Formula 1: Articles & News Reports.

[Fortitude]

Lando Norris takes stunning victory in chaotic Dutch GP after Max Verstappen suffers huge crash.
Lando Norris won an action-packed Dutch Grand Prix, continuing the pole-to-victory streak at Zandvoort in a race that was far from as straightforward as that would otherwise suggest.
23 August 2026
Samuel Coop
RacingNews365

Lando Norris stormed to a superb victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, expertly pulling off an offset strategy to get the better of Kimi Antonelli, having spent much of the race behind the Mercedes driver. George Russell held off a late charge from Lewis Hamilton to round out the podium places, with Charles Leclerc closing out the top five.

It was a chaotic final afternoon for F1 at Zandvoort, for the time being, with treacherous damp-dry conditions at the start wreaking havoc for Max Verstappen, who crashed heavily on the first lap of racing, triggering a red flag.

Liam Lawson secured a hard-earned seventh, behind the McLaren of Oscar Piastri. Fernando Alonso took two valuable points for Aston Martin with a brilliant drive to ninth, sandwiched between Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly.

‘Stunning victory’;

Lando Norris takes stunning victory in chaotic Dutch GP after Max Verstappen suffers huge crash

Lando Norris won an action-packed Dutch Grand Prix, continuing the pole-to-victory streak at Zandvoort in a race that was far from as straightforward as that would otherwise suggest.

racingnews365.com

F1 Dutch GP 2026 race results
23 Aug 2026
THE RACE TEAM
The Race

Lando Norris took his second consecutive Formula 1 victory at the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
Dutch GP Results
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +11.5s
3. George Russell (Mercedes) +15.9s
4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +16.7s
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +17.2s
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +32.3s
7. Liam Lawson (Red Bull) +79.9s
8. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) +1 lap
9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +1 lap
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +1 lap

‘Race results’;

F1 Dutch GP 2026 race results

Lando Norris took his second consecutive Formula 1 victory at the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort

www.the-race.com

Norris beats Antonelli in entertaining Dutch GP
Lando Norris has claimed back-to-back grand prix victories after beating Kimi Antonelli in an entertaining, strategy-heavy Dutch Grand Prix that saw a red flag and two Virtual Safety Cars shake up the final event at Zandvoort.
24 Aug 2026
Ben Waterworth
Speedcafe

Norris was forced to work for the victory, having initially led cleanly from the start before the race was red flagged following a heavy crash by Max Verstappen on the opening lap. The reigning world champion then lost the lead to Antonelli at the second start, engaging in a strategic battle with Mercedes for much of the race before eventually finding his way back past on track with 18 laps remaining and going on to win by 11.5s.

Antonelli also had to work hard to get back into second, with the championship leader pitting for a third time under a late VSC before fighting his way back ahead of teammate George Russell, who opted not to stop again. Russell was ordered to let Antonelli through in the closing laps but was unable to stay with his teammate, eventually finishing third and giving back the three points he had gained on Saturday in their championship battle.

Lewis Hamilton was fourth for Ferrari, one place ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc, with both cars appearing among the fastest for large portions of the race but unable to make enough ground to seriously challenge for victory. Oscar Piastri was sixth, having looked capable of challenging for a podium early before an alternative strategy to his teammate and two slow McLaren stops dropped him down the order.

‘Entertaining Dutch GP’;

Norris beats Antonelli in entertaining Dutch GP

Norris was forced to work for the victory, having initially led cleanly from the start before the race was red

speedcafe.com

Max Verstappen speaks out after 'disappointing' Lap 1 crash at final Dutch GP
23 Aug 2026
Henry Eccles
GPblog.com

Speaking to GPblog and others on his race start, Verstappen first addressed the near contact with Hamilton at race start and his close battle with Lawson. "Yeah, well I think the start is just a consequence of what is happening on the right. It's okay, it can happen.”

Addressing the Turn 14 crash, Verstappen said: "And then I got caught out, it was still quite wet in that corner and then as soon as I saw the dry patch coming, I was like, now you can accelerate but clearly that didn't work so probably was still a bit too early."

Asked on the level of impact during his crash, Verstappen explained: "It was a decent hit, but I've had worse... I didn't ask (for the G-Force reading.) I just asked, can I not go to the medical center? And they were like, 'It's still below the threshold, so sorry.'"

'Disappointing';

Max Verstappen speaks out after heartbreaking Lap 1 crash at final Dutch GP: 'A disappointing weekend'

Max Verstappen has spoken out following a disastrous Lap 1 crash at what will be his final home race at Zandvoort.

www.gpblog.com

F1 Standings | Antonelli extends championship lead after Dutch GP team orders
23 Aug 2026
Kieran Lynch
GPblog.com

The Formula 1 championship standings have been updated following the Dutch Grand Prix, with Kimi Antonelli extending his lead at the top after finishing second at Zandvoort. There was chaos at the start of the race as Max Verstappen brought out the red flag after a heavy crash at the end of the first lap on what could be his final home race of his Formula 1 career.

Antonelli had overtaken Russell on the initial race start, and then overtook Lando Norris on the restart following the red flag. However, the Italian lost the lead to Norris later in the race, and then to George Russell after making an extra pitstop. The Italian was on much fresher tyres with Mercedes telling Russell to let Antonelli by, a three-point swing that could prove crucial come the end of the season.

Antonelli now leads by 59 points to Russell, who overtakes Hamilton for second in the standings after just holding off the Ferrari driver for third. Hamilton is three points behind Russell, while Norris moves ahead of Charles Leclerc into fourth in the standings.

‘Dutch GP team orders’;

F1 Standings | Antonelli extends championship lead at the Dutch GP

Kimi Antonelli has extended his championship lead after Mercedes team orders at the Dutch Grand Prix, with Lando Norris taking victory.

www.gpblog.com

Norris beats Mercedes duo to Dutch Grand Prix victory
23 Aug 2026
Steven De Groote
F1 Technical

Pole sitter Lando Norris didn't have the easiest of Grand Prix today at Zandvoort but remaining in the fight until securing the lead in the final stint of the race. Kimi Antonelli finished second while George Russell held off Hamilton and Leclerc in what was a tense race for Ferrari. When the lights went out, Norris got off the line well and maintained first, followed by Antonelli who benefited from Russell's poor getaway. Russell defended hard against Piastri, leading to the latter losing a position as Leclerc snuck past and Hamilton dropped to 7th.

In lap 65 Russell is asked to let Antonelli past after the Italian had closed the gap to his teammate. Russell complied after his question "Is he fighting for the win?" remained unanswered. Clearly, victory at that time seemed out of reach as Norris had built up his advantage to 11 seconds. Sure enough that brought Russell at risk of also losing third place at Hamilton wasn't far behind and was quickly looking for opportunities as of lap 67. Surely, the earlier antics and Leclerc following at just 1.7 seconds fuelled Hamilton's desire to clear the Mercedes.

Hamilton was within touching distance and partially aside Russell repeatedly during that lap, but it ended with a full lap of VSC to clear debris from the Williams duo coming together ahead of Turn 1. Leclerc at the time was at just 0.9 seconds. When the VSC ended two and a half laps remaining, but Hamilton had clearly lost a couple tenths. Lando Norris meanwhile easily won with the Mercedes duo thereby joining him on the podium, finishing off a spectacular Grand Prix.

‘Didn't have the easiest of Grand Prix today’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/29168

TAKING a few days HOLIDAY. Back SOON.

 

[Fortitude]

Lando Norris delivers shock F1 title verdict despite McLaren resurgence.
Lando Norris has won the previous two grands prix in F1, but does not believe the McLaren car is currently capable of fighting for the world championship.
25 August 2026
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

"I don’t want to think of it for now. I just want to enjoy this moment again, enjoy a few days off. I mean, I’m just not thinking of it. I know I have to because you’re asking me; I’m confident because we clearly have a strong car," Norris told media, including RacingNews365, about his confidence for the Italian GP after two successive wins.”

"We have a strong car in certain areas. It’s not like last year where we were pretty good everywhere. We’re very, very strong in high speed, and that’s the place we’ve improved the car the most is high-speed performance. No one matches us in high speed, and that’s a good thing. My pace advantage to Mercedes in Turns 7, 8 was crazy, but their advantage that they have over us in slow speed is also crazy. And therefore, I don’t have the confidence to say, “Yeah, I can easily fight for a championship for the rest of the season.”

"I know I’ve just won two races in a row and had two poles in a row, but at the minute I don’t have the car I need to fight for a championship. And I know that’s quite a big comment, but I think last year I understood what is needed from a car and what was needed for myself. I know the level that I am now and what I know I can perform at, and I know just what I need from the car, and I know what tracks we have coming up where we’re going to certainly struggle more, and I don’t want to struggle more.”

‘Shock F1 title verdict’;

Lando Norris delivers shock F1 title verdict despite McLaren resurgence

Lando Norris has won the previous two grands prix in F1, but does not believe the McLaren car is currently capable of fighting for the world championship.

racingnews365.com

McLaren’s car is still “horrible to drive” despite consecutive wins, says Norris
25th August 2026
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Lando Norris may have won the last two grands prix in a row but he says McLaren’s car is still a handful to drive. The world champion believes this is partly a consequence of the 2026 regulations. “It’s tough to say, but I do think it’s a trickier car to drive this year in some ways,” said Norris. “I think you can see that because the gaps between team mates are often bigger this year, I would say, than it was last year.”

However Norris says he is doing better at communicating his needs to his team. “I do believe I’m able to understand situations better, to understand the car in a better way,” he explained. “It’s still just horrible to drive, but I’m doing a better job at just understanding this, relaying this to my team, figuring stuff out.”

“So, it’s not just that I’m driving better on track. I’m certainly eliminating my weaknesses on track, and I don’t have so many, but it’s also how I work off the track.” He said the changes he made on his car between the sprint race and qualifying session in the Netherlands “is a perfect example of [how] the work we put in overnight transformed our race and gave me the opportunity to win.”

“Horrible to drive”;

https://www.racefans.net/2026/08/25/mclarens-car-is-still-horrible-to-drive-despite-consecutive-wins-says-norris/

Lando Norris claims McLaren can win every race left in 2026 F1 season with one key change
29 Aug 2026
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Lando Norris claims McLaren can improve their pace in the slow speed corners then there is little stopping them from fighting to win every race left in 2026 F1 season after his Dutch GP victory. The MCL40 has now claimed back-to-back wins as the upgrade package introduced at the Hungarian GP seems to have eliminated the gap to Mercedes, who had started the season head-and-shoulders above anyone else.

The victories at the Hungaroring in Budapest and Zandvoort have allowed the defending Formula 1 world champion to narrow the gap in the standings to just 83 points with 11 rounds to go. Now the title battle is becoming an ever-increasingly open picture with five drivers in the mix as the campaign builds to a crescendo – Antonelli, Norris, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

The limited number of long straights pushes teams to pile the downforce on as opposed to striking a median with the penalty of a draggy package reduced, and neither circuit gives drivers many opportunities to completely settle. Therefore it cannot be ruled out that McLaren have the best package at this circuit profile rather than overall, something Norris keenly points out as he claims the slow speed corners are vital if the MCL40 is to win every race left in 2026 F1 season.

‘McLaren can win every race’;

Lando Norris claims McLaren can win every race left in 2026 F1 season with one key change

Lando Norris claims McLaren can improve in the slow speed corners then they can win every race left in 2026 F1 season.

www.total-motorsport.com

Lando Norris is ‘driving like a world champion’ says McLaren F1 boss
McLaren boss Andrea Stella says Lando Norris is showing why he is world champion.
25 Aug 2026
Scott Hunt
Somerset Live

"I think he's driving at the level of a world champion," McLaren boss Andrea Stella said. "It's almost like I see Lando stronger and stronger race by race. Lando is capable of maximising the performance in qualifying trim. And then I think when you have conditions in which the car slides in the race, there's not much grip, then I think he's the master in these kind of conditions."

Norris started from pole in Zandvoort but, having survived the first lights out, he was undone by Antonelli at the second following a red flag for Max Verstappen's huge crash in front of his fervent home support. But the McLaren man remained in touch, allowing his team to pit him later before he reeled the Italian in on fresher tyres. Stella was not concerned by the initial setback, believing that Norris has found a level of belief that enables him to play the long game. "I would say that definitely he is now expressing a higher level of assertiveness," he added.

"You know the manoeuvre to pass Antonelli today I think is a really good demonstration of that. He is demonstrating a higher level of self-confidence and, this is interesting and I quite like it, the self-confidence sometimes is not demonstrated by being the most aggressive. Sometimes you are self-confident when you think like: 'You know what, I'm not going to have a fight now because I may lose in this fight, it's a very long race, see you at the end of the race'."

“Driving at the level of a world champion”;

Lando Norris is ‘driving like a world champion’ says McLaren F1 boss

McLaren boss Andrea Stella says Lando Norris is showing why he is world champion.

www.somersetlive.co.uk

Lando Norris Signs New McLaren Contract Through 2030 and Explains Why He Wants the Team to Be His Home ‘Forever’
30 August 2026
Jack Rennon
F1 Chronicle

Lando Norris has committed his future to McLaren, signing a new contract that will keep him with the team until at least the end of 2030, with a multi-year option to commit beyond that date. The 26-year-old joined McLaren in 2017 as a test and development driver before earning a race seat for the 2019 season, and has gone on to claim 13 Grand Prix victories, 18 pole positions, 48 podiums and his maiden World Championship in 2025.

Norris met with F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto at the McLaren Technology Centre for his first interview after the deal was announced, and could not hide his mood. “I’m very, very excited,” he said. “McLaren’s been my home since the very, very beginning of my career in Formula 1 and I want it to stay that way for as long as possible. We’ve had a great few years and I’m confident we can achieve that many more times. So I want to stay.”

He described the security of a long-term deal as a source of calm rather than pressure. “I know for a good amount more years that I’m comfortable in terms of I’ve got a job and I’m where I want to be, and with the people that I want to be with, and for me that’s calming,” he said. “I can focus on a job I need to do and as a team we can also focus on the job that we want to do.”

‘Forever’;

Lando Norris Signs New McLaren Contract Through 2030 and Explains Why He Wants the Team to Be His Home 'Forever' | F1 News

Lando Norris has committed his future to McLaren, signing a new contract that will keep him with the team until at least the end of 2030, with a multi-year

f1chronicle.com

Lando Norris gets special McLaren bonus after new contract signed
30 Aug 2026
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Lando Norris will be allowed to keep his title-winning 2025 car after signing a new McLaren contract, the team has confirmed. The team says the gift will act as a ‘lasting reminder of his contribution’ to McLaren. In a statement issued to PlanetF1.com, McLaren confirmed that Norris’s new deal contains an option to extend beyond 2030.

Norris’s new contract has seen him become the third driver on the 2026 grid to commit to his current team into the next decade, following in the footsteps of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. In recognition of Norris’s impact on the team’s recent success, McLaren has announced that he will be allowed to keep one of his 2025 chassis.

McLaren said: “In addition to confirming his future with McLaren for the next four years at least, Lando will be gifted an MCL39, which he raced during his 2025 world championship winning season. This gift serves as a lasting reminder of his contribution to the team, in particular his part in securing the team’s second consecutive constructors’ title in 2025, while also becoming the team’s first Formula 1 Drivers’ World Champion since 2008.”

‘Allowed to keep his title-winning 2025 car’;

Lando Norris gets special bonus in new McLaren contract

Lando Norris has received a special bonus after signing a new contract with McLaren until the end of the F1 2030 season.

www.planetf1.com

 

[Fortitude]

Mercedes ‘haven’t got the money’ for upgrade packages: Toto Wolff
25 Aug 2026
The Straits Times

Although Mercedes sits atop the Formula One team standings, and have the top two drivers in the individual standings, team principal Toto Wolff is speaking out about funding disparities relative to their top competitors. After a second-place finish in the 2025 team standings, Mercedes’ driver pairing of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell combined to win the first six races in 2026 and eight of 10 to start the season.

McLaren, who won the 2025 constructors’ championship, were winless in the first 10 races this season before 2025 F1 champion Lando Norris won each of the last two races for the team in Hungary and the Netherlands, bridging F1’s mid-season break. The McLaren and Ferrari surges came on the back of major upgrade packages that have revived each team’s season. Wolff said Mercedes have been unable to match those upgrades. “We haven’t got the money to put developments on the car,” the 54-year-old said.

“I said it before, we are trying to evenly split that through the season, based on our calculations of when we can bring the biggest updates and optimising the championship points. We just can’t do what we can’t do. That’s why it is a development race. If you bring an upgrade, each of the top teams will have a couple of tenths in it, at least, and that’s what you lose. So, yeah, the ride has been a bit tougher than at the beginning of the year.”

‘Haven’t got the money’;

Mercedes ‘haven’t got the money’ for upgrade packages: Toto Wolff

Formula One teams have a spending cap of US$215 million in a season. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Mercedes is “clearly not the fastest car on the grid any more” claims Antonelli
24th August 2026
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Lando Norris passed Antonelli on his way to victory in yesterday’s race at Zandvoort, as he did in the previous round in Hungary. “For sure, we’re clearly not the fastest car anymore on the grid,” said Antonelli, who holds a 59-point lead in the drivers’ championship. “We’re probably second or third, at least in today’s race, and McLaren has taken a huge step, especially since Hungary, since the big upgrade package they brought.”

However Antonelli has high hopes for Mercedes’ forthcoming upgrade for its W17. “The team has been working super-hard on this next package that is coming up and they just want to make sure that it’s going to work out well once we put it on,” he said.

“So for sure, in this race, it’s going to be more difficult, it’s going to be challenging, but we’re ready to do our best and to maximise every opportunity. And then hopefully it’s going to be our turn to bring the package that’s going to give us a little bit of the upper hand again.”

‘Not the fastest’;

https://www.racefans.net/2026/08/24/mercedes-is-clearly-not-the-fastest-car-on-the-grid-any-more-claims-antonelli/

"The pace of both McLaren and Ferrari has surprised us," claims Russell after struggling for pace in Zandvoort
24 Aug 2026
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

George Russell admitted Mercedes faced a difficult fight for pace during the Dutch Grand Prix, but praised the team for maximising its result as he recovered to third place and secured a double podium alongside Kimi Antonelli. "We did our best today, and it was clear that we were going to have a tough time of it defending from Lando (Norris) and the Ferraris, who were incredibly fast.”

"The field is even more competitive than at any point during the season; that said, the pace of both McLaren and Ferrari has surprised us. To come away with a Sprint victory and a P3 is a solid return, therefore, on what has been a challenging weekend from a pace perspective. My race wasn’t the smoothest. I lost a couple of positions early on, but was able to fight my way back to P3. That became P2 when Kimi pitted under the Virtual Safety Car, but ultimately, Kimi was ahead of me before that, so the position was his.”

The Briton acknowledged that both McLaren and Ferrari had been stronger than Mercedes expected over the Grand Prix distance. Norris ultimately pulled clear at the front, while Ferrari put significant pressure on the Mercedes cars throughout the race. "It was clear that we couldn’t cost ourselves any time fighting, as we needed to protect from the Ferraris behind, too. If we had, we would have likely lost a lot of time, and I would have lost the podium. In the end, we were able to maximise the result for the team, and that’s positive."

