The world of Formula 1 rarely slows down, and recent developments have kept fans on their toes. Here’s a quick rundown of the latest buzz in F1.
- Ryo Hirakawa has been appointed as the reserve driver for Haas after making an impressive appearance for Alpine.
- Franco Colapinto’s testing for Alpine at Monza turned heads after his switch from Williams.
- Helmut Marko playfully critiqued McLaren’s racing strategy with their ‘Papaya Rules’ during the Suzuka GP.
- Isack Hadjar put up a notable performance alongside Lewis Hamilton, drawing attention to his racing prowess.
- Christian Horner offered insights into the Red Bull lineup changes, highlighting the performances of Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson.
The ever-dynamic F1 scene has thrown yet another curveball with the appointment of Ryo Hirakawa as the official reserve driver for Haas. After impressing for Alpine during the Suzuka GP and having a stint with McLaren in 2024, he’s secured a spot to back up Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman for the rest of the season. It’s a promising move for the Toyota-backed endurance star.
Meanwhile, Franco Colapinto, previously with Williams, made waves by participating in a Testing of a Previous Car (TPC) outing at Monza. Images from Italy confirmed Alpine’s test with him as part of their team. This development excites many as Colapinto is seen as a strong prospect in the racing community.
In a light-hearted jab, Helmut Marko from Red Bull commented on McLaren’s decisions during the Suzuka GP. Marko remarked on the ‘Papaya Rules,’ a cheeky nod to McLaren’s in-house racing philosophy. He mused that the younger driver Piastri seemed faster, yet questioned his ability to overtake Max Verstappen on that tricky circuit.
At Suzuka, Isack Hadjar took the spotlight by challenging Lewis Hamilton during their shared time on the grid. Although Hamilton managed one of the few overtakes against Racing Bulls, Hadjar’s performance hinted at areas where he showed strength, particularly in Q3 laps. His comparison with Hamilton raised eyebrows and discussions.
Lastly, Red Bull’s Christian Horner gave a candid review of drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson after their seat swap in Japan. Horner praised Tsunoda for his good feedback and performance, despite a mistake in Q2. He noted that Lawson needs time to adjust but remains confident in his abilities. Their performances remain crucial for the team’s dynamics.
With these thrilling updates from the F1 world, fans are eagerly awaiting the next race in Bahrain.
