Category: Autosport

Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Formula 1 teams have unveiled their front wing solutions to comply with the technical directive on flexing wings, which now imposes stricter load tests. Teams are adjusting their front wings to adhere to the new regulations, with a maximum deflection of 10mm allowed under a 1000N load, down from the previous 15mm benchmark. Most changes are structural, with Ferrari and Red Bull making minor geometry revisions and implementing revised endplates for stiffness. McLaren and Mercedes introduced new front wing designs at Imola, with McLaren…

The Spanish Grand Prix this weekend at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is seen as a farewell event, as Madrid is set to replace Barcelona on the F1 calendar starting from 2026. F1 authorities are seeking more investment in infrastructure and traffic management, leading to the decision to bring F1 to Madrid on a street circuit known as the ‘Madring’. Madrid last hosted an F1 race in 1981, while Barcelona has been the Spanish GP venue since 1991. Despite the new deal with Madrid, there is optimism that Barcelona will continue to…

Formula 1’s current rules have led to the closest grid in history, where even minor upgrades can be game-changers, impacting whether a team scores points or gets eliminated in Q1. The stringent regulations on spending and aerodynamic testing have made the margin for error in the development process even smaller, requiring precise integration across all departments involved in the updates. Racing Bulls, situated in Faenza and Milton Keynes, has navigated the tight midfield with precision. The team’s approach involves building nearly everything in-house, with over 500 staff in Faenza and…

McLaren is confident they won’t be affected by the recent flexi-wing clampdown at the Spanish Grand Prix, as they have already tested a stiffer wing successfully at Imola. The FIA introduced stricter tests in Barcelona, reducing the vertical deflection tolerances for both sides and one side applications. The front wing flap flexing tolerance was also tightened from 5mm to 3mm under certain loads. McLaren was known for exploiting front wing flexing, but the impact of the new regulation remains uncertain for all teams. Ferrari expressed uncertainty about the regulation’s impact,…

According to Autosport, a clause in Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull Racing will only allow him to exit the team for 2026 if he is not within the top four of the Formula 1 world drivers’ championship by the end of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. Verstappen, currently in third place, needs to maintain a 50-point margin over fifth place, possibly Charles Leclerc, by the Spanish Grand Prix for the exit clause to become invalid. His contract, which now runs through 2028, had the exit clause tied to leaving…

Formula 1 is capitalizing on the hype surrounding the release of ‘F1 the Movie’ by launching its official merchandise line, including a variety of clothing and accessories available ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. Brad Pitt stars as seasoned racer Sonny Hayes in the film, set for a worldwide release on June 25, with the US premiere on June 27, expected to be a summer blockbuster. The merchandise collection features items inspired by the fictional ‘APX GP’ team in the film, with prices ranging from $55 to $125. Seven-time world…

Amidst the intrigue over the tightening of rules on ‘flexi-wings’ and the favorable Barcelona circuit layout for Red Bull, questions directed at Oscar Piastri before the Spanish Grand Prix mainly focused on his teammate, Lando Norris. Piastri’s four wins this F1 season enabled him to overtake Norris in the drivers’ championship, but Norris regained momentum with a win in Monaco, narrowing the gap to just three points. Though McLaren was slow to support Norris’s title bid last season, Piastri and Norris are now prepared for their rivalry and aim to…