In their own words
Interviews with Formula 1 drivers, team principals, engineers and insiders: how they think, what they fear and what really happens behind the garage door.
The 2026 FIA homologation cycle introduces strict cybersecurity requirements, including mandatory ISO/SAE 21434 penetration testing for all electronic control units. These regulations ensure digital integrity and competitive fairness across motorsport electronic architectures.
Max Verstappen's ability to manage tire integrity through extreme heat will outperform Charles Leclerc's soft-tire-dependent approach for Q3 lap one grip at Interlagos. The 60C track temperature and 46% drop in micro-roughness create significant thermal challenges for tire management.
McLaren race engineer Tom Stallard uses his Olympic rowing background to provide technical feedback that builds Oscar Piastri's confidence. This disciplined approach helped Piastri secure a victory at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix despite severe rain and changing track conditions.
The 2026 FIA technical regulations mandate biometric gloves that transmit heart rate and oxygen levels via Bluetooth. Developed by Signal Biometrics, these 3mm sensors aim to provide medical teams with vital signs to improve driver safety during high-performance racing.
The FIA is replacing the dual fuel flow measurement sensor setup with a single Allengra device featuring integrated ultrasonic sensors for encrypted data. This transition aims to simplify technical monitoring of power units while maintaining strict oversight of fuel consumption.
Red Bull Racing faces a performance ceiling due to the FIA's ADUO system, which freezes their benchmark Red Bull Ford DM01 engine. The team must now balance a $215 million cost cap while shifting development resources toward the 2027 challenger.
Lewis Hamilton has secured 96 points in the 2026 season by prioritizing mechanical data over simulator work. His success follows a strategic decision to focus on through-corner balance and brake optimization after finding simulator correlation inconsistent.
FIA safety advancements for 2026 combine technical chassis revisions with medical innovations led by Dr. Ian Roberts and the RESCUE-RACER concussion study. New regulations include a two-stage nose design and a 30kg reduction in minimum car weight to 768kg.
Felipe Calderón leads the FIA environmental commission as the organization targets a 50% reduction in operational emissions by 2030. The strategy includes transitioning Formula 1 to second-generation waste fuels and partnering with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation for battery circularity.
Max Verstappen describes the RB22 as a disaster due to mechanical disconnects between the chassis and tyres. Aggressive anti-dive geometry at high-altitude circuits like Mexico City causes unsprung mass oscillations that reduce tyre contact patch pressure and grip.
Extreme cockpit temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius in Qatar have prompted the FIA to investigate new airflow solutions. Engineers must now integrate cooling improvements into the 2026 chassis without compromising the goal of reducing minimum car weight to 768 kg.
Bruno Correia replaces Alan van der Merwe as the FIA medical car driver following Van der Merwe's decision regarding vaccination protocols. The medical response team utilizes an Aston Martin DBX with 550PS to ensure rapid emergency response during racing incidents.
Technical directors and FIA officials are reviewing 2026 regulations following Oliver Bearman's 50G impact at the Japanese Grand Prix. The discussions focus on safety modifications, including car dimensions, power unit electrification, and mandatory visibility equipment.