Oscar Piastri insists Formula 1's new 2026 cars have not lost their identity, stating that on-track running has eased most pre-season fears. While new energy management techniques like downshifting on straights are required, the McLaren driver says the cars remain the world's fastest and most spectacular machines.
Oscar Piastri has denied claims McLaren favored Lando Norris over him in their 2024 title fight, stating he had a "fair shot." While acknowledging some team processes could have been better, the Australian driver stressed he never doubted the team's intentions, seeking to end a debate that became a topic in Australia's Parliament.
The support race schedule for the 2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix has been adjusted, with Supercars' second race moved to a Friday evening slot. The category will run seven races across the four-day event, concluding with a 14-lap sprint on Sunday morning ahead of the main Grand Prix.
McLaren will adjust its 'papaya rules' for intra-team racing in 2026 after a season where the strict protocols, while preventing major conflict between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, also created operational 'headaches.' Oscar Piastri welcomes the streamlining, affirming the team's fair approach but acknowledging room for clearer execution as both aim for title glory.
F1 legend Riccardo Patrese predicts Max Verstappen will win the 2026 championship due to his superior adaptability, a view that contrasts with bookmakers currently favoring George Russell. The forecast highlights the perceived importance of technical integration and simulator work for the upcoming regulatory changes.
McLaren's Lando Norris takes a pragmatic approach to the innovative designs unveiled by rival F1 teams for 2026, stating that accepting when others have done a better job is part of the sport. He emphasizes learning from competitors as teams analyze new concepts from Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Mercedes during pre-season testing.
Williams Racing led F1's pre-season commercial activity by securing multi-year deals with AI specialist Anthropic and Barclays bank. Other teams, including Aston Martin, Cadillac, and Ferrari, also announced renewed or new technical and sponsorship partnerships, highlighting the sport's ongoing appeal to brands in luxury, finance, and technology sectors ahead of the 2026 campaign.
Williams has debuted its FW48 with a confirmed Red Bull-inspired suspension layout, featuring a mixed pull/push-rod design and aggressive anti-dive geometry. The team now faces a crucial data-gathering phase in Bahrain testing to validate the new concept ahead of the tight season-opening schedule.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown says Fernando Alonso has an open invitation to race for the team in the Indianapolis 500, a victory he needs to complete motorsport's Triple Crown. Brown regularly discusses a return with the Spaniard, believing both driver and team have what it takes to win.
Cadillac's first F1 shakedown in Barcelona was marked less by lap times and more by a strong, unified team atmosphere, with the car featuring a livery honoring its founding members. Team principal Graeme Lowdon says the new operation already feels like a disciplined F1 team as it prepares for the next step in Bahrain.
George Russell says F1 drivers have discussed the need to downshift on straights in 2026 cars, finding it less strange in real life than in simulators. After testing in Barcelona, he described it as an intuitive action for energy recovery and reported no major initial concerns with the new car's behavior.
Aston Martin F1 has partnered with Breitling, aiming to create the most visibly active and authentic watch sponsorship in the sport. The multi-year deal will see deep activation through driver wear, exclusive events, and co-branded products, moving beyond simple logo placement to build significant brand value for both parties.
