2 months ago
The latest addition to the Formula 1 calendar had already sparked plenty of discussion in the paddock before the weekend. Most of the conversations centred on safety and whether the track around the IFEMA complex would actually prove to be a 'car killer', as several teams feared after the rather chaotic F3 test.
Another aspect that attracted plenty of interest was La Monumental, Turn 12 of the new circuit. It is the corner with 13.5 degrees of banking, which equates to an incline of around 24%.
This is less than the final corner at Zandvoort – the Arie Luyendyk corner has 18 degrees of banking – but despite that, Pirelli describes La Monumental as the toughest corner on the entire F1 calendar for the tyres.
"Basically the peak of the vertical energy is not higher than in other corners that we have in the calendar, like in Qatar, the banking in Zandvoort, et cetera. It's more about the time you are under load and the continuous load that you have," Pirelli's chief engineer Simone Berra explained.
"So basically instead of two or three seconds, you have 5.5 seconds under those loads. So you have double the duty cycle in that area. That is the main thing to keep in mind and what we are considering in our calculations."
#banking #basically #load
Another aspect that attracted plenty of interest was La Monumental, Turn 12 of the new circuit. It is the corner with 13.5 degrees of banking, which equates to an incline of around 24%.
This is less than the final corner at Zandvoort – the Arie Luyendyk corner has 18 degrees of banking – but despite that, Pirelli describes La Monumental as the toughest corner on the entire F1 calendar for the tyres.
"Basically the peak of the vertical energy is not higher than in other corners that we have in the calendar, like in Qatar, the banking in Zandvoort, et cetera. It's more about the time you are under load and the continuous load that you have," Pirelli's chief engineer Simone Berra explained.
"So basically instead of two or three seconds, you have 5.5 seconds under those loads. So you have double the duty cycle in that area. That is the main thing to keep in mind and what we are considering in our calculations."
#banking #basically #load
2 months ago
F1 drivers check out the new Madring circuit ahead of the Spanish GP, as they discuss the dangers, difficulties in overtaking and getting a lap done, and talk about the La Monumental corner.
Jeddah? Macau? Monaco? Baku? Zandvoort? The new Madring circuit has been compared to a lot of other tracks on the F1 calendar due to its nature and layout. The drivers are bracing for a hard and tough outing in this weekend's Spanish GP. The narrow and high-speed combination never works well for everyone, with the Saudi Arabian GP a prime example in recent times.
Of course, the F1 drivers eventually find a way through to get things right. But still, ahead of the start, they have mixed emotions, with most agreeing that it will be dangerous. Even though some feel it will not be as dangerous as Jeddah already is, the majority agree that defending will be much easier and overtaking much harder, as seen in Monaco.
Even getting a lap right in qualifying will be a challenge, which the F1 drivers accept. Almost everyone has had a run in the simulator, but they are waiting for the real feel, as the speed and power can only be ascertained once someone is really on track. One of its major attractions is the long, banked La Monumental, which, of course, everyone is looking to try in the real car.
Here's a list of F1 drivers speaking about the dangers:
#drivers #monaco #even #circuit
Jeddah? Macau? Monaco? Baku? Zandvoort? The new Madring circuit has been compared to a lot of other tracks on the F1 calendar due to its nature and layout. The drivers are bracing for a hard and tough outing in this weekend's Spanish GP. The narrow and high-speed combination never works well for everyone, with the Saudi Arabian GP a prime example in recent times.
Of course, the F1 drivers eventually find a way through to get things right. But still, ahead of the start, they have mixed emotions, with most agreeing that it will be dangerous. Even though some feel it will not be as dangerous as Jeddah already is, the majority agree that defending will be much easier and overtaking much harder, as seen in Monaco.
Even getting a lap right in qualifying will be a challenge, which the F1 drivers accept. Almost everyone has had a run in the simulator, but they are waiting for the real feel, as the speed and power can only be ascertained once someone is really on track. One of its major attractions is the long, banked La Monumental, which, of course, everyone is looking to try in the real car.
Here's a list of F1 drivers speaking about the dangers:
#drivers #monaco #even #circuit
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2 months ago
Formula 1 heads to the iconic Monza circuit this weekend for the Italian Grand Prix and round 13 of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli, who is expected to take a grid penalty at his home race, leads the world championship standings by 59 points to Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, with the Italian having finished second at the last race in Zandvoort.
At the Dutch GP, reigning F1 world champion Lando Norris won his second straight grand prix with a composed drive at Zandvoort, after recording a sublime pole position. Norris is now fourth in the drivers' standings, 83 points behind Antonelli.
Ferrari will be hoping to land a victory at their traditional home race, with Charles Leclerc a two-time winner in Monza and Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who crashed out on the first lap last time out, will be looking to bounce back.
Here are the standings after the Italian GP:
#race #standings #monza
Kimi Antonelli, who is expected to take a grid penalty at his home race, leads the world championship standings by 59 points to Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, with the Italian having finished second at the last race in Zandvoort.
At the Dutch GP, reigning F1 world champion Lando Norris won his second straight grand prix with a composed drive at Zandvoort, after recording a sublime pole position. Norris is now fourth in the drivers' standings, 83 points behind Antonelli.
Ferrari will be hoping to land a victory at their traditional home race, with Charles Leclerc a two-time winner in Monza and Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who crashed out on the first lap last time out, will be looking to bounce back.
Here are the standings after the Italian GP:
#race #standings #monza
2 months ago
McLaren spent the first half of 2026 looking like last year's champion team in name only. The wins dried up, the new car took time to come alive and even as Lando Norris kept putting points on the board, the gap to Kimi Antonelli kept growing. Then Hungary happened, Zandvoort followed, and two weeks was all it took to change the mood of the season.
Norris has now won the last two grands prix and sits fourth in the standings at 159 points, 83 behind Antonelli and 24 behind Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who are tied at 183. That is still a mountain for Norris and McLaren to climb, but it is no longer out of the question.
Also Read:Ferrari Must Win at Monza or Watch Its ****** le Shot Slip Away
May 23, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; McLaren driver Lando Norris (1) during the qualifying session of the Lenovo Grand Prix Du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
McLaren is third in the constructors' championship with 263 points, 75 behind Ferrari and 162 behind Mercedes. Another strong weekend at Monza would not crown anyone, but it would force the two teams ahead to treat McLaren as a Sunday problem rather than a midfield inconvenience.
