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via AutosportToto Wolff praises McLaren after Hungary Grand Prix winMcLaren achieved a notable victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, showcasing significant improvements in their performance. Mercedes expressed admiration for Lando Norris' success while also focusing on enhancing their own reliability and competitiveness.
+ 1 moreThu 30 Jul · 13:02 UTC
via CrashToto Wolff issues Kimi Antonelli and George Russell a harsh ultimatum in F1 title battleToto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, has issued a stern warning to drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell regarding their championship battle, stating he would take drastic measures if tensions escalate similar to the past rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. This season marks a significant competition within the team, with Antonelli currently leading the championship standings by a considerable margin, although Russell's performance has been hampered by reliability issues.
Wolff emphasized the importance of maintaining team harmony and learning from previous experiences, expressing his dissatisfaction with recent performance issues, particularly during the race in Hungary. He also criticized the communication failures from other teams that affected race conditions. Overall, Wolff is focused on ensuring a strong performance from Mercedes as they head into the summer break.
Wed 29 Jul · 08:43 UTC
via AutosportHow F1 2026 has been a season of two halves for Ferrari so farThe 2026 Formula 1 season has presented a mixed performance for Ferrari, which has maintained second place in the constructors' championship while increasingly challenging Mercedes. After a slow start, Ferrari has improved its performance, particularly in the races following the Spanish Grand Prix, where they began to outscore Mercedes. Team principal Fred Vasseur noted the need for enhancements in engine performance and execution as they move forward in the season.
As the season progresses, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have acknowledged the significance of ongoing development. Hamilton believes Ferrari could close the gap to Mercedes with future upgrades, while Leclerc emphasized the necessity of staying aggressive with their development strategy. With 12 races left, Ferrari aims to capitalize on their recent improvements and continue to challenge for podium finishes.Wed 29 Jul · 08:18 UTC
via grandprix.comHonda feels pressure after Aston chassis breakthroughAston Martin has made significant strides with its chassis, prompting Fernando Alonso to highlight the pressure on Honda to enhance their power unit. The team plans to test an upgraded engine that is expected to deliver an additional 50 horsepower during a filming day at the Hungaroring, with a race debut set for Zandvoort after the summer break. Alonso noted the importance of collaboration between Aston Martin and Honda to address previous weaknesses and improve performance.
Honda's lead engineer confirmed the pressure to keep pace with Aston Martin's advancements, while also addressing past issues with engine vibrations that were resolved during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. Despite the optimism surrounding the chassis improvements, Aston Martin's chief rejected claims of having the best chassis in the midfield, indicating that performance will be clearer in upcoming races.
via AutosportIs McLaren now a legitimate threat to Mercedes and Ferrari in F1 2026?McLaren achieved its first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, with Lando Norris taking pole position and winning the race. The team introduced a significant floor upgrade that proved effective on the high-downforce circuit, allowing them to outperform their competitors, including Ferrari and Mercedes, who faced various challenges during the weekend. Ferrari's performance was marred by execution errors, while Mercedes struggled with setup issues and missed practice time, impacting their race strategy.
The article highlights the ongoing development war in Formula 1, with teams continuously bringing upgrades to improve their performance. While McLaren's win raises questions about their competitiveness against established teams like Mercedes and Ferrari, it also emphasizes the importance of track-specific strengths and execution in determining race outcomes. As teams prepare for upcoming races, including significant upgrades planned for Zandvoort and Monza, the season remains unpredictable and competitive.Tue 28 Jul · 08:24 UTC
via theguardian.comF1 summer report card: from top of the class Mercedes to the team that must do betterAs the Formula 1 season reaches its mid-point, Mercedes has established itself as the dominant team, securing eight victories and leading the constructors' championship by a significant margin. Kimi Antonelli, a promising young driver, has excelled, winning five consecutive races and holding a substantial lead in the drivers' standings. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton has shown a resurgence, claiming his first win in nearly two years at the Spanish Grand Prix, highlighting his competitive spirit at 41 years old.
In contrast, Aston Martin has faced numerous challenges, including a lack of performance and multiple retirements, leading to a disappointing season thus far. Despite a recent overhaul of their car, the team is still striving for improvements, with hopes of achieving better results in the second half of the season. The dynamics among the teams and drivers suggest an intriguing battle as the season progresses.
Tue 28 Jul · 07:00 UTC
via BBC SportDavid Croft criticises Lewis Hamilton's recent errorsLewis Hamilton has been criticized for making several 'careless mistakes' that have resulted in penalties during recent races. Ferrari's performance issues and errors have also contributed to the team's struggles, particularly highlighted during the Hungarian Grand Prix.
+ 2 moreTue 28 Jul · 06:42 UTC
via AutosportGeorge Russell Faces Engine Issues Ahead of Hungarian Grand PrixGeorge Russell experienced an engine software problem that affected his start during the Hungarian Grand Prix. Despite this, he will receive a new V6 engine after a water leak in qualifying but will retain his seventh position on the grid.Mon 27 Jul · 15:15 UTC
via CrashMercedes not sure if George Russell’s ‘cracked’ F1 engine can be repairedMercedes is currently assessing whether George Russell's damaged engine from the Hungarian Grand Prix can be repaired. The engine suffered a crack that led to a water leak during qualifying, forcing Russell to switch to his fourth power unit of the season, which is the last in the penalty-free allocation. If another change is needed, it would result in an automatic grid penalty for future races.
