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via Motorsport.comGuenther Steiner predicts Max Verstappen will go winless in 2026 F1 seasonGuenther Steiner, the former Haas Formula 1 team principal, has made a bold prediction that Max Verstappen will finish the 2026 Formula 1 season without a single victory. He believes that the current Red Bull Racing package is not competitive enough to secure wins, especially with strong performances from rivals Mercedes and McLaren.
Verstappen is currently sixth in the standings, significantly trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Despite achieving second place in several races this season, he has acknowledged a performance gap compared to his competitors, indicating that improvements are still needed in the car's setup and performance.
Mon 21 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton denies demands for Ferrari changesLewis Hamilton has strongly denied rumours suggesting he is requesting changes at Ferrari. The claims come as Max Verstappen continues to build momentum ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Mon 21 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton’s former Mercedes engineer always knew he would be back to ‘200%’ in a ‘winning’ carLewis Hamilton has demonstrated significant improvement in the 2026 Formula 1 season, achieving 191 points with 10 races remaining, surpassing his total from the previous year. He has won a race and secured five podium finishes, marking a notable turnaround after a challenging 2025 season without a top-three finish. This progress is attributed to both Hamilton's driving style aligning better with the new cars and Ferrari's advancements with the SF-26.
Former Mercedes engineer Philipp Brandle noted that Hamilton tends to perform at his best when he has a competitive car, suggesting that his motivation has increased this year. Despite Hamilton's insistence that he always gives 100%, his performance at Ferrari indicates that he may unlock greater potential when contending for victories. With Ferrari positioned as serious challengers this season, Hamilton's commitment and performance could further elevate if the team provides a title-contending car in the future.
Mon 21 Sep · 13:30 UTC
via Formula1.comMercedes could match Ferrari's engine record in BakuAs the Formula 1 teams prepare for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Mercedes has the opportunity to equal Ferrari's record as the most successful engine manufacturer. Lewis Hamilton aims to maintain his streak of completing every lap in Baku, adding to the significance of the upcoming race.
+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 13:28 UTC
via RacingNews365Verstappen crashes after life-threatening blowout as Hamilton suffers 'magic button' mishapDuring the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen experienced a life-threatening crash when his left-rear tyre exploded at high speed, leading to a collision with the wall. This incident occurred on lap 46, and Verstappen reported feeling no prior warning before the blowout. Pirelli later investigated and found no manufacturing defects in the tyres, attributing the failure to the specific running conditions on the track.
Simultaneously, Lewis Hamilton faced his own challenges when a switch on his steering wheel caused him to lose control at Turn 1 during the race restart. This mishap resulted in both championship contenders failing to score points, leaving the title fight unchanged but highlighting the precarious nature of their competition. Following the race, Mercedes made adjustments to their steering wheel design to avoid similar issues in the future.Mon 21 Sep · 13:15 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen hails Lando Norris for helping fix huge F1 problemMax Verstappen has expressed his admiration for Lando Norris, who has taken significant steps to support aspiring drivers in motorsport by launching his own junior team, LN4 Fusion. This initiative aims to compete in various championships, including the FIA Formula 3, and is seen as a way to address the financial barriers that many young talents face in entering Formula 1.
Verstappen highlighted the increasing costs associated with motorsport and the challenges that talented drivers encounter due to financial constraints. While he appreciates Norris's contributions, Verstappen stated that he prefers to focus on endurance racing and does not plan to establish his own single-seater team, instead supporting young drivers through his existing projects.
Mon 21 Sep · 12:59 UTC
via f1oversteer.comRalf Schumacher suggests Lando Norris received media coachingRalf Schumacher has expressed his belief that Lando Norris' more assertive public persona may stem from media coaching. This comment follows Norris' remarks regarding his pay in comparison to Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.+ 2 moreMon 21 Sep · 10:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton makes 'not natural' claim as F1 learning set to developLewis Hamilton has expressed that the new 2026-spec Formula 1 cars are still not 'natural' to drive, indicating that drivers are still adapting to the changes. He highlighted the importance of energy management under the new engine regulations and noted that the chassis design has shifted back to an aerodynamic focus, which he is more familiar with from previous seasons.
Despite a challenging season where he is currently 101 points behind Kimi Antonelli, who has won eight races, Hamilton remains optimistic about his team's performance. He believes Ferrari is competitive with the top teams and is focused on making the necessary improvements to close the gap. Hamilton is enjoying the process of working closely with his team as they plan for future regulations.Mon 21 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comLeclerc explains why he won't copy Hamilton's styleCharles Leclerc has clarified his decision not to emulate Lewis Hamilton's driving style while adapting to Ferrari's 2026 Formula 1 car. He stated that the challenges posed by the new regulations made it difficult to replicate Hamilton's approach.+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 09:34 UTC
via gpfans.comHinchcliffe says Hamilton and Ferrari's 2026 hopes are overJames Hinchcliffe has stated that Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's chances of winning the 2026 Formula 1 championship are effectively finished after a costly retirement at the Spanish Grand Prix. The former IndyCar driver described Ferrari's performance as a 'resounding flop', further diminishing Hamilton's aspirations for an eighth world title.+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 07:58 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc was sure Fred Vasseur would make him ‘first driver’ when he joined FerrariCharles Leclerc was confident that Fred Vasseur would elevate him to the role of 'first driver' upon his arrival at Ferrari. This expectation stemmed from Leclerc's previous relationship with Vasseur during their time at Alfa Romeo, and he reportedly advocated for Vasseur's hiring partly due to this belief.
