Back to F2- no room anywhere else. Overall he is not Max-esque as Toto wanted. 'I have no confidence' - what now for Antonelli after worst F1 qualifying Kimi Antonelli already knows he’ll start the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix from the pits after his worst qualifying performance as an F1 driver
He's clearly talented but Toto mismanaged him and overhyped him, putting huge amount of pressure on Kimi. F2 wasn't amazing for him, F4 was regional series...Toto didn't want to miss out on the next Verstappen but by pushing he potentially created the next Jos Verstappen...plenty of talent but too much expectation and pressure can mess it all up.
Ends the contract situation at Mercedes. No more uncertainty. Max Verstappen is set to stay at Red Bull in 2026 after moving clear of a potential exit clause in his contract at the Belgian Grand Prix. Speculation of Verstappen leaving Red Bull had risen over recent months, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff making it clear he was interested in signing the four-time world champion for next year should the opportunity arise. The reigning champion has a Red Bull contract until 2028 but mechanisms existed within the deal for him to potentially leave before then. Sources had previously confirmed to ESPN that Verstappen would have been free to leave Red Bull had he been fourth or lower in the championship after Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix, which is then followed by Formula 1's August break. But after the Spa-Francorchamps weekend he has moved out of reach of fourth-placed George Russell.
Nice analysis of the Kimi issue for Toto: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/who-slept-worst-last-night-toto-wolff/10746014/
Max was never coming over for 26 and Russell was not losing his seat either lol. Interesting reference to 'Management Agreement' - BUDAPEST, Hungary -- George Russell admits Mercedes "holds the cards" in his contract negotiations for next year and that the past months have been "conflicting" as he awaits news on his future. Without a contract in place for 2026, Russell's place at Mercedes has been in doubt as team principal Toto Wolff has spoken openly about exploring the possibility of signing Max Verstappen at some point in the future. Verstappen confirmed on Thursday that he would remain at Red Bull next year, meaning a new contract between Russell and Mercedes for 2026 is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks. However, with Russell being directly managed by Mercedes, which signed him as a junior driver in 2017 and paid for his championship-winning seasons in F1's two feeder series, he says he has little sway over when his next contract is confirmed. "They ultimately hold the cards because of the situation we find ourselves in with the management agreement," Russell said. "So they've had no rush to sign Kimi [Antonelli, Russell's teammate] or I because we've got this longer-term, overriding deal in place. "But the truth is I've never feared losing my seat and that's not even been on the table once this year, even though, of course, you guys like to make a big deal out of it.
‘Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin seats available to Max Verstappen in 2027’ Max Verstappen may have publicly committed to Red Bull for 2026, but he might still be open to changing teams the year after. Max Verstappen could have multiple Formula 1 teams to choose from in 2027 as several seats become available, according to Sky TV analyst Martin Brundle.
The big question is how the different teams will position with the new rules; most probably (as any driver) Max will try to join the (perceived) best team. It's unlikely RB will immediately shine with its new PU and Ford partnership, but Max will have to decide whether they are on a promising path or not.
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko says Yuki Tsunoda’s 2026 future remains open, with decisions due after the summer break
So who is next lol Valtteri Bottas will be the first driver of the new Cadillac F1 Team, as GPblog could exclusively announce during the Grand Prix weekend in Belgium. The only thing left to do was to put all agreements on paper and then seal them with a signature. That moment seems to have arrived. The deal may possibly be officially announced in Zandvoort.
The Race.com - https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/cadillac-closing-in-on-race-winning-line-up-for-f1-debut/ Cadillac poised to sign both Perez and Bottas for 2026 Cadillac is closing on securing both Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for its first Formula 1 driver line-up next season
Its a good pragmatic lineup to develop all aspects of the team. Will be curious as to how they deal with reserve driver or drivers. A hint of who they like younger for the future. I think 2 year contracts for Bottas and Checo possibly.........
I think we can say, no matter what their record is, that the drivers were "not the problem" if they lose.
Something Marko might want to admit himself lol Briatore admits mistake in managing Alpine's F1 driver line-up
I guess the story of ALex Dunne's alleged poaching by Red Bull from McLaren belongs here - Toro Rosso second seat for 2026 ? https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/whats-behind-alex-dunnes-mclaren-f1-exit-and-red-bull-rumours/10764109/
