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via f1technical.netStella claims McLaren "aims to fight consistently for wins in the last ten races"McLaren left Monza encouraged by a strong Italian Grand Prix weekend, despite being unable to challenge Mercedes for victory, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finishing fourth and fifth respectively after an intense battle between the two team-mates.
Mon 7 Sep · 22:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Oscar Piastri warning as Ferrari pressed on Hamilton, Leclerc team orders decisionFerrari's team principal, Fred Vasseur, acknowledged the possibility of prioritizing Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc as the 2026 season progresses. He referenced Oscar Piastri's struggles in 2025 to illustrate the complexities of making such decisions early in the season. The recent Italian Grand Prix saw Hamilton finishing sixth and Leclerc retiring due to a crash, while Kimi Antonelli celebrated a historic victory for Italy at Monza.
Currently, Hamilton leads Leclerc by 36 points in the drivers' championship, but Antonelli has a commanding 76-point lead over Hamilton. Vasseur highlighted the challenges of team orders, comparing Ferrari's situation to McLaren's management of their drivers. He noted that while allowing drivers to race freely is ideal, strategic decisions may become necessary as the season unfolds.
Mon 7 Sep · 17:17 UTC
via f1oversteer.comAndrea Stella says Kimi Antonelli’s Italian Grand Prix win shows F1 has become ‘too easy’Kimi Antonelli achieved a remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix, starting from 19th place due to an engine penalty. This win places him among a select group of drivers who have won from outside the top 18, showcasing the strength of the Mercedes team as he quickly moved up the ranks during the race. His teammate, George Russell, was also in contention for the lead early on, highlighting the competitive nature of the event.
Andrea Stella, the McLaren team principal, acknowledged Antonelli's achievement but raised concerns about the ease of overtaking at Monza with the current generation of cars. Despite McLaren's recent successes, they faced challenges on this power track, finishing behind the Mercedes drivers. The race dynamics were intense, particularly among the top teams, and it had significant implications for the championship standings.
Mon 7 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via F1iMcLaren drivers shrug off heated Monza intra-team battleDuring the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri engaged in a fierce battle for fourth place, with Norris ultimately taking the position on the last lap. Both drivers acknowledged the intensity of their competition but viewed it as fair racing, reflecting a positive team dynamic despite the pressure of the situation. Norris had started from eighth place, while Piastri began in sixth due to a grid penalty, and they both managed to secure a double top-five finish for McLaren.
The race highlighted the challenges McLaren faced in matching the performance of Mercedes, who finished first and second, and Red Bull's Verstappen, who also finished ahead of the McLarens. Norris noted the significance of slipstreaming in their performance, while Piastri appreciated the strategic nature of their intra-team battle. Overall, the McLaren drivers left the race without any lingering resentment, emphasizing the respect they have for each other as teammates.
Mon 7 Sep · 08:49 UTC
via PlanetF1Lando Norris made ‘dangerous’ Oscar Piastri accusation in tense McLaren battleLando Norris and Oscar Piastri had a tense battle during the Italian Grand Prix, finishing fourth and fifth respectively. Norris initially accused Piastri of making a dangerous move but later clarified that his comments were made in the heat of the moment and acknowledged that the defense was fair. The two teammates engaged in a close race, with Norris ultimately overtaking Piastri on the final lap.
McLaren's performance at Monza allowed them to score 22 points, narrowing their deficit to Ferrari in the standings. Despite this, Norris recognized that Mercedes remained a stronger competitor. Piastri mentioned that differing energy strategies contributed to his inability to regain his position, highlighting the challenges faced in such high-speed racing scenarios.Mon 7 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via f1chronicle.comMercedes Achieves Dominant 1-2 Finish at Monza Grand PrixMercedes celebrated a strong performance with a 1-2 finish at the Italian Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli secured victory in front of a home crowd, showcasing a remarkable recovery drive.
+ 1 moreSun 6 Sep · 20:45 UTC
via F1iNorris candid on ‘most painful thing’ biting McLaren at MonzaLando Norris faced challenges during qualifying at Monza, where he managed to secure only eighth place despite the tight competition among the top 10 drivers. He highlighted a significant straight-line speed deficit as a major issue, which was exacerbated by his teammate Oscar Piastri's mistake that denied him the aerodynamic assistance he needed for a better lap time. Norris acknowledged that while his own performance was not perfect, the primary factor in his time loss was the car's lack of speed on the straights.
In addition to the speed issues, Norris also dealt with inconsistent braking behavior, which affected his confidence, especially in Monza's demanding braking zones. He pointed out that the circuit magnified known weaknesses in the McLaren MCL40, indicating that the team must focus on improvements in these areas moving forward. Norris's candid reflections underscore the challenges he faces as he prepares for the race, with the potential for a difficult Sunday ahead.Sun 6 Sep · 10:52 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLee McKenzie amazed by what she saw Oscar Piastri’s family do in McLaren’s Monza hospitalityDuring the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri narrowly missed out on provisional pole, finishing just four hundredths of a second behind. Despite receiving a three-place grid penalty for impeding, Piastri's teammate Lando Norris assisted him with a slipstream during the session. Ultimately, Pierre Gasly secured his first-ever pole position, marking a significant achievement in his career after 190 races, and drawing cheers from the paddock, including Piastri's family in McLaren's hospitality area.
Gasly's pole position is notable as it is the first time a driver from outside the top four teams has achieved this since 2022. This moment is particularly special for Gasly, as it occurred at Monza, the same circuit where he claimed his first race victory. Following the qualifying, Piastri expressed his congratulations to Gasly and the Alpine team, highlighting the camaraderie within the sport despite the competitive nature of Formula 1.Sun 6 Sep · 10:30 UTC
via Formula1.comStella on whether McLaren can still target Monza podiumAndrea Stella, the Team Principal of McLaren, expressed optimism about the team's chances for a podium finish at the Monza race, despite Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris qualifying sixth and eighth, respectively. Piastri's grid position was affected by a three-place penalty for impeding another driver, but both drivers showed strong pace in earlier qualifying sessions, finishing second and third in Q2. Stella highlighted the need for smart driving and strategic execution during the race to maximize their performance potential.
Stella acknowledged that several factors, including battery management and track positioning, impacted their qualifying results. He believes that the car's performance at Monza, a circuit known for its straight-line speed, provides encouragement for the race. The team aims to improve execution and strategy to capitalize on their competitive pace, making the upcoming race an intriguing challenge.
Sun 6 Sep · 10:24 UTC
via Motorsport.comHow McLaren left itself exposed at the F1 Italian Grand PrixMcLaren faced challenges during the qualifying session at the Italian Grand Prix, where they initially showed promise by securing second and third positions in Q2. However, their performance deteriorated in Q3 due to execution errors, including a lock-up by Oscar Piastri that affected both drivers' final runs.
Stella highlighted that McLaren's garage position forced them to go out first in Q3, limiting their ability to benefit from slipstreams. The team struggled with battery management and tire locking issues, which compounded their difficulties on the energy-sensitive Monza track.
Sun 6 Sep · 09:21 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren learns vital lessons from Red Bull with new H-WingMcLaren has officially launched its H-Wing system on the MCL40, which draws inspiration from Red Bull's design but incorporates key modifications. The new wing features a single central actuator that allows the flap to rotate nearly 180 degrees, a method that has been validated through rigorous testing during practice sessions at Monza. McLaren's development process has been heavily influenced by Red Bull's previous reliability challenges, particularly concerning flap closure issues experienced by Max Verstappen's RB22.
To mitigate these risks, McLaren has implemented thorough reliability testing and optimized the actuator's geometry to ensure effective flap operation. The team believes that the H-Wing will offer a significant aerodynamic benefit, particularly on long straights, enhancing their competitive edge in upcoming races.
Sun 6 Sep · 05:20 UTC
via f1technical.netMcLaren Faces Disappointment in Monza Qualifying ResultsMcLaren experienced frustration during the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri securing a third-place finish while Lando Norris could only manage ninth. Norris expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of his car, describing the experience as 'painful'.Sat 5 Sep · 23:00 UTC
via Formula1.comPierre Gasly secures first F1 pole at MonzaPierre Gasly achieved his first-ever pole position during the Italian Grand Prix qualifying session. He outpaced George Russell and Oscar Piastri to claim the top spot on the grid.
via gpfans.comPierre Gasly secures pole position at Italian Grand PrixPierre Gasly achieved an unexpected pole position during qualifying for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Meanwhile, both Ferrari and McLaren faced challenges, resulting in a disappointing performance in the qualifying session.
