F1 news: Charles Leclerc to miss Canadian GP session as Horner faces awkward question

That's all from today's F1 live blog. We'll be back tomorrow for the latest updates from FP2 and qualifying at the Canadian Grand Prix.

George Russell went fastest in FP2 on the medium tyre, posting a better time than second-placed Lando Norris on the soft. Team-mate Kimi Antonelli followed in third.

FP2 results in full...

1. George Russell

2. Lando Norris

3. Kimi Antonelli

4. Alex Albon

5. Fernando Alonso

6. Oscar Piastri

7. Carlos Sainz

8. Lewis Hamilton

9. Max Verstappen

10. Liam Lawson

Lance Stroll's FP2 at his home race is over. The Canadian racer hit the outside wall on the approach to Turn Three, destroying the left front of his AMR25 machine.

Fortunately for his rivals, Stroll managed to deliver his car to a run-off area, meaning there was no red flag early in FP2.

The second practice session is underway at the Canadian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc will not be taking part after his shunt in FP1 caused significant damage, requiring a chassis change.

McLaren were struggling in the first practice session, while Max Verstappen put his RB21 at the top of the timing screens. It will be interesting to see how the order shakes up in this outing.

Fred Vasseur launched into a sensational rant during the team principal press conference ahead of FP2 at the Canadian Grand Prix, calling out media scrutiny surrounding his team.

“No, but to be the team principal, I knew when I joined, when I took the position that you are exposed, this I think it’s quite easy to manage,” he fumed. “It’s more for the people of the team. They are working very hard, to decide one day that this one will be replaced, this one will be replaced, this one is useless.

“Honestly, it’s very, very harsh because these journalists, I’m not putting everybody in the same basket, but they have to consider that these people, they have family, they have wives, they have kids, and this is completely unrespectful. Now I don’t want to speak anymore about this stupid.”

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has confirmed that Charles Leclerc will not take part in FP2 at the Canadian Grand Prix after his crash earlier in the day.

“When I left the garage, we think we damaged the chassis and we won’t be able to do FP2 by regulations,” Vasseur confirmed on Friday. “We need to do some checks."

Christian Horner has brushed off concerns about Max Verstappen’s aggressive move on George Russell, and the pattern of the 27-year-old losing his temper when placed under immense pressure on the track.

"Max is a driver who drives with a huge amount of emotion,” he told Sky Sports F1. “It's part of what makes him the brilliance he has. He wears his heart on his sleeve.

"Occasionally, you make misjudgements and we have seen it with all the greats, whether it's [Ayrton] Senna or [Michael] Schumacher. The most important thing is he came back, he immediately apologised and it was frustrating because he lost a lot of points that day."

Max Verstappen was fastest in FP1 at the Canadian Grand Prix, followed by Williams' duo of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz in second and third.

Charles Leclerc crashed out less than 15 minutes into the session, while McLaren struggled with Lando Norris suffering a number of frustrating moments at Turn 10.

Canadian GP FP1 top 10 results...

1. Max Verstappen

2. Alex Albon

3. Carlos Sainz

4. George Russell

5. Lewis Hamilton

6. Isack Hadjar

7. Lando Norris

8. Liam Lawson

9. Pierre Gasly

10. Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc has crashed during FP1, bringing out the red flag with 45 minutes left on the clock. The Monegasque racer ran wide on the entry to Turn Three and clattered into the outside barrier, causing significant damage to both the front and rear left-side of the SF-25 machine.

The first free practice session is underway ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. McLaren are expected to be competitive once again with Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes scrapping for the final position on the podium.

Charles Leclerc understands the pressure facing Ferrari heading into the Canadian Grand Prix, but believes that his squad will continue to operate unfazed by the external pressure.

"The pressure is normal when you are working for Ferrari," he said. "Second is never good enough but we are all aware of it. So it's not like the outside pressure is having any influence on the pressure that we put ourselves first. We want to be winning. And as I keep saying, it's not good enough, but I'm not the only one to say that.

