Nothing from the teams but this signals an exit for Max as well at some point. Would also shuffle the team principals around as well as I can’t see Stella will leaving the sport.
F1 2026 Season
- Thread starter pauldyson1uk
- Start date
Quite shocked about this, but I agree signals the end of Max at RedBull.
Now will be be retire from F1 or a team move ?
2028 so gives Max this and next season before he leaves. Seems about right actually.
They will put Lambiase on gardening leave some time before then I'd imagine. It would still pave the way for Verstappen to decide on his next move this season ahead of the 2027 season.
I thought, it's kinda obvious to the entire paddock that if Verstappen wants to be in a Mercedes for 2027, he will be.
Question for RedBull would be if they can. Get Piastri out of Mcladen to replace him.
I don't think there's any other viable seat or car that he would go to, this would leave Russell on the market and a likely move to Red Bull.
Piastri is tied down to McLaren till the end of 2028, I wouldn't see him moving anywhere till then as the car will be more competitive than the Red Bull. It also depends on where Stella ends up also, there's rumours swirling that he could be heading back to Maranello and this move for Lambiase is an effective replacement for Stella.
Happy for the guy but I also hope it won't turn into a fiasco for him in similar fashion to what happened with Newey at AM. GP seems to be a very emotional guy, and not in the kind of way you d figure would be helpful in the role of principal.
McLaren have now confirmed this but it’s as a Chief Racing Officer which makes more sense.
Wasn’t that what was reported anyway? Thought the reports just said he’d have a clear pathway to team principal not that he’d become that right away
One for verstappen fans
"..A qualifying trick used by Mercedes and Red Bull Formula 1 teams for a speed boost at the end of a lap has been banned by the FIA, The Race can reveal.
Those manufacturers had found a clever way to bypass mandated power reduction demands that need to be followed as cars burn through their battery energy on the straights.
Rather than running in a 'ramp down' rate on the charge to the timing line at the end of a qualifying lap - where power normally needs to be reduced by 50kW every second to avoid a sudden drop off - they were able to run at maximum deployment for as long as they could.
This could easily give them a 50kW-100kW advantage for a short period of time over others whose power was being reduced...."
"..In updated technical documents that have been sent to teams, the FIA has made clear that while the ability to shut down the MGU-K will remain open to teams, it will not tolerate this being used for anything other than legitimate problems..."
Full explanation on The Race website. Worth a read.
Those manufacturers had found a clever way to bypass mandated power reduction demands that need to be followed as cars burn through their battery energy on the straights.
Rather than running in a 'ramp down' rate on the charge to the timing line at the end of a qualifying lap - where power normally needs to be reduced by 50kW every second to avoid a sudden drop off - they were able to run at maximum deployment for as long as they could.
This could easily give them a 50kW-100kW advantage for a short period of time over others whose power was being reduced...."
"..In updated technical documents that have been sent to teams, the FIA has made clear that while the ability to shut down the MGU-K will remain open to teams, it will not tolerate this being used for anything other than legitimate problems..."
Full explanation on The Race website. Worth a read.
Last edited:
Max and Isack: "we had a speed boost??"
Imagine cheating in qualifying and still being slower than Gasly.
Verstappen is racing the Nordschleife this weekend again but the first race today was just cancelled after an accident involving 7 cars killing BMW driver Juha Miettinen seriously injuring 6 other drivers as well. 
Wtf. Jees. That's terribleVerstappen is racing the Nordschleife this weekend again but the first race today was just cancelled after an accident involving 7 cars killing BMW driver Juha Miettinen seriously injuring 6 other drivers as well.
Yeah, I was watching and kinda annoyed it took them so long to show a replay when I realized why they probably didn't show it.
F1 rule changes in full. From Miami onwards:
Full article: https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-2026-mid-season-rule-changes/
Full article: https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-2026-mid-season-rule-changes/
Changes in full
Qualifying - promoting performance- Adjustments to energy management parameters, including a reduction in maximum permitted recharge from 8MJ to 7MJ, aimed at reducing excessive harvesting and encouraging more consistent flat-out driving. This change targets a maximum superclip duration reduced to approximately 2-4 seconds per lap.
