By Callum Ashford — 30 June 2026 — 4 min read

Major Car Overhaul Planned

Adrian Newey, the team principal for Aston Martin, has confirmed that the team plans to introduce its first major performance upgrade of the season at the Hungarian Grand Prix. This event is scheduled to take place from 24-26 July, occurring before the sport’s summer break. The upgrade aims to address the team’s challenging start to the season, which has seen them consistently at the back of the field.

The decision to delay performance improvements until a single, meaningful step could be introduced was a cost-effective approach, according to Newey. The planned changes are set to focus on substantial weight reduction and significant aerodynamic revisions. While the core structure of the car will remain similar, the upgrade includes a new nose and extensively revised aerodynamic surfaces. The rear suspension will also see slight revisions, though the front suspension is expected to remain unchanged. The primary goal is to bring the car very close to the weight limit.

Newey noted that the team’s current car is considerably overweight on the chassis side. This issue stems partly from integrating the power unit and managing vibration problems with Honda, their new engine partner. He also acknowledged that the team did not perform as well as they should have in saving weight during the design phase. Newey explained that designing under pressure often leads to weight being the first compromise, as there isn’t sufficient time to optimise every component thoroughly.

Aerodynamically, the team took a bold direction, largely influenced by Newey himself, without the luxury of exploring multiple concepts in depth due to time constraints. While he does not believe the chosen direction is fundamentally incorrect, it has presented unexpected challenges. This upcoming upgrade will be the first major development tested with Aston Martin’s new tools and procedures, and with Newey at the helm.

Organisational Changes and Health Challenges

The difficult start to the season, characterised by a car lacking performance and being overweight, was attributed by Newey to a combination of factors. These include a late design process following his arrival in March of the previous year, and the discovery that the team’s organisational processes were not fit for purpose. Newey stated that this challenging period has been utilised as an opportunity to overhaul their working methods. He highlighted that the team was relying on outdated tools and processes, some of which dated back to the early days of the Jordan team.

Newey clarified his role as team principal, a title he adopted in November of the previous year. He explained that while it is a formal requirement under FIA regulations, for Aston Martin, it signifies that he is ultimately responsible for key strategic decisions. He also revealed that he has been dealing with a period of illness, stating, “I’m OK now, but it’s been a difficult period.” He added that he was not at 100% last year and had to balance his health and work more carefully, commending the team for their support and adaptability during this time.

The team’s efforts to improve their internal capabilities are ongoing, with more components now being produced in-house. This shift is expected to provide better cost control, increased flexibility, and greater control over their manufacturing processes. Newey believes this approach will lead to better quality control, improved responsiveness, and a tighter feedback loop from research to design and manufacture.

Impact on Driver Fernando Alonso’s Future

The success of the chassis upgrade could be a crucial factor in lead driver Fernando Alonso’s decision regarding his future with the team. Alonso, who will be 45 in July, is out of contract at the end of the current season. While he has expressed commitment to Aston Martin, he has not yet decided whether to continue in Formula 1 or pursue other racing opportunities.

Newey emphasised the upgrade’s importance to Alonso, stating that the driver is eagerly anticipating it. He hopes that if the upgrade performs well, Alonso will remain in the cockpit for another season. Newey praised Alonso’s experience, his feel for the car, and his ability to guide development, calling him a tremendous asset. However, he noted that Alonso requires clear and tangible progress from the team.

Despite the high expectations, Newey was reluctant to provide specific performance estimates for the upgrade. He explained that the team’s simulation tools are not yet as sophisticated or well-correlated as needed. He acknowledged that historically, there hasn’t been sufficient investment in engineering simulation tools at the team, but efforts are now being made to rectify this. While improvements are being seen, the full benefits of this investment are expected to materialise later in the year. The Hungarian Grand Prix will host the introduction of this significant upgrade.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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By Oliver Harrington — 27 June 2026 — 4 min read

Russell’s ‘Magic Lap’ and Quick Thinking

George Russell secured an unexpected pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix, a result attributed to his quick thinking and what he described as a “magic lap.” This achievement came after a dramatic end to qualifying, which saw Max Verstappen crash at Turn Nine during his final lap. Russell’s ability to navigate the yellow flag zone correctly, lifting off just enough to comply with regulations without compromising his lap significantly, proved crucial.

The Briton’s performance allowed him to surpass the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who had momentarily appeared set for a front-row lock-out. Russell’s teammate, Kimi Antonelli, who had held provisional pole, slowed down considerably, mistakenly believing he saw double yellow flags, which ultimately relegated him to fourth.

