The unexpected factor that makes F1 qualifying more complicated in 2026
During Formula 1 winter testing in Bahrain, the focus — apart from the ongoing compression ratio discussion — has mainly been on energy management during the races. Achieving consistent deployment over longer runs remains a key challenge for teams. Sergio Perez revealed that in his case, there were still fluctuations of up to eight tenths […]
How McLaren has tweaked its steering wheel to maximise F1’s 2026 hybrid
Formula 1’s 2026 revolution has undeniably divided the paddock, especially engine-wise, and the new power units have significantly changed the required driving style. While the overall response to the chassis has been positive, with lighter, nimbler cars, the main issue has been the management of electrical energy. The opening Bahrain pre-season test has revealed the […]
Barcelona joins F1 rotation with new three-race deal
Formula 1 has concluded fresh terms with the organisers of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, keeping the race at Montmelo on the calendar for three out of the next six years. Barcelona has gone into the final year of its existing contract and has been under severe pressure to invest in its outdated facilities and safeguard […]
Newey hasn’t forgotten how to design an F1 car
Fernando Alonso has reiterated his utmost confidence in Aston Martin team boss Adrian Newey, claiming it’s not like he’s ‘forgotten’ how to design a Formula 1 car despite a difficult pre-season. F1 is introducing widespread regulation changes this year, meaning the pecking order is largely unknown, but current signs point towards Aston Martin being comfortably […]
Why Mercedes’ praise of Red Bull’s F1 engine may not tell the full story
Formula 1’s 2026 season-opening Australian Grand Prix currently looks like a race nobody wants to win. Of course, that’s not the case, but it jokingly underlines that, at this stage of the pre-season, everyone is keen to avoid the role of clear favourite. Although that has always been the game during F1 testing, this year […]
Why race starts get so complicated in F1 2026
Formula 1’s first Bahrain test has highlighted a topic that will be discussed in the F1 Commission’s next meeting: race starts. The new power units are making those more difficult, as engines need to rev very high for an extended period of time in order to get the turbo in the right window. The issue […]
“Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren are faster”
During winter testing in Bahrain, no one appears keen to take on the role of favourite for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has labelled Red Bull Racing as “the benchmark”, but the Milton Keynes outfit does not agree. On Thursday, Max Verstappen hinted that he suspects extreme sandbagging at Mercedes: […]
Mercedes suffer «reality check» in Bahrain F1 test with Red Bull ahead
Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell says his squad is now on the back foot as Red Bull is the «team to beat» at the start of 2026. Mercedes was put on the pedestal before the start of pre-season testing amid rumours over its powerful new engine, and its reliable running in Barcelona’s shakedown did […]
How Red Bull plans to overcome Verstappen’s anger at F1 2026 ruleset
Just under a year ago the first rumours emerged that Max Verstappen was actively trying to extract himself from Red Bull, and perhaps Formula 1 entirely. The team’s general pattern of underperformance in the first half of the 2024 season left the way open for Verstappen to trigger a performance clause in his contract – […]