via Motorsport.comRUMOURFred Vasseur shuts down claims Ferrari split Spanish GP strategy to separate driversFerrari team principal Fred Vasseur has addressed speculation regarding the team's strategy during the Spanish Grand Prix, specifically the differing tyre choices for drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Vasseur emphasized that the decision to split strategies was not intended to separate the two drivers, pointing out that other teams employed similar tactics without concern for potential collisions. Hamilton started on soft tyres but faced a braking issue that led to his early retirement from the race.
Leclerc, who opted for hard tyres, expressed confidence in his strategy, believing it was the best choice given the circumstances. He noted that starting on soft tyres would not have been advantageous and that he was waiting for a safety car to optimize his race. Despite the challenges, Vasseur has consistently defended the team's unity and dismissed any notions of a brewing crisis between the drivers.
Motorsport.comThu 17 Sep · 15:15 UTC
via RacingNews365Ferrari driver intervention shut down: 'Not an option for them'The article discusses the current dynamics between Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as they navigate their second season together. Following an incident at the Italian Grand Prix, where Leclerc pushed Hamilton wide, there have been calls for Ferrari to establish a clear number one driver. However, former F1 driver David Coulthard argues that such a strategy is not feasible given the caliber of both drivers.
Coulthard emphasizes that both Hamilton and Leclerc are top-tier talents, making it challenging for Ferrari to impose a hierarchy. He suggests that while there may be existing rules of engagement in their contracts, the team must manage the relationship between the two drivers carefully. Hamilton himself noted that it may be too late for the team to implement any significant changes to their approach this season.
RacingNews365Thu 17 Sep · 12:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comDavid Coulthard says Lewis Hamilton ‘shouldn’t’ be outscoring Charles Leclerc at FerrariIn the 2026 Formula 1 season, Lewis Hamilton has managed to outperform Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, a situation that David Coulthard finds surprising. Despite both drivers having secured one victory each, Hamilton holds a 24-point lead over Leclerc in the championship standings, placing him third overall, while Leclerc's performance has raised questions about team dynamics and engagement rules within Ferrari.
Coulthard notes that Hamilton's success is unexpected considering his age and nearing the end of his career, especially when compared to Leclerc, who is in his twenties and possesses significant raw speed. The relationship between the two drivers has been scrutinized, particularly following a controversial incident at Monza, indicating potential conflicts within the team as they prepare for future seasons.
f1oversteer.comThu 17 Sep · 11:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton's Dawn Apollo Studios signs major new deal with Skydance SportsLewis Hamilton has entered a multi-year first-look production deal with Skydance Sports through his company, Dawn Apollo Studios. This agreement allows Hamilton to develop and produce scripted, unscripted, and animated content, with him acting as executive producer for all projects. Hamilton expressed his belief in the power of storytelling to inspire conversations and bring diverse perspectives to the forefront.
Dawn Apollo Studios, founded by Hamilton in 2022, previously contributed to the successful production of 'F1: The Movie', which earned over $634 million at the box office. Hamilton has indicated that he is working on three movie concepts, two of which are animations, and he is excited about the potential for documentaries and possibly a TV series in the future.Motorsport.comThu 17 Sep · 10:58 UTC
via gpfans.com'Lewis knew it, it's clear in the contract' - Ferrari boss confirms Hamilton vs Leclerc truthFerrari's team principal, Fred Vasseur, has confirmed that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will continue to be treated as joint number one drivers, a fact that Hamilton was aware of when he signed his contract. This decision comes amidst recent tensions between the two drivers, particularly highlighted during the Dutch Grand Prix where Leclerc's actions hindered Hamilton's performance. Despite Hamilton's criticisms regarding the team's lack of clear rules, Vasseur remains firm that Ferrari will not prioritize one driver over the other this season.
