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Hulkenberg open to racing beyond 40

GMM — 2026-09-18T08:39:00Z

Nico Hulkenberg says he has no fixed retirement age as he prepares to continue with Audi into 2027, when he will turn 40.
The German turned 39 last month, leaving only Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton older among the current Formula 1 grid.
Asked by Mundo Deportivo whether he could imagine continuing until 45 like Alonso, Hulkenberg said performance will ultimately decide.
"It's very impressive," he said when asked about the Spaniard.
"He's still doing very well. The thing is, the (…)

Imola finale now an open secret

GMM — 2026-09-18T07:31:15Z

More and more signs are emerging that Formula 1 is unlikely to finish the 2026 season in the Middle East, with Imola now widely treated inside the paddock as the replacement finale.
Auto Motor und Sport reports that the worsening regional security situation is now affecting several major motorsport events beyond F1.
The Dakar Rally, due to be held in Saudi Arabia in January, is reportedly at risk of cancellation, while the FIA has already removed Saudi Arabia's WRC round from the (…)

Leclerc set for Baku engine penalty

GMM — 2026-09-18T06:42:24Z

Charles Leclerc is now expected to take a grid penalty in Baku, with Ferrari apparently unwilling to race the upgraded engine removed from his heavily crashed Monza car.
The power unit was withdrawn from Leclerc's allocation for Madrid after his Parabolica accident and sent for detailed checks, forcing him back onto an older specification without Ferrari's latest ADUO upgrade.
"As far as I know, they're still checking it, so we'll see," Leclerc said after the Madrid GP.
"I don't know (…)

Hamilton denies asking Ferrari to sack staff

GMM — 2026-09-18T06:11:00Z

Lewis Hamilton has publicly denied Italian reports that he is pushing for personnel changes at Ferrari, amid renewed speculation about tension involving team boss Fred Vasseur.
Corriere della Sera reported this week that Hamilton had requested changes among Ferrari's trackside staff and suggested his relationship with Vasseur had become strained.
Hamilton responded directly on Instagram.
"I've seen some of the stories that have gone out and I want to clear it up here," he wrote on a (…)

Tsunoda admits he stopped enjoying F1

GMM — 2026-09-17T13:10:00Z

Yuki Tsunoda has admitted the pressure of his disastrous 2025 season alongside Max Verstappen became so severe that he stopped enjoying both Formula 1 and life away from the track.
Speaking on Beyond The Grid, Tsunoda described last season as the toughest of his career.
"Definitely 2025 was the toughest year in my career and I learned, like, loads, heaps of things," said the Japanese.
He said his usual ways of recovering mentally between races stopped working during the second half of (…)

Vesti tips Camara for Haas seat

GMM — 2026-09-17T09:21:00Z

Frederik Vesti believes Haas may provide the only significant driver change for 2027, with Rafael Camara emerging as a logical candidate to replace Esteban Ocon.
Speaking to Ekstra Bladet, the Mercedes reserve said the market has become unusually static.
"Every weekend we talk to teams and maintain communication," said the Dane. "But we are also in a place where there is currently no seat."
"Most likely there will be a replacement at Haas and only Haas."
Vesti believes Ferrari-backed (…)

Colapinto reveals pre-race sex ban

GMM — 2026-09-17T08:36:00Z

Franco Colapinto has revealed an unusual rule in his preparation for Formula 1 weekends - avoiding sex before racing.
Speaking on Spanish television program La Revuelta, the Alpine driver was asked whether he had had sex in the previous month.
"No, I've been involved in many races," said the 23-year-old.
Colapinto said the rule comes from Fernando Belasteguin, the former world number 1 padel player who now helps manage his sporting preparation.
"The person who manages my sports side, (…)

