With the likelihood that Cadillac will now be signing two of Formula 1‘s most experienced out-of-work drivers, the team might just have placed itself in the best possible place for 2026.

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez can boast 527 Grand Prix starts between them, along with 16 race wins, and such know-how of their way around an F1 car will be invaluable.

F1 is preparing to enter the unknown next year, with the FIA’s new set of regulations threatening to shake the sport up as much as it ever has been. That, in effect, gives Cadillac the advantage of a blank slate, plus the benefit of the most amount of aerodynamic testing as per F1’s rules.

But the nascent squad’s necessity to have some expertise behind the wheel will be all-important if it is to get itself a foothold on the F1 ladder.

Perhaps more so with Bottas, as he will perhaps possess more prior knowledge of the new technical regulations via his current role as Mercedes’ reserve driver.

With teams already enabling drivers to perform simulator runs on early incarnations of the ’26 cars, Bottas may well have placed his mulleted head beneath the Halo, so to speak.

The Finn has already indicated, since being out of full-time racing since losing his Sauber drive last year, that he is ready and willing to race again.

And it’s not just what skill he can bring to the table; it is also the fact that his humorous profile and willingness to make himself the butt of it will bring added marketing clout to the team.

For Perez, it will be a mission to prove himself still worthy of an F1 seat after his unceremonious dismissal from Red Bull at the end of last year.

With Liam Lawson losing the drive that he took from Perez after two races, and with Yuki Tsunoda continuing to struggle, he will surely never be more motivated to prove to the outside world that he was never the problem in that second seat alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull.

And being Mexican, Perez is naturally the closest the team has to an American driver. That sort of profile will also give the team the ability to potentially find a new wave of fans across the Americas, something that F1’s other American squad, Haas, has continuously failed to find.

The hurdle of securing an American driver would always prove to be tricky anyway, with the likes of IndyCar’s Colton Herta needing to find the necessary Super Licence points.

Jak Crawford was perhaps the only realistic option, but it seems that Cadillac appeared less interested in finding a compatriot to fill a seat and instead found the right men to be on the right platform towards success in the future. With Bottas and Perez, it is set to accomplish that.

Both drivers were given an equal chance to become World Champions in their prime: Bottas spent five seasons alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, while Perez was Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull between 2021 and 2024. The pair had title-winning equipment at their disposal during those periods; the problem was, they had generational drivers in the opposite garage.

Bottas harboured the pace over a single lap to rival Hamilton on numerous occasions, but he didn’t possess the all-round skillset to translate that into more victories to mount a sustained title bid throughout his spell with the Silver Arrows. Likewise, Perez never posed a serious internal threat to Verstappen, although it was his raw speed that ultimately undermined his endeavours.

But as a new entrant with a steep learning curve, Cadillac will not be calling on either driver to go out and win races against the very best competitors on the grid. Instead, the American marque will be reliant on the two individuals in the cockpit to assist with the team’s development and to capitalise on points-scoring opportunities that arise in a tightly contested midfield battle.

In that regard, Bottas and Perez are the ideal candidates. Bottas starred at Williams to earn his eventual switch to Mercedes as the successor to the then-reigning champion, Nico Rosberg, while he also did a sterling job when Sauber was a competitive entity upon his arrival in 2022.

Meanwhile, Perez was long renowned as a midfield specialist prior to his Red Bull stint, scoring three podiums in a Sauber in a breakout campaign in 2012 – landing him what transpired to be an ill-fated move to McLaren – and several more top three finishes with the Silverstone-based squad before it morphed into Aston Martin, including a coveted maiden win in Bahrain in 2020.

Haas was the last new team to be granted a place on the grid, and it immediately showed how valuable having a driver with extensive experience in the sport can be when starting out. Romain Grosjean produced a memorable shock when he drove his Haas VF-16 to sixth place on the American outfit’s debut in Australia and then went one better at the next race in Bahrain. Haas would be unable to maintain that level of competitiveness throughout the team’s inaugural campaign, but Grosjean’s exploits had been enough to help it finish eighth, above Renault.

Now, to expect Cadillac to replicate Haas’ debut heroics is not realistic. The team has been candid about the inevitable tribulations that it is poised to endure. However, in Bottas and Perez, Cadillac will have two drivers who are guaranteed to make that transition much more seamless.

READ MORE – The key storylines to follow for the rest of the 2025 F1 season

The post Why Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez is the sensible debut F1 driver line-up for Cadillac appeared first on Motorsport Week.

It may feel odd to discuss what’s in store for the remainder of the 2025 Formula 1 season when one team appears to have it all sewn up with 10 races to go.

McLaren harbours a commanding 299-point lead over Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship after 14 rounds, with back-to-back titles all but assured.

Still, it’s the intra-team duel between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri that is captivating, with a mere nine points dividing them before the Dutch Grand Prix.

The Papaya duo have been trading blows all season, each continuing to adapt and learn on their quest for a maiden championship victory.

There are, of course, other storylines unfolding alongside the title fight: Ferrari’s hunt for a first victory of the season – a worrying prospect given last year’s form – the ongoing midfield scrap, and the eyes on 2026 with Cadillac’s entry and its yet-to-be-confirmed driver line-up.

As the paddock gears up for the remainder of the season, we take a look at five narratives set to shape the championship battle.

Norris vs Piastri: A championship duel under one roof

Last season, the man standing in Norris’ way was the formidable Dutchman, as Max Verstappen denied the Briton’s crowning moment in a year when McLaren returned to the pinnacle.

Now, Piastri stands in his way – a team-mate who has grown tremendously this season, adding to his two victories from 2024 and elevating his game to a whole new level.

Norris may have taken the season opener, but in the stretch of races that followed, Piastri stamped his authority on the title fight with remarkable ease, looking every bit the champion in waiting.

The Briton fought back over the last few rounds, putting aside the qualifying demons that had haunted him earlier in the season and showing an improved mental resilience, refusing to dwell on his mistakes.

It sets up an exciting second half of the 2025 campaign: while Norris may appear to have the momentum, Piastri has proven this season that he is more than capable of claiming the World Championship.

Such fine margins have defined the fight so far. Norris’ strategic gamble against Piastri in Hungary went down to the wire, just as the chase in Belgium did – only this time, a few mistakes from Norris hindered his pursuit of victory.

