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via Formula1.comWho has the edge in Sepang after a too-close-to-call Friday?The Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang kicked off with a highly competitive second practice session, where the top four teams were separated by just four tenths of a second. Discussions among teams and drivers highlighted concerns about tyre degradation, which played a significant role in their performance assessments.
Despite the close times, no team has clearly established itself as the favourite to win, leaving the competition wide open. The data collected from the practice sessions suggests that the battle for supremacy will be intense, with teams still evaluating their strategies as they prepare for the race.
Fri 2 Oct · 13:28 UTC
via Formula1.comAll the stories that got the Malaysia paddock talkingFerrari was a major topic of discussion in the Formula 1 paddock as they returned to Sepang for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Speculation surrounded Team Principal Fred Vasseur's future due to the team's recent performance, having gone five races without a podium finish.
In response to the speculation, Ferrari publicly backed Vasseur earlier in the week. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc expressed their support for Vasseur, reinforcing the team's commitment to their principal as they prepare for the upcoming race.Thu 1 Oct · 11:52 UTC
via PlanetF1F1 starting grid: What is the grid for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?Max Verstappen achieved pole position for the 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, clocking a remarkable lap time of 1:35.130. He outpaced his closest rival, Lewis Hamilton, who qualified second with a time of 1:35.428. Kimi Antonelli was promoted to third place due to Isack Hadjar's five-place grid penalty, which will see him start from eighth despite setting the third-fastest time.
The qualifying session also saw notable performances from Aston Martin, with both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll qualifying in 12th and 14th respectively, marking their best positions of the season. Meanwhile, Franco Colapinto and Arvid Lindblad will start from the back of the grid due to penalties. This qualifying round highlighted a shift in performance, as Mercedes, who had dominated pole positions earlier in the season, struggled for pace.
Sat 3 Oct · 09:23 UTC
via PlanetF1Lawrence Stroll acknowledges Aston Martin's engine issuesLawrence Stroll has stated that Aston Martin is currently missing two seconds in engine performance, which is impacting their competitiveness. He emphasised the team's commitment to winning but acknowledged the challenges they face in achieving that goal.+ 1 moreThu 1 Oct · 09:08 UTC
via thejudge13.comAston Martin quietly explores Mercedes engine return as Honda concerns growAston Martin is reportedly considering a return to Mercedes engines as team owner Lawrence Stroll has made discreet inquiries about the possibility. This comes amid a challenging 2026 season where Aston Martin has struggled with its Honda-powered package, currently sitting tenth in the constructors' championship with only three points.
Former driver Christian Danner highlighted the performance issues with Honda, particularly in integrating the combustion engine with the electrical components under the new regulations. While Aston Martin remains committed to Honda for now, the potential design provisions for a Mercedes power unit in their next car suggest serious consideration of alternatives as concerns about their current partnership grow.
Wed 30 Sep · 23:27 UTC
via f1oversteer.comGuenther Steiner thinks Lawrence Stroll sees a Mercedes engine when he ‘wakes up at night’Guenther Steiner has expressed confusion over Lawrence Stroll and Fernando Alonso's lack of criticism towards Honda's underperformance, particularly after Aston Martin's fifth double DNF this season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Alonso acknowledged engine issues affecting their speed and called for further investigation, while reports indicate that Honda is significantly underpowered compared to competitors.
Steiner highlighted the irony of Stroll's loyalty to Honda, given the potential benefits of a Mercedes engine, which he believes could have kept Aston Martin competitive. Despite Alonso's commitment to give Honda another chance, the ongoing engine issues are likely to remain a significant challenge for the team moving forward.
Wed 30 Sep · 16:20 UTC
via PlanetF1Esteban Ocon reflects on Haas exit as F1 future uncertainEsteban Ocon has expressed his disappointment regarding his departure from Haas at the end of the 2026 season, stating it is 'not really the way it should be.' Despite the setback, Ocon remains determined that this will not mark the end of his Formula 1 career.+ 17 more.webp)
via Formula1.comGeorge Russell and Franco Colapinto shine in BakuGeorge Russell and Franco Colapinto were highlighted as key performers at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, each achieving notable results for their respective teams. Meanwhile, Alpine faced significant challenges during the race, marking a disappointing weekend for the team.+ 2 moreSun 27 Sep · 10:13 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLawrence Stroll must be regretting Adrian Newey's £24m salary when he sees Aston Martin corner dataAston Martin is struggling in the current Formula 1 season, sitting with only three points in the constructors' standings. Their performance issues are attributed to both engine problems with Honda and significant aerodynamic concerns, particularly in cornering speed. In the recent Spanish Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll faced disappointing results, highlighting the team's struggles.
Adrian Newey, who joined Aston Martin in 2024 with a hefty £30 million salary, is under scrutiny for the team's poor cornering performance. Data analysis reveals that Alonso's qualifying time was significantly slower than the pole position, and the AMR26 chassis has been criticized for being overweight and ineffective. Despite these challenges, there is some hope for improvement with the upcoming 2027 car.Tue 22 Sep · 13:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff has now changed his mind about giving Aston Martin Mercedes enginesToto Wolff has changed his stance regarding Aston Martin's engine supply, indicating that Mercedes is no longer interested in continuing their partnership. Lawrence Stroll, the owner of Aston Martin, has been in discussions with both Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains as he seeks alternative engine suppliers due to ongoing performance issues with their current Honda engine. Despite Mercedes' past willingness to supply engines, Wolff emphasized that Aston Martin's shift towards becoming a works team with Honda led to the end of their collaboration.
Stroll's efforts to negotiate with other manufacturers have not yielded positive results, as Red Bull has not expressed interest in a deal. Additionally, under current regulations, Audi would be the designated supplier for Aston Martin, but their engine performance is also lacking. In a related development, Honda is making significant changes to its leadership in response to the performance concerns, which could indicate a shift in their approach to F1 engine development.Sun 20 Sep · 07:30 UTC/Winners%20&%20Losers%20header%20template%20(7).webp)
via Formula1.com5 Winners and 5 Losers from MadridKimi Antonelli triumphed at the Spanish Grand Prix, marking his eighth victory in the current season. The race saw Lando Norris initially in a strong position after securing pole position, but he ultimately lost his lead due to a strategic pit stop advantage for Antonelli and Max Verstappen during a Virtual Safety Car period.
Norris, who had shown impressive pace throughout the race, was unable to maintain his lead and finished behind Antonelli and Verstappen. McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, highlighted Norris' exceptional qualifying performance, calling it a 'masterpiece'. Despite his earlier successes this season, including wins in Budapest and Zandvoort, Norris faced disappointment in Madrid.Mon 14 Sep · 16:25 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLawrence Stroll Mercedes rumours ‘alarmed’ Honda before they replaced F1 engine bossHonda has decided to replace Tetsushi Kakuda with his deputy Yoichiro Fukao as the leader of their F1 project, effective next month. This change comes after a poor start to their partnership with Aston Martin, which is currently struggling in the standings due to both the performance of Honda's power unit and issues with their chassis design.
Lawrence Stroll has been negotiating with Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains to explore alternative engine options, aiming to pressure Honda into improving their performance. The recent disappointing results have prompted Honda to reaffirm their commitment to F1, with promises of enhanced competitiveness in the upcoming season.Mon 14 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA president holds urgent Fernando Alonso and Lawrence Stroll talksFIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is set to meet with Fernando Alonso to discuss his future in Formula 1, emphasizing that it is unacceptable for the two-time world champion to retire without further success. Alonso has expressed interest in the World Endurance Championship as a potential next step, particularly in light of Aston Martin's struggles this season, where he has been the team's sole points scorer.
Alonso has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the new engine regulations that prioritize electrical energy. In response, the FIA has made adjustments to support underperforming power units, including increasing test bench hours and revising financial regulations. Ben Sulayem aims to persuade Alonso to continue racing, highlighting the need for the champion to leave on his own terms rather than due to performance issues.Sat 12 Sep · 07:59 UTC
via PlanetF1Fernando Alonso claims rivals visited Lawrence StrollFernando Alonso has stated that several prominent Formula 1 drivers visited Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll during the summer. This revelation comes as Alonso considers his own future in the sport.+ 1 moreThu 10 Sep · 15:05 UTC.webp)
via Formula1.com6 Winners and 5 Losers from ItalyKimi Antonelli achieved a remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix, overcoming a challenging start from 19th on the grid. His impressive drive saw him take the lead within just 18 laps, marking a significant moment in his career and in Formula 1 history. The win was celebrated in a festive manner, highlighting the joy of the Mercedes team.
