Formula 1
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What are McLaren's papaya rules ahead of the F1 title decider?
As McLaren goes into Formula 1’s 2025 title decider with both drivers in contention for the world championship against Max Verstappen, two words come up again and again: papaya rules.
The phrase was coined by team principal Andrea Stella – “Andreas like to come up with different names for different things,” Lando Norris explained – and was first brought up on 1 September 2024, ahead...Keep reading -
Red Bull "can't rely three times on mistakes" from McLaren in F1 Abu Dhabi GP
After the first practice session in Abu Dhabi, championship leader Lando Norris was just 0.008s faster than Max Verstappen – but that gap grew to 0.363s in the second session. That is concerning for Red Bull on two fronts: firstly that set-up changes between the sessions failed to have the desired effect, and also that the second session is far more representative than the first because track...Keep reading -
Verstappen: Red Bull must be "faster" after Norris dominates F1 Abu Dhabi GP practice
Max Verstappen is currently feeling pessimistic about his Abu Dhabi Grand Prix chances as Red Bull lacks pace to McLaren at the 2025 Formula 1 title showdown.
The four-time world champion finished runner-up to McLaren championship leader Lando Norris in both FP1 (+0.008s) and FP2 (+0.363s) on Friday at Yas Marina Circuit.
It comes during the season finale where Norris simply needs a podium...Keep reading -
“Not a bad day” for Norris and Piastri, but they want more at F1 Abu Dhabi GP
Formula 1 title contenders Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had a decent Friday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but steer well clear of overconfidence ahead of the decisive sessions.
Norris topped both practice sessions at Yas Marina, outpacing runner-up Max Verstappen by 0.008s in Free Practice 1 and 0.363s in FP2, as the Red Bull driver mounts a title challenge with a 12-point deficit.
Read...Keep reading -
F1 Abu Dhabi GP qualifying - Start time, how to watch & more
The 2025 Formula 1 world drivers’ championship will be decided at this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which is also the last of the current ground-effect era.
Lando Norris leads the championship and is 12 points above Red Bull’s Max Verstappen with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri hanging on in third and 16 off top.
So Norris simply needs a podium finish to clinch his maiden title...Keep reading -
F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Norris quickest over Verstappen in FP2, Piastri 11th
Lando Norris ended the final Friday practice session of 2025 on top of the FP2 standings at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, over three tenths clear of Max Verstappen - as Oscar Piastri was only 11th.
Both Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar had broken with convention in the early stages of the session and immediately set about putting laps on the soft tyre. This ensured that, after the majority...Keep reading -
Brown explains why McLaren F1 team orders would not be a papaya rules U-turn
Zak Brown has denied McLaren’s potential team orders at Formula 1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would be a U-turn on the squad’s ‘papaya rules’.
McLaren has made a point of treating its drivers as fairly as possible, to the extent that it even swapped them around in the Italian Grand Prix after a botched pitstop for Lando Norris gave the edge to his team-mate Oscar Piastri.
McLaren is...Keep reading -
F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Norris pips Verstappen to go quickest in FP1
Lando Norris went quickest in opening practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the weekend he could claim his maiden Formula 1 world championship.
The McLaren driver set a 1m24.485s on used soft tyres, which meant he pipped second-placed Max Verstappen who is also his nearest challenger in the championship.
Norris will become champion should he claim a podium on Sunday, as he is 12 points...Keep reading -
Verstappen: Red Bull's 2025 turnaround more important than F1 title
Red Bull’s 2025 turnaround to become an unlikely dark horse in the Formula 1 drivers’ world championship is more important than actually winning the title, according to Max Verstappen.
It long seemed like the title fight was going to be a two-horse race between McLaren’s drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who won 12 of the first 15 grands prix of the season between them.
At that...Keep reading -
What F1 history tells us about three-way title deciders
1950 Italian GP, Monza – Farina takes decisive home victory
Championship situation before the title decider1. Juan Manuel Fangio, Alfa Romeo, 26pts2. Luigi Fagioli, Alfa Romeo, 24pts3. Giuseppe Farina, Alfa Romeo, 22pts
Final standings1. Giuseppe Farina, Alfa Romeo, 30pts2. Juan Manuel Fangio, Alfa Romeo, 27pts3. Luigi Fagioli, Alfa Romeo, 24pts
Alfa Romeo team: Juan Manuel...Keep reading -
What's next for Tsunoda after his F1 departure?