Russell had not been considered a strong contender for pole for much of the weekend in Austria, having lagged behind Antonelli in the initial qualifying sessions. However, he found his rhythm in the third session, finishing just 0.043 seconds behind Antonelli before delivering a decisive final lap. He described the lap as an “upward spiral” where nailing the first turn led to better tyre temperatures and increased grip throughout the circuit, culminating in a performance he found “unbelievable.”

Controversy and Context of the Yellow Flags

The events surrounding Verstappen’s crash and the subsequent flag deployment raised several questions. Verstappen lost control of his car at Turn Nine, a fast corner taken at nearly 140mph, and collided with the wall after scything across the gravel trap. Initially, only a single yellow flag was waved, indicating drivers should back off. It took approximately 20 seconds for race control to upgrade this to a double yellow flag, by which time many drivers had already completed their laps.

Verstappen characterized the situation as “quite crazy,” while Antonelli found it “a bit confusing.” Antonelli admitted that he aborted his lap due to his mistaken belief that double yellow flags were displayed, which instruct drivers to immediately abort their lap. Even without this error, he conceded he would not have beaten Russell’s time, though he believed it would have been a very close contest for the front row.

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, confirmed that Russell executed a 100-metre lift through the yellow flags, which cost him about a tenth and a half of a second. This decision-making under pressure allowed Russell to maintain enough pace to secure pole position, with a lead of two-tenths over Leclerc and Hamilton. Russell himself stated he believed the single yellow flag was appropriate for the situation, as Verstappen’s crash was due to attacking and losing control, rather than an immediate danger requiring a double yellow.

Implications for Russell and the Race

This pole position marks a significant moment for Russell, who has experienced a challenging season. He fell 68 points behind Antonelli in the championship after a penalty in Monaco dropped him from third to twelfth. This followed a retirement from the lead in Canada, struggles with pace in Miami, and other adverse circumstances in earlier races. His only recent stroke of good fortune was in Spain, where Antonelli retired after passing Russell for second place behind Hamilton’s winning Ferrari.

Russell expressed confidence that this pole could be a turning point. He stated, “I just need to get that click,” referring to the feeling he found in qualifying, similar to performances in Barcelona, Canada, Melbourne, and China. He believes that with this renewed confidence, positive race results will eventually follow. He remains 50 points behind Antonelli in the championship and is aiming for a win in the upcoming race, which would be his first since the opening race of the season in Australia.

Looking ahead to the race, Mercedes is considered a favourite, with two cars from both Mercedes and Ferrari in contention, offering strategic options. However, the field appears unusually open. McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri qualified sixth and seventh, respectively, but Norris showed competitive pace during race-simulation runs in Friday practice. Verstappen, despite his crash, will start fifth and his team has introduced a significant upgrade this weekend, which could improve their race pace.

Ferrari, despite an engine upgrade, has not appeared to be a threat to Mercedes for a win this weekend. Hamilton noted that Mercedes had been significantly quicker, and while Ferrari closed the gap overnight, they were still behind. He acknowledged that challenging Mercedes would be tough but expressed hope for the long run down to Turn Three. The provisional top four on the grid for Sunday’s race are Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, and Antonelli.

The unexpected pole position for Russell, his fourth of the season, ensures Mercedes maintains an unbeaten record over a single lap. The key test will be converting this into a race victory, especially with the fast-starting Ferraris and Antonelli, who has won five of the seven races this season, expected to challenge with determination.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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By Oliver Harrington — 16 June 2026 — 4 min read

McLaren’s appeal and concerns over fairness

McLaren have lodged an appeal against the decision to overturn Alpine driver Pierre Gasly’s pit-lane speeding penalty from the Monaco Grand Prix. The appeal follows Alpine’s successful review, which saw Gasly reinstated to third place after initially being demoted to seventh. This reinstatement affected other drivers, including McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who was demoted from fourth to fifth.

In a statement, McLaren expressed concerns regarding “sporting fairness, regulatory consistency and the integrity of competition.” The team highlighted that all competitors operated according to the regulations and standard practices for pit-lane speed limits as they were applied at the time. They argue that the subsequent removal of penalties disadvantages those who complied with the rules and the stewards’ initial decisions.

McLaren’s appeal is not directed at any specific competitor but aims to ensure that regulations are applied consistently, transparently, and fairly to all participants. The team has formally submitted a notification of appeal to the FIA International Court of Appeal, which is the governing body’s highest legal authority.

Impact on other drivers and teams

Gasly’s penalty reversal stemmed from evidence presented by Alpine, indicating that the pit-lane speed limit at Monaco had been miscalculated. The FIA established that the pit lane was measured as being 77 metres longer than the actual drivable distance. As the speed limit is determined by the time taken to cover a certain distance, this led to drivers being incorrectly penalised for speeding when they had not exceeded the 60km/h limit.

