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via f1oversteer.comFernando Alonso unhappy that Spain’s F1 commentator is ‘protecting’ Carlos SainzFernando Alonso expressed his dissatisfaction with Spanish F1 commentator Antonio Lobato, claiming he is biased in favour of Carlos Sainz. This criticism follows a collision between the two drivers during the Spanish Grand Prix, where Alonso suffered front-wing damage and Sainz received a penalty for his actions. Alonso's frustrations led him to boycott interviews with DAZN, the broadcaster that employs Lobato, for several months.
After the race, Alonso spoke to DAZN for the first time in months, but journalist Julianne Cerasoli suggested this was merely to criticise Sainz. The tension between Alonso and Sainz has escalated as they now compete in different teams, with Alonso's Aston Martin and Sainz's Williams facing off on the grid. Despite their past relationship, Alonso's perception of bias from Lobato has strained his willingness to engage with Spanish media.
Tue 22 Sep · 14:00 UTC/Piastri%20Madrid.webp)
via Formula1.comHow can Piastri recover from ‘anonymous’ Madrid weekend?Oscar Piastri is facing difficulties following a disappointing performance in the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he qualified ninth and crashed during the race. His teammate, Lando Norris, has significantly outperformed him, leading to a 66-point gap in the standings. Analysts James Hinchcliffe and Jolyon Palmer discussed Piastri's struggles and the need for him to close the performance gap with Norris, especially after a season where he initially showed promise.
Despite the challenges, Palmer noted that Piastri's lack of pressure from the championship fight could provide him with the opportunity to improve. He highlighted that while Piastri has shown potential in the past, his consistency has been lacking compared to Norris. As the team prepares for the upcoming races, there are hopes that Piastri can regain his form and deliver strong performances, particularly at circuits where he has previously succeeded.
Tue 22 Sep · 13:10 UTC
via grandprix.comSchumacher reads new confidence in Norris title chargeRalf Schumacher believes that Lando Norris has shown increased confidence in the 2026 Formula 1 title race, suggesting that he may have received coaching to enhance his public persona. Schumacher's observations are based on Norris's recent assertive comments and improved performances, particularly regarding his position among the highest-paid drivers in the sport.
Despite Schumacher's speculation, there is no concrete evidence to confirm that Norris has employed a coach. The true test of Norris's capabilities will come during the upcoming race in Baku, where his performance against teammate Oscar Piastri and other title contenders will provide a clearer picture of his championship prospects.
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris would never have won the 2025 title under F1’s new Grand Prix format for 2027The Formula 1 Commission has decided to reduce Grand Prix distances from 305km to 290km starting in 2027, a change prompted by concerns over fuel tank sizes due to upcoming engine regulations. This new format would have significantly altered past championship outcomes, including Lando Norris's 2025 title win, which would have gone to Max Verstappen instead.
Under the new rules, crucial moments from previous races would have had different results. For instance, Verstappen's victory in Abu Dhabi would have made him the 2025 champion, and the 2021 title fight would have seen Lewis Hamilton crowned champion instead. The changes also raise questions about other historic races, such as Jenson Button's iconic win in Canada, which would not have occurred under the new race length.Tue 22 Sep · 11:00 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren call on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to execute three 'essentials' in BakuMcLaren has outlined three key requirements for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as they prepare for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team is set to implement a major aerodynamic upgrade to enhance the performance of their MCL40 cars, particularly focusing on airflow around the floor and rear tyres to improve balance on the circuit's long straights.
Rob Marshall, McLaren's chief technical officer, emphasised the unique challenges posed by Baku's layout, which combines the longest straight in Formula 1 with tight corners. He stressed the importance of energy, tyre, and brake management, as well as the need for confidence and precision from the drivers to navigate the demanding street circuit successfully.
Tue 22 Sep · 10:55 UTC
via f1oversteer.comNorris calls for review of Virtual Safety Car rulesLando Norris has urged Formula 1 to reconsider its Virtual Safety Car regulations following his loss at the Spanish Grand Prix. The discussion was sparked by concerns over the fairness of the rules, which he believes impacted the race outcome.+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCarlos Sainz labels 2026 Williams 'the worst car I've ever had' because it has 'no strengths'Carlos Sainz has expressed his frustration with the 2026 Williams FW48, calling it the worst car he has ever driven in his career. He highlighted the car's lack of strengths and numerous weaknesses, which have contributed to Williams' struggles this season, currently sitting in P9 in the constructors' standings with only 11 points.
Despite his dissatisfaction, Sainz remains hopeful for improvements with an upcoming upgrade for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He emphasized the importance of verifying the effectiveness of the new upgrade and its correlation with the team's future car developments, as he aims to compete more effectively in the coming seasons.Tue 22 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer claims Oscar Piastri has only looked ‘amazing’ for ‘half a season’ in his F1 careerJolyon Palmer has expressed doubts about Oscar Piastri's performance in Formula 1, stating that he has only shown exceptional skill for half a season. Palmer highlighted Piastri's struggles compared to his teammate Lando Norris, who has been the standout driver for McLaren, securing both of the team's wins and all three poles this season.
