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via BBC SportWhy was Hamilton penalised but not Leclerc? - F1 Q&AKimi Antonelli secured victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, increasing his championship lead to 45 points. The race saw George Russell retire after colliding with Lewis Hamilton, who finished fourth and moved into second place in the standings, while Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen completed the podium in second and third, respectively.
The stewards penalized Hamilton for the collision, attributing fault to him, while Leclerc escaped penalty for a separate incident. The event also set a record attendance of 400,000. Mercedes faced issues with their power unit, which affected both Russell and Antonelli's performance during the race.
Tue 21 Jul · 07:00 UTC
via theguardian.comF1’s algorithms spark driver fury as number neuters thrills of Spa-Francorchamps | Giles RichardsThe Belgian Grand Prix highlighted significant frustrations among Formula 1 drivers regarding the reliance on computer-controlled energy deployment systems. George Russell's race ended prematurely due to an energy issue, leading to his anger over the lack of power during critical moments. This incident reflects a broader discontent among drivers, who feel that their racing experience is being compromised by algorithms dictating performance rather than their own skills behind the wheel.
As drivers like Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri voiced their concerns, it became clear that the complexities of the current energy management systems are not only affecting race outcomes but also raising safety issues on the track. With the upcoming races, particularly at Monza, the article suggests that these frustrations are likely to resurface, indicating a challenging season ahead for both drivers and the sport as a whole.
Mon 20 Jul · 18:12 UTC
via grandprix.comRussell demands same car as Antonelli after Spa disasterGeorge Russell faced significant challenges during the Belgian GP, leading to his retirement on the first lap due to a power unit failure. This incident has widened his championship gap to teammate Kimi Antonelli, who won the race from pole position. Russell expressed frustration over the performance disparity between his car and Antonelli's, calling for equal equipment to compete effectively.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff accepted responsibility for the technical issues affecting Russell's performance, indicating that both the power unit and Russell's driving contributed to the problems. Despite these setbacks, Wolff remains hopeful about Russell's potential as a championship contender, although he acknowledges that Antonelli has established a clear lead in the standings.
via BBC SportRussell 'numb to disappointment' after bitter blow to title hopesGeorge Russell faced another setback in his championship hopes after crashing out on the first lap of the Belgian Grand Prix due to a collision with Lewis Hamilton. This incident allowed Kimi Antonelli to secure his sixth win of the season, further extending his lead in the standings over Russell, who expressed feeling 'numb to disappointment' after the race. Russell's performance was hampered by engine issues, which Mercedes identified as a contributing factor to his struggles during the race.
Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, acknowledged the emotional impact of the situation on Russell and emphasized the need to support him as they prepare for the next race. Despite the challenges faced by Russell, Antonelli's commanding performance showcased his dominance in the championship, leaving Russell to grapple with the implications of his latest misfortune.Sun 19 Jul · 19:22 UTC
via theguardian.comRussell’s Mercedes problems ‘100% on us’, says Toto Wolff after Belgium blowDuring the Belgian Grand Prix, George Russell was forced to retire after a first-lap crash with teammate Lewis Hamilton. Toto Wolff, the principal of Mercedes, admitted that the team's performance issues contributed to the incident, stating that the problems were entirely the team's responsibility. Kimi Antonelli won the race, extending his lead over Russell in the championship standings to 50 points, significantly impacting Russell's title hopes.
Russell expressed frustration over the car's lack of power, which he believed led to the collision. Hamilton received a five-second penalty for the incident but viewed it as a racing incident. Both drivers are dealing with the aftermath, with Wolff emphasizing the need for team support and understanding during challenging moments.Sun 19 Jul · 19:06 UTC
via BBC SportAntonelli near-perfect but too much drama for Hamilton - driver ratingsKimi Antonelli achieved a significant victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, extending his lead in the championship standings over Lewis Hamilton, who faced a challenging race after a collision with teammate George Russell. Antonelli's performance included dominating practice sessions and recovering from a virtual safety car to secure the win, while Hamilton managed to finish fourth despite a messy race weekend marred by drama and penalties.
