Hamilton Declares Ferrari Title Bid Real as Austrian GP Weekend Opens
Lewis Hamilton said Ferrari has finally found its “North Star” and the 2026 title race is on, speaking ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. Hamilton, who claimed his first victory for the Scuderia at Barcelona last weekend, believes the team now has the momentum to mount a sustained championship challenge. He currently trails Kimi Antonelli by 41 points heading into Round 10. Antonelli suffered a shock retirement from the Barcelona race three laps from the finish after a component experienced a sudden temperature spike, triggering a battery failure. A new Ferrari power unit featuring a steel-alloy cylinder head is expected to debut in Austria this weekend.
Mercedes Brings Battery Fix to Austria After Antonelli and Russell DNFs
Mercedes will introduce battery fixes at the Austrian Grand Prix following a run of retirements that damaged its championship prospects. Kimi Antonelli confirmed the component causing his Barcelona retirement experienced a sudden sharp temperature spike three laps from the finish, triggering battery failure. George Russell suffered a similarly battery-related retirement in Montreal. The Race reported that Mercedes, as both team and engine supplier, had lost more points than any other outfit through reliability issues in the 2026 season. Antonelli will run a new power unit paired with an updated battery pack featuring corrective measures in Austria, though only one of Mercedes' customer teams will receive the fix this weekend.
Sources: Motorsport.com The Race Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Ferrari Confirms First ADUO-Assisted Power Unit Upgrade for Austrian Grand Prix
Ferrari has committed to introducing its first ADUO-assisted power unit upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix following Lewis Hamilton's maiden victory for the team in Barcelona. The team will ship the third version of its 067/6 power unit to Spielberg, featuring a steel-alloy cylinder head that permits combustion chamber temperatures significantly higher than conventional aluminium designs. The upgrade is paired with a new Shell fuel developed specifically for the configuration. Ferrari received authorisation for two development opportunities under the ADUO programme after the FIA classified the team as more than four percent behind the benchmark power unit. Ferrari's simulation data suggests the upgrade could eliminate the qualifying gap to Mercedes.
Sources: The Race GrandPrix247 Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Red Bull Brings Second Major 2026 Upgrade to Home Race but Gap Remains
Red Bull Racing brings a second major upgrade package to its home Austrian Grand Prix, but team bosses have cautioned it alone will not close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari. The update focuses on further weight reduction, as the car remains above the minimum weight limit of 768kg. Technical director Pierre Wache previously stated the plan was to reach minimum weight with the Austrian package. Team boss Mekies estimated Red Bull still requires approximately four tenths of a second per lap relative to rivals. Max Verstappen, seventh in the championship with 55 points, described himself as excited to test the new parts at the Red Bull Ring.
Sources: Motorsport.com Motorsport.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Mercedes and Racing Bulls Forced to Modify Diffusers Under FIA Technical Directive
Mercedes and Racing Bulls have been required to modify their diffuser designs following a technical directive issued by the FIA, in force from the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. Mercedes' diffuser design introduced at Montreal, which featured spike-like profiles on the upper section, drew attention from Ferrari and other rivals who sought FIA clarification on whether they could develop a similar solution. The governing body declined to approve the concept and issued a directive addressing solutions it was not comfortable with. The spike-like profiles have been removed from the Mercedes car, though diffuser extensions remain, and Racing Bulls made corresponding changes to its design.
Sources: Motorsport.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FIA Ratifies 2027 Engine Power Split Shift Away from 50/50 Formula
The FIA has ratified changes to Formula 1's engine regulations for 2027 and 2028, moving away from the current 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric power. The framework will raise ICE output from 400kW to 420kW for 2027 and 450kW by 2028, with the electrical component capped at 300kW maximum. Alongside the power changes, modifications to wet weather boost mode were also ratified: boost mode will be permitted in low-grip conditions solely to prevent power reductions without increasing output, with the overtake function disabled. Max Verstappen, who had warned about his F1 future if engine rules were not addressed, said the ratified adjustments were “heading in the right direction.”
Sources: Crash.net Motorsport.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Monaco GP Result Heads to FIA International Court as Gasly Receives Trophy
Pierre Gasly received his Monaco Grand Prix third-place trophy this week despite McLaren and Red Bull Racing taking their appeal against the reinstated result to the FIA's International Court of Appeal in Geneva. Gasly had originally received two time penalties for speeding in the pit lane, but Alpine contested the decisions after FOM conceded the speed measurement device had been out by 77cm. The stewards subsequently reinstated Gasly's podium, relegating Isack Hadjar, who had already appeared on the podium in his place. McLaren and Red Bull formally objected, arguing the decision rewarded Gasly for not serving his penalties on track during the race itself.
Sources: Crash.net Motorsport.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FIA Declares Heat Hazard for Austrian GP as Temperatures Expected to Hit 31°C
The FIA has declared a Heat Hazard for the Austrian Grand Prix weekend at the Red Bull Ring after forecast temperatures are expected to exceed 31 degrees Celsius on race day. The declaration requires drivers to either wear mandatory cooling vests or carry additional ballast in their cars. The regulation was introduced following extreme conditions at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where several drivers were left requiring medical attention. A new rule tweak for 2026 also allows the Heat Hazard declaration to be split between a sprint race and the main race at sprint weekends. Austria is not a sprint venue this year, so the standard declaration applies.
Sources: Motorsport.com Crash.net Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Mercedes Set to Announce Russell Contract Decision with Verstappen Implications
Mercedes is expected to announce a decision on George Russell's contract ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, with reports indicating the outcome could influence Max Verstappen's plans for 2027. Russell has won one race in 2026 compared to team-mate Kimi Antonelli's five victories and trails him by 50 points in the standings. Verstappen holds an exit clause in his Red Bull contract understood to activate if he falls outside the championship's top two by the Hungarian Grand Prix. Currently seventh with 55 points, the Dutchman is well outside that threshold. Red Bull is also bringing a major upgrade package to Austria with the aim of demonstrating competitive potential.
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 — 6 pts
15. Alexander Albon — 5 pts
16. Esteban Ocon — 3 pts
17. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
18. Fernando Alonso — 1 pts
19. Nico Hülkenberg — 0 pts
20. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
21. Sergio Pérez — 0 pts
22. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
Constructors' Championship
1. Mercedes — 262 pts
2. Ferrari — 190 pts
3. McLaren Mastercard — 141 pts
4. Red Bull Racing — 89 pts
5. Alpine — 57 pts
6. Racing Bulls — 41 pts
7. Haas — 21 pts
8. Williams — 11 pts
9. Audi Revolut — 2 pts
10. Aston Martin — 1 pts
11. Cadillac — 0 pts
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.