Sebastian Vettel says the "scary" thing about Max Verstappen is that he keeps improving, highlighting his mental strength and mature racecraft as key differentiators. Vettel also commends Lando Norris for his openness on mental health, marking a shift in F1's culture.
Audi F1 project leader Mattia Binotto warns against expecting immediate success in 2026, stating the team is focused on long-term building and credibility, with championship goals set for 2030.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has dismissed rumors that Lewis Hamilton lost motivation during a tough 2025 season, attributing the seven-time champion's struggles to a difficult car. Leclerc remains optimistic about a team turnaround for 2026.
Ferrari's 2025 F1 season was a disappointment, falling to fourth in the standings without a win. Lewis Hamilton failed to score a podium in his first year with the team, while operational issues and a lack of car pace plagued the Scuderia throughout the campaign.
Despite a strong 2024 season and a recent contract extension with McLaren, Oscar Piastri's future is under speculation after comments from Juan Pablo Montoya suggested the driver and his manager are unhappy with his development and are speaking to other teams.
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur believes the team will be stronger in 2026, as Lewis Hamilton is now fully acclimatized after a tough first year. This comes after a disappointing 2025 season where Ferrari failed to win a Grand Prix.
Rival F1 engine manufacturers have asked the FIA to clarify 2026 compression ratio rules amid suspicions that Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains could use thermal expansion in materials to effectively bypass the new static limit, potentially gaining a power advantage before the new era even begins.
Max Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, reports hearing positive feedback about Red Bull's in-house 2026 power unit but cautions that true performance remains unknown until testing. The success of this major technical project is pivotal for Red Bull's future and Verstappen's long-term title ambitions.
Charles Leclerc expresses complete uncertainty about Ferrari's competitive level under the 2026 F1 regulations, stating "nobody knows" where any team stands. His comments underscore the high-risk development race underway as teams prepare for one of the sport's biggest technical overhauls.
A major dispute is brewing in Formula 1 over a potential 'thermal loophole' in the 2026 engine regulations. At least two manufacturers are suspected of designing engines that pass official cold tests but operate at a higher, more powerful compression ratio when hot, which could yield a significant performance advantage. The FIA is aware but has yet to resolve the issue, raising the specter of protests and controversy at the start of the new era.
Williams stunned the F1 world with a 120-point surge to finish fifth in 2025, its best result in nearly a decade, while Ferrari collapsed with 254 fewer points. The dramatic shift highlights a season of major midfield resurgence and unexpected struggles for traditional front-runners.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur admits the team underestimated the challenge of integrating Lewis Hamilton and calls for a sweeping improvement in all areas—from driver-engineer collaboration to operational细节—to salvage their high-profile partnership for the 2026 season.
