F1's 2026 pre-season testing in Bahrain will have restricted live TV coverage for the second test, with only the final hour shown daily. The following third test will be broadcast in full, giving fans their first complete look at the new cars. Sky Sports will air the sessions in the UK.
Rival F1 teams are pushing the FIA to alter engine compression ratio tests, targeting Mercedes' power unit which they claim gains an on-track advantage. Toto Wolff admits his team is vulnerable to a collective rule change but warns of chaotic consequences, setting up a pivotal governance decision before the season starts.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff stated that Red Bull, with its new in-house power unit and Max Verstappen, is currently the performance benchmark in F1. He highlighted their superior energy deployment as a key advantage that Mercedes cannot yet match, setting a challenging tone for the season ahead.
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has identified Red Bull Ford's new in-house power unit as the current performance benchmark after the first day of 2026 pre-season testing, praising its consistent and superior energy deployment. This surprising early assessment validates Red Bull's risky engine project and comes alongside ongoing technical controversy surrounding Mercedes' own power unit design.
The first morning of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain saw Lewis Hamilton spin and several drivers run off-track, underscoring the initial challenge of finding grip with the new cars. These early incidents, while common in testing, provide the first tangible data points on car behavior and team preparedness just days before the season opener at the same circuit.
Lewis Hamilton says the new 2026 F1 cars subjectively feel slower than Formula 2 cars, despite being seconds faster on lap time. While calling them more fun and rally-like to drive, his remarks highlight a curious gap between objective performance and driver sensation under the latest regulations.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has officially confirmed that a sequel to the hit *F1* movie is in development, following the film's massive $630 million-plus global box office success. The creative team is now exploring story ideas for the next chapter.
Oscar Piastri has reshuffled his personal team for 2025, appointing former F2 engineer Pedro Matos as his trackside consultant and boosting the role of mental coach Emma Murray. This strategic change aims to address the performance inconsistencies and mistakes that derailed his 2024 title charge, focusing on technical and mental support to reclaim a championship-winning edge.
Paddock rumors suggest Mercedes may be using a clever, legal interpretation of the engine regulations related to compression ratio. The theory posits the engine passes FIA inspection but operates at a more aggressive, performance-enhancing setting during races, offering a potential power advantage that rivals suspect but cannot yet prove.
Max Verstappen started 2026 pre-season testing in Bahrain by setting the fastest time in the morning session for Red Bull. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and George Russell (Mercedes) followed, as teams began their crucial data-gathering programs with the new cars.
Max Verstappen led the first 2026 F1 pre-season test session in Bahrain, though lap times were significantly slower due to new regulations. Teams prioritized mileage and data collection over speed, with Williams making up for lost time and Alpine suffering a red flag.
Max Verstappen led Oscar Piastri in the first track session of 2026 F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain. The smooth morning was only interrupted by a single red flag for Williams' Franco Colapinto, as all teams began their crucial data-gathering programs for the new era.
