Lewis Hamilton, seven-time F1 world champion, was left frustrated by his team Ferrari on Sunday (Aug 23) at the Dutch GP where he finished fourth. Hamilton is currently third on the <a href="https://www.formula1.com/en/results/2026/drivers">driver standings of F1 2026</a> season with 183 points - tied with second place Mercedes driver George Russell but 59 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli, also from Mercedes. Hamilton was not happy about Ferrari's late call to bring teammate Charles Leclerc to pit, which, according to him, costed crucial points on the tally and possibly a podium at the Dutch GP. The race was won by McLaren's Lando Norris had won the race while Antonelli finished second and Russell third.<h2>Hamilton not happy with Ferrari strategy at Dutch GP</h2>"Great way of wasting time, good job," said Hamilton when Leclerc finally came into the pit lane. "Today was definitely frustrating for me,” he added. “I’m here to win and I really believe that this team can win. To win championships you have to pick up every point. The last few races have been difficult with penalties and today I lost several seconds behind Charles which I think ultimately would have made the difference at the end.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ponting-wants-australia-to-look-beyond-labuschagne-cummins-also-suggests-end-of-rope-nearing-1787547572327">Ponting wants Australia to 'look beyond' Labuschagne, Cummins also suggests end of rope nearing</a>"My goal is to try and lead this team to the championship and we’ve got some work to do for sure," he added.<h2>How Dutch GP result affects drivers' standings?</h2>Hamilton currently has 183 points in the season which also include points from five podium finishes - Chinese GP (3rd), Canadien GP (2nd), Monaco GP (2nd), Barcelona GP (1st), and Birtish GP (3rd).He is tied for points with second-placed Russell from Mercedes but remains 59 points behind from leader Antonelli. A podium finish at the Dutch GP would have gotten him past Russell and a bit closer top-placed Antonelli. The next race is Italian GP on September 6.

Hamilton was not happy about Ferrari's late call to bring teammate Charles Leclerc to pit, which, according to him, costed crucial points on the tally and possibly a podium at the Dutch GP. 

Lewis Hamilton, seven-time F1 world champion, was left frustrated by his team Ferrari on Sunday (Aug 23) at the Dutch GP where he finished fourth. Hamilton is currently third on the driver standings of F1 2026 season with 183 points - tied with second place Mercedes driver George Russell but 59 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli, also from Mercedes. Hamilton was not happy about Ferrari's late call to bring teammate Charles Leclerc to pit, which, according to him, costed crucial points on the tally and possibly a podium at the Dutch GP. The race was won by McLaren's Lando Norris had won the race while Antonelli finished second and Russell third. Hamilton not happy with Ferrari strategy at Dutch GP "Great way of wasting time, good job," said Hamilton when Leclerc finally came into the pit lane. "Today was definitely frustrating for me,” he added. “I’m here to win and I really believe that this team can win. To win championships you have to pick up every point. The last few races have been difficult with penalties and today I lost several seconds behind Charles which I think ultimately would have made the difference at the end. Also Read - Ponting wants Australia to 'look beyond' Labuschagne, Cummins also suggests end of rope nearing "My goal is to try and lead this team to the championship and we’ve got some work to do for sure," he added. How Dutch GP result affects drivers' standings? Hamilton currently has 183 points in the season which also include points from five podium finishes - Chinese GP (3rd), Canadien GP (2nd), Monaco GP (2nd), Barcelona GP (1st), and Birtish GP (3rd). He is tied for points with second-placed Russell from Mercedes but remains 59 points behind from leader Antonelli. A podium finish at the Dutch GP would have gotten him past Russell and a bit closer top-placed Antonelli. The next race is Italian GP on September 6.

Hamilton was not happy about Ferrari's late call to bring teammate Charles Leclerc to pit, which, according to him, costed crucial points on the tally and possibly a podium at the Dutch GP.&nbsp;

Dutch GP: Ferrari's Hamilton left unamused by team startegy costing him possible podium finish

Lewis Hamilton has hit out a Ferrari's decision to pull him into the pit stop which ended up costing him a potential podium position in the Sunday's (Jul 26) Hungary Grand Prix. Hamilton was given five-second penalty for speeding in pit lane and finished fifth on the race leaderboard. He now trails 50 points to leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes in <a href="https://www.formula1.com/en/results/2026/drivers">drivers' standing of the season</a>. Antonelli, who finished the Sunday's race at third place, has 219 points while Hamilton, seven-time world champion, is second with 169 points.<h2>Hamilton questions Ferrari's strategy in Hungarian Grand Prix</h2>Hamilton was called into the pit lane for a tyre replacement when virtual safety car was on. He lost the track position because of the move and didn't like strategy one bit."It was pretty bad. Pretty frustrating," he said after the race. "I definitely don’t think we should have taken the stop but the call came literally just before the pit-lane entry and I didn’t have time to debate.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/formula-1-malaysia-to-host-rescheduled-bahrain-grand-prix-at-sepang-in-october-1785070461332">Formula 1: Malaysia to host rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang in October</a>"I would never have stopped if it meant I was giving up track position. I may have been able to hold on to P2. He [Verstappen] was catching me but most likely it would have been P3 [in front of Antonelli] and it would have been much better. Instead, I lost a bunch of points."<h2>What next for Hamilton?</h2>The F1 2026 season now goes into the break with the next race, Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled nearly a month later on August 23. Hamilton welcomed the break and said: "I’ll work hard to try and come back, reset. There’s still a lot of places to take. I’m going to try and make sure I don’t give them any reason to give any penalties moving forwards."Hamilton is under pressure from Mercedes' George Russell who is just nine points behind on drivers' standings at 160 points on third place.

Hamilton was called into the pit lane for a tyre replacement when virtual safety car was on. He lost the track position because of the move and didn't like strategy one bit.

Lewis Hamilton has hit out a Ferrari's decision to pull him into the pit stop which ended up costing him a potential podium position in the Sunday's (Jul 26) Hungary Grand Prix. Hamilton was given five-second penalty for speeding in pit lane and finished fifth on the race leaderboard. He now trails 50 points to leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes in drivers' standing of the season. Antonelli, who finished the Sunday's race at third place, has 219 points while Hamilton, seven-time world champion, is second with 169 points. Hamilton questions Ferrari's strategy in Hungarian Grand Prix Hamilton was called into the pit lane for a tyre replacement when virtual safety car was on. He lost the track position because of the move and didn't like strategy one bit. "It was pretty bad. Pretty frustrating," he said after the race. "I definitely don’t think we should have taken the stop but the call came literally just before the pit-lane entry and I didn’t have time to debate. Also Read - Formula 1: Malaysia to host rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang in October "I would never have stopped if it meant I was giving up track position. I may have been able to hold on to P2. He [Verstappen] was catching me but most likely it would have been P3 [in front of Antonelli] and it would have been much better. Instead, I lost a bunch of points." What next for Hamilton? The F1 2026 season now goes into the break with the next race, Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled nearly a month later on August 23. Hamilton welcomed the break and said: "I’ll work hard to try and come back, reset. There’s still a lot of places to take. I’m going to try and make sure I don’t give them any reason to give any penalties moving forwards." Hamilton is under pressure from Mercedes' George Russell who is just nine points behind on drivers' standings at 160 points on third place.

Hamilton was called into the pit lane for a tyre replacement when virtual safety car was on. He lost the track position because of the move and didn't like strategy one bit.

F1 2026: Hamilton calls Ferrari's decision-making at Hungarian Grand Prix 'pretty bad and frustrating'

Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli continued his spectacular early-season romp on Sunday when he claimed his fourth straight win for Mercedes to extend his lead in the drivers world championship to 43 points in a thrilling Canadian Grand Prix. His win made him the first driver in F1 history to secure his first four wins in succession thanks, in part, to the retirement of team-mate George Russell with a power failure after the pair had battled through the first half of the race. The 19-year-old Italian came home 10.768 seconds clear of Ferrari’s seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-iran-shift-training-camp-from-us-to-mexico-ahead-of-kickoff-1779613999747">FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran shift training camp from US to Mexico ahead of kickoff</a>The Briton secured his tenth Canadian podium and the 204th of his career after resisting four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who claimed his first podium of the season."It was a really fun battle with George," said Antonelli."We were pretty much on the limit. It was not easy today. It was a shame for George to have the failure because it would have been a very cool battle, but I'll take it."Hamilton, who took his maiden victory in Montreal in 2007 and shares the record of seven wins there with Michael Schumacher, was delighted and hugged Antonelli who succeeded him at Mercedes."Finally, we found our sweet spot and had a good weekend. It's amazing to be back up here and I got to have a battle with Max, which was great. I am so happy, I love this track," said Hamilton."I had some cool battles," said Verstappen. "It is better to race up front. And it is really cool to have our first podium and to battle with Lewis. All really positive."Charles Leclerc came home fourth for Ferrari ahead of Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull, Franco Colapinto of Alpine and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson. Pierre Gasly was eighth for Alpine ahead of Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman of Haas.<h2>McLaren misery</h2>It was a dismal day for champions McLaren who made an error in tyre selection pre-race and then saw Oscar Piastri finish 11th while world champion Lando Norris retired with a gearbox failure.The race began in cold, damp and drizzly conditions with a temperature of 12 degrees and the teams divided on tyre choice.Both McLarens and five others gambled on intermediates while Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and five others chose softs and four picked mediums.At the start, Arvid Lindblad failed to find a gear, leading to an aborted start and two extra formation laps before the lights went out -- and Norris from third flew past a cautious-starting Russell on pole to snatch the lead.Norris led and then pitted to ditch his 'inters' as did Piastri and the rest while Antonelli inherited the lead, chased by a recovered Russell and Hamilton.Russell forced his way past Antonelli at the back chicane on lap six, where the young Italian skated across a run-off to rejoin. It set up a thrilling battle at the head of the field.At the front, Antonelli regained the lead on lap 12, briefly, but it was clear the young Italian had the pace to hound, if not pass, the Briton as they delivered a riveting spectacle of wheel-to-wheel racing.Antonelli tried to pass Russell on lap 19, but was rebuffed. They scrapped again on lap 21 before Antonelli retook the lead on lap 22 at the chicane.Two laps later, he locked up and Russell regained the lead before they banged wheels again, the precocious Italian stealing in front at the hairpin, but he went off. He handed the place back.As they scrapped, Piastri was handed a 10-second penalty for colliding with Alex Albon’s Williams, another blow on a wretched weekend for McLaren before, on lap 30, Russell pulled up and retired with a power-unit failure.It was Russell’s first 'did not finish’ in 38 races since the 2024 British Grand Prix."Everything went off, the engine and the electronics. The lot,” said Russell. "I’m lost for words."A Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was deployed with Antonelli back in the lead before pitting, like the rest, for mediums. On resumption, he led from Verstappen by 4.5 seconds with Hamilton third ahead of Hadjar and Leclerc.With Russell gone, it was back to 'normal' racing – and Hamilton’s pursuit of a podium – spiced up by Leclerc taking fourth and more McLaren misery on lap 40 when Norris retired with a gearbox issue.

