In today’s fast-paced F1 news, Max Verstappen reaffirms his commitment to Red Bull while Mercedes W15 exceeds expectations. Here’s a rundown:
- Max Verstappen calls Red Bull his ‘second family’, shutting down Mercedes hopes.
- Mercedes W15 2024 car surpasses performance targets with impressive wins.
- Nico Rosberg compares junior driver Kimi Antonelli to Max Verstappen.
- Audi considers McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto after losing Carlos Sainz to Williams.
- Renault staff feel betrayed by the company’s F1 engine withdrawal.
Max Verstappen confirmed his allegiance to Red Bull, describing the team as ‘like a second family.’ This undoubtedly crushed Mercedes’ ambitions of signing him as Lewis Hamilton’s successor. According to Toto Wolff, Verstappen was Mercedes’ ‘alternative scenario,’ but Verstappen emphasized how Red Bull allows him to ‘be myself.’
Meanwhile, Mercedes’ W15 car has gone beyond the team’s expectations. Despite a slow start, the W15 has turned heads by winning three of the last four races before the summer break. Andrew Shovlin revealed the team initially aimed to be competitive only later in the season, making their early success even more impressive.
Nico Rosberg made headlines by comparing Andrea Kimi Antonelli to Max Verstappen, sparking chatter about Mercedes’ future. Rosberg believes Antonelli, a promising junior driver, could potentially replace Hamilton. He suggests that Antonelli should first spend some time with Williams before making the jump to Mercedes.
Audi, on the other hand, is regrouping after losing out on Carlos Sainz, who signed with Williams. They are now eyeing Gabriel Bortoleto, a 19-year-old McLaren junior currently second in the F2 standings. Audi chief Mattia Binotto is reportedly interested in Bortoleto as Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate for the 2025 season.
Renault’s decision to pull out from F1 engine manufacturing has not gone down well with its Viry-Chatillon staff. Describing the move as a ‘betrayal,’ the workforce feels abandoned. The focus shift has left many employees in shock and disappointment.
In the high-octane world of F1, commitments and changes continue to stir the pot, keeping the excitement alive.
Source: Planetf1
