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via gpfans.comBahrain Grand Prix relocated to Malaysia in 2026The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix will take place in Malaysia, marking the first time the event has been hosted at the Sepang International Circuit since 2017. The race weekend begins with practice sessions on October 2, 2026, after the event was rescheduled from its original April date.
+ 4 moreThu 1 Oct · 17:57 UTC
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli makes eye-catching Mercedes F1 admission after 'conscious decision'Kimi Antonelli has acknowledged his personal growth in Formula 1, particularly after his performance in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where he finished fifth. He started the race from 16th due to a wall collision during qualifying, marking a significant recovery that he attributes to a conscious decision to drive within his limits rather than risk a potential no-score.
Reflecting on his progress over the past year, Antonelli stated that he would not have been capable of such a strategic approach 12 months ago. He recognised the importance of securing points in challenging situations, especially after a disrupted weekend filled with difficulties, and expressed satisfaction with his decision to prioritize a safe finish over aggressive driving.
Thu 1 Oct · 17:40 UTC
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli on the hard call that rescued his Azerbaijan GP weekendKimi Antonelli faced a challenging Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, starting from 16th on the grid due to technical difficulties and a crash in qualifying. To salvage his race, he made a strategic decision to drive conservatively, allowing other drivers to make mistakes while he focused on finishing the race safely.
Despite his struggles, Antonelli's fifth-place finish kept him well ahead in the championship standings, with a 66-point lead over his teammate George Russell, who won the race. Antonelli's approach demonstrated maturity and adaptability in a difficult situation, as he prioritised securing points over aggressive driving.
Thu 1 Oct · 12:54 UTC
via Sky Sports F1George Russell optimistic about Mercedes upgradesGeorge Russell expressed optimism regarding the substantial aerodynamic upgrades introduced by Mercedes at the Bahrain Grand Prix. He believes these enhancements will support his performance and contribute to the team's title aspirations.
+ 4 moreThu 1 Oct · 12:48 UTC
via BBC SportRussell says his 'confidence is back and growing'George Russell expressed renewed confidence following his recent victory in Azerbaijan, stating he no longer feels lost and is ready to compete for wins consistently. With seven or eight races remaining, he aims to close the 66-point gap to his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings. Russell noted that he has adjusted his driving style to better suit the Mercedes car, allowing him to focus more on speed rather than adjustments.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton backed Ferrari's team principal Frederic Vasseur amidst speculation about his future, asserting that removing him would be a mistake. Hamilton highlighted Ferrari's improvement this season, noting their second place in the constructors' championship despite a power deficit compared to rivals. He emphasised the importance of building on their progress and maintaining a strong foundation for future success.
Thu 1 Oct · 11:07 UTC
via Formula1.comAntonelli believes Russell has ‘got the momentum’Kimi Antonelli has expressed his belief that George Russell has gained significant momentum following his recent victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite maintaining a 66-point lead in the drivers' standings, Antonelli acknowledges the challenge Russell poses, especially after his strong performance in Baku where he secured pole position and ultimately won the race.
Looking ahead to the Bahrain Grand Prix, Antonelli is optimistic about the upgrades Mercedes will introduce, which he hopes will enhance the car's grip and downforce. He is eager to test his skills on the Sepang circuit, noting the importance of improving in areas such as managing long corners. Antonelli remains focused on achieving the best results and is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Thu 1 Oct · 10:19 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen says George Russell needs big turnaroundMax Verstappen has stated that George Russell requires a significant improvement to catch his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the 2026 Formula One title race, with Russell currently 66 points behind. Meanwhile, Mercedes chief Bradley Lord has expressed concerns about Russell's ability to close the gap as the season progresses.
+ 1 moreThu 1 Oct · 10:00 UTC
via PlanetF1F1 starting grid: What is the grid for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?Max Verstappen achieved pole position for the 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, clocking a remarkable lap time of 1:35.130. He outpaced his closest rival, Lewis Hamilton, who qualified second with a time of 1:35.428. Kimi Antonelli was promoted to third place due to Isack Hadjar's five-place grid penalty, which will see him start from eighth despite setting the third-fastest time.
The qualifying session also saw notable performances from Aston Martin, with both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll qualifying in 12th and 14th respectively, marking their best positions of the season. Meanwhile, Franco Colapinto and Arvid Lindblad will start from the back of the grid due to penalties. This qualifying round highlighted a shift in performance, as Mercedes, who had dominated pole positions earlier in the season, struggled for pace.
Sat 3 Oct · 09:23 UTC
via f1oversteer.comKimi Antonelli expects major gains from Mercedes upgradesAndrea Kimi Antonelli has stated that Mercedes' engineers anticipate a significant improvement in lap times from their upcoming updates at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix. Bernie Collins has noted that rivals are closely monitoring the W17 following these developments.Thu 1 Oct · 08:00 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli target Australia's iconic Bathurst 12 Hour raceMax Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli are set to compete in the Bathurst 12 Hour race in early 2027, with the event taking place on February 14 at Mount Panorama Circuit in New South Wales. Other Formula 1 stars, including Lance Stroll and Valtteri Bottas, have also expressed interest in participating in this prestigious GT3 event.
