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via RaceFansSpotlight: ‘Who decided these rules were best for F1?’ asks Sainz | BriefCarlos Sainz Jnr expressed his concerns regarding the complex regulations in Formula 1 following significant delays during the formation laps of a recent race. The delays, which lasted nearly an hour, led Sainz to question the decision-making behind the rules that have caused such issues.
Sainz, who serves as a director for the Grand Prix Drivers Association, highlighted the complications faced by drivers, teams, and manufacturers due to the current regulations. He urged Formula 1 to critically evaluate how it arrived at this situation and consider necessary changes to simplify the rules.
via f1technical.netAudi left frustrated after missing points by a single position at SepangAudi faced disappointment at the Bahrain Grand Prix as Nico Hulkenberg finished just outside the points in 11th place, losing the final points position to Arvid Lindblad on the last lap. Gabriel Bortoleto's race was marred by a collision with Carlos Sainz, resulting in a 10-second penalty and a finish in 18th place due to significant damage to his car.
Despite the setbacks, Audi's strategy to switch to intermediate tyres early in the race was praised, and Hulkenberg showed strong pace after switching back to soft tyres. Racing Director Allan McNish acknowledged the team's competitiveness but expressed frustration at narrowly missing points for the second consecutive race, highlighting the tight margins in the midfield.
via RaceFansLando Norris receives punishment after Bahrain GP incidentLando Norris has been reprimanded by the FIA following an investigation into his erratic driving under the safety car during the Bahrain Grand Prix. The incident, which nearly resulted in a collision with his team mate, prompted a three-part review by the stewards.
via f1technical.netWilliams reflect on their "well-executed qualifying" after Friday strugglesCarlos Sainz delivered a commendable qualifying performance for Williams, securing 13th place at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite the team's ongoing struggles with pace. Sainz's ability to progress through both qualifying sessions showcased his skill, as he managed to extract more performance from the FW48 than expected. Team Principal James Vowles acknowledged the positive aspects of Sainz's performance while also highlighting the limitations of the car.
In contrast, Alex Albon faced a challenging qualifying session, finishing in 20th place but moving up to 18th due to penalties for other drivers. Albon's difficulties were attributed to a different setup direction that did not yield the desired results. Both drivers are preparing for a race that could be influenced by high tyre degradation and potential rain, with the team hoping to capitalise on any opportunities that arise.
via PlanetF1Untelevised Carlos Sainz footage emerges after Bahrain GP near missUntelevised footage from the Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying session has surfaced, showing a stone hitting Carlos Sainz's Williams FW48 and damaging the onboard camera. Sainz qualified in 13th place, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen took pole position. The incident occurred as Sainz was following another car on the back straight.
Sainz defended the track surface, stating it adds character to the venue, but acknowledged that the conditions were nearing the limit of acceptability for modern Formula 1. He expressed that the low-grip conditions made it challenging to manage the car, yet he felt his qualifying performance was the best possible under the circumstances.
via f1technical.netWhy was the Sepang practice day a disappointment for Williams?Williams faced a challenging practice day at Sepang as they assessed their upgrade package from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz reported difficulties with the car's high-speed performance, with Albon finishing 17th in the first session and last in the second, while Sainz improved but remained in the lower midfield. Albon expressed concerns about rear stability, while Sainz noted that high-speed corners were contributing to tyre degradation.
The team’s Chief Engineer, Paul Williams, acknowledged that Sepang presented a tougher test for their upgrades compared to Baku, highlighting the need to gather data on the car's limitations. With high tyre degradation expected due to the rough track surface and high temperatures, managing tyre performance will be crucial for the race. The team is focused on isolating the car's weaknesses to inform future developments.
via f1oversteer.comCarlos Sainz admits ‘desire will shift’ away from Williams if he never gets what George Russell hasCarlos Sainz has always maintained that he is happy to see his future at Williams, but now it seems the love affair is conditional for ...
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell details F1 drivers' Langkawi boys' trip ahead of Bahrain GP in MalaysiaGeorge Russell, a driver for Mercedes, has shared insights about a recent trip to Langkawi, Malaysia, which he took with six other Formula 1 drivers ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The trip featured activities such as go-karting and sightseeing, with Russell expressing his admiration for the island's beauty and the friendliness of its people. He noted that the itinerary was influenced by Mercedes' title partner, Petronas.
In addition to Russell, Kimi Antonelli, his teammate, arrived in Malaysia early but chose to explore Kuala Lumpur and visit a water park. Antonelli currently leads the championship standings by 66 points, following Russell's victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The trip served as a unique way for the drivers to bond and prepare for the upcoming race.
via f1oversteer.comWilliams made a promise to Carlos Sainz in private meeting before he signed new F1 contractWilliams have managed to convince Carlos Sainz to stay on board for 2027, despite his public outrage over the team’s current situation. After scoring two ...
via Motorsport.comHow Carlos Sainz bounced back from the most difficult moment of his F1 careerCarlos Sainz, reflecting on his time with Williams ahead of the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, shared his mixed feelings about the current season. Despite feeling at the peak of his driving abilities, he has faced significant challenges due to the performance of the FW48, leading to a frustrating year without the expected results.