#Ferrari
Norris has now won the last two grands prix and sits fourth in the standings at 159 points, 83 behind Antonelli and 24 behind Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who are tied at 183. That is still a mountain for Norris and McLaren to climb, but it is no longer out of the question.
Also Read:Ferrari Must Win at Monza or Watch Its ****** le Shot Slip Away
May 23, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; McLaren driver Lando Norris (1) during the qualifying session of the Lenovo Grand Prix Du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
McLaren is third in the constructors' championship with 263 points, 75 behind Ferrari and 162 behind Mercedes. Another strong weekend at Monza would not crown anyone, but it would force the two teams ahead to treat McLaren as a Sunday problem rather than a midfield inconvenience.
#Ferrari
2 months ago
With Zandvoort now in the rear-view mirror, Formula 1 is ready to head to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, which is set to provide another crucial turning point in the championship battle. Below is the full schedule and session times for the weekend at the Temple of Speed.
After winning the last two races in succession, there will be plenty of attention on Lando Norris to see whether he can complete a hat-trick in Italy and firmly reignite his championship challenge. The McLaren driver arrives at Monza carrying significant momentum, with another victory potentially allowing him to make further inroads in the standings.
There will also be huge interest surrounding home favourite and championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who will race in front of the Italian crowd at Monza with the added pressure of leading the **** le fight. His weekend, however, will be complicated by the grid penalty hanging over him, meaning the Mercedes driver will have an additional obstacle to overcome as he looks to deliver a strong result on home soil.
Toto Wolff explained that Mercedes' decision to make the engine change in Italy was driven entirely by performance considerations, with the team's simulations identifying Monza as the most favourable circuit at which to absorb the resulting grid penalty.
Photo: Race Pictures
#monza #italy #mercedes #weekend
After winning the last two races in succession, there will be plenty of attention on Lando Norris to see whether he can complete a hat-trick in Italy and firmly reignite his championship challenge. The McLaren driver arrives at Monza carrying significant momentum, with another victory potentially allowing him to make further inroads in the standings.
There will also be huge interest surrounding home favourite and championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who will race in front of the Italian crowd at Monza with the added pressure of leading the **** le fight. His weekend, however, will be complicated by the grid penalty hanging over him, meaning the Mercedes driver will have an additional obstacle to overcome as he looks to deliver a strong result on home soil.
Toto Wolff explained that Mercedes' decision to make the engine change in Italy was driven entirely by performance considerations, with the team's simulations identifying Monza as the most favourable circuit at which to absorb the resulting grid penalty.
Photo: Race Pictures
#monza #italy #mercedes #weekend
2 months ago
Williams team principal James Vowles has admitted the Grove outfit must shoulder some of the blame for the late-race collision between Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz at the Dutch Grand Prix.
During a chaotic race at Zandvoort, won by McLaren's Lando Norris, the two Williams drivers came together on track while battling outside the points-paying positions.
Speaking in the team's post-race video debrief, The Vowles Verdict, the Williams boss addressed the frustrating incident.
"As you saw, Alex and Carlos came together on track," Vowles explained. "There's a lot of questions around whose fault it is, whose isn't it? I'll start with this. I think with our two drivers, both have a responsibility to not hit each other.
"It's hard to do it as a majority to one or the other, but both have a culpability in that. This particular circumstance, actually, I think we as a team have a culpability."
#team
During a chaotic race at Zandvoort, won by McLaren's Lando Norris, the two Williams drivers came together on track while battling outside the points-paying positions.
Speaking in the team's post-race video debrief, The Vowles Verdict, the Williams boss addressed the frustrating incident.
"As you saw, Alex and Carlos came together on track," Vowles explained. "There's a lot of questions around whose fault it is, whose isn't it? I'll start with this. I think with our two drivers, both have a responsibility to not hit each other.
"It's hard to do it as a majority to one or the other, but both have a culpability in that. This particular circumstance, actually, I think we as a team have a culpability."
#team
2 months ago
Racing Bulls is facing a tough decision at the end of the season as they have three drivers for only two spots in the 2027 driver lineup.
Currently, Liam Lawson and Arvid Linblad occupy the two Racing Bulls seats. Lawson is now a seasoned veteran F1 driver who impressed during his one-race cameo with Red Bull.
Lindblad, on the other hand, is a promising rookie who was labeled as the next highly touted Red Bull junior.
This year, Lawson has been better than Lindblad, but only slightly, with both showing their driving chops.
ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS – AUGUST 21: Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on August 21, 2026 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
#racing #zandvoort
Currently, Liam Lawson and Arvid Linblad occupy the two Racing Bulls seats. Lawson is now a seasoned veteran F1 driver who impressed during his one-race cameo with Red Bull.
Lindblad, on the other hand, is a promising rookie who was labeled as the next highly touted Red Bull junior.
This year, Lawson has been better than Lindblad, but only slightly, with both showing their driving chops.
ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS – AUGUST 21: Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on August 21, 2026 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
#racing #zandvoort
2 months ago
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson will remain with Red Bull Racing in the lead-up to the Italian Grand Prix in just under two weeks. The New Zealander is being prepared for the scenario in which the recovering Isack Hadjar, who suffered a wrist injury, is still unavailable in Monza, GPblog understands.
Liam Lawson earned an unexpected promotion to the main team last weekend for the Dutch Grand Prix, after Isack Hadjar sustained a fracture in his wrist during a practice session. As a result, Max Verstappen's teammate was unable to take part in the latest Formula 1 race at the Zandvoort circuit.
In announcing the temporary driver swap, Red Bull stated that Hadjar was expected to miss only the Dutch Grand Prix, with further evaluations to follow after the race to **** s his availability for the next round in Italy. GPblog has heard that Hadjar indicated internally last weekend in the Netherlands that his wrist already felt better than it had a few days earlier. The Frenchman is said to be optimistic about a swift return.
Should it become clear in the coming week that Hadjar is still not fit enough to race in Monza, Liam Lawson will once again step in for Red Bull Racing. With that possibility in mind, Red Bull has decided to keep the New Zealander with the team for the time being, so that he would arrive in Italy better prepared than he was in the Netherlands, if needed.
