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via RacingNews365Ferrari warned against decision that will 'alienate' driversFerrari has been cautioned about the potential consequences of introducing team orders, which could alienate one of their drivers. This concern arose following the Italian Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton was affected by an incident involving Charles Leclerc, leading him to question Ferrari's approach to driver engagement.
Former driver Jolyon Palmer highlighted that if Ferrari aims to compete for the championship, they must carefully manage team dynamics. He noted that while Hamilton could have gained more points under optimal conditions, the current situation puts Ferrari in a difficult position regarding team orders, as they risk upsetting either Hamilton or Leclerc.
via f1oversteer.comLiam Lawson's Red Bull stint ends as Isack Hadjar returnsLiam Lawson's time with Red Bull has officially concluded as Isack Hadjar is set to return for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite strong performances, Lawson's future in Formula 1 beyond the 2026 season remains uncertain.
via RacingNews365Fred Vasseur hits back at F1 rival Toto Wolff over Ferrari budget claimFred Vasseur, Ferrari's team principal, has responded to Toto Wolff's remarks regarding the financial capabilities of Ferrari and McLaren to continue car development throughout the season. Wolff expressed concerns about the budget constraints faced by teams under the cost cap, which has been raised to $215 million this year due to significant regulatory changes.
Vasseur firmly rejected Wolff's insinuations, asserting that Ferrari has sufficient budgetary leeway to maintain its development pace until the final race of the season. He emphasized his dissatisfaction with Wolff's comments, stating that he does not appreciate others discussing Ferrari's budget without understanding the situation.
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar aims for strong return at Azerbaijan Grand PrixIsack Hadjar will make his return from injury with Red Bull at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Juan Pablo Montoya believes Hadjar has a specific goal in mind related to Liam Lawson's performance.
via newsonf1.comWolff absent as Antonelli enters gruelling title runToto Wolff will not attend the upcoming race in Baku as the Formula 1 championship enters a challenging phase, with a tight schedule ahead. Bradley Lord will take over Wolff's trackside duties during this period. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar is set to return to the Red Bull team after recovering from a wrist injury, while Liam Lawson will revert to Racing Bulls after a successful stint alongside Max Verstappen.
Kimi Antonelli is currently leading the championship with an 81-point advantage and is focused on maintaining his lead through the demanding upcoming races. He expressed confidence in his physical readiness for the challenges ahead. Despite Mercedes not having made significant upgrades since May, further developments are anticipated in the coming races, and Antonelli's performance is expected to remain strong as he aims for his first title.
via PlanetF1FIA confirms Mercedes findings after ‘extensive’ George Russell inspectionThe FIA confirmed that George Russell's Mercedes passed an extensive inspection following the Spanish Grand Prix, where he finished in fifth place. The inspection was part of routine checks for top ten finishers, focusing on various components of the car's front suspension and sensor compliance with the 2026 regulations.
Despite the successful inspection, Russell is significantly behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings, trailing by 81 points. He acknowledged that he is unlikely to compete for the Drivers' title but remains focused on contributing to Mercedes' efforts in the Constructors' Championship.
via Sky Sports F1Ferrari set Baku target as Rosberg pinpoints team's repeat flawFerrari's recent performance has been disappointing, with only one podium finish in the last five races, which has hindered their championship aspirations. Team principal Frederic Vasseur highlighted the importance of executing race weekends effectively, especially ahead of the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where confidence and precision are crucial due to the challenging street circuit.
Nico Rosberg pointed out that Ferrari's pace is competitive, but their execution during races has consistently let them down. He noted that the team's strategy and communication issues remain significant weaknesses, which have prevented them from capitalising on their potential. With the Constructors' Championship slipping further away, Ferrari faces pressure to improve their performance in the remaining races.
via gpfans.comJenson Button's wife defends Charles Leclerc's actionsJenson Button's wife has come to the defence of Charles Leclerc following criticism from David Coulthard regarding Leclerc's behaviour off the track. The Ferrari driver has faced scrutiny for prioritising family commitments, prompting support from Button's wife.
via RacingNews365Red Bull confirm Azerbaijan GP line-up change as Kimi Antonelli label questioned - RacingNews365 ReviewRed Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will return to the team for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This decision comes as part of a line-up change where Hadjar will take the place of Liam Lawson for this race weekend.