Piastri was one of several drivers who received pit-lane speeding penalties and lost positions as a result. He was running behind George Russell in fourth place before the penalties were imposed. After Gasly’s penalty was overturned, Piastri was reclassified to fifth. Piastri commented on the situation, stating that it sets an “awkward precedent” when penalties are changed for some but not others, especially when multiple drivers were affected by the same issue.

Mercedes driver George Russell also suffered due to the incorrect measurement of the pit-lane speed limit. He was in third place when he received a five-second penalty for speeding by 0.1km/h. Despite his pleas to officials during a red-flag period to investigate the matter after the race, he was required to serve the penalty. An error in communication within Mercedes led to Russell failing to serve the penalty at a subsequent pit stop, resulting in a drive-through penalty that demoted him from third to twelfth in the final results. This cost Russell 15 world championship points.

Other drivers penalised for pit-lane speeding included Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Gasly’s team-mate Franco Colapinto. All but one of the penalties were for exceeding the limit by 0.1km/h, with one of Gasly’s penalties being for a 0.4km/h transgression. Ferrari managed to mitigate the impact on Hamilton as his penalty was served during a safety-car period.

Next steps in the appeals process

The decision to expunge Gasly’s penalty also demoted Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar from the podium. Red Bull have not yet handed the third-place trophy to Gasly and are also considering whether to appeal the decision to overturn his penalty. Red Bull and McLaren have both appealed the Monaco Grand Prix result, citing concerns over sporting fairness and the implications of overturning Gasly’s penalties.

Mercedes has also requested a right of review into the results of the Monaco Grand Prix. Their case is expected to be heard first, where they will present new evidence to the original stewards of the race. The incorrect pit-lane measurement and the decision to overturn Gasly’s penalty are anticipated to be central to Mercedes’ argument. However, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described their right of review as a “long shot,” acknowledging that it could open a complex situation.

The appeals by McLaren and Red Bull will be heard by an independent panel at the FIA International Court of Appeal in Paris. This is an unusual step, as few teams have used Formula 1’s highest appeal body in the sport’s history. The FIA has not yet announced a date for McLaren’s appeal, and the process could take several weeks.

The Formula 1 European season is set to continue with the Austrian Grand Prix on June 26-28.

Source: bbc.com

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By Oliver Harrington — 15 June 2026 — 3 min read

Toyota has secured a victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours, with the No. 7 Toyota TR010 driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries crossing the finish line first. This win marks the Japanese manufacturer’s first triumph at the event in four years, following a series of five consecutive victories between 2018 and 2022.

The trio completed 381 laps, finishing just 11 seconds ahead of the chasing BMW. For De Vries, this was his first victory at the event, while Conway and Kobayashi each claimed their second win. Kobayashi expressed his relief and joy after the race, stating he needed a beer.

A Tense and Challenging Race

The 94th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours, held in baking sunshine, proved to be a close and hard-fought contest. Despite not being the most dramatic race, the engineering reliability and performance of the current cars meant it was a relentless, flat-out sprint. After 20 hours of racing, the top three cars were separated by only seven seconds, maintaining a relentless chase until the very end.

The Toyota No. 7 team faced several challenges during the race, including a puncture and sensor issues that affected their straight-line speed. De Vries admitted that there were moments when he believed they were out of contention. However, the team persevered, overcoming these setbacks to secure the win against the BMW M Team WRT No. 20 of Rene Rast, Robin Frijns, and Sheldon van der Linde.

The sister Toyota car, the No. 8, driven by Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa, completed the podium in third place. The Toyota cars reportedly used a unique pit stop strategy in the early stages, which appeared to benefit the No. 8 team.

Growing Popularity and Future Prospects

The event at the Circuit de la Sarthe saw a significant attendance of 350,105 this year, with an estimated 120,000 visitors from the UK. The 8.47-mile track and its surroundings were reportedly packed, indicating the race’s continued popularity. Like Formula One, Le Mans is adapting to modern times and attracting a new, younger audience, leading to increased popularity year after year.

The race is a key part of the World Endurance Championship (WEC), which is also experiencing a surge in manufacturer interest. The WEC series for next year will feature nine rounds, including a return to Silverstone in April, marking the first time in a decade that the championship will have this many rounds.

Looking ahead, 2027 is set to be a significant year for sportscar racing. McLaren will compete in the top Hypercar class for the first time since 1998, aiming to add to their sole Le Mans win from 1995 with the McLaren F1 GTR. McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, attended this year’s event, highlighting the team’s commitment to the series.

