Bayer has no doubts about Lindblad's racing talents.
Arvid Lindblad, the 18-year-old championship debutant, is another graduate of Red Bull’s junior programme, and in 2026 both teams of the Austrian company will once again be fully staffed with such drivers.
The Briton will become Liam Lawson’s new teammate, and Peter Bayer, executive director of Racing Bulls, has no doubt about his racing talents, considering him no less promising than Isaac Hadjar, who this year moved to Red Bull Racing.
“He’s as much an uncut diamond as Isaac,” Bayer said in an interview with RacingNews365. “We can see that he has the same natural gift for speed, a similar psychological makeup, an analytical approach to the job, and a desire to understand everything.
In Qatar during the race he sat next to me and, to be honest, I was genuinely impressed by how he managed to anticipate developments on the track.
Arvid Lindblad, the 18-year-old championship debutant, is another graduate of Red Bull’s junior programme, and in 2026 both teams of the Austrian company will once again be fully staffed with such drivers.
The Briton will become Liam Lawson’s new teammate, and Peter Bayer, executive director of Racing Bulls, has no doubt about his racing talents, considering him no less promising than Isaac Hadjar, who this year moved to Red Bull Racing.
“He’s as much an uncut diamond as Isaac,” Bayer said in an interview with RacingNews365. “We can see that he has the same natural gift for speed, a similar psychological makeup, an analytical approach to the job, and a desire to understand everything.
In Qatar during the race he sat next to me and, to be honest, I was genuinely impressed by how he managed to anticipate developments on the track.
Kimi Räikkönen is vacationing with his family in his homeland.
The Räikkönen family spends their winter holidays in Finland almost every year, and this season was no exception. Kimi, with his wife and children, went to a ski resort in Tahko, not far from the town of Kuopio.
The fact is that Räikkönen is one of the shareholders of the company that owns the local hotel Panorama Lanscape. According to the Finnish press, in 2023 he invested €150,000 in the enterprise, a relatively small sum amounting to roughly a 10% stake, and the same amount was invested by another famous driver, Tommi Mäkinen, a four-time world rally champion.
Temperatures in these parts in early January approach −20°C, and it’s even colder at night, but that doesn’t stop 10-year-old Robin Räikkönen, who is enjoying his first successes in karting, from tearing around the snowy tracks, including on a snowmobile.
The Räikkönen family spends their winter holidays in Finland almost every year, and this season was no exception. Kimi, with his wife and children, went to a ski resort in Tahko, not far from the town of Kuopio.
The fact is that Räikkönen is one of the shareholders of the company that owns the local hotel Panorama Lanscape. According to the Finnish press, in 2023 he invested €150,000 in the enterprise, a relatively small sum amounting to roughly a 10% stake, and the same amount was invested by another famous driver, Tommi Mäkinen, a four-time world rally champion.
Temperatures in these parts in early January approach −20°C, and it’s even colder at night, but that doesn’t stop 10-year-old Robin Räikkönen, who is enjoying his first successes in karting, from tearing around the snowy tracks, including on a snowmobile.
Ferrari thanked Guanyu Zhou for his cooperation.
Ferrari has announced it is ending its collaboration with Guanyu Zhou, who served as a reserve driver for the Italian team, a role he shared with Antonio Giovinazzi. The Chinese driver worked at the Scuderia in that capacity last year, and before that spent three seasons at Sauber.
The team's press office thanked Zhou for his cooperation via social media: "We are grateful to Guanyu for his dedication and contribution to the collective effort as a reserve driver. We wish him all the best in the future."
At the same time, American outlets have already suggested that the Cadillac F1 team may soon announce that Zhou will become its reserve and test driver.
The reason for this was a mysterious photo posted on the new team's social media pages: it shows an extreme close-up of a cat's eye, in which something is reflected.
Ferrari has announced it is ending its collaboration with Guanyu Zhou, who served as a reserve driver for the Italian team, a role he shared with Antonio Giovinazzi. The Chinese driver worked at the Scuderia in that capacity last year, and before that spent three seasons at Sauber.
The team's press office thanked Zhou for his cooperation via social media: "We are grateful to Guanyu for his dedication and contribution to the collective effort as a reserve driver. We wish him all the best in the future."
