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via gpfans.com'Money and trust' - why Max Verstappen didn't sign for McLarenMax Verstappen has chosen to remain with Red Bull Racing, signing a record-breaking contract extension through to 2030. The decision was influenced by financial considerations, as McLaren reportedly could not match the salary offered by Red Bull, which is estimated at $107 million annually, potentially exceeding $500 million with bonuses. Additionally, trust in the Red Bull team, built over a decade, played a significant role in his choice to stay put.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher highlighted that the relationship between Verstappen and Red Bull is strong, and concerns about McLaren's use of Mercedes engines contributed to the decision. Schumacher also pointed out the risks associated with switching teams, referencing Lewis Hamilton's difficulties when he moved to Ferrari. As Verstappen secures his future, the F1 driver market remains dynamic, with several seats still unconfirmed for the 2027 season.
Thu 27 Aug · 19:58 UTC
via f1oversteer.comGuenther Steiner says there’s only one possible explanation for Oscar Piastri’s poor 2026 formOscar Piastri's performance in the 2026 Formula 1 season has significantly declined, with him now trailing teammate Lando Norris by 55 points after previously leading by 34 points. Guenther Steiner attributes this drop in form to the reduced role of Mark Webber in Piastri's setup, suggesting that Webber's presence was crucial to Piastri's success last season when their head-to-head results were level.
Steiner noted that while other elite drivers have adapted to changes in regulations, Piastri has struggled, possibly due to the absence of Webber at the track. Piastri has since reshuffled his management, which has led to speculation about the impact of this change on his performance. Despite these challenges, Piastri continues to build his experience, having recently completed his 80th race.
Thu 27 Aug · 18:30 UTC
via gpfans.comChristian Horner credited for keeping Verstappen at Red BullMax Verstappen has confirmed his decision to stay with Red Bull Racing. The team's former principal, Christian Horner, has been credited with influencing this choice.Thu 27 Aug · 17:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri addresses dispelled Max Verstappen to McLaren jeopardyPiastri highlighted his satisfaction with McLaren, noting the team's significant role in his early career successes, including two constructors' championships and race wins. While he refrained from committing to a long-term future with McLaren, he acknowledged the strong relationship he has developed with the team over the past three and a half years.
Thu 27 Aug · 17:10 UTC
via Motorsport.comMcLaren could rival Mercedes by end of 2026 seasonFormer Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer predicts that McLaren will become Mercedes' primary competitor by the conclusion of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Additionally, Alex Brundle has cautioned that Mercedes may face significant challenges if McLaren maintains its recent race-winning performance.
Thu 27 Aug · 17:00 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA to decide on McLaren and Red Bull's Monaco appealThe FIA has announced a timeline regarding the appeals from McLaren and Red Bull concerning Pierre Gasly's podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix. The outcome of these appeals will be determined by the FIA's International Court of Appeal.
+ 1 moreThu 27 Aug · 14:17 UTC
via Motorsport.comWhy McLaren must pass its Monza test before talking about an F1 title challengeMcLaren has recently regained competitive form in Formula 1 with two wins, but team principal Andrea Stella remains cautious about discussing a title challenge. He highlights the upcoming Monza race as a significant test for the team's car, the MCL40, which has shown strengths at high-downforce circuits but may struggle at Monza's high-speed layout. Stella emphasizes the importance of energy management and understanding the Mercedes power unit, areas where McLaren has previously lagged behind.
Stella's focus is on confirming the car's performance at Monza before making any bold predictions about the championship. He acknowledges that while McLaren has excelled in certain conditions, the unique demands of Monza will reveal whether the team can sustain its recent momentum. Until then, he prefers to take a race-by-race approach rather than jumping to conclusions about a title defense.Thu 27 Aug · 12:38 UTC
via racer.comAntonelli says Mercedes no longer has F1’s fastest carKimi Antonelli, the current championship leader, has acknowledged that Mercedes is no longer the fastest team in Formula 1 following Lando Norris' recent victories with McLaren. Antonelli emphasized the need for an upgrade package to help Mercedes regain its competitive edge, as he believes McLaren has made significant advancements in performance, especially since the Hungarian Grand Prix.
George Russell, Antonelli's teammate, won the Sprint race in Zandvoort and commented on the challenges of overtaking at the circuit. He expressed confidence in the team's efforts to improve their car and noted that McLaren's strengths on high-degradation circuits could pose a challenge for Mercedes in the upcoming races.
via gpfans.comCadillac F1 team eye Red Bull star as 'concrete talks' revealedCadillac is actively pursuing Craig Skinner, a former chief designer for Red Bull, as they expand their Formula 1 team. Skinner, who has a long history with Red Bull, was instrumental during their successful years, including Max Verstappen's championship wins. He was released from Red Bull in February 2026 and is currently on gardening leave, making him available for a new role.
