FIA to probe bizarre bus incident that halted testing, Tsunoda drops managers after Red Bull setback, and other big updates

FIA to probe bizarre bus incident that halted testing

The final day of Formula 1 testing in Bahrain was red-flagged when a shuttle bus unexpectedly entered the run-off area near turns nine and ten while drivers were on track. The FIA said the bus was not allowed there, had no barriers around it, and race control did not know where it was going. This raised safety concerns, as similar incidents in the past led to serious accidents, including Jules Bianchi’s fatal crash in 2014. The test week was already chaotic, with a glass pane falling onto the pit straight, a missing marshal stopping the session, and a power outage caused by a substation failure.

Click here to read the full article by Keith Collantine (racefans.net)

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Tsunoda drops managers after Red Bull setback

Yuki Tsunoda has dropped long-time managers Mario Miyakawa and Luis Alvarez, bringing in Diego Menchaca as he pushes for a Red Bull seat in 2026. Red Bull’s decision to promote Lawson alongside Max Verstappen seemingly pushed Tsunoda to rethink his career strategy. While optimistic about the change, he acknowledges that his performance on track will ultimately determine his future. With his contract at Racing Bulls set to expire in 2025 and Honda leaving Red Bull for Aston Martin in 2026, speculation about his next move continues.

Click here to read the full article by Lydia Mee (si.com)

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F1 extends pre-season testing for 2026 overhaul

Formula 1 will have more pre-season testing in 2026 to help teams adjust to new engine and car rules. A five-day test in Barcelona from January 26-30 will let teams pick any three days to run before two more tests in Bahrain. This extra time should help teams avoid problems like porpoising in 2022 and prepare for new fuel and electric changes. Since cars must be ready almost a month earlier than in 2025, teams will need to speed up their development.

Click here to read the full article by Oleg Karpov (motorsport.com)

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Will Hamilton enjoy life at Ferrari?

Lewis arrived in a team kit for the first time in many races, leading to speculation that Ferrari may not allow him to wear his usual fashionable outfits from other brands. He made his debut as a Ferrari F1 driver at the 2025 F1 testing, but will his contract truly meet his expectations?

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F1 revenue hits $3.65bn in 2024

Formula One’s annual revenue rose 14% YoY to $3.65 billion in 2024, though Q4 revenue dropped from $1.23 billion to $1.17 billion due to lower earnings from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Global TV viewership increased to 1.6 billion, averaging 66 million per race, while social media followers grew from 70.5 million to 97 million. Fan attendance hit 6.5 million, up 9% YoY, aided by a record 24-race calendar. Liberty Media extended the deadline for MotoGP acquisition approval to 30th June, and updates on Cadillac’s F1 entry are expected soon.

Click here to read the full article by Cian Brittle (blackbookmotorsport.com)