At the same time, American outlets have already suggested that the Cadillac F1 team may soon announce that Zhou will become its reserve and test driver.
The reason for this was a mysterious photo posted on the new team's social media pages: it shows an extreme close-up of a cat's eye, in which something is reflected.
Sébastien Loeb: The outcome of Dakar could be anything.
In January last year the Dacia Sandriders team took the start of the supermarathon in Saudi Arabia for the first time, competing in the latest Sandrider T1+ off‑road prototypes built by the British company Prodrive. Naturally, with the support of Dacia, the Romanian division of the Renault group.
When a car is brand new, the likelihood that it will withstand competition from the proven equipment of other teams is small; nevertheless, a year ago Nasser Al‑Attiyah finished 4th overall and won one of the stages. In 2026 he and his teammates, among them the legendary rally driver Sébastien Loeb, intend to fight for victory.
They are bolstered by the experience gained in 2025 and the numerous improvements made to the Dacia Sandrider's design.
In January last year the Dacia Sandriders team took the start of the supermarathon in Saudi Arabia for the first time, competing in the latest Sandrider T1+ off‑road prototypes built by the British company Prodrive. Naturally, with the support of Dacia, the Romanian division of the Renault group.
When a car is brand new, the likelihood that it will withstand competition from the proven equipment of other teams is small; nevertheless, a year ago Nasser Al‑Attiyah finished 4th overall and won one of the stages. In 2026 he and his teammates, among them the legendary rally driver Sébastien Loeb, intend to fight for victory.
They are bolstered by the experience gained in 2025 and the numerous improvements made to the Dacia Sandrider's design.
Dakar: Stéphane Peterhansel returns with the Defender
Among the heroes of the Dakar rally raid there is an outright record-holder — the Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel, who has won this supermarathon 14 times and first took part in it back in 1988. At that time he was a motorcyclist and, together with the factory Yamaha team, won Dakar six times; in 1999 he switched to off-road vehicles, joining Mitsubishi.
After that he won the legendary rally raid another six times, competing for different teams — after Mitsubishi those were Peugeot and Mini. From 2022 to 2024 Peterhansel was a driver for the factory Audi team and, together with teammates including Carlos Sainz Sr., tackled Dakar in the Audi RS Q e-tron electric car in the T1-E category.
Among the heroes of the Dakar rally raid there is an outright record-holder — the Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel, who has won this supermarathon 14 times and first took part in it back in 1988. At that time he was a motorcyclist and, together with the factory Yamaha team, won Dakar six times; in 1999 he switched to off-road vehicles, joining Mitsubishi.
After that he won the legendary rally raid another six times, competing for different teams — after Mitsubishi those were Peugeot and Mini. From 2022 to 2024 Peterhansel was a driver for the factory Audi team and, together with teammates including Carlos Sainz Sr., tackled Dakar in the Audi RS Q e-tron electric car in the T1-E category.
January 3 is Michael Schumacher's birthday.
On January 3rd Michael Schumacher, the seven-time world champion, turned 57.
The German driver made his Formula 1 debut in August 1991 with Jordan at Spa, but immediately afterwards signed with Benetton; the following spring he stood on the podium for the first time and in the same season took his first victory. With that team he won his first two titles, after which he added another five with Ferrari.
Then there was a three-year break in his career, but in 2010 Michael returned to the world championship, becoming a driver for the newly formed factory Mercedes team, and he retired in 2012.
On January 3rd Michael Schumacher, the seven-time world champion, turned 57.
The German driver made his Formula 1 debut in August 1991 with Jordan at Spa, but immediately afterwards signed with Benetton; the following spring he stood on the podium for the first time and in the same season took his first victory. With that team he won his first two titles, after which he added another five with Ferrari.
Then there was a three-year break in his career, but in 2010 Michael returned to the world championship, becoming a driver for the newly formed factory Mercedes team, and he retired in 2012.
Frédéric Vasseur: Now we must attack.
Ferrari is one of those teams that switched to preparing for 2026 earlier than most. Formula 1 is moving to next‑generation machinery, and that opens up the widest possible opportunities for the world championship contenders.
Naturally, Maranello is hoping that the decision made last spring will pay off fully over the coming season. The new car is scheduled to be unveiled on January 23, and the presentation will take place at Fiorano, Ferrari’s factory test track, while the first tests will begin in Barcelona three days later.
They will be private, and Ferrari has already warned that it will bring the first version of the car — Spec A — to the Catalan circuit, but by the pre‑season tests the next version, closer to the configuration the car will have when it lines up for the Australian Grand Prix, will be ready.
Ferrari is one of those teams that switched to preparing for 2026 earlier than most. Formula 1 is moving to next‑generation machinery, and that opens up the widest possible opportunities for the world championship contenders.
Naturally, Maranello is hoping that the decision made last spring will pay off fully over the coming season. The new car is scheduled to be unveiled on January 23, and the presentation will take place at Fiorano, Ferrari’s factory test track, while the first tests will begin in Barcelona three days later.
They will be private, and Ferrari has already warned that it will bring the first version of the car — Spec A — to the Catalan circuit, but by the pre‑season tests the next version, closer to the configuration the car will have when it lines up for the Australian Grand Prix, will be ready.
Adrian Newey continues to advise Red Bull on the RB17.
Adrian Newey parted ways with Red Bull a year ago and now heads Aston Martin F1, but he still oversees the process of upgrading his latest creation, made together with the team from Milton Keynes.
British magazine Top Gear writes about an upgraded version of the RB17 hypercar, which is considered final and even differs visually from the original that was once presented at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. At the front of this remarkable car, designed primarily for race tracks, distinctive LED lights reminiscent of hockey sticks and pronounced air intakes have appeared, and an impressively sized aerodynamic fin-stabilizer has sprouted on the engine cover.
It turns out this version of the RB17 even differs slightly in size from the original — it has become a bit more compact, and overall it can be compared to a modern Formula 1 car.
Adrian Newey parted ways with Red Bull a year ago and now heads Aston Martin F1, but he still oversees the process of upgrading his latest creation, made together with the team from Milton Keynes.
British magazine Top Gear writes about an upgraded version of the RB17 hypercar, which is considered final and even differs visually from the original that was once presented at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. At the front of this remarkable car, designed primarily for race tracks, distinctive LED lights reminiscent of hockey sticks and pronounced air intakes have appeared, and an impressively sized aerodynamic fin-stabilizer has sprouted on the engine cover.
It turns out this version of the RB17 even differs slightly in size from the original — it has become a bit more compact, and overall it can be compared to a modern Formula 1 car.
Steiner: Max won't repeat Fernando Alonso's mistakes
In yesterday’s piece about the main expectations for the upcoming season, there was a separate discussion of likely personnel changes to come and, above all, the future of Max Verstappen.
The four-time world champion could invoke a special clause in his contract with Red Bull if results in 2026 fall below a certain level, and begin talks with other teams.
Of course, these are purely theoretical musings, but on the eve of a new championship, when Formula 1 is switching to next-generation machinery, you can make any assumptions, since there is currently no information at all about the balance of power.
It is also unknown how the power units being developed by Red Bull Powertrains, the Milton Keynes team’s engine division, together with Ford, will perform.
In yesterday’s piece about the main expectations for the upcoming season, there was a separate discussion of likely personnel changes to come and, above all, the future of Max Verstappen.
The four-time world champion could invoke a special clause in his contract with Red Bull if results in 2026 fall below a certain level, and begin talks with other teams.
Of course, these are purely theoretical musings, but on the eve of a new championship, when Formula 1 is switching to next-generation machinery, you can make any assumptions, since there is currently no information at all about the balance of power.
It is also unknown how the power units being developed by Red Bull Powertrains, the Milton Keynes team’s engine division, together with Ford, will perform.
Dakar: The rally-raid in Saudi Arabia began with a prologue.
This morning in Saudi Arabia the 48th Dakar Rally officially began. 317 two- and four-wheeled vehicles were cleared to start this year, and the total number of competitors in the main event is 564 people. These are motorcycle and car racers, as well as their co-drivers, and they represent 49 different countries.
As is customary, a so‑called prologue takes place on the first day; its distance is small by rally‑raid standards — just 96 km, of which only 22 km is the timed special stage.
As usual, the motorcyclists were the first to set off — there are 115 of them, and they compete in three classes, while the other participants drive off‑road vehicles and trucks.
