F1 Q&A: Lando Norris versus Oscar Piastri in 2025, Max Verstappen and Tom Brady, and more

It is time for Part Two of the “Super Colossal F1 Threads Mailbag.”

If you missed Part One, you can read that here.

Normally I would dive into a little bit of an introduction, but we have a lot to get to, so let’s dive right in.

Opinion on whether or not McLaren have an illegal rear wing? – taztweetin

We kick off Part Two of the “Super Colossal Mega F1 Mailbag” with the latest controversy du jour: McLaren’s “Mini-DRS,” as some have taken to calling it.

And with breaking news on Friday, it seems we have our answer to this question.

For those that have not seen the headlines, here is a “tl;dr” version of the sport’s latest regulatory flashpoint. In the wake of Oscar Piastri’s dramatic win in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, video footage surfaced showing how the rear wing of McLaren’s MCL38 would “flex” under high aerodynamic load, such as you would see on a long straight at high speeds. Then in curves, the rear wing would revert to form, allowing for more downforce through turns.

This animation from Just Formulacar illustrates the effect:

The result is a car that is potentially faster on the straights due to this “mini-DRS” effect but then can stick through the turns as the load on the rear wing reduces and the component reverts to its starting point.

Now, the sport’s governing body confirmed on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix that all cars have been tested and found to comply with the current regulations. However, the FIA also noted to BBC Sport that they will continue to review footage from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as well as any further evidence that can be reviewed and are “considering any mitigating measures for future implementation.”

During Thursday’s media day in Singapore, Piastri defended the rear win as “legal,” but despite the FIA’s declaration, some of his rivals remain unconvinced. Max Verstappen, for example, discussed the McLaren component during the FIA Press Conference.

“I mean, it’s quite clear, of course, that it’s moving, like, it’s at speed. It might be smart, might not be smart, but at the end of the day it’s up to the FIA of course to decide if it’s legal or not right? Of course Baku is not the first time that it was used so there were other tracks as well. I guess it’s important to come with a clarification,” said Verstappen on Thursday. “But that’s not only on the rear wing it’s the front wing as well. What is allowed? How much is it allowed to bend? All these kind of things, right? So we just have to wait and see, yeah from our side.”

It seems that wait is over.

Reporting emerged Friday that the FIA has asked McLaren to modify that rear wing, to no longer allow for the flexing under aerodynamic load:

So, there you have it.

When’s SB Nation getting in on F1 Fantasy chatter? – fanampfantasyhq

Nervously glances at the bosses…

This is likely a 2025 project, but it is something we would love to get off the ground. Stay tuned!

What, in your opinion, requires the most improvement in the world of F1? I’m thinking like sustainability, the culture of it, diversity, or even something simple like the calendar. If you could change one thing about F1 what would you change? – casperalixander

The quick and dirty answer here? I’d change all of the above. I’ll have more on the F1 calendar — and what it does to drivers and team members — during/after the United States Grand Prix. So stay tuned on that front.

But to elaborate a bit, I’d look at diversity. Frankly speaking, there are a lot of people that look like me in all of sports, not just F1. Diversity of opinion, diversity of thought, and diversity of talent, are needed throughout the sporting world, not just in Formula 1.

It’s in part why I love F1 Academy, and seeing the talented drivers and team members in that series. I cannot wait to see that series grow and to see where those drivers’ own careers take them.

Now, F1 is certainly improving in this regard, and both within teams and on the media side the backgrounds of the people involved are becoming more varied. But the more diversity, the better, in my mind. It leads to a better product on the track, as well as off.

Is Lance Stroll going to be able to handle an Adrian Newey-designed car? Will the pressure to make Lance Stroll a champion frustrate Newey? Max Verstappen going to Aston Martin is too easy … and Max loves challenges just as much as a fast car … will he go to Mercedes and win to prove he doesn’t need Newey to win? – alburger1906

Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images

Whew, there’s a lot there to work with.

