Essere Ferrari II

[foggy locust]

Leclerc has DRS on that long straight and sails past Valtteri Bottas, and into fifth! He's now putting the pressure on old title rival Max Verstappen for fourth!

Five cars all chasing each other down the straight!! Four of them with DRS, Piastri uses that to get the lead, while Leclerc gets past Verstappen!

(BOZ) "You're free to race here, Charles. Keep it clean."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy."

(ADA) "We are racing Charles. Keep it clean and respectful."

(HAM) "Understood."

Leclerc moves past Hamilton for P3, but the two Ferraris are battling well, and Hamilton retakes the position!

Lap 6: Piastri, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Bottas, Vandoorne, Stroll, Lawson, Ricciardo

Verstappen takes advantage of the Ferrari in-fighting to take Third from both Leclerc and Hamilton!

Leclerc however is up to fourth!

VERSTAPPEN

Norris currently under pressure from Verstappen and Leclerc, and the McLaren 1-2 has broken up as Verstappen gets past Norris!!

(HAM) "The Softs aren't as durable as we'd like around here."

(ADA) "Understood, tyre update please?"

(HAM) "A lot of graining."

Lance Stroll regains seventh from Stoffel Vandoorne.

Speaking of Williams, Russell has Lawson under pressure for that final point right now!

Leclerc has overtaken Norris for P3!

Lap 10: Piastri, Verstappen, Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton, Bottas, Stroll, Vandoorne, Ricciardo, Lawson, Russell, Ocon, Tsunoda, Gasly, Pourchaire, Zhou, Albon, Magnussen, Sainz, Hülkenberg

We have our first non McLaren lead of this race, but it is not a Ferrari! Max Verstappen grabs the lead from Oscar Piastri!!

Piastri retakes the lead, while Norris is up past Leclerc for P3!

(LEC) "The gearbox is having some issues, having some difficulty with overheating."

(BOZ) "Copy Charles, we're keeping an eye on it. LiCo for now."

Leclerc having some problems with reliability!! The gearbox seems to be giving him some issues here!

(ADA) "Tyre phase update when you can?"

(HAM) "They're starting to drop a bit."

Hamilton passes Leclerc for P4, as the Champion continues to struggle with his gearbox!

Norris overtakes Verstappen and McLaren have their 1-2 back!!

(BOZ) "Update on the gearbox, Charles, I think the LiCo is helping. Manage it the best you can."

PITSTOPS: A flurry as Verstappen, Bottas, Ocon, Lawson, Zhou and Sainz all pit. Red Bull double stack and get it away cleanly due to the gap between the cars.

(ADA) "Box this lap, box this lap."

(HAM) "Happy to box this lap."

PITSTOP: Hamilton pits! 1.943, HOLY HECK. An incredible stop by Ferrari. Stroll and Pourchaire also in!

(BOZ) "Thoughts on Plan D?"

(LEC) "I think it's doable"

PITSTOP: Piastri pits from the lead! Have McLaren waited too long for that? He's onto the Mediums, and Leclerc goes into the lead of the race!

Lap 21: Leclerc, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Norris, Piastri, Hamilton, Bottas, Rsunoda, Lawson, Ocon, Stroll, Vandoorne, Russell, Pourchaire, Gasly, Magnussen, Albon, Zhou, Sainz, Hülkenberg

PITSTOP: Ricciardo makes his pit stop, and exits rejoining P13, but Pourchaire is pushing him for it!

We, at this point, believe that Leclerc is one-stopping. He seems to still have some life left in those Mediums.

Verstappen takes the lead off Leclerc, but seems to have pushed him wide to do so!

(LEC) "Max pushed me wide."

(BOZ) "We've seen it Charles. Keep focused for now."

(HAM) "Some issues with the gearbox here."

(ADA) "And LiCo, LiCo best you can."

Both McLarens get ahead of Leclerc for P2 and P3. Some work to do for Piastri and Norris to catch Verstappen, though.

(BOZ) "Box now, box, Charles."

(LEC) "Copy, box."

PITSTOP: Leclerc comes in from P4! 2.227, not quite as quick as Hamilton's stop, but still a good stop. He rejoins P12.

Verstappen keeping a 2.3 gap to Piastri for now.

That's a spin by Pourchaire! He ends up slowing up Gasly and the pack as a result. Not ideal here.

(LEC) "I'm struggling like crazy, I cannot get these tyres into the right window."

(BOZ) "Keep pushing them for now."

Worth noting that Yuki Tsunoda has made up twelve places today so far. He's having a superb race.

Lap 33: Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Hamilton, Bottas, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Ocon, Stroll, Vandoorne, Lawson, Russell, Leclerc, Gasly, Magnussen, Zhou, Albon, Sainz, Hülkenberg, Pourchaire

Stroll, trying to overtake Ocon, clips him and goes sliding off! He avoids the barrier but concedes P9 to Vandoorne as a result!

PITSTOPS: Verstappen is stopping earlier than Piastri! Is this a mistake or not? He rejoins P3, ahead of Bottas. Vandoorne in too!

Lap 38: Piastri, Norris, Verstappen, Hamilton, Bottas, Taunoda, Ocon, Lawson, Stroll, Leclerc

With both Ferraris having reliability issues, the fight is between Verstappen and the two McLarens. The question is - how do McLaren play this?

(ADA) "Pit confirm and box"

(HAM) "Box this lap"

PITSTOP: There's your answer! Piastri in and onto the Softs. He's eight seconds behind Verstappen with 17 laps to go, but on fresher, newer Softs. Can he make that count?

PITSTOP; Hamilton makes his final stop and rejoins in P9! He's onto the Softs!

Leclerc is up to P6. He's managing his tyres beautifully here, even with the reliability issues!

PITSTOP: Norris in! He's also onto the Softs, and finds himself 21 seconds behind Verstappen. McLaren putting all the eggs in Piastri's basket today.

Yuki Tsunoda will probably have to pit again, but he's currently running P4.

Speaking of which, Eateban Ocon is hanging onto P6, but his tyres are absolutely gone at this point.

BOTTAS

Piastri has lowered the gap to 3.3. Will it be enough to catch and pass Verstappen, though?

(HAM) "Gearbox is really struggling guys."

(ADA) "Copy, we are checking"

Hamilton gets past Leclerc! Both Ferraris have had real issues with reliability today, but both are still fighting on here.

PITSTOP: Ocon finally comes in on about 20% tyres. He might have left it too late to do anything today.

Lap 50: Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Leclerc, Vandoorne, Lawson

Piastri is within striking distance of Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri takes the lead of this race!!!

PIASTRI

It's been a very, very rough day for the Scuderia. Ricciardo moves past Hamilton and Leclerc and into sixth place.

Hamilton however fighting back, and retakes position from Ricciardo, before moving past Tsunoda for P5!

PITSTOP: Tsunoda's tyres have given out on him, and he's had a delay to boot in the pitlane! That's wrecked what was likely a DOTD performance from him!!!

VERSTAPPEN RETAKES THE LEAD FROM PIASTRI! Oh my word

Piastri's probably flown too close to the sun here, and the tyres are starting to fall off a bit here, but can he get back in DRS range and give himself a chance to win this race?

Leclerc back up to P6, ahead of Ricciardo.

Lap 56: Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Hamilton, Leclerc, Ricciardo, Lawson, Vandoorne, Russell

Oh my God. OH MY GOD. Verstappen reporting issues with his gearbox. Drama, drama, drama at the end here, and Oscar Piastri is back in play big time!!!!

LAST LAP

On the final lap, Piastri putting the pressure on Verstappen!!!

In big title news, Leclerc moves past Hamilton for P5!!!

Norris is having power issues as well, it is absolutely drama here

NOW OR NEVER FOR OSCAR PIASTRI TODAY

OSCAR PIASTRI HAS DRS AND OSCAR PIASTRI OVERTAKES MAX VERSTAPPEN, LECLERC GOES WIDE AND DROPS TO P8!!! OH MY GOD JUST ABSOLUTE DRAMA

AND HAMILTON IS PUSHED WIDE BY RICCIARDO TOO, AND DROPS TO P7

OSCAR PIASTRI COMES HOME TO WIN THE MIAMI GRAND PRIX FOR McLAREN!!! THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON!!! MAX VERSTAPPEN P2, LANDO NORRIS P3, VALTTERI BOTTAS P4

LECLERC GOES PAST HAMILTON FOR AN EXTRA TWO POINTS!!! OH MY WORD! RICCIARDO P5, LAWSON P6, LECLERC P7, HAMILTON P8. VANDOORNE AND RUSSELL P9 AND P10.

(BOZ) "And chequered flag. P7, Charles. Well done considering the issues today, we'll learn from this and go again."

(LEC) "Yeah. I'm sorry guys...whatever, it's fine. Tough day. Tough with the issues, but we did our best."

(BOZ) "Keep the head up."

(ADA) "And chequered flag. So, P8 Lewis. Sorry about that today. Good effort nonetheless."

(HAM) "Yeah, tough race today, the car and tyres just weren't there today. We'll keep pushing and come back stronger."

(ADA) "Good effort with getting the car home. Into the pitlane."

TSUNODA

Yuki Tsunoda denied Oscar Piastri an extra point on the final lap!

2026 MIAMI GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Oscar Piastri 01.31.29
2. Max Verstappen +0.219
3. Lando Norris +15.437
4. Valtteri Bottas +18.796
5. Daniel Ricciardo +24.818
6. Liam Lawson +0.251
7. Charles Leclerc +2.761
8. Lewis Hamilton +0.288
9. Stoffel Vandoorne +0.141
10. George Russell +0.112
11. Esteban Ocon 11.500
12. Yuki Tsunoda +5.345
13. Théo Pourchaire +3.815
14. Lance Stroll +5.135
15. Pierre Gasly +0.207
16. Kevin Magnussen +5.827
17. Zhou Guanyu +2.774
18. Alexander Albon +2.570
19. Carlos Sainz +1 lap
20. Nico Hülkenberg +1 lap

DRIVER OF THE DAY: OSCAR PIASTRI, McLAREN

Absolutely no shocks here as Oscar Piastri takes a deserved Driver of the Day with a sensational victory that saw him overtake Max Verstappen on the final lap. A superb strategy that paid off, Oscar Piastri is a Grand Prix winner and your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Yuki Tsunoda, Andretti 1.29.899

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Lewis Hamilton, 1.943s

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 125
Hamilton 124
Piastri 104
Verstappen 90
Norris 73
Lawson 46
Bottas 42
Ricciardo 25
Gasly 18
Tsunoda 14
Russell 14
Vandoorne 4
Magnussen 2
Ocon 1
Zhou 0
Pourchaire 0
Albon 0
Stroll 0
Hülkenberg 0
Sainz 0

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 249
McLaren-Ford RBPT 177
Red Bull-Ford RBPT 136
Aston Martin-Honda 46
Andretti-Ferrari 39
Audi Sauber 18
Williams-Ferrari 14
Hitech-Renault 3
Haas-Mercedes 0
Mercedes 0

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 427
Pirelli 373

[sterile breach]

Waiting for a race when one tire has to pull out

[foggy locust]

COTA? Hahaha

RED BULL ANNOUNCE LAWSON FOR 2027

In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Red Bull Racing have announced a one-year contract extension for Liam Lawson.

Lawson sits sixth in the World Championship, four points ahead of Valtteri Bottas, and with both McLaren drivers out of contract at the end of the season, many thought Red Bull would wait until the summer break to make their decision on their 2027 lineup.

Lawson however has been rewarded with an extra year's addition to his current contract, on the same salary as before. He will remain partnering Max Verstappen in 2027.

THE 2027 GRID SO FAR

Leclerc (2030)
??? - Hamilton (2026)

Verstappen (2028)
Lawson (2027)

???? - Piastri (2026)
???? - Norris (2026)

Bottas (2028)
???? - Vandoorne (2026)

Tsunoda (2028)
Ricciardo (2027)

Pourchaire (2028)
Gasly (2028)

Russell (2029)
Stroll (2028)

Ocon (2028)
Magnussen (2027)

???? - Hülkenberg (2026)
Zhou (2028)

???? - Albon (2026)
Sainz (2028)

[steel talon]

What if Oscar Piastri got a low taper fade in Essere Ferrari II

[foggy locust]

2026 EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

We head to Imola for Round 7, and to Italy for the first time this season, and it is the first Ferrari home game of the season. And after last time out, it could very much be game on in both Championships.

Oscar Piastri blew both title fights wide open with his first victory of the season in Miami, breaking up the Ferrari dominance of the 2026 season so far. He beat Max Verstappen on the final lap to take home the win, while Lando Norris was third, and both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton suffered from reliability issues.

And so to Emilia Romagna, and a passionate Tifosi. The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo E Dino Ferrari, or in layman's terms, Imola, is named for the eponymous founder of F1's most famous and successful team and his son. With 19 turns and just one DRS zone, medium and high speed cornering will very much be in play here, as teams’ top speed will also come into the equation. No rain is expected this weekend.

And Ferrari are bringing upgrades to their chassis with this race, and Monaco next week, very much in mind. After their worst result of the season so far at Miami, even despite victory in the Sprint race, Charles Leclerc did enough to take a one point lead over Lewis Hamilton, however McLaren's Oscar Piastri is now very much in the equation too. Can Ferrari bounce back in their first home Grand Prix of the year?

After a fantastic weekend in Miami which saw their first victory of the year, McLaren are buoyed and hoping to take the fight to the Scuderia. Oscar Piastri could well find himself in his first proper Championship battle this season, while Lando Norris took a podium to help McLaren reduce the Constructors gap to 72 points. Can McLaren make a push for both titles this year? Another win at Imola wouldn't hurt these odds.

Red Bull sit third in the Constructors and while Max Verstappen still has a chance at the Drivers title early in this year, Liam Lawson has been struggling in his first season at a top team. Lawson has been shown faith by the powers that be at Red Bull, renewing him with an extra year, however they showed that faith to Sergio Perez in 2024 and look how that turned out. The pressure remains on Lawson to perform this season.

Aston Martin had both drivers scoring points at Miami for the first time this season, and if they're going to hold off Andretti for fourth in the Championship, they simply need more of that. The future of Stoffel Vandoorne in the team remains in the balance, but results like Miami and contributing to the fourth place would go a long way towards helping his case for 2027.

Andretti meanwhile remain Aston's main competitor for that Fourth spot, and it's already been a very successful first season for the American team. However, they want that fourth position and Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo have been working well together to achieve that so far this season. More continuity, and more points needed, even if Imola might not be a track that suits the Andretti.

Audi have seen a bit of a renaissance this season, particularly from Pierre Gasly, who seems like a driver renewed after a couple of tough seasons. More is needed from second year driver Théo Pourchaire however, as he has come close to securing points this season but hasn't quite got there just yet. Again, it is a circuit that might not suit the Audi too much but both Gasly and Pourchaire could still yet push the points.

Williams meanwhile have very much been out-kicking their coverage so far this year, particularly by George Russell who has had a good start to life back at his first F1 team. With Mercedes’ struggles this year, the move to Williams has looked like a good one for Russell, and Imola is very much a track suited to Williams’ straight-line speed, so this could be a real opportunity for some points. Lance Stroll meanwhile has struggled, again, and Williams need more from their second driver in the fight for Sixth.

Hitech have slowly been going about their business this year with a car that does very, very well in the corners, and Kevin Magnussen and Esteban Ocon have mostly been able to capitalise on it for some marginal points. A big upgrade is coming for the Renault team this weekend to give them that next step, and see if they can challenge Audi and Williams for sixth in the Championship. Imola, Monaco and Barcelona are very much targets for good points for the Hitech lads.

It has been a rough year for Haas Toyota and the team with the continuing worst car on the grid have not looked like troubling the points much this season. This is likely Nico Hülkenberg’s farewell to the sport and his podium dreams seem further and further away, as Haas will likely look to the future with Zhou Guanyu and another driver in 2027.

And it is full on crisis at Mercedes, who sit bottom of the Championship after the first six rounds of the season, and do not look like getting any points whatsoever. Carlos Sainz has struggled significantly away from the Scuderia, and while Alex Albon has fared better in the Silver Arrows, he is limited by what is a very, very poor car. Mercedes are bringing upgrades to this circuit with hopes of improving their outlook this season. Can they finally push themselves up the grid again?

It's Round 7 of what has so far been a sensational F1 season, and even though it's early days, Imola could go a ways towards deciding the fate of the Championships. It's game on once more. You won't want to miss it.

OLIVER BEARMAN TO RUN FP1 FOR FERRARI

Ferrari are giving Oliver Bearman a run out in FP1 in Lewis Hamilton's car.

Bearman is in contention for a future Ferrari drive, and the Scuderia are assessing him once more up against Charles Leclerc this weekend in the first practice session.

FP1 Reserves: Bearman (Hamilton), Maini (Piastri), Stanĕk (Norris), Dürksen (Verstappen), Marti (Zhou), Goethe (Tsunoda), Boya (Pourchaire)

FP1: LEC BEAR STA

Charles Leclerc goes fastest in FP1, 0.351 up on Ollie Bearman. McLaren's reserves Roman Staněk and Kush Maini P3 and P4, ahead of Joshua Dürksen and Lian Lawson. Stroll, Goethe, Russell and Albon round off the top ten.

Stoffel Vandoorne clips Oscar Piastri in FP2!! That seems to have given Piastri some damage and Vandoorne has a lot of issues with his car! Likely a penalty coming the Aston Martin man's way!

FP2: LEC HAM VER

Charles Leclerc tops second practice ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, with Lando Norris fourth and Oscar Piastri fifth. Liam Lawson sixth, with the two Andrettis of Ricciardo and Tsunoda P7 and P8, and George Russell and Kevin Magnussen round off the top ten.

VANDOORNE ESCAPES PENALTY FOR INCIDENT WITH PIASTRI

The FIA have tonight ruled that there will be no further action on Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne for an FP2 incident with Oscar Piastri of McLaren.

Vandoorne seemed to lose control of the car and clip the side of Piastri in a dangerous divebomb move.

However, the FIA have ruled that no further action will be taken against either driver for the incident, and the matter is now closed.

FP3 VER NOR PIA
HAM P4, LEC P5

Max Verstappen goes quickest in Saturday's final practice ahead of qualifying, with a two-three for McLaren, Norris ahead of Piastri. Lewis Hamilton fourth with Charles Leclerc fifth, George Russell takes sixth with Stoffel Vandoorne seventh. Esteban Ocon, Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz round off the top ten.

It is time for qualifying here in Imola, and with a sea of Red in the crowd to support Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, but the two McLarens and Max Verstappen look to upset the applecart. It feels like one of five, let's see what qualifying brings.

4.00pm: Qualifying underway here at Imola!

4.01pm: The top three in the Championship are the first three on circuit. Piastri is followed by Hamilton and Leclerc. Stroll also out there early.

4.03pm: Hamilton quickest so far, Leclerc 0.242 behind, Piastri 0.381 behind. Stroll a full 1.149 back off Hamilton.

4.05pm: Norris goes up to second!

4.08pm: Just fifth for Verstappen, slotting in ahead of Ricciardo in sixth. Russell tenth and last right now.

4.11pm: Bottas goes Seventh. Just 15th for Sainz.

4.13pm: Lawson just 14th! Not a great first lap for him.

DRIVER AT RISK: Zhou
RELEGATION ZONE: Hülkenberg, Gasly, Russell, Sainz, Magnussen

4.15pm: Gasly goes up to seventh, and Lawson, who's now on an outlap, is very much at risk.

4.16pm: Sainz has a lock-up and that's probably wrecked his chances of Q2!

4.17pm: Vandoorne wide, but doesn't seem to have lost any time on that one.

4.18pm: Lawson is fifth and safe!! Russell goes seventh and Albon is out!! Vandoorne at risk now, Magnussen just 16th so he's out, Zhou stays 18th, Vandoorne just survives!

OUT IN Q1: Magnussen, Albon, Zhou, Hülkenberg, Sainz

Q2 is underway!

4.25pm: Quite a big queue coming out the pitlane, Ricciardo, Piastri, Leclerc, Hamilton and Verstappen all out there early.

4.28pm: Ricciardo first on the board, Leclerc then goes quickest, just 0.066 ahead of Hamilton, and 0.187 ahead of Verstappen. Piastri up to fourth.

4.30pm: Tsunoda up to fourth! Meanwhile, just 8th for Lawson.

OH MY GOD IT IS A RED FLAG

Pierre Gasly on his fast lap loses control of the Audi and spins into the barrier! He's okay, but his qualifying is over, and we wait to see what that means for his race.

4.56pm: With 6 mins left of the session, we continue, sans Pierre Gasly. Not much time left to set a time.

[steel talon]

Sigma

Spinaudi

[foggy locust]

DRIVER AT RISK: Lawson
RELEGATION ZONE: Pourchaire, Russell, Stroll, Bottas, Gasly (no time)

5.01pm: That may have completely disrupted the bottom four, as well as Gasly. Bottas can't set a good time due to traffic, and that might be that.

That is indeed that! None of the other bottom four can improve!

OUT IN Q2: Pourchaire, Russell, Stroll, Bottas, Gasly (no time)

Liam Lawson can count himself lucky. He was in real trouble until that Red Flag.

Q3 is underway!

5.08pm: With the 20 min delay, we are into Q3, and Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Ricciardo and Tsunoda all on track.

5.11pm: Leclerc goes quickest after the first laps in Q3, Hamilton 0.332 behind, Verstappen P3. Tsunoda fourth, Ricciardo fifth.

5.12pm: Norris up to third! Lawson fifth, Vandoorne splits the Andrettis.

IT'S ANOTHER RED FLAG

Esteban Ocon ends a promising qualifying session by spinning off into the barrier. Thankfully he's alright, but a frustrating end to Q3 for the Renault team.

Q3 AS IT STANDS: Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Verstappen, Lawson, Tsunoda, Vandoorne, Ricciardo, Piastri (no time), Ocon (no time)

5.37pm: Q3 is back underway with just 5 mins left. It's a late one here.

5.39pm: The nine remaining all on fliers or outlaps. Last chance at Pole here.

5.40pm: Vandoorne stays 7th, Ricciardo 8th.

5.42pm: Hamilton on a stormer right now. Norris stays third, Hamilton can't quite convert it and he stays second, Piastri now up to fourth, it is Leclerc or Verstappen on Pole, Verstappen...goes fourth, IT IS POLE POSITION FOR CHARLES LECLERC!!!

