Formula One revealed which six race weekends will host sprint races in 2026. The races in China and Miami will continue to host sprint races next season. The Canadian Grand Prix will hold its first sprint weekend next year in its new May timeslot on the calendar. The British Grand Prix, which held the first sprint race back in 2021, will see the format return to Silverstone. The Dutch Grand Prix, which will host its final F1 race next year, will do so in style with a sprint weekend. The Singapore Grand Prix marks the final sprint race of 2026.
The race start times have been confirmed for the 2026 season. It’s business as usual, with the Canadian Grand Prix seeing the only change. The race has been shifted back two hours to 4:00 pm local time to avoid conflicts with the Indianapolis 500, as it takes up its new May spot on the schedule. Both races are held in the same timezone, with the Indy 500 set for a 12:45 pm start time.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has extended its contract to host an F1 race until 2030. This is a four-year extension to the venue’s existing contract, which was set to expire at the end of 2026. The city of Baku has hosted the race since 2016, initially under the European Grand Prix banner before becoming the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Swiss racing driver Laura Villars has officially entered the race to become the new FIA President. Villars has thrown her hat into the battle between Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Tim Mayer. At 28 years old, Villars has raced in an assortment of motorsports, including UAE and Saudi Arabian Formula 4 series. She is currently racing in the JS P4 class of the Ligier European Series. “My ambition is a governance that is more democratic, more transparent, more responsible, and open to women and new generations,” she explained in a press release announcing her intention to run. “I strongly believe that motorsport needs diversity and innovation to keep inspiring younger generations worldwide.” The FIA presidential election will be held in Uzbekistan on December 12.
Sergio Perez threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball stadium. It was part of a Mexican Heritage Month promotion. After a year off from F1, Perez is set to join Cadillac for their inaugural F1 season in 2026. Cadillac F1 and the LA Dodgers are both part of TWG’s sports portfolio alongside other investments such as the LA Lakers and Chelsea FC.
McLaren started the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend strong, finishing 1-2 in the first free practice session. Lando Norris led the way ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, who had power unit issues early in the session. The session saw a lengthy red flag after Carlos Sainz damaged a kerb at turn 16. Sainz finished the session in P8 to get both Williams cars into the top ten, with Albon up in P5. Lewis Hamilton struggled for pace around the Baku circuit, clipping the barrier at turn 5, damaging his front wing. The seven-time World Champion set a time only worthy of P13.
Lewis Hamilton bounced back from his FP1 performance, leading a Ferrari 1-2 result in the second free practice session of the weekend. They were well ahead of the Mercedes duo led by George Russell, some 0.477s off the leading pace. McLaren showed their first sign of difficulty in the weekend, struggling to find the pace. It didn’t help that Lando Norris’ session was cut short after the Brit damaged his suspension on the exit of turn 4. Both drivers were nearly one second off Ferrari’s pace, for a P10 and P12 finish. Oscar Piastri was investigated after the session for ignoring yellow flags, but got off with a reprimand.
The final free practice session was topped by Lando Norris, ahead of Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, and Lewis Hamilton. Overnight rain washed away most of the rubber laid down by Friday’s practice sessions, making the circuit quite slippery but dry. Heavy winds made track conditions trickier, forcing many drivers to take to the runoff areas. Conditions improved in the latter half of the session, allowing lap times to drop as teams prepared for qualifying.
Max Verstappen secured pole position in an incident-filled qualifying session that made history. In total, there were six red flags in qualifying. The first came in Q1 when Alex Albon clipped the barrier in the first corner, damaging his suspension. A little while later, the red flags were waved again after Nico Hulkenberg went nose-first into the barriers at turn 4, shedding his front wing. Franco Colapinto brought out another red flag at the same corner at the end of Q1, losing the rear and running wide into the barriers at the corner exit. Q2 saw an early red flag after a rather mild brush with the barriers at turn 2 damaged the suspension on Oliver Bearman’s Haas. His teammate Esteban Ocon was disqualified after qualifying for failing the rear wing deflection test. Lewis Hamilton was the surprise exit from Q2, failing to find the pace to make it into the top ten. It began to rain lightly at the start of Q3, prompting drivers to rush to complete a lap early on. Charles Leclerc brought out the penultimate red flag after understeering into the barriers at turn 15. Shortly after the session resumed, Oscar Piastri triggered the final red flag, failing to slow his car at turn 3 and slamming into the barriers. The earlier incidents turned Q3 into essentially a one-shot qualifying session, leading to an unusual result. Carlos Sainz set the fastest lap, only to be beaten by Verstappen in the closing stages, but he would retain his position on the front row of the grid ahead of Liam Lawson, in an equally impressive position.
Max Verstappen earned his sixth career Grand Slam by leading every lap from pole position and setting the fastest lap, equaling Lewis Hamilton’s achievement. But it was not a good day for Oscar Piastri, who jumped the start, struggled to get away from the starting grid and crashed into the barriers on the opening lap, ending his race on the first lap. This allowed Lando Norris to gain some points on his championship contender, although a lacklustre P7 finish only gained him six points. But it was Carlos Sainz who impressed the most, giving Williams their first podium finish since the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Click here to read our full summary of the action from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The teams and drivers will shift gears as they head to Singapore, a very different street circuit. But racing action won’t resume until a fortnight’s time, with the race set for October 5.
It can be challenging for even the most avid fans to keep up with the fast-paced world of Formula One. The Weekly F1 Recap is a series published each Monday that breaks down the action, both on and off the circuit, into bit-sized pieces. It's perfect for casual and experienced fans alike.
