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via RacingNews365Fernando Alonso reiterates Honda trust desipte 2026 painFernando Alonso has reaffirmed his trust in Honda's Formula 1 project, despite a difficult start to the season for Aston Martin, which has partnered with Honda. Alonso believes that Honda possesses the necessary infrastructure and personnel to succeed, having previously won a championship with Red Bull before leaving F1 at the end of 2021.
Currently, Aston Martin is struggling, having scored only three points and often finding itself at the bottom of the timesheets. Alonso has not yet decided on his future in F1, indicating that his enjoyment of the regulations will influence his decision. He expressed a desire to see improvements in the team's performance within two to three years, rather than the longer timelines experienced in the past.
via RacingNews365Toto Wolff supports potential ADUO rule changesToto Wolff has expressed his openness to a possible overhaul of Formula 1's ADUO rules, which could enhance the catch-up mechanism. The changes are being considered to improve competitiveness for teams like Honda.
via RacingNews365Colton Herta names 'chaotic' F1 experience he actually enjoysColton Herta has shared his positive perspective on the demanding experience of alternating between Formula 1 and Formula 2 cars while driving for Cadillac. He has participated in three FP1 sessions this season and has driven in various locations including Barcelona, Hungary, and Italy. Herta's final FP1 session is still pending confirmation, but it is expected not to conflict with his F2 commitments. Despite a crash during his last F2 practice, he quickly adapted to driving a different car and expressed enjoyment in the chaotic nature of his schedule.
Herta highlighted that the hectic environment keeps him focused, as he moves rapidly from meetings to driving sessions. He believes that with more time in the car, he is making progress and becoming more comfortable with the machinery. Herta noted that understanding the car's issues from the drivers' perspectives helps him improve and shorten his learning curve, leading to a positive outlook on his development in Formula 1.
via RacingNews365Red Bull provide response to FIA president's plan to aid HondaRed Bull Racing's boss, Laurent Mekies, expressed the team's willingness to engage in discussions regarding the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) regulations. This comes in light of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's proposal to assist Honda, aiming to enhance their competitiveness and retain driver Fernando Alonso in Formula 1. The ADUO mechanism is designed to provide extra upgrades to power units that are lagging behind the performance benchmark, which currently is set by Red Bull's power unit.
The FIA's initiative follows Honda's struggles with the new generation of power units and Alonso's uncertainty about his future in the sport. Ben Sulayem highlighted the importance of ensuring that Alonso is not left in uncompetitive machinery, indicating that further concessions could be made to support Honda. Mekies acknowledged the previous changes made to the ADUO regulations and reiterated that the teams typically collaborate to find solutions when issues arise.
via grandprix.comCadillac F1 not named in Walter class-action suitA proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed against Mark Walter and several companies in his business network, alleging financial misconduct. However, the Cadillac Formula 1 team, which Walter is associated with through TWG Motorsports, is not named as a defendant in the case. The lawsuit claims that Walter and others failed to disclose important financial information related to an annuity purchased by the plaintiff, Ira Rosner.
The allegations include fraudulent concealment and negligent misrepresentation, but no evidence has been presented to prove these claims. TWG Global has stated that it intends to defend against the lawsuit vigorously and denies any wrongdoing. The Cadillac F1 team's operations and funding are not currently threatened by the lawsuit, and the next developments will depend on the defendants' formal response.
via gpfans.comCadillac F1 owner completes huge team sale for massive profit as investigation continuesMark Walter, owner of the Cadillac F1 team, has finalized the sale of his 12.8% stake in Chelsea FC, netting him approximately £500 million. This sale, confirmed on September 17, 2026, follows his recent sale of the Los Angeles Lakers for $12.5 billion, which he purchased for $10 billion just a year prior. Walter's profit from the Chelsea sale is estimated to be around £180 million, reflecting a significant return on his initial investment.
via RacingNews365Sergio Perez praises Cadillac's new factory developmentSergio Perez and teammate Valtteri Bottas recently toured Cadillac's new factory, expressing their admiration for the facility. Team Principal Graeme Budkowski addressed speculation regarding the operation during the visit.
