An F1 star is facing a hefty penalty the next time they step into a car at a race weekend.
Valtteri Bottas will start five places back from wherever he qualifies if and when he makes it back into a race seat, after an incident at his final race for Sauber in Abu Dhabi last year.
The Finn collided heavily with Kevin Magnussen before retiring from the race, meaning that the stewards were forced to push his penalty down the road to his next race – which, at time of writing, has not happened.
The penalty was handed out to be ‘the equivalent of a drive-through penalty’ and came tied to three penalty points, which eagle-eyed readers may notice is a more severe penalty than Max Verstappen’s ten-second time penalty for ramming George Russell last weekend at the Spanish GP.
Bottas still keen on F1 race return
Bottas has been linked recently with Alpine thanks to their impending move to Mercedes power units, either to replace Franco Colapinto or Pierre Gasly, as well as Cadillac as they look to fill both of their vacant seats for their 2026 entry into the sport.
While the penalty would be irritating for Bottas’ first race with any team that snaps him up, it’s not severe enough to be a dealbreaker in anything other than a one-off race scenario, replacing a banned or injured driver.
The FIA’s statement on the penalty at the time read: “Car 77 was on the inside of Car 20 on the approach to Turn 6, misjudged his braking significantly and collided with Car 20 which was entering the corner on the regular racing line.
“As Car 77 retired from the race, the Steward determine that a grid drop is warranted which is the equivalent of a drive-through penalty and three penalty points are warranted due to the significant misjudgement of the driver.”
Seismic Shifts Ahead: Could George Russell and Max Verstappen Become F1’s Most Explosive Teammates?
In Formula 1, unpredictability is the only certainty. As 2026 approaches, that truth has never rung louder than in the deafening noise of the driver market rumor mill. Lately, the old saying “the most entertaining outcome is the most likely one” seems to be prophetic, with bombshell possibilities ricocheting around the paddock: George Russell is being heavily linked with a move to Aston Martin; Toto Wolff of Mercedes still dreams of pulling Max Verstappen from Red Bull; and, astonishingly, there’s a scenario developing where both Russell and Verstappen could find themselves not just on the same grid, but in the same garage.
If it comes to pass—be that in emerald green or silver—Formula 1 would face the most dramatic driver partnership since Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. Let’s unpack what’s driving this potential super-team, and what it would mean for Formula 1’s new era.
The George Russell Saga: A Man in Demand
Russell’s rise through Formula 1, from Williams underdog to Mercedes hope, has earned him a reputation as one of the grid’s fiercest competitors. Despite standout moments—including his breakthrough 2022 win in Brazil—Mercedes’ chronic underperformance since the last regulation change has left him with little to show in terms of title-chasing hardware.
With his current contract with the Silver Arrows set to expire at the end of 2025, the rumor mill is in overdrive. At the recent Australian Grand Prix, Russell was seen in deep conversation with McLaren’s senior figures Zac Brown and Andrea Stella. A week later at the Chinese GP, he was spotted with Alpine’s Flavio Briatore, and reports persist of preliminary discussions with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner—a known admirer, who once declared Red Bull would be “foolish” to ignore Russell’s potential.
Enter Aston Martin, now confirmed by the Times as an official contender for Russell’s signature. Led by the ambitious Lawrence Stroll and bolstered by the upcoming arrival of legendary car designer Adrian Newey and a new works engine partnership with Honda in 2026, the Silverstone squad is aiming high. Despite a tough 2024 so far, ambition and investment point to a team willing to buy out contracts to secure a potential world champion.
Toto’s Dream: The Lure of Verstappen
Meanwhile, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff is playing a longer, bolder game. Wolff has never shied from his admiration for Max Verstappen—or for his desire to lure the reigning world champion away from Red Bull. The relationship between Verstappen, Red Bull management, and the ever-expanding F1 calendar is becoming increasingly strained. The Dutch star has suggested early retirement is a possibility due to Red Bull politics and personal burnout.
Wolff’s approach has been tactful, even defending Verstappen after a tense on-track incident with Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix. “If it was road rage, it wasn’t a very clever one,” Wolff remarked, implying Verstappen was playing strategic games rather than acting out emotionally. What’s clear is that Wolff is keen to keep relations open, avoiding public criticism to ensure Mercedes remains a serious landing spot, should Verstappen choose to leave Red Bull.
Amid all this, Wolff’s recent remarks on Russell’s contract—“we’re totally clear on how this is going to go… we won’t wait till September to sort it”—may hint at discussions and contingency plans that go well beyond contractual loyalty.
Russell + Verstappen: The Oil-and-Water Superteam
What if both George Russell and Max Verstappen end up at the same team in 2026? Whether it’s at a newly revitalized Aston Martin or at Mercedes, it would redefine the shape of the championship.