Ford is also scheduled to join the Hypercar ranks in 2027, seeking their first outright victory at the race since 1969. These additions will see them join a competitive lineup in the top class that already includes Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Peugeot, Toyota, and Genesis, a luxury car brand from Hyundai that made a strong debut this year.

In the GT3 category, the TF Sport Corvette, driven by Jonny Edgar, Nicky Catsburg, and Ben Keating, secured victory after a challenging battle. Keating, who had undergone elbow surgery just nine weeks prior to the race, described it as the most competitive race he had ever witnessed, showcasing the dedication required to compete at Le Mans.

A total of 16 former Formula 1 drivers participated in the event, with Nyck de Vries and Kamui Kobayashi, both ex-Formula 1 drivers, ultimately claiming the top spot for Toyota.

Source: theguardian.com

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By Callum Ashford — 14 June 2026 — 3 min read

Lewis Hamilton achieved his first victory with Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in Spain on Sunday, marking a significant moment for both the driver and the team. This triumph ended a period of 41 Grand Prix races without a win for Hamilton, who last stood on the podium in July 2024 at the Belgian Grand Prix while driving for Mercedes.

The win was Hamilton’s 31st race with Ferrari and comes after a season where he admitted to questioning his own abilities. He described his previous year as a “nightmare” and confessed to feeling “useless” at times. Following the race, Hamilton shared that he had undertaken intense training during the winter, turning off social media to reset his mentality. He stated, “I’ve proven that you don’t. You always have it and it just takes work.”

Race Dynamics and Strategy

The race saw Ferrari execute a three-stop strategy, which proved to be a decisive factor in Hamilton’s success. A virtual safety car period, triggered by Fernando Alonso on lap 41, further aided Hamilton by allowing for a beneficial pit stop. This enabled him to take the lead and maintain it with fresher tyres.

Hamilton’s pace on the new tyres was strong, and even Mercedes acknowledged that he likely would have won regardless of the virtual safety car, though it would have required on-track overtakes. The track temperature at the start of the race was above 50 degrees Celsius.

Early in the race, George Russell held the lead from pole position, with Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen maintaining their starting positions. However, tyre degradation on the high-speed corners of the circuit affected performance, leading to early pit stops.

As the race progressed, Ferrari called Hamilton in for a tyre change on lap 23, allowing him to close the gap to the leaders. Following the virtual safety car, Hamilton’s lead over Russell was less than three seconds, but his fresh, hard tyres provided a crucial advantage.

Podium Finish and Championship Implications

Hamilton finished 19.5 seconds ahead of Russell. In the closing laps, Antonelli passed Russell for second place, but an “electrical shutdown” forced him to retire from the race with five laps remaining. This incident ended Antonelli’s winning streak and allowed Norris to secure third place, completing the first all-British podium since 1968.

Despite the victory, Hamilton remains 41 points behind Antonelli in the drivers’ championship standings. Russell is a further nine points behind Hamilton. Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, expressed his reluctance to compete against Hamilton for a title, noting Hamilton’s formidable competitive drive.

Hamilton’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, also retired late in the race due to a suspected hydraulic issue after starting from 10th on the grid following a qualifying crash. Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar finished fourth and sixth respectively, with Oscar Piastri in fifth and Pierre Gasly in seventh.

Impact on Ferrari and Hamilton’s Revival

Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari appears to have had a galvanising effect on the team. He has been vocal in demanding changes to the car and the team’s approach, aligning with the vision of team principal Frederic Vasseur. Hamilton described his presence as a “big shock to the system” due to his outspoken nature and relentless pursuit of improvement.

Vasseur credited Hamilton’s personal resilience for his return to form, noting his commitment to visiting the factory and pushing for progress. Wolff also suggested that Hamilton’s improved performance this year is partly due to the new car regulations, which suit his driving style more than the previous aerodynamic designs, and his stable personal life.

Hamilton is only the fourth driver in his 40s to win an F1 race since 1958, joining Graham Hill (1969), Sir Jack Brabham (1970), and Nigel Mansell (1994). The event at the Circuit de Catalunya was sold out, with 301,273 fans attending throughout the weekend, and 124,870 present for Sunday’s race.

The victory in Barcelona, combined with Antonelli’s first retirement of the year, has narrowed the points gap in the championship. Ferrari has been granted two engine upgrades this season under F1 rules, while Mercedes has only one, with the first Ferrari upgrade potentially coming soon.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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By Callum Ashford — 14 June 2026 — 4 min read

Lewis Hamilton achieved his first victory for Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The win came after championship leader Kimi Antonelli retired from second place with four laps remaining in the race.

