Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re-elected unopposed as FIA President for the 2025-2029 term. His path to a second term was secured after complex electoral rules prevented any rival candidates from forming a complete ticket, a situation now facing a future legal challenge.
Sebastian Vettel has reacted with surprise to Helmut Marko's departure from Red Bull, praising him as the "architect" of the team's success. Vettel also addressed speculation about potentially filling a similar talent-spotting role, stating he's not ruling it out but is in no rush, as Marko confirms his retirement was his own decision following the 2025 title loss.
Kalle Rovanperä's debut Super Formula test was cut short after he was diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), a balance-affecting inner ear condition. The two-time WRC champion, who is switching to single-seaters with the goal of reaching F1, was banned from driving for the week, delaying his crucial adaptation program.
Charles Leclerc says Ferrari faces a "now or never" chance to build a title-winning car with F1's 2026 regulation reset, following a dismal 2025 season. Team boss Fred Vasseur isn't concerned by driver frustration in public, so long as it fuels progress internally.
New Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies details the 'complete reset' needed after his mid-season promotion from Racing Bulls, replacing Christian Horner. He credits the team's unified focus for the remarkable late-season turnaround that nearly won the 2025 title, while downplaying his own impact and explaining the strategic decision to prioritize understanding the current car over early work on the 2026 project.
F1 pundit Johnny Herbert warns Oscar Piastri that leaving McLaren for rivals like Ferrari or Mercedes would be a dangerous gamble, as the Woking team currently offers his clearest path to a world championship, despite his 2025 title near-miss to teammate Lando Norris.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff argues Max Verstappen's extensive simulator experience gives him a key advantage for F1's 2026 rules. The new cars will require complex energy management, a skill Wolff believes is best developed in the virtual world by drivers like Verstappen and George Russell.
Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan crashed for the second day in a row during Super Formula testing at Suzuka, damaging his car at the first Degner corner. He finished the sessions well off the pace as he looks to rebound in the final day of running.
Ex-Haas boss Guenther Steiner argues Yuki Tsunoda's penalty for defending against Lando Norris in Abu Dhabi was unjust, calling it "fair racing" that fans want to see. He criticizes stewards for over-officiating and sanitizing wheel-to-wheel battles.
Liam Lawson believes his experience will offer limited advantage as Racing Bulls' senior driver in 2026, due to F1's massive technical regulation overhaul that will introduce new chassis, power units, and active aerodynamics, effectively resetting the competitive field.
2016 champion Nico Rosberg has taken McLaren CEO Zak Brown to task for not offering more empathetic public support to Oscar Piastri after the Australian narrowly lost the 2025 world title to teammate Lando Norris. Rosberg, speaking from experience as a former runner-up, believes Piastri deserved clearer recognition for his strong season during the post-race moment.
Carlos Sainz says his strong debut season with Williams, featuring two podium finishes, has silenced doubts about his move from Ferrari. He scored 48 points in the final third of the year, helping Williams secure fifth in the constructors' standings, and is now urging the team to maintain its discipline to challenge for wins with the new 2026 regulations.
