Motorsport News — Smoko News Sport

Isack Hadjar set for Belgian GP grid penalty after F1 engine change

Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar is set to start this weekend's Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after taking a his fifth power unit of 2026.Hadjar has been given his fifth internal combustion engine, turbocharger and exhaust system, exceeding his season's maximum allowance of…

Formula 119d ago

F1 Belgian GP: Max Verstappen quickest in FP1 over Lewis Hamilton

Max Verstappen headlined the opening Formula 1 practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix, just over a tenth clear of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton as Red Bull demonstrated strong early pace.The Red Bull pair traded times at the top of the timesheets in the first 20 minutes of the session, Verstappen…

Formula 119d ago

Kimi Antonelli reveals Roger Federer's advice for F1 title fight after Wimbledon meeting

Current Formula 1 drivers' championship leader Kimi Antonelli has revealed the invaluable advice he received from 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer at Wimbledon.Following a disappointing British Grand Prix, in which he finished 15th after one of his wheel covers became dislodged and he…

Formula 120d ago

Has Haas actually been outdeveloped by its F1 rivals?

Formula 1’s new era got off to a great start for the Haas team as Oliver Bearman shone early on, but things have become trickier of late.After the first two grands prix of the season, Haas lay fourth in the constructors’ championship – ahead of Red Bull – courtesy of Bearman’s standout results…

Formula 120d ago

The story behind Max Verstappen signing a Belgian McLaren F1 junior

While Max Verstappen himself has been heavily linked with McLaren in recent weeks, on Thursday morning he made an intriguing announcement that connects the two parties in a very different way.Verstappen has entered into a partnership with Belgian talent Dries Van Langendonck, who is currently…

Formula 120d ago

Lance Stroll: If Aston Martin is still slow in Hungary with upgrades then Honda updates won’t fix all our problems

In Hungary next week, the last round before the summer break, Aston Martin Racing will introduce a major upgrade package for the first time this season.The new parts will primarily aim to correct the weaknesses of the AMR26 chassis, while the next improvements to the Honda engine will arrive after…

Formula 120d ago

‘Like being asked to draw the Mona Lisa’ – How George Russell is struggling to match Kimi Antonelli

Arguably not everyone can paint – and even if you happen to be a talented painter, could you imagine reproducing the most famous work of art in the world to the most meticulous level of detail?That’s the challenge George Russell feels he has been facing in the 2026 Formula 1 season.When Mercedes…

Formula 120d ago

Williams under fire as Carlos Sainz is "getting nowhere" in bid to turn team around

Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes Carlos Sainz is "getting nowhere" in his determined attempts to lead Williams out of its current performance slump.Palmer addressed recent comments from Sainz, who admitted to feeling frustrated and concerned after an upgraded front wing on the FW48…

Formula 120d ago

"Not the same challenge" or an "interesting" exercise? - Drivers on Spa's appeal in F1 2026

Formula 1's current battery-driven formula has changed the face of a number of iconic tracks and corners this year, but nowhere is the difference expected to be as striking as at driver favourite Spa-Francorchamps.Despite various mitigating measures, including reduced energy deployment limits and…

Formula 120d ago

F1 Belgian GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch

Formula 1 heads to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend after Charles Leclerc's British grand prix win gave Ferrari another sign of momentum in the fight with Mercedes.Kimi Antonelli still leads the championship, but his advantage over George Russell has been cut to 25 points after a difficult run since…

Formula 120d ago

What Max Verstappen did – and didn't – say about his F1 future and McLaren at Spa

When Max Verstappen took his seat on the red sofa for Thursday afternoon's official FIA press conference, it was immediately clear what the next half hour would largely revolve around.Earlier that morning, Verstappen had announced a collaboration with McLaren junior Dries Van Langendonck, but most…

Formula 120d ago

Lewis Hamilton still avoiding Ferrari’s F1 sim: ‘It’s helped me massively’

Lewis Hamilton has maintained his approach of not using Ferrari’s Formula 1 simulator – and that’s for the better, according to him.Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix in May, Hamilton decided to stop using the simulator in Maranello because he felt the correlation was not good enough and he couldn’t…

Formula 120d ago

Charles Leclerc: Merging "aggressive" style with F1 2026 cars is this year's biggest challenge

Charles Leclerc believes that the main challenge of 2026 has emerged in attempting to marry his "aggressive" driving style with the demands of the current Formula 1 machinery.The Monegasque said he made a few changes in his approach to the British Grand Prix weekend in order to get the most out of…

Formula 120d ago

David Coulthard recalls violent Spa crash that left him with broken leg

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has reflected on the unforgiving nature of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, recalling his terrifying junior formula crash that resulted in a broken leg.The 13-time grand prix winner detailed the difference between modern F1 machinery and 1990s cars when…

Formula 120d ago

Red Bull reverts to conventional rear wing in Belgium after worrying Max Verstappen crashes

Red Bull is switching back to its original 2026 Formula 1 rear wing after a brace of worrying offs for Max Verstappen with its upside-down concept.Rival team Ferrari was the first squad to roll out what it dubbed a 'Macarena' rear wing in winter testing, with a main flap that rotated 180 degrees…

Formula 120d ago

Former F1 presenter identifies Aston Martin "red flag" amid performance struggles

Will Buxton has pointed to a major "red flag" at Aston Martin after Adrian Newey admitted that the team may not have spent enough time consulting its drivers during the car's development phase.Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, Buxton, former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard and Sky Sports pundit…

Formula 120d ago

David Coulthard warns FIA intervention could stifle F1 innovation

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has cautioned the FIA against regulating technical innovation out of the championship, warning that banning unique engineering developments could damage F1's core DNA.Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast alongside broadcaster Will Buxton and former W Series…

Formula 121d ago

Lando Norris faces Belgium GP grid drop as McLaren takes new Mercedes F1 power unit parts

McLaren driver Lando Norris is facing a 10-place grid drop at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps as his team is fitting new Mercedes Formula 1 power unit components. Norris had been at risk for engine related penalties earlier than planned after suffering a series of reliability…

Formula 121d ago

James Hinchcliffe names Ferrari's best hope of beating Mercedes

Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer and IndyCar Series race winner James Hinchcliffe believe Ferrari must make the difficult decision to favour Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc if it is to mount a serious challenge against Mercedes this season.Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, the pair…

Formula 121d ago

Aston Martin "flat out" on AMR26 Hungary updates, spares in short supply

Aston Martin's planned Formula 1 upgrade package for Hungary has been a "big undertaking" for the team, according to chief trackside officer Mike Krack, who hopes to have both cars ready in time with the new parts.The Silverstone squad has endured a dismal start to 2026, with the sole highlight…

Formula 121d ago

Is this the luckiest F1 fan on the planet?

You’re a lucky man…“You can say that again! It's been pretty incredible so far this year.”What made you want to attend every single race of the season? “It’s been on my bucket list since I was a teenager, but I never thought it was really possible. I’d only been to five races before last year but…

Formula 121d ago

Mercedes told Max Verstappen-Kimi Antonelli partnership would be "recipe for disaster"

Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer has warned Mercedes that pairing Max Verstappen with Kimi Antonelli would be a "recipe for disaster" should a seat become available at the Brackley outfit.Verstappen has been at the centre of rumours linking him to Mercedes for some time and, more recently, to…

Formula 121d ago

Max Verstappen signs McLaren junior driver Dries van Langendonck

Max Verstappen has signed McLaren junior driver Dries van Langendonck to his racing team, marking the first move by the four-time Formula 1 world champion into driver development.The Red Bull driver’s Verstappen Racing squad will provide “additional support and guidance” to van Langendonck as he…

Formula 121d ago

Damon Hill reveals the F1 career lesson he wishes he had learned earlier

1996 Formula 1 champion Damon Hill has admitted he realised "a little bit too late" in his career how crucial it is for a driver to actively galvanise the workforce around them.Pointing to the likes of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel as the benchmark, Hill discussed the psychological and…

Formula 121d ago

James Vowles explains how Williams F1 delays could be "one of the best things"

Williams team principal James Vowles believes the production delays suffered by the Grove outfit over the winter and early stages of the 2026 Formula 1 season could ultimately prove to be "one of the best things" to happen to the team.Speaking to a live audience at the Goodwood Festival of Speed…

Formula 121d ago

Sergio Perez opens up about mental toll of partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull

Sergio Perez has opened up about the mental toll of partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull, revealing he sought the help of a psychologist after the team repeatedly suggested his on-track struggles were the result of psychological issues. The Mexican driver, who returned to the Formula 1 grid with…

Formula 121d ago

Franco Colapinto opens up about the toughest moment of his F1 career

After Logan Sargeant suffered a heavy crash during the third free practice session at Zandvoort and watched his Williams go up in flames, Formula 1 team principal James Vowles decided it was time to make a change.On 27 August, Sargeant was officially dropped and replaced by Colapinto for the…

