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via Motorsport WeekGuenther Steiner issues bold Lando Norris prediction for F1 2026 seasonGuenther Steiner, the former Haas team principal, has made a bold prediction that Lando Norris will secure second place in the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship for the 2026 season. Currently, Norris is in fourth place with 186 points, trailing Kimi Antonelli, who leads with 292 points. Norris has shown impressive form recently, achieving two victories this season and performing strongly in qualifying sessions.
Norris's recent performances have drawn praise from his team principal, Andrea Stella, who highlighted the precision of his driving during his pole lap in Madrid. Norris himself acknowledged that this lap was one of the best of his career. As the season progresses, he is expected to continue pushing for top results, with McLaren planning to introduce a significant upgrade at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Tue 22 Sep · 18:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFerrari fear ‘complex’ Baku issue could add to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s woesFerrari is apprehensive about the upcoming 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, particularly regarding potential tyre graining issues that could affect both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Despite having a strong qualifying record in Baku, the team has never secured a victory at this circuit, and they are aware that finding the right car setup will be crucial for success.
The team is also concerned about the grip levels on Baku's city streets, which are rated low by Pirelli. With the softest tyre compounds being used for the race, Ferrari understands that managing tyre performance will be essential. Previous races have shown that any issues with tyre graining could further complicate their chances, especially given their struggles with straight-line speed compared to competitors like Mercedes.
Tue 22 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer has worked out just how many points Lewis Hamilton has lost at Ferrari this yearLewis Hamilton is currently 101 points behind Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship, with Jolyon Palmer attributing part of this deficit to Ferrari's strategic decisions. Despite outscoring teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton's hopes for an eighth World Championship in 2026 appear slim due to Ferrari's lack of pace and ineffective race strategies.
Palmer analysed Hamilton's performance and suggested that with five optimal race weekends, Hamilton could have gained an additional 39 points, reducing his gap to 62 points behind Antonelli. The ongoing tension between Hamilton and Leclerc, coupled with Vasseur's reluctance to implement team orders, complicates Ferrari's internal dynamics as they navigate their championship aspirations.Tue 22 Sep · 15:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFernando Alonso unhappy that Spain’s F1 commentator is ‘protecting’ Carlos SainzFernando Alonso expressed his dissatisfaction with Spanish F1 commentator Antonio Lobato, claiming he is biased in favour of Carlos Sainz. This criticism follows a collision between the two drivers during the Spanish Grand Prix, where Alonso suffered front-wing damage and Sainz received a penalty for his actions. Alonso's frustrations led him to boycott interviews with DAZN, the broadcaster that employs Lobato, for several months.
After the race, Alonso spoke to DAZN for the first time in months, but journalist Julianne Cerasoli suggested this was merely to criticise Sainz. The tension between Alonso and Sainz has escalated as they now compete in different teams, with Alonso's Aston Martin and Sainz's Williams facing off on the grid. Despite their past relationship, Alonso's perception of bias from Lobato has strained his willingness to engage with Spanish media.Tue 22 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel clash: 'He disgraced himself' - ThrowbackDuring the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a dramatic incident occurred between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel when Vettel collided with Hamilton's car while behind the safety car. Hamilton accused Vettel of brake-testing him and described his actions as disgraceful, leading to a penalty for Vettel after an investigation confirmed Hamilton had not braked unusually.
Despite the penalty, Vettel managed to finish fourth, extending his championship lead over Hamilton, who finished fifth after suffering a separate issue with his car. The race was ultimately won by Daniel Ricciardo, while Lance Stroll secured his first podium finish.
Tue 22 Sep · 13:40 UTC
via grandprix.comSchumacher reads new confidence in Norris title chargeRalf Schumacher believes that Lando Norris has shown increased confidence in the 2026 Formula 1 title race, suggesting that he may have received coaching to enhance his public persona. Schumacher's observations are based on Norris's recent assertive comments and improved performances, particularly regarding his position among the highest-paid drivers in the sport.
Despite Schumacher's speculation, there is no concrete evidence to confirm that Norris has employed a coach. The true test of Norris's capabilities will come during the upcoming race in Baku, where his performance against teammate Oscar Piastri and other title contenders will provide a clearer picture of his championship prospects.
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris would never have won the 2025 title under F1’s new Grand Prix format for 2027The Formula 1 Commission has decided to reduce Grand Prix distances from 305km to 290km starting in 2027, a change prompted by concerns over fuel tank sizes due to upcoming engine regulations. This new format would have significantly altered past championship outcomes, including Lando Norris's 2025 title win, which would have gone to Max Verstappen instead.
Under the new rules, crucial moments from previous races would have had different results. For instance, Verstappen's victory in Abu Dhabi would have made him the 2025 champion, and the 2021 title fight would have seen Lewis Hamilton crowned champion instead. The changes also raise questions about other historic races, such as Jenson Button's iconic win in Canada, which would not have occurred under the new race length.Tue 22 Sep · 11:00 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren call on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to execute three 'essentials' in BakuMcLaren has outlined three key requirements for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as they prepare for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team is set to implement a major aerodynamic upgrade to enhance the performance of their MCL40 cars, particularly focusing on airflow around the floor and rear tyres to improve balance on the circuit's long straights.
Rob Marshall, McLaren's chief technical officer, emphasised the unique challenges posed by Baku's layout, which combines the longest straight in Formula 1 with tight corners. He stressed the importance of energy, tyre, and brake management, as well as the need for confidence and precision from the drivers to navigate the demanding street circuit successfully.Tue 22 Sep · 10:55 UTC
via f1oversteer.comNorris calls for review of Virtual Safety Car rulesLando Norris has urged Formula 1 to reconsider its Virtual Safety Car regulations following his loss at the Spanish Grand Prix. The discussion was sparked by concerns over the fairness of the rules, which he believes impacted the race outcome.+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.com‘Angry’ Fernando Alonso has been taunting Honda staff about joining ‘Toyota’ insteadFernando Alonso has been openly critical of Honda's performance this season, recalling his successful stint with Toyota in the World Endurance Championship. He has reportedly taunted Honda staff by suggesting that to win, he would need to race with Toyota, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two manufacturers.
