This forum contains threads to discuss teams themselves. Anything not technical about the cars, including restructuring, performances etc belongs here.
what about 'rear corner' updates, a.k.a brake/tyre cooling changes ?
This was touted as the 'major transformative item before the summer break' by all and sundry in the media over the past few months.
what about 'rear corner' updates, a.k.a brake/tyre cooling changes ?
This was touted as the 'major transformative item before the summer break' by all and sundry in the media over the past few months.
Do they even have to report that? Maybe the change was internal, hidden from view.
Raymond Vermeulen on Mercedes' interest in Verstappen: “In F1, everyone talks to each other”
Frank Woestenburg
4 July 2025
Raymond Vermeulen, Max Verstappen's manager, is literally following all the speculation and stories about Verstappen's contract situation and Mercedes' serious interest from a distance. He is not at Silverstone this weekend, where the British Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday. His absence had been planned for some time. “Some of the things I read are really far from reality,” he says.
Vermeulen emphasises that he and Verstappen are primarily pushing for improvements in the performance of the car, the RB21. "That's where our focus lies. We have a contract with Red Bull and are committed, as we have been for eleven years. Right now, we mainly want to see a return to performance. And quickly too. Max wants to get the best out of the equipment he has at his disposal, but we also realise that the championship is no longer within reach," says Vermeulen.
That said, Raymond Vermeulen also understands that there is a lot of attention in the paddock for Max Verstappen's contract situation and Mercedes' interest. Vermeulen says that contact with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is ‘not so shocking’. "In Formula 1, everyone talks to each other. It makes sense that we also talk to Toto, just as it makes sense that we also talk to A, B, C and D. I don't find it shocking that we occasionally have a cup of coffee together, but now it's being turned into a media circus. On the other hand, that's Formula 1 for you. One minute the hype is about Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the next it's about Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, and now it's Max's turn again and his possible performance clauses. It's a kind of pressure cooker, an accumulation of reports and speculation that reaches a climax during an F1 weekend that is not reality."
There is plenty of speculation in the F1 world about the various performance clauses in Verstappen's contract, which could allow him to leave Red Bull before his contract expires in 2028. Vermeulen: "I don't know exactly where that comes from, but it's a lot about the performance clauses that may or may not be triggered around the summer period. The question remains what will or will not happen. Perhaps nothing will happen. That would not be surprising in itself. It has often happened that performance clauses were triggered and then nothing came of it. But we cannot give 100% clarity about next year at this point, no. Nobody can."
At Mercedes, George Russell still has no certainty about his sporting future. Russell's contract expires after this season. Any contract extension seems to depend on whether Verstappen can be persuaded to make a move. Toto Wolff has indicated in relation to Russell that he wants to provide clarity during the summer break or shortly thereafter. Vermeulen on this: ‘I understand Toto's statement. That's how the dynamics of Formula 1 work. But again, we are mainly pushing for the performance of the car this year.’
Are they at the end of their concept while trying to squeeze out more performance and thereby making it worse? Its early days but the signs are not good.
Are they at the end of their concept while trying to squeeze out more performance and thereby making it worse? Its early days but the signs are not good.
Think we conclude now that Newey peaked early with the RB18 and RB19 and after that they messed up a concept way ahead of competition, just made it worse, and probably changed things because each year you are supposed to make changes ?
They probably have their unresolved correlation issues and they're being more aggressive to catch up to the likes of McLaren with aero. So you get this
Why is the race pace so good If they can sort out qualy pace, we might have an interesting race. Sector 2 the biggest problem so far with lots of high speed understeer.
Why is the race pace so good If they can sort out qualy pace, we might have an interesting race. Sector 2 the biggest problem so far with lots of high speed understeer.
Maybe testing new engine parts in race sim, so therefore a bit higher engine mode?
If they can sort out qualy pace, we might have an interesting race. Sector 2 the biggest problem so far with lots of high speed understeer.