Aug.24 (GMM) Mercedes’ late Dutch GP team orders initially frustrated George Russell, but the Briton ultimately backed the decision after Kimi Antonelli was restored to P2 behind winner Lando Norris. Antonelli had been running ahead of Russell before Mercedes pitted the championship leader under a late Virtual Safety Car for fresh soft tyres, temporarily dropping […]
Audi warned F1 patience may run out
Aug.24 (GMM) Audi’s Formula 1 project is making visible progress, but Ralf Schumacher believes the wider crisis at the Volkswagen Group could put pressure on the program if results do not come quickly enough. The German manufacturer has moved away from the back of the grid and into the midfield battle, but its official target […]
Tsunoda tells F1 teams – ‘Call me’
Aug.24 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda has used his unexpected return to the grid at Zandvoort to openly advertise himself to Formula 1 teams still considering their 2027 lineups. The Japanese driver had been linked with a move to IndyCar even before Isack Hadjar’s injury created a temporary Racing Bulls opportunity, while Haas and Alpine have also […]
Abu Dhabi fights to keep 2026 F1 finale
Aug.24 (GMM) Abu Dhabi organisers are pushing back against uncertainty over Formula 1’s season-ending Middle East races, insisting the Yas Marina finale remains on track. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has previously said a decision on Qatar and Abu Dhabi may not come until after mid-September if regional instability worsens, but speaking to Gulf News he […]
Alonso encouraged despite Honda setback
Aug.24 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin’s latest chassis package has finally given the team a clear direction, even though Honda’s new engine did not deliver everything expected at Zandvoort. The Spaniard was encouraged by the car’s race performance and believes the chassis now behaves much more convincingly once tyre grip begins to fade. “I […]
Trainer says Verstappen ‘ok’ after crash
Aug.24 (GMM) Max Verstappen has escaped injury after a heavy, almost head-on crash into the wall ended his final Dutch GP on the opening lap at Zandvoort. The Red Bull driver lost control in the banked final corner on the partly wet track and hit the barrier at high speed, with part of the car […]
Wolff concedes Verstappen deal now unlikely
Aug.24 (GMM) Toto Wolff has conceded that Max Verstappen joining Mercedes is now unlikely, although he still refuses to rule out another opportunity several years from now. Speaking to Algemeen Dagblad at Zandvoort, Wolff said Mercedes had already decided before Verstappen re-signed with Red Bull through 2030 that continuing with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli […]
Hadjar still secure at Red Bull for 2027 – Mekies
Aug.24 (GMM) Laurent Mekies has played down suggestions that Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull seat could be vulnerable after Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda both adapted quickly during the Frenchman’s injury absence at Zandvoort. Speaking to L’Equipe before the Dutch GP, the Red Bull team principal made clear that Hadjar’s position remains strong. “It’s a minor […]
Russell surges as Antonelli gets ‘wake-up call’
Aug.23 (GMM) George Russell has emerged from Formula 1’s summer break looking like a renewed title threat, beating championship leader Kimi Antonelli throughout the Dutch GP weekend so far. The newly engaged Mercedes driver took Sprint pole and victory at Zandvoort and will start the main race from second, again ahead of Antonelli in third. […]
Sick Verstappen sees ‘fundamental’ Red Bull problems
Aug.23 (GMM) Max Verstappen has revealed he has been ill throughout his home Grand Prix weekend, even as stand-in teammate Liam Lawson has impressed by staying unusually close to him at Zandvoort. “I’ve been feeling unwell all weekend,” said the quadruple world champion on Saturday. “And today it feels like I’ve gotten even worse.” “It’s […]
Domenicali hints V8 return could move to 2030
Aug.23 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali has hinted that Max Verstappen’s new Red Bull deal through 2030 may not be unrelated to Formula 1’s increasingly serious discussions about bringing forward the next engine regulations. The F1 CEO told De Telegraaf he was delighted Verstappen had committed long-term. “For me personally, this is fantastic news, I’m very happy […]
Travel chaos hits final Dutch GP
Aug.23 (GMM) Formula 1’s final Dutch GP at Zandvoort has been hit by major transport chaos, with thousands of spectators struggling to reach the circuit for the sold-out farewell weekend. Because access by car is heavily restricted, huge numbers of fans rely on trains from Amsterdam, with services normally running every few minutes and carrying […]
Wolff leaves Verstappen door open for future
Aug.23 (GMM) Toto Wolff says Max Verstappen’s decision to stay with Red Bull was logical, but the Mercedes boss is still unwilling to rule out another attempt to sign him later. Speaking to Dutch media at Zandvoort, Wolff expanded on his initially awkward reaction to Verstappen’s new contract through 2030. “It actually seemed logical to […]
Honda upgrade falls short at Zandvoort
Aug.23 (GMM) Honda’s heavily anticipated engine upgrade may not have delivered the step Aston Martin hoped for at Zandvoort, with drivability problems now emerging as the main weakness. Lance Stroll was blunt after qualifying P19. “Do I feel any improvement? Not really.” “Maybe a small step forward, but not enough. Chassis-wise, I think we’re doing […]
Sainz says ‘quality’ is Williams’ biggest weakness
Aug.23 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says Williams’ biggest problem is no longer simply car concept or weight, but the consistency and quality of the parts coming out of the factory. The newly re-signed Spaniard is enduring another difficult weekend at Zandvoort and says apparently identical components are not always behaving the same way. “What we need […]
Ocon says Haas problem is car inconsistency
Aug.23 (GMM) Esteban Ocon believes his improved Zandvoort weekend supports his long-running claim that inconsistent Haas machinery, rather than simply driver performance, has distorted the comparison with Oliver Bearman this season. The Frenchman’s 2027 seat is under increasing scrutiny, with Leonardo Fornaroli, Rafael Camara, Jack Doohan and even Yuki Tsunoda all linked with Haas. But […]
Ocon future uncertain, boss denies Haas losing interest
Aug.22 (GMM) Esteban Ocon’s future at Haas remains uncertain as the team struggles through a difficult 2026 season and several drivers are linked with his seat for next year. Leonardo Fornaroli, Rafael Camara, Jack Doohan and even Yuki Tsunoda have all been mentioned as possible 2027 candidates, while Ocon has spent much of the year […]
Champion Norris rejects ‘party-boy’ image
Aug.22 (GMM) Lando Norris says the public image of him partying since becoming world champion does not reflect how seriously he is preparing for races. The McLaren driver has been seen socialising more frequently away from the circuit and spent part of the summer break with friends in Ibiza and Greece. But Norris says appearances […]
Alonso to meet with owner Stroll for contract talks
Aug.22 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says talks over his Aston Martin future are now looming, just as the team’s heavily revised Honda-powered package showed fresh problems at Zandvoort. The 45-year-old Spaniard had previously indicated that a decision would come around the summer, but now says there is no firm deadline. “I just got back from vacation, […]
‘No new prospects’ for German GP return
Aug.22 (GMM) A return of the German GP is back on Formula 1’s radar, although both Hockenheim and the Nurburgring are playing down any suggestion that a deal is imminent. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali recently said Hockenheim could return “in the medium term”, although he also warned that further investment would be required. Former Haas […]