Kimi Antonelli's father, Marco Antonelli, has spoken out against the severe online abuse his son endured after a mistake at the Qatar GP, which was exacerbated by comments from Helmut Marko. The incident, where Antonelli lost a position to Lando Norris, led to death threats and prompted the FIA to intervene. Marco Antonelli condemned the behavior, highlighting the need for accountability and legal action against online harassers, while Kimi subtly responded by removing his social media profile picture.
The 2024 F1 season concludes in Abu Dhabi with an exhilarating three-way Drivers' Championship battle featuring Max Verstappen and both McLaren drivers. Historically, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has always been dry, and this year is no exception, with clear and hazy conditions and temperatures around 27-28°C expected throughout the weekend. This stable weather will allow teams to focus entirely on strategy and performance for a dramatic championship decider at Yas Marina.
James Wharton describes his F2 debut as 'exciting' despite a challenging weekend including a collision and pit lane errors. The Melbourne driver's one-off appearance for Trident Motorsport provided crucial learning experiences, even without scoring points. While he won't return for the season finale, his reflections highlight the valuable lessons gained.
Red Bull has confirmed Isack Hadjar will partner Max Verstappen in 2026, promoting him from Racing Bulls. Yuki Tsunoda will move into a new, non-racing role within Red Bull. McLaren has also signed F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli to its development program. Meanwhile, Guenther Steiner speculates on Lewis Hamilton's potential retirement if his Ferrari stint doesn't improve, and Alpine announces its 2026 launch date.
McLaren's strategic missteps at the Qatar GP, which saw them miss a prime opportunity despite a strong qualifying, have been dubbed a 'wake-up call' by Juan Pablo Montoya. The team's 'pissed off' drivers and an admission of a 'huge mistake' by their team principal could ignite a more aggressive, unified approach for the crucial Abu Dhabi season finale, where they face a tightened championship fight against Max Verstappen.
McLaren will discuss team orders with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Norris holds a 12-point lead in the Drivers' Championship. Team Principal Andrea Stella stressed fairness and integrity, indicating that team orders would only be considered if crucial for one driver to secure the title, while also acknowledging Piastri's mathematical chance and historical precedents in F1 title deciders.
Nico Rosberg, five days after becoming the 2016 F1 World Champion, shocked the motorsport world by announcing his immediate retirement at 31, citing the immense personal and psychological toll of competing. His decision, made at the pinnacle of his career, underscored the extreme pressures of F1 and left Mercedes with a vacant seat, opening a new chapter for the team.
Red Bull has officially confirmed its 2026 Formula 1 driver lineup, promoting promising youngster Isack Hadjar to partner Max Verstappen in the senior team. Yuki Tsunoda will move to a test and reserve driver role, while Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will race for Racing Bulls. This bold move highlights Red Bull's commitment to nurturing talent and sets up a high-stakes challenge for Hadjar alongside the reigning world champion.
Williams Team Principal James Vowles expressed immense pride as Carlos Sainz's podium finish in Qatar clinched fifth place for the team in the 2025 Constructors' Championship. This achievement marks a 'dream come true' and a significant turnaround from their ninth-place finish in 2024, highlighting the team's strategic reinvention and the combined efforts of Sainz and Alex Albon.
Arvid Lindblad, an 18-year-old Red Bull Junior Programme talent, will step up to Formula 1 with Racing Bulls in 2026, partnering Liam Lawson. After a 13-year journey, Lindblad acknowledges the significant challenge ahead as he prepares for his debut in an F1 season marked by major new technical regulations.
Red Bull is moving Yuki Tsunoda to a test and reserve driver role for 2026, despite team principal Laurent Mekies praising his "exceptional starts and excellent racecraft." This demotion comes after a challenging 2025 season where Tsunoda was significantly outperformed by Max Verstappen. Isack Hadjar will join Verstappen at Red Bull, and Liam Lawson will stay at Racing Bulls alongside Arvid Lindblad, signaling Red Bull's focus on new talent and consistent performance.
Racing Bulls has finalized its F1 2026 driver lineup, confirming Liam Lawson's retention for his second full season and promoting F2 race winner Arvid Lindblad. This announcement, part of a broader Red Bull strategy, sees Yuki Tsunoda depart and Isack Hadjar move to the senior Red Bull Racing team, completing the 2026 grid with a fresh wave of talent.
