F1 news: 'Amateur' driver to be sacked in two races as Horner snubs Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton has been told that he can emulate Michael Schumacher's success at Ferrari if the team are able to prise Adrian Newey away from Red Bull.

The top engineer's future has been in doubt as a result of the furore surrounding Christian Horner, with Mercedes among the interested parties.

And ex-Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger believes that Newey alongside Hamilton would propel the Brit to even greater success.

When asked if Newey to Ferrari would signal another Schumacher-esque era of dominance, Berger replied: “With Hamilton instead of Michael.”

Mercedes starlet Andrea Kimi Antonelli took part in his first F1 test as the 17-year-old bids to succeed Lewis Hamilton next year.

He got behind the W12 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, driving a F1 car for the very first time and the 17-year-old explained just how overjoyed he was.

"Hello guys, first day done in an F1 car," said Antonelli in a video on Mercedes' social channels. "It's been an incredible experience and I loved every second of it.

"The first day didn't go as planned. We got some snow unfortunately so we couldn't really drive. The second day was great and I did quite a lot of laps. It was really good fun. I want to thank the team for all their hard work and I'm excited for what is coming."

Lewis Hamilton ally and Mercedes performance director Loic Serra has reportedly started his gardening leave ahead of a proposed move to Ferrari with the Brit.

Motorsport claim that Serra is set to be the first serious acquisition by Ferrari chief Frederic Vasseur as they look to challenge Red Bull going forward.

He is expected to work alongside Enrico Cardile as Ferrari plan for the upcoming 2026 changes in regulations.

Mercedes star George Russell has admitted that he is "open" to whichever driver Toto Wolff pairs with him next season.

The Silver Arrows have been linked with Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and Sebastian Vettel among others and Russell claimed that he has no preference to succeed Hamilton.

“Yeah, I mean, Sebastian’s (Vettel) a great person and he’s a four-time World Champion and for sure his personality is missed on the grid,” said Russell.

“And I think it’s important that we have the best 20 drivers in the world all competing for race wins and championships.

“So, as I said before… I’m really happy and open to have anybody as my team-mate.

“Whether it’s (a) World Champion, whether it’s a rookie, it doesn’t change how I go about my business. And yeah, as I said, we’ll welcome anybody.”

Max Verstappen has been warned that his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez will go "all guns blazing" for the remainder of the season.

Perez is racing for his future with his contract up at the end of the campaign and Sky Sports F1 pundit Bernie Collins has tipped the Mexican star to focus on his own performances, rather than the team.

"[Perez] is now the longest-standing team-mate of Max Verstappen," she told The Fast and the Curious podcast. "Everyone else has been dispensed of way ahead of this. So I think he's just thinking, 'I just need to [go] all guns blazing and not worry so much about it'.

"I almost wonder if the moment that they start to cut that back, can they perform on anything near the same level? Like, the moment they start to worry about not crashing the car or whatever, do they lose too much? There were times last year when performance wasn't good enough in qualifying.

"I did an interview with him in Holland actually last year, and I sort of said, 'If you focused on just finishing second, would you finish second more consistently than any of the focus on being first?' He didn't really seem to take it on board so much. I think that they're just so driven."

Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has taken part in his first F1 test in the next step of his journey to become the sport's newest star.

At the Red Bull Ring, the 17-year-old had his first taste of the W12 vehicle and will be closely monitored by Toto Wolff after being tipped to replace the outgoing Lewis Hamilton.

Though Formu1a.uno claim that adverse weather conditions hampered racing, forcing Antonelli and Mercedes to try again tomorrow.

Mick Schumacher reportedly has three chances to return to Formula One as he spends his second season without a seat.

F1-insider claim that Mercedes, Audi and Alpine are the likeliest contenders to hire Michael Schumacher's son ahead of next season.

Toto Wolff's outfit are on the lookout for Lewis Hamilton's replacement and know Schumacher well, as he is the current reserve driver, but may have their sights set on the likes of Max Verstappen or Carlos Sainz.

Audi currently favour both Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg but want a decision next month, which may be at odds with Sainz's plans as he waits for approaches from Red Bull and Mercedes, opening the door for Schumacher.

While Alpine may have an opening if Esteban Ocon replaces Hamilton at Mercedes and as Schumacher already races for the team in the World Endurance Championship, holds a strong relationship which would be advantageous.

Christian Horner's wife, Geri Halliwell, has posted on Instagram for the first time since January to wish fellow Spice Girl Victoria Beckham a happy birthday.

Geri has remained silent on social media since her husband was accused and subsequently cleared of inappropriate behaviour, but returned with a message for Posh Spice.

She wrote: "Happy Birthday! @victoriabeckham You’re amazing! From our Tank girl audition over 30 years ago, and you’re still shining bright ! Wishing you love & joy."

Lewis Hamilton has asked Formula One chiefs to consider an "epic" weekend consisting of both F1 and MotoGP.

Liberty Media, who own the commercial rights to F1, bought MotoGP's parent company this month and heightened the possibility of both motorsports featuring on the same tracks across a weekend.

And Hamilton is in favour of the idea. "I think Liberty has done an amazing job with Formula 1, obviously the value of the thing [rising since 2017]," he said.

