Christian Horner had some time in the media spotlight this week when discussing the decision to drop Perez from the main RB roster spot, and the reasons behind the decision to promote the less experienced Liam Lawson over Yuki.

Now there were a few main talking points Horner said, maybe on purpose or not, that make us believe this might not be the end of the discussion on Yuki and Lawson for the top seat alongside Max.

“Any contract has performance clauses and criteria within it but it didn't make any difference to this decision of Checo to step away and take a sabbatical." (Sky Sports F1)

This could not only be in reference to Checo but also that if incoming Lawson does not perform at the level Red Bull expects, there likely is a clause in the contract to make a change, performance dependent.

Horner also referred to Yuki as a bridesmaid and that eventually you have to make a descision a dmove on if the partnership is not going to progress further. This goes for both Red Bull and Yuki when deciding if it is worth being a life long Formula '“b” driver or making the move to a new team.

Max Verstappen has reiterated his intention to honour his contract with Red Bull Racing until its conclusion in 2028. Despite a tumultuous start to the season and rumours of potential moves, Verstappen remains steadfast in his loyalty to the team that has brought him unprecedented success.

"I'm very happy with where I am. We've won another championship," Verstappen stated, emphasizing his contentment with Red Bull. He added, "Everyone is also working flat out to always give me the best material. In that respect, I have nothing to complain about."

The Dutch driver's commitment comes in the wake of significant changes within the Red Bull organization, including the departures of key figures like Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley. However, Verstappen's faith in the team appears unshaken.

Interestingly, Verstappen confirmed that he had discussions with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. "We had very constructive conversations, I think everyone has always been very honest and open with each other," he revealed. However, he emphasized his loyalty to Red Bull, stating, "I am also very loyal to my own team, and I just feel at home there."

Looking beyond his current F1 contract, Verstappen expressed interest in other racing pursuits, including the Le Mans 24 Hours and potentially running his own GT3 team.

He's keeping his options open for partnerships after F1, mentioning, "A lot of teams [could help with that]; Mercedes, Ferrari, Aston Martin, it doesn't even have to do with Formula 1 itself."

As Verstappen continues to dominate the F1 circuit, his long-term vision extends far beyond the confines of Formula 1. For now, though, Red Bull remains his home, and his focus is squarely on adding to his already impressive legacy in the sport.

Alex Albon defended his Williams teammate Franco Colapinto, emphasizing that the young Argentine driver's season should not be judged solely by his challenging final races.

Albon believes Colapinto's performance was heavily influenced by the car's deteriorating competitiveness towards the end of the season. The Williams FW46 became increasingly difficult to drive, making consistent performance challenging for both drivers. Colapinto's early performances, particularly in Baku and Singapore, demonstrated his potential and skill.

Colapinto's Formula 1 debut came at a time when Williams was relatively competitive, around September. The team had recently reduced chassis weight and introduced a major update package at the Dutch Grand Prix. This timing allowed Colapinto to showcase his abilities effectively.

"He's a fantastic driver. I feel like he's proved his worth in Formula 1," Albon stated. He even admitted that he initially underestimated Colapinto's speed and expressed confidence that the young driver will have a future in Formula 1. The team principal and Albon clearly view Colapinto as a promising talent, despite the mixed results in his debut season.

Not much to say here… Was anyone really surprised or caught off guard?

While a lot of people were holding out at the small chance Yuki would get the seat next to Max, I don’t think anyone would have put much money betting on that outcome.

Lawson gets his seat and now we wait and see how he still stack up against Verstappen. Does he get replaced by Yuki halfway through the season? Does he close the points gap to Max compared to Perez? We have to wait and see.

Born on September 28, 2004, in Paris, France 🇫🇷

Has dual French and Algerian 🇩🇿 nationality but races under the French flag.

Made his single-seater debut in 2019 in the French F4 Championship and came 3rd in 2020.

Joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2021 after an impressive performance in Monaco during the Formula Regional European Championship. Securing a Grand Chelem (pole, victory, and fastest lap).

Competed in Formula 3 in 2022, finishing 4th in the championship.

Moved up to Formula 2 in 2023, finishing 14th in his rookie season.

Finished as runner-up in the 2024 Formula 2 championship, securing four wins (the most of any driver that season).

Hadjar's promotion to Formula 1 makes him the 19th driver to be promoted from Red Bull's junior program.

“Isack, he’s another talent – he jumped in the car, he was faster than Yuki in the test last week, which turned heads,” Horner said.

It was announced that Valtteri Bottas will be returning to Mercedes as a reserve driver for 2025, and we think it makes perfect sense.

Bottas' experience (246 Grand Prix starts) will be valuable in helping Mercedes improve their performance and he will be able to act as a veteran voice in a younger team.

Mercedes has a history of having an older driver in their team, and Bottas will have a wealth of experience, especially for their rookie Kimi Antonelli. We can’t forget that George and Valtteri have had a few heated moments together as well. It would be pretty exciting to see Valtteri back in a competitive car alongside either George or Kimi, and it could really boost his stock to other teams if he gets that chance and performs with it.

Bottas remains optimistic about future racing opportunities, particularly with the potential addition of an 11th F1 team (Cadillac/GM) in 2026.

For Bottas, it keeps him connected to F1's inner circle and provides a platform to showcase his value. For Mercedes, they gain an experienced driver to aid in their development efforts.