Pierre Gasly: In 2026 I want to be fighting for wins.
Next year the Alpine team will switch to Mercedes power units. Pierre Gasly believes this will allow them to make gains, and hopes that in 2026 Alpine will be fighting among the frontrunners.
Pierre Gasly: "First of all, it's important to thank everyone who worked at the Viry-Châtillon facility and was involved in engine development. Those engines were heavily criticized, sometimes undeservedly, because everyone worked with maximum commitment and did everything they could.
We are opening a new chapter with Mercedes. Obviously, when you look at their achievements, at how many titles they have won, I have no doubt that we'll have an excellent collaboration. I won't lie — I'm excited about it.
From what I've already heard, the power unit has turned out great.
Next year the Alpine team will switch to Mercedes power units. Pierre Gasly believes this will allow them to make gains, and hopes that in 2026 Alpine will be fighting among the frontrunners.
Pierre Gasly: "First of all, it's important to thank everyone who worked at the Viry-Châtillon facility and was involved in engine development. Those engines were heavily criticized, sometimes undeservedly, because everyone worked with maximum commitment and did everything they could.
We are opening a new chapter with Mercedes. Obviously, when you look at their achievements, at how many titles they have won, I have no doubt that we'll have an excellent collaboration. I won't lie — I'm excited about it.
From what I've already heard, the power unit has turned out great.
Oscar Piastri: I'm hungry for success and ready to fight
These days in Melbourne, Oscar Piastri’s hometown, the traditional series of cricket matches between Australia and England is taking place, and the McLaren driver is appearing at the MCG as an honoured guest not for the first time.
This time the attention on him at home is especially great, because Oscar for the first time in his career was genuinely in contention for the championship title, which ultimately went to his teammate, Lando Norris.
Before the recent match, Oscar walked out to the middle of the field and, in a conversation with commentators from Australian TV channels, confessed his love for cricket, but the conversation was not only about that sport, which is very popular in the driver’s homeland.
These days in Melbourne, Oscar Piastri’s hometown, the traditional series of cricket matches between Australia and England is taking place, and the McLaren driver is appearing at the MCG as an honoured guest not for the first time.
This time the attention on him at home is especially great, because Oscar for the first time in his career was genuinely in contention for the championship title, which ultimately went to his teammate, Lando Norris.
Before the recent match, Oscar walked out to the middle of the field and, in a conversation with commentators from Australian TV channels, confessed his love for cricket, but the conversation was not only about that sport, which is very popular in the driver’s homeland.
Albon: There are signs that Williams is becoming a top team.
Alex Albon’s season was uneven – then again, the same could be said of Carlos Sainz, except that Williams’ teammates were able to shine at different stages of the championship. The Spaniard found his way with the car closer to autumn and even reached the podium a couple of times, while Albon was more assured in the first third of the season.
Alex is most proud of how he performed at the Australian round, which opened the championship: in Melbourne he started sixth and finished fifth in a race that took place in very difficult, changeable weather conditions.
“I’d say I’m proud of the first race of the year,” the championship’s official website quotes Albon as saying. “In many ways it’s an obvious choice, but it was my best result with the Williams team.
Alex Albon’s season was uneven – then again, the same could be said of Carlos Sainz, except that Williams’ teammates were able to shine at different stages of the championship. The Spaniard found his way with the car closer to autumn and even reached the podium a couple of times, while Albon was more assured in the first third of the season.
Alex is most proud of how he performed at the Australian round, which opened the championship: in Melbourne he started sixth and finished fifth in a race that took place in very difficult, changeable weather conditions.
“I’d say I’m proud of the first race of the year,” the championship’s official website quotes Albon as saying. “In many ways it’s an obvious choice, but it was my best result with the Williams team.
The former Top Gear producer shared memories of Kimi.
Andy Wilman is a legendary figure, and such a grand epithet does not seem an exaggeration, for it was Wilman together with Jeremy Clarkson who ran the car show Top Gear during the best years of that TV project. Then, with the same merry trio Clarkson – Richard Hammond – James May, he created the much-talked-about Grand Tour, and now, together with Jeremy, has been filming more than one season of the hugely popular Clarkson's Farm.
Wilman himself never appeared on camera, although his name was mentioned regularly, but now he took part in the Midweek F1 podcast and among other things shared memories of how he once had to deal with Kimi Räikkönen, who had just returned to Formula 1 after a two-year break with the Lotus F1 Team.