Let’s start with the Aston Martin side of things. Seeing the interplay between Lance Stroll and Adrian Newey, and Newey’s overall influence on Aston Martin through 2025 and into the new set of regulations, will be fascinating to watch. If Newey can work his magic, I think he can truly turn that team into a championship contender in 2026.

As for turning Stroll into a potential Drivers’ Champion, it is fascinating to contemplate Stroll and Fernando Alonso in a Newey-designed machine, fighting the grid — and each other — for wins. If you thought the “Papaya Rules” were filled with intrigue, just wait …

As for Max Verstappen, I cannot help but be reminded of the “Tom Brady versus Bill Belichick” debate that raged on over on the other side of my work ledger. For those who might not be aware, for years Tom Brady was the quarterback of the New England Patriots, and Bill Belichick the head coach. They were part of an organization that enjoyed two different dynasties, winning three out of four Super Bowls in the early 2000s, and then again winning three out of five Super Bowls in the 2010s. They also lost a few along the way, and built one of the winningest franchises in NFL history.

But as that run came to an end, with Brady contemplating a move to a different team, the question was often asked: “Was it Brady, or was it Belichick, who was responsible for those dynasties?” Arguments were made in different directions.

Then Brady went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won a Super Bowl in his first season in the NFC South — something I actually predicted he would do the day the move was announced — the Patriots struggled to find his replacement, and now Belichick is doing advertisements for Door Dash.

What does that mean re: Verstappen? Time will tell. But with recent stories emerging that the RB19 was more troublesome than the team let on during 2023, that might speak volumes regarding just how good a driver Verstappen is.

Maybe the comparison is off, but I cannot help but think of it.

Is Audi doing anything to get ready? Building facilities? In Germany? The Sauber HQ/factory is in Switzerland, right? Are the people there staying on? Do they have an engine? – jason_paul03

Well, they’ve hired Mattia Binotto, added Jonathan Wheatley as their Team Principal, and locked down Nico Hülkenberg, so there’s that…

The project is continuing at pace, and according to the team they have put their Power Unit through testing at their Neuburg facility in Germany, which has included “simulated race distances on the test bench,” of which Audi reportedly has 22 test benches at that Neuburg facility.

While the Power Unit has not taken to an actual track, according to the team they have put that PU through simulations on the test bench which include Las Vegas, Singapore, and Red Bull Ring.

So, they’re progressing I think as we would expect them to, over a year from officially joining the grid. They also are in a rather unique position, as they can fully focus on 2026 and do not have to worry about getting a car ready for the 2025 season. Back in June Adam Baker, the CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, spoke about that fact.

“There have been special milestones almost every month since the start of the project in spring 2022, for example the start of construction for our infrastructure expansion, the start of testing for the single-cylinder, the first test bench run of the electric motor and the V6 engine and the first race distances with the complete Power Unit,” said Baker. “The fact that our entire team can fully concentrate on the development of the Power Unit for 2026 is an advantage for Audi. The remaining time until 2026 is all about achieving our development goals in terms of maximum overall vehicle performance with full focus. It will remain exciting until the first race – and after that, of course, too.”

It will be exciting for us watching as well.

Is the battle in 2025 going to be as close as this year or is it going to be even closer? Or is McLaren just too far ahead in the development?

And are we getting Oscar Piastri versus Lando Norris next year? Also, Williams seems to be on the right track! Are we going to see them being top midfield? – fray_f1

Photo by Clive Rose – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

I touched on this in Part One of the “Super Colossal F1 Threads Mailbag” but I can’t help but think of 2021 when the next season is discussed. Certainly, it looks like McLaren is very far ahead in development — although we will apparently need to keep an eye on that rear wing — so it is likely that they just storm the field next year and everyone looks to 2026.

If that is the case, then yes we might get Norris versus Piastri next season, shades of the Lewis Hamilton versus Nico Rosberg battles of the 2010s.

As for Williams, they do look to be on the right track. They are getting better with the development of the car, although it does look like the FW46 has similar characteristics to the FW45 in that they are very good on the straights, but still struggle a bit on other circuits. That is something the team was hoping to avoid when they launched the FW46 in New York City earlier this year.

