Wolff on Mercedes reliability problems costing points to Ferrari
Toto Wolff says Mercedes have been “bitten” by reliability problems in the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season, costing the team points and allowing Ferrari to take advantage. Wolff said: "We were definitely bitten by reliability. We had three or four DNFs, so we probably lost 70-80 points due to non-finishes against our direct competitor, Ferrari. But we lost it, and obviously everybody's catching up, so there were more complicated grands prix. Actually, the last two wins of Ferrari are wins because we lost it; unlucky with the safety car [in Barcelona], Kimi retiring [finishing outside the points due to reliability issues] in Silverstone."
Interview: Exclusive: Toto Wolff opens up on 'biting' Mercedes weakness
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Contingency plans in place for 2027 calendar
Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali says contingency plans are already in place for the 2027 calendar if the conflict in the Middle East continues into next year, with F1 still aiming to run 24 races. He said a “normal plan” will be announced in the autumn, but added: “In case the situation in the Middle East is not solved, we have options, different plans [for 2027]… we have different plans with different options already in place.”
F1 2027 calendar contingency plans in place amid Middle East conflict
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Tom McCullough to leave Aston Martin
Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough is set to leave the organisation at the end of 2026, PlanetF1.com reports. McCullough first joined the Silverstone team in 2014 during its Force India era and moved into senior leadership in 2018, before being shifted away from the F1 operation in Andy Cowell’s 2025 management reshuffle to work on Aston Martin Performance Technologies projects in other categories.
Aston Martin key figure to leave team after 13-year spell
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Lawson on Racing Bulls' development programme
Liam Lawson says Racing Bulls’ development programme is “by far the strongest” he has seen at the team, with the upgrades it has brought to its VCARB 03 working as expected on track. Lawson said: "On the development side, by far the strongest. So far, I think everything we've been bringing has been working very, very well. And that's something that is hard in Formula 1. Obviously, you have upgrades that are run through simulations and theoretically can be better, but they're not always exactly what they seem."
Liam Lawson makes 'by far the strongest' claim over vital Racing Bulls strength
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Piastri on learning and improving despite mixed results
Oscar Piastri says his results this season have not always shown how much he feels he has learned and improved as a driver. Piastri said: "I think the good results have been one thing, but I feel like I've also learned a lot about how I can improve myself as a driver, even if the results don't always show it."
Oscar Piastri singles out one thing his recent F1 results 'don't always show'
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