Speculations over the 2027 F1 races are heating up, while Red Bull provides an update on Isack Hadjar's recovery.
We're three races past the halfway point of the season, and there's still no update on the last two races of the year. The FIA has been closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, taking into account the security concerns it could pose for Formula One teams and drivers.
This indecision on the 2026 late-season Middle East races also cast a cloud of uncertainty for next year. Are we going to race in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia at the start of 2027?
F1 returns to historic circuits in 2027
We're still waiting for F1 to formally announce the races for next year, but several unofficial details have already come out. With Zandvoort and Barcelona-Catalunya out for 2027, the F1 grid will be returning to two historic tracks: Portimao (Portugal) and Istanbul Park (Turkey).
F1 last raced in Portimao in 2020 and at Istanbul Park in 2021.
More Sprint races next year, even in Monaco
Again, it's not yet official, but rumors are heating up regarding a Sprint race added to the Monaco Grand Prix. The Monte Carlo circuit has long been known as a "parade of supercars" on Sunday, given how difficult it is to overtake there. So, we're still casting doubt on a potential Sprint race at Monaco until F1 formally announces the 2027 calendar.
Ferrari and Racing Bulls drivers test Pirelli tyres at Imola
Work goes on for several F1 drivers, particularly for the Ferrari and Racing Bulls racers. After the Spanish Grand Prix has concluded, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc participated in a Pirelli tyre test at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari at Imola. Hamilton and Leclerc combined for 127 laps around the circuit, using the next-generation C3, C4, and C5 prototype compounds on their current SF-26 cars.
Meanwhile, Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Arvin Lindblad are expected to participate on Day 2 of the tyre test. Other participants in the session are Ferrari's reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi and F2 drivers Rafael Camara and Dino Beganovic.
Mekies provides an assuring update on Red Bull driver's recovery
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies assured everyone that Isack Hadjar's recovery is going according to plan. There were uncertainties when the team announced that Hadjar would miss his third straight race in Madrid, along with the lack of updates on whether the French driver would finally return next week at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Liam Lawson has excelled as a replacement driver in the main Red Bull seat, but we're also hoping for Hadjar to fully recover from his wrist injury and return to the grid soon.