Lawson proved to be a fine substitute for Hadjar in Zandvoort. The 24-year-old driver finished seventh in the Grand Prix, which, given the relative performance of the cars, was exactly where Lawson could reasonably be expected to end up. Considering Lawson's performance, there seems to be no pressing need for Red Bull to rush Hadjar back into the car sooner than is advisable.
#hadjar #bull #racing #liam
Liam Lawson earned an unexpected promotion to the main team last weekend for the Dutch Grand Prix, after Isack Hadjar sustained a fracture in his wrist during a practice session. As a result, Max Verstappen's teammate was unable to take part in the latest Formula 1 race at the Zandvoort circuit.
In announcing the temporary driver swap, Red Bull stated that Hadjar was expected to miss only the Dutch Grand Prix, with further evaluations to follow after the race to **** s his availability for the next round in Italy. GPblog has heard that Hadjar indicated internally last weekend in the Netherlands that his wrist already felt better than it had a few days earlier. The Frenchman is said to be optimistic about a swift return.
Should it become clear in the coming week that Hadjar is still not fit enough to race in Monza, Liam Lawson will once again step in for Red Bull Racing. With that possibility in mind, Red Bull has decided to keep the New Zealander with the team for the time being, so that he would arrive in Italy better prepared than he was in the Netherlands, if needed.
Lawson proved to be a fine substitute for Hadjar in Zandvoort. The 24-year-old driver finished seventh in the Grand Prix, which, given the relative performance of the cars, was exactly where Lawson could reasonably be expected to end up. Considering Lawson's performance, there seems to be no pressing need for Red Bull to rush Hadjar back into the car sooner than is advisable.
#hadjar #bull #racing #liam
2 months ago
Lando Norris feels he is performing better both on and off the track in Formula 1 this year compared to his ****** le-winning 2025 campaign, fresh off back-to-back wins for McLaren.
The reigning F1 world champion has taken pole and victory in the last two rounds in Hungary and Zandvoort to breathe fresh life into a difficult ****** le defence, as McLaren made a slow start to the new regulations era.
With Norris fourth in the standings and still 83 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli, talk of a ****** le fight has been quelled so far, but from his personal performance levels the British driver feels he's operating better than during his ****** le-winning season.
"I was driving at a high level the second half of last year. It's tough to say [if I'm driving at my highest level], but I do think it's a trickier car to drive this year in some ways," Norris said. "I think you can see that because the gaps between team-mates are often bigger this year, I would say, than it was last year. But I do believe so.
"I do believe I'm able to understand situations better, to understand the car in a better way. It's still just horrible to drive, but I'm doing a better job at just understanding this, relaying this to my team, figuring stuff out.
#year
The reigning F1 world champion has taken pole and victory in the last two rounds in Hungary and Zandvoort to breathe fresh life into a difficult ****** le defence, as McLaren made a slow start to the new regulations era.
With Norris fourth in the standings and still 83 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli, talk of a ****** le fight has been quelled so far, but from his personal performance levels the British driver feels he's operating better than during his ****** le-winning season.
"I was driving at a high level the second half of last year. It's tough to say [if I'm driving at my highest level], but I do think it's a trickier car to drive this year in some ways," Norris said. "I think you can see that because the gaps between team-mates are often bigger this year, I would say, than it was last year. But I do believe so.
"I do believe I'm able to understand situations better, to understand the car in a better way. It's still just horrible to drive, but I'm doing a better job at just understanding this, relaying this to my team, figuring stuff out.
#year
2 months ago
Queen Máxima and Princess Alexia turned the Dutch Grand Prix into a mother-daughter fashion moment. The Dutch royals stepped out together at Circuit Zandvoort, where their contrasting looks offered two very different takes on dressing for one of the summer's biggest sporting events.
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#queen
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#queen
2 months ago
Alex Brundle believes Lewis Hamilton was fully justified in venting his frustration over team radio during the Dutch Grand Prix.
The seven-time champion narrowly missed out on a podium at Zandvoort, taking the chequered flag in fourth place behind race winner Lando Norris and the Mercedes pair of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
Hamilton was clearly frustrated throughout the race with various tense radio messages. While reviewing the race on F1 TV, Brundle defended Hamilton's outburst when the pitwall asked which tyre compound he wanted to change to.
"That would upset me from inside the car as well because you're looking at the team asking you which tyre you want to be put on," Brundle explained. "They've already seen a stint on the medium compound from Charles Leclerc. They're sitting there with all of the data, and effectively you've got an engineer on the pitwall hedging their bets based around what the driver is going to say.
"Of course Lewis has sat in the briefings. Lewis has felt the tyres. He's the only person sitting in the car. But I think his response there actually came amid a slightly turbulent day where he did sound slightly upset over the radio in general.
#hamilton #compound #upset
The seven-time champion narrowly missed out on a podium at Zandvoort, taking the chequered flag in fourth place behind race winner Lando Norris and the Mercedes pair of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
Hamilton was clearly frustrated throughout the race with various tense radio messages. While reviewing the race on F1 TV, Brundle defended Hamilton's outburst when the pitwall asked which tyre compound he wanted to change to.
"That would upset me from inside the car as well because you're looking at the team asking you which tyre you want to be put on," Brundle explained. "They've already seen a stint on the medium compound from Charles Leclerc. They're sitting there with all of the data, and effectively you've got an engineer on the pitwall hedging their bets based around what the driver is going to say.
"Of course Lewis has sat in the briefings. Lewis has felt the tyres. He's the only person sitting in the car. But I think his response there actually came amid a slightly turbulent day where he did sound slightly upset over the radio in general.
#hamilton #compound #upset
2 months ago
Lando Norris of McLaren F1 Team celebrates his victory during race of Formula 1 Dutch GP at Zandvoort Circuit in Zandvoort, Netherlands, on August 23, 2026. (Photo by Andrea Diodato/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Lando Norris drove his McLaren to victory in the final running of the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.
Having started from pole position, the defending champion lost ground to Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli at the restart after the race was red-flagged due to home hero Max Verstappen's heavy crash.
The Briton managed to retake the lead midway through the race, eventually taking the checkered flag 11.536 seconds ahead of Antonelli for his second straight victory of the season.
George Russell, fresh off a sprint victory just a day before, rounded out the podium in third in the other Mercedes.