Next up on the calendar is a return to Zandvoort, where Norris dominated last year, finishing over 20 seconds ahead of second-placed Verstappen – marking him as the favourite once again. But, as always, there are circuits that could play into Piastri’s hands, with Azerbaijan and Qatar among them. At this stage, you simply can’t predict the outcome of this title fight.

Red alert: Ferrari chasing a breakthrough

Mamma mia! This season has definitely not gone to plan for the Scuderia.

Charles Leclerc has been the lone beacon of hope in what was meant to be a defining campaign for the Italian marque.

The great Lewis Hamilton has struggled to adapt since his shock departure from Mercedes, with just a Sprint Race victory in China to show for his season so far.

Leclerc has earned multiple podium finishes, but a win has continually eluded him, with car troubles at the Hungaroring denying him the result his qualifying performance deserved. The Monegasque has been vocal, proclaiming that the team missed its only real opportunity for triumph.

Ferrari still has 10 rounds to prove him wrong, including its beloved home race at Monza, where Leclerc last season stunned the McLarens to take victory.

Whether the team can put behind the disappointment of this campaign and salvage what remains is still uncertain. You could argue that Budapest hinted at a possible shift in fortune, despite the disappointing outcome.

Ferrari can take some comfort in the fact that Red Bull and Mercedes have fared worse, but McLaren continues to look untouchable across all circuit configurations.

The American invasion: Who will drive for Cadillac in 2026?

Another American team is on the F1 horizon – Haas, beware. Cadillac enters as the 11th team next season, with two extra seats seemingly already filled.

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez – both left without a drive in F1 at the end of last season – are the frontrunners to lead the line-up next season.

The Finn was dropped by Sauber but quickly snapped up by former team Mercedes to serve as its reserve driver. After a year on the sidelines, the 10-time Grand Prix winner is eager to get back into the groove.

Similarly, Perez has been forced to watch from afar this year, having been dropped by Red Bull after a tumultuous campaign that left him over 285 points adrift of his team-mate and World Champion, Verstappen.

But another opportunity is in the pipeline, with the 35-year-old determined to prove his worth once again. Other names such as Colton Herta, Zhou Guanyu and Mick Schumacher have also been linked to Cadillac’s 2026 line-up.

An official confirmation isn’t expected until after the Dutch GP, but an announcement is looming – one certain to keep fans on edge as the second half of the season gets underway.

The midfield mayhem: Who will come out on top?

Williams is in pole position to secure fifth in the standings, but the midfield chase remains fierce with Aston Martin, Sauber, Racing Bulls and Haas all close behind.

Alex Albon’s haul of 40 points from the opening seven rounds gave Williams a strong foothold in the midfield fight. But with Sauber and Aston Martin mounting a resurgence, the Grove-based squad suddenly finds its position under threat.

Racing Bulls and Haas remain within striking distance too, while Alpine languish at the foot of the standings despite collecting 20 points, 15 adrift of its nearest rival.

The Anglo-French outfit’s woes are compounded by Franco Colapinto’s struggles on his F1 return – with Alpine’s second driver dilemma becoming a story of its own – leaving Pierre Gasly to shoulder the team’s efforts almost entirely alone.

Silly season sparks: The 2026 seats still up for grabs

As the 2025 F1 season resumes, attention inevitably turns to the chaos of next year’s grid.

While some teams have already locked in their line-ups, others are still juggling options – leaving fans guessing who will be sitting where in 2026.

McLaren, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Williams, Haas, and Sauber – which becomes the Audi works team in 2026 – have all confirmed their driver pairings for next season.

Red Bull is guaranteed to Verstappen, despite interest from Mercedes, but remains undecided over the future of Yuki Tsunoda, who continues to struggle in the team’s second seat.

Meanwhile, after all the drama, Mercedes is poised to run George Russell alongside rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli for another season, though official confirmation is still pending.

Racing Bulls’ future depends on the main team, with Isack Hadjar enjoying an impressive debut season and seemingly destined to become Verstappen’s next team-mate. Liam Lawson is also waiting on clarity over his place in the Red Bull family, though the Kiwi, who has rebounded since his shock demotion two races into 2025, is set to continue next season.

Alpine may have Gasly’s future secured, but the second seat remains a headache. The Colapinto experiment looks increasingly short-lived, yet exactly what comes next is anyone’s guess.

READ MORE – Motorsport Week’s F1 2025 Mid-Season Team Ratings

The post The key storylines to follow for the rest of the 2025 F1 season appeared first on Motorsport Week.

As the Formula 1 circus prepares to roll back into action, how has each team shaped up so far in 2025?

Alpine – E

Best Result: 6th (X1)

This season has been a downturn in form for the Enstone-based squad, with the team propping up the Constructors’ Championship, 15 points adrift at the bottom.

Alpine have failed to kick on from the double podium in Sau Paulo last season that vaulted it up to sixth in the Championship come season end in 2024.

While Pierre Gasly has starred this season, overperforming an underachieving package so far in 2025, the other side of the garage has much to improve.

A mid-season switch between Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto has been a side step at best, with 13th being the best result on that side of the garage so far.

Haas – D

Best Result: 5th (x2)

Haas has endured an inconsistent campaign, which goes some lengths to explaining the team’s slide to ninth in the Constructors’ Championship in a tight midfield.

A whole new driver line-up for this season has settled in well with Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman both able to score points when the VF-25 has enabled them to.

There have been standout showings in both China and Belgium that showcased the potential, though it’s something the team has been unable to harness regularly.

And while the team has already accumulated 60 per cent of its 2024 points total, Haas has work to do to climb the order to obtain a bigger portion of the prize pot.

Red Bull: D+

Best Result: 1st (x2)

The manner in which Red Bull is poised to end the ground effect era would have been unimaginable 18 months ago when it was continuing to thrash the opposition.

Despite some initial promise in 2025 as Max Verstappen prevailed at Suzuka and Imola, the Dutchman suspects he won’t add to that across the remaining 10 races.

That has culminated in Red Bull electing to end Christian Horner’s two-decade stint in charge as the team prepares to undergo a rebuild under Laurent Mekies’ watch.

And while Verstappen has pledged his commitment to the team, Mekies and Red Bull have a decision to make on who will partner him amid Yuki Tsunoda’s struggles.

The second seat next to the reigning F1 champion has continued to be a poisoned chalice, culminating in Red Bull dropping to a distant fourth place in the standings.

