F1 is evaluating contingency plans for its opening rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia amid safety concerns, while Ferrari faces calls to make a shock move for Christian Horner. Other headlines include an FIA sporting regulation change for Australia, Lewis Hamilton reflecting on a career milestone, and the WEC postponing its Qatar event due to the Middle East crisis.
John Smith, the last Australian to podium at his home Grand Prix back in 1983, discusses the surprising 43-year drought and his hope that Oscar Piastri can finally end it this weekend in Melbourne, reflecting on his own historic battle and the changing landscape of the sport.
Daniel Ricciardo's dream debut podium for Red Bull at the 2014 Australian GP was stripped away hours after the race. Stewards disqualified him for exceeding the new fuel flow limit, a decision upheld on appeal after Red Bull argued their FIA sensor was faulty and ignored a race-day directive to reduce flow.
Super clipping is a new energy recovery method for F1's 2026 season that lets drivers recharge the battery at full throttle, minimizing speed loss compared to traditional 'lift and coast.' It works by harvesting energy on straights while keeping the car in a low-drag setup, though it currently has a lower power ceiling than standard methods.
Christian Horner is targeting a return to Formula 1 in a partnership role, with Alpine talks advancing. Despite public backing for Fred Vasseur, speculation continues to link the former Red Bull boss to Ferrari, causing frustration within the Scuderia as the driver market reacts.
F1 commentator David Croft recounts a pivotal moment with Lewis Hamilton at the 'F1' movie premiere, symbolizing the sport's journey to the mainstream. As the 2026 season approaches with sweeping new regulations, Croft discusses his role in explaining the complex changes, his broadcasting inspirations, and why he believes the new era will produce thrilling, driver-centric racing.
Jos Verstappen says his son Max's early warnings about F1's 2026 regulations are proving correct, as drivers now criticize the new cars for being overly complex and bad for racing. Max, who was once dismissed for his negative outlook, labeled the machinery "Formula E on steroids," with his father arguing the sport failed to properly consult drivers during the rule-making process.
The debut of an 11th F1 team at the Australian Grand Prix has forced a major operational change: a 25% reduction in the pit lane speed limit to 60 km/h to manage increased congestion. This strategic variable could reshape pit stop calculations and race strategy for the season opener at Albert Park.
Lewis Hamilton commemorated two decades in F1 with an inspirational social media post, highlighting unwavering belief through doubt and adversity. He credits his longevity to embracing both highs and lows, and insists his hunger for success remains undimmed as he looks ahead to new challenges.
Formula 1 has extended its exclusive Australian broadcast partnership with Kayo Sports in a deal worth a reported A$60 million per year from 2027. The agreement, which sees off rival bids, ensures every session remains on the streaming service following a record-breaking season for viewership on the platform.
Jos Verstappen claims his son Max was laughed at years ago for criticizing early data on the 2026 F1 cars, warnings that have now proven prescient as drivers grapple with the new regulations' complex energy management. Max Verstappen argues that greater driver input during the rule-making process could have prevented current "anti-racing" concerns.
FIA's Nikolas Tombazis states the new 2026 F1 cars have shown strong initial pace but acknowledges driver feedback may lead to adjustments, particularly around energy management. The governing body is prepared to refine software-based rules after evaluating real racing data from the opening grands prix.
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