WILLIAMS DRIVERS | MOST STARTS IN F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND PRIX

 

MAX VERSTAPPEN RECEIVED AN OFFER TO JOIN MERCEDES - RALF SCHUMACHER

Max Verstappen's F1 future is currently unknown, but it appears Mercedes has opened the door for the four-time champion.

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© Red Bull Content Pool

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has claimed Mercedes submitted an offer to Max Verstappen to poach him away from Red Bull.

However, according to Schumacher, the four-time champion turned down the contract due to its financial conditions.

Verstappen has long been linked with a move away from Red Bull and last year, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff publicly voiced his interest in teaming up with the Dutchman.

Verstappen has cast doubt over his F1 future, admitting on several occasions that he's unhappy with the direction of the sport in relation to its technology, regulations and weekend format.

But as the 28-year-old continues to assess his own position in the sport, Schumacher has stated Mercedes has opened the door to him.

“There’s no spot at Ferrari right now,” Schumacher told the Backstage Boxengasse podcast. 

“And at Mercedes, you hear that Wolff has made him an offer behind the scenes.

“But that offer was apparently so bad financially that it’s not an option anyway. 

“That’s apparently what’s going on behind the scenes right now.”

Mercedes has returned to the head of the F1 pecking order this year, winning six out of the opening seven rounds of the campaign.

It is currently enjoying a strong run with second-year driver Kimi Antonelli, who has fired himself into contention for the F1 title.

Schumacher has theorised that Mercedes' alleged low-ball offer to Verstappen was deliberate, as the team recognises it will need to substantially boost Antonelli's figures if he keeps on his current trajectory.

“I believe this is intentional,” he said.

“I’ve said it before: why would Wolff bring in the expensive Max Verstappen alongside Kimi Antonelli - the next superstar if everything goes according to plan?

"Then he’d have two drivers on the team fighting each other. He remembers that well from the days of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, and that’s the last thing you want. 

“Above all, he’d be putting Kimi at risk. So that actually makes no sense at all.”

- RN365

LEWIS HAMILTON AND FERNANDO ALONSO BLUNTLY TOLD 'ITS TIME' TO RETIRE FROM F1

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes the time has come for Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso to step away.

Hamilton's last F1 victory came two years ago

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have been urged to retire by former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton is in his second season with Ferrari since completing a blockbuster switch from Mercedes at the end of 2024. Hamilton has enjoyed a better start to 2026 after a miserable debut campaign with Ferrari and finally claimed a long-awaited first podium in red in China.

However, the 41-year-old Briton has been clearly outperformed by Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc in the two races since his podium breakthrough with the Scuderia.

While Sky Sports Germany pundit Schumacher admitted Hamilton is in a better position this year, he still thinks it is time for him to call time on his career, suggesting he “won’t stand a chance” against Leclerc over the entire season.

Six-time grand prix winner Schumacher, the younger brother of F1 legend Michael, also called on two-time world champion Alonso to retire in order to “give young people a chance”.

“Hamilton is in a better position again this year,” Schumacher told Sky Deutschland’s Backstage Boxengasse podcast.

“But over the course of the season, he won’t stand a chance against Leclerc.

“It’s time [to retire]. And I have to say the same about Fernando Alonso: Hamilton and Alonso have had a wonderful time in Formula 1, but now it’s time for both of them to vacate their cockpits at the end of the year and give young people a chance.”

Alonso is weighing up his F1 future
© XPB Images

Alonso, who turns 45 in July and became a father for the first time this year, is out of contract with Aston Martin at the end of the season.

The Spaniard has hinted he will make a decision on his uncertain F1 future after the August summer break.

"Sometime in the summer, I need to make a decision,” Alonso said.

"At the moment I didn't sit with myself to think about that. I never thought about it in a deep way and I need to speak with my family as well. I need to speak with my people first and decide what to do next year.

"I'm very relaxed about it. If I continue racing, I think it will be a better season than this one with the project in year two.

"If I stop racing, I know that I will race in other series."

Haas driver Ollie Bearman would be the perfect replacement for Hamilton at Ferrari, Schumacher believes.

