Mercedes Arrives in Montreal with First Major Upgrade of 2026
Mercedes heads into the Canadian Grand Prix with its first significant upgrade package of the 2026 season, having deliberately held back development from Miami to bring a more comprehensive improvement to Montreal. Engineers have introduced a lighter gearbox alongside aerodynamic updates and revised electronics targeting the car’s high-powered turbo. McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull all brought notable upgrades in Miami, closing the gap on the points leader. Team principal Toto Wolff said: “We bring our first update package of the year to Montreal, but performance is only performance once it is delivered on track.” Mercedes leads constructors by 70 points.
FIA Compression Ratio Rule Change from Monaco Could Cost Mercedes Its Power Unit Edge
From June 1, the FIA will measure geometric compression ratios at both ambient temperature and 130 degrees Celsius, closing a technical window that has contributed to Mercedes’ dominant 2026 power unit performance. Under the previous rule, the W17’s engine could run at the permitted 16:1 ratio when stationary but increase toward 18:1 under operating conditions. Sky Sports presenter Naomi Schiff said the FIA would have weighed the impact on the championship leader but concluded battery efficiency and driver concerns outweighed it. The change takes effect from the Monaco Grand Prix, giving rivals Ferrari and Red Bull a potential route back into contention.
Sources: GPFans, Sky Sports F1
Briatore Set for Alpine Exit as Horner and BYD Circle 24 Per Cent Stake
Flavio Briatore is expected to leave Alpine at the end of 2026, according to Brazilian motorsport column Canal UOL, as multiple parties circle Otro Capital’s 24 per cent stake in the Enstone team. Christian Horner’s investment group and Chinese automotive giant BYD are both understood to be interested, with Horner recently spotted meeting BYD’s CEO at a Cannes Film Festival event. Mercedes has also been linked to the stake, prompting McLaren CEO Zak Brown to write to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem warning against A and B team structures. Columnist Julianne Cerasoli said Briatore will remain in a day-to-day capacity only through year end.
Sources: GPFans
FIA President Ben Sulayem Hits Back at 2026 Rule Critics Including Verstappen
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has hit back at drivers including Max Verstappen who have publicly criticised the 2026 regulations, arguing that dissatisfaction reflects poor implementation rather than flawed rules. Speaking to Forbes, Ben Sulayem noted that Mercedes and Ferrari have not been vocal complainants, pointing out that all teams had eighteen months between the August 2022 agreement and the first 2026 test to prepare. “The criticism only comes from people who perhaps haven’t implemented the regulations very well,” he said. The FIA has nonetheless agreed in principle to 2027 changes moving to a 60/40 ICE-to-ERS power split, reducing battery management demands.
Sources: GPFans
Honda Targets Aston Martin Driveability Breakthrough at Canadian Grand Prix
Honda is targeting improved driveability and energy management for Aston Martin at the Canadian Grand Prix, with trackside general manager Shintaro Orihara identifying corner-entry confidence as the key to unlocking lap time at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Orihara said Miami confirmed battery vibration improvements and power unit reliability under the 2026 regulations. Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll completed the Miami race for the first time in 2026, finishing 15th and 17th. Orihara stated: “If we can give more confidence to the drivers in entering corners faster and carrying more speed, then we unlock lap time.” Canada’s Sprint format makes Friday’s FP1 session critical.
Norris Outlines McLaren Plan to Reel In Championship Leader Antonelli
Lando Norris has described McLaren’s plan to close a 49-point deficit to championship leader Kimi Antonelli over the remaining 18 rounds of 2026. The 2025 world champion won the Miami Sprint and finished second in the Grand Prix after McLaren introduced a substantial upgrade package that significantly closed the gap on the Mercedes W17. Norris said he has studied Formula E’s intensive single-day race format to sharpen his energy management under F1’s demanding 2026 hybrid rules. McLaren is expected to bring further development to the European season. The constructors’ gap between McLaren in third and Mercedes in first stands at 86 points.
Sources: GPFans
Olympic Skiing Legend Claims Antonelli Will Definitely Move to Ferrari
Italian skiing legend Alberto Tomba, a close friend of Kimi Antonelli, has publicly claimed the 19-year-old championship leader will inevitably move to Ferrari, calling it a matter of destiny. Tomba told Italian media: “Kimi will definitely go to Ferrari; it is his destiny.” Antonelli currently leads the 2026 drivers’ championship with 100 points, 20 ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell. Ferrari has not commented on the claim. The remarks come as Mercedes faces a regulation change from Monaco, while Ferrari chases its first race win of the season. Antonelli is under a multi-year contract with Mercedes.
Sources: GPFans
Lewis Hamilton Confirms Le Mans Appearance This Summer Alongside F1 Programme
Lewis Hamilton will make a special appearance at the Le Mans 24 Hours this June, GPFans reported on Wednesday, with the Ferrari driver confirming a motorsport engagement at a Mercedes-AMG museum event. Hamilton called the Le Mans involvement unique but did not reveal his exact role or team. The seven-time world champion moved to Ferrari for 2026 and sits fifth in the drivers’ championship with 51 points, level with McLaren’s Lando Norris after four rounds. Hamilton has previously expressed interest in endurance racing alongside Formula 1. The Canadian Grand Prix Sprint weekend, Formula 1’s next event, begins Friday at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Sources: GPFans
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 pts
17. Alexander Albon — 1 pts
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 Racing — 30 pts
5. Alpine — 23 pts
6. Haas — 18 pts
7. Racing Bulls — 14 pts
8. Williams — 5 pts
9. Audi — 2 pts
10. Cadillac — 0 pts
11. Aston Martin — 0 pts