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via gpfans.comF1 star admits hiding major injury after 'stupid' punchIsack Hadjar, the 22-year-old French driver for Red Bull Racing, has disclosed that he sustained a broken wrist while training, which led to him missing three races in his debut season. He revealed that the injury occurred during a boxing workout when he struck the bag without proper hand protection, describing the incident as a 'stupid' mistake.
After the injury, Hadjar returned to competition at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he achieved a commendable third-place finish behind George Russell and Max Verstappen. He admitted to initially keeping the injury a secret for a day as he contemplated his options before eventually informing his team principal, Laurent Mekies.
Wed 30 Sep · 17:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMercedes questions W17 upgrade after Bahrain strugglesMercedes is left questioning the effectiveness of its latest aerodynamic upgrade to the W17 following a challenging performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. George Russell highlighted the situation as a 'big question mark' for the team after they failed to replicate their earlier pace from practice.
+ 4 moreWed 30 Sep · 17:30 UTC
via Motorsport WeekHamilton's radio messages about Leclerc need to stopFred Vasseur stated that Lewis Hamilton's radio messages regarding Charles Leclerc should cease, as they are causing unnecessary tension. Jolyon Palmer suggested that Vasseur must take a firmer approach to manage the situation within the Ferrari team.
+ 1 moreWed 30 Sep · 17:00 UTC
via Motorsport WeekRalf Schumacher criticises Christian Horner's commentsRalf Schumacher has labelled Christian Horner's remarks about wanting to lead Ferrari as 'embarrassing'. The former Red Bull team principal's admission has drawn criticism from Schumacher, who described it as 'a disgrace'.+ 1 moreWed 30 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFerrari's wing set-up shows bleak reality of F1 engine performance compared to MercedesFerrari is actively seeking ways to compensate for their engine performance deficit compared to Mercedes and Red Bull this season. The team has been inventive with their wing setups, notably introducing the Macarena wing, which has been emulated by Red Bull. Despite these efforts, Ferrari's engine issues remain a significant challenge, as highlighted by journalist Stefano Nicoli, who noted that Ferrari's power unit does not meet the current regulations' demands.
Looking ahead, Ferrari is planning to introduce an entirely new power unit for the 2027 season, as Fred Vasseur remains committed to making improvements in the current season. He acknowledged that even small gains in engine performance could significantly impact their position on the grid, emphasizing the urgency to catch up with their competitors.Wed 30 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLaurent Mekies relieved that furious Max Verstappen radio wasn’t broadcast at Azerbaijan GPLaurent Mekies, Red Bull's team principal, revealed that Max Verstappen was not pleased during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he qualified eighth, his lowest position since Japan. Mekies shared data showing Verstappen lost significant time on the straights due to an engine issue, which contributed to his frustration expressed over team radio, although this communication was not broadcasted during the event.
In the race, Verstappen managed to finish second, just a tenth of a second behind George Russell, who had a strong performance. Despite the challenges faced in qualifying, Verstappen's driving earned him the driver of the day award, highlighting his capability to perform under pressure. With eight races remaining in the season, he aims to extend his streak of winning at least one race each year with Red Bull.Wed 30 Sep · 15:30 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell comments on Mercedes' Bahrain upgradesGeorge Russell has shared his thoughts on the significant upgrades Mercedes introduced for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The team unveiled a reworked floor and sidepods in an effort to enhance performance in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
+ 4 moreWed 30 Sep · 11:40 UTC
via CrashLewis Hamilton questions Ferrari's support for VasseurLewis Hamilton has raised concerns about Ferrari's organisational structure following the team's recent backing of team principal Fred Vasseur. The comments come amid scrutiny of Vasseur's position after a challenging season for the Scuderia.
+ 4 moreWed 30 Sep · 10:46 UTC
via Formula1.comIsack Hadjar praises Max Verstappen as a benchmarkIsack Hadjar expressed his gratitude for having Max Verstappen as a benchmark in Formula 1, describing him as an intimidating reference point. Hadjar, who is in his second season with Red Bull, acknowledged the challenges of competing alongside Verstappen.
+ 1 moreWed 30 Sep · 10:31 UTC
via PlanetF1Verstappen warns Mercedes upgrade may shift competitionMax Verstappen expressed caution regarding the impact of Mercedes' significant upgrades ahead of the Sepang practice session. Despite dominating the first practice, Verstappen acknowledged that the changes could alter the competitive landscape in Formula 1.
+ 1 moreWed 30 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comBottas confirms Cadillac brake fix reduced temperatures by 100CValtteri Bottas has announced that Cadillac's recent modifications to their brake cooling system have successfully lowered front brake temperatures by approximately 100 degrees Celsius. This improvement addresses a significant reliability issue that the team has faced in its early Formula 1 campaign.
