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via Motorsport WeekLando Norris issues ‘league of their own’ admission of F1 rivalsLando Norris expressed disappointment after McLaren's performance at the Italian Grand Prix, where they struggled to keep up with Mercedes and Red Bull. Despite finishing fourth and fifth, Norris acknowledged that the team lacked the necessary pace, finishing 19 seconds behind the race winner, Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes. This race marked a halt to Norris's recent winning streak, which included victories in Hungary and the Netherlands.
Norris reflected on the race, noting that both Mercedes and Red Bull were in a league of their own. He highlighted the need for McLaren to improve in specific areas, particularly in slow- and medium-speed corners and straight-line speed, to remain competitive in the championship. The team's performance in Italy underscored ongoing challenges with aero-efficiency that must be addressed to maintain their title hopes.
Tue 8 Sep · 12:11 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell confirms F1 grid penalty decisionGeorge Russell has announced that he is expected to take a grid penalty later in the Formula 1 season, which could further diminish his championship hopes. After the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, he finds himself significantly trailing teammate Kimi Antonelli, who recently secured his seventh win of the season after starting from the back of the grid due to a penalty for new engine components.
Russell's potential penalty is likely to occur in either the Azerbaijan or United States Grands Prix, where overtaking is more feasible. Despite his struggles, Russell has shown strong performance, consistently finishing in the top three during the Monza weekend and previously qualifying well at Zandvoort.
Tue 8 Sep · 11:50 UTC
via RacingNews365Pierre Gasly offers Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris boost in 'realistic' Alpine fightPierre Gasly made headlines by securing his first career pole position during the Italian Grand Prix, marking a significant achievement for both him and the Alpine team. Despite leading the race initially, he ultimately finished in seventh place, competing closely with drivers from McLaren and Ferrari throughout the event. Gasly's performance was seen as a positive indicator of Alpine's potential in future races, especially given the challenges of maintaining pace against faster competitors.
Reflecting on the race, Gasly expressed a realistic outlook, acknowledging the difficulties of staying at the front but also highlighting the positives from the weekend. He noted that the car's performance was the best he had experienced this season, and he is eager to analyze the data to build on this success in upcoming races. Gasly's insights suggest a focus on continuous improvement for the Alpine team as they strive for better results.Tue 8 Sep · 10:55 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMercedes plans engine upgrade to challenge FerrariMercedes is preparing an engine upgrade that could significantly impact Ferrari's championship chances. The team is optimistic about competing more effectively against Ferrari following recent developments.
+ 1 moreTue 8 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via F1iVasseur: Ferrari still lacking ‘pure power’ against MercedesFerrari's recent engine upgrade aimed to close the performance gap with Mercedes, but team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that the new power unit still falls short in terms of outright power. This was highlighted during the Monza race weekend, where both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggled to compete effectively, with Leclerc crashing out early and Hamilton finishing sixth. Vasseur pointed out that the high-speed nature of Monza exacerbated Ferrari's power deficit compared to other circuits.
Vasseur clarified that the team did not expect immediate results from their engine upgrades and is focused on making incremental improvements over time. With regulations allowing Ferrari two development opportunities through 2027, Vasseur remains optimistic about future progress, although he recognizes that catching up to Mercedes will be a significant challenge. The team is committed to developing a new engine for the next season, aiming for gradual advancements in performance.
Tue 8 Sep · 09:49 UTC
via Motorsport WeekLiam Lawson to Replace Injured Isack Hadjar at Spanish Grand PrixLiam Lawson has been confirmed to race for Red Bull at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix, stepping in for the injured Isack Hadjar. This marks Lawson's third appearance with the team as he continues to support their efforts during Hadjar's recovery.+ 1 moreTue 8 Sep · 08:44 UTC
via F1iWolff explains why he let Mercedes drivers battle at MonzaToto Wolff allowed Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli to battle during the Italian Grand Prix, resulting in an exciting race where Antonelli, starting from 19th, secured victory. The race featured a close contest between the two drivers, particularly after a Virtual Safety Car allowed Antonelli to close the gap on Russell, leading to a thrilling finish. Wolff was prepared to intervene but ultimately chose to let them race, which paid off with a one-two finish for Mercedes.
