Daily News 19

Tag: Autodromo Nazionale Monza

  • “I f***ed up quite a lot”: How Yuki Tsunoda Discovered F1 2026 Complexity at Monza

    “I f***ed up quite a lot”: How Yuki Tsunoda Discovered F1 2026 Complexity at Monza

    Tsunoda Faces Steep Learning Curve With 2026 F1 Machinery at Spanish Grand Prix

    Yuki Tsunoda returns to Racing Bulls for a third Formula 1 appearance this season at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, continuing his stand-in role for Liam Lawson. Lawson has moved to Red Bull Racing to replace the injured Isack Hadjar, giving Tsunoda another opportunity to adapt to the radically different 2026 regulations.

    Mixed Results in First Two Outings

    Tsunoda’s baptism with the new generation of cars began at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he finished just outside the points but ahead of teammate Arvid Lindblad. However, the Italian Grand Prix proved far more challenging. He struggled for pace relative to Lindblad throughout practice and qualifying, then lined up in the wrong grid slot during the race restart. A 10th-place finish remains provisional pending a protest from Audi, which argues Tsunoda should have been penalised for forcing an additional formation lap.

    Complex Energy Management Demands Precision

    The 2026 cars present a steep operational challenge. With a near 50:50 power split between the electrical motor and internal combustion engine, drivers must adopt an often counter-intuitive style that does not always prioritise maximum cornering speed. Active aerodynamics and machine-learning algorithms governing electrical deployment require precise throttle application rather than improvisation.

    Monza compounded these difficulties. Its layout offers minimal energy harvesting opportunities, meaning a competitive lap demanded both a slipstream and mastery of limited electrical power deployment.

    Tsunoda Details Operational Struggles

    Speaking in Madrid, Tsunoda outlined the specific difficulties he encountered at Monza.

    “I tended to forget quite a lot SM [Straightline Mode] last week, especially the Turn 8 to Turn 10,” he explained in Madrid.

    “There’s been more activation points than last year. And also, it’s a lot of work I have to do in the out lap, not to use the energy.

    “But obviously, if you don’t use the energy, the tyres are going to be cold, so you want to be sometimes aggressive in order where you [need] to be.

    “You want to start the lap with 100% battery, but this sacrifice in places, where to do it, where to not, was very complicated – and something that I fucked up quite a lot in qualifying. And the consequence was huge.”

    He also highlighted the increased reliance on steering wheel displays and throttle sensitivity.

    “It’s like you have to [look] on the steering monitor more,” said Tsunoda.

    “Somehow, you have to also be slightly more sensitive on throttle, especially in the out-lap. It is weird, especially in the out-lap, also in qualifying, but I think this is part of the regulation or sport, F1 right now, and you’ve got to deal with it.

    “Somehow, I was underestimating the amount of damage or penalty you’ll get if you don’t do everything right, and I definitely experienced it in qualifying.”

    Verstappen Critique Dismissed

    Max Verstappen recently suggested that the ability of drivers like Lawson and Tsunoda to step into the new cars and be immediately competitive indicates fundamental flaws in the regulations, stating the cars are “numb to your driver inputs.” Tsunoda declined to engage with the assessment.

    “It’s because these cars are numb to your driver inputs,” he said.

    “I’m not really taking anything from his comments,” responded Tsunoda when this was put to him.

    “And, you know, compare to my results, what I showed in two races, it’s a very individual thing.

    “I think I’ve done a good job. And that’s it.”

    As the Madrid weekend unfolds, Tsunoda will aim to translate his growing understanding of the 2026 machinery into a cleaner, more competitive showing on a circuit that offers more conventional energy management cycles than Monza.

  • Audi to Appeal Yuki Tsunoda’s Italian GP Result

    Audi to Appeal Yuki Tsunoda’s Italian GP Result

    The Audi Formula 1 team will proceed with its appeal against the stewards’ decision not to penalize Yuki Tsunoda for causing an extra formation lap at the Italian Grand Prix, Motorsport.com understands.

