Monday was a busy day in Formula 1, with the post-season pace remaining strong both on and off the tracks. While Gabriel Bortoleto is already talking about going “all out” in 2026, Ferrari is experiencing a tense atmosphere with Lewis Hamilton, Helmut Marko remains in the spotlight after leaving Red Bull, and the FIA has confirmed significant changes to the regulations starting from 2026.
Kicking off the day, Bortoleto made a positive assessment of his debut in F1 and made it clear that the goal for the next championship is even more ambitious. The Brazilian spoke of a “good year” with Sauber, highlighted the learning experience amidst the intense competition in the midfield, and summed up the spirit for 2026: he wants to attack more, have fun, and make the most of the new cycle with the official arrival of Audi.
At Ferrari, the tone was quite different. Hamilton ended the season with a clearly tense communication on the radio, reflecting the frustrations accumulated throughout the year. The article highlights moments where the seven-time champion made it clear his discomfort with strategic decisions and the car’s performance, reinforcing that the relationship between the driver and the team is already starting 2026 under extra pressure in Maranello.
The other major focus of the day was the “Marko case”. One of the texts delves into the background of the consultant’s departure from Red Bull, linking the decision to internal conflicts and growing wear and tear with the organization’s top leadership, despite the more subdued public discourse. In another interview, however, Helmut Marko himself insists that the farewell was “my decision”, seeking to dispel rumors of external pressure and reaffirming that he considered the moment right to end the cycle after more than two decades in charge of the young drivers’ program.
Marko also addressed two points that directly interest fans. First, he emphasized that he does not intend to return to Formula 1 in any capacity, not even as a commentator, saying that this phase of his life is behind him and that he now wants to dedicate himself to other businesses, at most visiting one or two GPs as a guest. Then, he guaranteed that Max Verstappen “is not thinking of leaving Red Bull”, explaining that the Dutchman only wants to compete in a harmonious environment and remains focused on seeking more titles with the team.
Closing out the news, the FIA announced significant changes to the rules starting from 2026. The package includes adjustments to the Sprint format, with a new, more generous points system and scoring extending to 12th place, changes to details of the sporting and technical regulations, and innovations in the application of penalties and superlicense points. The idea is to make the weekends even more dynamic and to make the championship more balanced in a grid that has already seen a very tight title decision in 2025.
Thus, the day in F1 was marked by a confident young Brazilian looking to the next step in his career, signs of friction in one of the most anticipated partnerships on the grid, one of the most influential names in the modern era bidding farewell to the paddock for good, and a package of rules that promises to shake up the category’s landscape starting from 2026.
