Departing MotoGP leader greatly missed by emerging squad

"In my view, his departure is a significant setback for the squad."

Miguel Oliveira's tenure with the Trackhouse Aprilia squad concluded after the recent Solidarity Barcelona Grand Prix. However, the rider from Portugal suggests that the exit of another team member will be significantly detrimental to the performance of the American-based team.

Oliveira was associated with Trackhouse for a year, yet his tenure extended to two years with the same group as it transitioned from RNF to its present form last winter, with virtually no changes in staff.

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Wilco Zeelenberg became a part of the squad in 2019, during the period it was known as Petronas Yamaha SRT, and remained with them until the end of the current season.

The ex-World Championship contender, who clinched victory at the 1990 250cc German Grand Prix, continued in his position as team manager at Trackhouse throughout the current year, even after Davide Brivio took over as team principal during the winter season.

Yet, a reorganization within the team's leadership will result in Zeelenberg's departure by 2025.

"Oliveira mentioned that Wilco Zeelenberg has significantly contributed to the team, highlighting his excellent collaboration."

"Most often, he's aligned with the riders, frequently serving as the connector between our emotions and the technical reality."

"Wilco brings a wealth of experience to the table and genuinely grasps our point of view when interacting with us. He's consistently a great addition to the team."

"It's unfortunate that he's departing. When you look at current MotoGP teams, they invariably include someone like him in their crew, perhaps a former rider who's retired but truly grasps our requirements.

"His departure is a significant setback for the squad."

Raul Fernandez, set to remain with Trackhouse through 2025, mentioned that not only will he miss Zeelenberg, but he will also feel the departure of numerous other team members exiting Trackhouse this winter.

"Fernandez expressed, "It feels quite odd because it's not only Wilco [Zeelenberg] who's departing, but we're also saying goodbye to three other team members this weekend."

"Indeed, upon my arrival at the team, each one of them supported me. In recent years, I faced a particularly tough period personally, and their assistance was invaluable."

"It will be odd for me to reach the box and not find Wilco or anyone else there."

In August 2024, Alex became part of the team at Crash.net after spending two years reporting on both consumer and racing motorcycle news for Visordown.

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Charles Leclerc unleashed a vehement, expletive-laden tirade over the radio against Ferrari after the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc expressed strong frustration with Ferrari through a remarkable, swear-laden communication over the radio after the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Initially, Leclerc had advanced to second place early in the race but eventually fell to fourth, just one position lower than his Ferrari colleague Carlos Sainz, who secured a spot on the podium.

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The driver from Monaco emerged in front of Sainz following his ultimate pit stop, and it was communicated to him that his departing teammate wouldn't surpass him.

Race strategist Bryan Bozzi informed Leclerc, "We've instructed Carlos not to pass you, but the positions are very tight, and you could possibly be leading. He's been advised not to challenge you. So, focus on preserving your tyres."

Sainz managed to pass Leclerc, who then suggested over the team radio, “Perhaps attempt it in Spanish.”

Sainz, set to move to Williams in the upcoming season after being succeeded by Lewis Hamilton, crossed the finish line three seconds before Leclerc.

On the cool-down lap back to the pits after the race, Leclerc's frustration was palpable through the team radio, unable to conceal his irritation.

BB: "Could someone come to get me?"

CL: "Of course, anything you wish, like always."

BB: "Charles, you've completed your task. Alright, I appreciate it."

CL: "Indeed, I fulfilled my duties, but consistently, being courteous backfires on me, without fail. It's not even about courtesy, it's about showing respect."

BB: "Charles! Charles!"

CL: “I'm aware I should remain silent, yet it becomes repetitive after a while, so…oh my goodness.”

BB: "Alright. But regardless, you made the correct decision for the team."

BB: "Could you please pick it up?"

CL: "Yes, yes, just answer it. Choose whatever you like. I apologize, the radio is playing…"

Lewis frequently covers Grand Prix events globally for Crash.net. He provides on-site coverage, sharing the narratives of key figures in the sport.

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Lewis Hamilton responds to Max Verstappen's championship victory: "He's been flawless"

"They've outperformed everyone. He's been perfect. Truly earned."

Lewis Hamilton has extended his congratulations to Max Verstappen for clinching his fourth F1 drivers' championship.

Verstappen secured his fourth straight championship by finishing fifth at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, just one position in front of his championship competitor, Lando Norris.

