Lewis Hamilton’s return to social media for the first time since the 2021 F1 season finale, in a team promo video for the Chinese New Year, has fans speculating that the British racer will also return to the grid for next season – calming some fears of retirement. Now it’s the turn of his new team-mate to be in the spotlight, with George Russell joining Mercedes for this year – and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko questioning whether he really has the race pace to cope at the highest level.
For Red Bull themselves, their No1 driver and reigning world champion Max Verstappen faced rumours of an exit earlier in the week, amid claims he could jump ship to rivals Mercedes. Red Bull of course denied as much, suggesting too much had happened between the teams for that to be feasible. All teams are now gearing up for the new campaign in their new cars, with more testing to come in the weeks ahead.
Here’s the very latest news as the new season prepares for the opening weekend in Bahrain on 20 March. Follow all the F1 news updates below:
F1 latest news
- Red Bull deny Verstappen could leave for Mercedes
- Lewis Hamilton returns to social media ahead of new season
- George Russell’s race pace questioned
- Red Bull want consistency after F1 race investigation
F1 latest news
17:20 , Karl Matchett
George Russell has described his visit to the Mercedes Formula 1 factory as an “eye-opening” experience as he prepares for his first season with the team.
The British driver has joined the German manufacturers from Williams, replacing Valtteri Bottas.
With three weeks to go until the first round of testing in Barcelona, Russell has visited Mercedes’ F1 manufacturing hub at Brixworth in Northamptonshire, along with the outfit’s headquarters in Brackley.
And the 23-year-old was glad to see the inner workings of the team that has helped Mercedes to eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships.
He spoke of the “inner workings” behind the finished product car he gets to race this year – for full details, see right here.
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George Russell enjoys ‘eye-opening’ first trip to Mercedes after F1 switch
F1 latest news
17:00 , Karl Matchett
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has praised Max Verstappen’s drive to secure his first world title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, saying the Dutchman pushed his car “over the limit” to snatch the win.
Verstappen passed Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the Yas Marina Circuit to seal the Drivers’ Championship in dramatic fashion after the intervention of race director Michael Masi.
Marko has overseen Red Bull’s driver development programme since 1999, and helped guide Verstappen into Formula 1.
The 78-year-old hailed the world champion for both his driving talent and will to win, suggesting that Hamilton now knows he cannot afford to leave any space for the aggressive Dutch driver.
“You could see that [Verstappen] drove the car so over the limit, that was visible,” Marko said.
“And in the races, Hamilton should already know that you can’t leave the smallest gap open at Verstappen. He’s already stabbing you before the other person sees him in the rear-view mirror. This incredible willpower with the necessary talent makes all the difference.”
Full report:
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Max Verstappen took Red Bull car ‘over the limit’, team boss claims
F1 latest news
16:40 , Karl Matchett
Formula One will make it mandatory for all personnel working in its paddock to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, without exemption, starting this season, a spokesperson for the sport’s commercial arm said on Monday.
The mandate, which was first reported by the Times newspaper and the BBC, will apply to anyone entering the paddock — an exclusive area in which teams and drivers set up shop for a race weekend.
“F1 will require all travelling personnel to be fully vaxxed and will not request exemptions,” the spokesperson said.
This will include all competitors, hospitality staff, members of the media, the governing FIA, Liberty Media-owned commercial rights holders FOM and even celebrity guests. The mandate was approved at a December meeting of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.
News of Formula One‘s vaccine mandate comes after Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open vaccine controversy.
The world number one was detained by immigration authorities on 6 January, ordered released by a court on 10 January, then detained again before being forced to leave Australia after a final court ruling that upheld the government’s decision to cancel his visa.
The new rules call into question the future of long-time medical car driver Alan van der Merwe.
The South African, who played a pivotal role rescuing Romain Grosjean from a fiery crash in the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, has chosen not to get vaccinated for personal reasons. The FIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the vaccine mandate or Van der Merwe’s future.