Andy Wilman is a legendary figure, and such a grand epithet does not seem an exaggeration, for it was Wilman together with Jeremy Clarkson who ran the car show Top Gear during the best years of that TV project. Then, with the same merry trio Clarkson – Richard Hammond – James May, he created the much-talked-about Grand Tour, and now, together with Jeremy, has been filming more than one season of the hugely popular Clarkson's Farm.
Wilman himself never appeared on camera, although his name was mentioned regularly, but now he took part in the Midweek F1 podcast and among other things shared memories of how he once had to deal with Kimi Räikkönen, who had just returned to Formula 1 after a two-year break with the Lotus F1 Team.
Mintzlaff preferred not to criticize Horner.
Oliver Mintzlaff preferred to distance himself from the rather harsh assessments of Christian Horner that Helmut Marko made about the former Red Bull Racing team principal in an interview with De Limburger.
It should be recalled that the 82-year-old Austrian then accused Horner of every sin, including engaging in systematic political games in which he allegedly constantly used various behind-the-scenes maneuvers.
“Let Helmut answer for such words about Christian himself,” stressed Red Bull’s executive director for corporate projects and investments in a conversation with a reporter from another Dutch paper, De Telegraaf. “I cannot say anything bad about Christian, simply because he means a great deal to Red Bull. But there always comes a moment when things are not going well and the company has to make a decision.
Oliver Mintzlaff preferred to distance himself from the rather harsh assessments of Christian Horner that Helmut Marko made about the former Red Bull Racing team principal in an interview with De Limburger.
It should be recalled that the 82-year-old Austrian then accused Horner of every sin, including engaging in systematic political games in which he allegedly constantly used various behind-the-scenes maneuvers.
“Let Helmut answer for such words about Christian himself,” stressed Red Bull’s executive director for corporate projects and investments in a conversation with a reporter from another Dutch paper, De Telegraaf. “I cannot say anything bad about Christian, simply because he means a great deal to Red Bull. But there always comes a moment when things are not going well and the company has to make a decision.
Alonso drove around Monaco in a very expensive Mercedes.
Formula 1 stars sometimes attract attention thanks to the very expensive cars in their private collections. For example, in early autumn Daniel Ricciardo put his hypercar, the Aston Martin Valkyrie, up for auction, and that news was immediately picked up by many publications.
But in terms of uniqueness that car is hard to compare with the vehicle Fernando Alonso recently drove onto the streets of Monaco, with his girlfriend Melissa Jimenez — the mother of their expected child — as passenger.
Among Mercedes’ sports models there is a special one, developed in 1997 in cooperation with AMG specifically for endurance racing — the Mercedes CLK GTR. But there was also a version adapted for public roads, and between 1998 and 1999 only 28 examples of that car were produced.
Formula 1 stars sometimes attract attention thanks to the very expensive cars in their private collections. For example, in early autumn Daniel Ricciardo put his hypercar, the Aston Martin Valkyrie, up for auction, and that news was immediately picked up by many publications.
But in terms of uniqueness that car is hard to compare with the vehicle Fernando Alonso recently drove onto the streets of Monaco, with his girlfriend Melissa Jimenez — the mother of their expected child — as passenger.
Among Mercedes’ sports models there is a special one, developed in 1997 in cooperation with AMG specifically for endurance racing — the Mercedes CLK GTR. But there was also a version adapted for public roads, and between 1998 and 1999 only 28 examples of that car were produced.
Resurfacing work is underway in Suzuka.
Very recently, tests of the national Super Formula series were held at Suzuka, and at the end of March next year the famous circuit will host the Japanese Grand Prix for the 36th time. It is operated by Honda Mobilityland, a division of the Honda corporation, and the winter off-season was chosen for a scheduled resurfacing of the asphalt.
At present the western part of the racing circuit is completely closed as extensive roadworks are taking place there, the circuit’s press office reported on its social media pages.
As is often the case in such situations, at the initial stage when the first races are held on newly laid asphalt, the track surface does not offer good grip — it is quite possible that this will be the case on 27 March, when the first practice sessions begin at Suzuka International Racing Course.
Very recently, tests of the national Super Formula series were held at Suzuka, and at the end of March next year the famous circuit will host the Japanese Grand Prix for the 36th time. It is operated by Honda Mobilityland, a division of the Honda corporation, and the winter off-season was chosen for a scheduled resurfacing of the asphalt.
At present the western part of the racing circuit is completely closed as extensive roadworks are taking place there, the circuit’s press office reported on its social media pages.
As is often the case in such situations, at the initial stage when the first races are held on newly laid asphalt, the track surface does not offer good grip — it is quite possible that this will be the case on 27 March, when the first practice sessions begin at Suzuka International Racing Course.
