Rory Mitchell
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rorymitchellf1.bsky.social
Rory Mitchell
@rorymitchellf1.bsky.social
F1 Journalist. f1debrief.substack.com.

Bylines with Sector.World, F1Oversteer, RacingNews365, Autosport, Motorsport News, ZAG Daily. Formerly PR @ Patterrn. University of Sheffield graduate.
McLaren drivers asked if they have discussed the possible scenario of swapping positions to favour one in the title fight. Norris: "No, not been discussed. I would love it, but I don't think I would ask it. It's up to Oscar. I don't think it's necessarily down to me." #F1 #AbuDhabiGP
December 4, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Hadjar asked which one of the title protagonists, with Verstappen being his teammate next year, will take the 2025 title on Sunday: "Lando."

Both Russell and Leclerc also said the same in the drivers' presser. #F1 #AbuDhabiGP
December 4, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Haas will replace Moneygram with Toyota Gazoo Racing as their title sponsor. From 2026, they will be known as the 'TGR Haas F1 Team' with a livery set to launched online on 23rd January. #F1
December 4, 2025 at 8:34 AM
The FIA presidental election is set to go ahead next week (12th December) after an injunction to stop them was not granted. This follows a legal challenge from prospective candidate Laura Villars launched in October.

This means Mohammed Ben Sulyem will be re-elected as FIA President unopposed. #F1
December 3, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Cadillac has spent big on a Super Bowl ad slot to reveal its 2026 F1 livery on 8th February. A single 30-second ad slot in front of 120 million TV viewers is worth $8m+, according to The Guardian. #F1
December 3, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Wrote about whether Hadjar is ready for the second seat at Red Bull in September.

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane said he needed to improve his consistency in qualifying. Since then? He's reached Q3 six times in seven races. #F1

f1debrief.substack.com/p/is-isack-h...
Is Isack Hadjar ready for the second Red Bull seat?
Now that Max Verstappen has committed his future at Red Bull, talk has turned to who will get the second seat.
f1debrief.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Red Bull confirms Isack Hadjar will partner Max Verstappen for the 2026 #F1 season.
December 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Alpine are the next team to confirm its 2026 car launch plans. They are going three days before the private test in Barcelona on 23rd January.

So far we have:
15/01 - Red Bull/Racing Bulls
23/01 - Alpine
09/02 - Aston Martin #F1
December 2, 2025 at 2:49 PM
McLaren has signed Leonardo Fornaroli to it's driver development programme, following his back-to-back title success in F3 and F2 in the last two years. Title rival Richard Verschoor also joins the lineup, along with European karting champion Christian Costoya. #F1
December 2, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Aston Martin reveals their 2026 challenger, the AM26, will launch on 9th February. #F1
December 1, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Gary Neville had one of the best takes on Antonelli: "The most fascinating thing for me was going into the debrief after the Sprint and seeing the two drivers. George is 27 but Kimi is 18. Seeing an 18-year-old stand up, work through a checklist, articulate and analyse his own performance. (1/2) #F1
December 1, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Red Bull has released a team statement following reports of online abuse directed towards Antonelli following the #QatarGP. #F1
December 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Andrea Stella says McLaren was caught out by every other team on strategy in Qatar. But how is that possible when Pirelli made it one of the most predictable races for pit stops of the season? #F1 #QatarGP

f1debrief.substack.com/p/did-papaya...
Did Papaya Rules cost McLaren victory in the Qatar Grand Prix?
A strategic own goal from McLaren in the Qatar Grand Prix has now put Max Verstappen in second place and 12 points off Lando Norris in the title battle heading into Abu Dhabi.
f1debrief.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Hamilton team radio after finishing P12: "Did anyone overtake today?"

Engineer: "Just Norris right at the end on Antonelli."

Hamilton: "We could have gone for a P10 or something without that thrashing for the pitstop all the time." #F1 #QatarGP
November 30, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Red Bull principal strategy engineer Hannah Schmitz takes the Constructors' trophy. Slight dig at McLaren, it's got to that stage now. #F1 #QatarGP
November 30, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Drivers' Championship after the #QatarGP:

1. Norris - 408 points
2. Verstappen - 396 points
3. Piastri - 392 points #F1
November 30, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Piastri is right to be speechless. McLaren had an easy one-two there and allowed Verstappen to get to within 15 points. Surely they have to back a driver now in Abu Dhabi? #F1 #QatarGP
November 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Piastri team radio at the chequered flag: "Speechless. I don't have any words." #F1 #QatarGP
November 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Verstappen wins the #QatarGP and takes P2 in the championship, keeping his title hopes alive.

12 points between Norris and Verstappen heading into Abu Dhabi. #F1
November 30, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Antonelli runs wide! That allows Norris to take P4 on the penultimate lap. #F1 #QatarGP
November 30, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Hadjar has picked up a puncture on the front left in the final 2 laps of the race. #F1 #QatarGP
November 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Sainz has been a dark horse in this race. Phenomenal strategy from Williams and brilliant driving in this final stint. #F1 #QatarGP
November 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Williams thinks there is potential damage to the floor of Sainz's car. #F1 #QatarGP
November 30, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Sainz team radio: "Oh no! I have understeer right hand corners. Something fell off guys!"

Engineer: "Pressures ok."

Sainz: "Something is not good, guys. You need to check."

Engineer: "We're checking. We're checking." #F1 #QatarGP
November 30, 2025 at 5:20 PM
This is madness from McLaren. So many opportunities to suppress Verstappen in this race and they've let it happen. #F1 #QatarGP
November 30, 2025 at 5:14 PM