On-paper, it’s a dream team: Russell is a proven race winner and fierce battler, while Verstappen is the generational benchmark with four championships and counting. But put them side-by-side in the garage, and it’s not just competitiveness you get—there’s bound to be conflict. Their on-track tussles have often spilled over into public spats, with accusations of recklessness and poor racecraft. F1 fans can imagine the team radio messages—the fireworks, the debates, the strategy meetings fraught with tension.
Managing such a pairing would demand world-class diplomacy from the team principal—whether it’s Mike Krack at Aston Martin or Toto Wolff at Mercedes—and conflict resolution skills worthy of a world leader. Every team order would become a political live grenade; every on-track battle would feel like a last-lap title decider.
The 2026 F1 Reset: New Rules, New Powerhouses
Adding to the excitement is the wholesale reset arriving in 2026. New technical regulations and engine formulas promise a shakeup on the scale of 2009 or 2014. Aston Martin, with Adrian Newey overseeing their design overhaul and Honda supplying fresh power, is positioning itself as a future powerhouse. Meanwhile, Red Bull will face the challenge of integrating Ford as its new engine partner, an undertaking that, if mishandled, could shatter their current hegemony.
The driver market chaos extends beyond Russell and Verstappen. Established names under contract, like Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, could be unseated if a true title-winning window opens. Flavio Briatore’s return to Alpine, McLaren’s ongoing resurgence, and Ferrari’s perennial quest for glory all add up to the busiest, most unpredictable market in years.
Can It Work? Or Are We Headed for a Civil War?
History teaches us that F1’s biggest rivalries often come from within—think Senna vs. Prost, Rosberg vs. Hamilton. The prospect of Russell and Verstappen sharing a garage offers not just the promise of on-track excellence, but also the tantalizing risk of implosion.
Could they coexist? Or would we see the fiercest intra-team battle in decades? Given their personalities and ultra-competitive streaks, it’s hard to imagine a calm alliance. But F1 thrives on these rivalries. As regulations reset and old hierarchies collapse, there’s never been a better time for a new, explosive partnership to take center stage.
One thing is certain: by the time the lights go out in March 2026, Formula 1 could have a new super-team—and box office levels of drama to match.
Max Verstappen Issues Stark Warning to Red Bull: Are F1’s Dominators Facing Collapse?
A storm is brewing atop Formula 1’s most storied podium. Max Verstappen, the undisputed king of modern F1, has fired a blunt warning to Red Bull Racing: Without urgent upgrades, their iron grip on the world title may be slipping away. As rivals surge and cracks emerge from within, Red Bull finds itself battling not just their competitors, but potentially, their own greatest asset.
What’s really unfolding within the walls of Formula 1’s most dominant team, and what could Verstappen’s ultimatum mean for the future of F1?
Red Bull’s Era of Invincibility – and What’s Changed
In 2023, Red Bull was simply untouchable. The RB19, a technological marvel conceived by legendary designer Adrian Newey and honed to perfection by the team, propelled Verstappen to a host of records, including an astounding 19 wins in 22 races and a record-shattering 575 points. The result: Champagne on the podium and an aura of invincibility.
But 2024 brought new challenges. Technical rule tweaks, rapidly developing rivals, and Red Bull’s own internal tumult have closed the gap. The new RB21, anticipated to be yet another tour de force, seemingly struggles – particularly on tight, technical circuits, in tricky wind conditions, and over long stints where tire degradation bites. Even Verstappen himself has admitted after a string of subdued results, “We’re not where we need to be. It’s tough out there.”
Verstappen’s Alarm: Not Just Frustration
Verstappen’s recent comments, however, are not routine post-race grumbling. According to Racing News 365, he has made it clear to team management that significant, immediate development is non-negotiable. In his own words: “We need to improve if we want to win championships.” The subtext could scarcely be louder – and more dangerous – for Red Bull’s ambitions.
Team principal Christian Horner has echoed the urgency, conceding after a tough result: “We’ve got to keep in touch with McLaren. To beat them, we must start taking points off them.” The sense of pressure – long alien to Milton Keynes – is suddenly palpable.
The Performance Clause That Could Change Everything
Here’s the twist: Whispers in the F1 paddock suggest Verstappen’s multi-year contract contains a performance clause. In essence, if Red Bull can no longer supply a car capable of championship contention, the Dutchman could activate an exit option – free to field offers from title-hungry rivals.
Verstappen is contracted through 2028, but in Formula 1, contracts are as robust as a diffuser in a gravel trap when performance lags. Teams and drivers alike know that paperwork rarely holds sway over ambitions and reputations.
Why Red Bull Is Faltering: The Newey Factor and More
Several factors have contributed to Red Bull’s suddenly shaky perch:
Adrian Newey’s Departure: The technical visionary who shaped Red Bull’s dominant philosophy quietly exited, leaving the technical team struggling with “correlation issues” between their simulation tools and real-world data. The loss of his creative steering has been more disruptive than expected. Internal Dynamics Shift: Sources suggest a battle of opinions behind closed doors, as new leadership and the ever-present pressure to maintain dominance sow uncertainty within the engineering ranks. Development Conservatism: In contrast to their rivals, Red Bull has taken a risk-averse approach to updates in 2024. As McLaren, Ferrari, and even Mercedes aim high with aggressive upgrades, Red Bull’s incremental philosophy risks being left behind.
