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via gpfans.comAbu Dhabi 2021 controversy revisited as Honda chief reveals favourite F1 momentThe article discusses Shintaro Orihara's reflection on Honda's time in Formula 1, highlighting the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as his favorite moment due to Max Verstappen's championship win. This race is remembered for its controversial ending, where a late safety car allowed Verstappen to gain an advantage over Lewis Hamilton, who was leading before the incident.
The aftermath of the race sparked significant debate regarding the decisions made by race director Michael Masi, leading to his departure from the FIA. Verstappen's victory marked his first championship, while Hamilton continues to pursue his eighth title with Ferrari.
Tue 18 Aug · 09:57 UTC
via PlanetF1Alonso blames Honda power unit for qualifying strugglesFernando Alonso faced challenges during sprint qualifying at Zandvoort, attributing his performance issues to the upgraded Honda power unit. Aston Martin introduced this new specification in hopes of improving their competitiveness.
+ 3 moreTue 18 Aug · 09:33 UTC
via gpfans.comThe most expensive British car EVER: Iconic 1990s McLaren F1 sells for $34M at auctionThe iconic 1996 McLaren F1 GTR has set a new record as the most expensive British car sold at auction, fetching $34,655,000 at RM Sotheby's in California. This sale surpasses the previous record held by a 1994 McLaren F1, which sold for $25.31 million in 2025, and a 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 that went for $22.55 million in 2017. The specific chassis sold was the first of its kind produced and had a notable history with McLaren before being owned by Pink Floyd's Nick Mason for 25 years.
In addition to the McLaren's record-breaking sale, the auction also featured the Ferrari Luce, which sold for $40 million, making it the most expensive brand new car ever sold at auction. The McLaren F1 GTR was originally developed for competitive racing and achieved significant success, including winning the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. The auction highlights the growing interest and value in classic and performance vehicles.Tue 18 Aug · 08:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comAdrian Newey's Critique of Honda's F1 Experience Gains AttentionAston Martin's team principal Adrian Newey has been validated in his concerns regarding Honda's preparedness for Formula 1. The Japanese manufacturer is set to provide an upgraded engine at the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix.
Tue 18 Aug · 07:30 UTC
via PlanetF1McLaren reveals its budget cap strategy as rivals question development spendingMcLaren has revealed its strategy regarding the budget cap as the 2026 development race heats up. The team has successfully introduced 32 new parts to its car, the MCL40, since the Miami Grand Prix, outpacing competitors like Ferrari and Red Bull. Team principal Andrea Stella emphasized that McLaren has planned its budget to allow for ongoing upgrades, ensuring they remain competitive as the season progresses. The budget cap for 2026 is set at $215 million, with additional allowances for races beyond the 21st, which McLaren intends to utilize effectively.
As rivals like Ferrari face scrutiny over their spending, McLaren's approach appears to be more sustainable. Stella noted that the upgrades introduced in Hungary are just the beginning of a broader development strategy. With McLaren currently third in the Constructors' Championship, the team is focused on balancing immediate performance improvements with future car development, ensuring they are well-positioned for both this season and the next.Tue 18 Aug · 07:11 UTC
via gpfans.comYuki Tsunoda in talks for IndyCar seat with Meyer ShankYuki Tsunoda is reportedly in discussions with Meyer Shank Racing regarding a potential seat in the IndyCar Series for the 2027 season. This move comes after Tsunoda's departure from Formula 1, where he previously raced for Red Bull.+ 2 moreMon 17 Aug · 20:30 UTC
via gpfans.comAston Martin receives major power unit upgrade from HondaAston Martin is set to introduce a significant power unit upgrade at the Dutch Grand Prix. The new 'Spec 2' power unit from Honda aims to enhance the team's performance and competitiveness in the race.+ 2 moreMon 17 Aug · 17:45 UTC
via Motorsport.comYuki Tsunoda in talks for 2027 IndyCar seatYuki Tsunoda is reportedly in discussions regarding a switch to IndyCar, potentially joining Meyer Shank Racing for the 2027 season. This move would mark a significant change in the Formula 1 veteran's racing career.
+ 1 moreMon 17 Aug · 17:24 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren and Red Bull fighting with contrasting approaches to complex F1 challengeThe article discusses the contrasting approaches of McLaren and Red Bull in addressing the weight reduction challenge in the 2026 Formula 1 season. With the minimum weight limit lowered to 768kg, teams are facing complex engineering problems, and McLaren has opted for a shorter wheelbase design to achieve weight savings, which has resulted in balance and downforce issues.
In contrast, Red Bull has focused on systematically refining structural components to reduce weight while maintaining performance. This method, although time-consuming, has proven effective in improving the car's power-to-weight ratio, highlighting the importance of weight reduction in enhancing lap times.
Mon 17 Aug · 16:20 UTC
via the-race.comJust spend more? Mercedes' intriguing theory for McLaren's PU deficitMercedes has provided insights into why McLaren has struggled to maximize the performance of its 2026 power unit compared to the factory team. The differences in exploitation stem from various factors, including spending limitations and the sharing of intellectual property, which affects the simulation tools available to customer teams like McLaren. Despite having a strong partnership with Mercedes, McLaren finds itself somewhat disconnected from the main decision-making processes regarding the power unit's configurations.
McLaren's team principal and technical director have acknowledged the challenges they face in influencing design and installation decisions, which ultimately rest with the Mercedes race team. To address these issues, McLaren is focusing on building its own power unit performance team and improving its processes to better align with the capabilities of the power unit. This effort aims to enhance their competitiveness in the ongoing season.
