Martin Brundle predicts Oscar Piastri will come back stronger in 2026 after his painful 2025 title near-miss, citing the Australian's intelligence and work ethic. While noting a need to improve on low-grip tracks, Brundle believes Piastri's dominant wins show he has the speed to become champion.
President Trump has signed an executive order initiating plans for an IndyCar street race in Washington, D.C., in August 2026. The 'Freedom 250' is intended to be the first motorsport event in the capital, celebrating America's 250th birthday with a track around the National Mall, though major logistical details remain unresolved.
Williams boss James Vowles commended the reliability and preparation of Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari after their private Barcelona tests, singling out Red Bull's new in-house power unit as a major achievement. However, he stressed that meaningful performance comparisons are impossible until all teams run together at the official Bahrain test later this month.
Mercedes displayed formidable reliability and pace to solidify its '2026 favorite' tag at F1's first closed pre-season test in Barcelona. Ferrari also impressed, but the event was defined by Williams' puzzling absence, Audi's struggles, and a failed secrecy policy that sparked fan and media backlash.
Max Verstappen pushed through illness to complete Red Bull's final day of pre-season testing in Barcelona, a week also marred by a crash for junior driver Isack Hadjar. Despite limited running, he logged over a race distance on Friday and called the test a positive, if early, foundation for the year.
Lewis Hamilton topped the final day of F1 pre-season testing in Barcelona for Ferrari, setting the fastest time with a last-minute lap. The result gave the Scuderia a morale-boosting one-three finish with Charles Leclerc in third, though the true competitive picture remains hidden until the first race.
Lewis Hamilton set the fastest unofficial time on the final day of F1 pre-season testing in Barcelona, driving for Ferrari. His late lap edged out McLaren's Lando Norris, with teammate Charles Leclerc third, signaling a strong start for the Scuderia's new partnership.
Lewis Hamilton topped the times for Ferrari in the 2026 F1 pre-season test in Barcelona, beating George Russell and Lando Norris. While lap times offer an initial glimpse, their significance is limited by unknown fuel loads and testing programs, setting the stage for the true competitive reveal at the Bahrain season opener.
Lewis Hamilton set the fastest overall time for Ferrari on the final day of 2026 pre-season testing in Barcelona, beating McLaren's Lando Norris. Teammate Charles Leclerc was third, while Max Verstappen completed the most laps for Red Bull. The test provided the first clues about the competitive order ahead of the new season.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur concedes the new SF-26 is slower than Mercedes after Barcelona testing, stressing that while reliability was the initial goal, finding speed is the next crucial step before the 2026 season begins.
Mercedes logged flawless mileage and Ferrari showed strong pace in Barcelona's first 2026 test, with Red Bull's new engine impressing. Audi and Cadillac faced expected early troubles, while Aston Martin started late. The true competitive order will begin to form in Bahrain.
Lewis Hamilton set the pace on the final day of 2026 F1 pre-season testing in Barcelona, but Lando Norris left with the fastest overall time of the week. The test saw Fernando Alonso's delayed debut for Aston Martin and strong mileage recoveries from Haas and Audi, setting the stage for the season opener.
