ROUND 13 RESULTS | MONZA | ITALY | FORMULA 1

 

LANDO NORRIS UNVEILS BRAND NEW F1 FEEDER SERIES TEAM CALLED 'LN4 FUSION'

Norris announces new Motorsport Venture

Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris is looking toward the future of Motorsport, co-founding a junior single-seater team and development programme called LN4 Fusion.

It’s been a big week for Norris, with the Briton announcing a contract extension to remain with McLaren until at least 2030, as well as launching a new pathway to help young racing talent on their way to the coveted F1 series.

LN4 Fusion is currently participating in a unique British Formula 4 testing programme, hoping to secure a grid spot in the coming seasons. Additionally, the team has entered the F2 team selection process ahead of the 2027 season.

But the British team has already secured entries into some of Motorsport’s most coveted Feeder Series. In the coming season, LN4 Fusion will feature in Italian F4, the Formula Regional European Championship and even Formula 3. Crucially, the team have acquired select assets of the current AIX Racing team, ultimately securing its place on the grid until the end of 2027.

Ahead of its inaugural season, LN4 Fusion has secured some of motorsport’s most exciting names. Leading the charge is Rene Rosin. The Italian has had 40 years of Motorsport experience, most well-known for his involvement with the iconic PREMA Racing team.

Meanwhile, Dan Hazlewood will lead LN4 Fusion’s UK operations. Hazlewood has successfully led the Fusion Motorsport Karting team in recent years, serving as a crucial figure for the upcoming team.

Alongside the new team, Norris is launching the LN4 Legacy Programme, an independent and fully funded driver development programme operated by ADD Management. Julian Rouse will lead the programme. It aims to identify and support outstanding young Motorsport talent, giving them access to elite coaching, mentoring and career support, all of which Norris deemed crucial on his journey to becoming an F1 World Champion.

Reactions from the LN4 Fusion team

When reflecting on the team, Norris highlighted the importance of this project to him. Emphasising that whilst Motorsport is a difficult path to follow for many, he hopes this new venture can create ‘new opportunities’ for the next generation.

“I’ve been really lucky to have some amazing people around me throughout my career, and I know that getting to Formula 1 takes so much more than just talent,” Norris explained.

“You need the right people around you, the right support and the right opportunities at the right time. That’s what these two projects are all about. LN4 Fusion is about building a race team that can compete with the best in junior motorsport, with great people and a great environment for drivers to develop.

“The LN4 Legacy Programme is about helping talented young drivers get opportunities they might not otherwise have.

“For me, they naturally fit together. I want to help create opportunities for the next generation, both on and off the track, and hopefully make a real difference to young drivers coming through the sport.”

Team Principal Rosin explained the importance of Norris’ involvement in the new venture. Claiming he is excited to build the team in the right direction.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute my experience to an independent, vision-driven sporting programme with strong backing, a clear long-term vision and the resources required to build it properly.

“Having Lando on board adds a further dimension to this project. He has come through the junior single-seater ranks and understands its demands. His involvement will make a real difference to the team.”

- Tiana Soans

NORRIS DISPUTES ANTONELLI'S MERCEDES CLAIM AFTER BEATING CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER AT DUTCH GP

Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli.Photo: RacePictures

Lando Norris has disputed Kimi Antonelli's claim that Mercedes are no longer the fastest car in Formula 1, after beating the Italian to victory at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Antonelli finished second at Zandvoort, after the championship leader was overtaken by the reigning champion, who went on to claim his second consecutive victory after his triumph in Hungary.

The Mercedes teenager, who only has one win in his last six races, after winning five back-to-back races prior to that, claimed after the race that he now only has the 'second or third best car'. However, Norris disagreed with his rival's assessment, arguing that Mercedes remain the benchmark despite McLaren's victory.

Antonelli: 'We're clearly not the fastest car anymore'

Speaking in the post-race press conference, Antonelli told the media: "We're clearly not the fastest car anymore on the grid. We’re probably second or third, at least in today’s race, and McLaren has taken a huge step, especially since Hungary, since the big upgrade package they brought.

