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This Is Formula 1 Media, Sydney (2026)

03/09/2026

🚨| Hamilton Aims for First Italian GP Win with Ferrari:

1 - Lewis Hamilton is eager to claim his first Italian Grand Prix win as a Ferrari driver this weekend. Although he has had success at Monza before, it's been eight years since his last victory there. Speaking to the media, Hamilton shared his confidence in Ferrari's engine upgrades and their competitive edge:

“I strongly believe that the team has what it takes to win at this level, how close it is at the front. For us to win this weekend, and at any weekend, it takes the whole collective to come together. It's not just one thing; everything has to flow from the beginning.”

“I really thought coming into this weekend, just thinking of the sheer magnitude of the concept that I'm coming to this grand prix... I didn't even know that I was equal with Michael on wins. But the thought of that there is a first ahead of me, in a sense of potentially, if you were to win, you go into new territory.”

“Winning in Monza for the first time with Ferrari is something I've witnessed Charles win in 2019 when I was on the podium with him. To do it while I'm here would be phenomenal. The thought of if I did do that, probably will be the only black driver to ever do that for Ferrari in Italy, probably in history.”

2 - Hamilton has already enjoyed a win with Ferrari this year in Barcelona, and he expects a Monza victory would be just as exciting. As the race weekend nears, Hamilton acknowledges the increasing pressure:

“The pressure is high, you want to deliver for the team. All those people at the factory, many of them will get to come to this race. The Tifosi come out in huge numbers, the passion is unmatched, and you want to deliver for them as well.”

“My mum's here this weekend, I don't think she's been to Monza, but also particularly on a Ferrari weekend. I wanted her to experience that and bring any of the lucky dust she can bring.”

🇮🇹 🇬🇧

via - (RacingNews365)

03/09/2026

🚨| Kimi Antonelli Discusses Mercedes Role in Supporting George Russell:

1 - Kimi Antonelli has confirmed talks with Mercedes about aiding George Russell at the Italian Grand Prix. Starting from the back due to a new power unit, Antonelli shared his views with the media:

“Yeah, it is.”

“It has been discussed with the team, and yes, we have agreed on a few things, so let's see how the session develops. But if the team asks me to do so, I will do it.”

“I will do it because, yeah, obviously, I will still be happy to get pole, but of course, I'm starting at the back.”

“So, if I could do anything to help the team, I will. I will do it.”

🇮🇹 🇬🇧 🇩🇪

via - (RacingNews365)

03/09/2026

🚨| Coulthard Sees Aston Martin's Recovery After Hitting "Rock Bottom":

1 - David Coulthard thinks Aston Martin has reached its lowest point and is now on the road to improvement. On the Up To Speed podcast, he likened their situation to McLaren's past difficulties and eventual triumph:

“There is a momentum change. They've hit rock bottom. If we remind ourselves of McLaren, what was it three seasons ago? They were pretty much at their rock bottom, and then they've bounced back to being world champions.”

2 - Naomi Schiff, the podcast's co-host, highlighted the team's ongoing development and learning journey. She mentioned the hurdles faced during the sprint weekend at Zandvoort:

“It's a process of evolution at the moment for them, isn't it? It's all about learning. Zandvoort, the beginning of the weekend was looking a little like, 'Oh, I guess we expected a little bit more from this,' but it was a sprint weekend, so it's a tough one to bring big upgrades and try to make changes and understand your package.”

“They did make steps forward, and there were still some concerns. Obviously, the drivers both said that they were struggling with the downshifts and the driveability of the engine. And so, I'm sure they would have taken all that data home and made some amendments that we're going to probably see in Monza.”

“But Fernando did an incredible job to put that car in P9 [at the Dutch Grand Prix]. There were six DNFs, but when you look at the list of who didn't finish, obviously Max [Verstappen] is in there, who would have probably been ahead of him, but the rest of them, you could debate whether they would have been there and thereabouts where he was.”

“So you've got to give them some merit for that. I hope for them that it'll continue moving forward because it's been a bit of a bleak start.”

🇬🇧 🇨🇦

via - (motorsport)

03/09/2026

🚨| FIA Issues Heat Warning for Italian GP:

1 - The FIA has issued a heat warning for the Italian Grand Prix in Monza due to Italy's sixth summer heatwave. They stated:

“In accordance with Article B1.5.10 of the FIA F1 Regulations, having received a forecast from the official weather service predicting that the heat index will be greater than 31.0°C at some time during the race at this competition, a Heat Hazard is declared.”

