Breaking from the paddock
The latest Formula 1 news as it breaks: team announcements, driver updates, FIA decisions and everything moving in the paddock, updated daily.
Max Verstappen claims he had no prior knowledge that the Baku upgrade would restore his competitive edge when he signed his two-year Red Bull extension. Team principal Laurent Mekies dismissed suggestions that the performance gains were used to secure the driver's signature.
The relocated Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit attracted 261,000 fans and generated $233 million in revenue. Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari noted that the event drew 50,000 foreign tourists, prompting Malaysia to evaluate a potential return to the F1 calendar.
F1 driver Liam Lawson will perform at the Racing Bulls Garage Sessions in Austin on October 22, 2026. The event features a performance with his brother Marcus and the launch of a limited edition Taylor Guitars LL30 GS Mini signature acoustic guitar.
talkSPORT head Liam Fisher is looking to expand his station's portfolio by potentially acquiring Formula 1 radio rights. The move could end the BBC's exclusive coverage of the sport, which the broadcaster has held since 1994 amidst ongoing budget cuts.
Ferrari will promote junior driver Dino Beganovic to a reserve role for the 2027 season to assist with simulator duties. Meanwhile, Haas has signed Formula 2 leader Rafael Camara to a multi-year deal to replace Esteban Ocon starting in 2027.
Formula 1 has yet to announce if the 2026 season finale will proceed in Qatar and Abu Dhabi due to regional security risks. Ongoing missile strikes in Saudi Arabia and tensions between the US and Iran have forced officials to consider Imola as a fallback option for December 6.
Williams will name its 2027 challenger the FW50 to celebrate 50 years in Formula 1. The team will host a W50 Live exhibition in London featuring historic cars like the FW14B and FW19.
Audi Revolut F1 Team has formalized a technical partnership with Öhlins to supply dampers for its inaugural Formula 1 campaign. The agreement builds on a long-standing relationship between the companies that previously included 13 Le Mans victories for Audi Sport.
Valtteri Bottas states that Cadillac's new Silverstone facility offers superior equipment and organization compared to his former Mercedes team. Despite the improved operational progress, the American squad remains last in the 2026 constructors' championship with zero points.
Haas has confirmed Brazilian driver Rafael Camara for the 2027 Formula 1 season, signing the 21-year-old to a multi-year contract. Camara, who currently leads the Formula 2 championship, will join Oliver Bearman in a lineup supported by the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy.
Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto addressed his social media followers to condemn online attacks directed at teammates like Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan. He expressed that such behavior harms his racing career and prompted threats of a media blackout from Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore.
Red Bull management rejected Christian Horner's attempts to sign Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc for the 2025 season. Following Horner's dismissal in July 2025, he expressed frustration over missing the first in-house Red Bull Powertrains engine run in January 2026.
Andrea Stella admits McLaren cannot fix car handling characteristics without fundamental changes arriving in 2027. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri struggle with a car described as being on a knife edge, requiring intense mental concentration to maintain competitiveness.