#team
Lando Norris drove his McLaren to victory in the final running of the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.
Having started from pole position, the defending champion lost ground to Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli at the restart after the race was red-flagged due to home hero Max Verstappen's heavy crash.
The Briton managed to retake the lead midway through the race, eventually taking the checkered flag 11.536 seconds ahead of Antonelli for his second straight victory of the season.
George Russell, fresh off a sprint victory just a day before, rounded out the podium in third in the other Mercedes.
#team
2 months ago
A venue Formula 1 sadly waves goodbye to after a quickfire six-year re-introduction, Zandvoort gave us one more thriller on the beach as the sport returned following the summer recess. Lando Norris kept his cool to secure a second consecutive victory, amid one massive first-lap crash for Max Verstappen and various yellow-flag windows of opportunity. Yet the host venue of the Dutch Grand Prix is also a glaring anomaly in the career of Lewis Hamilton: a circuit he has failed to win a grand prix at.
Things could have been different, mind. Four years ago, Hamilton launched into one of his most infamous tirades, later apologising after stating his Mercedes team had "f***** him" with a strategy call which saw hopes of triumph fade. On Sunday, Hamilton was more measured and nuanced with his words after finishing fourth, missing out on a podium after failing to steer his car past a valiant George Russell. But another underlying sense of 'what-could-have-been' remained.
"We're just chipping away at it," Hamilton told Sky Sports F1. "This first half of the season… we've lost three to five tenths on the straight, that's a hard deficit to overcome.
Lewis Hamilton spoke of his frustration after finishing fourth at the Dutch Grand Prix (PA Wire)
"Today was definitely frustrating for me. I'm here to win and I believe this team can win, but to win championships you have to pick up every possible point.
#hamilton #finishing #fourth
Things could have been different, mind. Four years ago, Hamilton launched into one of his most infamous tirades, later apologising after stating his Mercedes team had "f***** him" with a strategy call which saw hopes of triumph fade. On Sunday, Hamilton was more measured and nuanced with his words after finishing fourth, missing out on a podium after failing to steer his car past a valiant George Russell. But another underlying sense of 'what-could-have-been' remained.
"We're just chipping away at it," Hamilton told Sky Sports F1. "This first half of the season… we've lost three to five tenths on the straight, that's a hard deficit to overcome.
Lewis Hamilton spoke of his frustration after finishing fourth at the Dutch Grand Prix (PA Wire)
"Today was definitely frustrating for me. I'm here to win and I believe this team can win, but to win championships you have to pick up every possible point.
#hamilton #finishing #fourth
2 months ago
Liam Lawson's third race at Red Bull was exactly what Red Bull would have wanted from Liam Lawson. Solid qualifying, right behind Max Verstappen. No big mistakes and strong pace in the race. Points. He finally proved he deserved to be in that seat...
It's just that his third race at Red Bull wasn't Suzuka in April 2025, but Zandvoort some 17 months later.
So, how should we interpret Lawson's weekend? And what does it actually prove?
That Lawson is a capable grand prix driver? No, not that. That's too obvious anyway. One or two races can't change that perception. Everything he's done during his career is enough.
It doesn't prove he's destined to win the world championship either. One weekend is one weekend, after all. You'd need a much broader sample.
#bull #Third #solid #points
It's just that his third race at Red Bull wasn't Suzuka in April 2025, but Zandvoort some 17 months later.
So, how should we interpret Lawson's weekend? And what does it actually prove?
That Lawson is a capable grand prix driver? No, not that. That's too obvious anyway. One or two races can't change that perception. Everything he's done during his career is enough.
It doesn't prove he's destined to win the world championship either. One weekend is one weekend, after all. You'd need a much broader sample.
#bull #Third #solid #points
2 months ago
ZANDVOORT, Netherlands (AP) — Lando Norris says he doesn't yet have a car capable of vying for the Formula 1 **** le despite back-to-back Grand Prix wins but he could "win every race" remaining this season if McLaren manages to solve its biggest vulnerability.
The F1 defending champion boosted his **** le chances with victory at the Dutch GP on Sunday after a daring pass on standings leader Kimi Antonelli in the process.
"I know I've just won two races in a row and had two poles in a row, but at the minute I don't have the car I need to fight for a championship," Norris said after the race. He added that the right changes to target McLaren's troubles in slow-speed corners could set him up to chase down Mercedes driver Antonelli.
"We're very, very strong in high-speed (corners), and that's the place we've improved the car the most ... No one matches us in high speed, and that's a good thing," Norris said.
However, Norris added that "Mercedes' advantage that they have to us in slow speed is also crazy."
#mercedes #race #corners
The F1 defending champion boosted his **** le chances with victory at the Dutch GP on Sunday after a daring pass on standings leader Kimi Antonelli in the process.
"I know I've just won two races in a row and had two poles in a row, but at the minute I don't have the car I need to fight for a championship," Norris said after the race. He added that the right changes to target McLaren's troubles in slow-speed corners could set him up to chase down Mercedes driver Antonelli.
"We're very, very strong in high-speed (corners), and that's the place we've improved the car the most ... No one matches us in high speed, and that's a good thing," Norris said.
However, Norris added that "Mercedes' advantage that they have to us in slow speed is also crazy."
#mercedes #race #corners
2 months ago
The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix was supposed to be a triumphant home race for Max Verstappen, but it ended in absolute disaster before the first lap was even completed. Navigating a treacherous, damp-but-drying Zandvoort circuit on slick tyres, Verstappen suffered a massive shunt in the final corner, spearing his Red Bull into the barriers and bringing out an immediate red flag.
While the sheer violence of the impact left the home crowd in stunned silence, former Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg immediately took to the Sky Sports F1 broadcast to dissect exactly what went wrong. According to Rosberg's detailed ***** ysis, Verstappen's race-ending crash wasn't caused by a mechanical failure or contact, but rather a microscopic misjudgment of the circuit's drying racing line.
The opening lap of the Grand Prix was defined by incredibly tricky mixed conditions. While the track was dry enough for the entire grid to start on slick tyres, significant damp patches remained off the ideal line, particularly through the high-speed banking of the final corner.