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The driver from the Netherlands has secured victories in eight races so far this season, with seven of those wins happening within the first 10 races.

Since late June, Verstappen has secured only a single victory (in Brazil), with McLaren generally outperforming Red Bull during this period.

Following the race in Las Vegas, Hamilton shared his opinions on Verstappen's most recent championship win.

He expressed to Sky Sports, "Huge congratulations to Max and his team. They've performed incredibly well over the last four years.

"They've truly excelled. He's been flawless. Truly earned."

Regarding Hamilton's performance, he made a remarkable comeback from a disappointing 10th place in the qualifying round to secure a second-place finish.

This marked the season's first 1-2 finish for Mercedes, with George Russell securing the victory.

Hamilton dismissed the notion of pondering "what ifs" regarding his race pace compared to Russell's, stating, "No, no. I don't view it in those terms," he remarked. "I'm focused on looking ahead. Today's progress felt fantastic. I'm genuinely pleased."

"He suggested that the team might not fully grasp the reason behind their remarkable speed. "The car performed exceptionally well today. It was a fantastic display. The crew executed the pit stops brilliantly," he mentioned.

Achieving a first and second place finish is truly incredible. I'm thankful I managed to regain the positions I'd lost, and if I had performed as expected yesterday, the race might have been somewhat smoother. Nonetheless, making my way up from the back was enjoyable.

"It brought back memories of my childhood at Rye House, where I used to pass by others."

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

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Damon Hill comments on Max Verstappen's sporadic lapses in composure following his F1 championship victory in Las Vegas.

Damon Hill stirred controversy among Max Verstappen's supporters after he commented on Verstappen's "sometimes losing his composure" in response to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, following Verstappen's capture of his fourth F1 championship.

Verstappen clinched his fourth F1 championship by finishing fifth in Las Vegas, importantly just one spot ahead of his closest competitor, Lando Norris.

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Hill, the 1996 Formula 1 world champion with Williams, openly criticized Verstappen's driving during the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The individual, aged 64, responded to Verstappen securing the championship by sharing a message on their X profile.

He stated: "Credit where credit is due for Red Bull and Max Verstappen. They've completely dominated this era of F1 rules, and obviously, Max has showcased exceptional driving skills (with a few moments of losing composure!)"

"The prospect of achieving 7, possibly even 8 championships, draws near, ensuring we stay captivated by Formula 1."

Hill's comment about "losing self-control" primarily alluded to the incident where Verstappen forced Norris off the circuit on two occasions during the race in Mexico, resulting in him receiving a pair of 10-second penalties.

Throughout the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen expressed his annoyance, securing a fifth-place finish, although he nearly didn't finish the race due to a collision with Hamilton.

Hill's remarks regarding Verstappen upset several fans, resulting in a series of tweets aimed at him.

This elicited a reaction from the former Sky F1 analyst.

Hill remarked, "Twitter once offered enjoyment. However, the transition to X has been less than pleasant. Individuals who thrive in negativity perpetuate such environments because it's all they're familiar with. Those who prefer positivity find themselves with no choice but to depart, leading to a heightened accumulation of negativity that eventually turns corrosive. We're all aware of the consequences that follow."

Norris and McLaren are aiming to secure the constructors' championship during the upcoming race in Qatar.

With two races remaining, they have a 24-point lead over Ferrari.

Hill shared his thoughts on McLaren through his X account, stating: “Lando delivered some impressive remarks in the pen. Stella did as well.

"A swift recovery from setbacks as we shift focus to the Constructors and gear up for 2025. The battle that perpetually continues."

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

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George Russell Reconsiders Las Vegas Festivities Following Pneumonia Recovery

George Russell shares why he's approaching celebrations with care after battling pneumonia post last year's Las Vegas race.

George Russell decided against celebrating his win at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix by jumping into a fountain, fearing it might make him sick.

Starting from the pole position in Sin City, the driver for Mercedes controlled the race and finished ahead of his teammate, the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, securing his second victory of the 2024 season.

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Russell expressed a desire to dive into the fountains located at the renowned Bellagio hotel as a form of celebration for his victory, but he eventually chose not to, citing the chill from the low temperatures as the reason.

The British racer disclosed that he was diagnosed with pneumonia during the previous year's Grand Prix in Las Vegas. He fought the infection through the final race in Abu Dhabi and continued to deal with it for a significant portion of the winter season.

