Motorsport News — Smoko News Sport

Max Verstappen commits to Red Bull until end of F1 2030

Max Verstappen had quashed any speculation about his future in Formula 1 by signing a new contract with Red Bull until the end of 2030.While Verstappen’s current deal already extended until the end of 2028, his dislike for the new generation of cars and exploits in other disciplines of motorsport…

Formula 148d ago

Liam Lawson's unexpected Red Bull call-up rewards his perseverance

Call it cosmic karma or poetic justice, but on the scene of Liam Lawson's Formula 1 debut, deputising for Daniel Ricciardo in 2023, the New Zealander is again replacing a driver in the Red Bull stable at Zandvoort because of a hand injury.Lawson eventually used his five-race stint with AlphaTauri…

Formula 148d ago

Five things to look out for at the F1 Dutch GP

This weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix marks the return of Formula 1 from its 2026 summer shutdown with the end of the season now firmly in sight.Zandvoort represents the halfway point of the campaign with championships being decided, legacies made and grid seats for the following season being won or lost…

Formula 148d ago

Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers

Trying to name Formula 1's single greatest driver is difficult enough. Narrowing more than 75 years of grand prix racing down to four drivers is arguably even harder.Earlier this summer, Motorsport assembled a panel of 10 journalists from Motorsport, Autosport and Yahoo to rank the 25 greatest…

Formula 148d ago

Carlos Sainz to remain at Williams for F1 2027

Williams has confirmed its driver line-up for the 2027 Formula 1 season after announcing the commitment of Carlos Sainz on a multi-year deal.The Spaniard’s news comes a day after team-mate Alex Albon agreed just a one-season extension for next year, which will be the Thai-Briton’s sixth campaign…

Formula 148d ago

Guenther Steiner "wouldn't discount" F1-MotoGP double-header within five years

Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes a joint race weekend featuring both F1 and MotoGP could become a reality within the next five years, identifying venues such as Silverstone as potential hosts for a historic one-off event.Speculation surrounding potential collaboration…

Formula 148d ago

David Coulthard predicts Zandvoort will never return to F1 calendar

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard believes the championship will never return to Zandvoort, citing severe physical and commercial constraints ahead of the venue's final Dutch Grand Prix. The coastal circuit is preparing to host its final scheduled F1 event this weekend. After making a…

Formula 148d ago

FIA sets date for McLaren and Red Bull's Monaco GP appeal

Next week, the FIA will hear the appeals from McLaren and Red Bull against the decision to reinstate Pierre Gasly’s podium at the Monaco Grand Prix.The Alpine driver crossed the line in third on 7 June but two five-second penalties for pitlane speeding demoted a furious Gasly to seventh, handing…

Formula 148d ago

Isack Hadjar to miss F1 Dutch GP, Red Bull replacement confirmed

Red Bull has officially confirmed that Liam Lawson will replace the injured Isack Hadjar at this weekend’s Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix.News emerged on Wednesday morning that Hadjar had sustained a wrist injury from a gym session and was therefore set to skip Zandvoort, with a formal decision…

Formula 148d ago

How F1 drivers spent the 2026 summer beak

Formula 1's mandatory summer shutdown has given the paddock a much-needed chance to recharge ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. With the drivers now returning to work in the lead-up to the race at Zandvoort, they have shared a glimpse of how they spent their time off.Here is what the F1 drivers have…

Formula 148d ago

F1 pre-start procedure to stay despite FIA saying it is no longer a safety issue

After the practice starts during winter testing in Bahrain proved rather problematic for several Formula 1 outfits, the issue quickly sparked a political debate in the paddock.Many teams wanted more time during the starting procedure to spool their turbochargers and build up the revs, but Ferrari…

Formula 148d ago

Cadillac "wouldn't be on the grid" without Graeme Lowdon, says former F1 TV host

Former Formula 1 broadcaster Will Buxton has praised Graeme Lowdon following his abrupt exit from his role as Cadillac team principal, insisting the American outfit would not be on the grid today without him.Cadillac announced during the summer break that after just 11 races of its debut campaign…

Formula 148d ago

Isack Hadjar could miss F1 Dutch GP with Red Bull replacement plan already in place

Max Verstappen could have a different team-mate alongside him for his final home race on the Formula 1 calendar. Isack Hadjar is dealing with a wrist injury sustained during a gym session ahead of the race weekend at Zandvoort and could be forced to miss the Dutch Grand Prix.Laurent Mekies' team…

