Explained: The diffuser opening on Mercedes’ and Ferrari’s 2026 F1 cars
Caution is always required when analysing Formula 1 launches – especially with the introduction of new regulations. A few years ago, Red Bull played games with its sidepod inlets by showing different designs at the launch in Milton Keynes and on renders. During the subsequent test days in Bahrain, the design was different again, which […]
Horner interested in Otro’s Alpine F1 team stake
Flavio Briatore has said Christian Horner is one of the interested parties in buying Otro Capital’s stake in the Alpine Formula 1 team. Since being sacked as Red Bull F1 team boss last July, Horner’s future has been the subject of numerous rumours and he has been linked to several teams. Horner had been in […]
Why there are «no excuses» for Alpine in F1 2026
As Flavio Briatore said at Alpine’s 2026 launch in Barcelona, his team has no more excuses. But rather than dreading the added pressure, a character-building 2025 has meant the team has been counting the days until it could finally show what it can do. It was hard not to notice Alpine was in a buoyant […]
Haas completes 2026 F1 car shakedown ahead of Barcelona test
Haas has become the latest team to shake down its 2026 Formula 1 car, as the grid makes their final preparations for the first official test under the new regulations. F1 sophomore Oliver Bearman turned the first laps in the Haas VF-26 at Ferrari’sFiorano circuit on Saturday, running Pirelli’s special demonstration tyres as part of […]
Audi launches its own F1 young driver programme
In the same week it confirmed a five-year plan to win the world championship by 2030, Audi has announced a driver development programme which will scout and nurture young talent from karting through the single-seater ladder, and perhaps ultimately to Formula 1. The move places Audi in the mainstream of F1 teams, the majority of […]
JA on F1 podcast: Red Bull F1 team boss Mekies on why 2026 is a new dawn
This week we have a special episode with two conversations from the Autosport Business Exchange in London.ABX is a gathering of leaders from across motorsport, exploring relevant themes. It takes place in London, Monaco and New York every year.As we head into a new season with so much renewal and so many question marks, the […]
Controversial 2026 F1 engine loophole won’t be resolved before Australian GP
Here we are and here we go: the status quo will remain as the 2026 Formula 1 season gets under way. Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains will be able to race with power units which are understood to employ clever metallurgy to increase the compression ratio of the internal combustion engine beyond the permitted 16:1.The […]
McLaren likely won’t upgrade 2026 F1 car before Australian GP
“The car everyone will see in Barcelona won’t be the car that races in Australia. I think that will be across the board, because it’s simply too early.”A few days ago, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu was confident all Formula 1 cars would evolve significantly by the Australian Grand Prix – but McLaren differs.The team […]
Binotto fears Audi engine performance deficit to F1 rivals in 2026
Audi Formula 1 chief Mattia Binotto is expecting his team to have an inferior power unit compared to its more established rivals in the forthcoming 2026 campaign. The German marque will make its debut as both an F1 team and engine supplier this year, after completing a takeover of Sauber to become a full factory works’ […]