Stella unsure F1 should change VSC rules

GMM — 2026-09-17T07:53:28Z

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella says Formula 1 should discuss whether Virtual Safety Car procedures can be made fairer after Lando Norris lost the Madrid GP through unfortunate timing - but he is not convinced the rules should actually change.
Norris had just passed the pit entry when the VSC was deployed, leaving him unable to stop immediately while rivals behind could take advantage.
Norris and several other drivers, including Max Verstappen, subsequently suggested F1 should at least (…)

Mekies backs FIA help for struggling Honda

GMM — 2026-09-17T06:38:00Z

Laurent Mekies has joined Toto Wolff in backing the principle of Formula 1 helping Honda close its performance deficit, after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem openly suggested further assistance could be considered.
Ben Sulayem revealed in Madrid that he recently told Fernando Alonso to explain what the FIA could do to improve Aston Martin-Honda's situation, amid the Spaniard's uncertainty about continuing in Formula 1.
Honda's Shintaro Orihara subsequently played down the prospect of (…)

Sainz denies blame for criticised Madrid layout

GMM — 2026-09-16T09:49:12Z

Carlos Sainz says he should not be blamed for Madrid's poor inaugural Formula 1 race, stressing that the Madring layout had already been designed and approved before he became an ambassador for the event.
Amid scathing critiques of the dull inaugural Spanish GP in the country's capital, Nico Rosberg had joked on Sunday: "Carlos Sainz is the ambassador, so we need to criticise Carlos Sainz."
But Sainz says he had no involvement in the original circuit design.
"When I signed the (…)

Official: F1 reveals calendar for 2027 season with 10 Sprints

Franck Drui — 2026-09-16T09:04:00Z

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and Formula One Management have announced, following approval by the World Motor Sport Council, the 2027 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar, featuring 24 Grands Prix across 22 countries and 10 Sprint events.
Pre-season testing will take place in Bahrain from 24–27 February before the Championship returns there for the first race, followed by Saudi Arabia. The calendar then moves to Australia, Japan, and China, followed by the Miami and (…)

Red Bull contracts imminent, Russell deal quietly done

GMM — 2026-09-16T08:24:25Z

Red Bull is expected to announce contract extensions in the coming days, according to Sky Deutschland presenter Peter Hardenacke, as uncertainty continues around several seats in the Red Bull driver pool.
Hardenacke said he has learned that new deals are imminent, with Isack Hadjar the most obvious candidate after his strong season prior to the wrist injury that has now sidelined him for several races.
Laurent Mekies has already indicated there are few reasons to replace Hadjar when he (…)

Leclerc hints at Imola finale return

GMM — 2026-09-16T07:11:16Z

Charles Leclerc has added another small clue to mounting reports that Imola could host Formula 1's 2026 season finale.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Ferrari driver was in Imola on Monday to inaugurate a new multipurpose civic centre in Spazzate Sassatelli, built largely with money raised through his post-flood charity auction.
Leclerc reflected on the devastation caused by the 2023 Emilia-Romagna floods.
"It broke my heart in 2023 to see this region, Emilia-Romagna, which I (…)

Honda cools Ben Sulayem's Alonso intervention

GMM — 2026-09-16T06:34:00Z

Honda has played down FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's remarkable suggestion that the governing body could help Aston Martin-Honda improve its performance as part of efforts to keep Fernando Alonso in Formula 1.
Ben Sulayem said in Madrid that he had asked Alonso directly what needed to change.
"Tell me what you want, because you are the driver, and come and tell me what you want us to do to improve these results," said the FIA president, describing his conversation with Alonso to (…)

Madrid organisers 'promising' changes after dull debut

GMM — 2026-09-15T09:56:00Z

Madrid GP organisers are already promising changes to the new Madring layout after Formula 1's first race at the venue produced almost no overtaking.
De Telegraaf reports that organisers are "promising improvements" for 2027, while other reports say circuit chief Luis Garcia Abad, Fernando Alonso's former manager, has confirmed that the track will be modified.
Former racer and NOS analyst Jeroen Bleekemolen also believes changes are inevitable.
"Adjustments are 100 percent certain to (…)

