“Yuki Tsunoda will finish the season. Yuki Tsunoda is a fast driver. We know that, but he’s had his ups and downs. That’s why we thought Lawson was the better and stronger candidate. But Yuki has undergone a transformation. He changed his management and, in this situation, this was simply the best option.”

Lawson had taken Sergio Perez’s place, but due to his poor results in just two races, Red Bull dropped him, hoping that this would also help Max Verstappen in his fight for the Drivers’ World Championship.

Why was Liam Lawson dropped from Red Bull?

Liam Lawson was dropped by Red Bull because they need a competitive second driver to pursue the Constructors’ World Championship. A few days ago, Marko explained this in an interview with De Telegraaf.

“We know Max is not happy, but we need two cars at the front. Not only for the Constructors’ Championship, but also to help Max get his fifth world title.”

“Great rivalries throughout the history of motorsport have contributed to making it such an exciting experience for fans. But what underpins sport at all levels is a culture of respect. As such, it was disappointing to hear the crowd’s tribalist reaction to FIA Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner, at the F1 launch in London.”

Even Max’s father, Jos Verstappen, has already warned that if the same Formula 1 event is held next year in England, it is most likely that the Red Bull Racing driver will not attend after the controversial boos.

What happened with Max Verstappen in F1 75?

Additionally, the FIA warned that throughout the 2025 season, it will be monitoring any type of attacks against its drivers. According to a statement from a spokesperson for the organization, these situations will not be tolerated.

“Max and Christian have both contributed greatly to the sport we love. In the season ahead we should not lose sight of that. As part of the FIA’s commitment to protect the integrity of the sport, we are leading a coalition tackling online abuse in sport under the banner of our United Against Online Abuse campaign. We stand with all of our competitors, officials, volunteers, and fans to unite against this growing threat. We urge the sporting community to consider the impact of their actions both online and offline.”

Therefore, amid rumors of a potentially complicated relationship, the seven-time world champion has come forward to clarify that there are no issues with Leclerc and that they are ready for the 2025 season.

“Charles and I get on really well. We generally have for quite some time, but obviously when I knew that I was coming here, and also being the older driver, I really tried to go out of my way to try and make sure that we spoke more often and got to know each other a little bit more.”

Did Lewis Hamilton join Ferrari?

In a historic move, Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes to join Ferrari. Now, the goal is very clear. A legend working alongside a star like Charles Leclerc should be the ideal formula for winning the Constructors’ Championship.

“There are actually quite a few things we have in common. Like we flew here last night and we were up the whole time just playing chess. So, we’ve got a great rapport. He’s working incredibly hard and it’s great to see his work ethic and learn from him. His knowledge of what he has been and experienced here for the past six years. We’re really working together to elevate the team. It will without doubt be one of the strongest teammate pairings. That’s, I think, a positive.”

Despite having Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan contracted for the 2025 season, Alpine is already looking to the future. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Enstone-based team is in discussions with Franco Colapinto, the talented young driver who has recently caught the attention of Williams.

Under the leadership of Flavio Briatore, Alpine is navigating a transitional phase, aiming to become a top contender by the time the new regulations are introduced in 2026. Colapinto’s remarkable speed and commercial appeal make him an enticing prospect for the French team.

While Doohan is set to make his F1 debut next season, his one-year contract offers Alpine the flexibility to explore other options for 2026. This opens the door for a potential move for Colapinto, especially if he continues to impress.

Williams, meanwhile, is carefully evaluating the best path for Colapinto’s career while also trying to maintain its relationship with the rising star. This includes weighing interest from teams like Red Bull and Alpine.

Red Bull, however, is reportedly keen on signing Colapinto to a long-term deal rather than a short-term loan. Alpine’s more adaptable approach, though, could give them an edge in negotiations.

Colapinto’s agent addresses speculation

Maria Catarineu, Colapinto’s agent, recently responded to rumors about potential discussions involving Williams and Red Bull in a talk with Campeones in YouTube. While she denied that formal offers have been made, she confirmed that conversations are ongoing, clarifying that any further updates would come from the team.

“Williams has been proactive in finding a place for Franco in 2025. These things take time, and nothing is confirmed at this stage,” she stated. Catarineu added, “We would love for Franco to stay with Williams, but the team currently has existing contracts. They’re working on a solution, but as of now, it doesn’t look likely he’ll remain with them in 2025.”

