It was another fast-paced day in F1 news as Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton lead the way as the countdown continues to the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. It's 2020!
Mercedes has scoured the data following pre-season testing and has come up with three firm conclusions regarding its new car, while a prominent expert has identified the driver the team should pursue in place of the Ferrari-bound Hamilton.
Hang in there, it’s going to be a wild ride…
Mercedes details initial findings of W15
Mercedes has provided new insight into the new W15 after it was put through its paces for the first time in pre-season testing in Bahrain last week.
The Brackley-based team suffered a winless season last year for the first time since 2011, but are aiming to get back into contention in the W15.
After the car logged a total of 361 laps over three days of testing, Toto Wolff revealed the team's initial findings with rare insight.
read more: Mercedes reveals three 'initial conclusions' from W15's first lap in Bahrain
Lewis Hamilton heads to Ferrari, suggests Mercedes to choose younger player
Sky F1 pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz says Andrea Kimi Antonelli is the “most exciting” option for Mercedes to replace promising Lewis Hamilton, who he sees as “the next Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc” said.
Following Hamilton's bombshell announcement that he would move to Ferrari in 2025, speculation is rife over who Mercedes will name as the seven-time world champion's successor.
Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon and Esteban Ocon are all considered candidates for the vacant seat, along with George Russell, but Mercedes' teenage sensation Antonelli is seen as the frontrunner.
read more: Ted Kravitz names Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton successor as 'next Max Verstappen'
Adrian Newey to follow Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari?
Meanwhile, Kravitz ruled out Adrian Newey joining Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton after the F1 design guru has repeatedly refused in the past.
Ferrari have repeatedly tried to lure Newey to Maranello, coming closest to sealing a deal in 2014, but Newey has always turned him down, mainly due to the team's location away from the UK.
With Hamilton heading to Maranello, many thought Newey might finally be tempted into a swap given the current uncertainty surrounding Red Bull.
read more: Ted Kravitz denies Lewis Hamilton theory as raised by Adrian Newey to Ferrari
Gunther Steiner enters Red Bull and RB discussion
Former Haas team boss Günter Steiner feels concerns about Red Bull's F1 multi-team ownership will find a “natural” solution, but Red Bull also deserves “respect” for their contribution. Then he emphasized.
Red Bull have had two teams on the F1 grid since 2006, and for the 2024 F1 campaign, their second team will undergo further refinement to become RB, in the process forming a partnership with Red Bull Racing. It strengthens the bond.
This has led to concerns among rivals, with Red Bull being a dominant force in the ground effects era of F1 and the fact that McLaren Racing CEO Zac Brown has been at the forefront of protests against the model's presence in modern F1. is causing.
read more: Gunter Steiner raises Red Bull's 'respect' claim amid criticism of A/B team
Marco presents the challenges facing Daniel Ricciardo and Hiroki Tsunoda
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has challenged Daniel Ricciardo and Hiroki Tsunoda to become Max Verstappen's next teammate.
Ricciardo vs. Tsunoda is sure to be one of the most fascinating teammate battles of 2024, and Ricciardo has made no secret of his desire to regain his former seat.
Marko said the winner of the RB race could emerge as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez, likening the spot alongside Verstappen to an “ejection seat”.
read more: Helmut Marko puts down Ricardo/Kakuda gauntlet with 'ejection seat' warning
