News1238 stories
RSS ↗
via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton "much happier" with Ferrari after difficult FridayLewis Hamilton improved his qualifying position to fifth for the Dutch Grand Prix after making adjustments to his Ferrari following a challenging sprint qualifying session where he finished seventh. He expressed satisfaction with the car's performance and confidence in his setup, indicating a positive outlook for the race ahead.
Charles Leclerc, who qualified sixth, acknowledged that Ferrari's earlier performance may not have accurately reflected their potential. Both drivers are optimistic about their race pace, believing they can compete effectively against their rivals, with Hamilton emphasizing the importance of strategy and tire management for the upcoming race.
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen: Smaller team-mate gaps are down to "easier" cars as Andrea Stella disagreesMax Verstappen expressed that the smaller gaps between team-mates in the 2026 Formula 1 season are due to the easier handling of the new cars. He noted that during the Dutch Grand Prix, both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda performed admirably, showcasing the reduced differences in qualifying times among drivers. Verstappen believes this trend of close competition has been evident throughout the season, with drivers often separated by mere tenths of a second.
In contrast, Andrea Stella, the McLaren team principal, disagreed with Verstappen's assessment, arguing that the current cars remain challenging to drive. He pointed out that the new power unit regulations have introduced additional complexities, making it difficult for drivers to predict car behavior. Stella emphasized that despite advancements in handling, the chassis-related challenges persist, making the cars less forgiving compared to their predecessors.
via the-race.comWhat Verstappen thinks Red Bull substitutes have exposed about F1Max Verstappen expressed concerns that the strong performances of stand-in drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda at the Dutch Grand Prix suggest that Formula 1 has become easier in 2026. He noted that the gaps between drivers have narrowed significantly, indicating that the current cars allow for less differentiation in performance. Lawson's qualifying times were notably close to Verstappen's, raising questions about the skill required to extract maximum performance from the cars this season.
In contrast, McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella argued that the 2026 cars are actually more challenging to drive. He highlighted issues such as low grip and inconsistent power unit behavior, which complicate the driving experience. Stella emphasized that while drivers may have adapted to some of these challenges, the unpredictability of the cars still makes it difficult to achieve consistent performance, suggesting that the skill required to drive effectively has not diminished.
via Formula1.comWhat the teams said – Sprint day and Qualifying in the NetherlandsThe article discusses the performances of various teams and drivers during the Sprint and Qualifying sessions ahead of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. Lando Norris of McLaren achieved pole position after a strong Qualifying session, while George Russell from Mercedes won the Sprint race, showcasing his ability to manage tires effectively. Both teams expressed their strategies and challenges faced during these sessions, particularly regarding tire degradation and car performance.
Additionally, Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli highlighted their efforts and the need for improvement in race pace. The article emphasizes the competitive nature of the field, with teams like Mercedes and Ferrari also in contention, setting the stage for an exciting race ahead.
via Formula1.comWhat the teams said – Sprint day and Qualifying in the NetherlandsThe article discusses the performances of various teams and drivers during the Sprint and Qualifying sessions ahead of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. Lando Norris of McLaren achieved pole position after a strong Qualifying session, while George Russell from Mercedes won the Sprint race, showcasing his ability to manage tires effectively. Both teams expressed their strategies and challenges faced during these sessions, particularly regarding tire degradation and car performance.
Additionally, Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli highlighted their efforts and the need for improvement in race pace. The article emphasizes the competitive nature of the field, with teams like Mercedes and Ferrari also in contention, setting the stage for an exciting race ahead.
via PlanetF1Exposed: How Liam Lawson matched Max Verstappen on Red Bull returnLiam Lawson showcased impressive performance during the Dutch GP qualifying, closely matching teammate Max Verstappen's time despite being a less experienced driver. Telemetry data revealed that Lawson was able to adapt quickly to the RB22, showing significant improvements compared to his previous season. His ability to gain time in specific sectors highlighted his growing confidence and skill behind the wheel.
