Liam Lawson recognizes his rookie Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad may adapt quicker to F1's new 2026 rules but calls it "not an excuse." He stresses top drivers must adapt to anything, as he prepares to take on a lead development role for the team in the new regulatory era.
McLaren's Andrea Stella warns that F1's 2026 power unit rules, which remove the MGU-H, create serious safety flaws in race starts and overtaking. He urges the FIA and all teams to collaborate on new protocols to prevent stalled-grid pile-ups and dangerous, sudden speed changes on straights before the new cars race.
McLaren boss Andrea Stella warns that unresolved issues with F1's 2026 power unit regulations pose serious safety risks and threaten to ruin racing. He identifies flawed race start procedures, a near-impossible overtaking environment, and dangerous lift-and-coast scenarios as critical problems that require simple fixes before the season starts in Melbourne.
Lewis Hamilton reported a productive first test with Ferrari, completing over 200 laps, but highlighted the complexity of F1's new-generation cars. He stressed that finding the right setup, particularly for tires, is a key challenge, as Ferrari seeks clearer guidance on the 2026 regulations.
McLaren Andrea Stella urges the FIA to amend the 2026 rulebook on three safety fronts – start procedures, lift‑and‑coast tactics and close‑following on straights – before season opens in Melbourne.
F1 teams completed their only pre-season test in Bahrain, focusing on reliability and data collection over outright speed. The sessions provided crucial running for drivers and engineers to understand the new cars before the competitive season begins at the same circuit next week.
Kimi Antonelli led a Mercedes one-two at the first 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain, with Lewis Hamilton third on his official Ferrari debut. The times offer an early, incomplete glimpse of the new competitive order ahead of the season opener.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli set a 1:33.669 lap to give Mercedes a 1‑2 in Bahrain 2026 test, with George Russell second. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was fastest non‑Mercedes; McLaren’s Oscar Piastri logged laps.
Ferrari will not protest Mercedes' engine but is demanding urgent clarity from the FIA on compression ratio rules. Mercedes is accused of exploiting a loophole, with Ferrari, Audi, Honda, and Red Bull seeking a revised testing procedure. The issue heads to the F1 Commission for a decisive ruling.
Mercedes led the final day of F1's first Bahrain test, but George Russell warned that Red Bull's new power unit holds a 'scary' performance advantage. While teams engaged in mutual praise and sandbagging, the mixed signals set the stage for a crucial final test week to uncover the true 2026 pecking order.
Lewis Hamilton's last pre-season test session in Bahrain was red-flagged and ended early due to an unspecified car issue, costing Mercedes and the departing driver valuable track time just days before the season-opening grand prix.
Nico Hulkenberg's first podium at the 2025 British GP ended his record 238-race streak, passing the title of 'most F1 starts without a podium' to Adrian Sutil, who made 128 starts. The list of drivers who never reached the rostrum highlights the brutal reality of F1, where talent alone is often not enough without the right car or opportunity.
