News831 stories
RSS ↗
via Motorsport Week‘Game on’: George Russell hints at Mercedes ‘pressure’ plot for Lando Norris in Dutch GPGeorge Russell is preparing to challenge Lando Norris at the Dutch Grand Prix after qualifying second, just behind Norris, who secured pole position. Russell, who previously won the Sprint race, is optimistic about Mercedes' performance, especially with teammate Kimi Antonelli starting in third, allowing them to strategically pressure Norris during the race.
Russell also commented on the unexpected performance of Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, who qualified fifth and sixth, respectively. He believes that Mercedes' car is better suited for the high tyre degradation expected at Zandvoort, which could play a crucial role in the race outcome.
via F1iWolff Comments on Future Possibility of Signing VerstappenToto Wolff acknowledged Max Verstappen's decision to remain with Red Bull as sensible. Despite securing drivers for the coming years, Wolff has not completely dismissed the idea of pursuing Verstappen in the future.
via RaceFansLawson pleased with “good lap” after qualifying a tenth off Verstappen on return | Formula 1Liam Lawson returned to Red Bull and qualified just one tenth of a second behind teammate Max Verstappen, expressing his satisfaction with the performance. This marks a significant improvement from his previous stint with the team, where he struggled to match Verstappen's pace.
Last year, Lawson was dropped after two races, with his final qualifying time being 0.75 seconds slower than Verstappen's. For the upcoming grand prix, both Red Bull drivers will occupy the fourth row of the starting grid, indicating a competitive position for the team.Lando Norris Achieves Lead in Zandvoort Qualifying and RaceLando Norris has secured the lead in both qualifying and the race at Zandvoort. He overtook competitors Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri during these events.
via espn.comNorris: 'Nothing we can do' on struggling McLarenLando Norris expressed disappointment with his McLaren's performance ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, stating it is not competitive enough to contend for the title. Despite finishing third in the sprint race, he highlighted significant struggles in slow-speed corners, which hindered his ability to challenge for a better position. Norris is currently fifth in the championship standings, trailing the leader by 91 points, and acknowledged that while recent upgrades have improved his car, more is needed to be a serious contender for the championship.
Norris's comments reflect a broader concern within McLaren regarding their competitiveness, particularly on circuits with more slow-speed corners. He noted that the Zandvoort track layout has further revealed the limitations of their car. While he remains hopeful for the future, he recognizes the challenges ahead and the need for continued development to improve their standing in the championship race.Kimi Antonelli Dominates Qualifying and Race at ZandvoortKimi Antonelli showcased strong performance at Zandvoort, leading both the qualifying session and the race. He successfully overtook competitors Lando Norris and Nico Hulkenberg during the events.George RUSSELL leads the Qualifying at ZandvoortGeorge RUSSELL takes the lead from Max VERSTAPPEN — live from Zandvoort, Netherlands.Oscar PIASTRI leads the Qualifying at ZandvoortOscar PIASTRI takes the lead from Kimi ANTONELLI — live from Zandvoort, Netherlands.
via gpfans.comFIA announce Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen penalty verdicts at Dutch Grand PrixThe FIA announced that Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and three other drivers will not face penalties despite breaching the International Sporting Code during the Dutch Grand Prix sprint. The drivers stopped their cars before reaching Safety Car Line 1, which violated race director's competition notes, but the stewards deemed their actions safe given the circumstances at the grid.
The decision was made after reviewing in-car video evidence, and the stewards concluded that the drivers acted appropriately under the conditions. As a result, all five drivers involved escaped punishment for their infractions during the event.
via thejudge13.comPenalties in Zandvoort from surprise infringementsIn Zandvoort, both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton faced scrutiny from the stewards for not reaching the grid under their own power due to heavy congestion. However, the stewards decided against penalties for either driver after reviewing the circumstances. Carlos Sainz also escaped major sanctions for an overtaking infringement during the formation lap, receiving only a reprimand as he was already set to start from the pit lane due to a car setup change.
Looking ahead, Kimi Antonelli will incur engine penalties at the upcoming Monza race, starting from the back of the grid. This decision comes after a series of reliability issues with Mercedes' new powertrain, which have affected Antonelli's performance. The Zandvoort circuit, which is being retired, has raised concerns about its capacity for exciting racing, as highlighted by Verstappen's comments on the difficulty of overtaking during the Sprint.
via Motorsport WeekCharles Leclerc spies key Lando Norris weakness during Zandvoort SprintIn the recent Dutch Grand Prix Sprint, Charles Leclerc secured second place after overtaking Lando Norris late in the race. Leclerc, who started from third, capitalized on Norris's energy deployment issues to make his move on Lap 18, finishing just two seconds behind pole-sitter George Russell. Leclerc's strategy involved starting on soft tyres, a choice he was surprised worked well throughout the race despite initial concerns about their performance later on.
Leclerc's successful overtake and tyre strategy highlight his tactical approach during the race. He acknowledged the risks associated with his decision to use soft tyres, which ultimately paid off, allowing him to gain a position despite a less-than-ideal start. Meanwhile, Oliver Bearman, who also started on soft tyres, managed to improve his position but finished further down the order in P15.
via Motorsport.com"Either very right or very wrong" – Charles Leclerc explains Ferrari's bold choice for Dutch GP sprintIn the Dutch GP sprint race, Charles Leclerc managed to finish in second place after starting on soft tyres, a choice that raised concerns for him before the race. He successfully overtook Lando Norris on lap 18, showcasing Ferrari's strong race pace despite their ongoing struggles with qualifying performance. Leclerc emphasized that while the team performed well in race conditions, they still need to address their qualifying weaknesses, which he believes are not easily fixed.
