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Lando Norris celebrates the victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest, Hungary (Photo by: AFP) Lando Norris holds on to win the Hungarian Grand Prix over championship rival, and teammate Oscar Piastri. As the lights went out for the start of the race, Norris fell from 3rd to 5th behind George Russell and Fernando Alonso but shortly after got by both of them a couple of laps later, as well as Max Verstappen going by Liam Lawson for the 8th position and then Lance Stroll for the 7th postion the next lap. Further into the race on lap 19, McLaren decide to pit Oscar Piastri for the hard tires, thus having him commit to a two stop strategy. The Ferrari of Charles Leclerc pitted the following lap for the hard tires as well as George Russell. In addition on lap 28, Lando Norris' race engineer asked him if he could commit to a one stop strategy and go 40 laps on the hard tire, and Norris responded with "yeah, why not". On lap 29, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton had a very close call with Verstappen going to the inside of Hamilton heading into turn 4 and nearly making contact. Hamilton went off track in order to not collide with Verstappen and ultimately lost the position to Verstappen. Furthermore, on lap 32, Lando Norris pits for the hard tires and committing to that one stop strategy, going to the end of the race. Later on lap 41, Charles Leclerc makes his 2nd and final stop pitting for the hard tires once again, and on lap 46, Oscar Piastri says on the radio "I'm not even thinking about Leclerc" when his team tells him that Leclerc will be around 4 to 5 seconds ahead of the pit window and shortly after Piastri pits for his second stop. It wasn't until a couple of laps later, on lap 51 Piastri catches up to Leclerc and goes by him for the second position and sets his objective on catching teammate Lando Norris for the race win. On lap 53 leclerc gets frustrated at his team on the radio saying "This is so incredibly frustrating. We've lost all competitiveness. You just have to listen to me. I would have found a different way of managing those issues. Now, it's just undriveable. undriveable. It's a miracle if we finish on the podium." Not too later, on lap 61, George Russell goes for a move on Charles Leclerc into turn 1 but Leclerc shuts the door and Russell comes on the radio and says "that's moving under braking, that's clearly not allowed." Russell did manage to get by Leclerc the following lap but the two nearly collided once again in turn 1. Within the last five laps of the race Piastri eventually caught up to Norris who was on that one stop strategy and on lap 69 with two laps to go Piastri goes for a move into turn 1 but locks up and was not close enough to get by his McLaren teammate for the race win. Norris wins the Hungarian Grand Prix over Oscar Piastri and George Russell who rounds out the podium. The Aston Martin duo of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll got their best result as a team for the first time since Bahrain in 2023 with a result of 5th for Alonso and 7th for Stroll. Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto finishes in 6th scoring his best career finish in Formula 1. Formula 1 now heads into the summer break after the conclusion of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Action resumes on the 29th of August when Formula 1 heads to Zandvoort in the Netherlands for the Dutch Grand Prix.

NASCAR Up-and-Comer Cindric May Join Supercars Grid for Adelaide Finale In major Supercars news, Ford squad Tickford Racing is looking to enter a third Mustang for NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Cindric at the season-ending Adelaide 500. Cindric would potentially join regular drivers Cam Waters and Thomas Randle as part of the team’s expanded effort. Rival teams were notified of the wildcard plan last Thursday, as Tickford continues talks with both Supercars officials and the South Australian Motorsport Board to finalize the entry. Cindric, currently racing for Team Penske in NASCAR, has long expressed interest in racing in Supercars. His initial exposure came during Penske’s co-ownership of Dick Johnson Racing, when his father Tim Cindric played a key role in the operation. Austin had previously tested with DJR Team Penske and Matt Stone Racing, and was even slated to race in Super2 at the 2017 Newcastle 500, but a scheduling conflict forced a last-minute cancellation. If confirmed, Cindric would become the first active NASCAR driver to compete in the Adelaide 500. Similar wildcard deals for Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson had previously fallen through, making this potential crossover a significant storyline in international motorsport news. Cardile Finally Starts at Aston Martin After Ferrari Dispute Former Ferrari F1 technical director Enrico Cardile has officially started his role as Chief Technical Officer at Aston Martin, ending a long legal battle that delayed his arrival. Cardile was announced as a key Aston hire in July 2024 but had been forced to serve a year-long gardening leave by Ferrari. Ferrari escalated the situation earlier this year by filing legal action in the Court of Modena, claiming Cardile had breached his non-compete clause. In April, the court sided with Ferrari, prolonging the delay even further. However, that legal roadblock has now been cleared, and Cardile is finally operational at Aston Martin’s Silverstone base. Cardile joins forces with legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey, who signed on earlier this year as the team’s Managing Technical Partner. While Cardile was initially expected to report to technical director Dan Fallows, Fallows was removed from his post back in April, giving Cardile a more central leadership role. With Aston Martin preparing for the major changes in the 2026 F1 regulations, having both Newey and Cardile onboard marks a bold new direction for the team. It’s a significant technical change that could sway the competitive order in future seasons. Lamborghini Pauses GTP Racing Program After Strategic Shift Lamborghini has announced it will not field its SC63 LMDh prototype in IMSA’s GTP class next season, citing a strategic realignment of its motorsport goals. While it framed the decision as a “pause,” the move may mark the end of Lamborghini’s ambitions in top-tier prototype racing. This comes after its recent withdrawal from the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class, leaving its SC63 project without a racing future in either series. The automaker will now focus on its new Temerario GT3 platform, set to launch in 2026, along with a Super Trofeo variant expected in 2027. Lamborghini’s IMSA effort was run in partnership with Riley Motorsports, but after ending its deal with Iron Lynx and taking on full financial responsibility, the program quickly became unsustainable. According to CTO Rouven Mohr, the brand underestimated the cost of LMDh development and ongoing competition. Regulatory changes in WEC, which now require teams to run two cars in Hypercar, only added to the cost burden. Lamborghini, which operates on a much smaller scale compared to other LMDh manufacturers, simply couldn’t keep pace. The pause may become permanent unless a well-funded partner steps in.

