Long-time Aston Martin figure Tom McCullough is set to join Red Bull Racing in 2027 as their Head of Racing, it has been announced.
McCullough will make the move after a lengthy stint with Aston Martin and their previous guises, Racing Point and Force India, where he worked in various engineering roles.
At the start of 2025, as part of a senior leadership restructure, he was moved away from the Aston Martin F1 project and into another area of the business that focused on “the expansion of the team’s broader range of racing categories”.
Last month, it emerged that McCullough would be leaving Aston Martin at the end of the 2026 season, with his future plans unclear.
Red Bull communicated McCullough’s impending arrival as the Milton Keynes based team look to rebuild their own senior leadership structure following several high-profile exits.
Max Verstappen’s Race Engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is one of the most recent examples, with the Briton due to leave Red Bull when his current contract expires and join McLaren as their Chief Racing Officer.
McCullough started his F1 career at Williams back in the early 2000s, spending around a decade with the outfit and then following up a brief spell a Sauber with a move to Force India.
We’re delighted to welcome Tom to the team at the beginning of 2027 and look forward to the wealth of experience and expertise he will bring to the role. Statement from Red Bull.
Lando Norris has committed his future to McLaren after signing a new deal that will extend his stay at the British team until at least then end of 2030, with a multi-year option to commit beyond that date.
The Briton joined McLaren in 2017 as a test and development driver before earning promotion to the grid as a race driver for 2019.
The 26 year old has since gone on to win 13 Grand Prix victories, 19 pole positions and 49 podiums – as well as his maiden World Championship in 2025. Additionally he has now race in 165 Grands Prix for the team, more than any other McLaren driver in history.
His previous deal is believed to have been set to expire at the end of 2027, but McLaren moved to lock him down for the foreseeable future with a fresh contract extension.
By the end of the current agreement, Norris will be 31 and have spent 12 years with McLaren, matching the stint Lewis Hamilton achieved with Mercedes.
Norris’ team mate Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, is contracted with McLaren up until the end of 2028, having signed a fresh deal ahead of the 2025 campaign. That gives McLaren stability for at least the next two Formula 1 campaigns.
McLaren is my home, and I’m very pleased to be signing a new contract to keep me with the team until at least 2030. When I started this journey nine years ago, I was clear about the goals I wanted to achieve: to get McLaren back to the front and to win championships. We’ve achieved that goal, but we want more, we want to keep on winning, and we know as a team that we’re capable of achieving it. I can’t wait to get back in the car in Monza and I’m very excited about what the future holds for us, both over the rest of this season, and in the coming years. Norris on the news.
I’m incredibly pleased to be signing a new contract with Lando, extending his commitment with McLaren until at least 2030. His journey with the team is a fantastic example of our commitment to identifying, developing and supporting world-class talent, and his achievements speak for themselves. Together with Andrea [Stella], Oscar [Piastri] and the wider team, Lando has helped drive McLaren into a new papaya era of success, helping us go from the back of the grid, to double consecutive constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025 and our first Drivers’ Championship in 17 years. We are extremely excited about what lies ahead and remain fully focused on continuing to compete for wins and championships. Zak Brown on the news.
Franco Colapinto will continue to race in Formula 1 with Alpine next season after the Enstone-based team announced he will partner Pierre Gasly in an unchanged line-uo.
The Argentine driver joined Alpine as a reserve for 2025 before stepping into the race seat from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix as a replacement for Jack Doohan.
He was retained for this season and has since scored 27 points across eight races so far this season, working with Gasly to help the team to P6 in the Teams’ Championship.
Colapinto has formed a strong partnership both on and off track with Gasly, who signed a deal to race with Alpine until at least the end of 2028 around this time last year – and was favourite to keep his seat.
Following discussion internally, Alpine have extended Colapinto’s stay saying the combination with Gasly “provides the perfect match-up to drive the team forwards into the future”.
We are very happy to confirm our driver line-up for 2027 with Franco staying as a race driver alongside Pierre. For me, having consistency is very important. We are now settled from a driver point of view and I have said many times that, while this is an important piece of the puzzle, the most significant we have to get right is designing and building a fast race car, which absolutely remains our number one priority. We have seen Franco truly grow and mature into a great driver this year. His results in Miami and Montreal especially confirmed what I already knew: Franco belongs in Formula 1 and he belongs at this team. I expect both Franco, and Pierre, to continue doing a fantastic job on track and for the entire team to push relentlessly until we are fighting, and winning, at the front end of this sport. Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor.
I am very pleased to remain with this team in 2027. I feel very happy and very settled here and it’s been even better that we have made significant progress this year compared to last. We have a lot more milestones to reach and I know the team is working so hard in finding performance and making the car better and better. Our long-term goals are obvious – to compete and win – and I am grateful to the team, Flavio and Steve [Nielsen, Managing Director], for the trust placed in me to be one of its drivers going into the future. I’m looking forward to seeing how everything plays out and focusing on my job on-track first and foremost. Colapinto on the news.
Max Verstappen followed up his victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia by winning Saturday’s Sprint around the street of Singapore – mastering the mixed weather conditions while George Russell crashed out early on and the McLaren drivers clashed in the closing stages.
After a pre-race downpour, which soaked the first and third sectors of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, while leaving the middle sectory merely damp, the action got under way around half an hour later than planned, with all drivers running the intermediate tyres.
In a repeat of last weekend’s start at Sepang, Russell charged past polesitter Verstappen in the slippery conditions and initially drove into the distance, only to undo that work by dramatically crashing at the final corner of the first lap.
Verstappen moved back into the lead as a result, and after nailing the race restart, the Dutchman never looked back – managing his intermediate tyres in ever-drying conditions and steadily pulling away from the Ferrari’s and McLaren’s behind.
The full top 10 are- P1: Verstappen, P2: Hamilton, P3: Leclerc, P4: Antonelli, P5: Lawson, P6: Bearman, P7: Hulkenberg, P8: Norris, P9: Gasly and P10: Ocon.
What a result for Verstappen! An excellent way to start the weekend for the Dutchman! Fresh of the back of his win the weekend before, he will be glad seeing the points come in after a tough start to the season.
A double sprint podium for the Ferrari duo! A great result for them both, with Hamilton having had a flying start.
A decent result for Antonelli in 4th! Shame he couldn’t get the Ferrari’s but he kept out of trouble and scored points for his all important championship battle. As for his teammate, it seemed an excellent start for George getting the jump on Verstappen, but it all went horribly wrong. A shame as it would’ve been an interesting race!
Points for Lawson in 5th, gaining additional places due to others downfall.
Bearman, Hulkenberg and Norris round out the points scoring position.
The last lap was a nightmare for the McLaren duo, as Norris went for a ‘move’ which wasn’t there on Piastri and it ended up with them both spinning and Piastri out. They were both running in decent points position which would’ve meant a lot to the team.
A LOT of drivers didn’t finish the Sprint Race. Stroll, Perez, Russell, Colapinto, Hadjar, Bottas, Bortoleto, Albon and Piastri…
Audi have revealed a special livery for this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, celebrating the city’s unique identity as well as the team’s first night race in Formula 1.
The R26 will sport a design that combines a Singapore specific variant of Audi’s usual Titanium Silver Grey with a traditional peranakan pattern, which will adorn the sidepods and rear wing as well as carrying over onto Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto’s race suits.
Inspired by the city’s transition from daylight to twilight, the livery has been launched alongside a limited-edition Adidas capsule collection, building on ‘The Art of Influence’ a 360 degree programme that brings F1 closer to the finals through activations across Singapore and online.
Bringing Formula 1 to the people means giving fans more ways to feel part of the team, wherever they are. Singapore shows how we can do that through one connected idea. Audi’s special livery expresses our brand through a design shaped by the city, and fans around the world can discover it for themselves through the online reveal. With the Adidas collection and experiences across Singapore, that story continues beyond the race car. ‘The Art of Influence’ invites people to engage with the team in ways that are meaningful to them, whether they are here in the city or following from home. Stefano Battistion, Chief Brand & Commercial Officer at Audi.
Mercedes’ George Russell is set for a grid penalty at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, following an unavoidable engine change after his late retirement in Malaysia.
While on course for a podium finish, Russell suffered a power unit failure during the closing laps of the Bahrain Grand Prix and had to pull over to the side of the track, marking his third non-scoring round of the season.
The DNF has impacted his title hopes as teammate Kimi Antonelli extended his lead to 84 points in the driver’s standings and Russell’s likely penalty at the Marina Bay Circuit will make that gap even harder to close.
He was expected to take a new engine later in the season once Mercedes had capitalised on the FIA’s ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) programme to introduce a new upgrade, however the damage from Malaysia means that they have been forced to bring it forward to Singapore.
Russell will therefore exceed the season allocation of power unit components and be penalised, with the regulations specifying that a grid penalty will be imposed at the first event where each additional element over the quota is used.
The penalty will be a minimum of 10 positions depending on the exact parts Mercedes switch out – effectively, the more new parts, the greater the grid drop.
The incident was the latest in a string of reliability problems for Mercedes in 2026 – Russell previously retired from the Canadian Grand Prix due to a power unit failure, while Antonelli suffered in Barcelona.
Malaysia was obviously a very difficult weekend for us. We have spent the days since then working hard to understand why our performance was not where it should have been. We have identified several areas we need to investigate further, but F1 doesn’t offer simple answers and we need more evidence before drawing firm conclusions. Singapore gives us an immediate opportunity to continue that work. The characteristics of the circuit are very different and that will help us build a clearer picture of where we are. That is why we will evaluate both the latest update package and our previous specification across the weekend to ensure we fully understand the direction we need to take. George has the added challenge of a power unit penalty, which will mean starting from the back of the grid on Sunday, following the engine failure in Malaysia. That is particularly frustrating given the way he drove last weekend and the result he deserved to be fighting for. Unfortunately, these things are part of the sport and our focus now is on giving him the best possible car and opportunities to fight back through the field. We need to maximise this final Sprint weekend of the year, keep learning, and score the strongest result we can with both cars. Singapore will be an important test of our understanding and our resilience as a team. Toto Wolff, ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend.
Max Verstappen converted pole position into victory during Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, which was impacted by heavy rain, featured an entertaining crossover from intermediate tyres to slicks and saw overtaking from start to finish – as well as a dramatic late retirement.
After a delayed start and then a suspended start procedure, as several drivers struggled to maintain speed on the initial formation lap, the race eventually got underway in slippery, mixed conditions – leading to split tyre strategies and plenty of early action.
Polesitter Verstappen fell behind Mercedes pair Kimi Antonelli and Russell on the run down to Turn 1, with all three drivers running intermediate tyres, but he soon settled into a rhythm and managed to pick off the Silver Arrows either side of a Safety Car that was deployed when Valtteri Bottas spun out.
That Safety Car period represented the ideal window for the intermediate starters to switch to slick tyres, with those who line up on slick compounds getting caught out, and threats of further rain not materialising before the chequered flag.
Verstappen controlled proceedings after working his way back into P1, pulling away from Antonelli and Russell – who had their own battle over second – and navigating a late Virtual Safety Car/Safety Car combination to secure his and Red Bull’s first win of the 2026 campaign.
Antonelli was already set to extend his championship lead over Russell by three points when his teammate dramatically ground to a halt on the start/finish straight behind that final Safety Car, dealing another blow to the Briton’s already slim title chances.
The full top 10 are- P1: Verstappen, P2: Antonelli, P3: Hamilton, P4: Leclerc, P5: Hadjar, P6: Piastri, P7: Lawson, P8: Alonso, P9: Norris and P10: Lindblad.
What a result for Max Verstappen! If you told him at the beginning of the season he would’ve got a win I think he would’ve thought it was very far away, but he did it and he did it in style. As for his teammate, Hadjar finished 5th, a decent result – a shame he didn’t manage another podium but a very good points haul for the team.
A great result for Antonelli, at the start of the weekend he seemed to have struggled slightly but he managed to make up for it and get on the podium for that all important Championship fight. Which is on to my next topic – is it still a Championship fight? Russell DNF’ed after it was looking like a decent weekend for him however can he get back mentally strong for these final 7 races… It’s a big ask considering how on form Antonelli has been.
Third for Hamilton, back on the podium again which we love to see – but it does make you think could he have potentially got a bit more if what went wrong didn’t? We will never know… As for his teammate, Leclerc, he finished closely behind in fourth, so a good points haul for the team!
Sixth for Piastri a good result for him, managed to keep it out of trouble and score some points. As for his teammate, a disappointing weekend with Norris finishing ninth not what they would’ve expected and to see that it was the straightline speed they was struggling with is not ideal.
Double points for the Racing Bulls – Lawson finishing 7th and Lindblad in 10th. Really great result for them considering it’s both of their first time driving at this track.
And rounding out the point scorers, is Mr Fernando Alonso who finished 9th – a really great result for the whole team. Hopefully a step in the right direction!
Mercedes have unveiled a special livery that will adorn the W17 at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
During the weekend at the Sepang International Circuit, the Silver Arrows’ challenger will sport a design honouring the colours of the team’s title partner PETRONAS, with the car featuring shades of green alongside its usual black.
The event will mark F1’s return to the Malaysian track – which previously hosted Grans Prix between 1999 and 2017 – and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has acknowledged that the venue is a special one for the team.
Alongside their special livery, Wolff confirmed that Mercedes will bring an update package to Malaysia which the team home will be “another step forward”.
This weekend has extra significance for us because of our long-standing relationship with PETRONAS. It’s fantastic to see Formula 1 returning to Sepang and we should also recognise the effort that has gone into making this Grand Prix happen. It has required strong collaboration between Malaysia and Bahrain, and that deserves credit. Once the cars are on track, though, our focus is on the job ahead. Sepang is a demanding circuit that asks every question of the car. You need performance in the high-speed corners, good traction, strong tyre management and consistency in hot, challenging conditions. It is one of the more complete tests on the calendar. Wolff on the news.
Red Bull have announced that Max Verstappen has committed to a new deal that will see him race for the team through to 2030.
