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via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc tried to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes before they signed Kimi AntonelliCharles Leclerc, currently a key driver for Ferrari, explored the possibility of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2025 season. His manager, Nicolas Todt, engaged in discussions with Mercedes regarding this potential move after they were informed of Hamilton's impending transfer to Ferrari.
Despite these talks, Mercedes opted to sign Andrea Kimi Antonelli, leading Leclerc to renew his contract with Ferrari in January 2024. This decision came before Hamilton's official announcement of his move to Ferrari, which was revealed in February 2024. As a result, Leclerc remains with Ferrari through the 2030 season.
Wed 23 Sep · 15:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comVerstappen indifferent to Monaco Sprint race announcementMax Verstappen expressed his lack of concern regarding the announcement of the Sprint race at the Monaco Grand Prix, stating he feels 'no emotion attached to it.' The Red Bull Racing driver has previously voiced his disdain for the Sprint format in Formula 1.
+ 1 moreWed 23 Sep · 14:39 UTC
via BBC SportKimi Antonelli reflects on fears from rookie seasonKimi Antonelli has acknowledged that his fear of crashing impacted his performance during his rookie season with Mercedes in 2025. The championship leader revealed that a crash in 2024 lingered in his mind, affecting his confidence as he continues to adapt to Formula 1.
+ 1 moreWed 23 Sep · 14:26 UTC
via Formula1.comGrosjean on why Mercedes' support has been key for AntonelliRomain Grosjean highlighted the significant role Mercedes has played in Kimi Antonelli's impressive 2026 season, helping him unlock new performance levels. Antonelli, who had a challenging rookie year, has capitalised on Mercedes' support to dominate the early races and currently leads the Drivers' Championship.
Grosjean praised Antonelli's talent and the team's unwavering backing, which has fostered his confidence. He noted that despite facing difficulties, such as a poor start to the season, Mercedes provided crucial support that allowed Antonelli to thrive, showcasing his potential to become the youngest-ever World Champion.
Wed 23 Sep · 14:03 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen and Kelly Piquet toast baby joy: 'Fantastic mate!'Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet celebrated the birth of a new family member, Otto Suarez Piquet, born to NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez and Kelly's sister, Julia. The couple announced their pregnancy in April, and Otto's arrival adds to the family's growing collection of children.
Max, who is a proud father to his daughter Lily, shared his joy on social media, calling it a fantastic time for Daniel. Kelly also expressed her eagerness to spoil her new nephew, highlighting the strong family ties within the motorsport community, as both families have a rich racing heritage.
Wed 23 Sep · 12:57 UTC
via Formula1.comHadjar elated to ‘come back to the fight’ amid new contractIsack Hadjar is set to return to racing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury that sidelined him for three rounds. The Red Bull driver confirmed that while he is ready to compete, he still experiences some pain from the injury, which was a small fracture he sustained during training over the summer.
Alongside his return, Hadjar announced a contract extension with Red Bull that will see him continue racing alongside Max Verstappen in 2027. Prior to his injury, Hadjar was performing well, achieving seven top-six finishes, including a podium in Monaco, and he is eager to demonstrate his capabilities on the track once again.Wed 23 Sep · 11:41 UTC
via RaceFansRussell praises Antonelli's driving style for 2026George Russell has stated that Andrea Kimi Antonelli's driving style is ideally suited for the Formula 1 cars expected in 2026. Russell's comments suggest that Antonelli's approach could lead to significant success in the upcoming season.
+ 1 moreWed 23 Sep · 11:27 UTC
via Motorsport.comJamie Chadwick warns Kimi Antonelli of title pressureJamie Chadwick has cautioned Kimi Antonelli that the pressure of competing for the Formula 1 championship will increase as the season progresses. Despite this, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer noted that Antonelli is currently displaying no signs of feeling the strain as he approaches his first title.Wed 23 Sep · 10:16 UTC
via grandprix.comRed Bull extends Isack Hadjar's contract to 2027Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will remain with the team until 2027. Team boss Laurent Mekies has outlined expectations for Hadjar to continue his development as he prepares to return from injury.
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar voices Red Bull 'privilege' after renewed F1 trustIsack Hadjar has expressed a sense of privilege after signing an extension with Red Bull Racing for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The French driver joined the team in 2025 and has made a strong impression, achieving a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix and consistently finishing in the top six throughout the season.
Despite Red Bull's struggles this year, Hadjar remains motivated to help the team return to the top. He acknowledged the talent within the team and the support he has received, stating his commitment to improving and justifying the faith placed in him by Red Bull.
Wed 23 Sep · 08:10 UTC
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen at Le Mans? F1 calendar reveals growing GT potentialMax Verstappen is keen to return to GT racing, especially after a strong performance at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, where he nearly won. The 2027 Formula 1 calendar offers him opportunities to participate in several endurance races, including the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours, which takes place shortly after the Monaco Grand Prix.
