MercedesWilliams
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell reveals lasting scars from Mercedes debutGeorge Russell has shared that he still feels the impact of his challenging debut with Mercedes in 2020. He mentioned physical scars from fitting into Lewis Hamilton's race seat, highlighting the difficulties he faced during that time.
Motorsport.com+ 3 moreSat 15 Aug · 08:20 UTC
via RacingNews365Mercedes F1 team expresses frustration over performanceMercedes' technical director James Allison has voiced dissatisfaction with the team's performance in the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season. He described the team's current situation as frustrating, reflecting on the high expectations within elite motorsport.
RacingNews365+ 1 moreSat 15 Aug · 08:10 UTC
via gpfans.comHamilton to receive new chassis for Dutch Grand PrixLewis Hamilton is set to debut an all-new chassis for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix. This change comes as Mercedes adapts its strategy to counter Ferrari's strong title challenge.
gpfans.comSat 15 Aug · 06:30 UTC
via PlanetF1Nico Rosberg questions Toto Wolff's firing claimsNico Rosberg has expressed skepticism regarding Toto Wolff's assertion that he and Lewis Hamilton were close to being fired during their 2016 title rivalry. The former driver addressed the sensational claims, suggesting they may not reflect the reality of the situation.
PlanetF1+ 1 moreSat 15 Aug · 05:00 UTC
via gpfans.comRUMOURMercedes activates plan B as Ferrari threatens titleMercedes is reportedly shifting to a 'plan B' strategy for the remainder of the 2026 season. This decision comes as both Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari pose significant challenges to their championship aspirations.
gpfans.com+ 1 moreFri 14 Aug · 19:45 UTC
via Motorsport.comF1 2026 mid-season grades: McLaren starts on back foot but makes rapid progressThe article discusses McLaren's performance in the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season, highlighting the team's struggles with new regulations and a challenging start. Despite these setbacks, McLaren has made significant progress, culminating in a B- grade at mid-season. The team faced early difficulties, including multiple race retirements due to technical issues, which left them trailing in the championship standings.
Recent upgrades, particularly a redesigned floor and front wing, have allowed McLaren to regain competitiveness, with Lando Norris achieving his first win of the season in Hungary. Team principal Andrea Stella emphasizes the importance of continuing to develop the car to maintain momentum and compete for victories in the remaining races.
Motorsport.comFri 14 Aug · 15:51 UTC
via CrashToto Wolff cautious about Kimi Antonelli's title chancesMercedes has stated it is too early to favor either Kimi Antonelli or George Russell in the 2026 Formula 1 title race. The team emphasizes the importance of a healthy rivalry between its drivers while acknowledging Antonelli's current lead.
Crash+ 4 moreFri 14 Aug · 15:00 UTC
via AutosportMercedes finds 2026 car upgrades from rivals concerningMercedes technical director James Allison has indicated that the team's late focus on developing its 2026 Formula 1 car has resulted in being out of sync with other teams. This strategy has led to a competitive 'leapfrog effect' as rivals advance their own upgrades.
Autosport+ 1 moreFri 14 Aug · 13:00 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Mercedes leads competitive 2026 Formula 1 seasonThe 2026 Formula 1 season has introduced significant regulatory changes affecting chassis, aerodynamics, and power units. As a result, Mercedes currently leads the championship, while Kimi Antonelli aims to make history as the youngest world champion.
Sky Sports F1+ 2 moreFri 14 Aug · 09:44 UTC
via Sky Sports F1'Never had a season like this' - Russell 'p****d off' at latest Mercedes issueGeorge Russell faced significant challenges during the Hungarian Grand Prix, where an engine issue caused him to drop from sixth to the back of the field at the start. Despite recovering to finish seventh, he acknowledged that this season has been filled with misfortunes, including a battery failure in Canada and a potential engine penalty looming due to a power unit change before the race. Russell's teammate, Kimi Antonelli, currently leads the championship standings, putting Russell further behind in the title race.
Russell expressed frustration over the reliability issues that have plagued him this season, stating that he has experienced more problems than his teammate. He remains hopeful for improvement in the second half of the season and emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive outlook despite the setbacks. The Formula 1 season will continue with the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Sky Sports F1Fri 14 Aug · 09:44 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Where would Antonelli rank among surprise F1 title winners?Kimi Antonelli, a 19-year-old driver for Mercedes, is leading the 2026 Formula 1 season and is poised to become the youngest world champion in the sport's history. With six wins out of the first 11 races, he has established a significant 50-point lead over Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton as the season approaches its second half, despite facing challenges such as an engine failure and a wheel-guard issue that cost him points.
