Tag: Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton Reveals Ferrari F40 Restoration Project After Selling His Entire Car Collection

Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he has acquired a rare Ferrari F40, fulfilling a lifelong dream. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion shared the news alongside photos of the classic supercar undergoing what appears to be an engine-out restoration.

“My very own F40. This is the car of my dreams and has been for as long as I can remember,” Hamilton wrote. “As a kid I dreamt of having one. When I joined Ferrari last year I made sure to have one with me on my first day at Maranello. That’s how much it means to me.

“These cars are works of art and incredibly rare, so when I found this one, covered in dust after being sat in a garage for over thirty years, I knew I had to bring her home.

“First to Maranello, where the master engineers and mechanics at the factory worked for weeks to bring her back to life. Massive thank you to everyone who had a hand in this project. This has truly been a dream come true.”

The Ferrari driver also hinted that he could share a behind-the-scenes look at the restoration process, potentially through his YouTube channel.

“I can’t wait to share more with you all. Stay tuned…” he teased.

Hamilton’s post, shared on Monday 31 August, had already received more than 278,000 likes.

Hamilton had been searching for a Ferrari F40

The 41-year-old driver confirmed in 2025 that he had sold his entire car collection, although he said at the time that he was still hoping to acquire a Ferrari F40.

Speaking ahead of the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hamilton confirmed that he had parted ways with his impressive collection. It was understood to have included a Pagani Zonda 760 LH, a Mercedes-AMG Project One, a Ferrari LaFerrari and a 1966 Shelby Cobra 427, among other cars.

“I don’t have any cars anymore,” he said at the time. “I don’t have any cars, so I got rid of all my cars. I’m more into art nowadays. If I was going to get a car, it would be the F40. But that’s a nice piece of art.”

08/31/2026
Guenther Steiner: Lewis Hamilton Can Win an Eighth F1 Title If Ferrari Makes One Key Call

Guenther Steiner believes Lewis Hamilton has a small but genuine chance of winning a record eighth Formula 1 world championship in 2026. However, the former Haas team principal says Ferrari must fully back Hamilton if the Briton is to overcome championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

Ferrari may need to prioritise Hamilton

Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner suggested Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur may soon have to introduce clear team orders in Hamilton’s favour over team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Hamilton has generally had the upper hand over Leclerc this season, making him Ferrari’s most likely challenger to Mercedes driver Antonelli in the title fight.

“There need to be two things for Lewis to win the championship, the eighth one, and I think that would be a great moment for the sport, somebody winning eight championships. Kimi needs to make some mistakes. If Kimi stays clean, it will be very difficult to do, but Kimi is young and Mercedes has trouble with the car sometimes, mechanical issues.

“At some stage, Ferrari needs to put everything behind Lewis if they are serious about winning it because he’s in front of Charles, so he should get the support,” Steiner explained.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari. Photo by: Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images

Steiner believes Vasseur will recognise that Ferrari cannot afford to divide its efforts between Hamilton and Leclerc if it wants to challenge Mercedes.

“I think Fred will be doing that and saying, ‘Hey guys, we need to put our money on one of the guys and not try to have papaya rules here.’ They need the help of Kimi and Mercedes as well. Otherwise, it will be very difficult.”

Asked whether Hamilton can win his eighth world title this season, Steiner said the possibility remains, but the outcome could depend heavily on Antonelli and Mercedes’ performance during the second half of the campaign.

“I think there is a small chance that it can happen, yes. For me, the biggest thing is how much Kimi and Mercedes will be struggling in the second half of the season.”

Antonelli currently leads team-mate George Russell and Hamilton by 59 points, with Russell and Hamilton level on points.

08/31/2026
Carlos Sainz Could Extend His F1 Career Through 2040

Williams driver Carlos Sainz believes he could continue racing in Formula 1 until he is 45, meaning he could still be competing when the 2040 season begins.

Sainz is currently contesting his 12th F1 season. The four-time Grand Prix winner will turn 32 on Tuesday and is the sixth-oldest driver on the grid, behind Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg, and Cadillac pairing Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.