Despite finishing slightly behind Verstappen, Lawson's performance is seen as a positive sign for his future with Red Bull. The article emphasizes the importance of qualifying positions at Zandvoort, where overtaking is challenging. Lawson's results could have implications for his career, especially as the team awaits news on Isack Hadjar's fitness for the upcoming Monza race.
via espn.comHamilton: Car changes went in opposite directionLewis Hamilton discussed the impact of recent changes made to his Ferrari, stating that they negatively affected the car's performance, leading to a challenging qualifying session where he ended up fifth. Despite this setback, he remains hopeful about the race pace and believes they can compete with the frontrunners, including Lando Norris and George Russell.
Hamilton currently sits second in the drivers' championship, trailing Kimi Antonelli by 53 points. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, also faced difficulties during qualifying, attributing some of the performance loss to adjustments in their power strategy. Both drivers are looking to improve their performance in the upcoming race.
via F1iDutch GP: Saturday's action in picturesLando Norris had an impressive qualifying session at the Dutch Grand Prix, achieving pole position for the second time in a row. This event is part of the ongoing 2026 Formula 1 World Championship and took place at the Zandvoort circuit.
The article highlights the day's activities through a series of images, showcasing the excitement and competitive spirit of the qualifying rounds. It serves as a visual recap of the significant moments from Saturday's events at the Dutch GP.
via F1iLeclerc insists Ferrari ‘have got to work’ on SF-26’s qualifying paceCharles Leclerc has highlighted the need for Ferrari to enhance the SF-26's qualifying pace, as he finished sixth in qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix despite a strong second-place finish in the sprint race. He noted that Ferrari's performance tends to be better during races than in qualifying, which poses challenges, especially on a track like Zandvoort with limited overtaking opportunities. Leclerc emphasized that improving qualifying performance is not a straightforward task and requires more than just minor adjustments to the car's settings.
The unpredictable weather conditions, including intermittent rain, may provide a chance for Ferrari to capitalize on their race pace during the Grand Prix. Leclerc expressed that while he would welcome a chaotic race to improve his position, ideally, Ferrari would not need such circumstances to overcome their qualifying deficit. His comments reflect the ongoing challenges Ferrari faces in achieving a balanced performance across both qualifying and race scenarios.
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson makes 'to the world' claim after exorcising Red Bull demonsLiam Lawson has made a strong return to Red Bull, qualifying eighth for the Dutch Grand Prix, marking his best performance with the team. After being dropped early in the 2025 season, Lawson has since become a consistent points scorer, achieving a total of eight points finishes, including two sixth-place finishes in Monaco and Britain. His recent qualifying performance shows significant improvement compared to his earlier outings this season, where he struggled to place higher than 20th.
Reflecting on his comeback, Lawson believes that his recent performances demonstrate his true potential in Formula 1. He emphasized his focus on scoring points and gaining experience, stating that he feels more confident and prepared compared to his previous stint with the team. Lawson's resurgence has positioned him as a competitive driver, and he is eager to continue building on this momentum in future races.
via BBC SportNorris expects challenge after back-to-back polesLando Norris starts the Dutch Grand Prix from pole position, having achieved this despite a challenging sprint race where he finished behind George Russell. Norris is cautious about the upcoming race, recalling difficulties in maintaining pace during longer runs, and is preparing to address the balance between high and low-speed corner performance. Russell, who won the sprint, is focused on closing the gap to his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings, feeling more relaxed and less pressured after the summer break.
Russell's recent performances have shown improvement, as he has consistently outperformed Antonelli in practice sessions. Antonelli, while close in qualifying, expressed disappointment over his performance and acknowledged the need to maintain focus. The dynamics between the drivers and their teams will be crucial as they head into the race, with Norris aiming for another victory and Russell seeking to reignite his title challenge.
via espn.comAntonelli says mistakes are a 'wake-up call'Kimi Antonelli, the current leader in the drivers' championship, acknowledged that he made several mistakes during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, which he views as a crucial reminder to stay vigilant in his title chase. Despite these errors, he managed to extend his championship lead over Lewis Hamilton to 53 points, although he was outqualified by teammate George Russell on two occasions and finished third on the grid for the main race.
Antonelli explained that his mistakes stemmed from a combination of pressure and environmental factors, such as rain affecting his visibility. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff noted that both Antonelli and Russell showed similar performance levels, but Antonelli's errors cost him valuable qualifying time. Overall, Antonelli's experience this weekend serves as a lesson to maintain focus and consistency as he continues his pursuit of the championship.
via Formula1.comRussell ‘back in my groove’ after securing front-row startGeorge Russell expressed satisfaction after qualifying second for the Dutch Grand Prix, feeling he is 'back in my groove' following a challenging period. He narrowly missed pole position to Lando Norris, who delivered a strong final lap just as rain began to fall, showcasing his competitive edge in the session.
