This weekend, in the American state of Wisconsin, the penultimate double-header stage of the IndyCar season is taking place at the short oval Milwaukee Mile, which has a lap length of just 1.633 km. Mick Schumacher is performing more confidently towards the end of the championship, particularly in the oval track stages, as confirmed in today's qualifying. As a result, he will start from the 13th position on Saturday and from the 4th on Sunday. Thus, he has matched his best qualifying result, as he also started fourth in his debut race on an oval at Phoenix Raceway in Arizona at the beginning of the season.
When a stage consists of two races held on the same track during the weekend, the qualifying format is somewhat unusual: the driver's task is to complete two fast laps, with the time of the first determining the starting position for the Saturday race, and the result of the second for the Sunday race. It is quite rare for the time of the second lap to be better than the first, but today, in Mick's case, it turned out to be so. Despite the fact that, according to Schumacher, who drives for the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) team, he was not entirely satisfied with the car's behavior.
"Definitely, this gives us a good opportunity to earn quite a few points," he commented after qualifying. "In the first race, we will have to work hard, but it seems that our starting position is not so bad."
By the way, on Sunday, Schumacher will start the race from the most favorable position compared to his RLL teammates, Louis Foster and Graham Rahal. Many drivers received penalties today for engine replacements, including Alex Palou, the leader of the individual standings and practically a five-time IndyCar champion with just five minutes to go. After accounting for all penalties, the Saturday race will start from pole position with Pato O'Ward, the Mexican driver from Arrow McLaren. And on Sunday, the first two rows of the starting grid look like this: Palou, O'Ward, Joseph Newgarden, and Mick Schumacher.
When a stage consists of two races held on the same track during the weekend, the qualifying format is somewhat unusual: the driver's task is to complete two fast laps, with the time of the first determining the starting position for the Saturday race, and the result of the second for the Sunday race. It is quite rare for the time of the second lap to be better than the first, but today, in Mick's case, it turned out to be so. Despite the fact that, according to Schumacher, who drives for the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) team, he was not entirely satisfied with the car's behavior.
"Definitely, this gives us a good opportunity to earn quite a few points," he commented after qualifying. "In the first race, we will have to work hard, but it seems that our starting position is not so bad."
By the way, on Sunday, Schumacher will start the race from the most favorable position compared to his RLL teammates, Louis Foster and Graham Rahal. Many drivers received penalties today for engine replacements, including Alex Palou, the leader of the individual standings and practically a five-time IndyCar champion with just five minutes to go. After accounting for all penalties, the Saturday race will start from pole position with Pato O'Ward, the Mexican driver from Arrow McLaren. And on Sunday, the first two rows of the starting grid look like this: Palou, O'Ward, Joseph Newgarden, and Mick Schumacher.
The Ferrari press office continues to stoke interest in the special livery of the SF-26 car for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, dedicated to Michael Schumacher. Last week, Scuderia unveiled the design of the overalls that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will wear in Monza. In particular, the overalls feature Michael Schumacher's logo and seven stars that once adorned the racing helmet of the seven-time world champion. Today, Ferrari presented the team uniform for the Italian Grand Prix, which retains the seven stars and a distinctive pattern of white stripes inspired by Schumacher's racing suit in his first season with Scuderia in 1996. The press office of the Italian team accompanied the publication of photos of Leclerc and Hamilton in this uniform with the following text: "We celebrate our home race with a special team uniform inspired by the influence of Michael Schumacher."
The Haas team has not been able to earn points for the past six races of the season, but in Monza, it plans to introduce a whole range of technical innovations and hopes that they will allow for a significant improvement.
Ayo Komatsu, team principal: "The Italian Grand Prix is always a special event for us, as the team's engineering department is based in Maranello. We take this opportunity to invite many of our colleagues to Monza so they can see the cars they work on every day in action and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a race weekend.
We are heading to Italy, trying to leave behind the disappointing weekend in Zandvoort. Of course, there were positive moments for the team there, but our main task remains to improve the efficiency of the VF-26.
In the upcoming weekend, we will present another set of technical innovations, so it will again be critically important to use the practice time as productively as possible, analyze the collected information in detail, and strive to compete with other mid-field teams.
In the second half of the season, races will come thick and fast, which is great on one hand, but on the other hand, it certainly creates additional challenges. However, last year we proved that we can improve closer to the end of the championship – that is where all our focus is directed right now."
Oliver Berman: "When you don't make it to the finish line, you naturally want to get back behind the wheel and return to work, but this weekend I am also pleased that we will bring a number of innovations to Monza – let's hope they will significantly improve the car's performance.
The European stage of the season has been challenging for us, so we hope that in the remaining part of the championship we will have more reasons for optimism.
The Monza circuit is called the 'Temple of Speed,' and it is one of my favorite tracks. When you attack in corners like Parabolica and Ascari, you feel that everything there literally breathes the history of motorsport. And off the track, the Italian fans create a unique atmosphere, and since I am associated with the Ferrari Racing Academy, in a way, the tifosi's love is directed at me too, and in that sense, I am lucky."
Esteban Ocon: "The whole team has been enthusiastically preparing for the upcoming race for some time now, and there are several reasons for that. Firstly, our engineering department is in Italy, and now we have a great opportunity to meet with colleagues, who will be able to see the results of their work on the track.