2 - Drivers must now decide between using cooling vests or adding weight to their cars. The FIA clarified:

“Drivers will now be given the choice between wearing a cooling vest or having the corresponding 0.5kg of ballast attached to their cars.”

3 - Although cooling vests were initially to be mandatory, driver concerns about comfort and efficiency have kept them optional. The FIA mentioned:

“The FIA had long planned to make the cooling vests mandatory for drivers to use, but after pushback from the drivers over their comfort and effectiveness the device remains optional.”

4 - The weather service predicts temperatures over 31C all weekend, with Friday's FP2 at 36C, Saturday's qualifying at 35C, and Sunday's race starting at 33C.

🇲🇨 🇮🇹

via - (motorsport)

03/09/2026

🚨| Kimi Antonelli's Aggressive Strategy for Monza Home Race:

1 - Championship leader Kimi Antonelli will start from the back at the Italian Grand Prix due to an engine penalty. Despite this, he's committed to a "full attack" approach. Speaking to media, Antonelli expressed:

“Given that I'm starting last, it's going to be full attack. Obviously, I'll still use my head. It's not like I'm going to arrive at the first braking zone on Sunday and brake as if it were qualifying, otherwise I'd cause a crash!”

2 - Antonelli stressed he has nothing to lose and aims to regain as many points as possible. He remarked:

“I don't want to jinx myself, but I've got nothing to lose. The goal is to recover as many points as possible while using my head, but the mindset will be to attack as much as possible and try to gain as many positions as I can.”

3 - On the penalty at his home race, Antonelli mentioned the strategic benefit of changing components now. He explained:

“It's not ideal to take a penalty at your home grand prix, especially one this big. But ultimately, as a team, we're looking at the championship, and this is definitely one of the best tracks to do it. So it's better to change everything now and hopefully avoid any problems in the future.”

4 - Antonelli is hopeful about focusing solely on his race set-up, which he believes could help him achieve a top-five finish. He stated:

“We'll work a little differently than usual this weekend, focusing only on the race set-up, and then we'll see. I think the top five could be within reach, but obviously we'll have to see how the race unfolds.”

5 - With no qualifying pressure, Antonelli might assist teammate George Russell by providing a slipstream. He acknowledged:

“It could happen. It's a conversation we'll also have internally so that we're ready in case that situation arises. But it's not a given. Obviously, I'll talk about it with the team and then we'll see how things go. But I do think it could happen.”

🇩🇪 🇮🇹

via - (motorsport)

03/09/2026

🚨| Drivers Anticipate Challenges at Monza Due to Energy Constraints:

1 - As Formula 1 heads to Monza, drivers are worried about how energy management will affect the high-speed track. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton shared his concerns:

“We arrive maybe 20km/h or 30km/h slower than we have in the past at the end going into the corners, which probably takes some getting used to. It was always amazing to arrive here and just hear the engine screaming at the end of the straight, and pulling just up to the braking zone. That won't be the case this weekend.”

2 - Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was more positive after simulator tests, noting energy management improvements:

“There's not so much super clip, because they have changed a little bit the harvest limit compared to other races. There will be a lot more flattening in terms of speed, but actually very little deceleration, so that's a positive. It's going to be much better than what we all anticipated.”

3 - Haas' Esteban Ocon agreed with Antonelli, emphasizing the perks of less energy harvesting:

“We are still not going to have to do lift-and-coast and these kinds of things by reducing that [harvest limit]. So, that's good.”

4 - However, Alpine's Franco Colapinto was doubtful about the weekend's hurdles:

“It's true that the harvest limit is very low, so the super clip is little, because you cannot harvest so the super clip is not as useful anymore. Personally, I think it's going to be a tricky race. It's another track that shows our weaknesses as Formula 1.”

5 - Aston Martin's trackside chief Mike Krack expected a chaotic race with many overtakes:

“There are quite a lot of restrictions on the energy side this weekend, so I think it will be interesting to see how the teams will go about it. First of all, in terms of tow deployment and then also in the race, how easy it will be passing. Especially the passing and repassing games probably will be a record of all times here, or like MotoGP.”

via - (motorsport)

03/09/2026

🚨| FIA Verifies Alpine's Compliance After Thorough Gasly Car Inspection:

1 - After the Dutch Grand Prix, the FIA thoroughly inspected Pierre Gasly's Alpine, confirming it meets F1 2026 rules. This routine check involved randomly selecting a top 10 car for a detailed review.

2 - Gasly achieved his eighth points finish of the season at Zandvoort, earning the last point for 10th place. This was his second points finish in five races, having also placed 10th at the British Grand Prix and eighth in the Dutch Sprint race.

