Oliver Rowland secured the most dominant Formula E title in history in Berlin earlier this month and now he prepares to end the season with a home race in London
Oliver Rowland is Britain’s second Formula E world champion(Image: LAT Images for Formula E)
Oliver Rowland was having sleepless nights when he thought he committed career suicide just two years ago. But over this weekend he gets a world championship victory procession on home soil, as he steps out at Formula E’s season finale London E-Prix.
The lad from Barnsley, 32, secured the most dominant title win in FE history in Berlin earlier this month to become only Britain’s second all-electric world champ – and it came just two years after he quit the series altogether.
Unhappy and underperforming at Mahindra, Rowland made the brave decision to focus on his own wellbeing and ripped up his contract.
But after months of doubts over what he had done, Nissan – the team he drove for when he joined the series full-time in 2018 – offered an olive branch that he knew he had to take.
Rowland said: “The journey I have been on in the last two years is nothing short of crazy. It’s almost two years to the day since I was sat without a job, sleeping no more than three hours a night because I was so frightened at what I had done and of the situation I had put myself in.
Rowland and his team celebrate the Formula E title win(Image: LAT Images for Formula E)
“From a mental health perspective, I was in a pretty bad place, so to be in this position now, I feel pretty fortunate. I am trying to balance out the emotions because it’s highs, lows, coming back home, having a normal life again. It’s not a normal thing to navigate.
“I think by taking that risk and that punt in my career long term made me realise that I need to make sure that every small detail is done correctly on my side. I needed to really make the most of this opportunity because the reality was if it didn’t work, it was the last one.
“I’m quite a doubting guy. I’m always arriving at a race thinking I’m not going to be good enough, so I’m going to have to work really hard if I want to make the most of this opportunity.”
One of Rowland’s secret to successes has been his mentorship of Red Bull F1 wonderkid Arvid Lindblad. Rowland has guided the British-Swedish star since he was just seven.
Arvid Lindblad has been mentored by Oliver Rowland(Image: Getty)
Now a 17-year-old, he drove in FP1 at the recent British Grand Prix and as Lindblad continued to soar, Rowland knew he had to get his act into gear.
“This year is the perfect balance,” Rowland said. “I’m performing, he’s performing, we’re driving each other.
“When you set such a high level and you see somebody else you’re working so closely with, also setting a high level in a completely different area, you motivate each other, you build that trust between each other.
“If I’m advising him on to do this or to do that, but I’m finishing 20th every week, there’s less trust there.”
Chaos, Controversy, and Change: A Tumultuous Friday at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix
The 2025 Formula 1 season has already delivered its fair share of drama, but the Friday action at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps pushed the narrative to another level. From shocking rumors about Max Verstappen’s future and Red Bull’s evolving internal politics to dramatic qualifying woes for Mercedes and a historic lap from Oscar Piastri, the weekend’s start has set the tone for an explosive Grand Prix.
Red Bull: Rumors, Restructures, and Uncertainty
The Red Bull garage was abuzz with more than just the sound of wrenches and telemetry data. Speculation continues to swirl around Max Verstappen’s future with the team. Though AMuS reports suggest Verstappen is staying through 2026, the atmosphere feels unstable. Red Bull is reportedly offering Max a “freedom clause” — he stays next year, but if he wants out after that, he’s free to go. It’s a strategic play to keep their star driver grounded while uncertainty clouds the post-Horner era.
A deeper shift is clearly underway. Following Dietrich Mateschitz’s passing, Red Bull GmbH in Austria seems to be pulling the organization in a more corporate, conservative direction — a stark contrast to the rebellious, media-savvy image cultivated by Christian Horner. Reports suggest that the Austrian side of the company is increasingly frustrated by the headlines Horner generates, from feuds with Toto Wolff and Zak Brown to his Netflix-fueled role in Drive to Survive.
If this direction holds, Red Bull’s identity may shift dramatically. The team once thrived on its outlaw persona — unafraid to test boundaries, push rules, and make headlines. But in the absence of Horner and amid internal reorganization, the team feels less like the Red Bull of old and more like a sanitized, risk-averse operation. Verstappen, for many fans, is the last vestige of that aggressive legacy.
Technical Battles: Upgrades, Downgrades, and Headaches
On the technical front, Red Bull brought significant upgrades to Spa — new front wing design, revised front suspension, and changes to the rear corner for reliability. However, Yuki Tsunoda was left out in the cold. The Japanese driver didn’t receive the new parts that Max had access to, continuing a frustrating trend of being a step behind in equipment. Yet Yuki’s pace, particularly in SQ2, indicated the raw talent is still there — even without equal tools.
