Word on the beat
Hamilton’s harsh words, Malaysian and Turkish GPs and Bottas for Caddy
- Lewis Hamilton’s dejected comments after qualifying and then the race at the Hungaroring – when he described his performances as “useless” and that Ferrari probably needs “a new driver” – have inevitably led to conjecture about his future plans beyond this season.
- Both Sepang and Istanbul are keen to be reinstated onto the F1 calendar. Turkish Automobile Sports Federation president Eren Uclertopragi recently stated, “Unlike during the pandemic, we do not want to host a one-off replacement race; instead, we aim to secure a place on the calendar through a long-term contract.” The Turkish government is understood to have approved plans to underwrite the hosting fee. Meanwhile, Sepang International Circuit CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif has said: “We let F1 go and now it is very hard to get it back. There is a waiting list to get back in and of course, the costs are very expensive. We were quoted $70m a race… A lot of people are queuing so it won’t be easy. But if we are really serious about it, then maybe we can start the conversation.”
- Valtteri Bottas is understood to have turned down the opportunity of taking Franco Colapinto’s place at Alpine for the remainder of the season, further strengthening the belief that he has already reached an agreement to race with Cadillac for 2026.
- Frédéric Vasseur’s contract as Scuderia Ferrari team principal was renewed on the eve of the Hungarian Grand Prix for a ‘multi-year’ duration.
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