Daily News 19

Tag: Andrea Kimi Antonelli

  • Max Verstappen’s “wholesome” Monza moment with Kimi Antonelli’s father goes viral, praised as a “Class act”

    Max Verstappen’s “wholesome” Monza moment with Kimi Antonelli’s father goes viral, praised as a “Class act”

    A heartwarming post-race moment between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Marco Antonelli, father of race winner Kimi Antonelli, has captured widespread attention across social media platforms following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

    Verstappen’s Classy Gesture Goes Viral

    Footage from the Monza paddock showed the four-time world champion approaching Antonelli Sr. shortly after his son claimed a remarkable maiden home Grand Prix victory from 19th on the grid. Verstappen made a point of embracing the Italian engineer before Kimi Antonelli could reach his father to celebrate the historic win.

    The spontaneous display of sportsmanship quickly circulated online, drawing praise from fans and observers alike for its authenticity and respect.

    Fan Reactions Highlight Sportsmanship

    Social media platforms, particularly Reddit, buzzed with commentary applauding Verstappen’s conduct. The reactions underscored a broader appreciation for the driver’s character beyond his on-track prowess.

    “Very sweet, very wholesome,” one fan commented on Reddit, while another wrote: “Max is and always will be a class act.”

    “Max is really the bigger person… I’d still be salty that Kimi lost me a shot at 5x WDC last season lol,” another fan posted.

    “I think he’s lowkey just happy Antonelli is wiping the floor with Russell and denying Russell the best chance he’s had at a championship.”

    Further comments reinforced the sentiment:

    “Class move, congratulating the dad on his son winning the Italian GP as well!”

    “Max isn’t a generational but a historical champion. Both on the track and as a person.”

    Antonelli Dominates Home Soil

    The 20-year-old Mercedes driver secured the top spot on the iconic Monza podium, leading a team 1-2 finish ahead of teammate George Russell in second place. Verstappen completed the podium in third.

    During the post-race press conference, an emotional Antonelli reflected on the magnitude of the achievement.

    “I think this is the most special podium of the season,” Antonelli explained during the press conference. “To see all the fans on the straight, it’s just incredible. And then being at home, it adds that little bit extra. And super, super happy with that.”

    Championship Standings Shift

    Antonelli’s commanding victory at Monza has significantly extended his lead in the drivers’ championship standings. He now holds a 66-point advantage over Russell, who sits in second position. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton follows in third place, trailing Antonelli by 76 points and Russell by 10 points.

    The result marks a pivotal moment in the title race, with Antonelli establishing himself as the clear favorite heading into the season’s closing rounds.

  • George Russell “not even thinking” of F1 title comeback; Kimi Antonelli “in control”

    George Russell “not even thinking” of F1 title comeback; Kimi Antonelli “in control”

    Mercedes driver George Russell has conceded that mounting a Formula 1 title comeback against team-mate Kimi Antonelli appears increasingly unlikely, acknowledging the Italian’s 66-point championship lead is a formidable obstacle with only ten grands prix remaining.

    Antonelli Turns Monza Deficit into Dominant Victory

    The situation shifted dramatically at Monza. Starting from second on the grid while Antonelli lined up 19th, Russell had a prime opportunity to slash a 59-point deficit. Instead, Antonelli produced a stunning recovery drive, vaulting to sixth following the lap-six restart before setting his sights on the race lead.

    After passing Russell on lap 19 and exchanging positions several times, the 20-year-old capitalized on a timely Virtual Safety Car period. Antonelli pitted for fresh medium tyres, rejoining behind Russell—who was struggling on worn hard compounds—and hunted him down to claim a seventh victory of the season. The win extended Antonelli’s title advantage to 66 points rather than minimizing the damage Russell had hoped for.

    Russell Accepts the Reality of the Points Gap

    That decisive swing appeared to move Russell into a stage of acceptance regarding the championship fight.

    “Yeah, Kimi’s definitely in control of it and he’s deserving to be in control of it,” Russell admitted. “I’m not even thinking about a fight or a comeback or anything. I’m just focused on taking it race by race and trying to maximise every single weekend.

