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via grandprix.comRed Bull already weighing early switch to 2027 carRed Bull Racing is contemplating an early transition to its 2027 car due to ongoing performance issues with the current model, which Max Verstappen has openly criticized. Despite his ability to secure podium finishes, Verstappen's dissatisfaction with the car's competitiveness has led to discussions within the team about balancing development efforts between the current season and the next. Team principal Laurent Mekies indicated that the team may need to shift focus sooner than in previous years, especially given the challenges posed by the car's narrow operating window and the pressure to improve performance.
The team has implemented numerous upgrades in an attempt to enhance the car's performance, but Mekies admitted that maintaining the current development pace may not be sustainable. Verstappen's unique sensitivity to the car's behavior has been highlighted as a significant asset, although he remains focused on winning rather than merely finishing on the podium. Teammate Isack Hadjar also expressed frustration with the car's handling and the strategic decisions made during races, indicating a broader concern within the team about their competitive standing.
via grandprix.comHadjar staying, Verstappen offered richer dealRed Bull Racing has proposed a more lucrative contract to Max Verstappen, aiming to extend his tenure until after the 2029 season and eliminate his release clause. Verstappen's current salary of around 65 million euros per year is expected to increase, and both parties are engaged in ongoing discussions about the future of their collaboration. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar is likely to continue as Verstappen's teammate after a solid performance at the Hungarian GP, where he finished P6.
Toto Wolff of Mercedes indicated that there will be no immediate changes to their driver lineup, citing the need for car stability rather than driver changes. He acknowledged the potential appeal of a Verstappen-Antonelli pairing but emphasized satisfaction with the current dynamic between their drivers. Mekies reiterated that the team's focus remains on optimizing the car for Verstappen to ensure competitive performance.
via theguardian.comMcLaren’s team principal hails ‘great trajectory’ of Lando Norris after winLando Norris achieved a significant victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking McLaren's first win of the season. His performance showcased not only his driving skills but also a notable improvement in his psychological approach, as highlighted by team principal Andrea Stella. Norris's ability to remain composed after initially dropping a position to teammate Oscar Piastri was crucial in regaining the lead and securing the win against strong competitors like Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli.
Meanwhile, George Russell faced challenges during the race, finishing seventh after a slow start due to technical issues. His frustrations with the season's repeated problems were evident, as he expressed a sense of resignation regarding his performance. Despite these setbacks, the focus remained on Norris's development and the promising trajectory of his career within the team.
Mon 27 Jul · 10:30 UTC
via theguardian.com‘Pretty bad’: Lewis Hamilton hits out at Ferrari after dropping points in F1 title raceLewis Hamilton faced disappointment at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he finished fifth after a penalty for speeding in the pit lane. This result has left him trailing Kimi Antonelli by 50 points in the championship standings. Hamilton criticized his team's strategy, particularly the late pit stop that cost him valuable track position and points. He expressed a desire to improve and avoid further penalties in the upcoming races.
Lando Norris celebrated his first win of the season, showcasing strong performance and confidence in his driving. He feels he is performing at a higher level compared to the previous season, despite the challenges posed by the car's handling. Both Hamilton and Norris are looking forward to the second half of the season, hoping to capitalize on their potential and make significant gains in the championship.Sun 26 Jul · 19:51 UTC
via BBC SportNorris and McLaren almost perfect as Ferrari flounderLando Norris achieved a significant victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking his first win of the season. After a challenging start, Norris capitalized on a strategic pit stop that allowed him to take the lead from teammate Oscar Piastri, who later retired due to a gearbox failure. Despite an early mistake that cost him the lead, Norris maintained a strong pace and confidence throughout the race, ultimately securing the win for McLaren.
Ferrari, initially seen as the favorites, struggled with performance and made critical errors, leading to disappointment for the team. Norris' win positions him 98 points behind the championship leader, Kimi Antonelli, as he looks forward to the upcoming races while remaining cautious about future expectations.