Secondly, we are bringing quite a few innovations to Monza, aimed at helping us return to the fight with other mid-field teams. In Budapest and Zandvoort, at least I felt comfortable behind the wheel, and we really tried to get the most out of the car. So I would like this trend to continue, so that we can work effectively with the new parts from day one and then fight for points."
Ayo Komatsu, team principal: "The Italian Grand Prix is always a special event for us, as the team's engineering department is based in Maranello. We take this opportunity to invite many of our colleagues to Monza so they can see the cars they work on every day in action and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a race weekend.
We are heading to Italy, trying to leave behind the disappointing weekend in Zandvoort. Of course, there were positive moments for the team there, but our main task remains to improve the efficiency of the VF-26.
In the upcoming weekend, we will present another set of technical innovations, so it will again be critically important to use the practice time as productively as possible, analyze the collected information in detail, and strive to compete with other mid-field teams.
In the second half of the season, races will come thick and fast, which is great on one hand, but on the other hand, it certainly creates additional challenges. However, last year we proved that we can improve closer to the end of the championship – that is where all our focus is directed right now."
Oliver Berman: "When you don't make it to the finish line, you naturally want to get back behind the wheel and return to work, but this weekend I am also pleased that we will bring a number of innovations to Monza – let's hope they will significantly improve the car's performance.
The European stage of the season has been challenging for us, so we hope that in the remaining part of the championship we will have more reasons for optimism.
The Monza circuit is called the 'Temple of Speed,' and it is one of my favorite tracks. When you attack in corners like Parabolica and Ascari, you feel that everything there literally breathes the history of motorsport. And off the track, the Italian fans create a unique atmosphere, and since I am associated with the Ferrari Racing Academy, in a way, the tifosi's love is directed at me too, and in that sense, I am lucky."
Esteban Ocon: "The whole team has been enthusiastically preparing for the upcoming race for some time now, and there are several reasons for that. Firstly, our engineering department is in Italy, and now we have a great opportunity to meet with colleagues, who will be able to see the results of their work on the track.
Secondly, we are bringing quite a few innovations to Monza, aimed at helping us return to the fight with other mid-field teams. In Budapest and Zandvoort, at least I felt comfortable behind the wheel, and we really tried to get the most out of the car. So I would like this trend to continue, so that we can work effectively with the new parts from day one and then fight for points."
Not only are there contract news in Formula 1 – there are also personnel changes coming in the World Championship for electric car racing. However, we wrote back in May that Mitch Evans, a three-time vice-champion of the electric series, is moving to the new factory team Opel after more than ten years of collaboration with Jaguar. The 32-year-old New Zealander has 16 victories to his name, which is still a record in Formula E, and it was officially confirmed recently that Mitch will be partnering with Theo Pourchaire in the team, whose full name is Opel GSE Formula E Team. According to Jörg Shrott, director of Opel Motorsport, "We have assembled our dream team. Mitch Evans has been our top candidate from the very beginning. His decision to collaborate with us underscores the seriousness of our entire project." Of course, Mitch himself confirmed this, and Russian fans remember him from his very bright performances for the Russian Time team in the GP2 youth series (now Formula 2) in 2014 and 2015. "It's great that we can finally announce everything officially," Evans said. "After ten years of racing for another factory team, it's time to take on a new challenge. The championship's transition to fourth-generation cars (GEN4) is the perfect moment for a new beginning. I immediately felt how much energy and passion Opel is putting into its project in Formula E. This team is not just coming to participate in the electric series – Opel is coming to win, and that inspires me." Last season, Mitch was among the title contenders until the final race, but he was once again unlucky – circumstances led him to finish in 3rd place in the championship, which only fueled his determination, so it will be interesting to see how he fares at Opel. Evans has already appeared in public in the uniform of his new team – this was during the presentation to the international automotive press of the new Opel Corsa GSE2, production of which is set to begin this year, with its official presentation scheduled for October at the Paris Motor Show. It is worth adding that the test driver duties in the Opel team will be performed by the well-known German racer Sophia Flörsch. While Evans is one of the most experienced drivers in Formula E, 21-year-old Zak O'Sullivan is a newcomer to the electric series. The young Brit will be partnering with Max Günther in the Envision team, which has completely changed its lineup. This year, Zak is competing in two Japanese championships – Super Formula and Super GT, which speaks to his versatile racing preparation. But after two seasons in the Land of the Rising Sun, he is returning to Europe – he has already confirmed his speed at recent tests held at the Portuguese racetrack in Estoril, where O'Sullivan piloted the Envision electric car. So far, his main achievement on the international stage remains 2nd place in Formula 3 at the end of the 2023 season. He also has experience piloting Formula E machinery – in 2024 he collaborated with Envision Racing as a test driver. This was after the previous chapter of his career ended, when he was a participant in the Williams youth program.
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A year ago, it seemed that Oscar Piastri was on his way to a championship title, as he was leading the individual standings before the Italian round of that season, ahead of his McLaren teammate Lando Norris by 34 points. However, subsequent events unfolded in such a way that last year's Dutch Grand Prix became the last race he managed to win.
Now Piastri is in a completely different position, sitting in 7th place, while Norris has secured two consecutive victories and leads the Australian by 55 points. Although Lando is currently in 4th place in the standings, he is driving with noticeably more confidence, and his progress is evident.
It must be acknowledged that this year Oscar has often faced misfortune, primarily due to technical issues, but his deficit can’t be explained by that alone, believes Mark Hughes, a well-known British journalist currently collaborating with The Race.
Mark Hughes: "I see that he finds it harder to drive the cars of this generation, especially in situations where grip is low. By the way, there were some signs of this towards the end of last season – in those races that took place on tracks where grip was somewhat worse, especially in Mexico.
These cars generate less downforce, the tires have also shrunk in size this year, and the pressure levels in them have increased. But Piastri seems to still be trying to drive in his characteristic manner, i.e., entering corners late and turning the steering wheel at a larger angle – the same is happening with George Russell. However, the Mercedes driver, in my opinion, has progressed a bit further in understanding this and is trying to change that approach.
I would say that Norris has a much more flexible driving style, and this is evident in how he works behind the wheel. He needs the front of the car to enter the corner confidently, but unlike Oscar, he doesn’t require the front tires to immediately provide maximum reliable grip on the track.
Sometimes situations arise where understeer begins to manifest, and then the driver has to turn the steering wheel at such a large angle that when the front tires finally grip the track properly, there is a sudden loss of grip at the rear wheels, and the car tends to go into a skid. You lose time both entering and exiting the corner.
Then you start analyzing the chassis settings, trying to smooth it out somehow, but in doing so, the car's behavior becomes even further from ideal, and the problem only worsens.
We have seen the high level at which Oscar can perform, and in this regard, nothing has changed. The question is only about finding the optimal approach to driving again and ensuring that the car's settings suit him."
Now Piastri is in a completely different position, sitting in 7th place, while Norris has secured two consecutive victories and leads the Australian by 55 points. Although Lando is currently in 4th place in the standings, he is driving with noticeably more confidence, and his progress is evident.
It must be acknowledged that this year Oscar has often faced misfortune, primarily due to technical issues, but his deficit can’t be explained by that alone, believes Mark Hughes, a well-known British journalist currently collaborating with The Race.
Mark Hughes: "I see that he finds it harder to drive the cars of this generation, especially in situations where grip is low. By the way, there were some signs of this towards the end of last season – in those races that took place on tracks where grip was somewhat worse, especially in Mexico.
These cars generate less downforce, the tires have also shrunk in size this year, and the pressure levels in them have increased. But Piastri seems to still be trying to drive in his characteristic manner, i.e., entering corners late and turning the steering wheel at a larger angle – the same is happening with George Russell. However, the Mercedes driver, in my opinion, has progressed a bit further in understanding this and is trying to change that approach.
I would say that Norris has a much more flexible driving style, and this is evident in how he works behind the wheel. He needs the front of the car to enter the corner confidently, but unlike Oscar, he doesn’t require the front tires to immediately provide maximum reliable grip on the track.
Sometimes situations arise where understeer begins to manifest, and then the driver has to turn the steering wheel at such a large angle that when the front tires finally grip the track properly, there is a sudden loss of grip at the rear wheels, and the car tends to go into a skid. You lose time both entering and exiting the corner.
Then you start analyzing the chassis settings, trying to smooth it out somehow, but in doing so, the car's behavior becomes even further from ideal, and the problem only worsens.
We have seen the high level at which Oscar can perform, and in this regard, nothing has changed. The question is only about finding the optimal approach to driving again and ensuring that the car's settings suit him."
Lando Norris started from pole in the last two Grands Prix and won both races, but McLaren team principal Andrea Stella warns against high expectations in Monza.
Andrea Stella: "Our approach is to focus on each race individually. There is little you can influence, other than to make the most of the car's capabilities in the next race, and this race will take place in Monza, where the car requirements are quite different than in Budapest or Zandvoort.
We will do everything we can, but we don't know what the competitive landscape will be like this weekend. I can only say that if we are competitive in Monza as well, we can look forward to the remaining races of the season with some optimism."
Andrea Stella: "Our approach is to focus on each race individually. There is little you can influence, other than to make the most of the car's capabilities in the next race, and this race will take place in Monza, where the car requirements are quite different than in Budapest or Zandvoort.
We will do everything we can, but we don't know what the competitive landscape will be like this weekend. I can only say that if we are competitive in Monza as well, we can look forward to the remaining races of the season with some optimism."
Last year, two-time world rally champion and four-time Dakar Rally winner, Carlos Sainz Sr. was planning to run for the presidency of the FIA, but then he abandoned the idea, partly because the FIA made his nomination impossible. Recently, a journalist from the Spanish AS asked FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem what he thinks about Sainz's candidacy... Mohammed Ben Sulayem: "Carlos Sainz is my good friend, but I don't think he understands the specifics of this job. He knows the FIA and the sport well, but the presidency of an international federation is not just about sport. It involves meetings with the business community, with 245 federation members from around the world. It’s a job without breaks, 365 days a year, where you get nothing in return. Before running for office, I worked for ten years in my country's federation and knew how difficult this job is, which continues day and night."
After stepping down as Red Bull's motorsport consultant at the end of last year, Helmut Marko rarely gives interviews. But on the eve of the Italian Grand Prix, he spoke with the Austrian press and shared how he reacted to Max Verstappen's crash in Zandvoort and when he expects Red Bull Racing to return to winning ways.
