F1 returns to the Nürburgring for a Pirelli tyre test with Mercedes and McLaren on April 14-15. Mercedes will run George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli, marking the circuit's first F1 action since 2020 and providing crucial data for future tyre development.
NASCAR champion Kyle Larson has softened his previous assertion that he is a better driver than F1's Max Verstappen. While standing up for the skill required in American motorsports, he now praises Verstappen's proven talent and suggests the only way to settle the debate would be for each to compete in the other's racing discipline.
Mercedes and McLaren will run a Pirelli tire test at the Nürburgring, a critical session for the supplier to make up for lost development time and a rare track outing for the teams during F1's break. The event also highlights the historic German circuit's ongoing bid to return to the Formula 1 calendar.
Max Verstappen is meticulously preparing for the Nurburgring 24 Hours, with a recent warm-up race revealing a secret driving 'trick' that impressed his teammates. Despite a post-race disqualification on a technicality, the F1 champion's focus on mastering traffic and endurance procedures highlights his serious approach to conquering the legendary event.
Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle will cover just 16 races in 2026, down from 18 last year, acknowledging he can no longer manage the full calendar. The veteran broadcaster, who missed China and Japan, will return for the Miami GP, which he predicts will feel like a season relaunch.
Oscar Piastri says McLaren's strong performance in Japan, where he finished second, proves the team can challenge at the front. He called it one of his best F1 weekends but stressed that overcoming early-season reliability issues is key to consistently 'causing headaches' for their rivals.
Max Verstappen's clash with a British journalist in Japan has fueled the persistent debate about 'British bias' in F1 media. Fan reactions are split, with many agreeing bias exists due to Britain's overwhelming presence in the sport, while others see it as natural national favoritism. The incident highlights an ongoing cultural tension within the global sport's predominantly British ecosystem.
F1's April break is dominated by three major stories: Max Verstappen's open musings on life after F1, Red Bull admitting a strategic misstep is costing them performance, and crucial meetings to finalize the controversial 2026 regulations. These developments point to a period of significant uncertainty and change for the sport's top team and its long-term future.
Lewis Hamilton will drive for Ferrari in a Pirelli tire test this week, marking an early start to his 2025 preparations. Separately, Daniel Ricciardo admits that remaining as Max Verstappen's Red Bull teammate might have destroyed his career, offering a frank reassessment of his pivotal 2018 exit.
David Coulthard doubts the FIA will change its 2026 Formula 1 regulations in response to Max Verstappen's threats to quit the sport. While acknowledging Verstappen as a generational talent and his departure would be a loss, Coulthard asserts F1 is bigger than any one driver and could continue without him.
Oliver Bearman's violent crash in Japan, caused by a 50 km/h speed difference due to new power unit settings, has drivers and fans demanding immediate FIA action. The incident exposed a critical safety flaw in the 2026 regulations that could make wheel-to-wheel racing dangerously unpredictable, forcing a potential rule change before the next race.
Daniil Kvyat, the former Red Bull F1 driver, expresses strong interest in joining the Formula E grid, particularly with the more downforce-driven Gen4 car on the horizon. While his primary focus remains his Lamborghini factory role in Super GT, he has been a consistent presence in the FE paddock through tests and is keeping conversations open for a potential future seat.
