FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis says a further big weight cut is a key aim for Formula 1’s next technical regulations cycle, with a target of “another 80 kilos lighter” than the current 2026 cars, alongside being “a bit shorter and a bit smaller”. Speaking to Autosport, Tombazis also argued the 2026 aero concept has proved “more robust” so far and that cars “follow each other more closely”, while accepting they remain “quite difficult cars to drive”.



Oscar Piastri says McLaren’s general level of performance in the 2026 Formula 1 season has not been where the team wants it to be and that his year has been “up and down”. Piastri said: "I think our kind of general level of performance has not been quite where we want it to be, obviously. We've come close to some victories and had a few podiums, which has been good, but we obviously set the bar pretty high last year. We've also had a fair share of issues, whether it be difficult races or reliability issues. So definitely up and down."

Max Verstappen says he does not want to take credit for the rise in motorsport popularity in the Netherlands. Verstappen said: "Well, I don't want to say it's all because of me. I've done my part. Above all, I think it's great to see that motorsports is truly alive in the Netherlands. I don't personally need to take credit for that."

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said an FIA-selected independent engine supplier for customer teams is possible in theory, but questioned whether it could deliver the required performance. Vasseur said: "To build up the engine, it's not complex. What is complex is the level of performance. If you think that with the cost cap, I think that this exercise is very difficult to be performant with the cost caps."

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies says Isack Hadjar is giving the team its best “trajectory” in the second car “for a long time”, after the 21-year-old was promoted from Racing Bulls. Mekies said: "It's fantastic news for the team. It is what we need. And it helps also in terms of team cohesion and getting everyone united together because we have two cars, and we can play with the two cars – as we've done in Spa, for example, in qualifying. So it's only the beginning. But for sure, the trajectory is the best one we have had on that second car for a long time."




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