Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Vettel described Verstappen’s ongoing development as “the scary thing” about the Dutch driver.

The four-time world champion highlighted Verstappen’s ability to keep learning, stay composed under pressure, and maintain focus in critical moments.

“We know he’s good,” Vettel said. “But he’s still improving, he’s still hungry, he’s still willing to learn. I think he’s working very hard behind the scenes as well, and that’s what makes him so strong.

“And of course he’s blessed with a lot of talent on top of that, but even if he’s one of the most talented drivers on the grid, I think ultimately what makes him so strong… it’s always a combination.

“But the key ingredient is his head. In the situations where it matters, he keeps his head, hardly ever makes a mistake, delivers when he needs to, feels the pressure – we all do, I don’t think it’s possible [for anybody not to] feel the pressure – but he’s able to find a space in his head where he’s able to put that to his side and focus on what matters.”

A More Mature Approach

Vettel also noted that Verstappen’s approach has matured over the years.

“He still goes for the impossible gaps and makes them possible, which is great in his skill, but he doesn’t go for all the gaps because he knows they’re not important right now,” he said.

“If he needs to get a move on, an overtake, he’s probably one of the best going through the field quickly, but if he knows ‘I’ve got time and it doesn’t actually matter’, he’s not panicking anymore.”

Vettel’s comments underscore the combination of natural talent and mental fortitude that has propelled Verstappen to the top of the sport.

The Dutchman’s ability to balance risk with composure continues to make him a dominant force on the Formula 1 grid.

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This move underscores Sainz’s commitment to the sport and his peers, as he steps into a leadership role within the drivers’ union.

Carlos Sainz Joins GPDA Leadership

The GPDA serves as the collective voice of Formula One drivers, addressing concerns related to safety, regulations, and the overall direction of the sport. With Vettel’s retirement at the end of the 2022 season, a vacancy emerged in the association’s leadership. Sainz, now entering his 11th full season in Formula One, has been an active member of the GPDA and was a natural choice for the director’s role.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Sainz stated, “I am passionate about my sport and think we drivers have a responsibility to do all we can to work with the stakeholders to forward the sport in many aspects. So I’m very happy and proud to do my part by taking on the directors’ role.”

Joining Sainz in the GPDA leadership are Mercedes driver George Russell, legal consultant Anastasia Fowle, and former Formula One driver Alexander Wurz, who continues as chairman. Wurz welcomed Sainz’s appointment, noting, “We are delighted to welcome Carlos as a GPDA director, and we sincerely appreciate his commitment to working for the best interests of Formula 1 and its drivers.”

Transition from Ferrari to Williams

Sainz’s new role with the GPDA coincides with his recent move to Williams Racing. After four seasons with Scuderia Ferrari, during which he secured four Grand Prix victories, Sainz made way for seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari in a high-profile switch from Mercedes.

This transition led Sainz to sign a multi-year deal with Williams, aiming to leverage his experience to elevate the team’s performance.

Reflecting on his decision to join Williams, Sainz remarked, “I had from the beginning a good feeling and it motivated me that it is a historic team that wants to find its way back to the top. That was already an incentive at McLaren and Ferrari.”

Williams, a team with a storied history in Formula One, has faced challenges in recent years. Sainz’s arrival is seen as a strategic move to infuse the team with fresh insights and drive. Team Principal James Vowles expressed optimism about the partnership, emphasizing the long-term vision to return Williams to its competitive roots.

The Road Ahead for Williams

The 2025 season marks a new chapter for Williams, with Sainz partnering alongside Alexander Albon. The duo, nicknamed ‘Carbono,’ aims to bring a blend of experience and youthful energy to the team. During the car’s unveiling at Silverstone, Sainz showcased the FW47, the vehicle set to compete in the upcoming season. The official livery will be revealed at the F1 75 Live event at The O2 Arena, highlighting the team’s renewed ambitions.

While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Sainz remains realistic yet hopeful about the team’s prospects. He noted, “We will probably not be fighting for top-three positions next year, but I am very confident that we will make a step forward.”