Alonso's current season with Aston Martin has been disappointing, with only three points scored, marking his worst performance since his rookie year in 2001. Despite being the lead driver in qualifying, he has struggled to advance past Q2. Alonso's future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, as he weighs the impact of upcoming regulations against Honda's competitiveness.Tue 22 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via gpfans.comFerrari's Fred Vasseur faces scrutiny over 'Plan B'Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is currently under significant scrutiny, as reported by Italian journalist Giorgio Teruzzi. Teruzzi highlighted concerns regarding the team's contingency plan should Vasseur exit his role.
Tue 22 Sep · 07:58 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer claims Oscar Piastri has only looked ‘amazing’ for ‘half a season’ in his F1 careerJolyon Palmer has expressed doubts about Oscar Piastri's performance in Formula 1, stating that he has only shown exceptional skill for half a season. Palmer highlighted Piastri's struggles compared to his teammate Lando Norris, who has been the standout driver for McLaren, securing both of the team's wins and all three poles this season.
Despite a promising start to his career, including a strong performance in 2023, Piastri has faced challenges in maintaining consistency. Palmer noted that Piastri's win drought has now lasted over a year, and while he has the potential for great performances, his overall record shows a significant gap in comparison to Norris.Tue 22 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via thejudge13.comHamilton responds to allegations of Ferrari personnel tensionsLewis Hamilton has publicly denied allegations that he requested changes to Ferrari's trackside personnel, asserting his commitment to the team. This statement comes after reports suggested tensions between him and team principal Fred Vasseur, particularly following Hamilton's struggles in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The claims emerged after Hamilton's retirement at the Spanish Grand Prix, which left him significantly behind in the Drivers' Championship. Despite the challenges faced by Ferrari, Hamilton emphasised his intention to empower his team rather than demand changes, aiming to foster a collaborative environment.
Tue 22 Sep · 06:45 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton set for Ferrari boost as major rule change gets approvalLewis Hamilton's chances of winning the 2026 Formula 1 title have diminished after a poor performance in recent races, where he only managed 22 points compared to Kimi Antonelli's 73 points. Despite this setback, Ferrari is looking to enhance their SF-26 car with upgrades scheduled for October, aiming to finish the season on a high note.
In a significant development, Formula 1 has approved a controversial rule change that will shorten race distances starting in 2027. This decision was made during the F1 Commission meeting held in London, which focused on various key points, including the new race format. The changes are expected to impact the structure of future races and how teams prepare for them.Tue 22 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris discusses unique McLaren car traitsLando Norris has highlighted the 'odd' and 'unique' characteristics that have defined McLaren Formula 1 cars in recent years. He expressed his difficulty in pinpointing the exact reasons behind these traits, which have become a hallmark of the team's performance.+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 06:20 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton reveals 'light dimming' Ferrari worryLewis Hamilton expressed concern over Ferrari's diminishing chances for the 2026 title, stating that the 'light' at the end of the tunnel is fading. This follows a challenging season for Ferrari, where Hamilton has struggled, including a retirement in the Spanish Grand Prix due to brake issues.
Despite acknowledging the team's efforts in bringing upgrades, Hamilton's comments reflect a growing pessimism about their title aspirations. He noted that while he appreciates the hard work of the Ferrari team, the results on track need to improve to maintain their competitive edge.Tue 22 Sep · 04:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli discusses Lewis Hamilton's influenceKimi Antonelli has acknowledged the impact of Lewis Hamilton on his career as he approaches his first Formula 1 drivers' title. Antonelli also revealed that he has received messages from Sebastian Vettel, further highlighting the support from established figures in the sport.Mon 21 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via gpfans.comFIA penalty points: Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli update ahead of Azerbaijan Grand PrixAs the Azerbaijan Grand Prix approaches, both Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton have only one penalty point each, following recent expirations of their previous points. Antonelli's points were reduced after incidents at the Dutch and Monza Grands Prix, while Hamilton lost points for failing to slow under double yellow flags at the Dutch Grand Prix last year.
The current penalty point standings show Franco Colapinto leading with four points, while Liam Lawson and Lance Stroll follow with three. The FIA has been more lenient this season, with many drivers seeing their penalty points expire, which is crucial as exceeding 12 points results in a one-race ban.Mon 21 Sep · 18:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Fernando Alonso dazzles in insane chrome-plated hypercarFernando Alonso has reportedly joined the exclusive group of Bugatti Veyron owners by purchasing a Grand Sport model. This particular car features a unique chrome-plated aluminium body, making it one of the most expensive Veyrons ever produced, with a powerful engine delivering 1,200 horsepower.
Alonso's acquisition adds to his impressive collection of rare supercars, which has seen him make headlines multiple times this year. While the exact price of his new Veyron remains undisclosed, the auction market indicates that standard models typically range from $1.2 million to $2.2 million, with rarer versions fetching even higher prices.Mon 21 Sep · 18:15 UTC
via f1technical.netNorris and Verstappen reveal how Antonelli needs to approach the final leg of the seasonAndrea Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable 2026 Formula 1 campaign has earned praise from two of the sport’s most experienced current drivers, with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris both impressed by the way the young Mercedes driver has handled his championship challenge.
Mon 21 Sep · 18:00 UTCPage 15 of 59