How long can Carlos Sainz remain in Formula 1?

Sainz remains convinced that he has many years ahead of him. Hamilton recently became the oldest race winner since 1994 at the age of 41, while 45-year-old Alonso is the oldest points scorer since 1974.

“Looking at what Fernando and Lewis are still capable of doing, and also Nico, who is a few years older than me, it confirms to me that you can maintain a very high level of driving for a long time,” the former Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren and Ferrari driver told Motorsport.com in an exclusive interview. “I’m fortunate to be in a sport that allows you to remain at this level for many years.

“I also have an example in my own family… My father Carlos isn’t in Formula 1, but at 63 he’s still competitive, and two years ago he won the Dakar.

“If you look after your physical condition and maintain strong motivation, you can extend your career for a long time. You need to be in a good place mentally, because you also have to factor in all the travelling, as well as the marketing and media commitments. Putting those aspects aside, I think you can keep going until you’re 45.”

Sainz still motivated to compete

Sainz is currently 16th in the drivers’ championship with a struggling Williams team, but he insists that he still has the motivation and desire to remain in Formula 1.

“Right now, yes,” he replied. “I think I’ll stay in Formula 1 for as long as I can. I don’t understand people who say ‘no’.

“It’s strange, because my theory is that at 40 you’re not even halfway through your life, and I ask myself what I’m going to do in the second half of it.

“I enjoy playing golf, cycling, playing padel and challenging myself with business activities, but even if I put all of those things together, they still don’t give me the same enjoyment I get from being where I am today.

“I’m aware of how fortunate I am to be part of this sport. It’s true that 24 races are a lot and that there are many other commitments around them, but when I go to bed at night, I remind myself that I wouldn’t trade all of this for anything in the world.”

Source: www.motorsport.com

08/31/2026
Ferrari “can’t leave more points on the table” with Race Execution

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has urged the team to improve its Formula 1 race weekend execution as the performance gap between the leading 2026 teams continues to narrow.

After dedicating much of 2025 to preparing for the new regulations, Ferrari has produced a competitive SF-26 and continued to introduce upgrades aimed at giving Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc a chance to win a grand prix. The team currently sits second in the constructors’ championship.

However, Ferrari failed to convert its pace into podium finishes at the last two races in Hungary and the Netherlands, despite having a car capable of challenging for the top three.

Ferrari missed opportunities in Hungary and the Netherlands

Ferrari appeared strong during practice at the twisty Hungaroring, a circuit expected to suit the team’s strengths, and Hamilton narrowly missed pole position. A poor start, a speeding penalty and slow pit stops subsequently prevented both drivers from finishing on the podium.

At Zandvoort, Ferrari believed it lost performance during qualifying after its tyres fell outside the ideal operating window. The team also missed further opportunities during the race to secure a podium on a circuit that suited the SF-26 and helped mask weaknesses in Ferrari’s power unit.

Photo by: Eric Le Galliot

Speaking exclusively to Motorsport.com, Vasseur acknowledged that Ferrari cannot afford to leave points on the table if it is to close the gap to Mercedes and hold off a resurgent McLaren. He also stressed that the team has made significant progress in recent seasons.

“Honestly, I think we made a huge step in terms of execution over the last two or three years. In terms of strategy, pitstops, we are doing well,” Vasseur said. “We missed opportunities mainly over the last two weekends, but I’m not sure that we missed more opportunities than McLaren or Mercedes from the beginning of the season.

“But if you want to be the champion, you can’t leave points on the table. We have to score the maximum number of points that we can.”

Ferrari focuses on execution as performance gaps shrink

Ferrari has introduced an impressive number of upgrades in recent weeks and months. Further aerodynamic components and an upgraded engine are expected for the team’s home race at Monza this weekend.

With the field continuing to converge in outright performance, Vasseur believes that maximising the car’s potential during every part of the race weekend is becoming increasingly important.

“You have two races. You have the development race; race after race, you are bringing parts to improve the potential. But then you have also to be at the limit of your potential,” he pointed out. “Sometimes you are doing well, sometimes not.

“It’s challenging this season because everything is new. Regulations, energy, tyres are different compared to last year, so it means that we have many more new questions on the table than we had last year, and it’s why we are all making more mistakes. But my job is also to minimise this number of mistakes. It doesn’t matter what the others are doing, but we have to minimise this.”

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Power unit performance remains crucial in Formula 1

Although teams have developed a better understanding of the complex 2026 power units and the regulations governing their operation, energy deployment can still have a major impact on performance.

“The power unit is the key. From one lap to the other you can still have a swing of performance,” the Frenchman cautioned. “It’s much less than what we had in China or Australia, where we were sometimes losing four, five tenths. Now we are losing one or two. But that’s four positions on the grid in Zandvoort. It means that we need to keep this [focus].

“I think it’s more linked to the fact that it’s a new area of regulations and a challenging year, but it’s one of the focus areas of the team for sure.”

Ferrari enters the Italian Grand Prix weekend 87 points behind Mercedes in the constructors’ standings. Hamilton is level on points with George Russell, with both drivers 59 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

Source: www.motorsport.com

08/31/2026
How Fred Vasseur Is Challenging Ferrari to Take More Risks

Ferrari’s 2026 Formula 1 car, the SF-26, has emerged as one of the grid’s most innovative designs after debuting several striking aerodynamic solutions during winter testing in Bahrain.

The car featured an unusual vane behind the exhaust pipe on the opening day, internally known as FTM. One day later, Ferrari introduced an even more eye-catching rear wing that rotated 180 degrees between cornering and straight-line modes. The design was quickly nicknamed the “Macarena wing.”

Ferrari leads F1 innovation with SF-26

The exhaust wing and upside-down rear wing are only the most visible examples of Ferrari’s technical innovation. While both elements have had a relatively minor performance impact, their unusual appearance attracted significant attention and highlighted a Ferrari team increasingly willing to lead rather than follow its rivals.

Red Bull and McLaren have since introduced their own versions of the upside-down rear wing. Red Bull is believed to have developed its solution independently of Ferrari, while McLaren began work on its design after recognising the opportunity created by Ferrari’s concept.

Ferrari’s exhaust wing has also been widely copied, although rival teams have reportedly struggled to replicate it as effectively. Ferrari made specific rear-end design choices to accommodate the system, making the FTM difficult to reverse-engineer.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Photo by: Marcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Ferrari’s innovative 2026 car is the result of a deliberate cultural shift led by team principal Fred Vasseur. Since joining the team at the start of 2023, Vasseur has focused on reducing blame culture at Maranello and encouraging engineers to take greater risks.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Vasseur said Ferrari needed a change in mentality across every area of the team, not only aerodynamic design. In Formula 1, small performance gains can accumulate quickly, particularly as the field becomes more closely matched. Those margins can determine whether a driver starts from the front row or qualifies sixth.

“It’s true that from day one I had the feeling that we have to take more risks,” Vasseur explained. “More risk on track, more risk on the innovation, on the development to take a different direction compared to the others, not to follow the others.”

Ferrari’s willingness to take risks has not always produced the desired result. The team’s design choices, car set-up decisions and race strategies have occasionally taken it in the wrong direction. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have both won a grand prix this year in a more competitive Ferrari, but Vasseur believes the team’s decision-making will improve as it continues to adopt a bolder approach.

“Sometimes it’s paying off, sometimes it’s not,” he said. “When you are a bit aggressive on strategy, sometimes you are a genius, like in Barcelona, and sometimes not, but we are the same guys on the pitwall.

“I think we need to develop this mentality because you are improving on taking risks. You will improve in the risk assessment. You will improve in the capacity to make decisions, it means that we have to continue to do so, and we will do better and better race after race.”

Cost cap raises the stakes for technical risks

Changing an established company culture takes time, which explains why the process has remained a major focus for Vasseur. Innovation also carries significant risks under Formula 1’s cost cap and development restrictions, as teams cannot simply invest unlimited money in experimental ideas.

“I’m very pleased with what we did in terms of options of development, because with the cost cap, when you are taking this direction, if it’s not paying off, it’s negative,” Vasseur explained. “It’s not that if it’s not paying off, it’s [just] a shame. You are putting your money, you are betting on something.”

