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via gpfans.comLeclerc acknowledges mistakes in Hamilton battlesCharles Leclerc has acknowledged that he sometimes went too far in his on-track battles with his Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton. This admission comes amid ongoing discussions regarding his future with the team.
via PlanetF1Alonso and Stroll start from the back in AzerbaijanFernando Alonso and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin will start from the back of the grid at the 2026 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to multiple power unit component changes. The full starting grid has been confirmed, with Charles Leclerc from Ferrari and George Russell from Mercedes occupying the front row.
via PlanetF1The Final Sector: Will Imola replace Abu Dhabi? Antonelli’s meteoric riseThe latest episode of the PlanetF1 podcast, titled 'The Final Sector', explores the potential conclusion of the Formula 1 2026 season, debating whether it will take place in Imola or Abu Dhabi. Hosts Mat Coch and Thomas Maher share insights from the paddock and discuss the newly released F1 2027 calendar, highlighting the timing of its announcement despite ongoing uncertainties regarding the current season's end.
Additionally, the episode features a focus on the impressive rise of Kimi Antonelli, drawing comparisons to renowned drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. The hosts also preview the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current F1 landscape.
via f1oversteer.comMontoya says Leclerc must regain Hamilton's respectJuan Pablo Montoya has stated that Charles Leclerc needs to 'earn that respect back' from Lewis Hamilton following their recent on-track dispute at Monza. Montoya believes the issue between the Ferrari teammates is not yet fully resolved.
via f1oversteer.comMichael Schumacher’s Ferrari boss is ‘sad’ when he sees the current state of the teamLuca di Montezemolo, the former president of Ferrari, has voiced his disappointment regarding the current state of the team, stating they are not competitive in Formula 1 anymore. He highlighted that Ferrari has not won a drivers' or constructors' title in 18 seasons and pointed out that no Ferrari driver has been in contention for the championship since Fernando Alonso in 2012.
Despite having a strong driver line-up with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, who have a combined total of 261 podiums, Ferrari has only managed to win one race each since the start of 2025. Di Montezemolo has been critical of team principal Fred Vasseur, suggesting that the team lacks strong leadership and needs to reflect on their performance to improve in the future.
via Formula1.comAll the stories that got the Baku paddock talkingKimi Antonelli, the current championship leader, is maintaining a cautious approach regarding his title aspirations ahead of the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite a strong performance that has seen him secure eight victories in 14 weekends, Antonelli is focused on taking each race one at a time, stressing the need to keep delivering results.
With a significant lead of 81 points over his Mercedes teammate George Russell and nine races left in the season, Antonelli remains committed to his strategy of continuous improvement. He acknowledges the pressure of the championship but believes that concentrating on his driving will ultimately determine the outcome.
via CrashCharles Leclerc reveals the sport Ferrari has banned him from doing outside of F1Charles Leclerc disclosed that Ferrari has prohibited him from skydiving during the Formula 1 season, a decision made after the team expressed their discontent with his previous skydiving activities. He also mentioned that he avoids skiing while racing is ongoing, highlighting the team's concerns about safety during the season.
Leclerc's comments came during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he responded to Isack Hadjar's situation regarding his own injury. Hadjar confirmed he faces no restrictions from Red Bull after recovering from a hand injury sustained while boxing. Leclerc's remarks reflect the balance drivers must maintain between their personal interests and the team's expectations regarding safety.
via AutosportRussell's theory on his big hope for F1 2027 – and Antonelli's replyGeorge Russell, a driver for Mercedes, has expressed optimism about the potential for better-balanced tyres in Formula 1's 2027 season, which he believes could allow for a more natural driving style. He noted that the current tyres have not been well balanced, impacting performance, particularly for drivers like himself and Oscar Piastri, who have struggled with the unnatural driving style required by the 2026 cars.
Kimi Antonelli, Russell's team-mate, has a different perspective, suggesting that while the tyres may evolve slightly, the overall changes will not be drastic. He highlighted that the car's aerodynamics will undergo significant modifications, which will also influence performance. Both drivers are adapting to the technical challenges posed by the current regulations as they prepare for the upcoming season.
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc tried to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes before they signed Kimi AntonelliCharles Leclerc, currently a key driver for Ferrari, explored the possibility of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2025 season. His manager, Nicolas Todt, engaged in discussions with Mercedes regarding this potential move after they were informed of Hamilton's impending transfer to Ferrari.
Despite these talks, Mercedes opted to sign Andrea Kimi Antonelli, leading Leclerc to renew his contract with Ferrari in January 2024. This decision came before Hamilton's official announcement of his move to Ferrari, which was revealed in February 2024. As a result, Leclerc remains with Ferrari through the 2030 season.
via Formula1.comKimi Antonelli insists title race is not over yetKimi Antonelli, the Mercedes driver, maintains that his 81-point lead in the Drivers' Championship is not a guarantee of victory, stating it is 'not over until it’s over' ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Meanwhile, George Russell has expressed his determination to continue fighting for the championship, aiming to win every race.
via BBC SportKimi Antonelli reflects on fears from rookie seasonKimi Antonelli has acknowledged that his fear of crashing impacted his performance during his rookie season with Mercedes in 2025. The championship leader revealed that a crash in 2024 lingered in his mind, affecting his confidence as he continues to adapt to Formula 1.
via Formula1.comGrosjean on why Mercedes' support has been key for AntonelliRomain Grosjean highlighted the significant role Mercedes has played in Kimi Antonelli's impressive 2026 season, helping him unlock new performance levels. Antonelli, who had a challenging rookie year, has capitalised on Mercedes' support to dominate the early races and currently leads the Drivers' Championship.
