🗞 In The Headlines

1/ McLaren CEO Zak Brown Slams 'Embarrassing' Team Principal Behavior

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has expressed his frustration with the behavior of his fellow team principals, labeling it as "pretty embarrassing." Brown, who has led McLaren since 2018, highlighted the inconsistency and hypocrisy in decision-making among team principals, particularly referencing a situation involving Otmar Szafnauer, the former Alpine team principal. Brown criticized Szafnauer for opposing a leniency request for Lando Norris, only to make a similar plea for Pierre Gasly a year later. Brown's comments underscore his desire for a fairer and more equitable regulatory approach in Formula 1, where decisions are made consistently rather than based on short-term gains for individual teams.

2/ RB's Upgrade Misstep: A Setback or an Opportunity?

RB Racing, initially poised to lead the 2024 Formula 1 midfield, has faced significant challenges following a series of updates gone awry. Despite promising performances in Monaco and Canada, the team struggled in Spain, leading to underwhelming finishes for drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo. The Barcelona upgrades aimed at enhancing high-speed stability backfired, necessitating a reversion to older parts. As a result, the team’s performance has dipped, with team principal Laurent Mekies admitting the updates slowed the car instead of improving it. RB is now focused on diagnosing these issues and planning new upgrades, which will be delayed until after the summer break.

3/ Audi Gears Up for F1 Glory: Power Unit Development Hits Major Milestones

Audi has been working on its Formula 1 power unit for over two years, planning to take over the Sauber F1 team by 2026 when new technical regulations are introduced. Despite management changes sparking rumors of a withdrawal, Audi confirmed its 100 percent stake acquisition in the Sauber Group at this year's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The German manufacturer has established a state-of-the-art facility in Neuburg a. d. Donau, which, alongside the Hinwil site, will form Audi's future factory team. CEO Adam Baker highlighted the successful dynamic testing of the power unit, consisting of a combustion engine, electric motor, battery, and control electronics. CTO Stefan Dreyer emphasized the modernization of Audi's test facility, now equipped with 22 advanced test benches, and the critical insights gained from simulated race conditions using current F1 track layouts.

4/ Horner's 'Dream' to Replace Perez with Ricciardo at Red Bull

Red Bull's team principal, Christian Horner, reportedly dreams of replacing Sergio Perez with Daniel Ricciardo. Ricciardo rejoined the Red Bull family in 2023 and has shown improved performance recently, although he has been outscored by teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Perez, on the other hand, has been consistently outperformed by Max Verstappen and has had several poor performances, jeopardizing Red Bull's position in the constructors' championship. Despite Perez signing a new contract in June, performance clauses may trigger his replacement sooner than expected. With McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari closing in, Red Bull cannot afford to tolerate Perez's lackluster form. Ricciardo and Red Bull junior Liam Lawson are potential replacements, but both have their drawbacks.

5/ Brad Pitt's F1 Movie Budget Disputed by Producers

The upcoming Brad Pitt Formula 1 movie, titled 'F1,' produced by Joseph Kosinski and featuring seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, has sparked controversy over its budget. Reports claimed the film's budget exceeded $300 million, making it one of the most expensive films ever made. However, producer Jerry Bruckheimer dismissed these claims, stating that the actual figure is significantly lower. He explained that shooting in rebate-friendly locations like England, Europe, and Abu Dhabi, combined with substantial sponsorship deals, has reduced the budget considerably. Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike causing some delays, the movie is set to release globally on June 25, 2025, and in North America on June 27, 2025.

🤭 For The Lulz

👀 Did You Know…

With a total of 106 grands prix held, Italy has been featured on the F1 calendar every single season since the World Championship began in 1950 — the iconic Monza circuit being the primary venue.

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