Allison on reliability's potential impact on 2026 title fight
Mercedes technical director James Allison says reliability could have a bigger impact than upgrades on the 2026 title fight, with the team focused on cutting out the “self-inflicted wounds” from reliability issues and operational setbacks. Allison said: "Everyone naturally focuses on upgrades because they're visible and they're exciting, but reliability may end up having a much bigger impact on the championship. A successful upgrade programme might gain you 10, 15 or perhaps 20 points over the course of a season, depending on the circumstances. A single retirement can cost you that amount in one afternoon. So while we're committed to continuing development, our biggest focus going into the second half of the season is reducing the self-inflicted wounds that have cost us points in the opening races."
'Simply shouldn't happen' - Mercedes reveal 'biggest focus' as F1 returns
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Why Sainz has put his faith in Williams once again
🔵 Sainz on his new Williams deal
"I'm thrilled to announce my continued journey with the Atlassian Williams F1 Team family! I truly believe in the people that form this team, both at the factory and at the racetracks, and the investments and hard work that are happening in the background. We have what it takes to turn this around together. I’m as committed as I was on day one to helping get Williams back to where it belongs, and I look forward to creating more memories with the team.”
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Hamilton on Carlo Santi as his Italian Bono
Lewis Hamilton says his new Ferrari race engineer Carlo Santi feels like his “Italian Bono” after the team reassigned Riccardo Adami elsewhere ahead of the 2026 season. Hamilton said: "With Bono, it was hit off from the beginning. Mostly, he had a good working relationship with Michael [Schumacher], and I do feel like Carlos is like my Italian Bono. I told Bono that the other day, and [Santi] is a bit of an OG; he feels like he's an older guy who's been all around the block and is very calm."
Lewis Hamilton has found 'Italian Bono' at Ferrari in resurgent 2026
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Lord on Mercedes customer teams and simulation tool differences
Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord said it is “perhaps inevitable” Mercedes’ customer teams cannot extract the same performance from the power unit as the works team because they do not have access to the same simulation tools and related intellectual property. Lord said: "Where there have perhaps inevitably been perceptions of differences, or they [customers] have, or felt potentially one step behind is in the… a lot of the simulation tools, the ability to predict behaviour of the power unit and the chassis and things like that. And a lot of those toolsets are things that we've developed not just at Brixworth but between MGP [Mercedes Grand Prix] chassis team and HPP at Brixworth. And obviously the technical regulations are very clear on what chassis team IP can and cannot be shared between teams as well."
Mercedes explains why F1 customers cannot extract the same power unit performance
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Verstappen on 2026 overtaking through energy use
Max Verstappen says he does not enjoy the way overtaking works in 2026, arguing that moves completed on the straights through energy use can look impressive but are “not real” racing. Verstappen said: "It is different, and I don't really enjoy it that much. I prefer to drive up to someone, and then maybe go for an overtake on the brakes. Now, overtaking is done in the middle of a straight, so it is a bit odd. The non-racing fans think it is cool because you just see more overtakes, but it is not real. It is not what racing is about."
Max Verstappen surprised at F1 rivals for wasteful 'not real' actions
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Our verdict on Lawson and Tsunoda's Dutch GP call-ups
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