McLaren Introduces New Rules, Haas Renames, and Verstappen Demands Social Media Action

The F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi is set to be a dramatic conclusion, with McLaren's drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, battling for the championship against Max Verstappen. McLaren has implemented new rules for its drivers ahead of this crucial race. Meanwhile, Haas will undergo a significant name change for the 2026 season, becoming the TGR Haas F1 team through a strengthened partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing. In other news, Max Verstappen has called for action against online abuse after Kimi Antonelli received death threats following a mistake in the Qatar GP. Liam Lawson confirmed his 2026 F1 season role with Racing Bulls, and Cadillac has cleared major milestones for its 2026 F1 grid entry. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will also see nine rookie drivers participate in FP1.

Why it matters:

• The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the culmination of an intense F1 season, with the drivers' championship still in contention, adding significant excitement and pressure for McLaren and its competitors.
• Haas's rebranding to TGR Haas F1 team signals a strategic shift and potentially stronger engineering backing, which could impact the team's performance in the new era of F1 regulations.
• Max Verstappen's strong stance on online abuse highlights a growing issue within motorsport, emphasizing the need for better protection and accountability for drivers facing harassment.
• Cadillac's progress towards a 2026 F1 entry signifies a major expansion for the sport, bringing in a new manufacturer and increasing competition and interest.

The Details:

• McLaren's Internal Rules: For the title decider in Abu Dhabi, McLaren has introduced specific rules for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. While the exact details aren't fully disclosed, these rules are likely designed to manage their on-track battle and team strategy to secure the constructors' and potentially the drivers' championship.
• Haas's Major Name Change: Haas will officially be known as the TGR Haas F1 team starting from the 2026 F1 season. This rebranding is a result of a deepened partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing, Toyota Motor Corporation's motorsport competition and R&D division. This collaboration could bring significant technical advantages and resources to the American team.
• Verstappen on Social Media Abuse: Max Verstappen has publicly demanded action against social media abuse after Kimi Antonelli was subjected to a wave of online harassment and death threats. This occurred after Antonelli made a mistake during the Qatar GP, which allowed Lando Norris to take fourth place. Verstappen emphasized the need for platforms to protect young drivers from such harmful content.
• Liam Lawson's 2026 Confirmation: Liam Lawson confirmed that Racing Bulls informed him of their decision to retain him for the 2026 F1 season earlier this week. This will be his first full season with the team in a new, yet-to-be-specified, position.
• Cadillac's F1 Progress: Cadillac has achieved significant milestones in its bid to join the F1 grid by 2026. The team's car has successfully passed a series of mandatory FIA tests, which are crucial for continuing its development and build work. This progress follows their official entry approval in March.
• Abu Dhabi FP1 Participants: Nine rookie drivers from eight different teams are slated to participate in Free Practice 1 at the 2025 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. F1 regulations mandate that each regular race driver hand over their car for two FP1 sessions annually, with eight drivers, including Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton, still needing to complete one session.

What's next:

With the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix looming, all eyes will be on the McLaren championship battle and how their new internal rules play out. The implications of Haas's new partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing will become clearer as the 2026 regulations approach, potentially offering them a much-needed performance boost. The wider F1 community will also be watching to see if social media platforms respond to calls for greater accountability and protection for drivers. Meanwhile, Cadillac's continued development will be a key story as F1 prepares for a new era of regulations.