"But I’m confident with the team. You know, the team has been working super hard on this next package that is coming up, and they just want to make sure that it’s going to work out well once we put it on.

"So for sure, in this race, it’s going to be more difficult, it’s going to be challenging, but we’re ready to do our best and to maximise every opportunity. And then hopefully it’s going to be our turn to bring the package that’s going to give us a little bit of the upper hand again.

Norris disagrees with Antonelli's Mercedes claim

Norris, who showed up at the press conference later than the two Mercedes drivers who joined him on the podium, disagreed with Antonelli insisting they still have the 'better all-round performing car'. He also credited his own performance after his second consecutive victory.

Asked about Antonelli's comments, he responded: "Well, they’re not going to say themselves, are they? So, yeah, no, they’re not going to say themselves. So they’re the team to beat if they just got beaten today, so I don’t think it’s true."

He added: "But for once I would give myself a little bit of credit that I feel like I’m doing a better job than everyone, and I think that can also make a difference. We certainly have a car now capable of beating them. Even, like, we look at yesterday and in qualifying, but we didn’t win yesterday and we didn’t really change much.

"But I worked a lot on my driving. I want to believe more than everyone else again, and we turned things around today. So we certainly have a very similar car, I would say, all in all, to Mercedes, but I think they have a better all-round performing car than what we do. We are more specific in high speed."

- Kieran Lynch

FORMULA 1 DRIVER STANDINGS | POINTS AFTER HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX 2026

 

FORMULA 1 WINNERS | 2026

 

TWO MORE DRIVERS HIT WITH SPA GRID PENALTIES

Isack Hadjar and Lance Stroll have joined Lando Norris in receiving grid penalties for Sunday’s Belgian grand prix after taking new power unit components at Spa-Francorchamps.

Isack Hadjar will join Lando Norris and Lance Stroll with grid penalties for the Belgian Grand Prix. Image: XPB Images

Hadjar has been handed the most severe punishment after Red Bull fitted his car with a fifth internal combustion engine, turbocharger and exhaust system of the season.

Each component exceeds the Frenchman’s permitted allocation, resulting in penalties totalling 30 grid places and requiring him to start from the rear of the field regardless of where he qualifies on Saturday.

Hadjar acknowledged before the changes were confirmed that extending his run of five consecutive top-six finishes would be difficult this weekend.

“This weekend, I think another top-six finish is going to be difficult given where I’m starting from, but we’ll give it a go,” Hadjar told Canal+.

“The main focus will be on race pace. It won’t be as much about qualifying performance, because we already know what to expect.

“We’ll probably start 22nd on the grid, but Spa is a track where you can overtake. A lot can happen, and we know we’ve got decent race pace. So I’m expecting to have some fun on Sunday.”

Hadjar’s hopes of recovering through the field will depend heavily on Red Bull’s race pace as he attempts to continue his recent run of form.

His teammate Max Verstappen has also received a new engine, turbocharger and exhaust this weekend but remains within his permitted allocation and will avoid a penalty.

Stroll will meanwhile drop 10 places from wherever he qualifies after Aston Martin installed a new MGU-K on his car.

The Canadian’s penalty may have less of an impact than those facing Hadjar and Norris, with Aston Martin expecting Spa to be one of its most difficult events of the season.

Norris’ 10-place penalty was confirmed on Thursday after McLaren introduced a fourth power electronics unit on the reigning world champion’s car.

The 26-year-old had already exhausted his permitted allocation following several failures during the opening nine rounds, making a penalty effectively unavoidable.

Spa is traditionally regarded as one of the better circuits at which to serve an engine penalty due to its long straights and greater number of overtaking opportunities compared with many other venues.

- Ben Waterworth

LANDO NORRIS ISSUES 'WAIT AND SEE' PERSPECTIVE ON SPA GRID PENALTY DISCOVERY

Lando Norris has issued confidence in the possibility of a successful damage limitation job in this weekend’s Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, after having taken a 10-place grid penalty for the race.

