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via Motorsport.comJames Hinchcliffe explains why Ferrari is "happy" with Lewis Hamilton-Charles Leclerc rivalryJames Hinchcliffe has expressed that Ferrari is pleased to manage the growing rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. He believes that this competitive dynamic is what Ferrari anticipated when they signed Hamilton, especially after his struggles in the previous season. Hamilton has shown significant improvement in 2026, achieving a podium and a victory, which has elevated his position in the drivers' standings.
Hinchcliffe pointed out that having two strong drivers like Hamilton and Leclerc can enhance team performance, despite the potential for difficult decisions down the line. He emphasized that Ferrari's management, led by Fred Vasseur, is likely satisfied with the current situation, as it aligns with their expectations for Hamilton's role within the team.
Wed 23 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Hamilton sets sights on Russell amid defence of Ferrari's seasonLewis Hamilton expressed optimism about Ferrari's season, stating that finishing in the top three of the Drivers' Championship would be a significant achievement despite recent challenges. He urged critics to focus on the positives, highlighting the team's progress compared to last year.
Hamilton, who has not secured a podium since the British Grand Prix, acknowledged the difficulties faced this season, including a recent retirement in Madrid. He remains focused on competing with George Russell for second place in the standings and believes that Ferrari can improve their performance moving forward.
Wed 23 Sep · 13:49 UTC
via PlanetF1Charles Leclerc grilled on potential grid penalty at Azerbaijan Grand PrixCharles Leclerc is hesitant to disclose whether he will take an engine penalty for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as he wants to keep Ferrari's strategy under wraps. His Monza power unit, which was damaged in a crash during the Italian Grand Prix, has been returned to the pool of engines available for use.
Vasseur indicated that Baku could be a suitable time for Leclerc to take the penalty, but the driver remains non-committal. He expressed hope for a strong qualifying performance, aiming for his fourth pole position at the event, while acknowledging the challenges faced in race performance this season.
Wed 23 Sep · 13:10 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen rules out 2027 Le Mans 24 HoursMax Verstappen has confirmed he will not participate in the 2027 Le Mans 24 Hours, despite having no Formula 1 commitments that year. The four-time Formula 1 world champion is instead focusing on competing in endurance races at the Nurburgring and Spa-Francorchamps.
+ 5 moreWed 23 Sep · 13:00 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen and Kelly Piquet toast baby joy: 'Fantastic mate!'Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet celebrated the birth of a new family member, Otto Suarez Piquet, born to NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez and Kelly's sister, Julia. The couple announced their pregnancy in April, and Otto's arrival adds to the family's growing collection of children.
Max, who is a proud father to his daughter Lily, shared his joy on social media, calling it a fantastic time for Daniel. Kelly also expressed her eagerness to spoil her new nephew, highlighting the strong family ties within the motorsport community, as both families have a rich racing heritage.
Wed 23 Sep · 12:57 UTC
via Formula1.comRussell insists he will 'keep fighting' for 2026 titleGeorge Russell has declared his intention to continue competing for the Formula 1 title until it is mathematically impossible for him to win. Currently, he trails his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli by 81 points, with Antonelli having secured eight victories this season. Despite a disappointing fifth-place finish in Madrid, Russell remains focused on improving his performance in the remaining races.
As he prepares for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Russell acknowledges the challenges he faces but is encouraged by his recent pace, which has seen him achieve two podium finishes in the last three races. He emphasises that his main goal is to enhance his performance rather than solely focusing on the championship standings, stating that he will keep fighting for every race while prioritising his overall performance.
Wed 23 Sep · 12:45 UTC
via CrashGeorge Russell avoids engine penalty for Baku Grand PrixGeorge Russell will not face an engine penalty at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after Mercedes altered their strategy. Initially, Russell was expected to incur a double penalty due to an engine change, but the team has since decided against it.
+ 2 moreWed 23 Sep · 12:32 UTC
via gpfans.comAston Martin 'approach made' for shock Charles Leclerc swoop from FerrariAston Martin reportedly made an approach to sign Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, but the 28-year-old declined the offer in favour of a new contract with Ferrari that will keep him with the team until at least 2030. This approach came during a tumultuous time for Aston Martin, which had recently changed team principals, although it remains unclear which of their current drivers would have been replaced.
Leclerc's manager, Nicolas Todt, has been active in exploring opportunities for Leclerc, including discussions with Mercedes and McLaren. Despite these talks, Leclerc has reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari, expressing confidence in the team's direction and leadership under Fred Vasseur. He remains focused on his goal of winning a world championship with Ferrari.Wed 23 Sep · 11:29 UTC
via RaceFansRussell praises Antonelli's driving style for 2026George Russell has stated that Andrea Kimi Antonelli's driving style is ideally suited for the Formula 1 cars expected in 2026. Russell's comments suggest that Antonelli's approach could lead to significant success in the upcoming season.
