Round-up: Teams tease Miami GP liveries, Antonelli in Netflix documentary and more

Comment of the day

So far most of our readers seem to think Mercedes should extend George Russell’s contract even if it costs them a chance to sign Max Verstappen. Here’s Neil’s explanation why:

I think only one driver would (currently) be a clear upgrade on Russell, and that’s Verstappen. Going on recent years, where Max is most obviously ahead is in extracting the maximum from the car on race days, and that’s the most important part of the job, so if it was an easy and straightforward swap I’d say it’s worth it.

But easy and straightforward aren’t words I’d use when talking about Verstappen, or about the Red Bull-Mercedes relationship.

So I’d keep Russell and Antonelli, at least for one more season. Russell is probably the equal second-best performer at the moment, and Antonelli could develop into a top driver too, so it’s not like Mercedes are in desperate need of new blood.
Neil (@Neilosjames)

Social media and links

Pulling up to Miami Customs… you know what that means 👀🎨🌴 @Stake #MiamiGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/jqu2j5nYro

— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) April 28, 2025

Kit launched. What's next... (Mercedes)

‘I’ve always been very hard on myself’ – Inside Norris’ battle to deliver his best on and off the track (F1)

'I would never come in and go, ‘The car sucked today, and I drove outstanding’. You’ll never get that from me. I think a lot of that is growing up, thinking, and being very reserved and introverted.'

Di Grassi: ‘Zero plans to stop’ (Formula E Notebook)

'I said this in a podcast, and I got a lot of shit for it. What I said was ‘would a Lewis Hamilton now beat a Lewis Hamilton from five years ago’? Probably not, right? But he’s still great, because of his experience and because of his talent, way better than pretty much almost the whole grid.'

OEMs support further Hypercar regulations extension (Sportscar 365)

'The move is understood to provide a longer runway for incoming manufacturers Genesis, Ford and McLaren, which have announced programs for 2026 and 2027, respectively, as well as the possibility of additional OEMs that are rumoured to be evaluating programs.'

Conman who travelled the world posing as F1 driver dies (The Telegraph)

'Kern rose to attention in 1996 after being featured on US documentary series Unsolved Mysteries where he was described as a 'sweetheart swindler' for conning Elizabeth Ballard, now 69, after posing as a British racing driver. Ms Ballard met Kern in Miami in 1994 while he was posing as Jonathan Palmer, a former Williams F1 driver, on a business trip.'

The Seat - official trailer (YouTube)

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On this day in motorsport

• Born on this day in 1958: Future McLaren team principal and later Aston Martin CEO Martin Whitmarsh
• 30 years ago today Michael Schumacher took pole position for the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola