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via Motorsport.comJamie Chadwick warns Kimi Antonelli of title pressureJamie Chadwick has cautioned Kimi Antonelli that the pressure of competing for the Formula 1 championship will increase as the season progresses. Despite this, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer noted that Antonelli is currently displaying no signs of feeling the strain as he approaches his first title.
Wed 23 Sep · 10:16 UTC
via grandprix.comWolff set to miss Baku as Mercedes faces title testToto Wolff will not attend the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, opting to follow the event remotely while Bradley Lord takes over as the trackside leader for Mercedes. This absence comes as the team prepares for a challenging series of three consecutive races, with Kimi Antonelli currently leading the Drivers' Championship by a significant margin.
Wolff has previously missed races, and his absence raises questions about how effectively Mercedes will operate with Lord in charge. The team is focused on ensuring reliability and execution during this critical stretch, as they also work on a development package for the upcoming races in Malaysia and Singapore.
via grandprix.comLeclerc considers driver management after racingCharles Leclerc has expressed interest in a future role guiding young drivers alongside his manager, Nicolas Todt. While he envisions this possibility after his racing career, he emphasises that his current priority is competing for Ferrari and pursuing a Formula 1 title.
In a recent interview, Leclerc confirmed that he has already spoken with Todt about the potential of working together in driver management. However, he remains fully committed to his racing duties, with the next race in Baku on the horizon, indicating that mentoring young racers will have to wait until he concludes his own racing ambitions.
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton likely to face grid penalty this seasonLewis Hamilton has indicated that he is likely to receive a grid penalty later in the Formula 1 season. The Mercedes driver expressed certainty about the impending penalty, which could impact his performance in upcoming races.
+ 1 moreWed 23 Sep · 07:58 UTC
via RacingNews365Ferrari warned against decision that will 'alienate' driversFerrari has been cautioned about the potential consequences of introducing team orders, which could alienate one of their drivers. This concern arose following the Italian Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton was affected by an incident involving Charles Leclerc, leading him to question Ferrari's approach to driver engagement.
Former driver Jolyon Palmer highlighted that if Ferrari aims to compete for the championship, they must carefully manage team dynamics. He noted that while Hamilton could have gained more points under optimal conditions, the current situation puts Ferrari in a difficult position regarding team orders, as they risk upsetting either Hamilton or Leclerc.
Wed 23 Sep · 07:15 UTC
via RacingNews365Fred Vasseur hits back at F1 rival Toto Wolff over Ferrari budget claimFred Vasseur, Ferrari's team principal, has responded to Toto Wolff's remarks regarding the financial capabilities of Ferrari and McLaren to continue car development throughout the season. Wolff expressed concerns about the budget constraints faced by teams under the cost cap, which has been raised to $215 million this year due to significant regulatory changes.
Vasseur firmly rejected Wolff's insinuations, asserting that Ferrari has sufficient budgetary leeway to maintain its development pace until the final race of the season. He emphasized his dissatisfaction with Wolff's comments, stating that he does not appreciate others discussing Ferrari's budget without understanding the situation.Wed 23 Sep · 06:20 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA confirms Mercedes findings after ‘extensive’ George Russell inspectionThe FIA confirmed that George Russell's Mercedes passed an extensive inspection following the Spanish Grand Prix, where he finished in fifth place. The inspection was part of routine checks for top ten finishers, focusing on various components of the car's front suspension and sensor compliance with the 2026 regulations.
Despite the successful inspection, Russell is significantly behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings, trailing by 81 points. He acknowledged that he is unlikely to compete for the Drivers' title but remains focused on contributing to Mercedes' efforts in the Constructors' Championship.
Wed 23 Sep · 05:47 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Ferrari set Baku target as Rosberg pinpoints team's repeat flawFerrari's recent performance has been disappointing, with only one podium finish in the last five races, which has hindered their championship aspirations. Team principal Frederic Vasseur highlighted the importance of executing race weekends effectively, especially ahead of the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where confidence and precision are crucial due to the challenging street circuit.