Formula One is set for a record 23-race calendar this year, with races such as Singapore, Japan, Canada and Australia, which had been cancelled for the last two years, set to return.
The sport successfully staged two seasons amid the pandemic by adopting a bubble system and regular testing. The 2022 season, which will feature all-new cars designed to a radical rules overhaul, gets underway in Bahrain on 20 March.
Reuters
F1 latest news
16:20 , Karl Matchett
The FIA must look to establish more “consistency” in race direction, Red Bull have urged ahead of the report on the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The organisation are investigating the processes that saw Michael Masi controversially intervene in the final laps of the race at the Yas Marina Circuit, allowing Max Verstappen to launch a late overtake and take both race and world title victory from Lewis Hamilton.
The findings are expected to be presented at the Formula 1 Commission meeting on 14 February, and Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley believe that these must provide some clarity, and be respected by teams.
“It’s really important the FIA do their investigation, work with the teams on that investigation and we all follow whatever the outcome of that investigation is,” Wheatley explained on The Jack Threlfall Show.
“We’ve had this great over-arching philosophy of ‘let them race’. But then you have the black and white of the regulations, which is often very prescribed in terms of what penalty, or there is no wriggle room in it at all.”
Full story:
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Red Bull call for ‘consistency’ in wake of F1 investigation into Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
F1 latest news
16:00 , Karl Matchett
Valtteri Bottas has revealed that Mercedes gave him a huge and personal gift as a leaving present at the end of last season – the actual W08 car he won his first-ever F1 victory in, at the 2017 Russian Grand Prix.
“It was a little surprise but a nice gift. Now I just don’t have anywhere to put it!” he said on his podcast on supla.fi.
“I was stunned myself when I saw what kind of send-off they had organised for me – a parade, fireworks and music. I realised they also appreciated what I had done for the team.”
He also revealed that Lewis Hamilton being pipped to the title by Max Verstappen in the final race of last season meant he missed out on a hefty payment – though notes he’s past the point where he has to be concerned about financial security.
“Certain bonuses are tied to certain achievements. Fortunately, I hadn’t bought anything in advance with that amount! Sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t.
“I don’t really measure it. At some point, there came a moment when I didn’t have to look at my bank balance anymore. Of course, money is part of Formula 1. But I remember where I came from and I’ve done quite well because of that.”
Bottas is estimated to be on a $10m annual salary with his new team, Alfa Romeo.
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(Getty Images)
F1 latest news
15:45 , Karl Matchett
Helmut Marko is not yet convinced by new Mercedes addition George Russell when it comes to the most important factor of all in F1: Race day.
The young Brit has impressed in qualifying, showing consistency and control while with Williams, but Helmut Marko wants to see an improvement on Sunday sessions, as he told Autorevue.
“Now let’s see what Mr Russell will do at Mercedes and whether the praise he has received in advance is justified,” he said. “I want to see that first.
“There’s no discussion in qualifying, he’s sensational there but if you look at his race speed, he wasn’t far ahead of [then Williams team-mate Nicholas] Latifi.”
Russell has replaced Valtteri Bottas as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate for 2022.
Full report:
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New Mercedes driver George Russell has race pace questioned by Red Bull
15:15 , Karl Matchett
Drive to Survive will soon return to Netflix and the story arc surrounding the season is sure to focus on Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s title race.
The pair went toe-to-toe throughout the 2021 season and pushed each other so hard they went into the final race of the season on equal points. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix turned into one of the most controversial sports moments as Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the last lap – winning the race and the championship in the process.
While Hamilton may be open to appearing in the show, Verstappen isn’t and he’s explained why. He told AP: “They faked a few rivalries which they don’t really exist. So I decided to not be a part of it and did not give any more interviews after that because then there is nothing you can show.
“I am not really a dramatic show kind of person, I just want facts and real things to happen.”
The drama of the season may have infuriated some fans but Netflix would have been loving the action as their cameras were there to follow it minute by minute. Due to the circumstances of the final race, F1 supporters are dying to know when the new season of the documentary will be released.
