Audi will officially unveil the name, livery, and identity of its new Formula 1 team on January 20 in Berlin. The squad will race as the Audi Revolut F1 Team from 2026, marking a key milestone as the manufacturer prepares for its highly anticipated entry under the new regulations.
Former F1 race director Michael Masi has been appointed event director for New Zealand's Repco NextGen NZ Championship, marking his return to a key operational role in motorsport four years after his controversial exit from the FIA following the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
F1's new Concorde Agreement, valid from 2026-2030, has been signed, marking a notable power shift. Teams will pay higher entry fees to bolster the FIA's budget and have seen their voting power within the rule-making process reduced, strengthening the hand of the FIA and commercial rights holder.
Max Verstappen could become only the fourth driver in F1 history to win a world championship with the number 3 on his car if he switches to it in 2026, joining legends like Michael Schumacher. The number has a storied but inconsistent modern history among champions.
Audi will officially launch its 2026 Formula 1 team as the 'Audi Revolut F1 Team' at an event in Berlin on January 20, 2026, revealing its new logo and livery. This marks the complete transition from the Sauber identity, with corporate rebranding across its operations. The team remains on track to fire up its first 2026 power unit before Christmas.
Michael Masi, the former F1 race director, has been named Event Director for New Zealand's Repco NextGen NZ Championship starting in 2026. He will oversee event delivery, review regulations, and help train officials, bringing top-tier experience to the national series following his controversial exit from the FIA.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will visit Antarctica this off-season to recharge after a tough 2025 F1 season. He describes the trip as a 'very special' way to reset and gain new perspectives before returning to Maranello for intensive 2026 preparations, including simulator work.
Lando Norris says his Dutch GP retirement, which left him 34 points behind teammate Oscar Piastri, didn't free him from pressure—it intensified it. He credits the setback for forcing him to radically step up his off-track work and personal approach, which became the foundation for his subsequent championship-winning run.
Mobil 1 has unveiled a commemorative mural to mark the end of Red Bull Racing's successful partnership with Honda, which concludes after 2025. The alliance delivered four drivers' titles for Max Verstappen and two constructors' championships before both parties move to new projects for the 2026 regulations.
Audi has confirmed it will launch its first Formula 1 car on January 20-21, 2026, in Berlin, with a public event on the second day. The team will officially be named the Audi Revolut F1 Team, racing with drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.
The FIA admits it attempted to tweak F1's current rules to reduce aerodynamic turbulence ('dirty air') but was blocked by a lack of team support. Officials gave the 2022-2025 ground-effect era a 'B or C' grade, praising the cost cap but noting teams exploited regulatory weaknesses, harming close racing.
McLaren's narrow 2025 F1 title win, secured by Lando Norris, wasn't a collapse but a deliberate strategic play. The team chose to halt development on its dominant car early to focus entirely on the 2026 regulations, allowing a resurgent Red Bull to close the gap and create a tense finale. The success of this high-risk, long-term gamble will only be judged next season.
