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CM: Kyalami was definitely a target for F1 and actually got pretty close in recent years, but I was told the financial commitments from the race organizers just weren’t there to make it a reality. F1 is looking for a solid platform in Africa, and a confirmed home for a race for multiple seasons rather than one that doesn’t have the stability long-term.

Kyalami is a great track and is being upgraded, but the commercial side around it that didn’t come together. That doesn’t mean it can’t in future, but perhaps it will take another race being a success elsewhere first to really get that side of it in place.

From the latest I’ve heard in the paddock the Rwanda track is being designed by Alex Wurz’s company – much like the one in Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia – and would actually be a permanent venue a little outside of Kigali near where a major new international airport is being built.

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Originally posted by xd45man:
^I think Lawson will do ok. I'd like to see Bottas in that car, but I get the philosophy of selecting youth.

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Originally posted by DanH:
Yeah, Bottas is not going to end up in a Red Bull. Unlike when they hired Perez, they're overflowing with young drivers that either need a promotion to F1 or released.

I'd like to see Bottas teamed up with Colton Herta at Cadillac F1 in 2026, or at Mercedes if Kimi Antonelli crashes and burns like Monza FP1.

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Lawson promoted to replace Perez at Red Bull
Red Bull announces that RB youngster Liam Lawson will graduate to main squad in 2025

Just a day after the Milton Keynes-based squad revealed that a deal had been reached to part ways with Sergio Perez, it confirmed that it had elected to promote RB youngster Lawson.

The New Zealander arrives at Red Bull without a full season in F1 under his belt, having only partaken in two short stints for AlphaTauri/RB over the past two campaigns.

In 2023, he was drafted in as temporary replacement for the injured Daniel Ricciardo, who broke his wrist in a crash at the Dutch Grand Prix. Lawson took part in five races, with a best finish of ninth in Singapore.

This year he joined RB from the United States Grand Prix after the team split with Ricciardo, who had not delivered all that had been hoped for over the course of the season.

Lawson scored points from the off with ninth place in Austin, and finished in that position again in the Brazilian GP.

While the New Zealander was outqualified 7-2 by team-mate Yuki Tsunoda (6-0 without sprints), and scored fewer points during their time together, Red Bull felt that he offered more potential because of his technical feedback and mental attitude.

In particular, having robustly defended himself against Fernando Alonso at the United States Grand Prix, and got his elbows out against Perez at times, Lawson has convinced the team that he has the exact mindset needed to go up against someone as tough as Verstappen.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: “Liam’s performances over the course of his two stints with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he’s not only capable of delivering strong results, but that he’s also a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top.

“His arrival continues the team’s long history of promoting from within the Red Bull junior programme and he follows in the footsteps of championship- and race-winning drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and of course, Max Verstappen.

“There’s no doubt that racing alongside Max, a four-time champion and undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers ever seen in F1, is a daunting task, but I’m sure Liam can rise to that challenge and deliver some outstanding results for us next year.”

Speaking about securing the Red Bull seat, Lawson said: “To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me, this is something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old.

“It’s been an incredible journey so far. I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at VCARB for their support, the last six races have played a huge part in my preparation for this next step.

“I also want to thank, Christian, Helmut [Marko] and the whole Red Bull family for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I am super excited to work alongside Max and learn from a world champion, I have no doubt I will learn from his expertise. I can’t wait to get going!”

RB has not yet announced who will replace Lawson, but it is expected to be junior driver Isack Hadjar, who fought for the F2 championship this year.

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Bottas rejoins Mercedes in reserve role

Valtteri Bottas has returned to former team Mercedes as a reserve driver, following his departure from Stake Sauber.

The future Audi team opted for a new driver line-up of Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025 and ’26 as it evolves into a full works constructor, leaving Bottas without a race seat for next season. Having won 10 races for Mercedes between 2017 and 2021, the Finn will now be a reserve to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

“I’m happy to finally answer the question I’ve posed over the past month,” Bottas said, referencing his “What Next?” campaign. “Returning home to the Mercedes family as third driver for 2025 is what’s next and I couldn’t be more pleased. I want to thank Toto [Wolff], the team at Brackley, and everyone at the three-pointed star for welcoming me back with open arms.

“Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know that I’ve still got so much more to contribute to F1. Since I was a five-year-old kid growing up in Nastola, Finland, my focus has been on achieving success in the top tier of motorsport. I’ve been fortunate to have enjoyed many incredible moments in my 12 years of racing in F1 so far.

“As I return to the place where so many of those moments were achieved, I’m looking forward to using all the knowledge I’ve gained to help the team to perform and progress towards our goal of fighting for world championships.

Team principal Wolff says Bottas’ influence on the team’s past successes beyond his own results should not be overlooked, having helped Mercedes win the constructors’ championship in every season together.

“Welcome home, Valtteri!” Bottas said. “It’s great to have you back. His impact and contribution in the five years he was with us previously as our race driver was immense.

“Along with scoring multiple grands prix wins, he played a vital role in five of our championship victories. His technical feedback and input were important in helping us to those successes and pushing the team forward.

“Not only that, but he was also a fantastic colleague and team member. His dry sense of humor and personable nature made him a firm favorite with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth. In his role as reserve driver, all those qualities will be incredibly important in helping us compete for world championships and supporting both George and Kimi on track.”

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Lawson gets Red Bull drive.

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Originally posted by Georgeair:

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Lawson gets Red Bull drive.

Oh, so "due time" is 47 minutes in RB time.
Got it.

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Red Bull felt that he (Lawson) offered more potential because of his technical feedback and mental attitude.

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Yuki’s “mental attitude”

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Hadjar joins Tsunoda at Racing Bulls for F1 2025

The Racing Bulls Formula 1 team has confirmed Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar will partner Yuki Tsunoda in 2025, as the starting grid for the new season is now set.

Hadjar will take up the seat vacated by Liam Lawson, whose own move to the main Red Bull squad as Sergio Perez's replacement was announced on Thursday.

Hadjar was the runner-up in the 2024 F2 season with Campos Racing, ceding the title to Sauber-bound Gabriel Bortoleto in Abu Dhabi. Following a range of F1 running, which includes three grand prix practice sessions and a crucial day aboard the Red Bull RB20 at Abu Dhabi's post-season test, Hadjar has done enough to convince Red Bull chiefs he has what it takes to replace Lawson and partner Tsunoda.

"I'm very excited to step into my new role at VCARB, this is huge for myself, my family and all the people who have believed in me from the beginning," the 20-year-old Frenchman said. "The journey from karting through the ranks in single-seaters, to now being in Formula 1 is the moment l've been working towards my whole life, it is the dream.

"It'll be a huge learning curve, but I'm ready to work hard and do the best I can for the team. I look forward to working with and learning from Yuki. l've always looked up to him, he went through the Red Bull junior programme, like myself, and we've shared a similar path to F1. He's very experienced and will be good to learn from."

Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies said Hadjar had shown "remarkable growth" that warranted his spot on the grid for 2025. "We're excited to have Isack with us next year, bringing a new and fresh dynamic to the team alongside Yuki in 2025.

"His journey to Formula 1 has been nothing short of outstanding, he has shown remarkable growth, with a series of impressive results in the junior single-seater ranks. He has the talent and drive necessary to compete at the highest level, and we have every confidence that he will adapt quickly and make a significant impact.

"I believe Isack and Yuki will make a great team. Yuki brings invaluable experience to the team, he's shown incredible resilience and maturity, which will be crucial for the team as we strive to hit all our aims and objectives in 2025."

The team's CEO Peter Bayer added: "Firstly, we must congratulate Liam for his step up to Red Bull Racing. As a sister team and as an incubator for Formula 1 talent, our strategic objective is to foster and nurture our drivers in preparation for this next step.

"With this move and by bringing Isack into VCARB, it's a testament to our longstanding commitment to develop the best young drivers in motorsport, as well as proof of concept of the Red Bull junior programme. Having a younger driver supports our mission to speak to a younger audience, so we look forward to bringing new and existing fans on the journey with us."

Alongside Bortoleto, Hadjar will be one of five rookies on the 2025 grid, which will also include Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, Haas' Oliver Bearman and Alpine debutant Jack Doohan.