Sky Sports F1 has launched the 'Grid Insider' competition, a nationwide search for a new presenter from the independent content creator community. The winner will earn a spot on the broadcast team for various shows during the 2026 season, with the final decision left to a public vote, signaling a major shift in how broadcast talent is discovered.
2025 F1 champion Lando Norris tested his skills on ice and snow, driving a classic Volvo drift car and a modern Toyota rally car in Sweden alongside legends Petter Solberg and drift champion Baggsy. He revealed a lifelong passion for rallying, inspired by icons like Richard Burns, and quickly adapted to the loose-surface driving style.
A countdown of F1's most dramatic season-opening races, featuring shocking wins, legendary battles, and chaotic events that defined years. From David Coulthard's last-to-first drive in 2003 to Nigel Mansell's fairytale Ferrari debut in 1989, these openers proved that anything can happen when a new championship begins.
Haas F1 driver Oliver Bearman is on the verge of a race ban with 10 penalty points but remains defiant, stating he won't alter his approach despite the risk. He admits to past 'stupid' mistakes but argues the penalty system is too harsh for minor infractions.
Lewis Hamilton says he will continue his F1 career until the sport holds a race in Africa, a continent it hasn't visited since 1993. The Mercedes driver, who has West African heritage, is personally lobbying for a return, citing South Africa and Rwanda as potential hosts, though F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali suggests no new venues are likely before 2029.
Analysis suggests Ferrari's car has a potential edge in launch performance, which could be a decisive factor at the Australian Grand Prix where a good start on the Albert Park street circuit is crucial for race strategy and final position.
George Russell will be assisted by Oscar Piastri's former trainer, Kim Keedle, at the Australian Grand Prix after his regular performance coach faced travel issues. The temporary arrangement highlights the logistical challenges teams can face and comes amid personnel changes within Piastri's own support structure for the 2026 season.
Formula 1 has signed Betway as its first official betting operator, a major move to capitalize on the sports betting market. The deal will allow fans in many regions to place in-play bets on race strategy elements using real-time data, creating a new layer of fan engagement and commercial opportunity for the sport.
Mercedes' George Russell has cast doubt on Red Bull's performance consistency, calling their lack of pace in Australia "suspicious" compared to their dominance in Saudi Arabia. The remarks fuel paddock speculation about whether the world champions are hiding their true speed or facing genuine setup challenges, putting their rivals on alert for any sign of vulnerability.
Valtteri Bottas and Lando Norris jokingly predicted Aston Martin as a 2026 title rival, a humorous nod to F1's new-era unpredictability. The jokes contrast sharply with Aston Martin's reality: severe car vibrations are forcing Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll into strict lap limits at the Australian GP to avoid permanent nerve damage, masking the team's true potential.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has placed the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix under severe threat of cancellation, putting F1 on course for a blank April. With urgent security and logistical deadlines looming, and no viable replacement venues available at short notice, the sport faces a major calendar disruption and significant financial impact.
Silverstone will host a major darts exhibition with stars like Luke Littler and Luke Humphries on the Sunday night of the British Grand Prix, creating a unique sporting double-header. The event is part of a broader strategy to elevate the fan experience with high-profile entertainment, following a Thursday concert by David Guetta. This move signals a shift towards more festival-like, value-packed Formula 1 weekends.
