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via Motorsport.com2025 F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin sets timeline for Formula 1 race seatDoriane Pin, the 2025 F1 Academy champion and current Mercedes Formula 1 development driver, has set a goal to secure a race seat in Formula 1 within the next five years. In a recent interview, she expressed her ambition to race in F1 and her belief that female drivers can achieve championship success, stating that her presence in the sport could inspire more women to pursue careers in motorsport.
Pin, who became the first woman to drive a Mercedes F1 car during a test at Silverstone, is also involved in other racing series, including the World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series. She is passionate about promoting diversity in motorsport, highlighting the need for more opportunities for women in the industry. Pin's aspirations follow a small group of female drivers who have participated in modern F1, including Susie Wolff and Jessica Hawkins.
via gpfans.comF1 icon hammers Ferrari star for treating F1 like a 'picnic'David Coulthard has expressed concerns over Charles Leclerc's approach to Formula 1, suggesting that the Ferrari driver treats race weekends too casually, akin to a family outing. Coulthard noted that Leclerc often appears with his wife and their dog during races, which he feels is inappropriate for the seriousness of the sport.
Despite Coulthard's criticism, Leclerc's performance has been strong, as he has outscored fellow competitor Lewis Hamilton by 22 points in the last six races. Leclerc's personal life has been in the spotlight since his marriage in February 2026 and the announcement of an impending child, which Coulthard believes may distract from the competitive nature of Formula 1.
via RacingNews365Baku low-drag mastery points to one F1 team to fear in Azerbaijan GPMercedes arrives in Baku with strong momentum from recent races, particularly excelling in low-drag setups that suit the Azerbaijan Grand Prix's demands. Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are highlighted as key drivers to watch, with the W17 car demonstrating an effective balance of downforce and speed, crucial for the long straights and tight corners of the Baku circuit.
In contrast, Red Bull's Max Verstappen has shown improvement, podiuming in four of his last five races, making them a credible threat. Meanwhile, McLaren is reallocating engineering resources to support Oscar Piastri, while Ferrari's performance is under scrutiny due to concerns over their straight-line speed, which could hinder their competitiveness in Baku.
via Motorsport.comGabriel Bortoleto opens up on Fernando Alonso's personality away from F1 camerasGabriel Bortoleto, an Audi Formula 1 driver, has shared insights about his manager, Fernando Alonso, stating that Alonso's personality remains consistent both on and off the camera. Bortoleto appreciates Alonso's straightforwardness and sense of humour, noting that his sarcasm is often entertaining and genuine.
In his second season in Formula 1, Bortoleto reflects on his journey since debuting in 2025. He recalls Alonso's praise for him as the best rookie of his generation after a strong performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Currently, Bortoleto is ranked 14th in the championship standings, ahead of his teammate Nico Hulkenberg.
via Motorsport.comLeclerc explains why he won't copy Hamilton's styleCharles Leclerc has clarified his decision not to emulate Lewis Hamilton's driving style while adapting to Ferrari's 2026 Formula 1 car. He stated that the challenges posed by the new regulations made it difficult to replicate Hamilton's approach.
via Motorsport.comMercedes and Aston Martin go head-to-head in charity football match: Here are the resultsStaff from Mercedes and Aston Martin faced off in an annual charity football match to raise funds for local and mental health charities. The match took place at Brackley Town Football Club, with Mercedes winning the men's game 3-1 and Aston Martin taking the women's game 2-1.
Mercedes donated proceeds to Helen & Douglas House, while Aston Martin supported Movember. The event followed the Spanish Grand Prix, where Mercedes continues to lead the constructors' standings, while Aston Martin struggles at the bottom of the table.
via F1iBinotto singles out Bortoleto as his Schumacher-like F1 talentMattia Binotto, the chief of Audi's Formula 1 project, has identified Gabriel Bortoleto as a driver with qualities reminiscent of Michael Schumacher. Binotto, who spent many years at Ferrari alongside Schumacher, emphasised that Bortoleto's work ethic and human sensitivity stand out, traits he believes are essential for success in F1.
Bortoleto, now 21, did not grow up idolising Schumacher but has come to appreciate the seven-time champion through Binotto's insights. As Audi develops its new F1 team, having a driver like Bortoleto, who possesses both talent and the ability to motivate those around him, is seen as vital for the team's future.
via gpfans.comHinchcliffe says Hamilton and Ferrari's 2026 hopes are overJames Hinchcliffe has stated that Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's chances of winning the 2026 Formula 1 championship are effectively finished after a costly retirement at the Spanish Grand Prix. The former IndyCar driver described Ferrari's performance as a 'resounding flop', further diminishing Hamilton's aspirations for an eighth world title.
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc was sure Fred Vasseur would make him ‘first driver’ when he joined FerrariCharles Leclerc was confident that Fred Vasseur would elevate him to the role of 'first driver' upon his arrival at Ferrari. This expectation stemmed from Leclerc's previous relationship with Vasseur during their time at Alfa Romeo, and he reportedly advocated for Vasseur's hiring partly due to this belief.
Despite Leclerc's hopes, he has not been granted the status of top driver in his tenure alongside Carlos Sainz, as Ferrari has struggled to compete for the championship. Vasseur has maintained a neutral stance on driver hierarchy, citing concerns about the potential negative impact of favouring one driver too early in the season.
via gpfans.comChristian Horner 'perfect man' to fix Ferrari as F1 star highlights Vasseur's 'big mistake'Christian Horner has been identified as the 'perfect man' to lead Ferrari, especially following recent tensions between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. These tensions arose during the Dutch and Italian Grands Prix, where Leclerc's refusal to let Hamilton pass cost him valuable time and points, leaving Hamilton significantly behind in the championship race.
Former F1 driver Marc Surer has criticized Ferrari's team principal Fred Vasseur for not taking a stronger stance during these incidents, calling it a 'big mistake'. Surer believes that for Horner to succeed at Ferrari, he would need the autonomy to assemble his own team, similar to what Ross Brawn did in the past, to restore the team's competitive edge.
via gpfans.comF1 News Today: Hamilton escapes, Mercedes masterplan and Verstappen Le Mans statementLewis Hamilton has taken a break from the intense atmosphere at Ferrari, enjoying a mini world tour with girlfriend Kim Kardashian, which included stops in Paris, London, and a gala in Los Angeles. This comes as Mercedes continues to perform strongly in the season, aiming for both the drivers' and constructors' championships.
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin confirmed that upgrades for the W17 are expected soon, specifically for the upcoming race in Malaysia. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen's potential participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been highlighted, as there are no F1 races scheduled to clash with the event this year. Additionally, Aston Martin's Mike Krack has expressed concerns over Fernando Alonso's future, while Cadillac's Mark Walter faces legal troubles.
via newsonf1.comGabriel Bortoleto expresses fear of flying in F1Gabriel Bortoleto has revealed that flying around the world for Formula 1 races is becoming increasingly difficult for him. The Audi driver shared his concerns in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
via RacingNews365Ferrari point to biggest factor behind missed F1 2026 chancesFerrari's team principal Fred Vasseur has acknowledged that the team's execution during race weekends has significantly impacted their performance in the 2023 Formula 1 season. With a current total of 358 points, Ferrari sits second in the constructors' championship, but they are 145 points behind Mercedes. Vasseur pointed out that both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have shown front-running pace but have failed to convert that into consistent results due to execution errors.
Vasseur highlighted that the new technical regulations and the addition of an 11th team have posed challenges for all teams, including Ferrari. He emphasised the need for the team to focus on improving their own performance rather than comparing themselves to competitors. Vasseur's comments reflect a commitment to addressing the internal issues that have led to missed opportunities this season.
via the-race.comWhat Mercedes' rivals got so badly wrong in F1 2026After a disappointing Spanish Grand Prix, both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes have acknowledged that the 2026 Formula 1 title race is effectively over, with Kimi Antonelli dominating the standings. Antonelli has secured eight victories in 14 races, leaving his rivals struggling to keep pace, with Hamilton and Russell both failing to win in their last six outings.
Ferrari's early-season potential has not translated into consistent performance, as they have been outmaneuvered politically and technically. Meanwhile, McLaren's Lando Norris has shown promise with recent wins, but the team admits to having fallen behind in development. Looking ahead, both Ferrari and McLaren are under pressure to improve for the 2027 season, with McLaren planning significant changes to their car design.