Q3: Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Lawson, Tsunoda, Vandoorne, Ricciardo, Ocon (no time)

2026 EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC HAM

NOR VER

PIA LAW

TSU VAN

RIC OCO

POU RUS

STR BOT

MAG ALB

ZHO HÜL

SAI

PITLANE START - GAS - QUAL P15

[foggy locust]

Welcome to Imola, and we're in the heart of Emilia Romagna, near Bologna, for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Named for the founder of Ferrari and his son, the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo E Dino Ferrari is a 4.909km circuit, 19 turns, just the 1 DRS zone, it is long straights and medium and high speed corners, and a top average speed of 145mph. It's a sea of Red and a Ferrari front row lockout. Let's see how we go today.

Pierre Gasly had a crash in Q2 so he starts from the pitlane, it's Carlos Sainz on the back row by himself, Zhou Guanyu and Nico Hülkenberg find themselves on the eighth row, then Alec Albon 16th and Kevin Magnussen promoted to 15th. Valtteri Bottas had a disappointing Q2 exit and he's 14th with Lance Stroll 13th. George Russell just one spot ahead of his teammate with Théo Pourchaire lining up eleventh, Esteban Ocon starts 10th despite a Q3 crash alongside Daniel Ricciardo in 9th. Stoffel Vandoorne starts ahead of his teammate for the first time this year in 8th and Yuki Tsunoda is 7th, Liam Lawson is 6th with Oscar Piastri 5th, Max Verstappen begins 4th with Lando Norris lining up 3rd, while it is a Ferrari front row lockout on home soil. Lewis Hamilton starts second, and it is Pole Position once more for Charles Leclerc.

Let's go racing!

Formation lap done, 1 light, 2, 3, 4, 5...

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc gets away well but so does Hamilton, Verstappen pushing Norris and gets him for third, Ricciardo challenging Vandoorne, RICCIARDO HAS A LOCK-UP but he stays on track, losing time however to Vandoorne! Pourchaire ahead of Stroll!

(BOZ) "So Charles you are P1, racing Lewis, keep it clean here."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy."

(ADA) "Lewis P2, gap to Verstappen 1.4, racing against Charles, keep it clean and tidy today."

(HAM) "Understood, will keep it tidy."

Hamilton takes the lead off Leclerc for the first time today!

Norris, Piastri and Verstappen very much currently battling for P3 to P5 as it stands.

A brilliant move by Leclerc and he's cleanly round the side of Hamilton for the lead!

GASLY

Ocon having issues already, and he's dropped all the way to P18.

About 4 seconds between the Ferraris and Norris, Verstappen and Piastri. Right now, the Ferrari chassis upgrade paying off well here.

Lap 10: Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Lawson, Vandoorne, Ricciardo, Stroll, Bottas, Russell, Pourchaire, Magnussen, Zhou, Ocon, Hülkenberg, Albon, Sainz, Gasly

Gasly struggling to get past Sainz, but he's also currently with the fastest lap.

Stroll has a massive spin! He's lucky to miss the barrier and have his race end there, but he's down to P20.

NORRIS

That spin from Stroll has put Bottas into the points, and Vandoorne moves ahead of Ricciardo, which is huge for that fight for P4 in the Championship.

Tsunoda up ahead of Lawson! That's huge for him and the American team.

Hamilton back into the lead, and the two Ferraris seem content to trade the lead amongst themselves using DRS for now.

(LEC) "Aaah."

(BOZ) "Keep going Charles, this is a good pace."

Lap 18: Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Tsunoda, Lawson, Vandoorne, Bottas, Ricciardo

Russell grabs P10 off Ricciardo! Not ideal for the American side here!

(ADA) "Tyre phase update when you can, Lewis?"

(HAM) "Tyres feel okay, just the rear falling back a bit."

Norris has taken P3 off Verstappen, Piastri meanwhile still very much at the back of that three car DRS train.

Stroll runs wide on lap 23!! He is having an awful day, and nearly wipes our Alex Albon in the process, Carlos Sainz takes advantage of the nonsense to overtake both!

AND THEN SAINZ LOCKS UP!! He is in the gravel, what an awful season he is having.

PITSTOP: Zhou Guanyu the first to stop today! He's onto new Mediums and exits P20.

(BOZ) "Tyre management is good here Charles, keep it up."

(ADA) "Thoughts on Plan C, question?"

(HAM) "Think we should stick to Plan B here."

(ADA) "Okay, will be soon now."

Bottas overtakes teammate Vandoorne for P8!

It's further good news for Andretti as Lawson takes P6 off Tsunoda!

PITSTOP: Routine stop for Verstappen, who is first of the front runners in. He's onto the Hards and continues on, rejoining P11.

(ADA) "Box, and box."

(HAM) "Box this lap."

(BOZ) "Box, box Charles."

(LEC) "Copy, box."

PITSTOPS: Flurry of pitstops as Leclerc leads them in. Piastri in, as is Norris!! Andretti also double stack! A 1.997 stop for Leclerc!!! That was fantastic work by Ferrari and Leclerc joins just behind Hamilton. Liam Lawson leads this race.

George Russell just overtook Max Verstappen on track. Russell still yet to pit, but a brilliant moment for him nonetheless.

PITSTOP: Bottas in for Hards, and away cleanly, rejoining P11.

Leclerc is right back in Hamilton's DRS range, and we continue where we left off, albeit with Liam Lawson ahead of both for now.

Hamilton goes down the inside of Lawson for the lead of this race! Leclerc hasn't got the move done yet and this is a real opportunity for Hamilton to build up an advantage! Leclerc finally gets past Lawson but finds himself 2.678 behind Hamilton now!

Lap 33: Hamilton, Leclerc, Lawson, Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Piastri, Vandoorne, Pourchaire, Tsunoda

PITSTOP: Russell in front P6, and Pourchaire follows suit! Clean stop for Russell, while Pourchaire has to go all the way to the final garage on the grid, Russell rejoins P9 and has Bottas for company, Pourchaire now down in P15!

PITSTOPS: Lawson and Vandoorne in for Mediums! The final two to stop, will those be the last stops of the day? Lawson rejoins P7, Vandoorne now P12!

Lap 36: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Lawson, Russell, Bottas, Stroll, Ricciardo, Vandoorne, Ocon, Gasly, Pourchaire, Magnussen, Sainz, Albon, Zhou, Hülkenberg

(ADA) "We are happy with tyres."

PITSTOP: We stand corrected. Zhou in for the second time today.

Stroll might be following him, he's struggling with his tyres!

A flashpoint in the Andretti-Aston Martin battle as Ricciardo gets clipped by Vandoorne!!! Ricciardo furious on the radio at that incident!

NO PENALTY FOR INCIDENT BETWEEN CAR 3 (RICCIARDO) AND CAR 52 (VANDOORNE)

Well there we go. Ricciardo and Vandoorne will both avoid penalty there. Andretti have told Ricciardo, and the Australian is not best pleased.

Hamilton 3.2 ahead of Leclerc here, and right now, Hamilton looking like he's going top of the Championship. Lawson blocking Leclerc might have cost him the win here.

PITSTOP: Sainz comes in and goes onto the Softs, rejoining P20. A lap down, it's a big ask to get anything, but not risking much at this point, either.

Norris grabs third off Verstappen, and this is the closest battle we have at the moment on track!

Lap 52: Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Lawson, Tsunoda, Russell, Bottas, Vandoorne, Gasly, Pourchaire, Ocon, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Stroll, Albon, Hülkenberg, Sainz, Zhou

Gasly, who started from the pitlane, has just taken P10 off Vandoorne! What a result this could end up being for him!

Ocon goes through the grass after a lock-up! Ricciardo takes P13 from him as a result!

PITSTOP: Ocon in and this feels like a fastest lap attempt. It'll mean nothing to them, but it could cost McLaren a point.

OCON

There it is. Ocon snatches the fastest lap away from Norris. He's currently running P16, BTW.

2.3 between Hamilton and Leclerc here. It's close, but Lewis may well see out his fourth win of the year.

Bottas has driven very well here, and currently leads the DOTD vote, having gone from P13 to P9.

Lap 60: Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Lawson, Tsunoda, Russell, Bottas, Vandoorne, Gasly, Pourchaire, Ricciardo, Ocon, Stroll, Magnussen, Albon, Sainz, Zhou, Hülkenberg

(LEC) "The tyres are gone"

(BOZ) "Copy, manage them to the end here."

FINAL LAP

It's been a composed and steady drive here from Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc has pushed him well, but Hamilton has done so well under pressure and come out on top, for the second year in a row, LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE EMILIA-ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX FOR FERRARI, AND ON HOME SOIL, IT IS A 1-2 FOR THE SCUDERIA!!!

VERSTAPPEN IS SLOWING AND PIASTRI OVERTAKES HIM!!! Piastri pulling well ahead of Verstappen who seems to be having issues!!

Lando Norris takes the podium, Oscar Piastri P4, Max Verstappen drags the car to fifth, Lawson sixth, Tsunoda seventh, Russell eighth, Bottas ninth, Vandoorne tenth.

(ADA) "And chequered flag, P1!! A mega, mega job today Lewis, well done! Great win!"

(HAM) "Wooo! Yesss, get in there!! Thank you to everyone at the factory, thank you to the team. Couldn't have done this without you."

(ADA) "Fantastic job, Lewis! Well done today!"

(BOZ) "And P2, Charles! Great job today, good effort."

(LEC) "Thank you, gave it everything today. Congrats to Lewis, he did a great job today. Thanks to the team, we'll keep pushing."

(BOZ) "Long way to go this season. Great job on the podium."

DRIVER OF THE DAY: Valtteri Bottas

Valtteri Bottas had a very good drive to make up for a tough qualifying, rising from P13 to P9 and securing solid points for Aston Martin. Bottas' drive was duly noticed, and he receives today's Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Esteban Ocon 1.15.238

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 1.997s

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Hamilton 149
Leclerc 143
Piastri 116
Verstappen 100
Norris 88
Lawson 54
Bottas 44
Ricciardo 25
Tsunoda 20
Gasly 18
Russell 18
Vandoorne 5
Magnussen 2
Ocon 1
Pourchaire 0
Zhou 0
Albon 0
Stroll 0
Hülkenberg 0
Sainz 0

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 292
McLaren-Ford RBPT 204
Red Bull-Ford RBPT 154
Aston Martin-Honda 49
Andretti-Ferrari 45
Audi Sauber 18
Williams-Ferrari 18
Hitech-Renault 3
Haas-Mercedes 0
Mercedes 0

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 494
Pirelli 289

FERRARI RENEW BEARMAN AS RESERVE DRIVER AND AFFLIATE

Scuderia Ferrari have today announced the two year extension of Oliver Bearman as Reserve driver and affiliate.

Ferrari were considering Bearman as an option for the 2027 race seat in case of Lewis Hamilton retiring, or potentially loaning their FDA driver out for next season, however the team feel Bearman could do with another year or two within their system, and felt there wasn't a suitable seat available for him next year, so will retain his services as affiliate for the next two seasons.

Bearman will be the main reserve driver for Ferrari next year.

[tired thorn]

GET IN THERE LEWIS

[foggy locust]

Wee announcement:

Decided going forward that Qualifying will be done in reports, rather than live posting - it is proving rather exhausting to manage it all, and I want to keep up the momentum and enjoyment of this save while still keeping a lot of the detail, but it is proving draining.

So I'll be switching to the report format for Qualifying, while still live posting Racing.

Thanks guys. Back after the weekend for Monaco!

[steel talon]

Is this just a ploy to give Hamilton a free pole

[foggy locust]

I am literally a Leclerc fan

[steel talon]

Then why would you ever let Hamilton win!

Don't you use that emoji with me

[sterile breach]

Exactly why I can't do live following, I'd go much slower on my save.

[foggy locust]

I'll keep doing the live races, which I enjoy doing

Doing Qualifying as well though was proving a bit draining

Especially with Sprint weekends, couldn't find myself time to do an entire Sprint in one go and that was proving just too much for me

[sterile breach]

Sounds understandable, 3 full sessions of up to date commentary with 20 cars sounds exhausting.

[foggy locust]

Between ramping up to go back to my work, my relationship, and trying to balance a social life too, it's a lot to manage

[foggy locust]

Yeah, it can be

I want to be fun to follow and to do

I appreciate the support though bud 😊

[lost hare]

Do not let bro manage Ferrari 🙏

[tired thorn]

lewis deserves to win one

[steel talon]

One sprint race

[plucky acorn]

because you should never let bias affect your f1 manager save

• me, an irishman who has alex dunne as a junior driver

[steel talon]

I let bias for my need for crazy events to happen affect me

If I see a low team about to win I'll retire both my drivers

[foggy locust]

I do like seeing lower teams score points (especially if they have zero)

But even as a Leclerc fan, I really like Hamilton too

So it's fun to watch them race and compete as equals

The only way I'll favour one driver is if one of them is realistically going for the WDC and the other isn't

Otherwise, let em race

[foggy locust]

MONACO GRAND PRIX 2026
WEEKEND PREVIEW

And so to the Crown Jewel of motorsport, the Monaco Grand Prix. The first part of the Triple Crown and of Motorsports Sunday, this traditional race is always a major point on the calendar, and we arrive here for Round 8 of this exciting F1 World Championship.

Last time around, Ferrari bounced back from a disappointing race at Miami to take a 1-2 on home soil at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. Lewis Hamilton held off the challenge of teammate Charles Leclerc to take victory on Italian soil for the second year in a row as a Ferrari driver, and to go back to the top of the Championship. Lando Norris was third, taking another McLaren podium, while Oscar Piastri overtook Max Verstappen in the final laps to take fourth and keep his Championship hopes alive.

The Monaco Grand Prix circuit is a 3.337 km circuit held around the Streets of Monte Carlo. It is the shortest race distance of the season, and the most difficult to overtake on, with just the one DRS zone. Drivers will often touch the track walls in order to obtain a fast lap time, which is crucial in qualifying and also dangerous for the race itself. Qualifying is potentially the most important Saturday of the season, with those aforementioned limited opportunities to overtake.

And of course this is a race where Charles Leclerc will have plenty of support, his home race, and after years of bad luck and heartbreak here, he broke the curse in 2024, and followed it up with a second consecutive victory this time last year. So, he's going for three in a row around the circuit where he grew up. No driver has won this race three times in a row since 2013-15, when Nico Rosberg took three consecutive victories for Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton in the other Ferrari is probably Leclerc's biggest challenger for the race win here, and Hamilton has taken three wins around this circuit, in 2008, 2016 and 2019. Leclerc would match that with a win this weekend.

But do not count out McLaren, who are strong around here, with strong low and medium speed cornering. McLaren have not taken victory at Monaco since 2008 - ironically, with Lewis Hamilton - but have the most Monaco Grand Prix victories of any constructor, with 15, as opposed to Ferrari's 12. Oscar Piastri is the only non Ferrari driver to win a race so far this season - can he make it two around these streets, or can Lando Norris provide a challenge?

And then there's Red Bull. Max Verstappen has two victories around these streets, in 2021 and 2023, famously in the rain for his latter win, just holding off Fernando Alonso, who would go on to be his teammate for 2025. Verstappen and new teammate Liam Lawson look to take Red Bull's first win on these streets in three years, but they'll have to beat out the Ferraris and McLarens to do so. Qualifying will be crucial for their chances.

The Aston and Andretti battle has continued to hot up in the early going, and Aston Martin are bringing upgrades in order to try and stop the momentum of the American team. There's just four points difference after Andretti outscored the Astons at Imola, but neither team scored particularly well, so the fight remains very much on at this early stage of the season. Monaco seems like it would suit Valtteri Bottas and Stoffel Vandoorne's car over Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, but of the four, only Ricciardo knows what it is like to win here - his 2018 victory for Red Bull lives long in the memory.

An intriguing battle for sixth is starting up between Audi and Williams, who sit level on points after George Russell took eighth at Imola. An interesting parallel between the two sides is that both Audi and Williams have one driver who have scored all their points - Russell for Williams, Pierre Gasly for Audi, and Théo Pourchaire and Lance Stroll need to start matching their teammates’ efforts sooner rather than later if either plans to chase Aston and Andretti.

As for the bottom three, Hitech and Mercedes have victories here in the past, Hitech under their previous Renault name, Mercedes eight times, last in 2019 - again, Lewis Hamilton - but both teams alongside Haas have never felt further away from the podium, even if Hitech have been performing better than Haas and Mercedes. Any points on the board whatsoever would likely mean the world for any of these three teams - particularly the scoreless Haas and Mercedes - and would likely require a Red Flag or two to do it as it stands.

But you never know. Monaco has provided some shocks and some magic over the years - Jarno Trulli's defensive brilliance in 2004, Olivier Panis taking his one win for another French team - Ligier - in 1996. So you never know, Monaco is prime for some shocks.

Or we could get a Charles Leclerc treble.

Either way, you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Maini (Norris), Maloney (Stroll), Boya (Gasly)

FP1: LEC HAM VER

A 1-2 for Ferrari as Leclerc takes top spot in FP1 in his home GP, ahead of Hamilton and Verstappen. Tsunoda Fourth, with Maini fifth, and Ricciardo Sixth, just ahead of Piastri. Hülkenberg, Pourchaire and Maloney round off the top ten.

FP2: HAM LEC VER

Hamilton quickest in FP2 despite damaging a front wing after being squeezed into a barrier by Alex Albon. Leclerc second, Verstappen third, Gasly fourth and Stroll fifth. Bottas ahead of Lawson, then Russell, Ricciardo and Ocon in the top ten.

FP3: LEC HAM NOR

Leclerc quickest early on Saturday, ahead of Hamilton and Norris. Verstappen fourth, with Bottas fifth, Russell sixth and Tsunoda seventh. Sainz, Piastri and Stroll complete the top ten.

It is time for the most important qualifying session of the season, as we head deeper into Saturday at Monaco. Ferrari have been quickest so far and that's great news for Charles Leclerc who's trying for a home threepeat, but Lewis Hamilton wants his first win here in seven years. McLaren and Red Bull in the mix, let's see what Qualifying has for us.

[foggy locust]

OUT IN Q1: Magnussen, Pourchaire, Hülkenberg, Zhou, Vandoorne
Bubble: Albon
Top five: LEC, HAM, VER, NOR, PIA

No shockers in Q1, as both Haas drivers, Vandoorne, Pourchaire and Magnussen exit. A late attempt to knock out Alex Albon saw Hülkenberg only go above his teammate at the end, but Mercedes have both drivers in Q2 for the first time since Bahrain. Vandoorne and Pourchaire's respective struggles continued, while Magnussen misses out by 0.178. At the top end, Leclerc was quickest on home soil, just 0.165 ahead of Hamilton, with Verstappen third ahead of the two McLarens and Norris. Bottas and Gasly in the top ten, their dominance of their respective teammates continues.

OUT IN Q2: Russell, Albon, Sainz, Ocon, Stroll
Bubble: Verstappen
Top Five: HAM, PIA, LEC, BOT, GAS

Esteban Ocon essentially eliminated himself from Q2 late on, bringing out a Red Flag when Max Verstappen was on the bubble, and the lack of track evolution left no chance for either Mercedes or either Williams to knock the three time Champion out. Hamilton went quickest at the top, ahead of Piastri and Leclerc, with no real improvements after that Red Flag. Bottas, Gasly, Lawson, Norris, both Andrettis are also through, as well as a just making it through Max Verstappen.

Q3: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Lawson, Tsunoda, Gasly, Ricciardo

Lewis Hamilton takes Pole as he looks for his first win around the Streets of Monaco since 2019! He was 3 tenths ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc, as Ferrari locked out the front row. Liam Lawson initially went Fourth but went too early on his last run, and was surpassed by Max Verstappen, who went ahead of Oscar Piastri in fourth, with Lando Norris and Valtteri Bottas beating Lawson on their last runs. Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo are split by Pierre Gasly, but Hamilton takes a huge Pole in his bid for his Eighth!

2026 MONACO GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

HAM LEC

VER PIA

NOR BOT

LAW TSU

GAS RIC

RUS ALB

SAI OCO

STR MAG

POU HÜL

ZHO VAN

It is time on this Motorsports Sunday, for the Jewel in the F1 crown. It is the Monaco Grand Prix, Round eight of this 2026 F1 season, and there's a lot of red in the crowd for home hero Charles Leclerc, but he's got work to do if he wants the threepeat. The 72nd World Championship Monaco Grand Prix, 78 laps, 3.337km circuit, top speed of 179.5mph, 19 turns, and a very difficult track for overtaking, and those ever dangerous walls.

Stoffel Vandoorne starts at the very back alongside Zhou Guanyu, with Nico Hülkenberg likely taking his last career Monaco GP from 18th, Théo Pourchaire in just his second in 17th. Kevin Magnussen starts 16th and Lance Stroll 15th, then Esteban Ocon who crashed in Q2 begins 14th, avoiding Parc Ferme issues, and Carlos Sainz has his highest start since Bahrain in 13th, Alex Albon one spot ahead in 12th, then George Russell 11th. Daniel Ricciardo famously won here in 2018, that was a long time ago and he's 10th today, Pierre Gasly in 9th, with Yuki Tsunoda 8th and Liam Lawson starting 7th in his first race around these streets. Valtteri Bottas lines up 6th and Lando Norris 5th, Oscar Piastri begins fourth, just behind former winner Max Verstappen in 3rd. Ferrari lock out the front row again, Charles Leclerc has won his home GP the last two years, can he make it three, he's 2nd, while Lewis Hamilton is on Pole and looking for his fourth victory on these streets and first since 2019.

Going here in Monaco...one light, two, three, four, five...

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Hamilton gets away quickly but Leclerc is pushing him for the lead and Leclerc has the lead early, a brilliant move by the Champion! Verstappen third ahead of Piastri and Norris, HÜLKENBERG TAPS THE WALL GOING TOWARDS THE TUNNEL!

Leclerc about a second up on his teammate already, the Champion has an early fastest lap and is determined to go for the threepeat here.

Hülkenberg has picked up some damage and drops to P19, just ahead of Zhou...who is reporting problems with his engine! Disaster for Haas!

Ricciardo with a nice move on Lawson to take P8! Lawson struggling in the midfield right now.

Albon now having issues with his engine! He might still be Mercedes' best chance of points today if he can manage that, though.

Tsunoda up to sixth, and with Ricciardo running eighth, this is huge for the American side in the fight for fourth.

Leclerc so far is absolutely coasting. He's put 3 seconds on Hamilton already today.

Russell overtakes an ailing Albon, and Mercedes' chances of points today may be fading. He drops behind Ocon into P13, right in front of his teammate Sainz.

Sainz is on the radio to his team, trying to get them to switch the cars. Mercedes haven't relented just yet.

