As can somebody stop Max Blunderhead’s reign?
Full disclosure, I didn’t pay any Attenzione to
this year’s “Winter Olympics”, ergo F1 testing at Bahrain, since I was on a
Choo-choo train headed north during this three days outing. So don’t know the
story lines, or how far off they are? Which we’ll get a glimpse of the “real”
pecking order this coming weekend Down Under in Gory Melbourne, Mates!
If I’ve done my ryth-muh-tickin’ correctly?
Thars’ an 80% turnover in F1 Driver lineups this season, with only two teams
retaining last year’s drivers.
Formula 1 is true “Blood Sport”, where the
first objective is to beat your teammate! Thus, one of the biggest story lines
is how Lewis Hamilton does at His new team la Scuderia, aka Ferrari vs. Charles
Leclerc. And how Ferrari does in general vs. its F1 Constructors Championship
rivals, i.e.; McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull.
McLaren are the defending Constructors
Champion, having won their first title since Gory 1998! And retain Lando
Norris, who finished Vice-champion, Err runner-up to Max Verstappen for the
Drivers Championship last year. Along with Oscar Piastri, with both McLaren
drivers winning their maiden Grands Prix last season.
Aston Martin is the only other F1 Team staying
status quo with drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. While the team’s
reshuffled its engineering core, along with the arrival of Adrian Newy…
Mercedes has opted for the services of 18yr old
F1 rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Hamilton’s replacement alongside George
Russell.
Arse-sumedly everyone knows about Red Bull’s
dismissal of Checo’, nee Sergio Perez in favour of Liam Lawson this season. As
the Kiwi’ has His work cut out for Him a la All of Max Blunderhead’s
(Verstappen) previous teammates! And with just eleven Grands Prix starts to His
name, pretty sure this will be an uphill slog…
Alpine, which claimed sixth overall last season
largely due to their impressive 2-3 finish at Sao Paolo. Sees Jack Doohan, who
made His F1 debut at last year’s Abu Dhabi season finale join Pierre Gasly.
Aas sports a brand new line-up with the arrival
of Esteban Ocon from Alpine, and rookie Oliver Bearman. As Bearman deputized
for Carlos Sainz Jr. at Ferrari and Kevin Magnussen at Haas last year as both
team’s reserve driver, and is highly rated by team principal Ayao Konatsu…
Racing Bulls keeps Yuki Tsunoda, who most
likely is in His final season in Formula 1? Being “tied” to Honda, who become
Aston Martin’s Werd’s Power Unit (PU) supplier for 2026. Where reserve driver
Felipe Drugovich has been waiting years for either Alonso or Stroll Jnr’ to
depart. While rookie Isack Hadjar takes Liam Lawson’s vacated seat.
Sauber sports an all new line-up with the
arrival of Nico Hulkenberg from Haas, along with the addition of rookie Gabriel
Bortoleto, before the team becomes fully rebranded as Audi in 2026.
Lastly, another major story line will be how
much can Carlos Sainz Jr. right Willimas floundering ship? As the storied Grove
based F1 team struggled Ah-Mighty’ with multiple destroyed and crash damaged
chassis last year! As Sainz moves from Ferrari, having to make way for Sir
Lewis.
Didn’t bother reading the article, but saw the
headline proclaiming that current Williams driver Alexander Albon is keen to
see how He stacks up against Sainz? For which I think Albon’s going to have a
somewhat rude awakening!
Although I definitely expect for Williams to
not finish last in this year’s Constructors Championship, but time will tell…
Meanwhile, being in the final year’s current
chassis regulations, hopefully we’ll have another Cracking year of competition!
Before another total reset for 2026’s E-e-E-lectrified Formula 1 racecars…
Notably, the single point for Fastest lap
during a race has been abolished. While drivers and chassis will gain a further
two kilograms minimum weight requirements. With drivers now up to 82kg, and
chassis up to 800kg.
A driver cooling (system) Kit will be made
mandatory at “Hot”, extreme Heat races, when the FIA predicts a race will be
over 30.5C, with chassis minimum weight being increased a further five
kilograms (805kg) to compensate for said equipment. While the Drag Reduction System’s
(DRS) “Slot-gap” dimensions will be reduceds along with the DRS system’s
functionality…
Teams will also be required to run Young
Drivers during Free Practice sessions
twice per racecar, up from once previously.
Once again, six Sprint races will be held over
the season, beginning at Shanghai. Followed by Miami, Spa-Francorchamps,
Circuit Of The Americas, Sao Paolo and Qatar.
As that’s a very brief rundown of what to look
for this Sunday; Err Saturday night Stateside at the Australian Grand Prix.
Round One of an insane 24! With the season concluding on December 7th upon Yas
Isle. In what will be the final season of ESPN television coverage…
As Always, Check your local TV listings for times and locations!
