Motorsport

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 25, 2026

TeamSLR Aims To Defend Trans Am Title At Sebring

TeamSLR and M1 Racecars ended the 2025 Trans Am Series season with seven consecutive national series victories by four different drivers, with Tristan McKee leading the victory parade after an incredible rookie season at just fifteen years old, including earning national series driver, Young Guns, and Rookie of the Year titles. Former champion and veteran driver Mike Skeen was also part of the celebration, as were victorious teen drivers Carson Brown and Helio Meza. <- Gallery -> Combined, TeamSLR and M1 Racecars enjoyed a 2025 season with 20 victories, 38 podium finishes, and 23 pole positions. Now, TeamSLR is going into the 2026 season looking to defend its title, and it’s kicking off this weekend at the iconic Sebring International Raceway. There, a new lineup is looking to help defend TeamSLR’s title. Lanie Buice, an eighteen-year-old from Georgia, is a 2026 Chevrolet development driver, along with Helio Meza, who is also eighteen. Both have notable racing successes to their names, especially for their youth. Alon Day, 34, is also joining the team, with a racing career that includes success in the NASCAR Euro Series and other efforts going into his rookie season TA2 Series season. Connor Mosack, 27, is part of the lineup, as well, returning to TeamSLR for the fifth time after scoring victories for the team in 2021 and 2022. Limiting his practice time at Sebring, Mosack will also be racing the No. 48 Guthrie's Garage/Roaring Pines Motorclub/M1 Racecars entry in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in St. Petersburg on Saturday, a few hours' drive west of Sebring. Joining TeamSLR and M1 Racecars as partners this season Guthrie’s Garage, CUBE 3 Architecture, Franklin Road Apparel Company, and Kallberg Racing. As the season-opening race in Sebring fast approaches, the successful TeamSLR hopes to continue a winning streak in Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s 60th anniversary season. Image Source: TeamSLR

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 17, 2026

Watch Netflix's 'Drive to Survive' Season 8 Trailer

There’s no question that Formula One has evolved into one of the most watched and talked-about sports on the planet, combining action-packed, high-speed racing with the relentless pressure of teams and drivers all chasing a spot on the podium after a long race weekend. While longtime fans around the world have celebrated legends like Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda, Jim Clark, and countless others for decades, the sport found a whole new audience with Netflix’s Drive to Survive series, which pulled back the curtain and turned casual viewers into die-hard followers almost overnight. Celebrating the upcoming debut of its newest season, Netflix recently shared the official trailer for Drive to Survive Season 8, offering an inside look at one of F1’s most exciting seasons yet. As part of Formula 1’s 75th anniversary, the 2025 Formula One season had a different kind of energy right from the start. There were changes everywhere you looked, and not just the usual driver swaps or mid-grid shuffling. The biggest talking point was Lewis Hamilton putting on a red race suit and joining Scuderia Ferrari, a move that alone reshaped the conversation around the paddock. At the same time, teams like Mercedes-AMG Petronas, Red Bull Racing, and McLaren F1 Team were all dealing with their own internal shifts, setting the stage for a season that felt wide open and constantly in motion. That’s the scene Drive to Survive Season 8 shifts into. Instead of focusing on race results, it concentrates on the moments in between, the pressure on newcomers trying to make a name for themselves, the tension inside team garages, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that quietly shape a championship. Familiar faces like Max Verstappen are still part of the story, but the season also gives space to fresh storylines and shifting dynamics across the grid. It’s a snapshot of a sport in transition, which makes the new season easy to get curious about without spoiling a thing.