    Tsunoda’s Grid Alignment Triggers Aborted Start

    The incident occurred at the start of the Monza race when race director Rui Marques aborted the initial formation lap. Marques was not comfortable with the way the Japanese driver lined up in his grid box, angled towards the pit wall. The FIA race stewards reviewed the incident after the race but decided against issuing the customary stop-and-go penalty, which would have been converted into a 30-second time penalty.

    Regulation Article B5.9.4 Central to Dispute

    The appeal hinges on Article B5.9.4 of the F1 2026 sporting regulations, which states:

    “any driver who caused an extra formation lap, and is then able to start the, or any subsequent, extra formation lap must enter the pitlane at the end of the lap and must start… from the end of the pitlane.”

    Tsunoda’s Racing Bulls team argued that its driver was not out of his grid slot and did not impact his competitors. Race director Marques also explained that he acted out of an abundance of caution. Consequently, the team had not been notified by race control that Tsunoda was the cause of the extra formation lap, so it had no reason to instruct its driver to start from the pit exit.

    Stewards’ Interpretation and Audi’s Counter-Argument

    The stewards agreed with Racing Bulls’ interpretation of the rules. However, Audi promptly lodged an intention to appeal. The German manufacturer was directly affected by the non-penalty, as Gabriel Bortoleto finished 11th—one position behind Tsunoda—and would be promoted into a points-paying position if the verdict is overturned.

    By notifying the FIA of its intention to appeal, Audi secured a 96-hour window to study the rulebook, build a case, and decide whether to proceed. That window closes on Thursday night, and sources have now confirmed that Audi will follow through with the appeal procedure.

    Seeking Clarity for Future Precedent

    It is understood that Audi views the rulebook as unambiguous regarding penalties for causing an extra formation lap. The team argues that because the race director felt Tsunoda’s start position was sufficient reason to abort the start, Tsunoda should have been required to start from the pitlane regardless of the team’s notification status.

    Whether or not the appeal succeeds in overturning the decision, Audi is keen to obtain formal clarification from the race stewards to establish a clear precedent for future occasions. The FIA has yet to set a date for the appeal hearing.

  • On This Day: Michael Schumacher Wins and Stuns Tifosi with F1 Retirement

    On This Day: Michael Schumacher Wins and Stuns Tifosi with F1 Retirement

    September 10, 2006, stands as one of the most consequential days in Formula 1 history. At Monza, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher announced his retirement moments after claiming a dominant victory at the Italian Grand Prix.

    Schumacher Dominates at Monza Before Shock Announcement

    The Ferrari driver qualified just 0.002 seconds behind McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen in front of the passionate tifosi, though Schumacher was running a heavier fuel load. He pitted two laps later, emerged in the lead, and was never challenged, crossing the finish line eight seconds ahead of the Finn. Teammate Felipe Massa finished a distant ninth.

    The win marked Schumacher’s 11th victory on Italian soil—counting races at both Monza and Imola—and would prove to be his last triumph in Italy. With all eyes on him in the post-race press conference, he delivered the highly scrutinized news.

    “There has been a lot of discussion for a lot of time, what concerns my future and so on, and I think all the fans, all the motorsport-interested people have a right to be explained what’s going to happen,” the German said.
    “I am sorry it may [have taken] longer than some of you wanted, but you have to find the right moment, and we feel this is the right moment.
    “To make it short, in a way, this is going to be my last Monza race I’m going to do. At the end of this year, I have decided together with the team that I am going to retire from racing.”

    Context Behind the Decision: Raikkonen Signed, Massa’s Future at Stake

    The timing surprised many. At 37, Schumacher was still performing at a remarkable level, battling Fernando Alonso for a record-extending eighth world title. However, months earlier, Raikkonen had already signed with Ferrari for 2007, leaving Schumacher with two options: stay at the expense of the young Massa, or step aside.

    “It has been such a good time for all this time and there is no point to just hang in and may take away a future of a young talented driver like Felipe,” he went on to explain. “Obviously my replacement [i.e. Raikkonen] I was aware of this for quite a long time and for Felipe it was around Indianapolis that his future had to be decided, and I did not see a reason to just hang in and take away his opportunity. I think he is a talented and great person.”

    Schumacher finalized his decision around the United States Grand Prix weekend (June 30 – July 2), well ahead of the traditional Monza announcement—a choice that proved bittersweet for Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo.

