Moët & Chandon, the official champagne of Formula 1, continued its involvement in the sport in 2026 during the FORMULA 1® MOËT & CHANDON BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2026. The company brought its culture of celebration to moments that unite drivers, teams, and fans.
This event became part of the prestigious ten-year global partnership between Formula 1® and LVMH. For the second consecutive time, Moët & Chandon served as the title sponsor of the Belgian Grand Prix, thus giving a new voice to the collective heritage built on excellence, precision, and emotion.
Victory is never achieved alone; it is a collective moment shared by teams and fans. In this race, Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen secured the win, transforming sporting achievements into a celebration.
Sibilla Scherer, President and CEO of Moët & Chandon, noted: 'On the Spa-Francorchamps track, victory has a special intensity for the drivers, teams, and fans who share it. At Moët & Chandon, our mission is to create celebrations and experiences worthy of these emotions: honoring the performance and teamwork behind the victory, and making the shared moment even more unforgettable.'
In 2026, Moët & Chandon paid tribute to one of the most iconic symbols of its history in motorsport. Thirty years ago, silver was the hallmark of victory for Moët & Chandon in Formula 1 through two different developments. In the 1996 and 1997 seasons, the Silver Jeroboam stood on the podium as the race winner, and the Silver Trophy, a sculptural silver Jeroboam, was awarded at the end of the season to the driver with the most Grand Prix wins.
In 2026, the company revived this legacy through a modern homage inspired by this silver heritage. On the Spa-Francorchamps track, this composition was presented in the trunk of an exclusive Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman, which has belonged to the House since 1971. This historic car was long used to host distinguished guests at the Moët & Chandon estate, including Formula 1 figures such as Alain Prost and Jean Todt, and now returns to the world of racing with a new symbol of triumph inside. By turning this permanent element of the House into a decoration for the new Silver Jeroboam Trophy, Moët & Chandon connected one chapter of its history with the modern ritual of victory.
The Spa-Francorchamps track became the venue for the first leg of The Out Lap—a unique hospitality experience developed jointly by Formula 1® and Moët Hennessy. This experience was designed as an intimate journey into the heart of the circuit, combining racing narrative, gastronomy, and exceptional wines in an unprecedented concept.
The journey through Spa-Francorchamps continued through the House's wine collections, presented by Benoît Gouez, Head Sommelier of Moët & Chandon. As part of the culinary experience, created in close collaboration with Chef Yannick Alléno and conceived in harmony with the track, food and wine pairings became part of the narrative, showcasing the precision and mastery of the House's wines.
Chef Yannick Alléno stated: 'When I was invited to be the first chef to open The Out Lap at Spa-Francorchamps, I was immediately drawn to the ambition of this experience. Formula 1® and gastronomy share a culture of performance built on precision, innovation, and team strength. Behind every victory, just like every exceptional gastronomic experience, there is a team, perfectly honed movements, and unwavering attention to detail. I want to thank Moët & Chandon and Moët Hennessy for the invitation to participate in this first edition and for the opportunity to create, together with Benoît Gouez, an experience worthy of this legendary track.'
From the track to the podium, Moët & Chandon embodied the mastery of victory at Spa-Francorchamps, turning celebration into an unforgettable shared moment.
The KZN Premier League Cup will take place in Durban this weekend, where the provincial champion will be determined. Five teams from the KZN Premier League will gather for the tournament: Lamontville Golden Arrows, AmaZulu, Durban City, Richards Bay, and Milford FC. Additionally, the Midlands Wanderers team from the First Division will participate in the tournament.
AmaZulu proved to be the best team in the province last season, finishing fourth and holding that position until the end. Fans expect them to be able to win a consolation trophy after the team failed to qualify for the Confederation of African Football and was excluded from the Nedbank Cup.
Golden Arrows are also entering the tournament as contenders, having finished in the top eight last season despite an inconsistent start. Under the guidance of Mankoba Mngkiti, the team managed to stabilize their nerves and show consistency in the last five matches, allowing them to maintain points and qualify for the MTN8 this season. However, the team will have to quickly adapt under the leadership of new head coach Pitso Dladla, a former employee of Durban City, who led this team to victory in the Nedbank Cup. The calm Dladla now has the opportunity to play more openly, but he will need time to adjust, as this is his first experience as a head coach in the PSL.
Although Durban City was considered an underdog last season, all attention will be on Dladla's former team to see if they are a one-hit wonder or genuine contenders. The team ended the season on a negative note, without a single victory in ten games, but still managed to secure a spot in the Top 8. This result was overshadowed by success in the Nedbank Cup. Since then, the team has been actively recruiting players, attracting coach Khalil Ben Youssef from Kaizer Chiefs, which indicates that they are focused on attack rather than defending their position.
