It is time for your Christmas Eve round-up, as we bring you up to speed with the latest F1 news to emerge.<\/p>\n
Max Verstappen gave his reaction to hearing the new Red Bull Powertrains-Ford engine fire up. George Russell explained why Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes contributed to his best season yet in F1 2025. All of this and more, so let\u2019s get to it.<\/p>\n
Max Verstappen reacts to hearing Red Bull-Ford engine<\/p>\n
Verstappen confirmed that he has heard the Red Bull-Ford engine soundtrack. It is the very first engine to be created by Red Bull \u2013 working alongside American automotive giant Ford \u2013 to debut in F1 2026 as part of the sweeping regulatory changes.<\/p>\n
Verstappen liked the \u201ccrisp\u201d sound which he heard from the engine.<\/p>\n
Read more \u2013 Max Verstappen reacts to hearing Red Bull-Ford engine for first time<\/a><\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton Mercedes exit influenced Russell\u2019s F1 2025<\/p>\n Mercedes driver Russell enjoyed what he, and many, consider to be his best Formula 1 season yet in 2025.<\/p>\n He stepped up to the team leader role after Hamilton\u2019s departure for Ferrari. Russell claimed that he went \u201cbeyond the limit\u201d as he looked to test himself against F1\u2019s most successful driver.<\/p>\n He \u201creined it back a little\u201d in 2025, which he thinks worked in his favour.<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 Russell reveals how Lewis Hamilton Mercedes exit influenced his best season<\/a><\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton\u2019s pre-Abu Dhabi advice to Lando Norris<\/p>\n Ahead of the Abu Dhabi title-decider, Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion, said he had spoken with Norris. His advice to the younger Brit was \u201cjust to continue doing you. What you\u2019ve been doing works\u201d.<\/p>\n Hamilton was left feeling \u201creally proud\u201d when Norris secured his first title that weekend.<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 Lewis Hamilton reveals what he told Lando Norris on eve of title win<\/a><\/p>\n Herbert urges Oscar Piastri \u2018mental strength\u2019 work<\/p>\n Norris was one of three drivers \u2013 alongside Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen \u2013 who went into Abu Dhabi chasing the title.<\/p>\n Piastri ultimately finished third in the standings, his late-season recovery not enough to undo the damage of a six-race podiumless run, a rut which destroyed what was a comfortable championship lead.<\/p>\n Johnny Herbert said it should have been a \u201cslam dunk\u201d title win for Piastri, who he says must work with Mark Webber on his \u201cmental strength\u201d ahead of the new season.<\/p>\n Read more \u2013 Oscar Piastri given \u2018mental strength\u2019 mission by Herbert after \u2018slam dunk\u2019 title miss<\/a><\/p>\n Michael Schumacher\u2019s accidental private bar<\/p>\n Andy Wilman, the former \u2018Top Gear\u2019 and \u2018The Grand Tour\u2019 executive producer, recalled accidentally creating a private bar for Michael Schumacher.<\/p>\n It occurred at the hotel in Italy where Schumacher was staying, as the F1 icon allegedly proceeded to claim \u201cHakkinen is often faster than him\u201d, and discuss his infamous Jacques Villeneuve collision.<\/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