This marks Hamilton’s first win since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, when he was still driving for Mercedes. The outcome of the race was significantly influenced by a virtual safety-car (VSC) period, which allowed Hamilton to make a pit stop and maintain his lead due to a different strategy.

Antonelli’s retirement occurred after he had just overtaken Russell for second place with five laps left, following a prolonged battle. His car experienced an electrical shutdown, bringing it to a halt. Russell ultimately finished second, with McLaren’s Lando Norris securing third place, marking the first all-British podium since the 1968 US Grand Prix.

An emotional Hamilton expressed his gratitude over the radio, acknowledging the support from his team, family, and fans. This victory confirms the return of both Hamilton and Ferrari to the forefront of the competition. Antonelli’s first significant issue of the year also provided a crucial turn of luck for Russell.

Race Dynamics and Strategy Shifts

The race initially appeared to be favouring one of the Mercedes drivers, with Russell converting his pole position into an early lead ahead of Hamilton and Antonelli. The three drivers maintained these positions for nearly half of the race.

The differing strategies became evident when Hamilton pitted on lap 11 to change his soft tyres. Russell and Antonelli, who started on medium compound tyres, were brought in by Mercedes after Hamilton’s stop to protect their track position, despite team radio communications indicating an awareness of their distinct strategy.

When Hamilton made his second pit stop on lap 27, Antonelli began to pressure Russell for the lead, attempting to pass him into Turn One on multiple occasions. Both drivers were advised to minimise their on-track battle to avoid losing time in their contest with Hamilton.

Russell made his final stop on lap 36, followed by Antonelli a lap later, which handed the lead to Hamilton, who still had one more stop remaining. Hamilton’s initial objective was to minimise time loss to the advancing Mercedes cars on fresher tyres before his final stop, which would likely drop him to third, requiring him to regain positions.

However, Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin broke down at Turn Nine on lap 40, leading to the deployment of a VSC to safely recover the car. During a VSC, cars must slow down and maintain their gaps, which reduces the time cost of a pit stop compared to normal racing conditions.

Hamilton held a 14-second lead, a sufficient margin to pit under the VSC and re-emerge in front. This placed him in a strong position with tyres that were eight laps fresher. He then drove flawlessly to secure his 106th Grand Prix victory, marking Ferrari’s first win since Mexico 2024.

The victory was Ferrari’s first in Spain since 2013, a win delivered by Alonso, whose retirement ironically caused the VSC that led to Hamilton’s triumph. Post-race interviews were conducted by Nico Rosberg, Hamilton’s former Mercedes team-mate.

Impact on the Championship Standings

At Mercedes, the race presented a mix of outcomes. Russell might have won had it not been for the VSC, but until Antonelli’s retirement, he appeared to be heading for a second-place finish behind his team-mate, who has shown a significant improvement in form this year.

Russell needed a strong performance after a challenging period, and he delivered one on a competitive level. He weathered the initial pressure from Antonelli during the mid-race stages and seemed on course for a potential victory.

However, once the VSC propelled Hamilton to the lead, Russell remained under pressure from Antonelli, who passed him into Turn One with five laps remaining. Shortly after moving into second place, Antonelli’s luck turned, and his car stopped between Turns Five and Six.

Antonelli’s retirement elevated McLaren’s Lando Norris to the final podium spot. Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished fourth, followed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and the second Red Bull driver, Isack Hadjar.

Hamilton’s victory, combined with Antonelli’s retirement, has reduced the seven-time champion’s deficit in the championship to 41 points. Russell has also closed the gap to Antonelli and is now 50 points behind the Italian driver.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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By Callum Ashford — 13 June 2026 — 4 min read

The 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans is underway, with Sir Mark Cavendish waving off 62 entrants for the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The race began at 16:00 local time, featuring Hypercars from manufacturers such as Ferrari, Toyota, BMW, Alpine, Peugeot, Cadillac, Aston Martin, and Genesis, alongside the LMP2 prototype category and the LMGT3 class.

In the initial hour, Toyota took the lead, despite an early pit stop strategy for both the #8 and #7 Toyota GR010 Hybrids. Sébastien Buemi, driving the #8 car, led the race, with pole-sitter René Rast in the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 close behind. The early pit stops by Toyota, which initially seemed surprising, allowed them to gain clear air and move into the lead by the end of the first hour.

Early Race Dynamics

The start of the race was described as frenetic, with the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, starting from pole position, not making the strongest getaway. The #12 Hertz Team JOTA Cadillac seized the opportunity to take the lead into the first corner. However, René Rast in the #15 BMW utilized the slipstream on the Mulsanne Straight to overtake the leading Cadillac, showcasing the BMW’s speed.