Despite the successful outcome, Wolff acknowledged the risks involved in allowing such close racing, especially given the stakes for both drivers in the championship. Russell, who finished second, noted that he would have preferred to race on equal strategies without the VSC affecting the dynamics. The results highlighted the delicate balance Wolff must maintain between encouraging competition and protecting the team's title ambitions.Tue 8 Sep · 08:34 UTC
via Motorsport.comBearman downplays Ferrari engine upgrade for HaasOliver Bearman has stated that the recent Ferrari engine upgrade did not significantly impact Haas's performance. He emphasized that the team's aerodynamic improvements from their Monza package were more beneficial than the latest power unit.
+ 1 moreTue 8 Sep · 08:18 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull turns Formula 1 car into a train in MadridRed Bull has creatively repurposed an iconic Formula 1 car into a train as part of a promotional stunt in Madrid. This innovative display showcases the brand's ongoing efforts to engage fans in unique ways.+ 1 moreTue 8 Sep · 08:07 UTC
via Motorsport.comJuan Pablo Montoya: Mercedes should have double-stacked George Russell and Kimi Antonelli at MonzaJuan Pablo Montoya expressed his belief that Mercedes compromised George Russell's chances of winning the Italian Grand Prix by not executing a double-stack pit stop during a virtual safety car period. Russell was leading the race at the time, but the strategy allowed Kimi Antonelli, who had pitted, to recover from 19th on the grid and ultimately win the race.
Team principal Toto Wolff defended the strategy, stating that the two-stop strategy was the best option and that Russell was on hard tires, which limited his options. Despite the criticism, Wolff expressed satisfaction with the team's 1-2 finish, highlighting Antonelli's impressive performance.Tue 8 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris delivers brutal Mercedes verdict after Monza defeatLando Norris experienced a disappointing race at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing fourth while his teammate Oscar Piastri came in fifth. The race was dominated by Kimi Antonelli, who made history as the first Italian winner at Monza in six decades, and George Russell, who helped Mercedes achieve a one-two finish. Despite having the same engine as Mercedes, McLaren struggled significantly with their pace throughout the race, finishing 19 seconds behind the winner.
Norris expressed his frustration with McLaren's performance, stating that they were not close to competing for the top positions. He acknowledged that improvements are needed in various aspects of their car, particularly in cornering stability and straight-line speed. Norris's comments reflect the challenges McLaren faces in keeping up with the leading teams in the championship.Tue 8 Sep · 07:15 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton opens up on signing new Ferrari F1 contractLewis Hamilton has addressed speculation regarding a potential contract extension with Ferrari, indicating that his current deal is set to last until at least 2027, with an option to extend through 2028. This follows recent long-term contract signings by fellow drivers Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, fueling rumors about Hamilton's future with the team.
In a recent interview, Hamilton expressed his commitment to Ferrari and his desire to help the team improve. He discussed the challenges of implementing changes within the team, highlighting the need for a collective effort to adapt various components. Hamilton's influence has even extended to his teammate, Charles Leclerc, who has adopted some of the changes he proposed.
Tue 8 Sep · 07:15 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya says Charles Leclerc’s ‘100%’ is still not enough to beat Lewis HamiltonIn the aftermath of the Italian Grand Prix, Juan Pablo Montoya expressed that Charles Leclerc's maximum effort is insufficient to surpass Lewis Hamilton in 2026. Leclerc faced a significant setback after crashing out early in the race, while Hamilton managed to secure a sixth-place finish, extending his lead in their internal competition and the overall standings. Montoya highlighted the need for Ferrari to make strategic decisions regarding their drivers as the season progresses.
Montoya also pointed out the tension between Leclerc and Hamilton, particularly following an incident where Hamilton accused Leclerc of aggressive driving. He emphasized that the pressure on Leclerc is mounting as Hamilton continues to perform strongly, suggesting that this dynamic could impact their teamwork and the team's overall performance in the championship.Tue 8 Sep · 06:30 UTCRosberg mocks Hamilton’s Ferrari claimNico Rosberg has publicly dismissed Lewis Hamilton's recent remarks regarding his interest in Ferrari during his successful years with Mercedes. Hamilton expressed that he had hoped for a potential move to Ferrari, particularly reflecting on a moment when Sebastian Vettel extended his contract with the team, which made him realize his desire to join them.
