Sainz elected director of driver union GPDA, FIA condemns booing for Horner and Verstappen, and other big updates

Sainz elected director of driver union GPDA

Carlos Sainz is the new director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), having taken over from retired F1 champion Sebastian Vettel. The F1 drivers voted for Sainz after Vettel left the role at the end of 2022. The GPDA has supported drivers’ interests since 1994 and is led by Chairman Alex Wurz, with help from non-driving advisor Anastasia Fowle. Sainz is now in his 11th F1 season and he’s proud to help improve the sport.

Click here to read the full article by Harry Whitfield (motorsportweek.com)

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FIA condemns booing for Horner and Verstappen

The FIA condemned the hostile treatment of Christian Horner and Max Verstappen at the F1 75 Live event in London, where parts of the 16,000-strong crowd booed them loudly. The organization called the reactions “tribalist” and asked fans to show more respect and sportsmanship. Red Bull’s drivers skipped on-stage interviews after the jeering, while British drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris got loud cheers. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the group will keep working to stop abuse in the sport and urged everyone in F1 to think about their actions.

Click here to read the full article by Phillip van Osten (f1i.com)

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Ferrari’s 2025 fate rests on early pace

Ferrari’s development plan depends on their early-season performance, as being either a second ahead or behind in Melbourne would make further upgrades to the SF-25 pointless. Limited aerodynamic testing time makes resource allocation even tougher, especially with McLaren and Ferrari having less time than their rivals. Fred Vasseur confirmed that while early upgrades are planned, any major developments beyond June would be impractical due to long lead times. With the grid closer than ever, Ferrari must focus on small but crucial improvements to stay competitive.

Click here to read the full article by Michelle Foster (planetf1.com)

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Italy reacts to Hamilton’s Ferrari debut

Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has brought huge excitement in Italy. Fans and media see him as someone who could finally bring the team a title. His arrival has drawn massive crowds, with thousands watching his first test run at Fiorano, even in cold weather. Hamilton has impressed people with his passion and efforts to connect with fans and Ferrari staff. However, the pressure from the Italian media will grow if he doesn’t get good results. While Hamilton has strong support, Charles Leclerc is under pressure—if Hamilton outperforms him, questions about Leclerc’s future at Ferrari could arise.

Click here to read the full article at motorsport.com

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Williams boys talk 2025 goals

Williams teammates Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon discuss new beginnings, 2025 goals, and expectations for the new season. In a fun segment to finish, the two drivers quiz each other and answer the hard-hitting questions. They admit they're competitive on the track but get along well off it. Click here to watch the video.