Williams' driver battle likely to favor Sainz, Records that could be broken this season, and other big updates

Williams' driver battle likely to favor Sainz

Williams' signing of Carlos Sainz for 2025 adds a Grand Prix winner and valuable experience to their lineup. He will partner Alex Albon, who has faced the toughest challenge since joining Williams. A poll suggests Sainz is the favorite to outperform Albon, given his successful stints at Ferrari and McLaren. Albon, who is now in his fourth season, will try to prove himself and learn from his more experienced teammate.

Click here to read the full article by Fergal Walsh (racingnews365.com)

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Records that could be broken this season

Lewis Hamilton, who is now at Ferrari, could surpass Michael Schumacher with an eighth championship title if the team builds on last year’s progress. Rookie Kimi Antonelli, 18, has the chance to become the youngest F1 race winner and pole-sitter, breaking records held by Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel. Verstappen, meanwhile, could surpass Hamilton’s record for most wins with a single constructor and potentially join Schumacher with five consecutive drivers’ championships.

Click here to read the full article by Gerd Jansen (racingnews365.com)

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Why Antonelli is so special to Mercedes

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the youngest Formula 1 rookie in 2025, will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. He was noticed by Mercedes for his quick adaptability and moved up through karting and European championships before reaching Formula 2. Mercedes believes his ability to handle new challenges makes him special. This quality has been key in getting him ready for Formula 1.

Click here to read the full article by Filip Cleeren (motorsport.com)

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Madrid stays on track for GP in 2026

Madrid's mayor confirmed that preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 race in the Spanish capital are on track, with construction set to start in April. The race will take place on a hybrid 5.47 km circuit around the IFEMA convention center, combining street and non-street sections. Five offers have been submitted for the construction, with a 14-month deadline to complete the facilities before the September event. The mayor made it clear that private money would pay for the project, not public funds and added that Barcelona could still host F1 races in the future.

Click here to read the full article by Jose Carlos de Celis (motorsport.com)

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Toughest questions of 2025

The 2025 Formula 1 season brings anticipation and uncertainty with significant changes. Key storylines include Charles Leclerc's potential challenge against Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, Red Bull's quest to regain dominance amidst internal challenges, Aston Martin's bid to utilize Adrian Newey's expertise, and the looming conflicts within F1's regulatory framework. It’s shaping into an intense season with many key stories.

Click here to read the full article at the-race.com