The pre-season testing is scheduled to take place from February 26 to 28 in Bahrain, providing the team with an opportunity to fine-tune the FW47 and assess its competitiveness. Both drivers and the technical team are focused on extracting maximum performance from the car, aiming to make tangible progress throughout the season.

Sainz’s Broader Impact on Formula One

Beyond his on-track endeavors, Sainz’s involvement with the GPDA signifies his dedication to the broader aspects of the sport. The association plays a crucial role in advocating for drivers’ interests, particularly concerning safety standards and regulatory changes. With evolving technologies and race formats, the GPDA’s input ensures that drivers’ perspectives are considered in decision-making processes.

Sainz’s leadership is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the GPDA, especially given his experiences across multiple teams, including Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, and now Williams.

His diverse background equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the sport’s dynamics, enabling him to effectively represent his peers.

As the 2025 season approaches, Sainz’s dual roles—as a key driver for Williams and a director within the GPDA—underscore his multifaceted contribution to Formula One. Fans and stakeholders alike will be keenly observing how his influence shapes both his team’s trajectory and the sport’s evolution in the coming years.

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Despite recent dismissal of such rumours by Sebastian’s brother Fabian, Ralf’s remarks to Sky Deutschland have reignited speculation.

“I heard that Sebastian wants to drive a car again,” Schumacher disclosed, implying that Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari has influenced Vettel’s considerations.

The speculation around Vettel’s potential comeback arises as Mercedes evaluates its options for a partner to George Russell starting in 2025.

READ: Lewis Hamilton reveals why he ditched Mercedes for Ferrari

Schumacher weighed in on the challenge Russell might face in filling Hamilton’s shoes, particularly from a marketing perspective, and floated the idea of Vettel as a compelling choice for Mercedes, given his German heritage.

“Whether Russell has the charisma to replace Hamilton in terms of worldwide marketing, or Sebastian Vettel as a German driver at Mercedes, that’s probably too much for him,” Schumacher remarked, highlighting the significant stakes involved.

Lando Norris, another contender in discussions about Hamilton’s successor, recently prolonged his contract with McLaren, a move he justified despite the subsequent vacancy at Mercedes.

“I could have waited, that option was there,” Norris acknowledged, expressing no regrets over his decision and his confidence in McLaren’s future.

Fernando Alonso, presently with Aston Martin, is another driver closely monitoring the situation at Mercedes, mindful of the potential opportunity to join the team in 2025.

Alonso’s strategic patience reflects his ambition to compete in the fastest car available, underscoring the competitive dynamics shaping F1’s driver market.

“I know that my position is interesting so I will wait a couple of races,” Alonso stated, aiming for a top seat in the upcoming seasons.

READ: Helmut Marko admits he’s worried about Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes

However, Ralf Schumacher expressed doubt about Mercedes’ prospects based on their pre-season testing performance.

His reservations about Mercedes’ ability to deliver a championship-contending car might shed light on Hamilton’s decision to switch to Ferrari, following an offer from Fred Vasseur.

“I’m a bit disappointed with them so far,” Schumacher observed, hinting at potential reasons behind Hamilton’s move and the challenges Mercedes faces in retaining and attracting top driving talent.

The post Sebastian Vettel wants to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Vettel, a four-time world champion, held this role since 2010, significantly contributing to amplifying the voices of Formula 1 (F1) drivers.

Established in 1961, the GPDA serves as the trade union for F1 drivers.

It was reinstated following its disbandment in 1982, in response to the tragic death of Ayrton Senna in 1994, by a collective including Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher.

READ: Pierre Gasly makes shock claim about Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari

Although membership in the GPDA is voluntary, all 20 current drivers have been enlisted since 2017. Since 2021, Alexander Wurz, Anastasia Fowle, George Russell, and Vettel have served as directors for the organisation.

Chairman Wurz clarified in an interview with PlanetF1, “Sebastian has withdrawn from his active directorial role.

“Nonetheless, he remains a pivotal figure in the GPDA and its history.

“We welcome his participation in our discussions.” Wurz added, “The GPDA operates with three directors, a structure consistent with most of its history.

The number of directors does not affect decision outcomes as each member holds an equal vote.”

