championship standings with 63 points.
Since Verstappen secured third place with 181 points during the same period, Gasly's performance in the first half of the season was seen as a significant setback for Red Bull in their constructors' championship competition against Ferrari.
Pierre Gasly managed to regain his earlier performance levels with Toro Rosso/AlphaTauri, achieving his inaugural podium finish in Formula 1 and later securing an impressive win at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix.
Alex Albon
Similar to the individual he succeeded, Albon's inability to match Verstappen's level was ultimately his undoing.
Although Alex Albon secured two podium finishes, Red Bull believed his performance over his 18-month tenure with the team was insufficient to warrant retaining him.
In the 2020 racing season, Albon was consistently outperformed by Verstappen in the qualifying rounds. As a result, Albon was moved to the position of reserve driver for Red Bull in 2021, while Sergio Perez was brought on to the team.
Albon is currently thriving at Williams, the team that offered the British-born Thai driver the opportunity to compete full-time on the grid again in 2022.
Sergio Perez
Statistically, Perez performed significantly better than those who came before him, staying as Verstappen's teammate for a total of four seasons.
He showed up just as Red Bull got back into the fight for the championship.
Although his performance didn't enable the team to win the constructors' championship in 2021, ultimately losing to Mercedes, he was instrumental in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, supporting Verstappen in his battle for the title against Hamilton.
During 2022, he experienced his most successful year with Red Bull. He secured several impressive wins, including one in Singapore, but just fell short of achieving second place in the drivers’ championship.
Nevertheless, it was sufficient for Red Bull to clinch their first constructors' championship since 2013. Yet, in 2023, issues became more apparent. Despite a promising beginning, Perez's performance significantly declined during the season's midpoint.
During Verstappen's impressive series of 10 consecutive race victories, Perez frequently had difficulty advancing to Q3. However, a late-season improvement helped him avoid embarrassment, ultimately earning him the second-place position in the championship. This achievement marked the first time Red Bull secured the top two positions in the drivers' standings.
The year 2024 marked the definitive end for Perez. As in the past, he began the year with promising performances but soon lost momentum. Unlike in 2022 and 2023, this time he was unable to bounce back.
Ending up 280 points behind Verstappen caused Red Bull to fall behind McLaren and Ferrari in the constructors' championship, leading to their decision to terminate Perez's contract a year early.
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From Glory to Sidelines: The Key Moments That Ended Sergio Perez’s Red Bull F1 Journey
Five Pivotal Instances Leading to Sergio Perez Losing His Red Bull F1 Seat for 2025
An examination of the crucial events that led to Sergio Perez being dropped from the Red Bull F1 team for the 2025 season.
Sergio Perez's journey in Formula 1 has temporarily concluded after Red Bull chose to replace him with Liam Lawson for the 2025 season.
In 2024, Perez's performance was not maintainable, ending up a remarkable 280 points behind his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen. This outcome led to Red Bull slipping to third place in the F1 constructors' championship that year, trailing McLaren and Ferrari.
The decision came so late that Perez has no spots left on the grid for 2025, forcing him to spend a year away from racing. Considering the stress and pressure he has faced, along with his disappointing performances, this break might actually be beneficial.
Should Perez decide to make a return to Formula 1 at some point, his skill in the midfield and substantial financial support could pave the way for a successful comeback, if he desires it.
What were the pivotal events that led to his eventual dismissal?
Signs of instability appeared in 2023. Throughout his four-year stint with Red Bull, Perez has frequently experienced a slump in performance halfway through the season. However, he usually manages to regain his form by the season's conclusion. For instance, in 2021, Perez endured a stretch of eight races without finishing in the top three during the European segment of the season, but he concluded the year on a high note with several podium finishes.
In a similar fashion in 2022, he managed to secure a podium finish in just one of the six races between Canada and Monza. However, he made a strong comeback later in the year, achieving what many consider the most impressive victory of his career at the Singapore Grand Prix.
In 2023, Perez faced significant challenges, especially during the qualifying sessions. Despite having the most powerful car in the history of Formula 1, he was unable to reach Q3 in five races in a row.
Despite subsequent attempts, Perez never managed to qualify above third place, suggesting to Red Bull that there were underlying issues. Nonetheless, Red Bull's team principal, Christian Horner, was pleased with the outcome as Perez maintained his position as runner-up in the drivers' championship. This result secured a 1-2 finish for the team in the standings, a feat they hadn't accomplished during the era of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.
Lost Opportunity in Australia
Perez began the 2024 season impressively, securing a spot on the podium in four of the first five races. Nevertheless, an early exit for Verstappen in one race presented Perez with a potential victory that slipped away.