"All the team knows that it's not good enough and that Ferrari should be winning, and that's what we are putting all our efforts into. It is to try and bring Ferrari back to the top. At the moment, McLaren is a stronger team, and it's up to us to react."

Ferrari prevented Lewis Hamilton from talking about the issues that he and Charles Leclerc suffered during the Spanish Grand Prix last time out.

“Unfortunately, the team yesterday said they didn’t really want us to talk too much about it,” Hamilton said on Thursday in Montreal. “But we both had issues that were hindering us massively from halfway through the race already.

“I didn’t know whether or not we had that problem, but I said on the radio that it was the worst-feeling car I’d ever had – and it truly was with that issue. At the end of the race, I was like, ‘Jeez, I’ve never experienced something this bad for such a prolonged time through a race.’

“It wasn’t until after the TV interviews I got back to the engineers and we found out there was an issue. It was a bit of a relief to hear that because I didn’t feel so terrible afterwards.”

Oscar Piastri is expecting a competitive weekend of racing in Montreal as he bids to strengthen his grip on a maiden world title.

“I expect it to be how it’s looked for most of the year,” Piastri explained in Montreal.

"I think Max will probably be competitive again. This was a very competitive race for Mercedes last year, and I expect them to be quick again here.

“But you never quite know whether that’s going to be matching us, challenging us in qualifying, especially, or attempting to come from the back or, hopefully not, attempting to be ahead.

“You just never quite know exactly where the challenge is going to come from at the moment. Obviously, Max has probably been the most consistent across the year, but Mercedes have looked strong at certain points.

“Monaco was a strong race for Ferrari, and there are some similarities to here, but we said that 12 months ago, and it wasn’t a great race [for them]. I don’t know where the time will come from, but I think there will be plenty.”

Kimi Antonelli enjoyed the high of his young F1 career by securing sprint pole in Miami, but has since endured some serious lows.

Antonelli struggled for pace in Imola, crashing in Monaco qualifying and suffered a power unit failure in Barcelona.

Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, the young Mercedes driver has opened up on the pressure he faces.

He said: “I faced three really difficult weekends, and I have to be honest, on the mental side, that's not been easy.

"Because here it's like being in a water full of sharks, and if you don't perform, you get eaten by the sharks. So it's really important to be on top of it. And I think having him helps to stay sharp, to stay focused.

"We talk about anything to be honest. We watch onboards together, and then we re-watch replays from previous years. We try to analyse stuff in order to have a better idea and try to improve for the next session."

Lando Norris says that Max Verstappen is one of the world's best drivers because of his aggressive style.

And despite being one penalty point away from a one-race suspension, Norris believes the Dutchman will, if anything, fight harder to make up ground in his world title hunt.

“I don't think anything really changes. You don't know what he's going to do. So at this point, I'm trying to think of what to do that differently," Norris said in Canada.

“It's the same as normal. I think he's still going to fight. He's further behind in the points. If anything, he's still going to fight more.

“So no, there's no point in trying to assume things or just guess because when you're in the position of fighting on the track, you can't just try and think: ‘Oh, he's going to give me more space and then he doesn't and then something happens’.

“There's no point assuming things or trying to think what other people are going to do. He's still fighting for the championship. He still wants to try and win every race he can.”

Yuki Tsunoda is hopeful that the Canadian Grand Prix can provide a springboard for improvement because he "knows what's going to happen" if he fails to improve at Red Bull.

Since replacing Liam Lawson, Tsunoda has failed to finish higher than P9 in seven races so far.

"As long as I don't really perform myself, I know what's going to happen and I know myself, it's not the place I should be," Tsunoda said in Montreal.

"But let's see. I have confidence that I can come back strong. You guys like to talk about the second seat, about Red Bull, but it is what it is.

"I know there are things I've improved in the past years and past races, especially at the start of this season. There's a lot going on.