‘Struggling for pace’;

"The pace of both McLaren and Ferrari has surprised us," claims Russell after struggling for pace in Zandvoort - F1technical.net

www.f1technical.net

Kimi Antonelli braced for Italian GP penalty with George Russell ‘discussions ongoing’
25 Aug 2026
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has confirmed that Kimi Antonelli is set to serve an FIA penalty at next weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. And he says discussions are “ongoing” over where teammate George Russell will take an engine penalty in the second half of the F1 2026 season.

Bradley Lord, the Mercedes deputy team principal, told PlanetF1.com and other select media last month that Antonelli would likely take his penalty at Monza despite the Italian Grand Prix being his home race. He said: “There could be one that can be very special for Kimi, but on paper looks like it’s a good place to take an engine penalty.”

Wolff told PlanetF1.com and other media outlets: “With Kimi, we are taking the full thing. In theory, our calculations say that is the best track to take it. Obviously, algorithms don’t take the nationality into consideration, but we’re here to fight for a championship and not get the most PR, so that’s what we’re going to do. With George, the discussions are ongoing even where to take it.”

‘Discussions ongoing’;

Mercedes facing imminent FIA penalty as Italian GP decision made

Kimi Antonelli is set to start his home race from the back of the field.

www.planetf1.com

Russell overtaken in Mercedes pecking order: 'Antonelli is clearly the number one'
26 AUG 2026
Tobia Elia
GPblog.com

Ralf Schumacher believes championship leader Kimi Antonelli has now established himself as the undisputed number-one driver at Mercedes, and that George Russell himself has also come to realise it. “He has only won once in the last six races, but this also has to be pointed out. In 12 attempts, Kimi Antonelli has finished on the podium ten times. On the two occasions he didn't, there were technical problems. So that record is already very impressive. The only risk is [whether he can keep this up], but that didn't seem to be an issue this weekend either.”

“He keeps getting it done, he does a solid job and doesn't make mistakes. From that point of view, he is simply clearly the better driver in the team, and he is only going to get better. He is still nowhere near his full potential when you consider how little experience he has by comparison.”

“That's why, in my view, he is clearly the number one at Mercedes. And I think Russell has understood that. I think he would be well advised to accept the situation, take things race by race and try to be strong - even stronger than Antonelli, of course, that's the goal - but I also think he needs to take things down a notch in terms of how he handles the situation internally.”

'Antonelli is clearly the number one';

Russell slips down Mercedes pecking order: 'Antonelli is clearly number one'

Ralf Schumacher believes championship leader Kimi Antonelli has now established himself as the undisputed number-one driver at Mercedes.

www.gpblog.com

Mercedes told Antonelli he would get F1 chance before Hamilton’s exit was announced
29th August 2026
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has revealed how quickly Mercedes reacted to Lewis Hamilton’s decision to leave the team at the beginning of 2024. “It’s 2024, the year I’m turning 18, it’s February, I was in Silverstone,” he said in a recent interview for one of the team’s sponsors. “I was testing Formula 3 to learn the track, because I was going to race there with Formula 2. I remember at the end of the day, Toto called me over to his office. And already there, I was a bit confused, because I’m like, [this] doesn’t really happen.”

“So I got into his office. Obviously, it’s Toto, there’s Rosa [Herrero Venegas, PR manager] and she’s the one helping me during race weekends. Toto, first of all, didn’t waste any time, went straight to the point and it was like this was even before Lewis was announced. To Ferrari. So he said, look, Lewis is going to Ferrari and we were thinking to put you in the car for next year. And I’m like, ‘whoa’.”

Antonelli had won the Formula Regional European Championship the year before. “My eyes were wide open and I was like, ‘are you kidding me?’ Because I hadn’t even started F2. So I had still so much to prove that I could earn that spot. And Toto was already talking about it.” Wolff asked Antonelli if he would be ready for the opportunity. “I said, yeah, I’ve got to be ready,” Antonelli recalled.

‘Mercedes told Antonelli’;

https://www.racefans.net/2026/08/29/mercedes-told-antonelli-he-would-get-f1-chance-before-hamiltons-exit-was-announced/

 

[Fortitude]

George Russell dealt brutal Valtteri Bottas comparison: 'It looks like it'.
George Russell has struggled for form this year alongside team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
28 August 2026
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

When asked if George Russell is now the new Bottas at Mercedes, Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner told the Red Flags podcast: “That's a tough question. Let's see how he reacts. “It looks like it - I don't know if he's or not, but it looks like it. It really looks like it.” However, Steiner said that Russell can just as easily seek out a lead driver role at another team if he feels he is not getting equal opportunities at Mercedes.

“But it's in his own control as well,” he said. “Valtteri obviously was happy to be that because he stayed there forever. If George is not happy with that, he needs to find something else to do. It's not easy to find something else to do because there's no seats for next year, but 2028, maybe. Maybe George says, 'I do not want to be the next Valtteri Bottas and here for 10 years finishing second the rest of my life. I need to go somewhere else'. But that's down to him, not to Mercedes, to decide.”

'It looks like it';

George Russell dealt brutal Valtteri Bottas comparison: 'It looks like it'

George Russell has struggled for form this year alongside team-mate Kimi Antonelli.

racingnews365.com

Toto Wolff speaks out after George Russell questions Mercedes team order stance at Dutch GP
Mercedes employed team orders during the Dutch GP to allow Kimi Antonelli to pass George Russell for second place.
24 Aug 2026
Ryan Smart
SPORTbible

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has addressed George Russell's concerns over team orders enforced in favour of Kimi Antonelli during the Dutch Grand Prix. Championship leader Antonelli was battling with Lando Norris for the race lead before a virtual safety car was deployed on lap 53. "Is he going to go for the win?" Russell asked as he let his team-mate through. "Or is he planning to catch Norris?"

Russell did not appear particularly happy throughout the closing stages on team radio, but took a more diplomatic view post-race in Zandvoort. "We've always said as a team, when we're on different strategies, we're never going to fight and we're always going to invert," he told reporters. "That's always just been our sort of rules. Could I have kept him [Antonelli] behind? Maybe. But equally, it could have been a P5 as well. So in the end, he deserved to be P2, I think P3 was a fair result for me and, yeah, it's a long-season."

In his post-race debrief with the media, Wolff said he had no regrets over the team order decision - and would have made the same call had Antonelli been slower than Russell ahead. "Obviously, team orders are always harsh," he told PlanetF1. "It was something we agree always on the Sunday morning strategy meeting - we're not losing time with each other if there's competitors breathing down your neck. We've seen it with the Ferraris at the beginning of the year, I think in Shanghai. You lose so much race time, we risk losing more points, and that's why we are trying to be proactive and avoid losing any points.”

‘No regrets over the team order decision’;

Toto Wolff speaks out after George Russell questions Mercedes team order stance at Dutch GP

Mercedes employed team orders during the Dutch GP to allow Kimi Antonelli to pass George Russell for second.

www.sportbible.com

Sky F1 reporter questions if Mercedes’ pairing risks becoming Toto Wolff’s biggest headache
26 Aug 2026
Ben Hunt
GPblog.com

In her Top Gear column, Sky F1’s Natalie Pinkham says Antonelli’s rapid development has changed the internal picture at Mercedes. The Italian made errors during his rookie campaign, but his natural pace was obvious. This season, according to Pinkham, that speed has been matched by growing confidence and composure, with his results turning what seemed a clear Russell-led project into a serious two-driver world title challenge.

She wrote: "It’s a reminder of one of F1’s harshest traits: nothing is ever guaranteed. Not talent, not timing and certainly not opportunity. Russell has done everything right. He has been patient when others may have become frustrated and walked away. I remember talking to him whilst at Williams, and he could see his mates at the front of the grid – Alex Albon in a Red Bull and Lando Norris in a McLaren – and I asked whether that irked. He always said no, and insisted that his time would come. Yet just as his stars align Antonelli’s career has burst into life."

That is a harsh twist for Russell. His route to Mercedes was defined by patience: three years proving his ability at Williams, followed by the task of sharing a team with Lewis Hamilton. He did not force an exit. Instead, he waited for Mercedes’ faith in him, and for the machinery, to reward that approach. Now that moment appears to be here, but Antonelli’s rise means Russell may not enjoy the clear status many expected after Hamilton’s departure. Pinkham’s point is not that Russell has failed. Quite the opposite: he has made sensible career choices, earned the backing of a manufacturer and handled Formula 1’s political pressures. The problem is that F1 does not always distribute opportunity fairly or conveniently.

‘Toto Wolff’s biggest headache’;

Sky F1's Natalie Pinkham: Is Toto Wolff facing a Mercedes 'civil war'?

Natalie Pinkham says Kimi Antonelli’s surge turns Mercedes’ 2026 hopes into a two-driver title fight, challenging George Russell’s expected lead and testing Toto Wolff

www.gpblog.com

George Russell treats Mercedes F1 Team members to Silverstone karting day
28th Aug 2026
Charlie Haffenden
Banbury Guardian

George Russell hosted a special karting experience at Silverstone this week, inviting 170 team members from Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team’s factories for a fun day out. Over 1,000 from Mercedes’ Brackley and Brixworth bases applied to take part, however there were limited spots available to race alongside Russell.

On what was a day of mixed conditions on track, all 170 team members had a chance to head out on the world-class Kart Silverstone surface. With Russell taking part in some races and overseeing others, even waving a checkered flag for a few to kickstart some mini Grands Prix, it was a memorable experience for all involved.

“If in doubt, flat out,” Russell said before taking no prisoners whatsoever in his #1 kart, finding the smallest of gaps between fellow karters to force his way through to the front. Once Russell got out, the rain began to take hold and he had an excellent time watching Silver Arrows team members drifting around turn one. Some weren’t quite as successful with their attempts in battling the conditions, spinning and bringing out yellow flags, amusing Russell as he exclaimed, “This is carnage!”.

“If in doubt, flat out”;

George Russell treats Mercedes F1 Team members to Silverstone karting day

George Russell hosted a special karting experience at Silverstone this week, inviting 170 team members from Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team’s factories for a fun day out.

www.banburyguardian.co.uk

Mercedes warned by Russell: ‘They are now the team to beat’
30 Aug 2026
Kada Sarkozi
GPblog.com

George Russell is confident that the Monza circuit will suit Mercedes and himself better than Zandvoort, but says McLaren is currently the team to beat in Formula 1. Looking ahead to the next weekend in Monza, Russell thinks the Mercedes car will work better. "I think we will be slightly more competitive there," he began.

Still, he warned of Mercedes' rivals as well: "However, I believe Ferrari have an engine upgrade incoming, and the truth is we just don’t know. But I do believe that these high-degradation circuits really suit McLaren very well, and especially Lando. He’s always been a bit of a specialist in those conditions. We also saw it last year." The Mercedes driver therefore concluded: "Monza may be slightly different, but I think they are the team to beat right now."

‘They are now the team to beat’;

Mercedes warned by Russell: ‘We are not that team right now’

George Russell expects Mercedes to be stronger at Monza but says McLaren are the team to beat; Antonelli takes a strategic power unit grid penalty at home race

www.gpblog.com

Mercedes confirms crucial George Russell F1 penalty decision
29 Aug 2026
Jack Oliver Smith
Motorsport Week

Mercedes has confirmed that George Russell will serve an engine penalty between now and the end of the current Formula 1 season, but has not decided when. The Brit enters next weekend’s Italian Grand Prix 59 points adrift of teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and sits second in the Drivers’ Championship jointly with former stablemate Lewis Hamilton.

But the Brackley-based squad’s Deputy Team Principal, Bradley Lord, confirmed that it will be ‘when’, not ‘if’. “We have not finalised where George will take his penalty, but both drivers will be affected,” he told Mercedes’ in-house Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show. “George retired in Canada, Kimi retired in Barcelona, and George also stopped at the end of qualifying in Hungary. Had that happened in the race, the impact could have been much greater.”

“We must manage the remaining events so that both cars reach the end of the season with the freshest and best-performing hardware possible. It is a constant trade-off between the risk of running high-mileage components and the points cost of taking a grid penalty and recovering through the field.”

‘F1 penalty decision’;

Mercedes confirms crucial George Russell F1 penalty decision

Mercedes has confirmed that George Russell will serve an engine penalty between now and the end of the current Formula

www.motorsportweek.com

 

[Fortitude]

Ferrari told the time has come to make ruthless Hamilton decision.
30 Aug 2026
Tobia Elia
GPblog.com

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has urged Ferrari to start clearly prioritising Lewis Hamilton in the title fight and to consider imposing firm team orders from now on. "You cannot implement team orders during a race. You need to agree them beforehand. The realistic thing is, can Charles really win the world championship? Maybe not. And who is in front? Lewis."

He believes Ferrari should ultimately back whichever of its two drivers has the strongest chance of winning the championship. With Hamilton currently ahead of Leclerc, Steiner argued that the seven-time world champion should therefore be given priority, even if that means making it clear to the Monegasque that his team-mate is now the team's number-one driver.

"I haven't done the calculations of how realistic it is for him to win the world championship, but if one of the two can win, it is Lewis. So, as somebody else has shown, if you want to win, it's very tight up front there. You need to put your money on the guy who has got the better chance. That's the guy in front, who has got more points, and that is the only selling point to Charles. 'Hey buddy, your team-mate has done better up to now. Now he's number one.'"

‘The time has come’;

Ferrari warned there is no room for sentiment in Hamilton title push

Guenther Steiner has urged Ferrari to start clearly prioritising Lewis Hamilton in the title fight and to consider imposing firm team orders from now on.

www.gpblog.com

Steiner on Hamilton radio fury: ‘He didn’t help himself’
30/08/2026
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

Lewis Hamilton’s heat of the moment frustration during the Dutch Grand Prix may have been understandable, but according to former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, the Ferrari driver did himself no favours by airing it so forcefully over team radio. Hamilton spent much of the race pushing Ferrari to reconsider its strategy and allow him through Charles Leclerc, who was running a different plan.

Steiner believes Mercedes provided a useful contrast in how to handle potentially explosive team-order situations, arguing that the Brackley squad had done the groundwork before its drivers even arrived at the circuit. "Obviously, it was not as well organised as the silver people. They were well organised," Steiner explained during an appearance on The Red Flags Podcast.

"They had the discussion before and obviously that discussion was not as heated as that one after for Ferrari because when you go into the drivers before the race and tell them what is what." For Steiner, the problem was not necessarily Ferrari’s willingness to impose team orders, but the lack of sufficiently detailed preparation for what might happen once the race unfolded. "I think that one was not done in the detail Mercedes stated, and that caused what happened."

‘Hamilton radio fury’;

Steiner on Hamilton radio fury: ‘He didn’t help himself’

Guenther Steiner believes Lewis Hamilton did himself no favours by airing his frustrations so forcefully over team radio in Zandvoort.

f1i.com

Schumacher-era Ferrari engineer: 'I don't see Hamilton in the title race'
31 Aug 2026
Tim Kraaij
GPblog.com

Former Ferrari engineer Luigi Mazzola has dismissed Lewis Hamilton as a realistic title contender, arguing that Ferrari was right not to issue team orders between Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at the Dutch Grand Prix. His verdict puts him at odds with former F1 driver Timo Glock, who believes Ferrari's handling of the situation at Zandvoort was a costly mistake.

Mazzola, who worked at Ferrari from 1988 to 2009 and was closely involved in the Michael Schumacher era, told Sky Italia that Ferrari was right not to impose an obvious hierarchy. His argument is straightforward: Hamilton remains 59 points behind championship leader Antonelli, level with Russell, and Ferrari would create more trouble than it solved by declaring a hierarchy prematurely.

Former F1 driver Glock sees it differently. "There's always a catch with Ferrari," he told Sky Deutschland. "Now it was the implementation of the perfect strategy that they failed to pull off."
Commenting on Ferrari's approach, Glock said: "Ferrari provided a textbook example of how not to do things with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Leclerc held Hamilton up for two or three laps too long. If they'd let Lewis through earlier, they might even have finished ahead of Kimi Antonelli."

‘Ferrari would create more trouble than it solved’;

Ex-Ferrari engineer delivers brutal Hamilton verdict

Ex-Ferrari engineer Luigi Mazzola rejects Lewis Hamilton as a title threat and backs no team orders, while Timo Glock says Ferrari cost themselves at Zandvoort

www.gpblog.com

Smedley tells Ferrari to stop playing fair and ‘back Hamilton’
28/08/2026
Michael Delaneyat
F1i.com

“My opinion from the start has always been, if Ferrari want to have an impact on this world championship, they have to get behind him,” former Scuderia race engineer Rob Smedley told the High Performance Racing Podcast. “As hard as that is for Charles and the team that sits on that side of the garage with Charles and all the rest of it, they all work for Ferrari.”

“Lewis has had the better run, and that's how it is this year. Lewis has had the better run and done the better job. And I think if they're going to steal points from Mercedes, they're going to do that as a team. They haven't got the best car consistently, but they have on occasions got the best car, and they're going to make it count then, and they're going to make sure that Lewis wins.”

“On all the other occasions, they're just going to make sure that they maximise Lewis' points. This is just about doing what is the sensible thing for the team and trying to maximise Ferrari's position in the world championship.” It is a brutally pragmatic message, particularly given Leclerc’s status within Ferrari and the years he has spent waiting for a genuine title opportunity of his own.

‘Back Hamilton’;

Smedley tells Ferrari to stop playing fair and ‘back Hamilton’

Former Scuderia race engineer Rob Smedley says it's time for Ferrari to get serious about its championship ambitions and back Lewis Hamilton.

f1i.com

Lewis Hamilton apologises to Ferrari following tense Dutch GP radio exchanges
The British driver was frustrated to narrowly miss out on third place in Zandvoort.
31 August 2026
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

The veteran was not happy with the result as he missed out on a top three finish in the Netherlands for the first time since the 2022 Dutch GP, as he criticised the lack of decisiveness over the radio. “We weren’t unlucky. We lost time earlier on and that cost us P3,” Hamilton told his race engineer, Carlo Santi, shortly after the chequered flag in the Netherlands.

“A tough weekend,” Hamilton said via Instagram. “But we leave with valuable points for the team, and signs that we’re moving in the right direction. I’m incredibly proud of everyone back at the factory who continues to bring updates, find performance and push us forward. To the team at the track, thank you. The commitment and effort never go unnoticed. We still have work to do, particularly over one lap, but we’ll keep digging in, learning and improving together. I’ve listened back to some of my radio and TV comments.”

“In the heat of the moment frustration can come out, especially when you care as deep as I do. But that wasn’t the best version of me. I take responsibility for that and I’ll be better. That passion comes from believing in this team, the people in it and what we’re building together. The direction is clear. The belief is there. And the fight is absolutely still on. Thank you for sticking with us and with me. We’ll keep building, keep pushing and keep fighting. We’re coming.”

