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via f1oversteer.comF1 teams must not help Honda after seeing them dominate the sport with Max VerstappenHonda is facing significant challenges in the 2026 Formula 1 season, particularly with their partnership with Aston Martin, which has led to discussions about potential replacements for their underperforming engine. Rival teams have previously provided financial assistance to Honda, fearing their exit from the sport, but there is now caution about offering too much support due to Honda's history of dominance with Max Verstappen from 2021 to 2024.
As the F1 landscape prepares for a shift in engine regulations favouring internal combustion engines starting in 2027, there are concerns that if Honda receives additional backing, they could quickly regain their competitive edge. This has led to a divided opinion among teams, with some advocating for caution to prevent Honda from leveraging any support to become a dominant force once again.
via RaceFansJoshua Duerksen completes first F1 test with MercedesJoshua Duerksen has completed his first Formula 1 test with Mercedes, driving the team's 2025 car at the Portimão circuit. The Paraguayan driver covered 187 laps over two days, marking a significant milestone in his career.
via Formula1.comWhen is the earliest Antonelli could win the title?Kimi Antonelli is currently leading the Formula 1 drivers' standings with 292 points, significantly ahead of his closest rival, George Russell, by 81 points. With nine races left in the 2026 season, including a Sprint weekend, the maximum points available is 233. Antonelli's position is strong, but eight other drivers remain mathematically in contention for the championship.
For Antonelli to win the World Championship as early as Round 17 in Singapore, he must win the upcoming Azerbaijan and Bahrain Grands Prix, as well as both the Grand Prix and Sprint in Singapore, while Russell scores no points. If this scenario does not unfold, Antonelli could still clinch the title by Round 19 in Mexico, depending on their average race finishes.
via RacingNews365Toto Wolff warns Mercedes of challenging times aheadToto Wolff has cautioned that despite Mercedes' strong position in the Formula 1 championships, the team faces a 'demanding period' ahead. Wolff emphasised the importance of maintaining focus and not becoming complacent as the season progresses.
via Formula1.comFerrari’s aerodynamic edge that Mercedes tried to emulateMercedes attempted to implement Ferrari's flick tail mode exhaust during the recent event in Madrid, but ultimately decided to revert to their previous configuration used at Monza. This change was made after a brief trial period, indicating the challenges in adapting Ferrari's innovation to their own car.
Ferrari's flick tail mode exhaust has been a part of their design since pre-season testing and is known to provide an aerodynamic advantage. By partially blocking the exhaust outlet, it enhances airflow dynamics, which helps improve the performance of the car's rear wing and diffuser.
via f1oversteer.com‘Angry’ Fernando Alonso has been taunting Honda staff about joining ‘Toyota’ insteadFernando Alonso has been openly critical of Honda's performance this season, recalling his successful stint with Toyota in the World Endurance Championship. He has reportedly taunted Honda staff by suggesting that to win, he would need to race with Toyota, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two manufacturers.
Alonso's current season with Aston Martin has been disappointing, with only three points scored, marking his worst performance since his rookie year in 2001. Despite being the lead driver in qualifying, he has struggled to advance past Q2. Alonso's future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, as he weighs the impact of upcoming regulations against Honda's competitiveness.
via Motorsport.comDoriane Pin shares powerful advice to young girls hoping to reach motorsportDoriane Pin, the 2025 F1 Academy champion and a development driver for Mercedes, has shared empowering advice for young girls aspiring to enter motorsport. In a recent interview, she emphasised the importance of believing in oneself and pursuing racing ambitions with confidence.
Reflecting on her own journey, Pin encouraged girls to trust their instincts and dreams, stating that self-belief is crucial for achieving their goals. She highlighted her experiences in karting and various racing championships, illustrating that success is attainable with determination and self-trust.
via grandprix.comPin gives herself five years to reach an F1 race seatDoriane Pin, the Mercedes development driver and 2025 F1 Academy champion, has set a five-year goal to secure a seat in Formula 1. In a recent interview, she expressed her ambition to race at the highest level, highlighting the potential impact her success could have on aspiring female drivers.
