News992 stories
RSS ↗
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen makes decision on racing series switch despite success of father JosMax Verstappen has decided against switching to rally car racing, citing safety concerns as a new father. Despite his father's success in rallying, including winning the Belgian Rally Championship in 2025, Verstappen believes the risks associated with rallying are too high, especially given the potential for serious accidents.
Verstappen has committed to Formula 1, having signed a new contract with Red Bull last month. He has explored other racing formats, such as GT racing, but maintains that rallying is not a viable option for him at this stage in his life. His family generally supports his racing decisions but would likely intervene if he pursued rallying.
Tue 22 Sep · 16:27 UTC
via Motorsport WeekIsack Hadjar returns to F1 with special helmet in BakuIsack Hadjar will make his return to the Formula 1 grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing the last three races due to a wrist injury. He will wear a special helmet design that was originally intended for the Dutch Grand Prix.
+ 3 moreTue 22 Sep · 15:30 UTCvia Motorsport WeekIsack Hadjar admits relief after ‘weird feeling’ not racingIsack Hadjar expressed relief and excitement about returning to his Red Bull cockpit for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing the last three races due to a wrist injury. He acknowledged the challenge of watching from the sidelines as Liam Lawson filled in and achieved consistent results.
Hadjar shared that this was the first time in his life he had not been racing, which felt strange for him. He thanked his team for their patience during his recovery and emphasized his commitment to returning to form as he prepares for the demanding Baku circuit.Tue 22 Sep · 15:30 UTC
via PlanetF1Who owns each Formula 1 team?The ownership structures of Formula 1 teams vary significantly, with Ferrari being owned by Ferrari S.p.A. and McLaren primarily controlled by Bahrain's Mumtalakat sovereign wealth fund. Mercedes has three equal shareholders, while Red Bull teams are fully owned by Red Bull GmbH, with the Yoovidhya family and Mark Mateschitz as key stakeholders.
Other teams like Williams were sold to private investment firms, such as Dorilton Capital, while Audi is owned by Volkswagen Group. The Alpine team is primarily owned by Renault Group, with Otro Capital holding a minority stake. Cadillac's F1 team is owned by TWG Global, with General Motors involved as a partner rather than an equity owner.
Tue 22 Sep · 15:02 UTC
via racer.comWilliams introduces significant upgrade for BakuAlex Albon stated that Williams' upgrade for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix includes a substantial weight saving that should improve lap times. However, doubts have been raised about the effectiveness of this upgrade given the team's struggles in the 2026 season.
via RacingNews365McLaren call on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to execute three 'essentials' in BakuMcLaren has outlined three key requirements for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as they prepare for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team is set to implement a major aerodynamic upgrade to enhance the performance of their MCL40 cars, particularly focusing on airflow around the floor and rear tyres to improve balance on the circuit's long straights.
Rob Marshall, McLaren's chief technical officer, emphasised the unique challenges posed by Baku's layout, which combines the longest straight in Formula 1 with tight corners. He stressed the importance of energy, tyre, and brake management, as well as the need for confidence and precision from the drivers to navigate the demanding street circuit successfully.
Tue 22 Sep · 10:55 UTC
via F1iMcLaren introduces major upgrade for Azerbaijan Grand PrixMcLaren has reintroduced its significant aerodynamic upgrade package for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, including the 'Macarena' wing. Despite recent successes in qualifying, the team faced challenges during the weekend in Baku.
+ 4 moreTue 22 Sep · 09:34 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren unveils new logo and brand identityMcLaren has introduced a new logo as part of its evolved brand identity, which will be implemented across its automotive and racing teams. This announcement comes as the team aims to explore new opportunities in the world of motorsport and automobiles.+ 3 moreTue 22 Sep · 09:15 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen frustrated by Red Bull engine issuesMax Verstappen expressed his anger over engine problems during qualifying for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he ended up eighth on the grid. Red Bull's boss Laurent Mekies acknowledged that the team is struggling to resolve the ongoing issues affecting Verstappen's performance.+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 08:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLiam Lawson returns to Racing Bulls for Azerbaijan GPLiam Lawson is set to race for Racing Bulls at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after filling in for the injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull for three races. Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane praised Lawson's performances during his time with Red Bull.