    “Truth be told, I was hoping he’d do perhaps one more year,” Fiat chairman Luca di Montezemolo said of his superstar. “He told me a few weeks ago. In the month of August I worked a lot on the organisation and on the future of Ferrari, independently from the drivers. He was sad but very, very determined.
    “Then there was all the talk – do we announce it at Monza, or at the end of the year? It was becoming too big. It’s better now that it’s been announced.

    “Since he’s made his decision, which we have accepted, I think Ferrari have two strong, young, determined drivers, who for different reasons are hungry of victories.
    “Michael has known for many, many months, or I should say for one year, that the choice was to partner him with Raikkonen. We obviously spoke to him like we did when it was time to choose other drivers because the team must agree on things.
    “Massa today had an unhappy start and that influenced his race. If he had a better start it would have ended differently. But he’s giving us lots of satisfaction both as a driver and as a member of the team. If we are leading the constructors’ championship, we owe him a lot as well.”

    Schumacher himself said he was “pleased” with Ferrari’s decision to sign Raikkonen, though the emotion of the moment remained raw.

    An Emotional Farewell and Tributes from Rivals

    Asked what he would miss most about F1, the typically impassive German fell silent for several seconds, took a deep breath, and uttered:

    “Excuse me.”

    That day, Schumacher’s controversial yet glittering career was near-universally celebrated. Three-time world champion Niki Lauda called him “unique,” while rival David Coulthard remarked:

    “Irrespective of whether people are believers in Michael’s race ethics or not, you have to recognise he’s been a great champion and it’s the end of an era.”

    Unmoved by plaudits, Schumacher offered a characteristically grounded response when asked how he wanted to be remembered:

    “Honestly? It doesn’t matter. Some people will want to see me like this and others like that.
    “What’s important is that I know what I am, who I am and where I am. And if people see me the way I am – then I’m happy. But I can’t control how everyone sees me. I can only be proud of myself and happy with what I achieved.”

    A Temporary Retirement and a New Era Begins

    Schumacher’s retirement proved temporary. A neck injury from a motorcycle crash prevented him from substituting for an injured Massa in 2009. He returned with Mercedes from 2010 to 2012 but never recaptured his peak form. A devastating skiing accident in December 2013 left him out of the public eye permanently.

    Yet Schumacher wasn’t the only reason September 10, 2006, was pivotal. As one legend stepped aside, another quietly began his journey. Lewis Hamilton recently revealed that his “Welcome to F1” moment occurred that same weekend.

    “My [‘Welcome to F1’] moment was Monza 2006,” Lewis Hamilton recently revealed. “Just won the GP2 championship. It’s on the grid, Kimi was on pole and I had the privilege of going onto the grid, and I was standing in front of Kimi’s car, and Ron [Dennis] put his arm around me and he told me, looking up to Turn 1, he says, ‘I’m going to give you a chance.’ That was the moment.
    “In the moment, I couldn’t quite believe it and I didn’t know what it was going to be a chance at. But obviously that was the moment that he had decided that he was going to give me a chance for 2007.”

    Hamilton would go on to match Schumacher’s seven world titles and surpass his record of 91 victories, writing new chapters in F1 history and redefining the benchmarks Schumacher set.

    Michael Schumacher’s Full Post-Race Speech at Monza 2006

    “It’s been a very special day, and to finish it in this style as we have been doing today, looking at the championship as well, but much more at what’s going to happen somehow in the future…
    “There has been a lot of discussion for a lot of time, what concerns my future and so on, and I think all the fans, all the motorsport-interested people have a right to be explained what’s going to happen.
    “I am sorry it may took longer than some of you wanted, but you have to find the right moment, and we feel this is the right moment.
    “To make it short, in a way, this is going to be my last Monza race I’m going to do. At the end of this year, I have decided together with the team that I’m going to retire from racing.
    “It has been an exceptional, really exceptional time, what motorsport in more than 30 years has given to me. I really loved every single moment of the good and the bad ones – those ones make life so special.
    “In particular, I should thank my family, starting with my dad, my passed-away mum, and my wife and my kids who at all times supported what I was doing. Without their support, without their strengths, to survive in this business and this sport and to perform, I think it would have been impossible.
    “I can’t be thankful enough to my family, but as well to all my mates at the Benetton time and especially at the Ferrari days, when I’ve made so many friends, I have so many great guys in that team, and it has been a really tough decision to decide to not work together at this level with all my friends, my engineers and everybody. I mean, they’re just so great.
    “But one day, the day has to come, and I felt a point that this is the moment.

