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via AutosportLando Norris apologises to Franco Colapinto after backlashLando Norris has publicly apologised to Franco Colapinto following his controversial comments after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The reigning Formula 1 champion stated that the apology was intended to help calm the situation after facing significant online criticism.
via gpfans.comF1 champion Fernando Alonso handed career-high payday at the age of 45Fernando Alonso has secured a new contract with Aston Martin that reportedly makes him the highest-paid driver of his career at the age of 45. The deal, which will take effect in 2027, is said to exceed $40 million annually, surpassing his previous earnings at McLaren.
In an official statement, Alonso expressed his happiness about the contract and his commitment to the team. This new salary positions him as the joint-third highest-paid driver in Formula 1, behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, while overtaking other notable drivers like Charles Leclerc and George Russell.
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer thinks Oscar Piastri’s explanation for 2026 struggles is ‘amazing’Oscar Piastri has shared his thoughts on the challenges posed by the 2026 Formula 1 cars, which he feels do not align with his driving style. Despite a successful 2025 season where he won seven races, Piastri is currently struggling in 2026, sitting significantly behind his teammate Lando Norris in the standings. Norris has been the standout performer for McLaren this year, securing both of the team's wins and leading Piastri by 66 points.
Jolyon Palmer expressed admiration for Piastri's candidness, noting the trend of drivers like Piastri and George Russell banding together to discuss their difficulties with the new car dynamics. Palmer reflected on his own experiences of being overlooked during similar struggles in the past. As the season progresses, Piastri is looking to improve his performance, particularly at the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix, where he hopes the unique circuit conditions will provide a more level playing field.
via Motorsport.comAlex Brundle questions McLaren F1 upgrade after Azerbaijan GP disappointmentF1 TV pundit Alex Brundle has raised concerns about McLaren's recent upgrade package following a disappointing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite the team arriving with significant upgrades, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced incidents that left them without points, prompting Brundle to question the structural integrity of the new components.
Brundle highlighted that while the zero points finish may not reflect the upgrades' potential, the physical fragility of the parts is alarming. He warned that if the upgrades cannot withstand the rigours of racing, they may end up being discarded, which would be a significant setback for the reigning champions.
via RacingNews365Lando Norris predicts chaos at F1's Sepang returnLando Norris anticipates a chaotic race weekend as Formula 1 returns to the Sepang International Circuit for the first time in nine years. The McLaren driver highlighted the potential for excitement due to the circuit's high-speed straights and demanding layout.
via f1oversteer.comMcLaren can forget about winning in Malaysia as the FIA reveal straight-mode zones for race weekendMcLaren is preparing for a challenging Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, having faced difficulties in the previous race in Baku where both drivers failed to score points. Lando Norris did not finish due to a collision, while Oscar Piastri struggled with brake issues. Andrea Stella has pointed out significant concerns regarding the team's straight-line speed, which could hinder their performance in Malaysia.
The FIA has announced four straight-mode zones for the upcoming race, which could exacerbate McLaren's existing speed problems. This will be the first visit to the Sepang International Circuit since 2017, and with McLaren's recent struggles at circuits with multiple straight-mode zones, the team faces an uphill battle unless they can improve their performance significantly.Wikimedia Commons · Christijan_Albers_2006.JPG: Mathieu Felten derivative work: Flyz1 · CC BY 2.5Albers says Piastri lacks Verstappen’s ‘bite’Sep.30 (GMM) Oscar Piastri’s difficult run has drawn fresh criticism after his mistake in Baku, with former F1 driver Christijan Albers questioning whether the McLaren driver has the aggression of a driver like Max Verstappen. The Australian had been on course for the 2025 title before his late-season collapse, and his struggles have continued into…
via gpfans.com'No toxic cookies and no politics' - Zak Brown on why top F1 stars are joining McLarenZak Brown, the CEO of McLaren F1, has shared insights into why top Formula 1 talent is increasingly choosing to join his team. He highlighted the harmonious culture at McLaren, stating that employees appreciate the stability and collaborative environment, which contrasts with the atmosphere at other teams, particularly Red Bull. Brown's comments suggest that McLaren's focus on employee well-being makes it an attractive destination for high-profile talent.
Among the notable recent additions is Gianpiero Lambiase, who will join McLaren as Head of Racing by 2028 after serving as a race engineer for Max Verstappen. Brown also revealed that he had discussions with Verstappen about a potential move to McLaren, although Verstappen ultimately decided to extend his contract with Red Bull until 2030. Despite this, Brown remains optimistic about the possibility of working with Verstappen in the future.
via f1oversteer.comDavid Coulthard is sure Lando Norris was a ‘better world champion for McLaren’ than Oscar PiastriDavid Coulthard has expressed his belief that Lando Norris was a more suitable world champion for McLaren than Oscar Piastri, following Norris's victory in the 2025 season. Norris secured the title by 13 points after a competitive season, during which he made a significant comeback from a 34-point deficit. Coulthard highlighted that Norris's longer tenure in Formula 1 and his British nationality contribute to his marketability, making him a better fit for the team.