(BOZ) "Gap to Lewis, 3.5. You are doing a fantastic job on tyres, keep it up. At the moment, P1."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy."

(HAM) "Are we okay, fuel wise?"

(ADA) "If we keep up this pace, we will be at the end. Keep this up."

Mercedes grant Sainz's request and switch the cars. Albon moves out of the way for Sainz.

Haas have made the same move, as Hülkenberg, who is carrying damage, moves over for Zhou, who is carrying engine issues. When is Gene selling?

Vandoorne with a big lock-up coming out of the tunnel and has a spin! He corrects himself and rejoins P18.

OH MY GOD IT'S A RED FLAG

Vandoorne's race is over. At Sainte Devote, he clips the barrier and he leaves the circuit, and the Aston Martin is a wreckage. He's done for the day. Red Flag called!

(BOZ) "And Red Flag, Red Flag. Vandoorne is out."

(LEC) "For fuck's sake!!...beat is he okay?"

(BOZ) "He is okay. Red Flag called, keep delta."

Restart order on lap 17: Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Tsunoda, Bottas, Ricciardo, Lawson, Gasly, Russell, Ocon, Sainz, Magnussen, Stroll, Pourchaire, Albon, Zhou, Hülkenberg. Vandoorne out of the race.

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO AGAIN

Leclerc holds firm at the start from Hamilton, then Verstappen, Piaatri, Norris, Tsunoda, Bottas, Ricciardo, Lawson and Ruasell

Leclerc still leads but Hamilton holding in with DRS!

Piastri passes Verstappen for P3!!

Ocon taps the barrier! Hs drops to P15, behind his teammate!

Ocon pulls into the pitlane and he is done for the day. The damage to that Hitech just too much to continue.

Hamilton putting pressure on Leclerc here for the race lead, but so far cannot get the move done to take the lead!

It just gets worse for Hitech, as Magnussen having issues with his car as well!

Lap 25: Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Tsunoda, Bottas, Ricciardo, Lawson, Russell, Sainz, Gasly, Stroll, Magnussen, Pourchaire, Albon, Zhou, Hülkenberg. Ocon and Vandoorne out of the race.

Stroll moves past Gasly into P12!

Norris gets Verstappen for fourth! Huge for the McLaren!

Russell goes ahead of Lawson and it's from bad to worse for the Bulls!

(BOZ) "Lewis with DRS."

(LEC) "We need to break away from that DRS but I just don't have enough space on this lap to do so."

Leclerc trying his hardest to get away from Hamilton's DRS range, but hasn't managed it yet!

PIASTRI

HAMILTON GOING FOR THE LEAD AND HE GETS PAST LECLERC BUT LECLERC IS COMING BACK AT HIM AND THE TWO FERRARIS WHEEL TO WHEEL AT THE HAIRPIN, AND LECLERC RETAKES P1, AND THAT WAS A NERVY MOMENT FOR THE TIFOSI!!

Hamilton is coming right back at Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton takes the lead from Charles Leclerc!!! This is HUGE in the title fight!!!

(ADA) "Brilliant move, Lewis. Brilliant."

Leclerc keeping the pressure on Hamilton here, but no luck yet!

Hamilton has just lapped Hülkenberg, but he's held up Leclerc in the process! Can Hamilton break away from Leclerc now?

(ADA) "Tyre phase update please?"

(HAM) "Tyres are good."

PITSTOP: Lap 40, and we have a pitstop. Théo Pourchaire comes in to swap out his Softs for Mediums. The first stop of the day, and Audi lead the DHL. He returns in P16.

Leclerc gets DRS off Zhou and he might be right back in this now!

PITSTOPS: Both McLarens pitting in short order here. Piastri in and out at P6, Norris rejoins just behind his teammate.

PITSTOPS: A flurry there as Sainz, Stroll and Magnussen all box.

Lap 44: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Ricciardo, Lawson, Gasly, Russell, Sainz, Albon, Pourchaire, Stroll, Magnussen, Zhou, Hülkenberg

Leclerc has closed from 2 seconds down to 1.1. He badly wants the threepeat here. Game on?

PITSTOP: Bottas in! He switches Mediums for Mediums. Interesting call. He rejoins in P11.

PITSTOP: Gasly in late! He rejoins in P14, and Sainz is on the bubble for points!!

IT'S A RED FLAG!!!

Yuki Tsunoda clips the wall!!! He's slowed down the entire pack and he's out of the race, heartbreakingly! He looked on for high points for Andretti!

Restart order on Lap 54: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Ricciardo, Lawson, Russell, Bottas, Sainz, Pourchaire, Stroll, Gasly, Magnussen, Albon, Zhou, Hülkenberg. Tsunoda, Ocon and Vandoorne out of the race.

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO AGAIN

Hamilton holds firm from Leclerc, Verstappen third, then Norris, Piastri, A THIRD RED FLAG IS CALLED!!! MAGNUSSEN'S ENGINE GOES, WHICH BLINDS ZHOU AND HE CLIPS THE WALL IN A PUFF OF SMOKE. THE DRAMA.

Restart order on lap 56: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Lawson, Piastri, Ricciardo, Bottas, Pourchaire, Russell, Sainz, Gasly, Stroll, Albon, Magnussen, Hülkenberg. Zhou, Tsunoda, Ocon and Vandoorne all out.

Magnussen's engine is blowing up again, he really shouldn't have restarted here, and he's into the pits. He's done for the day.

Hamilton holds the lead from Leclerc, Veratappen P3, Norris, Lawson up to fifth, then Ricciardo and Pourchaire, Piastri has dropped to Eighth, Bottas ninth, SAINZ INTO THE POINTS AGAIN

Leclerc going for the lead and LECLERC RETAKES THE LEAD OF THE MONACO GRAND PRIX, TURNABOUT IS FAIR PLAY! WOW, WOW, WOW!

Daniel Ricciardo up to P5!! What a sensational drive he has had today!

Hamilton coming back at Leclerc on lap 60 and regrabs the lead!!

Oscar Piastri having real problems with that McLaren and has dropped out of the points! Sainz and Russell benefitting big time right now!

Russell passes Sainz for P9! Huge for Williams!

Disaster for Piaatri and McLaren as that gearbox has completely gone. It's likely game over for him here.

This is a real chance for Théo Pourchaire who goes past Liam Lawson for P6!

Lawson also having gearbox issues and he's dropped to P8!!

Bottas also having mechanical issues! This is a major problem for Aston!

LECLERC GOING FOR THE LEAD AND LECLERC TAKES THE LEAD OF THE RACE RIGHT BACK!!! WOW, WOW, WOW!

AND IT HAS CHANGED TO A RED FLAG!!!

A fourth, FOURTH, Red Flag of the day. Oscar Piastri's gearbox has gone and his car has broken down right before the pitlane!

Restart order on Lap 69: Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Pourchaire, Russell, Bottas, Lawson, Sainz, Gasly, Stroll, Albon, Hülkenberg. Piastri, Magnussen, Zhou, Tsunoda, Ocon, Vandoorne all out of the race.

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO ONCE MORE

Leclerc holds the lead, Hamilton second, then Norris and Verstappen, Ricciardo fifth, Russell Sixth, then Pourchaire, Botfas, Sainz, Stroll, Gasly, Lawson has dropped out of the points, Hülkenberg and Albon, those are the only cars still running

LECLERC

Leclerc breaks free of Hamilton's DRS, and that might be that!

Five. FIVE Red Flags. Madness. Bottas locks up and tags the wall, and that's the end of Aston Martin's involvement in today. A fifth restart. Unbelievable.

Restart order on Lap 73: Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Russell, Pourchaire, Sainz, Stroll, Gasly, Lawson, Hülkenberg, Albon. Bottas, Piastri, Magnussen, Zhou, Tsunoda, Ocon, Vandoorne all out.

AND WE GO AGAIN, ONCE MORE INTO THE BREACH

Leclerc holds firm once more from Hamilton, Norris still third, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Russell, Pourchaire, Stroll, Sainz, Gasly, Lawson, Hülkenberg and Albon. That's all running with four laps left.

Three laps remaining, and Leclerc has pulled well clear. Barring any mishaps, the threepeat is on.

Lawson's engine goes, and that might be the end of his race!

LAST LAP

Charles Leclerc has dominated the last couple of races at Monaco. Today he had to fight with everything he had, through chaos all over the place elsewhere, but he is going to come through to take the chequered flag, and FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A ROW, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE MONACO GRAND PRIX!!! Lewis Hamilton P2, Norris P3, Verstappen P4, Russell takes P5, Ricciardo P6, Pourchaire P7, Stroll P8, Sainz P9, Gasly P10. Lawson limps home in P11, Hülkenberg P12, Albon the last to finish.

(BOZ) "And we've won it!!! Third time in a row at home, Charles!!"

(LEC) "WOOOOO! YESSSSSS! YES YES YESS!! AH, YESS YES YES! Ahhhh, it never gets any less sweet. Tonight is gonna be a good night!"

(BOZ) "Congratulations Charles. Well earned, through the chaos. Well done."

(ADA) "And P2, Lewis. P2."

(HAM) "We need more, thank you guys so much, it was tough through everything today. We're still in this. Congratulations to Charles today."

(ADA) "Good effort today, Lewis. We are still in this."

DRIVER OF THE DAY: GEORGE RUSSELL, Williams

The Williams renaissance continues with a fine drive through the chaos for George Russell, who takes a huge P5 and Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Charles Leclerc 1.10.506

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Alexander Albon, Mercedes 2.062s

Updated tables and Monaco fallout coming later!!

[foggy locust]

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 169
Hamilton 167
Piastri 116
Verstappen 112
Norris 103
Lawson 54
Bottas 44
Russell 28
Tsunoda 20
Gasly 19
Pourchaire 6
Vandoorne 5
Stroll 4
Sainz 2
Magnussen 2
Ocon 1
Zhou 0
Albon 0
Hülkenberg 0

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 336
McLaren-Ford RBPT 219
Red Bull-Ford RBPT 166
Andretti-Ferrari 53
Aston Martin-Honda 49
Williams-Ferrari 32
Audi Sauber 25
Hitech-Renault 3
Mercedes 2
Haas-Mercedes 0

2026 FIA WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 558
Pirelli 327

FERNANDO ALONSO WINS INDY 500

In his final Motorsports appearance, Fernando Alonso finally completed the Triple Crown on Motorsports Sunday by winning the Indianapolis 500.

Alonso completed a timeless drive to lead home 2025 Indy 500 Winner Pato O'Ward and Josef Newgarden, who won the race in 2023 and 2024, in a close run battle to take his first Indy 500 win, and having won the Monaco Grand Prix and Le Mans already, clinch the Triple Crown of Motorsport.

Alonso had announced his intention to retire fully from motorsport after racing in the Indy 500 one more time, and completed the historic ending to end his career.

Alonso last raced in F1 for Red Bull Racing in 2025.

MOHAMMED BEN SULAYEM TO STEP DOWN AS FIA PRESIDENT AFTER MONACO GRAND PRIX FIASCO

The FIA's beleaguered President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, will step down at the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Ben Sulayem's controversial reign as FIA President comes to an end after a Monaco Grand Prix that bizarrely saw five Red Flag incidents and questions about safety in continuing the race.

MBS has been criticised heavily for numerous incidents with the Drivers in the past, including then Champion Max Verstappen's swearing Community service and the controversial attempt to stop swearing in the sport.

The FIA will announce the candidates for a Preaidential election in due course.

[lost hare]

Finally

Lol

[brittle cave]

manifesting this happening irl 🙏

[foggy locust]

CANADIAN GRAND PRIX 2026
WEEKEND PREVIEW

We head to Montreal for Round 9 of the 2026 Formula 1 season, a season that continues to heat up, and after an eventful Monaco Grand Prix that saw FIVE Red Flags and an emotional threepeat home victory, we go again in Canada.

Last time around, it was Monaco, and it was eventful, to say the least. Only thirteen cars finished the race of the twenty, five red flags were called, the race finished three and a half hours after it started, Audi took double points, Williams took double points, Mercedes took points, Ferrari took yet another 1-2, oh, and Charles Leclerc won the race for the third successive year on home soil. So, standard stuff really.

And so to Montreal, and another track known for chaotic happenings. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, named for Canada's most famous F1 driver, is a 4.361km circuit known for the Wall of Champions, that final corner that has caught out many a World Champion over the years, as well as the numerous Groundhogs that have often invaded the circuit over the years. The Circuit is on a man made island, featuring long straights, and medium and low speed cornering. Three DRS zones will mean plenty of overtaking opportunities over the 70 laps and 14 turns of each lap. Low tyre degradation around here means one and two stops are very much on the table, and no rain is expected over the weekend.

Ferrari do remain the favourites but with upgrades coming at Barcelona and potentially Spielberg, the door might be open to McLaren and Red Bull. For now, the battle between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton sits at just two points in the World Championship, and a close run battle in Monaco went the way of Leclerc. A second consecutive final day battle could very much be on the table between Leclerc and Hamilton - both drivers have won here in the past, Leclerc in 2024, Hamilton last year.

But the door may well be open for McLaren around here, with some very strong Medium Speed cornering topping even Ferrari, as well as some very strong top speed and Acceleration. This is a circuit where the Papaya could get the better of the Scuderia, and if Oscar Piastri is going to ignite a title fight with Leclerc and Hamilton, this is one he needs, especially after a reliability failure at Monaco. Lando Norris did take a podium in his stead, and may fancy his own chances of a win around here.

Red Bull meanwhile are once again putting their eggs in Max Verstappen’s basket, despite giving Liam Lawson an early 2027 extension to his contract, with their upgrades this weekend centred towards Max. Verstappen's yet to win a race at this point in the season for the first time since 2019 - it took until Round 9 in Austria that year for him to take a victory, and we are at Round 9 this weekend. Can he finally get a breakthrough for Red Bull this weekend?

Andretti gained on Aston Martin in the fight for fourth this year, as Daniel Ricciardo was the only one of the four drivers to finish at Monaco - and he and Yuki Tsunoda continue to work well for the new American team on the grid. Aston Martin had a rough time around Monaco, with neither Valtteri Bottas nor Stoffel Vandoorne finishing the race last time around, and while they have strong medium speed cornering, they struggle in the low speed corners, and that might hurt them this weekend.

Could Williams or Audi potentially put on a push for fourth in the Championship this year? Both teams got double points in Monaco and Williams have closed the gap to Andretti to 21 points, and Aston Martin are just 17 ahead of the Grove team, with Audi a further 7 back off Williams. Fourth in the Championship could very well be open for those four teams. Théo Pourchaire and Lance Stroll both landed points for the first time this season last time out, and both teams will need their second drivers scoring alongside Pierre Gasly and George Russell respectively if they're going to push on for fourth. In Stroll's case, this is his home race, so there's the motivation for the Canadian driver.

And of the bottom three, only Mercedes finally hit paydirt at Monaco, with neither Hitech driver finishing and only one of the Haas team finishing - Nico Hülkenberg ending up twelfth. Haas have been struggling with their car and Hitech have been struggling with their drivers - Mercedes brought upgrades to Monaco and it did pay off, but they need a lot more to get themselves up the table.

So, we head to Montreal and to Round 9 of this F1 season. Ferrari remain the favourites, McLaren and Red Bull might push them for the win, there's a four team battle for the middle places, and Mercedes, Hitech and Haas look to score any points possible to ger away from the bottom. Anything else? Oh, yes, the fact that you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Maini (Piastri), Staněk (Norris), Dürksen (Lawson), Goethe (Ricciardo), Boya (Pourchaire), Voisin (Gasly), Montoya (Bottas)

[humble totem]

Charles has to win this 😁

[steel talon]

Put your own reserve in

Montoya is back?

Woah

[foggy locust]

FP1: HAM LEC SAI

The big news out of FP1 - are Mercedes back? Hamilton and Leclerc went 1-2 for Ferrari, while Sainz beat out Lawson and Red Bull rookied Dürksen to P3. Stroll just ahead of teammate Russell on home soil, with Tsunoda, Maini and Ocon rounding off the top ten.

[steel talon]

Mercedes is not back

[foggy locust]

FP2: PIA HAM LEC

Oscar Piastri laying down a marker to the two Ferraris, with Hamilton and Leclerc 2-3. Lawson took fourth, with Ricciardo 5th and Stroll again ahead of Russell. Albon, Tsunoda and Gasly round off the top ten. 11th for Norris and just 15th for Verstappen to round off Friday.

FP3: LEC HAM LAW

In the pouring rain, Leclerc went fastest ahead of Hamilton, with Lawson beating out Piastri and Verstappen to third. Sainz and Albon went 6th and 7th for Mercedes, while Pourchaire, Russell and Norris rounded off the top ten.

It is a wet Saturday here in Montreal, and as such, this means an unpredictable qualifying. While Ferrari have had the run of things in practice, the rain adds a new element to proceedings today, the great leveller in Formula 1. Who will take advantage in the soaking conditions today?

OUT IN Q1: Stroll, Norris, Albon, Ocon, Magnussen
Bubble: Gasly
Top Five: SAI, TSU, PIA, POU, LEC
HAM P14

A chaotic one-shot qualifying saw heartbreak for Lance Stroll on home soil as he dropped out in Q1, after some strong practices. It was mixed fortunes for Mercedes and McLaren, as Alex Albon and shockingly Lando Norris went out in Q1, while Carlos Sainz topped proceedings and Oscar Piastri was third behind Yuki Tsunoda. Théo Pourchaire was fourth with Pierre Gasly just making it through for Audi, with Charles Leclerc fifth and Lewis Hamilton just 14th. The two Hitech drivers of Esteban Ocon and Kevin Magnussen will share the back row.

OUT IN Q2: Sainz, Vandoorne, Zhou, Gasly, Hülkenberg
Bubble: Ricciardo
Top Five: HAM, LEC, VER, PIA, LAW

From P1 in Q1 to eliminated in Q2 for Carlos Sainz, as mostly dry running returned some kind of order, and Lewis Hamilton went quickest ahead of Charles Leclerc, with Max Verstappen just ahead of Oscar Piastri and Liam Lawson. Stoffel Vandoorne once again starts behind his teammate, while Pierre Gasly's qualifying struggles this weekend saw him out in Q2. Both Zhou Guanyu and Nico Hülkenberg went out for Haas this session as well.

Q3: Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Verstappen, Lawson, Ricciardo, Bottas, Russell, Tsunoda, Pourchaire

In essentially what became a one-shot qualifying in very rainy conditions, Charles Leclerc went quickest to secure Pole in Canada, just 0.099 ahead of Lewis Hamilton to lock out the front row once more for the Scuderia. Oscar Piaatri was the best of the chasing pack, ahead of Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson. Daniel Ricciardo took sixth with Valtteri Bottas and George Russell just behind, and Yuki Tsunoda and Théo Pourchaire rounded out the top ten.

2026 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC HAM

PIA VER

LAW RIC

BOT RUS

TSU POU

SAI VAN

ZHO GAS

HÜL STR

NOR ALB

OCO MAG

Well hello everyone, welcome to this man made island in the heart of Montreal for the 55th World Championship Canadian Grand Prix, the 45th on this island. The rain has blown away and it's a bit cloudy but likely to remain dry. Round 9 of this 2026 Formula 1 season, our second visit to North America this season, 4.361km, 70 laps, 14 turns, 6 to the left, 8 to the right, three DRS zones, an elevation of 5.25m, and of course, usually a fair share of Canadian Chaos around here.

The two Hitechs share the back row with Kevin Magnussen 20th and Esteban Ocon 19th, Alex Albon just 18th despite some promise and a shocking Q1 exit for Lando Norris sees him start 17th. Lance Stroll begins 16th for his home race while it's 15th for Nico Hülkenberg. Pierre Gasly starts 14th while Zhou Guanyu is 13th, then it's Stoffel Vandoorne in 12th, Carlos Sainz starts 11th despite being P1 in Q1. It's 10th for Théo Pourchaire while Yuki Tsunoda lines up 9th, George Russell begins 8th with Valtteri Bottas 7th. Daniel Ricciardo took his first victory here and he's 6th today with Liam Lawson 5th, one position behind his teammate Max Verstappen in 4th and Oscar Piastri begins from 3rd, it's another Ferrari front row lockout, Lewis Hamilton starts today two points behind his teammate and one place in 2nd, and it is Pole Position for the third race in a row, and fifth time this season, for Charles Leclerc.

Formation lap done, 1 light, 2, 3, 4, 5...

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc gets away well, Piastri trying to go round Hamilton but Hamilton holds him off, Verstappen next, Ricciardo ahead of Lawson, Bottas, Russell, Tsunoda then Pourchaire

Hamilton goes for the lead off Leclerc and he takes the lead of this race!! Leclerc is coming back at him but hasn't found the breakthrough yet!

LECLERC

Leclerc going for the lead going into the wall of Champions turn and he's into the lead!

Yellow flags waving as Pourchaire runs wide! He doesn't lose too much time but Sainz now pressuring for P10!

Hamilton going for the lead, overtakes Leclerc on the final straight and Piastri takes advantage to also move past the Champion!

Oscar Piastri showing some tremendous race pace! He's into the lead overtaking Hamilton!

Zhou complaining of engine issues already. This could be a problem for the Haas.

(ADA) "Charles behind with DRS."

(HAM) "I need more power."

(BOZ) "Good job Charles, P2. Lewis in front."

Both Ferraris into P1 and P2, as Hamilton and Leclerc overtake Piastri in short order. The front six are separated by just two seconds, though.

Hamilton slips down the order, as Leclerc, Piastri and Verstappen all overtake the seven time Champion!! That was a shocking turn of pace!

Hamilton back up to P3, overtaking old rival Verstappen.

[steel talon]

WOAG

[foggy locust]

Lap 10: Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Lawson, Tsunoda, Bottas, Russell, Sainz, Pourchaire, Vandoorne, Zhou, Norris, Stroll, Gasly, Ocon, Albon, Hülkenberg, Magnussen

Ricciardo just got Lawson for P5 not long ago!

Sainz up into the points as Pourchaire is struggling, and he drops behind Vandoorne!

Piastri retakes P1!! He overtakes Leclerc and goes into the lead!

Verstappen moves up ahead of Leclerc!! Hamilton also ahead of Leclerc!

Very much a four car race for the win here. Piastri holding off Verstappen for now, Leclerc back into P3, and ahea of Hamilton but it is close between the two.

The Ferrari fightback very much on now, as those medium tyres are starting to take effect over the wearing Softs. Leclerc and Hamilton both up ahead of Verstappen, and Leclerc grabs the lead back from Piastri!!!

