McLaren’s internal battle heats up: Oscar Piastri leads Lando Norris by just nine points as McLaren dominates the season. Tensions flared at the Hungarian GP after strategy calls appeared to favor Norris, prompting team CEO Zak Brown to promise conversations ahead of the Dutch GP to manage the rivalry fairly. News.com.au
Alpine’s Franco Colapinto under pressure: Colapinto suffered a harsh crash during a tyre test that triggered a medical check. His prolonged poor form and the accident have fueled rumors that Alpine may replace him, with experienced drivers like Valtteri Bottas or Sergio Pérez being considered. Talksport
Driver shake-ups ahead? The 2025 Summer Shutdown has intensified speculations. While Mercedes is likely to retain both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, seats at Red Bull and Alpine remain uncertain. The upcoming entrant Cadillac is also said to be narrowing its driver selection, with names like Bottas, Pérez, and Colton Herta in the mix. SB Nation
Teams & Regulation Updates
Cadillac’s 2026 entry gains support: McLaren CEO Zak Brown welcomed Cadillac as the 11th team entering F1 in 2026, projecting that their involvement—backed by General Motors and TWG Global—would boost competition and traction in the U.S. market. Reuters
Healthier paddock dynamics post-Horner: With Christian Horner’s ousting from Red Bull, McLaren’s Zak Brown anticipates a more respectful and less adversarial environment among teams, praising the shift to Laurent Mekies at Red Bull. The Times
Team Development & Film Buzz
Ferrari remains patient amid challenges: Team Principal Fred Vasseur has committed to a multi-year strategy focused on long-term success. Despite a slow start and technical issues, Ferrari is aiming for race wins this season and gearing up for the major 2026 regulation overhaul. SB Nation
“F1: The Movie” gets a green light: Producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that despite early concerns, the upcoming film—featuring Lewis Hamilton as a producing partner—would not villainize real F1 teams, ensuring both drivers and teams are on board. EW.com
Off-Track Highlights
Lando Norris takes a break—in style: Following a win at the Hungarian GP, Norris was spotted enjoying some down time in Ibiza with girlfriend Margarida Corceiro. Their beach-side moments have been making waves off the track. The Times of India
Summer shutdown begins: All teams have entered F1’s mandated mid-season break, which runs for 13–14 days and halts performance-related activities. It’s a critical pause for cost-saving and team reset ahead of the season’s second half.
