McLarenRB F1 TeamRed Bull 
via gpfans.comSebastian Vettel returns to Red Bull and 'leaves surprise' for Max VerstappenSebastian Vettel made a notable return to Red Bull during the Italian Grand Prix on September 6, 2026, where he left a personal message for current champion Max Verstappen on his helmet visor. This visit marked Vettel's first appearance at Red Bull since his departure from the team in 2014 and his retirement from F1 in 2022. The gesture highlighted the camaraderie between the two drivers, with Vettel reminiscing about his time with the team and the legacy of their past successes.
In addition to his visit to Red Bull, Vettel drove Michael Schumacher's iconic F2002 Ferrari at Monza, an experience that stirred deep emotions for him. He reflected on his childhood admiration for Schumacher and the significance of the car in F1 history. The event served as a poignant reminder of Vettel's illustrious career and his connection to the sport's past, while also celebrating the ongoing achievements of Verstappen and Red Bull Racing.
gpfans.comSun 6 Sep · 13:13 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen reacts to insulting Pierre Wache nickname after Red Bull woes at MonzaMax Verstappen expressed frustration with his RB22, calling it a 'paper car' after a disappointing qualifying session at Monza, where he finished sixth. This comment led to Red Bull's technical director Pierre Wache being humorously nicknamed 'paper Wache,' highlighting the struggles the team has faced under new regulations since Wache took over from Adrian Newey. Verstappen acknowledged the ongoing issues but emphasized that the blame should not fall on a single individual, indicating a collective effort is needed to improve the car's performance.
Despite the challenges, team principal Laurent Mekies defended Wache, noting the advancements made with the power unit. Verstappen's remarks reflect a broader concern within the team as they aim to resolve persistent problems ahead of the upcoming races. With Verstappen's new contract extending until 2030, there is an expectation for significant improvements in the future, especially as the team seeks to regain its competitive edge.
f1oversteer.comSun 6 Sep · 12:00 UTC
via F1iNorris candid on ‘most painful thing’ biting McLaren at MonzaLando Norris faced challenges during qualifying at Monza, where he managed to secure only eighth place despite the tight competition among the top 10 drivers. He highlighted a significant straight-line speed deficit as a major issue, which was exacerbated by his teammate Oscar Piastri's mistake that denied him the aerodynamic assistance he needed for a better lap time. Norris acknowledged that while his own performance was not perfect, the primary factor in his time loss was the car's lack of speed on the straights.
In addition to the speed issues, Norris also dealt with inconsistent braking behavior, which affected his confidence, especially in Monza's demanding braking zones. He pointed out that the circuit magnified known weaknesses in the McLaren MCL40, indicating that the team must focus on improvements in these areas moving forward. Norris's candid reflections underscore the challenges he faces as he prepares for the race, with the potential for a difficult Sunday ahead.
F1iSun 6 Sep · 10:52 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen in brutal dig as Red Bull struggle again: 'Less power than a Fiat Punto'Max Verstappen has expressed significant frustration with his Red Bull car's performance during the lead-up to the Italian Grand Prix, particularly after experiencing a power drop in practice. Despite recently signing a substantial contract extension with the team, he described his car's power as being inferior to that of a Fiat Punto, highlighting ongoing struggles with the vehicle's competitiveness under the new regulations emphasizing battery power usage.
Currently sitting sixth in the Drivers' standings, Verstappen's performance this season has been disappointing, as he trails the championship leader by a considerable margin. His qualifying position improved slightly due to a penalty for another driver, but the overall sentiment remains one of dissatisfaction with both the car and the regulatory changes affecting the sport.gpfans.comSun 6 Sep · 10:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLee McKenzie amazed by what she saw Oscar Piastri’s family do in McLaren’s Monza hospitalityDuring the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri narrowly missed out on provisional pole, finishing just four hundredths of a second behind. Despite receiving a three-place grid penalty for impeding, Piastri's teammate Lando Norris assisted him with a slipstream during the session. Ultimately, Pierre Gasly secured his first-ever pole position, marking a significant achievement in his career after 190 races, and drawing cheers from the paddock, including Piastri's family in McLaren's hospitality area.
Gasly's pole position is notable as it is the first time a driver from outside the top four teams has achieved this since 2022. This moment is particularly special for Gasly, as it occurred at Monza, the same circuit where he claimed his first race victory. Following the qualifying, Piastri expressed his congratulations to Gasly and the Alpine team, highlighting the camaraderie within the sport despite the competitive nature of Formula 1.f1oversteer.comSun 6 Sep · 10:30 UTC
via Formula1.comStella on whether McLaren can still target Monza podiumAndrea Stella, the Team Principal of McLaren, expressed optimism about the team's chances for a podium finish at the Monza race, despite Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris qualifying sixth and eighth, respectively. Piastri's grid position was affected by a three-place penalty for impeding another driver, but both drivers showed strong pace in earlier qualifying sessions, finishing second and third in Q2. Stella highlighted the need for smart driving and strategic execution during the race to maximize their performance potential.
