F1 News
F1 Today | NASCAR champion challenges Verstappen, Hamilton breaks silence
As we head into February, more news continues to emerge from the Formula 1 world. Max Verstappen has been challenged by this NASCAR champion, Hamilton breaks his silence after testing at the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, and George Russell has commented on the importance of Valtteri Bottas' return to Mercedes as reserve driver. See it all on GPblog now!
Verstappen challenged by NASCAR driver
Max Verstappen has been challenged by 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick. The American believes that Verstappen should come to drive a stock car in the Daytona 500 to compete against Kyle Larson and others.
Harvick is of the mindset that NASCAR is a harder series than Formula 1. "I truly believe that our drivers make a better transition into IndyCar and F1,” Harvick said. “I think if we sent Kyle Larson and sent him to a Red Bull car right now, I think he’d go wheel-to-wheel with Max Verstappen. It wouldn’t take him long to figure it out.“I think if you flipped that switch and you sent Max to a stock car, I think it would take a lot longer." See the full story by clicking here.
Hamilton breaks silence post-Ferrari test
It was exactly one year ago when Hamilton's switch to Ferrari was announced. After many years with Mercedes and winning six of his championships with them, he decided to swap his silver arrows for a prancing horse and at the end of January, he was finally able to drive his first miles for Ferrari.
One week after Maranello, Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc travelled to Spain. Over two days, the duo worked through a TPC (testing of a previous car). However, on the second day, the seven-time world champion crashed during the morning session, ending Leclerc's test session.
He posted about it on Instagram, saying, "First race can’t come soon enough." This was alongside a picture of him at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Find out about Hamilton's testing incident by clicking here.
Russell on Bottas' importance at Mercedes
George Russell has called Valtteri Bottas' return to Mercedes 'massive' as his experience will be key in helping Mercedes develop. The Finn will act as Mercedes' reserve driver in 2025, also taking on some simulator duties at Mercedes' Brackley base. The Brit also discussed how his relationship with Bottas has developed in recent years.
The pair infamously came to blows in Imola in 2021, where they collided and exchanged some strong words for each other. Their relationship has changed now, Russell explained to Mercedes's official website. "Obviously years ago we were perceived to not have a strong relationship, but we are both professionals and our relationship has grown, we often travel together and see each other at hotels or in the gym.” Find out why Bottas' Sauber tenure will be so important to Mercedes here.
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