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Perez admits he needs result after Canadian GP “disaster” Sergio Perez has struggled recently, earning only four points from the last three races and crashing out of the past two. He will need to perform well at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix to reverse his trend. The Circuit de Catalunya is making improvements, installing 1,080 additional solar panels on its pit building roof, almost doubling its capacity. Additionally, an official Formula 1 exhibition will be held in London's Excel centre in August, featuring exhibits showcasing the sport's technology and history. Meanwhile, Trident driver Roman Bilinski will miss multiple rounds of the Formula Regional European Championship due to a road car crash injury.. Source: Race Fans

Mercedes upgrades now 'making much more sense' - Wolff Toto Wolff, Mercedes' team principal, credits recent improvements in performance to a series of upgrades introduced since the European season began, which have been effective and allowed the team to gain confidence. The team had a strong showing at the Canadian Grand Prix, where George Russell qualified on pole position and finished third, with Lewis Hamilton running strongly in fourth place. Wolff believes that introducing new parts to their car is "making much more sense" and will continue to bring updates to maintain their positive trajectory at the Spanish Grand Prix.. Source: Racer

TECH WEEKLY: Red Bull’s F1 stranglehold is loosening – and Barcelona will be a key battleground for McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes Lando Norris of McLaren beat Max Verstappen of Red Bull at the Formula 1 race in Miami, despite needing assistance from the safety car due to poor qualifying performance. Despite the safety car's intervention, Norris demonstrated impressive pace on medium tyres and was deemed the fastest car on track. Verstappen acknowledged that he couldn't match Norris' times and hinted that Red Bull may be losing their dominance in Formula 1.. Source: Formula 1

Ricciardo and Tsunoda get major RB aerodynamic upgrade for Spanish GP The Red Bull Racing team plans to introduce an extensive aerodynamic update for their RB01 cars ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, which will benefit drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda. The update includes new components such as a floor, bodywork, and rear wing designed to provide a measurable performance boost. Currently, Red Bull sits sixth in the constructors' championship, 30 points behind Aston Martin, and is aiming to deliver well-executed events to stay competitive in the tight midfield battle.. Source: Race Fans

Albon prefers Williams to sacrifice 2025 for bigger F1 2026 gains Alex Albon, Williams Formula 1 driver, is willing to sacrifice his team's chances in the 2025 season if it means being in a stronger position for the 2026 rules reset. He extended his contract with Williams for at least two more years, tying him to the team through the new regulations in 2026. Currently, the team is struggling due to delayed car production and an overweight chassis, resulting in poor performance on the track. Albon believes improving their 2024 car will yield benefits for next year's season, but the team should prioritize hitting weight targets to make a significant step forward.. Source: Motorsport

The first test of whether Ferrari's eradicated a key weakness Ferrari's Formula 1 performance is misjudged when viewed through the lens of their Monaco dominance or Montreal struggles, and instead, lies somewhere in between. Team principal Fred Vasseur's leadership style focuses on meeting both triumph and disaster with equanimity, avoiding complacency after success and pessimism after setbacks. This approach helps the team stay focused on objectives rather than results, which has been a defining characteristic of his public utterances. Under Vasseur's calm and patient leadership, Ferrari emphasizes collective effort over individual brilliance, making gradual progress and attracting key recruits. While there are no guarantees of success, Vasseur's ability to manage stress and maintain a calm demeanor will be tested in the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix as the team faces another challenging weekend.. Source: The Race

Aston Martin battling distorted expectations after 2023 charge Aston Martin's Formula 1 team is struggling to match their strong performance last season, with six podiums by Fernando Alonso, due to overdelivering in 2022 which has led to inflated expectations. The team's boss Mike Krack attributes this to the team being in a build-up phase at its new Silverstone headquarters and exceeding expectations last year. Despite having a strong start to the 2023 season, Aston Martin is now slipping behind top teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren. Krack warns that progress may not be linear due to long-term focus and setbacks are inevitable. The team's ambitious owner Lawrence Stroll aims for wins and world championships within four to five years, but Krack emphasizes the importance of keeping a target in sight during the development process.. Source: Motorsport

