[Artemis]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Baby news (!)
MAX will not be present at the Miami media day. The baby girl could be born at any time now....

The Dutch-Flemish article => https://www.hln.be/formule-1/babynie...iami~aaf278c9/

He's above the Atlantic Ocean as we speak (took off from Nice heading to Miami):
https://fr24.com/3a246fa1

So 99.99% he's a father now since this week (or today?) and his partner Kelly was/is at the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco with their baby.

Only two 2025 F1 drivers got children: Hulkenberg and Verstappen.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Red wrapper partially removed from the candy.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

''Provide Verstappen with a winning car''. The very wording does appear clear cut at first but no team can guarantee a winning car hence the wording may actually have no exact relevance.
We have seen the fastest car on occasions not winning.

According to a little bird that happens to fly in the Jos Verstappen's whereabouts so now and then, about Max Verstappen's secret exit clause in his RBR contract (contract until the end of 2028):

• free agent (no exit penalty) if no P1/P2/P3 WDC in an F1 season;
• exit clause can be activated already during the summer of an F1 season;
• if the exit clause is activated: early termination of the contract (for example no 2026-2027-2028 seasons) + possibility to either leave RBR or to sign a new 1 year RBR contract (for example for the 2026 season).

There you go.

If the little bird is tweeting a genuine song: imagine Verstappen P4 WDC and a realistic possibility to get P3 during the 2025 Abu Dhabi race. Good faith and integrity requires giving his level best. Or imagine Russell being capable of snatching P3 WDC away from Verstappen: dilemma, because by doing that, Russell will risk to trigger his own ejection seat at Mercedes if Verstappen fancies driving for Mercedes in 2026. Ironically, it's in Russell's best interests that Verstappen gets P1/P2/P3 WDC this season. If Verstappen doesn't get P1/P2/P3 WDC and would decide to sign a new 1 year contract with RBR to check how the new RBR car and RBPT/Ford engine operate in 2026, Wolff could be inclined to limit extending Russell's contract to only 1 year (2026 season) (as happened to Bottas from 2017 to 2021).

Anyways, normally by the summer break, the dust will have already settled about staying or leaving. Also, even if no free agent, if Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund PIF acquires ownership of Lawrence Stroll's F1 Aston Martin team, they can even pay RBR millions to release Verstappen from his contract.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Artemis

According to a little bird that happens to fly in the Jos Verstappen's whereabouts so now and then, about Max Verstappen's secret exit clause in his RBR contract (contract until the end of 2028):

• free agent (no exit penalty) if no P1/P2/P3 WDC in an F1 season;
• exit clause can be activated already during the summer of an F1 season;
• if the exit clause is activated: early termination of the contract (for example no 2026-2027-2028 seasons) + possibility to either leave RBR or to sign a new 1 year RBR contract (for example for the 2026 season).

There you go.

If the little bird is tweeting a genuine song: imagine Verstappen P4 WDC and a realistic possibility to get P3 during the 2025 Abu Dhabi race. Good faith and integrity requires giving his level best. Or imagine Russell being capable of snatching P3 WDC away from Verstappen: dilemma, because by doing that, Russell will risk to trigger his own ejection seat at Mercedes if Verstappen fancies driving for Mercedes in 2026. Ironically, it's in Russell's best interests that Verstappen gets P1/P2/P3 WDC this season. If Verstappen doesn't get P1/P2/P3 WDC and would decide to sign a new 1 year contract with RBR to check how the new RBR car and RBPT/Ford engine operate in 2026, Wolff could be inclined to limit extending Russell's contract to only 1 year (2026 season) (as happened to Bottas from 2017 to 2021).

Anyways, normally by the summer break, the dust will have already settled about staying or leaving. Also, even if no free agent, if Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund PIF acquires ownership of Lawrence Stroll's F1 Aston Martin team, they can even pay RBR millions to release Verstappen from his contract.

Money money money, MAX is on course for 5 World championships and is going nowhere

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Money money money, MAX is on course for 5 World championships and is going nowhere

The issue is : The 2026 FORD PU is going nowhere at this moment..

Staying at Red Bull with a FORD PU that really s@cks would be a suicide mission (!)
And the Frenchman Pierre Waché s@cks too..

