News138 stories
RSS ↗
via Motorsport.comDebate Surrounds Carlos Sainz's Penalty After Hungarian GP IncidentThe incident between Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri during the Hungarian Grand Prix has sparked discussions about the appropriateness of Sainz's penalty. James Vowles, Williams team principal, acknowledged the circumstances surrounding the blue flag situation, while Guenther Steiner criticized the FIA for being too lenient.
via Motorsport.comOliver Bearman Reflects on Challenges for Ferrari F1 AspirationsOliver Bearman has acknowledged that recent performances by Lewis Hamilton have complicated his ambitions of joining Ferrari in Formula 1. The Haas driver remains committed to his goal despite facing new obstacles in his career.
via Motorsport.comFormer Haas F1 boss calls out FIA over 'lenient' Carlos Sainz Hungarian GP penaltyGuenther Steiner, the former Haas F1 team principal, criticized the FIA for the lenient five-second penalty given to Carlos Sainz after his collision with Oscar Piastri at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Steiner argued that Sainz deserved a harsher penalty to set a precedent for backmarkers, dismissing the FIA's reasoning that technical issues contributed to the leniency of the sanction.
The collision had significant consequences, damaging Piastri's chances of victory and leading to his retirement from the race due to a gearbox issue. Following the incident, Sainz finished in 18th place, while Piastri is currently seventh in the drivers' championship standings. The F1 calendar will continue with the Dutch Grand Prix later in August.
via CrashCadillac Identifies Cause of Ongoing Brake Issues in F1Valtteri Bottas has disclosed that Cadillac has pinpointed the source of its persistent brake problems in Formula 1. The team has faced multiple brake fires during the early part of the season.
via Motorsport.comCarlos Sainz reveals Le Mans ambition for life after F1Carlos Sainz has shared his future aspirations beyond Formula 1, specifically his desire to compete in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. During a podcast with teammate Alex Albon, he discussed his long-term goals and expressed interest in possibly racing in GT3 as well, emphasizing the enjoyment of motorsport from a different perspective after his F1 career.
Currently, Sainz is facing a challenging season with Williams, where he ranks 15th in the drivers' standings. The team is struggling, sitting ninth in the constructors' championship, but Sainz remains focused on his future ambitions in motorsport, looking forward to a time when he can race for enjoyment rather than under the pressures of F1.
via Motorsport.comCarlos Sainz and Alex Albon admit Williams is unlikely to meet 2026 targets despite recovery planCarlos Sainz and Alex Albon, drivers for Williams, have shared insights on the team's difficulties during the 2026 Formula 1 season. They acknowledged that while a recovery plan is in place, it is unlikely that the team will meet its targets in the second half of the year. Both drivers highlighted the challenges posed by new regulations and the team's current position in the constructors' standings, which is ninth with 11 points.
Despite the struggles, Sainz and Albon expressed optimism about recent discussions and the work being done to improve the car's performance. They emphasized the importance of gathering data and implementing changes to ensure that the issues faced this season do not persist in the future. The drivers are hopeful that the upcoming summer break will provide an opportunity for the team to regroup and strategize effectively.
via Motorsport.comLando Norris reveals how fierce Oscar Piastri rivalry has driven his F1 developmentLando Norris has acknowledged that his intense rivalry with teammate Oscar Piastri has significantly contributed to his growth as a Formula 1 driver. He noted that while Piastri's competitive nature can be overwhelming, it has ultimately made him a better racer, especially during the challenging 2025 season where both drivers competed fiercely for the championship title, which Norris won by a narrow margin over Max Verstappen.
In the current 2026 season, Norris secured McLaren's first victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. As the season progresses, he is positioned fifth in the standings, while Piastri ranks seventh. The competition remains tight, with Kimi Antonelli leading the championship race, highlighting the ongoing challenges and dynamics within the team and the sport.
via CrashWilliams Attributes Part of Sainz-Piastri Clash to AlonsoWilliams has indicated that Fernando Alonso shares some responsibility for the incident involving Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri. The clash occurred during the Hungarian Grand Prix when Sainz collided with Piastri while being lapped.
via grandprix.comRumours Williams offer Sainz 30m euros amid Piastri furyCarlos Sainz is reportedly being offered a lucrative contract by Williams worth 30 million euros annually, despite facing backlash for a collision with Oscar Piastri during the Hungarian Grand Prix. Sainz has delayed his decision regarding his future, citing the need for a calm assessment during the summer break, while also claiming he did not see Piastri due to inadequate blue-flag warnings, a statement contradicted by video evidence of his car passing blue panels. Williams confirmed a malfunction in the warning system on Sainz's steering wheel, which added to the controversy surrounding the incident.
Piastri expressed his frustration with Sainz's actions, labeling them as unacceptable, while Sainz refused to take responsibility or apologize, suggesting that Piastri should have been more cautious. Williams team principal James Vowles defended Sainz, admitting the team could have better communicated with him during the race. Despite the ongoing issues, Vowles is committed to retaining both Sainz and Alex Albon for the future, acknowledging the team's need to improve their performance and support their drivers in achieving better results.
via grandprix.comSainz to calmly decide future during summer breakCarlos Sainz is taking the summer break to evaluate his future in Formula 1, particularly in light of Williams' disappointing performance this season. After a challenging race in Hungary, where he qualified P18 and had an incident with Oscar Piastri, Sainz criticized the team's overall performance and acknowledged the need for significant improvements to the car's downforce.
