Fernando AlonsoOscar Piastri 
via RacingNews365RUMOURFerrari take unusual Christian Horner step as Fernando Alonso makes retirement decision - RacingNews365 ReviewFerrari has issued a statement to quell rising speculation regarding the future of team principal Fred Vasseur, amidst ongoing rumours linking Christian Horner to the role. The statement aims to clarify the situation and reassure fans and stakeholders about the team's direction.
In related news, Fernando Alonso, currently driving for Aston Martin, has announced his decision concerning retirement from Formula 1. This announcement comes at a time when Mercedes has overtaken Ferrari to become the most successful engine manufacturer in the sport's history.
RacingNews365Tue 29 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comDavid Coulthard is sure Lando Norris was a ‘better world champion for McLaren’ than Oscar PiastriDavid Coulthard has expressed his belief that Lando Norris was a more suitable world champion for McLaren than Oscar Piastri, following Norris's victory in the 2025 season. Norris secured the title by 13 points after a competitive season, during which he made a significant comeback from a 34-point deficit. Coulthard highlighted that Norris's longer tenure in Formula 1 and his British nationality contribute to his marketability, making him a better fit for the team.
Coulthard noted that while Norris has established himself as McLaren's lead driver, Piastri has struggled this season, finishing ahead of Norris only three times. He suggested that the reduced presence of Mark Webber in Piastri's management might be impacting his performance. Despite the competitive nature of their relationship, Coulthard believes that having strong drivers like Norris and Piastri is beneficial for McLaren, even if it leads to uncomfortable dynamics.
f1oversteer.comTue 29 Sep · 17:00 UTC
via RacingNews365RUMOURFernando Alonso teases 'moment of truth' after slide to F1 'anonymity'Fernando Alonso has confirmed he will continue racing in Formula 1 through the 2027 season, putting an end to speculation about his retirement. He expressed that he is currently at peace with his relative anonymity in the sport, as his team, Aston Martin, struggles for competitiveness this season.
Alonso highlighted that despite his team's challenges, he still feels capable and competitive against other drivers. He mentioned that he is preparing for a 'moment of truth' that he believes will surprise everyone, indicating his confidence in the potential for improvement in the future.RacingNews365Tue 29 Sep · 16:30 UTC
via f1technical.netAlonso and Stroll confirmed for Aston Martin in 2027Aston Martin has announced that Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will continue with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season. This decision marks the fifth consecutive year that the duo will race together for Aston Martin.
f1technical.net+ 1 moreTue 29 Sep · 11:56 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen picks overtake on Oscar Piastri as his favourite from his whole F1 careerMax Verstappen has declared his overtake on Oscar Piastri during the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as his favourite move of his Formula 1 career. The Dutch driver executed the pass around the outside at the first chicane, a challenging overtaking spot, and went on to win the race by six seconds. He noted that the move was unexpected, particularly as Piastri braked earlier than anticipated.
In a discussion on the 'P1 with Matt and Tommy' YouTube channel, Verstappen reflected on the significance of the overtake, stating it was a pivotal moment in the race. Piastri acknowledged Verstappen's skill in the move, admitting he misjudged the situation. The overtake has since been recognised as the Overtake of the Year, highlighting Verstappen's prowess in wheel-to-wheel racing.f1oversteer.comTue 29 Sep · 11:30 UTC
via CrashLando Norris rules out F1 career into his 40sLando Norris has stated he has no intention of extending his Formula 1 career into his 40s, distancing himself from Fernando Alonso's path. Alonso recently confirmed his new deal with Aston Martin, which will see him continue racing in Formula 1 until at least 2027.
Crash+ 1 moreTue 29 Sep · 11:07 UTC
via gpfans.comShock Fernando Alonso claim made by former F1 team-mate: 'I was not allowed to beat him'Romain Grosjean has made a surprising claim that during his time as Fernando Alonso's team-mate at Renault in 2009, he was not allowed to beat Alonso. This statement came during an appearance on the Beyond The Grid podcast, where Grosjean expressed that there were reasons behind this restriction, although he did not elaborate further.
Grosjean's tenure alongside Alonso was brief, lasting only seven races, during which Alonso consistently outperformed him in qualifying and races. The only time Grosjean finished ahead of Alonso was when Alonso suffered a did not finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Grosjean later returned to the team in 2012 when it had been rebranded as Lotus.
gpfans.comTue 29 Sep · 08:56 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri told why he’s ‘not a racer’ like Max Verstappen after getting caught ‘asleep’ in BakuOscar Piastri faced criticism following his performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where a lock-up at turn one caused him to finish in thirteenth place. This incident occurred during a safety car restart while he was attempting to overtake George Russell, and it ultimately led to a disappointing race for McLaren, especially with teammate Lando Norris also facing issues.
