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via f1oversteer.comGuenther Steiner says Mercedes will be ‘laughing’ at McLaren and Ferrari’s upgradesGuenther Steiner has commented on the competitive landscape in Formula 1, suggesting that Mercedes remains in a strong position despite McLaren and Ferrari's efforts to close the gap. With McLaren recently securing their first win of the season and both teams planning significant upgrades for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, the rivalry is heating up. However, Steiner believes that their competition will ultimately benefit Mercedes, as they will be able to capitalize on the points that McLaren and Ferrari take from each other in their battle for supremacy.
As the season progresses, both McLaren and Ferrari are making strategic changes to improve their performance, with McLaren introducing a new rear wing and Ferrari implementing a floor upgrade. Steiner's insights highlight the dynamics of the championship, where Mercedes is currently enjoying a comfortable lead. He emphasizes that while McLaren and Ferrari focus on outpacing each other, Mercedes can maintain its advantage and potentially increase its points tally.
via CrashMercedes pays tribute at Dutch Grand PrixThe Mercedes Formula 1 team is set to pay tribute to a valued team member who recently passed away during the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix. This gesture reflects the team's commitment to honoring the contributions of its late colleague.
via CrashFerrari and McLaren lead upgrade race at ZandvoortAs Formula 1 resumes after the summer break, teams have brought a total of 23 upgrades for the Dutch Grand Prix. Notably, Ferrari and McLaren are leading the charge in the ongoing development battle.
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen is yet to reach his peak, says former F1 team bossFormer F1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer has stated that Max Verstappen has not yet reached his peak performance, despite already being a four-time champion. During a podcast discussion, Szafnauer highlighted Verstappen's ongoing improvement and commitment to Red Bull Racing, where he has recently signed a contract extension lasting until 2030.
Currently, Verstappen is sixth in the drivers' standings, trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 110 points. Szafnauer compared Verstappen to other legendary drivers, naming Vettel as the best he worked with, while acknowledging the challenges posed by Schumacher and Hamilton. Verstappen expressed his satisfaction with his team and his aspirations to continue achieving success together.
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton disagrees with Ferrari about F1 title chances ahead of the Dutch Grand PrixAhead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari have differing views on his chances for the 2026 F1 title. Despite being 50 points behind Kimi Antonelli, Hamilton remains optimistic about his ability to compete for the championship, while Ferrari believes the constructors' title is a more achievable goal for him. Both drivers are set to receive a new floor upgrade at the upcoming race, which could enhance their performance on the challenging Zandvoort circuit.
Hamilton's confidence is bolstered by Ferrari's planned upgrades, including a new engine specification to be introduced at Monza. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc, who is 31 points behind Hamilton, has shown inconsistency despite recent successes. The article highlights the competitive landscape of the season, with Mercedes also recognizing Ferrari's advancements in performance.
via Motorsport WeekAston Martin secures investment from Woody JohnsonAston Martin has completed a minority stake sale to American billionaire Woody Johnson. This investment comes just ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix.
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli to take grid penalty at MonzaJames Hinchcliffe has expressed confusion over Toto Wolff's decision to consult Kimi Antonelli's father regarding power unit penalties. Antonelli, currently leading the F1 championship, is facing a potential penalty in upcoming races.
via F1iAston Martin F1 sells minor stake to billionaire Woody JohnsonAston Martin F1 has welcomed Robert Wood Johnson, an American billionaire and owner of the NFL's New York Jets, as a new minority shareholder and vice chairman. His investment is part of team owner Lawrence Stroll's strategy to enhance the team's commercial footprint, particularly in the lucrative US market. Johnson, who previously served as the US ambassador to the UK, has a strong appreciation for Aston Martin's heritage and aims to help the team compete at the highest levels of Formula 1.
Stroll views Johnson's experience in professional sports as a valuable asset for Aston Martin's ambitions. The team has been investing in its infrastructure and technical operations to become a serious contender in F1. While it remains unclear whether Johnson's stake involves new funds or existing shares, his presence is expected to bring influential connections and enhance the team's commercial prospects as they seek to grow their fanbase in the United States.
via RacingNews365Woody Johnson acquires minority stake in Aston Martin F1American billionaire Woody Johnson has purchased a minority stake in the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. Johnson, who is also the owner of Crystal Palace, will join the board of directors as vice chairman.
via Motorsport WeekCharles Leclerc expectant of major F1 ‘reshuffle’ at F1 Dutch GPCharles Leclerc is optimistic about the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, anticipating a reshuffle in the competitive order despite Ferrari's historical struggles at Zandvoort. He reflects on his challenging experience from the previous year, where he retired due to a collision, but notes the positive changes in both his performance and that of his teammate Kimi Antonelli, who now leads the championship.
With rain expected during the race weekend, Leclerc acknowledges the uncertainty of how the weather will affect the performance of the cars. He believes that the new regulations may allow for a more competitive showing from Ferrari, particularly on technical tracks like Zandvoort. Leclerc remains hopeful but recognizes the challenges ahead, especially with the unpredictable weather conditions.
via PlanetF1F1 team valuations surge as Aston Martin receives fresh investmentThe valuations of Formula 1 teams have significantly increased, with Ferrari leading at $7.1 billion, followed by Mercedes at $6.4 billion and McLaren at $5.2 billion. This surge in value is attributed to various factors, including substantial investments, changes in prize money distribution from the 2021 Concorde Agreement, and the overall growth of interest in the sport, particularly due to the Netflix series 'Drive to Survive'.
The financial landscape for F1 teams has transformed, with many teams experiencing ten-fold increases in their valuations since 2020. The sport's potential for further growth is recognized, especially in under-commercialized markets like the United States, suggesting that team values could reach unprecedented levels in the future.
via PlanetF1Woody Johnson joins Aston Martin as vice chairmanWoody Johnson, an NFL team owner, has acquired a significant stake in the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. He has been appointed as Vice Chairman and will join the team's Board of Directors.
via f1oversteer.comLawrence Stroll admits defeat in Aston Martin’s ‘five-year plan’ to compete for titlesLawrence Stroll has acknowledged that Aston Martin's initial five-year plan to compete for Formula 1 titles was overly ambitious, leading the team to revise their timeline to a ten-year plan aimed at 2031. Despite a promising start in 2023 with Fernando Alonso achieving multiple podiums, the team faced setbacks, including a lack of podium finishes in 2024 and a drop to seventh place in 2025, primarily due to production delays linked to key personnel and regulatory changes.
To address these challenges, Aston Martin has introduced a new chassis and engine upgrades in 2026, while also planning for a significant leap in performance by 2027. Stroll is actively seeking to strengthen the team's leadership by hiring Jonathan Wheatley as team principal, reflecting a broader strategy to regain competitiveness in the sport amidst a challenging landscape where other midfield teams like Williams are also struggling.
via CrashFernando Alonso provides update on Aston Martin futureFernando Alonso has stated that he has no set timeline for deciding his future with Aston Martin in Formula 1. The two-time world champion is currently in discussions with team management regarding his potential continuation beyond the current season.
via CrashGeorge Russell confident in Mercedes seat securityGeorge Russell has stated that his position at Mercedes was never in jeopardy, even with Max Verstappen's recent contract extension at Red Bull. He expressed relief that speculation regarding Verstappen potentially joining Mercedes has been put to rest.
via grandprix.comWolff open to abandoning current engine formulaToto Wolff has expressed a willingness to move away from the current engine formula in Formula 1, despite Mercedes' competitive advantage. He is actively engaging with key figures in the sport, including FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, to discuss potential changes for future engine regulations, which may include a return to a V8 engine configuration with a reduced electric component.
Additionally, GPDA chairman Alex Wurz highlighted the role of drivers in advocating for regulatory changes, indicating that further adjustments are anticipated in the coming years. The discussions suggest a shift towards a more traditional combustion engine focus while maintaining a hybrid aspect, reflecting a desire for a more appealing sound and performance in the sport.
via RacingNews365New Cadillac boss addresses Ferrari partnership as 'discussions' plannedCadillac F1 Team has appointed Marcin Budkowski as its new team principal, following the unexpected departure of Graeme Lowdon. Budkowski, who has extensive experience in Formula 1, plans to engage in discussions with partners, including Ferrari, during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. He expressed contentment with the current power unit supplied by Ferrari but also highlighted Cadillac's ambition to eventually develop its own engine.
Budkowski's transition to team principal marks his first leadership role in F1 after a stint as a TV pundit. He aims to understand the future direction of the team, particularly concerning engine regulations, as Cadillac seeks to establish itself more firmly in the sport. The leadership change comes at a crucial time as the team prepares for its ongoing development and competitive strategy.
via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton and Ferrari called out by former F1 driver for "pretty sloppy" errorsFormer F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has called out Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton for failing to capitalize on Mercedes' vulnerabilities, particularly highlighting a series of costly mistakes. Palmer noted that despite Kimi Antonelli's reliability issues, Ferrari has missed key opportunities to close the gap in the championship standings, which currently sees Antonelli leading Hamilton by 50 points with 12 races left in the season.
Palmer specifically mentioned penalties incurred by Hamilton, including a jump start and an early pit lane speed limiter release, as examples of 'sloppy' errors that could have affected their performance. While he praised Hamilton's driving skills, he suggested that a lack of concentration may be contributing to these mistakes. Palmer emphasized the need for Ferrari to maximize their points if they hope to compete for the championship title.
via RacingNews365McLaren making regular F1 discoveries after Mercedes teething troubleMcLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, has highlighted the ongoing learning process the team is experiencing with its Mercedes HPP power unit. Despite initial challenges, including a double Did Not Start in China, Stella is optimistic about the team's progress in understanding and optimizing the power unit's performance as the season progresses. He noted that the collaboration with Mercedes HPP is crucial for McLaren to fully exploit the engine's capabilities.
Stella expressed that while the team has made significant discoveries, they are still a few races away from complete comprehension of the power unit's behavior. He acknowledged that some issues may seem random but are influenced by sensitive parameters, indicating a complex relationship between engineering factors and performance outcomes.
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton expected to extend Ferrari contract to 2027Lewis Hamilton is anticipated to extend his contract with Ferrari through 2027. An official announcement regarding the extension may be made before the upcoming Monza race.Page 59 of 76