Ferrari to introduce Austrian GP power unit upgrade
Ferrari will introduce its first ADUO-assisted power unit upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix after being granted two upgrades this season under F1’s catch-up mechanism, having been deemed at least 4% behind the benchmark Red Bull. The team expects a performance gain, but insists it will not immediately reshuffle the competitive order. Power unit technical director Enrico Gualtieri said: “This update is not a major step, and it will not, on its own, change the competitive order,” adding that “Performance is built progressively, not only through hardware changes, but also through how effectively you optimise the package race by race.”
Ferrari commits to F1 engine upgrade for Austria
Open original
🗞️ Latest Stories
Briatore on possible Colapinto contract extension
Flavio Briatore says Alpine will explore extending Franco Colapinto’s contract if he continues performing at a high level. Briatore said: "If Franco is performing like he's performing now and the relationship between Franco and Pierre is like now, it's the same we have with [Fernando] Alonso at the time, with [Giancarlo] Fisichella, with [Jarno] Trulli, super relationship. Why not?"
Briatore hints at Alpine's plan to keep Colapinto into 2027
Open original
Santi to remain Hamilton race engineer
Ferrari expects Carlo Santi to remain Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer, despite Santi originally being drafted in as a temporary solution for 2026. BBC Sport reported the team has no plans to make a change, with a Ferrari spokesperson saying: “Carlo and Lewis are working pretty well together and there’s no plan to replace him.” Hamilton praised Santi after their Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix win, saying: “It was great to have him up there [on the podium].”
Future of Lewis Hamilton's F1 race engineer confirmed by Ferrari
Open original
Heat hazard protocol possible in Austria
PlanetF1 reports F1’s heat hazard protocol could be triggered at the Austrian Grand Prix, with air temperatures forecast to peak in the mid-30s°C and track temperatures expected to exceed 50°C. A heat hazard can be declared when the heat index is forecast to rise above 31°C, activating rules that require teams to fit the driver cooling system and allow a higher minimum car weight; drivers can still choose not to wear the cooling vest, in which case 0.5kg of cockpit ballast is added for parity.
Austrian GP heatwave could trigger FIA heat hazard protocol
Open original
Bottas on long way to go at Cadillac
Valtteri Bottas admits he has “a long way to go” to turn things around at Cadillac after failing to score a point in the opening seven rounds of his return to Formula 1. Bottas said: "It definitely hasn't come my way yet, and a lot of it is the inconsistency with the setup. Even some parts of the car quite often feel different to what you expect. Also, at the beginning of the year, having such a big gap between the races and not spending that much time on track hasn't helped. But I'm really hoping that now we get into a better flow, a better rhythm, understand the issues we've been having with the car better, and go from there. So, it's still a long way to go."
Valtteri Bottas makes ‘long way to go' Cadillac F1 assessment
Open original
Bottas on Hamilton's influence on Ferrari's latest car
Valtteri Bottas says Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari win at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix could be a sign the latest car is the first to have some of the seven-time world champion’s “DNA” in it. Bottas said: "Yeah, maybe this type of car is a bit different to in the past. Maybe it is the first car that has a bit of his DNA in it. Those small things can make a big difference because in the end, in this sport, we are talking about such fine margins."
Bottas suggests key factor in Hamilton's Ferrari resurgence
Open original
Tost on braking advantage lost under 2026 engine rules
Former Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost said Formula 1’s battery harvesting and “super-clipping” under the new engine rules means drivers such as Max Verstappen can no longer exploit their advantage of braking late. Tost said: "I can also understand the frustration of the top drivers. Drivers like Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, or Fernando Alonso used to be able to exploit their strengths under braking. But if you have to lift off the throttle 10 or 20 metres before the braking point to recharge, that advantage is lost."
Max Verstappen ‘lost advantage' theory put forward by his former F1 team boss
Open original
Explained: What is McLaren's ‘experimental’ F1 rear wing?
