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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 11h

There's a storm brewing in the F1 paddock with allegations one team breached the cost cap last year. The word we heard was "substantial".

Huge implications for 2026 if a Red Bull-style penalty is applied.

#F1

Minor Aston Martin cost cap breach revealed as rival faces 'substantial' infraction

Aston Martin is one of two teams to have broken the FIA's cost cap in F1 2025 with one team committing a 'substantial' breach.

www.planetf1.com

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 1d

Colapinto may have disobeyed team orders in Austin, but for 17th, were they really necessary? Fighting for his F1 future, he did the right thing. #F1

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 1d

Worth reiterating this one from Thomas Maher last week.

Christian Horner is looking to set up a new team and has significant backing to do so. It made his recent dinner with Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Zak Brown particularly interesting. #F1

Christian Horner, Zak Brown, and Mohammed Ben Sulayem dinner sparks intrigue

Christian Horner, Zak Brown, and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem made for an unusual trio at a mid-week dinner in London.

www.planetf1.com

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 2d

Ryo Hirakawa crashed while performing some TPC with Haas at Zandvoort on Monday. #F1

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dubz.co

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 3d

The 'tapegate' saga is fabulous. I love the lengths teams go to, firstly to be prepared, but then also in pursuit of competition. There is nothing in the rules that make any of it illegal and, in F1, unless it says you can't, you can. Fantastic theatre and niggle. #F1

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 4d

Always worth a read. Oliver invariably makes some cutting observations on the current state of play in the F1 paddock. #F1

Verstappen puts McLaren on red alert as further Piastri evidence emerges

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won the F1 2025 United States Grand Prix with Lando Norris second and Charles Leclerc third.

www.planetf1.com

Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 6d

Some truly incredible comments in this from FIA Presidential candidate Tim Mayer.

As reported on PlanetF1 last Wednesday, the election process has made it a one-horse race. #F1

FIA hit with 'no democracy, just theatre' claims as Tim Mayer declares election 'over'

The earliest candidate to run against Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the FIA Presidential elections, Tim Mayer, has declared the race as over.

www.planetf1.com

Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 7d

No, he's been back working with HiTech.

Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 7d

New owner at HiTech, Liu Guo Cai. He's CEO of Migao Group Holdings, which is "one of the largest potash fertiliser companies" in China. Amazing how common that industry is in motorsport... 🤔 #F1 #F2

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 7d

Thrilled to announce that I'm now Editor of PlanetF1.com. It's an exciting opportunity to step up after joining the organisation earlier this year. There's a great team supporting me, and I look forward to playing a part in the publication's future! #F1

F1 News, Live Race Coverage, Results & Standings | PlanetF1.com

The latest F1 News, results, schedules, standings, stats and analysis from PlanetF1.com. Coverage of every session in winter testing, practice, qualifying and on race day.

PlanetF1.com

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 9d

The timeline surrounding Oscar Piastri's move to McLaren for 2023 raises key questions about Alex Palou's claim he was told he'd be considered for an F1 drive. #F1

New Oscar Piastri contract details revealed as McLaren v Alex Palou case continues

Details of Oscar Piastri's initial F1 race contract offer insight into the McLaren v Alex Palou court case.

www.planetf1.com

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 9d

The McLaren v Palou case is an interesting one. I remember being told about a meeting between Zak Brown, Mark Webber, and Oscar Piastri, at Zak's house, in mid-2022. Given he was poised to leave Alpine, Oscar was only interested in a race deal. #F1

Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 15d

MBS will be elected for a second term as FIA President at the election in December. He will stand unopposed despite three candidates announcing challenges. Here's why. #F1

Mohammed Ben Sulayem set to win FIA Presidency unopposed

Mohammed Ben Sulayem is set to be confirmed as FIA president for a second term in December's election, in an unopposed race.

www.planetf1.com

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 21d

Watch this space. It was right place, wrong time at McLaren. But perhaps there are greener (or more red...) pastures out there. #F1

Thomas Maher @thomasmaheronf1.bsky.social · 21d

Alex Dunne and McLaren have parted ways, and it's understood Red Bull is the likely destination for the young Irish driver. #F1 #SingaporeGP

www.planetf1.com/news/alex-du...

