via f1technical.net"The pace of both McLaren and Ferrari has surprised us," claims Russell after ...During the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Park Zandvoort, George Russell of Mercedes faced challenges with pace but managed to secure a third-place finish. He initially lost positions but fought back, aided by a slow pit stop from Oscar Piastri, and ultimately achieved a double podium alongside teammate Kimi Antonelli, who finished second after a strategic pit stop during a Virtual Safety Car period.
Russell noted that both McLaren and Ferrari surprised Mercedes with their speed throughout the race. He highlighted the competitive nature of the field and the necessity of teamwork to protect their positions against the fast-charging Ferraris and McLaren's Lando Norris. Despite the difficulties, Russell's performance, including a Sprint victory the day before, contributed to a strong points haul for Mercedes over the weekend.
f1technical.netMon 24 Aug · 08:50 UTC
via Formula1.comLeclerc blames qualifying and VSC for Dutch GP resultCharles Leclerc finished fifth at the Dutch Grand Prix, just 1.3 seconds from the podium. He attributed his result to a challenging qualifying session and the timing of a Virtual Safety Car.f1technical.net+ 1 moreMon 24 Aug · 08:49 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer makes surprise pick for F1 'driver of the season' after Dutch Grand PrixJolyon Palmer has identified Lando Norris as the standout driver of the season following his impressive victory at the Dutch Grand Prix. Despite not being in the championship mix earlier in the season, Norris's recent performances have showcased his potential, especially with the upgrades made to his McLaren car. Palmer argues that Norris's ability to extract maximum performance from his vehicle sets him apart from his competitors, including Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, who are now under pressure from Norris's resurgence.
Palmer also highlighted the impact of reliability issues faced by Antonelli and the early-season struggles of McLaren, which have not hindered Norris as much as they have affected Antonelli's points tally. As the season progresses, Norris's consistent wins could position him as a serious contender for the championship, especially if he maintains his form at upcoming races like Monza.
f1oversteer.comMon 24 Aug · 08:00 UTCvia f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer makes surprise pick for F1 'driver of the season' after Dutch Grand PrixJolyon Palmer has identified Lando Norris as the standout driver of the season following his impressive victory at the Dutch Grand Prix. Despite not being in the championship mix earlier in the season, Norris's recent performances have showcased his potential, especially with the upgrades made to his McLaren car. Palmer argues that Norris's ability to extract maximum performance from his vehicle sets him apart from his competitors, including Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, who are now under pressure from Norris's resurgence.
Palmer also highlighted the impact of reliability issues faced by Antonelli and the early-season struggles of McLaren, which have not hindered Norris as much as they have affected Antonelli's points tally. As the season progresses, Norris's consistent wins could position him as a serious contender for the championship, especially if he maintains his form at upcoming races like Monza.f1oversteer.comMon 24 Aug · 08:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comWho slept best last night: Liam LawsonLiam Lawson had a notable performance during his third race with Red Bull at Zandvoort, qualifying closely behind Max Verstappen and finishing seventh, which earned him points. This race was a stark contrast to his previous stint in 2025, where he struggled significantly and failed to score any points.
The article reflects on Lawson's journey, highlighting the challenges he faced when initially promoted to Red Bull and the pressure he was under. It suggests that his recent performance may indicate that the RB21 car suits his driving style better than before, and questions the decisions made by Red Bull regarding driver placements in the past.
Motorsport.comMon 24 Aug · 05:21 UTC
via f1technical.netPiastri aims to find out why he suffered "such a significant performance drop-off" in ...Oscar Piastri faced a challenging race at the Dutch Grand Prix, finishing in sixth place after a promising start. Despite gaining positions early on and briefly holding third place, he struggled with pace in the latter half of the race, compounded by a slow pit stop that hindered his performance further. This led to him being overtaken by competitors, including drivers from Ferrari.
Piastri expressed his frustration with the outcome but noted some positives from the start of the race. He highlighted the importance of reviewing the weekend's data to identify the reasons behind the significant drop in performance. The McLaren team aims to address these issues before the upcoming race in Monza to improve their competitiveness.f1technical.netSun 23 Aug · 23:00 UTC
via f1technical.netAntonelli reveals why he missed out on victory despite leading the Zandvoort raceKimi Antonelli expressed disappointment after finishing second in the Dutch Grand Prix, having led for a significant portion of the race. Despite a strong start and initial pace, he struggled to maintain performance after switching to Hard tyres, allowing Lando Norris to overtake him and secure victory. Mercedes opted to pit Antonelli under a late Virtual Safety Car, but he could not capitalize on the fresher tyres to regain the lead.
