Thursday’s news bulletin shook the world of Formula 1, bringing behind-the-scenes updates on broadcasts, driver market, team structure, and relevant statistics from the current era of the category.
Early on, the highlight was the confirmation of Christian Fittipaldi and Felipe Giaffone as new commentators for Sportv in the 2026 season. The duo reinforces the team that accompanies the return of Formula 1 to the Globo Group, joining narrator Bruno Fonseca and commentator Rafael Lopes to cover practices, qualifications, Sprint, and races.
Another important piece of news came from Audi. François Sicard, former right-hand man to Max Verstappen at Red Bull, will take over as team manager in Neuberg, where the German brand is structuring its project ahead of its official entry into F1. The move strengthens the manufacturer’s preparation for the new 2026 regulations.
In terms of numbers, Max Verstappen once again appeared at the top. The Red Bull driver leads with ease the statistic of laps in the lead since the beginning of the ground effect era. The analysis shows the dominance of the three-time champion during this period, reinforcing the consistency that sustained his recent campaigns.
At Ferrari, the focus is on integration with Lewis Hamilton. The Italian team decided to keep Riccardo Adami as the British driver’s race engineer in 2026, betting on continuity and technical alignment in the transition that marks the arrival of one of the biggest names in Formula 1 to the Maranello team.
The driver market was also a topic of discussion. Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto are at risk of being left without a seat on the grid in 2026 due to the lack of available seats and pressure for results. The situation creates uncertainty about the future of the two young talents, who depend on definitions from their teams and sponsors.
Finally, Cadillac reinforced its strategy. The American manufacturer, which is preparing to debut in F1 in 2026, ruled out copying rivals and stated that it will limit the purchase of parts from Ferrari. The brand wants to develop its own solutions and avoid technical dependence, seeking competitiveness in the medium term.
Thus, Thursday’s round ends with broadcasts defined, a busy market, strategic reinforcements, and numbers that reinforce Verstappen’s dominance in the current era.
