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From the paddock

News

Short summaries of announcements and reports, always with a link to the original source. Items marked Rumour are reported but not confirmed.

6 of 6 items

  • Rumour· Liam Lawson· Nikola Tsolov· Racing Bulls· Red Bull

    Lawson unsure about 2027 as Red Bull weighs Racing Bulls line-up

    Liam Lawson said he does not know what happens in 2027 and is focused on helping Racing Bulls finish fifth in the constructors' standings. According to RacingNews365, Red Bull has not yet decided whether Lawson keeps his seat or whether Formula 2 contender Nikola Tsolov is promoted, while Arvid Lindblad is expected to stay. No decision has been announced.

    Source: RacingNews365

  • Confirmed· Rafael Camara· Ayao Komatsu· Haas· Toyota· Ryo Hirakawa

    Komatsu: Camara got the Haas seat on pace, not Toyota backing

    Haas has signed Ferrari junior Rafael Camara on a multi-year deal from 2027, replacing Esteban Ocon. Team principal Ayao Komatsu said the seat went to the quickest driver from an August evaluation in Portimao, which also included Toyota-backed Ryo Hirakawa. He said Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda was told the selection would be based on performance and accepted the process.

    Source: GPFans, RACER

  • Confirmed· Christian Horner· Niki Lauda· Toto Wolff· Mercedes· Red Bull

    Horner says in his memoir that Lauda offered him the Mercedes team principal role

    In his book Drive, due out on 22 October, former Red Bull boss Christian Horner writes that Niki Lauda visited him during a Christmas break and asked him to lead Mercedes, offering a salary Red Bull could not match. Horner says he declined out of loyalty to Dietrich Mateschitz and the team he had built. Mercedes later appointed Toto Wolff.

    Source: GPFans, Express (via AOL)

  • Confirmed· Mercedes· Simone Resta· Kimi Antonelli

    Mercedes explains why its Sepang upgrade made the W17 harder to drive

    Mercedes deputy technical director Simone Resta said on the team's own podcast that the floor and sidepod package introduced in Malaysia added downforce, but not consistently across conditions. That moved the aero balance forward, narrowed the operating window and made the rear less stable under braking. The team changed its set-up after the Singapore sprint and plans to bring a new front wing to Austin.

    Source: Autosport

  • Rumour· Ferrari

    Ferrari reportedly plans its biggest SF-26 upgrade of the season for Austin

    According to The Race, Ferrari will bring its fourth and largest aerodynamic package of 2026 to the United States Grand Prix. The update is said to focus on a revised floor, with smaller changes to the sidepods, cooling louvres and upper bodywork, aimed at cutting drag and widening the car's operating window. The Race reports it will be the last major SF-26 update before attention moves to the 2027 car. Ferrari has not announced the package.

    Source: The Race

  • Rumour· Toto Wolff· James Vowles· Mercedes· Williams

    Wolff opposes Williams proposal for a sliding-scale cost cap

    According to RacingNews365, Williams boss James Vowles wants teams lower in the constructors' standings to be allowed to spend more, similar to how aero testing time is allocated. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff rejected spending rules based on championship position and warned that the cost cap is holding down engineers' salaries. The outlet reports the proposal needs six votes in the F1 Commission and currently lacks a majority.

    Source: RacingNews365

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