Tag: Formula 1

The 8 biggest recovery drives to win in Formula 1 history

Kimi Antonelli has etched his name into Formula 1 history, joining an elite group of drivers who have converted a lowly grid slot into a grand prix victory. The Mercedes rookie achieved the feat in stunning fashion on home soil at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, surging from 19th on the grid to claim the top step of the podium at Monza.

Antonelli’s drive continues a rich tradition of comeback victories. Here is a look back at the other drivers who stared at a sea of rear wings on the starting grid only to greet the chequered flag first.

8. Michael Schumacher — 1995 Belgian Grand Prix (Started 16th)

Michael Schumacher amassed 91 grand prix wins during his illustrious career, but none came from lower than 16th on the grid. At Spa-Francorchamps in 1995, the German sliced through the field during a phase that saw early leader David Coulthard retire. A strategic gamble on slick tyres as rain arrived proved decisive.

Schumacher moved into the lead and produced a masterclass in defensive driving, holding off a frustrated Damon Hill on wet-weather tyres despite his own inferior rubber. The Williams driver eventually forced a pass, only to spin moments later. Hill returned to the pits for slicks on a drying track, but the timing backfired as the rain returned with intensity. Both men switched back to wets, but Hill’s challenge evaporated due to a pit-lane speeding penalty, handing Schumacher a clear run to victory.

7. Kimi Räikkönen — 2005 Japanese Grand Prix (Started 17th)

Qualifying at Suzuka took place in changeable conditions during the era of single-lap qualifying, leaving the usual front-runners scattered down the order. Newly crowned champion Fernando Alonso lined up 16th, with Kimi Räikkönen one place further back in 17th.

The race developed into a frenetic spectacle featuring spectacular wheel-to-wheel action. Räikkönen and Alonso carved through the pack, with the McLaren driver leading the charge. A late refuelling stop placed Räikkönen on the tail of Alonso’s Renault teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella. He hunted down the Italian in the closing stages and, on the final lap, seized the outside line to sweep past Fisichella for a remarkable comeback win.

6. Max Verstappen — 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix (Started 17th)

After winning seven of the opening ten rounds in 2024, Max Verstappen endured a 10-race winless streak that saw his championship lead over Lando Norris gradually erode. Qualifying in Brazil was postponed to Sunday morning due to weather, and a disrupted session left Verstappen 12th in classification; a power-unit penalty dropped him to 17th on the grid, effectively a net 15th after two cars ahead failed to start.

From there, the Dutchman delivered a masterclass in treacherous conditions. He carved through the field before a mid-race red flag allowed a free switch to fresh wet tyres. Though still behind Esteban Ocon at the restart, Verstappen overhauled the Alpine within a handful of laps and streaked to victory by nearly 20 seconds — a drive that all but sealed a fourth consecutive world title.

5. John Watson — 1982 Detroit Grand Prix (Started 17th)

John Watson qualified only 17th for Formula 1’s inaugural visit to the streets of Detroit, a weekend marred by organisational issues and tricky conditions. Opting for the harder tyre compound proved a tactical masterstroke.

Watson dispatched rivals with aplomb, highlighted by a stunning trio of overtakes on a single lap — one on teammate Niki Lauda. He quickly reeled in and passed an ailing Keke Rosberg before pulling away to a comfortable victory. Remarkably, this was not even Watson’s lowest-starting win.

4. Rubens Barrichello — 2000 German Grand Prix (Started 18th)

A chaotic qualifying session left Rubens Barrichello down in 18th, but the Brazilian made immediate amends, blasting his Ferrari past rivals on the long, full-throttle straights of the old Hockenheim layout.

A safety car period — triggered by a track invader — bunched the field, and a McLaren communication mix-up elevated Barrichello to second behind Mika Häkkinen. When rain arrived, Häkkinen pitted for wet tyres, but Barrichello stayed out on slicks. With the vast circuit only partially damp, the dry sections allowed him to maintain pace and secure a remarkable maiden victory after seven seasons in the sport.