After Sauber confirmed Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto as their second driver, joining Nico Hulkenberg, there have been many questions surrounding Franco Colapinto’s chances of getting a contract for the 2025 Formula 1 season. There’s only one seat left for next season at RB Visa Cash App, alongside Yuki Tsunoda.

The battle for the final spot appears to be between Liam Lawson and Colapinto. Lawson may hold an edge, being a Red Bull junior academy member. Despite this, Colapinto’s agent remains optimistic about his prospects for the last remaining slot in the 2025 season. Speaking to Campeones on YouTube, Maria Catarineu was confident about her client’s future.

When asked, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely is it that Franco will be racing next year?” she boldly replied, “20.” Shocked, the journalists clarified, “Did you understand the question?” She confirmed with conviction: “I understood perfectly. 20. When so many people want something to happen, it’s only fair that it does.”

Catarineu added, “Don’t forget I’ve said that if Franco makes it to F1, it’s to stay. There are many scenarios at play, but there’s significant support from fans, Formula 1, and Williams to keep Colapinto in the series.”

Catarineu also addressed the speculation regarding talks between Williams and Red Bull about Colapinto. While she denied any formal offer, she didn’t dismiss the ongoing conversations, leaving the responsibility for further details with Williams Racing. “Williams has been proactive in seeking a place for Franco for 2025. These things take time, and at this stage, nothing is confirmed,” she stated, adding, “We’d love for Franco to stay with Williams, but the team has existing contracts in place. They’re working on a solution, but right now, it doesn’t look like he’ll remain with them in 2025.”

How can Colapinto arrive in VCARB

With Bortoleto’s Sauber deal in place, RB Visa Cash App is the last team yet to confirm its second seat. Red Bull’s junior team has Tsunoda as its lead driver, while Daniel Ricciardo briefly held the second slot before retiring mid-season, which allowed young Lawson, another Red Bull academy driver, to take his place.

Although Red Bull has yet to announce Lawson as their second driver for 2025, this remains Colapinto’s sole chance to start next season. Talks between Red Bull and Williams about Colapinto have occurred, with reports of an offer from one team to the other, but it remains unclear if this offer was for a reserve driver role or the second seat alongside Tsunoda.

A key factor behind Sauber’s choice to sign Gabriel Bortoleto over Franco Colapinto for their 2025 F1 lineup has come to light. Despite Colapinto’s standout performances for Williams, where he filled in mid-season for Logan Sargeant, his potential as a candidate for Sauber’s soon-to-be Audi-backed team was ultimately set aside.

Williams had been unwilling to allow a full transfer for Colapinto, preferring instead a loan arrangement. This restriction reportedly impacted Colapinto’s candidacy significantly. As commentator Lawrence Barretto from F1.com noted, Sauber had a strict policy against loan deals, insisting on an outright signing, which “curtailed” Colapinto’s chances with the team.

“Sauber/Audi entertained discussions with Williams about Colapinto – with boss James Vowles actively trying to get him the seat – and opened talks with Bortoleto’s team (he’s part of Fernando Alonso’s driver management agency A14) and McLaren,” Barretto explained. Sauber was also exploring other options, speaking with Mercedes junior Mick Schumacher and considering a promotion for their reserve driver Theo Pourchaire.

However, Sauber maintained a “red line” on the terms of their driver acquisition. They were firm in their stance against loan agreements, limiting themselves to drivers they could secure under a full contract. “Sauber/Audi had a red line, though. They were only interested in signing a driver outright. Loan deals were a no-go,” Barretto wrote, emphasizing the decisive impact this policy had on Colapinto’s opportunity.

The decision for Sauber’s new team boss, Mattia Binotto, eventually narrowed to Bortoleto or current driver Valtteri Bottas. According to reports, both drivers were agreeable to contract terms, but Sauber ultimately opted for a fresher face in Bortoleto, prioritizing youth over Bottas’ experience.

Colapinto’s reaction to Bortoleto’s news

Through the official Formula 1 page announcement confirming Bortoleto’s place at Sauber, Colapinto shared a warm comment for the Brazilian: “Bravo, my friend,” expressed Franco, along with a fist emoji and a Brazilian flag.

With his arrival in the top tier of single-seater motorsport, Bortoleto will become the 32nd Brazilian in F1 history and the first to compete since 2020. He will share the Audi-powered team with German driver Nico Hulkenberg.

As Max Verstappen aims to clinch his fourth Formula 1 title in Las Vegas, the debate of the greatest F1 driver ever returns once again. Sebastian Vettel, who is one of the most prolific figures in motorsport, recently revealed who he believes is the best driver of all time

“I would say the best are Michael (Schumacher) and Lewis (Hamilton). Why? Because the numbers speak for themselves,” he responded when asked to choose the top drivers in an interview with talkSPORT back in April.

“Michael was my hero, and Lewis has the best statistics,” he explained. It’s worth noting that Vettel raced alongside both, making his F1 debut in 2007 with BMW Sauber. Vettel has also said that Schumacher was a key figure in his decision of becoming a F1 driver too.

Vettel, who retired two years ago, also left a significant mark on most of the sport’s individual records. The 37-year-old German is tied with Alan Prost as the drivers with fourth championship titles.

Only Hamilton, Schumacher, and Juan Manuel Fangio have surpassed him in terms of championships, with the Europeans claiming seven titles each and the Argentinian five. Meanwhile, Vettel also became the youngest ever world champion at the age of 23 in 2010.

Fernando Alonso: Vettel’s Toughest Rival

In the same interview, the German also responded about the most challenging driver he faced in Formula 1, taking a different approach and highlighting Fernando Alonso, who at 43 years old, is still competing.

“Fernando (Alonso). I had very close championships with him, and throughout my career, in general. He’s the kind of driver who’s always there. He’s very competitive. Yes, I think he was the toughest competitor I’ve faced,” he said.

It’s worth noting that Alonso was the runner-up in three of Vettel’s championship-winning seasons in F1. The Spaniard’s two titles came in 2005 and 2006, just before the German made his debut in the category.

After Max Verstappen’s impressive race in the Brazil GP in Sao Paulo, the Dutchman has the 2024 F1 championship in the tip of his fingers. With the right result in Las Vegas, the Red Bull driver can claim his fourth title.

After giving a masterclass under the rain of Sao Paulo, Verstappen extended his lead in the drivers’ standings to 62 points over Lando Norris. The McLaren driver slipped from pole position to sixth place, giving Verstappen some air.

Verstappen can become champion if he finishes ahead of Norris in Las Vegas, which is scheduled for November 23. The Briton needs to outscore Verstappen by three points to keep his ambitions alive ahead of Qatar.

This means that if Norris is second or third, Verstappen will need to finish just one place below him and also record the fastest lap. Verstappen can also clinch his championship finishing just below Norris, if the Briton is fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth (without the fastest lap).

However, if Norris ends up ninth, 10th or fails to score, the Dutchman also mathematically wins. If Verstappen fails to become champion in Las Vegas, his next chance will come up in Qatar, which is set for December 1st.

Verstappen can join a select group of drivers with four championships

If Verstappen clinches the title, he will join Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel on four F1 drivers’ championships. The only drivers to have won more are Juan Manuel Fangio, with five, Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, both with seven. The German also is the driver with most consecutive championships (five).

“From now, I just want clean races to the end. I’m not thinking about clinching the championship in Vegas or whatever. I just want clean races,” Verstappen replied when asked about potentially clinching the drivers’ title (via Motorsport.com).

How many races are left in the 2024 F1 championship?

• Las Vegas Grand Prix (Saturday, Nov. 23)
• Qatar Grand Prix (Sunday, December 1st)
• Abu Dhabi (Sunday, December 8th)

Ahead of the Brazilian GP, Max Verstappen has dismissed criticism of his driving style following a total of 20 seconds in penalties at the recent race in Mexico. The reigning world champion faced backlash from various members of the motorsport community, including Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, after his controversial performance last weekend.

In Mexico, the stewards handed Verstappen two 10-second penalties for different incidents that occurred on the same lap while he was engaged in a fierce battle with title contender Norris. The McLaren driver complained about the Dutchman’s driving, calling it “dangerous” and “not very clean.”

When asked if he might consider modifying his racing style, Verstappen replied, “Yeah, I’ve heard that before in my career. It’s my tenth year in Formula 1. I think I know what I’m doing.” The Red Bull driver insisted that his primary focus is on securing the best results in each race.

“I think it’s just you win some, you lose some. That’s how it is in racing in general. And yeah, I like to win. I don’t like to lose. I think not many people like to lose. And I think, yeah, we just try to maximize the result. And like I said, some you win, some you lose,” he emphasized.

The penalties were the result of two incidents: one in which Verstappen forced Norris off the track at Turn 4 and another where he gained an advantage by leaving the track at Turn 7, which left Norris with no choice but to run wide.

