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Barcelona could return in 2027 if calendar disrupted

GMM — 2026-06-13T10:59:00Z

Barcelona could yet stage a Formula 1 race in 2027 despite not being scheduled to host one under its new alternating agreement with Spa-Francorchamps.
The possibility has been raised by Royal Spanish Automobile Federation (RFEdA) president Manuel Avino, who admits the ongoing conflict in Iran could force Formula 1 to seek contingency plans for next season.
The comments come amid continuing uncertainty around Formula 1's Middle East contingent, with Bahrain and Jeddah already cancelled in (…)

Norris proud to be F1 champion without being a 'jerk'

GMM — 2026-06-13T10:23:00Z

Lando Norris says he is proud to have become a Formula 1 world champion without adopting the ruthless approach associated with some of the sport's biggest names.
The McLaren driver, whose chances of defending his 2025 crown now look increasingly slim amid the team's struggles in 2026, told La Stampa he hopes his success sends a different message to future generations.
"I've shown that it's possible to win a championship without having to act so selfishly," Norris said.
"You don't have (…)

Verstappen plays down Salzburg meeting speculation

GMM — 2026-06-13T09:45:00Z

Max Verstappen has brushed aside fresh speculation about his future after being spotted in Salzburg earlier this week meeting Red Bull's top leadership.
The quadruple world champion's private jet movements have been closely tracked amid continuing rumours linking him with Mercedes.
Speculation intensified when Verstappen's aircraft was seen travelling to England near Mercedes' headquarters before heading to Austria, where footage later emerged showing him alongside manager Raymond (…)

Briatore plays down driver market as Sainz weighs future

GMM — 2026-06-13T09:11:00Z

Flavio Briatore has played down speculation of a potential driver change at Alpine, as Carlos Sainz weighs up his options for 2027.
The Spaniard's future has become a talking point again as his contract is up for renewal at Williams, where progress in 2026 has been slower than expected.
Sainz told DAZN in Barcelona that his intention remains to stay at Williams, but he admitted he will evaluate his options before committing for 2027.
"My plan is to stay with Williams," he said.
"I (…)

Red Bull still fighting FIA over controversial engine ruling

GMM — 2026-06-13T08:38:00Z

Red Bull is continuing to challenge the FIA's controversial ADUO engine assessment, amid concerns the ruling could have major consequences for the next three Formula 1 seasons.
The governing body's preliminary analysis identified Red Bull-Ford as the benchmark combustion engine supplier for 2026.
Ironically, that means Red Bull is currently the only manufacturer unable to access the performance upgrade concessions available under the ADUO system.
Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Honda all (…)

FIA Monaco blunder sparks fresh backlash from rivals

GMM — 2026-06-13T08:07:06Z

Formula 1's Monaco pitlane speeding controversy has escalated again, with several rival teams furious after Pierre Gasly's lost podium was officially restored.
The FIA admitted on Friday that Alpine driver Gasly should never have received two five-second penalties during the Monaco GP.
After a successful hearing in Barcelona, Gasly was reinstated to P3 - demoting Isack Hadjar, Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad by one position each.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, all six (…)

Ben Sulayem keeps pushing for lighter V8-powered F1 future

GMM — 2026-06-13T07:29:00Z

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is continuing to champion a return to lighter, louder and cheaper Formula 1 cars powered by V8 engines.
While Formula 1's current manufacturers have now agreed to revisions for the 2027 and 2028 engine regulations, Ben Sulayem is already looking further ahead to the next rules cycle.
Speaking to Canal Plus, the FIA president said today's cars have become too complex, too expensive and too heavy.
"What's the worst thing about cars now?" he said.
"The (…)

F1, FIA, Ecclestone fight back in Massa crashgate case

GMM — 2026-06-13T05:10:00Z

Formula 1, the FIA and former supremo Bernie Ecclestone have won permission to take Felipe Massa's crashgate case directly to the UK Supreme Court.
The latest development marks a significant counterattack by the defendants after Massa scored a partial legal victory earlier this year.
The Brazilian, who lost the 2008 world championship to Lewis Hamilton by a single point, is seeking damages linked to the infamous Singapore crashgate scandal.
Massa argues that the outcome of the (…)

No top team vacancies for Sainz, Albon, says Vowles

GMM — 2026-06-12T15:12:00Z

Williams boss James Vowles is increasingly confident Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon will remain committed to the Grove-based team's long-term project.
Sainz's second season at Williams has been more difficult than many expected, but Vowles insists the Spaniard remains fully invested despite ongoing speculation linking him with future opportunities elsewhere.
"No, I'm not worried, and that's for two reasons," he told Spanish reporters in Barcelona.
"I think the winning teams - and there (…)

Wurz warns Mercedes title fight could turn ugly

GMM — 2026-06-12T14:21:00Z

GPDA chairman Alex Wurz is not convinced the harmony between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell will survive a prolonged title fight.
Antonelli's fifth consecutive victory in Monaco extended his lead to 68 points over teammate Russell, amid ongoing comparisons with the famous Lewis Hamilton-Nico Rosberg rivalry.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recently rejected those parallels.
"No, those two are much better characters," Wolff said of Antonelli and Russell, according to f1-insider.com.
"The (…)

Ferrari protege piling pressure on Ocon at Haas

GMM — 2026-06-12T13:40:00Z

Esteban Ocon's Formula 1 future may be under increasing pressure from Ferrari junior Rafael Camara.
While many paddock observers have linked Toyota-backed Jack Doohan with a possible Haas seat in 2027, Germany's Auto Motor und Sport believes technical partner Ferrari has other plans.
According to correspondent Tobias Gruner, Ferrari is already looking at ways to place its highly-rated Brazilian academy driver on the Formula 1 grid.
"Many experts currently consider Rafael Camara to be (…)

Alonso admits Barcelona could be his final Spanish GP

GMM — 2026-06-12T10:29:00Z

Fernando Alonso has admitted this weekend's Spanish GP could be his final Formula 1 race at Barcelona.
The two-time world champion, who turns 45 next month, remains undecided about whether to continue racing beyond the end of his expiring Aston Martin contract.
With Barcelona absent from the 2027 calendar before its return in 2028, Alonso acknowledged that this year's event carries extra significance.
"It's going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1," (…)

Renault rules out Horner talks, vows to keep control

GMM — 2026-06-12T09:47:00Z

Renault Group CEO Francois Provost has moved to shut down speculation linking Christian Horner with Alpine while also insisting the French manufacturer has no intention of relinquishing control of its Formula 1 team.
The comments come amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of Otro Capital's 24 percent stake in Alpine.
Mercedes recently explored a potential purchase of the shareholding, but those talks appear to have stalled, reportedly because Renault and Otro were unwilling to (…)

FIA delays ADUO verdict amid Red Bull fury

GMM — 2026-06-12T09:08:00Z

The FIA has delayed finalising Formula 1's controversial ADUO engine rankings after fierce objections from Red Bull-Ford.
The governing body had privately informed manufacturers in Monaco that Red Bull currently has the strongest combustion engine in Formula 1, making it the benchmark under the new concession system and therefore ineligible for performance upgrades.
Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and Audi would all qualify for varying levels of development assistance.
The ruling immediately (…)

Leclerc switches to Hamilton brakes after Monaco fallout

GMM — 2026-06-12T08:25:00Z

Charles Leclerc will switch to Lewis Hamilton's brake configuration in Barcelona after the brake controversy that overshadowed Ferrari's Monaco weekend.
Eagle-eyed observers spotted Carbone Industrie brake discs on Leclerc's car in the Barcelona garage, with Italy's La Repubblica confirming the Monegasque will now run the same combination as his teammate.
"Charles Leclerc, like Lewis Hamilton, will use Carbone Industrie discs and Brembo calipers, after the brake problems he complained (…)