Despite a promising start to his career, including a strong performance in 2023, Piastri has faced challenges in maintaining consistency. Palmer noted that Piastri's win drought has now lasted over a year, and while he has the potential for great performances, his overall record shows a significant gap in comparison to Norris.Tue 22 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris discusses unique McLaren car traitsLando Norris has highlighted the 'odd' and 'unique' characteristics that have defined McLaren Formula 1 cars in recent years. He expressed his difficulty in pinpointing the exact reasons behind these traits, which have become a hallmark of the team's performance.+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 06:20 UTC
via f1technical.netNorris and Verstappen reveal how Antonelli needs to approach the final leg of the seasonAndrea Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable 2026 Formula 1 campaign has earned praise from two of the sport’s most experienced current drivers, with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris both impressed by the way the young Mercedes driver has handled his championship challenge.
Mon 21 Sep · 18:00 UTCWikimedia Commons · Steffen Prößdorf, crop by Cerebral726 · CC BY-SA 4.0Max Verstappen makes firm position on following Lando Norris’ junior team pathMax Verstappen has stated he is not interested in following Lando Norris' path of starting a junior single-seater team. Norris recently announced the creation of LN4 Fusion, which will compete in various championships starting in 2027. Verstappen commended Norris for his initiative to support young drivers amid rising racing costs.
Instead of venturing into single-seaters, Verstappen prefers to focus on his endurance racing team, Verstappen Racing. He enjoys working with both established and young drivers, and his team is already involved in training numerous Formula 2, 3, and 4 drivers. Additionally, he is eyeing a potential entry into the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Mon 21 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comSainz advises Williams junior Green to embrace risksCarlos Sainz has encouraged 13-year-old Will Green, a junior driver for Williams, to take risks as he transitions from karting to single-seaters. Sainz emphasised the importance of pushing limits rather than focusing solely on consistency in his racing development.
+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 14:42 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 Motorsport WeekNorris and Antonelli urge changes to Madring circuitLando Norris and Andrea Kimi Antonelli have called for modifications to the Madring circuit following its debut at the Spanish Grand Prix. Their comments come in response to the track's limitations highlighted during the race and the negative feedback from fans.+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 13:00 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 Motorsport.comMcLaren releases behind-the-scenes look at Lando Norris's hypercar testMcLaren has released behind-the-scenes footage of Lando Norris testing their 2027 MCL-HY hypercar in Portugal. Following his third-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, Norris participated in the test at the Algarve International Circuit, completing 38 laps and covering 177km.
Norris expressed excitement about the experience, noting the differences from Formula 1 cars and the fun he had. He thanked the McLaren Hypercar Team for the opportunity and highlighted the importance of collecting data during this crucial testing period as the team prepares for the World Endurance Championship next year.Mon 21 Sep · 09:46 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 Analysis: Why the time is right to end Martin Brundle grid walksMartin Brundle's grid walks have been a staple of Formula 1 broadcasting since 1997, but as the sport evolves, many believe it's time to retire this segment. With the 2026 season marking the 30th anniversary of the grid walk, critics argue that the format has become stale, with drivers often uninterested in engaging with Brundle. The changes in the sport's audience and dynamics, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, have contributed to this sentiment.
Brundle himself has expressed frustration with the grid walks, stating that he dislikes the experience despite its significance in his career. As the segment has transitioned through various broadcasters, it has lost its original charm, leading to calls for Sky Sports to end it altogether. Instead, many suggest Brundle should return to his strengths in race commentary and interviews that matter.Mon 21 Sep · 08:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris handed F1 'sweet spot' praise amid fading title hopesNico Rosberg has commended Lando Norris for his impressive driving performances during the current Formula 1 season, despite Norris's challenges in defending his championship title. Norris, who began the season as the reigning champion, has faced difficulties as McLaren struggled to maintain consistent race-winning form, particularly in the early part of the season.
However, McLaren's recent competitiveness, with two wins in the last four races, has highlighted Norris's skill. Rosberg pointed out that the team's slow start was partly due to adapting to a new power unit. While Norris is significantly behind Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings, Rosberg believes that Norris's confidence as a world champion allows him to drive at an exceptional level.Mon 21 Sep · 07:15 UTC
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff's 'league of his own' comments highlight why Lando Norris is beating Oscar PiastriToto Wolff praised Lando Norris for his exceptional performance during qualifying at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Norris achieved pole position with a remarkable lap time of 1:31.385. Wolff noted Norris' skill in managing rear tyre overheating, especially under challenging hot conditions, which set him apart from his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Despite the compliments, Piastri's ongoing difficulties with tyre management were acknowledged, with McLaren's recent upgrades aimed at addressing these issues. Team principal Andrea Stella has urged Piastri to adapt his driving style to improve his performance, as his struggles have been a recurring theme in his career.Mon 21 Sep · 06:00 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 UTCPage 9 of 33