Issue #12:The Loophole is Closed

Here's the full final issue:

FORMULA1 WKLY Issue #12 | Monaco Grand Prix

McLaren hit 1000. Mercedes lose their edge. Monaco decides everything.

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MERCEDES' ENGINE LOOPHOLE IS CLOSED. MONACO IS THE FIRST TEST.

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From June 1st, Mercedes can no longer run the compression ratio trick that rivals suspected gave them an advantage all season. The FIA changed the rules so the engine is now tested at 130 degrees, not just at ambient temperature. Monaco is the first race under the new regulations.

The compression ratio limit is 16:1. Mercedes were suspected of running 18:1 on track by using heat-expanding metals that only reached that ratio at operating temperature. Rivals were furious. The FIA originally planned to close it after the Hungarian GP in August but moved it forward to the start of the European season.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said it does not change anything for them. Five wins from five races says they were very good regardless. But now we find out how much of that was the car and how much was the trick.

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1000 RACES. ONE TEAM. MCLAREN'S MILESTONE ARRIVES IN MONACO

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This weekend at Monaco, McLaren will line up for their 1000th Formula 1 Grand Prix. That is 61 years of racing, 203 wins, 13 Drivers' Championships, and over 100,000 laps completed since Bruce McLaren entered the sport in 1966.

Senna holds the record for most wins as a McLaren driver on 35. The most recent came from Lando Norris in Sao Paulo last season. McLaren have moved to second in the all-time Constructors' Championship standings behind only Ferrari.

Norris and Piastri marked the occasion with a wet lap session at the Nurburgring Nordschleife ahead of race week. Race 1000. Monaco. It does not get more fitting than that.

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ANTONELLI'S LEAD IS 43 POINTS. RUSSELL SAYS IT FEELS LIKE SABOTAGE.

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After Russell's retirement in Canada, Antonelli now leads the championship by 43 points. Five rounds in and the teenager has four consecutive wins, a gap that would worry anyone.

History says it is not over. In 2012, Alonso held a 42-point lead after Round 11 before Vettel overturned it to win the title. In 2022, Verstappen came back from 46 points down against Leclerc and never looked back.

Russell has time. But Monaco will not be the place to force results.

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2027 RULE TWEAKS CONFIRMED BY F1 COMMISSION

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The F1 Commission met in London this week and signed off on a set of 2027 regulation changes. Minor aerodynamic and bodywork tweaks were agreed, plus an extra pre-season test day, bringing the total from three days to four.

Testing of Previous Cars rules were also updated. Teams will face restrictions on testing at circuits set to host a race the following year. All changes still need formal approval from the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

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F1 25 GETS THE 2026 SEASON TONIGHT

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On another note, EA Sports F1 25's 2026 Season Pack drops tonight at 4PM BST, 5PM SAST. Already own F1 25? Buy the pack and get the full updated grid including Cadillac, Audi, and all the new driver line-ups. New to the game? The 2026 Season Edition bundles everything together.

New to the pack is MADRING, a fictional Madrid street circuit at 5.4km that can only be driven with the 2026 cars. Active aero and Overtake Mode, a near 500 horsepower boost, are both part of the package.

One thing to note: custom saves from your 2025 My Team season will not carry over.

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NEXT RACE PREVIEW

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June 5-7 · Circuit de Monaco · Round 6

Monaco is the opposite of Canada. No power unit heroics, no strategic gambles, just 78 laps of precision through barriers that do not forgive. Antonelli arrives with form and a points lead, but Monaco reshuffles the deck every year and the loophole closure means Mercedes face their first real unknown of the season.

Watch for Ferrari and Hamilton especially. He arrives on the back of his best Ferrari result yet, and the paddock has quietly picked him as a Monaco favorite this weekend.

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DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

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Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 131

George Russell (Mercedes) 88

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 75

Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 72

Lando Norris (McLaren) 58

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CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

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Mercedes 219

Ferrari 147

McLaren 106

Red Bull Racing 57

Alpine 35

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FAST FACTS

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