Honda changes F1 leadership as Alonso decision looms

GMM — 2026-09-15T08:12:00Z

Honda has announced a significant change at the top of its Formula 1 power unit program just as Fernando Alonso enters what he says could be an important week of meetings over his future.
Yoichiro Fukao will take over as Large Project Leader from Tetsushi Kakuda from October 1, with Honda describing the move as a planned transition intended to accelerate development and prepare its next generation of engineers.
"Following the introduction of the new regulations in 2026, and with further (…)

Hadjar injury may be more serious than first thought

GMM — 2026-09-15T07:25:00Z

Isack Hadjar is now in danger of missing a fourth consecutive Formula 1 race, with new reports suggesting his wrist injury may be more serious than the initially reported hairline fracture.
There is now speculation that tendon damage may also be involved, which would help explain why Red Bull has continued to delay his comeback.
Laurent Mekies told Speed Week that Hadjar's recovery is still proceeding normally for the injury he has.
"Isack's recovery is progressing according to plan," (…)

Grosjean apologises after Brown 'chainsaw' attack

GMM — 2026-09-15T06:40:00Z

Romain Grosjean has apologised after accusing Zak Brown of effectively destroying Oscar Piastri's morale.
After Norris produced what he himself called one of the best laps of his career, McLaren CEO Brown said: "The whole lap was amazing... he's a world champion."
On Norris' struggling teammate Piastri, the McLaren boss added: "I think you've got Lando on his A-plus game."
"Oscar has been right there with him all weekend and just didn't get that same extra that lap. He'll look at the (…)

Audi open to more investors but will keep F1 control

GMM — 2026-09-15T05:51:00Z

Audi could sell further shares in its Formula 1 team as investor interest grows, but CEO Gernot Dollner insists the German manufacturer will retain control of the project.
Speaking in Madrid, Dollner said Audi's F1 program remains fully funded despite wider cost-cutting across the Volkswagen Group.
"We have prepared very thoroughly for Formula 1 and established the project with solid financing and a partner," he said.
"Our business plan will reach the break-even point within this (…)

F2 change fuels Imola finale speculation

GMM — 2026-09-15T05:12:00Z

Another clue has emerged that Formula 1 is preparing to abandon Qatar and Abu Dhabi later this season, with Formula 2 unexpectedly expanding its upcoming Baku weekend to three races.
F2 was originally scheduled for 14 rounds this season, including Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but Baku will now feature two feature races and a sprint.
The official explanation from F2 CEO Bruno Michel is that the change is about "enhancing the spectacle for the public and our fans" because Formula 2 is the only (…)

Mekies admits 'car degradation' problem will linger

GMM — 2026-09-14T11:36:00Z

Laurent Mekies has admitted Red Bull still does not fully understand the "car degradation" problem Max Verstappen has been complaining about, with the issue now likely to remain into 2027.
Verstappen has joked that while rivals suffer tyre degradation, Red Bull suffers "car degradation", with performance disappearing during sessions and races as the RB22 begins behaving unpredictably.
After Madrid, where Verstappen ruled out any late-season championship comeback, Mekies acknowledged the (…)

Ben Sulayem claims Alonso has decided to stay

GMM — 2026-09-14T10:04:00Z

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has thrown a major new twist into Fernando Alonso's future saga by claiming the Spaniard has privately promised to continue in Formula 1.
DAZN broadcast footage from Madrid showing Ben Sulayem speaking to a small group about the 45-year-old.
"Today he promised me," said Ben Sulayem. "He said, 'I'm staying'."
"That's good for Spain."
Those around him then applauded, although Alonso himself has still made no official announcement and negotiations with (…)

Madrid GP slammed as 'deadly sleep machine'

