Happy first-car-launch-of-the-season week, everyone \u2013 let us catch you up on all of Monday\u2019s F1 news.<\/p>\n
Williams has signed a new test driver in Victor Martins, and we\u2019re looking ahead to all things car launch as Red Bull and Racing Bulls get set to unveil their colours on Thursday. In the meantime, though, let\u2019s catch you up in the here and now.<\/p>\n
Lewis Hamilton backed to recover from \u2018tough time\u2019<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Former Ferrari engineer Jock Clear has backed Lewis Hamilton to bounce back from a difficult first season at the Scuderia, needing time to settle in.<\/p>\n He referenced the time it took Michael Schumacher to build a dynasty with the Scuderia as evidence of how long it can take to succeed at a new team, and why hope should not be lost just yet.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0Jock Clear: Why Lewis Hamilton \u2018had a tough time\u2019 in his first Ferrari season<\/a><\/p>\n Russell: Joint Hamilton request at Mercedes \u2018too dangerous\u2019<\/p>\n George Russell revealed that, when he and Lewis Hamilton wanted to illustrate the extent of porpoising at Mercedes to one of the team\u2019s senior designers, health and safety officers deemed it to be too dangerous.<\/p>\n Mercedes was one of the teams hardest hit by bouncing cars at the start of Formula 1\u2019s last regulation cycle, with Russell admitting the car felt \u201cbrutal\u201d to drive.<\/p>\n When a simulation of how the car felt in Azerbaijan was put to the team, Russell and Hamilton wanted to show the impact, but it was deemed unsafe at the time.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0George Russell: Mercedes ruled joint Lewis Hamilton request \u2018too dangerous\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Ford F1 future not dependent on Max Verstappen<\/p>\n Ford Racing global director Mark Rushbrook has said the brand\u2019s involvement in Red Bull is not contingent on whether or not Max Verstappen stays.<\/p>\n Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until 2028, but performance clauses are known to exist and offer the Dutchman a potential exit opportunity, should certain targets not be met.<\/p>\n Should the worst happen and Verstappen head elsewhere, however, Ford \u2013 Red Bull\u2019s new engine partners \u2013 are not going anywhere.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0Ford is going nowhere should Max Verstappen leave Red Bull<\/a><\/p>\n Why F1 hopeful left McLaren as Alpine talks continue<\/p>\n Alex Dunne is understood to be in negotiations with Alpine over a test and reserve role in 2026, leaving McLaren\u2019s development programme towards the end of 2025.<\/p>\n Having made it clear his McLaren departure was his decision, he reiterated that his one main goal is to get onto the Formula 1 grid as soon as possible.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0Why Alex Dunne left McLaren amid advanced Alpine talks<\/a><\/p>\n No more 100-race plan for Alpine<\/p>\n Having previously put a timeline on when the team would want to challenge for wins and championships, new Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen said that is no longer the case.<\/p>\n Alpine finished bottom of the Constructors\u2019 standings in 2025, but hopes are high at Enstone that they will be able to enter Formula 1\u2019s new era in a more competitive state.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0Alpine abandons long-term timelines as Steve Nielsen launches F1 rebuild<\/a><\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n