🧼 Kimi Antonelli’s unusual pre-race routine: hand-washing his Mercedes GT63:
“I like to clean my car. I never use automatic car washes. I always prefer to wash it by hand, myself.”
“Because I love cars, I really like to take care of my car and everything. I like to see it clean, so it’s an activity I love to do. It’s a routine.”
🚨 | The FIA has banned teams from using different wheel rim specifications for qualifying and races from 2027.
The move aims to prevent a development arms race, as teams have explored rim designs to optimise tyre temperatures.
Ferrari and McLaren have both pursued such gains, prompting concerns over escalating costs.
📰 @wearetherace
🚨 | Andrea Stella suggests Piastri’s 2026 struggles are linked to the McLaren MCL40 rather than a lack of talent.
The car demands a more aggressive driving style, forcing him to abandon the smooth, precise approach that made him so competitive in 2025.
Norris has adapted better, but McLaren believes Piastri’s difficulties are technical rather than a reflection of his ability.
📰 @autosport
💰 The FIA has introduced strict new rules for 2027 to prevent cost cap exploitation:
• Separate offices for F1 and non-F1 staff.
• Fully segregated IT systems.
• Three-month cooling-off period for staff moving to F1.
• 12 months of exclusive work in the new role.
• Salaries remain under the cost cap after moving to non-F1 projects.
📰 @NobleF1
🚨 | McLaren could already have a potential replacement for Oscar Piastri in reserve.
Leonardo Fornaroli, the team's reserve driver, will race in the WEC Hypercar programme in 2027 while retaining his F1 role.
Another difficult season for Piastri could open the door for 2028.
📰 @GPblog_com
🚨 | Christian Horner claims Lewis Hamilton approached Red Bull before joining Mercedes in 2013.
During a secret meeting at Adrian Newey’s house, Hamilton asked what it would take to join.
Helmut Marko was apprehensive, fearing the move could affect Sebastian Vettel, while the enormous financial cost ultimately put Red Bull off the deal.
📰 @CRASH_NET_F1
🚨 | Piero Ferrari made no secret of his hope of one day seeing Antonelli at Maranello:
“Many circumstances come into play here. There are contracts to honour and commitments that have already been made."
"Then again, I’m not a hypocrite: who wouldn’t love to see an Italian driving the car that bears my father’s name? And I suppose that, given his roots, the young man from Bologna wouldn’t mind it either."
"Perhaps it will happen one day. Why not?”
🚨 | Mercedes is struggling to make its latest upgrade work as expected, raising concerns over its development direction for 2027.
Austin will be crucial in determining whether the package delivers the expected performance and provides a reliable foundation for next season’s car.
📰 @wearetherace