Hopefully MAX is going to join Aston for the new Japanese HONDA PU and Newey's 2026 active aero design.
It's a gamble , but given the circumstances there is no future for MAX at Red Bull .Because Horner has made a big mistake with his own FORD PU project ...

The Red Bull Team is a sinking ship like the Titanic ..
I really hate to say it , but the time has come to leave.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

The issue is : The 2026 FORD PU is going nowhere at this moment..

Staying at Red Bull with a FORD PU that really s@cks would be a suicide mission (!)
And the Frenchman Pierre Waché s@cks too..

Hopefully MAX is going to join Aston for the new Japanese HONDA PU and Newey's 2026 active aero design.
It's a gamble , but given the circumstances there is no future for MAX at Red Bull .Because Horner has made a big mistake with his own FORD PU project ...

The Red Bull Team is a sinking ship like the Titanic ..
I really hate to say it , but the time has come to leave.

Then we'll see if he leaves. None of us know what is happening in the confines of RB Powertrains, RBR are hardly going to say that they have the best PU and electric back up.
Strange how the others are keeping quiet with their cards close to their chest.

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Then we'll see if he leaves. None of us know what is happening in the confines of RB Powertrains, RBR are hardly going to say that they have the best PU and electric back up.
Strange how the others are keeping quiet with their cards close to their chest.

Charlie better find somewhere to go also. No way Ferrari can get both new engine package and aero right...No F'ing way!!!

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Charlie better find somewhere to go also. No way Ferrari can get both new engine package and aero right...No F'ing way!!!

We keep hearing Newey this and Newey that to the point of but ageing Newey can only keep going for as long as he can. For Ferrari I'm sure Magnetti Marrelli can pull something out of the bag for '26 if this season continues to be a bit sour for them but wait Charlie bagged 3rd at Jeddah ahead of a McLaren...

[Artemis]

PH-UTL (UTL = "Unleash The Lion") approaching Miami.
https://fr24.com/3a246fa1

Jet lag or not: Verstappen will be racing on the Miami circuit in 18 hours.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Charlie better find somewhere to go also. No way Ferrari can get both new engine package and aero right...No F'ing way!!!

Your boy is chained for many years in the red car (!)

As I said : No one is faster in the red car .
Just look where LEW is at Ferrari . A 7-time WDC is actually a clown in the red car.

No one can replace Charlie at Ferrari. Charlie is God in Italy .
LEW is worthless at Ferrari . It's a true shame they replaced Sainz with an average driver like LEW.

[G30M]

meanwhile this could be Doohan's last race

https://www.sportbible.com/f1/accide...14015-20250430

Horacio Marin, president and CEO of YPF, appeared on TV news channel A24.

During the interview on Argentinian television, Marin was repeatedly asked when Colapinto would replace Doohan which he insisted multiple times he didn't know.

However, once the camera cut away Marin can be heard saying "in Imola", which follows the Miami GP on the F1 calendar.

While it is still unconfirmed what was meant by the term 'debut' in this context, Colapinto has already been behind the wheel of an Alpine during testing sessions following his move from Williams.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by G30M

meanwhile this could be Doohan's last race
https://www.sportbible.com/f1/accide...14015-20250430
Horacio Marin, president and CEO of YPF, appeared on TV news channel A24.
During the interview on Argentinian television, Marin was repeatedly asked when Colapinto would replace Doohan which he insisted multiple times he didn't know.
However, once the camera cut away Marin can be heard saying "in Imola", which follows the Miami GP on the F1 calendar.
While it is still unconfirmed what was meant by the term 'debut' in this context, Colapinto has already been behind the wheel of an Alpine during testing sessions following his move from Williams.

The chap forgot that his mike was still broadcasting when he said "en Imola" ("in Imola") about Colapinto racing for Alpine. Gaffe:
https://youtube.com/shorts/H6c1YbUhB_g

1 free practice session seems unlikely because he already raced last year. Doohan risks to be "Lawson'd". Soon we'll know what Flavio Briatore has concocted.

