With pre-season testing just four days away, it's time to be the first to bring you the latest major F1 news headlines.
Red Bull brought the curtain down on the inaugural 2024 F1 season with the unveiling of the RB20, but a major Mercedes-inspired design change appears to be on the horizon, while Mercedes' seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has announced that he will be joining the team. It's set to have a strange final season. Max Verstappen says:
All this and more in our revised edition of Saturday's F1 news…
Red Bull is reportedly preparing a 'Zeropod' concept
Red Bull's approach to this era of F1 has proved to be the most effective since ground effects regulations were introduced from 2022, with Mercedes suffering two seasons of struggle as their own approach to the regulations was unsuccessful. faced.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the concept was its unique 'zero pod' design, but while the Brackley team threw them on the scrap heap, Red Bull improved it on Japan's RB20. It is currently reported that they are planning to announce. Grand Prix.
read more: Significant changes to Red Bull RB20 under consideration as Mercedes' 'Zero Pod' design – Report
Lewis Hamilton predicts 'awkward and strange' final season for Mercedes?
Whatever Red Bull plans to do, Mercedes are set to be in contention for the title in F1 in 2024, with Hamilton looking to close out in style with a record-breaking eighth world championship ahead of his move to Ferrari. would be hoping for.
But Hamilton's 2021 title rival Verstappen feels next season will be awkward for the Briton who “can no longer be included in everything” now that he is tied to Ferrari.
read more: Max Verstappen predicts 'awkward and strange' F1 2024 season for Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton could face 'difficult' Ferrari integration alone
Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle has made it clear that Hamilton needs to “integrate” into Ferrari culture, and to do so he could do so by bringing in some Mercedes allies to create that safety net. He claimed it was ideal.
But Brundle believes this will complicate Hamilton's plans, as top players are often subject to gardening leave when they leave the team.
read more: Lewis Hamilton warns of 'tough' transition for Ferrari as Mercedes' key ally will be blocked
Carlos Sainz doesn't need to put himself in a 'shop window'
Hamilton's arrival at Ferrari came at the expense of Sainz, who must now find a new home on the grid for 2025.
But he went into the new season feeling no need to sell himself to potential suitors, making it clear to media outlets including PlanetF1.com: What can I do? ”
read more: Carlos Sainz hits back at F1's 'shop window' claim, confirms Ferrari's early withdrawal
Max Verstappen won't close the door on a future move to Ferrari
Verstappen may seem destined to remain a Red Bull driver for his entire F1 career, but Hamilton's Ferrari bombshell shows that such a thing should never be safely assumed. ing.
So, at the launch of Red Bull's RB20, Verstappen was asked by media including PlanetF1.com if he was considering joining Ferrari.
Maybe that's not on the agenda right now, but “never say never”…
read more: Will Max Verstappen follow Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari? 'never say never'
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