After his best F1 season yet in 2025, Mercedes' George Russell is enjoying a ski holiday in the Alps. Team boss Toto Wolff believes the 2026 rule changes could favor Russell, who is seen as a future title contender if given the right car.
Max Verstappen will switch to the number 3 for the 2026 F1 season, adopting the digit long-associated with former teammate Daniel Ricciardo. The move, enabled by an FIA rule change and Ricciardo's permission, comes after Verstappen lost the champion's number 1 to Lando Norris and signifies a fresh start under the new regulations.
F1 has revealed the first look at its 2026 cars, featuring a smaller, lighter design and active aerodynamics. In a major shift, the sport is also replacing technical jargon like DRS with simpler terms such as 'Overtake Mode' and 'Boost Mode' to make the racing more understandable for fans worldwide.
Liam Lawson says he learned from teammate Isack Hadjar's impressive rookie F1 season at Racing Bulls, where the pair scored most of the team's points. Lawson praised Hadjar's rapid adaptation and credited their partnership as a positive and educational experience.
Ford's global motorsport director Mark Rushbrook discusses the significance of their first Gen3 Supercars championship and Bathurst win, the anticipation building for their 2026 F1 return with Red Bull, and potential future racing programs including GT3 and a role for Daniel Ricciardo.
Max Verstappen is seeking to use Daniel Ricciardo's number '3' for the 2026 F1 season, requiring his former teammate's blessing. A recent rule change allows drivers to switch numbers, with the FIA's final list due December 20. If unsuccessful, Verstappen will revert to his classic '33'.
Williams F1 boss James Vowles reveals Carlos Sainz's unique impact, highlighting how his identical technical feedback with Alex Albon gives the team clear direction. Sainz's detailed, engineering-focused approach has been crucial to Williams's jump to fifth in the championship.
Red Bull has made a tough call on a junior driver's future, as Lewis Hamilton points to a serious tire wear issue with Ferrari—a problem he'll inherit next season, highlighting the team's key developmental challenge.
Helmut Marko admits partial responsibility for Max Verstappen losing the 2025 F1 title, citing a lack of a consistently competitive car as a key reason. This failure contributed to his decision to leave Red Bull after 20 years, marking a pivotal moment of accountability for the team's dethroning.
The F1 calendar is set for changes as key contracts near their end. Imola departs after 2025, while Barcelona and Zandvoort face uncertainty after 2026. In contrast, races in Miami, Austria, and Australia have secured their places for decades, highlighting the sport's long-term commitment to certain markets and venues.
Toto Wolff admits his claim that 2026 F1 cars could hit 400km/h was a 'marketing boost' for the new regulations. In reality, energy management will cap top speeds, with Mercedes' Hywel Thomas explaining that while acceleration will be strong, cars will run out of electrical energy on long straights.
Max Verstappen tested a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in Portugal, evaluating a potential switch from Ferrari for his 2026 GT3 campaign. The test with the 2 Seas Motorsport team focuses on finding the best car for Nürburgring Nordschleife endurance events, though his participation in the 24-hour race remains uncertain due to F1 calendar clashes.
