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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 theguardian.comSpanish GP plans to change Madring after fierce criticism from F1 driversFollowing the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring, there are plans to modify the circuit due to significant criticism from drivers. The race, which saw Kimi Antonelli take victory, was characterized by a lack of overtaking opportunities, leading to disappointment among competitors and fans alike. Drivers like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen highlighted the need for design changes to enhance racing excitement and facilitate overtaking.
Discussions regarding potential alterations to the track layout are already underway, with the circuit's management open to suggestions. Despite the logistical success of the event, the racing experience fell short of expectations, prompting calls for improvements to ensure a more thrilling competition in future races.
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 RaceFansLando Norris defends McLaren's pit strategy in SpainLando Norris has expressed confidence in McLaren's decision to pit him during the Virtual Safety Car period at the Spanish Grand Prix. However, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer criticized the move, suggesting it ultimately contributed to Norris's defeat.
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 PlanetF1Adrian Newey holds McLaren MCL40 inspection at Spanish Grand PrixAdrian Newey, the Aston Martin team principal, was seen inspecting Oscar Piastri's McLaren MCL40 on the grid before the Spanish Grand Prix. The race concluded with Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes winning, while Lando Norris, who started from pole position, finished third after a challenging race. Piastri's performance saw him finishing eighth, significantly behind his teammate Norris.
Newey's involvement with McLaren has been notable throughout the 2026 season, as he has closely monitored their progress following a series of upgrades. His inspection at the Spanish Grand Prix marked his sixth visit to the paddock this season, indicating his ongoing interest in McLaren's development amidst a challenging season for Aston Martin.
via grandprix.comMcLaren tries to bring Lambiase move forwardMcLaren is reportedly in discussions with Red Bull to expedite Gianpiero Lambiase's move to their team, originally scheduled for 2028, to as early as 2027. This comes as Max Verstappen prepares to race without Lambiase for three weekends, during which Tom Hart is set to take over as his race engineer. The negotiations hinge on Red Bull's willingness to release Lambiase and any potential gardening leave he may need to serve.
Lambiase has been a key figure in Verstappen's career since 2016, and his departure will lead to a restructuring of responsibilities within Red Bull. Tom McCullough is expected to step in as Head of Racing. The situation gained traction after Lambiase was spotted conversing with McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, indicating potential collaboration. The effectiveness of the new arrangement will be tested during the upcoming races in Austin, Sao Paulo, and Las Vegas.
via gpfans.comGuenther Steiner criticises Lando Norris's behaviourGuenther Steiner has expressed disapproval of Lando Norris's actions in the cooldown room following the Spanish Grand Prix. Norris, who finished third in the race, reportedly reacted strongly to an F1 official, stating he would act as he pleased.
via Formula1.comStella outlines the logic behind Norris’ ‘unlucky’ stopLando Norris' performance in the Spanish Grand Prix was significantly impacted by the timing of a Virtual Safety Car, which led to a late pit stop that ultimately resulted in a third-place finish. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella explained that the decision to pit was made because staying out would have meant using worn tyres, which would have forced Norris to pit later behind competitors who had already switched to fresher hard tyres.
Despite the disappointment of not winning, Stella expressed optimism about the team's progress throughout the season, highlighting Norris' strong pace and competitive performance. He noted that the timing of the Virtual Safety Car was unfortunate but emphasized that the team remains positive about their future prospects in the championship.
via RacingNews365McLaren boss bemoans 'cruelty' that struck Lando NorrisLando Norris faced unfortunate circumstances during the Spanish Grand Prix, where he was leading after a strong pole position. However, an ill-timed virtual safety car cost him the chance to pit at the optimal moment, resulting in him losing positions and ultimately finishing third.
McLaren's CEO Zak Brown expressed disappointment over the 'cruel' luck that affected Norris's race, highlighting that the team had performed well and that Norris was dominant throughout the early stages. Despite the setback, Norris remained optimistic about future races, acknowledging the team's efforts and expressing confidence in their potential to win more races this season.
via espn.comSpanish Grand Prix LIVE! Latest updates as Norris starts on pole from Antonelli, VerstappenLando Norris achieved pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, edging out Kimi Antonelli by a mere 0.011 seconds. Norris expressed surprise at his performance, calling it one of the best laps of his career. Max Verstappen will start in third place, while Carlos Sainz faces a setback with a three-place grid penalty, placing him at the back of the grid in 20th position.
