News Summary
- Lewis Hamilton criticises younger F1 drivers for being increasingly cautious about racing in wet conditions.
- George Russell believes another engine penalty may be necessary after the Singapore GP.
- Isack Hadjar wants cooling vests banned, while Max Verstappen questions their effectiveness as Singapore prepares for extreme heat.
Formula 1’s final preparations for the Singapore GP produced several major stories on Thursday, October 8, with Lewis Hamilton questioning the younger generation’s attitude towards wet-weather racing and George Russell warning that Mercedes may face another engine penalty before the end of 2026.
Elsewhere, Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen criticised Formula 1’s cooling equipment, Mercedes committed to comparing two different aerodynamic specifications and Audi insisted its factory programme remains secure despite Volkswagen’s financial difficulties.
Hamilton criticises younger drivers over wet-weather racing
Hamilton believes younger Formula 1 drivers and race officials have become too cautious about competing in the rain, following the chaotic start at Sepang last weekend.
“Us old-school drivers are like ‘let’s get racing’, and more of the youngsters are like ‘let’s not race’,” Hamilton said.
The seven-time world champion argued that difficult conditions allow drivers to demonstrate their abilities, although he acknowledged the additional risks involved.
Read Hamilton’s criticism of younger F1 drivers.
Russell fears another engine penalty after Singapore
Russell has admitted that his engine penalty at Marina Bay may not be his last this season.
The Mercedes driver believes Singapore is the second-worst circuit after Monaco for serving a grid penalty, but the failure that forced him to retire at Sepang left the team with little choice.
“We’ll probably have to take another one down the line as well,” Russell said.
The Briton trails teammate Kimi Antonelli by 84 points and faces a difficult recovery on Sunday, although he can still compete normally in Saturday’s sprint.
Read why Russell could face another engine penalty in 2026.
Hadjar wants cooling vests banned
Hadjar has called for Formula 1’s cooling vests to be removed, arguing that coping with extreme temperatures is part of the challenge.
“I think it should be banned. Because it’s supposed to be tough,” the Red Bull driver said.
Verstappen also questioned the system, complaining that its cables restrict movement and that the cooling effect does not last throughout a Grand Prix.
The comments come after the FIA activated its heat hazard regulations for Singapore, requiring teams to prepare cooling systems for the sprint and Grand Prix.
Read Hadjar and Verstappen’s criticism of F1 cooling vests.
Mercedes splits W17 specifications after Sepang setback
Mercedes will run different aerodynamic specifications at Singapore as it attempts to establish whether its latest upgrade delivered the expected performance.
Russell will return to the previous W17 package, while Antonelli retains the specification introduced in Malaysia.
“Actually I instigated the conversation prior to the race on Sunday,” Russell said, confirming that he had proposed the comparison before his engine failure at Sepang.
Read why Mercedes decided to compare its old and new W17 packages.
Audi insists F1 programme is secure despite Volkswagen crisis
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has rejected concerns that Volkswagen’s financial difficulties could threaten the manufacturer’s Formula 1 operation.
The German automotive group is undergoing substantial restructuring, including plans for approximately 50,000 job cuts, but Döllner insists the F1 project has independent financing.
“The project is completely independent,” he told Sport Bild.
Audi remains committed to becoming a championship contender by 2030.
Read how Audi intends to protect its F1 programme.
Norris identifies McLaren’s straight-line weakness
Norris has acknowledged that McLaren continues to struggle with straight-line performance after a disappointing Malaysian GP.
“There were some obvious ones, such as the straight-line speed and the issues I’ve been having with the car,” he said.
The reigning champion hopes Singapore’s shorter straights will reduce that disadvantage, although McLaren still needs to confirm its competitiveness on track.
Read Norris’ explanation of McLaren’s performance problems.
The Singapore GP takes place from October 9-11, with FP1 and sprint qualifying on Friday, the sprint on Saturday and the Grand Prix on Sunday. GRANDE PRÊMIO follows the latest Formula 1 news throughout the Singapore GP weekend.
F1 today: FAQ
What time is the 2026 Singapore GP?
The Singapore GP starts at 20:00 local time on Sunday, October 11. That is 13:00 in the UK, 08:00 ET in the US and Canada and 17:30 in India. Singapore is a sprint weekend, with sprint qualifying on Friday and the sprint on Saturday.
Why does George Russell have a grid penalty in Singapore?
Russell has exhausted his permitted allocation of four engines after suffering a power-unit failure at Sepang. Mercedes must introduce another unit, triggering a grid penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix. The penalty does not apply to Saturday’s sprint.
Can Kimi Antonelli win the F1 championship in Singapore?
No. Antonelli leads Russell by 84 points, 320 to 236, but cannot mathematically secure the 2026 title in Singapore. His first opportunity to become world champion comes at the United States GP in Austin.
What time is F1 sprint qualifying in Singapore?
Sprint qualifying takes place on Friday, October 9, at 20:30 Singapore time, equivalent to 13:30 BST in the UK, 08:30 EDT in the United States and Canada, and 18:00 IST in India.