Red Bull’s setup strategy mirrored Silverstone: trim the downforce, dominate the straights, and accept low-speed compromise. Max Verstappen’s blistering speed in Sectors 1 and 3 highlighted this approach, but McLaren, especially Oscar Piastri, clawed back time in Sector 2 and through the bus stop chicane where the RB20 faltered.
It’s not clear if Red Bull will keep this low-downforce setup for Sunday’s potentially rainy conditions. With parc fermé opening again after the sprint, the team faces a critical decision: gamble on straight-line supremacy or add downforce for race-day grip.
Oscar Piastri Steals the Show
The standout performer on Friday was undoubtedly Oscar Piastri. In the final part of sprint qualifying, he delivered a scintillating 1:40.5 lap — shattering Lewis Hamilton’s 2020 lap record (albeit under different weather and setup contexts). What makes the lap even more impressive is that it wasn’t flawless. Onboard footage shows slight errors in Turns 14 and 15, suggesting there’s still performance left in the MCL39.
This lap wasn’t just fast — it was symbolic. McLaren’s transformation into a genuine title contender is real. The MCL39 is ferociously fast across all tire compounds and corner types. It may not match Red Bull’s top speed, but it’s supremely planted and balanced, especially at high-speed circuits like Spa. While Lando Norris was six-tenths behind Piastri, he still qualified third — showing just how dominant McLaren has become.
Mercedes and Ferrari: Turmoil and Teething Pains
For Mercedes, the day was nothing short of a disaster. George Russell suffered damage thanks to Antonelli’s off-track excursion at Savell, which forced Russell through gravel and compromised his session. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton endured a lockup during his sprint qualifying lap at the bus stop chicane — spinning and ending his session prematurely.
Hamilton blamed the incident on unprecedented rear lockups, hinting at deeper issues with Ferrari’s new rear suspension setup, which Mercedes is believed to be evaluating as part of Hamilton’s future transition to the Italian team. Interestingly, Hamilton remarked that it was the first time in his career he experienced such a rear axle lock-up — a strong statement that points to mechanical or setup faults rather than driver error.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur didn’t exactly offer protection. In typical fashion, he leaned toward blaming the driver, citing potential distractions and over-aggression on the brakes. But others in the paddock, including analysts and insiders, suggest that the new suspension — while promising in theory — may be creating instability if not setup properly.
This weekend could be a crucial testing ground for Ferrari’s long-term setup strategy. With the chance to make changes after the sprint, Saturday’s race may offer valuable data before the team commits to a configuration for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Track Evolution and Weather: The Great Unknowns
Friday’s sessions were also marked by dramatic track evolution. Times dropped by multiple seconds throughout qualifying, creating a high-stakes gamble for drivers and teams. Being on track at the right moment meant everything. Piastri barely made it out of SQ2 — saved only by a well-timed run. Drivers like Tsunoda and Lawson could have eliminated him with just 30 seconds more track time.
Looking ahead, Saturday is expected to remain dry, but Sunday still forecasts rain and potential thunderstorms. This creates a huge strategic fork in the road. Teams must decide whether to prepare their setups for a dry sprint or hedge for a wet Grand Prix — with no ability to change setups in between.
Final Thoughts: A Friday to Remember
The Belgian Grand Prix weekend is still young, but Friday’s action has already delivered enough intrigue to fill a Netflix episode. Red Bull’s future identity hangs in the balance, Max Verstappen’s commitment is under scrutiny, Mercedes is scrambling for stability, and Oscar Piastri is asserting himself as the breakout star of the season.
Whatever happens next, one thing is certain: Spa is once again proving to be the perfect crucible for Formula 1’s most compelling stories.
Red Bull and Max Verstappen are already dealing with the absence of ousted team principal Christian Horner at Spa-Francorchamps and now the Dutchman is missing another familiar face
Max Verstappen has a new Red Bull Racing boss in Laurent Mekies(Image: Getty Images)
Max Verstappen will have to make do without trusted race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. It is the second race in three that the Red Bull head of race engineering has missed, having also been absent from last month’s Austrian Grand Prix.
Lambiase has served as race engineer to Verstappen throughout the Dutchman’s entire career with Red Bull Racing. Despite their often heated radio exchanges, they have formed a tight bond and the four-time Formula 1 champion considers him one of his very closest allies in the paddock.
A specific explanation for Lambiase’s absence has not been given, beyond the team confirming he has not travelled for ‘personal reasons’. Working in his place this weekend is Simon Rennie, who also filled in at the Austria race.
