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Kimi Antonelli says he and George Russell extract performance from the Mercedes W17 in fundamentally different ways, with tyre feel and rear-end firmness at the core of the split. Antonelli believes the 2026 car’s behaviour suits his style better after last year’s ground-effect era favoured Russell.

Antonelli Explains Why He and Russell Demand Different Things from the Mercedes W17 Kimi Antonelli has confirmed that the biggest difference between him and team-mate George Russell comes down to driving style and set‑up preferences, a…

Alpine has asked for a Right of Review after Pierre Gasly was penalised for pit‑lane speeding in Monaco — a move that could expose flaws in the timing system and force a reappraisal of how speed limits are enforced at unique venues. Thursday’s hearing may clarify whether the system or human error caused the spate of penalties, but overturning results could trigger complex knock‑on effects for other drivers and the championship.

Alpine’s Right of Review in Monaco Could Unravel Wider Questions Over Pit‑lane Speed Monitoring Alpine has formally requested a Right of Review after Pierre Gasly was handed penalties for pit‑lane speeding that cost him an on‑the‑road third place at the…

George Russell insists his 2026 championship campaign has been undermined more by external, ill-timed incidents than by driver error, pointing to reliability failures, pit-lane confusion and an incorrectly served penalty in Monaco. He says the season could have looked very different without these setbacks.

Russell says setbacks 'outside of my control' have derailed his 2026 title bid George Russell believes his 2026 title challenge has been hurt less by mistakes and more by costly moments outside his control that have combined to leave him…

Renault says it is not in negotiations with Christian Horner over Otro Capital’s 24% stake in Alpine and will retain control of the team. With Mercedes out of the running and Horner exploring alternative routes back into F1, the Alpine sale looks constrained until Renault’s approval rights expire in September 2026.

Renault Rules Out Talks with Christian Horner as It Protects Control of Alpine Renault Group CEO Francois Provost has confirmed the company is not in discussions with Christian Horner about the purchase of Otro Capital’s 24 per cent…

🚨| Honda's Perspective on Red Bull's Benchmark Status:

— Shintaro Orihara, Honda's Trackside General Manager, acknowledged Red Bull's position as the benchmark for internal combustion engine development under the ADUO regulations. Speaking to media, Orihara remarked:

“Our expectation and FIA are kind of similar. I think RBPT did a great job. I respect what they have done. And the number we received from FIA is quite fair for us.”

— Orihara downplayed the significance of the ADUO assessment, emphasizing Honda's focus on its own development. He explained:

“I would say probably doesn't matter what ADUO says, so we know where we need to improve and where we are, say, miss the performance. We have the big picture how we improve our performance. We focus on what we are doing.”

— Mike Krack, involved in the Aston Martin-Honda collaboration, highlighted the strong communication between the two parties. He noted:

“We have good communication with our partner Honda and we know we have to improve both sides and we are quite transparent in where we are in terms of development and what we want to get, and where we are at this point. So I think we're quite confident that we can bring some good steps.”

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VIA: [gpblog]

Wolff Cautioned Against Signing Verstappen Amid Antonelli's Rise:

— Ralf Schumacher suggested that Kimi Antonelli's rapid ascent in Formula 1 could deter Toto Wolff from pursuing Max Verstappen. Pairing another superstar with Antonelli, who shows potential as a future champion, might disrupt team dynamics.

— Verstappen faces a pivotal decision regarding his future, despite being contracted with Red Bull until 2028. Schumacher noted that Antonelli's emergence as a title contender could influence Mercedes' driver lineup strategy.

— Schumacher argued that if Antonelli continues to prove himself, Wolff might prefer to build the team around him, with George Russell in a supportive role. This approach could prevent internal competition similar to past tensions with Hamilton and Rosberg.

— Marco Antonelli praised his son's promising start but emphasized that comparisons with Verstappen are premature. He acknowledged Verstappen's established greatness, while Kimi is still developing his career in Formula 1.

— Despite Antonelli's progress, Marco highlighted Verstappen as the benchmark for all drivers. He noted the strong relationship between Verstappen and Antonelli, with the two maintaining regular contact during race weekends.

— Verstappen remains a formidable standard in the sport, with Marco Antonelli recognizing the Dutchman's unmatched level on the current grid. This perspective underscores the challenge for any emerging driver to reach similar heights.

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VIA: [gpblog]

🚨| Honda's Sobering Outlook for Aston Martin Before Spanish GP:

— Shintaro Orihara, Honda's Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer, expressed concerns about Aston Martin's performance at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix. Speaking to media, Orihara noted:

“On paper, Barcelona will be tough. It will be very tough.”

— Orihara emphasized the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya's reputation as a "reality check" for teams, highlighting its ability to reveal both strengths and weaknesses. He advised Aston Martin to focus on learning rather than results:

“In Barcelona, there is no place to hide and, after Barcelona, when teams bring upgrades, you know where you are.”

“I think it will be toughest for the drivers because Barcelona is very hard on the package and there won't be much they can do.”

— Despite the challenges, Orihara acknowledged the boost from Fernando Alonso's recent 10th-place finish in Monaco, but remained realistic about the team's prospects without immediate upgrades.

— Orihara also commented on Red Bull Powertrains' benchmark status under the new ADUO regulations, expressing respect for their achievements:

“Our expectations and the FIA's assessment are quite similar. I think RBPT has done a great job.”

