Mercedes Locks Down 2026 Lineup!

Well, it's finally here! 

It's Thursday, and while we are busy at Seante with tickets and the event, we are all gathered in the vibrant city of Austin, Texas, for this weekend's United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA).

The Long Wait is Over: Russell and Antonelli Secured

With just six races remaining, every race from here on in promises to be an unpredictable ball of excitement, with the three most prominent names in the sport—McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes—all looking primed for victory, and I am even backing Charles Leclerc, who won here last year with Ferrari.

Meanwhile, the big news and long-awaited news is that Wolff confirmed that the decision was always a "matter of when, not if." 

The delay, he explained, was about ensuring that all negotiations were correctly handled for a long-term framework, which is a little confusing as it's still only one-year contracts, and this means to me that he has created a back door for the very near future.

I am happy for the Mercedes F1 team to have finalised their contracts with a one-year extension for both drivers with Geroge Russel and the very young Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian driver must be happy and feel that the pressure is off for the rest of the season, and this may reflect in his driving over the remaining six races.

The Red Bull Factor: Max’s Relentless Charge

Although the mathematical gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri remains significant (63 points), Max and Red Bull have gained a massive 41 points on the Australian in the last three races alone, which could be leaving the cool, calm Aussie feeling uneasy!

This is where the beauty of the extra races comes in, as it gives a driver a chance to catch up or break away. 

This weekend features a Sprint format, offering Max an additional 8 points for victory on Saturday. With Red Bull's recent upgrades finding their form, Max is poised to capitalise and to put the Papaya duo under pressure.

The four-time champion is still fighting for every single point, acting as the ultimate apex predator waiting for the civil war at McLaren to peak.

My Ferrari's Wildcard: Leclerc is Due a Win

We cannot overlook Charles Leclerc. While Ferrari has struggled with race pace this year, the Monegasque driver is renowned for his blistering single-lap speed and has the raw talent to capitalise on any chaos at the front.

The Circuit of the Americas, with its thrilling elevation changes, has become an iconic corner in the fight for pole and the inevitable strategic gambles on Sunday. It's how racing should be, because you never truly know who is going to win.

And as always, when the lights go out and the drama unfolds, here at Senate Grand Prix, there is only one winner, and that's you, the race fans!