The 2026 F1 driver numbers are confirmed, while a performance ranking paradoxically places dominant champion Max Verstappen near the bottom, highlighting his car's superiority. Verstappen also criticized Red Bull's handling of Liam Lawson and expressed sympathy for Lewis Hamilton's tough Ferrari debut.
Haas F1 driver Esteban Ocon has expressed interest in trying professional drifting, proposing a temporary seat swap with drift champions. The Frenchman, who has WRC experience, sees it as another thrilling challenge, following in the footsteps of Yuki Tsunoda's recent drift masterclass.
Max Verstappen has criticized Red Bull's decision to drop Liam Lawson after only two races in 2025, calling the evaluation period far too short. Lawson was promoted to replace Sergio Perez but was demoted back to Racing Bulls after struggling at unfamiliar tracks in a tricky car.
F1 analyst Ted Kravitz questions whether Isack Hadjar will be able to compete with Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026, fearing the new regulations will play to the reigning champion's strengths and leave the promoted junior driver vulnerable.
Alex Albon is confident Williams can build a strong car for F1's 2026 rule changes, citing the team's cultural transformation and improved performance in 2025. After securing fifth in the constructors' championship, Albon believes the foundations are now in place to close the gap to the top teams.
Max Verstappen has voiced his sympathy for Lewis Hamilton's tough 2025 season with Ferrari, stating he takes no joy in seeing his rival struggle. Verstappen believes Hamilton's competitive spirit is still strong and expects him to return to form.
F1 analyst Bernie Collins provides a reality check for the new Cadillac F1 team, stating that the sheer effort of simply getting its car ready and on the grid for the 2026 season opener in Australia should be viewed as a significant victory, drawing parallels to the extreme struggles Haas faced during its own debut.
Newly crowned F1 champion Lando Norris attributes his title success to a profound mental shift triggered by a poor start to the season. He explains that early errors forced him to analyze his mindset and processes on a "deeper level," which ultimately unlocked his potential and allowed him to dominate the championship run-in.
Giancarlo Minardi, the former F1 team owner, has strongly defended Lewis Hamilton after a tough first year at Ferrari, stating the seven-time champion is "not finished." He compared Hamilton to Fernando Alonso, arguing talent doesn't fade but depends on the car, and suggested Hamilton underestimated the challenge of leaving Mercedes.
Guenther Steiner believes Carlos Sainz's strong 2025 season with Williams has reopened doors, with Aston Martin emerging as a top candidate. Steiner suggests Sainz could replace the aging Fernando Alonso, offering a path to a competitive seat with Adrian Newey's technical project.
Juan Pablo Montoya claims Oscar Piastri and manager Mark Webber are already speaking with rival F1 teams, fueled by a frustrating 2025 season at McLaren. While Piastri's speed is unquestioned, Montoya warns that internal team dynamics and Webber's own past experiences must be carefully navigated as the Australian plots his championship path.
Giancarlo Minardi has advised Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur to learn Italian and be more consistent in his public statements, following a winless 2025 season. He criticized Vasseur for initially claiming development continued on the SF-25, only to later admit it was halted in April to focus on 2026.
