F1 2026 Season Preview and Reports
2026
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March 29, Ruby Tattersall reports on the Japanese Grand Prix. Read her full report here.
May 24, Ruby Tattersall reports on the Canada
G P. Read her full report here.
With the five lights shining on the horizon, it's a Mercedes front row lockout following an intense qualifying session in Montreal. The British driver and his teammate stole the front row from the McLarens in a seemingly neverending battle between the two teams.
Lights out
As the cars lined up on the grid, the conditions were a complete juxtaposition, being 21 degrees cooler than the session before– instead of dry conditions, the drivers were instantly met with the drizzly precipitation of Canadian rain.
Two delayed starts from the FIA, the first problem fell onto Arvid Lindblad. After the initial false start, the rookie was unable to get his car back into gear, developing into a DNS. His race ended before it started as he was rolled off of the grid.
With engines revving to life it was finally time to start the race. Luck sided with Norris as he sped past fellow British driver and pole sitter George Russell. Losing his advantage not only to car number 4– but his own teammate. And in a desperate attempt to regain the upperhand he tries to fight Antonelli, however ignorant to the seven-time world champion, Hamilton, nipping at his rear tyres.
A strategic call from the McLaren garage saw the likes of Piastri barrelling into the garage for a change of tyres on the first lap– soon followed by his teammate. This choice sent both papaya coloured cars out of the top ten, allowing Hamilton and Verstappen to take their place. However, will this decision allow for better results in the long term?
At the bottom end of the leaderboard, both Cadillacs sit at the back of the pack, trailing behind. This lack of competition from the team on their maiden season casts a grey cloud over their prospects.
Further ahead, the redemption run for both Mclarens in an attempt to get back into the top 10 is hindered by the likes of Albon and Alonso, who seem to strive on making their race that more difficult. Lap 13 saw the aforementioned Alex albon pushed into the wall by Oscar Piastri. The incident was soon noted by the FIA and handed Piastri a 10 second penalty. Unfortunately we see another driver out of the race.
Throughout the season Aston Martin have faced a plethora of issues. These problems strike again in Montreal, forcing the Spaniard to return to his garage due to issues with the seat and its lack of stability.
On lap 25, a nail biting back and forth between the two Mercedes drivers. On the final chicane Antonelli and Russell brushed wheels causing the younger driver to cut the corner. Team orders saw that Antonelli handed the pole position after he reentered the track. With a new found determination, the Italian was inching closer and closer to his teammates rear, a tactical selection that forced Russell to hug tighter to the curbs.
On lap 30, a mysterious issue was apparent in Russell's car as he went careening over the grass in a sudden loss of power. Russell was left standing on the side of the track staring at a detrimental loss of points that are vital to keep his driver championship hopes alive.
A virtual safety car was all the grid needed to induce the chaos of mid-race pit stops. Just less than half the grid sought to change their tyres, all of those apart from the McLarens. Their early tactic had paid off– after 30 laps both drivers were in the top half of the leaderboard and able to secure some sufficient points.
McLaren weren't the only team to have thrived from Mercedes misfortune. The Redbull of Isaac Hadjar found itself in the top five–fighting between the two Ferraris. At this point in time redbull would have gained the most points compared to any other race. However the relentless pace of Leclerc made it difficult for Hadjar to maintain a sufficient defence whilst not infringing on the rules by the FIA
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Lap 40, Lando Norris was abruptly stopped with the message of antistall on his steering wheel. A crushing sight for the current world champion whose race ended with suspected gearbox issues. Another problem, not shone by the camera operators, we see Sergio Perez enter the pitlane and a vital piece of his suspension fly off over his head, most likely a result of previous contact.
Heading into the closing laps, Leclerc almost spun out off the track, nevertheless he managed to keep it on the asphalt. Behind the Monagasque–Isaac Hadjar exits the pitlane after serving his first of two penalties, preserving his position of 5th place.
Late on the breaks, Hamilton executes a long awaited overtake on Verstappen. The seven time champion patiently waited behind the Dutch lion to preserve the energy he needed to swiftly overtake on the racing line. Kimi Antonelli was clapped through the finish line as he secured his fourth consecutive win alongside Max Verstappen's first podium of the year. How will McLaren and the silver arrows retaliate next race week in Monaco after such a regrettable race? Can Redbull and the prancing ferraris stick with the upward
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