Gasly Monaco podium dream revived as FIA grants hearing

GMM — 2026-06-12T07:44:00Z

Pierre Gasly's hopes of recovering his lost Monaco podium are still alive after the FIA agreed to reopen the case.
The Alpine driver crossed the finish line P3 in Monaco but never climbed the stairs to the podium as he was dropped to P7 with two 5-second penalties for pitlane speeding.
Now the stewards have ruled that Alpine's petition for a right of review is admissible and will proceed to a second hearing on Friday.
Crucially, the FIA accepted there was a "significant and new (…)

Trulli tips Antonelli for title after Monaco masterclass

GMM — 2026-06-12T07:07:00Z

Jarno Trulli believes Kimi Antonelli may be perfectly placed to win the 2026 world championship after becoming the first Italian to win the Monaco GP since the former Renault driver did it himself in 2004.
Antonelli's flawless victory around the streets of Monte Carlo - his fifth consecutive win in Formula 1 - has triggered growing excitement in Italy, with Trulli among those convinced the 19-year-old Mercedes driver is something special.
"Coming to Monte Carlo and winning is not for (…)

Pirelli locked in as F1 tyre supplier through 2028

GMM — 2026-06-12T06:20:00Z

Formula 1's tyre situation is now officially settled through the end of 2028.
The FIA confirmed on Thursday that it has exercised the contractual option extending Pirelli's deal by an additional year, keeping the Italian manufacturer as Formula 1's sole tyre supplier until the end of the 2028 season.
The move had been expected since reports emerged in May that all parties had agreed to activate the extension clause contained in Pirelli's existing contract.
The agreement also covers (…)

De la Rosa refuses to speculate on Alonso retirement

GMM — 2026-06-11T09:45:00Z

Pedro de la Rosa has refused to speculate about whether Fernando Alonso is approaching the end of his Formula 1 career.
The Aston Martin ambassador was asked by El Mundo Deportivo if this weekend's Spanish GP could be Alonso's last appearance at Barcelona-Catalunya, given the circuit's new alternating race deal and the Spaniard's contract expiring at the end of 2026.
"I haven't the faintest idea, to be honest," De la Rosa, who has known and worked with Alonso for years across multiple (…)

Red Bull anger grows over controversial engine ruling

GMM — 2026-06-11T09:06:00Z

Red Bull is reportedly furious about a controversial FIA engine assessment that has unexpectedly designated the team as Formula 1's benchmark power unit manufacturer.
The dispute centres on the FIA's new ADUO system, which allows underperforming engine suppliers additional development opportunities.
According to De Telegraaf journalist Erik van Haren, manufacturers received a one-page FIA document in Monaco outlining the governing body's findings.
The assessment reportedly focuses only (…)

Verstappen holds Red Bull talks amid fresh Mercedes rumours

GMM — 2026-06-11T08:19:00Z

Max Verstappen has fuelled fresh speculation about his future after being spotted in Salzburg for high-level talks with Red Bull's top management.
In the few days after Monaco, the quadruple world champion apparently met with Red Bull heir Mark Mateschitz, the energy drink brand's sports chief Oliver Mintzlaff, co-owner Chalerm Yoovidhya and his manager Raymond Vermeulen before travelling to Barcelona.
The timing is significant.
Although Verstappen remains contracted until the end of (…)

New rules 'not a failure' as FIA confirms 2027 changes

GMM — 2026-06-11T07:42:00Z

Formula 1's governing body has announced significant changes to the controversial new engine regulations, following months of debate about the sport's power unit direction.
The compromise follows sustained criticism of the original framework, which many had feared placed too much emphasis on electrical power and energy management.
Under the revised rules, fuel flow will increase by 5 percent in 2027 and by 13 percent in 2028. At the same time, the balance between combustion and (…)

