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via thejudge13.comAston Martin quietly explores Mercedes engine return as Honda concerns growAston Martin is reportedly considering a return to Mercedes engines as team owner Lawrence Stroll has made discreet inquiries about the possibility. This comes amid a challenging 2026 season where Aston Martin has struggled with its Honda-powered package, currently sitting tenth in the constructors' championship with only three points.
Former driver Christian Danner highlighted the performance issues with Honda, particularly in integrating the combustion engine with the electrical components under the new regulations. While Aston Martin remains committed to Honda for now, the potential design provisions for a Mercedes power unit in their next car suggest serious consideration of alternatives as concerns about their current partnership grow.
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.
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell details F1 drivers' Langkawi boys' trip ahead of Bahrain GP in MalaysiaGeorge Russell, a driver for Mercedes, has shared insights about a recent trip to Langkawi, Malaysia, which he took with six other Formula 1 drivers ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The trip featured activities such as go-karting and sightseeing, with Russell expressing his admiration for the island's beauty and the friendliness of its people. He noted that the itinerary was influenced by Mercedes' title partner, Petronas.
In addition to Russell, Kimi Antonelli, his teammate, arrived in Malaysia early but chose to explore Kuala Lumpur and visit a water park. Antonelli currently leads the championship standings by 66 points, following Russell's victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The trip served as a unique way for the drivers to bond and prepare for the upcoming race.
via Formula1.comWhy there’s still hope for Russell in the 2026 title raceGeorge Russell has reduced Kimi Antonelli's championship lead from 81 points to 66 after winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. With eight races left in the 2026 season, Russell is determined to capitalize on his recent momentum, having previously ruled himself out of the title race. He needs to outscore Antonelli by an average of 8.25 points per round to have a chance at the championship.
Russell has a history of success at several upcoming tracks, including victories in Sao Paulo, Las Vegas, and Singapore. He has expressed renewed confidence in his driving after overcoming challenges with the new car regulations. As he approaches the final races, Russell is focused on winning every race, acknowledging that while Antonelli is the favourite, he is ready to challenge for the title.
via PlanetF1Honda reveals Alonso engine findings as Baku review launchedFernando Alonso, driving for Aston Martin, retired from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix citing an engine issue. Despite his concerns, Honda's analysis indicated that the engine was functioning normally, prompting further investigation into the matter.
Alonso's retirement followed a struggle for speed during the race, where he engaged in battles with other drivers. Honda's chief engineer confirmed that the engine had undergone checks and was deemed healthy, with no issues detected in the data. Alonso's performance has been affected by reliability problems, as Aston Martin faced multiple retirements in recent races.
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.
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.
via RaceFansOcon insists his F1 career is not over as Haas confirm he won’t drive for them in 2027 | Formula 1Esteban Ocon's departure from Haas has been confirmed, with the team announcing he will leave at the end of the current season. Team principal Ayao Komatsu expressed gratitude for Ocon's contributions since joining in 2025, highlighting his professionalism and commitment during a significant regulation change.
Despite leaving Haas, Ocon insists that his Formula 1 career is not over. He played a crucial role in the development of the VF-26 and the team is focused on maximizing their performance for the remainder of the season.Danner rules out Piastri-style Antonelli collapseSep.30 (GMM) Christian Danner does not believe Kimi Antonelli is heading for the kind of late-season collapse that derailed Oscar Piastri’s 2025 title campaign, despite the Mercedes driver’s difficult weekend in Baku. Speaking to motorsport-magazin.com, Danner said Antonelli’s reaction to the setback was actually encouraging. “I don’t think Antonelli is in danger of a Piastri-style…Albers says Piastri lacks Verstappen’s ‘bite’Sep.30 (GMM) Oscar Piastri’s difficult run has drawn fresh criticism after his mistake in Baku, with former F1 driver Christijan Albers questioning whether the McLaren driver has the aggression of a driver like Max Verstappen. The Australian had been on course for the 2025 title before his late-season collapse, and his struggles have continued into…
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. The Mercedes driver expressed admiration for the unique advantages that the four-time world champion displays on track.
via Formula1.comF1 prepares for Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaThe Formula 1 teams are gearing up for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which will take place in Malaysia as the 16th round of the 2026 season. This race marks a significant moment as it is the first time F1 will compete at this venue.
via f1oversteer.comDavid Coulthard is sure Lando Norris was a ‘better world champion for McLaren’ than Oscar PiastriDavid Coulthard has expressed his belief that Lando Norris was a more suitable world champion for McLaren than Oscar Piastri, following Norris's victory in the 2025 season. Norris secured the title by 13 points after a competitive season, during which he made a significant comeback from a 34-point deficit. Coulthard highlighted that Norris's longer tenure in Formula 1 and his British nationality contribute to his marketability, making him a better fit for the team.