His win made him the first driver in F1 history to secure his first four wins in succession thanks, in part, to the retirement of team-mate George Russell with a power failure after the pair had battled through the first half of the race.

Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli continued his spectacular early-season romp on Sunday when he claimed his fourth straight win for Mercedes to extend his lead in the drivers world championship to 43 points in a thrilling Canadian Grand Prix. His win made him the first driver in F1 history to secure his first four wins in succession thanks, in part, to the retirement of team-mate George Russell with a power failure after the pair had battled through the first half of the race. The 19-year-old Italian came home 10.768 seconds clear of Ferrari’s seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Also Read - FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran shift training camp from US to Mexico ahead of kickoff The Briton secured his tenth Canadian podium and the 204th of his career after resisting four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who claimed his first podium of the season. "It was a really fun battle with George," said Antonelli. "We were pretty much on the limit. It was not easy today. It was a shame for George to have the failure because it would have been a very cool battle, but I'll take it." Hamilton, who took his maiden victory in Montreal in 2007 and shares the record of seven wins there with Michael Schumacher, was delighted and hugged Antonelli who succeeded him at Mercedes. "Finally, we found our sweet spot and had a good weekend. It's amazing to be back up here and I got to have a battle with Max, which was great. I am so happy, I love this track," said Hamilton. "I had some cool battles," said Verstappen. "It is better to race up front. And it is really cool to have our first podium and to battle with Lewis. All really positive." Charles Leclerc came home fourth for Ferrari ahead of Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull, Franco Colapinto of Alpine and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson. Pierre Gasly was eighth for Alpine ahead of Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman of Haas. McLaren misery It was a dismal day for champions McLaren who made an error in tyre selection pre-race and then saw Oscar Piastri finish 11th while world champion Lando Norris retired with a gearbox failure. The race began in cold, damp and drizzly conditions with a temperature of 12 degrees and the teams divided on tyre choice. Both McLarens and five others gambled on intermediates while Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and five others chose softs and four picked mediums. At the start, Arvid Lindblad failed to find a gear, leading to an aborted start and two extra formation laps before the lights went out -- and Norris from third flew past a cautious-starting Russell on pole to snatch the lead. Norris led and then pitted to ditch his 'inters' as did Piastri and the rest while Antonelli inherited the lead, chased by a recovered Russell and Hamilton. Russell forced his way past Antonelli at the back chicane on lap six, where the young Italian skated across a run-off to rejoin. It set up a thrilling battle at the head of the field. At the front, Antonelli regained the lead on lap 12, briefly, but it was clear the young Italian had the pace to hound, if not pass, the Briton as they delivered a riveting spectacle of wheel-to-wheel racing. Antonelli tried to pass Russell on lap 19, but was rebuffed. They scrapped again on lap 21 before Antonelli retook the lead on lap 22 at the chicane. Two laps later, he locked up and Russell regained the lead before they banged wheels again, the precocious Italian stealing in front at the hairpin, but he went off. He handed the place back. As they scrapped, Piastri was handed a 10-second penalty for colliding with Alex Albon’s Williams, another blow on a wretched weekend for McLaren before, on lap 30, Russell pulled up and retired with a power-unit failure. It was Russell’s first 'did not finish’ in 38 races since the 2024 British Grand Prix. "Everything went off, the engine and the electronics. The lot,” said Russell. "I’m lost for words." A Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was deployed with Antonelli back in the lead before pitting, like the rest, for mediums. On resumption, he led from Verstappen by 4.5 seconds with Hamilton third ahead of Hadjar and Leclerc. With Russell gone, it was back to 'normal' racing – and Hamilton’s pursuit of a podium – spiced up by Leclerc taking fourth and more McLaren misery on lap 40 when Norris retired with a gearbox issue.

His win made him the first driver in F1 history to secure his first four wins in succession thanks, in part, to the retirement of team-mate George Russell with a power failure after the pair had battled through the first half of the race.

F1 2026: Mercedes' Antonelli wins Canadian GP for fourth consecutive race victory

The Miami Grand Prix on Sunday (May 3) includes some tweaks to the rules introduced by Formula 1 in 2026 season, mainly the 50-50 split between internal combustion engine and electrical energy for the cars. The drivers, while happy with the changes, are not completely satisfied and want the batteries to be removed completely. The latest concerns raised were led by defending champion Lando Norris of McLaren who finished second in Miami behind Mercedes' teen sensation Kimi Antonelli in a thrilling finish. The F1 is running out of time as they would have to take the decision about car changes for the next season in three weeks' time or the Canadian Grand Prix on on May 25.<h2>Why Norris wants batteries to be removed from F1 cars?</h2>Speaking after the Miami race, Norris said: "It’s a small step in the right direction (rule tweaks) but it’s not to the level that Formula One should still be at yet. If you go flat out everywhere and you try pushing like you were in previous years you still just get penalised for it. You still can’t be flat out everywhere. You should never get penalised for that kind of thing and you still do.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/f1-2026-miami-gp-result-how-mercedes-19-year-old-italian-driver-kimi-antonelli-is-lightning-up-ongoing-season-1777867799981">F1 2026 | Mercedes' teen driver Antonelli wins Miami GP for 3rd straight victory</a>"Honestly, I don’t really think you can fix that. You just have to get rid of the battery. So hopefully in a few years, that’s the case."<h2>F1 drivers standings</h2>Mercedes' Antonelli currently leads the drivers' standing with 100 points in four races including three P1 finishes in the last three races. His teammate George Russell is second with 80 points followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc at third position with 59 points. Norris is fourth with 51 points, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton is fifth also with 51 points, Norris's teammate Oscar Piastri is sixth with 43 points, Red Bull's Max Verstappen is seventh with 26 points, Haas' Oliver Bearman is eighth 17 points, Alpine Pierre Gasly is ninth with 16 points, and Racing Bulls Liam Lawson is 10th with 10 points.

Mercedes' Antonelli currently leads the drivers' standing with 100 points. His teammate George Russell is second with 80 points followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc at third position with 59 points. Norris is fourth with 51 points.

The Miami Grand Prix on Sunday (May 3) includes some tweaks to the rules introduced by Formula 1 in 2026 season, mainly the 50-50 split between internal combustion engine and electrical energy for the cars. The drivers, while happy with the changes, are not completely satisfied and want the batteries to be removed completely. The latest concerns raised were led by defending champion Lando Norris of McLaren who finished second in Miami behind Mercedes' teen sensation Kimi Antonelli in a thrilling finish. The F1 is running out of time as they would have to take the decision about car changes for the next season in three weeks' time or the Canadian Grand Prix on on May 25. Why Norris wants batteries to be removed from F1 cars? Speaking after the Miami race, Norris said: "It’s a small step in the right direction (rule tweaks) but it’s not to the level that Formula One should still be at yet. If you go flat out everywhere and you try pushing like you were in previous years you still just get penalised for it. You still can’t be flat out everywhere. You should never get penalised for that kind of thing and you still do. Also Read - F1 2026 | Mercedes' teen driver Antonelli wins Miami GP for 3rd straight victory "Honestly, I don’t really think you can fix that. You just have to get rid of the battery. So hopefully in a few years, that’s the case." F1 drivers standings Mercedes' Antonelli currently leads the drivers' standing with 100 points in four races including three P1 finishes in the last three races. His teammate George Russell is second with 80 points followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc at third position with 59 points. Norris is fourth with 51 points, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton is fifth also with 51 points, Norris's teammate Oscar Piastri is sixth with 43 points, Red Bull's Max Verstappen is seventh with 26 points, Haas' Oliver Bearman is eighth 17 points, Alpine Pierre Gasly is ninth with 16 points, and Racing Bulls Liam Lawson is 10th with 10 points.

Mercedes' Antonelli currently leads the drivers' standing with 100 points. His teammate George Russell is second with 80 points followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc at third position with 59 points. Norris is fourth with 51 points.

F1 2026 | 'Penalised for pushing': Defending champ Norris wants batteries removed

Mercedes' 19-year-old Italian Formula 1 driver Kimi Antonelli continues to impress - this time by winning Miami Grand Prix on Sunday (May 3) in a hard-fought battle with defending champion Lando Norris. Antonelli, who has been compared to superstar Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, currently leads the F1 2026 drivers' leaderboard by 20 points ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell. This is also the third consecutive race win for the teenager after winning last two races in Chinese GP (Mar 15) and Japanese GP (Mar 29). Antonelli, racing in his second season only, also had finished second in the 2026 season opener Australian GP (Mar 8) and has 100 points so far.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-man-utd-league-double-liverpool-for-first-time-in-decade-confirm-champions-league-qualification-1777827110644">Premier League: Man Utd league double Liverpool for first time in decade</a><h2>Why Antonelli was compared to Sinner by Mercedes boss Wolff?</h2>In a heartwarming coincidence, on days of Antonelli's F1 victories in China, Japan, and Miami, Italian tennis superstar Sinner also won his ATP Masters tournament, that is, Indian Wells, Miami, and Madrid Open, respectively. With Italy failing to qualify for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, the fans got to cherish the victories to two Italian sporting icons and Wolff was not shy of comparing the two."Now that they are not qualified for football, it’s all about Sinner and Antonelli, and Antonelli and Sinner. Sinner won in Madrid, so it’s the two that are superstars," said the F1 team boss.<h2>How Antonelli is winning the F1 races easily?</h2>Speaking on the teenager's performance, Wolff said: "We’ve given him a car that is very good, and an engine that is right but how he’s been able to monetise on that every single weekend is special.""It seems like a lot of the speed has always been there, everything is chipping away at the finer details. It’s easier to slow someone, calm someone down that is wild because you won’t be able to accelerate a donkey, so for me that was his best race so far. It reminds me of his karting days or Formula 4, there were no mistakes today, he added.<h2>F1 2026 - Miami Grand Prix result</h2><ol><li>Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)</li><li>Lando Norris (McLaren)</li><li>Oscar Piastri (McLaren)</li><li>George Russell (Mercedes)</li><li>Max Verstappen (Red Bull)</li><li>Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)</li><li>Franco Colapinto (Alpine)</li><li>Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)</li><li>Carlos Sainz Jr. (Williams)</li><li>Alex Albon (Williams)</li></ol>

Antonelli, racing in his second season only, currently has 100 points so far and sits atop the drivers' leaderboard.