3. Bill Vukovich — 1954 Indianapolis 500 (Started 19th)

During the 1950s, the Indianapolis 500 counted toward the World Championship, yet few Formula 1 regulars contested the event, making these races historical outliers. Bill Vukovich was a specialist at the Brickyard, winning in 1953 and 1954.

For his second triumph, Vukovich started 19th and worked his way forward to claim victory, though this remains shy of the Indy 500 record of wins from 28th on the grid. Tragically, Vukovich lost his life in an accident while leading the following year’s race.

2. Kimi Antonelli — 2026 Italian Grand Prix (Started 19th)

Reliability issues earlier in 2026 placed Kimi Antonelli on course for a grid penalty for exceeding his power-unit component allocation. Mercedes elected to take the hit strategically at Monza.

Antonelli started 19th after Liam Lawson and Fernando Alonso opted for pit-lane starts. He was running 12th when the race was red-flagged for Charles Leclerc’s accident. At the restart, Antonelli vaulted to eighth and rapidly picked off rivals, swapping the lead with teammate George Russell. A mid-race pit stop dropped him back, but superior pace and fresher tyres allowed him to hunt down the lead once more. He survived a late scare after a mistake exiting the first chicane to hold on for a historic maiden win on home soil.

1. John Watson — 1983 United States Grand Prix West (Started 22nd)

The lowest grid slot ever converted into a Formula 1 victory belongs to John Watson at Long Beach in 1983. McLaren was competitive in race trim but struggled for one-lap pace on the bumpy street circuit, leaving Watson and Lauda 22nd and 23rd respectively — four seconds off pole.

Hampered by poor qualifying tyre performance, the McLarens came alive on race day. In an attritional contest, both drivers sliced through the field, gaining positions through overtaking and rival misfortunes. Such was the M23’s race pace that Watson crossed the line almost half a minute clear of Lauda, with only René Arnoux’s Ferrari — over a minute adrift — remaining on the lead lap.

09/08/2026
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
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.”

09/08/2026
Was Russell Hindered or Was It Antonelli Brilliance? F1 Q&A
Andrew Benson Answers Fan Questions Following Italian Grand Prix

BBC Sport Formula 1 correspondent Andrew Benson has responded to a new batch of reader questions in the aftermath of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The session covers key talking points from the race weekend, offering expert analysis on team strategies, driver performances, and championship implications.

Post-Race Analysis and Fan Interaction

The Q&A format allows fans to submit specific queries regarding on-track incidents, technical developments, and the shifting competitive order. Benson draws on his extensive paddock access and historical knowledge to provide context behind the headlines from the Temple of Speed.

Key Topics Addressed
- Race-defining moments and strategic decisions
- Driver performances and championship standings impact
- Technical updates and team development directions
- Upcoming race weekend expectations
Readers can find the full exchange on the BBC Sport website, where Benson continues to bridge the gap between the F1 paddock and the global audience throughout the season.
09/08/2026
Liam Lawson to Remain at Red Bull for Third Race Weekend in Madrid as Isack Hadjar’s Recovery Continues

Red Bull Racing has confirmed Liam Lawson will retain his seat alongside Max Verstappen for the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit in Madrid this weekend. The decision comes as Isack Hadjar continues his recovery from a wrist injury sustained during training over the summer break.

Lawson Extends Stint with Senior Team

Lawson initially replaced Hadjar at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort and kept the drive for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. During this period, Yuki Tsunoda moved back to Racing Bulls to fill Lawson’s former seat alongside Arvid Lindblad.

In a statement released Monday, Red Bull outlined the reasoning behind the extended arrangement:

“After racing for the team in Zandvoort and Monza, Liam will continue to drive alongside Max at this week’s Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid,”

read a statement from Red Bull.

