FIA bans active aero and imposes new engine speed cap for Monaco Grand Prix
Active aerodynamics will be entirely disabled at the Monaco Grand Prix, the FIA has confirmed, making it the first circuit of 2026 to run without straight mode. Safety concerns over speeds at the tunnel exit and Sainte Devote, where run-off space is virtually nil, drove the decision. Cars will also run a new Rev1 engine mapping that begins tapering MGU-K power output at 200km/h rather than the standard 290km/h. Ferrari, regarded as the strongest chassis through slow corners, is tipped to challenge Mercedes on the Monaco streets. A new compression ratio measurement rule also takes effect from June 1, the opening round of the revised protocol.
Mercedes admits Russell's Canadian GP battery failure could take months to diagnose
Mercedes has revealed that diagnosing the root cause of George Russell's battery failure at the Canadian Grand Prix could take several months. Deputy team principal Bradley Lord told the Mercedes radio show the ERS system suffered a sudden kill as Russell entered Turn 8 on lap 30, causing heat damage across the module. The hardware must undergo specialist safety procedures before shipment to the UK, further delaying any deep investigation. Technical director James Allison confirmed the failure was catastrophic, adding that the team still does not know what triggered it. Russell now trails championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 43 points heading into Monaco.
Sources: GPFans
Mercedes exits Alpine ownership bid as Horner-led consortium moves to the front
Mercedes has withdrawn from talks to acquire Otro Capital's 24 per cent stake in the Alpine F1 team after failing to agree on valuation. Otro is asking $720 million for the holding, a figure that values the Enstone-based outfit at $3 billion, well above what Mercedes considers fair given Otro paid $233 million for the stake in June 2023. A consortium led by former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner remains interested. Majority shareholder Renault holds veto rights over any sale until September. The development comes as Alpine separately confirmed a title sponsorship deal with luxury brand Gucci from the 2027 season.
Sources: Motorsport.com, GPFans
COTA and Liberty Media face lawsuit over luxury watch theft at US Grand Prix
Formula 1 parent company Liberty Media and circuit operator COTA face a civil lawsuit over a luxury watch theft that occurred during the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. Austin police arrested a group of suspects accused of working in concert to steal high-value watches from two victims, including a Richard Mille timepiece worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The lawsuit was filed against COTA and Liberty Media on behalf of the victim in the second theft. The case is among a series of targeted luxury watch thefts at F1 events in the United States that have prompted increasing concern about fan security.
Steiner brands Verstappen a 'hypocrite' over his ongoing 2026 F1 regulation criticism
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has accused Max Verstappen of hypocrisy in his ongoing criticism of Formula 1's 2026 technical regulations. Steiner, now a pundit, suggested Verstappen's complaints about the hybrid power unit formula are tactical rather than sincere, designed to pressure the FIA and manufacturers into further regulation changes. Steiner said: "Obviously Max after the race had to go out there and say I still don't really like them, even if I like them a little bit, but I still want to change the regs." Verstappen confirmed at the Canadian Grand Prix that he will remain on the Formula 1 grid in 2027.
Sources: GPFans
Newey donates £10,000 as F1 paddock rallies behind Rob Wilson's kidney transplant fund
Leading figures from across Formula 1 have donated to a campaign raising funds for veteran driving coach Rob Wilson, who requires a kidney transplant. The 73-year-old New Zealander, who has coached F1 champions including Kimi Räikkönen and Nico Rosberg, has been battling kidney failure for nearly two years. A living donor has now come forward, enabling the transplant to proceed. F1 design legend Adrian Newey has contributed £10,000 to the fundraiser, with McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown donating £7,500. The campaign is targeting £185,000 to cover associated costs not covered by the NHS. Wilson has also worked with current grid drivers including Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez.
Stroll treats Aston Martin team to smoked meat sandwiches after troubled Canada weekend
Lance Stroll lifted team spirits at Aston Martin following a difficult Canadian Grand Prix by taking the entire outfit to Lester's Deli, a Montreal institution, for smoked meat sandwiches. Stroll, who grew up in Montreal, revived the tradition he began in his early years with the team. Aston Martin had a miserable weekend in Canada: Stroll finished 15th after receiving a penalty, while Fernando Alonso retired with a seat problem. The team remains scoreless after five races in 2026, sitting at the bottom of the constructors' championship alongside Cadillac. Despite the on-track struggles, Stroll said the team's morale and collective effort remain strong.
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 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
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