Thursday’s Formula 1 news cycle was marked by major behind-the-scenes movements, with Lewis Hamilton responding to rumors about changes at Ferrari, Red Bull nearing decisions for its 2027 lineup, and new doubts surrounding the calendar in the Middle East. The FIA also canceled the Saudi Arabia rally that would have closed the 2026 World Rally Championship, citing regional uncertainty and logistical difficulties.
Hamilton denied having asked Ferrari to replace members of his team. The denial came after Corriere della Sera published that the Briton was pressing Frederic Vasseur for changes in the operational and strategic structure, while also pointing to a supposed estrangement between the driver and the team principal. Hamilton made clear that he intends to continue working with the professionals who currently accompany him.
At Red Bull, preparations for 2027 are also advancing. Isack Hadjar appears close to renewing with the main team, while Liam Lawson’s future is tied to the Racing Bulls. The rise of Nikola Tsolov in Formula 2 adds a new variable to the structure’s decisions, which are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Mercedes, for its part, has already resolved one of its main pending issues. Toto Wolff stated that George Russell has already renewed his contract and that no formal announcement has yet been made. The executive also defended the British driver amid the 81-point lead built by Kimi Antonelli in the standings, insisting that Russell remains among the best and can still contend for titles.
Antonelli also became a topic for another reason. Wolff admitted concern about the championship leader’s extremely aggressive style, which even scraped the wall while maintaining the lead in the final laps of the Spanish Grand Prix. The Mercedes chief revealed that he had already spoken with Marco Antonelli, the driver’s father, about the risks the Italian is taking.
At Ferrari, Charles Leclerc continues awaiting a decision on the updated power unit used in the strong Monza crash. The engineers are still evaluating whether the engine can be recovered, and according to the Monégasque, a potential loss of the component could lead to penalties later in the season. Leclerc also acknowledged that Ferrari needs to improve, particularly its qualifying performance.
The outlook for the final rounds of 2026 remains uncertain. The cancellation of the Saudi Rally has brought more scrutiny to the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, which stay officially on the F1 calendar, while Imola has emerged as one of the considered alternatives. At the same time, the series confirmed four Middle East events for 2027, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