via Formula1.com'Bit of a shock to the system' leading Cadillac – BudkowskiMarcin Budkowski has taken over as Team Principal of Cadillac in Formula 1, replacing Graeme Lowdon just before the Dutch Grand Prix. Having a rich background in the sport, Budkowski expressed that returning to F1 has been a significant adjustment due to the fast-paced environment and the challenges of leading a new team. Cadillac is currently facing difficulties in their inaugural season, remaining the only team without points, with their best result being a P13 finish by Valtteri Bottas in China.
Despite these challenges, Budkowski is optimistic about the team's future, noting positive aspects of the team's dynamics and discussions. He highlighted the need for improvements in reliability and operational efficiency, acknowledging that building a new team comes with its own set of challenges. Budkowski is focused on aligning the team towards a common vision and addressing areas that require more attention to enhance performance moving forward.
via PlanetF1Alonso requests Aston Martin review over ‘very bad’ Honda issues at Spanish GPFernando Alonso has called for an investigation into the Honda engine performance following a disappointing race at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he finished in 17th place. He reported significant issues with the engine, particularly with boost control, which hindered his performance and caused him to lose time during the race.
Meanwhile, his teammate Lance Stroll also faced difficulties, retiring from the race due to a brake pedal issue after sustaining damage from debris. Stroll's struggles contributed to Aston Martin's ongoing challenges this season, as they currently sit in 10th place in the Constructors' standings with only three points.
via RacingNews365Cadillac deliver Sergio Perez response after 'disappointment' verdictSergio Perez recently voiced his disappointment regarding the performance of the Cadillac F1 team, which has struggled since joining the grid as the 11th team this year. Team principal Marcin Budkowski responded by advising Perez to manage his expectations, emphasizing that the team is currently facing reliability issues that have hindered their progress on the track.
Budkowski explained that the team's resources have been redirected towards fixing these reliability problems and developing the 2027 car, leading to a plateau in performance development for the current season. He remains optimistic about the potential for improvement by addressing operational and quality issues within the car.
via Motorsport.comWas Cadillac “faster” than Williams in Madring F1 race?Cadillac Racing, in its first season in Formula 1, showed some promising pace during the Spanish Grand Prix, particularly with driver Sergio Perez, who managed to keep up with Williams' Alexander Albon until a mechanical issue forced him to retire. Despite finishing 17th, Perez noted that he was competitive and even faster than Albon during certain parts of the race, which provided a glimmer of hope for the team.
On the other hand, teammate Valtteri Bottas struggled throughout the race, finishing at the back and highlighting ongoing reliability concerns. Cadillac has faced numerous challenges this season, including a high number of retirements, but both drivers remain hopeful for improvements in future races, particularly in the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
via PlanetF1Honda makes progress with Aston Martin engine developmentHonda has achieved a significant breakthrough with its B-spec engine, which is seen as a crucial step in supporting Aston Martin's recovery efforts. This development is expected to enhance the performance of Adrian Newey's designs.
via thejudge13.comHonda reportedly dismisses F1 engine chief as Aston Martin faces major changeHonda has announced a significant management change in its Formula 1 division, with Tetsushi Kakuda being dismissed from his role overseeing engine development. Yoichiro Fukao is set to take over Kakuda's responsibilities starting October 1, as Honda prepares for the next generation of power units. The restructuring is aimed at accelerating engine development and ensuring a smooth transition to new engineering talent.
This change comes amid a challenging 2026 season for Aston Martin, which has struggled to compete effectively despite receiving upgrades to its Honda power unit. While Honda has confirmed the personnel change, it has not explicitly linked Kakuda's dismissal to the team's performance issues. The relationship between Aston Martin and Honda is under scrutiny, as both entities look to improve competitiveness ahead of the upcoming regulations.
via PlanetF1FIA confirms double Spanish GP punishment; Honda change; Brown receives apology – roundupThe FIA has confirmed a double punishment following the Spanish Grand Prix, where Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto was warned for moving under braking, and Racing Bulls were fined €200 for Yuki Tsunoda's speeding in the pit lane. This investigation highlights the stewards' commitment to maintaining safety and adherence to regulations during the race.
