News838 stories
RSS ↗
via PlanetF1Jenson Button Discusses Rubens Barrichello's Value to SchumacherJenson Button has shared insights into why Michael Schumacher valued Rubens Barrichello as a teammate at Ferrari. He emphasized Barrichello's qualities that contributed to their successful partnership in Formula 1.
via Motorsport.comCharles Leclerc and wife Alexandra appear to address pregnancy rumours with holiday photosCharles Leclerc and his wife, Alexandra, are vacationing in Sardinia, where recent photos have sparked pregnancy rumors due to Alexandra's apparent baby bump. The couple married in a private ceremony in Monaco earlier this year and plans to have a larger celebration with family and friends in the future.
As of now, Leclerc is experiencing a mixed start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, sitting fourth in the drivers' championship, while his team, Ferrari, is currently second in the constructors' championship.
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.
via Motorsport.comRob Smedley casts doubt on Haas's chances of becoming F1 frontrunnersRob Smedley has expressed skepticism regarding Haas F1 Team's ability to compete as frontrunners in Formula 1, attributing this to the team's current business model and structure. Despite the team's management under Ayao Komatsu, Smedley believes that the reliance on a technical partnership with Ferrari has hindered Haas's development and performance over the seasons.
Currently, Haas is positioned seventh in the constructors' standings, with drivers Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon struggling to score points consistently. Smedley and co-host Jake Humphrey discussed the team's challenges, noting that while they start strong, they often fail to maintain momentum due to limited resources for car development.
via CrashGeorge Russell Faces Challenges in F1 Title RaceGeorge 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.
via Motorsport.comCadillac claims Rafael Camara 2027 rumour is “unsubstantiated”, yet admits “things can change”Cadillac's CEO, Dan Towriss, has dismissed rumors linking Formula 2 driver Rafael Camara to a seat with the team in 2027, labeling them as unsubstantiated. Despite this, he acknowledged the fluid nature of Formula 1, suggesting that changes could still occur in the future. Camara, a standout in his rookie F2 season, has achieved notable success, including multiple pole positions and race wins, positioning him third in the championship standings.
While Towriss expressed confidence in the current driver lineup of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, he did not rule out the possibility of a lineup change. The recent appointment of Marcin Budkowski as team principal has also raised questions about the team's future direction, although Budkowski refrained from discussing potential impacts on their relationship with Ferrari regarding a possible Camara signing.
via PlanetF1Former Ferrari F1 Academy Driver Reflects on Challenging YearA former driver from the Ferrari F1 Academy has shared an emotional message regarding his difficult experiences over the past year. He expressed gratitude for the support he has received while facing uncertainty in his racing career.
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.
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.
via Motorsport.comCadillac F1 Team Appoints Marcin Budkowski as New PrincipalCadillac has announced the appointment of Marcin Budkowski as its new team principal, replacing Graeme Lowdon. The decision, described as a planned leadership transition, was made during the team's debut season in Formula 1.
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.
via Formula1.comCadillac Appoints Marcin Budkowski as New Team PrincipalCadillac has announced the appointment of Marcin Budkowski as its new team principal, replacing Graeme Lowdon. This leadership change comes as the team prepares for its debut in Formula 1.
via RacingNews365Theo Pourchaire reveals Mercedes reaction as long-awaited Formula E switch confirmedPourchaire's transition to Formula E comes as the championship enters a new era with faster machinery. He expressed the importance of maintaining a full racing program while also participating in simulator sessions for Formula 1, highlighting his commitment to both racing and development roles within the sport.
via Motorsport WeekMercedes Anticipates Grid Penalties for Drivers in 2026 SeasonMercedes has acknowledged the likelihood of grid penalties for drivers Antonelli and Russell as the 2026 Formula 1 season progresses. The team is preparing for these penalties as they approach the final half of the season.
via PlanetF1Charles Leclerc makes ‘aggressive’ Ferrari request in F1 title raceCharles Leclerc has urged Ferrari to adopt a more aggressive approach to upgrades in the current Formula 1 season, citing the significance of improvements compared to previous years. Despite trailing Mercedes by 72 points, Ferrari has shown strong performance, outscoring Mercedes in four of the last five races and achieving victories at two grand prix events this season.
Leclerc expressed confusion over the team's inconsistent race predictions, noting that they often performed better in races where they expected to struggle. He described the recent Hungarian race as disappointing and highlighted the need for Ferrari to maintain a proactive development strategy to close the gap in the championship standings.
via F1iMaya Weug exposes the harsh reality behind F1 AcademyMaya Weug, a former Ferrari Academy driver, has shared her struggles in 2026, describing it as the toughest year of her career after finishing second in the F1 Academy last season. Despite her previous successes, she now faces an uncertain future with no races scheduled and plans that have collapsed, leading to concerns about her career progression in motorsport.
Weug's situation highlights the challenges female drivers face even after gaining visibility and opportunities through platforms like F1 Academy. While some have successfully transitioned to higher levels, Weug's experience serves as a sobering reminder that success in one season does not guarantee future opportunities. Despite her setbacks, she remains determined to return to racing and prove her capabilities.
via AutosportFIA Acknowledges Weaknesses in F1's ADUO SystemThe FIA has recognized that the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system in Formula 1 has certain weaknesses that require attention. Discussions are ongoing regarding potential adjustments to improve the system's effectiveness.
via f1technical.netDoes everyone share Hamilton's concerns regarding the simulator's accuracy?Lewis Hamilton has expressed concerns about the accuracy of Formula 1 simulators, leading him to reduce his time using them. Other drivers, including Max Verstappen, Alex Albon, and Esteban Ocon, shared their views on the effectiveness of simulators, particularly in relation to car setup and engine performance. Albon highlighted the importance of accurate tyre models and vehicle dynamics for trusting simulator data, while Ocon noted that Haas has made progress on the engine side but still faces challenges with chassis correlation.
The drivers acknowledged that while simulators remain valuable for team development, their role in chassis setup has decreased compared to previous seasons. Verstappen pointed out that despite the potential monotony of simulator sessions, they are crucial for engineers to evaluate new concepts and adapt to ongoing technical updates in the sport. Overall, the consensus is that while simulators are important, their accuracy and correlation with real-world performance are critical for effective use.
via CrashFormer F1 Academy star faces uncertain future after racing plans 'fall apart'In addition to her own struggles, Weug has been mentoring current Ferrari driver Alba Larsen, while other former F1 Academy participants have found success in various racing categories. Weug remains determined to return to racing and is working hard to overcome the obstacles she faces, believing that new opportunities will arise despite the setbacks.Page 35 of 42