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F1 News Today: Christian Horner plan materialises as Aston Martin announce new signing
Christian Horner’s strategic plan to challenge McLaren for the F1 title has come to fruition, as shown in a throwback video by Sky Sports. Max Verstappen is now 12 points behind Lando Norris after the Qatar Grand Prix, moving ahead of Oscar Piastri. Horner’s strategy of applying pressure on McLaren has brought Red Bull back into the title fight, utilizing tactics he developed during his tenure at the team.
Aston Martin F1 team has revealed their new driver for the 2026 season, with 17-year-old Mathilda Paatz joining their ranks. She earned her spot through a rigorous evaluation program and will compete in the F1 Academy championship next year. Paatz will represent Aston Martin in the all-female series, sporting their iconic green livery with PREMA Racing.
Red Bull announced that Isack Hadjar will be Max Verstappen’s teammate in the 2026 season, replacing Yuki Tsunoda. Tsunoda will serve as the test and reserve driver, while 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad will partner with Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls. Hadjar’s impressive performance this season has earned him the opportunity to drive alongside Verstappen.
McLaren will conduct an ‘internal review’ following the Qatar GP strategy error that disadvantaged Norris and Piastri. By not pitting during the safety car period, they unintentionally helped Verstappen secure the win. Team principal Andrea Stella pledged to address the mistakes before the crucial season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Amidst McLaren’s team championship battle, the potential use of team orders to secure the title has sparked debate. Verstappen’s position as a strong contender has added complexity to the situation, turning what could have been a straightforward showdown into a challenging scenario. The final race in Abu Dhabi could determine the outcome of the championship, with multiple factors at play.
