News1620 stories
RSS ↗
via Motorsport.comLaurent Mekies credited with ending Red Bull's second seat "curse"Laurent Mekies, the Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, has been credited with transforming the team's culture, which has reportedly helped Isack Hadjar thrive in his role. Will Buxton highlighted that Mekies has replaced the historically ruthless environment with a more supportive atmosphere, allowing drivers to perform better without excessive pressure.
Hadjar, who was promoted to Red Bull in 2026, impressed in his first race back after recovering from a wrist injury, finishing third. The change in management style under Mekies is seen as a significant factor in lifting what was referred to as Red Bull's second seat 'curse', which had previously troubled the team in finding a suitable teammate for Max Verstappen.
Thu 1 Oct · 07:00 UTC
via the-race.comIsack Hadjar and Franco Colapinto face grid penaltiesIsack Hadjar from Red Bull Racing has received a five-place grid penalty for using a new power unit element beyond his allocation at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Franco Colapinto from Alpine has been handed a 15-place penalty due to a collision he caused.
+ 5 moreThu 1 Oct · 06:42 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer thinks Oscar Piastri’s explanation for 2026 struggles is ‘amazing’Oscar Piastri has shared his thoughts on the challenges posed by the 2026 Formula 1 cars, which he feels do not align with his driving style. Despite a successful 2025 season where he won seven races, Piastri is currently struggling in 2026, sitting significantly behind his teammate Lando Norris in the standings. Norris has been the standout performer for McLaren this year, securing both of the team's wins and leading Piastri by 66 points.
Jolyon Palmer expressed admiration for Piastri's candidness, noting the trend of drivers like Piastri and George Russell banding together to discuss their difficulties with the new car dynamics. Palmer reflected on his own experiences of being overlooked during similar struggles in the past. As the season progresses, Piastri is looking to improve his performance, particularly at the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix, where he hopes the unique circuit conditions will provide a more level playing field.
Thu 1 Oct · 06:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar has realised Liam Lawson was right about Max Verstappen after joining Red BullIsack Hadjar has expressed his admiration for Max Verstappen after joining Red Bull Racing, echoing Liam Lawson's sentiments about the four-time world champion. Hadjar feels fortunate to be racing alongside Verstappen, describing him as a kind and supportive teammate who provides invaluable guidance early in his career.
Despite the challenges of competing against Verstappen, Hadjar is grateful for the opportunity and acknowledges the difficulty of the current Formula 1 landscape. Red Bull has confirmed that Hadjar will remain with the team for the 2027 season, making him only the second driver since 2018 to spend two or more seasons alongside Verstappen.Thu 1 Oct · 06:00 UTC
via gpfans.comChristian Horner denies Ferrari team principal rumoursChristian Horner has dismissed speculation linking him to a team principal role at Ferrari following a phone call with Martin Brundle. The conversation clarified that there are no plans for Horner to join the Italian team.
+ 2 moreThu 1 Oct · 04:55 UTC
via f1technical.netRed Bull drivers report performance boost from upgradesMax Verstappen and Isack Hadjar from Red Bull Racing noted a significant improvement in performance following the team's recent upgrades at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The upgrades, which included a five-part package focused on enhancing aerodynamic efficiency, contributed to their competitive edge during the race.
Wed 30 Sep · 22:00 UTC
via f1chronicle.comMax Verstappen wins 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaMax Verstappen secured his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia. The race featured challenging conditions with a damp track, leading to strategic tyre choices among the drivers.
+ 2 moreWed 30 Sep · 21:50 UTC
via Motorsport.comChristian Horner downplays Ferrari speculationChristian Horner has attempted to clarify his recent comments regarding Ferrari, stating they were meant to be respectful rather than provocative. Martin Brundle has also addressed the speculation surrounding Horner's potential role at Ferrari, suggesting it has been exaggerated.+ 2 moreWed 30 Sep · 21:37 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFerrari told Christian Horner is just desperate for 'any job' after a year out of Formula 1Christian Horner has shown interest in the Ferrari team principal position, describing it as a 'dream' move. This comes after he was dismissed from Red Bull, where he spent two decades. Despite his aspirations, Ferrari has reaffirmed its support for Fred Vasseur amid mounting pressure following a disappointing performance in the 2026 championship.
James Hinchcliffe commented on Horner's situation, suggesting that he would be open to any team principal role in Formula 1. There are speculations that Horner's remarks about Ferrari could be a strategic move to position himself for a role at Williams, where current principal James Vowles is under scrutiny. Additionally, Alpine and new teams like Audi and Cadillac may also be considering Horner for leadership roles.Wed 30 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Lance Stroll F1 salary revealed; Alonso engine findings; Ferrari ‘bickering’ – roundupLance Stroll's salary for the 2025 Formula 1 season has been disclosed in Aston Martin's financial accounts, revealing he earned $12.2 million. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso has raised concerns about issues with his Honda engine, although Honda's chief engineer claims the data shows no problems.
Flavio Briatore has commented on the current situation at Ferrari, suggesting that there is internal conflict between the drivers. This comes amidst speculation regarding team principal Fred Vasseur's future and the overall performance of the Ferrari team.
Wed 30 Sep · 19:02 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton backs Fred Vasseur amid Ferrari scrutinyLewis Hamilton has expressed strong support for Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, urging critics to focus on higher management rather than Vasseur himself. Hamilton's comments come amid speculation regarding Vasseur's position following the team's recent performance.+ 8 more
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson points out Red Bull truth after surprise super-sub appearancesLiam Lawson served as a super-sub for Red Bull during the Dutch, Italian, and Spanish Grands Prix, filling in for the injured Isack Hadjar. In his three races, Lawson managed to score points on two occasions, achieving a best finish of seventh at the Zandvoort circuit, where Red Bull was the fourth-best team.
Despite his strong performances, Lawson clarified that these did not alter his standing within the Red Bull driver ecosystem. He confirmed that he was not slated to drive the RB22 in 2026 and emphasized that his recent races did not change his outlook or opportunities for the upcoming season.
Wed 30 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via Motorsport WeekFerrari’s Team Principal or team’s principles? A Maranello mysteryFred Vasseur's position as Team Principal of Ferrari is facing renewed speculation following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where the team had a disappointing performance. Despite a better 2026 season compared to 2025, with two wins and currently second in the Constructors' Championship, concerns remain about Ferrari's competitiveness against rivals like Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull.
Christian Horner, currently promoting his autobiography, has stated that being Ferrari's Team Principal is his 'dream' job, raising eyebrows given his previous rejection of the role. Vasseur's relationship with drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is reportedly under strain, leading to questions about his future. While Antonello Coletta's name has surfaced as a possible successor, it is believed he is not the primary candidate, and Vasseur's leadership remains crucial for Ferrari's aspirations.
Wed 30 Sep · 18:00 UTC
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 Motorsport.comAlex Brundle questions McLaren F1 upgrade after Azerbaijan GP disappointmentF1 TV pundit Alex Brundle has raised concerns about McLaren's recent upgrade package following a disappointing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite the team arriving with significant upgrades, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced incidents that left them without points, prompting Brundle to question the structural integrity of the new components.
Brundle highlighted that while the zero points finish may not reflect the upgrades' potential, the physical fragility of the parts is alarming. He warned that if the upgrades cannot withstand the rigours of racing, they may end up being discarded, which would be a significant setback for the reigning champions.Wed 30 Sep · 14:16 UTCPage 8 of 81