    “He’s performing incredibly well. It’s going to be exceptionally challenging to overcome that gap, so I’m just sort of accepting that is what it is. I’m just going to enjoy it from here on in and try and win as many races as possible.”

    Strategy Split and the VSC Turning Point

    Russell held no reservations about Mercedes’ decision to split tyre strategies. He started on mediums before switching to the hard compound for the bulk of the race, while Antonelli began on hards and moved to mediums under the red flag.

    Initially, the strategy looked favorable for Russell. Antonelli faced the prospect of nursing his mediums to the finish or attacking without a strategic safety net. However, the VSC intervention flipped the script, handing Antonelli a low-cost pit stop for fresh rubber at the perfect moment.

    “Well, [the hard] was definitely the best tyre to take to the end,” Russell said.

    “When I saw Max [Verstappen] and Kimi on the medium, I was feeling pretty good because I knew they were going to drop off more than me, so in that middle stage of the race, I was really happy with my position.

    “The VSC came out at that perfect point for the drivers to pull the trigger and take the pitstop. It would have been very interesting to see how the race would have panned out if there was no VSC.”

    With the title race tilting heavily in Antonelli’s favor, Russell has shifted his focus to race-by-race performance and maximizing every remaining weekend.

  • Kimi Antonelli Labelled “generational talent” After Italian GP Home Win

    Kimi Antonelli Labelled “generational talent” After Italian GP Home Win

    Sky Sports Formula 1 pundit Naomi Schiff declared Kimi Antonelli a generational talent after the Mercedes driver produced a stunning comeback victory at the Italian Grand Prix. The 20-year-old Italian started 19th on the grid at Monza but sliced through the field, leveraging a mid-race virtual safety car to fit fresh medium tyres before hunting down and passing his race-leading teammate George Russell to win in front of the passionate Tifosi.

    Schiff: Antonelli Proved ‘Generational Talent’ Status at Monza

    Analyzing the drive for Sky Sports, Schiff emphasized the magnitude of the performance on home soil.

    “Today, everybody is so impressed by what Kimi Antonelli has done. And obviously, to have a home hero like him who clearly proved today the generational talent that he is,”

    Schiff highlighted the composure Antonelli showed after his pit stop to close the gap to Russell and secure the win.

    “I mean, not only did he climb through the field, but then after that pitstop, he had to close up that gap again, and he just did it. And he took the victory here at home. Incredible.”

    The Decisive Moment: Hunting Down Russell

    Schiff detailed the critical phase of the race where Antonelli caught Russell, who was managing older hard tyres while also battling Max Verstappen early on.

    “It took him about six or seven laps before he was behind George. Obviously, George and Max were going at it as well in the beginning. And then I just had a feeling in my heart like, ‘Oh gosh, if George looks in the mirrors now and realises his team-mate is already behind him, oh my God, I would have sunk a little bit in that moment.’”

    Record-Breaking Start to Second Season

    The Monza triumph marks Antonelli’s seventh career Grand Prix victory in only his second season. He became the youngest driver to lead the championship standings after securing back-to-back wins at the Chinese Grand Prix and Japanese Grand Prix. He added four more victories before the summer break, establishing a commanding 66-point lead over teammate Russell in the Drivers’ Championship.

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes. Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
  • Toto Wolff Says Kimi Antonelli’s 2026 F1 Progress Is One of the Biggest Surprises of His Career

    Toto Wolff Says Kimi Antonelli’s 2026 F1 Progress Is One of the Biggest Surprises of His Career

    When Toto Wolff met with the Dutch press at Zandvoort a year ago, Kimi Antonelli was enduring the difficult stretch that defined much of his European Formula 1 rookie season. The young Italian had shown flashes of brilliance in Miami and Canada, but those performances were followed by several challenging race weekends.

    At the time, Wolff described Antonelli’s first season in straightforward terms:

    “Sometimes there are brilliant moments that leave our mouths open, and sometimes we are pulling our hair out. But that is all in line with expectations.”

    Many paddock observers expected Antonelli’s 2026 campaign to follow a similar pattern. Instead, the Mercedes driver has combined his natural speed with a major improvement in consistency.

