F1 silly season puts Red Bull, Mercedes and Cadillac on the spot
PTI
Last Updated:
London, Aug 4 (AP) It's time for Formula 1's risk-taking drivers, overworked engineers and harried team principals to relax. At least in theory.
With four weeks until the next race, including a mandatory 14-day shutdown of all racing operations from next week, the F1 season is on hold.
It's what F1 calls 'silly season," the time when contract talks — and rumors — fill the vacuum.
It often seemed like silly season started early amid feverish speculation about a move from Red Bull to Mercedes for four-time champion Max Verstappen. Now that Verstappen has confirmed he's staying with Red Bull, other decisions — such as contract renewals at Mercedes — could speed up.
Russell at Mercedes ============ Most F1 teams saw the sweeping rule changes coming for 2026 and tied down key drivers to long contract extensions last year, or even the year before.
The idea was to lock in experienced drivers who could help with development throughout 2025, so the very different 2026 cars wouldn't come as a surprise.
Mercedes does things a little differently.
As well as checking out a potential Verstappen move, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has waited on contract extensions for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, who aren't confirmed beyond 2025.
Both went through Mercedes' young driver program, which helped them through the junior series and seemingly gives the team more control over their careers.
'Mercedes manage me as well, so it's not really a deadline in my hands as such," four-time GP winner Russell said last month, adding he'd had no talks with other teams. Antonelli started his debut F1 season strongly but the 18-year-old driver's performances have dipped in recent months.
Red Bull's other seats ============== Verstappen's decision has taken a lot of pressure off, but the broader Red Bull organization still has three seats to fill — one at Red Bull and two at Racing Bulls. It's not clear who will take the final decision, and when, after longtime team principal Christian Horner was fired.
If the logic behind dropping the underperforming Sergio Perez last year was that any Red Bull replacement would do better, it's been proved wrong.
Liam Lawson lasted two races as Verstappen's teammate and Yuki Tsunoda has only scored points in three of 12 race weekends since his promotion. The team's engine partnership with Honda ends this year, which could affect Honda-backed Tsunoda's place.
French rookie Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls has outscored both Tsunoda and Lawson this season and might be the frontrunner for the Red Bull seat.
F1's governing body, the FIA, made an exception to grant Red Bull-backed Formula 2 driver Arvid Lindblad its super license in June before his 18th birthday.
Cadillac is coming =========== 'That's actually a nice seat… I wouldn't mind." Valtteri Bottas' comments in a social media skit in June fawning over a Cadillac road car went viral and cemented him in many fans' minds as the front-runner to join the new General Motors-backed team for 2026.
Bottas and Perez are both F1 race winners, popular with fans, who had underwhelming seasons in 2024 and aren't racing in 2025.
Their experience might be a boost to a new team, though other reported options include Ferrari reserve Zhou Guanyu, an ex-Sauber driver who could unlock big sponsor backing from China, or ex-Haas driver Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher.
The Alpine carousel ============= Ruthless? Yes. Successful? No.
Alpine benched the departing Esteban Ocon for Jack Doohan for the last race of 2024, then dropped Doohan for Franco Colapinto six races into 2025.
Given that neither Doohan nor Colapinto has scored a point for Alpine, it's perhaps no wonder the team hasn't confirmed who'll partner Pierre Gasly next year.
