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via F1iSmedley fires back at Norris critics: ‘He’s the real deal’Rob Smedley, a former Ferrari race engineer, has come to the defense of Lando Norris, the reigning Formula 1 world champion, against critics who question his abilities due to his privileged background. Smedley argues that Norris has proven his toughness and skill, particularly after a remarkable recovery drive at the Belgian Grand Prix and a subsequent victory in Hungary, marking his first win of the 2026 season.
Smedley highlights that many drivers with more financial backing than Norris have failed to succeed in F1, emphasizing that true talent and resilience are what matter. He believes that those familiar with the sport recognize Norris' capabilities, and he asserts that Norris is not just a product of his upbringing but a genuine competitor in the sport.
Fri 7 Aug · 07:12 UTC
via RaceFansNorris vs Piastri: 2026 F1 team mates’ head-to-head scores at summer break | Formula 1Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are currently in their fourth season as teammates at McLaren, showcasing a competitive dynamic throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season. Their performances have varied from race to race, with Norris recently demonstrating a stronger form, particularly in qualifying sessions.
In the latest race in Hungary, Norris outperformed Piastri, who faced challenges including missing a practice session and being obstructed during his qualifying run. Despite these fluctuations, both drivers have maintained a closely matched rivalry, contributing to an exciting atmosphere within the team.
Fri 7 Aug · 06:25 UTC
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson makes 'no real idea' admission amid eye-catching Racing Bulls campaignLiam Lawson has had a surprising and successful start to the 2026 Formula 1 season with Racing Bulls, currently ranking ninth in the drivers' standings and contributing to the team's fifth place in the constructors' championship. Despite initial uncertainty regarding the performance of their car, Lawson has secured eight top 10 finishes, including notable P6 results in Monaco and Silverstone.
The team's journey began with a challenging P13 finish in Australia, but a strong performance in Shanghai marked a turning point. Lawson's ability to adapt and extract performance from the car has been crucial, and he acknowledges the significance of early successes in maintaining team motivation and direction throughout the season.
Thu 6 Aug · 18:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar describes Red Bull culture shockIsack Hadjar has shared his experience of moving from the junior Racing Bulls team to the senior Red Bull team, describing it as a 'culture shock.' Despite the challenges, he feels that his time in the junior program has helped ease the transition.+ 1 moreThu 6 Aug · 17:10 UTC.webp)
via Formula1.comHow an unraced Newey McLaren compares to Aston Martin’s carThe article discusses the similarities between the unraced McLaren MP4-18, designed by Adrian Newey, and the current Aston Martin AMR26. Both cars feature innovative designs, with the AMR26 recently gaining attention due to its upgraded Honda power unit and challenging development history. The MP4-18, despite never competing, left a lasting impact on Formula 1 design in subsequent seasons.
As the Aston Martin team prepares for the upcoming races, there is anticipation regarding the performance improvements that the AMR26 may bring. The article reflects on Newey's legacy in car design and how the innovations from both the MP4-18 and AMR26 could influence future developments in the sport.
Thu 6 Aug · 11:45 UTC/EXCLUSIVEINTERVIEWADHOC%20FEATURE%20V4%20DISPLAY%20(2).webp)
via Formula1.comLawson examines factors behind his impressive 2026 so farLiam Lawson has experienced a remarkable turnaround in his performance with Racing Bulls during the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season. After a difficult start in 2025, he has emerged as a standout driver, contributing to the team's rise in the standings, where they are now competing closely with the top teams in the sport.
In an interview prior to the Hungarian Grand Prix, Lawson discussed the factors behind his success and his collaboration with rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad. He also shared his aspirations for the remainder of the season, indicating a strong focus on continuing to improve and achieve more with the Racing Bulls team.Thu 6 Aug · 11:45 UTC
via Motorsport.comLando Norris branded "the real deal" after showing mental resilienceLando Norris has received commendation from former F1 engineer Rob Smedley, who highlighted the driver's mental toughness and consistency, labeling him as 'the real deal.' This recognition follows Norris's performance in the Belgian Grand Prix, where he finished seventh despite a grid penalty, and his subsequent victory in Hungary, marking his first win of the season. Currently, he ranks fifth in the drivers' championship with 128 points, trailing Charles Leclerc and ahead of Max Verstappen.
Smedley pointed out that while Norris's junior career was well-supported, many drivers with similar backgrounds have not succeeded in F1. He believes that the criticism Norris faces often comes from those not directly involved in the sport, while insiders appreciate his dedication and resilience. Smedley asserts that Norris's ability to handle pressure and maintain speed makes him a formidable competitor in the racing world.
Thu 6 Aug · 10:13 UTC
via grandprix.comTsolov confident F1 chance will comeNikola Tsolov, currently leading the Formula 2 championship, remains optimistic about securing a future opportunity in Formula 1. Despite the strong performances of his competitors, Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, Tsolov is focused on his current goal of winning the F2 title rather than speculating on his F1 prospects.
Tsolov acknowledges that while the decision for the 2027 season is complicated, he believes that consistent performance in F2 will enhance his chances of moving up to Formula 1. He remains committed to his current racing efforts and is confident that his hard work will eventually lead to an opportunity in the top tier of motorsport.
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri confident about McLaren's 2026 potentialOscar Piastri expressed confidence in McLaren's ability to replicate past mid-season improvements in 2026. Despite a mixed first half of the season, he believes there are hidden gains that may not be immediately visible in the results.+ 1 moreWed 5 Aug · 18:00 UTC
via CrashLando Norris confident in McLaren's future after winLando Norris secured his first win of the Formula 1 season at the Hungaroring, marking a significant turnaround for his campaign. Following this victory, he expressed confidence in McLaren's potential for future races.
