🏎️ McLaren Battle That Could Shape the Season

In this week’s email:

• Red Bull Reaffirms Support for Sergio Perez 🙌

• McLaren Battle That Could Shape the Season ⚔️

• Hamilton Adapts Amidst F1 Car Challenges 🔧

• Alpine’s Woes: Briatore’s Moves Fall Short 😕

Red Bull Reaffirms Support for Sergio Perez 🙌

Red Bull has confirmed Sergio Perez will stay with the team after the Belgian Grand Prix, ending speculation about his future. Despite Perez’s underperformance since May, which has cost Red Bull crucial points, the team has decided to back him and hopes to help him improve.

Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache indicated that future upgrades to the RB20 will aim to benefit both Perez and Max Verstappen, addressing issues with the car's balance and handling that have impacted Perez more severely.

Wache acknowledged the difficulty in simulating car behavior accurately and emphasized that improving the car's balance amid current regulations is crucial for Perez's performance.

The Intriguing McLaren Battle That Could Shape the Season ⚔️

Lando Norris's rivalry with Max Verstappen has been a major storyline in the Formula 1 season, but Norris faces a crucial internal challenge from teammate Oscar Piastri. While Verstappen is a dominant force, Piastri represents a significant threat to Norris's position as McLaren's leading driver.

Piastri’s recent performances, including a win at the Hungaroring and a stronger race in Belgium, have fueled speculation about him potentially surpassing Norris. Despite Norris being statistically stronger overall in 2024, Piastri's consistent progress and impressive peaks suggest the intra-team competition will be intense.

The second half of the season will be critical for Norris to secure his role and continue McLaren's pursuit of a top position in the championship.

Hamilton Adapts Amidst F1 Car Challenges 🔧

Lewis Hamilton is experiencing a challenging season adapting to the current generation of F1 cars, which clash with his driving style. He has described his qualifying performance as poor and finds the current car frustrating to drive. Despite these struggles, Hamilton has shown resilience, securing two wins and four podiums in the past five races, and has moved ahead of his teammate George Russell in the championship standings.

Hamilton's performance on race days remains strong, benefiting from improved Mercedes car setups and development. Although Russell has outqualified Hamilton more frequently, Hamilton has been able to capitalize on race pace, tire management, and strategic decisions to remain competitive.

Hamilton’s driving style, which relies on late braking and aggressive cornering, does not align well with the car's preference for a more steady approach. This discrepancy has impacted his qualifying results, though Mercedes' recent upgrades have helped Hamilton improve his grid positions and race finishes. He continues to adapt, showing improvement in qualifying and maintaining top-tier performance in races.

Hamilton’s situation contrasts with Daniel Ricciardo's struggles at McLaren, highlighting how adapting driving styles to suit a car's demands can be challenging and may not always lead to success. Despite not fully clicking with the current car's demands, Hamilton's recent performances indicate he and Mercedes are effectively managing the car’s limitations.

Alpine’s 2025 Woes: Briatore’s Strategic Moves Fall Short 😕

Flavio Briatore’s return to F1 as Alpine’s executive advisor has been marked by drama and setbacks. After resigning from F1 in 2008 over race-fixing scandals, Briatore came back to help Alpine navigate a crucial period. However, Alpine is facing several challenges: former team principal Bruna Famin stepped down, and there are rumors Renault might withdraw as an engine supplier, potentially leaving Alpine to seek engines from Ferrari or Mercedes. Briatore’s attempt to sign Carlos Sainz for 2025 failed, with Sainz joining Williams instead.

Currently, Briatore downplays the importance of securing a second driver for 2025, emphasizing the need to focus on the team’s commercial, technical, and management aspects. With Renault likely exiting as an engine supplier for 2026 and Alpine needing to build a chassis without a confirmed engine partner, 2025 could be a difficult year for the team.