"I would say partly this kind of track will be the reset; I think my progress in terms of understanding is getting there, but I just need a bit of time to do it actually on the track with driving."

Max Verstappen is unbeaten in the Canadian Grand Prix since the current regulations were introduced in 2022.

However, this weekend, he is more focused on beating Mercedes and Ferrari to the podium rather than eyeing the race win.

“It’s a bit different this time around,” Verstappen explained in Montreal.

“But I think if we can fight for a podium with Ferrari, Mercedes. That already would be a good achievement.

“[The McLarens] go faster. It’s not even in my head. I’m more focusing on the other teams.

“I know that last year, for example, Mercedes was very strong here. I think if you compare last year to now, maybe they’re more competitive as well.

“So, it will be hard enough to already fight for a podium.”

Charles Leclerc isn't happy with Ferrari's season so far but believes the team's struggles have been overblown due to McLaren's drastic progress.

"None of us is satisfied by how it's going at the moment, that's clear," Leclerc told The Race at the Canadian Grand Prix.

"We came into the season thinking that we had chances to challenge McLaren and Red Bull in order to win the championship. That has not been the case so far.

"However, it's fair also to say that I don't think many people understood apart from McLaren. They've done a huge step forward compared to last year, a lot more than anybody else.

"And if we compare ourselves to our other competitors, apart from McLaren, it's not like we are having a shocking season. We are second in the constructors' [championship]."

Max Verstappen hit out at Ted Kravitz at the Canadian Grand Prix over a question about his Spanish Grand Prix collision with George Russell.

Kravitz "assumed" that Stephen Knowles, who is Red Bull's Senior Race Strategy Engineer, wrongly informed Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, to give the place back to Russell.

But the Dutchman provided a frosty response, saying: "I think it's not really nice to try and single out a person, to be honest, because that's never the case.

"I think we just look at it as a team, what we always can do better, and that's also how we look at it in Barcelona. But it's not fair to now single out one single person."

Alpine's Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore has praised Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto for their performances, despite the team's early struggles in 2025.

“We go to Montreal motivated to build on the points-scoring finish in Barcelona," Briatore explained.

"Yes, the team gained four points, but we have also lost ground in the Championship, and this is something that gives us extra determination to rectify in the coming races.

"Both Pierre and Franco are working hard with the engineers to push the team forward. They have my full support, and it is down to us and our responsibility as a team to give them a better car and the tools to fight with.

"Although Franco is still adapting, I am happy with how both drivers and the team are applying themselves to get out of a tough situation. However, I am frustrated with the inconsistent performance level of the car, which we need to resolve quickly.”

George Russell has joined Max Verstappen in playing down their spat after their collision in the Spanish Grand Prix.

The Mercedes man revealed that he recently bumped into Verstappen at the airport while on his way to the French Open.

And he claims the controversy escaped his mind because the Dutchman was with his newborn baby.

"We bumped into each other at the airport on Sunday morning when I was going to Roland Garros," Russell explained.

"To be honest, I totally forgot about Barcelona because he was there with his newborn [baby], and we were at the security machine.

"He just had a quick chat, and then he was busy folding the pram down to put it through the machine."

Lewis Hamilton has strongly shut down suggestions that he might make an early exit from Ferrari after his underwhelming start to life at the team.

The seven-time world champion has publicly defended Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur and insists he's in it for the long haul.

He said: “To everyone that’s writing stories of me considering not racing — I mean, I literally only just started, firstly, here with Ferrari, and I’m here for several years.

“I’m here for the long haul. So there is no question in where my head’s at and what I’m working towards achieving with this team.

“So there’s zero doubts. Please stop making up stuff.”

Max Verstappen is keen to put his Spanish Grand Prix collision with George Russell behind them as he focuses on Montreal this weekend.

The Red Bull driver is one penalty point away from a one-race suspension, and he has insisted he's learned his lesson.

