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via F1iWilliams update finds progress, but Vowles warns: ‘It’s not enough’Williams has introduced a significant upgrade to its FW48 car in Baku, aiming to improve its performance after a challenging start to the 2026 season. Team principal James Vowles expressed cautious optimism about the changes, acknowledging that while the car has shown some improvement, it is still not enough to guarantee points finishes.
Despite the modest results in practice sessions, Sainz reported feeling better with the car and noted a narrowing gap to the midfield. Vowles emphasised the need for further development and learning to fully exploit the potential of the new aerodynamic package, indicating that while progress has been made, the team still has a long way to go.
Fri 25 Sep · 08:43 UTC
via CrashChristian Horner calls Ferrari his dream F1 jobChristian Horner has stated that returning to Formula 1 as Ferrari team principal would be a 'dream' role for him, the only position that could entice him back without an ownership stake. Ferrari team chief Fred Vasseur has responded to the speculation surrounding Horner's potential return.
+ 6 moreFri 25 Sep · 08:43 UTC
via f1oversteer.comVasseur addresses speculation over Ferrari futureFred Vasseur has expressed concern that speculation regarding his future at Ferrari is undermining his position. He referenced Christian Horner's potential interest in a role at Ferrari, suggesting that such distractions are affecting the team's focus.
+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via CrashSainz impressed by Williams' Baku upgrade performanceCarlos Sainz has expressed surprise at the effectiveness of Williams' recent upgrade package during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Williams team principal James Vowles praised the team's efforts in delivering the improvements, which allowed Sainz to showcase his pace.+ 3 moreFri 25 Sep · 07:53 UTC
via newsonf1.comBriatore rules out Ferrari moveFlavio Briatore has firmly ruled out the possibility of taking charge at Ferrari, stating that it is too late for him to consider such a role. Currently leading Alpine, he expressed respect for Fred Vasseur's efforts at Ferrari amidst ongoing speculation about Vasseur's future. Briatore also commented on the challenges of managing Ferrari's driver pairing, which he described as quarrelsome.
In addition to his comments on Ferrari, Briatore addressed the future of Alpine, asserting that Renault has no plans to sell the team. He revealed that there are at least seven investors interested in purchasing a minority stake in Alpine. Briatore also noted that the commercial value of Alpine reflects the overall growth in Formula 1, while playfully dismissing his previous retirement claims.
via f1oversteer.com‘Alarm bells’ ring at Ferrari after hearing what Oliver Bearman said about Baku engine failureFerrari are concerned for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after hearing what Haas’ Oliver Bearman said about his engine failure during FP2 at the Azerbaijan ...Fri 25 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via gpfans.comGeorge Russell secures pole position in BakuGeorge Russell achieved pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, providing him with a significant opportunity to reduce Kimi Antonelli's championship lead. This comes after Russell's Mercedes team-mate crashed out during the qualifying session.
+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via PlanetF1Sky F1 pundit lifts lid on private Williams TPC test before Baku GPJamie Chadwick, a three-time W Series champion, recently completed a secret Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) session with Williams, driving their FW47 at the Portimão circuit. She expressed that the experience was surreal and considered it the best day of her life. Chadwick completed 32 laps and received valuable advice from Williams drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz prior to the test.
Williams team principal James Vowles praised Chadwick as an inspiration for women in motorsport, highlighting her impressive performance and the important data she gathered during the test. The session was part of Williams' TPC programme, which aims to prepare for the return to Portimão next year. Chadwick is also competing in the European Le Mans Series and hopes to leverage this experience to further her career in racing.
Fri 25 Sep · 05:56 UTC
via f1chronicle.comLewis Hamilton Admits Chasing George Russell, Not Kimi Antonelli, Is Now His Real Championship BattleLewis Hamilton has acknowledged that he is unlikely to catch Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship, as he trails by 101 points. Instead, he is now focusing on George Russell, who is just 20 points ahead of him in the standings. Hamilton believes that finishing second or maintaining third place would be a significant achievement for him and Ferrari this season, especially after a challenging 2025 campaign.
As the Azerbaijan Grand Prix approaches, Hamilton is preparing for a crucial triple header of races. He has expressed optimism about Ferrari's recent improvements and is determined to address execution issues that have hindered their performance. With 83 points available in the upcoming races, Hamilton's strategy has shifted to defending his position against Russell and Lando Norris, marking a change in his championship aspirations.
via f1oversteer.comFlavio Briatore explains why even he is ‘rooting’ for Ferrari to end their F1 title droughtFlavio Briatore, the Alpine chief, expressed his support for Ferrari in their quest to end a long title drought, despite his position at a rival team. He acknowledged that while Ferrari is competitive, they have consistently faced challenges from other teams, particularly Mercedes, who are currently dominating the championship.
During an interview, Briatore highlighted the importance of a successful Ferrari for the entire Formula 1 community. He also commented on the current struggles of Ferrari under team principal Fred Vasseur, suggesting that understanding the team's issues is crucial for improvement. Briatore dismissed speculation about replacing Vasseur, stating it was too late for him to take on that role.Thu 24 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via gpfans.comBriatore to Ferrari? Controversial F1 legend on 'the lover everyone would love to have'Flavio Briatore, the former team principal known for his controversial past, commented on speculation regarding a potential role at Ferrari, stating that it is 'too late' for him to join the team. He acknowledged Ferrari's struggles, noting that they have not won a championship in 18 years and are currently facing challenges in the 2026 season, despite a promising start with their SF-26 car.
