Rachel Stephens, Author at Pit Debrief

Helmut Marko: Mercedes to lock out 2026 F1 championship as Russell faces "refreshing" threat from Antonelli

Helmut Marko: Mercedes to lock out 2026 F1 title as Russell faces “refreshing” threat from Antonelli

Rachel Stephens3 days ago4 days ago03 mins

We’re only three rounds into the F1 2026 season, but Helmut Marko says the emerging pattern is one of success for Mercedes, particularly for their young driver, Kimi Antonelli. According to Helmut Marko, former advisor to Red Bull, both championship trophies will end up in Mercedes’ headquarters in Brackley. In a recent interview with Austria’s…

Sergio Checo Pérez is preparing to make his return with the sport's newest team at the 2026 F1 Australian GP this weekend.

Cadillac outdeveloping other F1 teams “not going to be an easy task” says Pérez ahead of 2026 Australian GP

Rachel Stephens1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

Sergio Checo Pérez is returning to F1 in 2026 with Cadillac at the Australian GP, a major change to his racing career. The former Red Bull driver is preparing to make his comeback with the sport’s newest team at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. He’s made it clear that the team is looking for…

Photo Credit: Scuderia Ferrari - Vasseur 2026 Bahrain testing

Ferrari pleased with lots of running after 2026 F1 Bahrain Testing

Rachel Stephens2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Ferrari completed a massive 4,500 kilometres of running across pre-season testing thus far, with team principal Fred Vasseur noting that 2026 Bahrain F1 testing focuses firmly on data collection rather than lap times. After a challenging F1 2025 season that saw no victories for the team and a fourth-place finish in the Constructors’, the arrival…

Nielsen: Alpine with “a lot to learn” following 2026 F1 Barcelona shakedown as Mercedes era begins

Rachel Stephens3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The final day of the 2026 shakedown in Barcelona saw a flurry of activity, and Alpine F1 completed an impressive 160 laps thanks to Pierre Gasly, the highest tally of any of the drivers. Alpine’s Managing Director, Steve Nielsen, noted the “productive mileage” the team has managed to secure before heading into pre-season testing in…

Having completed his final session of a productive 4 days of 2026 F1 shakedown testing in Barcelona, Antonelli declared the week a success.

Antonelli “learning a lot” about W17 at 2026 F1 Barcelona shakedown

Rachel Stephens3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Having completed his final session of a productive four days of F1 2026 shakedown testing in Barcelona, Kimi Antonelli declared the week a success. The Italian completed 90 laps of running and declared the week a success as the team now shifts its focus to the official pre-season test in Bahrain. Kimi Antonelli on making…

Laurent Mekies has offered some insight into the Red Bull teams’ racing ethos in the 2025 F1 season following the Abu Dhabi GP.

Mekies on Red Bull’s “clean fight” vow after thrilling 2025 F1 season

Rachel Stephens4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

The final standings are set, Max Verstappen has given up his crown of F1 World Champion to Lando Norris, and the 2025 Formula 1 season is officially over. Laurent Mekies has offered some insight into the Red Bull teams’ 2025 racing ethos, with the team finishing third in the Constructors’ Championship. Their junior team, Racing…

Wolff, remembering the championship battle with his own drivers, Hamilton and Rosberg, understands the weight now bearing down on McLaren F1.

Wolff on McLaren’s F1 championship fight: “It’s more theirs to lose than Max’s to win”

Rachel Stephens5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

Starting second at the F1 Qatar GP, a victory for Lando Norris would have sealed the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship. After 57 laps, though, things didn’t go quite his way. A Verstappen win, alongside some strategic missteps for McLaren, means the title fight will now be decided at the final race in Abu Dhabi. Norris…

F1 | Race | Qatar GP | Verstappen wins – championship goes to Abu Dhabi

Rachel Stephens5 months ago5 months ago07 mins

Lando Norris goes into this race in Qatar knowing he could come out of his car as a Formula 1 world champion. He’d be stealing the title back from Max Verstappen. Starting second on the grid at the Lusail International Circuit, behind his teammate, he simply needs to win this race to win the 2025…

In a lowly P14, Fernando Alonso was left to dissect a F1 São Paulo GP weekend that encompassed the frustrations of Aston Martin's 2025.

Alonso explains Aston Martin’s failed strategy gamble at F1 São Paulo GP

Rachel Stephens5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

In a lowly P14, Fernando Alonso was left to dissect a São Paulo GP weekend that encompassed the frustrations of Aston Martin’s 2025 F1 season. It seems that the team were struggling more and more as the race weekend progressed. Or as Alonso notes, perhaps Aston Martin isn’t getting worse, but the others are just…

F1 | Qualifying | Mexico City GP | Norris storms to pole, Piastri down on the fourth row

Rachel Stephens6 months ago6 months ago04 mins

The practice sessions for the weekend are over, and we’ve begun qualifying for the F1 Mexico City GP. Fastest throughout the practice sessions, Lando Norris seems to be the quickest driver this weekend thus far. Today’s earlier session in FP3 saw Norris, Lewis Hamilton, and George Russell topping the timesheets – let’s see who’s lining…