Team-mate Kevin Magnussen in the sister BMW also made a strong start, moving his BMW M Hybrid V8 into third position. Meanwhile, Earl Bamber in the #38 Cadillac, which started in tenth, climbed to sixth in the opening phase of the race. By lap six, the Hypercars encountered the back of the LMGT3 field, adding complexity to the race with traffic management and class position battles.

A notable moment occurred when Ferdinand Habsburg executed a move around Magnussen’s BMW into Indianapolis Corner. Filipe Albuquerque followed, with Earl Bamber in pursuit. Toyota’s early pit stops for the #8 and #7 cars, driven by Sébastien Buemi and Mike Conway respectively, were a key strategic decision that saw them drop to the back of the Hypercar field initially, only to emerge in the lead after the first hour.

Three-Hour Update and Class Leaders

After three hours, the #20 BMW led the 24 Hours of Le Mans, though Toyota maintained a strategic advantage. Sheldon van der Linde, driving the #20 BMW, was prevented from completing a scheduled routine stop due to an ill-timed full-course yellow. Sébastien Buemi had extended his lead over René Rast in the #20 BMW to 20 seconds after the second round of pit stops, further increasing it to 28 seconds before handing over to Brendon Hartley.

The #20 BMW was then handed over to van der Linde, who had to take a brief five-second fuel stop under the full-course yellow before pitting again on the subsequent lap. The #12 Cadillac V-Series.R, driven by Louis Deletraz, held second place after three hours, facing similar issues to the #20 BMW. Hartley’s #8 Toyota was in third, followed by the #101 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac.

In the LMP2 class, Richard Verschoor in the #30 Duqueine Team Oreca 07 Gibson held a comfortable lead. The pole-sitting IDEC Sport Oreca, driven by Job van Uitert, led early but lost ground after Paul Lafargue took over. Louis Rousset in the Forestier Racing by Panis entry climbed to second in class, trailing Verschoor. Bijoy Garg in the #343 Inter Europol Competition car was fourth, with Jonas Ried in the #9 Proton Competition entry completing the top five.

For the LMGT3 class, Ayhancan Guven in the #91 Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo took the lead. The #91 Porsche was one of the few cars to start with its Bronze driver, James Cottingham, before Guven took over. Tom van Rompuy, driving the leading Akkodis ASP Lexus RC F GT3, maintained his advantage until pitting around the three-hour mark, at which point Guven moved into the lead. The Team Qatar by Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, with Julian Hanses, was running second, ahead of Eric Powell’s #77 Proton Competition Ford Mustang GT3 EVO. Van Rompuy dropped to fourth in class, followed by Anthony McIntosh in the Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 EVO.

Future Focus and Fuel Innovation

The 24 Hours of Le Mans also serves as a platform for future automotive developments. Prior to the race, a demonstration showcased hydrogen prototypes, including Alpine’s gas hydrogen Alpenglow, the gas hydrogen Ligier Bosch JS2 RH2, and the liquid hydrogen Toyota TR LH2. This demonstration followed announcements regarding the integration of hydrogen into the 2030 Hypercar category, with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem present to observe the advancements in zero CO2 emission racing.

All cars across the three categories are utilising Excellium Racing 100, a fully renewable fuel developed by TotalEnergies. The race is set to conclude on Sunday, 14 June, at 16:00 CET, when the winners of the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans will claim their trophies.

Source: 24h-lemans.com

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By Callum Ashford — 12 June 2026 — 3 min read

Barcelona-Catalunya hosts Formula 1 action

The Formula 1 season continues with round seven, the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, held from 12-14 June. This event marks the first of two races in Spain this season. The lights are set to go out at 14:00 BST on Sunday for the main race.

The weather forecast for the weekend in Spain indicates hot, dry, and sunny conditions. Temperatures are expected to reach highs of between 26C and 28C during Friday’s practice sessions and Saturday’s qualifying. Sunday’s grand prix, starting at 3pm local time, is also anticipated to be sunny with a top temperature of 27C during the race.

This year’s event sees a name change, as it is now known as the ‘Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix’ rather than the ‘Spanish Grand Prix’. The traditional ‘Spanish Grand Prix’ will be held in Madrid from 11-13 September at the Madring, a new purpose-built track. This season is also the last year that both Barcelona and Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps circuit will appear on the calendar simultaneously, as they will alternate until 2032.

Driver standings and rookie appearances

In the drivers’ championship, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli secured his fifth consecutive victory in Monaco, extending his lead to 66 points. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finished second in Monaco, moving above George Russell in the standings. Russell has dropped to third, 68 points behind Antonelli, after failing to score points for the second consecutive race weekend.

