Lewis Hamilton, now with Ferrari, still works with interim engineer Carlo Santi after Riccardo Adami’s early exit. Former driver Anthony Davidson says a permanent engineer must click with the seven‑time champion for the 2026 campaign to start on the right foot.
Following a joint US‑Israel strike on Iran and an Iranian missile hitting the US Fifth Fleet’s service centre in Bahrain, Pirelli cancelled its wet‑weather tyre test at Sakhir, highlighting how regional conflict can disrupt F1’s logistics and development plans.
Mercedes driver George Russell anticipates "intriguing" racing in 2026 as new power unit rules mandate that 50% of a car's power comes from its battery. He believes mastering the circuit-specific challenge of harvesting and deploying energy will become more critical than aerodynamics, leading to significant performance differences based on driving style.
Bernie Ecclestone warned titles can’t be bought, sympathising with Lawrence Stroll as Aston Martin’s Newey‑designed AMR26 and Honda power unit battle reliability issues in testing.
Pirelli's vital wet-weather tyre test in Bahrain was cancelled due to missile strikes and security threats in the region, disrupting travel for F1 personnel heading to Melbourne. The sport insists the upcoming races in Australia, China, and Japan are unaffected, but the incident highlights the persistent security challenges of the calendar.
Liam Lawson reveals Max Verstappen provided crucial personal support during his challenging two-race stint at Red Bull in 2025. While Lawson struggled to adapt to the sensitive RB21 car, he praised Verstappen's helpfulness behind the scenes, contrasting the champion's fierce on-track image. Lawson has since returned to Racing Bulls, armed with tough lessons for the 2026 season.
Will Buxton says Aston Martin’s 2024 pre‑season test was a disaster, with the Honda‑powered AMR26 four seconds slower than rivals. The unreliable engine casts doubt on Newey‑designed car’s potential.
Iranian missile strikes near a U.S. base in Bahrain have prompted the FIA to monitor the upcoming Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix closely, though both races remain on the calendar for now.
Lift and coast—lifting off the throttle before a braking zone—helps F1 drivers manage tyre wear, fuel consumption and battery energy. With 2026 hybrids splitting power 50/50 between ICE and electric systems, the technique has become a season‑long requirement, shaping race strategy and future regulations.
For the 2026 F1 season, the FIA is adding one minute to the final Q3 qualifying session, bringing it to 13 minutes, by shortening the inter-session break. The change aims to reduce the dangerous pit-lane traffic jams and high-pressure scrambles that have become common as teams perfectly time their last-gasp laps.
Alpine’s team boss Steve Nielsen says he’s uneasy about the squad’s atypical rear‑wing solution for the 2026 active‑aero rules, a folding wing that collapses on straights while rivals stick to a DRS‑type opening.
The FIA has changed its engine inspection rules to test at 130°C, closing a loophole that allowed Mercedes to run a higher compression ratio than the 16:1 limit. The move forces Mercedes to modify its power unit and aims to ensure competitive fairness under actual racing conditions.