Racing Bulls: C-

Best Result: 6th (x2)

Despite languishing down in eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship, Racing Bulls has arguably been the more impressive Red Bull-backed team in 2025.

Isack Hadjar has been a revelation with six points finishes, while Liam Lawson has put his sudden Red Bull demotion behind him with points in the last two races.

The Faenza-based squad has one point less than its entire total last year as it endeavours to record its strongest season since morphing into Racing Bulls in 2024.

Ferrari: C

Best Result: 2nd (x1)

Ferrari has endured a tumultuous 2025 as a fundamental design flaw with the SF-25 has thwarted the team’s strive to mount a renewed bid to win the Constructors’ title.

While Lewis Hamilton has the team’s only first-place finish in the Shanghai Sprint, Ferrari is the sole team among the leading quartet that hasn’t won a Grand Prix to date.

The aforementioned Hamilton has also struggled to adapt to his new home, and he is seemingly discontent with some ongoings in the background at the Italian marque.

Ferrari hasn’t gone winless across a season since 2021, yet the reality is 2025 is looking to be a season to forget for the Scuderia before the big regulation change in 2026.

Aston Martin: C+

Best result: 5th (x2)

Despite a slow start to the season, especially for two-time champion Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin has recovered well to score five times in the past seven rounds.

Aston Martin went into the summer break on a high as a vintage Alonso performance saw him take fifth in Hungary, while Lance Stroll made it a double points finish.

Sixth place in the championship is still not where Aston Martin will wish to be, but recent results have at least ensured that the campaign will not end with a whimper.

The prospect of an Adrian Newey-designed car for F1’s new era in 2026 will be the driving force that both Alonso and Stroll will need to push on in the remaining races.

Williams: B

Best Result: 5th (x3)

Having spent most of the ground effect era at the wrong end of the pecking order, Williams looks to be ending the ground effect era heading in the right direction.

Sitting fifth in the Championship sees Williams on for its best season since 2017, when it also secured fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

The Grove outfit can attribute a lot of its success to Alex Albon, whose 54 points and three top-five finishes put Williams on the front foot in the tight midfield battle.

And while Carlos Sainz, like Hamilton, has taken some time to adapt to Williams, his 16 points have still been vital even if he hasn’t matched his team-mate’s highs.

Sauber: B

Best Result: 3rd (x1)

Having racked up a meagre four points across the previous campaign, 2025 has represented a substantial step forward for the Swiss-based Sauber team.

Despite a run of seven races without scoring after a seventh-place finish in the season opener in Melbourne, the team has scored 40 points in the last six races.

As well as this, the team has stood on the podium for the first time since 2012, with Nico Hulkenberg securing an emotional podium after a wet-weather masterclass at Silverstone.

The experienced midfield peddler has been the perfect mentor for rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, who secured a career-best finish in Hungary before the summer break.

With an exciting prospect of a partnership with Audi for 2026, this campaign could be the Swiss team’s best season since the start of the ground effect era in 2022.

Mercedes: B

Best Result: 1st (x1)

Mercedes has had a mixed 2025 as it has embarked upon an F1 season without Lewis Hamilton for the first time since 2012.

George Russell has slipped into the shoes of team leader perfectly, with a stunning win from pole in Montreal the highlight of a season with five other podium finishes.

Meanwhile, promising rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli has also shown his raw talent, taking an inaugural pole in the Miami Sprint as well as a first-ever podium in Canada.

While Antonelli is on a run of only two points finishes in the last eight races, a solid point in Hungary before the break could be the confidence booster the youngster needs.

McLaren: A

Best Result: 1st (x11)

While McLaren has taken 11 victories in 14 races, it has been susceptible to a few slip-ups and could have won every race.

The Woking-based squad is on course for a first title double since 1998, with a near 300-point advantage over Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship.

The only concern is a possible repeat of the 2007 bust-up between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri fight for a maiden title.

READ MORE – The winners and losers of the 2025 F1 season so far

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With the news that Portugal is primed to make a significant push to return to the Formula 1 calendar, Motorsport Week asks: Can, or will, it be worthy of a slot on the coveted schedule?

Despite there now being 24 races compared to the usual 16 when it was previously a regular Grand Prix host, Portugal will be facing a battle to secure a place on the modern-day calendar.

It will need to prove its place, particularly as F1 has been making a concerted effort to ensure other continents and their respective markets are given a fair slice of the cake. This has been made more difficult due to the fact that Madrid has been chosen to host the Spanish Grand Prix.

But it is undeniable that the country did a sterling job of stepping in to host Grands Prix during the Covid-afflicted 2020 and ‘21 seasons. The Algarve International Circuit in Portimao, a now-frequent MotoGP venue, provided an ample amount of positives to put up a good show. This will enable the powers that be to, in the first instance, take its bid seriously.

And whilst Portimao is not the same circuit as Estoril – it gives F1 and its new breed of fans a chance to keep in touch with its past. And with good reason, as it was often the location of some memorable moments that are indelibly woven into the sport’s historic tapestry.

Estoril made its debut on the calendar in 1984, after a 24-year gap without a Portuguese Grand Prix, and it immediately set the scene for the culmination of a titanic title battle.

Not dissimilar to this year, it was a closely fought intra-team battle between McLaren’s Alain Prost and Niki Lauda. Prost had come close but was yet to be champion, with Lauda, who had returned to F1 after a three-year hiatus two seasons previously, looking to take his third title. Despite starting in 11th with Prost second, Lauda used all his experience and calmness to take second place, which, despite Prost winning the race, was enough to see the Austrian prevail.

A year later, it was a less dramatic race, but enough to have its own unique place in the record books. In a rain-sodden race, Ayrton Senna took the first of his 41 Grand Prix wins, famously unstrapping himself from his Lotus and waving both his arms out of the cockpit in jubilation.

Pivotal moments in other championship quests were made at Estoril. In 1989, a black-flagged Nigel Mansell took Senna out, handing an advantage to eventual champion Prost. Two years later, Mansell’s right rear wheel came free after a routine pitstop, handing him an uphill battle against Senna, who went on to be champion.

Two years after that, Prost claimed his fourth and final title at Estoril, in a gripping late-race battle with Michael Schumacher, who held on to take the race win, his second in F1.