‘Lewis Hamilton apologises’;

Lewis Hamilton apologises to Ferrari following tense Dutch GP radio exchanges

Lewis Hamilton vows to be a better for Ferrari following his tense radio exchanges at the Dutch GP, as he apologises for his reaction.

www.total-motorsport.com

Lewis Hamilton reveals key area for Ferrari F1 improvement
Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari has a single key area that it must improve to take the fight to Mercedes
31 August 2026
Sam Hall
Crash.Net

Lewis Hamilton has identified a key area in which Ferrari must improve if it is to take the Formula 1 championship battle to Mercedes. "There's a lot of belief in the team, which is really amazing to see, and we're continuously adding performance and pushing the car forward, so there's not really much more that I can ask from [the team]. I don't think I can ask for any more from the team, except we've just got to into the second half of the season and try to execute better."

With Monza hosting the next race this weekend, Ferrari will hope to bank a strong result in front of its home fans. But this task will be made more difficult by the revival being enjoyed by McLaren, with Lando Norris having taken consecutive wins in Hungary and Zandvoort, closing the gap to the championship protagonists.

"We still have to continue to progress in our car, "added Hamilton. "We've definitely got lots of areas that we need to improve, but we've come a long, long way, and I'm really proud of the steps that we have taken coming into this season and through the season. I think it's been a massive challenge for every team. Every team's made mistakes, naturally, with new regulations. We've just got to continue to chase."

'Key area';

Lewis Hamilton reveals key area for Ferrari F1 improvement

Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari has a single key area that it must improve to take the fight to Mercedes

www.crash.net

 

[Fortitude]

Alonso and Newey share emotional radio message after securing points at Dutch GP.
23 Aug 2026
Henry Eccles
GPblog.com

In a rare team radio appearance, team boss and legendary designer Newey congratulated Alonso: "Well done Fernando, that was a great drive. Very disciplined and a great boost for everybody back at Silverstone. Thank you."

"Yeah, absolutely, Thanks to you guys, everyone in Silverstone, amazing. Lovely car to drive. And more to come, I know. Thank you, thank you."

‘Emotional radio message’;

Alonso and Newey share emotional radio message after securing points at Dutch GP: 'Lovely car to drive'

An emotional radio message between Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and team principal Adrian Newey has emerged after the Dutch GP.

www.gpblog.com

Untelevised Adrian Newey, Fernando Alonso team radio emerges after Dutch GP
24 Aug 2026
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

The full exchange went as follows:
Engineer: “Lovely, lovely job mate. P9. Well done.”
Alonso: “Good points, well deserved and a very good car to drive.”
Engineer: “Yeah, copy mate. The radio is painful so we’re not catching everything you’re saying but, yeah, top job.”
Alonso: “Maybe that was good news for you guys…”
Newey: “Well done, Fernando. That was a great drive.”
Alonso: “Yeah, absolutely. Thanks to you guys, everyone in Silverstone. Amazing. And more to come, I know. Thank you, thank you.”

‘The full exchange’;

Untelevised Adrian Newey team radio emerges after Dutch GP

Adrian Newey to Fernando Alonso over team radio: "Well done, Fernando. That was a great drive."

www.planetf1.com

F1TECH: The aerodynamic upgrades Aston Martin brought to Zandvoort
23 Aug 2026
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

On the back of the introduction of its 16-element upgrade package at the Hungaroring, Aston Martin has brought further aerodynamic updates to Zandvoort alongside Honda power unit upgrade. While Aston Martin’s biggest technical story at the Dutch Grand Prix is the Honda power unit upgrade, the AMR26 has also received a series of aerodynamic revisions for the Zandvoort weekend. The latest package focuses on both the front wing and the rear floor area, with Aston Martin continuing to develop the front wing introduced at the previous event.
The British team has made several local modifications designed to improve its performance and expand the car’s aerodynamic operating window. At the front of the car, the final element of the front wing has received a reduced chord on its outboard section. This change is aimed at improving local aerodynamic performance while working in conjunction with further revisions to the wing assembly.

Further changes have been made underneath the car. Aston Martin has introduced a new floor fence in the diffuser area, targeting local aerodynamic load. The diffuser itself has also been revised, with a modification to the lower edge of the diffuser winglet. Aston Martin describes the rear-end changes as working together to increase rear aerodynamic load.

‘Aerodynamic upgrades’;

F1TECH: The aerodynamic upgrades Aston Martin brought to Zandvoort - F1technical.net

www.f1technical.net

Fernando Alonso urges Aston Martin caution despite F1 points prize
Fernando Alonso was back in the points at Zandvoort, but isn't getting carried away just yet.
24 August 2026
Jake Nichol & Sàndor Mészáros
RacingNews365

Reflecting on the race, Fernando Alonso pointed to driveability concerns the team is still trying to overcome in what was a "challenging", yet rewarding weekend. "Yeah, I think so," Alonso began to tell media, including RacingNews365, when asked if the two points were a fair result. "I think we scored one point in Monaco, with nine DNFs, and we scored two points with Max [Verstappen] DNFing, so I think it was well deserved.”

"Probably in Budapest we could have done a little bit better, and it will depend circuit by circuit depending on how many straights we have. So I don't expect Monza to be any competitive, but maybe at some other circuits we have another chance to be in the points.”

"I think it was another step forward, especially on the chassis side. We brought four or five components here, and also the Budapest package was understood in the break, and with all the data available after the race, we fine-tuned the setup a little bit around that new spec plus the new parts.”

‘Aston Martin caution’;

Fernando Alonso urges Aston Martin caution despite F1 points prize

Fernando Alonso was back in the points at Zandvoort, but isn't getting carried away just yet.

racingnews365.com

Alonso "wasn’t expecting" to score points in Zandvoort
25 Aug 2026
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Fernando Alonso produced one of the more impressive recovery drives of the race, climbing from the back of the grid to ninth at the chequered flag. Aston Martin opted for a two-stop strategy, with Alonso making his long hard-tyre stint work to his advantage as he held off the chasing midfield runners. “It's great to finish in the points here in Zandvoort. I wasn’t expecting it, so it’s a credit to the team for maximising everything we had. We still have some driveability issues, but this weekend is another step forward. We’ll take this momentum and keep pushing to get the most out of the car.”

Team Principal Adrian Newey praised Alonso's tyre management and the team's strategic execution, explaining that the red flag had given Aston Martin an opportunity to reshape its race strategy. “After the red flag, we fitted Fernando with a fresh set of Softs and, with good management, he was able to run almost half the race on those tyres. That set up an effective one-stop race, which we felt was our best chance of finishing in the points. It was only in the final few laps that Fernando came under pressure from Gasly, but we had the pace to hold on for P9 and two important points.”

‘Wasn’t expecting to score points’;

Alonso "wasn’t expecting" to score points in Zandvoort - F1technical.net

www.f1technical.net

What next for Aston Martin, Alonso and Honda
28 Aug 2026
JON NOBLE
The Race

How good is Honda's spec 2 engine? From Honda's perspective, there were reasons to be encouraged by the evidence of the Dutch Grand Prix as Alonso took a best result of the season in ninth. The revised power unit didn't have any reliability problems over the weekend and Orihara was happy that "everything was working as expected" with the cooling and lubrication elements of the revised engine. In terms of extra power, Honda was not revealing much - although it is likely to be somewhere in the range of 10-30bhp so far.

What exactly is Honda's driveability headache? Driveability is a pretty generic term, but The Race has learned about the specifics behind what is happening at Honda and why the drivers need more. In simple terms, when F1 figures talk about driveability it is about the engine responding in line with what the driver requires. The most common assumption is that this revolves around making sure that the engine delivers power in a predictable way when a driver gets on the accelerator. But it's not just that. Driveability also counts for corner entry, too, because engine braking is a critical element of performance, so manufacturers have to carefully manage how things operate off-throttle.

How Honda is fixing the problems. A fix for the driveability issues requires Honda improving its calibration and introducing revamped software to ensure that the internal combustion engine is doing exactly what the drivers want. Following the first day of track running at Zandvoort, Honda used the data to work on improvements at its Sakura R&D base overnight. A new calibration was introduced for qualifying on Saturday, and this did produce a step forward. But more is needed.

‘What next’;

What next for Aston Martin, Alonso and Honda

Having spoken exclusively to Honda's chief engineer, The Race can explain more about the manufacturer's main F1 headache - and what's riding on a fix

www.the-race.com

Alonso’s ‘square one’ verdict confirmed in Honda’s major Monza admission
31 AUG 2026
Ben Hunt
GPblog.com

Honda has acknowledged the weakness Fernando Alonso flagged after Aston Martin’s Dutch Grand Prix weekend, piling urgency onto the team’s preparations for Monza.

Chief engineer Shintaro Orihara said improving the driveability of Honda’s second-specification power unit is the manufacturer’s “main aim” as Formula 1 heads to the Italian Grand Prix.

‘Improving the driveability’;

Honda’s blunt engine admission raises alarm for Aston Martin ahead of Italian GP

Honda targets improved driveability of its updated F1 engine after Alonso’s concerns, as Aston Martin prepares for Monza with promising chassis gains but risks ahead

www.gpblog.com

Aston Martin 'respect' Fernando Alonso wait as major call looms
Fernando Alonso has yet to announce if he will remain on the F1 grid beyond the 2026 F1 season.
28 August 2026
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

Despite its challenges, the Silverstone-based squad is confident it will continue its partnership with Fernando Alonso. “We've always said that the focus is to continue with Fernando, chief trackside officer Mike Krack told media including RacingNews365.

“We are quite confident that we will reach a good outcome. On the other hand, we have to respect also Fernando's quest to make his own decision, and we have to wait for that.”

'Respect';

Aston Martin 'respect' Fernando Alonso wait as major call looms

Fernando Alonso has yet to announce if he will remain on the F1 grid beyond the 2026 F1 season.

racingnews365.com

 

[Fortitude]

Max Verstappen and Red Bull denied power unit upgrade by FIA ahead of Italian GP.
The FIA launched the Additional Upgrade and Development Opportunities (ADUO) scheme in 2026.
1 September 2026
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Max Verstappen and Red Bull have been denied the chance to upgrade their power unit by the FIA, who confirm no teams will qualify for the second round of the Additional Upgrade and Development Opportunities (ADUO) initiative. ADUO is only judged based on the internal combustion engine. And that fact caused controversy to erupt earlier in the 2026 F1 season when it was announced that Red Bull have the best internal combustion engine on the grid and would not be entitled to ADUO.

Red Bull asked the FIA for clarification as to why the Silver Arrows qualified and they did not but ultimately stopped short of mounting any official challenges to the judgement of motorsport’s governing body. The season continued on but now the debate has resurfaced ahead of the Italian GP at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, where it has been confirmed once again that Red Bull will not qualify.

“For the second period,” the FIA said. “No additional homologations were granted to any of the Power Unit Manufacturers. Due to the confidential nature of this information, no further details on Power Unit performance index measurements will be communicated.”

‘Red Bull asked the FIA for clarification’;

Max Verstappen and Red Bull denied power unit upgrade by FIA ahead of Italian GP

Max Verstappen and Red Bull have been denied the chance to upgrade their power unit by the FIA ahead of the Italian GP.

www.total-motorsport.com

Red Bull Racing sign Aston Martin engineer Tom McCullough
01 Sep 2026
Ben Hunt
GPblog.com

Red Bull Racing have signed Tom McCullough as the team's Head of Racing, replacing McLaren-bound Gianpiero Lambiase - just as GPBlog revealed. McCullough's move to Red Bull brings more than a decade of Formula 1 experience to the Milton Keynes squad and represents another significant addition as the team reshapes its senior engineering structure.

His decision to leave Aston Martin at the conclusion of the 2026 season was confirmed earlier this year, bringing an end to a lengthy association with the Silverstone-based organisation. It comes after GPBlog confirmed he was joining Red Bull last month. McCullough's extensive experience makes him a natural choice. Before joining Force India, he worked at Williams and Sauber, gaining experience as both a data and race engineer. His career has included working with drivers including Nico Hulkenberg, Rubens Barrichello and Bruno Senna.

The move will see McCullough return to a prominent Formula 1 trackside position at a crucial period for Red Bull, who are continuing to build their organisation around the new generation of regulations and their Red Bull Ford power-unit project.

‘Prominent Formula 1 trackside position’;

Red Bull Racing sign Aston Martin veteran

Red Bull hires Tom McCullough as Head of Racing to replace McLaren-bound Gianpiero Lambiase, bringing vast F1 trackside experience to lead race engineering.

www.gpblog.com

Former F1 driver tips Verstappen for surprise Monza challenge: 'This may be the surprise of the season
31 Aug 2026
Tim Kraaij
GPblog.com

Former Formula 1 driver Christijan Albers believes Max Verstappen could emerge as a surprise contender for victory at the Italian Grand Prix, arguing that Monza will hide some of the RB22's weaknesses while rewarding its efficiency on the straights.

Speaking on De Telegraaf's podcast, as reported by F1-Fansite, the Dutchman offered a verdict that runs counter to the prevailing narrative around Red Bull's difficult 2026 campaign. Verstappen crashed out of the Dutch Grand Prix on the opening lap at Zandvoort just a week ago, and has himself said he finds Monza 'impossible' to predict. Albers, however, made a far more specific, and optimistic, case.

“In Monza, Red Bull can still come close. They're good with low drag, so they can be competitive there. On the long straights they are pretty good, and there they have a strong package.” - Christijan Albers, speaking on De Telegraaf's podcast

‘The surprise of the season!’;

Albers backs Verstappen for shock Monza win before Red Bull's title hopes fade for good

Christijan Albers tips Max Verstappen for a Monza upset, saying RB22 efficiency suits the circuit; Antonelli takes engine penalty as title fight tightens

www.gpblog.com

Verstappen finds Monza 'impossible' to predict: 'But that would be nice'
30 Aug 2026
Kada Sarkozi
GPblog.com

Max Verstappen thinks it is difficult to know where Red Bull Racing will stand compared to its rivals at the Italian Grand Prix. Verstappen found it hard to predict how his team would do next week. "Impossible to know. I have no idea," he said. He also set his target for the team after Red Bull Racing experienced difficulties at Zandvoort. "I mean, I just hope to try and be a bit closer in terms of pace that would be nice."

Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies did not mince his words after last Sunday. The Frenchman said: "Performance-wise I think there is nowhere to hide. It was a very difficult weekend. It seems like we have made a bit of a step back compared to where we were before the summer break. Of course, we'll never know what the results will be the real pace of the car in the race will have been with Max, but it's fair to say that session after session it looked more difficult than it was in Budapest or in Spa or in Austria."

He added: "So, some tough work for us to do to regroup and to see if it is simply the competition that has done a better job than us at upgrading the car or if something has been limiting us more than it should have been here in Zandvoort. That will be for us the next two weeks before we fight back in Monza all together."

‘Be a bit closer in terms of pace’;

Verstappen finds Italian Grand Prix 'impossible' to predict

Max Verstappen reflects on Dutch GP crash and uncertainty for Monza, as Red Bull’s Laurent Mekies admits Zandvoort pace struggles and targets regrouping.

www.gpblog.com

F1 star breaks silence on injury as Red Bull prepare last-minute Italian GP decision
The extent of the driver's injury has been revealed and Red Bull are putting plans in place after he missed the Dutch Grand Prix.
31 Aug 2026
Chris Nee
SPORTbible

Red Bull and Isack Hadjar have clarified the details regarding the driver's enforced absence from the Dutch Grand Prix. Hadjar missed the event at Zandvoort on August 23 after suffering a minor fracture to his wrist while undertaking fitness work in preparation for the last GP in the Netherlands. Red Bull promoted New Zealander Liam Lawson from the Racing Bulls, with Yuki Tsunoda returning to the Formula 1 grid to partner Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad.
Lawson finished seventh and sits 19 points behind Hadjar in the drivers' championship standings as doubts gather over the French driver's readiness for the upcoming September double-header in Italy and Spain.

"Actually, it's my first injury ever in my whole existence, career, whatever; so it's weird to be on the bench," said Hadjar, as reported by Crash. "I'm not happy about it, obviously, for me or the team. I want to be there every lap. It's not swollen, which is very good; it's a good sign. So it's healing fast. Every day, I have a bit more mobility, and I'm hopeful for Monza." According to reporting by Planet F1, Red Bull will make a decision on the driving line-up for the Italian Grand Prix immediately before arriving at the beloved circuit.

"Red Bull will make a last-minute call on Wednesday as to whether Hadjar returns for Monza," reports Planet F1. Should Hadjar not be fit to compete, then it is almost guaranteed that Lawson will race again for Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, with Tsunoda partnering Arvid Lindblad once more at Racing Bulls. Lawson was demoted back to Racing Bulls after the first two rounds of 2025, having struggled with the step-up to Red Bull. Skip forward to Zandvoort 2026, and the New Zealander qualified just a tenth down on Verstappen, the four-time world champion."

‘Breaks silence’;

F1 star 'not happy' as Red Bull prepare last-minute decision on Italian GP return

Red Bull could be forced to reshuffle their line-up for the second race running 😬 A decision is going right down to the wire...

www.sportbible.com

Mekies shifts Red Bull away from 'Verstappen-first' approach as Hadjar 2027 deal expected soon
1 Sep 2026
Ben Hunt
GPblog.com

Laurent Mekies has moved Red Bull away from its traditional one-driver approach centred around Max Verstappen, according to reports with suggestions that Isack Hadjar is poised to sign a contract extension for 2027. The report claims Mekies has softened Red Bull's traditional approach to the second car, with the team said to have moved away from the traditional approach which favourited one driver. That cultural shift represents a significant departure from how Red Bull has operated for much of the Verstappen era and before.

The latest report builds on comments Mekies made after the Hungarian Grand Prix, when the Red Bull team principal all but confirmed Hadjar's future. "We haven't discussed the future yet, but everyone can see that Isack is doing an excellent job. So we will make a logical decision," Mekies said. An official contract extension announcement for Hadjar was expected off the back of those comments, with the 21-year-old said to be currently operating on an agreement that is reviewed annually.

"It is good news that we have a strong second driver for the first time in quite a long time," Mekies said before the summer break. "Isack is performing solidly and has learned a lot from the team and from Max. It is good news, also for Max, that our two cars are a bit closer together."

‘Cultural shift’;

Red Bull to change approach with Verstappen

Reports say Laurent Mekies is shifting Red Bull to a two-driver model, with Isack Hadjar set for a 2027 extension as Liam Lawson’s long-term future stays unclear

www.gpblog.com

 

[Fortitude]

Italian GP predictions: Antonelli disaster, McLaren surprise, civil war breaks out.
3 Sep 2026
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Kimi Antonelli disaster with three different teams on the podium - By Michelle Foster
With a grid penalty to take, I don’t believe he will be on the podium come Sunday. Instead, McLaren and Ferrari fight for the top honours against George Russell. And it is the latter who will have the power advantage. Russell will win the race for Mercedes and will be joined on the podium by a McLaren driver and a Ferrari driver. As for Antonelli, DNF.

The championship battle starts here - By Mat Coch
Kimi Antonelli remains favourite for the F1 2026 world championship. He holds a 59-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton and George Russell which gives him a handy margin. But wind the clock back just a year; Oscar Piastri was similarly comfortable and it all fell apart. Could history repeat?