Rennie has spent most of his time in recent years in a role back at the team’s base in Milton Keynes. But he also has plenty of trackside experience as a race engineer in F1, having previously performed that role for former Verstappen team-mates Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon.
They did not get much of a chance to test how they work together in Austria, given Verstappen was taken out on the first lap in Austrian by Kimi Antonelli. But the Dutchman was encouraged by how they had collaborated in practice and in qualifying before that.
Verstappen said of working with Rennie at the Red Bull Ring: “I’ve known Simon for a long time on the other side of the garage and I’m working with him also in the simulator and he has a lot of experience anyway. He was straight on it and it was nice.”
Of course, Lambiase’s is not the only familiar face and voice that is missing from the Red Bull garage at Spa-Francorchamps. For the first time in the team’s entire F1 history, since it debuted on the grid in 2005, Christian Horner is not leading their charge trackside having been axed as team principal last week.
Making his debut in the role is Horner’s replacement, Laurent Mekies, who was promoted from the same role at junior squad Racing Bulls. The Frenchman spent much of his time in Milton Keynes anyway and so is already a familiar face to Red Bull Racing staff.
That is certainly the case for Verstappen’s team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, who drove under Mekies at Racing Bulls until he was promoted to the top team earlier this year. “It will be good to link up again with Laurent,” said the Japanese racer.
“We worked really well together at Racing Bulls. I know how he likes to work and our full focus is on pushing forward and for me personally to start delivering the performance we need.”
Formula 1’s Silly Season Is on Fire – And Max Holds the Matchstick
It’s July. The European sun is blazing, Silverstone’s drying up, and in the shadows of the pit lane, the political games of Formula 1 have kicked into overdrive. Yes, the Silly Season is here—and this year, it’s sillier than ever.
From contract break clauses to paddock rumors whispered louder than team radios, the F1 driver market is burning hot. And at the center of this wildfire? One man, one driver, one Sid-from-Ice-Age-looking wrecking ball of the driver market: Max Verstappen.
The Max Factor
Verstappen is currently signed to Red Bull through 2028. That’s a Fort Knox-level contract—on paper. But, like any good drama, the devil’s in the fine print. Rumors are swirling that Red Bull isn’t quite meeting the performance clauses baked into Max’s deal. And if those clauses aren’t met, the reigning champion could walk.
Think about that. The king of the grid, with the freedom of a free agent. “A free elf,” if you will. Cue chaos.
Enter: Toto Wolff
You think Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff is just going to sit back and watch this from the pit wall while his current drivers struggle to extract performance from a stubbornly mid-pack car? Not a chance. If there’s even a sliver of Verstappen availability, you can bet Toto is already sending DM after DM—complete with Mercedes emojis and crying gifs—to Max.
But there’s a catch. A big one. George Russell.
George Russell: Silver Arrow or Collateral Damage?
Russell’s contract with Mercedes is up at the end of this season. He was once billed as the heir to Lewis Hamilton. Now? He’s struggling to keep the car out of the barriers and his position off the rumor mill.
Let’s be honest: George and Max get along like Hamilton and “brake magic.” So if Toto truly wants to bring Max to Mercedes, George could end up being the sacrificial lamb in exchange for Silver Arrow supremacy.
Too harsh? Maybe. But remember—this is Formula 1. Emotions are optional; results are mandatory.
Where Could George Go?
Don’t cry for George just yet. The man’s got options.
Red Bull needs a second driver—badly. Sergio “Checo” Perez’s contract has started to mysteriously dissolve at the same rate his confidence does in qualifying. Add in the growing shadow of Cadillac’s pending entry, and Checo may be headed toward the American Dream… or a nightmare.
Red Bull may be in the market for someone like Russell—fast, sharp, and hungry. That’s assuming, of course, George would even want to walk into Max’s house.
Then there’s Aston Martin. The team’s expecting its first Adrian Newey-designed car in 2026. That’s like Batman borrowing Tony Stark’s tech. Russell in green? He could be cooking. Heck, he might be flambéing.
The Stable Ones: Ferrari, McLaren
While the rest of the grid scrambles, a few teams are locked in tight.
Ferrari is stable (by name only). Lewis Hamilton is signed through 2026. Charles Leclerc seems glued to Maranello for the foreseeable future. One’s meditating with Roscoe. The other’s probably stuck in Monaco traffic, questioning life choices.
Over at McLaren, Lando Norris is signed until the heat death of the universe. Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, earned a contract extension for simply existing (and being fast, of course). McLaren’s safe—and terrifying. The Papaya Threat is real.
The Toss-Ups: Tsunoda, Hadjar, Antonelli
Back in the midfield, things get even spicier.
