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via F1iFornaroli on life at McLaren and learning ‘as much as possible’Leonardo Fornaroli has experienced rapid growth since joining McLaren's driver development programme in December 2025, following his success in Formula 3 and Formula 2. His first eight months have included significant milestones, such as a successful FP1 debut and extensive simulator training, which he believes are crucial for his development as a professional driver.
Fornaroli has expressed gratitude for the support from the McLaren team and acknowledges the differences between Formula 1 and junior categories. He is focused on learning from current race drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and while he is cautious about future prospects, he is optimistic about securing a full-time seat in Formula 1 by 2027.
via RaceFansFeatured Comment: Racing Bulls in 2026 equals McLaren in 2019? | BriefThe article discusses the performance of Racing Bulls in the 2026 Formula 1 season, highlighting the impressive debut of newcomer Arvid Lindblad alongside experienced driver Liam Lawson. It draws parallels between the current situation at Racing Bulls and McLaren's 2019 season, suggesting that while Lawson is securing points, Lindblad shows significant potential for growth.
The piece also raises questions about the future direction of Racing Bulls, pondering whether they will remain a feeder team for Red Bull or seek to develop their own competitive edge. The dynamics between the drivers and the team's strategy could influence their success in the championship.
via RacingNews365McLaren provide 'very clear' answer to tough question: 'We have a duty'McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, expressed confidence in the team's ability to achieve significant results in the second half of the 2026 Formula 1 season, despite facing challenges early on. Currently sitting third in the constructors' standings, McLaren has 220 points, trailing behind Mercedes and Ferrari. The team, which entered the season as defending champions, has been working to overcome reliability issues and a development deficit that hindered their performance initially.
The recent victory by Lando Norris in Hungary marked a turning point for McLaren, showcasing their potential as they aim to close the gap to their rivals. Stella highlighted the importance of continuous development and effective upgrades to the MCL40, as there are still numerous races left in the season. With 546 points still up for grabs, McLaren remains focused on their duty to compete at the highest level and maintain their championship aspirations.
via PlanetF1FIA makes ADUO admission after Red Bull engine talksThe FIA is considering adjustments to its ADUO system after Red Bull was unexpectedly recognized as having the best internal combustion engine at the first checkpoint. Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA single-seater director, acknowledged the need for improvements to the system, which aims to help manufacturers catch up in performance. Red Bull's top ranking means they will not receive a homologation upgrade opportunity, while other manufacturers will qualify for at least one upgrade.
Toto Wolff from Mercedes claimed they possess the most powerful power unit in the 2026 grid, raising further discussions about engine performance. Tombazis defended the FIA's measurement accuracy but admitted that the system has weaknesses that need addressing. Max Verstappen also commented on the need for overall performance improvements and expressed interest in ADUO opportunities.
via PlanetF1Next Formula 1 Race Scheduled After Three-Week BreakThe Formula 1 calendar is currently in a three-week hiatus following the Hungarian Grand Prix. Lando Norris secured a notable victory at the last race, marking a strong performance for McLaren.
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen to McLaren? Red Bull ‘advantage’ claimed by SteinerThe article discusses the speculation surrounding Max Verstappen's future in Formula 1, particularly regarding a potential move to McLaren. Guenther Steiner, a former Red Bull technical director, suggests that McLaren is the only team that could be considered better than Red Bull for Verstappen, but emphasizes Red Bull's advantage with its own engine. Despite rumors of talks with McLaren, it appears Verstappen is likely to remain with Red Bull for the foreseeable future.
Steiner also analyzes the current team dynamics, stating that Ferrari and Mercedes do not have openings for Verstappen, with Mercedes already having a promising young driver in Kimi Antonelli. The article highlights the competitive landscape of F1 as Verstappen navigates his career options amidst ongoing discussions about his future.
via PlanetF1Lewis Hamilton receives apology from ‘coward’, Graeme Lowdon’s last Cadillac interview – roundupLewis Hamilton has received an apology from UFC fighter Jon Jones, five years after Hamilton labeled him a 'coward' for shooting a pig. This apology comes after Jones acknowledged Hamilton's disappointment in his actions. Meanwhile, Graeme Lowdon has departed from his role as Cadillac's team principal, with the team yet to score points in their inaugural F1 season. Cadillac's CEO clarified that Lowdon's exit was not a mutual decision and that the change in leadership had been in the works for some time.
In other news, Jenson Button revealed that Michael Schumacher valued Rubens Barrichello's engineering expertise during their time at Ferrari. Button, who raced alongside Barrichello from 2006 to 2009, emphasized Barrichello's significant contribution to car development. Additionally, there are rumors surrounding Sergio Perez's future, with speculation linking him to a potential move to Williams for the 2027 season.
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri reflects on challenging 2026 seasonMcLaren driver Oscar Piastri has described his first eleven races of the 2026 Formula 1 season as frustrating. He acknowledged that the campaign has featured more difficulties than successes, coinciding with a downturn for the McLaren team.
via grandprix.comRules secured more than two ManufacturersThe FIA Single Seaters Director, Nikolas Tombazis, stated that without the current Technical Regulations, only Ferrari and Mercedes would have remained in Formula 1 starting in 2026. He emphasized that manufacturers like Audi, Ford, GM, and Honda would not have entered the sport, and Renault would have exited due to its electrification goals, highlighting the importance of the new regulations in attracting more manufacturers to Formula 1.