Vasseur said he was “more than keen” for Ferrari to continue leading Formula 1’s development race. He believes the team’s changing culture is giving engineers the confidence to innovate instead of playing safe because they fear the consequences of failure.

“It was important for the guys in the team to feel the support from the company when they were innovating,” the Frenchman said. “I hope it’s only the start of this process, and that we will be able to continue to have the same approach and the same dynamic.

“We will have a convergence of directions that we are taking, because one of the favourite parts of F1 is also to copy the others. But if we can stay one step ahead and lead the pack on some topics on some projects, I am more than keen.

“For sure it will be more and more difficult, but it will be the same challenge for everybody.”

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Photo by: Michael Potts / LAT Images via Getty Images

08/31/2026
Ferrari Faces Management Test Between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc After Dutch GP, Pundit Says

Former F1 TV pundit Will Buxton has questioned whether Ferrari can effectively manage the relationship between seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast after the Dutch Grand Prix, Buxton contrasted Ferrari’s hesitation over team orders with Mercedes’ swift decision-making. Mercedes quickly arranged a position swap, while Ferrari chose not to intervene, prompting a series of frustrated radio messages from Hamilton.

Ferrari’s team orders challenge

Buxton said the incident was less a test of the two Ferrari drivers’ relationship than a test of how the team’s management handles competing priorities.

Leclerc has raced for Ferrari since 2019 and is deeply established within the organisation. Hamilton joined the Maranello team in 2025 following a successful 12-year spell with Mercedes. After taking time to adapt to his new surroundings, the 41-year-old returned to top form in 2026.

“Is this Ferrari’s first real test of the Charles and Lewis relationship? Well, if it’s not a test of their relationship, it’s a test of how the team handles it because Charles is the golden child, right? Always has been. He’s Ferrari through and through. He’s probably never going to race anywhere else. It’s his place, and he’s been there since he was a kid,” Buxton explained.

“And then you’ve got Lewis, the GOAT, seven-time champion. You can’t please both, right? In an F1 team, one driver’s going to be p***ed, one driver’s going to come out happy. That’s just how it works out, especially in these kinds of scenarios. And you kind of have to take your medicine sometimes and realise that you’re going to p*** off one.

“You can’t keep both of them happy in every single eventuality. It doesn’t happen. Lewis has experience of a team that executes immediately at Mercedes, and he wants that world championship-winning mentality at Ferrari because unless you have that, you’re never going to win a title.

“So I can see the frustration in Lewis of being like, ‘Guys, we’re making ourselves look like d***s here. This is stupid.’ Because he has experience of the other side of the coin.

“Is it a Ferrari problem? Is it a Charles-Lewis problem? How quickly do they have to nip it in the bud? Do they have to just figure out what they’re doing and actually get it written down, or understand that the level of execution that they have at the moment just simply isn’t what a championship-winning team has?”

08/30/2026
F1 Driver Contracts: How Long Is Each Driver Signed For?

F1 Driver Contracts: When Each Formula 1 Deal Expires

Details of Formula 1 driver contracts are closely guarded, although the length of many deals is eventually made public. Here is how long each current F1 driver contract is believed to run, along with the potential moves that could shape the grid in the coming seasons.

McLaren

Lando Norris — 2030

The reigning F1 world champion recently announced a new four-year contract with McLaren, keeping him at the team until at least 2030. The agreement is also believed to include clauses that could extend the deal beyond that point.

Norris joined McLaren as a junior driver in 2017 before stepping up to its F1 team in 2019. He became world champion in 2025.

Oscar Piastri — 2028

Oscar Piastri signed a new McLaren contract at the start of 2025, tying him to the team until the end of 2028.

The Australian made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2023 after a hearing before the FIA Contract Recognition Board settled a dispute between Alpine and McLaren.

Mercedes

George Russell — 2027

Despite Mercedes’ previous pursuit of Max Verstappen, George Russell remains confident in his place at the team. The British driver is contracted through the end of the 2027 season.

