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Wolff Renews Masi Broadside as Verstappen Closes Gap and F1 Pivots to 2026

Fresh remarks from Mercedes’ chief keep the Abu Dhabi fallout in play as a tight McLaren lead faces a late Red Bull charge and teams reorient around sweeping rule changes next year.

Overview

  • Toto Wolff sharply criticized former race director Michael Masi over the 2021 Abu Dhabi finale, calling him a “lunatic,” even as the FIA’s report labeled the episode a human error performed in good faith.
  • Lando Norris leads the drivers’ standings by a single point over Oscar Piastri, while Max Verstappen has won three of the last five races and sits 36 points off Norris after confirming he believes a title chance remains.
  • Ferrari principal Frédéric Vasseur acknowledged the team has shifted its focus to 2026, reflecting the field’s broader pivot to new regulations featuring reduced ICE output, tripled battery power and 100% sustainable fuel.
  • Red Bull staff turnover continues, with reports that long‑serving chief mechanic Matt Caller will leave at year’s end to join Audi’s Formula 1 project.
  • Driver pathways are reshaping as Red Bull junior Pepe Martí signs with Cupra Kiro in Formula E, Arvid Lindblad earns further consideration after an impressive FP1, and Aston Martin confirms Jak Crawford as its 2026 third driver.