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via RacingNews365Lando Norris addresses Ferrari 'worry' as major upgrade set for introductionLando Norris addressed concerns regarding Ferrari's upcoming power-unit upgrade ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, stating that it does not worry him or McLaren. He acknowledged that while Ferrari's new engine could enhance their competitiveness, McLaren must focus on their own performance and improvements. Norris highlighted that Ferrari's chassis is strong, but their weaknesses in top speed and horsepower have been evident since the new regulations were implemented.
Norris also pointed out that Monza presents a unique challenge for Ferrari, which will test their new engine's capabilities. He reflected on McLaren's performance this season, noting their two race wins but recognizing that they have not consistently been at the front. Norris concluded by expressing patience and a desire to evaluate their performance after the race, emphasizing the need to stay focused on their own objectives.Sat 5 Sep · 07:50 UTC
via thejudge13.comFerrari shows promise with new engine at MonzaFerrari's recent advancements with the ADUO 2 engine have positioned them as a strong contender for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix. Mercedes acknowledges that Ferrari could pose a significant challenge during qualifying.
Sat 5 Sep · 07:44 UTC
via RacingNews365Explained: The 'bias' allegation which sparked explosive row between F1 bossesDuring the FIA Team Principals' Press Conference, Flavio Briatore accused judge Filippo Marchino of bias related to a recent ruling on Pierre Gasly's penalties. This came after Alpine successfully appealed to have Gasly's penalties rescinded, which affected the standings of McLaren and Red Bull drivers. Briatore's claims sparked a heated exchange, with Andrea Stella defending McLaren's reputation and suggesting that Briatore's comments could be libelous.
The incident has raised questions about the impartiality of the judges involved in the case, particularly regarding Marchino's alleged connections to McLaren. While Briatore provided photographic evidence of Marchino at a McLaren event, it was clarified that Marchino's presence was unrelated to the F1 team. The FIA remains confident in the integrity of the appeal process, while Alpine is contemplating their next steps.Sat 5 Sep · 04:30 UTCvia f1technical.netMcLaren confirms H-Wing will remain on MCL40 for Italian Grand Prix weekendMcLaren has confirmed that its new H-Wing rear-wing concept will be used throughout the Italian Grand Prix weekend after showing promising results during Friday practice at Monza. The team first evaluated this design during the Hungarian Grand Prix and is now satisfied with its performance, although they acknowledge that they are still behind the leading teams in terms of pace.
Despite the positive feedback on the H-Wing, McLaren's Technical Director Neil Houldey noted that the team is approximately four tenths off the pace set by Mercedes and Ferrari. While they are optimistic about improving their performance before qualifying, Houldey remains realistic about the challenges of competing for pole position this weekend.Fri 4 Sep · 23:00 UTC
via f1technical.netNorris hints at "odd" performance from his McLaren in Monza practiceDuring the practice sessions for the Italian Grand Prix, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri showed promising pace, with Norris finishing fourth in FP2 and Piastri sixth. Despite these results, Norris expressed concerns about the car's performance, particularly in cornering, and stated that they are not currently in a position to compete for pole position. The team is focusing on understanding their low-downforce package and the unique rear wing design to enhance their performance.
Both drivers recognized the competitive landscape, with strong showings from rival teams like Mercedes and Ferrari. They emphasized the need for further analysis and adjustments overnight to improve their car's balance and overall performance ahead of qualifying. The team remains optimistic about unlocking more potential from their package as they prepare for the crucial sessions ahead.Fri 4 Sep · 22:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Piastri not rushing McLaren contract talksOscar Piastri has expressed that the trend of longer contracts in Formula 1 does not significantly impact his perspective on his own future. He noted that even with the certainty surrounding rivals like Max Verstappen, he remains focused on his own career path.+ 2 moreFri 4 Sep · 18:00 UTCPage 9 of 23