A corporate tug-of-war between Red Bull, Ford, and Honda has left Yuki Tsunoda without a 2026 contract, despite his expected role as a reserve driver.
Max Verstappen has confirmed he intends to honor his Red Bull contract through 2028, even as longtime advisor Helmut Marko steps down after 20 years with the team.
Cadillac has officially confirmed that Zhou Guanyu will be the team's reserve driver for their 2026 debut. After a year with Ferrari, the Chinese driver reunites with his former teammate Valtteri Bottas to help guide the American team through its first season.
In a candid new interview, Sergio Pérez has pulled back the curtain on the "toxic" environment at Red Bull Racing. The Mexican driver claims that from day one, he was told the team existed solely to support Max Verstappen, making any attempt to compete almost impossible.
Mercedes has announced a logo redesign for the 2026 Formula 1 season, replacing the three-dimensional silver star emblem with a flat white silhouette. The change eliminates the depth effect of the previous design while maintaining the AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team branding in its customary teal color scheme, though the team has not yet confirmed the W17 car launch date or livery details.
Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has outlined the team's expectations for Isack Hadjar as the French driver transitions from Racing Bulls to partner Max Verstappen in 2026. The team views the promotion as a starting point for ongoing growth rather than a final destination, following Hadjar's recovery from a formation lap crash at his debut to secure a podium finish at Zandvoort.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has stated that the team will continue its existing competitive strategy between its two drivers, often referred to as “papaya rules,” despite public criticism and debate throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season. Brown clarified that fairness between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will remain a priority.
Formula 1 and the FIA have defined new terminology for the sport’s 2026 regulations. The updated language covers energy deployment, overtaking aids, aerodynamic systems, and energy recovery. Terms such as Boost Button, Overtake Mode, Recharge, and Active Aero will be used in official communication alongside changes to car design and power units.
