Formula One News — January 2026

Aston Martin finally joined Formula 1's Barcelona shakedown late on Thursday, unveiling a strikingly radical 2026 car that contrasts strongly with the totally-absent Williams.

Ben Hodgkinson has warned that Formula 1's 2026 power unit regulations risk freezing in an early competitive advantage - amid growing paddock belief that Mercedes may already be setting the clear benchmark.

Christian Horner has added further fuel to speculation about his Formula 1 future after being spotted at the FIA's Paris headquarters for talks with president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Williams boss James Vowles has moved to shut down growing speculation over the team's absence from Formula 1's Barcelona shakedown week, insisting the FW48 has passed all mandatory crash tests and rejecting claims it is massively overweight.

Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has told Ferrari to keep quiet amid growing speculation that the Italian team is preparing an official protest over a perceived Mercedes engine loophole.

Flavio Briatore has moved to shut down speculation about Franco Colapinto's future at Alpine, joking that he has "lost" the button used to change drivers.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has revealed he worked with a psychologist over the winter after a difficult rookie Formula 1 season that included a mid-year slump and emotional moments in public.

Alpine is understood to have reached Formula 1's new 2026 minimum weight limit straight out of the box, marking an early technical success after a disastrous 2025 season.

Formula 1's tightly guarded Barcelona 'shakedown week' delivered its first real incident on Tuesday when Isack Hadjar crashed the new Red Bull car in the fast final corner amid treacherous conditions.

Former Formula 1 driver Ivan Capelli has questioned why Lewis Hamilton's race engineer at Ferrari has yet to be formally announced, describing the situation as unusual.

Mario Isola is expected to leave Pirelli before the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season, according to a rumour coinciding with 'shakedown week' in Barcelona.

Reports suggesting an improvement in the condition of Michael Schumacher have drawn reaction from across the motorsport world, including fellow seven-time champion Vladimir Chagin.

Formula 1's first group test of the 2026 era got underway in Barcelona on Monday under near-total secrecy, with teams running behind closed doors and no official laptimes released.

Organisers of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie have altered their 2026 calendar in a move that opens the door for Max Verstappen to race on the Nordschleife alongside his Formula 1 commitments.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem is facing fresh scrutiny after the UK's Charity Commission opened an inquiry into the FIA Foundation, intensifying concerns about governance and conflicts of interest at the top of world motorsport.

Audi has launched a new driver development program as part of its build-up to Formula 1, appointing Allan McNish as director.

Flavio Briatore has admitted he personally drove Alpine's decision to abandon its Renault works engine program in favour of Mercedes power for 2026 - a stance that contrasts with his public denials last season.

Williams has confirmed it will not take part in this week's closed-door group test in Barcelona, a significant setback for the team as preparations for the 2026 season continue.

Speculation around Lewis Hamilton's new race engineer at Ferrari is beginning to firm up, with multiple reports suggesting a short-term solution for the opening 2026 tests while the Scuderia waits for a longer-term appointment to become available.

Alex Palou has been ordered to pay more than $12 million to McLaren after London's High Court brought an end to the long-running breach-of-contract dispute between the two parties.

Laurent Mekies says Max Verstappen fully understands the challenge facing Red Bull as it prepares for the 2026 regulations alongside new power unit partner Ford, amid renewed speculation about the Dutchman's long-term future.

A clip from Ferrari's Fiorano running has provided the first clear on-track glimpse of the 2026 cars' active front wing system in motion, with the upper flaps visibly flattening on the straights.

Flavio Briatore has confirmed that Christian Horner is among those interested in buying into Alpine, amid moves by an existing shareholder to sell its stake.

Pierre Gasly has dismissed criticism over a recent social media post showing him skiing in a vintage Michael Schumacher-era jacket, insisting there was no negative intent.

A new report has offered rare insight into the physical condition of Michael Schumacher, following a visit by a journalist to the F1 legend's property in Majorca.