Yuki Tsunoda’s contract expires this year, and unless Red Bull decides to turn the Racing Bulls into a Twitch stream, his seat might be toast. Talented? Absolutely. Marketable? For sure. But is he part of Red Bull’s long-term vision? Doubtful.
Enter Isack Hadjar. The French rookie is doing the business in F2 and making noise in the Red Bull system. If the energy drink brand has even half a brain cell left, they’ll promote him. If not? Expect a Notes App retirement announcement and a pivot to SoundCloud rap by December.
And then there’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes’ future golden boy. But his form has been… underwhelming. The potential is there. The hype is undeniable. But Toto might park him at Williams to rack up XP before unleashing him in 2026. That means Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz might want to start double-locking their doors.
The Cadillac Conundrum
And then, looming over all of this like a bald eagle with a pit strategy, is Cadillac—the 11th team expected to enter the sport in 2026.
This is real American horsepower. Stars, stripes, and probably a V8-sounding hybrid system just to flex. And with Cadillac, come seats.
The big rumor? Checo Perez could be the team’s first big signing. A proven name with sponsor magnetism and a wide fan base. From leading Red Bull to teaching rookies how to reverse into pit boxes? The glow-down is real.
Also in the Cadillac mix? Valtteri Bottas. If you want quiet competence, good vibes, and zero drama, Bottas is your man. Beard optional.
Recap: The Grid’s on Fire
Let’s summarize the chaos:
Max Verstappen holds the keys to the entire grid. If he moves, it’s an earthquake.
George Russell is either Toto’s protégé or Toto’s pawn.
Red Bull’s second seat is more unstable than the RB20 in a wind tunnel.
Cadillac is coming—with more budget than Ferrari’s espresso machine repair team.
Yuki, Isack, Antonelli, Albon, Sainz—they’re all pawns in a much bigger game.
Toto Wolff is probably watching it all with a glass of red wine and a knowing smile.
And We’re Only in July…
The wildest part? This is just the halfway mark of the season. We’ve still got Spa, Monza, Suzuka, and maybe a Christian Horner return plot twist before we even get to Abu Dhabi.
So buckle up. Formula 1 in 2025 isn’t just about engines, downforce, and tyre degradation. It’s about politics, power plays, and who ends up holding the damn keys when the lights go out in 2026.
Now you tell us:
If you were Toto Wolff, would you keep George Russell or sell your soul to get Max Verstappen in silver?
And who do you think Cadillac is really signing first?
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur is under pressure from Italian media to improve the team’s fortunes with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc not in contention for wins
Lewis Hamilton does not have a competitive Ferrari car(Image: PA)
A former Formula 1 champion has said he would “go ballistic” if he was a Ferrari driver amid the team’s current “chaotic energy”. The Italians are the most famous outfit in the sport but have not won a title since 2008 – and won’t end that drought this year with McLaren dominating.
It means Lewis Hamilton, 40, is running out of time to win an eighth F1 title which he desperately wants to do as a Ferrari driver. And team-mate Charles Leclerc also seems to be growing frustrated having spent years spearheading the charge of an under-performing team.
The Italian media has been critical of team principal Frederic Vasseur of late and suggesting he could be replaced soon unless he can inspire an improvement in their fortunes on track. And speculation has only intensified since Christian Horner became available.
Ferrari have courted Horner before and, now that he has been axed by Red Bull, they may have a better chance of tempting the Brit to make the move to Maranello. In the eyes of Jacques Villeneuve, he may be better equipped to deal with the constant scrutiny than any Ferrari boss always faces.
“Christian Horner to Ferrari would be an interesting one,” the 1997 F1 champion said. “He’s been solid, doesn’t seem to have been very affected by pressure, even in tough times. So, he might well be one that could be able to shoulder Ferrari.”
Villeneuve was also highly critical of the current situation at Ferrari and made it clear that he would have spoken up about it long ago if he were in Hamilton or Leclerc’s shoes. The Canadian said: “The team principal at Ferrari is always under threat – that’s the name of the game.
“When you accept going to Ferrari, you know that you’re walking on fire, you’re walking on eggs. It’s always a risky proposition. And if you take the job, which puts you in the limelight, you have to accept the consequences, which means it’s easy to just be chopped.
“You live under constant pressure, and you have to accept it from the media, from everyone and you complain about it because a team principal there is always one who managed to remove his predecessor. There’s always a lot of politics. So, if it happens to Vasseur there should not be any surprise. The last few races probably protected him a bit.