“And I also believe that, if he gets the chance, he’ll even pose a challenge to Charles Leclerc,” Schumacher added.  “I’m pretty sure of that. So I’d say he’s actually better.”

- Lewis Larkam

LEWIS HAMILTON CONTRACT AT FERRARI QUESTIONED: 'THIS WILL PROBABLY ATTRACT A LOT OF CRITICISM '

@Eric Alonso

Lewis Hamilton has made an encouraging start to the F1 season, but Ralf Schumacher believes there may be a deeper reason behind his resurgence.

After a difficult 2025 campaign— his first with Ferrari —in which Hamilton struggled for consistency and took time to adapt to a new environment, the seven-time world champion appears rejuvenated this year.

A first grand prix podium for Ferrari in China marked a clear step forward, and Hamilton has spoken positively about the racing under the latest regulations.

While he has been critical of aspects such as super clipping linked to energy deployment, Hamilton has welcomed the improved ability for drivers to follow each other more closely. Despite some overtakes appearing artificial, he has largely viewed the changes as a step in the right direction.

His upturn in form has also coincided with a series of eye-catching on-track battles with team-mate Charles Leclerc. In Shanghai, the pair went wheel-to-wheel in a hard but fair fight as Hamilton secured his maiden Ferrari podium, underlining a more competitive dynamic within the team.

Schumacher, however, suspects there is more behind Hamilton's improved form.

"I'm actually of the opinion — and this will probably attract a lot of criticism again, but I don't care — that Hamilton has a contract which gives him exactly that freedom [on track]," Schumacher said on Sky Sport Germany's F1 podcast Backstage Boxengasse. "It does make me very happy that he is clearly back in the mix this year."

He went further by suggesting that even team principal Fred Vasseur may have limited influence over the Briton's on-track decisions.

"I can imagine that even Fred Vasseur has no say in it, even if he wanted to. Hamilton can probably decide for himself what he does.

"He will likely have some kind of number one status, I think. That means Ferrari has no real way of controlling it; he decides that himself. But that naturally has an impact within a team."

Contract concerns raised

Schumacher pointed directly to contractual arrangements as a potential source of tension.

"I think it mainly comes down to the contracts, and that's actually the main problem. You shouldn't underestimate that there are two egos in those cars," the six-time grand prix winner said.

"I completely understand that — it was the same in the past. But it does have an impact on the team."

The German highlighted the broader effect such dynamics can have beyond the drivers themselves.

"The mechanic who is there from morning to evening, giving everything — just like everyone in the team — feels that as well," he explained.

"And if those two 'bulls' at the front lose a position, or five seconds, or maybe even damage parts because they collide, then that affects the entire team. Sometimes you simply have to respond to that."

Despite his concerns, Schumacher acknowledged that the situation adds intrigue from a spectator's perspective.

The former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver said: "For us, it's obviously great: we have something to talk about and it makes things exciting.

"And as long as they don't hit each other, it's fine. But as we also said after the previous race, for the team, it's obviously not the fastest way to win a race. That's beyond doubt."

- RacingNews365 Staff

TIMO GLOCK TELLS LANDO NORRIS AND OSCAR PIASTRI THE 'TEO' TEASONS WHY MAX VERSTAPPEN WILL WIN TITLE

Max Verstappen can win the F1 drivers’ championship for a fifth season in a row if the Red Bull star overturns his 36 and 35-point deficits to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Only Michael Schumacher has ever won the F1 drivers’ championship five years on the spin, having won the title each term with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004. Verstappen can now join the iconic German in the record books, having won the title each year with Red Bull since 2021.

Verstappen currently sits third in the standings with four rounds of the 2025 F1 season now remaining. But the 28-year-old reduced his deficit to first place during each of the past five rounds, having outscored Piastri in all five and only dropped points to Norris in Mexico City.

Red Bull star Verstappen had trailed Piastri by as much as 104 points following the McLaren man’s victory in the Dutch Grand Prix during round 15/24 in August. But the Dutchman won in Italy, Azerbaijan and the United States, plus he secured P2 in Singapore and P3 in Mexico.

Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

Timo Glock backs Max Verstappen’s mental strength and ability in ‘all conditions’ to win him the 2025 F1 title

Verstappen utilised Red Bull’s floor upgrade to win the Italian Grand Prix in round 16, and he has continued to benefit from his team’s subsequent front wing updates and revisions to the floor. McLaren stopped bringing updates a while ago to focus fully on F1’s 2026 regulations.

Now, with 116 points on offer over the Grands Prix in Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, plus the F1 Sprint events in Sao Paulo and Lusail, Timo Glock feels the title is Verstappen’s to lose. Verstappen is mentally stronger and better than Norris and Piastri in any circumstance.

Glock has told Sky Germany: “My tip for the drivers’ championship is Max Verstappen. Why? Because he is the strongest mentally and in all conditions.”

Ralf Schumacher also feels Verstappen may go on to deny Norris and Piastri the title, but he is less certain about the Red Bull ace’s chances. The former Williams man feels there will be a clearer picture of the title fight following the Sao Paulo Grand Prix and the Sprint in Brazil.

“It’s harder than ever to predict,” Schumacher said. “I think Brazil could be decisive. If Max can strike back there, then it will be incredibly exciting. I almost don’t dare say anything right now. Norris is in really good form, but Verstappen is waiting for his opportunity.”

Max Verstappen cannot win the 2025 F1 drivers’ title without Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri hitting trouble

While Verstappen may have Glock’s support, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc expects Norris or Piastri to win the 2025 F1 title. Leclerc had previously backed Piastri to win the title, but he is less convinced that the 24-year-old Australian will deny the 25-year-old Briton the crown.

Verstappen could need a lot to go in his favour to win the title this term, despite having now outscored Piastri by 69 points and Norris by 34 over the past five rounds. Norris can win the 2025 F1 drivers’ title if he finishes second to Verstappen in every remaining race this season.

Were Verstappen to win all four of the final Grands Prix and the two remaining Sprints, with Norris finishing second each time, the Red Bull racer would only reduce his current 36-point deficit to the McLaren ace to six points. Norris would win the title with 443 points over 437.

Similarly, Piastri can win the title by finishing second to Verstappen in each of the remaining Grands Prix and Sprints, to end the year on 442 points. So, Verstappen may need Norris and Piastri to take points out of each other, or for another driver to get involved, to win the title.

- Kyle Archer

VERSTAPPEN TIPPED TO 'HAVE REAL.CHANCES' OF WINNING 'AGAIN' IN BRAZIL

Photo: Race Pictures

Ralf Schumacher believes Max Verstappen could be back in genuine contention for victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

“Verstappen will push in Brazil, I’m pretty sure of that. I can imagine he’ll have real chances to win again"

- RALF SCHUMACHER

Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, the former German driver is placing high expectations on the four-time world champion this weekend.

“Verstappen will push in Brazil, I’m pretty sure of that,” he said. “I can imagine he’ll have real chances to win again. Even in tricky conditions, he’s been incredibly fast. Of course, anything can happen."

Unlike last year, when Verstappen delivered a masterclass in the pouring rain, Schumacher pointed out that the RB21 hasn’t been nearly as dominant in similar conditions this season.

Max Verstappen - Photo: Race Pictures

"Red Bull hasn’t been particularly strong in the wet this year when it did rain, but let’s see. It’s warm there, could go either way."

“All in all, it should be an exciting weekend, especially with what’s happening around them. Can Ferrari hit back again? What about Mercedes? There’s still a lot of intrigue left because no one’s been truly dominant lately."

Why Verstappen can finally catch a breathe ahead of Brazilian GP

The four-time world champion heads to Mexico trailing new championship leader Lando Norris by 36 points. Norris reclaimed the top spot in the standings at the very same venue, displacing his teammate—a position he hadn’t held since the start of the season.

After months of driving under pressure, many of the penalty points he’d accumulated over the past 12 months have now been wiped from his superlicence, allowing him to compete with a clear head.

- Tobia Elia