Sainz expressed his commitment to the Williams project, citing trust in the team's vision and the supportive environment he has found there. He highlighted the importance of feeling listened to as a driver and compared his current experience to his successful years at McLaren. Sainz remains hopeful for improvement in the future as he continues to contribute his expertise to the team.
via Motorsport.comWilliams reaches Q3 for first time in 2026Williams achieved a significant milestone by progressing to Q3 for the first time in the 2026 season during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, the team faced challenges as Carlos Sainz received a grid penalty, impacting their overall performance.
via F1iWilliams drivers positive on new package, but 'we need more'Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon of Williams expressed cautious optimism following the team's recent upgrades to the FW48, which helped Sainz secure the team's first point in ten races at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Sainz highlighted the improvements made, particularly in qualifying, but acknowledged that the team still needs more performance to consistently compete for points.
While Sainz celebrated the point, he also noted the need for further enhancements to the car's aerodynamics. Albon, who crashed early in the race, echoed this sentiment, stating that the car's pace was encouraging but still lacking in certain areas. Both drivers agree that while the upgrades have made the car more enjoyable to drive, additional performance is essential for regular competitiveness.
via Motorsport.comWilliams F1 announces huge K-pop star TZUYU collaborationWilliams F1 has partnered with K-pop star TZUYU to create the official theme song for its collaboration with the anime DAN DA DAN. TZUYU, known for her work with the girl group TWICE, expressed her excitement about merging the worlds of Formula 1, anime, and music.
The collaboration will feature special events at the Singapore Grand Prix, where fans can engage with the partnership. Williams' merchandise director highlighted the significance of having TZUYU involved, aiming to reach new audiences globally. The project aims to showcase the energy and excitement of both Formula 1 and the anime series.
via Motorsport.comWhy Mercedes thought Max Verstappen was "on some sort of massive bungee cord" in Azerbaijan GPDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, George Russell initially created a significant lead over Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, but the deployment of a safety car changed the race dynamics. After the safety car, Verstappen managed to close the gap and challenged Russell, leading to a nail-biting finish where only 0.196 seconds separated them at the line.
Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord remarked on Verstappen's ability to catch up, likening it to being on a 'massive bungee cord'. Despite Russell's superior speed in the second sector, Verstappen's straight-line speed allowed him to stay close. The race highlighted the intense competition and strategic nuances of Formula 1, with Russell managing to maintain his lead despite the pressure.
via Formula1.comSainz and Albon assess Williams' Baku upgradesCarlos Sainz and Alex Albon have shared their thoughts on the significant aerodynamic upgrade package introduced by Williams at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The five-part upgrade aims to enhance the performance of the FW48 as the team seeks to compete more effectively in the midfield.
via RacingNews365Alex Albon highlights bizarre 'three-wheel' issue behind race-ending Baku crashAlexander Albon provided insight into his crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which occurred on lap 30 and resulted in an early retirement from the race. He explained that a gust of wind caught him off guard while braking, leading to a loss of control and a collision with the barrier. Albon noted that the crash was exacerbated by the car's tendency to lift the front wheel, a phenomenon known as 'three-wheeling'.
This issue has plagued the Williams FW48 throughout the season, with the team struggling to address it despite various setup changes. Albon admitted that his decision to brake later than usual did not align with the car's capabilities, and he recognised the need to analyse the data further to understand the incident better.
via RaceFansLiam Lawson questions lack of penalty for Arvid LindbladLiam Lawson expressed confusion over the decision not to penalise his Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad for their collision during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The FIA clarified that no further action was taken against Lindblad, which left Lawson bemused.
via CrashFranco Colapinto receives grid penalty for Baku crashFranco Colapinto has been handed a five-place grid penalty for the Malaysian Grand Prix following a collision at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that involved Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris. Alpine chief Flavio Briatore has expressed disappointment over Colapinto's actions, describing them as a 'very poor move' that impacted the team's performance.
via PlanetF1Arvid Lindblad apologises to Liam Lawson after Baku clashArvid Lindblad has publicly apologised to his Racing Bulls team-mate Liam Lawson following their collision during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident occurred during a restart, leaving Lawson confused about Lindblad's intentions.
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar's Azerbaijan podium under investigationIsack Hadjar's third-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is now under scrutiny as the FIA investigates alleged practice-start infringements. Hadjar, who celebrated his second podium of the season, may face consequences following a summons from the race stewards.Page 1 of 10