Williams will sit out the opening Barcelona pre‑season test for 2026 due to chassis delays, but a February launch and a Mercedes power unit keep the team’s chances alive as they aim to nail the new regulations.
Andy Cowell has commented on rumors regarding Mercedes' alleged compression ratio exploit for the 2026 regulations, stating that pushing boundaries is standard practice in Formula 1 engine development.
Williams will skip the private Barcelona test due to delays in its FW48 program, opting for factory-based rig testing to validate systems ahead of the official Bahrain pre-season.
Alpine revealed its 2026 F1 car in Barcelona, sporting a livery nearly identical to its 2025 design. Fan reactions are split, with some criticizing the lack of change while others praise the metallic blue and pink aesthetic.
Ferrari and Alpine have pulled the covers off their 2026 Formula 1 cars. Ferrari's SF-26 hit the track at Fiorano with Hamilton and Leclerc, while Alpine revealed its pink and blue A526 amidst high hopes for a recovery after a dismal 2025 season.
Franco Colapinto prepares for his first full-time F1 season with Alpine in 2026, finally enjoying a proper off-season to integrate with the team and tackle the new regulations.
Leclerc and Hamilton are heavily involved in Ferrari's 2026 car development from the early stages. The team prioritized the new regulations to avoid repeating last season's disappointing results.
Christian Horner is negotiating a return to F1 through a minority purchase of Alpine. Team boss Flavio Briatore confirmed talks are underway between Horner and current investors Otro Capital regarding the team's 24% stake.
Williams withdraws from the Barcelona test due to FW48 delays, opting for factory rig testing to fix performance issues before Bahrain.
Christian Horner is reportedly in talks to buy a stake in Alpine, targeting shares held by the Otro Capital investor group as he seeks a return to F1 with equity.
Lewis Hamilton expressed massive excitement after driving Ferrari's 2026 car for the first time, calling it a 'new beginning' as the team prepares for a major regulation overhaul.
Gary Anderson reviews Ferrari's 2026 'Spec A' launch car, noting its conservative design choices compared to Mercedes. It serves as a reliability baseline rather than a final race contender.