The reigning World Champion is braced for the significant grid drop after McLaren opted to change the power electronic unit in order to reap benefits from Mercedes’ updates to them.

It will leave Norris in an extremely vulnerable position, needing to get into Q3 and perform well to mitigate the pain of the penalty.

But, speaking to media, including Motorsport Week, ahead of this weekend’s race, Norris was hopeful of nullifying the problems the grid drop will cause, conveying quiet confidence he will make up positions.

“We will have to wait and see how the overtaking is,” he said. “Most people would deploy basically the whole battery to Turn 5, and you would go from pretty much 100 percent battery to zero, so there is not much use for the battery, so we have to wait and see.

“We probably have a small straight-line speed advantage compared to the people a little further back, so we should have a good chance.

“But just to overtake in general, I think it could be pretty difficult here.

“But the slipstream is pretty big, and there are still a few straights where there is no straight mode, and therefore the slipstream is pretty large, and you can gain a good amount for that.

“So I don’t have all the answers yet, but we know it is better than Zandvoort and better than Hungary to take penalties, so I hope it is not the end of my weekend before it starts, but I am confident we can have a good weekend.

“We will wait and see.”

What can Lando Norris expect in midfield battle at Spa?

Spa-Francorchamps presents a unique puzzle for energy management, and it is one of the reasons Norris’ optimism is not entirely misplaced.

The uphill blast through Eau Rouge and Raidillon into the Kemmel Straight is the single biggest harvesting-and-deployment zone on the calendar, with cars spending an unusually long period at full throttle before drivers are forced to lift for the Les Combes chicane.

That long full-power phase burns through battery reserves quickly, but the compensating downhill and braking zones, particularly into Pouhon and the final sector, give the MGU-K plenty of opportunity to recover energy for the next lap.

The difficulty, as Norris alluded to, is that so many cars arrive at Turn 5 simultaneously low on charge, which flattens out what would otherwise be a clear straight-line advantage for cars with stronger deployment.

That bunching effect can work in favour of a recovering driver, since the field’s energy resources are levelled just as the long straights offer the best passing opportunities.

With Spa’s notoriously changeable weather adding a further variable to tyre and energy strategy, teams will need near-perfect harvesting execution through the middle sector to have anything left when it matters heading onto the straights.

- Jack Oliver Smith

BARCELONA-CATALUNYA GP 2026 | PL PRACTICE 2 -CLASSIFICATION

 

THE STEWARDS ON LANDO NORRIS | MONACO GRAND PRIX 2026

 

OSCAR PIASTRI DELIVERS DAMNING MCLAREN F1 CANADIAN GP VERDICT: 'WE LOOK LIKE IDIOTS'

Oscar PIastri has slammed McLaren's decision to start the F1 Canadian GP on hard tyres

Oscar Piastri has lambasted McLaren’s decision to start the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix on intermediate tyres, resulting in a miserable afternoon.

McLaren attempted a radical strategy at the start of the F1 Canadian GP, opting to put Piastri and teammate Lando Norris on intermediate tyres.

The track, while not dry, also did not warrant intermediates, forcing both drivers to pit for dry tyres in the opening two laps.

Now back in the midfield, Piastri suffered a disastrous afternoon and finished outside the points after incurring a ten-second time penalty for crashing into Alex Albon.

Speaking after the race. Piastri revealed how the decision quickly unravelled as the formation lap began.

“There was definitely no standing water, but you could clearly tell where it was wet and where it was dry, and getting to the grid was not easy on slicks; getting to full throttle was pretty tough.

“Unfortunately for us, it stopped raining as the formation lap started, basically. Just one of those things where if it had rained a little bit more, we would have looked like heroes, but it didn’t, so we looked like idiots. So just one of those things.”

Oscar Piastri apologises for Alex Albon crash

Apologising for his crash with Albon, Piastri admitted to driver error, describing the incident as “not my finest moment”.

“It was just so, so difficult out there.

