Latest news with #F1GrandPrixofAbuDhabi
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Wolff Jokes McLaren Engine Deal May Not Have Been "Most Intelligent" Choice
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff commented on supplying McLaren with power units and aiding their rival in winning titles. As a customer team, McLaren secured a deal to obtain Mercedes engines in 2021. The agreement helped McLaren with its resurgence from a mid-table team to a title contender over the past couple of seasons. Mercedes, on the other hand, has struggled since the 2022 regulations, going from the dominant team to a podium-fighting outfit. Wolff was the point person in making the deal with McLaren. During an interview with Sky Sports Italy, he jokingly expressed regret over giving the current title favorite their engines. Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff and McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown talk in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 08, 2024 in Abu... Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff and McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown talk in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 08, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. More Photo by"Look at where they were three, four years ago, when we signed the deal with them that they were going to use our fast engines for the next few years. Then they were 18th and it was easy to make such a decision," Wolff said. "With the knowledge of today, I don't know if it was the most intelligent choice in my life to make that deal with them [laughs]. "They have it really well together in terms of engineering and that's why they perform so insanely well, especially in hot conditions." McLaren's deal with Mercedes runs for several more years, following an extension agreement reached between the two parties a couple of years ago. Announced back in 2023, the McLaren-Mercedes deal runs until 2030, marking another half decade of the partnership. At the time of the announcement, McLaren CEO Zac Brown released a statement on the new deal, which highlighted his excitement over the agreement. "Mercedes-Benz have been a brilliant and reliable partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team," Brown said. "The extension signifies the confidence that our shareholders and the wider team have in their powertrains and the direction we're taking with them into the new era of regulations ahead. "We have been successful together, both in the last three seasons and when they previously powered the team, so we look forward to the success to come as we continue our journey to fight consistently at the front of the grid." In 2026, a new engine formula is debuting, which runs on half kinetic energy and half conventional energy. According to recent rumors and reports, the Mercedes powertrain is progressing well and is expected to be the class of the field next year. Mercedes supplies power units for several other teams on the grid, including Williams and Aston Martin. Starting in 2026, Honda will power Aston Martin, while Alpine is set to discontinue its engine operations and adopt Mercedes engines. More F1 news: How Lewis Hamilton Made the F1 Movie Production More Expensive For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Sergio Perez to Drive For Cadillac in 2026: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez is reportedly inching closer to landing a seat on the Formula 1 grid. Perez is currently on the sidelines after getting axed from the second Red Bull seat, though he is apparently nearing a deal with the new Cadillac F1 team. According to rumors and reports, he is getting courted by Cadillac and Alpine, though the 11th team set to debut next season leads the race for his signature. Ed Spencer of Auto Evolution and the reputable German outlet Auto Motor und Sport are both reporting that the announcement is pending and the deal is done. 10th placed qualifier Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks to the media in the Paddock after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on... 10th placed qualifier Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks to the media in the Paddock after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 07, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. More Photo byHowever, there is still no official word or confirmation on the signing. The American-based team is currently focused on getting the 2026 car developed as a new engine formula enters the sport for the first time in years. They spent millions on staff and facilities to make the team a success, but the team is only now prioritizing driver signings. Team principal Graeme Lowdon spoke about the team's process in picking a driver and their patient approach compared to other teams. "We're out of sync with the other teams, which kind of makes it easier," Lowdon told The Race. "It means we can spend a bit more time understanding the attributes that a particular driver can bring and measuring them against what we need. "Normally, you're in a competitive environment, sometimes you can't take long to make a decision, because someone will go to another team. "When we're not in that position, there's a good list of very, very capable drivers that we can interact with and put a team together with. So we're lucky from that one point of view." Who is in the running for the second Cadillac F1 seat? Assuming Perez does get the team's first seat, the second spot on the team is an open field. Among the names in the running are Mick Schumacher, Valtteri Bottas, Jack Doohan, Franco Colapinto, and Zhou Guanyu. The team is prioritizing an experienced pair of hands who can provide specific feedback on the car's requirements. Bottas' name is recurring in the rumor mill for a seat at Cadillac, though he is also getting intense interest from Alpine. Cadillac's slow approach means it will be a while until the full lineup is confirmed. For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Jos Verstappen Criticizes Red Bull's Performance Amid Son's Decline
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Max Verstappen's father, Jos Verstappen, has criticized Red Bull for the drop in the RB21 F1 car's performance despite a new floor upgrade. Ferrari and McLaren have brought effective upgrades that enhanced performance in the Austrian GP. Max qualified for P7 at the Red Bull Ring after his flying lap was aborted due to yellow flags. Sunday's race ended for the four-time world champion with a DNF after Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashed into him on the opening lap. Not only Max, but his teammate Yuki Tsunoda has also been struggling with the RB21 car as he finished the race in the last position. The Japanese driver's performance has notably dropped after being promoted to the Milton Keynes-based team early this season. Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Jos Verstappen look on in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November... Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Jos Verstappen look on in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 24, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. MoreMax called his father after the Austrian GP qualifying session, when Jos was attending to his rally driving duties in Belgium. Addressing the conversation they had on the phone, and pointing out Red Bull's performance concerns, Jos told Race Express: "I have seen a little bit of qualifying. "I saw the last lap when he got the yellow flags, but it didn't look fast enough. "I already heard it on the phone, he said, 'Yeah, it's just not good enough.'" Addressing the updates brought in by other teams, Jos added: "Ferrari has brought a good update, we know that McLaren are always at the front and who else is in between? "Mercedes is kind of in between, and I think the update that Red Bull brought doesn't make that much of a difference. "You can see it in Tsunoda, too; he doesn't even reach Q2. So yeah, the speed has fallen from there." Red Bull's performance challenges arrive amid swirling rumors about Max moving to Mercedes in the future. George Russell confirmed ongoing talks between the Red Bull driver and his team, but Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed that there was a very low probability of Max racing for Mercedes next year. He said: "I think when you look at the situation we have with Kimi [Antonelli] and George, we have a perfect line-up that we very much enjoy, that we believe is the future. "But at the same time, there is a four-time World Champion that needs to decide what he's going to do in the future, and that is just, as a team principal, you need to see where that is going. "But I think I give it a very little probability that this is going to happen." When asked if the little probability was for 2026 or the long-term future, he said: "I don't know what's going to be in three or five years. "That's why you need to look at what should be considered on the long term." He added: "Nothing needs, in a way, to come towards favourable for us, because with George and Kimi is what we want to be and what we want to continue. "But, in order to plan right for the long term of the future, you've got to understand what other people do."