Russell joined Mercedes in 2022 after three seasons effectively on loan at Williams, where he made his F1 debut in 2019.

Kimi Antonelli — 2027

Kimi Antonelli is also believed to have a Mercedes contract running until the end of 2027.

The Italian replaced Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes’ driver line-up after Hamilton left for Ferrari in 2025.

Red Bull

Max Verstappen — 2030

Max Verstappen and Red Bull announced a new contract at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. The agreement runs until at least the end of 2030.

Verstappen became a Red Bull junior in 2014 and made his F1 debut with sister team Toro Rosso in 2015 at the age of 17. He was promoted to the Red Bull team midway through the 2016 season.

Isack Hadjar — 2026

Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull contract is set to expire at the end of 2026 after he joined the senior team from Racing Bulls the previous winter.

The French driver made his F1 debut with Racing Bulls in 2025 and immediately impressed, highlighted by a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix. His performances led to a rapid promotion to Red Bull for 2026.

Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton — 2027

Ferrari has often declined to reveal the precise length of its drivers’ contracts, but all parties have confirmed that Lewis Hamilton’s deal runs until at least 2027. With contract clauses taken into account, he signed a three-year agreement when he joined in 2025.

Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007 and won his first world title in 2008. He moved to Mercedes in 2013 and won a further six world championships during his 12 years with the German manufacturer.

Charles Leclerc — 2028

Ferrari announced that Charles Leclerc had agreed to a new contract on the eve of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, saying he would remain with the Maranello team “for the coming seasons”. The deal is believed to keep him at Ferrari until at least the end of 2028, with an option for additional years.

Leclerc was a Ferrari junior and made his F1 debut on loan at Sauber in 2018. He joined Ferrari’s driver line-up in 2019 and has remained a permanent fixture ever since.

Williams

Alex Albon — 2027

Alex Albon signed a contract extension with Williams ahead of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, keeping him at the team until the end of 2027.

The Anglo-Thai driver made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2019 before switching to Red Bull midway through the season. Red Bull dropped Albon at the end of 2020, and he spent one year away from F1 before returning to the grid with Williams in 2022.

Carlos Sainz — 2028

One day after Albon’s renewal was announced, Carlos Sainz’s future was confirmed with a multi-year Williams contract at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. The deal is believed to run until the end of 2028 and include contract clauses.

Sainz has raced for almost half of the F1 grid since making his debut in 2015 with Toro Rosso. He switched to Renault in 2017, joined McLaren in 2019 for two seasons and then moved to Ferrari for four years. Sainz joined Williams in 2025.

Racing Bulls

Liam Lawson — 2026

Like many Red Bull youngsters, Liam Lawson has largely worked on one-year contracts, and 2026 is no different. The New Zealander responded well after being demoted to Racing Bulls following just two rounds as a Red Bull driver and secured his short-term future with the team for the season.

Lawson made his F1 debut in 2023 as an injury replacement for Daniel Ricciardo. In 2024, he permanently replaced Ricciardo at Racing Bulls from the United States Grand Prix, leading to his ill-fated promotion to Red Bull and subsequent return to Racing Bulls in 2025.

Arvid Lindblad — 2026

F1’s only rookie on the 2026 grid was handed a one-year contract to prove himself at Racing Bulls.

The British driver has impressed during his debut season and appears set to retain his place on the grid for 2027.

Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso — 2026

The biggest remaining question surrounding the 2027 F1 grid concerns Fernando Alonso. The 45-year-old agreed to a contract extension in 2024 that will keep him at Aston Martin until the end of the 2026 season.

Alonso made his F1 debut with Minardi in 2001. After spending one year away from the grid as a Renault test driver, he returned in 2003 for a four-year stint that produced two world titles. Following an unsuccessful 2007 season with McLaren, Alonso returned to Renault for 2008 and 2009 before joining Ferrari for five years. He later had a second spell with McLaren amid its crisis with Honda and left both the team and F1 at the end of 2018. Alonso returned to F1 with Alpine in 2021 before switching to Aston Martin for 2023.

