P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 New Year: Lewis Hamilton parties with Kim Kardashian and more
Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton celebrated the new year in Aspen with Kim Kardashian and other celebrities. They attended Kate Hudson’s New Year’s Eve party at the upmarket restaurant Matsuhisa before moving on to other festivities. Pictures of Hamilton, Kardashian, and actress Anya Taylor-Joy in their glamorous outfits were captured by TMZ.
Meanwhile, F1 drivers like Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet opted for more modest celebrations, sharing their gatherings on social media. Verstappen and friends welcomed 2026 on a yacht, while Esteban Ocon and partner Flavy Barla enjoyed a ‘wholesome’ new year at Disneyland Paris.
As the drivers transition into the new season, testing for the 2026 F1 season will kick off at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya between January 26-30. Official running begins just seven weeks after the 2025 season ended. The season opener will be the Australian Grand Prix weekend starting on March 6, with a calendar featuring 24 races.
Concerns have been raised by drivers over the demanding schedule, with the 2026 season set to be one of the longest in F1 history. The first testing in Bahrain will be held from February 11-13, followed by another session from February 18-20.
(Source: Formula 1)
