As the Formula 1 season starts off in January, some major headlines have surfaced, covering everything from driver performance to new partnerships.
First, former F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg praised his rival Lewis Hamilton, calling his talent “never before seen” in Formula 1. Rosberg, who shared the Mercedes team with Hamilton before his retirement after winning the 2016 Championship, reflected on Hamilton’s incredible impact on the team and the sport, noting, “He added the genius because he’s the greatest of all time, a natural talent like there’s never been before in F1.” Rosberg also expressed the emotional significance of Hamilton’s influence on Mercedes’ success over the years.
On the driver front, Alpine’s advisor Flavio Briatore warned that there could be changes to the team’s lineup if results don’t meet expectations this season. Briatore, known for his ruthless approach in F1, told Le Parisien, “If there’s a driver who isn’t making progress, who isn’t bringing me results, I change him. You can’t be emotional in F1.” Although the current lineup for 2025 includes Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan, Briatore left the door open for a possible change depending on the team’s performance.
Max Verstappen also made headlines, joking about getting a “full report” from his compatriot Nyck de Vries after the latter tested for McLaren. However, Verstappen clarified, “We always keep it very professional. That’s his job. I’m not there to try and steal information.”
Meanwhile, Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle questioned if Hamilton’s “absolute peak” is behind him as he turns 40, but still believes Hamilton could win races in a competitive Ferrari.
Finally, Formula 1 announced that TAG Heuer would return as the official timekeeper starting in 2025, marking a 10-year deal with the sport’s governing body, LVMH. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed excitement over the partnership, emphasizing TAG Heuer’s legacy of precision and innovation.