Sun 26 Jul · 19:19 UTC
via AutosportWhat McLaren thought of Piastri's explosive F1 Hungarian GP radio outburstDuring the Hungarian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri expressed frustration over a radio outburst after a collision with backmarker Carlos Sainz, which affected his race strategy. McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella defended the team's decision to pit Piastri, emphasizing that it was necessary to counter Lewis Hamilton's threat and that Piastri had earned his lead fairly by overtaking Norris at the start.
After the race, Piastri acknowledged his emotional response and accepted the team's strategy, despite his disappointment. He ultimately retired from the race due to a gearbox failure, while Stella noted that both drivers had shown impressive pace, and the team had considered various strategies to maximize their points.
Sun 26 Jul · 18:49 UTC
via BBC SportComplete weekend for Norris but poor result for Sainz - driver ratingsLando Norris achieved a significant milestone by winning the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking both his and McLaren's first victory of the 2026 season. Despite a challenging start where he lost the lead to teammate Oscar Piastri, Norris regained control and maintained his position after Piastri's retirement due to a gearbox failure. Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli completed the podium, showcasing their resilience amid various challenges during the race.
The race also featured notable performances and setbacks for several drivers. Lewis Hamilton faced penalties that hindered his chances for a podium finish, while Carlos Sainz struggled with his Williams, culminating in a collision that resulted in a penalty. Overall, the event highlighted the competitive nature of the season, with driver ratings reflecting both exceptional and disappointing performances across the grid.Sun 26 Jul · 17:16 UTC
via AutosportLando Norris Secures First Win of 2026 Hungarian Grand PrixLando Norris achieved his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Hungarian Grand Prix. His teammate Oscar Piastri faced a gearbox failure, leading to his retirement from the race.+ 2 moreSun 26 Jul · 14:57 UTC
via grandprix.comRed Bull cuts Verstappen media as car criticism eruptsMax Verstappen expressed significant dissatisfaction with the performance of the 2026 Red Bull car, describing it as aerodynamically broken and undriveable. Following his qualifying session in Hungary, Red Bull restricted his media interactions, which raised eyebrows as his teammate continued to engage with the press. Verstappen's comments highlighted ongoing issues with the car's balance and reliability, suggesting a deeper problem that needs addressing before the race.
In addition to the car concerns, Verstappen played a role in persuading Tom Hart to remain with Red Bull, where he is expected to succeed Gianpiero Lambiase as Verstappen's race engineer. This decision came after Hart was initially slated to join Williams. The situation reflects both the challenges Verstappen faces with the current car and the strategic moves within the Red Bull team regarding engineering personnel.
via AutosportHamilton and Antonelli Receive Grid Penalties for Hungarian GPLewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli have both been issued three-place grid penalties ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Antonelli's penalty was due to a yellow flag infringement during qualifying.+ 1 moreSat 25 Jul · 15:58 UTC
via AutosportLando Norris Secures Pole Position at Hungarian Grand PrixLando Norris achieved his first pole position of the 2026 season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, narrowly beating Lewis Hamilton by just 0.012 seconds. Both Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli received grid penalties, impacting their starting positions for the race.+ 2 moreSat 25 Jul · 15:19 UTC
via grandprix.comWolff Discusses Mercedes' Future Driver Lineup PlansToto Wolff has indicated that Mercedes is not urgently seeking to sign Max Verstappen for 2027, citing the rise of Kimi Antonelli. The team is currently focused on retaining George Russell while keeping options open for future driver pairings.
via grandprix.comRacing Bulls pair go viral on budget flightRacing Bulls teammates Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson gained attention after sharing a selfie on a budget EasyJet flight from Spa. Lindblad, a rookie driver, expressed his preference for regular flights due to financial reasons, stating he is happy to save money whenever possible. The duo's choice of travel stands out in a sport where many drivers typically fly privately or in business class.