It felt like Yuki Tsunoda was being put out of his misery once Red Bull announced he would not be a part of their plans - at least, in a racing capacity - in 2026. Isack Hadjar's promotion to the main squad, Liam Lawson's retention at Racing Bulls, and Arvid Lindblad's promotion into F1 has pushed Tsunoda into the wilderness.
It was almost entirely expected, although it nonetheless felt as if...Keep reading -
Verstappen: "All that matters is the trophy" regarding McLaren F1 team orders debate
Defending Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen says he would have no issue with McLaren playing the team game to keep him from a fifth consecutive drivers' title, because "all that matters is the trophy".
Verstappen is facing a 12-point deficit to championship leader Lando Norris at the Yas Marina Circuit's season finale, with Oscar Piastri four points behind the Dutchman.
It means that...Keep reading -
Business as usual? Norris, Verstappen and Piastri weigh in on F1 title decider
Tensions may be rising ahead of Formula 1's first three-way title fight in 15 years, but Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri are keen to try and play it cool.
The FIA wisely put F1 2025's three title protagonists in the same press conference segment, with championship leader Norris in the middle in the currently correct podium order.
Verstappen set the tone when asked how he had...Keep reading -
FIA presidential election to go ahead as Paris court orders trial
A Paris court has ruled Laura Villars’ challenge against the FIA will proceed to trial but won’t prevent next week’s presidential election from being held.
Presidential candidate Villars sued the FIA in October over rules that mean only incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem is allowed to run.
Read Also:
GeneralFIA sued by presidential candidate over undemocratic...Keep reading -
Antonelli "started to doubt myself" during turbulent rookie F1 season
For Andrea Kimi Antonelli, coming under attack from the bottom half of the internet is just the latest unexpected challenge which has beset him during an up-and-down rookie season with Mercedes in Formula 1.
Although the Red Bull team apologised for its part in stoking the online hatred prompted by Antonelli’s trip across the kerbs late in the Qatar Grand Prix, allowing championship leader...Keep reading -
McLaren hasn't discussed F1 team orders for Abu Dhabi; Norris won't ask for them
McLaren has not discussed any team orders ahead of Formula 1's title crescendo at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - and current championship leader Lando Norris says that he won't ask for them to help his cause.
The championship is finely poised ahead of the 2025 season closer, with Norris 12 points clear of Max Verstappen and 16 points clear of team-mate Oscar Piastri; thus, McLaren has the added...Keep reading -
Williams F1 junior Browning set for Super Formula test ahead of expected series switch
Williams Formula 1 junior Luke Browning will participate in next week’s post-season Super Formula test ahead of an anticipated switch to the Japanese series next year.
Browning, who currently races in Formula 2, is one of several drivers to have been confirmed for the Suzuka test on 10-12 December by promoter JRP.
Although the team the British driver will join for the test was not named in...Keep reading -
The mindset Norris needs for the F1 Abu Dhabi finale
Finish third. Easier said than done. But nothing Lando Norris can't do.
Max Verstappen is charging forward like an express train, and having him as a title challenger is scary enough. It seems as if he lives rent-free not only in the heads of the McLaren drivers, but in the minds of everyone wearing papaya colours. The fear of losing to him is not just about defeat; after such a dominant 2025...Keep reading -
Who will win the 2025 F1 world title in the Abu Dhabi decider? Our writers have their say
Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri all go into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a chance of securing the 2025 Formula 1 world championship.
In a season-long tussle that has swung between each of the three protagonists, it comes down to the season finale, with Norris leading Verstappen by 12 points and Piastri 16 points off his McLaren team-mate in third.
Read...Keep reading -
Haas boosts Toyota ties with F1 title partnership
Haas has signed a landmark title partnership deal with Toyota for the 2026 Formula 1 world championship, with the team becoming known as TGR Haas F1 Team.
The deal is the next stage in the strengthening ties between the American F1 outfit and the Japanese automotive giant, having signed a technical partnership in October 2024.
