In Formula 1 there is a lot of speculation about transfers of team bosses and drivers. Young drivers also sometimes want to be put forward as potential replacements for drivers on the current grid. At the Rumor Circuit you can read all the latest suggestions regarding the future of Formula 1.
Friday March 29:
‘Aston Martin has made Newey a concrete offer’
It was previously rumored that oil giant Aramco would like to tempt Max Verstappen and Adrian Newey to make the switch to Aston Martin, but Motorsport.com reports on Friday that Lawrence Stroll, the owner of the British team, has actually made a concrete offer to Newey in Jeddah done. According to the medium, Red Bull Racing’s top designer has not rejected the proposal and a second meeting would be scheduled.
Monday March 25:
‘Ricciardo still has two races to prove himself’
Daniel Ricciardo would have two more races to prove that he deserves his Formula 1 seat with the RB team, the New Zealand Herald reports. The New Zealand newspaper is said to have understood that the Australian has received an ultimatum from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, and that otherwise the New Zealander Liam Lawson will take over his seat. If Ricciardo fails to improve his performance at the next two Grands Prix in Japan and China, Red Bull will make a swap that will likely see Lawson take Ricciardo’s seat in Miami. The newspaper also writes that Lawson is seen within Red Bull as the best candidate to eventually drive alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing itself, replacing Sergio Pérez.
Wednesday March 20:
‘Oil giant Aramco aims at Verstappen and Newey’
Oil giant Saudi Aramco became the title sponsor of Aston Martin last winter, so it became clear in Jeddah that Saudi interest and dedication towards the team and the sport has grown enormously. Max Verstappen was previously linked with a seat at Aston Martin due to the affairs going on behind the scenes at Red Bull Racing, but Formu1a.uno reports that Aramco may be interested in the three-time world champion and top designer Adrian Newey. The plan would then be to bring the duo to Aston Martin.
Monday March 18:
‘Doubts about legality of Marko clause in Verstappen contract’
There are doubts about the legality of the clause in Max Verstappen’s contract, reports Telegraph Sport. In addition, it would be possible for the Dutchman to leave if Marko were to resign or be suspended. According to the English newspaper, Marko added that clause himself, without anyone from Red Bull Racing being aware of it. Red Bull declined to comment.
‘Ziggo Sport offers higher for Formula 1 broadcasting rights than Viaplay’
The chance that Formula 1 will be shown again on Ziggo Sport from 2025 has increased, reports Totaal TV. Rumors are circulating that VodafoneZiggo submitted a higher bid for the broadcasting rights than Viaplay in the first bid. The bidding war currently appears to be in its second phase, so both parties still have the opportunity to make a higher bid. More clarity is expected this month.
Sunday March 17:
‘FOM is only in discussions with one party for F1 broadcasting rights in the Netherlands’
According to sports marketer Chris Woerts, Formula One Management (FOM) is only in discussions with one party to acquire the broadcasting rights of Formula 1 in the Netherlands. Woerts indicates on X that RTL has already been eliminated in the battle for broadcasting rights. It would again be between Ziggo Sport and Viaplay. Woerts previously reported that the FOM hoped to have made the decision before the start of the 2024 season.
Friday March 15:
‘Woman who filed charges against Horner will appeal’
The woman who filed a complaint against Red Bull team boss Christian Horner will appeal, writes the British The Telegraph. The previous complaint that the woman had filed with Red Bull’s parent company itself was dismissed after an internal investigation. According to the British medium, it took a little longer before the woman could take further steps because she replaced her legal team.
Wednesday March 13:
‘Sainz and Mercedes have had first discussions’
Carlos Sainz, who will have to make way for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari at the end of 2024, seems to have set his sights on his successor’s Mercedes seat in Maranello. According to the Italian news magazine Corriere dello Sport, the Spaniard’s management is in discussions with the Mercedes leadership about a contract for 2025. Sainz is not the only driver associated with Mercedes. The names of Max Verstappen, who might want to make the switch due to the Horner riot, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Alexander Albon are also mentioned. In addition, Mercedes talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli also seems to have a chance.
Tuesday March 12:
‘Ferrari is targeting Newey and three other Red Bull leaders’
Ferrari is not sitting still and is reportedly trying to entice a number of Red Bull Racing leaders to move to Maranello. Top designer Adrian Newey would be on Ferrari’s list, according to Formula Uno Analisi Tecnica, among others, but Newey would not be the only target of the iconic racing team. According to the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italians would also target David Morgan, the On-Track Aerodynamic Development Manager, Ben Waterhouse, Head of Performance, and Alessandro Germani, head of Aerodynamic Development.