3 - The inspection targeted reprogrammable electronic devices and the SECU. The FIA confirmed the software version and source code matched registered versions. All checked components complied with the 2026 technical regulations.

4 - Alpine has improved significantly in 2026, currently ranking sixth in the constructors' standings, just three points behind Racing Bulls. Gasly's third-place finish in Monaco is still under appeal due to a disputed time penalty.

5 - Alpine confirmed its driver lineup for 2027, keeping Franco Colapinto alongside Gasly. The team aims to build on its progress and compete for higher standings in future seasons.

🇫🇷

via - (PLANET F1)

03/09/2026

🚨| Alonso Reflects on Aston Martin Future After Zandvoort:

1 - Fernando Alonso remains undecided about his Formula 1 future with Aston Martin, even after earning points at Zandvoort. He shared his uncertainty about staying with the team for a fifth season.

“No.”

“Obviously, we cannot be happy with just P9, and I think no one is happy in the team.”

“It was a nice boost for everyone knowing that at least the direction that we are taking is the right one because we changed a lot of things in the car since Budapest.”

“And obviously we feel that in the corners we are getting in a much better place. So that gives hope for everyone in Silverstone that you know if we keep on going on this philosophy and this strategy and this space of development, eventually we will be one of the fastest in the corners.”

“Then on the engine side, I think Zandvoort was not a big improvement, to be honest. The drivability was a problem, and the extra power was difficult to fill in Zandvoort.”

“Maybe Monza is going to be a more true test for the engine, but still a long way to go.”

“For my decision, as I said, it's not really about the car, you know. I will be professional and working at my 100 per cent fighting for P15 or fighting for a podium, but for me, it's more about the regulations.”

“Unfortunately, it's what it is. This is not the Formula One we grew up with, and this is not the Formula One that we all want. Drivers, spectators.”

“So you know we must change few things. It will not happen immediately. It will happen for the future. But I hope I can contribute somehow for the next set of regulations and we'll go back to the real Formula One.”

2 - Alonso also mentioned potential racing options outside Formula 1 with Aston Martin but emphasized that his primary focus is still on F1.

“And you know, but it's not at the moment my priority. But there is the Valkyrie program in Le Mans, and there are other opportunities.”

“But no, my main focus now is in F1, and that will not change.”

via - (PLANET F1)

03/09/2026

🚨| Hamilton Reflects on Schumacher Tribute at Monza:

1 - Lewis Hamilton shared his thoughts on Ferrari's tribute to Michael Schumacher at Monza, noting a personal link to the seven-time World Champion while donning a shirt with seven stars. Hamilton stated:

“I haven’t actually seen the livery, but I’m wearing a shirt with seven stars, which is quite fitting because I have seven stars too, so it feels alright.”

“I just always remember seeing Michael in the red car, and I remember playing computer games and always being Michael in that Ferrari.”

2 - Now racing for Ferrari, Hamilton described fulfilling that childhood dream as an honor while recalling the importance of sharing the F1 grid with Schumacher. Hamilton remarked:

“I have the privilege of having that experience now. But I mean, he was such a leader.”

3 - However, Hamilton dismissed comparisons between his efforts to enhance Ferrari and Schumacher’s impact on the team, emphasizing that rebuilding requires teamwork. Hamilton clarified:

“I haven’t taken a page out of Michael’s book in this in that sense.”

“But ultimately, it’s a combination of many, many people, and there’s no I in team.”

4 - Instead, Hamilton is using his experience from other teams to offer a fresh perspective on Ferrari’s strategies. Hamilton noted:

“When someone comes in, even if new engineers come in from different places, straight away they say, ‘Oh, we did this differently’.”

5 - Hamilton disclosed that he advocated strongly for changes to Ferrari’s car, though cost-cap limits and existing practices posed challenges. Hamilton mentioned:

“It took a lot of persuading to get some of those changes done.”

“I worked in the sim and requested that they design it for the sim, and I tested in the sim last year.”

6 - While Fred Vasseur couldn't approve every change due to budget constraints, Hamilton is proud of Ferrari’s advancements. Hamilton concluded:

“I’m grateful for the ones that he has allowed to happen, and I feel proud to see the progress that we made.”

🇮🇹 🇬🇧

via - (PLANET F1)

03/09/2026

Lewis hasn’t claimed victory at Monza since 2018.

Will he secure a win this year?

🇮🇹 - Monza. 🇬🇧

via - (gpfans)

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