VERSTAPPEN

Lap 20: Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Lawson, Bottas, Tsunoda, Russell, Sainz, Vandoorne, Norris, Pourchaire, Stroll, Gasly, Ocon, Albon, Magnussen, Hülkenberg, Zhou

PITSTOP: Lando Norris the first car in for the day! He switches his Softs for Mediums, we are guessing McLaren, at least with Norris, are on the two stop strategy today!

(BOZ) "So you can push a bit here Charles, build that gap up."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy."

PITSTOPS: RED BULL DOUBLE STACK!! Verstappen gets in and out without a problem, but Lawson has a delay and does a 5.136s stop! Not ideal for the Bulls!

(BOZ) "You can push more here Charles. Five or six qualifying laps."

PITSTOPS: A flurry of stops as Stroll, Ocon, Albon, Gasly and Vandoorne all pit!

PITSTOPS: Ricciardo in from P3, and Russell and Magnussen both come in too!

IT'S A VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR!!!

That is a DISASTER for Carlos Sainz and Mercedes. Looking on for good points, he locks up and goes off at Pontde la Conco!! He's fortunately unhurt, but looks devastated as his race is over.

Sainz has just handed his former team a massive boost though, as neither Ferrari has yet pit.

(BOZ) "VSC, box immediately. Sainz in the wall."

(LEC) "Is Carlos okay?"

(BOZ) "He's unhurt. Box immediately, box."

(LEC) "Good to hear he's OK. Copy, box."

(ADA) "And VSC, VSC. Box, box."

(HAM) "What happened?"

(ADA) "Carlos off, He's OK, thankfully."

(HAM) "Good to hear, understood, box."

Lap 29, VSC: Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Piastri, Ricciardo, Bottas, Lawson, Tsunoda, Russell, Norris, Pourchaire, Zhou, Ocon, Stroll, Albon, Gasly, Vandoorne, Magnussen, Hülkenberg. Sainz out of the race.

PITSTOPS: An unreal double stack from Ferrari. Leclerc in and out in 1.980s, Hamilton follows in and out in 2.170s. That was brilliant from the Scuderia. They remain 1-2!

We go racing again on Lap 31! Leclerc still clear, but Hamilton now under real pressure from Verstappen!!

Hülkenberg having issues with the Haas! Reliability issues striking again for the American team.

LECLERC
VERSTAPPEN

Leclerc clocks a fastest lap, then Verstappen immediately beats it!

Pourchaire goes off at the Wall of Champions! He's just able to avoid contact, but loses position to Norris!

Hamilton and Verstappen battling well here for P2, with Leclerc about 3 seconds up on them both.

(ADA) "No DRS for Verstappen, 1.3 behind."

(HAM) "What is the gap to Charles?"

(ADA) "4.6."

Lap 40: Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Piastri, Tsunoda, Bottas, Lawson, Ricciardo, Russell, Pourchaire, Norris, Albon, Ocon, Gasly, Stroll, Magnussen, Vandoorne, Zhou, Hülkenberg

PITSTOP: Pourchaire in and onto the Hards!

HUGE issues for Lando Norris!!! He's slowing significantly and has a major gearbox issue! Norris comes into the pitlane and slows up, and he's done for the day. Norris' race is over.

Hamilton has pushed ahead of Verstappen, but still finds himself about 5 seconds off his teammate. Can Hamilton catch Leclerc here?

Alex Albon, who started in the bottom five, has had a sterling drive so far today and finds himself in the points.

PITSTOP: Tsunoda and Albon both in! Both onto the Softs and return to the Circuit.

PITSTOP: Piastri in from P4, trying to undercut the Ferraris and Verstappen! He's back out there in sixth.

PITSTOP: Verstappen in and onto the Mediums on Lap 48!!

The question now is, when do Leclerc and Hamilton answer the stops of Verstappen and Piastri?

(BOZ) "So tyre phase update please Charles?"

(LEC) "Rear tyres graining a lot here."

(BOZ) "Copy. So box, Charles, box."

(LEC) "Copy, box"

(HAM) "Tyres are starting to go."

(ADA) "Understood, box this lap."

(HAM) "Yeah, box."

PITSTOPS: Ferrari double stack again, 1.952 FOR LECLERC. Hamilton in as well and a 2.282 for Hamilton. Unreal stuff from the Ferrari pit crew.

Lap 51: Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Piastri, Tsunoda, Bottas, Lawson, Ricciardo, Russell, Pourchaire, Albon, Stroll, Gasly, Ocon, Magnussen, Vandoorne, Zhou, Hülkenberg. Norris and Sainz out of the race.

Tsunoda spins off on the second corner! He's able to get the car going again but drops from 5th to 8th, and has just handed Bottas a couple of extra points. Not ideal.

LECLERC

Albon pushing Pourchaire for that final point, and he goes ahead of the Audi driver! Could be huge that for Mercedes, as both are then lapped by Leclerc.

Lawson now pressuring Bottas for P5!

Stroll trying to close in on Albon for what would be a memorable home point.

PIASTRI

BOTTAS

Two fastest laps in quick succession. Piastri takes it, then Bottas does.

Lap 64: Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Piastri, Bottas, Lawson, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Russell, Albon, Pourchaire, Stroll, Gasly, Ocon, Magnussen, Vandoorne, Zhou, Hülkenberg

Russell closing in on Tsunoda, this could be vital in the battle for fourth in the Constructors.

Four laps remaining here in Canada

Russell gets the move done on Tsunoda and up to 8th! Huge for Williams!

Two laps to go, and Leclerc has been dominant this afternoon

FINAL LAP

An utterly dominant display by the defending World Champion, he's been on top form today and absolutely raced away with this win, his fourth win of the season, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX!!! It's another Ferrari 1-2 as Lewis Hamilton comes home second!

(BOZ) "And P1, that's my boy, another win! Congratulations Charles, just a phenomenal drive!"

(LEC) "YESSS, LET'S GOOOOO! Ahhh, yes, yes, yes!! Thank you guys for all the effort, thank you Bryan, thanks to all the team. This car is a monster. Thank you."

(BOZ) "Amazing job today Charles."

(ADA) "And taking the flag, P2 confirmed Lewis. Good job today."

(HAM) "Phew, good job mate. Let's keep pushing, a lot more in this season to come."

(ADA) "Fantastic work. Some pickup please."

[steel talon]

YIPEE

[foggy locust]

Verstappen takes a comfortable P3

Piastri P4

Bottas overtakes Lawson for P5, Lawson P6, Ricciardo P7, Tsunoda gets Russell at the end for P8!!! Russell P9, Albon P10 a lap down.

2026 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.30.40
2. Lewis Hamilton +8.844
3. Max Verstappen +11.859
4. Oscar Piastri +5.592
5. Valtteri Bottas +27.743
6. Liam Lawson +0.777
7. Daniel Ricciardo +8.775
8. Yuki Tsunoda +2.556
9. George Russell +0.440
10. Alexander Albon +1 lap
11. Théo Pourchaire +1 lap
12. Esteban Ocon +1 lap
13. Lance Stroll +1 lap
14. Pierre Gasly +1 lap
15. Kevin Magnussen +1 lap
16. Stoffel Vandoorne +1 lap
17. Zhou Guanyu +2 laps
18. Nico Hülkenberg +2 laps
19. Lando Norris DNF
20. Carlos Sainz DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: CHARLES LECLERC, Ferrari

Hard to argue with this vote. The World Champion was dominant today, lapping over half the field, and running away with it over three very established challengers. With two absolutely perfect pitstops, today couldn't have gone better for Charles Leclerc, Driver of the Day.

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Valtteri Bottas, Aston Martin 1.12.977

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 1.952s

FIA 2026 FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 194
Hamilton 185
Piastri 128
Verstappen 127
Norris 103
Lawson 62
Bottas 55
Ricciardo 39
Russell 30
Tsunoda 24
Gasly 19
Pourchaire 6
Vandoorne 5
Stroll 4
Sainz 2
Magnussen 2
Ocon 1
Albon 1
Zhou 0
Hülkenberg 0

FIA 2026 FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 379
McLaren-Ford RBPT 231
Red Bull-Ford RBPT 189
Andretti-Ferrari 63
Aston Martin-Honda 60
Williams-Ferrari 34
Audi Sauber 25
Mercedes 3
Hitech-Renault 3
Haas-Mercedes 0 :Bridgestone

FIA 2026 FORMULA 1 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 634
Pirelli 353

[steel talon]

Woah

[foggy locust]

TOYOTA TO TAKE FULL OWNERSHIP OF HAAS FOR 2027?

Rumours are hotting up in the F1 paddock ahead of Barcelona that Gene Haas is about to sell the team fully to Toyota.

The owner of the Haas team since 2016, Gene Haas has publicly been very unhappy with their progress since the new regulations started this year, with the team at the back of the grid and yet to score a point this season.

A Toyota led Haas team would likely make major changes to try and improve their team, starting with the likely exit of Nico Hülkenberg at the end of his current deal, which expires at the end of this season.

Rumour has it that Toyota want to sign IndyCar Championship leader Ayuwu Iwasa to a deal for the 2027 season to partner Zhou Guanyu.

[foggy locust]

2026 SPANISH GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

And so to Barcelona for Round 10 of this 2026 Formula 1 season. As this season continues to hot up, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in North America, we have the first of a full on Triple Header across Europe, starting in Spain, then going to Austria and the UK.

Last time out in Canada, Charles Leclerc took a second consecutive victory as Ferrari secured yet another 1-2. It was Leclerc's most dominant win of the season and a real statement of intent from the Champion in this title fight with his teammate. Lewis Hamilton took second, with Max Verstappen on the final step of the podium.

However, with Ferrari awaiting Chassis upgrades in Austria, an opportunity might be here for Red Bull and McLaren to snatch a victory away from the Scuderia in Barcelona. This isn't a track that suits the Champions as much as it does their closest two challengers, and if McLaren and Red Bull are going to make a fight of this season, it has to start in Barcelona.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a 4.657km circuit that focuses mostly on Medium and High Speed Cornering. It received a long term contract extension at the end of last year to remain on the calendar, amidst rumours of a Madrid street circuit replacing it. It is seen as an all rounder circuit and a favourite of teams for testing - winter testing predominantly took place here in the past, although in recent years has moved to Bahrain. With 14 turns and 2 DRS Zones, Barcelona's circuit is infamous for bad tyre degradation - a two stop minimum is expected. We will have rain on the Saturday, which means a potential qualifying caveat.

And this might be the first track of the season that doesn't suit the SF-26, so Ferrari might be up against it, at least until their upgrades come in for Spielberg. With McLaren and Red Bull both focusing intentions here, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton may be up against it - and with Leclerc having a 9 point advantage in the Drivers’ Championship going into this weekend, can Hamilton at least finish ahead of his teammate and close that gap?

McLaren seem to be focusing their efforts on Oscar Piastri's potential title challenge here - with him receiving their planned upgrades ahead of Lando Norris this weekend. Piastri finds himself 66 points behind Leclerc and just one ahead of Max Verstappen, while McLaren are 168 points back off Ferrari in the Constructors. Even with a win here, it's a long way back. Lando Norris may be considering his own future at the team from next season onwards, neither McLaren driver has yet signed a long term deal.

As far as Red Bull go, it is Max Verstappen's team once more, despite Liam Lawson's one year extension to his current deal, and the Bulls have targeted this race as one that Verstappen can very much win. Verstappen is just a point behind Piastri so his title challenge is still in the balance behind Oscar - a win would go a long way here. Red Bull need Lawson to start picking up more points if they're going to pressure McLaren for second in the Constructors - this would be a good place to start.

Andretti and Aston Martin's battle continues for fourth in the Championship and Aston outscored Andretti by a single point in Canada - Valtteri Bottas’ fastest lap point being the difference. Aston have a car that is better in cornering, but Andretti have the Velocity advantage - as well as the fact both their drivers are scoring points regularly, with Aston being carried by Bottas. Once again, Stoffel Vandoorne simply must do more.

Williams have been one of the surprise packages of this season so far and their battle with Audi is heating up for sixth. Both teams are bringing upgrades to Barcelona in the hopes of reducing the gap to Andretti and Aston Martin, but both would need a big windfall of points somewhere to bring that gap down. George Russell's move from Mercedes has been paying off well so far, and he's quietly having a very good season for the Grove team. Audi meanwhile continue to quietly go about their business, with Pierre Gasly in particular impressing.

Mercedes have had two solid races with them picking up points for both drivers - Carlos Sainz scored points at Monaco, and Alex Albon at Canada - to take them above Hitech. However, Hitech remain with the stronger car and Sainz's crashing issues returned at Montreal, so the battle for Eighth and Ninth remains tied at three points a piece. Major upgrades are needed for both teams if they're going to make a go of this season.

And it's looking dicey for Haas this season as rumours of a full Toyota takeover are getting more and more likely. The team have simply not done enough to improve this year, and the future of the team is very much in Toyota's hands at this point. Nico Hülkenberg looks likely to leave the team at the end of the season, and Zhou Guanyu will likely have a new teammate next year - Awuyu Iwasa looks the favourite right now to take the seat.

So, to Barcelona. Will McLaren and Red Bull be able to take the fight to Ferrari this weekend? Who will take the lead of Andretti, Aston Martin, Williams and Audi? Can Mercedes, Hitech or Haas bag any points? Will you want to miss it? You won't want to miss it.

ANOTHER FP1 FOR OLLIE BEARMAN

Ferrari will once again run Ollie Bearman in FP1 as they ramp up potential preparations for his future in Formula 1.

Bearman will replace World Champion Charles Leclerc in the first practice session this weekend in Barcelona.

Bearman has recently signed a two year extension to his current deal to being Ferrari's reserve and test driver for 2027 and 2028.

FP1 Reserves: Bearman (Leclerc), Maini (Piastri), Marti (Hülkenberg), Boya (Gasly), Montoya (Vandoorne)

FP1: VER HAM LAW
BEAR P4

A statement of intent from Red Bull who go 1-3, with Verstappen quickest ahead of Hamilton. Lawson third with Bearman P4, while Bottas, Albon and Russell follow. Tsunoda, Norris and Sainz round off the top ten.

FP2: LEC VER NOR
HAM P5

Leclerc returns to the track and goes fastest ahead of Verstappen, Norris and Piastri, with Hamilton fifth. Stroll 6th, with Gasly 7th, Ricciardo 8th, Magnussen and Bottas complete the top ten.

FP3: HAM LEC VER

Hamilton goes quickest ahead of Leclerc and Verstappen in a rainy final practice session. Norris and Piastri are 4-5, with Ricciardo sixth, Russell seventh, Gasly and Pourchaire 8-9 for Audi, and Lawson 10th.

It is time for qualifying in the Catalan Capital, Barcelona has seen a fair number of winners from Pole Position, making today's qualifying session all that more important. The rain is holding off for now, at least, but we expect some at some point during this qualifying session, this could be fascinating. Ferrari and Red Bull have been the two quickest so far this weekend in practice, but you cannot count out McLaren, so let's see how we go from there.

OUT IN Q1: Albon, Gasly, Sainz, Vandoorne, Ocon
Bubble: Zhou
Top Five: HAM, VER, NOR, LEC, PIA

What turned into essentially a one-shot qualifying saw Mercedes' recent momentum come to a shuddering halt, as both Albon and Sainz failed to get out of the bottom five. They tried a second time in the rain with giving each other a tow, but unsuccessfully. Gasly also drops out for Audi, with Vandoorne's qualifying struggles continuing and Ocon starting at the very back. At the top end, Hamilton went quickest ahead of Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc and Piastri, no real shocks in the top five.

OUT IN Q2: Tsunoda, Bottas, Ricciardo, Hülkenberg, Stroll
Bubble: Pourchaire
Top Five: NOR, PIA, LAW, VER, LEC
HAM P8

Another essential one-shot Qualifying, with both Andrettis, Bottas, Hülkenberg and Stroll missing out. Zhou and Magnussen make Q3, while it was a 1-2 for McLaren and a 3-4 for Red Bull, Ferrari ending up fifth and eighth.

Q3: Verstappen, Piastri, Hamilton, Leclerc, Russell, Norris, Lawson, Magnussen, Zhou, Pourchaire

It is a first Pole Position of the season for Max Verstappen!! He went just quicker than Oscar Piastri in the rain, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc 3-4. George Russell was a phenomenal fifth for Williams, with Lando Norris sixth. Liam Lawson, Kevin Magnussen, Zhou Guanyu and Théo Pourchaire round off the top ten.

Going to pause there for now, will return later on for the race itself!

[foggy locust]

Postponing race til tomorrow! I want to spend time with my partner so I'll be back tomorrow for the race

[foggy locust]

SPANISH GRAND PRIX 2026
STARTING GRID

VER PIA

HAM LEC

RUS NOR

LAW MAG

ZHO POU

TSU BOT

RIC HÜL

STR ALB

GAS SAI

VAN OCO

Welcome along to the Spanish Grand Prix and it is the 56th World Championship Spanish Grand Prix, Pole has won this race so many times around this circuit, and it is a major advantage, an advantage held by Max Verstappen for the first time this season. Going into that long run into Turn 1 has seen plenty of incidents over the years. 4.657km, 66 laps, 14 turns, 2 DRS Zones, and an elevation of 29.64 metres.

Esteban Ocon starts at the very back and he's got Stoffel Vandoorne for company, Carlos Sainz starts his home Grand Prix with work to do from 18th, the only Spanish driver on the grid after Fernando Alonso's retirement, Pierre Gasly starts 17th and Alex Albon is immediately ahead of his teammate on the grid in 16th, while Lance Stroll start 15th. It's 14th for Nico Hülkenberg while Daniel Ricciardo lines up 13th, Valtteri Bottas starts 12th and Yuki Tsunoda is just outside the top ten in 11th. Théo Pourchaire starts 10th and it's Zhou Guanyu's highest start of the season in 9th, Kevin Magnussen starts 8th in his highest start of the year while Liam Lawson lines up 7th. It's 6th for Lando Norris and George Russell starts 5th, his highest start since Abu Dhabi 2024. No Ferrari on the front row for the first time this season and for the first time since Japan last season, Charles Leclerc starts fourth and Lewis Hamilton third. It's second for Oscar Piastri, while Max Verstappen has his first Pole Position of the season. And Verstappen's looking to take his first win since Interlagos, but Piastri and both Ferraris will be tough competition.

(VAS) "Full focus gentlemen, you know what you have to do today."

(LEC) "Copy" (HAM) "Understood"

Formation lap done, let's go racing!

One light, two, three, four, five...AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Verstappen holds firm, Hamilton gets ahead of Piastri, Russell ahead of Leclerc who's had a slow start, then Norris, Zhou and Magnussen ahead of Lawson, Tsunoda up ahead of Pourchaire! Sainz drops to 19th!

Leclerc regains fourth on Russell with a beauty of a move on the inside on Turn 1!

HAMILTON

Verstappen putting in a performance so far that we haven't seen from him since early 2024. He's up to two seconds ahead of Hamilton.

Piastri putting pressure on Hamilton and the McLaren is up to P2!

Hamilton trying an attack on Piastri but leaves himself vulnerable and Leclerc goes ahead of his teammate as a result!

Both Ferraris have DRS on Piastri and both go ahead into a 2-3!

(BOZ) "Okay Charles, P2, next car ahead is Verstappen, 2.4 ahead."

(LEC) "That Red Bull has a lot of pace this weekend."

(BOZ) "Keep doing what you're doing."

Magnussen moves ahead of Russell and up to sixth! This would be huge for Hitech if he can keep a hold of this!

(ADA) "Mode three on engine, keep this level of pace."

(HAM) "How far ahead is Verstappen of Charles and myself?"

(ADA) "2.6."

NORRIS

Tsunoda up to P6 ahead of Magnussen!!

Russell cuts across the racing line and lands himself a track limits warning, and finds himself under immediate pressure from Zhou and Ricciardo!

Leclerc and Hamilton have cut that advantage to 1.6. The medium tyre advantage starting to show.

LAWSON WITH A LOCK-UP!!! He drops all the way to the back of the pack!

Right now the Ferraris are just trading DRS and trying to cut down that advantage more and more to Verstappen. Great teamwork from Hamilton and Leclerc, even with the title on the line.

Lap 11: Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Magnussen, Bottas, Russell, Zhou, Ricciardo, Stroll, Gasly, Pourchaire, Albon, Ocon, Sainz, Vandoorne, Hülkenberg, Lawson

(ADA) "Tyre phase update when you can, Lewis?"

(HAM) "Tyres are generally good. Mediums are holding up well."

Hamilton up to second ahead of Leclerc, but Verstappen has extended his lead to 2.6.

PITSTOPS: Tsunoda, Bottas, Magnussen, Albon, Sainz pitting - Mercedes are double stacking!!! That was too close and Sainz is delayed, that was a disastrous decision by Mercedes!

Verstappen now under major pressure from Hamilton and Leclerc, and Hamilton takes the lead!!!

PITSTOPS: Verstappen and Piastri both boxing! Verstappen onto Mediums, Piastri onto Softs!

TSUNODA

(ADA) "Box, box"

Leclerc has DRS and the Champion takes the lead for the first time today!

PITSTOP: Hamilton in from P2, 2.277, and he's onto the Hards! Norris also follows in and goes onto the Mediums.

(BOZ) "Box, box"

PITSTOP: Leclerc in from the lead, and it's a 2.270 stop! Leclerc rejoins in the lead of the race! Russell also pits and rejoins P9.

Verstappen has the warmer tyres and gets past Leclerc for P1!

Lap 22: Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Bottas, Norris, Tsunoda, Zhou, Russell, Stroll, Magnussen, Gasly, Albon, Ricciardo, Vandoorne, Pourchaire, Lawson, Sainz, Ocon, Hülkenberg

Hamilton retakes P2 from Leclerc, and it is as you were.

Norris putting Bottas under pressure for fifth. The two currently about 10 seconds off Piastri in fourth.

Hamilton up ahead of Verstappen and into the lead! Very much a three car race for this win here!

And just as we say that, Leclerc powers into the lead of this race!!

(BOZ) "Keep this up Charles, that was a lovely move"

Verstappen retakes the lead, and Hamilton up to second!

PITSTOP: Stoffel Vandoorne has just taken a second pitstop, and a third set of Softs...definitely a choice by Aston Martin.

Lap 33: Verstappen, Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Russell, Stroll, Bottas, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Tsunoda, Ocon, Zhou, Sainz, Gasly, Albon, Poudchaire, Lawson, Vandoorne, Hülkenberg

Hamilton back into the lead! Leclerc follows him with the DRS and it is again a Ferrari 1-2!

