GM-Cadillac eyes Ferrari power for 2026 debut, Can McLaren win the constructors' championship in Qatar?, and other big updates

GM-Cadillac eyes Ferrari power for 2026 debut

GM-Cadillac is planning to join Formula 1 in 2026, with a partnership under discussion with Ferrari for a power unit supply while it develops its own drivetrain. This temporary arrangement would allow Cadillac to quickly adapt to new technical regulations before creating its own power unit by the end of the decade. American motorsport icon Mario Andretti confirmed the discussions and noted that securing a Ferrari supply aligns with Ferrari’s reduced customer team strategy. After facing some challenges, Andretti is excited about the team's future and will help make important decisions but won't have a daily role.

Click here to read the full article by Phillip van Osten (f1i.com)

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Can McLaren win the constructors' championship in Qatar?

McLaren must score 21 points more than Ferrari at the Qatar Grand Prix to win its first F1 constructors' title since 1998. McLaren is leading Ferrari by 24 points, with 103 points still available across the Qatar weekend and the final race in Abu Dhabi. If McLaren matches its strong result from last year in Qatar, where it outscored Ferrari by 34 points, the title will be theirs. Red Bull is 53 points behind McLaren and needs to score nine more points than them in Qatar to stay in the race, but their chances are slim.

Click here to read the full article by Jake Nichol (racingnews365.com)

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Key battles still to be decided in 2024

Max Verstappen has already won the 2024 drivers' championship, but there are still important battles ahead. McLaren leads Ferrari by 24 points in the race for the constructors' title, while Red Bull is aiming for second. Lando Norris is second in the drivers' standings, but Charles Leclerc is getting closer, and Oscar Piastri could also move up. Mid-grid teams like Haas, Alpine, and RB are fighting for higher placements, while speculation over Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull could influence team line-ups for 2025.

Click here to read the full article by Teha Courbon (motorsport.com)

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Why Ricciardo could get a shot at Cadillac

Cadillac will join F1 in 2026, and this gives Daniel Ricciardo a chance to return to racing. Ricciardo’s time with Red Bull ended in 2024, leaving his future unclear. Cadillac wants one experienced driver and an American driver, so Ricciardo could fit that need. He’s popular in the U.S. and has a lot of F1 experience, making him a good choice for the team. If he doesn’t return to racing, Ricciardo is also being considered for a role in F1 media, with some even suggesting he could replace Damon Hill as a Sky F1 pundit.

Click here to read the full article by Jamie Woodhouse (planetf1.com)

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Hamilton takes on childhood dream with astronaut training challenge

Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 champion, has started astronaut training with IWC Schaffhausen. The training simulates astronauts' intense conditions, including high G-forces and zero gravity. Hamilton compared the experience to F1, saying it was harder to breathe, and his blood felt like it was leaving his head. IWC will show a short film about his training at the Qatar Grand Prix to celebrate their 10-year partnership.

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