Thursday\u2019s fast-paced F1 news includes a stumbling block in Christian Horner\u2019s efforts to return to F1 as Sergio Perez recalls the time Helmut Marko was lumped with a \u00a36,000 bill at Red Bull.<\/p>\n
With Audi set to be first team on track ahead of the F1 2026 season, here\u2019s today\u2019s roundup\u2026<\/p>\n
Christian Horner stumbling block emerges in F1 return plot<\/p>\n
Christian Horner could be forced to wait until September to proceed with a return to F1, PlanetF1.com can reveal.<\/p>\n
Horner was sacked by Red Bull in July 2025 after more than 20 years in charge.<\/p>\n
Alpine has emerged as the most likely destination for Horner, but a document obtained by PlanetF1.com suggests that Horner\u2019s comeback could take longer than expected.<\/p>\n
Read more:\u00a0Exclusive: The Alpine company clause that could delay Christian Horner F1 return<\/a><\/p>\n Helmut Marko cops \u00a36,000 bill as Sergio Perez tells Red Bull tale<\/p>\n Sergio Perez has revealed that he was encouraged to use a psychologist in his early days at Red Bull, with Helmut Marko copping a \u00a36,000 bill for a single session.<\/p>\n Perez spent four seasons with Red Bull between 2021 and 2024, collecting all but one of his six career victories with the team.<\/p>\n The Mexican driver is returning to F1 with the new Cadillac team in 2026.<\/p>\n Read more: When Helmut Marko copped a \u00a36,000 bill for a Sergio Perez psychologist session<\/a><\/p>\n Audi to hold F1 2026 filming day on Friday<\/p>\n The new-look Audi F1 team will hold a filming day at Barcelona on Friday, PlanetF1.com understands.<\/p>\n Audi is preparing for its first season in F1 in 2026 after completing its full rebrand of the previous Sauber team.<\/p>\n The German manufacturer is poised to be the first team to carry out running with its new car for 2026, 17 days before the start of the first pre-season test.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0Imminent Audi F1 debut as F1 2026 filming day plans emerge<\/a><\/p>\n New Aston Martin AMR26 performance clue as launch season looms<\/p>\n Aston Martin\u2019s Mike Krack says the team already has a \u201cgood understanding\u201d of how the new AMR26 car will perform in F1 2026.<\/p>\n The AMR26, the first Aston Martin to be designed by legendary designer Adrian Newey and powered by Honda, is arguably the most highly anticipated car of the F1 2026 season.<\/p>\n The latest green machine is set to be officially launched on February 9.<\/p>\n