Speaking alongside Karun Chandhok on the broadcast, Rosberg highlighted that Verstappen took an unusually tight trajectory through the sweeping right-hander. "Max is clearly tighter than everybody else," Rosberg observed during the replay. He noted that while the circuit was drying, the actual safe, dry patch of asphalt was "offset by like 50 cm from the inside".
By hugging the inside line too aggressively, Verstappen placed his slick tyres directly onto the lingering moisture. "I think he just exaggerated a little bit there and just put a bit too much throttle down and you're gone," Rosberg explained.
#grand
While the sheer violence of the impact left the home crowd in stunned silence, former Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg immediately took to the Sky Sports F1 broadcast to dissect exactly what went wrong. According to Rosberg's detailed ***** ysis, Verstappen's race-ending crash wasn't caused by a mechanical failure or contact, but rather a microscopic misjudgment of the circuit's drying racing line.
The opening lap of the Grand Prix was defined by incredibly tricky mixed conditions. While the track was dry enough for the entire grid to start on slick tyres, significant damp patches remained off the ideal line, particularly through the high-speed banking of the final corner.
Speaking alongside Karun Chandhok on the broadcast, Rosberg highlighted that Verstappen took an unusually tight trajectory through the sweeping right-hander. "Max is clearly tighter than everybody else," Rosberg observed during the replay. He noted that while the circuit was drying, the actual safe, dry patch of asphalt was "offset by like 50 cm from the inside".
By hugging the inside line too aggressively, Verstappen placed his slick tyres directly onto the lingering moisture. "I think he just exaggerated a little bit there and just put a bit too much throttle down and you're gone," Rosberg explained.
#grand
2 months ago
Formula 1's Dutch Grand Prix has been red-flagged after one lap following an enormous accident for home hero Max Verstappen.
At the end of lap 1 on a damp circuit, Verstappen lost control of his Red Bull as he tagged the white line on the inside of Zandvoort's final turn - the banked, flat out Luyendyk corner leading onto the main straight.
Verstappen veered head on into the outside wall, before his car crossed the track and came to a stand still on the inside.
The Dutchman soon reported he was "OK" and apologised to his team for ending his race early.
Verstappen was fortunate not to be collected by any other cars, with Alpine's Pierre Gasly taking avoiding action, while in the background Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto also narrowly avoiding a huge accident after spinning in front of his team-mate Nico hulkenberg.
#avoiding #formula #bull
At the end of lap 1 on a damp circuit, Verstappen lost control of his Red Bull as he tagged the white line on the inside of Zandvoort's final turn - the banked, flat out Luyendyk corner leading onto the main straight.
Verstappen veered head on into the outside wall, before his car crossed the track and came to a stand still on the inside.
The Dutchman soon reported he was "OK" and apologised to his team for ending his race early.
Verstappen was fortunate not to be collected by any other cars, with Alpine's Pierre Gasly taking avoiding action, while in the background Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto also narrowly avoiding a huge accident after spinning in front of his team-mate Nico hulkenberg.
#avoiding #formula #bull
2 months ago
Max Verstappen crashed out of his home race at Zandvoort in dramatic scenes on the opening lap of the Dutch Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion, a three-time winner at his home event, lost control of his Red Bull car on the final banked turn on the first lap of the race.
Verstappen spun and slammed into the concrete wall, launching his smashed car back onto the circuit. Fortunately, he wasn't hit by any car behind him.
However, it was a sad end to Verstappen's racing in Formula 1 in Zandvoort, with the venue hosting F1 for the final time this weekend.
Verstappen, who escaped from his ***** pit unharmed, said over team radio: "Yeah that's it, I'm out. Ah f***, sorry guys."
#verstappen #time #zandvoort #prix
The four-time world champion, a three-time winner at his home event, lost control of his Red Bull car on the final banked turn on the first lap of the race.
Verstappen spun and slammed into the concrete wall, launching his smashed car back onto the circuit. Fortunately, he wasn't hit by any car behind him.
However, it was a sad end to Verstappen's racing in Formula 1 in Zandvoort, with the venue hosting F1 for the final time this weekend.
Verstappen, who escaped from his ***** pit unharmed, said over team radio: "Yeah that's it, I'm out. Ah f***, sorry guys."
#verstappen #time #zandvoort #prix
2 months ago
The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix sprint race provided McLaren with plenty of data, but it also delivered a sobering realization: Ferrari might currently possess the fastest race car on the grid.
While McLaren continues to fight at the front of the pack, Team Principal Andrea Stella was quick to single out Charles Leclerc's Sprint performance as the ultimate benchmark for long-run speed around Zandvoort.
Ferrari raised eyebrows across the paddock when they sent Leclerc to the Sprint grid on a used set of soft tires, bypassing the standard medium compound favored by the majority of the field.
However, Stella acknowledged that the Italian squad's aggressive strategy was rooted in hard data. "When we saw Leclerc starting on a used soft, we thought that that was quite ambitious, but eventually the information they got through the running in practice will have given them the confidence to do so," Stella told the media.
Leclerc's ability to manage the softer rubber over the course of the Sprint confirmed the ominous pace Ferrari had demonstrated earlier in the weekend. "I think the lap times of Ferrari in continuous laps that they showed during practice one, they were the best, and probably in the race Leclerc was still the best in terms of pace," Stella noted.
#stella #race #grid
While McLaren continues to fight at the front of the pack, Team Principal Andrea Stella was quick to single out Charles Leclerc's Sprint performance as the ultimate benchmark for long-run speed around Zandvoort.
Ferrari raised eyebrows across the paddock when they sent Leclerc to the Sprint grid on a used set of soft tires, bypassing the standard medium compound favored by the majority of the field.
However, Stella acknowledged that the Italian squad's aggressive strategy was rooted in hard data. "When we saw Leclerc starting on a used soft, we thought that that was quite ambitious, but eventually the information they got through the running in practice will have given them the confidence to do so," Stella told the media.
Leclerc's ability to manage the softer rubber over the course of the Sprint confirmed the ominous pace Ferrari had demonstrated earlier in the weekend. "I think the lap times of Ferrari in continuous laps that they showed during practice one, they were the best, and probably in the race Leclerc was still the best in terms of pace," Stella noted.