Lance Stroll — 2026

Lance Stroll is in the unique position of arguably having a timeless contract because his father, Lawrence Stroll, owns Aston Martin. He could therefore continue racing for the team for as long as both decide.

A contract announced in 2024 covering “2025 and beyond” guarantees Stroll a place at least through the end of 2026, but the agreement is expected to continue indefinitely.

The Canadian made his F1 debut with Williams in 2017 and spent two seasons there before joining Racing Point, which was rebranded as Aston Martin in 2021.

Haas

Esteban Ocon — 2026

When Esteban Ocon joined Haas for 2025, the deal was described as multi-year, with options believed to cover 2027. However, neither the driver nor the team has so far indicated that an agreement extending beyond this season is in place.

Ocon made his F1 debut midway through 2016 as a Mercedes junior with Manor. After the team folded, he joined Force India but lost his place in the line-up during Lawrence Stroll’s takeover at the end of 2018. After a year away, Ocon returned to F1 with Renault in 2020, remaining there until 2024 before moving to Haas.

Oliver Bearman — 2026

Oliver Bearman became a full-time Haas F1 driver in 2025, and his current contract is believed to expire at the end of 2026.

The British driver made a surprise F1 debut for Ferrari as a substitute for Carlos Sainz at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He made two further appearances that year with Haas, driving at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the banned Kevin Magnussen and again for Magnussen at the Brazilian Grand Prix when the Dane was unwell. Bearman became a permanent Haas driver in 2025.

Audi

Nico Hulkenberg — 2026

Nico Hulkenberg joined Sauber in 2025 ahead of its transition to Audi on a multi-year contract. The agreement is expected to carry him into 2027 if both parties agree.

Hulkenberg’s F1 career began with Williams in 2010. After a year away, he returned with Force India in 2012, joined Sauber for 2013 and reunited with Force India the following year, staying until the end of 2016. Two seasons with Renault ended with Hulkenberg failing to secure a full-time seat for 2020 and 2021, although he made five substitute appearances for Racing Point and Aston Martin. He returned to a full-time F1 seat with Haas in 2023, spending two seasons there before joining the Sauber-Audi project.

Gabriel Bortoleto — 2026

Gabriel Bortoleto made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2025 ahead of the team’s transition to Audi. Like Hulkenberg, his contract is described as multi-year and is expected to be extended into 2027.

Alpine

Pierre Gasly — 2028

Pierre Gasly signed a new multi-year contract with Alpine in 2025 that will keep him at the team until at least the end of 2028.

Gasly made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso as a mid-season replacement in 2017 before completing a full season with the team in 2018. A brief spell at Red Bull in 2019 ended with his demotion back to Toro Rosso, where he remained until the end of 2022. The French driver joined Alpine in 2023 and has stayed with the team since.

Franco Colapinto — 2027

Franco Colapinto emerged as one of the biggest winners in a stable 2026 driver market, as limited movement elsewhere gave Alpine the opportunity to assess him. The Argentinian driver has consequently been retained by the Enstone team for 2027.

Colapinto made his F1 debut with Williams midway through 2024 but found his path to a full-time seat blocked. He switched to Alpine for 2025 and again joined as a mid-season replacement, this time doing enough to secure a full-time contract from 2026.

Cadillac

Sergio Perez — 2027

Sergio Perez secured an F1 comeback with the new Cadillac team on a multi-year contract that will keep him there until at least the end of 2027.

Perez began his F1 career with Sauber in 2011, impressing enough to earn a McLaren seat for 2013. He moved to Force India in 2014 and played an integral role in saving the team from administration before joining Red Bull at the end of 2020. After a promising start in Milton Keynes, Perez was dropped at the end of 2024 before his contract expired. He spent 2025 away from F1 before returning with Cadillac in 2026.

Valtteri Bottas — 2027

Valtteri Bottas also returned to F1 with Cadillac. The Finn has a multi-year contract that is set to run until the end of 2027.

Bottas made his F1 debut with Williams in 2013 before unexpectedly joining Mercedes in 2017. He helped the team win five constructors’ world championships before moving to Alfa Romeo in 2022. His three-year spell at Alfa Romeo and Sauber ended in 2024, followed by one season away from the grid before he joined Cadillac for 2026.

