Marko on Mercedes' reliability issues under new regulations
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."
Helmut Marko identifies vulnerability in Mercedes' title bid
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Alonso on deciding his 2027 F1 future after summer break
Fernando Alonso says he has not yet decided whether he will race in Formula 1 next year and expects to make that call around the summer break, while insisting his commitment to Aston Martin will remain even if he stops driving. Alonso said: "I have not taken any decisions. I will wait until probably summer break, which is August. And after summer is Zandvoort, Monza. I think around that time I will probably decide what to do next year. But I still love Formula 1. I'm committed to this team also. So even if I don't race, my commitment with the team and with the project is the same."
Fernando Alonso casts impassioned career verdict amid conflicting F1 future speculation
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Alonso on rivals' pace of upgrades
Fernando Alonso says he is surprised by Formula 1 rivals’ pace of upgrades this season as Aston Martin waits to introduce a bigger package for its AMR26 rather than bringing regular smaller changes. Alonso said: "But apparently there is no money to bring upgrades, unlimited upgrades like the other teams do! It is surprising to see the FIA page on Friday every race - because maybe they [other teams] have the money machine in the minus one [floor] in the factory."
Alonso's surprise at rivals' 'money machine' upgrade pace
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Piastri on Gasly Monaco penalty reversal precedent
Oscar Piastri says Formula 1 risks setting a “tricky precedent” if drivers and teams start expecting penalties to be revisited after races, after an incorrect pit-lane speed-limit measurement at the Monaco Grand Prix led to Pierre Gasly’s speeding penalties being rescinded. Piastri said: "I kind of agree with Pierre's point that if there's something that can be corrected, I can definitely see why it can be, but it also sets a bit of a tricky precedent, because you could just end up with everybody not serving their penalties and then arguing about it for weeks after, which is not what anyone wants to see."
'Measure correctly' - Oscar Piastri suggests F1 Monaco controversy sets a "tricky precedent"
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🔴 More Press Conference Highlights
⚪️ George Russell on Ferrari's upgrade push: “I definitely think [Barcelona] was a reality check. Ferrari have had a great chassis all season, but their power unit was behind us, quite a bit behind us. But they are bringing quite a lot of upgrades, we have only brought one, they have brought many so we need to keep pushing as every time a team brings parts, they make a step forward. “For sure, [Hamilton] is a big threat. Ferrari are a big threat. Ferrari feel like they are coming, and Lewis is at the forefront of that. The more people you are going head to head with, that’s competition. When we were karting, there were three, four, five drivers competing for wins and that is how F1 should be. I am looking forward to it.” On his own form: “Spain was a weekend I was very happy about on Friday and Saturday, as it had been a tough run of form for me - but things outside my control and inside my control. I need to keep on making some small evolutions with the car and the set-up to get the most out of it.” On Mercedes team orders: “The win for the team is the priority, it doesn’t matter which driver. We need to be smart as team mates, and the team wants to win the race - it doesn’t matter if it is myself or Kimi.” 🔴 Nico Hulkenberg on the European leg: “We are in the European leg now, some circuits coming up that I enjoy, Silverstone coming up that is one of my favourite tracks. Just give it my best and try and take something home on Sundays. The first five, six races were challenging in many areas but we have battled through, and just haven’t got the reward yet.”
🔴 Press Conference Highlights
🟠 Oscar Piastri on McLaren's chances this weekend: On a personal level, we have a good understanding as to why the race in Barcelona was such a struggle for me. As a team, Ferrari took a big step forward, Mercedes are still the benchmark and I’m hearing that Red Bull have things here as well. So, it won’t be easy for us. To do it on merit or pure pace is a bit of a stretch.” On McLaren’s season so far: “Very up and down, probably a bit more down than it has been up [this season]. There have been glimpses of good pace, there have been situations where we have taken advantage of things and maximised results. For us as a team, we know we are lacking performance. Canada and Monaco highlighted where some of our problems lie. To catch Mercedes - we need to put some new bits on the car, make it faster, and do it quicker than everybody else. We know we need to improve.” On McLaren’s hopes of closing the gap: “I think things are changing so quickly, everyone is learning about their cars every time we drive. Maybe we can get close again, but we are relying at the moment on the others getting it a bit wrong, or things going our way.” On whether McLaren can still win this year: “The odds are stacked against us. But last year was a good showcase of how quickly things can change, and it is a long season. So, we shouldn’t count ourselves out.” 🔵 Pierre Gasly on Alpine’s season so far: “The team so far has done a good job in terms of reliability, they have been faultless so far. The car performance, we can fight in the points consistently every weekend. The last few weekends have been more complicated, but we are still there. I would like to see us catching the train ahead of us…” 🔵 Isack Hadjar on Red Bull’s upgrades: “We have been the fourth fastest team so far, so on pure pace, being on the podium would be a step forwards.”
FIA removes presidential term limits
The FIA has approved a proposal to remove term limits for its president, ending the previous cap of three four-year terms and allowing Mohammed Ben Sulayem to remain in office beyond 12 years. BBC Sport reported FIA member clubs backed the change at the general assembly in Macau by 90.71%, though an FIA spokesperson said the organisation was still finalising the vote count. Other statute changes were also passed, including stricter eligibility rules for presidential candidates and an extended deadline for submitting vice-presidents, with former FIA deputy president for sport Robert Reid warning the moves risk concentrating power.
FIA proposal to end presidency term limits approved
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Alonso on social media criticism of Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso says some of the social media criticism aimed at Aston Martin has gone “borderline abuse” after the team’s poor start to the season, with just one point scored in seven rounds. Alonso said: "There is all this social media, and all these things, and jokes that you can put on ourselves, probably that's borderline abuse on social media, that we talk sometimes that we are not happy with our position. But we are hard workers, and Honda are hard workers, and Aston Martin, we are a thousand people of hard workers, who go Monday to Sunday, to work eight hours, to fix our problems; and the problems will be fixed. It's a matter of time."
Fernando Alonso demands end to Aston Martin 'abuse'
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Lando Norris in concerned that Ferrari could embarrass the field if they make the right engine improvements this year 👀📈
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🗣️ "I've got the trust of the team."
Esteban Ocon says he isn't thinking about whether his Haas seat is under pressure for 2027 yet - and doesn't care what people say about it:
1h ago
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Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari are causing Toto Wolff to rethink the Mercedes strategy this season 💨
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LIVE COVERAGE: Build-up ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix
Gualtieri on Ferrari's Austrian Grand Prix power unit update
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."
Ferrari confirm power unit update for Austrian GP weekend
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Orihara on Honda's planned summer 2026 engine upgrade
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."
Why Honda will just use one of its two upgrade opportunities in F1 2026
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Ocon on Haas backing amid 2026 contract speculation
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."
‘Chilled' Ocon delivers sweary response as F1 exit rumours persist
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The F1 rookies taking part in Austrian GP FP1
Krack on Alonso's future beyond 2026
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."
Aston Martin respond to sensational Fernando Alonso future speculation
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Verstappen on Red Bull's Austrian Grand Prix upgrade package
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."
Max Verstappen voices excitement over major Red Bull introduction
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Wolff on Mercedes reliability issues and Austrian GP updates
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."
Toto Wolff issues Mercedes warning as upgrades confirmed
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Krack on Alonso's future beyond 2026
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."
‘Great hopes we continue together': Aston Martin issues coy Fernando Alonso future update
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Hamilton Ferrari passes FIA brake inspection
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.
FIA confirms Lewis Hamilton findings after ‘extensive' Ferrari inspection
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Why Max Verstappen could decide two drivers' F1 fates
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