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.
The racers chose the best racer.
At the request of the official website, Formula 1 drivers, under strict confidentiality, named their top ten drivers of the past season.
Sixteen drivers agreed to take part in the vote: Fernando Alonso, Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, Charles Leclerc, Liam Lawson, Lando Norris, Esteban Ocon, Oscar Piastri, George Russell, Carlos Sainz, Isack Hadjar, Max Verstappen, Alex Albon.
Points were awarded using the usual scheme 25 – 18 – 15 – 12 – 10 – 8 – 6 – 4 – 2 – 1. The rules allowed drivers to vote for themselves. The final standings were as follows:
Top ten drivers according to the drivers
Driver
Team
2025 vs 2024
1. Max Verstappen
Red Bull
=
2. Lando Norris
McLaren
=
3. George Russell
Mercedes
1
4. Oscar Piastri
McLaren
1
5. Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
2
6. Carlos Sainz
Williams
=
7.
At the request of the official website, Formula 1 drivers, under strict confidentiality, named their top ten drivers of the past season.
Sixteen drivers agreed to take part in the vote: Fernando Alonso, Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, Charles Leclerc, Liam Lawson, Lando Norris, Esteban Ocon, Oscar Piastri, George Russell, Carlos Sainz, Isack Hadjar, Max Verstappen, Alex Albon.
Points were awarded using the usual scheme 25 – 18 – 15 – 12 – 10 – 8 – 6 – 4 – 2 – 1. The rules allowed drivers to vote for themselves. The final standings were as follows:
Top ten drivers according to the drivers
Driver
Team
2025 vs 2024
1. Max Verstappen
Red Bull
=
2. Lando Norris
McLaren
=
3. George Russell
Mercedes
1
4. Oscar Piastri
McLaren
1
5. Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
2
6. Carlos Sainz
Williams
=
7.
Alan Permane has no doubt about Liam Lawson's talents.
Alan Permain, team principal of Racing Bulls, has no doubts about Liam Lawson's talents, but believes the New Zealand driver needs help to fully realize his potential.
At the end of the past season Lawson finished 14th in the championship, behind both his teammate Isaac Hadjar and Oliver Bearman, who could also be considered a Formula 1 rookie, since he was completing his first full season with Haas.
Compared to them Liam does have somewhat more experience, but his career has been quite nonlinear, and the fact that he did not live up to the expectations placed on him at Red Bull Racing — and was returned to the Faenza team after just the first two races of the season — probably affected his confidence.
Alan Permain, team principal of Racing Bulls, has no doubts about Liam Lawson's talents, but believes the New Zealand driver needs help to fully realize his potential.
At the end of the past season Lawson finished 14th in the championship, behind both his teammate Isaac Hadjar and Oliver Bearman, who could also be considered a Formula 1 rookie, since he was completing his first full season with Haas.
Compared to them Liam does have somewhat more experience, but his career has been quite nonlinear, and the fact that he did not live up to the expectations placed on him at Red Bull Racing — and was returned to the Faenza team after just the first two races of the season — probably affected his confidence.
Team managers chose the best driver
Every year in December, journalists from the championship's official website ask team principals to name the ten best drivers of the past season.
Team principals are not allowed to name drivers from their own team, and those mentioned in the top ten receive points according to the usual system 25 – 18 – 15 – 12 – 10 – 8 – 6 – 4 – 2 – 1. The final number of points determines the position in the ranking.
This year eight team principals agreed to name the best — only Red Bull and Ferrari declined, apparently to avoid breaching corporate ethics by naming drivers from other teams.
Max Verstappen won this poll for the fifth year in a row. In second place was world champion Lando Norris, third — his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Over the eighteen years the poll has been held, Lewis Hamilton has won it eight times, Max Verstappen five times, Sebastian Vettel three times and Fernando Alonso twice.
Every year in December, journalists from the championship's official website ask team principals to name the ten best drivers of the past season.
Team principals are not allowed to name drivers from their own team, and those mentioned in the top ten receive points according to the usual system 25 – 18 – 15 – 12 – 10 – 8 – 6 – 4 – 2 – 1. The final number of points determines the position in the ranking.
