Haas's Ollie Bearman starts the 2026 F1 season perilously close to a race ban with 10 penalty points, just two shy of the automatic suspension threshold. Lance Stroll and Liam Lawson also carry significant totals, putting driver discipline and its strategic implications in the spotlight for the coming year.
Red Bull Powertrains has called for an unrestricted engine development war under the 2026 rules, as a viral clip shows Lando Norris joking that Lewis Hamilton 'should have been' an eight-time champion. Other news includes a dramatic crash for Williams junior Luke Browning, Haas's rejection of a heavy Ferrari-style wing, and Jack Doohan's revelation of death threats that required an armed guard in Miami.
Oscar Piastri reports McLaren is 'more optimistic' after productive pre-season testing, though the team realistically expects to trail Mercedes and Ferrari initially. The reigning champions completed the most laps in Bahrain but anticipate a fierce development battle throughout the 2026 season.
Aston Martin insiders credit Adrian Newey's decisive leadership for uniting the team amid a troubled pre-season. His clear direction after technical setbacks is creating a focused, singular effort to solve problems with the new car, marking a significant cultural shift for the Silverstone-based squad.
With Cadillac set to become a Formula 1 constructor in 2026, we look back at the top five American teams in the sport's history. From Dan Gurney's iconic Eagle and Penske's emotional win to Shadow's bad luck and Haas's modern midfield presence, these squads define the challenging but storied legacy Cadillac aims to join.
McLaren's Andrea Stella defends the 2026 F1 regulations, stating the increased car sliding and energy management complexity maintain the sport as the 'ultimate challenge' for drivers, despite concerns from stars like Verstappen about conservation tactics. The need for unusual techniques varies by circuit, and technical solutions like 'super-clipping' are being explored to refine the racing balance.
F1 legend Mika Häkkinen praised Oscar Piastri's sublime talent and driving style but emphasized that McLaren can only have one world champion, noting Piastri's past late-season errors while expressing confidence in his growth. He highlighted the inherent tension of managing two top drivers in a title fight.
Kimi Antonelli and girlfriend Eliska Babickova have broken up. The professional karting driver announced the split on Instagram to counter false online rumors, stating she ended the relationship due to diverging personal paths and values. The news comes just days before Antonelli's highly anticipated F1 debut with Mercedes in Melbourne.
F1's 2026 rules introduce power units with 50% electrical energy, forcing a revolution in driving style. Alongside this technical shift, stricter limits on engine parts and severe grid penalties aim to control costs, setting the stage for a season defined by adaptation and reliability.
Alpine's Jack Doohan needed an armed police escort at the Miami GP after receiving graphic online death threats from fans angry he was driving instead of Franco Colapinto. The incident highlights a severe escalation in toxic fan behavior, prompting F1 to increase security and drivers to retreat from social media for their safety and mental health.
The Racing Bulls F1 team has launched a major sustainable energy project at its Faenza base. The new 'Green Energy Park' combines solar power with a biomethane fuel cell to generate carbon-neutral electricity and heat, aiming for full energy self-sufficiency while supporting the local economy and eliminating water use.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali predicts Apple will provide greater reach than ESPN did, leveraging its ecosystem to connect with younger, broader audiences. The new deal includes free access to select races and all practice sessions to boost fan accessibility in the crucial U.S. market.