The story with Mercedes and Red Bull engines is not over yet.
The saga over Mercedes’ and Red Bull’s power units continues: the European press reports that in the coming weeks the FIA, together with the engine manufacturers, will hold a number of further meetings at which they will try to find some solution acceptable to everyone.
Since the FIA has no questions for Mercedes and Red Bull and their new engines have been deemed compliant with the 2026 technical regulations, it is possible that a compromise solution, if found, could allow the other engine manufacturers to make up some of the shortfall.
Naturally, this situation has attracted the attention of many experts; in particular, Spanish analyst Alberto Fabrega, in the latest episode of his vlog, argues that the design features of Mercedes’ engines provide not only a power advantage.
The saga over Mercedes’ and Red Bull’s power units continues: the European press reports that in the coming weeks the FIA, together with the engine manufacturers, will hold a number of further meetings at which they will try to find some solution acceptable to everyone.
Since the FIA has no questions for Mercedes and Red Bull and their new engines have been deemed compliant with the 2026 technical regulations, it is possible that a compromise solution, if found, could allow the other engine manufacturers to make up some of the shortfall.
Naturally, this situation has attracted the attention of many experts; in particular, Spanish analyst Alberto Fabrega, in the latest episode of his vlog, argues that the design features of Mercedes’ engines provide not only a power advantage.
Valtteri Bottas walked onto the football field in Adelaide.
Valtteri Bottas's love for his native Finland has hardly diminished, but he is spending more and more time in Australia, especially in winter, when it's summer on the Green Continent.
You could say he has found a second home there, literally, since he recently became a property owner. Together with Tiffany Cromwell, his Australian girlfriend, they bought an estate in McLaren Vale, a famous wine region — naturally, they have vineyards too.
Valtteri is trying to immerse himself ever more deeply in local life and today, as a special guest, attended a match of Adelaide United, walked onto the pitch in their red kit and even made a ceremonial kick at the ball.
True, at that moment the players on the pitch were not the first-team members of the club that competes in the country's top league, but its youth team — but that's a detail.
Valtteri Bottas's love for his native Finland has hardly diminished, but he is spending more and more time in Australia, especially in winter, when it's summer on the Green Continent.
You could say he has found a second home there, literally, since he recently became a property owner. Together with Tiffany Cromwell, his Australian girlfriend, they bought an estate in McLaren Vale, a famous wine region — naturally, they have vineyards too.
Valtteri is trying to immerse himself ever more deeply in local life and today, as a special guest, attended a match of Adelaide United, walked onto the pitch in their red kit and even made a ceremonial kick at the ball.
True, at that moment the players on the pitch were not the first-team members of the club that competes in the country's top league, but its youth team — but that's a detail.
Binotto: Inviting Whitley is the best option.
Since April, Mattia Binotto, head of Audi’s Formula 1 programme, has been working together with Jonathan Wheatley, who took charge of the Swiss team that last season raced in Formula 1 under the historic Sauber name.
But in 2026 it will change its name to Audi F1 Team, and the cars, which are still built in Hinwil, will from now on be fitted with Audi engines.
Of course, the team and its management will have to tackle extremely difficult tasks, but Binotto has repeatedly emphasized that Audi’s project is designed for the long term, and the team will not be ready to fight for the title before 2030.
“At Audi they looked for the best specialists they could invite,” Binotto said in an interview with RacingNews365. “And I think that inviting Jonathan has probably been the very best option.
Since April, Mattia Binotto, head of Audi’s Formula 1 programme, has been working together with Jonathan Wheatley, who took charge of the Swiss team that last season raced in Formula 1 under the historic Sauber name.
But in 2026 it will change its name to Audi F1 Team, and the cars, which are still built in Hinwil, will from now on be fitted with Audi engines.
Of course, the team and its management will have to tackle extremely difficult tasks, but Binotto has repeatedly emphasized that Audi’s project is designed for the long term, and the team will not be ready to fight for the title before 2030.
“At Audi they looked for the best specialists they could invite,” Binotto said in an interview with RacingNews365. “And I think that inviting Jonathan has probably been the very best option.
Budkowski: Disagreements within Red Bull have reached a breaking point.
Marcin Budkowski, who formerly served as executive director of Alpine F1 and now works as an expert for the broadcaster Viaplay, offered his version explaining the reasons for Helmut Marko's departure from Red Bull.
It became known shortly after the end of the season that Marko, who had served as motorsport advisor since 2005, was parting ways with the company. He was also responsible for Red Bull's junior programme, and it was thanks to him that such talented drivers as Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen came into Formula 1.
