F1 Round Up: Ferrari's Monza livery, Palou McLaren split, Red Bull seat interest

Ferrari's special livery plans for Monza

Ferrari returned to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans event for the first time in 50 years in 2022, fielding a Hypercar entry.

In a momentous occasion for the Italian marque, Ferrari impressively clinche the overall Le Mans victory, their first since 1965, with drivers Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado, and Alessandro Pier Guidi behind the wheel.

Well-respected Italian journalist Giuliano Duchessa has now reported that Ferrari plans to honor this iconic achievement with a special livery for their upcoming home Formula 1 race, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Duchessa stated on social media, "Ferrari SF-23 in Monza will have a livery to honour the victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans."

Ferrari ran a 75th anniversary yellow-accented livery at Monza last season. We await eagerly to see their 2023 commemorative design.

While a race win is unlikely given Red Bull's dominance, Ferrari will hope carrying the momentum of their podium in Belgium into Monza, combined with their celebratory new paint job, leads to a successful home race weekend from September 1-3.

Palou rejects McLaren deal

Alex Palou has stunned McLaren by rejecting his contract to join their IndyCar program in 2024.

The 2021 IndyCar champion instead looks set to sign a lucrative multi-year deal to remain with his current team, Chip Ganassi Racing.

This follows a bitter legal dispute between Ganassi and McLaren over Palou's services.

Ganassi filed a lawsuit contesting the validity of Palou's McLaren contract, though a settlement allowed him to stay this season while serving as a McLaren F1 reserve.

McLaren believed Palou would join in 2024, with CEO Zak Brown expressing deep disappointment over his decision to now forego that agreement.

Palou has also split from management firm Monaco Increase Management, which helped broker his McLaren contract.

With no other F1 options, Palou seemingly intents to remain in IndyCar with Ganassi at a salary that would make him the series' top earner.

His rejection comes despite McLaren granting Palou F1 testing opportunities and investing heavily in him.

While disappointing for McLaren, Palou appears content staying put at Ganassi, where he can focus on defending his IndyCar crown.

Horner: “a lot of interest” in F1 2025 seat

With Max Verstappen's contract running until 2028, only Sergio Perez's Red Bull seat is currently up for renewal, expiring after 2024.

But team principal Christian Horner says there is extensive interest in their vacant 2025 drive.

"It's just the position that we're in it's great to have a lot of interest," Horner told Sky Sports News.

"And it's not just from those drivers [Perez and Ricciardo] – it's from drivers outside our spectrum as well."

Given Red Bull's dominance in 2022, much of the F1 grid likely desires the 2025 seat.

Perez will look to make a case to retain the drive, but faces ample competition for the coveted role.