“Yeah, well, not after the race immediately, but we saw each other," Verstappen said ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.

“Basically, we were both travelling out – so all good. I think we all live and learn, right?

"And I explained, I mean, immediately on the Monday, my view, so we just move on and try to have a good weekend here.”

Max Verstappen has offered his insight on the penalty point situation that he is facing heading into the Canadian Grand Prix. The reigning world champion is one away from a suspension, with two races to navigate before any points are removed.

"It's there right? There's nothing you can do about it,” he told Sky Sports F1. “We just focus ahead, try to do the best you can every single time. It's not [about] changing my approach.”

Asked about a change of approach, he continued: "I don't know, why should I? I can't just back out of everything. I'm going to race how I do. I trust myself."

Lewis Hamilton has described the criticism he has faced as ‘nonsense’, batting off concerns about team principal Fred Vasseur’s future.

“Ultimately, it’s nonsense what people have written. Most people don’t know what’s going on in the background,” he said on Thursday..

“It isn’t all easy, it’s not like it’s all the smoothest sailing in the background. We are having to make changes, and it’s a lot of work to do, and there is, naturally, a lot of pressure because we want to win.

“But that’s not any part of the discussion at the moment. I don’t think that’s on the cards, as far as I’m aware, and that’s certainly not something that I would be supportive of.”

Carlos Sainz has backed former boss Fred Vasseur to succeed, despite reports claiming that the Frenchman is hanging onto his position as Ferrari team principal.

"Same story as always, the moment that the results don’t click in Ferrari, there’s always finger-pointing by the media, and all this chaos happening,” the Williams racer said in Montreal.

"For me, it’s all about focusing on the process and delivering when it matters. But if you ask me, Fred, I have a great relationship with him. In the past, obviously, we went through a tough month where he didn’t want me and signed Lewis, but apart from that, we made peace about it, and I get on well, and I always rated him as a team principal and as a person.

Isack Hadjar has confessed that he is ‘not ready’ to step into the Red Bull team. The French-Algerian racer has enjoyed an immense rookie campaign thus far, and is being teed up as a potential stand-in for Max Verstappen, should he cross the penalty point threshold and pick up a race ban.

"For sure, I don't feel ready. That's a fact," Hadjar said in Montreal. "I think it's good to take experience where I'm at. I'm enjoying so much every weekend, learning a lot. It's a car I enjoy driving, so we'll see in the future. As a Red Bull Junior driver, the trajectory is normal to go there."

He continued: "It's fair to say that [it could be a premature promotion]. Because Liam and Yuki are quality drivers, so it's normal to think that. I'm just curious [about] being next to Max. That's the only thing I can say."

George Russell was ‘surprised’ that Max Verstappen took accountability for the contact with the Mercedes driver at the end of the Spanish Grand Prix.

"His actions cost him, and they benefited me,” he said in Montreal. “So, I should be almost thanking him. But it's good to see that he took accountability, which I was a bit surprised."

Asked if he would put the Dutchman in an uncomfortable position over the coming two race weekends, with Verstappen close to a one-race ban, Russell added: "We have to be smart and use it to our advantage.

"I'm going to continue racing exactly the same because at the end of the day, that's what I did last week and I benefited from it. And as we said, if you do keep driving like that, you'll accumulate your points and you'll get punished. Ultimately, he got punished for it. So, from my side, kind of long may it continue and for a neutral, it spices things up a little bit."

Read more about this story here…

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has named Isack Hadjar as the most impressive rookie in the 2025 F1 field, ahead of Mercedes’ starlet Kimi Antonelli.

He told The Inside Track: "I mean, definitely Isack Hadjar. He, for me, is the most impressive rookie. He comes to a circuit which he doesn't know, and within three laps, he is competitive.

“He's a regular Q3 qualifier. And it comes very natural. He also proved, in his personality - I heard some of his interviews, which were really funny - and also showing a lot of sense of humour, also about himself. He can laugh."