Danner backs Russell to recover from Antonelli title blow

GMM — 2026-06-11T06:03:00Z

George Russell's championship challenge may be fading fast, but former Formula 1 driver Christian Danner believes the Mercedes driver remains every bit as good as runaway leader Kimi Antonelli.
Russell's difficult run continued in Monaco, leaving him 68 points behind his teenage teammate after Antonelli's fifth win in six races.
The Briton admitted: "I'm in a state of struggling to comprehend what is going on."
After Antonelli's latest victory, Russell's own comment from Montreal that (…)

Upgraded Aston Martin 'chassis' is coming - de la Rosa

GMM — 2026-06-10T12:19:00Z

Adrian Newey finally broke his silence in Monaco on Aston Martin's disastrous start to 2026, insisting a major upgrade package is on the way.
The Monaco GP marked Newey's first race weekend appearance since Melbourne, ending weeks of speculation about his absence amid rumours ranging from health concerns to suggestions Aston Martin preferred to keep its new team boss away from the spotlight during the team's struggles.
Instead, the design legend arrived with a clear message.
"I've just (…)

McLaren still committed to Mercedes despite customer concerns

GMM — 2026-06-10T11:26:00Z

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has moved to clarify the team's position amid growing discussion about the disadvantages of being a customer team in Formula 1's new engine era.
Team boss Andrea Stella suggested again during the Monaco weekend that customer teams face limitations compared to manufacturers when it comes to integrating and developing the new 2026 power units.
McLaren's reliability struggles this season have only added to the scrutiny.
World champion Lando Norris has suffered a (…)

Honda denies opposing F1 engine rule changes

GMM — 2026-06-10T10:03:00Z

Honda has denied suggestions it is standing in the way of Formula 1's planned 2027 engine changes, while also signalling it is open to discussing a future return to V8 power.
The Japanese manufacturer has been linked to opposition against proposed revisions to the 2027 regulations, which could reduce the heavy reliance on electrical power after widespread criticism from drivers and teams.
But HRC president Koji Watanabe insists those reports are inaccurate.
"For us, the most important (…)

Ferrari regrets grow as Antonelli surge continues

GMM — 2026-06-10T09:21:00Z

As Kimi Antonelli's remarkable title charge gathers momentum, questions are again being asked about why Ferrari failed to secure Italy's most exciting young talent in generations.
The 19-year-old Mercedes driver now leads the world championship by 68 points after five consecutive victories, prompting growing excitement in Italy and renewed scrutiny of Ferrari's decision not to sign him as a youngster.
Even former Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko - famed for his talent-spotting record - (…)

McLaren 'needs to sort issues' says Piastri's manager

GMM — 2026-06-10T08:44:00Z

McLaren's title defence is showing increasing signs of strain, according to Oscar Piastri's manager Mark Webber.
The former Formula 1 driver is concerned by a growing list of reliability problems, with Lando Norris retiring in Monaco after a second consecutive race weekend marred by technical trouble.
"China, Montreal, and now Monaco," Webber said.
"There are too many mice in the machine."
Norris suffered a power-unit related retirement in Monaco after radioing: "No power, no (…)

Bottas insists he is staying at Cadillac for 2027

GMM — 2026-06-09T09:27:00Z

Valtteri Bottas has moved once again to shut down speculation about his Cadillac future by insisting he will still be on the Formula 1 grid in 2027.
The Finn has come under growing scrutiny as teammate Sergio Perez continues to outperform him, while rumours persist that Cadillac-backed IndyCar star Colton Herta - being prepared for a future race seat in F2 this year - will replace one of them next year.
Speaking to Finland's Ilta Sanomat, the 36-year-old was emphatic.
"As long as I (…)

Provost insists Renault in F1 'for a long time'

GMM — 2026-06-09T08:58:00Z

Renault CEO Francois Provost has moved to reassure Formula 1 about the carmaker's long-term commitment to the sport amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the team's ownership structure.
The Enstone-based outfit has been at the centre of speculation in recent weeks and months, with negotiations over Otro Capital's 24 percent stake collapsing with Mercedes, and Renault reportedly not keen to work again with former Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
Chinese automotive giant BYD has also been (…)