    Antonelli has finished on the podium at every grand prix so far except Barcelona and Silverstone. He also leads the Formula 1 championship by 59 points over Mercedes team-mate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

    Asked by Motorsport.com whether Antonelli’s progress ranked among the biggest surprises of his long career, Wolff gave a clear answer.

    “Definitely,” he said.

    However, Wolff said Hamilton and Max Verstappen had already warned him last year that Antonelli possessed the potential to make such a breakthrough.

    “I think the great ones, they know,” Wolff explained. “You say it needs one to know one. And I think that when you listen to Lewis or to Max last year, they already said that he has the potential.
    “And that’s what we felt in the team too, looking at his previous records in karting and the junior formulas.
    “Nevertheless, to come out after the winter and just nailing it pretty much every single race is one of the big surprises in my professional racing career.”

    From ‘parachuted into F1’ to no longer being a ‘deer in the headlights’

    Wolff believes Antonelli’s rapid development is the result of more than technical factors. Although the 2026 car may suit his driving style better than the previous ground-effect machinery, Wolff also pointed to the driver’s personal development and ability to process information.

    “When I analyse it and ask myself what are the reasons that he had such a good reputation in the junior formulas and karting, I think it’s his processing power.
    “I think he just needed the winter to process it. Why was it good? Why was it bad? What do I need to do?”

    Wolff also credited the greater stability within Mercedes. Antonelli entered the new season in a familiar environment, with less uncertainty surrounding the travel, accommodation, team procedures and circuits.

    “And then to come into an environment that he already knew. He knew that flying to Melbourne would look that way. He knew the hotel. He knew the set-up. He comes to the track, and everything is as last year.
    “And that means that it just comes down to driving and preparation, rather than being a deer in front of the headlights, like in 2025, thinking what’s happening? But yeah, it’s still one of the very nice surprises.”

    The same factors help explain Antonelli’s inconsistent 2025 rookie season, Wolff said. The combination of established technical regulations, limited experience and intense external pressure created a difficult introduction to Formula 1.

    “What happened to Kimi last year is just what we predicted,” Wolff added.
    “You’re being parachuted into Formula 1. He was 18 under a set of regulations that was very mature. Most of the drivers were racing those cars for a long time and Kimi didn’t know some of the circuits.
    “And then there was this avalanche of media requests and pressure. Suddenly everyone who was part of your journey felt they needed to be with you or close to you. The demands were enormous.”

    Kimi Antonelli’s 2025 struggles were “what we predicted”, the Mercedes boss said.

    The 54-year-old Austrian said he faced widespread criticism for placing Antonelli in a Mercedes seat so early in his career. Wolff compared the decision with Helmut Marko’s choice to give Max Verstappen an early Formula 1 opportunity at Red Bull, saying both men had seen enough talent to justify taking the risk.

    “Everyone and their dog said to me that it was too early, that I shouldn’t have put him into Mercedes and that I should have done a smaller team.
    “Spa was probably one of the worst moments, but for me, I stood strong with him because I felt that it was exactly the year we needed,” Wolff said.
    “We’re only making the assessment after the second year. And the way he’s come out of the blocks this year is a surprise to everyone, and yes, to me as well.”

    Beyond Antonelli’s speed and performance on track, Wolff said the driver’s enthusiasm is now having a positive effect across the Mercedes team.

    “He is authentic, very open-minded, not political at all. He completely lacks that negative kind of thing. For him, it’s just all about performance on the track.
    “And he’s made all the English mechanics hug each other now, which is also new for us!”

  • Kimi Antonelli Reveals How He Is Staying Grounded in the 2026 F1 Title Fight

    Kimi Antonelli Reveals How He Is Staying Grounded in the 2026 F1 Title Fight

    Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli has revealed how he is staying grounded while competing for the 2026 world title.

    In just his second F1 season, Antonelli became the youngest driver to lead the championship standings after consecutive victories in China and Japan. He added four more Grand Prix wins before the summer break, putting the 20-year-old Italian at the centre of the title battle early in his career.

    Antonelli currently leads his Mercedes team-mate George Russell and Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton by 59 points.

    Antonelli remains focused in F1 title fight

    During the summer break, Antonelli said he and his family celebrated his achievements without allowing the championship lead to dominate their lives.