One option is Alpine reserve Paul Aron, who'd be the first Estonian in F1. He's had two practice drives with Sauber this year but was unlucky last week when his car broke down Friday after just eight laps. (AP) APA APA
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments
First Published:
August 04, 2025, 13:00 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
Wrestling World Championship selection trials: Aman Sehrawat headlines men's squad
Paris Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat was hardly challenged in the World Championship selection trials while Sujeet Kalkal put on display tremendous counter-attacking skills to lock his place in the national side in the men's freestyle 65kg weight category, here on Monday. Next month's World Championship in Zagreb, Croatia, will be Sehrawat's only second international event since he won a bronze in the French capital in 2024. The 22-year old Sehrawat settled for a bronze at the Mongolia Ranking Series event in June to make a comeback to competitive wrestling. On Monday, he looked sharper than what was on show in Mongolia. The only points he lost to Sumit in his opening bout were push-out points as his double-leg attacks gave him complete control of the match. He won by technical superiority within the first period. The 57kg final against Rahul also turned out to be a lopsided affair as Sehrawat again won by technical superiority and this time without conceding a point. Sehrawat had Rahul in a head-lock position in the beginning, getting on the scoreboard with a push-out point. A right leg-attack led to a two-pointer takedown. ALSO READ | Women's squad for Wrestling World Championship Sehrawat moved very fast on the court. His moves were clear and he did not let Rahul make any move on him, finishing the final with authority. 'I feel I am back to my best. My fitness is good and my rhythm is also back, I am ready for World Championship,' Sehrawat told PTI. 'I understand that I made a few mistakes in the Mongolia Ranking Series but that was my first competition after one year. I feel I didn't do that bad, I was even leading 11-6, but I will take that defeat (in Mongolia) in my stride,' he said. Aman has not yet won a senior World Championship medal. He has won medals at the 2022 Asian Games (bronze), and 2023 Asian Championship (gold). The competition in the men's freestyle 65kg was fierce and in the end it was Sujeet who emerged the winner. From the level he was playing a year back, the youngster from Charkhi Dadri looked completely transformed. His compact defense against both Anuj (10-0) and Vishal Kaliraman (8-4) stood out as he turned adverse positions into point-scoring opportunities with some intense counter-attacking moves. There was a vacuum in the men's 65 kg class since star wrestler Bajrang Punia stopped competing in the category and Kalkal is gradually shaping well to make this weight class his own. His mat movement and speed has improved a lot. 'We have worked on his strength in the last one year. With age, he has got power as well. He had an ankle injury some time back and he used the time to improve on his strength,' said his father and coach, Dayanand Kalkal. ALSO READ | How a missed chance became motivation: Sujeet Kalkal's rise in wrestling 'His defence was already good; we needed to work on his attack which was a bit loose, I would say. It has got better,' he added. 'His resistance power has also improved. It will only get better,' remarked coach Kuldeep Sehrawat, who also worked on him at his akhada in Sonepat. Deepak Punia, who has moved to 92kg after competing in 86kg in the Tokyo Olympics, also locked his place in the national side with dominant wins. The ketli pehalwan needed only 73 seconds to down Manjeet (SSCB) before he prevailed over Haryana's Sachin. Mukul Dahiya, who qualified for the U20 World Championship, succeeded in making the senior squad too in the 86kg category. His wins over Sachin Jaglan (technical superiority) and Ashish (7-2) showed that he will be a good prospect for India in future. Also making an impression was Haryana's Amit, who trains at Army Sports Institute in Pune. His fast-paced moves and tremendous movement on the mat got him a place in the Indian side in the 79kg category. His four-pointers against Parvinder were a delight to watch. He suffered a knee injury in the final against Services' Chander Mohan but prevailed 9-6. Surprisingly, Chander Mohan did not attack much despite seeing that his rival was struggling to move after twisting his left knee. The 74kg category was a one-bout affair with only two entries received. Jaideep claimed a place with a 12-6 win despite suffering a bad knee injury. Rohit, who used to compete in 65kg, sealed his place in the 70kg, beating Sidharth (6-2), and Sagar (6-1). He got a walkover from Ashwani. Talented Udit (61kg), Vickey (97kg) and Rajat (125kg) were the other wrestlers to make the freestyle squad. 'Sujeet beat Russian and Kazakhstan wrestlers in Hungary. He has come up very fast. He clears tricky bouts like Sushil used to do. He will be an Olympic medal contender,' said India coach Vinod Kumar. 'Udit is also emerging fast. He has transitioned well from juniors to senior level. He is young, and does not get intimidated by big names. In the coming years he will also be a great prospect for India,' he added. Wrestlers selected for World Championship 57kg - Aman Sehrawat 61kg - Udit 65kg - Sujeet Kalkal 70kg - Rohit 74kg - Jaideep 79kg - Amit 86kg - Mukul Dahiya 92kg - Deepak Punia 97kg - Vickey 125kg - Rajat
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Two-wheeler sales July '25: Honda overtakes Hero MotoCorp, here's how others performed
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has claimed the top spot in two-wheeler sales for July 2025, pushing Hero MotoCorp to second place. Honda clocked a total of 5,15,378 units, which includes 4,66,331 units sold in the domestic market and 49,047 units exported overseas. Hero MotoCorp, on the other hand, posted a total dispatch of 4,49,755 units last month. While it marked a healthy 21% growth over July 2024 (370,274 units), it wasn't enough to stay ahead of Honda. Out of the total, Hero's domestic sales stood at 4,12,397 units. TVS Motor Company retained its third-place position, reporting a total of 3,08,720 units in July. The Hosur-based company saw a steady rise, with sales growing by nearly 10% compared to June 2025 (2,81,012 units) and a 21.42% jump over July 2024, when it sold 2,54,250 units. Bajaj Auto had a mixed month. Its domestic two-wheeler sales fell sharply by 18%, dropping to 1,39,279 units from 1,68,847 in July last year. However, its export numbers told a different story: Bajaj shipped 1,56,968 units overseas, a strong 22% increase over July 2024 (1,28,694 units). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Pieces of Clothing Older Women should Avoid Learn More Undo Royal Enfield Classic 650 Review: An Icon Just Got Bigger! | TOI Auto Suzuki Motorcycle India posted total sales of 1,13,600 units. While exports grew to 17,571 units, the domestic tally stood at 96,029 units. Compared to July 2024, when the company sold 1,16,714 units in total, Suzuki witnessed a slight dip in overall sales. Royal Enfield , meanwhile, reported robust growth. The brand sold 88,045 units in July 2025, marking a 31% year-on-year rise over the 67,265 units sold in the same month last year. Domestic sales increased to 76,254 units (up 25%), while exports nearly doubled to 11,791 units from 6,057 in July 2024. Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India .
