McLarenRB F1 TeamRed Bull 
via f1oversteer.comLiam Lawson’s Red Bull call-up proves Arvid Lindblad’s manager was wrong about himLiam Lawson's recent performances for Red Bull have raised questions about the assessment made by Arvid Lindblad's manager, Oliver Rowland, who previously described Lawson as a benchmark for Lindblad's development. Lawson has scored 14 points in his three races, while Isack Hadjar, who is recovering from injury, is aiming to return for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has stated that Hadjar will not return until he is fully fit.
Max Verstappen has highlighted the immediate competitiveness of both Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda in their stand-in roles, attributing it to the current car regulations. While Lawson was initially seen as a mentor for Lindblad, his consistent performance this season suggests he is a serious contender for a permanent seat at Red Bull, rather than just a benchmark for Lindblad's progress.
f1oversteer.comSun 20 Sep · 19:30 UTC
via PlanetF1Verstappen feedback sparks Red Bull RB22 investigation, Newey team radio reaction – roundupMax Verstappen's complaints regarding car degradation with the RB22 have prompted an investigation by Red Bull, which has confirmed that the issue will not be resolved before the end of the 2026 season. Verstappen expressed concerns about the car's rear components after qualifying in Hungary, stating that he could not attack kerbs as aggressively as he wished. Team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged the complexity of the issue and noted that while progress has been made, not all solutions are in place yet.
In other news, Aston Martin's Enrico Cardile highlighted the significance of a recent team radio exchange between Adrian Newey and Fernando Alonso, who praised the upgraded AMR26 after achieving the team's best result of the season. Meanwhile, Toto Wolff expressed support for the FIA's initiative to help Alonso and Honda improve their competitiveness. Additionally, Kimi Antonelli is leading the championship race, and Sebastian Vettel welcomed the possibility of Antonelli breaking his record as the youngest world champion.
PlanetF1Sun 20 Sep · 15:56 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFormer McLaren man admits ‘no-one in the team’ thought Lewis Hamilton was ‘that special’ at firstIn 2007, Lewis Hamilton made his Formula 1 debut with McLaren, showcasing remarkable talent that led him to finish just one point behind champion Kimi Raikkonen. Despite his impressive performance, including four race wins and 12 podiums, former McLaren reserve driver Pedro de la Rosa revealed that initially, no one in the team believed Hamilton was as exceptional as he turned out to be. De la Rosa claimed he was the first to recognize Hamilton's potential, while others underestimated him, particularly in comparison to teammate Fernando Alonso.
The article highlights the challenges Hamilton faced during his rookie season, including a significant mistake in the rain during the Chinese Grand Prix and a mechanical failure in Brazil, which ultimately cost him the championship. Despite these setbacks, Hamilton's performance earned him recognition and respect, solidifying his status as a generational talent in the sport. The insights from de la Rosa and Briatore emphasize the initial skepticism within McLaren regarding Hamilton's abilities, which would later be proven wrong as he became one of the most successful drivers in F1 history.f1oversteer.comSun 20 Sep · 13:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton shares insight into dramatic McLaren contract disasterLewis Hamilton shared his experiences from a difficult time in his early career when he lost a contract with McLaren. Initially signed to their junior program, Hamilton expressed his eagerness to move into Formula 1 but faced setbacks when McLaren ended their association with him in 2005. Despite this, he managed to regain his footing by winning races in Formula 3, which led to him securing his contract back with the team.
In 2006, Hamilton had a successful season in GP2, winning the championship, which paved the way for his debut with McLaren in 2007 alongside Fernando Alonso. Hamilton's career took off rapidly, culminating in winning the F1 championship in 2008, just his second season in the sport. He continued to race for McLaren until he transitioned to Mercedes in 2013.
RacingNews365Sun 20 Sep · 11:50 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen cracks joke after Red Bull make headline signingMax Verstappen recently made a lighthearted comment regarding his future at Red Bull following the team's announcement of signing Robin Raikkonen to their junior program for the 2027 season. Raikkonen, the son of former F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen, is currently competing in karting and will receive support from Red Bull as he progresses in his racing career.
During a media interaction, Verstappen shared that he had a brief conversation with Kimi and Robin Raikkonen before the Italian Grand Prix. He humorously suggested that he might need to step aside to make room for the young driver in the team. Verstappen's comments reflect the competitive nature of F1 and the ongoing interest in the development of new talent within the sport.RacingNews365Sun 20 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via Formula1.comRemembering one of F1’s most intriguing ‘what if?’ momentsIn the late 1980s and early 1990s, McLaren achieved remarkable success in Formula 1, clinching four consecutive Teams' Championships and Drivers' Championships with Honda as their engine partner. This period is often regarded as one of the most successful in the team's history, showcasing their dominance on the track.