The article discusses the rarity of surprise champions in Formula 1 and compares Antonelli's potential victory to past unexpected title winners. It highlights the skepticism surrounding Antonelli's rise, given his previous inexperience and the strong performance of his teammate George Russell, as well as the competitive landscape featuring established champions like Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Sky Sports F1Fri 14 Aug · 09:44 UTC
via grandprix.comRules secured more than two ManufacturersThe FIA Single Seaters Director, Nikolas Tombazis, stated that without the current Technical Regulations, only Ferrari and Mercedes would have remained in Formula 1 starting in 2026. He emphasized that manufacturers like Audi, Ford, GM, and Honda would not have entered the sport, and Renault would have exited due to its electrification goals, highlighting the importance of the new regulations in attracting more manufacturers to Formula 1.
Tombazis also noted that drivers have voiced their concerns about the new regulations, which were agreed upon by the manufacturers involved. He admitted that the FIA faced challenges in addressing these complaints and acknowledged that the target of a 50-50 power split in Power Units was ambitious. The discussions regarding future regulations for 2027 and 2028 began later than desired, which contributed to the ongoing issues.grandprix.comThu 13 Aug · 17:49 UTC
via f1technical.netMercedes plans major upgrade for W17 in 2026 seasonMercedes is set to implement a major upgrade for its W17 car as the 2026 Formula 1 season progresses. The team has adjusted its development strategy following a challenging first half of the season.
f1technical.net+ 2 moreThu 13 Aug · 17:00 UTC
via Formula1.comHow Williams rebuilt one of their most iconic F1 carsWilliams Racing celebrated the 30th anniversary of their iconic FW18 car, which led them to significant success in the 1996 Formula 1 season. The team achieved 12 victories and secured both the Drivers' and Constructors' titles, with Damon Hill playing a pivotal role in this triumph. Despite the team's success, Hill was dropped after the season, but the legacy of the FW18 has been preserved through the efforts of the Williams Heritage department.
At the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, Hill was reunited with the restored FW18, which had undergone a meticulous five-month restoration process. The event highlighted the strong camaraderie between Hill and the team members who worked on the car, showcasing the emotional connection and pride associated with the car's history and the team's legacy.
Formula1.comThu 13 Aug · 15:38 UTC
via Motorsport.comValtteri Bottas sees clear Cadillac progress amid challenging first F1 seasonValtteri Bottas has expressed optimism about Cadillac's progress in its inaugural Formula 1 season, despite facing significant challenges such as reliability issues and a lack of points. He believes the team has made strides in improving their performance and reliability as they adapt to the competitive environment of F1.
Bottas highlighted the importance of building relationships within the new team and noted that both he and his teammate Sergio Perez are working well together. The recent change in team leadership, with Marcin Budkowski taking over as team principal, is also seen as a step towards enhancing the team's operations and future performance.
Motorsport.comThu 13 Aug · 11:19 UTC
via CrashGeorge Russell warned against overthinking title hopesGeorge Russell is currently experiencing a difficult season, having dropped to third place in the Formula 1 standings. Despite this setback, he remains optimistic and is focusing on maintaining his confidence in the title race.
Crash+ 1 moreThu 13 Aug · 09:44 UTC
via F1iRUMOURBudkowski sends clear Perez message amid Williams rumoursMarcin Budkowski, the new team principal of Cadillac, is focused on retaining Sergio Perez amid rumors linking him to Williams. Perez's experience is seen as vital for Cadillac, especially as they navigate their first season in Formula 1. Budkowski emphasizes the importance of having experienced drivers to provide stability in a young team, and he believes Perez fits this role perfectly.
Cadillac's CEO, Dan Towriss, echoed Budkowski's sentiments, expressing confidence in Perez's commitment to the team. He highlighted Perez's contributions and performance, reinforcing that they are not concerned about the speculation regarding his potential move to Williams. The team is determined to keep Perez as a key asset in their ambitious F1 project.