The result: Verstappen now finds himself in the foreign position of pursuer, not leader.
McLaren’s Meteoric Rise – The New Benchmark?
As Red Bull stumbles, McLaren has seized the mantle of F1’s pacesetter. Under Andrea Stella’s leadership, the Woking-based outfit’s MCL39B is now a formidable benchmark. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have powered McLaren into genuine contention, thanks to:
Advanced simulation and data analytics
Sharp strategic calls and lightning pit stops
A focused, unified team philosophy
Verstappen has openly admitted, “McLaren are very strong. They have the pace and consistency we used to have.” Suddenly, the hunter has become the hunted.
The Driver Market Wildcard
Should Verstappen’s patience run thinner, the repercussions would rattle the entire F1 landscape. Both Mercedes and Aston Martin have expressed interest in courting the star Dutchman should he become available. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has refused to dismiss a future approach, and Aston Martin, with their ambitious Honda works partnership for 2026, have quietly positioned themselves as a dark horse for superstar acquisition.
The Crucial Countdown: Five Races to Redemption
The next five races will be season-defining. If Red Bull introduces successful upgrades and Verstappen returns to his winning ways, tensions may subside. Failure, though, will amplify the spotlight and embolden rival offers. Verstappen’s own words drive the point home: “I’m here to win. That’s why I race.” Any sign of complacency, and a seismic transfer could follow.
The Looming Regulation Overhaul
The chaos may only intensify with the 2026 regulation reset. Radical engine rules, expanded freedoms in chassis design, and a leveled financial playing field promise renewed competition. Red Bull, long the standard-bearer for technical excellence, risks being overtaken not just by McLaren, but by a resurgent Ferrari, an agile Mercedes, or a resourced-upstart like Aston Martin.
In this boiling cauldron, Verstappen’s patience – and Red Bull’s capacity for innovation – will face their supreme test.
The Verdict: A Turning Point for Formula 1
What we’re witnessing might not just be a mid-season slump, but a pivotal moment in F1 history. Red Bull’s fate – and Verstappen’s – now hinges on a simple truth: Adapt or be overtaken. The mantle of dominance is never secure in Formula 1. Mercedes once looked unassailable, only for Red Bull to engineer their downfall. Can McLaren, Ferrari, or another step up and do the same – and tempt Verstappen into a daring leap?
One thing is certain: If Red Bull does not rally, the driver market and the 2026 revolution may herald a new era, with Verstappen at its heart – perhaps not in Red Bull colors, but under a new flag, ready to rewrite records and legends anew.
Stay tuned – because in Formula 1, today’s titans can be tomorrow’s underdogs. And as Verstappen has made clear, he only races for victory. Will Red Bull rise to the challenge, or will this be the year the empire begins to crumble?
The Great Getaway: How Lewis Hamilton Uncovered Ferrari’s Silent Campaign
At 0:02, Lewis Hamilton’s start from the grid was pure poetry—a blend of instinct, skill, and desire for victory. The Ferraris snapped close, their wheels nearly tangling with his. Yet, what played out was not the kind of visible clash that ignites headlines or incites penalties. Instead, it was an invisible struggle, one that simmered far beneath the surface of Formula 1: a data leak, a buried secret, and a revelation that changed Hamilton’s understanding of his new home at Ferrari.
The Leak That Changed Everything
Hamilton had never been meant to see it: a 42-page internal document, dense with jargon and priorities, quietly listing technical preferences, development paths, and subtle decisions that, when combined, spelled a chilling conclusion—his very legacy was being managed, not cultivated. The Ferrari garage didn’t erupt in chaos when he confronted them. Instead, it fell into a long, telling silence. There was no confusion or denial. In that moment, the message was clear: the transition from Mercedes to Ferrari was not just about driving a faster car. It was about control, narrative, and power.
Hamilton had been sold a dream. Ferrari, sleeping giant of Formula 1, and Hamilton, seven-time world champion, united under the prancing horse—a combination set to spark a new era. That was the surface. Behind closed doors, beneath the dazzling press conferences and eager fanfare, Hamilton discovered he’d been cast in a different role: not as a champion, but as a placeholder—useful for attention, headlines, and symbolism, while the organization built its real future around someone else.
Reading The Signs: When Success Becomes Threat
What Hamilton found in the documentation wasn’t dramatic sabotage. There were no doctored bolts or obvious engineering mishaps. Instead, the document mapped a quieter resistance: subtle decisions in simulator settings, delayed responses to setup requests, and priorities that always seemed to drift to the other side of the garage. Every decision, every pause or nod in a meeting, began to form patterns.
