Despite winning the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, Lando Norris finished third in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Golfer Rory McIlroy won the public vote, fueled by his long-awaited Masters victory and Ryder Cup success, highlighting the challenge F1 faces in the UK's premier popularity contest.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur admits the team underestimated how difficult Lewis Hamilton's transition from Mercedes would be, citing differences in culture, software, and personnel that impacted his 2025 performance. He pointed to extremely tight qualifying margins that highlighted any lack of total comfort with the car.
Oscar Piastri says he learned 'a hell of a lot' from a painful 2025 F1 season where he lost a championship lead, finishing third. The McLaren driver reflects on the psychological challenges and vows to use the experience to become stronger for future title fights.
Max Verstappen said it's 'painful' to watch Lewis Hamilton struggle through a tough first year at Ferrari, while the FIA's 2026 entry list shows Lando Norris will take the number one as champion, Verstappen moves to number three, and rookie Arvid Lindblad picks 41 for Racing Bulls.
Carlos Sainz thanked every Williams team member with a personal letter and gifts after his first season, crediting them for the team's P5 finish and his podiums. He emphasized the strong foundations built in 2025 but acknowledged the long road ahead to return the historic team to winning ways.
Karun Chandhok states that Isack Hadjar's success as Max Verstappen's future Red Bull teammate depends on a key team philosophy decision for 2026: whether to build a car only Verstappen can maximize to win the Drivers' Championship, or a more drivable car for both drivers to secure the Constructors' title.
The 2026 F1 driver numbers are confirmed, while a performance ranking paradoxically places dominant champion Max Verstappen near the bottom, highlighting his car's superiority. Verstappen also criticized Red Bull's handling of Liam Lawson and expressed sympathy for Lewis Hamilton's tough Ferrari debut.
Haas F1 driver Esteban Ocon has expressed interest in trying professional drifting, proposing a temporary seat swap with drift champions. The Frenchman, who has WRC experience, sees it as another thrilling challenge, following in the footsteps of Yuki Tsunoda's recent drift masterclass.
Max Verstappen has criticized Red Bull's decision to drop Liam Lawson after only two races in 2025, calling the evaluation period far too short. Lawson was promoted to replace Sergio Perez but was demoted back to Racing Bulls after struggling at unfamiliar tracks in a tricky car.
F1 analyst Ted Kravitz questions whether Isack Hadjar will be able to compete with Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026, fearing the new regulations will play to the reigning champion's strengths and leave the promoted junior driver vulnerable.
Alex Albon is confident Williams can build a strong car for F1's 2026 rule changes, citing the team's cultural transformation and improved performance in 2025. After securing fifth in the constructors' championship, Albon believes the foundations are now in place to close the gap to the top teams.
Max Verstappen has voiced his sympathy for Lewis Hamilton's tough 2025 season with Ferrari, stating he takes no joy in seeing his rival struggle. Verstappen believes Hamilton's competitive spirit is still strong and expects him to return to form.
