Sainz on Verstappen's Red Bull marketing exemption
Carlos Sainz says Max Verstappen has it written into his Red Bull contract that he does not have to do marketing or interviews, as he argued today’s Formula 1 drivers would not have time to commit to an annual karting event. Sainz said: "I think that in a 24-race championship, with all the marketing and interviews we do, that's impossible. No driver could manage it. Well… Max would be the only one, because he's the only one who doesn't do marketing or interviews – he has it written into his contracts, he can afford to do so, and Red Bull accepts it."
Carlos Sainz makes intriguing Max Verstappen Red Bull contract claim
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Watanabe on Honda's different challenge with Aston Martin
Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe says Honda’s current situation with Aston Martin is “fundamentally different” from its time working with Red Bull, with new regulations and new technical partners adding to the difficulty. Watanabe said: "It is important to recognise that the current situation is fundamentally different from the time we worked together with Red Bull. The regulation is quite difficult, it is a new partnership with Aston Martin, the fuel is Aramco – and a new partner – and the lubricant is Valvoline, [which is also] new. So everything [is] new for us and it's not easy."
Honda raise 'important' factors behind dramatic fall after Red Bull split
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Albon on Williams' high-speed deficit to midfield rivals
Alex Albon says Williams are “a good chunk off” their midfield rivals in high-speed performance heading into next week’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Albon said: "If you look at our high speed compared to our midfield rivals, we're a good chunk off. So obviously, the Red Bull Ring, sector two and sector three is all high speed, so we need to see what we do. But we can't forget, Carlos qualified a second and a half off [Liam] Lawson, so we've got some work to do."
Albon issues grim outlook on Williams' Austrian chances
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Doohan on returning to the F1 grid after Alpine exit
Jack Doohan says getting back on the Formula 1 grid would be “amazing” but it is no longer his “be-all and end-all” after being replaced at Alpine and moving to Haas as a reserve driver for the 2026 season. Doohan said: "I'm just focusing exactly on what's in my control, which is doing my best when I'm trackside, opportunities inside the car when they come, and apart from that, I'm not really over-analysing the outside noise that covers so much of what we do. If I managed to get back into a car, that would be amazing... I'm not in the same place [as last year] where it's the be-all and end-all."
Why Jack Doohan's ‘shock to the system’ changed F1 outlook
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Round-up: Lawson sheds new light on “crazy” set-up he ran in final Red Bull race, and more
Sainz on separating drivers and manufacturers in F1
Carlos Sainz said he has a “slightly crazy idea” for Formula 1 in which manufacturers and drivers would be separated, with a rotation system that would see drivers race different cars across the season. Sainz said: "But I've always thought of a series where you have 20 races and each driver races two races in each car. So the driver is part of F1, not part of a team; they're an F1 client hired by Formula 1 to drive the cars. That way, you'd completely separate the teams from the drivers. And so you'd have a proper Drivers' Championship and a proper Constructors' Championship."
Carlos Sainz: ‘I've got a slightly crazy idea’ for the future of F1
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Binotto on changing ADUO allocation for 2026 power units
Audi boss Mattia Binotto says the FIA should consider changing how it awards Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) for 2026 power units, suggesting a system based on previous-season standings rather than measuring performance purely in kilowatts. Binotto said: "So maybe we should do something very similar to the chassis, where you base it on standings of the previous seasons, because if the purpose of convergence is to have a closer field, maybe that's the most straightforward, and you would have a unique system framework between chassis and power units. So, the best teams not having advantages, the slowest teams or slowest manufacturers to have some more opportunities."
Audi propose 'unique system' to change new major FIA lifeline
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Perez on Cadillac's Austria upgrade package
Sergio Perez says Cadillac are bringing a “big package” of upgrades to the Austrian Grand Prix as he hopes it can move the team into Formula 1’s midfield fight. Perez said: "It's good information for the team. We just have to make sure that we are able to come out on top, and we are bringing a big package for Austria. I hope that will bring us into the midfield group."
Perez banking on ‘big package' in Austria to move Cadillac forward
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Alonso on Newey's weekly talks with Aston Martin drivers
Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin managing technical partner Adrian Newey is in weekly talks with the drivers and closely studying driver feedback as it tries to improve its AMR26 after a poor start to the 2026 season. Alonso said: "We speak with him every week, so you know it's not that we are not updated on things. When he comes to the track he is always meticulously into the feedback of the driver and try to understand exactly what is going on in each of the corners. So we have the best with us, so the more time we spend with him on track, the better it will be."
