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via gpfans.comMax Verstappen claims broken Italian Grand Prix track nearly put him out of the raceMax Verstappen secured a podium finish at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing third after a competitive race at Monza. He faced challenges from Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, with Antonelli ultimately taking the victory after starting from 19th position. Verstappen led for several laps but struggled with track conditions and the pace of his competitors, particularly in the final stages of the race.
During the race, a Virtual Safety Car was deployed due to an incident involving Lance Stroll, which interrupted the battle for positions. Verstappen noted difficulties with the track surface, which nearly caused him to lose control of his car. Despite these challenges, he managed to secure third place, highlighting the intense competition and the strategic elements of the race.
Sun 6 Sep · 17:55 UTC
via Formula1.comVerstappen Highlights Red Bull's Deployment Issue at MonzaMax Verstappen secured a third-place finish at the Italian Grand Prix after starting from fifth. He noted that a deployment issue with his Red Bull car affected his performance during the race.
Sun 6 Sep · 17:36 UTC
via theguardian.comKimi Antonelli Claims Historic Monza Victory for MercedesKimi Antonelli secured a remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix, overcoming a 19th-place start. This win marks the first home victory for Italy in Formula 1 in 60 years.
Sun 6 Sep · 15:38 UTC
via gpfans.comSebastian Vettel returns to Red Bull and 'leaves surprise' for Max VerstappenSebastian Vettel made a notable return to Red Bull during the Italian Grand Prix on September 6, 2026, where he left a personal message for current champion Max Verstappen on his helmet visor. This visit marked Vettel's first appearance at Red Bull since his departure from the team in 2014 and his retirement from F1 in 2022. The gesture highlighted the camaraderie between the two drivers, with Vettel reminiscing about his time with the team and the legacy of their past successes.
In addition to his visit to Red Bull, Vettel drove Michael Schumacher's iconic F2002 Ferrari at Monza, an experience that stirred deep emotions for him. He reflected on his childhood admiration for Schumacher and the significance of the car in F1 history. The event served as a poignant reminder of Vettel's illustrious career and his connection to the sport's past, while also celebrating the ongoing achievements of Verstappen and Red Bull Racing.Sun 6 Sep · 13:13 UTC
via Motorsport WeekThe Aston Martin Monza Nightmare: Alonso’s Pit-Lane Start, Stroll’s 100th Q1 ExitAston Martin faced significant challenges during the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Lance Stroll marked a milestone with his 100th Q1 exit, while Fernando Alonso's participation was hindered by a serious power unit issue, forcing him to start the race from the pit lane. The team acknowledged that their performance was lacking, particularly in terms of raw speed, as Stroll qualified notably slower than competitors, including Cadillac, which is positioned at the back of the grid. Alonso highlighted the importance of power at Monza, contrasting it with other circuits where drivability improvements could be more beneficial.
Looking ahead, Alonso remains optimistic about the future, indicating that the team is already focusing on improvements for the 2027 season. He acknowledged the difficulties faced at Monza but emphasized the need to develop both the chassis and engine. Despite the disappointing results, Alonso paid homage to his early career mentor, Adrian Campos, showcasing a personal connection amidst the team's struggles. The overall sentiment suggests that Aston Martin is preparing for a challenging remainder of the season while aiming for better performance in the coming years.
Sun 6 Sep · 12:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen reacts to insulting Pierre Wache nickname after Red Bull woes at MonzaMax Verstappen expressed frustration with his RB22, calling it a 'paper car' after a disappointing qualifying session at Monza, where he finished sixth. This comment led to Red Bull's technical director Pierre Wache being humorously nicknamed 'paper Wache,' highlighting the struggles the team has faced under new regulations since Wache took over from Adrian Newey. Verstappen acknowledged the ongoing issues but emphasized that the blame should not fall on a single individual, indicating a collective effort is needed to improve the car's performance.
Despite the challenges, team principal Laurent Mekies defended Wache, noting the advancements made with the power unit. Verstappen's remarks reflect a broader concern within the team as they aim to resolve persistent problems ahead of the upcoming races. With Verstappen's new contract extending until 2030, there is an expectation for significant improvements in the future, especially as the team seeks to regain its competitive edge.