In the race, Russell finished seventh, further diminishing his chances in the championship as he now trails Andrea Kimi Antonelli by 59 points. Despite the setbacks, Russell is attempting to maintain a positive outlook, acknowledging the strong pace of his car while dealing with ongoing reliability issues that have plagued his season.Mon 27 Jul · 15:00 UTC
via AutosportGwen Lagrue joins Red Bull as junior programme directorGwen Lagrue will join Red Bull Racing as the junior driver chief starting in 2027. His appointment follows his departure from Mercedes, where he led their junior programme.+ 1 moreMon 27 Jul · 12:29 UTC
via theguardian.comMcLaren’s team principal hails ‘great trajectory’ of Lando Norris after winLando Norris achieved a significant victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking McLaren's first win of the season. His performance showcased not only his driving skills but also a notable improvement in his psychological approach, as highlighted by team principal Andrea Stella. Norris's ability to remain composed after initially dropping a position to teammate Oscar Piastri was crucial in regaining the lead and securing the win against strong competitors like Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli.
Meanwhile, George Russell faced challenges during the race, finishing seventh after a slow start due to technical issues. His frustrations with the season's repeated problems were evident, as he expressed a sense of resignation regarding his performance. Despite these setbacks, the focus remained on Norris's development and the promising trajectory of his career within the team.Mon 27 Jul · 10:30 UTC
via theguardian.com‘Pretty bad’: Lewis Hamilton hits out at Ferrari after dropping points in F1 title raceLewis Hamilton faced disappointment at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he finished fifth after a penalty for speeding in the pit lane. This result has left him trailing Kimi Antonelli by 50 points in the championship standings. Hamilton criticized his team's strategy, particularly the late pit stop that cost him valuable track position and points. He expressed a desire to improve and avoid further penalties in the upcoming races.
Lando Norris celebrated his first win of the season, showcasing strong performance and confidence in his driving. He feels he is performing at a higher level compared to the previous season, despite the challenges posed by the car's handling. Both Hamilton and Norris are looking forward to the second half of the season, hoping to capitalize on their potential and make significant gains in the championship.Sun 26 Jul · 19:51 UTC
via AutosportHonda's new F1 engine debuts with Aston MartinHonda will unveil its new Formula 1 engine during an Aston Martin filming day at the Hungaroring. The debut follows positive developments for the power unit ahead of the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix.+ 1 moreSun 26 Jul · 17:39 UTC
via AutosportLando Norris claims first victory of 2026 in HungaryLando Norris achieved his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Hungarian Grand Prix. His teammate Oscar Piastri faced a gearbox failure, leading to his retirement from the race.+ 2 moreSun 26 Jul · 14:57 UTC
via AutosportRussell to undergo Mercedes engine change but avoids F1 Hungarian GP grid dropGeorge Russell of Mercedes will replace his V6 engine ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix due to a water leak detected during qualifying. Despite the engine change, he will maintain his seventh position on the grid, as the replacement is of the same specification and does not incur a grid penalty. Russell's teammate, Kimi Antonelli, qualified fourth but is under investigation for a potential infraction during the session.
In qualifying, Lando Norris achieved pole position, marking a significant moment as it ended Mercedes' streak of qualifying dominance this season. Lewis Hamilton, who qualified second, faces a three-place grid drop for impeding another driver, which could elevate Antonelli to third if he avoids penalties. The situation highlights the competitive dynamics among the top teams as they head into the race.Sat 25 Jul · 16:58 UTC
via AutosportHamilton and Antonelli receive grid penalties in HungaryLewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli have both been issued three-place grid penalties ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Antonelli's penalty was due to a yellow flag infringement during qualifying.+ 1 moreSat 25 Jul · 15:58 UTC
via AutosportLando Norris secures pole in Hungary, Hamilton penalisedLando Norris achieved his first pole position of the 2026 season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, narrowly beating Lewis Hamilton by just 0.012 seconds. Both Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli received grid penalties, impacting their starting positions for the race.+ 2 moreSat 25 Jul · 15:19 UTC
via grandprix.comWolff hints Verstappen unlikely to join Mercedes in 2027Toto Wolff has indicated that Mercedes is not urgently seeking to sign Max Verstappen for 2027, citing the rise of Kimi Antonelli. The team is currently focused on retaining George Russell while keeping options open for future driver pairings.
via AutosportF1 Hungarian GP: Norris beats Hamilton to top final practiceMcLaren driver Lando Norris has led a three-team fight to top final practice at Formula 1's Hungarian Grand Prix, setting up an intriguing qualifying session in Budapest. Norris' late 1m18.939s flyer was just over a tenth quicker than Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes' championship leader Kimi Antonelli on the twisty Hungaroring. FP3's opening phase was quiet as drivers kept their powder dry for ... Keep readingSat 25 Jul · 11:40 UTC
via grandprix.comPiastri a passenger as Wolff admits disadvantageIn a recent statement, Oscar Piastri highlighted the challenges faced by Formula 1 drivers in 2026, particularly regarding the influence of AI on performance and the limitations imposed by the current engine formula. He expressed frustration over the lack of control drivers have over electrical deployment, which significantly affects their performance on the track. Meanwhile, Toto Wolff acknowledged that Mercedes-powered customer teams are at a disadvantage due to the integration of power units and chassis development, which gives the works team an edge in the new regulations.
Wolff also addressed the concerns raised by McLaren, stating that their relationship remains intact despite the competitive pressures. He emphasized that while there is a race to catch up, he believes that all teams will eventually reach a similar understanding of the challenges posed by the new regulations. Piastri further noted that the difficulties with McLaren's 2026 car have shifted from manageable power unit issues to aspects beyond the drivers' control, indicating ongoing challenges in adapting to the evolving technology in Formula 1.Page 37 of 39