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.
RacingNews365Thu 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. ...
f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 20:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comMcLaren fans say Colapinto's latest interview is keeping the Norris row aliveLando Norris has publicly apologised to Franco Colapinto following their clash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where both drivers were involved in a multi-car incident that ended their races. Despite their reconciliation, Colapinto's recent comments in an interview have reignited tensions among fans, who feel the situation is far from resolved.
In the interview, Colapinto critiqued Norris's reaction, comparing it to how Max Verstappen handled a similar incident. This comparison did not sit well with fans, leading to a wave of negative responses on social media. While both drivers have moved on from the incident, the fanbase remains divided, with many still expressing frustration over the events that unfolded in Baku.
Motorsport.comThu 1 Oct · 19:39 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.Motorsport.comThu 1 Oct · 18:26 UTC
via thejudge13.comAlpine decision made on Colapinto punishment after Baku crashAlpine has opted not to impose any internal sporting punishment on Franco Colapinto following his crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which also ended Lando Norris's race. Despite Norris's initial call for a race ban, Colapinto stated that the team did not seriously consider further action beyond the official penalty imposed by the FIA.
Colapinto confirmed that he had discussions with Alpine's Flavio Briatore and teammate Pierre Gasly after the incident. The team has chosen to focus on learning from the crash rather than imposing additional sanctions, with Colapinto receiving a five-place grid penalty for the Malaysian Grand Prix. The situation appears to have been resolved through internal review, allowing Alpine to shift its focus to upcoming races.
thejudge13.comThu 1 Oct · 17:08 UTC
via PlanetF1Liam Lawson expecting Red Bull future decision in ‘next few weeks’Liam Lawson has stated that he is still waiting for news regarding his future with Red Bull, with a decision expected in the coming weeks. Currently, he is ninth in the Drivers' standings and has expressed confidence in his performance this season, despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract for 2027.
Lawson, along with teammate Arvid Lindblad, is among the drivers whose seats have yet to be confirmed. The situation is complicated by the presence of Nikola Tsolov, a promising Red Bull junior, who is also in contention for a seat. Lawson remains focused on his racing while awaiting the outcome of discussions about the team's driver lineup.
PlanetF1Thu 1 Oct · 17:02 UTC
via gpfans.comLando Norris apologises to Franco Colapinto after BakuLando Norris has expressed regret to Franco Colapinto following comments made after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Norris acknowledged that he got caught up in 'the heat of the moment' during his post-race remarks.
gpfans.com+ 1 moreThu 1 Oct · 15:56 UTC
via RaceFansNorris calls for “respect and humility” after “death threats” on social media | Formula 1Lando Norris has spoken out against the death threats he received on social media following his collision with Franco Colapinto during a recent race. He expressed that such threats are unacceptable and called for respect and humility in the sport.
Norris also apologised to Colapinto for his critical comments after the incident, where he suggested that Colapinto did not deserve to compete in Formula 1. He emphasised that while he usually maintains composure, the situation had pushed him to react strongly.
RaceFansThu 1 Oct · 14:04 UTC
via espn.comNorris calls for action to tackle online abuseLando Norris has urged Formula 1 and social media platforms to take stronger measures against online abuse following a backlash he faced after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. After suggesting that Alpine driver Franco Colapinto should be banned for a collision, Norris was inundated with negative messages, prompting him to publicly apologise on Instagram.
In his comments, Norris acknowledged the need for better management of online discourse, particularly regarding extreme reactions like death threats. Colapinto, who accepted the apology, expressed surprise at Norris' public criticism, noting that both drivers have experienced the negative side of fan interactions. He emphasised the importance of being mindful of the impact of words on social media.
espn.comThu 1 Oct · 13:41 UTC
via Formula1.comNorris apologises to Colapinto for Baku commentsLando Norris has publicly apologised to Franco Colapinto following his strong criticism of the Alpine driver after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Norris clarified that he felt it was important to address his comments, which he initially expressed privately.
