F1 news: Lando Norris' girlfriend speaks out as Max Verstappen agreement reached

Carlos Sainz issued a diplomatic response when asked if he thinks Ferrari are missing him given Lewis Hamilton's recent struggles.

"I don't think I can answer that question," the Williams driver told Spanish media.

"I'm no longer there on a day-to-day basis, so I can't tell you how things are going professionally or if they miss me.

"On a more personal level, I'd like to think I left a good impression on my colleagues and the Tifosi.

"It was a very intense four years and I made some great friends and colleagues there. But, I repeat, you'd have to ask them that."

Max Verstappen has become the first active athlete to partner with Fanatics in an innovative new deal.

The multi-year agreement will focus on e-commerce, licensed sports merchandise and trading cards.

The latter will include autographs, inscriptions and highly sought-after race-worn garments.

The first product will come in the form of a stunning one-of-one card celebrating Verstappen's record-breaking Monza qualifying lap earlier this year.

Robert Doornbos has urged Lewis Hamilton to listen to Max Verstappen's radio messages if he wants to inspire positive change at Ferrari.

"I mean, the radio, the communication with his engineer was the worst of all driver-engineer partnerships out there," said Doornbos on the Pit Talk podcast.

"Just no chemistry. Come on, motivate the team. There’s not much you can do.

"We know you had a terrible season, but at least motivate the guys so that they as go into the off-season.

"But look at what happened at Red Bull. Also, Max motivates the team. Thanks the guys always on the radio.

"Even when it goes to s***, he also lets them know he’s not happy. Of course. But this way, you will not motivate the team."

Margarida Corceiro, the girlfriend of Lando Norris, has opened up on the steamy kiss they shared in the immediate aftermath of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The smooch was caught on camera as the pair embraced following the Brit's world title triumph.

"There's no rule for going public," she said about the kiss. "I thought it made sense.

"At that moment, I forgot the cameras were there. It was such an important moment that I didn't even remember that."

Helmut Marko has detailed the emotional conversation he had with Max Verstappen before stepping down from his role at Red Bull.

"Let’s say we were melancholic," he told GPBlog when quizzed on what he said to the Dutchman.

"We made a resume and said what we achieved. We said we never would have thought or believed it would happen.

"Just the same with me. I also didn't believe when I first met him and signed him that we would have such a success.”

McLaren chief Zak Brown was the target of a bizarre dig from a Hollywood actor following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan, known for his role as Negan in The Walking Dead, had some choice words for Brown on social media.

He wrote: "Zak Brown is such a weanie. Screws up his own team but only cries about everything else.

"Figure out your own s*** dude. Feel bad for Piastri. Hope he bails."

Morgan later added: "Again. Brown deserves s*** all. Trophy for boning Oscar is about it.

"God I hope Piastri tells him to shove it where the sun don’t shine. Papaya rules my a**. Lando rules perhaps."

Lando Norris has made the shortlist for the Sports Personality of the Year award, joining five of Britain's biggest names.

Golf leged Rory McIlroy, footballers Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, rugby player Ellie Kildunne and darts sensation Luke Littler are also included.

The last F1 driver to scoop the prestigious prize was Lewis Hamilon back in 2020.

Lando Norris was fighting back tears once more as he returned to the McLaren Technology Centre.

Upon arrival, he was greeted by hundreds of delighted employees and became overwhelmed with emotion.

After the fanfare subsided, an emotional Norris said 'I'm shaking' before wiping away a tear from his face.

He then saw his name and the words 'world champion' etched on one of McLaren's walls.

Max Verstappen has been revealed as the highest-paid driver on the F1 grid, according to Forbes.

His eight victories in 2025 helped him add more than £8m in bonuses to his £49m base salary at Red Bull.

That £57m windfall makes him F1's highest-paid driver again and takes his earnings over the last five years to a huge £242.5m.

Lewis Hamilton's base salary of £52.5m is the biggest in F1 but his lack of bonus payments leaves him behind Verstappen on the list.

Norris, meanwhile, is third with a £13.5m base salary in addition to a further £22m in add-ons.

He is also said to have landed a whopping £7.5m bonus for clinching the Drivers' Championship title.

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