There’s never a quiet weekend in Formula 1, and the Las Vegas Grand Prix was no exception. Between the McLaren Double DNF to Lewis Hamilton starting in P19 to the chaos that was the F1 Academy final race of the year, there was a lot to chat about. Off the track, the Formula 1 rumours never stop flying.

Welcome to the weekly Formula 1 Rumour Report. Each week, we’ll break down some of the bigger rumours swirling around the sport to make sure you’re always in the know.

Could Christian Horner be back in Formula 1?

After being relieved of his duties last summer as Red Bull’s CEO, the reports have been endless about where and when he may re-enter F1. Given that the allegations against him were cleared multiple times by both internal and external investigators, there has always been a feeling that he may reemerge.

Earlier in the week, there were reports that he was part of a group looking to buy a share of Alpine, which has been quietly shopped. Whether he would be on the team as a part-owner or as team principal was unclear, but it was reported that he was involved in this. Those reports seem to have fizzled of late.

Previously, reports also linked him with a move to Ferrari, with the struggling outfit needing a major move if they wanted to jump up the grid next season.

However, the most recent news links him with Aston Martin. There is a chance that he could take over as team principal for next season, taking Andy Cowell’s job. If true, this would reunite Horner with Adrian Newey, the legendary designer, and would be a big step forward for Lawrence Stroll’s team.

While there are reports that Newey left Red Bull due to a falling out with Horner, reports are that the two have made peace, and this would not be an impediment. Having both would make Aston Martin a force on the grid next season.

The Formula 1 rumours around Horner’s return likely won’t stop until he is back.

Charles Leclerc to Aston Martin?

Speaking of Aston Martin, they could have a new driver in 2027, with Charles Leclerc reportedly looking to make the move following next season.

After a nightmare season at Ferrari with the car being simply not good enough, the Monegasque could be looking for greener pastures next season. The team telling the drivers to “talk less” was reportedly a part of why as well.

Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have deals that last until the end of 2026, but with the ownership of Aston Martin, expect Leclerc to take Alonso’s seat if he makes the move.

Did the McLaren drivers know about the plank issues?

The Drivers’ Championship race was blown wide open this weekend after both McLarens were too low to the ground following the race. However, reports are swirling that perhaps the drivers knew about the issue during the race.

Listening back to the radio messages from the race, both Norris and Piastri were constantly reminded to coast around the tighter corners, allegedly to avoid any further damage to the bottoms of their cars. Further, on lap 42, after trying to overtake Max Verstappen, Norris got very sassy to engineer Will Joseph. This was the exchange:

“Let’s do whatever we’ve got to do to…. Just tell me what I gotta do,” – Norris

“Well in that case, do more” – Joseph

Norris then slowed substantially, finishing more than 20 seconds back of Verstappen. Talk about doing less.

While speculation was that he was trying to conserve fuel, this much of a slowdown points to a bigger issue. The sparks that came off of the McLaren towards the end of the race were likely what did them in at the end, but the theory that this was more than just an honest mistake may have merit.

Red Bull expected to announce 2026 driver lineup in Qatar

With one driver secured but the future up in the air, reports are that Red Bull will announce their driver lineup this weekend in Qatar as opposed to at the last race weekend in Abu Dhabi.

The big question mark is around the future of Yuki Tsunoda, who currently sits in the second Red Bull seat. Does he keep his seat, move to Racing Bulls, or get relegated from the lineup completely? With Red Bull’s partnership with Honda over after this season, this could go any way.

Of the four seats between Red Bull and Racing Bulls, one is guaranteed to be Max Verstappen’s. One more almost certainly goes to Isack Hadjar, who has been very good in his rookie campaign. Liam Lawson and Tsunoda are in the running for the other two seats, but Red Bull could look at other options internally and externally to take a spot as well.

Arvid Lindblad or Alex Dunne are both names that have swirled around the rumour mill, with the former regularly being tied to a Red Bull seat. We will find out likely this weekend.

What to expect heading into the final two races

The big question on everyone’s mind is what happens in the Drivers’ Championship with two races left. Verstappen or Piastri basically have to win out and get lucky if either wants to take home the trophy, but it’s Norris’ to lose. The British driver may have been disqualified last race, but he is still firmly in charge of his own destiny.

With two races to go on the track, the Formula 1 rumours will be hot, but after the season is over, silly season begins!