Mercedes' 19-year-old Italian Formula 1 driver Kimi Antonelli continues to impress - this time by winning Miami Grand Prix on Sunday (May 3) in a hard-fought battle with defending champion Lando Norris. Antonelli, who has been compared to superstar Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, currently leads the F1 2026 drivers' leaderboard by 20 points ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell. This is also the third consecutive race win for the teenager after winning last two races in Chinese GP (Mar 15) and Japanese GP (Mar 29). Antonelli, racing in his second season only, also had finished second in the 2026 season opener Australian GP (Mar 8) and has 100 points so far. Also Read - Premier League: Man Utd league double Liverpool for first time in decade Why Antonelli was compared to Sinner by Mercedes boss Wolff? In a heartwarming coincidence, on days of Antonelli's F1 victories in China, Japan, and Miami, Italian tennis superstar Sinner also won his ATP Masters tournament, that is, Indian Wells, Miami, and Madrid Open, respectively. With Italy failing to qualify for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, the fans got to cherish the victories to two Italian sporting icons and Wolff was not shy of comparing the two. "Now that they are not qualified for football, it’s all about Sinner and Antonelli, and Antonelli and Sinner. Sinner won in Madrid, so it’s the two that are superstars," said the F1 team boss. How Antonelli is winning the F1 races easily? Speaking on the teenager's performance, Wolff said: "We’ve given him a car that is very good, and an engine that is right but how he’s been able to monetise on that every single weekend is special." "It seems like a lot of the speed has always been there, everything is chipping away at the finer details. It’s easier to slow someone, calm someone down that is wild because you won’t be able to accelerate a donkey, so for me that was his best race so far. It reminds me of his karting days or Formula 4, there were no mistakes today, he added. F1 2026 - Miami Grand Prix result Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) Lando Norris (McLaren) Oscar Piastri (McLaren) George Russell (Mercedes) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) Franco Colapinto (Alpine) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) Carlos Sainz Jr. (Williams) Alex Albon (Williams)

Antonelli, racing in his second season only, also had finished second in the 2026 season opener Australian GP (Mar 8) before winning Chinese GP, Japanese GP, and Miami GP. He currently has 100 points so far and sits atop the drivers' leaderboard.

F1 2026 | 'All about Sinner and Antonelli': How Mercedes' 19-year-old Italian driver is lightning up ongoing season

McLaren driver and defending Formula 1 champion Lando Norris says that it will 'a shame' if Red Bull driver and four-time world champion Max Verstappen quits the sport. The comments come after Verstappen's admission that 'he will quit' if didn't enjoy. The Red Bull phenom has been vocal about how new F1 2026 rules, which have made it mandatory for nearly 50 percent of car's energy to be electric, have made it difficult and boring for the drivers. The F1 management, however, made some tweaks to the rules to address drivers' discontentment and safety concerns.<h2>Norris hopeful of Verstappen continuing in F1</h2>With three races done, the rule tweaks will come into the force before Miami Grand Prix on May 3 and Norris, who is fifth on the drivers' standings, hopes Verstappen, ninth on the table, will come good and make a run for the championship.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/what-are-new-f1-rule-changes-following-drivers-discontentment-and-safety-concerns-1776749478170">F1 tweaks rules following drivers' discontentment and safety concerns</a>"Hopefully things get better and I just saw that he said he wants to win the fifth world championship at the minute, so I’m sure he’ll stay longer than people say," Norris said.“It would be a shame for the sport, it would be a miss for the sport if that does happen because he probably is one of the best drivers you’ll see in Formula One ever."It would be a shame for us because as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he’s always good fun to race against and it’s always cool to race against someone that’s won four world championships. You always feel like you want to race against the best in the world and he certainly is one of them, so it would be a loss for the sport."<h2>How has Verstappen performed so far in the season?</h2>The Red Bull driver finished sixth in the season opening race in Australian Grand Prix before failing to finish the race at Chinese Grand Prix. At Suzuka in Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen finished eighth with next two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia getting cancelled because of ongoing conflict in the West Asia.

The Red Bull phenom has been vocal about how new F1 2026 rules, which have made it mandatory for nearly 50 percent of car's energy to be electric, have made it difficult and boring for the drivers. The F1 management, however, made some tweaks to the rules to address drivers' discontentment.

McLaren driver and defending Formula 1 champion Lando Norris says that it will 'a shame' if Red Bull driver and four-time world champion Max Verstappen quits the sport. The comments come after Verstappen's admission that 'he will quit' if didn't enjoy. The Red Bull phenom has been vocal about how new F1 2026 rules, which have made it mandatory for nearly 50 percent of car's energy to be electric, have made it difficult and boring for the drivers. The F1 management, however, made some tweaks to the rules to address drivers' discontentment and safety concerns. Norris hopeful of Verstappen continuing in F1 With three races done, the rule tweaks will come into the force before Miami Grand Prix on May 3 and Norris, who is fifth on the drivers' standings, hopes Verstappen, ninth on the table, will come good and make a run for the championship. Also Read - F1 tweaks rules following drivers' discontentment and safety concerns "Hopefully things get better and I just saw that he said he wants to win the fifth world championship at the minute, so I’m sure he’ll stay longer than people say," Norris said. “It would be a shame for the sport, it would be a miss for the sport if that does happen because he probably is one of the best drivers you’ll see in Formula One ever. "It would be a shame for us because as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he’s always good fun to race against and it’s always cool to race against someone that’s won four world championships. You always feel like you want to race against the best in the world and he certainly is one of them, so it would be a loss for the sport." How has Verstappen performed so far in the season? The Red Bull driver finished sixth in the season opening race in Australian Grand Prix before failing to finish the race at Chinese Grand Prix. At Suzuka in Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen finished eighth with next two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia getting cancelled because of ongoing conflict in the West Asia.

The Red Bull phenom has been vocal about how new F1 2026 rules, which have made it mandatory for nearly 50 percent of car's energy to be electric, have made it difficult and boring for the drivers. The F1 management, however, made some tweaks to the rules to address drivers' discontentment.

F1 2026 | Defending champion Lando Norris says Verstappen quitting 'would be shame for sport'

Formula 1 has agreed to tweak the changes brought into the ongoing season after several drivers, including four-time champion Max Verstappen, raised concerns. The new rule changes are expected to be formalised in before the next round in Miami on May 3. The F1 management, which includes team principals and their chief executives, the power unit manufacturers and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, agreed to the rule changes on Monday (Apr 20) after multiple rounds of talks following last round in Japan. The rule tweaks address the most important of drivers' concern regarding the 50-50 power split between the electrical energy and internal combustion engine. It also paid heed to safety concerns which were raised following a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/f1-2026-watch-speed-differential-thanks-to-new-engines-causes-haas-driver-bearman-to-crash-at-300-kmph-during-japanese-gp-1774846730080">crash of Oliver Bearman in Japanese Grand Prix because of speed difference</a>.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/verstappen-finally-wins-in-germany-but-gets-disqualified-in-germany-by-no-fault-of-his-1774241468570">Verstappen finally wins but gets disqualified in Germany by no fault of his</a><h2>What are the new major F1 rule tweaks?</h2>The formalised proposal of F1 rules changes, which will come into force from Miami Grand Prix on May 3, included performance improvement in qualifying, enhanced safety and improved performance consistency in races. Below are some of the major changes as shared by F1 in statement:<ul><li>Adjustments to energy management parameters in qualifying, including a reduction in maximum permitted recharge from 8MJ to 7MJ, aimed at reducing excessive harvesting and encouraging more consistent flat-out driving. This change targets a maximum superclip duration reduced to approximately two to four seconds per lap.</li><li>Peak superclip power increased to 350 kW, previously being 250 kW, further reducing the time spent recharging, and reducing driver workload on energy management. This will be applied in race as well as qualifying conditions.</li><li>The maximum power available through the Boost in race conditions is now capped at +150 kW (or the car’s current power level at activation if higher) limiting sudden performance differentials during races.</li><li>MGU-K deployment is maintained at 350 kW in key acceleration zones (from corner exit to braking point, including overtaking zones) but will be limited to 250 kW in other parts of the lap.</li><li>A new ‘low power start detection’ system has been developed, capable of identifying cars with abnormally low acceleration shortly after clutch release at the start of the race.</li><li>An associated visual warning system is being introduced, activating flashing lights (rear and lateral) on affected cars to alert following drivers.</li><li>Tyre blanket temperatures for intermediate tyres have been increased following driver feedback in order to improve initial grip and tyre performance in wet conditions.</li></ul>

The new rule changes are expected to be formalised in before the next round in Miami on May 3.  The rule tweaks address the most important of drivers' concern regarding the 50-50 power split between the electrical and IC engine as well as safety concerns following a crash in Japan.

Formula 1 has agreed to tweak the changes brought into the ongoing season after several drivers, including four-time champion Max Verstappen, raised concerns. The new rule changes are expected to be formalised in before the next round in Miami on May 3. The F1 management, which includes team principals and their chief executives, the power unit manufacturers and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, agreed to the rule changes on Monday (Apr 20) after multiple rounds of talks following last round in Japan. The rule tweaks address the most important of drivers' concern regarding the 50-50 power split between the electrical energy and internal combustion engine. It also paid heed to safety concerns which were raised following a crash of Oliver Bearman in Japanese Grand Prix because of speed difference. Also Read - Verstappen finally wins but gets disqualified in Germany by no fault of his What are the new major F1 rule tweaks? The formalised proposal of F1 rules changes, which will come into force from Miami Grand Prix on May 3, included performance improvement in qualifying, enhanced safety and improved performance consistency in races. Below are some of the major changes as shared by F1 in statement: Adjustments to energy management parameters in qualifying, including a reduction in maximum permitted recharge from 8MJ to 7MJ, aimed at reducing excessive harvesting and encouraging more consistent flat-out driving. This change targets a maximum superclip duration reduced to approximately two to four seconds per lap. Peak superclip power increased to 350 kW, previously being 250 kW, further reducing the time spent recharging, and reducing driver workload on energy management. This will be applied in race as well as qualifying conditions. The maximum power available through the Boost in race conditions is now capped at +150 kW (or the car’s current power level at activation if higher) limiting sudden performance differentials during races. MGU-K deployment is maintained at 350 kW in key acceleration zones (from corner exit to braking point, including overtaking zones) but will be limited to 250 kW in other parts of the lap. A new ‘low power start detection’ system has been developed, capable of identifying cars with abnormally low acceleration shortly after clutch release at the start of the race. An associated visual warning system is being introduced, activating flashing lights (rear and lateral) on affected cars to alert following drivers. Tyre blanket temperatures for intermediate tyres have been increased following driver feedback in order to improve initial grip and tyre performance in wet conditions.

