Sunday the 15th of Formula 1 was marked by news about the future of Gabriel Bortoleto and Rafael Câmara, updates planned for Aston Martin, and questions surrounding McLaren’s performance. Fernando Alonso revealed that Honda is developing a completely new power unit for 2027, while Juan Pablo Montoya questioned Max Verstappen’s dominant edge over Liam Lawson when the two are in equally competitive cars.
Among the Brazilian context, the duel between Audi and Haas in the Constructors’ Championship could take on an extra ingredient in the final three races of the season. Only three points separate the teams, with Haas in seventh on 31 and Audi in eighth on 28. If Câmara is confirmed for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, he could face Bortoleto directly in the battle for positions. Câmara’s participation, however, has not yet been announced.
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At Aston Martin, Alonso revealed that Honda is already developing a completely new power unit for 2027, currently undergoing dyno testing. The Spaniard acknowledged the difficulties faced by the partnership this season, but expressed confidence in a recovery. According to the two-time champion, the development of the chassis is also heading in the right direction, despite results that have fallen short of expectations.
McLaren also stood out. Andrea Stella acknowledged that the MCL40 remains difficult to drive and stated that the team intends to offer a more competitive and predictable car to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The Australian, for his part, rejected any link between his current difficulties and the loss of the 2025 title, stressing that he will need to work hard to regain his performance.
In Red Bull, Juan Pablo Montoya sparked a debate by stating that Lawson could take on Verstappen if they both had equally competitive cars. The Colombian questioned whether the four-time champion would be able to maintain such an advantage if he were in the Racing Bulls and criticized the team’s reaction to driver disputes.
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The driver market also moved Cadillac. Colton Herta confirmed that his participation in Formula 2 and his close work with the team’s setup at Silverstone help prepare for a possible debut in 2027. Meanwhile, Sergio Pérez argued that experience should be considered when choosing his teammate, in a tussle that involves Herta and Valtteri Bottas.
At Ferrari, former engineer Rob Smedley denied that John Elkann favors Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc or that there are rival factions within the team. Off the track, Bernie Ecclestone criticized the FIA for revoking journalist Jonathan McEvoy’s credential, a decision that also drew protests from media organizations.
With no race this Sunday, Formula 1 is set to return next weekend, with the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The event will be held in the early hours of Sunday (the 22nd) at 1:00 a.m., Brasília time, opening the sequence of the final three rounds of 2026.