"So, I think they can do a great job with MotoGP. It's exciting because I love MotoGP. It would be epic if we can have them on the same weekend."

He then joked: "Maybe I could do a race in MotoGP and race a Formula 1 car on the same weekend - that would be really cool."

1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has raised concerns over Audi entering F1 in 2026, when they will take over from Sauber.

Villeneuve explained that it will take some time to turn the new team into a powerhouse after years of disappointing results.

“They’re joining with a team that hasn’t been any good for so many years,” Villeneuve told Sports Illustrated. “And you just can’t invent know-how. It’s something that you build over time.

“You can see it with Williams. They stay kind of good for a while, but you pay the price of pay drivers, of all that, you pay it late. And now the team has been rebuilding, but it doesn’t happen overnight. It also takes time. So, it won’t happen overnight.

“And then how are they joining? Are they joining the same way Renault/Alpine joined just to be part of F1 and make some image or to actually be racers and try and go out and win? That we don’t know.

“What’s dangerous with constructors when they come in is they can easily in five minutes decide, ‘okay, we’re gone, bye’ and they leave and they don’t care. They’re great for the sport, but they’re also very dangerous in that respect. Where a team like Williams cannot leave. It exists with and because of F1. What does Williams do if they stop F1? Nothing."

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has joked the Chinese Grand Prix will be a ‘home race’ for him after revealing his ‘great great grandfather’ hailed from the country.

The 23-year-old took to the X social media platform to say: “My great great grandfather was Chinese so I think that makes this my 1/16 home race?”

Sergio Perez is one driver excited for the return of the sprint race in China this weekend.

“We are looking forward to China as it is going to present a challenge ahead of us, especially with it being a sprint weekend," he told reporters.

"As we have not raced at this track since 2019, and with the one practice session, it will be all about ensuring we have set the car up in the best way we can and managing our tyres. This added element creates more excitement for the fans."

Lewis Hamilton has been told he has "had his best time" in F1 despite his impending move to Ferrari.

Former F1 driver Michael Bleekemolen has told Racing 365: "It's all coming together (the move) just a little bit badly.

"I think he's had his best time, maybe he will end up in the top two, three again, that could just happen. It's not going to be easy, but it would be nice. I just don't think it's going to happen."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has played down fears over the Red Bull Powertrains situation after claims work was behind schedule.

Amid rumours Max Verstappen would consider joining Mercedes because of the issue, PlanetF1.com have claimed Horner has provided assurance that Red Bull are 'hitting their targets' over their car developments.

Toto Wolff has made his mind up that Andrea Kimi Antonelli will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025, according to F1 TV presenter Will Buxton.

Buxton claims that Wolff does not want to repeat the mistake he made with Max Verstappen, failing to sign the Dutchman after holds talks with him as a 17-year-old at Toro Rosso. “Antonelli is going to Mercedes, I think for me Toto has made his mind up, he wants Antonelli in the seat,” Buxton declared on The Red Flags Podcast.

“Because he’s pi***d, he is pi***d that he missed the opportunity to give Max the opportunity back in 2014. So you put Antonelli in the seat.”

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner is planning to return to F1 as an owner.

Speaking to Japanese publication Autosport-web, Steiner said: “I’ve spent so many years in F1 that I want to do more than just participate and score points every once in a while. I want to really compete and try to win,” he said.

“I’m not going to come back just to run a team if I don’t have that opportunity.”

Red Bull chief designer Adrian Newey is reportedly being targeted by Aston Martin.

On the On Track GP podcast, F1 pundit Richard Bradley said he had been informed that Newey had received an ‘enticing’ offer from the team.

Newey's future has been the subject of speculation after reportedly falling out with Christian Horner.

Valterri Bottas was handed a special gift as he arrived at Shanghai Airport this week.

The 34-year-old happily posed with his new mousepad, complete with a cartoon image of a man with big buttocks and the caption 'BOTTASS', seemingly a play on his name.

RB sporting director Alan Permane has said the new upgrades the team will bring to the Chinese Grand Prix have not been requested by Daniel Ricciardo.

“The reason I say it’s ever so unlikely (it will benefit Ricciardo) is because it really is. It’s not a performance differentiator,” he said.

“It’s a happy accident that we have one coming, and it doesn’t make sense to give it to Yuki [Tsunoda]. It makes sense to give it to Daniel, but we’re not bringing a new chassis because of his issues. Let me be clear about that."

Le Mans driver and F1 pundit thinkg Daniel Ricciardo will lose his seat at RB seat after the Miami Grand Prix.

Speaking on the On Track GP Podcast, he outlined how the 34-year-old Australian has been 'amateur' and failed to score a point this season. He's tipped him to be removed after the race in America on May 5.

Christian Horner says he expects Ferrari to be the main thrreat to Red Bull at the Chinese Grand Prix.

In an apparent snub to the hopes of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, Horner told reporters: "Yeah, I think that Ferrari definitely at that circuit (Melbourne) were competitive, and we saw on Friday that their race pace was competitive – and we expect them to be our closest competitor in China."

Welcome back to the all the latest breaking F1 news as excitement builds for the Chinese Grand Prix!