“I felt like I was going into the corner pretty carefully, but locked the front, and that was it. It was not my finest moment.

“Apologies to Alex and Williams, because it was unnecessary damage for both of us, especially for them. So just one of those things.”

McLaren and Piastri will need to deep dive urgently as to how a front row and top six start led to no points.

- James Phillips

LANDO NORRIS BEATS KIMI ANTONELLI FOR MIAMI GP SPRINT POLE

May 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; McLaren driver Lando Norris (1) during Sprint qualifying before the Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

McLaren's Lando Norris beat out Mercedes' young star and Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli for pole position in spring qualifying Friday at the Miami Grand Prix.

Norris emerged from a one-lap shootout in SQ3 0.222 seconds better than Antonelli, with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in third, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fourth and Red Bull's Max Verstappen fifth.

The Brit earned McLaren's first P1 of the young season with his SQ3 time of 1:27.869.

"It was great, a perfect result for us," Norris said, per Formula1.com. "A nice way to reward the team. We've got a lot of new upgrades on the car, so it's nice to feel some grip again and nice to reward the guys and the girls that have put a lot of work into this. I've always loved Miami, both on and off the track. It's a good result for us. Of course, it's just the beginning of the weekend, still a long way to go but nice to kick it off by doing this."

Norris is the reigning F1 World Drivers' champion and won seven Grand Prix last year; he also earned his first F1 victory at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix. Meanwhile, the 19-year-old Italian Antonelli has won each of the last two F1 stops, the Chinese and Japanese Grand Prix, starting from the pole each time.

Next comes the Sprint on Saturday at noon. The Miami Grand Prix is slated for Sunday afternoon.

--Field Level Media

LANDO NORRIS ON THE NEW F1 CAR

 

LANDO NORRIS ON LEWIS HAMILTON

 

LANDO NORRIS ISSUES SARCASTIC RESPONSE WHEN TOLD GEORGE RUSSELL IS FAVOURITE FOR THE 2026 F1 TITLE

Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

With the new F1 season now just weeks away, Lando Norris is looking to defend his F1 title for the very first time, but he is expected to face some stern competition from Mercedes’ George Russell.

Ever since making their F1 debuts together in 2019, both Lando Norris and George Russell have shown that the future of British drivers in the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport is in good hands.

They have cemented themselves as two of the best drivers on the grid, with Norris claiming a maiden world title with McLaren in the most recent term.

On the other hand, the Mercedes driver hasn’t quite reached the same heights as his compatriot yet, but Russell is expected to win at least one title before he calls it a day in the cockpit of an F1 car.

Lando Norris gave a sarcastic response after being told George Russell is the favourite in 2026

With one week of pre-season testing now out of the way, Mercedes appears to have a relatively strong package at the early stages of F1’s new regulations.

Now, that could all change by the time the grid hits the track in Melbourne at the start of March, but it’s impossible to rule out the Silver Arrows as a genuine title contender in the upcoming campaign.

Martin Brundle believes Russell will fancy his chances of securing a maiden title this season, and according to Sky Sports F1’s Craig Slater, the British driver is the ‘bookmaker’s favourite’.

When asked for his thoughts on this by Slater during an interview at McLaren’s Woking-based headquarters, Norris couldn’t help but laugh.

He sarcastically responded to the journalist with, “He is the massive favourite, to be honest with you. I completely agree with the bookmakers.”

Mercedes are regarded as the benchmark in the upcoming season largely due to their impressive reliability at last week’s shakedown in Barcelona.

Between Kimi Antonelli and Russell, the new W17 clocked in the most mileage out of any team on the grid.

The Briton also led his rivals in the overall lap count, completing a whopping 265 laps from just a day and a half inside the cockpit.

Lando Norris also detailed how an F1 title fight with George Russell would impact their friendship

Norris and Russell have shared an amicable relationship throughout their respective careers, from the rivalry they shared as they both climbed the single-seater ladder.

The reigning world champion was also asked how their friendship would deal with them both going head to head for a title by Slater.

