F1 'SILLY SEASON' PUTS RED BULL, MERCEDES AND CADILLAC ON THE SPOT

Most F1 teams saw the sweeping rule changes coming for 2026 and tied down key drivers to long contract extensions last year, or even the year before. The idea was to lock in experienced drivers who could help with development throughout...

- 

It's time for Formula 1's risk-taking drivers, overworked engineers, and harried team principals to relax. At least in theory. With four weeks until the next race, including a mandatory 14-day shutdown of all racing operations from next week, the F1 season is on hold. It's what F1 calls “silly season,” the time when contract talks — and rumors — fill the vacuum. It often seemed like the silly season started early amid feverish speculation about a move from Red Bull to Mercedes for four-time champion Max Verstappen. Now that Verstappen has confirmed he's staying with Red Bull, other decisions — such as contract renewals at Mercedes — could speed up.

RUSSELL AT MERCEDES

Most F1 teams saw the sweeping rule changes coming for 2026 and tied down key drivers to long contract extensions last year, or even the year before. The idea was to lock in experienced drivers who could help with development throughout 2025, so the very different 2026 cars wouldn't come as a surprise.