Jamie Chadwick is making history by joining Genesis Magma Racing as the first female reserve driver in the World Endurance Championship's Hypercar class for 2026. This move signals a strategic shift from single-seater racing to endurance, where she aims for a full-time seat. Her role includes developing the new Hypercar, marking a significant step for women in elite motorsport.
Formula 1 is on the verge of equaling a nearly 50-year-old record at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. For the past seven races, the driver starting from pole position has gone on to win the race. A victory from pole in Las Vegas would match the all-time record of eight consecutive pole-to-win conversions, a feat last achieved in 1976.
The inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix was marred by a catastrophic start when a loose drain cover damaged Carlos Sainz's Ferrari, leading to extensive delays, a contentious grid penalty for Sainz, and the early ejection of thousands of fans. Ferrari expressed outrage over the 'unacceptable' incident and its financial repercussions, while legal action has been initiated by disgruntled spectators, casting a dark cloud over F1's much-anticipated U.S. spectacle.
Lando Norris is poised to equal David Coulthard's record of 150 race starts for McLaren at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix. At just 26, this milestone highlights Norris's significant journey from a promising rookie to a leading contender, having already surpassed McLaren legends like Hakkinen and Button this season. With his contract extending to 2027 and a strong championship bid underway in 2025, Norris is set to further etch his name in McLaren's history.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur believes the earlier start time for the Las Vegas Grand Prix could significantly alter the competitive landscape, potentially impacting tire performance and track temperatures. This shift might negate the advantage Mercedes enjoyed in last year's colder conditions, offering Ferrari a chance to climb in the Constructors' Championship after a difficult Brazilian GP, though a forecast cold snap could complicate predictions.
Sauber and Alpine have revealed special liveries for the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, joining Williams in showcasing unique designs. Sauber's 'Final Lap' livery celebrates its journey with Stake featuring a chequered flag motif, while Alpine adds more pink to its sidepods for BWT. These eye-catching designs are set to add to the spectacle of the Las Vegas event, following both teams' recent top-ten finishes in Sao Paulo.
Formula 1 has teamed up with Mattel once again to launch an F1-themed version of the popular card game UNO, called UNO Elite Formula 1. This new edition will feature F1 drivers, cars, and circuits, offering fans a fresh way to engage with the sport. This follows their successful collaboration on F1 Hot Wheels, signaling a growing partnership to bring the thrill of Formula 1 into homes worldwide.
Formula 1 fans are overwhelmingly against a proposed mandatory two-stop rule for Grands Prix, viewing it as an artificial gimmick that won't improve race excitement. While the F1 Commission discussed the idea to combat predictable single-stop races, a recent poll showed over 55% of fans believe it wouldn't enhance the show. This comes as F1 faces broader challenges in balancing competitive integrity with entertainment.
Formula 1 rookie Kimi Antonelli revealed that a significant mid-season slump during the European rounds was brought to an end after candid interventions from his father and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. This 'kick in the pants' after his home race at Monza served as a crucial reset, helping him overcome mounting pressure and uncharacteristic mistakes, leading to a strong return to form in subsequent races.
Jacques Villeneuve ignited controversy by labeling Franco Colapinto a 'pay driver' after Alpine confirmed his place for the 2026 F1 season. Despite Colapinto's mixed results in a struggling Alpine team, the decision to retain him alongside Pierre Gasly aims for stability amidst major regulation changes and a switch to Mercedes power units. This move highlights the complex balance between driver merit and other factors like team familiarity and financial contributions in Formula 1.
McLaren has signed Ella Häkkinen, the 14-year-old daughter of two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen, to its junior development program. She will begin testing single-seaters from 2026, with the F1 Academy as a potential next step. This move highlights McLaren's commitment to nurturing young female talent, with Ella joining fellow kart racer Ella Stevens and current F1 Academy driver Ella Lloyd in the program.
Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya suggests that internal 'politics' within Red Bull could be the deciding factor in Yuki Tsunoda retaining his seat for the 2026 season. Despite a significant performance gap to Max Verstappen, Montoya believes shifting power dynamics at Red Bull Austria might override purely merit-based decisions, keeping Tsunoda on the grid over other contenders like Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar.