Despite the struggles of the Williams team, Sainz feels he has adapted well to the new regulations and is performing at a high level personally. With his contract situation still uncertain, he plans to calmly assess his options during the break, while remaining cautious about the impact of the team's upcoming upgrades.
via AutosportWhat McLaren thought of Piastri's explosive F1 Hungarian GP radio outburstDuring the Hungarian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri expressed frustration over a radio outburst after a collision with backmarker Carlos Sainz, which affected his race strategy. McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella defended the team's decision to pit Piastri, emphasizing that it was necessary to counter Lewis Hamilton's threat and that Piastri had earned his lead fairly by overtaking Norris at the start.
After the race, Piastri acknowledged his emotional response and accepted the team's strategy, despite his disappointment. He ultimately retired from the race due to a gearbox failure, while Stella noted that both drivers had shown impressive pace, and the team had considered various strategies to maximize their points.
via BBC SportComplete weekend for Norris but poor result for Sainz - driver ratingsLando Norris achieved a significant milestone by winning the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking both his and McLaren's first victory of the 2026 season. Despite a challenging start where he lost the lead to teammate Oscar Piastri, Norris regained control and maintained his position after Piastri's retirement due to a gearbox failure. Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli completed the podium, showcasing their resilience amid various challenges during the race.
The race also featured notable performances and setbacks for several drivers. Lewis Hamilton faced penalties that hindered his chances for a podium finish, while Carlos Sainz struggled with his Williams, culminating in a collision that resulted in a penalty. Overall, the event highlighted the competitive nature of the season, with driver ratings reflecting both exceptional and disappointing performances across the grid.
via AutosportPiastri slams "unacceptable" Sainz blue-flag incident, accepts McLaren strategy in Hungarian GPOscar Piastri expressed his frustration over an incident with Carlos Sainz during the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Sainz ignored blue flags and collided with Piastri, costing him the lead. Piastri deemed Sainz's actions as 'unacceptable' and suggested he should reflect on his driving decisions, especially since Sainz was engaged in a battle for position with Fernando Alonso at the time.
Despite his anger towards Sainz, Piastri later acknowledged that McLaren's pit strategy was sound, as it was aimed at covering Lewis Hamilton's pit stop. However, he felt that the collision with Sainz was a significant setback, leading to his eventual retirement from the race due to a gearbox failure.
via AutosportSainz Receives Five-Second Penalty for Piastri CollisionCarlos Sainz was penalized with a five-second time penalty for his collision with Oscar Piastri during the Hungarian Grand Prix. The stewards explained their decision to impose a lenient penalty despite the incident occurring while Sainz was being lapped.
via grandprix.comWilliams must copy Aston's big leap says SainzCarlos Sainz emphasized the need for Williams to replicate the significant advancements made by Aston Martin, particularly after their recent performance boost at the Hungaroring with a new 'B' car. He noted that while Williams has a lighter specification coming for the Baku race, it may not be enough to compete effectively this season, suggesting that the team should focus on next year's car for more substantial improvements.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso highlighted that their new chassis has resolved previous correlation issues, allowing for better performance and clarity on future enhancements. He acknowledged the need for increased engine power from Honda, which is expected to be tested soon. Overall, both Sainz and Alonso see potential for growth and improvement within their respective teams.
via grandprix.comHerta's Cadillac hopes fade as Bottas fears Aston leapColton Herta is set to drive for Cadillac in the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, stepping in for Valtteri Bottas during FP1. Despite his excitement for the opportunity, Herta's aspirations for a full-time seat in 2027 are in jeopardy due to his current lack of superlicence points, as he needs to finish higher in the Formula 2 standings to qualify for a race seat in Formula 1.
Meanwhile, Bottas is focused on the potential impact of Aston Martin's major upgrades, expressing concern that these changes could significantly improve their performance and leave Cadillac struggling at the back of the grid. He has also dismissed rumors regarding Herta's imminent replacement of him, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the competitive landscape.
via grandprix.comSainz insists Williams has failed with 2026 carCarlos Sainz has expressed strong criticism of Williams' performance in the 2026 Formula 1 season, declaring that the team has failed with its current car. He highlighted the lack of significant upgrades compared to competitors, noting that even the anticipated 'B' car is unlikely to change their fortunes. Sainz emphasized the need for the team to learn from this year's challenges to design a more competitive car for the future.
Despite the struggles, team principal James Vowles remains optimistic about the potential impact of upcoming aerodynamic rule changes for the 2027 season. He believes these changes could provide Williams with a better chance to improve their performance and competitiveness in the sport, aligning with the planned engine changes as well.
via grandprix.comSainz Affirms Commitment to Williams Amid Audi SpeculationCarlos Sainz has expressed his intention to stay with Williams through 2027, despite ongoing rumors connecting him to Audi. He emphasized that Williams is his preferred long-term project.Page 7 of 7