Jan.28 (GMM) Formula 1’s tightly guarded Barcelona ‘shakedown week’ delivered its first real incident on Tuesday when Isack Hadjar crashed the new Red Bull car in the fast final corner amid treacherous conditions. With heavy rain forecast, most teams elected not to run at all, leaving only Red Bull and Ferrari on track. Rain arrived […]
Capelli questions delay over Hamilton race engineer
Jan.28 (GMM) Former Formula 1 driver Ivan Capelli has questioned why Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer at Ferrari has yet to be formally announced, describing the situation as unusual. Speaking to Sky Italia, Capelli said Ferrari appeared well placed competitively for 2026, but suggested the lack of clarity around the seven time world champion’s pitwall structure […]
‘Impossible’ to contact Michael Schumacher – Briatore
Jan.28 (GMM) Reports suggesting an improvement in the condition of Michael Schumacher have drawn reaction from across the motorsport world, including fellow seven-time champion Vladimir Chagin. Speaking in Moscow to TASS, Chagin – a seven-time winner of the Dakar Rally – said news that Schumacher is no longer bedridden was encouraging. “Schumacher is a great, […]
Isola set to leave Pirelli before 2026 season – rumour
Jan.28 (GMM) Mario Isola is expected to leave Pirelli before the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season, according to a rumour coinciding with ‘shakedown week’ in Barcelona. Isola, who has overseen Pirelli’s Formula 1 operations at races for the past nine seasons and later became the company’s racing director, is reportedly set to join […]
Alpine hits 2026 weight limit as rivals struggle
Jan.28 (GMM) Alpine is understood to have reached Formula 1’s new 2026 minimum weight limit straight out of the box, marking an early technical success after a disastrous 2025 season. According to Auto Motor und Sport, Alpine’s new A526 is already at the FIA-mandated minimum of 770 kilograms – a target many in the paddock […]
UK inquiry adds pressure on Ben Sulayem over FIA Foundation
Jan.27 (GMM) Mohammed Ben Sulayem is facing fresh scrutiny after the UK’s Charity Commission opened an inquiry into the FIA Foundation, intensifying concerns about governance and conflicts of interest at the top of world motorsport. The regulator confirmed it has launched the investigation to protect the charity’s assets, issuing an immediate temporary protective order that […]
Nurburgring shifts NLS date to accommodate Verstappen
Jan.27 (GMM) Organisers of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie have altered their 2026 calendar in a move that opens the door for Max Verstappen to race on the Nordschleife alongside his Formula 1 commitments. The VLN announced that the second round of the NLS season has been brought forward by one week, from March 28 to March […]
‘Two-horse race’ predicted as testing begins
Jan.27 (GMM) Formula 1’s first group test of the 2026 era got underway in Barcelona on Monday under near-total secrecy, with teams running behind closed doors and no official laptimes released. Journalists were kept well away from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with Formula 1 only distributing a handful of brief video clips. Despite the blackout, […]
Michael Schumacher ‘understands some things’ – report
Jan.26 (GMM) A new report has offered rare insight into the physical condition of Michael Schumacher, following a visit by a journalist to the F1 legend’s property in Majorca. Daily Mail journalist Jonathan McEvoy says he travelled to Majorca to investigate persistent speculation surrounding Schumacher’s health, reporting that the seven-time world champion remains wheelchair-bound and […]
Gasly rejects criticism over Schumacher ski jacket post
Jan.26 (GMM) Pierre Gasly has dismissed criticism over a recent social media post showing him skiing in a vintage Michael Schumacher-era jacket, insisting there was no negative intent. The Frenchman faced backlash over the winter after sharing an Instagram photo of himself skiing while wearing a classic red Michael Schumacher ‘Marlboro’ Ferrari jacket, with some […]
Briatore confirms Horner interest in Alpine stake
Jan.26 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has confirmed that Christian Horner is among those interested in buying into Alpine, amid moves by an existing shareholder to sell its stake. Speaking on the sidelines of Alpine’s 2026 car presentation in Barcelona, Briatore said the 24 percent holding owned by Otro Capital is on the market and has attracted […]
F1 world sees active front wing moving for first time
Jan.26 (GMM) A clip from Ferrari’s Fiorano running has provided the first clear on-track glimpse of the 2026 cars’ active front wing system in motion, with the upper flaps visibly flattening on the straights. While active aerodynamics are central to the 2026 regulations, the precise mechanism teams would use has been unclear. According to Auto […]
Mekies urges patience as Verstappen plays down 2026 fears
Jan.26 (GMM) Laurent Mekies says Max Verstappen fully understands the challenge facing Red Bull as it prepares for the 2026 regulations alongside new power unit partner Ford, amid renewed speculation about the Dutchman’s long-term future. Speaking to De Telegraaf, Mekies said there is no illusion within Red Bull about where the team currently stands heading […]
Court awards McLaren $12m as Palou dispute concludes
Jan.26 (GMM) Alex Palou has been ordered to pay more than $12 million to McLaren after London’s High Court brought an end to the long-running breach-of-contract dispute between the two parties. The case stemmed from Palou’s decision to walk away from agreements to join McLaren’s Indycar program, choosing instead to remain with Chip Ganassi after […]
Hamilton awaits engineer arrival from McLaren
Jan.26 (GMM) speculation around Lewis Hamilton’s new race engineer at Ferrari is beginning to firm up, with multiple reports suggesting a short-term solution for the opening 2026 tests while the Scuderia waits for a longer-term appointment to become available. Italian media report that Hamilton will work with Carlo Santi during this week’s group test in […]
Williams to miss Barcelona test amid car delays
Jan.26 (GMM) Williams has confirmed it will not take part in this week’s closed-door group test in Barcelona, a significant setback for the team as preparations for the 2026 season continue. In a statement, the team said delays in the FW48 program had led to the decision, with the team prioritising “maximum car performance” over […]
Briatore admits Mercedes switch was his call
Jan.26 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has admitted he personally drove Alpine’s decision to abandon its Renault works engine program in favour of Mercedes power for 2026 – a stance that contrasts with his public denials last season. Speaking to Sky Italia at the launch of Alpine’s A526 in Barcelona, Briatore was unequivocal when asked about his […]
Audi launches driver academy under McNish
Jan.26 (GMM) Audi has launched a new driver development program as part of its build-up to Formula 1, appointing Allan McNish as director. The initiative is designed to identify and develop young talent from karting and the junior single-seater ladder, forming a structured pathway into Audi’s future Formula 1 operation. McNish, a former F1 driver […]
McLaren keep powder dry as rivals hit the track
Jan.23 (GMM) While Mercedes has now completed a full 200-kilometre shakedown at Silverstone and is widely viewed as the early favourite, reigning world champions McLaren are taking a notably different approach to the start of the 2026 season. McLaren is yet to unveil its new car, has not completed a filming day or shakedown, and […]
FIA defers engine clampdown after key meeting
Jan.23 (GMM) The much-anticipated FIA engine summit has come and gone – and for all the noise surrounding it, the immediate competitive picture for 2026 remains unchanged. After Thursday’s meeting between the FIA and power-unit manufacturers, it is now clear that Mercedes and Red Bull-Ford will be free to race their engines in Melbourne without […]