Pin has already made significant strides, including completing her first Formula 1 test in April 2026, where she drove 76 laps in the Mercedes 2021 W12 at Silverstone. While she continues to pursue opportunities in racing outside of Formula 1, her focus remains on gaining more experience in an F1 car to enhance her chances of achieving her goal.
via f1oversteer.comHonda manager says Yuki Tsunoda must be ‘really disappointed’ with Racing Bulls performance in SpainYuki Tsunoda's performance at the Spanish Grand Prix was disappointing, as he finished in 14th place, his worst result while substituting for Racing Bulls. The driver faced significant challenges after sustaining damage from a collision with Carlos Sainz on the first lap, which hindered his pace throughout the race. Team boss Alan Permane noted that Tsunoda was losing time per lap due to the damage, resulting in a finish nearly 32 seconds behind his teammate Arvid Lindblad, who secured a ninth-place finish.
Honda's young driver manager, Shinji Nakano, expressed that Tsunoda should feel disappointed with his lack of one-lap pace, which affected his qualifying position. Despite the difficulties, Tsunoda had previously shown competitive potential, scoring a point at Monza. As Racing Bulls continue to compete for fifth place in the constructors' standings, there are reports of Tsunoda seeking a seat with Cadillac for the upcoming season.
via f1technical.netNorris and Verstappen reveal how Antonelli needs to approach the final leg of the seasonAndrea Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable 2026 Formula 1 campaign has earned praise from two of the sport’s most experienced current drivers, with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris both impressed by the way the young Mercedes driver has handled his championship challenge.
via f1technical.netAntonelli reveals how he keeps his feet on the ground amid championship successAndrea Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes driver, has had a stellar 2026 Formula 1 season, highlighted by his recent victory at the Spanish Grand Prix. He currently holds a commanding lead in the Drivers' Championship, significantly ahead of his teammate George Russell. Despite his success, Antonelli remains grounded, attributing his focus to the strong support system around him, particularly his father, who helps him stay humble and focused on his performance.
As the championship race intensifies, Antonelli is determined not to let the pressure of leading the standings affect his driving. He emphasizes the importance of concentrating on each race and extracting the best from himself and his car, rather than getting caught up in the championship implications. Antonelli's mindset is to keep things simple and avoid overthinking, allowing him to maintain his competitive edge as the season progresses.
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton’s former Mercedes engineer always knew he would be back to ‘200%’ in a ‘winning’ carLewis Hamilton has demonstrated significant improvement in the 2026 Formula 1 season, achieving 191 points with 10 races remaining, surpassing his total from the previous year. He has won a race and secured five podium finishes, marking a notable turnaround after a challenging 2025 season without a top-three finish. This progress is attributed to both Hamilton's driving style aligning better with the new cars and Ferrari's advancements with the SF-26.
Former Mercedes engineer Philipp Brandle noted that Hamilton tends to perform at his best when he has a competitive car, suggesting that his motivation has increased this year. Despite Hamilton's insistence that he always gives 100%, his performance at Ferrari indicates that he may unlock greater potential when contending for victories. With Ferrari positioned as serious challengers this season, Hamilton's commitment and performance could further elevate if the team provides a title-contending car in the future.
via PlanetF1Toto Wolff comments on George Russell's 2026 strugglesToto Wolff has acknowledged George Russell's difficulties in matching his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli during the 2026 Formula 1 season. Russell's performance has raised questions about his title aspirations as he continues to adapt to the competitive landscape.
via RacingNews365Mercedes reveal clever tactic to deceive F1 rivalsMercedes has revealed that it uses secret codes during races to communicate with its drivers, ensuring that their strategies remain undisclosed to rival teams. This tactic was notably employed during the recent Spanish Grand Prix, where Kimi Antonelli secured his eighth victory of the season, aided by the timing of a virtual safety car.
Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes' race-side engineering director, explained that the team discusses potential race interruptions beforehand and adjusts their plans accordingly. The use of secret codes, which are changed weekly, allows them to signal strategies without alerting competitors, as all communications can be monitored by other teams.
via Motorsport.com2025 F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin sets timeline for Formula 1 race seatDoriane Pin, the 2025 F1 Academy champion and current Mercedes Formula 1 development driver, has set a goal to secure a race seat in Formula 1 within the next five years. In a recent interview, she expressed her ambition to race in F1 and her belief that female drivers can achieve championship success, stating that her presence in the sport could inspire more women to pursue careers in motorsport.
