Daily News 19

Tag: Alpine

  • Liam Lawson Baffled by Arvid Lindblad Baku Clash: ‘I Just Don’t Understand,’ ‘Sucks for Our Race’

    Liam Lawson Baffled by Arvid Lindblad Baku Clash: ‘I Just Don’t Understand,’ ‘Sucks for Our Race’

    Key Highlights

    • Racing Bulls teammates Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad collided at Turn 1 on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix restart, ending Lawson’s points hopes while Lindblad recovered to finish P7.
    • Lindblad’s P7 finish, just 0.030s ahead of Esteban Ocon, delivered crucial midfield points as Alpine rivals Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto retired in a separate intra-team collision.
    • Both drivers acknowledged the team lacked pace all weekend, with Lawson admitting “they were much quicker than us” and Lindblad calling it “damage limitation” on a difficult weekend.

    Teammates Clash on Restart as Racing Bulls Salvage Points in Baku

    A promising double-points opportunity for Racing Bulls unraveled in chaotic fashion at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when teammates Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad made contact on the Safety Car restart. The incident occurred as both drivers, having recovered from Q2 elimination to run in the top ten on fresh tires, approached Turn 1 three abreast. Lindblad, diving down the inside, tagged the rear of Lawson’s car and sent the New Zealander spinning into the run-off area.

    Lawson Left Searching for Answers After “Smoked” Move

    Lawson, who ultimately finished P12 after sustaining floor damage, was visibly perplexed by his rookie teammate’s decision-making. Asked for his view on the incident, he said: “I need to watch it. We were all coming into Turn 1 on the restart and I just got smoked from my left. It put a hole in my floor as well.

    “I don’t really know what gap he was looking for in the middle of both of us going into Turn 1 – I just don’t understand it. Obviously great points for the team but it sucks for our race.”

    The 22-year-old’s frustration was understandable: both cars had capitalized on the Safety Car to vault into points contention, only for the intra-team collision to halve the team’s potential haul.

    Lindblad Defends Move Amid “Absolute Mess” at Turn 1

    Lindblad, 19, offered a different perspective on the frenzied restart sequence. He believed the poorly bunched field left him with no viable alternative. Lindblad, meanwhile, believed that he had nowhere else to go, as he explained: “At the back where we were, we’d gone about three times on the straight before we actually went because the field wasn’t bunched up well at all.

    “It was just an absolute mess going into Turn 1. Everyone was moving a lot. Obviously a bit of a shame to hit Liam but if you see the incident, you can see there’s not much I could’ve done. I came and immediately apologised to him, and obviously I apologised to the team because there could’ve been two of us up there today.”

    The rookie managed to continue without terminal damage, eventually passing Haas’ Esteban Ocon over the finish line by a minuscule 0.030 seconds to secure P7 — a result that proved pivotal in the constructors’ battle.

    Why This Matters: Midfield Swing in Racing Bulls’ Favor

    The Baku outcome represents a significant swing in the tight midfield championship fight. While Racing Bulls lost a likely double-points finish, Lindblad’s P7 — combined with the double retirement of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto following their own teammate collision at nearly the same moment — handed Racing Bulls a net gain in the constructors’ standings. Both Alpine drivers retired with damage after contact between them, amplifying the value of Lindblad’s solitary point-scoring finish.

    Perhaps more concerning for Racing Bulls is the admitted pace deficit. Lawson was blunt in his post-race assessment: “We got very lucky today – they were much quicker than us and they have been all weekend. We need to try and turn it around next week.” Lindblad echoed the sentiment, describing the weekend as “very difficult” with struggles to escape Q1, and framing the result as “damage limitation when you’re struggling on a weekend.” The team’s ability to extract points despite lacking raw speed speaks to operational execution, but the underlying performance gap remains a priority for the upcoming Singapore round.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What caused the collision between Lawson and Lindblad in Baku?

    On the Safety Car restart, Lindblad attempted an inside pass at Turn 1 while three cars were abreast. He made contact with the rear of Lawson’s car, spinning the New Zealander into the run-off area and damaging his floor. Lawson dropped to P12; Lindblad continued to finish P7.

    How did the Alpine collision affect the constructors’ standings battle?

