Reigning F1 champion Lando Norris admits he's still coming to terms with his 2025 title win but is now fully focused on the challenge of defending his crown under all-new technical regulations with McLaren in 2026.
Following the Supercars finale, Broc Feeney and Will Brown tested a Red Bull RB7 F1 car at The Bend. Feeney, still raw from losing the championship, set a faster lap (1:06.6s) than Brown (1:07.9s) in the special 'car swap' event, calling the drive a dream come true.
Supercars is undergoing a major broadcast overhaul, with iconic commentators Neil Crompton and Mark Skaife departing their permanent roles in the booth. The move signals a new era for the championship's television presentation as it aims to refresh its audience appeal.
Mercedes' impressive and reliable pace in Barcelona testing has experts like Kravitz and Brundle questioning if the team is strategically revealing its hand too early. While the W15 looks like a strong base, showing supreme confidence could make Mercedes a target for rivals to analyze and chase before the season even begins.
Oscar Piastri's McLaren suffered a problem that ended its running, while Aston Martin's eagerly anticipated 2026 car finally made its track debut on Day 4 of pre-season testing in Barcelona. Mercedes enjoyed another reliable day, and Lewis Hamilton completed his first dry laps for Ferrari.
Oscar Piastri's first run in McLaren's 2026 car was limited to 48 laps after a fuel-systems issue cut his test day short. The problem is a significant setback as teams scramble to understand the radically new technical regulations, though the team reports the car's handling is as expected.
Aston Martin has revealed its radically different 2026 F1 car, the AMR26. Developed under Adrian Newey, it features a revolutionary design that breaks from all current trends, including unique nose, sidepod, and cooling solutions. Its true performance will be revealed in Bahrain testing.
Mercedes completed a successful 500-lap shakedown test in Barcelona with no major issues, as George Russell set the day's fastest time. The team gathered vital data on its new W17, providing a reliable base to build from ahead of the crucial Bahrain tests where the true competitive picture will emerge.
Aston Martin's 2026 F1 car, the Adrian Newey-designed AMR26, made a radical but brief debut in Barcelona testing. Its extreme aerodynamic profile offers the first glimpse of Newey's interpretation of the new rules, though a mechanical issue limited its track time.
Oscar Piastri's preseason preparation hit a snag as a fuel system problem limited him to 48 laps on the first day of testing, well short of teammate Lando Norris's 77. The issue puts the Australian on the back foot as he acclimates to F1's new 2026 car ahead of his home race.
Oscar Piastri's second day of pre-season testing was cut short by a fuel system issue, leaving him with limited laps. McLaren is working overnight to fix the problem and ensure he can run in the final test session on Friday, a crucial day for preparation before the season opener.
Sergio Perez says Cadillac's new F1 car has presented "more problems than surprises" during preseason testing, citing issues with the engine, chassis, and electronics. Despite the challenges, the team had a productive day of data gathering and is making progress with each lap, marking an improvement from earlier mechanical troubles.