As the championship progresses, Hamilton finds himself significantly behind leader Kimi Antonelli, trailing by 101 points. Vasseur acknowledged that while Ferrari's strategy is to support both drivers equally, there may be a shift in focus if Hamilton becomes the sole contender for the championship later in the season. This approach is part of Ferrari's broader philosophy, which aims to maintain respect and equality among its drivers.
gpfans.comThu 17 Sep · 07:56 UTC
Wikimedia Commons · Parrot of Doom · CC BY-SA 3.0Jos pushes Verstappen towards rally testSep.17 (GMM) Jos Verstappen says rallying would suit Max perfectly and is trying to persuade his son to test a rally car this winter, but the four-time world champion says the risks are too high. Speaking to Play Sports, Jos said he has no interest in returning to the wheel of Formula 1 machinery himself,…newsonf1.comThu 17 Sep · 06:40 UTC
Wikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Colapinto reveals pre-race sex banSep.17 (GMM) Franco Colapinto has revealed an unusual rule in his preparation for Formula 1 weekends – avoiding sex before racing. Speaking on Spanish television program La Revuelta, the Alpine driver was asked whether he had had sex in the previous month. “No, I’ve been involved in many races,” said the 23-year-old. Colapinto said the…newsonf1.comThu 17 Sep · 06:40 UTC
via RaceFansTsunoda admits he wasn’t ‘hugely disappointed’ when Red Bull dropped him last year | Formula 1Yuki Tsunoda has shared his feelings regarding being dropped by Red Bull at the end of the previous season. He noted that while he was sad about not being able to drive in the upcoming season, he did not feel a significant sense of disappointment, as he had somewhat anticipated the decision.
Tsunoda's promotion to Red Bull's top team occurred during the third round of the last season, but his contract was not extended for 2026. He reflected on the intense pressure he experienced during the latter half of the season, which contributed to his acceptance of the situation.
RaceFansThu 17 Sep · 06:16 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton is not delivering on the message he sent Ferrari fans before F1's summer breakLewis Hamilton's earlier predictions about Ferrari's performance in the 2026 season have not materialized as expected. Despite a strong start before the summer break, Ferrari has struggled significantly in the second half of the season, failing to secure any podium finishes and facing criticism for team decisions.
Hamilton had anticipated a stronger performance in the latter half of the season, but the results have been disappointing for both him and Ferrari. The team has seen a drastic drop in points compared to their competitors, raising concerns about their competitiveness moving forward in the season.f1oversteer.comThu 17 Sep · 06:00 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 star Lewis Hamilton issues heartfelt Macklemore statement after Ed Sheeran tour axeLewis Hamilton has publicly supported rapper Macklemore after he was dropped from Ed Sheeran's US tour following a controversial speech about Palestine. Macklemore revealed that he was informed by Sheeran that stadium owner Robert Kraft pressured Sheeran to remove him from the tour, citing potential venue restrictions if Macklemore remained.
The backlash against Macklemore's removal has been significant, with many of his fellow support acts quitting the tour in solidarity. Hamilton expressed his support for Macklemore on Instagram, thanking him for using his voice in the situation, which has garnered over 7.3 million likes on Macklemore's post detailing the events.gpfans.comWed 16 Sep · 22:23 UTC
via gpfans.comNico Rosberg highlights Ferrari's ongoing weaknessesLewis Hamilton's recent performance with Ferrari showcased the team's potential for race wins. However, experts point out that underlying weaknesses continue to hinder their success.gpfans.com+ 1 moreWed 16 Sep · 19:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton says he’s resorted to ‘praying’ after Ferrari’s run of strategy mistakesLewis Hamilton expressed frustration with Ferrari's performance and strategy during the recent Spanish Grand Prix. After qualifying fourth, he retired early in the race due to a brake failure, leading to him conceding the championship title to Kimi Antonelli, who has a significant points lead.
Hamilton has been vocal about his concerns regarding Ferrari's strategic decisions throughout the season, feeling that they have consistently failed to maximize their potential. His confidence in the team's ability to compete effectively has diminished, and he has suggested that changes are necessary for future success.f1oversteer.comWed 16 Sep · 15:30 UTC
via PlanetF1Untelevised Max Verstappen team radio emerges after Hamilton clashDuring the Spanish Grand Prix, an untelevised team radio exchange between Max Verstappen and his race engineer GianPiero Lambiase revealed that Hamilton was considered 'entitled' not to leave space for Verstappen during a near-collision. Lambiase emphasized that Verstappen needed to yield to Hamilton after he left the track to avoid a crash.
Verstappen ultimately complied with the team's instructions to let Hamilton back through, which also allowed Kimi Antonelli to pass. Despite the incident, Verstappen managed to secure a second-place finish, while Hamilton was forced to retire due to issues with his car.
