Helmut Marko says the 2026 title will likely be decided inside Mercedes, between George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli. He doubts Ferrari’s upgrades can close the gap, making it a Mercedes showdown.
Oscar Piastri's running at a Pirelli tyre test at the Nürburgring was severely limited after a technical issue struck his McLaren, cutting short a valuable track day for the rookie. Mercedes' George Russell completed a full program, topping the timesheets.
The FIA has banned a qualifying tactic used by Mercedes and Red Bull that exploited an emergency MGU-K shutdown mode to gain maximum electrical power on straights. While technically legal, the procedure violated the regulation's intent and raised safety concerns due to the large speed gaps it created between cars. The move underscores the intense focus on marginal gains in F1's energy management war.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri completed limited laps due to a technical issue during a Pirelli tire test at the Nürburgring, while Mercedes' George Russell ran a full program. The test, focused on 2027 tire development, saw promising data from initial runs on construction variants of the C3 compound under 'blind' testing protocols.
Oscar Piastri tells Quad Lock mental conditioning is as crucial—if not more—than physical training. He cites rookie‑year burnout, 2025 title‑fight pressure, and plans mental‑coaching for 2026.
Jenson Button has shut down talk of him replacing Martin Brundle as Sky Sports F1's lead commentator, expressing that no one should take the role until Brundle himself retires. While praised for his guest commentary, Button cited his busy schedule and deep respect for Brundle's iconic status in the sport.
Lewis Hamilton appears revitalized at Ferrari, securing his first podium for the team in China. Former champion Nigel Mansell says Hamilton is "fired up again," with the 2026 car finally suiting his style after a difficult debut season. The improved form raises the prospect of a race win and strengthens Ferrari's position in the fight with Mercedes and McLaren.
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff is downplaying the team's perfect three-race winning start to 2025, warning against labeling them as 'heroes' and drawing comparisons to their dominant 2014 era. He stresses the season is long and rivals will improve, urging his team to keep their feet on the ground despite the strong return to form.
Sam Bird explains that an F1 reserve driver's job is far more than just waiting on standby. It involves intensive simulator work to develop car setups, conducting official test days, and fulfilling significant PR responsibilities, making it a key technical role within the team's success.
Liam Lawson has dismissed rumors of an imminent Supercars wildcard drive in New Zealand, revealing he learned of the speculation from surprised messages after landing home. The Racing Bulls F1 driver praised the series' "raw" appeal and did not rule out a future switch, aligning with a trend of F1 drivers exploring other categories.
Martin Brundle has squashed rumors of reducing his F1 commentary duties for Sky Sports, calling the reports 'clickbait.' He confirmed he will continue his usual schedule of covering most races each season. Jenson Button also denied he was being positioned to replace the broadcasting veteran.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff explains how his own racing career helps him manage the intense pressure on F1 drivers. He details his deliberately patient, long-term approach to developing young talent like Kimi Antonelli, contrasting it with the quicker trigger of other teams' junior programs.
