Mercedes driver George Russell says Red Bull’s power unit is a half‑to‑one‑second per‑lap advantage in testing, making the gap “pretty scary” and shifting focus from Mercedes’ engine controversy.
George Russell has outright rejected Max Verstappen's criticism that 2026 F1 cars feel like 'Formula E on steroids.' While Russell admits the low-gear cornering required is annoying, he is optimistic about the cars' power and expects significant development, urging patience with the new regulations.
Aston Martin's 2026 F1 car, designed by Adrian Newey and powered by Honda, is already estimated to be four seconds per lap off the pace in testing. Key delays in personnel and engine development, combined with the challenges of new regulations, have resulted in an overweight and unoptimized package. The team faces a steep recovery curve despite its star-studded lineup.
Alpine’s A526 debuted in Barcelona with a pull‑rod front suspension and a rear‑wing flap that moves opposite to rivals. Steve Nielsen says it feels different and impact will be judged as data arrives.
Max Verstappen has rejected Toto Wolff's claim that Red Bull is the clear favorite for 2024, labeling the Mercedes boss's comments as strategic gamesmanship. The champion also disputed Wolff's downplaying of a controversial Mercedes engine innovation, escalating a war of words ahead of the season opener in Melbourne.
George Russell led a Mercedes 1-2 over Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari in the final morning of Bahrain testing, setting the fastest lap of the week so far. The session provided a positive step for Mercedes after early troubles, while Cadillac suffered another reliability setback with a red flag.
George Russell set the fastest time of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, leading a Mercedes 1-2 over Lewis Hamilton in his Ferrari. Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull, while McLaren's Oscar Piastri struggled for pace. The results offer early hints but not a definitive picture before the season opener.
Mercedes' George Russell warns Red Bull holds a 'scary' performance advantage of up to a second per lap based on pre-season testing, but Red Bull's technical director Pierre Waché insists Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren are actually ahead, setting up a tense narrative ahead of the new season.
Fernando Alonso is reportedly livid with Aston Martin's uncompetitive 2026 car, with sources describing his mood as facing "another year in hell" after a troubled Bahrain test where the car was seconds off the pace and plagued by Honda engine issues.
Alpine has challenged Mercedes' rival teams to file an official protest at the Australian GP if they are dissatisfied with the compression ratio rules, calling their bluff amid a push for a last-minute change. Alpine warns that altering the regulations now sets a dangerous precedent, arguing Mercedes' engine is legal under the current, clearly written rules.
Max Verstappen has accused Mercedes of using diversion tactics and sandbagging, claiming they are vastly understating their engine's power gains. He predicts their true speed will be revealed in Melbourne, challenging the narrative that Red Bull is the clear preseason favorite.
Carlos Sainz agrees with Toto Wolff's claim that Red Bull Powertrains is the early 2026 benchmark, citing GPS data that shows a 'clear step' in performance and seamless energy management, posing a significant challenge to rival manufacturers.
