News1645 stories
RSS ↗
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen shares whether Robin Raikkonen could be his teammate one day after Red Bull moveMax Verstappen recently discussed the possibility of Robin Raikkonen, son of former F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen, becoming his teammate after Red Bull signed the young karting talent to their junior team. Robin, who is only 11 years old, will officially join the Red Bull driver academy in 2027, following impressive performances in the European karting circuit that caught the attention of various F1 development programs.
Verstappen expressed his excitement about meeting Kimi and Robin before the Spanish Grand Prix but also noted that he might not be in F1 by the time Robin is ready for a seat. The Dutch driver reflected on his early career coinciding with Kimi's final years in F1, hinting at the significance of a potential future partnership between him and the younger Raikkonen.
via f1oversteer.comOliver Bearman confirms Lewis Hamilton hardly ever uses simulator after Ferrari factory visitsOliver Bearman, a Haas driver, revealed that Lewis Hamilton utilizes the simulator less than any other driver in Formula 1. While Bearman and his teammate Esteban Ocon are currently using the Ferrari simulator, they face limitations, as Haas is in the process of developing their own simulator, which is not yet operational. Bearman noted that they spend a significant portion of their simulator time reprogramming software to match their car's specifications before they can work on setups.
Hamilton's reluctance to use the simulator stems from his belief that it was leading him in the wrong direction regarding car setup. Despite his minimal simulator usage, Hamilton has achieved notable success this season, including a race win and multiple podiums. Other drivers, like Max Verstappen, emphasize the importance of simulator sessions for team development, even if individual drivers may not find them personally beneficial.
via CrashWhat Lewis Hamilton told Ferrari after horrible Monza weekendLewis Hamilton engaged in discussions with Ferrari following a challenging weekend at the Monza Grand Prix, where he collided with teammate Charles Leclerc. Despite finishing seventh, Hamilton's championship hopes were significantly impacted, prompting him to address operational failures within the team and the need for better communication moving forward.
Hamilton highlighted that the process of improving team dynamics is complex and will take time. He noted that both he and Leclerc are committed to performing their best and learning from past mistakes, as they strive to enhance their collaboration and avoid similar incidents in the future.
via Motorsport.com“It's always the same” - Carlos Sainz wades into Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton’s Monza clashCarlos Sainz commented on the recent clash between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton during the Italian Grand Prix, drawing from his own experiences as a teammate with Leclerc at Ferrari. He noted that disagreements are common among competitive teammates, but they typically resolve their issues internally. Sainz emphasized that such situations are normal when fighting for podiums and wins.
Leclerc's collision with Hamilton at Monza resulted in Hamilton falling to 10th place, while Leclerc maintained third. Post-race, Leclerc acknowledged shared responsibility for the incident, while Hamilton firmly disagreed, asserting he was ahead during the collision. Hamilton also expressed concerns about Ferrari's team dynamics and communication, highlighting a lack of established rules of engagement compared to his previous experience at Mercedes.
via RacingNews365Carlos Sainz comments on Hamilton and Leclerc spatCarlos Sainz has weighed in on the recent team orders controversy involving Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc during the Italian Grand Prix. He emphasized the importance of responsibility among drivers in such situations.
via Motorsport.comLawson and Tsunoda Address Verstappen's 2026 F1 CommentsLiam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have responded to Max Verstappen's remarks regarding the impact of driver input on the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 cars. Verstappen suggested that recent results indicate a diminished role for drivers, a claim both drivers addressed in their comments.
via Motorsport.comMcLaren pauses H-wing concept for Spanish Grand PrixMcLaren has decided not to use its H-wing concept at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix. The team plans to reintroduce its rotating rear wing design at the next race in Baku.
via thejudge13.comVerstappen confirms talks with McLaren before Red Bull extensionMax Verstappen has confirmed that he engaged in discussions with McLaren prior to extending his contract with Red Bull until 2030. Although he was already under contract until 2028, the talks with McLaren were serious enough to indicate that they were more than mere speculation. Verstappen emphasized that such discussions are a normal part of evaluating his future, but ultimately decided that remaining with Red Bull was the best choice for his career aspirations.