    Alpine teammates Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto collided at nearly the same time as the Racing Bulls incident, resulting in both cars retiring. With Alpine scoring zero points and Racing Bulls securing six points via Lindblad’s P7, the Baku weekend delivered a meaningful swing in the midfield championship fight.

    What did the drivers say about Racing Bulls’ pace deficit?

    Both drivers acknowledged the car lacked competitiveness all weekend. Lawson stated: “We got very lucky today – they were much quicker than us and they have been all weekend.” Lindblad called it “a very difficult weekend” and “damage limitation,” emphasizing the need to understand why they “haven’t been faster” before the next race in Singapore.

  • Pierre Gasly Condemns Social Media Abuse as “Completely Inappropriate” After Franco Colapinto Spanish GP Incident

    Pierre Gasly Condemns Social Media Abuse as “Completely Inappropriate” After Franco Colapinto Spanish GP Incident

    Key Highlights

    • Pierre Gasly revealed he and his family received social media abuse and threats after the Spanish Grand Prix incident with Alpine teammate Franco Colapinto.
    • Both drivers addressed the issue in Baku, with Colapinto condemning the abuse and urging fans to support the team constructively rather than attack drivers.
    • The on-track incident has been resolved internally at Alpine, with both drivers confirming discussions took place and no team order for a position swap was issued.

    Gasly Details Disturbing Scale of Online Abuse After Spanish GP

    Pierre Gasly has disclosed the disturbing extent of social media abuse directed at him, his family, and his girlfriend following the Spanish Grand Prix, where an on-track situation with Alpine teammate Franco Colapinto sparked a wave of online vitriol. Speaking to media including Motorsport.com in Baku on Wednesday, the French driver described the threats and attacks as “completely inappropriate” and called on Formula 1 to address a culture where lines are crossed “too many times” by fans hiding behind keyboards.

    The incident occurred during the closing stages of the Madrid race when Colapinto, on fresher tyres, caught Gasly, who was managing worn rubber ahead of a scheduled pit stop. Despite team warnings about his teammate’s approach, Gasly held his line and requested the pit wall not distract him. Colapinto subsequently called for a position swap over team radio. Gasly pitted at the end of the lap, allowing Colapinto to inherit seventh place ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

    Drivers Unite in Condemnation of Toxic Fan Behavior

    In the Azerbaijan paddock, both drivers presented a united front against the subsequent harassment. Gasly emphasized the personal toll when abuse extends beyond the driver to loved ones.

    “I think personally I find it a little bit disturbing for our sport. I think to the extent you know I’m a top athlete, so I know I’m exposed, it’s always been the case. But to that extent of threats and attacks, I find it a little bit, well even completely inappropriate, especially when it reaches out to family members, girlfriend, etc,”

    Gasly reflected on the changing landscape of fan interaction since his Formula 1 debut, urging the sport to foster a healthier environment.

    “I don’t think that should be the case. I leave it there, but things were not that way in the past and I think as a sport we just need to find a way to make it a healthier place because you’re exposed.” Gasly said. “You’re going to be attacked, you can be liked, you can be disliked, it’s completely fine. But there is a certain line that should not be crossed just because you’re behind the screen on a keyboard and these lines are crossed a bit too many times.”

    Colapinto, who has attracted a massive and passionate Argentine following since his arrival in F1, explicitly condemned the abuse targeting his teammate. He drew parallels to previous incidents, including the online attacks directed at Yuki Tsunoda following their clash in Austria last year and the abuse received by stewards after the Zandvoort race.

    “We are always working as a team, and it’s not nice to see it, so hopefully they can stop it,” Colapinto said. “The same that happened to other drivers, Yuki [Tsunoda following a clash in Austria] last year was quite bad as well at one point, and talked about it, and the stewards, I think after Zandvoort, went to see them as well, they had some abuse after the penalty they gave me.

    “It happens a lot with fans in Formula 1, in any sport, nowadays it’s something very common, unfortunately that shouldn’t be common, and definitely should be taken more care about the things, the words that they come out of the keyboards of everyone.

    “The way to support us as a team is to push the team forward and stay strong together, and yeah, hopefully it doesn’t keep happening, but it’s something tricky with fans in the sport, and it’s not just my fans. I’ve got some very passionate ones, and they want me to do well, and hopefully they can enjoy the good results I’m having.”