The weekend at Spa was anything but expected.   With drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli, on the back foot and starting from the pit lane alongside Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, it already looked like a tough drive. The long wait before we even got racing was typical Belgian GP fashion. Very wet conditions for the aborted start at the Belgian Grand Prix. (Source: The Race)   By lap 11, the Intermediate tyres had hit a wall, and the first wave of drivers pitted for a set of slicks. This included Lewis Hamilton, Pierre Gasly, Nico Hulkenberg, and Fernando Alonso, just a lap before the remainder of the field. The last drivers to pit for a new set of tyres on lap 13 were Lando Norris, Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar and Esteban Ocon.   Whilst most of the drivers were able to make the slick tyres last, unfortunately, a few had to pit again. Isack Hadjar had new tyres from lap 20, Carlos Sainz was on lap 26, Franco Colapinto was by lap 28, Fernando Alonso was by lap 29, Kimi Antonelli on lap 30 and Nico Hulkenberg on lap 32. These drivers had issues ranging from temperature to serious tyre degradation.   After waiting for an hour and a half, we were finally able to get underway. Oscar Piastri made quick work of Lando Norris, with Norris being forced to use most of his battery pack and having nothing left to fight back. This led quickly to an extension in favour of Piastri. The McLaren drivers led the entire race to make it yet another dominant weekend and a 1-2 finish with Oscar Piastri maintaining the championship lead again and Lando Norris forced to settle for P2. McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris during the Belgian Grand Prix. (Source: The Race) Charles Leclerc was forced to work twice as hard to keep the creeping RedBull of Max Verstappen at bay, with his defensive tactics working in his favour. Verstappen was forced to settle for a P4 finish, instead of a podium. Although unhappy with not starting the race before the heavy downpour of rain, would this have worked in his favour in the end? For Charles Leclerc, though, Spa was a good race, adding another podium finish to his 2025 season, finishing P3.   George Russell was in a race of his own, cruising along the entire race and making it another point-scoring weekend, finishing P5. Whilst his teammate Kimi Antonelli had his work cut out for him. Starting from the pits, it was already a hard ask for the young rookie, with DRS trains and uncertain conditions, the young driver had to settle for a P16 finish. Although for a tough weekend, he still managed to receive the fastest lap of the race with a 1:44.861.   Similar results for the Williams Racing pairing, with Alex Albon scoring points for the team with his P6 finish, but Carlos Sainz only managing P18. This was a tough weekend for Carlos, given his initial problems during Free Practice 1. Another team with a half-and-half result was Racing Bulls, with Liam Lawson in P8, whilst his teammate was P20 and the only lapped car on track. A very difficult day for Isack Hadjar with strategy errors, which would not pay off. Alex Albon during the rainy Grand Prix at Spa. (Source: Atlassian Williams Racing)   Lewis Hamilton made quick work of passing through the field, with 11 cars overtaken by lap 20. He managed to storm through the field, after pitting for the fresh slicks and ultimately finished P7. On a day when he was expected to struggle. He also received the Driver of the Day. Given his weekend at Spa, this was by far the best result for Hamilton.   Lewis Hamilton during the Belgian GP. (Source: XPBimages)   Your P9 and P10 went to Gabriel Bortoleto and Pierre Gasly with a pretty quiet weekend. Bortoleto was in his own world, being that he was never under attack from another driver, so he had a relaxing race, so to speak. Pierre Gasly put his defensive driving tactics to use and was able to hold up Oliver Bearman (P11) and Nico Hulkenberg (P12).   A race to forget for two teams, Aston Martin and Haas, with neither one of their drivers finishing in the top 10. Lance Stroll managed to finish above Fernando Alonso in P14, whilst Alonso was down in P17. As for Haas, they had a strong qualifying session, but purely given the conditions, it was not meant to be. They managed to finish P11 with Oliver Bearman and P15 with Esteban Ocon.   With the mixed-race weekend in Spa complete, we prepare to return to Hungary this weekend. Could we see another Oscar Piastri win there? Will Lando Norris take home the trophy? Or maybe someone else entirely?

Honorable Mention: We’ll give the nod to two drivers this week, both winners in different rights. Bubba Wallace was a winner on Sunday, his first in a hundred races, and Ty Gibbs was the NASCAR In Season Tournament winner. Wallace hasn’t had the speed to justify a top 10 spot, and Gibbs was uncharacteristically slow on Sunday, but both walked away with hardware and deserve a nod. 10. Chris Buescher had the exact opposite kind of day that he had last week at Dover. The speed was present in the 17 car, and he ran top 10 all day, collecting points in both stages. However, on the final restart, he faded from 8th to 14th. Buescher only mustered an 18th last year at Iowa, but he did win at a similar Richmond back in 2023 9. Ryan Preece needed a good run, and he got one, finishing 4th. Unfortunately, the man he was chasing won on Sunday, and he now has to fight his teammate for the final playoff spot. Preece had a bad run at Iowa last year, but I think that was more SHR than him. He’s shown this year that he shines at the short tracks with RFK, and could easily be a player late in this one. Don’t be shocked to see the 60 in victory lane. 8. Tyler Reddick had a fast car on Sunday, but he was caught up in the final wreck, relegating him to a measly 29th. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean anything for him, as all Reddick is concerned about at this point is winning. Barring 3 new winners that aren’t named Tyler Reddick, it’s hard to believe he misses the playoffs this year. Reddick finished 22nd last year at Iowa, but did have a strong showing at Richmond last year, with a top 5 turning into a 2nd after all the chaos settled. Now that his teammate is a winner, it’s time for Tyler Reddick to find some mojo of his own.  7. Ryan Blaney finished 7th on Sunday, but didn’t seem to have a top 10 car until late. Team Penske had an alternate strategy, which only seemed to help him, as he won stage 2. As for his teammates, Josh Berry had a poor finish, and Logano and Cindric both blew tires. Last year at Iowa, Blaney won his first race of the year. He should definitely be a solid pick Sunday. 6. Christopher Bell can’t seem to help himself. He was involved in another incident, this one by far the worst. He hooked Zane Smith down the backstretch on the first GWC, starting a big wreck. Bell needs to clean up before the playoffs, this is the 3rd wreck in the last 2 weeks that he’s caused. Iowa seems to be the place to do that; he finished 4th here last year. 5. Chase Briscoe is picking up speed; however, everyone in front of him on the list has been at speed for a while. Briscoe ran the worst of the SHR cars at Iowa last year, but on the contrary, has looked the best of them this year. Briscoe has a ton of momentum, and poles, right now. 4. William Byron had his best Brickyard run to date, until it came crashing down on the white flag, with him running out of fuel. Thanks to his points in stage 1 and 2 though, Byron cut Chase Elliott’s points lead down to just 4 points. Byron finished runner up at Iowa last year. This team looks to be exiting their yearly summer slump right now.  3. Kyle Larson had an average run going until he got the lead at the start of stage 3, and from then on, he was a top 3 player for the rest of the day. Larson had a shot at the end, but lost to Bubba Wallace on the final restart. Larson drove from the back to the front on a few occasions at Iowa last year before being involved in a wreck late, he’ll have a shot come Sunday. 2. For the first time in a minute, Chase Elliott looked like his 2023 and 2024 self again. A 15-20th place run ended with a 13th, however there aren’t any tracks left like Indy, so a mediocre run here doesn’t look too terrible for the 9 camp. He did finish 3rd at Iowa last year though, so a rebound is in sight for Elliott. 1. Denny Hamlin reclaims the top spot. After wrecking on his pole run, Hamlin took his backup car and drove to a 3rd place finish. Hamlin looks to be the perineal favorite as we head to the playoffs, although his Iowa run last year doesn’t bode much confidence here. A 24th is all Hamlin could muster, but he was poised to win at Richmond last year before getting wrecked a few hundred feet from the line.

🏁 Ty Dillon’s Million-Dollar NASCAR Dream Comes to a Close at Indy Ty Dillon might not have left Indianapolis Motor Speedway with $1 million, but he won over fans during one of the most unlikely runs we’ve seen in recent NASCAR history. Entering the In-Season Bracket Challenge as the bottom seed, Dillon stunned the field with a string of David vs. Goliath victories, knocking out the likes of Chase Elliott on his way to the final. But in the showdown of the “Tys,” it was Ty Gibbs who ended the run. Gibbs had track position from the start, while Dillon was buried deep in the pack and ultimately got caught in a messy stack-up during a restart. Damage to the nose of his car killed straight-line speed, and by the time rain brought out the red flag with four laps to go, he was three laps down in 30th. Gibbs, who finished 21st, still walked away with the $1 million prize, and even pledged $10,000 of it to a charity of Dillon’s choice. NASCAR recently stated the 1 Million Dollars goes to the team not the driver Despite the tough finish, Dillon reflected with pride on what he accomplished. “If all things are equal and we don’t knock the nose off, we probably would’ve put some pressure on him,” he said. “It just didn’t work out that way, it’s disappointing.” Still, his run reminded everyone that on the right day, with the right breaks, even a longshot can steal the spotlight. 🏎️ Monaco’s F1 Circuit Could Return to WRC in 2026 In rally news, the Monte Carlo Rally which is the WRC’s traditional season-openerr, might be getting a major facelift for 2026. Organizers are working on bringing back a super special stage  that would use part of the Monaco Grand Prix F1 circuit , something that hasn’t been done since 2008. The stage would run on the lower section of the track and is tentatively set as the final stage of Saturday’s leg. This move would also shift the rally's base from Gap to Monte Carlo earlier in the weekend than usual. If approved, it could make for one of the most visually iconic stages in modern rallying, putting WRC machines on the same tarmac as Formula 1. Oliver Solberg went viral for drifting the Monaco Hairpin earlier this year The rest of the 2026 Monte Carlo Rally will remain packed with classic French Alpine asphalt, including the La Bollène-Vésubie and Col de Braus stages. Organizers also revealed a new 30.1km test at La Bréole/Bellaffaire, continuing the event’s mix of new and historic challenges. A final decision on the Monaco stage is still pending, but fans are already buzzing at the thought of rally cars tearing through the Principality once again. 🏍️ Aprilia Avoids MotoGP Demotion, But Misses Out on Perks Meanwhile, MotoGP’s midseason factory reshuffling has left Aprilia in a bittersweet spot. After scoring enough points at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno, the Italian manufacturer has avoided dropping into Group D , the lowest category for technical concessions. That’s a good thing in theory, but Group D teams (like Yamaha and Honda) now gain extra testing, engine development, and fairing updates that Aprilia will no longer be eligible for. Team boss Paolo Bonora was clear: they’re not upset. “We want to beat the top teams, not gain by falling behind,” he told TNT Sports. Aprilia has become Ducati’s biggest challenger in recent weeks, with Marco Bezzecchi winning at Silverstone and Jorge Martin returning strong after injury. Test rider Lorenzo Savadori has played a key role too, helping to develop the bike while Martin recovered. Still, some wonder if staying in Group C was the right move. The extra laps and parts development might’ve been valuable, especially for a team still chasing consistency. But Aprilia remains confident in their rider-first approach and incremental development strategy, and they’re not wrong to believe they can keep closing the gap to Ducati the hard way.

