Ben Sulayem's V8 Engine Return Plan Gains Backing from Coulthard and Mercedes
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's push to return V8 engines to Formula 1 by 2030 gained notable backing this week, with former F1 champion David Coulthard arguing the sport could run on biofuels with near-zero emissions. Ben Sulayem first outlined the plan at the Miami Grand Prix, targeting a lighter power unit with minimal electrification to replace current turbo hybrids from 2031, or sooner if manufacturer agreement can be secured. Mercedes has signalled support for a high-power V8 concept producing approximately 1,200bhp. The proposed engines could be 80kg lighter than current units and reduce power unit costs by up to 65 percent.
Sources: Crash.net, Motorsport.com
Honda and Aston Martin Receive Extra F1 Development Budget Under Revised ADUO Rules
Honda and Aston Martin are set to benefit from revised ADUO regulations after the FIA introduced updated power unit cost cap rules. Any manufacturer whose power unit performs more than 10 percent below the leading unit will be permitted to spend an additional $19 million on development: $11 million under the standard relief mechanism and an extra $8 million specific to the first season of new regulations. The extra spending carries a future repayment obligation spread over subsequent years. Additional bench-running test hours have also been increased from 190 to 230 for qualifying manufacturers. The first ADUO review window opens following the Canadian Grand Prix.
Sources: Motorsport.com, The Race
Verstappen Finishes Third in Nürburgring 24 Hours Opening Qualifying on Debut
Max Verstappen delivered an eye-catching debut at the Nürburgring 24 Hours on Thursday, guiding the #3 Team Verstappen Mercedes-AMG GT3 to third place in the opening qualifying session on the Nordschleife. Verstappen posted a time of 8:18.539 on the 25.378km circuit, finishing behind the Winward Racing Mercedes which topped the session. Rain disrupted the second qualifying session, with Verstappen completing only the mandatory single timed lap required to unlock overnight stints. Top Qualifying on Friday determines the top grid positions for Saturday's race. The four-time F1 world champion has set victory as his target for the 24-hour event.
Sources: Motorsport.com, GPFans
Sainz Softens Public Tone on 2026 Rules but Maintains Qualifying Is 'Not Good Enough'
Williams driver Carlos Sainz has pledged to stop publicly criticising Formula 1's 2026 regulations, acknowledging that persistence was no longer productive. However, Sainz maintained the current rules are 'not good enough for F1' in qualifying, despite conceding that race conditions have improved following Miami's rule tweaks. The Spaniard cited excessive energy management demands during flying laps as the core problem, a view shared by Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. The FIA is continuing to consult teams on further refinements, with hardware changes agreed in principle for 2027, including a nominal 50kW increase in internal combustion engine power alongside a corresponding reduction in ERS deployment.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Norris Explains Why F1 Drivers Have Limited Influence Over the New Regulations
Lando Norris has explained why Formula 1's drivers have limited influence over the sport's regulatory framework, describing the situation as 'a business at the end of the day.' The McLaren driver acknowledged that commercial partners, engine suppliers, and team bosses necessarily carry more weight than driver preferences in rule-making decisions. The comments come amid widespread frustration with the 2026 regulations, particularly the energy management burden during qualifying. Norris, who previously described the rules as 'chaos' and called for the battery to be ditched, struck a more measured tone this week, urging drivers to continue providing honest feedback to officials rather than amplifying grievances publicly.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Williams Confirms Sizeable Upgrade Package for Canadian GP After Miami Progress
Williams will bring a sizeable upgrade package to the Canadian Grand Prix as the team looks to build on its most encouraging weekend of 2026. Team principal James Vowles confirmed the improvements target both weight reduction and aerodynamic performance, though warned that rivals including Mercedes and Audi also plan updates in Montreal, making net gains difficult to predict. Carlos Sainz, who scored points in Miami alongside Alexander Albon, described that race's specification as the car Williams should have had from the opening round in Melbourne. A larger development step is planned for Monaco. The Canadian sprint weekend takes place May 22 to 24 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Sources: Motorsport.com, Motorsport.com (Sainz)
Nürburgring Qualifying Race Red-Flagged After Porsche Fire Triggers Multi-Car Crash
The opening qualifying race at the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours was red-flagged after a dangerous multi-car incident on the Nordschleife Grand Prix circuit section. A Porsche 911 driven by Alexander Hardt caught fire and stopped at Xiaomi Corner, with Hardt exiting the vehicle and waving to warn approaching drivers. A second Porsche, the #146 Giti Tire Motorsport entry driven by Janina Schall, struck the stationary car at speed before any warning could prevent the impact. Both drivers escaped without injury. Stewards launched an investigation and delayed the restart while debris was cleared. The incident did not involve Max Verstappen's #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 entry.
Sources: PlanetF1, PlanetF1 (Q1 report)
Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs May Still Feature in 2026 as F1 Explores Calendar Recovery
Formula 1 has not ruled out staging at least one of the two Middle East grands prix cancelled in April, with reports indicating discussions over late-season reinstatement are actively ongoing. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds were cancelled due to regional conflict, reducing the 2026 calendar to 22 races. Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang has said the organisation is working to recover at least one of the events. The most viable scenario would insert a race into a September slot between Baku and Singapore, though a December option before Abu Dhabi is also being considered. No formal announcement has been made by Formula 1 or the affected promoters.
Sources: Autosport
Drivers' Championship
1. Kimi Antonelli — 100 pts
2. George Russell — 80 pts
3. Charles Leclerc — 59 pts
4. Lando Norris — 51 pts
5. Lewis Hamilton — 51 pts
6. Oscar Piastri — 43 pts
7. Max Verstappen — 26 pts
8. Oliver Bearman — 17 pts
9. Pierre Gasly — 16 pts
10. Liam Lawson — 10 pts
11. Franco Colapinto — 7 pts
12. Arvid Lindblad — 4 pts
13. Isack Hadjar — 4 pts
14. Carlos Sainz — 4 pts
15. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
16. Esteban Ocon — 1 pt
17. Alexander Albon — 1 pt
18. Nico Hülkenberg — 0 pts
19. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
20. Sergio Pérez — 0 pts
21. Fernando Alonso — 0 pts
22. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
Constructors' Championship
1. Mercedes — 180 pts
2. Ferrari — 110 pts
3. McLaren — 94 pts
4. Red Bull — 30 pts
5. Alpine — 23 pts
6. Haas — 18 pts
7. Racing Bulls — 14 pts
8. Williams — 5 pts
9. Audi — 2 pts
10. Sauber — 0 pts
11. Aston Martin — 0 pts
12. Cadillac — 0 pts
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