F1 news LIVE: Adrian Newey gives hint over next move as Lando Norris speaks in Imola

Formula 1 returns to Europe for the first time this season as the iconic Imola circuit hosts the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.

Lando Norris claimed a stunning win – his first in F1 – last time out in Miami, beating Max Verstappen after a perfectly timed safety car and securing McLaren’s first win since September 2021.

Nonetheless, Verstappen still has a healthy 33-point lead in the drivers’ championship to Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third following another podium in Miami.

There’s work to do for Lewis Hamilton, though, who is enduring his worst-ever start to an F1 season, currently languishing down in ninth. Last year’s race at Imola was cancelled due to heavy flooding in the region, while Verstappen triumphed in 2022 and 2021.

Follow all the latest news from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with The Independent

F1 EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES

• F1 returns to Europe this weekend for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

• All 20 drivers will speak to the press at Imola today

• Alex Albon signed a new long-term contract with Williams on Wednesday

• What are the timings at Imola this weekend?

• Adrian Newey drops major hint over next move after Red Bull exit

Adrian Newey drops major hint over next move after Red Bull exit

12:06 , Kieran Jackson

Adrian Newey admits he is “seriously considering” joining another F1 team after he leaves Red Bull next year.

The 65-year-old design guru, who is credited with the current iteration of Red Bull car which is dominating the sport at the moment, is leaving Red Bull at the start of 2025 following 19 years with Christian Horner’s team.

Newey stated last week he was looking forward to a break, stating he was “a bit tired.” He added that he has not made up his mind yet about his future.

However, with Ferrari favourites to land Newey, the designer has revealed he will “probably go again” and join another team in the sport.

Full piece below:

Adrian Newey drops major hint over next move after Red Bull exit

Alex Albon after signing his new deal:

14:53 , Kieran Jackson

Lando Norris

14:40 , Kieran Jackson

On Miami - and striving for more: “It’s only one race. I want another one. It wasn’t like I was pole and led from the beginning, that’s the next target - to be at the front at the start. Not rely on a safety car. Formula 1 is not about one weekend, you learn about a bigger picture.

“It could be we go out and be third again and we’re too far behind to get a podium. You move on to the next one - I got to a point where I’m always accepting help from people... I’m always very happy to have advice... but I like to do things my own way. I can deal with the good times and the bad times. I’m in a much better place than I am a few years ago, just matured.”

Lando Norris:

14:25 , Kieran Jackson

On Imola: “We want these circuits, they’re more challenging for us as drivers. But generally it’s harder to overtake. The pit lane is so long here that it takes away strategy element. History is always a part of every sport. We love it but we want to race more, that’s why some of them are getting dropped. We want to be able to come to these tracks to race.

“I went to the Historique race [in Monaco]. Sounds, sound needs to be improved. Cars were lighter.”

Carlos Sainz:

14:13 , Kieran Jackson

On Imola: “It’s what we miss from the new venues, this old-school feeling. A big fan of coming back to places like Imola, Monaco. There’s a bit of work to do for these tracks for the show, for overtaking. We need to see how we can make the old school tracks more exciting and racing better.”

“This is a top-three circuit where you feel a Formula 1 car more than anyone else, at its peak. I love that.”

Daniel Ricciardo:

14:02 , Kieran Jackson

“Miami was a different weekend - massive high and Sunday story was completely different. You want to get back to it. It’s always nice to have a weekend off but right now I prefer to be racing, it’s good to be here.

“I know what is required from this car, I’m comfortable in it. The Saturday evening is not always easy to put together, it can mean a Q1 exit. It’s competitive - you’ve got to put it all together.”

Lando Norris:

13:51 , Kieran Jackson

“I celebrated appropriately for the occasion. But it’s another weekend, prepared and ready to go. I still think about it a lot but at the same time, you have to turn your focus to the next weekend. Hopefully try and replicate a similar thing - it was an incredible weekend, will remember for the rest of my life.

“We are better suited to Imola, it’s been one of our most successful tracks as a team and for me as a driver. We’re confident we can take steps forward, we won’t be there every weekend. I was lucky with the safety car and strategy worked out perfectly. I was quickest on track, the whole weekend was turning into something good. The car made some good steps forward, we have more things coming in the future.

Where are McLaren in the pecking order: “We’re third.”

Kevin Magnussen:

13:42 , Kieran Jackson

On penalty points: “The next time is a race ban so I’ll have to [be safer]. These situations where I’ve had to play the support role for my team-mate have been paying off! Since the rules as they are, I didn’t make the rules. I’m on 10 points so I have to be careful not to get a race ban.”

Carlos Sainz:

13:36 , Kieran Jackson

“Hopefully a bit of a step coming in the car this weekend. I still think it’s track dependent, Miami was a better suited track for our car. It felt back to normal. Hopefully Imola is a good track for us. We’re going to need to keep developing....”

On 2025 move, is it going to take some time? “I think so, it’s not moving too quick.”

FIA press conference:

13:05 , Kieran Jackson

Here’s who we are expecting in the press conference room at 1:30pm (BST):

- Pierre Gasly

- Carlos Sainz

- Kevin Magnussen

- Zhou Guanyu

- Lando Norris

- Daniel Ricciardo

The rest of the drivers will speak to members of the broadcast press, too.

What are the timings on track in Imola this weekend?

12:28 , Kieran Jackson

(All times BST)

Friday 17 May

• Free practice 1: 12:30pm

• Free practice 2: 4pm

Saturday 18 May

• Free practice 3: 11:30am

• Qualifying: 3pm

Sunday 19 May

• Race: 2pm

11:47 , Kieran Jackson

Adrian Newey says he is “seriously considering changing teams, going somewhere else and doing another four or five years or whatever” after leaving Red Bull next year,

The 65-year-old added: “I feel a little bit tired at the moment, but at some point I’ll probably go again.”

Christian Horner gives X-rated ‘silent assassin’ jibe to Eddie Jordan

11:21 , Kieran Jackson

Christian Horner labelled Eddie Jordan a “silent assassin” after the ex-team boss negotiated Adrian Newey’s early release from his Red Bull contract.

Design guru Newey, Red Bull’s chief technical officer, will leave the team at the start of 2025 after 19 years working alongside Horner. Ferrari are the favourites to land Newey, who is yet to announce his next move.

In his exit announcement, Newey thanked his “close friend and manager” Jordan for his help – in a partnership which was not common knowledge – and Horner soon rang ex-team principal Jordan following Newey’s exit.

Full quotes below:

Horner gives X-rated ‘silent assassin’ jibe to Jordan over Newey exit

Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 F1 title target strengthened as Ferrari poach two Mercedes executives

10:55 , Kieran Jackson

Ferrari have announced the arrival of two key Mercedes personnel – engineer Loic Serra and executive Jerome d’Ambrosio – later this year.

The duo will join on 1 October and will help spearhead Lewis Hamilton’s quest to win a world title with the Scuderia, with the Brit also joining Ferrari from Mercedes in 2025.

Serra, the current Mercedes performance director, will take on the role of “Head of Chassis Performance Engineering” at Ferrari. He has previously worked for Michelin and BMW-Sauber.

Former driver D’Ambrosio raced 20 times in F1 from 2011-2012 and was Toto Wolff’s right-hand man at Mercedes.

Full piece below:

Hamilton’s 2025 F1 title target strengthened as Ferrari poach two Mercedes executives

The drivers are arriving for media day at Imola!

10:38 , Kieran Jackson

Kimi Antonelli: Who is Mercedes teen tipped to replace Lewis Hamilton on F1 grid in 2025?

10:20 , Kieran Jackson

Kimi Antonelli – the teenager tipped as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year – is one of the highest-rated prospects in motorsport right now.

The Italian driver is racing in Formula 2 in 2024, having skipped F3, for Prema Racing alongside British teen and Ferrari reserve Ollie Bearman.

Antonelli, 17, is on Mercedes’ books and was signed on to their junior programme at 11 years of age. In the years since, he has won numerous karting and single-seater competitions, which has thrust him into the spotlight at such a young age.

So much so that Williams have applied to the FIA for special dispensation for Antonelli to race in F1 before his 18^th birthday in August, potentially replacing Logan Sargeant. However, the chances of the governing body approving the request is thought to be unlikely.

But what is Antonelli’s background – and could he really step up to F1 at such a young age?

Kimi Antonelli: Who is Mercedes teen tipped to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025?

Constructors’ standings ahead of Imola:

10:00 , Kieran Jackson

1. Red Bull - 239 points

2. Ferrari - 187 points

3. McLaren - 124 points

4. Mercedes - 64 points

5. Aston Martin - 42 points

6. RB - 19 points

7. Haas - 7 points

8. Alpine - 1 point

9. Williams - 0 points

10. Sauber - 0 points

Lando Norris made the podium at Imola three years ago:

09:43 , Kieran Jackson

Jenson Button warns Lewis Hamilton over ‘different way of racing’ at Ferrari

09:29 , Kieran Jackson

Jenson Button has warned Lewis Hamilton to expect a different driver-team ethos when he moves to Ferrari next year.

Seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton, who has won six of his seven titles with Mercedes, will leave the Silver Arrows at the end of the season after 12 years with the team.

The 39-year-old will link up with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, replacing Carlos Sainz, as he switches to the sport’s most prestigious team in a final foray to win a record-breaking eighth world championship.

While Ferrari have showed signs of promise up against Red Bull this season, Mercedes have dropped behind McLaren to the fourth-quickest team on the grid, with Hamilton enduring his worst-ever start to a season.

Full quotes below:

Jenson Button warns Lewis Hamilton over ‘different way of racing’ at Ferrari

F1 2024 schedule:

09:16 , Kieran Jackson

ROUND 7 - EMILIA ROMAGNA

Imola Circuit - 17-19 May

ROUND 8 - MONACO

Circuit de Monaco - 24-26 May

ROUND 9 - CANADA

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal - 7-9 June

ROUND 10 - SPAIN

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 21-23 June

ROUND 11 - AUSTRIA (sprint race)

Red Bull Ring, Spielberg - 28-30 June

ROUND 12 - GREAT BRITAIN

Silverstone Circuit - 5-7 July

ROUND 13 - HUNGARY

Hungaroring, Budapest - 19-21 July

ROUND 14 - BELGIUM

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 26-28 July

ROUND 15 - NETHERLANDS

Circuit Zandvoort - 23-25 August

ROUND 16 - ITALY

Monza Circuit - 30 August - 1 September

ROUND 17 - AZERBAIJAN

Baku City Circuit - 13-15 September

ROUND 18 - SINGAPORE

Marina Bay Street Circuit - 20-22 September

ROUND 19 - UNITED STATES (sprint race)

Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 18-20 October

ROUND 20 - MEXICO

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 25-27 October

ROUND 21 - BRAZIL (sprint race)

Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 1-3 November

ROUND 22 - LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas Street Circuit - 21-23 November

ROUND 23 - QATAR (sprint race)

Lusail International Circuit, Lusail - 29 November - 1 December

ROUND 24 - ABU DHABI

Yas Marina Circuit - 6-8 December

FIA press conference:

08:57 , Kieran Jackson

Here’s who we are expecting in the press conference room at 1:30pm (BST):

- Pierre Gasly

- Carlos Sainz

- Kevin Magnussen

- Zhou Guanyu

- Lando Norris

- Daniel Ricciardo

The rest of the drivers will speak to members of the broadcast press, too.

Alex Albon commits future to Williams with new long-term contract

08:45 , Kieran Jackson

Alex Albon has signed a multi-year contract extension with Williams, ending speculation over his future by committing to the team.

The 28-year-old appears set to remain with the British constructor through into the new era of Formula 1 regulations that begin in 2026.

Reports had linked the talented Albon, twice a podium finisher in F1, with a move away from Williams.

But Albon has re-affirmed his commitment to the team he joined ahead of the 2022 season with the Thai confident there are “great things to come”.

Full detail below:

Alex Albon commits future to Williams with new long-term contract

Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:

08:38 , Kieran Jackson

1. Max Verstappen - 136 points

2. Sergio Perez - 103 points

3. Charles Leclerc - 98 points

4. Lando Norris - 83 points

5. Carlos Sainz - 83 points

6. Oscar Piastri - 41 points

7. George Russell - 37 points

8. Fernando Alonso - 33 points

9. Lewis Hamilton - 27 points

10. Yuki Tsunoda -14 points

11. Lance Stroll - 9 points

12. Oliver Bearman - 6 points

13. Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points

14. Daniel Ricciardo - 5 points

15. Esteban Ocon - 1 point

16. Kevin Magnussen - 1 point

17. Alex Albon - 0 points

18. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points

19. Pierre Gasly - 0 points

20. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points

21. Logan Sargeant - 0 points

What are the timings on track in Imola this weekend?

08:35 , Kieran Jackson

(All times BST)

Friday 17 May

• Free practice 1: 12:30pm

• Free practice 2: 4pm

Saturday 18 May

• Free practice 3: 11:30am

• Qualifying: 3pm

Sunday 19 May

• Race: 2pm

F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix!

08:33 , Kieran Jackson

Formula 1 returns to Europe for the first time this season as the iconic Imola circuit hosts the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.

Lando Norris claimed a stunning win – his first in F1 – last time out in Miami, beating Max Verstappen after a perfectly timed safety car and securing McLaren’s first win since September 2021.

Nonetheless, Verstappen still has a healthy 33-point lead in the drivers’ championship to Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third following another podium in Miami.

There’s work to do for Lewis Hamilton, though, who is enduring his worst-ever start to an F1 season, currently languishing down in ninth. Last year’s race at Imola was cancelled due to heavy flooding in the region, while Verstappen triumphed in 2022 and 2021.