#stella #race #grid
2 months ago
Yuki Tsunoda says Racing Bulls has been "pretty impressed" with the way he has adapted to Formula 1's 2026-spec machinery as he stands in for Liam Lawson at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Lawson got a call-up to Red Bull after Isack Hadjar injured his wrist over the summer break, hence Tsunoda's opportunity at Racing Bulls on a tricky sprint weekend in Zandvoort.
The 26-year-old was unfamiliar with the new generation of cars but has been getting closer and closer to impressive rookie team-mate Arvid Lindblad.
Tsunoda was 0.825s adrift of the Briton in the only free practice session, but brought his deficit down to 0.433s in SQ1 and 0.360s in SQ2, then 0.011s in Q1 and 0.102s in Q2, having finished the sprint race 11.5 seconds in arrears.
"Honestly, I'm super happy," the ***** anese racer rejoiced. "Certainly, I enjoyed so much this qualifying.
#closer #yuki #formula
Lawson got a call-up to Red Bull after Isack Hadjar injured his wrist over the summer break, hence Tsunoda's opportunity at Racing Bulls on a tricky sprint weekend in Zandvoort.
The 26-year-old was unfamiliar with the new generation of cars but has been getting closer and closer to impressive rookie team-mate Arvid Lindblad.
Tsunoda was 0.825s adrift of the Briton in the only free practice session, but brought his deficit down to 0.433s in SQ1 and 0.360s in SQ2, then 0.011s in Q1 and 0.102s in Q2, having finished the sprint race 11.5 seconds in arrears.
"Honestly, I'm super happy," the ***** anese racer rejoiced. "Certainly, I enjoyed so much this qualifying.
#closer #yuki #formula
2 months ago
The Dutch Grand Prix is bidding goodbye to Formula 1 on Sunday but its organizers say it could potentially "serve as an alternative venue" in the future amid continuing uncertainty over next year's schedule.
Already this year, the security situation in the Middle East following the outbreak of the Iran war has meant Bahrain's race was moved to Malaysia and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was canceled.
F1 has indicated at least one extra event in Europe if the season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi can't take place as planned. One likely candidate could be the Imola circuit in Italy. There are more question marks over how the four contracted Middle East races could be included in the 2027 schedule.
"Circuit Zandvoort could serve as an alternative venue in the future if another Grand Prix were unable to take place due to geopolitical circumstances, for example. The circuit's FIA Grade 1 license will remain valid for another three years," the Dutch Grand Prix organization told The ******* ociated Press in a statement Saturday.
"In practice, however, many factors would need to be considered, including the necessary permits, the availability of equipment and the required preparation time. Moreover, there are other venues on the Formula 1 calendar that would make more sense from a logistical perspective. At this stage, therefore, this is not a concrete scenario."
#formula #alternative #venue
Already this year, the security situation in the Middle East following the outbreak of the Iran war has meant Bahrain's race was moved to Malaysia and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was canceled.
F1 has indicated at least one extra event in Europe if the season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi can't take place as planned. One likely candidate could be the Imola circuit in Italy. There are more question marks over how the four contracted Middle East races could be included in the 2027 schedule.
"Circuit Zandvoort could serve as an alternative venue in the future if another Grand Prix were unable to take place due to geopolitical circumstances, for example. The circuit's FIA Grade 1 license will remain valid for another three years," the Dutch Grand Prix organization told The ******* ociated Press in a statement Saturday.
"In practice, however, many factors would need to be considered, including the necessary permits, the availability of equipment and the required preparation time. Moreover, there are other venues on the Formula 1 calendar that would make more sense from a logistical perspective. At this stage, therefore, this is not a concrete scenario."
#formula #alternative #venue
2 months ago
George Russell has said he has "nothing to lose" in his ******* le bid against Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, returning to track action feeling "way more relaxed" after F1's summer break and pipping the Italian to the front row of Sunday's Dutch GP grid.
Russell's campaign to catch his teenage teammate began with a victory from Pole in the Sprint Race on Saturday, taking him to within 56 points of Antonelli, and closer to Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in second place. Russell's strong Zandvoort weekend continued later on in the afternoon,beating a frustrated Antonelli to P2 by 0.03s behind pole sitter Lando Norris.
Asked on whether the Dutch GP could represent a turning point in his championship hopes - having suffered a string of bad luck with DNFs and power unit struggles for much of the season's first half - a measured Russell replied: "I'm just going to take it race by race. I'm not going to come away from this weekend and say all issues are resolved.
"I do think I made some big changes going into the Barcelona weekend, and as I said earlier this morning, I had some good races, Barcelona and Austria. Then Silverstone and Spa, we had the PU issue, and Budapest was just not a competitive weekend on my side. So, I think it just hasn't been a clean run this season. It has not been a clean season whatsoever with all of the issues that we've had."
Photo: Race Pictures
#dutch #Barcelona
Russell's campaign to catch his teenage teammate began with a victory from Pole in the Sprint Race on Saturday, taking him to within 56 points of Antonelli, and closer to Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in second place. Russell's strong Zandvoort weekend continued later on in the afternoon,beating a frustrated Antonelli to P2 by 0.03s behind pole sitter Lando Norris.
Asked on whether the Dutch GP could represent a turning point in his championship hopes - having suffered a string of bad luck with DNFs and power unit struggles for much of the season's first half - a measured Russell replied: "I'm just going to take it race by race. I'm not going to come away from this weekend and say all issues are resolved.
"I do think I made some big changes going into the Barcelona weekend, and as I said earlier this morning, I had some good races, Barcelona and Austria. Then Silverstone and Spa, we had the PU issue, and Budapest was just not a competitive weekend on my side. So, I think it just hasn't been a clean run this season. It has not been a clean season whatsoever with all of the issues that we've had."
Photo: Race Pictures
#dutch #Barcelona
2 months ago
Alpine's Pierre Gasly has received no further action for an alleged unsafe release during Dutch GP Qualifying. The Frenchman, who qualified P11 in Zandvoort, was released directly ahead of Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto during Q1 but upon review has avoided punishment.
Relief for the Enstone team, who have brought a major package to the Dutch GP, more upgrades than any other team this weekend, with Gasly the sole Alpine driver sporting the eight aero updates. His teammate Franco Colapinto qualified P14, and will receive the upgrade package next time out at Monza.
Meanwhile, Audi have looked impressive so far this weekend at Zandvoort, with Bortoleto qualifying P8. His teammate Nico Hulkenberg, however, will line up outside the points positions on Sunday, after qualifying P13.
