Martin Brundle says he is not decreasing his Sky Sports duties (Image: Getty Images)
We are barely a few weeks into the 2026 F1 season, yet there has already been no shortage of talking points. Last year witnessed Max Verstappen relinquish his grip on the title as Lando Norris edged him out for the drivers’ championship, and early indications suggest another wide-open title battle is in store. There have also been murmurings surrounding new races, alongside speculation about what the future holds for legendary broadcaster Martin Brundle.
The 2026 calendar is currently running on a reduced schedule following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Kimi Antonelli has stormed into an early lead in the drivers’ standings after claiming victory in two of the opening three grands prix. The Italian leads George Russell by nine points, while reigning champion Norris languishes in fifth place as he continues to wait for his first podium finish of the year. Those two race cancellations mean there is no further action until the Miami Grand Prix in early May.
Plenty continues to unfold behind the scenes, however, and Express Sport brings you the very latest…
Indian GP return statement
Indian politician Mansukh Mandaviya declared that F1 would ‘100 per cent’ return to the country in 2027. However, a fresh statement from the sport has cast doubt on whether that timeframe is realistic.
“While India is a valuable market for Formula 1’s continued growth with an amazing passionate fanbase, we won’t be racing there in 2027,” an F1 spokesperson said.
Discussions over a return have been ongoing but an agreement is not thought to be close.
India’s Buddh International Circuit played host to three Formula 1 Grands Prix between 2011 and 2013. All three were claimed by Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, while Fernando Alonso – then behind the wheel for Ferrari – twice stood on the podium.
India has not had an F1 Grand Prix since 2013 (Image: Getty Images)
Martin Brundle shows no signs of scaling back his involvement in Sky’s F1 coverage but reminded fans that his commitment to two-thirds of the season is more than sufficient. Brundle was absent from China and Japan but is set to return in Miami.
“I do 16 races a year, so I have to miss some, and they tend to be the early-hours-of-the-morning races,” he said. “I always feel a bit sad when I’m not in Suzuka because I love that track as a driver and as a broadcaster, but I can’t do them all these days.”
Brundle’s 16-race schedule this year is slightly down from his 18 in 2025. However, he made it abundantly clear that any suggestion of a notable reduction was far from the truth.
Verstappen team-mate hospitalised
Jules Gounon, a driver for Max Verstappen‘s Team Verstappen, has updated supporters on his condition after losing consciousness during a GT race.
Gounon was battling food poisoning when he joined team-mates Dani Juncadella and Chris Lulham at the GT World Challenge Europe, and was rushed to hospital after the physical demands of competing took their toll.
“Last night I got food poisoning, lost a lot of fluids and barely slept,” the Frenchman wrote on Instagram. “Big thanks to Dani (as always there for me in the tough moments) for getting me to the medical center at 7am, and to all the doctors and paramedics who made me fit to race.
“I rested as much as I could before the race and I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I still gave everything in the double stint, probably one of the hardest I’ve ever done. I’ve never struggled that much in a race car and pushed myself to a point I didn’t think I could reach.
“After the stint, I completely passed out and ended up gaining back another trip at the medical center for a few hours. Massive thanks to the medical team for taking such good care of me, and to the @2seasmotorsport crews who stayed with me there.””