Norris replied, “We’ll see. I mean, you know, me and George get along well. It’s not like we talk every day, but I think we have a lot of respect for one another.

“I think he shows that towards me, and I completely believe he’ll win a championship in the future. So whether that’s this year or next year, whatever it may be.

I’ve enjoyed my battles with him and he’s a lovely guy. So I’ve enjoyed all of it.”

- Ashley Hambly

FROM KIDS TO FORMULA 1 KINGS 🤴

MAX VERSTAPPEN CONFIRMS NEW F1 CAR NUMBER AFTER LOSING WORLD TITLE TO LANDO NORRIS

Max Verstappen has chosen a new Formula One car number after handing over his previous number to new world champion Lando Norris

Max Verstappen will take Daniel Ricciardo's old racing number three next season in the wake of being pipped to the Formula One world title by Lando Norris.

Red Bull's four-time world champion raced with the 33 until his first title in 2021, the number also appearing on a multitude of caps and shirts – and even some fan tattoos.

"My favourite number has always been three, apart from number one," the Dutch driver told Viaplay. "We can now swap, so it'll be number three."

He added: "Number 33 was always fine, but I just like one three better than two. I always said it represented double luck but I've already had my luck in Formula One."

Australian Ricciardo was Verstappen's Red Bull teammate from 2016-18 but has now retired. The governing FIA and driver have given permission for the number three to be used again.

Drivers previously had to stick with the same number through their careers and must not have raced for two consecutive seasons before it can be reassigned. Ricciardo last raced in Singapore in September last year.

Norris announced earlier this month that he would be swapping his number four for the champion's one next year.

Verstappen and Norris were involved in a thrilling battle for the F1 world championship this year.

The Dutch driver was attempting to win his fifth consecutive title but appeared to be out of contention midway through the season when Norris and his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, pulled clear in the standings.

However, Verstappen gradually reeled them in to set up a thrilling finale in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen won the final race of the season, but needed Norris to finish fourth or lower to win the title.

The Brit held his nerve to finish third as he secured his maiden world title by just two points.

 - Alan Baldwin

MAX VERSTAPPEN TO SKIP FA GALA AS LANDO NORRIS RECEIVES F1 CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY

Lando Norris (right) pipped Max Verstappen (centre) and Oscar Piastri (left) to the 2025 F1 title (Photo: Getty)

Max Verstappen will not attend the FIA Prize Giving Gala on Friday where Lando Norris will receive his trophy for winning the Formula 1 world championship.

Norris ended Verstappen’s dominance of the sport at last weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, pipping the Red Bull driver to the title by just two points.

But unlike many other sports, the F1 champion does not officially get his prize at the season finale. Instead, the awards are giving out at a ceremony run by motorsport’s governing body.

The annual event also sees the victors of other FIA series like Formula E and the World Rally Championship collect their silverware.

FIA regulations dictate that the top-three finishers in the championship attend, with Norris and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri travelling to Uzbekistan for the gala.

Verstappen previously said he did not want to attend the gala (Photo: Getty)

However, Verstappen will not be there, with reports claiming the four-time F1 champion has been struck down with the flu.

He risks being punished for not turning up, with Sir Lewis Hamilton fined £42,000 for skipping the ceremony in 2021 after controversially losing the title to Verstappen at the last race in Abu Dhabi.

However, it has been suggested that the 28-year-old will escape such a penalty due to the reasoning behind his absence.

Curiously, the Dutchman did state last weekend that he did not want to go to the gala, telling Viaplay: ‘I have to go. Otherwise, I get a penalty. But honestly, it is nonsense.

‘We are exhausted. It has been a very tough season. You want to recharge, not sit in a hall for hours. If it were optional, I would not be there.’

What time is the FIA Prize Giving Gala and how to watch

Lando Norris will officially be crowned F1 World Drivers Champion at the FIA gala (Photo: Getty)

The FIA Prize Giving Gala is taking place on Friday, December 12 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan,

It is scheduled to get underway at 11pm local time (6pm UK time).

