Lewis Hamilton just got a massive boost in his chase for the 2026 championship, and it comes straight from his old garage. Mercedes rivals Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are reportedly facing engine penalties later this season, which could shake up the title fight in a big way.
Hamilton currently sits second in the drivers’ standings with 169 points, trailing Antonelli by 50 points but holding a nine-point lead over Russell in third. With the second half of the campaign ahead, every advantage counts.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris has fans buzzing after refusing to rule out a future run at the Indy 500. The reigning world champion dropped hints during a McLaren interview on a golf course at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, leaving the door wide open for a historic crossover.
Elsewhere, F1 stars including championship leader Kimi Antonelli are paying tribute to Red Bull legend Helmut Marko as highly-rated talent scout Gwen Lagrue officially departs Mercedes. The 83-year-old Marko was a key architect of Red Bull’s dynasty, and Lagrue is expected to try and fill that void in Milton Keynes starting in 2027.
Toto Wolff is reportedly in line for a massive £34 million dividend payout after Mercedes posted record 2025 financial results. That adds to the £230 million he already pocketed by selling part of his team stake last November, cementing his status as one of the wealthiest figures in the sport.
Max Verstappen continues to be linked with moves away from Red Bull, despite constant denials. BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson recently discussed the four-time champion’s future on the Chequered Flag Extra podcast, hinting that the rumors won’t die down anytime soon.
The FIA wants to make F1 cars even lighter down the road, according to single seat director Nikolas Tombazis. That could create new headaches for teams already adjusting to the 2026 regulations, which dropped the minimum weight to 768kg.
Alpine boss Flavio Briatore admits he’s baffled why his team isn’t winning, but revealed he’s still set to land a bonus regardless. Sitting sixth in the constructors’ standings after a rough 2025, the team formerly known as Renault might be in for more surprises.
What else is simmering beneath the surface as the second half of the season kicks off?