Question: When did you find out that Max Verstappen extended his contract with Red Bull?
Helmut Marko: In any case, not from the press. I have always said that it is the most sensible decision. But now the team must provide him with a car capable of winning.
Question: At the same time, the new engine was the main source of uncertainty. Now, according to FIA data, Red Bull has the most powerful engine, and the team cannot modify it...
Helmut Marko: The regulations are raw, and they need to be changed as soon as possible. The power unit consists of an internal combustion engine, an electric part, software, and a battery. So, it cannot be said that Red Bull has the best power unit.
Question: Obviously, this engine is not the only weak point. What are the problems at Red Bull?
Helmut Marko: The team started the season not too badly, but then they went in the wrong direction. If you develop the car in the wrong direction twice, it will be difficult to fix the situation with the current budget constraints.
Question: Was it a mistake to let Adrian Newey go before the regulation change?
Helmut Marko: Last year, already without Newey, the team was very close to winning the title. This shows that Red Bull is capable of a lot. But you know that from this year I am just an outside observer.
Question: How scared were you when Max Verstappen crashed into the wall in Zandvoort?
Helmut Marko: I got scared the moment the car spun across the track. Fortunately, there was a considerable distance behind Max to the other cars, and Liam Lawson reacted excellently. If someone had crashed into the car standing across the track, it could have ended very seriously.
Question: How quickly did you calm down then?
Helmut Marko: I immediately saw from the movement of his head that Max was okay. Then he already said, "I'm fine" and "Sorry!"
How quickly everything can change was demonstrated by Isaac Hadjar. He injured his wrist during a boxing training session and missed the Dutch Grand Prix because of it.
Question: In two weeks at the karting event Max vs 100 in Silverstone, Max will have to overtake a hundred competitors. Will he manage?
Helmut Marko: It's a fun challenge, but not too safe if collisions happen in front of Max and less experienced drivers get involved in the fight. But it will surely be interesting.
Question: Will Red Bull have a chance to achieve its first victory under the new regulations in Monza?
Helmut Marko: Too little time has passed. On the short track in Zandvoort, Red Bull was four to five tenths behind the leaders, and that's a huge difference. It will be difficult to win in Monza. Most likely, there will be more chances in Austin, Las Vegas, or Mexico.
Question: When did you find out that Max Verstappen extended his contract with Red Bull?
Helmut Marko: In any case, not from the press. I have always said that it is the most sensible decision. But now the team must provide him with a car capable of winning.
Question: At the same time, the new engine was the main source of uncertainty. Now, according to FIA data, Red Bull has the most powerful engine, and the team cannot modify it...
Helmut Marko: The regulations are raw, and they need to be changed as soon as possible. The power unit consists of an internal combustion engine, an electric part, software, and a battery. So, it cannot be said that Red Bull has the best power unit.
Question: Obviously, this engine is not the only weak point. What are the problems at Red Bull?
Helmut Marko: The team started the season not too badly, but then they went in the wrong direction. If you develop the car in the wrong direction twice, it will be difficult to fix the situation with the current budget constraints.
Question: Was it a mistake to let Adrian Newey go before the regulation change?
Helmut Marko: Last year, already without Newey, the team was very close to winning the title. This shows that Red Bull is capable of a lot. But you know that from this year I am just an outside observer.
Question: How scared were you when Max Verstappen crashed into the wall in Zandvoort?
Helmut Marko: I got scared the moment the car spun across the track. Fortunately, there was a considerable distance behind Max to the other cars, and Liam Lawson reacted excellently. If someone had crashed into the car standing across the track, it could have ended very seriously.
Question: How quickly did you calm down then?
Helmut Marko: I immediately saw from the movement of his head that Max was okay. Then he already said, "I'm fine" and "Sorry!"
How quickly everything can change was demonstrated by Isaac Hadjar. He injured his wrist during a boxing training session and missed the Dutch Grand Prix because of it.
Question: In two weeks at the karting event Max vs 100 in Silverstone, Max will have to overtake a hundred competitors. Will he manage?
Helmut Marko: It's a fun challenge, but not too safe if collisions happen in front of Max and less experienced drivers get involved in the fight. But it will surely be interesting.
Question: Will Red Bull have a chance to achieve its first victory under the new regulations in Monza?
Helmut Marko: Too little time has passed. On the short track in Zandvoort, Red Bull was four to five tenths behind the leaders, and that's a huge difference. It will be difficult to win in Monza. Most likely, there will be more chances in Austin, Las Vegas, or Mexico.
On the eve of the Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari's Vice President and Non-Executive Director Piero Ferrari gave a brief interview to the press service, in which he spoke about Michael Schumacher's influence on the team and the principles established by the seven-time world champion, which are still adhered to in Maranello today.
Question: You have been observing Ferrari's performances in Monza for many decades. Is there anything that, despite all the changes in Formula 1 and in the team, remains unchanged every time Ferrari comes to Monza?
Piero Ferrari: What strikes me the most every time is the warmth of our fans. Monza has always been a special place for Ferrari, and there is always an expectation that the team will achieve something special, regardless of how the season has unfolded up to that point.
The unique atmosphere at the racetrack, the support from fans, and the passion that you feel here create a special energy for the entire team. This helps every employee and driver to give their best.