    “We watched some of the races on TV while eating dinner. We still talked about F1, but it was in a nice way, just reminding us what we achieved,” Antonelli told F1.com about his summer break.

    The Mercedes driver said maintaining perspective would be crucial as the season progresses.

    “You need to be happy about it, but at the same time not get carried away from it and still maintain focus. The job is not done yet. We’re only halfway through and there is still so much that needs to happen and so much to be achieved.”

    Tennis star Roger Federer attends the Pirelli Hot Laps event. Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

    Roger Federer advice helps Antonelli relax

    Antonelli also discussed advice from tennis great Roger Federer, who encouraged him to “always be yourself and be able to enjoy it as well”. The Formula 1 driver said that guidance had helped him adopt a more relaxed approach behind the wheel.

    “When you understand that you also have to enjoy it as well, it makes the difference, because it helps you to, I feel like at least in my case, drive more relaxed, enjoy the driving more, feel more the car, and then the performance just comes much easier,” Antonelli continued.

    He contrasted that mindset with the pressure of forcing performance and explained how finding positives in difficult moments can support his development.

    “Instead of when you’re chasing it, and you’re driving tense, it’s a big difference. But of course, trying to be yourself and always focusing on the goal and always also try to see the positive, even in the bad situations. Even when something goes bad, there’s always a positive. That can be found, and that can help you to grow.”

  • George Russell “has to win” Italian GP to Keep F1 Title Hopes Alive, Says Former Driver

    George Russell “has to win” Italian GP to Keep F1 Title Hopes Alive, Says Former Driver

    George Russell must win the Italian Grand Prix to keep his Formula 1 championship hopes alive, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has warned.

    Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Palmer assessed the title battle after a dramatic Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. McLaren’s Lando Norris won in dominant fashion, finishing ahead of Mercedes teammates Kimi Antonelli and Russell.

    Antonelli is set to receive an engine penalty at his home race in Monza, creating an opportunity for Russell to reduce the gap in the championship standings. However, Palmer believes a strong result for Antonelli could put the title beyond Russell’s reach.

    “He could win it because the way that he’s been driving, I think Mercedes are the sure-fire favourites for Monza still,” Palmer said of Antonelli. “But when you reference Max’s comeback wins, that’s largely against Checo, isn’t it? Who was a lot further away from Max’s pace than George is of Kimi’s. And George was better in Zandvoort.

    “I know he still didn’t put the race together. He had two bad first laps that set him apart. And his race pace wasn’t quite as good as Kimi’s either. But I don’t think in a clean race Kimi will come from 10th or 11th to beat George if George is anywhere near form from pole position.

    Palmer expects strategy, safety cars, engine performance and reliability to play important roles at Monza, where Russell will need to capitalize on any advantage created by Antonelli’s grid penalty.

    “With strategy differences, safety car involvements, it’s going to be tough on components across the board. Power units are going to be singing. Reliability’s not going to be easy at Monza.

    “If Kimi wins in Monza with a grid penalty, he is champion. I’ll go as far as saying that. It’ll be such a crushing blow. He will have won his home race with a load of overtaking, huge aplomb, and it will suck the life out of George to not take points out of him in Monza. George has to win this.”

    Antonelli currently leads the Formula 1 standings with 242 points. Russell is second on 183 points, level with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

  • Kimi Antonelli Reveals “different mindset” Ahead of F1 Italian Grand Prix Return

    Kimi Antonelli Reveals “different mindset” Ahead of F1 Italian Grand Prix Return

    Kimi Antonelli heads into this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix with a 59-point lead in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship and a very different outlook from his difficult home-race debut at Monza in 2025.

    Antonelli endured a troubled weekend last year. The Mercedes driver received a five-second penalty after colliding with Williams driver Alex Albon and was shown a black-and-white flag for exceeding track limits. He ultimately scored two points with a ninth-place finish.

    Now 20, Antonelli returns to Monza as the championship leader and a six-time grand prix winner this season. Speaking to F1.com before his home race, the Italian said he would approach the weekend with a “different attitude”.

    “I’m very excited. I think it’s going to be a great atmosphere and it’s going to be a lot different compared to last year,” he said. “I’m definitely going in with a different attitude, different mindset, and definitely I feel like I’m going to be able to enjoy the weekend a lot more. I’m really looking forward to be back.”

    Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes. Photo by: Eric Le Galliot

    Antonelli set for minimum 10-place grid penalty at Monza

    Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend that Antonelli would take a grid penalty at his home race because of a planned power unit change.

    The final penalty has not yet been confirmed. Its severity will depend on how many new power unit components Mercedes installs in Antonelli’s car, but it will be at least 10 places.

    “With Kimi, we’re taking the full thing. Our calculations say that that’s the best track to take it,” Wolff explained.

    “Obviously, algorithms don’t take their nationality into consideration. We’re here to fight for a championship and not get the most PR. So yeah, that’s what we’re going to do.”

    The Italian Grand Prix will be held at Monza from 4-6 September.

  • Kimi Antonelli Credits 2025 Struggles for Stronger 2026 F1 Campaign

    Kimi Antonelli Credits 2025 Struggles for Stronger 2026 F1 Campaign

    Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli says the difficulties of his rookie Formula 1 season in 2025 helped him become mentally stronger for the 2026 championship.

    The Italian currently leads his Mercedes team-mate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by 59 points in the drivers’ standings. After back-to-back victories in China and Japan, Antonelli became the youngest driver to lead the championship in his second season in Formula 1. He then added four more Grand Prix wins before the summer break.

    Antonelli’s Formula 1 progress

    Antonelli has made a significant performance improvement compared with the same stage 12 months ago, when he scored points in just two of nine European races. He finished his rookie season seventh in the standings with 150 points, recording podium finishes in Canada, Brazil and Las Vegas, alongside four retirements in Emilia-Romagna, Spain, Austria and Great Britain.

    “Experience is playing a massive role,” the 20-year-old explained to F1.com as he reflected on the changes from 2025 to 2026.

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
    Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

    Antonelli said that although his 2025 campaign was challenging, he “needed” those difficult moments to become stronger “emotionally and mentally”.

    “Of course, I still have a lot of experience to make, but I think last year, despite all the bad moments, the difficult periods, I think that was what I needed because that helped me to grow even more than what I anticipated. It made me stronger emotionally and mentally.”

    Antonelli prepares for the Italian Grand Prix

    Since Antonelli took the championship lead in Japan, there has been considerable discussion about when the pressure of a title fight might affect the young driver. So far, that pressure has yet to slow him down.

    Antonelli now heads into his home race at Monza hoping for better fortunes than he experienced in 2025, although he will serve a power unit penalty. The Italian Grand Prix will take place at Monza from 4-6 September.

  • F1 Driver Contracts: How Long Is Each Driver Signed For?

    F1 Driver Contracts: How Long Is Each Driver Signed For?

    F1 Driver Contracts: When Each Formula 1 Deal Expires

    Details of Formula 1 driver contracts are closely guarded, although the length of many deals is eventually made public. Here is how long each current F1 driver contract is believed to run, along with the potential moves that could shape the grid in the coming seasons.

    McLaren

    Lando Norris — 2030

    The reigning F1 world champion recently announced a new four-year contract with McLaren, keeping him at the team until at least 2030. The agreement is also believed to include clauses that could extend the deal beyond that point.

    Norris joined McLaren as a junior driver in 2017 before stepping up to its F1 team in 2019. He became world champion in 2025.

    Oscar Piastri — 2028

    Oscar Piastri signed a new McLaren contract at the start of 2025, tying him to the team until the end of 2028.

    The Australian made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2023 after a hearing before the FIA Contract Recognition Board settled a dispute between Alpine and McLaren.

    Mercedes

    George Russell — 2027

    Despite Mercedes’ previous pursuit of Max Verstappen, George Russell remains confident in his place at the team. The British driver is contracted through the end of the 2027 season.

    Russell joined Mercedes in 2022 after three seasons effectively on loan at Williams, where he made his F1 debut in 2019.

    Kimi Antonelli — 2027

    Kimi Antonelli is also believed to have a Mercedes contract running until the end of 2027.

    The Italian replaced Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes’ driver line-up after Hamilton left for Ferrari in 2025.

    Red Bull

    Max Verstappen — 2030

    Max Verstappen and Red Bull announced a new contract at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. The agreement runs until at least the end of 2030.

    Verstappen became a Red Bull junior in 2014 and made his F1 debut with sister team Toro Rosso in 2015 at the age of 17. He was promoted to the Red Bull team midway through the 2016 season.

    Isack Hadjar — 2026

    Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull contract is set to expire at the end of 2026 after he joined the senior team from Racing Bulls the previous winter.

    The French driver made his F1 debut with Racing Bulls in 2025 and immediately impressed, highlighted by a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix. His performances led to a rapid promotion to Red Bull for 2026.

    Ferrari

    Lewis Hamilton — 2027

    Ferrari has often declined to reveal the precise length of its drivers’ contracts, but all parties have confirmed that Lewis Hamilton’s deal runs until at least 2027. With contract clauses taken into account, he signed a three-year agreement when he joined in 2025.

    Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007 and won his first world title in 2008. He moved to Mercedes in 2013 and won a further six world championships during his 12 years with the German manufacturer.

    Charles Leclerc — 2028

    Ferrari announced that Charles Leclerc had agreed to a new contract on the eve of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, saying he would remain with the Maranello team “for the coming seasons”. The deal is believed to keep him at Ferrari until at least the end of 2028, with an option for additional years.

    Leclerc was a Ferrari junior and made his F1 debut on loan at Sauber in 2018. He joined Ferrari’s driver line-up in 2019 and has remained a permanent fixture ever since.

    Williams

    Alex Albon — 2027

    Alex Albon signed a contract extension with Williams ahead of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, keeping him at the team until the end of 2027.

    The Anglo-Thai driver made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2019 before switching to Red Bull midway through the season. Red Bull dropped Albon at the end of 2020, and he spent one year away from F1 before returning to the grid with Williams in 2022.

    Carlos Sainz — 2028

    One day after Albon’s renewal was announced, Carlos Sainz’s future was confirmed with a multi-year Williams contract at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. The deal is believed to run until the end of 2028 and include contract clauses.

    Sainz has raced for almost half of the F1 grid since making his debut in 2015 with Toro Rosso. He switched to Renault in 2017, joined McLaren in 2019 for two seasons and then moved to Ferrari for four years. Sainz joined Williams in 2025.

    Racing Bulls

    Liam Lawson — 2026

    Like many Red Bull youngsters, Liam Lawson has largely worked on one-year contracts, and 2026 is no different. The New Zealander responded well after being demoted to Racing Bulls following just two rounds as a Red Bull driver and secured his short-term future with the team for the season.

    Lawson made his F1 debut in 2023 as an injury replacement for Daniel Ricciardo. In 2024, he permanently replaced Ricciardo at Racing Bulls from the United States Grand Prix, leading to his ill-fated promotion to Red Bull and subsequent return to Racing Bulls in 2025.

    Arvid Lindblad — 2026

    F1’s only rookie on the 2026 grid was handed a one-year contract to prove himself at Racing Bulls.

    The British driver has impressed during his debut season and appears set to retain his place on the grid for 2027.

    Aston Martin

    Fernando Alonso — 2026

    The biggest remaining question surrounding the 2027 F1 grid concerns Fernando Alonso. The 45-year-old agreed to a contract extension in 2024 that will keep him at Aston Martin until the end of the 2026 season.

    Alonso made his F1 debut with Minardi in 2001. After spending one year away from the grid as a Renault test driver, he returned in 2003 for a four-year stint that produced two world titles. Following an unsuccessful 2007 season with McLaren, Alonso returned to Renault for 2008 and 2009 before joining Ferrari for five years. He later had a second spell with McLaren amid its crisis with Honda and left both the team and F1 at the end of 2018. Alonso returned to F1 with Alpine in 2021 before switching to Aston Martin for 2023.

    Lance Stroll — 2026

    Lance Stroll is in the unique position of arguably having a timeless contract because his father, Lawrence Stroll, owns Aston Martin. He could therefore continue racing for the team for as long as both decide.

    A contract announced in 2024 covering “2025 and beyond” guarantees Stroll a place at least through the end of 2026, but the agreement is expected to continue indefinitely.

    The Canadian made his F1 debut with Williams in 2017 and spent two seasons there before joining Racing Point, which was rebranded as Aston Martin in 2021.

    Haas

    Esteban Ocon — 2026

    When Esteban Ocon joined Haas for 2025, the deal was described as multi-year, with options believed to cover 2027. However, neither the driver nor the team has so far indicated that an agreement extending beyond this season is in place.

    Ocon made his F1 debut midway through 2016 as a Mercedes junior with Manor. After the team folded, he joined Force India but lost his place in the line-up during Lawrence Stroll’s takeover at the end of 2018. After a year away, Ocon returned to F1 with Renault in 2020, remaining there until 2024 before moving to Haas.

    Oliver Bearman — 2026

    Oliver Bearman became a full-time Haas F1 driver in 2025, and his current contract is believed to expire at the end of 2026.

    The British driver made a surprise F1 debut for Ferrari as a substitute for Carlos Sainz at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He made two further appearances that year with Haas, driving at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the banned Kevin Magnussen and again for Magnussen at the Brazilian Grand Prix when the Dane was unwell. Bearman became a permanent Haas driver in 2025.

    Audi

    Nico Hulkenberg — 2026

    Nico Hulkenberg joined Sauber in 2025 ahead of its transition to Audi on a multi-year contract. The agreement is expected to carry him into 2027 if both parties agree.

    Hulkenberg’s F1 career began with Williams in 2010. After a year away, he returned with Force India in 2012, joined Sauber for 2013 and reunited with Force India the following year, staying until the end of 2016. Two seasons with Renault ended with Hulkenberg failing to secure a full-time seat for 2020 and 2021, although he made five substitute appearances for Racing Point and Aston Martin. He returned to a full-time F1 seat with Haas in 2023, spending two seasons there before joining the Sauber-Audi project.

    Gabriel Bortoleto — 2026

    Gabriel Bortoleto made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2025 ahead of the team’s transition to Audi. Like Hulkenberg, his contract is described as multi-year and is expected to be extended into 2027.

    Alpine

    Pierre Gasly — 2028

    Pierre Gasly signed a new multi-year contract with Alpine in 2025 that will keep him at the team until at least the end of 2028.

    Gasly made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso as a mid-season replacement in 2017 before completing a full season with the team in 2018. A brief spell at Red Bull in 2019 ended with his demotion back to Toro Rosso, where he remained until the end of 2022. The French driver joined Alpine in 2023 and has stayed with the team since.

    Franco Colapinto — 2027

    Franco Colapinto emerged as one of the biggest winners in a stable 2026 driver market, as limited movement elsewhere gave Alpine the opportunity to assess him. The Argentinian driver has consequently been retained by the Enstone team for 2027.

    Colapinto made his F1 debut with Williams midway through 2024 but found his path to a full-time seat blocked. He switched to Alpine for 2025 and again joined as a mid-season replacement, this time doing enough to secure a full-time contract from 2026.

    Cadillac

    Sergio Perez — 2027

    Sergio Perez secured an F1 comeback with the new Cadillac team on a multi-year contract that will keep him there until at least the end of 2027.

    Perez began his F1 career with Sauber in 2011, impressing enough to earn a McLaren seat for 2013. He moved to Force India in 2014 and played an integral role in saving the team from administration before joining Red Bull at the end of 2020. After a promising start in Milton Keynes, Perez was dropped at the end of 2024 before his contract expired. He spent 2025 away from F1 before returning with Cadillac in 2026.

    Valtteri Bottas — 2027

    Valtteri Bottas also returned to F1 with Cadillac. The Finn has a multi-year contract that is set to run until the end of 2027.

    Bottas made his F1 debut with Williams in 2013 before unexpectedly joining Mercedes in 2017. He helped the team win five constructors’ world championships before moving to Alfa Romeo in 2022. His three-year spell at Alfa Romeo and Sauber ended in 2024, followed by one season away from the grid before he joined Cadillac for 2026.

