Former Formula 1 driver Allan McNish has been appointed as the new racing director of the Audi F1 team ahead of the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.
The Scot steps into the crucial trackside position following the departure of Jonathan Wheatley as team principal last month.
Having served as a long-time board adviser, the 56-year-old has been deeply involved with the German manufacturer’s premier motorsport project since its inception.
Extensive motorsport pedigree
Taking charge of his new responsibilities from 1 May in Florida, his remit covers engineering coordination, race strategy, driver management, and garage operations.
The newly appointed director brings an impressive racing pedigree to the pit wall, having previously secured three victories at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.
Alongside winning the 2013 world endurance championship, the motorsport veteran successfully managed the marque’s Formula E squad.
The former Toyota driver will also retain his current duties heading up the company’s young driver programme.
Management restructuring continues
In this newly created executive structure, he will report directly to Mattia Binotto.
Binotto recently assumed a dual role as chief executive officer and team principal for the nascent operation.
This appointment marks the latest significant management reshuffle as the manufacturer continues vital preparations for its full grid entry.
Expressing his pride in the appointment, the incoming racing director emphasized the scale of the task ahead.
“This is a marque that means a lot to me and it is an honour to be able to represent Audi and our partners on the most prestigious stage in motorsports.”
“This is an exciting challenge at a pivotal moment in the history of Audi and F1, and I am looking forward to contributing even more directly to our trackside performance.”
“The project we are building is ambitious, and my focus will be on ensuring that all aspects of our race operations are delivering at their most competitive level and continuously improving.”
Exceptional leadership
Binotto praised his new colleague’s vast technical understanding and pivotal contributions to their groundwork so far.
“Allan brings an exceptional combination of racing experience, technical understanding and leadership to this role.”
“He has been a central part of the motorsport structure of Audi for many years and has played a key role in shaping our preparation for F1, not least with his work around technical partnerships.”
The Turkish Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar from 2027 after agreeing a new five-year deal to race at Istanbul Park.
The iconic venue, renowned for its challenging anti-clockwise layout, will remain on the motorsport schedule until at least 2031.
It marks a permanent return for the circuit, which previously stepped in to host standalone races during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 and 2021 campaigns.
Calendar changes and European rotation
Turkey joins Portugal’s Portimao circuit as a returning track for the 2027 season.
These additions coincide with a broader shake-up of the European race schedule.
The Dutch Grand Prix will drop off the calendar at the end of the current campaign, while the historic circuits of Barcelona and Spa-Francorchamps will now rotate to host biannual events.
‘A vibrant city and challenging circuit’
Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali expressed his excitement about returning to a track beloved by both drivers and fans.
“We are delighted to be returning to the incredible and vibrant city of Istanbul from 2027 to thrill all our fans in Turkey and around the world on one of the most exciting and challenging circuits in Formula 1.”
The Italian executive highlighted the city’s status as a cultural gateway between Europe and Asia.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan views the multi-year agreement as a reflection of the strong global confidence placed in the transcontinental nation.
“As Turkey, we will once again fulfil this trust by delivering a flawless organisation in every respect, just as we have done in the past.”
Turn 8 and historic moments
First introduced to the pinnacle of motorsport in 2005, the Turkish venue quickly became famous for its punishing Turn 8.
The multi-apex, high-speed left-hander subjects drivers to immense g-forces and remains one of the most demanding corners in the sport.
The circuit has subsequently hosted several defining moments in modern racing history.
Red Bull team-mates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber infamously collided there while fighting for the lead of the 2010 race.
A decade later, Lewis Hamilton secured a record-equalling seventh world championship following a masterclass in treacherous wet conditions.
With Turkey’s return officially confirmed, 24 tracks now hold contracts for the 2027 season, meaning any potential new races in locations like Thailand or Africa will have to wait until at least 2028.
Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is expected to leave Red Bull at the end of the season after his long-standing race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase agreed to join rivals McLaren.
The departure of the Dutchman’s trusted trackside ally has sparked intense speculation about his own future with the Milton Keynes-based team.
Former British driver Johnny Herbert believes the engineer’s exit is a clear indication that the reigning champion is preparing to invoke a performance-related release clause in his contract.
The defending constructors’ champions have endured a surprisingly difficult start to the current campaign, leaving their star driver with just 12 points from the opening three rounds.
End of an era at Red Bull?
If the four-time world champion is not sitting second or higher in the drivers’ standings by the summer break, he is legally permitted to walk away.
Lambiase has been a constant presence in the driver’s ear throughout his dominant title-winning years, forging one of the paddock’s most famous working relationships.
Herbert suggested that the timing of the engineer’s move to a resurgent McLaren points to a broader exodus from the current champions.
“Is this move almost confirmation in a way that Max is on his way at the end of the season too?”
Johnny Herbert
Rivals circling for champion’s signature
A potential departure would trigger an unprecedented bidding war among Formula 1’s elite manufacturers.
Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes are all considered viable destinations should the grid’s most dominant force decide to seek a new challenge.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been a long-term admirer of the fiercely competitive racer and previously attempted to sign him earlier in the season.
“We know he’s very hungry to race in something that gives him that buzz.”
Johnny Herbert
The behind-the-scenes instability adds further pressure on a management structure that has already seen significant upheaval and key staff departures over recent months.
McLaren have signed 11-year-old karting prodigy Harry Williams to their driver development programme, making the British prospect the youngest recruit in the team’s history.
