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via RacingNews365Max Verstappen hails Red Bull response after pointed criticismMax Verstappen praised Red Bull's impressive recovery during the Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza, where he secured a third-place finish. This came after a difficult start, marked by balance issues and a lack of pace during practice sessions, and a disappointing performance at Zandvoort where he crashed out early in the race.
Despite the podium result, Verstappen pointed out that the team still faces challenges, particularly in competing against Mercedes-powered cars on the long straights of Monza. He acknowledged the significant turnaround from Friday to Saturday but emphasized that further improvements are necessary for the car's performance.
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen's "wholesome" Monza moment with Kimi Antonelli's father goes viral: "Class act"Max Verstappen was praised for a heartwarming interaction with Marco Antonelli, the father of Kimi Antonelli, after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The moment, which went viral on social media, featured Verstappen congratulating Antonelli Sr. before Kimi celebrated his victory, marking a significant achievement as he won from 19th on the grid.
Kimi Antonelli's win at Monza has solidified his position at the top of the drivers' standings, now holding a 66-point lead over George Russell. Lewis Hamilton trails in third place, 76 points behind Antonelli. The podium celebration was particularly special for Antonelli, who expressed his joy at winning in front of his home crowd.
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen Commends Loek Hartog for Heroic Life-Saving ActMax Verstappen has expressed admiration for Loek Hartog's courageous actions during a recent incident in Shanghai. The Red Bull driver highlighted Hartog's role in saving the life of a rival driver, calling it 'unbelievable'.
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton claims he was blocked from joining Ferrari years earlier due to ‘veto’Lewis Hamilton revealed that he was prevented from joining Ferrari earlier in his career due to Fernando Alonso's veto rights during the time when Stefano Domenicali was team principal. Hamilton had discussions with Domenicali but felt that Alonso's position as the number one driver at Ferrari hindered his potential move, leading to a lingering 'what if' scenario for him until he finally joined the team in 2025 after a long tenure with McLaren and Mercedes.
In the current season, Hamilton's relationship with Ferrari's team principal Fred Vasseur has been crucial in his integration into the team. Despite Hamilton's championship aspirations, he noted that both he and Charles Leclerc are given equal opportunities, which has led to competitive racing between them. The dynamics within Ferrari have shifted since Alonso's era, with Vasseur aiming to maintain parity in the driver lineup.
via Formula1.comLindblad pleased with ‘damage limitation’ for Racing BullsArvid Lindblad expressed satisfaction with Racing Bulls' performance at the Italian Grand Prix, where he and teammate Yuki Tsunoda secured a double points finish. Despite Alpine's strong qualifying performance, with Pierre Gasly starting from pole, the race outcome allowed Racing Bulls to maintain their fifth position in the Teams' Championship standings, ahead of Alpine by 13 points. Lindblad's consistent scoring in recent races has bolstered the team's confidence as they continue to compete for the best of the rest title this season.
Tsunoda, who faced challenges during qualifying, managed to recover during the race and contribute to the team's points. He acknowledged the difficulties he faced but was pleased to bring points back to Racing Bulls after a break from racing. Lindblad highlighted the team's strong car performance, particularly in corners, despite Alpine's speed advantage on straights, indicating optimism for future races.
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen claims broken Italian Grand Prix track nearly put him out of the raceMax Verstappen secured a podium finish at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing third after a competitive race at Monza. He faced challenges from Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, with Antonelli ultimately taking the victory after starting from 19th position. Verstappen led for several laps but struggled with track conditions and the pace of his competitors, particularly in the final stages of the race.
During the race, a Virtual Safety Car was deployed due to an incident involving Lance Stroll, which interrupted the battle for positions. Verstappen noted difficulties with the track surface, which nearly caused him to lose control of his car. Despite these challenges, he managed to secure third place, highlighting the intense competition and the strategic elements of the race.
via Formula1.comVerstappen Highlights Red Bull's Deployment Issue at MonzaMax Verstappen secured a third-place finish at the Italian Grand Prix after starting from fifth. He noted that a deployment issue with his Red Bull car affected his performance during the race.
via RacingNews365Yuki Tsunoda point-scoring result under threat as investigation launchedYuki Tsunoda's 10th place finish at the Italian Grand Prix is currently under scrutiny as he faces an investigation regarding a starting infringement. The incident occurred after a red flag period, during which Tsunoda mistakenly lined up in the wrong grid position, prompting race control to abort the start to correct the lineup.