Coulthard noted that while Norris has established himself as McLaren's lead driver, Piastri has struggled this season, finishing ahead of Norris only three times. He suggested that the reduced presence of Mark Webber in Piastri's management might be impacting his performance. Despite the competitive nature of their relationship, Coulthard believes that having strong drivers like Norris and Piastri is beneficial for McLaren, even if it leads to uncomfortable dynamics.
via f1oversteer.comZak Brown's earnings reflect McLaren's financial successZak Brown's total earnings for 2025 are reported to exceed 95 per cent of the current Formula 1 grid, highlighting McLaren's impressive financial performance. Since becoming CEO in 2016, Brown has overseen significant progress for the team both on and off the track.
via Motorsport.comMcLaren Racing and Edward Jones join forces in multi-year F1 and IndyCar partnershipMcLaren Racing has announced a new multi-year partnership with Edward Jones, designating the firm as the Official Private Wealth Management Partner for both Formula 1 and IndyCar. The collaboration will kick off during the 2026 Formula 1 season, featuring branding on driver helmet visors and a presence at key events. In 2027, Edward Jones will serve as the primary sponsor for Scott Dixon's #6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet at the Indianapolis 500 and other select races.
The partnership aims to enhance client and community engagement through shared values of preparation, teamwork, and resilience. Both Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, and Kevin Thimjon, President of Arrow McLaren, expressed their enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the alignment of their operational values. Edward Jones' focus on long-term success mirrors the principles that drive McLaren Racing's performance on the track.
via RacingNews365McLaren point to 'high priority' focus after Lando Norris concernMcLaren has acknowledged a significant issue that affected Lando Norris during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he faced a challenging race that ended in retirement. Team principal Andrea Stella revealed that Norris experienced problems with fuel injection and power unit deployment, which contributed to his lack of pace and ultimately led to his early exit from the race.
Stella emphasised that the team needs to improve the car's performance to provide Norris with a more consistent and raceable vehicle. He noted that Norris's difficulties were not solely due to driver error, as the team must take responsibility for the issues encountered during the race.
via PlanetF1McLaren introduces aerodynamic upgrades at BakuMcLaren has implemented a significant aerodynamic upgrade package for the MCL40 during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The enhancements aim to improve airflow management across the rear section of the car.
via PlanetF1Mercedes unveils major upgrade at Bahrain Grand PrixMercedes has introduced a significant upgrade package for its W17 car at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, featuring seven key changes including a reworked floor and sidepods. George Russell expressed optimism that these enhancements will provide the team with a competitive edge over its rivals.
via Motorsport.comMcLaren Racing projected to exceed $1 billion revenueMcLaren Racing is expected to become the first Formula 1 team to surpass $1 billion in annual revenue. This milestone reflects the team's financial growth and success in the sport.
via f1chronicle.comLando Norris apologises to Franco Colapinto after BakuLando Norris has publicly and privately apologised to Franco Colapinto following critical comments made after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Norris expressed regret for his remarks that called for a race ban for Colapinto, acknowledging the backlash and the impact on both drivers.
via Motorsport.comWhy Mercedes thought Max Verstappen was "on some sort of massive bungee cord" in Azerbaijan GPDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, George Russell initially created a significant lead over Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, but the deployment of a safety car changed the race dynamics. After the safety car, Verstappen managed to close the gap and challenged Russell, leading to a nail-biting finish where only 0.196 seconds separated them at the line.
Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord remarked on Verstappen's ability to catch up, likening it to being on a 'massive bungee cord'. Despite Russell's superior speed in the second sector, Verstappen's straight-line speed allowed him to stay close. The race highlighted the intense competition and strategic nuances of Formula 1, with Russell managing to maintain his lead despite the pressure.
via f1oversteer.comAlpine supports Franco Colapinto after Baku crashFlavio Briatore, the Alpine Formula 1 chief, has confirmed that the team will not impose any internal punishment on Franco Colapinto following his collision with team-mate Pierre Gasly during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Colapinto stated he has the full support of Briatore despite the initial anger over the incident.
via gpfans.comMcLaren faces challenges after Azerbaijan Grand PrixAndrea Stella has expressed disappointment over McLaren's performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where the team failed to secure any points. The upgraded car revealed a 'structural' weakness, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of the modifications.
via F1iLeclerc urges Ferrari to react to Red Bull and McLaren surgeCharles Leclerc expressed concern over Ferrari's performance after finishing fourth in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, highlighting that the team's SF-26 lacked the necessary pace to compete with Red Bull and McLaren. He noted that rivals had made significant upgrades, while Ferrari had not, which put them at a disadvantage.
Leclerc acknowledged that the development gap was becoming increasingly urgent, as every upgrade must count due to budget caps and testing restrictions. He confirmed that Ferrari has developments planned but was cautious about their potential impact, stressing the need for the team to respond quickly to regain lost ground.Page 2 of 23