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via f1oversteer.comLando Norris Outperforming Oscar Piastri in 2026 SeasonRalf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya have commented on Lando Norris's performance relative to teammate Oscar Piastri at McLaren in 2026. Both analysts suggest that Norris's skills are highlighting Piastri's struggles in comparison.
via Motorsport WeekPierre Gasly stumped by sudden pace loss after Q2 exit in MadridPierre Gasly experienced a surprising decline in performance during the qualifying session for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, resulting in his elimination in Q2 and a 14th place starting position. He was perplexed by the drastic change in the car's behavior compared to earlier in the weekend, indicating that he felt comfortable with the car's balance prior to qualifying.
Gasly plans to work with his team to investigate the issues that led to the loss of grip and performance. He expressed skepticism about his chances in the upcoming race, suggesting that he might need to take risks to improve his situation. Despite the overall improvement in track conditions, he remains uncertain about the car's competitiveness in the high-speed sections of the circuit.
via newsonf1.comVerstappen says Alonso must decide F1 future himselfSep.13 (GMM) Max Verstappen says Fernando Alonso should not be persuaded into extending his Formula 1 career, as the Spaniard continues to blame the current regulations for making him consider walking away. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has openly said he wants to convince the 45-year-old to stay, but Verstappen believes the decision belongs entirely…
via gpfans.comMercedes F1 boss reveals Spanish GP tyre concern: 'Our strategy chief said six stops'Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff expressed surprise at the high levels of tyre degradation observed during the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit. Despite expectations of minimal wear due to the new asphalt, the team faced challenges with tyre temperatures and wear, leading to a significant degradation rate of eight tenths per lap.
Wolff revealed that the team's chief strategist had proposed the possibility of six pit stops during the race, although he later revised this prediction to one stop. This race comes after a successful weekend for Mercedes at Monza, where they achieved a one-two finish, with Kimi Antonelli leading the drivers' championship.
via Formula1.comWhat the teams said – Qualifying in SpainLando Norris of McLaren achieved pole position for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, clocking a lap time of 1:31.824. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, faced challenges during qualifying, ultimately finishing in 7th place. Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes narrowly missed pole, qualifying 2nd, while George Russell ended up in 6th position after a less than ideal final run.
The qualifying session highlighted the competitive nature of the field, with only fractions of seconds separating the top drivers. Teams expressed mixed feelings about their performances, with McLaren celebrating Norris's achievement while acknowledging Piastri's potential for improvement. Mercedes remained optimistic about their chances in the race despite the challenges posed by the track conditions.
via AutosportF1 drivers criticise Madrid circuit, Verstappen laughs: "I'll sort it out"F1 drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, have expressed concerns about the new Madrid circuit, particularly its lack of overtaking opportunities and poorly designed braking zones. Verstappen noted that the circuit's layout makes it challenging for drivers to pass each other, which could lead to a less exciting race experience.
Additionally, both drivers criticized the long pitlane, which they believe complicates race strategy due to its design. Verstappen mentioned that he would be willing to provide input on track design improvements in the future, emphasizing the importance of driver feedback in creating better racing environments.
via Motorsport WeekCarlos Sainz confirms Williams ‘putting all the eggs in next year’s basket’Carlos Sainz expressed confidence in Williams' future despite a challenging season, stating that the team is 'putting all the eggs in next year's basket.' Currently, Williams sits ninth in the Constructor's Standings with only 11 points, and Sainz noted that both he and teammate Alex Albon have not added to their tally since the Monaco Grand Prix. An upgraded chassis is expected to be introduced at the upcoming race in Azerbaijan, which Sainz hopes will improve their performance.
Sainz also highlighted the importance of learning from the difficulties faced this season, referring to it as a 'bump on the road.' He emphasized the need for the team to bounce back next year and show signs of improvement. Despite the current struggles, Sainz reaffirmed his commitment to Williams by signing a multi-year contract extension, indicating his belief in the team's potential to turn things around.
via newsonf1.comHadjar return still uncertain for BakuSep.12 (GMM) Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury appears more serious than initially hoped, with the Red Bull driver still wearing a substantial brace in Madrid and Laurent Mekies refusing to guarantee he will return in Baku. Hadjar has now missed three races, with Liam Lawson again substituting this weekend. Mekies said Red Bull had no hesitation…
via Formula1.comteams share impressions after Spanish Grand Prix practiceTeams and drivers provided feedback following the initial practice session for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. The session took place at the Madrid circuit, allowing teams to assess their performance ahead of the race.