The new rule changes are expected to be formalised in before the next round in Miami on May 3. &nbsp;The rule tweaks address the most important of drivers' concern regarding the 50-50 power split between the electrical and IC engine as well as safety concerns following a crash in Japan.

F1 tweaks rules following drivers' discontentment and safety concerns

Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali has acknowledged that Red Bull's Max Verstappen 'must be heard' about the concerns regarding new rules which came into effect this season. There's been a growing discontent among the drivers, especially Verstappen, against the new F1 rules including mandatory usage of electrical power. The F1 2026 cars have 50-50 engine power split between electrical energy and internal combustion. Verstappen has been a vocal critic of these changes, even suggesting on more than one occasion that he is 'considering his future' in Formula 1 owing to the quality of cars. Domenicali's comments hint at the severity of the matter regarding Verstappen and the loss sports would incur if the four-time champion were to call it quits.<h2>Domenicali takes Verstappen concerns about F1 seriously</h2>"He’s the best driver, he’s a world champion, multiple world champion, and his voice has to be listened to,” Domenicali said in an interview with Autosport. "With Max, we have spoken many, many times. So we understand that I understand his comments and he understands the bigger picture. He knows his voice has a weight and he needs to respect that weight. Sometimes, some people can take it the wrong way and this is something we should not allow to happen."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/f1-2026-mercedes-boss-wolff-blames-horrendous-to-drive-car-for-verstappen-s-horror-show-1773733178567">F1 2026: Mercedes boss blames 'horrendous to drive' car for Verstappen's horror</a>Apart from Verstappen, many other drivers have also raised concerns about the car speed on electric power which makes them go slow even when pushing pedal to the floor. The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/f1-2026-watch-speed-differential-thanks-to-new-engines-causes-haas-driver-bearman-to-crash-at-300-kmph-during-japanese-gp-1774846730080">difference in speed also caused a major accident</a> earlier in the season and the drivers said, 'it was bound to happen.'<h2>How has Verstappen performed in F1 2026?</h2>Verstappen finished 6th in the season opener at Australian Grand Prix before failing to finish in the next race at the Chinese Grand Prix. In Japan Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit, Max finished eighth and he will next race on Sunday (May 3) at Miami Grand Prix after Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix were cancelled because of ongoing US-Iran war.

The F1 2026 cars have 50-50 engine power split between electrical energy and internal combustion. Verstappen has been a vocal critic of these changes, even suggesting on more than one occasion that he is 'considering his future' in Formula 1 owing to the quality of cars.

Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali has acknowledged that Red Bull's Max Verstappen 'must be heard' about the concerns regarding new rules which came into effect this season. There's been a growing discontent among the drivers, especially Verstappen, against the new F1 rules including mandatory usage of electrical power. The F1 2026 cars have 50-50 engine power split between electrical energy and internal combustion. Verstappen has been a vocal critic of these changes, even suggesting on more than one occasion that he is 'considering his future' in Formula 1 owing to the quality of cars. Domenicali's comments hint at the severity of the matter regarding Verstappen and the loss sports would incur if the four-time champion were to call it quits. Domenicali takes Verstappen concerns about F1 seriously "He’s the best driver, he’s a world champion, multiple world champion, and his voice has to be listened to,” Domenicali said in an interview with Autosport. "With Max, we have spoken many, many times. So we understand that I understand his comments and he understands the bigger picture. He knows his voice has a weight and he needs to respect that weight. Sometimes, some people can take it the wrong way and this is something we should not allow to happen." Also Read - F1 2026: Mercedes boss blames 'horrendous to drive' car for Verstappen's horror Apart from Verstappen, many other drivers have also raised concerns about the car speed on electric power which makes them go slow even when pushing pedal to the floor. The difference in speed also caused a major accident earlier in the season and the drivers said, 'it was bound to happen.' How has Verstappen performed in F1 2026? Verstappen finished 6th in the season opener at Australian Grand Prix before failing to finish in the next race at the Chinese Grand Prix. In Japan Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit, Max finished eighth and he will next race on Sunday (May 3) at Miami Grand Prix after Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix were cancelled because of ongoing US-Iran war.

The F1 2026 cars have 50-50 engine power split between electrical energy and internal combustion. Verstappen has been a vocal critic of these changes, even suggesting on more than one occasion that he is 'considering his future' in Formula 1 owing to the quality of cars.

'He must respect weight of voice': F1 chief Stefano Domenicali cautions but acknowledges Max Verstappen's concerns

The Formula 1 drivers and experts have called for an urgent action after Haas' Oliver ­Bearman was involved in a crash during Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka circuit on Sunday (Mar 29). Bearman was lucky to escape without any major injury despite drashing on the sideboards at over 300 kmph. The accident was caused by cars going at different speeds, something that was highlights by drivers during the season so far which has seen many rule changes. The most significant rule change has been the 50-50 power divided between traditional IC engine and electrical battery which has left the drivers at adjusting the varying speeds while trying to maintain the power ratio.<h2>How F1 rules played a role in Oliver Bearman during Japanese GP crash?</h2>Alpine's Franco Colapinto was ahead of Bearman in Haas who was coming from behind at a speed 50 kmph more than Colapinto. To avoid crashing into the Alpine race, Bearman had to swerve that led him to hitting the sideboards at a dangerously high speed. The driver, however, was lucky to escape with just bruising. Have a look at the video below:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Here’s the moment Bearman went into the barriers at Spoon <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JapaneseGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JapaneseGP</a> <a href="https://t.co/XmurXApWkp">pic.twitter.com/XmurXApWkp</a>&mdash; Formula 1 (@F1) <a href="https://twitter.com/F1/status/2038134038314053859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"It was a scary moment out there but everything is OK, which is the main thing," said Bearman after the crash. "The adrenaline is wearing off a bit so it’s going to be a long trip home, but I’m absolutely fine."The cars crashed because of the difference in speed of two cars - thanks to the 50-50 engine split between IC and electrical power. Bearman was using boost mode - extra electrical power to overtake - while Colapinto was going slower by 50 kmph because his electrical energy had been depleted and he had to recharge that.The scenario was expected by the drivers even before the first race of the season in Australian Grand Prix and now they have an example to back up their concerns.Williams driver Carlos Sainz said after the race: "We’ve been warning them (F1) about this happening. This kind of closing speed and these kind of accidents were always going to happen and I’m not very happy with what we’ve had up until now. Hopefully we come up with a better solution that doesn’t create these massive closing speeds and a safer way of going racing."

The accident was caused by cars going at different speeds, something that was highlights by drivers during the season so far which has seen many rule changes. The most significant rule change has been the 50-50 power divided between traditional IC engine and electrical battery.

The Formula 1 drivers and experts have called for an urgent action after Haas' Oliver Bearman was involved in a crash during Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka circuit on Sunday (Mar 29). Bearman was lucky to escape without any major injury despite drashing on the sideboards at over 300 kmph. The accident was caused by cars going at different speeds, something that was highlights by drivers during the season so far which has seen many rule changes. The most significant rule change has been the 50-50 power divided between traditional IC engine and electrical battery which has left the drivers at adjusting the varying speeds while trying to maintain the power ratio. How F1 rules played a role in Oliver Bearman during Japanese GP crash? Alpine's Franco Colapinto was ahead of Bearman in Haas who was coming from behind at a speed 50 kmph more than Colapinto. To avoid crashing into the Alpine race, Bearman had to swerve that led him to hitting the sideboards at a dangerously high speed. The driver, however, was lucky to escape with just bruising. Have a look at the video below:

The accident was caused by cars going at different speeds, something that was highlights by drivers during the season so far which has seen many rule changes. The most significant rule change has been the 50-50 power divided between traditional IC engine and electrical battery.

F1 2026 | WATCH - Speed differential, thanks to new engines, causes Haas driver Bearman to crash at 300 kmph during Japanese GP

Max Verstappen, four-time Formula 1 champion, is having a nightmare F1 2026 and the effect has been extended beyond the F1 tracks. Verstappen recently took some time off from F1 season and raced in a four-hour race at Nürburgring in Germany. He went on to win the race, but as luck would have it, the Dutch-Belgian driver was disqualified from the race the and had to let go the title. Th eonlky thing soothing for Verstappen was his car as opposed to the one he is driving in F1 which he has called 'worst of all time'.<h2>Verstappen wins in Germany then gets disqualified</h2>Verstappen, competing in GT3 class, was driving with his co-drivers, Frenchman Jules Gounon and Spaniard Daniel Juncadella in a Mercedes car run by Winward team. The F1 driver won the 24.358km race by two seconds and a minute before the officials disqualifed him.The reason for disqualification was Verstappen using seven set of tyres instead of the permissible limit of six sets - an error on part of the pit crew and team as a whole rather the driver.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/f1-2026-chinese-grand-prix-aston-martin-s-alonso-reveals-struggling-to-feel-hands-and-feet-1773820185595">F1 2026: Alonso reveals 'struggling to feel hands and feet' in Chinese GP</a>Speaking to Motorsport.com after the race, Winward team principal Christian Hohenadel acknowledged the mistake and said: "The disqualification is tough to take. Unfortunately, we made an internal error that left the stewards with no choice but to exclude the winning car."<h2>Verstappen's horror run in F1</h2>In the first two races of the F1 2026 season, Verstappen was sixth in the season-opener Australian Grand Prix and failed to finish the race in Chinese Grand Prix a week later. He blames the new rules for his performance which has mandated 50-50 split in engine power between international combustion and battery. Both the races were won by Mercedes with 1-2 finish while Ferrari finishing 3-4.&nbsp;

Verstappen, competing in GT3 class,  in a Mercedes car run by Winward team at Nürburgring in Germany during four-hour and 24.358km race, won by 2 seconds. The reason for disqualification was Verstappen using seven set of tyres instead of the permissible limit of six.

