Verstappen Exit Clause Confirmed as Manager Hints at Pre-Summer Decision
Max Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen has publicly confirmed the four-time world champion holds an exit clause in his Red Bull contract. The clause allows Verstappen to leave after 2026 if he is not inside the top two in the standings at the summer break. With Verstappen seventh on 55 points — 101 behind leader Kimi Antonelli — activation is highly likely. Vermeulen indicated a decision on Verstappen's future could come before the summer break. Mercedes, holders of the dominant 2026 car, have been strongly linked. Toto Wolff has publicly pursued Verstappen for consecutive seasons, and this summer represents the most realistic opportunity yet for a move to the Silver Arrows.
FIA Grants Mercedes Hearing on Russell's Monaco Penalty as Right of Review Process Continues
FIA stewards have confirmed a virtual hearing on Saturday to assess Mercedes' Right of Review request over George Russell's Monaco Grand Prix penalties. The hearing will first determine whether Mercedes has presented new and significant evidence unavailable at the time of the original decision. Russell received a five-second penalty for pitlane speeding at Monaco and a subsequent drive-through after stewards ruled it had not been correctly served. Alpine's successful review for Pierre Gasly — which restored his third-place finish after FOM acknowledged an error in the timing system's distance measurement — gives Mercedes grounds to argue the same discrepancy affected Russell's penalty.
Sources: RaceFans, Motorsport.com
Madrid GP Promoters Prepare Night Shifts to Complete Madring Circuit Before September Debut
Madrid Grand Prix organisers say they are prepared to run 24-hour construction shifts at the Madring circuit to ensure the venue is ready for its September Formula 1 debut. A circuit director told Reuters the site's licence permits night working and that buffer time has been built in. The FIA has completed two mandatory circuit inspections, with a third scheduled for mid-August. Organisers also confirmed the asphalt will be water-blasted before the race to improve grip. Race ambassador Carlos Sainz unveiled the official event poster and his personal Team Fifty5 fan zone grandstand at a ceremony earlier this week.
Sources: RaceFans
Leclerc and Zhou Log Over 2,800 Kilometres in Barcelona Pirelli Tyre Development Test
Ferrari reserve Arthur Leclerc and Cadillac's Zhou Guanyu completed a Pirelli tyre development test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Wednesday. Leclerc set 141 laps across 657 kilometres with a best time of 1:17.430, while Zhou logged 130 laps over 605 kilometres, best 1:19.321. The sessions form part of Pirelli's 2026 tyre evaluation programme as the Italian manufacturer refines its compounds mid-season. Over the two days, more than 2,800 kilometres were accumulated at the venue across all participating cars. The Barcelona circuit hosted what is likely its final Formula 1 race last weekend ahead of Madrid taking over the Spanish Grand Prix from 2027.
Sources: RaceFans
Hamilton Tells Ferrari He Wants More Red on the Car After Childhood Livery Nostalgia
Lewis Hamilton has told Ferrari the current car's livery does not carry enough red, singling out the white cockpit area as an element he wants returned to the team's traditional colour. Hamilton joined the Scuderia this season after twelve years at Mercedes and made the comments in an interview published Wednesday, days after his first Ferrari race victory in Barcelona. The win ended a five-race run of victories for Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes. Hamilton said the white cockpit does not resemble the classic Ferrari liveries he remembers from his childhood, adding that he will continue working with the team on future livery decisions.
Sources: RaceFans
Drivers' Championship
1. Kimi Antonelli — 156 pts
2. Lewis Hamilton — 115 pts
3. George Russell — 106 pts
4. Charles Leclerc — 75 pts
5. Lando Norris — 73 pts
6. Oscar Piastri — 68 pts
7. Max Verstappen — 55 pts
8. Pierre Gasly — 41 pts
9. Isack Hadjar — 34 pts
10. Liam Lawson — 28 pts
11. Oliver Bearman — 18 pts
12. Franco Colapinto — 16 pts
13. Arvid Lindblad — 13 pts
14. Carlos Sainz Jr. — 6 pts
15. Alexander Albon — 5 pts
16. Esteban Ocon — 3 pts
17. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
18. Fernando Alonso — 1 pt
19. Nico Hülkenberg — 0 pts
20. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
21. Sergio Perez — 0 pts
22. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
Constructors' Championship
1. Mercedes — 262 pts
2. Ferrari — 190 pts
3. McLaren — 141 pts
4. Red Bull — 89 pts
5. Alpine — 57 pts
6. Racing Bulls — 41 pts
7. Haas — 21 pts
8. Williams — 11 pts
9. Audi — 2 pts
10. Aston Martin — 1 pt
11. Cadillac — 0 pts
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