The Estoril owners had a lax attitude towards improving the circuit’s facilities, which was what ultimately saw the track disappear off the calendar. After numerous times of asking for improvements, the FIA eventually had enough, and the scheduled race in 1997 was cut.

As Estoril perished, Portimao emerged, and the venue became a fan favourite when it was called upon to hold an F1 race when the COVID pandemic cancelled certain events in 2020. The inaugural race at Portimao provided numerous memories, beginning with a rain shower in the opening stages that saw Carlos Sainz, then with McLaren, surge into an unexpected lead at a time when the Woking-based squad was not a regular fixture at the sharp end as it is today. Sainz’s grip on first place wouldn’t last once the conditions settled, though, with Lewis Hamilton steering his Mercedes W11, adorned in an all-black colour scheme as a stand against racism and discrimination, to a 92nd win, surpassing the record he had shared with Michael Schumacher.

Hamilton, now a seven-time F1 champion, would replicate that seven months later when Portimao was included as the third round on the 2021 calendar. But while the sport hasn’t returned since then, the current government is seeking to change that in the coming years.

But is it a realistic proposition, and how could a Portimao comeback materialise?

Well, with widespread demand across the globe to host an F1 race, the sports bosses opened the door to a rotation system back in January 2021, and that has since been put into action.

The Belgian Grand Prix’s place on the calendar has been preserved until 2031 through a deal that will see the series continue to visit the popular Spa-Francorchamps circuit on a bi-annual basis past the 2027 season, skipping out 2028 and 2030. That arrangement could provide a blueprint that more European circuits subscribe to as F1 endeavours to explore new territories.

The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort will disappear after 2026, while Imola has not been included on next season’s calendar as two races in Italy are no longer deemed feasible amid Madrid’s impending debut. The ‘Madring’ circuit will become the new home of the Spanish Grand Prix, but the Circuit du Barcelona-Catalunya will also hold a race as it has an existing deal in place.

Barcelona has signalled a desire to continue its long-standing association with F1. The rotation model could provide it with that chance. Likewise, Portimao and Imola are also contenders to host rounds in Belgium’s place should a European replacement be sought for those years. Regardless, Portugal’s presence, even on a bi-annual basis, would be very much welcomed.

READ MORE – Portugal ready to ‘formalise’ country’s return to F1 calendar

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With more than half the Formula 1 season behind us, who can look at 2025 as a success and who needs to hit the ground running strong once racing resumes?

The Winners

McLaren

McLaren has continued the form that saw the team claim a first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 and has become the dominant force in 2025.

The Papaya machines have been scarily dominant at times and have won all but three Grands Prix this season.

The two clashing styles of drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have set up a fascinating fight for the World Championship in a clear two-horse race.

The last time the Woking-based squad did the Championship double was almost 30 years ago, but it is set to end the ground effect regulations as top dogs.

Max Verstappen

Despite the pursuit of a record-equalling fifth consecutive title fading, Max Verstappen has once again been one of the sport’s top performers this season.

The Dutchman’s two wins in 2025 came about through magical drives, while he has managed to upset the McLarens over one lap despite a car disadvantage.

But although Verstappen is pessimistic for the remainder of 2025, fearing he won’t win another race this season, he has still urged Red Bull not to give up.

George Russell

George Russell has solidified his position as one of the best on the grid, maximising his Mercedes W16 to six podium visits in 2025, the most of anyone other than the McLaren duo.

The Briton has put himself into positions to pick up podiums when not always on the pace for the rostrum, and like Verstappen, has been able to pull a few shocks out over one lap.

The highlight of his campaign has been his controlled victory from pole position in Canada, withstanding the challenge of Verstappen from lights to flag.

With tracks to come that should suit the Silver Arrows’ package, there are more opportunities for further victories as he pursues a new contract with Mercedes.

Williams

Williams is looking to end the ground effect era revitalised and heading in the right direction.

Alex Albon has been a key to the team’s success so far in 2025, with 54 points on the board already and four top-six appearances to his name.

While the adaptation to the team has taken some time for Carlos Sainz, the Spaniard has still played his part in the Grove-based squad’s push to the top of the midfield.

Sainz has picked up points in seven of the 14 race weekends to date, though misfortune has stopped him from scoring at the rate that his team-mate has.

Sauber

2025 has been a huge year for the Swiss-based Sauber team, and leaves them in good stead for the impending transition into Audi ownership for 2026.

Nico Hulkenberg has once again shown his quality as a midfield peddler and finally ended his wait to stand on an F1 podium after a wait of 239 races.

As well as this, 2024 Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto has really started to shine, putting an under the radar start to the season behind him to score in three of the last four.

Isack Hadjar

Isack Hadjar put a shaky start in Australia behind him to stake his claim to the title as best rookie on the grid so far in 2025.

The Frenchman has been a consistent points scorer and has easily been the second-best Red Bull-backed driver behind Verstappen.

22 points to his name, including a stunning run to the top six in Monaco, have Hadjar in prime position to make the switch to the senior squad for 2026.

The Losers

Ferrari

Despite maintaining second place in the Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari’s limitations with the SF-25 have consigned it to trailing 299 points behind McLaren.

Charles Leclerc’s five visits to the podium have been the best Ferrari has mustered, though the Monegasque hasn’t stood on the top step.

Besides this, seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton is yet to fully settle into his new environment in Maranello, with questions being asked about the goings on behind the scenes.

Yuki Tsunoda

Getting the call-up to the senior Red Bull team hasn’t been the dream come true for Yuki Tsunoda, as the Japanese driver has become the latest to struggle alongside Max Verstappen.

With seven points to his name as a Red Bull driver, and on a run of seven consecutive races without a point, Tsunoda looks to be the next driver to fall by the wayside for Red Bull.

Liam Lawson

Having got his rightful promotion to Red Bull for 2025, Lawson’s dream descended into a nightmare as he was demoted back to Racing Bulls after two race weekends.

However, in recent races Lawson has seemingly put that behind him and has scored points in four of the last seven weekends, including a career-best in Austria in July.

In the circumstance where the New Zealander manages to sustain this form past the summer break, he’ll surely be ending the season with more positives than negatives.

Alpine

2025 has been yet another disappointing campaign for Alpine, with Pierre Gasly being the only shining light for the Enstone-based squad.

The Frenchman has produced seven Q3 appearances and has 20 points to his name, the only thing keeping Alpine anywhere near the rest of the field.