Question: Michael Schumacher won the Italian Grand Prix in 1996 in his first season with Ferrari. What do you remember about that day? How important was that victory for Michael's relationship with Ferrari and the fans?
Piero Ferrari: At the beginning of the Schumacher era, the Ferrari team was not yet ready to regularly fight for victories, but Michael, thanks to his incredible talent, still achieved great results. His victory in Monza in 1996 is a perfect example. It was a performance of a true champion on a track that has special significance for Ferrari.
I think that day was important for Michael's relationship with the fans as well. He had only been with Ferrari for a few months and by that time had already won in Spain and Belgium, but the victory in Monza helped create a bond that grew stronger in the following years.
Michael understood what it meant to race for Ferrari and how important it was for our fans. I think that is why he became such an important part of the team's history and holds a special place in the hearts of the tifosi.
Question: When we talk about Michael Schumacher's legacy at Ferrari, we remember the victories and titles. However, behind these results were qualities such as discipline, teamwork, attention to detail, and a constant pursuit of perfection. Which of these, in your opinion, has had the strongest influence on Ferrari's culture, and what of Michael's approach to work remains in the team today?
Piero Ferrari: During Michael's time, there were significant changes in the approach to work. Before him, the development of the car was mainly based on the driver's feelings, his comments, and the technical data collected on the track. Michael went further and began to study how he himself acted behind the wheel.
I remember how he would take telemetry data home to analyze every aspect of his work in detail, understand where he could improve, and find sections of the track where he could gain time. Such an exceptionally systematic approach, based on data analysis, had a huge impact on Ferrari's culture, and some of its elements are still used in the team today.
Of course, everything was different back then. There were many more tests, and all this analysis helped prepare as effectively as possible for practice, qualifying, and the race. Today, the rules restrict testing much more, but the principle itself remains the same.
Michael showed how important it is to study every detail, use telemetry data as a tool for improvement, and prepare thoroughly even away from the track. I think the ability to analyze one's own work and constantly seek opportunities for improvement is one of the most significant legacies he left to Ferrari.
Question: You have been observing Ferrari's performances in Monza for many decades. Is there anything that, despite all the changes in Formula 1 and in the team, remains unchanged every time Ferrari comes to Monza?
Piero Ferrari: What strikes me the most every time is the warmth of our fans. Monza has always been a special place for Ferrari, and there is always an expectation that the team will achieve something special, regardless of how the season has unfolded up to that point.
The unique atmosphere at the racetrack, the support from fans, and the passion that you feel here create a special energy for the entire team. This helps every employee and driver to give their best.
Question: Michael Schumacher won the Italian Grand Prix in 1996 in his first season with Ferrari. What do you remember about that day? How important was that victory for Michael's relationship with Ferrari and the fans?
Piero Ferrari: At the beginning of the Schumacher era, the Ferrari team was not yet ready to regularly fight for victories, but Michael, thanks to his incredible talent, still achieved great results. His victory in Monza in 1996 is a perfect example. It was a performance of a true champion on a track that has special significance for Ferrari.
I think that day was important for Michael's relationship with the fans as well. He had only been with Ferrari for a few months and by that time had already won in Spain and Belgium, but the victory in Monza helped create a bond that grew stronger in the following years.
Michael understood what it meant to race for Ferrari and how important it was for our fans. I think that is why he became such an important part of the team's history and holds a special place in the hearts of the tifosi.
Question: When we talk about Michael Schumacher's legacy at Ferrari, we remember the victories and titles. However, behind these results were qualities such as discipline, teamwork, attention to detail, and a constant pursuit of perfection. Which of these, in your opinion, has had the strongest influence on Ferrari's culture, and what of Michael's approach to work remains in the team today?
Piero Ferrari: During Michael's time, there were significant changes in the approach to work. Before him, the development of the car was mainly based on the driver's feelings, his comments, and the technical data collected on the track. Michael went further and began to study how he himself acted behind the wheel.
I remember how he would take telemetry data home to analyze every aspect of his work in detail, understand where he could improve, and find sections of the track where he could gain time. Such an exceptionally systematic approach, based on data analysis, had a huge impact on Ferrari's culture, and some of its elements are still used in the team today.
Of course, everything was different back then. There were many more tests, and all this analysis helped prepare as effectively as possible for practice, qualifying, and the race. Today, the rules restrict testing much more, but the principle itself remains the same.
Michael showed how important it is to study every detail, use telemetry data as a tool for improvement, and prepare thoroughly even away from the track. I think the ability to analyze one's own work and constantly seek opportunities for improvement is one of the most significant legacies he left to Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc revealed that in the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix, his teammate Lewis Hamilton will have priority in choosing the order of leaving the track.
In most Formula 1 teams, drivers alternate the order of their final attempts from race to race to ensure fairness. In the case of Ferrari at Monza, it will be Hamilton's turn to choose the order of departure, which could potentially give him a significant advantage over Leclerc due to the characteristics of the Italian track.
On the long straights of Monza, slipstreaming provides a decent speed boost, and considering the features of the 2026 power units, the effect of slipstreaming will become even more pronounced.
Charles Leclerc: "As for slipstreaming, we have been following roughly the same principle for many years – at one race, Lewis gets the right to choose the order of leaving the track first, and at the next, that opportunity goes to me. This weekend, Lewis will be the one to choose, and I think he will take the opportunity to get a slipstream.
