F1 News Today: Max Verstappen announces sabbatical decision as Ferrari contract confirmed

Max Verstappen has delivered a definitive answer as to whether he will take a sabbatical from F1.

The four-time champion has been a vocal opponent of the 2026 regulations and has opened up on the chances of an exit.

➡️ READ MORE: Max Verstappen announces definitive F1 sabbatical decision

Ferrari star Charles Leclerc signs new contract extension

Ferrari star Charles Leclerc has committed his future to the Italian giants by a signing a contract extension.

Leclerc's future had been the subject of speculation with the Monegasque being linked with Red Bull and McLaren in recent months.

➡️ READ MORE: Charles Leclerc announces decision over Ferrari F1 future

F1 champion plans to race Le Mans in Adrian Newey designed Aston Martin

An F1 champion has revealed their desire to tackle the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the Adrian Newey-designed Aston Martin Valkyrie.

The Valkyrie hypercar made its 24-hour debut at Le Mans in 2025, where the 009 car and 007 car finished in 12th and 14th respectively.

➡️ READ MORE: F1 champion plans to race Le Mans in Adrian Newey designed Aston Martin

Nico Rosberg claims Mercedes chief favoured Lewis Hamilton in bitter F1 title battle

Nico Rosberg has revealed how divided Mercedes was during his F1 title rivalry with Lewis Hamilton and how one chief tended to side with his team-mate.

Hamilton versus Rosberg remains one of modern F1's greatest rivalries, a competition that originated from childhood and boiled over in front of the world's cameras from 2014 until 2016.

➡️ READ MORE: Nico Rosberg claims Mercedes chief favoured Lewis Hamilton in bitter F1 title battle

Christian Horner hits shock roadblock as F1 return 'vetoed'

Verstappen's former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is reportedly looking to return to the sport, but his hopes for now have been 'vetoed'.

Horner's primary route back into the sport appeared to be as part of a group looking to buy a stake in Alpine, but those hopes appear to have been dashed.

➡️ READ MORE: Christian Horner hits shock roadblock as F1 comeback 'vetoed'

Verstappen team-mate hits back at F1 icon over 2026 complaints

Max Verstappen's team-mate has raced to the four-time world champion's side after a former F1 team boss criticised the Dutchman.

Verstappen has been very critical of the regulations that swept into F1 in 2026, sharing his concerns before the season had even begun, reiterating once the championship had commenced that the new cars are 'not fun' to drive.

➡️ READ MORE: Max Verstappen's team-mate hits back at F1 icon over 2026 complaints

Monza mayhem: Two drivers banned by stewards in official statement after pepper spray brawl

Two drivers were immediately barred from further participation in the GT4 European Series weekend at Monza after a fight with security.

French stars Hugo and Thibaut Mogica of team CMR became involved in a physical altercation with security, which saw pepper spray being used at one point. Race officials responded swiftly by not only suspending them for the second race of the weekend, but also banned them from all restricted areas at the event.

➡️ READ MORE: Monza mayhem: Two drivers banned by stewards in official statement after pepper spray brawl

Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari could receive FIA lifeline in bid to catch Mercedes

A key FIA ruling could be set to change Ferrari's season, following a Monaco Grand Prix that they are predicted to win.

Ferrari's success in low-speed corners means that they are the bookmakers' favourites to win the Monaco GP this weekend, as Charles Leclerc looks for his second win in his home town.

➡️ READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari could receive FIA lifeline in bid to catch Mercedes

Sky Sports star Martin Brundle is also the greatest F1 driver never to win a race

For a generation of Formula 1 fans, Martin Brundle has been the jewel in Sky Sports' coverage of F1 in the UK.

Yes, he does the gridwalk in a way no one can compare, but his analysis on the sport is also second to none and it has been since he first started doing broadcasting way back in 1995 when on days he wasn't driving for Ligier, he would make a guest appearance with Murray Walker in the BBC booth.

➡️ READ MORE: Sky Sports star Martin Brundle is also the greatest F1 driver never to win a race

Written by

Sheona Mountford - F1 Journalist

Sheona Mountford is a motorsport journalist specialising in F1. As a writer and contributor, she covers a wide range of motorsport series from F1 to F1 Academy, responsible for breaking news, live race coverage and in depth analysis of the sport and the culture around it.

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