Sun 6 Sep · 12:00 UTC
via thejudge13.comHonda F1 engine upgrade deemed a failureAston Martin's performance at the Dutch Grand Prix showed some improvement, with Fernando Alonso finishing ninth and securing points for the team. However, issues with the Honda engine led to Alonso starting from the pit lane at Monza after qualifying difficulties, while teammate Lance Stroll set an unfortunate record by being eliminated from Q1 for the 100th time. The speed differences between Aston Martin and competitors using Mercedes engines were significant, raising concerns about Honda's upgrades.
As the teams prepare for the Monza race, Pirelli forecasts a one-stop strategy as the most effective approach, with various tire options being considered. Red Bull's decision to alter their rear wing setup without FIA approval adds to the intrigue surrounding the race weekend. Overall, the situation highlights the challenges faced by Aston Martin and the competitive dynamics within the F1 grid.
Sun 6 Sep · 11:41 UTC
via gpfans.comFIA announce pit lane start for F1 champion at Italian Grand PrixFernando Alonso, the two-time F1 world champion, will begin the Italian Grand Prix from the pit lane after the FIA confirmed he took new engine components beyond his allowed quota. This decision follows ongoing power struggles with his Aston Martin AMR26, attributed to issues with the Honda power unit. Alonso had qualified in 21st place, just ahead of his teammate Lance Stroll, but faced technical difficulties that prevented him from completing a final qualifying run.
Additionally, Liam Lawson will join Alonso in starting from the pit lane due to a significant grid penalty for power unit changes. The race is set to take place on September 6, 2026, with Pierre Gasly starting from pole position. The Aston Martin team made efforts overnight to rectify the problems with Alonso's car in preparation for the race.Sun 6 Sep · 11:24 UTC
via CrashHonda issue that wrecked Fernando Alonso’s Monza F1 qualifying revealedFernando Alonso faced a challenging qualifying session at the Monza Grand Prix, as an engine issue detected by Honda led to a shortened performance. He managed only one flying lap, which was enough to outpace his teammate Lance Stroll, but both Aston Martins finished at the bottom of the grid. Alonso's car will start from the pit lane due to overnight repairs following the qualifying incident.
In addition to Alonso's struggles, Lance Stroll made history by becoming the first driver to reach 100 Q1 eliminations. Both drivers and their team acknowledged the difficulties of the Monza circuit, with Alonso expressing a need for better tracks to improve their performance in future races.
Sun 6 Sep · 10:53 UTC
via F1iNorris candid on ‘most painful thing’ biting McLaren at MonzaLando Norris faced challenges during qualifying at Monza, where he managed to secure only eighth place despite the tight competition among the top 10 drivers. He highlighted a significant straight-line speed deficit as a major issue, which was exacerbated by his teammate Oscar Piastri's mistake that denied him the aerodynamic assistance he needed for a better lap time. Norris acknowledged that while his own performance was not perfect, the primary factor in his time loss was the car's lack of speed on the straights.
In addition to the speed issues, Norris also dealt with inconsistent braking behavior, which affected his confidence, especially in Monza's demanding braking zones. He pointed out that the circuit magnified known weaknesses in the McLaren MCL40, indicating that the team must focus on improvements in these areas moving forward. Norris's candid reflections underscore the challenges he faces as he prepares for the race, with the potential for a difficult Sunday ahead.
Sun 6 Sep · 10:52 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen in brutal dig as Red Bull struggle again: 'Less power than a Fiat Punto'Max Verstappen has expressed significant frustration with his Red Bull car's performance during the lead-up to the Italian Grand Prix, particularly after experiencing a power drop in practice. Despite recently signing a substantial contract extension with the team, he described his car's power as being inferior to that of a Fiat Punto, highlighting ongoing struggles with the vehicle's competitiveness under the new regulations emphasizing battery power usage.
Currently sitting sixth in the Drivers' standings, Verstappen's performance this season has been disappointing, as he trails the championship leader by a considerable margin. His qualifying position improved slightly due to a penalty for another driver, but the overall sentiment remains one of dissatisfaction with both the car and the regulatory changes affecting the sport.Sun 6 Sep · 10:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli explains 'weird feeling' after 'strict' Max Verstappen instructionKimi Antonelli faced a challenging qualifying session at the Italian Grand Prix, where he was tasked with providing a tow for teammate George Russell after receiving a grid penalty. Despite his efforts, Max Verstappen's actions nearly disrupted Mercedes' strategy, as he attempted to slow down and let Antonelli pass. Ultimately, Antonelli finished in 20th place, while Pierre Gasly took pole position ahead of Russell.
