Max Verstappen will have Isack Hadjar as his seventh teammate at Red Bull in 2026, continuing a trend of the four-time world champion consistently outperforming all his stablemates since 2018. From Daniel Ricciardo to Sergio Perez, and short stints by Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, no driver has consistently matched Verstappen's pace, highlighting his exceptional dominance and Red Bull's ongoing search for a strong, consistent second driver.
Lewis Hamilton has highlighted how relentless negative media scrutiny has severely impacted the morale of Ferrari's F1 team members during a challenging winless season. Despite high expectations, Ferrari has struggled, leading to intense criticism, which Hamilton believes affects the personal lives of the staff. Team principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledges the pressure but insists on maintaining focus amidst the scrutiny.
Juan Pablo Montoya criticized McLaren's strategy at the Qatar GP, calling it a 'wake-up call' and noting the frustration of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Despite strong car performance, the team's tire decisions led to Max Verstappen's victory, intensifying the championship battle. As the F1 season concludes in Abu Dhabi, McLaren faces pressure to refine its strategy and maximize its potential.
McLaren has significantly strengthened its driver development program by signing newly crowned F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli, seasoned F2 driver Richard Verschoor, and karting sensation Christian Costoya. Fornaroli, who achieved back-to-back F3 and F2 titles, is set for an F1 test and development role, underscoring McLaren's renewed commitment to nurturing top-tier talent for its future motorsport endeavors across F1, IndyCar, and WEC.
A light-hearted moment in the Australian Parliament saw a senator raise a 'conspiracy theory' about McLaren's alleged bias against Oscar Piastri, potentially costing him a championship. This highlights how deeply F1 fans, and now even politicians, are invested in the young Australian driver's season and the controversial team decisions that have impacted his races.
McLaren will allow Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to race freely in the Abu Dhabi title decider, declining to impose team orders as long as both drivers have a shot at the World Championship. Team Principal Andrea Stella emphasized the primary goal is for one of their drivers to beat Max Verstappen. This approach sets the stage for a dramatic final race, balancing individual driver ambitions with the team's ultimate objective.
Lewis Hamilton enters the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with one last chance to turn around a challenging debut season with Ferrari, having yet to secure a podium finish. This race is crucial for Hamilton to regain confidence and set a positive tone for the 2026 season, especially given his struggles with the current car generation and increasing retirement speculation.
Max Verstappen's incredible comeback in the 2025 F1 title race, winning five of the last eight races and closing a 104-point gap, has been compared to Elvis Presley's iconic 1968 return. Trailing Lando Norris by just 12 points and Oscar Piastri by four, Verstappen heads into the Abu Dhabi finale needing a podium to secure the championship, in a dramatic three-way showdown that has redefined perceptions of his dominance.
Formula 1 is set to retire the Drag Reduction System (DRS) after the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, marking the end of an era that began in 2011. From 2026, active aerodynamics, featuring 'X-mode' for low drag and 'Z-mode' for high downforce, alongside a 'Manual Override Mode' for electric power boosts, will replace DRS. This shift aims to redefine overtaking and enhance racing dynamics, giving drivers more strategic control.
Lewis Hamilton has accumulated a comprehensive list of improvements for Ferrari after a challenging 2025 F1 season, which saw the team cemented in fourth place in the Constructors' Championship. Despite the struggles, Hamilton is optimistic, stating there's "no reason" Ferrari can't address the issues and make significant progress. His insights could be crucial for the team's future as they look to rebound from a winless year.
Australian Senator Matt Canavan jokingly questioned if McLaren is 'biased against Oscar Piastri' in the F1 title fight, a sentiment shared by some fans. Piastri, one of three contenders for the championship heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, needs a win or a P2 finish with specific conditions for his teammates to claim the title. This discussion highlights the intense fan scrutiny and team dynamics in F1 championship battles.
The 2026 F1 grid is now complete, featuring a compelling blend of new talents and returning veterans. Red Bull and Racing Bulls have finalized their lineups, introducing Arvid Lindblad, while Cadillac makes its debut with seasoned drivers Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas. Most established teams are opting for continuity, signaling a strategic focus on stability amidst upcoming technical regulation changes.
