Sainz: Give me time to decide
We’ll stay with Ferrari, but come back to the driver market. Carlos Sainz still hasn’t signed a contract for 2025 and says he wants to take his time to make “the right decision” in the end.
“That’s why it’s taking a little longer and that’s why I want to see all the options before I make a fundamental decision,” emphasizes Sainz, who supposedly has an offer from Audi.
By the way, he says about the Ingolstadt team: “I think that Nico’s move [Hülkenberg] to Audi makes perfect sense for the company and for Nico. I think he’s a great driver.”
Hülkenberg is “a great commitment” for Audi – and maybe his teammate again next year? The Spaniard doesn’t let his hand be seen…
Leclerc: Newey can “make the difference”
Of course, the Monegasque was also asked about the “topic of the day” in his media round. “I would of course be very happy,” he says with regard to a possible collaboration with Adrian Newey.
“I think Adrian is one of the guys in the paddock that you hope to work with one day in your career,” said Leclerc, who stressed that Ferrari already has “an incredible team.”
“However, it would be great to include Adrian in a team like this,” he emphasizes and confidently explains: “I think we are [bei Ferrari] in a good position to attract the best people in the world.”
And Newey is someone who can “make the difference” in Formula 1. He was therefore “surprised” that he was leaving Red Bull. “I didn’t expect it,” admits Leclerc.
Let’s wait and see whether his path will actually lead him to Maranello.
Spectacular changes that never happened
By the way, Ocon also had an offer from McLaren at the time. That’s when I immediately think of this series of photos that Ocon didn’t make it into. But there are some other really big fish in Formula 1 history!
Photo series: Spectacular Formula 1 changes that never happened…
Ocon: Avoid a scenario like 2018
And again the Frenchman, who also spoke about his own future and stated that he would like to clarify it “as early as possible”. Because his contract also expires at the end of the year.
He recalls: “We had bad experiences with it – and not for performance reasons. Back then it was about misunderstandings and political reasons. And that was the disappointing factor at the end of 2018.”
As a reminder: Ocon had to make room for Lance Stroll at Racing Point for the 2019 season. A move to Renault actually seemed already certain, but it fell through under dramatic circumstances for Ocon.
“We have had all these experiences and are of course much better prepared now,” said Ocon, who hopes that he will not be left empty-handed again in 2025. In 2019 he finally had to bridge the gap as a Mercedes replacement driver.
Ocon: I’m against Sprint in Miami
The new sprint format was already an issue in the PK. And Esteban Ocon also commented on this in his media round and explained (unlike the majority of drivers in the PK) that the new format was generally “positive”.
However, he makes it clear that although the new rules are better, he is generally not a sprint fan. His explanation: “Sprint weekends are good on quiet weekends. So Shanghai, Baku – the races where there is less going on off the track.”
“But at races like this, where there’s a lot going on, it’s difficult for the communications team and the marketing team,” he reports, explaining that the packed weekend means things like marketing and the like suffer.
“We have to do most of them [Aktivitäten abseits der Strecke] decline,” said Ocon, who is therefore “not the biggest fan” of having a sprint in Miami. He would prefer a normal weekend (at least here).
Zhou: Didn’t expect Hülkenberg so early
The Hülkenberg change naturally has a direct impact on the Chinese, because it is clear that at least one of the two current Sauber drivers will lose his cockpit in the coming year.
“It was earlier than I expected,” he says about the Hülkenberg signing, but also emphasizes: “It doesn’t really change my approach.” He just wants to concentrate on his current job.
However, he also admits: “Of course we are looking at different options to find out which is the best.” Because the Hülkenberg move obviously didn’t increase his chances of staying at Sauber.
You can find out which drivers have already been confirmed for 2025 in this photo series:
Photo series: The Formula 1 drivers in 2025
Williams finally has a replacement chassis
Alexander Albon revealed this in his media round today. “It’s coming. It’s not here yet, but it will be here,” said Albon, who emphasized, “To be honest, it doesn’t change anything.”
“We drive [das Auto] “It’s still the same, but it’s nice to know that there’s a little safety net just in case,” he admits, emphasizing that Williams is slowly getting into a more comfortable situation overall when it comes to spare parts.
“We hope we can now focus more on the upgrades and general development of the car,” said Albon. Because Williams is also one of the teams that currently does not have a World Cup point to their name.