The qualifying tow will plunge a team into civil war - By Oliver Harden
Behind Monaco, is there a better qualifying hour of the season than Monza? The sight of two teammates working together to give each other a tow is irresistible. Especially when it goes horribly, horribly wrong. These are the moments when drivers can either choose to work together – or stab each other in the back.

‘Italian GP predictions’;

Mercedes DNF disaster, McLaren shock and more Italian GP predictions

Kimi Antonelli has been tipped to have a disastrous weekend as the Mercedes driver faces an FIA penalty at the F1 2026 Italian Grand Prix.

www.planetf1.com

F1 leader Antonelli can thrill his home fans from the back of the grid
3 Sep 2026
The Straits Times

MONZA, Italy – Kimi Antonelli is set for a momentous Monza weekend even if he will be starting his home Italian Grand Prix at the back of the grid and chasing Ferrari. The Mercedes driver, who turned 20 only last week, arrives as the first Italian in 73 years to lead the Formula One championship to the “Temple of Speed”.

On course to become his country’s first champion since Alberto Ascari secured his second title in 1953, Antonelli leads teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by 59 points after 12 rounds. “It’s disappointing for him and for the fans who want to see him fighting from the front in his home race, but our sport doesn’t reward sentiment,” said team boss Toto Wolff.

“When you make decisions that benefit the championship campaign, sometimes you pay a short-term price. The objective now is straightforward: recover as many places as possible and maximise the points.”

‘From the back of the grid’;

F1 leader Antonelli can thrill his home fans from the back of the grid

F1 leader Antonelli aims to thrill at Monza despite starting last, with Ferrari and McLaren seeking home success amid key upgrades and strategic challenges. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Liam Lawson confirmed to replace Isack Hadjar at Red Bull for Italian GP
3 September 2026
Jawad Yaqub
F1 Chronicle

• Liam Lawson will replace the injured Isack Hadjar at Monza alongside Max Verstappen, following his impressive seventh-place finish on his Red Bull return at Zandvoort.
• Hadjar is continuing to recover from his wrist injury with Red Bull taking a cautious approach, while Yuki Tsunoda will remain alongside Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls.
• Red Bull junior Ayumu Iwasa will drive Verstappen’s RB22 in FP1 at Monza, with Hadjar’s return date still uncertain ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

“Liam will drive alongside Max [Verstappen] at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, while Isack continues to make encouraging progress following the wrist injury sustained during the summer break,” a statement from Red Bull said. “The team is closely monitoring his rehabilitation and will take no unnecessary risks with his return to competition and wishes him a speedy recovery.”

Upon reflecting on their respective drives at Zandvoort, both Lawson and Tsunoda spoke positively overall and emphasised the challenge of adapting to the machinery at such short notice. “It was good to extract everything out of Quali. It’s been tough to try and get my head around this car in a short space of time, but I’ve enjoyed it,” Lawson said after the race. While Tsunoda added: “I definitely enjoyed it overall, and yeah, I think I gave it 100%, as much as I can. I think I did pretty okay.”

‘Challenge of adapting to the machinery at such short notice’;

Liam Lawson confirmed to replace Isack Hadjar at Red Bull for Italian GP | F1 News

Liam Lawson will once again replace Isack Hadjar at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, with Red Bull confirming that the Frenchman continues to recover from a

f1chronicle.com

Is Liam Lawson the big winner of Helmut Marko’s Red Bull exit?
2 Sep 2026
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Helmut Marko’s departure from Red Bull has been an unexpected bonus for Liam Lawson, who no longer has to “look over his shoulder all the time” awaiting judgement from the now former Red Bull motorsport advisor. Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner revealed that Marko had been the driving force behind the change.

“It wasn’t my choice,” Horner told Drive to Survive. “I was always pushed to take drivers from the Young Driver Programme. Helmut was a big driver in it.” Marko, though, insisted it was for the good of the driver. “[Lawson] lost confidence, and he couldn’t show his real potential. We were worried that his self-confidence is so damaged that he couldn’t bring his normal performance,” said the advisor.

Lawson not only went on to rebuild his reputation in the paddock as a Racing Bulls driver, but he also emerged as Red Bull’s preferred choice should the team need a substitute driver. Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes Lawson, and his confidence, have benefitted from not having Marko critiquing him week in and week out.

‘The big winner’;

Liam Lawson the big winner in Helmut Marko Red Bull exit theory

"He doesn't need to look over his shoulder all the time."

www.planetf1.com

Lewis Hamilton hopes to boost F1 title bid with record Italian triumph
3 Sep 2026
The Straits Times

MONZA, Italy – Lewis Hamilton will seek to boost his hopes of an unprecedented eighth drivers’ world championship with a record sixth Italian Grand Prix win on Sept 6 when he races on Ferrari’s home tarmac. As the Briton bids to reduce local hero Kimi Antonelli’s 59-point advantage – the Italian having claimed six wins for Mercedes – the seven-time champion, 41, has received encouraging news.

Ferrari plans to introduce an updated power unit while Antonelli, 20, faces a grid penalty for taking a new engine. Hamilton shares the Monza record of five Italy wins with fellow seven-time title-winner Michael Schumacher, whose first home win 30 years ago in his opening season with Ferrari is being commemorated with a special livery and team kit.

The nostalgic twist will only add to an emotional atmosphere as Italy’s favourite sports team battles the tifosi’s new curly-haired hero Antonelli, who just happens to come from Ferrari’s homeland of Emilia-Romagna, at the historic “temple of speed”. As they head into the 13th round of the 2026 world championship and one of F1‘s most treasured events, Antonelli leads on 242 points, with his Mercedes teammate George Russell and Hamilton both in pursuit on 183.

‘Boost F1 title bid’;

Lewis Hamilton hopes to boost F1 title bid with record Italian triumph

Lewis Hamilton aims for a record sixth Italian GP win to boost his F1 title bid as Ferrari and rivals prepare upgrades for the Monza Grand Prix. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Former Ferrari president takes firm stance over latest team order drama
2 Sep 2026
Tobia Elia
GPblog.com

In an interview with Quotidiano Nazionale, Former Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo addressed the criticism aimed at Vasseur following Ferrari's handling of Hamilton and Leclerc at the Dutch Grand Prix. The former Ferrari president believes the wider issue goes beyond what happened at Zandvoort, questioning who within the company Vasseur can rely on when difficult decisions have to be made. In his view, the Frenchman appears isolated and could find himself without sufficient backing if he were forced to make an unpopular call.

Montezemolo drew a comparison with Ferrari's controversial team orders involving Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello in Austria during his presidency in 2002. He recalled how Jean Todt instructed Barrichello to hand victory to Schumacher because the decision was considered to be in Ferrari's best interests. When Barrichello complained, Montezemolo personally intervened to reinforce Todt's authority, making it clear that the Brazilian would have to accept the team's decisions or look elsewhere.

“After the last race in the Netherlands, I heard criticism of Fred Vasseur because he had not issued team orders between Hamilton and Leclerc. However, beyond that particular episode, we should all ask ourselves who the French manager can turn to within the company. I sense Vasseur’s isolation. Who would have his back if he had to make a decision, perhaps even an unpopular one? I don’t want to sound nostalgic, but I remember when Todt, in Austria, ordered Barrichello to let Schumacher win a race because, rightly or wrongly in the eyes of the public, that was in the team’s best interests. He complained a lot. I was the president, so I called him in and told him: I represent Ferrari, you are one of our employees. If you don’t agree with Todt’s decisions, you are free to find another team.”

‘Firm stance’;

Former Ferrari president makes feelings clear on Zandvoort team order row

Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the Scuderia's handling of the team-order situation between Hamilton and Leclerc.

www.gpblog.com

 

[Fortitude]

F1: Antonelli says aiming for top-5 finish at Monza after grid penalty.
Championship leader realises it's weird for Italian fans to have to choose him or Ferrari
3 September 2026
ANSA English Desk
ANSAMED.info

Formula One championship leader Kimi Antonelli said Thursday that he is aiming for a top-five finish at Sunday's Italian Grand Priz at Monza, with the 20-year-old Mercedes driver set to start from the back of the grid due to a penalty for a change of engine.

"Top five is doable," Antonelli told a press conference. I'll do qualifying but I'll still start last. It'll give me a chance to focus on the setup for my race pace. Serving such a big penalty at my home GP isn't ideal, but we're looking at the championship, and this is one of the best tracks to do it.”

"Starting at the back makes me feel under less pressure, I'm lighter, and I'll have even more fun. Of course, I would have preferred to start from pole". The Italian prodigy tops the standings with 242 points after 12 of the season's 23 Grands Prix, 59 points more than his team mate George Russell and Ferrari's seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

"Top five is doable";

F1: Antonelli says aiming for top-5 finish at Monza after grid penalty - Sports - Ansa.it

Formula One championship leader Kimi Antonelli said Thursday that he is aiming for a top-five finish at Sunday's Italian Grand Priz at Monza, with the 20-year-old Mercedes driver set to start from the back of the grid due to a penalty for a change of engine. (ANSA)

www.ansa.it

Lewis Hamilton details 'sheer magnitude' of Italian GP pressure as clear target set
Lewis Hamilton is hunting for his first grand prix victory in Italy as a Ferrari driver this weekend.
3 September 2026
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

“I strongly believe that the team has what it takes to win at this level, how close it is at the front,” Lewis Hamilton told media including RacingNews365. “For us to win this weekend, and at any weekend, it takes the whole collective to come together. It's not just one thing; everything has to flow from the beginning.”

“And I really thought coming into this weekend, just thinking of the sheer magnitude of the concept that I'm coming to this grand prix... I didn't even know that I was equal with Michael on wins. But the thought of that there is a first ahead of me, in a sense of potentially, if you were to win, you go into new territory.”

“Winning in Monza for the first time with Ferrari is something I've witnessed Charles win in 2019 when I was on the podium with him. To do it while I'm here would be phenomenal. The thought of if I did do that, probably will be the only black driver to ever do that for Ferrari in Italy, probably in history. A lot of those thoughts have been through my mind.”

'Sheer magnitude';

Lewis Hamilton details 'sheer magnitude' of Italian GP pressure as clear target set

Lewis Hamilton is hunting for his first grand prix victory in Italy as a Ferrari driver this weekend.

racingnews365.com

McLaren confirms rotating ‘H-Wing’ for Italian GP
McLaren will race its own rotating rear wing for the first time at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix as it continues the aggressive development of its MCL40.
3 Sep 2026
Ben Waterworth
Speedcafe

Dubbed the ‘H-Wing’, the device will form part of a low-drag package designed specifically for Monza’s long straights and high-speed layout. McLaren first tested the concept during opening practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July, having previously taken an earlier version to Austria without running it on track. The system allows the rear wing to rotate between its cornering and straight-line configurations, reducing drag when the car is travelling at high speed.

“The H-Wing’s naming convention pays homage to McLaren’s innovative F-duct, which debuted in 2010 and took its name from the ‘F’ in the branding positioned alongside the system’s inlet on the car,” McLaren explained. “In the same spirit, the H-Wing is named after the ‘H’ in Etihad Airways branding displayed on the rear wing as part of the team’s partnership with the airline.”

“This weekend, we have brought what we believe is needed to be competitive, including a new low-drag rear wing specification, including the first use of our H-Wing, alongside some small aerodynamic and low-drag options that we will evaluate before deciding the final specification for qualifying,” Houldey said. “Overall, we know there is still more performance to unlock from the MCL40, both through maximising the package we already have and through further upgrades planned for the races ahead.”

‘H-Wing’;

McLaren confirms rotating ‘H-Wing’ for Italian GP

Dubbed the ‘H-Wing’, the device will form part of a low-drag package designed specifically for Monza’s long straights and high-speed

speedcafe.com

Honda explain Aston Martin PU drivability fix ahead of high-power Monza challenge
3 Sep 2026
Louise du Manoir
Motorsport Week

Speaking to media, including Motorsport Week, ahead of the Italian GP, HRC representative Shintaro Orihara explained that while the performance jump matched expectations, the altered engine characteristics required immediate intervention. “We introduced a new spec to the engine in the Netherlands. We have observed a step forward in terms of performance on our Metro-X. As expected, we have confirmed on dyno, so that was a positive thing we found,” he said.

“But on the other hand, we found something which can improve on drivability. So, we have prepared or we have updated conversion characteristics. And then we prepared the data setting and new tool to adapt the new conversion to get more good drivability,” he added. “But it was not enough to satisfy drivability. So definitely that is our improvement point that we found in the Netherlands.”

“Here at Monza, it’s quite a big demand for power inside,” Orihara-san acknowledged. “And even if we introduce specs to the engine and we found some performance gain, still we should be realistic in this track. So, it’s going to be challenging for power inside in this track. And we bring back all data to dyno and bring back all driver feedback to dyno. And in HRC Sakura, they have carried out some testing to improve our control, to get more good drivability. So our main focus point is to confirm the countermeasure in Monza.”

‘Aston Martin PU drivability fix’;

Honda explain Aston Martin PU drivability fix ahead of high-power Monza challenge

Honda has revealed that its latest Formula 1 power unit upgrade introduced at the Dutch GP delivered its expected performance

www.motorsportweek.com

Max Verstappen sets fresh Red Bull target after 'disappointing' moment
Max Verstappen enters the Italian Grand Prix this weekend hoping for a better result compared to his outing last time out on home soil.
3 September 2026
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

Max Verstappen has stated that both he and Red Bull must work to ensure the RB22 is fine-tuned to a competitive window at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend. “Not being able to finish the race in Zandvoort was disappointing,” Verstappen said ahead of the weekend. “But it was still really special to see the fans at the circuit one last time and thank them for all the memories.”

“We are heading to Monza, after a reset, and it is difficult to predict how competitive we will be there,” he said. “There are a few things we need to work on to be a bit closer to the pace and to make sure balance of the car is right. Monza is one of my favourite tracks and I like that it is an old-school, fast circuit; I always enjoy coming here and seeing the passionate fans.”

‘Fresh Red Bull target’;

Max Verstappen sets fresh Red Bull target after 'disappointing' moment

Max Verstappen enters the Italian Grand Prix this weekend hoping for a better result compared to his outing last time out on home soil.

racingnews365.com

FIA declares Italian GP ‘heat hazard’ event
03/09/2026
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Formula 1 teams will operate at Monza with an extra item on their checklist this weekend, as the FIA has formally classified the Italian Grand Prix as a “Heat Hazard” event. With temperatures expected to climb beyond 31°C, conditions are likely to be significantly more demanding than the early-September norm at the historic Italian circuit.

The governing body has therefore activated its heat-stress protocol, designed to protect drivers when soaring temperatures turn a Grand Prix into a test of physical endurance as much as speed. The decision carries a sobering reminder of why such measures now exist. The FIA introduced its formal Heat Hazard framework after the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where oppressive heat and humidity pushed several drivers to the brink of their physical limits.

Esteban Ocon vomited inside his helmet but continued racing, while Logan Sargeant was forced to retire on medical grounds. Lance Stroll and Alex Albon both needed treatment for heat exhaustion, while others admitted they had come dangerously close to losing consciousness. Monza will consequently feature additional safeguards from the outset. Drivers will have access to fans, cooling vests and shaded areas on the grid, while the FIA-approved cockpit cooling system can also be used during track sessions.

‘Heat hazard’;

FIA declares Italian GP ‘heat hazard’ event

F1 teams will operate in Monza with an extra item on their checklist, as the FIA has declared the Italian GP as a 'heat hazard' race.

f1i.com

 

[Fortitude]

F1 - 2026 Italian Grand Prix - Thursday Press Conference Transcript.
03.09.26
FIA (Press Release)

Q: Lewis, please can we start with you. Home race for Ferrari. Just tell us how special it feels to be a Ferrari driver at Monza?
Lewis HAMILTON: Good afternoon, everyone. Yeah. I mean, it’s the best feeling to be a Ferrari driver. It’s such an honour and a privilege to arrive in Italy at this iconic race with the most iconic and best team in the world. It’s really phenomenal to experience it for the second year in a row, and it still feels new. So, it’s not something you can get used to.

Q: Ollie, if we could come to you now. While we’re talking upgrades, Haas has brought a comprehensive list of upgrades here to Monza. So just how hopeful are you that they’re going to reward you with a chunk of lap time?
Oliver BEARMAN: Yeah. Hello, everybody. We are very much hoping that we have a bit more performance this weekend. It’s been a good few races now that we’ve kind of been left behind by our competition. You know, it’s been a while that we’ve brought a big upgrade to the car, and so we have a lot of hopes set on this one. Yeah, it seems like a big one, and all of the team are quite confident. Of course, in Monza, it’s maybe not the best place to bring upgrades necessarily because you don’t see the full effect of the benefit, of course, with this track, which is a much more drag-sensitive one than maybe last week was.

Q: Pierre, let’s come to you now. You live in Milan. So, in a way, does this feel like something of a home race for you?
Pierre GASLY: Yeah. I mean, it’s for sure, you know, a great feeling to wake up in your own bed before going to the track, enjoying your home coffee, and it’s just a different feeling. So, it’s sort of a home race. Obviously, you know, having Flavio as well in the team, Monza is special. Having my first win around here always makes it special, you know, entering the racetrack, the paddock, and having a special energy about it.

Q: Kimi, I feel we should start with you. You come to your home race here at Monza leading the World Championship. What a moment for you. Just how special does it feel?
Kimi ANTONELLI: Yeah, it feels very special. Definitely a lot different compared to last year. And I'm very much looking forward to this weekend despite starting from the back. But, yeah, it's also a big opportunity ahead and very much looking forward to it. I think it's going to be very enjoyable. I will be able to enjoy it much more than what I did previously. And, yeah, hopefully we can still do a great race.

Q: Liam, why don't we come to you next? And with Isack, of course, we wish Isack well with his recovery, but his absence this weekend gives you another opportunity with the big team. What's your mindset coming into the weekend?
Liam LAWSON: Just try and make the most of it. Again, I think, yeah, obviously, it's an interesting position for me to be in. And Zandvoort was, yeah, I mean, being a Sprint weekend is obviously quite stressful at times, but overall it was a good weekend. And at least now I've had that, you know, it should be a bit easier to adjust. We also have three practice sessions here. It's a much more normal weekend. So, yeah, it's another good opportunity.

Q: Lance, let's come to you. Aston has found close to three seconds at the last couple of races. How different does the car feel to drive now compared to before Hungary?
Lance STROLL: Yeah. Much better. We've improved a lot since Hungary for sure. So it's been good.
Q: Tell us a little more, though. Where is the car better?
LS: Just everywhere. More downforce. So, yeah, more downforce. You're going around quicker.

‘Press Conference Transcript’;

F1 - 2026 Italian Grand Prix - Thursday Press Conference Transcript

PART ONE – Lewis HAMILTON (Ferrari), Oliver BEARMAN (Haas), Pierre GASLY (Alpine)Q: Lewis, please can we start with you. Home race for Ferrari. Just tell us how special it feels to be a Ferrari driver at Monza?Lewis HAMILTON: Good afternoon, everyone. Yeah. I mean, it’s the best feeling to be a...

www.fia.com

"If Team Asks, I Will Do": Kimi Antonelli On Helping Teammate And Title Rival George Russell After Italian GP Grid Penalty
Kimi Antonelli has agreed to help teammate and title rival George Russell during the Italian Grand Prix, as he's taking a grid penalty and will start from the back of the grid.
• 03 September 2026
• IANS
NDTV.com

Mercedes driver and F1 2026 title leader Kimi Antonelli on Thursday acknowledged that he will help teammate and title rival George Russell at the Monza GP qualifying if the team asks him to do so. Italian driver Antonelli has been hit with a grid penalty for engine allocation and will start the Sunday Grand Prix at his home at the back of the grid. With him starting the race at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza from 22nd, his qualification results won't matter for the Sunday main event.