As part of the deal, Toyota will extend on its commitment to give...Keep reading -
JA on F1 podcast: What the pressure feels like inside a team in an F1 title showdown
It’s crunch time in Abu Dhabi, with a three-way fight for the Formula 1 world drivers’ championship.
From McLaren’s point of view it didn’t have to be this way. If it had avoided the disqualifications in Las Vegas, or made a better strategy call in Qatar, it would now be guaranteed its first world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
As it is, Lando Norris will be champion if he...Keep reading -
Six moments that may cost Norris the 2025 F1 title
This weekend in Abu Dhabi, Lando Norris has a chance to win his maiden Formula 1 world title. A second chance, actually, after his first match point in Qatar went awry as McLaren picked the wrong strategy.
The team may have overwhelmingly dominated the constructors’ championship, with 800 points to current runner-up Mercedes’ 459, but it is in more danger than ever in the drivers’...Keep reading -
F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Weather forecast, schedule and how to watch
So it all comes down to this. The 2025 Formula 1 world title will be decided at this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri all have hopes of glory.
It will be the first time since the 2021 edition of this race that the F1 championship will be decided on the final day, as back then Verstappen claimed his first crown in that very famous clash with...Keep reading -
Norris and Piastri feeling pressure in F1 fight against Verstappen - Mekies
It is inevitable that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are feeling the “psychological effect” of a Formula 1 title battle against Max Verstappen, says Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies.
The 2025 championship will be decided at this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Norris heads into the finale 12 points above Verstappen and 16 ahead of McLaren team-mate Piastri.
Although Norris is still...Keep reading -
Cadillac to reveal its first F1 livery in Super Bowl advert
Cadillac is planning to reveal the livery of its maiden Formula 1 car during a Super Bowl advert on 8 February ahead of the 2026 campaign.
The American outfit will become F1’s 11th team next year when it makes its debut at the Australian Grand Prix on 6-8 March after a lengthy process to the grid.
It is going huge on the tag of being an American squad amid F1’s push to increase...Keep reading -
Exclusive: Lindblad on his F1 graduation and telling Norris 'I would see him in five years'
By graduating to Racing Bulls in 2026, Britain's Arvid Lindblad has delivered on his own childhood vision that he would somehow make it to Formula 1. Speaking exclusively to Autosport, he tells all about his ambition, his Swedish-Indian family heritage and a promise he made to Lando Norris.
Tuesday's Racing Bulls announcement confirmed 18-year-old Lindblad will graduate to an F1 race seat in...Keep reading -
Hamilton: Media negativity has hurt Ferrari F1 squad
Lewis Hamilton says media criticism has taken a toll on the members of Ferrari’s Formula 1 team, amid a tough season in Maranello.
Although the team was cautious when publicly setting goals for 2025, expectations were high after it missed out on the 2024 constructors’ title by just 14 points against McLaren.
Ferrari has ended up not winning a single race in 2025 – which is unlikely to...Keep reading -
Alpine confirms date and location of F1 2026 season launch
The Alpine Formula 1 team will hold a season launch event in Barcelona on 23 January, shortly before pre-season testing gets under way at the Catalan track from 26-30 January.
The squad made the announcement in a social media post which does not disclose much information as to what will actually happen, and whether its actual 2026 challenger might be revealed; Autosport understands only a...Keep reading -
F1 2026 grid: What is next season's driver line-up in Formula 1?
The grid for the 2026 Formula 1 season is now complete after Red Bull announced changes across both of the teams it owns in the championship.
Isack Hadjar will replace Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull after a disappointing season for the Japanese racer, while F2's Arvid Lindblad will occupy the Frenchman's spot at Racing Bulls.
These changes will come into effect when F1 debuts one of its biggest...Keep reading -
Red Bull praises Tsunoda despite demotion for F1 2026
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies keenly praised Yuki Tsunoda’s skills as a Formula 1 driver as his demotion to a test and reserve role was announced for 2026.
Isack Hadjar will join Max Verstappen at Red Bull after a promising maiden F1 campaign at Racing Bulls, while Tsunoda was in contention to partner rookie Arvid Lindblad in the Faenza-based outfit but lost out to incumbent Liam...Keep reading -
Was Red Bull right to replace Tsunoda with Hadjar for F1 2026?
