Bob SaidSergio Pérez 
via the-race.comF1 teams share insights from Sepang practice sessionsTeams and drivers provided feedback following the first day of practice for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Insights revealed a mix of performance evaluations and challenges faced during the sessions.
the-race.com+ 1 moreThu 1 Oct · 11:28 UTC
via gpfans.comRUMOURF1 champion Fernando Alonso handed career-high payday at the age of 45Fernando Alonso has secured a new contract with Aston Martin that reportedly makes him the highest-paid driver of his career at the age of 45. The deal, which will take effect in 2027, is said to exceed $40 million annually, surpassing his previous earnings at McLaren.
In an official statement, Alonso expressed his happiness about the contract and his commitment to the team. This new salary positions him as the joint-third highest-paid driver in Formula 1, behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, while overtaking other notable drivers like Charles Leclerc and George Russell.
gpfans.comThu 1 Oct · 09:57 UTC
via CrashLewis Hamilton defends Fred Vasseur amid Ferrari issuesLewis Hamilton has expressed his support for Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur while suggesting that criticism should be directed at higher management within the team. Hamilton's comments come as tensions grow around Ferrari's leadership and performance.
Crash+ 2 moreThu 1 Oct · 09:56 UTC
via Motorsport.com"Whenever I watch TV, I think I would do better" – The real reason Fernando Alonso stays in F1Fernando Alonso has officially extended his Formula 1 career into the 2027 season, marking his 24th year in the sport. The announcement came ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, with Alonso stating that his conversation with Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll was brief and straightforward, as both parties were eager to continue their partnership.
Alonso expressed that his motivation to race stems from a desire to compete and improve, feeling that he can outperform current drivers when watching from home. He also mentioned the importance of potential regulatory changes for 2027, which he hopes will enhance the racing experience. Despite no immediate changes to next year's regulations, Alonso remains committed to pushing for improvements in the sport.
Motorsport.comThu 1 Oct · 09:23 UTC
via espn.comFernando Alonso extends Aston Martin contract to 2027Fernando Alonso has confirmed he will continue racing in Formula 1 with Aston Martin until 2027. Despite acknowledging the possibility of facing another challenging season, Alonso expressed that competing is preferable to watching from home.
espn.comThu 1 Oct · 08:50 UTC
via RacingNews365Audi announces new campus for Formula 1 operationsAudi has unveiled plans to construct a new campus near its existing factory in Hinwil, Switzerland, as part of its long-term strategy in Formula 1. This development aims to enhance the team's operational capabilities and signifies a commitment to its future in the sport.
RacingNews365+ 8 moreThu 1 Oct · 07:28 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.newsonf1.com+ 1 moreThu 1 Oct · 07:14 UTC
via Motorsport.comRUMOURLaurent Mekies credited with ending Red Bull's second seat "curse"Laurent Mekies, the Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, has been credited with transforming the team's culture, which has reportedly helped Isack Hadjar thrive in his role. Will Buxton highlighted that Mekies has replaced the historically ruthless environment with a more supportive atmosphere, allowing drivers to perform better without excessive pressure.
Hadjar, who was promoted to Red Bull in 2026, impressed in his first race back after recovering from a wrist injury, finishing third. The change in management style under Mekies is seen as a significant factor in lifting what was referred to as Red Bull's second seat 'curse', which had previously troubled the team in finding a suitable teammate for Max Verstappen.Motorsport.comThu 1 Oct · 07:00 UTC
via PlanetF1RUMOURMax Verstappen addresses Alonso GT3 partnership rumoursMax Verstappen has dismissed speculation about teaming up with Fernando Alonso in GT3 racing. The two drivers have been linked following Alonso's hints about racing outside Formula 1, but Verstappen confirmed his next GT3 appearance will be separate.
PlanetF1+ 1 moreThu 1 Oct · 06:48 UTC
via the-race.comMax Verstappen to race GT3 in Portugal this monthMax Verstappen has confirmed he will compete in a GT3 race in Portugal later this month, marking his return to GT racing. This will be his first appearance in GT3 machinery since the Nurburgring 24 Hours.the-race.com+ 3 moreThu 1 Oct · 06:20 UTC
via the-race.comThe slowest race of F1 2026 explainedValtteri Bottas has detailed his significant pace issues during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he was over 1.7 seconds slower per lap than his Cadillac teammate Sergio Perez. Bottas crashed on the final lap after struggling with car setup and power steering issues throughout the race, leading to a lack of competitiveness. He acknowledged that he was unable to keep up with the pack and faced difficulties in both corners and straights.
Bottas's performance was further impacted by the absence of the upgraded ADUO 2 Ferrari engine, which Perez had during the race. While Bottas's engine upgrade is uncertain for the upcoming race in Sepang, Perez has opted to save his power unit for a more advantageous event. Both drivers anticipate a tough weekend in Malaysia due to the Cadillac's ongoing struggles with tyre management and aerodynamic performance.the-race.comThu 1 Oct · 04:29 UTC
via f1oversteer.comToyota denies Esteban Ocon's move to WEC in 2027Toyota has officially ruled out the possibility of Esteban Ocon joining its World Endurance Championship programme in 2027. The announcement comes as Ocon's options in Formula 1 are diminishing following Haas's decision to part ways with the driver.
f1oversteer.com+ 3 moreWed 30 Sep · 12:30 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.
