Aston Martin chief trackside officer Mike Krack says he hopes the team will continue working with Fernando Alonso beyond the 2026 season amid speculation about the driver’s future after a difficult start to the campaign. Krack said: "If you look back a couple of one or two seasons ago, we said clearly 'he's here to stay'. Fernando decided that around the summer break he will take a decision, and we're happy, with the drivers. I have great hopes that we continue to work together."


Ferrari power unit technical director Enrico Gualtieri says the power unit update Ferrari are introducing at the Austrian Grand Prix is “not a major step” and will not, by itself, change the competitive order. Gualtieri said: "As mentioned, this update is not a major step, and it will not, on its own, change the competitive order. What it does show is the attitude of the team and our technical partners: to push continuously and to make the most of every opportunity to improve our package."

Helmut Marko says Mercedes' reliability issues could cost it in the title fight, even though he views the team as the favourite under Formula 1's new regulations. Helmut Marko said: "The new regulations clearly put Mercedes in the favourite's role. However, they've already had their second engine failure, which is unusual for them."
Honda trackside general manager and chief engineer Shintaro Orihara said the Aston Martin power unit supplier is planning only one 2026 engine upgrade around the summer, despite being allocated two FIA ADUO upgrade opportunities for this season. Orihara said: "We are planning to introduce a new engine around summer. Then I don't think we have another step in this year."

Esteban Ocon says he is relaxed about speculation over his Haas seat and insists he has the team’s backing, with the Frenchman out of contract at the end of the 2026 season. Ocon said: "I've got the trust of the team, I've got the trust of Ayao [Komatsu]. I'm focused with the team to try and get the things that we have in control better. So I'm chill on my side. People can say whatever the fuck they want, to be honest. I don't give a shit too much."




Max Verstappen says Red Bull’s new upgrade package for this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix is “exciting” as the team looks to see how much lap time it can bring at its home race at the Red Bull Ring. 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. So this is exciting and we are looking forward to see what we can do at the Red Bull Ring."

Toto Wolff says Mercedes must get on top of its reliability problems to stop rivals closing in, as he confirmed the team will bring upgrades for this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix. Wolff said: "Our Achilles heel so far has been reliability. We have lost a large amount of points across both cars in recent races; if we don't put together clean weekends, our competitors will happily take advantage. We are not standing still in our efforts; we will bring a few updates to Austria this weekend with a focus on improving both performance and reliability."



Aston Martin chief trackside officer Mike Krack says Fernando Alonso "should not retire" amid speculation over the two-time world champion's future, with the Spaniard out of contract at the end of 2026. Krack said: "I have great hopes that we continue to work together. Fernando should not retire. He is too quick."

The FIA has confirmed Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari passed an “extensive physical inspection” of its rear-braking system after the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. In a note from F1 technical delegate Jo Bauer, Hamilton’s car was said to be “in conformance with the 2026 Formula One Technical Regulations” after hardware and software checks on the rear brakes, following its random selection for deeper scrutiny among the top-10 finishers.

The FIA has declared a heat hazard for this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring after forecasts indicated the heat index could exceed the 31.0°C threshold during the race. In a statement, FIA director Rui Marquez said: “having received a forecast… predicting that the Heat Index will be greater than 31.0 °C at some time during the Race… a Heat Hazard is declared.” Drivers can optionally run a cockpit cooling system, with those choosing not to required to add ballast for parity.



McLaren will trial an “experimental rear wing” in Friday practice at the Austrian Grand Prix as part of a package that will include minor rear-corner updates, with technical director Neil Houldey saying the team is “optimistic” it can be “in the fight at the front” in Spielberg. The new wing is expected to share similarities with Ferrari’s rotating ‘Macarena wing’ concept. Mercedes has also confirmed updates for Austria, with Toto Wolff saying the focus is on “improving both performance and reliability” after recent technical failures.


The FIA is preparing a technical clarification on the extensions Mercedes added to its rear diffuser after Ferrari asked for a ruling on whether the design is legal. RacingNews365 reports the document is being readied to take effect from the Austrian Grand Prix, although Mercedes is pushing for it to be delayed until Silverstone because its freight has already left for Austria.

Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon says the team will bring a “substantial” upgrade package, including new sidepods and a new floor, to this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix. Lowdon said: "We are however, pleased to be able to bring another substantial upgrade package this weekend. With new sidepods and floor, it's a significant amount of work, and we hope that it will continue our trajectory of steadily catching up to the midfield."

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said the upgrade package due at the Austrian Grand Prix “alone will not be enough”, as he played down expectations after the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. Mekies said: "Everyone has been working very hard for that package. And, you know, there is no doubt that the Austrian package alone will not be enough. We know we'll have some further steps needed. But what is important is that on that continuous closing the gap trajectory that we have been on to since post-Japan, is that we continue to get closer, that we don't talk anymore about four tenths, but hopefully about less."

Liam Lawson said Max Verstappen was “very supportive” during and after Lawson’s brief spell as his Red Bull team-mate, following Lawson’s demotion to Racing Bulls after two races last season. Lawson said: "Max was just always very real... he’s somebody who just wants to race cars and loves to talk about cars, loves to talk about racing. So when I came in, I noticed he would always make an effort to, like, just acknowledge me and say hi and stuff like this... and then when I went to Red Bull through all of it, he was very supportive... I spoke to him about it, basically, and he was... very supportive."
Carlos Sainz says Williams would still be too far off the front even if the FW48 was no longer overweight, after speaking following the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. Sainz said: "I think if you get rid of the overweight, you put yourself in the fight for those points – but that's not really enough. The overweight might put you one second off the leaders, fighting with an Alpine. That's not where we promised we'd be this year."

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