PITSTOP: Piastri in, and again onto the Softs...big gamble to make those last 30 laps by McLaren.

Veratappen struggling a bit with graining, and the two Ferraris breaking clearer. 2 second advantage now.

What was that we were saying about Magnussen earlier? The two Ferraris have just lapped the two Hitechs, running P17 and P18. Magnussen the one behind.

PITSTOP: Verstappen into the pits and he's onto the Mediums! Nordis follows him in not long after.

Ocon with a spin! He's lucky to avoid both Ferraris AND his teammate in that.

(BOZ) "Tyre update, Charles?"

(LEC) "Lot of graining in the rear tyres."

RICCIARDO

(ADA) "And box, Lewis."

(HAM) "Box this lap."

VERSTAPPEN

PITSTOP: Hamilton in and onto the Softs! A 2.005 stop!!

(BOZ) "And box this lap Charles, box"

(LEC) "Copy, box this lap"

PITSTOP: Leclerc onto the Softs, and it's a 2.058 stop! Great stuff from the Ferrari pitcrew!

Leclerc overtakes Piastri, who is struggling heavily on those worn Softs. McLaren would have a pitstop advantage for Piastri if they brought him in now though.

PITSTOP: And McLaren do precisely that, and Piastri is onto new Softs, rejoining immediately behind his teammate Norris.

[sterile breach]

3 stoppers?

[foggy locust]

Hamilton gets the move done on Verstappen for the lead!! Leclerc then up to P2, but Verstappen keeping the pressure on!

[foggy locust]

Quite a few, surprisingly

Lap 55: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Tsunoda, Russell, Ricciardo, Lawson, Zhou, Gasly, Pourchaire, Stroll, Vandoorne, Albon, Magnussen, Ocon, Sainz, Hülkenberg

McLaren called for the switch between Piastri and Norris there, for the record. Piastri already putting a few seconds on Norris.

Verstappen gets Leclerc for P2, and that could be huge for the title race!!!

Leclerc retakes P2, and is currently trying to chase Hamilton for the race win!

Zhou within DRS range of Lawson, can he potentially snatch Haas' first points of the season?

5 laps remaining

Zhou takes P10 off Lawson! He has some defending to do now though, the Red Bull will have DRS!

Pourchaire has a lock-up and is off at turn 1! Awful day for the Audi driver.

Hamilton with a 1.4 advantage to Leclerc with three laps left. Can the Champion get within DRS?

LECLERC

Lawson retakes P10, and Zhou is slipping back, and it's slipping out of the Haas driver's hands today.

Leclerc putting Hamilton under a lot of pressure here now, this is going all the way to the line, just a few corners left for Leclerc to get the move done, HAMILTON IS GOING TO HOLD ON, LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX, LECLERC PUSHED HIM TO THE LINE BUT IT IS A CLOSE RUN 1-2 FOR THE SCUDERIA.

(ADA) "And that's the flag, P1, Lewis! Congratulations mate, well done. Well managed today!"

(HAM) "WOOOO, get in there!!! What an amazing result. Thank you to everyone back at the factory, it's one hell of a car, great job. Let's keep pushing!"

(ADA) "Well done today, great win!"

(BOZ) "That's the flag Charles, P2. Great job today, great result. Fastest lap as well."

(LEC) "Aaaah! One more lap and we could've had that. Good job, thank you. Good racing today, congrats to Lewis."

(BOZ) "Good race, good podium."

Verstappen P3, Piastri P4, Norris P5, Bottas P6, Tsunoda P7, Russell P8, Ricciardo P9, Lawson P10

2026 SPANISH GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Lewis Hamilton 01.27.17
2. Charles Leclerc +0.188
3. Max Verstappen +8.995
4. Oscar Piastri +16.844
5. Lando Norris +17.831
6. Valtteri Bottas +17.700
7. Yuki Tsunoda +1.336
8. George Russell +12.918
9. Daniel Ricciardo +1 lap
10. Liam Lawson +1 lap
11. Zhou Guanyu +1 lap
12. Pierre Gasly +1 lap
13. Alexander Albon +1 lap
14. Lance Stroll +1 lap
15. Kevin Magnussen +1 lap
16. Esteban Ocon +1 lap
17. Théo Pourchaire +1 lap
18. Stoffel Vandoorne +1 lap
19. Carlos Sainz +1 lap
20. Nico Hülkenberg +2 laps

DRIVER OF THE DAY: LEWIS HAMILTON, Ferrari

Under immense pressure from Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton had a sensational drive to take his fifth win of the season. A brilliant performance, Lewis Hamilton is your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 1.14.635

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Lando Norris, McLaren 1.984s

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 213
Hamilton 210
Verstappen 142
Piastri 140
Norris 113
Bottas 63
Lawson 63
Ricciardo 41
Russell 34
Tsunoda 30
Gasly 19
Pourchaire 6
Vandoorne 5
Stroll 4
Sainz 2
Magnussen 2
Ocon 1
Albon 1
Zhou 0
Hülkenberg 0

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 423
McLaren-Ford RBPT 253
Red Bull-Ford RBPT 205
Andretti-Ferrari 71
Aston Martin-Honda 68
Williams-Ferrari 38
Audi Sauber 25
Mercedes 3
Hitech-Renault 3
Haas-Mercedes 0

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 702
Pirelli 387

[sterile breach]

3 Andretti drivers, crazy

[brazen wren]

Lawson is Andretti pace at this point so

[foggy locust]

Hahahah good catch. Corrected

[sterile breach]

True that

[foggy locust]

AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2026
WEEKEND PREVIEW

We are at the halfway point of the 2026 Formula 1 season, and it is the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend. Our third Sprint weekend of the season, the home of Red Bull Racing welcomes a Championship fight between the two Ferrari drivers.

And it was Lewis Hamilton who took victory in an incredibly close run battle with Charles Leclerc at Barcelona, as Ferrari's on track dominance continued this season. Hamilton reduced the Championship advantage of Leclerc to just three points, while Max Verstappen was a comfortable third over the two McLarens.

The Red Bull Ring, formerly the A1 Ring and founded as the Österreichring is a 4.318km circuit situated in the Styrian mountains and is known for its High Speed Cornering. With just 10 turns, it is one of the quickest laps of the season, featuring 24 laps in Saturday's Sprint and 71 in the race itself on Sunday. There is an elevation change of about 65ft (or 215m) over the course of a single lap. Three DRS zones covering pretty much the entirety of the first half of the circuit means overtaking is going to be very much on show this weekend.

And Ferrari bring their Chassis upgrades to this Sprint weekend, although they may be designed more with Silverstone next weekend in mind. But Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will be very much in contention this weekend, as they've been throughout the season, bar Miami. Leclerc has that three point advantage, but can Hamilton top that this weekend?

McLaren have a long term decision to make regarding Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris for next season - will they both remain at the team next year? Piastri has very much outshined Norris this season, but there's several sources within the Papaya team that still sees Lando as the team's future - is this something that could end up pushing Oscar Piastri out of the door? He wouldn't be short of offers if so. For now though, the focus goes on trying to catch Ferrari and fend off Red Bull in the Constructors.

Speaking of Red Bull, they're continuing to throw everything behind Max Verstappen in his bid for his fourth World title - but he is still finding himself 71 points behind Leclerc at the top. With this being the team's home race, they're desperate to get Max his first win of the year. Liam Lawson meanwhile has been struggling for pace in a top team and even with the contract extension, has been under pressure from higher ups at the team. Can he get a much needed result this weekend?

The former Red Bull juniors sold to Andretti, and even though Imola and Monza were technically home races for that team, Austria was still seen as a big one for them. With that pressure off this weekend, their battle with Aston Martin continues, and it still feels like a two versus one effort. Can Aston actually get double points again to make this a fair fight?

Williams and Audi were beginning to push Andretti and Aston, however both were outscored last time out - in fact, Audi didn't even score. So, the pressure goes back onto those two teams for their own battle for sixth, as well as trying to break into the top five. George Russell has been the standout performer and Pierre Gasly has had a quietly solid season, Williams need more from Lance Stroll and Audi from Théo Pourchaire to make that breakthrough.

As for the bottom three, Mercedes took a massive step backwards last time around with struggling for qualifying pace, which saw both drivers out in Q1, and that set them back for the entire race. Hitech had a tough go of it with reliability problems in both cars, and Zhou Guanyu just missed out on Haas’ first point of the season. Haas and Hitech are bringing upgrades in High Speed for this race - it may be a tough weekend for Mercedes this time around.

And so, to Spielberg. It is going to be an entirely rainy weekend, so that might level the playing field entirely for both races. It's going to be an entertaining weekend, and you won't want to miss it.

FP1: HAM LEC VER

Hamilton goes quickest in FP1, just 0.042 ahead of Leclerc, with Verstappen third and Dürksen fourth. Piastri and Norris take 5-6, with Gasly, Sainz, Russell and Vandoorne all in the top ten. The rain washed out most of this session, however, meaning that it is hard to have an accurate reading ahead of qualifying for the Sprint.

It is time to go Qualifying for the Sprint here in the Styrian mountains, the hills are alive with the sound of Formula 1 engines and it is Friday evening, so it is Sprint Shootout time. With the rain washing out FP1, it feels like anyone's game, it has been raining all morning, dry for now but we expect more this weekend.

Interestingly BTW, the tyres are very much free to choose due to the rain incoming.

OUT IN SQ1: Pourchaire, Magnussen, Zhou, Sainz, Hülkenberg
Bubble: Ocon
Top Five: VER, LEC, HAM, PIA, LAW

No major shocks in the bottom five, although Pourchaire will be disappointed to have dropped out in SQ1, as it turned into a one shot Qualifying, with Magnussen, Zhou, Sainz and Hülkenberg all going out early. Verstappen quickest ahead of Leclerc and Hamilton, while Piastri was fourth and Lawson got fifth ahead of Norris. Red Bull recovery on?

OUT IN SQ2: Russell, Ricciardo, Albon, Stroll, Vandoorne
Bubble: Ocon
Top Five: LEC, HAM, VER, PIA, TSU

Again no major shocks in SQ2, although Ferrari did risk it by going out later than the rest of the field and ended up with a comfortable 1-2 as a result. Russell and Stroll are both out, alongside Ricciardo, Albon and Vandoorne. Ocon bubbles for the second time and makes it into SQ3, Verstappen, Piastri and Tsunoda followed the two Ferraris.

SQ3: Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton, Lawson, Ocon, Piastri, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Gasly, Bottas

Up front, Leclerc took Sprint Pole in a rain soaked SQ3, but the shocks came elsewhere. Lando Norris split the Ferraris, while Esteban Ocon timed his lap brilliantly to take fifth ahead of Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, with Liam Lawson ahead of his former Champion teammate. Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly and Valtteri Bottas round off the top ten.

2026 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
SPRINT GRID

LEC NOR

HAM LAW

OCO PIA

VER TSU

GAS BOT

RUS RIC

ALB STR

VAN POU

MAG ZHO

SAI HÜL

It is time for the Sprint here in Austria, 24 laps around this short 4.318km circuit, around 100km of flat out racing, with Championship points available to the top eight. It's expected to rain this entire race and for the rest of the day in fact, so no pitstops necessary, just Racing in the rain.

Nico Hülkenberg starts last of all with Carlos Sainz in 19th, Zhou Guanyu one row ahead of his teammate and Kevin Magnussen 17th. Théo Pourchaire lines up 16th with Stoffel Vandoorne 15th, Lance Stroll starts 14th next to former teammate Alex Albon in 13th. Daniel Ricciardo starts today from 12th while George Russell lines up 11th, it's Valtteri Bottas beginning 10th, he's won here before while Pierre Gasly begins 9th. Yuki Tsunoda was as high as 5th in SQ2 but could only take 8th, then the big shock, Max Verstappen down in 7th to start today. Oscar Piastri lines up 6th, with Esteban Ocon taking a stunning 5th, Liam Lawson's first Red Bull Racing action on the team's home soil sees him start 4th next to Lewis Hamilton in 3rd. Lando Norris gets a much needed front row start, and Sprint Pole goes to the Champion Charles Leclerc.

(BOZ) "And radio check?"

(LEC) "Radio check okay. Conditions are pretty bad here, rain is quite strong."

(BOZ) "It should get easier throughout the Sprint. Keep focused."

(ADA) "Radio check, Lewis?"

(HAM) "Radio check okay. Rain is pretty strong here."

(ADA) "Understood. Need a strong start to the line here."

Let's go racing in the Sprint!

One light, two, three, four, five...AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc holds the lead, Norris stays just ahead of Hamilton, Lawson fourth, Piastri gets ahead of Ocon, Verstappen, Gasly ahead of Tsunoda, Russell up to tenth ahead of Bottas!

Hamilton goes round Norris midway through the first lap! He's now putting the pressure on Leclerc!

Piastri moves up into Fourth ahead of Lawson, and now Piastri pursuing his teammate Norris!

Piastri goes round Norris like he's not there! Oscar Piastri now P3!

Verstappen now sixth, having just gotten ahead of Ocon.

🌧️ The rain decreasing a lot here, and the conditions easing up.

Lawson back into fourth, ahead of Norris, but having to defend both Norris and Verstappen right now.

Norris going for the overtake on Lawson and he gets it BUT HE RUNS LAWSON WIDE!! Lawson is furious on the radio, as Gasly also goes past him into P6, with Ocon just behind in Eighth!

Lap 6: Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Norris, Verstappen, Gasly, Lawson, Ocon, Tsunoda, Russell, Ricciardo, Bottas, Vandoorne, Stroll, Albon, Magnussen, Zhou, Sainz, Hülkenberg, Pourchaire

Magnussen has a spin!!! He slides off the track and falls to the back!

Hamilton going for the lead of the race on lap 7, he moves ahead of Leclerc and into the lead!!! Wow!

(HAM) "Rain is definitely picking up here mate."

Some brilliantly clean racing here as Leclerc goes down the inside of Hamilton to retake the lead of this race!!

Verstappen gets ahead of Norris for P4, with a superb move from the former Champion!

Tsunoda overtakes Ocon for P8, which is of course, the final point on offer today.

Lap 12: Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Gasly, Lawson, Tsunoda

Pourchaire with a lock-up and he's into the gravel! He's able to get going again though.

LAWSON OFF INTO THE GRAVEL. HE DROPS FROM P7 TO P17. OH MY GOD.

Leclerc holding off Hamilton for the lead with eight laps remaining. Close run battle between the two teammates and Championship contenders for this Sprint win.

Sainz locks up and he's off at turn 3! He drops to the back.

Ricciardo up into the points, ahead of Ocon.

Worth noting that Zhou Guanyu has climbed six spots today. He's not going to get any points today, but a great effort nonetheless.

Lap 21: Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Gasly, Tsunoda, Ricciardo

STROLL

Classic Kevin Magnussen terrorball. Magnussen locks up and plows straight into Pourchaire, taking both to the side of the road. Surprisingly both can continue.

MAGNUSSEN

In a penalty that ultimately means nothing really but will drop K-Mag to P20, Magnussen gets a five second penalty.

THE FERRARIS ARE WHEEL TO WHEEL, HAMILTON BRIEFLY TAKES THE LEAD BUT LECLERC COMES BACK AT HIM AND RETAKES P1!!!

HAMILTON THROWING EVERYTHING AT LECLERC HERE. EVERY POINT COUNTS IN THIS CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT. LECLERC DEFENDING SUPERBLY, HAMILTON ATTACKING SUPERBLY. WHICH WAY WILL THIS GO? HAMILTON IS GIVING IT EVERYTHING BUT CHARLES LECLERC HOLDS ON AND ROUNDS THE FINAL CORNER TO WIN THE AUSTRIAN SPRINT!!!

(BOZ) "And that's P1 Charles, P1! Fantastic job, well done!!"

(LEC) "YESSS! Ahhh, feels good. That's exactly how we want to start this weekend! Brilliant job guys, brilliant job."

(BOZ) "Good result, onto the race itself."

(ADA) "And P2 Lewis, P2. Chequered flag."

(HAM) "That's all I had, gave everything. Thank you, let's keep pushing this weekend."

(ADA) "Really solid race."

Piastri P3, Verstappen P4, Norris P5, Gasly P6, Tsunoda P7, Ricciardo P8

2026 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
SPRINT CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 00.29.11
2. Lewis Hamilton +0.613
3. Oscar Piastri +6.749
4. Max Verstappen +3.748
5. Lando Norris +7.747
6. Pierre Gasly +8.143
7. Yuki Tsunoda +1.278
8. Daniel Ricciardo +3.000
9. Esteban Ocon +4.478
10. George Russell +1.559
11. Zhou Guanyu +1.157
12. Valtteri Bottas +0.916
13. Lance Stroll +5.157
14. Alexander Albon +3.150
15. Stoffel Vandoorne +0.651
16. Liam Lawson +0.830
17. Nico Hülkenberg +3.602
18. Carlos Sainz +5.940
19. Théo Pourchaire +1.420
20. Kevin Magnussen +8.574 5s

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 221
Hamilton 217
Verstappen 147
Piastri 146
Norris 117
Bottas 63
Lawson 63
Ricciardo 42
Russell 34
Tsunoda 32
Gasly 22
Pourchaire 6
Vandoorne 5
Stroll 4
Sainz 2
Magnussen 2
Ocon 1
Albon 1
Zhou 0
Hülkenberg 0

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 438
McLaren-Ford RBPT 263
Red Bull-Ford RBPT 210
Andretti-Ferrari 74
Aston Martin-Honda 68
Williams-Ferrari 38
Audi Sauber 28
Mercedes 3
Hitech-Renault 3
Haas-Mercedes 0

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 725
Pirelli 400

Going to save there, might be later for qualifying, might be tomorrow. See how I feel.

[foggy locust]

Tomorrow it is

[foggy locust]

It is time for qualifying in a rainy Spielberg, and after Charles Leclerc held off Lewis Hamilton for a Sprint victory earlier this afternoon, we go towards the main event of the weekend tomorrow, but it's Qualifying first. Can anyone challenge the Ferrari front two? Red Bull in their home GP, as well as McLaren, seek the most obvious threats...let's see how we go today.

It is time for qualifying in a rainy Spielberg, and after Charles Leclerc held off Lewis Hamilton for a Sprint victory earlier this afternoon, we go towards the main event of the weekend tomorrow, but it's Qualifying first. Can anyone challenge the Ferrari front two? Red Bull in their home GP, as well as McLaren, seek the most obvious threats...let's see how we go today.

OUT IN Q1: Vandoorne, Sainz, Hülkenberg, Pourchaire, Magnussen
Bubble: Albon
Top Five: LEC, PIA, HAM, LAW, VER

A rain soaked Q1 saw very little in terms of room to improve after the first lap, and five teams went down to one driver left in qualifying - Vandoorne, Sainz, Hülkenberg, Pourchaire and Magnussen all go out for Aston Martin, Mercedes, Haas, Audi and Hitech. Leclerc was quickest ahead of Piastri and Hamilton, with Lawson once again just ahead of Verstappen.

OUT IN Q2: Bottas, Gasly, Zhou, Lawson, Albon
Bubble: Ocon
TOP FIVE: LEC, HAM, PIA, VER, NOR

A shocker as Lawson drops out in Q2 in Red Bull's home race, while Bottas, Gasly, Zhou and Albon also exit - once again, one driver from five teams. Leclerc was fastest again with Hamilton P2, Piastri 3rd, Verstappen 4th and Norris 5th. Both Williams, both Andrettis, and Esteban Ocon's Hitech also join them in Q3.

Q3: Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Stroll, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Russell, Ocon, Hamilton

Leclerc takes another Pole Position, but title rival and teammate Hamilton had a massive spin during his lap which wrecked his Q3, and put a huge dent in his title chances! Verstappen capitalised for the front row alongside the Champion, with McLaren locking out row two. Lance Stroll outqualified George Russell, with Daniel Ricciardo just ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, and Esteban Ocon ninth.

2026 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC VER

PIA NOR

STR RIC

TSU RUS

OCO HAM

BOT GAS

ZHO LAW

ALB VAN

SAI HÜL

POU MAG

[foggy locust]

The hills are alive with the sound of motor racing. It's Round 11 of this 2026 Formula 1 World Championship and we are in Spielberg, in the Styrian mountains of Austria. The eponymous home of Red Bull Racing, the Red Bull Ring, this 4.318km circuit features just 10 corners, 71 laps taken at an elevation of 63.40 metres, and usually featuring 3 DRS Zones but we won't have to worry about those today, because it is absolutely soaking here at the Red Bull Ring. It's the great leveller in Formula 1, and after a late spin in qualifying, Lewis Hamilton has some work to do to catch up to Charles Leclerc, but do not count out Max Verstappen or either McLaren in the equation.

Kevin Magnussen starts at the very back with Théo Pourchaire lining up 19th, it's 18th for Nico Hülkenberg then Carlos Sainz finds himself in P17. Stoffel Vandoorne lines up 16th while Alex Albon will start from 15th, Liam Lawson will begin today from 14th after a poor Q2 in his first race for Red Bull at their home GP, Zhou Guanyu's recent form continues as he starts 13th. Then it's Pierre Gasly and Valtteri Bottas on the sixth row, Lewis Hamilton has a lot of catching up to do from 10th, Esteban Ocon starts with a great chance of points for Hitech in 9th. George Russell begins 8th while it's 7th for Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo one place ahead of his teammate then it's a season high start in 5th for Lance Stroll. Lando Norris lines up 4th with Oscar Piastri 3rd, an all McLaren second row, while Max Verstappen starts 2nd and it's Pole Position once again for Charles Leclerc.

Let's go racing in the rain!

One light, two, three, four, five...AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc holds the lead, Piastri gets Verstappen at the start! Then Norris, Ricciardo ahead of Stroll, Tsunoda, Russell, Hamilton is up to P9 ahead of Ocon!

(ADA) "Very good start Lewis."

(HAM) "It's very damp out here mate."

(ADA) "Copy."

Leclerc under some pressure from Piastri, but Verstappen takes advantage and goes ahead of the McLaren!

Hamilton working his way through the pack and is up to P2!

That Red Bull has a lot of pace so far, and Verstappen now putting pressure up front on Leclerc!

Lap 5: Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Ricciardo, Stroll, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Russell, Bottas, Ocon, Zhou, Gasly, Lawson, Albon, Pourchaire, Hülkenberg, Vandoorne, Magnussen, Sainz

Leclerc and Verstappen battling has let both Piastri and Norris very much back into the conversation here.

Hamilton making the move on Tsunoda and he gets ahead of him! He's up to P7!

