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via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton shocked as Ollie Bearman says spider forced Malaysia hotel changeOllie Bearman, a driver for Haas F1 Team, shared a startling experience during a fan event at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. He recounted waking up at 2am to find a spider beside his head, prompting him to immediately request a hotel change from his travel team.
Lewis Hamilton, who has been visiting Malaysia for nearly two decades, expressed his shock at the existence of such large spiders in the country. Bearman described the spider as palm-sized, and Hamilton humorously remarked that he would have preferred sleeping in his car had he known about them.
Sun 4 Oct · 08:54 UTC
via f1technical.netCadillac admits pace deficit after difficult Sepang QualifyingCadillac faced a challenging qualifying session at the Sepang International Circuit, with both Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez eliminated in Q1. Bottas managed to secure 21st place, while Perez followed closely in 22nd, as the team struggled to find performance in the hot conditions.
Despite the disappointing qualifying results, Bottas expressed optimism about the team's race pace, which he felt could allow them to compete with Williams. Team Principal Marcin Budkowski acknowledged the difficulties faced at Sepang compared to their previous race in Baku, but noted progress in car balance and setup. The team is hopeful that the race will present opportunities, especially with uncertain weather and tyre management challenges.
Sat 3 Oct · 16:05 UTC
via RacingNews365Haas struggles in qualifying at Sepang Grand PrixHaas faced significant challenges during the qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, with both Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon eliminated in the first segment. Bearman highlighted a shocking issue with the car that contributed to their difficulties.
+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 11:20 UTC
via RaceFansHaas admit set-up mistake on Bearman’s car made one session a “total waste of time” | Formula 1Haas has acknowledged that a set-up error on Oliver Bearman's car rendered his second practice session at Sepang ineffective. Bearman reported that the car was performing adequately in the first practice session, but the incorrect adjustments made for FP2 resulted in a significant struggle, leading him to describe the session as a "total waste of time."
As a result of the set-up mistake, Bearman finished 16th in the second practice, three-tenths of a second slower than his teammate Esteban Ocon. The lack of valuable data from FP2 has left Bearman at a disadvantage heading into the rest of the weekend, particularly as it was his first time racing at the Sepang circuit.
Sat 3 Oct · 10:29 UTC
via thejudge13.comHaas to part ways with Esteban Ocon after 2026 seasonHaas will end its partnership with Esteban Ocon following the 2026 season, as confirmed by team principal Ayao Komatsu. Komatsu stated that the decision was based on the 'overall picture', countering Ocon's claim that performance was not a factor.
via RacingNews365Bizarre red flag triggered during Bahrain GP in Malaysia FP3During the third free practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Oliver Bearman triggered a red flag after a thin strip of carbon broke free from the brake duct of his front-right brake. At the time of the incident, Bearman was running in seventh position with 25 minutes remaining in the session.
A marshal quickly retrieved the discarded material from Turn 10, allowing the session to resume after a five-minute stoppage. This unusual occurrence highlighted potential issues with the Haas car during the practice session.Sat 3 Oct · 05:03 UTC
via RacingNews365Cadillac £121 million financial loss comes with huge F1 caveatCadillac has reported a significant financial loss of £121.9 million in its last year before entering Formula 1, as revealed in recent documents. The team, which is supported by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, is preparing for its debut in the 2026 season after receiving formal acceptance in March 2025. The financial figures reflect the challenges faced by the team, which did not compete in the 2025 season, thus missing out on crucial revenue streams such as sponsorship and prize money.
The financial submission indicates that Cadillac's headcount increased substantially, from 88 to 307 employees by the end of 2025. Dan Towriss, the team's director, has stated that the American parent company is prepared to provide funding if necessary, although he does not anticipate this will be required due to expected financial commitments from investors. The team's actual financial performance will be more accurately assessed in its 2026 accounts, which will be published in 2027.Thu 1 Oct · 11:00 UTC
via RaceFansInconsistent Haas performance has affected both drivers, Bearman admits | Formula 1Haas driver Oliver Bearman has acknowledged that the inconsistent performance of their car has negatively impacted both him and his teammate Esteban Ocon throughout the season. Ocon, who will not continue with Haas next year, noted that the car's performance fluctuations have hindered his ability to score points effectively.
Ocon has scored fewer points than Bearman this year, and he expressed that when the car functions well, it allows for better results. However, the inconsistencies have made it challenging for both drivers to showcase their true potential on the track.Thu 1 Oct · 09:39 UTC
via CrashOllie Bearman drops major hint about his next Haas F1 team-mateOllie Bearman has indicated that his next team-mate at Haas for the 2027 season will likely be a rookie, following the confirmation that Esteban Ocon will depart the team after the 2026 season. Bearman mentioned that he is looking forward to stepping into a leadership role within the team as the more experienced driver.
Bearman also reflected on his time with Ocon, stating that he has learned a great deal from the experienced driver. He acknowledged Ocon's speed and the valuable insights he gained regarding team dynamics and development, which he believes will aid him in his new role at Haas.
Thu 1 Oct · 07:17 UTC
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.comThe slowest race of F1 2026 explainedValtteri Bottas has detailed his significant pace issues during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he was over 1.7 seconds slower per lap than his Cadillac teammate Sergio Perez. Bottas crashed on the final lap after struggling with car setup and power steering issues throughout the race, leading to a lack of competitiveness. He acknowledged that he was unable to keep up with the pack and faced difficulties in both corners and straights.