On the other side of the garage, there has been disappointment with very few positives coming from an early-season driver swap between Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto.

While the team has the highest amount of points for a team last in the championship, it will come as little joy to a team once again wondering where it all went wrong.

READ MORE – Motorsport Week’s F1 2025 Mid-Season Driver Rankings

The post The winners and losers of the 2025 F1 season so far appeared first on Motorsport Week.

As Formula 1‘s summer break rolls on, who have been the best performers so far and who needs to improve once cars return to racing at Zandvoort?

1) Charles Leclerc – 8.25

Charles Leclerc dragging a troubled car to results greater than it deserves has been a common theme during his Ferrari career, and 2025 has been no different.

The SF-25 has been another disappointing product for Maranello as Ferrari opted to change 99 per cent of the car after its strong end to the previous campaign.

Despite this, Leclerc has been a standout, collecting five podiums and a shock pole position in Hungary, while outracing Lewis Hamilton on all but two occasions.

2) Max Verstappen – 8.19

Up against the almost invulnerable McLaren duo, Max Verstappen produced some fine performances to put in an early bid for a fifth consecutive World title.

Verstappen dispelled the notion that his success was down to having the best package with a mesmeric pole lap in Suzuka, while he also prevailed at Imola.

However, as the season has gone on, Red Bull’s deficit to McLaren has continued to grow, and the reality is that the championship is essentially out of reach.

3) George Russell: 8.14

George Russell has ensured Mercedes hasn’t missed Lewis Hamilton’s presence as the experienced head in the team as he has thrived since stepping up to the void.

A fabulous victory from pole in Canada and five other visits to the rostrum place Russell a safe fourth in the championship, maximising what he can from the W16.

4) Oscar Piastri: 7.89

Oscar Piastri has had an incredibly consistent 2025 to date, and has been rewarded with a slim nine-point championship lead over Lando Norris going into the break.

The Australian is the sole driver on the grid to have scored points at each weekend, which has been vital in a season where his team-mate has been up and down.

5) Lando Norris: 7.5

Despite being arguably the quicker McLaren driver, some costly mistakes have made the difference between Norris and team-mate Piastri.

Key mistakes from the Briton in Saudi Arabia, Canada and Belgium have left Norris with a nine-point gap to his less-experienced stablemate.

Norris finished went into the summer break strong with a terrific gamble on the one stop to claim victory in Budapest from third on the grid.

The championship is still wide open between the two McLarens, but Norris needs to clean up his mistakes if he is to win a maiden championship.

6) Alex Albon: 7.42

Alex Albon has spearheaded Williams’ strong start to the season and has consistently been the number one driver for the Grove-based squad.

The Anglo-Thai driver has four top-six finishes so far in 2025 and has 54 points to his name, the most he’s scored since 2020 with Red Bull.

In a highly competitive midfield scrap, Albon has been a key reason for Williams’ impressive rise to fifth in the Constructors’ Championship.

7) Fernando Alonso: 7.14

Despite a crash in the season opener down under in Melbourne, the oldest driver on the grid has still shown why he’s a two-time World Champion.

Aston Martin is yet to return to the highs of 2023, but recent developments have pushed the team back towards the front as Alonso took a first top-five finish in over a year in Hungary.

The Spaniard is still the figurehead of the Aston Martin setup and will want to end the season strong before an exciting prospect of driving an Adrian Newey-designed car for F1’s new era.

8) Nico Hulkenberg: 6.92

After a wait of 239 races, 2025 has been the season in which Nico Hulkenberg finally stood on an F1 podium.

The German has been a solid points scorer for a revitalised Sauber team and took his maiden podium after a wet-weather masterclass at the British Grand Prix.

Despite being the third-oldest driver on the grid, Hulkenberg has shown he can still mix it with the best, capitalising on Sauber’s resurgence in competitiveness.

9) Isack Hadjar: 6.92

Isack Hadjar, the 2024 Formula 2 runner-up, has made the step up to F1 with ease and has been the best rookie so far this season.

The Frenchman put a crash on the formation lap in Australia behind him quickly to become a consistent points scorer for Racing Bulls.

While recent results have slipped somewhat, Hadjar has been the strongest Red Bull-backed driver after Verstappen in 2025 and is putting himself on the radar for a potential promotion.

10) Pierre Gasly: 6.8

Pierre Gasly has almost singlehandedly carried Alpine during this campaign, as the Anglo-French squad has struggled once again.

Gasly has made seven Q3 appearances in a car stuck to the bottom of the standings, and his 20 points are the only thing keeping the Enstone-based team within reach of the rest of the grid.

READ MORE – Why McLaren envisages renewed Ferrari F1 challenge across remaining 2025 races

The post Motorsport Week’s F1 2025 Mid-Season Driver Rankings appeared first on Motorsport Week.

When it was announced that Formula 1’s statistical greatest driver of all time was uniting with the sport’s most successful team of all time for 2025 the expectations were high, but 14 races into the season and the Lewis Hamilton-Ferrari partnership may need the new era in 2026 to relight the fire.

While Hamilton produced the second-worst debut in the Scuderia’s history with 10th in Melbourne, the seven-time World Champion quickly put that behind him.

The Briton converted Sprint pole in Shanghai to a dominant first victory in Ferrari red in his second weekend with the team.

Despite such early success, Hamilton only has one other top-three finish in 2025, with third place in the Miami Sprint after a masterful strategy call in changeable conditions, and is therefore yet to stand on a Grand Prix podium in red.

Until F1’s most recent race in Hungary Hamilton had consistently scored points every weekend, yet has missed out on that elusive silverware so far, coming closest at Imola and Silverstone.

In fact, only one driver in the team’s history has had to endure longer without a Ferrari podium, with Didier Peroni having to wait 19 races back in the 1980s.

There have been sparks of the potential of the partnership; however, recent weekends have started to extinguish them as Hamilton’s confidence drops.

A double Q1 exit at Spa preceded a Q2 knockout at one of Hamilton’s most beloved circuits in Hungary, culminating in Hamilton even suggesting Ferrari should replace him.

But why is Hamilton struggling so much with Ferrari, and could F1’s new era in 2026 be a possible last reckoning for the series’ most established name?

Adapting to a new home

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has seen him have to adapt to a completely new setup, having spent almost 20 years with Mercedes.

The switch to the Italian marque means a complete change of team atmosphere as well as a different team culture, including a difference in language as well.

