F1 Fast Five: How Ricciardo was caught in Red Bull’s 2026 driver shake-up, Court dismisses Haas lawsuit against Steiner, and other big updates

How Ricciardo was caught in Red Bull’s 2026 driver shake-up

Red Bull's decision to drop Daniel Ricciardo mid-season wasn't due to poor performance but rather focused on long-term driver plans for 2026. With Ricciardo’s inconsistent form and a wrist injury allowing Liam Lawson to impress, Red Bull needed to evaluate their young talent. Ricciardo was no longer seen as a long-term option, so Red Bull fast-tracked Lawson to see how he compares to Yuki Tsunoda. The team needs to see if Lawson is ready for a top spot, especially since Perez’s seat is not secure. Red Bull is thinking ahead, knowing both Perez and Verstappen's futures are uncertain.

Click here to read the full article by Jonathan Noble (motorsport.com)

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Court dismisses Haas lawsuit against Steiner

The Central District Court of California dismissed Haas Automation's lawsuit against Guenther Steiner over trademark use in his autobiography, "Driving to Survive." The court found that Steiner's use of Haas trademarks was artistically relevant to recounting his experiences as Team Principal during the 2022 season. Although the lawsuit has been dismissed, Steiner is pursuing a separate case against Haas for unpaid commissions and unauthorized use of his likeness in promotional materials. This ongoing legal battle follows Steiner's departure from the team earlier this year.

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

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Meet Liam Lawson

Liam Lawson will replace Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull Racing for the rest of the 2024 Formula 1 season. Born on February 11, 2002, Lawson began karting and advanced through various racing series before joining the Red Bull Junior Team. After Ricciardo's injury, he made his F1 debut in 2023 and finished respectably. With Ricciardo's struggles this season, Lawson's promotion shows that the team believes in him for future races.

Click here to read the full article by Jack Oliver Smith (motorsportweek.com)

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Inside Mercedes’ Singapore GP strategy 

Join Mercedes' technical director, James Allison, as he discusses everything from tire strategies to what the team will be focusing on during the break from racing. He also answered fan questions from the Singapore GP, such as why Lewis started on the soft tires, whether those tires could have lasted longer into the pit stop window, and how both Hamilton and Russell are doing post-race.

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How 'Lighting Queen' ignited F1 passion in junior driver

Nicola Hume talks with Oracle Red Bull Racing’s reserve driver, Liam Lawson, and the Head of the Driver Academy, Guillaume "Rocky" Rocquelin, in the Talking Bull studio. They discuss how the team develops young drivers. Nic also shares how the Driver Academy works every day, from spotting talent to preparing drivers for F1 and making sure they’re physically ready for the challenge.