Samwise F1 Newsletter
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Antonelli to Start Italian GP from Back of Grid After Mercedes Confirms Full Engine Change
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli will start from the back of the grid at his home Italian Grand Prix at Monza after Mercedes confirmed a full power unit change. Antonelli has reached the limit of his permitted components following reliability failures during the season, including DNFs in Barcelona and Silverstone. Mercedes opted to serve the penalty at Monza because its high-speed layout offers more overtaking opportunities than circuits like Zandvoort or Baku. Antonelli said the team chose Monza because overtaking is easier there, adding that his focus is the championship. Despite the back-of-grid start, Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship by 59 points over George Russell.
Sources: Sky Sports F1
Norris Signs New McLaren Contract Through at Least 2030
Lando Norris has signed a new contract with McLaren keeping him at the team until at least 2030, with an option to extend further. The reigning world champion has raced for McLaren throughout his F1 career since 2019. The announcement was made during McLaren’s factory open day on August 29, with CEO Zak Brown describing the deal as a reflection of their commitment to developing world-class talent. Norris received an MCL39 — the car he drove to his title-winning 2025 season — as a signing bonus. McLaren confirmed a multi-year option to extend beyond 2030, cementing Norris as the team’s long-term cornerstone.
Ferrari Commits to ADUO 2 Engine Debut at Monza After Reliability Sign-Off
Ferrari has confirmed it will introduce its upgraded ADUO 2 power unit at next weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The 067/7 engine features an upgraded and larger turbocharger along with combustion chamber modifications and a new Shell-approved high-calorie fuel optimised for Monza, with engineers targeting a power gain of approximately 15 horsepower. Ferrari will also debut a more aerodynamically efficient version of its Macarena rear wing at the circuit. The engine passed the required reliability threshold in repeated bench tests before Ferrari approved its race debut. The upgrade arrives at a circuit where raw power is at a premium.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Ferrari Reveals Schumacher Tribute Race Suits for Hamilton and Leclerc at Monza
Ferrari has unveiled special race suits that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will wear at the Italian Grand Prix in honour of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. The one-off suits retain Ferrari’s iconic red design but feature white stripes down the front, sleeves and shoulders, with seven stars on the upper back representing Schumacher’s championships. The Schumacher logo appears on the waist and race boots of both drivers. Ferrari is also preparing a special car livery for the SF-26, styled as a contemporary reinterpretation of the 1996 Ferrari F310 with red, black and gold-coloured wheels. The tributes coincide with the Italian GP weekend scheduled for September 4–6.
Mercedes Confirm Russell Will Also Take Grid Penalty, Race Undecided
Mercedes has confirmed that George Russell will take a grid penalty in the second half of the 2026 season to fit a fresh power unit, though the team has not yet decided at which race. Russell suffered a power unit failure at the Canadian Grand Prix and a further problem during qualifying at the Hungarian GP, making a fifth engine necessary. Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord acknowledged the trade-off between running high-mileage components and absorbing a grid-drop. Team-mate Kimi Antonelli has already been confirmed to take his penalty at the Italian GP in Monza, where overtaking is considered easier than most circuits.
Colapinto Confirmed at Alpine for 2027 Alongside Gasly
Franco Colapinto has secured a new deal to remain at Alpine for the 2027 Formula 1 season, the team confirmed. The Argentine driver will continue alongside Pierre Gasly, giving Alpine a settled lineup heading into next year. Colapinto earned the extension through consistent performances in the second half of 2026, including a career-best sixth-place finish in Montreal. Alpine executive Flavio Briatore stated the team was pleased to confirm Colapinto alongside Gasly, emphasising the importance of continuity. The announcement effectively closes Alpine’s 2027 driver market, with Colapinto accumulating 19 championship points in the 2026 season.
Italian GP at Monza Set to Be Season-Defining Weekend with Penalties, Upgrades and Tributes
Formula 1 heads to the Autodromo Nazionale Monza for the Italian Grand Prix from September 4–6, 2026, in what promises to be a pivotal round of the season. Kimi Antonelli will start from the back of the grid after taking a fresh power unit, while Ferrari’s upgraded ADUO 2 engine offers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc extra horsepower at the Temple of Speed. Ferrari also carries a special Michael Schumacher tribute livery into its home race. With Antonelli’s 59-point championship lead set to be tested and McLaren’s Lando Norris confirmed in a new long-term deal, the Italian GP arrives loaded with narrative.
Sources: Sky Sports F1
Drivers’ Championship
| Pos | Driver | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | K. Antonelli | 242 |
| 2 | G. Russell | 183 |
| 3 | L. Hamilton | 183 |
| 4 | L. Norris | 159 |
| 5 | C. Leclerc | 155 |
| 6 | M. Verstappen | 112 |
| 7 | O. Piastri | 104 |
| 8 | I. Hadjar | 68 |
| 9 | L. Lawson | 49 |
| 10 | P. Gasly | 44 |
| 11 | A. Lindblad | 23 |
| 12 | F. Colapinto | 19 |
| 13 | O. Bearman | 18 |
| 14 | G. Bortoleto | 10 |
| 15 | N. Hulkenberg | 6 |
| 16 | C. Sainz | 6 |
| 17 | A. Albon | 5 |
| 18 | E. Ocon | 3 |
| 19 | F. Alonso | 3 |
| 20 | Y. Tsunoda | 0 |
Constructors’ Championship
| Pos | Constructor | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes | 425 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 338 |
| 3 | McLaren | 263 |
| 4 | Red Bull | 186 |
| 5 | Racing Bulls | 66 |
| 6 | Alpine | 63 |
| 7 | Haas | 21 |
| 8 | Audi | 16 |
| 9 | Williams | 11 |
| 10 | Aston Martin | 3 |
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