Five things to look out for at the F1 Austrian GP
Revealed: How F1 cars will get four seconds faster by 2028
Our Predictions for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix
Extreme heat warning for Austrian GP
Drivers and teams are set to face extreme heat at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, with the local weather warning upgraded as the weekend goes on. A yellow warning is in place for Friday, when a maximum of 33°C is forecast, but it is set to move to an orange warning for Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures are expected to rise to 35°C on Saturday and 36°C on race day, with some forecasts suggesting it could approach 40°C.
F1 drivers facing extreme Austria conditions as weather warning upgraded
Open original
Rachel Brookes leaves Sky F1
Sky Sports F1 presenter Rachel Brookes has confirmed she has left the broadcaster, announcing on social media that she is “moving on to exciting new ventures” days before the Austrian Grand Prix. Brookes wrote: “I have left the Sky F1 team but F1 still has my heart & so I'll still be involved in it… see you at Silverstone!” She has been part of Sky’s F1 presenting line-up since it gained UK rights in 2012.
Popular Sky Sports F1 presenter confirms exit ahead of Austrian GP
Open original
Related stories (2)
Sky Sports F1 broadcaster confirms exit
Sky F1 reporter announces exit from broadcaster
An exclusive look into Ollie Bearman's off-track life
Ferrari plans second ADUO upgrade
Ferrari has lined up a second ADUO power unit upgrade for 2026, with a newly designed turbocharger expected after the summer break – likely at Zandvoort or Monza – as it tries to close the gap to Mercedes. After the first ADUO checkpoint post-Montreal, FIA measurements found Ferrari’s performance deficit exceeded 4% versus the Red Bull-Ford internal combustion engine, triggering two in-season development opportunities. Ferrari’s first ADUO update is due in Austria, centred on combustion-chamber changes including a steel-alloy cylinder head and higher operating temperatures.
Ferrari set to follow Austria engine updates with new turbo after F1's summer break
Open original
Verstappen to continue Red Bull talks
Max Verstappen is expected to continue talks with Red Bull over his Formula 1 future during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, with no agreement yet reached despite his contract running to 2028. RacingNews365 reports that performance-related exit clauses have left his position beyond this season in doubt, and that discussions have included the possibility of Red Bull buying out the clause to stop it being triggered. Verstappen said earlier this month in Spain: "If there is anything new about what I'm doing, I will let you know."
Max Verstappen in talks with Red Bull over F1 future
Open original
Verstappen on Red Bull's new package for Austria
Max Verstappen says Red Bull’s “new package” is an “exciting” chance to gain lap time as the team heads to its home Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg. Verstappen said: "We have a new package we are bringing, so it is exciting to see how much this could look to give us in lap time. Austria is of course a home Grand Prix for the team. It is a very interesting track and all of the corners are quite different, so it is really important to get a good balance out of the car."
Max Verstappen hopes 'new package' will deliver results for Red Bull in Spielberg
Open original
Related stories (1)
Verstappen ‘excited' to debut new Red Bull upgrade in Austria
🇦🇹 RED BULL RING - CIRCUIT CHANGES
The opening at Turn 1 on the right-hand side has been closed. New fences have been installed between Turns 1 and 2 on the left and right-hand side to protect the advertisement bridge. The barrier at the shortcut between Turn 2 and Turn 7 has been moved to a better position. An additional row of tyre barrier (double row) and Tecpro have been installed at Turn 2 on the right-hand side. The line of safety devices at Turn 4 on the right-hand side has been extended. Addition of track rejoining solution at Turn 9. The transition between Turn 9 and Turn 10 on the right-hand side is smoother (off-track). The pit wall at the beginning of the start/finish straight has been extended and the pit exit lights and speed limit sign have been moved 50 meters (anticipated). Four new pit garages have been constructed towards the Pit Entry end of the Pit Lane. As a consequence, the Pit Entry Speed Control Line is 140 metres earlier. A new Medical Centre has been constructed with a new helipad, which is on the roof of the rear building. The Pit Wall has been reconstructed opposite the new pit garages. Openings in the pit lane where the gates are situated, are highlighted with orange paint. Parts of the pit lane working area have been ground down to remove bumps. A blue line has been added outside the white line at the Turn 1 entry and at the Turn 8 exit. A new signage gantry has been installed over the track between Turn 1 and Turn 2. The steel barrier on the right-hand side at the exit of Turn 1 has been extended to the edge of the link road. A new Geobrugg barrier has been installed on the right-hand side between Turn 8 and Turn 9. A new area of asphalt has been laid at the exit of Turn 9 beyond the gravel trap, to assist cars running wide and then rejoining the track.