+ 1 moreWed 23 Sep · 11:27 UTC
via RaceFansCharles Leclerc criticises scrutiny of Hamilton battlesCharles Leclerc has expressed frustration over the media's scrutiny of his on-track battles with Lewis Hamilton, describing it as 'unfair' and 'over-analysed'. The Ferrari driver believes that such excessive focus detracts from the competitive nature of Formula 1.+ 5 moreWed 23 Sep · 10:36 UTC
via PlanetF1Fernando Alonso proposes changes to F1 energy rulesFernando Alonso has put forward a proposal aimed at improving Formula 1's energy deployment rules for 2026. He suggests that drivers should reach corners at their top speed rather than the current method of achieving peak speed mid-track.+ 2 moreWed 23 Sep · 10:31 UTC
via Motorsport.comJamie Chadwick warns Kimi Antonelli of title pressureJamie Chadwick has cautioned Kimi Antonelli that the pressure of competing for the Formula 1 championship will increase as the season progresses. Despite this, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer noted that Antonelli is currently displaying no signs of feeling the strain as he approaches his first title.Wed 23 Sep · 10:16 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar extends Red Bull contract to 2027Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will remain with the team alongside Max Verstappen for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The announcement has been met with positive reactions from fans as Hadjar prepares to return from injury.+ 20 more
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen at Le Mans? F1 calendar reveals growing GT potentialMax Verstappen is keen to return to GT racing, especially after a strong performance at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, where he nearly won. The 2027 Formula 1 calendar offers him opportunities to participate in several endurance races, including the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours, which takes place shortly after the Monaco Grand Prix.
Verstappen's potential 2027 racing calendar includes events like the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Bathurst 12 Hour. He has previously shown interest in these races, and with the schedule allowing for these outings, he is likely to pursue them. His involvement in GT racing could be significant, especially with his team running a Mercedes-AMG GT3.Wed 23 Sep · 07:04 UTC
via newsonf1.comWolff absent as Antonelli enters gruelling title runToto Wolff will not attend the upcoming race in Baku as the Formula 1 championship enters a challenging phase, with a tight schedule ahead. Bradley Lord will take over Wolff's trackside duties during this period. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar is set to return to the Red Bull team after recovering from a wrist injury, while Liam Lawson will revert to Racing Bulls after a successful stint alongside Max Verstappen.
Kimi Antonelli is currently leading the championship with an 81-point advantage and is focused on maintaining his lead through the demanding upcoming races. He expressed confidence in his physical readiness for the challenges ahead. Despite Mercedes not having made significant upgrades since May, further developments are anticipated in the coming races, and Antonelli's performance is expected to remain strong as he aims for his first title.
via PlanetF1FIA confirms Mercedes findings after ‘extensive’ George Russell inspectionThe FIA confirmed that George Russell's Mercedes passed an extensive inspection following the Spanish Grand Prix, where he finished in fifth place. The inspection was part of routine checks for top ten finishers, focusing on various components of the car's front suspension and sensor compliance with the 2026 regulations.
Despite the successful inspection, Russell is significantly behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings, trailing by 81 points. He acknowledged that he is unlikely to compete for the Drivers' title but remains focused on contributing to Mercedes' efforts in the Constructors' Championship.Wed 23 Sep · 05:47 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris rubbishes George Russell claim over 2026 F1 carsLando Norris has firmly rejected George Russell's assertion that certain driving styles are leading to better performances in the 2026 Formula 1 season. Norris emphasised that his ability to adapt to the new car's requirements is his true strength, rather than a specific driving style suiting the new chassis design.
The 2026 cars have shifted from a ground effects approach to a more traditional aerodynamic wing design, which has affected drivers differently. While Lewis Hamilton has thrived under these changes, Russell and teammate Oscar Piastri have struggled, trailing significantly in points. Norris highlighted that the differences between the 2025 and 2026 cars are substantial, making it inaccurate to attribute success to driving style alone.Wed 23 Sep · 05:25 UTC
via PlanetF1Azerbaijan GP predictions: Leclerc no Antonelli, Russell desperation bites, rookie breakthroughThe Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set for this weekend, with George Russell needing a win to keep his championship hopes alive, as he trails Kimi Antonelli by 88 points. Russell's desperation may lead to risky driving, especially in the challenging Baku circuit, which has seen multiple crashes in previous years.
Charles Leclerc is likely to face a grid penalty due to engine issues, making a strong performance unlikely. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly is looking to replicate his previous pole position success, and rookie Arvid Lindblad is expected to perform well, potentially finishing in the top five.Wed 23 Sep · 04:54 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen hails former F1 rival: 'Destined for greater things'Max Verstappen has expressed admiration for former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica, stating that he was 'destined for greater things' in the sport. Verstappen highlighted Kubica's talent and the unfortunate circumstances that hindered his career after a life-threatening crash in 2011, which prevented him from achieving his potential in F1.
Kubica made a return to F1 in 2019 with Williams but later transitioned to endurance racing, where he found success by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Ferrari. Verstappen, who closely follows endurance racing, shared his happiness at seeing Kubica achieve this significant milestone.Wed 23 Sep · 04:30 UTC
via gpfans.comJenson Button's wife defends Charles Leclerc's actionsJenson Button's wife has come to the defence of Charles Leclerc following criticism from David Coulthard regarding Leclerc's behaviour off the track. The Ferrari driver has faced scrutiny for prioritising family commitments, prompting support from Button's wife.+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 21:27 UTCPage 7 of 61