However, I don’t think we will put one of us at a disadvantage in qualifying for this reason. But if we can help each other and leave for a lap at an optimal distance from each other, we will definitely do that. I will try to get a slipstream from someone else to be in the best position."
In most Formula 1 teams, drivers alternate the order of their final attempts from race to race to ensure fairness. In the case of Ferrari at Monza, it will be Hamilton's turn to choose the order of departure, which could potentially give him a significant advantage over Leclerc due to the characteristics of the Italian track.
On the long straights of Monza, slipstreaming provides a decent speed boost, and considering the features of the 2026 power units, the effect of slipstreaming will become even more pronounced.
Charles Leclerc: "As for slipstreaming, we have been following roughly the same principle for many years – at one race, Lewis gets the right to choose the order of leaving the track first, and at the next, that opportunity goes to me. This weekend, Lewis will be the one to choose, and I think he will take the opportunity to get a slipstream.
However, I don’t think we will put one of us at a disadvantage in qualifying for this reason. But if we can help each other and leave for a lap at an optimal distance from each other, we will definitely do that. I will try to get a slipstream from someone else to be in the best position."
Much of this weekend will be dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Michael Schumacher's first victory behind the wheel of a Ferrari in Monza. We wrote about how Ferrari prepared a special livery for the cars and the suits of their drivers, and the organizers planned many events, many of which will be shared with Ferrari. In particular, during the weekend, former Scuderia drivers will take the wheel of Michael Schumacher's Ferrari F2002 in demonstration laps – Rubens Barrichello will drive a few laps on Saturday before qualifying, and Sebastian Vettel will do so on Sunday before the Grand Prix.
The insufficiently effective operation of the recovery systems this year has become a weak point for the Ferrari SF-26. It is not surprising that the team decided to part ways with the engineer responsible for this area.
A few days before the Italian Grand Prix, changes occurred in the technical headquarters of Scuderia. The head of the ERS department, Thierry Barito, left the team, and his responsibilities will temporarily be taken over by the chief engine engineer, Enrico Gualtieri.
French engineer Thierry Barito had been with Ferrari since October 2000, holding various positions related to both Formula 1 and the company's road cars. In 2017, he became responsible for the recovery and turbocharging systems, taking on a key role in the development of hybrid powertrains.
A few days before the Italian Grand Prix, changes occurred in the technical headquarters of Scuderia. The head of the ERS department, Thierry Barito, left the team, and his responsibilities will temporarily be taken over by the chief engine engineer, Enrico Gualtieri.
French engineer Thierry Barito had been with Ferrari since October 2000, holding various positions related to both Formula 1 and the company's road cars. In 2017, he became responsible for the recovery and turbocharging systems, taking on a key role in the development of hybrid powertrains.
As part of the Formula 1 partnership with Disney, the 20th anniversary of the animated film "Cars" will be celebrated during the weekend in Monza. On this occasion, the Mercedes safety car will change its livery, and the main character of the film, Lightning McQueen, will drive along the track, with whom everyone happily took photos today. "For many, the animated film 'Cars' was their first introduction to racing, so this collaboration is a great way to celebrate the popularity of this sport with characters that many generations know and love," said Formula 1's Commercial Director Emily Prazer.
In the Monza paddock, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali spoke about the calendar, sprint events, and future plans…
Stefano Domenicali: “I want to confirm that as of today, the calendar remains in effect. We have confirmation from Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but I will not discuss what I cannot openly talk about. We are monitoring the situation and are in constant communication. If circumstances do not allow us to fully guarantee safety and the holding of the event, we will have to make other decisions. But for now, I confirm: the calendar is as you know it.
Next Sunday, we have a race in Madrid, on a new track where everything is almost ready or will be ready at the last moment. It’s not ideal, but there’s always room for improvement. Next year we will have Portugal, we will have Turkey. Considering everything we have achieved in recent months, it is clear that we cannot remain stagnant for long.
We should not be satisfied with today’s successes; we need to remain realistic in assessing new growth opportunities. Everything is changing so quickly that if you are not ready to react, you will immediately fall behind.
There will be more sprint events in 2027 than this year. One of them will take place in Monza. For now, I cannot name the exact number, but it will be less than half of the events.
Modern young people prefer the weekend concept where qualifying takes place on Friday instead of practice sessions, which do not interest them. I was the first, as a guardian of tradition, to have doubts about sprint weekends, but the results speak for themselves. Organizers, media, fans — the overwhelming majority have embraced these changes as a dynamic form of sport that brings — I also speak from a commercial perspective — interesting results.
Reducing the race distance in 2027? I see no problem. We are talking about two or three laps. If it were more, that would be worth discussing, but right now it doesn’t concern me.
The discussion on the regulations that will replace the current ones is ongoing. We are communicating about this with the FIA and all stakeholders. When discussing the current rules, everyone was confident that the automotive industry would transition to electric vehicles. It is clear that this is not the case.
We need to understand how to ensure the presence of manufacturers on one hand, while maintaining independence on the other. Obviously, the less complex the technological project in conjunction with the targeted cost and efficiency metrics, the more it contributes to our independence.
There are several key issues. One of them is the use of environmentally friendly fuels. The second is reducing the weight of the cars. We want to see drivers pushing the limits of cars that are obedient to them. The driver must remain the main character.”