Photo: Race Pictures
Photo: Race Pictures
#gasly #package
Relief for the Enstone team, who have brought a major package to the Dutch GP, more upgrades than any other team this weekend, with Gasly the sole Alpine driver sporting the eight aero updates. His teammate Franco Colapinto qualified P14, and will receive the upgrade package next time out at Monza.
Meanwhile, Audi have looked impressive so far this weekend at Zandvoort, with Bortoleto qualifying P8. His teammate Nico Hulkenberg, however, will line up outside the points positions on Sunday, after qualifying P13.
Photo: Race Pictures
Photo: Race Pictures
#gasly #package
2 months ago
Formula 1 returns from its summer break and heads to Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix - for the final time - from 21-23 August.
McLaren's Lando Norris took pole position on Saturday and will be joined on the front row by sprint winner George Russell.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli qualified in third, ahead of Australian Oscar Piastri in fourth.
Dutchman Max Verstappen secured seventh on the grid for his last home race.
Mercedes' Antonelli leads the drivers' championship by 53 points from Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton.
#championship #dutch #august #lando
McLaren's Lando Norris took pole position on Saturday and will be joined on the front row by sprint winner George Russell.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli qualified in third, ahead of Australian Oscar Piastri in fourth.
Dutchman Max Verstappen secured seventh on the grid for his last home race.
Mercedes' Antonelli leads the drivers' championship by 53 points from Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton.
#championship #dutch #august #lando
2 months ago
ZANDVOORT, Netherlands (AP) — George Russell is back at the front of Formula 1 with a new driving style and nothing to lose.
Russell started the second half of the season with a sprint race win and second place in qualifying on Saturday. He said he'd used the mid-season break to learn from the techniques that have taken his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli to the top of the standings, and shed stress along the way.
"After the break I just feel way more relaxed. I don't think I've got anything to lose," Russell said. "I'm just going to go out, enjoy it, and I don't even really feel in a fight. It's not mine to lose, it's mine to gain."
In nearly a month since the last race in Hungary, Russell got engaged — he joked Friday that he's faster for no longer carrying the ring around — and he took inspiration not just from Antonelli, who he said was doing an "amazing job" with the 2026 car and tires, but from the world of golf.
"If you change your golf swing you'll probably take half a step back first before making those improvements. I think the break just allowed me to put those learnings into the back of my mind, come here this weekend, not fixating on what I want to try and achieve with the car and the tires but knowing it," he said.
#russell
Russell started the second half of the season with a sprint race win and second place in qualifying on Saturday. He said he'd used the mid-season break to learn from the techniques that have taken his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli to the top of the standings, and shed stress along the way.
"After the break I just feel way more relaxed. I don't think I've got anything to lose," Russell said. "I'm just going to go out, enjoy it, and I don't even really feel in a fight. It's not mine to lose, it's mine to gain."
In nearly a month since the last race in Hungary, Russell got engaged — he joked Friday that he's faster for no longer carrying the ring around — and he took inspiration not just from Antonelli, who he said was doing an "amazing job" with the 2026 car and tires, but from the world of golf.
"If you change your golf swing you'll probably take half a step back first before making those improvements. I think the break just allowed me to put those learnings into the back of my mind, come here this weekend, not fixating on what I want to try and achieve with the car and the tires but knowing it," he said.
#russell
2 months ago
Max Verstappen left the Dutch GP Sprint with three points and the same concern Red Bull identified on Friday: the RB22 is short of pace. After qualifying sixth, 0.527 seconds behind George Russell's sprint pole, the home driver started and finished P6 at Zandvoort. He spent much of the 24-lap race behind Oscar Piastri and could not turn that pressure into a pass.
Verstappen explained the problems he faced during the Sprint race at the Dutch GP, one of them included the high levels of tire degradation. The Red Bull driver believes that there is obvious scopes of improvement to achieve the pure pace that Red Bull and Verstappen are known for.
"I mean, we wanted to make some changes anyway, and after this race, it will stay the same, so same thought process, So we'll see if we can improve it a little bit. We we definitely lack a little bit on, like, pure pace, but at least the deg wasn't too bad in the race."
The four-time World Champion also adds,
"I just got a bit stuck behind Oscar in around here. As soon as you get close, your tires overheat and you you can't pass, so you're just stuck. But I think in the race we looked maybe a little bit more competitive, so that's good, but we need to find more overall performance."
#race #behind #dutch
Verstappen explained the problems he faced during the Sprint race at the Dutch GP, one of them included the high levels of tire degradation. The Red Bull driver believes that there is obvious scopes of improvement to achieve the pure pace that Red Bull and Verstappen are known for.
"I mean, we wanted to make some changes anyway, and after this race, it will stay the same, so same thought process, So we'll see if we can improve it a little bit. We we definitely lack a little bit on, like, pure pace, but at least the deg wasn't too bad in the race."
The four-time World Champion also adds,
"I just got a bit stuck behind Oscar in around here. As soon as you get close, your tires overheat and you you can't pass, so you're just stuck. But I think in the race we looked maybe a little bit more competitive, so that's good, but we need to find more overall performance."
#race #behind #dutch
2 months ago
Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg had similar stories to share aftermath the F1 Dutch GP sprint race, where both were forced to pit for different issues, while Carlos Sainz had a test session.
For Cadillac's Perez, it was straight into the pits at the start of formation lap in F1 Dutch GP sprint race at Circuit Zandvoort. The Mexican couldn't start the race as a result and was stationed in the pits for couple of laps, before he ventured out on track for a test session.
He saw the chequered flag but was three laps down on the leaders, as Mercedes' George Russell picked up the F1 Dutch GP sprint win over Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and McLaren's Lando Norris. The Mexican was classified 21st. But what happened to Perez ahead of the formation lap?
It was a hydraulics issues that forced the Cadillac mechanics to push Perez in the garage. They managed to do a good job to fix and send him out. And the Mexican was pleased to get some laps in, especially with the pace, where he felt he could match the likes of Haas and Williams.
"Yeah, we had a bit of a hydraulic issue and that meant that we lost two to three laps," said Perez to F1 TV after the F1 Dutch GP sprint race. "We managed to fix it and by the time we went, the pace seemed to be on a par with Williams, with Haas, which was promising, and it's promising for the rest of the weekend.