By Khris Bharath – February 11, 2026

Aston Martin Unveils AMR26 as 2026 F1 Grid Takes Final Shape

Aston Martin formally unveiled the AMR26 livery at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with title partner Aramco. The presentation marked the final livery reveal of the 2026 Formula 1 grid and signaled the British team’s full commitment to Formula 1's new regulatory era. The AMR26 is the first Aston Martin developed entirely under the 2026 regulations, which introduces all-new power units, revised aerodynamics, and different tire specifications. Supported by Honda, Aramco, and Valvoline, the program also integrates power unit development, mandatory sustainable fuels, and advanced lubricants. That status expands integration between chassis and power unit architecture from inception. This is also the first car produced from the completed AMR Technology Campus in Silverstone, including correlation work conducted in the team’s new CoreWeave AIR wind tunnel and advanced simulator. Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll has overseen the transition to full works status and the expansion of the Silverstone campus. Adrian Newey leads the technical direction of the project and will assume the role of team principal. With championship-winning experience at Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull Racing, Newey joins Aston Martin at a pivotal moment in Formula 1. "2026 is a rare moment because, for the first time, the chassis and engine regulations have changed simultaneously. When there are completely new rules, the best philosophy is never immediately obvious, and understanding evolves as the car develops. With the AMR26, we took a holistic approach because there isn't a single component that stands out; we want the entire package to work together. The focus was on a solid foundation and development potential to provide Lance and Fernando with consistent performance." - Adrian Newey, Team Principal, Aston Martin F1 Chief Technical Officer Enrico Cardile, formerly Ferrari’s Technical Director, will support the program’s technical restructuring alongside Newey. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll return for a fourth consecutive season, bringing a combined 614 Formula 1 starts. Jak Crawford will serve as the third driver and full-time reserve. The AMR26 has already completed an initial shakedown in Barcelona and will enter official pre-season testing in Bahrain before its race debut at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 8th. View All Aston Martins For Sale Images: Aston Martin F1

By Khris Bharath – February 09, 2026

Cadillac Reveals 2026 Formula 1 Race Livery

Last month, Cadillac unveiled a purpose-built testing livery at the Detroit Auto Show, ahead of early running at Silverstone and subsequent Barcelona shakedown. Now, that sequence reaches its conclusion with the final race livery revealed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cadillac Formula 1 Team (@cadillacf1) GM agreed to join F1 back in 2024, and since March last year, when Cadillac Formula 1 Team gained official FIA and Formula One Management approval to join the grid, the organization has laid serious groundwork. Backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors, the team now operates with over 300 engineers across key hubs in Indianapolis, Charlotte, Warren, and Silverstone. Leadership under Team Principal Graeme Lowdon and powertrain development directed by Russ O’Brien has moved the program forward at pace. The reveal in Times Square ties this momentum together. The final race livery evolves from what was first seen in Detroit, one that was devoid of sponsors. The black and silver palette carries over with the bold new Cadillac logo featured on the nose, the halo, and sidepods. From above, the central stripe runs cleanly from the nose through the cockpit and into the engine cover. Cadillac’s racing partners like TWG, IFS, Tommy Hilfiger, Gainbridge, Tenneco, Core Scientific, and Tommy Hilfiger now prominently feature on the car’s body. White Pirelli lettering features on the tires, while Claro and Jim Beam sit along the flanks. As for the driver lineup, Sergio “Checo” Perez and Valtteri Bottas will launch Cadillac’s first Formula 1 season, bringing more than 500 combined race starts and decades of experience between them. Perez arrives with six Grand Prix victories and proven race-winning pace. Bottas brings technical clarity and consistency developed at the sharp end of the grid. For the 2026 season, Cadillac will use customer Ferrari engines. IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Champion, Colton Herta, will serve as test driver. Looking further ahead, Cadillac’s own GM Performance Power Units division is developing a fully FIA-approved F1 power unit for introduction in 2029. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of the 2026 Formula 1 regulation reset. New rules place greater emphasis on ground effect aerodynamics, simplified bodywork, sustainable fuels, and a rebalanced hybrid formula. With that, attention turns to the F1 season opener on March 8th at Albert Park, where Cadillac’s Formula 1 journey officially begins. Watch this space. View All Cadillacs for Sale Images: @cadillacf1

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 07, 2026

Audi Celebrates Inaugural Fire-Up Of 2026 F1 Car

Audi’s Formula 1 ambitions come to roaring life. As the 2026 Formula 1 season draws nearer, the anticipated debuts of new and returning names to the grid are quickly approaching, and one of the most talked-about ones is that of Audi. The Audi Revolut F1 Team has spent years taking shape, and as its promised 2026 debut rapidly counts down to happening, the team has announced that the official launch will take place in Berlin on January 20. At that launch, the official racing livery of the team will be revealed, but before then, the team has celebrated another milestone: the successful inaugural fire-up of its car. On December 19, the event took place at the team’s facility in Hinwil, Switzerland, and it marked the first time the new Audi Power Unit was run while installed in the chassis, an important stepping stone in bringing the dream of racing on the F1 grid to reality. As 2026 marks major changes for the elite and prestigious motorsport series, the Audi F1 car runs on sustainable fuel that powers a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. In addition, the powertrain also features an Energy Recovery System, which allows the car to recover and use kinetic energy from braking. In total, the estimated power of the new Audi F1 car is over 1,000 horsepower, and that power will be sent through an 8-speed gearbox. As Audi prepares to start racing in F1 this year, the successful first fire-up of its car means that it’s well on its way there. View All Audi For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 17, 2025