Max Verstappen, four-time Formula 1 champion, is having a nightmare F1 2026 and the effect has been extended beyond the F1 tracks. Verstappen recently took some time off from F1 season and raced in a four-hour race at Nürburgring in Germany. He went on to win the race, but as luck would have it, the Dutch-Belgian driver was disqualified from the race the and had to let go the title. Th eonlky thing soothing for Verstappen was his car as opposed to the one he is driving in F1 which he has called 'worst of all time'. Verstappen wins in Germany then gets disqualified Verstappen, competing in GT3 class, was driving with his co-drivers, Frenchman Jules Gounon and Spaniard Daniel Juncadella in a Mercedes car run by Winward team. The F1 driver won the 24.358km race by two seconds and a minute before the officials disqualifed him. The reason for disqualification was Verstappen using seven set of tyres instead of the permissible limit of six sets - an error on part of the pit crew and team as a whole rather the driver. Also Read - F1 2026: Alonso reveals 'struggling to feel hands and feet' in Chinese GP Speaking to Motorsport.com after the race, Winward team principal Christian Hohenadel acknowledged the mistake and said: "The disqualification is tough to take. Unfortunately, we made an internal error that left the stewards with no choice but to exclude the winning car." Verstappen's horror run in F1 In the first two races of the F1 2026 season, Verstappen was sixth in the season-opener Australian Grand Prix and failed to finish the race in Chinese Grand Prix a week later. He blames the new rules for his performance which has mandated 50-50 split in engine power between international combustion and battery. Both the races were won by Mercedes with 1-2 finish while Ferrari finishing 3-4.

Verstappen, competing in GT3 class, &nbsp;in a Mercedes car run by Winward team at Nürburgring in Germany during four-hour and 24.358km race, won by 2 seconds. The reason for disqualification was Verstappen using seven set of tyres instead of the permissible limit of six.

Verstappen finally wins but gets disqualified in Germany by no fault of his

Aston Martin's engine provider Honda will face the day of reckoning in the third race of ongoing F1 2026 season - Japaense Grand Prix at Suzuka circuit on Sunday (Mar 29). To be at home is often considerd an advantage but Honda's engine giving too many vibrations. The issue is so severe that both Aston Martin drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, have not been able to complete any of the two races - Australian Grand Prix in Week 1 (Mar 8) and Chinese Grand Prix in Week 2 (Mar 15). Alonso, a two-time world champ, describe vibrations so serious that 'he struggled to feel his hands in China.'<h2>Aston Martin drivers plaugued by Honda engine vibrations</h2>Alonso completed only 35 laps in China while his teammate Stroll only raced for 10. After the race, Alonso described the ordeal, "On ⁠lap 20 to 35 I was struggling a bit to feel my hands and my feet," he said as reported by the Guardian. "We were one lap behind, we were last, and there was probably no point to keep going."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-tournaments-not-protecting-us-sabalenka-not-going-to-dubai-open-in-future-after-director-s-ridiculous-comments-1773813410404">'Tournaments not protecting us': Sabalenka not going to Dubai Open in future after director's 'ridiculous' comments</a>With the next race being less than 10 days away, Lance Stroll was dismissive of any improvement barring some magic. "Unless they can find ⁠some magic in the next 10 days, pray. Pray for me," Stroll said.During the race, Alonso was seen doing something rare in modern F1, taking his hands off wheel - a more common sight in long races like Le Mans 24."It was difficult, we found more vibrations than any other session of the weekend," Alonso said about the move. "Physically, I could not continue much longer. It was not a nice feeling."<h2>What next for Aston Martin in the season?</h2>The upcoming Japanese Grand Prix is going to be the last for the next five weeks after the race with cancellations of Saudi and Bahrain Grand Prix. Both the races in the Middle East have been called off because of the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war, which has left the entire Gulf region volatile.After Japan, the F1 would resume on May 4 in Miami, USA and Aston Martin would be hoping to at least finish the race by then if not nothing else.

Both Aston Martin drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, have not been able to complete any of the two races - Australian Grand Prix and Chinese Grand Prix. Alonso, a two-time world champ, describe Honda engine vibrations so serious that 'he struggled to feel his hands in China.'

Aston Martin's engine provider Honda will face the day of reckoning in the third race of ongoing F1 2026 season - Japaense Grand Prix at Suzuka circuit on Sunday (Mar 29). To be at home is often considerd an advantage but Honda's engine giving too many vibrations. The issue is so severe that both Aston Martin drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, have not been able to complete any of the two races - Australian Grand Prix in Week 1 (Mar 8) and Chinese Grand Prix in Week 2 (Mar 15). Alonso, a two-time world champ, describe vibrations so serious that 'he struggled to feel his hands in China.' Aston Martin drivers plaugued by Honda engine vibrations Alonso completed only 35 laps in China while his teammate Stroll only raced for 10. After the race, Alonso described the ordeal, "On ⁠lap 20 to 35 I was struggling a bit to feel my hands and my feet," he said as reported by the Guardian. "We were one lap behind, we were last, and there was probably no point to keep going." Also Read - 'Tournaments not protecting us': Sabalenka not going to Dubai Open in future after director's 'ridiculous' comments With the next race being less than 10 days away, Lance Stroll was dismissive of any improvement barring some magic. "Unless they can find ⁠some magic in the next 10 days, pray. Pray for me," Stroll said. During the race, Alonso was seen doing something rare in modern F1, taking his hands off wheel - a more common sight in long races like Le Mans 24. "It was difficult, we found more vibrations than any other session of the weekend," Alonso said about the move. "Physically, I could not continue much longer. It was not a nice feeling." What next for Aston Martin in the season? The upcoming Japanese Grand Prix is going to be the last for the next five weeks after the race with cancellations of Saudi and Bahrain Grand Prix. Both the races in the Middle East have been called off because of the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war, which has left the entire Gulf region volatile. After Japan, the F1 would resume on May 4 in Miami, USA and Aston Martin would be hoping to at least finish the race by then if not nothing else.

Both Aston Martin drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, have not been able to complete any of the two races - Australian Grand Prix and Chinese Grand Prix. Alonso, a two-time world champ, describe Honda engine vibrations so serious that 'he struggled to feel his hands in China.'

F1 2026 | Chinese Grand Prix : Aston Martin's Alonso reveals 'struggling to feel hands and feet'

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has blamed the Red Bull car for four-time world champion Max Verstappen's horror show in the ongoing Formula 1 2026 season. After finishing sixth in the season opener Australian Grand Prix on March 8, Verstappen failed to complete Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday (Mar 15). Mercedes, on the other hand, finished 1-2 in both races with Kimi Antonelli finishing first on the podium in the Chinese GP. Behind Mercedes, 7-time world champions Lewis Hamilton and his team partner Charles Leclerc finsihed 3-4 in both the races.<h2>Wolff blames car for Verstappen's horror in F1 2026</h2>"Max is really, I think, in a horror show," Wolff said about the Red Bull driver. “When you look at the onboard he has in qualifying, this is just horrendous to drive," opined Wolff on the Red Bull car this season. The comments came on the back of Verstappen's comments on the new F1 regulations, especially the 50-50 divide of internal combustion and battery-powered engine.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kimi-antonelli-sets-record-as-f1-s-second-youngest-race-winner-1773580415113">Kimi Antonelli sets record as F1’s second-youngest race winner</a>"It’s terrible," Verstappen said about the current situation of F1. "If someone likes this, then you really don’t know what racing is like. Not fun at all. Playing Mario Kart. This is not racing and I would say the same if I would be winning races because I care about the racing product."<h2>How are the fans liking the new rules?</h2>The F1 leadership was expected to meet after the Chinese GP and bring changes, if required, in the ongoing rules. After the the race, however, the any changes look unlikely as fans did enjoy multiple takeovers during the race involving Mercedes and Ferrari."From an entertainment perspective, I believe what we’ve seen between Ferrari and Mercedes was good racing, many overtakes. We were all part of Formula One when there was no overtaking. Sometimes we’re too nostalgic about the good old years, but the product is good in itself. We saw quite some racing in the midfield also and that is the positive," Wolff said.

After finishing sixth in the season opener Australian Grand Prix on March 8, Verstappen failed to complete Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday (Mar 15). Mercedes, on the other hand, finished 1-2 in both races, while Ferrari finished 3-4.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has blamed the Red Bull car for four-time world champion Max Verstappen's horror show in the ongoing Formula 1 2026 season. After finishing sixth in the season opener Australian Grand Prix on March 8, Verstappen failed to complete Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday (Mar 15). Mercedes, on the other hand, finished 1-2 in both races with Kimi Antonelli finishing first on the podium in the Chinese GP. Behind Mercedes, 7-time world champions Lewis Hamilton and his team partner Charles Leclerc finsihed 3-4 in both the races. Wolff blames car for Verstappen's horror in F1 2026 "Max is really, I think, in a horror show," Wolff said about the Red Bull driver. “When you look at the onboard he has in qualifying, this is just horrendous to drive," opined Wolff on the Red Bull car this season. The comments came on the back of Verstappen's comments on the new F1 regulations, especially the 50-50 divide of internal combustion and battery-powered engine. Also Read - Kimi Antonelli sets record as F1’s second-youngest race winner "It’s terrible," Verstappen said about the current situation of F1. "If someone likes this, then you really don’t know what racing is like. Not fun at all. Playing Mario Kart. This is not racing and I would say the same if I would be winning races because I care about the racing product." How are the fans liking the new rules? The F1 leadership was expected to meet after the Chinese GP and bring changes, if required, in the ongoing rules. After the the race, however, the any changes look unlikely as fans did enjoy multiple takeovers during the race involving Mercedes and Ferrari. "From an entertainment perspective, I believe what we’ve seen between Ferrari and Mercedes was good racing, many overtakes. We were all part of Formula One when there was no overtaking. Sometimes we’re too nostalgic about the good old years, but the product is good in itself. We saw quite some racing in the midfield also and that is the positive," Wolff said.

After finishing sixth in the season opener Australian Grand Prix on March 8, Verstappen failed to complete Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday (Mar 15). Mercedes, on the other hand, finished 1-2 in both races, while Ferrari finished 3-4.

