Yuki Tsunoda will become Red Bull's Reserve Driver in 2026, stepping out of a race seat but embracing the opportunity to learn from a new perspective. He is optimistic about his future in F1, drawing inspiration from drivers like Sergio Perez who successfully returned to the grid after a year on the sidelines. Tsunoda believes this role will allow him to gain invaluable insights into a top team's operations, especially with the 2026 technical regulation changes, positioning him for a potential comeback.
Yuki Tsunoda faces an F1 exit from Red Bull's 2026 plans, making way for other talents. Despite improving race pace, his qualifying struggles and incompatibility with the car led to his demotion. Tsunoda will serve as a reserve driver in 2026, hoping for a return in 2027, potentially with Aston Martin through his Honda links, as he's determined to leave F1 on his own terms.
George Russell has firmly warned McLaren against imposing team orders on Oscar Piastri to favor Lando Norris in the F1 title showdown in Abu Dhabi. With Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri all in mathematical contention, Russell argues it's "unacceptable" to ask a driver with a championship shot to move aside, emphasizing that both McLaren drivers deserve a fair fight, even if it risks the title.
Max Verstappen would accept McLaren using team orders to prevent him from winning a fifth consecutive F1 title, stating, "All that matters is the trophy." Facing a 12-point deficit to Lando Norris, the season finale in Abu Dhabi could see strategic interventions, especially if Norris needs help from Oscar Piastri to secure his first championship. Verstappen acknowledges McLaren's strong form and anticipates a challenging race.
Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri shared their pre-race routines for the F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi. While Norris and Piastri maintained their usual focused preparations, Verstappen offered a lighthearted response, claiming he spent time with his daughter and planned for his GT3 and sim racing teams, underscoring his relaxed demeanor given his already-secured championship title.
George Russell has publicly opposed any potential McLaren team order in favor of Lando Norris for the F1 championship finale, despite Norris leading the standings. Russell believes both McLaren drivers, Norris and Oscar Piastri, should have an equal chance, even if it means they both lose to Max Verstappen. This stance, amidst past tensions between Russell and Norris, adds a dramatic layer to the high-stakes Abu Dhabi race.
Formula 1 drivers offer their insights on who will win the Drivers' Championship, with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc frequently named as top contenders. Despite recent struggles, Lewis Hamilton remains in the conversation, while George Russell and Fernando Alonso are seen as potential dark horses. Their diverse predictions highlight the unpredictable nature of the season as teams push for development.
As the F1 season heads into a dramatic three-way title decider in Abu Dhabi, Mercedes' George Russell argues it's "unacceptable" for McLaren to ask Oscar Piastri to help teammate Lando Norris win the championship. With both McLaren drivers and Max Verstappen in contention, the debate over team orders and fairness highlights the immense pressure and high stakes of the finale. Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso also weighed in on the challenges and mind games expected this weekend.
After a misconstrued mistake at the Qatar Grand Prix led to a wave of online abuse, Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli received strong support from fellow F1 drivers. Antonelli clarified the incident, while drivers like George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Isack Hadjar, and Oliver Bearman condemned the "unacceptable" online hate, calling for greater accountability and protection for athletes against cyberbullying.
F1 drivers George Russell, Isack Hadjar, and Charles Leclerc have strongly condemned the online abuse targeted at Kimi Antonelli following an incident at the Qatar Grand Prix. Antonelli faced harsh criticism after a late-race maneuver involving Lando Norris, leading to a wave of online harassment. Drivers emphasized the unacceptability of such behavior, the commonality of mistakes in racing, and called for greater accountability for online trolls, with Leclerc stressing the need for consequences.
Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the 2025 F1 season has been a whirlwind of drama, dominant performances, and critical errors, leading to a thrilling championship fight that will be decided in the final race. Sky Sports reviews the key moments, from surprising early wins to mid-season comebacks and crucial incidents, that have shaped this unforgettable title battle.
Max Verstappen has vehemently spoken out against the online threats and insults aimed at Andrea Kimi Antonelli after the Qatar Grand Prix. Verstappen highlighted the widespread issue of social media's anonymity enabling severe abuse, emphasizing that initial misleading footage led to false accusations against Antonelli. He believes platforms must tackle unregulated accounts to protect individuals from such attacks.
