FIA Confirms Rule Package for Miami to Lift Qualifying Intensity and Improve Safety
The FIA has confirmed a package of energy management changes for the Miami Grand Prix, agreed with all teams and power unit manufacturers after three rounds exposed safety and sporting concerns. The qualifying harvesting limit falls from 8MJ to 7MJ, reducing battery energy but bringing drivers closer to the limit. Super clipping increases to the full 350kW for qualifying and the race to cut driver workload. In key acceleration zones, electrical deployment will be capped at 250kW to reduce closing speed differentials — the factor behind Oliver Bearman’s 50G crash at Suzuka. A new low-power start detection system will also be trialled in Miami to prevent dangerously slow launches.
Sources: Motorsport.com, RaceFans
F1 in Talks Over Longer-Term Engine Hardware Changes Including Bigger Batteries
Formula 1 is in ongoing talks over potential hardware changes to the 2026 power units, including increased battery capacity or higher fuel flow limits, according to McLaren team principal Andrea Stella. Stella told Autosport the discussions extend beyond the software and energy management tweaks confirmed for Miami, acknowledging that some aspects of the regulations may need more fundamental revision. The 2026 rules introduced a near-50/50 split between combustion and electrical power with a 350kW electrical deployment ceiling. Stella said the outcome could shape the power unit formula for years ahead, drawing parallels to past eras where fuel management affected qualifying in ways initially unforeseen by rule-makers.
Sources: Autosport
Allan McNish Named Audi Racing Director to Lead F1 Weekends from Miami Onwards
Audi’s Formula 1 team has appointed triple Le Mans winner Allan McNish as racing director with immediate effect, filling the trackside leadership gap created by the March departure of team principal Jonathan Wheatley. Audi CEO Mattia Binotto, who absorbed the team principal title after Wheatley’s exit, intends to remain factory-based during the season, requiring senior race weekend leadership. McNish’s remit covers sporting operations, engineering coordination, driver management, and race strategy. Binotto said McNish’s ability to connect performance-related areas would be fundamental at a crucial stage of the project. Audi sit eighth in the constructors’ standings with 2 points after three rounds.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Norris Backs Verstappen to Remain in F1 Despite Frustration with 2026 Regulations
Lando Norris expects Max Verstappen to remain in Formula 1 despite the four-time champion’s repeated hints at retirement over the 2026 regulations. Norris cited Verstappen’s stated ambition to win a fifth title as the key reason he will stay. Verstappen, ninth in the standings with 12 points as Red Bull struggles, has described energy management demands as anti-racing and compared driving to Formula E on steroids. Norris said the rule adjustments agreed ahead of Miami should help matters. Dutch media have reported Verstappen is seriously considering leaving the sport at the end of 2026 if the racing experience does not improve substantially.
Sources: RaceFans
Williams and Ferrari Lead 2026 Start Charts; Audi and Mercedes Struggle on Lap One
Williams and Aston Martin have produced the strongest average lap-one position gains under the 2026 rules, while Audi and Mercedes are the worst performers despite dominating qualifying, a RaceFans analysis shows. Williams average a gain of 3.6 positions per car across three rounds; Audi lose an average of 3.5. Ferrari stand out with nearly two places gained per car given how high they qualify. The variation stems from greater starting unpredictability introduced by the new power units. The FIA will trial an automatic MGU-K start safety system at Miami — activating when a car launches abnormally slowly — after near-misses this season including Colapinto’s close escape at Melbourne.
Sources: RaceFans
Russell Fires Back at Verstappen's Anti-Racing Claim with 2026 Overtake Data
George Russell has pushed back against Max Verstappen’s anti-racing characterisation of 2026 Formula 1, citing significantly higher overtaking totals across the opening three rounds. The Australian Grand Prix produced 125 overtakes against just 45 at the same event in 2025. Suzuka, historically one of the least eventful circuits, delivered 106 passes in 2026 versus 28 the previous year. Russell said the new cars follow more closely than in 2025, improving on-track action despite energy management constraints. Verstappen, ninth in the championship with 12 points, has described the regulations as akin to Formula E on steroids and hinted at retirement if racing does not substantially improve.
Sources: GPFans
Windsor: Verstappen's 2026 Criticism Has Extra Weight Because Red Bull Cannot Be Rescued by Driving
Former F1 manager Peter Windsor has argued that Max Verstappen’s criticism of the 2026 regulations carries particular weight because the four-time champion, for the first time in his career, cannot compensate for an uncompetitive car with exceptional driving. Windsor said Verstappen’s complaints about energy management demands, yo-yo speed effects, and anti-racing driving requirements are amplified precisely because the Red Bull RB22 is struggling. Where Verstappen previously masked car weaknesses through sheer ability, he currently has no such outlet. Red Bull sit sixth in the constructors’ standings on 16 points after three races, and Dutch media report Verstappen is seriously considering retirement at the end of 2026.
Sources: GPFans
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 pts
16. Franco Colapinto — 1 pts
17. Nico Hülkenberg — 0 pts
18. Alexander Albon — 0 pts
19. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
20. Sergio Pérez — 0 pts
21. Fernando Alonso — 0 pts
22. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
Constructors' Championship
1. Mercedes — 135 pts
2. Ferrari — 90 pts
3. McLaren — 46 pts
4. Haas F1 Team — 18 pts
5. Alpine — 16 pts
6. Red Bull Racing — 16 pts
7. Racing Bulls — 14 pts
8. Audi — 2 pts
9. Williams — 2 pts
10. Cadillac — 0 pts
11. Aston Martin — 0 pts