Briatore also discussed the dynamics between Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, calling them a 'quarrelsome pairing' and emphasising the importance of team unity. He expressed respect for Vasseur's work and highlighted the complexities of winning a World Championship in the competitive landscape of Formula 1.Thu 24 Sep · 17:57 UTC
via Motorsport.comDavid Coulthard warns "heads will roll" if Williams FW48 upgrade failsDavid Coulthard has issued a stark warning regarding the Williams FW48 upgrade, stating that significant consequences could follow if it fails to improve the team's performance. The Grove-based team has struggled throughout the season, currently sitting ninth in the constructors' championship with only 11 points, largely due to the car's overweight issues.
The upgrade, described by team principal James Vowles as nearly a B-spec car, is aimed at enhancing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Coulthard, drawing comparisons to Aston Martin's previous upgrades, believes that the changes should yield a notable improvement. However, he cautioned that if the expected results do not materialise, there could be serious repercussions for the team.
Thu 24 Sep · 17:10 UTC
via Motorsport.comJacques Villeneuve identifies barrier facing female F1 drivers after Jamie Chadwick Williams testJacques Villeneuve has identified the lack of female drivers in Formula 1 as a significant issue stemming from a small talent pool. During a discussion on Sky Sports F1, he noted that for every 1000 male drivers, there is only one female driver attempting to break into the sport, complicating the situation further.
Jamie Chadwick, who recently tested a Williams F1 car, echoed Villeneuve's sentiments, highlighting the broader issue of limited seats available in F1 for all drivers. She expressed optimism that her experience would encourage more women to pursue racing, ultimately leading to female champions in lower categories and representation in Formula 1.Thu 24 Sep · 16:16 UTC
via Formula1.com'Others just took another step' in Baku practice – HamiltonLewis Hamilton expressed concerns about Ferrari's performance during the practice sessions for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, noting that they were unable to match the leading times. In Free Practice 1, Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc finished third and fourth, respectively, but by Free Practice 2, the gap to the top had widened significantly, with Leclerc 1.1 seconds off the pace and Hamilton two tenths behind him.
Hamilton highlighted the challenges of getting the Pirelli tyres to work effectively, stating that while they had a strong start in FP1, the performance dropped in FP2. Team Principal Fred Vasseur also reflected on Ferrari's historical difficulties at the Baku circuit, emphasising the need for improvement and focus as they prepare for qualifying.
Thu 24 Sep · 16:14 UTC
via Formula1.comKimi Antonelli praises recovery after Baku practice issuesKimi Antonelli described his performance in practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as a 'good recovery' following a hydraulic issue and a fire that damaged his engine. Despite losing significant track time in the first two practice sessions, the Mercedes driver finished second-quickest in the final hour of running.+ 1 moreThu 24 Sep · 15:42 UTC
via CrashCadillac hires engineers from Red Bull and FerrariCadillac has announced the recruitment of three experienced engineers, including staff from Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes, to strengthen its Formula 1 programme. The new hires will take on senior development and aerodynamics roles as the team aims to progress on the grid.+ 3 moreThu 24 Sep · 15:16 UTC
via racer.comGeorge Russell leads practice sessions at Baku Grand PrixGeorge Russell topped both practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit, giving Mercedes a significant 0.8-second advantage over the rest of the field. However, Mercedes downplayed this dominance, suggesting that differing run plans among drivers may not make the times fully representative.
via PlanetF1Cadillac F1 announces key technical team appointmentsCadillac Formula 1 has made significant strides by hiring Craig Skinner, Eric Blandin, and Tim Lean from top teams including Red Bull Racing and Mercedes. These appointments are part of Cadillac's strategy to enhance its technical capabilities and accelerate development.+ 7 moreThu 24 Sep · 15:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comGuenther Steiner disagrees with Toto Wolff about the real ‘problem’ with Honda’s ‘air pump’ engineGuenther Steiner has publicly disagreed with Toto Wolff regarding the issues facing Aston Martin, attributing their struggles to Honda's engine performance rather than the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO). Steiner described Honda's engine as akin to an 'air pump', suggesting that even with ADUO, Aston Martin would not see improvements due to fundamental flaws in the engine design.
The debate highlights the ongoing challenges Aston Martin faces in the 2026 Formula 1 season, as they remain unable to close the gap to midfield competitors. Wolff and others have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of ADUO, but Steiner insists that the core problem lies with Honda's inability to adapt to new regulations, which has left Aston Martin lagging behind.Thu 24 Sep · 15:00 UTC
via CrashLando Norris calls McLaren's Baku pace a 'knife in heart'Lando Norris expressed disappointment over McLaren's performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, describing the team's deficit to the front runners as feeling like 'a little knife in the heart'. After finishing 14th in the opening practice session, Norris noted that the team was 'miles off' the pace compared to competitors like Mercedes.+ 6 moreThu 24 Sep · 13:49 UTCPage 3 of 61