"It has been discussed in the team, so we will see how the sessions develop, but if the team asks me, I will do it. Obviously I am not fighting for [pole] so if I can do anything to help the team, I will do it," Antonelli told the media during Thursday's press day.

"If Team Asks, I Will Do";

https://sports.ndtv.com/formula-1/if-team-asks-i-will-do-kimi-antonelli-on-helping-teammate-and-title-rival-george-russell-after-italian-gp-grid-penalty-11998196

Russell admits McLaren 'the team to beat' at Italian GP with Mercedes behind on upgrades
3 Sep 2026
Henry Eccles
GPblog.com

Asked on what he and the team could learn from Norris' win at Zandvoort, George Russell said: "I think you can look at it from two angles. Did they underperform on the Friday and just reach their potential on the Saturday and did we maybe.... over performed on the sprints and we achieved very good results on a Sunday."

"I think when you look at the past races and how competitive Lando and McLaren have been, it's definitely very fair to say that they are the team to beat right now. We know we're an upgrade behind most and we hope we can go back to being the team to beat in a couple of races time but for now the fight's with McLaren, Ferrari have brought the upgrades this weekend.”

"I actually think that we came away from Zandvoort having a very positive weekend as a team and I think a P2 and a P3, and the script win was actually probably better than the true car's performance."

'The team to beat';

Russell admits McLaren 'the team to beat' at Italian GP as Mercedes lag behind on upgrades

George Russell has conceded that McLaren will be the "team to beat" at this weekend's Italian GP, with the Silver Arrows "an upgrade behind most."

www.gpblog.com

Lewis Hamilton details 'sheer magnitude' of Italian GP pressure as clear target set
Lewis Hamilton is hunting for his first grand prix victory in Italy as a Ferrari driver this weekend.
3 September 2026
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

“I strongly believe that the team has what it takes to win at this level, how close it is at the front,” Hamilton told media including RacingNews365. “For us to win this weekend, and at any weekend, it takes the whole collective to come together. It's not just one thing; everything has to flow from the beginning.”

“And I really thought coming into this weekend, just thinking of the sheer magnitude of the concept that I'm coming to this grand prix... I didn't even know that I was equal with Michael on wins. But the thought of that there is a first ahead of me, in a sense of potentially, if you were to win, you go into new territory.”

'Sheer magnitude';

Lewis Hamilton details 'sheer magnitude' of Italian GP pressure as clear target set

Lewis Hamilton is hunting for his first grand prix victory in Italy as a Ferrari driver this weekend.

racingnews365.com

"Would Be Phenomenal": Lewis Hamilton Eyes Historic Italian GP Win In Ferrari Red
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has said that winning at the Monza Grand Prix with Scuderia would be "phenomenal" as Ferrari hope to ride on the support of the home fans and the recent upgrades they have made to the SF-26 ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
• 03 September 2026
• IANS
NDTV.com

"There is a first ahead of me, in the sense that if I were to win, I would go into new territory, winning for the first time with Ferrari at Monza. It would be phenomenal," Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton told the media on Thursday. "The pressure's high. You want to do it for the team. Many of them will come to this race. The tifosi come out in huge numbers with a passion that's unmatched.

The seven-time world champion will have his mother watching from the stands and will be cheering with the Tifosi for Hamilton and Ferrari. "And my mum's here. I don't think she's been to Monza, and certainly not (while I was) with Ferrari. I wanted her to experience this and bring any lucky dust she can bring," he said.

"Would Be Phenomenal";

https://sports.ndtv.com/formula-1/would-be-phenomenal-lewis-hamilton-eyes-historic-italian-gp-win-in-ferrari-red-11998442

Max Verstappen addresses potential Liam Lawson help: 'I never ask'
Max Verstappen has shared his stance on slipstreaming at Monza, but is not expecting Liam Lawson to do an Italian job for him in qualifying at the Temple of Speed.
4 September 2026
Samuel Coop & Sàndor Mészáros
RacingNews365

Max Verstappen does not expect Red Bull to use Liam Lawson to help his qualifying efforts at the Italian Grand Prix, with slipstreaming expected to be prevalent at Monza. "If you're fighting in a championship battle, or you really try and do something special... but they [the team] want two cars trying to do well, but let's see. I never ask things to the team, and I leave it up to them for these kinds of things. I think that's best."

'I never ask';

Max Verstappen addresses potential Liam Lawson help: 'I never ask'

Max Verstappen has shared his stance on slipstreaming at Monza, but is not expecting Liam Lawson to do an Italian job for him in qualifying at the Temple of Speed.

racingnews365.com

 

[Fortitude]

Italian GP: Ferrari reigns in FP1 as Leclerc edges Hamilton.
04/09/2026
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

Charles Leclerc gave Ferrari’s home crowd an early reason to dream as the Monegasque led a Scuderia one-two in opening practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Leclerc clocked a 1m23.008s on medium tyres midway through the session, edging team-mate Lewis Hamilton by 0.173s and putting Ferrari immediately at the head of the field on a sweltering Friday afternoon.

The result was an encouraging first glimpse of what the Scuderia’s latest upgrades can deliver at its home circuit, although Mercedes and McLaren will have plenty of opportunity to respond as the weekend unfolds.

‘Ferrari reigns in FP1’;

Italian GP: Ferrari reigns in FP1 as Leclerc edges Hamilton

Charles Leclerc gave Ferrari’s home crowd an early reason to dream as the Monegasque led a Scuderia one-two in FP1 at Monza.

f1i.com

F1 2026 Italian Grand Prix practice results
4 Sep 2026
THE RACE TEAM
The Race

F1 is back at Monza, where plenty of car and engine upgrades plus the championship leader committed to starting at the back means there's plenty of opportunity for excitement. Here are the practice results for the Italian Grand Prix.

FP1
1 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1m23.008s
2 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.173s
3 George Russell (Mercedes) +0.304s
4 Liam Lawson (Red Bull) +0.425s
5 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.636s
6 Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.711s
7 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +0.794s
8 Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) +0.998s
9 Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +1.020s
10 Paul Aron (Alpine) +1.169s

‘Practice results’;

F1 2026 Italian Grand Prix practice results

Results from F1 practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza

www.the-race.com

FP1: Leclerc leads Ferrari 1-2 as Italian Grand Prix weekend gets underway at Monza
4 Sep 2026
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Charles Leclerc set the pace in the opening practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, leading Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton in a home-favourite 1-2 at Monza. George Russell completed the top three for Mercedes, while Liam Lawson impressed in fourth for Red Bull. The Italian Grand Prix weekend got underway under hot and sunny conditions at the historic Monza circuit, with Charles Leclerc immediately giving the passionate Tifosi plenty to celebrate.

The Ferrari driver posted a benchmark time of 1:23.008, set on the medium-compound tyres, which ultimately proved good enough to top the session despite several drivers switching to the softer rubber for their qualifying-style runs. Hamilton finished just 0.173 seconds behind his team-mate to complete a Ferrari 1-2, while Mercedes’ Russell was a further 0.131s adrift in third.

The opening session was also notable for the number of young drivers given an opportunity to gain Formula 1 experience. Four rookies took part in FP1, with Ayumu Iwasa driving Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, Luke Browning replacing Alex Albon at Williams, Paul Aron taking Pierre Gasly’s Alpine seat and Colton Herta making his third FP1 appearance of the season for Cadillac. Liam Lawson, meanwhile, continued to deputise for Red Bull alongside the rookie Iwasa, while Yuki Tsunoda once again took Lawson’s Racing Bulls seat as Isack Hadjar continues to recover from his wrist injury.

‘Leclerc leads Ferrari 1-2’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/29245

What happened in Italian GP first practice
4 Sep 2026
BEN ANDERSON
The Race

Charles Leclerc led a Ferrari one-two in first practice for the Italian Grand Prix, marking an encouraging start for Ferrari’s ADUO 2 upgraded F1 engine at the team’s home race. Ferrari decided not to use the soft tyre at all in FP1 at Monza, running the hard compound on both cars for the early part of the session before switching to the medium.

Leclerc went to the top on a 1m23.008s best, with Lewis Hamilton later slotting into second, 0.173s down. George Russell was third fastest in the quickest of the Mercedes, using the soft tyre to lap 0.304s slower than Leclerc’s Ferrari. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who will start from the back of the grid after taking a new Mercedes engine for his home race, was fifth, six tenths off the pace and just under two tenths behind the Red Bull of Liam Lawson, who is again subbing for the injured Isack Hadjar this weekend.

Lando Norris, winner of the past two grands prix for McLaren, rounded out the top six, like the Ferraris using the medium tyre, ahead of Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls), Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi and the Alpines of Franco Colapinto and rookie Paul Aron.

‘What happened’;

What happened in Italian GP first practice

An encouraging start for the home favourite team. Here's what happened in the Italian Grand Prix FP1 at Monza

www.the-race.com

'More red!' | Ted breaks down Ferrari’s major upgrades for the home Italian GP
4 Sep 2026
Sky Sports

Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz takes a closer look at Ferrari’s major upgrades as they go all-in for their home Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

'More red!;

Italian GP: Ted Kravitz breaks down Ferrari’s major upgrades for the home Italian GP

Sky Sports Ted Kravitz takes a closer look at Ferrari’s major upgrades as they go all-in for their home Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

www.skysports.com

FIA appeal court strips Gasly of Monaco podium and reinstates Hadjar
4 Sep 2026
The Straits Times

MONZA, Italy – Formula One’s governing body on Sept 4 reinstated Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar to third place at June’s Monaco Grand Prix and demoted Alpine’s Pierre Gasly for the second time. Gasly finished third on track on June 7 but was demoted to seventh when two five-second penalties for pit-lane speeding were applied post-race, with fellow Frenchman Hadjar promoted to third.

That decision was overturned after a right to review on June 12, stewards accepting Renault-owned Alpine’s evidence that there had been a timekeeping error. The FIA’s International Court of Appeal then met last month to hear a McLaren and Red Bull challenge, with the verdict issued ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.

Renault-owned Alpine said they were disappointed and frustrated with the outcome and felt they had been “unjustly punished. While we disagree with the decision, and still fully maintain that Car 10 (Gasly) did not exceed the pit lane speed limit at any point during the race, the team acknowledges the decision of the judging panel,” they said in a statement.

‘FIA appeal’;

FIA appeal court strips Gasly of Monaco podium and reinstates Hadjar

He was demoted to seventh after penalties for pit-lane speeding were applied post-race. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

 

[Fortitude]

Italian GP: Russell takes charge in FP2, leads Leclerc and Antonelli.
04/09/2026
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

George Russell edged Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc off the top of the timesheets in a closely fought second practice session at Monza, with Mercedes also claiming third through Kimi Antonelli as the Italian Grand Prix began to take shape.

Russell’s 1m22.559s effort proved enough to lead the way, but the Briton had little breathing room from either Leclerc or his Mercedes team-mate, who both showed strong pace throughout FP2. The opening 20 minutes offered little indication of the fireworks to come, with drivers circulating on the hard compound and Russell initially setting the benchmark.

Russell, however, had the final word in the shootout. He immediately improved to 1m22.559s, a time that would survive until the chequered flag as teams turned their attention to longer runs. Leclerc therefore settled for second, just 0.120s adrift, with Antonelli another 0.141s behind his team-mate.

‘Russell takes charge’;

Italian GP: Russell takes charge in FP2, leads Leclerc and Antonelli

George Russell edged Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc off the top of the timesheets in a closely fought second practice session at Monza.

f1i.com

Everything you need to know about Italian GP FP2
4 Sep 2026
JACK BENYON
The Race

FP2 times
1 George Russell (Mercedes) 1m22.559s
2 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.120s
3 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.141s
4 Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.384s
5 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.457s
6 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.469s
7 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +0.790s
8 Ollie Bearman (Haas) +0.811s
9 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.818s
10 Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) +0.896s

‘Everything you need to know’;

Everything you need to know about Italian GP FP2

George Russell disappointed the Ferrari-supporting F1 crowd by setting the pace in FP2 at the Italian GP, ahead of Charles Leclerc

www.the-race.com

Lewis Hamilton pinpoints worrying Ferrari limitation despite F1 engine upgrade
Lewis Hamilton pinpoints Ferrari's main limitation after Friday practice at the Italian Grand Prix.
4 Sep 2026
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari’s straight-line speed deficit to its Formula 1 rival Mercedes remains “considerable” despite introducing an upgraded engine at the Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari has lagged behind Mercedes in engine performance all season so far but the Italian team is hopeful that a second permitted upgrade via F1’s Additional Upgrade and Development Opportunities [ADUO] system would help plug the gap and increase its victory hopes at Monza.

However, seven-time world champion Hamilton claimed Ferrari was losing up to six tenths of a second to the Mercedes of George Russell on the straights alone during Friday practice. “Straight-line speed, it’s considerable,” Hamilton, who ended the day fifth fastest and nearly half a second behind pacesetter Russell, replied when asked what Ferrari’s main limitation was on Friday.

‘Straight-line speed deficit’;

Lewis Hamilton pinpoints worrying Ferrari limitation despite F1 engine upgrade

Lewis Hamilton pinpoints Ferrari's main limitation after Friday practice at the Italian Grand Prix.

www.crash.net

Winners and losers from Italian GP F1 practice
04 Sep 2026
THE RACE TEAM
The Race

Winner: Ferrari's new engine (2nd & 5th) Ferrari's second ADUO upgrade has been the big talking point heading into the weekend, and the early signs are promising - with Charles Leclerc second fastest in FP2, 0.120s off Russell's pace and right up there on long-run pace.
Loser: Honda's latest engine (19th & 22nd) Fernando Alonso suggested on Thursday that Monza might be the better test of how much Honda's improved its F1 engine than the Zandvoort circuit at which it made its debut. And, well... the initial results don't look great on that score.

Winner: George Russell (1st) "I don't know if we can say we're favourites this weekend, but we probably have a greater opportunity than we've had in the last two races where it's been less about the power unit and more about the chassis.” George Russell.
Loser: Red Bull (9th & 12th) Remember when Max Verstappen's new Red Bull deal was announced and all the mutual optimism that was shared by team and driver?

Winner: Ollie Bearman (8th) Haas's biggest upgrade of 2026 has landed - but only completely on Bearman's car.
Loser: Esteban Ocon (18th) Ocon has the new bodywork but not the new Ferrari engine, as part of a quirk of F1's technical regulations around additional engine homologation steps, and ended the day more than a second off Haas team-mate Bearman in FP2.

‘Winners and losers’;

Winners and losers from Italian GP F1 practice

The Italian GP is a big weekend for two of F1's biggest teams and their drivers. Here's where they slot into our pick of Friday winners and losers

www.the-race.com

Why Kimi Antonelli will take an engine penalty at the Italian GP
4 Sep 2026
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

The FIA has confirmed that Mercedes has fitted Kimi Antonelli’s W17 with several new engine components at the Italian Grand Prix, three of which exceeded his penalty-free allocation for the season.

Antonelli’s W17 has been fitted with a fifth internal combustion engine, exceeding the limit that is set at four, while he’s also moved onto his fourth battery and his fourth control electronics. Those two parts are limited to three before a penalty is incurred.

‘Why?’;

Kimi Antonelli's home Italian GP takes a brutal turn before qualifying

It is official for Kimi Antonelli. Has Mercedes made the right choice?

www.planetf1.com

 

[Fortitude]

FP3: Russell beats Hamilton in final Monza practice as Mercedes continue to dominate Italian GP weekend.
5 Sep 2026
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

George Russell set the pace in the final practice session for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, putting Mercedes in a strong position ahead of qualifying at Monza. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished second for Ferrari, while Max Verstappen completed the top three for Red Bull.

Russell continued Mercedes’ impressive form at the Temple of Speed by topping FP3 with a lap 0.226 seconds quicker than Hamilton. Verstappen was a further 0.124s behind Hamilton, ending the session 0.350s off Russell’s benchmark.

The result further strengthens Mercedes’ position heading into qualifying, particularly with championship leader Kimi Antonelli set to start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid following an engine-related penalty. Russell therefore has a major opportunity to close the 59-point gap to his team-mate in the drivers’ championship.

‘George Russell set the pace’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/29258

Italian Grand Prix 2026 – FP3 F1 results (Monza)
5 Sep 2026
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Full 2026 Italian GP FP3 results
1 George Russell Mercedes 1:22.219
2 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +0.226
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.350
4 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +0.361
5 Lando Norris McLaren +0.406
6 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.489
7 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls +0.505
8 Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.554
9 Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.679
10 Franco Colapinto Alpine +0.882

‘FP3 F1 results’;

Italian Grand Prix 2026 - FP3 F1 results (Monza)

The results are in from FP3 at Monza.

www.planetf1.com

Russell fastest in final Italian GP practice
5 Sep 2026
VALENTIN KHOROUNZHIY
The Race

Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell marked himself out as favourite for Italian Grand Prix pole position by setting the pace in final practice at Monza. Russell and team-mate Kimi Antonelli spent part of the session practicing the tows that are likely to play a significant role in the fight for pole position in qualifying, though Russell looked fast with and without assistance.

His final effort - a 1m22.219s that was three tenths clear of Friday's FP2 benchmark - came without a tow from Antonelli (who has grid penalties this weekend) and was 0.226s faster than the next-best time, set by Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen was third as Red Bull's single-lap pace appeared in a much better place than on Friday, though he and Ferrari driver Hamilton did have a minor on-track altercation at the end of FP3 that was noted by the stewards.

Hamilton jumped ahead of Verstappen entering the Alboreto (Parabolica) corner, with Verstappen subsequently giving Hamilton a thumbs-up as they crossed the start/finish line to indicate his lap had been compromised and then running deep into the first corner to ensure Hamilton could not take the apex. Championship leader Antonelli was fourth ahead of Lando Norris, the winner of the past two races, in the best of the McLarens.

‘Marked as favourite’;

Russell fastest in final Italian GP practice

George Russell led former team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the final practice session at the Italian GP

www.the-race.com

Max third in final practice for Italian Grand Prix
5 September 2026
Kees-Jan Koster
Verstappen.nl

Max Verstappen set the third-fastest time in the third and final free practice session for the Italian Grand Prix. Mercedes driver George Russell was fastest at Monza, ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. The third practice session at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza got off to a fairly quiet start. It took more than fifteen minutes before the leading teams ventured out onto the hot track. Max was once again working with his race engineer GianPiero Lambiase for this session and the rest of the weekend, after Tom Hart had taken over the role during second practice.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Max set his first lap time on soft tyres (1:22.790), which was good enough for second place, three tenths behind Russell, who had improved his time slightly to 1:22.463. Antonelli moved between the two shortly afterwards. Several team-mates used the session to practise giving each other a slipstream. This provides such a significant advantage on Monza’s long straights that the resulting gain in lap time is likely to become a decisive factor during qualifying.

