Red Bull's Pierre Wache says his goal is to win races, not to make Max Verstappen "happy," after the champion slammed F1's new energy-focused regulations as "anti-racing." Despite his criticism, Verstappen is already leading in adapting to the complex new demands.
Max Verstappen will not drive during Wednesday's Bahrain pre-season test, with Red Bull reserving the day for junior driver Isack Hadjar. The session features key driver rotations across all teams, including Lewis Hamilton's first afternoon run for Ferrari, in the final test before the 2026 season begins.
The final pre-season test in Bahrain is F1's last chance to find answers before Melbourne. All eyes are on whether teams will reveal true pace, who the real frontrunner is, and if Aston Martin's alarming reliability issues and reported four-second deficit signal a crisis for Adrian Newey's new car.
Red Bull Racing has confirmed the immediate departure of Chief Designer Craig Skinner, a 20-year veteran of the team. His exit adds to a significant wave of high-profile personnel changes, including Adrian Newey and Helmut Marko, testing the reigning champions' technical continuity.
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have voiced shared concerns that F1's new 2026 regulations, with their heavy emphasis on electrical energy management, could make the sport resemble Formula E and hinder overtaking. Perez warns of potential early-season chaos as drivers adapt.
Alex Dunne is closing in on a deal to join the Alpine Academy after leaving McLaren, having been seen testing in Alpine's colors in Barcelona. The move follows a failed switch to Red Bull and comes with the immediate goal of securing enough Super Licence points through his F2 campaign.
Petronas is scrambling to get its sustainable fuel for the 2026 F1 season certified under a new, stricter FIA process. Delays could force Mercedes, McLaren, Williams, and Alpine to use a provisional fuel blend at the start of the campaign.
F1 teams have outlined their driver plans for the second week of pre-season testing in Bahrain. The schedule reveals a strategic mix, with established stars like Verstappen and Hamilton sharing track time with rookies such as Antonelli and Hadjar, as all ten squads complete their final preparations under the new 2026 regulations.
Mercedes and Red Bull enter the final Bahrain pre-season test under pressure to address reliability concerns and performance gaps. While Mercedes showed pace, Red Bull holds a straight-line speed advantage, with both teams needing a clean, productive test under full broadcast scrutiny to solidify their 2026 preparations.
Juan Pablo Montoya predicts Aston Martin is sandbagging with its AMR26 in testing, saving a major aerodynamic package for the Australian GP. He cites Adrian Newey's secretive nature and the car's generic look as evidence, but warns the plan depends on the unproven Honda engine's reliability.
Jenson Button says the 2026 F1 season is Lewis Hamilton's 'perfect opportunity' to succeed at Ferrari after a poor first year. Button believes Hamilton's input on the new-regulation car will be key, with promising early signs from testing.
Liam Lawson targets a consistent points-scoring start to the 2026 F1 season with Racing Bulls, building on the stronger form he showed in the latter part of 2025. After a disrupted previous year, he values his first full pre-season with the team as key to progress.
