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via Motorsport.comWhy extremely rough Sepang was over four seconds slower than Pirelli's F1 simulationsDuring the Friday practice for the Formula 1 return to Malaysia, the Sepang circuit's abrasive surface caused significant issues, leading to lap times that were 4.5 seconds slower than Pirelli's qualifying simulations. The track began to break up, prompting the use of sweeper trucks to clear debris, which contributed to the low grip levels experienced by the teams.
Pirelli's chief engineer, Simone Berra, indicated that while the rough conditions would not pose safety risks, they would likely worsen during the race. Drivers like Charles Leclerc expressed challenges with the slippery track, suggesting that the evolving conditions could impact race strategy and performance, particularly in balancing car setup for qualifying and race stints.
Fri 2 Oct · 12:57 UTC%2FGettyImages-2298210625.webp&w=1200&q=70)
via Formula1.comMcLaren admits error in Bahrain Grand Prix strategyAndrea Stella, McLaren's team principal, acknowledged that the team made an incorrect judgement regarding their tyre strategy during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Lando Norris, who qualified sixth, found himself at the back of the pack shortly after the race began due to this miscalculation.
+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 10:53 UTC
via Motorsport.comOscar Piastri’s hilarious comment on 2026 F1 regulations has fans asking questionsOscar Piastri, driving for McLaren, made humorous remarks regarding the 2026 Formula 1 regulations during a press conference at Sepang. He discussed the challenges of simulator work, stating that while it helps identify braking points and gears, there is a limit to its effectiveness, leading to diminishing returns in practice.
Piastri's comments sparked discussions among fans, referencing past humorous exchanges between drivers about how quickly they can learn a track. He noted that the new cars have self-learning capabilities, which has raised concerns among fans about the reliance on technology in racing. His remarks highlight the ongoing debate about the balance between driver skill and technological advancement in Formula 1.Fri 2 Oct · 09:29 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri raises menacing Mercedes concern: 'That's not a great sign'Oscar Piastri has voiced concerns regarding Mercedes' recent performance, particularly after George Russell's dominant victory in Baku and the introduction of a significant upgrade for the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix. Piastri highlighted that Russell's pole position and race win indicate a strong showing from Mercedes, which could pose challenges for McLaren.
Piastri believes that the Sepang circuit's layout may favour McLaren more than Baku did, as it features high-speed corners that align with their strengths. However, he remains cautious about Mercedes' upgrades, which are designed to enhance their cornering capabilities without sacrificing straight-line speed, potentially complicating McLaren's efforts to compete effectively.
Thu 1 Oct · 21:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton snubbed as Emerson Fittipaldi picks Oscar Piastri among his five favourite F1 driversEmerson Fittipaldi believes Ferrari have two “strong drivers” in Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, but neither rank among the Brazilian’s favourites on the 2026 grid. ...
Thu 1 Oct · 20:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comOscar Piastri brushes off F1 friendship fears after Langkawi boys' tripOscar Piastri has addressed concerns regarding friendships among Formula 1 drivers, stating that such relationships do not diminish their competitive spirit. This comes after a boys' trip to Langkawi, where Piastri and several other drivers, including Lando Norris and George Russell, spent time together between races.
Piastri emphasized the importance of the trip as a rare opportunity to unwind and connect with fellow drivers outside of the racing environment. He acknowledged that while they are competitors on the track, they share common interests that are often overlooked during the racing season.Thu 1 Oct · 18:26 UTC
via the-race.comF1 teams face challenges with rough Sepang trackOscar Piastri has described the rough surface of the Sepang track as resembling 'sandpaper', creating strategic uncertainties for teams ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The high levels of degradation expected at the Malaysian circuit are adding to the complexities teams must navigate.