In recent years, F1 has exploded globally, with new tracks popping up in all corners of the world. While expansion is exciting, it's also caused some bloated calendars, odd travel logistics, and some headaches. So here’s my version of an F1 calendar 20 to 22 races, plus testing, spaced out in a way that makes sense geographically, climatically, and culturally. I also tried to be realistic when it comes to contracts with the massive fees countries pay to host a race at certain parts of the season If I were running the show at FOM, here’s how it would go: 🧪 Preseason Testing 1 - Barcelona, Spain (Jan 27–28) Barcelona is the classic choice for a reason. It’s close to many team factories in the UK and Italy, making logistics easy. The weather is decent in January, and the track itself has a perfect blend of high-speed corners, a long straight, and technical sections. It gives teams a good overall read on their new machinery across different conditions. 🧪 Preseason Testing 2 - Dubai Autodrome, UAE (Feb 10–12) Rather than Abu Dhabi, which appears later on the calendar, we go to Dubai. It keeps the teams from gathering too much data for Yas Marina and gives us great weather and is a circuit that’s different in layout and flow. Plus, it’s a great marketing opportunity for F1 in a region that's rapidly growing its motorsport base. Race 1 - Australian GP, Albert Park (Feb 27–Mar 1) There’s just something magical about opening the season in Melbourne. The fans are passionate, the city’s buzzing, and the atmosphere is great. It’s not always the best race in terms of action, but it's perfect for easing into the season. A great opener that feels celebratory without overwhelming the drivers. Race 2- Chinese GP, Shanghai (Mar 13–15) China is an important market and deserves a race. The Shanghai layout isn’t perfect, but it offers enough diversity and unique corners to make it interesting. It also kicks off our first Asian/Middle Eastern swing and tests driver precision to the max. Race 3 - Singapore GP (Mar 20–22) We stay in Asia and move south to Singapore. The Marina Bay Street Circuit is one of the most visually stunning venues. While the layout could use a refresh in some places, the nighttime atmosphere under the lights is electric. March also avoids monsoon season, which makes it more race-friendly. Race 4 - Qatar GP, Lusail Circuit (Mar 27–29) Qatar has a relatively new place in F1 history, but Lusail looks like a fun track. While the racing isn’t always thrilling, the layout is clean and offers some proper high-speed sequences. It’s hot, it’s dry, and it’s mentally grueling which is a true test of driver consistency. Race 5 - Bahrain GP (Apr 10–12) A fan favorite for a reason. Bahrain always seems to bring solid racing. And it looks stunning under the lights. The lack of preseason testing here keeps the field guessing, and the blend of long straights and tricky corners lets the brave shine. It’s the perfect way to end our first leg in the Middle East. Race 6 - Buenos Aires GP (Apr 24–26) Here’s where we get creative. Argentina doesn’t currently have a Grade 1 circuit, but a downtown Buenos Aires street race would be epic. Latin America deserves more representation in F1, and this could be a fresh fan-favorite like Baku was when it first debuted. Call it fantasy for now, but it’s a dream worth chasing. Race 7 - Miami GP (May 1–3) Yes, it's divisive. But like it or not, Miami is a crucial market. The track is quirky and hasn't delivered fireworks yet, but the straights allow for overtaking, and there's potential. Even with the media appeal I'm not sure where else you can race given the lack of Grade 1 circuits in North America that actually want to host a race. Race 8 - Canadian GP, Montreal (May 8–10) One of the best atmospheres on the calendar. Montreal always feels like a celebration of motorsport. The track might be simple, but it punishes mistakes and rewards bravery, plus, weather can spice things up. This ends our early-season run through the Americas. Race 9 - Monaco GP (May 29–31) Monaco is sacred. It may not suit modern F1 cars well in terms of racing, but qualifying here is magic. The visuals, the tension, and the glamour. You don’t mess with Motorsports Christmas, It stays on its traditional late-May slot. 💤 Spring Mini Break A quick breather before heading back into the European swing. Race 10 - British GP, Silverstone (Jul 3–5) Silverstone is the heart of F1 and deserves something special. So I’m introducing a “Throwback Weekend,” inspired by NASCAR’s Darlington. Retro liveries, classic race suits, a true celebration of F1 history. The racing here is brilliant, rain or shine. 🧪 Midseason Test - Silverstone (Jul 6–7) With the first half of the season done, teams can use this two-day test to trial updates before the final push. It’s only fair to give them a proper shot at adjusting their cars midseason. Race 11 - German GP, Hockenheimring (Jul 10–12) With Audi entering and Mercedes still strong, Germany needs to return. Hockenheim offers better racing than the Nürburgring in my opinion and is historically significant. German fans deserve a home race, and this spot right before summer break is ideal. Race 12 - Italian GP, Monza (Jul 24–26) Before the second half we head to the Temple of Speed. It’s not always wheel-to-wheel chaos, but Monza has soul. Few circuits test engine power like this one. And watching the Tifosi cheer a Ferrari pole lap is a great sight. 💤 Summer Break Three weeks to recharge and come back fighting. Race 13 - Belgian GP, Spa-Francorchamps (Aug 28–30) Spa stays. End of discussion. It’s iconic. The weather is unpredictable, the track is punishing, and it always produces moments that stay in memory. Perfect way to get back in the groove after the Summer Break Race 14 - Malaysian GP, Sepang (Sep 11–13) Sepang deserves a comeback. It’s wide, technical, fast , everything you want in a modern track. With the new generation of cars, I think this circuit could shine. Plus, Malaysia is a motorsport-hungry nation that F1 needs to return to. Race 15 - Japanese GP, Suzuka (Sep 18–20) We head into one of the most beloved tracks on the calendar. Suzuka is technical, narrow in places, and provides many sketchy moments. In early fall it may have mixed conditions. Ideal as we wrap up our last Asian leg. 💤 Fall Mini Break One more pause before the final five-race sprint. Race 16 - United States GP, Austin (Oct 9–11) This is the racing purist’s American round. No frills, just a solid track with elevation changes and great overtaking. COTA always delivers, and if there’s a title fight brewing, this becomes a critical round in the championship. Race 17 - Mexican GP, Mexico City (Oct 23–25) A stadium section and massive crowds make Mexico special. Mexico brings a unique challenge with its high altitude, affecting downforce and engine cooling. While it doesn’t always bring tight battles, it demands precision from the teams. Race 18 - Brazilian GP, Interlagos (Nov 6–8) Interlagos is legendary. Weather chaos, last-lap drama, unpredictable strategy, it’s all here. One of the few remaining old-school circuits, and a place where championships are won, lost, or reborn. Never remove Brazil. I wanted to make this the final round but we all know the Middle-Eastern circuits would win a bidding war in real life. Race 19 - Las Vegas GP (Nov 20–22) As a penultimate race, Vegas offers a wildcard. Yes, the track still needs refinement, but it’s a major market and makes for a wild backdrop under the neon lights. If there is a close title battle this race would definitely be a banger. Race 20 - Saudi Arabian GP, Jeddah (Dec 4–6) The high-speed street circuit in Jeddah isn’t everyone's cup of tea, but it brings some intense moments. Especially when it comes to qualifying or a late race battle that keeps people on their toes. Race 21 - Abu Dhabi GP, Yas Marina (Dec 11–13) We finish under the lights in Abu Dhabi. Love it or not, the upgraded layout flows a bit better, and it has become F1’s traditional closing chapter. If the title fight goes down to the wire it's a big stage to end the season on.

