Feb.19 (GMM) Ferrari has triggered fresh technical intrigue in Bahrain after the FIA gave the green light to a novel rear winglet positioned directly behind the exhaust outlet. As the second pre-season test began – just two weeks before Melbourne – observers quickly spotted a small, upward-curving element mounted at the top of the diffuser […]
Verstappen open to Le Mans with Vettel – and maybe Alonso
Feb.19 (GMM) Max Verstappen has confirmed that Sebastian Vettel’s idea of tackling the 24 Hours of Le Mans together is more than just fantasy – but only under one condition. Vettel revealed this week that the pair have discussed a joint endurance outing for years and are still in touch. Now, fellow four-time world champion […]
FIA launches vote on Mercedes compression saga
Feb.19 (GMM) The FIA has formally triggered an e-vote on the controversial power unit compression issue, with a rule clarification now expected within the next 10 days. After a week of intense lobbying in Bahrain – including meetings of the F1 Commission and the Power Unit Advisory Committee – the governing body confirmed on Wednesday […]
FIA says no panic changes, Verstappen stands firm
Feb.19 (GMM) The FIA and Formula 1 have signalled there will be no knee-jerk reaction to mounting criticism of the new 2026 cars – even as Max Verstappen insists he will not apologise for his outspoken remarks. After describing the new era as “Formula E on steroids,” the Red Bull driver clarified to Dutch media […]
F1 should consider ‘flying starts’ – Marko
Feb.19 (GMM) Formula 1’s controversial new start procedure is under increasing scrutiny after further confusion during practice runs in Bahrain. Following the chaotic end to the first test – when multiple cars lined up for practice starts and nearly collided – teams again experimented with launch procedures as the second test began, while off-track talks […]
Liberty eyes expansion of Sprint format
Feb.19 (GMM) Formula 1 could be heading toward a dramatic expansion of its Sprint format. In a statement following the latest Formula 1 Commission meeting in Bahrain, officials confirmed the idea is firmly under discussion. “There were discussions around the possibility of increasing the Sprint events up to 12 based on the demand for Sprints […]
Red Bull clears fuel hurdle as Mercedes races against time
Feb.19 (GMM) Red Bull is believed to have secured FIA homologation for its 2026 sustainable fuel – leaving Mercedes and Petronas increasingly isolated as the Melbourne opener approaches. Earlier this week it emerged that only Shell – supplying Ferrari, Haas and Cadillac – and BP, Audi’s partner – had fully cleared the FIA’s new sustainable […]
Rumours swirl over Cadillac livery legality
Feb.19 (GMM) Cadillac’s eye-catching Formula 1 debut may already be under scrutiny – not for performance, but for paint. According to Germany’s Bild, the American newcomer could face FIA questions over the legality of its recently unveiled 2026 livery. Cadillac reportedly spent more than EUR 20 million to showcase the car’s colours in a high-profile […]
Antonelli loses licence after AMG crash
Feb.19 (GMM) Italian police have confirmed that Kimi Antonelli temporarily lost his road driving licence following his recent traffic accident in Italy. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver lost control of his Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO Motorsport Collectors Edition company car during the night of February 7-8 in Serravalle. According to the police statement, the incident occurred […]
Vettel urges patience as F1’s 2026 ‘DNA’ debate grows
Feb.18 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has called for calm as criticism of Formula 1’s new 2026 cars intensifies – but admits the sport must not “lose sight” of its identity. Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have all publicly questioned the new energy-heavy regulations, with Verstappen even likening the cars to “Formula E on steroids”. […]
Spa still negotiating with F1 despite rotation deal
Feb.18 (GMM) The future of the Belgian GP remains under discussion, despite last year’s announcement of a rotation deal with Formula 1. In 2025, F1 confirmed a multi-year extension for Spa-Francorchamps covering the 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031 seasons, as part of a rotation model. This week’s confirmation that Barcelona will share the alternating slot […]
F1 Commission meets as Mercedes engine saga escalates
Feb.18 (GMM) The Formula 1 Commission meets in Bahrain on Wednesday amid intensifying controversy over Mercedes’ disputed engine compression concept. With the Powertrain Advisory Committee also gathering, the agenda is heavy – concerns about the complexity of the 2026 regulations, mounting criticism from top drivers, and – above all – the so-called compression saga. Reports […]
Schumacher links Piastri changes to Webber tensions
Feb.18 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher believes Oscar Piastri’s evolving management structure may reflect tensions behind the scenes at McLaren last season. Speaking on Sky Deutschland, Schumacher suggested it had been important for McLaren that Piastri made key changes ahead of resumption of racing in 2026. “I have heard that it was very important for McLaren that […]
MotoGP-Albert Park move blocked
Feb.18 (GMM) The Victorian state government has rejected a proposal to relocate the Australian MotoGP round from Phillip Island to Albert Park – the home of Formula 1’s Australian GP. The current MotoGP contract expires after the 2026 season and has yet to be renewed. Promoters had reportedly demanded significant infrastructure upgrades at Phillip Island […]
Only Shell, BP fuel homologated ahead of F1 season
Feb.18 (GMM) Only two fuel suppliers have fully cleared the FIA’s new sustainable fuel homologation process ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, according to Italian media. Shell – supplying Ferrari, Haas and Cadillac – and BP, Audi’s partner, are understood to have successfully passed all certification tests required under the new regulations. From 2026, […]
Vettel cool on F1 return but backs Russell for 2026
Feb.18 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has played down the prospect of a Formula 1 comeback – either as a driver or in a senior paddock role – but admits endurance racing with Max Verstappen remains an intriguing possibility. The four-time world champion was recently linked with a potential succession to the now-ousted Dr Helmut Marko at […]
Gearbox joins Honda on Aston’s growing problem list
Feb.17 (GMM) Aston Martin’s 2026 troubles may extend beyond Honda’s power unit and cooling concerns, with Spain’s Marca reporting that the team’s first in-house gearbox is also struggling under the demands of the new regulations. The Silverstone outfit has switched from Mercedes-supplied transmissions to its own design this season – but the new energy-heavy era […]
Towriss sets F2 target for Herta as Cadillac eyes 2027
Feb.17 (GMM) Cadillac chief executive Dan Towriss has outlined clear expectations for Colton Herta as the American begins his unusual Formula 2 campaign with one goal in mind – a Formula 1 seat in 2027. Herta, now part of Cadillac’s F1 development program, left IndyCar as one of its top stars to compete in F2 […]
Barcelona secures F1 future in rotation deal with Spa
Feb.17 (GMM) Long-running uncertainty about Barcelona’s Formula 1 future has been settled, with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya confirmed on the calendar through 2032 on a rotational basis. Formula 1 announced a multi-year extension that will see the renamed Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix take place in 2026, and then in 2028, 2030 and 2032. The event will […]
Aston ‘five seconds’ adrift as Honda concerns grow
Feb.16 (GMM) Aston Martin may be significantly further off the pace than first feared, as the scale of its 2026 struggles becomes clearer. After Lance Stroll admitted the team was “four or four and a half” seconds down, ambassador Pedro de la Rosa confirmed the shortfall could indeed be measured in multiple seconds. “We’re not […]