+ 3 moreTue 22 Sep · 08:14 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCarlos Sainz labels 2026 Williams 'the worst car I've ever had' because it has 'no strengths'Carlos Sainz has expressed his frustration with the 2026 Williams FW48, calling it the worst car he has ever driven in his career. He highlighted the car's lack of strengths and numerous weaknesses, which have contributed to Williams' struggles this season, currently sitting in P9 in the constructors' standings with only 11 points.
Despite his dissatisfaction, Sainz remains hopeful for improvements with an upcoming upgrade for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He emphasized the importance of verifying the effectiveness of the new upgrade and its correlation with the team's future car developments, as he aims to compete more effectively in the coming seasons.Tue 22 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via the-race.comIsack Hadjar returns for Red Bull at Azerbaijan Grand PrixIsack Hadjar will race for Red Bull at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury that sidelined him for three races. His return comes as the team prepares for the upcoming event in Baku.
via RacingNews365Lando Norris discusses unique McLaren car traitsLando Norris has highlighted the 'odd' and 'unique' characteristics that have defined McLaren Formula 1 cars in recent years. He expressed his difficulty in pinpointing the exact reasons behind these traits, which have become a hallmark of the team's performance.+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 06:20 UTC
via RaceFansKey technical updates ahead of Azerbaijan Grand PrixThe Azerbaijan Grand Prix will feature several significant technical updates, including a new chassis and returning parts. Teams are also expected to implement engine changes and refined deployment strategies as they prepare for the race.
+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 06:15 UTC
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson names Christian Horner difference in 'new' Red Bull feelingLiam Lawson has shared insights on his experiences with Red Bull team principals Christian Horner and Laurent Mekies. After a brief stint with Horner in 2025, Lawson was demoted but later returned to the team in 2026, scoring points in two of his three races under Mekies, who replaced Horner.
Reflecting on his time with both leaders, Lawson noted that he didn't have enough time with Horner to form a fair comparison. He expressed that his longer relationship with Mekies, including their time together at VCARB, has made the transition smoother. Lawson also mentioned that while he can learn operational aspects from Red Bull, the technical differences between the cars limit direct comparisons.Mon 21 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Liam Lawson's Red Bull performance questioned by expertsAlex Brundle has expressed doubts about Liam Lawson's impact during his recent stint with Red Bull, stating that he did not deliver any 'breakthrough' performances. Meanwhile, the long-term prospects for Lawson within the Red Bull setup are under scrutiny as the team considers its options for 2027.Mon 21 Sep · 18:01 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar returns to Red Bull for Azerbaijan GPIsack Hadjar will make his return to Red Bull for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury that sidelined him for three races. Liam Lawson will move back to the Racing Bulls team following Hadjar's reinstatement.+ 7 moreMon 21 Sep · 17:33 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren point to 2025 hangover as factor behind 'immature' F1 carMcLaren team principal Andrea Stella has described the MCL40 Formula 1 car as an 'immature project', attributing this to the team's focus on the 2025 title push. The team has faced challenges in the early part of the 2026 season, struggling with both the chassis and the new power units, while competing for third place against Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari.
Despite these struggles, McLaren has seen success with two race wins this season, both achieved by Lando Norris from pole position. Stella highlighted the car's inconsistent performance, particularly in low-speed corners, and noted that the team is still working on development to improve competitiveness against rivals who had ceased development earlier.Mon 21 Sep · 14:50 UTC
via Motorsport.comSainz advises Williams junior Green to embrace risksCarlos Sainz has encouraged 13-year-old Will Green, a junior driver for Williams, to take risks as he transitions from karting to single-seaters. Sainz emphasised the importance of pushing limits rather than focusing solely on consistency in his racing development.
+ 1 moreMon 21 Sep · 14:42 UTC
via Motorsport.comGuenther Steiner predicts Max Verstappen will go winless in 2026 F1 seasonGuenther Steiner, the former Haas Formula 1 team principal, has made a bold prediction that Max Verstappen will finish the 2026 Formula 1 season without a single victory. He believes that the current Red Bull Racing package is not competitive enough to secure wins, especially with strong performances from rivals Mercedes and McLaren.
Verstappen is currently sixth in the standings, significantly trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Despite achieving second place in several races this season, he has acknowledged a performance gap compared to his competitors, indicating that improvements are still needed in the car's setup and performance.Mon 21 Sep · 14:00 UTCPage 6 of 50
