Christian Horner says the call to demote Liam Lawson from Red Bull last year wasn't his, attributing it to Helmut Marko. Despite the abrupt change, Lawson has shared that Max Verstappen was exceptionally supportive behind the scenes, offering a glimpse into Red Bull's internal dynamics and driver relationships.
F1 legend Mika Häkkinen praised Oscar Piastri's sublime talent and driving style but emphasized that McLaren can only have one world champion, noting Piastri's past late-season errors while expressing confidence in his growth. He highlighted the inherent tension of managing two top drivers in a title fight.
The 2024 F1 season begins with no clear favorite, promising a wide-open title fight between drivers from Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren. Betting odds slightly favor George Russell, but testing form suggests Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton are all in contention, setting the stage for a highly unpredictable championship battle.
F1's 2026 rules introduce power units with 50% electrical energy, forcing a revolution in driving style. Alongside this technical shift, stricter limits on engine parts and severe grid penalties aim to control costs, setting the stage for a season defined by adaptation and reliability.
Damson Idris, the star of the blockbuster *F1* movie, has been appointed a global brand ambassador for Formula 1. He will work to bridge the sport with the wider entertainment world, using his platform to attract new fans following the film's massive commercial success.
ESPN has renewed its exclusive rights to broadcast Formula 1 across Latin America and the Caribbean until 2028. The deal covers all sessions and will leverage the sport's surging popularity in the region, which now boasts over 150 million fans. The extension solidifies F1's presence in a key growth market with a young, diverse audience and strong local driver representation.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali predicts Apple will provide greater reach than ESPN did, leveraging its ecosystem to connect with younger, broader audiences. The new deal includes free access to select races and all practice sessions to boost fan accessibility in the crucial U.S. market.
Super clipping, harvesting battery energy at full throttle, is a defining and contentious tactic for F1's 2026 cars. While key for performance, it cuts top speed and raises safety concerns, prompting tests for rule changes that could alter the competitive balance between teams and power unit manufacturers.
McLaren's Lando Norris has publicly agreed with fans that Lewis Hamilton should be an eight-time world champion, referencing the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Norris made the 'should have been eight' remark during an event, reigniting discussion about the disputed race that decided the title in Max Verstappen's favor.
Alex Albon and other F1 drivers report that the 2026 cars, despite a steep learning curve and the need for unnatural driving techniques, are showing rapid development. While significant lap time remains untapped in areas like drivability, the performance gap to the previous generation is already smaller than expected, setting the stage for a volatile start to the new regulatory era.
F1 icons Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore have launched a scathing critique of the 2026 technical regulations, warning that excessive focus on complex energy management will create chaos, confuse fans, and reduce racing to an engineering exercise, risking the sport's core identity.
Williams F1 has secured a multi-year partnership with Marks & Spencer, making the British retailer its official travel kit supplier from the 2026 season. M&S will dress the team's traveling personnel in technical performance wear, merging style with functionality for the global F1 calendar. The deal links two iconic British brands, offering M&S massive global exposure and providing Williams with a key commercial partner for its rebuild.
