Ecclestone denies arrest, untelevised radios and Wolff's premonition: F1 round-up

Tuesday was a busy day in Formula 1, with Bernie Ecclestone denying arrest reports, Red Bull taking a light-hearted jab at the FIA, and untelevised team radio messages from Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen surfacing after the Italian Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

These stories reveal the off-track chatter and team dynamics that often go unnoticed. Ecclestone's clarification puts a legal rumor to rest, while the drivers' candid radio messages offer a glimpse into Ferrari's and Red Bull's current state of mind. Toto Wolff's premonition about Monza also underscores Mercedes' growing belief in Kimi Antonelli.

The details:

• Ecclestone denies arrest: The former F1 boss told PlanetF1.com that reports of his arrest over an unlicensed shotgun in Portugal were "all overblown and a massive cock-up."
• Red Bull trolls FIA: Red Bull's social media team referenced the FIA's recent ADUO findings – which ranked Red Bull Powertrains first in internal combustion power – while promoting their energy drink. Team principal Laurent Mekies has previously questioned the accuracy of those findings, but the FIA stands by its measurements.
• Hamilton apologizes to tifosi: After a tough Monza weekend, Lewis Hamilton used untelevised team radio to apologize to Ferrari fans. He and Charles Leclerc came close at Turn 1, but Hamilton recovered to finish sixth.
• Verstappen points out weaknesses: Despite taking a much-needed podium at Monza, Max Verstappen was blunt on the radio: "You can see clearly our weaknesses here."
• Wolff's premonition pays off: Toto Wolff said he believed one of his drivers would win at Monza and kept faith in Kimi Antonelli, even from 19th on the grid. Wolff likened the 20-year-old's charge through the field to Lewis Hamilton's classic drives with Mercedes.

What's next:

As the season moves on, these storylines will evolve. Ecclestone's legal situation appears resolved, while Red Bull and Ferrari will look to address their drivers' concerns. Mercedes, meanwhile, has a new star in Antonelli who could reshape their season.