(GMM) Lewis Hamilton (pictured) insists his detailed written feedback to Ferrari was not a set of instructions, as speculation about his future intensifies.

“There were no orders for the team in those documents,” the seven-time world champion said. “There were just ideas like: ‘What if we did this?’, ‘Have we already tried this?’, ‘With this we could streamline some areas or we could improve.’

“It was just a matter of wanting to open a dialogue, and Fred (Vasseur) was very receptive.”

Before branding himself “useless” ahead of the summer break, Hamilton revealed he had compiled multiple written proposals during the year to date.

“After the first few races, I did a full document for the team. Then during this break, I had another two documents that I sent in,” he explained.

The input covered “engine for next year, front suspension, rear suspension” and “issues that I have with this car” – as well as “structural adjustments” to improve Ferrari’s overall organisation.

He said he had held regular meetings with upper management, team boss Vasseur, technical chief Loic Serra and other department heads.

Teammate Charles Leclerc, whose upper hand over Hamilton has only grown through 2025, said his approach is different.

“I’m not creating documents on my side, but I’m definitely having meetings whenever I’m back in Maranello,” he said. “Every single driver has their way of feeding back the team.

“I have my way, which is different compared to Lewis, but that doesn’t mean I’m left out.”

Record 105-grand prix winner Hamilton’s “useless” remark has divided the paddock, with some seeing it as a coded message that the car is at fault.

Related Article:  F1 News: Hamilton needs to retire to avoid further damage to his reputation

Ralf Schumacher told Sky Deutschland: “From my point of view, Hamilton should now say – look, I’m hanging up my helmet. Or he has to say – now more than ever, I want this with all my might.

“I thought it was all a bit theatrical,” Schumacher added. “And it’s probably too stupid for him to always have to look for an excuse.”

Others believe the 40-year-old may simply be at a genuine and deepening low point. Even Mercedes boss Toto Wolff remarked that George Russell was already Mercedes’ standout performer last year. (He wiped the floor with Hamilton)

“Already last year, he (Russell) started to be our fastest and most reliable in terms of race pace and results achieved on the track,” he said. “We couldn’t ask for a better driver.”

Related Rumor: Formula 1 Rumor: Antonelli to replace Hamilton at Ferrari

With just six races remaining in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, Justin Bonsignore heads back to Richmond Raceway this Thursday night. The four-time series champion is the defending winner of the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150, leading 79 circuits en route to the win.

In four starts at Richmond since 2021, Bonsignore has won twice, finished fourth and had a DNF due to a mechanical failure. Bonsignore has also started on the front row in all four.

The New York native sits second in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship standings, just five points from the lead, heading for the stretch run of the season.

“We are certainly looking forward to getting back to Richmond,” Bonsignore said. “It’s a fast track with a lot of time on the throttle, perfect for the Modifieds and a blast to drive. It’s always nice to be racing on the same weekend as the NASCAR National Series, shining a spotlight on the Whelen Modified Tour. Our team has been working hard to be ready for the stretch run of the season.”

The schedule for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 includes NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour practice from 3:15-4:25 p.m., followed by qualifying at 6 p.m. and the drop of the green flag for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 at 8 p.m. For those who can’t make it to the track, the event will air live on FloRacing.TV.

For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow his Athlete page on Facebook.

Justin Bonsignore PR

Connor Zilisch has undergone surgery to repair the broken collarbone he suffered on Saturday at Watkins Glen.

Zilisch posted to social media that he “wanted to give everyone a quick update. Had surgery on my collarbone this morning to get a plate and screws to help with the healing process. Been a tough few days for me mentally, but all the love you guys have shown has certainly helped. Thank you.”

Zilisch, 19, fell from his JR Motorsports Chevrolet when he slipped off the door while celebrating in victory lane.  Fortunately, it was the only injury Zilisch suffered, as his left leg and ankle were caught in what appeared to be the window net as he fell.

The incident resulted in Zilisch being taken from victory lane on a backboard and later transferred to a local hospital. He was released the same night.

The injury sidelined Zilisch from competing in the Cup Series race on Sunday at Watkins Glen. It was his last scheduled race in the series for the season.