Hamilton essentially had the team at the Silver Arrows built around him, something that was key to his tremendous success.

It has been clear from the start that Hamilton is pushing for change within the Ferrari team and has been making somewhat cryptic comments about what goes on in the background.

Hamilton divulged to Sky Sports F1 that there are some behind-the-scenes dealings that he is not content with.

“There’s a lot going on in the background that’s not great,” he conceded.

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur opined after the race in Hungary that “Lewis is very demanding, he’s very demanding with the team, with the car, with me.”

“I think he’s also very demanding with himself. It’s the approach from a seven-time champion to be very demanding with everybody and with himself.”

Additionally, there’s the adaptation to a completely new power unit and how the Ferrari engine works compared to the Mercedes one he’d become entuned to after so long.

Meanwhile, thereis the difference in philosophy between Ferrari and Mercedes and how the Italian team have optimised its machine for the ground effect regulations.

The current cars have not suited Hamilton’s late-braking driving style. And while there have been moments of vintage Hamilton, it has mostly been a disappointing era.

A new era and a new hope?

But will the revamped technical regulations on the horizon be Hamilton’s last chance to return to his best and clinch an elusive record-breaking eighth title?

The 2026 F1 cars will return to something more similar to the pre-2022 spec machines, something that should provide Hamilton with an immediate boost.

But should that not come to pass and he is still trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton could elect to not even see out his Ferrari deal and call time on his career.

However, Hamilton has dismissed that his downbeat demeanour in recent weeks is a sign that he is throwing in the towel, a sentiment that is shared elsewhere.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who oversaw Hamilton’s exceptional championship-laden success between 2014 and 2020, believes the Briton has “unfinished business”.

“He kind of never got happy with ground effect cars, in the same way, it beats him,” Wolff told media including Motorsport Week.

“So, he shouldn’t go anywhere. Next year, brand new cars, completely different to drive, new power units that need an intelligent way of managing the energy.”

“If he has a car that’s not giving him the feedback that he wants, and that was the Mercedes of the past few years, and that seems to be the Ferrari, and even worse, then not. But you ask me whether he has it, he definitely has it.”

The summer shutdown has arrived at a crucial time for Hamilton, who admitted there would be some tears during the break as he takes stock.

“Just from a work perspective, integrating into a new culture, into a new team. It’s not gone smoothly in all areas, and it’s been a real battle.”

“I definitely need to get away and recharge. I’m sure there’ll be some tears at some point, and I think that’s really healthy,” he concluded.

READ MORE – Charles Leclerc fearing winless Ferrari 2025 F1 season after Hungarian GP collapse

The post Is 2026 F1 reset a last reckoning for self-proclaimed ‘useless’ Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari? appeared first on Motorsport Week.

A shock pole position from Charles Leclerc in Hungary was not enough for Ferrari to take its first Grand Prix victory of 2025, as a familiar set of issues reared their ugly head and exposed Formula 1’s most successful team’s fundamental design flaw.

Despite missing out on a first Constructors Championship since 2008 by 15 points last season, Ferrari took the bold decision to change 99 per cent of its car going into 2025.

And unfortunately, it has been a gamble that has backfired terribly for the Prancing Horse, as while the team remains in second in the Constructors’ Championship, it is an incredibly distant second to the dominant McLaren.

Despite five podiums from Leclerc, Ferrari sits second mostly due to the circumstances surrounding both Red Bull and Mercedes.

Both teams have arguably the quicker package than the Maranello-based squad, but lack the consistency with both cars that Ferrari has been able to rely on with its driver line-up.

The Italian marque goes into the summer break winless in 2025, with Lewis Hamilton’s Sprint triumph in Shanghai back in March the only victory to Ferrari’s name so far.

A magical lap from Leclerc stole pole away from the McLarens in Hungary, though, giving Ferrari its greatest shot at victory all season on a circuit where overtaking is notoriously hard.

However, Ferrari, and especially Leclerc’s race, unravelled due to a problem that has plagued the team from race one and doesn’t seem like it will be rectified anytime soon.

A millimetre from success

From the very first weekend of the season Down Under in Australia, Ferrari has struggled with setting the car up to avoid high wear on the plank.

This has been a nightmare all season, with the car’s design only being optimised when it’s run lower to the ground, but at a higher risk of being disqualified due to excessive wear.

In fact, Shanghai Sprint winner Lewis Hamilton lost a sixth-place finish in the Grand Prix a day later due to that exact technical violation.

Now the rules surrounding plank wear are tight, with only one millimetre of wear allowed over a Grand Prix distance of around 300km.

Despite this, no team has struggled with the threat of wear like Ferrari has in 2025, being unable to realise the full potential of the car on a regular basis because of it.

The Ferrari SF-25 evidently has potential, and when it can be harnessed, the car is second only to McLaren, with the ability to even challenge the papaya machine.

Unfortunately, said potential can only be realised when the car is run low to the ground, something Ferrari is unable to risk on a regular basis.

The team introduced a new rear suspension design for the Belgian Grand Prix to mitigate the issue, the hope being that the new design would allow the car to be run lower.

On multiple occasions, we have heard both Leclerc and Hamilton being told to ‘LICO’ (lift and coast) to protect the plank as the car lifts under slower speeds at the end of straights.

However, it seems that while the update has been a step forward for Ferrari, it can’t fully fix the fundamental flaw with the SF25 – and no more changes are in the pipeline.

Ferrari limitations to remain prevalent in 2025

Leclerc was able to take the race to McLaren and Oscar Piastri in the opening stints in Hungary, but the Monegasque would be told to back off the protect the plank in the latter stages, seeing him not only lose the lead, but fall off the podium completely, ending up fourth.

And while Hamilton suffered a poor weekend of his own, branding himself “useless” after being knocked out in Q2, the Briton’s race was also heavily affected by this issue.

In fact, the seven-time F1 champion was told to start LICO as early as Lap 3, mainly to protect the brakes while in traffic, but no doubt also to remedy potential wear on the plank.

This stunted any chance of Hamilton making any progress, as well as destroying the team’s chance at a first Grand Prix win since the Mexico City Grand Prix last October.

Ferrari had a golden chance to enter the summer break with a victory, but ultimately would leave the paddock following the same disappointment that has stalked it all season.

And with development now being fully turned towards the new 2026 regulations, it seems unlikely that a development will be made this season to solve its chronic weakness.