At first, he chalked it up to the chaos of a new team. Ferrari promised parity—equal treatment, open collaboration, a new car developed with input from both drivers. But the appearance of harmony gave way to friction as testing began. Parts Hamilton requested were often “not available” or “still in development,” while his teammate, Charles Leclerc, always seemed to receive exactly what he needed, exactly when he needed it.
Simulator sessions began to feel like experiments, sometimes borderline unworkable, with session data either unavailable or cut short. When Hamilton pushed for certain changes, the answers were always professional but never timely. Review requests for prior session data were met with technical excuses or outright denials.
The deeper Hamilton looked, the more the cracks widened.
The Leclerc Agenda
Hamilton’s growing unease wasn’t just technical. In team engineering briefings, strategy debriefs, and media interactions, the dynamic was unmistakable. The heart of Ferrari beat for Charles Leclerc—a driver whose legacy at the team stretched back to his earliest days in Formula 2, with a cadre of engineers and strategists who had grown with him, trusted him, and built their professional futures around his success.
On the other side, Hamilton’s crew was a rotating cast—skilled professionals, no doubt, but without that foundation of trust and shared history. In Formula 1, where milliseconds can make the difference, unified support isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity.
Strategic calls further exposed the bias. Radios would calmly request Hamilton to “manage tires” or “think long term,” even when he was within striking distance of a podium, while Leclerc received the green light to attack or chase a target lap time. Subtle, unrequested changes—brake bias, aerodynamics, floor tweaks—altered Hamilton’s car just enough to blunt his edge.
The Power of Silence
What made Ferrari’s campaign so effective was its subtlety. There were no public disputes, no leaks to the media, no direct sabotage. Instead, there was silence: decisions not made, instructions not given, data quietly missing, moments of hesitation and delay that could always be attributed to routine delays or half-explained technical issues.
And while public interviews and Italian press coverage kept the spotlight on Leclerc as the future, Hamilton became the “experienced backup,” valuable more as a mentor and public figure than as Ferrari’s principal hope. Where the world saw equals, Hamilton saw the machinery of a narrative being quietly constructed, his role as a championship contender systematically diminished.
Hamilton’s Quiet Battle
Faced with this campaign, Hamilton chose not to fight with outbursts or ultimatums. Instead, he responded the only way a real champion could: by pushing harder than ever before. Every lap, every data point, every race became a new argument—evidence that even without the full weight of Ferrari’s apparatus behind him, his instinct, experience, and talent remained supreme.
He pressed for clarity. He demanded answers in closed meetings. And he adapted—extracting pace from unfavorable setups, finding speed where the data insisted there was none. But he also saw the writing on the wall: in Ferrari’s carefully managed environment, winning was no longer just about driving. It was about fitting into a deeper, more political system.
Ferrari’s Future and Hamilton’s Legacy
The drama unfolding inside Ferrari during the 2025 season may be invisible to outsiders, but it is no less real. The Italian press now focuses on Leclerc as Ferrari’s golden hope, while Hamilton is discussed with the reserved language reserved for supporting cast. This is not just about which driver crosses the finish line first; it’s about control of a legacy.
For Lewis Hamilton, the greatest battle was not on the tarmac but within the politics and silence of Maranello—where every instruction, or lack of one, shaped not just a season, but history itself.
And in this arena, sometimes the most decisive moves come not with a bang, but with a whisper.
Former Red Bull F1 driver Sergio Perez has been linked with a surprise move to a current team on the grid, as rumours of his return to the sport get ever stronger.
Perez was axed by the Red Bull team in 2024, following four full seasons with the Milton Keynes-based outfit, where he claimed five grands prix victories and helped them claim two constructors’ titles.
However, the recent performances of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull car alongside Max Verstappen have improved Perez’s standing in the sport, shining a different light on his dismal 2024 performances.
It has led to rumours that Perez could be a sought-after driver for 2026, with new regulations making it crucial for teams to have a stable driver lineup.
The outfit most strongly linked with acquiring Perez’s services have been new team Cadillac, who are said to be seeking at least one experienced F1 racer for their first season in the sport in 2026.
Now, however, respected F1 pundit Lawrence Barretto has suggested that the Mexican racer could instead join a current team on the F1 grid, with Alpine reportedly holding talks with the 35-year-old.
“Perez took some time out with his family to evaluate his options and he ultimately realised he wanted back in,” Barretto said in a column on the official F1 website. “So he and his management began exploring the market.
“My sources tell me the Mexican has spoken to multiple teams, including Cadillac and Alpine, about a return to a race seat next season. Perez is hungry to get back on the grid and it is that motivation that could be very appealing to teams in need of a driver.”
Will Perez race in 2026?
Perez and his management team have made no secret of his desire to return to the sport, and he appears at the front of a long line of recently axed drivers that are also looking for a way back into the sport.
Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu and Mick Schumacher have also been linked with a move to the new Cadillac team, but Perez’s recent role within a championship-winning team makes him the frontrunner.
However, could Alpine sweep in for the Mexican? The team’s driver lineup is uncertain for 2026, with only Pierre Gasly nailed on to be at the team when new regulations sweep into the sport.
Jack Doohan was axed earlier this season and replaced by Franco Colapinto, but executive advisor Flavio Briatore has suggested that the move is one of several potential switches in 2025, as the team try to find the right combination.
Bottas recently revealed that he held talks with Alpine last year, but Perez would surely be the Enstone outfit’s favoured choice, if they can tempt the Mexican to take a gamble on their future improvement.
George Russell has joked that Lewis Hamilton’s music habits were the ‘real reason’ for his departure from Mercedes last year.
Hamilton ditched the Brackley-based outfit after 12 highly-successful seasons at the end of 2024, taking to Ferrari to live out what he called a ‘childhood dream’, and to try and once again challenge for an eighth world title.
However, Hamilton’s early season form with the Maranello outfit has been disappointing to say the least, while former team-mate Russell has gone from strength to strength as Mercedes’ team leader.
The 27-year-old has already claimed four podiums in 2025, and sits fourth in the drivers’ championship, 40 points above Ferrari’s Hamilton.
Russell and Hamilton were thought to share a close relationship at Mercedes during their time as team-mates, and they still hold a lot of respect for one another, but Russell has let slip one thing that may have slightly annoyed him about the seven-time world champion.
“Big red flag,” Russell boldly confessed when asked about team-mates playing their music too loudly in a video on the F1 YouTube channel.
“I mean I’ve had that for three years! That’s the real reason Lewis had to leave, the music was too loud,” the Mercedes star joked.
Russell misses out on Hamilton success
When Russell arrived at Mercedes, the team had just won eight consecutive constructors’ championship trophies.
Hamilton himself had claimed drivers’ championship success in six of the previous eight seasons, and the all-British driver lineup was a tantalising prospect heading into the 2022 season.
However, since then neither Mercedes, Hamilton nor Russell have been able to win a championship as Red Bull and now McLaren have dominated the sport.
Russell has claimed three grand prix victories so far in his time with the team, while Hamilton claimed two in the three seasons that the pair were team-mates.
Having gone their separate ways, both British drivers will be hoping for more success in 2025, and beyond, as new regulations look to provide both of their respective teams with a chance to improve their current standing in F1’s pecking order.
Aston Martin’s Crucial Dilemma: Who Should Replace Lance Stroll Amid an Uncertain Recovery?
Aston Martin is facing a precarious, high-stakes situation as the 2024 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix approaches. Team boss Mike Krack has delivered sobering updates on Lance Stroll’s uncertain recovery, casting doubt over the Canadian’s participation in what should be the high point of his season—a home race in Montreal. Should Stroll remain sidelined, the Silverstone-based squad must select a stand-in. The situation raises critical questions about Aston Martin’s direction, both for this one race and for the team’s future as a whole.
This scenario casts the spotlight not only on the team’s short-term contingency plans but also rekindles the debate about the long-term sustainability of the Stroll project, spearheaded by Lawrence Stroll, the team’s principal owner and Lance’s father. For a team with championship ambitions, settling for sentiment over performance could soon prove costly.
Lance Stroll’s Struggles and Injury Woes
Stroll’s F1 career has been eventful, often defended against critiques by virtue of his father’s deep investment in the team. Nonetheless, repeated underperformance compared to illustrious teammates—and sometimes even house reserve drivers—has made his seat one of the most scrutinized on the grid. While Stroll showed impressive grit by returning to action shortly after a hand-breaking cycling accident ahead of the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, his comeback didn’t address persistent questions about his ultimate potential.
Reports surfaced after the 2023 Spanish round that Stroll’s frustrations had boiled over, with an incident in the garage that led to further questions about his focus and temperament. A subsequent operation was reported, suggesting that physical pain was perhaps compounding mental and emotional strain. Nevertheless, the deeper concern for Aston Martin fans—and F1 observers at large—is whether Stroll is still the best fit, or even a viable one, for a team with lofty ambitions.
Clear Options for Canada: Drugovich, Vandoorne, and a Surprising Bottas Twist
Aston Martin’s immediate task is clear: replace Stroll, possibly as a one-off, for his home event. The front-runner for the temporary gig is Felipe Drugovich, the team’s official reserve driver and 2022 Formula 2 Champion. Both Drugovich and Aston Martin have made it plain that Formula 1 would take priority for the Brazilian in the event he is called up, potentially sidelining his existing commitments with Cadillac at Le Mans.
Drugovich has been waiting for exactly this type of opportunity—a chance to make his mark in F1. However, putting him in the car would be a gamble; with no prior Grand Prix race starts, he would be making his competitive debut at one of the season’s most pressure-filled weekends.
