The FIA confirms F1 teams have found a way to bypass engine compression ratio limits, giving some a performance advantage. Rivals Ferrari, Audi, and Honda are furious, prompting the governing body to race for a solution before the season starts to avoid protests and legal challenges.
The mayor of Viry-Chatillon has accused Renault of betraying workers by scrapping plans to convert its former F1 engine factory into an Alpine technology hub, threatening the site's future and potentially ending Renault's historic F1 engine legacy.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has brushed off complaints from rival F1 manufacturers about Mercedes' power unit, calling the dispute "typical politics." He insists the Mercedes engine is fully legal and has passed all FIA tests, downplaying claims of a significant performance advantage from an alleged compression ratio loophole.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown is confident all Mercedes-powered teams will race in Australia, despite a fierce row over the engine's compression ratio. He calls the dispute "typical F1 politics" and insists the Mercedes power unit is fully compliant with regulations, dismissing rivals' complaints.
McLaren reveals its 2026 F1 challenger, the MCL40, as it begins its defense of both world championships. Lando Norris will run the number 1 on his car, marking McLaren's first title defense in over 15 years and setting the stage for a high-pressure season against hungry rivals.
McLaren has taken the wraps off the MCL40, the papaya-and-black car it will use to defend its 2025 championship double. The launch comes ahead of the sport's most significant technical rule change in years, putting the team's ability to sustain success to the ultimate test.
The FIA is racing to solve a technical dispute over a potential 2026 power unit loophole before the season begins, with Ferrari, Honda, and Audi concerned Mercedes and Red Bull may have gained an early advantage. Governing body director Nikolas Tombazis stated the goal is to have teams competing on track, 'not in the courtroom.'
Cadillac's F1 CEO has responded to a $1.5M lawsuit from director Michael Bay, who claims the team used his ideas for a $10M Super Bowl ad without payment. Dan Towriss called the suit 'disappointing' and denied using Bay's creative concepts, setting the stage for a public legal dispute as the new team builds its brand.
McLaren has presented the color scheme for its 2026 Formula 1 car in a live event, showcasing its planned look well ahead of the sport's next major technical regulation overhaul.
Christian Horner is leading a consortium, backed by former McLaren investor MSP Sports Capital, in a serious bid to acquire a 24% stake in the Alpine F1 team, marking a significant step in his planned return to the sport.
Lewis Hamilton's appearance with Kim Kardashian at the Super Bowl has fueled relationship rumors, but the seven-time champion remains focused on his preparations with Ferrari. After a positive private test in Barcelona, Hamilton expressed strong confidence in the team's progress and winning mentality ahead of the crucial 2026 season.
Ferrari's engine boss Enrico Gualtieri believes the FIA's new 2026 system to help lagging engine makers catch up (ADUO) is well-designed and hard to manipulate, addressing concerns about strategic 'sandbagging'. He also notes that the shift to fully sustainable fuels is more about supply chain ethics than changing engine chemistry.
