Kissing Walls.*
This edition comes to you from the start and finish of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix.
We have seen a number of races since the last edition, with a great many newsworthy events that should have been reported, but Fogy was taking a break and allowed them to pass without comment.
And the Kissing Award goes to...
Yep, a series of head banging events where Hadjar managed to kiss the walls of both Miami and Monaco in a very similar way. While not unique, Bortoleto, Stroll, Albon, and Charles LeClerc demonstrated how fine the limits are when navigating the streets of Monte Carlo. Canada, Miami, Australia and even Japan have given us sloppy kissing moments. Some have been more rookie errors while others were direct results of this new formula which has made unpredictability the watchword of many - Piastri at home, Max in Miami, Ocon in Canada -- all very similar in nature.
Bringing you all up to date, this 2026 formula has been tweaked quite considerably, bringing a greater level of unpredictability to this year's championship. Changes to the amount of electric energy that can be stored and deployed were introduced in an effort to improve drivability and tighten the competition.
There is no doubt that the Mercedes power unit remains streets ahead of the others, but the question is whether that advantage extends to everybody or mostly to the Mercedes works cars. The worst-case scenarios have been witnessed at both McLaren and Williams, with both teams appearing to suffer more reliability issues than Mercedes and Alpine, the other two teams using the same power unit. McLaren admit that they are still coming to terms with the intricacies of this engine and have received significant technical support from Mercedes, while Williams have their own teething problems surrounding a still-developing car design.
My own view is that history tells us McLaren and Mercedes have had a troubled past, prompting McLaren's forays into Peugeot, Ford, and Honda as engine suppliers before finally returning to success with Mercedes, who were also instrumental in many of McLaren's earlier triumphs. Looking at the available options, it might be interesting if the Audi power unit becomes increasingly attractive as the season progresses, potentially prompting a move from the McLaren team.
Who would have thought that a second-year rookie would end up leading the World Championship by 43 points at the tender — and record-breaking — age of 19? That was until the end of the Monaco Grand Prix, where his lead was extended to a massive 66 points.
Not only has he set records as one of the youngest Grand Prix winners, but he has now failed to not win on five consecutive occasions. To top it off, he has seized and maintained the championship lead, something that has never been achieved by anyone still considered a teenager. Shades of Max's success in 2016, perhaps, but everything points to this young Italian overshadowing even the very best, including Max himself.
Although nobody has ventured to remark on this, the uncanny resemblance to Brazil's Ayrton Senna seems more than a coincidence. Perhaps there are insufficient absolute tells to make others think this way, but I am sure it will not take long before comparisons emerge that align with the magic of this most hallowed hero.
And the GOAT is back.
Not my favourite racer, however there is no denying the skill that keeps Lewis Hamilton near the top. He has taken to this 2026 car like a duck to water and seems to truly believe in the team he is fighting the championship with. We might be seeing the youngest ever world champion being born but just as easily seeing a GOAT at the top once again. With that extra spring to his step and of course, his willing Angela by his side, the sombre aspect of his recent demeanour remains buried.
And Max, you might ask?
Well, maturity abounds where it once seemed reluctant to appear. Foul language aside, a more rational interpretation of the current formula suggests he has embraced the challenges that he, and all the others, still have to face. Remarkably, the RD-Ford engines placed three of their four cars inside the top eight — luck may have been on their side, even if it abandoned them at the start of the race in Max's car.
Ferrari accounted for two cars across two teams, Mercedes four cars across four teams, and Honda one car.
Current Standings – Top 10
| Pos. | Driver | Nationality | Team | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Antonelli | ITA | Mercedes | 156 |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | GBR | Ferrari | 90 |
| 3 | George Russell | GBR | Mercedes | 88 |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | MON | Ferrari | 75 |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | AUS | McLaren | 60 |
| 6 | Lando Norris | GBR | McLaren | 58 |
| 7 | Max Verstappen | NED | Red Bull Racing | 43 |
| 8 | Isack Hadjar | FRA | Red Bull Racing | 29 |
| 9 | Liam Lawson | NZL | Racing Bulls | 26 |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly | FRA | Alpine | 26 |
That's it for this edition.
Cheers from the old Fogy.
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