News1378 stories
RSS ↗
via grandprix.comDomenicali hints V8 return could move to 2030Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, has indicated that discussions about the potential return of V8 engines could lead to changes as early as 2030, rather than the previously planned 2031. This speculation comes in light of Max Verstappen's recent contract extension with Red Bull, which runs through 2030, and Domenicali's ongoing conversations with Verstappen regarding the sport's future direction. He expressed his delight at Verstappen's long-term commitment, calling him a 'living legend' and emphasizing the importance of driver input in decision-making processes.
Domenicali also noted that the FIA president is in favor of the V8 return, and while the discussions are still in early stages, he believes they are moving in a positive direction. Verstappen himself has acknowledged that the new engine regulations played a role in the duration of his contract, hinting at the possibility that this could be his final deal in Formula 1, depending on how the sport evolves in the coming years.
via thejudge13.comMcLaren Trick Enables Norris to Claim Zandvoort PoleLando Norris achieved pole position for the Zandvoort Grand Prix after McLaren made strategic adjustments to his car's setup, particularly to the rear camber, which improved tire performance. Despite struggling with tire overheating during the Sprint race, Norris's car showed strong performance in high-speed corners, although it lagged in speed trap rankings. The race strategy is complicated by weather conditions, as rain led to the use of intermediate tires instead of the expected slicks.
Ferrari is set to introduce an engine upgrade at the next race in Monza, which is anticipated to enhance performance. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen confirmed his contract extension with Red Bull until 2030, quelling speculation about a potential move to Mercedes. The importance of track position is highlighted, as winning from pole has been common at Zandvoort.
Sun 23 Aug · 12:37 UTC
via f1technical.netRussell, Leclerc, Hamilton to race with fresh power unit components in ZandvoortThe article discusses the introduction of fresh power unit components by several drivers for the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, highlighting the significant regulatory changes in the 2026 Formula 1 season. Notably, the removal of the MGU-H has altered the power unit architecture, increasing the importance of the MGU-K and requiring teams to manage their component allocations carefully to avoid penalties.
Aston Martin, Williams, Mercedes, and McLaren are among the teams making updates to their power units, with drivers like George Russell and Charles Leclerc receiving new components without incurring grid penalties. The article emphasizes the strategic implications of these changes as teams navigate the challenges of the new regulations while aiming for competitive performance throughout the season.
Sun 23 Aug · 10:59 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 star given return date after injury forces late driver change at Dutch Grand PrixLiam Lawson has stepped in for Isack Hadjar at the Dutch Grand Prix after Hadjar sustained a wrist injury during the summer break. Reports indicate that Lawson's role is temporary, as Hadjar is expected to return for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix in two weeks, pending recovery from his injury. Red Bull's team principal confirmed that Hadjar's absence is more about caution than necessity, emphasizing the team's focus on his health.
During the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, Lawson showed promising performance in sprint qualifying, closely trailing Max Verstappen. However, he faced challenges in the sprint race due to limited overtaking opportunities. The team is optimistic about Hadjar's return, aiming for him to be back in the cockpit at Monza.
Sun 23 Aug · 10:59 UTC
via RacingNews365Charles Leclerc points to critical 'mistakes' in qualifying frustrationDespite a strong showing in sprint qualifying, where he nearly achieved the fastest lap, Leclerc's performance in the main qualifying session was hindered by critical mistakes. He acknowledged that while the car felt good, the adjustments made before the top 10 shootout did not work in his favor, ultimately affecting his grid position for the race.
Sun 23 Aug · 10:50 UTC
via Motorsport.comWhy McLaren thinks Ferrari is quickest in Zandvoort, but may well be stuckFerrari's Charles Leclerc showcased strong performance during the sprint race at Zandvoort, primarily due to his decision to use soft tyres, which allowed him to secure second place. McLaren's Andrea Stella acknowledged the effectiveness of Leclerc's strategy, although he expressed uncertainty about whether Ferrari's speed was due to the tyres or the overall performance of their car in race conditions.
Despite Ferrari's promising race pace, there are concerns about their qualifying performance, which could hinder their ability to capitalize on this advantage during the main race. Leclerc's sixth-place qualifying position may limit overtaking opportunities on the narrow Zandvoort circuit, making it crucial for Ferrari to strategize effectively to leverage their race pace.
Sun 23 Aug · 10:30 UTC
via Motorsport.com“It’s just nuts” – Lewis Hamilton baffled by Ferrari’s tyre-warming struggleLewis Hamilton expressed confusion over Ferrari's inability to warm their tyres effectively during the qualifying session at the Dutch Grand Prix. Both Ferrari drivers, Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, required two warm-up laps to reach the appropriate tyre temperature, resulting in a disappointing fifth and sixth place finish in Q3, which matched their worst performance this summer.
Despite the qualifying struggles, Hamilton acknowledged that Ferrari's race pace could be stronger, suggesting that they often perform better during races than in qualifying. Leclerc also noted the challenge of improving their qualifying performance, indicating that the team needs to work on their overall speed to compete more effectively.Sun 23 Aug · 09:58 UTC
via CrashToto Wolff prods F1 rival Red Bull with Max Verstappen Mercedes ‘family’ reminderToto Wolff playfully reminded Red Bull that Max Verstappen is still part of the Mercedes family, despite Verstappen's recent contract extension with Red Bull until 2030. This extension puts an end to speculation about his potential move to rival teams like Mercedes or McLaren, especially after Mercedes had previously expressed interest in him as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton.
