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F1 Today | Ferrari win an incredible Le Mans, Zhou to Alpine for 2025?
The 92nd running of the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours was won by Ferrari for the second time in a row. The #50 team of Niklas Nielsen, Antonio Fuoco and Miguel Molina triumphed in an incredible day-night-day race in changeable conditions. In the Formula 1 world, on the other hand, Max Verstappen has commented on the 2026 regulations. Like Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, the Dutchman is sceptical about the top speed of the new cars. Although Verstappen has previously indicated that he is fairly neutral on the proposed plans, he said that the proposed slower corner speeds in comparison with higher top speeds may cause an issue. Further down the grid, could Zhou Guanyu drive for Alpine in 2025? The Chinese driver has admitted it's a promising possibility.
Ferrari goes back-to-back at Le Mans
The #50 Ferrari 499p took victory in what was a memorable Le Mans 24 Hours. Niklas Nielsen, Antonio Fuoco and Miguel Molina pipped the #7 Toyota of Kamui Kobayashi, Jose Maria Lopez and Nyck De Vries by just 14 seconds after 24 hours. The #51 Ferrari of Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado finished third. The #51 finished on the podium after winning the race last year. In the LMP2 class, the United Autosports team and Brit Oliver Jarvis crossed the line first. The #91 Manthey EMA Porsche 911 won the LMGT3 category. In the hypercar class, it was P8 and P9 for both British Hertz Team JOTA cars, with Will Stevens and Callum Illot being a part of the eighth-placed team, and 2009 World Champion Jenson Button being a part of the #38 car that took 9th place. There was disappointment for Valentino Rossi and his team, as the #46 BMW crashed from a leading position during the tricky wet conditions at night.
Verstappen sceptical about 2026 regulations
Max Verstappen, the most successful driver in the current ground effect era, is curious about the proposed balance of the 2026 F1 regulations. This is due to higher suspected top speeds and slower cornering speeds. These rules will be tinkered with further, as F1 teams do not consider them 100% realistic and feasible. For now, the three-time world champion said: "It's something that the FIA has to work on with F1 to see what is safe or not." Despite the supposed issues, Verstappen isn't worried about the change. "With less grip or downforce in general it might make things a bit more difficult. But it's not something that I'm naturally worried about. It just depends on how the aero devices work, how much downforce you get," explained the Red Bull driver.
Is Zhou a possibility for Alpine in 2025?
Zhou Guanyu will likely leave Kick Sauber at the end of 2024. Sauber, which will become Audi in 2026, has a few drivers on their radar who could potentially partner with Nico Hulkenberg from 2025. Zhou, who can potentially bring around $30 million in sponsorship to Alpine, has spoken about the possibility of signing there. The Chinese driver was previously a part of Alpine's academy team and is familiar with the French manufacturer. "Like I already mentioned in the past with Alpine, I always had a very good connection in the past because that's where it really helped me to have the chance, maybe before Formula One. Really grateful to join Alfa Romeo at the time and Sauber to have the chance. So now I'm open to, let's say, all the teams. We're talking, in discussion about my future. Nothing's been confirmed. But I feel like there should be a spot for me in the future on this grid, but I just don't know where." Zhou told GPblog and others.