While the 2026 regulations have rewritten the pecking order on track, the real drama this season has been happening off it. Contract coups, salary rumours that would make a football agent blush, a four-time champion going go-karting for Disney, and a seven-time world champion delivering ultimatums to the Scuderia — and that’s just the summer break. Welcome back to F1 Zone: Going Off Track.

Verstappen rumoured to break the $100 million salary barrier

The dust had barely settled on Max Verstappen’s contract extension with Red Bull Racing — announced on 20 August ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix — before the paddock rumour mill went into overdrive about the four-time world champion’s pay packet.

The new deal runs until the end of 2030, and reports suggest Verstappen is receiving a significant pay raise. His previous salary was estimated at around €60 million (approximately R1.13 billion) per year; the new contract is reportedly worth a base of approximately $100 million, with bonuses potentially pushing the total beyond $120 million — roughly €102 million (approximately R1.91 billion) annually. If accurate, that would make Verstappen the highest-paid driver on the grid, surpassing Lewis Hamilton, who is believed to earn around €60 million (approximately R1.13 billion) per year at Ferrari. Charles Leclerc reportedly ranks third at €29 million (approximately R544 million).

Estimates vary across sources, however. Some reports place the base salary as high as $107 million (€92 million, approximately R1.73 billion), with bonuses potentially reaching $134 million. Hamilton’s Ferrari salary is likewise reported differently depending on the source, ranging from $60 million to $70 million. Neither Red Bull nor Verstappen has confirmed any figures. The Dutchman maintained his long-standing position of keeping contract details private when pressed by media at Zandvoort. Former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko believes Verstappen set clear conditions before committing his future, though the specifics remain undisclosed.

Netflix confirms Drive to Survive season 9

Netflix has officially confirmed that Formula 1: Drive to Survive will return for a ninth season, with a release scheduled for 2027. The series, which has long divided opinion among fans, will cover the 2026 campaign — a season that has delivered one of the biggest regulatory overhauls in the sport’s recent history, plus the arrival of Cadillac, Audi and Ford Powertrains on the grid.

Executive producers James Gay-Rees and Paul Martin of Box to Box said: “We’re so excited to be making Season 9 of this iconic show. This year we’re going to go deeper than ever before into the hidden spaces of this fantastic sport.”

No official release date has been set, but if the series follows its established pattern since launching in 2019, the new season should arrive around the time of pre-season testing in early 2027. Season 8 saw the episode count reduced from 10 to 8; no indication has been given on whether that reduced format will continue.

F1’s Chief Media Rights and Broadcast Officer, Ian Holmes, admitted the show has exceeded all expectations, adding that they are already looking towards a “magical tenth season.”

Max vs 100: Verstappen to take on 100 drivers in live karting spectacular

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen will return to his racing roots on 16 September, taking on 100 drivers in what is being billed as the world’s biggest go-kart race — broadcast live on Disney+ and the ESPN App.

The event, titled “Max vs 100,” will take place on a purpose-built karting circuit at Silverstone, the home of the British Grand Prix. One hundred and one karts will line up on the grid simultaneously — a first for the sport — with Verstappen starting at the back and attempting to overtake every single challenger.

The circuit has been designed by Race Director David Terrien, a renowned kart designer and youth karting world champion. A 50-kart shakedown has already taken place to trial the layout.

The 100 challengers will include Red Bull athletes, gaming talent, social media creators, streamers and media personalities from around the world. Confirmed participants so far include ultrarunner Arda Saatçi, basketball shooting sensation Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews, and freestyle mountain biker Matt Jones, alongside streamers TheGrefg, Caedrel and TheDonato.

Verstappen said: “In go-karts you learn all the basics: starts, defending, overtaking. Of course, I spent a long period of my life go-karting, so it’s always nice to return.”

The broadcast will feature live race data, game-inspired graphics and drone footage, with Verstappen able to communicate directly with his rivals during the race. No spectators will be allowed on site, but fans can follow the action live on Disney+ on Wednesday 16 September — the week after the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.

Also read: Antonelli’s home race becomes damage limitation

Hamilton to Ferrari: Back me or wave goodbye to the title dream

Lewis Hamilton delivered a pointed message after finishing fourth at the Dutch Grand Prix, making clear his frustration with Ferrari’s strategy and his belief that the team must rally behind him if he is to mount a serious championship challenge.

Lewis Hamilton’s frustrated radio messages. Photo: Motorsport.com/Instagram

Hamilton was held up behind team-mate Charles Leclerc for several laps during the race, losing time he believes cost him a shot at the podium. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 afterwards, the seven-time world champion said:

“Today, I lost several seconds behind Charles (Leclerc) which would’ve made the difference at the end. We’ll take it offline and my goal is to lead this team to the championship. We’ve got some work to do for sure.”

Hamilton also revealed the scale of Ferrari’s deficit: “We’ve lost three to five tenths on the straight, that’s a hard deficit to overcome.” He currently sits third in the championship, tied on 183 points with George Russell, 59 behind Antonelli.

The frustration was also evident over team radio. When team member Santi suggested a switch to the medium tyre — “Didn’t look great on Charles… is it slower?” — Hamilton retorted: “You guys have got the data, so figure it out!” before adding, pointedly: “Please!”

Hadjar’s classy reply to Tsunoda

When Isack Hadjar was sidelined by a wrist injury ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, it triggered a chain of seat swaps across the Red Bull stable: Liam Lawson stepped up to Red Bull Racing alongside Verstappen, while Yuki Tsunoda was promoted from reserve duties to the Racing Bulls seat for his first race appearance of the 2026 season.

Tsunoda took to social media to mark the occasion, writing: “Happy to get back behind the wheel this weekend and step in for the team. Wishing Isack Hadjar a speedy recovery!”

Hadjar, who has yet to publicly discuss his injury in detail, replied with a simple three-word comment: “Have fun bro.”

The exchange underscored the camaraderie between the two drivers amid challenging circumstances. Tsunoda went on to finish the Dutch Grand Prix, while Hadjar’s recovery timeline remains unconfirmed.

This report was compiled using AI assistance. It was fact-checked and published by an editor.