Stefano Domenicali: “I want to confirm that as of today, the calendar remains in effect. We have confirmation from Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but I will not discuss what I cannot openly talk about. We are monitoring the situation and are in constant communication. If circumstances do not allow us to fully guarantee safety and the holding of the event, we will have to make other decisions. But for now, I confirm: the calendar is as you know it.
Next Sunday, we have a race in Madrid, on a new track where everything is almost ready or will be ready at the last moment. It’s not ideal, but there’s always room for improvement. Next year we will have Portugal, we will have Turkey. Considering everything we have achieved in recent months, it is clear that we cannot remain stagnant for long.
We should not be satisfied with today’s successes; we need to remain realistic in assessing new growth opportunities. Everything is changing so quickly that if you are not ready to react, you will immediately fall behind.
There will be more sprint events in 2027 than this year. One of them will take place in Monza. For now, I cannot name the exact number, but it will be less than half of the events.
Modern young people prefer the weekend concept where qualifying takes place on Friday instead of practice sessions, which do not interest them. I was the first, as a guardian of tradition, to have doubts about sprint weekends, but the results speak for themselves. Organizers, media, fans — the overwhelming majority have embraced these changes as a dynamic form of sport that brings — I also speak from a commercial perspective — interesting results.
Reducing the race distance in 2027? I see no problem. We are talking about two or three laps. If it were more, that would be worth discussing, but right now it doesn’t concern me.
The discussion on the regulations that will replace the current ones is ongoing. We are communicating about this with the FIA and all stakeholders. When discussing the current rules, everyone was confident that the automotive industry would transition to electric vehicles. It is clear that this is not the case.
We need to understand how to ensure the presence of manufacturers on one hand, while maintaining independence on the other. Obviously, the less complex the technological project in conjunction with the targeted cost and efficiency metrics, the more it contributes to our independence.
There are several key issues. One of them is the use of environmentally friendly fuels. The second is reducing the weight of the cars. We want to see drivers pushing the limits of cars that are obedient to them. The driver must remain the main character.”
In the Monza paddock, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali spoke about the calendar, sprint events, and future plans...
Stefano Domenicali: "I want to confirm that as of today, the calendar remains in effect. We have confirmation from Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but I will not speak about what I cannot discuss openly. We are monitoring developments and are in constant communication. If circumstances do not allow us to fully guarantee safety and the holding of the event, we will have to make other decisions. But for now, I confirm: the calendar is as you know it.
Next Sunday, we have a race in Madrid, at a new track where everything is almost ready or will be ready at the last moment. It’s not ideal, but there’s always room for improvement. Next year we will have Portugal, we will have Turkey. Considering everything we have achieved in recent months, it is clear that we cannot remain stagnant for long.
We should not be satisfied with today’s successes; we need to remain realistic in assessing new growth opportunities. Everything is changing so quickly that if you are not ready to react, you will immediately fall behind.
There will be more sprint events in 2027 than this year. One of them will take place in Monza. For now, I cannot name the exact number, but it will be less than half of the events.
Modern young people prefer the weekend concept where qualifying takes place on Friday instead of practice sessions, which do not interest them. I was the first, as a guardian of tradition, to doubt the weekends with sprints, but the results speak for themselves. Organizers, media, fans—the overwhelming majority have accepted these changes as a dynamic form of sport that brings—I'm also speaking from a commercial perspective—interesting results.
Reducing the race distance in 2027? I see no problem. We are talking about two or three laps. If there were more, it would be worth discussing, but right now it doesn’t concern me.
The discussion on the regulations that will replace the current ones is ongoing. We are communicating about this with the FIA and all stakeholders. When discussing the current rules, everyone was confident that the automotive industry would transition to electric vehicles. It is clear that this is not the case.
We need to understand how, on one hand, to ensure the presence of manufacturers, and on the other, to maintain independence. Obviously, the less complex the technological project in conjunction with target cost and efficiency metrics, the more it contributes to our independence.
There are several key issues. One of them is the use of environmentally friendly fuels. The second is reducing the weight of the cars. We want to see drivers pushing the limits of the cars that are obedient to them. The driver must remain the main character."
Stefano Domenicali: "I want to confirm that as of today, the calendar remains in effect. We have confirmation from Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but I will not speak about what I cannot discuss openly. We are monitoring developments and are in constant communication. If circumstances do not allow us to fully guarantee safety and the holding of the event, we will have to make other decisions. But for now, I confirm: the calendar is as you know it.
Next Sunday, we have a race in Madrid, at a new track where everything is almost ready or will be ready at the last moment. It’s not ideal, but there’s always room for improvement. Next year we will have Portugal, we will have Turkey. Considering everything we have achieved in recent months, it is clear that we cannot remain stagnant for long.
We should not be satisfied with today’s successes; we need to remain realistic in assessing new growth opportunities. Everything is changing so quickly that if you are not ready to react, you will immediately fall behind.
There will be more sprint events in 2027 than this year. One of them will take place in Monza. For now, I cannot name the exact number, but it will be less than half of the events.
Modern young people prefer the weekend concept where qualifying takes place on Friday instead of practice sessions, which do not interest them. I was the first, as a guardian of tradition, to doubt the weekends with sprints, but the results speak for themselves. Organizers, media, fans—the overwhelming majority have accepted these changes as a dynamic form of sport that brings—I'm also speaking from a commercial perspective—interesting results.