McLaren announce shock Alex Dunne split amid Red Bull F1 rumours

Alex Dunne and McLaren have parted ways with immediate effect, with the Irish driver linked with a switch to another team on the grid.

www.planetf1.com

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 22d

Interlagos may have saved Alpine's on track performance last year, but off track it remained a slog with a £20m+ change to its bottom line. Don't be surprised if it's a similar story next year. But, positively, the rebuild has begun. #F1

Alpine confirm major F1 2024 downturn with £22million loss revealed

A double-podium in Brazil helped save Alpine's season off track, but the F1 2024 campaign still marked a downturn for the Enstone operation.

www.planetf1.com

Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 22d

Huge investment still being made at Williams. More than £550million injected last year as the rebuild there continues. #F1

Williams suffers £50million financial loss despite £1.5billion investment

The Williams F1 team recorded a loss of almost £50million during the F1 2024 season despite a significant cash injection of £550million.

www.planetf1.com

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 22d

While I see Tombazis' logic here, for me it comes down to the question of what F1 really is. Is it an engineering led sport that entertains, or entertainment featuring engineering? #F1

Thomas Maher @thomasmaheronf1.bsky.social · 23d

There's not much chance of seeing #F1 engine freedom any time soon, as the FIA's Nikolas Tombazis explained to me.

www.planetf1.com/news/v8-vs-v...

V8 vs. V10 vs. V12: Why the romance of F1's engine freedom is dead

Allowing engine manufacturers to manufacture V6s, V8s, V10s, or even V12s, under the F1 cost cap, begs the question, 'Why not?'

www.planetf1.com

Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 22d

Accounts show 2024 was an even better year for McLaren than it looked. A huge profit, more than 4x what it enjoyed in 2023. Superb result for the team that was staring at bankruptcy not so long ago. #F1

McLaren confirms huge $72.9m profit in $714m F1 title-winning season

McLaren enjoyed a huge $72.9m profit during its title-winning F1 2024 season as the team saw off the threat of Ferrari and Red Bull.

www.planetf1.com

Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 28d

Some more Christian Horner-related Red Bull paperwork has been sorted. Alan Permane is now director at Racing Bulls, replacing Laurent Mekies. #F1

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · Sep 23

Red Bull's 2024 accounts show Christian Horner got a pay rise, and offer further insight into his $100 million pay out. #F1

Red Bull accounts reveal Christian Horner pay rise prior to F1 sack

Christian Horner received a pay rise as Red Bull saw its profits rise over the course of the F1 2024 season.

www.planetf1.com

Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · Sep 22

Oscar Piastri will not have a grid penalty in Singapore. This is why.

www.planetf1.com/new...

#F1

Why Oscar Piastri will escape a Singapore GP grid penalty

It was a torrid weekend for Oscar Piastri in Azerbaijan, but it could have been worse for the championship leader.

www.planetf1.com

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · Sep 21

A well placed source doesn't believe Oscar will carry a grid penalty to Singapore. Stewards penalty guidelines suggest 5s penalties shouldnt get carried forward, which is a result of a request from the team themselves at the start of the year. But, that is only a guideline. #F1

Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · Sep 21

the case of c) or d), the stewards may impose a grid place penalty on the driver at their next race.

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · Sep 21

Article 54.3: If any of the four (4) penalties above are imposed upon a driver, and that driver is unable to serve the penalty due to being unclassified in the sprint session or the race in the case of a) or b) or due to retirement from the sprint session or the race in

(2/3)

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · Sep 21

Oscar Piastri *MAY* have his #F1 jump start penalty converted into a grid penalty. Not guaranteed but according to Article 54.3 of sporting regs, there is a possibility. Even McLaren is uncertain at this stage (I've asked).

(1/3)

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