+ 1 moreWed 5 Aug · 07:30 UTC
via grandprix.comFerrari commits to aggressive upgrade strategyFerrari has announced its commitment to an aggressive upgrade strategy as it seeks to enhance its performance in the current season. The team will focus on frequent smaller updates rather than fewer large packages, aiming to close the gap with competitors like Mercedes.
via RacingNews365Racing Bulls issued dramatic podium F1 prediction: 'It wouldn't surprise me'Racing Bulls has shown strong performance in the current Formula 1 season, sitting fifth in the constructors' championship and consistently finishing in the top 10. Former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe has made a bold prediction that Racing Bulls will secure a podium finish this year, highlighting the potential of drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad to capitalize on opportunities during races.
Hinchcliffe's confidence stems from the team's development and the drivers' high performance levels. He noted that if conditions are favorable, such as during a rain-affected race, either Lawson or Lindblad could potentially achieve this milestone, similar to how Isack Hadjar did last season.Tue 4 Aug · 18:00 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren offer unusual crisp comparison to explain new F1 rules: 'Like someone asks you to try corn tortilla chips'McLaren's technical director Mark Temple has used a unique analogy involving crisps to explain the complexities of the new F1 regulations, particularly the significant changes to the power unit. While the chassis modifications are evolutionary, the power unit's overhaul, including the removal of the MGU-H and an increased MGU-K output, presents a substantial challenge for drivers, demanding constant energy management during races.
Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have voiced their frustrations with the new power units, indicating that the driving experience has deteriorated compared to previous seasons. Temple recognizes that the difficulties faced by drivers cannot be entirely mitigated through simulation training, as the real-world racing environment introduces additional challenges that impact performance.Tue 4 Aug · 16:20 UTC
via CrashHakkinen advises McLaren against signing VerstappenMika Hakkinen has cautioned McLaren against making a significant move for Max Verstappen, suggesting it may disrupt their current stability. The two-time world champion's potential transfer to McLaren has been a topic of speculation for the 2027 season.+ 3 moreTue 4 Aug · 09:19 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren outline 'biggest headlines' in mixed new F1 era startMcLaren has experienced a mixed start to the new Formula 1 season under revised power unit regulations. Despite winning both the drivers' and constructors' championships in 2025, the team has struggled to maintain its previous dominance and has often found itself in third place this season. Technical director Mark Temple highlighted the challenges posed by the new engine regulations and the team's cautious approach to upgrades compared to more aggressive rivals.
Lando Norris's victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix marked a significant achievement for McLaren, yet reliability issues, largely stemming from Mercedes' power unit, have hindered their performance. Temple acknowledged that the team has faced unexpected challenges in their preparations for races, indicating that there is still considerable work ahead to optimize their processes and improve competitiveness in the ongoing season.Tue 4 Aug · 09:05 UTC
via Motorsport.comMcLaren to introduce rotating rear wing in futureMcLaren plans to implement its rotating rear wing design, known as the 'Macarena,' at a later date. Team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that the exact timing for its introduction remains unspecified.+ 1 moreTue 4 Aug · 08:22 UTC
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson makes 'by far the strongest' claim over vital Racing Bulls strengthLiam Lawson has praised the Racing Bulls team for its strong development program, stating it is the best he has experienced during his time with the team. He currently ranks ninth in the drivers' championship, having secured consistent results, including two sixth-place finishes in Monaco and Silverstone. Racing Bulls is performing well in the constructors' standings, sitting fifth with 66 points, and has scored points in almost every race this season, except for Miami.
The improvements made to the VCARB 03, particularly in the floor and chassis, have contributed to the team's success. Lawson highlighted the team's ability to maximize their performance each weekend, showcasing operational efficiency and a competitive edge. He expressed satisfaction with the car's handling and the overall progress of Racing Bulls throughout the season.Tue 4 Aug · 04:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comMartin Brundle says title race is still open after winMartin Brundle has expressed that the 2026 Formula 1 championship remains uncertain following McLaren's recent victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Sky Sports F1 pundit emphasized that the title fight is still very much alive as the season progresses.+ 1 moreMon 3 Aug · 15:12 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris reveals surprise at timing of McLaren recoveryLando Norris achieved a surprising victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, which was McLaren's first win of the 2026 season. This success came after a challenging start for the team, which had only accumulated 18 points in the first two races due to reliability issues and crashes. The team introduced significant upgrades that contributed to their performance turnaround at the Hungaroring, allowing Norris to finish well ahead of his competitors.
Despite the victory, Norris emphasized the need for continued improvement, particularly in high-speed cornering, and acknowledged that the team had to be patient with their development strategy. Currently, he sits fifth in the drivers' standings, trailing the championship leader by a significant margin, but remains hopeful for future races as McLaren works on enhancing their car's performance.Mon 3 Aug · 06:20 UTC
via Motorsport.comMcLaren "ready to challenge" Mercedes after upgrade, says Sky F1 commentatorThe article highlights McLaren's recent performance improvements following an upgrade package introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix. David Croft, a commentator for Sky Sports F1, believes that these upgrades have positioned McLaren to effectively challenge Mercedes for the championship title as the 2026 season progresses. Lando Norris, who secured his first victory as reigning champion, currently sits fifth in the drivers' standings, trailing Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, by 91 points.
Croft emphasizes that McLaren's enhanced understanding of their power unit and the successful implementation of upgrades have allowed them to regain competitiveness. He expresses optimism about Norris's potential to close the gap in the championship standings, suggesting that McLaren must continue to capitalize on their recent momentum to maximize their chances in the constructors' championship as well.Sun 2 Aug · 12:00 UTCPage 27 of 29