The 82-year-old Marko left his position after, for various reasons, Adrian Newey, the most successful racing designer in Formula 1 history, and Christian Horner, who had led the team for two decades, had parted ways with Red Bull Racing.
Marcin Budkowski, who formerly served as executive director of Alpine F1 and now works as an expert for the broadcaster Viaplay, offered his version explaining the reasons for Helmut Marko's departure from Red Bull.
It became known shortly after the end of the season that Marko, who had served as motorsport advisor since 2005, was parting ways with the company. He was also responsible for Red Bull's junior programme, and it was thanks to him that such talented drivers as Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen came into Formula 1.
The 82-year-old Marko left his position after, for various reasons, Adrian Newey, the most successful racing designer in Formula 1 history, and Christian Horner, who had led the team for two decades, had parted ways with Red Bull Racing.
Hamilton hopes that the new Ferrari will be no worse than the SF-25.
By his long-standing habit, Lewis Hamilton spends his winter holiday in America and, as he set off across the Atlantic, warned: "No one will be able to reach me this winter."
Of course everyone has the right to a break, and the seven-time world champion has just come through the toughest season of his career, so he now needs to clear his head and recharge. He is very hopeful that in 2026, when Formula 1 switches to completely new machinery, the difficulties characteristic of the previous generation of cars will not be repeated.
It was not easy for Lewis to cope with them during the latter years of the period when he was still racing for Mercedes, and when he moved to Ferrari the problems only worsened.
"This generation of cars was probably the worst of all. I pray that the next generation won't be worse.
By his long-standing habit, Lewis Hamilton spends his winter holiday in America and, as he set off across the Atlantic, warned: "No one will be able to reach me this winter."
Of course everyone has the right to a break, and the seven-time world champion has just come through the toughest season of his career, so he now needs to clear his head and recharge. He is very hopeful that in 2026, when Formula 1 switches to completely new machinery, the difficulties characteristic of the previous generation of cars will not be repeated.
It was not easy for Lewis to cope with them during the latter years of the period when he was still racing for Mercedes, and when he moved to Ferrari the problems only worsened.
"This generation of cars was probably the worst of all. I pray that the next generation won't be worse.
Brown will have to fulfill the promise made to Norris.
Lando Norris became the 11th British driver to win a Formula 1 world championship, and as a prize for his achievement he is set to receive not only the coveted trophy, now engraved with his name, but also the cash bonus provided for in his contract with McLaren.
As far back as 2024, when he still had a theoretical chance of winning the world championship, Norris admitted in an interview with The Telegraph: “I have an agreement with Zak Brown that if I win the championship he will have to buy me a car. Which one, I’ve also specified. We sealed the deal with a handshake, but that’s all I’m willing to say.”
Lando’s dream of a title only came true in 2025, and it has now emerged which car he meant. According to the London tabloid The Mirror, it is the rare Italian supercar Pagani Zonda.
These cars were fitted with mighty Mercedes-built V12 engines.
Lando Norris became the 11th British driver to win a Formula 1 world championship, and as a prize for his achievement he is set to receive not only the coveted trophy, now engraved with his name, but also the cash bonus provided for in his contract with McLaren.
As far back as 2024, when he still had a theoretical chance of winning the world championship, Norris admitted in an interview with The Telegraph: “I have an agreement with Zak Brown that if I win the championship he will have to buy me a car. Which one, I’ve also specified. We sealed the deal with a handshake, but that’s all I’m willing to say.”
Lando’s dream of a title only came true in 2025, and it has now emerged which car he meant. According to the London tabloid The Mirror, it is the rare Italian supercar Pagani Zonda.
These cars were fitted with mighty Mercedes-built V12 engines.
Rashbrook: Work is underway to improve engine parameters.
Mark Rushbrook, director of Ford Performance Motorsport, shared fresh information about the state of affairs with the power unit produced by Red Bull Powertrains, and his words should put the Milton Keynes team's drivers and its fans in an optimistic frame of mind.
For them it's a completely new project, and the American corporation, as part of its partnership with Red Bull Racing, is providing comprehensive technical support.
"Everything is going according to plan; we are at the stage we should be at," Rushbrook said in an interview with Motorsport.com. "But, of course, the whole picture can only be evaluated when the car goes out on track (in testing). That will be an important day and an important week. Only then will we see to what extent the work carried out over the past three years has paid off.
Mark Rushbrook, director of Ford Performance Motorsport, shared fresh information about the state of affairs with the power unit produced by Red Bull Powertrains, and his words should put the Milton Keynes team's drivers and its fans in an optimistic frame of mind.
