First race that we felt competitive, specially in mix conditions! Despite the result the best weekend for me so far in this project!

JULY 12, 2016
Ricciardo's smile now on Verstappen's face'

A season and a half into his meteoric F1 career so far, Max Verstappen is continuing to impress.

In his sixth race since switching from Toro Rosso, the 18-year-old Dutchman finally outqualified his highly-rated teammate Daniel Ricciardo at Silverstone before racing to the podium.

Not only that, he secured yet another official 'driver of the day' fans plaudit, and the press was also impressed.

"Verstappen was brilliant," said Spain's El Pais newspaper. "The world championship is lucky to have this 18-year-old genius. Verstappen is the new Senna."

As for his move on Nico Rosberg around the outside of Becketts, Red Bull team boss said: "Max continues to surprise us."

F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart told the Swiss newspaper Blick: "How he passed Rosberg around the outside can only be described as world-class.

"We already know who the world champion of the future is."

It's all great news for the Dutchman, but not quite as comfortable for the established Australian star, Ricciardo.

Horner noted: "Nobody likes to be behind his teammate, but Daniel also had bad luck with the virtual safety car.

"He has already shown in 2016 what a class driver he is, and to have two fully competitive drivers is great news for us as a team."

But former F1 driver Robert Doornbos sees the momentum clearly on Verstappen's side.

"Since Max has been on the team, the car has gotten better and better," he told the Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport Totaal.

"Whether it's a coincidence or something to do with Max I don't know, but in any case the smile on Ricciardo's face is smaller and the one on Max's face is bigger."

As Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg continue their feud, one of the Mercedes GP drivers could lose their place in the team to Fernando Alonso.

Hamilton and Rosberg’s in-house rivalry could soon be a thing of the past for Mercedes judging by their views on Alonso at the British GP.

The Spaniard started the race ninth and was running behind Williams’ Felipe Massa in 10th when he lost control and ran through the gravel, making light contact with the barriers.

Alonso was able to recover to the circuit but dropped down the order following the incident, and eventually finished the race in 13th position.

Mid-race, Mercedes hailed the Alonso’s composure in a beaming message on their official Twitter feed after he avoided the car colliding with a wall.

How did @alo_oficial keep that car rolling?!

Some absolutely mega car control on display out there right now… we are LOVING this! #F1

— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) July 10, 2016

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has publicly warned the pair that they risk suspension if the recent collisions caused at the Spanish and Austrian races were to be repeated.

That friction may soon open the door for Alonso, who was the second-fastest lap at Silverstone behind Rosberg, to succeed one of the feuding drivers. (Above report originally posted on Marca.com by Richard Buxton.)

Alonso could replace Rosberg at Mercedes, says Wolff

Last month Wolff revealed Fernando Alonso could be an option for the team if they are unable to negotiate a new deal with Nico Rosberg.

Rosberg is reportedly out of contract at the end of the 2016 Formula One season after having signed a “multi-year” extension in 2014.

Wolff said it was a “priority” to tie championship-leader Rosberg to a new deal, but admitted they will consider Alonso should the German driver decide to leave.

“Fernando is one of the best drivers in history and I like his character, but our priority now is Nico,” Wolff told El Mundo.

“If [Rosberg] does not want to renew, then we will consider other options, like Fernando.

“[Alonso’s] age is not a problem – his speed and his motivation are still there.”

Wolff also revealed Alonso held talks about joining Mercedes two years ago before the Spaniard signed with McLaren after five years at Ferrari.

“Fernando explored his options and one of them was Mercedes,” he added.

“He spoke to us, but we could not negotiate as we promised Lewis [Hamilton] that while we tried to renew his deal we would not talk with other drivers and we did not.”