Nico Rosberg pointed out that Ferrari's pace is competitive, but their execution during races has consistently let them down. He noted that the team's strategy and communication issues remain significant weaknesses, which have prevented them from capitalising on their potential. With the Constructors' Championship slipping further away, Ferrari faces pressure to improve their performance in the remaining races.
Wed 23 Sep · 05:08 UTC
via Motorsport WeekGuenther Steiner issues bold Lando Norris prediction for F1 2026 seasonGuenther Steiner, the former Haas team principal, has made a bold prediction that Lando Norris will secure second place in the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship for the 2026 season. Currently, Norris is in fourth place with 186 points, trailing Kimi Antonelli, who leads with 292 points. Norris has shown impressive form recently, achieving two victories this season and performing strongly in qualifying sessions.
Norris's recent performances have drawn praise from his team principal, Andrea Stella, who highlighted the precision of his driving during his pole lap in Madrid. Norris himself acknowledged that this lap was one of the best of his career. As the season progresses, he is expected to continue pushing for top results, with McLaren planning to introduce a significant upgrade at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Tue 22 Sep · 18:30 UTC
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.
Tue 22 Sep · 18:00 UTC
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.
+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 17:53 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFerrari fear ‘complex’ Baku issue could add to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s woesFerrari is apprehensive about the upcoming 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, particularly regarding potential tyre graining issues that could affect both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Despite having a strong qualifying record in Baku, the team has never secured a victory at this circuit, and they are aware that finding the right car setup will be crucial for success.
The team is also concerned about the grip levels on Baku's city streets, which are rated low by Pirelli. With the softest tyre compounds being used for the race, Ferrari understands that managing tyre performance will be essential. Previous races have shown that any issues with tyre graining could further complicate their chances, especially given their struggles with straight-line speed compared to competitors like Mercedes.Tue 22 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via AutosportLeclerc confirms commitment to Ferrari amid interestCharles Leclerc has reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari after signing a new contract with the team. The announcement comes amid speculation about other opportunities he considered before deciding to stay with Ferrari.
+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 15:30 UTC
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.
Tue 22 Sep · 15:16 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer has worked out just how many points Lewis Hamilton has lost at Ferrari this yearLewis Hamilton is currently 101 points behind Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship, with Jolyon Palmer attributing part of this deficit to Ferrari's strategic decisions. Despite outscoring teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton's hopes for an eighth World Championship in 2026 appear slim due to Ferrari's lack of pace and ineffective race strategies.
Palmer analysed Hamilton's performance and suggested that with five optimal race weekends, Hamilton could have gained an additional 39 points, reducing his gap to 62 points behind Antonelli. The ongoing tension between Hamilton and Leclerc, coupled with Vasseur's reluctance to implement team orders, complicates Ferrari's internal dynamics as they navigate their championship aspirations.Tue 22 Sep · 15:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Haas deny 'Ferrari concern' over F1 2027 driver line-upHaas F1 Team principal Ayao Komatsu has dismissed any concerns regarding the potential of fielding two Ferrari junior drivers in the 2027 season. While Oliver Bearman is likely to remain with the team, the identity of his teammate is still uncertain, with Esteban Ocon reportedly at risk of losing his seat to Rafael Camara, another Ferrari junior.
Komatsu highlighted the importance of having two competitive drivers to enhance the team's performance, stating that the team's motivation relies on having the best possible driver line-up. He expressed that the team's focus is on performance rather than the affiliations of the drivers, indicating that the priority is to select the fastest drivers available.Tue 22 Sep · 14:35 UTC
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.+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 12:45 UTC.webp)
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.Tue 22 Sep · 11:38 UTC
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.Tue 22 Sep · 09:00 UTC
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.Tue 22 Sep · 08:00 UTCPage 18 of 72