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via Motorsport.comMercedes searching for answers after Kimi Antonelli’s pace fell off in F1 Dutch GPKimi Antonelli faced challenges during the Dutch Grand Prix, finishing second after a strong start but struggling with car balance in the latter stages of the race. Mercedes is investigating the issues he encountered, particularly the increased oversteer with each tyre change, as they prepare for the next race in Italy where Antonelli will incur an engine penalty due to earlier reliability problems.
Despite his difficulties, Antonelli managed to extend his championship lead, with support from teammate George Russell, who allowed him to pass during the race. The team is focused on resolving the performance issues before the upcoming race, as competition tightens in the championship standings.
Wed 26 Aug · 12:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Nico Rosberg offers 'disaster' verdict over Mercedes team orderDuring the Dutch Grand Prix, George Russell was instructed by Mercedes to allow teammate Kimi Antonelli to pass, which he did on lap 66. This decision came after a virtual safety car period and raised concerns for Russell about losing a potential double podium finish due to the presence of Ferrari drivers behind him. Nico Rosberg commented on the situation, stating that it was a difficult decision that could negatively impact Russell's championship hopes.
Rosberg acknowledged that while the team order was tough for Russell, it was necessary to ensure the best outcome for the team. Ultimately, the decision allowed Antonelli to secure second place, while Russell finished third, maintaining his position in the championship but falling further behind Antonelli, who now leads by 59 points.
Wed 26 Aug · 05:25 UTC
via gpfans.comTragic death of Italian star reorders Antonelli priorities: 'First and foremost, health'Kimi Antonelli celebrated his 20th birthday while leading the Formula 1 championship with six wins this season. His father, Marco Antonelli, reflected on the significance of health in light of the recent passing of Italian driver Cedric Sbirrazzuoli, who died at the age of 39 from cancer. Marco's poignant message highlighted the need to prioritize well-being over the pursuit of fame and fortune in motorsport.
As Kimi continues to excel in his racing career, Marco expressed hopes that his son remains true to himself and enjoys his passion for racing. The Antonelli family has always viewed motorsport as a part of their daily lives, and Kimi's journey to F1 has been marked by both talent and fortunate opportunities.
Tue 25 Aug · 17:45 UTCHaas boss on Bearman: 'I'm sure he will excel'Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has expressed high hopes for British driver Oliver Bearman, emphasizing his potential and maturity as a young racer. Bearman has shown impressive performances, including a fourth-place finish in Mexico and a fifth in China, solidifying his status as a promising talent in Formula 1. Komatsu believes Bearman could excel further if he has a competitive car to challenge for podiums consistently.
Despite being the smallest team on the grid, Haas has managed to hold its own, currently sitting seventh in the standings. Komatsu acknowledged the challenges posed by limited funding for upgrades but praised the team's ability to produce a reliable and competitive car. He highlighted Bearman's positive attitude and leadership qualities, especially during difficult race situations, indicating a bright future for the young driver.
Tue 25 Aug · 11:54 UTC
via Formula1.comNorris ‘driving at the level of a World Champion’ – StellaLando Norris secured his second consecutive Grand Prix victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, showcasing impressive driving skills by overtaking Kimi Antonelli on track. His performance has drawn praise from McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who believes Norris is operating at a level comparable to a World Champion. The race highlighted Norris's ability to manage his tyres effectively, allowing him to maintain pace even after Antonelli's pit stop.
Looking ahead, Stella emphasized the importance of focusing on each race individually, with the next challenge being the Monza Grand Prix. He acknowledged the different demands of the upcoming race compared to recent circuits and expressed optimism about confirming McLaren's improvements. Despite Norris's strong performances, he remains significantly behind Antonelli in the championship standings.
Tue 25 Aug · 09:33 UTC
via f1technical.netHaas Experiences First Double DNF of the Season at ZandvoortHaas faced a challenging race at the Dutch Grand Prix, resulting in both drivers retiring due to technical issues. This marked the team's first double DNF of the season.
+ 1 moreTue 25 Aug · 07:30 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Is Norris now Antonelli's biggest title threat?Lando Norris secured his second consecutive victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, closing the gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who still holds a significant 59-point lead. Despite not winning the race formats during the Zandvoort weekend, Antonelli's position at the top of the standings remains strong, although Norris's recent performances suggest he is becoming a serious contender once again. Norris's win came after a notable turnaround from a disappointing Sprint race, where he finished third, highlighting McLaren's recent improvements in car performance.
Norris's victory has sparked discussions about his potential as a threat to Antonelli's championship hopes for 2026. While Antonelli admitted that Mercedes is no longer the fastest team, Norris emphasized that McLaren still needs to enhance their performance further to be in a position to fight for the title. The upcoming races will be crucial as both drivers aim to solidify their standings in the championship and showcase their capabilities on the track.
