Carlos Sainz says the 2025 struggles of drivers like Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari prove his point that adapting to a new F1 team takes time, a view he feels was previously dismissed. He cites his own slow start and strong finish at Williams as a personal example of the complex adjustment period.
Pierre Gasly says Alpine is "hitting all targets" for its 2026 F1 car, fueling optimism for the team's future after a difficult 2025 season.
Red Bull's top executive Oliver Mintzlaff has responded to Helmut Marko's critical exit comments, stating the harsh words about former boss Christian Horner are Marko's own. Mintzlaff defended the decision to change leadership as a normal organizational evolution after a 20-year run, framing the departures not as a failure but as the end of a uniquely successful era for the team.
Max Verstappen confirms he had "friendly and open" talks with Mercedes but explains that leaving Red Bull—a team he views as family—would require a holistic life change, not just a faster car. His loyalty is rooted in culture and personal bonds, not merely performance.
Helmut Marko's exit from Red Bull Racing is now official, with UK records showing he left the board on December 19. He is replaced by Red Bull GmbH CFO Alistair David Rew, signaling a corporate governance shift for the F1 team as it moves into a new era.
F1 analyst James Hinchcliffe warns that Ferrari faces major internal changes if it fails to make significant progress in 2026, following a winless 2025 season. He stresses that both the car and team operations need 'big leaps' to support drivers Leclerc and Hamilton.
Red Bull and Mercedes are accused of exploiting a loophole in the 2026 F1 engine regulations to maintain a higher compression ratio, potentially gaining a 15hp advantage. Rivals Honda, Audi, and Ferrari are demanding the FIA close the loophole, but logistical hurdles may force the governing body to allow it temporarily, setting the stage for technical protests and controversy at the season opener.
As a rookie in 2007, Lewis Hamilton had to personally overrule McLaren boss Ron Dennis to drive the standard Suzuki Liana on BBC's *Top Gear*, after Dennis insisted he use a Mercedes. The story highlights Hamilton's early determination and passion for the iconic show, where he later returned in 2013 to set a near-record lap time.
A GPblog opinion piece argues against penalizing Mercedes for potential 2026 power unit superiority, stating it would punish engineering success. This comes amid reports that Mercedes, Red Bull Ford, and Audi have solved a key regulatory challenge early.
Oscar Piastri's failure to convert a 2025 championship lead into a title has sparked debate and divided fan opinion on his McLaren future. With his management reportedly assessing options despite a contract until 2028, his next move is pivotal ahead of F1's 2026 rule changes.
Ferrari is allegedly behind a series of media leaks in Italy, claiming rivals Mercedes and Red Bull have an 'illegal' engine advantage for 2026. The campaign aims to pressure the FIA into banning the technology before the new season starts, highlighting the off-track political warfare in F1.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff expresses conflicted feelings about the team's 2025 constructors' championship runner-up finish, stating that while positive statistically, it fails to meet the team's ultimate goal of winning races and titles.