The Dutchman first joined the Milton Keynes based outfit in 2016 in a mid-season promotion from sister team Toro Rosso (now named Racing Bulls) and has gone on to achieve a spectacular 71 victories and four Drivers’ Championship.
His most recent triumph in 2024 was followed by McLaren clinching both titles last season, when a stunning comeback by Verstappen resulted in him losing out on a fifth championship by just two points to Lando Norris.
However, Red Bull have dropped further down the order under the new regulations, leading to speculation that the 28 year old was beginning to explore options at other teams despite his previous contract lasting until 2028.
The announcement, brings a definitive end to the rumours and highlights his belief that under the leadership of Laurent Mekies, Red Bull will return to race-winning ways sooner rather than later.
I am really pleased with the contract extension. We have the best people and I’m excited to keep working together with everyone to get back to the top again. This remains the ultimate goal that all of us have been working towards and will continue to pursue. I want to thank Red Bull, Laurent and everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing for the trust they put in me. I have always said it: The team is like a second family for me and I feel very at home. I came to the team hoping to be able to win races. What we went on to achieve together has been simply lovely and we have shared many incredible moments and won four World Championships. To continue this journey with the same team that I have been with my whole career is really special and something I have always wanted to do. Getting to work with Laurent now for over a year has also been great, I see a clear vision he has for the team. Everyone in Milton Keynes believes in what we are building and I am looking forward to the next chapter, fighting for more victories and competing for championships as we continue to shape the future of this team. Verstappen on the news.
Having Max continue with us and retaining the best driver on the grid is fantastic news for everyone at Red Bull, Oracle Red Bull Racing, as well as F1 and motorsport as a whole. Very few partnerships in sport achieve what Max and this team have. Since the very beginning, Max has embodied everything that makes Oracle Red Bull Racing special: uncompromising competitiveness, relentless determination and the courage to challenge convention. His impact on our team and on Red Bull’s motorsport story has been transformational, and he has been fundamental to everything we have accomplished together. The decision to continue our journey together is rooted in the trust Max and the team have built over many years, as well as Max’s confidence in our people, our culture and our vision for the future. Forged through championship-winning success, intense battles and challenging moments alike, this relationship has only grown stronger – making it one of Formula One’s greatest success stories. But we are not done yet. There are more races to win, more milestones to achieve and more history to write. Together, we continue to raise the bar with the same determination that brought us to the top of the sport and an even greater faith in what we can achieve. Much will evolve as we move forward, but our ambition remains unchanged – united by one direction, one vision, one team. Mekies on signing Verstappen.
Carlos Sainz has agreed a new multi-year contract with Williams, one day on from the news that Alex Albon is also set to stay at the team for 2027.
Sainz arrived at Williams in 2025 following his departure from Ferrari – and while the Spaniard was no longer in the fight for race wins, he went on to collect two Grand Prix podiums for the Grove-based team during a season in which they climbed up to P5 in the Teams’ Championship.
The 2026 campaign has been more challenging so far for the team, but Sainz will continue with Williams after agreeing a new multi-year contract as the team aim to bounce back from their struggles and make progress towards their goal of competing at the front of the field.
Sainz has been open about the setbacks that have led to him settling for six points so far this season, achieving his best result of 9th in the early rounds held in China, Miami and Canada.
He will therefore be hopeful that Williams’ next upgrade package, set to be introduced at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, will put them in contention for more consistent top 10 finishes throughout the second half of the year and into 2027.
I’m thrilled to announce my continued journey with the Atlassian Williams F1 Team family. I truly believe in the people that form this team, both at the factory and at the racetracks, and the investments and hard work that are happening in the background. We have what it takes to turn this around together. I’m as committed as I was on day one to helping get Williams back to where it belongs, and I look forward to creating more memories with the team. Sainz on the news.
From the moment he joined, Carlos’ talent behind the steering wheel and dedication back at the factory have been extremely valuable for this project – working day in, day out with his engineers to find every millisecond. He is a leader of this team, and I’m thrilled that he can see what’s possible as we continue to rebuild it. It’s not just his racecraft and speed that stand out, but the work he does behind the scenes in the pursuit of high performance. Carlos shares the belief and ambition we have at Atlassian Williams F1 Team and is pushing every day to deliver it. Along with Alex, I truly believe we have one of the strongest line-ups on the grid, and a team capable of fighting for every ounce of performance together. Vowles on the news.
Williams have confirmed that Alex Albon will continue to race for the team in 2027, extending his record-breaking stay with the team.
Albon first joined Williams back in 2022 following a year on the sidelines as a reserve driver for Red Bull, and the Thai driver has since gone on to be a part of the Grove-based team’s mission to return to the top, a journey that saw them climb up to P5 in last year’s Teams’ Championship.
While it has been a tougher season for the team so far in 2026, Albon has reaffirmed his commitment and will again drive for Williams into 2027.
It comes after Albon became the driver to record the most starts for Williams at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, his 96th race with the historic outfit – overtaking previous record holder Nigel Mansell in the process.
The 30 year old then achieved another milestone when he reached his 100th Grand Prix with Williams four rounds later in Hungary.
Albon currently sits in P16 of the drivers’ standings on five points, while Williams are down in ninth place of the Teams Championship following a challenging start to the campaign. However, with an upgrade package planned for Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the team will be hoping for better during the second half of the season.
Since joining Atlassian Williams F1 Team in 2022, the transformation this team has made is difficult to put into words. One tough year doesn’t tell the full picture, and it only gives me more motivation to keep building and pushing together with the factory and our fans to achieve great things. Our story is not over yet, so my full focus now is on doing whatever it takes to get us back up the grid. Albon on the news.
I am delighted that Alex and Atlassian Williams F1 Team are continuing our extraordinary journey together. Alex has been a leader of this transformation project since day one and we have plenty of unfinished business that we are determined to achieve. Alex is one of the best drivers on the grid and knows better than anyone the enormous improvements we have made in recent years – re-signing him shows the belief we both have in the direction we are heading. James Vowles on the news.
Williams will mark Formula 1’s return to Madrid by racing a special edition livery inspired by the colours of their 1981 championship-winning FW07C, which was the car the team raced the last time the sport competed in the Spanish capital.
The livery, which will adorn the cars of home hero Carlos Sainz and his team mate Alex Albon, features a white, green and navy blue colourway in a nod to the 1981 design that was raced by Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann at Madrid’s Circuito de Jarama.
Williams say the design showcases how they are using the knowledge, methods and lessons of the past to inspire their fight back to the front.
Sainz will be competing in his 13th Spanish Grand Prix but first in Madrid – the city where he was born, raised and began his motor racing career. He and team mate Alex Albon will be searching for the team’s first points since Albon took eighth in Monaco, eight Grand Prix weekends ago.
The British team, who finished a superb fifth last year, currently sit ninth in the Teams’ Championship on 11 points, five adrift of Audi.
Our mission to get back to the front of the grid is drawn from, inspired by and informed by everything we’ve done before. I am incredibly proud to celebrate that through [title sponsor] Atlassian’s special livery, connecting the team we were at Jarama with the team we are becoming today through focused collaboration, improved technological innovation, and real creativity. The car looks fantastic, and I cannot wait to see it lapping around Madrid. Vowles on the car.
Red Bull will continue to field Liam Lawson alongside Max Verstappen at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, with Isack Hadjar still recovering from a wrist injury.
Lawson initially stepped in for Hadjar at Zandvoort, and remained in his place at Monza, while Yuki Tsunoda returned to take over the New Zealander’s Racing Bulls seat.
On Monday, Red Bull announced that Hadjar – who injured his wrist while training over the summer break – will remain on the sidelines for F1’s first visit to the new Madring track.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, remains alongside Arvid Lindblad with the sister Racing Bull’s team.
Lawson has finished the last two races with Red Bull in P7 and P14 respectively, while Tsunoda has recorded P11 and P10 results.
After racing for the team in Zandvoort and Monza, Liam will continue to drive alongside Max at this week’s Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. The decision has been taken as Isack’s recovery continues to progress positively. While he is not yet ready to return to the cockpit, he will be in Madrid supporting the team. Everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing looks forward to welcoming Isack back behind the wheel very soon. A statement from Red Bull.
Kimi Antonelli rose from the rear of the grid to claim victory in Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix, capping off a brilliant comeback drive by passing Mercedes team mate and title rival George Russell in the closing laps.
Antonelli started his home race down in 19th position after an engine penalty, with Russell on the front row of the grid, but the youngster rapidly climbed to the front of the field via a devastating blend of raw pace and smart overtaking.
A mid-race Virtual Safety Car played its part in the outcome, when Antonelli opted to pit under caution for a fresh set of medium tyres, and Russell stayed out on used hards, which gradually faded and made his life more difficult.
Aside from a brief trip through the gravel as he attacked Russell late on, Antonelli could not be faulted across 53 laps at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza – making another huge statement in his quest for the 2026 world title.
Russell had to settle for second place, crossing the line some four seconds behind Antonelli, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen completed the podium finishers in a determined display that also featured serveral bold passes.
The full top 10 are- P1: Antonelli, P2: Russell, P3: Verstappen, P4: Norris, P5: Piastri, P6: Hamilton, P7: Gasly, P8: Lindblad, P9: Colapinto and P10: Tsunoda.
What a result for Antonelli! Coming from 19th to finish P1, if that’s not a championship drive, I don’t know what is. At his home Grand Prix as well! Doesn’t get much better than that. It was a 1-2 for the Mercedes duo, a decent race from Russell, a shame he couldn’t turn it into the win but I don’t think there was anything stopping Antonelli!
Third for Verstappen, a great race for the Red Bull driver, which meant a good haul of points after crashing out at his home grand prix the race weekend prior. As for his teammate, Lawson finished 14th – a tough weekend for him.
4th for Norris and 5th for Piastri, a good set of points for the McLaren duo, just missing out on the podium which is unfortunate for the team, but they did well considering how many challenges they had to get through this weekend.
Heartbreak for the Tifosi, Hamilton finished in sixth and Leclerc crashed out on Lap 2. Not an ideal weekend at all for the home hereo’s they will be looking forward to the next race weekend.
P7 for the pole sitter, Pierre Gasly, a decent effort from him, he knew that he wouldn’t be able to fight the whole race with the surrounding teams, he did however, give the drivers around him a good fight! What makes it that bit sweeter, P9 for Colapinto, a shame for him how it played out in the race, but points are points!
And to round out the points paying position, double points for Racing Bulls, 8th for Lindblad and 10th for Tsunoda, his first point since being back on the grid.
Now we look towards the next race weekend, which is this weekend, as for the first time we head to Madrid, for the Spanish Grand Prix and take on a whole new track!
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly earned a brilliant first-ever F1 pole position at the Italian Grand Prix, edging out Mercedes’ George Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in a pulsating Qualifying session around the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.
Gasly, who claimed his maiden F1 win at the Temple of Speed back in 2020, featured towards the front of the times throughout Saturday’s Qualifying hour, as the Frenchman and his recently updated, Mercedes-powered car shone.
Sitting third to Russell and Piastri after the opening Q3 runs, Gasly sent shockwaves through the paddock when he pumped in a time of 1m 21.786s on his final lap – launching ahead of his Mercedes and McLaren rivals in the process.
The full top 10 are- Pole: Gasly, P2: Russell, P3: Piastri, P4: Leclerc, P5: Hamilton, P6: Verstappen, P7: Antonelli, P8: Colapinto, P9: Norris and P10: Lindblad.
However Antonelli will be starting at the back of the grid, due to his engine penalty and as well, Piastri has been given a 3 place grid penalty, due to impeding Liam Lawson during the qualifying session.
So the starting 10 looks a little different to how they qualified, P1: Gasly, P2: Russell, P3: Leclerc, P4: Hamilton, P5: Verstappen, P6: Piastri, P7: Colapinto, P8: Norris, P9: Lindblad and P10: Bortoleto.
What a result for Piereeee Gaslyyyyyyyyyy!!! Honestly so so so happy for him! He deserves this so much, especially after the news of him losing his Monaco Grand Prix podium. Let’s see what he can do in the race!
P2 for Russell, a very decent result for the Brit! And it’s good to see Antonelli helping him out, seeing as his got a penalty himself. It will be interesting to see how he gets on battling through the field.
A great result for the Ferrari duo, 3rd and 4th lining up on the grid, hopefully they can battle for the win/ and maybe a podium or two at their home grand prix!
A decent result for Max Verstappen! He can do a lot from 5th position and he will be looking at the potential of a podium!
Unfortunate for Piastri to get a penalty but 6th isn’t too bad, and he clearly has pace this weekend to qualify third. As for his teammate, a bit of a mixed weekend for Norris, starting 8th, he will have a bit of work to do to get into a good points position.
7th for Colapinto, his highest starting position, he will be looking to score points at the Temple of Speed!
Williams have announced that reserve driver Luke Browning will take part in FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix, stepping for Alex Albon.
The Briton joined the Williams Driver Academy in 2023 and has made multiple appearances for the team as part of their mandated rookie running, beginning with FP1 at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Since then, he has driven in a further four practice sessions and was promoted to the role of reserve driver at the start of 2026, balancing his team duties with a campaign in Japan’s Super Formula.
Browning was initially scheduled, to get behind the wheel of FW48 in both Barcelona and Austria this season, and while an electrical issue forced him to sit out of the former, he place P18 in FP1 at the Red Bull Ring with a deficit of three-tenths to Albon.
Under F1’s regulation, every full-time driver is required to step aside for a rookie – defined as someone who has started no more than two Grands Prix – in two practice sessions across the season.
The 24 year old has completed important work on the simulator in what has been a tough year for Williams, with late development and a distinct lack of pace causing them to linger towards the back of the field.
I’m thrilled to have another chance to drive an FP1 session with Atlassian Williams F1 Team. It’s a great opportunity to get invaluable laps in the FW48 while building my understanding of the car and helping to bring useful data and feedback back to Grove. Each session teaches you something new, and I want to take every bit of learning I can from this to keep pushing my development and the team forward. For this weekend, it’s about supporting Williams to help maximise the result here in Monza. Browning on the news.