Verstappen described his relationship with Red Bull as akin to a second family and expressed confidence in the team's future direction. He believes that staying with Red Bull will allow him to achieve his ambitions, especially with significant technical changes coming in the 2026 season. His commitment to Red Bull not only solidifies his place in the team but also prevents one of the biggest potential driver moves in recent years.
via CrashCharles Leclerc could miss Spanish Grand PrixCharles Leclerc's availability for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix is in doubt as he faces a health assessment by the FIA. Ferrari has a history of adjusting its driver lineup due to injuries, raising concerns about Leclerc's potential absence.
via thejudge13.comItalian media report internal crisis at FerrariFerrari faced significant challenges during the recent Italian Grand Prix, where they only managed to secure 8 points. The race was marred by a collision between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, leading to Hamilton's drop in position and subsequent criticism of Ferrari's management, particularly team principal Fred Vasseur.
The internal dynamics at Ferrari are under scrutiny, with media reports indicating that Vasseur's leadership is being questioned amid calls for better team coordination. Hamilton's remarks have sparked discussions about team strategy and leadership, drawing parallels to past tensions within the team, particularly during Fernando Alonso's tenure.
via grandprix.comRobin Raikkonen joins Red Bull Junior TeamRed Bull Racing has officially announced that Robin Raikkonen, the son of former Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen, will join their Junior Team starting in 2027. At just 11 years old, Robin is set to embark on a development program centered around karting, with the aim of gradually transitioning to single-seater racing in the future.
Kimi Raikkonen expressed his support for the agreement, emphasizing the importance of development over immediate results. The partnership will also involve coaching and structure, with expectations that Robin will begin competing in Formula 4 around the age of 15, following a structured path through the junior racing categories.
via thejudge13.comThe “Car-Killing” Nature of the MadringThe Madring, a new circuit for the Spanish Grand Prix, combines permanent track and street circuit elements, presenting unique challenges for drivers and teams. Recent testing in Formula 3 revealed significant difficulties, with numerous red flags and damaged cars, indicating that the track may be particularly tough on vehicles. Notably, the 'La Monumental' banked corner, with its steep gradient, is expected to be a defining feature of the circuit, demanding high skill from drivers.
As teams prepare for the race, they face the challenge of adapting to the Madring's characteristics, which differ from previous circuits. Mercedes' Toto Wolff anticipates a competitive weekend, while drivers like Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen express concerns about the new car regulations affecting performance. With the excitement building in Madrid, the upcoming race promises to test the limits of both drivers and their machines.
via Motorsport.comWhy Ferrari won’t have to worry about another manhole cover incident at the MadringThe Madring, a new street circuit in Madrid, is set to host the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. Unlike previous street circuits, this track has been specifically designed to avoid issues such as loose manhole covers, which caused significant problems during the 2023 Las Vegas GP when Carlos Sainz's Ferrari was damaged.
Ferrari has emphasized that the Madring will have no manhole covers, ensuring a safer racing environment. This design choice aims to alleviate concerns that have historically plagued street circuits, providing a sigh of relief for both the team and Sainz, who is an ambassador for the circuit.
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff shares his ‘conclusion’ after watching Ferrari fans react to Kimi Antonelli’s Monza winAndrea Kimi Antonelli made history by winning the 2026 F1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, becoming the first Italian to achieve this feat since 1966. Starting from P19 due to a penalty, Antonelli's remarkable performance not only secured him the victory but also solidified his position at the top of the standings, leading his teammate George Russell by 66 points after 13 races. His seven wins this season have further established him as a formidable competitor in the championship.