The race concluded with Mercedes achieving a double podium, with Antonelli in P2 and George Russell in P3, which was crucial for their position in the Constructors' Championship. Antonelli acknowledged the team's success in extending their lead over Ferrari, despite his personal disappointment at missing out on the win.f1technical.netSun 23 Aug · 23:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell "still not there" as Mercedes pressure builds after Dutch GP, says former F1 driverAfter the Dutch Grand Prix, George Russell's performance has come under scrutiny, particularly in comparison to his teammate Kimi Antonelli. Despite finishing third, Russell faced challenges during the race, including difficult starts and a late team order that required him to yield track position to Antonelli, which he initially contested but later accepted as the right decision. This has led to discussions about the pressure he is under within the Mercedes team.
Russell's current standing in the drivers' championship is second, tied on points with Lewis Hamilton, but trailing Antonelli by a significant margin. Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer highlighted that Russell's performance is not meeting expectations, suggesting he has work to do to match his teammate's consistency and execution on the track.Motorsport.comSun 23 Aug · 22:59 UTC
via f1oversteer.comRUMOURJolyon Palmer says George Russell under pressure at MercedesGeorge Russell is reportedly under increasing pressure within the Mercedes team, as he struggles to match the performance of teammate Kimi Antonelli. Recent team orders during a race have further highlighted the competitive dynamics and challenges Russell faces.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreSun 23 Aug · 16:30 UTC
via CrashCharles Leclerc doubts Ferrari had pole potential in Dutch GP qualifyingCharles Leclerc expressed skepticism regarding Ferrari's ability to secure pole position during the Dutch GP qualifying, where he ended up sixth on the grid. Despite showing strong pace throughout the weekend, he attributed the team's struggles in qualifying to mistakes made during the session and a general tendency to perform better in race conditions rather than in single-lap scenarios. Leclerc's time was close to the pole position, but he felt that the potential for a better qualifying result was not present for Ferrari.
Leclerc's comments highlight the ongoing challenges Ferrari faces in qualifying, as he noted that the team often finds itself on the back foot compared to competitors. He acknowledged the need for improvements in their qualifying performance while maintaining confidence in their race pace, which has been more favorable for the team.
CrashSun 23 Aug · 08:00 UTC
via f1technical.netVerstappen reveals Red Bull "have been a bit limited with the balance" in Zandvoort ...Max Verstappen expressed concerns about Red Bull's performance during qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix, where he secured a seventh-place start. He noted that the team has struggled with car balance and grip, which hindered their ability to compete effectively. Despite finishing sixth in the Sprint race, Verstappen admitted that overtaking was challenging on the Zandvoort circuit, limiting his chances to advance further.
Liam Lawson, Verstappen's teammate, also faced difficulties during the Sprint but showed improvement by reaching Q3 in qualifying. Both drivers highlighted the team's ongoing challenges with car setup, which have not yielded the desired results. As the final race at Zandvoort approaches, Verstappen emphasized the importance of managing expectations while appreciating the support from the fans.f1technical.netSat 22 Aug · 22:00 UTC
via f1technical.netLeclerc rues changes to engine mode that might have cost him a better starting positionCharles Leclerc expressed disappointment after qualifying sixth for the Dutch Grand Prix, despite a strong performance in the Sprint race where he finished second. He noted that Ferrari's decision to start on soft tyres in the Sprint paid off, allowing him to gain positions and match the pace of competitors like George Russell. However, the team struggled in qualifying, with Leclerc attributing some of the issues to changes in engine modes that may have hindered their performance.
Leclerc acknowledged the importance of qualifying for the race, especially given the challenging overtaking conditions at Zandvoort. He emphasized the need for Ferrari to focus on maximizing their race strategy and improving their starts, as they aim to recover from their sixth-place starting position. The team's strong long-run performance in the Sprint gives them hope for a competitive race on Sunday.f1technical.netSat 22 Aug · 22:00 UTC
via F1iLeclerc insists Ferrari ‘have got to work’ on SF-26’s qualifying paceCharles Leclerc has highlighted the need for Ferrari to enhance the SF-26's qualifying pace, as he finished sixth in qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix despite a strong second-place finish in the sprint race. He noted that Ferrari's performance tends to be better during races than in qualifying, which poses challenges, especially on a track like Zandvoort with limited overtaking opportunities. Leclerc emphasized that improving qualifying performance is not a straightforward task and requires more than just minor adjustments to the car's settings.
The unpredictable weather conditions, including intermittent rain, may provide a chance for Ferrari to capitalize on their race pace during the Grand Prix. Leclerc expressed that while he would welcome a chaotic race to improve his position, ideally, Ferrari would not need such circumstances to overcome their qualifying deficit. His comments reflect the ongoing challenges Ferrari faces in achieving a balanced performance across both qualifying and race scenarios.
F1iSat 22 Aug · 18:04 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri ‘surprised’ Jolyon Palmer with what he saw during F1 Sprint at the Dutch Grand PrixJolyon Palmer admits he was “surprised” by how Oscar Piastri performed for McLaren during the F1 Sprint at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, after finishing ...f1oversteer.comSat 22 Aug · 13:15 UTC
via Motorsport.comJolyon Palmer warns George Russell over F1 title: 'Might be his best-ever shot'Jolyon Palmer has advised George Russell to seize his opportunity in the 2026 Formula 1 championship, emphasizing that he may not get a better chance to win the title. Currently, Russell is trailing Kimi Antonelli by 59 points, with Lewis Hamilton also in contention. Despite a strong start to the season with two wins, Russell has faced challenges, including a series of misfortunes that allowed Antonelli to pull ahead with six victories.