F1 2026: Mercedes boss Wolff blames 'horrendous to drive' car for Verstappen's horror show

Lewis Hamilton, the 7-time F1 champion, has conceded that his former team Mercedes is faster than his current team Ferrari. The statement comes after Hamilton finished fourth in the Formula 1 2026 season's first race - Australian Grand Prix - at Melbourne on Sunday (Mar 8). The British driver, however, acknowledged that Ferrari is 'in a fight' with Mercedes and it is not impossible to catch up with them. Mercedes ended the race with 1-2 finish after George Russell took the first place on the podium while his teammate Kimi Antonelli from Italy took the second place. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished the race on the third place, ahead of Hamilton.<h2>How Fearrai can catch up with Mercedes?</h2>In the first 12 laps at Melbourne on Sunday, Leclerc was first while his Ferrari teammate Hamilton was third with Mercedes' Russell in between. The Mercedes driver then took advantage of a virtual safety car for a net pitstop while Ferrari chose not to do so and it costed them the first place on the podium. Hamilton, after the race, acknowledged the tactical error and vowed to take care of it.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-take-africa-back-7-time-f1-champ-lewis-hamilton-wants-to-race-in-africa-gp-before-retiring-1772783741096">7-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton wants to race in Africa GP before retiring</a>"We’re not as fast as Mercedes but we’re right in the fight. We’ve got a lot of work to do to catch them but it’s not impossible. We got a third and fourth and ultimately Mercedes were quicker than us. We need to see if stopping would have been better. I definitely thought we should have come in or, at least one of us, to cover the Mercedes. We will look to see what we can do better,” said the 7-time F1 winner as reported by Guardian.<h2>Mercedes boss Toto Wolff accepts fight from Ferrari</h2>After the race, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff acknowledged the threat from Ferrari and said: "It was a three-way fight at a certain stage between the two Ferraris and George, and eventually Kimi caught up. The race pace at the end was very encouraging from our side, but at the beginning, there was nothing between Ferrari and Mercedes. For me, the prevailing feeling is now we have a fight on our hands with Ferrari." &nbsp;

In the first 12 laps at Melbourne on Sunday, Leclerc was first while his Ferrari teammate Hamilton was third with Mercedes' Russell in between. The Mercedes driver then took advantage of a virtual safety car for a net pitstop while Ferrari chose not to do so and it costed them the first place

Lewis Hamilton, the 7-time F1 champion, has conceded that his former team Mercedes is faster than his current team Ferrari. The statement comes after Hamilton finished fourth in the Formula 1 2026 season's first race - Australian Grand Prix - at Melbourne on Sunday (Mar 8). The British driver, however, acknowledged that Ferrari is 'in a fight' with Mercedes and it is not impossible to catch up with them. Mercedes ended the race with 1-2 finish after George Russell took the first place on the podium while his teammate Kimi Antonelli from Italy took the second place. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished the race on the third place, ahead of Hamilton. How Fearrai can catch up with Mercedes? In the first 12 laps at Melbourne on Sunday, Leclerc was first while his Ferrari teammate Hamilton was third with Mercedes' Russell in between. The Mercedes driver then took advantage of a virtual safety car for a net pitstop while Ferrari chose not to do so and it costed them the first place on the podium. Hamilton, after the race, acknowledged the tactical error and vowed to take care of it. Also Read - 7-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton wants to race in Africa GP before retiring "We’re not as fast as Mercedes but we’re right in the fight. We’ve got a lot of work to do to catch them but it’s not impossible. We got a third and fourth and ultimately Mercedes were quicker than us. We need to see if stopping would have been better. I definitely thought we should have come in or, at least one of us, to cover the Mercedes. We will look to see what we can do better,” said the 7-time F1 winner as reported by Guardian. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff accepts fight from Ferrari After the race, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff acknowledged the threat from Ferrari and said: "It was a three-way fight at a certain stage between the two Ferraris and George, and eventually Kimi caught up. The race pace at the end was very encouraging from our side, but at the beginning, there was nothing between Ferrari and Mercedes. For me, the prevailing feeling is now we have a fight on our hands with Ferrari."

Mercedes finished 1-2 and Ferrari 3-4 in Australian GP.Ferrari were 1-3 before Mercedes took cheap pitstop with virtual safety car warning on.Hamilton vows to do better in ‘stopping’ in upcoming races.

F1 2026 | Hamilton acknowledges Ferrari 'not as fast as Mercedes' after 3-4 finish in Australian GP

George Russell won Formula 1 2026 season's first race as Mercedes finished 1-2 in the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday (Mar 8). Russell's teammate Andrea Antonelli finished second in the 58-lap race with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and 7-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton finishing third and fourth, respectively. McLaren's Lando Norris, who won the F1 title last season, finished fifth while four-time world champion Max Verstappen finished sixth for the Red Bull Racing. Hass driver Oliver Bearman got his team on the points table after finishing seventh while 18-year-old Lindblad secured eighth position for the Racing Bulls. Gabriel Bortoleto from Audi finished ninth while Pierre Gasly of Alpine completed top 10.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/inside-the-mind-of-f1-s-newest-driver-18-year-old-arvid-lindblad-on-failure-learning-and-formula-1-1772836576595">Inside the mind of F1’s newest driver: Arvid Lindblad on failure and learning</a>"Feeling incredible. It was a hell of a fight in the beginning," said Russell after his first win since Singapore GP last year. "We knew it was going to be challenging. "I made a bad start and some really tight battles with Charles at the start. Just really glad to cross the finish line."Hamilton also had a flying start for Ferrari and surged to third, ahead of Hadjar.Russell immediately hit back, reclaiming the lead on lap two before Leclerc responded a lap later to go first again as they and Hamilton began pulling clear.It morphed into a thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle at the front, with the lead changing hands three times on lap eight as Russell and Leclerc fought for supremacy.The virtual safety car came out on lap 12 when Hadjar's car stopped with Russell and Antonelli pitting and coming back on hards.With his tyres starting to wear, Leclerc pitted on lap 26 but Hamilton stayed out and was passed by Russell before coming in.Russell radioed that he thought a one-stop race was viable and he began pulling clear, with Antonelli second.And there was no way back for the Ferraris, who were 15 seconds behind and barely made a dent in the Mercedes advantage in the second half of the race.With inputs from Agencies

Russell's teammate Andrea Antonelli finished second in the 58-lap race with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and 7-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton finishing third and fourth, respectively.

George Russell won Formula 1 2026 season's first race as Mercedes finished 1-2 in the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday (Mar 8). Russell's teammate Andrea Antonelli finished second in the 58-lap race with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and 7-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton finishing third and fourth, respectively. McLaren's Lando Norris, who won the F1 title last season, finished fifth while four-time world champion Max Verstappen finished sixth for the Red Bull Racing. Hass driver Oliver Bearman got his team on the points table after finishing seventh while 18-year-old Lindblad secured eighth position for the Racing Bulls. Gabriel Bortoleto from Audi finished ninth while Pierre Gasly of Alpine completed top 10. Also Read - Inside the mind of F1’s newest driver: Arvid Lindblad on failure and learning "Feeling incredible. It was a hell of a fight in the beginning," said Russell after his first win since Singapore GP last year. "We knew it was going to be challenging. "I made a bad start and some really tight battles with Charles at the start. Just really glad to cross the finish line." Hamilton also had a flying start for Ferrari and surged to third, ahead of Hadjar. Russell immediately hit back, reclaiming the lead on lap two before Leclerc responded a lap later to go first again as they and Hamilton began pulling clear. It morphed into a thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle at the front, with the lead changing hands three times on lap eight as Russell and Leclerc fought for supremacy. The virtual safety car came out on lap 12 when Hadjar's car stopped with Russell and Antonelli pitting and coming back on hards. With his tyres starting to wear, Leclerc pitted on lap 26 but Hamilton stayed out and was passed by Russell before coming in. Russell radioed that he thought a one-stop race was viable and he began pulling clear, with Antonelli second. And there was no way back for the Ferraris, who were 15 seconds behind and barely made a dent in the Mercedes advantage in the second half of the race. With inputs from Agencies

Russell's teammate Andrea Antonelli finished second in the 58-lap race with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and 7-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton finishing third and fourth, respectively.

F1 2026 | George Russell wins Australian Grand Prix in Mercedes' 1-2 finish in Melbourne

In Formula One, races are decided by fractions of seconds, mistakes are dissected in milliseconds, and pressure arrives long before the lights go out on Sunday (March 8). For 18-year-old rookie Arvid Lindblad, stepping onto the F1 grid is not just the start of a new season, it is the realisation of a dream he has chased since childhood. But even before the engines roar, the young driver already knows how he plans to deal with the brutal realities of the sport. “When things don’t go your way, a bad qualifying, a strategy mistake or a racing incident, I need to understand why,” Lindblad said while replying to question from WION, who was in India for the Red Bull Moto Jam 2026. “If something’s gone wrong, I want to know the reason. Otherwise how do I prevent it from happening again?”&nbsp;It is a mindset that reflects the analytical nature required in modern Formula One. Lindblad admits he might take a brief moment to calm down after a disappointing result, but the instinct to analyse quickly takes over. “I’ll take a minute to settle down emotionally,” he said. “But then I want to understand what happened and move on as quickly as possible.”This season, Lindblad arrives on the grid as the only rookie, a label that many drivers might find intimidating. For him, it barely registers. “I don’t really pay much attention to that,” he said. “Thinking about being the only rookie isn’t going to make me go faster or slower. I just focus on the driving.”&nbsp;The journey to Formula One, he insists, was always the destination. Since the age of five, when he first started karting, the British driver believed the pinnacle of motorsport was where he belonged. “That was always the goal,” he said. “Everything I’ve done has been working towards Formula One.” A major step in that journey came when he joined the Red Bull Junior Team at just 13 years old. Competing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, often against drivers several years older, proved to be a defining moment. “That season gave me a lot of confidence,” he said. “It felt like a turning point.” Now, as he prepares for his first season in Formula One, Lindblad is also navigating the complexities of a new generation of cars. Compared to junior categories, he says the biggest change is not simply speed but the sheer number of variables drivers must manage from inside the cockpit.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pinkathon-delhi-2026-set-for-march-8-to-mark-international-women-s-day-1772834169600">Pinkathon Delhi 2026 set for March 8 to mark International Women’s Day</a>&nbsp;“There are far more tools and systems available,” he explained. “Especially with the new engines, there are more things to control and manage while driving. The mental capacity required is probably the biggest difference.” Like many young drivers, Lindblad grew up idolising some of the sport’s biggest stars. Chief among them was seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. “Lewis was the one I looked up to the most growing up,” he said. “I haven’t spoken to him much yet, but last year I did play Uno with him at one of the races. That was a cool moment for me.”&nbsp;Within his current environment, another driver has quietly become an important reference point: four-time champion Max Verstappen. “Max has always been really friendly and helpful,” Lindblad said. “Whenever I’ve asked him something, he goes into detail to help. It’s impressive to see someone who has achieved so much still remain humble and willing to help others.”&nbsp;Beyond the racing itself, Lindblad also carries a connection that resonates with millions of fans, his Indian heritage. His grandparents emigrated from the Punjab region to the United Kingdom decades ago, and he says those cultural roots have remained an important part of his upbringing. “I’m very proud of my roots,” he said. “I grew up with a lot of Indian traditions, the food, the celebrations, the culture.” Visits to India in recent years have strengthened that connection, and the prospect of a future Formula One race in the country excites him. “As someone with Indian heritage, it would be very special to see Formula One return to India,” he said.&nbsp;For now, though, Lindblad’s focus remains firmly on the season ahead. In a sport where success and failure are separated by the finest margins, his philosophy remains simple: learn quickly, adapt constantly, and never ignore a mistake. Because in Formula One, every answer can make the difference between the podium and the pit lane. And for the sport’s newest driver, understanding those answers may be the most valuable skill of all.

