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via gpfans.comRed Bull F1 star officially a free agent as rumours swirl over paddock switchA long-serving member of Red Bull's F1 outfit who played a key role in their Christian Horner/Max Verstappen glory years is now officially a free agent.
Wed 9 Sep · 08:45 UTC
via BBC SportMcLaren talks, 'numb' cars and being 'captain of the ship' - Verstappen Q&AMax Verstappen, the Red Bull driver, is currently reflecting on his 2026 season, where he has achieved five podium finishes but is still seeking his first victory. He recently signed a contract extension with Red Bull until 2030, although he acknowledges that performance issues with the car need to be addressed for future competitiveness. Verstappen has been candid about his frustrations with the current car's performance and the new engine regulations in Formula 1, expressing a desire for improvements in the coming years.
In addition to his F1 commitments, Verstappen has participated in endurance racing, notably the Nurburgring 24 Hours, where he experienced both success and disappointment due to a mechanical failure. He has engaged in discussions with other teams like McLaren but ultimately feels a strong connection to Red Bull, viewing it as his second family. Looking ahead, he is interested in competing in more endurance events, including Le Mans, ideally alongside experienced drivers like Fernando Alonso.
Wed 9 Sep · 05:06 UTC
via f1chronicle.comLiam Lawson Gets a Third Straight Red Bull Race in Madrid as Isack Hadjar’s Wrist Injury Drags OnLiam Lawson has been confirmed to race for Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, as Isack Hadjar continues to recover from a wrist injury. Hadjar's absence has now extended to three consecutive races, impacting his rookie season and the team's lineup strategy. Lawson's recent performances have shown improvement, qualifying closely behind Verstappen at Zandvoort and finishing seventh, contrasting with his earlier struggles in 2025 when he was dropped after two races.
The Madrid race presents a unique challenge as the new Madring circuit is unfamiliar to all drivers, potentially leveling the playing field. Lawson's ability to perform well in this race is critical, not only for immediate results but also for securing his position within the team moving forward. Meanwhile, Hadjar's recovery remains a focal point for Red Bull, as they navigate the implications of his absence on their championship standings.
Wed 9 Sep · 04:37 UTC
via f1chronicle.comJolyon Palmer questions Mercedes on Kimi Antonelli's leadKimi Antonelli has established a significant lead in the 2026 Formula 1 championship, holding a 66-point advantage over George Russell. Despite this, Mercedes has expressed that the title fight is not yet concluded.+ 1 moreWed 9 Sep · 04:35 UTC
via gpfans.comAdrian Newey is the only man who can save popular F1 star’s careerOscar Piastri, a driver for McLaren, has been struggling significantly since his last victory at Zandvoort in August 2025, failing to win any races in the past year. His performance has been notably inferior to that of his teammate Lando Norris, who has secured multiple wins, leading to concerns about Piastri's future in Formula 1 and with McLaren specifically. The article suggests that Piastri's best chance for a career revival may lie with Adrian Newey at Aston Martin, as other top teams are unlikely to consider him given his recent form.
The article highlights the challenges Piastri faces in securing a competitive seat, noting that his winless streak and the significant points gap between him and Norris raise red flags. It draws parallels with other drivers who have experienced similar declines, indicating that Piastri must take decisive action to avoid being relegated to mid-tier teams. The potential retirement of Fernando Alonso in 2027 could provide an opportunity for Piastri, but he must demonstrate his capabilities to attract attention from top-tier teams.Tue 8 Sep · 20:45 UTC
via gpfans.comWhy F1 legend Lewis Hamilton changed the name on his passport: 'I don't really believe in that'Lewis Hamilton has legally changed his name on his passport to include his mother's surname, Larbalastier, as a tribute to her. He expressed a strong bond with his mother and a desire to keep her name as part of his identity, stating that she is like a lucky charm for him. This change was first mentioned before the 2022 F1 season, and he has now confirmed its completion in 2026.
In addition to the name change, Hamilton has been making a concerted effort to travel more with his mother this season. She has accompanied him to several races, including those in Australia and China, and he has helped her gain confidence in her appearance. Their travels together have strengthened their relationship, and Hamilton is excited for her to join him at more races throughout the year.Tue 8 Sep · 19:45 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton 'too late' Ferrari verdict just put his boss firmly on the hotseatLewis Hamilton cut a defeated figure after the Italian Grand Prix as Kimi Antonelli extended his championship lead with a stunning victory from 19th on the grid.Tue 8 Sep · 17:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Franco Colapinto hands Alpine apology after Max Verstappen fightFranco Colapinto faced a challenging race at the Italian Grand Prix, where he initially restarted in fourth position following a red flag. During the race, he engaged in battles with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton but ultimately lost control of his car, resulting in a drop down the order. Despite recovering to finish ninth, Colapinto expressed regret for not securing a better result for his Alpine team, as he believed they could have scored more points.
