A Busy Stretch Between Madrid and Baku
With the 2026 season now past its halfway point and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the horizon, driver news has continued at pace across the paddock. Here’s a roundup of the latest storylines from every corner of the grid.
Championship Battle
- Kimi Antonelli extended his title lead to 81 points after victories at Monza and Madrid, covered in our latest Antonelli update
- George Russell continues to search for his first outright win since Zandvoort’s Sprint, detailed in our Russell season update
- Lando Norris called for changes to virtual safety car procedures after losing the Spanish Grand Prix win, part of our full Norris season breakdown
Contracts and Futures
- Norris signed a new McLaren deal through 2030, detailed in our dedicated contract update
- Max Verstappen’s own Red Bull extension through 2030 was confirmed earlier this season, covered in our Verstappen contract piece
- Fernando Alonso remains undecided on his future beyond 2026, with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem publicly urging him to stay in the sport
Team Struggles Making Headlines
Oscar Piastri’s season-long win drought remains a talking point at McLaren, while Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon continue pushing Williams toward its planned Azerbaijan upgrade. Cadillac has also made headlines, with Valtteri Bottas commenting on a leadership change at the new American team.
Looking Ahead
Attention now turns to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku, where several teams, including Williams, are targeting major updates. For the full picture of where the grid stands heading into that race, see our complete 2026 standings breakdown.
Conclusion
Between title-fight drama, long-term contract news and midfield teams chasing upgrades, this week’s storylines set up a compelling run into the final third of the 2026 season.