Despite Leclerc's hopes, he has not been granted the status of top driver in his tenure alongside Carlos Sainz, as Ferrari has struggled to compete for the championship. Vasseur has maintained a neutral stance on driver hierarchy, citing concerns about the potential negative impact of favouring one driver too early in the season.Mon 21 Sep · 07:30 UTC
via gpfans.comChristian Horner 'perfect man' to fix Ferrari as F1 star highlights Vasseur's 'big mistake'Christian Horner has been identified as the 'perfect man' to lead Ferrari, especially following recent tensions between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. These tensions arose during the Dutch and Italian Grands Prix, where Leclerc's refusal to let Hamilton pass cost him valuable time and points, leaving Hamilton significantly behind in the championship race.
Former F1 driver Marc Surer has criticized Ferrari's team principal Fred Vasseur for not taking a stronger stance during these incidents, calling it a 'big mistake'. Surer believes that for Horner to succeed at Ferrari, he would need the autonomy to assemble his own team, similar to what Ross Brawn did in the past, to restore the team's competitive edge.Mon 21 Sep · 07:15 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 News Today: Hamilton escapes, Mercedes masterplan and Verstappen Le Mans statementLewis Hamilton has taken a break from the intense atmosphere at Ferrari, enjoying a mini world tour with girlfriend Kim Kardashian, which included stops in Paris, London, and a gala in Los Angeles. This comes as Mercedes continues to perform strongly in the season, aiming for both the drivers' and constructors' championships.
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin confirmed that upgrades for the W17 are expected soon, specifically for the upcoming race in Malaysia. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen's potential participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been highlighted, as there are no F1 races scheduled to clash with the event this year. Additionally, Aston Martin's Mike Krack has expressed concerns over Fernando Alonso's future, while Cadillac's Mark Walter faces legal troubles.Mon 21 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via RaceFansWolff reflects on 2021 title loss and Masi's approachToto Wolff has stated that he warned Michael Masi against being 'stubborn' or 'arrogant' during the 2021 Formula 1 season. The Mercedes team principal continues to think about Lewis Hamilton's controversial title defeat on a weekly basis.
+ 2 moreMon 21 Sep · 06:15 UTC
via PlanetF1Lewis Hamilton denies claims of Ferrari staff tensionsLewis Hamilton has dismissed allegations that he requested the replacement of members of Ferrari's trackside team. The claims come amid Hamilton's recent criticisms of Ferrari, but he maintains that he remains committed to his current team.
+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 05:58 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen surprisingly snubbed for Kimi Antonelli in F1 rankingGuenther Steiner, a former Formula 1 team principal, has expressed his preference for Kimi Antonelli over Max Verstappen in a hypothetical draft scenario. Steiner stated that if he had to choose a driver for a four-year contract, he would select Antonelli, citing his impressive performance this season as a key factor.
Kimi Antonelli has made a significant impact in Formula 1 this year, currently leading his teammate George Russell by 66 points and securing seven race victories. Steiner's comments highlight the rising star's potential, contrasting with Verstappen's established success, including four consecutive championships from 2021 to 2024.Mon 21 Sep · 05:25 UTC
via Motorsport.comLando Norris predicted to overtake George Russell in 2026 F1 standingsGuenther Steiner, the former Haas team principal, has expressed confidence that Lando Norris will surpass George Russell in the 2026 Formula 1 drivers' championship standings. Currently, Norris sits in fourth place with 186 points, while Russell holds second with 211 points, and Kimi Antonelli leads the championship with 292 points.
Norris has recently experienced a surge in performance, winning consecutive races at the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix. Following these victories, he emphasized the improvements within the McLaren team and his belief in their potential to compete for the championship. Norris remains optimistic about the team's ability to enhance their car and maintain their momentum as the season progresses.Sun 20 Sep · 21:11 UTC
via Formula1.comAzerbaijan Grand Prix odds favour top teamsBetting odds for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix indicate strong support for leading teams ahead of the race in Baku. Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari face challenging prospects according to the latest assessments.+ 1 moreSun 20 Sep · 20:04 UTC
via gpfans.comFord issue official statement as Max Verstappen Le Mans rumours swirlFord has officially stated that there are no plans for Max Verstappen to drive their hypercar at the 2027 Le Mans race, despite speculation following the announcement of no F1 race conflicts with the endurance event. This significantly reduces Verstappen's chances of participating in Le Mans next year, as he is considered unlikely to race in lower classes and his own team lacks the necessary resources for a hypercar entry.
Verstappen had previously expressed interest in racing at Le Mans, potentially alongside fellow champion Fernando Alonso, but emphasised that any participation would need to fit within his schedule and offer a genuine chance of victory. Instead, the 24 Hours of Spa, scheduled for late June, appears to be a more viable option for Verstappen, who has already indicated his desire to compete in that event.Sun 20 Sep · 18:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri criticises AI impact on 2026 F1 carsOscar Piastri has expressed concerns about the influence of artificial intelligence in the 2026 Formula 1 cars, stating that it sometimes makes him feel like a 'passenger' on track. The McLaren driver highlighted that the AI reduces his input during certain moments while driving.+ 2 moreSun 20 Sep · 17:10 UTCPage 9 of 63