via newsonf1.comLeclerc cleared to race as Ferrari tension coolsSep.11 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has been cleared to race in Madrid after further medical checks following his heavy Monza crash, while Ferrari appears to have calmed the tensions exposed during its disastrous home weekend. “It felt like a serious accident,” Leclerc, who reported vision problems after the impact, said on Thursday. “But all the checks…
via f1oversteer.comRalf Schumacher saw something unprecedented from Fred Vasseur after Ferrari’s disastrous Italian GPRalf Schumacher says he has “never” seen Fred Vasseur as “shaken” as he was after Ferrari’s disastrous performance in last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari’s ...
via f1oversteer.comRalf Schumacher says Red Bull don't 'need' Liam Lawson despite 'better' 2026 performancesRalf Schumacher has expressed skepticism about Liam Lawson's future with Red Bull, despite the driver's improved performance in the 2026 season. Lawson's recent race results have been mixed, including a disappointing P14 finish at the Italian Grand Prix, which has led Schumacher to question whether Red Bull should continue investing in him.
Schumacher also highlighted the potential of other young drivers in the Red Bull program, particularly Nikola Tsolov, who is currently leading the Formula 2 championship. He believes that Red Bull may benefit from exploring new talent rather than relying on Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda, suggesting that the team has sufficient options for the future.
via f1oversteer.comRalf Schumacher thinks Lewis Hamilton’s post-race accusation revealed Ferrari’s ‘biggest problem’Ralf Schumacher expressed that Lewis Hamilton's post-race comments regarding his incident with Charles Leclerc during the 2026 Italian Grand Prix highlighted a significant issue within Ferrari. Hamilton finished the race in sixth place after recovering from a first-lap incident that saw him drop to ninth, while Leclerc crashed out early in the race. Schumacher criticized the lack of team unity, suggesting that the aggressive racing between the two drivers at Ferrari's home race was embarrassing for the team.
Schumacher's remarks also raised concerns about the management of Ferrari's team principal, Fred Vasseur, as reports indicate dissatisfaction with his handling of the drivers. The ongoing tensions between Hamilton and Leclerc have been evident throughout the season, with previous instances of conflict and a refusal to impose team orders, leading to further complications in their relationship and performance.
via F1iFernando Alonso criticises Monza's speed reputationFernando Alonso has expressed his belief that Monza no longer deserves the title of 'Temple of Speed' due to significantly reduced top speeds in modern Formula 1. He argues that the circuit's reputation has diminished in the current era of the sport.Wikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Booing Russell ‘has no place in sport’ – SchumacherRalf Schumacher has spoken out against the booing of George Russell by some fans at Monza, following Kimi Antonelli's victory. The Italian crowd celebrated Antonelli's win passionately, but some directed hostility towards Russell, which Schumacher deemed inappropriate for sportsmanship. Journalist Ralf Bach echoed this sentiment, noting that the fans' emotions were misplaced as Russell is merely Antonelli's teammate and competitor in the championship.
Russell himself took the booing in stride, acknowledging it as part of racing in another driver's home country. However, commentators like David Coulthard and Nico Rosberg criticized Russell's performance, highlighting the embarrassment of losing to a teammate who started from the back. Antonelli, despite feeling exhausted, remained focused on his competitive spirit, asserting he never considered finishing behind Russell.
via f1technical.netIsack Hadjar to miss Spanish Grand Prix due to injuryIsack Hadjar will not participate in the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix as he continues to recover from a wrist injury. Red Bull has confirmed that Liam Lawson will once again race alongside Max Verstappen in Madrid.
via RaceFansOvertake Mode meant others passed me like I was a “turtle”, says Verstappen | Formula 1Max Verstappen expressed frustration after the Italian Grand Prix, where he led for a short period but struggled to maintain his position due to the newly implemented Overtake Mode. This mode, introduced in 2026, allows drivers to access additional power when they are close to another car, but Verstappen noted that it hindered his ability to defend against competitors effectively.
The race highlighted the impact of Overtake Mode, particularly as the FIA had set energy harvest limits at their lowest for the fastest track on the calendar. Verstappen remarked that the Mercedes-powered cars had a significant advantage in electrical energy deployment, which contributed to his difficulties in keeping pace with them.
via Formula1.comWhat the teams said – Race day in ItalyThe 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza saw Kimi Antonelli make history by becoming the first Italian winner at the venue since 1966, starting from 19th position. His victory was marked by a strong performance, particularly during the race's second start and a strategic pit stop under the Virtual Safety Car, which allowed him to reclaim the lead from teammate George Russell, who finished second after leading early in the race.
Max Verstappen completed the podium in third place, showcasing strong race pace despite challenges. The race featured significant strategic decisions influenced by the red flag and VSC, with Mercedes achieving a notable 1-2 finish. The results were a boost for the team in the championship standings, while other drivers like Liam Lawson faced difficulties, finishing 14th after starting from the pit lane.
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.
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.Page 5 of 9
