Turkish Grand Prix Returns to F1 Calendar from 2027 in New Long-Term Istanbul Park Deal
Formula 1 has confirmed that the Turkish Grand Prix will return to the world championship calendar from 2027 under a new long-term deal with Istanbul Park. The circuit, celebrated for its challenging multi-apex Turn 8, last hosted an F1 race in 2021 as a pandemic-era replacement venue, and has not featured on a permanent commercial basis since 2011. Turkey effectively replaces Barcelona-Catalunya, which hosts its final race this year before Madrid takes over as Spain’s F1 home. The deal brings the provisional 2027 calendar to at least 24 rounds, with Istanbul’s fast, flowing layout and notoriously abrasive tarmac widely considered one of the sport’s most technically demanding venues.
Sources: Crash.net, Sky Sports F1
Red Bull Trials Ferrari-Inspired Rotating Rear Wing as Part of Major Miami Upgrade
Red Bull Racing tested a Ferrari-inspired rotating rear wing during an April filming day, signalling a significantly revised RB22 will arrive at Miami. The Macarena wing rotates nearly 180 degrees to reduce drag on straights, a concept pioneered by Ferrari this season, with early estimates suggesting a top speed gain of up to 10 km/h. Red Bull has scored just 16 points across three rounds, with Max Verstappen describing the RB22 as undriveable throughout the opening phase. Additional updates included changes to the front wing and sidepods. Team principal Laurent Mekies expressed confidence the April break would help unlock significant improvement from a car that has badly underperformed expectations.
Sources: GPFans
McLaren to Bring Most Comprehensive Upgrade of 2026 Season to Miami Grand Prix
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has confirmed the MCL40 arriving in Miami will be the team’s most comprehensive upgrade of the 2026 season, calling it effectively an entirely new car. The Woking outfit used the five-week April break to develop extensive aerodynamic revisions, targeting the performance gap that leaves them third in the constructors’ standings. Stella expressed confidence in the development progress and expects a significantly more competitive car in Miami and beyond. Mercedes remain the clear benchmark, but McLaren’s upgrade ambition means the championship picture could look very different after the Florida sprint weekend concludes.
Sources: GPFans
Audi Appoints Allan McNish as Racing Director Following Jonathan Wheatley’s Departure
Audi has appointed three-time Le Mans winner and former Formula 1 driver Allan McNish as its new racing director, filling the leadership gap left by Jonathan Wheatley’s unexpected departure. McNish, who built his management credentials leading Audi’s FIA World Endurance Championship programme, brings deep motorsport experience to a team still finding its footing in its debut F1 season. The Scot is widely respected across the paddock for his technical acuity and measured leadership style, and will work closely alongside team principal Mattia Binotto. The appointment is seen as a significant stabilising move for Audi, which sits eighth in the constructors’ standings with just two points from its opening three races.
Sources: Formula 1
McLaren Open Early-Release Talks to Land Verstappen’s Engineer Lambiase from Red Bull
McLaren have opened formal discussions with Red Bull to secure the early release of Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s race engineer and Red Bull’s head of racing. Lambiase agreed to join McLaren as chief racing officer in a deal confirmed earlier this month, with his Red Bull contract running until 2028. McLaren CEO Zak Brown confirmed talks are underway to bring the move forward. The development prompted a stark warning from Verstappen, who has stated he will retire from Formula 1 the moment Lambiase ceases to be his engineer. Lambiase has engineered Verstappen since 2016 and is widely credited as a key figure behind all four of his world championship titles.
Sources: GPFans, Sky Sports F1
Why Verstappen’s 2026 Criticism Can No Longer Be Dismissed — Analysis
Max Verstappen’s sustained criticism of the 2026 regulations is gaining broader support as Red Bull’s competitive crisis deepens. Former F1 team manager Peter Windsor argues in a detailed analysis that Verstappen’s concerns can no longer be dismissed as sour grapes from a champion in a fast car — he is now clearly in an uncompetitive one. The FIA has acknowledged some feedback, announcing minor adjustments ahead of Miami, but Windsor contends the fundamental aerodynamic and power unit issues remain unresolved. George Russell countered that Verstappen would not be so vocal if he were winning. Red Bull sit sixth in the constructors’ standings with 16 points from three rounds.
Sources: GPFans
In Numbers: How Russell vs Antonelli Is Tracking Against Mercedes’ Greatest Intra-Team Battles
George Russell leads Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli by nine points in the drivers’ championship, setting up an intra-team battle that Formula 1’s own data shows is tracking ahead of some of the sport’s most storied Mercedes rivalries. In a statistical comparison across the first three rounds, Antonelli’s pace and consistency relative to his team-mate outperforms the trajectories of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at comparable career stages with the team. The 18-year-old Italian has already claimed a race victory, while Russell responds with relentless points accumulation. With Miami approaching, the duo’s dynamic is emerging as the championship’s most compelling subplot.
Sources: Formula 1
Alonso Reveals Why Retiring from F1 Would Be ‘Difficult to Accept’
Fernando Alonso has revealed that retirement from Formula 1 would be difficult to accept, dismissing speculation about calling time on his career at the end of the 2026 season. Speaking at the Monaco Historique, the 44-year-old double world champion — now a first-time father after partner Melissa Jimenez gave birth to a baby boy named Leonard — said the pull of racing remains as strong as ever despite Aston Martin’s painful struggles in the new regulations. Alonso, who has competed in 428 Grands Prix across nearly three decades, says competitive motivation remains the sole criterion for when he eventually steps back from the sport.
Sources: GPFans
Drivers' Championship
1. Kimi Antonelli — 72 pts
2. George Russell — 63 pts
3. Charles Leclerc — 49 pts
4. Lewis Hamilton — 41 pts
5. Lando Norris — 25 pts
6. Oscar Piastri — 21 pts
7. Oliver Bearman — 17 pts
8. Pierre Gasly — 15 pts
9. Max Verstappen — 12 pts
10. Liam Lawson — 10 pts
11. Arvid Lindblad — 4 pts
12. Isack Hadjar — 4 pts
13. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
14. Carlos Sainz — 2 pts
15. Esteban Ocon — 1 pt
16. Franco Colapinto — 1 pt
17. Nico Hülkenberg — 0 pts
18. Alexander Albon — 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 — 135 pts
2. Ferrari — 90 pts
3. McLaren — 46 pts
4. Haas F1 Team — 18 pts
5. Alpine — 16 pts
6. Red Bull Racing — 16 pts
7. Racing Bulls — 14 pts
8. Audi — 2 pts
9. Williams — 2 pts
10. Cadillac — 0 pts
11. Aston Martin — 0 pts