Newsweek
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Sergio Perez Sets Condition on Formula One Comeback Amid 2025 Return Rumors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Red Bull Formula One driver Sergio Perez has set one condition on his potential return to the sport. The clarification arrives amid rumors of his talks with the Alpine F1 team to race this year. Perez has been without a confirmed seat for the future after Red Bull parted ways with him at the end of 2024. However, being an experienced driver with nearly 15 years of premier class experience, the Mexican driver is in no hurry to return to the sport. Setting a criterion, Perez confirmed that he would return to F1 only if a project appealed to him, making it clear that he will in no way agree to a reserve driver role and wait on the sidelines for a full-time seat. Speaking on Desde El Paddock, he said: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the track during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 8, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.... Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the track during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 8, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. More Song Haiyuan/"The answer is yes, I do want to return, but only if the right project comes along, one where I feel I truly belong or should be. "I don't want to come back at any cost. I'm not interested in traveling around the world as a third driver or just waiting around for an opportunity. "I feel fortunate for the career I've had, and I do want to come back - because I don't want my career to end like this. "But I'm also fully aware that I'll only return if it's truly worth the price you have to pay to be in Formula 1 - 24 races, and an entire life dedicated to the sport." Perez qualifies as a fit for the Cadillac F1 team, which is considering having one experienced F1 driver and one young driver for its debut lineup next year, when it enters the grid as the sport's eleventh team. This could be Perez's chance to be a part of history in the making, especially since the project truly resonates with him. When asked if he would be an advantage for a new team like Cadillac, he said: "Yes, I believe it 100 per cent. If you look at my years with Force India, and then later with Red Bull - pushing the team forward race by race, and eventually becoming a winning team - that's exactly the kind of environment I'm looking for. "A team with that mentality, that unity. For me, that's more important than any trophy or achievement: finding a project where the driver feels truly motivated." Recent rumors suggest that Alpine was in talks with Perez for a 2025 seat. However, the 35-year-old driver has ruled out an F1 comeback this year. He said: "Things are going well, but I think it's still early in the season. "As time goes on, things will become clearer, and I'll be able to make a final decision. "I'm not in a rush - I know I won't be in F1 this year, so we'll see what happens for next year."
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Sergio Pérez Drops Bombshell About Red Bull F1 Team – 'They Regret It'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Red Bull Racing Formula One driver Sergio Pérez has made a revelation, stating that Red Bull "regrets" the decision to part ways with him after the 2024 season. He also opened up on the real reason for the team's drop in performance following a period of historical dominance. Red Bull enjoyed a period of superiority since the inception of the current ground effect era in 2022, thanks to the aerodynamic expertise of the team's former chief technical officer, Adrian Newey. 2023 saw the outfit perform at its peak, winning 21 races of the 22 on the F1 calendar. However, Newey's exit announcement months after the start of the 2024 season amid Red Bull's internal turmoil is what caused the team to fall apart, according to Pérez. Though Max Verstappen's performance allowed him to win his fourth championship at the 2024 round in Las Vegas, Pérez's ongoing struggles with the RB20 F1 car contributed to Red Bull securing third in the overall championship standings. Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing answers questions in the TV media pen during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 7, 2024... Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing answers questions in the TV media pen during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 7, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. MorePérez's performance slump was highlighted mid-season, courtesy of balance problems on the RB20, which caused a lapse of confidence in the Mexican driver. Red Bull only acknowledged the problem once Verstappen exposed it after the summer break amid McLaren's resurgence. After the 2024 season, the Milton Keynes-based team decided to part ways with Pérez, replacing him with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson. However, the Kiwi driver failed to impress Red Bull after the first two Grands Prix of 2025, resulting in his demotion back to Racing Bulls. Instead, Red Bull promoted Yuki Tsunoda to the seat alongside Verstappen. Tsunoda, who scored several points for Racing Bulls, found Red Bull's RB21 F1 car a much tougher challenge, struggling to finish even in the top ten. Among the three drivers Red Bull had in the car, apart from Verstappen, Pérez was the most well-suited. Speaking on the Desde El Paddock podcast, Pérez was asked if he thought Red Bull owed him an apology for his exit. He answered: "No. They made certain decisions because of the immense pressure—pressure that they themselves helped create. "But I know, deep down, they regret it. And I know that from a very reliable source. "Still, what can you do? You move on. It's tough. I have very good friends there, and people might think I take pleasure in what happened - but no." Newey was the mastermind behind the design of Red Bull's F1 car, but since his departure to Aston Martin as the team's new managing technical partner and shareholder, Red Bull has struggled to keep the car in its optimal performance window. Pérez believes the problems began after Newey announced his exit last year. He added: "We had a great team. In the end, it slowly fell apart, but we really did have something special, during one of the most competitive eras in F1. "We didn't dominate an era like Mercedes, where they had a massive engine advantage. In our case, the performance gap was minimal, and we still built a powerhouse. "When Adrian left - that's when the problems really started."