Monday March 4:
‘Marko clause makes Verstappen’s switch to Mercedes possible in the short term’
The rumors about a possible switch from Max Verstappen to Mercedes are still going around, and according to De Telegraaf a possible switch would be even closer than we think. A so-called Marko clause would make this possible: if advisor Helmut Marko leaves Red Bull Racing, Verstappen has the freedom to make a switch himself. F1-Insider and Bild previously indicated that this would be the case, although Raymond Vermeulen, Verstappen’s manager, does not want to respond to the message.
‘Red Bull may come with a major upgrade to the RB20 in Imola’
Red Bull may come with a major upgrade to the RB20 in Imola, reports Auto, Motor und Sport. It is still unclear what kind of upgrade this concerns. Helmut Marko admitted after the race in Bahrain: ‘We are still in the learning phase with the new car. The fact that we can already celebrate such a success should worry our opponents a little.” On the rumors that Red Bull would come up with a major upgrade in the first European race, Marko said with a grin: “We’ll see.”
‘Verstappen most wanted candidate for seat at Mercedes’
Max Verstappen would be the most sought-after candidate to take over the seat at Mercedes, reports Auto, Motor und Sport. The Red Bull driver should therefore replace the departing Lewis Hamilton. Helmut Marko would fear that all the unrest within Red Bull could cause Verstappen to be chased away. The position of star designer Adrian Newey and future engine partner Ford would also become increasingly uncertain for Marko. Team boss Christian Horner would believe that it can also be done without his key figures.
Sunday March 3:
‘Jos Verstappen speaks with Wolff, now that Mercedes has a spot available’
According to the Italian Corriere della Sera, Wolff has his eyes on Max Verstappen, and the Austrian is starting a charm offensive through Jos Verstappen. Although the previously good relationship between Verstappen senior and Wolff was significantly damaged during the 2021 season, several factors play a role in the latest developments: firstly, Lewis Hamilton is leaving after 2024, which could alleviate a major conflict for the Verstappens, and also the Unrest about Christian Horner would not have gone down well with dad Verstappen. Jos Verstappen previously said that ‘it cannot continue like this’.
“Jos’s opinion is clear: replace Horner,” the Italian newspaper said. ‘Jos has already had discussions with Toto Wolff, Wolff’s arch rival, in the paddock. This is also happening in front of the cameras, now that Mercedes has a spot available for 2025, as Hamilton has already signed with Ferrari. In the past the relationship between Horner and Jos Verstappen was good, but then disagreements arose about the vision of the team.’ Wolff has praised Max Verstappen extensively several times, including after the race.
Monday February 12:
‘Ferrari has Red Bull’s technical director in mind’
Ferrari is working in the background to bring Pierre Waché, the technical director of Red Bull Racing, to Maranello, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Italian racing team has already made a big move by signing Lewis Hamilton for 2025, but Ferrari is not ready yet. The newspaper reports that the team already made an attempt last year, but that Waché refused. However, the engineer is now not reluctant to consider a switch. If the new attempt turns out to be unsuccessful, Enrico Balbo is also on the list. He currently holds the role of head of aerodynamics at Red Bull.
Saturday February 3:
‘Hamilton’s Ferrari deal could reach value of 400 million’
After Lewis Hamilton signed Ferrari’s paperwork on February 1, the rumor mill is running at full speed regarding the salary of the seven-time world champion. According to Sportune.20minutes.fr, it appears that it is a contract worth eighty million euros per year, and later Hamilton’s projects off the track will also be supported by Ferrari. CEO John Elkann is said to have agreed to an investment of 250 million euros in Hamilton’s future projects, making his total deal with Ferrari worth around 400 million euros.
Thursday February 1:
‘Ferrari wants to do everything it can to bring Hamilton to Maranello before 2025’
Frédéric Vasseur had indicated that he wanted to give both drivers certainty before the 2024 season starts. Charles Leclerc has earned his contract extension, but there are obstacles in the talks with Carlos Sainz. However, this is not due to the Spaniard’s demands, but to the fact that Vasseur and John Elkann, CEO of Ferrari, want to do everything they can to bring Lewis Hamilton to Maranello, reports Formu1a.uno. The Brit has often been linked to Ferrari, but he has never been close to a switch.
Last year, the seven-time world champion also extended his contract with Mercedes, but that does not seem to be a problem for Ferrari. The Mercedes driver has signed a one-year contract with an option for another season. It should then be possible for Hamilton to drive for Ferrari in 2025. Given the previous rumors, it remains to be seen whether a switch can happen. Will Buxton has indicated that sensational news is coming. It is unclear whether this has anything to do with this situation.
