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via RacingNews365Lando Norris predicts chaos at F1's Sepang returnLando Norris anticipates a chaotic race weekend as Formula 1 returns to the Sepang International Circuit for the first time in nine years. The McLaren driver highlighted the potential for excitement due to the circuit's high-speed straights and demanding layout.
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.
via f1oversteer.comMcLaren can forget about winning in Malaysia as the FIA reveal straight-mode zones for race weekendMcLaren is preparing for a challenging Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, having faced difficulties in the previous race in Baku where both drivers failed to score points. Lando Norris did not finish due to a collision, while Oscar Piastri struggled with brake issues. Andrea Stella has pointed out significant concerns regarding the team's straight-line speed, which could hinder their performance in Malaysia.
The FIA has announced four straight-mode zones for the upcoming race, which could exacerbate McLaren's existing speed problems. This will be the first visit to the Sepang International Circuit since 2017, and with McLaren's recent struggles at circuits with multiple straight-mode zones, the team faces an uphill battle unless they can improve their performance significantly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.Wikimedia Commons · Christijan_Albers_2006.JPG: Mathieu Felten derivative work: Flyz1 · CC BY 2.5Albers says Piastri lacks Verstappen’s ‘bite’Sep.30 (GMM) Oscar Piastri’s difficult run has drawn fresh criticism after his mistake in Baku, with former F1 driver Christijan Albers questioning whether the McLaren driver has the aggression of a driver like Max Verstappen. The Australian had been on course for the 2025 title before his late-season collapse, and his struggles have continued into…
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.
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.
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.
via gpfans.com'No toxic cookies and no politics' - Zak Brown on why top F1 stars are joining McLarenZak Brown, the CEO of McLaren F1, has shared insights into why top Formula 1 talent is increasingly choosing to join his team. He highlighted the harmonious culture at McLaren, stating that employees appreciate the stability and collaborative environment, which contrasts with the atmosphere at other teams, particularly Red Bull. Brown's comments suggest that McLaren's focus on employee well-being makes it an attractive destination for high-profile talent.
Among the notable recent additions is Gianpiero Lambiase, who will join McLaren as Head of Racing by 2028 after serving as a race engineer for Max Verstappen. Brown also revealed that he had discussions with Verstappen about a potential move to McLaren, although Verstappen ultimately decided to extend his contract with Red Bull until 2030. Despite this, Brown remains optimistic about the possibility of working with Verstappen in the future.
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.
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.
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.
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.
via f1oversteer.comLiam Lawson's Baku speed trap data proves Laurent Mekies should admit defeat over Red Bull's engineLiam Lawson's impressive speed trap performance in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has raised questions about Laurent Mekies' ongoing challenges to the ADUO findings, which state that Red Bull has the best engine on the grid. Lawson clocked a top speed of 349.4 km/h, highlighting Red Bull's engine dominance despite Mekies' claims that they do not have an advantage over Mercedes.
The article discusses how Red Bull's development has been hampered compared to competitors like Mercedes and Ferrari, who are introducing power upgrades. While Mekies disputes the ADUO results, the evidence from Baku suggests that Red Bull's engine is indeed strong. The next review of the ADUO findings will occur after the United States Grand Prix, which could further impact Red Bull's standing.
via f1oversteer.comDavid Coulthard is sure Lando Norris was a ‘better world champion for McLaren’ than Oscar PiastriDavid Coulthard has expressed his belief that Lando Norris was a more suitable world champion for McLaren than Oscar Piastri, following Norris's victory in the 2025 season. Norris secured the title by 13 points after a competitive season, during which he made a significant comeback from a 34-point deficit. Coulthard highlighted that Norris's longer tenure in Formula 1 and his British nationality contribute to his marketability, making him a better fit for the team.
Coulthard noted that while Norris has established himself as McLaren's lead driver, Piastri has struggled this season, finishing ahead of Norris only three times. He suggested that the reduced presence of Mark Webber in Piastri's management might be impacting his performance. Despite the competitive nature of their relationship, Coulthard believes that having strong drivers like Norris and Piastri is beneficial for McLaren, even if it leads to uncomfortable dynamics.
via f1oversteer.comZak Brown's earnings reflect McLaren's financial successZak Brown's total earnings for 2025 are reported to exceed 95 per cent of the current Formula 1 grid, highlighting McLaren's impressive financial performance. Since becoming CEO in 2016, Brown has overseen significant progress for the team both on and off the track.Page 9 of 81