Max Verstappen says his summer holiday meeting with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was a complete coincidence, born from both choosing Sardinia. He described a casual family lunch, dismissing rumors of contract talks and emphasizing their improved personal relationship since 2021.
Mercedes has given fans a first listen to its 2026 F1 power unit with a new sound clip. While it fuels speculation about the team's potential under the new regulations, the audio reveals nothing about performance. The true competitive picture will only emerge during winter testing and the season opener in Melbourne.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur highlights that F1's 2026 cost cap, which now includes transport costs, will force teams to strategically time their upgrades. Shipping expensive parts like floors to early flyaway races in Asia could consume a huge chunk of the development budget, potentially delaying major updates until the calendar returns to logistically favorable locations.
Williams has previewed the 2026 F1 season by unveiling a mock-up car with a fan-chosen 'stealth' livery called 'Flow State'. The dark design offers an early look at the team's branding direction ahead of the radical new regulations, with the first on-track tests for the new era set for January in Barcelona.
After a debut Ferrari season without a Grand Prix podium, Lewis Hamilton thanked team staff with holiday gift hampers, calling the year "life-changing." Team principal Fred Vasseur noted the immense challenge of Hamilton's switch from Mercedes, as both driver and team now focus on building for 2026.
Jacques Villeneuve offers a contrarian view on the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, arguing Lewis Hamilton's title loss to Max Verstappen wasn't just about the final lap. He points to an unpenalized first-lap incident and Mercedes' choice not to pit under the Safety Car as pivotal, suggesting the championship was decided by a season's worth of moments, not one controversial decision.
Guenther Steiner comments on Helmut Marko's Red Bull exit, stating the team is too well-established to decline but noting a return is possible if needed. He cites Marko's age and travel demands as factors, while Marko himself took blame for Verstappen's title loss.
F1 pundit Bernie Collins has controversially ranked Oscar Piastri as the best driver of the 2025 season, placing him ahead of champion Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Her decision, which highlights Piastri's 15-race stint leading the championship before a late slump, has sparked debate among fans about how to evaluate a driver's overall performance.
Ferrari will launch its 2026 F1 car on January 23, 2026, just one day after final assembly, as teams face an accelerated pre-season schedule under the sport's new technical regulations. The Scuderia plans a private shakedown before focusing on reliability in the first official test.
The FIA has released the official 2026 F1 entry list, confirming Lando Norris will use #1, Max Verstappen returns to #3, and rookie Arvid Lindblad gets #41. It formalizes the arrivals of the Audi and Cadillac teams and outlines the six power unit suppliers for the new regulatory era.
Red Bull's new driver for 2026, Isack Hadjar, says he is impressed by and shares Max Verstappen's "starving" mindset for success. The French rookie highlighted the four-time champion's undiminished hunger as a key trait, expressing excitement about the challenge of being his teammate at the world champion team.
Lando Norris has expressed regret over past critical comments about rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, calling some remarks "stupid" and made in the heat of the moment. His reflection comes as social media clips resurface his old quotes following his 2025 world championship win.