The Madring circuit has garnered attention for its challenging layout, with drivers voicing concerns about overtaking opportunities. Verstappen noted the difficulty of passing on the track, emphasizing that drivers may need to rely on tire degradation to gain positions during the race.
via Motorsport.comVerstappen seeks overtaking strategies for Spanish GPMax Verstappen acknowledges the difficulty of overtaking at the Spanish Grand Prix. After qualifying third, he emphasizes the need to identify potential overtaking spots to compete with Lando Norris for the win.
via f1technical.netMercedes admit they completed "nearly four months without introducing a major update"Mercedes' trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin revealed that the team's lack of a significant upgrade for nearly four months contributed to their struggles in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite this, Kimi Antonelli came close to securing pole position, finishing just 0.011 seconds behind Lando Norris of McLaren. George Russell faced challenges with understeer and tyre temperatures, ultimately qualifying sixth. The team had not anticipated being competitive for pole but adjusted their expectations based on strong practice performances.
Looking ahead to the race, Mercedes is aware that overtaking will be challenging, and they will need to rely on effective tyre management and strategy to secure strong results. Shovlin noted that the high tyre degradation observed during practice could provide opportunities for creative strategies. Both drivers expressed optimism about their chances to improve during the race, despite the difficulties posed by the circuit layout.
via f1technical.netPiastri reveals why he "didn’t have that last bit we needed in the last run"Oscar Piastri expressed disappointment after qualifying seventh for the Spanish Grand Prix, despite McLaren showing competitive pace with Lando Norris achieving pole position. Piastri's performance was hindered by a cautious qualifying strategy that required him to use two sets of soft tyres in Q2, leaving him with only one fresh set for Q3, which affected his final lap performance.
Piastri acknowledged that while the team made improvements throughout the qualifying sessions, he lacked the final pace needed to challenge for a higher position. He emphasized the importance of strategy for the race, given the expected difficulty in overtaking and uncertainties regarding tyre degradation after practice sessions.
via RacingNews365McLaren eager for Max Verstappen ally arrival as Lewis Hamilton addresses pole defeat – RacingNews365 ReviewMcLaren is actively negotiating with Red Bull to expedite the transfer of Gianpiero Lambiase to their team. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton expressed disappointment after realizing that his Ferrari was not competitive enough during the crucial moments of qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix.
In the same qualifying session, Lando Norris achieved pole position, impressively surpassing Kimi Antonelli. McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, commended Norris for his outstanding performance, while Antonelli reflected on the intense nature of the qualifying battle.
via gpfans.comGianpiero Lambiase meets with McLaren's Zak Brown in MadridGianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen's race engineer, was seen meeting with McLaren's Zak Brown in the Madrid F1 paddock. This meeting is part of McLaren's efforts to facilitate Lambiase's early arrival to the team.
via Motorsport.comLando Norris hailed for "sensational" Spanish GP pole after FP2 setback: "Found his beast mode"Lando Norris achieved a surprising pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, receiving significant praise from fans for his performance. He narrowly edged out championship leader Kimi Antonelli by a mere 0.011 seconds, with Max Verstappen in third place. Norris's accomplishment was particularly impressive given that he missed most of the second free practice session due to a gearbox problem, which affected his preparation for qualifying.
Fans expressed their admiration for Norris's lap, describing it as 'sensational' and noting that he seems to have found a new level of confidence this season. The upcoming race is set to take place on September 13, highlighting the excitement surrounding Norris's recent form and the competitive nature of the event.
via Motorsport.comF1 Spanish GP at Madring: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watchThe Spanish Grand Prix at Madring will feature Lando Norris starting from pole position after a close qualifying session, where he narrowly edged out championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Max Verstappen will begin the race in third place, while George Russell qualified sixth, indicating a competitive field for the event.
The weather forecast for the race day predicts hot and dry conditions, with temperatures reaching around 32°C. This will pose challenges for teams regarding tire management and vehicle cooling as they adapt to the new circuit layout, which combines public roads with high-speed sections.
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris earns pole position for Madring Grand PrixLando Norris secured pole position for the inaugural Madring Grand Prix, impressing McLaren boss Andrea Stella with his performance. Despite an earlier mistake during qualifying, Norris's final lap was hailed as a 'masterpiece' by Stella.
via PlanetF1FIA confirms McLaren fine after Lando Norris Spanish GP qualifying incidentThe FIA has confirmed that McLaren has been fined €900 due to Lando Norris exceeding the pit-lane speed limit during the qualifying session at the Spanish Grand Prix. Norris was recorded traveling at 88.5 km/h, which is 8.5 km/h over the allowed limit of 80 km/h. This incident occurred in the early stages of qualifying, shortly before Norris went on to secure pole position.
Norris achieved his third pole of the 2026 season with a time of 1:31.824, narrowly beating Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes by just 0.011 seconds. Despite being classified no higher than fourth in earlier practice sessions, Norris managed to improve significantly during qualifying, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.Page 6 of 25