    On-Track Incident Resolved Internally at Alpine

    Beyond the social media fallout, both drivers confirmed the racing incident itself has been addressed behind closed doors at Alpine. Colapinto stated the matter was handled by the team with a focus on learning, while Gasly clarified the nature of the team communications during the race.

    “I think it was handled by the team, and I think we always try to learn from those things and those situations, so hopefully we learn and we can move forward,”

    “We obviously discussed it with the team. There wasn’t a call for an actual swap, it’s all been discussed with the team and it’s all clear.”

    Why This Matters

    The Gasly-Colapinto episode highlights a growing crisis in Formula 1 regarding online harassment. As the sport’s popularity surges—driven by Netflix’s Drive to Survive and expanding global audiences—the volume and toxicity of social media interactions have escalated. Drivers including Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Nicholas Latifi have previously spoken about death threats and abuse targeting families. The FIA and Formula 1 have launched initiatives like the “Drive Out Hate” campaign, but enforcement remains challenging across decentralized platforms. For teams like Alpine, managing internal driver dynamics while protecting personnel from external toxicity has become a critical operational concern. The fact that both drivers publicly aligned on condemning the abuse—and clarified the racing incident was a misunderstanding resolved internally—signals a maturing approach to team cohesion under pressure.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What exactly happened between Gasly and Colapinto at the Spanish Grand Prix?

    During the final laps, Franco Colapinto caught Pierre Gasly on older tyres. Gasly held his position despite team warnings about his teammate’s pace, prompting Colapinto to request a position swap over radio. Gasly pitted shortly after, allowing Colapinto to finish seventh.

    Did Alpine issue a team order for Gasly to let Colapinto pass?

    No. Gasly explicitly confirmed in Baku: “There wasn’t a call for an actual swap.” The matter was discussed internally and resolved.

    Has Formula 1 taken action against online abuse of drivers?

    Formula 1 and the FIA have launched campaigns such as “Drive Out Hate” and work with social media platforms to identify and remove abusive content. However, drivers continue to report that threats—especially those targeting family members—remain prevalent and often go unpunished.

  • Alpine Hires Former Mercedes F1 Tech Chief Mike Elliott as CTO

    Alpine Hires Former Mercedes F1 Tech Chief Mike Elliott as CTO

    Key Highlights

    • Alpine F1 appoints former Mercedes CTO Mike Elliott as Chief Technical Officer in a newly created role at the Enstone factory.
    • Elliott returns to Enstone after previous tenure as principal aerodynamicist during the Renault and Lotus eras, bringing eight Constructors’ and eight Drivers’ championship pedigree.
    • The appointment comes as Alpine fights Racing Bulls for fifth in the 2025 Constructors’ Championship ahead of its 2026 transition to Mercedes power units.

    Alpine Bolsters Technical Leadership with Mike Elliott Appointment

    The BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team has confirmed the appointment of Mike Elliott as Chief Technical Officer, a newly created position designed to oversee the technical and engineering functions at the team’s factory at Enstone. The announcement, made on Thursday, signals a significant reinforcement of the squad’s technical hierarchy as the outfit targets a return to the front of the grid. Elliott, a 52-year-old British engineer, assumes immediate responsibility for the entire technical area, with current Executive Technical Director David Sanchez now reporting directly into him.

    A Proven Championship Pedigree Returns to Enstone

    The hiring represents a notable homecoming for Elliott, who previously served as the team’s principal aerodynamicist during its Renault and Lotus iterations. His career trajectory since departing Enstone has been defined by sustained success at Mercedes. He joined the Brackley-based squad as Head of Aerodynamics, playing a pivotal role in the team’s early dominance of the 2014 hybrid regulations. Elliott subsequently rose through the ranks to serve as Technical Director and ultimately Chief Technical Officer, a tenure that saw him trade positions with James Allison before his departure from Mercedes in 2023.

    Alpine Highlights Championship CV and Strategic Fit

    In its official statement, Alpine emphasized the depth of Elliott’s winning experience. “He has a proven track record in the sport, having contributed to an impressive eight constructors’ and eight drivers’ championships,” the team stated. Alpine further contextualized the strategic rationale behind the hire, noting that “Elliott’s arrival at Enstone strengthens the team’s technical capabilities as the team looks to build on the improved performances on track and close the gap to the top four teams.” This mandate aligns directly with the team’s current trajectory, having sacrificed development on the 2024 car to prioritize the 2025 and 2026 projects.