    “In terms of timing the decision, I thought that it was fair to find that moment that Felipe has a chance to decide his future, because I think he is a very great guy. He’s been doing a very good job to the team, a very supportive, really great team-mate. There was a moment for him to decide for his future, and there was no point for me to take my decision any later than his decision had to be taken, and this was the conclusion.
    “In a way, my future replacement, it’s a driver – at some stage the team will tell. But I was pleased – and I know a long time ago – to hear that he was the person.
    “And now, I’d just like to concentrate on these last three wins and finish it in style, and hopefully with the championship. We have done a big step today for that, and I really look forward to it.
    “I want to thank everybody who has been on my way or supporting me at all stages – there have been a lot of people. Thank you very much.”

    Though Schumacher ultimately fell short of an eighth title in 2006, he bowed out—at least initially—in commanding style, closing a chapter that reshaped Formula 1 and inadvertently opening the door for its next defining superstar.

  • Toto Wolff Likens Kimi Antonelli to “AI agent” That Keeps Improving

    Toto Wolff Likens Kimi Antonelli to “AI agent” That Keeps Improving

    Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has admitted that even he has been caught off guard by the meteoric rise of Kimi Antonelli during the 2026 Formula 1 season, comparing the young Italian’s development curve to an “AI agent” that continuously self‑improves.

    From Rookie Struggles to Title Contention

    The 20‑year‑old is contesting only his second full F1 campaign after being fast‑tracked into the Silver Arrows seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton ahead of the 2025 season. His debut year was a roller‑coaster: flashes of brilliance were interrupted by a nine‑race point‑less streak that included a difficult weekend at Spa‑Francorchamps. Critics questioned Wolff’s faith in the rookie, but the Austrian remained steadfast.

    “Last year was according to plan,” Wolff said. “I’ve said there are going to be moments of brilliance, difficult moments. I think he started the season at a time when he found himself like a deer in the headlights. In his zone, in the car, extraordinary performances already, but not continuous. Then he had this negative spell where he made over nine races without scoring points. I remember Spa was terrible for him and he was feeling down. Monza was the point where I for the first time said to him, ‘listen, you’ve got to wake up here’. But never doubting. That’s why we gave him the opportunity.”

    Winter Break Sparks Transformation

    The narrative flipped after the off‑season. Mercedes returned to the front of the grid under the new technical regulations, and Antonelli’s form surged in lockstep. He now heads the Drivers’ Championship with a 66‑point cushion over seasoned teammate George Russell—a gap Wolff concedes nobody anticipated.

    “He came out after the winter, out of the blocks in a way that no one saw coming,” Wolff explained. “The ability, how he processed last year. He’s been at all the races. He’s seen the pressure of the media, the attention that he gets. It’s in a way that the system has been processed and saved. And that’s why [he’s had] the results that we’ve seen afterwards.

    “But it is still surprising and amazing to see how quickly he develops. For me, it’s like an AI agent that continuously self-improves and learns. That’s the speed. Also his age is for sure beneficial. The ability cognitively, intellectually to constantly become better.”

    Antonelli Stays Grounded Despite Lead

    Despite a standout victory at Monza—where he charged from 19th on the grid after taking an engine penalty—Antonelli refuses to look beyond the next session. After the Italian Grand Prix he told Sky Sports he is simply taking the championship race by race.

    “I just take race by race because you never know what can happen,” Antonelli said. “Today went well, we had a massive opportunity and we took it, but of course next week we have Madrid and it’s going to be a new challenge. We will have to be on top of the game because it’s a new track for everyone and it’s going to be important to be on point in order to maximise the track time and everything. I’m going to enjoy this moment and then focus on the next one and then focus on the next one again until the end of the season.”