F1i+ 7 moreWed 30 Sep · 10:43 UTC
via BBC SportEsteban Ocon to leave Haas at end of 2026 seasonHaas Formula 1 team has confirmed that Esteban Ocon will depart at the end of the 2026 season. Ocon remains determined to continue his career in Formula 1 despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.
BBC Sport+ 4 moreWed 30 Sep · 10:24 UTC
via RaceFansFernando Alonso extends Aston Martin contract to 2027Fernando Alonso has confirmed that he will remain with Aston Martin for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The decision reflects his confidence in the team's potential to improve and turn their fortunes around.
RaceFans+ 3 moreWed 30 Sep · 10:18 UTC
via espn.comEsteban Ocon insists Haas exit not due to performanceEsteban Ocon has stated that his departure from the Haas Formula 1 team at the end of the 2026 season is not related to his performance. The French driver expressed his disappointment with the decision, claiming it was not handled as he would have preferred.espn.com+ 11 moreWed 30 Sep · 09:13 UTC
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.RaceFansWed 30 Sep · 08:08 UTC
Wikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Perez warns F1 rules are becoming dangerousSep.30 (GMM) Sergio Perez has re-joined the ongoing criticism of Formula 1’s new-generation regulations, warning that extreme speed differences caused by energy management are now becoming a real safety concern. The Cadillac driver told Sport1 that he narrowly avoided a major accident while defending from Liam Lawson in Baku. “Above all, we need to closely…newsonf1.comWed 30 Sep · 07:44 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOtmar Szafnauer admits Sergio Perez nearly got a five-year FIA ban before he joined Red BullOtmar Szafnauer disclosed that Sergio Perez was close to receiving a five-year ban from the FIA due to a doping rules violation during the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. After the race, Perez underwent IV treatment for dehydration, which is prohibited under FIA regulations. The situation escalated when Perez shared details of the treatment on social media, prompting Szafnauer to engage a top sports lawyer to navigate the potential consequences.
Ultimately, the issue was resolved without a ban, allowing Perez to continue his career, which included a move to Red Bull in 2021. Now 36, Perez is on the verge of reaching 300 race starts, while Cadillac is evaluating potential driver changes for the 2027 season, which could impact his teammate Valtteri Bottas.f1oversteer.comWed 30 Sep · 07:30 UTC
via f1chronicle.comSergio Perez Calls Pointless Baku Weekend ‘One of My Best’ as Cadillac’s Struggles ContinueSergio Perez has declared his Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend as one of his best despite finishing outside the points. After starting from P20 due to a grid penalty, he managed to recover to 14th place, matching his best result of the season with Cadillac, who are still seeking their first points in Formula 1.
Despite the lack of points, Perez expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting that he felt competitive throughout the race. He acknowledged the need for improvements in Cadillac's car to enhance their competitiveness, particularly in straight-line speed, as they aim for a points finish before the end of the season.
f1chronicle.comTue 29 Sep · 20:49 UTC
via Motorsport.com“I fear something bad is going to happen soon” – 2026 F1 cars are “too dangerous”, Sergio Perez warnsSergio Perez has raised alarms about the safety of the 2026 Formula 1 cars, citing significant speed differentials that could lead to accidents. His concerns were amplified after a serious crash involving Oliver Bearman at the Japanese Grand Prix, which underscored the risks associated with the new power units that feature a high percentage of electrical energy.
Following a close call with Liam Lawson during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Perez urged for regulatory changes to address the dangerous disparities in engine performance. The FIA has already made some adjustments, and further changes are expected for the 2027 season to improve safety. Despite these efforts, Perez remains apprehensive about the implications for upcoming races.Motorsport.comTue 29 Sep · 12:39 UTC
Wikimedia Commons · Joop van Bilsen / Anefo · CC0Vasseur 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…newsonf1.comTue 29 Sep · 06:52 UTC
via PlanetF1‘So dangerous’ – Heated Liam Lawson team radio after untelevised Sergio Perez moveDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Liam Lawson expressed his frustration over Sergio Perez's aggressive defensive tactics, describing them as 'so dangerous' during a team radio transmission. This incident occurred after Lawson had passed Perez, who made a sudden move to the left, forcing Lawson to adjust his line. Both drivers finished the race in 12th and 14th positions, respectively, while George Russell secured his third victory of the season.
The rivalry between Lawson and Perez dates back to the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, where tensions flared. Lawson's career has seen ups and downs, including being dropped by Red Bull and later returning to the Racing Bulls team. The F1 2026 season is set to continue with the Bahrain Grand Prix, marking a significant return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017.PlanetF1Mon 28 Sep · 17:04 UTC
via Formula1.comPerez reflects on 'one of my best weekends'Sergio Perez expressed satisfaction with his performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, calling it one of his best weekends despite finishing 14th and missing out on points for Cadillac. He highlighted his strong practice sessions but faced challenges in qualifying, which resulted in a grid penalty that hindered his race position.
Despite the struggles, Perez managed to stay competitive with midfield runners and noted the need for improvements in Cadillac's car performance. He acknowledged that the team has not planned any major upgrades for the remainder of the season but remains optimistic about operational improvements and pushing the team forward as they prepare for 2027.
Formula1.comMon 28 Sep · 15:57 UTC