Mon 24 Aug · 14:17 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 Driver Salaries 2026: The INSANE pay gap between Max Verstappen and Kimi AntonelliMax Verstappen has secured a record-breaking contract with Red Bull, making him the highest-paid driver in Formula 1 history with a base salary of $107 million, which could rise to $134 million annually. This new deal, valued at over $500 million, highlights the significant pay gap between him and other drivers, particularly Kimi Antonelli, who earns only $2 million despite his success in the sport. The disparity is attributed to Verstappen's extensive experience and achievements compared to Antonelli's early career stage.
The article also outlines the salaries of other F1 drivers, with Lewis Hamilton being the second-highest earner at $60 million. It emphasizes that driver salaries do not impact the teams' cost cap, allowing them to invest in top talent without affecting their budget for car development. As the dynamics of driver contracts evolve, Antonelli's future earnings could increase significantly if he continues to perform well.Mon 24 Aug · 11:27 UTC
via theguardian.comMercedes’ Wolff wary that Norris and Hamilton are genuine F1 title contendersLando Norris secured his second consecutive victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, elevating his points total to 159, while Kimi Antonelli leads the championship with 242 points. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed concern over the rising competitiveness of both Norris and Ferrari, as they have made significant upgrades to their cars, unlike Mercedes, which has opted for a more conservative development strategy this season. Wolff emphasized the need for Mercedes to perform optimally in the remaining races to maintain their championship position.
As the season progresses, the competition is tightening, with 11 races left. Norris's performance has raised questions about the current pace of the McLaren compared to Mercedes, with both Antonelli and Russell acknowledging McLaren's speed. However, Norris maintains that Mercedes still has the edge overall. With upcoming races and anticipated upgrades from Ferrari, the title race is expected to become increasingly competitive.
Mon 24 Aug · 10:42 UTC
via thejudge13.comWolff reveals why Mercedes sacrificed Russell for Antonelli with Controversial Team OrdersDuring the Dutch Grand Prix, Mercedes made a strategic decision to prioritize Kimi Antonelli over George Russell in the closing laps after a Virtual Safety Car was deployed. Russell was instructed to let Antonelli pass to protect their positions from the threat of Ferrari, who were closely behind. This decision was made despite Russell's initial reluctance, as the team aimed to secure valuable points for the Constructors' Championship.
Toto Wolff explained that the team had anticipated such a scenario and had discussed it beforehand. Ultimately, the strategy paid off, with Antonelli finishing second and Russell third, ensuring that both drivers remained ahead of the Ferraris. This incident highlights the complexities of team dynamics and strategy in high-stakes racing situations.
Mon 24 Aug · 09:50 UTC
via AutosportAntonelli set for Italian GP grid penaltyKimi Antonelli, the leader of the Formula 1 championship, will face a grid penalty at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix due to a full power unit change by Mercedes. This decision comes as the team has exceeded the seasonal allowance of four power units, primarily due to reliability issues experienced earlier in the season. Antonelli's current components have reached their limit, necessitating the switch to a new engine for the race at Monza.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff emphasized that the decision was made with the championship in mind, rather than considering the significance of the race being Antonelli's home event. George Russell, another Mercedes driver, is also anticipated to face a grid penalty in the future, with discussions ongoing about the timing of his power unit change.
Mon 24 Aug · 08:51 UTC
via f1technical.net"The pace of both McLaren and Ferrari has surprised us," claims Russell after ...During the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Park Zandvoort, George Russell of Mercedes faced challenges with pace but managed to secure a third-place finish. He initially lost positions but fought back, aided by a slow pit stop from Oscar Piastri, and ultimately achieved a double podium alongside teammate Kimi Antonelli, who finished second after a strategic pit stop during a Virtual Safety Car period.
Russell noted that both McLaren and Ferrari surprised Mercedes with their speed throughout the race. He highlighted the competitive nature of the field and the necessity of teamwork to protect their positions against the fast-charging Ferraris and McLaren's Lando Norris. Despite the difficulties, Russell's performance, including a Sprint victory the day before, contributed to a strong points haul for Mercedes over the weekend.Mon 24 Aug · 08:50 UTC
via RaceFansStroll demanded penalties after Bearman and Bortoleto passed red pit exit light | Formula 1During the Dutch Grand Prix, Lance Stroll called for penalties against Oliver Bearman and Gabriel Bortoleto for violating pit lane rules. The incident occurred when the race resumed following a stoppage due to Max Verstappen's crash, and the pit exit lights changed from green to red after Alonso passed by.
