McLaren flags 12th team concern as Hamilton raises Ferrari engine issue

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has raised concerns over a potential 12th F1 team joining the grid as Chinese manufacturer BYD is linked with an entry. At the same time, Lewis Hamilton indicated Ferrari's chase of Mercedes engine performance will take "months" despite a recent upgrade, while the paddock descends on Spa-Francorchamps for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix with weather and strategy questions looming.

Why it matters:

• Brown's comments highlight existing teams' anxieties about grid expansion, particularly regarding financial sustainability and revenue sharing among constructors.
• Hamilton's remarks temper expectations for a rapid Ferrari resurgence, suggesting the Scuderia remains behind Mercedes on outright power heading into the crucial summer phase of the 2026 season.

The details:

• 12th team concerns: Zak Brown flagged a critical issue regarding a prospective new entry, with BYD rumoured to be exploring an F1 bid. McLaren's stance reflects wider paddock unease over how an additional team would affect commercial agreements and dilute prize money for existing competitors.
• Hamilton on Ferrari power: The seven-time champion explained that Ferrari's pursuit of Mercedes' engine benchmark remains a long-term project. Even with a recent power unit upgrade, Hamilton stressed that closing the gap will take months rather than weeks, pointing to sustained work still needed at Maranello.
• Williams hires Red Bull veteran: Michael Manning, a long-standing figure in Verstappen's inner engineering circle at Red Bull, has officially started at Williams. The move strengthens the Grove team's technical depth as it continues its ambitious rebuild under team principal James Vowles.
• Spa weather outlook: Friday practice at the Belgian Grand Prix is expected to be wet, but the forecast has improved considerably for Saturday and Sunday after an important regulatory change at Spa-Francorchamps, reducing the likelihood of rain-affected qualifying or race conditions.
• Alonso's energy warning: Fernando Alonso predicted a "thirsty" Belgian GP, comparing F1's energy management dilemma at Spa to F2's challenges. The circuit's long straights will force teams to balance battery deployment carefully to avoid running critically low on energy.
• Verstappen's Red Bull reality: Max Verstappen admitted Red Bull's RB22 is struggling to match front-running rivals and named the next performance step as the hardest yet. His comments underscore the immense scale of the team's recovery task in the highly competitive 2026 season.

What's next:

• Ferrari's engine progress will face a stern test at power-sensitive Spa this weekend, offering a clearer picture of whether Hamilton's cautious timeline proves accurate or if the Scuderia can accelerate its development curve.
• Meanwhile, the 12th team debate is expected to gather momentum behind closed doors, with F1 stakeholders set to discuss commercial safeguards and dilution protections before any new entry receives the formal green light.