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.
Shovlin: Thanks to Russell, the work on the chassis is going well.
With Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari, his 11‑year spell at Mercedes came to an end, and it was the most successful driver‑team partnership in Formula 1 history: together they claimed 84 wins and won six championship titles.
All those years Lewis took a very active part in refining Mercedes' cars, but now that work has largely been taken on by the team's new leader, George Russell, since Kimi Antonelli, who only made his championship debut this past year, does not yet have the necessary experience.
According to Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes' chief race engineer, Russell is coping well, so Hamilton's departure has not affected these crucial processes in terms of work on the car.
"To be honest, the work with George is going quite well," RacingNews365 quotes Shovlin as saying.
With Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari, his 11‑year spell at Mercedes came to an end, and it was the most successful driver‑team partnership in Formula 1 history: together they claimed 84 wins and won six championship titles.
All those years Lewis took a very active part in refining Mercedes' cars, but now that work has largely been taken on by the team's new leader, George Russell, since Kimi Antonelli, who only made his championship debut this past year, does not yet have the necessary experience.
According to Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes' chief race engineer, Russell is coping well, so Hamilton's departure has not affected these crucial processes in terms of work on the car.
"To be honest, the work with George is going quite well," RacingNews365 quotes Shovlin as saying.
12 years since Michael Schumacher's incident in the Alps
On December 29, 2013, at around 11 a.m. at the Méribel ski resort in the French Alps, Michael Schumacher fell victim to a tragic turn of events and suffered a catastrophic traumatic brain injury — the seven-time world champion was 44 years old at the time.
The chronology of subsequent events is well known, but now, 4,383 days after that incident on the Saulire slope, only the family of the seven-time world champion and a very small number of people they trust know the truth about the great driver's actual state of health.
The family has every right to remain silent and to try to prevent leaks of information, although this only breeds endless conjecture and speculation.
On December 29, 2013, at around 11 a.m. at the Méribel ski resort in the French Alps, Michael Schumacher fell victim to a tragic turn of events and suffered a catastrophic traumatic brain injury — the seven-time world champion was 44 years old at the time.
The chronology of subsequent events is well known, but now, 4,383 days after that incident on the Saulire slope, only the family of the seven-time world champion and a very small number of people they trust know the truth about the great driver's actual state of health.
The family has every right to remain silent and to try to prevent leaks of information, although this only breeds endless conjecture and speculation.
Liam Lawson is thrilled with the Supercars Series car.
Liam Lawson is spending his winter break in his native New Zealand, and we recently reported that he is combining business with pleasure. We also mentioned that the Racing Bulls driver piloted a Chevrolet Camaro Gen3 during a charity event he took part in.
It's a special car: it was once driven in the Australian Supercars touring-car series by Lawson's compatriot Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time champion. He is now racing very successfully in the United States in NASCAR, has already scored multiple wins, and has become a true celebrity beyond New Zealand.
Now Lawson had the opportunity to enjoy a drive in the Chevrolet Camaro that van Gisbergen used to win the famous Bathurst 1000 in 2023.
Liam Lawson is spending his winter break in his native New Zealand, and we recently reported that he is combining business with pleasure. We also mentioned that the Racing Bulls driver piloted a Chevrolet Camaro Gen3 during a charity event he took part in.
It's a special car: it was once driven in the Australian Supercars touring-car series by Lawson's compatriot Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time champion. He is now racing very successfully in the United States in NASCAR, has already scored multiple wins, and has become a true celebrity beyond New Zealand.
Now Lawson had the opportunity to enjoy a drive in the Chevrolet Camaro that van Gisbergen used to win the famous Bathurst 1000 in 2023.
Domenicali advises against rushing the sequel to F1 The Movie.
A couple of weeks ago we wrote that the film F1 The Movie topped Apple TV’s streaming charts, which was a logical continuation of the movie’s commercial success, having grossed $631.5 million at the worldwide box office.
It also emerged last autumn that the filmmakers were already thinking about continuing the story of the fictional driver Sonny Hayes. However, Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, advises them not to rush into a sequel. From his point of view, it’s important to allow the right pause before tackling the second part of the film project.
“I think our approach can be summed up by the phrase ‘never say never.’ We have already started drawing up a plan,” Domenicali confirmed on Sky Sports. “But ultimately it will not be implemented too quickly, because you need to allow a pause to fully reflect.
A couple of weeks ago we wrote that the film F1 The Movie topped Apple TV’s streaming charts, which was a logical continuation of the movie’s commercial success, having grossed $631.5 million at the worldwide box office.
It also emerged last autumn that the filmmakers were already thinking about continuing the story of the fictional driver Sonny Hayes. However, Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, advises them not to rush into a sequel. From his point of view, it’s important to allow the right pause before tackling the second part of the film project.
“I think our approach can be summed up by the phrase ‘never say never.’ We have already started drawing up a plan,” Domenicali confirmed on Sky Sports. “But ultimately it will not be implemented too quickly, because you need to allow a pause to fully reflect.
Alonso demonstrated his Aston Martin Valiant.
Almost all cars from the famous British maker Aston Martin can be considered special in their own way, but among them there are even more exclusive and rare versions that were produced in very limited runs. Undoubtedly, the Aston Martin Valiant falls into this category — essentially a racing variant of the Valour model, although it can also be driven on ordinary roads. Fernando Alonso was involved in the creation and development of the Valiant, and it would be strange if one of the 38 examples of such a car were not in his personal garage.
Almost all cars from the famous British maker Aston Martin can be considered special in their own way, but among them there are even more exclusive and rare versions that were produced in very limited runs. Undoubtedly, the Aston Martin Valiant falls into this category — essentially a racing variant of the Valour model, although it can also be driven on ordinary roads. Fernando Alonso was involved in the creation and development of the Valiant, and it would be strange if one of the 38 examples of such a car were not in his personal garage.
Dakar: Sainz senior completes preparations for the rally raid
Carlos Sainz, a four-time Dakar Rally winner, is finishing preparations for another supermarathon that is expected to be the last of his illustrious career.
Today the father of the Williams driver told fans that he had undergone the final medical examination, which confirmed that he is in excellent physical condition. It should be recalled that Sainz Sr. turned 63 this past year.
Carlos Sainz: "Hello everyone! As usual, at this time of year before heading out on the Dakar route I undergo a comprehensive check of my physical condition. You have to make sure the 'engine' is working normally, that everything is set up as it should be.
The last days before the start drag on incredibly slowly; it feels like there are twice as many hours in the day. Mostly that's because I want to get to the start of the rally-raid as soon as possible.
Carlos Sainz, a four-time Dakar Rally winner, is finishing preparations for another supermarathon that is expected to be the last of his illustrious career.
Today the father of the Williams driver told fans that he had undergone the final medical examination, which confirmed that he is in excellent physical condition. It should be recalled that Sainz Sr. turned 63 this past year.
Carlos Sainz: "Hello everyone! As usual, at this time of year before heading out on the Dakar route I undergo a comprehensive check of my physical condition. You have to make sure the 'engine' is working normally, that everything is set up as it should be.
The last days before the start drag on incredibly slowly; it feels like there are twice as many hours in the day. Mostly that's because I want to get to the start of the rally-raid as soon as possible.
Briatore: In 2005 we helped bring Formula 1 to Spain.
Yesterday the documentary Bravissimo premiered on the Spanish channel DAZN; it is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Fernando Alonso’s first championship title, won in 2005 with the Renault team.
In addition to archival footage from those years, the film is built around a series of interviews with Flavio Briatore, who led the works team of the French automaker, Giancarlo Fisichella, Alonso’s teammate at the time, and, of course, with Fernando himself, thanks to whom Formula 1’s popularity in Spain reached an unprecedented level.
“He replaced Jenson Button in the team, and many were unhappy that he was too young and inexperienced, but I believed in him,” Briatore says in the film. “I was sure that he was not just a special driver—his talent allowed us to talk about something greater. It was only natural that Fernando became world champion.
Yesterday the documentary Bravissimo premiered on the Spanish channel DAZN; it is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Fernando Alonso’s first championship title, won in 2005 with the Renault team.
In addition to archival footage from those years, the film is built around a series of interviews with Flavio Briatore, who led the works team of the French automaker, Giancarlo Fisichella, Alonso’s teammate at the time, and, of course, with Fernando himself, thanks to whom Formula 1’s popularity in Spain reached an unprecedented level.
“He replaced Jenson Button in the team, and many were unhappy that he was too young and inexperienced, but I believed in him,” Briatore says in the film. “I was sure that he was not just a special driver—his talent allowed us to talk about something greater. It was only natural that Fernando became world champion.