In response, Rosberg, who was Hamilton's teammate at Mercedes, labeled Hamilton's claims as 'complete nonsense,' asserting that during their time of dominance, Hamilton showed no inclination to leave the team. Rosberg also noted that if Hamilton had left, it would have benefited him personally in their competitive dynamic.Booing Russell ‘has no place in sport’ – SchumacherRalf Schumacher has spoken out against the booing of George Russell by some fans at Monza, following Kimi Antonelli's victory. The Italian crowd celebrated Antonelli's win passionately, but some directed hostility towards Russell, which Schumacher deemed inappropriate for sportsmanship. Journalist Ralf Bach echoed this sentiment, noting that the fans' emotions were misplaced as Russell is merely Antonelli's teammate and competitor in the championship.
Russell himself took the booing in stride, acknowledging it as part of racing in another driver's home country. However, commentators like David Coulthard and Nico Rosberg criticized Russell's performance, highlighting the embarrassment of losing to a teammate who started from the back. Antonelli, despite feeling exhausted, remained focused on his competitive spirit, asserting he never considered finishing behind Russell.Vettel rules out F1 driving comebackSebastian Vettel recently drove Michael Schumacher's 2002 Ferrari during the Italian GP weekend at Monza, which reignited his feelings for racing. Despite this emotional experience, Vettel confirmed that he has no plans to return to Formula 1 as a driver, stating that he feels retirement was the correct choice and that he is enjoying his life post-racing.
Vettel acknowledged that he misses the sport but emphasized that he will always remain connected to it. He mentioned that while he is not looking to return as a driver, he is open to exploring other roles within Formula 1, depending on the opportunities that may arise.
via f1technical.netIsack Hadjar to miss Spanish Grand Prix due to injuryIsack Hadjar will not participate in the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix as he continues to recover from a wrist injury. Red Bull has confirmed that Liam Lawson will once again race alongside Max Verstappen in Madrid.
+ 1 moreTue 8 Sep · 00:00 UTC
via f1technical.netStella claims McLaren "aims to fight consistently for wins in the last ten races"McLaren left Monza encouraged by a strong Italian Grand Prix weekend, despite being unable to challenge Mercedes for victory, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finishing fourth and fifth respectively after an intense battle between the two team-mates.Mon 7 Sep · 22:00 UTC
via f1chronicle.comLewis Hamilton Calls Monza Result ‘Devastating’ as Ferrari’s Home Race Falls Apart at Turn 2In the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Lewis Hamilton faced a challenging race, finishing in sixth place after an early incident at Turn 2. He moved up the inside of teammate Charles Leclerc but ended up in the gravel, which significantly affected his position in the race. Leclerc also had a difficult outing, crashing out on lap two, which resulted in a red flag and ended his race early.
Hamilton expressed disappointment over the race outcome, stating it was tough to accept and suggested that Ferrari may have made a poor tire choice at the restart. His sixth-place finish leaves him 76 points behind the championship leader, Kimi Antonelli, who won the race from 19th on the grid. Neither Ferrari driver scored points during their home race.
via the-race.comThe pivotal choices Ferrari is now facingFerrari is currently struggling in the 2026 Formula 1 season, facing internal discord among its drivers and operational issues. Lewis Hamilton has openly criticized the lack of teamwork with Charles Leclerc, suggesting that the team needs to address its leadership and communication structures to improve performance. The dynamic between the two drivers has created tension, with Hamilton's resurgence putting additional pressure on Leclerc and the team management.
As Ferrari's performance continues to falter, team principal Fred Vasseur is facing scrutiny regarding his decisions and leadership. Hamilton has called for a reset within the team, emphasizing that effective changes must come from Vasseur. The situation raises questions about Vasseur's future, with speculation about potential replacements, including Christian Horner, as Ferrari seeks to regain its competitive edge.
Mon 7 Sep · 20:38 UTCPage 34 of 94