Lewis Hamilton faces another disruptive engineer change at Ferrari, with temporary stand-in Carlo Santi set to be replaced after a 'few races.' Hamilton warns the mid-season swap could harm his 2026 campaign as he seeks stability after a difficult first year with the team.
Toto Wolff admits Mercedes' controversial engine design could be banned by the FIA following intense lobbying from rival manufacturers. A disqualification would devastate the performance of all Mercedes-powered teams, throwing the preseason into chaos.
Pirelli and the FIA report that early simulations for the radically new 2026 F1 cars show performance levels are surprisingly close to current cars, alleviating fears they would be significantly slower. While lap times will vary by circuit due to new active aero and energy rules, officials expect teams to rapidly develop the cars to match 2025 pace early in the season.
An unexpected power‑unit data anomaly forced Aston Martin to pull Lance Stroll’s AMR26 from Bahrain practice, prompting precautionary checks that could jeopardize his weekend preparation.
Max Verstappen led the first 2026 pre-season test session in Bahrain, with Oscar Piastri close behind for McLaren. The session debuted new teams and cars, most notably Audi's radically designed challenger, offering an initial glimpse at the new regulatory era's competitive order.
Valtteri Bottas says Netflix's *Drive to Survive* team has already contacted him following his signing with the new Cadillac F1 squad for 2026. The documentary's eighth season, covering 2025, is expected to feature the American team's high-profile build-up to its highly anticipated grid debut.
Max Verstappen led the timesheets in the first morning of 2026 F1 testing in Bahrain, with Oscar Piastri and George Russell following closely. Lewis Hamilton's first public session for Ferrari included a spin as he finished fourth, while Williams' Carlos Sainz completed the most laps. The session offered the first clues about the new competitive order.
Formula 1's 2026 campaign commenced with the first day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, as all ten teams hit the track to begin shakedowns and data collection for their new cars under the latest regulations, setting the initial development tone for the year ahead.
Williams chief James Vowles warns that a late rule change targeting a Mercedes engine innovation could force eight cars off the grid, arguing F1 must reward, not punish, clever engineering within the rules. The FIA is scrambling to resolve the compression ratio dispute before the season opener.
Williams boss James Vowles has robustly defended the Mercedes power unit against rival claims it exploits a compression ratio 'grey area,' calling the complaints politically motivated. He insists the engine is fully legal and that F1 must reward, not punish, superior engineering. The FIA now faces pressure to investigate while avoiding a disruptive mid-season rule change.
The 2026 F1 grid assembled for the first time in Bahrain for official pre-season testing, showcasing the final race liveries for all 11 teams. The session provides the first real-world glimpse of the new cars running together ahead of the season opener.
Williams F1 boss James Vowles says he's been positively surprised by the competitiveness and reliability of Red Bull's new 2026 power unit, calling it a welcome development for the sport. He praised the Milton Keynes team for building a strong engine from scratch in their first year, a sentiment echoed by other team principals.