Recently we wrote that new asphalt would be laid in Suzuka, and today it emerged that part of the old surface has been decided to be sold as souvenirs. It will be cut into blocks and sold to fans bearing the inscription "this asphalt has seen Formula 1 races."
Organizers decided to take the asphalt for the souvenirs from the most memorable spots, in particular the chicane where in 1989 a collision between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna decided the outcome of the championship.
The organizers' decision has provoked a mixed reaction on social media.
Organizers decided to take the asphalt for the souvenirs from the most memorable spots, in particular the chicane where in 1989 a collision between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna decided the outcome of the championship.
The organizers' decision has provoked a mixed reaction on social media.
The FIA clarified the red-flag rule.
The FIA has taken measures to prevent a repeat of the situation that caused qualifying for the Emilia‑Romagna Grand Prix in May this year to be delayed by more than 25 minutes. That day, Oliver Bearman of Haas F1 crossed the finish line almost simultaneously with the red flag being shown. The team argued that the driver could not see the red flags, which were shown at the last moment, and therefore the lap should be counted. The stewards studied the footage for a long time and concluded that the session had indeed been stopped first and then the driver completed the lap, so they did not count it. This has now been formalized as an article in the International Sporting Code: if a car crosses the finish line to complete a lap after a red flag has been shown, that lap time will not be counted.
The FIA has taken measures to prevent a repeat of the situation that caused qualifying for the Emilia‑Romagna Grand Prix in May this year to be delayed by more than 25 minutes. That day, Oliver Bearman of Haas F1 crossed the finish line almost simultaneously with the red flag being shown. The team argued that the driver could not see the red flags, which were shown at the last moment, and therefore the lap should be counted. The stewards studied the footage for a long time and concluded that the session had indeed been stopped first and then the driver completed the lap, so they did not count it. This has now been formalized as an article in the International Sporting Code: if a car crosses the finish line to complete a lap after a red flag has been shown, that lap time will not be counted.
Coulthard: The nature of the battle on the track will change dramatically.
David Coulthard, a former Formula 1 driver with 246 Grands Prix to his name, having raced for teams such as Williams, McLaren and Red Bull Racing, and now an expert for the Viaplay channel, believes that the nature of on-track competition in the championship next year will change noticeably.
David Coulthard: “Formula 1 teams are entering a new era in which the internal combustion engine provides only 50% of the energy, and the other 50% is electrical energy. I think the very fact that all the teams took part in discussions about the new technical regulations for power units shows that they had certain doubts.
All of this will lead to the nature of on-track competition changing a lot. Usually you exit a corner and gradually accelerate, reach the maximum possible speed, and then brake again before the next corner.
David Coulthard, a former Formula 1 driver with 246 Grands Prix to his name, having raced for teams such as Williams, McLaren and Red Bull Racing, and now an expert for the Viaplay channel, believes that the nature of on-track competition in the championship next year will change noticeably.
David Coulthard: “Formula 1 teams are entering a new era in which the internal combustion engine provides only 50% of the energy, and the other 50% is electrical energy. I think the very fact that all the teams took part in discussions about the new technical regulations for power units shows that they had certain doubts.
All of this will lead to the nature of on-track competition changing a lot. Usually you exit a corner and gradually accelerate, reach the maximum possible speed, and then brake again before the next corner.
Over the past year many teams were unhappy with the number of protests from Red Bull — they were not satisfied, but they requested time for investigations and provoked a wave of unfounded comments directed at their rivals.
Mercedes driver and GPDA chairman George Russell, as well as McLaren management, publicly stated that the existing fee for filing protests is too low for teams operating on budgets of hundreds of millions of dollars.
The FIA heard the criticism, and having never rejected the opportunity to earn money either, decided to raise the fee for filing a protest and lodging a request for review from €2,000 to €20,000. If the protest is upheld, the deposit is returned.
The fee for filing an appeal has also been increased — to €5,000 for teams, power unit manufacturers and drivers, and to €10,000 for other parties.
Mercedes driver and GPDA chairman George Russell, as well as McLaren management, publicly stated that the existing fee for filing protests is too low for teams operating on budgets of hundreds of millions of dollars.
The FIA heard the criticism, and having never rejected the opportunity to earn money either, decided to raise the fee for filing a protest and lodging a request for review from €2,000 to €20,000. If the protest is upheld, the deposit is returned.
The fee for filing an appeal has also been increased — to €5,000 for teams, power unit manufacturers and drivers, and to €10,000 for other parties.