- Peak superclip power increased to 350kW, previously being 250kW, further reducing the time spent recharging, and reducing driver workload on energy management. This will also be applied in Race conditions.
- The number of events where alternative lower energy limits may apply has been increased from 8 to 12 races, allowing greater adaptation to circuit characteristics.
- The maximum power available through the Boost in race conditions is now capped at +150kW (or the car’s current power level at activation if higher) limiting sudden performance differentials.
- MGU-K deployment is maintained at 350kW in key acceleration zones (from corner exit to braking point, including overtaking zones) but will be limited to 250kW in other parts of the lap.
- These measures are designed to reduce excessive closing speeds while maintaining overtaking opportunities and overall performance characteristics.
- A new “low power start detection” system has been developed, capable of identifying cars with abnormally low acceleration shortly after clutch release.
- In such cases, an automatic MGU-K deployment will be triggered to ensure a minimum level of acceleration and mitigate start-related risks without introducing any sporting advantage.
- An associated visual warning system is being introduced, activating flashing lights (rear and lateral) on affected cars to alert following drivers.
- A reset of the energy counter at the start of the formation lap has also been implemented to correct a previously identified system inconsistency.
- Tyre blanket temperatures for intermediate tyres have been increased following driver feedback in order to improve initial grip and tyre performance in wet conditions.
- Maximum ERS deployment will be reduced, limiting torque and improving car control in low-grip conditions.
- The rear light systems have been simplified, with clearer and more consistent visual cues to improve visibility and reaction time for following drivers in poor conditions.
Read they also spotted a modified front wing and significantly altered side pods. I doubt they ll suddenly be more competitive again, but for their sake I hope they at least can show progress on the car. Even if the pecking order doesnt change.
Main goal was to make it more driveable from what I’ve read
My grass! My grass!
Ah, the famous Daf and its weird gearbox. I knew about the car obviously but I never knew they actually raced them in reverse on track. This is far a superior spectacle to modern day F1 tbh
Why am I not suprised. Is there anything he won't drive?
It would be fun if the cars got a horn just for this race.
The speed limit
True evidence that this season is a drain? The fact no one has posted in this thread since friday
Not sure that such a long gap has ever happened
Not sure that such a long gap has ever happened
What are you expecting people to talk about when there hasn't been a race for a month?
Great news, one of the best circuits in F1.
I am not gonna go check but I bet you could look through the thread when it was “off-season” and there’d have been more posting.
Also, stuff. Talk about stuff.
True, nobody has even talked about all the rule changes coming in from Miami.
Look higher up this thread page. Already covered.
Wasn't referring to the changes themselves, I know it's been posted, but about the lack of any discussion around it.
Well we actually have a race this weekend, feels like the start of the season again and it’s a sprint weekend !
Weather could be a huge problem on race day, apparently thunderstorms due all day and I have been reading that they clear the stands and racing can’t start till 30 mins after the last thunder clap.
Weather could be a huge problem on race day, apparently thunderstorms due all day and I have been reading that they clear the stands and racing can’t start till 30 mins after the last thunder clap.
Great news, always enjoyed the race here.
After reading a few stories this morning , I am concerned that the race could actually be cancelled!
Miami Grand Prix (F1) Special Regulations
With severe thunderstorms forecast for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix (currently April 30, 2026), specific FIA and local US protocols are in place:
Miami Grand Prix (F1) Special Regulations
With severe thunderstorms forecast for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix (currently April 30, 2026), specific FIA and local US protocols are in place:
- Lightning Proximity: Under strict US safety protocols, any outdoor sporting event must be immediately suspended if lightning strikes within an 8-mile (approx. 13km) radius of the venue.
- Medical Helicopter Rule: FIA regulations state a race cannot proceed if the medical helicopter is unable to fly due to lightning, heavy rain, or low visibility.
- Wet Weather Car Changes: Due to the 2026 technical regulations, the FIA has recently banned "boost mode" in wet conditions to prevent unpredictable power surges and oversteer.
- Suspension Protocol: If lightning is detected, all cars must return to the pit lane. Teams must push cars into garages, and doors must remain open until further instruction.
Love it