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via RacingNews365Mercedes boss mindset explored after 'so difficult' team orders decisionMercedes team principal Toto Wolff faced a challenging decision during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where he opted not to impose team orders on his drivers, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. This decision allowed the two drivers to race freely, culminating in a thrilling battle for the win. Antonelli, who started from 19th on the grid, managed to take the lead with just three laps remaining, showcasing his skill and determination.
Former F1 driver David Coulthard commented on Wolff's mindset, acknowledging the difficulty of not instructing the drivers to hold their positions for the sake of points. While a mid-race directive was issued to calm the drivers, Wolff ultimately chose to let them compete in the final laps. Coulthard expressed admiration for Wolff's decision, highlighting the tension between commercial interests and the spirit of racing.
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen onboard of Madring lapA challenging street circuit, but what does the lap look like?
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen makes ‘turtle’ admission as Italian GP tactic comes to lightMax Verstappen expressed frustration during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where he felt like he was being overtaken easily by competitors, likening himself to a 'turtle'. Despite this, he noted that his Red Bull RB22 performed well in braking zones, allowing him to engage in battles with the Mercedes drivers, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Verstappen managed to lead the race briefly but ultimately finished third as Antonelli claimed victory. He acknowledged the challenges posed by Mercedes' deployment advantage and the limitations of the overtake mode, which made it difficult for him to defend his position once he took the lead. Overall, he recognized the need for improvements in his car's performance.
via gpfans.comRed Bull F1 star officially a free agent as rumours swirl over paddock switchA long-serving member of Red Bull's F1 outfit who played a key role in their Christian Horner/Max Verstappen glory years is now officially a free agent.
via BBC SportMcLaren talks, 'numb' cars and being 'captain of the ship' - Verstappen Q&AMax Verstappen, the Red Bull driver, is currently reflecting on his 2026 season, where he has achieved five podium finishes but is still seeking his first victory. He recently signed a contract extension with Red Bull until 2030, although he acknowledges that performance issues with the car need to be addressed for future competitiveness. Verstappen has been candid about his frustrations with the current car's performance and the new engine regulations in Formula 1, expressing a desire for improvements in the coming years.
In addition to his F1 commitments, Verstappen has participated in endurance racing, notably the Nurburgring 24 Hours, where he experienced both success and disappointment due to a mechanical failure. He has engaged in discussions with other teams like McLaren but ultimately feels a strong connection to Red Bull, viewing it as his second family. Looking ahead, he is interested in competing in more endurance events, including Le Mans, ideally alongside experienced drivers like Fernando Alonso.
via f1chronicle.comLiam Lawson Gets a Third Straight Red Bull Race in Madrid as Isack Hadjar’s Wrist Injury Drags OnLiam Lawson has been confirmed to race for Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, as Isack Hadjar continues to recover from a wrist injury. Hadjar's absence has now extended to three consecutive races, impacting his rookie season and the team's lineup strategy. Lawson's recent performances have shown improvement, qualifying closely behind Verstappen at Zandvoort and finishing seventh, contrasting with his earlier struggles in 2025 when he was dropped after two races.
The Madrid race presents a unique challenge as the new Madring circuit is unfamiliar to all drivers, potentially leveling the playing field. Lawson's ability to perform well in this race is critical, not only for immediate results but also for securing his position within the team moving forward. Meanwhile, Hadjar's recovery remains a focal point for Red Bull, as they navigate the implications of his absence on their championship standings.
via gpfans.comAdrian Newey is the only man who can save popular F1 star’s careerOscar Piastri, a driver for McLaren, has been struggling significantly since his last victory at Zandvoort in August 2025, failing to win any races in the past year. His performance has been notably inferior to that of his teammate Lando Norris, who has secured multiple wins, leading to concerns about Piastri's future in Formula 1 and with McLaren specifically. The article suggests that Piastri's best chance for a career revival may lie with Adrian Newey at Aston Martin, as other top teams are unlikely to consider him given his recent form.
