Every session, every upgrade, every rumour checked.
Max Verstappen claims several former drivers provide incorrect analysis regarding 2026 regulations because they fail to study how the new power units function. The Red Bull driver expressed these views during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend following comments from Damon Hill.
Breaking from the paddock
Christian Horner admits in his memoir Drive that he pressured race control to allow lapped cars to unlap themselves during the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This intervention helped facilitate the final lap battle that allowed Max Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton for the title.
Practice, qualifying, race
2026 World Championship
| Pos | Driver | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | 340 |
| 2 | George Russell | 238 |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | 229 |
| 4 | Max Verstappen | 221 |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | 215 |
| 6 | Lando Norris | 201 |
| 7 | Oscar Piastri | 138 |
| 8 | Isack Hadjar | 97 |
| 9 | Liam Lawson | 75 |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly | 41 |
| Pos | Team | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes-AMG Petronas | 578 |
| 2 | Scuderia Ferrari | 444 |
| 3 | McLaren Racing | 339 |
| 4 | Red Bull Racing | 332 |
| 5 | Racing Bulls | 100 |
| 6 | Alpine F1 Team | 68 |
| 7 | Haas F1 Team | 30 |
| 8 | Audi Revolut F1 Team | 23 |
| 9 | Williams F1 Team | 12 |
| 10 | Aston Martin F1 Team | 7 |
Beyond the lap times
Vowles proposes dynamic expenditure catch-up mechanisms for 2027 to balance competition between teams with legacy infrastructure and those without. While Alpine and Aston Martin support the sliding-scale proposal, Haas and Racing Bulls oppose expanding capital spending allowances.
Aero, power units, rules
Mercedes deputy technical director Simone Resta revealed the team rejected the Macarena wing concept due to a downforce compromise. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli leads the championship with a 102 point advantage over George Russell heading into the United States Grand Prix.
In their own words