PlanetF1Wed 16 Sep · 13:10 UTC
via grandprix.comMcLaren aims to help Piastri regain competitive edgeAndrea Stella stated that McLaren has a clear agenda to help Oscar Piastri unlock his potential as he adjusts to the 2026 car. Stella noted that improving Piastri's qualifying and execution is essential for him to close the performance gap to his teammate Lando Norris.grandprix.com+ 1 moreWed 16 Sep · 10:57 UTC
via Motorsport.comSebastian Vettel: “I’d be very happy” for Kimi Antonelli to beat me as F1’s youngest championSebastian Vettel has stated that he would be pleased if Kimi Antonelli surpasses his record as the youngest Formula 1 world champion. Vettel achieved this milestone in 2010 at the age of 23 years and 4 months, a record that Antonelli, now 20, is on track to break after a strong performance this season, particularly following his win at the Spanish Grand Prix which extended his lead in the championship standings.
Antonelli has already broken several of Vettel's records, including those for pole positions and hat-tricks at a younger age. He has received encouragement from Vettel, who appreciates the hard work and dedication required to achieve such success in the sport. Antonelli's achievements also include being the youngest to score a fastest lap and lead a race, showcasing his potential to become a future champion.Motorsport.comWed 16 Sep · 08:42 UTC
Wikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Red Bull contracts imminent, Russell deal quietly doneSep.16 (GMM) Red Bull is expected to announce contract extensions in the coming days, according to Sky Deutschland presenter Peter Hardenacke, as uncertainty continues around several seats in the Red Bull driver pool. Hardenacke said he has learned that new deals are imminent, with Isack Hadjar the most obvious candidate after his strong season prior…newsonf1.comWed 16 Sep · 06:36 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton handed final nail-in-the-coffin verdictLewis Hamilton's retirement during the Spanish Grand Prix has been viewed as a critical blow to his aspirations for the 2026 Formula 1 championship. The seven-time champion faced brake issues that forced him to retire early in the race, marking the end of his streak of scoring points in every race this season. Following this incident, Hamilton fell to third place in the drivers' standings, now significantly trailing Kimi Antonelli, who has taken over at Mercedes after Hamilton's move to Ferrari.
Despite the setback, a portion of fans still hold out hope for Hamilton's championship chances, with a poll indicating that 19% believe he can still secure an eighth title. However, Hamilton himself expressed skepticism about his prospects, acknowledging the impressive performance of Antonelli and Mercedes this season. The situation leaves Hamilton with little to fight for as the season progresses, with the mathematical possibilities of a comeback appearing slim.RacingNews365Wed 16 Sep · 04:30 UTC
via f1chronicle.comLewis Hamilton Concedes There Is No Stopping Kimi Antonelli as His Ferrari Title Hopes FadeLewis Hamilton faced a setback at the Spanish Grand Prix, retiring early due to a brake issue, which has left him significantly behind Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings. After Antonelli secured his eighth victory of the season, Hamilton acknowledged that there seems to be no stopping Antonelli and Mercedes this year, marking a rare moment of surrender from the seven-time champion. Hamilton's retirement dropped him to 101 points behind Antonelli, who is now on track to potentially become the youngest World Champion in Formula 1 history.
Despite the growing gap in points, Antonelli remains focused on taking the season one race at a time, refusing to let the title prospects distract him. Hamilton, on the other hand, now shifts his focus to salvaging his season with Ferrari, as he grapples with the reality of his championship hopes fading. The next race in Baku presents an opportunity for Hamilton to recover, but the significant points deficit will require a strong comeback in the remaining races.
f1chronicle.comWed 16 Sep · 02:04 UTC
via f1chronicle.comFerrari Boss Fred Vasseur Insists ‘The Potential Is There’ for a Win After Charles Leclerc’s Bold Madrid GambleFerrari's team principal Fred Vasseur expressed confidence in the team's potential for victory following the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, where Charles Leclerc finished fourth after a bold strategy. Leclerc gambled on a single set of hard tyres for nearly 50 laps, hoping for a second caution that could have allowed him to pit without losing time. Despite his strong pace throughout the race, he ultimately fell short of a podium finish, crossing the line 29.116 seconds behind winner Kimi Antonelli.
