Daily News 19

Tag: Formula 1

  • George Russell Treats Mercedes Team Members to Special Silverstone Karting Event

    George Russell Treats Mercedes Team Members to Special Silverstone Karting Event

    George Russell celebrated Mercedes’ double podium at the Dutch Grand Prix by rewarding team members from the Brackley and Brixworth facilities with a private karting event at Silverstone Circuit.

    Mercedes confirmed the event on social media, posting on X: “Swapping the W17 for the kart. All smiles as George treated team members from both Brackley and Brixworth to a special karting experience at Silverstone.”

    Russell joins Mercedes staff for Silverstone karting day

    The event brought together employees from Mercedes’ main headquarters in Brackley and Mercedes High Performance Powertrains (HPP) in Brixworth.

    “We’re here at Silverstone doing a team karting day,” Russell told the camera. “A thousand people applied from Brackley and Brixworth, but we can only fit 170 people. Really looking forward to it, and I’m going to be racing with them.”

    After the staff had completed several laps, Russell put on his race suit and joined them on track. He also handed out medals to the participants at the end of the event.

    Fans responded positively to footage of Russell enjoying the day. One commenter on X wrote: “It’s so nice seeing George this happy. It makes you realise how different things could be with a bit more support. Obviously, I’m not talking about Marcus, Katsu, and the others; you know full well who the problem is…”

    Another fan added: “I really love how happy George looks for the entire day. He really loves this team.”

    Some comments took a more sarcastic tone, including: “Just give him the kart at Monza. Probably be more reliable” and “He finally gets a reliable car, no wonder he’s happy.”

    Mercedes leads 2026 constructors’ championship

    The karting event comes during a strong 2026 campaign for Mercedes. The team currently leads the constructors’ championship with 425 points, while Ferrari is second on 338 points.

    Russell sits second in the drivers’ championship, 59 points behind his team-mate Kimi Antonelli. He is level on points with Lewis Hamilton.

    The 13th round of the season will be held at Monza during the Italian Grand Prix weekend from 4-6 September.

    Source: www.motorsport.com

  • Lando Norris Signs New McLaren Contract Through 2030

    Lando Norris Signs New McLaren Contract Through 2030

    Lando Norris says extending his McLaren contract until at least the end of 2030 was “quite an easy yes for me”.

    The reigning world champion’s new deal was announced on Saturday. Norris said he “didn’t even have a look” at offers from other Formula 1 teams before committing his future to McLaren, where he has raced since making his F1 debut in 2019.

    “There was some interest from elsewhere,” Norris said in an interview with BBC Sport, “but I don’t want to go anywhere. I don’t want to be with another team. I don’t want to spend time with other people.”

    “That’s why it really was probably one of the easiest decisions I’ve made since being in Formula 1.”

    Norris chose McLaren despite outside interest

    The 26-year-old was not under pressure to make an immediate decision, as his previous McLaren contract still had more than a year to run. However, he said discussions about a new agreement had gradually emerged in recent months and that he had no doubts about staying.

    Norris said his loyalty to McLaren is rooted in the relationships he has developed within the team, including with chief executive officer Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella, as well as the shared journey they have experienced.

    After Norris entered Formula 1 in 2019, McLaren spent several seasons struggling to compete at the front. The team’s performance improved rapidly after Stella became team principal at the end of 2022.

    McLaren won consecutive constructors’ championships in 2024 and 2025, ending a title drought that had stretched back to 1998. Norris also secured the drivers’ championship last year.

    “The fact I stuck it through with them and then we went on to obviously have success certainly makes me feel like I don’t want to… they didn’t give up on me and I didn’t give up on them.”

    “That just creates a very strong bond between everyone that works here. I want to believe that bond stays as strong as it is now ’til I do retire in my career at Formula 1.”

    “I know that’s a long, long way away and I don’t want to think of it. But I believe we’re in the best place we’ve ever been even with a tough start to the season. And I believe that we can fight through anything together for sure.”

  • Lando Norris Extends McLaren Contract Through the 2030 F1 Season

    Lando Norris Extends McLaren Contract Through the 2030 F1 Season

    Lando Norris signs McLaren contract extension through at least 2030

    Lando Norris and McLaren have agreed to a long-term contract extension that will keep the reigning Formula 1 world champion with the team until at least 2030.

    McLaren announced the agreement on Saturday morning, confirming that Norris had committed to the team through 2030, with multi-year options to extend his stay further. The 26-year-old personally shared the news with staff at McLaren’s Woking factory during the team’s annual family and friends open day.