Reducing the race distance in 2027? I see no problem. We are talking about two or three laps. If there were more, it would be worth discussing, but right now it doesn’t concern me.
The discussion on the regulations that will replace the current ones is ongoing. We are communicating about this with the FIA and all stakeholders. When discussing the current rules, everyone was confident that the automotive industry would transition to electric vehicles. It is clear that this is not the case.
We need to understand how, on one hand, to ensure the presence of manufacturers, and on the other, to maintain independence. Obviously, the less complex the technological project in conjunction with target cost and efficiency metrics, the more it contributes to our independence.
There are several key issues. One of them is the use of environmentally friendly fuels. The second is reducing the weight of the cars. We want to see drivers pushing the limits of the cars that are obedient to them. The driver must remain the main character."
For the home stage of the season, the Ferrari team brought an updated power unit, refined as part of the ADUO program. Not only the Scuderia drivers will receive the new unit, but also customer teams, although not all of them. At Haas, the upgraded engine will only be installed in Oliver Berman's car, while Esteban Ocon will have to race this weekend with the previous version of the engine, but with aerodynamic updates.
Esteban Ocon: "I won't have a fully updated car. As for aerodynamics, there will be updates, but I won't receive the upgraded engine as part of ADUO – we only have one such engine. So I will have to race with the old version of the power unit, which will certainly be a noticeable disadvantage. But I will get the updated aerodynamics, so let's see what we can achieve.
I am looking forward to trying the updated car on the track on Friday. We have a new aerodynamic package. On Tuesday, I tested it in the simulator, and the car felt better there. Of course, now we need to transfer those feelings to the track, which doesn't always guarantee the same result.
Everyone in the team is eagerly waiting to see what the car will be capable of. Of course, Monza is not the most representative track for this update, so we won't see the full gain. Most likely, we will be able to fully assess it in Madrid. But it is still interesting to compare the sensations from the car in the Lesmo and Parabolica corners with what it was before. The updates are quite significant, and I am looking forward to trying them out."
Esteban Ocon: "I won't have a fully updated car. As for aerodynamics, there will be updates, but I won't receive the upgraded engine as part of ADUO – we only have one such engine. So I will have to race with the old version of the power unit, which will certainly be a noticeable disadvantage. But I will get the updated aerodynamics, so let's see what we can achieve.
I am looking forward to trying the updated car on the track on Friday. We have a new aerodynamic package. On Tuesday, I tested it in the simulator, and the car felt better there. Of course, now we need to transfer those feelings to the track, which doesn't always guarantee the same result.
Everyone in the team is eagerly waiting to see what the car will be capable of. Of course, Monza is not the most representative track for this update, so we won't see the full gain. Most likely, we will be able to fully assess it in Madrid. But it is still interesting to compare the sensations from the car in the Lesmo and Parabolica corners with what it was before. The updates are quite significant, and I am looking forward to trying them out."
Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto arrived in Monza in great spirits and is looking forward to the weekend with optimism…
Gabriel Bortoleto: “We are feeling optimistic. The team has scored points for four races in a row, and I hope we can also fight for a top ten here. Let’s see what we can achieve in the end.
There are several interesting tracks ahead. Madrid will surely be great – we haven’t raced there yet, so it will all be a first. I’ve heard that the track is quite challenging, and there were many red flags during the Formula 3 tests. And Singapore has a good track as well – it’s always hot there and exciting to race.”
Gabriel Bortoleto: “We are feeling optimistic. The team has scored points for four races in a row, and I hope we can also fight for a top ten here. Let’s see what we can achieve in the end.
There are several interesting tracks ahead. Madrid will surely be great – we haven’t raced there yet, so it will all be a first. I’ve heard that the track is quite challenging, and there were many red flags during the Formula 3 tests. And Singapore has a good track as well – it’s always hot there and exciting to race.”
Almost three months have passed since the Monaco Grand Prix, but the saga of reviewing its results continues, and it has just been announced that the decision of the FIA International Appeal Court has been made. The essence of it is that following the hearings held on August 25, a final verdict has been issued: Pierre Gasly's penalty for speeding in the pit lane, which was initially overturned, is now reinstated. Thus, the Alpine F1 driver has once again lost his podium position and dropped to 7th place in the Monaco Grand Prix standings, while Isaac Hajar, competing for Red Bull Racing, has returned to the podium. The text of the verdict spans 26 pages, detailing the history of the issue, the logic behind the stewards' decisions made on race day, the logic of subsequent events, and, of course, explaining why it was ultimately decided to reinstate Gasly's penalty and return Hajar to the podium. Naturally, the factory team of the Renault group immediately reacted to this decision, issuing the following statement: "The team expresses disappointment and dissatisfaction with the outcomes of the hearings conducted by the International Appeal Court regarding the results of the Monaco Grand Prix 2026. Although we disagree with this decision and remain convinced that car No. 10 did not exceed the speed limit in the pit lane at any point during the race, the team acknowledges the verdict issued following the hearings in Paris. While the results are not what we hoped for, as we believe we were unfairly penalized, the team is fully focused on working to improve results on the track and continues to fight in the World Championship. This decision will not affect the team's efforts and its determination to achieve the goals set for the end of the season."