"Absolutely, I was eager to do it!" Russell exclaimed, responding to inquiries about his plunge into the fountain. "However, I was freezing following the race and feared it might make me extremely sick.

Around the same time the previous year, I contracted pneumonia and remained sick until mid-February, following my trips to Vegas and Abu Dhabi.

"So, I found myself saying, 'I genuinely wish to pursue this,' yet I couldn't help but recall the hardships I faced a year ago, given the significant physical toll it takes."

"I'm drenched because of all the champagne!"

Russell informed Mercedes team leader Toto Wolff via team radio post-race that he planned to remain in Las Vegas to revel in his victory.

Russell's humorous conversation on the radio:

TW: "How about we grab a drink tonight in Los Angeles, George?"

GR: "Toto, I've decided to stick around in Vegas!"

TW mentioned, "Perhaps it's necessary for me to remain in Vegas as well."

Russell confessed he was seeking suggestions for celebration spots, stating, “I’m not much of a partier and I’m unsure about the best places to go, but I’ll definitely be finding a place to celebrate!”

Lewis frequently covers Grands Prix worldwide for Crash.net, consistently providing firsthand reports on the events. He focuses on narrating the experiences of key individuals in the sport.

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Unveiled: F1 Racer's Pit Stop Blunder with Missing Crew

The reason behind the odd occurrence at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix disclosed

Strange video of a failed pit stop during the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix has been clarified.

Esteban Ocon of Alpine made a pit stop, but it appeared that only one mechanic was prepared for his entry.

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Ocon sped away, consequently losing valuable time and being forced to make another pit stop later.

At the start of the race, Esteban Ocon had to bypass his pit stop and continue on without stopping as his pit crew was not prepared 😬🇫🇷(🎥 @CanalplusF1) #F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/In2nKQYWdt

"According to Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz, the issue with Ocon stemmed from a misunderstanding in the pit lane between the engineers and the mechanics."

Thus, upon Ocon's arrival in the garage, the crew was uninformed and consequently, not prepared in the pit.

"Ocon expressed surprise upon his arrival, questioning, 'Where's my pit crew? This is strange…'"

"He spent 11 seconds extra on the track before making another pit stop, following the crew's notification that 'Ocon is making his way in'."

"He was compelled to make a pit stop for soft tyres in the final stages, specifically on Lap 46, due to his tyres being completely worn out. A fresh set of softs was the only option available to him."

Ocon ended up in 17th place at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, after initially qualifying 11th.

In an unfortunate turn of events for Alpine, Pierre Gasly, Ocon's fellow driver, started the race in third position but was unable to complete it.

"Kravitz clarified that Gasly didn't finish the race as several of the engine's cylinders began to malfunction, ultimately leading to the engine's failure."

Alpine has fallen behind in the constructors' championship following a difficult day at the races.

Haas has moved ahead into sixth position in the rankings following Nico Hulkenberg's finish in the points.

Each position in the constructors' championship equates to roughly $10 million – implying that Alpine's lackluster performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix could have a significant financial impact.

With two matches left in the season, they have an opportunity to regain their position and, consequently, the associated financial rewards.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of sports including American games, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Unveiled: The peculiar case of an F1 driver left stranded without a pit crew

The reasons behind the bizarre event at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix disclosed

Strange video showing a failed pit stop at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix has been clarified.

Esteban Ocon of Alpine made a pit stop, but it appeared that only one mechanic was prepared for his entry.

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Ocon accelerated away, consequently losing valuable time and requiring an additional pit stop later on.

At the start of the race, Esteban Ocon was forced to bypass his pit stop since his team was not yet prepared 😬🇫🇷 (🎥 @CanalplusF1) #F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/In2nKQYWdt

"Ted Kravitz from Sky Sports clarified that there was a misunderstanding in the pit lane involving the engineers and mechanics, leading to the issue with Ocon."

Thus, upon Ocon's arrival in the garage, the pit crew was unaware and had not positioned themselves in the pit lane.

"Ocon expressed surprise upon his arrival, questioning, 'Wow, I've arrived, but where is my pit crew? That's strange…'"

"Thus, he lost 11 seconds during the race, and then had to make another pit stop after the crew was informed, 'Ocon is coming in'."

"He had no choice but to stop for a new set of soft tyres towards the race's conclusion, on Lap 46, as his current tyres were completely worn out. The only option available to him was a fresh set of soft tyres."

