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via grandprix.comBriatore warns of media access restrictions for ColapintoFlavio Briatore has indicated that Alpine may limit Franco Colapinto's access to Argentine media due to ongoing online abuse directed at Pierre Gasly. The warning follows incidents of harassment after the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.
via RacingNews365Flavio Briatore warns fans over Franco Colapinto abuseFlavio Briatore, the Alpine chief, has issued a warning to Franco Colapinto's fans regarding their online behaviour, stating they should support him in a clean and loyal manner. Briatore threatened to withdraw Colapinto from media duties if the abuse, particularly aimed at Pierre Gasly, continues.
via AutosportRussell's theory on his big hope for F1 2027 – and Antonelli's replyGeorge Russell, a driver for Mercedes, has expressed optimism about the potential for better-balanced tyres in Formula 1's 2027 season, which he believes could allow for a more natural driving style. He noted that the current tyres have not been well balanced, impacting performance, particularly for drivers like himself and Oscar Piastri, who have struggled with the unnatural driving style required by the 2026 cars.
Kimi Antonelli, Russell's team-mate, has a different perspective, suggesting that while the tyres may evolve slightly, the overall changes will not be drastic. He highlighted that the car's aerodynamics will undergo significant modifications, which will also influence performance. Both drivers are adapting to the technical challenges posed by the current regulations as they prepare for the upcoming season.
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc tried to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes before they signed Kimi AntonelliCharles Leclerc, currently a key driver for Ferrari, explored the possibility of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2025 season. His manager, Nicolas Todt, engaged in discussions with Mercedes regarding this potential move after they were informed of Hamilton's impending transfer to Ferrari.
Despite these talks, Mercedes opted to sign Andrea Kimi Antonelli, leading Leclerc to renew his contract with Ferrari in January 2024. This decision came before Hamilton's official announcement of his move to Ferrari, which was revealed in February 2024. As a result, Leclerc remains with Ferrari through the 2030 season.
via Formula1.comKimi Antonelli insists title race is not over yetKimi Antonelli, the Mercedes driver, maintains that his 81-point lead in the Drivers' Championship is not a guarantee of victory, stating it is 'not over until it’s over' ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Meanwhile, George Russell has expressed his determination to continue fighting for the championship, aiming to win every race.
via BBC SportKimi Antonelli reflects on fears from rookie seasonKimi Antonelli has acknowledged that his fear of crashing impacted his performance during his rookie season with Mercedes in 2025. The championship leader revealed that a crash in 2024 lingered in his mind, affecting his confidence as he continues to adapt to Formula 1.
via Formula1.comGrosjean on why Mercedes' support has been key for AntonelliRomain Grosjean highlighted the significant role Mercedes has played in Kimi Antonelli's impressive 2026 season, helping him unlock new performance levels. Antonelli, who had a challenging rookie year, has capitalised on Mercedes' support to dominate the early races and currently leads the Drivers' Championship.
Grosjean praised Antonelli's talent and the team's unwavering backing, which has fostered his confidence. He noted that despite facing difficulties, such as a poor start to the season, Mercedes provided crucial support that allowed Antonelli to thrive, showcasing his potential to become the youngest-ever World Champion.
via CrashGeorge Russell avoids engine penalty for Baku Grand PrixGeorge Russell will not face an engine penalty at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after Mercedes altered their strategy. Initially, Russell was expected to incur a double penalty due to an engine change, but the team has since decided against it.
via Motorsport.comJamie Chadwick warns Kimi Antonelli of title pressureJamie Chadwick has cautioned Kimi Antonelli that the pressure of competing for the Formula 1 championship will increase as the season progresses. Despite this, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer noted that Antonelli is currently displaying no signs of feeling the strain as he approaches his first title.
via grandprix.comToto Wolff to miss Azerbaijan Grand PrixToto Wolff, the Mercedes F1 team principal and CEO, will not attend the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend. Bradley Lord will take over trackside leadership as the team navigates a challenging series of races.
via PlanetF1Pierre Gasly rules out ‘Monza 2.0’ as Alpine target midfield fight in BakuPierre Gasly has stated that he does not expect to achieve a pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix similar to his recent success at Monza. While both circuits share some characteristics, Gasly believes that Baku presents unique challenges that differ from those at Monza, particularly with its combination of long straights and tight corners.