    Why This Matters

    The appointment of Mike Elliott is a definitive statement of intent from Alpine and its parent company, Renault Group. After a difficult start to the current regulatory cycle, the team has shown signs of recovery in 2025, currently battling Visa Cash App Racing Bulls for fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship. Crucially, 2026 marks a seismic shift for the Enstone operation: it will be the first season Alpine competes as a customer team for Mercedes power units, ending its factory engine program. Elliott’s intimate knowledge of Mercedes’ power unit installation requirements, cooling architectures, and aero-philosophy—gained during his decade-long stint at Brackley—provides a unique bridge between the chassis team and their new engine partner. His elevation above David Sanchez also clarifies a technical reporting structure that has seen frequent reorganization in recent years, placing a single, highly experienced figure at the apex of technical decision-making ahead of the all-new 2026 regulations.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Mike Elliott’s specific mandate at Alpine?

    Elliott has been appointed Chief Technical Officer, a newly created role in which he will “oversee the technical and engineering functions at the team’s factory at Enstone.” He sits atop the technical hierarchy, with Executive Technical Director David Sanchez now reporting to him.

    Why is his Mercedes background significant for Alpine’s 2026 season?

    Alpine will switch to Mercedes customer power units in 2026. Elliott spent over a decade at Mercedes, rising to CTO, giving him unparalleled insight into the power unit’s integration requirements, which is critical for designing the all-new 2026 chassis regulations.

    How has Alpine performed recently to warrant this structural change?

    After a deliberate strategy of sacrificing 2024 development to focus on future regulations, Alpine has made a strong start to the 2025 season, currently fighting Racing Bulls for fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

  • Franco Colapinto Reveals Key Takeaways from Gasly at Monza

    Franco Colapinto Reveals Key Takeaways from Gasly at Monza

    Franco Colapinto credited a detailed review of Pierre Gasly’s Monza qualifying masterclass for his own breakthrough performance at the Spanish Grand Prix, where the Alpine driver reached Q3 and converted a strong Saturday into a points-scoring seventh-place finish on Sunday.

    Monza Disparity Sparks Data Deep Dive

    The turning point arrived at the Italian Grand Prix. Despite running closely in the opening segment — Colapinto was fourth in Q1, just 0.050 seconds behind session-topper Gasly — the gap yawned as qualifying progressed. Gasly found three tenths in Q2 and four tenths in Q3 to claim a shock pole position, leaving his rookie teammate eighth on the grid.

    Reflecting on the session immediately after, Colapinto acknowledged the deficit:

    “Pierre was very quick throughout qualifying. In Q1 I was very close, and I think as the sessions went on, he kept improving more than I did. I have a lot to work on on my side to understand that and learn from how much he was improving with every attempt while I was falling a little bit behind,”

    Colapinto said at the time.

    Determined to close the gap, the Argentine spent the intervening week poring over telemetry and video to dissect where Gasly extracted additional performance run after run.

    Madrid Turnaround: ‘One of My Best Qualifying Sessions’

    The preparation paid dividends at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Colapinto outqualified Gasly across every segment, advancing to Q3 despite abandoning his first Q2 run after running wide at the high-speed La Monumental corner.

    Speaking to media including Motorsport.com after the race, he described the Saturday performance as a career highlight:

    “[Madrid] qualifying was one of the best qualifying sessions I’ve done, with very, very perfect laps and putting the car into Q3. It was always going to be tricky with the Audis and the RBs going very fast here,”

    Colapinto told media including Motorsport.com after finishing seventh on Sunday.

    Race day validated the single-lap pace. Colapinto held position through the opening chaos, managed tyre degradation effectively, and crossed the line seventh to secure six valuable championship points.

    “Today we stayed ahead in the race and scored a lot of points. So I’m very happy. Once again, it’s extremely positive and I’m very happy with the pace and the results.”

    Lessons in Energy Management and Incremental Improvement

    Asked specifically what he had absorbed from Gasly’s Monza approach, Colapinto highlighted a blend of driving technique and strategic systems management — the latter a critical skill in modern Formula 1 qualifying where energy deployment curves differ between Q1, Q2, and Q3.

