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via f1oversteer.comFormer McLaren man admits ‘no-one in the team’ thought Lewis Hamilton was ‘that special’ at firstIn 2007, Lewis Hamilton made his Formula 1 debut with McLaren, showcasing remarkable talent that led him to finish just one point behind champion Kimi Raikkonen. Despite his impressive performance, including four race wins and 12 podiums, former McLaren reserve driver Pedro de la Rosa revealed that initially, no one in the team believed Hamilton was as exceptional as he turned out to be. De la Rosa claimed he was the first to recognize Hamilton's potential, while others underestimated him, particularly in comparison to teammate Fernando Alonso.
The article highlights the challenges Hamilton faced during his rookie season, including a significant mistake in the rain during the Chinese Grand Prix and a mechanical failure in Brazil, which ultimately cost him the championship. Despite these setbacks, Hamilton's performance earned him recognition and respect, solidifying his status as a generational talent in the sport. The insights from de la Rosa and Briatore emphasize the initial skepticism within McLaren regarding Hamilton's abilities, which would later be proven wrong as he became one of the most successful drivers in F1 history.
Sun 20 Sep · 13:30 UTC
via grandprix.comFerrari plans new engine development for 2027 seasonFerrari is making strategic moves to enhance its engine division in preparation for the 2027 season. Team principal Fred Vasseur indicated that while incremental upgrades are expected for 2026, a completely new engine design is in the works for 2027.
via grandprix.comAudi and BP see more performance in F1 fuelAudi and BP are working together to enhance the performance of sustainable fuel for Formula 1, having already tested hundreds of samples in preparation for Audi's debut season. BP's motorsports technology fluid lead, Luc Jolly, highlighted the importance of finding fuel components that comply with FIA regulations while ensuring engine reliability throughout the season.
Looking ahead, the FIA plans to implement changes in 2027 that will affect fuel energy flow and the relationship between combustion and electrical power. Jolly anticipates that these changes will influence fuel behavior in the engine. While there are potential applications for road fuel in the future, the immediate focus remains on optimizing fuel performance for the racetrack without compromising reliability.
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton shares insight into dramatic McLaren contract disasterLewis Hamilton shared his experiences from a difficult time in his early career when he lost a contract with McLaren. Initially signed to their junior program, Hamilton expressed his eagerness to move into Formula 1 but faced setbacks when McLaren ended their association with him in 2005. Despite this, he managed to regain his footing by winning races in Formula 3, which led to him securing his contract back with the team.
In 2006, Hamilton had a successful season in GP2, winning the championship, which paved the way for his debut with McLaren in 2007 alongside Fernando Alonso. Hamilton's career took off rapidly, culminating in winning the F1 championship in 2008, just his second season in the sport. He continued to race for McLaren until he transitioned to Mercedes in 2013.
Sun 20 Sep · 11:50 UTC
via Motorsport.comRob Smedley calls for new stewarding group in F1Former Formula 1 engineer Rob Smedley has proposed the creation of an 'augmented steward group' to enhance the speed of decision-making during races. Smedley believes this initiative could help address straightforward incidents more efficiently.
+ 1 moreSun 20 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via Formula1.comRemembering one of F1’s most intriguing ‘what if?’ momentsIn the late 1980s and early 1990s, McLaren achieved remarkable success in Formula 1, clinching four consecutive Teams' Championships and Drivers' Championships with Honda as their engine partner. This period is often regarded as one of the most successful in the team's history, showcasing their dominance on the track.
However, this era of stability was followed by significant changes and challenges. By the end of 1992, Honda decided to withdraw from Formula 1, citing financial pressures. This marked the beginning of a less successful phase for McLaren, as they struggled to maintain their previous level of performance.
Sun 20 Sep · 09:05 UTC
via Formula1.comWhen Star Wars took over Formula 1The article explores the unique intersections between the worlds of Star Wars and Formula 1, particularly highlighting events leading up to the opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. It recounts memorable moments when Star Wars characters and themes were integrated into F1 events, such as Red Bull Racing's special livery in 2005 and George Lucas's appearances at various races.
In 2005, Red Bull Racing transformed their cars to promote Star Wars: Episode III, creating a spectacle in Monaco with themed costumes and characters. Lucas continued to engage with F1, notably joining the podium at the 2015 Monza Grand Prix. The collaboration between Renault and Star Wars in 2017 marked another significant crossover, celebrating both franchises' anniversaries, although the on-track results for Renault were less favorable.Sun 20 Sep · 09:05 UTC
via Motorsport.comDavid Coulthard urges FIA to speed up safety car decisionsDavid Coulthard has expressed concerns regarding the FIA's speed in making decisions to neutralize Formula 1 races, particularly after the recent Spanish Grand Prix. He noted that Lando Norris lost a likely victory due to the timing of the virtual safety car deployment, which allowed Kimi Antonelli to pit at a strategic moment. Coulthard emphasized that the time taken to respond to incidents can significantly impact race outcomes and suggested that improvements are necessary.
During a podcast discussion, Coulthard elaborated on the inherent unpredictability of safety car situations, stating that they can unfairly affect race results. He called for a more efficient process in decision-making, especially in clear-cut situations like major accidents. The former driver believes that quicker responses could help mitigate the luck factor in racing outcomes, ensuring a fairer competition for all drivers.Sun 20 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff has now changed his mind about giving Aston Martin Mercedes enginesToto Wolff has changed his stance regarding Aston Martin's engine supply, indicating that Mercedes is no longer interested in continuing their partnership. Lawrence Stroll, the owner of Aston Martin, has been in discussions with both Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains as he seeks alternative engine suppliers due to ongoing performance issues with their current Honda engine. Despite Mercedes' past willingness to supply engines, Wolff emphasized that Aston Martin's shift towards becoming a works team with Honda led to the end of their collaboration.
Stroll's efforts to negotiate with other manufacturers have not yielded positive results, as Red Bull has not expressed interest in a deal. Additionally, under current regulations, Audi would be the designated supplier for Aston Martin, but their engine performance is also lacking. In a related development, Honda is making significant changes to its leadership in response to the performance concerns, which could indicate a shift in their approach to F1 engine development.Sun 20 Sep · 07:30 UTC
via thejudge13.comRed Bull confirms Liam Lawson's seat for BakuRed Bull Racing has confirmed that Liam Lawson will drive for the team at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The decision comes as Red Bull finalises its driver line-up for the 2027 Formula 1 season.
+ 1 moreSun 20 Sep · 07:16 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMattia Binotto names the one F1 driver he would do anything to sign for AudiMattia Binotto, the head of Audi's F1 team, has expressed his admiration for Max Verstappen, stating he would do anything to sign him. Despite being satisfied with his current drivers, Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, Binotto acknowledged Verstappen as the best driver on the grid. He emphasized that while both Bortoleto and Hulkenberg possess high potential, the allure of a world champion like Verstappen is undeniable.
Binotto clarified that there has been no contact with Verstappen regarding a potential move to Audi, citing the team's current readiness and the need to provide a competitive platform for such a driver. With Verstappen's contract with Red Bull extending until 2030, any opportunity for Audi to sign him may not arise until then, aligning with Audi's goal to be competitive in the coming years.Sun 20 Sep · 06:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen considered quitting Formula 1Max Verstappen has disclosed that he seriously thought about quitting Formula 1 before finalizing his recent contract extension with Red Bull. The new deal secures his position with the team until at least the end of 2030.+ 2 moreSun 20 Sep · 04:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMcLaren engineers think they have fix for one key ‘weakness’ of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s carMcLaren is preparing to introduce significant upgrades for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, focusing on enhancing the performance of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's MCL40 car. These upgrades include a new underbody and a modified version of their Macarena rear wing, aimed at improving the car's aerodynamics, particularly in slow-speed corners where the team has identified weaknesses. The decision on which rear wing to use will be made after practice sessions in Baku.