Gasly is hopeful that Alpine can compete effectively within the midfield during the race. He highlighted the importance of managing battery usage and the impact of strong winds expected during qualifying, which could affect performance. Despite his confidence, he has ruled out the possibility of a 'Monza 2.0' scenario this weekend.
via the-race.comPierre Gasly condemns online abuse after Spanish GPPierre Gasly has spoken out against the online abuse he and his family have faced following the Spanish Grand Prix, where an incident involving his Alpine team-mate Franco Colapinto occurred. Gasly described the abuse as 'disturbing' and called for it to stop, while Colapinto also urged fans to refrain from such behaviour.
via RacingNews365Fred Vasseur hits back at F1 rival Toto Wolff over Ferrari budget claimFred Vasseur, Ferrari's team principal, has responded to Toto Wolff's remarks regarding the financial capabilities of Ferrari and McLaren to continue car development throughout the season. Wolff expressed concerns about the budget constraints faced by teams under the cost cap, which has been raised to $215 million this year due to significant regulatory changes.
Vasseur firmly rejected Wolff's insinuations, asserting that Ferrari has sufficient budgetary leeway to maintain its development pace until the final race of the season. He emphasized his dissatisfaction with Wolff's comments, stating that he does not appreciate others discussing Ferrari's budget without understanding the situation.
via PlanetF1FIA confirms Mercedes findings after ‘extensive’ George Russell inspectionThe FIA confirmed that George Russell's Mercedes passed an extensive inspection following the Spanish Grand Prix, where he finished in fifth place. The inspection was part of routine checks for top ten finishers, focusing on various components of the car's front suspension and sensor compliance with the 2026 regulations.
Despite the successful inspection, Russell is significantly behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings, trailing by 81 points. He acknowledged that he is unlikely to compete for the Drivers' title but remains focused on contributing to Mercedes' efforts in the Constructors' Championship.
via RaceFansJoshua Duerksen completes first F1 test with MercedesJoshua Duerksen has completed his first Formula 1 test with Mercedes, driving the team's 2025 car at the Portimão circuit. The Paraguayan driver covered 187 laps over two days, marking a significant milestone in his career.
via Formula1.comWhen is the earliest Antonelli could win the title?Kimi Antonelli is currently leading the Formula 1 drivers' standings with 292 points, significantly ahead of his closest rival, George Russell, by 81 points. With nine races left in the 2026 season, including a Sprint weekend, the maximum points available is 233. Antonelli's position is strong, but eight other drivers remain mathematically in contention for the championship.
For Antonelli to win the World Championship as early as Round 17 in Singapore, he must win the upcoming Azerbaijan and Bahrain Grands Prix, as well as both the Grand Prix and Sprint in Singapore, while Russell scores no points. If this scenario does not unfold, Antonelli could still clinch the title by Round 19 in Mexico, depending on their average race finishes.
via thejudge13.comEsteban Ocon confirms free agency ahead of 2027 seasonEsteban Ocon has stated he is a 'free agent' for the 2027 Formula 1 season, indicating he will leave Haas at the end of the current season. Haas principal Ayao Komatsu is expected to announce the team's driver line-up soon, with Formula 2 star Rafael Camara emerging as a leading candidate to replace Ocon.
via RacingNews365Toto Wolff warns Mercedes of challenging times aheadToto Wolff has cautioned that despite Mercedes' strong position in the Formula 1 championships, the team faces a 'demanding period' ahead. Wolff emphasised the importance of maintaining focus and not becoming complacent as the season progresses.
via Formula1.comFerrari’s aerodynamic edge that Mercedes tried to emulateMercedes attempted to implement Ferrari's flick tail mode exhaust during the recent event in Madrid, but ultimately decided to revert to their previous configuration used at Monza. This change was made after a brief trial period, indicating the challenges in adapting Ferrari's innovation to their own car.
Ferrari's flick tail mode exhaust has been a part of their design since pre-season testing and is known to provide an aerodynamic advantage. By partially blocking the exhaust outlet, it enhances airflow dynamics, which helps improve the performance of the car's rear wing and diffuser.
via CrashSteiner predicts strong 2026 season for Norris and VerstappenGuenther Steiner has made predictions regarding the outcomes of the 2026 Formula 1 season, specifically highlighting Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Steiner believes both drivers will perform exceptionally well in the latter half of the season.Page 5 of 35













