F1 News Today: Max Verstappen told to block 'GP' move as star in $70million contract talks

Max Verstappen has been told to try and block his long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase leaving Red Bull for McLaren.

The 28-year-old Dutchman finally committed his long-term future to the Milton Keynes team last Thursday by signing a blockbusting contract extension through to 2030.

And a leading F1 insider believes he should now do all he can to stop Lambiase joining McLaren as planned no later than 2028.

➡️ READ MORE: Max Verstappen told to block Lambiase McLaren transfer: 'Money changes everything'

German F1 insider issues Audi 'crisis' verdict

Former racing star Ralf Schumacher has claimed that Audi is in 'crisis' and that the mood could turn on their F1 investment if the team doesn't improve their fortunes quickly.

Audi officially joined the F1 grid in 2026, but made their commitment to the sport back in 2022, taking over chunks of Sauber before a full acquisition in 2024 and a full rebrand for this season.

➡️ READ MORE: German F1 insider issues Audi 'crisis' verdict

F1 Driver Salaries: Norris set to overtake Hamilton as '$70m contract talks' revealed

Lando Norris could be about to overtake Lewis Hamilton in F1's 2026 pay scale with the reigning world champion reportedly in talks with McLaren about a blockbuster new contract.

The dust is still settling in the affluent surroundings of Monaco (where most of the drivers live of course) after Max Verstappen reset the market with his massive Red Bull extension last Thursday.

➡️ READ MORE: F1 Driver Salaries: Norris set to overtake Hamilton as '$70m contract talks' revealed

Lewis Hamilton set for much-needed F1 title boost as Ferrari turn up the power

Lewis Hamilton is set to get a much-needed F1 title boost with Ferrari bringing a crucial power unit upgrade to their home Italian Grand Prix.

The 41-year-old Hamilton fell 59 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli in the standings after a fourth-placed finish in Sunday's final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

➡️ READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton set for much-needed F1 title boost as Ferrari turn up the power

FIA announce controversial ADUO ruling as F1 title rivals learn their fate

The FIA has announced its latest controversial ADUO ruling, with Red Bull STILL considered the benchmark when it comes to F1 engines.

ADUO, which stands for Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities, is a new mechanism introduced to F1 in 2026 to encourage close competition by allowing manufacturers to make changes to their homologated power units if they are considered worse than their rivals.

➡️ READ MORE: FIA announce controversial ADUO ruling as F1 title rivals learn their fate

Lewis Hamilton out of line with criticism as Ferrari legend says team 'deserves respect'

Lewis Hamilton was out of line with his criticism of Ferrari during and after Sunday's Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, according to former Maranello star Jean Alesi.

The 41-year-old seven-time world champion vented his frustration, claiming what he perceived as flawed and hesitant strategy cost him a podium finish.

Hamilton was disappointed that team-mate Charles Leclerc didn’t immediately let him pass - Lewis would eventually finish fourth, just behind George Russell of Mercedes, while Leclerc claimed P5.

➡️ READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton out of line with criticism as Ferrari legend says team 'deserves respect'

Move over Sadiq Khan, how Kelly Piquet would make London better

Kelly Piquet revealing her 'manifesto' to be Mayor of London wasn't quite on our F1 bingo card today, but we're here for it.

The 37-year-old Brazilian-Dutch model and influencer is best known globally these days as F1 paddock royalty - partner of four-time world champion Max Verstappen and mother of his one-year-old baby daughter Lily.

Kelly's favourite thing in the world is travelling, and the English capital just happens to be one of her favourite places. That's why she features in the 'My London' column of 'The Standard' newspaper this week.

➡️ READ MORE: Move over Sadiq Khan, how Kelly Piquet would make London better

Honda boss wants to 'make history with Fernando Alonso', he just doesn't know when

Aston Martin earned their second points finish of the year at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, with Fernando Alonso once again the difference-maker.

The 45-year-old Spaniard drove an excellent race to finish ninth and pick up his second and third points of the season, aided at least in part by a new Honda power unit underneath him.

The Japanese company's struggles to provide a competitive power unit this year have been well documented but, combined with a vast swathe of aerodynamic upgrades brought by Aston Martin just before the summer break, the green car is starting to move on a clearly upward trajectory.

➡️ READ MORE: Honda boss wants to 'make history with Fernando Alonso', he just doesn't know when

Written by

Graham Shaw - Consultant Editor

Digital sports leader with 30 years of senior level experience running global brands. Built sportinglife.com to be a behemoth in the UK as well as being in charge of the Planet Sport network of sites including planetf1.com, football365.com, teamtalk.com and planetrugby.com. Then grew goal.com to be the world's biggest soccer website in 18 languages and 37 territories. Was GM of Portals for Perform Group (now DAZN) with overall responsibility for sportingnews.com, spox.de and voetbalzone.nl.

View full biography