Red Bull has announced an early 2026 livery reveal for both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls on January 15 in Detroit, marking the official launch of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains era. This highly anticipated event, held at Ford's home, highlights the strategic importance of their partnership ahead of F1's significant hybrid engine regulation changes, aiming for dominance on track and technological advancements for future road vehicles.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff lauded Kimi Antonelli's exceptional performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where the 19-year-old secured two second-place finishes and notably held off Max Verstappen. Wolff views this strong showing, particularly after a challenging European leg, as a critical indicator of Antonelli's future potential and growing maturity in Formula 1, validating Mercedes' decision to fast-track him into the sport.
Toto Wolff is reportedly in advanced talks to sell a portion of his stake in the Mercedes F1 team, valuing the team at an astounding $6 billion amid surging F1 valuations. Concurrently, questions surrounding Max Verstappen's engine change at the São Paulo Grand Prix have been answered, confirming the new power unit's cost is included in Red Bull's cost cap, reinforcing F1's commitment to financial fair play.
Ferrari President John Elkann's public call for drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to "talk less" and for parts of the F1 team to improve has sparked controversy. Former F1 World Champion Jenson Button swiftly criticized Elkann, suggesting he "should lead by example," a sentiment widely supported by fans. The incident highlights internal pressures at Ferrari amid its lengthy championship drought, raising questions about leadership strategy and team morale as they push to finish strong in the 2025 season.
Mark Webber has challenged Oscar Piastri to demonstrate the 'character' needed to overcome a recent performance slump and mount a stronger championship fight against McLaren teammate Lando Norris. Following a difficult Interlagos weekend that included a Sprint crash and a race penalty, Piastri has fallen significantly behind Norris in points. Webber, Piastri's manager, emphasizes that while motivation isn't an issue, the young Australian must now develop the mental fortitude to consistently perform at the highest level in Formula 1.
Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies believes Max Verstappen could have won the Brazilian Grand Prix, despite starting from the pit lane and finishing P3. He praised Verstappen's "sensational drive" and defended the team's high-risk setup changes after the sprint race, which initially went wrong but were corrected, making the car capable of fighting for victory.
Max Verstappen supports Felipe Drugovich's move to Formula E, recognizing the Brazilian's challenging path as an F1 reserve without a main seat. Verstappen, who has discussed career options with Drugovich, believes the switch offers a vital opportunity for the F2 champion to compete and thrive in a high-level racing series after F1 doors remained closed.
Ferrari chairman John Elkann has sent a strong message to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, emphasizing their role is to drive, not to publicly complain. This directive highlights Ferrari's traditional stance against open criticism, contrasting sharply with teams like Red Bull. Elkann aims to foster a united front and protect the brand's image, drawing parallels to legendary drivers like Michael Schumacher who upheld discretion. The move underscores Ferrari's unique culture and the potential consequences for drivers who fail to align with its values.
The F1 2026 season will bring unprecedented regulation changes for both chassis and engines, alongside an expanded grid. Red Bull and Racing Bulls have confirmed a joint car launch on January 15, 2026, while pre-season testing will be extended to 11 days across Barcelona and Bahrain, providing ample opportunity for teams to adapt to the new machinery before the Australian Grand Prix.
Red Bull's two F1 teams will launch their 2026 liveries at a joint Ford event in Detroit in January, signaling the start of their new engine partnership. This marks Ford's return to F1 and Red Bull's debut with their own power unit, built in collaboration with the American giant. The event will precede an expanded pre-season testing schedule for the new rules era, with significant changes to power units and chassis regulations set for 2026.
Jenson Button, the 2009 F1 World Champion, has concluded his extensive racing career, describing his final World Endurance Championship race as more emotional and sadder than his Formula 1 retirement. After two decades across various motorsport disciplines, Button, 45, cited a busy life as the reason for stepping back, expressing contentment with his achievements while planning to continue driving at historic events for pure enjoyment.
Lando Norris has seized control of the 2025 F1 title race after a dominant Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, winning both the sprint and main races. His 24-point lead over Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen's distant third place put him in a commanding position with three races left. While not yet secured, Norris's confidence and strategic advantage make him the clear favorite.