Formula1.com+ 1 moreThu 1 Oct · 11:37 UTC
via lightsoutblog.com2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: Milestones and F1 Records Which Could Be BrokenThe 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, taking place at Sepang International Circuit, marks a significant return for Formula 1 to Malaysia after a nine-year hiatus. This race will be the 1,165th in World Championship history and the first time a country has hosted another country's F1 race since 2006. Notably, it is also the fourth F1 race ever held on October 4, with twelve drivers on the grid making their debut at this circuit.
Several records are on the line during the event, including Lando Norris aiming for his 50th podium finish, which would place him among the top British drivers. Lewis Hamilton could break the pole position record at Sepang, while Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso have a chance to match Felipe Massa's record for sixth place finishes. Additionally, a victory for Max Verstappen would mark his 11th consecutive season with a win, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.lightsoutblog.comThu 1 Oct · 10:56 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.f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 06:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar has realised Liam Lawson was right about Max Verstappen after joining Red BullIsack Hadjar has expressed his admiration for Max Verstappen after joining Red Bull Racing, echoing Liam Lawson's sentiments about the four-time world champion. Hadjar feels fortunate to be racing alongside Verstappen, describing him as a kind and supportive teammate who provides invaluable guidance early in his career.
Despite the challenges of competing against Verstappen, Hadjar is grateful for the opportunity and acknowledges the difficulty of the current Formula 1 landscape. Red Bull has confirmed that Hadjar will remain with the team for the 2027 season, making him only the second driver since 2018 to spend two or more seasons alongside Verstappen.f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 06:00 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.Motorsport.comWed 30 Sep · 19:56 UTC
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson points out Red Bull truth after surprise super-sub appearancesLiam Lawson served as a super-sub for Red Bull during the Dutch, Italian, and Spanish Grands Prix, filling in for the injured Isack Hadjar. In his three races, Lawson managed to score points on two occasions, achieving a best finish of seventh at the Zandvoort circuit, where Red Bull was the fourth-best team.
Despite his strong performances, Lawson clarified that these did not alter his standing within the Red Bull driver ecosystem. He confirmed that he was not slated to drive the RB22 in 2026 and emphasized that his recent races did not change his outlook or opportunities for the upcoming season.RacingNews365Wed 30 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via PlanetF1RUMOURLawson backed to keep Racing Bulls seat despite Tsolov rumoursLiam Lawson is expected to retain his seat with Racing Bulls for the 2027 Formula 1 season, despite speculation regarding a potential replacement by Nikola Tsolov. James Hinchcliffe believes Lawson's impressive performance this season, where he scored the majority of the team's 83 points, justifies his position in the team.
Lawson has demonstrated his capabilities by scoring points in two of his three races with Red Bull, earning praise from team principal Laurent Mekies. Although Red Bull has decided to continue with Isack Hadjar next season, Hinchcliffe and fellow pundit Alex Brundle express confidence that Lawson will remain with Racing Bulls, highlighting his growth as a driver and strong performances throughout the season.PlanetF1Wed 30 Sep · 17:55 UTC
via Motorsport.comF1 pundit says drivers are "complicit" if they stay silent on fan abuseFormula 1 broadcaster Will Buxton has stated that drivers who do not publicly denounce toxic online abuse from their supporters are 'complicit' in its continuation. His comments follow backlash faced by Lando Norris after he suggested that Franco Colapinto should be banned from racing due to a crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which resulted in multiple drivers retiring from the race.
Buxton emphasised the responsibility of public figures, particularly athletes, to address abusive rhetoric from their fanbases. He noted that while Colapinto had previously condemned such behaviour, he had not done so recently, and called for drivers to take a stand against their fans' abusive comments to demonstrate their commitment to ending such conduct.Motorsport.comWed 30 Sep · 16:04 UTC
via Motorsport.comAlex Brundle questions McLaren F1 upgrade after Azerbaijan GP disappointmentF1 TV pundit Alex Brundle has raised concerns about McLaren's recent upgrade package following a disappointing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite the team arriving with significant upgrades, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced incidents that left them without points, prompting Brundle to question the structural integrity of the new components.