JR Motorsports has not announced whether Zilisch will be sidelined from any upcoming Xfinity Series events. The series is off this weekend, but will return to action on August 22 at Daytona International Speedway with three races left in the regular season. 

Zilisch not only leads the series with six victories, but also leads the championship standings. He is seven points ahead of JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier and 24 points ahead of Haas Factory Team driver Sam Mayer.

Bob Pockrass

FOX Motorsports Insider

Trackhouse Racing driver Connor Zilisch had surgery Tuesday to repair a broken collarbone suffered in a fall Saturday while celebrating his victory at Watkins Glen.

Zilisch, in a social media post, said he underwent the surgery so a plate and screws could be put in and help the healing process.

The Xfinity Series points leader did not say when he might return to racing. The series is off this weekend and then has three regular-season races remaining at Daytona, Portland (road course) and World Wide Technology Raceway (commonly known as Gateway).

Zilisch indicated on the “Door Bumper Clear” podcast that he was briefly knocked out after the fall, where he had one foot on the roof and one on the driver’s side window sill, where he had not tucked the window net inside the car but was instead laying underneath his foot. 

“I was climbing out of the car and obviously the window net was on the door and as soon as they started spraying water, my foot slipped and the last thing I remember is being halfway done and falling,” Zilisch said during the USA telecast of the Cup race Sunday.

“I’m glad it wasn’t any worse.”

All CT scans Saturday proved negative for any head injuries.

Zilisch, who races for JR Motorsports in the series and leads teammate Justin Allgaier by seven points in the standings, fell off his car when he lost his footing while trying to stand on his car following his sixth victory of the season. If he doesn’t start a race, he would need a waiver to miss a race(s) and still be eligible for the playoffs.

He also could possibly start a race and then have a stand-by driver replace him during the event — Zilisch would then get the points for wherever the replacement driver finishes.

Zilisch, the No. 1 Cup prospect in a FOX Sports midseason prospect ranking released last week, is expected to race full time in the NASCAR Cup Series next year. Trackhouse has already announced that Daniel Suarez will not return and a Zilisch announcement is expected soon.

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.

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19-year-old Connor Zilisch fell from his race-winning car at Watkins Glen in a frightening moment that left the entire NASCAR community stunned. Thankfully, he escaped with only broken collarbone, which prevented him from competing in the NASCAR Cup race on Sunday.

However, the focus is now on getting Zilisch fully healed in time to compete for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. The rookie sensation has six wins this year, and currently leads the regular season point standings. The next race takes place at Daytona International Speedway on August 22nd, and there but still three races until the NXS playoffs get underway.

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On Tuesday, Zilisch provided the following update regarding his recovery: “Wanted to give everyone a quick update. Had surgery on my collarbone this morning to get a plate and screws to help with the healing process. Been a tough few days for me mentally, but all the love you guys have shown has certainly helped. Thank you.”

Connor Zilisch taken away via stretcher, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

The teenager has also been using humor after his Victory Lane tumble went viral, responding to video of the fall with the following message: “Now that I know I’ll be alright, it’s gonna be tough to make a comeback from this generational aura debt. Dang, at least I won.”

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Zilisch also appeared on the Door Bumper Clear podcast this week, his right arm in a sling. “The last thing I remember, I was split on the door so I had one leg in and one leg out of the car,” he said on the podcast. “The last I remember, and I don’t know why, but I thought I was going to break my femur. My leg was stuck. I thought I was done.”

Read Also:

Winner Connor Zilisch leaves on a stretcher in scary Victory Lane fall

Connor Zilisch suffers broken collarbone in shocking fall while celebrating win

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With two-thirds of the NASCAR Cup Series races in his rearview mirror, Glendale native Michael McDowell is looking to make his way up the standings under the lights this Saturday in Richmond.

Over the first 24 races of the season, McDowell has tallied two top-five, three top-10 and 12 top-20 finishes. The 2021 Daytona 500 winner is currently 22nd in points, 44 markers below the playoff cutline.

He will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Go Workforce Chevrolet ZL1 in Saturday’s 400-lap race at Richmond Raceway. The Cook Out 400 engines roar at 4:30 p.m. Arizona time.