Verstappen snubs F1 movie premiere for iRacing, How Monaco demands more from teams, and other big updates

Verstappen snubs F1 movie premiere for iRacing

Max Verstappen skipped the special Monte Carlo screening of Brad Pitt’s new ‘F1’ movie ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, while other drivers and team principals attended. Instead, Verstappen stayed in his apartment streaming on Twitch under the alias “Franz Hermann,” a fake German name he recently used during a secret Ferrari GT3 outing at the Nordschleife. He joked about Franz getting contract offers and was seen competing in iRacing for Team Redline while his rivals watched the movie. The film follows Brad Pitt’s character mentoring a rookie F1 driver, and reactions from other drivers ranged from “pretty good” to “really loved it.”

Click here to read the full article by Michelle Foster (planetf1.com)

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How Monaco demands more from teams

Monaco is one of the toughest Formula 1 tracks, with narrow, barrier-lined streets forcing teams to run special high downforce wing setups that sacrifice efficiency for better cornering. Pirelli brings the softest tires and enforces a unique two-stop pit rule, plus very low tire pressures, which makes strategy and tire management critical. Teams also use Monaco-only parts like modified front suspension and extra steering clearance to handle the tight corners, parts they won’t run at other races. Over the years, Monaco has seen bold, controversial design experiments, like Tyrrell’s X-wings and Arrows’ tall nose wings, that were either banned or removed due to safety or fairness concerns.

Click here to read the full article by Matthew Somerfield (planetf1.com)

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Red Bull might be on track with 2025 upgrades

Red Bull went from having trouble keeping up with McLaren in Miami to dominating at Imola, where Verstappen controlled the race and took good care of his tires. The team rolled out key 2025 upgrades, starting with a new floor in Miami that improved downforce stability and curb handling, followed by a major side pod redesign at Imola that boosted cooling and aerodynamic efficiency. These upgrades transformed the RB21’s performance, allowing Verstappen to win at Imola after a rough start to the season. Red Bull is still developing brake and tire cooling systems to prevent overheating and expects new FIA rules from Spain to challenge McLaren’s aero strengths.

Click here to read the full article by Rosario Giuliana (the-race.com)

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Tsunoda needs a clean weekend

Yuki Tsunoda’s drive from the pitlane to 10th at Imola was impressive, but it only happened because he crashed heavily in qualifying. Since joining Red Bull, he’s scored just four points in five races and continues to make costly mistakes that hurt both his chances and the team. His crash in Imola forced a full rebuild of the car and burned through engine components, putting him at risk of future grid penalties. If he wants to keep his Red Bull seat, he needs to stop crashing and deliver a clean weekend, starting in Monaco.

Click here to read the full article by Owen Bellwood (motorsport.com)

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How Williams cracked its FW47 setup

In this episode of the Vowles Verdict, Williams Team Principal James Vowles shares his thoughts on another strong double points finish at the Imola GP. He also answers fan questions, such as what has been the key to understanding the FW47 setup, how the team plans to improve pit stops, and why Carlos pitted early, among others.