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via gpfans.comAston Martin awaits Fernando Alonso's decision on futureAston Martin is still waiting for Fernando Alonso to decide whether he will continue racing in Formula 1 beyond 2026. Alonso is currently in discussions with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem regarding the sport's future driving characteristics.Wikimedia Commons · Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street · OGL 3Hamilton hopes Middle East finale goes aheadLewis Hamilton expressed his hope that the Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will proceed as scheduled in 2026. He stated that he personally wants to participate and trusts the decision-making of Stefano Domenicali, despite concerns about the security situation in the Middle East. Speculation about Imola potentially replacing Abu Dhabi has surfaced, but the official stance remains unchanged for now.
Hamilton also commented on the possibility of a winter finale in Imola, questioning its weather suitability. Additionally, he voiced his discontent regarding the decision to shorten race distances from 305 kilometres to 290 kilometres, arguing that races should be longer. He and Max Verstappen concurred that a sprint race format is not suitable for the Monaco circuit.
via RacingNews365McLaren and Red Bull make aggressive moves for crunch Baku showdownMcLaren and Red Bull have both unveiled significant upgrade packages ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while Mercedes and Ferrari have opted not to introduce any new components. McLaren's updates include modifications to the sidepod, engine cover, floor, diffuser, rear suspension, and rear wing, aimed at enhancing aerodynamic performance.
Red Bull's updates primarily target the floor and sidepod, with adjustments designed to improve local load and flow stability. The changes reflect the teams' preparations for the challenges of the 2026 season, contrasting with the decision of Mercedes and Ferrari to refrain from any developments for this race.
via f1chronicle.comVasseur highlights Ferrari's struggles in AzerbaijanFerrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged the team's performance issues during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, particularly on the long straights. Despite showing potential earlier in the season, Ferrari has only secured one podium in their last five races.
via gpfans.comRed Bull F1 issue Liam Lawson statementRed Bull Racing has issued a statement praising Liam Lawson for his impressive performances during his three-race stint with the team, where he scored 14 points. Lawson stepped in for Isack Hadjar, who was sidelined due to a wrist injury, and achieved notable finishes, including seventh in the Dutch Grand Prix and sixth in the Spanish Grand Prix.
Despite his strong showing, Lawson's future with Red Bull appears uncertain as the team has confirmed Hadjar's return for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Lawson's contract with Racing Bulls is also not yet confirmed, leaving his position in the 2027 season unclear, although he has outperformed his rookie teammate this season.
via f1oversteer.comHow Yuki Tsunoda’s pace compared to Liam Lawson in his three races at Racing BullsYuki Tsunoda's time with Racing Bulls has been marked by underperformance compared to his teammate Liam Lawson. In three races, Tsunoda managed only a single point, finishing P10 at Monza, while Lawson consistently achieved better results, averaging a race position of 8.4 compared to Tsunoda's 11.7. Tsunoda's struggles were evident in qualifying as well, where he was on average seven-tenths slower than Lawson.
As Tsunoda steps back, Lawson is set to return for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Racing Bulls eager to improve their standings in the constructors' championship. The team has faced challenges, being outscored by Alpine during Tsunoda's stint, which has raised questions about Tsunoda's future in Formula 1 amidst speculation linking him to other teams.
via thejudge13.comRed Bull announces driver decision for 2027Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will continue with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season, partnering with Max Verstappen. This decision comes after Hadjar's impressive performance in 2026, where he achieved seven consecutive top-six finishes and a podium at the Monaco Grand Prix. Red Bull's CEO, Laurent Mekies, expressed confidence in Hadjar's abilities and his integration into the team, making the contract extension a straightforward choice.
Hadjar's announcement coincides with his return from a wrist injury that sidelined him for three races. He has completed rehabilitation and is set to compete in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The young French driver expressed excitement about continuing with Red Bull, highlighting the team's ambition and the privilege of racing alongside a four-time World Champion like Verstappen. Hadjar focused on his performance on track rather than contract negotiations, indicating his commitment to proving himself.
via PlanetF1Ocon to lose Haas seat, Red Bull announcement, FIA confirms Russell inspection findings – roundupThe FIA has confirmed that George Russell's Mercedes W17 complies with the 2026 technical regulations following a thorough inspection conducted after the Spanish Grand Prix. This inspection is part of the FIA's routine checks for cars finishing in the top ten, and Russell's car was found to meet all requirements after he finished fifth in the race.
In other news, Esteban Ocon has been informed that he will not continue with the Haas team for the 2027 season, with Rafael Camara set to replace him. Additionally, Red Bull has announced that Isack Hadjar will remain as Max Verstappen's teammate for the upcoming season, following his impressive performance and recent podium finish.
via Motorsport WeekLewis Hamilton issues ‘do better’ verdict on crucial Ferrari F1 flawLewis Hamilton has pointed out a significant flaw in Ferrari's 2026 Formula 1 package, stating that the team could do better, particularly regarding tyre performance. This comes after Hamilton's early retirement in Madring due to a brake issue, which further diminished Ferrari's already slim chances in the World Championships.
Ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hamilton discussed his analysis of Ferrari's performance, indicating that while the SF-26 chassis shows strength, the power unit lacks competitiveness compared to Mercedes. He emphasised the importance of tyres in delivering performance, suggesting that improvements in this area could enhance Ferrari's competitiveness on the track.
via gpfans.comLeclerc acknowledges mistakes in Hamilton battlesCharles Leclerc has acknowledged that he sometimes went too far in his on-track battles with his Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton. This admission comes amid ongoing discussions regarding his future with the team.
via f1oversteer.comRalf Schumacher urges Aston Martin not to waste time and take action over Honda ‘embarrassment’Ralf Schumacher has called on Aston Martin to take decisive action regarding their Honda engine, which he describes as an 'embarrassment' following their struggles for consistent power. Despite debuting a new Honda engine at the Dutch Grand Prix, the team has not seen the expected improvements, leading to speculation about a potential switch to Mercedes or Red Bull engines.
