Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has slammed McLaren's Qatar Grand Prix strategy, attributing their poor decisions, like not pitting under an early safety car and a questionable tire choice for Lando Norris, to a 'fear of making decisions.' This criticism comes as Norris and Oscar Piastri head into a tight championship battle in Abu Dhabi, highlighting how critical McLaren's race management will be in the finale.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko apologized for suggesting Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli deliberately let Lando Norris pass in the Qatar GP, leading to a flood of online abuse against Antonelli. Both Marko and Red Bull issued retractions, confirming Antonelli's move was a driving error, not intentional. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff sharply criticized Marko's initial 'utter nonsense' remarks, while Lambiase also apologized for his initial emotional comment.
Red Bull Racing is set to announce its 2026 Formula 1 driver lineup this Tuesday, putting an end to intense speculation. Team Principal Laurent Mekies confirmed the decision is locked in, emphasizing no premature hints would be given before the official reveal. The announcement is highly anticipated, especially regarding Yuki Tsunoda's future, as he competes against talents like Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad for a coveted seat within the Red Bull family.
Oscar Piastri will hand over his McLaren seat to Pato O'Ward for the Abu Dhabi FP1 session, fulfilling Formula 1's rookie driver mandate. This move, required by F1 regulations, provides young talents with crucial experience, though it comes at a critical point for Piastri, who is still in mathematical contention for the title.
The F1 World Drivers' Championship is heading to an exciting conclusion in Abu Dhabi, with Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri all mathematically in contention. Norris currently holds a 12-point lead over Verstappen and a 16-point lead over Piastri, giving him the most straightforward path to victory. This summary details the various scenarios each driver needs to secure the title in the season finale.
Charles Leclerc, despite a challenging Qatar Grand Prix where he finished eighth, found the most excitement in watching the intense championship battle unfold between Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, and Lando Norris. He openly admitted to "trying to do the math" in his head while following the front-runners, highlighting the competitive gap Ferrari currently faces. The championship is now set for a thrilling conclusion in Abu Dhabi with Norris leading Verstappen and Piastri.
Red Bull's Helmut Marko apologized to Andrea Kimi Antonelli after accusing the Mercedes driver of intentionally letting Lando Norris pass at the Qatar GP. The incident sparked a social media backlash against Antonelli, but Marko later clarified it was a driving error, not a deliberate move. Despite the apology, the points gained by Norris could be crucial in the tight championship battle, intensifying scrutiny for the Abu Dhabi finale.
McLaren's Andrea Stella admitted the team 'misjudged' its Qatar GP strategy by not pitting drivers under an early safety car, a decision that likely cost them a win. An internal review is underway to address this and other recent errors, as the team aims to strengthen its execution and consistency to challenge F1's top contenders.
McLaren will conduct a major internal review after a critical strategic error at the Qatar Grand Prix led to Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris being "significantly penalized." The team's decision not to pit during an early safety car, unlike most rivals, cost Piastri a potential victory and Norris a podium, prompting team principal Andrea Stella to scrutinize the decision-making process for any 'bias' and ensure future race strategies are optimized.
Red Bull is reportedly set to announce Isack Hadjar as Max Verstappen's new teammate for the 2026 F1 season, replacing Yuki Tsunoda. This move would see Hadjar, who has impressed in his rookie F1 season with a podium finish, join the team just as major technical regulations come into play. Tsunoda, who struggled for consistent points, is expected to leave the F1 grid entirely. The decision marks a significant shift for Red Bull as they aim to solidify their driver line-up ahead of a new era of Formula 1.
Red Bull's Principal Strategy Engineer, Hannah Schmitz, implemented a brilliant safety car pit strategy at the Qatar GP, enabling Max Verstappen to secure victory. McLaren's decision to stay out during the safety car period proved to be a costly error, allowing Red Bull to gain a significant advantage and solidifying Verstappen's lead. This strategic masterstroke underscores the crucial role of tactical decisions in F1.
Carlos Sainz's recent Qatar GP podium with Williams underscores his enduring talent, especially after his professional handling of being replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. His success, achieved without a top car, serves as a quiet but powerful statement on his value, contrasting sharply with Hamilton's current struggles at Ferrari and challenging prior assumptions about career trajectory.