Stella acknowledged that several factors, including battery management and track positioning, impacted their qualifying results. He believes that the car's performance at Monza, a circuit known for its straight-line speed, provides encouragement for the race. The team aims to improve execution and strategy to capitalize on their competitive pace, making the upcoming race an intriguing challenge.
Formula1.comSun 6 Sep · 10:24 UTC
via RacingNews365Racing Bulls concede to ‘not ideal’ driver swap headacheRed Bull Racing faced challenges due to Isack Hadjar's wrist injury, which led to Liam Lawson stepping in as a replacement for two races. Yuki Tsunoda was then brought in to fill Lawson's seat at Racing Bulls, creating a disrupted driver lineup that team boss Alan Permane acknowledged was 'not ideal'. Despite the complications, Lawson managed to finish seventh at Zandvoort and provided useful feedback on the car's handling characteristics during the races.
Permane highlighted that while the situation was difficult, preparations for the second race at Monza were more organized. Lawson expressed eagerness to return to his original car once Hadjar recovers, indicating a strong commitment to the team and the ongoing season's demands.
RacingNews365Sun 6 Sep · 09:45 UTC
via Motorsport.comHow McLaren left itself exposed at the F1 Italian Grand PrixMcLaren faced challenges during the qualifying session at the Italian Grand Prix, where they initially showed promise by securing second and third positions in Q2. However, their performance deteriorated in Q3 due to execution errors, including a lock-up by Oscar Piastri that affected both drivers' final runs.
Stella highlighted that McLaren's garage position forced them to go out first in Q3, limiting their ability to benefit from slipstreams. The team struggled with battery management and tire locking issues, which compounded their difficulties on the energy-sensitive Monza track.
Motorsport.comSun 6 Sep · 09:21 UTC
via Motorsport WeekMax Verstappen blames car ‘failure’ for disappointing F1 Monza GP qualifying resultMax Verstappen has identified an unexpected issue that Red Bull will investigate following a tricky qualifying at the F1 Italian GP.
Motorsport WeekSun 6 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Marko’s blunt Newey verdict as Red Bull takes ‘wrong direction’"They didn't start so badly, but then things went in the wrong direction..."
PlanetF1Sun 6 Sep · 08:52 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen makes surprise revelation: 'I deliberately held back'Max Verstappen has revealed that he has intentionally held back during races this season due to ongoing issues with his Red Bull car. He explained that these problems have altered his risk assessment, leading him to adopt a more cautious approach, especially when not competing for the championship. Verstappen's performance has been impacted by handling and reliability concerns, which have persisted throughout the season.
During qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen finished sixth, continuing a trend of frustration for him and the team. He acknowledged that while he strives to maximize his performance, the frequent setbacks have forced him to reevaluate his racing strategy. Despite his frustrations, he remains optimistic about the team's efforts to improve their situation.RacingNews365Sun 6 Sep · 08:15 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren learns vital lessons from Red Bull with new H-WingMcLaren has officially launched its H-Wing system on the MCL40, which draws inspiration from Red Bull's design but incorporates key modifications. The new wing features a single central actuator that allows the flap to rotate nearly 180 degrees, a method that has been validated through rigorous testing during practice sessions at Monza. McLaren's development process has been heavily influenced by Red Bull's previous reliability challenges, particularly concerning flap closure issues experienced by Max Verstappen's RB22.
To mitigate these risks, McLaren has implemented thorough reliability testing and optimized the actuator's geometry to ensure effective flap operation. The team believes that the H-Wing will offer a significant aerodynamic benefit, particularly on long straights, enhancing their competitive edge in upcoming races.RacingNews365Sun 6 Sep · 05:20 UTC
via f1technical.netMcLaren Faces Disappointment in Monza Qualifying ResultsMcLaren experienced frustration during the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri securing a third-place finish while Lando Norris could only manage ninth. Norris expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of his car, describing the experience as 'painful'.
f1technical.netSat 5 Sep · 23:00 UTCvia RacingNews365Verstappen calls for investigation into Red Bull carMax Verstappen expressed concerns about the compliance of his Red Bull car following a challenging weekend at Monza. He has requested an investigation into the vehicle's performance amid ongoing issues.RacingNews365+ 1 moreSat 5 Sep · 20:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comYuki Tsunoda failed to meet Racing Bulls' Italian GP target after Alan Permane called for 'more'Yuki Tsunoda did not meet the expectations set by Racing Bulls' team principal Alan Permane during the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix, finishing in 17th place. Permane expressed the need for more performance from Tsunoda, especially after a challenging FP3 session, while his teammate Arvid Lindblad performed well enough to reach the top-10 shootout.
Despite Tsunoda's struggles, which included a fuel leak that delayed his qualifying efforts, he will benefit from new power unit components that will elevate him two positions on the starting grid. However, his lack of pace raises concerns about his future in Formula 1, particularly as he aims to secure a spot for the 2027 season.f1oversteer.comSat 5 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comGeorge Russell surprised by Pierre Gasly's pole positionPierre Gasly secured pole position for the Italian Grand Prix, surprising George Russell in the final moments of qualifying. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff suggested that Max Verstappen's actions may have influenced Russell's performance during the session.f1oversteer.com+ 4 moreSat 5 Sep · 17:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Verstappen calls for Red Bull investigation after issuesMax Verstappen has expressed dissatisfaction with his Red Bull car's performance, particularly during qualifying at Monza. He has also indicated that ongoing mechanical and aerodynamic problems have led him to adopt a more cautious approach in races.RacingNews365+ 1 moreSat 5 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comPiastri faces penalty risk for impeding LawsonOscar Piastri has been summoned by Formula 1 stewards regarding an incident during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix. He is at risk of losing his third-place grid position due to allegedly impeding fellow driver Liam Lawson.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSat 5 Sep · 15:26 UTC
via Formula1.com1 videoPierre Gasly secures first F1 pole at MonzaPierre Gasly achieved his first-ever pole position during the Italian Grand Prix qualifying session. He outpaced George Russell and Oscar Piastri to claim the top spot on the grid.Pit Lane Daily EditorialSat 5 Sep · 14:10 UTC
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson receives 35-place grid penalty at MonzaLiam Lawson will start from the back of the grid at the Italian Grand Prix due to a grid penalty related to engine component changes. Oscar Piastri also received a penalty for impeding Lawson during qualifying, resulting in a loss of his third-place starting position.RacingNews365+ 2 moreSat 5 Sep · 13:06 UTC
via gpfans.comPierre Gasly secures pole position at Italian Grand PrixPierre Gasly achieved an unexpected pole position during qualifying for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Meanwhile, both Ferrari and McLaren faced challenges, resulting in a disappointing performance in the qualifying session.gpfans.com+ 7 moreSat 5 Sep · 11:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar thankful to Red Bull for 'even sweeter' feeling after podium decisionIsack Hadjar has officially secured his third-place podium finish from the Monaco Grand Prix after a successful appeal by Red Bull. Initially, Hadjar finished third due to penalties imposed on Pierre Gasly, but after a review, Gasly was reinstated to third place, prompting Red Bull to appeal the decision to the FIA's International Court of Appeal. The court ruled in favor of Red Bull, reinstating Gasly's penalties and promoting Hadjar back to the podium position.
Hadjar expressed gratitude to the Red Bull team for their efforts in reclaiming the podium spot, emphasizing the significance of having the achievement officially recognized. This podium is particularly meaningful for Hadjar, as it is his first with Red Bull and the second of his racing career, solidifying his place in the history books.RacingNews365Sat 5 Sep · 08:20 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris addresses Ferrari 'worry' as major upgrade set for introductionLando Norris addressed concerns regarding Ferrari's upcoming power-unit upgrade ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, stating that it does not worry him or McLaren. He acknowledged that while Ferrari's new engine could enhance their competitiveness, McLaren must focus on their own performance and improvements. Norris highlighted that Ferrari's chassis is strong, but their weaknesses in top speed and horsepower have been evident since the new regulations were implemented.
Norris also pointed out that Monza presents a unique challenge for Ferrari, which will test their new engine's capabilities. He reflected on McLaren's performance this season, noting their two race wins but recognizing that they have not consistently been at the front. Norris concluded by expressing patience and a desire to evaluate their performance after the race, emphasizing the need to stay focused on their own objectives.RacingNews365Sat 5 Sep · 07:50 UTC
via thejudge13.comFerrari shows promise with new engine at MonzaFerrari's recent advancements with the ADUO 2 engine have positioned them as a strong contender for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix. Mercedes acknowledges that Ferrari could pose a significant challenge during qualifying.
thejudge13.comSat 5 Sep · 07:44 UTC