However, this era of stability was followed by significant changes and challenges. By the end of 1992, Honda decided to withdraw from Formula 1, citing financial pressures. This marked the beginning of a less successful phase for McLaren, as they struggled to maintain their previous level of performance.
Formula1.comSun 20 Sep · 09:05 UTC
via Formula1.comWhen Star Wars took over Formula 1The article explores the unique intersections between the worlds of Star Wars and Formula 1, particularly highlighting events leading up to the opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. It recounts memorable moments when Star Wars characters and themes were integrated into F1 events, such as Red Bull Racing's special livery in 2005 and George Lucas's appearances at various races.
In 2005, Red Bull Racing transformed their cars to promote Star Wars: Episode III, creating a spectacle in Monaco with themed costumes and characters. Lucas continued to engage with F1, notably joining the podium at the 2015 Monza Grand Prix. The collaboration between Renault and Star Wars in 2017 marked another significant crossover, celebrating both franchises' anniversaries, although the on-track results for Renault were less favorable.Formula1.comSun 20 Sep · 09:05 UTC
via Motorsport.comDavid Coulthard urges FIA to speed up safety car decisionsDavid Coulthard has expressed concerns regarding the FIA's speed in making decisions to neutralize Formula 1 races, particularly after the recent Spanish Grand Prix. He noted that Lando Norris lost a likely victory due to the timing of the virtual safety car deployment, which allowed Kimi Antonelli to pit at a strategic moment. Coulthard emphasized that the time taken to respond to incidents can significantly impact race outcomes and suggested that improvements are necessary.
During a podcast discussion, Coulthard elaborated on the inherent unpredictability of safety car situations, stating that they can unfairly affect race results. He called for a more efficient process in decision-making, especially in clear-cut situations like major accidents. The former driver believes that quicker responses could help mitigate the luck factor in racing outcomes, ensuring a fairer competition for all drivers.
Motorsport.comSun 20 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff has now changed his mind about giving Aston Martin Mercedes enginesToto Wolff has changed his stance regarding Aston Martin's engine supply, indicating that Mercedes is no longer interested in continuing their partnership. Lawrence Stroll, the owner of Aston Martin, has been in discussions with both Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains as he seeks alternative engine suppliers due to ongoing performance issues with their current Honda engine. Despite Mercedes' past willingness to supply engines, Wolff emphasized that Aston Martin's shift towards becoming a works team with Honda led to the end of their collaboration.
Stroll's efforts to negotiate with other manufacturers have not yielded positive results, as Red Bull has not expressed interest in a deal. Additionally, under current regulations, Audi would be the designated supplier for Aston Martin, but their engine performance is also lacking. In a related development, Honda is making significant changes to its leadership in response to the performance concerns, which could indicate a shift in their approach to F1 engine development.f1oversteer.comSun 20 Sep · 07:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMcLaren engineers think they have fix for one key ‘weakness’ of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s carMcLaren is preparing to introduce significant upgrades for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, focusing on enhancing the performance of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's MCL40 car. These upgrades include a new underbody and a modified version of their Macarena rear wing, aimed at improving the car's aerodynamics, particularly in slow-speed corners where the team has identified weaknesses. The decision on which rear wing to use will be made after practice sessions in Baku.
The upgrades come after a challenging 2025 Azerbaijan GP for both drivers, where Piastri faced multiple issues, including a crash and a poor start. Despite these setbacks, McLaren's engineers are optimistic that the new aerodynamic package will allow Norris and Piastri to compete for pole position. Recent performances have shown that the MCL40 is competitive in medium-speed turns, and the team is looking to build on this momentum as they head into the race weekend.f1oversteer.comSat 19 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull issue FIA response as Kimi Antonelli shares unique dream - RacingNews365 ReviewRed Bull Racing's boss Laurent Mekies has stated that the team is open to discussions about the future of the ADUO regulations, following a proposal from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem aimed at supporting Honda's involvement in Formula 1. This response indicates Red Bull's proactive stance in engaging with regulatory changes that could impact the sport's landscape.
