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via BBC SportAntonelli near-perfect but too much drama for Hamilton - driver ratingsKimi Antonelli achieved a significant victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, extending his lead in the championship standings over Lewis Hamilton, who faced a challenging race after a collision with teammate George Russell. Antonelli's performance included dominating practice sessions and recovering from a virtual safety car to secure the win, while Hamilton managed to finish fourth despite a messy race weekend marred by drama and penalties.
The race also saw strong performances from Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, who finished second and third, respectively. Isack Hadjar impressed by climbing from the back of the grid to sixth place, while several drivers, including Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez, struggled with their performances, leading to disappointing results for their teams.
Sun 19 Jul · 17:01 UTC
via BBC SportRed Bull Hires Mercedes Junior Program Chief LagrueRed Bull Racing is set to acquire Mercedes' junior driver program chief, Lagrue. His departure follows the retirement of Dr. Helmut Marko, as Red Bull seeks to revamp its driver development structure.+ 1 moreSun 19 Jul · 16:48 UTC
via theguardian.comKimi Antonelli Secures Belgian GP Win, Extends Championship LeadKimi Antonelli achieved victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, solidifying his lead in the championship standings. His teammate George Russell was involved in a crash on the opening lap, which contributed to Antonelli's 50-point advantage.
+ 1 moreSun 19 Jul · 15:02 UTC
via grandprix.comWolff admits Ferrari will try to sign AntonelliToto Wolff has expressed concern over Ferrari's interest in signing Kimi Antonelli, who has been performing exceptionally well for Mercedes, including achieving pole position at the Belgian GP. Wolff emphasized that Antonelli's success is a result of long-term investment in his development, and he has been with Mercedes since childhood. Despite the team's pride in Antonelli's achievements, they are facing challenges with George Russell's performance, which has not been on par with his teammate's speed.
Russell has acknowledged that he is struggling to compete equally with Antonelli and has ruled out driving style as the cause of his performance issues. Wolff confirmed that the team is still investigating the reasons behind Russell's deficit in speed, particularly in corners and on straights. Both drivers are working towards finding solutions to improve their competitiveness as the season progresses.
via grandprix.comRed Bull names Verstappen's next race engineerRed Bull Racing has announced that Tom Hart will replace Gianpiero Lambiase as Max Verstappen's race engineer, with the transition expected to begin in 2027. Lambiase is leaving for McLaren, and Hart was initially set to join Williams before being persuaded to stay with Red Bull. This change comes amid ongoing speculation about Verstappen's future with the team, particularly regarding potential interest from McLaren.
During the recent qualifying session at Spa, Verstappen achieved a strong P2, largely due to a strategic slipstream from teammate Isack Hadjar. Verstappen acknowledged that without the tow, he would have likely qualified around P6. Meanwhile, Hadjar humorously noted that he did not expect any significant reward for his help, while McLaren's Andrea Stella indicated that any move for Verstappen would require the team to field a third car, a matter that needs higher-level discussions.
via BBC SportRussell 'infuriated' by straight-line issue that leaves him 'powerless'George Russell expressed frustration over a significant issue affecting the straight-line performance of his Mercedes, which he believes hampers his ability to compete effectively against teammate Kimi Antonelli. Despite qualifying fourth, Russell noted that a majority of his time deficit was due to a lack of speed on the straights, which he described as making his title fight 'impossible'.
The Mercedes team is actively working to identify and resolve the performance issue, which has left Russell feeling 'powerless' during qualifying. Meanwhile, the new engine regulations have also altered the dynamics of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, leading to concerns among drivers about the overall challenge of the track.Sat 18 Jul · 19:10 UTC
via espn.comRed Bull's Future Plans Impact Max Verstappen's Career DecisionsSpeculation surrounding Max Verstappen's future with Red Bull continues as discussions about the team's competitive direction unfold. Laurent Mekies emphasized that the team must provide a strong car to address concerns about Verstappen's loyalty and potential career moves.