Here’s everything we know about Drive to Survive 2022:
© Provided by The Independent
When does Drive to Survive 2022 come out on Netflix?
F1 latest news
14:57 , Karl Matchett
AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost says F1 sides running two rookies together have “no chance” of success, pointing out that minuscule time differences between even experienced drivers can represent several positions on the grid.
Haas opted for Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin last year – the duo are retained for 2022 – and AlphaTauri did so previously too, under the Toro Rosso brand. But it’s no longer the way to go, says the boss – at least if the idea is to improve and succeed.
“Nowadays with this [kind of] Formula 1, to have two inexperienced drivers you have a real big challenge and in the constructors’ championship you will immediately be in the back,” Tost said.
“There is no chance with two rookies to be in the midfield or in the front, because the field is far too competitive, it’s too strong. If you look to the qualifying times, it’s hundredths of a second. I think in Saudi Arabia Pierre [Gasly] was at 0.087s behind [Charles] Leclerc, which is 78 centimetres or whatever, and that was two positions.
“And if you have a young driver, an unexperienced one, you’re talking about tenths [they’ll be behind], not about thousands.”
F1 latest news
14:30 , Karl Matchett
Max Verstappen faces a problematic task in managing his penalty points at the start of the 2022 season, reports Autosport.
With rules for the new campaign stating the points are held for a 12-month period, and most of Verstappen’s picked up in the second half of last season, he needs to carefully manage his on-track approach – or else a one-race ban could be incoming.
The Red Bull racer will have seven points until at least September and the threshold for a ban is 12.
Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri is top of those particular standings with eight points, but the first of those will be dropped as soon as April, as will two from Verstappen’s team-mate Perez, who holds seven. It’s Max who needs to tread the line carefully for far longer if he’s not to miss out on a race in the year of his title defence.
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(Getty Images)
F1 latest news
14:15 , Karl Matchett
Formula One’s website has identified the promising drivers who might be in line for on-track action this season.
Among other new rules for this year, one “mandates the use of rookie drivers on at least two occasions during first free practice” – meaning prospective future drivers with fewer than three F1 races under their belts could be called into action.
Among those are:
- Nyck de Vries, the Formula E champion from last season for Mercedes
- Dennis Hauger, Formula 3 champion and new F2 driver for Red Bull this season
- Robert Schwartzmann, Ferrari’s F2 runner-up who saw a first planned FP1 session cancelled last year
- Pato O’Ward, McLaren’s IndyCar racer who holds ambitions to move to F1 within two years
- Oscar Piastri, Alpine’s reserve driver who has won at F3, F2 and Formula Renault Eurocup
F1 latest news
14:00 , Karl Matchett
Red Bull and Mercedes have both been given the all-clear for their new cars for 2022, after earlier reports that each had failed an FIA crash test.
The RB18 and the W13 – the vehicles for the upcoming campaign for those two teams, respectively – underwent mandatory testing recently, with claims emerging from some quarters that both had encountered issues.
In the case of Red Bull, the car that reigning champion Max Verstappen and team-mate Sergio Perez will be driving, that regarded the chassis and its ability to absorb an impact from the front.
F1 insider correspondent Bianca Garloff, however, says that the two teams have been “given the all-clear, although a presentation date is still pending.”
Mercedes had earlier denied the reports and stated their car had “completed full FIA homologation” in mid-January.
F1 latest news
13:45 , Karl Matchett
Exactly how are the rule changes in F1 for 2022 going to affect what goes on behind the scenes in terms of turning the cars out for races?
For the answer to that, it’s worth looking to the technicians dealing with the science behind the sport.
Mercedes’ technical director Mike Elliott has explained how technical and financial restrictions for the new season have meant an off-season adaptation for the team.
“The big challenge over the winter has been the fact that we have less runs to use in the wind tunnel, so that has been challenging, trying to work out how much we should have spent on last year’s car versus how much we should have spent on this year’s car,” said Elliott in a Mercedes video production.