Piastri has shaken his teammate now, almost two seconds between the Australian and Norris.

Leclerc about 2 and a half seconds up the road from Verstappen, 2.6 from Piastri, 4.9 from Norris and 8 from Hamilton.

(BOZ) "Lap 11 Charles, this is a good pace. Gap to Verstappen, 3 seconds."

(LEC) "Where is Lewis?"

(BOZ) "Lewis is P5, 8 seconds back."

Verstappen putting in some strong laps and closes the gap to 1.2!! Where did that pace come from?

Norris and Hamilton battling right now for P4. Norris defending with everything he has thus far.

Hamilton goes round Norris to take P4!

(ADA) "Lewis, that's P4, about 3 seconds off Piastri in P3."

(HAM) "Yep, understood."

Tsunoda trying to overtake Bottas, and HE CLIPS HIM AND GOES INTO THE GRAVEL!!! He's down to P16! He might get a penalty on top of that, as well!

No penalty given, surprisingly, ruled a Racing incident. Tsunoda gets off slightly lightly, although he has dropped from P8 to P16 with that error.

Norris overtakes Hamilton again for P4! Hamilton struggling for pace here!

(ADA) "Look after tyres in the high speed."

(HAM) "I need more power here, Ricky."

(LEC) "It's raining more and more, Bryan."

(BOZ) "Copy, we don't believe we'll need the Wets today, though."

Hamilton retakes P4 from Norris! He is still about 3 seconds off Piastri for the podium, however.

Pourchaire's Audi engine causing him some problems here. He's continuing for now, but something to keep an eye on.

Lap 25: Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Hamilton, Norris, Bottas, Ricciardo, Ocon, Stroll, Gasly, Russell, Lawson, Albon, Zhou, Tsunoda, Pourchaire, Magnussen, Sainz, Vandoorne, Hülkenberg

Ocon having issues with his gearbox, and that's a potential heartbreaker. He's been running so well so far today.

Piastri overtakes Verstappen for P2!! An outstanding move from the Australian!

Verstappen comes right back at Piastri though and goes back into second!

Leclerc comes through to lap former teammate Sainz, followed by Vandoorne. He's got a 5.5 advantage on Verstappen right now.

(BOZ) "Box to cover Verstappen, box to cover Verstappen."

(LEC) "Box"

(BOZ) "New inters just now. Box!"

(ADA) "And box Lewis, box immediately to cover Piastri."

(HAM) "Yeah, boxing now"

PITSTOPS: Hamilton and Piastri come in! Hamilton jumps ahead of Piastri in the box, and is up to fourth!!

PITSTOPS: Leclerc in from the lead! A 2.000 stop, and he remains the lead of the race!!

Lawson has a lock-up on turn 4! He's yet to pit and on very worn tyres, and drops down to P10!

Piastri has had the fastest lap since the first lap of the race, and as it stands, he's denying Leclerc a Grand Slam.

PITSTOPS: Norris and Bottas both in! Both take fresh intermediates. Norris down to P5, Bottas to P8. Lawson then follows both in for new Ints, he rejoins P16.

PITSTOP: Zhou has left it late, he's in for new Ints, but he'll have fresher tyres for the endgame here. Can that pay off and give Haas their first points of the year? He's P15, so a lot of work to do for the Chinese driver.

Yet to pit: Ocon (P6), Albon (P10), Pourchaire (P13), Gasly (P14), Vandoorne (P18)

A reminder that pitstops aren't mandatory today due to the weather, but I'll be shocked if any of the dive yet to pit get their tyres to the end. Maybe Albon? He's done this before.

PITSTOP: Ocon in from P8, and rejoins P10. The Hitech in with a real shout of points. Gasly and Vandoorne also in, neither likely getting points.

Piastri overtakes Hamilton for that final step on the podium! The seven time Champion currently chasing Piastri down, however.

PITSTOP: Pourchaire in and he's probably left that too late to make any kind of a difference.

Ocon's gearbox struggling a lot! Can be get that to the end and get valuable points for Hitech?

Magnussen also having issues. Hitech having real reliability problems this season.

Into lap 49 and Albon is still going on his original set of tyres, and losing a lot of pace as a result. Zhou Guanyu moves past him into P12.

Charles Leclerc has a Red Bull immediately behind him - but it is not Max Verstappen, who remains 7 seconds behind, but instead, Liam Lawson, whom Leclerc has just lapped.

PITSTOP: Albon finally comes in to make his stop...and is delayed into the bargain, as Mercedes cannot release the jack correctly! He returns in P18.

(LEC) "Lawson is right in my space like he's racing me"

(BOZ) "Push and make a gap, Charles."

(ADA) "You can use K1. Less lift-off."

(HAM) "Understood."

(ADA) "Good move, you're doing a good job!"

Hamilton with a fantastic move to get ahead of Piastri!

Lap 54: Leclerc, Verstappen, Hamilton, Piastri, Norris, Ricciardo, Bottas, Russell, Ocon, Stroll, Tsunoda, Zhou, Lawson, Magnussen, Gasly, Sainz, Pourchaire, Albon, Hülkenberg, Vandoorne

Tsunoda, challenging Stroll for P10, runs very wide and finds himself under threat from Zhou and Lawson as a result, while it is a reprieve for the Williams!

(ADA) "Tyre phase update?"

(HAM) "Tyres are good but a little warm"

(ADA) "A bit of LiCo for the tyres please."

(BOZ) "Some brief LiCo for the tyres and the engine, please, Charles."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy."

Zhou and Lawson get past the struggling Tsunoda, and points are very much a possibility for both!

Absolutely devastating for Ocon. His gearbox has failed, and he's had to retire. He was devastated on the radio, being on for points at the time. Gutting for him and the entire team.

Zhou meanwhile is into the points! He's been superb today.

LECLERC

THE GRAND SLAM IS ON. Leclerc takes the fastest lap, he's lead every lap from Pole to Lap 63. If be can hold onto this, he'll have his third career Grand Slam, after Australia 2022 and Monaco 2024.

VERSTAPPEN

Verstappen might just have ripped it away, though! Verstappen takes a FL!

Lap 65: Leclerc, Verstappen, Hamilton, Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Ricciardo, Russell, Stroll, Zhou, Lawson, Tsunoda, Gasly, Magnussen, Albon, Pourchaire, Sainz, Hülkenberg, Vandoorne. Ocon out of the race.

(BOZ) "We need you to push now."

Hamilton putting Verstappen under pressure for P2! Game on here!

LECLERC

Leclerc retakes the fastest lap, and is back in position for the Grand Slam!

Hamilton with a brilliant move to take P2!!

(HAM) "Lot of vibration."

(ADA) "We are checking, we'll come back to you."

beat

(ADA) "So it looks like a minor gearbox issue, it should be okay for the last two laps."

FINAL LAP

It's been an utterly dominant race from start to finish for the reigning World Champion, he's on for his third career Grand Slam here in Austria, a magnificent performance to go twelve points clear in the Drivers' Championship, IN THE POURING RAIN, CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX!!! HAMILTON HOLDS OFF VERSTAPPEN FOR P2, VERSTAPPEN TAKES P3.

(BOZ) "And that's P1, that's the Grand Slam, Charles!!! Congratulations, amazing, amazing job today!"

(LEC) "YESSSS, LET'S GOOOO! Ahhh, amazing. Amazing. Thank you to the entire team, thank you, grazie."

(BOZ) "Wonderful job. Pole to flag, fastest lap, P1. Congrats, Charles. Grand Slam."

(LEC) "I really wanted that fastest lap at the end there."

(BOZ) "You got it, you got it!"

(ADA) "And P2, Lewis, P2. Congratulations on today, a brilliant drive from P10."

(HAM) "Thank you guys. Thank you for continuing to push, and for continuing to believe in me, you all inspire me."

(ADA) "You inspire us, Lewis. Amazing job."

Piastri P4, Norris P5, Bottas P6, Ricciardo P7, Russell P8, Stroll P9, ZHOU P10. HAAS GET POINTS

ALBON

A stunning twist at the end as Albon steals fastest lap and denies Leclerc the Grand Slam!!! Wow, wow, wow.

(BOZ) "Update, no Grand Slam. Albon got fastest lap at the end."

(LEC) "Ah, damn, would've been nice to have. Good win nonetheless."

(BOZ) "We'll take the win."

AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2026
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Charles Leclerc 01.27.11
2. Lewis Hamilton +7.771
3. Max Verstappen +1.019
4. Oscar Piastri +12.412
5. Lando Norris +13.944
6. Valtteri Bottas +27.173
7. Daniel Ricciardo +4.588
8. George Russell +1 lap
9. Lance Stroll +1 lap
10. Zhou Guanyu +1 lap
11. Yuki Tsunoda +1 lap
12. Liam Lawson +1 lap
13. Pierre Gasly +1 lap
14. Alexander Albon +1 lap
15. Kevin Magnussen +1 lap
16. Théo Pourchaire +1 lap
17. Carlos Sainz +1 lap
18. Nico Hülkenberg +1 lap
19. Stoffel Vandoorne +1 lap
20. Esteban Ocon DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: CHARLES LECLERC, Ferrari

Despite being denied a deserved Grand Slam on the final lap, Charles Leclerc was utterly dominant in the rain to take a fantastic victory, lapping 8th and below on his way to the win. Charles Leclerc is your Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Alexander Albon, Mercedes 1.09.728

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 2.000s

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 246
Hamilton 235
Verstappen 162
Piastri 158
Norris 127
Bottas 71
Lawson 63
Ricciardo 48
Russell 38
Tsunoda 32
Gasly 22
Pourchaire 6
Stroll 6
Vandoorne 5
Sainz 2
Magnussen 2
Zhou 1
Ocon 1
Albon 1
Hülkenberg 0

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 481
McLaren-Ford RBPT 285
Red Bull-Ford RBPT 225
Andretti-Ferrari 80
Aston Martin-Honda 76
Williams-Ferrari 44
Audi Sauber 28
Mercedes 3
Hitech-Renault 3
Haas-Mercedes 1

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 790
Pirelli 436

[foggy locust]

ANTONELLI IN HOT DEMAND FOR 2027 SEAT

Mercedes reserve and current F2 Champion Andrea Kimi Antonelli is being hotly tipped for a 2027 drive, with up to THREE teams being potentially interested in signing the Italian driver.

The rumour mill has it that alongside his current team Mercedes, both McLaren and Aston Martin are potentially interested in signing Antonelli for 2027.

Mercedes may have a tough case on selling Antonelli on a seat with their team right now, as they are currently struggling in eighth in the Championship, having only picked up points twice this season.

Meanwhile, Aston Martin and McLaren are both interesting cases. Both are former Mercedes customer teams - McLaren now use Ford RBPT engines, while Aston Martin are the Honda works team - and both are above Mercedes in the Championship.

Aston Martin have star designer Adrian Newey, and a struggling Stoffel Vandoorne who is likely to be replaced at the end of the year.

As for McLaren, it is likely that at least one of Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris will exit the team for 2027, and Antonelli is seen as a potential ideal replacement in the case of either exiting McLaren.

We will keep our eyes on this story as it develops.

[humble totem]

Give an Italian a seat in an Italian car mate 😁

[foggy locust]

👀

[foggy locust]

2026 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

And to Silverstone, the home of British motorsport and the first Formula 1 World Championship race.

Last time around at Spielberg, Charles Leclerc did the double, taking both the Sprint and race wins in rainy conditions from Pole both times to take an 11 point advantage over Lewis Hamilton, who had to come from P10 to P2 in the main race. Leclerc was only just denied a Grand Slam on the final lap of the race.

Held annually since 1948, and as a Formula 1 World Championship race since the inaugural season in 1950, the British Grand Prix has been a staple of the F1 Calendar, and a World Championship round will taken place for the 61st time here at Silverstone. The 5.891km circuit set around a former RAF airfield features 18 corners, 2 DRS zones and traditionally some of the most exciting racing of the season.

And this could well be Lewis Hamilton's final British Grand Prix in Formula 1. The Ferrari driver may well take his swansong in F1 on home soil seeking his 10th victory here, trying to reduce the gap to Charles Leclerc in the Drivers’ Championship from the current 11 points, and he is of course the sentimental favourite for this race. Ferrari should be able to give him the car to compete this weekend, but you cannot count out Leclerc.

Max Verstappen however cannot be counted out, either, as Red Bull are bringing upgrades this weekend to try and reduce the deficit to Ferrari. Verstappen is still without a victory this season, shockingly, and Red Bull are throwing everything at this to try and get him his first win of the season. Liam Lawson has continued to struggle, and questions will be asked of his future at the top team, even with the contract extension.

Another home favourite seeks his first win of the season however, as Lando Norris and McLaren will also likely be in contention this weekend. It is McLaren's home Grand Prix as well and the Silver McLaren will be making an appearance this weekend, and while rumours continue to flow about the future of Norris and Oscar Piastri - there's plenty of interest in both across the grid - focus turns to a potential chance at victory this weekend.

Aston Martin find themselves four points behind Andretti going into their home Grand Prix, and with talks of rumours of a potential driver announcement coming as soon as Hungary - it is now or never for Stoffel Vandoorne, who absolutely needs a good weekend this weekend coming. Valtteri Bottas has been delivering for the team in their fight for fourth, Vandoorne must deliver now.

Andretti meanwhile find themselves comfortable with their continuing driver lineup - Daniel Ricciardo has another season to go on his contract, Yuki Tsunoda two - so familiarity and stability might actually win out for the American team. It has been a dream first season for the new side in Formula 1, Andretti have continued to deliver, although Silverstone isn't seen as a track that they are targeting for success, whereas Aston have specifically targeted it, so it will be a fight for Andretti to keep fourth after this weekend.

Williams meanwhile have George Russell back for his, and their, home Grand Prix with high hopes of a potential point scoring appearance this weekend - and a potential opportunity to close the gap on Andretti and Aston above them. They'll need Russell and Stroll to be at their best this weekend, however.

Elsewhere, Audi's only points last weekend were due to Pierre Gasly at the Sprint, and they are bringing upgrades on Gasly's car this weekend - while Théo Pourchaire will receive them at the Hungaroring - with the intention of challenging Williams for points this weekend, or even breaking the gap to Aston and Andretti.

Mercedes are finally bringing upgrades that may allow them to bring the gap down to the front five - and this is not before time for the Silver Arrows. Alex Albon will get these upgrades for this weekend in one of his home races, while Carlos Sainz will see them in Hungary, and Mercedes desperately need as many points as they can get before the summer break to get away from the bottom of the table.

It was utter heartbreak for Esteban Ocon in Austria as after a 9th place finish just outside the points for the Sprint, he found himself in the points in the main race, until a failed gearbox ended his chances. It's been the story of Hitech's season - reliability issues have been a major problem for the team, and Ocon and Kevin Magnussen must simply just forget Austria and go again at Silverstone.

Haas meanwhile were beneficiaries of Hitech's misfortune as Zhou Guanyu got on the board last weekend, finishing 10th and scoring their first point of the year. Zhou remains Haas’ best chances of points as Nico Hülkenberg winds down his Formula 1 career, likely to never get that elusive podium, unfortunately. But you never know in Formula 1.

Silverstone will see rain on Saturday, which will make for an interesting qualifying and a potentially mixed up grid, but will revert to a sunny Sunday. It will be an intriguing weekend, full of storylines, and one you certainly won't want to miss.

ABBI PULLING GETS FP1 OPPORTUNITY

A huge moment for Ferrari Academy Driver Abbi Pulling, who will get an opportunity to drive in FP1 this weekend alongside Lewis Hamilton.

Pulling will use World Champion Charles Leclerc's car for FP1 at her home Grand Prix at Silverstone, alongside the seven time Champion who could well be in his final home Grand Prix weekend.

Pulling is currently also scheduled to compete in F3's qualifying the same afternoon. She sits 2nd in the F3 Championship, currently 78 points behind behind Championship leader Christian Mansell.

FP1 Reserves: Pulling (Leclerc), Maini (Norris), Dürksen (Verstappen), Andersson (Lawson), Hadjar (Magnussen), Goethe (Ricciardo), Montoya (Bottas)

[foggy locust]

FP2: NOR HAM VER
LEC P4

Lando Norris goes quickest in FP2 on home soil, ahead of Hamilton and Verstappen. Leclerc Fourth, despite being clipped by Zhou and damaging his front wing, a moment looked at as a racing incident, and neither driver will receive punishment for. Bottas fifth with Russell sixth, Gasly seventh, Tsunoda eighth, Stroll ninth and Piastri tenth.

FP3: PIA ALB LAW
HAM P8, LEC P9

In a rained out FP3, Oscar Piastri was quickest ahead of Alex Albon and Liam Lawson. Verstappen, Bottas and Vandoorne followed, with Norris P7, and Hamilton and Leclerc just P8 and P9. Pourchaire rounded off the top ten.

It is time for qualifying around this famous Silverstone circuit, the home of British motorsport, the home of the first ever World Championship race, and the midway point of this fascinating 2026 season. And it is wet, very, very wet. It's a typical British summer here, and honestly, practice didn't actually tell us much. Lewis Hamilton is the sentimental favourite as he is expected to retire at the end of this season, this could be his swansong. But you cannot count out Charles Leclerc, you cannot count out Max Verstappen or either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri. It is a very interesting session ahead.

OUT IN Q1: Hülkenberg, Sainz, Ricciardo, Stroll, Pourchaire
Bubble: Russell
Top Five: LEC, HAM, VER, NOR, PIA

Ferrari so far proving quickest in the rain with Leclerc and Hamilton going 1-2, but at the bottom end, five teams saw one driver exit. Russell was in the relegation zone but managed to get out of it on home soil, seeing teammate Stroll go out, alongside Hülkenberg, Sainz, Ricciardo and Pourchaire who had a lock-up. Ocon and Zhou both in the top ten, as their recent good qualifying form continues.

OUT IN Q2: Gasly, VAN RUS, BOT, MAG
Bubble: Zhou
Top Five: LEC, VER, HAM, LAW, PIA

George Russell drops out in Q2 on home soil as the Williams just didn't have the pace, while Stoffel Vandoorne outqualified Valtteri Bottas. Those were the headlines from Q2, as Magnussen and Gasly also go out. Zhou, Ocon and Albon all make Q3 as Haas, Hitech and Mercedes' upgrades seem to be working in the right direction at last. Leclerc quickest, Hamilton P3, Verstappen splits the Ferraris.

Q3: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Zhou, Albon, Tsunoda, Ocon, Lawson

An emotional Pole for Lewis Hamilton in what may be his final British Grand Prix in Formula 1. The seven time Champion was superb in Q3, but he'll have Charles Leclerc right with him for the race itself. Verstappen third ahead of Piastri and Norris, while Zhou Guanyu impressed with sixth and Alex Albon got Mercedes' best qualifying result of the year so far. Tsunoda, Ocon and Lawson round off the top ten.

2026 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

HAM LEC

VER PIA

NOR ZHO

ALB TSU

OCO LAW

GAS VAN

RUS BOT

MAG HÜL

SAI RIC

STR POU

And what can we say about this place, ay? It's a sunny Sunday afternoon at Silverstone, and it is time to go racing around the 52 laps of this former airfield. 5.891 km, 18 turns, 2 DRS Zones, there is plenty of history going all the way back to the very first race of this historic Championship. Ferrari weren't here for that first race, it's the only one they've missed, but they've made up for it and then some and we may be saying a British GP goodbye to the GOAT. He's got Pole today, he's got an opportunity for the greatest swansong.

Théo Pourchaire locked up in Q1 and starts last with Lance Stroll for company, it's Daniel Ricciardo in P18 and Carlos Sainz ten places behind his teammate. Former teammates Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen are on row eight together, Valtteri Bottas starts in his lowest start of the year in P14, while George Russell starts his home Grand Prix from P13. It's Stoffel Vandoorne from 12th and Pierre Gasly 11th, Liam Lawson starts tenth while Esteban Ocon will line up ninth, Yuki Tsunoda will begin from 8th and Alex Albon has Mercedes' highest start of the year in 7th in one of his home races. Zhou Guanyu starts from 6th in his and Haas' highest start of the season, it's 5th for Lando Norris in his home GP too. Oscar Piastri begins 4th with Max Verstappen 3rd. It's a Ferrari front row lockout, Charles Leclerc starts from P2, while the sentimental favourite, Lewis Hamilton starts what is likely his final home race from Pole Position. But can he turn that into a memorable tenth win on home soil?

Let's go racing at Silverstone!

(ADA) "Lewis, home race, you've got this. Good luck."

(HAM) "Thank you. Let's make this count."

(BOZ) "Charles, P2 start, do what you can. We are racing Lewis, no team orders today. Keep it clean."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy. No problem. Let's do this."

Formation lap done, one light, two, three, four, five...

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Hamilton holds the lead ahead of Leclerc, Verstappen then Norris is ahead of Piastri as the fans roar that! Zhou sixth, Tsunoda ahead of Albon, Ocon 9th and Lawson still tenth. Magnussen ahead of Bottas early!

VERSTAPPEN

(BOZ) "No risks, keep it clean"

(LEC) "Copy"

Leclerc goes round the outside of Hamilton and takes the lead of the race! That was a brilliant move from the World Champion! Hamilton is coming back with DRS and you cannot count Verstappen out yet either!

Tsunoda with a great move on Zhou to take P6!

Hamilton retakes the lead and the Silverstone crowd roar their approval!

We've settled into a rhythm here so far. Hamilton, Leclerc and Verstappen all three seconds ahead of Norris and Piastri.

Make that Piastri and Norris, as Piastri moves past his teammate for P4!

(BOZ) "And increase tyre management"

(LEC) "Copy that"

Piastri has put on an absolute turn of pace here, as he is closing in on Verstappen and the two Ferraris.

Leclerc moves past Hamilton for the lead, and immediately behind them, Verstappen is defending Piastri, Hamilton then retakes P1 as Leclerc goes slightly wide but doesn't lose any time! This is brilliant racing here!!!

Ocon up ahead of Albon for P8, that was a nice move!

Lap 9: Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Zhou, Tsunoda, Ocon, Albon, Lawson, Gasly, Bottas, Russell, Vandoorne, Magnussen, Ricciardo, Sainz, Hülkenberg, Stroll, Pourchaire

Albon retakes eighth from Ocon, which would be very important at the bottom of the table.

Even more so is Zhou moving past Tsunoda for P6!!

LECLERC

Hamilton now gaining a little bit on Leclerc and the fans here love that! Can he make it count, though?

Leclerc has some issues behind him though, as Verstappen takes P2 from him!!

