Another day of Formula 1 news has been dominated by Max Verstappen's future. Here's everything you need to know, plus the other biggest headlines from around the paddock.
Helmut Marko responds to meeting with Jos Verstappen and Raymond Vermeulen
A ‘leaked’ photo appeared last week claiming Marko, Vermeulen, and Verstappen Sr. had a meeting in the Netherlands. The trio were pictured sitting on a terrace in Amsterdam, and the snap was accompanied by news from a Dutch newspaper seemed to signal that high-level talks are still ongoing about the future of the F1 driver, who has left it unclear for some time whether he will remain with Red Bull Racing.
Marko told GPBlog: “My visit was private, if that’s what you want to ask. No idea [about Verstappen’s future]. I am not in charge anymore.”
FIA makes key F1 engine rule change to help manufacturers in 2027 and 2028
ADVERTISEMENT
The FIA has adjusted the Formula 1 regulations for 2027 and 2028, giving the engine manufacturers more leeway in how they use their power units in the second and third years of the new engine rules. The change means F1 teams will be allowed to deploy an extra unit of each engine component for the next two years, whereas a stricter limit had initially been planned.
Stella cautions blunt Spa performance
Speaking to the media, including GPblog, Stella said of the Belgian Grand Prix: “I think Spa will be an interesting track for everyone.
“Similarly to Silverstone, it will be a heavily energy-starving circuit. I think actually, here we have to say that the preoccupation that we had to start with [at Silverstone], in terms of lacking energy somehow, was mitigated, and we had good racing, even if in some conditions, still listening to our drivers, they raise flags in terms of how unpredictable the speed difference is.”
ADVERTISEMENT
'Verstappen close to a McLaren deal for 2027 after all'
PlanetF1 wrote this Monday again that McLaren is “in advanced negotiations with Verstappen over a possible switch to Woking for the 2027 F1 season”. The British website does not make clear who the source of this report is, later in the article reiterating that Verstappen is “in the final stages” of contract negotiations.
Madring gets Ferrari thumbs-up from Hamilton and Leclerc
The general manager of the Madring, Luis Garcia Abad, said of Ferrari’s filming day:
ADVERTISEMENT
"Leclerc commented that qualifying is going to be tremendous because you really pass very close to the walls.
"They liked it, but it's not because they have to like it or not. The circuit design is approved by the FIA, and from the very beginning, it was F1 itself that built each of the 22 curves of the track."
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on GoogleRead more about:
latest news
Belgian Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 17.07.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Practice 2
03:00 PM
Saturday 18.07.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 19.07.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 17.07.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 03:00 PM
Saturday 18.07.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 19.07.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
Times are in your local timezone
Popular on GPBlog
1
'Verstappen close to a McLaren deal for 2027 after all'
2152 times read
2
Marko finally responds to meeting with Jos Verstappen and Raymond Vermeulen
1133 times read
3
FIA makes key F1 engine rule change to help manufacturers in 2027 and 2028
1096 times read
4
Did Verstappen’s camp demand that Red Bull bar Horner? Here’s what was going on!
950 times read
F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 179 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 154 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 147 | |
4 | FerrariFER | 108 | |
5 | McLarenMCL | 97 | |
6 | McLarenMCL | 82 | |
7 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 76 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 52 | |
9 | AlpineALP | 42 | |
10 | Racing BullsRCB | 39 |
Loading
