Mercedes says it is too early to choose between Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell in the 2026 Formula 1 title fight, despite Antonelli’s championship lead.

Mercedes has made it clear that it will not prioritize Andrea Kimi Antonelli over George Russell in the 2026 Formula 1 championship fight. Despite Antonelli leading the title race, the team believes it is still too early to implement team orders.

The Silver Arrows have enjoyed a dominant start to the new regulatory era. They have won eight of the first 11 races and hold a 72-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ championship.

Antonelli leads the championship

Antonelli has emerged as the team’s surprise title contender. The 19-year-old has claimed six victories and currently holds a significant advantage over both Lewis Hamilton and his teammate George Russell.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has become Mercedes’ leading contender in the 2026 title race.

Because of that gap, some observers have suggested that Mercedes should begin favoring Antonelli to maximize its chances of winning the drivers’ championship.

The debate has been fueled by comparisons with McLaren’s handling of its drivers in 2025, when a lack of clear team orders became a major talking point.

Mercedes wants both championships

However, Mercedes insists that its priority remains the team rather than an individual driver.

Deputy team principal Bradley Lord explained that the constructors’ championship remains the organization’s main objective and that both drivers are still expected to compete on equal terms.

Mercedes says both drivers remain important to its championship strategy.

According to Lord, Formula 1 championship battles can change quickly over the course of just a few races, making it premature to choose a number-one driver.

Mercedes’ guiding principle remains straightforward: if a Mercedes can win, a Mercedes should win.

Russell remains a key part of the project

Although Antonelli has taken control of the title fight, Mercedes believes George Russell still has an important role to play in both championships.

Russell was originally expected to lead the team’s challenge in 2026, but a combination of mechanical problems, penalties, and difficult race weekends has left him trailing his younger teammate.

George Russell remains a crucial part of Mercedes’ constructors’ championship challenge.

Mercedes also argues that Russell has been affected by several unfortunate circumstances, including reliability issues and race incidents that have hurt his championship campaign.

Why Mercedes is waiting

For now, the team sees greater value in allowing both drivers to maximize results rather than restricting one side of the garage.

With 12 races remaining, Mercedes believes the championship fight is still open enough that team orders could become relevant later in the season, but not yet.

The team’s immediate objective is to maintain reliability, continue developing the car, and secure both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships through performance rather than internal hierarchy.

BMW and Kith have created a one-of-a-kind first-generation X5 powered by the iconic S85 V10 engine and paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

BMW and Kith have revealed one of the most unusual SUV projects in recent memory. The collaboration centers on a first-generation BMW X5 E53 fitted with the legendary 5.0-liter S85 V10 engine from the E60 BMW M5 and paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

The custom build will make its public debut during Monterey Car Week, where it will appear alongside a special 2027 BMW X5 inspired by the same restoration project.

The BMW X5 V10 manual that never existed

The first-generation X5 was never offered with a V10 engine from the factory. That makes this project particularly significant for BMW enthusiasts.

The custom BMW X5 E53 features the legendary S85 V10 engine and a six-speed manual gearbox.

The S85 V10 originally produced 500 horsepower in the E60 M5, and the engine has now been integrated into the E53 chassis while retaining the SUV’s original all-wheel-drive system.

The project was led by Ronnie Fieg, founder of Kith, and reportedly required more than a year of development.

A complete restoration and mechanical transformation

Beyond the engine swap, the BMW X5 has undergone a full rotisserie restoration, with the vehicle completely rebuilt and refinished.

The restored first-generation X5 received a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic overhaul.

The combination of a naturally aspirated V10, manual transmission, and all-wheel drive creates a configuration that BMW itself never produced, giving the SUV a unique place among modern custom builds.

A second special X5 joins the project

The collaboration also includes a 2027 BMW X5 finished in Frozen Titanium Silver, a color inspired by the Titanium Silver Metallic paint used on the restored E53.

The 2027 BMW X5 special edition takes inspiration from the restored E53’s Titanium Silver finish.

This new X5 is based on BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse generation, and the special exterior finish will not be available on the standard production model.

BMW has not released technical specifications for the 2027 X5, but the modern SUV serves as a design tribute to the restored first-generation vehicle.

A Monterey debut with uncertain production plans

Both vehicles will debut during Monterey Car Week, although BMW has not indicated whether the V10-powered X5 will ever enter production.

Previous BMW and Kith collaborations have resulted in limited-edition models, but this project appears to be a far more ambitious mechanical transformation.

For BMW enthusiasts, the BMW X5 V10 manual represents a fascinating “what if” scenario brought to life: a first-generation X5 with one of BMW’s greatest engines and the driver engagement of a six-speed manual transmission.

The 2027 Chevrolet Express finally receives a modern infotainment upgrade with a 7-inch HD color touchscreen, Bluetooth streaming, and an improved audio system across much of the lineup.

The 2027 Chevrolet Express is finally getting a technology upgrade that feels long overdue. After nearly three decades with only minimal changes, Chevrolet will equip its full-size van with a 7-inch HD color touchscreen, replacing the outdated infotainment system introduced in 2019.

For a vehicle that has remained largely unchanged since the mid-1990s, this is one of the most significant cabin upgrades the Express has received in years.

A long-overdue infotainment upgrade

According to reports, the 2027 model will feature Chevrolet Infotainment System 3, bringing a modern color touchscreen and Bluetooth functionality for hands-free calling and audio streaming.

The 2027 Chevrolet Express receives a modern 7-inch HD color touchscreen.

The new infotainment system will be available across the Cargo, Passenger, and Cutaway versions of the Express lineup.

Chevrolet has not yet confirmed whether Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, or USB connectivity will be included, so some details remain unclear.

Better audio for key models

Alongside the new touchscreen, Chevrolet is also updating the audio system on several Express variants.

Passenger and Cargo models will receive an upgraded speaker configuration.

The Passenger Van, Cargo Van, and Crew Van models will receive a standard four-speaker audio system, while Cargo and Cutaway configurations will continue with a simpler two-speaker setup.

Although these changes may seem modest by modern standards, they represent a meaningful improvement for a van that has traditionally prioritized durability over technology.

The Express keeps its proven formula

Despite the infotainment upgrade, the 2027 Chevy Express remains fundamentally the same vehicle underneath.

Chevrolet will continue offering the van in Cargo, Passenger, and Cutaway configurations, with the Passenger model available in LS and LT trims.

The Express continues with its traditional full-size van platform and familiar engine lineup.

The familiar internal-combustion engine lineup is expected to continue unchanged, and Chevrolet has not announced pricing for the 2027 model. The current Express starts in the mid-$40,000 range, depending on configuration.

Finally entering the modern era

The Express has become one of the oldest vehicles still on sale in the United States, and its aging infotainment system has increasingly stood out against newer commercial vans.

For 2027, Chevrolet is finally addressing one of the model’s biggest weaknesses. A 7-inch HD color touchscreen, Bluetooth streaming, and improved audio equipment may not transform the Express into a cutting-edge vehicle, but they bring the full-size van closer to modern expectations while preserving the durability and simplicity that have made it a long-running commercial favorite.