Verstappen Signals F1 Future Secure If 2027 Engine Reforms Are Confirmed

Max Verstappen signalled at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Thursday that he plans to remain in Formula 1 if the FIA's proposed 2027 engine changes are confirmed. The four-time world champion has repeatedly questioned whether the near 50-50 hybrid power split makes the cars worth driving. An agreement in principle to shift the ratio to 60-40 in favour of the internal combustion engine drew a warm response. 'It will make the product better, that means I am happier,' Verstappen said. Full agreement has not been finalised, with manufacturers holding differing competitive interests. Carlos Sainz backed the proposal but warned politics will complicate sign-off.

Sources: The Race

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Piastri Flattered but Unmoved as Red Bull Links Emerge Amid Verstappen Uncertainty

Oscar Piastri said he is flattered by Red Bull's reported interest in him as a possible long-term replacement for Max Verstappen, though the McLaren driver insisted no discussions have taken place. Reports from the Miami Grand Prix weekend confirmed Red Bull placed Piastri on its radar should Verstappen depart through a team switch, sabbatical, or retirement. 'It is news to me, but it is flattering and hopefully it proves my stock as a driver,' Piastri said in Montreal. He remains fully committed to McLaren, where he is contracted through 2027. Verstappen holds performance-linked break clauses in his Red Bull deal running to the end of 2028.

Sources: Motorsport.com

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Williams Raids McLaren, Mercedes and Alpine to Hire Four Senior Technical Leaders

Williams signed former McLaren chief operating officer Piers Thynne and three senior figures from Mercedes and Alpine on Thursday, unveiling a targeted recruitment drive ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. Thynne, a key figure in McLaren's rise from midfield to world champion, joins Williams from August. Claire Simpson heads aerodynamic development from Mercedes, Fred Judd joins as performance specialist, and Steve Booth arrives as head of vehicle engineering from Alpine. Driver Carlos Sainz described the appointments as a direct response to weaknesses exposed during Williams's troubled 2026 car build. Further senior hires are expected in the months ahead.

Sources: The Race

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Ocon and Komatsu Blast Fabricated Haas Split Reports as Damaging and False

Esteban Ocon and team principal Ayao Komatsu delivered emphatic denials in Montreal on Thursday of claims that the pair had clashed in Miami and that Ocon faces a mid-season exit from Haas. Ocon called the reports 'complete bullshit', noting one article misspelled Komatsu's first name. He said the stories affected his family and sponsors and amounted to 'bullying in a way'. Komatsu questioned whether the content qualified as journalism. Ocon, who has scored one point to teammate Ollie Bearman's 17 this season, attributed the gap to unfavourable safety car timing rather than pace, and said both parties remain fully aligned.

Sources: Motorsport.com, The Race

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Alonso: F1 Lost a Decade of Pure Racing and a 60-40 Engine Split Will Not Restore It

Fernando Alonso argued Thursday in Montreal that Formula 1 has lost nearly a full decade of pure racing to the hybrid era and said the proposed 2027 shift to 60-40 combustion-to-electric power will not fix the core problem. The Aston Martin driver described current Montreal overtakes as 'avoiding actions', explaining that battery differentials effectively cut 500 horsepower in the car being passed. 'The DNA of these power units will always reward going slow in corners,' Alonso said. He welcomed the reform direction but insisted the sport must wait for the next regulatory cycle before real racing returns. Aston Martin is still without a championship point after four rounds.

Sources: Motorsport.com

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Montreal's Extreme Energy Demands Set to Produce Chaotic Sprint and Grand Prix

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will impose the tightest energy constraint of any 2026 venue outside Monza this weekend, with a 6MJ recharge limit expected to produce yo-yo racing throughout the Sprint and Grand Prix. The circuit's long straights and short braking zones leave little opportunity to recover battery charge, meaning drivers who deploy power to overtake may lack energy to defend on the next straight. 'It is going to be chaotic,' said Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto. Red Bull's Isack Hadjar predicted 'overtaking all over the place'. Sprint Qualifying is scheduled for Friday evening, leaving teams just one hour of practice to establish set-ups before competitive running starts.

Sources: The Race

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Antonelli Introduces Modified Clutch Paddle in Montreal to Fix Mercedes Start Problems

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli has introduced a modified clutch paddle for Montreal to improve start consistency after Mercedes lost positions off the line in the early 2026 races. The reshaped paddle works within the FIA's 80mm travel limit and aims to give Antonelli more precision at clutch release. Teammate George Russell has also struggled with starts this year. 'McLaren has the same power unit and they are starting very well, so definitely there is something we are missing,' Antonelli said. Alongside the revised paddle, Mercedes has made software and hardware changes to the clutch system and is also debuting an aerodynamic upgrade package in Montreal.

Sources: The Race

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Hamilton Skips Ferrari Simulator for Montreal, Banking on Data-Only Preparation

Lewis Hamilton confirmed Thursday he skipped Ferrari's simulator entirely when preparing for the Canadian Grand Prix, opting to focus on data rather than virtual laps. Hamilton concluded during the Miami build-up that simulator sessions were producing set-ups that felt wrong on track, particularly under braking. With the Sprint format allowing only one practice hour before competitive sessions begin, the decision adds pressure to Friday running. Hamilton said he will assess his performance against Charles Leclerc before deciding whether to use the simulator ahead of Monaco. 'I just decided to sit it out and focus more on the data,' he told media at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Sources: The Race

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Cadillac Flags Ride Weakness as Biggest Challenge Ahead of Montreal's Chicanes

Sergio Perez warned that Circuit Gilles Villeneuve's chicanes will be the hardest test yet for the Cadillac MAC-26's ride weakness, with the team having worked through the Miami gap to find solutions. Perez described the problem as the car failing to settle after kerb strikes, hurting grip and traction. 'It is probably the biggest test in terms of riding this circuit,' he said. Cadillac remains without a constructor championship point through four rounds. Montreal also marks the end of the first review period under F1's upgrade catch-up mechanism, which grants lower-performing teams additional development opportunities to close the gap to the front.

Sources: The Race

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