+ 1 moreWed 30 Sep · 09:43 UTC
via CrashMax Verstappen on pole for Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaMax Verstappen secured pole position for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia after dominating the qualifying sessions. The race will take place at the Sepang circuit on Sunday, October 4.+ 4 moreWed 30 Sep · 09:22 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull eager for further ADUO talks with FIA and other power unit manufacturersRed Bull Racing's boss, Laurent Mekies, expressed a desire for further discussions with the FIA and other power unit manufacturers regarding the Additional Upgrade and Development Opportunities (ADUO) regulations. Despite Red Bull Powertrains being recognised as the benchmark for ADUO, they were not awarded any upgrades, which surprised the team. Meanwhile, Mercedes HPP received upgrades, and other manufacturers like Audi and Ferrari were granted two each.
Mekies acknowledged the current ADUO regulations are not perfect and called for a collaborative effort to refine them. Audi's boss, Mattia Binotto, also supported the need for fine-tuning the ADUO concept to ensure it serves its purpose of helping manufacturers catch up and promoting convergence in performance. Both leaders are keen to engage in discussions with the FIA to improve the regulations moving forward.Wed 30 Sep · 09:15 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOtmar Szafnauer admits Sergio Perez nearly got a five-year FIA ban before he joined Red BullOtmar Szafnauer disclosed that Sergio Perez was close to receiving a five-year ban from the FIA due to a doping rules violation during the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. After the race, Perez underwent IV treatment for dehydration, which is prohibited under FIA regulations. The situation escalated when Perez shared details of the treatment on social media, prompting Szafnauer to engage a top sports lawyer to navigate the potential consequences.
Ultimately, the issue was resolved without a ban, allowing Perez to continue his career, which included a move to Red Bull in 2021. Now 36, Perez is on the verge of reaching 300 race starts, while Cadillac is evaluating potential driver changes for the 2027 season, which could impact his teammate Valtteri Bottas.Wed 30 Sep · 07:30 UTC
via gpfans.comChristian Horner addresses Ferrari move speculationChristian Horner has downplayed speculation linking him to a potential role at Ferrari, describing the team as a 'dream' but clarifying he is not pursuing the position. Martin Brundle, who spoke with Horner, confirmed that the former Red Bull team principal has no plans to join the Scuderia.+ 4 moreWed 30 Sep · 06:58 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLaurent Mekies reveals whether Liam Lawson ever had a chance of getting Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull seatIsack Hadjar has officially secured a new contract with Red Bull ahead of his return from injury at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite missing three races due to a wrist fracture, Hadjar's strong performance earlier in the season, including a podium finish and a 100% qualifying record, led to the team's confidence in him. Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's team principal, confirmed that Liam Lawson's temporary stint in the car did not affect their decision regarding Hadjar's future.
Mekies emphasized that Hadjar's development and performance were the primary considerations for the team. He noted that Lawson was a strong alternative but that Red Bull was satisfied with Hadjar's progress and improvement alongside Max Verstappen. Hadjar's contract extension positions him as Verstappen's second-longest-serving teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left in 2018, highlighting the team's commitment to his growth in the upcoming season.Wed 30 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull point to key 'indicators' behind Isack Hadjar justificationRed Bull confirmed last week that it would stick with Isack Hadjar for the 2027 campaign.Wed 30 Sep · 06:10 UTC
via PlanetF1Flavio Briatore comments on Ferrari's driver tensionsFlavio Briatore has shared his thoughts on the ongoing tensions between Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The Alpine team boss noted that there is 'something missing' in the team's dynamic under Team Principal Fred Vasseur.+ 1 moreWed 30 Sep · 05:53 UTC
via f1technical.netCadillac strengthens technical structure with senior appointments from Red Bull, Mercedes and ...Cadillac has announced the appointment of three senior engineers to strengthen its technical leadership as it prepares for its long-term Formula 1 project. Craig Skinner, Eric Blandin, and Tim Lean will take on key roles in vehicle development, aerodynamics, and aerodynamic modelling, bringing extensive experience from top teams like Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren.
Skinner will serve as Chief Development Engineer, while Blandin will lead the aerodynamics department, and Lean will focus on aerodynamic modelling and simulation. These appointments are seen as crucial for Cadillac's technical evolution, aiming to create a more integrated organisation and improve on-track performance.
Tue 29 Sep · 22:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen clarifies his comments about F1 becoming ‘easier’ after Liam Lawson disagreedMax Verstappen expressed his views on the 2026 Formula 1 cars, stating they are 'numb' to driver inputs, which he believes makes it easier for drivers to find their limits. This comment came after Liam Lawson, who recently replaced Isack Hadjar, performed impressively in qualifying, being only 0.115 seconds slower than Verstappen. Verstappen's remarks have sparked debate, particularly as Lawson disagreed, arguing that adapting to the new car was not straightforward due to the complexities introduced by new energy management protocols.
Verstappen further elaborated that the current cars favour a cautious driving style, allowing many drivers to achieve similar lap times. He noted that the small gaps in qualifying times this year, with seven out of eleven driver pairings within two-tenths of a second, support his theory that the cars do not reward the fastest drivers as much as before. This marks a significant change from the previous year, where the average gap between teammates was larger.Tue 29 Sep · 19:30 UTCPage 7 of 65