Commentators like Christijan Albers and Jacques Villeneuve pointed out Piastri's lack of aggression and focus, suggesting he is not as competitive as drivers like Max Verstappen. Piastri has now gone eleven races without a podium, and with the next race at Sepang approaching, he is in urgent need of a turnaround in form to salvage his season.f1oversteer.comTue 29 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via RaceFansFernando Alonso calls for retirement in AzerbaijanFernando Alonso announced his retirement during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stating, "I think we will box at the end of this lap. I’m sorry." Aston Martin faced a challenging race, with neither of their cars finishing.
RaceFans+ 1 moreTue 29 Sep · 06:15 UTC
via Motorsport.comWhy Mercedes thought Max Verstappen was "on some sort of massive bungee cord" in Azerbaijan GPDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, George Russell initially created a significant lead over Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, but the deployment of a safety car changed the race dynamics. After the safety car, Verstappen managed to close the gap and challenged Russell, leading to a nail-biting finish where only 0.196 seconds separated them at the line.
Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord remarked on Verstappen's ability to catch up, likening it to being on a 'massive bungee cord'. Despite Russell's superior speed in the second sector, Verstappen's straight-line speed allowed him to stay close. The race highlighted the intense competition and strategic nuances of Formula 1, with Russell managing to maintain his lead despite the pressure.
Motorsport.comMon 28 Sep · 16:30 UTC
via CrashOscar Piastri slammed for “rookie error” in “weird” Azerbaijan GP momentOscar Piastri faced criticism for a significant lock-up at Turn 1 during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which was labelled a 'rookie error' by former champion Jacques Villeneuve. This mistake caused Piastri to drop from second place to 13th, missing out on points in the process.
Both Piastri and his McLaren teammate Lando Norris struggled with pace throughout the race, with Norris also experiencing a lock-up that forced him to take the escape road. After the race, Piastri expressed his surprise at the incident, stating he did not believe he had done anything unusual to cause the lock-up.CrashMon 28 Sep · 10:59 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMcLaren warned Oscar Piastri about lock-up risk in unheard Azerbaijan Grand Prix radioDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri was in contention for a podium finish when he experienced a lock-up that caused him to fall to 15th place. He initially passed Charles Leclerc for second position and defended against Red Bull drivers until a safety car incident changed the race dynamics. Piastri's lock-up occurred while he was under pressure from Isack Hadjar, leading to a significant drop in his race position due to heavily flat-spotted tyres.
McLaren's Tom Stallard had warned Piastri about the risk of lock-ups after Lando Norris had a similar incident earlier in the race. Despite the setback, Stallard noted that Piastri's first stint was impressive and expressed optimism about their performance moving forward. Andrea Stella acknowledged that the team's car performance contributed to the lock-ups, indicating that insufficient straight-line speed put additional pressure on the drivers.f1oversteer.comMon 28 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via f1technical.netNorris opens up on his technical issues in BakuLando Norris faced a challenging Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ultimately retiring after a collision during a Safety Car restart. His McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, also encountered difficulties, losing a potential podium after a late-race mistake. Norris expressed frustration over the team's lack of straight-line speed and the unfortunate circumstances that led to his retirement.
Following the race, Norris called for the FIA to impose stricter penalties for incidents like his, suggesting that drivers causing major collisions during Safety Car restarts should face race bans. Despite the disappointing outcome, he believes McLaren can take positives from the weekend and is focused on improving performance ahead of the next race in Malaysia.f1technical.netMon 28 Sep · 03:00 UTC
via f1technical.net“It just hurts obviously," claims Piastri as he rues missed Baku podiumOscar Piastri expressed disappointment after finishing outside the points at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite showing strong pace throughout the weekend. He started the race in second place but lost positions during a Safety Car restart and made a costly mistake at Turn 1, which left him at the back of the field with flat-spotted tyres.
Despite the setback, Piastri highlighted the positives from the weekend, stating that he learned a lot and felt more comfortable with the car. He is looking forward to the next race in Malaysia, hoping to build on the progress made in Baku and improve his performance.f1technical.netMon 28 Sep · 01:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris surprised by Oscar Piastri's paceLando Norris stated that McLaren were 'surprised' by Oscar Piastri's performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged that McLaren must learn from their mistakes after a disappointing race.f1oversteer.comSun 27 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri reveals 'pretty painful' misery after Baku 'surprise'Oscar Piastri expressed his frustration after a double front lock-up during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ruined what could have been a strong race for him. The incident occurred on lap 40 while he was defending his position, dropping him from second to the rear of the field, and he ultimately finished in 13th place, leaving McLaren without any points.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Piastri noted that he had made progress throughout the weekend, feeling more comfortable and capable of extracting better lap times from his car. He acknowledged the painful nature of the result but remained optimistic about his performance leading up to the incident.RacingNews365Sun 27 Sep · 17:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Honda finds no issues with Alonso's F1 engineHonda's chief engineer Shintaro Orihara stated that their analysis revealed no problems with Fernando Alonso's power unit, despite Alonso's claims of engine issues leading to his retirement during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The situation has left both Alonso and Honda unable to explain the anomalous performance of the engine.RacingNews365+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 15:15 UTC
via the-race.comAntonelli passed a key test Piastri had failedKimi Antonelli demonstrated resilience during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing fifth despite a challenging weekend that he labelled as his worst of the season. With an 81-point lead in the championship, Antonelli managed to navigate the race carefully after sustaining damage, showcasing a strategic approach that avoided the pitfalls faced by Oscar Piastri in the previous year's event, where Piastri's campaign began to unravel due to multiple errors.