The article highlights the challenges Piastri faces in securing a competitive seat, noting that his winless streak and the significant points gap between him and Norris raise red flags. It draws parallels with other drivers who have experienced similar declines, indicating that Piastri must take decisive action to avoid being relegated to mid-tier teams. The potential retirement of Fernando Alonso in 2027 could provide an opportunity for Piastri, but he must demonstrate his capabilities to attract attention from top-tier teams.
via RacingNews365Franco Colapinto hands Alpine apology after Max Verstappen fightFranco Colapinto faced a challenging race at the Italian Grand Prix, where he initially restarted in fourth position following a red flag. During the race, he engaged in battles with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton but ultimately lost control of his car, resulting in a drop down the order. Despite recovering to finish ninth, Colapinto expressed regret for not securing a better result for his Alpine team, as he believed they could have scored more points.
Colapinto's performance marked his first points since Belgium, and he reflected on the experience of racing against top teams, emphasizing the motivation it provided him. He acknowledged the importance of learning from his mistakes and the frustration of missing out on a better finish while competing at the front of the grid.
via Motorsport WeekMax Verstappen hands Red Bull ‘weakness’ assessment in untelevised Monza radio exchangeMax Verstappen secured a podium finish at the Italian Grand Prix, marking his third podium in four races. During a radio exchange with his team, he highlighted the evident weaknesses of the Red Bull car, particularly in terms of rear axle performance and straight-line speed compared to Mercedes-powered competitors. Despite these challenges, Red Bull's Team Principal praised Verstappen's strong race pace and overtaking skills throughout the event.
Verstappen's struggles were compounded by a rear axle issue that persisted from qualifying, affecting his ability to navigate bumps and low-speed corners effectively. He acknowledged the need for improvements in the car's performance, especially in straight-line deployment, while reflecting on a difficult previous race in Zandvoort. Overall, the team is aware of the areas requiring enhancement as they move forward in the season.
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen radio messages prove Toto Wolff owes him an apology for 'done over' accusationMax Verstappen's radio communications during the qualifying session of the Italian Grand Prix have led to a reevaluation of Toto Wolff's accusations against him. Wolff claimed that Verstappen had hindered George Russell's chance at pole position, but analysis suggests that Russell's own actions were more to blame for his failure to secure the top spot. Pierre Gasly ultimately achieved pole, marking a significant milestone for both him and the Alpine team.
The situation escalated as Wolff expressed his frustration visibly, but further insights from F1 pundit Christijan Albers indicated that Verstappen was dealing with tire issues and had his own struggles during the session. In the end, Russell's performance was overshadowed by his teammate's success, and the incident highlighted the complexities of qualifying strategies in Formula 1.
via gpfans.comF1 legend issues brutally honest George Russell verdict: 'It's embarrassing'George Russell faced a significant setback at the Italian Grand Prix, where he finished in second place while his teammate Kimi Antonelli, starting from the back of the grid, claimed victory. This outcome has widened the gap in the drivers' championship standings, with Russell now trailing Antonelli by 66 points, marking a missed opportunity for Russell to close the gap in his pursuit of the title.
David Coulthard expressed sympathy for Russell, labeling the defeat as embarrassing given the circumstances. Despite the disappointment, Russell acknowledged Antonelli's impressive performance and indicated that he is focusing on winning races rather than stressing over the championship standings.
via espn.comLeclerc advice for Max vs 100 drivers: Don't crash!Max Verstappen is set to participate in a unique go-karting challenge where he will race against 100 drivers on September 16 at Silverstone. This event marks a return to his racing roots and will be broadcast live on Disney+. Fellow Formula 1 drivers, including Charles Leclerc and George Russell, have shared their thoughts on the challenge, with Leclerc advising competitors to avoid crashing into Verstappen due to his ongoing F1 season and Russell suggesting a tactical approach to keep Verstappen behind them.
The challenge is expected to be intense, as Leclerc acknowledged the difficulty of racing against one of the best drivers in the world. Verstappen, known for his aggressive driving style, is anticipated to navigate through the field from the back of the grid. The event will feature a mix of content creators and athletes, rather than solely professional racing drivers, adding an interesting dynamic to the competition.
via Motorsport WeekLiam Lawson to Replace Injured Isack Hadjar at Spanish Grand PrixLiam Lawson has been confirmed to race for Red Bull at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix, stepping in for the injured Isack Hadjar. This marks Lawson's third appearance with the team as he continues to support their efforts during Hadjar's recovery.
via f1oversteer.comCoulthard comments on Antonelli's Italian GP winDavid Coulthard expressed that Kimi Antonelli's win at the Italian Grand Prix would be perceived differently if it were achieved by a more established driver like Lewis Hamilton. Meanwhile, Hamilton himself was impressed by the performance of Mercedes during Antonelli's historic race.
via PlanetF1Untelevised Max Verstappen team radio emerges after Italian Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured a third-place finish at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, marking his third podium in four races. Despite briefly leading the race, he ultimately finished 11 seconds behind George Russell, highlighting Red Bull's struggles with straight-line speed and issues with the car's rear axle during the race. Verstappen's performance came after a challenging weekend at Zandvoort, where he retired early due to a mistake.
In a post-race exchange, Red Bull's Laurent Mekies noted a significant improvement in race pace, but Verstappen pointed out the team's ongoing weaknesses. He expressed frustration over the difficulties faced against the Mercedes cars, particularly in terms of defending his position. The team is aware of the areas needing improvement as they look to enhance their performance in future races.Wikimedia Commons · Steffen Prößdorf, crop by Cerebral726 · CC BY-SA 4.0Verstappen not interested in Norris-style teamMax Verstappen has clarified that he does not wish to follow Lando Norris's path of establishing a full junior racing team, instead opting to concentrate on endurance racing. He values maintaining control over his projects and prefers to support young drivers without the responsibilities of managing a racing team. Currently, he is involved with drivers like Dries van Langendonck and Chris Lulham in his GT program.
Additionally, Verstappen expressed admiration for Loek Hartog's heroic act during a recent race, highlighting the importance of safety in motorsport. He also mentioned that his future participation in endurance racing would depend on the upcoming F1 calendar, emphasizing that he would only compete if he could do so with a realistic chance of success.
via f1technical.netIsack Hadjar to miss Spanish Grand Prix due to injuryIsack Hadjar will not participate in the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix as he continues to recover from a wrist injury. Red Bull has confirmed that Liam Lawson will once again race alongside Max Verstappen in Madrid.
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen frustrated with Red Bull after MonzaMax Verstappen experienced dissatisfaction following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. He reported encountering a problem during qualifying that affected his performance, resulting in a sixth-place starting position.
via PlanetF1Oscar Piastri warning as Ferrari pressed on Hamilton, Leclerc team orders decisionFerrari's team principal, Fred Vasseur, acknowledged the possibility of prioritizing Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc as the 2026 season progresses. He referenced Oscar Piastri's struggles in 2025 to illustrate the complexities of making such decisions early in the season. The recent Italian Grand Prix saw Hamilton finishing sixth and Leclerc retiring due to a crash, while Kimi Antonelli celebrated a historic victory for Italy at Monza.
Currently, Hamilton leads Leclerc by 36 points in the drivers' championship, but Antonelli has a commanding 76-point lead over Hamilton. Vasseur highlighted the challenges of team orders, comparing Ferrari's situation to McLaren's management of their drivers. He noted that while allowing drivers to race freely is ideal, strategic decisions may become necessary as the season unfolds.
via f1oversteer.comDavid Coulthard says Lewis Hamilton’s move on Charles Leclerc shows he hasn’t ‘learned from 2021’David Coulthard has expressed his views on Lewis Hamilton's racing tactics during the Italian Grand Prix, where Hamilton attempted an aggressive move on Charles Leclerc. This maneuver backfired, leading to Hamilton losing several positions after going off track, which Coulthard believes reflects a lack of learning from Hamilton's past experiences in similar situations, particularly his 2021 clash with Max Verstappen at the same corner.
After the race, Hamilton defended his actions, arguing that he was entitled to more space at the apex, while Leclerc acknowledged the closeness of their racing. The incident ultimately impacted both drivers' races, with Leclerc crashing out shortly after, and team principal Fred Vasseur remaining neutral on the matter.Page 17 of 34
