Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has disclosed that Yuki Tsunoda, the rising star of the AlphaTauri Formula 1 team, was highly sought after by rival teams before the announcement of his contract extension through the 2025 season. This news comes as a boost to AlphaTauri’s ambitions, as the young Japanese driver continues to impress with his performances on the track.
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In a bid to make Formula 1 cars smaller and lighter, Pirelli has agreed to reduce the front tyre width by 25mm and the rear tyre width by 30mm, as part of the sport’s technical changes for the 2026 season. The tyres will also become slightly smaller in diameter, shrinking from the current 720mm to 705-710mm, although F1 will still utilize 18-inch wheels.
With Lewis Hamilton’s departure, Mercedes is considering Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a potential 2025 teammate for George Russell. However, Russell emphasizes the importance of Antonelli forging his own path in Formula 1, rather than relying on mentorship, as drivers must make their own mistakes and find their own way to the top.
Nico Hulkenberg failed to advance from Q1 during the recent Formula 1 Grand Prix, qualifying a dismal 19th. This poor performance was a significant departure from his previous efforts this season. The German driver suspects an underlying car issue, possibly related to aerodynamics, and is calling for a thorough review ahead of the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.
The FIA has set a target to reduce the weight of the 2026 Formula 1 cars by a substantial 30kg, from the current 798kg to just 768kg. While some drivers and teams have expressed doubts about the achievability of this goal, the governing body remains confident that the weight-loss objective is feasible through collaborative efforts with the motorsports industry.
Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo has reaffirmed his commitment to Alpine’s Formula 1 team, dismissing rumors of a potential sale despite the squad’s disappointing start to the season. De Meo believes that through recruitment, a winning mentality, and better collaboration, Alpine can become a top contender in F1.
As the 2024 Formula 1 season got underway, Williams Racing faced a significant challenge with their launch car, which tipped the scales at a considerable excess weight. Despite shedding 14kg during the off-season, the FW46 was still 4-5 tenths per lap slower than its optimal pace. The team is working hard to reduce the weight and improve performance, but the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona poses a tough test.
As Audi prepares to enter Formula 1 as a works manufacturer in 2026, ex-driver Gerhard Berger has offered a word of caution, advising the German marque to expect a patient journey to the top, similar to the experiences of Red Bull and Ferrari. Berger’s insights underscore the challenges facing Audi and the importance of perseverance in the pursuit of Formula 1 success.
In a surprising twist, Mercedes-AMG CEO Toto Wolff has revealed that Carlos Sainz is no longer a viable option for the team’s 2025 Formula 1 lineup. Wolff emphasized that the team wants to ‘reinvent ourselves’ and shift its focus towards younger drivers, particularly teenage protege Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Aston Martin’s Formula 1 team principal Mike Krack has cautioned against drawing premature conclusions from their improved performance at the Canadian Grand Prix. Despite a promising showing in Montreal, the team’s boss emphasizes the need to analyze data and prepare for the upcoming races, as conventional circuits pose a stern test of their progress.