    Next Stop: Madrid’s Madring Circuit

    Formula 1 resumes this weekend with the Spanish Grand Prix, which moves from Barcelona’s Circuit de Barcelona‑Catalunya to the brand‑new Madring layout. The unfamiliar venue presents another test for Antonelli as he bids to extend his championship advantage in what is shaping up to be a breakthrough sophomore campaign.

  • Ferrari’s ADUO 2 Upgrade Is No “Game Changer” for Haas Either

    Ferrari’s ADUO 2 Upgrade Is No “Game Changer” for Haas Either

    Bearman: Ferrari Engine Upgrade a “Much Smaller Step” Than Haas Aero Package

    Oliver Bearman has downplayed the impact of Ferrari’s ADUO 2 power unit upgrade, describing it as “a much smaller step” compared to the revised chassis Haas brought to the Italian Grand Prix. The Prancing Horse introduced its second and final power unit upgrade of the 2026 season under the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system, supplying one such powertrain to Haas for the Monza round. The engine was fitted to Bearman’s VF-26.

    Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team. Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

    Qualifying Progress Offset by Race-Day Struggles

    The American squad showed slight progress in qualifying, with the British rookie securing 12th place—his best grid slot since the Chinese Grand Prix in March. However, Haas endured a seventh consecutive point-less round at Monza, equalling its worst streak since the 2021 season. Bearman briefly held eighth in the opening laps but slipped back as he could not match the pace of the Alpines and Racing Bulls. Having stayed out under the virtual safety car, he finished 15th.

    Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur had already tempered expectations, stating the ADUO 2 powertrain would not be a game changer. Bearman echoed that sentiment after qualifying.

    “It’s a much smaller step than what the [aero] upgrade was, let’s say,” the 21-year-old commented. “Of course, there’s a bit more in this track, but in terms of a season average, it wouldn’t have been enough to get us out of the fight for Q1, to be honest, if you put that engine on us in Zandvoort. I don’t think it was a game changer.

    “Of course, more power is always nice, but you’ve read the news about how much it is. It’s definitely beneficial, but the biggest step was the [aero] upgrade, which was more than twice or three times the amount of power we got from the engine – which is testament to the team’s hard work, and I’m really, really proud of them for that.”

    Haas Aero Upgrade Details

    The Haas upgrade for Monza featured a revamped floor and revised bodywork on the sidepods and engine cover. While Esteban Ocon did not receive the new power unit, he benefited from the aerodynamic parts. Nevertheless, the Frenchman ended up seven tenths slower than his teammate in Q2.

    That gap does not equate to the engine deficit alone. Ocon has struggled with the VF-26’s aerodynamic inconsistency—an issue he believes has affected him at 10 of the 13 grands prix so far this year.

    Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team. Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

    Ocon: “We Didn’t Get to the Bottom of the Issue”

    Asked after qualifying if the car’s inconsistency had improved compared to practice, Ocon replied:

    “No, it wasn’t, unfortunately. We tried everything we could, taking all the bits in the garage to put it on the car. We did everything that we could, but we didn’t get to the bottom of the issue.

    “Unfortunately, we’re still losing a lot of load compared to Ollie, especially on the rear of the car. It’s not ideal, clearly, but the guys did a mega job by trying that.

    “And I was happy with my lap, you know. At the end of the day, I feel like I did a strong lap, I was happy with it. But the deficit of downforce plus the engine losses, it’s quite a lot around here. So that’s the max that we could have done.”

    The veteran driver did find a silver lining in the performance of the sister car: “They worked on Ollie’s side, yes, they did.”

    Constructors’ Battle Tightens

    Despite the aerodynamic step forward on Bearman’s car, both Haas entries finished behind the Audis. The German manufacturer now trails Haas by just five points in the constructors’ championship, setting up a close fight for the remainder of the season.

    Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team. Photo by: Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images
  • Juan Pablo Montoya: Mercedes Should Have Double-Stacked George Russell, Kimi Antonelli at Monza

    Juan Pablo Montoya: Mercedes Should Have Double-Stacked George Russell, Kimi Antonelli at Monza

    Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has criticized Mercedes’ strategy during the Italian Grand Prix, arguing the team compromised George Russell’s race victory chances by failing to double-stack their drivers under the Virtual Safety Car.

    Montoya Questions Mercedes Pit Strategy at Monza

    Mercedes secured a dominant 1-2 finish at Monza, led by home favorite Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The rookie recovered from 19th on the grid to become the first Italian winner at the circuit since 1966. However, Russell controlled the early phases of the race and appeared the primary candidate for victory before a mid-race Virtual Safety Car period altered the complexion of the Grand Prix.

    The British driver was leading at the time but was left out on track while Antonelli pitted. The Italian subsequently sliced through the field and overtook his teammate for the win.

    Montoya: Russell Should Have Received Priority Stop

    Speaking on F1 TV’s post-race show, Montoya argued Mercedes should have given Russell the priority pitstop.

    “He was leading and he should have had the priority on the pitstop. When that virtual safety car came, at that point, it’s quicker to stop than staying out. They should have stopped him, they should have double-stacked him, and he should have stopped ahead of Antonelli,” the Colombian explained.

    “And I’m not saying Antonelli wouldn’t still catch him and win the race, but it would have been a really close fight like we saw earlier on. It would have been a really cool race at the end for all of us.”

    Wolff Defends Strategy, Cites Tyre Constraints

    Team principal Toto Wolff addressed suggestions the Brackley outfit’s strategy favoured Antonelli.

    “The two-stop was the best but we didn’t think it was the case, so that was good for him actually,” he told Sky Sports F1 after the race.

    “But today there was nothing that would have stopped him [Antonelli]. George fought with worn-out tools at the end, so I’m really happy for the one-two.”

    When asked if there were any alternative strategic options for Russell, Wolff added:

    “No, George was on the hard and we needed to go on the one-stop so there was no chance.”

  • Lando Norris: Oscar Piastri Move Complaint Made “in the heat of the moment” at Italian GP

    Lando Norris: Oscar Piastri Move Complaint Made “in the heat of the moment” at Italian GP

    McLaren driver Lando Norris described his intense wheel-to-wheel battle with teammate Oscar Piastri during the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix as “fair” after initially feeling he had been pushed onto the grass at high speed.

    Norris and Piastri Trade Positions in Closing Stages at Monza

    The intra-team fight unfolded over the final laps of the 53-lap race at Monza’s Temple of Speed. Piastri, defending fourth place from Max Verstappen, and Norris, who had passed Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari for fifth, converged on track with the checkered flag approaching.

    Norris made his first move on lap 48, sparking a protracted nip-and-tuck duel characterized by battery-driven overtaking. Piastri reclaimed the position on the following lap. With three laps remaining, Norris attempted a second pass into the second chicane. Piastri covered the inside line, prompting Norris to move into a closing gap on the left. As track limits ran out, the reigning world champion placed two wheels on the grass, suggesting over team radio that Piastri had “pushed me off.”

    Norris Concedes Piastri Drove Fairly After Review

    With the benefit of hindsight and a lower heart rate, Norris quickly conceded after the race that his teammate had done nothing wrong.

    “No, it was okay,” Norris explained. “I still need to review things, but I think it’s just the perception of when you’re in the car, when someone’s kind of opening the gap a bit and then kind of goes straight. You get that perception when you’re going at 200 miles an hour, so that’s all.

    “But I think what he did was fair, so it’s just when you’re in the moment and you’re half on the grass, you realise how quickly things can end pretty badly, so just in the heat of the moment. But no, from that side it was fine and it was a good battle and a good result from a tough race.”

    Team Orders Call for Clean Racing on Final Lap

    The McLaren intra-team battle continued onto the final lap, with both drivers receiving instructions from the pit wall to ensure “clean racing.”

    Norris bided his time for a decisive move, using the slipstream and preserved battery energy from running behind his teammate to make the pass stick into the Variante Ascari. Piastri attempted to retaliate on the run to the finish line but corrected a significant slide exiting the final Parabolica corner, settling for fifth as the two papaya cars crossed the line in formation.

    “It was a good battle,” Piastri reckoned. “It was a lot of back and forth and the last lap, you never really know what to do with the energy. I think we went for different strategies with that and he got past, and I thought I’d have a chance to get back past again but ultimately I just didn’t quite get there.”

