Max Verstappen in possible hot water as Lewis Hamilton wins popularity poll – F1 news round-up
It is time to bring you up to speed with the fresh talking points from a new day in the world of Formula 1.
Max Verstappen could be in a spot of bother after footage emerged allegedly showing him speeding on public roads, while he has suffered a heavy defeat to Lewis Hamilton in F1 pundit Martin Brundle’s popularity poll.
Let us then dive straight into the action…
Max Verstappen caught speeding in an Aston Martin?
A video involving Verstappen seemingly speeding on a section of road, posted by his close personal friend Mark Cox, has caused quite the stir on social media.
Verstappen is seen at the wheel of an Aston Martin Valkyrie getting the power down along a stretch of motorway approaching Monaco.
It remains to be seen whether the French police or FIA will be moved to take action.
Read more:Max Verstappen in hot water following Aston Martin Valkyrie speeding video?
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Lewis Hamilton’s resounding victory in Martin Brundle poll
While Verstappen has seemingly been spending the summer break enjoying the incredible Aston Martin Valkyrie, ex-F1 racer turned pundit Brundle has been out and about chatting with UK fans and thanking them for their support of the sport.
He has taken the opportunity to ask said fans which driver they support, with a whopping 95 per cent saying home hero Hamilton, despite Verstappen now being the dominant force of Formula 1.
“95% have said Lewis, so there you have it. Just a Marty poll but fact,” Brundle posted on social media.
Read more:Martin Brundle poll shows clear Lewis Hamilton dominance over Max Verstappen
David Coulthard ponders Lewis Hamilton-Mercedes contract delay
The goal for Hamilton and Mercedes come F1 2024 is to return to the title picture and resume battle with Verstappen.
For that to happen though, one of the key obstacles to overcome is ensuring Hamilton will be there by this point, with his current deal expiring after F1 2023.
The saga has dragged on for months now, and former Red Bull racer David Coulthard gave some thought to why.
“For me, it is just a case of when they get it done,” Coulthard told theIrish News.
“Perhaps Lewis might be wanting to do fewer days or have fewer commitments?”
Read more:David Coulthard’s theory on Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes contract delay
Lando Norris to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull?
The Red Bull team has made it clear that there will be no changes to their driver line-up for F1 2024, it will be Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
Looking ahead to 2025 though and that situation could change, with Perez’s contract up at the end of next season.
Red Bull driver programme boss Helmut Marko is not prepared to indulge the fans and media with an approach for Hamilton, though he did say he could envisage Norris, currently of McLaren, as a future Verstappen team-mate.
Marko toldMotorsport-Magazin.com: “With Norris, I could well imagine that. It’s harder for me with Hamilton though.”
Read more:Helmut Marko teases new Max Verstappen team-mate for the future
George Russell on the decline at Mercedes?
While Russell made a storming start to life at Mercedes, claiming their only pole and win of the 2022 campaign and outscoring his seven-time World Champion team-mate Hamilton, the tide has turned in F1 2023.
Russell has only got the better of Hamilton three times across 12 rounds contested so far this campaign, with his points tally 49 shy of Hamilton’s.
And Formula 1 analyst Peter Windsor believes these recent struggles for Russell will only further boost Hamilton’s confidence.
“He just doesn’t look like the George that’s been giving Lewis so much trouble certainly at the start of the year and last year,” said Windsor in aYouTube video.
“Lewis must be feeling more confident now as a result of that.”
Read more:‘George Russell doesn’t look like the George that’s been giving Lewis Hamilton so much trouble’
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