“The decision has been taken as Isack’s recovery continues to progress positively. While he is not yet ready to return to the cockpit, he will be in Madrid supporting the team.

Everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing looks forward to welcoming Isack back behind the wheel very soon.”

Recent Form and Team Dynamics

Lawson has delivered mixed results in his two starts for the senior squad, finishing seventh at Zandvoort and 14th at Monza. Meanwhile, Tsunoda has shown consistent pace since returning to Racing Bulls, scoring 11th and 10th-place finishes respectively.

Hadjar will travel to Madrid to support the team trackside despite remaining sidelined. No definitive timeline has been provided for his return, though the team’s statement suggests his comeback is approaching.

The Spanish Grand Prix marks Formula 1’s inaugural visit to the Madring layout, adding an extra layer of complexity for Lawson as he navigates an unfamiliar circuit in the Red Bull RB21.

09/07/2026
From FP1 Debut Crash to Charging Home Victory: How Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli ‘Closed the Circle’ at Monza

Antonelli’s Meteoric Rise: From Rookie Struggles to Championship Leader

Kimi Antonelli’s 2025 Formula 1 campaign has transformed from a cautious apprenticeship into a dominant title charge. The Mercedes driver arrived at the Barcelona shakedown in January appearing calm and confident in machinery built to all-new regulations, but his subsequent trajectory has exceeded even the most optimistic projections.

Early Resilience Sets the Tone

After backing up teammate George Russell at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix—where he recovered from an FP3 crash that threatened to derail his weekend—Antonelli rattled off four pole positions and five victories across the next five rounds. The pressure appeared to lift entirely, erasing earlier doubts and revealing the maturity team principal Toto Wolff had predicted since Antonelli’s karting days.

“It kind of shows the decision we’ve taken last year, [that] giving him a year to learn while he was still 18 is going to monetise in the future,” Wolff told F1.com after Antonelli’s maiden Grand Prix pole in China. “You can see how he’s grown and how mature he is now.

“One of the things we are most impressed by is that, compared to last year, Kimi is acting with so much maturity and cold-bloodedness to issues. He’s able to compartmentalise the debriefing, talk about what’s ahead and not what’s behind with a lot of confidence, but no over-confidence.

“For a racing driver, beyond the skill of driving the car fast, that mental resilience is key, and that’s what Kimi is showing at the moment.”

Since that Chinese breakthrough, Antonelli has added further podiums, only missing the rostrum in Barcelona and at Silverstone due to reliability issues. Those results have built a sizeable championship lead over Russell heading into the Italian Grand Prix.

Monza Masterclass Extends Championship Advantage

Last weekend at Monza presented a golden opportunity for Russell—starting from the front row—to claw back points after his own share of misfortune this season. Instead, Antonelli produced a drive for the ages, converting a 19th-place grid slot (following an engine-related penalty) into victory.

He climbed to 12th after two laps, entered the points-paying positions shortly after the restart, hunted down Russell by one-third distance, and launched an initial lead bid on Lap 18. When the Mercedes drivers split strategies amid a mid-race Virtual Safety Car period, Wolff was unequivocal: “nothing would have stopped him.”

“I thought one of the two is going to win,” added the Austrian team boss. “Either George, because he was on [the front row], or Kimi, because he’s going to walk over water here in Monza, and I felt that yesterday also.”

Historical Significance for Italian Motorsport

Antonelli’s Monza triumph marks the first victory for an Italian driver at the Temple of Speed since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966. The result moves him one step closer to becoming the first Italian to claim the F1 Drivers’ Championship since Alberto Ascari’s back-to-back titles in 1952-53.

From crashing Russell’s car during a whirlwind Friday test session a couple of years ago to now leading the intra-team battle at Mercedes, Antonelli’s ascent has been nothing short of remarkable.

09/07/2026
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

09/07/2026
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.

09/07/2026
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.”

09/07/2026
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