This morning in Saudi Arabia the 48th Dakar Rally officially began. 317 two- and four-wheeled vehicles were cleared to start this year, and the total number of competitors in the main event is 564 people. These are motorcycle and car racers, as well as their co-drivers, and they represent 49 different countries.
As is customary, a so‑called prologue takes place on the first day; its distance is small by rally‑raid standards — just 96 km, of which only 22 km is the timed special stage.
As usual, the motorcyclists were the first to set off — there are 115 of them, and they compete in three classes, while the other participants drive off‑road vehicles and trucks.
Carlos Sainz addressed a touching message to his father.
Carlos Sainz Sr. set off today on the Dakar rally-raid route, having promised in advance that this would be his last time starting this supermarathon.
His son Carlos, who races for Williams in Formula 1, sent his father a touching send-off, accompanying it with a photo from the family archive taken many years ago.
"For many years I've watched you take on this challenge," he writes. "Last summer I got a taste of it to some extent, and my admiration for you and what you do keeps growing. Good luck at Dakar, Dad! I'm proud of you and how you keep raising the bar and keep attacking! Vamos!"
The Spanish word with which Sainz ended his message can be simply translated as "Forward!"
His father has always had an attacking style, and it's no coincidence that he has two championship titles in the WRC and four Dakar wins to his name — Sainz Sr.
Carlos Sainz Sr. set off today on the Dakar rally-raid route, having promised in advance that this would be his last time starting this supermarathon.
His son Carlos, who races for Williams in Formula 1, sent his father a touching send-off, accompanying it with a photo from the family archive taken many years ago.
"For many years I've watched you take on this challenge," he writes. "Last summer I got a taste of it to some extent, and my admiration for you and what you do keeps growing. Good luck at Dakar, Dad! I'm proud of you and how you keep raising the bar and keep attacking! Vamos!"
The Spanish word with which Sainz ended his message can be simply translated as "Forward!"
His father has always had an attacking style, and it's no coincidence that he has two championship titles in the WRC and four Dakar wins to his name — Sainz Sr.
Lando Norris has the most expensive Super Licence.
The cost of the superlicense that allows drivers to compete in Formula 1 includes a base payment equal for everyone of €11,842, and otherwise depends on the number of points scored in the previous season — €2,392 for each point.
In the 2026 season the most expensive superlicense belongs to world champion Lando Norris, while four drivers will pay only the base amount — Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, who returned to Formula 1, Franco Colapinto who scored no points in 2025, and rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Superlicenses are paid by the teams; this payment is not subject to the budget cap.
The cost of the superlicense that allows drivers to compete in Formula 1 includes a base payment equal for everyone of €11,842, and otherwise depends on the number of points scored in the previous season — €2,392 for each point.
In the 2026 season the most expensive superlicense belongs to world champion Lando Norris, while four drivers will pay only the base amount — Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, who returned to Formula 1, Franco Colapinto who scored no points in 2025, and rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Superlicenses are paid by the teams; this payment is not subject to the budget cap.
Attendance in Melbourne will once again be record-breaking.
In 2025 the Australian Grand Prix drew more than 465,000 fans over the weekend, becoming the second-most attended race after the Silverstone round. This year organizers are expecting even more impressive numbers and are preparing for significant investments — we reported that the Albert Park circuit is set to undergo reconstruction after the event.
Travis Old, chief executive of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation: “On a global level Formula 1 is in great shape right now, which is reflected in our event. In 2025 every day of the weekend delivered a record audience for us, and we expect even more spectators.
Without doubt, we could have sold more tickets.
In 2025 the Australian Grand Prix drew more than 465,000 fans over the weekend, becoming the second-most attended race after the Silverstone round. This year organizers are expecting even more impressive numbers and are preparing for significant investments — we reported that the Albert Park circuit is set to undergo reconstruction after the event.
Travis Old, chief executive of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation: “On a global level Formula 1 is in great shape right now, which is reflected in our event. In 2025 every day of the weekend delivered a record audience for us, and we expect even more spectators.
Without doubt, we could have sold more tickets.
The FIA doesn't expect any one team to dominate for long.
Switching to a new set of regulations always changes the balance of power. Nicholas Tombazis, the FIA's director of single-seater racing, believes that this time there will be no years-long dominance by one team, and that over time results will become even tighter than before.