Coulthard noted that while Norris has established himself as McLaren's lead driver, Piastri has struggled this season, finishing ahead of Norris only three times. He suggested that the reduced presence of Mark Webber in Piastri's management might be impacting his performance. Despite the competitive nature of their relationship, Coulthard believes that having strong drivers like Norris and Piastri is beneficial for McLaren, even if it leads to uncomfortable dynamics.
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen picks overtake on Oscar Piastri as his favourite from his whole F1 careerMax Verstappen has declared his overtake on Oscar Piastri during the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as his favourite move of his Formula 1 career. The Dutch driver executed the pass around the outside at the first chicane, a challenging overtaking spot, and went on to win the race by six seconds. He noted that the move was unexpected, particularly as Piastri braked earlier than anticipated.
In a discussion on the 'P1 with Matt and Tommy' YouTube channel, Verstappen reflected on the significance of the overtake, stating it was a pivotal moment in the race. Piastri acknowledged Verstappen's skill in the move, admitting he misjudged the situation. The overtake has since been recognised as the Overtake of the Year, highlighting Verstappen's prowess in wheel-to-wheel racing.
via Motorsport.comFernando Alonso extends Aston Martin contract to 2027Fernando Alonso has officially signed a new contract with Aston Martin, ensuring his participation in Formula 1 for the 2027 season. The 45-year-old driver expressed his unwavering passion for racing, stating that it is his life.
via Motorsport WeekFernando Alonso extends Aston Martin contract for 2026Fernando Alonso has officially extended his contract with Aston Martin for another year, putting an end to speculation about his future with the team. This announcement comes despite Aston Martin's challenging performance in the 2026 season.
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri told why he’s ‘not a racer’ like Max Verstappen after getting caught ‘asleep’ in BakuOscar Piastri faced criticism following his performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where a lock-up at turn one caused him to finish in thirteenth place. This incident occurred during a safety car restart while he was attempting to overtake George Russell, and it ultimately led to a disappointing race for McLaren, especially with teammate Lando Norris also facing issues.
Commentators like Christijan Albers and Jacques Villeneuve pointed out Piastri's lack of aggression and focus, suggesting he is not as competitive as drivers like Max Verstappen. Piastri has now gone eleven races without a podium, and with the next race at Sepang approaching, he is in urgent need of a turnaround in form to salvage his season.
via gpfans.comFerrari rejects Christian Horner as potential fixMaurizio Arrivabene, former Ferrari team principal, stated that Christian Horner is not the solution to the team's ongoing issues. This comes amid speculation that Ferrari is considering a change in leadership following disappointing performances.Vasseur doubts Red Bull has stopped 2026 developmentSep.29 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur is sceptical of Red Bull’s claim that its Baku package was effectively the final major upgrade of 2026, as Formula 1 teams increasingly shift resources towards next year’s cars. Laurent Mekies said in Baku that Red Bull has moved “a very large majority” of its development resources onto 2027. “It’s most…
via Motorsport.comWhy Mercedes thought Max Verstappen was "on some sort of massive bungee cord" in Azerbaijan GPDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, George Russell initially created a significant lead over Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, but the deployment of a safety car changed the race dynamics. After the safety car, Verstappen managed to close the gap and challenged Russell, leading to a nail-biting finish where only 0.196 seconds separated them at the line.
Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord remarked on Verstappen's ability to catch up, likening it to being on a 'massive bungee cord'. Despite Russell's superior speed in the second sector, Verstappen's straight-line speed allowed him to stay close. The race highlighted the intense competition and strategic nuances of Formula 1, with Russell managing to maintain his lead despite the pressure.Page 1 of 37