F1 2026 - Watchalong Thread

[Brazilianadventure]

Happy New Year.

This is going to be an interesting year with the regulation change.

Rumours are Mercedes and RB engines are exploiting a loophole and so may have the most powerful engines.

AM will have a car with significant input from Adrian Newey.

Sauber becomes Audi and we have an 11th team, Cadillac.

Christian Horner seems very keen to get back into F1, preferably Alpine with Flávio - they deserve each other.

There is closed door testing in Barcelona then open testing from 11 February at Sakhir.

Edited for typo and thread title.

Im finding it interesting how the pecking order has changed (although it must be really disappointing for AM and Williams) and exciting to see how the grid looks.
We are rooting for OP but I think i find it less stressful when not expecting him to challenge for a podium (Although obviously hoping he actually starts the race this week!)

I’m so pleased for Mercedes but disappointed for Williams.

but Haas are moving up the rankings which is lovely to see.

Thought both the sprint and quali were pretty entertaining. George did well to get P2. His car sounded pretty sick earlier.

Congrats to Kimi but I hope he’s doing serious homework on how to improve his race starts.

I’m hoping the likely month off will allow McLaren and Red Bull to close the gap on Mercedes. I’m less of a fan of Ferrari but a season where Mercedes is so out in front won’t be that much fun to watch.

I'm loving these new cars, great sprint race and interesting grid for the race.
DH feels boost is too strong but I like a bit of overtaking!

The sprint wasn’t shown where I am so I followed on BBC. I caught Q3 of qually when I woke up (03:45 😂) in the middle of the night.

George did a great lap to qualify 2nd. The sprint seems to have been good with the yellow flag making it interesting.

I hope Ferrari can improve the engine on the straight as that is where they lose out to Merc.

I watched this morning - very tired now! Good race.

I was hoping the new regulations would shake it up a bit more, maybe with one of the middle cars getting a boost into the top group. So far it is Mercedes and Ferrari out in front, then Red Bull and McLaren not quite getting it right, the rest, big gap and then Cadillac and Aston Martin.

I think the 5 week break does give the teams a chance to make significant steps forward, so could be a good thing (though I will miss the races!)

Bahrain and Saudi, cancelled. No replacement at the moment

Mercedes looking good so far. Delighted for Antonelli. I hope Lewis can get on the podium at the end of the race.

I'm all sported out now. I've spent the day watching F1 and 3 rugby games, as an Irish woman I'm delighted we won the triple crown yet gutted France beat England

I saw on sky news a while ago it said breaking news....but its not really news as such because they told us on Friday they were going to cancel (and widely rumoured before that - understandably so)
But im pretty sure they said from the start they wouldnt replace them if they had to be cancelled...?

Good morning.

Morning
Just watched the interview with Charles Leclerc. Nice and positive. Have never been a fan of Ferrari but I reckon Fred, Lewis and Charles can turn it around for them.
Little worried for my man Norris.

Wait what is happening at McLaren??
Aaargh a dns for OP for the 2nd race in a row

Electronics problems at McLaren!

Lewis!!!

That was a good scrap!
Nice race for kimi though

Battle between the two Ferraris. Awful for the McLarens.

Loving this race!

Ollie is doing well

Williams might get some points. 🎉

Max out!

Listening on radio 5 live and watching the BBC sport love feed like the poor person I am.

I just want Lewis on that podium.

*live feed.
A love feed sounds a bit racy.

This is insane. GR almost has time for a free pitstop

And Alpine!
Touché for Oscar! 🤣