#TermiOnTrack #F1 Newsbites – December Edition.
Sergio Perez, #11, Oracle Red Bull Racing, Honda-RBPT, RB20, Free Practice 2, Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2024, Albert Park Street Circuit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Image taken by myself. Verstappen Australian GP Pole, 2024 Australian GP Qualifying Results, 2024 F1 Australian GP Qualifying Results. TermiOnTrack F1 Newsbites June Edition, Perez Red Bull extension, Sordo Sauber F1 Team, Battiston Sauber Audi F1. TermiOnTrack F1 Newsbites December, Formula 1 News December, Perez leaves Red Bull, Lawson Red Bull 2025, Hadjar RB F1 2025
TermiOnTrack F1 Newsbites December – Hi fellow F1 fanatics, we’re back for the December Edition of TermiOnTrack F1 Newsbites! Let’s take a look at the big news from the world of Formula 1 that hit in the final month of 2024.
TermiOnTrack F1 Newsbites December – Perez parts ways with Red Bull
Perez leaves Red Bull – We start with the big one on Wednesday December 18 which saw Sergio Perez and Oracle Red Bull Racing part ways with immediate effect after four successful seasons together.
Earlier this year, the Mexican signed a contract extension with the Milton Keynes based-outfit until the end of 2026 – on the back of his strongest campaign in 2023 finishing second in the World Driver’s Championship standings behind world champion team-mate Max Verstappen.
However, his form dipped massively after signing that deal, and Perez scored just nine points in the final eight rounds of the 2024 season.
The Mexican wounded up eighth in the World Driver’s Championship standings, with Red Bull failing to defend their World Constructor’s Championship and finished third behind winners McLaren and runners-up Ferrari.
Throughout the campaign, Perez was confident that he would remain with the Milton Keynes squad next year, but following discussions with Red Bull Racing, they opted to split after four years spent together.
The Mexican’s career at Red Bull saw him score five victories, including Monaco and two in Azerbaijan, which earned Perez the title “King of the Streets”.
Perez also helped the team achieve two World Constructor’s Championship titles in 2022 and 23.
Perez explained: “I’m incredibly grateful for the past four years with Oracle Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing Team. Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience, and I’ll always cherish the successes we achieved together. We broke records, reached remarkable milestones, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people along the way. A big thank you to every person in the Team from the management, engineers and mechanics, catering, hospitality, kitchen, marketing and communications, as well as everyone at Milton Keynes, I wish you all the best for the future. It has also been an honour to race alongside Max as a teammate all these years and to share in our success. A special thank you to the fans around the world, and especially to the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We’ll meet again soon. And remember…Never give up.” The Mexican concluded. Credit to Red Bull for the quote.
Oracle Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal Christian Horner added: “I would like to thank Checo for all he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the past four seasons. From the moment he joined in 2021 he proved himself to be an extraordinary Team player, helping us to two Constructors’ titles and to our first 1-2 finish in the Drivers’ championship. His five wins, all on street circuits, were also a spectacular mark of his determination to always push to the limit. While Checo will not race for the Team next season, he will always be an extremely popular Team member and a treasured part of our history. Thank you, Checo.” Horner concluded. Credit to Red Bull for the quote.
Lawson promoted to Red Bull drive alongside Verstappen
Lawson Red Bull 2025 – A day later following the announcement that Perez was parting ways with Red Bull, the team announced that Liam Lawson will partner four-time world champion Max Verstappen for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season.
When Red Bull decided to make a change with Perez, the brought the shortlist down to either promoting Lawson or RB team-mate Yuki Tsunoda.
New Zealand’s Lawson joined the Red Bull Junior Programme in 2019 and after multiple junior formulae successes he made his Formula 1 debut at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix with Scuderia AlphaTauri in-place of the injured Daniel Ricciardo.
The Kiwi scored his first championship points in his second appearance at the Singapore Grand Prix and completed five races in all for the Faenza based-outfit.
After taking on his reserve roles for both Red Bull teams for the start of the 2024 campaign, Lawson returned to F1 racing with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls with a points-scoring finish at the United States GP.
Now after seeing out the season with VCARB, the 22-year-old Kiwi takes the next step of his career racing for the senior team in Oracle Red Bull Racing.
Lawson explained: “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 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!” Lawson concluded. Credit to Red Bull for the quote.
Oracle Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal Christian Horner commented: “I’m delighted to announce that Liam Lawson will join the Team in 2025. 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.” Horner concluded. Credit to Red Bull for the quote.
Hadjar signs for RB as he takes final seat on 2025 F1 grid
Hadjar RB F1 2025 – On Friday December 20, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls announced that Isack Hadjar will partner Yuki Tsunoda for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season.
The 20-year-old Frenchman has been driving for Campos Racing in the FIA Formula 2 World Championship where he quickly established himself as one of the most promising drivers.
Hadjar impressed in his second season in F2 finishing runner-up to Sauber-bound Gabriel Bortoleto.
Hadjar’s trajectory has continued on the upward curve of recent campaigns, with victories coming at classic Grand Prix circuits such as the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari (Imola), Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone Circuit.
