German luxury automaker and a flagship of the Daimler brand, rooted in 1926
The Financial Conduct Authority has had parts of its motor‑finance compensation scheme suspended after legal challenges from Volkswagen Financial Services, Mercedes‑Benz Financial Services, Crédit Agricole Auto Finance and consumer group Consumer Voice. The Upper Tribunal has set hearings for December or February; lenders will not need to calculate or pay redress while legal proceedings continue, delaying mass payouts until at least 2027 if the scheme survives.
FIA, F1 and teams have moved to fast-track changes to power-unit regulations after a Miami weekend marked by energy-management concerns. Officials aim to tilt the balance toward the internal-combustion engine, with new talks about larger fuel tanks and possible future V8s to restore flat-out racing. The shift comes as teams upgrade ahead of the 2027 rules and long-term engine plans are debated.
The Pentagon has announced a plan to pull about 5,000 US troops from Germany over the next six to twelve months as tensions over the Iran war intensify with European partners. NATO says it is studying the details of the move, while German officials say Europe must bolster its own defence capacity.
Kimi Antonelli has secured pole at Monaco, commanding the weekend with a lap that felled rivals including Leclerc and Hamilton. He leads the championship after four wins in six races, while questions swirl about Ferrari’s future and Vasseur’s medical absence.
Lewis Hamilton wins at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix for Ferrari, ending a long drought and narrowing Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead. The race features a three-stop Ferrari strategy, Antonelli’s retirement late on, and an all-British podium with Russell second and Norris third.
Gasly has had his Monaco Grand Prix penalties rescinded after a timekeeping error, restoring his third place on the track and reshuffling the final standings. Alpine had appealed; FIA confirmed the error and the penalties were withdrawn. The Barcelona weekend follows as teams await further clarity.
Lewis Hamilton has claimed a breakthrough win at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, ending a 41-race drought and signalling a rebound with Ferrari. Teammate Kimi Antonelli suffers an electrical failure while pushing for a second-place finish, and George Russell secures pole but stalls in race troubles for Mercedes. The results lift Hamilton toward the drivers’ standings as Antonelli leads the championship.
Germany has agreed with France to take a large stake in Franco‑German defence group KNDS and to set joint governance, clearing the way for a potential IPO. Berlin has said it intends to buy roughly 40% from family shareholders to secure long‑term influence over a firm that supplies tanks and armoured vehicles and supports European rearmament.
Automakers have announced strategic shifts as Chinese brands and US trade rules upend the sector. Volkswagen has proposed deep job cuts to cut costs, Jaguar Land Rover is adding hybrids and prioritising the US, and the Commerce Department has denied Polestar permission to sell new connected models in the US from 2027, pushing the brand to refocus on Europe.
A Toronto court has found Frank Stronach, founder of Magna International, guilty on two counts of sexual assault related to incidents involving two complainants. The verdict follows a long trial covering allegations from the 1970s through the 1990s. Prosecutors say more charges remain pending and await sentencing.
China has placed 10 US companies, including rare‑earth producers MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, on its export control list and has barred Chinese government procurement from 46 US firms. Beijing has said the moves respond to a recent Pentagon blacklist of Chinese companies and has ordered immediate suspension of Chinese-origin dual‑use exports to the named firms.
The Verge reports Donut Lab is facing scrutiny over battery claims; a science YouTuber has challenged the company’s assertion about solid-state batteries, suggesting the tested cell is lithium-ion. Electrek highlights inconsistencies in production-vehicle claims and CT Coatings’ supplier history.
Verstappen has finished second in Austria and warns Silverstone may be difficult under the new engine regulations. He says battery recovery is limited, making the Silverstone layout hard to manage. Hamilton notes Red Bull’s progress with weight reductions and upgrades, suggesting the team will be a force in upcoming races.
Across multiple projects, autonomous and humanoid machines are moving from labs to factories and field sites. From Louisiana’s solar-grid work to Austin’s Robot Park and a Chinese factory livestream, developers say robots are proving value in real-world settings while building data and capability for broader deployment.
EU trade chiefs push to rebalance trade with China as talks with Beijing seek tangible results by autumn. Europe faces a €360 billion deficit as climate, industry and tech sectors depend on China, even as leaders vow to defend strategic industries.
Christian Horner has been linked with a Formula 1 return, with talks centering on roles at Alpine, Aston Martin, Ferrari, or even a new BYD-backed team. He has issued cautious statements about timing, saying he will return only for a winning opportunity, while others say the sport remains hungry for his leadership.