In addition to Skinner, Cadillac is reportedly interested in Red Bull's chief engineer, Paul Monaghan, although his potential transfer remains uncertain. The talks with Skinner indicate Cadillac's serious intentions to strengthen their team as they enter the competitive F1 landscape.Thu 27 Aug · 09:57 UTC
via Motorsport.comWilliams collapses in F1 pecking order: ‘Aston is a different league right now’The Williams Formula 1 team is experiencing a significant decline in performance, now only outperforming Cadillac. After a promising start to the 2026 season, where they scored 11 points and placed eighth in the constructors' standings, the team has struggled to achieve better than 15th place in recent races, leading to frustrations among drivers Carlos Sainz Jr. and Alexander Albon. Albon highlighted the frequent blue flags they encounter, which hinder their racing efforts and contribute to their poor results.
Despite some optimism about the upcoming Monza and Baku races, both drivers remain skeptical about their chances of scoring points. Sainz pointed out issues with car setup consistency, while Albon noted that the characteristics of Monza could suit their car. Currently, Williams sits ninth in the standings, trailing Audi and Aston Martin, indicating a challenging season ahead for the team.Thu 27 Aug · 08:54 UTC
via RacingNews365Mercedes to face 'tough' and 'worrying' end to the seasonLando Norris achieved a remarkable victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, marking his second consecutive win after triumphing in Hungary. This performance has reignited his hopes of competing for the championship, although he currently trails Kimi Antonelli by 83 points. The race showcased Norris's skill, particularly as he executed a crucial overtaking maneuver on Antonelli to secure his win by a substantial margin of 11.5 seconds.
Nico Rosberg highlighted the growing concern within Mercedes regarding their competitive position, suggesting they may now be the second or even third fastest team on the grid. Rosberg noted Norris's impressive pace, which was significantly quicker than that of George Russell, indicating that McLaren's recent upgrades have propelled them ahead of Mercedes. The outcome of this race suggests a challenging end to the season for Mercedes as they face increased pressure from their rivals.Thu 27 Aug · 06:20 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 News Today: Max Verstappen told to block 'GP' move as star in $70million contract talksMax Verstappen has solidified his future with Red Bull by signing a contract extension until 2030. He is now being urged to prevent his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, from moving to McLaren, which is expected to happen by 2028. Meanwhile, Lando Norris is negotiating a lucrative new contract with McLaren that could surpass Lewis Hamilton's earnings, as Hamilton struggles in the championship standings after a disappointing performance at the Dutch Grand Prix.
In other developments, Ferrari is planning a crucial power unit upgrade for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, while the FIA has introduced a new ruling aimed at enhancing competition among engine manufacturers. Fernando Alonso's performance has helped Aston Martin secure additional points, and concerns have been raised about Audi's commitment to F1 following their recent struggles.Thu 27 Aug · 06:15 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell delivers clear McLaren pecking order verdictGeorge Russell has expressed that McLaren is now the leading team in Formula 1 after their consecutive victories in Hungary and the Netherlands, with Lando Norris taking the wins. This success follows significant upgrades to their car, which have put pressure on Mercedes, who have lost their early season dominance.
Looking ahead to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Russell is optimistic about Mercedes' performance but remains cautious of the competition, particularly from Ferrari, who are set to introduce an engine upgrade. He also highlighted McLaren's strengths on high-degradation circuits, suggesting they will continue to be formidable opponents.Thu 27 Aug · 05:25 UTC
via PlanetF1McLaren rubbishes Toto Wolff ‘no money’ claim: ‘I don’t believe it’Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, stated that his team lacks the financial resources for further upgrades due to the cost cap. This assertion was challenged by Andrea Stella, the team principal of McLaren, who believes that Mercedes will still be able to develop their car effectively. Stella pointed out that the upcoming 2027 engine regulations could provide additional budgetary flexibility for Mercedes, allowing them to enhance their performance in the latter part of the season.