Jeff Zwart Completes East African Safari Classic Rally In...

Jeff Zwart takes on a unique driving challenge. Conquering Pikes Peak behind the wheel of a Porsche, and being responsible for the iconic Luftgekühlt series, Jeff Zwart has quite the resume at 70 years old. However, there has been a driving challenge that he has wanted to take on for over 50 years, and now, he has. That is the East African Safari Classic Rally, which he has just completed, behind the wheel of a classic Porsche 911. Nine days and over a thousand competitive miles comprised the rally, and the competition involved intense heat, challenging terrain, mud, dust, water, and wildlife to navigate, and Jeff Zwart had an air-cooled Porsche 911 to do it with. Along with his co-driver, Alex Gelsomino, he managed to finish the East African Safari Classic Rally in 17th place. Known as one of the hardest rally events on the globe, the race’s roots trace back to 1953, celebrating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The route crossed Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and after changing formats over the decades, it was revived in 2003 for classic car enthusiasts, and at the past event, over half of the roughly 60-car field was comprised of classic Porsche 911s. Having dreamed of taking on the classic rally event since he was in high school, Jeff Zwart’s completion of the East African Safari Classic Rally was an incredible milestone moment for a driver with an already incredible career, and what better car to do it with than a classic Porsche 911, an equally historic and impactful sports car legend. View All Porsche 911 For Sale Image Source: Porsche

By Khris Bharath – November 09, 2025

Ferrari Dominates 2025 FIA WEC: Clinches Manufacturers’ a...

Ferrari has finally broken a 53-year dry spell in the most spectacular fashion. At the 8 Hours of Bahrain, in Sakhir this weekend, the Prancing Horse clinched both the Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ titles in the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, sealing a season that reestablished Maranello at the top of global endurance racing. Behind the wheel of the #51 Ferrari AF Corse 499P, Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi secured the Drivers’ crown with a fourth-place finish, while their teammates in the #50 car, Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen, finished third. The privateer #83 Ferrari, driven by Yifei Ye, Robert Kubica, and Phil Hanson, came home fifth but still took second in the championship, giving Ferrari a clean sweep of the top three positions in the standings. Ferrari’s return to endurance racing only began three seasons ago in 2023, yet the 499P program has already delivered beyond expectations. The 2025 campaign included wins in Qatar, Imola, and Spa, plus a 1-2-3 sweep at Lusail to open the season. The factory cars scored 245 points, finishing 75 ahead of Toyota, which managed to salvage a Bahrain victory to avoid a winless season for the first time in a decade. For context, this is Ferrari’s first overall endurance world title since 1972, when the 312 P dominated the old World Championship for Makes. It’s also the brand’s first-ever overall Drivers’ title in endurance racing, since that award didn’t exist back in the 1970s. The win raises Ferrari’s endurance total to 24 world titles, with nine outright wins (1953, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1972, and now 2025). Pier Guidi and Calado now hold four personal championships, adding to their previous GT crowns in 2017, 2021, and 2022. AF Corse’s achievement extends beyond the factory team. The independent #83 squad won the 2025 FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams and a historic win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, giving Ferrari control of both works and customer honors. Even with Toyota’s late rebound and Manthey’s Porsche taking the LMGT3 titles, 2025 belonged to Ferrari. The 499P program not only delivered big, but has also revived the brand’s racing identity, linking its endurance success with its Formula 1 heritage. The last time Ferrari held a world title of any kind was the 2008 F1 Constructors’ crown and the last Drivers' title by Kimi Räikkönen back in 2007. Now, 17 years later, it’s back on top, this time on the global endurance stage. The wider WEC landscape is shifting fast. Porsche Works Drivers won the 2024 FIA WEC, but the factory Porsche Hypercar team will exit the championship, signaling a major realignment among top-tier entrants. However, with the FIA confirming its commitment to the Hypercar platform through 2032, encouraging even more luxury and exotic manufacturers to join Le Mans competition. Aston Martin entered the grid in 2025 as the lone non-hybrid contender, and several new entrants are on the horizon: Genesis in 2026, followed by McLaren and Ford in 2027. View All Ferraris For Sale " width="680"> Images: Ferrari

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 31, 2025

Discover YETI and Oracle Red Bull Racing F1's New Collect...

