It is time for your round-up of the latest F1 news, as the hotly-anticipated 2026 season begins to take shape.<\/p>\n
Toto Wolff has taken his first look at the Mercedes challenger on its way, while Max Verstappen has confirmed a number change after his status as defending World Champion was brought to an end by Lando Norris. All this and more, so let\u2019s get to it.<\/p>\n
Toto Wolff predicts \u2018fascinating\u2019 F1 2026 after Mercedes sim watch<\/p>\n
Major changes on the chassis and engine fronts are coming for F1 2026. Mercedes is a team which many are keeping an extra close eye on.<\/p>\n
The Silver Arrows went on a run of eight consecutive Constructors\u2019 Championship wins when the engine rules last changed in 2014, also collecting seven Drivers\u2019 crowns in that time.<\/p>\n
Via the team\u2019s X account, Wolff revealed that he \u201cjust came out of the simulator watching the car drive\u201d, and is predicting a \u201cfascinating\u201d season to come.<\/p>\n
Read more \u2013 Wolff makes \u2018fascinating\u2019 prediction after watching Mercedes\u2019 F1 2026 challenger<\/a><\/p>\n Max Verstappen to become number \u20183\u2019<\/p>\n Since 2022, Verstappen has made use of the champion\u2019s prerogative to drive with the number \u20181\u2019 proudly displayed on his car.<\/p>\n But, after being dethroned by Norris, Verstappen will use the number \u20183\u2019 on his Red Bull in F1 2026. Verstappen was \u201933\u2019 before his title-winning days, but has elected to take on the race number formerly used by ex-Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo.<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 Max Verstappen confirms worst-kept secret with permanent F1 number change<\/a><\/p>\n Lando Norris receives MotoGP test offer<\/p>\n Hot off the heels of winning his first Drivers\u2019 crown, Norris has been offered a test in the two-wheeled world of MotoGP.<\/p>\n Guenther Steiner, the new Red Bull KTM Tech3 CEO, has offered Norris a test on his team\u2019s MotoGP bike \u2013 even though Zak Brown probably won\u2019t be happy about it.<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 Former rival F1 boss ready to irk McLaren with Norris offer<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Gold standard\u2019 Mercedes to Ferrari \u2013 Lewis Hamilton stumbling block claimed<\/p>\n Karun Chandhok believes Lewis Hamilton has been hamstrung this season by his fledgling relationship with Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami.<\/p>\n Hamilton came from \u201cgold standard\u201d radio communication with Peter Bonnington at Mercedes, says Chandhok.<\/p>\n