Does Ricciardo Have a Secret Clause in Contract?

🌎 Around Formula 1

🇪🇸 Madrid Grand Prix Coming Soon? - Madrid is on the brink of sealing a deal to host a Grand Prix in 2026. The proposed track, a cool 5-km circuit, will weave through the IFEMA convention center and past Real Madrid's training grounds. It's all about private funding, with Fernando Alonso's ex-manager, Luis Garcia Abad, playing a key role. If it all goes to plan, Spain could be hosting two F1 races in 2026, with Barcelona still in the mix. The buzz around F1 in Spain is real, thanks to Alonso's comeback and Sainz's Ferrari stint, making Madrid a hot spot. Read more

✋ FIA Puts Brakes on 2026 F1 Cars - In a bold move to ensure fairness in Formula 1, the FIA has frozen 2026 car development for the whole of next year. Teams can't use wind tunnels or CFD simulations for 2026 car models, keeping the competition tight. Other changes include quicker restarts and pitlane adjustments, upping the race dynamics and maintaining technical compliance. Read more

🤨 Toto and Susie Wolff Cleared by FIA - The FIA has concluded its inquiry into Toto Wolff and his wife Susie Wolff, F1 Academy director, dismissing concerns of a conflict of interest. The inquiry was sparked by a magazine's claims, but the FIA found F1's protective measures sufficient. Mercedes and F1 haven't commented, but the situation has raised questions about FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's judgment and the strained relations between F1 and the FIA. Read more

🛞 Drivers

💰 Drivers’ Crash Cost Totals - Above is an estimated cost of the damages each driver has cost their team. Logan Sargeant might not have finished 1st in a race but he landed on top of this list, unfortunately. On the other hand, imagine having the best driver and he costs you the least out of everyone on the grid. Having Max is a cheat code.

🤫 Danny’s Secret Contract Clause - According to Joe Saward (British F1 Journalist), reliable sources have indicated that there is a clause in Ricciardo's contract that allows him to join Red Bull if Perez fails to improve his performance after the initial races next year. In such a scenario, Ricciardo's salary would triple, and Liam Lawson would be brought in as his replacement at Aston Martin. See Tweet

🏎 Teams

🎯 Ferrari's Near-Miss - Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari's boss, reflects on his first season with mixed feelings. Despite a strong finish with seven podiums in 11 races, Ferrari missed out on second place in the constructors' standings by just three points. Vasseur acknowledges early high expectations and reliability issues but is optimistic about the team's progress and future potential. Read more

🗻 Mercedes' Steep Climb to Match Red Bull - Toto acknowledges the immense challenge his team faces in catching up with Red Bull in 2024. Despite Mercedes securing second place this season, Wolff likens their task to climbing Mount Everest, emphasizing the need for significant improvements. He respects Red Bull's engineering prowess and driver skill, noting that regulation changes may be necessary for a real competitive shift. Wolff is inspired by other teams' progress and is determined to find a breakthrough in performance. Read more

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