Despite reducing his involvement with the GPDA, Vettel continues to maintain connections within the F1 community.

He made an appearance at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2023, much to the delight of fans and fellow drivers.

Regarding a potential return to F1, Vettel remains open-minded.

READ: Mick Schumacher to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025

In an interview with Sky Sports last season, he stated, “I cannot definitively rule it out because the future is uncertain.

“Many drivers initially declined such possibilities, yet eventually returned.

“While I do not currently contemplate it, circumstances and challenges may alter this perspective.”

The post Sebastian Vettel steps down appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

The transition to Ferrari is seen as an opportunity for Hamilton to replicate the success of fellow multiple World Champion Sebastian Vettel, who also made the move to Ferrari but couldn’t secure a title during his tenure.

Sebastian Vettel, a four-time consecutive World Champion with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013, had high hopes of becoming a Ferrari legend and ending the team’s championship drought dating back to 2008 when he joined them in 2015.

Despite achieving 14 Grand Prix wins, Vettel was unable to add to his World Championship tally while wearing the iconic Ferrari red.

READ: Red Bull driver happy to be sacked

However, Lewis Hamilton’s shift to Ferrari appears to come with a unique advantage compared to Vettel’s move.

According to reports from Formu1a.uno, Ferrari is committed to ensuring Hamilton’s success by providing a “safety net” that Vettel never had.

The Italian publication suggests that Ferrari is willing to welcome other key figures from Mercedes who wish to follow Hamilton in making the switch.

Notable names linked to this potential transition include former Mercedes performance director Loïc Serra and their head of trackside performance, Riccardo Musconi.

Respected Italian journalist Roberto Chinchero, speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, disclosed that Ferrari’s team boss, Frederic Vasseur, had expressed a strong interest in signing Hamilton.

Vasseur saw Hamilton’s arrival as a means to attract top engineers to the team, describing it as a “present card” to entice the best talent.

This strategic move was seen as a significant victory for Ferrari, as securing Hamilton’s services would not only bolster their driver lineup but also elevate the team’s technical prowess.

READ: Red Bull warn Mercedes not to approach Daniel Ricciardo to replace Lewis Hamilton

In his new journey with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton will partner with Charles Leclerc, forming a formidable driver lineup.

Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, who currently drives for Ferrari, will be on the hunt for a new team starting in 2025.

The anticipation surrounding Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, coupled with the prospect of other key personnel making the transition, adds an exciting dimension to the upcoming Formula 1 seasons, as fans eagerly await the competition and dynamics that will unfold.

The post Why Lewis Hamilton won’t suffer the same fate as Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Since Sprint races were first introduced in 2021, they’ve been met with large waves of criticism, due to them often being uneventful.

Roll back the clock to 2019 and even the races were fairly average, as Lewis Hamilton or Mercedes in general were often cruising to victory.

As a result, the idea of making the races reverse grid was first raised in 2019, prior to the Singapore Grand Prix that year.

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The prospect of reverse grid races was actually discussed by Charles Leclerc, Hamilton and Vettel back in 2019 at the Marina Bay Circuit, with all three having been against the idea.

“I would not be happy,” Leclerc said whilst smirking, during the press conference after qualifying at the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix.

“I’m a lot happier to start first tomorrow. I don’t think it is the solution for Formula 1. I think the best should win and start from the best place and not in a reverse order. So, I don’t think it’s the solution.”

Somewhat ironically, Hamilton has recently admitted that he’s in favour of the Sprint races following a reverse grid format, perhaps because Mercedes are rarely towards the front.

Despite this, he was completely against the idea in 2019, on his way to a sixth Drivers’ Championship.

“I don’t really know what to say to it – the people who proposed it don’t really know what they are talking about,” Hamilton said.

Vettel arguably had the strongest take on reverse grid races and labelled them as “complete bulls**t”, resulting in laughter throughout the media present in the press conference.

READ: Revealed: Max Verstappen’s warning to his dad about Sergio Perez

“I think it’s complete bulls**t, to be honest,” Vettel said, following a pause when he was asked for his thoughts on the topic.