At Albert Park, Ferrari seized the opportunity, securing both first and second place. Meanwhile, Perez found himself isolated, finishing in an uninspired fifth position.
Starting from a disadvantage due to a grid penalty, Perez faced a setback, especially as Red Bull had the strongest car on the track, making it a missed chance for him.
Contract renewal fails to tackle downturn
The Mexican driver's usual mid-season decline began with a difficult weekend in Monaco. Just before the upcoming race in Canada, Red Bull surprised everyone by extending his contract through the end of 2025.
Even though Perez's performance had declined, Red Bull aimed to provide him with reassurance so he would have one less concern.
Towards the end of the year, Horner admitted that the situation was ineffective, and his performance continued to decline.
At that point, Sergio was clearly doing an excellent job, achieving podium finishes in four of the first five races.
"In an effort to calm his thoughts and maintain his performance for the remainder of the season, we decided to act sooner than planned, but unfortunately, it didn't pan out as intended. Such is life," explained Horner.
His performance was so lacking that Red Bull thought about substituting him over the summer pause.
A chance not taken in Baku
Following the summer break, Perez managed to keep his position despite widespread rumors that Daniel Ricciardo might take over. The race in Azerbaijan presented Perez with a significant chance to achieve a notable result.
In Baku, Perez has been the sole driver to truly surpass Verstappen's performance on that track, which Red Bull was counting on due to the series of street circuits. Acknowledging Perez's abilities, he delivered a strong performance in Baku, legitimately outpacing Verstappen.
He contended with Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc for victory, but in the final laps, he collided with Carlos Sainz, resulting in both drivers crashing into the barrier.
Damage from an avoidable crash, along with a collision largely blamed on Perez, resulted in yet another lost chance.
Home Ground Disappointment
As the season drew to a close, Perez's situation deteriorated further, yet the race in Mexico City offered him a chance to regain his performance.
Perez attributed his early exit from Q1 to a problem with the brakes while competing in front of his fans at home. On race day, his performance was nearly humiliating, with a penalty issued for positioning his car incorrectly in the grid box at the start.
In his conflict with his eventual replacement, Lawson, he ended up getting lapped and finishing at the bottom of the standings. Over the course of the last five races, Perez managed to earn only two points, which was less than the total achieved by Sauber's Zhou Guanyu.
Due to his performance, Red Bull is no longer in the running for the constructors’ championship as they approach the Abu Dhabi race, prompting a crucial choice before the New Year. Over his four seasons with Red Bull, Perez secured a second-place finish once and contributed to the team's two constructors’ championship victories.
His arrival happened just as Red Bull was back in the running for the championship, a privilege that Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon did not experience.
Perez plans to step away from Formula 1, worn out by the fierce rivalry and in search of a respite. His comeback to the sport hinges on his willingness to compete among mid-tier teams and if those teams still see him as a strong contender amidst a lineup brimming with youthful and promising racers.
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Ferrari Sets Stage for 2025: Unveils Launch Date and Early Details of Revolutionary F1 Car
Initial information about Ferrari's 2025 F1 vehicle is starting to surface, with the team confirming the unveiling date ahead of the upcoming season.
Ferrari is the first Formula 1 team to announce when they will unveil their car for the 2025 season.
The Italian team is set to reveal their 2025 car on February 19, following the collective F1 season launch event at London's O2 Arena on February 18.
All ten teams, along with their twenty drivers, are set to attend the F1 season launch event, where the 2025 car designs will be unveiled on display vehicles.
Ferrari is set to test their actual vehicle for the first time at a private event held at Fiorano, prior to shipping it off to Bahrain for the pre-season testing sessions.
Lewis Hamilton is set to drive his first Ferrari Formula 1 car. The seven-time world champion will make a major move from competing team Mercedes to join forces with Charles Leclerc starting in 2025.
Hamilton is expected to have a private test session with a two-year-old Ferrari at either the Fiorano or Mugello track before the Scuderia unveils its new car.
Prepare yourself to see our 2025 competitor #ScuderiaFerrari pic.twitter.com/RZEZxRJ4YG — Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) December 18, 2024
Initial Insights into Ferrari's 2025 Model Unveiled
During Ferrari's yearly media luncheon marking the end of the season, team principal Fred Vasseur shared some preliminary information about the 2025 vehicle.
Vasseur announced that Ferrari's newest Formula 1 car will feature a nearly entirely new design.
Even though teams are focusing heavily on preparing for the major rule changes set for 2026, Ferrari is implementing major modifications to their 2025 vehicle.
"There are times when you are unaware of the risks you are taking, and it's only afterwards that you recognize how risky it was," Vasseur stated.
"The vehicle is set to be entirely new. We anticipate that less than 1% of the components will be retained from previous models. While this is a distinct undertaking, it applies to everyone in the industry."