Alternatively, the team could turn to their other reserve, Stoffel Vandoorne. The Belgian has extensive racing—and sim—experience, including several seasons in F1 with McLaren. His steady, methodical approach would likely guarantee the team a solid, if unspectacular, weekend.
Yet a shock candidate has recently emerged: Valtteri Bottas. Bottas, a proven race-winner with Mercedes and now a mainstay at struggling Sauber, is on the hunt for a 2025 race seat. His familiarity with the Mercedes power unit (Aston Martin’s supplier until 2026) and vast experience make him an enticing, low-risk option if the team wishes to maximize points in the ultra-competitive Constructors’ Championship.
Beyond Canada: Opening Lawrence Stroll’s Eyes
This acute problem—the absence of a primary driver for a key event—may finally force Lawrence Stroll to reckon with a question F1 fans have asked for years: Does sentiment trump results? While few can question a father’s commitment, Formula 1’s ruthless environment punishes complacency and rewards only results. If Drugovich, Vandoorne, or Bottas outperforms expectations and scores points in the midfield-fight, the pressure to reassess the driver line-up will become irresistible.
Bottas, in particular, is at a career crossroads. With 246 Grand Prix starts, he has the pedigree and the hunger to deliver; sidelined at Sauber (now Audi works team), Bottas’s motivation to secure a competitive seat for 2025—and potentially beyond with Cadillac—is evident. Were he to deliver a standout performance, it could cement his case for a full-time return with another team. Such a performance would also be damning evidence that Aston’s current car is underdelivering due more to the driver than the machinery.
The Broader Context: Aston Martin’s Future and the 2026 Revolution
This shake-up comes at a time of pivotal transition for Aston Martin. The team, buoyed by successive investments and the hiring of F1 design legend Adrian Newey, has its sights set on Grand Prix wins and even world titles in the next regulation era. Honda’s works power units arrive in 2026; Fernando Alonso is expected to retire soon after. Thus, finding a proven, championship-calibre driver to partner a future superstar—should the stars align for a Max Verstappen coup—becomes the obvious mandate.
Allowing sentimental or sub-par performances to dictate race seats risks undermining all the progress made since Lawrence Stroll acquired the team. If an interim driver delivers results that outshine Stroll’s track record, Lawrence may have no choice but to separate family from business and plan for a new era, both for his team and his son.
Who Should Get the Nod?
With Aston Martin in a constructors’ knife fight, every point is crucial. While Drugovich, as the reserve, is the natural first choice, Bottas presents an opportunity to score solidly and send a message of intent: Aston Martin is here to fight, not to experiment. For the Stroll project, the writing may already be on the wall; a strong performance from any stand-in will only expose the team’s need to prioritize results.
Conclusion: A Moment of Truth for Aston Martin
Aston Martin’s impending driver decision for Canada is not just about filling a seat; it’s about defining the team’s ethos and future. Choosing an experienced head like Bottas could stabilize and galvanize their charge for points. Opting for Drugovich or Vandoorne would honor internal structure, but may not maximize immediate returns. Either way, the Grand Prix may force Lawrence Stroll to confront a reality every great F1 team must eventually face: results must always come before relationships.
Will this crisis catalyze a new era for Aston Martin, or will sentiment dilute their ambitions? As Canada looms, the next chapter in Silverstone’s story is about to be written.
Johnny Herbert’s Explosive Comments On Lewis Hamilton: Critique or Disrespect? Why Ferrari Fans Are Furious
Few moments in Formula 1 cause ripples quite like a respected former driver publicly questioning the ability of a legend. Such is the controversy ignited by Johnny Herbert’s recent comments on Lewis Hamilton; statements which, according to many Ferrari fans, cross the line between honest critique and outright disrespect. In a sport as politicized and passionate as Formula 1, especially around an iconic team like Ferrari and a colossal figure like Hamilton, the reverberations are profound. In this in-depth analysis, we examine what Herbert actually said, why it has provoked fury among Ferrari supporters, the evidence backing (or disputing) his claims, and what it means for both Hamilton and the Scuderia’s future.
The Comments That Shook the Paddock
Johnny Herbert, a three-time Grand Prix victor and long-time F1 pundit, did not hold back when evaluating Hamilton’s adaptation to life at Ferrari. “Ferrari cannot continue to rely on Lewis,” Herbert asserted, going as far as to doubt whether the Brit still has “the natural speed that made him unbeatable.” Herbert drew comparisons to late-career declines seen in legends like Michael Schumacher and Nigel Mansell, warning that Hamilton could be following a similar trajectory. The most stinging words painted a picture of a “genuinely lost” driver, apparently disconnected from his car, his team, and the very instincts that built his championship legacy.
Crucially, Herbert did not couch his observations as tentative or respectful concerns. Instead, he suggested Ferrari should “stop building around Hamilton,” a public invocation for the team to reconsider their entire strategy. It’s a call that, from someone of Herbert’s stature, carries weight far beyond a casual press-room soundbite.