Hadjar will be following the footsteps of Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo as the Frenchman becomes the 19th driver to be promoted to Formula One from the Red Bull Junior Program, which was established back in 2001.
Hadjar explained: “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 journey from karting through the ranks in single-seaters, to now being in Formula One is the moment I’ve been working towards my whole life, it is the dream. I feel like I’m stepping into a whole new universe, driving a much faster car and racing with the best drivers in the world. 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, I’ve always looked up to him, he went through the Red Bull Junior Program, like myself, and we’ve shared a similar path to F1. He’s very experienced and will be good to learn from.” Hadjar concluded. Credit to Racing Bulls for the quote.
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Team Principal Laurent Mekies added: “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 One 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.” Mekies concluded. Credit to Racing Bulls for the quote.
Bottas re-joins Mercedes as reserve driver
On Thursday December 19, Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team announced that Valtteri Bottas will return to the outfit as reserve driver for 2025 campaign after the Finn split with Sauber following the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Bottas drove for the Silver Arrows for five seasons alongside Sir Lewis Hamilton from 2017-21, scoring all ten of his victories with Mercedes, along with all his 2020 pole positions in the sport.
The Finn then would join Sauber, under the Alfa Romeo name at the time, for the 2022 campaign after Mercedes opted to promote George Russell in his spot, Bottas endured mixed fortunes with the Hinwil based-squad ranging from a solid 10th in 2022 to failing to score any points this year.
When Sauber decided not to re-sign the Finn for 2025 – instead opting for a new driver line-up pairing of Nico Hulkenberg and Brazilian youngster Gabriel Bortoleto – Bottas began reserve driver talks with Mercedes about a reserve role in a bid to remain in the sport as he looks for a racing seat in 2026.
The Finn’s reserve role will involve him attending most, if not all Grands Prix and support regulars George Russell and Italian debutant Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Bottas explained: “I’m happy to finally answer the question I’ve posed over the past month. 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, 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.” Bottas concluded. Credit to Mercedes for the quote.
Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team Principal Toto Wolff commented: “Valtteri’s impact and contribution in the five years he was 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 success and pushing the team forward. Not only that, but he was also a fantastic colleague and team member. His dry sense of humour and personable nature made him a firm favourite 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. Welcome home, Valtteri! It’s great to have you back.” Wolff concluded. Credit to Mercedes for the quote.
Ferrari agree to supply General Motors with engines and gearboxes from 2026
TermiOnTrack F1 Newsbites December – On Wednesday December 11, Ferrari announced they have entered an agreement with General Motors/Cadillac F1 project to supply the team with power-trains and gearboxes starting in 2026, the year in which the manufacturer could potentially join the Formula 1 grid.
It was confirmed back in November that Formula 1 reached an agreement in principle to support bringing in General Motors/Cadillac F1 as the 11th team to the field in 2026, whilst news followed in early December that former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon was appointed Team Principal.
Now Ferrari have confirmed a technical partnership agreement with General Motors/Cadillac F1, subject to the team receiving confirmation from the FIA and Formula 1 that their entry into the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship as the 11th outfit has been approved and given the green light to proceed.
Scuderia Ferrari HP Team Principal Frederic Vasseur explained: “It’s great to see the commitment of another American team, backed by one of the most highly respected marques in the motor industry, at a time when Formula 1 is increasing in popularity in the United States. We are delighted therefore that we will be supplying the team with our power unit and gearbox as the basis of this technical collaboration. It means we will continue to have two “customer teams” in the championship with all the benefits this brings in terms of technical development within Ferrari.” Vasseur concluded. Credit to Ferrari for the quote.
Cadillac Formula 1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon added: “We are thrilled to partner with Ferrari as the power unit and gearbox supplier for our Cadillac team, bringing together two remarkable legacies. Choosing the right power unit partner is crucial, and we trust in Ferrari’s passion, excellence and the exceptional capabilities of their people.” Lowdon concluded. Credit to Ferrari for the quote.
New Ferrari 2025 F1 challenger to be unveiled on February 19
On Thursday December 19, it was announced that Ferrari will unveil their new 2025 Formula 1 challenger on Wednesday February 19, a day after the sport’s inaugural launch at London’s O2 to mark it’s 75th-year anniversary.
Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur revealed the date during the Italian-marque’s annual Christmas media event, this year held at the team’s Fiorano test circuit.
Vasseur also confirmed the team will run the 2025 contender on February 19 but did not give any details on who will drive the car, or any information on what the launch could look like.
Following their launch event in Maranello, the team will fly to Bahrain for three days of pre-season testing, which begins on February 26 at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Charles Leclerc and his new team-mate Sir Lewis Hamilton will get one-and-a-half days testing between them in Sakhir before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on the streets of Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton will join Ferrari at the start of next year – though the Maranello outfit are keeping the Briton’s induction and start date under wraps.
Vasseur did confirm that Hamilton will have some running in Ferrari machinery before Bahrain to allow the seven-time world champion to get used to his new surroundings.
