Jenson Button has switched allegiances from Williams to become an ambassador for the Aston Martin F1 Team. The move strategically reconnects the 2009 world champion with Honda, the manufacturer he won his first race with and which will become Aston Martin's works engine partner in 2026.
Martin Brundle speculates Mercedes would strategically delay sharing 2026 power unit details with customer team McLaren to protect their own competitive advantage, highlighting the complex rivalry between the two top teams sharing an engine supplier.
Toto Wolff has bluntly told rival F1 engine makers to stop complaining and focus on their own work, as a dispute over the 2026 power unit regulations intensifies. Wolff denies any wrongdoing regarding compression ratio limits and accuses competitors of distraction tactics through secret meetings.
Mercedes' Toto Wolff remains cautious about the W17's true speed despite a strong testing showing, waiting to see rivals like Verstappen push. He also forcefully dismissed complaints from other teams about Mercedes' 2026 power unit, telling them to follow the clear regulations.
Initial tests of F1's 2026 cars show drivers must adopt new energy-saving techniques like lift-and-coast and straight-line downshifting due to heavily electrified power units. While the driving style is unconventional, drivers report the cars remain challenging and fast, with a significant portion of performance hinging on automated energy management systems developed by engineers.
Mercedes driver George Russell says he wants a direct championship fight with Max Verstappen this season, welcoming the challenge as his team shows reliable early form in testing under F1's new regulations.
George Russell is optimistic about Mercedes' 2026 car, the W17, after a positive shakedown but stops short of calling it a title contender. He praised its drivability and correlation with simulations but highlighted the impressive early form of rivals, particularly Red Bull's new power unit, as a reason for caution.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli declares his goal is to fight for the F1 world championship, acknowledging the challenge of going up against teammate George Russell. The young driver enters his second season aiming to match Lewis Hamilton's early-career success.
George Russell says Mercedes' 2026 car is not a "turd" and shows positive early signs, but he refuses to label it a title contender yet. He praised the surprising reliability of Red Bull's new power unit and highlighted strong Ferrari engine running, warning of a tough fight ahead. The true competitive picture will emerge after Bahrain testing.
F1 engine manufacturers head into decisive FIA meetings this week to resolve a heated dispute over how compression ratios are measured, a technicality that could unfairly benefit some teams under the 2026 rules. The outcome will test the sport's ability to ensure a level playing field for its next era.
Esteban Ocon has given a cautious first review of F1's 2026 cars after testing in Barcelona, warning that overtaking may be harder than expected and critiquing the new active aerodynamics as simplistic. His early feedback raises questions about the new regulations' effectiveness in promoting closer racing.
Max Verstappen's demeanor suggests quiet confidence in Red Bull's new in-house RBPT-Ford engine after a reliable 622-lap Barcelona test, countering earlier predictions that the unit would struggle against established manufacturers like Ferrari and Mercedes.