"Sponsor says Colapinto to replace Doohan in Imola - Miami this weekend could be Jack Doohan's last race for now at the wheel of an Alpine.
https://www.grandprix.com/news/spons...-in-imola.html
Intense speculation about his future has been swirling all season so far, with team advisor Flavio Briatore's obvious favourite Franco Colapinto - on loan from Williams - poised to step into the cockpit.
The intensity of the rumours, however, has actually eased over the last few weeks. Team boss Oliver Oakes seemed keen to reduce the pressure on Doohan's shoulders, but there were also rumblings about Alpine wanting to squeeze more money out of Colapinto's sponsors.
The logos of Argentine e-commerce company Mercado Libre are already on the Alpine livery, but another major Colapinto backer - the Argentine oil giant YPF - is still missing.
Some think this is because of a clash with an existing - and new - Alpine sponsor ENI, an Italian oil company.
However, YPF president Horacio Marin gave an interview to Argentine broadcaster A24 this week and he was asked directly if Colapinto is going to race for Alpine in 2025.
I can't tell you that, Marin replied, laughing.
The interviewer then pressed harder, asking: When will he debut? In Miami?
Again, the YPF president laughed as he awkwardly explained that he couldn't say anything about it.
But as soon as the interview was over, and Marin believed his microphone was no longer broadcasting because music and an end-screen were on the monitor, he was heard to mutter to his interviewer: In Imola."

[M5Rick]

Lawson needs to watch out also as another teen in F2 has received praise from the two top dogs at RBR so Lindblad could be bad news for Lawson if he doesn't at least start matching Hadjar. Another thing is Lindblad is British so it will bolster the Brit based team finally with a Union Jack next to one of their drivers. Media speculation suggests the decision has already been made.

[M5Rick]

On appointing previously resigned Rao as Presidential 'advisor' Ben Sulayem must not be re-elected, why does he even need an advisor to what, his hilarious conduct when inebriated at various FIA presentations comes to mind.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Lawson needs to watch out also as another teen in F2 has received praise from the two top dogs at RBR so Lindblad could be bad news for Lawson if he doesn't at least start matching Hadjar. Another thing is Lindblad is British so it will bolster the Brit based team finally with a Union Jack next to one of their drivers. Media speculation suggests the decision has already been made.

That video sounds a lot like cheap clickbait conjecture spouted by an AI voice, quickly cobbled together.

RBR invested a lot in Lawson over the years. He got the chance to prove himself at Racing Bulls for the rest of the season, a less skittish car than the capricious RB21. Only when performance consistently remains subpar or unacceptable behavior, Marko will likely advice to escort Lawson to the exit. They can be savage down at RBR, but a double demotion in only a couple of weeks would be damaging for RBR: questionable screening.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Artemis

That video sounds a lot like cheap clickbait conjecture spouted by an AI voice, quickly cobbled together.

RBR invested a lot in Lawson over the years. He got the chance to prove himself at Racing Bulls for the rest of the season, a less skittish car than the capricious RB21. Only when performance consistently remains subpar or unacceptable behavior, Marko will likely advice to escort Lawson to the exit. They can be savage down at RBR, but a double demotion in only a couple of weeks would be damaging for RBR: questionable screening.

I'm afraid F1 is a nasty business where you get one chance, so look at that for a moment. Lawson: at RB main team failed to impress or even get a point and now at RB Carb which as you said is an easier car to drive he's like out for a Sunday drive, some drivers performance just falls off for no particular reason so it's probably over for him.

[3798j]

Tyreek Hill vs Pierre Gasly

https://youtube.com/shorts/k0dm-KOVE...fwm-zINAhx_3bE

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I'm afraid F1 is a nasty business where you get one chance, so look at that for a moment. Lawson: at RB main team failed to impress or even get a point and now at RB Carb which as you said is an easier car to drive he's like out for a Sunday drive, some drivers performance just falls off for no particular reason so it's probably over for him.

[Artemis]

Lily Verstappen.

[MoeTE87]

1st practice in less than 3.5hrs! Can't wait!

I love how these times are in the afternoon for me this weekend! lol! 12:30pm ET practice start time!

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

1st practice in less than 3.5hrs! Can't wait!

I love how these times are in the afternoon for me this weekend! lol! 12:30pm ET practice start time!

https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2025/miami

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Lily Verstappen.