Lewis Hamilton has declared the new 2026 Formula 1 cars more 'fun' to drive after testing Ferrari's SF-26 in Barcelona. The seven-time champion says the latest generation is more forgiving and easier to control than the previous 'ground-effect' cars, offering a positive early review of the sport's new technical direction.
Newly-crowned champion Lando Norris faces steep historical and competitive odds in defending his 2025 title. No British driver has ever won consecutive championships after their first, and the major 2026 regulation changes pose a significant threat to McLaren's stability, a team with a poor historical record of adapting to new rules compared to rivals like Red Bull.
Audi's first F1 winter test was hampered by reliability issues that cut running short, but driver Gabriel Bortoleto remained positive, stressing the importance of the initial data gathered. The team now aims to resolve these early problems ahead of the crucial final test in Bahrain.
Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner says he’s happy with his time away but would return only if he can partner with a winning team, hinting at interest in Alpine’s blocked stake and expressing pride in the RBPT debut.
Ugo Ugochukwu wins the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy championship with consistent podium finishes, a strong rebound after his exit from McLaren's driver program. He overcame a late suspension failure to secure the title before moving to FIA Formula 3 with Campos.
Martin Brundle reports Adrian Newey's concern that Honda is playing "catch up" on its 2026 F1 power unit for Aston Martin, casting early doubt on their competitiveness. The Barcelona shakedown concluded with Mercedes showing strong early reliability, as experts highlight the increased value of veteran engineers like Newey in the modern F1 era.
Christian Horner breaks his post-Red Bull silence, declaring he still has "unfinished business" in F1 amid rumors of Alpine investment interest. Separately, former President Trump signs an order adding a Washington D.C. race to IndyCar's 2026 calendar, expanding the series to 18 events.
Barcelona's pre-season test highlighted Mercedes' reliability, better-than-expected 2026 car durability, and Adrian Newey's innovative Aston Martin. Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets, while new entrants Audi and Cadillac faced expected early challenges.
Sergio Perez reports Cadillac's new F1 car faced multiple technical issues during testing in Barcelona, citing problems with the power unit, chassis, and electronics as the brand-new team works to prepare for its debut season.
Mercedes and Ferrari led the way in total laps during F1's 2026 pre-season test in Barcelona, with George Russell completing the most of any driver. The test highlighted early reliability, while limited running for Aston Martin and Williams raised concerns ahead of the final Bahrain session.
Christian Horner says he feels he has "unfinished business" in F1 and misses the sport, but will only return for a winning opportunity. The former Red Bull boss, linked to an Alpine investment group, emphasized he seeks a partnership role, not just a job, and is in no rush to decide his future.
Lewis Hamilton topped the final day of unofficial testing in Barcelona for Ferrari, but rival team sources report the new SF-26 is a "handful" to drive. This leaves Ferrari's early form ambiguous, with analysts tentatively ranking them fourth behind Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull ahead of crucial Bahrain testing.
