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Red Bull surprise with aggressive design for Max Verstappen
racingnews365.com·

Red Bull surprise with aggressive design for Max Verstappen

Ahead of its on-track debut on Monday in Barcelona, Red Bull shared the first real images of its 2026 F1 challenger, the RB22. The car was driven on the track by Isack Hadjar, with Max Verstappen due to jump behind the wheel later in the week. Verstappen will be hoping the car gives him an opportunity to fight for a fifth F1 title after narrowly missing out on the championship last year to Lando Norris. The fresh images of the RB22 challenger already show clear differences from the first renders of the car that were revealed at its launch event earlier this month.  The most noticeable changes relate to the sidepods and side protection next to the cockpit.  In particular, it can be seen that the volumes of the sidepods, especially at the rear, have been greatly reduced, creating a distinct 'coke bottle' shape. This is particularly beneficial for guiding airflow towards the rear of the car. To achieve this, an internal aerodynamic layout with a multi-layer placement of radiators and heat exchangers has clearly been chosen.  This is a concept that Red Bull has previously applied to the RB20, albeit with varying results.  Also of particular interest is the air guidance integrated into the rather large cockpit protection area, shaped as a mini-bazooka. The rear opening blows air into the same area where Ferrari has the by-pass duct . In addition, it is noteworthy that these additional, forward-facing openings have allowed the power unit's airbox to remain relatively compact, despite being larger than 2025.  It is, however, smaller than that of sister team Racing Bulls. Based on the first images from Barcelona, it seems likely that not only Red Bull, but also other teams will introduce new parts in the coming days and during testing in Bahrain.  Still, the Red Bull already looks like a car with very elaborate characteristics in several areas, so future updates are unlikely to change the overall picture drastically.

Alpine to 'fix a million details' in F1 recovery bid
racingnews365.com·

Alpine to 'fix a million details' in F1 recovery bid

Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen has highlighted that a “common sense” approach should be taken by the team as it looks to improve its F1 form in the coming years, and fix what he has described as "a million details". The Enstone-based squad has suffered from an unstable management structure over the past few years, involving various leadership changes. At present, Flavio Briatore is the de facto team boss at Alpine and has Nielsen at his side. The Briton returned to the squad late last year following a stint at the FIA. Nielsen was previously part of the team as its sporting director during its championship-winning years with Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006, when it was known as Renault. When asked what had impressed him on his return to Alpine, Nielsen told select media, including RacingNews365, at the end of last season: “I mean, it’s a cliché, but it’s a racing team.  “It's full of people with a racing spirit. It’s had mixed results recently, but I think there’s a passion and a will to put it back to where it has been in the past.  “The dedication is huge, from the top to the bottom of the company.” Alpine call for patience Alpine endured a difficult 2025 F1 campaign, finishing rock-bottom in the constructors' championships. As it looks to make steps up the order in the coming years, Nielsen labelled patience and common sense as the key to recovery.  "It’s my job to coordinate that, strengthen the areas that are good, re-strengthen the areas where we are weak, and bring some common sense and consistency to the management," he said.  "There have been too many changes over the last few years at Enstone.  "I don't criticise any of my predecessors, but it's time for patience, common sense, and consistency.  "We want the team to be better, and patience and Formula 1 don't go well together, but that’s the task.  "We have to spend the next few years building, and it’s a slow, grinding process. It’s F1 - there are no magic bullets.  "You just have to fix a million details - in places, people. More than anything, it’s a people business. I've kind of relearned that lesson, if you like.”

Pierre Gasly details 'immense pride' as Alpine navigate first major hurdle
racingnews365.com·

Pierre Gasly details 'immense pride' as Alpine navigate first major hurdle

Pierre Gasly has detailed his "immense pride" in Alpine managing to complete its car for the 2026 Formula 1 season, successfully navigating a first major hurdle. The new power unit regulations represent the start of a brand-new era for Alpine, which has ditched its factory status to become a Mercedes customer outfit. It is a significant change in how the Enstone-based squad operates, but one it hopes will result in success. For Gasly, it is the first regulation change of this magnitude in his F1 career, having previously never experienced an entire car changing to this extent from one season to the next. The level of change is something the Frenchman is very excited about, given the uncertainty surrounding the season across the entire paddock. Ultimately, the 29-year-old is incredibly proud of the team for getting its car — the A526 — ready, with all its milestones having been reached. "This is the first time in my career where the entire car has had such significant changes," said Gasly. "Of course, everyone heads into this unknown territory, but, as a driver, I find that so exciting. This has been a long road for the team to reach this point. We have been working hard on the simulator over the past year in preparation for these new regulations and I know everyone at Enstone has worked extremely hard to develop the best possible package. "What we see in the first few weeks of the year, beginning with the shakedown next week, will be interesting but this is not the final product as we will continue to learn and develop the entire package each time we're on track. "I am not setting myself any expectations. It will be a case of working really hard with the team to understand areas to improve and we will take it day by day and just try to be as competitive as we can throughout the year. Of course, I am excited and optimistic, but very much realistic in my ambitions. Right now, my feeling is of immense pride that the team has reached all its milestones in preparing the A526."

