Carlos Sainz reports that Williams has caught up on lost pre-season testing mileage after missing the Barcelona shakedown, but the team has uncovered several performance limitations on its new FW48 that need urgent addressing before the season opener.
Lewis Hamilton's final pre-season test day with Ferrari was hampered by a mysterious technical issue that cost most of the morning session. The team repaired the car for the afternoon, allowing Hamilton to complete valuable long-run laps. The day also featured the debut of a radical new rear wing design on the SF-26.
The FIA is voting to close a loophole in the 2026 power unit rules regarding compression ratio measurements, proposing a new test at operational temperatures from August 1st. Director Nikolas Tombazis says no one is accused of cheating, but the rule's intent must be upheld. The outcome will set a key precedent for policing F1's next-generation engine regulations.
Formula 1 races will be broadcast live in IMAX theaters across the U.S. starting in 2026. The collaboration between IMAX and new rights holder Apple TV will bring at least five grands prix to the big screen, offering fans an immersive new way to watch the sport following the success of the recent F1 movie.
Kimi Antonelli set the fastest lap of 2026 pre-season testing for Mercedes on Day 2 in Bahrain, narrowly beating McLaren's Oscar Piastri. While the top teams showed strong pace, Ferrari had a disrupted day with Lewis Hamilton, and Aston Martin's reliability problems persisted with another stoppage.
Kimi Antonelli topped the timesheets for Mercedes on the second day of F1's final pre-season test in Bahrain, breaking into the 1m32s alongside McLaren's Oscar Piastri. The day was marred for Aston Martin, however, as a power unit issue sidelined Fernando Alonso early, severely limiting the team's running and casting a shadow over their preparation for the new season.
Max Verstappen has openly discussed retiring from Formula 1 after the 2026 season, expressing dissatisfaction with the sport's regulatory direction and a desire to prioritize life outside racing. The four-time champion stated the current rules don't aid career longevity and that he values time with family over endlessly chasing more titles, though he remains committed to Red Bull's project for now.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff dismissed the F1 compression‑ratio dispute as “utter bullshit”, calling it a “storm in a teacup”. He said Mercedes will not pursue the fight and will accept whatever the FIA decides.
Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB have signed a long-term extension with Visa, significantly expanding the partnership to include sponsorship in F1 Academy and a U.S. showcar tour. The deal deepens Visa's integration into Red Bull's racing operations and highlights the strategic value of multi-platform sponsorships in modern Formula 1.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has angrily denied new claims that the team's fuel is illegal, calling the speculation "nonsense." He also addressed a pending vote on engine compression ratio rules, stating Mercedes accepts either outcome and views the controversy as overblown.
Toto Wolff says Mercedes will not block a rule change to close a 2026 engine loophole after rival pressure, calling the controversy overblown. He also forcefully denied separate reports that the team's fuel is illegal, dismissing them as nonsense as pre-season testing concludes.
Toto Wolff has forcefully denied rumors that Mercedes might use illegal fuel in 2026, calling the claims nonsense. The team's fuel is nearing FIA approval, and Wolff connected these rumors to a recently settled controversy over engine compression ratios, which is heading for a formal resolution next week.