Toto Wolff observed the enthusiastic reaction of Ferrari fans during the celebration of Antonelli's win, concluding that Italian fans do not need to choose between supporting Ferrari and Antonelli. He emphasized that Antonelli's success is a source of pride for Italy, offering fans a unique opportunity to celebrate both a national driver and the iconic Ferrari team. Antonelli's achievements have reignited hopes of an Italian F1 champion, a title that has not been held since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton made one big Ferrari mistake and now he is paying - 'Why didn't he get it sorted'Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration with Ferrari's performance following a disappointing sixth-place finish at the Italian Grand Prix. His drop in positions during the race was attributed to a collision with teammate Charles Leclerc, which led to further criticism of the team's strategy and management under team principal Fred Vasseur.
Hamilton's current standing in the championship shows he is 76 points behind Kimi Antonelli, raising concerns about Ferrari's ability to compete effectively this season. Analyst Peter Windsor suggested that Hamilton's issues stem from not addressing team dynamics before joining Ferrari, indicating that the current situation could have been avoided.
via PlanetF1Ferrari identifies ‘pure power’ deficit as deployment theory dismissedFerrari team principal Fred Vasseur has highlighted that the team's power unit is significantly lacking in 'pure power,' which is the primary reason for their performance gap compared to competitors like Mercedes. Despite introducing a power unit upgrade at Monza, Vasseur clarified that the issue is not related to energy deployment strategies but rather the fundamental power output of their engine.
Vasseur explained that while Mercedes has excelled in energy deployment, Ferrari's engine simply does not have the necessary power to compete effectively. He noted that the development of engine upgrades is a slow process, and while they are making incremental improvements, they do not expect to close the gap with Mercedes quickly.
via f1oversteer.comRalf Schumacher saw something unprecedented from Fred Vasseur after Ferrari’s disastrous Italian GPRalf Schumacher says he has “never” seen Fred Vasseur as “shaken” as he was after Ferrari’s disastrous performance in last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari’s ...
via f1oversteer.comRalf Schumacher says Red Bull don't 'need' Liam Lawson despite 'better' 2026 performancesRalf Schumacher has expressed skepticism about Liam Lawson's future with Red Bull, despite the driver's improved performance in the 2026 season. Lawson's recent race results have been mixed, including a disappointing P14 finish at the Italian Grand Prix, which has led Schumacher to question whether Red Bull should continue investing in him.
Schumacher also highlighted the potential of other young drivers in the Red Bull program, particularly Nikola Tsolov, who is currently leading the Formula 2 championship. He believes that Red Bull may benefit from exploring new talent rather than relying on Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda, suggesting that the team has sufficient options for the future.
via RacingNews365Audi point to Red Bull influence behind stunning F1 turnaroundAudi has made significant improvements in its pit-stop performance, achieving the fastest pit-stops in the last two Formula 1 races. This turnaround is attributed to the influence of Lee Stevenson, a former chief mechanic at Red Bull, who joined Audi in 2024 and has since been promoted to team manager. His experience and leadership have been pivotal in enhancing the team's trackside operations and overall efficiency during races.
Racing director Allan McNish emphasized that Stevenson's arrival has helped the team overcome previous technical issues that plagued their pit-stops in 2024. The improvements have allowed Audi to consistently deliver quick and effective pit-stops, which are crucial for gaining competitive advantages in the tightly contested midfield of Formula 1.
via PlanetF1Oscar Piastri McLaren contract: Rosberg makes McLaren team orders claimNico Rosberg has expressed that Lando Norris is the standout driver at McLaren, suggesting that Oscar Piastri may need to adopt a supporting role in the 2026 season. Following the recent Monza race, where Norris finished fourth, Rosberg noted that while Norris is the primary title contender for McLaren, Piastri's strong performance, finishing just two-tenths behind Norris, indicates his growing competitiveness within the team.
Rosberg raised the possibility of McLaren implementing team orders to support Norris's championship bid, but he also pointed out that Piastri's contract may prevent him from being relegated to a number two position. He compared this situation to his own experience at Mercedes, where contractual obligations influenced team dynamics. Despite the challenges, Piastri has received praise from McLaren's team principal for his progress in adapting to the demands of the current season.Page 35 of 83