Formula 149d ago

"No nine to five cruise" - The rewarding challenge of assembling Cadillac's trackside team from scratch

When brand-new entrant Cadillac started its search for a race team manager, still a full year removed from joining the 2026 Formula 1 grid, it didn't have to look very long, or far, to identify the right target.Over at Haas, F1's previous start-up team in 2016, long serving team manager Peter…

Formula 149d ago

Alex Albon commits to Williams F1 team for 2027

Alex Albon will stay at Williams for a sixth consecutive Formula 1 season in 2027 after agreeing a short-term contract extension.Albon joined Williams ahead of the 2022 season and was one of several drivers out of contract at the end of this year, amid speculation over his and team-mate Carlos…

Formula 149d ago

Lewis Hamilton vs Michael Schumacher: You decide F1's greatest driver

Our Top 25 Formula 1 drivers ranking produced the one result nobody could ignore: a dead heat at number one.After 10 journalists from Motorsport, Autosport and Yahoo Sports submitted their individual top-25 rankings, a clear result emerged: Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher finished level at…

Formula 149d ago

"We need to put a limit on it" – Franco Colapinto opens up about online abuse in F1

Formula 1 has grown significantly in recent years, not least on social media. While that is essentially a positive development, one downside has been the considerable increase in online abuse aimed at drivers and others working in the pinnacle of motorsport.The FIA and F1 are trying to tackle the…

Formula 149d ago

Guenther Steiner opens up on breakdown of relationship with Gene Haas

Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has shed new light on his relationship with team owner Gene Haas following his exit from the team, confirming that he currently has "no relationship" with his former boss.Steiner parted ways with the American outfit at the end of the 2023 season…

Formula 149d ago

FIA happy for F1's Macarena wings to stay, Red Bull had to do "more work"

One of the most eye-catching innovations of the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season has been the rotating rear wing, quickly dubbed the Macarena wing by Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur.Ferrari was the first to unveil the concept during winter testing and managed to surprise several…

Formula 149d ago

F1 fans praise Gabriel Bortoleto's brutally honest "Passenger Princess" appearance

Audi Formula 1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto has featured on Amelia Dimoldenberg's Passenger Princess YouTube series.Filmed during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, the Brazilian driver taught the presenter speed control and how to hit the apex.As they took on the fun challenges in the Audi RS 5 Avant…

Formula 149d ago

Christian Horner announces UK book tour for new memoir following Red Bull F1 exit

Former Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal Christian Horner has announced a UK book tour this autumn to coincide with the release of his new memoir, Drive.The 52-year-old revealed the tour will provide fans with the rare opportunity to speak with him directly through live Q&A sessions where he…

Formula 149d ago

F1 launches new "Five Lights" campaign narrated by Colin Farrell

Formula 1 has launched a new global marketing campaign, Five Lights, ahead of its return from the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix. The campaign will be narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Colin Farrell.The 90-second film, which debuted on 16 August, includes appearances from all 22 of…

Formula 150d ago

Former F1 team boss reveals bizarre way he warned staff about "Drive to Survive" microphones

Former Formula 1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer has revealed the bizarre method he used to warn his colleagues that he was wearing a microphone for Netflix's Drive to Survive cameras.The popular docuseries gave fans unprecedented access to the F1 paddock, but this meant those within the…

Formula 150d ago

F1 veteran Yuki Tsunoda in talks for 2027 IndyCar seat with Meyer Shank

Formula 1 veteran Yuki Tsunoda could be preparing for a major career pivot and cross the Atlantic for a 2027 IndyCar Series campaign. Motorsport.com understands Tsunoda is vying for the #66 Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) Honda entry, marking a potential second act in North American open-wheel racing…

Formula 150d ago

The 25 greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, ranked

Ranking Formula 1 drivers across generations is an exercise almost designed to start an argument. Cars, calendars, safety standards and levels of competition have changed enormously since the world championship began, making direct comparisons between eras inherently imperfect.To see where a…

Formula 150d ago

Guenther Steiner admits he stayed at Haas F1 team "two years too long"

Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has admitted that he stayed at the American outfit "two years too long".Steiner, who built the team from scratch ahead of its 2016 F1 debut with the backing of team owner Gene Haas, left the role at the end of the 2023 season when his contract…

Formula 150d ago

Mercedes: "Too early" to favour Kimi Antonelli in F1 2026 title fight

Mercedes reckons it is “far too early” to prioritise Kimi Antonelli or George Russell in the 2026 Formula 1 world title fight amid the threat of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari.The Silver Arrows have been the dominant outfit at the start of this regulation cycle, winning eight of the opening 11 grands…