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff's 'league of his own' comments highlight why Lando Norris is beating Oscar PiastriToto Wolff praised Lando Norris for his exceptional performance during qualifying at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Norris achieved pole position with a remarkable lap time of 1:31.385. Wolff noted Norris' skill in managing rear tyre overheating, especially under challenging hot conditions, which set him apart from his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Despite the compliments, Piastri's ongoing difficulties with tyre management were acknowledged, with McLaren's recent upgrades aimed at addressing these issues. Team principal Andrea Stella has urged Piastri to adapt his driving style to improve his performance, as his struggles have been a recurring theme in his career.
via Motorsport.comLando Norris predicted to overtake George Russell in 2026 F1 standingsGuenther Steiner, the former Haas team principal, has expressed confidence that Lando Norris will surpass George Russell in the 2026 Formula 1 drivers' championship standings. Currently, Norris sits in fourth place with 186 points, while Russell holds second with 211 points, and Kimi Antonelli leads the championship with 292 points.
Norris has recently experienced a surge in performance, winning consecutive races at the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix. Following these victories, he emphasized the improvements within the McLaren team and his belief in their potential to compete for the championship. Norris remains optimistic about the team's ability to enhance their car and maintain their momentum as the season progresses.
via f1oversteer.comJames Vowles points to the 2027 F1 rule change that gives Ferrari hope against MercedesFerrari has faced challenges in keeping up with Mercedes this season, primarily due to engine performance issues. The upcoming 2027 regulations, which are expected to alter the engine power distribution, could provide Ferrari with an opportunity to improve their competitiveness against Mercedes and Red Bull.
Williams team principal James Vowles commented on the potential impact of the 2027 rule changes, suggesting that without these adjustments, the current standings among top teams would likely remain unchanged. He emphasised the importance for Ferrari to begin working on their 2027 engine immediately to avoid falling further behind their rivals.
via Motorsport WeekPaddock insider reveals Lewis Hamilton’s ‘psychological war’ on Nico RosbergOtmar Szafnauer has disclosed the psychological tactics Lewis Hamilton employed against his former Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg during their intense rivalry. Szafnauer recounted how Hamilton would hide Rosberg's football, which the German used to prepare for races, as a way to disrupt his focus and rhythm.
Additionally, Szafnauer noted that Hamilton's mind games were reminiscent of those used by Michael Schumacher, who also aimed to unsettle Rosberg during their time together. Despite Hamilton's tactics, Rosberg ultimately triumphed by winning the 2016 drivers' championship before announcing his retirement from Formula 1.
via f1oversteer.comFerrari now lining up statement move for ex-Mercedes power unit designerFerrari is actively seeking to strengthen its engine division ahead of the 2027 season, aiming to reduce the performance gap to competitors Mercedes and Red Bull. The team has been identified as being over four percent off the pace, with their engine reportedly lacking 20 horsepower compared to Mercedes. Recent personnel changes, including the departure of key staff, have prompted Ferrari to recruit new talent, particularly from successful teams like Red Bull and Mercedes, to bring fresh ideas into their engine development.
The current season has seen Ferrari's SF-26 car struggle with straight-line speed due to its extreme aerodynamic design. While drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have secured one victory each, neither is in contention for the championship, and Ferrari faces the risk of dropping to third in the constructors' standings. The team acknowledges that their design choices have impacted engine performance, and they are looking to address this with upcoming engine upgrades.
via f1oversteer.comFerrari employee admits Lewis Hamilton's 'followers' have complicated his relationship with the teamA Ferrari employee has revealed that Lewis Hamilton's significant influence and star power have complicated his relationship with the team. Amidst a series of strategic errors and a recent DNF at the Spanish Grand Prix, concerns have been raised about how Hamilton's presence affects team dynamics, particularly regarding decision-making and communication. The employee noted that the fear of openly disagreeing with Hamilton stems from his massive social media following, which surpasses that of Ferrari itself.
Despite Hamilton's denial of trying to influence personnel changes within the team, the situation highlights the challenges Ferrari faces in balancing the input of a high-profile driver with maintaining a clear chain of command. While Hamilton's experience and success could benefit Ferrari, there is a cautionary note about granting too much power to any driver, as it could disrupt the team's hierarchy and decision-making processes.Page 20 of 72