In related news, Kimi Antonelli's status as a potential 'generational talent' has been debated, with comparisons made to Lewis Hamilton's career. The discussions highlight the expectations placed on young drivers in Formula 1 and the benchmarks set by established stars.
via PlanetF1Red Bull makes Azerbaijan GP announcement; Cadillac setup dubbed ‘suboptimal’ – round-upRed Bull has announced that Isack Hadjar will return to race alongside Max Verstappen at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, following a three-race absence due to injury. Liam Lawson, who filled in for Hadjar, will revert to his role with Racing Bulls, while Yuki Tsunoda will return to reserve duties after his stint as a stand-in driver.
In other news, Cadillac's approach of operating from multiple bases has been labelled 'suboptimal' by team principal Otmar Szafnauer, who expressed concerns about the logistical challenges this presents for building a championship-winning team. Additionally, Stefano Domenicali's salary as chief executive of Formula One Management has been revealed to be £7.999 million.
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar replaces Liam Lawson at Red BullLiam Lawson's time with Red Bull has officially concluded, as Isack Hadjar is set to return to the Formula 1 grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Ralf Schumacher has suggested that this move indicates Red Bull's decision to drop Lawson from their line-up.
via f1oversteer.comF1 teams must not help Honda after seeing them dominate the sport with Max VerstappenHonda is facing significant challenges in the 2026 Formula 1 season, particularly with their partnership with Aston Martin, which has led to discussions about potential replacements for their underperforming engine. Rival teams have previously provided financial assistance to Honda, fearing their exit from the sport, but there is now caution about offering too much support due to Honda's history of dominance with Max Verstappen from 2021 to 2024.
As the F1 landscape prepares for a shift in engine regulations favouring internal combustion engines starting in 2027, there are concerns that if Honda receives additional backing, they could quickly regain their competitive edge. This has led to a divided opinion among teams, with some advocating for caution to prevent Honda from leveraging any support to become a dominant force once again.
via RaceFansJoshua Duerksen completes first F1 test with MercedesJoshua Duerksen has completed his first Formula 1 test with Mercedes, driving the team's 2025 car at the Portimão circuit. The Paraguayan driver covered 187 laps over two days, marking a significant milestone in his career.
via f1oversteer.comRed Bull still haven’t seen how good Liam Lawson really is after ending his stint one race too earlyRed Bull Racing has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will return to the team for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending Liam Lawson's stint as a substitute driver. Lawson had previously replaced Hadjar and performed well, scoring points in his debut race at Zandvoort and achieving a career-best fifth place at Baku last year.
The decision to end Lawson's time with Red Bull comes as he was poised to potentially excel at the Baku circuit, where he had previously qualified third and finished fifth. The team has been noted for having the best internal combustion engine, which could have further enhanced Lawson's performance had he continued in the RB22.
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.
via f1oversteer.comFerrari fear ‘complex’ Baku issue could add to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s woesFerrari is apprehensive about the upcoming 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, particularly regarding potential tyre graining issues that could affect both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Despite having a strong qualifying record in Baku, the team has never secured a victory at this circuit, and they are aware that finding the right car setup will be crucial for success.
The team is also concerned about the grip levels on Baku's city streets, which are rated low by Pirelli. With the softest tyre compounds being used for the race, Ferrari understands that managing tyre performance will be essential. Previous races have shown that any issues with tyre graining could further complicate their chances, especially given their struggles with straight-line speed compared to competitors like Mercedes.
via AutosportLeclerc confirms commitment to Ferrari amid interestCharles Leclerc has reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari after signing a new contract with the team. The announcement comes amid speculation about other opportunities he considered before deciding to stay with Ferrari.
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.
via 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.
via Formula1.comWhen is the earliest Antonelli could win the title?Kimi Antonelli is currently leading the Formula 1 drivers' standings with 292 points, significantly ahead of his closest rival, George Russell, by 81 points. With nine races left in the 2026 season, including a Sprint weekend, the maximum points available is 233. Antonelli's position is strong, but eight other drivers remain mathematically in contention for the championship.
For Antonelli to win the World Championship as early as Round 17 in Singapore, he must win the upcoming Azerbaijan and Bahrain Grands Prix, as well as both the Grand Prix and Sprint in Singapore, while Russell scores no points. If this scenario does not unfold, Antonelli could still clinch the title by Round 19 in Mexico, depending on their average race finishes.Page 9 of 100













