George RussellArvid LindbladMax VerstappenLiam Lawson 
RacingNews365+ 2 moreWed 30 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen clarifies his comments about F1 becoming ‘easier’ after Liam Lawson disagreedMax Verstappen expressed his views on the 2026 Formula 1 cars, stating they are 'numb' to driver inputs, which he believes makes it easier for drivers to find their limits. This comment came after Liam Lawson, who recently replaced Isack Hadjar, performed impressively in qualifying, being only 0.115 seconds slower than Verstappen. Verstappen's remarks have sparked debate, particularly as Lawson disagreed, arguing that adapting to the new car was not straightforward due to the complexities introduced by new energy management protocols.
Verstappen further elaborated that the current cars favour a cautious driving style, allowing many drivers to achieve similar lap times. He noted that the small gaps in qualifying times this year, with seven out of eleven driver pairings within two-tenths of a second, support his theory that the cars do not reward the fastest drivers as much as before. This marks a significant change from the previous year, where the average gap between teammates was larger.
f1oversteer.comTue 29 Sep · 19:30 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA decision on Liam Lawson, Lindblad clash baffles Sky F1 punditDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Racing Bulls teammates Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad were involved in a collision at the restart, with Lindblad spinning Lawson. Despite the incident, the FIA stewards decided no further action was necessary, attributing it to a typical first-corner incident. Lawson, who finished the race in P12, expressed confusion over the decision, noting the damage to his car.
Sky F1 pundit Ted Kravitz also questioned the FIA's ruling, suggesting that Lindblad should have received a penalty for causing the collision. Lindblad, who finished in P7, stated that the incident was unintentional and apologised to Lawson after the race. The stewards cited a chain reaction from other incidents as a factor in their decision.
PlanetF1Tue 29 Sep · 18:01 UTC
via RacingNews365Engine guru confirms Max Verstappen was right: 'I already had this view'Max Verstappen has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the current Formula 1 power units, arguing that they require excessive energy management, making the driving experience less authentic. His concerns have been echoed by renowned engine designer Mario Illien, who agrees that the balance between combustion and electric power is flawed, stating that the current setup diminishes the driver's role in racing.
Illien, who has extensive experience in F1 engine design, supports a shift in the power unit ratio that the FIA is considering, moving from a 52/48 split to a 58/42 ratio. However, he cautions that while this change may improve the situation, it will not fully resolve the underlying issues. Illien reminisces about the previous power unit configuration, which he believes was more effective and better received by fans.RacingNews365Mon 28 Sep · 17:15 UTC
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli praises Max Verstappen's unique skillsKimi Antonelli has described Max Verstappen's abilities as 'incredible' following their recent wheel-to-wheel battles in Formula 1. Antonelli's comments highlight the unique advantages Verstappen possesses, which he observed during their encounters on track.
