Samwise F1 Newsletter
Monday, October 19, 2026
Wolff Plays Down Antonelli’s Chances of Clinching the Title in Austin
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff does not expect Kimi Antonelli to wrap up the 2026 Formula 1 title at the United States Grand Prix, calling it “not a likely scenario.” Antonelli holds a 102-point lead over teammate George Russell, with Lewis Hamilton nine points further back on 229. To clinch it in Austin, Antonelli must win the race while Russell finishes ninth or lower and Hamilton fifth or lower. Doing so would make him the youngest world champion in history. “I remind myself that this is motor racing and crazy things have happened,” Wolff said, adding it could come “in Mexico or Brazil, or further down the line.”
Ferrari to Bring Its Biggest Upgrade of 2026 to the US Grand Prix
Ferrari is preparing to introduce its fourth and most significant aerodynamic upgrade package of the 2026 season at the United States Grand Prix, according to The Race. The Austin package will modify the SF-26’s floor, sidepods and upper bodywork, with the floor revised from the front section through to the diffuser. Ferrari chose not to radically change its sidepod concept, instead optimising existing solutions, with the main objective believed to be reducing drag. The new floor also aims to address an aerodynamic balance still too heavily biased towards the front. After Austin, SF-26 development will be mainly limited to circuit-specific adaptations as attention shifts to next year’s car.
Mekies Says Red Bull Has No More Upgrades Planned Despite Its Resurgence
Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies has said the team has no further car updates planned, despite its recent return to race-winning form. Speaking to Sky Sports after Max Verstappen converted pole position into victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, Mekies said: “It’s also equally true that we have not planned anymore updates. So, let’s see what the competition brings.” He added that Red Bull has “performed well now in quite a few layouts” and should be fighting for top positions on the coming tracks. Mekies described the team’s relationship with Verstappen as “brutally honest,” saying: “That’s the way we go racing, and that we’re not going to change.”
Honda Chief Admits ‘Wasted Two Years’ as Aston Martin Struggles Continue
Outgoing Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe has admitted the company “essentially wasted two years” developing its Formula 1 power unit for Aston Martin, describing it as “clearly inferior” to rivals based on FIA performance measurements. Speaking to the Japanese edition of Motorsport.com, Watanabe said the main reason was a late start to development, with the electric components prioritised before the combustion engine. Separately, The Race reported that Honda found no fault in Fernando Alonso’s engine after he retired in Baku complaining of lost straight-line speed, nor any evidence of the turbo problem he reported in Singapore. Watanabe will be replaced by Keiichi Yasuda at the end of the year.
Lawson ‘Very, Very Happy’ as Racing Bulls Weighs Its 2027 Line-Up
Liam Lawson has declared himself “very, very happy” with Racing Bulls as the team prepares to decide its 2027 driver line-up. The team reached 100 points after Singapore, where Lawson finished fifth in the Sprint and seventh in the Grand Prix, building a 32-point buffer over Alpine in the fight for fifth in the Constructors’ standings. Racing Bulls has yet to decide whether to retain Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad, with Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov also under consideration. Team principal Alan Permane said a decision will come “in the coming weeks.” Lawson cautioned that fifth is “not secure,” recalling Alpine’s double podium in Brazil in 2024.
Komatsu Says Toyota Backing Could Not Buy a Haas Race Seat
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu says he told TGR boss Akio Toyoda from the start that Toyota backing would not guarantee one of its drivers a race seat, after Rafael Camara was named the team’s new driver for 2027. Toyota-backed Ryo Hirakawa had tested at Portimao in late August alongside Camara and McLaren reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli. Komatsu recalled telling Toyoda that “this driver, whoever your driver is going to be, has to be the fastest one.” He said a driver who gained the seat through backing would be labelled a Toyota pay driver, and that Toyoda was “absolutely fine” when told of the decision in person after Singapore.
Verstappen Condemns Abuse of Teammate Lulham and Targets the 2027 Spa 24 Hours
Max Verstappen has spoken out against online abuse aimed at his GT teammate Chris Lulham after the GT World Challenge Europe finale at Portimao. Lulham received a drive-through penalty for contact that sent Luca Stolz’s Mercedes spinning, and Verstappen took over in 24th with 45 minutes left before charging to ninth. “These personal attacks are not okay. Chris had a really strong stint and mistakes can happen,” Verstappen posted on X. He also reaffirmed his intention to race at next year’s Spa 24 Hours, saying: “It’s my favourite track, of course, so I’m trying to make it work.” The 2027 event takes place June 24–27.
Monaco Rules Out Track Changes as Drivers Question Street-Circuit Sprints
Automobile Club of Monaco president Michel Boeri has ruled out altering the Monaco circuit to improve overtaking, telling Nice-Matin that demolishing or moving parts of the track would require it to be re-homologated by the FIA. Separately, Charles Leclerc said in Singapore that he does not think Sprint races make sense on city tracks, adding that “here or Monaco, I don’t think it adds anything to the weekend.” Lewis Hamilton suggested Singapore’s Marina Bay circuit needs “maybe a longer straight,” while Max Verstappen agreed but said Overtake Mode “barely does anything” there. Monaco is included on the expanded 10-Sprint schedule for 2027.
Round 17 of 23 — After the Singapore Grand Prix
Drivers’ Championship
| Pos | Driver | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | K. Antonelli | 340 |
| 2 | G. Russell | 238 |
| 3 | L. Hamilton | 229 |
| 4 | M. Verstappen | 221 |
| 5 | C. Leclerc | 215 |
| 6 | L. Norris | 201 |
| 7 | O. Piastri | 138 |
| 8 | I. Hadjar | 97 |
| 9 | L. Lawson | 75 |
| 10 | P. Gasly | 41 |
| 11 | A. Lindblad | 38 |
| 12 | F. Colapinto | 27 |
| 13 | O. Bearman | 23 |
| 14 | N. Hülkenberg | 13 |
| 15 | G. Bortoleto | 10 |
| 16 | E. Ocon | 7 |
| 17 | F. Alonso | 7 |
| 18 | C. Sainz | 7 |
| 19 | A. Albon | 5 |
| 20 | Y. Tsunoda | 1 |
| 21 | L. Stroll | 0 |
| 22 | V. Bottas | 0 |
| 23 | S. Pérez | 0 |
Constructors’ Championship
| Pos | Constructor | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes | 578 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 444 |
| 3 | McLaren | 339 |
| 4 | Red Bull Racing | 332 |
| 5 | Racing Bulls | 100 |
| 6 | Alpine | 68 |
| 7 | Haas | 30 |
| 8 | Audi | 23 |
| 9 | Williams | 12 |
| 10 | Aston Martin | 7 |
| 11 | Cadillac | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency