FIA safety car driver Bernd Maylander reveals how the fatal 1994 San Marino Grand Prix directly led to a professional, standardized safety car system in F1, replacing an inconsistent patchwork of local solutions with permanent drivers and uniform equipment.
Mercedes’ George Russell told Max Verstappen that Formula 1 transcends any single driver, urging respect for the sport despite Verstappen’s vocal criticism of the 2026 regulations and his record‑breaking success.
Max Verstappen is competing in the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers this weekend, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 as preparation for the full 24-hour race in May. This continues his active GT3 campaign, which provides a different challenge from Formula 1.
Max Verstappen addressed the departure of long‑time aero chief Gianpiero Lambiase, who is moving to McLaren, as Red Bull announced a senior technical appointment aimed at strengthening its 2026 development race.
Key F1 news includes a Red Bull technical team reshuffle with a new signing from Racing Bulls, and Max Verstappen supporting his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase's move to McLaren. George Russell is confident about triggering a Mercedes contract extension, Alpine has changed a board member, and Damon Hill offered strong criticism of the late FIA president Max Mosley.
Red Bull promotes Ben Waterhouse to a new chief engineering role while recruiting Andrea Landi internally, aiming to bolster its technical structure. Simultaneously, Max Verstappen has publicly backed the decision of his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, to leave for McLaren in 2028, calling the offer too good to refuse.
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli leads the F1 championship after a stunning start to 2026, forcing him to recalibrate expectations. However, the 19-year-old insists his core focus remains on incremental improvement, not the title fight, as he prepares for the intensified pressure of the coming races.
F1 chief Stefano Domenicali urged Max Verstappen to look beyond his criticism of the new technical rules, promising a collaborative approach as the sport discusses tweaks before the Miami Grand Prix.
Cadillac will field test driver Colton Herta in four 2026 FP1 sessions, debuting at Barcelona. The move aims to develop American talent and give Perez and Bottas data, boosting the team’s progress.
Lando Norris says McLaren won’t abandon the 2026 championship chase for the 2027 car, despite a slow start. The team’s history of late‑season surges fuels confidence they can close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari.
Cadillac has tapped ex‑IndyCar runner‑up Colton Herta to cover its four mandatory FP1 slots for 2026, starting with a debut at the Spanish Grand Prix. The stint backs his F2 campaign and his push for an F1 race seat.
The 2026 F1 season resumes with unexpected pressure points: rookie Kimi Antonelli leads for Mercedes, champion Lando Norris struggles, and Max Verstappen's Red Bull is mired in a surprising early-season slump, setting the stage for a critical phase in the championship.