Jacques Villeneuve said he would not stand for the situation if he was a Ferrari driver(Image: Getty Images)
“But the wind changes so quickly at Ferrari. And it looks like Lewis is getting the hang of it, and is starting to figure out the car. And that’s putting Leclerc in a very bad spot. And you can hear it in his comments on the radio that it’s a very stressful situation for Leclerc as well.
“That is all the chaotic energy inside the team which is not helpful. All that is just chaotic energy inside the thing that is not easy. Then there’s the way the engineers communicate with the driver, you can hear it over the radio. It’s as if they’re a different team. There is no chemistry.
“It’s the same with Lewis which is understandable maybe because he’s new to the team. But there’s zero chemistry, zero communications, nothing constructive when you listen to the races. In the last few races when I was listening to some of the exchanges, I thought, ‘Wow, how would I have reacted if I’d been the driver?’
“With this kind of communication, I would have gone ballistic. Something needs to be done to clean up the Ferrari house a bit.”
George Russell is out of contract at the end of the season and Mercedes have been courting Max Verstappen amid ongoing speculation that he could walk away from Red Bull
Toto Wolff and George Russell have yet to agree a contract extension for the Brit(Image: Getty Images)
Toto Wolff has explained why George Russell has yet to sign a new contract with Mercedes despite his current deal expiring in a matter of months. The situation has led to increased speculation that the Brit could be replaced by Max Verstappen if the Silver Arrows can convince the Dutchman to quit Red Bull.
Russell is out of contract at the end of the year and has always shown confidence in public that he will land an extension. However, he admitted on Thursday ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix that confirmation of a new deal before the approaching Formula 1 summer break is “unlikely”.
Verstappen has been constantly linked with a move to Mercedes and has refused to state directly in public that he will remain with Red Bull in 2026. But it is understood that is his most likely course of action as it stands.
And Mercedes team principal Wolff has made it clear that he is very likely to stick with his current pairing of Russell and teenage prodigy Kimi Antonelli. “There is the largest of probabilities. Nothing is 100 percent, [but] this is going to be the line-up for next year,” he told Sky Sports.
Russell was the one who sparked the rumours of a Verstappen switch several weeks ago by revealing that his team had been in contact with the Dutchman. But Wolff does not believe that his driver did so in a bid to secure his own future.
Giving two reasons why Russell has yet to put pen to paper, the Austrian said: “[The media] make a lot of pressure, because it’s an interesting topic. But it’s completely normal that we have these negotiations and discussions. Every driver wants a better car and more money, that’s completely normal behaviour and that’s not going to be the crucial point.
“He’s now triggered the whole media avalanche. It’s maybe naïve, but I try to be transparent with the drivers and I said to him, ‘Listen, I have the obligation of exploring what Max is going to do in the next few years’. I think he just came out with it to show, ‘I’m aware of what’s going on, there’s nothing going on behind my back and I’m fine with it’.”
Russell is enjoying the strongest season of his F1 career despite all the talk around his future, built on an excellent foundation. A remarkably consistent start to the season saw him finish in the top five in the first six races of 2025, with four podiums.
Mercedes’ performance has fluctuated more dramatically in recent outings, but Russell still managed a first victory of the year in Canada last month. He sits fourth in the drivers’ standings with 147 points, 18 behind Verstappen in third place.
But Wolff does not believe that the speculation over Russell’s future has boosted his performances, and said: “As a driver, he’s so mature and stable that I don’t think it makes any difference in performance. On the contrary, I would prefer him to have a safe place a little bit earlier. We haven’t managed to do that, but I’m optimistic that he’s going to sleep well over the summer break.”
Max Verstappen’s Future with Mercedes: A Closed Door or a Waiting Game?
As Formula 1 hurtles toward the sweeping regulatory changes of 2026, one question has loomed large over the paddock: Where will Max Verstappen land? Long viewed as the most prized asset on the grid, the four-time world champion has been at the center of a whirlwind of speculation, particularly surrounding a potential move to Mercedes. However, recent developments suggest that this possibility may have been firmly shut — at least for now.
Mercedes’ 2026 Lineup: Russell and Antonelli
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal and CEO, has made his intentions increasingly clear in recent statements. Speaking candidly, Wolff emphasized that the team is focused on continuing with George Russell and young prodigy Kimi Antonelli. “The direction is that we want to continue with George and Kimi,” Wolff stated. “That is our top priority.”
The message was unambiguous: Mercedes is looking inward, building on the talent it has cultivated. Russell, despite not yet having a contract beyond 2025, has shown enough promise to justify continued investment. Antonelli, meanwhile, represents the next generation — a driver Mercedes has nurtured from the start, now poised to make his mark on the sport.