In addition to the regulatory discussions, Kimi Antonelli shared his aspirations to achieve a level of fan support similar to that of Valentino Rossi. Meanwhile, Lando Norris has made a significant decision by appointing Rene Rosin to lead his new junior racing team, LN4 Fusion. Sergio Perez is hopeful about the introduction of a new Ferrari engine at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while Sebastian Vettel has weighed in on the ongoing criticism regarding the new cars introduced this season.RacingNews365Sat 19 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comArvid Lindblad nearly flips world's shortest Fiat Panda in bizarre YouTube challengeArvid Lindblad, a rookie driver for Racing Bulls in Formula 1, participated in a YouTube challenge where he drove the world's shortest Fiat Panda. The video, created by the Italian channel Carmagheddon, showcased Lindblad's attempts to perform stunts with the heavily modified vehicle. During the challenge, he nearly flipped the car but managed to regain control, highlighting the vehicle's unique characteristics and his driving skills.
In addition to the Fiat Panda, Lindblad also tested a motorised sofa on a makeshift circuit, admitting that he felt more nervous driving the sofa than during his F1 practices. Currently, Lindblad ranks 11th in the drivers' standings with 31 points, while his teammate Liam Lawson is in 9th place with 59 points, indicating a competitive rookie season for Lindblad.Motorsport.comSat 19 Sep · 15:43 UTC
via gpfans.comRed Bull's master move revealed to get Max Verstappen to sign a new F1 dealMax Verstappen has secured a contract extension with Red Bull Racing that will keep him with the team until 2030. A significant factor in this decision was the freedom to explore other racing categories, particularly prestigious endurance events like Le Mans and Daytona. Verstappen has expressed a strong interest in these races, having previously participated in the 24-hour Nurburgring, where he had a thrilling experience despite a mechanical failure that ended his race early.
While Verstappen is eager to expand his racing portfolio, he emphasizes that any participation in additional events will depend on his Formula 1 commitments and the competitiveness of the field. He is particularly keen on ensuring that his schedule allows for these ventures without conflicting with his primary obligations in F1. The 2027 race calendars for both Le Mans and Daytona align well with his F1 schedule, providing a potential opportunity for him to compete in these iconic endurance races.
gpfans.comSat 19 Sep · 13:57 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull provide response to FIA president's plan to aid HondaRed Bull Racing's boss, Laurent Mekies, expressed the team's willingness to engage in discussions regarding the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) regulations. This comes in light of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's proposal to assist Honda, aiming to enhance their competitiveness and retain driver Fernando Alonso in Formula 1. The ADUO mechanism is designed to provide extra upgrades to power units that are lagging behind the performance benchmark, which currently is set by Red Bull's power unit.
The FIA's initiative follows Honda's struggles with the new generation of power units and Alonso's uncertainty about his future in the sport. Ben Sulayem highlighted the importance of ensuring that Alonso is not left in uncompetitive machinery, indicating that further concessions could be made to support Honda. Mekies acknowledged the previous changes made to the ADUO regulations and reiterated that the teams typically collaborate to find solutions when issues arise.RacingNews365Sat 19 Sep · 11:10 UTC
via Formula1.comHow Justin Rose and McLaren are pursuing marginal gains in golfJustin Rose has embraced his role as the first global ambassador for McLaren Golf, a partnership that aims to bring the precision and performance ethos of Formula 1 to the sport of golf. At the BMW PGA Championship, he reflected on his experiences testing prototype irons developed in collaboration with McLaren's engineering team, highlighting the potential for innovation in golf equipment. Rose's goal is to convert his near-misses in major tournaments into victories by leveraging the meticulous approach of F1.
The launch of McLaren Golf has garnered attention in both the golf and F1 communities, with Rose actively participating in events and showcasing the new clubs. The partnership is not only about the current products but also about future developments, including drivers and woods that will incorporate advanced engineering techniques. Rose's connection to McLaren has been well received by fans, and he expresses a deep respect for the skills of F1 drivers, emphasizing the unique challenges and precision required in both sports.Formula1.comSat 19 Sep · 09:43 UTC
via gpfans.comRUMOURToto Wolff reveals details of Max Verstappen meetingToto Wolff recently addressed the speculation surrounding his meeting with Max Verstappen, which took place in Sardinia. The photos from this meeting led to rumors about Verstappen potentially leaving Red Bull for Mercedes. However, these rumors were put to rest when Red Bull confirmed that Verstappen has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the team until 2030.