Red Bull has announced a new driver line-up for the second Formula 1 season running, as Isack Hadjar will replace Yuki Tsunoda for the 2026 campaign.
It comes after an impressive rookie season for Hadjar at Racing Bulls, as he is 10th in the championship with a round remaining having stood on the podium at Zandvoort.
For Tsunoda, meanwhile, he has endured a torrid time since joining Red Bull...Keep reading -
Hadjar to officially replace Tsunoda at Red Bull for F1 2026 - Lindblad at Racing Bulls
Isack Hadjar will officially become Max Verstappen's new Red Bull team-mate in the 2026 Formula 1 season replacing Yuki Tsunoda, while Arvid Lindblad joins Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls.
Hadjar will be promoted from Racing Bulls after a strong rookie campaign, which yielded a breakthrough podium for the then-20-year-old Frenchman at the Dutch Grand Prix. The 2024 F2 runner-up also took a brace of...Keep reading -
The most controversial F1 title deciders: 1990 Japan, 2021 Abu Dhabi and more
The 2025 Formula 1 season will end with this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in which three drivers remain in contention for the world title.
Lando Norris leads the way on 408 points, 12 ahead of Red Bull world champion Max Verstappen and 16 in front of McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.
Although Norris heads into it as the favourite, past instances have shown that truly anything can happen at...Keep reading -
Ferrari stands by choice to stop 2025 development early despite dismal F1 season
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has defended the Scuderia’s decision to focus its resources on Formula 1’s new regulations for 2026, despite its slump in performance.
All teams have had tough decisions to make ahead of F1’s new technical era, with their resources limited by the budget cap and aerodynamic testing restrictions.
Vasseur said on Friday that Ferrari switched all of...Keep reading -
Why Marko isn't the sole culprit in the Antonelli abuse storm
Let’s start with the clearest point: anyone who takes part in a harassment campaign is directly responsible for it. Whether it’s an anonymous, barely followed social media account or a public figure with thousands of readers, nobody is entitled to pour out crude, idiotic hatred at someone else. There is certainly no justification for such behaviour.
With that premise established, we can...Keep reading -
F2 champion Fornaroli joins McLaren as test and development driver
Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli has been signed to McLaren's driver development programme, and will occupy a role as the Formula 1 team's test and development driver.
Fornaroli secured back-to-back F3 and F2 titles, following in the footsteps of Gabriel Bortoleto - another former McLaren development prospect - by winning the F3 title with Trident in 2024, before taking the F2 title with...Keep reading -
Aston Martin reveals 2026 F1 car launch date
Aston Martin’s 2026 Formula 1 car will be unveiled on 9 February, the team has announced in a succinct social media post.
Aston Martin simply published “AMR26 arrives”, confirming its upcoming challenger’s name in keeping with its nomenclature, followed by the date of the launch.
The Silverstone-based outfit is the first to announce the date for its 2026 F1 car reveal – Red Bull...Keep reading -
Ferrari: Qatar GP struggles linked to "balloon" F1 tyre pressures
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said the Scuderia failed to adapt to the mandated tyre pressures at the Qatar Grand Prix, leading to its worst Formula 1 performance of the year.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton qualified ninth and 18th for the sprint, 10th and 18th for the grand prix, and scored a meagre four points over the weekend – their worst haul this season apart from their...Keep reading -
McLaren's Qatar GP strategy call shocked rival F1 teams
Several Formula 1 team principals were "very surprised" to see McLaren make the costly decision not to pit under a lap seven safety car at the Qatar Grand Prix, which cost Oscar Piastri a certain victory and Lando Norris a podium.
Piastri and Norris were running first and third in the superior McLaren, split at the start by Max Verstappen, when the safety car came out on lap seven for a...Keep reading -
Nürburgring - Experience motorsport like a VIP
When the sound of engines echoes through the Eifel, the asphalt glows, and the excitement is palpable - every heart beats faster. And with VIP tickets for 2026, you'll be right in the thick of it: exclusive, comfortable, and close to the action.
Your seat in the front row
Whether it's the 24-hour race, DTM, or GT World Challenge - with a VIP ticket, you'll experience the fascination of the...Keep reading -
Hadjar set for Red Bull promotion, Tsunoda out despite likely Honda TPC deal
Red Bull's talks with Honda over an engine deal to retain its V6 turbo-hybrid powertrains for testing of previous cars running could present a lifeline for Yuki Tsunoda to retain Formula 1 involvement, as he looks set to lose a race drive for 2026.