Pin, who became the first woman to drive a Mercedes F1 car during a test at Silverstone, is also involved in other racing series, including the World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series. She is passionate about promoting diversity in motorsport, highlighting the need for more opportunities for women in the industry. Pin's aspirations follow a small group of female drivers who have participated in modern F1, including Susie Wolff and Jessica Hawkins.
via RacingNews365Baku low-drag mastery points to one F1 team to fear in Azerbaijan GPMercedes arrives in Baku with strong momentum from recent races, particularly excelling in low-drag setups that suit the Azerbaijan Grand Prix's demands. Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are highlighted as key drivers to watch, with the W17 car demonstrating an effective balance of downforce and speed, crucial for the long straights and tight corners of the Baku circuit.
In contrast, Red Bull's Max Verstappen has shown improvement, podiuming in four of his last five races, making them a credible threat. Meanwhile, McLaren is reallocating engineering resources to support Oscar Piastri, while Ferrari's performance is under scrutiny due to concerns over their straight-line speed, which could hinder their competitiveness in Baku.
via Motorsport.comMercedes and Aston Martin go head-to-head in charity football match: Here are the resultsStaff from Mercedes and Aston Martin faced off in an annual charity football match to raise funds for local and mental health charities. The match took place at Brackley Town Football Club, with Mercedes winning the men's game 3-1 and Aston Martin taking the women's game 2-1.
Mercedes donated proceeds to Helen & Douglas House, while Aston Martin supported Movember. The event followed the Spanish Grand Prix, where Mercedes continues to lead the constructors' standings, while Aston Martin struggles at the bottom of the table.
via gpfans.comF1 News Today: Hamilton escapes, Mercedes masterplan and Verstappen Le Mans statementLewis Hamilton has taken a break from the intense atmosphere at Ferrari, enjoying a mini world tour with girlfriend Kim Kardashian, which included stops in Paris, London, and a gala in Los Angeles. This comes as Mercedes continues to perform strongly in the season, aiming for both the drivers' and constructors' championships.
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin confirmed that upgrades for the W17 are expected soon, specifically for the upcoming race in Malaysia. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen's potential participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been highlighted, as there are no F1 races scheduled to clash with the event this year. Additionally, Aston Martin's Mike Krack has expressed concerns over Fernando Alonso's future, while Cadillac's Mark Walter faces legal troubles.
via RacingNews365Ferrari point to biggest factor behind missed F1 2026 chancesFerrari's team principal Fred Vasseur has acknowledged that the team's execution during race weekends has significantly impacted their performance in the 2023 Formula 1 season. With a current total of 358 points, Ferrari sits second in the constructors' championship, but they are 145 points behind Mercedes. Vasseur pointed out that both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have shown front-running pace but have failed to convert that into consistent results due to execution errors.
Vasseur highlighted that the new technical regulations and the addition of an 11th team have posed challenges for all teams, including Ferrari. He emphasised the need for the team to focus on improving their own performance rather than comparing themselves to competitors. Vasseur's comments reflect a commitment to addressing the internal issues that have led to missed opportunities this season.
via the-race.comWhat Mercedes' rivals got so badly wrong in F1 2026After a disappointing Spanish Grand Prix, both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes have acknowledged that the 2026 Formula 1 title race is effectively over, with Kimi Antonelli dominating the standings. Antonelli has secured eight victories in 14 races, leaving his rivals struggling to keep pace, with Hamilton and Russell both failing to win in their last six outings.
Ferrari's early-season potential has not translated into consistent performance, as they have been outmaneuvered politically and technically. Meanwhile, McLaren's Lando Norris has shown promise with recent wins, but the team admits to having fallen behind in development. Looking ahead, both Ferrari and McLaren are under pressure to improve for the 2027 season, with McLaren planning significant changes to their car design.Page 10 of 38