    “I think a bit of everything,” he said. “He is more experienced and the steps he was making in everything, both in driving and energy management, from one run to another, from Q1 to Q2 to Q3, were very clear. I learned from that.”

    The rookie felt his own progression through the Madrid qualifying hour mirrored that lesson.

    “I ticked everything and I’m very pleased with that. I think after Monza I learned a lot from Pierre’s qualifying and I tried to take a step here. I did it and I maximised everything again,”

    he said.

    “I think here I was really on it in qualifying, at a very difficult track. It’s probably the most difficult one of the year to nail a lap and also the most satisfying one when you do it. Both Q2 and Q3 were amazing laps. Again, I took a step there and that’s what I was looking for. So I’m happy with that.”

    With the European summer swing underway, Alpine will hope the intra-team dynamic continues to elevate both drivers as the midfield battle intensifies.

  • Pierre Gasly Beats George Russell Twice in One Afternoon to Claim Monza Pole After Chess.com

    Pierre Gasly Beats George Russell Twice in One Afternoon to Claim Monza Pole After Chess.com

    Pierre Gasly Claims Shock Maiden Pole at Monza, Beating George Russell After Pre-Session Chess Match

    Pierre Gasly delivered one of the most stunning moments of the Formula 1 season on Saturday at Monza, securing a shock pole position at the very circuit where he claimed his sole grand prix victory back in 2020. The French driver edged out pre-session favorite George Russell by a mere 0.060 seconds in the closing minutes of qualifying, earning the first pole position of his nine-year F1 career.

    Chess Rivalry Adds Narrative Twist to Qualifying Battle

    The on-track duel carried an intriguing subplot: the pair had just finished an online chess game minutes before the session began. Russell revealed the lighthearted rivalry during the post-qualifying press conference.

    “Massive congrats to Pierre because that’s an incredible performance,” Russell said at the post-qualifying press conference. “We were actually finishing a game of chess about 15 minutes before qualifying and he beat me there, and I thought, ‘Well, I think I’ll beat you in qualifying,’ and here we are, he’s ahead of me again.



    “So, yeah, huge congrats to him. Of course, I was disappointed not to get the pole position.”

    Drivers Discover Shared Chess Obsession

    Gasly explained that the two drivers only discovered their mutual passion for chess during Friday’s drivers’ briefing. They quickly exchanged profiles on Chess.com and played multiple games leading up to qualifying.

    “Well, I mean, since the [drivers’] briefing last night, I figured out that he’s obsessed with chess,” Gasly said. “I am obsessed with chess. We have a few in the paddock, a few drivers, to be obsessed with it. So, we’ve just exchanged our IDs on Chess.com and we’ve had a little game going on, one yesterday, another one that carried on to today.”

    Gasly entered qualifying with confidence boosted by his chess performance, though his performance coach Ben Thorne offered a prescient warning.

    “And I must say, before the quali, I felt pretty confident because I was picking piece after piece. And, yeah, again, for the fun story, Ben [Thorne, performance coach] told me, ‘Well, you’re getting George here, but he’s going to get you in a few minutes.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, fuck off.’



    “Turned out that, yeah, it worked out well. So, yeah, it’s been fun. I think we are very competitive and, whether it’s on the track or off the track, we do need to find our little battles everywhere we can.”

    Chess Growing Popularity in F1 Paddock

    The chess rivalry between Gasly and Russell reflects a broader trend in the Formula 1 paddock. Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are known to regularly play against each other, while Carlos Sainz is also recognized as a keen player.

    Pierre Gasly with his performance coach Ben Thorne. Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

    Gasly’s pole position at Monza marks a significant career milestone and sets up a fascinating Italian Grand Prix, with the Alpine driver starting from the front of the grid at a circuit that holds special memories from his 2020 victory with AlphaTauri.

  • Monaco GP Appeal Ruling Fails to Motivate Pierre Gasly for Monza F1 Pole Bid

    Monaco GP Appeal Ruling Fails to Motivate Pierre Gasly for Monza F1 Pole Bid

    Pierre Gasly says he could have done without the FIA’s International Court of Appeal decision to strip him of his Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix podium, especially after securing a shock maiden pole position at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

    ICA Overturns Monaco Stewards’ Decision

    The ICA overruled the Monaco stewards’ call to overturn Gasly’s pit-lane speeding penalties from the Monaco race after the pit-lane measurements were found to be inaccurate. After crossing the finish line in third, being demoted to seventh and then recovering third, the Alpine driver has eventually been classified seventh in the final classification of the race.

