Jack Doohan's repeated crashes during Super Formula testing at Suzuka are linked to aggressive set-up changes on the Kondo Racing car. The incidents come as the Alpine reserve driver finalizes a 2026 race seat in Japan, a move designed to keep him sharp for a targeted F1 return in 2027 alongside a potential reserve role with Haas.
With the FIA Rookie of the Year award going to F3 champion Rafael Câmara, debate centers on which of F1's seven 2025 rookies had the best debut. Kimi Antonelli led on points, but Isack Hadjar's Red Bull promotion and Oliver Bearman's performances for Haas make the title a multi-faceted discussion.
Despite a disastrous Super Formula test at Suzuka that featured three crashes at the same corner, Jack Doohan has received firm backing from Kondo Racing. The team's manager praised the ousted Alpine F1 driver's potential and performance, ensuring he could finish the test, signaling continued faith in his abilities after a turbulent period.
Lewis Hamilton has fully backed Ferrari's controversial decision to stop developing its 2025 car early to focus on 2026's new rules, a move that hurt their current performance but which he calls the right long-term strategy.
Helmut Marko describes a 'melancholy' final phone call with Max Verstappen after deciding to leave Red Bull, ending a 20-year tenure. He calls Verstappen the closest driver connection of his career, reflecting on their journey amid internal management changes and a painful championship defeat.
Max Verstappen has firmly shut down any speculation about becoming an F1 team principal after retirement, calling the role "far too big" and unappealing due to its demands and required relocation. He plans to race in other series, like endurance events, on his own terms instead.
The FIA has published updated regulations for the 2026 F1 season, introducing key changes for wet-weather running, practice sessions, and the budget cap. Highlights include new Race Director powers for safety car gaps and active aero modes in the rain, along with a formal exclusion for driver academy costs from the financial regulations.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri says Lando Norris's 2025 world championship win won't change their equal status within the team, insisting Norris 'hasn't become Superman.' Piastri, who finished a close second, expects full fairness from McLaren as both drivers prepare for another title fight in 2026.
The FIA will modify the F1 Sprint format starting in 2026, allowing race control to extend the single practice session if it is red-flagged. This change addresses driver complaints about lost setup time while keeping the popular weekend structure intact.
Dr. Helmut Marko will receive a reported €10 million payout from Red Bull as he leaves the team at the end of 2025, a year before his contract expires. The settlement concludes the 82-year-old's pivotal 20-year tenure, during which he built the champion driver program and helped secure multiple titles.
The Monaco Grand Prix will be rebranded as the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco from 2026, marking a major new title sponsorship. The deal expands the existing relationship between F1 and the LVMH luxury group, positioning the historic race as the pinnacle of the sport's premium partnerships.
Fernando Alonso expresses strong optimism for Aston Martin's prospects under F1's 2026 regulations, citing the team's new facilities, exclusive Honda engine partnership, and the opportunity of a regulatory reset as key reasons for confidence.
