Mercedes' Toto Wolff cautions the FIA that engine upgrades permitted under the new ADUO rules must not be allowed to disrupt the 2026 title fight. He insists the system should only help struggling manufacturers catch up, not leapfrog rivals, and warns against any 'gamesmanship' as Ferrari eyes the rules as a chance to close the gap to the leading Silver Arrows.
Following a Pirelli test, drivers George Russell and Oscar Piastri praised the classic Nürburgring circuit, reigniting debate about which historic tracks fans and competitors miss most on the modern F1 calendar, with Hockenheim and Malaysia's Sepang also highlighted as notable absences.
Max Verstappen’s GT run at the Nordschleife sparked debate over a cornering trick that kept him close to rivals despite dirty‑air, teammates, GT vets discuss it ahead of his 24‑hour Nürburgring effort.
Ex-Haas chief Guenther Steiner claims younger F1 drivers like Kimi Antonelli are outpacing veterans in adapting to the 2026 cars due to their tech-native backgrounds and an absence of old driving habits. He cites Antonelli's lead over teammate George Russell as evidence that experience with the previous car generation is now a disadvantage, forcing seasoned drivers to unlearn ingrained techniques.
F1 team bosses, the FIA, FOM and engine makers will convene Monday to vote on 2026 rule tweaks targeting super‑clipping power and energy‑harvest limits. Drivers demand safer, more dynamic racing, but any immediate change requires unanimous approval.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali calls Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli the "fresh blood" the sport needs, highlighting his instant impact and his potential to reshape Italian motorsport loyalty, traditionally centered solely on Ferrari.
Ex-Haas boss Guenther Steiner claims Toto Wolff's push of Kimi Antonelli to Mercedes is driven by "revenge" for missing out on signing Max Verstappen years ago. Steiner says Wolff sees Antonelli as his successfully groomed "next superstar," but will treat him and George Russell equally in their title fight.
**categories**: ["Regulations", "Team", "Safety"]
McLaren boss Andrea Stella says early troubles stem from a delayed mastery of the Mercedes HPP unit and leftover issues from the 2025 title fight. A podium in Japan signals the team is improving.
F1 is in urgent talks to fix problematic 2026 energy rules before the Miami GP, driven by driver safety concerns over dangerous speed differences and fan-unfriendly 'lift-and-coast' mandates in qualifying. Key stakeholders aim to finalize technical tweaks that allow flat-out racing while maintaining the new regulations' core efficiency goals.
A viral Instagram post suggested moving the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to Dec 13, creating a four‑race, four‑week sprint to close the 2026 season with Jeddah. GPblog and the FIA confirm the rumor is false.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem reports constructive talks with F1 drivers on potential 2026 regulation changes, focusing on energy management for safety and better racing. Driver feedback will inform upcoming discussions with team principals before final proposals are voted on.