Grosjean praised Antonelli's talent and the team's unwavering backing, which has fostered his confidence. He noted that despite facing difficulties, such as a poor start to the season, Mercedes provided crucial support that allowed Antonelli to thrive, showcasing his potential to become the youngest-ever World Champion.
via Motorsport.comJames Hinchcliffe explains why Ferrari is "happy" with Lewis Hamilton-Charles Leclerc rivalryJames Hinchcliffe has expressed that Ferrari is pleased to manage the growing rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. He believes that this competitive dynamic is what Ferrari anticipated when they signed Hamilton, especially after his struggles in the previous season. Hamilton has shown significant improvement in 2026, achieving a podium and a victory, which has elevated his position in the drivers' standings.
Hinchcliffe pointed out that having two strong drivers like Hamilton and Leclerc can enhance team performance, despite the potential for difficult decisions down the line. He emphasized that Ferrari's management, led by Fred Vasseur, is likely satisfied with the current situation, as it aligns with their expectations for Hamilton's role within the team.
via gpfans.comAston Martin 'approach made' for shock Charles Leclerc swoop from FerrariAston Martin reportedly made an approach to sign Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, but the 28-year-old declined the offer in favour of a new contract with Ferrari that will keep him with the team until at least 2030. This approach came during a tumultuous time for Aston Martin, which had recently changed team principals, although it remains unclear which of their current drivers would have been replaced.
Leclerc's manager, Nicolas Todt, has been active in exploring opportunities for Leclerc, including discussions with Mercedes and McLaren. Despite these talks, Leclerc has reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari, expressing confidence in the team's direction and leadership under Fred Vasseur. He remains focused on his goal of winning a world championship with Ferrari.
via RaceFansRussell praises Antonelli's driving style for 2026George Russell has stated that Andrea Kimi Antonelli's driving style is ideally suited for the Formula 1 cars expected in 2026. Russell's comments suggest that Antonelli's approach could lead to significant success in the upcoming season.
via Motorsport.comJamie Chadwick warns Kimi Antonelli of title pressureJamie Chadwick has cautioned Kimi Antonelli that the pressure of competing for the Formula 1 championship will increase as the season progresses. Despite this, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer noted that Antonelli is currently displaying no signs of feeling the strain as he approaches his first title.
via grandprix.comLeclerc considers driver management after racingCharles Leclerc has expressed interest in a future role guiding young drivers alongside his manager, Nicolas Todt. While he envisions this possibility after his racing career, he emphasises that his current priority is competing for Ferrari and pursuing a Formula 1 title.
In a recent interview, Leclerc confirmed that he has already spoken with Todt about the potential of working together in driver management. However, he remains fully committed to his racing duties, with the next race in Baku on the horizon, indicating that mentoring young racers will have to wait until he concludes his own racing ambitions.
via newsonf1.comWolff absent as Antonelli enters gruelling title runToto Wolff will not attend the upcoming race in Baku as the Formula 1 championship enters a challenging phase, with a tight schedule ahead. Bradley Lord will take over Wolff's trackside duties during this period. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar is set to return to the Red Bull team after recovering from a wrist injury, while Liam Lawson will revert to Racing Bulls after a successful stint alongside Max Verstappen.
Kimi Antonelli is currently leading the championship with an 81-point advantage and is focused on maintaining his lead through the demanding upcoming races. He expressed confidence in his physical readiness for the challenges ahead. Despite Mercedes not having made significant upgrades since May, further developments are anticipated in the coming races, and Antonelli's performance is expected to remain strong as he aims for his first title.
via PlanetF1Azerbaijan GP predictions: Leclerc no Antonelli, Russell desperation bites, rookie breakthroughThe Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set for this weekend, with George Russell needing a win to keep his championship hopes alive, as he trails Kimi Antonelli by 88 points. Russell's desperation may lead to risky driving, especially in the challenging Baku circuit, which has seen multiple crashes in previous years.
Charles Leclerc is likely to face a grid penalty due to engine issues, making a strong performance unlikely. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly is looking to replicate his previous pole position success, and rookie Arvid Lindblad is expected to perform well, potentially finishing in the top five.
via gpfans.comJenson Button's wife defends Charles Leclerc's actionsJenson Button's wife has come to the defence of Charles Leclerc following criticism from David Coulthard regarding Leclerc's behaviour off the track. The Ferrari driver has faced scrutiny for prioritising family commitments, prompting support from Button's wife.Page 11 of 44