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 – […]
Antonelli leads Russell in Mercedes 1-2 on day three
Mercedes reaffirmed belief that it is the team to beat in Formula 1 this year after Andrea Kimi Antonelli topped a Silver Arrows 1-2 on the final day of this week’s 2026 Bahrain pre-season test. The 19-year-old set a 1m33.669s, which was 0.249s quicker than team-mate George Russell, who topped the morning session before Antonelli […]
McLaren pleas for «imperative» safety changes before start of F1 2026
McLaren team boss Andrea Stella has urged Formula 1 to agree to several refinements to the 2026 power unit rules to improve the show and general safety. F1’s shift to power units with a much bigger electric component, close to 50% of the total power output, has caused trepidation for many months. But as cars […]
F1 drivers have «nothing to complain about» with 2026 car
Reigning world champion Lando Norris feels Formula 1 drivers have little to complain about following Max Verstappen’s explosive criticism on the new generation of cars. Speaking his mind on the new regulations, which feature a much bigger reliance on electric energy that forces drivers and teams to focus heavily on energy management, Verstappen said the […]
Verstappen slams «anti-racing» and «not fun» F1 2026 cars
Max Verstappen has slammed Formula 1’s new generation of cars after sampling the new Red Bull in Bahrain testing, saying they are «not fun to drive» and «Formula E on steroids». On day two of the first three-day Bahrain test, Verstappen hosted his first proper press conference of 2026, having completed 136 laps on Wednesday […]
Sainz offers intriguing F1 2026 engine insight as Red Bull Ford «a step ahead»
Williams driver Carlos Sainz says Red Bull Ford’s power units have looked «a step ahead», backing similar comments by Mercedes, as he offered fresh insight into how to get the best of out the 2026 generation of cars. On Wednesday, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff said Red Bull Ford’s power units are currently the benchmark in Bahrain […]