During a podcast, Schumacher expressed his concerns about Honda's performance and suggested that Aston Martin should explore other engine suppliers without delay. He believes that while Audi could be a contender, Mercedes would be a safer bet for the team. Schumacher emphasised the need for Aston Martin to eliminate sources of error, particularly in their gearbox, to compete effectively in Formula 1.
via f1oversteer.comMontoya says Leclerc must regain Hamilton's respectJuan Pablo Montoya has stated that Charles Leclerc needs to 'earn that respect back' from Lewis Hamilton following their recent on-track dispute at Monza. Montoya believes the issue between the Ferrari teammates is not yet fully resolved.
via f1oversteer.comMichael Schumacher’s Ferrari boss is ‘sad’ when he sees the current state of the teamLuca di Montezemolo, the former president of Ferrari, has voiced his disappointment regarding the current state of the team, stating they are not competitive in Formula 1 anymore. He highlighted that Ferrari has not won a drivers' or constructors' title in 18 seasons and pointed out that no Ferrari driver has been in contention for the championship since Fernando Alonso in 2012.
Despite having a strong driver line-up with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, who have a combined total of 261 podiums, Ferrari has only managed to win one race each since the start of 2025. Di Montezemolo has been critical of team principal Fred Vasseur, suggesting that the team lacks strong leadership and needs to reflect on their performance to improve in the future.
via CrashCharles Leclerc reveals the sport Ferrari has banned him from doing outside of F1Charles Leclerc disclosed that Ferrari has prohibited him from skydiving during the Formula 1 season, a decision made after the team expressed their discontent with his previous skydiving activities. He also mentioned that he avoids skiing while racing is ongoing, highlighting the team's concerns about safety during the season.
Leclerc's comments came during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he responded to Isack Hadjar's situation regarding his own injury. Hadjar confirmed he faces no restrictions from Red Bull after recovering from a hand injury sustained while boxing. Leclerc's remarks reflect the balance drivers must maintain between their personal interests and the team's expectations regarding safety.
via CrashLewis Hamilton shares views on F1's Middle East racesLewis Hamilton has expressed his unexpected stance regarding Formula 1's decision to conclude the 2026 season in the Middle East. His comments come as Red Bull confirmed their driver line-up for 2027 during a media day ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc tried to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes before they signed Kimi AntonelliCharles Leclerc, currently a key driver for Ferrari, explored the possibility of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2025 season. His manager, Nicolas Todt, engaged in discussions with Mercedes regarding this potential move after they were informed of Hamilton's impending transfer to Ferrari.
Despite these talks, Mercedes opted to sign Andrea Kimi Antonelli, leading Leclerc to renew his contract with Ferrari in January 2024. This decision came before Hamilton's official announcement of his move to Ferrari, which was revealed in February 2024. As a result, Leclerc remains with Ferrari through the 2030 season.
via Motorsport.comJames Hinchcliffe explains why Ferrari is "happy" with Lewis Hamilton-Charles Leclerc rivalryJames Hinchcliffe has expressed that Ferrari is pleased to manage the growing rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. He believes that this competitive dynamic is what Ferrari anticipated when they signed Hamilton, especially after his struggles in the previous season. Hamilton has shown significant improvement in 2026, achieving a podium and a victory, which has elevated his position in the drivers' standings.
Hinchcliffe pointed out that having two strong drivers like Hamilton and Leclerc can enhance team performance, despite the potential for difficult decisions down the line. He emphasized that Ferrari's management, led by Fred Vasseur, is likely satisfied with the current situation, as it aligns with their expectations for Hamilton's role within the team.
via Sky Sports F1Hamilton sets sights on Russell amid defence of Ferrari's seasonLewis Hamilton expressed optimism about Ferrari's season, stating that finishing in the top three of the Drivers' Championship would be a significant achievement despite recent challenges. He urged critics to focus on the positives, highlighting the team's progress compared to last year.
Hamilton, who has not secured a podium since the British Grand Prix, acknowledged the difficulties faced this season, including a recent retirement in Madrid. He remains focused on competing with George Russell for second place in the standings and believes that Ferrari can improve their performance moving forward.
via gpfans.comAston Martin 'approach made' for shock Charles Leclerc swoop from FerrariAston Martin reportedly made an approach to sign Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, but the 28-year-old declined the offer in favour of a new contract with Ferrari that will keep him with the team until at least 2030. This approach came during a tumultuous time for Aston Martin, which had recently changed team principals, although it remains unclear which of their current drivers would have been replaced.
Leclerc's manager, Nicolas Todt, has been active in exploring opportunities for Leclerc, including discussions with Mercedes and McLaren. Despite these talks, Leclerc has reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari, expressing confidence in the team's direction and leadership under Fred Vasseur. He remains focused on his goal of winning a world championship with Ferrari.
via RacingNews365Aston Martin issue response to FIA president comments on Fernando Alonso futureAston Martin has issued a statement addressing comments made by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem regarding Fernando Alonso's future in Formula 1. Ben Sulayem expressed his commitment to ensuring Alonso remains on the grid for the next season, amidst uncertainties surrounding the driver's plans.
The team clarified that they believe Ben Sulayem's remarks were taken out of context. Alonso has yet to announce his intentions for 2027 as he considers various options, with his enjoyment of the current regulations being a key factor in his decision-making process.Page 19 of 78
