News650 stories
RSS ↗/EXCLUSIVEINTERVIEWADHOC%20FEATURE%20V4%20DISPLAY%20(2).webp)
via Formula1.comLawson examines factors behind his impressive 2026 so farLiam Lawson has experienced a remarkable turnaround in his performance with Racing Bulls during the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season. After a difficult start in 2025, he has emerged as a standout driver, contributing to the team's rise in the standings, where they are now competing closely with the top teams in the sport.
In an interview prior to the Hungarian Grand Prix, Lawson discussed the factors behind his success and his collaboration with rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad. He also shared his aspirations for the remainder of the season, indicating a strong focus on continuing to improve and achieve more with the Racing Bulls team.
Thu 6 Aug · 11:45 UTC
via Motorsport.comLando Norris branded "the real deal" after showing mental resilienceLando Norris has received commendation from former F1 engineer Rob Smedley, who highlighted the driver's mental toughness and consistency, labeling him as 'the real deal.' This recognition follows Norris's performance in the Belgian Grand Prix, where he finished seventh despite a grid penalty, and his subsequent victory in Hungary, marking his first win of the season. Currently, he ranks fifth in the drivers' championship with 128 points, trailing Charles Leclerc and ahead of Max Verstappen.
Smedley pointed out that while Norris's junior career was well-supported, many drivers with similar backgrounds have not succeeded in F1. He believes that the criticism Norris faces often comes from those not directly involved in the sport, while insiders appreciate his dedication and resilience. Smedley asserts that Norris's ability to handle pressure and maintain speed makes him a formidable competitor in the racing world.
Thu 6 Aug · 10:13 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen reveals 'greatest prize' in lifeMax Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 World Champion, has expressed that his greatest achievement is not his racing titles but rather his daughter, Lily, born in April 2025. He emphasizes the importance of family in his life, stating that nothing compares to the joy she brings him, despite the challenges of being a traveling racer. Verstappen shares the emotional difficulty he faces when leaving home for races, recalling similar experiences from his own childhood when his father, Jos Verstappen, would leave for competitions.
Verstappen's reflections highlight the sacrifices that come with a racing career, as he navigates the emotional complexities of parenthood. He recognizes that these feelings are part of a phase in life, understanding that as Lily grows, their relationship will evolve. His candid remarks illustrate the balance he seeks between his professional commitments and family life.
Thu 6 Aug · 04:30 UTC
via grandprix.comVerstappen criticism can go too far says AlbersChristijan Albers, a former Formula 1 driver, discussed Max Verstappen's aggressive racing style and his recent performance against Lewis Hamilton. While Albers appreciates Verstappen's relentless approach, he also pointed out that the driver's public criticisms of Red Bull can sometimes be excessive and challenging for the team to manage. Albers believes that Verstappen's focus on his own situation may overshadow the competitive nature of the other drivers in the field.
Albers suggested that Verstappen should balance his honesty with a stronger defense of Red Bull, as the team has many people working towards a common goal. He acknowledged the difficulties in creating a competitive car and emphasized the importance of collaboration within the team. As Verstappen considers his future with Red Bull for the 2027 season, his position within the team remains powerful despite the criticisms he has voiced.
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen fighting to extend decade-long F1 streakMax Verstappen is facing the possibility of a winless season in 2026, having not secured a victory by the summer break. This would mark only the second time in his career that he has not won a race in a season since his debut in 2015. Currently, he has achieved four podium finishes but is still trailing behind competitors Ferrari and McLaren, who have both claimed victories this year.
Red Bull Racing, the team Verstappen drives for, has not won a race since 2015, making them the only top four team without a win in 2026. Despite starting the season significantly behind Mercedes, they have made progress in closing the performance gap. The team hopes to replicate their successful turnaround from the previous year, which was aided by a crucial upgrade at Monza.Wed 5 Aug · 13:40 UTC
via RacingNews365Verstappen Racing Achieves First Pro-Class Victory in GT3Max Verstappen's team, Verstappen Racing, secured its first Pro-Class win in the GT World Challenge Europe. This victory comes after a challenging season marked by mechanical issues and other setbacks.+ 1 moreWed 5 Aug · 09:05 UTC
via CrashLando Norris Aims for More Success After Hungary VictoryLando Norris secured his first win of the Formula 1 season at the Hungaroring, marking a significant turnaround for his campaign. Following this victory, he expressed confidence in McLaren's potential for future races.
+ 1 moreWed 5 Aug · 07:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen hails Red Bull backing in pursuit of 'other projects'Max Verstappen has expressed gratitude for the support he receives from Red Bull, which has allowed him to engage in various racing activities outside of Formula 1. He has participated in events like the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, and he believes these experiences help him maintain focus on his primary role as an F1 driver. Verstappen highlighted the importance of having a stable home life and the ability to switch off from racing to avoid burnout.
Additionally, Verstappen spoke positively about his working relationship with Laurent Mekies, the new team principal at Red Bull. He noted that their collaboration has been smooth, as they had prior familiarity, and he appreciates Mekies' commitment to enhancing the team's overall structure. This supportive environment contributes to Verstappen's success and well-being as a driver.Wed 5 Aug · 06:20 UTC
via grandprix.comNorris says fame leaves him feeling violatedLando Norris has shared his discomfort with the invasive nature of fame, particularly after an incident where paparazzi followed him for an extended period in London. He expressed a desire to engage more with life outside of racing, moving away from a previous tendency to stay indoors and game alone. Despite this, he feels that the attention has become overwhelming, making him feel violated in his personal space.
Norris recently celebrated his first victory of the season in Hungary, attributing the success to the hard work of the McLaren team. As he enters the summer break, he plans to take a step back from the spotlight, focusing on rest and relaxation rather than glamorous activities, indicating a shift in his approach to balancing fame and personal life.
via grandprix.comFerrari Plans Ongoing Upgrades to Compete with RivalsFerrari has announced its commitment to an aggressive upgrade strategy as it seeks to enhance its performance in the current season. The team will focus on frequent smaller updates rather than fewer large packages, aiming to close the gap with competitors like Mercedes.
via CrashHakkinen advises McLaren against pursuing Max Verstappen moveMika Hakkinen has cautioned McLaren against making a significant move for Max Verstappen, suggesting it may disrupt their current stability. The two-time world champion's potential transfer to McLaren has been a topic of speculation for the 2027 season.+ 3 moreTue 4 Aug · 09:19 UTC
via RacingNews365Ecclestone Credits Verstappen for Dutch GP's Return to F1Bernie Ecclestone has stated that Max Verstappen was instrumental in bringing the Dutch Grand Prix back to Zandvoort. He emphasized that without Verstappen's influence, Formula 1 might not have returned to the venue.+ 1 moreTue 4 Aug · 05:25 UTC
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson makes 'by far the strongest' claim over vital Racing Bulls strengthLiam Lawson has praised the Racing Bulls team for its strong development program, stating it is the best he has experienced during his time with the team. He currently ranks ninth in the drivers' championship, having secured consistent results, including two sixth-place finishes in Monaco and Silverstone. Racing Bulls is performing well in the constructors' standings, sitting fifth with 66 points, and has scored points in almost every race this season, except for Miami.
The improvements made to the VCARB 03, particularly in the floor and chassis, have contributed to the team's success. Lawson highlighted the team's ability to maximize their performance each weekend, showcasing operational efficiency and a competitive edge. He expressed satisfaction with the car's handling and the overall progress of Racing Bulls throughout the season.Tue 4 Aug · 04:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comF1 legends weigh in on Max Verstappen's Red Bull futureThe future of Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing has become a topic of discussion among Formula 1 legends as he navigates a challenging season. Currently sixth in the drivers' standings, Verstappen has the option to activate an exit clause in his contract, which has led to speculation about potential moves to teams like Mercedes or McLaren. However, he has remained silent on his future plans.
