Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has indicated the team would consider pairing Max Verstappen with Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the future. Wolff stated on Friday that Mercedes ‘wouldn’t shy away’ from such a driver lineup.
Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull Racing until the conclusion of the 2028 season. Speculation regarding his future has been persistent, but Red Bull has consistently affirmed his commitment.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is currently competing in the 2026 Formula 2 Championship. He has made a strong impression in his rookie season and is considered a prime candidate for an F1 seat with Mercedes or a customer team for 2027.
Mercedes is actively evaluating its options for the 2027 season, with Antonelli being a strong internal contender. The team is also monitoring the wider driver market for potential candidates.
In other motorsport news, the FIA announced on Friday the completion of a significant agreement for rallying. Cosmobilis and Park Square Capital have acquired WRC Promoter, the commercial rights holder for the World Rally Championship.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem described the acquisition as the ‘deal of the century for rallying.’ Former Lotus and McLaren F1 team principal Eric Boullier has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of WRC Promoter.
Boullier’s appointment is effective immediately, marking his return to a prominent management role within motorsport.
Regarding the Formula 1 calendar, Hockenheim circuit officials have confirmed ongoing discussions with Formula 1 management. These talks concern the potential return of the German Grand Prix to the schedule.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali indicated earlier this week that a German Grand Prix could rejoin the calendar in the ‘medium-term future.’ The last German Grand Prix was held in 2019 at Hockenheim.
The Nürburgring hosted a one-off Eifel Grand Prix in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a regular slot for Germany has been absent since 2019.
On track, Lando Norris secured McLaren’s first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The win in Budapest represented a significant performance uplift for the Woking-based team.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff suggested that McLaren’s improved performance in Hungary was not solely attributable to the MCL40 chassis upgrades. McLaren had introduced an upgraded Mercedes power unit one week prior to the race.
The Audi F1 team, in its debut 2026 season, currently holds eighth position in the Constructors’ standings with 12 points at the summer break.
Analysts suggest the Swiss-based team, frequently on the periphery of the points, could have accumulated more points given their consistent pace throughout the season.
