Isack Hadjar says Red Bull still needs to “dig” for more performance because the team is “lacking competitiveness” compared with Mercedes and Ferrari, despite what he described as “good progress” with the RB22. Hadjar said: "We're still not where I want to be. There are still a few areas where we're lacking competitiveness compared to Ferrari and Mercedes, so we still need to dig, but it's definitely good progress."

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have played down the idea Ferrari gained a meaningful advantage by running laps at the new Madring circuit on a filming day, after McLaren raised questions about the visit. McLaren boss Andrea Stella said Ferrari’s run came “as a surprise” and while it broke no rules, “possibly a little bit of an advantage” could be gained from having references. Hamilton insisted conditions meant there was little to learn, saying: “It was very, very dusty… and there was no grip.”

McLaren technical director for applied engineering Neil Houldey says the team has smaller upgrades coming in the next races and is targeting a potentially more substantial package for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, after its latest update helped deliver a step at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Houldey said: "At the moment, we've got smaller upgrades arriving at the next sequence of events, and then potentially something more substantial for Baku. After that, it really will depend on whether we find something substantial in aero after the summer break, and whether we think there's value in doing an end-of-season package or fully switch to next year's car."

Williams team principal James Vowles says the team’s “positive changes are masked” despite its on-track results as Formula 1 begins the summer shutdown. Vowles said: "Much of the positive changes are masked, there are strong developments that will help year to year. We'll return energised and ready to finish the year strong."



Formula 1’s Q2 2026 earnings showed a sharp drop in revenue and profit after a reduced race schedule, with Liberty Media reporting revenue down 38% to $764m and operating income down 61% to $73m. The figures were distorted by having only five races in the quarter versus nine a year ago, after calendar reshuffles, while team payments also fell to $316m from $513m. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said F1 will “have more sprint races next year” to “increment the revenue stream”, but added it cannot be “every grand prix” because “it’s important” to keep “scarcity”.

Charles Leclerc says he would be “happy” for Mercedes teenager Kimi Antonelli to win the 2026 world championship if neither he nor Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton can stop him. Leclerc said: "I'm not thinking about the championship just yet; I want to win another race. The work I'm putting in is paying off. If Ferrari didn't win the title, I'd be happy for Kimi to win it. He's incredibly enthusiastic – it reminds me of myself when I made my debut."
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