+ 1 moreSat 18 Jul · 18:16 UTC
via theguardian.comKimi Antonelli Secures Pole Position at Belgian Grand PrixKimi Antonelli of Mercedes has achieved pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix, outperforming Max Verstappen. His teammate George Russell will start from fourth, while Lando Norris faces a 10-place grid penalty.+ 1 moreSat 18 Jul · 15:39 UTC
via BBC SportAntonelli tops FP2 as Gasly crashes heavily at SpaThe session highlighted the competitive nature of the teams, with Antonelli outperforming his rivals, including Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. However, several drivers, including Norris and Gasly, face grid penalties and challenges related to car performance and energy management on the demanding Spa-Francorchamps circuit.Fri 17 Jul · 17:33 UTC
via theguardian.comGeorge Russell ready to keep chasing down championship leader Kimi Antonelli at SpaGeorge Russell and Kimi Antonelli are currently competing closely in the Formula One championship, with Russell having outscored Antonelli in recent races. After a series of misfortunes for Antonelli, including mechanical failures, the points gap has narrowed significantly, making the title race competitive once again. Russell has faced challenges adapting to new car dynamics, which has affected his performance, but he remains determined to improve as the season progresses.
Both drivers are preparing for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, where they have been working on their race setups. Antonelli, despite being younger and less experienced, has shown remarkable skill and control, while Russell is striving to overcome his struggles. The advice from Roger Federer highlights the mental aspect of racing, emphasizing the importance of focus and emotional control as they head into this crucial race.Fri 17 Jul · 15:52 UTC
via grandprix.comRed Bull Replaces Rear Wing Ahead of Belgian Grand PrixRed Bull Racing has decided to switch to a conventional rear wing for the Belgian Grand Prix. This change comes after recent performance issues and crashes involving driver Max Verstappen.
via grandprix.comBig money will keep Verstappen in F1 says MarkoMax Verstappen has remained tight-lipped about his future in Formula 1, especially regarding speculation linking him to McLaren. Despite reports of a strained relationship with Red Bull, he has not confirmed any changes and continues to focus on his current commitments. Dr. Helmut Marko, a retired adviser for Red Bull, downplayed the significance of recent meetings with Verstappen's family and expressed confidence that financial factors will keep Verstappen in the sport until at least 2028.
In addition to the rumors surrounding his future, Verstappen announced a collaboration with McLaren junior Dries Van Langendonck, indicating his ongoing involvement in the sport. Other drivers, including Oscar Piastri and Oliver Bearman, have commented on the shifting dynamics of the driver market, with Piastri noting the importance of understanding the situation. Overall, the article highlights the uncertainty surrounding Verstappen's future while emphasizing the financial allure of Formula 1.
via BBC SportLando Norris Faces Grid Penalty Ahead of Belgian Grand PrixLando Norris will start the Belgian Grand Prix with a 10-place grid penalty due to exceeding the allowed number of engine components. Despite this setback, he remains optimistic about his chances to compete effectively during the race.+ 1 moreThu 16 Jul · 16:04 UTC
via BBC SportRed Bull to change wing after Verstappen crashesThe team had pioneered a new wing design that aimed to enhance straight-line speed by allowing the top flap to rotate more than 180 degrees. However, the aerodynamic issues encountered prompted Red Bull to revert to a more traditional wing configuration. The Belgian Grand Prix will take place from July 17 to 19, 2026, and the team hopes to resolve the issues with the new wing design before its next use.Thu 16 Jul · 12:46 UTC
via grandprix.comVerstappen wants to stay at Red Bull, insists managerMax Verstappen's manager has reiterated that the driver intends to remain with Red Bull, despite ongoing speculation about potential moves to other teams. The manager emphasized that Verstappen has a contract until 2028 and downplayed the significance of a performance-related exit clause that exists in his contract. The recent meeting involving Verstappen's family and team members was characterized as a private engagement, further clarifying the context of the discussions that fueled rumors about his future.
