Latest news with #KimiAntonelli
The Independent
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
F1 world champion to stay at Red Bull for another season
Max Verstappen has confirmed he will remain with Red Bull for the 2026 Formula 1 season, ending speculation about his future. Despite a £50m-a-year deal until 2028, Verstappen had been strongly linked with Mercedes, partly due to an exit clause if he fell below third in the drivers' standings. His decision follows the dismissal of Christian Horner as team principal and with Verstappen now guaranteed to be at least third in the championship. Verstappen stated he is already discussing 2026 plans with Red Bull and criticised those who 'stir the pot' with rumours. Consequently, George Russell is now expected to stay at Mercedes alongside rookie Kimi Antonelli, with their contract lengths yet to be finalised.
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Verstappen says he will race with Red Bull in 2026
Max Verstappen has ended questions about his future by saying that he will definitely stay with Red Bull for next four-time world champion is under contract to Red Bull until 2028 but had been courted by Mercedes and had been considering his said at the Hungarian Grand Prix: "I've never really said anything about it because I was just focused on talking to the team about how we can improve our performance, future ideas for next year as well. And that's why I have nothing really to add ever."But yeah, I think it's time to basically stop all the rumours. And for me, it's always been quite clear that I was staying anyway."I think that was also the general feeling in the team anyway, because we were always in discussions about what we could do with the car."And I think when you're not interested in staying, then you also stop talking about these kind of things. And I never did."Verstappen's confirmation effectively confirms George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will remain at Mercedes next who had already expected that Verstappen would be staying at Red Bull, said he was "not in a hurry" to sign a new has made it clear he wants reassurances about his position at Mercedes given what he describes as a "unique situation" at the team. Mercedes are his managers as well as his employers, which complicates the questions over negotiations regarding his contract with team principal Toto Wolff."Whenever we come to an agreement we will get it done but it has to work for both of us," Russell said."Something we need to think about. What do they want and what do I want?"We have been in a bit of a unique situation for the last few months, I don't have huge power in this agreement. And maybe interests were not aligned for the last six months."But its my job to perform and reduce that risk"I still trust Toto and the team will continue to support me, but for Kimi and me the last six months have not been the most assuring, and that is conflicting."Russell said that he never had any real doubts about his future because he was performing to a high level, but he wants to take the forthcoming three-week summer break to think more carefully about his said: "Conversations [about a new contract] have started, but we are now heading into the summer break."Toto and I have spoken a lot this week, but we haven't spoken once about the contract, because we're both trying to solve the car's performance and get the team in the right place. And that's genuine."And I personally want to go into the summer break and enjoy the only two weeks off I have in the year. I don't want to be thinking about contracts. And there isn't really a major time pressure now from my side, nor from Mercedes' side."
The Independent
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Max Verstappen commits future to Red Bull for 2026 F1 season
Max Verstappen has ended speculation over his future by insisting he will stay at Red Bull for the 2026 F1 season. Four-time F1 world champion Verstappen, who has a £50m-a-deal until the end of the 2028 season, has been strongly linked with Mercedes in recent months ahead of a new set of F1 regulations next year, with the Silver Arrows the rumoured frontrunners. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has previously declared his insight in signing one of the sport's generational talents. Verstappen has also only won two races this year in a car which is the fourth-quickest on the grid and, as detailed by The Independent on Tuesday, the Dutchman has an exit clause allowing him to leave if he is lower than third in the drivers' standings by the summer break. Yet with Verstappen guaranteed to be third after this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, the 27-year-old has now put to bed all speculation ahead of race 14 of the 2025 season in Budapest. As a result, George Russell looks set to stay at Mercedes, alongside 18-year-old Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli. Both are currently out of contract at the end of the season. The length of any new contracts for both drivers, whether it be a one-year extension or a multi-year contract, remains to be seen.
News18
2 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
Lewis Hamilton Backs Kimi Antonelli: 'To Be Thrown In At The Deep End At 18'
Last Updated: Lewis Hamilton came out in support of Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, praising the 18-year-old's performance despite recent criticism. Lewis Hamilton has strongly supported Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, asserting that the 18-year-old is 'doing fantastic" despite growing criticism regarding his recent performances in Formula 1. 'I can't imagine what it's like at 18, or try to imagine what it's like at 18 to do what he's been doing," Hamilton was quoted as saying to Sky Sports. 'I think he's been doing fantastic to be thrown in at the deep end at 18. He didn't even have his driving licence when he started racing, so I think it's a lot on someone's shoulders and I think he's doing a great job." Who Is Kimi Antonelli? Antonelli, who replaced the seven-time World Champion at Mercedes this season, began his F1 career with a series of strong results, including five points finishes in the first six races and a podium in Canada. However, a dip in form has followed. The Italian crashed out with Max Verstappen in Austria, failed to score at Silverstone, and had a disappointing weekend in Belgium—failing to get out of SQ1 and Q1 before finishing outside the points. He was visibly emotional during post-race interviews. The pressure isn't entirely new. Antonelli also struggled under the spotlight in 2024, when he crashed during his F1 practice debut at Monza amid intense hype. He later admitted to being mentally and physically exhausted ahead of his home race at Imola this year, drained by the obligations that came with racing on Italian soil. But Hamilton believes Antonelli is handling the pressure as best as anyone could at such a young age. 'He's got a great group of people around him. I think he's just got to take it in his stride, which I think he is," said Hamilton. 'And as I say, he's got Bono [Pete Bonnington, Hamilton's former engineer] beside him, so he couldn't have anyone better." (With inputs from IANS) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Kimi Antonelli reveals ‘really nice' words of wisdom from Lewis Hamilton
Kimi Antonelli has revealed the advice Lewis Hamilton gave him amid an emotional weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix. Antonelli, the 18-year-old Italian who replaced Hamilton at Mercedes this season, has endured a difficult run of F1 races since finishing on the podium in Canada last month, retiring from two grands prix and finishing 16th at Spa on Sunday. Prior to Sunday's race, Hamilton was spotted leaving the Mercedes motorhome as he paid Antonelli, 22 years his junior, a supportive visit. Antonelli was emotional in the media pen after being knocked out in Q1 of qualifying on Saturday and, a day later, the Italian revealed what Hamilton said to him amid a tricky period. 'He came to say hi to the team and definitely we had a couple of words,' Antonelli said. 'He was telling me to keep my head up and that it's normal to have bad weekends. 'And to just keep believing. It was really nice.' Hamilton, who was arguably the last driver to make his F1 debut with a top team with McLaren in 2007, threw his support behind the teenager. 'I can't imagine what it's like at 18, or try to imagine what it's like at 18, to do what he's doing,' Ferrari driver Hamilton told Sky Sports F1. 'He's been doing fantastic. But to be thrown in at the deep end at 18… he hadn't even had his driving licence when he first started racing. 'I think it's a lot on someone's shoulders. He's doing a great job and he's got a great group of people around him. So, I think you've just got to take it in your stride, which I think he is. 'And he's got Bono [Peter Bonnington, who used to work with Hamilton] by his side. He doesn't have anyone better.' Hamilton joked in Thursday's press conference that he could help Antonelli 'work' Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, as the Italian eyes a new contract with the Silver Arrows. Wolff, with Max Verstappen set to stay at Red Bull for 2026, admitted it is now his 'priority' to keep his current driver line-up of Antonelli and George Russell for next year. Antonelli is seventh in the world championship after 13 races, 94 points behind teammate Russell.
