F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton ‘ready’ for title charge as huge Mercedes frustration revealed

Lewis Hamilton smiling at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News Today

F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton ‘ready’ for title charge as huge Mercedes frustration revealed

The biggest F1 news on Tuesday August 18

Simmey Hannifin Donaldson F1 Editor

Motorsport journalist covering F1 since 2024

Tuesday 18 August 2026 07:30 Updated: 09:37

Make us your Google favorite

Ferrari superstar Lewis Hamilton is recharged and ready ahead of the second half of the F1 season as he chases title number eight.

The seven-time world champion enters the second half of the year just 50 points behind Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli, with plenty of racing still left to go before a title is crowned.

➡️ READ MORE

Mercedes F1 chief reveals massive frustration as team accused of underperforming

There's something about people in elite performance fields and having high expectations.

Article continues under video

Leading the constructors' championship by more than 70 points, with your teenage star 50 points clear in the drivers' standings, at the halfway point of the season? That's almost always cause for celebration – or at least a quiet satisfaction that you're on the right path.

Not so at Mercedes, apparently. Technical director James Allison has recently admitted that he's not especially satisfied with the team's first half, describing a 'degree of frustration' within the team as they enter the home stretch of the season.

➡️ READ MORE

'He seems so at peace': Kim Kardashian drops stunning photos of Lewis Hamilton Hawaii holiday

Kim Kardashian has broken the internet (again) with another gorgeous photo drop of her F1 summer break with Lewis Hamilton, and fans are absolutely loving it.

The 45-year-old reality TV behemoth and Skims founder has been dating the seven-time world champion since early in 2026, and it appears their relationship has gone from strength to strength.

➡️ READ MORE

Former team principal comments could give Christian Horner a route back into F1

Christian Horner has been sniffing around an F1 return for a little while now since being relieved of his duties at Red Bull last July, but hasn't yet seemed to come across the perfect spot to make his return.

It's been widely reported that Horner is unlikely to sign off on any deal which doesn't see him acquire some manner of ownership stake which, coupled with the fact that he won't be returning to Red Bull (or Racing Bulls), leaves him with relatively few options on the grid.

➡️ READ MORE

Red Bull reveal special race suit for Max Verstappen's last home race in F1

Max Verstappen is set for his final home race in F1 at the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend, and Red Bull have made a special reveal ahead of the event.

The team announced on their social media channels on Sunday that both Verstappen and teammate Isack Hadjar are set for a new look to mark the occasion, set to wear new race suits with an orange twist.

➡️ READ MORE

Max Verstappen is gearing up for his last home race in F1 / Credit: Imago

Honda max out budget as major Aston Martin upgrade set to be unleashed at Dutch GP

Honda has confirmed it has delivered a major power unit upgrade to Aston Martin that could see them challenging for points at the Dutch Grand Prix.

2026 has been a challenging year for the Silverstone-based outfit, with just one point scored between Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll in the first half of the season.

That sees the team sitting 10th in the constructors' standings, with only Cadillac having fared worse so far.

➡️ READ MORE