NASCAR is heading to Coronado. After weeks of speculation and sourcing, the long-rumored event is expected to be officially announced this Wednesday: NASCAR will race at the Coronado Naval Base in San Diego during the summer of 2026. It’ll fill the slot previously held by the Chicago Street Race, which ends its run after 2025. Chicago was an ambitious project, and while the visuals were incredible, the racing product and logistical hurdles left its future in question. The decision not to renew after three seasons opened the door for a new street course, and it’s now set to be San Diego. Kelly Crandall of RACER reports that the announcement could be set for Wednesday. Many Hoped For A Race Downtown But It Looks Like Plan B Became Plan A This marks a significant return for NASCAR to Southern California. The last points-paying race in Southern California happened back in 2023 at Auto Club Speedway which is currently sitting in limbo, its proposed short track redevelopment stalled indefinitely. The Coronado event gives the region something new to rally around, and early feedback suggests it could be more dynamic than the Chicago layout with waterfront views, and fewer tight 90-degree corners. Between this, a possible Montreal addition NASCAR seems to be investing in making its schedule feel like a global tour. Whether fans enjoy it or not, the series appears all-in on diversification. Meanwhile, over in the MotoGP world, the silly season has mostly settled and Luca Marini is staying put. Motorsport.com reports that Marini has re-signed with Honda’s factory team, extending his contract through the end of the current regulations cycle (2026). It was the expected move, especially after Honda missed out on Jorge Martin, who is locked into Aprilia until the end of 2026. Marini has had a rough year in terms of results but remains Honda’s second-best rider and, more importantly, a known quantity for a manufacturer desperate for stability. His best result so far in 2025 came at the Sachsenring, finishing sixth. Luca Marini Is Re-Signed Through 2026 But No Word On Afterwards Behind the scenes, Honda is also rethinking its approach to the satellite LCR team. Johann Zarco is expected to continue leading that operation, but Somkiat Chantra may be on the way out. The Thai rider’s data is reportedly too far off the pace to be usable a big problem when every other Honda is already struggling. The bigger story might be Honda’s cooling interest in the Idemitsu pipeline, potentially opening the door for a more open rider selection process. Even as their results lag behind Ducati and KTM, Honda appears to be playing the long game eyes firmly on the 2027 rulebook and a hopeful rebuild around a major name. Finally, let’s talk Supercars because changes may be coming to one of the most polarizing rules of the year. The New Format Is Expected To Shake Up Strategies Speedcafe is reporting that Supercars is seriously considering scrapping the 2024 rule that forced primary drivers to start endurance races like Bathurst and The Bend 500. The intent was understandable: make sure the biggest names are on track for the green flag. But in practice, it eliminated nearly all strategic variety. Every team was locked into the same rhythm start the main driver, pit early, and get the co-driver’s required laps done ASAP. The proposed fix? A hybrid format. Under the idea being floated, the top 10 cars those that make the Saturday Shootout would be required to start the race with the driver who ran the Shootout lap. Everyone else, from 11th on back, could pick either the main driver or the co-driver to start the race. It’s a clever compromise. If a team wants full strategy freedom, they can play it safe in qualifying and opt out of the Shootout. But if they want a shot at pole, they’re locked into starting that same driver on Sunday. It’s believed the plan has support across the paddock and is part of a larger push by Supercars motorsport boss Tim Edwards to fine-tune the enduro product. Edwards already reduced fuel tank sizes and increased the minimum co-driver laps for 2025. This change could be the final puzzle piece to bring unpredictability and balance back to the races.

It was an interesting race in Dover for these NASCAR drivers in the Top 10, 2 new names enter the top 10 and a big name falls. Honorable Mention: Chris Buescher was not very good on Sunday. A top 10 finish doesn’t show the struggles the 17 team had all day. When he restarted 9th with 2 laps to go, it was the first time he had been top 10 all day. He was off my list completely, but thanks to a few running outside the top 15, Chris barely maintains some recognition. Chris has been fast at the big tracks this year, with a 2nd at Michigan and a 4th at Pocono. Keep an eye on the 17 come Sunday. 10. Ty Gibbs has been good the last month or so, but a slow start to the season kept him off the list for the past few weeks. Ty has 8 top 15s in a row, half of those being top 10s. Ty’s only finish at the Brickyard is a measly 23rd, but he did lose a cylinder midway through the race. Ty has a 3rd and a 14th at Michigan and Pocono this year, similar tracks to Indy. Finishes do the 54 no good, however: he needs a win. 9. Alex Bowman comes back to the power rankings after a couple months off. Some speed shown late boosts him back to the top 10. Other than a 19th at Sonoma, his worst finish since wrecking at Michigan is an 11th at Pocono. Indianapolis, however, is statistically Alex Bowman’s worst racetrack. Not counting his 2 sub 30s with Tommy Baldwin and BK Racing, Bowman’s average finish at Indy is 28.75, with a best finish of 21st in 2019.  8. Tyler Reddick had an ok day on Sunday, with a 12th place finish capping off a mediocre day. Reddick still hasn’t won a race this year, but that could easily happen at the Brickyard. In his 2 starts at the rectangle, Reddick has an average finish of 5, along with a 2nd place last year, not to mention he won the pole. He also has a win on the road course layout back in 2022, not that that translates, but still, wins at Indy are wins at Indy. Reddick is a good shot to win on Sunday. 7. Ryan Blaney came home 8th, after running top 10 all day. In a race where it was all Chevy and Toyota, this run looks rather impressive for Blaney, but we can’t pretend that he hasn’t gone a little cold recently. Since winning at Nashville, he only has 2 top 10s, granted, he seemed to have top 10 runs going at Sonoma and Atlanta before being wrecked in both of them. Indianapolis is a hit or miss track for Blaney. He finished 3rd here last year, with a car that probably could’ve won, and he also finished 7th back in 2019. Other than just missing out on a top 10 in both 2015 and 2018, Blaney has 3 sub 20ths to his name, including 2 sub 30ths. It’s time to put up or shut up for Ryan Blaney. 6. Christopher Bell had just about the most up and down day you could imagine. After starting 3rd due to the metric system, Bell finished stage 1 in 2nd and stage 2 in 1st. However, early stage 3, Bell spun going for the lead on Chase Elliott. After he was aided back to the lead by rain, Bell fought Denny Hamlin for the win…before spinning again. Christopher Bell was once this driver who would be fast but consistent; however, recently, he’s looked way more fast and way less consistent. He needs to hone it in before the playoffs in a few weeks, and Indy’s a good place to start. With a 4th last year and a 12th in 2020, Bell needs a fast, consistent run.  5. Chase Briscoe is apparently the second coming of Martin Truex. 