+ 2 moreThu 1 Oct · 15:59 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen says George Russell needs big turnaroundMax Verstappen has stated that George Russell requires a significant improvement to catch his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the 2026 Formula One title race, with Russell currently 66 points behind. Meanwhile, Mercedes chief Bradley Lord has expressed concerns about Russell's ability to close the gap as the season progresses.+ 1 moreThu 1 Oct · 10:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer thinks Oscar Piastri’s explanation for 2026 struggles is ‘amazing’Oscar Piastri has shared his thoughts on the challenges posed by the 2026 Formula 1 cars, which he feels do not align with his driving style. Despite a successful 2025 season where he won seven races, Piastri is currently struggling in 2026, sitting significantly behind his teammate Lando Norris in the standings. Norris has been the standout performer for McLaren this year, securing both of the team's wins and leading Piastri by 66 points.
Jolyon Palmer expressed admiration for Piastri's candidness, noting the trend of drivers like Piastri and George Russell banding together to discuss their difficulties with the new car dynamics. Palmer reflected on his own experiences of being overlooked during similar struggles in the past. As the season progresses, Piastri is looking to improve his performance, particularly at the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix, where he hopes the unique circuit conditions will provide a more level playing field.Thu 1 Oct · 06:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell details F1 drivers' Langkawi boys' trip ahead of Bahrain GP in MalaysiaGeorge Russell, a driver for Mercedes, has shared insights about a recent trip to Langkawi, Malaysia, which he took with six other Formula 1 drivers ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The trip featured activities such as go-karting and sightseeing, with Russell expressing his admiration for the island's beauty and the friendliness of its people. He noted that the itinerary was influenced by Mercedes' title partner, Petronas.
In addition to Russell, Kimi Antonelli, his teammate, arrived in Malaysia early but chose to explore Kuala Lumpur and visit a water park. Antonelli currently leads the championship standings by 66 points, following Russell's victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The trip served as a unique way for the drivers to bond and prepare for the upcoming race.Wed 30 Sep · 19:56 UTCWikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Schumacher and Danner back Antonelli's recovery in MalaysiaRalf Schumacher and Christian Danner have expressed confidence that Kimi Antonelli will rebound from his challenging weekend in Baku. Both analysts believe that the upcoming upgrades from Mercedes at the Sepang circuit will help the championship leader regain his form.Wikimedia Commons · Christijan_Albers_2006.JPG: Mathieu Felten derivative work: Flyz1 · CC BY 2.5Albers says Piastri lacks Verstappen’s ‘bite’Sep.30 (GMM) Oscar Piastri’s difficult run has drawn fresh criticism after his mistake in Baku, with former F1 driver Christijan Albers questioning whether the McLaren driver has the aggression of a driver like Max Verstappen. The Australian had been on course for the 2025 title before his late-season collapse, and his struggles have continued into…
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.Tue 29 Sep · 17:00 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 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 F1iMontoya defends Colapinto: ‘I admire people who try’Juan Pablo Montoya has come to the defence of Franco Colapinto following the Argentine's crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Colapinto collided with his teammate Pierre Gasly after locking up under braking, which also took out McLaren's Lando Norris. Despite the criticism directed at Colapinto, Montoya acknowledged the driver's aggressive approach and willingness to seize opportunities, suggesting that such instincts should not be stifled by a single mistake.
Montoya highlighted that Colapinto's error was a result of the challenging conditions during the Safety Car restart, where drivers often struggle to gauge the traffic ahead. He drew parallels between Colapinto's mindset and that of Max Verstappen, noting that while taking risks can lead to mistakes, it is also essential for achieving success in Formula 1. Colapinto's performance this season has seen him accumulate 27 points, while Gasly's standing at 41 points makes the loss of both Alpine cars particularly significant.
Tue 29 Sep · 07:23 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 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.
Mon 28 Sep · 03:00 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.Sun 27 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya tells Kimi Antonelli to 'stop thinking' after spotting a problem in BakuKimi Antonelli made an impressive recovery in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing fifth after starting from sixteenth. However, his performance raised concerns from Juan Pablo Montoya, who noted that Antonelli seemed to be driving conservatively, potentially due to the pressure of maintaining his championship lead.
Montoya highlighted that Antonelli was slower than usual, suggesting he was overly cautious and not pushing himself to the limit. Antonelli acknowledged his reserved driving style, stating he was in 'let’s save the car' mode and lacked the confidence he had shown in previous races.Sun 27 Sep · 13:00 UTCPage 2 of 11