Fernando Alonso, the veteran Aston Martin driver, has found himself in the crosshairs of industry critics suggesting that it’s time he hangs up his helmet. This speculation comes amidst a heated exchange between Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Adrian Newey, the former chief technical officer. These are among the numerous developments in the world of Formula 1.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, has defended his team against allegations made by Adrian Newey. Newey, who had voiced concerns about Red Bull’s RB20 development path, claimed that his warnings were disregarded. Responding to Newey’s remarks, Horner argued that the issues with Red Bull’s car had already surfaced during Newey’s tenure as CTO, particularly in 2023.
Red Bull had announced in May last year that Newey would be parting ways with the team in early 2025, following a lengthy period of ‘gardening leave’. However, Newey continued to contribute to the development of the RB17, Red Bull’s hypercar, throughout his leave.
In another corner of the F1 universe, Fernando Alonso is facing calls to retire. Despite his 2023 podium victory at Aston Martin making headlines, Tom Coronel, an industry pundit, has candidly told Alonso that his “time is over”. At 43, Alonso is entering his 22nd season in Formula 1. According to sources at PlanetF1.com, it’s doubtful that this will be his last season as Alonso reportedly has a multi-year contract with Aston Martin.
The F1 community is also buzzing about the latest technological advancements introduced by the FIA. However, not all teams are celebrating. Carlos Sainz, now with Williams, has confessed that podium finishes appear unlikely in his inaugural season with his new team. The team is grappling with a “three or four-tenths” pace gap, making it challenging to break into the top four in Formula 1. Sainz’s move to Williams in 2025 marks a significant shift in his career after leaving Ferrari to make way for Lewis Hamilton.
The financial side of F1 is also making headlines. Toto Wolff, team principal of Mercedes, has denied rumors that the British chemical company Ineos plans to withdraw its sponsorship of the Mercedes F1 team. Despite reports suggesting that Ineos, controlled by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are scaling back their sporting investments following expensive legal battles, Wolff insists that the company will continue their support for the team.
In conclusion, the world of Formula 1 is as dynamic off the track as it is on it. With new developments unfolding every day, the upcoming season promises to be an exhilarating ride.