Sunday, May 17, 2026

Red Bull-Dominated Formula 1 Season Ends With Expansion Unsettled

  • Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won his 19th race of the year at the season finale.
  • It is still unknown whether an 11th expansion team will be permitted.
Red Bull Racing/X

The 2023 Formula 1 season concluded on Sunday in Abu Dhabi as Red Bull and Max Verstappen finished off the most dominant single-year run in the sport’s history.

Verstappen won his record 19th race of the season, finishing first in all but three grand prix. Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez easily finished second in the drivers standings — with a 51-point gap between him and third place.

Red Bull earns an estimated $140 million for the constructors’ championship.

Mercedes — with third- and ninth-place finishes from George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, respectively — secured second in the constructors’ championship and an estimated $131 million. Ferrari’s third-place finish will likely be good for about $122 million.

Current prize money figures are based off last season’s revenue and could vary slightly.

More The Merrier?

With some on-track changes set to come in 2024 — like a new sprint race format — the biggest question for the sport is whether an 11th team will be permitted to join the grid come 2026.

General Motors has agreed to build engines for a team led by Michael Andretti and Cadillac. That bid has received approval from the FIA but is awaiting the final green light from F1 parent company Liberty Media.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Lawmakers Want Private Equity Out of Youth Sports

Several Democrats have proposed legislation to get PE out of youth sports.
Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur Is Facing a Billion-Dollar Disaster

A seemingly improbable drop to England’s second tier is a tangible possibility.

Max Verstappen’s Future Looms Over F1’s Return to Miami

F1 returns after a monthlong hiatus due to two canceled races.

Featured Today

NFL Rivalries Are Made on the Field, Mocked in Schedule Release Videos

Every year, teams find new ways to one-up themselves (and their rivals).
Bart Swings/Falyn Fonoimoana/Avery Poppinga
May 14, 2026

OnlyFans Is Paying Pro Athletes What Their Sports Won’t

The adult-content platform is a reliable income source for niche athletes.
May 13, 2026

How Sports Graphic Designers Are Grappling With the Rise of AI Art

The release of ChatGPT 2.0 Images sparked a conversation among sports designers.
May 12, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy

The drink is secondary to the wild vessel it comes in.

Aaron Rai Stuns Golf’s Biggest Names at PGA Championship

The Englishman only had one other PGA Tour win.
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
May 17, 2026

Aaron Rodgers Returns to Steelers With a Big Raise

Rodgers’s one-year deal is reportedly worth up to $25 million.
Jul 10, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor fights Dustin Poirier during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2026

Conor McGregor Set for First UFC Fight in 5 Years

McGregor lost his last two fights, which each occurred in 2021.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
Apr 2, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Tom Dundon, the new owner of the Portland Trail Blazers, before a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
May 17, 2026

Tom Dundon: Blazers’ Hotel Controversy Wasn’t About Money

Dundon defended his overall approach to spending.
May 16, 2026

PGA Championship Increases Purse to Record $20.5 Million

The prize money is up from the $19 million paid out last year.
Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half during the NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium.
May 15, 2026

The Haves and Have-Nots of the 2026–27 NFL Schedule

Five teams have no primetime appearances scheduled in 2026.
Jan 17, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs against Denver Broncos linebacker Karene Reid (47) during the second quarter of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High.
May 14, 2026

NFL Schedule Leans Further Into Holidays, Streaming Expansion

The upcoming slate features several notable changes from 2025.