GMM — 2026-09-14T09:15:00Z

Madrid's spectacular new Madring circuit is now under intense pressure for changes after its inaugural Formula 1 race produced almost no overtaking.
L'Equipe was particularly scathing.
"It was sold to us as a 'car killer,' but the Madring is ultimately just a deadly sleep machine," the French daily complained.
Gabriel Bortoleto agreed with the basic assessment: "I almost fell asleep."
Even Spain's transport minister Oscar Puente criticised the spectacle.
"Without getting into (…)

Reliability now Antonelli's main rival - Wolff

GMM — 2026-09-14T08:29:00Z

Toto Wolff says reliability may now be the biggest threat to Kimi Antonelli's march toward the 2026 world championship after the Italian inherited victory in Madrid and stretched his lead to 81 points.
Antonelli did not hide that Lando Norris had been the faster driver and was effectively robbed by the timing of the Virtual Safety Car, which left the McLaren as the only leading car unable to pit.
"It doesn't feel as good because I think Lando today deserved the win," said the Mercedes (…)

Russell says Antonelli now 'deserves' 2026 title

GMM — 2026-09-13T10:37:00Z

George Russell says the unusual 2026 cars have reshuffled the balance between several Formula 1 teammates, as he continues to struggle against Mercedes' much younger championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo in Madrid, Russell rejected the idea that his greater experience with the previous generation of cars automatically explains the gap.
"I think this season has been strange," he said.
"If you look at Piastri, last year he was close to winning the championship. (…)

Antonelli's value already estimated at EUR 50m

GMM — 2026-09-13T10:15:00Z

Kimi Antonelli's rapidly growing commercial value has now been estimated at around EUR 50 million following his remarkable victory at Monza.
La Gazzetta dello Sport, working with sports business consultancy StageUp, says the figure is not Antonelli's actual income but an estimate of the economic value he can already generate through sporting performance, image rights and commercial appeal.
The timing is significant after the 20-year-old Italian won his home Grand Prix from the back of (…)

Sainz urges safety changes at Madring

GMM — 2026-09-13T09:26:00Z

Even Madring ambassador Carlos Sainz says Madrid's new Formula 1 circuit needs changes, particularly over visibility and safety, while several leading drivers are also criticising aspects of the layout.
Sainz said street circuits commonly evolve after their debut and expects Madring to be no different. "Without a doubt, I think the circuit will have some improvements," he said after qualifying.
"I think they should be open to changes suggested by the drivers, and I think we will suggest (…)

Verstappen 'closer to quitting' than joining McLaren

GMM — 2026-09-13T08:51:00Z

Max Verstappen says he came closer to leaving Formula 1 altogether than switching to McLaren before ultimately extending his Red Bull contract.
Speaking to Bild newspaper in Madrid, Verstappen insisted the obvious discussions with rival teams were genuine.
"Every conversation with another team has to be taken seriously," he said.
"But ultimately, I was closer to quitting Formula 1 than to signing with another racing team."
The four-time world champion eventually committed his future (…)

Madrid hosts 'important' Imola finale meeting

GMM — 2026-09-13T07:06:01Z

Evidence is continuing to mount that Imola will replace the Middle East as Formula 1's 2026 season finale, even though F1 and the FIA are still refusing to make the change official.
On Ziggo Sport, Red Bull simulator driver Rudy van Buren claimed an important private meeting took place in Madrid involving the organisers of the races in the Middle East, including the Qatar and Abu Dhabi promoters.
"This weekend there is a very important meeting in Madrid," he said on Saturday.
"All the (…)

Lambiase could join McLaren early

GMM — 2026-09-13T06:31:00Z

Gianpiero Lambiase could now leave Red Bull for McLaren as early as 2027, with preparations already underway for Max Verstappen to work without his long-time race engineer.
Lambiase's move to McLaren was announced earlier this year for 2028, but speculation accelerated in Madrid after he was seen openly speaking with Zak Brown in the McLaren hospitality area.
Auto Motor und Sport says McLaren has always wanted Lambiase as soon as possible, while De Telegraaf reports Red Bull is already (…)