Hamilton: Ferrari Making Good Progress in Bahrain Testing

Lewis Hamilton has complimented Ferrari on their developments during the Bahrain testing, saying “they’ve made some good discoveries”. The seven-time champion finished third overall with an impressive 190 laps under his belt, including a solid race simulation on Friday. ” Ferrari seems to have made some good progress,” Hamilton commented.

Verstappen Considers Options Outside Formula 1

Max Verstappen, known for his outspoken views, has expressed his discontent with the new 2026 regulations, branding them “anti-racing” and “Formula E on steroids”. Alongside his criticism, Verstappen revealed he is “exploring other things outside of Formula 1” to find his “fun” in racing. “I am exploring other things to have fun,” Verstappen admitted.

Aston Martin Faces Challenges in Bahrain Testing

Aston Martin’s new AMR26 designed under Adrian Newey’s direction did not meet expectations in Bahrain testing. Fans worldwide were hoping for a miracle creation, but the shakedown in Barcelona and the Bahrain test results have raised concerns. “The hopes and expectations were greatly exaggerated,” one source close to the team commented.

Ferrari Rules Out Mercedes Engine Protest

The compression ratio saga continues, but Ferrari has ruled out launching a protest against Mercedes-powered teams at the Australian GP. With a deadline of March 1st to homologate the 2026 power unit designs, talks remain ongoing between F1’s power unit manufacturers and the FIA. “Ferrari has firmly ruled out launching a protest,” a team spokesperson confirmed.

Russell Hopes for Mercedes’ ‘Ace’ to Counter Red Bull

George Russell is hoping Mercedes has “a big ace” up its sleeve to counter Red Bull’s power in the early F1 games. The first pre-season test in Bahrain saw a mutedclaim from any team on the fastest or best car. Russell expects Mercedes to play their cards soon. “Hopefully, we have a big ace up our sleeve,” Russell said.

Leclerc Struggles with Overtakes in New F1 Cars

Charles Leclerc admitted he’s finding it challenging to execute overtakes with the new-for-2026 F1 cars. The changes to aerodynamic and power unit rules have led to concerns about racing dynamics. “It’s quite tricky to follow cars and overtake,” Leclerc confessed.

FAQ:

Who is leading the championship so far?

The season has not started yet, so no driver is leading the championship.

When is the first race of the 2026 season?

The first race of the 2026 season is the Australian Grand Prix on March 17th.