The F1 75 event press conference
We are now just weeks away until the lights go out in Albert Park, Australia. One thing is true, this season is going to be a special one as it is the 75th anniversary of our very beloved sport.
Article written by: Zsombor Torma
The event was preceded by a press conference where all drivers, except Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc (they didn’t attend), were asked about the most interesting and crucial news ahead of the season.
Photo via F1
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber
When a new rookie arrives to Formula 1 it is always a big question mark how the driver will compete. The same applies to Gabriel Bortoleto as he becomes the first Brazilian F1 pilot since Felipe Massa.
He admits the expectations around him are already building: "It's going to be a lot of expectations from fans from Brazil and hopefully I'll see them in a lot of races supporting me and the team, and I'm excited for that/ I'm glad I can represent my country in the biggest motorsport series in the world." (via skysports)
Beside the F2 reigning champion, the experienced Nico Hulkenberg has also shared his first impressions about his new team ahead of the new season.
"The atmosphere is pretty positive, pretty upbeat, keen and eager, ready to go. Obviously the team had a challenging season last year but they are very motivated to turn things around and write a different story this year." (via skysports)
BWT Alpine Formula One Team
Alpine had its very own drama during the winter break as they signed Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver which brought up some questions as far as their new driver line-up is concerned. But how exactly will this news influence the rookie season of Jack Doohan? Few weeks ago several reports claimed that Doohan might have a short-term contract thus due to poor performance he might even get replaced mid-season to Colapinto.
Of course, he was asked whether he feels added pressure and what he has been told by the team about the role of Franco colapinto, Doohan stated: "No. I've been told he's a reserve driver. (via skysports)
"You're always going to have pressure on your shoulders because you're in such a cut-throat sport. Whatever pressure there may be, I look forward to enjoying that, embracing it and just enjoying my season." (via skysports)
As for Pierre Gasly, he thinks Alpine should be focusing on the 2026 car as much as they want to bring everything out of the new regulations.
Photo by: Getty Images
He said: "If it was down to me all of the budget would go in 2026. I'm not in control of the budget, maybe that's good or bad, I don't know." (via skysports)
"But I don't care about being eighth, ninth, or 10th. I want to win, I want to finish on the podium. I know it's not going to be easy to make it up this year but I know in 2026 we're starting with the same weapons as any other team, and it's up to us to deliver the best car possible." (via skysports)
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team
A new line-up applies to Haas as well since Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon were announced to be the new drivers of the Kannapolis based F1 team. Bearman, admitting that he cannot wait to get on track and start to deliver, has already marked his goals ahead of the special season.
"My main goals for the season are to learn as much as I can build up from race to race, have a lot of discipline and work hard. I think the most important thing, which is easily overlooked, is that I really want to enjoy it. Living my dream here!" (via skysports)
"I'm very lucky to be here. You only get one rookie season, you only get one debut, so I'm hoping to really enjoy it and I think that's a good mindset to have and maximize performance from a personal standpoint." (via skysports)
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team
The department of Lewis Hamilton has stirred up the pot at Mercedes but with the already proven George Russel and the young star Kimi Antonelli, they think they found the strongest duo on the grid.
Antonelli is often referred as "Hamilton's replacement" but he squashed this belief by saying: "I don't find it right to say that I'm his replacement," (via racingnews365)
"He has done so much in the sport, and I just feel like the next Mercedes driver and I really want to make my own story." (via racingnews365)
As for Russel, he's confident about this year and the work on the W16:
"I'm much more confident that this year we won't fall into the trap like in previous years." (via Auto.Racer)
"I think there will be a significant change this year…" (via Auto.Racer)
Photo by: PHortonF1
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team
Photo from: Skysports
One of the biggest twists of last year's driver's market was Red Bull choosing Liam Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda. The news must have been extremely difficult for the Japanese pilot as he is about to start his 5th season in Formula 1.
In the press conference, he revealed how he experienced the situation: "The moment it was announced, I didn't actually feel that super angry or disappointed." (via skysports)
"Maybe I was prepared inside my head at some point. In the end, whether I am at Red Bull, Racing Bulls, the things I have to do is the same. In both ways, they are cool projects." (via skysports)
Williams Racing
Williams might be in a bit of a strange situation as they think this season will be for them a transition year to get ready for better results in '26.
Carlos Sainz commented on this situation : "We have talked about it's a bit of a transition year, a bit of a preparation year, to get ready for the opportunities that '26 might bring." (via skysports)
"It's going to be a challenge to even get into top 10 positions with the competition there was last year in this part of the field, so I'm ready for those fights and then see what comes." ." (via skysports)
Oracle Red Bull Racing
It's always a big question how a new young driver is going to stand up to Max Verstappen. This time it's a young New Zealander, Liam Lawson, who will give it a go.
"It will be a very, very tough start to the season. I've only finished seasons before, but I've never raced a full season. So I think the beginning of the year is going to be the hardest, but also the most exciting because I get to experience new tracks." (via F1VILÁG)
McLaren Formula 1 Team
Racing as the reigning champion is always a challenge, and McLaren will have to do the same if they want to win the Constructors' title again. It is not just the Constructors' title they are after this year, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri also having world championship ambitions.
Norris expressed his thoughts about his chances: "We've got nothing to hide behind anymore". I'm not just going to be fighting Max, I'm also going to be fighting this guy on my left." (via wearetherace)
Oscar Piastri: "I do think that I can become world champion this year. I'm confident and I think we've still got some things to work on." (via sportbible)
Photo by: McLaren F1 Zone
Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team
Aston Martin hopes that they have been able to correct their mistakes and take a step forward.
Lance Stroll opinion about AMR 25: "AMR25 is an evolution of last year's car and we're hoping we can make a step forward.
"There was a lot of experimenting throughout the course of last year, and I think we learnt a lot about why some of our upgrades didn't bring us what we wanted. Everything that's gone into the development of this year's car is really taken from all the lessons we learnt from last year. We're all excited to see how the new car feels." (via astonmartinf1)