Plus, with Carlos Sainz Jr. coming aboard for next season they will have two veteran drivers, and in Sainz a former race winner.

Top of the midfield could certainly be on the table for them.

What’s a piece of advice you wish someone told you at the beginning of your sports writing career? – mishahwriting

I saved this question for last because it is one that I ponder a lot, and get asked a lot, due in large part to my unique background.

For those that might not be familiar, before my current sports writing career I was a practicing attorney here in the Washington, D.C. area for about a decade.

This is not an invitation to start doing math, dear friends…

But after about ten years of practicing in civil litigation, and countless jury and bench trials, I came to the painful realization that my brain, and that world, were a combustible combination. My struggles with anxiety and depression did not fit in that world and had I stayed in that role I’m not so sure I would have survived, let alone thrived.

I left that life behind, but while looking for a different legal job I got together with some fellow New England Patriots fans to start writing about the NFL. That grew out of a shared passion for Boston sports, and discussions on a popular Boston Red Sox message board Sons of Sam Horn, where we were all members. I thought it would be something I would do on the side until I found my next calling in the legal field.

Before I knew it I was writing pieces for the Washington Post, paid opportunities in the field were coming in, and with the support of an incredible family, I decided to pursue it full-time.

Years later, apparently not satisfied with crashing the NFL media party, I decided to take on a new beat, joining the F1 media space. I saw an avenue for growth here in the United States and, again, rolled the dice thanks to a supportive team at SB Nation who believed in me, and the idea. I cannot thank them enough for that trust, and that belief.

Before I knew it, I was staring at a screen with Lando Norris on the other side, with my first driver exclusive.

I bring this up because, well, I’m damn lucky. I get to do what many dream of daily: I get paid not just to watch sports but write about them because, for whatever reason, people seem to enjoy what I have to say. I wake up every single day grateful that I get to do this, and I wake up every single day thankful for everyone who has helped this dream become a reality.

This is why I want to spend a lot of time on this question, because I wish more could get to enjoy what I do.

When I get asked this question, which is a lot, I often start with one of my favorite movies, The Martian. Yes, the book is probably better, and yes, some of the science/physics stuff — particularly in the movie — is out of this world.

(See what I did there?)

But what I love about The Martian is that in part, it is a love letter to science and problem-solving. At the end of the movie, Mark Watney faces a class filled with would-be astronauts and talks about being stranded on Mars, facing death, and how he survived. His response?

“You just begin.”

The beauty of the modern era is that in sports writing, as in many fields, technological advances have allowed you to just … begin.

The traditional barriers to entry have been broken down, and you can just start your journey today. Again, I did not have a journalism background, or an internship at a media outlet, before getting started. I had a background playing football, a passion for the sport, and some thoughts.

With some others that shared that passion, we started our journey.

So if you want to start down your own sports journalism/writing/content creation path you can just … begin. You can start a blog, you can start a podcast, you can start a YouTube channel, or do short-form or even long-form video content on social media. You can just … begin.

That’s something I did not realize until later, but it is some advice I always like to share.

But that is not all I’d like to share, because here is something else I have learned along the way.

Do not be afraid to ask for help.

If you’re reading this and starting on your own sports media journey, do not be afraid to ask for help. Whether it is asking someone to be a guest on a show, asking a potential interview subject for a few minutes of their time, or asking for feedback on something you’ve written or created. Asking for help is scary, and there is a fear that you might be turned down.

But that is the worst that can happen. What I’ve learned along the way is that while people can say no, more often than not people do want to help.

I bring this up because so many were there for me to help, too many to thank.

To that end, if you’re ever looking for help, advice, etc., reach out to me. I’m here to help, because I wish more people could get to do what I do each day. You can always send over an e-mail, or send me a DM, whether it is to give something a read, hop on a show, or even just spend some time chatting through advice and questions on a Zoom. I’m always happy to help.

And Misha, you do great work. Keep it up.