F1 News Round-Up: Wolff's Mercedes Stake, Racing Bulls Apology, Red Bull's 2026 Engine, and Lawson's 'Verstappen-like' Boldness

Wednesday brought a flurry of F1 news, with several significant stories unfolding beyond Audi's 2026 concept car reveal.

Why it matters:

F1's dynamic landscape continues to evolve, with team ownership changes, ethical concerns, and future engine developments all shaping the sport. These updates offer crucial insights into the business, sporting integrity, and technical direction of Formula 1, affecting key players from team principals to rising driver talents.

The Details:

• Toto Wolff's Mercedes Stake Sale: Mercedes F1 Team Principal Toto Wolff is in advanced discussions to sell a small portion of his 33% ownership stake in the team. Sportico reported the news, which sources close to the situation confirmed. The sale is specifically within a holding company that houses Wolff's stake, rather than directly in the team, and would equate to a 'mid-single-digit' percentage of the F1 operation for the purchaser. Mercedes stated that team governance remains unchanged, with Mercedes-Benz, Toto Wolff, and INEOS fully committed.
• Williams' Abu Dhabi FP1 and Young Driver Test: Luke Browning will participate in his third FP1 session of the season for Williams, driving Alex Albon's car in Abu Dhabi. He will also take part in the post-season Young Driver Test with the FW47. Browning expressed his excitement for the challenge, balancing his F2 title fight with F1 duties.
• Racing Bulls' Response to Brazil Podium Video: Racing Bulls issued a statement addressing a social media video from the Brazilian GP podium. The video allegedly showed a team member making a thumbs-down gesture during Lando Norris's trophy presentation. The team clarified that the matter was handled internally, emphasizing their commitment to sportsmanship and respect for all competitors and fans.
• Red Bull's 2026 Engine Update: Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies provided an update on the Red Bull-Ford 2026 power unit development. He described the challenge as "crazy" and confirmed the engine has been on the dyno for some time. With only months until its track debut, Red Bull's Powertrains division is in a peak stress moment to ensure readiness.
• Liam Lawson's 'Verstappen-like' Boldness: Former F1 driver Christijan Albers praised Liam Lawson's on-track attitude, drawing comparisons to Max Verstappen's "boldness." Albers highlighted Lawson's fearlessness and high involvement in track incidents, noting his impressive seventh-place finish at Interlagos on an unlikely one-stop strategy.

The Big Picture:

These stories collectively paint a picture of an F1 undergoing various transformations. Financial dealings at the highest level, the development of future power units, ethical standards in sportsmanship, and the emergence of promising young talent all underscore the multi-faceted nature of modern Formula 1.

What's next:

• The F1 paddock will likely monitor further developments regarding Toto Wolff's stake sale, particularly its implications for team structure and investment.
• Red Bull's 2026 engine project will continue under intense scrutiny, with more updates expected as the development timeline progresses.
• Luke Browning's performance in Abu Dhabi will be a key indicator of his progress within the Williams driver academy.
• The broader conversation around sportsmanship and team conduct, as highlighted by the Racing Bulls incident, will remain a topic of discussion within the F1 community.
• Liam Lawson's career trajectory will be closely watched, especially with comparisons to a world champion like Max Verstappen, raising questions about his future opportunities in F1.