For them it's a completely new project, and the American corporation, as part of its partnership with Red Bull Racing, is providing comprehensive technical support.
"Everything is going according to plan; we are at the stage we should be at," Rushbrook said in an interview with Motorsport.com. "But, of course, the whole picture can only be evaluated when the car goes out on track (in testing). That will be an important day and an important week. Only then will we see to what extent the work carried out over the past three years has paid off.
Toyota wants its driver to get a seat at Haas.
The cooperation between Haas F1 and Toyota Gazoo Racing is gradually becoming more extensive, and in 2026 the Japanese corporation’s motorsport division will become the team’s title partner.
It is no surprise that among Toyota’s most promising and fastest factory drivers competing in other racing series there are those who dream of reaching Formula 1, for example Rio Hirakawa, who has already driven Haas cars several times in tests and practice sessions.
When Ayo Komatsu was asked whether negotiations with Toyota had included the possibility of one of the Japanese drivers joining Haas’s main lineup, the head of the American team answered in the affirmative: “Yes, of course. Toyota has many tasks, and one of them is personnel development, including drivers.
But the main factor here is their results.
The cooperation between Haas F1 and Toyota Gazoo Racing is gradually becoming more extensive, and in 2026 the Japanese corporation’s motorsport division will become the team’s title partner.
It is no surprise that among Toyota’s most promising and fastest factory drivers competing in other racing series there are those who dream of reaching Formula 1, for example Rio Hirakawa, who has already driven Haas cars several times in tests and practice sessions.
When Ayo Komatsu was asked whether negotiations with Toyota had included the possibility of one of the Japanese drivers joining Haas’s main lineup, the head of the American team answered in the affirmative: “Yes, of course. Toyota has many tasks, and one of them is personnel development, including drivers.
But the main factor here is their results.
Bortoletto: I'm glad that Fernando can be proud of me.
Gabriel Bortoleto finished his debut Formula 1 season in the penultimate position in the drivers' standings, scoring 19 points, while Nico Hülkenberg, his far more experienced Sauber teammate, had 51. But it should be borne in mind that the German driver has competed in Formula 1 since 2010 and has started 250 Grands Prix, whereas the 21-year-old Brazilian has only 24.
But Gabriel has already shown what he is capable of behind the wheel when the car’s setup suits him more or less, and it’s quite logical that Sauber are happy with him, so he will continue to race for the Hinwil-based team in 2026, when it becomes the factory Audi F1 Team.
“I think I achieved a lot this year,” Bortoleto said in an interview with the championship’s official website.
Gabriel Bortoleto finished his debut Formula 1 season in the penultimate position in the drivers' standings, scoring 19 points, while Nico Hülkenberg, his far more experienced Sauber teammate, had 51. But it should be borne in mind that the German driver has competed in Formula 1 since 2010 and has started 250 Grands Prix, whereas the 21-year-old Brazilian has only 24.
But Gabriel has already shown what he is capable of behind the wheel when the car’s setup suits him more or less, and it’s quite logical that Sauber are happy with him, so he will continue to race for the Hinwil-based team in 2026, when it becomes the factory Audi F1 Team.
“I think I achieved a lot this year,” Bortoleto said in an interview with the championship’s official website.
Steiner: Max is competing in a completely different league.
Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen are two drivers who, in different years, each won four titles behind the wheel of Red Bull Racing cars. The German driver won the championship from 2010 to 2013, Max from 2021 to 2024. But the difference is that in the first case the Milton Keynes team also won the Constructors' Championship in all four consecutive years, whereas during Verstappen's championship years it did so only in 2022 and 2023. In other words, Max achieved notable success even when his team did not have the fastest car.
Another important metric to consider is the number of wins. Verstappen, together with Red Bull, has won 71 Grands Prix, making this the third most successful driver-team combination in Formula 1 history. Michael Schumacher and Ferrari have one more win, and leading the list are Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.
Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen are two drivers who, in different years, each won four titles behind the wheel of Red Bull Racing cars. The German driver won the championship from 2010 to 2013, Max from 2021 to 2024. But the difference is that in the first case the Milton Keynes team also won the Constructors' Championship in all four consecutive years, whereas during Verstappen's championship years it did so only in 2022 and 2023. In other words, Max achieved notable success even when his team did not have the fastest car.
Another important metric to consider is the number of wins. Verstappen, together with Red Bull, has won 71 Grands Prix, making this the third most successful driver-team combination in Formula 1 history. Michael Schumacher and Ferrari have one more win, and leading the list are Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.