Colapinto's performance marked his first points since Belgium, and he reflected on the experience of racing against top teams, emphasizing the motivation it provided him. He acknowledged the importance of learning from his mistakes and the frustration of missing out on a better finish while competing at the front of the grid.
Tue 8 Sep · 17:10 UTC
via Motorsport WeekMax Verstappen hands Red Bull ‘weakness’ assessment in untelevised Monza radio exchangeMax Verstappen secured a podium finish at the Italian Grand Prix, marking his third podium in four races. During a radio exchange with his team, he highlighted the evident weaknesses of the Red Bull car, particularly in terms of rear axle performance and straight-line speed compared to Mercedes-powered competitors. Despite these challenges, Red Bull's Team Principal praised Verstappen's strong race pace and overtaking skills throughout the event.
Verstappen's struggles were compounded by a rear axle issue that persisted from qualifying, affecting his ability to navigate bumps and low-speed corners effectively. He acknowledged the need for improvements in the car's performance, especially in straight-line deployment, while reflecting on a difficult previous race in Zandvoort. Overall, the team is aware of the areas requiring enhancement as they move forward in the season.
Tue 8 Sep · 17:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton told to 'accept the consequences' of Charles Leclerc attackLewis Hamilton faced criticism from former F1 driver David Coulthard regarding his racing tactics during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. After an aggressive move on Charles Leclerc, Hamilton was pushed into the gravel, resulting in a significant drop in his race position. Coulthard emphasized that Hamilton must accept the consequences of his actions, suggesting that Leclerc's maneuver was fair and within the rules of racing.
Despite Hamilton's frustration and calls for clearer ground rules from Ferrari, the stewards deemed the incident a racing one without penalties. Coulthard pointed out that Hamilton had the option to avoid the situation by choosing a different racing line, highlighting the inherent risks of racing on the outside.Tue 8 Sep · 16:20 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFerrari executives question Fred Vasseur's futureFerrari team principal Fred Vasseur is facing criticism following the team's performance at the Italian Grand Prix. Reports indicate that dissatisfaction among Ferrari executives has led to questions about his future with the team.
Tue 8 Sep · 15:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen radio messages prove Toto Wolff owes him an apology for 'done over' accusationMax Verstappen's radio communications during the qualifying session of the Italian Grand Prix have led to a reevaluation of Toto Wolff's accusations against him. Wolff claimed that Verstappen had hindered George Russell's chance at pole position, but analysis suggests that Russell's own actions were more to blame for his failure to secure the top spot. Pierre Gasly ultimately achieved pole, marking a significant milestone for both him and the Alpine team.
The situation escalated as Wolff expressed his frustration visibly, but further insights from F1 pundit Christijan Albers indicated that Verstappen was dealing with tire issues and had his own struggles during the session. In the end, Russell's performance was overshadowed by his teammate's success, and the incident highlighted the complexities of qualifying strategies in Formula 1.Tue 8 Sep · 14:00 UTCvia RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton snaps back at F1 media: 'I know what you're trying to do'After the Italian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton faced media questions regarding Ferrari's performance and team dynamics. He expressed frustration with a question about cultural issues within Ferrari, asserting that he is focused on helping the team improve rather than engaging in negative narratives. Hamilton finished sixth in the race, which has left him significantly behind in the championship standings, trailing leader Kimi Antonelli by 76 points.
Hamilton highlighted the need for better communication and operational changes within Ferrari to avoid repeating past mistakes. He mentioned that the team's struggles are painful and emphasized the importance of working together to achieve better results in future races. Hamilton's comments reflect his commitment to the team's success and his desire for constructive improvements moving forward.Tue 8 Sep · 12:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Pierre Gasly offers Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris boost in 'realistic' Alpine fightPierre Gasly made headlines by securing his first career pole position during the Italian Grand Prix, marking a significant achievement for both him and the Alpine team. Despite leading the race initially, he ultimately finished in seventh place, competing closely with drivers from McLaren and Ferrari throughout the event. Gasly's performance was seen as a positive indicator of Alpine's potential in future races, especially given the challenges of maintaining pace against faster competitors.