Why Ferrari Supporters Are Outraged
Ferrari’s decision to bring in Lewis Hamilton for 2025 was not merely about merchandise sales or global headlines. It was a statement of intent—their bet on experience, grit, and the hope that Hamilton’s tireless drive would bridge their 16-year title drought. Herbert’s comments struck directly at the heart of this hope. For millions of Ferrari fans, still dreaming of returning to championship glory, the suggestion that their new talisman is now part of the problem rather than the solution is more than criticism—it’s an affront.
Supporters, used to media jabs and rival pundits downplaying their team, bristled at the notion that Hamilton might already be past it, just nine races into his Ferrari tenure. They took particular issue with Herbert equating Hamilton’s current struggles with the late-career falloffs of Schumacher and Mansell, arguing it dismisses Hamilton’s recent competitive flashes and ignores the fundamental messiness of transitioning drivers into new teams.
Analyzing the Data: Is Herbert Right About Hamilton’s Form?
But speculation and sentimentality should always be tested against facts. Hamilton’s start at Ferrari has been mixed. Nine Grands Prix in, he trails teammate Charles Leclerc, who many now say may be a more natural fit for the current car and the anchor Ferrari needs. There have been shaky qualifying performances and the uncomfortable reality of team instructions asking Hamilton to let Leclerc by on track.
Yet, calling this a “decline” needs nuance:
Hamilton Has Outperformed the Car Before: In 2022 and 2023 at Mercedes, Hamilton regularly eclipsed his machinery, eking out results few others could. The current Ferrari car is notoriously finicky, and adaptation—even for champions—can be brutal. He’s Not Alone in Struggling to Adapt: Icons like Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, and even Schumacher had initial setbacks when joining new teams in the later stages of their careers. Some rebounded; for others, the clock did run out. For Hamilton, the jury is still out. Mental Resilience: Herbert referenced apparent “disconnection” in radio chatter with engineer Riccardo Adami and a lack of chemistry. While true that great driver-engineer bonds (like Hamilton and Pete Bonnington at Mercedes) can make a visible difference, such relationships often take multiple seasons to cement.
The Herbert Effect: More Than Just Punditry
When someone like Johnny Herbert speaks, teams listen. His proximity to both the press and paddock means his doubts can quickly become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ferrari, already under enormous pressure, now faces a barrage of questions: Should they keep focusing resources on Hamilton, hoping he rediscovers his magic? Or should they quietly pivot toward the homegrown Leclerc, who’s delivering steady points, podiums, and appears less rattled?
The repercussions extend far beyond this season. Next year’s car development, internal politics, even the team’s marketing narrative—all are now tangled up in the drama unleashed by Herbert’s remarks. In a sport where perception shapes reality, public doubts from a respected name can erode confidence inside the team just as quickly as they sway fans outside it.
What’s Next: Redemption or Reassessment?
Hamilton now faces one of the sternest tests of his career—a battle not just against Max Verstappen, Red Bull, or even time itself, but against creeping doubt from within his own garage. Every race becomes a referendum on his legacy and Ferrari’s faith. Historically, Lewis Hamilton has thrived when written off, summoning titanic performances under pressure. But as Herbert and Ferrari’s armies of critics know all too well, Formula 1 waits for no man.
The window for Hamilton’s comeback is shrinking. Every lackluster Grand Prix adds ammo to those advocating for a Leclerc-centric future. Ferrari, legendary for both their patience and ruthlessness, must decide: Double down on Hamilton and risk further disappointment, or reorient around the young Monegasque and a fresh vision for 2026 and beyond?
The Bottom Line
Johnny Herbert’s recent salvo was more than pointed paddock chatter. It was a public gauntlet thrown at both Hamilton and Ferrari’s feet. Critique or disrespect? The answer depends on your vantage point. For some, Herbert is simply being honest, warning of patterns seen throughout F1 history. For others, particularly Ferrari fans, he crossed a line—dismissing a champion before he’s had the chance to truly prove himself in red.
What remains beyond doubt is that the stakes for the rest of the season just escalated. Whether Herbert’s words were premature or prophetic, only Lewis Hamilton—and Ferrari—can provide the answer on track.
Sauber F1 team principal Jonathan Wheatley considers Michael Schumacher a friend having worked together in the 1990s at Benetton and has opened up on that experience
Michael Schumacher won his first F1 titles with Benetton(Image: Bongarts/Getty Images)
A friend and former colleague of Michael Schumacher has opened up on what it was like to work with the seven-time Formula 1 champion. Speaking to Pit Lane Chronicle, our new FREE weekly F1 newsletter , Jonathan Wheatley opened up on his “tremendous” experience of working with a true sporting great.