Kimi Antonelli, who qualified third, faced difficulties during qualifying, including a mistake that cost him valuable time. Despite his frustrations, he remains optimistic about the race, acknowledging the potential for improvement and competition among the top drivers.
via Formula1.comHamilton and Vasseur clash over Ferrari's Zandvoort issuesLewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc expressed differing views regarding Ferrari's performance during qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix. Hamilton criticized a specific issue he believed affected his chances, while Leclerc had a contrasting perspective on the team's changes.
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton blames Ferrari change for F1 Dutch Grand Prix disasterLewis Hamilton faced challenges during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, finishing seventh in sprint qualifying. He blamed a subtle change to his car's setup, which was made after practice, for his disappointing performance, as he struggled to keep pace with competitors like Max Verstappen. Despite this setback, Hamilton remains focused on improving his car's configuration for the upcoming qualifying session.
The adjustments made by Ferrari included a significant floor change, which raised questions from pundits about the impact of such modifications. Hamilton's team is considering reverting to a setup that had previously shown better results during practice, aiming to enhance their competitiveness in the race ahead.
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton reveals 'heart sunk' moment as Ferrari suffer car 'flip'Lewis Hamilton faced a challenging qualifying session at Zandvoort but managed to secure a fifth-place start for the Dutch Grand Prix. Initially positioned eighth, he improved his lap time significantly on his final attempt, expressing relief after a difficult weekend for both himself and Ferrari, who struggled with their SF-26 car's performance after a promising practice session.
Hamilton highlighted the impact of minor adjustments made to the car, which initially disrupted its balance. Despite the struggles, he remains optimistic about their race pace, suggesting that the team can perform better during the race compared to qualifying.
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri just broke one of Max Verstappen’s F1 records at the Dutch Grand PrixOscar Piastri achieved a significant milestone at the Dutch Grand Prix by breaking Max Verstappen's record for the highest Q3 appearance rate in Formula 1 history. Piastri qualified in P4, while his teammate Lando Norris took pole position, marking a competitive qualifying session at Zandvoort. With this achievement, Piastri has reached Q3 74 times out of 82 race weekends, resulting in a 90.24% success rate, surpassing Verstappen's previous record of 90.20%.
In addition to Piastri's accomplishment, the article highlights the Q3 appearance rates of other notable drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The current qualifying format, which began in 2006, complicates comparisons with drivers from earlier eras. Piastri's consistency in reaching Q3 is underscored, although he still has a way to go to match Hamilton's record of 104 pole positions.
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen jokes about George Russell after qualifyingMax Verstappen made a humorous remark regarding George Russell following a qualifying incident at the Dutch Grand Prix. The comment, shared via team radio, gained significant attention online.
via CrashLewis Hamilton makes Zandvoort F1 breakthrough after “starting again” for qualifyingLewis Hamilton experienced a significant turnaround in his performance during the qualifying session for the Dutch Grand Prix, securing a fifth-place start after previously struggling in the sprint race. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, finished second in the sprint, while Hamilton expressed renewed excitement for the race after feeling more confident with his Ferrari car during qualifying.
Despite his improved performance, Hamilton faced challenges with tire warm-up, which he believed hindered his ability to attack the track effectively. He acknowledged that other cars had better tire performance, contributing to his struggles in earlier sessions, but felt optimistic about the upcoming race.
via CrashLewis Hamilton makes Zandvoort F1 breakthrough after “starting again” for qualifyingLewis Hamilton experienced a significant turnaround in his performance during the qualifying session for the Dutch Grand Prix, securing a fifth-place start after previously struggling in the sprint race. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, finished second in the sprint, while Hamilton expressed renewed excitement for the race after feeling more confident with his Ferrari car during qualifying.
Despite his improved performance, Hamilton faced challenges with tire warm-up, which he believed hindered his ability to attack the track effectively. He acknowledged that other cars had better tire performance, contributing to his struggles in earlier sessions, but felt optimistic about the upcoming race.Page 15 of 62