The team will announce its 2026 driver line-up on Tuesday, but Autosport understands that Isack Hadjar will become Max Verstappen's new team-mate at...Keep reading -
Marko apologises after Antonelli comments cause flood of online abuse
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko apologised for suggesting Andrea Kimi Antonelli deliberately let McLaren's Lando Norris through in the Qatar Grand Prix, with the Mercedes Formula 1 driver subjected to a torrent of online abuse.
Antonelli slid off the track on the penultimate lap of the Losail race, allowing Norris to snatch fourth place away from the Italian, and with it take two important...Keep reading -
McLaren to hold internal review into Qatar GP strategy mistakes
McLaren boss Andrea Stella admitted the team ‘misjudged’ its strategy in the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix and said an internal review will be carried out to dissect its decision not to pit either driver under the safety car.
McLaren was the team to beat around Losail, with Oscar Piastri take sprint pole and victory, and starting Sunday’s grand prix on pole ahead of team-mate and title...Keep reading -
Why winning 2025 F1 title “doesn’t really matter” to Verstappen
Winning the 2025 Formula 1 title “doesn’t really matter” to Max Verstappen, ahead of a three-way title decider in Abu Dhabi.
The Red Bull driver took his seventh grand prix victory of the season in Qatar thanks to an impeccable drive and a decisive strategy call. That success meant he reduced his deficit to the championship lead from 104 points three months ago to 12 points ahead of the...Keep reading -
What McLaren can learn from Michael Schumacher after F1 Qatar GP blunder
Hindsight unfailingly affords total clarity – and its optics look bad for McLaren after a Qatar Grand Prix about which the best thing which could be said of the outcome is that it was less catastrophic than the Las Vegas round which preceded it.
Team boss Andrea Stella has promised a thorough review of the decision-making process which led to McLaren not pitting either of its drivers when the...Keep reading -
James Allen: The Qatar GP fallout and the radio message Piastri dreads
Picture the scene: It’s the closing stages of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Max Verstappen is leading, George Russell is second, his Mercedes having proved to be very fast again in qualifying, Oscar Piastri is third with Lando Norris in fourth.
It is the end of a gruelling season dominated by McLaren, who clinched the constructors’ title six races ago and by endless talk of its ‘papaya...Keep reading -
How Red Bull nearly fell into the same trap as McLaren in Qatar GP
Red Bull principal strategy engineer Hannah Schmitz has explained she overcame scepticism from her colleagues to pit Max Verstappen despite both McLarens staying out in Formula 1’s Qatar Grand Prix.
The race was neutralised by the safety car on lap seven after Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly clashed; this happened to be the first lap when drivers could pit on to a two-stop strategy while...Keep reading -
Red Bull to announce 2026 F1 driver line-ups on Tuesday
Red Bull will reveal its 2026 season driver line-up across its two teams on Tuesday, team principal and CEO Laurent Mekies has confirmed.
Red Bull initially planned to make its final decision on its driver line-ups by the end of November, but it since backtracked on it as it had second thoughts on its final Racing Bulls seat.
Isack Hadjar is expected to be promoted to the main Red Bull team...Keep reading -
Antonelli explains Norris overtake in F1 Qatar GP
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has explained the mistake that cost him fourth place in Formula 1’s Qatar Grand Prix – to title contender Lando Norris’ benefit.
Antonelli was chasing Carlos Sainz for the final podium spot when he lost control of his Mercedes on the penultimate lap of the race. Norris snatched fourth place away, crucially scoring two more points, which earned the Mercedes rookie...Keep reading -
Wolff blasts "brainless" Marko over comments on Antonelli letting by Norris
Toto Wolff says Helmut Marko's suggestion that Andrea Kimi Antonelli waved Lando Norris past at the end of the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix is "brainless" and "utter nonsense".
Fighting over third with Sainz ahead and Norris behind him, Antonelli slipped up on the penultimate lap by sliding the rear tyres and drifting off the track at Turn 10, allowing Norris to snatch away fourth and with it...Keep reading
