Hot Topic
Mid-season driver changes are not that common in Formula 1 and the news that Daniel Ricciardo is being replaced by Liam Lawson from this weekend onwards was big talking point after Singapore. Daniel is a super popular guy and a great driver, but the results have not been as consistent or impressive as either he or the RB team wanted, and this is the result.
Personally I don’t think this is the last we will see of Daniel, he very popular with the media and I am sure Formula 1 will be trying to find a new role for the Australian.
Liam Lawson is not new to F1, of course, he competed in five Grands Prix for the team last season when Daniel broke his hand, and he scored points in Singapore.
This time things look quite different for Liam. Red Bull is looking at all its options for 2025, so the young New Zealander has the potential to either drive for the junior team at RB next season or even potentially replace Checo Perez at Red Bull Racing as team mate to Max Vertstappen. Everything depends on how Liam performs in the remaining six Grands Prix of this season, as well as how much Checo can improve his results, so the pressure to perform is pretty clear.
The other important story is the news that Toyota has decided to partner with Haas F1. The smallest team in F1 now has the world’s largest car manufacturer providing technical support and facilities through its Toyota Gazoo Racing division, and Toyota’s logo will be seen on the Haas F1 cars from this weekend onwards.
It’s a fantastic result for Haas, and a great credit to its Japanese Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, but also another sign of just how strong Formula 1 has become. It confirms that every team, no matter how big or small, is able to attract top partners and, when you consider Audi and Honda are both set to join F1 in 2026, Toyota’s return 15 years after it left Formula 1 is brilliant.
Take Note
The Circuit of the Americas is a really fantastic track, it promotes close racing and the drivers enjoy it. We started racing here in 2012, it’s a purpose built F1 facility with some very interesting features. A big climb into Turn 1, with 40 metres of elevation, and then a series of sweeping turns modelled on Silverstone’s Becketts-Maggots complex before the 1km long back straight.
That straight ends at Turn 12, one of the hardest braking points of the season during which drivers can sustain 5G, and then comes the tricky in-field section which is modelled on the old Hockenheimring Stadium Section.
The track has been resurfaced this year, but bumps remain part of this circuit’s characteristics. This weekend we will see a Sprint race, which means only one practice session on Friday and then the teams are straight into Sprint Qualifying. Everyone has been working hard on their set- ups and simulators during the four week break since Singapore, but the pressure is really on for teams and drivers to deliver right from the start of practice on Friday.
Mika’s Tip
Lewis Hamilton has won here five times and his Mercedes team are bringing an upgrade which they hope will close the gap to the front runners. But it’s going to continue to be the battle between Max Verstappen’s Red Bull and the McLaren of Lando Norris that everyone is watching for. Max has won here for the past three years but the McLaren looks stronger and more consistent at the moment and Lando is going to try and close the gap in the World Championship for Drivers.
Max is 52 points ahead with six races remaining, so in my opinion he is safe as long as he can keep finishing on the podium, and bearing in mind Ferrari might also steal victories and points away from McLaren. It’s a close race. The one thing Max cannot afford is a non-finish.
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