    Gasly Reacts to ICA Ruling

    A little over 24 hours later, Gasly took a shock maiden F1 pole at the Italian Grand Prix, outpacing Mercedes’ George Russell by 0.060s. Asked if the ICA’s decision was providing “a bit of extra motivation,” the Frenchman was circumspect.

    “I don’t think I can say much about this and all I can say is it’s not a nice situation, not ideal,” the Frenchman replied. “Obviously, I try to use everything I can into something positive and extra motivation, but I think I could have dealt without it this weekend. Yeah, that’s all I’ll say.”

    Qualifying Masterclass After Tough Practice

    After missing Free Practice 1 for Alpine reserve driver Paul Aron to fulfil rookie requirements, Gasly was just 14th in FP2 and ninth in FP3, but leapt forward in qualifying with first in Q1, fourth in Q2 and the fastest time in Q3 – a performance he attributes to “perfect execution” from the team.

    “We knew that there was a bit more on the table in the practice sessions,” Gasly commented, “and then I think it was a very good execution from the team, always putting me in a great position on track, managing the gap as best we could, really.”

    “My last lap, managed to target slightly over 2.5 seconds behind Lewis [Hamilton] when he was going to be fast and sort of drag me with him. So, I think it was perfect execution.”

    “The car balance is probably one of the best I’ve had so far this year, really. Again, gave me the confidence to attack all these corners and sliding around and playing around with the car, and we managed to make it work in that last run when everything mattered.”

    Race Outlook: Front-Runners Behind, Antonelli Starts 20th

    Winning will be a tall order for Gasly, with most frontrunners right behind him on the grid – except championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who will start from 20th after exceeding his power unit allowance.

    “It’s going to be obviously great. I’m in the best position, right?” Gasly insisted. “I’m starting first, got no one ahead of me. I just got to focus on my driving and, you know, I know what it looks like having no one around this track, so that’s a good advantage and probably the best place to do it.”

    Six years ago, a fortunately timed safety car intervention vaulted Gasly to the front of the pack; he led for the last 26 laps, withstanding Carlos Sainz’s pressure on his way to a maiden – and so far only – victory.

    “But then, yeah, it’s going to be a long race,” he pondered.

    “I actually felt quite good. Obviously not to the pace of these guys around us, but we seem to have picked up more pace from yesterday to today. So, we’ll obviously give our best shot and see what we can get out of it. But, yeah, I’m excited.”

  • F1 Italian GP: Sunday Schedule, Weather Forecast & How to Watch

    F1 Italian GP: Sunday Schedule, Weather Forecast & How to Watch

    Gasly Claims Stunning Pole for Alpine at 2026 Italian Grand Prix

    Formula 1 arrives at Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix with Pierre Gasly on pole position after a remarkable qualifying performance for Alpine at Monza. The French driver edged out George Russell by a mere 0.060 seconds to secure his first career pole position, capitalizing on a strategic tow from Lewis Hamilton during the final Q3 runs.

    Grid Penalties Reshape Starting Order

    The provisional grid faces significant changes due to penalties. Oscar Piastri qualified third for McLaren but will drop three places after impeding Liam Lawson, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli’s seventh-place result at his home race becomes largely academic due to an engine penalty that will relegate him to the back of the field. Lando Norris lines up eighth after missing the benefit of a slipstream from teammate Piastri in the closing stages of qualifying.

    Race Day Factors: Speed, Slipstreams and Heat

    Sunday’s 53-lap contest at the Temple of Speed promises to be shaped by a combination of straight-line velocity, slipstream tactics, energy management, and extreme temperatures. Monza’s long straights and heavy braking zones place a premium on aerodynamic efficiency and power unit performance, while the forecast heat adds another layer of complexity to tyre degradation and brake cooling strategies.

