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via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton claims he was blocked from joining Ferrari years earlier due to ‘veto’Lewis Hamilton revealed that he was prevented from joining Ferrari earlier in his career due to Fernando Alonso's veto rights during the time when Stefano Domenicali was team principal. Hamilton had discussions with Domenicali but felt that Alonso's position as the number one driver at Ferrari hindered his potential move, leading to a lingering 'what if' scenario for him until he finally joined the team in 2025 after a long tenure with McLaren and Mercedes.
In the current season, Hamilton's relationship with Ferrari's team principal Fred Vasseur has been crucial in his integration into the team. Despite Hamilton's championship aspirations, he noted that both he and Charles Leclerc are given equal opportunities, which has led to competitive racing between them. The dynamics within Ferrari have shifted since Alonso's era, with Vasseur aiming to maintain parity in the driver lineup.
Sun 6 Sep · 19:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comWinners and losers from F1's memorable Italian Grand PrixThe Italian Grand Prix featured a remarkable victory for Kimi Antonelli, who delighted the home crowd with a comeback win, becoming the first Italian to win at Monza since 1966. The event also set a new attendance record, showcasing the passionate support for Ferrari, despite the team's struggles during the race, particularly with Charles Leclerc's early crash.
George Russell faced a challenging race, ultimately conceding to Antonelli's dominance in the championship chase. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen managed to secure a podium finish despite technical difficulties, highlighting his resilience in a competitive field. Ferrari's performance, while improved with new upgrades, fell short of expectations, leading to disappointment among fans.
Sun 6 Sep · 19:15 UTC
via RaceFansGT3 racer pulls rival from burning car after horrific crash in Shanghai | Other MotorsportIn a dramatic incident at the Shanghai International Circuit, Dutch GT3 racer Loek Hartog saved his rival Ollie Millroy from a burning car following a crash during a race. Millroy became trapped after being hit by another competitor, and Hartog acted quickly to pull him from the wreckage, which was engulfed in flames.
Despite the heroic rescue, Millroy expressed frustration with the track workers for their slow response to the crash. He publicly acknowledged Hartog's bravery, stating that he owes his life to him, highlighting the importance of quick action in emergency situations during motorsport events.
Sun 6 Sep · 13:03 UTC
via Motorsport WeekThe Aston Martin Monza Nightmare: Alonso’s Pit-Lane Start, Stroll’s 100th Q1 ExitAston Martin faced significant challenges during the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Lance Stroll marked a milestone with his 100th Q1 exit, while Fernando Alonso's participation was hindered by a serious power unit issue, forcing him to start the race from the pit lane. The team acknowledged that their performance was lacking, particularly in terms of raw speed, as Stroll qualified notably slower than competitors, including Cadillac, which is positioned at the back of the grid. Alonso highlighted the importance of power at Monza, contrasting it with other circuits where drivability improvements could be more beneficial.
Looking ahead, Alonso remains optimistic about the future, indicating that the team is already focusing on improvements for the 2027 season. He acknowledged the difficulties faced at Monza but emphasized the need to develop both the chassis and engine. Despite the disappointing results, Alonso paid homage to his early career mentor, Adrian Campos, showcasing a personal connection amidst the team's struggles. The overall sentiment suggests that Aston Martin is preparing for a challenging remainder of the season while aiming for better performance in the coming years.
Sun 6 Sep · 12:00 UTC
via thejudge13.comHonda F1 engine upgrade deemed a failureAston Martin's performance at the Dutch Grand Prix showed some improvement, with Fernando Alonso finishing ninth and securing points for the team. However, issues with the Honda engine led to Alonso starting from the pit lane at Monza after qualifying difficulties, while teammate Lance Stroll set an unfortunate record by being eliminated from Q1 for the 100th time. The speed differences between Aston Martin and competitors using Mercedes engines were significant, raising concerns about Honda's upgrades.
As the teams prepare for the Monza race, Pirelli forecasts a one-stop strategy as the most effective approach, with various tire options being considered. Red Bull's decision to alter their rear wing setup without FIA approval adds to the intrigue surrounding the race weekend. Overall, the situation highlights the challenges faced by Aston Martin and the competitive dynamics within the F1 grid.
Sun 6 Sep · 11:41 UTC
via gpfans.comFIA announce pit lane start for F1 champion at Italian Grand PrixFernando Alonso, the two-time F1 world champion, will begin the Italian Grand Prix from the pit lane after the FIA confirmed he took new engine components beyond his allowed quota. This decision follows ongoing power struggles with his Aston Martin AMR26, attributed to issues with the Honda power unit. Alonso had qualified in 21st place, just ahead of his teammate Lance Stroll, but faced technical difficulties that prevented him from completing a final qualifying run.
Additionally, Liam Lawson will join Alonso in starting from the pit lane due to a significant grid penalty for power unit changes. The race is set to take place on September 6, 2026, with Pierre Gasly starting from pole position. The Aston Martin team made efforts overnight to rectify the problems with Alonso's car in preparation for the race.
Sun 6 Sep · 11:24 UTC
via CrashHonda issue that wrecked Fernando Alonso’s Monza F1 qualifying revealedFernando Alonso faced a challenging qualifying session at the Monza Grand Prix, as an engine issue detected by Honda led to a shortened performance. He managed only one flying lap, which was enough to outpace his teammate Lance Stroll, but both Aston Martins finished at the bottom of the grid. Alonso's car will start from the pit lane due to overnight repairs following the qualifying incident.
In addition to Alonso's struggles, Lance Stroll made history by becoming the first driver to reach 100 Q1 eliminations. Both drivers and their team acknowledged the difficulties of the Monza circuit, with Alonso expressing a need for better tracks to improve their performance in future races.
Sun 6 Sep · 10:53 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFernando Alonso and Lance Stroll did exactly what Honda implored them not to do at Italian GPFernando Alonso and Lance Stroll openly criticized Honda's engine performance during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, despite warnings from Honda president Koji Watanabe to avoid such comments. Their remarks followed a disappointing showing at the Dutch Grand Prix, where the Spec 2 engine did not meet expectations, leading to concerns about the partnership between Honda and Aston Martin.
Both drivers acknowledged the need for improvements, with Alonso highlighting a significant power deficit and Stroll pointing out that while the chassis is acceptable, the power is lacking. The ongoing criticism has put the relationship between the two parties on thin ice, with discussions of Aston Martin potentially seeking alternative engine suppliers in the future.Sun 6 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via the-race.comFerrari Drivers Express Discontent After 2026 Italian Grand Prix QualifyingFerrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton criticized their team's qualifying strategy for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. Both drivers finished in fourth and fifth positions, expressing disappointment with the execution of their plans.
+ 2 moreSat 5 Sep · 17:50 UTC
via RaceFansPierre Gasly claims pole position at MonzaPierre Gasly secured pole position for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, marking a significant achievement for both him and the Alpine team. This pole is notable as it represents France's first in nearly 30 years and Enstone's first since 2009.
via Motorsport.com"I kept forgetting SM!" – Yuki Tsunoda reveals amusing Monza challenge with F1's 2026 carsYuki Tsunoda is currently participating in the 2026 Formula 1 season and has shown promising performance at the Monza circuit, finishing 10th in Friday practice. He highlighted the challenges posed by the new regulations, particularly the complexity of the cars and the importance of energy management at Monza, which has four Straight Mode zones this year. Tsunoda humorously noted that he often forgot to utilize the SM zones during practice, which affected his lap times.
As he prepares for the upcoming qualifying session, Tsunoda anticipates a chaotic experience due to the significance of slipstreaming at Monza. He has expressed confidence in the VCARB 03 car's balance and ease of setup compared to his previous car, while also acknowledging the need to build his confidence further. Overall, Tsunoda's adaptability and the support from his team are key factors as he navigates the complexities of the 2026 season.Sat 5 Sep · 12:30 UTCCarlos Sainz Discusses Reasons for Renewing Williams ContractCarlos Sainz has signed a new contract with Williams, citing both public and private motivations for his decision. He acknowledged experiencing some mental concerns prior to finalizing the agreement.
via grandprix.comVowles highlights risks of Madrid's new F1 circuitJames Vowles has expressed worries that the new circuit in Madrid may present significant challenges for Formula 1 cars. Additionally, Carlos Sainz has highlighted potential difficulties with overtaking at the venue.
via Formula1.comLiam Lawson calls Friday practice productive for Red BullLiam Lawson and Red Bull Racing described their Friday practice session in Italy as productive. Despite not being among the top contenders, the team focused on gathering valuable data ahead of the race.
Fri 4 Sep · 18:28 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA confirms Lance Stroll punishment after ‘dangerous’ Lando Norris incidentThe FIA has issued a warning to Lance Stroll and Aston Martin following a dangerous incident involving Lando Norris during FP2 at the Italian Grand Prix. Norris expressed his frustration over team radio after being forced to run wide due to Stroll's slow speed on the track, prompting the FIA to investigate the situation. The stewards concluded that Stroll impeded Norris unnecessarily, leading to the warning for both the driver and the team.
Stroll's performance in FP2 was notably poor, as he finished last among all drivers. This incident adds to his struggles in the 2026 season, where he has not yet scored any points, with his best finish being 13th place in Hungary. The FIA's decision reflects ongoing concerns about driver safety and adherence to regulations in Formula 1.
Fri 4 Sep · 17:55 UTC
via PlanetF1Mick Schumacher confirms IndyCar future in MSR moveMick Schumacher has confirmed his future in IndyCar by announcing that he will join Meyer Shank Racing for the 2027 season. He will drive the No. 66 MSR Honda and partner with Marcus Armstrong. Schumacher expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter and the opportunity to work with an ambitious team known for its success, including winning the Indy 500.
Before moving to IndyCar, Schumacher spent two seasons in the World Endurance Championship. As a rookie in the 2026 IndyCar season, he is currently competing for the title of top rookie driver, trailing Dennis Hauger by 18 points. Schumacher's transition to IndyCar has generated significant attention, and he looks forward to building a strong partnership with Meyer Shank Racing.Fri 4 Sep · 17:44 UTC
via gpfans.comFernando Alonso fires warning to F1 and finally reveals what will make him stay at Aston MartinFernando Alonso has expressed concerns about the current state of Formula 1, stating that it does not meet the expectations of drivers or fans. He emphasized that his decision to remain with Aston Martin will depend more on the regulations than on the performance of the car itself, as the team struggles in the constructors' standings. Alonso has been critical of the new regulations, labeling the 2026 cars as the worst he has seen, and he hopes to influence future changes in the sport.
As the Italian Grand Prix approaches, Alonso faces challenges, including potential battery issues at the Monza track and Honda's admission of being underpowered compared to competitors. Despite scoring points in the previous race, the outlook for Alonso and Aston Martin remains uncertain as they continue to seek improvements and navigate the current regulations.Fri 4 Sep · 11:27 UTC
via gpfans.comFernando Alonso ends F1 media conference after '80-year-old' referenceFernando Alonso recently concluded a media conference on a downbeat note, expressing concerns about his team's performance ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. Despite achieving a ninth-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, he acknowledged that Aston Martin is still facing significant challenges, particularly with their Honda engine, which he feels has not shown substantial improvement. Alonso is cautious about the upcoming race at Monza, predicting it could be one of the toughest for the team this season.
During the conference, Alonso emphasized the need for further enhancements to both the chassis and engine for the next year. He remains motivated about his career, stating he could maintain this drive until he is 80 years old. However, uncertainty surrounds his future with Aston Martin, with team principal Mike Krack confirming that a decision regarding Alonso's position for the 2027 season will be made before the next season begins.Thu 3 Sep · 19:58 UTC
via PlanetF1Fernando Alonso makes blunt future verdict; ‘Sad’ Monza weekend predicted – round-upFernando Alonso has announced that he will make a decision regarding his future in Formula 1 after the summer break. He conveyed his dissatisfaction with the current regulations and stated that competing for lower points is insufficient motivation for him to continue racing next year. Alonso also expressed a desire to contribute to the development of future regulations in the sport.
In other news, Kimi Antonelli is set to start from the back of the grid due to a new engine penalty, while Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to Michael Schumacher during the Italian Grand Prix weekend. The FIA has issued a heat hazard warning for the event, allowing drivers to use cooling vests to combat the high temperatures. Additionally, Arvid Lindblad shared his apprehensions about the challenges posed by the Monza circuit.Thu 3 Sep · 19:02 UTC
via f1oversteer.com‘Pessimistic’ Fernando Alonso now disagrees with Aston Martin about the AMR26Fernando Alonso has expressed concerns about the performance of the Aston Martin AMR26 ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, predicting it will be one of the team's most challenging races of the season. Despite securing a P9 finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, Alonso believes the chassis still requires significant improvements, particularly in handling and overall performance, even after Honda's recent engine upgrade.
Aston Martin's management is optimistic, claiming they now have the seventh-best chassis in the 2026 F1 grid and are focused on completing a weight-saving program by the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, Alonso remains cautious, suggesting that the upcoming race at Monza may expose the car's weaknesses, especially on high-speed straights.Thu 3 Sep · 15:00 UTCPage 9 of 16