Leclerc's decision to use soft tyres was based on data from practice sessions, and he noted that the strategy was a collaborative effort with the team. He acknowledged that overtaking would be challenging at Zandvoort, making qualifying positions crucial for success in the race.
via Motorsport.com"Nowhere near good enough" - McLaren puzzled by Dutch GP sprint strugglesMcLaren faced significant challenges during the Dutch Grand Prix sprint race, with Lando Norris expressing dissatisfaction over the team's low-speed performance. Despite arriving with a new rear wing and upgrades, the team struggled with rear tyre degradation and was unable to compete effectively against rivals like George Russell and Charles Leclerc, who utilized softer tyres to their advantage. Norris noted that while the car performed well in high-speed corners, it fell short in low-speed situations, making it difficult to maintain pace during the race.
Team principal Andrea Stella highlighted the need to address the issues related to rear tyre management and car set-up to improve performance. Both Norris and Oscar Piastri acknowledged the surprising lack of competitiveness, especially in the latter stages of the sprint. The team is focused on making necessary adjustments ahead of the upcoming qualifying session to enhance their chances in the race.
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen spies potential Red Bull strength despite F1 rivals 'driving off'Max Verstappen expressed optimism regarding Red Bull's performance in the Dutch Grand Prix despite finishing sixth in the Sprint race. He observed that while his rivals initially pulled ahead, Red Bull's car showed promise in terms of tyre degradation over longer runs, which could be beneficial in the upcoming main race.
Verstappen mentioned that changes were planned for the car before qualifying, aiming to improve overall performance. He struggled to overtake Oscar Piastri during the Sprint but remained hopeful that adjustments would help close the gap to the leading competitors.
via f1oversteer.comDavid Coulthard has ‘no question’ George Russell was not ‘fastest’ driver in Dutch Grand Prix SprintDavid Coulthard expressed confidence that Andrea Kimi Antonelli was the fastest driver during the F1 Sprint at the Dutch Grand Prix, despite George Russell claiming victory. Russell won the Sprint after securing pole position, while Charles Leclerc managed to finish in second place after overtaking Lando Norris, who struggled with tire performance.
Antonelli's P4 finish was impacted by a mistake in qualifying that cost him downforce. Although he showed promising pace, he was unable to challenge for a podium position. The article highlights the competitive dynamics among the drivers and notes that this Dutch Grand Prix may be the last held at Zandvoort for some time.
via PlanetF1Lando Norris Acknowledges McLaren's Performance Challenges in ZandvoortLando Norris has expressed concerns about McLaren's competitiveness following the Zandvoort Sprint. He noted that the team's current pace is insufficient, as evidenced by his loss of position to Charles Leclerc.
via f1oversteer.comAnthony Davidson saw Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris make the exact same mistake in Dutch GP SprintDuring the Dutch GP Sprint, Anthony Davidson observed that both Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris made a critical error by pushing too hard at the start of the race. This aggressive approach ultimately led to suboptimal results for both drivers, with Norris losing his position to Charles Leclerc and Hamilton unable to overtake Verstappen. The race, which lasted 24 laps, saw George Russell take the victory while Norris managed to hold off Kimi Antonelli for a podium finish.
In light of the performance issues, McLaren has acknowledged their struggles with tyre management this season and plans to alter their car design for the following year. Davidson highlighted the consequences of the early haste shown by Hamilton and Norris, as both drivers experienced a significant drop in pace as the race progressed, affecting their overall standings.
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen faces FIA investigation into Dutch GP Sprint incidentMax Verstappen was investigated by FIA stewards following the Dutch GP Sprint for not adhering to race directors' instructions. Along with Verstappen, Yuki Tsunoda, Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, and Carlos Sainz were also noted for similar infringements. After reviewing the evidence, the stewards concluded that Verstappen acted appropriately and decided not to impose any penalties.
The investigation revealed that Verstappen's car stopped before reaching the grid due to crowding, which led to the decision of no penalty. Sainz's case was considered redundant because he was scheduled to start from the pit lane. Overall, six drivers were implicated in the same operational error, but many, including Verstappen, went unpunished.
via F1iDutch GP: Russell dominates Sprint race from Leclerc and NorrisIn the Sprint race at the Dutch Grand Prix, George Russell dominated from pole position, leading every lap to secure his third victory of the season. The race featured a tight battle for positions, particularly between Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, with Leclerc eventually overtaking Norris to claim second place. Norris struggled with his car's performance but managed to hold off Kimi Antonelli for third place.
The race was characterized by a lack of overtaking opportunities on the Zandvoort circuit, making it a strategic contest. Russell's win solidified his position in the championship, while Leclerc and Norris also showcased strong performances, finishing on the podium. Other notable finishes included Oscar Piastri in fifth and Max Verstappen in sixth.
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell Wins Dutch GP Sprint, Kimi Antonelli Remains Championship LeaderGeorge Russell achieved a commanding victory in the sprint race at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, leading from start to finish. Despite Russell's win, Kimi Antonelli maintained his position at the top of the championship standings.Page 27 of 42