Charles Leclerc✕ Max Verstappen✕ Lando Norris✕ Carlos Pace✕ Isack Hadjar✕ ✕
+ Driver
+ Team
+ Grand prix
+ Circuit
+ Source
Lando Norris in talks for new McLaren contract Lando Norris is reportedly in discussions for a new contract with McLaren that could elevate his salary significantly. This comes as other top drivers, including Max Verstappen, secure lucrative deals in the current Formula 1 landscape. f1oversteer.com + 1 more Sat 22 Aug · 20:00 UTC via Motorsport.com Max Verstappen: Smaller team-mate gaps are down to "easier" cars as Andrea Stella disagrees Max Verstappen expressed that the smaller gaps between team-mates in the 2026 Formula 1 season are due to the easier handling of the new cars. He noted that during the Dutch Grand Prix, both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda performed admirably, showcasing the reduced differences in qualifying times among drivers. Verstappen believes this trend of close competition has been evident throughout the season, with drivers often separated by mere tenths of a second.
In contrast, Andrea Stella, the McLaren team principal, disagreed with Verstappen's assessment, arguing that the current cars remain challenging to drive. He pointed out that the new power unit regulations have introduced additional complexities, making it difficult for drivers to predict car behavior. Stella emphasized that despite advancements in handling, the chassis-related challenges persist, making the cars less forgiving compared to their predecessors. Motorsport.com Sat 22 Aug · 18:56 UTC via BBC Sport Norris expects challenge after back-to-back poles Lando Norris starts the Dutch Grand Prix from pole position, having achieved this despite a challenging sprint race where he finished behind George Russell. Norris is cautious about the upcoming race, recalling difficulties in maintaining pace during longer runs, and is preparing to address the balance between high and low-speed corner performance. Russell, who won the sprint, is focused on closing the gap to his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings, feeling more relaxed and less pressured after the summer break.
Russell's recent performances have shown improvement, as he has consistently outperformed Antonelli in practice sessions. Antonelli, while close in qualifying, expressed disappointment over his performance and acknowledged the need to maintain focus. The dynamics between the drivers and their teams will be crucial as they head into the race, with Norris aiming for another victory and Russell seeking to reignite his title challenge. BBC Sport Sat 22 Aug · 17:43 UTC via f1oversteer.com Oscar Piastri just broke one of Max Verstappen’s F1 records at the Dutch Grand Prix Oscar Piastri achieved a significant milestone at the Dutch Grand Prix by breaking Max Verstappen's record for the highest Q3 appearance rate in Formula 1 history. Piastri qualified in P4, while his teammate Lando Norris took pole position, marking a competitive qualifying session at Zandvoort. With this achievement, Piastri has reached Q3 74 times out of 82 race weekends, resulting in a 90.24% success rate, surpassing Verstappen's previous record of 90.20%.
In addition to Piastri's accomplishment, the article highlights the Q3 appearance rates of other notable drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The current qualifying format, which began in 2006, complicates comparisons with drivers from earlier eras. Piastri's consistency in reaching Q3 is underscored, although he still has a way to go to match Hamilton's record of 104 pole positions. f1oversteer.com Sat 22 Aug · 17:00 UTC via grandprix.com Champion Norris rejects party-boy image Lando Norris, the 2026 Formula 1 world champion, has addressed the misconceptions surrounding his lifestyle since winning the title. He acknowledges that while he has been seen socializing more, particularly during summer breaks, this does not detract from his serious approach to racing. Norris insists that he is still focused and prepared, despite the public's perception influenced by social media portrayals of his activities.
Norris also highlighted the challenges of fame, particularly the intrusive nature of paparazzi, which he finds violating. He defended his right to enjoy life as a young adult, stating that he can balance social activities with his professional commitments. Additionally, he clarified a specific incident where he was misrepresented in a photo, emphasizing how easily public opinion can be swayed by misleading images. grandprix.com Sat 22 Aug · 16:40 UTC via RacingNews365 Max Verstappen hands Red Bull instruction after worst Dutch qualifying Max Verstappen faced a challenging qualifying session for the Dutch Grand Prix, securing his worst starting position at Zandvoort in seventh place. Despite expectations that the circuit's characteristics would favor the Red Bull RB22, the team struggled, finishing as the fourth-fastest behind McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari. Verstappen, who is currently ill with the flu, expressed frustration over persistent balance issues that have affected the car's performance throughout the season.
Verstappen highlighted that the adjustments made by Red Bull did not yield the desired improvements, and he indicated that the layout of Zandvoort is not ideal for their car. He called for the team to work on resolving these balance issues to enhance competitiveness. The situation marks a significant contrast to last year's performance, where Verstappen was able to dominate, indicating a shift in the team's fortunes this season. RacingNews365 Sat 22 Aug · 16:30 UTC Lando Norris
188