Lewis Hamilton's practice start performance in Bahrain has lent credence to rumors that Ferrari may have a launch advantage for 2026, coinciding with the team's debut of a radical rotating rear wing. The innovative design highlights Ferrari's aggressive approach to the new regulations, while other teams faced reliability issues and the FIA works to finalize engine rules.
The 2026 F1 season begins under all-new technical regulations, sparking questions about a potential four-way title fight and placing immense pressure on George Russell. It's a defining year for legends Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, while newcomers Cadillac and a revamped Aston Martin embark on crucial long-term projects.
Ferrari-powered cars stunned observers with consistently explosive race starts during F1 testing in Bahrain. This 'rocket' launch capability is attributed to a strategic 2026 engine design featuring a smaller turbo, which better compensates for the loss of the MGU-H and provides a repeatable advantage off the line.
McLaren's Lando Norris has reversed his initial positive stance on F1's 2026 cars, admitting he agrees with Max Verstappen's criticism that the new energy-management-focused regulations make driving less pure and enjoyable. Norris revealed his earlier comments were partly to provoke reaction, aligning with widespread driver concern that battery management is overshadowing driver skill.
Oscar Piastri's McLaren edged Max Verstappen's Red Bull in a key long-run race simulation on Day 2 of testing, while Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari showed flashes of leading pace amid a disrupted program. Mercedes kept its cards close to its chest with a different run plan, leaving the full competitive picture still unclear ahead of the final day.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli posted a 1:32.803 lap to lead the final Bahrain test session, putting Mercedes ahead of McLaren and Red Bull. The rookie’s speed underscores Mercedes’ strong early form and hints at his rapid rise toward a race seat.
Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB have signed a long-term extension with Visa, significantly expanding the partnership to include sponsorship in F1 Academy and a U.S. showcar tour. The deal deepens Visa's integration into Red Bull's racing operations and highlights the strategic value of multi-platform sponsorships in modern Formula 1.
Lando Norris admits his early praise for the challenging 2026 F1 cars was partly to provoke reaction, revealing he actually agrees with the dominant critical view shared by Max Verstappen and others. While he still finds driving fun, Norris concedes the new cars are a step backwards in enjoyment and require fixes, confirming that F1 and the FIA are working on improvements.
Lando Norris led a Bahrain test session for McLaren that ended early for practice starts, with Max Verstappen close behind. The story of the morning, however, was Ferrari's trouble, as a chassis issue limited Lewis Hamilton to just five laps.
Lando Norris set the fastest time of pre-season testing so far in the morning of Day 2, edging out Max Verstappen. The session was overshadowed by a major setback for Lewis Hamilton, whose Ferrari was sidelined for over three hours by a technical issue after just five laps, severely limiting his crucial adaptation time.
Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies dismisses any worry about Max Verstappen's F1 commitment after the champion's harsh critique of the 2026 rules, expressing full confidence that he will overcome the new technical challenges and remain motivated.
Mercedes shed its cautious testing guise in Bahrain, revealing a heavily revised W17 with sidepods and aero details inspired by Red Bull and Ferrari. This aggressive update signals a major conceptual shift as the team urgently seeks to return to the front of the grid.
