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Ahead of the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, the Formula 1 world has been abuzz with major developments. A headline story centers around Lewis Hamilton’s reaction to Christian Horner’s dismissal as Red Bull’s team principal. Hamilton, who reportedly had a rocky relationship with Horner dating back to their first meeting in 2005, expressed little surprise at the news. Despite their history, the seven-time world champion wished Horner well in his future endeavors as he departs after two decades leading the Milton Keynes-based team.
Meanwhile, George Russell’s contract situation has raised eyebrows, as he confirmed that no new deal is currently on the table. With his contract set to expire at the end of the 2025 season, uncertainty looms over his future with Mercedes. Although most in the paddock expect him to remain with the team into 2026, negotiations appear to be dragging on, with no resolution expected until after the summer break.
Ferrari’s struggles also continue to dominate headlines, especially with Lewis Hamilton now behind the wheel. Despite the team introducing a highly anticipated rear suspension upgrade at Spa, Hamilton noted that the car’s feel hasn’t improved noticeably. The team’s efforts to revive their disappointing 2025 campaign seem to be falling short, prompting concerns about the effectiveness of their development strategy.
In another twist surrounding Horner’s departure, Max Verstappen distanced himself from allegations suggesting that “Team Verstappen” played a role in the dismissal. Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle had hinted that Verstappen’s inner circle may have influenced Red Bull’s decision, but the reigning world champion emphasized he was just a driver and had no part in the internal shake-up.
Lastly, F1 could soon introduce a regulation aimed at halting the kind of abrupt team personnel changes seen recently. Following Horner’s sacking, Red Bull swiftly appointed Laurent Mekies from Racing Bulls as his replacement, raising questions about fairness and competitive integrity. The proposed rule, expected to come into effect in 2026, would restrict immediate team member swaps, signaling a tighter regulatory approach in response to Red Bull’s rapid restructuring.
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