— He downplayed the significance of the ADUO assessment, focusing instead on Honda's internal development plans to address performance gaps.

— Aston Martin's partnership with Honda has faced difficulties in the 2026 season, with the AMR26 encountering several issues, including power unit concerns. The team has confirmed that major upgrades are not expected until later in the summer.

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VIA: [gpblog]

🚨| Gasly Reflects on Emotional Strain After Monaco GP Podium Loss:

— Pierre Gasly described the disappointment of losing a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix as the most challenging day of his Formula 1 career. Speaking to media, Gasly shared:

“I think to me it's fair to say this was the hardest day I've ever had in F1 and in my sporting career. You know, I'm talking about sporting matters, not like personal things in 2019, 2020, etc. So in sporting terms, I would say it was definitely the hardest to deal with, because we were performing so strongly.”

— Gasly further elaborated on the emotional impact of missing out on the podium, emphasizing the significance of the Monaco Grand Prix for him as a French driver:

“As a kid, you know, I grew up watching Formula One, and the iconic Monaco Grand Prix has a special meaning to me as a French driver, and I'd never had the chance to stand on that podium before. And I know I'm someone quite emotional, but dealing with all the feelings I had after the race was extremely hard and intense.”

— Reflecting on the rarity of such opportunities in his career, Gasly expressed the importance of seizing every chance:

“You know, if you drive a car that gives you the possibility to fight for the podium every other weekend, it's likely different. You move on quickly, come here, fight for the podium, eventually the win. It's a bit different in my career, not being in a position to have that kind of car yet.”

“So I know when the chance is there, it might be once a year, might be once every two years, might be two or three times a year, but once it's there, I want to make sure that I'm the one grabbing it. And this was a special place with a special result. It was definitely the toughest moment, which also made me learn about myself and how to cope with that. But it wasn't a nice moment.”

— Amid the controversy, Alpine has requested a review of the penalties that cost Gasly his podium. The FIA has scheduled a hearing to consider new evidence that could potentially reinstate Gasly's podium finish, marking a significant achievement for the team since the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix.

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VIA: [gpblog]

🚨| Hamilton's Ferrari Comeback Driven by Key Element, Says Former Teammate:

— Valtteri Bottas, reflecting on Lewis Hamilton's recent success with Ferrari, attributed the resurgence to Hamilton's comfort with the current generation of cars. Speaking to media, Bottas remarked:

“Well, naturally people are happier the better the racing goes on track, and he seems in a good place. It's good to see, and yeah, I think he's shown that he hasn't lost any of his ability to do great qualifying laps, great races. And yeah, maybe this year's cars suit him a bit better; or maybe it's the first car that has a bit more of his DNA in it. Those small things can make a big difference, because in the end, this sport is all about such fine margins. But yeah, it's good to see.”

— Bottas expressed surprise at Hamilton's challenging debut season with Ferrari, noting the seven-time champion faced new challenges each weekend. He commented:

“Yeah, I would say so. And yeah, it seemed like he was really hard on himself as well. So yeah, now he's more in his normal place and that's good to see. Every weekend he's challenged in a different way. And then with qualifying, especially, it's probably part of what he does best all year, right? He just keeps his cool. And it seems like every race he shows another level.”

— Highlighting Hamilton's impressive turnaround this season, Bottas noted the significant improvement compared to 2025:

“Yeah, it's been really impressive what he's done so far this year. He's got obviously great momentum, great confidence at the moment, but yeah, at unique tracks like Monaco, you know, he was really quick and made no mistakes at all. So yeah, it's good to see. I mean, yeah, he clearly made like a big step over the winter. I think he just gained that confidence in the car and in himself that he was lacking sometimes last year, which is natural. Yeah, very impressed, even a bit surprised.”

— Hamilton's fortunes have indeed turned around this year, with three podium finishes in the first six races, a stark contrast to his podium-less 2025 season.

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VIA: [gpblog]

🚨| Antonelli Discusses Driving Style Differences with Russell:

— Kimi Antonelli acknowledged the distinct driving styles between himself and George Russell, emphasizing how these differences affect their car setups. Speaking to media, Antonelli remarked:

“We have two different driving styles and we use the car differently. We also need the car to respond in a certain way to our driving style. Even in terms of set-up choices, we are not always the same, because with my driving style I need certain things from the car and George needs others.”

— George Russell had previously highlighted how Antonelli's driving technique positively impacts tire temperatures. He explained:

“The difference lies in the way we drive, which also has an impact on the tires. He can take them to a better window than me.”

— Reflecting on the changes from the previous year, Antonelli noted the challenges he faced with the 2025 cars and how the 2026 models suit him better. He shared:

“Surely that's the difference that there is at the moment, but it was also there last year, when I struggled with my driving style with that car, especially because of the porpoising, while he was feeling very well. Now I am the one who is feeling comfortable with this car. He is going through a difficult period, but I am sure he will be at the top again, because despite everything he is going very fast. It will definitely be in front.”

— Antonelli further elaborated on the characteristics of the new cars and how they align with his driving preferences:

“They are more unstable, but they alert you much more, even when the car slips. Last year the car was very dry. It had an exaggerated grip, but when it gave up on you you couldn't get it back. This year, however, you can feel it when it is starting and you can control it better, in addition to playing more with the car. Last season, however, even from the outside you could see how tall those cars were. They looked like trains on the tracks, while now they move more, they are more agile. It's easier for me to feel the limit of the car.”

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VIA: [formulapassion]