Verstappen is expected to race with his own team, Verstappen Racing, supported by Mercedes AMG. He has previously shown strong performance in endurance racing, nearly winning the Nurburgring 24 Hours in 2026. Antonelli, the current F1 championship leader, has familial ties to the GT3 scene, as his father manages a team in the Italian GT championship.Thu 1 Oct · 07:45 UTC
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli has "spooked himself" amid F1 title pressure, says Naomi SchiffNaomi Schiff has expressed concerns about Kimi Antonelli's mental state as he leads the Formula 1 championship. She noted that Antonelli seems to be feeling the pressure, which was evident during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where he finished fifth after starting from 16th, while his teammate George Russell won the race.
Schiff highlighted that Antonelli needs to overcome this psychological hurdle to avoid jeopardising his championship lead. Despite a challenging race, he still maintains a 66-point advantage over Russell, but Schiff warns that if Antonelli continues to feel 'spooked,' it could affect his performance in the remaining races.Wed 30 Sep · 20:20 UTC
via f1oversteer.comGeorge Russell calls Saturday toughest for MercedesGeorge Russell stated that Mercedes faced its most challenging Saturday of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The team struggled with pace despite introducing a significant upgrade aimed at addressing its performance issues.+ 3 moreWed 30 Sep · 17:30 UTC
via Formula1.comVerstappen says Russell can still win title in 2026Max Verstappen has stated that George Russell requires a significant turnaround to challenge Kimi Antonelli for the world championship ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Russell recently reduced Antonelli's championship lead from 81 points to 66, reigniting his hopes in the title race.+ 1 moreWed 30 Sep · 14:15 UTC
via Motorsport.comMercedes braced for tougher strategy calls as George Russell closes on Kimi AntonelliMercedes Formula 1 team is preparing for more challenging strategy decisions as George Russell narrows the championship gap to his teammate Kimi Antonelli. Following a dominant victory in Baku, Russell has reduced Antonelli's lead from 81 to 66 points, prompting team principal Toto Wolff to emphasise the importance of equitable treatment for both drivers in race strategies.
With eight races remaining in the season, Russell's resurgence has shifted the dynamics within the team. Wolff noted that the team must carefully evaluate strategy calls to ensure both drivers have equal opportunities, especially as they aim to maintain a competitive edge over their rivals. Additionally, Mercedes has introduced a special livery for the W17 to celebrate the return of the Malaysian Grand Prix.Wed 30 Sep · 12:47 UTC
via espn.comAyrton Senna's Honda NSX expected to reach £800,000Ayrton Senna's 1991 Honda NSX is set to be auctioned in London at the end of October. The car is estimated to fetch around £800,000.
+ 2 moreWed 30 Sep · 11:32 UTC
via F1iToto Wolff perplexed by Mercedes' Sepang upgrade strugglesMercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed confusion over the team's performance following their latest upgrades at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Despite expectations of a three-tenths improvement, Wolff noted that the W17 car instead lost five-tenths due to increased drag and poor handling in low-speed corners.
+ 9 more
via Formula1.comBahrain Grand Prix to face rain challenges in MalaysiaThe 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, taking place at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, is expected to encounter significant weather challenges this weekend. Forecasts indicate the possibility of thunderstorms and rain, which could impact the race conditions for teams and drivers.+ 4 moreWed 30 Sep · 10:31 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell reveals real source of 2026 pressure amid Kimi Antonelli crushingGeorge Russell is facing significant pressure as he aims for the 2026 Formula One championship, currently sitting 81 points behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli, who has dominated the season with eight wins. Russell has acknowledged that his performance has not been strong enough, attributing his position in the standings to reliability issues and a lack of consistency.
Despite the challenges, Russell insists he is not feeling pressure from the championship race itself but rather from his own performance goals. He remains committed to fighting for victories in every race and is focused on improving his performance rather than dwelling on the championship gap. Mercedes is continuing to work with him to enhance his competitiveness under the current regulations.Wed 30 Sep · 10:00 UTCWikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Schumacher and Danner back Antonelli's recovery in MalaysiaRalf Schumacher and Christian Danner have expressed confidence that Kimi Antonelli will rebound from his challenging weekend in Baku. Both analysts believe that the upcoming upgrades from Mercedes at the Sepang circuit will help the championship leader regain his form.
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli praises Max Verstappen's unique skillsKimi Antonelli has described Max Verstappen's abilities as 'incredible' following their recent wheel-to-wheel battles in Formula 1. Antonelli's comments highlight the unique advantages Verstappen possesses, which he observed during their encounters on track.+ 2 moreWed 30 Sep · 07:00 UTCPage 2 of 28