    “McLaren is my home, and I’m very pleased to be signing a new contract to keep me with the team until at least 2030,” Norris said. “When I started this journey nine years ago, I was clear about the goals I wanted to achieve: to get McLaren back to the front and to win championships.

    “We’ve achieved that goal, but we want more, we want to keep on winning, and we know as a team that we’re capable of achieving it. I can’t wait to get back in the car in Monza and I’m very excited about what the future holds for us, both over the rest of this season, and in the coming years.”

    Norris commits future to McLaren

    Norris’s previous contract was due to run until the end of 2027, meaning the new deal extends his expected stay at Woking by at least four years. His team-mate Oscar Piastri remains under contract through the end of 2028 after signing an extension at the start of last year.

    Although Formula 1 salaries are rarely disclosed, Norris is expected to receive a significant pay rise following his world championship success and continued development as a driver. He has made a strong start to 2026, taking advantage of McLaren’s car upgrades to win the most recent grands prix in Hungary and the Netherlands.

    Lando Norris, McLaren. Photo by: Pauline Ballet – Formula 1

    As part of the celebrations surrounding his new contract, Norris was also presented with his championship-winning 2025 car, the MCL39.

    Team principal Andrea Stella said he was “delighted” to continue working with Norris for the foreseeable future.

    “He is an exceptional driver, someone who combines outstanding natural speed with maturity, consistency and a strong commitment to McLaren, but above all, he is a special human being who is valued by everyone in the team,” Stella said.

    “Since joining McLaren as part of our junior programme, he has grown with us and played a central role in bringing the team back to the front of Formula 1. This extension gives us important continuity and reinforces our confidence in the direction we are taking together. With him and Oscar, we know we can count not only on one of the strongest partnerships but also on one of the most united and close-knit teams in Formula 1.”

    Norris’s McLaren record

    Norris joined McLaren’s junior programme in 2017 before being promoted to a race seat in 2019. He has raced exclusively for the papaya team since then, recording 13 Grand Prix victories, 18 pole positions and 48 podium finishes.

    McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who has played an integral role in guiding Norris through the team’s ranks, said: “His journey with the team is a fantastic example of our commitment to identifying, developing and supporting world-class talent, and his achievements speak for themselves.

    “Together with Andrea, Oscar and the wider team, Lando has helped drive McLaren into a new papaya era of success, helping us go from the back of the grid, to double consecutive constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025 and our first drivers’ championship in 17 years.

    “We are extremely excited about what lies ahead and remain fully focused on continuing to compete for wins and championships.”

  • Lando Norris Extends McLaren Contract Through 2030

    Lando Norris Extends McLaren Contract Through 2030

    Lando Norris has committed his long-term future to McLaren after signing a new contract that will keep him with the British Formula 1 team until at least the end of 2030. The agreement also includes a multi-year option that could extend his stay beyond that point.

    Norris joined McLaren in 2017 as a test and development driver before being promoted to a race seat for the 2019 season. The 26-year-old has since recorded 13 Grand Prix victories, 18 pole positions and 48 podium finishes, while also securing his maiden World Championship in 2025.

    He has now competed in 163 Grands Prix for McLaren, more than any other driver in the team’s history. His previous contract was reportedly due to expire at the end of 2027, but McLaren has moved to secure his services for the foreseeable future.

    Lando Norris to receive title-winning McLaren car

    As part of the announcement, Norris will also be given the MCL39, the car he raced during his championship-winning 2025 season.

    “McLaren is my home, and I’m very pleased to be signing a new contract to keep me with the team until at least 2030,” Norris said.”When I started this journey nine years ago, I was clear about the goals I wanted to achieve: to get McLaren back to the front and to win championships. We’ve achieved that goal, but we want more, we want to keep on winning, and we know as a team that we’re capable of achieving it.
    “I can’t wait to get back in the car in Monza and I’m very excited about what the future holds for us, both over the rest of this season, and in the coming years.”

    McLaren CEO Zak Brown welcomed the agreement and highlighted Norris’ role in the team’s rise to the front of Formula 1.

    “I’m incredibly pleased to be signing a new contract with Lando, extending his commitment with McLaren until at least 2030. His journey with the team is a fantastic example of our commitment to identifying, developing and supporting world-class talent, and his achievements speak for themselves.
    “Together with Andrea [Stella], Oscar [Piastri] and the wider team, Lando has helped drive McLaren into a new papaya era of success, helping us go from the back of the grid, to double consecutive constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025 and our first Drivers’ Championship in 17 years. We are extremely excited about what lies ahead and remain fully focused on continuing to compete for wins and championships.”