What F1's rules say about Alpine's engine choice for 2026 Alpine is considering becoming a customer team in 2026, possibly receiving a power unit deal from another manufacturer if Renault withdraws as an engine supplier. If no agreement is made beforehand, F1's engine supply rules guarantee Alpine will have a power unit deal by May 15, 2026. With five current manufacturers and no new entrants for 2026, the formula results in a minimum supply requirement of three teams. Alpine is in talks with Aston Martin to secure an engine supply deal, but it's contingent on not reaching a separate agreement with Renault or Mercedes. Mercedes has the option to supply four teams if Renault withdraws from Formula 1, which would leave a spot open for Alpine. The current regulations limit manufacturers to supplying engines to no more than (T+1) teams, where T is defined as the number of teams supplied by other manufacturers.. Source: Motorsport

F1 Exhibition set for London launch Here is a summary of the article about Formula 1: The Formula 1 touring exhibition will be held at ExCeL London from August 23, featuring additional attractions centered around the British Grand Prix and its history. The exhibition includes six rooms: "Once upon a time in Formula 1", which explores defining moments; "Design Lab", showcasing factory-side F1 design; "Drivers and Duels", focusing on drivers; "Revolution By Design", exploring new technologies; "Survival", featuring the charred remains of Romain Grosjean's Haas from the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix; and "Hall of Fame". The exhibition aims to engage both hardcore fans and new audiences, extending Formula 1's reach beyond the racetrack.. Source: Motorsport

McLaren: No fear that upgraded MCL38 F1 car will suffer at high-speed Barcelona McLaren has made improvements to their low-speed corner performance, but team boss Andrea Stella assures that it won't compromise high-speed performance. Drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are optimistic about their chances at the Spanish Grand Prix. McLaren has been the top-scoring team in the last three races and plans further updates this season and development for the 2025 car. Ferrari's recent form has led driver Piastri to consider the team a potential championship challenger, although it will be tough against Red Bull. Piastri believes little things can make a big difference in the fight for championships, with the second half of the year crucial to achieving this goal.. Source: Motorsport

Sargeant’s last stand? Seven Spanish Grand Prix talking points The Spanish Grand Prix is set to take place at Circuit de Catalunya, with Ferrari looking to bounce back from a disappointing Canadian GP. Drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. aim to recover from their Q2 exit in Canada, while Mercedes hopes to build on promising pace in Montreal. The team has revised its front wing to boost driver confidence, which could impact Lewis Hamilton's final season with the Silver Arrows. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso is looking forward to his home race after a poor start to the season. The event is expected to be hot and challenging for tyres, with Pirelli bringing their hardest selection of compounds. Sergio Perez needs to improve in qualifying if he wants to return to form, while Logan Sargeant faces uncertainty due to his poor performance, including a spin into barriers that ended his Canadian GP weekend early. The FIA has amended its International Sporting Code to grant an exemption and super license to 17-year-old drivers, potentially paving the way for Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli to join the grid, which could spell the end of Sargeant's F1 career with Williams.. Source: Race Fans

Leclerc: Red Bull's F1 strength will be more visible in Barcelona Red Bull Racing is experiencing difficulties with their car on low-downforce circuits, particularly when encountering kerbs and bumps, allowing rivals to close the gap. However, they are expected to regain strength on high-downforce tracks such as Barcelona, Red Bull Ring, and Silverstone, inheriting flaws from previous cars. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc predicts that Red Bull will be more competitive on these circuits, while Mercedes' George Russell warns of a potential step forward for the team. McLaren's Lando Norris anticipates an exciting but challenging few races ahead with all top teams - Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, and themselves - in the fight at the front.. Source: Motorsport

Is the FIA right to relax the age limit for Formula 1 drivers? The FIA has revised its rules to allow 17-year-old drivers with exceptional ability and maturity to compete in Formula 1, previously having an age limit of 18 years old introduced in 2014 after Max Verstappen's debut at 17. The change comes after a request from Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who must demonstrate outstanding performance and maturity in single-seater formula car competition with FIA approval. Critics argue the original rule was unnecessary and favored some drivers over others, initially intended to ensure young drivers' safety.. Source: Race Fans

F1 rules changes gives Antonelli chance to make debut before he turns 18 The FIA has revised its super license requirements, allowing Formula 1 drivers to race before turning 18. This change benefits Mercedes' junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is racing in Formula 2 and has already earned the required 40 superlicense points. Antonelli could make his F1 debut at any time before his 18th birthday on August 25th. The revised rule was made after a request to consider a dispensation to the current age limit of 18 years old, which also no longer requires drivers to hold a valid driving license when applying for a super license.. Source: Race Fans

