Thursday was a busy day behind the scenes in Formula 1 ahead of the British Grand Prix. The day featured Max Verstappen at the center of rumors, Gabriel Bortoleto cementing his future with Audi, and technical updates for Aston Martin.
Verstappen returned to comment on the speculation about a possible deal with McLaren. The Red Bull driver avoided fueling the rumors and said that any news would be communicated by him, not by third parties. Lando Norris also spoke on the matter, stating that many drivers would like to race for McLaren, but downplayed the possibility as something “not serious” at this time.
The driver market also gained momentum as the summer break approaches. The Hungarian Grand Prix appears as a key milestone for potential decisions involving Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and Esteban Ocon. In the Dutchman’s case, Red Bull’s performance in the upcoming races could influence the decision on a possible exit clause.
Bortoleto, on the other hand, sought to settle doubts about his future. The Brazilian confirmed that he has a long-term contract with Audi and said he fully believes in the team’s project. He also highlighted that he expects to build a successful path alongside the German outfit in the coming years.
Outside the market, Honda confirmed that it intends to debut a major update to the power unit of Aston Martin at the Dutch Grand Prix. The team will also receive chassis updates at the Hungarian Grand Prix. At Silverstone, F1 will also have a special attraction: the 22 drivers will take part in the official parade in LEGO-brick mini-airships built with LEGO pieces before Sunday’s race.
