Red Bull on the edge
Formula One
As 19-year-old British F2 driver Oliver Bearman announced his multi-year F1 contract with Team Haas starting next season, fans and drivers alike are still waiting with bated breath for an announcement from Carlos Sainz Junior – generally considered the best driver still available for a 2025 contract. Today will bring a number of fresh faces to the British Grand Prix track for the first practice session. Red Bull is expected to bring in F2 driver Isack Hadjar to pilot Sergio Pérez's RB20, while Williams are set to put the Argentine Franco Colapinto in Logan Sargeant's cockpit.
Kimi Antonelli, who has been strongly linked to a Mercedes seat next year, is yet to make the FP1 (free practice 1) appearance that Mercedes and Williams asked the FIA to grant him a Super Licence for.
Fans are also eager to see how Max Verstappen and Lando Norris interact on track, after the contact between the pair left them both sour at the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend.
Verstappen had barely received a 10-second penalty for the contact which ended the Brit’s race, when Norris told the journalists in the media pen that he would lose respect for Verstappen if he denies his fault in the accident.
A “more rational” Verstappen gave statements of an apologetic tone, but many noted the absence of an apology or an admission of guilt.
Say what you will about an apology, apologies don't win Grands Prix and it will not reverse Lando Norris’ DNF. If you were looking for an apology, F1 isn't quite the best place to start looking.
Nonetheless, what we saw out on track in Austria was a turning of the tide. Red Bull appeared nervous and such is evident from the plethora of little mistakes that they've normally grown used to avoiding. Watching Austria 2024 was reminiscent of watching a pre-dominance-era Max Verstappen eager for that title.
Whether you chalk up the accident to a racing incident, or are looking to pass blame, one thing is certain – this Sunday’s British Grand Prix is the fight the fans came to see.
Who will emerge victorious at Silverstone this weekend? Only time (and a bit of hard racing) will tell.
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