New F1 world champion Lando Norris and his McLaren team have earned nominations for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards. Norris is up for the Breakthrough of the Year award following his title-winning season, while McLaren is in the running for World Team of the Year, highlighting their dominant performance in 2025.
Jos Verstappen claims his son Max was laughed at years ago for criticizing early data on the 2026 F1 cars, warnings that have now proven prescient as drivers grapple with the new regulations' complex energy management. Max Verstappen argues that greater driver input during the rule-making process could have prevented current "anti-racing" concerns.
Jolyon Palmer notes Mercedes is brimming with confidence ahead of the Australian GP, but their unusual testing program and pre-season reliability issues leave a key question unanswered. The race will reveal if their optimism is justified or if durability problems will hamper their title defense from the start.
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix, set to be the season opener under new F1 regulations, is targeting another attendance record fueled by Oscar Piastri's stardom. Organizers are upgrading infrastructure to handle the crowds and an 11th team, viewing the regulatory unknowns as an intriguing draw rather than a risk for the event's spectacle.
Mercedes is radiating confidence after testing with a seemingly improved car, but multiple power unit changes during pre-season running have raised serious reliability questions that could threaten their status as pre-season favorites.
Fox Sports is launching a new weekly motorsport talk show in Australia, modeled after its successful AFL and NRL 360 programs. The show will cover F1, Supercars, and MotoGP with analysis and driver panels, featuring presenters like Paul Murray and Mark Skaife, and begins after the F1 season opener.
A fan poll names Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton as the top picks for the 2026 F1 title, a surprising result given their lack of recent momentum and testing pace compared to rivals like Charles Leclerc and defending champion Lando Norris.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri reveals he is using the frustration of his collapsed 2023 title bid as primary motivation for the new F1 season. After leading the standings mid-year, his challenge faded, a 'painful' ending he now channels into determination, starting with this weekend's home race in Melbourne where he seeks redemption.
Aston Martin's new era with Honda power is off to a disastrous start, as severe battery vibration issues limited the AMR26 to mere handfuls of laps in testing. The critical lack of data puts the team in a deep development hole heading into the Australian Grand Prix, where simply finishing laps to gather information is the primary goal.
Martin Brundle forecasts a Lewis Hamilton resurgence in 2026, driven by Ferrari's innovative SF-26 design and new technical regulations that favor his experience. After a tough first season, Brundle notes Hamilton's improved morale and believes the combination could propel him back to the front, though he must overcome strong internal and external competition.
Melbourne’s Albert Park will host the 2026 season‑opening Grand Prix on March 6‑8, featuring new technical rules, Audi and Cadillac’s debut, rookie Arvid Lindblad and home hero Oscar Piastri. Get the full schedule, broadcast channels and start times for Australia and New Zealand.
Rising Middle East tensions have placed the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix in serious jeopardy, forcing Formula 1 to evaluate emergency plans. European circuits like Portimão and Imola are being discussed as potential replacements amid major travel disruptions for personnel.