Nicholas Tombazis: "I expect that at the initial stage the main factor will be the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. New manufacturers have entered the championship, the regulations have changed — and for a while that will be the key factor. But we believe that the procedures we have proposed will gradually reduce the gap.
Yes, probably at the start of 2026 the difference between power units from different manufacturers will be greater than in 2025, but over time it will become even smaller than before.
Switching to a new set of regulations always changes the balance of power. Nicholas Tombazis, the FIA's director of single-seater racing, believes that this time there will be no years-long dominance by one team, and that over time results will become even tighter than before.
Nicholas Tombazis: "I expect that at the initial stage the main factor will be the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. New manufacturers have entered the championship, the regulations have changed — and for a while that will be the key factor. But we believe that the procedures we have proposed will gradually reduce the gap.
Yes, probably at the start of 2026 the difference between power units from different manufacturers will be greater than in 2025, but over time it will become even smaller than before.
Goethe and Tramnitz have been excluded from the Red Bull program.
Red Bull has decided to part ways with two fairly decent drivers who were part of the Austrian company's junior programme. However, it seemed that this was inevitable.
21-year-old German Oliver Goethe raced in Formula 2 for MP Motorsport but finished the season only 15th in the drivers' standings. His best results were a pair of fourth places in the Saturday sprint races, which nevertheless did not prevent him from staying with the Dutch team for another season.
Tim Tramnitz, another German MP Motorsport driver who competed in Formula 3, also will not be able to continue his collaboration with Red Bull, despite finishing 4th in the drivers' standings. He was warned in advance that if he could not find a seat in F3 or F2 teams for the 2026 season, they would have to part ways with him.
According to GPBlog.
Red Bull has decided to part ways with two fairly decent drivers who were part of the Austrian company's junior programme. However, it seemed that this was inevitable.
21-year-old German Oliver Goethe raced in Formula 2 for MP Motorsport but finished the season only 15th in the drivers' standings. His best results were a pair of fourth places in the Saturday sprint races, which nevertheless did not prevent him from staying with the Dutch team for another season.
Tim Tramnitz, another German MP Motorsport driver who competed in Formula 3, also will not be able to continue his collaboration with Red Bull, despite finishing 4th in the drivers' standings. He was warned in advance that if he could not find a seat in F3 or F2 teams for the 2026 season, they would have to part ways with him.
According to GPBlog.
The verdict is still pending on this Toyota Land Cruiser show truck equipped with 37-inch tires.
Kuhl Racing
The most significant car news and reviews without any nonsense.
Our daily newsletter, which is free, delivers the most important stories directly to you every weekday.
Japanese tuner Kuhl Racing has previously produced some unique builds, so a lifted Toyota Land Cruiser may seem rather conventional. However, Kuhl has still included an unexpected twist for aftermarket enthusiasts, showcasing its new Land Cruiser—named the Blocker Iron Build—at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon.
This Land Cruiser 250 (also referred to as the Land Cruiser Prado and currently the only version available in the United States) features 37-inch Yokohama Geolander M/T G003 tires, which is not out of the ordinary.
Kuhl Racing
The most significant car news and reviews without any nonsense.
Our daily newsletter, which is free, delivers the most important stories directly to you every weekday.
Japanese tuner Kuhl Racing has previously produced some unique builds, so a lifted Toyota Land Cruiser may seem rather conventional. However, Kuhl has still included an unexpected twist for aftermarket enthusiasts, showcasing its new Land Cruiser—named the Blocker Iron Build—at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon.
This Land Cruiser 250 (also referred to as the Land Cruiser Prado and currently the only version available in the United States) features 37-inch Yokohama Geolander M/T G003 tires, which is not out of the ordinary.
The history of Ferrari is inseparable from Modena and Maranello — these places mean a great deal to Scuderia fans, who will be able to take part in an intriguing event in the spring. On March 29 the Mezza Maratona d'Italia is scheduled, running through well-known places associated with Ferrari. There are several distance options for every level of fitness — from five- and ten-kilometer races in Maranello to a half marathon that starts in Maranello, goes through the Fiorano circuit and finishes in Modena. Entry fees range from €11 for the short distances to €28 for the half marathon. The proceeds will be directed to the creation of new sports facilities in Maranello, including equipment for people with disabilities.