George Russell deserved a penalty for the incident involving Max Verstappen at the Spanish Grand Prix, according to Jacques Villeneuve. The Red Bull racer picked up a devastating 10-second time penalty for the incident.

"It was not intentional; it happened in the heat of the moment," Villeneuve told BetVictorCasino. "He immediately wanted to regain the position, but completely messed it up, and people immediately shouted that he did it on purpose and that he wanted to crash Russell out.

"The crazy thing is: Russell deserved a penalty. He hit Max on the rear wheel entering Turn One. According to the rules, that leads to forcing a collision and pushing another driver off the track. So why didn't he get a penalty for that?

"If there are rules, they should always apply to everyone. Russell deserved a penalty. Verstappen lost a lot of points because of that penalty; he only got 10th.

"He knows he doesn't have the best car, then to still get results, he has to drive at the limit, or even over it, and at some point that leads to mistakes or misjudgments, and that makes his fight for the world title a lot harder."

F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi believes that McLaren are under ‘double pressure’ due to the nature of their intra-team title fight.

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris head into this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix separated by 10 points, while closest external competitor, Max Verstappen, is 49 points back from the championship leader and on the brink of a one-race suspension.

“They have the pressure for the championship campaign, and they have the extra pressure of team-mates,” Fittipaldi said on the Beyond the Grid podcast.

“It’s double pressure, not just trying to win the championship, but [managing] competition from both. At one point, I don't know when it’s going to happen, someone is going to have more points in the championship. I don't know what Zak Brown or Andrea Stella is going to do [about] it. I like to live open to the situation, because that's racing.”

The FIA have been warned that the statute changes proposed by Mohammed Ben Sulayem could have devastating effects on the legitimacy and running of the governing body. The comments were levelled by the Austrian OAMTC, a founding member of the organisation.

“Damage to the FIA’s credibility as an organisation has already occurred through repeated governance mis-steps and failings,” the statement read. “These are not anomalies: they are features of a system of governance that is malfunctioning, due to the absence of normal internal debate and discussion.

“The FIA’s standing in comparison to other international organisations is threatened by the self-inflicted wound of governance failure.”

The letter continued: “Where there is even a risk of these changes appearing to benefit the current FIA administration, and not the FIA itself, the changes should not be adopted. There is ample time for more careful reflection, and if these are desirable changes they will still be desirable at a future General Assembly after the next election.”

Canada has produced six first-time wins in the past, but will we see another this weekend?

It's a place for firsts and there will be a few drivers on the grid hoping that's the case again this time around.

Valtteri Bottas believes Red Bull need a driver "with experience" to get the most out of their car.

Both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have struggled as the second driver at Red Bull this year.

Speaking on F1’s Beyond The Grid podcast, he said: “Max [Verstappen] is doing the job. He's really pushing almost beyond the limits of the car and whoever has been alongside him hasn't looked great.

"I just wonder if that car, to be driven fast, needs a driver with experience."

Only one driver has ever secured the Drivers' Championship at the Canadian Grand Prix.

That record is likely to remain intact, given the race has been brought forward for the 2026 edition.

Active FIA steward Derek Warwick believes Red Bull should be tailoring Yuki Tsunoda’s RB21 a set-up more to his style.

He said: “I think that the Red Bull car is by far the most difficult car on the grid and it’s only Max that can drive it.

“It’s so on the nose, it’s oversteering everywhere, which is what Max obviously likes but anybody that sits in that car just can’t drive it the same way.

“So, the whole team is driven to do what Max wants, which makes it impossible for everybody else.

“But if I was team boss, I wouldn’t change the direction they are going.

“I’m a little confused why they can’t set up the car a bit differently for Yuki, to be a bit quicker. I think all drivers like to be comfortable in a car."

Will we see close calls like this at the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend?

Valtteri Bottas has revealed the atmosphere at Mercedes is "more chilled" after Lewis Hamilton's exit.

Speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Bottas said: “In the end, the spirit is still the same. Toto [Wolff, team principal] is still not happy to finish second!

"The winning mentality is still there. Everyone is working as hard as they can, trying to solve issues, trying to get better. That hasn’t changed at all.

“But otherwise, losing a big figure such as Lewis, I think it has made some kind of difference.

"It’s hard to describe the feeling. But I think also there’s been this excitement of young Kimi, you know, rookie driver, joining, George having a different role this year, being, let’s say the lead driver, or the more senior driver.

“Something is different. But I struggle to put it in words. Maybe a bit chilled, in a way.”

Lando Norris has admitted he's happy tussling with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri at the top of the Drivers' Championship standings.

He said: "I think it's because I'm a great team-mate. That's not saying anything in the wrong way.

"Even though your team-mate's always your biggest competitor, and the guy you want to beat and need to beat more than anyone, I've always wanted to have a good time, and have laughs and make jokes, and enjoy my life.

"That's what I'm here to do at the end of the day, enjoy my life. And we want to do that together.

"We are different people, different characters, but both guys who know deep down we want to beat each other. But we also want to enjoy our journey."

Apple have released a revolutionary 'haptic trailer' for F1 The Movie.

The film, starring Brad Pitt, is set to be released later this month.

Apple said that with the interactive trailer, users will "experience the power of the engines, the rumble of the curbs, and the intensity of every gear shift like never before with responsive vibrations."

It's available to watch via the Apple TV app.

The video below won't make your hands shake, but it's still a fun trailer nonetheless.

Here's how the 2026 schedule will look, with Madrid being brought in as the second Spanish race on the calendar.

It replaced the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, with a few tweaks to race dates having been confirmed.

Australia - 6-8 March

China - 13-15 March

Japan - 27-29 March

Bahrain - 10-12 April

Saudi Arabia - 17-19 April

Miami - 1-3 May

Canada - 22-24 May

Monaco - 5-7 June

Spain (Barcelona) - 12-14 June

Austria - 26-28 June

Great Britain - 3-5 July

Belgium - 17-19 July

Hungary - 24-26 July

Netherlands - 21-23 August

Italy - 4-6 September

Spain (Madrid) - 11-13 September

Azerbaijan - 25-27 September

Singapore - 9-11 October

United States (Austin) - 23-25 October

Mexico - 30 October-1 November

Brazil - 6-8 November

Las Vegas - 19-21 November

Qatar - 27-29 November

Abu Dhabi - 4-6 December

Lando Norris has opened up on his true feelings about Max Verstappen ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix. The pair are good friends away from the track but have clashed on several occasions when racing against each other.

Their rivalry came to a head at last season's Mexico City Grand Prix, where Verstappen was involved in two major flashpoints.

He initially braked late and forced Norris wide as the McLaren driver attempted a move around the outside.

Moments later, the Red Bull man launched a reckless dive down the inside of his rival which saw both drivers run off the track. Verstappen was later handed two 10-second penalties and received a barrage of criticism for his reckless driving.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's race in Canada, the young Brit gave a considered response when quizzed on his rivalry with Verstappen.

"I don't think he's done anything untoward towards me," Norris told BBC Sport. "He's raced against me very, very toughly, as he has the right to do. He's made my life very, very tough at times. And he has the right to do that."

Norris, however, went on to offer frank verdict on his biggest rival this season.

FULL STORY here.

It's common knowledge that Max Verstappen has not been his normal happy self for the past season, and rumours regarding his Red Bull future are always swirling.

But for Helmut Marko, there remains nobody better.

Speaking this week, the old hat of Red Bull wasted no time in putting reporters in their place regarding Verstappen's standing.

He said: "He definitely is the best driver we ever had.

"He's developing, developing. And in Imola, this third corner overtaking was unbelievable. And I don't see the end of his progress yet.