McLaren has made significant strides in performance, particularly with upgrades implemented in Hungary and Zandvoort, which have helped Lando Norris secure strong finishes. Currently, Norris is fourth in the Drivers' standings, while McLaren sits third in the Constructors' standings, trailing Mercedes by 162 points. Stella remains optimistic that Mercedes will find ways to introduce upgrades despite the financial constraints mentioned by Wolff.Thu 27 Aug · 04:58 UTC
via f1chronicle.comSergio Perez Says Cadillac’s Pace Was ‘Very Strong’ at the Dutch Grand Prix as Valtteri Bottas Suffers a Sixth DNF in 12 RacesSergio Perez expressed optimism about Cadillac's performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, despite the team finishing without points. He noted that the car's pace was strong, particularly when not in traffic, although the team still needs to improve to compete with the midfield. Perez finished 15th, while teammate Valtteri Bottas faced another setback, retiring with a hydraulic issue, marking his sixth DNF this season.
Cadillac remains without points in their inaugural season and is currently trailing Aston Martin in the constructors' standings. Both drivers are focused on learning from their experiences and hope to translate their improvements into points at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix in Monza. The team is still adjusting to the challenges of being a new constructor in Formula 1.
via gpfans.comCadillac F1 owners come out fighting with stunning new statementTWG Global, the owner of the Cadillac F1 team, has publicly defended itself against ongoing speculation and a federal investigation concerning its founder, Mark Walter. The investigation is linked to Walter's insurance companies and follows his recent sale of the Los Angeles Lakers for a record price. TWG has issued a statement asserting that there has been no fraud and that they are committed to resolving any regulatory inquiries while maintaining the integrity of their business operations.
In addition to addressing the investigation, TWG emphasized that it is not considering selling its sports assets, including the Cadillac F1 team, at discounted prices. The company has replaced its team principal and continues to focus on its operations in Formula 1, despite not having scored any points in their debut season. TWG's statement aims to clarify misconceptions and reinforce their commitment to stakeholders.Wed 26 Aug · 16:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Sergio Perez spies twin Cadillac promise after 'massive trial'Sergio Perez had a challenging experience during the Dutch Grand Prix, finishing in 15th place after starting from the pit-lane due to technical issues. Despite the difficulties, he observed some positive developments for the Cadillac team, particularly during the second stint of the race, where he felt the car's pace improved significantly. Perez's performance was marked by a strategic overtake of teammate Valtteri Bottas, who secured the team's best result of 13th earlier in the season.
The article highlights the recent leadership change at Cadillac, with Marcin Budkowski taking over as team principal. Perez praised Budkowski's efforts and leadership style, indicating that he is making a positive impact on the team's direction. As Cadillac continues to seek its first points in the 2026 season, Perez remains optimistic about the potential for improvement moving forward.Wed 26 Aug · 16:20 UTC
via f1oversteer.comVerstappen extends Red Bull contract until 2030Max Verstappen recently signed a new long-term contract with Red Bull, ending speculation about his future. Reports indicate that trust issues regarding McLaren's potential partnership with Mercedes influenced his decision not to join the team.+ 1 moreWed 26 Aug · 16:00 UTC
via F1iWebber reveals how F1 greats shaped his guidance of PiastriMark Webber plays a significant role in guiding Oscar Piastri's early career in Formula 1, leveraging his own extensive experience in the sport. As Piastri's manager, Webber shares valuable lessons learned from his time racing alongside legends like Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, as well as insights gained from interactions with athletes from other sports. He believes that the initial years in F1 are particularly challenging and emphasizes the importance of discipline and longevity in achieving success.
Webber's mentorship has been instrumental in Piastri's transition from junior categories to F1, including a strategic move from Alpine to McLaren. Although Webber has stepped back from regular trackside involvement, he continues to support Piastri's development by ensuring that the knowledge he has accumulated throughout his career is passed on. This approach reflects Webber's commitment to fostering talent and sharing the wisdom gained from his own journey in motorsport.
Wed 26 Aug · 13:48 UTC
via AutosportMcLaren denies Mercedes claim it cannot afford aggressive upgrades in F1 2026McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella has publicly challenged claims made by Mercedes' Toto Wolff regarding budget limitations that prevent the team from making aggressive upgrades to their car. Despite Mercedes' assertion that they are constrained by their $215 million cost cap, Stella argues that the additional $3 million allowance for 2026 could be used for development, especially as rivals like McLaren and Ferrari have shown significant improvements this season.
Stella's skepticism comes in light of Mercedes' slow rollout of upgrades, which has left them vulnerable in upcoming races. He believes that Mercedes has the potential to enhance their car's performance and will likely take advantage of the additional funding to catch up with competitors who have already made substantial gains in the 2026 season.
Wed 26 Aug · 12:32 UTCPage 13 of 26