Alpine have confirmed that reserve driver Paul Aron will participate in another Free Practice 1 outing for the team at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
Aron has previously been in action during three practice sessions so far in 2026, with the first in Barcelona and Austria being with Audi as part of an agreement between the two teams.
The Estonian went on to drive for Alpine in Hungary and will again get behind the wheel of the A526 when Friday’s track running kicks off in Monza, sitting in for Pierre Gasly.
From there Aron will embark on a busy weekend, as he will head back to the team’s Enstone base for simulator work in the evening after his FP1 run in order to help with fine-tuning the car’s set up.
I am looking forward to driving again in Free Practice 1 with the team this weekend. I am grateful to the team for giving me the opportunity to get back behind the wheel so soon. I was very pleased with my session in Budapest, and I hope to build on it this time around, particularly helping the team compare our latest upgrade package which I have driven in the simulator. It’s going to be a busy weekend for me as I’ll be on the simulator at Enstone on Friday night to further help the team fine tune the set-up before returning to the track on Saturday. I’ll give it my all to hopefully assist the team in having a successful weekend. Aron on the FP1 appearance.
Red Bull has confirmed that Liam Lawson will again replace Isack Hadjar at Red Bull for the Italian Grand Prix weekend as the Frenchman continues his recovery from a wrist injury.
Lawson stepped in at the Milton Keynes based outfit last time out in Zandvoort, where he took home points for the team in P7 on race day.
Now the New Zealander will get a second opportunity with the the team as Hadjar is set to sit out another round while his rehabilitation continues.
Yuki Tsunoda, meanwhile, is set to fill Lawson’s Racing Bulls seat for a second weekend, giving the Japanese driver another outing after losing his spot on the grid at the end of 2025.
Tsunoda spoke positively about his experience after returning to action at the Dutch Grand Prix having only just missed out on a point in P11.
Liam will drive alongside Max Verstappen at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, while Isack continues to make encouraging progress following the wrist injury sustained during the summer break. The team is closely monitoring his rehabilitation and will take no unnecessary risks with his return to competition and wishes him a speedy recovery. A statement from Red Bull.
Ferrari have presented a special one-off livery for their home race at Monza, paying tribute to seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher.
It is now 30 years since the German joined the Scuderia, and 20 years since his final victory with the team – scored at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix.
As well as claiming five of his world titles with the Maranello-based team, Schumacher bagged five Monza wins in red (1996, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006).
Heading into the weekend, Ferrari revealed bespoke race suits that will be worn by current drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, featuring Schumacher’s logo and the seven stars he used to carry on his helmet to signify his seven titles.
Ferrari explained that this week’s wide-ranging tributes are inspired by Schumacher’s “impact on the racing world” and “his enduring mindset”.
Cadillac have announced that former Alpine boss Marcin Budkowski will become the new Team Principal of the American team.
Budkowski previously acted as Executive Director of the Alpine team until his exit in 2022, having previously joined from the FIA in 2018. He has since been working as a television pundit in his native Poland.
As well as holding roles with Alpine and the FIA, Budkwsoki also worked with teams including Prost, Ferrari and McLaren, with his experience spanning engineering and leadership.
Now Budkowski will return to the paddock in his new position, marking a change in leadership for Cadillac as the team prepare for the second half of their maiden campaign in Formula 1.
Graeme Lowdon has previously acted as Team Principal at the team. The appointment comes as part of a “planned leadership transition” Cadillac have said, as the organisation “evolves from its initial build phase into the next stage of racing performance”.
Marcin’s appointment marks another important step in the continued evolution of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team. From the beginning, our goal has not been simply to participate in Formula 1, but to build a next-generation team capable of competing at the very front. As we enter this new era for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, Marcin brings exceptional F1 experience, technical expertise and strategic leadership that will strengthen our organisation and help us develop the winning mindset, tools and processes required for long-term success. We’re grateful to Graeme Lowdon for his leadership and the role he played in forming the Cadillac Formula 1 Team from the ground up. His contributions helped establish a strong foundation in our build-up phase, and we thank him for his commitment and wish him well. Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac.
Cadillac Formula 1 Team has an extraordinary foundation and ambition. This is a phase of huge opportunity for the team, one that will be defined by a clear objective: maximising car development within the cost cap and turning every team function on to compete. That means building an elite organisation with a winning mindset – driven, relentless in the face of setbacks, obsessed with detail and process, and able to execute with precision on race day. My focus will be on aligning our people, tools and information flow so the right decisions are made quickly, and the performance of the car improves every time we go racing. It is a privilege to be leading Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s on-track efforts, starting in Zandvoort next weekend. Budkowski on the news.
Lando Norris has taken his second consecutive victory of the season during an eventful Dutch Grand Prix, the Briton beating Kimi Antonelli to the win while home favourite Max Verstappen suffered a dramatic crash that resulted in the race being red-flagged.
After Norris initially led away from pole position at the start, the race was halted just one lap later when Verstappen lost the rear of his Red Bull and hit the wall heavily. The Dutchman fortunately reported that he was okay.
When the action resumed, Antonelli made a flying start to overtake Norris for P1 and from there stretched out a lead – but as the race entered its final third, Norris made ground and retook the position from the Mercedes.
A late Virtual Safety Car – called due to Esteban Ocon’s Haas stopping out on track – resulted in a number of drivers pitting including Antonelli, setting up for a potential chase to the end as both Norris and George Russell in front of him had not stopped for fresh tyres.
While the Silver Arrows inverted their cars to release Antonelli into second, Norris would prove unbeatable at the front and crossed the line with an 11.536s margin over the championship leader. Russell, meanwhile, just sealed the final spot on the podium, having fended off that chasing Ferrari’s to the very end.
The full top 10 are- P1: Norris, P2: Antonelli, P3: Russell, P4: Hamilton, P5: Leclerc, P6: Piastri, P7: Lawson, P8: Hulkenberg, P9: Alonso and P10: Gasly.
What a result for Lando Norris! Fresh off summer break and started exactly how he would want! Makes it even more sweeter having the win before summer break. He really did no wrong in the race, so great to see him up on the top step. As for his teammate, not such an amazing race, Piastri finishing in sixth, but when your teammate wins, nothing will match up to that unfortunately.
Double podium for the Mercedes duo, Antonelli seemed to have some pace it wasn’t enough compared to the McLaren. The same for Russell, he seemed to be putting right foot forward all weekend and then he couldn’t match up either.
Good haul of points for the Ferrari’s, 4th & 5th. A shame they didn’t get on the podium, but was great to see a bit of fighting with Mercs and staying with them for a long period of the race.
P7 for Liam Lawson in the Red Bull – a great race for him in the points, that drive may have just secured his future on the grid… Talking of Red Bull, Max Verstappen out on the first lap. First and foremost, so glad to see he was okay as it looked like a nasty crash but also I really can’t believe how he didn’t collect someone after the initial hit into the barriers. It was definitely not the home race he was expecting.