#dutch #forced
For Cadillac's Perez, it was straight into the pits at the start of formation lap in F1 Dutch GP sprint race at Circuit Zandvoort. The Mexican couldn't start the race as a result and was stationed in the pits for couple of laps, before he ventured out on track for a test session.
He saw the chequered flag but was three laps down on the leaders, as Mercedes' George Russell picked up the F1 Dutch GP sprint win over Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and McLaren's Lando Norris. The Mexican was classified 21st. But what happened to Perez ahead of the formation lap?
It was a hydraulics issues that forced the Cadillac mechanics to push Perez in the garage. They managed to do a good job to fix and send him out. And the Mexican was pleased to get some laps in, especially with the pace, where he felt he could match the likes of Haas and Williams.
"Yeah, we had a bit of a hydraulic issue and that meant that we lost two to three laps," said Perez to F1 TV after the F1 Dutch GP sprint race. "We managed to fix it and by the time we went, the pace seemed to be on a par with Williams, with Haas, which was promising, and it's promising for the rest of the weekend.
#dutch #forced
2 months ago
Ferrari has a Saturday problem to solve. Lewis Hamilton finished seventh in the Dutch Grand Prix Sprint at Zandvoort, 12.188 seconds behind Mercedes winner George Russell, and says the team will change his car before the rest of the weekend continues.
In Friday's Sprint Qualifying, Hamilton secured seventh place with a time of 1:12.191. Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc qualified third after clocking 1:11.622, finishing 0.569 seconds ahead. Russell took pole with a 1:11.567, ahead of Lando Norris at 1:11.608, Leclerc, Oscar Piastri at 1:11.666, and Kimi Antonelli at 1:11.794.
The awkward part is that Hamilton was not miles away from the front in the only practice session. He placed fourth, just 0.190 seconds behind Antonelli's 1:12.949. Ferrari then adjusted Hamilton's setup before Sprint Qualifying. After the adjustments, Hamilton confirmed that the changes didn't have the required effect: "Not a good, not a good session," he said. Formula1.com also quoted him saying, "P1 felt good. We made subtle adjustments to the car, but then we got into qualifying. It was a completely different car."
That left Ferrari with a split: Leclerc started third and finished second, while Hamilton spent much of the 24-lap Sprint chasing Max Verstappen. Hamilton got within one second of Verstappen with eight laps left, but he could not complete the pass.
Hamilton explained the next step after the Sprint:
#sprint #russell #verstappen
In Friday's Sprint Qualifying, Hamilton secured seventh place with a time of 1:12.191. Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc qualified third after clocking 1:11.622, finishing 0.569 seconds ahead. Russell took pole with a 1:11.567, ahead of Lando Norris at 1:11.608, Leclerc, Oscar Piastri at 1:11.666, and Kimi Antonelli at 1:11.794.
The awkward part is that Hamilton was not miles away from the front in the only practice session. He placed fourth, just 0.190 seconds behind Antonelli's 1:12.949. Ferrari then adjusted Hamilton's setup before Sprint Qualifying. After the adjustments, Hamilton confirmed that the changes didn't have the required effect: "Not a good, not a good session," he said. Formula1.com also quoted him saying, "P1 felt good. We made subtle adjustments to the car, but then we got into qualifying. It was a completely different car."
That left Ferrari with a split: Leclerc started third and finished second, while Hamilton spent much of the 24-lap Sprint chasing Max Verstappen. Hamilton got within one second of Verstappen with eight laps left, but he could not complete the pass.
Hamilton explained the next step after the Sprint:
#sprint #russell #verstappen
2 months ago
Formula 1 returns from its summer break and heads to Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix - for the final time - from 21-23 August.
George Russell won Saturday's sprint race from pole position ahead of Charles Leclerc and world champion Lando Norris.
Title leader Kimi Antonelli is now 53 points clear of second-placed Lewis Hamilton at the top of the drivers' championship after finishing fourth, with Russell 56 points adrift of the Italian in third.
Lights out for Sunday's 72-lap main grand prix is at 14:00.
Drivers' standings
#points #formula
George Russell won Saturday's sprint race from pole position ahead of Charles Leclerc and world champion Lando Norris.
Title leader Kimi Antonelli is now 53 points clear of second-placed Lewis Hamilton at the top of the drivers' championship after finishing fourth, with Russell 56 points adrift of the Italian in third.
Lights out for Sunday's 72-lap main grand prix is at 14:00.
Drivers' standings
#points #formula
2 months ago
A top-three finish in a Formula 1 Sprint is typically a solid platform to build on, but for Lando Norris, stepping out of the car at Zandvoort brought a stark reality check.
Despite securing third place and banking valuable championship points in the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix Sprint, Norris bypassed the usual post-session pleasantries to deliver an unvarnished diagnosis of McLaren's current machinery. For all the team's aerodynamic strides, the twisty Dutch circuit has laid bare a critical, ongoing limitation in the car's operating envelope: a glaring deficit in slow-speed corners.
When quizzed after the Sprint about whether tyre balance on the medium compound had hindered his run, Norris was quick to dismiss surface-level excuses.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Norris made it clear that the shortfall was rooted in pure mechanical and aerodynamic fundamentals rather than rubber management.
"Yeah, not a bad result, not the best," Norris admitted. "It would have been nice to be a little bit faster today… I don't think it was the tyres, just real race pace. We're not quick enough, and we have some work to do".
#aerodynamic #despite #grand
Despite securing third place and banking valuable championship points in the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix Sprint, Norris bypassed the usual post-session pleasantries to deliver an unvarnished diagnosis of McLaren's current machinery. For all the team's aerodynamic strides, the twisty Dutch circuit has laid bare a critical, ongoing limitation in the car's operating envelope: a glaring deficit in slow-speed corners.
When quizzed after the Sprint about whether tyre balance on the medium compound had hindered his run, Norris was quick to dismiss surface-level excuses.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Norris made it clear that the shortfall was rooted in pure mechanical and aerodynamic fundamentals rather than rubber management.
"Yeah, not a bad result, not the best," Norris admitted. "It would have been nice to be a little bit faster today… I don't think it was the tyres, just real race pace. We're not quick enough, and we have some work to do".
#aerodynamic #despite #grand