The upgrades come after a challenging 2025 Azerbaijan GP for both drivers, where Piastri faced multiple issues, including a crash and a poor start. Despite these setbacks, McLaren's engineers are optimistic that the new aerodynamic package will allow Norris and Piastri to compete for pole position. Recent performances have shown that the MCL40 is competitive in medium-speed turns, and the team is looking to build on this momentum as they head into the race weekend.Sat 19 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull issue FIA response as Kimi Antonelli shares unique dream - RacingNews365 ReviewRed Bull Racing's boss Laurent Mekies has stated that the team is open to discussions about the future of the ADUO regulations, following a proposal from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem aimed at supporting Honda's involvement in Formula 1. This response indicates Red Bull's proactive stance in engaging with regulatory changes that could impact the sport's landscape.
In addition to the regulatory discussions, Kimi Antonelli shared his aspirations to achieve a level of fan support similar to that of Valentino Rossi. Meanwhile, Lando Norris has made a significant decision by appointing Rene Rosin to lead his new junior racing team, LN4 Fusion. Sergio Perez is hopeful about the introduction of a new Ferrari engine at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while Sebastian Vettel has weighed in on the ongoing criticism regarding the new cars introduced this season.Sat 19 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comNico Rosberg shocked by Williams' 2026 performanceNico Rosberg has expressed his surprise at the poor performance of Williams in the 2026 season. He emphasized the significant challenge facing team principal James Vowles in improving the team's situation.+ 2 moreSat 19 Sep · 15:13 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMattia Binotto praises Gabriel Bortoleto's talentAudi team principal Mattia Binotto has praised Gabriel Bortoleto, comparing the young driver to Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher. Binotto highlighted that Bortoleto possesses two key traits reminiscent of those he observed while working with Schumacher at Ferrari.+ 2 moreSat 19 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via gpfans.comRed Bull's master move revealed to get Max Verstappen to sign a new F1 dealMax Verstappen has secured a contract extension with Red Bull Racing that will keep him with the team until 2030. A significant factor in this decision was the freedom to explore other racing categories, particularly prestigious endurance events like Le Mans and Daytona. Verstappen has expressed a strong interest in these races, having previously participated in the 24-hour Nurburgring, where he had a thrilling experience despite a mechanical failure that ended his race early.
While Verstappen is eager to expand his racing portfolio, he emphasizes that any participation in additional events will depend on his Formula 1 commitments and the competitiveness of the field. He is particularly keen on ensuring that his schedule allows for these ventures without conflicting with his primary obligations in F1. The 2027 race calendars for both Le Mans and Daytona align well with his F1 schedule, providing a potential opportunity for him to compete in these iconic endurance races.
Sat 19 Sep · 13:57 UTC
via thejudge13.comUS-born IndyCar star driver abandons F1 ambitionsThe American Absence on the F1 Grid Formula One is thriving in the United States, yet there is no US-born driver competing on the grid. The most recent to do so was the pay-to-drive Logan Sargeant for Williams, who competed unsuccessfully between 2023 and 2024. Logan competed in 37 Grands Prix with a best finish ... Read moreSat 19 Sep · 10:38 UTC
via PlanetF1Mercedes confirms W17 upgrade for Bahrain Grand PrixMercedes has announced that its next major upgrade for the W17 will be deployed at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin stated that the team is aiming to enhance its performance and regain competitiveness in the 2026 season.
+ 3 moreSat 19 Sep · 10:27 UTC
via Formula1.comHow Justin Rose and McLaren are pursuing marginal gains in golfJustin Rose has embraced his role as the first global ambassador for McLaren Golf, a partnership that aims to bring the precision and performance ethos of Formula 1 to the sport of golf. At the BMW PGA Championship, he reflected on his experiences testing prototype irons developed in collaboration with McLaren's engineering team, highlighting the potential for innovation in golf equipment. Rose's goal is to convert his near-misses in major tournaments into victories by leveraging the meticulous approach of F1.
The launch of McLaren Golf has garnered attention in both the golf and F1 communities, with Rose actively participating in events and showcasing the new clubs. The partnership is not only about the current products but also about future developments, including drivers and woods that will incorporate advanced engineering techniques. Rose's connection to McLaren has been well received by fans, and he expresses a deep respect for the skills of F1 drivers, emphasizing the unique challenges and precision required in both sports.Sat 19 Sep · 09:43 UTCPage 8 of 53
