Allison on Mercedes being out of phase on updates
Mercedes technical director James Allison said the team is now “out of phase” with rivals on updates because it left development of its 2026 car later than ever to pack as much performance as possible into its launch package. Allison said: "We've been filling up our tanks to give more, and we're a bit out of phase. And our development program, as a result of arriving early, is now running a race or two after the update rates of the others. And so with that, being out of phase half a step with the development cycle means that you can have half a second like we did at the start of the year. One development cycle will bring that to nothing."
Mercedes explains "out of phase" developments compared with other F1 teams
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Daniel Valente 🏎️
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🚨 Drivers on the grid who were part of the most constructors' titles
Lewis Hamilton - 8 (an F1 record)
Valtteri Bottas - 5
Fernando Alonso - 2
Max Verstappen - 2
Sergio Perez - 2
Lando Norris - 2
Oscar Piastri - 2
George Russell - 1 (technically 2020)
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Daniel Valente 🏎️
@F1GuyDan
Max Verstappen holds the F1 record for most wins that came from a starting grid spot outside the top 5 😳
Max Verstappen - 7
Kimi Raikkonen - 6
Michael Schumacher - 5
Nelson Piquet - 5
11h ago
Formula 1
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Which constructors stand out against the same stage of last season? 🤔🔀
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4h ago
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Perez on Cadillac needing to rethink its development processes
Sergio Perez says Cadillac have to “rethink all of our processes” because he feels the team has not developed the car strongly enough this season. Perez said: "It's been very difficult for us to develop. I think we haven't developed basically enough. And so, we obviously have to rethink all of our processes to make sure that we are able to develop a lot stronger, because in Formula 1 it's all about developing. I think it's where we are lacking a bit. Obviously, being a new team, probably we haven't developed as much as we would have liked."
Sergio Perez admits Cadillac has to “rethink all our processes”
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Stella on Fornaroli's progress as McLaren reserve driver
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli is showing “great maturity” in his approach to Formula 1 as the reigning Formula 2 champion waits for an opportunity. Stella said: "Leo is showing great maturity in his approach to F1. So far, he's always been very meticulous and attentive in the run-up to each test, never overdoing it but instead working step by step with great diligence. Our engineers are very pleased with how he is progressing at every test and how he performed in the two Free Practice sessions he took part in, first in Barcelona and then in Budapest."
McLaren hail 'maturing' star waiting for F1 promotion
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Colapinto on Alpine's package gains and energy management
Franco Colapinto says Alpine’s step forward since the Miami Grand Prix has come from the team getting its overall package working better and improving consistency in energy management, after he struggled to understand his lack of lap time in the opening races. Colapinto said: "I don't know if something was wrong, but when we put the entire package together after the first three rounds, everything just improved and the half-a-tenth that I was losing per corner was gone. Yes, I think energy management is a key element that we are really consistent with now."
What exactly was behind Franco Colapinto's Miami breakthrough at Alpine?
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Allison on when Mercedes should switch focus to 2027
Mercedes technical director James Allison says the team must decide when to stop developing its current car and switch focus to next year, warning that calling time too early can make the final part of the season “very uncomfortable”. Allison said: "Every Formula One team faces the same dilemma at some point in the season: when do you stop developing the current car and switch your focus fully to next year? The difficulty is that development rates are still exceptionally high. If you stop too early and your competitors continue finding performance, the final part of the season can become very uncomfortable. Our job is to judge that moment correctly."
Mercedes face critical decision to avoid "uncomfortable" F1 title run-in
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Every trophy won in the 2026 F1 season so far
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