Reflecting on the race, Gasly expressed a realistic outlook, acknowledging the difficulties of staying at the front but also highlighting the positives from the weekend. He noted that the car's performance was the best he had experienced this season, and he is eager to analyze the data to build on this success in upcoming races. Gasly's insights suggest a focus on continuous improvement for the Alpine team as they strive for better results.Tue 8 Sep · 10:55 UTC
via espn.comLeclerc advice for Max vs 100 drivers: Don't crash!Max Verstappen is set to participate in a unique go-karting challenge where he will race against 100 drivers on September 16 at Silverstone. This event marks a return to his racing roots and will be broadcast live on Disney+. Fellow Formula 1 drivers, including Charles Leclerc and George Russell, have shared their thoughts on the challenge, with Leclerc advising competitors to avoid crashing into Verstappen due to his ongoing F1 season and Russell suggesting a tactical approach to keep Verstappen behind them.
The challenge is expected to be intense, as Leclerc acknowledged the difficulty of racing against one of the best drivers in the world. Verstappen, known for his aggressive driving style, is anticipated to navigate through the field from the back of the grid. The event will feature a mix of content creators and athletes, rather than solely professional racing drivers, adding an interesting dynamic to the competition.
Tue 8 Sep · 10:37 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton opens up on signing new Ferrari F1 contractLewis Hamilton has addressed speculation regarding a potential contract extension with Ferrari, indicating that his current deal is set to last until at least 2027, with an option to extend through 2028. This follows recent long-term contract signings by fellow drivers Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, fueling rumors about Hamilton's future with the team.
In a recent interview, Hamilton expressed his commitment to Ferrari and his desire to help the team improve. He discussed the challenges of implementing changes within the team, highlighting the need for a collective effort to adapt various components. Hamilton's influence has even extended to his teammate, Charles Leclerc, who has adopted some of the changes he proposed.Tue 8 Sep · 07:15 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCoulthard comments on Antonelli's Italian GP winDavid Coulthard expressed that Kimi Antonelli's win at the Italian Grand Prix would be perceived differently if it were achieved by a more established driver like Lewis Hamilton. Meanwhile, Hamilton himself was impressed by the performance of Mercedes during Antonelli's historic race.Tue 8 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via PlanetF1‘That one hurts’ – Lewis Hamilton apology in untelevised Italian GP team radioDuring the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Lewis Hamilton expressed disappointment over finishing sixth, stating 'that one hurts' in an untelevised team radio exchange. He apologized to Ferrari fans for not achieving a podium finish, especially after high expectations for the team at their home race. Hamilton's teammate Charles Leclerc crashed out early in the race, contributing to a challenging weekend for Ferrari.
Kimi Antonelli won the race, starting from 19th position, while Hamilton's performance left him significantly behind in the championship standings, now 76 points adrift of Antonelli. Hamilton also commented on the need for clearer rules of engagement within Ferrari, following a collision with Leclerc at the start of the race. Both drivers have secured one win each in the season, with ten races remaining.
Tue 8 Sep · 06:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya says Charles Leclerc’s ‘100%’ is still not enough to beat Lewis HamiltonIn the aftermath of the Italian Grand Prix, Juan Pablo Montoya expressed that Charles Leclerc's maximum effort is insufficient to surpass Lewis Hamilton in 2026. Leclerc faced a significant setback after crashing out early in the race, while Hamilton managed to secure a sixth-place finish, extending his lead in their internal competition and the overall standings. Montoya highlighted the need for Ferrari to make strategic decisions regarding their drivers as the season progresses.
Montoya also pointed out the tension between Leclerc and Hamilton, particularly following an incident where Hamilton accused Leclerc of aggressive driving. He emphasized that the pressure on Leclerc is mounting as Hamilton continues to perform strongly, suggesting that this dynamic could impact their teamwork and the team's overall performance in the championship.Tue 8 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via PlanetF1Untelevised Max Verstappen team radio emerges after Italian Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured a third-place finish at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, marking his third podium in four races. Despite briefly leading the race, he ultimately finished 11 seconds behind George Russell, highlighting Red Bull's struggles with straight-line speed and issues with the car's rear axle during the race. Verstappen's performance came after a challenging weekend at Zandvoort, where he retired early due to a mistake.
In a post-race exchange, Red Bull's Laurent Mekies noted a significant improvement in race pace, but Verstappen pointed out the team's ongoing weaknesses. He expressed frustration over the difficulties faced against the Mercedes cars, particularly in terms of defending his position. The team is aware of the areas needing improvement as they look to enhance their performance in future races.Tue 8 Sep · 05:23 UTCPage 29 of 60