Fernando Alonso reveals Adrian Newey conversations to turn Aston Martin around
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Fernando Alonso makes ‘the best' Aston Martin admission amid Adrian Newey F1 discussions
Antonelli on questions about his own limits in 2026
Kimi Antonelli says he still has “many questions” to answer about his own limits in 2026, despite winning five of the first seven grands prix and leading the championship by 41 points. Antonelli said: "I think this year, so far, I haven't been questioning or doubting myself. However, there are questions that still need to be answered on my side. How much further can I go in a short period of time? How much can I push myself even further? How much more can I grow, and how big is the potential? So, there are still many questions that need to be answered, and it will still take a bit of time."
Kimi Antonelli 'seeking answers' after major 2026 F1 breakthrough
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Stella on McLaren's reliability progress in Spain
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said the team had “raised the bar” on attention to detail to deliver a clean Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix weekend from a reliability point of view, after earlier Mercedes power unit-related interruptions that also affected practice sessions. Stella said: "Good that we haven't had any issues here in Spain. We have definitely raised the bar, the level of attention, used the situations we had in the previous races to reset and increase the standards in the way we do things."
McLaren ‘raised the bar' in Barcelona as performance takes priority
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Stella on Mercedes' single-lap pace in Austria
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says he expects Ferrari to be quicker than McLaren through the corners at the Austrian Grand Prix, while Mercedes is “the best car overall” over a single lap. Stella said: "But I would expect that Ferrari remains the faster car in the corners. Probably Mercedes is the best car overall over a single lap when the chassis and the power unit are both considered."
Can McLaren challenge Mercedes and Ferrari? - F1 boss predicts Austrian GP chances
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Allison on Ferrari's Barcelona upgrade closing gap to Mercedes
Mercedes' James Allison says he is “not certain” McLaren has resurged this season and believes Ferrari’s upgrade at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix has been the main factor in closing the gap to Mercedes. Allison said: "I'm not certain that McLaren has resurged. Ferrari, on the other hand, did bring quite a significant upgrade to this race. If Ferrari brings an upgrade package to a race, unanswered by one of our own, then it will close the gap that previously felt comfortable, and I think that's mostly what we're seeing."
Why Ferrari, not McLaren, has Mercedes worried in championship threat
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Antonelli on Mercedes reliability after Barcelona retirement
Kimi Antonelli says Mercedes must address its reliability after a late issue stopped him at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix and cost the championship leader points. Antonelli said: "Of course, it's very disappointing, but these things happen. It happened to George in Canada; it happened to me this time. It's definitely something we need to work on as a team, because it's important points that we lost. I think our PU is incredibly strong, but for sure, reliability is not the best bit."
Kimi Antonelli pressures Mercedes to fix reliability issues
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Domenicali on hoping Alonso extends his F1 career
Stefano Domenicali says Formula 1 still needs “heroes” like Fernando Alonso and hopes the two-time world champion extends his career as he considers his options with his Aston Martin contract due to expire at the end of this season. Domenicali said: "I hope he will be here and not just for a year, for a long time. It's a fact that we need heroes. That's why I expect Fernando to stay for a long time; with the right car he's still very strong."
Stefano Domenicali makes Fernando Alonso plea as F1 future hangs in balance
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Wolff on tightening F1 rules around team collaborations
Toto Wolff says Formula 1 should tighten rules on what team collaborations are allowed rather than putting the “full handbrake” on dual ownership and customer teams, after describing a Miami Grand Prix pass involving Red Bull and Racing Bulls as “facilitated”. Wolff said: "So, I think we need to allow space for all of the positions in that. And for me, the only right outcome and objective needs to be rules that make it even clearer what's on and what is not on."
Toto Wolff points to Miami ‘facilitated' pass in F1 ownership debate
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Guy Edwards dies aged 83
Guy Edwards, the former Formula 1 driver who helped pull Niki Lauda from his burning Ferrari after the 1976 German Grand Prix crash at the Nurburgring, has died aged 83. Edwards raced in 17 world championship Grands Prix between 1974 and 1977 and was among the first on the scene alongside Arturo Merzario, Brett Lunger and Harald Ertl. He was later awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his role in the rescue.
Heroic driver who helped save Niki Lauda from fiery F1 crash dies
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Alonso on a future Le Mans return with Verstappen
Fernando Alonso says he could return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in future, and that the idea would be especially appealing if he could share a car with Max Verstappen. Alonso said: "So I like the challenge. But Hypercar too, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans was a really beautiful experience for me. Maybe one day I'll do it again, especially if it's with Verstappen."
Fernando Alonso opens door to Le Mans return with Max Verstappen
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Verstappen on FIA and F1 listening to drivers on power units
Max Verstappen says it was “great” that Formula 1 and the FIA were open-minded and listened to drivers during meetings earlier this year as discussions continued over the new power unit regulations. Verstappen said: "I'm very happy. At the beginning of the year, there were a few meetings with FOM, and then, of course, with other drivers with the FIA as well, and it's just great that they're open-minded and they listen to the drivers. Because I think we speak, at least most of us speak, in the interest of the sport, and we just want to make it a better product."
