Fernando AlonsoOscar Piastri 
via RacingNews365Piastri says McLaren must improve after Malaysia performanceOscar Piastri has acknowledged that McLaren's performance in Malaysia highlighted significant weaknesses in their Formula 1 car. After finishing sixth, Piastri noted that the team needs to close the gap to rivals Red Bull and Mercedes ahead of the next race in Singapore.
RacingNews365+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 21:00 UTC
via f1technical.netOscar Piastri says McLaren lacks pace for winsOscar Piastri acknowledged that McLaren is not yet competitive enough to challenge for victories in Formula 1. After finishing sixth in the Bahrain Grand Prix, Piastri expressed concerns about the team's overall pace.
f1technical.net+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 17:00 UTC
via f1technical.netFernando Alonso praises Aston Martin's qualifying progressFernando Alonso highlighted Aston Martin's best qualifying performance of the 2026 season, achieving a strong 12th place at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Alonso urged caution despite this milestone, as both he and Lance Stroll advanced to Q2 during the session.f1technical.net+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 16:03 UTC
via gpfans.comMartin Brundle calls Bahrain GP grid reset fair decisionMartin Brundle praised the FIA's decision to reset the grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix, describing it as 'smart and fair'. His comments followed the chaotic scenes that unfolded during the formation lap of the race.
gpfans.com+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 14:55 UTC
via F1iLando Norris highlights McLaren's struggles in MalaysiaLando Norris expressed frustration over McLaren's performance at the Sepang International Circuit, particularly on the long straights. Despite qualifying in the top six alongside Oscar Piastri, Norris noted that the team is leaving significant performance untapped.
F1i+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 14:21 UTC
via Motorsport WeekFernando Alonso praises Aston Martin's Sepang performanceFernando Alonso credited Aston Martin's strong performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia to a 'miracle' as the team achieved its best result of the season. He highlighted the team's ability to capitalise on the chaotic wet conditions, finishing in eighth place.
Motorsport Week+ 5 moreSat 3 Oct · 14:04 UTC
via RacingNews365Honda send clear message as Aston Martin smash through stumbling blockHonda's trackside general manager Shintaro Orihara acknowledged Aston Martin's achievement of getting both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll into Q2 during the Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying. This marked a significant milestone as it was the first time both drivers progressed beyond Q1 together this season, with Alonso starting from P12 and Stroll from P14.
The result is particularly noteworthy given the challenges faced by Honda and Aston Martin in their first season as a works team. Orihara highlighted the importance of data analysis and preparation in achieving this result, which he described as a positive step forward amidst ongoing integration issues and performance shortfalls.RacingNews365Sat 3 Oct · 13:55 UTC
via AutosportMcLaren addresses Lando Norris's straight-line speed issuesLando Norris has experienced a recurring straight-line speed deficit in his McLaren MCL40, which has been particularly evident in recent races. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that the team is investigating the underlying issues affecting Norris's performance compared to his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Autosport+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:49 UTC
via Motorsport.comMcLaren shares "heartwarming" Oscar Piastri moment with young fan at SepangDuring the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, Oscar Piastri had a touching encounter with a young fan named Harry, who has overcome leukaemia twice. The McLaren team arranged for Harry to meet Piastri, where he received a tour of the garage, advice on karting, and had his hat signed by the driver.
The moment resonated with fans on social media, highlighting the positive impact that drivers like Piastri can have as role models. As for the race, Piastri qualified seventh but will start from sixth on the grid due to a penalty for another driver, Isack Hadjar. He expressed cautious optimism about the race, noting the importance of strategy and tire degradation.
Motorsport.comSat 3 Oct · 12:44 UTC%2FGettyImages-2298168619.webp&w=1200&q=70)
via Formula1.comFernando Alonso achieves Aston Martin's best result in 2026Fernando Alonso secured Aston Martin's best finish of the 2026 Formula 1 season with an eighth-place result at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. This performance marked the team's first points since August and was described by Alonso as a 'miracle' given the challenges faced this season.
Formula1.com+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:32 UTC
via Motorsport.comLando Norris highlights McLaren's straight-line speed issuesLando Norris has expressed frustration over McLaren's ongoing straight-line speed deficit, which he estimates costs him nearly two-tenths of a second per lap. Team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that McLaren and Mercedes High Performance Powertrains are investigating the issue affecting Norris's performance.Motorsport.com+ 5 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:44 UTC
via PlanetF1Lewis Hamilton praises Fernando Alonso's pure talentLewis Hamilton has stated that many current Formula 1 drivers cannot match Fernando Alonso's talent. Hamilton expressed his admiration for Alonso's abilities, highlighting a perceived gap in skill among top competitors.
PlanetF1+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 07:29 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri hopeful McLaren 'takes its turn' in jumbled Sepang pecking orderOscar Piastri expressed his hope that McLaren could take its turn at the top of the pecking order during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang. After a mixed performance in Free Practice 1 and 2, where McLaren showed improvement, Piastri noted the competitiveness among the top teams, including Red Bull and Ferrari.
Piastri highlighted that McLaren's performance in Free Practice 2 was better than in the first session, where they struggled. He acknowledged the close competition among the top four teams and expressed optimism about continuing their upward trend as they prepare for the race.RacingNews365Fri 2 Oct · 21:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Oscar Piastri spots ‘unpredictable’ Malaysia curveball in McLaren progress updateOscar Piastri, the McLaren driver, is looking forward to the possibility of racing in wet conditions during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. He highlighted the unpredictability of the new power units in rain, noting that the deployment of power is capped, which could affect performance. Piastri finished sixth in the second practice session, just behind his teammate Lando Norris, who was third.
