Charles Leclerc | F1 News

🏳 The final episode of Grill the Grid 2026 is here.

In the Champions Challenge, the drivers put their F1 history to the test, naming as many World Champions as possible in reverse order. A fitting finale to this year’s series — and a chance to see who really knows their champions.

🕛 With just under two hours to go until the only Free Practice session of the Dutch Grand Prix, it’s the perfect time to watch the latest episode before the action begins.

Watch it here
@charlesleclerc

🇳🇱 The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix weekend is just around the corner.

⏱ Here is the complete Formula 1 schedule for the Zandvoort weekend, with every session listed in both local time (CEST) and UTC for viewers around the world.

Date: Friday, August 21
Session: Free Practice 1
Local time: 12:30 PM–1:30 PM, Zandvoort time
International time: 10:30 AM–11:30 AM UTC

Date: Friday, August 21
Session: Sprint Qualifying
Local time: 4:30 PM–5:14 PM, Zandvoort time
International time: 2:30 PM–3:14 PM UTC

Date: Saturday, August 22
Session: Sprint
Local time: 12:00 PM–1:00 PM, Zandvoort time
International time: 10:00 AM–11:00 AM UTC

Date: Saturday, August 22
Session: Qualifying
Local time: 4:00 PM–5:00 PM, Zandvoort time
International time: 2:00 PM–3:00 PM UTC

Date: Sunday, August 23
Session: Race
Local time: 3:00 PM, Zandvoort time
International time: 1:00 PM UTC

#DutchGP26
@charlesleclerc

⚡️ Max Verstappen extends Red Bull contract until 2030.

Oracle Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Verstappen will remain with the team through the end of the 2030 Formula 1 season, extending one of the most successful partnerships in the sport’s history.

“I am really pleased with the contract extension. We have the best people and I’m excited to keep working together with everyone to get back to the top again. This remains the ultimate goal that all of us have been working towards and will continue to pursue. I want to thank Red Bull, Laurent and everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing for the trust they put in me.”

— Max Verstappen

@charlesleclerc

🇪🇸 Carlos Sainz has signed a new multi-year contract with Williams. The deal reportedly includes a salary worth up to €30 million, along with additional bonuses and contractual options.

Williams will retain its current driver line-up for the 2027 Formula 1 season.

Carlos Sainz:

“I’m thrilled to announce my continued journey with the Atlassian Williams F1 Team family! I truly believe in the people that form this team, both at the factory and at the racetracks, and the investments and hard work that are happening in the background. We have what it takes to turn this around together. I’m as committed as I was on day one to helping get Williams back to where it belongs, and I look forward to creating more memories with the team.”

@charlesleclerc

🇩🇪 Today, August 19, Nico Hülkenberg celebrates his 39th birthday — the experienced German Formula 1 driver and current Audi racer.

🇩🇪 Hülkenberg made his Formula 1 debut with Williams at the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix. During a career spanning more than 15 years, he has claimed a pole position, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans on his first attempt, and secured his long-awaited maiden F1 podium at the 2025 British Grand Prix.

🏆 Career Statistics & Results:
• Debut Season: 2010
• Total Grands Prix: 260
• Podium Finishes: 1
• Total Points: 624

#achievements
@charlesleclerc

⚡️ Confirmed: Hadjar to Miss Dutch GP

Isack Hadjar will miss the Dutch Grand Prix. Liam Lawson will replace him at Red Bull, with Yuki Tsunoda taking Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls.

“Isack Hadjar sustained a wrist injury during the summer break that will prevent him from taking part in the Dutch Grand Prix,”

Red Bull said in a statement.

@charlesleclerc

🇫🇷 Isack Hadjar is reportedly set to miss the Dutch Grand Prix after sustaining a wrist injury during a gym session.

Should he be ruled out, Liam Lawson is expected to step up from Racing Bulls and make a temporary return to Red Bull. Yuki Tsunoda, reserve driver for both teams, would then take Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls.

🇮🇹 Red Bull have yet to confirm the reports or comment publicly. The hope is that Hadjar will be fit to return at Monza two weeks later.

@charlesleclerc

⚡️ Alex Albon has extended his contract with Williams and will remain with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season. Since joining the Grove-based outfit in 2022, Albon has become one of the key figures in its transformation project.

🇹🇭 Alex Albon:

“Since joining Atlassian Williams F1 Team in 2022, the transformation this team has made is difficult to put into words. One tough year doesn’t tell the full picture, and it only gives me more motivation to keep building and pushing together with the factory and our fans to achieve great things. Our story is not over yet, so my full focus now is on doing whatever it takes to get us back up the grid.”

🇪🇸 Meanwhile, RacingNews365 reports that Carlos Sainz and Williams are close to agreeing a new contract. Talks are believed to be in their final stages, with an official announcement potentially coming before the Dutch Grand Prix weekend.

