The FIA has banned a qualifying power‑reduction bypass used by Mercedes and Red Bull, stating it’s only for emergencies. The move arrives as Red Bull struggles in the opening three races of 2026 while Ferrari’s valuation tops $7.1 billion.
Mercedes Academy driver Joshua Dürksen says IndyCar champion Colton Herta and WEC veteran Nico Varrone joining Formula 2 offers a performance comparison, underscoring the series’ competitiveness.
British driver Lando Norris joins TIME’s 2026 ‘Innovators’ list after his 2025 title win and expanding influence via McLaren, his Quadrant apparel brand and a karting program.
Race director Michael Masi receives backing from successor Niels Wittich, who argues the safety‑car call that secured Max Verstappen’s 2021 title was within the rules and produced a green‑flag finish.
Former Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko says the 2026 championship may turn into a Mercedes civil war, with experienced George Russell and teenage star Kimi Antonelli locked in a tight intra‑team battle that could decide the title.
Racing Bulls plan upgrades for Miami and Montreal after the Bahrain and Saudi races were cancelled, using the five‑week break to stretch their development cycle and stay competitive in the midfield.
Two‑time champion Fernando Alonso tested Aston Martin’s Newey‑designed Valkyrie LM hypercar during F1’s five‑week pause, a key step for the team’s 2026 WEC campaign and a nod to his prototype roots.
Haas driver Ollie Bearman slams Alpine’s Franco Colapinto for a dangerous line change that led to a 50‑G crash at Suzuka, sparking driver‑safety concerns and an FIA rule review.
On April 16, 2009 McLaren founder Ron Dennis quit as CEO after 28 years, forced out by the lingering $100 million Spygate fine and the fresh Liegate radio‑misdirection scandal that saw Lewis Hamilton stripped of his Australian podium.
Liam Lawson calls driver criticism of F1's 2026 rules inevitable but singles out safety as the critical issue following a crash in Japan. He expects performance to improve through development, as official talks on potential rule tweaks are already underway.
2026 TIME 100 honors 2025 champion Lando Norris in the Innovators category, highlighting his on‑track success and off‑track humility alongside six other athletes.
James Vowles, former Mercedes strategist, reveals Lewis Hamilton's remarkable leadership and composure immediately after losing the 2021 title in Abu Dhabi, calling his dignified response the hallmark of a "true champion."