Additionally, there are concerns regarding Verstappen's recent rear wing failures, prompting Red Bull to seek closer scrutiny from the FIA on the rear wing design. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has raised questions about the unique nature of these failures, suggesting they may not be mere coincidences. Meanwhile, Gunther Steiner supports the idea that Verstappen's best option is to stay with Red Bull, noting that the team is well-suited to his driving style.
via grandprix.comRussell safe, but as Antonelli number two says SteinerGunther Steiner has expressed confidence in George Russell's position at Mercedes, although he suggests that Russell may not be the team's primary driver anymore. Kimi Antonelli, a surprising contender this season, is leading the championship and has already secured multiple race victories, putting pressure on Russell. Steiner highlights the difference in stakes for the two drivers, noting that Antonelli, being only 19, has more time to achieve success compared to Russell, who needs to deliver significant results soon to keep his championship hopes alive.
Despite his strong performance, Steiner does not believe Russell's immediate future with Mercedes is in jeopardy, but acknowledges that his status could be uncertain if he fails to secure wins. Steiner points out the importance of having a strong second driver in a top team, indicating that the competition within the team is intensifying as Antonelli continues to impress in the 2026 season.
via grandprix.comBearman tipped if Verstappen leaves Red BullRalf Schumacher has suggested that if Max Verstappen were to leave Red Bull, Oliver Bearman would be the team's top choice to replace him. He also mentioned Carlos Sainz as a potential candidate but noted that Sainz has yet to demonstrate championship-winning capabilities. Schumacher expressed confidence in Bearman's potential to succeed in Formula 1 and commented on Oscar Piastri's struggles within his current team, indicating that he is not entirely satisfied with his situation at McLaren.
Schumacher cautioned Verstappen against becoming overly involved in the ongoing transfer rumors and speculated that a recent meeting involving Verstappen's management was more focused on his future rather than a potential return of Dr. Helmut Marko. He believes that Red Bull has transitioned under Laurent Mekies and that Verstappen's camp may not fully appreciate Marko's significant role in the team's success. Overall, the article highlights the uncertainty surrounding Verstappen's future and the potential implications for Red Bull Racing.
via grandprix.comRussell denies Mercedes favouring AntonelliGeorge Russell has addressed rumors suggesting that Mercedes is showing preferential treatment to his teammate Kimi Antonelli, who is leading the championship in 2026. Russell insists that there is no basis for these claims, highlighting that the entire team benefits from success and that both drivers are free to compete unless it jeopardizes the team's overall goals.
Former drivers Timo Glock and Ralf Schumacher have weighed in on the situation, with Glock anticipating potential conflicts between the two drivers, while Schumacher believes Russell retains the support of team principal Toto Wolff. Wolff has acknowledged Antonelli's impressive performance, stating that he is currently a standout within the team, which adds to the competitive dynamics between the teammates.
via grandprix.comVerstappen options narrow as Webber shuts down rumoursMax Verstappen's future in Formula 1 is becoming increasingly uncertain as speculation about a potential move to McLaren has been firmly denied by Oscar Piastri's manager, Mark Webber. Piastri, who is contracted to McLaren, emphasized his commitment to the team and dismissed the rumors as distractions. Meanwhile, Verstappen's recent criticisms of Red Bull following technical issues have raised questions about his exit clause and future options within the team.
Former drivers and analysts have weighed in on the situation, with some suggesting that Verstappen is unlikely to leave Red Bull, especially given the team's recent restructuring and the performance of other drivers like Kimi Antonelli. The dynamics within Red Bull and the driver market are complex, with Webber actively seeking opportunities for Piastri while maintaining that it does not involve Verstappen's situation. The coming months are expected to be crucial in determining Verstappen's next steps.
via grandprix.comVerstappen management holds talks with MarkoMax Verstappen's future in Formula 1 remains uncertain as his management recently met with Dr. Helmut Marko. Discussions focused on Verstappen's ongoing issues with Red Bull, particularly following his public criticism after the British GP. Despite the uncertainty, ticket sales for a special grandstand at the 2027 Austrian GP have begun, suggesting a possible continuation with Red Bull.
Red Bull is actively investigating rear wing failures that have frustrated Verstappen, while the FIA is examining the team's rear wing design. Additionally, Red Bull is negotiating with the FIA regarding their engine classification, which impacts development. Both Verstappen and teammate Isack Hadjar reportedly share concerns about the car's performance, and speculation continues about Verstappen's potential move to McLaren, contingent on Piastri's future.Page 50 of 51