News272 stories
RSS ↗
via gpfans.comF1 star OUT of Azerbaijan Grand Prix as safety car deployedAlex Albon crashed his Williams car into the Tecpro barriers during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading to the deployment of the safety car. The incident occurred on lap 31, resulting in three drivers not finishing the race.
Following the crash, Albon reassured fans that he was unharmed. The safety car allowed several drivers to pit, taking advantage of the situation to save time during the race.
Sat 26 Sep · 12:10 UTC
via Motorsport.comAlex Albon and Carlos Sainz reveal F1 boys' trip plansAlex Albon and Carlos Sainz have announced plans for a boys' trip in Asia, taking advantage of the schedule between the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix. They mentioned that several Formula 1 drivers will join them, and Albon expressed excitement about the trip during an interview ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The trip comes as Sainz faces a five-place grid penalty for failing to slow under yellow flag conditions, starting the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 14th position. Both drivers are currently positioned low in the championship standings, with Sainz in 16th and Albon in 17th.
Sat 26 Sep · 10:43 UTC
via Motorsport.comGuenther Steiner calls out Williams over F1 infrastructure complaints: "Crocodile tears"Guenther Steiner, the former Haas Formula 1 team principal, has publicly criticised Williams's complaints regarding capital expenditure limits, labelling them as 'crocodile tears'. He questioned team principal James Vowles for shifting the timeline of the team's recovery and argued that Williams's historical lack of investment is to blame for their current struggles.
Steiner emphasised that Williams should not blame the current financial regulations for their outdated facilities, suggesting that they have not maximised their budget cap spending over the past five years. He pointed out that other teams have successfully negotiated allowances for facility upgrades, implying that Williams needs to take more initiative in addressing their infrastructure issues.Fri 25 Sep · 20:23 UTC
via Motorsport.comWilliams’ long-awaited F1 upgrade is delivering in Baku – but was Q3 an “overachievement”?Williams Racing has celebrated its best qualifying result of the 2026 season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Carlos Sainz achieving 9th place in qualifying. This improvement comes after the introduction of a new chassis that has addressed the car's previous weight issues, allowing for better performance on the track.
Despite the positive outcome, both Sainz and Alexander Albon expressed caution regarding the upgrade's potential, noting that the car's handling remains a concern. Albon highlighted the need for further aerodynamic improvements as they prepare for the upcoming races in Malaysia and Singapore, which feature different track characteristics.Fri 25 Sep · 18:36 UTC
via Motorsport.comEsteban Ocon expresses frustration over tough seasonEsteban Ocon has voiced his dissatisfaction with the challenges he has faced during the 2026 Formula 1 season with Haas. Following his exit in Q2 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Ocon attributed his struggles to yellow flags and stated, "I don’t deserve all this s**t."+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 17:04 UTC
via Formula1.comWhy Ocon ‘might need to take a good shower’ after QualifyingEsteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman faced disappointment during the Baku Qualifying session, both narrowly missing out on a place in Q3. Ocon was particularly frustrated as his final Q2 run was ruined by a yellow flag, leaving him in P14 despite showing potential for a top 10 finish earlier in the session.
Bearman, who finished P11, acknowledged the positives in their performance but lamented the timing of the yellow flag that affected his lap. Both drivers expressed mixed emotions about their improved pace, with Ocon hinting at his uncertain future and Bearman remaining optimistic about opportunities in the race.
Fri 25 Sep · 16:20 UTC
via the-race.comSainz loses Williams's best grid slot of 2026Carlos Sainz, driving for Williams, has been handed a five-place grid penalty for failing to heed yellow flags during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying session. This penalty means Sainz will start from 14th position, denying Williams its best grid slot of the year, which was previously held by Alex Albon in 11th place. The stewards determined that Sainz did not adequately reduce his speed in the relevant yellow-flag sector, despite receiving warnings from his team.
In addition to Sainz's penalty, Sergio Perez of Cadillac also faced a three-position penalty for impeding McLaren's Oscar Piastri. However, due to engine component penalties affecting Aston Martin drivers, Perez will only drop one position, starting from 20th. The penalties highlight the strict enforcement of yellow flag regulations and traffic management during qualifying sessions in Formula 1.
Fri 25 Sep · 15:44 UTC
via Motorsport WeekEsteban Ocon frustrated after Azerbaijan GP qualifying exitEsteban Ocon expressed his frustration following his elimination in Q2 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, attributing it to yellow flags. The Haas driver lamented the challenges he has faced throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season, stating, "I don’t deserve all this s**t."
+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:16 UTC
via RaceFansCarlos Sainz receives grid penalty for Azerbaijan GPCarlos Sainz has been handed a five-place grid penalty for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after breaching yellow flag regulations during qualifying. The penalty comes after Sainz achieved his best qualifying performance of the season with Williams.
+ 8 more
via f1chronicle.comCarlos Sainz’s Underrated Record at the Azerbaijan Grand PrixCarlos Sainz Jr. had a remarkable performance at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, qualifying second and finishing third, marking a significant achievement for Williams. This result was their first front-row start since 2021 and showcased Sainz's skill in navigating the challenging Baku circuit, despite the team's struggles with car handling in previous races.
Throughout his career at Baku, Sainz has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform well, with five top-10 finishes in seven races. His best result came in 2023 when he finished fifth with Ferrari, and he has maintained a solid average finishing position at the track. Sainz's recent podium finish is a testament to his talent and resilience, contributing to Williams' hopes for a resurgence in performance.
via F1iWilliams update finds progress, but Vowles warns: ‘It’s not enough’Williams has introduced a significant upgrade to its FW48 car in Baku, aiming to improve its performance after a challenging start to the 2026 season. Team principal James Vowles expressed cautious optimism about the changes, acknowledging that while the car has shown some improvement, it is still not enough to guarantee points finishes.
