FIA Engine Rule Takes Effect Today: Monaco Is the First Test of Mercedes Loophole Ban
A mid-season FIA rule change takes effect today, with Monaco becoming the first race held under revised engine compression ratio measurement rules. From June 1, compression ratios must be tested at both ambient temperature and at 130 degrees Celsius, closing a practice that Audi, Honda, and Ferrari argued gave Mercedes an advantage. The change was originally planned for August but brought forward by six races. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff dismissed the controversy as “a storm in a teacup,” claiming the benefit amounts to only two to three horsepower. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur expressed doubt the new rule would be a “huge game changer” in stopping Mercedes’ current dominance.
Sources: Crash.net
Mercedes Confirms Battery Failure Cost Russell the Canadian GP Lead
Mercedes chief technical officer James Allison has confirmed that a battery failure caused George Russell’s retirement from the lead at the Canadian Grand Prix. Russell had been trading the lead with team-mate Kimi Antonelli over the opening 30 laps when his car suddenly stopped. Allison stated it was “an engine kill caused by a failure in the battery, which just suffered a catastrophic failure a third of the way into the race.” The team noted heat damage to the battery and said further investigation was needed to determine the exact cause. Russell conceded the 2026 title is now Antonelli’s to lose, with the championship leader 43 points clear.
Sources: Crash.net
Verstappen Rules Out F1 Sabbatical, Calls 2026 Cars Anti-Racing
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has ruled out taking an F1 sabbatical, confirming that if he steps away, he would stop completely rather than return later. Verstappen had previously been seriously considering retirement amid frustrations with the 2026 regulations. Speaking to De Telegraaf, he said: “No, not a sabbatical. I am not that sort of person. If I stop, I will stop completely. But that is not on the cards at the moment.” Verstappen expressed hope that F1’s planned 2027 shift to a 60/40 combustion-to-battery power split would improve the product, reiterating that current 2026 cars feel “anti-racing” and “anti-driving” compared with other motorsports.
Sources: GPFans
Hamilton Identifies Ferrari Power Deficit as Key Barrier to Beating Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton has identified Ferrari’s straight-line power deficit as the key factor preventing the Scuderia from matching Mercedes in 2026. After finishing third in Canada, Hamilton noted Ferrari performs strongly through the opening two sectors but loses time on the long straights. “If you take away the power deficit, we are in the fight with these guys,” Hamilton said. “We are just at the mercy of the lack of power that we have.” Ferrari’s weakness stems from a design decision favouring a smaller turbocharger for responsiveness over peak power. Hamilton sits fourth in the championship, 59 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli.
Sources: RaceFans
Mercedes Abandons Alpine Stake Bid, Calling Asking Price Too High
Mercedes has withdrawn from negotiations to buy Otro Capital’s 24% stake in Alpine, according to a BBC report. Talks had progressed to an agreement in principle with Renault, but Mercedes considered Otro’s 536 million pound asking price too high for an outfit that is not currently profitable. Otro purchased its share for 171 million pounds three years ago, and the proposed valuation placed Alpine at 2.2 billion pounds. Mercedes was said to value the team at between 1.6 billion and 1.8 billion pounds. The stake had also been linked to former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, though Renault is reported to have elected not to continue talks with him following Mercedes departure.
Sources: Crash.net
Ben Sulayem Proposes Removing 12-Year FIA Presidency Term Limit
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has proposed removing the 12-year maximum term limit on the presidency. Current statutes state the president may not serve more than three terms, whether consecutive or not. Ben Sulayem is roughly six months into his second four-year term, having been re-elected in late 2025 as the sole candidate able to stand. Under existing rules he could remain in office until 2033 if re-elected once more; his proposal would eliminate that ceiling entirely. The change is subject to approval by the FIA World Councils and General Assembly, where it is expected to be voted on next month.
Sources: Motorsport.com
F1 Considers Shortening Race Distances to Manage 2027 Engine Transition
Formula 1 is considering shortening selected race distances in 2027 to ease teams transition to revised power unit regulations. Current rules require a minimum race distance of 305 kilometres at most circuits. F1 plans to shift the 2027 power split to approximately 60/40 in favour of the combustion engine, increasing fuel consumption and requiring larger fuel tanks. Calculations suggest reducing race distances by one or two laps at around four circuits on the calendar would address the fuel capacity issue. Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane confirmed at the Canadian Grand Prix that paddock support exists for the shorter race proposal.
Sources: RaceFans
Alonso Explains Canada Retirement: Aston Martin Seat Position Caused Pain
Fernando Alonso has explained he retired from the Canadian Grand Prix due to discomfort caused by Aston Martin’s revised seating position. The team lowered the seat layout this season to reduce the centre of gravity and aerodynamic impact from the driver’s helmet height. Alonso pulled out on lap 24 while running outside the points, telling media: “The position does not feel the right one and we were obviously out of the points, quite far from the points and no threat of rain anymore. So we decided to stop the pain.” Aston Martin’s Mike Krack acknowledged the team may have gone a step too far and said the position would be reviewed.
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 pts
17. Alexander Albon — 1 pts
18. Nico Hulkenberg — 0 pts
19. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
20. Sergio Perez — 0 pts
21. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
22. Fernando Alonso — 0 pts
Constructors Championship
1. Mercedes — 219 pts
2. Ferrari — 147 pts
3. McLaren Mastercard — 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 Revolut — 2 pts
10. Cadillac — 0 pts
11. Aston Martin — 0 pts
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