    Additional reporting by Stuart Codling and Ronald Vording

  • Former F1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone Reportedly Arrested in Portugal for Carrying Shotgun

    Former F1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone Reportedly Arrested in Portugal for Carrying Shotgun

    Former Formula 1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone was reportedly detained in Portugal this week after authorities discovered a shotgun in his luggage during a routine airport inspection, according to Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã.

    Incident at Tires Aerodrome

    The 95-year-old motorsport magnate was reportedly stopped after his private jet landed at Tires Aerodrome in Cascais, a general aviation airfield located just outside Lisbon. The publication reported that “his arrest was carried out by officers from the Airport Division of the PSP (Portuguese Public Security Police).”

    Ecclestone Confirms Details, Denies Formal Arrest

    Speaking to Daily Mail Sport, Ecclestone confirmed he had traveled with the firearm for clay-pigeon shooting but acknowledged he lacked the required import documentation. He disputed the characterization of the event as a formal arrest, describing it instead as a prolonged administrative delay.

    “I had a gun that I was bringing over from Switzerland to Portugal for clay-pigeon shooting. It’s as simple as that. I have guns at home there that are licensed,”

    he explained.

    “We cleared customs on arriving here – I know the guys there – and they were fine with everything. No problems. Then a policeman afterwards asked to search the bag. It could have been [his six-year-old son] Ace’s fishing tackle for all it looked like, but it wasn’t.

    “They asked if I had a ‘blue book’, which is apparently the documentation you need, and I told them I never travel with documents like that, any documents at all, practically. They said they would arrest me, but after what seemed like hours, we sorted it out, but it has been wall-to-wall aggravation.”

    Resolution Underway

    Ecclestone indicated the matter is being resolved. His wife, Fabiana Flosi, has traveled to Lisbon to handle the necessary procedures regarding the weapon.

    “But it seems it can be put right. Fabi [his wife, Fabiana Flosi] has gone to Lisbon to surrender the gun, or pay the tax or whatever you need to bring it in, or to hand it over in the end. I said I would go too, but I didn’t as it happened, and I am sitting at home waiting for the situation to be put to bed.”

    Second Firearm Incident in Four Years

    This marks the second time since 2022 that Ecclestone has faced police questioning over a firearm at an airport.

    In a well-documented 2022 incident in São Paulo, Brazilian authorities detained him prior to a flight to Switzerland after discovering an unloaded LW Seecamp .32 calibre pistol inside his luggage. He posted bail and dismissed the ordeal as a minor misunderstanding, explaining he had purchased the weapon as a home deterrent and forgotten it was in his bag.

    Ecclestone denied he had been formally arrested in that instance as well, though São Paulo’s public security office confirmed in a statement that a businessman was arrested for possession of a firearm at Campinas airport.

  • Kimi Antonelli Sends Emotional Message to Fans After “Indescribable” Italian GP Victory

    Kimi Antonelli Sends Emotional Message to Fans After “Indescribable” Italian GP Victory

    Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli described his Italian Grand Prix victory as a “dream come true” in a message to fans after becoming the first home driver to win at Monza since 1966.

    Antonelli Overcomes Grid Penalty to Claim Historic Monza Win

    The 20-year-old Italian recovered from an engine penalty that dropped him to 19th on the starting grid to win Sunday’s race. Antonelli passed teammate George Russell in the closing stages to secure his seventh victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

    Italian Driver Thanks Monza Crowd on Social Media

    Taking to social media on Monday morning, Antonelli thanked the local crowd for their reception during the post-race podium ceremony.

    “P1 at home!! It’s hard to describe yesterday. It’s a dream come true,” Antonelli posted. “What I experienced is something I will never forget, the Monza podium is indescribable, the warmth of all the fans and the sea of people that never ends.

    “I really want to thank all the people who made this possible and who are making this year special.”

    Championship Lead Extended After Monza Triumph

    Following his win at Monza, Antonelli extended his lead in the drivers’ standings. He now holds a 66-point advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell, who sits second in the championship.