Both Bearman and Bortoleto drove past the flashing red light without acknowledging it, leading to Stroll's appeal for penalties. Bearman later faced a power unit failure, which added to the controversy surrounding the incident.
Mon 24 Aug · 08:46 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris Challenges Peers on McLaren's Performance StatusLando Norris has expressed his disagreement with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell regarding McLaren's standing in Formula 1. While Antonelli and Russell believe McLaren has the best car following Norris's recent victories, Norris attributes his success to his own driving skills.
+ 1 moreMon 24 Aug · 07:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Dutch GP Conclusions: No tears for Zandvoort, Verstappen power play, Lawson makes his caseMax Verstappen's recent contract renewal with Red Bull has sent ripples through the Formula 1 community, particularly affecting the futures of drivers like Oscar Piastri and Liam Lawson. The announcement, which was kept under wraps until its release, suggests that Verstappen's new deal could make him the highest-paid driver in the sport's history, securing his position with Red Bull until 2028. This development alleviates speculation about his potential departure, which could have jeopardized Piastri's role at McLaren.
Piastri's performance has been under scrutiny, especially as he has been outperformed by teammate Lando Norris. The uncertainty surrounding Verstappen's future had added pressure on Piastri, but with that speculation now settled, he showed signs of improvement in recent races. Meanwhile, Lawson, who has faced challenges in gaining trust at Red Bull, is also navigating his own career path amid these developments.
Mon 24 Aug · 05:00 UTC
via f1technical.netAntonelli reveals why he missed out on victory despite leading the Zandvoort raceKimi Antonelli expressed disappointment after finishing second in the Dutch Grand Prix, having led for a significant portion of the race. Despite a strong start and initial pace, he struggled to maintain performance after switching to Hard tyres, allowing Lando Norris to overtake him and secure victory. Mercedes opted to pit Antonelli under a late Virtual Safety Car, but he could not capitalize on the fresher tyres to regain the lead.
The race concluded with Mercedes achieving a double podium, with Antonelli in P2 and George Russell in P3, which was crucial for their position in the Constructors' Championship. Antonelli acknowledged the team's success in extending their lead over Ferrari, despite his personal disappointment at missing out on the win.Sun 23 Aug · 23:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell "still not there" as Mercedes pressure builds after Dutch GP, says former F1 driverAfter the Dutch Grand Prix, George Russell's performance has come under scrutiny, particularly in comparison to his teammate Kimi Antonelli. Despite finishing third, Russell faced challenges during the race, including difficult starts and a late team order that required him to yield track position to Antonelli, which he initially contested but later accepted as the right decision. This has led to discussions about the pressure he is under within the Mercedes team.
Russell's current standing in the drivers' championship is second, tied on points with Lewis Hamilton, but trailing Antonelli by a significant margin. Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer highlighted that Russell's performance is not meeting expectations, suggesting he has work to do to match his teammate's consistency and execution on the track.Sun 23 Aug · 22:59 UTC
via RaceFansAntonelli says extra pit stop “put George at risk” too | Formula 1In the Dutch Grand Prix, Andrea Kimi Antonelli opted for an additional pit stop with 16 laps remaining, which resulted in him losing his second-place position to teammate George Russell. Despite regaining second place after a team order, Antonelli was unable to close the gap to race leader Lando Norris.
After the race, Antonelli questioned the decision to make the extra pit stop, suggesting it unnecessarily jeopardized both his and Russell's races, despite having struggled with his previous set of tyres.Sun 23 Aug · 19:01 UTC
via Motorsport.comLando Norris Comments on Championship Contenders for 2026 SeasonLando Norris expressed doubts about his car's competitiveness in the 2026 Formula 1 championship. He stated that he does not believe he has a vehicle capable of contending for the title.+ 1 moreSun 23 Aug · 18:52 UTC
via CrashWhy two F1 drivers escaped ‘very significant penalty’ for pit lane breachDuring the Dutch Grand Prix, drivers Ollie Bearman and Gabriel Bortoleto left the pit lane while the exit light was red, a violation that usually incurs a significant penalty. However, the stewards decided against punishing them due to the race not being live at the time of the infringement and concluded that neither driver gained an advantage or created a dangerous situation. Both received reprimands instead of harsher penalties.
Bortoleto managed to finish 13th after a chaotic first lap, while Bearman did not restart due to a breakdown. The race was ultimately won by Lando Norris, who achieved consecutive victories for McLaren. The incident highlighted the unique circumstances of the race restart and the stewards' discretion in applying penalties.
Sun 23 Aug · 18:10 UTCPage 11 of 20