OFICIAL Formula 1

The story behind these 12 striking images from 2026

What happened
Based on Formula 1 · Aug 11, 2026

Formula 1 photographer Alex O’Connor reveals the stories behind 12 striking images from the first half of the 2026 season, offering a behind-the-scenes look at key moments and techniques.

🚩 Report a correction ↗ Open source
The story behind these 12 striking images from 2026
Formula 1 — Formula 1
Key points
·
F1 photographer Alex O’Connor has offered unique insight into how he captured 12 of his most remarkable images over the first half of the 2026 season.
·
The 2026 season has only just reached its halfway point, but every emotion has already been showcased – the joy of a maiden victory, frustration of an underwhelming weekend, unbridled anger at watching points slip out of a driver’s hands.
·
No one is better placed to capture all of that than a photographer.
·
It’s a cliche that a picture speaks a thousand words, but motorsport photographers like Alex O’Connor convey thoughts and feelings through their work that are impossible to express in any other medium.

Formula 1 photographer Alex O’Connor has shared the creative process behind 12 of his most striking images from the first 11 rounds of the 2026 season. Each photograph captures a distinct moment, from triumph to frustration, providing a visual narrative of the season’s highs and lows. O’Connor explained that drivers like Charles Leclerc were photographed using their hands and gloves as props to reflect the precision required in Formula 1, where performance hinges on narrow margins.

The Suzuka Circuit in Japan provided a picturesque backdrop for one of O’Connor’s favorite shots, featuring Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli during his maiden Grand Prix win. Using a vintage manual-focus lens and a long monopod, O’Connor manually calculated focus points to capture the car weaving between cherry blossom trees. The technique required multiple attempts to perfect, highlighting the challenges of motorsport photography.

George Russell’s first podium finish since the season opener was captured in parc ferme after winning the Canada Sprint. O’Connor described the moment as a momentum shift, with Russell’s determined performance signaling his return to the championship fight. The image of Russell walking behind Antonelli in parc ferme encapsulated this shift, reflecting the competitive dynamics of the season.

O’Connor also documented Antonelli’s victory at Monaco, a race marked by multiple crashes and retirements. Shot from a television helicopter above the circuit, the image captured the intensity of the race from an aerial perspective. The photograph underscored the unique challenges of Monaco, where drivers navigate tight streets and high stakes, solidifying Antonelli’s status as a rising star in Formula 1.

Original source → Deals on Clipraptor.com →