The concern with straight mode which arose in F1 Commission meeting
McLaren boss Andrea Stella previously outlined three major concerns with the 2026 Formula 1 power unit rules and he has since revealed a fourth issue entered the mix. This year F1 is introducing a completely new set of regulations with one of the changes concerning the power unit, which is now more reliant on electrical […]
Is F1 engine vote a fair solution after Mercedes kept FIA ‘in the loop’?
Ever since rivals discovered that Mercedes could comply with the 16:1 limit during static tests, but can achieve a higher ratio while running on track, the compression ratio has become the biggest political topic of Formula 1’s pre-season. During the first week in Bahrain, Wolff made it clear that Mercedes had closely involved the FIA […]
My F1 2026 practice starts were my worst ever
George Russell claimed his two practice starts in testing for the 2026 Formula 1 campaign “were worse” than his worst ever, with Ferrari looking the strongest in that regard. Changes to the race start procedure has been one of the main talking points during pre-season, as drivers must now rev their engines for at least […]
Ferrari fastest as Aston Martin ends running early
Ferrari has achieved the fastest lap in Formula 1’s 2026 pre-season testing, courtesy of Charles Leclerc. The eight-time grand prix winner topped the timesheet throughout the day. He was quickest in the morning with a 1m33.689s; in the afternoon, he successively brought this benchmark down to 1m33.629s, 1m33.162s and 1m32.655s with C3 rubber. Leclerc then […]
Aston Martin ends F1 Bahrain pre-season test early after six laps on final day
Aston Martin curtailed its Formula 1 pre-season testing programme in Bahrain as an after-effect of earlier technical issues. Having switched to a Honda engine supply for F1’s new era, Aston Martin is the only team to use the Japanese power units and has struggled so far. Regardless of its mediocre pace, the AMR26’s unreliability has […]
Antonelli quickest on day five as Aston Martin’s woes continue
Kimi Antonelli went quickest on the penultimate day of Formula 1’s pre-season testing in Bahrain on Thursday. The Mercedes driver set the best time so far for 2026-spec machinery at the Sakhir track, going over six tenths faster than anyone prior to today, with a 1m32.803s – narrowly quicker than Oscar Piastri. McLaren and Red […]
Why the FIA is putting Mercedes’ F1 engine solution to a vote
In the weeks leading up to the season opener in Melbourne, the words “compression ratio” have dominated paddock conversations. Since rivals caught wind of the fact that Mercedes complies with the 16:1 limit during static tests at ambient temperature but is able to achieve a higher ratio while running, the topic has become political and […]
Norris fastest as Ferrari debuts trick rear wing
Lando Norris has set a new fastest lap at Formula 1 Bahrain pre-season testing to head Max Verstappen, while Ferrari debuted a trick rear wing before being hit with a mechanical problem. F1 world champion Norris posted a 1m33.453s on the C3 compound tyres to go 0.006s quicker than George Russell’s previous best set yesterday […]
Mercedes heads McLaren by 0.01s, as four teams hit trouble
George Russell set the fastest lap of Formula 1’s Bahrain pre-season testing so far as the second week of running got under way at Sakhir. The Mercedes driver lapped in 1m33.459s this afternoon, which is two tenths faster than team-mate Kimi Antonelli’s benchmark last week, a 1m33.669s. Both of those were set with C3 tyres. […]