Source: www.motorsport.com

08/30/2026
Lewis Hamilton “Didn’t Help Himself” With Ferrari Radio Messages, Says Guenther Steiner

Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes Lewis Hamilton made Ferrari’s Dutch Grand Prix tensions worse with his frustrated team radio messages.

The seven-time world champion repeatedly questioned Ferrari’s strategy during the race at Zandvoort, urging the Maranello team to let him pass team-mate Charles Leclerc, who was running a different strategy. When Ferrari eventually brought Leclerc into the pits, Hamilton complained that the team had lost too much time.

Hamilton later sarcastically asked whether Ferrari was using him as a “guinea pig” after leaving him on old hard tyres.

Steiner compares Ferrari and Mercedes strategy planning

Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner compared Ferrari’s handling of team orders with Mercedes’ preparation and said Ferrari had not organised the situation as effectively.

“Obviously, it was not as well organised as the silver people. They were well organised,” Steiner said during an appearance on The Red Flags Podcast, comparing Mercedes and Ferrari.

“They had the discussion before and obviously that discussion was not as heated as that one after for Ferrari because when you go into the drivers before the race and tell them what is what.”

Steiner said Ferrari’s pre-race discussions should have been more detailed.

“I think that one was not done in the detail Mercedes stated, and that caused what happened.”

Hamilton criticised for Ferrari team radio messages

Although Steiner argued that Ferrari could have prepared its drivers more thoroughly for possible team-order scenarios, he also said Hamilton’s criticism of the team was counterproductive.

“I don’t think Lewis helped himself being so critical because when you’re sitting on the pitwall and you hear that, it’s like, ‘Oh this guy’s actually trying to vouch too much for himself. He doesn’t see the team anymore here.’

“You could say, ‘Hey, would it not be better if he lets me pass, I’m faster,’ instead of saying, ‘Oh you made me lose time here.’”

Hamilton later addressed his Dutch Grand Prix team radio comments on social media, accepting responsibility for his frustrated reaction.

“I’ve listened back to some of my radio and TV comments. In the heat of the moment, frustration can come out, especially when you care as deeply as I do,” he posted on Instagram.

“But that wasn’t the best version of me. I take responsibility for that, and I’ll be better. That passion comes from believing in this team, the people in it, and what we’re building together. The direction is clear. The belief is there. And the fight is absolutely still on.”

08/30/2026
“How can you allow this?” Toto Wolff Reveals Niki Lauda Story Behind Lewis Hamilton’s Iconic F1 Pole

When Toto Wolff met a select group of Dutch journalists for his annual media session at Zandvoort, one topic was how Formula 1 teams can get the best performance from their drivers—and how much freedom a team principal should give a star competitor.

Max Verstappen is the most prominent current example. Red Bull allows him considerable freedom away from Formula 1, including involvement with his own racing team and endurance events such as the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

The Dutchman competes in those events with a Mercedes-AMG GT3, raising the question of whether another F1 team, including Mercedes, would offer a driver like Verstappen the same latitude.

Wolff said the answer depends on understanding each driver as an individual and identifying the conditions that allow them to perform at their best.

“I think every team is different, but I think what I am trying to do is to identify what it is that makes the driver fast within our structure,” Wolff said.

“What kind of framework do we need to provide to extract the best performance of the driver, and part of that is obviously the well-being. And that is something that I am very keen on as well.

“I have never put drivers in a box and have never said this is how you need to be.”

Max Verstappen, Mercedes-AMG GT3. Photo by: Miguel Reis / NurPhoto via Getty Images

“Toto, how on earth can you allow this?”

In Verstappen’s case, that freedom includes competing in other racing series. Wolff recalled an earlier example from his time as an F1 team principal: Lewis Hamilton’s passion for fashion, particularly around the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix.

“I remember Lewis Hamilton with his fashion collection back in the day and there was this Singapore race. I remember it was 2018 or 2019, when he launched his Tommy Hilfiger collection,” Wolff recounted.