    McLaren team principal Andrea Stella also praised Norris’ contribution since he joined the team’s junior programme.

    “Lando has been an integral part of McLaren’s journey and success over the last nine years, and we are delighted to continue our partnership with him through to at least 2030.
    “He is an exceptional driver, someone who combines outstanding natural speed with maturity, consistency and a strong commitment to McLaren, but above all, he is a special human being who is valued by everyone in the team.“Since joining McLaren as part of our junior programme, he has grown with us and played a central role in bringing the team back to the front of Formula 1. This extension gives us important continuity and reinforces our confidence in the direction we are taking together.
    “With him and Oscar, we know we can count not only on one of the strongest partnerships but also on one of the most united and close-knit teams in Formula 1.”

    When the new agreement ends, Norris will be 31 and will have spent 12 years with McLaren, matching Lewis Hamilton’s time with Mercedes.

    The contract will expire at the same time as the deal of Norris’ rival and friend Max Verstappen. The Dutchman recently committed to Red Bull, whom he joined in 2016, through to the end of 2030.

    Norris’ McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri is contracted to the team until the end of 2028 after signing a new agreement ahead of the 2025 campaign. McLaren therefore has continuity across its driver line-up for at least the next two Formula 1 seasons.

    Source: www.formula1.com

  • Mercedes puzzled by why it was “rubbish” through high-speed corners at Dutch GP

    Mercedes puzzled by why it was “rubbish” through high-speed corners at Dutch GP

    Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin described the team’s performance through Zandvoort’s high-speed corners as “rubbish” as Mercedes investigates its inconsistent pace during the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix.

    Mercedes made a strong start to the Zandvoort weekend, with George Russell taking pole position and winning the sprint race. However, the team fell behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, who secured pole and victory in the Dutch Grand Prix.

    Mercedes still finished second and third in qualifying and the race. Kimi Antonelli finished ahead of team-mate Russell to extend his championship lead to 59 points, but Mercedes was unable to explain why its early pace failed to carry through the rest of the weekend against its main rival.

    “We’ve got a few things on the performance side to try and dig into,” Shovlin said on Mercedes’ Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show. “We’re going to be getting on with that this week and see what we learn.

    “But there were a few corners where we were pretty rubbish, like that combination of [Turns] 7, 8, 9. You could see [it in] the faster-speed [curves]. And it also gives the tyres on the left-hand side of the car a tough time. And we don’t really understand yet fully what’s causing that.

    “We’ve got some ideas, but that’s not a problem that we’ve suffered with so far this year. And there’s plenty of circuits that have got kind of continued corners in one direction.

    “We were a bit off the pace in the fastest of those [turns]. And then our problems kind of grew a bit as we went through. All the other corners look solid.”

    Mercedes struggled to explain differing tyre performance

    Mercedes’ confusion was compounded by the limited changes made to the cars between the sprint race and the grand prix, as well as during the race itself. Shovlin acknowledged that pace can vary depending on tyre compound and tyre life, but both drivers experienced problems at different stages of the race.

    “We didn’t change the car. We obviously had different compounds at different stages. But again, we need to understand a bit,” he said.

    “George’s first stint was a bit lacklustre compared to his later ones. And then with Kimi, first stint was good, and then dropped a bit on the second, dropped a bit more on the third, a bit came back on the third. It wasn’t like we were playing around with electronic settings or up and down on flap angles. And for him, the balance of the car was quite different stint on stint.

    “The two drivers, normally they report similar things with a car at the end of the race. Both of them, their perception of the balance, and probably the reality is George had a more understeery car, Kimi had a more oversteery car. If we look at how they were set up, we don’t yet know quite why we got such a big difference.

    “So, though, really good to have a strong point-scoring weekend when we weren’t at our best in terms of performance. It was actually good fun, sat on the pitwall and having to make decisions in a hurry. I think the whole team enjoyed that and rose to the occasion. And it was definitely a good result, given where we were.

    “But yeah, a bit of head-scratching to do over the next few days.”

    Mercedes records second-highest points haul of the season

    Despite its lack of clarity over the pace loss, Mercedes scored 46 points at Zandvoort, its second-highest team total of the season. Only its 55-point haul at the Chinese Grand Prix was higher, although both events were sprint weekends with more points available.

  • How the F1 Development Battle Is Reshaping Betting

    How the F1 Development Battle Is Reshaping Betting

    With 11 races remaining in the 2026 Formula 1 season, we examine the winners and losers in the development battle and its impact on the betting markets.