    Source: www.motorsport.com

  • George Russell Also Set for F1 Engine Penalty, but Mercedes Has Yet to Decide When

    George Russell Also Set for F1 Engine Penalty, but Mercedes Has Yet to Decide When

    Mercedes is still deciding when George Russell will take an engine-change penalty during the remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the team preparing for him to face a similar sanction to Kimi Antonelli at the Italian Grand Prix.

    F1 championship leader Antonelli is expected to start from the back of the grid at his home race in Monza after taking a full power unit change. Reliability problems earlier in the season have pushed the Mercedes driver through his permitted allocation of engine components, while he also retired from the June Spanish Grand Prix after suffering a terminal power unit failure.

    Why Monza is suitable for Antonelli’s penalty

    Formula 1 teams usually try to schedule power unit changes and the resulting grid penalties at circuits where overtaking is relatively straightforward. Monza is considered a favourable venue because its layout is expected to provide several opportunities to recover positions.

    That is why Mercedes is confident it can limit the impact of Antonelli’s penalty at his home race.

    “We’ve regretted doing it in Monza previously because the degradation has been relatively low in recent years,” Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes trackside engineering director, said on the team’s Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show. “The cars had low drag, so they weren’t actually great for towing because they don’t sort of punch a particularly big hole in that configuration. And also the DRS effect was very small.

    “That was in the past. Now you’ve got a real energy-starved circuit and it becomes one where there are four overtaking zones. You definitely can’t defend at all of them. And if you are a faster car, we expect it to be relatively straightforward to make progress.

    “But saying that, how do we decide where to take them? The main point is based on where do you need the hardware.

    “We’ve lost some internal combustion engines at reasonably low mileage. So the biggest thing is a case of we need to take it by this point. And if that point is a race where you really don’t want to be fighting from the back, we’ll consider bringing it earlier.

    “There’s a bit of a sense that we’ve got a lead in both championships. Let’s do the painful stuff while we have a lead in both championships. Not, if that gets closer at the end, we don’t want to be adding, piling more and more pressure on ourselves.”

    Mercedes weighs Russell’s engine-change timing

    With Antonelli’s penalty already expected at Monza, Mercedes is turning its attention to Russell’s engine-change dilemma. The team would prefer to avoid both drivers starting from the back at the same race, if possible, so it is assessing circuits immediately after Italy where overtaking may be easier.

    “We’ve not yet quite nailed down where George will take his, but it’s there for both of them because both of them have [suffered engine failures],” Bradley Lord, Mercedes deputy team principal, said.

    “We saw the retirement for George in Canada, Kimi in Barcelona. And then George also had a stoppage in Hungary as well, right at the end of his qualifying lap there, it could have been a much more serious impact for us had that happened in the race.

    “We’ve got some stuff to manage through in order to get to the end of the season on the freshest and most performant hardware possible. And it is always a trade-off between where are you getting into a risky zone on sort of high-life or high-mileage components.

    “And what’s the risk of not scoring points from that versus the penalty of taking the grid penalty and having that deficit and then coming back hopefully through the field at the events where you need to do it, and which one statistically is likely to give you the best point scorer at the end.”

    Based on those considerations, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku is emerging as a likely option for Russell’s grid penalty because of its similarities to Monza. The new Madrid circuit remains an unknown, meaning Russell may need to complete the Italian and Spanish rounds before serving his penalty at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the end of September.

    Mercedes could also consider Sepang, which hosts the Malaysian Grand Prix, one week after Baku. The circuit is likewise expected to offer a high number of overtaking opportunities.

    Mercedes assessing power unit reliability risk

    The team must also decide how long it can delay Russell’s engine change without taking excessive risks with the mileage and wear on his existing power unit components.

    “There is a sort of probability of failure [to consider],” Shovlin added. “It’s never an absolutely known thing and that’s evolving race on race.

    “So with Mercedes and the customer teams, every race you put more miles on the power units, every race they’re checked and trying to understand whether previous containments for faults have actually solved a problem.

    “It could be that our optimism for taking a PU to the sixth or seventh race might be higher in a few races time than it is right now. Every race we’re rejigging plans just based on what we’ve learned and where we may have gained a bit more confidence.”