Tag: Ferrari

‘Nothing lingers’: Lewis Hamilton opens up on ‘racing relationship’ with Charles Leclerc after Monza clash

Hamilton and Leclerc Maintain Strong Racing Relationship After Monza Clash

Lewis Hamilton has emphasized that he shares “a good racing relationship” with Charles Leclerc following a near-disastrous collision at the start of the Italian Grand Prix. The British driver also praised Ferrari’s communication in the aftermath of the incident.

Monza Incident Sees Both Drivers Lose Ground

The pair lined up on the second row for Ferrari’s home race at Monza, but any podium hopes evaporated quickly. Running side-by-side at Turn 2, Hamilton was forced onto the gravel and tumbled down the order, while Leclerc crashed out not long after. Hamilton subsequently called on Ferrari to “change things” regarding their approach to intra-team battles so they don’t end up “in jeopardy” again. Team Principal Fred Vasseur indicated that a discussion around rules of engagement would be necessary.

Tension Resolved as Focus Shifts to Spanish Grand Prix

Hamilton recovered to sixth place, and any lingering tension appears to have been put behind them as the team turns its attention to this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix at the brand-new Madring circuit. Reflecting on his bond with Leclerc, the 41-year-old said:

“I think we’ve got a good racing relationship. I think the fact [is] that we are grown ups and are able to communicate with each other, which we have.

“I’m really happy that he’s really healthy and he’s back here this weekend because we need him in the fight to challenge Mercedes together. There is all this discussion about communication and execution and stuff, but the communication between John [Elkann, Executive Chairman] and Benedetto [Vigna, Chief Executive Officer] and Fred, and his drivers, are really great.

“We all sit down and talk afterwards, squash it and move on so nothing lingers. We’re just looking forward to how we can work better together.”

Championship Gap and Remaining Opportunities

The frustrating result at Monza saw Hamilton drop to 76 points behind standings leader Kimi Antonelli — roughly the equivalent of three Grand Prix victories. With 10 rounds remaining, however, Ferrari remains hopeful of continuing the fight against Mercedes and staying in contention for the championship, with Hamilton targeting a record-breaking eighth drivers’ title.

Hamilton’s Belief in Ferrari’s Potential

“I’m still a believer that Ferrari has absolutely everything we need to win,” he concluded. “It takes everything coming together, naturally, to be able to achieve what we’re trying to achieve.

“It’s also difficult when you’re fighting against the team just ahead on performance. I think we just have to continue. We’ve built a really good foundation with this first part of the year and we just have to continue to build on it. The team has worked incredibly hard to bring upgrades weekend in and weekend out.

“We’ve just obviously taken a step with the engine, which is a real positive. I think it’s really important to just acknowledge that. I trust in everything that we’re doing, the steps we’re taking. Trusting Fred, and I really believe that we will get to where we’re going. Whether it’s next week, several weeks’ time or next year, we’ll just keep pushing.”

09/10/2026
“I went too far”: Charles Leclerc accepts blame for Monza second-corner clash with Lewis Hamilton

Leclerc Admits He Went “Too Far” in Monza Battle with Hamilton, Says Pair Have Cleared the Air

Charles Leclerc has acknowledged he overstepped the mark during his opening-lap clash with Lewis Hamilton at the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, confirming the Ferrari team-mates have since discussed the incident and moved on.

Opening-Chicane Contact Sends Hamilton onto Gravel

The pair ran side-by-side through the first chicane at Monza, but Leclerc attempted to hold the standard racing line exiting Turn 2. The move forced Hamilton onto the gravel on the outside of the corner, ending the Briton’s race prematurely.

In the immediate aftermath—following his own second-lap crash at Parabolica—Leclerc stated that “we went too far” in their battle at the opening corner. Hamilton firmly disagreed, countering that “there was no ‘we’ in it” and criticising Ferrari’s race communication and execution.

Leclerc Accepts Responsibility After Review

After reviewing footage with team principal Fred Vasseur and Hamilton himself, Leclerc accepted blame and sought to protect the intra-team relationship.

“I mean the rules of engagement, I think it’s kind of clear that we never want to see a car of the same team in the grass.

After reviewing, we spoke with Lewis, I obviously know I went too far in Turn 2 and I said it to Lewis and I think it’s very clear what we should do or should avoid going forward.

But I won’t go into much more details of what we said. The only thing I can say is that it definitely did not affect the good relationship that we have and it will not affect anything going forward. And that is the most important for me really.

Then of course, I mean I know we are driving for Ferrari and if there’s one race where you don’t want that to happen is in Monza and when these things happen at our home race, then it does a huge mess outside.

However, looking at the race from outside, there’s been also some friction between other team-mates and the only thing we end up speaking of is Lewis and I, which I don’t think is quite right.