The race also saw strong performances from Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, who finished second and third, respectively. Isack Hadjar impressed by climbing from the back of the grid to sixth place, while several drivers, including Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez, struggled with their performances, leading to disappointing results for their teams.Sun 19 Jul · 17:01 UTC
via BBC SportRed Bull Hires Mercedes Junior Program Chief LagrueRed Bull Racing is set to acquire Mercedes' junior driver program chief, Lagrue. His departure follows the retirement of Dr. Helmut Marko, as Red Bull seeks to revamp its driver development structure.+ 1 moreSun 19 Jul · 16:48 UTC
via theguardian.comKimi Antonelli Secures Belgian GP Win, Extends Championship LeadKimi Antonelli achieved victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, solidifying his lead in the championship standings. His teammate George Russell was involved in a crash on the opening lap, which contributed to Antonelli's 50-point advantage.+ 1 moreSun 19 Jul · 15:02 UTC
via grandprix.comWolff admits Ferrari will try to sign AntonelliToto Wolff has expressed concern over Ferrari's interest in signing Kimi Antonelli, who has been performing exceptionally well for Mercedes, including achieving pole position at the Belgian GP. Wolff emphasized that Antonelli's success is a result of long-term investment in his development, and he has been with Mercedes since childhood. Despite the team's pride in Antonelli's achievements, they are facing challenges with George Russell's performance, which has not been on par with his teammate's speed.
Russell has acknowledged that he is struggling to compete equally with Antonelli and has ruled out driving style as the cause of his performance issues. Wolff confirmed that the team is still investigating the reasons behind Russell's deficit in speed, particularly in corners and on straights. Both drivers are working towards finding solutions to improve their competitiveness as the season progresses.
via grandprix.comRed Bull names Verstappen's next race engineerRed Bull Racing has announced that Tom Hart will replace Gianpiero Lambiase as Max Verstappen's race engineer, with the transition expected to begin in 2027. Lambiase is leaving for McLaren, and Hart was initially set to join Williams before being persuaded to stay with Red Bull. This change comes amid ongoing speculation about Verstappen's future with the team, particularly regarding potential interest from McLaren.
During the recent qualifying session at Spa, Verstappen achieved a strong P2, largely due to a strategic slipstream from teammate Isack Hadjar. Verstappen acknowledged that without the tow, he would have likely qualified around P6. Meanwhile, Hadjar humorously noted that he did not expect any significant reward for his help, while McLaren's Andrea Stella indicated that any move for Verstappen would require the team to field a third car, a matter that needs higher-level discussions.
via BBC SportRussell 'infuriated' by straight-line issue that leaves him 'powerless'George Russell expressed frustration over a significant issue affecting the straight-line performance of his Mercedes, which he believes hampers his ability to compete effectively against teammate Kimi Antonelli. Despite qualifying fourth, Russell noted that a majority of his time deficit was due to a lack of speed on the straights, which he described as making his title fight 'impossible'.
The Mercedes team is actively working to identify and resolve the performance issue, which has left Russell feeling 'powerless' during qualifying. Meanwhile, the new engine regulations have also altered the dynamics of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, leading to concerns among drivers about the overall challenge of the track.Sat 18 Jul · 19:10 UTC
via espn.comRed Bull's Future Plans Impact Max Verstappen's Career DecisionsSpeculation surrounding Max Verstappen's future with Red Bull continues as discussions about the team's competitive direction unfold. Laurent Mekies emphasized that the team must provide a strong car to address concerns about Verstappen's loyalty and potential career moves.