    Antonelli Refuses to Get Ahead of Himself in Title Fight

    Antonelli was quizzed on the championship fight after the race. When asked by Sky Sports F1 if he was now of the mindset that the title is his to lose, he explained:

    “No, not at all. I just take race by race because you never know what can happen. Today went well, we had a massive opportunity and we took it, but of course next week we have Madrid and it’s going to be a new challenge. 

    “We will have to be on top of our game because it’s a new track for everyone and it’s going to be important to be on point in order to maximise the track time and everything. I’m going to enjoy this moment and then focus on the next one and then focus on the next one again until the end of the season.”

  • Ferrari Still “Missing Pure Power” Despite ADUO 2 Upgrade

    Ferrari Still “Missing Pure Power” Despite ADUO 2 Upgrade

    Ferrari Concedes 2026 Engine Power Deficit to Mercedes After Monza Struggles

    Ferrari Formula 1 team principal Fred Vasseur has acknowledged that the Scuderia was never realistically positioned to match Mercedes on engine power for the 2026 season. The admission comes after a difficult Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza, where the team’s power unit deficit was laid bare on the calendar’s most power-sensitive circuit.

    ADUO System Fails to Close Gap

    Since F1 introduced new technical regulations this year, Mercedes has fielded the most puissant power unit. The Additional Development and Upgrades Opportunities system (ADUO) was designed to help manufacturers lagging in performance catch up. Assessments based on the internal combustion engine actually identified Red Bull as having the most powerful unit. Consequently, Mercedes received one upgrade token for 2026 and 2027, while Ferrari, Audi, and Honda were each granted two.

    Despite this advantage, Ferrari’s ADUO upgrades — debuting in Austria and at Monza — have not bridged the gap. Mercedes has yet to introduce its sole update for the year, expected in October. At Monza, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton qualified fourth and fifth respectively. Leclerc crashed out after contact with his teammate at the start. In qualifying trim, the Ferrari power unit was 5.6 km/h slower on top speed compared to the benchmark, a figure mirrored by Oliver Bearman in the Haas.

    “At least I was right on something,”

    Vasseur quipped after the race, referencing his prior insistence that the ADUO upgrade would not be a game-changer. When asked if the upgrade met expectations and whether energy deployment contributed to the deficit, Vasseur was candid.

    “I don’t want to give details, but when you have a lack of pure power, then you start to play with deployment to try to compensate in one straight line. But if you deploy more somewhere, for sure you will deploy less somewhere else and then you are going in the wrong spiral to try to play with this when you are fighting.

    Honestly, it’s not about deployment. I think deployment was okay-ish, that even McLaren, they were playing a little bit Friday and Saturday morning. At the end, we are missing pure power.”

    Quantifying the Power Deficit

    Vasseur used a theoretical framework to explain how the deficit scales across different circuit layouts.

    “The reality of this is that if you are missing X in Zandvoort, you are two or three tenths [down]. If you are missing X minus – I’m using letters because you will try to extrapolate – if you are missing a bit less than X in Monza, the delta with the Merc is two times bigger.”

    Cost Cap and Lead Times Constrain Development

    Pressed on whether specific design choices caused the power shortfall, Vasseur highlighted the structural challenges of power unit development under the current cost cap.

    “On the engine, the process is mega long because the lead time of the parts is long and the cost cap is not easy. You have to produce the engine for the season. You are already a bit like this and if you want to start to do the development, you have to produce a new batch of engines, and it’s tricky.

    We were not expecting to recover [with] ADUO 1 or ADUO 2. We are doing small steps, but what you have to keep in mind is that if you make a small step on the engine, even if you make a couple of horsepower, it’s a good step on the grid.”

    The competitiveness of the midfield underscores this point. In Monza qualifying, just 0.127 seconds separated third-placed Oscar Piastri from seventh-placed Kimi Antonelli.

    Focus Shifts to 2025 Power Unit

    “That means that now we will have a new engine next year. For sure, the target is to catch up, to catch up as soon as possible, but I was not expecting that in two months we will recover the delta with Mercedes.”

    Championship Standings Widen

    The Monza result compounded Ferrari’s championship woes. The Scuderia’s deficit to Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship has ballooned from 87 to 122 points. In the Drivers’ standings, Hamilton now trails by 76 points after finishing only sixth at his future team’s home race.