Despite Mercedes' perfect three-race win streak to begin the 2026 F1 season, team boss Toto Wolff is issuing strong warnings against complacency. He cautions that rivals like Ferrari and McLaren are expected to close the gap quickly, emphasizing that the team must stay focused on development to turn its strong start into a lasting championship campaign.
F1 returns to the Nürburgring for a Pirelli tyre test with Mercedes and McLaren on April 14-15. Mercedes will run George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli, marking the circuit's first F1 action since 2020 and providing crucial data for future tyre development.
Mark Blundell's motorsport journey is a tale of remarkable versatility and tantalizing 'what ifs'. The British driver achieved a record Le Mans pole, won the iconic race, claimed podiums in F1, and triumphed in CART. Yet, his career is often defined by a pivotal early choice: opting for a fraught F1 race seat over a test role with the dominant Williams team, a decision that altered his trajectory and opened the door for Damon Hill's championship future.
Mercedes and McLaren will run a Pirelli tire test at the Nürburgring, a critical session for the supplier to make up for lost development time and a rare track outing for the teams during F1's break. The event also highlights the historic German circuit's ongoing bid to return to the Formula 1 calendar.
F1 is working on last-minute fixes for its 2026 technical rules, but analysts say the changes can only soften, not solve, core issues. The regulations, built around a 4MJ battery, force unnatural energy management and reduce driver influence, problems rooted in commercial decisions made years ago to please engine manufacturers.
Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle will cover just 16 races in 2026, down from 18 last year, acknowledging he can no longer manage the full calendar. The veteran broadcaster, who missed China and Japan, will return for the Miami GP, which he predicts will feel like a season relaunch.
In a candid reflection, Daniel Ricciardo admits leaving Red Bull is his career's biggest 'what if,' while also conceding that staying could have seen him 'obliterated' by Max Verstappen. The retired driver discusses the team dynamics that prompted his 2018 exit and the fine line between a career-defining rivalry and a career-ending one.
Max Verstappen's clash with a British journalist in Japan has fueled the persistent debate about 'British bias' in F1 media. Fan reactions are split, with many agreeing bias exists due to Britain's overwhelming presence in the sport, while others see it as natural national favoritism. The incident highlights an ongoing cultural tension within the global sport's predominantly British ecosystem.
F1 teams, the FIA, and engine manufacturers will meet virtually this Thursday to discuss urgent rule changes, focusing on safety after Oliver Bearman's crash and improving the qualifying format. The meeting is a first step, with a more decisive vote planned for April 20.
Lewis Hamilton will drive for Ferrari in a Pirelli tire test this week, marking an early start to his 2025 preparations. Separately, Daniel Ricciardo admits that remaining as Max Verstappen's Red Bull teammate might have destroyed his career, offering a frank reassessment of his pivotal 2018 exit.
The FIA's new ADUO regulation will grant extra development resources to power unit manufacturers more than 2% off the pace, with Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Audi set to benefit. Ferrari is the prime candidate to turn this assistance into a direct challenge to Mercedes' current benchmark, while Red Bull is expected to be excluded as its deficit lies elsewhere.
Oliver Bearman's violent crash in Japan, caused by a 50 km/h speed difference due to new power unit settings, has drivers and fans demanding immediate FIA action. The incident exposed a critical safety flaw in the 2026 regulations that could make wheel-to-wheel racing dangerously unpredictable, forcing a potential rule change before the next race.