2 of Truex’s best tracks in his career were Sonoma and Dover, and that’s exactly where Briscoe has finished runner up the last 2 weeks. This 19 car seems to have the speed that we haven’t seen in it since the summer of 2023. Briscoe only managed a 20th last year. If we go by the MTJ rule, I wouldn’t be too excited for Briscoe. In Truex’s 17 starts at the Brickyard, he only managed 3 top 10s, and over triple that amount of sub 20ths. Briscoe is his own man, however, and he could easily find his groove. It’s not like two of the best at Indy are sprint car drivers who grew up racing in the area just like Briscoe…oh wait.  4. I said William Byron could run 4th just as easy as he could finish 30th. He was running 7th when he got wrecked by Christopher Bell and finished 31st…I’ll take what I can get, I guess. Other than a 4th in 2019, Byron has never finished better than 19th at Indy, including a 38th last year after he was wrecked. However, in his lone Xfinity start in 2017 here, Byron did capture the win, however this was using restrictor plates.  3. Kyle Larson is so good that I have full confidence to move him back into the top 3 after a near-2 month slump, that only saw him lead 3 laps on strategy, came to an end on Sunday. (Just for the record, he still didn’t lead any more laps on Sunday.) Larson finished 4th on Sunday and heads to Indianapolis, a place he just won at last year. 2. Denny Hamlin is really good at Dover. Like, really good. Denny Hamlin, however, is not really good at Indy. In 16 starts, he has 8 top 10s but also 5 sub 20ths. Hamlin has seemed to figure it out slightly over the last decade, as 5 of those 8 top 10s have come since 2014. He has had speed the last few times at the Brickyard, but a cut tire in 2020 and a late race wreck last year have kept him from good finishes. Hamlin’s never finished better than 3rd, something he’s managed to do 3 times. With the speed he’s shown at the big tracks, this year, a win at Michigan and a 2nd at Pocono, it’s not an impossibility he could win Sunday. 1. Chase Elliott made it pretty easy to keep him at the #1 spot. Even though he didn’t win, much less earn a top 5, Elliott led for over half the race and won his first stage of the year, which also netted him enough points to take the regular season points lead. A miscue on pit road by the jackman and some questionable strategy from Alan Gustafson may have kept the 9 car out of victory lane; however, for the first time in over 3 years, Chase Elliott looks like a weekly threat to win races. In terms of Indy, other than an engine failure in 2017, Elliott has only finished outside the top 15 once, with an 18th in his rookie year. However, at the same time, his best finish is only a 9th in 2019. Does Elliott keep up with the top 5s and 10s, or is this simply a hot streak that burns out come playoff time?

🏁 Predicting the Next 10 F1 Champions (2025–2035) No one can really predict the future in F1, but that’s never stopped me from trying. So here’s my annual breakdown of who I think will win the Formula 1 championship from 2025 to 2035. Some picks might seem bold, others maybe obvious, but all are rooted in a mix of trends, talent, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. 2025: Oscar Piastri takes the throne I think Oscar Piastri will come off the summer break like a man possessed and level up to secure his first F1 championship. In doing so, he’d edge out his McLaren teammate Lando Norris and finally break Max Verstappen’s dominant streak of four straight titles. It feels like Piastri has that quiet confidence and raw pace that’ll shine once the stars align. 2026: Back-to-back for Piastri With new regulations and McLaren rumored to have nailed both the chassis and their engine partnership with Mercedes, I think Oscar goes back-to-back. The car will suit him, and McLaren looks poised to dominate early in the new era. But as F1 history shows dominance is never permanent. Will a three-peat be in play? 2027: Verstappen rises again? In 2027 Max Verstappen wins his fifth world title, but not with Red Bull. I think he might jump ship to Mercedes, who are reportedly building the strongest power unit for 2026. If Max smells a better shot at a title, he’ll go for it, and if Mercedes is serious about returning to form, they’d gladly make room and break the bank. 2028: Verstappen makes it six Assuming he makes that move, I don’t think Max slows down. In fact, he probably runs away with the 2028 title, cruising to his sixth championship with that same ruthless dominance. By this point, Max would have nothing left to prove, but he’s still out there proving it anyway. 2029: George Russell gets his moment 2029 is the year George Russell finally becomes world champion. Mercedes sticks the development, and Russell finally delivers on the promise Toto Wolff believed in all along. It’s a feel-good win, and one that validates years of hard work and near-misses. But the question is....can he do it again? 2030: Lando Norris silences the critics In 2030, Lando Norris finally gets his first world championship for McLaren. It’s a super tight fight between him, Russell, and Piastri, while Ferrari starts to close the gap. This is the moment where Lando proves he’s more than just a fun interview and fast driver plus he’s a legit F1 champion. Meanwhile, Max? He’s probably off enjoying himself in WEC or IMSA by now. 2031: Piastri returns to the top After a one-year break, Piastri is back on top and claims his third F1 championship. He edges out Lando once again and climbs the list of all-time greats. Other teams are playing catch-up and trying to figure out how McLaren keeps doing it. The Papaya team is riding high, but the grid is hungrier than ever to knock them off. 2032: Charles Leclerc finally gets his glory Ferrari’s long road pays off in 2032 as Charles Leclerc wins his first F1 championship. It took years of playing catch-up with the new regs, but now the Prancing Horse is back in S-tier form. Leclerc holds off a tight group that includes Piastri, Russell, Antonelli, and even rising star Kenzo Craigie. Meanwhile, Red Bull Ford is finally showing title-contending signs again just in time for the next major rule changes. 2033: The Antonelli era begins The final year of the 2026 regulation cycle ends with Ferrari still on top, but this time it’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli who takes the title. It’s a wild four-way title fight between Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull, but Antonelli holds his nerve. This win marks the beginning of what could be a major generational shift. 2034: Cadillac shocks the world with Oliver Wheldon Formula 1 reverts to naturally aspirated engines in 2034 due to new sustainable lab made fuel mandates and that plays right into GM’s wheelhouse. With Cadillac using their decades of NA V8 expertise from NASCAR and WEC finally pay off. Oliver Wheldon wins the title in a shocking twist that no one saw coming. Is this a one-off fluke or the start of something major? 2035: Antonelli seals his legacy The final year in this prediction sees Antonelli winning his second F1 championship with Ferrari, solidifying himself as one of the top drivers of his generation. The season ends with an all-time close title fight, the kind that defines a driver’s career and Andrea Kimi Antonelli delivers. F1 is unpredictable. That’s what makes it great. But it’s also what makes predicting it so fun. These picks aren’t just guesses they’re stories I’d love to see unfold. Whether you agree or think I’ve gone totally off the rails, drop a comment with your own predictions. Who do you think wins the next 10 F1 championships?