“He had a fashion show in Shanghai where he FaceTimed us. He was grateful that Mercedes changed from Boss to Hilfiger to allow him to have his own collection. He showed everything and said, look at this, this is my catwalk, this is my collection. I can’t believe it!”

The fashion show in Shanghai took place on 4 September, but Hamilton still had another commitment before travelling to Singapore: New York Fashion Week, where he was scheduled to present his collection in the United States.

“And then he flew from Shanghai to LA or New York, and did it there,” Wolff recalls. “Niki Lauda said to me back in the day, I cannot comprehend why you allow this. We are racing in Singapore next weekend, so how is this even possible?”

The criticism grew when Hamilton’s journey to Singapore was delayed, leaving him due to arrive late for the first engineering meeting.

Hamilton arrived late in Singapore after the fashion shows, but Wolff defended his driver against criticism. Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images

“Lewis said that he needed to do another stopover in London or so, I don’t even remember. He calls me on Wednesday and says that it will be touch and go, arriving on Thursday for the first engineering meeting.

“I replied, do me a favour, because I’m already getting lots of shit here for you doing a 360 around the world in funky clothes!

“But then he called me again and said, I’m late, the flight has been delayed. So Niki says to me, I really can’t believe how you can allow that.”

“Lewis, please don’t let me down this weekend”

Hamilton’s performance in Singapore demonstrated both Wolff’s willingness to protect his drivers and the way Hamilton repaid that trust on the track.

“When he arrived, I said, ‘Lewis, do me a favour. I’ll take it from you here, I’ll take all the criticism from everyone, but just don’t let me down this weekend.’

“Understood, he said, and this is when he had this unbelievable pole position. There was that sensational lap and then he won the race, disappearing in the distance.

Hamilton repaid Wolff’s trust in Singapore and went on to clinch his fifth world title just over a month later. Photo by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Images

“After the race he came back to me and said, that was a good deal, no?”

Wolff said Lauda eventually accepted Hamilton’s activities away from the circuit, provided they did not affect his performance during a race weekend.

“Niki said to me afterwards, ‘I’m never going to criticise it anymore, even if he flies to the moon before a race!’”

Hamilton took pole position in Singapore by more than three-tenths of a second over Verstappen and six-tenths over title rival Sebastian Vettel. The Mercedes driver won the race by almost nine seconds from Verstappen and secured his fifth world championship just over a month later in Mexico.

08/30/2026
Ferrari Urged to Support Lewis Hamilton as Guenther Steiner Warns of Team Orders

Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes Ferrari must establish clear rules of engagement and support Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc if the team is to remain in contention for the 2026 Formula 1 championship.

Ferrari’s internal driver dynamic came under scrutiny after the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, where contrasting strategies created tension between Hamilton and Leclerc. Hamilton was running on fresher tyres and had stronger pace, but was held up behind his Ferrari team-mate. The delay cost the seven-time world champion valuable time and led to frustrated radio complaints.

Steiner calls for clear Ferrari team orders

Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner argued that Ferrari should have agreed on potential team orders before the race rather than trying to manage the situation during it.

“You cannot implement team orders during a race,” Steiner explained. “You need to agree them beforehand. The realistic thing is, can Charles really win the world championship? Maybe not. And who is in front? Lewis.

“I haven’t done the calculations of how realistic it is for him to win the world championship, but if one of the two can win, it is Lewis. So, as somebody else has shown, if you want to win, it’s very tight up front there. You need to put your money on the guy who has got the better chance.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari. Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

“That’s the guy in front, who has got more points, and that is the only selling point to Charles. ‘Hey buddy, your team-mate has done better up to now. Now he’s number one.’”

Fred Vasseur must lead Ferrari’s championship strategy

Steiner said Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is responsible for making the team’s position clear to both drivers and deciding whether one driver should receive priority in the title fight.

“Fred, that is his job,” he said. “I don’t think John Elkann should or would get involved in it because if he gets involved in that one at that stage, he needs to run the team.

“But I think Fred is very much in control of it because Fred needs to win a world championship.”

08/29/2026