You can watch Norris lift the F1 championship trophy by live streaming the ceremony for free on the official FIA YouTube channel.

- Callum McAvoy

BRITISH FORMULA 1 CHAMPIONS

 

LANDO NORRIS IS THE FORMULA 1 CHAMPION

 

'DISGUSTING: OSCAR PIASTRI'S AUSSIE INTERVIEW BAN AHEAD OF ABU DHABI GP

Explosive new claims of bias towards Oscar Piastri’s McLaren teammate have rocked F1 ahead of this weekend’s season-ending Grand Prix.

Just days out from its shot at a drought-breaking F1 drivers’ title, McLaren is in disarray amid revelations Oscar Piastri has been banned from speaking to Australian media.

The season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix gets underway this weekend, with championship leader Lando Norris in the box seat on 408 points and his McLaren teammate Piastri in the mix on 392.

They are separated by Max Verstappen (396 points), with all three in mathematical contention to claim this year’s title.

Yet instead of a buzz around the F1 world over a thrilling end to this year’s championship, McLaren is in damage control following a damning report from CODE Sports.

An article from the masthead that landed on Thursday afternoon (AEDT) addressed the year-long speculation the British outfit would prefer Englishman Norris take out this season’s crown.

Oscar Piastri reacts after finishing second at the Qatar GP. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

 

Talk McLaren has favoured Lando Norris (right) has bubbled along for months. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
 

McLaren is well placed to win a first drivers’ world title since Lewis Hamilton’s salute back in 2008, but that is barely rating a mention outside of its Woking base.

The team’s much maligned ‘papaya rules’, which insist the two drivers are on a level playing field, have been all but debunked by this stage as Aussie Piastri has repeatedly had odds stacked against him by his own team.

The latest was their mea culpa after McLaren was the only team not to pit after an early yellow flag in last week’s Qatar GP, blowing a dominant Piastri’s hopes of victory and handing the win to Verstappen.

Smiling team boss Zak Brown has said ad nauseam all is well among the team, but CODE stated it’s well known that is no longer the case, calling the situation “bordering on toxic”.

A pitiful team representation when Piastri celebrated his second place in Qatar only added fuel to the fire and the Victorian admitted he was “speechless” over team radio after they blew his shot at a victory that would have drawn him much closer in the title fight.

Piastri has now been banned from holding individual interviews with Australian media, with CODE stating the team feels he is too busy, although that sounds flimsy at best and downright laughable in reality.

A number of journalists and McLaren team insiders spoke to CODE about the situation and all were united in condemning the treatment of the 24-year-old Aussie.

One was quoted as saying: “It’s disgusting to see what’s happening. It’s like he’s fighting with one arm tied behind his back.”

“He’s constantly being undermined by the team. The bias against Piastri is unquestionable.”

Fans are also well and truly fed up with the perceived treatment of the young Aussie star.

McLaren’s official X account posted a tweet on Thursday morning with the caption: “23 races, 20 countries visited. Country 21, round 24, Abu Dhabi, let’s do this.”

A number of fans used that opportunity to vent their feelings.

One wrote: “From now on, I’ll remember 2025 F1 season, not for McLaren winning the constructors championship, but for the sneaky ways they found to prevent Oscar Piastri from becoming World Champion.”

 Another replied: “23 races, 20 countries visited, 90% support for Norris, 10% support for Oscar. 100% loser team.”

Many F1 fans have tired of the message coming from Zak Brown (right) and McLaren. (Photo by Bryn Lennon – Formula 1 via Getty Images)
 

A third offered: “And you destroyed a young man’s spirit – poor Oscar.”

Whatever its approach to this point, McLaren will be unable to gag Piastri in the lead-up to and after this weekend’s race.

He has mostly kept his cool and maintained his dignity to this point, when many others in such a competitive arena would have blown their stack."

Unless he finds a way to win this year’s title – needing to win the race in Abu Dhabi and have Norris finish sixth or lower – Piastri’s ultimate reaction to a season of missed opportunities could prove as fascinating as the race itself.

- James Dampney