The article also discusses the contrasting emotions in the paddock, with some teams celebrating while others faced disappointment. It emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Antonelli's performance and the impact of grid penalties on the race dynamics. Overall, the piece reflects on the winners and losers from this thrilling event at Monza.Mon 7 Sep · 15:48 UTC
via f1oversteer.comAston Martin ‘investigation’ confirms Lawrence Stroll has found genius loophole in F1 cost capThe article discusses how Aston Martin's approach to compensating its top engineers through share packages rather than higher salaries is a clever workaround for the F1 budget cap. Despite currently being near the bottom of the standings, Lawrence Stroll remains optimistic about the team's long-term plan to achieve championship titles, bolstered by the expertise of the personnel he has recruited.Tue 1 Sep · 17:00 UTC
via Formula1.comWhat's still to play for in the F1 driver market?The Formula 1 driver market is seeing a trend of stability as several teams opt to renew contracts rather than introduce new drivers. Max Verstappen has committed to Red Bull until 2030, while Alpine has secured Franco Colapinto alongside Pierre Gasly. McLaren has also confirmed Lando Norris's extension, ensuring he will race with Oscar Piastri next season.
Additionally, Ferrari is maintaining its driver lineup with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. This focus on continuity suggests that teams are prioritizing established talent as they prepare for the future, particularly looking ahead to the 2027 season.Tue 1 Sep · 16:16 UTC.webp)
via Formula1.comAntonelli interview: The title fight and his Monza mindsetKimi Antonelli is enjoying a successful second season in Formula 1, currently leading the Drivers' Championship with a significant margin over his teammate George Russell and former champion Lewis Hamilton. His impressive performance includes six victories out of seven races won by teenagers, showcasing his talent and consistency throughout the season.
In addition to his championship lead, Antonelli has achieved notable milestones such as his first pole position and Grand Prix win in China, followed by a remarkable five consecutive wins, including a dominant performance in Monaco. Despite facing challenges, he has managed to secure strong finishes, demonstrating his ability to adapt and perform under pressure.Sun 30 Aug · 09:22 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLawrence Stroll just ‘sounded out’ two F1 engine manufacturers as Aston Martin seek Plan-B to HondaAston Martin is exploring alternatives to their current engine supplier, Honda, due to disappointing performance in the 2026 F1 season. Lawrence Stroll has reached out to Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains to discuss potential engine supply deals for 2028, as Honda's engine has been criticized for being underpowered and problematic. Despite a recent points finish by Fernando Alonso, the team is considering a backup plan if Honda does not deliver significant improvements by 2027.
The partnership with Honda has faced challenges, including staff redistribution and design issues that have led to excessive vibrations in the engine. Stroll is aware of the financial implications and is weighing the possibility of returning to Mercedes or switching to Red Bull Powertrains. Meanwhile, Honda's leadership has committed to enhancing their engine's performance, but there are uncertainties about Aston Martin's future engine partnerships and the willingness of other manufacturers to accept them as customers.Fri 28 Aug · 08:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comF1TV man admits he gets 'anxious' interviewing Lewis Hamilton after a bad raceLawrence Barretto, a presenter for F1TV, has shared his feelings of anxiety when interviewing Lewis Hamilton after challenging races. Hamilton's candid nature has made him a difficult interviewee in the past, particularly during tough moments, but this season has seen a notable change in his attitude following improved performances with Ferrari. Despite this, Barretto still feels apprehensive about how Hamilton will respond after disappointing races.
During the recent Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton was visibly frustrated with Ferrari's strategic decisions, particularly regarding team orders. He expressed his desire to win and was more articulate in his post-race comments than in previous instances. This shift in Hamilton's demeanor has been recognized by media members, indicating a potential resurgence in his competitive spirit.Fri 28 Aug · 06:00 UTCPage 1 of 3