P8 for Hulkenberg, a good race for the Audi man, little mention of I don’t know how he didn’t hit his teammate when he spun at the same time as Max…
P9 for Fernando Alonso! Points! A good race for him and Aston Martin, there upgrades are finally getting somewhere and making it worthwhile.
Rounding out the top 10 is Pierre Gasly, another point for the Frenchman.
Now we have another week off! As we head to Itallyyyy, for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza from the 4th to 6th September.
Red Bull has announced that they have appointed Gwen Lagrue as Director of the Red Bull Junior Programme for the 2027 season.
Lagrue will join the team next year having spent more than a decade with Mercedes, and will essentially replace Helmut Marko who left Red Bull at the end of 2025.
Red Bull’s Junior Programme has become one of the strongest on the Formula 1 grid over several decades, with the likes of Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon come through the ranks.
More recently, Arvid Lindblad was promoted to Racing Bulls this season, while F2 championship leader Nikola Tsolov is expected to move into the top tier of single seater racing in future.
Gwen is one of the very best talent developers in F1 and I know first-hand the expertise, leadership and passion he brings to developing young drivers. The Red Bull Junior Programme has always been a cornerstone of Red Bull’s success, and having Gwen lead it soon reflects the importance we continue to place on developing the next generation of F1 talent. We want to recognise another time today the extraordinary contribution Helmut Marko has made over more than two decades creating and leading the Junior Programme. The Junior Programme has become the benchmark in F1 because of his vision, commitment and ability to identify and develop exceptional talents and he deserves enormous credit for that. As we continue to build the next chapter of Oracle Red Bull Racing, attracting leaders of Gwen’s calibre is fundamental to achieving our ambitions. We’re strengthening our high-performance organisation with outstanding people in every part of the business, and Gwen is an important addition of that journey. Together, we will build on an incredibly strong foundation while continuing to evolve the programme for the future. Laurent Mekies, Team Principal.
Joining Oracle Red Bull Racing marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for me. After eleven memorable years at Mercedes, I felt this was the right moment to take on a new challenge and continue growing personally and professionally. The Red Bull Junior Programme is one of the most respected and successful driver development programmes in motorsport. It has produced some of the greatest talents F1 has ever seen, and it is a real honour to have the opportunity to lead such a talented group of people and help shape its next chapter. I’m looking forward to working closely with Laurent as well as the entire team and I am very thankful for this opportunity. Together, we have a fantastic framework to build on the programme’s remarkable legacy, continue to evolve it for the future, and identify, develop and prepare the next generation of F1 race winners and World Champions, following a pattern Oracle Red Bull Racing has successfully repeated over the past 20 years. Lagrue on the news.
Formula 1 and the FIA can confirm that Malaysia will host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit from October 2nd – 4 2026, between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grand Prix.
The event, which is subject to final agreements and official sign-off, including the approval of the World Motor Sport Council, will become the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
This agreement, reached between Formula 1, the FIA, the Government of Bahrain, and the Government of Malaysia, allows Formula 1 to preserve a Grand Prix that would otherwise not have happened. The rest of the schedule for 2026 remains unchanged.
Sepang – which made its debut as an F1 venue in 1999 – is one of Formula 1’s most iconic and challenging circuits, known for its passionate fans, exciting racing and unpredictable weather.
We are delighted to confirm that Malaysia will host the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2026. Once again, the sport has demonstrated its ability to adapt, find solutions, and deliver, creating an exciting moment for everyone who follows Formula 1. I would like to express our sincere thanks to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, as well as their respective governments for making this extraordinary outcome possible through their vision, commitment, and decisive action. Of course, I would also like to thank FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem for his partnership and collaboration throughout the process. Most importantly, this is fantastic news for our fans. They will continue to enjoy a full and exciting Formula 1 calendar, while also seeing the sport return to a great venue. Malaysia is an incredible country, and Sepang holds a special place in Formula 1 history. It will provide a spectacular setting for racing and an unforgettable experience for fans at the circuit and watching around the world. Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.
I am incredibly proud of the collaboration that will enable Malaysia to host the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at the iconic Sepang circuit later this year. Throughout this process, the FIA, Formula One Management, and our partners in Bahrain have worked tirelessly to explore every option, with the safety and wellbeing of the teams, volunteers, officials, our colleagues, and fans remaining our highest priority. Malaysia has long held an important place in the history of Formula 1 and the return of the Championship to Sepang is testament to our close relationship with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia, the continued commitment of the Malaysian Government, and the strength of international cooperation within our sport. My sincere thanks to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, for their vision and support in making this possible. We look forward to welcoming the global motorsport community back to Sepang. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of FIA.
Red Bull have confirmed that Isack Hadjar will not take part in this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson stepping up to the top team as his replacement.
The Frenchman has sustained a wrist injury ahead of the season-resuming event at the Circuit Zandvoort – where team mate Max Verstappen will compete in his home race – thereby ruling him out of the round.
Hadjar, who currently sits eighth in the standings and was on a run of seven Grands Prix in the points, will be substituted for Lawson. The New Zealander previously had a stint at Red Bull for two rounds at the beginning of 2025 before he was demoted to their sister team – he has become a start of the midfield there and is ‘best of the rest’ in terms of points won.
His temporarily vacant seat will subsequently be filled by Yuki Tsunoda, another former Red Bull racer who lost his full-time drive at the end of last season and was reassigned to the role of test and reserve driver for both teams.
Hadjar has sustained a wrist injury during summer shutdown that will prevent him from racing at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. We will be welcoming back Lawson who will replace him in RB22 this weekend. The Team wishes Isack a speedy recovery and thanks Liam for stepping in on short notice. Red Bull’s Statement.
Formula 1 will continue racing in Las Vegas, the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World, through to 2037, following a 10 year extension.
Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc, Clark County officials, and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), have all commited to the long-term future of one of the standout evens on the global sporting calendar.
Held in the heart of the destination, and racing down the iconic Strip, the Las Vegas Grand Prix has become synonymous with world class hospitality, entertainment, and fan experience. It brings together leaders and audiences from across sport, entertainment, culture and business, redefining what a Grand Prix can deliver as a full-scale destination experience in the US.
The race, which also featured in the world’s biggest ever sporting film, the F1 the movie, takes place on the 6.2km Las Vegas Strip Circuit, where drivers exceed speeds of 322 kph while passing iconic landmarks including Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Wynn Las Vegas and the Venetian Resort Las Vegas.
On track, Max Verstappen has claimed victory twice (2023 and 2025), with George Russell winning in 2024 – the same year the event witnessed an incredible 113 overtakes and Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship.
We are thrilled that Formula 1 will continue racing in Las Vegas for many years to come. Since its debut in 2023, the event has been extraordinary, rapidly establishing itself as a premier destination for great racing, world-class entertainment, global business leaders, A-list celebrities and influencers. It has delivered a strong and lasting impact on the local economy and community. We always believed that Las Vegas would become a cornerstone of our presence in the United States, and this extension, together with the success of recent years, reinforces our long-term commitment to this important market. I would like to thank Las Vegas Grand Prix, Clark County, and the LVCVA [Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority] for their continued support, passion, and vision. The future is incredibly exciting, and we look forward to taking this event to even greater heights. Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.