The only hope for Ferrari lies in finding some kind of setup-related sweet spot, where it can balance the plank wear and performance equally.

Ferrari hasn’t gone winless over a campaign since 2021, but with McLaren looking impenetrable in race trim and a car with a glaring limitation, a difficult reality may be on the horizon.

READ MORE – Ferrari explains decision to extend Fred Vasseur despite winless 2025 F1 campaign

The post How the Hungarian GP exposed fundamental design flaw with 2025 Ferrari F1 car appeared first on Motorsport Week.

As Formula 1 heads into the summer break, who needs the time to reflect and who goes in with momentum on their side after the Hungarian Grand Prix?

Lando Norris: 8.5

Despite a poor opening lap, Norris was the beneficiary of a great strategy call from McLaren to leapfrog pole-sitter Charles Leclerc and team-mate Oscar Piastri.

The Briton resisted the fast-charging Piastri in the closing laps to go into the summer break only nine points behind the Australian and with the wind in his sails.

Oscar Piastri: 8.5

Piastri could not better his starting position come race day in Hungary, losing out to team-mate Norris and unable to make a late race tyre delta pay off.

The championship leader looked to be biding his time in the early stages behind Leclerc’s Ferrari, and pounced on the Monegasque after the second round of pitstops.

However, he was unable to make an attack stick on Norris, almost careering into the back of his team-mate with a bold late braking manoeuvre on the penultimate lap.

George Russell: 9

George Russell returned to the rostrum for the first time since his win in Canada back in June as Mercedes’ reversion to a previous-spec suspension paid dividends.

The Briton managed to take his place on the podium at the expense of pole-sitter Leclerc as the Ferrari driver struggled with a chassis problem during his third stint.

A sixth podium this season is the boost Russell needs as his future at Mercedes becomes a lot more secure for 2026 and beyond.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli: 6.5

Andrea Kimi Antonelli put his run of pointless races behind him as he recovered from a Q2 exit to claim the final point in Budapest.

His best time in Q2 was deleted for track limits, although it wouldn’t have been enough for a top 10 start, leaving him more work to do.

But a one-stop and some good late race defending will give Antonelli a little, but much-needed, confidence boost after a disappointing recent run of form.

Charles Leclerc: 9

Leclerc claimed the Hungaroring was his “worst track” in the lead-up to the weekend, but he put that bed with a stunning lap to beat the McLaren duo to pole position.

The Ferrari racer was looking strong in the opening half of the race, until an unknown problem with his chassis once he exited the pits a second time thwarted his bid.

Leclerc dropped behind Piastri and then Russell, who was unimpressed with his rival’s driving as he moved under braking twice into Turn 1, landing him a time penalty.

Lewis Hamilton: 3

Lewis Hamilton was unable to be his vintage best at a venue where he is the most decorated driver, as he produced another below-par weekend in a Ferrari.

Having twice been knocked out in Q1 in Belgium, Hamilton endured another premature elimination as he qualified 12th, while Leclerc would go on to take pole.

Starting on the Hard tyre and aiming to go long, the Brit spent most of the race stuck in a DRS train and then emerged from the pits on the Mediums in 16th.

And on a track where passing is notoriously difficult, Hamilton could only return to his starting position, finishing a weekend outside the points for the first time in 2025.

The summer break will be one of reflection for the seven-time champion, having branded himself “useless” and suggesting Ferrari should look to replace him.

Fernando Alonso: 9.5

Aston Martin put the disappointment of last weekend at Spa behind them and stormed back into the top five in Hungaroring as Fernando Alonso rolled back the years.

Despite missing out on FP1 after suffering back pain after the weekend in Belgium, the Spaniard stormed into the top five in qualifying, 0.109s away from pole position.

And the two-time champion would masterfully convert it on race day too, taking a first top-five finish of the season and a first since the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Lance Stroll: 8.5

Lance Stroll perfectly backed up team-mate Alonso to secure a fourth Grand Prix points finish in 2025, matching his result from Silverstone.

The Canadian was also marginally close to a shock pole position, just 17 thousandths behind the more experienced Alonso on Saturday.

Seventh on race day is the boost Stroll and the Aston Martin squad need heading into the summer break in F1’s tight midfield scrap, where every point matters.

Gabriel Bortoleto: 9

A best-ever start was backed up by a career-high finish in sixth for Gabriel Bortoleto in Hungary as the Formula 2 champion continued his strong recent run.

The Brazilian has been riding the crest of a wave somewhat in recent weeks, with three points finishes in his last four to quietly put himself into the equation for rookie of the season.

Nico Hulkenberg: 5

Nico Hulkenberg was once again in the shadow of his rookie teammate as a Q1 exit in 19th left the German with a mountain to climb on a track where overtaking is difficult.

A five-second penalty for moving before the lights went out compounded his difficulties. The alternate two strategy was not enough to recover to the points, 13th his position.

Liam Lawson: 9

Liam Lawson will enter the summer break with the run of results the Kiwi would like, as Budapest saw him score for the fourth time in six races in 2025.

The New Zealander would be the highest finishing Red Bull-backed car on race day, holding off the senior team’s Max Verstappen in the latter stages.

Lawson would convert his ninth place on the grid to eighth on race day and a continuation of the form that saw him viewed as the future of Red Bull less than a year ago.

Isack Hadjar: 6

Isack Hadjar ensured both Racing Bull machines made it into Q3 on Saturday; however, he was unable to convert like his teammate could come race day.

The Frenchman complained of pain in his hand after being struck by gravel thrown up by a car ahead of him, which would have affected his charge to the top 10.

He was unable to pass Antonelli in the latter stages, but he did hold off his hero Hamilton to just miss out on points in 11th place.

Max Verstappen: 6

On the weekend the reigning champion told the media he feared he won’t win another race in 2025, it was possibly Red Bull’s worst weekend in terms of performance.

A lowly ninth on the grid was all Verstappen could manage in qualifying. On race day his RB21 seemed harder to drive than ever at the Hungaroring as he slumped to ninth.

Yuki Tsunoda: 5

Despite being a little over a tenth and a half behind Verstappen in Q1, Tsunoda would still find himself eliminated in 16th.

A pit lane start for new engine components left the Japanese driver a mountain to climb, and with his RB21 suffering more than ever, 17th was all he could muster.