Ferrari is aiming for their car to break a 16-year dry spell in F1 titles after narrowly losing to McLaren in the constructors' championship last season. The team ended up 14 points short of securing their first championship since 2008.
Vasseur emphasized the importance of concentrating on the upcoming season. He noted that the time frame from the start to the launch is only a few weeks, urging everyone to prioritize performance.
"We are planning the championship kickoff and the car unveiling. These are already two major events, and adding another would be overwhelming."
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Liam Lawson Joins Red Bull as Max Verstappen’s New Teammate in 2025, Leaving Yuki Tsunoda Overlooked
Liam Lawson is set to join Max Verstappen as his teammate at Red Bull F1 in 2025, with Yuki Tsunoda not chosen for the position.
Red Bull has selected Liam Lawson to be the new Formula 1 teammate of Max Verstappen.
Lawson has moved up from the Racing Bulls team, affiliated with Red Bull, to fill the position left by Sergio Perez. Perez's exit was officially revealed on Wednesday after a disappointing season.
A 22-year-old racer from New Zealand has participated in just 11 Formula 1 races. He competed in six events toward the end of 2024, stepping in for Daniel Ricciardo. Additionally, during the 2023 season, he replaced the injured Ricciardo in five races, making his first appearance at the Dutch Grand Prix after Ricciardo sustained a hand injury in a practice session accident.
In his debut appearance this year in the United States, Lawson managed to earn points and also secured a top-10 finish in Brazil. Reports suggest that he was told about his promotion ahead of the final race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lawson expressed that becoming a driver for Oracle Red Bull Racing has been a dream he's had since he was eight, something he has aspired to and worked hard for throughout his life.
The experience up to this point has been amazing. I am extremely grateful to the entire team at VCARB for their assistance, as the past six races have been crucial in getting me ready for this upcoming stage. Additionally, I want to express my gratitude to Christian, Helmut, and everyone at Red Bull for having faith in me and offering me this chance.
"I am thrilled to have the chance to collaborate with Max and gain insights from a World Champion. I'm certain that his experience will be invaluable to me. I'm eager to start!"
Red Bull has decided that Lawson is the ideal choice to take on the formidable task of competing against four-time world champion Verstappen.
Lawson is set to join the ranks as Verstappen’s fifth partner at Red Bull, succeeding Ricciardo, who was his teammate from 2016 to 2018, followed by Pierre Gasly in 2019, Alex Albon during 2019 to 2020, and Perez from 2021 to 2024.
The position is considered the most challenging in Formula 1 and is often seen as a difficult opportunity, as Perez is the third driver to be let go by Red Bull for not matching up closely with Verstappen. Gasly and Albon experienced the same outcome.
Lawson is anticipated to surpass the achievements of Perez, whose lackluster performance at the age of 34 led to Red Bull falling to third in the constructors’ championship.
According to Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull, Liam has consistently shown remarkable talent during his time with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. Horner emphasized that Liam is not only able to achieve impressive outcomes but also exhibits the qualities of a true racer, willing to compete fiercely and emerge victorious against top competitors.
His entry into the team maintains their tradition of advancing talent from the Red Bull Junior Programme. He joins the ranks of championship and race-winning drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
There's no question that competing with Max, who is a four-time champion and easily one of the most remarkable drivers in the history of F1, is intimidating. However, I am confident that Liam will be able to meet this challenge and achieve impressive results for us in the coming year.
Red Bull has chosen not to promote Yuki Tsunoda. Despite being outperformed in qualifying by Tsunoda in their six races together in 2024, Lawson has been selected instead.
This development is a setback for Tsunoda, who believes he is prepared to move up to the main team. He has become more and more frustrated with Red Bull's leadership for repeatedly overlooking him.
Tsunoda believed he had made a positive impact on Red Bull by providing valuable technical insights during his initial Formula 1 test with the team in Abu Dhabi.
He mentioned that he had received numerous comments about how much they admired, specifically, the feedback he provided.
Engineers present at the track, along with those assisting from Red Bull's Milton Keynes factory, expressed their admiration for my contributions.
The region was a significant focus for me. I think Red Bull is already aware that my speed isn't a major concern. What they're more interested in, however, are aspects like my feedback, my behavior as part of the team, and my conduct while driving. They likely viewed these factors as the greatest uncertainties.
Bearing that in mind, I kept offering feedback in my usual manner, striving to convey information as comprehensively and meticulously as I could.
The 24-year-old driver from Japan will continue for a fifth season with Red Bull's associated team. He is likely to be accompanied by French driver Isack Hadjar, who recently secured second place in the Formula 2 championship this year.
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