News122 stories
RSS ↗
via Formula1.comVictoria Farfus sets the pace in 2026 F1 ACADEMY Rookie TestThe 2026 F1 Academy Rookie Test was held at the Circuito de Navarra, providing a platform for young female drivers to showcase their skills. Victoria Farfus emerged as the fastest driver, clocking a time of 1:46.988, while 18 participants completed a total of 1,447 laps over the course of the event. The test aimed to identify talent for future opportunities in the series, following a preparatory camp that included assessments and workshops.
The test featured notable performances, including Alexia Danielsson's fastest afternoon time of 1:47.259. The event has already proven successful, with seven drivers from the previous Rookie Test securing full-time positions in the series. F1 Academy's Performance & Talent Development Manager, Katie Denver, highlighted the impressive dedication of the drivers and the valuable insights gained regarding their potential.
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.
via PlanetF1FIA confirms double Spanish GP punishment; Honda change; Brown receives apology – roundupThe FIA has confirmed a double punishment following the Spanish Grand Prix, where Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto was warned for moving under braking, and Racing Bulls were fined €200 for Yuki Tsunoda's speeding in the pit lane. This investigation highlights the stewards' commitment to maintaining safety and adherence to regulations during the race.
In other news, Honda has announced a leadership change, promoting Yoichiro Fukao to large project leader after the race. Additionally, Romain Grosjean issued an apology to Zak Brown regarding a misunderstanding about comments made about Oscar Piastri. Lando Norris faced a setback during the race due to a Virtual Safety Car, which altered his strategy, while Ferrari drivers Hamilton and Leclerc are set to participate in a tyre test at Imola.
via Motorsport.comMcLaren reflects on missed victory in Spanish Grand PrixMcLaren expressed disappointment after Lando Norris's pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix was undermined by an ill-timed Virtual Safety Car. The team acknowledged that factors beyond their control contributed to their inability to secure the win despite showing strong pace.
via Motorsport.comWilliams aims for improvement with Baku upgradesWilliams Racing is preparing to introduce a significant upgrade package for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, following a challenging performance at the Spanish Grand Prix. Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes these upgrades could lead to a substantial improvement for the team.
via grandprix.comWolff questions George Russell's inconsistent paceToto Wolff has expressed concern over George Russell's lack of consistent pace during races. The team is seeking to understand why Russell's speed fluctuates rather than remaining steady throughout the weekend.
via Formula1.comWhy Vasseur believes Ferrari had the pace to win in MadridFred Vasseur expressed confidence in Ferrari's performance during the Spanish Grand Prix, suggesting that Charles Leclerc had the potential to win if circumstances had favored him. Leclerc's strategy of not pitting during the Virtual Safety Car allowed him to lead for a time, but ultimately he finished fourth after a long stint on hard tires without a safety intervention to aid his strategy.
Hamilton's race ended prematurely due to a brake issue, marking his first DNF of the season. He had a strong start but quickly fell back as he struggled with braking. Vasseur noted that the team's strategy was sound, but they missed opportunities in qualifying that impacted their overall race performance.
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 f1technical.netPiastri reveals why he "didn’t have that last bit we needed in the last run"Oscar Piastri expressed disappointment after qualifying seventh for the Spanish Grand Prix, despite McLaren showing competitive pace with Lando Norris achieving pole position. Piastri's performance was hindered by a cautious qualifying strategy that required him to use two sets of soft tyres in Q2, leaving him with only one fresh set for Q3, which affected his final lap performance.
Piastri acknowledged that while the team made improvements throughout the qualifying sessions, he lacked the final pace needed to challenge for a higher position. He emphasized the importance of strategy for the race, given the expected difficulty in overtaking and uncertainties regarding tyre degradation after practice sessions.
via Motorsport WeekLewis Hamilton qualifies fourth in Spanish Grand PrixLewis Hamilton demonstrated strong performance in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix, briefly leading with three purple sectors. However, late improvements from competitors, including Lando Norris, ultimately placed him in fourth position.
via espn.comHamilton crashes in FP3, ignored Ferrari instructionLewis Hamilton experienced a crash during the final practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, losing control of his Ferrari and colliding with the barriers. Despite sustaining damage and receiving repeated instructions from his team to stop the car, Hamilton attempted to return to the pits, showcasing his determination to complete the lap.
Ultimately, Hamilton was forced to pull over after two-thirds of the lap and exited the car, which was later transported back to the pits. Charles Leclerc recorded the fastest time in the session prior to Hamilton's incident.
via Formula1.comLeclerc anticipates exciting qualifying at MadringCharles Leclerc is looking forward to an exciting qualifying session for the Spanish Grand Prix. After experiencing the Madring for the first time, he expressed optimism about Ferrari's performance.
via Sky Sports F1Russell: I have an answer to Antonelli's paceGeorge Russell has expressed confidence in his ability to improve his performance against his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the Drivers' Championship by 66 points. Despite suffering a setback at the Italian Grand Prix, where Antonelli won after starting from 19th, Russell believes he has made progress in matching Antonelli's pace and is focused on winning races as the season continues.
