Actor Damson Idris, star of the hit film *F1: The Movie*, has been named a global brand ambassador for Formula 1. The role capitalizes on his authentic paddock experience and celebrity platform to help the sport reach new entertainment and cultural audiences as part of its ongoing expansion strategy.
Ralf Schumacher questions Lawrence Stroll's solitary and 'autocratic' management of Aston Martin, warning it risks internal conflict and stagnation. His critique follows a poor pre-season, highlighting pressure from frustrated star Fernando Alonso and the need for rapid progress to justify the team's massive investment and ambitions.
F1 has extended its exclusive broadcast partnership with beIN SPORTS, securing coverage in ten Asian markets through 2030. The deal ensures fans in territories like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand will have access to every session, plus supplementary Sky Sports F1 shows, supporting the sport's long-term growth strategy in the region.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur downplays the importance of the Australian GP result for the 2026 F1 season, stating the competitive picture will evolve rapidly. He highlights the unpredictability from testing and believes a team's ability to develop its car in-season will ultimately determine success more than its Melbourne performance.
Ferrari's SF-26 features two unique aerodynamic innovations—a rotating rear wing and an exhaust-driven 'Flick Tail Mode'—spotted in testing. These systems promise a straight-line speed boost but are so deeply integrated into the car's core design that rivals will face a long and complex challenge to copy them, potentially granting Ferrari an early-season advantage.
Mercedes will supply its latest power unit upgrade to customer teams McLaren, Alpine, and Williams starting at the Australian GP, after the works team ran it exclusively in testing. F1 rules require equal specification once the season begins, potentially boosting the competitive standing of the customer teams, particularly the already-strong McLaren.
FIA technical chief Nikolas Tombazis admits the governing body faces a difficult balancing act with 2026 engine rules, responding to Max Verstappen's criticism that they are "anti-racing" while trying to keep major manufacturers like Audi and GM happy. The new 50-50 power split was a key demand from manufacturers, creating a tension between sporting purity and commercial strategy.
Ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has performed a sharp U-turn, now telling the sport to 'watch out for Ferrari' in 2025 and hoping Lewis Hamilton can secure a record eighth title, which he calls 'a great story.' His changed view follows encouraging signs for the Scuderia in pre-season testing.
Christian Horner's Australian speaking tour, originally set for late February, has been postponed to August due to a scheduling conflict. The delay occurs amid ongoing rumors that the former Red Bull boss is in talks to invest in and potentially join the Alpine F1 team.
F1 expert Ralf Schumacher predicts Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli as the driver with the strongest chance to win the 2026 world championship, based on the team's promising pre-testing form and the Italian's rapid development after his rookie season.
During a wet Super Formula test at Suzuka, Williams reserve driver Luke Browning lost rear grip at the 130R corner, vaulted over the catch fence and landed upside‑down. The Halo and other safety devices kept him unharmed, and the team confirmed he is fine.
Esteban Ocon has responded to Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu's admission that the team 'expected more' from him in 2025. Ocon agreed the season's struggles were a 50/50 responsibility, attributing much of his difficulty to a persistent car instability issue that wasn't resolved until the final race in Abu Dhabi.