This weekend in Barcelona will see an influx of rookie drivers participating in the first practice session (FP1). Each full-time driver is required to give up their seat for a new driver during two practice sessions throughout the season. American Colton Herta is making his first Formula 1 appearance, stepping in for Sergio Perez at Cadillac during the opening hour.

Herta, a former IndyCar driver, moved to Formula 2 with Hitech this season and is currently 13th in those standings. Also new to FP1 is Leo Fornaroli, a 21-year-old Italian who won back-to-back titles in Formula 3 and Formula 2. Fornaroli has been picked up by McLaren as a reserve driver for the 2026 season.

Other drivers making their FP1 debut include Fred Vesti for Mercedes, replacing Kimi Antonelli, and Dino Beganovic for Ferrari, stepping in for Lewis Hamilton. Ayumu Iwasa will replace Isack Hadjar at Red Bull, while Luke Browning takes over from Alex Albon at Williams. Paul Aron will drive for Audi, replacing Nico Hulkenberg, and Leo Fornaroli will replace Lando Norris at McLaren.

George Russell’s milestone in Barcelona

George Russell will celebrate a century of Grands Prix for Mercedes this weekend in Barcelona. His career with Mercedes has included several notable performances. In 2020, while driving for Williams, Russell deputised for Lewis Hamilton at Sakhir, qualifying less than 0.03 seconds behind teammate Valtteri Bottas. Despite leading from the first turn, pit stop issues and a puncture led to a P9 finish, securing his first World Championship points.

In 2022, Russell achieved his maiden Grand Prix victory in São Paulo, starting from pole position after winning the Sprint race. He led nearly every lap of the Grand Prix. In 2024, at Spa, he demonstrated strong tyre management, holding off Lewis Hamilton for a victory, though he was later disqualified for an underweight car.

Russell also secured victories in Canada and Singapore in 2025, converting pole positions into wins in both races. Earlier this year, at Australia 2026, he started from pole ahead of Kimi Antonelli and, despite a slow start, recovered to lead Antonelli for a one-two finish. The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix practice sessions begin on Friday, 12 June.

Source: bbc.com

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By Callum Ashford — 10 June 2026 — 4 min read

Engine design changes agreed

Formula 1 has reached an agreement to modify its engine design over two stages, following criticism regarding the current rules. Drivers have expressed dissatisfaction with the near 50-50 division between internal combustion and electrical power, noting that the need for energy management has reduced the challenge during qualifying sessions. This sentiment was echoed by four-time champion Max Verstappen, who indicated he would consider leaving the sport if changes were not implemented. Other drivers also agreed that the issue needed to be addressed.

The agreed plan will see the power split adjusted to 58-42 in 2027, before moving to a 60-40 ratio in favour of the internal combustion engine (ICE) by 2028. This compromise follows a month of discussions, during which Ferrari and Audi advocated against implementing the 60-40 change in a single step for 2027. The governing body, the FIA, stated that these proposed changes aim to resolve issues related to energy management and fuel energy-flow characteristics, making qualifying more ‘flat-out’ without negatively impacting the racing generated by the new regulations.

The adjustments will involve increasing the fuel-flow to the ICE by 5% in 2027 and 13% in 2028. This is projected to boost the power from the ICE from approximately 400kW this year to 420kW in 2027 and 450kW in 2028. Concurrently, the power produced by the electrical component of the engine will be reduced from 350kW this year to 300kW from next year.

The maximum power available in overtake mode, which allows a driver within one second of a car ahead to utilise an additional 0.5MJ of energy per lap, will remain at 350kW. However, the maximum harvesting power of the electrical part of the engine will be increased from 350kW this year to 375kW in 2027 and 400kW in 2028. This enhancement is intended to enable teams to recover energy more rapidly, thereby decreasing the time spent on this process.

Driver concerns and performance upgrades

A significant point of contention with this year’s new cars has been that the engines were perceived as ‘energy starved’. Drivers found it challenging to recover sufficient energy within a lap to meet the maximum allowance. This led to unconventional driving tactics in early races, such as drivers lifting off the throttle and coasting during qualifying laps, and even recovering energy while at full throttle. Such practices have been seen to diminish the ‘flat-out’ nature of qualifying and have drawn strong criticism from some drivers.

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso remarked that fast corners have become a “charging station for the car” due to the new regulations. An initial step to address these concerns was taken after the first three races, when the maximum energy recoverable per lap was reduced, and the power of recovery at full throttle was increased. Drivers generally welcomed this initial change, though they viewed it as a small step.