“Not Acceptable” but Proportions Magnified at Ferrari

Leclerc was keen not to minimise the error while contextualising the media scrutiny.

“But that doesn’t mean we did everything perfect. I didn’t in Turn 2 and for that I’ve been straight away very clear with Lewis after reviewing the images.

I think the most important is that we clarified the situation, we talked, I told Lewis how I felt, Lewis told me what he felt and I think we fully agree with both of our views in hindsight when we speak without the emotions of the race.

It happens. It’s not the last time that will happen I’m sure, because it’s the kind of things that happens in racing – particularly when we are starting so close to each other so often. But it’s not a situation that we want to find ourselves in again so and that is very clear for Lewis and for myself.”

Asked by Motorsport.com whether the incident had been overblown—especially given his observation of “friction between other team-mates” (referencing Mercedes’ split pit strategies and on-track battle)—Leclerc agreed the “proportions” were larger for Ferrari.

“Again I need to be careful with that because surely it’s not to minimise the way that this unfolded. And as I said, it’s not acceptable to see Lewis going in the gravel.

But for sure the proportions as a matter of fact are much bigger on our side compared to the two other teams that have had some…I mean, I didn’t follow the whole race but the two other teams I saw that were fighting at the top, there wasn’t as much noise around it.

So surely, the proportions that it takes when when you are driving for Ferrari is much bigger and particularly if we’re in Monza. But that’s not to minimise what happens and yeah it’s not something that should happen again.”

Photo by: Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images

09/10/2026
“It’s always the same” – Carlos Sainz weighs in on Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton’s Monza clash

Carlos Sainz has drawn on his four years as Charles Leclerc’s teammate at Ferrari to downplay any lingering tension between Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton following their collision at the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix.

Sainz and Leclerc were evenly matched during their stint together at the Scuderia from 2021 to 2024, with Sainz accumulating 900.5 points to Leclerc’s 1,029. That parity occasionally sparked on-track friction, such as at the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix where Sainz accused the Monegasque of complaining too much after contact while overtaking in Barcelona. However, the pair always resolved disagreements internally, a dynamic Sainz believes Leclerc and Hamilton must now replicate.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Sainz: Conflict Is Normal Between Competitive Teammates

Speaking in Madrid on Thursday, Sainz emphasized that clashes are inevitable when two top drivers share a garage.

It’s none of my business, but I can tell you that when you have two competitive team-mates, these kind of situations are always going to happen.

Me with Charles, always twice, two or three times a year, we always had a bit of a discussion or an argument, but after the race or the morning after we would call each other and sort it out.

So yeah, I think it’s normal when you’re fighting for podiums or wins in a competitive team and there’s situations into turn one or situations fighting the race or with strategy, you always end up one day being not happy with the way it’s been handled and the next day maybe you’ve been favoured.

It’s always the same case and I don’t know the way it’s being handled right now, but when I was there in Ferrari with Charles, we would always sort it out among each other and we would get on with it and yeah, we had a good time.

Monza Collision: Diverging Accounts

At Monza, Leclerc forced Hamilton into the gravel at the start, allowing Leclerc to retain third while Hamilton dropped to tenth after crashing at Parabolica on lap two. Post-race, Leclerc accepted shared blame, claiming we went too far, but Hamilton firmly rejected that narrative.

I was ahead in Turn 2, by the apex I was ahead, there was no ‘we’ in it.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Photo by: Eric Le Galliot

Hamilton expanded on his perspective, defending his racing ethics and pointing to team leadership.

Look, I don’t race dirty, he added at Monza. I’ve always raced clean and fairly and always left space.

I’ve come into the team and tried to be respectful of space and definitely not put the team in jeopardy. I stand by that and all I can talk about is on my side. You have to speak to Fred [Vasseur, team principal] about the other side and decisions that are taken there.

Ultimately it comes from the top. It trickles down, decisions. It starts with Fred. There’s only so much you can say, so much you can push and shout from the mountain top.

Yesterday, I said we’ve got to look at how we communicate. If we continue to travel the same path, we get the same result. We keep getting the same result.

Hamilton Questions Ferrari’s Rules of Engagement

The Monza incident is the latest flashpoint in a season where Hamilton has repeatedly criticized Ferrari’s operational execution. At Zandvoort, he was frustrated by a lack of team orders while running behind Leclerc, a scenario he felt cost him a podium finish. Ferrari now trails Mercedes by 122 points in the Constructors’ Championship.

Hamilton contrasted the current environment with his Mercedes tenure, where clear protocols governed teammate battles.

I think it comes down to rules of engagement, said Hamilton in Italy. When I was at Mercedes, we had a written rule of engagement.

We never really had it too bad. Maybe moments with me and Nico [Rosberg] a couple of times. But more often than not it was good. Here, there are no rules.