“This had knock-on consequences all the way through the factory. In terms of design work, we start design work earlier on things like gearbox and chassis, particularly as the gearbox is fixed for a period of time, we have had to get that right. Once we then begin to understand how the aerodynamics are going to look and how that is going to knock on to the rest of the car, we then get into sort of the detailed design work and that has been huge over the winter.
“So this sort of approach we take is the same we take every year – it is just more difficult because the rule changes are much more significant than we have seen in the past.”
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(Getty Images)
F1 latest news
13:30 , Karl Matchett
Lewis Hamilton walking away would be “damaging” for Formula One, says former racer Karun Chandhok.
The Mercedes star and seven-time world champion has been quiet on the issue of his participation in 2022 amid rumours he might retire or take a sabbatical year, following the events of the Abu Dhabi finale last season which saw Max Verstappen win the championship title.
Chandhok hopes the Brit opts to stick it out, as otherwise the running of F1 would effectively be his reasoning – a damning indictment of matters within the sport.
“Ultimately only he knows what’s going on in his head,” Chandhok said to the Express.
“In my opinion, I think it would be very, very damaging for the sport if he walked away. Essentially he would be walking away because he didn’t think the sport was fair or credibly run. That would be extremely damaging for the reputation of the sport and the FIA.
“For the sake of the sport, I hope he doesn’t walk away at this point.”
F1 latest news
13:15 , Karl Matchett
Airing the views of Toto Wolff and Christian Horner during GPs while they battled with race director Michael Masi was a big mistake, says Jonathan Wheatley.
The constant clashes between the Mercedes and Red Bull chiefs was a feature toward the latter part of the season in particular, with both vehemently opposing calls going against them for viewers to hear. But it’s not something which should have been allowed, says the Red Bull director, and he backed Masi to recover from criticism faced in Abu Dhabi.
“I personally think it was a mistake to broadcast it,” Wheatley said to the Jack Threlfall Show.
“In Michael Masi, we have a precocious talent in that hopefully he will fill Charlie Whiting’s shoes. Charlie left a massive hole in the FIA in terms of that particular role.
“I think we (the teams) have supported Michael, and Michael has helped us. We have worked together in a collaborative fashion and that has worked out really well. The trouble is that collaborative fashion dies a death when it’s broadcast.
“There were situations when I got a bit frustrated and said things I shouldn’t have said. I’m not media-facing and it’s a nerdy level of understanding the sporting regulations that I didn’t think anyone would benefit from.
“More than that, I did think at some point the team principals would take over that channel, because the pressure is too important not to. These decisions are too important.”
F1 latest news
12:45 , Karl Matchett
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz says nothing compares to getting back in the car after spending the off-season making sure his body is prepared.
“At the moment, like all the other drivers, we are working in the simulator or training really hard in the gym. However, when it comes to demands placed on the body, nothing can match actually being in the car,” he said.
“That’s why, being able to drive before the start of the season, no matter in what car, is always very useful for a driver. It gives your body a wake-up call, reminding you what it means to be a Formula 1 driver. After a month and a half without sitting in the cockpit, I was really keen to drive again.
“It was great fun and also useful training. I can’t wait to be back on track in Barcelona with the 2022 car to really start this new Formula 1 era and see if all the work we have done since last year will pay off in terms of the competitiveness we expect.”
F1 latest news
12:30 , Karl Matchett
Pato O’Ward is a Mexican driver in IndyCar with Arrow McLaren and he has a couple of victories to his name from last year – but he wants a carer in F1.
The 22-year-old has been told the fastest way to achieve his dream by Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing – a straight-forward route, albeit not an easy one.
“The quickest way to F1 is to go and do what Juan Pablo Montoya or Alex Zanardi or Jacques Villeneuve or Michael Andretti did – go win in IndyCar,” said Brown, quoted by Motorsport.com.
“That will be your best chance of getting into F1. He’s unbelievably talented. He’s a great personality. I think he’s got what it takes from a raw talent point of view to be a Formula 1 driver.
“Obviously Formula 1 is a much different discipline so he’s got a lot to learn, with all the buttons for example. But for sure he will [learn].
