Fernando Alonso warns that F1's 2026 technical regulations, which demand intense energy management, are creating a "robot-style" of driving that removes joy from the cockpit. The two-time champion, after testing the new car, says the sport has moved away from the pure, on-the-limit racing that defined its peak, favoring calculated efficiency over raw driver skill.
Teams have revealed their driver schedules for the first 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain, with Mercedes giving significant track time to junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The test runs from February 11-13 and is a crucial shakedown before the second test week and the season opener in Australia.
Aston Martin has denied speculation that Chief Strategy Officer Andy Cowell is leaving, stating he is "fully committed" to the team's future. The denial comes amid the emotional launch of the Adrian Newey-designed AMR26, as the team seeks stability for its crucial 2026 development phase.
Marc Hynes, Lewis Hamilton's former manager and advisor, has joined the Cadillac Formula 1 team as its Chief Racing Officer. He will lead the team's driver development program, working with Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, and others, following his recent professional separation from the seven-time champion.
Cadillac's new F1 team has hired Marc Hynes, the former long-time manager of Lewis Hamilton, as its Chief Racing Officer. He will oversee all racing operations and manage the driver program featuring Bottas and Perez, bringing championship-level experience to the American squad's foundational build-up.
Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies will sit out the first F1 pre-season test in Bahrain following a minor medical procedure. He is expected to return for the second test later in February, as the team begins its on-track program with its new car after a reliable private shakedown in Barcelona.
The schedule for F1's Bahrain pre-season test shows Mercedes integrating rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Aston Martin splitting days between Stroll and Alonso, and Williams sharing time between Sainz and Albon. Several top teams, including McLaren and Ferrari, have yet to confirm their driver run plans for the crucial three-day session ahead of the new season.
Mercedes confirms Kimi Antonelli was unharmed in a single-car road accident in San Marino days before pre-season testing. The young driver is already in Bahrain and set to participate in the upcoming sessions alongside teammate George Russell, who has recently voiced high expectations for his progress.
Two-time WRC champion Kalle Rovanperä reveals F1 legend Mika Häkkinen called him within an hour of his shock announcement to quit rallying for circuit racing. The 25-year-old Finn, supported by Häkkinen and Kimi Räikkönen, will attempt the unprecedented switch with a plan to race in Super Formula and Formula 2.
Aston Martin's 2026 F1 car, the AMR26, completed a limited and emotional first shakedown in Barcelona. Adrian Newey described the moment as the culmination of a long journey, with the unpainted car representing the team's high-stakes bet on the new regulations to revive their fortunes.
Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli emerged unscathed from a single-car accident near his San Marino residence over the weekend. The team confirmed the incident, noting his vehicle sustained damage but he was unhurt.
While Lewis Hamilton is optimistic about Ferrari's "winning mentality," analysts caution the team's historic "win or nothing" culture may hinder his integration. The clash between his Mercedes-honed processes and Ferrari's institutional inertia, combined with a car that initially didn't suit his style, created a tough 2025 season. The 2026 rule changes offer a critical reset for both driver and team.