‘Third’;

Max third in final practice for Italian Grand Prix

<p>Max Verstappen set the third-fastest time in the third and final free practice session for the Italian Grand Prix. Mercedes driver George Russell was fastest at Monza, ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.</p> <p>The third practice session at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza got off to a fairly...

news.verstappen.com

Verstappen voices Red Bull concern: 'I have less power than a Fiat Punto!'
5 Sep 2026
Tobia Elia
GPblog.com

Towards the end of the session, the Dutchman voiced his frustration to race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase over team radio, joking about the amount of power at his disposal: “Mate I have less power than a Fiat Punto!”

The comment quickly sparked amusement among fans on social media, made all the more fitting by the setting of this weekend’s Grand Prix. With Formula 1 racing in Italy, Verstappen’s choice of comparison was particularly timely, given that the Punto is one of Italian manufacturer Fiat’s most recognisable models.

“Less power than a Fiat Punto!”;

Verstappen hits out over Red Bull power: 'Less than a Fiat Punto!'

Max Verstappen delivered a hilarious team radio message in the closing stages of FP3 at the Italian Grand Prix, complaining about a lack of power from his engine.

www.gpblog.com

 

[Fortitude]

'Emotional' Gasly drops F-bomb after securing shock Italian GP Pole Position.
5 Sep 2026
Henry Eccles
GPblog.com

Speaking to GPblog and others, Pierre Gasly said: "Quite a lot of emotions. So no, I'm I'm just extremely happy for the whole team. I'm extremely happy with our performance. It's been nine years. I'm in Formula 1, I'm trying to, you know, give my best absolutely every single weekend, and, it's not every time we we get a car, to fight for pole position, and, today was the case."

"And, yeah, I'm really, really happy, really proud, to have seized this chance and and make it work. So it was a a heck of a lap. We've been on it since the first lap in Q1. It's been feeling good. And, yeah, nine years waiting for that moment, that feeling. I got my first win in here in Monza, and, now I get my first Pole Position. So definitely a special place to me."

"I mean, Monza is a bit of a unique track. It's we know it, but I mean, no. It definitely exceeded all all our expectations. But since this morning, I think the pace has been better. We managed to make a good step, you know, from p three to to quali, and I think slightly bigger than than the other guys around us. And, yeah, straight from Q1, you know, we're a bit surprised to see us up there."

'Emotional';

'Emotional' Gasly drops F-bomb after securing surprise Monza Pole Position

Pierre Gasly has reacted emotionally to his shock Pole Position at the Italian GP.

www.gpblog.com

2026 Italian Grand Prix – Qualifying F1 results (Monza)
5 Sep 2026
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Italian Grand Prix qualifying 2026: Q1 results
1 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:22.612
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.019
3 Lando Norris McLaren +0.047
4 Franco Colapinto Alpine +0.050
5 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls +0.115
6 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +0.146
7 George Russell Mercedes +0.167
8 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +0.235
9 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.290
10 Oliver Bearman Haas +0.294

‘Qualifying F1 results (Monza)’;

F1 results: Italian Grand Prix 2026 - Qualifying (Monza)

A complete rundown of the F1 results from the qualifying session at the F1 2026 Italian Grand Prix at the Monza circuit.

www.planetf1.com

Gasly stuns at Monza to claim maiden F1 pole for Italian Grand Prix
5 Sep 2026
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Pierre Gasly produced one of the biggest qualifying surprises of the 2026 Formula 1 season by securing the first pole position of his career at the Italian Grand Prix.

The Alpine driver delivered a sensational final lap around the Autodromo Nazionale Monza to beat Mercedes’ George Russell by just 0.060 seconds, securing pole position for Sunday’s race. Gasly set a time of 1:21.786, edging Russell’s 1:21.846 in a remarkably close fight at the front.

The result is particularly significant for Gasly, who claimed his maiden F1 victory at Monza in 2020 with AlphaTauri. Six years later, the Frenchman has once again produced a remarkable performance at the Temple of Speed – this time to put Alpine on pole.

‘Gasly stuns at Monza’;

Gasly stuns at Monza to claim maiden F1 pole for Italian Grand Prix - F1technical.net

www.f1technical.net

Gasly takes surprise Monza pole ahead of Russell, Piastri and the Ferraris
5th September 2026
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Pierre Gasly will start the Italian Grand Prix from pole position after beating George Russell by six hundredths of a second in qualifying. The Alpine driver was in contention for the quickest time throughout qualifying. Just over 24 hours since he learned he had lost his podium finish in the Monaco Grand Prix, and at the same track where he scored his only Formula 1 victory six years ago, Gasly claimed his first pole position and the first for his team in their current guide.

The pace of the Alpines created a headache for several teams, notably Ferrari, who were fortunate to get both their cars through into Q3. Gabriel Bortoleto came within a thousandth of a second of beating Hamilton into the top 10 shoot-out and Charles Leclerc was only seven-thousandths faster than his team mate.

‘Surprise Monza pole’;

https://www.racefans.net/2026/09/05/gasly-takes-surprise-monza-pole-ahead-of-russell-piastri-and-the-ferraris/

Pierre Gasly charts 'nine-year' chase after spectacular Monza pole upset
Pierre Gasly claimed his first-ever F1 pole position in a stunning Italian Grand Prix qualifying session at Monza.
5 September 2026
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

Pierre Gasly charts 'nine-year' chase after stunning Monza pole upset "It was amazing. It was an incredible qualifying from the first lap in Q1," Gasly explained. "I felt very good in the car, and was trying to chip a little bit away every single session, and then yeah, at the end, it felt like a very good lap.”

"But I'm so happy. It's been nine years trying to chase and get the opportunity to get a pole position, and to win my first race at Monza, and get my first pole position at this track, I think there is something special around here."

‘Pierre Gasly charts 'nine-year' chase’;

Pierre Gasly charts 'nine-year' chase after spectacular Monza pole upset

Pierre Gasly claimed his first-ever F1 pole position in a stunning Italian Grand Prix qualifying session at Monza.

racingnews365.com

Alpine's Gasly seizes first career F1 pole ahead of Russell at Monza
5 Sep 2026
The Straits Times

"It's been nine years trying to chase the opportunity to get a pole," said French Formula One driver Pierre Gasly, who was the last of the pole contenders to complete his final flying lap. "I won my first race in Monza and got my first pole at this track. It's something special around here."

Gasly had already hinted at something special in the earlier phases, leading Q1 and fourth fastest in Q2, and his mechanics erupted in jubilation as the pole was confirmed -- a day after he had been stripped of third place at last June's Monaco Grand Prix.

Mercedes's George Russell, a title contender, hailed an incredible performance by the 30-year-old Frenchman. "We were finishing a game of chess about 15 minutes before qualifying and he beat me there and I went 'well, I think I will beat you in qualifying' and here we are, he's ahead of me again," said the Briton.

‘First career F1 pole’;

Alpine's Gasly seizes first career F1 pole ahead of Russell at Monza

MONZA, Italy, Sept 5 - French Formula One driver Pierre Gasly upset the favourites to grab a stunning career-first pole position with Renault-owned Alpine at the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Gasly and Alpine stun Mercedes to take Italian GP pole
5 Sep 2026
BEN ANDERSON
The Race

Pierre Gasly claimed a shock pole position for the Alpine Formula 1 team in Italian Grand Prix qualifying at Monza, beating George Russell's Mercedes to the top spot. The recently upgraded Alpine looked top-10 fast through practice but no one was expecting it to be a pole threat come qualifying.

Yet Gasly was super quick from the earliest runs in Q1, where he was fastest of all and team-mate Franco Colapinto was fourth. Q2 was slightly tougher, where Gasly ended up fourth behind Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes and the two McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, while Colapinto slipped to eighth.

But in the top-10 shootout Gasly came back into the picture, lapping just 0.071s behind Russell's Mercedes on the first Q3 runs, and placing third behind Piastri's McLaren. And on the final runs, even though Russell found 0.083s thanks to a tow from Max Verstappen, Gasly found more by following a Ferrari to claim his first pole position in F1 by 0.06s.

‘Gasly and Alpine stun Mercedes’;

Gasly and Alpine stun Mercedes to take Italian GP pole

Pierre Gasly claimed a shock pole position for Alpine in Italian GP F1 qualifying at Monza, beating George Russell's Mercedes to top spot

www.the-race.com

Italian GP: Pierre Gasly stuns Monza again with his first-ever pole position
5 September 2026
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MailOnline

"Let´s go! Been waiting for that one!" exclaimed Alpine's Pierre Gasly, who took his only Formula 1 win at Monza in 2020. Gasly looked strong throughout the session and finished O.060 seconds ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell, with Oscar Piastri qualifying in third.

"In the end it felt like a very good lap but I am so happy, it has been nine years, trying to chase and get the opportunity to get pole position," Gasly said. "To win my first race in Monza, get my first pole position on this track, it is something special around here."

‘Pierre Gasly stuns Monza’;

Italian GP: Pierre Gasly stuns Monza again with his first-ever pole...

MONZA, Italy (AP) - Alpine's Pierre Gasly claimed his first-ever pole position in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday.The F1 driver seemed as...

www.dailymail.com

Italian GP: Gasly conquers maiden F1 pole with Monza shocker!
05/09/2026
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

Pierre Gasly produced a sensational qualifying upset at Monza, claiming the first pole position of his Formula 1 career and handing Alpine a remarkable Saturday afternoon triumph on the scene of his maiden Grand Prix victory.

The Frenchman edged Mercedes favourite George Russell by just 0.060 seconds in a breathtaking Q3 finale, denying the Briton a fifth pole of the season and turning Alpine's biggest moment of the weekend into a genuine statement.

Pierre Gasly found an answer of his own. The Alpine driver latched onto Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari and extracted everything from his final lap, vaulting ahead of Russell when it mattered most.

‘Gasly conquers maiden F1 pole’;

Italian GP: Gasly conquers maiden F1 pole with Monza shocker!

Pierre Gasly produced a sensational qualifying upset at Monza, claiming the first pole position of his Formula 1 career.

f1i.com

 

[Fortitude]

Alpine offer explanation for Gasly's unexpected Monza pole.
6 Sep 2026
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Alpine's pace was no fluke: While Gasly's pole came as a surprise, Alpine had shown throughout Saturday that it possessed genuine pace at Monza. Both Gasly and Franco Colapinto comfortably progressed to Q3 after featuring near the sharp end of the timesheets in Q1 and Q2. The expectation was that the Alpine drivers would eventually fall back once Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull extracted their maximum performance.

The team's straight-line performance could prove particularly valuable around Monza, where low drag and strong power deployment are crucial. Gasly was understandably stunned by the result. “What an incredible moment, my first pole position in Formula 1! I am absolutely delighted by what happened today even if we all can't quite believe it,” Gasly said. “The result really exceeded our expectations. We did not expect that at all going into the day. It feels very special of course as I have been waiting a long time for this moment in Formula 1.”

Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore was equally delighted with the team's performance, praising both drivers and the entire organisation for what he described as an incredible result. “What an incredible result for Pierre, Franco, and the whole team with pole position and both cars in Q3,” Briatore said. “I'm super proud of Pierre, who deserves this moment with his first-ever pole position in Formula 1. The team did a fantastic job and this is exactly what they deserve after the news this week and the points we feel we unfairly lost as a team. It's also amazing to celebrate this milestone for the team together with François [Provost], achieving the team's first pole position as Alpine, and the team's first pole in 17 years.”

‘Alpine's pace was no fluke’;

Alpine offer explanation for Gasly's unexpected Monza pole - F1technical.net

www.f1technical.net

What Alpine got right at Monza and everyone else got wrong
5 Sep 2026
THE RACE TEAM
The Race

What Alpine got right: It is fair to say that Alpine was as surprised as its rivals about a pole position that it had never even dreamed of before the Italian Grand Prix weekend. As it tried to piece together the answers on Saturday night as to how it had done it, it became clear that, as much as the big teams had all slipped up in their own ways, Alpine had equally got itself into the perfect position to capitalise by getting everything within its control spot on.

Having a Mercedes engine around Monza certainly helped, as it remains the benchmark power unit. But one of Alpine's weaknesses earlier in the year – of not enough downforce – may well also have become a strength at Monza because of the low drag benefit. The A526 appears to be very efficient with good top speed, so that helped lift it into contention. The upgrades Gasly first got for Zandvoort have also served to give the car a better balance, and throughout practice Alpine had evolved the set-up to get him into a place he was very happy with.

That allowed him to attack the corners under braking (where others were struggling a lot) and take things to the edge through Ascari and Parabolica. Perhaps most critical of all though was Gasly's perfect slipstream positioning in the train of cars. Alpine had confidence to drop to the back of the pack in that final run – as that offered the biggest tow gain.

‘Gasly's perfect slipstream positioning’;

What Alpine got right at Monza and everyone else got wrong

F1's Monza pole shock happened partly because Alpine got things right, but also because the 'big four' got a lot wrong

www.the-race.com

Italian GP provisional starting grid: Piastri penalty gives Ferrari and Verstappen boost
5 Sep 2026
Henry Eccles
GPblog.com

Here is the provisional starting grid for tomorrow's Italian GP:
P Driver Team
P1 Pierre Gasly Alpine
P2 George Russell Mercedes
P3 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari
P4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari
P5 Max Verstappen Red Bull
P6 Oscar Piastri McLaren
P7 Franco Colapinto Alpine
P8 Lando Norris McLaren
P9 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls
P10 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi

‘Provisional starting grid’;

Italian GP provisional starting grid: Piastri penalty hands Ferrari Monza boost

Following Oscar Piastri's three-place grid penalty after Italian GP Qualifying, here is the provisional starting grid for what could be a thrilling race at Monza.

www.gpblog.com

Gasly hails ‘priceless’ Italian pole after Monaco heartbreak
Pierre Gasly has described his breakthrough Italian Grand Prix pole as “priceless” after Alpine completed a remarkable turnaround from the disappointment of losing its Monaco podium just 24 hours earlier.
6 Sep 2026
Ben Waterworth
Speedcafe

Gasly produced a 1m21.786s on his final Q3 run at Monza to beat George Russell by 0.060s and secure the first pole position of his Formula 1 career at his 190th grand prix. Gasly admitted he had arrived at the circuit on Saturday with far more modest expectations. “I don’t know what’s going on with that place here in Monza. I got my first win here. It obviously holds a special place in my heart,” Gasly told Sky Sports F1.

“But coming here this morning, we were aiming at Q3. I felt good this morning in the car. I felt good in quali. I found myself in P1 in Q1. I was like, a bit odd, but others are going to turn it up.” Gasly continued to feature towards the front through qualifying, finishing P4 in Q2, before finding another step when it mattered most, denying Russell what had appeared likely to be a fifth pole of the season. “And then just carry the foam and yeah, that last lap I really managed to squeeze everything out of it,” Gasly said.

“A special place in my heart”;

Gasly hails ‘priceless’ Italian pole after Monaco heartbreak

Gasly produced a 1m21.786s on his final Q3 run at Monza to beat George Russell by 0.060s and secure the

speedcafe.com

Checkmate then pole: Gasly beats Russell twice
5 Sep 2026
Laurence Edmondson
ESPN.co.uk

Before beating George Russell to pole position at the Italian Grand Prix, Pierre Gasly has revealed he also beat the Mercedes driver in a game of online chess. Gasly took the first pole position of his nine-year Formula 1 career on Saturday at Monza after setting a lap time 0.060 seconds faster than Russell in second place.

Speaking immediately after the shock result, George Russell revealed he had lost to Gasly in a game of chess shortly before they took to the track. "Firstly, massive congrats to Pierre because that's an incredible performance," he said. "We were actually finishing a game of chess about 15 minutes before qualifying, and he beat me there. And I thought, 'Well, I think I'll beat you in qualifying,' and here we are: he's ahead of me again. So huge congrats to him."

Pierre Gasly: "And I must say, before the quali[fying], I felt pretty confident because I was picking piece after piece. And, yeah, again, for the fun story, Ben [Thorne, Gasly's performance coach] told me, 'Well, you're getting George here, but he's going to get you in a few minutes [in qualifying].' 'I was like, "Yeah, f--- off.' Turned out that, yeah, it worked out well. So, yeah, it's been fun. I think we are very competitive and, whether it's on the track or off the track, we do need to find our little battles everywhere we can."

"Massive congrats to Pierre";

https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/49813192/pierre-gasly-checkmates-george-russell-chess-stunning-italian-grand-prix-pole-monza-formula-1

Reaction to Pierre Gasly's SHOCK pole! | Ted's Italian Grand Prix Qualifying Notebook
Sep 5, 2026
Sky Sports F1

Watch Ted Kravitz look back on a dramatic Italian Grand Prix qualifying session where Pierre Gasly claimed a shock first pole of his career.

Wolff smashes Mercedes computer screen as Russell denied Italian GP Pole Position
6 Sep 2026
Henry Eccles
GPblog.com

Team principal Toto Wolff was seen smashing a Mercedes computer screen following Pierre Gasly's sensational lap that denied George Russell of a Pole Position at Monza. Securing Alpine's first Pole since Fernando Alonso at the 2009 Hungarian GP, Gasly lines up ahead of Russell for Sunday's race.

Wolff was nonetheless pleased for Alpine after a historic Pole Position - the Enstone team's first in F1 since Fernando Alonso's result for Renault at the Hungarian GP in 2009.
"Yeah, happy. I think I am happy for Alpine. We played a little part in there and them being on Pole is something different, and they've done a good job," Wolff concluded. Watch Wolff's emotional reaction to Mercedes losing out on Pole Position below:

‘Wolff smashes Mercedes computer screen’;

Wolff smashes computer in anger after Russell denied Italian GP Pole

Team principal Toto Wolff was seen smashing a Mercedes computer screen following Pierre Gasly's sensational lap that denied George Russell of a Pole Position at Monza.

www.gpblog.com

Toto Wolff smashes his screen after Gasly's Pole | Pierre Gasly celebrates with girlfriend in Monza
Sep 5, 2026
F1 Chequered Flag

@Yukino-WTT
0:55 That Mercedes bloke trying to hold back a laugh as Toto pummels his monitor.

Jeremy Clarkson makes Alpine F1 promise after Pierre Gasly Italian GP pole
5 Sep 2026
Lydia Mee
Motorsport.com

“Right, Pierre Gasly. No pressure but if you translate that pole into a win, the whole team gets a Hawkstone. Go Chipping Norton team”. Former Top Gear and The Grand Tour host Jeremy Clarkson.

“No pressure”;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/jeremy-clarkson-makes-alpine-f1-promise-after-pierre-gasly-italian-gp-pole/10852731/

 

[Fortitude]

Antonelli writes Monza fairytale with sensational charge from P19 to victory.
6 Sep 2026
Tobia Elia
GPblog.com

Kimi Antonelli claimed a stunning victory at the Italian Grand Prix after completing an incredible comeback from 19th on the grid, while Charles Leclerc's race ended in heartbreak following a heavy crash in the opening laps. Here is the full recap of the race at Monza.

