Following George Russell’s win in Canada, the Formula 1 season shifts back to Europe for this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg.
The race marks a pivotal moment in the season, with Oscar Piastri leading the drivers’ championship by 22 points over McLaren teammate Lando Norris, whose Montreal race ended in disaster after a collision between the pair.
Beyond the on-track battles, several off-track stories continue to shape the F1 landscape. Here’s a look at the major topics dominating the paddock this week.
Controversy continues to grow around the FIA and its President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. While teams and drivers express concerns in private, public criticism remains rare due to fears of the consequences from the sport’s governing body.
George Russell, in his role with the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, has occasionally voiced objections — such as opposing the ban on swearing — but team principals tread carefully.
Haas boss Ayao Komatsu broke ranks earlier this year, admitting, “Don’t write it as a headline, but that’s what everybody thinks. The FIA is in a mess.” However, he immediately backed off when pressed further.
The Spotlight on Ferrari
Ferrari remain under intense scrutiny from the Italian media, which views the team not just as a racing outfit but as a national institution.
The pressure has only intensified after reports from Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera suggested team boss Frederic Vasseur’s position was under threat.
Vasseur fired back during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, questioning the motives behind the coverage and emphasizing the damaging effect on his staff.
While Ferrari started the year with title ambitions, their current underperformance has drawn a lot of criticism. Vasseur himself acknowledged that expectations are high and the media scrutiny is part of the job.
With several seats locked in for 2025 — including McLaren, Ferrari, Williams, Aston Martin, Haas, and Sauber/Audi — attention turns to Red Bull, Mercedes, and Alpine.
Yuki Tsunoda’s place at Racing Bulls appears vulnerable, with Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar tipped as a likely replacement. Arvid Lindblad is also rising quickly through the ranks in Formula 2, potentially putting Liam Lawson’s seat in jeopardy.
Mercedes is expected to pair George Russell with Kimi Antonelli, though a surprise move for Max Verstappen remains a possibility. Alpine’s second seat is wide open, with internal uncertainty following the departure of Renaulhe media scrutiny is part of the job.
Will Seats Be Lost?
With several seats locked in for 2025 including McLaren, Ferrari, Williams, Aston Martin, Haas, and Sauber/Audi, attention turns to Red Bull, Mercedes, and Alpine.
Yuki Tsunoda’s place at Racing Bulls appears vulnerable, with Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar tipped as a likely replacement. Arvid Lindblad is also rising quickly through the ranks in Formula 2, potentially putting Liam Lawson’s seat in jeopardy.
Mercedes is expected to pair George Russell with Kimi Antonelli, though a surprise move for Max Verstappen remains a possibility. Alpine’s second seat is wide open, with internal uncertainty following the departure of Renault chairman Luca de Meo and the return of Flavio Briatore.
Mercedes showed real pace in Montreal, with Russell delivering their first win of the season. Whether it is a turning point or a one-off is yet to be seen.
Toto Wolff cautioned against overconfidence, pointing out that Montreal’s smooth surface and cool weather played to the W15’s strengths. Mercedes has struggled this year with tyre overheating, especially on abrasive or hot tracks with high-speed corners.
A key development was the introduction of a new rear suspension aimed at improving aerodynamic stability and rear grip; a design concept inspired by McLaren’s success. Austria will provide the first real test of whether those upgrades can deliver consistent performance.
Africa’s Grand Prix Stalled
Despite a strong desire from Formula 1 to return to Africa, logistical and financial hurdles continue to delay any concrete progress.
Kyalami in South Africa has secured FIA design approval to upgrade to Grade One status which is a requirement for hosting F1 but work will only proceed if the track secures a race contract. Cape Town’s proposed street race faces similar financial uncertainties.
Elsewhere, Rwanda briefly emerged as a contender last year, with a track near its new airport under construction. However, momentum has stalled. Morocco’s bid for a race in Tangier is also stuck, lacking the crucial support of the country’s monarchy.
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