But this clarity hasn’t come without controversy. Wolff’s delay in extending Russell’s contract has left many wondering whether his words are matched by conviction. Some critics argue that his handling of the situation has inadvertently devalued Russell, painting him as expendable despite consistent performances. The use of one-year contracts, reminiscent of those used with Lewis Hamilton in his final years at Mercedes, further muddies the waters.
The Verstappen Factor: Opportunity Lost?
Amid this backdrop, Verstappen’s own situation at Red Bull has grown increasingly uncertain. With the departure of Christian Horner and instability within Red Bull’s technical department, the team is no longer the fortress of consistency it once was. Verstappen, fiercely loyal but equally ambitious, has made it clear in the past that he is only interested in staying in F1 as long as he has a competitive car.
Mercedes, on paper, could have offered Verstappen exactly that — a new power unit for 2026, a winning culture, and the infrastructure to support another title run. But Wolff’s declaration seems to have ended those dreams prematurely.
Or has it?
A Power Struggle at Mercedes?
While Wolff’s stance appears decisive, new reports from outlets such as Autoport Web suggest a more complicated narrative behind the scenes. Ola Källenius, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group, is reportedly not ready to close the door on Verstappen just yet. Insiders claim that Källenius may be maneuvering behind Wolff’s back, recognizing the once-in-a-generation opportunity that Verstappen represents.
If true, this internal divergence could set up an unprecedented boardroom drama. Källenius may still have to convince other senior figures within the Mercedes leadership, but his authority as CEO could ultimately override Wolff’s vision — particularly if Red Bull continues to decline and Verstappen becomes available.
Verstappen’s Contract and Red Bull’s Uncertain Future
Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, but contracts in F1 are rarely absolute. Performance clauses, mutual options, and political considerations mean that nothing is ever off the table. With Red Bull’s future hinging on its fledgling partnership with Ford and a relatively unproven powertrain for 2026, Verstappen may start looking elsewhere if competitiveness dips.
Moreover, reports suggest that Red Bull is trying to keep Verstappen happy by offering him unprecedented influence — possibly even the ability to shape the team’s future branding or structure. This underscores just how vital he is to their long-term plans, but it also signals desperation.
Could Aston Martin Be Verstappen’s Escape Hatch?
If not Mercedes and not Red Bull, then who? The answer may lie in Aston Martin.
The Silverstone-based team, backed by Lawrence Stroll’s ambition and Honda’s engines for 2026, could be a dark horse in the Verstappen sweepstakes. They’ve already made significant hires — including former Red Bull technical personnel — and have aligned their trajectory toward competing at the front. With Newey reportedly joining in a consulting capacity and ex-Mercedes powertrain specialists in-house, the technical stars might be aligning.
While Aston Martin is publicly committed to Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll through 2026, F1 history shows us that contracts can be fluid when elite talent becomes available. Should Verstappen express interest, it’s not difficult to imagine Alonso transitioning into a team ambassador role, clearing the path for Max.
The Bigger Picture: 2026 and Beyond
The 2026 regulations will fundamentally reshape F1. With entirely new engine specifications and aerodynamic changes on the horizon, no team can guarantee success. Mercedes believes its in-house engine will bring them back to the front. Red Bull, meanwhile, is taking a huge leap by developing its power unit with Ford. Aston Martin and Honda hope their collaboration can leapfrog the midfield and land them in title contention.
For Verstappen, the calculus is simple but high-stakes: find a team that will give him a car capable of winning under the new rules. If Red Bull delivers, he stays. If not, his long-term future could be elsewhere — and Mercedes’ rejection may sting that much more.
Yet Toto Wolff’s comments don’t entirely shut the door. He emphasized that “everyone is up to date” and that “discussions are ongoing.” F1 fans know better than to take such statements at face value. Things change quickly in this sport — just ask Lewis Hamilton, who surprised many by defecting to Ferrari.
Conclusion: One Door Closes, Another Cracks Open
As things stand, Mercedes appears committed to its homegrown lineup of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. This may be a smart long-term bet, particularly if Mercedes’ engine gamble pays off in 2026. But in doing so, they may have walked away from the surest bet of all: Max Verstappen.
Whether that decision proves visionary or misguided will depend on how the next two seasons unfold. Verstappen’s loyalty to Red Bull is not infinite, and Aston Martin’s rise may offer a compelling alternative. Meanwhile, the power dynamics within Mercedes itself suggest that the final chapter in this story has yet to be written.
One thing is certain: Max Verstappen’s future remains the biggest wildcard in F1. And with 2026 fast approaching, the clock is ticking.