09/10/2026
Why Ferrari won’t have to worry about another manhole cover incident at the Madring

Formula 1 Madrid Debut: Madring Circuit Eliminates Manhole Cover Risk That Plagued Las Vegas

Formula 1 is preparing to race on a brand-new circuit for the first time since 2023. The Madring, located in Madrid, will host the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, marking a significant expansion of the championship’s European calendar.

A Modern Semi-Urban Circuit Design

In line with many new venues introduced over the last 15 years, the Madring is classified as a street circuit, though it follows a specific hybrid model. While it incorporates sections of public road, portions have been purpose-built to host Formula 1 machinery. This approach places it alongside contemporary semi-urban venues such as Sochi, Jeddah, and Miami, blending city atmosphere with dedicated racing infrastructure.

Anticipation is building among teams and fans, though some observers approach the debut with a degree of apprehension. Early simulations and track data suggest the Madring may present a particularly difficult challenge to master, combining high-speed sections with technical street-circuit characteristics.

Carlos Sainz was taken out in FP1 by a manhole cover that broke free. Photo by: Erik Junius

Learning from the Las Vegas 2023 Incident

New circuit debuts often serve to iron out operational kinks, but the Madring organizers have proactively addressed a specific issue that disrupted the Las Vegas Grand Prix debut in 2023. During the first practice session (FP1) on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari struck a manhole cover that came loose due to a fault in the concrete securing it.

While Sainz escaped injury, the incident caused significant damage to his car. The repercussions were severe for Ferrari, resulting in both a sporting penalty—a grid drop for the Spaniard—and substantial financial cost. The session was cancelled after just 10 minutes, and the second practice session was postponed until 2:30 am local time, running in front of empty grandstands after spectators were evacuated.

No manhole covers, no problem, right? Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

Zero Manhole Covers: A Design Mandate

The Las Vegas experience proved seminal for the Spanish Grand Prix organizers. Ferrari, which has a vested interest in preventing a recurrence, has revealed that the Madring’s very design accounted for the persistent manhole cover hazard on street circuits.

The solution was straightforward but radical: the 5.416 km track layout features zero manhole covers on the racing surface. Ferrari confirmed this specification in its official race presentation, stating:

“Zero. The number of manhole covers on the track. To avoid the problems seen at other street circuits, the design specified there would be none in the track surface.”

This proactive engineering decision offers a sigh of relief for Ferrari and for Sainz, who serves as an ambassador for the Madrid circuit. By eliminating the infrastructure hazard at the design stage, the Madring aims to ensure that the focus remains on racing performance rather than avoidable mechanical failures.

09/10/2026
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.

09/10/2026
Madring Circuit Unveiled Ahead of Inaugural Grand Prix

Excitement is building as Madrid prepares to host Formula 1 for the first time in over four decades, with fresh images revealing the brand-new Madring circuit ahead of the inaugural race weekend.

A Unique Street-Permanent Hybrid Layout

The circuit combines permanent track sections with public roads, creating a twisty layout that presents a distinctive challenge for drivers. This hybrid design sets Madring apart from traditional venues on the calendar.

Home Hero Carlos Sainz Leads Local Anticipation

Few are more enthusiastic than track ambassador Carlos Sainz, who was born in the Spanish capital. The Ferrari driver previously experienced the venue earlier this season, as did his team during a dedicated filming session. However, the dynamics will shift significantly when all 22 competitors take to the circuit simultaneously for the first time this weekend.

First Look at the Madring Circuit

View the latest images from the Madring in the gallery above for a detailed preview of Formula 1’s newest destination.

09/09/2026
Five Things to Watch at the F1 Spanish Grand Prix

Formula 1 Debuts at Madrid’s Madring Circuit for 2026 Spanish Grand Prix

Formula 1 arrives at a new venue this weekend as the Madring circuit hosts the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix on the outskirts of Madrid. The event replaces Barcelona, which held the Spanish GP earlier in June under a revised calendar slot won by Lewis Hamilton. This marks the first time Madrid has featured on the F1 calendar since the Jarama circuit hosted a round in 1981.

Logistical Teething Problems Expected at New Venue

New circuits often face operational growing pains. The inaugural Miami Grand Prix struggled with catering logistics, while established venues like Monza and Abu Dhabi still contend with access bottlenecks. Early reports from the Madring suggest similar challenges: media personnel, including Pedro de la Rosa and Kimi Antonelli, were seen navigating confusion between the media centre and paddock. With this round forming the second leg of a double-header, teams face compressed setup schedules amid the disarray.

Track surface condition adds another variable. Fresh asphalt can behave unpredictably, though organizers have pressure-washed the circuit to remove oily residues. Recent theft of wiring for signage systems compounds the uncertainty.