Bottas's performance was further impacted by the absence of the upgraded ADUO 2 Ferrari engine, which Perez had during the race. While Bottas's engine upgrade is uncertain for the upcoming race in Sepang, Perez has opted to save his power unit for a more advantageous event. Both drivers anticipate a tough weekend in Malaysia due to the Cadillac's ongoing struggles with tyre management and aerodynamic performance.
Thu 1 Oct · 04:29 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 the-race.comAll the reasons the Ocon-Haas relationship fell apartEsteban Ocon's relationship with the Haas Formula 1 team has deteriorated significantly, leading to his exit after the 2026 season. Despite being a highly coveted driver when signed, Ocon's performance issues and public complaints about the car have strained his relationship with the team. Haas decided not to activate his contract option for 2027, with Rafa Camara expected to take his place.
The tensions between Ocon and Haas escalated as the team faced technical difficulties and Ocon's inconsistent performances. Although he showed potential at times, his inability to maintain a strong performance and accountability ultimately led to his departure. Speculation about financial factors influencing Haas's decision has emerged, but team principal Ayao Komatsu's support for Ocon initially suggested a different direction.Wed 30 Sep · 15:58 UTC
via RacingNews365Valtteri Bottas claims Cadillac car was 'confused' in strange F1 crashValtteri Bottas reported that his Cadillac Formula 1 car's energy systems malfunctioned, leading to a crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident happened at Turn 15 as Bottas was not travelling at high speed, which he attributed to a previous lock-up at Turn 1 that may have confused the car's systems.
Bottas explained that the confusion resulted in a failure of the rear brakes, causing him to crash into the wall. He highlighted that the energy deployment in F1 cars is controlled by algorithms that require consistent inputs from the driver, suggesting that his earlier mistake disrupted the system's learning process.Wed 30 Sep · 15:30 UTC
via PlanetF1Bottas responds as Cadillac F1 relocation plans branded ‘suboptimal’Valtteri Bottas has defended Cadillac F1's plans to split its operations between the United Kingdom and the United States, following criticism from Otmar Szafnauer, who labelled the strategy as 'suboptimal' for achieving championship success. Bottas expressed confidence in the team's approach, highlighting the advantages of having a manufacturing facility in Indianapolis and a power unit project in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Team principal Marcin Budkowski responded to concerns about staff relocations, asserting that the Silverstone facility remains impressive and that the relocation rumors are unfounded. Bottas emphasized that the focus should be on the team's people and their ability to design and build competitive race cars, rather than solely on the facilities themselves.
Wed 30 Sep · 14:10 UTC
via grandprix.comOcon's options shrink as four 2027 seats remain unconfirmedEsteban Ocon has announced his departure from Haas at the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season, leaving him with limited options for 2027. With only four seats unconfirmed, Haas has indicated it will not retain Ocon, while Racing Bulls is expected to continue with its own drivers, making Ocon's return to the grid challenging.
Ocon, who joined Haas as its first Grand Prix winner, has struggled to match his teammate Oliver Bearman during his tenure. Despite his desire to remain in Formula 1, the current landscape suggests that a reserve role may be more feasible for him, especially given his previous connection with Mercedes.
via f1oversteer.comToyota denies Esteban Ocon's 2027 WEC seat rumoursToyota's World Endurance Championship technical director David Floury confirmed that Esteban Ocon will not be joining the team for the 2027 season. This follows Ocon's diminishing options in Formula 1, particularly after Haas announced the end of its partnership with him.
+ 3 moreWed 30 Sep · 12:30 UTC
via PlanetF1Herta clarifies Formula 2 stance as Cadillac future remains unclearColton Herta has clarified his recent comments about not being interested in another season in Formula 2, stating that while it is not his priority, he has not ruled it out. Currently, he is a reserve driver for Cadillac in Formula 1 and is competing in Formula 2 with Hitech Grand Prix, where he is placed 19th in the standings with only 26 points. Cadillac's CEO has set a target for Herta to finish in the top 10 of the championship to aid his development for a future in Formula 1.
Despite his struggles in Formula 2, Herta remains focused on his goal of joining the Formula 1 grid. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing with Cadillac regarding his future, but he has no concrete plans yet. Herta expressed that if there were clear signs of progression in his performance, he might consider returning to Formula 2, but for now, he is concentrating on his role within the F1 team and exploring opportunities for the upcoming season.Wed 30 Sep · 10:53 UTC
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.+ 1 moreWed 30 Sep · 09:43 UTC
via Motorsport.comToyota’s replacement plan if Ryo Hirakawa lands Haas F1 seatToyota is preparing for a possible reshuffle in its driver line-up as Ryo Hirakawa is being considered for a seat at Haas in Formula 1. If Hirakawa departs the World Endurance Championship, Esteban Masson is expected to step up to Toyota's Hypercar squad, with team technical director David Floury indicating that promoting Masson would be a logical decision.
Hirakawa, who has been testing F1 cars for Haas, McLaren, and Alpine, is among the candidates to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas. Although Rafael Camara is seen as a strong contender for the seat, a final decision has yet to be made. Floury expressed confidence in Hirakawa's ability to adapt to F1, citing his extensive experience in Super Formula and private testing.Wed 30 Sep · 08:41 UTCPage 1 of 14