Brundle highlighted that while the zero points finish may not reflect the upgrades' potential, the physical fragility of the parts is alarming. He warned that if the upgrades cannot withstand the rigours of racing, they may end up being discarded, which would be a significant setback for the reigning champions.Motorsport.comWed 30 Sep · 14:16 UTC
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…newsonf1.comWed 30 Sep · 07:44 UTC
Wikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Perez warns F1 rules are becoming dangerousSep.30 (GMM) Sergio Perez has re-joined the ongoing criticism of Formula 1’s new-generation regulations, warning that extreme speed differences caused by energy management are now becoming a real safety concern. The Cadillac driver told Sport1 that he narrowly avoided a major accident while defending from Liam Lawson in Baku. “Above all, we need to closely…newsonf1.comWed 30 Sep · 07:44 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLaurent Mekies reveals whether Liam Lawson ever had a chance of getting Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull seatIsack Hadjar has officially secured a new contract with Red Bull ahead of his return from injury at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite missing three races due to a wrist fracture, Hadjar's strong performance earlier in the season, including a podium finish and a 100% qualifying record, led to the team's confidence in him. Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's team principal, confirmed that Liam Lawson's temporary stint in the car did not affect their decision regarding Hadjar's future.
Mekies emphasized that Hadjar's development and performance were the primary considerations for the team. He noted that Lawson was a strong alternative but that Red Bull was satisfied with Hadjar's progress and improvement alongside Max Verstappen. Hadjar's contract extension positions him as Verstappen's second-longest-serving teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left in 2018, highlighting the team's commitment to his growth in the upcoming season.f1oversteer.comWed 30 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comArvid Lindblad reflects on collision with Liam LawsonArvid Lindblad has spoken about his collision with Liam Lawson during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stating that he has learned from the incident. The Racing Bulls teammates were involved in a controversial moment during the safety car restart.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreTue 29 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen clarifies his comments about F1 becoming ‘easier’ after Liam Lawson disagreedMax Verstappen expressed his views on the 2026 Formula 1 cars, stating they are 'numb' to driver inputs, which he believes makes it easier for drivers to find their limits. This comment came after Liam Lawson, who recently replaced Isack Hadjar, performed impressively in qualifying, being only 0.115 seconds slower than Verstappen. Verstappen's remarks have sparked debate, particularly as Lawson disagreed, arguing that adapting to the new car was not straightforward due to the complexities introduced by new energy management protocols.
Verstappen further elaborated that the current cars favour a cautious driving style, allowing many drivers to achieve similar lap times. He noted that the small gaps in qualifying times this year, with seven out of eleven driver pairings within two-tenths of a second, support his theory that the cars do not reward the fastest drivers as much as before. This marks a significant change from the previous year, where the average gap between teammates was larger.f1oversteer.comTue 29 Sep · 19:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLiam Lawson's Baku speed trap data proves Laurent Mekies should admit defeat over Red Bull's engineLiam Lawson's impressive speed trap performance in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has raised questions about Laurent Mekies' ongoing challenges to the ADUO findings, which state that Red Bull has the best engine on the grid. Lawson clocked a top speed of 349.4 km/h, highlighting Red Bull's engine dominance despite Mekies' claims that they do not have an advantage over Mercedes.
The article discusses how Red Bull's development has been hampered compared to competitors like Mercedes and Ferrari, who are introducing power upgrades. While Mekies disputes the ADUO results, the evidence from Baku suggests that Red Bull's engine is indeed strong. The next review of the ADUO findings will occur after the United States Grand Prix, which could further impact Red Bull's standing.f1oversteer.comTue 29 Sep · 18:00 UTC