Senior Writer covering F1 for The Athletichttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3mduvgx33ws2l💬 "Maybe you want to find excuses before they have even started, why things are not good." Toto Wolff has taken a dim view on scrutiny of Mercedes' F1 engine, saying rivals should "get your s**t together" and focus on themselves - does he have a point? https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7015388/2026/02/02/mercedes-formula-1-engine-loophole-wolff02 Feb 2026 12:56 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mduvgx33ws2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3m5t2guzucs27Pirelli enforces maximum stint lengths for Qatar GP due to tyre wear concerns. 25-lap maximum for each set of tyres, meaning the race will be (at least) two stops. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6813952/2025/11/17/qatar-gp-pirelli-tire-wear-f117 Nov 2025 10:49 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5t2guzucs27https://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3m4d6z2kl6s2t🤔 Which remaining tracks will suit McLaren or Red Bull? 📈 Is Haas on the rise? 🔢 How do drivers get their numbers? Latest F1 mailbag on @theathletic.com w/ @madelinecoleman.bsky.social 📩 https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6758860/2025/10/29/f1-mailbag-haas-driver-numbers29 Oct 2025 10:03 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4d6z2kl6s2thttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3m3acl6zts22g✅ Deal done: George Russell has his new contract as Mercedes officially announces him in 2026 F1 line-up alongside Kimi Antonelli 📝 Understood to be a multi-year agreement for Russell More on the announcement on @theathletic.com ⬇️ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6718446/2025/10/15/george-russell-mercedes-contract15 Oct 2025 13:04 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3acl6zts22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3m37y2p52os2hFred Vasseur interview for @theathletic.com ⬇️ 🔍 Being "exposed" as Ferrari boss in tough season 💬 "We missed the good opportunities for us." 🤝 Full trust in Lewis Hamilton 🤫 Understanding Leclerc without even speaking 📺 No social media and... no TV? https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6716199/2025/10/15/fred-vasseur-interview-ferrari-lewis-hamilton/15 Oct 2025 09:55 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3m37y2p52os2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3m34y46pjk223Christian Horner clearly has unfinished business in F1 — but is a return inevitable, and what would it look like if he does come back to the sport? Feature for @theathletic.com with @madelinecoleman.bsky.social ⬇️ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6712698/2025/10/14/christian-horner-future-f114 Oct 2025 05:18 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3m34y46pjk223https://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3m336k3ll2c2nHaas has revealed its special stars and stripes livery for its home grand prix in Austin this weekend 🇺🇸 #USGP #F113 Oct 2025 12:08 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3m336k3ll2c2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3m2h22tfkg22uWe're all set for lights out in Singapore - George Russell on pole, Max Verstappen alongside him on the front row. Could be a very interesting race! Live updates on @theathletic.com https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/f1-singapore-gp-live-updates-race-times-results/wsbqYhD99JU9 https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/f1-singapore-gp-live-updates-race-times-results/wsbqYhD99JU9/05 Oct 2025 11:55 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2h22tfkg22uhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3m2enjulvwc23Qualifying is underway under the lights in Singapore 🇸🇬 Can Max Verstappen beat the McLarens to pole? Or will someone else spring a surprise? Live updates on @theathletic.com ⬇️ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/f1-singapore-gp-live-updates-qualifying-fp3-times-results/6ufx2G0x7nZD04 Oct 2025 13:05 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2enjulvwc23https://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3m27bt4ts422sCharles Leclerc interview for @theathletic.com ⬇️ ✨ Embracing his status as "Il Predestinato." 💬 "I would love to be winning more." 📈 Entering his peak years, 2026 crucial 🤯 He still can't explain Hungary pole 😀 Why he remains "very, very happy" in life https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6681137/2025/10/02/charles-leclerc-ferrari-f1-interview02 Oct 2025 09:52 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3m27bt4ts422shttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lznii4lcac2hRomain Grosjean to make F1 test return five years after Bahrain accident https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/article/6658582/?source=emp_shared_article25 Sep 2025 08:03 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lznii4lcac2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lzldt5r7a22z😰 Should Verstappen worry the McLaren drivers? 🤔 Why won't Piastri serve a penalty in Singapore? 