The week of the Italian Grand Prix began with a flurry of activity in Formula 1. Oliver Bearman found himself in a delicate situation regarding his future with Haas and his ties to Ferrari, while Red Bull set a deadline to decide whether Isack Hadjar could return to the car in Monza or if Liam Lawson would continue substituting the Frenchman.
According to information from Auto Motor und Sport, reported by RallyBuzz, Bearman has a contract with Haas only until the end of 2026 and his link to the Ferrari Academy is set to end in 2027. With no guaranteed seat in Maranello, where Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupy the slots, the Briton could face a pivotal moment in his career. Haas has already assessed Rafael Câmara, Leonardo Fornaroli, and Ryo Hirakawa, and the Brazilian remains among the options considered by the team.
In Red Bull, Hadjar’s situation will be clarified by Wednesday. The French driver missed the Dutch GP due to a fractured wrist, allowing Lawson to return to the main team and finish seventh. The New Zealander said on Monday that he found the 2026 car far more manageable than the model he drove during his brief stint with Red Bull at the start of 2025.
Max Verstappen’s moment also drew attention. Even after signing a deal with Red Bull through 2030, the four-time champion arrives in Monza after 12 weekends without a win, his last victory coming at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The team sits as the fourth strongest in the championship, despite its Red Bull-Ford power unit being cited as a benchmark among the combustion engines evaluated by the FIA.
In the title race, Guenther Steiner believes Lando Norris’s reaction came too late. The McLaren driver won in Hungary and in the Netherlands, but remains 83 points behind the leader Kimi Antonelli. For the former Haas boss, the gap and Mercedes’ ability to manage its drivers make a comeback by the current champion unlikely.
A Ferrari is preparing for a special weekend at its home race. The SF-26 will feature a livery inspired by the 1996 F310 to mark the 30th anniversary of Michael Schumacher’s first season with the team, while Hamilton and Leclerc will also wear special overalls and kits, with seven stars representing the titles won by the German driver.
Honda, for its part, confirmed that the drivability of its new power unit specification will be a priority for Monza after Fernando Alonso’s criticisms. Off the track, Imola remains being considered as an alternative venue to host the season’s decision should problems in the Middle East prevent the final rounds scheduled in the region from taking place.
The Formula 1 season returns to the track between September 4 and 6 for the Italian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the 2026 season, at the historic Monza circuit.