Hamilton now has Verstappen who has DRS to deal with, and the Dutch driver briefly takes the lead, but Hamilton gets it back, and the fans here love that!

PITSTOP: Lawson and Vandoorne the first two drivers to stop today! They're both onto Mediums and re-emerge P19 and P20.

Hamilton leads by 1.4, and Leclerc is ahead of Verstappen now for P2!

Sainz locks up! He manages to stay on track however.

PITSTOP: VERSTAPPEN IN. He's undercutting the Ferraris and onto Mediums!

(ADA) "Box, box, box this lap, Lewis."

(HAM) "Copy, box. Box this lap."

PITSTOP: Hamilton in! He's coming in as an answer to Verstappen, 1.975 stop, incredible job by Ferrari!!

(BOZ) "Box Charles, box this lap."

(LEC) "Copy, box."

Piastri overtakes Leclerc, who is struggling on these tyres! Leclerc coming back at the McLaren though, and both drivers come in!

PITSTOPS: Piastri and Leclerc both in, and it's a 2.213 stop for Leclerc, but he gets his position back in the pitlane! Both join behind Hamilton and Verstappen.

A disaster moment for Esteban Ocon! He locks up on those new Mediums and drops out of the points!

PITSTOP: Albon in from P3! A good stop from Mercedes and he's onto fresh Mediums, and returns in P9!

He is yet to stop, but Lando Norris currently leads his home race, with Hamilton P2.

PITSTOP: Norris in from the lead! He's onto fresh Softs!

Yet to stop: Zhou, Ricciardo

Zhou is struggling on those worn Mediums and he's going to have to come in soon. He's going at least another lap though.

PITSTOP: He's the only one yet to stop as Ricciardo comes in and puts fresh Softs on. He's rejoining P17.

(ADA) "Currently P1, Verstappen 1.1, he might have DRS next lap. What you're doing with tyres is very good. Keep this up."

Lap 22: Hamilton, Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Lawson, Bottas, Albon, Gasly, Tsunoda, Magnussen, Russell, Zhou, Vandoorne, Stroll, Ocon, Ricciardo, Pourchaire, Hülkenberg, Sainz

Zhou seemingly having issues with his car, down in P12. Unfortunately that's massively hampering his chances of any points today. A shame.

Just as I say that, Zhou moves past Magnussen and Tsunoda. The issue looks like an ERS one, which is probably the most forgiving to have.

Hamilton about 2 seconds up on Verstappen, who in turn has 2 seconds on Leclerc. Piastri 9 seconds off the lead in P4.

Verstappen absolutely flying on the Mediums and now putting Hamilton under pressure for the lead!

Verstappen going for the lead and takes the lead from Hamilton!! The Red Bull absolutely flying on those Mediums!

PITSTOP: Gasly making a second stop on Lap 31, and he's onto Mediums, will those get him to the end?

PITSTOP: Bottas running P6 comes in, as do Magnussen and Stroll. First of the early pitters are in.

(ADA) "Pit confirm and box"

(HAM) "Gonna box this lap."

PITSTOP: FERRARI GOING FOR THE UNDERCUT! Hamilton comes in and puts on new Softs with 18 laps to go - but was that too early?

(BOZ) "Box Charles, box this lap."

(LEC) "Copy, box."

LAWSON

PITSTOPS: Zhou in and onto fresh Softs, one lap after, Leclerc is coming in! He's onto the Softs, a 2.337 stop. The Champion likely playing for P3, this is to undercut Piastri.

PITSTOPS: Verstappen responding to Hamilton, Piastri responding to Leclerc! In fact McLaren are double stacking and they nailed that to utter perfection!!!

This has worked out very well for Ferrari. Hamilton now 5.9 clear with 15 to go, Leclerc putting Verstappen under pressure.

PITSTOP: Albon in for Mercedes from P6. They need a good stop here if he's going to contend for points, they got a good stop, and he's heading back out there in P9.

Lap 41: Hamilton, Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Lawson, Albon, Gasly, Stroll, Zhou, Magnussen, Ocon, Vandoorne, Russell, Tsunoda, Pourchaire, Hülkenberg, Sainz

Sainz locks up and goes off, taking a trip to the side of the track, but avoids the gravel trap and continues on.

VERSTAPPEN

Théo Pourchaire carrying a fault as it stands. Could be an issue.

Verstappen within 2.6 and closing on Hamilton. This could be a very, very dramatic finale here.

Lap 47: Hamilton, Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Bottas, Lawson, Albon, Gasly, Stroll, Ocon, Magnussen, Zhou, Vandoorne, Russell, Ricciardo, Pourchaire, Tsunoda, Hülkenberg, Sainz

FIVE LAPS TO GO

Just 1.8 between Hamilton and Verstappen here. Will Lewis have enough to hold on for a famous victory?

We are into the final few laps. Hamilton defending with everything, but the tyres are falling off quickly here!!!

FINAL LAP

VERSTAPPEN THROWING EVERYTHING AT HAMILTON HERE. ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, THIS IS SUCH A PHENOMENAL ENDING TO THIS RACE. HAMILTON DESPERATELY TRYING TO HOLD THIS LEAD. VERSTAPPEN GOING FOR THE OVERTAKE GOING INTO THE LAST FEW CORNERS BUT HAMILTON DEFENDS BRILLIANTLY, LEWIS HAMILTON IS GOING TO HOLD ON TO WIN THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX FOR THE TENTH TIME IN HIS CAREER!!!! MAX VERSTAPPEN P2, CHARLES LECLERC P3, Piastri P4, Norris P5! What a race, what an ending. And if this is the final time at Silverstone for Lewis Hamilton, what a way to conclude a wonderful career on home soil!

(ADA) "WOW, WOW, WOW WOW WOW! P1, LEWIS, ON HOME SOIL. YOU'VE WON YOUR HOME RACE FOR THE TENTH TIME!"

(HAM) "YESSSSSS!!!! GET IN THERE!!! Ah wow, wow, WOW! Oh, my God. That's for all the kids out there that dared to dream, you can do it too. That's for everyone in the factory, for all the fans who supported me over the years. Thank you, thank you!"

(ADA) "Thank you, Lewis. Amazing. Simply amazing."

(BOZ) "And P3, P3 today Charles. Good job, good effort."

(LEC) "Thank you, good race guys. Just didn't have the pace today to match Lewis and Max, but we go again. A podium is a good result. Congrats to Lewis on today, he deserved this win."

(BOZ) "You've done well today too. Good job, Charles."

Bottas P6, Lawson P7, Albon P8, Gasly P9, Stroll P10

Tsunoda retired on the last lap with an engine failure!

2026 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Lewis Hamilton 01.21.13
2. Max Verstappen +0.217
3. Charles Leclerc +4.874
4. Oscar Piastri +2.286
5. Lando Norris +6.967
6. Valtteri Bottas +33.753
7. Liam Lawson +5.810
8. Alexander Albon +2.885
9. Pierre Gasly +10.519
10. Lance Stroll +0.444
11. Esteban Ocon 12.276
12. Stoffel Vandoorne +5.067
13. Kevin Magnussen +2.780
14. Zhou Guanyu +0.983
15. Daniel Ricciardo +1.426
16. George Russell +0.750
17. Théo Pourchaire +1 lap
18. Nico Hülkenberg +1 lap
19. Carlos Sainz +1 lap
20. Yuki Tsunoda DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: LEWIS HAMILTON, Ferrari

An emotional victory for the seven time World Champion in his likely last go around at Silverstone, as he takes his tenth career F1 win on home soil. He had to fight to the very end against Max Verstappen to do it, a deserved win for Lewis Hamilton, Driver of the Day!

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Max Verstappen, Red Bull 1.27.981

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD:
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari 1.975s

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 261
Hamilton 260
Verstappen 181
Piastri 170
Norris 137
Bottas 79
Lawson 69
Ricciardo 48
Russell 38
Tsunoda 32
Gasly 24
Stroll 7
Pourchaire 6
Albon 5
Vandoorne 5
Sainz 2
Magnussen 2
Ocon 1
Zhou 1
Hülkenberg 0

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 521
McLaren-Ford RBPT 307
Red Bull-Ford RBPT 250
Aston Martin-Honda 84
Andretti-Ferrari 80
Williams-Ferrari 45
Audi Sauber 30
Mercedes 7
Hitech-Renault 3
Haas-Mercedes 1

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 855
Pirelli 473

[fast kettle]

LEWIS🔥🔥🔥🔥

[plucky acorn]

zhou singlehandedly keeping a team not on 0 points like he usually does 🐐

[foggy locust]

NORRIS MERCEDES AND ASTON RUMOURS HOTTING UP AS McLAREN EXIT NEARS

In a shock move, Lando Norris is set to exit McLaren at the end of the 2026 season, with Mercedes in prime position to sign the English driver, although Aston Martin have also been rumoured to be interested.

Norris has been growing frustrated with McLaren this season as he has felt like "a number two driver" and wants the opportunity to once again lead a team.

Norris has struggled this season up against Oscar Piastri, who is currently the only non Ferrari driver to win a race this season, and tensions have been said to have hit a boiling point between Norris and McLaren following their home British Grand Prix, where Norris finished 5th, 7 seconds behind Piastri in 4th.

If Norris is to exit, a move to Mercedes or Aston Martin looks potentially likely. Toto Wolff has long since been an admirer of the English driver and feels he could rejuvenate his career, while Aston are also said to have a major interest in building their team behind Lando.

More on this as we get it.

ANTONELLI, ARON, VESTI, DÜRKSEN, DOOHAN ALL IN CONTENTION FOR 2027 SEATS

Five potential rookies are in the frame for potential promotion to Formula 1 next season.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been Mercedes' golden project for years, and seems all but certain to secure a Formula 1 promotion for the 2027 season. Mercedes themselves could well promote Antonelli, although McLaren and Aston are both said to be interested.

McLaren are talking about potentially replacing Lando Norris with a rookie driver alongside Oscar Piastri for the 2027 season, and they have been particularly impressed with Red Bull reserve Joshua Dürksen, who is said to be the favourite, as he has impressed in multiple FP1 sessions for Red Bull, although Red Bull are keen to loan him out to another team for a race seat.

Denmark's Frederik Vesti and Australia's Jack Doohan have been on the fringes of F1 for some time now, and it is believed both are very much in contention for a seat next season, but where exactly is up for discussion at this point.

And Paul Aron, currently Andretti's reserve driver, is also believed to be in the frame, although he is more likely for discussion for the 2028 season.

[foggy locust]

2026 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
WEEKEND PREVIEW

We head to the Hungaroring for Round 13 of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, and with just two rounds before the summer break, the Drivers Championship battle is on a knife edge between the two Ferraris.

And it was an emotional victory for Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone as he took his tenth win on what may well likely be his final F1 race on home soil. Hamilton had to hold off a tough challenge from Max Verstappen all the way to the finish line, while Charles Leclerc took third, reducing the gap between Leclerc and Hamilton to just two points.

Described as “Monaco without the barriers” and “the Go Kart Track”, the Hungaroring is based in the town of Mogyoród, Hungary, and we first raced around this circuit in 1986, when a purpose built circuit was built here instead of the proposed street circuit in Budapest. Known for a twisty and bumpy circuit, overtaking is at a premium here, and the surface is known for being dusty due to its sandy surface and lack of usage throughout the rest of the year. With the circuit being based in a valley, about 80 percent can be seen at any point. It features 14 turns, 2 DRS Zones and is one of the quickest laps of the season.

With this likely being Lewis Hamilton's final Formula 1 season, the pressure is on more than ever for a final attempt on the Eighth title, but he currently trails teammate Charles Leclerc by two points. With Ferrari planning upgrades post the summer break, this might be the first time all season that the car has trailed McLaren and Red Bull - although Ferrari will still benefit from the fastest low speed cornering. The team as a whole may face their biggest on track challenge of the season - how will that affect the Drivers Championship going forward this weekend?

McLaren meanwhile seem committed to Oscar Piastri as the future team leader, with Zak Brown confirming that discussions on a contract extension have begun this weekend. This has also likely meant that Lando Norris has been deprioritised by the time, as confirmed by his rumoured discussions with Mercedes and Aston Martin. How will that change the dynamic for McLaren's Driver partnership in their fight with Red Bull for second in the Championship?

Red Bull meanwhile are bringing upgrades with the next few races in mind as they search for their first victory of the 2026 season. Max Verstappen was close at Silverstone, and will likely once again be in the mix in Hungary. Verstappen hasn't taken a victory since the final race of 2025, and is desperate to correct that, with still slim hopes of overhauling an 80 point deficit to Charles Leclerc. Liam Lawson meanwhile has continued to struggle, particularly in qualifying, which has hurt his race chances. A big performance could boost his confidence here.

Aston Martin and Andretti's battle has swung the way of Aston after Silverstone, as the British team went four points ahead of their American counterparts who failed to score. Rumours have it that Aston will make an official decision on the future of Stoffel Vandoorne after his home Belgian Grand Prix next time out, he is running out of time to help Aston's bid for fourth in the Championship. As for Andretti, their first season hit a bit of a speed bump due to Yuki Tsunoda having an engine failure in the final laps and Daniel Ricciardo failing to score. A bounce back needed this weekend.

Audi gained a single point on Williams in the fight for sixth, with Lance Stroll being the one to score a point on George Russell's home circuit. After a disappointing home Grand Prix, Williams still have a 15 point advantage over the Swiss-German team, but both are significantly lacking behind Andretti and Aston. Every point counts for both here.

Mercedes meanwhile showed signs of life at Silverstone with an eighth place finish for Alex Albon, and with Carlos Sainz also receiving the upgrades at Hungary, the Silver Arrows are very much hoping they will kick-start their revival this season. Hitech meanwhile have had some heartbreaking issues with reliability and remain ninth. While at Haas, there is just twelve races to go for Hülkenberg likely in the sport to avoid his first pointless season.

It's dry weather all weekend this weekend so no rain means Qualifying will be all the more vital on a circuit hard to pass on. And you won't want to pass on seeing the action this weekend - you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Maini (Piastri), Dürksen (Verstappen), Marti (Hülkenberg), Goethe (Ricciardo), Montoya (Bottas), Stenshorne (Vandoorne)

FP1: HAM LEC DÜR

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc go 1-2, but Joshua Dürksen continues to impress as he looks to potentially step up to a race seat. F2 Championship leader Kush Maini and Martinius Stenshorne are 4-5, with Tsunoda P6 and Norris P7. Goethe, Gasly and Ocon round off the top ten on a good session for the reserves.

FP2: VER NOR PIA
LEC P5, HAM P6

Verstappen quickest through FP2 ahead of Norris and Piastri, with Lawson ahead of Leclerc and Hamilton. Tsunoda, Russell, Sainz and Albon complete the top ten.

FP3: LEC HAM VER

Leclerc goes fastest in FP3 ahead of Hamilton and Verstappen. Albon fourth in Mercedes' strongest showing of any session this season, while Norris and Piastri are 5th and 6th. Stroll P7, Gasly P8, Tsunoda and Russell P9 and P10.

It's time to go Qualifying here in Hungary, and practice threw up more questions than answers. Who is quickest, Ferrari or Red Bull? Can McLaren keep up here? Are Mercedes truly back? This could be very intriguing going forward. Let's see how we get on today.

OUT IN Q1: Stroll, Magnussen, Albon, Gasly, Hülkenberg
Bubble: Pourchaire
Top Five: HAM, VER, LEC, LAW, PIA

Looks like Mercedes' practice pace was a false dawn as both Albon and Sainz struggled, although both made mistakes that cost them their first lap. Gasly drops out in a shocking Q1 exit, his first since Spain and only second this entire season. Magnussen, Stroll and Hülkenberg also exit. Hamilton fastest ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc, Lawson and Piastri.

RED FLAG IN Q2! Zhou into the barrier, and thankfully he's okay but that's his session over!

OUT IN Q2: Pourchaire, Vandoorne, Ocon, Zhou, Tsunoda
Bubble: Russell
Top Five: HAM VER LEC, PIA, NOR

Zhou's Red Flag brought Qualifying to a brief halt, but he still outqualified Tsunoda, while Pourchaire, Vandoorne and Ocon all miss out on Q3. Sainz makes Q3 for the first time since Bahrain, while Hamilton and Leclerc were again split by Verstappen.

A second Red Flag as Bottas spins off and hits the wall! That's his day concluded, again, thankfully, Valtteri is okay.

Q3: Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Lawson, Ricciardo, Russell, Sainz, Bottas (no time)

Leclerc snatches Pole from Hamilton by 0.119 on an absolute diamond of a final lap, setting two purple sectors at the end to take Pole away from his teammate. Piastri and Verstappen weren't far off either, being 0.166 and 0.186 back respectively, while Norris was fifth and Lawson sixth. Ricciardo, Russell, Sainz complete the timesheets after Bottas crashed out in Q3 and brought out a Red Flag.

TSUNODA, ZHOU TO START FROM PITLANE

Andretti's Yuki Tsunoda and Haas' Zhou Guanyu will both start from the pitlane for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Zhou Guanyu crashed out of qualifying in Q2, while Yuki Tsunoda's Andretti suffered an oil leak which meant he was unable to set a team.

Zhou was originally classified 14th, Tsunoda 15th. Stroll, Magnussen, Albon, Gasly and Hülkenberg will be promoted up the grid as a result.

2026 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC HAM

PIA VER

NOR LAW

RIC RUS

SAI BOT

POU VAN

OCO STR

MAG ALB

GAS HÜL

PITLANE START ZHO (P14)

PITLANE START TSU (P15)

Race this evening after dinner now, I think!

[foggy locust]

It is time to go racing at the Hungaroring, as the Go Kart Track sees 70 laps around this short 4.381km circuit. 14 turns, a top speed of 192.8mph, at an elevation of 34.62 metres. That first corner has seen its share of action and carnage including an incident in 2021 that took out many of the major players and opened the door for Esteban Ocon's famous first victory. A few have won their first races here, and never forget the time Damon Hill nearly won here in an Arrows. It could be a one stop, it could be a two, more likely a two but we might see more of a range of tyre strategies than we did at Silverstone.

Yuki Tsunoda and Zhou Guanyu both begin from the pitlane, after Zhou crashed in Q2 and Tsunoda had an oil leak in his car. Nico Hülkenberg and Pierre Gasly are both promoted up two to the ninth row, Alex Albon's practice form didn't pay off in qualifying and he's P16 with Kevin Magnussen P15. Lance Stroll starts P14 then Esteban Ocon, who's won here before begins P13. Stoffel Vandoorne lines up P12 with his F1 future in question, Théo Pourchaire is just starting out and he's P11. Valtteri Bottas P10 and Carlos Sainz starts in his highest start since Bahrain, P9. George Russell eighth and Daniel Ricciardo P7, then it's Liam Lawson and Lando Norris on row three. Max Verstappen will start Fourth and Oscar Piastri third, Ferrari have once again locked out the front row, Lewis Hamilton starts P2 and it is Pole number six of the year for Charles Leclerc.

(BOZ) "Copy, radio check Charles."

(LEC) "Radio check okay."

(BOZ) "P1 start, we've done this plenty of times before. Get a good start and go from there."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy."

(HAM) "Radio check?"

(ADA) "Radio check Lewis, loud and clear. Get a good start here and keep it clean and tidy, racing Charles for the win."

(HAM) "Understood."

Going racing here!

AND IT'S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

Leclerc holds firm, Hamilton fending off Piastri and Verstappen, Vandoorne into the top ten!

Bottas opted late for the pitlane start as well, so he finds himself just ahead of Zhou and Tsunoda!

Pourchaire goes wide on a lock up and loses two spots to Stroll and Ocon!

LECLERC

Both Piastri and Verstappen complaining about high tyre degradation, and both are about two seconds off Leclerc and Hamilton.

Leclerc holding firm over Hamilton here, and growing that lead to about 1 second. Hamilton still just in DRS Range. Just.

Leclerc growing that lead to about 2 seconds here so far.

Ricciardo overtakes Lawson for P6! That may have been a very satisfying moment for Danny Ric given their history.

Stroll up past Vandoorne and into the points.

Albon up to P13. Are Merc back?

Mercedes are in fact not back. Albon slides off at Turn 5 and finds himself in the wall! Virtual Safety Car called, and his race is over.

(BOZ) "There was a crash, Charles. Albon in the wall."

(LEC) "He's okay?"

(BOZ) "Yeah, he's okay. VSC, manage the delta. 3.7 to Lewis."

Lap 8 under the VSC: Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Ricciardo, Lawson, Russell, Sainz, Stroll, Vandoorne, Ocon, Pourchaire, Magnussen, Gasly, Bottas, Zhou, Tsunoda, Hülkenberg. Albon out of the race.

We are racing again on Lap 9!

(HAM) "Engine is getting warm guys"

(ADA) "Okay, some LiCo for now."

Verstappen keeping the pressure on Piastri at the moment here, Piastri defending well against Veratappen as they go wheel to wheel, and Max gets the job done and takes third!

Piastri struggling a lot with tyres and Norris moves ahead of him!

PITSTOPS: The Softs wearing quickly and Stroll, Bottas and Zhou all pit, and those three are your back three right now.

Long way to go, but both Hitechs are in the points right now.

PITSTOPS: Piastri in! He's onto the Mediums and back out in P9. That was needed.

PITSTOP: Verstappen in! He's onto the Mediums.

(BOZ) "And push for a couple of laps here, Charles."

(LEC) "Yeah, copy."

Vandoorne and Ocon have a coming together! Yellow flags waving but both are able to continue!

(BOZ) "Box, box"

(LEC) "Copy, box"

(ADA) "Box this lap"

(HAM) "Gonna box this lap"

PITSTOPS: FERRARI DOUBLE STACKING, AND ABSOLUTELY NAIL IT TO PERFECTION. They retain the 1-2 into the bargain.

Lap 24: Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Verstappen, Ricciaedo, Piastri, Russell, Lawson, Sainz, Stroll, Bottas, Magnussen, Ocon, Tsunoda, Zhou, Gasly, Pourchaire, Vandoorne, Hülkenberg.

Yet to stop: Norris, Ricciardo

(ADA) "Some LiCo for the engine again please, Lewis."

(HAM) "Understood."

PITSTOPS: Lando Norris in for his first stop, as Stoffel Vandoorne makes his second. Norris takes Mediums, Vandoorne onto Hards. Big ask to get those to the end, Aston.

Russell just sails past Norris, who is currently trying to get his tyres in a better window.

PIASTRI

PITSTOP: Mercedes bringing Sainz in for Hards. This is a bold call by a team desperate for points here, and with just one car remaining in the race after Albon's earlier exit.

