Max Verstappen is negotiating to race in the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours, seeing it as a welcome chance to drive "flat out"—a stark contrast to F1's upcoming energy-management-focused regulations. His participation depends on finalizing team and sponsor details after a key preparatory race was moved to fit his schedule.
Oscar Piastri admits he doesn't know where McLaren stands relative to its top-four rivals after initial 2026 testing, citing "unconventional" new power units and significantly different car handling as major challenges for the defending constructors' champions.
Ex-Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley says a race engineer must provide immediate answers to build driver trust, criticizing the "we'll get back to you" approach. He used Lewis Hamilton's initial, sometimes tense radio exchanges with engineer Riccardo Adami as an example of a relationship still finding its footing, highlighting the 50/50 blend of technical and human skills required for the role.
F1 veterans David Coulthard and Juan Pablo Montoya analyze McLaren's 2026 driver lineup, suggesting Oscar Piastri's expected improvement could challenge reigning champ Lando Norris. While praising Norris's 2025 title, Montoya notes he needs more championships to earn a 'fear factor' among rivals, highlighting the ongoing evolution of both drivers' careers.
Max Verstappen will skip the first day of the final pre-season test in Bahrain, with Isack Hadjar driving the Red Bull. Team boss Laurent Mekies returns after a medical absence, and the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona is confirmed on the F1 calendar until 2032, rotating with the Belgian GP at Spa.
Formula E champion Lucas di Grassi and driver Dan Ticktum have sharply criticized F1's new 2026 engine regulations, calling them "extremely badly designed" and questioning if they represent true sport. Their comments echo champion Max Verstappen's complaints and highlight emerging practical issues like problematic race starts, fueling a debate about F1's technical direction and identity.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has extended its Formula 1 contract through 2032, agreeing to share a calendar slot with Spa-Francorchamps in a rotational deal. The Spanish GP, rebranded as the Barcelona-Catalunya GP, will be held in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032, following major circuit upgrades aimed at improving sustainability and the fan experience.
Cadillac's new F1 team overcame an early wind tunnel tyre setback to complete its first pre-season test on schedule, logging over 1,700km in Bahrain. The American outfit successfully navigated initial development challenges as it prepares for its competitive debut under the major 2026 technical regulations.
Alpine will leave the World Endurance Championship after the 2026 season to focus its resources entirely on Formula 1 and ensure the sustainability of its brand. The decision stems from a strategic review prioritizing F1's global marketing power amid challenging automotive industry conditions.
Oscar Piastri warns that F1's new 2026 start procedures could be disastrous, with a single mistake potentially costing drivers six or seven positions. The complex turbo-spooling rules create a high-risk launch phase, turning starts into a safety and competitive gamble that teams are urgently seeking to address.
Formula 1 has confirmed a new multi-year deal for the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which will see it rotate on the calendar with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps from 2028. This secures the future of both historic European venues amid calendar pressure.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will stay on the F1 calendar until 2032 by alternating annually with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. The venue, now renamed the Barcelona-Catalunya GP, secures its future despite the arrival of a permanent Madrid race from 2026, showcasing F1's rotational model for preserving classic tracks.
