F1 Fast Five: F1 and FIA bosses to convene over Horner investigation, Ex-Williams boss makes shocking comeback to F1, and other big updates

F1 and FIA bosses to convene over Horner investigation

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem will convene in Bahrain to discuss leaked emails implicating Red Bull's Christian Horner in alleged misconduct. The issue, involving a complaint against Horner, has drawn calls from Mercedes and McLaren for F1 and the FIA to intervene. With both Domenicali and Ben Sulayem among the recipients of the leaked emails, they aim to address the matter ahead of the season's opening race in Bahrain.

Click here to read the full article by Ian Parkes (racingnews365.com)

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Ex-Williams boss makes shocking comeback to F1

Former Mercedes and Williams technical chief Paddy Lowe, after nearly three decades in Formula 1, has returned as a sponsor for the Stake F1 team. He previously held roles at Williams, McLaren, and Mercedes, where he was executive director (technical) alongside Toto Wolff. Despite his achievements, Lowe's tenure at Williams was marred by uncompetitive cars, notably the problematic FW42 in 2019. After leaving Williams in 2019, Lowe focused on engineering projects and now sponsors Stake F1 through his company Zero Petroleum, specializing in carbon-neutral synthetic fuels.

Click here to read the full article by Jake Nichol (racingnews365.com)

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F1 hints at European race rotation

Recent months have seen many races outside Europe extend contracts into the 2030s, but European races like Zandvoort, Spa, Imola, Monza, and Monaco only have deals until 2025. Madrid will host the Spanish GP from 2026, possibly alongside Barcelona, which still has an option for a race that year. Rotation is considered, potentially reducing races to 23 in 2026, leaving room for Barcelona or a new venue like South Korea. Stefano Domenicali highlighted the importance of European races like Madrid and Barcelona, hinting at interesting plans for 2026. He emphasized the financial and stability aspects behind contract renewals, aiming for long-term growth and opportunities beyond promotional fees.

Click here to read the full article by Adam Cooper (motorsport.com)

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Vettel open to possible comeback

Sebastian Vettel hasn't ruled out a return to Formula 1, especially with Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari and Mercedes needing a replacement. Although there's been no direct contact from Mercedes, Vettel remains open to the possibility, stating that his stance is not a clear "no." He retired after his Aston Martin stint but still keeps an eye on F1, expressing admiration for Max Verstappen's success.

Click here to read the full article by James Dielhenn (crash.net)

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Marko cites 'Renault, Ferrari, Alpine' in Red Bull collaboration defense

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After Daniel Ricciardo's Bahrain P1, Helmut Marko dismissed complaints about Red Bull and their junior team's collaboration, emphasizing they're an "international team." Despite McLaren CEO Zak Brown's objections for "sporting fairness," Marko insists they comply with regulations and have diverse influences. Ricciardo's pace in FP1 stirred rival teams, but Marko maintains Red Bull's innocence, citing their international team composition. 

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