Verstappen indicated that he was closer to retiring from F1 than moving to another team, asserting that he had not received any significant offers from rivals. He will, however, continue to participate in sportscar racing for Mercedes outside of Formula 1. The article also notes that Verstappen started the Dutch Grand Prix in seventh position.
Sun 23 Aug · 09:10 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris delivers 'biggest balls' gibe over surprise Dutch GP poleLando Norris secured pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix, aiming to achieve consecutive victories. His qualifying performance came after a challenging sprint race where he dropped from second to third place, leading him to doubt McLaren's competitiveness in the event.
Norris acknowledged that while he felt confident during qualifying, the car still struggles in low-speed situations. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, also showed improved performance by qualifying fourth, indicating a potential for better results for McLaren despite ongoing challenges.Sun 23 Aug · 08:00 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.Sun 23 Aug · 08:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comToto Wolff jokes about Verstappen's hero racesDuring a media session at Zandvoort, Toto Wolff humorously remarked that Mercedes has Max Verstappen for the 'real hero races.' This comment reflects the ongoing competitive dynamics between Mercedes and Red Bull in Formula 1.+ 1 moreSun 23 Aug · 07:58 UTC
via PlanetF1Lando Norris Calls for Mercedes Disqualification to Aid Title BidLando Norris has expressed a desire for Mercedes to face a double disqualification in the upcoming races. He believes this outcome could significantly enhance his chances of securing a second world title.
+ 1 moreSun 23 Aug · 07:09 UTC
via f1technical.netF1STRATEGY: Will tyre degradation spice up the Dutch Grand Prix?Lando Norris will start the Dutch Grand Prix from pole position, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli following closely behind. The race strategies are being influenced by the performance of the tyre compounds during the Sprint, where the Medium and Soft tyres showed competitive results. Pirelli has indicated that a one-stop strategy using Mediums and Hards is likely to be the fastest option, although the Soft tyre's performance cannot be overlooked.
Tyre degradation is not expected to be a significant issue, and the difficulty of overtaking at Zandvoort may make track position more important than outright tyre performance. The potential for a Virtual Safety Car could also impact strategy, allowing for additional pit stops if conditions allow. Overall, teams will need to balance tyre choices with the realities of race conditions to optimize their performance.Sun 23 Aug · 07:06 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 Dutch Grand Prix starting grid with all penalties appliedThe starting grid for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort has been finalized, with Lando Norris of McLaren taking pole position. He was followed by Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, while Oscar Piastri, also from McLaren, secured fourth place. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc from Ferrari will start fifth and sixth, respectively, with Max Verstappen from Red Bull in seventh position.
Additionally, Sergio Perez from Cadillac will start from the pit lane due to necessary suspension changes made to his car. The race is set to begin at 3 PM local time, and the grid reflects the latest adjustments after penalties were applied to some drivers.Sun 23 Aug · 06:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen could retire at Red Bull after 2030Max Verstappen has confirmed he will remain with Red Bull Racing until the end of the 2030 season. His father, Jos Verstappen, hinted that this contract could lead to Max's retirement from Formula 1 while still with the team.+ 1 moreSun 23 Aug · 06:40 UTC
via f1oversteer.comRed Bull fear Isack Hadjar could miss the rest of 2026 with wrist injury if he does one thingIsack Hadjar, a Red Bull driver, is currently sidelined due to a wrist injury sustained during boxing. He missed the Dutch Grand Prix and is at risk of missing the remainder of the 2026 season if he returns too soon for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Red Bull is cautious about his potential return, as the track's layout could exacerbate his injury.
Hadjar has been advised by MotoGP champion Marc Marquez to prioritize recovery, and he has been seen taking precautions to avoid further strain on his wrist. The situation remains delicate as Hadjar hopes to compete again soon, but the team's concerns about his health are paramount.
Sun 23 Aug · 06:00 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.Sat 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.Sat 22 Aug · 22:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comAlex Albon details hilarious Sardinia run-in with Max VerstappenAlex Albon shared a humorous story about a surprise meeting with Max Verstappen while he was learning to e-foil during his summer vacation in Sardinia. Albon described his struggles with the sport when he noticed a skilled rider passing him at high speed, who he later realized was Verstappen.
During the podcast discussion, Albon recounted how he was impressed by Verstappen's calmness and skill on the e-foil. The encounter added a light-hearted moment to Albon's summer, which also included other travel and training activities before the F1 season resumed.Sat 22 Aug · 21:00 UTC
via thejudge13.comWindsor: Big Red Bull energy management error after Verstappen struggles at ZandvoortPeter Windsor, a former team manager and current F1 analyst, expressed disappointment with the performance of Max Verstappen and the Red Bull team during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. He highlighted that energy management played a significant role in the race, leading to a lack of overtaking opportunities and a more conservative driving style, particularly in the circuit's challenging corners like Scheivlak. Windsor noted that the expected excitement of the race was diminished, as drivers were forced into similar energy management strategies, making overtaking increasingly difficult.
Windsor's analysis pointed out that the 2026 regulations have fundamentally altered how drivers approach racing, with energy conservation becoming a critical factor in lap times. He argued that this shift has stripped some of the character from fast corners, leading to a racing experience that felt more like a series of straights rather than a dynamic circuit. His comments raise concerns about the future of racing under the current regulations and whether they are detracting from the spectacle of Formula 1.Sat 22 Aug · 20:50 UTCPage 54 of 69