As the second Bahrain test moves closer into view, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, and race starts crop up as key topics in latest F1 news headlines.<\/p>\n
A clip of Hamilton<\/a>\u2018s practice start has sparked debate, while F1 commentator Alex Brundle has called for the FIA to act before Melbourne as safety concerns over F1 2026 race starts continue to circulate. All of this and more, so let\u2019s get to it.<\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton\u2019s lengthy Bahrain practice start intentional?<\/p>\n Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Formula 1 technical expert Sam Collins reckons it could have been.<\/p>\n The modern F1 cars are far harder to prepare for launch with the new, MGU-H-less engines. With concerns over safety at race starts a hot topic, the recent comments made by Mercedes\u2019 George Russell about Ferrari has thrust the Scuderia into the spotlight.<\/p>\n A clip has since emerged online of Hamilton revving the Ferrari for 22 seconds at a practice start, while Collins was watching on. Fierce debate has erupted over Hamilton\u2019s action, with Collins suggesting that Hamilton \u201cmight have done\u201d that on purpose, as a crucial F1 Commission analysis of the race start procedure looms.<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 Lewis Hamilton\u2019s 22s Ferrari rev sparks fresh start row<\/a><\/p>\n Alex Brundle calls for FIA intervention<\/p>\n Formula 1 pundit and commentator, Alex Brundle, believes that the FIA must \u201cstep in\u201d to eliminate these safety concerns over race starts.<\/p>\n Brundle warns that stalling on a packed grid is \u201cone of the scariest things in racing.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 Alex Brundle urges FIA to act over F1 2026 start safety fears<\/a><\/p>\n Red Bull denies joining Mercedes engine opposition<\/p>\n On top of the race starts, another major topic of debate, and one which could also be settled before Melbourne, is the unrest from rivals over Mercedes\u2019 engine.<\/p>\n Amid reports that Mercedes has found a way to increase the engine compression ratio when running hot, rivals are reportedly pushing for a new hot-temperature test to be introduced.<\/p>\n Initial reports had Red Bull joining Mercedes in utilising this loophole, yet the talk now is of a united front of rival manufacturers against Mercedes.<\/p>\n Red Bull\u2019s Pierre Wach\u00e9 insists his team didn\u2019t change sides \u2013 it just wants a \u201cfair\u201d playing field.<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 Red Bull denies switching sides in Mercedes F1 2026 engine row<\/a><\/p>\n Alpine warns of opening can of worms on engines<\/p>\n Should those manufacturers successfully push through a rule change ahead of the season, then Alpine\u2019s Steve Nielsen has concerns over the ramifications which he fears could be more broadly felt in other areas of the regulations in future.<\/p>\n Alpine is being powered by the Mercedes engine as part of a new alliance.<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 \u2018What\u2019s off limits?\u2019 \u2013 F1 warned dangerous precedent risked in compression ratio saga<\/a><\/p>\n Honda playing catch-up with Aston Martin<\/p>\n A former Mercedes customer in the form of Aston Martin, which is beginning its Honda works engine partnership, has endured a challenging pre-season so far.<\/p>\n Off the pace in Bahrain test one, both Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso made it clear that there is work to be done.<\/p>\n Honda says it made key learnings during last week\u2019s Bahrain test. The Japanese manufacturer is \u201cplaying catch-up\u201d at this stage.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n