Piastri has been working on adapting to the latest generation of Formula 1 cars and feels he is gradually finding a better setup. He mentioned that while the process is challenging, he is becoming more comfortable with the car's demands. The anticipation for rain adds an extra layer of excitement, as F1 has yet to experience wet weather this season despite several forecasts.PlanetF1Fri 2 Oct · 17:02 UTCvia f1technical.net“We're struggling more than we'd like to," claims Norris after Sepang practice dayMcLaren made significant progress between the two Friday practice sessions at the Malaysian Grand Prix, with Lando Norris finishing third in FP2 and Oscar Piastri sixth as the team continued to unlock its package at Sepang.f1technical.netFri 2 Oct · 13:33 UTC
via Motorsport.comWhy extremely rough Sepang was over four seconds slower than Pirelli's F1 simulationsDuring the Friday practice for the Formula 1 return to Malaysia, the Sepang circuit's abrasive surface caused significant issues, leading to lap times that were 4.5 seconds slower than Pirelli's qualifying simulations. The track began to break up, prompting the use of sweeper trucks to clear debris, which contributed to the low grip levels experienced by the teams.
Pirelli's chief engineer, Simone Berra, indicated that while the rough conditions would not pose safety risks, they would likely worsen during the race. Drivers like Charles Leclerc expressed challenges with the slippery track, suggesting that the evolving conditions could impact race strategy and performance, particularly in balancing car setup for qualifying and race stints.Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 12:57 UTC%2FGettyImages-2298210625.webp&w=1200&q=70)
via Formula1.comMcLaren admits error in Bahrain Grand Prix strategyAndrea Stella, McLaren's team principal, acknowledged that the team made an incorrect judgement regarding their tyre strategy during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Lando Norris, who qualified sixth, found himself at the back of the pack shortly after the race began due to this miscalculation.Formula1.com+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 10:53 UTC
via Motorsport.comOscar Piastri’s hilarious comment on 2026 F1 regulations has fans asking questionsOscar Piastri, driving for McLaren, made humorous remarks regarding the 2026 Formula 1 regulations during a press conference at Sepang. He discussed the challenges of simulator work, stating that while it helps identify braking points and gears, there is a limit to its effectiveness, leading to diminishing returns in practice.
Piastri's comments sparked discussions among fans, referencing past humorous exchanges between drivers about how quickly they can learn a track. He noted that the new cars have self-learning capabilities, which has raised concerns among fans about the reliance on technology in racing. His remarks highlight the ongoing debate about the balance between driver skill and technological advancement in Formula 1.Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 09:29 UTC
via Motorsport.comFernando Alonso reveals touching first karting experience with son Leonard at just two months oldFernando Alonso has shared a touching moment from his early fatherhood, revealing that he took his son Leonard for a lap in a go-kart when he was just two months old. During an interview, Alonso expressed his excitement about introducing Leonard to motorsport and shared that his son has already felt the thrill of racing.
Alonso, who is currently driving for Aston Martin, has extended his contract with the team until the end of 2027. He welcomed Leonard with his partner Melissa Jimenez in March 2026. Despite a challenging season for Aston Martin, Alonso remains optimistic about his family life and looks forward to creating more memories with his son as he balances his racing career.Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 05:43 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri raises menacing Mercedes concern: 'That's not a great sign'Oscar Piastri has voiced concerns regarding Mercedes' recent performance, particularly after George Russell's dominant victory in Baku and the introduction of a significant upgrade for the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix. Piastri highlighted that Russell's pole position and race win indicate a strong showing from Mercedes, which could pose challenges for McLaren.
Piastri believes that the Sepang circuit's layout may favour McLaren more than Baku did, as it features high-speed corners that align with their strengths. However, he remains cautious about Mercedes' upgrades, which are designed to enhance their cornering capabilities without sacrificing straight-line speed, potentially complicating McLaren's efforts to compete effectively.RacingNews365Thu 1 Oct · 21:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton snubbed as Emerson Fittipaldi picks Oscar Piastri among his five favourite F1 driversEmerson Fittipaldi believes Ferrari have two “strong drivers” in Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, but neither rank among the Brazilian’s favourites on the 2026 grid. ...
f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 20:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFernando Alonso claims ‘half’ of today’s grid wouldn’t survive Sepang with yesterday's F1 carsFernando Alonso has expressed that he believes half of the current Formula 1 grid would struggle to complete a race at the Sepang International Circuit if they were driving older generation cars. This statement comes as the circuit makes its return to the F1 calendar for the first time since 2017, with many drivers set to experience it for the first time.
Alonso, a three-time race winner at Sepang, reflected on the challenging conditions of the track, particularly the extreme heat. He noted that while modern cars are easier to handle, the older models posed significant difficulties, recalling his own experiences of exhaustion during races in the past. Despite being the oldest driver on the grid at 45, Alonso remains in peak physical condition as he prepares for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix.f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 19:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comOscar Piastri brushes off F1 friendship fears after Langkawi boys' tripOscar Piastri has addressed concerns regarding friendships among Formula 1 drivers, stating that such relationships do not diminish their competitive spirit. This comes after a boys' trip to Langkawi, where Piastri and several other drivers, including Lando Norris and George Russell, spent time together between races.
Piastri emphasized the importance of the trip as a rare opportunity to unwind and connect with fellow drivers outside of the racing environment. He acknowledged that while they are competitors on the track, they share common interests that are often overlooked during the racing season.Motorsport.comThu 1 Oct · 18:26 UTC
via the-race.comF1 teams face challenges with rough Sepang trackOscar Piastri has described the rough surface of the Sepang track as resembling 'sandpaper', creating strategic uncertainties for teams ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The high levels of degradation expected at the Malaysian circuit are adding to the complexities teams must navigate.
the-race.com+ 2 moreThu 1 Oct · 15:59 UTC