At the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Ocon ended up in 17th place, despite having started from the 11th position.

In a disappointing turn of events for Alpine, Pierre Gasly, Ocon's team member, began the race from the third position but was unable to complete it.

"Kravitz clarified that Gasly did not finish due to several cylinders failing, leading to the engine essentially exploding."

Alpine has fallen behind in the constructors' standings following a disappointing performance.

Haas has surpassed them to claim the sixth position in the rankings, thanks to Nico Hulkenberg's point-scoring finish.

Every position in the constructors’ championship has an estimated value of around $10 million, indicating that Alpine's lackluster performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix could have a significant financial impact on them.

With just two matches left in the season, they must fight to regain their position and the financial rewards that come with it.

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

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Max Verstappen discusses maintaining concentration during Red Bull's internal political turmoil and controversies.

Recently acclaimed quadruple Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen stated that he maintained his concentration on racing activities amidst the chaotic political drama that surrounded his Red Bull team.

Securing a fifth-place position at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the 27-year-old racer clinched the drivers’ championship, sealing the 2024 world title with a couple of races left to go.

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Verstappen kicked off the season with remarkable performance, however, his Red Bull squad faced turmoil when a woman working for the team accused team leader Christian Horner of sexual harassment.

The dispute involving Horner sparked internal political conflicts that included Max Verstappen's dad, Jos, along with Red Bull's motor racing consultant and Verstappen's trusted advisor, Helmut Marko, casting uncertainty over the future of the Dutch racing driver.

Despite distractions away from the track, Verstappen remained unfazed, and in the face of Red Bull's performance downturn, he maintained his composure to join the elite group of only six drivers in F1 history to secure a minimum of four world championships.

"The start was somewhat chaotic, to put it mildly, but I tend to stay composed under such circumstances," Verstappen commented post-race.

"I believe it's quite challenging to distract me in any way. My attention is keenly directed towards the aspect of racing. I'm aware that once I'm behind the wheel, I become oblivious to everything else, whether it's good or bad.

"I simply concentrate on what's in front of me, which is to deliver a strong performance and push the car to its maximum speed."

Horner described Verstappen's most recent championship victory as his "greatest and most challenging" to achieve.

In response to whether he shares Horner's perspective, Verstappen said, "I believe that as well."

"Reflecting on the previous season, I felt we had a superior car, yet it seemed our team's accomplishment of securing ten consecutive wins wasn't fully acknowledged by everyone. Despite our car having a clear advantage, I believe its dominance was somewhat overstated in people's perceptions."

"Without a doubt, the 2023 season stands out as my top performance. It's a period I'll fondly remember, especially since, even when our car setup wasn't ideal, we managed to remain competitive. Our car consistently demonstrated strength during races, allowing us to secure victories."

"However, I take great pride in this season since, for the majority of it—around 70%—we weren't driving the quickest car. Despite that, we managed to increase our lead, which is certainly an achievement I cherish."

Lewis frequently covers Grand Prix events globally for Crash.net. Typically delivering reports directly from the venue, Lewis shares insights into the lives and narratives of key figures in the sport.

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F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Driver Evaluations: George Russell Demonstrates Leadership Potential for Mercedes

Who stood out as the top performer in the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix?

George Russell – 10

In Las Vegas, Russell put on a stellar performance to secure his second win of the season. Starting from the pole position, he dominated the race and was a worthy victor.

Lewis Hamilton – Rating: 7.5

Hamilton faced challenges during the qualifying rounds in Las Vegas, erring on his two attempts in Q3. Despite this, he emerged as arguably the fastest driver on the track, managing to climb up to a second-place finish. He was closing in on Russell in the race's concluding laps, although Russell mentioned he was controlling the pace from the lead.

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Carlos Sainz – 8

Sainz had a commendable performance throughout the weekend. He showed great strength during the qualifying rounds. Though he initially dropped a position to Leclerc at the start, he managed to regain his place as the Ferraris faced difficulties with their medium tyres. In the end, despite a challenging period on hard tyres, he successfully secured a podium finish.

Charles Leclerc – 7.5

Leclerc ranked behind Sainz in the qualifying rounds and also ended up trailing him in the final race. Was he less quick than Sainz? Likely not. However, situational factors and adhering to team strategies didn't favor him.

Max Verstappen – 9

Verstappen consistently maximizes the RB20's potential. He maintained a solid second position during the race's mid-section before falling behind the pair of Ferraris.

