General F1 news

[Big Kev]

Yep.
Interesting listening to Brundle on the sky F1 youtube channel this morning. He said he thinks the existing teams have basically said they've spent billions establishing the F1 brand and they're pissed cos another team wants to jump in on the coat tails for a fraction of the cost. Also F1 didn't want them to spend a fortune on getting ready for 2025 only for the rules to then change in 2026 and they'd have to start from scratch again.

I think you could easily have 11 or 12 teams. I'm sure the pitlanes could cope. Monaco might be tight but they'd do it.And it gets 2-4 more drivers on the grid. They bang on about getting more in to the US, well surely a team like Andretti brings a lot to the table for that. Certainly more than Haas do.

Maybe they should just buy Haas and say stuff you we're in!

[Big Kev]

Big rumours flying around today that Hamilton has signed for Ferrari for 2025 replacing Sainz.

[norbs]

Not sure how Sainz will end up in all this.

One thing is for sure, its going to make for a lot of clicks on the interwebz.

[Big Kev]

Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract.

I wonder if Sainz might try and get that Mercedes seat.

[Duke]

Sainz will surely be going to Audi, joining his Dad in that stable...

What I am trying to work out is why has this been announced a full year before it happens???

[Exar Kun]

Lewis really wanted that Ferrari drive before retirement hey?

Feels like that second seat at Mercedes might just be a warmer until that Antonelli dude is ready to jump in.

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[durbster]

There's always clickbait stories about Hamilton moving somewhere so I ignored it initially, and was a bit surprised it was real.

Albon might be a good fit for the Merc seat. It'd be a great redemption story if he did and beat the Red Bulls

[Big Kev]

I suggested Albon to a mate of mine as well. I think he's a good proper racer and would fit well there.

One more roll of the dice for Alonso maybe?

Good shout about Sainz going to Audi. Bottas might call it a day or they could punt Zhou as they won't need the Chinese money. It's probably all been announced now to get his foot in the door before anyone else did.

[Big Kev]

oo

Red Bull Formula 1 team boss Christian Horner is under investigation after a complaint of 'inappropriate behaviour' was made against him, the company said on Monday.

Red Bull said it took the allegations "extremely seriously" and has started an investigation.

Horner, 50, oversaw Red Bull's record-breaking 2023 season in which the team won 21 of 22 races as Max Verstappen secured his third world title.

Horner says he "completely denies" the allegations.

"After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation," Red Bull said in a statement.

"This process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister. The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."

Asked about the allegations by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, external, Horner said: "I completely deny these claims."

Horner has been Red Bull team principal since they first started on the F1 grid in 2005 and has gone on to win seven drivers' championships and six constructors' championships with the team.

[Big Kev]

Twitter alleging he sent pics to a female employee and that he's been advised amicably to step down.
Also seen mention of incredibly controlling behaviour.

Not sure which is true yet. If any!

[norbs]

It seems like a very dumb move if this has happened in the last 10-15 years given the #metoo thing.

It's a fucked thing to do at any time, but maybe being the big boss gives you a sense of being above the law.

[Duke]

Wether true or not there is no winner in this. I'm no fan of Horner but I'm also mindful there is always 2 sides to every story.

So that's ultimately a no win situation, be that for the accused or for the advocates of making a stand for what's wrong (i.e #metoo)

I can't help but notice that the same issue may ultimately be affecting both F1 & Supercars currently, being toxic workplaces...?

[Big Kev]

With high pressure competitive jobs like this I can imagine a certain amount of coercion can be involved.

Red Bull inquiry will be on Friday. You're right about no win. Even if he's found not guilty there is always a cloud over the person.

I wonder if Guenther Steiner will be waiting by the phone

[norbs]

Seems like some shizzle happening behind the scenes at RB too.

Saw some chatter about Horner and Newey having a clause in their contracts about the other being there. This could prove to be very interesting. Newey has said he regrets not working with LH or FA.

[KNAPPO]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport ... rsv-j2NhIY

Just read this and I guess we will know more in the next few days. Take out from that article is:

While there had been speculation and even assumptions about the nature of the allegations, sources have told The Sun the investigation is set to centre on a female employee’s concerns about Horner’s strict work regime and does not relate to any sexual impropriety.

“Christian had concerns about her conduct and made it clear he was unhappy,” the F1 source said.

“She went on to make a complaint about his ‘controlling’ behaviour, which detonated this crisis for the team.”

Meanwhile, one F1 source claimed a deliberate attempt was being made to destabilise Horner.

Rumours of a power struggle have dogged Red Bull Racing since the death of Horner’s ally and billionaire co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.

[Big Kev]

A hearing into charges of inappropriate and controlling behaviour against Christian Horner has finished without resolution.

[Big Kev]

Red Bull's team principal Christian Horner has been cleared following an internal investigation into his behaviour towards a female colleague.

"Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial," a spokesperson for the company said.

The statement said: "The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned.

"Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards."

[Big Kev]

Oops, reports that all of the documents, texts and pictures from the Horner case have been leaked to the press and the team principles.

[norbs]

And now out for all to see.

Not sure if they are real or not, but if they are real, how the fuck did they clear him?

[Big Kev]

"It cannot continue this way," said former F1 driver Jos Verstappen.

"The situation is not good for the team and is driving people apart."

Verstappen denied that he was the source of the leaks.

The 51-year-old told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: "Why would I do that? Max has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, is performing great and feels at home here. I have no interest in that at all."

Verstappen made similar comments to the Daily Mail, saying Red Bull would "explode" if Horner remained in his position, adding: "He is playing the victim when he is the one causing problems."

Verstappen told BBC Sport he made the comments to the two newspapers after falling out with Horner in Bahrain.

[nutty]

I really don't understand whats going on, what is Jos big power play here? Like his son is well and truely on his way to a 4th drivers champ in a row

[Bauer]

I really don't understand whats going on, what is Jos big power play here? Like his son is well and truely on his way to a 4th drivers champ in a row

I reckon he is in bed with Toto. If Max does have a get out clause enabled by CH no longer being there, this might be the pathway to Mercedes.

[norbs]

I really don't understand whats going on, what is Jos big power play here? Like his son is well and truely on his way to a 4th drivers champ in a row

I reckon he is in bed with Toto. If Max does have a get out clause enabled by CH no longer being there, this might be the pathway to Mercedes.

The only reason I can see for him to go to Merc is see if he can win in a car LH couldn't.


Things not looking great financially for the Aus GP.

https://johnmenadue.com/melbournes-f1-g ... -victoria/

[Big Kev]

On Thursday afternoon Aston Martin ended speculation about the two-time F1 world champion's future with the team by announcing a multi-year contract extension for the Spaniard, tying him to the Silverstone outfit until the end of 2026.

[Big Kev]

Get the cheque books out guys....


Red Bull design chief Adrian Newey is to leave the team in the wake of the controversy involving allegations about team principal Christian Horner.

Newey, regarded as the greatest Formula 1 designer in history, has told Red Bull he wants to move on, BBC Sport has learned.

Red Bull and Newey did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The British design chief has been strongly linked with Ferrari and is known to have been made an offer by Aston Martin, but he is likely to be of interest to all leading teams now his availability is known.