Securing a 10-year extension through 2037 is a defining moment for the Las Vegas Grand Prix and a reflection of the strength of our local partnerships. I’m incredibly proud of the team we have built in Las Vegas and of our shared commitment to supporting the Southern Nevada community. We’re deeply grateful to the Clark County Commission, LVCVA, our resort partners and the broader Las Vegas community for their continued collaboration and support in bringing this event to life. Las Vegas is unlike anywhere else in the world, and its energy, hospitality, and scale have played a major role in shaping what this race has become. This long-term extension allows us to continue delivering a world-class experience for our fans. Emily Prazer, President and CEO of Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull and in Formula 1 continues to be the subject of huge speculation.
In recent weeks rumours surrounding Verstappen’s fate has only intensified after it emerged ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix that the four-time world champion’s representatives had met with McLaren to hold “preliminary talks” about a possible deal.
Speculation about a potential bombshell announcement regard Verstappen has been rife ever since, particularly as F1 enters a key period of time when it comes to the driver market for 2027 and beyond.
So… what is actually going on? Here is everything we know about Verstappen’s future and the McLaren rumours.
Why did the meeting take place?
The meeting took place amid the backdrop of a hugely frustrating campaign for Verstappen. It has been a difficult season for Red Bull, leaving the 28 year old Dutchman currently out of contention for wins in a car that has largely been fourth best.
On top of Verstappen’s disappointment with Red Bull’s lack of competitiveness, he has been the biggest critic of F1’s new cars and engine regulations for 2026. Verstappen’s fierce attacks on the new rules left his future uncertain, though changes for 2027 and 2028 have led to him softening his stance after several threats to quit the sport altogether.
While reports of the meeting have sent the F1 rumour mill into overdrive, it is commonplace for drivers and their management to assess the market as they weigh up their next move. Verstappen could simply be testing the waters, and using Red Bull’s struggles as leverage as a bargaining tool to strengthen his own position within the team.
Alternatively, he could be seriously interested in a move and putting the early groundwork in place. Verstappen is under contract to Red Bull until the end of 2028 but has a performance clause in his exiting deal that could allow him to leave at the end of this year if he so wished.
However, it has recently come about that the clause in question does not come into effect until October, but Verstappen is on course to be in a position to trigger it based on his current position in the world championship and deficit to the top two.
Following the meeting, Red Bull took an encouraging step forward with a major upgrade at its home race in Austria. But two rear wing failures in the space of nine days have done little to improve the Dutchman’s mood.
After ending the British Grand Prix stuck in the gravel at Stowe, Verstappen was at his most annoyed to date, stating he is “fed up” with the ongoing woes.
How has McLaren responded?
McLaren, meanwhile, has been doing everything possible to downplay the rumours linking Verstappen with the team, though it has not gone as far as denying the reports.
In several interviews, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has stressed he is happy with his current driver line-up and has no plans to make any changes, with both reigning world champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri holding long-term contracts with the team.
Could a move to McLaren work?
There are two things to consider here. Firstly, and arguably the most important, is the fact that both Norris and Piastri are tied down to big deals with McLaren.
To facilitate a move for Verstappen, Brown would have to remove one of his drivers. It is hard to imagine he would let the reigning world champion go, leaving Piastri as the more likely candidate to be moved on in most people’s eyes.
Many have suggested that Piastri could be used as part of a direct swap with Verstappen and replace the Dutchman at Red Bull. But there is no indication from Piastri that he is looking to leave, or move to Red Bull.
It is generally accepted in F1 that driver contracts are not worth the paper they are written on. At the end of the day, if a team wants a driver badly enough, and has the financial might to make a deal happen, it will.
And if a four-time world champion and the driver of Verstappen’s calibre is available, a team would be foolish not to explore the possibility.
But McLaren must weigh up the pros and cons. It currently boasts a harmonious and successful driver pairing. Bringing Verstappen onboard would risk destabilising that, as well as threatening the policy of fairness that McLaren prides itself on.
Lando Norris claimed his and McLaren’s first Grand Prix victory of 2026 in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix, taking the chequered flag ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli – after mid-race drama and a late retirement for team mate Oscar Piastri.
Polestitter Norris spent the first half of the race in Piastri’s mirrors, having been jumped at Turn 2 on the opening lap – the latter doing just enough to hold onto the lead thereafter, and McLaren resisting Norris’ calls to be ushered through.
However, the intra-team battle was flipped on its head just after the midway point when Piastri – fresh from his second pit stop – encountered traffic in the form of Carlos Sainz in the first sector, and dramatically made contact with the Williams.
That moment, added to Norris’ sublime place in clear air ahead of his own second stop, swung the race in the reigning World Champion’s favour, before Piastri’s day ended in despair thanks to an apparent gearbox problem.
A Virtual Safety Car triggered by Piastri’s stoppage led to more pit lane action, with Verstappen and Antonelli staying out to take second and third respectively, ahead of three-stopping Ferrari pair.
Hamilton had initially emerged from that final stop ahead of Antonelli, only to cede the position after replays showed he had reached the relevant VSC white line at the end of the start/finish straight just behind the Mercedes.
A five second penalty for speeding in the pits ended any hopes Hamilton had of finishing on the podium even if he pressed on and harried Antonelli to the flag, with Leclerc also edging ahead for P4 once the sanction was applied.
The full top 10 are- P1: Norris, P2: Verstappen, P3: Antonelli, P4: Leclerc, P5: Hamilton, P6: Hadjar, P7: Russell, P8: Lawson, P9: Hulkenberg and P10: Lindblad.
What a result for the reigning World Champion! If they said at the beginning of the season that McLaren would’ve got a win before the summer break I think everyone would’ve laughed, but they did it! What an effort from Norris, he got the job done when it mattered the most, now they can go into summer break somewhat happy! As for his teammate, a BIG shame for Piastri, it looked like it was going to be a podium for him, but it will be interesting to see how he comes back from this after the summer break.
A great result for Verstappen! Made up a couple of spots, in the race and finished the first half of the season. Two podiums in two races, he will be looking forward to the summer break and re-group with the team. As for Hadjar, another P6 for him! His been consistent so far this year, it’s been good to see.
3rd for Antonelli, a decent result for him considering he didn’t have the best of weekend’s like his had previously. He also benefited from the Ferrari’s pitting when the VSC was out – in the end damage limitation. As for his teammate, Russell, not the best of races for him. A terrible start which saw him drop all the way down to back of the grid, he then had the battle of coming through the field – in the end he finished 7th, good result considering what happened, but it could’ve all been avoided and had a much better result.
4th and 5th for Leclerc and Hamilton, obviously pitting under the VSC wasn’t worth it in the end, as they threw away a podium spot and then Hamilton ended up with a penalty again – so if they didn’t pit it all would’ve been avoided but you live and you learn.
P8 for Lawson, another good race for him in the books, he will be happy with his performance so far this season. And the same goes for Lindblad, who finished in the final points position.