In addition to the regulatory agreement, the FIA has also informed power-unit manufacturers about the ranking of engine performance. This is significant as it allows manufacturers deemed to be more than 2% behind the most powerful engine to upgrade their engines this year and next. While the FIA has not publicly released its findings, sources indicate that Red Bull has been identified as having the most powerful engine, based solely on the power of the internal combustion engine, without considering the effectiveness of the electrical system’s recovery and deployment.

Mercedes has been granted one permissible upgrade this season and another for next year. Meanwhile, other manufacturers, including Ferrari, Audi, and Honda, are permitted to make two upgrades in both the current season and 2027. These additional upgrades also come with an allowance for extra spending under the engine budget cap, with the amount varying based on the performance deficit. Sources further suggest that Honda has been found to be more than 10% behind the leading engine, which triggers an additional allowance in the engine cost-cap.

The proposed changes to the Formula 1 Technical, Sporting, and Financial Regulations for 2027 and 2028 have been agreed upon by the FIA, Formula One Management, teams, and power unit manufacturers. These amendments reflect continued collaboration among all stakeholders to refine the framework and address identified operational challenges. The FIA will now expedite the formal approval process to provide all parties with clarity and sufficient time to adapt to the revised requirements. The proposed changes are set to be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council for approval on June 23 in Macau.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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By Callum Ashford — 10 June 2026 — 3 min read

Cadillac’s Strong Start at Le Mans

Cadillac secured the top two positions during the initial official practice session for this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Earl Bamber recorded the fastest time in the No. 38 Hertz Team JOTA entry, setting a benchmark for the first qualifying session scheduled for Wednesday.

Bamber achieved a best lap time of 3:23.786 with approximately 20 minutes remaining in the three-hour session. This performance significantly surpassed the fastest time from last year’s FP1 session and was just over seven-tenths of a second shy of last year’s pole position time. Earlier in the session, the driver from New Zealand had already claimed the top spot with a 3:24.773, marking the first lap under 3:25 this week at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

His impressive time placed him 1.582 seconds ahead of the WTR Cadillac, which had led for a significant portion of the session following an early fast lap by Jordan Taylor. Despite its strong showing, the No. 38 car experienced a minor setback, requiring a brief garage visit to address floor damage caused by curb usage.

Session Highlights and Other Contenders

Cadillac appeared poised for a top-three sweep until Rene Rast posted a 3:25.533 in the final ten minutes, moving into third place, 1.747 seconds behind the leader. This pushed the No. 12 JOTA Cadillac down to fourth. The No. 12 car had also spent a considerable amount of time in the pits to resolve a brake pedal issue before Will Stevens recorded its best time, which was 2.247 seconds slower than Bamber’s.

Rounding out the top five was the No. 35 Alpine A424, with Ferdinand Habsburg setting its best time of 3:26.078, narrowly behind Stevens. The leading cars from Toyota and Ferrari followed, with Brendon Hartley placing the No. 8 Toyota TR010 Hybrid in sixth, ahead of Antonio Fuoco’s No. 50 Ferrari 499P.

Both Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Valkyries secured spots within the top ten. The No. 009 Aston Martin Valkyrie, driven by Alex Riberas, led its sister car, the No. 007 of Tom Gamble. These two were separated by the No. 17 Genesis GMR-001, where Pipo Derani made a late surge up the standings. Peugeot was the only manufacturer not to reach the top ten, with its best 9X8 finishing 16th.

Incidents and LMGT3/LMP2 Results

The session saw a few incidents, including an off-track excursion by Yifei Ye at Mulsanne corner in the satellite No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari. However, the car was able to return to the pits without significant damage. Further drama unfolded as the session neared its end when Frederic Makowiecki hit the barriers approaching Tertre Rouge, subsequently stopping on the track.

In the LMP2 category, Peugeot development driver Doriane Pin achieved the fastest time in her No. 30 Duqueine Team Oreca 07 Gibson. Pin’s late effort of 3:35.248 placed her seven-tenths of a second clear of the field, displacing Valerio Rinicella’s IDEC Sport car from the top spot. In the final minutes, Porsche factory driver Kevin Estre moved the No. 14 TDS Racing Oreca into second with a 3:35.958, while Rinicella maintained third with his 3:36.189 set earlier in the No. 28 car.

AO by TF was fourth-fastest with Dane Cameron driving, and Gregoire Saucy made a late jump to fifth in the No. 22 United Autosports car. For LMGT3, Jack Hawksworth led the way in the No. 78 Akkodis ASP Lexus RC F GT3, setting a best time of 3:55.737 early in the session. This time was just a tenth of a second faster than Augusto Farfus in the No. 32 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 EVO, with Dan Harper a mere one-thousandth of a second behind in the sister No. 69 BMW, securing third place. First qualifying for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m. local time.

Source: fiawec.com

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