Several former drivers have weighed in on the situation, with opinions ranging from Montoya's belief that Verstappen's frustrations are a strategy to motivate the team, to Fittipaldi's hope that he will stay due to his loyalty. Others, like Berger, emphasize the importance of patience as Red Bull works through its new engine development, suggesting that the team could regain its competitive edge in the near future.Mon 3 Aug · 14:38 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull Evaluates Future Amid Verstappen's Performance and Antonelli's RiseRed Bull Racing is currently assessing its future direction as the 2026 Formula 1 season progresses. The team is particularly focused on Max Verstappen's performance and the impressive rise of young driver Antonelli.Mon 3 Aug · 14:00 UTC
via grandprix.comJos Verstappen slams claims about Max's next moveJos Verstappen has dismissed claims that his son, Max Verstappen, is preparing to extend his contract with Red Bull while negotiating a higher salary without an exit clause. Reports suggest that Red Bull is willing to increase Max's pay, but there are concerns about the team's competitiveness moving forward, leading to speculation about Max's future decisions in the sport.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has expressed confidence in Red Bull's structure, stating that the team does not require a rebuild despite some senior departures. He emphasized his strong relationship with the team and the ongoing pursuit of excellence in the highly competitive environment of Formula 1.
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen Identifies Key Focus Area for Red Bull TeamMax Verstappen has highlighted a significant priority for Red Bull as they continue to develop the RB22. The driver emphasized the importance of addressing this area to enhance the team's performance.Mon 3 Aug · 11:50 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris reveals surprise at timing of McLaren recoveryLando Norris achieved a surprising victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, which was McLaren's first win of the 2026 season. This success came after a challenging start for the team, which had only accumulated 18 points in the first two races due to reliability issues and crashes. The team introduced significant upgrades that contributed to their performance turnaround at the Hungaroring, allowing Norris to finish well ahead of his competitors.
Despite the victory, Norris emphasized the need for continued improvement, particularly in high-speed cornering, and acknowledged that the team had to be patient with their development strategy. Currently, he sits fifth in the drivers' standings, trailing the championship leader by a significant margin, but remains hopeful for future races as McLaren works on enhancing their car's performance.Mon 3 Aug · 06:20 UTC
via Crash'Bigger changes needed' - Lando Norris' mid-season verdict on F1's new eraLando Norris has expressed that significant changes are required to improve the current state of Formula 1, particularly in light of the 2026 regulations, which have been met with widespread criticism. He highlighted ongoing issues such as yoyo-racing and superclipping that detract from the racing experience, despite efforts to address them. Norris also pointed out that the removal of certain broadcast graphics has raised concerns among fans about transparency in the sport.
Norris believes that while Formula 1 is currently in a healthy state, there is still room for improvement. He appreciates the ability for drivers to communicate directly with F1 leadership, which marks a positive shift from previous years. He remains optimistic about the potential for exciting racing and is committed to working towards enhancements that will benefit both fans and the sport as a whole.Sun 2 Aug · 13:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comMcLaren "ready to challenge" Mercedes after upgrade, says Sky F1 commentatorThe article highlights McLaren's recent performance improvements following an upgrade package introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix. David Croft, a commentator for Sky Sports F1, believes that these upgrades have positioned McLaren to effectively challenge Mercedes for the championship title as the 2026 season progresses. Lando Norris, who secured his first victory as reigning champion, currently sits fifth in the drivers' standings, trailing Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, by 91 points.
Croft emphasizes that McLaren's enhanced understanding of their power unit and the successful implementation of upgrades have allowed them to regain competitiveness. He expresses optimism about Norris's potential to close the gap in the championship standings, suggesting that McLaren must continue to capitalize on their recent momentum to maximize their chances in the constructors' championship as well.Sun 2 Aug · 12:00 UTCPage 30 of 33