2026 Formula One Season Thread

[CWallace]

Planned updates under ADUO for Ferrari include moving to a larger turbo now that the original advantage at starts has been mostly negated between the "spool up time" added to the starting process and drivers figuring out how to properly launch the car. Ferrari will also likely address some of the decisions made to maximize the car's aerodynamic performance that are costing them between 10 and 20hp, including the exhaust wing back-pressure and higher boost pressures.

 

[JustinePaula]

Can Mr Crash-LeClerc keep it on the black-stuff, or put it in the hedge??? Anything to make this championship viable is good news...

 

[Glideslope]

Congratulations to Hanna Schmitz.

Head of Race Strategy. Red Bull Racing. 👍

 

[JustinePaula]

Hannah Schmitz to join Scuderia Ferrari in 2027. She will take the role of Head of Race Strategy

 

[fmenard]

Hannah Schmitz to join Scuderia Ferrari in 2027. She will take the role of Head of Race Strategy

Source? There were rumors about this a couple of months ago, but since then - crickets.

 

[JustinePaula]

You are right, I saw it on reddit.. But yeah, it could be totally fake news.. only time will reveal..

 

[CWallace]

Spielberg is expected to be hot with temps similar to Barcelona so good news for Ferrari, whose engine can handle significantly higher intake charge temperatures than the other ICEs (upwards of double). Add in the extra horsepower from the ADUO updated engine (which will debut during FP3) and a new blend of Shell fuel and Lewis and Charles should be in serious contention all weekend.

The Mercedes PU's battery pack has shown itself to be somewhat fragile, with both George's and Kimi's DNFs traced to it along with Lando having to swap his out in Monaco and he and Oscar having multiple electrical system failures resulting in the car failing to finish - or start - races. As such, Mercedes will be running a less-aggressive energy management routine at Austria to improve reliability.

Tire deg is also expected to be high due to a combination of high track temps and the softest compounds. So George must be ecstatic considering his tendency to burn the rears off his car faster than his peers.

So with all this, assuming Charles can keep it on the island, we might see a 1-2 weekend for the Scuderia. 🙂

 

[Paul1964]

She’s on the RBR web site as Head of Race Strategy. From the wording it looks like a recent promotion.

 

[JustinePaula]

An F1 weekend?? Took long enough..

 

[CWallace]

She’s on the RBR web site as Head of Race Strategy. From the wording it looks like a recent promotion.

Yes, she was promoted at the start of the season to replace Will Courtenay, who moved to McLaren to become their new Sporting Director.

 

[Paul1964]

Hannah Schmitz to join Scuderia Ferrari in 2027. She will take the role of Head of Race Strategy

You are right, I saw it on reddit.. But yeah, it could be totally fake news.. only time will reveal..

That reddit post didn't even get the name right. It's almost definitely fake.

 

[CWallace]

That reddit post didn't even get the name right. It's almost definitely fake.

It looks like the original rumor came from former Red Bull mechanic Kenny Handkammer on his podcast The Two Mechanics back in April when discussing other recent senior Red Bull staff losses to other teams.

 

[CWallace]

It has been revealed that Audi ran their ADUO-updated engine at Barcelona. The updates to the ICE and turbocharger are said to have been primarily to improve reliability.

Audi surprised F1 rivals with hidden Barcelona engine upgrade

The team had already run revised power unit parts after receiving extra development scope

www.motorsport.com

 

[Glideslope]

Just can’t make this up. The FIA is a borderline criminal organization. Show me the cash MBS. Nauseating.

Edit: Typo

FIA passes proposal to end presidency term limits by majority of more than 90%

Formula 1's governing body the FIA passes a proposal to end term limits for its president by a majority of more than 90%.

www.bbc.com

 

[CWallace]

While I am against MBS' moves to install himself as "President for Life", historically, there have never been any term limits for the position before previous President Jean Todt implemented them. Todt served three terms across 12 years from 2009 to 2021.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Just can’t make this up. The FIA is a borderline criminal organization. Show me the cash MBS.
Nauseating.

FIA passes proposal to end presidency term limits by majority of more than 90%

Formula 1's governing body the FIA passes a proposal to end term limits for its president by a majority of more than 90%.

www.bbc.com

Well at least it’s not all Presidents that can change the rules!

 

[CWallace]

Italian media outlet Italian outlet Corriere della Sera is reporting that Toto has taken up George Russell's 2027 option. CdS is well-respected, so I believe we can take this as a fact and expect a formal announcement from the team this weekend.

F1 Rumor: George Russell Triggers Contract Option to Lock In Mercedes Future Through 2027

The Formula 1 silly season never truly sleeps, and just as the paddock sets up camp at the Red Bull Ring, a massive rumor out of Italy suggests that Mercedes is already locking down their long-term future. While a massive…

sports.yahoo.com

Frankly I expected this since Kimi is looking so strong that even if he does not win the WDC this year, he will certainly be a contender and will be in an even stronger position to secure it in 2027. As such, there is no real need to pursue Max Verstappen.

 

[Madonepro]

Well at least it’s not all Presidents that can change the rules!

It's been quoted he want to do the job for life, but they way he's managing F1, it will have disappeared before then.

 

[Paul1964]

Frankly I expected this since Kimi is looking so strong that even if he does not win the WDC this year, he will certainly be a contender and will be in an even stronger position to secure it in 2027. As such, there is no real need to pursue Max Verstappen.

It's looking like Kimi might well be a generational talent like Lewis and Max. George is good but not necessarily "great".

 

[CWallace]

Red Bull have brought a significant set of updates to their car this weekend at Austria. Alas for them, the person who led that program - Chief Engineer Paul Monaghan - will be taking his skills to Cadillac.

Exclusive: Key Red Bull figure set to leave F1 team

Another senior figure is set to depart the Red Bull team, RacingNews365 has learned.

racingnews365.com

Mercedes has brought a new battery reliability update for themselves and their PU customers to Austria. However, neither Lando Norris nor Alex Albon will run it since they have already exhausted their battery pack allocations so they would have to take a grid penalty should they adopt it.

Mercedes brings battery fix but only one McLaren/Williams will run it

Mercedes has brought a battery upgrade to F1’s Austrian Grand Prix after recent reliability woes cost it major points - but only one of the customer McLarens will run it

www.the-race.com

 

[Glideslope]

It's looking like Kimi might well be a generational talent like Lewis and Max. George is good but not necessarily "great".

I tend to agree with this. Kimi obviously has incredible car control, but his maturity is much more developed over last year. Time will tell. He has traits that, at times, remind me of a young Senna more than Max or Lewis. George is a good driver in a great car.

 

[CWallace]

Times courtesy of https://racingnews365.com/2026-f1-austrian-grand-prix-free-practice-1-results

 

[CWallace]

The FIA has decided to clamp down on some of the team tech that, while currently within existing regulations, could spiral out of control as teams try and one-up each other.

Mercedes' extended diffuser has been banned with immediate effect, and I presume Racing Bulls and Haas have dropped their versions, as well.

And Ferrari's exhaust winglet will disappear in 2027 thanks to changes cleaning up the technical regulations around that area that will prevent such devices. While Ferrari's system is unique to the car because it was designed with the wing in mind, other teams have developed less-effective versions and could have adopted something similar in 2027 by following the same design philosophy Ferrari used.

Why Mercedes has changed its F1 car after FIA/Ferrari intervention

Mercedes has appeared with a revised diffuser at F1's Austrian GP after an FIA ruling effectively banned a trick it has employed recently

www.the-race.com

FIA bans Ferrari style exhaust wings in F1 2027

The latest version of Formula 1's 2027 technical regulations outlaws Ferrari's exhaust and tailpipe bodywork

www.motorsport.com

 

[pachyderm]

A. JPM and the white shirt have returned. Does he travel with just a backpack and a caryyon?

B. He's infected Lawerence Baretto* now...



*I've no idea how to spell that dude's name...

 

[m..]

I'm going out so will watch the highlights. Probably a Mercedes pole but it should be a close qualifying so maybe...