Why Alpine is taking the Mercedes gearbox for just one season
Alpine’s decision to take Mercedes’ Formula 1 gearbox for 2026 will give it «headroom» to develop elsewhere for the next series of regulations before building its own in 2027. Despite protestations from the personnel at the Renault Group’s Viry-Chatillon powertrain headquarters, the decision was made to shutter the French manufacturer’s 2026 engine project and assume […]
Development lag behind fluctuating 2024 F1 form
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin believes the team’s fluctuating form over the 2024 Formula 1 season was a result of it being pegged back in development in trying to recover from a tough start. The Brackley-based squad opted for an entirely new approach with its W15 concept, opting for a more conventional sidepod solution […]
Flexi-wings may have played key factor in 2024 F1 teams’ title battle
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has claimed the appearance of flexi-wings and the FIA’s decision not to take a more hardline approach towards them played a crucial factor in 2024’s Formula 1 constructors’ championship. The Scuderia was one of two teams, along with Red Bull, who sought clarification from F1’s governing body over the apparent […]
Why Mercedes wants Antonelli to ‘grow into’ F1 and ‘make mistakes’
On the face of it, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff giving an interview to Auto Motor und Sport carefully downplaying expectations surrounding rookie driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli seems like a typical piece of off-season ‘noise’. Very little of it would provoke angry debate in the sanctified halls of the Oxford Union. “If you expect him [Antonelli] […]
Hamilton calls to ’embrace the change’ after Ferrari switch
Lewis Hamilton has outlined the new year as one of «embracing new opportunities» as he begins life as a Ferrari Formula 1 driver. The Briton ended his 12-year association with Mercedes — and a career-long affiliation with the German brand, which had been McLaren’s engine supplier during his junior career and entry to the highest […]
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1 teams will fire the starting gun tomorrow on their 2026 car designs, with a ban on development for the next generation rules finally lifted. As part of an effort agreed at the end of 2023 to stop an arms race of early work, teams were not allowed to conduct aero testing on any […]
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Sky Formula 1 pundit and former grand prix driver Martin Brundle has been awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours for 2025. The Briton, who competed in 158 F1 races before moving into a broadcasting role, was bestowed the accolade for services to motor racing and sports broadcasting. It comes off the back […]
Autosport writers’ most memorable moments of 2024
Working in motorsport media is a privilege that is not lost on the staff at Autosport. Travelling to races around the world and reporting on what happens — both on and off the track — is something we take very seriously. But it also affords plenty of opportunities to make lasting personal memories. From a […]
I have all tools to challenge for F1 title, now I need to deploy them
Oscar Piastri believes he has all the tools he needs to compete for the Formula 1 world championship but has conceded he now must “deploy them all the time”. Australian Piastri earned his first grand prix victories as part of the McLaren effort that saw the team clinch a first constructors’ championship since 1998. But […]