“He needs to stay very focused on IndyCar. It will be his best route into F1. I think his [two-year] timeline is about right.”
F1 latest news
12:15 , Karl Matchett
Nikita Mazepin has acknowledged he had to learn some harsh lessons in the wake of a video which showed him indulging in “abhorrent” behaviour, where he inappropriately touched a woman. As part of his commitment to improvement he began working with a children’s charity for those suffering from cerebral palsy and he says it opened his eyes to the world outside of F1, reports GPFans.
“It certainly, in a very harsh way, enabled me and pushed me to look into areas to consider areas that I perhaps would have not focused on previously,” said Mazepin.
“Because for me racing was always about working in the team, working with people and making fast laps and ultimately getting the best set ups.
“I never looked outside of the box and the thing that I did with Makar in Sochi, I’ve recently joined the board of that charity foundation. I probably would have not looked into that because my massive priority was to get to Formula 1 and then stay here.
“It still downs me that I had to learn it that way but I probably would have not met Makar like I said if it didn’t happen and seeing his little smile on his face definitely says that if it had to happen like that in my life, then let’s make the most out of it and make the world better and make sure that people don’t learn it the way I did.”
Lewis Hamilton’s F1 future questioned by Mika Hakkinen as speculation continues
12:00 , Karl Matchett
Lewis Hamilton will only retire from Formula One when Mercedes are no longer able to provide him with a winning machine, according to two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen.
Hamilton’s immediate future remains clouded in uncertainty following the controversial conclusion to last season’s title race.
The 37-year-old has not spoken publicly since the immediate moments after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 12 December.
It is understood Hamilton is awaiting the outcome of the FIA’s inquiry, launched after race director Michael Masi was accused of bending the rules to allow Max Verstappen to triumph following a late safety car period.
Masi’s own position is under intense scrutiny and there is a growing feeling that the Australian will not be in his post for the opening race in Bahrain on 20 March. Hamilton’s plans could hinge on Masi’s future.
Full report:
© Provided by The Independent
Lewis Hamilton’s F1 future questioned by Mika Hakkinen as speculation continues
F1 latest news
11:45 , Karl Matchett
Alfa Romeo won’t be revealing the new livery design for the F1 2022 season until after the first pre-season test running in Spain.
Several teams have followed the same pattern, keeping fans in suspense just a little longer.
“We WILL be running the C42 at the test in Barcelona. We will do so with a testing livery before revealing the full beauty on Sunday 27”, a statement from the team read.
The date you’ve been waiting for 
pic.twitter.com/PIjqLMUXhL
— Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN (@alfaromeoorlen) February 2, 2022
Lewis Hamilton accused of wanting Michael Masi out in bid to ‘turn F1 upside down’
11:30 , Karl Matchett
Lewis Hamilton has been accused of wanting to force Michael Masi out of Formula 1 and turn the sport “upside down”.
The seven-time world champion has not commented publicly on the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which saw Masi’s controversial intervention set up Max Verstappen to pass Hamilton and deny the Mercedes driver a record eighth title.
It has since been suggested that Hamilton is considering retirement as he awaits the FIA’s report on events at the Yas Marina Circuit, which could see Masi stripped of his race director role.
Dutch racing driver Jeroen Bleekemolen believes that Hamilton will be back on the grid when the 2022 season starts in Bahrain in March.
However Bleekemolen also thinks that Hamilton’s influence is such that changes will be made, warning that “some people will disappear”.
Full report:
© Provided by The Independent
Lewis Hamilton accused of wanting Michael Masi out in bid to ‘turn F1 upside down’
George Russell enjoys ‘eye-opening’ first trip to Mercedes after F1 switch
11:15 , Karl Matchett
George Russell has described his visit to the Mercedes Formula 1 factory as an “eye-opening” experience as he prepares for his first season with the team.
The British driver has joined the German manufacturers from Williams, replacing Valtteri Bottas.
