Hamilton ‘causing’ Ferrari saga; F1 tipped for imminent sale; Russell crossroads – roundup
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton
As the week comes to a close, it is time to take a fast-paced look back through Sunday’s key F1 news headlines.
Lewis Hamilton has been accused of “causing” the recent Ferrari driver tensions, while a former Liberty Media boss has made an intriguing claim over the sport’s ownership going forward. George Russell has been placed at a career crossroads and much more, so let’s get to it.
Finger pointed at Lewis Hamilton for Ferrari saga
Hamilton simply must outperform teammate Charles Leclerc to be recognised as Ferrari number one. But, he is “not fast enough” and so is “causing” the flashpoints.
That is the blunt opinion expressed by six-time race winner Ralf Schumacher.
His opinion counters the call from 1996 world champion Damon Hill for Hamilton to be made Ferrari’s No.1.
Read more – Lewis Hamilton ‘causing’ Ferrari No.1 saga as Damon Hill theory rejected
Formula 1 sale prediction from ex-Liberty Media chief
Former Liberty Media boss Greg Maffei has predicted that F1 could be taken back into private ownership within the next few years, reflecting that the “easy money” has been made from the stock market.
Now also in control of MotoGP, the F1 share price has increased by 250 per cent, leading Maffei to conclude that Liberty Media could look to cash out on its investment while on the crest of the wave.
Read more – F1 tipped for imminent sale by former Liberty Media boss
George Russell in ‘Rosberg or Ricciardo’ situation
George Russell faces a crossroads in his Formula 1 career, with the next 15 months potentially determining whether he follows Nico Rosberg’s path to a world title or Daniel Ricciardo’s route out his team.
That is according to F1 driver turned pundit Karun Chandhok after Russell was beaten to this year’s world title by his teammate Kimi Antonelli.
Rosberg rebounded from a challenging 2015 to dethrone Lewis Hamilton the following year. Daniel Ricciardo sought pastures new at Renault amid the rise of Max Verstappen.
Read more – George Russell faces career-defining ‘Rosberg or Ricciardo’ 15 months
Nyck de Vries returns to F1 car cockpit
Former F1 driver Nyck de Vries has back behind the wheel in a test with McLaren alongside reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli.
The former AlphaTauri and Williams driver completed a TPC test with the papaya squad at Jerez.
The Dutchman made his long-awaited F1 return after last competing in the 2023 British Grand Prix.
Read more – Former F1 driver makes comeback with McLaren test
Rosberg makes ‘worse at’ Michael Schumacher claim
The only area where Michael Schumacher showed decline from his peak at Mercedes was in adapting to new situations.
But that is the bread and butter for a racing driver, explains his former Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, who defeated the F1 icon across their three seasons together.
Rosberg explained how DRS provided a glaring example of the point he made about his compatriot.
Where Schumacher remained as sharp as a tack, however, was on the mind games side.
Read more – Michael Schumacher ‘worse at’ theory in Mercedes F1 comeback presented by Rosberg
Read next – Button claims Fernando Alonso ‘little bit of doubt’ ahead of Aston Martin extension
