Domenicali on Europe hosting 2026 finale if Qatar and Abu Dhabi miss out
Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali says the 2026 championship will end in Europe if the conflict in the Middle East makes it impossible to hold the season-closing races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, with a decision due by mid-September. Domenicali said: "For us today, the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are confirmed. By the way, they are already sold out. That is an incredible sign of how much the sport is bigger than the problem that our world is living. But of course, if the situation will not be cleared the way that we believe it should be, before the middle of September we will take the decision. If this will not be possible, the end of the season will be in Europe, because we cannot go in other places."
Season to end in Europe if war continues - F1 boss
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F1 confirms season finale contingency plan as Middle East deadline revealed
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Domenicali on constructive criticism of 2026 regulations
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says drivers are entitled to criticise the 2026 regulations, but insists their comments should be constructive. Domenicali said: "We are not here to put the tape on the mouth of anyone. The beauty of our sport is that everyone can have an opinion, but the opinion is an opinion. There is someone that has the duty to have a line. There are certain drivers that prefer, of course, certain things. I think that in the process we have highlighted the need to be constructive in that respect."
"We don't want to put tape on anyone's mouth" – F1 boss reacts to driver criticism of 2026 rules
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Domenicali on 2026 title fight after early Mercedes predictions
Stefano Domenicali says the 2026 Formula 1 season has become “very, very fascinating”, rejecting early predictions that Mercedes would dominate under the new technical regulations and insisting there is still plenty to play for in the second half of the championship. Domenicali said: "The championship is becoming very, very fascinating. There is a lot of action on the track. People are loving it. I remember very well at the beginning of the year, some were saying, 'The championship is already finished, we'll have a Mercedes dominating the season, it's game over'. Actually, it's not the truth – there are still a lot of things that will happen up to the end of the year."
Domenicali reflects on ‘fascinating' season so far
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Hamilton on expecting a stronger second half with Ferrari upgrades
Lewis Hamilton says he expects the second half of the Formula 1 season to be stronger for him, as Ferrari continue to bring upgrades. Hamilton said: "We've been bringing upgrades weekend in, weekend out. We've got hopefully more to come in the second half, and we just keep on pushing. I think the second half will be stronger. Usually the second half [of the season] is a stronger period for me. So, as I said, I'll really take this time to reset and try and come back stronger, fitter and better mentally prepared."
Lewis Hamilton sends ominous message to F1 rivals
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Bearman on losing confidence in Haas' car in Hungary
Oliver Bearman admitted he “lost all level of confidence” in Haas’ car at the Hungarian Grand Prix after struggling for pace and tyre degradation across the weekend. Oliver Bearman said: "The lack of Qualifying pace was almost exacerbated in race trim. So much sliding and degradation. We need to understand why Spa was so good and why this weekend has been so bad because the feeling has been completely the opposite. I lost all level of confidence in the car."
Bearman admits losing ‘all level of confidence' in Haas’ car
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Alonso on Aston Martin helping Honda improve power unit
Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin is doing everything it can to help Honda improve its power unit, as both continue to develop their package after the team introduced a significant upgrade at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Alonso said: "We are one team, we work together. We know our weakness, and we try to help each other. I think Honda was trying to help some of the weaknesses of the car at the beginning of the year. Now with the chassis, we try to help Honda as much as we can, and also with the consistency from lap to lap on deployment. I think [there is] a lot of help from Aston Martin as well in that regard, on that software department."
Fernando Alonso delivers fresh Honda support after Aston Martin breakthrough
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