Lando Norris – 8

It was a challenging weekend for McLaren, limiting Norris to a maximum finish of sixth place during the race.

Oscar Piastri – 6

Piastri consistently lagged behind Norris in terms of pace. Additionally, he incurred a penalty due to a premature start.

Nico Hulkenberg impressively navigated through the midfield, securing an additional four points for Haas in the constructors' standings, propelling them past Alpine.

Yuki Tsunoda – 8

Similar to Hulkenberg, Tsunoda stood out in the mid-pack battle, securing a few points for his performance.

Sergio Perez scored a 5.5

Perez experienced yet another disappointing weekend, exiting in Q1. Nonetheless, he managed a commendable performance, securing a 10th place finish.

Fernando Alonso – 7.5

Positioned as the 10th-ranked squad in qualifying, even trailing Sauber, Aston Martin managed to end up just shy of scoring points, thanks to a bold strategy involving two pit stops, which is commendable.

Kevin Magnussen – 6.5

Magnussen, who had been performing notably well of late, found himself outshone by his Haas teammate in the Las Vegas race. Despite adopting a one-stop strategy, it wasn't enough to secure him a spot in the points.

Zhou Guanyu – 7.5

This weekend was Zhou's best performance of the year. He made it to Q2 and achieved a commendable 13th place in the starting lineup. He was competing for points but fell behind after switching to hard tires.

Franco Colapinto – 6.5

Despite outpacing his teammate Albon in the qualifying rounds, Colapinto had a significant crash in Q2. Starting from the pit lane, he managed to deliver a steady performance, ultimately securing a 14th place finish.

Lance Stroll – 6

Stroll had a forgettable weekend, with his qualifying prospects dashed by a mechanical problem in the third free practice session, limiting him to a single attempt in the first qualifying round. Additionally, his race performance suffered due to problems with his radio communication.

Liam Lawson – 5.5

Lawson faced a challenging weekend, lagging behind Tsunoda in speed and at no point did he appear to be in the running for a top 10 finish.

Esteban Ocon – 6

Ocon couldn't reach Gasly's impressive performance during the qualifying rounds, and his prospects for scoring points were dashed by an odd occurrence in the pit lane. When Ocon entered the pit stop, he was forced to continue without stopping because his team was not prepared for him.

Valtteri Bottas scored a 5.5

It was a disappointing weekend for Bottas, who unexpectedly found himself slower than Zhou, an occurrence that has been rare this year.

Alex Albon – 6.5

Albon was eliminated in the first qualifying round due to exceeding track boundaries, and a problem with his power unit led to his premature exit from the race.

Pierre Gasly – 8.5

Gasly delivered an outstanding qualifying performance, securing third place on the grid for his Alpine. Unfortunately, an engine failure led to an early exit from the race.

Connor, with his keen awareness of F1's debates and narratives, serves as the core of our impartial journalism.

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Lewis Hamilton exceeded Mercedes' expectations with his impressive performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. "Lewis surpassed all of our predicted outcomes today to secure second place."

Mercedes announced that Lewis Hamilton exceeded all their pre-race predictions to secure a second-place finish at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Hamilton delivered an impressive performance, advancing from a starting position of tenth to secure a second-place finish, trailing only behind his Mercedes teammate George Russell.

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The driver, who has won the world championship seven times, likely had the fastest race pace during Sunday's competition. However, he was left disappointed by another subpar performance in the qualifying round.

Hamilton appeared to be a solid candidate for securing the pole position, but a pair of errors during Q3 resulted in him starting 10th on the grid.

He maneuvered past the competition and managed to narrow Russell’s advantage to roughly seven seconds as the race concluded.

Mercedes' head of trackside engineering, Andrew Shovlin, thinks that Hamilton's inability to overtake the Ferraris hindered his opportunity to compete with Russell for victory in Las Vegas.

Shovlin expressed surprise at their performance, admitting that they hadn't expected Las Vegas to be a favorable track for them. "It's been fantastic to witness how well the car has been performing," he remarked. "From the very first practice lap on Thursday, we showed speed. While we anticipated strong performance in individual laps from those sessions, it was particularly motivating to observe our competitive race pace today."

George excelled at leading the race, effectively handling safety car threats and maintaining his tyres in better condition than those of the competitors trailing him. This victory was another merited achievement and marked the third win of his Formula 1 career. On the other hand, Lewis surpassed all our predicted models to secure second place.