Formula 121d ago

George Russell shares school exam mindset behind his F1 success

Mercedes driver George Russell has drawn a unique parallel between preparing for a Formula 1 grand prix and studying for a school exam.The Briton was speaking on the Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show following his home grand prix at Silverstone, where he managed to secure a second-place finish.Following…

Formula 122d ago

Five things to look out for at the F1 Belgian GP

Formula 1 is back after a week off with a fan favourite in Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix.This will be the 10th round of the 2026 campaign and the first as part of a double header before the Hungarian Grand Prix leads F1 into its annual summer break.So, here are five things to look…

Formula 122d ago

Gabriel Bortoleto: F1 hasn't lost its 'magic'; drivers need to "turn the page" on 2026 complaints

Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto has suggested that drivers should “turn the page” on their grievances over the 2026 regulations, and is adamant that Formula 1 hasn’t lost its magic. The switch from the 2022-25 regulations, in which drivers had become accustomed to high-downforce cars that could take even…

Formula 122d ago

Pierre Gasly tests new A110 Future prototype with Duke of Richmond at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Pierre Gasly had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of Alpine's all-electric A110 Future prototype at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.After arriving at the Goodwood estate just days after securing a double points finish for Alpine at the British Grand Prix with his team-mate Franco Colapinto…

Formula 122d ago

Ollie Bearman hailed as "class act" after emotional Ayrton Senna Lotus drive

British Formula 1 driver Ollie Bearman has been praised by fans and branded an all-round "class act" after an emotional run in Ayrton Senna's legendary 1985 Lotus. The 21-year-old was invited to drive the famous black-and-gold Lotus 97T around the Silverstone circuit alongside former F1 driver and…

Formula 122d ago

Exclusive: Pirelli explains the role of wheel‑rim development and driving styles on 2026 F1 tyres

Formula 1 is currently going through a phase of transformation that touches every area of the car, and to truly understand it, it’s essential to tell the story through the words of those who are experiencing this revolution from the inside. It’s often said that mastering tyre usage is fundamental…

Formula 122d ago

Win the dream ticket to attend every F1 race next season

When F1 fan Brandon Burgess spent his entire savings going to every race last season, it gave the sport’s global sponsor Heineken a good idea. They created a carbon fibre season ticket that lets one lucky fan and a friend follow in his footsteps – and next season it could be you.Burgess did the…

Formula 122d ago

Should F1 really get louder in 2031? Our verdict

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and his Formula 1 counterpart Stefano Domenicali are keen on F1 cars returning to naturally aspirated V8s from 2031 or even 2030.The majority of power unit manufacturers appear to be aligned on advanced sustainable fuels and a modest amount of electrification…

Formula 123d ago

Honda confirms when its new F1 power unit will be introduced on Aston Martin car

Honda will introduce an updated power unit on Aston Martin’s Formula 1 car at the Dutch Grand Prix, Shintaro Orihara suggests.Honda trackside general manager and chief engineer Orihara made the comment in the brand’s Belgian Grand Prix preview, stating there would be “two more races” until the…

Formula 123d ago

Liam Lawson left "shaking" after driving Bruce McLaren's Le Mans-winning Ford GT40 at Goodwood

Liam Lawson has reflected on the "indescribable" feeling of driving the iconic #2 Ford GT40 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, an experience that left the Racing Bulls Formula 1 driver "shaking".The New Zealander was given the rare opportunity to get behind the wheel of the machine that his fellow…

Formula 123d ago

Max Verstappen 'absolutely regrets' not signing with Mercedes, says Guenther Steiner

Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes Max Verstappen "absolutely" regrets not accepting past offers to join Mercedes, claiming that the door for the four-time champion to make the switch is firmly closed.Verstappen's future has been the subject of intense scrutiny in the…

Formula 123d ago

How British GP win might help Charles Leclerc “massively” in F1 2026

A crash in Monaco. A technical fault at Barcelona. A lowly eighth in Austria. Charles Leclerc had never endured such a poor run of form since Ferrari’s tricky 2020 Formula 1 campaign – but he ended it in the best possible way at Silverstone.Leclerc took the lead at the start in Northamptonshire and…

Formula 123d ago

Sergio Perez reveals personal goal behind Cadillac F1 return after tough Red Bull stint

Sergio Perez has revealed that his return to Formula 1 with Cadillac was fuelled by a desire to prove he remains "one of the best" in the championship, following a mentally taxing end to his Red Bull tenure. After taking a much-needed year out to recharge from what he described as a "toxic" final…