📈 What role has Mekies had in Red Bull's wins? Latest F1 mailbag on @theathletic.com w/@madelinecoleman.bsky.social ⬇️ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6656049/2025/09/24/f1-mailbag-max-verstappen-oscar-piastri-lando-norris-championship24 Sep 2025 11:35 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzldt5r7a22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lze46sbqgc25Oscar Piastri owns up to "silly mistakes" in Baku after jump start and first lap crash lead to his points lead shrinking https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6648813/2025/09/21/oscar-piastri-baku-crash21 Sep 2025 14:29 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lze46sbqgc25https://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lzdwy7puac2y📈 Is Verstappen back in title contention? 💥 Piastri crashes - but Norris can't take advantage 👏 A big day for Sainz and Williams 🤔 Mercedes v Lawson an unexpected fight Baku race briefing for @theathletic.com w/ @madelinecoleman.bsky.social ⬇️ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6648566/2025/09/21/azerbaijan-grand-prix-max-verstappen-wins-oscar-piastri-crashes-out21 Sep 2025 12:56 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzdwy7puac2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lzdtsmdq4s2qPiastri's 5 second penalty for the jump start won't be converted into a grid drop. Penalty guidelines: "In cases where there is a single 5s penalty which a driver is unable to serve due to retirement, the stewards will not convert that into a grid penalty for a subsequent race."21 Sep 2025 11:59 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzdtsmdq4s2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lzdq4fba2k2pWe're all set for lights out in Baku - Verstappen on pole but a mixed up grid behind, can Sainz and Lawson stay in the fight at the front? Or will Norris and Piastri recover? Live updates on @theathletic.com ⬇️ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/f1-azerbaijan-gp-live-updates-race-times-results/KgUScRQtq1Tp21 Sep 2025 10:53 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzdq4fba2k2phttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lzdkmax55c2yLess than two hours until lights out in Azerbaijan - Pirelli's race strategy forecast points to it being a one-stopper, even with the new C6 this year. But the potential for incidents/SCs will keep the pit walls on their toes! #F1 #AzerbaijanGP21 Sep 2025 09:15 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzdkmax55c2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lzbqw4wyzc2nWind, rain, red flags and crashes turned qualifying into a day for the underdog as Baku made good on its promise to "expect the unexpected" - even if it all ended with Max Verstappen on pole. Tried making sense of a topsy-turvy day for @theathletic.com https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6646922/2025/09/20/f1-qualifying-azerbaijan-crashes-pole-verstappen20 Sep 2025 16:02 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzbqw4wyzc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lzba3hp6k22m📅 F1 has announced a four-year extension for the Azerbaijan GP's contract, keeping Baku on the calendar through 2030 #F1 #AzerbaijanGP20 Sep 2025 11:01 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzba3hp6k22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lzaxfcdoe22hFinal practice is about to get underway in Baku. Can Lewis Hamilton repeat his Friday pace? Live updates on @theathletic.com ⬇️ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/f1-azerbaijan-gp-live-updates-qualifying-fp3-times-results/32JquEqvFiQq20 Sep 2025 08:26 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzaxfcdoe22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lz6h7h76gs2aGreen light on for FP1 in Azerbaijan - follow the session with live updates on @theathletic.com ⬇️ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/f1-azerbaijan-gp-live-updates-fp1-fp2-times-results/V3AYVpvaPlM619 Sep 2025 08:31 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lz6h7h76gs2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lz47xuvuic2lGeorge Russell and Mercedes are taking their time to finalise terms over his new contract - and rightly so, given the importance of the deal entering the prime years of his F1 career. Latest piece for @theathletic.com ⬇️ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6636752/2025/09/18/george-russell-mercedes-f1-contract18 Sep 2025 11:16 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lz47xuvuic2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lyznut4yzc2j🇺🇸 Miami 2041 🇦🇹 Austria 2041 🇨🇦 Canada 2035 🇲🇨 Monaco 2035 F1's calendar could look very similar for many years to come. But why have so many races been getting long-term contracts of late? https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6630875/2025/09/17/f1-calendar-circuit-contract-length17 Sep 2025 10:47 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lyznut4yzc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lywxu7qigs24F1 has confirmed its slate of six sprint races for 2026 — but there could be as many as double from 2027, with format changes such as reverse grids up for discussion in the coming weeks and months. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6633498/2025/09/16/f1-sprint-race-schedule-expansion https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6633498/2025/09/16/f1-sprint-race-schedule-expansion/16 Sep 2025 09:07 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lywxu7qigs24https://bsky.app/profile/lukesmithf1.bsky.social/post/3lxp5623grc2gIt's almost time for lights out at Zandvoort - follow the Dutch GP live on @theathletic.com ⬇️ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/f1-dutch-gp-live-updates-race-times-results/gNmYfMMq3QgX31 Aug 2025 12:56 +0000at://did:plc:eggrsku4p5xgpcukuzgswirj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxp5623grc2g