Keep things cool with YETI x Oracle Red Bull Racing F1! Taking things from the great outdoors trackside to one of motorsports' most thrilling series, YETI just recently teamed up with Oracle Red Bull Racing to help keep things cool in the paddock with an all-new collaboration collection. In the demanding world of Formula 1 racing, aside from speed itself, cooling stands out as one of the most important elements to success on the track. Applying the focus on temperature stability as the engineers and mechanics behind Red Bull's F1 team, YETI proved to be the perfect partner to launch some gear and accessories that shared the same focus. The pieces themselves keep things grounded and wearable. The Cowboy Driver Short Sleeve Tee ($60) has the laid-back energy of a post-race pit crew hangout, while the Road Warrior Mid Pro Trucker Hat ($45) looks just as natural at a campsite as it does in the paddock. The Crossroads 40L Duffel ($230) brings that same Red Bull attitude to any weekend trip, built tough but designed actually to look good doing it. And the Rambler 20 oz Tumbler ($55) with MagSlider lid? That's just YETI doing what YETI does, keeping your drink cool while you pretend you're in the garage during qualifying. Then there's the Tundra 45 Hard Cooler ($375), the heavyweight of the collection. It's the cooler you toss in the back of a truck before a long drive to the track. Like everything in this drop, it wears the Red Bull Racing branding without shouting it. It's thoughtful, purposeful, and clearly built for fans who love the sport but don't necessarily want to wear it head-to-toe. Its a crossover of two worlds that share the same DNA: engineered performance, built to last, and always up for a little adventure. Shop The Collection Our Top Picks YETI x Oracle Red Bull Racing Cowboy Driver T-Shirt Shop Now YETI x Oracle Red Bull Racing Crossroads 40L Travel Duffel Shop Now YETI x Oracle Red Bull Racing Tundra 45 Hard Cooler Shop Now YETI x Oracle Red Bull Racing Trucker Hat Shop Now YETI x Oracle Red Bull Racing Rambler 20oz Tumbler Shop Now Source: YETI

By Khris Bharath – October 20, 2025

Verstappen’s Austin Win Tightens Drivers’ Championship Ti...

Packed with tension, drama, and a resurgent Max Verstappen who refuses to let go of his championship dreams in 2025, Austin delivered another action-packed weekend of Formula 1 from the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). But before Sunday even began, the story of the weekend had already taken shape with McLaren, losing both cars in the sprint race after a double incident on Saturday, scoring no points. It comes just weeks after the team from Woking sealed the Constructors’ Championship in Singapore. Starting on pole, by turn one, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen did what he does best: control the start, shut the door, and dictate the race. Behind him, Charles Leclerc pulled off one of the best starts of the season, capitalizing on soft tires to slot into second before losing ground to an increasingly confident Lando Norris. But one of the biggest moments of the race was Lando reclaiming second from Leclerc. The Monagasque still salvaged a podium by the time the chequered flag fell, finishing third. Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, finished just off the podium in fourth. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FORMULA 1® (@f1) Both Ferrari drivers were optimistic going into the race weekend. The other McLaren with Oscar Piastri was only able to manage fifth, Russel in sixth for Mercedes, Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull in seventh, Nico Hülkenberg in eighth for Sauber, Oliver Bearman in ninth for HAAS, and Alonso in his Aston Martin, taking the final point and wrapping up 10th. The only DNF was Carlos Sainz, who, until his contact with Kimi Antonelli, was having a great weekend. The celebrity turnout over the weekend in Austin was as strong as ever and included the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Jay Leno, Joe Rogan, Adele and Brad Pitt. In other news, F1 also confirmed that the U.S. Grand Prix will stay at COTA through 2034. Miami also has an extension until 2041. Off-track, the weekend brought huge news for fans in the U.S., as Apple is taking over the broadcast rights next season, replacing ESPN, in 2026, a year where an American team is also set to join the F1 grid next season with Cadillac joining. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FORMULA 1® (@f1) Verstappen’s fifth title isn’t guaranteed just yet, but it’s clear he’s on a mission with five more races to go, including one in Las Vegas (November 20-22), until the season finale in Abu Dhabi. But after his back-to-back wins in Austin, he’s now within striking distance of a fifth World Drivers’ Championship, cutting the deficit to the championship leader Oscar Piastri by 64 points from 104 points to just 40. Image Source: @Formula1