With three weeks to go until the first round of testing in Barcelona, Russell has visited Mercedes’ F1 manufacturing hub at Brixworth in Northamptonshire, along with the outfit’s headquarters in Brackley.
And the 23-year-old was glad to see the inner workings of the team that has helped Mercedes to eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships.
Full details of his trip and comments here:
© Provided by The Independent
George Russell enjoys ‘eye-opening’ first trip to Mercedes after F1 switch
Max Verstappen took Red Bull car ‘over the limit’, team boss claims
11:00 , Karl Matchett
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has praised Max Verstappen’s drive to secure his first world title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, saying the Dutchman pushed his car “over the limit” to snatch the win.
Verstappen passed Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the Yas Marina Circuit to seal the Drivers’ Championship in dramatic fashion after the intervention of race director Michael Masi.
Marko has overseen Red Bull’s driver development programme since 1999, and helped guide Verstappen into Formula 1.
The 78-year-old hailed the world champion for both his driving talent and will to win, suggesting that Hamilton now knows he cannot afford to leave any space for the aggressive Dutch driver.
“You could see that [Verstappen] drove the car so over the limit, that was visible,” Marko said.
“And in the races, Hamilton should already know that you can’t leave the smallest gap open at Verstappen.
“He’s already stabbing you before the other person sees him in the rear-view mirror.
“This incredible willpower with the necessary talent makes all the difference.”
© Provided by The Independent
Max Verstappen took Red Bull car ‘over the limit’, team boss claims
F1 latest news
10:45 , Karl Matchett
Formula One will make it mandatory for all personnel working in its paddock to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, without exemption, starting this season, a spokesperson for the sport’s commercial arm said on Monday.
The mandate, which was first reported by the Times newspaper and the BBC, will apply to anyone entering the paddock — an exclusive area in which teams and drivers set up shop for a race weekend.
“F1 will require all travelling personnel to be fully vaxxed and will not request exemptions,” the spokesperson said.
This will include all competitors, hospitality staff, members of the media, the governing FIA, Liberty Media-owned commercial rights holders FOM and even celebrity guests. The mandate was approved at a December meeting of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.
News of Formula One‘s vaccine mandate comes after Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open vaccine controversy.
The world number one was detained by immigration authorities on 6 January, ordered released by a court on 10 January, then detained again before being forced to leave Australia after a final court ruling that upheld the government’s decision to cancel his visa.
The new rules call into question the future of long-time medical car driver Alan van der Merwe.
The South African, who played a pivotal role rescuing Romain Grosjean from a fiery crash in the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, has chosen not to get vaccinated for personal reasons. The FIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the vaccine mandate or Van der Merwe’s future.
Formula One is set for a record 23-race calendar this year, with races such as Singapore, Japan, Canada and Australia, which had been cancelled for the last two years, set to return.
The sport successfully staged two seasons amid the pandemic by adopting a bubble system and regular testing. The 2022 season, which will feature all-new cars designed to a radical rules overhaul, gets underway in Bahrain on 20 March.
Reuters
Red Bull call for ‘consistency’ in wake of F1’s investigation into Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
10:30 , Karl Matchett
The FIA must look to establish more “consistency” in race direction, Red Bull have urged ahead of the report on the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The organisation are investigating the processes that saw Michael Masi controversially intervene in the final laps of the race at the Yas Marina Circuit, allowing Max Verstappen to launch a late overtake and take both race and world title victory from Lewis Hamilton.
The findings are expected to be presented at the Formula 1 Commission meeting on 14 February, and Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley believe that these must provide some clarity, and be respected by teams.
“It’s really important the FIA do their investigation, work with the teams on that investigation and we all follow whatever the outcome of that investigation is,” Wheatley explained on The Jack Threlfall Show.
“We’ve had this great over-arching philosophy of ‘let them race’. But then you have the black and white of the regulations, which is often very prescribed in terms of what penalty, or there is no wriggle room in it at all.”
