As the curtain fell on the inaugural Las Vegas GP, the echoes of a recent split between Lewis Hamilton and his long-time physical trainer, Angela Cullen, surfaced on social media. Little did we expect that months after their professional parting, Angela would join forces with the Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn for a special Red Bull shout-out.
In a season that has seen Max Verstappen‘s utter domination, the Las Vegas Grand Prix provided a refreshing change. Drivers seemed to be quite happy about the quality of racing on offer. And for once, Verstappen didn’t run away with the win. Both Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez were in contention for a win until the final laps. The event, hailed as a huge success, not only thrilled fans but also attracted the attention of many global stars.
Lindsey Vonn delves into the inception of her F1 fandom
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Lindsey Vonn, an Olympic Champion, a NYT bestselling author, and a devoted Formula 1 fan, was also present to witness history unfold at the first-ever F1 race in Vegas. Her subsequent Instagram post, where she celebrated the growth of the sport in America and congratulated Red Bull on their double podium, got a vote of approval from Angela Cullen.
Vonn captioned the post, saying, “For me, it’s all about the speed! 🏎️💨. Just a little background that you might not know. I’ve been a big fan of this sport for over 12 years. Around the time a young driver named Sebastian Vettel won his first championship. To see this race in Vegas and how much the sport has grown is truly incredible. Congratulations @f1 and everyone involved in making F1 in America as big as it should be! Congrats again @redbullracing on the double podium! Always impressive @maxverstappen1 @schecoperez.”
Angela Cullen left a fiery comment under Lindsey Vonn’s Instagram post, saying “Yess LV … 🔥🔥🔥.” The Kiwi trainer has not been consistently active ever since she parted ways with Hamilton earlier this season. Given how the year has progressed for the team, the Briton would have missed Cullen‘s motivational presence too.
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As the final race of the season approaches, Mercedes looks to get some customary traditions done with rookie FP1 outings. They announced their choice to replace Lewis Hamilton for the FP1 session at the Abu Dhabi GP.
READ MORE: “Racing Comes Second”: Lewis Hamilton Sidelines F1 to Reveal Main Source of Inspiration
Frederik Vesti will take on the rookie driver’s duty in place of Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi
Mercedes tapped 21-year-old Frederik Vesti to fill Hamilton’s shoes during FP1. The Formula 2 driver, who previously substituted for George Russell in the Mexico City Grand Prix, earned the opportunity to showcase his skills in the season finale.
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“Driving in FP1 in Abu Dhabi is another step in my career. Getting my first experience of an official session on an F1 weekend in Mexico was a big moment,” Vesti was quoted by racingnews365. “I learned so much, and it was great being able to support the team and work with Lewis and George. I’m looking forward to building on that experience at Yas Marina.”
Beyond his FP1 commitments, Vesti’s involvement extends to the Formula 2 championship’s season finale. He currently sits in second place in the F2 championship, chasing Theo Pourchaire. The decision to entrust Vesti with both FP1 and the end-of-season test reflects Mercedes’ confidence in the young driver’s potential.
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So, what unexpected alliances or strategic moves do you think will shape the next season? Share your thoughts and predictions with us in the comments below!