Fast Five: Schumacher rumored for driver replacement, Audi names first driver for 2026 F1 entry, and other big updates

Schumacher rumored for driver replacement

Mick Schumacher, son of Michael Schumacher, is rumored to replace a driver at the Austrian Grand Prix. After leaving Haas in 2022 and becoming a reserve driver for Mercedes in 2023, Schumacher hinted that he could replace another driver during the current season. He hinted at a potential mid-season return and possibly replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams. While he expressed optimism about his future, he acknowledged that mid-season driver changes are uncommon due to contractual obligations. Logan Sargeant, who joined Williams this year, has yet to score any points and has a contract that runs until the end of the season. Toto Wolff, CEO of Mercedes, has been a vocal supporter of Schumacher's comeback and has stood by him in his pursuit of returning to the F1 grid.

Click here to read the full article by Lydia Mee (si.com)

‍

Audi names first driver for 2026 F1 entry

Audi has hired sportscar veteran Neel Jani as their simulator driver for their entry into Formula 1 in 2026. Jani, a Le Mans 24 Hours and FIA World Endurance Championship title winner, will support the development of Audi's power unit for their F1 entry. He brings valuable experience from his previous tenure with Porsche and his time as a test and reserve driver for Red Bull in Formula 1. Audi's board member responsible for the F1 program, Oliver Hoffmann, emphasized the importance of simulation in their project and highlighted Jani's expertise in energy management in racing conditions.

Click here to read the full article by Lewis Larkam (crash.net)

‍

Saudi PIF exits McLaren 

Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is selling its stake in luxury automotive firm McLaren, which includes its ownership of the Formula One team. Bahrain is purchasing the PIF's stake, further solidifying Bahrain's position as the largest shareholder of McLaren. The transaction is a private deal among existing shareholders and does not involve injecting new cash into the company. McLaren is undertaking this sale as part of its efforts to restructure its capital and improve its financial position. 

Click here to read the full article by Jai Singh (proactiveinvestors.co.uk)

‍

Red Bull female engineers share career insights 

‍

Shining a light on women in motorsports, Red Bull's Principal Strategy Engineer (Hannah Schmitz), Simulator Terrain Modeller (Rosanne Elvin), and Aerodynamics Engineer (Ana Groom) provide insights into their career paths, outlining the responsibilities associated with their roles and recounting how they got the job.

‍‍‍‍‍‍

Canada ‘23: The greatest podium of all time?

‍

The Canadian Grand Prix delivered a great podium in Formula 1, featuring exceptional individuals. Hamilton, the most accomplished driver, Alonso, who displayed remarkable adaptability despite his age; Adrian Newey, the greatest designer of all time, and Verstappen, the current dominant force. And with the level these three drivers operate, one can only believe they are in a league of their own.