Mattia Binotto, Audi F1 team principal, has addressed ongoing speculation linking Carlos Sainz with a move to the German manufacturer for the 2027 season. Binotto stated that such interest is ‘flattering’ and indicates the credibility of Audi’s Formula 1 project.
Sainz, currently driving for Williams, was previously linked with Audi for the 2025 season before committing to the Grove-based outfit. Reports suggest discussions have occurred between Sainz and Audi regarding a potential 2027 switch.
However, multiple sources indicate that a change to Audi’s driver lineup for 2027 is highly unlikely. Binotto expressed satisfaction with the current Audi pairing of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, both of whom are contracted through 2027.
Audi officially entered Formula 1 as a full manufacturer team at the start of the current 2026 season, taking over the former Sauber squad. The team has focused on establishing stable working practices in its inaugural year.
Elsewhere in Formula 1 news, Lewis Hamilton holds the highest estimated net worth on the 2026 grid. The Ferrari driver’s fortune is estimated at $586 million. This figure places the seven-time world champion significantly ahead of Fernando Alonso, whose net worth is estimated at $260 million.
Max Verstappen, the four-time title winner with Red Bull, is third on the list with an estimated net worth of $210 million. Hamilton’s current Ferrari deal is valued at approximately $70.5 million, supplemented by numerous endorsements.
Max Verstappen has unveiled a special helmet design for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix. The race at Circuit Zandvoort, scheduled for August 21-23, will be the final Dutch Grand Prix for the foreseeable future, as the event will not feature on the 2027 calendar.
The helmet features a white and dark-blue colour scheme, drawing inspiration from traditional Dutch Delftware ceramics. It incorporates intricate floral patterns and Verstappen’s lion logo, serving as a tribute to the Netherlands and Zandvoort.
Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s single-seater director, has acknowledged that ‘improvements’ are required for the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system. The ADUO scheme was established for the 2026 season to assist engine manufacturers experiencing a significant power deficit.
The system allows for additional test bench hours and internal combustion engine (ICE) upgrade allowances if a manufacturer is operating more than 2% below the benchmark power unit. Despite not securing a race win this season, Red Bull’s internal combustion engine was assessed as the strongest after the first ADUO evaluation in June.
Rob Smedley, former race engineer for Felipe Massa, has recounted details of Massa’s life-threatening accident at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. Massa sustained a skull fracture after being struck on the helmet by a suspension spring during qualifying in Budapest.
The spring detached from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn GP car, impacting Massa’s helmet at high speed. Massa was airlifted to a Budapest hospital for emergency surgery and was placed in an induced coma. He returned to competition in the 2010 season.