    Source: www.formula1.com

  • Zak Brown Explains Why He Chose the Washington, D.C., IndyCar Race Over the Dutch GP

    Zak Brown Explains Why He Chose the Washington, D.C., IndyCar Race Over the Dutch GP

    McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown chose to attend IndyCar’s first Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., rather than the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, despite McLaren ultimately securing pole position and victory with Lando Norris.

    Speaking to Will Buxton in an interview with SPEED, Brown explained that his decision was based on where he could have the greatest commercial impact across McLaren’s racing operations.

    “I’d like to be at both, but I’ve not been able to figure that out,” said Brown. “So, I use my double-triple top-secret laptop to dial into Holland. My role is to go where I can have the most impact on our racing teams, where’s the most commercial activity, the biggest growth for the different racing series we’re in and the teams.

    “And this race is epic. I’ve not seen anything like it, so I needed to be here, and fortunately, when you have a great group of people, reality is — don’t tell anyone — but our three racing teams can survive just fine when I don’t make a race weekend.

    “Witnessed the pole Lando has in Holland (interview took place before race day), so it’s a little bit more difficult for me to take credit for that. I’ve told my three guys (in IndyCar), someone needs to have a pole here so I can take credit for it here.”

    The commercial impact of IndyCar’s Washington race

    The IndyCar event attracted several prominent business leaders, as well as the president of the United States. FOX later reported that the Freedom 250 Grand Prix was IndyCar’s most-watched non-Indy 500 race since 1995, averaging more than 3.2 million viewers.

    “At the end of the day, that’s why I’m here,” said Brown. “We’ve got great partners in Holland, but this is new, so we have a lot of first-time partners here, a lot of prospects here, the attention that this has brought to IndyCar, the NTT IndyCar Series is awesome, and so, I had to be here. It’s kind of a no-brainer.”

    While Norris went on to win the Dutch Grand Prix from pole position, Arrow McLaren narrowly missed out on victory in Washington. Christian Lundgaard finished second behind race winner Kyle Kirkwood, while McLaren teammates Nolan Siegel and Pato O’Ward placed sixth and 16th, respectively.

    Brown later praised the Washington event and described it as a tremendous success.

    Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren

    Photo by: Penske Entertainment

  • James Vowles Reveals Williams’ “huge number of projects” to Fix 2026 Problems

    James Vowles Reveals Williams’ “huge number of projects” to Fix 2026 Problems

    Williams team principal James Vowles says the Grove-based Formula 1 team is managing a “huge number of projects” to correct development mistakes made during the winter that continue to affect its 2026 campaign.

    Williams targeting long-term performance fixes

    Speaking in his post-race The Vowles Verdict debrief after a difficult Dutch Grand Prix, Vowles said Williams is restructuring behind the scenes to identify and address the reasons for its current lack of performance.

    “As you saw, we announced both driver contracts last week, and it’s hard to put into words what it means to the organisation when that happens,” he said. “But it’s a monumental change. We have made mistakes this winter, which we’re still paying for today, and the drivers are paying for on the car that we’ve delivered on track.

    “What was great is when we started to show the future that’s beyond here, one that’s more around the long term, their commitment came to the forefront. And that’s really important to me. It’s important to the team. It’s important to everyone because ultimately we’re here and we know we have a pathway to go, but we’re here fighting as a team.”

    Williams ended speculation over its driver line-up before the Dutch Grand Prix, with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz both signing contract extensions. Albon agreed to a one-year extension that will keep him at Williams until the end of 2027, while Sainz signed a multi-year deal.

    Although some updated car components are scheduled to arrive later in the season, Vowles said the Williams factory is prioritising fixes designed to improve the team’s long-term competitiveness.

    “We have huge numbers of projects, though, in the background to make sure that we’re just digging out what went wrong this winter and fixing for the long term,” Vowles added. “And that’s our commitment today as it will be in six months’ time.”

    Williams currently sits ninth in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship with 11 points.

  • From Race Tracks to House Tracks: Why Aston Martin Partnered With Defected Records for an F1 and House Music Campaign

    From Race Tracks to House Tracks: Why Aston Martin Partnered With Defected Records for an F1 and House Music Campaign

    Aston Martin has partnered with British record label and house music specialist Defected Records, bringing together two global fan communities at a time when interest in both Formula 1 and house music continues to grow.

    House music originated in Chicago in the early 1980s and has since become a mainstream genre, with its tracks regularly appearing on charts around the world. It already has a strong connection with Formula 1, frequently appearing in drivers’ social media posts—including those of Oscar Piastri.

