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.
Max Verstappen faces a potential race ban with 11 penalty points, while Charles Leclerc received a €10,000 fine for swearing in Mexico. The FIA stewards show varying levels of leniency between the two drivers regarding misconduct and on-track incidents.
Lando Norris secured the 2026 drivers' championship after a season-long battle with Oscar Piastri, who matched him with seven race wins each. This internal competition propelled McLaren to its first constructors' title since 1998.
Formula One cars generate aerodynamic downforce up to five times the vehicle weight, requiring extremely stiff suspension springs to maintain ride height. This mechanical stiffness forces drivers to rely on tyres to manage road irregularities and maintain aerodynamic stability.
The FIA is managing technical sensor calibration for the 2026 Formula 1 season to address driver physical impairment and power unit reliability. New regulations aim to mitigate neurological risks caused by Honda's RA626H power unit vibrations before the Miami Grand Prix.
FIA technical head Marcin Budkowski suggests unmanned safety cars could promote autonomous technology following a software error during the 2026 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The discussion follows procedural confusion caused by automated unlapping software during Max Verstappen's crash.
The FIA mandates a Driver Cooling System for 2026 to protect athletes from extreme heat, triggered when ambient temperatures reach 31C. This regulation includes specific weight ballast requirements and cost cap exemptions to ensure driver safety and competitive fairness.
Alpine Racing will abandon its Renault engine project for a Mercedes power unit in 2026 due to a massive gap between the 135 million dollar spending cap and actual development costs. Bruno Famin explains the decision stems from an unfavorable economic model for manufacturers.
McLaren Racing and Mercedes-Benz have extended their partnership through 2030, making McLaren the first customer team for the 2026 power unit regulations. The new engines will produce over 1000 horsepower and utilize 100% sustainable fuel.
Carlos Sainz describes the Williams 2026 campaign as a struggle after the team fell to ninth in the standings with only 11 points. He addresses technical issues including weight reduction failures, ineffective upgrades, and unpredictable car handling.
Adrian Newey faces a compressed design cycle for the AMR26 after a wind tunnel delay at the Silverstone campus caused a four-month development deficit. The team is working to fix simulation correlation issues and prepare for significant 2027 regulation changes.
George Russell addresses technical rumors regarding Mercedes performance and the 2026 regulations. The analysis covers FIA floor stiffness rules, diffuser extensions, and how Mercedes managed a 72 point Constructors' Championship lead through strategic development.
Ferrari plans to invest in a multimillion-dollar simulator before the 175 million dollar budget cap takes effect. This new technology aims to improve correlation between virtual testing and the track for drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Ollie Bearman.