Kimi Antonelli Extends Championship Lead After Monza Dominance

Andrea Kimi Antonelli strengthened his title grip with victory at the Italian Grand Prix, expanding his advantage to 66 points over team-mate George Russell with ten rounds remaining. Russell conceded the championship is effectively decided:

“Yeah, Kimi’s definitely in control of it and he’s deserving to be in control of it,” he said. “I’m not even thinking about a fight or a comeback or anything. I’m just focused on taking it race by race and trying to maximise every single weekend. “He’s performing incredibly well. It’s going to be exceptionally challenging to overcome that gap, so I’m just sort of accepting that is what it is. I’m just going to enjoy it from here on in and try and win as many races as possible.”

Antonelli’s Monza win came from 19th on the grid, underscoring his pace advantage. Russell, who opened the season with victory in Melbourne, has seen his challenge undone by misfortune and the rookie’s consistency. Madrid represents another step toward Antonelli’s maiden title.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Extended Racing Bulls Stint Continues

Initially expected as a one-off replacement at Zandvoort, Yuki Tsunoda will make his third consecutive start for Racing Bulls in Madrid. The opportunity arises from Isack Hadjar‘s ongoing recovery from a wrist injury sustained during the August break. Hadjar has now missed Zandvoort, Monza, and the upcoming Spanish GP.

The situation benefits both Racing Bulls drivers. Liam Lawson, subbing at Red Bull, has impressed with consistent points finishes. Tsunoda, without a confirmed 2026 seat and linked to an IndyCar move, uses these outings to rebuild reputation after a difficult 2025 Red Bull tenure. He scored points at Monza and could challenge for another top-ten result given Racing Bulls’ midfield form.

Red Flag Risk Looms Over Madring Debut

An F3 test at the Madring last month produced 19 red flags, including several heavy impacts. The circuit’s hybrid layout—blending public roads with high-speed bespoke sections and limited run-off—raises concerns for F1’s first competitive running.

Focus centers on Turn 12 (La Monumental), a steeply banked corner with varying radii and elevation changes. The sequences preceding and following it feature unforgiving exit walls that encroach onto the racing line. Carlos Sainz, serving as event ambassador, warned of the challenge:

“I think definitely with the way they’ve put the barriers and the design of the track, it’s going to be one of the biggest challenges in Formula 1 recently,” said Carlos Sainz. “The track reminds me a lot of Jeddah, reminds me a lot of Baku, even reminds me a bit of Macau in some ways. So having that in an F1 car with 1,000 horsepower is going to be quite an interesting challenge.”

Sainz referenced the F3 test incidents and anticipates a chaotic qualifying session:

“I’ve been looking at the track and hearing of what happened in the F3 test,” he added. “I think we are all expecting safety cars and red flags and yellow flags in qualifying and things like this. “It’s been a tendency of Formula 1 to go to these kinds of tracks like Jeddah and Baku recently, that are closer to the city, Miami, but they have more walls and we haven’t had any issues with it.”

Ferrari Internal Tensions Under Scrutiny After Monza Clash

Ferrari arrives under scrutiny following the Lewis Hamilton–Charles Leclerc collision at Monza’s opening chicane. Hamilton attempted an inside pass at Turn 1; Leclerc held the line into Turn 2, forcing Hamilton into the gravel and dropping him down the order. Hamilton criticized the team’s lack of clear engagement rules, referencing his Mercedes tenure:

“there are no rules” at Maranello.

Ferrari conducted a filming day at the Madring in July, potentially offering a data advantage. However, resolving the driver dynamic remains the immediate priority as the team navigates an unpredictable weekend.

09/09/2026
Monza’s Most Magical Home Wins: From Ascari to Antonelli

F1 Hall of Fame Journalist David Tremayne Recalls Emotional Monza Victories for the Tifosi

Formula 1 Hall of Fame journalist David Tremayne reflects on the most stirring wins witnessed by the passionate Tifosi at the historic Monza circuit.

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza has long served as a stage for unforgettable moments, where the sea of red in the grandstands amplifies every triumph. Tremayne, a veteran chronicler of the sport, revisits those races where emotion peaked for Ferrari’s devoted followers.

A Legacy of Passion at the Temple of Speed

Monza, known as the “Temple of Speed,” holds a unique place in Formula 1 history. For the Tifosi—Ferrari’s famously fervent fan base—a victory here transcends mere points; it is a cultural event. Tremayne’s retrospective highlights how specific drives have etched themselves into the collective memory of motorsport’s most dedicated supporters.

From dramatic last-lap overtakes to dominant home-soil performances, the selected victories underscore the deep connection between the Scuderia, the circuit, and its fans. The analysis offers context on why these particular wins resonated so profoundly amid the noise and color of the Italian Grand Prix weekend.

09/09/2026
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

09/08/2026
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.

09/07/2026