Loose Women star Denise Welch appeared on Watch What Happens Live! with Andy Cohen and discussed her son Matty Healy’s short-lived relationship with Taylor Swift
Denise Welch didn’t hold back as she shared her thoughts on her son Matty Healy’s brief romance with Taylor Swift. The Loose Women panellist appeared on Watch What Happens Live! with Andy Cohen when the Bravo host asked the actress about her famous son, who is the lead singer of The 1975.
The 67-year-old star was immediately asked about his relationship with Taylor, and specifically, what she thought about the pop star’s Tortured Poets Department album. Taylor, who is dating Travis Kelce, is known to write songs about her high-profile relationships and fans dissected the album to figure out which tracks were written about Matty.
Denise discussed Matty’s relationship with Taylor(Image: @BravoWWHL/X)
Denise seemingly claimed Taylor’s fans hit out at any person who dares to criticise the 35-year-old pop star.
When Andy asked what she thought of the hit album, Denise said: “Obviously, on pain of death can I talk about that episode, but not being her mother-in-law is a role that I am glad that I lost.”
The straightforward comment shocked everyone in the room, including Andy. She quickly tried to calm things down as she added: “Not that I have anything against her at all! It was just — it was tricky.”
Taylor and Matty were briefly an item in 2023(Image: GC Images)
She then suggested it’s difficult to comment on anything to do with Taylor, as her fans would negatively react to it. “She — listen, you’re not allowed to say anything, and then she writes a whole album about it,” Denise explained.
Denise said that Matty has taken the album’s personal tracks ‘all in completely good grace,’ and added: “He’s very happy with his amazing fiancée Gabriella,” referring to singer Gabbriette.
“So we’ve moved on,” the ITV presenter said.
After her split from long-term boyfriend Joe Alwyn, Taylor was suddenly linked to The 1975’s Matty. His presence became immediately noticeable at Taylor’s Eras Tour concerts, lip-syncing words like “This one is about you,” while fans tried to decode glances and gestures between the pair that seemed way too deliberate to be random.
In between dinner dates they were snapped by paparazzi and frequent departures from her New York City apartment – and he even performed with Phoebe Bridgers – one of Taylor’s close friends – mid-tour.
When her album last year, fans immediately clocked apparent references to Matty – especially on “Guilty as Sin?”, “The Black Dog,” and “But Daddy I Love Him.” She seemed to paint their short fling as chaotic, obsessive and misunderstood.
Matty responded to the tracks supposedly written about him in a podcast chat where he said: “I would kind of just be lying if I made a record about my casual romantic liaisons just because I was famous.”
The late Queen Elizabeth allowed Prince Andrew and Fergie the chance to build their own royal home, but things quickly spiralled as the lavish residence cost more than anticipated
The late Queen refused to further fund the construction of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s marital home, after they greatly exceeded an already generous budget(Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
When Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson tied the knot in Westminster Abbey in 1986, they were showered with thousands of luxury gifts from the A-list celebrities who were invited to their star-studded nuptials. Among the presents they received to celebrate their marriage was the promise from the late Queen Elizabeth to have their own royal residence.
After the newlyweds toured countless of existing properties all around the country, they decided they would build their own home to service all of their wants and needs. Thanks to a generous cash gift from the Queen of £250,000, the couple started construction on their infamous Berkshire home named Sunninghill Park.
A wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth to Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson quickly spiralled out of control(Image: Getty Images)
However, while construction of the 30-bedroom home was still ongoing, the late Queen was forced to put her foot down and cut off Andrew and Fergie from overspending on the lavish property, long before their first marital home had been built.
After they very quickly hit their quarter of a million pound budget, the former monarch was at breaking point with her son, and tightened her purse strings to stop their excessive spending.
On a new Channel 5 documentary, titled Fergie, Andrew & The Scandal of SouthYork, royal author Andrew Lownie recalled the moment that the late Queen became fed up with the over the top spending on the massive property.
With a gift of £250,000, the newlyweds began construction on their marital home named Sunninghill Park(Image: Rex Features)
Lownie said: “The Queen, I think, eventually put her foot down and said, you know, this is crazy. At that point, they hadn’t built the swimming pool and the tennis court, and who knows whether the helicopter pad was there then either.”
Talk TV’s Royal editor Sarah Hewson further explained that when the couple maxed out their budget in the middle of 1990, one year after construction began, the Palace refused to pay anymore money to the grand home.
Hewson said: “By this stage, Sunninghill Park was proving to be a financial headache, in particular, for the Queen, notoriously financially prudent who was having to foot the ever-escalating bills.”