    Italian Grand Prix Sunday Schedule

    The 2026 Italian Grand Prix starts at 3:00 PM CEST on Sunday, September 6. International viewers can tune in at the following times:

    • United Kingdom: 2:00 PM BST
    • US Eastern Time: 9:00 AM ET

    How to Watch the 2026 Italian GP

    Broadcast arrangements vary by region for the 2026 season:

    • United States: Apple TV serves as the primary broadcast partner, with all sessions available on the platform. F1 TV remains the global subscription streaming option.
    • United Kingdom: Sky Sports holds exclusive live rights throughout 2026, with streaming via Sky Go and NOW. Free-to-air highlights air on Channel 4.

    Motorsport.com will provide live text coverage and updates throughout the race weekend.

    Weekend Timetable Recap

    All times local to Monza (CEST):

    • Friday, September 4 — Free Practice 1: 12:30 PM
    • Friday, September 4 — Free Practice 2: 4:00 PM
    • Saturday, September 5 — Free Practice 3: 12:30 PM
    • Saturday, September 5 — Qualifying: 4:00 PM
    • Sunday, September 6 — Grand Prix: 3:00 PM

    Sunday Weather Forecast

    Monza is set for hot, mostly sunny conditions on race day. Temperatures are expected to reach approximately 30°C by midday, making tyre life management, brake temperature control, and engine cooling critical performance differentiators. While a passing shower cannot be entirely ruled out, the primary weather influence will be heat rather than precipitation.

    Circuit Profile: Monza

    Circuit: Monza
    Location: Monza, Italy
    Event: Italian Grand Prix
    Circuit Type: Permanent road course

    Known as Formula 1’s Temple of Speed, Monza features long straights, demanding braking zones, and low-downforce requirements that prioritize efficiency, power, and driver confidence under heavy deceleration.

    Driver Changes for the Weekend

    Isack Hadjar is sidelined by injury for the Italian GP. Liam Lawson replaces him at Red Bull, with Yuki Tsunoda stepping up to Racing Bulls for the event.

  • Sergio Perez “had conversations” with Other Formula 1 Teams

    Sergio Perez “had conversations” with Other Formula 1 Teams

    Sergio Perez says he remains committed to Cadillac despite his management holding talks with rival Formula 1 teams about a possible move for the 2027 season.

    Reports had linked Perez with Williams if Carlos Sainz decided to leave the team. However, Sainz signed a multi-year contract extension with the Grove-based outfit, removing that potential opportunity.

    The Mexican driver was also associated with Alpine, although the team is expected to retain Franco Colapinto for 2027 after the Argentine improved during his first full season with the Enstone-based squad.

    Despite the speculation, Perez told Formula 1’s Beyond the Grid podcast that he wants to remain part of Cadillac and help the American team develop beyond its debut season.

    “For me, nothing has changed,” he said. “Of course, we’ve had conversations with other teams and here and there, a few teams have been calling and stuff, but for me, nothing has changed. 

    “I see this as my project and I want to be part of Cadillac. I really believe [in it].

    “I don’t think this is a one-year project. I think this is a long-term project that I want to be part of. Obviously, there will be some discussions, but this is where I want to be and nothing has changed from my side.”

    Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing

    Perez said he wants to see Cadillac make further progress and is also keen to assess the impact of new team principal Marcin Budkowski. Budkowski replaced Graeme Lowdon, who was released by Cadillac during the summer break.

    For Perez, improving Cadillac’s results will require more than simply increasing the car’s on-track performance. He also highlighted the team’s operational work, including pit stops, race strategy and tyre management.

    “I want to see more progress. Closing out the gap to the teams ahead of us,” he said. “I don’t know who’s ahead at the moment, I don’t know if it’s Williams, Aston seems to have become part [of the midfield] and being able to mix with them more in the races. 

    “Being able to close that gap will only allow us to start next year in a much better shape. And that’s something I want to see. Obviously, I’m looking forward to work with Marcin and see his leadership. 

    “I think there’s a lot of room for improvement. Not just on performance, operationally, pitstops, strategy, tyres. 

    “There’s so much still – we’ve only done the 11th race in our history. So there’s a lot of things. But I want to see much more progress. Closing out the gap and then I think that will give us a massive boost to start next year.”

  • F1 Fans Declare ‘silly season now serious season’ After Franco Colapinto Deal

    F1 Fans Declare ‘silly season now serious season’ After Franco Colapinto Deal

    Formula 1 fans have reacted to Franco Colapinto’s contract extension with Alpine, which secures the Argentine driver’s future with the team through the 2027 season.