This year eight team principals agreed to name the best — only Red Bull and Ferrari declined, apparently to avoid breaching corporate ethics by naming drivers from other teams.
Max Verstappen won this poll for the fifth year in a row. In second place was world champion Lando Norris, third — his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Over the eighteen years the poll has been held, Lewis Hamilton has won it eight times, Max Verstappen five times, Sebastian Vettel three times and Fernando Alonso twice.
Stefano Domenicali gave Lando Norris a simple piece of advice.
Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, believes that Lando Norris, thanks to his personal qualities, will wear the title of world champion with dignity, but is ready to give the British McLaren driver one piece of advice.
“Lando is very positive, he’s young and full of energy, and thanks to these qualities he stands out from others,” Domenicali said in an interview with Sky Sports. “Overall, I think a person like that should keep doing one thing — smile! I always told him this: ‘Keep smiling! You need that positive energy.’
Sometimes such drivers are still very young, yet they do an incredibly good job and achieve success. For many people they become role models. In short, they must always remember that they have unique talents, and it’s no secret that I always told him that.
Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, believes that Lando Norris, thanks to his personal qualities, will wear the title of world champion with dignity, but is ready to give the British McLaren driver one piece of advice.
“Lando is very positive, he’s young and full of energy, and thanks to these qualities he stands out from others,” Domenicali said in an interview with Sky Sports. “Overall, I think a person like that should keep doing one thing — smile! I always told him this: ‘Keep smiling! You need that positive energy.’
Sometimes such drivers are still very young, yet they do an incredibly good job and achieve success. For many people they become role models. In short, they must always remember that they have unique talents, and it’s no secret that I always told him that.
Former Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali now serves as the CEO of Formula 1 and believes that the Scuderia's situation is not as bad as it may seem...
Stefano Domenicali: "I'm optimistic. I don't think there's any reason to be sad. Ferrari needs a plan. And I'm sure — Frédéric, Lewis and Charles have such a plan. It's important to react, not to give up, not to assume that finishing fourth in the final standings is acceptable.
We need a strong Ferrari. They deserve more. That's exactly what they need to focus on during the winter break, so that in 2026 they are in better shape. Right now nobody knows what the balance of power will be."
Stefano Domenicali: "I'm optimistic. I don't think there's any reason to be sad. Ferrari needs a plan. And I'm sure — Frédéric, Lewis and Charles have such a plan. It's important to react, not to give up, not to assume that finishing fourth in the final standings is acceptable.
We need a strong Ferrari. They deserve more. That's exactly what they need to focus on during the winter break, so that in 2026 they are in better shape. Right now nobody knows what the balance of power will be."
Hamilton: There are days when you don't feel like training.
In early January Lewis Hamilton will turn 41, and he is already preparing for his twentieth season in Formula 1. The results of the seven-time world champion in 2025 were not the best, especially by his standards, and this is due to a whole range of reasons, but there is no doubt that he is still in excellent physical shape.
In an interview with Men's Health, Lewis talked about how his training regimen has changed over the years and which aspects of preparation he now emphasizes.
Lewis Hamilton: "I still love running — this morning I went for a run too. Distances can vary, but typically range from six to eight miles (i.e., from 9.6 to almost 13 km). Then I take an ice bath. But even before all that I do stretching — it's the first thing I do when I get out of bed.
In early January Lewis Hamilton will turn 41, and he is already preparing for his twentieth season in Formula 1. The results of the seven-time world champion in 2025 were not the best, especially by his standards, and this is due to a whole range of reasons, but there is no doubt that he is still in excellent physical shape.
In an interview with Men's Health, Lewis talked about how his training regimen has changed over the years and which aspects of preparation he now emphasizes.
Lewis Hamilton: "I still love running — this morning I went for a run too. Distances can vary, but typically range from six to eight miles (i.e., from 9.6 to almost 13 km). Then I take an ice bath. But even before all that I do stretching — it's the first thing I do when I get out of bed.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and his fiancée Alexandra Sen-Mlyo were named the most stylish sports couple of 2025 by GQ Sports. Charles always dresses stylishly, and Alexandra, with whom he announced their engagement in November, sometimes treats the Formula 1 paddock as her personal catwalk — attracting press attention.