Formula 1

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella has offered an early assessment of the pecking order in the build-up to the 2026 season, arguing that Ferrari and Mercedes appear to be the most competitive outfits as things stand.

Alpine have created a “much better” car for the upcoming season and F1’s overhauled regulations, according to Managing Director Steve Nielsen, who has also noted “big gains” with their new Mercedes power unit.

It’s almost time for the final pre-season test of 2026, as teams continue their preparations for next month’s curtain-raising Australian Grand Prix. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening, and how to follow the action…

Aston Martin have admitted they are not where they want to be following the first 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain, but there's still plenty of hope for the team's future ambitions.

F1 has announced a multi-year extension with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to host a Grand Prix in 2028, 2030, and 2032, in addition to the event scheduled in 2026. From this year, the race will also be re-named as the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

F1 teams can't just race bare carbon cars because they're placed under a mandate. 55% of a vehicle must be painted or covered in stickers.

James Hunt and Niki Lauda fought for the 1976 championship. Lauda survived a near-fatal crash. British viewers missed almost all of it because one car had "Durex" written on the side.

Reigning champion Lando Norris has countered Max Verstappen's criticism of Formula 1's new regulations, saying there is "nothing to complain about" from a driver's perspective and his 2025 title rival can quit the sport if he does not like the new cars.

Four-time champion Max Verstappen has said cars in Formula 1's new generation are not fun to drive, comparing them to the all-electric series Formula E, but "on steroids."

After a behind-closed-doors shakedown in Barcelona, Formula 1's 2026 season build-up moves into full view as teams head to Bahrain,

Max Verstappen has accused Toto Wolff of "diversion tactics" after the Mercedes team boss talked up the performance of Red Bull's new car and power unit during this week's preseason test in Bahrain.

Max Verstappen has been given an open invitation to test Formula E machinery following his recent comparison between the series' all-electric cars and F1's new generation.

George Russell is adamant that Red Bull hold an early advantage in Formula 1 2026, claiming their engine advantage is "scary."

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said this week's preseason test in Bahrain has exposed three areas of Formula 1's new regulations that need to be changed before the first race in Australia, citing safety concerns for two of them.

Kimi Antonelli went fastest on the final day of Bahrain's first preseason F1 test as Mercedes gave a teasing glimpse at the kind of pace many expected to see from them all week.

Back in 1998, long before the United States stopped producing the penny, a little girl with spina bifida gave Dale Earnhardt a gift that raises the question: What if pennies are actually worth everything?