As the Spanish Grand Prix approaches, Russell acknowledges that luck will be essential for him to close the gap in the championship standings. Meanwhile, Antonelli remains focused on winning races rather than the championship, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a competitive mindset without being distracted by the title race.
via Motorsport WeekLando Norris issues ‘league of their own’ admission of F1 rivalsLando Norris expressed disappointment after McLaren's performance at the Italian Grand Prix, where they struggled to keep up with Mercedes and Red Bull. Despite finishing fourth and fifth, Norris acknowledged that the team lacked the necessary pace, finishing 19 seconds behind the race winner, Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes. This race marked a halt to Norris's recent winning streak, which included victories in Hungary and the Netherlands.
Norris reflected on the race, noting that both Mercedes and Red Bull were in a league of their own. He highlighted the need for McLaren to improve in specific areas, particularly in slow- and medium-speed corners and straight-line speed, to remain competitive in the championship. The team's performance in Italy underscored ongoing challenges with aero-efficiency that must be addressed to maintain their title hopes.
via F1iMcLaren drivers shrug off heated Monza intra-team battleDuring the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri engaged in a fierce battle for fourth place, with Norris ultimately taking the position on the last lap. Both drivers acknowledged the intensity of their competition but viewed it as fair racing, reflecting a positive team dynamic despite the pressure of the situation. Norris had started from eighth place, while Piastri began in sixth due to a grid penalty, and they both managed to secure a double top-five finish for McLaren.
The race highlighted the challenges McLaren faced in matching the performance of Mercedes, who finished first and second, and Red Bull's Verstappen, who also finished ahead of the McLarens. Norris noted the significance of slipstreaming in their performance, while Piastri appreciated the strategic nature of their intra-team battle. Overall, the McLaren drivers left the race without any lingering resentment, emphasizing the respect they have for each other as teammates.
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson details cause of Red Bull frustration: 'I didn't mean to'Liam Lawson expressed his frustration following a challenging Italian Grand Prix where he finished in 14th place. The race began with him starting from the pit lane due to a rear-wing change, and he initially made good progress before a collision with Nico Hulkenberg broke his front wing. This incident forced him to pit for repairs, significantly impacting his race time and position after the red flag restart.
Lawson detailed the incidents with Hulkenberg, clarifying that he did not intend to make contact during the race. He noted that he lost visibility due to a damaged mirror, which contributed to the collision. Despite having competitive speed, the damage and subsequent pit stop hindered his ability to recover positions, leading to a disappointing outcome.
via CrashGeorge Russell tops final practice at Italian Grand PrixGeorge Russell recorded the fastest time in the final practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, finishing ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton. The session featured a notable near-collision between Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
via f1technical.netFerrari improves engine but Mercedes remains aheadMercedes demonstrated competitive pace during the opening day of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. George Russell topped the second practice session, while both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc remained in contention for top positions.
via f1technical.netNorris hints at "odd" performance from his McLaren in Monza practiceDuring the practice sessions for the Italian Grand Prix, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri showed promising pace, with Norris finishing fourth in FP2 and Piastri sixth. Despite these results, Norris expressed concerns about the car's performance, particularly in cornering, and stated that they are not currently in a position to compete for pole position. The team is focusing on understanding their low-downforce package and the unique rear wing design to enhance their performance.
Both drivers recognized the competitive landscape, with strong showings from rival teams like Mercedes and Ferrari. They emphasized the need for further analysis and adjustments overnight to improve their car's balance and overall performance ahead of qualifying. The team remains optimistic about unlocking more potential from their package as they prepare for the crucial sessions ahead.
via Motorsport.comMercedes vs Ferrari: Italian GP long runs leave no clear favouriteThe Italian Grand Prix is shaping up to be a close contest between Mercedes and Ferrari, with both teams showing competitive long run times during practice sessions. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton demonstrated equal pace, while George Russell closely followed, indicating a tight race ahead. Mercedes appears to gain an advantage early in the lap, while Ferrari makes up time in the final sector, leaving the outcome uncertain as both teams prepare for qualifying and the race.
In contrast, McLaren struggled to keep pace, lagging behind by four tenths, and Red Bull is positioned as the fourth-best team at Monza. The midfield dynamics are shifting, with Audi facing challenges in engine performance, while Alpine seems to be making a comeback. Overall, the competitive landscape is tight, and minor mistakes could significantly impact race positions.Page 4 of 7