Who’s really fastest in 2026? F1’s new rules are confusing the pecking order — and the drivers
Formula 1’s new era was always going to bring questions, but its first week of serious running has raised more than most. With one more preseason test in Bahrain still to come, ESPN makes sense of a fascinating three days in Sakhir.
Reddick’s Daytona 500 win a buzzer-beater befitting of his boss: Michael Jordan
Thanks to a buzzer-beater move befitting of boss Michael Jordan, Tyler Reddick won the biggest race in NASCAR: the Daytona 500.
House fire that killed Hamlin’s dad ruled accidental
Investigators have ruled as accidental the North Carolina house fire in December that killed NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin’s father and injured his mother, but the exact cause remains unclear.
F1 drivers wary of new ‘strategic’ overtaking
Charles Leclerc is among a growing number of Formula 1 drivers who have raised concerns about a lack of overtaking under the sport’s new regulations.
Ferrari impress as Leclerc leads F1 testing times
Charles Leclerc ensured Ferrari ended preseason testing in style with a scintillating set of late laps in Bahrain that will increase hype around the Italian team’s 2026 chances.
Norris now agrees with Verstappen: ‘Not purest F1’
Lando Norris has said his comments about Max Verstappen and the new Formula 1 rules were “to see the reaction of everyone” and that he in fact shares the four-time world champion’s negative outlook on the 2026 cars.
Explained: F1’s 24-race future from 2026 onwards
As Formula 1 enters a new period of regulations in 2026 with ever-growing popularity and new race locations floated, this is how the calendar stacks up over the next few years.
Mercedes’ Antonelli tops timesheets in Bahrain
Kimi Antonelli kept Mercedes at the top of the timesheets on the penultimate day of preseason testing in Bahrain after lowering the overall benchmark lap time to a 1:32.803.
Wolff hits out at ‘bulls—‘ Mercedes speculation
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has snapped back at “utter bulls—” about a potential fuel problem a day after the FIA proposed a midseason rule change over the team’s engine controversy.
Russell fastest for Merc but Ferrari tease pace
George Russell ensured Mercedes remained at the top of the timesheets as the final week of preseason testing got underway in Bahrain on Wednesday.
