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via Motorsport.comGuenther Steiner predicts Max Verstappen will go winless in 2026 F1 seasonGuenther Steiner, the former Haas Formula 1 team principal, has made a bold prediction that Max Verstappen will finish the 2026 Formula 1 season without a single victory. He believes that the current Red Bull Racing package is not competitive enough to secure wins, especially with strong performances from rivals Mercedes and McLaren.
Verstappen is currently sixth in the standings, significantly trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Despite achieving second place in several races this season, he has acknowledged a performance gap compared to his competitors, indicating that improvements are still needed in the car's setup and performance.
Mon 21 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via Motorsport WeekSebastian Vettel offers fresh outlook on F1’s future with unique compromiseSebastian Vettel recently shared his vision for the future of Formula 1, suggesting that the sport does not need to choose between traditional excitement and sustainability. Speaking at the Italian Grand Prix after driving a historic Ferrari, he argued that advancements in technology could allow for a blend of both elements, enhancing the sport's appeal while addressing environmental concerns.
Vettel, a known advocate for environmental issues, pointed to sustainable fuels as a significant step forward for Formula 1. He believes that these innovations could not only benefit F1 but also serve as inspiration for other racing series. His comments reflect a desire to see the sport evolve responsibly while maintaining its core values that have inspired many fans and drivers alike.
Mon 21 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton denies demands for Ferrari changesLewis Hamilton has strongly denied rumours suggesting he is requesting changes at Ferrari. The claims come as Max Verstappen continues to build momentum ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Mon 21 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton’s former Mercedes engineer always knew he would be back to ‘200%’ in a ‘winning’ carLewis Hamilton has demonstrated significant improvement in the 2026 Formula 1 season, achieving 191 points with 10 races remaining, surpassing his total from the previous year. He has won a race and secured five podium finishes, marking a notable turnaround after a challenging 2025 season without a top-three finish. This progress is attributed to both Hamilton's driving style aligning better with the new cars and Ferrari's advancements with the SF-26.
Former Mercedes engineer Philipp Brandle noted that Hamilton tends to perform at his best when he has a competitive car, suggesting that his motivation has increased this year. Despite Hamilton's insistence that he always gives 100%, his performance at Ferrari indicates that he may unlock greater potential when contending for victories. With Ferrari positioned as serious challengers this season, Hamilton's commitment and performance could further elevate if the team provides a title-contending car in the future.
Mon 21 Sep · 13:30 UTC
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.
Mon 21 Sep · 11:28 UTC
via Motorsport.comMcLaren releases behind-the-scenes look at Lando Norris's hypercar testMcLaren has released behind-the-scenes footage of Lando Norris testing their 2027 MCL-HY hypercar in Portugal. Following his third-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, Norris participated in the test at the Algarve International Circuit, completing 38 laps and covering 177km.
Norris expressed excitement about the experience, noting the differences from Formula 1 cars and the fun he had. He thanked the McLaren Hypercar Team for the opportunity and highlighted the importance of collecting data during this crucial testing period as the team prepares for the World Endurance Championship next year.Mon 21 Sep · 09:46 UTC
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.+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 09:34 UTC
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.+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 07:58 UTC
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.Mon 21 Sep · 07:30 UTC
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.Mon 21 Sep · 07:15 UTC
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.Mon 21 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via newsonf1.comMcLaren to test new H-wing at Baku for 2026 plansMcLaren will introduce a new version of its H-wing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as part of its ongoing development for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The performance of this upgrade will influence the team's decision on whether to continue its 2026 development alongside the 2027 car.
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.Mon 21 Sep · 06:20 UTC
via PlanetF1Aston Martin struggles with just three points in 2026Aston Martin has managed to secure only three points in the 2026 Formula 1 season, marking a disappointing start for the team. Adrian Newey's influence on the design has not yielded the expected results, leaving Aston Martin at the bottom of the championship standings.
+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 05:12 UTC
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.Sun 20 Sep · 19:30 UTC
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.Sun 20 Sep · 18:00 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.Sun 20 Sep · 15:56 UTC
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.Sun 20 Sep · 15:00 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.Sun 20 Sep · 13:30 UTC
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.Sun 20 Sep · 12:30 UTCPage 23 of 82