PITSTOP: Ricciardo in on Lap 30. Bold again from Andretti, he's onto Softs. They won't last to the end, he'll need to stop again.

Four and a bit seconds between Leclerc and Hamilton. Leclerc absolutely comfortable here.

Tsunoda passes Stroll for P11. He's about 2 seconds off the points.

Sainz and Pourchaire make contact! Sainz comes off worth and takes some damage. That might be Merc's chances of points this weekend off the table.

PITSTOPS: Stroll and Zhou both in. A lot of teams seemingly going for the three stopper.

Bottas made the late call to start in the pitlane, and he currently sits P9. A great drive so far from the Finn.

PITSTOP: Gasly in for Hards. Could he be going to the end?

Leclerc about 8 seconds up on Hamilton, 18 on Verstappen. Unlike most the rest of the field, Ferrari seem set on the two stopper here.

SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED

Full Safety Car as Ocon is essentially pushed into the wall by Gasly! He's unhurt but very annoyed, and honestly, rightfully so.

(BOZ) "Safety Car. Box, box."

(LEC) "What happened?"

(BOZ) "Ocon pushed into the wall by Gasly. He's okay."

(LEC) "For f***'s sake."

(HAM) "What happened?"

(ADA) "Ocon in the wall. Gasly involved. He's okay. Box please, box."

(HAM) "Yeah, box. Those two again."

GASLY

Gasly given a five second penalty for pushing former teammate, and arch-nemesis, Ocon, into the wall.

Lap 41, under SC: Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Ricciardo, Lawson, Bottas, Russell, Sainz, Magnussen, Stroll, Gasly, Tsunoda, Zhou, Pourchaire, Vandoorne, Hülkenberg. Ocon and Albon out of the race.

We are racing on Lap 43!!

Leclerc holding position from Hamilton, Verstappen keeping tabs on the Ferraris, Piastri and Norris losing ground a bit now, then Ricciardo, Lawson, Bottas and Russell, Sainz P10

LECLERC

Leclerc already pulling away from the pack here. The Champion on a mission right now.

Verstappen moves ahead of Hamilton into P2!! Hamilton quickly takes it back, however!

Verstappen moves ahead of Hamilton into P2!! Hamilton quickly takes it back, however!

We went green three laps ago, Leclerc is already 5 seconds up on the pack.

PITSTOP: Norris in and he's onto Mediums, but they have an issue getting the tyre off! Norris absolutely furious on the radio here! That won't help tensions between him and the team!

Hamilton struggling on the Softs and he has dropped to fourth! Huge problems for him in the title race!

PITSTOP: Bottas in and onto the Mediums until the end of the race. He rejoins P12.

(ADA) "Box Lewis, box"

(HAM) "Yeah, box."

PITSTOP: Hamilton in and onto a fresh set of Softs, rejoining P9.

Zhou with a lock-up! He goes off and drops to P15.

(LEC) "If we were to pit now, where would we come out?"

(BOZ) "Estimated P5."

(LEC) "For f***'s sake, that Safety Car screwed us."

(LEC) "The tyres are gone, we have no chance to the end. We need to box."

(BOZ) "Agreed, box now, box"

That Safety Car couldn't have come at a worse time for Leclerc. On for a Grand Slam, and it's been wrecked by that.

Vandoorne with a spin. Can't see any way back for him in F1 now.

PITSTOP: LECLERC IN. He concedes the lead for the first time today. The good news is it was a quick stop and he rejoins in P3.

Hamilton moves ahead of Norris and he's up to P7. Ricciardo next in his sights.

Make that P6 as he goes ahead of Ricciardo, who pits in the process.

Hamilton gets his former teammate Russell and is up to P5. It's damage limitation in the Championship for Lewis now.

Hamilton goes ahead of Lawson and is now P4, just behind Leclerc.

Leclerc closing in on Piastri however for second!

Leclerc gets Piastri! Can he retake P1 from Verstappen now though?

Leclerc closing in on Verstappen. This could be massive for the Championship!

Lap 65: Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton, Lawson, Norris, Ricciardo, Bottas, Stroll, Russell, Sainz, Magnussen, Gasly, Tsunoda, Zhou, Pourchaire, Hülkenberg, Vandoorne

Just five laps left. Can Leclerc get Verstappen for what would be a vital victory in the Championship?

FULL SAFETY CAR

OH MY GOD. WILLIAMS HAVE WRECKED AWAY THE POINTS. STROLL CRASHES INTO GEORGE RUSSELL AND THAT IS THE END OF RUSSELL'S RACE. HE IS FUMING WITH HIS TEAMMATE.

This has also probably cost Leclerc the victory today. Unbelievable.

STROLL

After all that, Williams will get no points today. Unbelievable occurance.

(LEC) "FOR F***'S SAKE. FOR F***'S SAKE. F***!"

(BOZ) "Safety Car, Russell in the barrier. Stroll has a penalty."

(LEC) "F***ing Stroll. Is Russell okay?"

(BOZ) "He is okay."

(LEC) "F***, there goes the win."

Lap 69, under SC: Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton, Lawson, Norris, Ricciardo, Bottas. Stroll , Sainz, Magnussen, Gasly, Tsunoda, Zhou, Pourchaire, Hülkenberg, Vandoorne. Russell, Ocon and Albon out of the race.

FINAL LAP. No more racing laps, Verstappen will win this race. Leclerc has been robbed here today.

Max Verstappen wins the Hungarian Grand Prix

(BOZ) "Chequered flag. P2, Charles."

(LEC) "No words, no words. The car was really, really good, we were robbed at the end there. We were robbed twice today."

(BOZ) "Sorry about that today, Charles."

(LEC) "Not your fault, you did a good job, we all did. It's unlucky. It's like this."

(BOZ) "We'll go again in Belgium."

(ADA) "Chequered flag. P4, Lewis."

(HAM) "Did our best, the Safety Car hurt us a lot."

(ADA) "Charles P2. Eight points at current count."

(HAM) "Yeah, understood."

2026 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
RACE CLASSIFICATION

1. Max Verstappen 01.42.03
2. Charles Leclerc +0.620
3. Oscar Piastri +0.157
4. Lewis Hamilton +1.151
5. Liam Lawson +0.532
6. Lando Norris +0.180
7. Daniel Ricciardo +0.890
8. Valtteri Bottas +0.540
9. Carlos Sainz +0.801
10. Kevin Magnussen +0.277
11. Pierre Gasly +0.930
12. Lance Stroll +3.411 5s
13. Yuki Tsunoda +1 lap
14. Zhou Guanyu +1 lap
15. Théo Pourchaire +1 lap
16. Nico Hülkenberg +1 lap
17. Stoffel Vandoorne +1 lap
18. George Russell DNF
19. Esteban Ocon DNF
20. Alexander Albon DNF

DRIVER OF THE DAY: Kevin Magnussen, Hitech

A gutsy drive from the Danish driver to secure a valuable point for Hitech from P17 on the grid. Kevin Magnussen takes his first Driver of the Day since Sochi 2016.

FASTEST LAP AWARD:
Charles Leclerc 1.16.980

DHL FASTEST PITSTOP AWARD
Charles Leclerc 1.980s

Tables etc later on!

[foggy locust]

2026 FORMULA 1 WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leclerc 280
Hamilton 272
Verstappen 206
Piastri 185
Norris 145
Bottas 83
Lawson 79
Ricciardo 54
Russell 38
Tsunoda 32
Gasly 24
Stroll 7
Pourchaire 6
Albon 5
Vandoorne 5
Sainz 4
Magnussen 3
Ocon 1
Zhou 1
Hülkenberg 0

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ferrari 552
McLaren-Ford RBPT 330
Red Bull-Ford RBPT 285
Aston Martin-Honda 88
Andretti-Ferrari 86
Williams-Ferrari 45
Audi Sauber 30
Mercedes 9
Hitech-Renault 4
Haas-Mercedes 1

2026 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD TYRES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bridgestone 928
Pirelli 502

[tired thorn]

ugh cmon lewis man ur fading away

[foggy locust]

LEWIS HAMILTON ANNOUNCES FORMULA 1 RETIREMENT AT THE END OF THE 2026 SEASON

In a shocking bit of news, Sir Lewis Hamilton has announced that he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the 2026 season.

The seven time World Champion announced his decision just moments after the Hungarian Grand Prix concluded in a press conference.

Hamilton has said "It's time. I've had a wonderful career and I could not ask for anything more from this amazing sport, but it is time for me to make way for the younger generation. I would like to thank McLaren for giving me the initial opportunity, Mercedes for so many wonderful years together and Ferrari for a fitting finale to my career."

Hamilton continued "Although I am departing at the end of the season, I will remain part of the Ferrari family as a brand ambassador, and I want to end my career by sealing my eighth title - which would feel like my first all over again."

Lewis had said he had decided after his emotional victory at Silverstone that this was the right time to end his career.

"This is it. It's a perfect way to finish off - competing for a title with a wonderful teammate and talent like Charles, and staying competitive on the track as well as friends off it. There's no better finale to my career than that - and winning my final home race in the sport at Silverstone."

Hamilton currently trails Leclerc by 8 points with 11 rounds to go. Discussion will now also turn to who will fill that second seat for Ferrari.

[foggy locust]

Going to be an emotional finale. Double points in Abu Dhabi as well, so he's still got a great chance 👀

[tired thorn]

HES ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT?!

OH THIS IS A SAD DAY IN THE CAREER SAVE FOR ME

[foggy locust]

Yep, he's announced he'll retire at the end of the year

[tired thorn]

psst, u should definetly make them be on same points going into the finale 👀

[foggy locust]

He's been brilliant for me, sad to see him go

[tired thorn]

lil bit of rigging never hurt anyone, the irl sport does it all the time 👀

[foggy locust]

Here's hoping! Honestly if it's within 5 or so, it becomes Winner takes all anyway with the double points

[tired thorn]

i would deadass sit there and watch the whole game race in the finale if its literally "whoever comes first wins"

[foggy locust]

👀

Be brilliant wouldn't it

[tired thorn]

i think its only fair theres a real steward, that leclerc photo got me trusting differently 👀

[foggy locust]

Hahahahah

LANCE STROLL TO LEAVE WILLIAMS AT END OF SEASON

Williams have today announced the departure of Lance Stroll, effective the end of the 2026 season.

Williams have been upset with the attitude of Stroll as well as the numerous crashes he has caused throughout the season, and he will leave the team at the end of the 2026 season.

Williams will now look for his successor.

I'm going to be fair but there's a big part of me that wants Lewis to get his eighth

[tired thorn]

i like what ur saying here 👀

[foggy locust]

We'll see how we go haha

[humble totem]

Who is replacing Lewis?

[foggy locust]

To be decided 👀

[tired thorn]

👀 kimi to ferrari?????????????

👀 givin ferrari an italian driver

[foggy locust]

THREE CANDIDATES FOR FERRARI SEAT

With the news of Lewis Hamilton retiring from Formula 1 still simmering, attention has also turned to who his successor will be alongside Charles Leclerc for the 2027 season.

Oscar Piastri has become the likely favourite, although McLaren are desperate to keep a hold of him for the 2027 season and beyond. Ferrari are said to favour Piastri, who has been challenging Verstappen for third in the Championship and is seen as a future World Champion.

Mercedes reserve and F2 Champion Andrea Kimi Antonelli has become a potential shock candidate to fill the seat in recent hours, with some within the team favouring this option, however it is believed that Mercedes will likely promote him to their own available seat.

And Oliver Bearman, Ferrari's longtime reserve driver, is also being considered as an in house promotion to the seat.

We will follow this news as we get it, with Ferrari likely to make a decision before the Italian Grand Prix at the latest.

STOFFEL VANDOORNE TO EXIT ASTON MARTIN AT THE END OF THE 2026 SEASON

Sources tell us that ahead of his home Belgian Grand Prix, Aston Martin have informed Stoffel Vandoorne that he will not be renewed for the 2027 season.

Vandoorne has disappointed this season and last, only scoring 5 points to Valtteri Bottas' 83 and being believed to be a thorn in the side to Aston's hopes of Fourth in the Championship.

Therefore the decision has been made by Lawrence Stroll that Vandoorne will not be renewed in the seat for 2027.

Aston Martin are now looking for a driver to partner Valtteri Bottas for 2027 - Lando Norris, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Alexander Albon are believed to be in the frame, although we cannot also count out a reuniting of Lawrence's son, Lance, who has been sacked by Williams at the end of this year.

[humble totem]

It has to be an Italian driver
No Italian driver since Michele alboreto has driven for Ferrari
That's over 30yrs ago
I am sure the tifosi won't mind a genuine green white red driver flying the green white red flag in Monza alongside favourite leclerc

Imagine announcing Kimi arriver in Monza
What a scene it will be

[tired thorn]

what im sayin

kimi makes perfect sense

[foggy locust]

BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2026
WEEKEND PREVIEW

And so we head to Spa-Francorchamps for the final race before the Summer Break. A Summer Break that may well change the face of Formula 1 for the foreseeable future.

Lewis Hamilton's retirement announcement following the Hungarian Grand Prix stunned the Formula 1 world, and opened the door on one of the most coveted seats in Formula 1. McLaren's two drivers are in completely different positions looking at their prospective futures. Williams effectively sacked Lance Stroll, ending his contract two years early. And Red Bull…took their first win of the season under the Safety Car.

It was Max Verstappen's first win of the season after a poorly timed Safety Car cost Charles Leclerc the chance at a Grand Slam, then another poorly timed Safety Car caused by Lance Stroll driving into his teammate for the second time this season effectively ended the race there and then. It means Leclerc is eight points ahead of Lewis Hamilton, and 72 ahead of Verstappen, who is still very much in with a chance with double points available at Abu Dhabi.

And now to Belgium. The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the longest of the F1 Season, clocking in at 7.004km, and therefore the least amount of laps in the season - 44. It held its first Grand Prix in 1925, and has 19 turns and 2 DRS Zones. The Spa-Francorchamps circuit features the famous run to Eau Rouge, one of the highlights of the Formula 1 season. Spa holds a reputation for being very fast, very dangerous and a calmness required across the board. It is famous for its unpredictable weather, which we may well once again see this weekend.

The game has completely changed at the World Champions, Ferrari. Following Lewis Hamilton's retirement announcement, effective at the end of this season. So, focus now turns to two things - the ongoing Championship battle between Hamilton and Leclerc, and Ferrari's search for Hamilton's successor. For Lewis, it is now or never on the record Eighth World Championship. For Charles, he wants his third consecutive title, and awaits to see who Ferrari will choose as his next teammate - his fourth teammate at Ferrari.

Red Bull meanwhile took their first win of the season with Max Verstappen taking home the win, and may fancy carving out an opportunity for Verstappen's Fourth title, with him just 72 points off Leclerc and 64 off Hamilton. Red Bull are throwing all their upgrades into their high speed cornering advantage, with Verstappen taking the upgrades for this weekend. Liam Lawson has struggled by comparison, finishing P5 in Hungary, but Red Bull expect him to continue to learn from Verstappen for now.

McLaren might be in a unique position where having had the decision to make between Piastri and Norris, might end up losing both. Oscar Piastri is becoming the likely favourite to succeed Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, while Lando Norris is potentially moving to Mercedes or Aston Martin. It will be fascinating to see where the Papaya go from here if that happens, with most drivers they could replace both with - Russell, Gasly, even Verstappen - on long term deals elsewhere. For now, focus goes on holding Red Bull off for second in the Championship. A win here could do wonders for securing Piastri, or Norris, or in fact both, long term.

Aston Martin have informed Stoffel Vandoorne that he won't be renewed by the team ahead of his home Grand Prix, and this will likely be his last home race in the sport. With Aston going in a different direction after this season, can Vandoorne impress in one final opportunity at home and get some valuable points for a team he's about to leave? There's just two points between Aston and Andretti, the tightest battle in the league.

Andretti meanwhile outscored Aston last time out, with Daniel Ricciardo P7 and Valtteri Bottas P8. Yuki Tsunoda has been struggling for form as of late, having not scored points since the Spielberg Sprint, and not in the race since Barcelona. Tsunoda finds himself 10th in the Championship, two places and 22 points back on Daniel Ricciardo. Tsunoda is very much seen as the future team leader by Andretti, but needs to be scoring more this season.

Williams made the shock decision to part ways with Lance Stroll, buying him out of his contract at the end of this current season, after his second occasion of crashing into teammate George Russell, and a deteriorating relationship with both Russell and the Williams team as a whole. Now, Williams look to fight for sixth in the Championship, but with a lame duck driver in Stroll, how will that affect their chances of holding off Audi?

Audi however are presenting a united front, however this could be a tough weekend as Spa is not a circuit that suits their car particularly well. The early progress of the team from this season seems to have levelled off a little bit, although Gasly did score as recently as Silverstone, and Théo Pourchaire has only one points finish to his name this year. Can Audi get more out of their second year driver to overhaul Williams?

Mercedes showed some promise in the buildup to Hungary with bringing major upgrades, and were rewarded with a ninth place finish for Carlos Sainz, although Alex Albon did crash out of the race. Their high speed upgrades should boost them further. Albon’s future remains in question with rumours of a return to Williams circulating - Mercedes are favouring either Lando Norris or Andrea Kimi Antonelli to replace him, if that's the case.

Hitech did get a point in Hungary with Kevin Magnussen, but Esteban Ocon had to retire after Pierre Gasly pushed him into a wall. Ocon's luck has been rotten all season, and he has missed out due to several circumstances beyond his control. Can he put that behind him this weekend?

As for Haas, the deal with Toyota may take a more formal approach as early as next season, and with Nico Hülkenberg likely to leave the team, attention is very much turning towards the future under Toyota. Haas are onto next year already - who will join Zhou Guanyu at the American side next season? And what will Toyota's role in the team going forward be?

With just one race before the long summer break and the proper beginning of F1 Silly Season - it could be a vital one for the Championship. One thing is for sure - you won't want to miss it.

FP1 Reserves: Antonelli (Albon), Marti (Hülkenberg), Montoya (Vandoorne)

[sterile breach]

Makes sense with Aston

[foggy locust]

FP1: HAM TSU PIA
LEC P4

Lewis Hamilton quickest in a session that saw some mild rain midway through, while Yuki Tsunoda beat Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc to P2. Verstappen and Lawson followed, with Ricciardo seventh, Norris P8, Russell P9 and Magnussen P10.

[foggy locust]

Ruthless from Lawrence Stroll. Not renewing Vandoorne before his home GP and sitting him out of FP1

All three who sat are our of contract at the end of the season 👀

FP2: LEC RUS NOR
HAM P4

Charles Leclerc quickest in FP2, ahead of the English trifecta of Russell, Norris and Hamilton, in a washed out session. Piastri was Fifth, with Gasly ahead of Lawson, Pourchaire, Verstappen and Ocon.

FP3: VER HAM RUS
LEC P7

The first fully dry session of the weekend, and it was Verstappen quickest ahead of Hamilton and Russell. Ricciardo fourth, with Piastri fifth and Tsunoda sixth. Just seventh for Leclerc, ahead of Albon, Bottas and Norris.

Welcome to Spa-Francorchamps and to the final race weekend before the season break. It's been hard to tell who's been quickest so far this weekend with two rainy sessions and limited running, but Ferrari and Red Bull both topped sessions, so take what you will from that. This is the season's longest lap, little margin for error and one error could mean an early exit from Qualifying.

OUT IN Q1: Piastri, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Stroll, Russell
Bubble: Lawson
Top Five: VER, LEC, BOT, HAM, NOR

An absolute shocker in Q1 as Piastri drops out! He could not improve his second lap and goes out in Q1, his first failure to make Q3 this season and first Q1 exit since Austria 2024! Both Andrettis are out as they cannot translate their practice success, and both Williams drop out too. Liam Lawson was on the verge of a Q1 exit too, as Lando Norris needed a good second lap to save him from his teammate's fate. Verstappen quickest ahead of Leclerc, Bottas and Hamilton.

OUT IN Q2: Vandoorne, Zhou, Hülkenberg, Magnussen, Albon
Bubble: Pourchaire
Top Five: LEC, NOR, HAM, LAW, GAS

Leclerc and Hamilton both needed their second lap to get out of the bottom five, but Leclerc was quickest and Hamilton third. Vandoorne drops out in Q2 in likely his last home GP in F1, while Zhou and Hülkenberg both exit, alongside Magnussen and Albon.

Q3: Leclerc, Verstappen, Hamilton, Norris, Lawson, Gasly, Bottas, Ocon, Poudchaire, Sainz

Leclerc claims his Seventh Pole of the season, ahead of Verstappen and Hamilton, as Verstappen put in the best middle sector but could not overhaul Leclerc. Norris fourth in the absence of his teammate, with Lawson P5 and Gasly P6. Bottas, Ocon, Pourchaire and Sainz round off the top ten.

2026 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
STARTING GRID

LEC VER

HAM NOR

LAW GAS

BOT OCO

POU SAI

VAN ZHO

HÜL MAG

ALB PIA

RIC TSU

STR RUS

It is time to go racing at one of Formula 1's most famous venues. The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, it's in half of its namesake, it resides in Francorchamps, Stavelot, and about 8km east of Spa. At 7.004km, it's the longest lap of the F1 Season and taken for the least number - 44, which could be an omen. 19 turns, a top speed of 223.2mph and taken at an elevation of 102.17m. Many famous AND infamous moments here over the years, David Coulthard's collision with Michael Schumacher, Charles Leclerc's first victory and the two laps of Racing in 2021.

The two Williams are at the very back today, George Russell 20th and Lance Stroll 19th, with the two Andrettis in 18th and 17th. Oscar Piastri had his first Q1 exit since Austria 2024 and starts 16th with Alex Albon 15th, then it's Kevin Msgnussen 14th and Nico Hülkenberg 13th. Zhou Guanyu starts directly ahead of his teammate in 12th, Stoffel Vandoorne starts likely his final home GP from 11th. Into the top ten and Carlos Sainz begins 10th as he's desperate for points for Mercedes, Théo Pourchaire lines up 9th, with Esteban Ocon 8th and Valtteri Bottas 7th. Then it's Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson, Lawson lucky to make it out of Q1 but he starts 5th. Lando Norris starts ahead of Oscar Piastri today from 4th, then Lewis Hamilton who needs a big result for his title challenge in 3rd. It's a front row for Max Verstappen who won his first race of the year last time in Hungary, and defending Champion and Championship leader Charles Leclerc starts from Pole for the Seventh time this year. But can he extend his title lead today?

Let's go racing!