Samwise F1 Newsletter
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Mercedes to Split Old and New Aero Packages Across Both Cars in Singapore
Mercedes will run its old and new aerodynamic packages side by side at the Singapore Grand Prix, splitting the specifications across both cars for the entire weekend. The team introduced an upgraded specification at the recent Malaysia event expecting a 0.3-second performance gain, and has since voiced doubts over whether the upgrade worked. The comparison is meant to show whether the problems stem from the aerodynamic package itself or from track-surface conditions. Team principal Toto Wolff said: “We have identified several areas we need to investigate further, but F1 doesn’t offer simple answers and we need more evidence before drawing firm conclusions.”
Sources: The Race, GrandPrix247
Mercedes Confirms Russell Will Start Singapore Grand Prix From Back of Grid
Mercedes has confirmed George Russell will start the Singapore Grand Prix from the back of the grid after the power unit failure that ended his Malaysia race. Russell was running third under the safety car when the engine failed with five laps remaining. He trails Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli by 84 championship points with seven rounds left. Team principal Toto Wolff said: “George has the added challenge of a power unit penalty, which will mean starting from the back of the grid on Sunday.” Wolff called the situation “particularly frustrating given the way he drove last weekend.”
F1 Teams to Discuss Cost Cap Changes Aimed at Helping Smaller Squads in 2027
Formula 1 teams will discuss revising financial regulations for 2027 to address what Williams boss James Vowles calls a “cost cap trap” affecting smaller teams. The proposal would add a sliding-scale catch-up mechanism giving lower-ranked teams more spending flexibility within the $215 million cost cap. Three models exist: based on championship position, tiered groupings, or points gaps, potentially triggered only for teams trailing by 100 or more points. Audi, Aston Martin, Alpine and Cadillac broadly support the plan, Haas opposes it, and Racing Bulls’ position is uncertain. A 2027 change needs the FIA, FOM and six of eleven teams. The F1 Commission meets in November.
Verstappen Avoids First Winless Season Since 2015 as Red Bull-Ford Take Maiden Victory
Max Verstappen’s win in Malaysia was the 72nd of his career and ensured he avoided his first win-less season since his 2015 debut, RaceFans reported. It marked his 11th consecutive season with at least one victory. The win was also the first for Red Bull-Ford, and the Red Bull-Ford power unit broke Mercedes’ streak of 15 consecutive pole positions. The Race reported that Verstappen took his first pole position and victory of the season for Red Bull. Fernando Alonso’s eighth-place finish for Aston Martin was the team’s best 2026 result to date.
FIA Confirms Five Straight Mode Zones for Singapore Grand Prix
The FIA has confirmed five Straight Mode zones for the Singapore Grand Prix, matching Australia’s configuration as the highest allocation this season. In these zones drivers can adjust front and rear wing angles to reduce drag and increase speed. The zones cover Turns 5-7, the longest, then Turns 9-10, 13-14 and 15-19, plus the start/finish straight from Turn 19 to Turn 1. Most circuits have featured between two and five zones throughout the 2026 season, while Monaco had none because of its tight layout. The system is part of F1’s new active aerodynamics framework, which gives drivers strategic control over downforce in specific track sections.
Brown Hints Lambiase Could Join McLaren in 2027, Earlier Than Announced
McLaren CEO Zak Brown says he is optimistic engineer Gianpiero Lambiase could arrive during 2027, earlier than the originally announced 2028 timeline. Lambiase, who has been Max Verstappen’s engineer at Red Bull, agreed to join McLaren as chief racing officer under team principal Andrea Stella, and both teams said his departure would come “no later than 2028.” Brown said: “I’m optimistic we’ll see him in papaya at some point next year.” The timing hinges on gardening leave. Red Bull has named Tom Hart to take over Lambiase’s race engineer role, while Tom McCullough, formerly of Aston Martin, becomes head of racing.