Now team principal at minnows Sauber, Wheatley is best known by F1 fans for his 18 years spent as a key member of the leadership team at Red Bull. First as team manager and then sporting director, he was a key lieutenant to Christian Horner right up until he departed last summer.
But he has been in F1 for more than 30 years in total, starting out in the early 1990s at the same time as Schumacher. The German famously made his debut for Eddie Jordan but was then snapped up by the Benetton team where Wheatley, in his early 20s, was working as a mechanic.
“I did one race with Roberto Moreno and then the next race I was carrying a seat out for this guy called Michael Schumacher and that was at Monza,” he told Pit Lane Chronicle.
Schumacher wasn’t yet the global megastar he would go on to become but, already, he had a presence that inspired those around him. Wheatley said: “It was a pivotal part of my career, I think.
“You suddenly realise if you had a talisman, you had a driver of that ability in the team, you just saw this team that wasn’t super well connected suddenly just joining up, having this person that you wanted to do your absolute best for.”
His presence helped to galvanise Benetton and that led to back-to-back drivers’ title wins for Schumacher in 1994 and ’95, the latter also yielding a constructors’ championship victory. He then joined Ferrari and added five more titles between 2000 and 2004.
But Schumacher was also at the centre of plenty of controversy, such as in the manner of that first championship success. He won the 1994 title by appearing to deliberately collide with rival Damon Hill in the final race in Adelaide, causing race-ending damage to both cars – though Schumacher always maintained his innocence.
Sadly, he is no longer able to speak publicly about his past endeavours after suffering life-changing injuries in a skiing accident in December 2013. Few details of his condition have ever been shared with his family fiercely protective of his privacy, though it is known that he continues to require full-time care more than 11 years on.
“Michael was a tremendous person to work with, but also I consider him a friend,” Wheatley said of his stricken former colleague. “I haven’t seen him for a while, but he still checked in. And actually, that’s one of the things with most of the great drivers is they’re nice people as well, you just don’t always see it.”
Lewis Hamilton has urged fans to cool down on making judgements about his Ferrari career, begging for a much longer runway from them.
The British driver has had a rocky start to his dream team-up with the Italian F1 team, failing to finish on the podium in a grand prix as he approaches double-digit races since his move from Mercedes.
Hamilton spoke out about the early judgements before the recent triple-header of European races, where Ferrari were hoping to claw back some ground on their rivals, insisting that he wouldn’t ‘put it all on’ that trio of races.
“I don’t put it all on these three races,” he said. “If we were to have three bad races, hopes would still remain alive. I don’t believe that will be the case, but I’m just saying, we don’t pin it to one race. For me, I’m not judging our success by a short amount of racing, half a season, one season.
“Let’s talk at the end of my career here at Ferrari, at the end of a few years here at Ferrari, then let’s talk about what we’ve done. That’s when we can look back and say whether or not we were successful. These few months are paving stones towards where we’re going, and that’s that.”
Hamilton Ferrari spell has shades of fellow legend
It might’ve been good foresight on Hamilton’s part to play down the importance of the triple-header, as his podium-free run continued – and team-mate Charles Leclerc increased the gap between the pair in the drivers’ championship standings with back-to-back podiums in Monaco and Spain.
The seven-time world champion’s start to life in Italy has been, as the locals would say, molto garbagio. Probably. Not sure, really. My school didn’t offer Italian lessons and the Duolingo owl freaks me out.
The questions about the pace of the Ferrari are still there, and Hamilton’s right in many ways that his first year at the team won’t define his legacy, not even with the tifosi.
However. There’s always a ‘however’. We’ve seen the ‘dominant world champion goes to Ferrari later in his career’ thing play out before – and recently, too.
Sebastian Vettel was a year removed from the fourth of his four consecutive titles when he headed to Italy in 2015, finishing third in the championship that year and twice finishing as championship runner-up behind, yep, Hamilton.
While the 40-year-old isn’t likely to stay at the team for the six seasons that Vettel did, there are some striking similarities between the German’s spell with the Scuderia and the path Hamilton seems to be on.
Vettel never won the title with Ferrari, despite twice leading the standings at the halfway point of the season. Hamilton…well, he can say what he wants, but the goal in leaving Mercedes was to secure an eighth world championship. That looks a long way out of reach right now.
In each driver’s case, there was a dominant team that Ferrari were institutionally a little short of challenging. In Vettel’s case that team was Mercedes, while for Hamilton it’s McLaren (and okay, they’re not ‘a little short’ right now either).
Despite Vettel challenging for the title twice, and outperforming his team-mate in each of his first four seasons, there’s still heated debate over whether his time with the most famous team in F1 was a modest success or, ultimately, a disappointment. You come to Ferrari to win titles. You hire a four-time world champion to win titles. They failed to do that.
Hamilton looks on course to have a similar legacy with the team, if not a less sparkling one. ‘Judge me after a few years here’. Okay. But unless he starts at least beating his team-mate, that judgement won’t be kind when it arrives.
