Samwise F1 Newsletter
Friday, September 18, 2026
Hamilton releases official statement denying Ferrari staff replacement claims
Lewis Hamilton has released an official statement denying published reports that he attempted to engineer personnel changes within the Ferrari team. The seven-time world champion called the claims false, insisting he had not sought to remove or replace staff at Maranello. Hamilton made the denial directly, pushing back against media reports that had circulated suggesting internal friction around team staffing. The statement comes ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku and amid what has been a difficult 2026 season for both Hamilton and Ferrari, with the Scuderia trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes in the drivers' standings.
Alpine names former Mercedes technical director Mike Elliott as new CTO
Alpine have completed one of the most significant technical appointments in the paddock this season, confirming the hiring of former Mercedes technical director Mike Elliott as their new chief technical officer. Elliott brings 23 years of top-level Formula 1 experience to the Enstone team, having previously worked at McLaren and Renault before spending over a decade at Mercedes. His arrival signals Alpine's determination to rebuild their technical structure following a difficult 2026 campaign. Elliott has been away from the sport since his departure from Mercedes and returns as one of the most experienced engineers in the paddock.
Wolff: Mercedes nearly looked like idiots at Monza like Ferrari did
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has admitted his team came close to replicating a costly teamwork breakdown at the Italian Grand Prix, warning his drivers they could have quickly 'looked like idiots' in the closing stages at Monza. Wolff referenced Ferrari's high-profile internal incident during the race, in which Ferrari's drivers came into conflict. Mercedes avoided a similar situation, but Wolff said the team's near-miss was a reminder of how quickly things can unravel. 'We could have quickly looked like idiots as well,' Wolff said, crediting the strategic decisions that kept his drivers out of trouble.
Verstappen dominates Max vs 100 kart challenge with 64 first-lap overtakes
Max Verstappen demonstrated his remarkable racecraft at a karting event at Silverstone that pitted the four-time world champion against 100 amateur drivers in the Max vs 100 challenge. Verstappen started from last on the grid and carved through the field at remarkable pace, reportedly making 64 overtakes on the opening lap alone. The event drew significant public interest and generated wide coverage across F1 media. It is not the first time Verstappen has tested himself in non-championship machinery, but his dominant performance in the challenge underscored why he remains one of the sport's most compelling figures.
Tsunoda admits he was not hugely disappointed when Red Bull dropped him
Yuki Tsunoda has opened up about his reaction to being overlooked for a promotion to the Red Bull Racing seat he believed he was in line for, revealing he was not hugely disappointed when the team decided against the move. The Japanese driver — who has since made his way to the main Red Bull outfit for the 2026 season — acknowledged that the decision at the time stung but said he channelled the experience into motivation. 'I wasn't hugely disappointed,' Tsunoda said, suggesting the setback ultimately strengthened his resolve to prove himself at the top level.
Audi exploring minority F1 team stake sale amid strong investor interest
Audi is exploring the sale of a minority stake in its Formula 1 team after chief executive Gernot Dollner confirmed there is strong interest from potential investors. The German manufacturer entered Formula 1 in 2026 and Dollner's comments signal that the team's ownership structure may evolve as the project matures. Discussions around minority investment mirror moves made by several other F1 teams in recent years as the sport's commercial value continues to rise globally. Audi has not confirmed a timeline or price for a potential deal, but the CEO's public acknowledgement of strong interest suggests talks are at a meaningful stage.
Vettel confirmed for 2027 Race of Champions in Wellington, New Zealand
Sebastian Vettel will return to competitive racing for the first time since his Formula 1 retirement in 2022, confirmed as a headline entrant for the 2027 Race of Champions in Wellington, New Zealand. The four-time world champion will be joined by Valtteri Bottas among others in the multi-discipline event, which traditionally features champions from different motorsport series competing in identical machinery. Vettel has largely stepped back from motorsport since retiring from Formula 1 but the Race of Champions format — part competition, part celebration of the sport — has previously drawn him back into a car. His participation is set to attract widespread attention from fans worldwide.
Norris' LN4 Fusion team posts 13 vacancies ahead of 2027 racing debut
McLaren driver Lando Norris' new racing team, LN4 Fusion, is actively building its workforce ahead of a planned competitive debut, posting 13 job openings on an HR platform. The roles — listed under the legal company name Alphabet Racing Italia S.R.L. — span race engineers, mechanics, and team management positions. Norris announced LN4 Fusion alongside the LN4 Legacy Programme, a driver development initiative. The team has targets to enter Formula 3 by 2027 and has applied for a Formula 2 entry. The recruitment drive marks a concrete step forward in establishing the operation as a genuine racing entity.
Cadillac F1 owner Mark Walter sells Chelsea FC stake for £500m profit
Cadillac Formula 1 team owner Mark Walter has completed the sale of his 12.8 per cent stake in Chelsea Football Club to existing majority owners Clearlake Capital for approximately £500 million, representing a profit of around £180 million on his original investment. The deal follows Walter's sale of the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year and comes while Walter is reportedly the subject of a federal investigation related to his insurance business. TWG Global, through which Walter co-owns Cadillac F1, has pushed back against suggestions that his Formula 1 team could also be sold, saying there is no such plan.
Drivers' Championship
| Pos | Driver | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | K. Antonelli | 292 |
| 2 | G. Russell | 211 |
| 3 | L. Hamilton | 191 |
| 4 | L. Norris | 186 |
| 5 | C. Leclerc | 167 |
| 6 | M. Verstappen | 145 |
| 7 | O. Piastri | 120 |
| 8 | I. Hadjar | 71 |
| 9 | L. Lawson | 59 |
| 10 | P. Gasly | 41 |
| 11 | O. Lindblad | 31 |
| 12 | F. Colapinto | 27 |
| 13 | O. Bearman | 18 |
| 14 | G. Bortoleto | 10 |
| 15 | N. Hülkenberg | 7 |
| 16 | C. Sainz | 6 |
| 17 | A. Albon | 5 |
| 18 | E. Ocon | 3 |
| 19 | F. Alonso | 3 |
| 20 | Y. Tsunoda | 1 |
| 21 | L. Stroll | 0 |
| 22 | V. Bottas | 0 |
| 23 | S. Pérez | 0 |
Constructors' Championship
| Pos | Constructor | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes | 503 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 358 |
| 3 | McLaren | 306 |
| 4 | Red Bull | 230 |
| 5 | Racing Bulls | 77 |
| 6 | Alpine | 68 |
| 7 | Haas | 21 |
| 8 | Audi | 17 |
| 9 | Williams | 11 |
| 10 | Aston Martin | 3 |
| 11 | Cadillac | 0 |
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