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via newsonf1.comMekies admits ‘car degradation’ problem will lingerLaurent Mekies, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has acknowledged that the team is struggling to fully comprehend the 'car degradation' issues that Max Verstappen has been experiencing. This problem, which affects the performance of the RB22 during races and practice sessions, is expected to continue into the 2027 season, despite some progress made in recent races.
Verstappen has expressed his frustration with the situation, indicating that he does not foresee a comeback in the championship standings. Mekies has refrained from disclosing the specific causes of the degradation but recognizes its complexity, suggesting that it will remain a challenge for the team in the near future.Reliability now Antonelli’s main rival – WolffToto Wolff highlighted that reliability issues may pose the biggest challenge to Kimi Antonelli's pursuit of the 2026 world championship after he secured a victory in Madrid, extending his lead to 81 points. Despite acknowledging that Lando Norris was the faster driver during the race, Antonelli remains focused on maintaining his performance without adopting a defensive strategy.
Wolff emphasized the importance of addressing mechanical reliability, as the team has experienced fragility in their car and engine this season. While competitors like George Russell and Lando Norris recognize Antonelli's dominance, Ralf Schumacher cautioned against complacency, noting that unforeseen issues could still arise, especially with a car update planned for the next race.
via thejudge13.comRed Bull confirms Isack Hadjar's recovery is on trackRed Bull Racing has provided an update on Isack Hadjar's recovery from injury, emphasizing the importance of his health over a rushed return. The team is planning further evaluations to determine his availability for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
+ 3 moreSun 13 Sep · 23:36 UTC
via RaceFansOn This Day: Ferrari run blank livery at home race as tribute to 9/11 victims | BriefOn September 14, 2026, it was noted that 25 years ago, Ferrari unveiled a special tribute at the Italian Grand Prix, where they ran blank liveries and black noses on their cars. This gesture was made to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, with drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello participating in the practice session at Monza shortly after the events.
In addition to Ferrari, other Formula 1 teams also showed their solidarity by incorporating tributes on their cars. This moment in F1 history highlights the sport's ability to come together in times of tragedy, reflecting the impact of global events on the racing community.
Sun 13 Sep · 23:01 UTC
via Formula1.com5 betting lessons after Antonelli wins the Spanish GPKimi Antonelli secured a victory at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, showcasing his talent and the capabilities of the Mercedes team. This win is seen as a pivotal moment in the season, contributing to the team's competitive standing in Formula 1.
The race also served as a learning opportunity for bettors, offering valuable lessons on how to approach future betting strategies based on the outcomes and performances observed during the event. Antonelli's success has set a high bar for his upcoming races.
Sun 13 Sep · 21:38 UTC
via gpfans.comMercedes F1 boss Toto Wolf blasts 'bulls*** couch warriors' on Kimi Antonelli conspiracyToto Wolff, the Mercedes F1 team principal, has publicly condemned fans who suggested that the team favored Kimi Antonelli during the Italian Grand Prix. He defended the team's strategic decisions, explaining that Antonelli's choice of starting on hard tyres was part of a calculated plan, which was altered by a red flag incident that affected both drivers' strategies.
Despite some criticism from Russell's fans regarding the pit stop strategy, Wolff maintained that the decisions made were correct. Russell himself recognized Antonelli's impressive drive and the role of the virtual safety car in the race, indicating that the outcome could have been different without it.
Sun 13 Sep · 20:57 UTC
via f1chronicle.comToto Wolff Dismisses ‘Couch Warriors’ Criticism of Mercedes’ Handling of George Russell at MonzaToto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, defended the team's decision to pit George Russell during the Italian Grand Prix, which critics claimed cost him the win. He referred to the critics as 'couch warriors' and emphasized that the tyre strategy was sound, with Russell on a hard compound suited for a one-stop race while Antonelli, who won, was on fresher mediums after starting on hard tyres.
Wolff acknowledged the challenges of managing two title contenders within the same team and noted that such decisions are part of the competitive nature of Formula 1. He also mentioned a near-collision between Russell and Antonelli late in the race, which could have mirrored Ferrari's earlier mishap, highlighting the fine margins in racing.
via grandprix.comMcLaren tries to bring Lambiase move forwardMcLaren is reportedly in discussions with Red Bull to expedite Gianpiero Lambiase's move to their team, originally scheduled for 2028, to as early as 2027. This comes as Max Verstappen prepares to race without Lambiase for three weekends, during which Tom Hart is set to take over as his race engineer. The negotiations hinge on Red Bull's willingness to release Lambiase and any potential gardening leave he may need to serve.
Lambiase has been a key figure in Verstappen's career since 2016, and his departure will lead to a restructuring of responsibilities within Red Bull. Tom McCullough is expected to step in as Head of Racing. The situation gained traction after Lambiase was spotted conversing with McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, indicating potential collaboration. The effectiveness of the new arrangement will be tested during the upcoming races in Austin, Sao Paulo, and Las Vegas.
via f1oversteer.comNico Rosberg fears Liam Lawson is still ‘not good enough’ for Red Bull despite doing ‘very well’Nico Rosberg has acknowledged Liam Lawson's commendable performances with Red Bull, particularly noting his sixth-place finish in the recent Spanish Grand Prix. Despite Lawson's success, Rosberg remains skeptical about his long-term fit within the team, emphasizing that Red Bull seeks drivers who can consistently match the performance of stars like Max Verstappen.
Rosberg highlighted that while Lawson has shown improvement and scored 59 points this season, he may not possess the same potential as other Red Bull drivers like Isack Hadjar or Arvid Lindblad. The team is reportedly still setting high standards for their young talents, which raises questions about Lawson's future prospects in the competitive environment of Formula 1.
Sun 13 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Hamilton Discusses Ferrari Retirement During Spanish Grand PrixLewis Hamilton experienced his first retirement of the 2026 season during the Spanish Grand Prix. Max Verstappen found humor in Hamilton's explanation regarding the circumstances of the Ferrari retirement.
Sun 13 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via gpfans.comGuenther Steiner criticises Lando Norris's behaviourGuenther Steiner has expressed disapproval of Lando Norris's actions in the cooldown room following the Spanish Grand Prix. Norris, who finished third in the race, reportedly reacted strongly to an F1 official, stating he would act as he pleased.+ 1 moreSun 13 Sep · 18:55 UTC/GettyImages-2294377933.webp)
via Formula1.comWolff explains decision on Russell's tyre strategy in MadridToto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, defended the decision to have George Russell pit twice during the Spanish Grand Prix, despite Russell questioning the strategy during the race. Russell made his first pit stop for medium tyres during a Virtual Safety Car and later switched to hard tyres, ultimately finishing fifth, while his teammate Kimi Antonelli won the race with a one-stop strategy.
After the race, Russell reflected on the tyre choices and acknowledged that the hard tyre was the better option. He also indicated that he felt he could not have won the Drivers' Championship this season, as Antonelli extended his lead to 81 points. Wolff emphasized the need to help Russell unlock his potential, given his previous successes in lower racing categories.Sun 13 Sep · 18:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLiam Lawson disagrees with Laurent Mekies’ verdict on his Spanish Grand Prix performanceLiam Lawson achieved his best finish as a Red Bull driver by placing sixth in the Spanish Grand Prix, aided by Lewis Hamilton's retirement. This performance marked an improvement from his previous race at Zandvoort, where he finished seventh. Lawson's strategy involved extending his hard tires until lap 44, and he engaged in a notable battle with McLaren's Oscar Piastri during the race.
Despite his strong finish, Lawson disagreed with team principal Laurent Mekies, who stated that he had extracted everything from the car. Lawson indicated that he believed there was more performance to be found and mentioned issues he faced earlier in the race. As he awaits confirmation for his next race in Azerbaijan, Red Bull has not provided updates on the injury timeline of his teammate.Sun 13 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via Formula1.comStella outlines the logic behind Norris’ ‘unlucky’ stopLando Norris' performance in the Spanish Grand Prix was significantly impacted by the timing of a Virtual Safety Car, which led to a late pit stop that ultimately resulted in a third-place finish. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella explained that the decision to pit was made because staying out would have meant using worn tyres, which would have forced Norris to pit later behind competitors who had already switched to fresher hard tyres.