The outcome of the investigation could impact Tsunoda's ability to retain the point he earned for finishing in 10th place. His hearing with the stewards is set for 17:45 local time, where the situation will be reviewed.
via theguardian.comKimi Antonelli Claims Historic Monza Victory for MercedesKimi Antonelli secured a remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix, overcoming a 19th-place start. This win marks the first home victory for Italy in Formula 1 in 60 years.
via gpfans.comSebastian Vettel returns to Red Bull and 'leaves surprise' for Max VerstappenSebastian Vettel made a notable return to Red Bull during the Italian Grand Prix on September 6, 2026, where he left a personal message for current champion Max Verstappen on his helmet visor. This visit marked Vettel's first appearance at Red Bull since his departure from the team in 2014 and his retirement from F1 in 2022. The gesture highlighted the camaraderie between the two drivers, with Vettel reminiscing about his time with the team and the legacy of their past successes.
In addition to his visit to Red Bull, Vettel drove Michael Schumacher's iconic F2002 Ferrari at Monza, an experience that stirred deep emotions for him. He reflected on his childhood admiration for Schumacher and the significance of the car in F1 history. The event served as a poignant reminder of Vettel's illustrious career and his connection to the sport's past, while also celebrating the ongoing achievements of Verstappen and Red Bull Racing.
via Motorsport WeekThe Aston Martin Monza Nightmare: Alonso’s Pit-Lane Start, Stroll’s 100th Q1 ExitAston Martin faced significant challenges during the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Lance Stroll marked a milestone with his 100th Q1 exit, while Fernando Alonso's participation was hindered by a serious power unit issue, forcing him to start the race from the pit lane. The team acknowledged that their performance was lacking, particularly in terms of raw speed, as Stroll qualified notably slower than competitors, including Cadillac, which is positioned at the back of the grid. Alonso highlighted the importance of power at Monza, contrasting it with other circuits where drivability improvements could be more beneficial.
Looking ahead, Alonso remains optimistic about the future, indicating that the team is already focusing on improvements for the 2027 season. He acknowledged the difficulties faced at Monza but emphasized the need to develop both the chassis and engine. Despite the disappointing results, Alonso paid homage to his early career mentor, Adrian Campos, showcasing a personal connection amidst the team's struggles. The overall sentiment suggests that Aston Martin is preparing for a challenging remainder of the season while aiming for better performance in the coming years.
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen reacts to insulting Pierre Wache nickname after Red Bull woes at MonzaMax Verstappen expressed frustration with his RB22, calling it a 'paper car' after a disappointing qualifying session at Monza, where he finished sixth. This comment led to Red Bull's technical director Pierre Wache being humorously nicknamed 'paper Wache,' highlighting the struggles the team has faced under new regulations since Wache took over from Adrian Newey. Verstappen acknowledged the ongoing issues but emphasized that the blame should not fall on a single individual, indicating a collective effort is needed to improve the car's performance.
Despite the challenges, team principal Laurent Mekies defended Wache, noting the advancements made with the power unit. Verstappen's remarks reflect a broader concern within the team as they aim to resolve persistent problems ahead of the upcoming races. With Verstappen's new contract extending until 2030, there is an expectation for significant improvements in the future, especially as the team seeks to regain its competitive edge.
via thejudge13.comHonda F1 engine upgrade deemed a failureAston Martin's performance at the Dutch Grand Prix showed some improvement, with Fernando Alonso finishing ninth and securing points for the team. However, issues with the Honda engine led to Alonso starting from the pit lane at Monza after qualifying difficulties, while teammate Lance Stroll set an unfortunate record by being eliminated from Q1 for the 100th time. The speed differences between Aston Martin and competitors using Mercedes engines were significant, raising concerns about Honda's upgrades.
As the teams prepare for the Monza race, Pirelli forecasts a one-stop strategy as the most effective approach, with various tire options being considered. Red Bull's decision to alter their rear wing setup without FIA approval adds to the intrigue surrounding the race weekend. Overall, the situation highlights the challenges faced by Aston Martin and the competitive dynamics within the F1 grid.
via gpfans.comFIA announce pit lane start for F1 champion at Italian Grand PrixFernando Alonso, the two-time F1 world champion, will begin the Italian Grand Prix from the pit lane after the FIA confirmed he took new engine components beyond his allowed quota. This decision follows ongoing power struggles with his Aston Martin AMR26, attributed to issues with the Honda power unit. Alonso had qualified in 21st place, just ahead of his teammate Lance Stroll, but faced technical difficulties that prevented him from completing a final qualifying run.
