Overview
- McLaren’s query, prompted by Red Bull stating Max Verstappen’s São Paulo engine change was for performance, will be debated due to a gray area in F1’s financial rules.
- Teams warn the outcome could influence whether McLaren fits new units for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, given component limits, seven‑figure costs and potential points or financial penalties for cap breaches.
- Pirelli says talks with the FIA and teams are ongoing on enforcing two mandatory pit stops for the Qatar Grand Prix, with a decision expected soon after recent high degradation at Losail.
- Sebastian Vettel, surprised by Christian Horner’s dismissal, praised Horner’s impact and said 2026 will be the true test for Laurent Mekies as Red Bull’s project leader.
- Cadillac and Sergio Pérez completed 91 laps in an Imola test using a Ferrari SF‑23, and the team plans a first engine fire‑up in under 50 days followed by a January shakedown and late‑January running in Barcelona.