F1 NEWS ROUND-UP: FIA release Verstappen’ Horner STATEMENT as Hamilton’s latest Ferrari Requests UNCOVERED …Read More
FIA Releases Statement Over Verstappen, Horner Booing; Hamilton’s Ferrari Requests Uncovered – F1 News Roundup
Saturday’s F1 news covers several significant developments, including a statement from the FIA addressing the booing of Max Verstappen and Christian Horner, along with the latest updates regarding Lewis Hamilton’s adjustments to Ferrari’s new SF-25.
FIA Reacts to Booing of Verstappen and Horner
The FIA has released an official statement following the booing incident involving Max Verstappen and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner at Formula 1’s season-launch event in London. The event, held earlier this week at the O2 Arena, saw Verstappen and Horner take the stage, where they were met with boos from sections of the crowd. Verstappen, the reigning World Champion, and his Red Bull team-mate, Liam Lawson, were notably the only drivers who did not address the audience during the event.
According to reports from PlanetF1.com, Red Bull had decided ahead of time that Verstappen and Lawson would not make any public remarks at the event. This decision was allegedly made to avoid generic comments after a long day of media commitments. Instead, Red Bull opted to keep their appearance short, a move that appeared to provoke further displeasure from some fans in attendance.
The statement issued by the FIA expressed disappointment in the behavior of the crowd. A spokesperson from the governing body said: “It’s disheartening to witness such reactions at what should be a celebratory event for the sport. Max and Christian are important figures in Formula 1, and it’s disappointing that their presence was met with negativity.”
Some have speculated that the reaction may have been fueled by Verstappen’s previous comments, which are often blunt and direct, particularly when addressing British fans. Verstappen has a history of stirring strong opinions, especially following his intense rivalry with Lewis Hamilton. This rivalry, which culminated in a controversial battle during the 2021 season, continues to spark debate among fans.
Hamilton Requests Further Changes to Ferrari SF-25 After Shakedown
In other news, Lewis Hamilton has reportedly asked for additional modifications to Ferrari’s SF-25 after conducting a shakedown of the car at Fiorano earlier this week. Hamilton, who made the high-profile switch to Ferrari for the 2025 season, was reportedly 0.8 seconds slower than his new teammate, Charles Leclerc, during the test. However, insiders have downplayed these lap times, suggesting that they were unrepresentative of the car’s true performance.
Sources claim that Hamilton was not entirely satisfied with how the car handled during the shakedown and has requested several adjustments ahead of the pre-season testing session in Bahrain, set to begin next week on February 26. The changes are expected to be implemented before the start of testing, with Ferrari engineers working to fine-tune the SF-25 to Hamilton’s preferences.
Hamilton’s requests have generated significant attention as fans eagerly await to see whether Ferrari can provide a car that allows the seven-time World Champion to contend for an eighth title.
Helmut Marko Concerned About Hamilton’s Ferrari Move
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has voiced concerns about the potential resurgence of Hamilton at Ferrari. Marko noted that if Ferrari can provide a competitive car, Hamilton could rekindle his fierce rivalry with Verstappen, which reached a boiling point in 2021.
While Marko acknowledged Hamilton’s talent, he also highlighted a potential weakness, pointing to the 2024 season, where Hamilton often struggled in qualifying. He was consistently outqualified by his former Mercedes teammate, George Russell, in 19 of the 24 races last year. Marko suggested that if Hamilton continues to lag behind in qualifying, Ferrari may face challenges in securing consistent front-row starts.
Nevertheless, Marko admitted that Ferrari’s prospects would be vastly improved with a driver of Hamilton’s caliber, provided the team can overcome the performance gap that has plagued them in recent years.
As the F1 2025 season draws near, all eyes will be on Ferrari’s development efforts, Red Bull’s response, and whether Hamilton can find the form that has earned him seven world titles.
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