    Aston Martin and Defected bring F1 and house music together

    The Aston Martin Formula 1 team has expanded that connection through its partnership with Defected Records, hosting a ‘Driven By Sound’ pop-up in central London for its I/AM members. While the collaboration may initially seem unexpected, the relationship between the two brands is rooted in their shared focus on culture, community and global reach.

    “We want to associate ourselves with iconic properties and Defected absolutely ticks that box,” Rob Bloom, Aston Martin’s Chief Marketing Officer explained.

    “Defected is the belief that house music exists on and off the dance floor, and that community culture is so much more than just the music. We are absolutely in that mindset as the Aston Martin Formula 1 Team, and we want to engage fans and welcome them into our world, whether you go to a Grand Prix or not.

    “The Aston Martin brand is 100 years old, but it’s always been a cultural phenomenon. It existed way beyond its core product, we are very comfortable – in culture – punching outside of category, and that’s the space we play, in which we are so much more than just a car company or motorsports team.”

    Music has long been associated with Formula 1, from Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ to the album created for F1 The Movie. With numerous musical genres available, Aston Martin says house music was a natural choice for the partnership.

    “There’s a natural alignment,” Bloom continues. “If you look at house music and F1, we both bring scale and intimacy. Two global properties, in house music and Formula 1, and there are 825 million F1 fans out there in the world: it’s truly global.

    “But, when you bring fans together at little moments like this, that’s where you get the intimacy. You can have huge global platforms that still have very intimate personal relationships and experiences as part of it.”

    Inside Aston Martin’s Driven By Sound pop-up

    The Soho pop-up gives Aston Martin I/AM members the opportunity to experience the team more closely. Activations include complimentary coffee alongside DJ sets from Sam Divine and RUZE, as well as a run club hosted on Sunday.

    Visitors can also view Fernando Alonso’s race suit and helmet. A sound wall allows guests to hear a combination of team radio, the Honda power unit and radio communications from Aston Martin’s F1 ACADEMY driver Mari Boya.

    “Dance music has evolved a lot since I’ve been doing this,” said Simon Marlin, a house producer from The Shapeshifters. “There’s nothing more unique than finding friends on the dance floor.

    “Defected Croatia is a great example of people that had never met each other 10 years ago, and now are the best of friends, crying with each other because the festival finished this year.

    “That can only happen through shared experiences that are delivered in a way that makes you feel special, that makes you go beyond what you expected. They’re the moments that bring people together, and house music is the biggest and best platform to do that. It’s such a feel-good factor.”

    The relationship between house music and Formula 1 has also developed through collaborations with leading DJs on F1 Tracks, the official Formula 1 playlist. Major artists such as Diplo have performed at events including this year’s Singapore Grand Prix, further highlighting the crossover between motorsport and music.

    That connection could even inspire more drivers to pursue DJing after retiring from Formula 1, following the example of Fernando Alonso’s compatriot Jaime Alguersuari, who now performs under the stage name Squire.

  • Naomi Schiff Points to Red Bull Advantage Following Dutch GP Driver Change

    Naomi Schiff Points to Red Bull Advantage Following Dutch GP Driver Change

    Red Bull’s driver swap for the Dutch Grand Prix has reignited discussion about the advantages of Formula 1 teams operating under shared ownership.

    After Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar suffered a wrist fracture before the race weekend at Zandvoort, the Milton Keynes-based team promoted Liam Lawson from sister outfit Racing Bulls. Lawson joined Max Verstappen for the Dutch Grand Prix.

    Racing Bulls then promoted reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda to partner rookie Arvid Lindblad, filling the vacancy created by Lawson’s move.

    Red Bull benefits from shared driver pool

    Former W Series driver and Sky Sports analyst Naomi Schiff said Red Bull benefited from promoting a driver already familiar with the 2026-specification cars, rather than relying on a reserve driver with less experience in the machinery.

    “It seems to be a little bit of an advantage to be able to put someone in who’s already currently driving these cars and I guess Ferrari is the only other team that would probably call on Oliver Bearman,” Schiff explained during an episode of the Up To Speed podcast after co-host and former F1 driver David Coulthard claimed there is a “strength and depth” in Red Bull in that it can pull in drivers from its sister team.

    “Whereas Mercedes have Fred Vesti, who travels with them to most of the races, so it would most likely be him. I do think it works out to be an advantage for Liam, but I think that doesn’t take away from the fact that that was probably a daunting environment for him to step back into, although it does look very different than what it was, what he left behind.”

    Lawson finished the Dutch Grand Prix in seventh place, scoring six points for Red Bull. The team has not yet confirmed whether Hadjar will return for the Italian Grand Prix.