Additionally, Liam Lawson will join Alonso in starting from the pit lane due to a significant grid penalty for power unit changes. The race is set to take place on September 6, 2026, with Pierre Gasly starting from pole position. The Aston Martin team made efforts overnight to rectify the problems with Alonso's car in preparation for the race.
via CrashHonda issue that wrecked Fernando Alonso’s Monza F1 qualifying revealedFernando Alonso faced a challenging qualifying session at the Monza Grand Prix, as an engine issue detected by Honda led to a shortened performance. He managed only one flying lap, which was enough to outpace his teammate Lance Stroll, but both Aston Martins finished at the bottom of the grid. Alonso's car will start from the pit lane due to overnight repairs following the qualifying incident.
In addition to Alonso's struggles, Lance Stroll made history by becoming the first driver to reach 100 Q1 eliminations. Both drivers and their team acknowledged the difficulties of the Monza circuit, with Alonso expressing a need for better tracks to improve their performance in future races.
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen in brutal dig as Red Bull struggle again: 'Less power than a Fiat Punto'Max Verstappen has expressed significant frustration with his Red Bull car's performance during the lead-up to the Italian Grand Prix, particularly after experiencing a power drop in practice. Despite recently signing a substantial contract extension with the team, he described his car's power as being inferior to that of a Fiat Punto, highlighting ongoing struggles with the vehicle's competitiveness under the new regulations emphasizing battery power usage.
Currently sitting sixth in the Drivers' standings, Verstappen's performance this season has been disappointing, as he trails the championship leader by a considerable margin. His qualifying position improved slightly due to a penalty for another driver, but the overall sentiment remains one of dissatisfaction with both the car and the regulatory changes affecting the sport.
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli explains 'weird feeling' after 'strict' Max Verstappen instructionKimi Antonelli faced a challenging qualifying session at the Italian Grand Prix, where he was tasked with providing a tow for teammate George Russell after receiving a grid penalty. Despite his efforts, Max Verstappen's actions nearly disrupted Mercedes' strategy, as he attempted to slow down and let Antonelli pass. Ultimately, Antonelli finished in 20th place, while Pierre Gasly took pole position ahead of Russell.
Reflecting on the session, Antonelli described it as a 'weird' experience, emphasizing the stress of adhering to team instructions and managing the cooldown lap without boost. He currently leads the championship by 59 points, highlighting his strong performance throughout the season despite the difficulties faced during qualifying.
via Motorsport WeekMax Verstappen blames car ‘failure’ for disappointing F1 Monza GP qualifying resultMax Verstappen has identified an unexpected issue that Red Bull will investigate following a tricky qualifying at the F1 Italian GP.
via f1oversteer.comFernando Alonso and Lance Stroll did exactly what Honda implored them not to do at Italian GPFernando Alonso and Lance Stroll openly criticized Honda's engine performance during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, despite warnings from Honda president Koji Watanabe to avoid such comments. Their remarks followed a disappointing showing at the Dutch Grand Prix, where the Spec 2 engine did not meet expectations, leading to concerns about the partnership between Honda and Aston Martin.
Both drivers acknowledged the need for improvements, with Alonso highlighting a significant power deficit and Stroll pointing out that while the chassis is acceptable, the power is lacking. The ongoing criticism has put the relationship between the two parties on thin ice, with discussions of Aston Martin potentially seeking alternative engine suppliers in the future.
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen makes surprise revelation: 'I deliberately held back'Max Verstappen has revealed that he has intentionally held back during races this season due to ongoing issues with his Red Bull car. He explained that these problems have altered his risk assessment, leading him to adopt a more cautious approach, especially when not competing for the championship. Verstappen's performance has been impacted by handling and reliability concerns, which have persisted throughout the season.
During qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen finished sixth, continuing a trend of frustration for him and the team. He acknowledged that while he strives to maximize his performance, the frequent setbacks have forced him to reevaluate his racing strategy. Despite his frustrations, he remains optimistic about the team's efforts to improve their situation.Page 11 of 31