After Hamilton joked that he was thinking the same thing as the four-time World Champion, Vettel acknowledged that the sport needs more exciting races but that making the races start with a reversed grid was the “complete wrong approach”.

“I think we know that we want to improve things, it’s very clear we need to string the field more together and have better racing,” Vettel added.

“It’s just a plaster – I don’t know which genius came up with this but it’s not the solution. It’s the complete wrong approach.”

The post ‘Complete bulls**t’: Sebastian Vettel lashes out appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Tost was recently asked what his dream pairing would be in F1, with him stating that he’d like to see Vettel and Verstappen alongside each other.

The departing team boss knows both drivers from when they raced for Red Bull’s sister side, as he’s been their team principal for the past 18 years.

Tost became AlphaTauri boss when the team entered F1 in 2006, with ex-Ferrari race director Laurent Mekies taking his place for 2024.

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Vettel raced for the team from mid-2007 until the end of 2008 before being promoted to Red Bull; however, his first win came whilst with the Faenza-based squad.

The four-time World Champion won the 2008 Italian Grand Prix, to secure what was the team’s first win.

Verstappen raced for them from 2015 until the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, when like Vettel, he was promoted to Red Bull.

However, unlike the German, Verstappen failed to win a race for the sister team.

The three-time World Champion has since gone onto claim more F1 wins than Vettel, though, whilst he also broke the retired driver’s record of nine consecutive victories.

Verstappen and Vettel would be a formidable duo, as they are both very fast but also “very passionate” about racing.

“Vettel and Max – because of their dedication to the sport and their speed,” Tost said on the Beyond the Grid podcast.

“They know how to win races and they also bring all the factors with them, what you need to win races.

“This is, first of all, the talent. You must be highly skilled for driving such a car. Second, the passion. Both of them are very passionate.

“Look at Max, he is driving this e-car series and all this kind of stuff. Isn’t this fantastic? A three-time Formula 1 world champion and at home he is racing against others on the computer.

“Then they are disciplined. They know exactly when and what they have to do.

“The discipline is a very, very important factor, and then to study the rivals, to find out where are the deficiencies and to work on this to beat them.

READ: Christian Horner and Toto Wolff embrace

“These are the factors both of these drivers have, 100 per cent.”

As for who’d come out on top, Tost believes Verstappen would have the edge in qualifying but thinks Vettel would claim more race victories.

“Could be Sebastian,” Tost said, when asked who’d win more races.

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Having been the Faenza-based side’s boss since they entered F1 in 2006, Tost oversaw Vettel’s stint with the team from mid-2007 to the end of 2008, before he was promoted to Red Bull.

Prior to switching to Red Bull, Vettel claimed his maiden F1 victory at the side’s home race in Monza, a day which is likely one of the best of Tost’s career.

Verstappen followed a similar path to Vettel, as he raced for Red Bull’s sister team in 2015 and in the opening rounds of 2016, before moving to the Milton Keynes-based team at the Spanish Grand Prix.

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Whilst Verstappen never claimed a podium for the sister team, his aggression and driving style received significant praise, given that he was just a teenager.

There’s no doubting that both drivers are amongst the best in the history of the sport, as they have seven titles between them.

Just like Vettel did, Verstappen has gone from strength-to-strength at Red Bull and is now just one title away from matching the German’s four consecutive crowns from 2010-2013.

It’s not just because of their ability to win which is why they’d form Tost’s fantasy pairing, it’s also because they are “very passionate”.

“Vettel and Max – because of their dedication to the sport and their speed,” Tost revealed, as reported by Crash.net.

“They know how to win races and they also bring all the factors with them, what you need to win races.

“This is, first of all, the talent. You must be highly skilled for driving such a car.

“Second, the passion. Both of them are very passionate.

“Look at Max, he is driving this e-car series and all this kind of stuff. Isn’t this fantastic?

“A three-time Formula 1 World Champion and at home he is racing against others on the computer.

“Then they are disciplined. They know exactly when and what they have to do. The discipline is a very, very important factor.

“And then to study the rivals, to find out where are the deficiencies and to work on this to beat them. These are the factors both of these drivers have, 100%.”