In other news, Honda has announced a leadership change, promoting Yoichiro Fukao to large project leader after the race. Additionally, Romain Grosjean issued an apology to Zak Brown regarding a misunderstanding about comments made about Oscar Piastri. Lando Norris faced a setback during the race due to a Virtual Safety Car, which altered his strategy, while Ferrari drivers Hamilton and Leclerc are set to participate in a tyre test at Imola.
via F1iHonda announces leadership change in F1 power unitHonda Racing has appointed a new project leader for its Formula 1 power unit development programme as part of a strategic overhaul. This decision comes in response to a challenging start to the 2026 season, with the aim of accelerating development ahead of upcoming regulatory changes.
via espn.comHonda replacing engine chief after poor start to '26Honda is making a leadership change in its Formula 1 power unit project, appointing Yoichiro Fukao to replace Tetsushi Kakuda effective October 1, 2026. This decision comes after a disappointing start to the season as Aston Martin's engine supplier, where the team has only managed to score three points and sits near the bottom of the standings.
The change is part of Honda's strategy to enhance its development framework following the introduction of new regulations. The company aims to ensure a smooth transfer of technical expertise to the next generation of engineers, as it seeks to improve performance after a challenging start under the new rules.
via gpfans.comHonda replace F1 boss after nightmare Aston Martin seasonHonda has announced a leadership change in their Formula 1 power unit department following a disappointing season with Aston Martin. Tetsushi Kakuda will be replaced by Yoichiro Fukao, effective October 1, 2026, as part of a planned transition to enhance power unit development and support the next generation of engineers.
Despite expectations, Aston Martin has struggled this season, remaining at the back of the grid due to both their chassis design and Honda's underperforming power unit. Honda has indicated that they will provide a major upgrade before the 2027 season, aiming to improve their performance in collaboration with Aston Martin.
via f1oversteer.comLawrence Stroll Mercedes rumours ‘alarmed’ Honda before they replaced F1 engine bossHonda has decided to replace Tetsushi Kakuda with his deputy Yoichiro Fukao as the leader of their F1 project, effective next month. This change comes after a poor start to their partnership with Aston Martin, which is currently struggling in the standings due to both the performance of Honda's power unit and issues with their chassis design.
Lawrence Stroll has been negotiating with Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains to explore alternative engine options, aiming to pressure Honda into improving their performance. The recent disappointing results have prompted Honda to reaffirm their commitment to F1, with promises of enhanced competitiveness in the upcoming season.
via PlanetF1Honda makes new announcement after Spanish Grand PrixFollowing the Spanish Grand Prix, Honda revealed a restructuring of its Formula 1 power unit leadership. This change comes as Aston Martin has struggled in the 2026 season, managing only three points across 14 races. The team has faced ongoing issues with engine performance, despite a recent upgrade that coincided with Alonso's improved finish at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Yoichiro Fukao has been promoted to lead the power unit development program, replacing Tetsushi Kakuda. This transition is part of Honda's strategy to enhance its engine development and prepare for upcoming regulatory changes in Formula 1. The company is focused on establishing a robust framework to ensure competitiveness in future seasons.
via Motorsport WeekSergio Perez offers hilarious response to Kimi Antonelli radio feudSergio Perez responded humorously to criticism from Kimi Antonelli, who was frustrated after being held up by Perez during the second practice session at the Madring. Antonelli expressed his annoyance over the radio, but Perez joked that Antonelli might have been confused about the driver he was complaining about.
Despite the traffic challenges at the new Spanish GP track, Perez remained positive, calling it a "really cool track." However, he faced penalties for speeding in the pitlane and qualified nineteenth, contrasting with Antonelli's second-place qualifying position. Cadillac, Perez's team, has yet to score any points in the 2026 season.Page 4 of 13