Verstappen's potential 2027 racing calendar includes events like the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Bathurst 12 Hour. He has previously shown interest in these races, and with the schedule allowing for these outings, he is likely to pursue them. His involvement in GT racing could be significant, especially with his team running a Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Wed 23 Sep · 07:04 UTC
via newsonf1.comWolff absent as Antonelli enters gruelling title runToto Wolff will not attend the upcoming race in Baku as the Formula 1 championship enters a challenging phase, with a tight schedule ahead. Bradley Lord will take over Wolff's trackside duties during this period. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar is set to return to the Red Bull team after recovering from a wrist injury, while Liam Lawson will revert to Racing Bulls after a successful stint alongside Max Verstappen.
Kimi Antonelli is currently leading the championship with an 81-point advantage and is focused on maintaining his lead through the demanding upcoming races. He expressed confidence in his physical readiness for the challenges ahead. Despite Mercedes not having made significant upgrades since May, further developments are anticipated in the coming races, and Antonelli's performance is expected to remain strong as he aims for his first title.
via PlanetF1Azerbaijan GP predictions: Leclerc no Antonelli, Russell desperation bites, rookie breakthroughThe Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set for this weekend, with George Russell needing a win to keep his championship hopes alive, as he trails Kimi Antonelli by 88 points. Russell's desperation may lead to risky driving, especially in the challenging Baku circuit, which has seen multiple crashes in previous years.
Charles Leclerc is likely to face a grid penalty due to engine issues, making a strong performance unlikely. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly is looking to replicate his previous pole position success, and rookie Arvid Lindblad is expected to perform well, potentially finishing in the top five.Wed 23 Sep · 04:54 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen hails former F1 rival: 'Destined for greater things'Max Verstappen has expressed admiration for former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica, stating that he was 'destined for greater things' in the sport. Verstappen highlighted Kubica's talent and the unfortunate circumstances that hindered his career after a life-threatening crash in 2011, which prevented him from achieving his potential in F1.
Kubica made a return to F1 in 2019 with Williams but later transitioned to endurance racing, where he found success by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Ferrari. Verstappen, who closely follows endurance racing, shared his happiness at seeing Kubica achieve this significant milestone.Wed 23 Sep · 04:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull confirm Azerbaijan GP line-up change as Kimi Antonelli label questioned - RacingNews365 ReviewRed Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will return to the team for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This decision comes as part of a line-up change where Hadjar will take the place of Liam Lawson for this race weekend.
In related news, Kimi Antonelli's status as a potential 'generational talent' has been debated, with comparisons made to Lewis Hamilton's career. The discussions highlight the expectations placed on young drivers in Formula 1 and the benchmarks set by established stars.Tue 22 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLaurent Mekies shares the 'doubts' that nearly stopped Max Verstappen extending his Red Bull contractMax Verstappen had serious doubts about his future with Red Bull, contemplating a move to another team or even retirement at the end of 2026. However, after discussions regarding the implications of new regulations and assurances about the team's competitiveness, he ultimately decided to extend his contract with Red Bull until 2030.
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's team principal, highlighted that Verstappen's concerns were addressed through collaborative efforts with Formula 1 and the FIA. The changes in engine regulations, which will shift the balance towards more internal combustion engine dependency, played a crucial role in restoring Verstappen's confidence in the sport and his team.Tue 22 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comF1 teams must not help Honda after seeing them dominate the sport with Max VerstappenHonda is facing significant challenges in the 2026 Formula 1 season, particularly with their partnership with Aston Martin, which has led to discussions about potential replacements for their underperforming engine. Rival teams have previously provided financial assistance to Honda, fearing their exit from the sport, but there is now caution about offering too much support due to Honda's history of dominance with Max Verstappen from 2021 to 2024.
As the F1 landscape prepares for a shift in engine regulations favouring internal combustion engines starting in 2027, there are concerns that if Honda receives additional backing, they could quickly regain their competitive edge. This has led to a divided opinion among teams, with some advocating for caution to prevent Honda from leveraging any support to become a dominant force once again.Tue 22 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comRed Bull still haven’t seen how good Liam Lawson really is after ending his stint one race too earlyRed Bull Racing has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will return to the team for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending Liam Lawson's stint as a substitute driver. Lawson had previously replaced Hadjar and performed well, scoring points in his debut race at Zandvoort and achieving a career-best fifth place at Baku last year.
The decision to end Lawson's time with Red Bull comes as he was poised to potentially excel at the Baku circuit, where he had previously qualified third and finished fifth. The team has been noted for having the best internal combustion engine, which could have further enhanced Lawson's performance had he continued in the RB22.Tue 22 Sep · 17:00 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen makes decision on racing series switch despite success of father JosMax Verstappen has decided against switching to rally car racing, citing safety concerns as a new father. Despite his father's success in rallying, including winning the Belgian Rally Championship in 2025, Verstappen believes the risks associated with rallying are too high, especially given the potential for serious accidents.
Verstappen has committed to Formula 1, having signed a new contract with Red Bull last month. He has explored other racing formats, such as GT racing, but maintains that rallying is not a viable option for him at this stage in his life. His family generally supports his racing decisions but would likely intervene if he pursued rallying.Tue 22 Sep · 16:27 UTC
via Motorsport WeekIsack Hadjar expresses relief at returning to Red BullIsack Hadjar has shared his relief about the upcoming opportunity to race again with Red Bull at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He described feeling a 'weird feeling' during his absence from Formula 1.
Tue 22 Sep · 15:30 UTCPage 16 of 59