"It always comes something extra. Like last year, the race in Brazil in the red from I think 17th to first. He's getting faster with less risk and more calm.

"He doesn't have to push every lap. He's really, I would say, relaxed, but he's not pushing or it doesn't look like he's on the limit or so it [is] just when it matters, he delivers.”

David Coulthard has revealed that he was "totally confused" by Lewis Hamilton's staggering switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, which was announced ahead of the 2024 F1 season.

Hamilton confirmed his move to Maranello before what turned out to be his final campaign with Mercedes, in what became a farewell year for the partnership.

However, since moving to Ferrari, Hamilton has mostly failed to live up to expectations, having struggled to adjust to the SF-25.

"I always felt that Lewis had developed a special bond and loyalty with Mercedes," Coulthard told BILD. "Therefore, I was totally confused when I heard about his switch.

"It was a bit like Michael Schumacher's Formula 1 comeback at Mercedes, after he had built up something so great with Ferrari."

Coulthard added: "At the end of the day, it's Lewis' path, his story, his book that he writes. Maybe he'll win a Grand Prix, maybe he'll win a championship - but maybe he won't."

Lance Stroll plans to drive for Aston Martin at the Canadian Grand Prix.

The Aston star pulled out of the Spanish Grand Prix a fortnight ago to undergo wrist surgery.

A team statement read: “We are pleased to confirm that Lance Stroll will be back with the team competing in Montreal this weekend.

“He had a successful medical procedure to resolve the symptoms he has been experiencing and completed some laps in an old F1 car at Paul Ricard earlier this week. Lance is feeling fit and healthy, and is excited to compete in front of his home crowd.”

David Coulthard has revealed that he was left baffled by Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari.

Hamilton has struggled with the Scuderia team after moving from Mercedes at the start of the season. He won the sprint race in China but has otherwise failed to make his mark with his new team.

"I always felt that Lewis had developed a special bond and loyalty with Mercedes. Therefore, I was totally confused when I heard about his switch,” Coulthard told Bild.

"It was a bit like Michael Schumacher's Formula One comeback at Mercedes, after he had built up something so great with Ferrari.

"At the end of the day, it's Lewis' path, his story, his book that he writes. Maybe he'll win a Grand Prix, maybe he'll win a championship - but maybe he won't."

Christian Horner could be tempted to move to Ferrari on one condition, according to reports.

The Red Bull boss has been linked with a departure for some time. Some reports suggest that he could join Ferrari, where Fred Vasseur is under pressure.

According to Motorsport Italia, Horner would move to Ferrari if he was given full liberty to run the team as he wished.

Lewis Hamilton has struggled during his first season with Ferrari, outshone by team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Police have warned about counterfeit tickets being sold ahead of the British Grand Prix.

Over 480,000 people are expected to attend the event on the weekend of July 5 & 6, in one of Britain’s most-attended sporting events.

Live facial recognition will be in operation at the Grand Prix.

Supt Pete Basham, who will lead this year's policing operation, told ITV: "I would urge people to be aware of potential counterfeit tickets being sold, particularly on social media platforms, and I would strongly advise against coming to the event if you don’t have a ticket.

"We are working closely with the event organisers, other emergency services and partner agencies as the event approaches, to ensure Formula 1 fans have a safe and enjoyable experience, and that anyone looking to commit a crime doesn't succeed."

F1 will not hold a launch event before the 2026 season.

The announcement will be music to the ears of Max Verstappen, who was roundly booed at the O2 Arena in February.

Verstappen and Christian Horner were jeered by spectators at the F1 75 launch.

Asked if Verstappen would attend a similar event, father Jos Verstappen said: "No, Max has no appetite for that, to be booed like that in front of 25,000 people. He also says: 'If this is in England next year, they definitely won't see me'.”

After a short break, F1 is back this weekend.

Drivers are travelling to Canada for the Canadian Grand Prix.

The main race takes place on Sunday, June 15.

