formula-15.33 min read
Russell Accepts Second Grid Penalty as Mercedes Splits Cars for Singapore Test
2 days ago•Source: BBC
Formula 1 News
The latest formula 1 stories, each synthesized from multiple sources with added background and context.
Featured Formula 1 Stories
View original source
12.99 min•2 days ago
Mercedes splits car specs at Singapore: Antonelli gets new aero, Russell runs old parts
Mercedes has confirmed a split-specification strategy for the Singapore Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli will run the controversial new aerodynamic package to defend his championship lead, while George Russell will revert to an older specification. This decision is driven by Russell's mandatory engine penalty, which forces him to start at the back of the grid, allowing the team to use his car for comparative testing without risking Antonelli's title chances.
More Top Stories
2
Antonelli’s Surprise Grid Promotion to P3 at Sepang
Motorsport.com•7 days ago
3
Mercedes baffled by Sepang upgrade failure as Antonelli and Russell stall
Motorsport.com•7 days ago
More Formula 1 Stories
Verstappen Seizes 2026 Pole at Sepang as Hamilton Returns to Front Row
Max Verstappen secured his first pole position of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, dominating all three qualifying sessions at the Sepang International Circuit. Lewis Hamilton finished second for Ferrari, marking his return to the front row, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli started third after a grid penalty for his teammate. The race, held in Malaysia due to Middle East conflict, saw Red Bull outperform rivals despite Mercedes struggling with unexpected car behavior and severe tire degradation on the hot, rough tarmac.
Antonelli Rebounds to Top FP3 at Sepang After Mercedes Upgrade Struggles
Kimi Antonelli recovered from a difficult Friday to set the fastest time in FP3 at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, posting a 1m36.302s at Sepang. Mercedes, which struggled with a new upgrade package in earlier sessions, found pace on soft tires, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar occupied second and third. The session marked the first running of the hard compound, though a red flag from Oliver Bearman’s Haas disrupted the schedule.
Sepang’s Deteriorating Tarmac Causes 4.5-Second Grip Deficit in F1 Practice
The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, relocated to Sepang, Malaysia, faced severe track degradation during Friday practice. Pirelli reported that one-lap times were up to 4.5 seconds slower than simulations due to 'sandpaper' tarmac shedding stones. While the surface is degrading rapidly, officials deem it manageable for safety, though it may alter qualifying versus race performance balances.
Alpine chief Briatore demands accountability after Colapinto's Baku crash
Alpine executive Flavio Briatore publicly criticized Franco Colapinto for a late-race crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that eliminated both Alpine cars and a McLaren. The incident occurred on lap 36 after a safety car restart, where Colapinto locked his front tires on the dusty Baku circuit and collided with teammate Pierre Gasly, also taking out Lando Norris. Briatore called the move 'very poor' for a driver of Colapinto's experience and indicated he would review the situation to prevent future incidents, despite Colapinto having recently secured a 2027 contract extension.
Verstappen Stuns Mercedes in Baku FP3 with Slipstream-Assisted Pole Time
Max Verstappen surprised the paddock by topping FP3 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, edging out George Russell and Lewis Hamilton on a slipstream-aided lap. Mercedes showed strong raw pace, but Red Bull’s timing on the long Baku straight proved decisive. Lance Stroll crashed in Turn 1, and McLaren struggled to find speed despite upgrades.
Mercedes Dominates Baku Practice as McLaren Struggles with New Upgrade
George Russell led both practice sessions at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Mercedes securing a 1-2 finish in FP2. The session was disrupted by a crash from Arvid Lindblad and mechanical issues for several teams, while McLaren admitted their new upgrade package underperformed.
Cadillac F1 backer at center of Florida class-action over alleged insurer scheme
A Florida-based class-action lawsuit targets Cadillac F1 shareholder Mark Walter and his investment firm TWG Global, accusing them of using affiliated insurers to divert billions from policyholders to support Walter's private business network, which included stakes in sports teams and helped launch Cadillac F1 with General Motors. The allegations suggest about $17 billion was funneled into Walter's network; a concurrent fraud inquiry is underway with no criminal charges yet. TWG has defended itself and says Cadillac assets are not for sale.
F1 expands to 24 races in 2027, Monaco to host first sprint
Formula 1 has unveiled a 24-race calendar for 2027 with 10 Sprint weekends, kicking off in Bahrain and ending in Abu Dhabi, including Monaco’s first-ever sprint, Portugal’s return, and multiple triple-headers plus a standalone Las Vegas race.
Antonelli on the cusp: even his worst outings would seal the F1 title bid
After 14 races, Kimi Antonelli leads the 2026 F1 standings by 81 points over George Russell, with Norris and Hamilton further back. With potential cancellations of Qatar/Abu Dhabi leaving as few as eight race weekends, a maximum of 208 points could still be won by a rival, yet Antonelli’s eight worst results this season have already yielded 116 points, making a comeback highly unlikely. Verstappen praised Antonelli’s maturity after the latest Spain win, while Norris and Russell conceded he looks set to win, aided by a trusted support team around him (father Marco, Toto Wolff, Peter Bonnington). The Spanish Grand Prix victory further underscored the magnitude of his title bid.
Madrid's Madring set for overtaking-focused tweaks after F1 feedback
Spanish Grand Prix organizers in Madrid say they will modify the Madring circuit for 2027 to boost overtaking after FIA recommendations and driver feedback highlighted a lack of action during the debut weekend. The 5.4km track around IFEMA drew praise for facilities but was criticized for limited passing opportunities, especially at Turn 5 and due to a long pit lane. FIA guidance and driver input, including Lando Norris’s suggestions for longer straights and wider entries, indicate significant changes are possible, with the northern, blank-sheet section offering space for reconfiguration ahead of the next event.