Gasly's spell at the front did not last long, however. Russell completed the move for the lead at the end of the opening lap, while Leclerc also managed to overtake the Alpine before surrendering the position again shortly afterwards. Ferrari's afternoon then took a dramatic turn on lap three. Leclerc lost control of his car at very high speed through the Parabolica and crashed heavily, bringing his Italian Grand Prix to an early end.

‘Monza fairytale’;

Antonelli turns P19 nightmare into dream maiden home victory at Monza

Kimi Antonelli claimed a stunning victory at the Italian Grand Prix after completing an incredible comeback from 19th on the grid.

www.gpblog.com

F1 2026 Italian Grand Prix race results
6 Sep 2026
THE RACE TEAM
The Race

Italian Grand Prix race result
1 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 53 laps
2 George Russell (Mercedes) +3.857s
3 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +14.718s
4 Lando Norris (McLaren) +19.056s
5 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +19.253s
6 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +24.655s
7 Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +27.351s
8 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +45.136s
9 Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +47.353s
10 Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) +58.187s

‘Race results’;

F1 2026 Italian Grand Prix race results

The complete race result from the 2026 1 Italian GP at Monza

www.the-race.com

Nico Rosberg questions Martin Brundle on-air over Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc incident.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton made contact on lap one of the Italian Grand Prix, sending Hamilton into the gravel.
6 Sep 2026
Ryan Smart
SPORTbible

Martin Brundle: "Lewis dived down the inside of him into the first apex - fair enough. That's motor racing. Then goes to the outside, which was bold. Leclerc, I think, at the apex was ahead. He was far enough ahead. And on the inside, which is another key element." When commentator David Croft asked if Leclerc could have left Hamilton more space, Brundle replied: "Probably, if he had enough command over his front tyres, which are not up to pressure and temperature. I suspect he wasn't overly pleased to have... no, he just understeers wide. You can see. He turns the wheel and the car didn't bite. And that's very normal on the first lap. I don't believe he would have been penalised.”

On the Leclerc and Hamilton incident, Nico Rosberg said: "That's an easy one. The rules are, if the driver on the outside - which in this case is Lewis - is ahead at some point towards the apex, then the inside must leave room. It's very straightforward and simple. Lewis was ahead going in, so Charles has to leave room. And he didn't. So it's 100 per cent Charles' fault. Could it be because it's a Ferrari racing in Monza [no action taken]? The rule is very clear. It is written in black and white. I can tell you which page - page 11.”

When Brundle said he'd called the incident in 'exactly the opposite way', Rosberg jokingly replied: "No way! Martin, I thought you knew what you were talking about usually! Martin Brundle: “I think that Charles had the inside line. He was far enough ahead," Brundle said. "My call is that I think he was a bit upset with what happened on the way into the first corner." "That's true," Rosberg said. "Lewis was too aggressive."

“100 per cent Charles' fault”;

Nico Rosberg questions Martin Brundle on-air over Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc incident

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton made contact on lap one of the Italian Grand Prix, sending Hamilton into the gravel.

www.sportbible.com

Hamilton lashes out at Leclerc over Italian GP start
6 Sep 2026
Ben Hunt
GPblog.com

Lewis Hamilton lashed out at Charles Leclerc on the the opening lap of the Italian GP. The two Ferrari teammates nearly came to blows at the first corner, with Hamilton complaining over the team's radio about his teammate's behaviour. "Charles pushed me off!" Hamilton said after he was forced wide by Leclerc, who then had a crash of his own, forcing the race to be stopped.

As the two drivers braked at over 200 mph into the narrow braking zone, Hamilton attempted a committed move around the outside line. However, Leclerc defended his position with extreme aggression, refusing to yield an inch and squeezing the British champion off the racing line. With nowhere left to run, Hamilton was forced hard over the exit curbs, compromising his entire entry and sacrificing crucial momentum.

Hamilton made it clear that Leclerc had left him zero racing room, directly pushing him off the circuit and jeopardising both of their races in front of a packed grandstand. While the passionate Italian crowd naturally roared in support of the home-team hero, the incident reignited fierce debates across the paddock regarding Ferrari's inability to manage their driver pairing. Hamilton had said the previous race how Ferrari's decision not to back one driver was hampering their chances.

‘Left him zero racing room’;

Hamilton fuming after Leclerc's aggressive opening lap squeeze

Hamilton accuses Leclerc of forcing him wide at Monza’s Turn 1 before Leclerc crashes and the Italian GP is red-flagged, sparking debate over Ferrari team control

www.gpblog.com

George Russell suffers Monza agony as Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli wins Italian Grand Prix to extend his Championship lead - despite starting 19th
6 September 2026
JONATHAN MCEVOY
MailOnline

George Russell's hopes of winning the drivers' championship were dealt a heavy blow as his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli won the Italian Grand Prix from near the back of the grid to extend his lead at the top.

Russell, starting second, passed surprise polesitter Pierre Gasly early on to take the lead but following a lengthy delay caused by a 160mph crash for Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, 20-year-old Antonelli carved through the field to emerge triumphant after 53 laps.

He had started 19th after taking a penalty for replacing his power unit. Russell took second but has now given up another seven points to Antonelli, who now leads him by 66 points.

‘Agony’;

George Russell agony as Kimi Antonelli wins Italian Grand Prix

George Russell's hopes of winning the drivers' championship were dealt a heavy blow as his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli won the Italian Grand Prix to extend his lead at the top.

www.dailymail.com

Elated Antonelli takes home victory at Monza
6 Sep 2026
Steven De Groote
F1 Technical

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Starting from 19th on the grid he carved his way through the field and fought hard with teammate George Russell to further extend his championship lead. Russell finished a close second as Verstappen completed the podium.

When the lights went out, Gasly had a strong start and held on to first position from pole, followed by Russell. The Ferrari duo were side by side through the first corner but the next corner saw Leclerc take all of the track and send Hamilton on to the gravel, down to 10th place.

In lap 50 Antonelli somehow easily passed Russell ahead of Ascari and strangely got a gap of more than one second before the finish line, seemingly sealing the victory. Behind them, Norris had gotten ahead of Piastri but Piastri later returned the favour on lap 51, leading Norris to say his teammate had pushed him off. The McLarens were in the party of their own by than as Verstappen had managed to pull 3 seconds away and Hamilton behind was unable to stay close to the orange cars.

‘Home victory’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/29272

Kimi Antonelli wins thrilling Monza battle to become first Italian winner since 1966
6 Sep 2026
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Kimi Antonelli won a thrilling back-and-forth fight against his teammate George Russell to become the first Italian to win the Italian Grand Prix since 1966. Although the teammates lined up on opposite ends of the grid, with Russell in second place and Antonelli down in 19th, they delivered a thrilling battle for the lead after the race was started following Charles Leclerc’s huge crash at Parabolica.

The battle resumed in the closing laps after Antonelli caught back up to his teammate after an extra pit stop, and stormed past him to win the Italian Grand Prix. Antonelli took the chequered flag after 53 thrilling laps, leading home Russell with Verstappen joining the teammates on the podiums. Norris made a late pass on Piastri to finish fourth ahead of his teammate with Hamilton sixth for Ferrari.

‘First Italian winner since 1966’;

Kimi Antonelli’s incredible Monza fight ends with historic Italian Grand Prix victory

19th to first for Kimi Antonelli at Monza.

www.planetf1.com

 

[Fortitude]

Lewis Hamilton declares ‘too late’ for Ferrari team orders after Leclerc clash.
7 Sep 2026
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Hamilton says the window has closed for team orders to be worthwhile after the disappointment of Monza. Hamilton is now 76 points off Antonelli and top spot. “I think from today, we just lost so much ground to them on points, and it’s far too late for those decisions to come,” Hamilton said on the team orders topic, when speaking with PlanetF1.com and others after the Italian Grand Prix.

“It’s many, many weeks too late. Probably all I can do is just try and turn up. I’ll get up tomorrow morning, I’ll give it my best. I think ultimately today I just feel massively gutted for the tifosi who showed up for us today, the guys back at the factory who really really are giving it everything. We know yesterday we didn’t really execute that well, and I think same today.”

“It’s tough this week. I’m giving it everything I can, and sometimes it’s just not enough. You need all the other stuff to come together.” Considering his comments ahead of the race about teamwork, it was put to Hamilton that the incident with Leclerc at the Italian GP start was not what he needed at all. “No. It was very bad for the team,” he confirmed. “It put us way back in positions. Then I just tried to reset, and I was like, ‘Okay, try and catch up.'”

‘Too late’;

Lewis Hamilton rues 'too late' for Ferrari team orders after Leclerc clash

Is it too late for Ferrari to help Lewis Hamilton with team orders?

www.planetf1.com

“Far too late” for Ferrari to prioritise drivers as Lewis Hamilton's F1 title hopes fade
6 Sep 2026
Lewis Duncan
Crash.Net

On Ferrari’s operational issues, Hamilton added that the team “keeps getting the same results”, suggesting a change in approach must come from the very top. “Ultimately, it comes from the top,” he said. “It trickles down, the decisions - and it starts with Fred [Vasseur].

“And there’s only so much you can say, only so much you can push and shout from the mountaintop. Yesterday I said we’ve got to look at how we communicate, because if we continue to travel the same path, we get the same result. We keep getting the same result. We’ve got to change things because this is not helping us move forward. I think they are receptive to it.”

He added: "I think it comes down to rules of engagement. When I was at Mercedes, we had a written rule of engagement. We never really, really had too bad. There was a moment maybe with me and Nico [Rosberg] a couple of times. But more often than not it was good, I mean, [especially with] Valtteri [Bottas]... Here there are no rules."

“Far too late”;

“Far too late” for Ferrari to prioritise drivers as Lewis Hamilton's F1 title hopes fade

Lewis Hamilton believes it’s too late for Ferrari to prioritise him in the title race now

www.crash.net

Ferrari’s Italian GP disaster raises brutal question over Vasseur's future
6 Sep 2026
Ben Hunt
GPblog.com

Monza was packed to the rafters with a sea of red, vibrating with an intensity only the Temple of Speed can produce. Tifosi packed every grandstand, not only hoping for a Ferrari victory, but genuinely expecting one. Unlike the hollow hype of years past, this weekend carried genuine optimism. Ferrari seemed poised to deliver a statement on home soil. Instead, the illusion evaporated in a matter of seconds.

Charles Leclerc’s opening-lap mistake did not just end his own afternoon; it nearly wiped out his teammate Lewis Hamilton into the first chicane, leaving him furious. It was a chaotic, frantic misjudgment that immediately put the Scuderia on the back foot. While driver errors happen in the heat of battle, the broader picture exposed across the remaining fifty-two laps was far more damning. Ferrari was utterly outclassed. The contrast between the Italian winner of his home race and Hamilton's lowly sixth place finish was obvious. From the outside, there seems little leadership, little cohesion between's it's drivers and worse still, a total lack of understanding between them.

But this was not bad luck; it was a brutal reality check and representative of an era that had promised so much. Hard questions now land squarely at the door of Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur. When the Frenchman arrived at Maranello, he was tasked with stripping away the toxic blame culture and turning Ferrari into a ruthless championship-winning machine.

‘GP disaster’;

Is it time for Ferrari to sack Fred Vasseur after another Monza failure

Antonelli wins Italian GP from back as Mercedes dominate; Leclerc’s lap-one crash enrages Hamilton, Ferrari falter, McLaren pass, and pressure mounts on Vasseur

www.gpblog.com

Ferrari team boss Vasseur sends clear message to Tifosi ahead of Madrid race
07 Sep 2026
Ben Hunt
GPblog.com

Speaking after the chequered flag, the Scuderia Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur reflected on a weekend where Ferrari had hoped to deliver a standout result in front of their passionate home crowd, Lewis Hamilton's sixth place was all they could achieve, despite tens of thousands of fans who packed the grandstands. "Tomorrow morning, we're back at the factory. We will prepare for Madrid, and we'll come to Madrid with all the energy that we need to have a good result," Vasseur explained. "But it's true that Monza for us, even if I spent the week saying that it is a normal race, it's not, as you can imagine."

The atmosphere in the Temple of Speed was electric all weekend long, with the iconic sea of red cheering Ferrari on from Friday practice through to Sunday's race. Vasseur made sure to highlight the loyalty of the Tifosi, expressing regret that the team could not reward their unconditional support with the ultimate prize on home soil. But ultimately his team was upstaged by Mercedes' young Italian driver, Kimi Antonelli, who won over the home fans with a hugely impressive drive.

"And with all the Tifosi this weekend, we were expecting to give them something else as a big thank you for all the support and the enthusiasm that they have, and so that we all have the feeling to have felt something," the team principal said. With preparations already underway for the first race at the new Madrid circuit, Vasseur concluded his debrief with a defiant pledge that Ferrari will bounce back immediately at the next round on the calendar. "Be sure that we'll come back next week much stronger," Vasseur concluded firmly.

‘Defiant pledge’;

Vasseur reacts to Monza disappointment: 'We expected to give the Tifosi something else'

Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur concedes Monza’s pressure after a modest result, praising the Tifosi and vowing a stronger response at the upcoming Madrid Grand Prix

www.gpblog.com

Vasseur: Monza rift between Ferrari drivers ‘not good for the team’
06/09/2026
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

The Ferrari boss revealed that his post-race conversations with the drivers had barely begun, making it clear that a fuller assessment would take place behind closed doors in Maranello rather than in front of the assembled media. “I spoke to Lewis for two seconds and not at all with Charles,” commented Vasseur when asked about the incident during his media session on Sunday night.

The Frenchman was equally reluctant to immediately declare one driver responsible, but he had no hesitation in acknowledging that the consequences were precisely the sort of outcome Ferrari could ill afford. “We'll have time to discuss that. I prefer to discuss with them first and not with you. For sure, the outcome of Turn 1-2 is not good for the team, if it's the question,” he said.

Yet the Ferrari boss acknowledged that the luxury of letting both drivers race indefinitely may eventually disappear. The question is no longer whether team orders could become necessary, but when Ferrari believes the championship situation demands them. "For sure, at one stage you have to take a decision, but I think it was too early to take a decision before Monza. Now I will have time to discuss with the guys,” he explained.

‘Monza rift’;

Vasseur: Monza rift between Ferrari drivers ‘not good for the team’

Fred Vasseur has conceded that Ferrari has been left with an ugly mess to clean up after its drivers nearly came together at Monza.

f1i.com

Ferrari's vintage disaster-class paves way for Antonelli to win Italian GP
6 Sep 2026
Nate Saunders
ESPN.com

MONZA, Italy -- If you wanted two laps of Formula 1 racing that encapsulated the misery, frustration and perpetual humiliation of rooting for modern Ferrari, the disaster-class provided by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at the start of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix was a perfect example.

Fittingly, Italy's longest-running sporting disappointment opted to inflict the latest volley of misery on its tifosi fanbase on the same day the nation's new sporting icon and F1's championship leader, Kimi Antonelli, delivered one of the most magnificent drives you'll see: victory from 19th on the grid for the seventh victory of his career and the first by an Italian at Monza since 1966. While Ferrari's wait for a first drivers' championship since 2007 and constructors' championship since 2008 will each roll on for another year, Italy's wait for its first Formula 1 world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953 will almost certainly be ended by Antonelli some time in the next four months.

Perhaps history books will mark Sept. 6, 2026, as the day Italy was finally able to call time on its tortured and toxic love affair with Enzo Ferrari's historic team. Maybe it is time instead for this proud racing nation to pour its heart and soul into the Bologna prodigy Mercedes snatched from under Ferrari's noses as a boy. It all happened so fast… Less than three laps and 10 miles of racing later, the whole thing was in tatters.

‘Ferrari's vintage disaster-class’;

https://www.espn.com/racing/f1/story/_/id/49850758/ferrari-vintage-disasterclass-paves-way-kimi-antonelli-take-home-italian-gp-win-monza

 

[Fortitude]

Fred Vasseur hints at potential Ferrari team orders change
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has indicated a willingness to now consider invoking team orders, even though Lewis Hamilton feels doing so would be too little, too late.
7 September 2026
Samuel Coop & Sàndor Mészáros
RacingNews365

Fred Vasseur has suggested he will discuss team orders with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after the Italian Grand Prix. Until now, the Ferrari team principal has been reticent to implement them and was quick to highlight how McLaren would have handed Max Verstappen the F1 drivers' championship last season if the Woking-based squad had backed Oscar Piastri at this stage of the campaign.

However, with Hamilton's advantage over Leclerc growing to 36 points after the Monegasque driver crashed out at Monza, Vasseur has indicated a willingness to consider them. The subject came acutely back into focus at the Temple of Speed, when the two drivers clashed through the opening chicane on the first lap, which cost Hamilton dearly.

‘Willingness to now consider invoking team orders’;

Fred Vasseur hints at potential Ferrari team orders change

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has indicated a willingness to now consider invoking team orders, even though Lewis Hamilton feels doing so would be too little, too late.

racingnews365.com

Lewis Hamilton Calls Monza Result ‘Devastating’ as Ferrari’s Home Race Falls Apart at Turn 2
8 September 2026
Jack Renn
F1 Chronicle

• Lewis Hamilton finished sixth in the Italian Grand Prix after running wide in the gravel exiting Turn 2 on the opening lap.
• Hamilton called the result “a bit devastating” and said Ferrari “probably chose the wrong tyre” at the restart.
• Team mate Charles Leclerc crashed out on lap two after his own fight with Hamilton through the first two corners.

A Ferrari Home Race That Fell Apart by Turn 2: Lewis Hamilton admits that finishing sixth in the Italian Grand Prix is a “tough one to swallow,” as Ferrari endured a difficult home race at Monza. The Tifosi had high hopes ahead of Sunday’s 53-lap race, with Hamilton starting fourth and directly behind Ferrari team mate Charles Leclerc. The race came apart for him almost as soon as the lights went out.

Off Track by the Second Corner: Hamilton moved up the inside of Leclerc at Turn 1, only to find himself in the gravel on the exit of Turn 2, which dropped the seven-time World Champion to the fringes of the top 10. He suggested over the radio that he had been pushed off. “Well I ended up P10 or something. There’s not really much to say. We’ll take it offline,” Hamilton said when asked what impact the moment had on his race.

‘Devastating’;

Lewis Hamilton Calls Monza Result 'Devastating' as Ferrari's Home Race Falls Apart at Turn 2 | F1 News

Lewis Hamilton admits that finishing sixth in the Italian Grand Prix is a "tough one to swallow," as Ferrari endured a difficult home race at Monza.

f1chronicle.com

Vasseur admits Ferrari "knew that this race would be challenging"
7 Sep 2026
Balazs Szabo
GPblog.com

Ferrari endured a frustrating Italian Grand Prix at Monza, with Charles Leclerc’s early retirement and Lewis Hamilton’s difficult recovery leaving the Scuderia unable to deliver the result its passionate home crowd had hoped for. The race quickly turned into a challenging afternoon for Ferrari. Hamilton and Leclerc went wheel-to-wheel through the opening chicane, with Hamilton taking the outside line and running wide onto the gravel. The incident was deemed a racing incident, but it dropped Hamilton down to 11th. The seven-time world champion was able to recover several positions before the race was interrupted by a red flag, which was triggered by his team-mate.