Stella Defends New Power Unit Rules Despite Driver Backlash Over Malaysia Glitch
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has defended Formula 1’s new power unit regulations after a software glitch disrupted the Malaysia Grand Prix. In wet conditions, a previously unforeseen software issue put cars into “limp home” mode and delayed the formation lap by 40 minutes. Stella said: “Formula 1 has done an excellent job in making some new regulations,” and urged stakeholders to “accept that, you know, there are glitches for everyone.” Reigning champion Lando Norris was among the drivers critical of the incident, arguing that F1 “shouldn’t have any” electronic self-learning systems. Stella noted this is the regulations’ first year.
Hamilton Says Ferrari Power Deficit Averages Four Tenths Every Weekend
Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari’s power unit deficit costs the team roughly four tenths of a second, and sometimes as much as six tenths. Ferrari still sits second in the constructors’ championship, more than 150 points behind Mercedes. Hamilton said: “We’re second in the constructors’ championship, huge improvement from last year already and that’s with a deficit on power of average four tenths every single weekend.” He added: “Sometimes it’s six tenths, and we’ve still been delivering really decent performances.” Hamilton is third in the drivers’ standings with 214 points. He described the progress as foundational: “It’s a process and I think we’ve built a good foundation this year.”
Red Bull Accounts Reveal Horner Severance Payments Totaling £86 Million
Christian Horner’s severance from Red Bull is documented in Red Bull Technology Ltd’s 2025 accounts filed at UK Companies House. Compensation for loss of office was £66.988 million, with remuneration of £9.029 million and pension contributions of £10 million, a total of £86.017 million in 2025 payments. Horner was dismissed in July 2025 after 20 years leading the team. He said: “If somebody’s prepared to pay that much money for you not to be there…” He indicated he would return only for a significant role with an equity stake, calling Ferrari “the dream.”
Monaco Rules Out Changes to Formula 1 Circuit Layout
The Automobile Club de Monaco says it will not alter the layout of the Formula 1 circuit. President Michel Boeri said: “The circuit will not be changed, contrary to what I’ve heard many people suggest.” At 3.3 kilometres, the track is the calendar’s shortest and narrowest and is often criticised for processional racing. Boeri said any redesign would require new FIA homologation, though he suggested the pit lane could see improvements: “The pit lane will be difficult to sustain much longer. Space is limited.” F1’s contract with Monaco extends through 2035, and the event will host a sprint race for the first time in 2027.
After the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia — Seven Rounds Remaining
Drivers’ Championship
| Pos | Driver | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | K. Antonelli | 320 |
| 2 | G. Russell | 236 |
| 3 | L. Hamilton | 214 |
| 4 | C. Leclerc | 191 |
| 5 | L. Norris | 188 |
| 6 | M. Verstappen | 188 |
| 7 | O. Piastri | 128 |
| 8 | I. Hadjar | 96 |
| 9 | L. Lawson | 65 |
| 10 | P. Gasly | 41 |
| 11 | A. Lindblad | 38 |
| 12 | F. Colapinto | 27 |
| 13 | O. Bearman | 20 |
| 14 | G. Bortoleto | 10 |
| 15 | N. Hülkenberg | 7 |
| 16 | E. Ocon | 7 |
| 17 | F. Alonso | 7 |
| 18 | C. Sainz | 7 |
| 19 | A. Albon | 5 |
| 20 | Y. Tsunoda | 1 |
| 21 | L. Stroll | 0 |
| 22 | V. Bottas | 0 |
| 23 | S. Pérez | 0 |
Constructors’ Championship
| Pos | Constructor | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes | 556 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 405 |
| 3 | McLaren | 316 |
| 4 | Red Bull | 298 |
| 5 | Racing Bulls | 90 |
| 6 | Alpine | 68 |
| 7 | Haas | 27 |
| 8 | Audi | 17 |
| 9 | Williams | 12 |
| 10 | Aston Martin | 7 |
| 11 | Cadillac | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency