Andrea Kimi AntonelliCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonMax Verstappen 
via thejudge13.comHamilton responds to allegations of Ferrari personnel tensionsLewis Hamilton has publicly denied allegations that he requested changes to Ferrari's trackside personnel, asserting his commitment to the team. This statement comes after reports suggested tensions between him and team principal Fred Vasseur, particularly following Hamilton's struggles in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The claims emerged after Hamilton's retirement at the Spanish Grand Prix, which left him significantly behind in the Drivers' Championship. Despite the challenges faced by Ferrari, Hamilton emphasised his intention to empower his team rather than demand changes, aiming to foster a collaborative environment.
thejudge13.comTue 22 Sep · 06:45 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton set for Ferrari boost as major rule change gets approvalLewis Hamilton's chances of winning the 2026 Formula 1 title have diminished after a poor performance in recent races, where he only managed 22 points compared to Kimi Antonelli's 73 points. Despite this setback, Ferrari is looking to enhance their SF-26 car with upgrades scheduled for October, aiming to finish the season on a high note.
In a significant development, Formula 1 has approved a controversial rule change that will shorten race distances starting in 2027. This decision was made during the F1 Commission meeting held in London, which focused on various key points, including the new race format. The changes are expected to impact the structure of future races and how teams prepare for them.
gpfans.comTue 22 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Juan Pablo Montoya suggests karting challenge for 2026Juan Pablo Montoya has proposed that the 2026 Formula 1 drivers participate in a karting challenge similar to one previously undertaken by Max Verstappen. Montoya believes this would be an entertaining spectacle for fans.
RacingNews365+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 05:25 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton reveals 'light dimming' Ferrari worryLewis Hamilton expressed concern over Ferrari's diminishing chances for the 2026 title, stating that the 'light' at the end of the tunnel is fading. This follows a challenging season for Ferrari, where Hamilton has struggled, including a retirement in the Spanish Grand Prix due to brake issues.
Despite acknowledging the team's efforts in bringing upgrades, Hamilton's comments reflect a growing pessimism about their title aspirations. He noted that while he appreciates the hard work of the Ferrari team, the results on track need to improve to maintain their competitive edge.RacingNews365Tue 22 Sep · 04:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli discusses Lewis Hamilton's influenceKimi Antonelli has acknowledged the impact of Lewis Hamilton on his career as he approaches his first Formula 1 drivers' title. Antonelli also revealed that he has received messages from Sebastian Vettel, further highlighting the support from established figures in the sport.RacingNews365Mon 21 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via gpfans.comFIA penalty points: Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli update ahead of Azerbaijan Grand PrixAs the Azerbaijan Grand Prix approaches, both Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton have only one penalty point each, following recent expirations of their previous points. Antonelli's points were reduced after incidents at the Dutch and Monza Grands Prix, while Hamilton lost points for failing to slow under double yellow flags at the Dutch Grand Prix last year.
The current penalty point standings show Franco Colapinto leading with four points, while Liam Lawson and Lance Stroll follow with three. The FIA has been more lenient this season, with many drivers seeing their penalty points expire, which is crucial as exceeding 12 points results in a one-race ban.gpfans.comMon 21 Sep · 18:30 UTC
via f1technical.netNorris and Verstappen reveal how Antonelli needs to approach the final leg of the seasonAndrea Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable 2026 Formula 1 campaign has earned praise from two of the sport’s most experienced current drivers, with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris both impressed by the way the young Mercedes driver has handled his championship challenge.
f1technical.netMon 21 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton's Ferrari F1 boss branded 'Napoleon' who has an 'allergy to Maranello'Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is facing significant criticism following a series of poor performances from the team. Lewis Hamilton, who is currently third in the drivers' championship, has expressed frustration over team decisions, particularly regarding his teammate Charles Leclerc's actions during races. The Italian media has targeted Vasseur, questioning his leadership and presence at the Ferrari base in Maranello.
Italian journalist Giorgio Teruzzi labelled Vasseur as 'Napoleon' due to his perceived arrogance and lack of communication with the team. As Ferrari struggles to keep pace with Mercedes, the scrutiny on Vasseur intensifies, especially after Hamilton's recent DNF at the Spanish Grand Prix, which has left him trailing Kimi Antonelli by a significant margin in the standings.gpfans.comMon 21 Sep · 17:44 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton is realising his ‘dream’ move to Ferrari has turned into a Catch 22 situationLewis Hamilton's transition to Ferrari, which he viewed as a dream move, has become complicated as he grapples with the team's struggles. After leaving Mercedes at the start of the 2025 season, Hamilton initially showed promise with podium finishes and a race win, but subsequent strategic errors from Ferrari have led to frustration.