+ 1 moreSat 18 Jul · 18:16 UTC
via theguardian.comKimi Antonelli Secures Pole Position at Belgian Grand PrixKimi Antonelli of Mercedes has achieved pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix, outperforming Max Verstappen. His teammate George Russell will start from fourth, while Lando Norris faces a 10-place grid penalty.+ 1 moreSat 18 Jul · 15:39 UTC
via BBC SportAntonelli tops FP2 as Gasly crashes heavily at SpaThe session highlighted the competitive nature of the teams, with Antonelli outperforming his rivals, including Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. However, several drivers, including Norris and Gasly, face grid penalties and challenges related to car performance and energy management on the demanding Spa-Francorchamps circuit.Fri 17 Jul · 17:33 UTC
via theguardian.comGeorge Russell ready to keep chasing down championship leader Kimi Antonelli at SpaGeorge Russell and Kimi Antonelli are currently competing closely in the Formula One championship, with Russell having outscored Antonelli in recent races. After a series of misfortunes for Antonelli, including mechanical failures, the points gap has narrowed significantly, making the title race competitive once again. Russell has faced challenges adapting to new car dynamics, which has affected his performance, but he remains determined to improve as the season progresses.
Both drivers are preparing for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, where they have been working on their race setups. Antonelli, despite being younger and less experienced, has shown remarkable skill and control, while Russell is striving to overcome his struggles. The advice from Roger Federer highlights the mental aspect of racing, emphasizing the importance of focus and emotional control as they head into this crucial race.Fri 17 Jul · 15:52 UTC
via grandprix.comRed Bull Replaces Rear Wing Ahead of Belgian Grand PrixRed Bull Racing has decided to switch to a conventional rear wing for the Belgian Grand Prix. This change comes after recent performance issues and crashes involving driver Max Verstappen.
via grandprix.comBig money will keep Verstappen in F1 says MarkoMax Verstappen has remained tight-lipped about his future in Formula 1, especially regarding speculation linking him to McLaren. Despite reports of a strained relationship with Red Bull, he has not confirmed any changes and continues to focus on his current commitments. Dr. Helmut Marko, a retired adviser for Red Bull, downplayed the significance of recent meetings with Verstappen's family and expressed confidence that financial factors will keep Verstappen in the sport until at least 2028.
In addition to the rumors surrounding his future, Verstappen announced a collaboration with McLaren junior Dries Van Langendonck, indicating his ongoing involvement in the sport. Other drivers, including Oscar Piastri and Oliver Bearman, have commented on the shifting dynamics of the driver market, with Piastri noting the importance of understanding the situation. Overall, the article highlights the uncertainty surrounding Verstappen's future while emphasizing the financial allure of Formula 1.
via BBC SportLando Norris Faces Grid Penalty Ahead of Belgian Grand PrixLando Norris will start the Belgian Grand Prix with a 10-place grid penalty due to exceeding the allowed number of engine components. Despite this setback, he remains optimistic about his chances to compete effectively during the race.+ 1 moreThu 16 Jul · 16:04 UTC
via BBC SportRed Bull to change wing after Verstappen crashesThe team had pioneered a new wing design that aimed to enhance straight-line speed by allowing the top flap to rotate more than 180 degrees. However, the aerodynamic issues encountered prompted Red Bull to revert to a more traditional wing configuration. The Belgian Grand Prix will take place from July 17 to 19, 2026, and the team hopes to resolve the issues with the new wing design before its next use.Thu 16 Jul · 12:46 UTC
via grandprix.comVerstappen wants to stay at Red Bull, insists managerMax Verstappen's manager has reiterated that the driver intends to remain with Red Bull, despite ongoing speculation about potential moves to other teams. The manager emphasized that Verstappen has a contract until 2028 and downplayed the significance of a performance-related exit clause that exists in his contract. The recent meeting involving Verstappen's family and team members was characterized as a private engagement, further clarifying the context of the discussions that fueled rumors about his future.
Additionally, there are concerns regarding Verstappen's recent rear wing failures, prompting Red Bull to seek closer scrutiny from the FIA on the rear wing design. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has raised questions about the unique nature of these failures, suggesting they may not be mere coincidences. Meanwhile, Gunther Steiner supports the idea that Verstappen's best option is to stay with Red Bull, noting that the team is well-suited to his driving style.Page 51 of 52