In an interview, Wolff mentioned that the social media frenzy surrounding the photos was unintended and highlighted the challenges of privacy in today's digital age. He also confirmed that George Russell's contract with Mercedes has been finalized, although the team has not yet made a formal announcement regarding this.gpfans.comSat 19 Sep · 08:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris secures pole position at Spanish Grand PrixLando Norris achieved pole position during the qualifying session for the Spanish Grand Prix, impressively clinching the top spot in the final moments of Q3. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella commended Norris for his performance amid a challenging weekend.RacingNews365+ 1 moreSat 19 Sep · 06:10 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen comments on Red Bull-Mercedes gapMax Verstappen has commented on the differences between Red Bull's power unit and that of Mercedes, noting the challenges in understanding the performance gap. He emphasized that the two teams operate under different conditions, leading to varying results.RacingNews365+ 1 moreSat 19 Sep · 05:20 UTC
via Formula1.comHow 46 fashion designers reimagined McLaren’s F1 historyOn September 18, 2026, McLaren hosted its inaugural fashion show at the McLaren Technology Centre, showcasing a collection designed by 46 MA fashion students from Central Saint Martins. The event, titled 'Designed to Race: Front Row', featured 12 unique looks inspired by McLaren's rich history in Formula 1, drawing references from iconic figures like James Hunt and Ayrton Senna. The collection was structured into five thematic chapters, each exploring different aspects of McLaren's legacy and the evolution of racing culture.
The students worked collaboratively over nine months, interpreting McLaren's history through fashion while incorporating elements of engineering and performance. The show emphasized sustainability through upcycling, utilizing second-hand materials and old racing equipment. By blending fashion with motorsport, McLaren aimed to highlight the similarities between the two fields, showcasing creativity and innovation at their core.Formula1.comFri 18 Sep · 16:26 UTC
via RacingNews365Inside Red Bull's season rise: two major upgrades but two big problems remainRed Bull Racing has shown significant improvement in the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving from a mid-pack position to competing for victories. Their progress is highlighted by a notable performance in Madrid, where they finished just 4.3 seconds behind the winner. Key upgrades introduced during the season, particularly in Miami and Austria, have contributed to this rise, with Verstappen achieving his best results following these enhancements.
Despite the advancements, Red Bull continues to face challenges, particularly with energy management under the new power unit regulations and issues related to car degradation. These problems hinder their ability to consistently compete at the top level, indicating that while they have made strides, further work is necessary to secure regular victories in the future.RacingNews365Fri 18 Sep · 14:30 UTC
via PlanetF1Yuki Tsunoda reflects on struggles at Red Bull in 2025Yuki Tsunoda has described his time as a Red Bull Formula 1 driver in 2025 as marked by significant challenges, admitting it was the 'biggest mistake' of his career. He expressed confusion over the team's decisions and acknowledged that he was not enjoying his experience.PlanetF1+ 1 moreFri 18 Sep · 10:25 UTC
via f1chronicle.comRed Bull Say Isack Hadjar’s Recovery Is on Track as Liam Lawson Continues to Impress Ahead of Azerbaijan GPRed Bull team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed that Isack Hadjar's recovery from a wrist injury is progressing as expected, with a decision on his return to the car set for next week. Hadjar has missed three races since the summer break, during which Liam Lawson has stepped in and performed well, scoring points in both Zandvoort and Madrid. Mekies emphasized the importance of not rushing Hadjar's return to ensure his long-term health and performance.
Liam Lawson has impressed during his time in the car, qualifying well and finishing sixth in Madrid. Mekies noted Lawson's growth as a driver and his ability to adapt to the team's demands. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the start of a challenging triple-header, making the timing of Hadjar's potential return crucial. Red Bull plans to assess Hadjar's fitness through a simulator test before making a final decision.
f1chronicle.comFri 18 Sep · 02:49 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull detail conditions over Isack Hadjar return as Ferrari announce new deal - RacingNews365 ReviewRed Bull Racing's team principal, Laurent Mekies, has emphasized that Isack Hadjar will only return to his race seat when it is deemed completely safe. This statement comes as Hadjar continues his recovery from injury, highlighting the team's cautious approach to his reintegration into racing.
In other news, Scuderia Ferrari has announced a significant new partnership with Rakuten, which will become a team partner in telecommunications and e-commerce starting January 1, 2027. This deal marks a notable expansion for Ferrari as they seek to enhance their global presence in the sport.RacingNews365Thu 17 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen showed Kimi Antonelli he's a 'champion' with his gesture after epic Monza winKimi Antonelli has expressed admiration for Max Verstappen, highlighting his supportive nature and champion-like qualities both on and off the track. After Antonelli's recent victory at Monza, Verstappen took the time to congratulate him, showcasing a gesture of sportsmanship that Antonelli appreciates.f1oversteer.comThu 17 Sep · 14:00 UTC