    Colapinto will continue alongside Pierre Gasly after impressing Alpine since moving up from a reserve-driver role to replace Jack Doohan during the 2025 season.

    Colapinto’s Alpine contract extension

    After the first 12 rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Colapinto sits 12th in the drivers’ championship with 19 points. Gasly is 10th with 44 points.

    Alpine’s announcement follows Max Verstappen’s contract extension with Red Bull, which keeps him at the team until the end of 2030. Williams has also extended the contracts of its current drivers, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.

    With numerous rumours about driver changes circulating in the paddock, the recent run of contract announcements has ended several silly-season stories.

    “Silly season now serious season. Happy for him though!” one fan posted on Reddit, while another added: “This season is so sensible that it’s silly.”

    “Very good to see. Colapinto has improved significantly in his time with Alpine and is more often than not following closely behind Pierre, which is no easy feat. Vamos Franco!!” wrote another fan.

    “Even though he took over the seat from a fellow Australian I’ve come to quite like his personality, and he’s quite fast too at points. Looking forward to seeing him on the track next year,” someone else posted, while another added: “Sensible decision. I think he’s doing a good job. Plus, he’s bringing in some good sponsor money, and he’s highly appreciated in his home country, so why fire him?”

    Further reactions included: “At this rate the only change on the grid could be Ocon,” and “The guy has been holding on really well. Well deserved. Happy for him.”

    Source: www.motorsport.com

  • Franco Colapinto Secures New Alpine Deal for 2027 F1 Season

    Franco Colapinto Secures New Alpine Deal for 2027 F1 Season

    Alpine Retains Franco Colapinto for 2027 Formula 1 Season

    Alpine has confirmed Franco Colapinto will remain with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season, extending the Argentine driver’s stay for a second full-time campaign.

    The 23-year-old will continue alongside Alpine lead driver Pierre Gasly, who has been Colapinto’s team-mate since the Argentine joined the French team at the seventh round of the 2025 season.

    Colapinto entered the 2026 season under pressure to impress Alpine executive Flavio Briatore after an inconsistent 2025 campaign. He responded with more reliable performances in Alpine’s significantly improved car, scoring 19 points compared with Gasly’s 44.

    His best Formula 1 result came in Montreal, where he finished sixth. After 12 rounds of the current season, Colapinto sits 12th in the drivers’ championship.

    “I am very pleased to remain with this team in 2027,” he said. “I feel very happy and very settled here and it’s been even better that we have made significant progress this year compared to last. We have a lot more milestones to reach and I know the team is working so hard in finding performance and making the car better and better.

    “Our long-term goals are obvious – to compete and win – and I am grateful to the team, Flavio [Briatore] and Steve [Nielsen], for the trust placed in me to be one of its drivers going into the future. I’m looking forward to seeing how everything plays out and focusing on my job on-track first and foremost.”

    Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Pierre Gasly, Alpine. Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

    Colapinto earns long-term Alpine opportunity

    Colapinto made his Formula 1 debut with Williams in 2024, completing a nine-race stint after replacing Logan Sargeant. Alpine signed him for 2025 as part of a group of reserve drivers supporting Gasly and rookie Jack Doohan.

    However, Doohan was replaced by Colapinto after the Miami Grand Prix. Colapinto initially struggled to deliver significantly stronger results than the Australian as Alpine dropped towards the back of the field.

    His promising underlying pace, combined with strong backing from Argentine sponsors, helped him retain his race seat for the 2026 season.

    “We are very happy to confirm our driver line-up for 2027 with Franco staying as a race driver alongside Pierre,” Briatore said. “For me, having consistency is very important. We are now settled from a driver point of view and I have said many times that, while this is an important piece of the puzzle, the most significant we have to get right is designing and building a fast race car which absolutely remains our number one priority.

    “We have seen Franco truly grow and mature into a great driver this year. His results in Miami and Montréal especially confirmed what I already knew: Franco belongs in Formula 1 and he belongs at this team. I expect both Franco, and Pierre, to continue doing a fantastic job on track and for the entire team to push relentlessly until we are fighting, and winning, at the front end of this sport.”