Every session, every upgrade, every rumour checked.
Kimi Antonelli leads the 2026 Formula 1 championship by 111 points over Max Verstappen as geopolitical tensions ease. The Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are expected to proceed, with Las Vegas serving as a backup if security concerns arise.
Breaking from the paddock
Red Bull Racing faces a critical technical crisis as Max Verstappen trails Kimi Antonelli by 111 points. The team has lost chief designers and engineers to rivals, leaving a hollowed-out staff to manage the car while leadership changes disrupt long-term development plans.
Practice, qualifying, race
2026 World Championship
| Pos | Driver | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | 390 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | 279 |
| 3 | George Russell | 262 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | 261 |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | 251 |
| 6 | Lando Norris | 246 |
| 7 | Oscar Piastri | 152 |
| 8 | Isack Hadjar | 122 |
| 9 | Liam Lawson | 87 |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly | 42 |
| Pos | Team | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes-AMG Petronas | 652 |
| 2 | Scuderia Ferrari | 512 |
| 3 | Red Bull Racing | 415 |
| 4 | McLaren Racing | 398 |
| 5 | Racing Bulls | 112 |
| 6 | Alpine F1 Team | 69 |
| 7 | Haas F1 Team | 31 |
| 8 | Audi Revolut F1 Team | 28 |
| 9 | Williams F1 Team | 12 |
| 10 | Aston Martin F1 Team | 7 |
Beyond the lap times
Max Verstappen gained 14 positions in five laps to finish second at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, a recovery Red Bull principal Laurent Mekies says no simulator could predict. The result secures his second place in the Drivers' Championship with 279 points, trailing Kimi Antonelli by 111 points.
Aero, power units, rules
Lance Stroll retired from the Brazilian Grand Prix due to two separate battery problems, marking Aston Martin's third DNF of the triple-header. Honda engineer Shintaro Orihara admitted the root cause is unknown, creating pressure to resolve reliability issues before the 2027 season.
In their own words