Honorable Mention: SVG is on fire. He’s the quickest driver in the modern era to reach 4 wins in a career. Unfortunately for Shane, we’re only turning left for the next couple of weeks; and I don’t have faith with him on the ovals. 10. Ross Chastain had an ok day on Sunday, opting for a points day over a good run. He flipped stage 1 and won the stage, getting a well needed playoff point, but that relegated him to 24th on the final pylon. Chastain has 2 podiums at Dover, in 2022 and 2023, and Trackhouse seems to be finding some speed late, so expect a decent run from the 1. 9. Chris Buescher had a good run going until the final restart. What looked to be a top 5 day turned into a 16th place finish. Buescher has 2 top 10s at Dover the past 3 races there, along with a win at another concrete track at Bristol in 2022. Chris needs that first win sooner rather than later, but I don’t see it coming this week. 8. Tyler Reddick seems to be back, but he’s also not winning. Reddick’s best finish at Dover is only 7th, with just one more top 10 to boot, and he’s never led a lap there. Just like the man right behind him in the rankings, I don’t see him winning this week. 7. Chase Briscoe had a very good run at Sonoma. He seemed to be the only one to be able to compete with SVG. He started and finished 2nd, collecting an additional 9 stage points for his troubles. While Briscoe doesn’t have much success at Dover, Martin Truex Jr. did, and that trend seemed to bode well this past week at Sonoma.  6. Good news and bad news for Kyle Larson fans. Good news: he finally led a lap at Sonoma, his first since spinning out from the lead at Charlotte. The bad? He’s still in a slump, having crossed the line 35th on Sunday after a wreck. It’s not like he looked much better before the wreck, though. Larson’s run very well at Dover in the past, with 7 podiums and a win in 2019, but I have little faith in this race team to put together a winning run right now. 5. Ryan Blaney hit everything but the pace car on Sunday…or rather, everything but the pace car hit him. First, he was shoved off into the dirt by Chase Briscoe, before Chris Buescher got loose under him, sending Blaney up the turn 1 hill and getting him high sided and stuck. By the time he was rolling, Blaney was 2 laps down…before being involved in another wreck with Kyle Larson. It’s hard to dock him, because when he wasn’t getting wrecked, he was running top 5. Blaney has 2 straight top 10s at Dover. He just needs to finish with all 4 wheels on the ground. 4. I was way off on Christopher Bell last week. I said he’d probably finish 4th when he actually crossed the line 5th. A solid run from Bell is exactly what he needs, as he heads to a place where he’s had mixed success. Bell has 2 top 10s in 2022 and 2023, but his next best finish after that is a 21st. Bell needs a few clean races under his belt to gain some momentum before heading into the playoffs. 3. Denny Hamlin looked back to usual self at the road courses. Fortunately, he got his best finish at Sonoma since 2021, but it’s still a mediocre 20th. As Hamlin stated, he’s ready to be back on ovals, and I’m not sure he could pick a better one. He won this race last year, as well as in 2020, and could easily win again this weekend. 2. Finally William Byron seemed to have a good run. Other than SVG and Briscoe, and maybe Elliott, he may have had the best car. He came home a respectable 8th, collecting some stage points and ever so slightly building his points lead. Dover is a mixed bag for Byron, as he has as many sub 15th place finishes as he does top 10s, both with 4. Byron could just as easily finish top 5 as he could finish 30th.  1. Chase Elliott moves to #1 with another top 5 finish. What seemed to be a questionable call from Alan Gustafson late turned into a 3rd place finish with the help from some late race cautions. Chase Elliott has 10, yes, 10 top 5s at Dover in his career. Take out an engine failure in 2019 and a wreck in 2020, his 2 worst finishes there are an 11th and a 12th. He’s won this race twice, 2018 and 2022, along with 4 additional podiums. Chase Elliott should be the favorite to win this week.

