Hamilton Gets a Boost from Ferrari’s Vasseur After Ba…read more
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur has revealed that he gave Lewis Hamilton a timely motivational “push” following a disappointing qualifying performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion, who will be joining Ferrari in 2025, only managed to qualify ninth in Sakhir and was heard apologizing to Ferrari over team radio—an unusual move that showed how deeply he felt the letdown.
Vasseur, who shares a long-standing professional and personal relationship with Hamilton dating back nearly 20 years, stepped in to offer support ahead of the race. The Frenchman acknowledged Hamilton’s frustration but believed a pep talk was needed to get his spirits back up for race day. Vasseur’s influence may have been key in helping Hamilton rebound mentally and prepare to fight back during the race.
Though Hamilton remains with Mercedes for the 2025 season, his emotional connection with Ferrari is clearly growing. His team radio message sparked discussions across the paddock, with many seeing it as an early sign of his transition to the Scuderia mindset.
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Carlos Sainz Grid Penalty Reversed Following FIA Error
Carlos Sainz experienced a moment of confusion after initially being handed a three-place grid penalty for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix—only for the decision to be overturned shortly afterward. The penalty was the result of a system error by the FIA, which mistakenly believed that the Spanish driver had failed to serve a 10-second time penalty during the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The original punishment stemmed from a collision involving Sainz and rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli during the Bahrain race. While Sainz did receive and serve a 10-second time penalty for the incident, the FIA’s tracking systems failed to log that correctly. As a result, officials erroneously handed down a grid drop for the next race in Jeddah.
Fortunately, the mistake was quickly identified and corrected just 39 minutes later. The FIA acknowledged that Sainz had, in fact, served his penalty during the Bahrain event, making any further punishment unwarranted. The reversal restored Sainz’s qualifying position and allowed him to continue preparations for the Saudi GP without the added challenge of a grid drop.
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Imola’s Future on the F1 Calendar in Doubt
The iconic Imola circuit may be at risk of losing its spot on the Formula 1 calendar, according to recent comments from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which returned to the schedule in 2020 during the pandemic as a way to increase European-based races, has since become a fan favorite due to its historic significance and challenging layout.
However, Domenicali has raised concerns about the long-term viability of hosting two Grands Prix in the same country. With Monza already serving as the traditional Italian round, Imola’s continued presence is becoming “increasingly difficult” to justify given F1’s growing global ambitions.
As the sport looks to expand into new markets and continents, venues like Imola may find themselves edged out despite their heritage. For now, the circuit is scheduled to host the first European round of the 2025 season, but its future beyond that remains uncertain.
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Brundle Expresses Concern Over Russell’s Future at Mercedes
F1 pundit Martin Brundle has expressed unease about George Russell’s future at Mercedes, especially in light of persistent rumors linking Max Verstappen to the Silver Arrows. With Russell’s current contract due to expire at the end of this season, the uncertainty surrounding Mercedes’ driver lineup has only intensified.
Brundle, a respected voice in the paddock, said he is “worried” about Russell’s status within the team if Verstappen does make the high-profile move. Despite Russell’s solid performance in the early stages of the 2025 season—securing three podium finishes in four races—his long-term role at Mercedes is anything but guaranteed.
As contract talks and potential driver moves dominate the F1 rumor mill, Russell will be keen to continue proving his worth, knowing that even a strong start might not secure his seat if a driver of Verstappen’s caliber becomes available.
