Mercedes chief Toto Wolff acknowledged the low probability of Max Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 champion, signing with the team. Discussions between Wolff and Verstappen during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend sparked speculation, while George Russell’s contract with Mercedes for 2026 is still uncertain. Wolff emphasized that Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli are considered the future lineup for Mercedes. While acknowledging the need to explore options, Wolff expressed his belief in the current lineup but also recognized the importance of considering all possibilities for the future. Despite admitting a…
BővebbenCategory: Autosport
Neuville’s Bold Critique: Unleashing the Fury Against Hankook at WRC Acropolis Rally
Thierry Neuville expressed dissatisfaction with the Hankook control tyres in the World Rally Championship, stating they are not performing at the expected level following tire problems at the Acropolis Rally Greece. Neuville faced punctures that caused him to drop from the rally lead to eighth, with other drivers in the Rally1 field also experiencing tire damage while navigating the rough gravel stages. Despite tire issues affecting his performance, Neuville managed to climb to seventh overall, but remained frustrated with the tire quality, emphasizing the challenges faced due to punctures and…
BővebbenLando Lightning Strikes Twice: Norris Leads McLaren Domination in Austrian Grand Prix Practice
Lando Norris excelled in final practice for the Austrian Grand Prix, leading the McLaren team’s dominant performance in Spielberg. Despite missing FP1, Norris topped the timesheets in FP2 and FP3, narrowly outpacing his teammate Oscar Piastri. The session began smoothly with no pitlane chaos, but the track temperature increased as the session progressed. Norris and Piastri expressed concerns about Max Verstappen closing in on them during qualifying, as the Red Bull driver showed strong pace. Ferrari displayed improvement, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finishing ahead of the Mercedes duo.…
BővebbenQuartararo Dominates Qualifying at Assen as Marquez Falls Short: MotoGP Dutch GP Excitement
Fabio Quartararo secured his fourth MotoGP pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix at Assen, proving his return to form after recent struggles at Aragon and Italy. Francesco Bagnaia and Alex Marquez will start alongside Quartararo on the front row of the grid, with Marc Marquez in fourth place. Raul Fernandez topped Q1 aboard the Trackhouse Aprilia, showcasing his improved form, while his teammate Ai Ogura could only manage 20th on the grid after crashing early in the session. Fernandez’s fellow Spaniard, Fermin Aldeguer, progressed from Q1 and claimed seventh…
BővebbenTanak Charges Ahead at WRC Acropolis Rally Amidst Intense Competition
At the Acropolis Rally Greece, Ott Tanak extended his lead after an impressive drive on Saturday morning, while Hyundai team-mate Adrien Fourmaux lost time due to a bank contact. Tanak widened his lead by winning stage eight and nine, with a total advantage of 33.2s over Sebastien Ogier. Fourmaux dropped to third place after a significant time loss from a rock impact that damaged his car. Elfyn Evans held on to fourth place, with Takamoto Katsuta moving up to fifth ahead of Gregoire Munster. Kalle Rovanpera struggled and dropped to…
BővebbenUnpacking Verstappen’s Strategic Approach: Navigating Mercedes and the 2026 Season
At the Austrian Grand Prix, paddock conversations revolve around two main topics: ongoing concerns about the 2026 Formula 1 regulations raised by Charles Leclerc and speculation about Max Verstappen’s future. Recent remarks made by George Russell linking Verstappen to Mercedes have fueled further discussion. Toto Wolff and Verstappen faced inquiries during the press conferences, with Verstappen adopting a more calculated stance compared to a year ago. The Dutch driver emphasized focusing on the current season’s performance rather than future decisions. Verstappen’s statement about not letting this season influence his decision-making…
BővebbenMotoGP Maverick: Martin’s unrestricted journey to secure a winning deal
According to Jorge Martin’s manager Albert Valera, the MotoGP world champion is free to sign with any team for the 2026 season, despite disputes with Aprilia. Martin activated a clause in his contract allowing him to leave if he fell below a specified position in the championship standings after the first six races. Aprilia claims the clause is invalid due to Martin’s injuries and insists on his two-year contract. Honda is reportedly interested in Martin, but will wait until his situation with Aprilia is resolved. Valera asserts that the clause…
BővebbenRacing Against the Clock: Ferrari Struggles for Speed Despite Upgrades in F1 Austrian GP
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are cautiously optimistic about their new Ferrari car floor’s impact on their competitiveness following a low-key Friday at Formula 1’s Austrian Grand Prix, with Leclerc sitting out FP1 for rookie Dino Beganovic, and Hamilton facing early gearbox issues affecting his long runs. Ferrari introduced a fully revamped floor at the Red Bull Ring, aiming for additional aerodynamic load throughout different cornering speeds for a net performance boost. Despite Leclerc showing strength over long runs, the performance gain on one lap seems minimal, with both drivers…
BővebbenUnlocking the Grid: McLaren’s Strategy to Propel Norris to Pole Position in F1 2025
Lando Norris has been facing challenges in adapting to the 2025 McLaren’s handling, especially during qualifying, where he has struggled to push the car to the limit, in contrast to his teammate Oscar Piastri. The reduced feedback from the car, particularly in terms of ‘cueing,’ has made it difficult for Norris to predict how the car will respond to his inputs, affecting his performance in qualifying sessions. While Piastri has also noticed the front axle ‘numbness,’ he has managed to secure more pole positions compared to Norris due to his…
BővebbenRedefining Limits: The Herculean Task of Conquering WRC’s Acropolis Rally
The Acropolis Rally Greece was a challenging reminder of why World Rally Championships crews and teams are considered elite in motorsport, tackling one of the toughest days in the sport. The event saw intense physical demands with rough stages and scorching temperatures extending over a grueling 14-hour day on the road. The decision to move the rally back to June from September only heightened the heat and stage difficulties, testing the resilience of teams and drivers. The extreme conditions showcased the WRC’s allure as teams coped with nearly 500 kilometers…
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