The flight experienced a two-hour delay, departing at midnight. Lindblad humorously recounted how he ended up sitting next to Lawson after switching seats with another passenger. Lawson confirmed that he also frequently travels in economy class, highlighting a more relatable side of their lives as professional drivers.
via AutosportF1 Hungarian GP: Norris beats Hamilton to top final practiceMcLaren driver Lando Norris has led a three-team fight to top final practice at Formula 1's Hungarian Grand Prix, setting up an intriguing qualifying session in Budapest. Norris' late 1m18.939s flyer was just over a tenth quicker than Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes' championship leader Kimi Antonelli on the twisty Hungaroring. FP3's opening phase was quiet as drivers kept their powder dry for ... Keep readingSat 25 Jul · 11:40 UTC
via theguardian.comLando Norris Criticizes Formula 1's Focus on Profit Over SportLando Norris has expressed concerns that Formula 1 is prioritizing financial gain over the quality of the sport. He highlighted that many drivers share his dissatisfaction with the current direction of the series under its management.+ 1 moreFri 24 Jul · 16:00 UTC
via grandprix.comVerstappen cools exit talk as Red Bull form improvesMax Verstappen has addressed ongoing speculation about his future with Red Bull, emphasizing that there are no current plans for him to leave the team. He expressed satisfaction with his current situation and described Red Bull as a second family, while also acknowledging the challenges they face with the RB22 car. Despite some recent successes, he noted the need for consistent performance improvements as they continue to learn about the car's capabilities.
Verstappen also commented on the current regulations in Formula 1, stating that while he finds them frustrating, he enjoys racing and is not considering retirement at this stage. He believes that his criticisms are becoming more widely understood and that the team's performance is on an upward trend. Additionally, Red Bull is set to reintroduce a problematic rear wing at the upcoming Hungarian GP, with hopes that previous issues have been resolved.
via AutosportF1 Hungarian GP: Leclerc tops FP1, Stroll suffers suspected suspension failure with upgraded Aston MartinIn the first practice session for the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari set the fastest time, clocking in at 1m19.075s, which was significantly quicker than his competitors. Lance Stroll from Aston Martin faced issues with his car, experiencing a suspected rear suspension failure that led to a red flag during the session. Other teams, including Ferrari and Mercedes, brought updates tailored for the high downforce requirements of the Hungaroring track.
The session also saw several rookie drivers participating, with notable performances from Frederik Vesti and Leonardo Fornaroli. Fernando Alonso managed to secure the 13th fastest time, while Carlos Sainz faced scrutiny from the stewards for his driving during the session. Overall, the practice highlighted the competitive nature of the teams as they prepared for the race weekend.Fri 24 Jul · 12:45 UTC
via Autosport‘If you're not ready to adapt, you're not good enough’ - Norris addresses changing driving styles in F1 2026 Lando Norris has highlighted the importance of adaptability for Formula 1 drivers as they navigate the challenges posed by the 2026 generation of cars. He noted that drivers must adjust their driving styles regularly, as the complexities of energy deployment and car performance evolve. Norris expressed little sympathy for George Russell's struggles with the 2026 Mercedes, emphasizing that adapting to different cars is a fundamental part of a driver's job in F1.
Norris also addressed the impact of reduced downforce levels on cornering challenges, suggesting that while some aspects of driving have become more difficult, there are still opportunities for skilled drivers to excel. He disagreed with the notion that drivers have less influence on performance due to technological complexities, asserting that a good driver can still find ways to gain an advantage on the track.Fri 24 Jul · 08:32 UTC
via grandprix.comVerstappen Faces Pressure to Decide Future with Red BullMax Verstappen is reportedly under pressure to clarify his future with Red Bull before a contractual deadline. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar's position at the team for 2027 appears more secure amid ongoing speculation regarding Verstappen's plans.
via grandprix.comRed Bull names Verstappen's next race engineerRed Bull Racing has announced that Tom Hart will replace Gianpiero Lambiase as Max Verstappen's race engineer, with the transition expected to begin in 2027. Lambiase is leaving for McLaren, and Hart was initially set to join Williams before being persuaded to stay with Red Bull. This change comes amid ongoing speculation about Verstappen's future with the team, particularly regarding potential interest from McLaren.
During the recent qualifying session at Spa, Verstappen achieved a strong P2, largely due to a strategic slipstream from teammate Isack Hadjar. Verstappen acknowledged that without the tow, he would have likely qualified around P6. Meanwhile, Hadjar humorously noted that he did not expect any significant reward for his help, while McLaren's Andrea Stella indicated that any move for Verstappen would require the team to field a third car, a matter that needs higher-level discussions.Page 32 of 33