F1iThu 13 Aug · 09:39 UTC
via thejudge13.comRUMOURCarlos Sainz reportedly rejects Williams contract offerCarlos Sainz has reportedly turned down a significant contract extension from Williams, leading to speculation about his future in Formula 1. His decision is seen as pivotal in the upcoming driver transfer market.
thejudge13.comThu 13 Aug · 07:01 UTC
via RacingNews365Exclusive: Toto Wolff defends Mercedes F1 title drought: 'That isn't catastrophic'Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, reflects on the team's recent struggles in Formula 1 after a dominant period from 2014 to 2021, where they won eight consecutive constructors' championships. The team has faced challenges under new regulations, finishing third in 2022 and fluctuating in the standings over the following years. Despite these setbacks, Wolff maintains that the situation is not catastrophic and emphasizes the importance of perspective in evaluating their performance.
Currently, Mercedes appears to be rebounding, with Kimi Antonelli leading the drivers' standings and the team holding a significant lead over Ferrari. Wolff remains cautious about celebrating their resurgence, focusing on meeting expectations and the long-term trajectory of the team rather than immediate results. He acknowledges the difficulties faced with the W13 car and expresses a commitment to future success, indicating that the upcoming seasons will be crucial in defining the team's legacy.
RacingNews365Thu 13 Aug · 06:20 UTC
via Motorsport.comRUMOURCadillac denies Sergio Pérez will join WilliamsCadillac's leadership has firmly stated that Sergio Perez will remain with the team despite recent speculation linking him to a move to Williams. Both CEO Dan Towriss and team principal Marcin Budkowski have expressed confidence in Perez's role for the upcoming seasons.
Motorsport.com+ 5 moreWed 12 Aug · 20:00 UTC
via f1technical.netMercedes explains early-season reliability struggles under 2026 F1 regulationsMercedes has faced significant reliability challenges in the early part of the 2026 Formula 1 season due to new power unit regulations. Teams powered by Mercedes, including McLaren, Williams, and Alpine, experienced numerous technical failures, prompting scrutiny of the engine supplier's performance compared to rivals like Ferrari and Honda. Resta emphasized that these issues were not unique to Mercedes, as multiple manufacturers encountered similar problems during this transition period.
Despite the rocky start, Resta reported that extensive efforts at Mercedes High Performance Powertrains have led to improvements in reliability. The team has systematically addressed each issue, and as the championship progresses, they hope to minimize technical setbacks and maximize performance for all Mercedes-powered teams. The focus now shifts to maintaining this momentum as the season continues.
f1technical.netWed 12 Aug · 17:00 UTC
via Formula1.comDamon Hill Reflects on His 1996 Championship SeasonDamon Hill recently shared insights about his 1996 Formula 1 championship season. He discussed both the triumphs of winning the title and the unexpected challenges he faced during that year.
Formula1.comWed 12 Aug · 16:26 UTC
via F1iFrom rookie pain to title reign: Mercedes lifts lid on Antonelli’s riseKimi Antonelli's journey with Mercedes has been remarkable, transitioning from a rookie who faced challenges in his debut season to leading the world championship in 2026. With six wins out of 11 races, his rapid development has surprised many, including Mercedes' management, who believed in his potential from the start. His early struggles, particularly during his first season, have contributed to a steep learning curve that accelerated his growth as a driver.
The turning point for Antonelli came around the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he revamped his preparation methods and deepened his collaboration with his race engineer. Mercedes has also taken steps to shield him from external pressures, allowing him to focus on racing. This strategic approach has helped him evolve into a calm and confident competitor, setting the pace in the championship and showcasing his talent at an impressive rate.
F1iWed 12 Aug · 14:19 UTC
via Formula1.comHow Williams' 2026 season has played out so farWilliams has had a challenging start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, accumulating only 11 points and facing multiple technical issues, including an overweight car. Their best result came from Alex Albon finishing 8th in Monaco, while the only double points finish occurred in Miami with Sainz and Albon finishing 9th and 10th, respectively. Both drivers have struggled in qualifying, with neither making it to Q3 this season, and Sainz leading the head-to-head against Albon in qualifying sessions.
Looking ahead, Team Principal James Vowles expressed optimism about future improvements, indicating that the team is already planning for the 2027 season. They are set to introduce upgrades, including a new chassis, at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite the difficulties faced, both drivers remain committed to enhancing the team's performance and are hopeful for a turnaround after the summer break.
Formula1.comWed 12 Aug · 11:54 UTC