Drivers on Hungaroring energy demands
Several drivers said the Hungarian Grand Prix was a rare 2026 highlight because the Hungaroring’s frequent braking zones and short straights reduce the need for energy harvesting, making qualifying and racing feel more ‘classic’. Haas’s Esteban Ocon said: “It reminds me of the old days a little bit,” while Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto felt it was “a little bit more like last year” on an “energy” track. Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar added: “It feels good to reach your top speed at the end of the straights, back to classic racing.”
"It reminds me of the old days" - Drivers cherish flat out F1 Hungary GP
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Hockenheim opens German GP talks
Hockenheim has opened talks with Formula 1 about bringing back the German Grand Prix, with CEO Stefano Domenicali confirming the circuit “connected with us” for an initial discussion. Domenicali said Hockenheim’s owners, who have earmarked major investment to expand the venue, understand that hosting an F1 race would require a different level of funding because “our platform needs to have a different kind of investment”, adding: “But we have discussed that.”
Hockenheim approaches F1 about German GP revival
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Wolff on caution over judging performance swings after McLaren upgrade
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Formula 1 teams should be cautious about judging big performance swings after McLaren’s upgrade at the Hungaroring helped Lando Norris take pole and win the Hungarian Grand Prix. Wolff said: "So definitely, it is one of the good tracks for them, not very good for us, so we need to be careful not to swing, you know, from 'everyone is suddenly competitive to a team is suddenly not competitive.' They've definitely done a step. They are staying in the fight. We haven't brought an upgrade for some time, and you can see that this is going to be a development fight going forward."
Toto Wolff urges F1 restraint after McLaren breakthrough victory
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Resta on McLaren's sizeable floor update in Hungary
Mercedes deputy technical director Simone Resta said McLaren’s redesigned floor was a “sizeable” upgrade that “must” have helped its performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix, but he also pointed to Lando Norris’ execution in the win. Resta said: "For sure, it's a sizeable update and it must have had an impact on their performance. And maybe he was in a very good place with the car and the set-up in these conditions and tyre management and he executed very well. So I think it's probably a combination of both aspects."
Mercedes impressed by "sizeable" McLaren upgrade after Hungarian GP defeat
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Russell on needing the summer break after difficult first half
George Russell says he “definitely” needs the summer break after what he described as a first half of the Formula 1 season affected by issues outside his control, including a Mercedes problem that hampered his start in Hungary and dropped him to the back. Russell said: "Don't be disappointed with things outside of your control. In Hungary, the race was totally ruined. I did my procedure right at the start. The pace was fine. The result was s**t. But the things that I could have controlled, they were just okay. I usually don't feel like I need a break. This year, I definitely feel like I need one."
Russell ‘definitely needs a break' from F1 after run of misfortune
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Perez on being Verstappen's team-mate at Red Bull
Sergio Perez says being Max Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull was “the toughest” job in Formula 1 because Verstappen had the full backing and resources of the team. Perez said: "To face Max at Red Bull is the toughest. To face Max in any other team will be very tough, but to face him at Red Bull with his team, his people, it's tough. You need the best of the best in all areas, and you just don't have it, while he has it all. All the opportunities in terms of engineering, senior engineering, experienced engineering - everything goes to Max."
Sergio Perez lifts lid on "toughest" F1 seat alongside Max Verstappen
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Stella on McLaren's Hungarian GP course-correction upgrade
McLaren boss Andrea Stella said the team’s Hungarian Grand Prix upgrade package was a “correction of the course” for its MCL40 after looking at concepts used by quicker rivals. Stella said: "I think the main aspect of these upgrades is that they introduce some parts that follow a slightly different concept in some areas of the car. We realised after we delivered the MCL40, and also to some extent looking at the concepts that were present in some cars that were faster than us, we realised that we needed to correct the course. We know that when McLaren understands which direction to take, then I think we are in a condition to develop quite effectively."
McLaren reveal 'change of course' decision after studying F1 rivals
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Domenicali on why F1 dropped two Las Vegas races
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says Formula 1 dropped the idea of staging two races in Las Vegas because of a potential clash with the NFL and Brexit-related customs paperwork for the nine UK-based teams, amid uncertainty over whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races can go ahead. Stefano Domenicali said: "There was the possibility of having two races in Las Vegas... don't forget that in that period of the year we are fighting in the U.S. against the NFL. Therefore, considering the constraint that we have, we need to go back to close all the Brexit-connected documentation from abroad in the UK and then go to another place. Therefore, the only possibility is to finish in Europe within the same framework of time."
How Brexit and the NFL stopped potential second Las Vegas F1 race
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Domenicali on prioritising fans over drivers on 2026 rules
Stefano Domenicali says Formula 1 must prioritise fans’ views over drivers’ complaints about the championship’s controversial 2026 regulations. Domenicali said: "And the fans are always a priority on top of everyone, even me. They can have a personal opinion, but I have the duty to make a summary of what is the best for the sport."
Domenicali: Drivers may complain, but F1 must 'follow the fans'
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