By Khris Bharath – October 17, 2025

Austin Awaits: Leclerc and Hamilton Set the Tone Ahead of...

If you’ve been tracking the current Formula One season’s back-and-forth drama over the past 18 races, you know that The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin (round 19) promises to turn up the wick as part of F1’s growing American trilogy: Miami in May, Austin now, and Las Vegas closing out the year in November. McLaren has already sealed the Constructors’ crown in Singapore, but the Drivers’ fight is still alive, with only 22 points separating Oscar Piastri (336 points) and Lando Norris (314 points) ahead of an action-packed Sprint race weekend ahead of us. Austin marks the start of the final six rounds, and every lap of this Sprint weekend will count. Only one practice session on Friday, then straight into qualifying and parc fermé, preparation matters more than ever, and that’s exactly where Ferrari hopes to strike back. Leclerc, who turned 28 on Thursday, celebrated in Ferrari’s hospitality suite before getting back to business. Leclerc insists there’s more performance in the SF-25 than results have shown. “It’s not in my nature nor the team’s to ever give up. We’ll give it our all until the last lap of the last race, and I believe that even from the poor weekends, there’s something to learn. I also think the car’s potential is greater than it’s looked recently, and even though our rivals have undoubtedly made progress in terms of competitiveness, I’m convinced that if we manage to put everything together, a good result is within our reach.” As last year's race winner, he’s banking on preparation to pay off under the Sprint structure. “We’ll only have one free practice session, so those who have prepared best at the factory could have an advantage, and in the past, there have been times when we were the best prepared. If that’s the case here, it’ll be important to make the most of that opportunity.” That confidence ties back to Maranello’s factory simulations, which could play a bigger role than usual this weekend. Leclerc also referenced next year’s new technical cycle, signaling his intent to stay with Ferrari through the 2026 regulation shift. “There are a lot of rumours, but the truth is the same as I’ve always said, I’m in love with Ferrari, I want to win with the Scuderia, he said. Hamilton, on the other hand, looked relaxed as ever. The seven-time champion has always had a special connection with COTA. “This is my favorite weekend of the season,” he said during the FIA press conference. “The people, the food, the music, it feels like home.” The circuit has been kind to him, too, with five career wins in Austin since 2012. But Hamilton’s attention is firmly on the final six races of the season. “I think it’s important to stay focused and ensure we improve and learn all the time. Of course there are rumours flying around, but we just need to concentrate on what we have to do and I will be giving my all in the last six races. After Singapore, we had a meeting to analyse everything about the weekend. I think that even from that race there were a few positive insights to take away and if we can make good use of what we learned, we will get better results. Everyone at the track really wants a good result for the sake of all those working like crazy back in the factory. They really deserve it.” said Hamilton. Heat is the big headliner going into race weekend in Austin, which, for teams, combines with Pirelli’s Texas two-step, a compound jump to C1, C2, and C3. The gap between hard and medium is roughly a second per lap, pushing strategy toward a two-stopper if degradation spikes. Virtual Safety Cars are common here, and the two pit windows, which are around Lap 15 to 22 and again near Lap 34 to 40, could decide everything. Ferrari arrives at the U.S. Grand Prix sitting third in the Constructors’ standings with 298 points, behind McLaren (650 points) and Mercedes (325 points). Leclerc is currently fifth in the Drivers’ standings with 173 points, while Hamilton sits close behind in sixth with 125. Both need strong finishes in Austin to keep Ferrari’s momentum alive in the final stages of the 2025 season. For the fans, it’s a weekend where Texas heat, strategy chaos, and title tension will come together. View All Ferraris For Sale Images: Ferrari

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