Lando Norris has told McLaren colleague Oscar Piastri that a breakdown in relations would not be in the team’s interests.

Norris is second behind Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship, while McLaren lead the Constructors’ competition.

Previous examples of title contenders driving for the same team have often seen relations turn sour. However, Norris is eager for that not to be the case.

"I'm employed by the team, and I have to drive and race for them," the Brit told the BBC. "As a number one, it is a constructor. That's what we have to win in the end of the season. But then there's the individual championship.

"Everyone's seen plenty of championships as team-mates turn sour and go in the wrong direction. And that normally leads to many things, like a domino effect of things starting to fail. And that's what we don't want.

"We know we still want to race. We're free to race against each other as individuals, but we also know our sole purpose is to race for McLaren, the team, the name we race under. And that's something we're both very proud of doing."

A Formula One steward ‘suspects’ that Lewis Hamilton is already thinking about his retirement.

Hamilton has endured a horror start to his Ferrari career and the Canadian Grand Prix presents another tough track for the seven-time world champion.

Current steward Derek Warwick is bemused by his struggles, telling Plejmo: “I don’t know why Lewis Hamilton can’t get going in a Ferrari. I think that’s an enigma.

“In China, when he won the sprint race, I thought that was the turning point, but the car’s still not to his liking.

“I think we all saw him moving to Ferrari as a great opportunity to win his eighth world title. The car is not to his liking at the minute. Most critics will say he’s a seven-time World Champion, 105 Grand Prix wins, surely you adapt to the car you’ve got, because Charles has. But for some reason, he can’t get used to it.

"I think people underestimate, including Lewis, maybe how difficult it is to join a new team. How to get used to their systems, their debriefs, getting them to understand what you want and vice versa.

Do I want Lewis to win races and challenge for the World Championship? Yes. I think he deserves it. I think he deserves that eighth world title.

“It’s not going to happen this year. And I think if it carries on the way it is at the minute, I suspect he’s already thinking of stopping.”

Red Bull are reportedly aiming to promote Isack Hadjar for the 2026 season. 

The rookie has enjoyed a positive first season in F1 with Racing Bulls, Red Bulls sister team. 

According to Auto Motor und Sport, Red Bull have made informal plans for their 2026 line-up, which features Hadjar alongside Verstappen. 

The report adds that the team aims to keep Liam Lawson with Racing Bulls. 

However, under the reported changes, Yuki Tsunoda would face being dropped from Red Bull entirely. 

Red Bull prodigy Arvin Lindblad has been granted a super licence by the FIA. 

The licence allows him to take part in F1 Grand Prix sessions, such as free practice and qualifying. 

Drivers are usually only permitted to receive a super licence once they turn 18. However, the FIA have granted special dispensation to the 17-year-old. 

"The FIA has received a request to grant a super licence to Arvid Lindblad prior to his 18th birthday," an FIA statement read.

"After considering the information presented in support of this request, the World Council found that the driver has recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition and therefore approved the request."

Lindblad has excelled in F2 this year, winning two races and finishing in the top 10 in all 11 events. 

He could be the main candidate to replace Max Verstappen if the Dutchman ever moves on from Red Bull. 

A former Red Bull engineer has claimed that Max Verstappen will retire this year after winning a fifth consecutive world title.

Calum Nicholas, who worked alongside Verstappen in Milton Keynes, insists Verstappen will win the title this year before hanging up his helmet.

“Five. I think Max is going to win the Drivers' this year, and then I think he's going to call it a day.”

Verstappen is 49 points behind leader Oscar Piastri. But Nicholas insists: “To not back Max is just like lunacy, I think. The guy is just really really good.

“Not in terms of just his technical skill and his talent, but I've watched Max grow into this guy that can do everything. He does everything well now.”

Hello and welcome to Express Sport's coverage of the day's Formula One news. 

We'll have all the best build-up to the Canadian Grand Prix. 

So stay tuned...