Ben Sulayem Moves to Scrap FIA Presidential Term Limits
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has proposed removing the governing body’s limit on presidential terms. Article 20.10 currently bars any president from serving more than three terms — a maximum of 12 years. Ben Sulayem, now in his second term after running unopposed last year, wants the restriction deleted entirely. The FIA confirmed the proposal, stating it aims to establish “a consistent approach to tenure across all FIA bodies.” If approved at the next General Assembly, the change would allow any sitting president — including Ben Sulayem — to seek re-election indefinitely. Term limits were introduced under Jean Todt following Max Mosley’s 16-year presidency.
Sources: Motorsport.com, RaceFans
F1 and FIA Bosses Align on V8 Engine Return by 2030
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed his full support for FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s push to bring V8 engines back by 2030 or 2031. The current 2026 power units use a 50/50 hybrid split that has proved contentious in its opening season. Ben Sulayem said a V8 return is “coming,” adding that the FIA has authority to enforce the change in 2031 regardless of manufacturer votes. Domenicali told French newspaper L’Équipe he was “1,000 per cent” in support, saying V8s with sustainable fuel and lighter cars represent the sport’s “pure essence.” Minor electrification will remain under both men’s preferred framework.
Sources: GPFans
Wolff Wants a ‘Lion’ at Mercedes Amid Bottas Axe Reports and Verstappen Links
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has detailed his approach to managing the intense rivalry between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, saying he wants a “lion” character at the team. The comment arrives alongside reports that Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas faces a mid-season axe just five races into 2026, having failed to score a point so far. Wolff’s remark is widely read in the paddock as a nod to Max Verstappen, whose Red Bull contract contains an exit clause if he is not at least second in the championship by the summer break. Red Bull currently sit fourth in the constructors’ standings with 57 points.
Sources: GPFans
Red Bull Already Preparing for Post-Verstappen Era
Red Bull Racing are actively preparing for a potential future without Max Verstappen, according to sources close to the team. The four-time world champion sits seventh in the 2026 drivers’ championship with 43 points after five races, well below the threshold his reported contract exit clause requires. Red Bull are currently 14 points behind third-place McLaren in the constructors’ standings and closer in pace to Alpine in fifth. The Austrian team have been fast-tracking the development of Isack Hadjar, the 19-year-old who finished fifth at the Canadian Grand Prix despite two penalties. Verstappen has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the 2026 regulations since the season’s opening round.
Sources: GPFans
Alonso Explains Canada Retirement: Aston Martin Seat Left Him in ‘Pain’
Fernando Alonso has explained his Canadian Grand Prix retirement as a necessary decision to stop physical pain caused by his seating position. The two-time world champion retired on lap 24 of the Montreal race after the discomfort from his reclined seat became unmanageable. Aston Martin chief trackside officer Mike Krack acknowledged the team may have gone “a step too far” in lowering Alonso’s seating angle to minimise drag and centre of gravity. The reclined positioning, a trend across 2026-specification cars, left Alonso suffering a pressure-point problem that worsened throughout a stint. The team confirmed it will review the setup before Monaco.
McLaren to Retest Rejected Canada Front Wing at Monaco
McLaren plan to retest the upgraded front wing that both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri rejected during Canadian GP practice, with Monaco serving as the next evaluation opportunity. The new wing — part of a wider MCL40 upgrade package — failed to deliver the expected aerodynamic correlation during the single practice session in Montreal. Team principal Andrea Stella confirmed the wing is not abandoned, explaining that Circuit Gilles Villeneuve’s kerb-riding character and a single green-track practice session made representative comparison impossible. Norris said the team needs to “make sure it works properly next time.” Stella confirmed: “We will definitely see this wing again in Monaco.”
Sources: Motorsport.com
Monaco GP to Run Without Active Aero Straight Mode Zones
The 2026 Monaco Grand Prix will operate without any active aerodynamics straight mode zones — a first for the new regulatory era. F1’s official track layout for the June 5–7 race at Circuit de Monaco shows no designated straight mode sections, unlike recent rounds in Canada, Miami, and earlier flyaway events. Straight mode, which replaced the old DRS system in 2026, allows drivers to reduce wing drag on specified straights by switching to a low-downforce configuration. Monaco’s narrow, twisting layout offers no straight of sufficient length to justify the system. Overtake detection points near La Rascasse and Anthony Noghes corners remain on the published map.
Sources: GPFans
Hamilton Now Steering Ferrari Development After Canada Podium
Lewis Hamilton’s second-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix — his best result since joining Ferrari — has boosted his influence within the team’s technical development program. GPFans reports Hamilton is now actively shaping Ferrari’s engineering direction ahead of the European season opener at Monaco. Hamilton, 41, qualified on pole position in Montreal before finishing behind Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, narrowing the gap to team-mate Charles Leclerc to three points. Hamilton currently sits fourth in the drivers’ standings with 72 points. Ferrari arrive at Monaco with improved confidence after back-to-back strong performances in Miami and Canada.
Sources: GPFans
Drivers' Championship
1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli — 131 pts
2. George Russell — 88 pts
3. Charles Leclerc — 75 pts
4. Lewis Hamilton — 72 pts
5. Lando Norris — 58 pts
6. Oscar Piastri — 48 pts
7. Max Verstappen — 43 pts
8. Pierre Gasly — 20 pts
9. Oliver Bearman — 18 pts
10. Liam Lawson — 16 pts
11. Franco Colapinto — 15 pts
12. Isack Hadjar — 14 pts
13. Carlos Sainz — 6 pts
14. Arvid Lindblad — 5 pts
15. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
16. Esteban Ocon — 1 pt
17. Alex 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 — 219 pts
2. Ferrari — 147 pts
3. McLaren — 106 pts
4. Red Bull Racing — 57 pts
5. Alpine — 35 pts
6. Racing Bulls — 21 pts
7. Haas — 19 pts
8. Williams — 7 pts
9. Audi — 2 pts
10. Cadillac — 0 pts
11. Aston Martin — 0 pts
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.