Hamilton's desire to implement changes within Ferrari has met resistance from fans who believe he must first prove himself with consistent success. This Catch-22 situation leaves Hamilton at a crossroads, needing to decide whether to push for changes that may alienate supporters or work within the existing framework to achieve victories.
f1oversteer.comMon 21 Sep · 16:30 UTC
via f1technical.netAntonelli reveals how he keeps his feet on the ground amid championship successAndrea Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes driver, has had a stellar 2026 Formula 1 season, highlighted by his recent victory at the Spanish Grand Prix. He currently holds a commanding lead in the Drivers' Championship, significantly ahead of his teammate George Russell. Despite his success, Antonelli remains grounded, attributing his focus to the strong support system around him, particularly his father, who helps him stay humble and focused on his performance.
As the championship race intensifies, Antonelli is determined not to let the pressure of leading the standings affect his driving. He emphasizes the importance of concentrating on each race and extracting the best from himself and his car, rather than getting caught up in the championship implications. Antonelli's mindset is to keep things simple and avoid overthinking, allowing him to maintain his competitive edge as the season progresses.f1technical.netMon 21 Sep · 16:00 UTC
Wikimedia Commons · Steffen Prößdorf, crop by Cerebral726 · CC BY-SA 4.0Max Verstappen makes firm position on following Lando Norris’ junior team pathMax Verstappen has stated he is not interested in following Lando Norris' path of starting a junior single-seater team. Norris recently announced the creation of LN4 Fusion, which will compete in various championships starting in 2027. Verstappen commended Norris for his initiative to support young drivers amid rising racing costs.
Instead of venturing into single-seaters, Verstappen prefers to focus on his endurance racing team, Verstappen Racing. He enjoys working with both established and young drivers, and his team is already involved in training numerous Formula 2, 3, and 4 drivers. Additionally, he is eyeing a potential entry into the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Motorsport WeekMon 21 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via gpfans.comFerrari F1 star Charles Leclerc announces new plans: "I spoke about it with my manager"Charles Leclerc has announced his intention to pursue a role in driver management after his Formula 1 career. He stated that he has already spoken with his manager, Nicolas Todt, about the possibility of working together in this capacity once he retires from driving.
Despite his plans for the future, Leclerc emphasised that he remains fully committed to his current role with Ferrari and is focused on achieving success in the sport. He believes that transitioning to management could be a natural next step when he decides to retire from racing.gpfans.comMon 21 Sep · 15:19 UTC
via racer.comFerrari needs to get its act together in qualifying, Vasseur saysFerrari team principal Fred Vasseur has emphasised the need for improvement in qualifying performance, stating that the team has the potential for better results if they can enhance their pace during qualifying sessions. Despite Charles Leclerc demonstrating strong race pace at the Spanish Grand Prix, Ferrari has struggled to secure podium finishes since July, with Vasseur pinpointing weaknesses in the final stages of qualifying as a critical area for development.
Leclerc echoed Vasseur's sentiments, indicating that the car's performance in qualifying is generally lacking compared to its race pace. He specifically mentioned that the power unit's performance is a contributing factor to their struggles on Saturdays. Both Vasseur and Leclerc expressed a commitment to finding solutions to unlock more qualifying performance, with Vasseur optimistic about the team's ability to carry over current developments into next year's project.
racer.comMon 21 Sep · 14:05 UTC
via Motorsport.comGuenther Steiner predicts Max Verstappen will go winless in 2026 F1 seasonGuenther Steiner, the former Haas Formula 1 team principal, has made a bold prediction that Max Verstappen will finish the 2026 Formula 1 season without a single victory. He believes that the current Red Bull Racing package is not competitive enough to secure wins, especially with strong performances from rivals Mercedes and McLaren.
Verstappen is currently sixth in the standings, significantly trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Despite achieving second place in several races this season, he has acknowledged a performance gap compared to his competitors, indicating that improvements are still needed in the car's setup and performance.
Motorsport.comMon 21 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via RacingNews365RUMOURLewis Hamilton denies demands for Ferrari changesLewis Hamilton has strongly denied rumours suggesting he is requesting changes at Ferrari. The claims come as Max Verstappen continues to build momentum ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.RacingNews365Mon 21 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton’s former Mercedes engineer always knew he would be back to ‘200%’ in a ‘winning’ carLewis Hamilton has demonstrated significant improvement in the 2026 Formula 1 season, achieving 191 points with 10 races remaining, surpassing his total from the previous year. He has won a race and secured five podium finishes, marking a notable turnaround after a challenging 2025 season without a top-three finish. This progress is attributed to both Hamilton's driving style aligning better with the new cars and Ferrari's advancements with the SF-26.
Former Mercedes engineer Philipp Brandle noted that Hamilton tends to perform at his best when he has a competitive car, suggesting that his motivation has increased this year. Despite Hamilton's insistence that he always gives 100%, his performance at Ferrari indicates that he may unlock greater potential when contending for victories. With Ferrari positioned as serious challengers this season, Hamilton's commitment and performance could further elevate if the team provides a title-contending car in the future.f1oversteer.comMon 21 Sep · 13:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Verstappen crashes after life-threatening blowout as Hamilton suffers 'magic button' mishapDuring the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen experienced a life-threatening crash when his left-rear tyre exploded at high speed, leading to a collision with the wall. This incident occurred on lap 46, and Verstappen reported feeling no prior warning before the blowout. Pirelli later investigated and found no manufacturing defects in the tyres, attributing the failure to the specific running conditions on the track.
Simultaneously, Lewis Hamilton faced his own challenges when a switch on his steering wheel caused him to lose control at Turn 1 during the race restart. This mishap resulted in both championship contenders failing to score points, leaving the title fight unchanged but highlighting the precarious nature of their competition. Following the race, Mercedes made adjustments to their steering wheel design to avoid similar issues in the future.RacingNews365Mon 21 Sep · 13:15 UTC
via PlanetF1Toto Wolff comments on George Russell's 2026 strugglesToto Wolff has acknowledged George Russell's difficulties in matching his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli during the 2026 Formula 1 season. Russell's performance has raised questions about his title aspirations as he continues to adapt to the competitive landscape.
PlanetF1+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 13:03 UTC
via Motorsport WeekNorris and Antonelli urge changes to Madring circuitLando Norris and Andrea Kimi Antonelli have called for modifications to the Madring circuit following its debut at the Spanish Grand Prix. Their comments come in response to the track's limitations highlighted during the race and the negative feedback from fans.Motorsport Week+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 13:00 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen hails Lando Norris for helping fix huge F1 problemMax Verstappen has expressed his admiration for Lando Norris, who has taken significant steps to support aspiring drivers in motorsport by launching his own junior team, LN4 Fusion. This initiative aims to compete in various championships, including the FIA Formula 3, and is seen as a way to address the financial barriers that many young talents face in entering Formula 1.
Verstappen highlighted the increasing costs associated with motorsport and the challenges that talented drivers encounter due to financial constraints. While he appreciates Norris's contributions, Verstappen stated that he prefers to focus on endurance racing and does not plan to establish his own single-seater team, instead supporting young drivers through his existing projects.gpfans.comMon 21 Sep · 12:59 UTC
via RacingNews365Mercedes reveal clever tactic to deceive F1 rivalsMercedes has revealed that it uses secret codes during races to communicate with its drivers, ensuring that their strategies remain undisclosed to rival teams. This tactic was notably employed during the recent Spanish Grand Prix, where Kimi Antonelli secured his eighth victory of the season, aided by the timing of a virtual safety car.
Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes' race-side engineering director, explained that the team discusses potential race interruptions beforehand and adjusts their plans accordingly. The use of secret codes, which are changed weekly, allows them to signal strategies without alerting competitors, as all communications can be monitored by other teams.RacingNews365Mon 21 Sep · 12:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Baku low-drag mastery points to one F1 team to fear in Azerbaijan GPMercedes arrives in Baku with strong momentum from recent races, particularly excelling in low-drag setups that suit the Azerbaijan Grand Prix's demands. Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are highlighted as key drivers to watch, with the W17 car demonstrating an effective balance of downforce and speed, crucial for the long straights and tight corners of the Baku circuit.
In contrast, Red Bull's Max Verstappen has shown improvement, podiuming in four of his last five races, making them a credible threat. Meanwhile, McLaren is reallocating engineering resources to support Oscar Piastri, while Ferrari's performance is under scrutiny due to concerns over their straight-line speed, which could hinder their competitiveness in Baku.RacingNews365Mon 21 Sep · 10:50 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton makes 'not natural' claim as F1 learning set to developLewis Hamilton has expressed that the new 2026-spec Formula 1 cars are still not 'natural' to drive, indicating that drivers are still adapting to the changes. He highlighted the importance of energy management under the new engine regulations and noted that the chassis design has shifted back to an aerodynamic focus, which he is more familiar with from previous seasons.
Despite a challenging season where he is currently 101 points behind Kimi Antonelli, who has won eight races, Hamilton remains optimistic about his team's performance. He believes Ferrari is competitive with the top teams and is focused on making the necessary improvements to close the gap. Hamilton is enjoying the process of working closely with his team as they plan for future regulations.RacingNews365Mon 21 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comLeclerc explains why he won't copy Hamilton's styleCharles Leclerc has clarified his decision not to emulate Lewis Hamilton's driving style while adapting to Ferrari's 2026 Formula 1 car. He stated that the challenges posed by the new regulations made it difficult to replicate Hamilton's approach.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 09:34 UTC