Formula 1: Races, Driver Market and 2026 Rules — 2026-09-25

Top developments

Cadillac recruits technical leaders from F1's top teams

Cadillac has unveiled three high-profile technical appointments with experience at Formula 1's leading teams, hiring staff from Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes as part of its long-term development push. The move signals the newest team on the grid is serious about closing the gap, even as its maiden season focuses on learning rather than points.

Cadillac's Perez: development focus has moved to 2027

Sergio Perez says Cadillac's development focus has already shifted to next year, leaving little room for major gains in the remainder of 2026. The admission confirms the American entry has effectively written off closing this season's fight and is prioritizing its 2027 car — a decision that will shape midfield results and its driver evaluations for next year.

Baku GP weekend: Antonelli leads, Mercedes strong in practice

Baku hosts round 15 of the 2026 season, with the race run on Saturday under a revised schedule. Kimi Antonelli heads into the weekend firmly on top of the drivers' championship with an 81-point lead, and MARCA reported that George Russell was ahead of Antonelli in Friday practice at Mercedes, while Sainz's Williams showed improvement and Alonso's Aston Martin remained at the back — with the Spaniard also carrying a penalty.

Ferrari under pressure as Vasseur demands execution

Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur said ahead of Baku that Ferrari has been competitive in recent Grands Prix but must "put everything together", with the Scuderia now four races without a podium. With the championship in its final third, the pressure is mounting on Ferrari's pit wall strategy and car setup to convert pace into points.

Hamilton rebuffs market rumours and slams new F1 formats

Lewis Hamilton denied transfer speculation and reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari on the eve of the Azerbaijan GP, while criticizing proposed shorter races and the idea of a Sprint at Monaco. His comments matter both for Ferrari's internal stability and for the direction of F1's 2026-season format debates.

Local view

Italian media are focused on Ferrari's podium drought: FormulaPassion quotes Vasseur calling for consistency, while Sky Sport Italia is covering Baku live with the race on Saturday at 13:00. Spanish press has centered on Aston Martin and Williams weight problems — El Confidencial dubbed the Baku weight-reduction push "Operación Bikini" for Alonso and Sainz, noting caution about its real impact.

Context & numbers

• Kimi Antonelli leads the 2026 drivers' championship with an 81-point advantage heading to Baku.
• Baku is round 15 of the season, with 14 previous events completed.
• Ferrari has gone four Grands Prix without a podium.
• 2026 points go to the top ten finishers in a Grand Prix and the top eight in Sprint races.
• The FIA's 2026 regulations, including sporting and technical sections, remain the governing framework, with amendments approved by the World Motor Sport Council earlier in the year.

On the radar

• F2 in Baku: Alex Dunne took pole in qualifying 1 and Martinius Stenshorne topped qualifying 2, giving Rodin Motorsport a front-row lockout — one to watch for future F1 seats.
• The 2027 driver market remains largely unsettled, with several drivers still without contracts for next season as the season's final third begins.
• ESPN's 2027 lineup tracker highlights open seats from Hamilton to Verstappen — expect contract announcements to accelerate after the autumn flyaway triple-header.
• Watch for Aston Martin's and Williams' Baku weight-reduction upgrades to be evaluated on race pace before being confirmed as genuine step-ups.