Reflecting on the session, Antonelli described it as a 'weird' experience, emphasizing the stress of adhering to team instructions and managing the cooldown lap without boost. He currently leads the championship by 59 points, highlighting his strong performance throughout the season despite the difficulties faced during qualifying.
Sun 6 Sep · 10:30 UTC
via Formula1.comStella on whether McLaren can still target Monza podiumAndrea Stella, the Team Principal of McLaren, expressed optimism about the team's chances for a podium finish at the Monza race, despite Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris qualifying sixth and eighth, respectively. Piastri's grid position was affected by a three-place penalty for impeding another driver, but both drivers showed strong pace in earlier qualifying sessions, finishing second and third in Q2. Stella highlighted the need for smart driving and strategic execution during the race to maximize their performance potential.
Stella acknowledged that several factors, including battery management and track positioning, impacted their qualifying results. He believes that the car's performance at Monza, a circuit known for its straight-line speed, provides encouragement for the race. The team aims to improve execution and strategy to capitalize on their competitive pace, making the upcoming race an intriguing challenge.Sun 6 Sep · 10:24 UTC
via Motorsport WeekMax Verstappen blames car ‘failure’ for disappointing F1 Monza GP qualifying resultMax Verstappen has identified an unexpected issue that Red Bull will investigate following a tricky qualifying at the F1 Italian GP.Sun 6 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFernando Alonso and Lance Stroll did exactly what Honda implored them not to do at Italian GPFernando Alonso and Lance Stroll openly criticized Honda's engine performance during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, despite warnings from Honda president Koji Watanabe to avoid such comments. Their remarks followed a disappointing showing at the Dutch Grand Prix, where the Spec 2 engine did not meet expectations, leading to concerns about the partnership between Honda and Aston Martin.
Both drivers acknowledged the need for improvements, with Alonso highlighting a significant power deficit and Stroll pointing out that while the chassis is acceptable, the power is lacking. The ongoing criticism has put the relationship between the two parties on thin ice, with discussions of Aston Martin potentially seeking alternative engine suppliers in the future.Sun 6 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen makes surprise revelation: 'I deliberately held back'Max Verstappen has revealed that he has intentionally held back during races this season due to ongoing issues with his Red Bull car. He explained that these problems have altered his risk assessment, leading him to adopt a more cautious approach, especially when not competing for the championship. Verstappen's performance has been impacted by handling and reliability concerns, which have persisted throughout the season.
During qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen finished sixth, continuing a trend of frustration for him and the team. He acknowledged that while he strives to maximize his performance, the frequent setbacks have forced him to reevaluate his racing strategy. Despite his frustrations, he remains optimistic about the team's efforts to improve their situation.Sun 6 Sep · 08:15 UTC
via f1technical.netMcLaren Faces Disappointment in Monza Qualifying ResultsMcLaren experienced frustration during the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri securing a third-place finish while Lando Norris could only manage ninth. Norris expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of his car, describing the experience as 'painful'.
Sat 5 Sep · 23:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comOscar Piastri on Monza 2025 team orders: "I wouldn’t change how I responded"Oscar Piastri reflected on the team orders he followed during the Monza race in 2025, stating he has no regrets about his response despite the subsequent decline in his season performance. He acknowledged that the challenges he faced were due to multiple factors, not just that single decision, and he believes he handled the situation well at the time.
As of now, Piastri is seventh in the championship standings, significantly trailing his teammate Lando Norris. He has been working on improving his pace and adapting his driving style to the new car dynamics, expressing optimism about making progress as he continues to experiment with his approach on the track.
Sat 5 Sep · 22:56 UTCvia RacingNews365Verstappen Calls for Investigation into Red Bull Car ComplianceMax Verstappen expressed concerns about the compliance of his Red Bull car following a challenging weekend at Monza. He has requested an investigation into the vehicle's performance amid ongoing issues.+ 1 moreSat 5 Sep · 20:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comMcLaren Drivers Reflect on Monza Performance and Qualifying IssuesMcLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri achieved fourth and fifth places at the Italian Grand Prix. However, both acknowledged that a mistake during qualifying affected their starting positions and overall performance.+ 1 moreSat 5 Sep · 18:19 UTCPage 15 of 41