@charlesleclerc

🏎 Formula 1 is preparing a major expansion of its Sprint format in 2027.

According to Sky Sports, the championship is likely to stage nine or ten Sprint weekends next season, up from the current six. Stefano Domenicali confirmed that a higher number will be announced “very, very soon”, alongside the publication of the 2027 calendar.

🏎 With 24 Grands Prix expected, that would bring the total number of races to 33 or 34 across the season.

The direction is clear: F1 wants more competitive action throughout the weekend as it fights for an increasingly scarce commodity — the audience’s attention. Its competition is no longer limited to other sports, but extends to every form of entertainment capable of drawing viewers away.

@charlesleclerc

🧩 The drivers are back for another round of Grill the Grid 2026.

Episode 3 brings the Driver Puzzle — a challenge where the grid must decode the clues and identify the names behind them. With quick thinking, sharp memory and a bit of teamwork, some drivers find their way to the finish while others struggle to solve the mystery.

📌 Watch the latest episode here

@charlesleclerc

🇺🇸 Cadillac has appointed Marcin Budkowski as its new Team Principal as the team continues its inaugural Formula 1 season.

Budkowski, who has more than two decades of F1 experience, will lead the team’s continued operational growth and long-term competitive development. Cadillac says the appointment follows a planned leadership transition as the organisation moves from its initial build phase into the next stage of racing performance.

“My focus will be on aligning our people, tools and information flow so the right decisions are made quickly, and the performance of the car improves every time we go racing,”

Budkowski said.


The official statements are in the comments below.
@charlesleclerc

🇬🇧 On August 8, Arvid Lindblad celebrated his 19th birthday — the British Formula 1 driver, Racing Bulls rookie, and the only debutant on the 2026 grid.

🇬🇧 Lindblad made his Formula 1 debut at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix with Racing Bulls, becoming one of the youngest drivers ever to compete in the championship. The Red Bull Junior Team graduate quickly adapted to the highest level of motorsport, scoring points in his debut season and establishing himself as one of the most promising young talents in Formula 1.

🏆 Career Statistics & Results:
• Debut Season: 2026
• Total Grands Prix: 11
• Podium Finishes: 0
• Total Points: 23

#achievements
@charlesleclerc

🇳🇱 When Formula 1 returned to Zandvoort in 2021, Max Verstappen’s number 33 could be seen well beyond the circuit.

Ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, some of the local 30 km/h speed limit signs were temporarily changed to 33 km/h — a reference to Verstappen’s racing number at the time.

It was a small but memorable detail surrounding Formula 1’s return to the Netherlands after a 36-year absence.

#achievements #DutchGP26
@charlesleclerc

🍾 Grill the Grid 2026 continues with a new challenge for the drivers.

In the second episode, the grid faces the 0-99 Challenge — a test of memory where they have to identify each other’s race numbers. Some answers come instantly, while others prove much harder than expected.

🖥 Watch the latest episode here

@charlesleclerc

🇩🇪 Audi is planning a major development push for the second half of the season. While many rivals have already reached the limits of their current upgrade programmes, the German-Swiss outfit still has significant updates in the pipeline.

Before the summer break, the team’s priority was improving reliability. Now, the focus has shifted towards performance gains.

⚙️ According to Auto Motor und Sport, Audi is preparing four more upgrade packages before the end of the season, with three expected to deliver noticeable performance improvements. The updates will be introduced across the remaining rounds, as the team continues developing the R26 until late November.

@charlesleclerc

🇪🇸 Fernando Alonso’s Formula 1 future appears to come down to two options: continue with Aston Martin in 2027 or retire. A move to another team is reportedly not under consideration.

According to Sky Sports, Honda’s major power-unit upgrade could play a fundamental role in his decision. Before committing to another season, Alonso needs to see clear signs that Aston Martin can become competitive.

Meanwhile, former Sky Sports F1 presenter Rachel Brookes has shared a speculative version of the future grid:
(❗️Rumour only — this should not be taken seriously at this stage)

🇩🇪 Mercedes: Verstappen — Antonelli
🇦🇹 Red Bull: Piastri — Hadjar
🇬🇧 McLaren: Russell — Norris
🇫🇷 Alpine: Alonso — Gasly
🇩🇪 Audi: Sainz — TBC
🇺🇸 Williams: Colapinto — TBC

#rumors
@charlesleclerc

🏖️ Formula 1 may be on its summer break, but Grill the Grid is back for 2026. The drivers are ready for new challenges, tricky questions, and plenty of unexpected moments away from the track.

The first episode, Guess The Driver By Team Career, is already available to watch. Enjoy it here

🗓 New episodes will be released throughout the summer break.
@charlesleclerc