FIA and All F1 Stakeholders Unanimously Agree Package of 2026 Regulation Refinements Ahead of Miami
The FIA, all ten Formula 1 team principals, power unit manufacturer CEOs, and FOM reached unanimous agreement Monday on a package of refinements to the 2026 regulations. The measures primarily target super clipping, a phenomenon where electric power momentarily cuts out during recharging. Key changes include increasing peak super-clip power from 250kW to 350kW, reducing the qualifying recharge limit from 8MJ to 7MJ, and capping race boost mode at 150kW above standard output. MGU-K deployment is split between 350kW in key acceleration zones and 250kW elsewhere. The package goes to an FIA WMSC e-vote for implementation before the Miami Grand Prix.
Sources: Formula 1, RaceFans, Sky Sports F1
Finnish Driver Juha Miettinen Dies Following Seven-Car Crash That Halts NLS4 at the Nurburgring
Finnish GT competitor Juha Miettinen, 66, died Saturday following a seven-car collision early in the NLS4 race at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. The incident occurred at Klostertal, less than 30 minutes after the start. The race, part of the ADAC 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers weekend, was placed under red flag conditions before organisers cancelled it entirely. Six other drivers were taken to hospital for precautionary examination. Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen was among the competitors in the event, racing a Mercedes-AMG GT3 alongside Lucas Auer. The Nurburgring issued a formal statement of condolences. A minute’s silence was observed before Sunday’s NLS5 race.
Sources: Crash.net, Sky Sports F1
Doriane Pin Completes Historic Maiden Mercedes F1 Test at Silverstone, First Woman to Drive the Car
Doriane Pin, the reigning F1 Academy champion, completed her maiden Formula 1 test with Mercedes at Silverstone, becoming the first woman to drive a Mercedes F1 car. Pin covered 76 laps of the Silverstone National Circuit in the Mercedes W12, the car raced by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas during the 2021 season. The French-Monegasque driver has served as a Mercedes development driver since 2024 and described the experience as “unreal.” The test formed part of the team’s Testing of Previous Cars programme. Pin is widely regarded as one of the strongest candidates for a future F1 seat.
Ferrari Confirms Comprehensive Miami Grand Prix Upgrade Package Including Revised Floor and New Aero
Ferrari will bring a comprehensive upgrade package to the Miami Grand Prix, with a revised floor designed to increase aerodynamic downforce serving as the headline addition. The Italian team is also bringing aerodynamic changes aimed at weight reduction and improved cooling management, along with revised power unit software designed to reduce super clipping on straights. Ferrari tested components at Fiorano and has booked a 200km filming day at Monza on April 22 before heading to Florida. Team principal Fred Vasseur described the scope as a “package and a half.” Ferrari sit 45 points behind Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship after three rounds.
Verstappen Denied NLS5 Victory at the Nurburgring After Damage Pit Stop as Audi Trio Prevails
Max Verstappen’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 was forced to pit for repairs following contact damage in Sunday’s NLS5 race at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, ending his bid for a podium finish. Verstappen and co-driver Lucas Auer had advanced quickly through the field after starting ninth, following a three-place grid penalty in NLS4 qualifying, before damage from contact forced the pit stop. The Audi of Ben Green, Christopher Haase, and Alexander Sims from Scherer Sport PHX claimed overall victory. Verstappen is preparing his team’s entry in the full Nurburgring 24 Hours main event, scheduled for May 16.
Sources: Motorsport Week, GPFans
Aston Martin Assessed After Three Rounds: Alonso Completes First Full Race Distance as Recovery Begins
Formula 1’s official assessment of Aston Martin’s 2026 campaign after three rounds notes that Fernando Alonso completed race distance for the first time at Suzuka, finishing one lap down but marking a significant reliability improvement. The team’s Honda-derived power unit had caused repeated retirements in Melbourne and Shanghai due to vibration problems. Chief technical officer Adrian Newey acknowledged visible performance gains would take at least two months. Lance Stroll has yet to score a championship point. Aston Martin and Cadillac are the only teams without a point after three rounds, ahead of the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.
Sources: Formula 1
McLaren Confirms Significant Upgrade Package Planned for Miami Grand Prix to Close Gap to Mercedes
McLaren has confirmed it will bring a significant upgrade package to the Miami Grand Prix as the team works to close the gap to championship-leading Mercedes. Technical chief Andrea Stella confirmed upgrades are being prepared, describing Miami as “a natural place to add components.” McLaren sit third in the Constructors’ Championship with 46 points, 89 behind Mercedes. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have shown competitive pace in 2026, with Piastri taking second in Japan. The Miami Grand Prix on May 3 is a sprint weekend, with the sprint race taking place on Saturday ahead of the main event on Sunday.
Sources: GPFans
Carlo Santi Confirmed as Hamilton’s Ferrari Race Engineer for Miami as Team’s Permanent Search Continues
Ferrari confirmed that Carlo Santi will continue as Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer at the Miami Grand Prix, with the team yet to name a permanent replacement for Riccardo Adami. Adami was moved to a Driver Academy role in January after Hamilton’s debut season with the Italian team. Santi replaced Adami on a temporary basis for the opening rounds of 2026. Reports indicate Cedric Michel-Grosjean, formerly Oscar Piastri’s trackside performance engineer at McLaren, is the leading candidate for the permanent position. Hamilton had previously said the mid-season engineer change would be “detrimental” to his 2026 performance.
Sources: PlanetF1
Drivers' Championship
1. Kimi Antonelli — 72 pts
2. George Russell — 63 pts
3. Charles Leclerc — 49 pts
4. Lewis Hamilton — 41 pts
5. Lando Norris — 25 pts
6. Oscar Piastri — 21 pts
7. Oliver Bearman — 17 pts
8. Pierre Gasly — 15 pts
9. Max Verstappen — 12 pts
10. Liam Lawson — 10 pts
11. Arvid Lindblad — 4 pts
12. Isack Hadjar — 4 pts
13. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
14. Carlos Sainz — 2 pts
15. Esteban Ocon — 1 pt
16. Franco Colapinto — 1 pt
17. Fernando Alonso — 0 pts
18. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
19. Alex Albon — 0 pts
20. Nico Hülkenberg — 0 pts
21. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
22. Sergio Pérez — 0 pts
Constructors' Championship
1. Mercedes — 135 pts
2. Ferrari — 90 pts
3. McLaren — 46 pts
4. Haas — 18 pts
5. Alpine — 16 pts
6. Red Bull — 16 pts
7. Racing Bulls — 14 pts
8. Audi — 2 pts
9. Williams — 2 pts
10. Cadillac — 0 pts
11. Aston Martin — 0 pts