Williams F1 are a team on the up. James Vowles indicated the “hundreds of millions” that is being invested to update the Grove based outfits ageing facilities and equipment. Further James Bower, the team’s commercial director, recently told Bloomberg that Williams now had a full roster of sponsors and had the finance to spend up to the Formula One cost cap.

Having re-signed Alex Albon on a multi-year deal early this season, Vowles has been on the hunt for a driver equally experienced to replace the failed project that’s been American driver Logan Sargeant.

The Williams team boss was defiant in Canada making it publicly known “Carlos Sainz is Williams number one target.” Of course this means the writing is on the wall for Sargeant whether or not Williams capture the Spaniard’s signature.

 

 

 

Ocon in the frame for Williams

Sainz was all set to announce his move to the British Racing marque at his home race in Barcelona, only for Flavio Briatore to muddy the waters with an offer from the works team Alpine. Yet Alpine are in turmoil at present having removed most of its senior management mid way through 2023 and their latest catastrophic decision saw both cars eliminated in Q1 at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

As the track dried quickly in the final moments of the first round of qualifying, the team decided the times set by the Alpine drivers were good enough to make Q2. This proved not to be the case and last man over the line in the session, Daniel Ricciardo, set the quickest time in his RB, while Gasly and Ocon watched on.

Having apparently lost the momentum in recruiting Sainz, Williams turned their sights on other experienced drivers who could take their place alongside Alex Ablon for the coming seasons. Esteban Ocon was in the frame as team boss James Vowles now reveals, although the Williams team boss believes he is in fact going elsewhere and just the announcement remains.

“He was definitely a consideration. I’ve known him for many years, obviously, at Mercedes…,” Vowles claimed in Hungary. “He’s been mighty quick. You don’t out qualify Fernando [Alonso] unless you are might. If you create the right environment around him, he can be very strong. 

Russians threaten Haas F1

 

 

 

Mercedes ‘leak’ Ocon’s future

“So that’s why he was a consideration. I think where he is at the moment, our paths won’t cross – and I think it’s a shame, because there’s certain bits that I can see would work. 

“But other bits that I just don’t think will work in the time frame we have as well.”

Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Haas F1 announced they would be parting company with Kevin Magnussen for 2025 who had hoped he would be partnering rookie Oliver Bearman who was announced for Haas two race weekends ago.

A source close to Mercedes, who still retain the rights to Esteban Ocon, leaked the Frenchman would be joining Haas after announcing the end of his five years association with the Renault/Alpine team.

Verstappen publicly defends Perez

 

 

 

Ricciardo favourite as stop gap replacement

Of course Red Bull Racing still hold the key to the drivers evaluating the remaining seats available for 2025 and given Checo’s latest disaster in qualifying, his replacement is now just a matter of time.

While Esteban Ocon may not be top of the world champion’s list to replace the Mexican driver, with Sainz as yet unannounced the dance remains ongoing as the music has not stopped.

Daniel Ricciardo remains the favourite to step up alongside Max Versteppen, when the final decision to ditch Perez is made by the Red Bull team. Yet Ricciardo is no longer a proven long term option for Red Bull, whereas Sainz has been winning races and beating his preferred Ferrari team mate.

Following Perez’s crash in Q1 at the Hungaroring, the Australian sought to defend his fellow driver while increasing speculation that it would be he replacing Checo.

Ricciardo confirms targeting Perez’s seat

 

 

 

Perez’s crash defended by Aussie

“I know that it was probably still a little bit damp, and in these conditions, you’ve got to send it and put it all on the line,” Ricciardo told assembled media. ”With a small mistake, there will be consequences, so there is a lot of pressure, not only for us as Red Bull [drivers], but for everyone in that situation. 

“I haven’t been told anything [about a potential driver swap], but I’ve told myself you’ve got two races to give it hell and that’s honestly not even with the idea of moving up, it’s just trying to lock something in for next year. 

“I intentionally came into the weekend telling myself that these two races could be the most important of not only my season but potentially my career.”

Ricciardo came into the weekend in Hungary having stated his intention was to “kick ass.” When told of Dr. Helmut Marko’s comments which suggested Liam Lawson could be parachuted into the vacant Perez seat, stating:

Wolff says Marko correct about Mercedes’ Achilles heel

 

 

 

Ricciardo ignores Marko’s comments

“I’ve become really good at not reading things,” he said. “So actually I didn’t know about it until I was told when I got here! I don’t feel one way or another about it.

“I still know that the overriding thing in this sport is performance, like that’s it, and that’s what will give me my best chance of staying here. I know that it’s not going to be my smile, or anything else. It’s the on-track stuff.”

Ricciardo identified Hungary and the following race in Belgium as ‘make or break’ events even suggesting it could result in him being alongside Max Verstappen in the near future.

Hamilton admits to insurmountable issue with new F1

 

 

 

 

Driver decisions resolved by summer break

“I am aware that these two weekends are probably the most important of the season,” Ricciardo told RacingNews365.

“If you head into the break with some good momentum and positivity it can help, but whether that means retaining my seat here or maybe something bigger, who knows?

“Even if I am not stoked so far on my season as a whole, I can’t look back now. That is done. I have two races to kick some arse and that is where my energy is right now.”

James Vowles insists the driver market will be resolved by the time of the summer break, so it looks as though Red Bull are not the ‘cork in the bottle’ as they dither over the failure of their number two driver.

Red Bull move to secure Max but with Sainz back in the frame

 

 

 

FIA investigating ‘cheating’ team’s front wing

As Formula One rolled into Hungary, the paddock was awash with talk of cheating. Red Bull started the year as they finished 2023 and it looked by the end of their 1-2 at the Chinese Grand Prix as though this would be another season of domination from the World Champions.

Yet the RB20 car proved fatally flawed for the streets of Monaco and there was no podium for the team again in Austria, although for different reasons. Whispers abound in Budapest that behind the scenes the FIA intervened some weeks ago over suspect components on the Red Bull car. Since then its performance has dropped off, is the explanation offered.

The same could be said of Ferrari who since their Barcelona upgrade have looked a different outfit. Outscored by Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull over the last six races, Ferrari hopes a revision to its floor this weekend will solve the problems the drivers have been facing since Monaco… READ MORE