Formula One 2024 Season Motor Sport

[Franco Pinion]

Red Bull are currently in negotiations with Carlos Sainz, with a big deal from Audi also possibly on the cards, director Helmut Marko has confirmed

Sainz, currently without a seat for the 2025 Formula 1 season after being replaced at Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton, is in good form and attracting attention from teams across the grid.

A decision is expected to be made soon, with Sainz also linked with Audi, who will be entering Formula 1 in 2026 through a partnership with Sauber.

 

[Franco Pinion]

Adrian Newey is set to leave Red Bull.

Newey is said to be unhappy about the power struggle in the team and does not want to be completely relegated to the RB17 hypercar project. The heart of the thoroughbred engineer is still in Formula 1. Even though Newey no longer designs every screw of the car on his beloved drawing board, he is the brilliant mind behind the concept of the seven world champion cars of the British racing team.

I'll be shocked if it's not Ferrari. He said he's always wanted to work with them and Lewis Hamilton.

 

[Franco Pinion]

Nico Hulkenberg will join the Sauber team for the 2025 season before their transformation into the factory Audi team in 2026.

The 36-year-old German is the first driver to sign for Audi as they build up to their debut season in Formula 1. Their other prime target is Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.

Andreas Seidl, chief executive officer of Sauber and the Audi F1 project, said: "With his speed, experience and commitment to teamwork, Nico will be an important part of the transformation of our team."

Hulkenberg, who previously worked with Seidl when he won Le Mans for Porsche in 2015, said: "The prospect of competing for Audi is something very special.

 

[Ghost]

Nico Hulkenberg will join the Sauber team for the 2025 season before their transformation into the factory Audi team in 2026.

The 36-year-old German is the first driver to sign for Audi as they build up to their debut season in Formula 1. Their other prime target is Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.

Andreas Seidl, chief executive officer of Sauber and the Audi F1 project, said: "With his speed, experience and commitment to teamwork, Nico will be an important part of the transformation of our team."

Hulkenberg, who previously worked with Seidl when he won Le Mans for Porsche in 2015, said: "The prospect of competing for Audi is something very special.

Boring boring choice, such a nothing driver. Also, never knew his real name was Huelkenberg.

 

[Franco Pinion]

Red Bull Chief Designer Adrian Newey's departure from the team is reportedly set to be announced before the Miami Grand Prix

Newey has been made offers by Ferrari and Aston Martin and is seriously considering Ferrari but is not interested in moving to Aston Martin.

A potential move to Ferrari to team up with Lewis Hamilton could be on the cards.

 

[Bandit]

Newey has been made offers by Ferrari and Aston Martin and is seriously considering Ferrari but is not interested in moving to Aston Martin.

Adrian Newey has ruled out any interest in going to Aston Martin.

Ferrari does remain an option – with it suggested that team principal Fred Vasseur met privately with the F1 designer on Tuesday. While no deal is in place yet, negotiations are likely to continue as Vasseur makes a personal push to try to convince Newey to join him in time for Lewis Hamilton's arrival.

The timing of Newey's availability is not perfect in terms of hitting the ground running with the new 2026 car rules, as much of the design concepts will already be in place by the time he can provide his input.

 

[Franco Pinion]

During the past weekend in Imola, Valtteri Bottas was seen in the Williams team motorhome, having a conversation with James Vowles, the team principal. This has led to speculation that the Finnish driver might be willing to return to Grove to replace Logan Sargeant if it's his only option to stay in Formula 1. Bottas is aware that he is not part of Audi's project and has been declaring himself a free agent for several weeks, attracting attention in a somewhat complex driver market.

In the paddock, it is believed that it was Williams who requested a special permit from the FIA for Andrea Kimi Antonelli to compete in Formula 1 at 17 years old. However, logic suggests that the young Italian is heading to Mercedes in 2025, if the exception is approved and he performs well in the remaining races this season alongside Alexander Albon. This would leave a vacant seat at Williams, and Bottas is positioning himself to fill it. He knows the team, having been there from 2013 to 2016, before moving to Mercedes to replace Nico Rosberg, a move that turned him into a winner in the category.

 

[Fraser]

Esteban Ocon to leave Alpine at the end of the year.

The Frenchman and the team have together agreed to part ways at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

 

[Tom]

Red Bull have announced a two-year contract extension for Sergio Perez, which will see him remain with the team until the end of the 2026 season.

 

[Best]

McLaren boss admits the Mercedes is now so quick in the dry, that at certain points in the race weekends, McLaren can't match its times.

Rivals think Mercedes have figured out the low speed and high speed cornering issues that have plagued the car.

Mercedes have more upgrades for Spanish GP including a new floor.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/the-stratospheric-hamilton-laps-that-have-put-mercedes-f1-rivals-on-alert/10622149/