Mercedes “very confident” in their power unit plans for new 2026 rules – Russell

In brief

Mercedes “very confident” for 2026 – Russell

Although Mercedes have only won a single grand prix since the introduction of new ground effect technical regulations in 2022, Russell believes his team are in a good position for the introduction of revised power units in two years’ time, as they did the last time the rules were changed.

“Ordinarily, 2026 seems like a long time away but in the world of Formula 1 it’s going to be here tomorrow and the team are feeling really confident for this era,” he said.

“I think you know the experience the team have had, the success in 2014 with the new powertrain, and then obviously the time in Formula E, the work that was done with the hypercar. There are a lot of individuals within [Mercedes High Performance Powertrains] who have got so much experience with this future technology, so I think that leaves us in a really great place to have a great engine – and the work Petronas are doing on the fuel as well is looking really strong. So on the engine side, I think we’re feeling very confident for that era.”

Newgarden “thankful” to O’Ward

Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden heaped praise on Pato O’Ward after passing his rival to win the race halfway around the final lap. “It was hard to know if it’s going to work,” Newgarden said. “I don’t think it works unless you’re racing someone like Pato.

“It’s not that Pato didn’t race me hard, he just raced me clean. That move doesn’t work unless you’re racing someone like that. It just doesn’t. It’s very easy that that doesn’t work out.”

O’Ward finished second in the race, as he also did in 2022. “I think he’s a tremendous champion,” said Newgarden. “He could have easily won the race himself. He was very capable of that with his team.

“For us, it worked out. He drove me excellently. I’m very thankful for him and the way that he drove.”

“From our side, we left it all on the track. There was nothing that we were going to come home and regret. I definitely felt that way in the final. I’m like, we’re going to put it all on the line. You have to if you want to win Indy. That’s just the way it’s got to be, especially nowadays.

“It was enough. Our car was so fast, and it was pretty good. It was a little hairy at the end as far as the trickiness, but we had it all day as far as the commitment and the car and the team, and we laid it all out there in turn three.”

Larson gutted to miss out on ‘double’

NASCAR champion Kyle Larson said missing out on the chance to compete in the series’ race at Charlotte and the Indianapolis 500 was a deep disappointment. After completing the delayed Indy 500, Larson arrived at Charlotte too late to join the race before it was rained off.

“What I thought could be one of the best days of my life quickly turned into one of the most disappointing ones I’ve ever experienced,” said Larson, who thanked everyone involved in making his appearance happen.

“So much time, money, and effort went into this experience and it just kills me to have it all end the way it did. I feel like I let so many people down. We knew all along weather could throw a wrench into things but seeing it come to reality is a horrible feeling.

“Up until Sunday it was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life. I can’t describe how appreciative I am of everyone’s support of me to live out a dream. I hope it’s not the last opportunity I have to try the double but if it is I guess it was memorable.”

First British F4 win for Mercedes junior

Mercedes junior driver Yuanpu Cui scored his first British F4 win in Snetterton last weekend in the partial reverse-grid race. Alex Ninovic won the other two races, the last of which was cut to just five laps due to a downpour, and closed within 34 points of championship leader Deagan Fairclough.

Links

Motor racing links of interest:

Brundle analyses early Monaco Grand Prix chaos, crashes and Leclerc perfection (Sky)

'(Ocon) has been heavily criticised before by Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso for his intra-team aggression and contact, and now Gasly too. It will cost Esteban heavily as no front running team would entertain that kind of mentality, or even perhaps any team.'

Sebastien Philippe confident ART ‘will be back’ after O’Sullivan’s Monte Carlo victory (Formula 2)

'This weekend, both of them showed they had good pace. Victor (Martins) showed it in Quali and for Zak (O'Sullivan) it was a bit difficult because of the FP in the rain. He had a very good start to Qualifying but some issues on the last two laps made him start far back, but he showed today that the pace was very good.'

First ever United Against Online Abuse conference taking place (FIA)

'The world of sport, whilst exciting and inspiring, is facing an epidemic of abuse. Athletes, officials, and supporters are facing digital hostility, cyber bullying, and hate speech that needs to be addressed.'

Nine hypercars headline Le Mans city parade (Sportscar 365)

'The nine Hypercars – one from each of the nine manufacturers entered into the 92nd edition of the French endurance classic – will be joined by a sole LMP2 machine and seven LMGT3 cars.'

FIA WEC Six Hours of Spa - The Red Line - Full Access ()

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Social media

Notable posts from X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and more:

Look at this diiiiiiveeeeee.
Thank you again to everyone for all the messages I received since yesterday. It means a lot ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ihfIGjql5o

— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) May 27, 2024

These cars doing what they do best: keeping our guys safe 💙 pic.twitter.com/Gfoy2tRA7l

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 26, 2024

Easy to ask the question… “did Pato take the lead too soon?” But if you enter the last lap, & have a chance to take the lead, & you don’t take it, just no guarantee you’ll ever get another shot. He drove his tail off and just came up short today. An amazing race! #Indy500

— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) May 26, 2024

Heartbroken about our day. The 28 team deserved so much more. Congrats to @josefnewgarden on a fantastic win and the pass there in T3 on the final lap was outstanding. Big shoutout to Pato as well. Great battle between the 2. We’ll be back next year 👊🏻 #ME28 #INDY500

— Marcus Ericsson (@Ericsson_Marcus) May 27, 2024

Awesome ending. Gave the fans what they deserve for sticking it out. Great timing @josefnewgarden ! Bummed for the @MAPEIUSA guys we were going to be looking good at the end, around Dixon. Almost caught it but famous last words. Was a fun race until then. See you next year!

— Marco Andretti (@MarcoAndretti) May 26, 2024

Can’t even begin to explain how I feel. @AndrettiIndy @GainbridgeLife guys and girls deserved better today. Onto Detroit.

— Colton Herta (@ColtonHerta) May 27, 2024

Crowd reaction to a Newgarden win is subdued to say the least.

— John Oreovicz (@IndyOreo) May 26, 2024

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• Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory

Comment of the day

Were the stewards right to punish one first-lap crash but not even investigate another?

I don’t understand how you can blame Perez for this. Maybe he could have left more space but he is not obliged to leave space. Because of the bend it was a closing gap and Magnussen should have backed out.

No penalty is fine but should have been the same for Ocon. I guess the teams are penalised enough with the damage and will discuss this internally.
Grapmg

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• 35 years ago today Ayrton Senna won the Mexican Grand Prix ahead of Riccardo Patrese and Michele Alboreto