Inside the mind of F1’s newest driver: 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad on failure, learning and Formula 1

In Formula One, races are decided by fractions of seconds, mistakes are dissected in milliseconds, and pressure arrives long before the lights go out on Sunday (March 8). For 18-year-old rookie Arvid Lindblad, stepping onto the F1 grid is not just the start of a new season, it is the realisation of a dream he has chased since childhood. But even before the engines roar, the young driver already knows how he plans to deal with the brutal realities of the sport. “When things don’t go your way, a bad qualifying, a strategy mistake or a racing incident, I need to understand why,” Lindblad said while replying to question from WION, who was in India for the Red Bull Moto Jam 2026. “If something’s gone wrong, I want to know the reason. Otherwise how do I prevent it from happening again?” It is a mindset that reflects the analytical nature required in modern Formula One. Lindblad admits he might take a brief moment to calm down after a disappointing result, but the instinct to analyse quickly takes over. “I’ll take a minute to settle down emotionally,” he said. “But then I want to understand what happened and move on as quickly as possible.” This season, Lindblad arrives on the grid as the only rookie, a label that many drivers might find intimidating. For him, it barely registers. “I don’t really pay much attention to that,” he said. “Thinking about being the only rookie isn’t going to make me go faster or slower. I just focus on the driving.” The journey to Formula One, he insists, was always the destination. Since the age of five, when he first started karting, the British driver believed the pinnacle of motorsport was where he belonged. “That was always the goal,” he said. “Everything I’ve done has been working towards Formula One.” A major step in that journey came when he joined the Red Bull Junior Team at just 13 years old. Competing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, often against drivers several years older, proved to be a defining moment. “That season gave me a lot of confidence,” he said. “It felt like a turning point.” Now, as he prepares for his first season in Formula One, Lindblad is also navigating the complexities of a new generation of cars. Compared to junior categories, he says the biggest change is not simply speed but the sheer number of variables drivers must manage from inside the cockpit. Also Read: Pinkathon Delhi 2026 set for March 8 to mark International Women’s Day “There are far more tools and systems available,” he explained. “Especially with the new engines, there are more things to control and manage while driving. The mental capacity required is probably the biggest difference.” Like many young drivers, Lindblad grew up idolising some of the sport’s biggest stars. Chief among them was seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. “Lewis was the one I looked up to the most growing up,” he said. “I haven’t spoken to him much yet, but last year I did play Uno with him at one of the races. That was a cool moment for me.” Within his current environment, another driver has quietly become an important reference point: four-time champion Max Verstappen. “Max has always been really friendly and helpful,” Lindblad said. “Whenever I’ve asked him something, he goes into detail to help. It’s impressive to see someone who has achieved so much still remain humble and willing to help others.” Beyond the racing itself, Lindblad also carries a connection that resonates with millions of fans, his Indian heritage. His grandparents emigrated from the Punjab region to the United Kingdom decades ago, and he says those cultural roots have remained an important part of his upbringing. “I’m very proud of my roots,” he said. “I grew up with a lot of Indian traditions, the food, the celebrations, the culture.” Visits to India in recent years have strengthened that connection, and the prospect of a future Formula One race in the country excites him. “As someone with Indian heritage, it would be very special to see Formula One return to India,” he said. For now, though, Lindblad’s focus remains firmly on the season ahead. In a sport where success and failure are separated by the finest margins, his philosophy remains simple: learn quickly, adapt constantly, and never ignore a mistake. Because in Formula One, every answer can make the difference between the podium and the pit lane. And for the sport’s newest driver, understanding those answers may be the most valuable skill of all.

F1 rookie Arvid Lindblad opens up on handling setbacks, learning from Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, and embracing his Indian roots

Lewis Hamilton, 7-time Formula 1 champion, wants to race in an Africa Grand Prix before calling his time in the sport. The 41-year-old is currently gearing up for the upcomin F1 2026 seaso which starts Sunday (Mar 8) with Australian GP in Melbourne where he will race for Ferarri. Hamilton, having African roots, also wants people of Africa to take back their continent from other countries including the British. His statement came on Thursday (Mar 5), two days out of season's first race. Notably, Hamilton is not only the first Black British driver to win a F1 title but he's the first Black driver in whole of sports.<h2>Why Hamilton is calling for people to take back Africa?</h2>The British driver, who has roots from Togo and Benin in Africa, while talking to reporters on Mar 5, said: "I think it is the most beautiful part of the world, and I don't like that the rest of the world owns so much of it and takes so much from it and no one speaks about it. I'm really hoping that the people that are running those different countries all unite and come together and take Africa back."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/f1-2026-risk-of-permanent-nerve-damage-aston-martin-drivers-alonson-and-stroll-won-t-be-completing-melbourne-gp-1772696224725">F1 | 'Risk of nerve damage': Aston Martin drivers won't be finishing AUS GP</a>"That's what I want to see. Take it back from the French, take it back from the Spanish, take it back from the Portuguese and the British. It's so important for the future of that continent. They have all the resources to be the greatest and most powerful place in the world, and that's probably why they are being controlled the way they are," he added.<h2>How Hamilton is working towards his dream of Africa GP?</h2>Hamilton also informed the reporters that he's been talking to the stakeholders about a potential Africa GP for the last decade. The F1 champ also suggested a couple of countries for the event - Rwanda and South Africa."I have been fighting in the background to get a grand prix ... sitting with stakeholders," he said. They're setting certain dates; I'm like, 'Damn, I could be running out of time,' so I'm going to be here for a while until that happens. That would be amazing, given that I'm half African. There's one on every other continent, why not Africa? I know they're really trying."

Notably, Hamilton is not only the first Black British driver to win a F1 title but he's the first Black driver in whole of sports. he's been talking to the stakeholders about a potential Africa GP for the last decade. He also suggested a couple of countries for the event - Rwanda and South Africa.

Lewis Hamilton, 7-time Formula 1 champion, wants to race in an Africa Grand Prix before calling his time in the sport. The 41-year-old is currently gearing up for the upcomin F1 2026 seaso which starts Sunday (Mar 8) with Australian GP in Melbourne where he will race for Ferarri. Hamilton, having African roots, also wants people of Africa to take back their continent from other countries including the British. His statement came on Thursday (Mar 5), two days out of season's first race. Notably, Hamilton is not only the first Black British driver to win a F1 title but he's the first Black driver in whole of sports. Why Hamilton is calling for people to take back Africa? The British driver, who has roots from Togo and Benin in Africa, while talking to reporters on Mar 5, said: "I think it is the most beautiful part of the world, and I don't like that the rest of the world owns so much of it and takes so much from it and no one speaks about it. I'm really hoping that the people that are running those different countries all unite and come together and take Africa back." Also Read - F1 | 'Risk of nerve damage': Aston Martin drivers won't be finishing AUS GP "That's what I want to see. Take it back from the French, take it back from the Spanish, take it back from the Portuguese and the British. It's so important for the future of that continent. They have all the resources to be the greatest and most powerful place in the world, and that's probably why they are being controlled the way they are," he added. How Hamilton is working towards his dream of Africa GP? Hamilton also informed the reporters that he's been talking to the stakeholders about a potential Africa GP for the last decade. The F1 champ also suggested a couple of countries for the event - Rwanda and South Africa. "I have been fighting in the background to get a grand prix ... sitting with stakeholders," he said. They're setting certain dates; I'm like, 'Damn, I could be running out of time,' so I'm going to be here for a while until that happens. That would be amazing, given that I'm half African. There's one on every other continent, why not Africa? I know they're really trying."

7-time F1 winner Hamilton wants people to take back Africa from foreign countries including Britain.He's been talking to the stakeholders about a potential Africa GP for the last decade.Hamilton is F1's first Black driver and has roots in Togo and Benin in Africa.

'Take Africa back': 7-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton wants to race in Africa GP before retiring

FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem said "safety and wellbeing" will guide decision-making with Formula One's calendar plunged into uncertainty by the war in the Middle East. This weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix has been hit by travel chaos but is not under threat. After Melbourne, Formula One heads to China then Japan, which are not expected to be affected.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/iran-us-israel-war-forces-stranded-pv-sindhu-out-of-all-england-open-2026-first-reserve-k-srikanth-could-earn-main-draw-entry-1772467561674">Stranded in Dubai: Israel-Iran war forces PV Sindhu out of All England Open</a>However, concerns are mounting over whether next month's Bahrain race from April 10-12 and Saudi Arabia a week later will be able to go ahead.US President Donald Trump on Monday said the assault on Iran could go "far longer" than his initial estimates of about a month.In response, Iran and its allies have launched retaliatory strikes on Israel as well as US military bases and other areas in a host of Mideast nations, including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.Ben Sulayem, president of global motorsport governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), said he was closely monitoring the situation."At this moment of uncertainty, we hope for calm and a swift return to stability. Dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities," he said in his first statement on the matter late Monday."We are in close contact with our member clubs, championship promoters, teams, and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly."Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled for the World Endurance Championship and the Formula 1 World Championship."The Endurance Championship is a leading sportscar event due to open its season in Qatar at the end of March.While freight, including the cars, is safely in Melbourne for the Grand Prix this weekend, the closure of airspace and airports in the Middle East has caused chaos to travel plans for team personnel.Dubai and Doha are major flight hubs on the path to Melbourne and around 1,000 race staff have had to scramble and change flights.Australian Formula One chief Travis Auld on Monday said he was confident "everyone will be here ready for the race"."We're in a space where we're really confident there will be no impact," he added.McLaren world champion Lando Norris will kickstart his title defence in Melbourne, which will be the first race for new team Cadillac -- with experienced pair Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez in the cockpit.

Concerns are mounting over whether next month's Bahrain race from April 10-12 and Saudi Arabia a week later will be able to go ahead. US President Donald Trump on Monday said the assault on Iran could go "far longer" than his initial estimates of about a month.

FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem said "safety and wellbeing" will guide decision-making with Formula One's calendar plunged into uncertainty by the war in the Middle East. This weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix has been hit by travel chaos but is not under threat. After Melbourne, Formula One heads to China then Japan, which are not expected to be affected. Also Read - Stranded in Dubai: Israel-Iran war forces PV Sindhu out of All England Open However, concerns are mounting over whether next month's Bahrain race from April 10-12 and Saudi Arabia a week later will be able to go ahead. US President Donald Trump on Monday said the assault on Iran could go "far longer" than his initial estimates of about a month. In response, Iran and its allies have launched retaliatory strikes on Israel as well as US military bases and other areas in a host of Mideast nations, including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Ben Sulayem, president of global motorsport governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), said he was closely monitoring the situation. "At this moment of uncertainty, we hope for calm and a swift return to stability. Dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities," he said in his first statement on the matter late Monday. "We are in close contact with our member clubs, championship promoters, teams, and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly. "Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled for the World Endurance Championship and the Formula 1 World Championship." The Endurance Championship is a leading sportscar event due to open its season in Qatar at the end of March. While freight, including the cars, is safely in Melbourne for the Grand Prix this weekend, the closure of airspace and airports in the Middle East has caused chaos to travel plans for team personnel. Dubai and Doha are major flight hubs on the path to Melbourne and around 1,000 race staff have had to scramble and change flights. Australian Formula One chief Travis Auld on Monday said he was confident "everyone will be here ready for the race". "We're in a space where we're really confident there will be no impact," he added. McLaren world champion Lando Norris will kickstart his title defence in Melbourne, which will be the first race for new team Cadillac -- with experienced pair Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez in the cockpit.

Concerns are mounting over whether next month's Bahrain race from April 10-12 and Saudi Arabia a week later will be able to go ahead. US President Donald Trump on Monday said the assault on Iran could go "far longer" than his initial estimates of about a month.

F1 2026: FIA chief asserts 'safety and wellbeing' to determine Middle East races

Formula 1 is the latest event to be hit amid ongoing conflict between US-Israel and Iran. The development comes as fligth operations are hit across the world because of the escalating tensions in the Middel East. It all started with US-Israel launching joint strikes against Iran on Saturday (Mar 1) and killing the Shia-muslim majority country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Since then, Iran has launched strikes against US allies in the region including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Baharin - the venue of pre season testing. The Formula 1 season starts Sunday (Mar 8) in Melbourne, Australia and nearly a 1,000 pesonnel from 10 teams have been forced to make last-minute changes to thier flight plan in order to reach for the opening weekend which starts Friday (Feb 6) with testing.<h2>Formula 1 opening weekend hit by US-Israel-Iran conflict</h2>The Formula 1 cars have made it to Australia for the oepning weekend after being put on for transportation last month following the pre-season testing in Baharin - one of the countries inlvolved in the conflict. It is, however, the personnel, who found themselves stuck while trying to get to Melbourne.“You’re talking about teams, drivers, Formula One personnel, I’m guessing there’d be close to a thousand people that would have already booked their flights and would be landing somewhere between today, tomorrow, Wednesday – they had to all be changed," Travis Auld, chief executive of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, told Channel Nine on Monday (Mar 2).“But a lot of people around the world are doing the same thing and so you’re competing obviously with that increase in demand, but they’ve been able to sort it out.”<h2>Formula 1 in Middle East</h2>The Middle Eastern countries have long been a venue for the Formula 1 races. In the upcoming season, which starts Sunday (Mar 8), there are as many as five races scheduled in the region. The first F1 race in the Middle Eastern region is Baharin GP on April 12, followed by Saudi Arabia GP on April 19 - both the countries are currently involved in the conflict.The remaining three races are towards the end of the season - Azerbaijan GP on September 26, Qatar GP on November 29, and Abu Dhabi GP on December 6

The Formula 1 season starts Sunday (Mar 8) in Melbourne, Australia and nearly a 1,000 pesonnel from 10 teams have been forced to make last-minute changes to thier flight plan in order to reach for the opening weekend which starts Friday (Feb 6) with testing.

Formula 1 is the latest event to be hit amid ongoing conflict between US-Israel and Iran. The development comes as fligth operations are hit across the world because of the escalating tensions in the Middel East. It all started with US-Israel launching joint strikes against Iran on Saturday (Mar 1) and killing the Shia-muslim majority country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Since then, Iran has launched strikes against US allies in the region including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Baharin - the venue of pre season testing. The Formula 1 season starts Sunday (Mar 8) in Melbourne, Australia and nearly a 1,000 pesonnel from 10 teams have been forced to make last-minute changes to thier flight plan in order to reach for the opening weekend which starts Friday (Feb 6) with testing. Formula 1 opening weekend hit by US-Israel-Iran conflict The Formula 1 cars have made it to Australia for the oepning weekend after being put on for transportation last month following the pre-season testing in Baharin - one of the countries inlvolved in the conflict. It is, however, the personnel, who found themselves stuck while trying to get to Melbourne. “You’re talking about teams, drivers, Formula One personnel, I’m guessing there’d be close to a thousand people that would have already booked their flights and would be landing somewhere between today, tomorrow, Wednesday – they had to all be changed," Travis Auld, chief executive of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, told Channel Nine on Monday (Mar 2). “But a lot of people around the world are doing the same thing and so you’re competing obviously with that increase in demand, but they’ve been able to sort it out.” Formula 1 in Middle East The Middle Eastern countries have long been a venue for the Formula 1 races. In the upcoming season, which starts Sunday (Mar 8), there are as many as five races scheduled in the region. The first F1 race in the Middle Eastern region is Baharin GP on April 12, followed by Saudi Arabia GP on April 19 - both the countries are currently involved in the conflict. The remaining three races are towards the end of the season - Azerbaijan GP on September 26, Qatar GP on November 29, and Abu Dhabi GP on December 6

The Formula 1 season starts Sunday (Mar 8) in Melbourne, Australia and nearly a 1,000 pesonnel from 10 teams have been forced to make last-minute changes to thier flight plan in order to reach for the opening weekend which starts Friday (Feb 6) with testing.

US-Israel attack Iran | Formula 1 2026 opening weekend preparations in Australia hit amid Middle East conflict

The 2026 Formula One season is days away from the start as the teams gear up for the final round of testing before entering the championships. New season, new permutations and new rules will be on the agenda as teams and drivers get ready to give their best shot in the upcoming season. However, unlike the previous seasons, the Formula One 2026 season will offer new thrills with new rules set to take centre stage. Here’s a detailed look at new norms, rule changes and other key changes in the 2026 Formula One season.<h2>Active Aero to replace DRS</h2>Well, the upcoming season, starting with the Australian Grand Prix on March 8, will feature a new feature - Active Aero. The new feature will all but eliminate the Drag Reduction System (DRS) in its existing form. Active Aero will allow cars to adjust the angle of both their front and rear wing elements depending on where they are on the track.<h2>What is low-drag mode?</h2>In the corners, the flaps stay shut in their default position to maintain grip. On designated straights, drivers can activate low-drag mode, which opens the flaps and flattens the wings, reducing drag and boosting top speed. This is available to every driver, on every lap.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a><h2>Overtake Mode</h2>With the implementation of active mode, the DRS will be virtually non-existence and the rear wing flaps can be opened on every designated straight without the need to be within one second of the car in front. However, being inside one second of your rival does still bring benefits in the form of Overtake Mode.&nbsp;The mode is just for attack and is triggered when they’re within one second of the car in front. That gives them access to extra electrical energy, which they can use to deploy to overtake or pressure the driver ahead at a single detection point.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a><h2>Will there be a button to operate Overtake Mode?</h2>Yes, there will be a feature to operate the Overtake Mode at one go called the Boost button. Drivers can continue to use it in defence as well as overtaking at any point around the lap, providing they have enough charge in their battery, of course. Drivers may use it all at once or spread across the lap, depending on when they have the best chance to attack or where they are most vulnerable.<h2>New battery charging system</h2>Working with their race engineer, drivers can select from a range of different modes to recharge their battery, from braking and engine energy. That means they have three tools they can use tactically when in the heat of battle.

Unlike the previous seasons, the Formula One 2026 season will offer new thrills with new rules set to take centre stage. Here’s a detailed look at new norms, rule changes and other key changes in the 2026 Formula One season.

The 2026 Formula One season is days away from the start as the teams gear up for the final round of testing before entering the championships. New season, new permutations and new rules will be on the agenda as teams and drivers get ready to give their best shot in the upcoming season. However, unlike the previous seasons, the Formula One 2026 season will offer new thrills with new rules set to take centre stage. Here’s a detailed look at new norms, rule changes and other key changes in the 2026 Formula One season. Active Aero to replace DRS Well, the upcoming season, starting with the Australian Grand Prix on March 8, will feature a new feature - Active Aero. The new feature will all but eliminate the Drag Reduction System (DRS) in its existing form. Active Aero will allow cars to adjust the angle of both their front and rear wing elements depending on where they are on the track. What is low-drag mode? In the corners, the flaps stay shut in their default position to maintain grip. On designated straights, drivers can activate low-drag mode, which opens the flaps and flattens the wings, reducing drag and boosting top speed. This is available to every driver, on every lap. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Overtake Mode With the implementation of active mode, the DRS will be virtually non-existence and the rear wing flaps can be opened on every designated straight without the need to be within one second of the car in front. However, being inside one second of your rival does still bring benefits in the form of Overtake Mode. The mode is just for attack and is triggered when they’re within one second of the car in front. That gives them access to extra electrical energy, which they can use to deploy to overtake or pressure the driver ahead at a single detection point. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds Will there be a button to operate Overtake Mode? Yes, there will be a feature to operate the Overtake Mode at one go called the Boost button. Drivers can continue to use it in defence as well as overtaking at any point around the lap, providing they have enough charge in their battery, of course. Drivers may use it all at once or spread across the lap, depending on when they have the best chance to attack or where they are most vulnerable. New battery charging system Working with their race engineer, drivers can select from a range of different modes to recharge their battery, from braking and engine energy. That means they have three tools they can use tactically when in the heat of battle.

Unlike the previous seasons, the Formula One 2026 season will offer new thrills with new rules set to take centre stage. Here’s a detailed look at new norms, rule changes and other key changes in the 2026 Formula One season.

Formula One: What is active aero, low-drag mode and why upcoming season is different from previous editions

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F1: What is active aero, low-drag mode and why upcoming season is different