Despite the modest results in practice sessions, Sainz reported feeling better with the car and noted a narrowing gap to the midfield. Vowles emphasised the need for further development and learning to fully exploit the potential of the new aerodynamic package, indicating that while progress has been made, the team still has a long way to go.
Fri 25 Sep · 08:43 UTC
via newsonf1.comFornaroli unlikely as Haas decision nearsLeonardo Fornaroli remains a candidate for the Haas seat currently held by Esteban Ocon, but McLaren CEO Zak Brown indicates that the team expects him to continue in their reserve role. Haas has been evaluating several drivers, including Fornaroli, Rafael Camara, Ryo Hirakawa, and Jack Doohan, as they consider a potential change for the 2027 season.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu stated that an announcement regarding Ocon's future will be made soon, as they have completed evaluations of the candidates. Komatsu acknowledged that all tested drivers have performed well, highlighting the team's fortunate position of having multiple talented prospects to choose from.
via f1oversteer.com‘Alarm bells’ ring at Ferrari after hearing what Oliver Bearman said about Baku engine failureFerrari are concerned for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after hearing what Haas’ Oliver Bearman said about his engine failure during FP2 at the Azerbaijan ...
Fri 25 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Sky F1 pundit lifts lid on private Williams TPC test before Baku GPJamie Chadwick, a three-time W Series champion, recently completed a secret Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) session with Williams, driving their FW47 at the Portimão circuit. She expressed that the experience was surreal and considered it the best day of her life. Chadwick completed 32 laps and received valuable advice from Williams drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz prior to the test.
Williams team principal James Vowles praised Chadwick as an inspiration for women in motorsport, highlighting her impressive performance and the important data she gathered during the test. The session was part of Williams' TPC programme, which aims to prepare for the return to Portimão next year. Chadwick is also competing in the European Le Mans Series and hopes to leverage this experience to further her career in racing.
Fri 25 Sep · 05:56 UTC
via Motorsport.comDavid Coulthard warns "heads will roll" if Williams FW48 upgrade failsDavid Coulthard has issued a stark warning regarding the Williams FW48 upgrade, stating that significant consequences could follow if it fails to improve the team's performance. The Grove-based team has struggled throughout the season, currently sitting ninth in the constructors' championship with only 11 points, largely due to the car's overweight issues.
The upgrade, described by team principal James Vowles as nearly a B-spec car, is aimed at enhancing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Coulthard, drawing comparisons to Aston Martin's previous upgrades, believes that the changes should yield a notable improvement. However, he cautioned that if the expected results do not materialise, there could be serious repercussions for the team.Thu 24 Sep · 17:10 UTC
via Motorsport.comJacques Villeneuve identifies barrier facing female F1 drivers after Jamie Chadwick Williams testJacques Villeneuve has identified the lack of female drivers in Formula 1 as a significant issue stemming from a small talent pool. During a discussion on Sky Sports F1, he noted that for every 1000 male drivers, there is only one female driver attempting to break into the sport, complicating the situation further.
Jamie Chadwick, who recently tested a Williams F1 car, echoed Villeneuve's sentiments, highlighting the broader issue of limited seats available in F1 for all drivers. She expressed optimism that her experience would encourage more women to pursue racing, ultimately leading to female champions in lower categories and representation in Formula 1.Thu 24 Sep · 16:16 UTC
via Motorsport.comJames Hinchcliffe: Williams F1 weight breakthrough brings "free lap time" in BakuJames Hinchcliffe has stated that Williams' achievement of reaching Formula 1's minimum weight limit with their upgraded FW48 will result in valuable 'free lap time' during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He explained that this weight reduction enhances overall performance, aiding in aspects like braking, traction, and tyre degradation without requiring any changes to the car's setup or driving style.
Despite the positive impact of the upgrades, Williams team principal James Vowles has tempered expectations, acknowledging that the team has faced a challenging season. He noted that mistakes made during the winter will continue to affect their performance, but he remains optimistic about making progress in the future as they aim to improve their position on the grid.Thu 24 Sep · 13:09 UTC
via Motorsport.comJamie Chadwick completes Williams F1 test in PortugalJamie Chadwick has become the first female driver to test a Formula 1 car in three years, completing a Testing of Previous Cars programme for Williams at the Portimao circuit. The 28-year-old drove a total of 32 laps during the session.+ 1 moreThu 24 Sep · 13:08 UTC
via the-race.comJamie Chadwick completes first F1 test with WilliamsJamie Chadwick has made history by becoming the first woman in over a decade to drive a modern Williams Formula 1 car, completing her maiden test at the Autodromo do Algarve in Portugal. The 28-year-old described the experience as the "best day of my life so far" after finishing 32 laps during the session.+ 10 more
via racer.comTechnical updates: 2026 Azerbaijan Grand PrixAt the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, McLaren, Red Bull, Williams, and Audi introduced significant technical upgrades. McLaren focused on enhancing the MCL40 with improvements to the sidepod inlets, engine cover, and rear suspension, while Red Bull's updates included a new floor geometry and sidepod design aimed at improving aerodynamic performance.
Williams also made notable changes with a new floor and revised brake ducts, while Audi submitted the most extensive list of upgrades, including a new floor and front wing. Other teams like Mercedes and Ferrari did not bring new parts this weekend, although Mercedes plans to introduce upgrades at the next race in Malaysia.Page 1 of 14