Doohan ‘more ready than ever’ for Alpine race seat Jack Doohan, Alpine's reserve driver, is prepared to take over a race seat in 2025 if an opportunity arises. He has been linked with replacing Esteban Ocon, who will leave Alpine at the end of the season, and Pierre Gasly's future is uncertain. Doohan tested with previous Alpine cars and made his FP1 debut in Canada, feeling more ready than ever for a potential promotion. As reserve driver, he will continue to work hard and maximize his performance on track while taking things day-by-day until the uncertainty surrounding the race seats is resolved.. Source: Racer

Aston Martin confirms two-car WEC and Le Mans hypercar team for 2025 Aston Martin is returning to top-level endurance racing with its Valkyrie LMH hypercar in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and Le Mans 24 Hours starting next year. The brand will comply with a new regulation requiring at least two cars from each manufacturer in the hypercar class. The Valkyrie LMH features a modified Cosworth V12 engine without a hybrid system, similar to its road-going counterpart. Aston Martin has a rich history at Le Mans, dating back over 95 years, and plans to compete alongside top manufacturers like Toyota, Ferrari, and BMW with its works team, Heart of Racing, entering two Valkyrie AMR-LMH hypercars in the WEC and Le Mans, with an intensive testing period ahead of homologation in autumn.. Source: Race Fans

Verstappen already "contacted" by teams over future Le Mans effort Max Verstappen, a three-time Formula 1 world champion, is considering competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Although he has received approaches from teams, he is hesitant due to ongoing developments in Hypercar regulations, particularly Balance of Performance (BOP) and driver weight limits. He believes it may take another year or two for the regulations to stabilize before committing.. Source: Motorsport

Alpine prioritising "professionalism" in search for Ocon replacement Here is a summary of the article: The Alpine F1 Team has announced that Esteban Ocon will leave the team at the end of 2024 due to a disagreement with teammate Pierre Gasly during the Monaco Grand Prix. Despite their poor relationship, both drivers have vowed to work together for the good of the team. The team is now looking for a replacement for Ocon and prioritizing drivers who are "professional" rather than those with a harmonious relationship with Gasly. Potential replacements include reserve driver Jack Doohan, Sauber duo Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, and Mick Schumacher from the World Endurance Championship. Ocon has stated that his relationship with team principal Bruno Famin remains unaffected by their decision to part ways.. Source: Motorsport

Red Bull's paying the price for its era-defining Verstappen swoop Red Bull's struggles to find top-notch drivers are attributed to Max Verstappen's rapid rise to fame, making him their sole focus. This has led to four consequences: Red Bull relies heavily on Verstappen without a clear succession plan; their junior driver program has produced few top talents, with Liam Lawson being the only pressure from below; they must compete on the open market for drivers as top young talent is already spoken for by other teams; and Verstappen's dominance makes it difficult to find a suitable teammate. Red Bull has broken their own system by signing unconventional drivers like Sergio Perez and Nyck de Vries, partly due to Verstappen's presence and difficulty finding a replacement who can match his performance. With Verstappen under contract until 2028, Red Bull needs to prioritize planning for a post-Verstappen world by developing young drivers or making smart signings, as Verstappen may leave the team in the future.. Source: The Race

Red Bull might not take Yuki Tsunoda seriously yet, but RB does Here is a summary of the article: Yuki Tsunoda, a 24-year-old Japanese driver for Red Bull Racing (RB), has shown significant improvement in his second season with the team, consistently reaching Q3 and scoring points on five occasions. Despite this performance, there is no indication that he will be promoted to the main team alongside Max Verstappen. Team advisor Helmut Marko believes Tsunoda's development came a little late, while Christian Horner remains unconvinced about his ability to work well with Verstappen. However, RB took up an option on Tsunoda's contract for 2025, and he has decided to stay with the team, which he considers a good decision. Tsunoda has improved significantly in his fourth season with the team, showing maturity, speed, and ability to work well with engineers. He is now considered an experienced driver and a key part of RB's plans for the future. AlphaTauri's technical director Guillaume Mekies believes that if Tsunoda continues to improve at the same rate, he may be "difficult to ignore" for Red Bull or other teams next year.. Source: Motorsport