Tombazis also noted that drivers have voiced their concerns about the new regulations, which were agreed upon by the manufacturers involved. He admitted that the FIA faced challenges in addressing these complaints and acknowledged that the target of a 50-50 power split in Power Units was ambitious. The discussions regarding future regulations for 2027 and 2028 began later than desired, which contributed to the ongoing issues.
via RacingNews365Ferrari given shot in arm over crucial F1 2026 decisionFerrari is taking a distinct approach to car development for the 2026 F1 season, focusing on frequent updates to their SF-26 model. This strategy contrasts with other teams like McLaren, which has opted for fewer but larger upgrades, and Mercedes, which is planning a more gradual rollout of updates as the season progresses. Red Bull has also taken a mixed approach, combining major developments with smaller changes regularly.
A recent poll indicated that fans prefer Ferrari's strategy, with over half of respondents voting for them as the most effective team in the development race. As the season continues, the differing strategies among the top teams will be put to the test when racing resumes in Zandvoort.
via f1technical.netMercedes plans major upgrade for W17 in 2026 seasonMercedes is set to implement a major upgrade for its W17 car as the 2026 Formula 1 season progresses. The team has adjusted its development strategy following a challenging first half of the season.
via Motorsport WeekUFC star apologises to Lewis Hamilton over feud triggered by hunting videoJon Jones has issued a public apology to Lewis Hamilton, stemming from a confrontation over a hunting video that occurred five years ago. The incident involved Jones shooting a pig from a helicopter, which deeply offended Hamilton, a long-time vegan and animal rights advocate. Following the incident, Hamilton condemned Jones' actions in a private message and subsequently blocked him on social media. Jones expressed his desire to reconcile and acknowledged Hamilton's disappointment in him during a recent interview.
In his apology, Jones reflected on the hunting experience and the negative impact it had on his relationship with Hamilton. He conveyed regret for his actions and reached out directly to Hamilton, hoping to clear the air. As of now, Hamilton has not publicly responded to the apology, while he continues to focus on his racing career, currently sitting second in the 2026 Drivers' Standings for Ferrari.
via the-race.comCadillac replaces Graeme Lowdon as team principalCadillac has unexpectedly replaced Graeme Lowdon as team principal ahead of the upcoming race in Zandvoort. The decision marks a significant shift for the team during the summer break.
via CrashLeclerc discusses challenges of new-era Formula 1 carsCharles Leclerc has expressed his open-mindedness regarding the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 cars amid ongoing discussions about their technical specifications. He noted that the current data-driven approach to performance has become more complex with the new-era vehicles.
via Motorsport WeekRed Bull admits lack of confidence in RB22 performanceRed Bull's Technical Director has stated that the team currently has no confidence in the performance of the RB22. This admission follows a winless first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
via Motorsport.comIsack Hadjar identifies key area he must improve compared to Max VerstappenIsack Hadjar, driving for Red Bull Racing, has shown promising performance in the 2026 Formula 1 season, particularly in qualifying, where he has a smaller deficit compared to previous drivers in the second seat. However, he recognizes the need to improve his race pace, as he currently trails Max Verstappen significantly on Sundays. Hadjar's performance reflects a learning curve as he adapts to the demands of Formula 1 racing, and he feels he is making progress in his second season.
Despite his improvements, Hadjar has faced challenges in finding the right setup for his car, particularly noted during the Hungarian Grand Prix. He expressed confidence in his abilities but acknowledged that there is still work to be done both individually and as a team. The alignment of his feedback with Verstappen's is seen as a positive sign for his development and the team's technical direction.
via PlanetF1Jenson Button highlights Barrichello's value to SchumacherJenson Button has shared insights into why Michael Schumacher valued Rubens Barrichello as a teammate at Ferrari. He emphasized Barrichello's qualities that contributed to their successful partnership in Formula 1.
via Motorsport.comCharles Leclerc and wife Alexandra appear to address pregnancy rumours with holiday photosCharles Leclerc and his wife, Alexandra, are vacationing in Sardinia, where recent photos have sparked pregnancy rumors due to Alexandra's apparent baby bump. The couple married in a private ceremony in Monaco earlier this year and plans to have a larger celebration with family and friends in the future.
As of now, Leclerc is experiencing a mixed start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, sitting fourth in the drivers' championship, while his team, Ferrari, is currently second in the constructors' championship.
via the-race.comGary Anderson: Why I expected more from CadillacCadillac, the newest team in Formula 1, is facing significant challenges in its debut season, particularly with performance and brake cooling issues. The team has suffered multiple retirements due to front brake failures, prompting changes in design and strategy, including the size of brake inlets and overall cooling systems. Team principal Graeme Lowdon's departure adds to the difficulties faced by Cadillac as they strive to improve their competitiveness on the track.
The team has made various modifications to their car, including adjustments to the underfloor and sidepods to enhance airflow and cooling efficiency. Despite these efforts, the performance has largely remained at the back of the field, with only occasional successes against competitors like Aston Martin. Cadillac's ongoing development efforts reflect the steep learning curve for a new team in the highly competitive environment of Formula 1.
via Motorsport.comValtteri Bottas sees clear Cadillac progress amid challenging first F1 seasonValtteri Bottas has expressed optimism about Cadillac's progress in its inaugural Formula 1 season, despite facing significant challenges such as reliability issues and a lack of points. He believes the team has made strides in improving their performance and reliability as they adapt to the competitive environment of F1.
Bottas highlighted the importance of building relationships within the new team and noted that both he and his teammate Sergio Perez are working well together. The recent change in team leadership, with Marcin Budkowski taking over as team principal, is also seen as a step towards enhancing the team's operations and future performance.Page 93 of 108