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via f1oversteer.comLaurent Mekies reveals whether Liam Lawson ever had a chance of getting Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull seatIsack Hadjar has officially secured a new contract with Red Bull ahead of his return from injury at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite missing three races due to a wrist fracture, Hadjar's strong performance earlier in the season, including a podium finish and a 100% qualifying record, led to the team's confidence in him. Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's team principal, confirmed that Liam Lawson's temporary stint in the car did not affect their decision regarding Hadjar's future.
Mekies emphasized that Hadjar's development and performance were the primary considerations for the team. He noted that Lawson was a strong alternative but that Red Bull was satisfied with Hadjar's progress and improvement alongside Max Verstappen. Hadjar's contract extension positions him as Verstappen's second-longest-serving teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left in 2018, highlighting the team's commitment to his growth in the upcoming season.
Wed 30 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull point to key 'indicators' behind Isack Hadjar justificationRed Bull confirmed last week that it would stick with Isack Hadjar for the 2027 campaign.
Wed 30 Sep · 06:10 UTC
via gpfans.comKelly Piquet offers rare insight into F1 star Max Verstappen's private lifeIn a recent interview, Kelly Piquet provided a glimpse into her relationship with Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen, revealing that he is a devoted family man who enjoys the comforts of home. Piquet highlighted how Verstappen prioritises family time, returning home promptly after his racing commitments, and how they share a life together in Monaco with their daughter, Lily.
Piquet described Verstappen as down-to-earth and grounded, contrasting his public persona as a fierce competitor. She expressed her appreciation for their equal partnership, noting that Verstappen does not seek the spotlight and prefers a quieter lifestyle, which aligns well with her own values.
Tue 29 Sep · 20:30 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.Tue 29 Sep · 19:30 UTC
via gpfans.comBahrain Grand Prix faces potential rain and stormsFormula 1 teams and drivers are preparing for possible thunderstorms and rain during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. The weather conditions in Malaysia could significantly impact the race and associated activities.+ 1 moreTue 29 Sep · 15:27 UTC
via Motorsport.comIsack Hadjar jokes about injury recovery progressIsack Hadjar, the Red Bull Formula 1 driver, has shared that he still lacks full movement in his wrist following an injury sustained during the 2026 summer break. Despite this, he expressed optimism about his recovery, joking that he did a 'good job' while resting during his time off.
Tue 29 Sep · 14:30 UTC
via Formula1.comF1 Business Summit adds new Las Vegas speakersThe F1 Business Summit will feature Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, chef Gordon Ramsay, and athlete Russell Wilson among others, taking place in Las Vegas on 19 November 2026. Komatsu's session will focus on leadership and innovation in Formula 1, while Ramsay will explore the business of hospitality during race weekends.
The event will also include discussions on athlete ownership and investment, with a keynote panel featuring Wilson and Shaun White. The Summit runs from 8am to 1pm, starting with a networking breakfast, and coincides with the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which occurs shortly after the Summit.
Tue 29 Sep · 14:10 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen proposes changes to F1 race weekendsMax Verstappen has outlined his vision for improving Formula 1, suggesting the elimination of Friday practice sessions. The Red Bull Racing driver believes these changes would enhance the overall experience of the Grand Prix weekend.+ 2 moreTue 29 Sep · 12:30 UTC
via racer.comHadjar notes performance gains at Red Bull after injuryIsack Hadjar stated that his time off due to injury provided him with clarity regarding Red Bull's development direction. Upon his return, he immediately noticed an improvement in the performance of Red Bull's car.
Tue 29 Sep · 11:35 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.Tue 29 Sep · 11:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Pirelli faces challenges at Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaPirelli is preparing for unique challenges at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which will take place in Malaysia for the first time in nine years. Charles Leclerc recorded the fastest time during the second free practice session at Sepang International Circuit.+ 2 moreTue 29 Sep · 09:30 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.Tue 29 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar dismisses Red Bull restrictions: 'I'm not five years old'Isack Hadjar has responded to suggestions that Red Bull might impose restrictions on his extracurricular activities following a wrist injury he sustained while training. He humorously remarked that he is not a child and can make his own decisions, despite acknowledging the need to be more cautious in the future.
The injury, which occurred while boxing a punchbag, caused Hadjar to miss several races, including the Dutch Grand Prix. Red Bull has confirmed that they will retain him for the 2027 season, and Hadjar expressed confidence in managing his activities without needing oversight from the team.Tue 29 Sep · 07:50 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc ‘angered’ Fred Vasseur with one revelation in Baku as tensions rise at FerrariFerrari team principal Fred Vasseur expressed frustration with Charles Leclerc after the driver revealed he used the ADUO2 engine during the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Leclerc's admission came after he finished in P4, trailing significantly behind race winner George Russell and the Red Bull drivers. Vasseur was particularly displeased as the team had not intended to disclose the engine specification, especially given their performance issues.
The situation has contributed to rising tensions within Ferrari, with both Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton reportedly growing frustrated with Vasseur's management style. There are suggestions that Vasseur's position may be in jeopardy, with potential replacements including Christian Horner, Antonello Coletta, and Jerome d’Ambrosio being considered as Ferrari looks to improve its standing in the championship.Tue 29 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Kimi Antonelli and George Russell in title showdownKimi Antonelli has stated his intention to 're-establish the order' over George Russell at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, as the two Mercedes drivers compete for the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers' Championship. With eight rounds remaining, Russell believes Antonelli is now 'under pressure' following recent performances.
+ 1 moreTue 29 Sep · 06:08 UTC
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen live reaction as Russell reveals Mercedes upgrade planMax Verstappen shared his thoughts on George Russell's announcement regarding Mercedes' upcoming upgrades, which are expected to debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Verstappen acknowledged that if these upgrades prove effective, it would make Red Bull's path to victory in the 2026 season even more challenging.
Russell, who recently won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, expressed excitement about the potential improvements. He mentioned that the Mercedes team has been quiet in the development race but is optimistic about the upgrades enhancing their performance. Verstappen, while confident in his team's capabilities, recognised the need for further improvements to maintain their competitive edge.
Tue 29 Sep · 05:49 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.Mon 28 Sep · 17:15 UTC
via Motorsport.comColton Herta aims for Formula 1 by 2028Colton Herta remains determined to achieve his goal of competing in Formula 1 by 2028, despite facing challenges in his current Formula 2 season. He acknowledges the difficulties of adapting to the pace of younger drivers but believes he still has a chance to succeed.+ 2 moreMon 28 Sep · 16:57 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.Mon 28 Sep · 16:30 UTC
via F1iGeorge Russell believes he can challenge Kimi AntonelliGeorge Russell expressed confidence in his ability to compete for the Formula 1 title, stating he is no longer 'lost' in his Mercedes. After reducing Kimi Antonelli's championship lead from 81 points to 66, Russell feels invigorated and ready to take on the challenge.
+ 3 moreMon 28 Sep · 15:10 UTCPage 9 of 66