P9 for Hulkenbergggg, points for Audi again and Hulkenberg’s first points again with no penalty added! The team have now jumped ahead of Williams in the standings with just 1 point between them.
Another disappointing weekend for Cadillac – a double DNF for the team – they will be wanting this summer break now to gather all their information from the first half of the season and look at where to go from here.
As for the next race, it is now the summer break, so we have a couple of weeks off due to the shut down – but we will be returning to the Netherlands for the Dutch Grand Prix on the 21st – 23rd August for Round 12!
McLaren have announced that Leonardo Fornaroli will make his second F1 practice outing in Hungary this weekend, with the team also set to run a batch of upgrades on the MCL40.
A back-to-back F3 and F2 champion, Italian racer Fornaroli first appeared over an F1 weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last month, building on several private tests in older machinery by taking to the wheel of Lando Norris’ car through FP1.
Fornaroli, 21, will this time replace Oscar Piastri for the opening 60 minute session around the Hungaroring, giving the McLaren Development Driver some more valuable mileage as he grows into the role.
McLaren’s latest development including a new floor and other aerodynamic parts, which will be assessed throughout Friday practice.
Meanwhile, during FP1 only, the team will trial a developed version of the experimental rear wing that was due to be tested on the Friday of the Austrian Grand Prix. However, it is not scheduled to be introduced fully in Hungary or the following race in the Netherlands.
I’m looking forward to driving the MCL40 in this weekend’s Free Practice 1 at the Hungaroring. Every session is a chance to learn more, gain confidence and contribute to the team’s programme for the weekend. I’ve been very busy in Woking over the past few weeks preparing this session in both the simulator and at the Optimum Nutrition McLaren Performance Hub, to make sure I’ll be ready as I can. I’m really grateful to everybody at the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team for all the support they’ve given to me so far. I can’t wait to get out on track on Friday, have fun and make the most of every lap to help the team. Fornaroli on the news.
Heading to Hungary, we’re looking forward to a very different challenge at the Hungaroring and the final race before the summer shutdown. It’s a circuit that demands a high-downforce package and rewards confidence under braking, strong corner entry and good traction, while the combination of hot temperatures, relentless corners and limited straights makes tyre management a key factor. As always this season, we’ll also be focused on getting the most from our power unit deployment across the lap and understanding how the revised overtaking characteristics influence strategy. We have an upgrade package arriving this weekend too, and in such a competitive season every development is important so it will be great to gather further understanding on how those parts perform throughout Free Practice. Our aim is to maximise everything we have available, carry positive momentum into the shutdown and put ourselves in the strongest possible position for the second half of the championship. Randy Singh, Senior Director of Racing at McLaren.
Ferrari have announced a multi-year agreement with Charles Leclerc that will see the Monegasque race in red for the “coming seasons”.
Leclerc joined the Scuderia for the 2019 campaign after stepping up to F1 in 2018 with Sauber, which followed Formula 2 title success in 2017.
Over his years with Ferrari, Leclerc has given the Tifosi plenty to celebrate – including famous Monza victories in 2019 and 2024 as well as an emotional home win in Monaco in 2024 – and he is second on the leaderboard for most appearances with the team, behind Michael Schumacher.
The new deal marks the latest chapter in a decade long relationship between the team and Leclerc, with the 28 year old joining the driver academy back in 2016, and also emphasises the faith the Monegasque has in one day bringing a World Championship back to Maranello in the near future.
I couldn’t be happier to continue this journey with Scuderia Ferrari HP. It has always been so much more than just a team to me. It’s the team I’ve loved and dreamt of being part of since I was a child, and after all these years it has become a second family. Together we’ve shared incredible moments and some tougher ones, but I believe in this team more than ever, and I’m deeply grateful that we will keep pushing side by side toward our shared goal of bringing the World Championship back to Maranello. Being a Ferrari driver is a dream, but it’s also a responsibility I never take for granted. I’ll continue to give absolutely everything I have to bring this team back to where it belongs, at the very top, for everyone in Maranello, and above all for the tifosi, whose passion is the heartbeat of this Scuderia. Leclerc on the news.
Charles has been part of the Ferrari family for many years now and this renewal feels like something very natural for us. Over these seasons we have seen him grow, to become not only one of the strongest drivers in Formula 1, but also a person who is completely at one with the team and everything Ferrari represents. We appreciate his talent, we love his determination and the way he approaches every day with the people in the Scuderia, both on and off the track. We know how much this project means to him and we are happy to continue working towards our shared goals. Fred Vasseur, Team Principal.
He’s here to stay ❤️ We are delighted to confirm that Charles Leclerc has agreed a new deal with Scuderia Ferrari HP pic.twitter.com/Lp8BSr458c
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) June 3, 2026
Kimi Antonelli returned to glory with victory at a closely contested Belgian Grand Prix, narrowly beating Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc as Max Verstappen settled for his third podium of the season in P3.
The Dutchman got off to a sublime start as he stormed past Antonelli on the opening lap at Eau Rouge, but couldn’t quite stay ahead of the Mercedes driver and quickly gave up the lead.
While Antonelli clung on at the front, there was heartbreak for his team mate who fell behind both Ferrari’s and made early contact with Lewis Hamilton, spinning George Russell into the gravel and bringing his race to an end, with far-reaching implications in the title battle.
The Italian resisted the pressure of a Safety Car restart as well as a late challenge from Leclerc after retaking the lead to take the chequered flag by 1.9s, securing his sixth race win of the 2026 season and first since the Monaco Grand Prix.
The full top 10 are- P1: Antonelli, P2: Leclerc, P3: Verstappen, P4: Hamilton, P5: Piastri, P6: Hadjar, P7: Norris, P8: Bortoleto, P9: Lindblad and P10: Colapinto.
What a result for Antonelli! This weekend is exactly what he needed, his first win since Monaco – it was his to run away with when the first Free Practice started and he kept it cool all weekend. As for his teammate, another weekend to forget – DNF for Russell and on the first lap too, he will be waiting for the summer break to come along quicker than anything!
P2 for Leclerc! Another great result for the Monegasque – his turned a corner and something’s switched in him this year and he is getting these great results and consistently too – a shame he couldn’t get the win. As for Hamilton P4! A pretty decent result considering everything which was thrown at him – if he didn’t get the 5 second time penalty it might’ve been a podium but still a great result.
Third for Verstappen, a great result for him – much better than Silverstone which he will be happy with! He will be looking to replicate that at the Hungarian Grand Prix. As for his teammate, a great race for Hadjar, from starting at the back to getting all the way to 6th a great result for him.
5th and 7th for the McLaren’s not amazing but still a decent result – especially with Norris having his penalty.
P9 for Lindblad, another race in the points and as well for Colapinto in 10th!
As for the next race weekend, it’ not long as we head to Hungary for Round 11 this weekend and our last before summer break!
It’s great to be back on the top step after obviously a few difficult rounds. Was a hard-fought race. We lost first place with a VSC but then we managed to make our way back. Was a tough win because Charles was quick and we had to hold onto that. Antonelli on the win.