As the F1 season resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix, Russell has begun positively by securing pole position and winning the sprint race. Palmer highlighted the importance of this moment for Russell, suggesting that he needs to perform without excuses to close the gap in the championship standings. The pressure is mounting on Russell as he aims to make a significant impact in the remaining races of the season.Motorsport.comSat 22 Aug · 10:57 UTC
via F1iKimi Antonelli starts fifth after qualifying issuesKimi Antonelli will begin the Dutch Grand Prix Sprint from fifth position after experiencing difficulties during qualifying. The Mercedes driver cited early floor damage as a key factor that affected his performance.F1i+ 1 moreFri 21 Aug · 16:48 UTC
via CrashKimi Antonelli tops practice session at Dutch Grand PrixKimi Antonelli recorded the fastest time in the only practice session for the Dutch Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver outpaced competitors, including Lando Norris, as the teams prepared for the upcoming sprint qualifying.Crash+ 3 moreFri 21 Aug · 11:41 UTC
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli leads Dutch Grand Prix practice sessionKimi Antonelli topped the timesheets in the opening practice session for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. The championship leader outpaced Lando Norris, marking a strong start to the second half of the season.
RacingNews365+ 4 moreFri 21 Aug · 11:31 UTC
via CrashFerrari and McLaren lead upgrade race at ZandvoortAs Formula 1 resumes after the summer break, teams have brought a total of 23 upgrades for the Dutch Grand Prix. Notably, Ferrari and McLaren are leading the charge in the ongoing development battle.Crash+ 4 moreFri 21 Aug · 08:29 UTC
via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton and Ferrari called out by former F1 driver for "pretty sloppy" errorsFormer F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has called out Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton for failing to capitalize on Mercedes' vulnerabilities, particularly highlighting a series of costly mistakes. Palmer noted that despite Kimi Antonelli's reliability issues, Ferrari has missed key opportunities to close the gap in the championship standings, which currently sees Antonelli leading Hamilton by 50 points with 12 races left in the season.
Palmer specifically mentioned penalties incurred by Hamilton, including a jump start and an early pit lane speed limiter release, as examples of 'sloppy' errors that could have affected their performance. While he praised Hamilton's driving skills, he suggested that a lack of concentration may be contributing to these mistakes. Palmer emphasized the need for Ferrari to maximize their points if they hope to compete for the championship title.Motorsport.comThu 20 Aug · 09:15 UTC
via gpfans.comYuki Tsunoda Returns to Formula 1 at Dutch Grand PrixYuki Tsunoda is set to make his return to Formula 1 during the Dutch Grand Prix. Pundits Jolyon Palmer and Anthony Davidson have expressed similar opinions regarding his comeback.
gpfans.com+ 1 moreWed 19 Aug · 16:30 UTC
via Formula1.comPalmer indicates what Ferrari must do for chance at titleIn a recent episode of the F1 Nation podcast, Jolyon Palmer analyzed Ferrari's chances of remaining competitive in the championship race. He highlighted the importance of addressing errors that have hindered the team's performance, especially as they trail Mercedes by a significant margin in the standings. Palmer pointed out that despite some recent gains due to Kimi Antonelli's misfortunes, Ferrari has not capitalized on these opportunities effectively.
Palmer and fellow analyst James Hinchcliffe agreed that for Ferrari to close the gap, they must eliminate mistakes and maintain pressure on Antonelli. With the second half of the season approaching, both analysts stressed the need for Ferrari to be at their best to challenge for the title, as the dynamics of the championship could shift if Antonelli's lead diminishes.
Formula1.comTue 18 Aug · 15:53 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer was amazed by what he saw when he dug into Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari dataLewis Hamilton has shown significant improvement in the 2026 Formula 1 season, currently leading Charles Leclerc by 31 points after a challenging previous year where he finished 86 points behind. Jolyon Palmer highlighted Hamilton's three-tenths gain in performance compared to Leclerc, marking a remarkable turnaround in their head-to-head battles this season.
The changes in car regulations have favored Hamilton's driving style, with reduced downforce levels making the cars more agile. Additionally, Hamilton's collaboration with a new engineer and a more positive off-track demeanor have contributed to his resurgence, as noted by Ferrari's team principal and his brother.f1oversteer.comTue 18 Aug · 14:00 UTC
via Motorsport Week22 videosAnticipation Builds for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix WeekendThe 2026 Dutch Grand Prix is set to take place at Zandvoort, marking the return of Formula 1 after a summer break. Fans can look forward to various storylines and strategic insights as the race weekend approaches.
Motorsport Week+ 1 moreMon 17 Aug · 17:31 UTC