During the Australian Grand Prix, the Stewart family’s Race Against Dementia charity raised about $1 million in Melbourne, showing how Formula 1’s platform can accelerate dementia research through fundraisers and tech collaborations.
Demolition has commenced on the Albert Park pit building, initiating a phased redevelopment of the Australian GP venue. The project aims to replace the 1996-era facilities with modern infrastructure, using a mix of temporary and permanent solutions for the 2026 race before a full permanent upgrade in 2027.
AlphaTauri's Liam Lawson says the FIA's pre-race energy reduction rule at Suzuka failed to create more flat-out qualifying laps, as drivers still had to use excessive 'super-clipping'. He contrasted the experience unfavorably with Japan's Super Formula series, known for its high cornering speeds.
F1 journalists debate Netflix's 'Drive to Survive,' criticizing its scripted, reality-TV style for compromising authenticity. While some see it as a successful but manufactured advertisement for the sport, others argue it presents a fundamentally altered version of F1 that undermines true storytelling.
F1's new ADUO system allows engine manufacturers lagging behind the benchmark extra development time and upgrades to close the performance gap during the season. With Mercedes holding a clear early advantage in 2026, the framework's first evaluation and potential timeline shift are under scrutiny.
Ex-F1 driver Eddie Irvine forecasts an inevitable on-track clash between Mercedes teammates George Russell and Kimi Antonelli if they fight for the title, stating Toto Wolff will be unable to control the high-stakes rivalry, drawing comparisons to past Mercedes conflicts.
Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu has heaped praise on Oliver Bearman, stating he sees no limit to the young Briton's potential after a stellar start to 2026. Bearman has been instrumental in Haas's surprise fourth-place standing, outperforming teammate Esteban Ocon and demonstrating remarkable all-around growth as a grand prix driver.
Lewis Hamilton's first Ferrari podium in China was followed by a weekend in Japan where he was outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc, leading to criticism from former driver Eddie Irvine. While questions remain about Hamilton's consistency, Ferrari's 2026 car shows clear progress, positioning the team as Mercedes' nearest challenger.
F1 analyst Alex Wurz says Red Bull is lagging behind Mercedes and Ferrari in critical energy management, a key factor under the new regulations. This technical deficit compounds the team's existing chassis problems and is affecting Max Verstappen's morale as the squad struggles for performance.
Laurent Mekies says Red Bull Powertrains' RB22 will meet the FIA’s ADUO threshold, earning one upgrade before the Canadian Grand Prix. The boost will shrink the gap to Mercedes as Red Bull trails.
Formula 1's planned debut in Vietnam, set for April 2020, was first postponed by the pandemic and then permanently canceled following the arrest and imprisonment of a key political backer on corruption charges, abandoning a specially built $600 million circuit.
F1 analyst Martin Brundle suggests Carlos Sainz is in a career bind at Williams, with few options to move to a competitive team. Having already driven for Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull-affiliated teams, Sainz's extensive experience may now limit his future prospects as he waits for Williams' long-term rebuild.