Full details on this story here:
© Provided by The Independent
Red Bull call for ‘consistency’ in wake of F1 investigation into Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
F1 latest news
10:15 , Karl Matchett
Valtteri Bottas has revealed that Mercedes gave him a huge and personal gift as a leaving present at the end of last season – the actual W08 car he won his first-ever F1 victory in, at the 2017 Russian Grand Prix.
“It was a little surprise but a nice gift. Now I just don’t have anywhere to put it!” he said on his podcast on supla.fi.
“I was stunned myself when I saw what kind of send-off they had organised for me – a parade, fireworks and music. I realised they also appreciated what I had done for the team.”
He also revealed that Lewis Hamilton being pipped to the title by Max Verstappen in the final race of last season meant he missed out on a hefty payment – though notes he’s past the point where he has to be concerned about financial security.
“Certain bonuses are tied to certain achievements. Fortunately, I hadn’t bought anything in advance with that amount! Sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t.
“I don’t really measure it. At some point, there came a moment when I didn’t have to look at my bank balance anymore. Of course, money is part of Formula 1. But I remember where I came from and I’ve done quite well because of that.”
Bottas is estimated to be on a $10m annual salary with his new team, Alfa Romeo.
F1 latest news
10:00 , Karl Matchett
Helmut Marko is not yet convinced by new Mercedes addition George Russell when it comes to the most important factor of all in F1: Race day.
The young Brit has impressed in qualifying, showing consistency and control while with Williams, but Helmut Marko wants to see an improvement on Sunday sessions, as he told Autorevue.
“Now let’s see what Mr Russell will do at Mercedes and whether the praise he has received in advance is justified,” he said. “I want to see that first.
“There’s no discussion in qualifying, he’s sensational there but if you look at his race speed, he wasn’t far ahead of [then Williams team-mate Nicholas] Latifi.”
Russell has replaced Valtteri Bottas as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate for 2022.
© Provided by The Independent
(Getty Images)
F1 latest news
09:45 , Karl Matchett
Drive to Survive will soon return to Netflix and the story arc surrounding the season is sure to focus on Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s title race.
The pair went toe-to-toe throughout the 2021 season and pushed each other so hard they went into the final race of the season on equal points. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix turned into one of the most controversial sports moments as Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the last lap – winning the race and the championship in the process.
While Hamilton may be open to appearing in the show, Verstappen isn’t and he’s explained why. He told AP: “They faked a few rivalries which they don’t really exist. So I decided to not be a part of it and did not give any more interviews after that because then there is nothing you can show.
“I am not really a dramatic show kind of person, I just want facts and real things to happen.”
The drama of the season may have infuriated some fans but Netflix would have been loving the action as their cameras were there to follow it minute by minute. Due to the circumstances of the final race, F1 supporters are dying to know when the new season of the documentary will be released.
Here’s everything we know about Drive to Survive 2022:
© Provided by The Independent
When does Drive to Survive 2022 come out on Netflix?
F1 latest news
09:30 , Karl Matchett
Red Bull boss Helmut Marko says he is confident Max Verstappen won’t leave the team for Mercedes if Lewis Hamilton decides not to race in the 2022 season.
Hamilton is making his decision on his F1 future when an inquiry into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the British driver was denied a record eighth world title, is published. There has been speculation as to who would drive for Mercedes if Hamilton decides not to compete. But Marko says the crash at the 2021 British Grand Prix means Verstappen won’t switch to their rivals.
“I do not think that Max will leave us then,” he told Autorevue. “The events at Silverstone have left too big a crack, especially with [his father] Jos.”
More on Verstappen’s future and what he has said on staying with Red Bull:
© Provided by The Independent
Max Verstappen won’t switch to rivals Mercedes, says Red Bull chief Helmut Marko
F1 latest news
08:53 , Karl Matchett
Good morning and welcome to the Independent’s live coverage of Formula One, with all the latest news ahead of the 2022 season.
Coming up we’ve got the latest on Lewis Hamilton’s future, Max Verstappen’s love of Red Bull, questions being asked of new Mercedes man George Russell and plenty more throughout the day.