Ferrari changes course with radical new concept
racingnews365.com·

Ferrari changes course with radical new concept

Ferrari pulled back the curtain on their SF-26 challenger at precisely 11am local time on Friday morning, offering the first glimpse of how the Scuderia intends to tackle the sweeping regulatory changes coming in 2026. The images reveal a machine shaped by the extensive aerodynamic and power unit revolution that will define the new era, though what has been shown represents merely the starting point for a project that will evolve considerably before the season opener in Melbourne. Several core design philosophies are already apparent in this early iteration. Most notably, Ferrari have committed to push-rod suspension at both ends of the car, finally abandoning the troublesome pull-rod setup at the front that plagued the SF-25 and left drivers struggling with steering feel through corner entry phases. Ferrari alone in nose approach The front wing assembly demonstrates Ferrari's approach to the mandated active aerodynamics systems.  Rather than the profiles themselves, it is the actuators controlling flap incidence that catch the eye, cleverly integrated within the endplates. Short, curved pylons connect the nose to the wing assembly, creating a cleaner overall package. However, it is the sidepod architecture that reveals the most sophisticated thinking. The high-mounted air intakes, carried over from previous designs, now conceal a deeper channel beneath that feeds into a bypass duct.  This innovative solution exits at the base of the engine cover, positioned immediately behind the IBM branding. Ferrari's air intake design When viewed alongside the power unit air intake, an almost triangular cross-section with rounded edges that appears remarkably compact compared to rival solutions, these elements suggest Ferrari have pursued a fundamentally different internal airflow strategy. This approach indicates significant attention to power unit packaging, extending to the radiators and heat exchangers that must operate within tighter confines.  The rear of the SF-26 appears notably narrow, particularly around the hot-air exit zones, reflecting a focused approach to airflow management that should enhance the diffuser's ability to extract air from beneath the floor. Ferrari's bold engine cover The substantial shark fin adorning the engine cover partially echoes last year's design language whilst incorporating a distinctive saw-tooth profile that breaks new ground for the Italian squad. Regulatory requirements have forced the wheelbase down to 3,400mm, resulting in a noticeable rearward shift of the cockpit position. The change is significant without being excessive, maintaining the car's proportional balance whilst meeting the new technical requirements. Beneath its provisional appearance lies a machine concealing numerous refined characteristics, one that will undergo substantial development before Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc take it to the grid in Australia.  The SF-26 represents Ferrari's bold interpretation of how to extract performance from F1's most significant regulatory shake-up in decades.

Lewis Hamilton interpreter needed to decode 'Lewis speak' after major Hamilton change
racingnews365.com·

Lewis Hamilton interpreter needed to decode 'Lewis speak' after major Hamilton change

Martin Brundle is in no doubt that "something needed to change" after witnessing Lewis Hamilton's relationship with race engineer Riccardo Adami at Ferrari last year. After many years of Hamilton's successful partnership with Pete Bonnington at Mercedes, the seven-time F1 champion found himself with a new voice in his ear over grands prix weekends when he made the shock move to Ferrari. It was immediately clear that Hamilton and Adami were not aligned in their communication, and even over time, as the season wore on, their alliance often appeared strained. Former F1 driver and Sky Sports F1 co-commentator Brundle feels Ferrari made a mistake in not bringing in someone who at least would have had a better understanding of Hamilton, how he operates behind the wheel of a car, and the language he uses. The fractious association between Hamilton and Adami resulted in the latter recently losing his position as race engineer and taking on a new role as manager of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy and its testing of previous cars. "Surprised it probably didn't happen a bit earlier, really, judging by all the things that were going on earlier last year," said Brundle, to Sky Sports F1 regarding Ferrari's decision over Adami. Brundle feels Ferrari made the wrong call over Adami at the very beginning, and that Hamilton required certain people around him in that area. "Something I said on Sky F1 is that Lewis needed to go there with a team, so they understood 'Lewis speak' when he's at least inside the car, what it all means, and to interpret what Lewis really needs behind the wheel. "I think he needed some help to really flourish there quickly, so let's see who turns up as his engineer now. "But just listening to the radio, and watching the performances, although they obviously put a varnish on it, didn't they, through last season, something needed to change."

What's Honda hiding? Details of new F1 power unit expertly concealed
racingnews365.com·

What's Honda hiding? Details of new F1 power unit expertly concealed

In photos of the new Honda power unit, shared by RacingNews365 earlier today , the Japanese manufacturing giant displayed its all-new system. Of course, dark shadows made it a little tricky to really zoom in on the design. Even so, it was unusual for F1 to get acquainted with a power unit in this way, especially given the changes for this season. The PU has undergone a major overhaul, noticeably the removal of the MGU-H, leading to a beefed-up MGU-K that will provide 350kW of power as opposed to the previous 120kW, designed to enhance overtaking and improve straight-line speed. In other photos, however, it was clear that Honda, quite naturally under the circumstances, had no intention of revealing all of its secrets. Certain components on the underside of the PU were skillfully blurred out.  RacingNews365 technical expert Paolo Filisetti explained that it was done, not so much to hide certain components from view, but rather to shield the configuration of those components in relation to one another. Nevertheless, the spying eyes of Honda's competitors may still be able to conclude how the PU fits into the Aston Martin chassis, and from there, reach potential conclusions on the aero design as a result. Offering a general assessment on Honda's new PU, Toshihiro Mibe, Honda Motor Corporation president and representative executive officer, said: "In 2026, F1 will undergo a major change in regulations for both the chassis and power unit. "Honda sees F1 as a symbol of challenge and innovation, and HRC, the global racing arm of Honda, has developed the RA626H, the new power unit for the 2026 season, to meet those challenges. "Striving to become number one in the world, Honda will continue to take on challenges, together with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team."

Super Formula champion Sho Tsuboi targets “dream” F1 test through Toyota’s Haas link
motorsport.com

Super Formula champion Sho Tsuboi targets “dream” F1 test through Toyota’s Haas link

Reigning Super Formula champion Sho Tsuboi hopes Toyota’s partnership with the Haas Formula 1 team could result in an opportunity to fulfil a long-held dream of testing grand prix machinery. Tsuboi has been tipped as a likely candidate to get mileage as part of Haas’s TPC [Testing of Previous Cars] programme with previous-generation F1 racers off the back of his maiden Super Formula title ...Keep reading