After losing 2023 title, Max Verstappen swaps his #1 for #3 – the number formerly used by teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who quipped about Verstappen’s “soft hands” in a Bull video, highlighting bond.
Adrian Newey says the Aston Martin AMR26 will be substantially upgraded for the Australian Grand Prix, emphasizing a design philosophy focused on long-term development potential rather than initial optimization. The car, already noted for its unique design blending past Newey concepts, is built to evolve significantly throughout the 2026 season.
Johnny Herbert says Lewis Hamilton can win an eighth F1 title, but only with a perfectly competitive car and ideal conditions, noting that while his racecraft remains, finding comfort in the car is the key challenge as he ages.
Lance Stroll had a brief five-lap run in Aston Martin's new AMR26, with pundits suggesting he was short-changed on track time. The car, Adrian Newey's first for the team, has been hailed internally as 'on another level' and externally by rival George Russell as the design 'standout' of pre-season testing.
Williams reveals its 2026 car livery for the FW48 while working to overcome a testing deficit, and Adrian Newey details the 'aggressive' design philosophy behind his first Aston Martin project, the AMR26, setting up pivotal early seasons for both teams.
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu has outlined the 'challenging' task facing new reserve driver Jack Doohan, who must stay prepared to race while learning a new team. The Australian, recently departed from Alpine, brings valuable F1 experience to the role as he seeks a pathway back to a full-time seat.
Williams missed crucial real-world data by skipping the first 2026 F1 test in Barcelona, but used advanced simulations and Mercedes engine data to compensate. Team boss James Vowles says catching up in Bahrain is the priority, calling the failure a painful lesson that must not be repeated.
F1 analyst Karun Chandhok has picked Mercedes' George Russell as his favorite for the 2026 world championship, citing the driver's top form and Mercedes' integrated team structure as key advantages ahead of major new engine regulations.
Mercedes F1 drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have reassured that the much-discussed energy harvesting on straights for the 2026 cars feels manageable. Russell likened it to driving a car uphill, while Antonelli noted its circuit-dependent impact on overtaking, suggesting drivers will adapt to the new challenge.
Max Verstappen has dismissed any notion of moving into an F1 team management role after he retires from driving. The Red Bull champion stated his future passions lie in projects outside of F1's corporate world, specifically in helping simulator drivers transition to real-world racing, particularly in endurance series.
Williams Team Principal James Vowles explains how the team used advanced simulation and data from Mercedes to compensate for missing the Barcelona shakedown, expressing confidence they can catch up during official testing in Bahrain.
Williams Racing has launched a vibrant new glossy blue livery for its 2026 F1 challenger, the FW48. The bold new look signifies a fresh identity and aggressive intent as the historic team continues its long-term rebuild under James Vowles, aiming to make a visual and competitive statement ahead of major regulation changes.
