F1 Today | Ferrari livery, Ferrari strategy, Red Bull and FIA's AUDO review under the spotlight
Photo: Race Pictures
22:11, 26 Aug
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Ben Hunt is an award-winning motorsport journalist with over two decades of experience in Formula 1 and international media. As a former editor-in-chief and bestselling author, he delivers in-depth analysis and strategic insight from the highest level of the sport.
Ferrari tease special liver for Monza but their strategy is back under the microscope. Plus FIA reveal their latest AUDO review - here are the main stories from today, August 26th.
Ferrari set to revive its past with classic-inspired Monza livery
Photo: Race Pictures
Ferrari has used Monza in recent years to showcase heritage-themed designs, from the yellow-and-black “Giallo Modena” accents in 2022 to Le Mans–inspired touches in 2023.
After skipping a comparable one-off in 2024, the team revived the concept last season with a retro SF-25 paying homage to the 312T on the 50th anniversary of Niki Lauda’s first title.
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This year’s nod could reference the 1996 F310, marking three decades since Michael Schumacher joined Ferrari and won that season’s Italian Grand Prix.
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Hamilton and Leclerc have the potential to win titles but Ferrari’s biggest problem is something else
Photo: Race Pictures
Ferrari left Zandvoort ruing hesitation on the pit wall, with Lewis Hamilton delayed behind Charles Leclerc despite running a different tyre strategy and believing a podium was within reach.
The episode underscored a broader execution gap: while the SF-26’s development has made the team Mercedes’ closest challenger, slow calls and sensitive team-order dynamics between two title-minded drivers are costing points.
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Monza now arrives as a high-pressure litmus test of whether Ferrari can match performance with decisive race management.
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Red Bull makes decision on Lambiase's successor as Verstappen's race engineer
Red Bull has begun phasing Tom Hart into the race engineer role for Max Verstappen, with the Briton set to handle select sessions across multiple weekends rather than a full event at once.
Hart, who previously covered for Gianpiero Lambiase during absences last season, had been poised to join Williams as Alexander Albon’s engineer before opting to stay at Red Bull.
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Lambiase is expected to depart for McLaren at season’s end after a period of gardening leave, while Verstappen remains contracted to Red Bull for the next four years.
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Major engine upgrade boost to Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi, and Honda
Photo: Race Pictures
The FIA’s first ADUO review confirmed Mercedes’ internal combustion engine was 2–4% off the benchmark, unlocking one extra homologation for 2026 and another for 2027, plus added dyno hours and budget headroom.
Ferrari, Honda and newcomer Audi were judged more than 4% adrift and received the maximum concessions: two additional homologations in both 2026 and 2027 with expanded testing and spending allowances.
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A second review after Hungary yielded no new homologations, indicating the field’s performance gap narrowed through early summer.
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Friday 04.09.26
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F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 242 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 183 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 183 | |
4 | McLarenMCL | 159 | |
5 | FerrariFER | 155 | |
6 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 112 | |
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8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 68 | |
9 | Racing BullsRCB | 49 | |
10 | AlpineALP | 44 |
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