Verstappen also criticized FIA’s rulebook

Looking ahead, the FIA plans to consult with drivers regarding racing regulations to create clearer guidelines for stewards on how to handle racing incidents. Verstappen shared his thoughts on the current regulatory landscape, stating that there is no perfect solution and suggesting that the sport is currently over-regulated.

“Sometimes they work for you, sometimes they work against you,” he noted. “I think it’s never going to be perfect because even if you remove rules, then you get into a battle, then you want more rules because it’s not clear what is allowed or not. Then when you have too many rules, you want less rules. It just keeps on going left and right all the time. Do I think it’s overregulated? Probably yes. I mean, in general, the rulebook is only getting bigger and bigger every single year; I don’t think that’s always the right way forward,” he explained.

Franco Colapinto has become the breakout junior driver of the season after replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams. While the Argentine driver doesn’t have a seat for 2025 due to Carlos Sainz’s arrival at the Grove team, he has reportedly an offer from Red Bull for their junior team, VCARB. Ahead of the Brazil GP, the 21-year-old opened up about his options.

“I would like to stay in Formula 1. I arrived late in the season, and Williams gave me this opportunity; they trusted me with the seat and offered me a chance I wouldn’t have had. Now I’m trying to secure a seat and prove that I deserve to be here, but if it’s not next year, then maybe in 2026 and 2027. Driving a Formula 1 car has been my dream since childhood, so I’m still enjoying it,” he said to the press in Sao Paulo.

Despite the gratitude, Colapinto was clear about his interest in the Red Bull’s offer. While admitting he doesn’t know about the rumors, he said: “If Williams can’t give me a seat, it would make sense for them to let me go elsewhere to have better options in the future.”

He added, “I’ve thought I wouldn’t be in Formula 1 in 2025, and I still think that, so I really don’t get excited about all the noise around it. But we’ll see. I don’t feel much pressure or anything like that; I’m just trying to enjoy the moment and the opportunity.”

After five Grands Prix, the Argentine has already accumulated five points and has become a star off the track. As we said, Red Bull is, reportedly, one of the teams interested in signing him for next year, as there are rumors about Sergio Perez’ exit swirling too.

Christian Horner confirms his interest in Colapinto

According to quotes by German outlet AMuS, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said that the Argentine is “an interesting driver,” and “he is surprisingly much better driver than it was suggested in Formula 2.”

“I would be a bad team boss if I didn’t find out whether he was available,” he said. However, Colapinto’s potential arrival comes with certain conditions. First, Sergio Pérez must depart Red Bull, as he is still under contract for two more seasons. According to rumors, Liam Lawson is expected to team up with Max Verstappen, while Colapinto is being considered to join Yuki Tsunoda at VCARB.

Fernando Alonso’s arrival at the Brazil Grand Prix for the 2024 Formula 1 championship has been delayed as the Aston Martin driver undergoes further medical treatment for an intestinal infection. Alonso, who began feeling unwell ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, has returned to Europe to consult a specialist.

In Mexico, where he celebrated his milestone 400th Grand Prix, Alonso was notably absent from the media day, as he was focusing on managing his health. Now, the extended treatment in Europe has delayed his flight to Brazil, meaning he’ll miss the media day once again at Sao Paulo’s iconic Interlagos circuit.

However, Aston Martin confirmed that the two-time Formula 1 world champion will be fully prepared for the weekend. The team said that Alonso’s decision to return to Europe to be seen by a doctor “ensures he will be ready for this weekend’s racing”.

Being a sprint weekend, the schedule is tighter and more intense, with only one practice session on Friday before drivers head into qualifying, which sets the grid for Saturday’s sprint race.

With one fewer day to prepare, Alonso will face the challenge of limited track time, making the single practice session on Friday even more crucial. The Spaniard, however, is no stranger to navigating difficult situations on and off the track.

The battle for the championship is alive

Meanwhile, the Sao Paulo weekend unfolds with high stakes across the grid. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen enters the weekend with a substantial 47-point lead over his nearest title challenger, McLaren’s Lando Norris, as the season nears its end. With four races to go, Verstappen looks to solidify his title position, though the competitive edge of Norris keeps the battle alive.

The constructors’ championship remains fiercely contested as well. McLaren currently leads the charge, with Ferrari and Red Bull hot on their heels. With every point counting toward the championship, this sprint weekend could shake up the team standings and set the stage for an exciting season finish.