Related stories (1)
F1 - 2026 Austrian Grand Prix Preview
🇦🇹 RED BULL RING - MORE CIRCUIT CHANGES AND TRACK INFO
CIRCUIT CHANGES The steel barrier on the right-hand side at the exit of Turn 1 has been extended to the edge of the link road. A new Geobrugg barrier has been installed on the right-hand side between Turn 8 and Turn 9. A new area of asphalt has been laid at the exit of Turn 9 beyond the gravel trap, to assist cars running wide and then rejoining the track. TRACK INFO Length of lap 4.326 km Lap record 1:07.924, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, 2025 Start line / Finish line offset 0.128 km Total number of race laps 71 Total race distance 307.018 km Pitlane speed limits 80 km/h in practice, qualifying and the race
Related stories (1)
F1 - 2026 Austrian Grand Prix Preview
Red Bull denied claims Racing Bulls is helping – so we analysed their on-track battles
![The laws [of physics] in F1: A look at the ingenious Mercedes loophole thumbnail](https://app.seedstream.org/imageCache/4620965118932379.webp)
The laws [of physics] in F1: A look at the ingenious Mercedes loophole
Ferrari to introduce first power unit upgrade
Ferrari has confirmed it will introduce its first power unit upgrade of the season at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, using its first Additional Development Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) token on an internal combustion engine update. Power unit technical director Enrico Gualtieri said: “The update we are bringing to Spielberg is a relatively minor one”. Charles Leclerc will sit out FP1 at the Red Bull Ring, with Ferrari academy driver Dino Beganovic stepping in as the team works through its mandatory rookie practice sessions.
Ferrari confirm first engine upgrade as FP1 driver change announced
Open original
Related stories (2)
Ferrari set to unveil first ADUO engine upgrade at Austrian GP
Ferrari sets record straight amid F1 Austrian GP engine upgrade hype
Iwasa in Lawson's car for FP1
Racing Bulls has confirmed Liam Lawson will sit out first practice at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, with Red Bull junior Ayumu Iwasa driving in FP1 at the Red Bull Ring. It will be Iwasa’s second Formula 1 practice outing of 2026, after running in Isack Hadjar’s car for Red Bull in Spain.
Liam Lawson to miss Austrian GP first practice as Racing Bulls confirm change
Open original
Paul Aron to drive Audi in FP1
Audi has confirmed Alpine reserve Paul Aron will take over Gabriel Bortoleto’s car for FP1 at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix. Aron, who previously appeared in FP1 for Sauber last year and drove for Audi earlier this month in Barcelona in place of Nico Hulkenberg, is being used as part of F1’s requirement for teams to run rookies in four practice sessions across the season. With this outing, both Bortoleto and Hulkenberg will have sat out one FP1 session each and must miss one more later in the year.
Gabriel Bortoleto to miss Austrian GP FP1 with Alpine reserve set for latest Audi outing
Open original
Lawson on Red Bull's false narrative after 2025 demotion
Liam Lawson says Red Bull created a false narrative that he was “mentally struggling” when he was dropped from the senior team after two races in 2025 and sent back to Racing Bulls. Lawson said: "The whole thing was played out to be me being mentally struggling and all this stuff, and like they were doing it to protect me. That honestly just could not be further from what it was actually like... I spent two races there, and the way it all went down was just so crazy that I honestly was like, I'm just going to pretend I never even went there."
Liam Lawson on Red Bull senior team: 'I'm just going to pretend I never went there'
Open original
Lewis Hamilton proves doubters wrong as Rosberg and Schumacher reverse stance
More in the app
Download AppDownload SeedStream for more F1 stories
Get the full feed, faster alerts, and the stories worth following on your phone.