2025 F1 champion Lando Norris is nominated for Laureus Breakthrough of the Year, and the McLaren team is up for World Team of the Year. The nominations recognize their championship-winning season on a global sports stage, with winners announced in April.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur reports that the first 2026 F1 cars have dispelled early fears of being too slow, with lap times already closer to current performance than predicted. He highlighted Ferrari's innovative aerodynamic solutions from testing and stressed that fierce competition, not absolute lap time, will define the new era's success.
Aston Martin's 2026 season is in crisis before it begins, with severe Honda power unit issues leaving the car unreliable. Analyst Anthony Davidson fears the situation could push veteran driver Fernando Alonso, who is running out of time to win again, to an emotional breaking point.
Formula 1 has extended its exclusive Australian broadcast partnership with Kayo Sports in a deal worth a reported A$60 million per year from 2027. The agreement, which sees off rival bids, ensures every session remains on the streaming service following a record-breaking season for viewership on the platform.
The 2026 F1 regulations will turn qualifying into a complex energy management game. Drivers must carefully ration a limited battery charge per lap, forcing a tough choice between warming their tires adequately and saving enough power for the ultimate flying lap speed.
Silverstone has announced a major, multi-year partnership with British retail giant Marks and Spencer, naming M&S as its official partner. The deal covers the circuit's full event calendar, with M&S becoming the official event supporter of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, aiming to significantly enhance the fan experience.
FIA's Nikolas Tombazis states the new 2026 F1 cars have shown strong initial pace but acknowledges driver feedback may lead to adjustments, particularly around energy management. The governing body is prepared to refine software-based rules after evaluating real racing data from the opening grands prix.
Valtteri Bottas says demonstrating 'clear progress' is the goal for the new Cadillac F1 team's debut season, as he prepares to serve a controversial year-old grid penalty at the Australian Grand Prix upon his return to the grid.
Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham will return to broadcast duties at the Japanese Grand Prix after receiving medical clearance following a five-month recovery from neck surgery. The fan-favorite broadcaster had been sidelined since last September, missing several races during her rehabilitation.
As F1 enters its new 2026 era, Mercedes engine chief Hywel Thomas suggests the factory team holds a natural integration advantage over its customer teams, despite supplying identical power units. This theory, centered on closer collaboration, will face its first real test at the Australian Grand Prix, which will reveal the early competitive hierarchy.
Ahead of the Australian GP, Audi showcased its iconic, race-winning 'Crocodile' R8 Le Mans car in Melbourne, using its legendary heritage to generate excitement for the brand's official Formula 1 debut in 2026. The event ties past dominance to future ambition.
The FIA is assessing safety for the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix after missile strikes in the region forced the cancellation of a Pirelli test and disrupted team travel. President Ben Sulayem confirmed the governing body is in close contact with local stakeholders, with safety as the top priority for the April events.