Antonelli's ability to adapt his driving style and mindset during the race was crucial, as he opted for a conservative strategy rather than risking a crash. This decision allowed him to minimize the points lost to rival George Russell, ultimately preserving his championship lead. Looking ahead, Antonelli expressed confidence in returning to form for the upcoming race in Malaysia, indicating his determination to re-establish his competitive edge.
the-race.comSun 27 Sep · 12:04 UTC
via Motorsport.comIsack Hadjar earns "team-mate points" after "exceptional comeback" in Baku, says Alex BrundleIsack Hadjar received acclaim for his impressive comeback drive, finishing third at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury. His performance was highlighted by F1 TV pundit Alex Brundle, who noted Hadjar's ability to follow team orders and maintain pace, contributing to a strong result for Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen.
Brundle and 1996 champion Damon Hill both commended Hadjar's resilience and the team's overall strength. With Hadjar and Verstappen now positioned sixth and eighth in the drivers' championship, Red Bull sits fourth in the constructors' standings, bolstered by points scored by Liam Lawson during Hadjar's absence.Motorsport.comSat 26 Sep · 21:35 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJacques Villeneuve criticises Oscar Piastri's errorJacques Villeneuve has labelled Oscar Piastri's double lock-up during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as a 'rookie mistake'. The incident caused Piastri to drop to the back of the field in Baku.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 14:14 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri admits what McLaren did to his car in Baku is ‘never a great sign’Oscar Piastri achieved his best qualifying result of the 2026 season by securing P3 for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite facing challenges throughout the weekend. He noted that McLaren had to use cable ties to hold his car together after experiencing issues with loose bargeboards, which he described as 'never a great sign.'
Piastri's performance improved significantly during qualifying after the team removed fuel from his car, allowing him to feel the full benefit of recent upgrades. However, reliability problems plagued McLaren during practice sessions, affecting both Piastri and teammate Lando Norris. Piastri aims to maintain his podium position in the race, although he acknowledges that George Russell and Mercedes are likely to be strong competitors.f1oversteer.comSat 26 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comFernando Alonso's only goal in no-hope Baku: Save parts for F1's triple-headerFernando Alonso is participating in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with Aston Martin, where he aims to finish the race without errors. Given the team's struggles with Honda's engine performance, Alonso is prioritising the preservation of car parts for the upcoming triple-header of races in Malaysia and Singapore.
Despite qualifying significantly behind the leaders, Alonso noted improvements in the car's setup and expressed optimism about future races. He and teammate Lance Stroll have taken engine penalties, which has affected their grid positions. Alonso is focused on making the most of the less competitive weekends to prepare for more promising circuits.Motorsport.comSat 26 Sep · 06:29 UTC
via Motorsport.comOscar Piastri: I need a tow bar to hook onto Mercedes to fight for Baku winOscar Piastri qualified third for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but he expressed doubts about his ability to compete with George Russell of Mercedes, who was significantly faster. Piastri's qualifying time was just 0.001 seconds behind Charles Leclerc, but he lagged 0.838 seconds behind Russell, prompting him to jokingly suggest he needed a tow bar to keep up.
Despite a challenging weekend for McLaren, including a brake issue that required unconventional fixes, Piastri was pleased with his qualifying result. He acknowledged that while Mercedes appeared to have a clear advantage, he believed McLaren could still contend with the other teams in the race, especially with Lando Norris starting fifth.Motorsport.comFri 25 Sep · 23:00 UTC
via f1chronicle.comLando Norris Says Watching McLaren’s 1.5 Second Baku Deficit Felt Like a Knife in the HeartLando Norris expressed disappointment after McLaren finished 1.5 seconds behind the fastest time set by George Russell during the opening practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team encountered issues with the floorboard of their upgraded MCL40, which required a temporary fix using cable ties, leading to lost track time for both Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Despite the challenges, McLaren's Chief Technical Officer Rob Marshall indicated that the new components installed on the car showed potential, although they still need to be optimised. Norris highlighted the need for improved pace, stating that comfort in the car means little without competitive lap times, as the team prepares for the next practice session.
f1chronicle.comFri 25 Sep · 21:04 UTC