It’s time to update you on the key talking points of another busy day in the world of Formula 1.
As the season nears its resumption at Circuit Zandvoort, a major rule change could decimate the ‘Orange Army’ in attendance, while their home hero, Max Verstappen, has reacted to the suggestion of driving for Red Bull’s rivals Mercedes in the future, a prospect that he didn’t close.
Then let’s dive into the action…
Taxi drivers threaten to disrupt GP Netherlands
Verstappen has another record in sight as he returns to home soil, knowing that winning the Dutch Grand Prix would be his ninth win in a row and that he would equal Sebastian Vettel’s current benchmark.
But according to the Noordhollands Dagblad, dissatisfied taxi drivers threaten to block the access roads to the circuit during the race weekend, after a controversial decision by the authorities.
The ruling reportedly prohibits taxi drivers who are not in the immediate vicinity from driving through the checkpoints towards the circuit, which could have a major impact on members of the ‘Orange Army’ in their attempts to get onto the circuit if there is a protest comes.
Read more: Protest threatens to decimate ‘Orange Army’ as Max Verstappen prepares for home race
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Max Verstappen does not close the door on driving for Mercedes
There was a time, before Verstappen came on the scene in Formula 1, when if the cards had fallen differently, Verstappen might be racing in the series with Mercedes these days.
Alas, Red Bull won the race for his signature, and the rest is history as they say.
Red Bull pride themselves on going against the grain, their perceived approach is more relaxed than that of Mercedes’ more corporate image, but while there is no suggestion that Verstappen will join Mercedes any time soon, he doesn’t think a change of culture will be so would slow down a step. boundaries.
“If a team really wants me in such a situation, they will also go for you and I think you can also adjust certain things a bit,” Verstappen told De Telegraaf when asked if he could work in such an environment ?
“Then you come together, so to speak.”
Read more: Max Verstappen is not against racing for ‘completely different’ Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton’s worrying verdict on Red Bull’s dominance
Hamilton is currently leading the Mercedes charge to bring in Verstappen and Red Bull, with teammate George Russell not far behind, but signs are not promising.
Mercedes is left to battle with McLaren, Aston Martin and Ferrari, while Verstappen and Red Bull remain clear, the team boasting a perfect record of 12 wins from 12 in F1 2023.
And Hamilton fears that this Red Bull dominance could be set in the long term.
“We shouldn’t have a chance to dominate for many years, the battle for top positions should be closer,” Sportskeeda is quoted as saying by Channel 4 by the seven-time world champion.
“Unfortunately, however, Red Bull could also seriously dominate the next three seasons.”
Read more: Lewis Hamilton’s ‘unfortunate’ verdict on Red Bull’s dominance
McLaren and Alex Palou saga go to court
While Verstappen and Red Bull are a match made in heaven, McLaren and IndyCar Championship leader Alex Palou are currently at odds.
It’s all about Palou’s refusal to honor his contract with McLaren, their current F1 reserve unwilling to race for their IndyCar team in 2024.
It appears McLaren is now seeking compensation, rather than forcing Palou to honor the deal, as according to IndyStar newspaper, McLaren Racing Limited and McLaren Indy have jointly sued Palou and its racing entity, ALPA Racing USA, in separate lawsuits in the UK.
Read more: McLaren and Alex Palou meet in court after the team filed lawsuits
Bernie Ecclestone denies knowledge of quotes about Felipe Massa
As for the lawsuits, Massa is now involved in one of his own lawsuits as he seeks compensation for the outcome of the 2008 World Championship. Then-Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone had recently discussed the impact of that year’s ‘Crashgate’ scandal year on the title photo.
Lewis Hamilton would eventually break the hearts of Massa and his home country by taking the world title at Interlagos.
But Ecclestone has now said he cannot recall ever doing this interview with F1 Insider, in which he claimed Massa had been “cheated” out of the 2008 World Championship.
“To be honest, I don’t remember any of this,” Ecclestone told Reuters.
Read more: Ex-F1 supremo denies knowledge of comments central to Felipe Massa’s lost title claim
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The article Dutch GP threaten protest if Max Verstappen talks about Mercedes switch – F1 news overview appeared first on Planetf1.com.