Alonso: Miami not good “on paper” but…
With regard to the balance of power at the weekend, the Spaniard explains: “We had hopes on some routes that were not fulfilled, and vice versa: on some routes from which we did not expect much, we drove very well.”
“On paper, Miami shouldn’t be our best track when you look at the car for 2024,” said Alonso. But perhaps Aston Martin will do better here than you would actually expect.
Alonso reveals: “There are a number of ideas to improve the car, especially on Sundays, that we want to implement.” However, it is difficult because there is only one training session again due to the sprint format.
This is also why he believes Miami could be “difficult.”
Ricciardo on Stroll: “It doesn’t lead to anything anyway!”
Even almost two weeks after the events in China, the situation between Daniel Ricciardo and Lance Stroll has not improved. They haven’t spoken to each other since the collision – and Ricciardo isn’t necessarily willing to change that.
“I have the feeling that it won’t lead to anything anyway,” he waves. “If he says it was his mistake, then I can accept an apology because I’m not that kind of asshole,” says Ricciardo.
“But even that doesn’t come. He really doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong, so there’s not much to say,” shrugs the Australian.
You can read his complete statements here!
Ocon: China update still far too little
Speaking of Alpine: Gasly had to do without the latest update in China, but his teammate Esteban Ocon already had it on the car – and with P11 he also achieved the best result of the season so far for the French.
“It was a small step in the right direction, but we know it’s not enough,” emphasizes Ocon, who admits that he would never have gotten so close to the points without some incidents in the race in China.
“We’re still missing a decent amount of power in qualifying. And that’s still the point that we have to work on and that we have to focus on in terms of the overall performance of the car,” said Ocon.
At least you can now fight a little better with other cars. “But we have to take further steps forward in the future,” he clarifies. Alpine is still without a championship point after the first five races of the season.
Gasly: Hülkenberg to Audi doesn’t change anything
The Frenchman has not yet signed a contract for 2025. Due to Nico Hülkenberg’s move to Audi, another cockpit has now been lost. However, according to Gasly, this plays no role for his own future.
“Nothing is changing,” he emphasizes and explains: “Everything is fine on my side. I think you are aware of the situation on the driver market. At the moment I have nothing to announce.”
When asked if he would prefer to stay at Alpine, he replies: “I won’t go into it too much. I’ll say more when there’s something to announce.” He currently doesn’t want to make any comment.
Realistically speaking, he probably doesn’t have that many other options apart from Alpine…
Alonso: Always wanted to work with Newey
In addition to Ferrari, Aston Martin is also said to be interested in Adrian Newey. Fernando Alonso revealed in his media round today: “I always wanted to work with him, once in my life.”
“I respect him a lot,” emphasizes the Spaniard, adding that Newey is “a legend of the sport.” Similar to Lewis Hamilton, Alonso has never worked with him so far, but has only ever raced against his cars.
At the same time, he also makes it clear: “We are very happy with our technical department. Of course Adrian is one of the best or the best out there. But he has to fit into a team, and it’s more of a decision for Lawrence [Stroll].”
And ultimately, of course, from Newey himself, reminds Alonso.
Quitting time!
That’s it for today’s PK, which was actually pretty entertaining for long stretches. This can certainly be mentioned as a positive thing, because press conferences in Formula 1 are often rather tough affairs…
The PK is over, but things are just getting started for us! We’ll be there for you for a few more hours to provide you with lots more voices and information directly from the paddock in Miami.
Hamilton: I can’t tell you…
The record world champion is now asked whether the name Adrian Newey was part of his negotiations with Ferrari? “I can’t reveal that,” Hamilton replies again with a grin.
He had previously stated in the PK that he could not talk about what had been said in private conversations. Exciting …
Could Mercedes use Newey?
Many questions continue to revolve around Adrian Newey. Among other things, Hamilton is asked whether Mercedes might try to sign him now to solve the current problems?
“I have no idea if they are trying or who is trying,” shrugs Hamilton. The chances of him going to Mercedes are actually considered to be very low.
Perez does not fear any further departures
It’s about the Newey departure again, and Perez is asked whether there could be further departures from Red Bull? The Mexican answers diplomatically and explains that he doesn’t think so.
Everyone in the team is motivated, the future looks good and departures like Newey’s are completely “normal,” said Perez. Is that his real opinion or is he just repeating what the team told him…?