Leclerc was involved in a fierce battle with Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen on the second lap. While fighting hard, the Monegasque ran slightly wide and put his Ferrari onto the dirty side of the circuit. He subsequently lost the rear of the SF-26 at high speed, went through the gravel and suffered a heavy impact with the barriers. Thankfully, Leclerc was able to walk away from the crash without injury, but the incident brought a premature end to his home race and was a major blow to Ferrari's hopes of a strong result in front of the tifosi. "It was a big impact, so the most important thing is that Charles is okay," Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said.

Vasseur acknowledged that Ferrari had struggled to match its rivals in one of Monza's most important areas. "We knew that this race would be challenging, especially in terms of our top speed, and that made it difficult for Lewis to fight and overtake the cars around him," he explained. Vasseur also provided Ferrari's account of Leclerc's crash, explaining that the incident came after the Monegasque was fighting Piastri through the final corner. "Regarding Charles, on the second lap he was side by side with Oscar (Piastri) going into the last corner and went slightly onto the dirty side of the track, which was enough for him to lose the car and hit the barriers."

‘Scuderia unable to deliver the result’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/29274

Charles Leclerc Breaks Down His Heartbreaking Monza Exit and the ‘Way Too Close’ Clash With Hamilton
8 September 2026
Jack Renn
F1 Chronicle

Speaking to the media afterward, Charles Leclerc shared his thoughts on the fight with his team mate and conceded it is “never what you want” to see between drivers on the same team. “With Lewis it was a way too close into Turn 1 and unfortunately in Turn 2, I don’t know if we had contact or whatsoever,” he explained. “I was quite a lot on the inside curve and tried to make the corner, which I didn’t do it tight enough, and then I obviously only saw in the mirrors what happened which is never what you want between two cars, between two cars of the same team.”

Explaining the Crash: Leclerc’s charge did not last long once the race resumed. The 28 year old ran off the track at the Parabolica and into the barriers on lap two, putting him out to the disappointment of the Tifosi watching on. He was unharmed in the incident. Reflecting on his exit from the race, Leclerc added: “Then for the crash itself, I went on throttle, on the first lap it felt kind of weird, I had to go back off and on throttle. On that second lap, I tried to do the same thing but, I don’t know, it just felt a little bit weird, so we’ll look into it.”

‘Charles Leclerc shared his thoughts’;

Charles Leclerc Breaks Down His Heartbreaking Monza Exit and the 'Way Too Close' Clash With Hamilton | F1 News

Charles Leclerc's Italian Grand Prix ended almost before it had begun, the Ferrari driver crashing out at the Parabolica on lap two after starting from third

f1chronicle.com

Charles Leclerc hits back at anti-teamwork Lewis Hamilton 'narrative'
Charles Leclerc's Italian GP was nothing short of a complete disaster, which also had ramifications for Lewis Hamilton.
7 September 2026
Nick Golding & Sàndor Mészáros
RacingNews365

Discussions about the Ferrari pair not working together were brought up in Zandvoort before it all went horribly wrong at the first two corners in Monza. Both Scuderia drivers started on the second row, with Hamilton opting for an aggressive move down the inside of Leclerc at the first corner.

This forced Leclerc to take a different line into Turn 2, which resulted in his seven-time world champion teammate being left with nowhere to go but the gravel on the exit of the corner. Hamilton tumbled from fourth to 10th and immediately complained over the radio, only for Leclerc to crash out of the race at the end of the second lap and trigger a red flag.

Asked about the narrative of himself and Lewis Hamilton not working together, the Monegasque told select media, including RacingNews365: "Yeah, I don't really know who is forcing that narrative that we are one against the other. I mean, honestly, Zandvoort, there were way too many talks already. Here, it's true, though, that we went too far. I think Lewis in Turn 1, then Turn 2, I tried to do the tightest corner possible, but that was just not enough. And doing it here is not good."

‘Nothing short of a complete disaster’;

Charles Leclerc hits back at anti-teamwork Lewis Hamilton 'narrative'

Charles Leclerc's Italian GP was nothing short of a complete disaster, which also had ramifications for Lewis Hamilton.

racingnews365.com

 

[Fortitude]

Kimi Antonelli 'walked over water' at Monza - Here's why Toto Wolff made biblical reference
Kimi Antonelli has extended his drivers' championship lead to 66 points following his astonishing Italian GP victory.
8 September 2026
Ian Parkes & Sàndor Mészáros
RacingNews365

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes Kimi Antonelli "walked over water" in describing his young driver's astonishing Italian Grand Prix victory at Monza on Sunday. Explaining his comments, Wolff added: "It's been a while since I've seen a driver's energy levels, mindset, or behavioural pattern, and I knew that was his mission to win the race. I also chatted with his father, and the father also saw it coming.”

"These are the moments when you can see how a weekend is panning out through the sessions that a special moment could come. But it's still a mechanical sport, so it can change quickly. We had to go on a one-stop strategy [at the start]," said Wolff. "We knew he was going to go through the field.”

"Then the race was red-flagged, and then suddenly you find yourself on the back foot with the medium. [But] That proved to be the right strategy. But the differentiator was [his] ability to go through the traffic, and we've seen it with other great ones in the past. Lewis did it at some races, and that's what he [Antonelli] has shown. There's just no stopping when a driver and a car are one. There is nothing that can stop them."

'Walked over water';

Kimi Antonelli 'walked over water' at Monza - Here's why Toto Wolff made biblical reference

Kimi Antonelli has extended his drivers' championship lead to 66 points following his astonishing Italian GP victory.

racingnews365.com

Wolff hails his team after Mercedes "were comfortably faster than the rest of the field"
7 Sep 2026
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff praised both drivers after the team's emphatic one-two finish. "That was a phenomenal race by the team and both drivers," Wolff said. "To take a 1-2 in Monza is a special feeling and victory will obviously be particularly sweet for Kimi at his home race."

Both Mercedes drivers were comfortably faster than the rest of the field for much of the race, with Wolff particularly impressed by the way they managed their battle without compromising the team's result. "Both Kimi and George drove brilliantly and were comfortably faster than the rest of the field. Even though they were battling at moments, they kept it clean and brought home a big points haul which is incredibly valuable at this stage in the championship."

Wolff highlighted Antonelli's composure throughout what was an extraordinary recovery drive, pointing out that the Italian avoided unnecessary risks despite starting deep in the field. "Kimi's drive was methodical from the very start. He kept his head down, took no risks on both starts and just one-by-one began picking off the cars ahead of him."

“Comfortably faster”;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/29277

Mercedes to review Monza incident that ‘would have made us look like idiots’
Kimi Antonelli's Italian Grand Prix almost ended in embarrassment for Mercedes
7 Sep 2026
Sam Hall
Crash.Net

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff conceded that the team could have looked "like idiots" had Kimi Antonelli been unable to escape from the Monza gravel after a failed overtake on George Russell. "The last incident was unfortunate," he said. "George tried not to cut the corner, and Kimi then, obviously, on the marbles went straight, and that could have ended up in a disaster when it comes to the race result, and we would have been like idiots.”

“So we will be talking about that situation as another building block of how to go and race in the future. But I think it showed the racing spirit in the team and have them war [with] each other. We're trying to anticipate possible scenarios, and the two of them have an ingrained understanding, and [that is also] ingrained in the team," he said.

"The team component, which is difficult for a race driver that wins, that is that tries to win a Grand Prix, especially for Kimi in Monza, especially for George, who needs to keep scoring points in order to stay in the [title] race; they've always been clean. At times, we were thinking it's clean, but it's a bit close, and I had my finger on the button, to Marcus, to Bono, to Kimi, to George, but didn't push it."

‘Review Monza incident’;

Mercedes to review Monza incident that ‘would have made us look like idiots’

Kimi Antonelli's Italian Grand Prix almost ended in embarrassment for Mercedes

www.crash.net

John Watson: ‘It takes a racer to win from the back. Kimi is outstanding’
7 September 2026
Dominic Tobin
Motor Sport Magazine

Kimi Antonelli's F1 victory from 19th on the grid at Monza was sensational. Now John Watson, who won a grand prix after starting a record-breaking 22nd, rates the drive. Kimi Antonelli added his name to one of Formula 1’s most exclusive lists at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix: until Sunday, only four drivers have ever won a race from 17th place or lower. The world championship leader joins Max Verstappen, Rubens Barrichello, Kimi Raikkonen and John Watson in driving to victory from the very tail end of the grid.

“There are some drivers who are what I would call fundamentally racers, and the people mentioned [above] were people that I would describe as racers,” Watson told Motor Sport. “There are many fine racing drivers who have won grands prix and have been world champions, who have not, in my view, been what I would describe as an out-and-out racer. It’s having this ability to make judgments when you’re catching a car,” he said. “You must catch it in the right part of the racetrack to enable you to continue that progress, not to find yourself being bogged down and then losing your momentum.”

“It comes down to a variety of qualities in the personality of the person and their ability behind the wheel to make those assessments and judgments. Execution is key ultimately, and you’ve got to be decisive. Kimi is outstanding. There’s no question. He’s one of those once-in-a-decade talents that comes along: Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen. Kimi looks like he’s going to be the next one.”

‘Sensational’;

John Watson: ‘It takes a racer to win from the back. Kimi is outstanding’

Kimi Antonelli's F1 victory from 19th on the grid at Monza was sensational. Now John Watson, who won a grand prix after starting a record-breaking 22nd, rates the drive

www.motorsportmagazine.com

Kimi Antonelli Calls Stunning Monza Win From 19th on the Grid a ‘Dream Coming True’
8 September 2026
Jack Renn
F1 Chronicle

• Kimi Antonelli won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza after starting the race from 19th on the grid.
• The victory made the 20 year old the first Italian driver to win his home race in 60 years.
• Antonelli now leads George Russell by 66 points in the drivers’ championship after his seventh win of the season.

A Dream Antonelli Could Barely Believe Was Real: Kimi Antonelli won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday, driving from 19th on the grid to become the first Italian driver to win his home race in 60 years.

“I Could Never Have Imagined to Be Here”: “Unbelievable, I’m so happy and I could never have imagined to be here today but we managed to pull it off and I’m really happy,” Antonelli said immediately after the race. “It’s a dream coming true.”

‘Stunning Monza Win From 19th’;

Kimi Antonelli Calls Stunning Monza Win From 19th on the Grid a 'Dream Coming True' | F1 News

Kimi Antonelli won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday, driving from 19th on the grid to become the first Italian driver to win his home race in 60 years.

f1chronicle.com

Antonelli claims "his Italian Grand Prix victory as a moment he will remember forever"
7 Sep 2026
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Kimi Antonelli described his Italian Grand Prix victory as a moment he will remember forever after producing a stunning recovery from 19th on the grid to win at Monza and become the first Italian driver to triumph at the circuit since 1966. The victory also represented another major milestone in what has become a remarkable season for Antonelli. Asked whether it was the best race of his career, the young Italian remained characteristically measured.

"I mean, the best one has yet to come," he said. "But I feel like, yeah, it was one of the best races I’ve done so far and, yeah, one that I will remember forever." The result also strengthened Antonelli's position in the championship. He now holds a 66-point advantage over Russell, but the Monza winner is refusing to allow himself to become distracted by the standings. "I don’t want to really look at it because we’ve seen in this season how things can change very quickly," Antonelli said.

Instead, he intends to maintain a race-by-race approach and focus solely on maximising every opportunity. "On my side I just need to take one race at a time, just try to maximise every result, every opportunity I get, and then we’ll see what happens at the end of the year. There’s no point in thinking about the championship and we’ve just, you know, got to stay in the moment, present, and then take it race by race."

“A moment he will remember forever"

https://www.f1technical.net/news/29279

 

[Fortitude]

Verstappen cynical after the Italian GP in Monza: 'Apparently the fastest engine'.
6 Sep 2026
Hidde Korte
GPblog.com

Max Verstappen has responded to his third place in the Italian Grand Prix as he remained realistic about Red Bull's chances of catching Mercedes, raising questions about their power unit. On Viaplay, the Dutchman reflected on his race. He was told that a podium in Monza wasn't on the bingo card. "I don't do bingo, but for us this is a good result. Still, we're obviously extremely slow on the straights."

That was also the prevailing thought for the Dutchman after the race. "Satisfied with the result, it's fine for us. But of course it's a shame that we're losing so much on the straight. That's not news, we've known that for a while. Apparently we do have the fastest engine," Verstappen said cynically. Verstappen addressed issues at the rear of his car, which had bothered him all weekend. "The car didn't feel very good, but we maximised it," he said. "Especially in the slow corners, as I explained yesterday."

Verstappen lost time at one point and ran wide in the first corner; he explained that it was due to the asphalt coming loose. "In Turn 2 the asphalt came loose and suddenly I nearly went off the track. I turned in and hit all the loose asphalt, which caused the car to snap. Kimi had that too, the asphalt was coming up. After that McLaren was in that overtake mode and we're just slow on the straight. Then they could benefit and I couldn't get them out of that overtake mode. That was until they started fighting, which gave me a second back. Then it was okay."

"I don't do bingo, but for us this is a good result”;

Verstappen ignites debate after Italian GP at Monza

Verstappen satisfied with P3 in Italy but frustrated with Red Bull’s top speed and rear-end issues; time lost due to asphalt coming loose. Praise for Antonelli.

www.gpblog.com

Mekies praises Max after Monza podium: 'He was incredible'
6 September 2026
Yvonne Huijs
Verstappen.nl

Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing: “Today was a well-deserved podium for Max and the whole Team. It was an intense weekend, but the race showed that our pace was fairly strong. Mercedes was a bit too fast for us, but we were strong enough to beat Ferrari and McLaren on merits. It was probably our best race pace in a few weeks and a step in the right direction.”

Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing: “We won’t be happy until we have that ultimate speed. We clearly still have some challenges to overcome. Once we get to the bottom of them, that may unlock more performance. Max has been incredible on track today. He made several very spectacular overtakes and defensive manoeuvres and drove an aggressive strategy which led us to the podium.”

Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing: “Liam showed good pace after a challenging start of the race from the back of the grid following his PU penalties. Contact with Nico meant we had to change his front wing and ultimately killed his chance for points. We take the improved pace and many learnings from Monza, and look forward to the very new circuit of Madrid in a few days.”

'He was incredible';

Mekies praises Max after Monza podium: 'He was incredible'

<p>Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, looks back on the Italian Grand Prix with a positive feeling. Max Verstappen finished third at Monza. “Today was a well-deserved podium for Max and the whole Team. It was an intense weekend, but the race showed that our pace...

news.verstappen.com

Red Bull pokes fun at FIA findings after latest ADUO decision
8 Sep 2026
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Red Bull has put out light-hearted social media posts after the FIA’s ADUO scheme suggested it has the most powerful engine on the F1 2026 grid. In a post to social media, the team put out a light-hearted nod to the situation alongside its original business model, writing:

“Things we make:
• Energy drinks
• Sugar-free energy drinks
• Tropical energy drinks
• The benchmark Formula One engine
“One of these wasn’t in the original business plan.”
In a follow-up advertising the product under which the team races, it added: “Red Bull and ICE, what (a)duo.”

Red Bull Powertrains was found to have retained its status as the most powerful internal combustion engine (ICE) in the FIA’s most recent Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) findings. Max Verstappen said at last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix that Red Bull “don’t see the same numbers” as the FIA despite the apparent success of Red Bull Powertrains in producing a strong ICE in its first fully-fledged season as a power unit manufacturer.

“Red Bull and ICE, what (a)duo”;

Red Bull pokes fun at FIA after controversial engine decision

"Red Bull and ICE, what (a)duo."

www.planetf1.com

Marko’s blunt Newey verdict as Red Bull takes ‘wrong direction’
6 Sep 2026
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Helmut Marko says Red Bull has gone in the “wrong direction” with the development of the RB22, but he does not believe it is a consequence of losing design guru Adrian Newey. It was suggested to Wache that Red Bull’s latest updates, with the team introducing four new parts at Monza, had created the problem.

The team’s technical director Pierre Wache admitted last month that Red Bull is finding new problems almost every weekend. “With this new car, you see a different problem every time you go to the track, when you put the car on the ground. We try to maximise it, but no confidence,” said Wache. “No,” he replied: “I mean that we will evaluate some components and afterwards we have some choices to make between different components [that we have] since a few races. I think we have to make some choices on that.”

Verstappen’s complaints continued on Saturday, with the Red Bull driver P6 in qualifying. “We have some components on the car that break or seize up,” Verstappen said. “I’ve had that feeling quite often this season. It happened between the third free practice session and qualifying. Then the car doesn’t handle the bumps and kerbs well anymore. It just bounces around a lot more, and we end up losing lap time.”

‘Wrong direction’;

Helmut Marko delivers blunt Adrian Newey verdict on Red Bull’s RB22 development

Is Red Bull missing Adrian Newey?

www.planetf1.com

Verstappen admits he hoped Antonelli and Russell would fight harder at Italian GP
6 Sep 2026
Tim Kraaij
GPblog.com

Max Verstappen hoped that Kimi Antonelli and George Russell would fight harder than they did at the Italian GP. Verstappen said this to the Mercedes drivers behind the scenes, before all three headed to the podium. When Antonelli joined them on the couch, the screen showed footage of the duel between the two Mercedes drivers. “I saw that and thought, ‘a bit more, guys,’” Verstappen jokes to the Mercedes men.

‘Fight harder at Italian GP’;

Verstappen makes striking remark about Antonelli and Russell after Italian GP

Verstappen reveals in the green room that he expected a tougher duel between Antonelli and Russell, and discusses the VSC pit stop at the Italian GP.

www.gpblog.com

Verstappen happy with Monza P3 despite issue that ‘cost a lot’
Max Verstappen returned to the podium at the Italian Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver battling hard on his way to a P3 finish.
Sep 06, 2026
Formula One - Official Site

Max Verstappen was pleased to come away from the Italian Grand Prix with a podium finish in P3, having conceded after the race that a lack of deployment in comparison to other cars “cost us a lot”. Starting from fifth on the grid, Verstappen had climbed up to third in the opening laps – and when the event was restarted following a crash for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, the Dutchman even moved up into the lead at one stage.

“I tried to battle but we were just too slow on the straight,” said Verstappen. “We just lacked the same deployment, and that basically cost us a lot because at one point it's not defendable anymore. Once of course I had Kimi and George in front of me, I could just hang into the Overtake Mode. We just lack a bit of deployment on tracks like this, but for us to be on the podium is a very good result.”

Quizzed on the overtakes he had made – and whether being able to fight was a positive to take from the weekend – Verstappen responded: “I mean, I had to. “I was so slow on the straight that the only chance was just to try and brake late and try to get my positions back all the time, in the start, if we were battling, but it worked. So, of course, happy with that and happy to be on the podium.”

‘Returned to the podium’;

Verstappen happy with Monza P3 after issue that ‘cost a lot’

Max Verstappen returned to the podium at the Italian Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver battling hard on his way to a P3 finish.

www.formula1.com