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 […]
Category: Recent stories
F1 Commission showdown looms as compression saga intensifies
Feb.16 (GMM) The Formula 1 Commission is set for a crucial meeting this week as the controversy over Mercedes’ power unit compression concept continues to escalate. With a significant bloc of teams and manufacturers reportedly pushing for clarity before the season opener in Melbourne, Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur said the focus must be on […]
Finger-pointing intensifies over 2026 pecking order
Feb.16 (GMM) The guessing game over who is leading Formula 1’s new 2026 era has descended into open finger-pointing in Bahrain. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insists Red Bull-Ford is clearly in front – a claim now echoed by George Russell. “They’re not just a small step ahead,” Russell said. “We’re talking about a lead of […]
Start procedure chaos raises fresh safety fears
Feb.16 (GMM) Concerns about the complexity of Formula 1’s new 2026 start procedures boiled over at the end of the first Bahrain test. The session had officially ended when a chaotic practice start on the main straight triggered alarm in the paddock. As drivers lined up, Franco Colapinto suddenly lost control of his Alpine while […]
Renault cuts other programs, Alpine F1 future in doubt
Feb.16 (GMM) Renault’s decision to shut down Alpine’s World Endurance Championship program and Dacia’s rally-raid effort at the end of the year has intensified speculation about the long-term future of its Formula 1 team. According to L’Equipe, Formula 1 will be spared despite Alpine finishing last in last season’s constructors’ championship and now running a […]
Formula E boss invites Verstappen after ‘steroids’ jibe
Feb.16 (GMM) Formula E chief Jeff Dodds has responded to Max Verstappen’s scathing verdict on Formula 1’s new 2026 cars by inviting the quadruple world champion to try an electric racer for himself. After Verstappen described the new F1 generation as feeling “like Formula E on steroids”, Dodds reacted swiftly. “I’m inviting Max,” Dodds told […]
Piastri strengthens inner circle amid Webber reports
Feb.16 (GMM) Australian media headlines suggesting Oscar Piastri has “split” from manager Mark Webber appear wide of the mark, with the McLaren driver instead bolstering his support structure ahead of the 2026 season. Reports indicate Piastri has recruited Portuguese engineer Pedro Matos into his personal camp, reuniting with a figure who worked closely with him […]
Doohan targets ’27 return as Ocon responds to warning
Feb.16 (GMM) Jack Doohan says his goal remains a full-time Formula 1 comeback in 2027 after securing a reserve role at Haas – just as Esteban Ocon has been put on notice by team boss Ayao Komatsu. French publication Auto Hebdo reports that Doohan has effectively found a “new start” at Haas, aided by Toyota’s […]
Vasseur rebukes talk of Hamilton engineer ‘problem’
Feb.16 (GMM) Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has firmly dismissed suggestions Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer situation is destabilising the team. After Hamilton admitted that not having his long-term replacement for ousted race engineer Riccardo Adami in place for the start of the season is “detrimental”, Vasseur was asked about the issue in Bahrain – and pushed […]
FIA president’s brother exits DP World amid Epstein link
Feb.16 (GMM) The brother of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has stepped down from his leadership role at DP World following revelations linking him to Jeffrey Epstein. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and chief executive of the Dubai-based logistics giant, resigned with immediate effect, the company confirmed in a statement. “DP World Limited announces that […]
Ferrari’s Ioverno calm as FIA seeks engine rule clarity
Feb.13 (GMM) Ferrari sporting director Diego Ioverno has refused to be drawn directly into the escalating Mercedes engine debate, as the FIA pushes to resolve the compression controversy before Melbourne. With talk intensifying that a clarification – or even an effective rule adjustment – may already be in motion, Ioverno struck a measured tone when […]
Bortoleto warns 2026 race starts ‘chaos’ amid turbo concerns
Feb.13 (GMM) Gabriel Bortoleto has highlighted fresh concerns about the complexity of Formula 1’s 2026 regulations – this time over the race start procedure. Drivers have already been vocal about the energy-heavy nature of the new power units, but attention is now turning to the mechanics of getting off the line. Under the current rules, […]
Wolff confirms role in Nurburgring date change for Verstappen
Feb.13 (GMM) Toto Wolff has confirmed that Mercedes-AMG was involved in rescheduling a Nurburgring Endurance Series (NLS) round to accommodate Max Verstappen’s now-likely return to the Nordschleife in 2026. After an NLS race was moved to avoid a clash with the Japanese GP, the path has effectively been cleared for Verstappen to compete in preparatory […]
Verstappen mocks Wolff’s ‘couple of horsepower’ claim
Feb.13 (GMM) Max Verstappen has mocked Toto Wolff’s claim that Mercedes’ controversial engine compression concept is worth only “a couple of horsepower”. When told in Bahrain that the Mercedes boss had downplayed the advantage to “two or three” horsepower, Verstappen laughed. “You can definitely put a zero behind that,” the Red Bull driver said, suggesting […]
Alonso and Aston facing ‘another year in hell’
Feb.13 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s body language in Bahrain told its own story. According to DAZN commentator Antonio Lobato, the Spaniard climbed out of his Aston Martin on day two of testing and “threw his gloves not even close to where he should have put them”. Lobato later revealed the mood inside the team is bleak. […]
‘Clear’ that Verstappen leading early in ’26
Feb.13 (GMM) Max Verstappen may be loudly criticising Formula 1’s new 2026 cars – but many in the Bahrain paddock believe Red Bull is already the team to beat. On day 2 of the Bahrain test, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff declared that Red Bull appeared “clearly ahead”, although some suspect the Austrian is deflecting attention […]
Verstappen slams ‘anti-racing’ 2026, hints at F1 exit
Feb.13 (GMM) Max Verstappen has launched a fierce attack on Formula 1’s new 2026 regulations, describing the current driving experience as “not Formula 1” and even suggesting he could walk away from the sport. Speaking on day 2 at the Bahrain test, the four-time world champion made clear that despite Red Bull’s strong early form, […]
Wolff braced for FIA ruling, Merc only P6 in Bahrain
Feb.12 (GMM) Mercedes’ controversial engine compression concept remains the dominant talking point as official pre-season group testing began in Bahrain on Wednesday. While Red Bull appeared strong from the outset – with Max Verstappen impressing on long runs – George Russell could manage only sixth fastest at the end of day one. Russell admitted afterwards […]
Hamilton says 2026 cars ‘slower than GP2’
Feb.12 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has delivered a blunt early verdict on Formula 1’s all-new 2026 machinery, suggesting the cars feel “slower than GP2” as pre-season testing got underway in Bahrain. Day 1 laptimes were about four seconds off the equivalent 2025 benchmark – with several teams even several seconds further behind that new slower pace. […]
Fornaroli confirms no racing campaign in 2026
Feb.12 (GMM) Leonardo Fornaroli has confirmed he will not race in 2026 as he begins his new role with McLaren. Speaking to Sky Italia on the opening day of testing in Bahrain, the reigning Formula 2 champion made clear this season will be focused entirely on development work rather than competition. “We’re not racing yet, […]