As the weekend comes to a close, it is time for your new fast-paced round-up of the latest F1 news.<\/p>\n
The Red Bull boss has issued a positive outlook on the future of Max Verstappen, while former Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner has attracted \u201centitlement\u201d claims from Toto Wolff. All this and more, so let\u2019s get to it.<\/p>\n
Red Bull boss confident Max Verstappen stays<\/p>\n
It was during the summer of 2025 that Max Verstappen to Mercedes rumours returned. They revolved around a performance-related exit clause in Verstappen\u2019s long-term Red Bull deal.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, he stayed put, but Verstappen\u2019s future could become a talking point again in F1 2026, depending on how Red Bull starts out in the new regulatory era.<\/p>\n
Red Bull boss Oliver Mintzlaff is \u201cnot afraid\u201d of Verstappen activating a \u201cperformance clause\u201d in his contract.<\/p>\n
Read more \u2013 Max Verstappen at centre of new Red Bull future update as \u2018performance clause\u2019 addressed<\/a><\/p>\n Christian Horner \u2018bit\u2019 by \u2018entitlement\u2019, claims Wolff<\/p>\n A subplot playing out alongside the Verstappen rumours was the apparent unrest within Red Bull.<\/p>\n Christian Horner was shockingly axed as team boss following the British Grand Prix, with calmer waters arriving under his replacement Laurent Mekies.<\/p>\n In the opinion of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff \u2013 Horner\u2019s former paddock frenemy \u2013 it was Horner\u2019s \u201csense of entitlement\u201d which led to his Red Bull downfall.<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 \u2018Sense of entitlement\u2019 \u2013 Toto Wolff renews Christian Horner criticism after Red Bull exit<\/a><\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton to Rosberg and Co. \u2013 \u2018Not even on my level\u2019<\/p>\n Another theme of F1 2025 was Lewis Hamilton and his struggles to get up to speed at Ferrari.<\/p>\n It had the likes of Nico Rosberg, Martin Brundle and Ralf Schumacher offering varying opinions on whether Hamilton would retire from the sport off the back of a challenging year.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not even on my level,\u201d was the blunt message which Hamilton had in return for such retirement talkers.<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 Lewis Hamilton lands \u2018not on my level\u2019 retort as Rosberg among retirement talkers<\/a><\/p>\n F1 2026 engine \u2018loophole\u2019 claim explained<\/p>\n There is intrigue surrounding a niche element of the F1 2026 regulations, in regards to the new engines.<\/p>\n Reports suggest there are concerns that the wording of a specific Article allows it to be exploited.<\/p>\n PlanetF1.com\u2019s Mat Coch has taken a deep dive into the situation.<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 F1 2026 engine \u2018loophole\u2019 claims: What\u2019s really going on?<\/a><\/p>\n Carlos Sainz sends letter to Williams staff<\/p>\n Among the drivers salivating over the F1 2026 possibilities is Carlos Sainz.<\/p>\n He arrived at Williams in time for 2025, and scored two podiums in an impressive season which yielded great progress for Williams.<\/p>\n Sainz reflected on a \u201cremarkable\u201d first season with Williams in a special letter to the crew.<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 Carlos Sainz letter to Williams staff emerges after \u2018remarkable first season\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n