Despite the disappointment of not winning, Stella expressed optimism about the team's progress throughout the season, highlighting Norris' strong pace and competitive performance. He noted that the timing of the Virtual Safety Car was unfortunate but emphasized that the team remains positive about their future prospects in the championship.Sun 13 Sep · 17:58 UTC
via racer.comFerrari mulls what might have been as Hamilton concedes title hopes are overIn the recent Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton acknowledged that his chances for the championship are over after losing 25 points to Kimi Antonelli, who secured his second consecutive victory and eighth of the season. Hamilton faced early retirement due to brake issues, while his teammate Charles Leclerc managed to finish fourth despite the challenges faced during the race.
Leclerc expressed satisfaction with the car's performance but highlighted concerns regarding Ferrari's qualifying pace, which affects their ability to compete effectively in races. He noted that while the car showed strong pace on hard tires, starting further back on the grid complicates their race strategy.
via RacingNews365McLaren boss bemoans 'cruelty' that struck Lando NorrisLando Norris faced unfortunate circumstances during the Spanish Grand Prix, where he was leading after a strong pole position. However, an ill-timed virtual safety car cost him the chance to pit at the optimal moment, resulting in him losing positions and ultimately finishing third.
McLaren's CEO Zak Brown expressed disappointment over the 'cruel' luck that affected Norris's race, highlighting that the team had performed well and that Norris was dominant throughout the early stages. Despite the setback, Norris remained optimistic about future races, acknowledging the team's efforts and expressing confidence in their potential to win more races this season.Sun 13 Sep · 17:15 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMartin Brundle says time is up for one Formula 1 driver he absolutely lovesMartin Brundle has expressed that Aston Martin should consider a complete overhaul of their driver lineup, suggesting that Fernando Alonso should be let go as the team looks to rebuild. Despite Alonso being the only driver to score points for Aston Martin this season, the team is struggling at the bottom of the standings, and Brundle believes it's time for a fresh start with younger drivers.
Brundle acknowledges Alonso's contributions to F1 but questions the wisdom of extending his contract given his age and the team's current performance. Alonso's future in the sport seems uncertain, as he has voiced concerns about upcoming regulations, and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has indicated he will try to persuade Alonso to remain in F1.Sun 13 Sep · 16:56 UTC
via Crash'Racing gods were with us' - Toto Wolff concedes fortunate Madrid F1 winKimi Antonelli claimed victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, benefiting from a timely virtual safety car that allowed him to close the gap on race leader Lando Norris. The VSC was deployed to recover Lance Stroll's car, which had become stranded, and it significantly altered the race dynamics, enabling Antonelli to pit while Norris lost crucial time. This win marks Antonelli's eighth career victory and extends his championship lead to 81 points.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed his appreciation for the team's strategy and Antonelli's driving under pressure. He noted that the timing of the virtual safety car was fortunate for them, contrasting it with previous races where they faced bad luck. Despite the pressure, Antonelli has maintained a cool demeanor, which Wolff believes is key to his success as the season progresses.
Sun 13 Sep · 16:10 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen issues comical response to successful Lando Norris defenceMax Verstappen achieved a surprising second-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, having started from third. His race included an early incident where he passed both Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli but was instructed by Red Bull to give those positions back. After Hamilton's retirement, Verstappen regained third place and eventually moved up to second when Lando Norris was unable to pit during a virtual safety car period.
In the final laps, Norris closed in on Verstappen but could not overtake due to the track's layout, which Verstappen criticized for lacking overtaking opportunities. Verstappen humorously explained his defense strategy, emphasizing the importance of positioning his car effectively to maintain grip and fend off Norris's advances.Sun 13 Sep · 15:20 UTC
via espn.comSpanish Grand Prix LIVE! Latest updates as Norris starts on pole from Antonelli, VerstappenLando Norris achieved pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, edging out Kimi Antonelli by a mere 0.011 seconds. Norris expressed surprise at his performance, calling it one of the best laps of his career. Max Verstappen will start in third place, while Carlos Sainz faces a setback with a three-place grid penalty, placing him at the back of the grid in 20th position.
The Madring circuit has garnered attention for its challenging layout, with drivers voicing concerns about overtaking opportunities. Verstappen noted the difficulty of passing on the track, emphasizing that drivers may need to rely on tire degradation to gain positions during the race.
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