Mon 17 Aug · 15:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Exclusive: Honda reveal initial Aston Martin response to F1 issues: 'They never complained'Honda and Aston Martin have faced significant challenges in their first season together in Formula 1, particularly with reliability issues and severe battery vibrations affecting driver performance. Despite these difficulties, Aston Martin maintained a positive relationship with Honda, refraining from complaints and engaging in daily meetings to address the problems. As a result, their communication and collaboration have reportedly improved over the course of the season.
Aston Martin's performance has been lackluster, currently sitting at the bottom of the constructors' championship with only one point. However, recent upgrades to their chassis have shown promise, and Honda is preparing to introduce a power unit upgrade at the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix. Both teams remain motivated to improve their standings and performance as they look to overcome the early setbacks they faced this season.Mon 17 Aug · 15:30 UTC
via PlanetF1Lando Norris credits team orders for McLaren successLando Norris has reflected on the importance of team orders during the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix. He believes that adhering to these directives was crucial for McLaren's recent achievements in Formula 1.+ 1 moreMon 17 Aug · 15:06 UTC.webp)
via Formula1.comF1 driver market sees significant changes for 2024The Formula 1 driver market is experiencing significant activity as teams assess their line-ups for the upcoming season. Various potential moves and changes are being tracked as the 'silly season' unfolds.
+ 1 moreMon 17 Aug · 13:40 UTC
via PlanetF1Ferrari warn of ‘big swing’ but dismiss McLaren concernsFerrari has chosen to focus on its own performance rather than worrying about McLaren's recent success, particularly after McLaren's victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that while McLaren's Lando Norris was exceptionally fast, Ferrari's priority remains on improving their SF-26 car's performance as they continue to compete in the 2026 season. Ferrari is currently 72 points behind Mercedes in the Constructors' Championship, while McLaren trails by 159 points.
Despite McLaren's win, Andrea Stella, McLaren's team principal, noted that Ferrari still possesses the best chassis in terms of cornering grip. He mentioned that while McLaren has made improvements, particularly in medium-high speed corners, they still need to enhance their performance in low-speed corners to consistently challenge Ferrari and Mercedes. Vasseur remains focused on the team's own development, indicating that the competitive landscape can change significantly from race to race.Mon 17 Aug · 12:37 UTC
via Motorsport WeekMcLaren issues caution to F1 ‘turning point’ possibility after Hungary successMcLaren's recent victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix has raised hopes for a turnaround in their performance, but team principal Andrea Stella remains cautious. He emphasized that while the upgrades implemented in Hungary showed promise, it is too early to determine if this marks a definitive turning point for the team, especially given the competitive nature of the current season and the improvements seen from rival teams.
Stella highlighted that the upgrades are part of a broader strategy and that McLaren's success should be viewed in context. He pointed out that the pole position achieved in Hungary might have been an overachievement, and the team will need to continue monitoring developments as the season progresses. McLaren aims to build on this momentum in the upcoming races, particularly at Zandvoort, where they previously secured a victory.
Mon 17 Aug · 12:00 UTC
via Formula1.comHow McLaren’s 2026 season has played out so farThe article reviews McLaren's performance in the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season, highlighting both successes and challenges. Lando Norris secured the team's first victory in Hungary, showcasing his strong performance, while Oscar Piastri faced difficulties, including a DNF in Hungary and a DNS in China. The team had a rocky start, with both drivers unable to compete in the Chinese Grand Prix, which significantly impacted their points tally.
Looking ahead, McLaren aims to build on their recent success and improve reliability as they prepare for the second half of the season. Norris believes they can continue to win races, but acknowledges the need for consistent performance and development to remain competitive against other top teams. Team Principal Andrea Stella reiterated the focus on upgrades and reliability to enhance their chances of success.Mon 17 Aug · 10:36 UTC
via Motorsport.comAdrian Newey discusses Honda's F1 project changesAdrian Newey addressed the FIA team principals' press conference during the season opener in Melbourne. His comments highlighted the significant changes in Honda's Formula 1 project compared to their previous collaboration with Red Bull.+ 1 moreMon 17 Aug · 09:54 UTC
via PlanetF1McLaren makes further upgrade hint after successful Hungary F1 packageFollowing a successful performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix, McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella indicated that additional upgrades are planned for the upcoming races after the summer break. Lando Norris's victory marked a significant achievement for the team, as he secured both pole position and the win, becoming the fifth different winner in the recent races, highlighting the competitive nature of the season.
McLaren is currently positioned third in the Constructors' standings, while Norris ranks fifth among drivers. The team is optimistic about the potential of their upgrade package, which is part of a broader strategy to enhance their performance as the season progresses. Stella emphasized that the upgrades are part of a series of improvements aimed at capitalizing on the early opportunities presented by the current regulations.Mon 17 Aug · 09:17 UTC
via gpfans.comHonda chief delivers reality check to Fernando AlonsoFernando Alonso's aspirations for success with Aston Martin have been impacted by comments from Honda's Chief Engineer Shintaro Orihara. The engineer highlighted the team's ongoing struggles and the collaborative efforts to address early season issues.+ 1 moreMon 17 Aug · 08:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Oscar Piastri urged to go down ‘rabbit holes’ with McLaren MCL40Oscar Piastri has been encouraged by Juan Pablo Montoya to take risks with his McLaren MCL40 setup, suggesting that he should experiment even if it leads to a few disappointing weekends. Piastri's season started poorly with two DNS, but he managed podium finishes in Japan and Miami, although he has struggled in the subsequent races, leading to a widening points gap with teammate Lando Norris.
Montoya emphasized the psychological impact of Piastri's previous championship loss and advised him to focus on improving his performance race by race. He noted that while opportunities for championships are rare, consistent improvement and understanding his car's setup are crucial for Piastri's future success in Formula 1.Sun 16 Aug · 18:03 UTCPage 19 of 25