Max Verstappen shares 'great' F1, FIA trait key to crucial talks
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Wolff on Mercedes protecting Antonelli from F1 pressure
Toto Wolff says Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has learned how to handle the “monster” of Formula 1, with the team also trying to protect the 19-year-old by cutting back media and marketing demands and urging the Italian press not to overhype him. Wolff said: "You're being thrown into this monster called Formula 1 under the magnifying glass of everyone in a team that is capable of winning races, and I think the pressures are enormous. For me, it was almost like a young man in the headlights, discovering what this was all about. And then it's totally different now to come back, to know how the system functions, what is requested of you."
Toto Wolff reveals how Kimi Antonelli has tamed Formula 1 ‘monster'
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Bortoleto on Audi's chassis strength and engine deficit
Gabriel Bortoleto says Audi has a “very strong” Formula 1 chassis, but the team’s biggest margin to improve is on engine performance, which he believes is costing it significant lap time. Bortoleto said: "I think it's clear that we have a chassis that is very strong. It's not a championship-winning chassis yet; we don't have that car yet that, if we had a great engine in it, we would have been able to win races, but we have a chassis that is very competitive today. It's clear also from the ADUO that we have a deficit on the engine. I think Mattia [Binotto] already mentioned in the past more than a second, depending on the track per lap, and this is not an exaggeration."
Gabriel Bortoleto signals Audi 'truth' after years-long F1 project
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Albon on Williams needing to fix car behaviour issue
Alex Albon says Williams “need to fix” a car behaviour problem after the team found a mechanical issue following qualifying in Barcelona that it could not change under parc ferme rules. Albon said: "We saw there was a [mechanical] issue with the car after qualifying, so we couldn't change it due to parc ferme rules, and we used that time in the garage just to – we couldn't correct it, but we could kind of fudge it to get it back to what it should be. We need to understand it. We can see the car is not behaving, and we need to fix it."
Alex Albon laments Williams' woes: ‘We need to fix it’
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Russell on stopping to check on Zhou after 2022 Silverstone crash
George Russell said “the human side” took over when he stopped to run to Zhou Guanyu’s car after the Alfa Romeo driver’s first-lap crash at the 2022 British Grand Prix. Russell said: "I saw he was stuck behind the barriers, so it was a split… I think the racing instinct of me was like, 'I need to carry on here', and then I guess the human side came in. It kind of felt like life or death at that moment. I couldn't imagine what he must have felt. I knew what I had to do."
George Russell recalls Zhou Guanyu's terrifying first-lap crash at 2022 British GP
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Allison on Mercedes rejecting Russell and Antonelli favouritism
Mercedes technical director James Allison said speculation that the team is favouring either George Russell or Kimi Antonelli is “utterly alien” to Mercedes as it addressed online claims about prioritising one driver over the other. Allison said: "All I can say is if you ever wanted to understand where it [favouritism] sits on our psyche, you'd need to come and work in a team. Because if you were lucky enough to come and work in a team, you would instantly be imbued with the culture of that team and you would understand how utterly alien that thought is to anyone in the team. And when we hear it, it's like we're hearing another language."
Mercedes shoots down favouritism speculation between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli
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Brundle on Russell needing to address Antonelli's late-stint pace
Martin Brundle says George Russell has to “fix” a season-long pattern of Kimi Antonelli being quicker in the second half of tyre stints if Russell is to win the drivers’ title. Brundle said: "In the second half of each tyre stint Antonelli had a speed advantage to catch Russell, but couldn't quite make the overtakes stick. This has been a theme generally so far this season and something George has to fix if he wants this championship."
Martin Brundle tells George Russell ‘fix' this trend in title warning
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Mekies on Red Bull and Racing Bulls racing independently
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies says it would be “silly” to think Red Bull and Racing Bulls could use co-ordinated on-track tactics that breach the sporting regulations. Mekies said: "It doesn't matter if they are co-owned or if they have the same PU or if they have the same gearbox or the same suspensions; we need to all race independently. So, certainly, we will be more than silly, knowing all the attention in the world that there is on this topic, to be thinking to have a treatment that would not be compatible with the sporting regulations."
‘We would be stupid to do it' – Red Bull dismiss inter-team F1 tactics with Racing Bulls
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Russell on closer relationship with Wolff through Mercedes highs and lows
George Russell says his relationship with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has grown closer through the team’s highs and lows. Russell said: "It's been 12 years now that we've known one another. We've become so close, especially the most recent years. We've been through the highs and the lows, starting in the years when I was at Williams, trying to get into Mercedes, then four years of relative failure for us, not fighting for a championship. To arrive in Melbourne, to get the 1-2 with Kimi, it was like, 'We're back'. It makes me really proud."
George Russell opens up on close Toto Wolff bond amid Mercedes F1 title fight
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