Business Standard
6 hours ago
- Business Standard
Group Landmark Strengthens Hyderabad Footprint with New Touchpoints
PNN Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], August 4: Group Landmark has expanded its presence in Telangana with the addition of two Kia-authorised workshops in Hyderabad -- one at Attapur, which is now operational, and the other in Medipally, set to commence shortly. Strategically located to improve accessibility and enhance service turnaround, these facilities deliver modern infrastructure, faster response times, and access to Kia-trained professionals. This move strengthens Group Landmark's presence in Hyderabad -- a key automotive hub for Kia, Mahindra, and Mercedes-Benz operations. The newly added Kia workshop in Attapur is a full-fledged service facility equipped with 24 bays, including mechanical and body shop operations, and a service capacity of up to 1,500 vehicles per month. Designed for speed and efficiency, this authorised Kia workshop features an express service setup, a dedicated owner's lounge with wait-and-take provisions, free Wi-Fi, and convenient pick-up and drop-off options. The second facility, scheduled to commence in Medipally (Uppal region), will expand Kia coverage across Hyderabad's eastern corridor. This ensures faster service access and improved load distribution. Together, the two facilities are positioned to serve the evolving needs of urban car owners who value time, transparency, and brand-trusted servicing. Highlights: * Group Landmark adds two Kia-authorised workshops in Hyderabad, with one already operational at Attapur and the second set to launch in Medipally. * With 11 touchpoints across Kia, Mahindra, and Mercedes-Benz, the group strengthens its integrated, multi-brand presence in Telangana. * Hyderabad is identified as a key growth hub, with increasing customer demand and white space across both premium and mainstream automotive segments. Group Landmark's presence in Hyderabad goes beyond after-sales operations. The company views the city as a strategic growth hub, situated at the intersection of rising demand and untapped premium potential. With two Kia sales outlets located in Bowenpally and Medipally, the brand offers customers a connected experience, from showroom to service. At the heart of its regional operations is India's largest Mahindra-authorised workshop, located at Q City, Vattinagulapally. Designed for scale and equipped for mechanical, body shop, and EV servicing, the facility features 38 bays, offering customer-first amenities, including an infotainment lounge, complimentary Wi-Fi, and pickup and drop-off services. In the luxury segment, Landmark supports Mercedes-Benz owners through dedicated after-sales operations in the city, reinforcing the group's capabilities across mass and premium segments. Together, these touchpoints reflect Landmark's integrated, multi-brand footprint -- built for accessibility, infrastructure strength, and customer loyalty. "Hyderabad has been an important chapter in our journey -- not just as a market, but as a community that values reliable service and consistent support. In just over a year, we've built 11 touchpoints here across Kia, Mahindra, and Mercedes-Benz, and that footprint reflects how committed we are to serving this region. With the new Kia workshops, it's not just about adding facilities; we're investing in proximity, faster turnaround, and everyday convenience. That's how we see growth at Group Landmark -- measured by the trust we earn on the ground," says Mr Sanjay Thakker, Chairman & Founder, Group Landmark. With a growing presence across Kia, Mahindra, and Mercedes-Benz, Group Landmark continues to strengthen its reach in Hyderabad through scale, service infrastructure, and everyday customer convenience. The new Kia workshops reflect Landmark's long-term approach -- building where customer demand is real and rising. As Landmark deepens its local roots, its focus stays clear: accessible locations, faster service, and standards trusted by the brands it represents. About Group Landmark: Group Landmark is India's largest automotive retailer, with over 26 years of excellence. It represents more than 10 global brands across 11 states and operates over 130 state-of-the-art facilities nationwide.