His last effort was phenomenal, although he might feel disappointed that getting caught up in traffic cost him valuable time, preventing a battle for victory. Nevertheless, securing first and second places is an excellent outcome for the team. With only two races remaining in the season, everyone is eager to see how things will unfold.

"We are fully committed to putting in maximum effort to replicate our success in Qatar and Abu Dhabi."

Mercedes secured their first double victory of the season at the Las Vegas event.

This marked their fourth win this year, putting them just one behind McLaren and Ferrari, who each have five wins.

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

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Ferrari chief's candid opinion after Charles Leclerc states "politeness backfires on me"

Fred Vasseur addresses Las Vegas frustration

Ferrari's chief is adamant that the frustration felt by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in Las Vegas won't lead to any issues.

Leclerc expressed his frustration over the team radio, stating that "being nice screwed me over" as he ended up in fourth place, just one position behind his teammate Sainz, during the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

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Discussion surrounded pit stop tactics and team commands, yet Leclerc also suggested there were additional directives that were not followed.

Ferrari's team leader, Fred Vasseur, assured Motorsport, "I have absolutely no concerns."

They consistently find themselves in a situation where they either feel compelled to express their opinions or choose to remain silent.

"They provide commentary during the cooldown lap without always having a complete understanding. We'll talk it over, and it won't become a problem."

We must steer clear of conflict. However, at this point, I believe it's crucial to align with the team's strategy from the start of the stint. Carlos was already in laps three or four of his stints.

"I believe it's largely due to the circumstance being challenging for all involved. However, we'll have a conversation about it this evening. It shouldn't pose a problem.

During our conversation about the pitstop strategy with Carlos, I mentioned that he seemed to be overlooked in comparison to Liam Lawson and possibly Yuki Tsunoda. He was inclined to make a pitstop, whereas our preference was to have him continue on the track.

In the midst of our conversation, we found ourselves having to exchange roles, leading to some confusion. However, once they're behind the wheel, they each possess a unique perspective on the race.

Ferrari continues to hold the second position in the constructors' standings, with only two races left, behind only McLaren.

The team has surpassed Red Bull in recent races, yet the grievances voiced by Leclerc and Sainz indicate that not all is well within the renowned Italian squad.

Ferrari is on the brink of experiencing a significant transformation, with just two races left.

In 2025, Lewis Hamilton is set to join forces with Leclerc, marking an intriguing addition to the narrative of Formula 1's most decorated driver and its top-performing team.

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

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An ousted Formula 1 driver is on the verge of securing a new contract for a position with Mercedes

Toto Wolff announces that an agreement is nearly finalized

Mercedes is poised to benefit from a seasoned Formula 1 driver being ousted from their racing position.

Valtteri Bottas will no longer be driving for Sauber in the upcoming season, leaving him without any options to continue his racing career.

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A possible return to Mercedes as a reserve driver is being considered.

"Everything is still up in the air, no agreements have been finalized," Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, told Viaplay while in Las Vegas.

"However, should he return to our family, we would be overwhelmed with happiness."

"One could argue that being able to welcome a driver of Valtteri's caliber back into the Mercedes fold, particularly with his skill and up-to-date knowledge of the latest car models, is an incredibly fortunate position to be in."

Wolff was questioned on the chances of finalizing a deal to re-sign Bottas.

"He conceded that it was just a question of when."

Bottas, alongside his Sauber colleague Guanyu Zhou, has yet to earn any points this season due to their struggles with the least competitive vehicle in Formula 1.

During the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Zhou finished in 13th place, while Bottas came in 18th.

In 2026, Sauber is set to transform into Audi, and looking ahead, they plan to introduce a fresh pair of drivers for the upcoming season.

Nico Hulkenberg has been acquired from Haas, along with Gabriel Bortoleto, a Formula 2 racer previously with McLaren.

Bottas and Zhou find themselves without options, however, Mercedes provides their ex-driver an opportunity to remain involved.

In a similar fashion, Mercedes quickly hired Mick Schumacher as a backup driver after he was left without a Formula 1 racing position.

In 2025, Bottas is set to rejoin an updated Mercedes team, which will no longer include his previous team colleague, Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton is set to move to Ferrari, making way for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli to take up the driving duties for Mercedes.

Bottas secured victories in 10 Grand Prix events while racing for Mercedes.

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

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