Latest news with #FormulaOneAustrianGrand...
Newsweek
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Toto Wolff Gives Date for George Russell, Max Verstappen Contract Decision
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff issued a timeline for the team's driver lineup as George Russell's contract expires and Max Verstappen rumors swirl. Russell asserted himself as the team leader at Mercedes this season, extracting maximum performance from the W16 and delivering impressive results. Despite his strong start to the season, there are reports connecting Red Bull driver Max Verstappen to Mercedes. Mercedes' Austrian team principal and CEO Toto Wolff is pictured during the qualifying session at the Red Bull Ring race track in Spielberg, Austria, on June 28, 2025, ahead of the Formula One Austrian Grand... Mercedes' Austrian team principal and CEO Toto Wolff is pictured during the qualifying session at the Red Bull Ring race track in Spielberg, Austria, on June 28, 2025, ahead of the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix. More Photo bySince Mercedes is seemingly fully invested in the development of Kimi Antonelli, Russell is deemed the likeliest of the current Mercedes driver pair to get the axe in Verstappen's stead. Wolff has been coy about the team's pursuit of Verstappen, though he is a known fan of the Dutch driver - regardless of his heated rivalry with Red Bull. As Russell's future with the team hangs in the balance, the Mercedes F1 CEO clarified when a decision on the team's driver lineup will be made. "You need to be respectable towards the stakeholders in all of that process. The organization, the drivers, everybody. You need to understand the way forward," Wolff told the media. "And I don't want to be sadistic in letting a driver wait or not taking any decisions when it should be taken. So I feel we're in a good space. We're June. "Obviously, there's lots of discussions around. And I've been open with it and transparent. And at a certain stage in the next couple of months, in England, it's two couples, no? "Not couples, like many, like couple until the summer break, we need to know. Until the summer break, everything is going to be done." Last season, Mercedes was connected to Verstappen before the team ended up signing teenager Kimi Antonelli. Wolff said any team would "do handstands" to sign the four-time World Champion, though Verstappen made it known he was staying at Red Bull. Red Bull, though, continues to struggle making a competitive car for the Dutchman, which could have the door open for Wolff to strike a seismic deal. Austrian Grand Prix Race Results Lando Norris - McLaren Oscar Piastri - McLaren Charles Leclerc - Ferrari Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari George Russell - Mercedes Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin Gabriel Bortoleto - Sauber Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber Esteban Ocon - Haas Oliver Bearman - Haas Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls Pierre Gasly - Alpine Lance Stroll - Aston Martin Franco Colapinto - Alpine Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull DNF: Alex Albon (Williams)Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), and Carlos Sainz (Williams) For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Mercedes to Race Both F1 Cars With Touching Tribute to Departed Team Member
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Mercedes Formula One team has revealed a touching gesture to honor a team member who passed away last week. The tribute will be highlighted this weekend at the Austrian Grand Prix. Mercedes announced the passing of Mark Hudson, who worked in the team's Composite Build Department for 12 years. Honoring him, both Mercedes W16 F1 cars will feature the message: "In memory of Mark Hudson." Mercedes' British driver George Russell drives to the start of the first practice session at the Red Bull Ring race track in Spielberg, Austria, on June 27, 2025, ahead of the Formula One Austrian Grand... Mercedes' British driver George Russell drives to the start of the first practice session at the Red Bull Ring race track in Spielberg, Austria, on June 27, 2025, ahead of the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix. More Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP/Getty Images A nice touch to the tribute is a 'Pre-fit OK' sticker above his name, which explains the nature of the role he performed. Mercedes revealed the special gesture on X, stating: "In memory of our late and dear teammate. "Last week, we sadly lost our colleague and friend Mark Hudson. Mark worked in our Composite Build Department for 12 years and was much loved by all at Lauda Drive. In his honour, we carry his name on our car this weekend. "Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. ❤" In memory of our late and dear teammate. Last week, we sadly lost our colleague and friend Mark Hudson. Mark worked in our Composite Build Department for 12 years and was much loved by all at Lauda Drive. In his honour, we carry his name on our car this weekend. Our thoughts… — Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 27, 2025 Mercedes heads to the Red Bull Ring for the race weekend, coming off a dominant weekend in Canada, where George Russell secured his first win of the season, while his teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured his first podium finish in the premier class of racing by finishing third. The victory marked Russell's fifth podium finish of the season, suggesting his top form. However, Mercedes has yet to extend his contract, which expires at the end of 2025. Russell stated that he had met all performance expectations, but the team has yet to confirm his future seat officially. Newsweek Sports reported his comments: "No major updates yet. "It's not something that I'm pressing massively because, as I've always said, the performance is the priority, and I feel with the performance I'm showing at the moment - still in line with the performance I've shown over all these years - I've got zero reasons to be worried. "But obviously, it does help if there was pen on paper. But let's see." Russell also admitted that Mercedes was in talks with Max Verstappen following a failed attempt to have him on board last year. He added: "From my side, I don't think I have anything really to worry about. I think, as a team, it depends where you put your aspirations. "We're second best at the moment, maybe third best. We might be overperforming slightly to be second best. "As Mercedes, they want to be back on top, and if you're going to be back on top you need to make sure you've got the best drivers, the best engineers, the best pit crew, and that's what Mercedes are chasing. "So, it's only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing. But from my side, if I'm performing as I'm doing, what have I got to be concerned about? There are two seats in every Formula 1 team."
