As the week draws to a close, we'll be the first to bring you the latest major F1 news headlines.
Max Verstappen has started the new season in dominant fashion, with Red Bull simulator driver Jake Dennis explaining exactly where Verstappen's all-around pace in the RB20 comes from, but Red Bull has already Amid heightened off-track tensions with the Dutchman being linked to Mercedes, talk of Ferrari is back. Let's look at all this in more detail.
Max Verstappen excels with “neutral” RB20 balance
Red Bull had hoped their rivals would close the gap ahead of F1 in 2024, and Dennis claims that has now become a reality, but Verstappen still left off with two wins in the RB20. After regaining his form, he began his 2024 F1 campaign and pursuit of a fourth consecutive world championship. Championship.
Dennis has extensive experience with the RB20 in the virtual world and said this very “neutral” challenger allows Verstappen and Sergio Perez to mount serious attacks in different corners.
read more – Red Bull sim driver reveals the secret to Max Verstappen's RB20 success
Could Ferrari host the dream team of Max Verstappen vs. Lewis Hamilton?
Predicting major F1 driver transfers has long been a popular pastime around the paddock, with Lewis Hamilton to Red Bull in 2023 being a popular move, but now Hamilton in 2025. It is known that he will become a Ferrari driver.
But could Verstappen also join the sensation there? Talk of a possible Red Bull exit remains high, with Ferrari's 2025 line-up likely to be decided by Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, but Dutch F1 analyst Mike Hezemans says that while the prospect is being discussed, “Contracts say nothing in F1,” he warned.
read more – Max Verstappen takes new twist amid Mercedes rumors as relationship with Ferrari resurfaces
Lewis Hamilton gives 'wake-up call' after getting 'comfortable' with Bottas
The change of environment could be a positive for Hamilton, given that teammate George Russell has made a difficult start to the 2024 F1 season by winning the team battles in qualifying and racing at the opening races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. is.
And 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Russell has served as a “wake-up call” to Hamilton since replacing Valtteri Bottas in 2022, with Villeneuve saying he feels Hamilton is “comfortable”. I believe he is a good driver.
read more – Lewis Hamilton accuses Russell of getting 'comfortable' with Bottas before he 'woke up'
Lewis Hamilton convinced about Ferrari's 'atmosphere'
But Hamilton will of course be hoping to leave Mercedes and arrive at Ferrari in good shape, knowing he has won against highly-rated teammate Russell. A driver from a similar background in Leclerc will be his tough next challenge.
Swapping Mercedes for the unique culture of the iconic Ferrari team could potentially be a big risk for Hamilton, who is in the twilight stages of his F1 career, but former Ferrari driver Giancarlo Fisichella said: Hamilton declared from the off-season that he would feel “part of the family” at Ferrari.
read more – Lewis Hamilton gives assurance about Ferrari's 'atmosphere' ahead of big 2025 F1 move
Is Fernando Alonso plotting to replace Lewis Hamilton?
Mercedes has a big decision to make when it comes to naming a replacement for Hamilton, who has enjoyed record success since taking over in 2013.
And shortly after Verstappen teased Ferrari, Hezemans was quick to point out the recent F1 “stupid” hint that Fernando Alonso, who is in the final year of his contract with Aston Martin, could retire rather than sign a new contract. He proposed a different idea about the season. To seduce Mercedes into signing a contract with him.
read more – Fernando Alonso hints at retirement from F1, reveals Mercedes-style plans
