Formula 1 Q&A: Norris, Verstappen, Ocon, Perez, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Newey – Insights and Updates
After a two-week break, we are entering the second half of the Formula 1 season with the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend. Mercedes has been victorious in the past two races with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, but Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is leading the drivers’ championship by a large margin.
Let’s address some of the burning questions before the race at the Hungaroring:
Esteban Ocon is set to join Haas next season, pending an official announcement close to the Hungarian Grand Prix. This news comes from reliable sources associated with Haas and Mercedes, who manage Ocon. With Oliver Bearman already signed for 2025, Kevin Magnussen will be parting ways with the US-based team at the end of this season, eyeing potential moves to Alpine, Sauber, or Williams. The future of Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz remains uncertain, especially after Ferrari’s decision to replace Sainz with Lewis Hamilton.
There are speculations about Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull following Liam Lawson’s recent run. The pressure is on Perez, and there are talks about Daniel Ricciardo’s position at RB, although he has shown improvement in recent races. Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner holds the decision-making power, with Helmut Marko’s influence significantly reduced due to internal conflicts.
Red Bull heads into the second half of the season with a substantial lead in the constructors’ championship ahead of Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes. While mathematically, all four teams still have a shot at the title, beating Verstappen consistently will be the key to their success. Lando Norris and McLaren have missed out on multiple opportunities to secure wins, indicating room for improvement in race strategies and execution.
Adrian Newey’s potential move to Ferrari seems unlikely due to salary concerns and power dynamics within the team. Newey is exploring options with Aston Martin and McLaren for his next venture. As for Norris, questions linger about his ability to challenge Verstappen ruthlessly, given McLaren’s operational challenges.
During the Silverstone race, some fans were puzzled by Verstappen’s faster pace on hard tires compared to Norris on softer compounds. The choice of tire compounds depends on factors like grip and durability over a race stint. Verstappen’s strategic advantage on harder tires allowed him to overtake Norris towards the end of the race.
In terms of driver fitness assessments, there are no specific eye tests required for an F1 super license. However, drivers must pass a medical examination to obtain an international license from their national sporting authority. In the event of a crash, drivers are subject to medical evaluations outlined in the FIA’s sporting code to ensure their fitness to continue racing.
As we gear up for the Hungarian Grand Prix and the remainder of the F1 season, the dynamics of driver transfers, team strategies, and performance improvements will continue to shape the competition on the track. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as the action unfolds in the world of Formula 1.