News1238 stories
RSS ↗
via grandprix.comOcon future uncertain, boss denies Haas losing interestEsteban Ocon's position at Haas for the 2027 season is in jeopardy as the team faces a challenging 2026 campaign. Ocon has struggled to keep pace with teammate Oliver Bearman, and several potential candidates are being considered for his seat, including Leonardo Fornaroli and Yuki Tsunoda. Ocon attributes some of his performance issues to intermittent problems with the car, which the team is investigating.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu acknowledged that the team has not been able to keep up with the development pace of its competitors despite a strong start to the season. He confirmed that an upgrade is planned for the upcoming Monza race but cautioned against expecting significant improvements. Komatsu also refuted claims that team owner Gene Haas has lost interest in the sport, stating that Haas has been present at many races and remains focused on achieving better results.
via grandprix.comChampion Norris rejects party-boy imageLando Norris, the 2026 Formula 1 world champion, has addressed the misconceptions surrounding his lifestyle since winning the title. He acknowledges that while he has been seen socializing more, particularly during summer breaks, this does not detract from his serious approach to racing. Norris insists that he is still focused and prepared, despite the public's perception influenced by social media portrayals of his activities.
Norris also highlighted the challenges of fame, particularly the intrusive nature of paparazzi, which he finds violating. He defended his right to enjoy life as a young adult, stating that he can balance social activities with his professional commitments. Additionally, he clarified a specific incident where he was misrepresented in a photo, emphasizing how easily public opinion can be swayed by misleading images.
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen comments on Liam Lawson's performanceLiam Lawson's recent performance at the Dutch Grand Prix showcased a narrow time gap between him and teammate Max Verstappen. Verstappen noted that the current F1 cars have made it easier for drivers to compete closely.
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen hands Red Bull instruction after worst Dutch qualifyingMax Verstappen faced a challenging qualifying session for the Dutch Grand Prix, securing his worst starting position at Zandvoort in seventh place. Despite expectations that the circuit's characteristics would favor the Red Bull RB22, the team struggled, finishing as the fourth-fastest behind McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari. Verstappen, who is currently ill with the flu, expressed frustration over persistent balance issues that have affected the car's performance throughout the season.
Verstappen highlighted that the adjustments made by Red Bull did not yield the desired improvements, and he indicated that the layout of Zandvoort is not ideal for their car. He called for the team to work on resolving these balance issues to enhance competitiveness. The situation marks a significant contrast to last year's performance, where Verstappen was able to dominate, indicating a shift in the team's fortunes this season.
via Motorsport Week‘Game on’: George Russell hints at Mercedes ‘pressure’ plot for Lando Norris in Dutch GPGeorge Russell is preparing to challenge Lando Norris at the Dutch Grand Prix after qualifying second, just behind Norris, who secured pole position. Russell, who previously won the Sprint race, is optimistic about Mercedes' performance, especially with teammate Kimi Antonelli starting in third, allowing them to strategically pressure Norris during the race.
Russell also commented on the unexpected performance of Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, who qualified fifth and sixth, respectively. He believes that Mercedes' car is better suited for the high tyre degradation expected at Zandvoort, which could play a crucial role in the race outcome.
via F1iWolff acknowledges Verstappen's Red Bull commitmentToto Wolff acknowledged Max Verstappen's decision to remain with Red Bull as sensible. Despite securing drivers for the coming years, Wolff has not completely dismissed the idea of pursuing Verstappen in the future.
via RaceFansLawson pleased with “good lap” after qualifying a tenth off Verstappen on return | Formula 1Liam Lawson returned to Red Bull and qualified just one tenth of a second behind teammate Max Verstappen, expressing his satisfaction with the performance. This marks a significant improvement from his previous stint with the team, where he struggled to match Verstappen's pace.
Last year, Lawson was dropped after two races, with his final qualifying time being 0.75 seconds slower than Verstappen's. For the upcoming grand prix, both Red Bull drivers will occupy the fourth row of the starting grid, indicating a competitive position for the team.
via Motorsport.comF1 2026 qualifying head-to-head: Dutch GPThe article provides an overview of the qualifying results from the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, focusing on the head-to-head records of team-mates across various teams. It highlights key performances, including Lando Norris securing pole position and the qualifying statistics for drivers like Valtteri Bottas, George Russell, and Max Verstappen.
Additionally, the article details the qualifying outcomes for each team, noting instances where drivers faced technical issues or did not set a lap time. The statistics are presented to give insight into the competitive landscape of the current Formula 1 season.
via RacingNews365George Russell hails 'really important' boost in positive summer break returnGeorge Russell has made a strong return from the summer break, qualifying second for the Dutch Grand Prix after winning the Sprint race. He expressed satisfaction with his performance, despite narrowly missing out on pole position to Lando Norris, who had the fastest lap in qualifying. Russell's recent struggles made this positive outcome particularly significant for him.
Feeling rejuvenated, Russell highlighted the importance of regaining his confidence and enjoying the driving experience at Zandvoort. He noted that the cooler temperatures contributed to better track conditions, enhancing the overall driving experience. Russell is eager to compete in the race and continue building on this momentum.Wikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Lando Norris dominates at ZandvoortLando Norris has secured the lead in both qualifying and the race at Zandvoort. He overtook competitors Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri during these events.
via espn.comNorris: 'Nothing we can do' on struggling McLarenLando Norris expressed disappointment with his McLaren's performance ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, stating it is not competitive enough to contend for the title. Despite finishing third in the sprint race, he highlighted significant struggles in slow-speed corners, which hindered his ability to challenge for a better position. Norris is currently fifth in the championship standings, trailing the leader by 91 points, and acknowledged that while recent upgrades have improved his car, more is needed to be a serious contender for the championship.
Norris's comments reflect a broader concern within McLaren regarding their competitiveness, particularly on circuits with more slow-speed corners. He noted that the Zandvoort track layout has further revealed the limitations of their car. While he remains hopeful for the future, he recognizes the challenges ahead and the need for continued development to improve their standing in the championship race.Wikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Kimi Antonelli takes lead in Zandvoort qualifyingKimi Antonelli showcased strong performance at Zandvoort, leading both the qualifying session and the race. He successfully overtook competitors Lando Norris and Nico Hulkenberg during the events.
via gpfans.comFIA announce Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen penalty verdicts at Dutch Grand PrixThe FIA announced that Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and three other drivers will not face penalties despite breaching the International Sporting Code during the Dutch Grand Prix sprint. The drivers stopped their cars before reaching Safety Car Line 1, which violated race director's competition notes, but the stewards deemed their actions safe given the circumstances at the grid.
The decision was made after reviewing in-car video evidence, and the stewards concluded that the drivers acted appropriately under the conditions. As a result, all five drivers involved escaped punishment for their infractions during the event.
via F1iLeclerc admits Sprint race tyre gamble was ‘right or wrong’ choiceIn the Sprint race at Zandvoort, Charles Leclerc took a strategic risk by starting on soft tyres, a decision that ultimately paid off as he secured second place. This gamble was notable as most drivers chose medium tyres, and Leclerc's successful overtake of Lando Norris on lap 18 highlighted the effectiveness of Ferrari's strategy. Leclerc acknowledged the high stakes of being the only driver on a different tyre strategy, reflecting on the importance of making bold choices in racing.
The result was a positive indication for Ferrari as they resumed the championship after the summer break, with Leclerc expressing confidence in the car's performance. In contrast, Lewis Hamilton faced challenges, finishing sixth and struggling to optimize his car's capabilities. He voiced his frustrations about the difficulty of overtaking at the circuit, suggesting that adjustments would be necessary for future races.
via thejudge13.comPenalties in Zandvoort from surprise infringementsIn Zandvoort, both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton faced scrutiny from the stewards for not reaching the grid under their own power due to heavy congestion. However, the stewards decided against penalties for either driver after reviewing the circumstances. Carlos Sainz also escaped major sanctions for an overtaking infringement during the formation lap, receiving only a reprimand as he was already set to start from the pit lane due to a car setup change.
Looking ahead, Kimi Antonelli will incur engine penalties at the upcoming Monza race, starting from the back of the grid. This decision comes after a series of reliability issues with Mercedes' new powertrain, which have affected Antonelli's performance. The Zandvoort circuit, which is being retired, has raised concerns about its capacity for exciting racing, as highlighted by Verstappen's comments on the difficulty of overtaking during the Sprint.
via Motorsport WeekPayton Westcott claims first F1 Academy victoryPayton Westcott achieved her first victory in the F1 Academy during the reverse-grid race at the Dutch Grand Prix. Her performance was marked by a strong lead throughout the event.
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton expecting overhaul after 'subtle' change ruins FerrariLewis Hamilton expressed disappointment after finishing seventh in the Dutch Grand Prix Sprint, attributing his struggles to a subtle change in his Ferrari's setup that occurred after a promising practice session. Despite feeling comfortable initially, the adjustments made before qualifying led to a poor performance in the race, where he could only secure two points and fell further behind in the championship standings.
Hamilton is optimistic about the upcoming opportunity to adjust his car's setup due to the reopening of parc ferme regulations, which would allow him to revert to a configuration that worked well during practice. He aims to capitalize on this chance to improve his performance in the main race and regain competitiveness against championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
via Motorsport WeekCharles Leclerc spies key Lando Norris weakness during Zandvoort SprintIn the recent Dutch Grand Prix Sprint, Charles Leclerc secured second place after overtaking Lando Norris late in the race. Leclerc, who started from third, capitalized on Norris's energy deployment issues to make his move on Lap 18, finishing just two seconds behind pole-sitter George Russell. Leclerc's strategy involved starting on soft tyres, a choice he was surprised worked well throughout the race despite initial concerns about their performance later on.
Leclerc's successful overtake and tyre strategy highlight his tactical approach during the race. He acknowledged the risks associated with his decision to use soft tyres, which ultimately paid off, allowing him to gain a position despite a less-than-ideal start. Meanwhile, Oliver Bearman, who also started on soft tyres, managed to improve his position but finished further down the order in P15.
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri ‘surprised’ Jolyon Palmer with what he saw during F1 Sprint at the Dutch Grand PrixJolyon Palmer admits he was “surprised” by how Oscar Piastri performed for McLaren during the F1 Sprint at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, after finishing ...
via Motorsport.com"Either very right or very wrong" – Charles Leclerc explains Ferrari's bold choice for Dutch GP sprintIn the Dutch GP sprint race, Charles Leclerc managed to finish in second place after starting on soft tyres, a choice that raised concerns for him before the race. He successfully overtook Lando Norris on lap 18, showcasing Ferrari's strong race pace despite their ongoing struggles with qualifying performance. Leclerc emphasized that while the team performed well in race conditions, they still need to address their qualifying weaknesses, which he believes are not easily fixed.
Leclerc's decision to use soft tyres was based on data from practice sessions, and he noted that the strategy was a collaborative effort with the team. He acknowledged that overtaking would be challenging at Zandvoort, making qualifying positions crucial for success in the race.Page 16 of 62