Richards Bay turned out to be the weakest team among KZN clubs last season, failing to live up to the expected quality that the coaching staff believed was possible. The North KZN team showed isolated moments of activity but could not find a rhythm to maintain throughout the season. The Premier League Cup will be an ideal chance for Bay to give the team a boost of energy before the start of the championship.
Milford FC enters the Cup as a true underdog after a recent playoff victory. They are the least rested team in the tournament, but they have coach Dr. Xanthi Pupuma, who is capable of motivating the team at the right moment. Dr. Pupuma will have to prove his abilities this weekend.
Finally, Midlands Wanderers. Although the team did not make it to the top division, the cup tournament does not eliminate anyone before the 90 minutes are up. Perhaps Midlands is using this tournament to build a foundation for a season in which they can achieve promotion to the league. For the other five teams, winning the Premier League Cup will add a trophy to their collection and give an extra advantage before what promises to be an interesting season for KZN.
Lewis Hamilton believes that the Hungarian Grand Prix will provide an ideal opportunity to resume his fight for the championship title after a series of disappointing performances in the last two race weekends.
The seven-time champion watched his pace decline after the challenging Belgian Grand Prix, where errors throughout the weekend caused him to fall behind the leaders. Meanwhile, his teammate Charles Leclerc demonstrated impressive form, securing two podium finishes in a row: a win at Silverstone and second place at Spa-Francorchamps.
Despite the deficit, the Ferrari driver remains confident that Budapest could be the start of a turning point. Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton stated: 'I want to win. That is the goal every weekend, but especially here because I believe this track might suit our car much better.'
The Hungaroring track has long been one of Hamilton's favorite venues. This technical and compact circuit rewards precision rather than just high speed on straights, which is where Ferrari has become increasingly competitive recently.
Leclerc's recent resurgence has also given Ferrari new hope. Monegasque has gradually closed the gap to the leaders after a poor start to the season, giving Scuderia real confidence in its ability to more consistently challenge Mercedes in the second half of the season.
For Hamilton, Hungary is not just another race, but a chance to prevent the championship leader, Kimi Antonelli, from increasing his advantage before the summer break in Formula 1.
After taking responsibility for Ferrari's unsatisfactory results in Belgium, Hamilton emphasized that the team's focus has already shifted forward. He admitted: 'I just need to raise my level,' adding: 'Spa was a tough weekend, and I take full responsibility for it. What matters is how you react, and I believe we can recover here.'
A victory in Budapest will not only revive Hamilton's ambitions in the title fight but also strengthen Ferrari's growing momentum in both championships. With Leclerc finding his best form and Hamilton striving to respond after two difficult weekends, the Hungarian Grand Prix could be the race that finally launches Ferrari's championship charge.
The Kaizer Chiefs team will play a key role in the grand opening of the fully renovated Bafookeng Royal Sports Stadium, participating in a match against Zimbabwean champions Scotland FC as part of the Toyota Cup on Sunday.
The Amakhosi team will be the main attraction of the third pre-season exhibition match at the Phokeng venue, located near Rustenburg. This match marks the return of football to the stadium, which hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2010, after a three-year hiatus.
The game is scheduled for 15:00 and will serve as the final preparatory match for Chiefs before the 2026/27 season, while also allowing fans to see the modernized facility for the first time.
The Bafookeng Royal Nation (RBN) has confirmed the completion of extensive renovation and maintenance work on the stadium, enabling the arena to host high-level sporting events again. The previous professional match at this venue took place in 2023 when Marumo Gallants hosted Tanzanian giants Young Africans in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Since then, the facility has undergone significant modernization aimed at improving safety standards and compliance with national and international requirements. In a statement published by RBN on Wednesday via their official Facebook page, it was announced that the Bafookeng Royal Nation Complex is ready to host sporting events once more.
The statement emphasized that 'the Bafookeng Royal Nation (RBN) is proud that the renovation of the Royal Sports Complex is complete, and the facility is ready to host world-class events in sports, recreation, and community.'
It was noted that to preserve heritage and maintain international standards, the complex underwent extensive modernization and restorative maintenance, including critical upgrades to fire safety, emergency response, and general security systems.
The official opening will be marked by a Toyota Cup match between Chiefs and Scotland FC. RBN added that 'the opening will be marked by the Toyota Cup on Sunday, July 26, 2026, when Kaizer Chiefs meet Zimbabwean champions Scotland FC in an exciting pre-season match.' The event will also include a friendly match between Kaizer Chiefs legends and Jozi Masters featuring several former football stars.
For Chiefs, this match is part of the preparation under head coach Fernando De Cruz, who aims to finalize the squad before the upcoming demanding campaign. The Toyota Cup match will provide Amakhosi with valuable physical conditioning and allow them to become the first major club to officially resume operations at the venue that hosted some of South Africa's most significant football moments.