Formula 150d ago

Isack Hadjar turns viral Dutch GP trophy moment into special Red Bull helmet design

Red Bull has revealed special-edition helmets and race suits for four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen and his team-mate Isack Hadjar for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, with Hadjar's helmet design incorporating his broken trophy from last season.With Zandvoort hosting its final F1 race this…

Formula 150d ago

Allan McNish reveals qualities that give Gabriel Bortoleto “a lot of potential”

Audi racing director Allan McNish has delved into the mindset that makes Gabriel Bortoleto a competent Formula 1 driver.Back-to-back Formula 3 and Formula 2 champion Bortoleto made his world championship debut with the Hinwil-based outfit (then Sauber) last year.After being outscored by veteran…

Formula 150d ago

Rob Smedley reveals why he turned down F1 team principal roles

Former Ferrari and Williams race engineer Rob Smedley has revealed that he has recently been approached for Formula 1 team principal roles, but he turned them down.Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast alongside former Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer and broadcaster Jake Humphrey, Smedley…

Formula 150d ago

What makes Honda's F1 project completely different from its Red Bull years

When Adrian Newey appeared at the FIA team principals' press conference during the Formula 1 season opener in Melbourne, the legendary designer attracted attention for several reasons.Newey spoke openly about Honda's battery problems, acknowledged that his role as team principal had distracted him…

Formula 150d ago

Otmar Szafnauer opens door to F1 comeback but hints at different role

Former Force India, Aston Martin and Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer has revealed he remains open to a Formula 1 comeback, though he says any potential return to the paddock might not be in a team principal role.Szafnauer, who spent over a decade leading the Silverstone outfit through its Force India…

Formula 150d ago

Arvid Lindblad opens up on Liam Lawson relationship at Racing Bulls

Racing Bulls Formula 1 rookie Arvid Lindblad has shed light on his partnership with team-mate Liam Lawson.The 19-year-old Briton has impressed during the first half of his debut campaign. After picking up four points at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix with an eighth-place finish, he missed…

Formula 150d ago

The biggest driver transfers in F1 history

The motorsport world is waiting with bated breath for Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen to decide their Formula 1 futures, as the two world champions are pipped as the first dominoes that need to fall to kick off a raft of driver transfers ahead of 2027.While there is no guarantee that either…

Formula 151d ago

Honda reveals timeline to become a "top competitor" in F1 again

The first months of Honda's partnership with Aston Martin have been downright painful, but the Japanese manufacturer is now looking ahead again.Honda’s F1 project looks completely different from its glory years with Red Bull in terms of personnel, which led Honda to realise in January that the…

Formula 151d ago

F1 2026 mid-season grades: Mercedes' early dominance evaporates as reliability woes strike

After four years in the doldrums with a tough to tame ground-effect car, Toto Wolff's Mercedes empire was desperate to strike back. The combined efforts of its chassis team in Brackley and its power unit division in Brixworth came up with a rocket ship, but enduring reliability problems are taking…

Formula 151d ago

The best drives of the 2026 F1 season so far, according to our writers

Formula 1’s competitive order was shaken up in 2026 with the roll out of sweeping new regulations across the chassis, aerodynamics and power units. Mercedes came out on top, with it now leading the constructors’ standings and Kimi Antonelli is on top in the drivers’ championship.But the team hasn’t…

Formula 152d ago

F1 2026 mid-season grades: Innovative Ferrari impresses with strong start

Was Fred Vasseur playing with fire when he decided Ferrari should switch focus to 2026 as early as April last year? Perhaps so, but with the Scuderia unable to catch McLaren the Frenchman made the rational and correct call, even if it didn't necessarily go down well with the expectant Italian…

Formula 152d ago

Gabriel Bortoleto expects long-term stay at Audi's F1 team

Gabriel Bortoleto expects to remain at Audi for the long-term, stating that he has a deal with the Swiss-German Formula 1 outfit to cover the next few seasons.The Brazilian joined the team in 2025 for its final season as Sauber and scored 19 points in his rookie year, and across 2026 has scored 10…

Formula 152d ago

Mercedes no longer needs Max Verstappen, says Guenther Steiner

Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes Mercedes' need to sign Max Verstappen has faded, suggesting the Brackley outfit has already found "the next Max Verstappen" in Kimi Antonelli.Verstappen's F1 future has been the subject of paddock rumours for some time, particularly…