Vasseur noted that the team's strategy was sound, but the absence of a second caution period hindered their chances. He emphasized that Leclerc's performance showcased Ferrari's capability to compete with the front-runners, despite Hamilton's early retirement due to brake issues. As the team prepares for the next race in Baku, Vasseur remains optimistic that a full race without incidents could finally yield the results that reflect their pace.f1chronicle.comWed 16 Sep · 01:54 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 star issues Zak Brown apology after getting it badly wrong about Oscar PiastriRomain Grosjean has publicly apologized to Zak Brown after mistakenly misquoting the McLaren CEO regarding Oscar Piastri's performance. Grosjean's initial comments suggested that Brown had criticized Piastri as being slower than his teammate Lando Norris, which caused a stir online. However, Brown's actual remarks indicated that Piastri was competitive but did not achieve the same lap time as Norris during qualifying.
Oscar Piastri, who is currently experiencing a challenging season, sits seventh in the Drivers' standings, significantly trailing Norris. Following a disappointing eighth-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, Grosjean quickly retracted his comments and expressed regret for the misunderstanding, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment for drivers within the McLaren team.gpfans.comTue 15 Sep · 20:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri’s McLaren engineer admits he had an ‘impossible’ problem at the Spanish Grand PrixOscar Piastri had a challenging race at the Spanish Grand Prix, starting with a collision with George Russell that damaged his front-left endplate. Despite qualifying in seventh place, the damage hindered his performance, and McLaren was unable to make necessary repairs during the race. Piastri struggled with overtaking opportunities due to the track's design, ultimately finishing in eighth place while teammate Lando Norris managed to secure third despite facing his own difficulties with pit timing.
Piastri's race engineer, Tom Stallard, noted the difficulties of overtaking and the impact of the damage on Piastri's performance. After the race, Piastri expressed his frustration but also highlighted the importance of learning from the experience. Moving forward, McLaren plans to focus on providing more support to Piastri as he continues to adapt and improve in the upcoming races.f1oversteer.comTue 15 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Lewis Hamilton Spanish GP DNF update; Hamilton’s defiant message; Norris criticised – roundupLewis Hamilton experienced a retirement during the Spanish Grand Prix due to brake problems with his Ferrari. Team principal Fred Vasseur provided insights into the situation, explaining that the team attempted to resolve the issue before ultimately instructing Hamilton to retire from the race. This DNF could significantly affect Hamilton's aspirations for a record eighth world championship title in 2026.
In the aftermath, Hamilton took to social media to express his determination and look ahead to the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Lando Norris drew criticism for his choice of beverage, Coca-Cola, in the cooldown room, which is against Formula 1's sponsorship rules. Former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner labeled Norris's actions as 'unprofessional,' highlighting the ongoing discussions surrounding team conduct and sponsorship agreements.PlanetF1Tue 15 Sep · 18:59 UTC
via Motorsport WeekFerrari boss handed surprise Lewis Hamilton radio claim after Madring practice shuntDuring the final practice session for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton crashed his SF-26 and was reluctant to follow his engineer's instructions to park the car. After being asked multiple times to stop, Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur had to step in and directly tell Hamilton to cease driving, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. This intervention was not broadcasted live, highlighting the behind-the-scenes dynamics of team communication during critical moments.
Hamilton's race on Sunday was equally challenging, as he retired due to persistent brake issues. Despite his insistence that he could manage the situation, he ultimately admitted to having difficulty stopping the car. This incident has raised concerns among commentators and fans alike, as Hamilton's decision to remain on track could have led to dangerous consequences. His retirement from the race has significantly affected his pursuit of an eighth World Championship title.
Motorsport WeekTue 15 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comSimon Lazenby reminds Nico Rosberg of what he said about Lewis Hamilton’s ‘age’ last yearNico Rosberg has acknowledged that Lewis Hamilton has regained his qualifying pace this season, countering his previous doubts expressed in May 2025. At that time, Rosberg questioned whether Hamilton still possessed the ultimate speed, suggesting that age might be a factor. However, Hamilton is currently tied with Charles Leclerc in qualifying performances for the 2026 season, a significant turnaround from last year's results where he lost decisively to Leclerc.
During a discussion on Sky Sports F1, Rosberg noted Hamilton's impressive performance this year, stating that he is driving at his best and putting pressure on Leclerc. Hamilton's qualifying pace has improved significantly, and he is now the third-quickest driver in qualifying this year. Despite facing challenges, including a mechanical failure, Hamilton maintains a 24-point lead over Leclerc in the standings, showcasing his resilience and skill as a veteran driver.f1oversteer.comTue 15 Sep · 17:00 UTC