Instead of accepting the fact that they had to work within their budget to complete their marital home, the Duchess of York began exploring other avenues to fund their dream home, eventually turning to Hello! Magazine to do a photoshoot.
The late Queen had to put her foot down with Andrew and Fergie, telling them to cut their extravagant spending(Image: Getty Images)
The 45-page magazine spread, which was the first time a royal couple had turned to the press for such an insight, earned Andrew and Sarah a further £200,000 to finish their home, while also welcoming a flood of criticism from the public over their design choices.
Many were quick to criticise the decor of the house, which included countless teddy bears, cushions with trite slogans, and personalised toilet roll holders including one that sang God Save The Queen.
“Fergie had a very enterprising idea that she would do a photoshoot for Hello!” said Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine. “Nobody in the royal family had ever done a shoot like that.”
“Although the Queen never commented publicly on it, she was less than pleased,” added Hewson. “She saw it as lacking decorum and that it was an invasion of privacy. Prince Philip, he just thought it was downright tacky and distasteful.”
In October 1990, the Yorks finally moved into their extravagant home, throwing an enormous housewarming party with a jungle theme.
The house sat on the market for five years before being purchased, falling into a state of disrepair
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson announced their separation in 1992, finalising their divorce in 1996, and putting Sunninghill Park on the market in 2002 for a whopping £12 million. The house sat on the market for five years before being purchased, falling into a state of disrepair.
Despite being divorced, the couple still live together at Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate. The disgraced Duke of York, who has no apparent income, was reportedly told last year to leave the 30-room Royal Lodge by the King.
There were claims Andrew could not meet the £400,000-a-year upkeep of the 19th century, Grade II-listed property, which has a pool and 90 acres of land. But so far, Andrew has refused to budge from the Queen Mother’s former home in Windsor Great Park.
Harry Redknapp’s wife Sandra is said to be in hospital according to a racing commentator who was covering the race featuring Harry’s horse, King of Bears, last night
A racing commentator has revealed that Harry Redknapp’s wife Sandra is in hospital. During the coverage of the racing on ITV4, presenter Matt Chapman wished Sandra well as he revealed she was in hospital.
Matt was covering the racing live from Great Yarmouth Racecourse where he was speaking about the King of Bears, which is owned by Harry Redknapp. King of Bears ended up placing sixth in the race.
During ITV coverage of the racing, the presenter said: “So, King of Bears, just to say Harry Redknapp will be watching this horse from his hospital bed, but not his bed, his missus Sandra is just being treated in hospital at the moment.
“Sandra, if you’re listening in – I think she wanted to watch Emmerdale, but Harry’s making her watch this race – I really hope King of Bears runs well. He’s a character. He could win it, he could finish last, but he gives Jack Doughty a big chance for George Scott.”
Harry was crowned King of the Jungle in 2019 and his moment with Sandra had fans in tears (
Image:
Tim Merry)
Harry and Sandra have been together since they were 17-years-old and their love for one another is clear. It is not known why Sandra is in hospital but Harry is by her side, according to the commentator.
Back in 2022, Harry opened up about his fear for Sandra after she struggled to breathe following a battle with Covid earlier that year. He told The Mirror: “The symptoms weren’t good, if I’m truthful. You start to think about all kinds of sinister things.
“It’s been a real worry. Sandra has suffered. Her voice had packed up and she was struggling for breath. Even swallowing food became difficult. She could choke on food easily if we weren’t careful.”
Sandra added of her own health battle: “You don’t realise what your vocal cords do until they’re not working, because it affects breathing as well as talking. The shortness of breath was very difficult. My voice would vibrate and was very weak.”
The pair have been together since they were 17 (
Image:
Getty Images)
Elsewhere, back in 2023, Harry admitted he has no plans to retire and drives Sandra mad with his decision to carry on.
Asked if he was taking a step back, he said: “Not a chance. I can’t. I find it hard to say no to things – it drives Sandra mad. Recently, I’ve done Harry’s Heroes for ITV, managed in Soccer Aid and last year Jamie and I filmed Jamie and Harry’s World Cup Challenge [for Sky Max]. What a laugh that was.”
Speaking about their health battles over the years, he added: “I’ve had a kidney cancer scare and a stent fitted into my heart, and Sandra’s had ovarian cancer and really suffered with her throat after damaging her vocal cords.”
Sandra battled with sepsis back in 2018, which nearly stopped Harry heading off to the I’m A Celebrity jungle. He said: “I was terrified I was going to lose her and I nearly didn’t get on the plane. But she wasn’t having it – she wanted me to go. I’ll never forget the moment she came into camp to see me. It was the first time she’d seen me cry.”