Carlos Sainz: 5.5

Hungary has always been a circuit that has gone against the strengths of recent Williams cars, and 2025 was no different.

Knocked out in 13th in qualifying, the choice to start on the Soft tyre gained the Spaniard some places early on.

However, an early stop, combined with a collision with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, for which the Frenchman would be penalised, stunted a charge into the top 10.

Alex Albon: 5

Alex Albon was unable to back up his run to the top six at Spa in Hungary, as a 15th-place finish was all he could manage after being knocked out in last place in Q1.

Esteban Ocon: 5

Esteban Ocon was another driver who could not repeat his heroics from Belgium, being knocked out in Q1 and ending up a lowly 16th at the chequered flag.

Ollie Bearman: 7

Being on a run of four consecutive 11th-place finishes, Bearman would qualify in the very same 11th and was on course for a potential points finish.

However, the Briton would have to retire the car on Lap 48 after suffering a large amount of rear-end damage to his Haas car.

Franco Colapinto: 6

Despite a low 18th, Colapinto could take positives from the fact he out-qualified and finished ahead of teammate Gasly for the second time this season.

Pierre Gasly: 4.5

Gasly has essentially carried Alpine on his back single-handedly so far in 2025, but it was an off weekend for the Frenchman in Budapest.

Out in Q1, starting on the Hard tyre and collecting a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision with Sainz saw Gasly cross the line as the last of the finishers in 19th.

READ MORE – Lando Norris resists Oscar Piastri to head McLaren 1-2 in F1 Hungarian GP

The post Motorsport Week’s F1 2025 Hungarian GP Driver Ratings appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Fred Vasseur is staying with Ferrari, signing a multi-year deal to remain with the Italian Formula 1 giants. Motorsport Week examines why this could be the right decision.

It’s fair to say that Ferrari has not enjoyed a stellar 2025 F1 season. In fact, it’s fair to say it hasn’t enjoyed a great deal of success over the last several years.

Michael Schumacher’s 2000 title triumph was the Scuderia’s first in 21 years, quite some wait for such a team, you might agree.

But it is now precariously close to matching it, with Kimi Raikkonen’s 2007 success now about to clock 18 years ago.

Ferrari has brought in a number of different team bosses in that time, and ultimately, all have failed.

Vasseur’s arrival two years ago heralded another new dawn for the team, and like a football team that frequently changes managers, Ferrari fans were now hoping he was ‘the one’.

His charisma and gallic humour may have put people in mind of Jean Todt, the last Ferrari Team Principal to truly bring success, and did so by the bucketful.

But now in his third season, Ferrari has yet to yield any discernible bragging rights, and despite being second in the Constructors’ Championship last year and currently this year, speculation has loomed large.

The Italian press reported in June that all was not well in Maranello, and Vasseur’s head was very much on the chopping block, which led to a furious tirade from the man himself.

Claiming the reports were disrespectful to Ferrari staff and their families, and were unsettling the team, Vasseur said he did not “want to speak anymore about this stupido.”

There have also been rumours swirling for quite a period of time that Ferrari was keen to hire Christian Horner, given his longstanding success with Red Bull.

People would be forgiven to think that this would reach a crescendo, given Horner is now sat at home twiddling his thumbs amid his sacking from the team.

Now Ferrari had, on the periphery at least, the perfect opportunity to lure Horner to Maranello, but alas, it has chosen not to.

With Vasseur now having ridden all these storms, he is now vindicated in his public displeasure of the speculation surrounding his position, given that he is now committed to the long term.

Have Leclerc and Hamilton provided the support Vasseur needs at Ferrari?

Ferrari has had some history of quarrelling between team boss and those in the boardroom, but Executive Chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna have been fairly coy on the issue.

In this instance, silence has appeared to be golden, allowing Vasseur to implement his ideas for the Scuderia’s long-term aspirations.

Another key factor has been the public support Vasseur has garnered from the two men driving his cars: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Leclerc is undoubtedly the golden child of the team, and it’s fairly likely that his word would have some significance, and his commitment to the team perhaps underlines his trust in Vasseur’s vision.

Despite being perhaps an outsider of sorts given his recent arrival, Hamilton would hold a great deal of influence.

An exorbitant amount of money was paid to coax him from Mercedes, and his status as one of the greatest drivers of all time would make ears in Modena prick up a little more than they might if someone else were talking.

Hamilton cited Vasseur, his old GP2 team boss, as a big factor in his move to Ferrari, and said the rumours were “nonsense“, adding: “I do believe Fred is the person to take us to the top.”

This might also lie in the supposed change of culture that Vasseur has been trying to implement, something that Leclerc publicly praised last year.

The truth of the matter is that such changes can’t take place overnight. There will always be an air of discomfort at such a willingness to change, particularly from such a huge entity as Ferrari.

But if influential figures are backing it, then anyone who might be disconcerted by it may feel the need to back it by default.

Has 2026’s new age of F1 come at the right time for Vasseur?

There is, of course, another big elephant in the room of the corridors of power in Maranello, which is also clodhopping around the HQs of every team in F1 right now: next year’s regulations.

It is a new step into the unknown next year, with further electrification being the cornerstone of the new rules, which will see different cars take to the tracks.

For newcomers like Cadillac, and transitioning teams like Sauber into Audi, perhaps it feels like the first chapter of a new story, but for existing teams, would it make sense to introduce a new protagonist halfway through?

Vasseur may have profited from this at the right time, and perhaps can benefit from the new era by continuing that culture change, particularly as some reports have indicated that its interpretation of the new rules in its powertrain looks somewhat promising.

There has also been such a fixation on the foibles of this year’s SF-25 that perhaps due diligence has been exercised by the design team to such an extent that it will hyperfocus on righting the wrongs of this year.

But whatever the reasons, Vasseur is here to stay. It is worth noting that it took Todt seven years at Ferrari to win a Constructors’ Championship, and eight to win a Drivers’ Championship.

Then, a flurry of titles came one after the other, and brought with it its most successful period in its history, which is longer than the history of F1 itself.

They say Rome wasn’t built in a day. Maranello has already been built, but maybe Vasseur is the man who oversees its grand redesign.

READ MORE – Why beating Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari ‘doesn’t interest’ Charles Leclerc in F1 2025

The post Why sticking with Fred Vasseur could pay dividends for Ferrari appeared first on Motorsport Week.