READ: David Coulthard adamant Lewis Hamilton isn’t performing ‘at his prime’

Interestingly, Tost thinks if Verstappen and Vettel were to be team-mates, it’d be the Dutchman who’d win the qualifying head-to-head.

However, the retiring team principal thinks Vettel would have the edge in race wins.

“Could be Sebastian,” Tost said, when asked who’d win more races.

The post Franz Tost makes shock claim about Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Verstappen has enjoyed yet another dominant campaign, which saw him claim his third consecutive Drivers’ Championship at the recent Qatar Grand Prix.

He now sits just one title behind the four that Vettel achieved in consecutive seasons at Red Bull, from 2010-2013.

However, the Dutchman has effectively smashed every other record the retired F1 driver broke whilst racing for the Milton Keynes-based team, highlighting his brilliance.

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Back at the start of the season, Verstappen eclipsed Vettel’s 38 wins for Red Bull, with the 26-year-old now sitting on 49 career victories, all of which he’s claimed at the Austrians.

In fact, the Dutchman is just four wins away from matching the German’s 53 career victories, something he could do at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Should Verstappen win all five remaining races this year, then he’ll end 2023 on 54 career wins and move into third on the all-time winners list.

Verstappen even broke Vettel’s 2013 record for nine consecutive wins, with the reigning World Champion having gone on a 10-race winning streak this campaign, which was ended by Carlos Sainz in Singapore.

When the Dutch driver claims a fourth title for Red Bull, then he’ll be the most successful Red Bull driver in virtually every department.

Horner recognises that team have “worked with some greats” over the years but he rates Verstappen as a “phenomenal talent”.

“We’ve worked with some greats,” Horner told Standard Sport. “Seb [Vettel] was an outstanding talent with the four world titles in a row he managed to achieve. It’s a similar level of dominance with what Max is doing.

READ: Alpine announces new financial backers

“He’s a phenomenal talent to work with. With everything he’s achieving, Max is absolutely matching and exceeding what Sebastian was able to achieve.”

“Horner later added: He’s just a racing machine. He’s immensely talented, but it’s not just about the natural talent, but also the mental strength that he has.

“To deliver at high-pressure moments, in and out laps, changing conditions, racecraft, decisive moments when they matter and being able to read the race. He’s always one step ahead and without [making] mistakes.”

The post Christian Horner makes Sebastian Vettel claim about Max Verstappen appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

The four-time World Champion retired from F1 at the end of 2022, in order to spend more time with his young family.

Vettel hasn’t completely turned his back on the sport since leaving, with him having made some demo run appearances using sustainable fuel.

His most recent appearance behind the wheel of an F1 car came at Red Bull’s event at the Nordschleife, where he became the first driver since Michael Schumacher to drive an F1 car round the iconic circuit.

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However, his most recent paddock appearance came at the Japanese Grand Prix, where he unveiled his ‘Buzzin Corner’ project.

Vettel unveiled a series of insect hotels on the inside of Turn 2 at Suzuka, to raise awareness for biodiversity.

Even though he no longer races, the German is still trying to spread awareness for biodiversity and climate change.

There are reports that he could be making an appearance in the World Endurance Championship for Jota’s Hypercar programme, alongside ex-F1 driver Robert Kubica and 2009 World Champion Jenson Button.

As for a return to F1 though, Vettel admits that he didn’t leave the sport simply to return straight away.

He’s enjoying life away from motorsport and is discovering the “bigger world” outside of F1, enabling him to learn more about himself.

“You can never completely rule out something like that, but at a certain point it’s just over,” Vettel said.

“My age is not the problem and it was completely my choice to draw the line. But I didn’t draw that line and then lift it again a year later.

READ: Lewis Hamilton’s brother responds to trolling as he makes huge financial claim

“I consider myself lucky that I can now spend time with my family and my children. That’s my priority right now.

“In recent years I have now been able to discover the bigger world. Formula 1, no matter how big it is, is therefore becoming smaller in comparison.”

Should Vettel return to F1 in the future, he’d likely only do so if offered a competitive package, although he has been linked to Audi’s 2026 entry.

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