Aston Martin and DPK Racing Team Up for Future F1 Stars Aston Martin’s Driver Academy just got a major boost with a new partnership with DPK Racing, which is the official team of the FA Alonso Kart chassis. The move links Aston Martin directly with Fernando Alonso’s karting team, creating a streamlined development path for the next wave of young drivers for its newly created driver academy. “Our Driver Academy gives us the opportunity to shape the next generation of drivers, helping them grow into the complete package,” said Aston Martin F1's Andy Cowell. From physical training and media coaching to simulator sessions and trackside mentoring, the Academy promises a comprehensive program. And with DPK Racing involved, it also taps into the karting legacy of two-time F1 champion Alonso, a natural connection for a team carrying his name. The partnership follows the recent signing of 21-year-old Spanish driver Mari Boya to the Aston Martin Driver Academy. A three-time Spanish karting champion and current F3 driver with Campos Racing, Boya called it a “dream come true.” He’ll now gain access to the AMR Technology Campus and lean on mentors like Alonso, Lance Stroll, and Pedro de la Rosa. Boya’s goal? “To repay the team’s trust with strong performances.” And with this partnership, he won’t be the last. DJR Steps Back, Triple Eight Takes Over Ford’s Engine Program On the Supercars side, major changes are underway behind the scenes. Ford’s engine program will soon be led by Triple Eight Race Engineering (Red Bull Ampol Racing), as DJR (Dick Johnson Racing) hands off both its engine supply and homologation team duties. The shift ends a complicated saga that included millions of dollars in investment from DJR after purchasing the Ford engine business from Herrod Performance in late 2023. While Ford’s commitment to Supercars was once in doubt, the manufacturer now appears locked in, with a long-term deal in place and Triple Eight planning to roll out its first Mustang prototypes for 2026 testing later this year. DJR, meanwhile, sees this as a much-needed reset, a chance to refocus on performance after spreading itself thin during Gen3 development. The handover begins next week, with staff shifting back into DJR’s race operations and crucial technical data moving to Triple Eight. Officially, Triple Eight becomes Ford’s homologation team starting in 2026, but they’re already hard at work shaping the future of the Mustang on the grid. And we could see a Triple Eight Ford before 2025 ends! Haas and Toyota Bringing F1 to Fuji with Tsuboi and Hirakawa In another nod to the future, Haas F1 and Toyota Gazoo Racing are teaming up for a two-day Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) event at Fuji Speedway next month. While Ryo Hirakawa returns for another session on August 6, it’s Sho Tsuboi who will make debut on August 7 with his first-ever F1 test in a Haas VF-23. Tsuboi is not a rookie in racing, he’s the reigning Super Formula and three-time Super GT champion, but this marks his first taste of F1 machinery. Fans will be allowed to attend, and the test underscores the growing partnership between Haas and Toyota, which began last October. Sho Tsuboi “This is part of our effort to develop people drivers, engineers, and mechanics alike,” said Toyota Global Motorsport director Masaya Kaji. The sessions will also provide a learning platform for Toyota engineers, who will be embedded with the Haas team throughout the test. According to Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, “The significance of running our car at Toyota’s home circuit and giving Sho Tsuboi his first outing, is equally satisfying.” With more talent and tech flowing between Japan and Formula 1, this partnership could be key to unlocking future success for both Haas and Toyota on the global stage.

Race 20 was the shortest of the 3 throughout the weekend. Red Bull Ampol drivers Will Brown and Broc Feeney had a tough qualifying session for this race, only managing positions 14 and 20. Pole position was Brodie Kostecki. Alongside him was the Monster entrant of Cam Waters in P2, and P3 was Will Davison. Matt Payne managed to overtake quickly to attack the 2 front runners. With Brodie Kostecki on pole, it was a good day for the Shell V-Power team. Kostecki maintained his position throughout this shorter race, ensuring a P1 finish. His teammate Will Davison finished P7. He had a tough day, all things considered. Whilst Kostecki was maintaining the lead, Waters had slowly begun his attempt to gain on Kostecki, but the gap began to jump further and further. Waters, unfortunately, did not have the speed to catch Kostecki. Whilst it was a tough qualifying for the two of them, they worked hard to make their way through the field. By the end of the race, they had made it to P8 and P10. Will Brown had one of the largest gains, being up 11 positions by the end of the race.  Ultimately, Shell V-power, Tickford Racing and Team18 would benefit from race 20. Your winner was Brodie Kostecki, P2 was Cam Waters, and P3 was Anton De Pasquale RACE 21 Race 21 was one for the books. David Reynolds was on pole, with a brilliant shootout lap of 1:12.8352s. P2 alongside Reynolds was Matthew Payne. In terms of qualifying, Tickford had a tough day down in P15 with Thomas Randle and P21 with Cam Waters.  From the jump, it was Payne who took the lead before the safety car was deployed due to early contact and the stopped car of James Golding. Jaxon Evan had an even tougher situation after damage to the brake duct due to contact from the pileup. He later returned to track, completing only 13 laps.  Feeney made quick work of overtaking Jack Le Brocq, as well as Brodie Kostecki up on from James Courtney. James Courtney was unfortunately the next driver out, due to engine failure. He completed 11 laps before his DNF.  There was damage on Thomas Randle’s car very early on, with the shock absorber taking the brunt of that. Kai Allen was another driver with minor damage after an error resulted in him hitting the barrier, but he reversed it back out and continued.  There were many time penalties handed out. This included a 5-second penalty for car 01, Will Brown, another 5-second penalty for car 06, Cam Waters and a 15-second penalty for car 08, Andre Heimgartner.  Ultimately, it was a day for the RedBull Ampol driver, Broc Feeney, as he went on to win Race 21, ahead of Chaz Mostert in P2 and Matthew Payne in P3. RACE 22: Whilst this race was not as action-filled as Race 21, Race 22 was still an interesting one.  Broc Feeney was on pole with Matthew Payne in P2 and Anton De Pasquale in P3. And it was a showdown for the front end at the beginning, with De Pasquale making quick work and overtaking Matt Payne. Early on, James Golding was down 4 positions, and David Reynolds was down 3.  Waters began with the early pit stops, managing a 5.9-second stop, compared to Chaz Mostert (also 5.9 seconds) and Bryce Fullwood, with the fastest time of 5.7 seconds. A 15-second penalty was given to David Reynolds after minor contact with James Courtney.  Issues were piling on, especially for Will Davison, who ended up losing a wheel nut and had to pit to fit that issue. Matt Hill had plenty going wrong as well, including brake fluid leaking. Eventually, Hill was back out with a brand-new brake calliper, due to extensive damage to the other one.  In the end, Sunday was the day for the RedBull Ampol duo with Broc Feeney, winning again in Townsville, and Will Brown taking out P2. Chaz Mostert brought another podium for Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU), managing P3. Cam Waters with an impressive result and a P4 finish in Townsville. Your fastest lap for Race 22 was Jack Le Brocq.  Your championship remains close. Especially between the top 3 runners. The next race weekend is the 2025 Century Batteries Ipswich Super 440 on the 8th-10th of August.  1 st : Broc Feeney- 1759pts 2 nd : Will Brown- 1539pts 3 rd : Matthew Payne- 1524pts 4 th : Cam Waters- 1341pts 5 th : Chaz Mostert- 1259pts 6 th : Brodie Kostecki- 1107pts 7 th : Anton De Pasquale- 981pts 8 th : Thomas Randle- 959pts 9 th : Andre Heimgartner- 951pts 10 th : Ryan Wood- 914pts