The Cheshire native joins the prestigious setup two years younger than seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was upon his arrival in 1998.
Before this historic acquisition, Ella Hakkinen, daughter of double Formula 1 title winner Mika Hakkinen, held the record as the youngest active member after joining at the age of 14 last year.
Current lead driver Lando Norris also honed his craft through the same pathway, entering the system as a 17-year-old before establishing himself at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Building a future racing pipeline
The Woking-based outfit views this early recruitment strategy as essential for securing elite talent across multiple top-tier racing categories.
Alessandro Aluni Bravi, McLaren’s chief business affairs officer, emphasised that the primary focus for the youngster remains entirely on his natural progression rather than immediate results.
“Our goal is to build a consistent pipeline, laddering into our race programmes in F1, IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship for many years to come, and adding Harry as a talented young karter demonstrates this.”
“For this driver, I think there is no target, no pressure other than enjoy karting to get maximum experience, but also to understand what does it mean to be a McLaren driver.”
A rapidly rising motorsport prospect
The British schoolboy only began his competitive karting journey in 2021 but has already amassed an impressive array of junior racing accolades.
He recently secured the 2025 British Open Championship alongside claiming the prestigious O plate in the Italian Waterswift Series.
A strong fifth-place finish in the European Waterswift Championship further cemented his status as one of the continent’s most promising young racers.
“I am really excited to join the McLaren driver development programme. They’re known for developing talent, so it’s great to join the team as I continue to progress in karting and into single-seater racing in the future.”
Mercedes driver George Russell has revealed he feels unexpectedly grounded in his first Formula 1 world title fight, attributing his calm mindset to lessons learned during his childhood karting career.
The 28-year-old officially opened a new karting facility at Silverstone on Wednesday, bringing his two-decade motorsport journey full circle.
When the Briton joined the Silver Arrows in 2022, he anticipated an immediate championship battle alongside then team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
However, his promotion from Williams coincided with a significant dip in the team’s dominant form following their controversial 2021 campaign against Max Verstappen.
Focusing on the daily process
Now that the Brackley-based squad are finally back at the front of the grid, their lead driver insists his approach remains entirely unchanged.
“I was a bit surprised about that myself. I’m just going about my process day to day.” George Russell
“Every time I get in a race car, I don’t think about the big picture, which is winning the championship.”
Instead of fixating on the overall standings, the former junior champion prioritises extracting maximum performance during qualifying and executing flawless race starts.
He acknowledges the unique intensity of the current season but maintains that his psychological approach is entirely natural rather than a forced coping mechanism.
Childhood lessons endure
“It’s just the mentality I’ve always had since I was a kid. Probably what my father ingrained in me, fighting for karting championships as a 10-year-old.” George Russell
Having outperformed the seven-time world champion Hamilton in two of their three seasons together, the current title contender clearly thrives under intense pressure.
Although the sporting stakes in motorsport’s premier class are exponentially higher, the fundamental requirements to win remain identical to those early days on the kart track.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has urged Formula 1’s governing body to ensure that mid-season engine development rules do not unfairly distort the 2026 championship battle.
The sport’s new regulations include a performance-balancing measure known as Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities.
This system allows power unit manufacturers who fall at least two per cent behind the leading internal combustion engine to introduce upgrades during the campaign.
Protecting the competitive order
The Brackley-based squad has dominated the opening stages of the new era, winning each of the first three races to build a clear advantage in the standings.
As a result, their self-manufactured power unit is widely expected to be the benchmark against which rivals are measured.
The FIA is anticipated to provide further clarity on how these balancing mechanisms will be implemented ahead of the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.
Speaking ahead of the sprint weekend in Florida, the Austrian executive stressed that the rules must be applied with absolute precision and transparency.
“The principle of the ADUO was to allow teams that were on the back foot in terms of the power unit to catch up, but not to leapfrog.”
Fears of gamesmanship
The 54-year-old warned that any ruling granting development time could drastically alter the performance picture if mismanaged.
“It needs to be clear that gamesmanship hasn’t got any place here, but it needs to be with the right spirit here that the FIA acts upon an ADUO.”
Despite concerns over potential interference at the front of the grid, the Mercedes chief acknowledged that one supplier currently requires assistance.
He strongly implied that Honda, who exclusively power the Aston Martin team, are the only manufacturer significantly off the pace.
“The teams will have their performance pictures and, as it seems for me, there’s one engine manufacturer that has a problem and we need to help.”
With all other suppliers operating in a similar performance window, the Silver Arrows boss concluded that he would be deeply disappointed if the current pecking order was artificially disrupted by regulatory interventions.
The FIA has confirmed a package of immediate regulation changes to the 2026 Formula 1 season ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, designed to improve driver safety and encourage flat-out racing.
The agreement was reached on Monday following a meeting between the sport’s governing body, team principals, engine manufacturers and commercial rights holders.
Modifications to energy harvesting and deployment limits have been introduced for qualifying sessions to reduce the need for drivers to lift and coast.
Addressing safety and speed concerns
Similar capping of electrical boosts and power deployment limits in corners will be applied during races to mitigate recent safety fears.
The sweeping 2026 regulation overhaul introduced new power units featuring a direct 50-50 split between electrical energy and the internal combustion engine.
However, competitors adapting to this complex energy management system have faced significant and unpredictable challenges on the track.
A severe crash involving Haas driver Oliver Bearman at the Japanese Grand Prix highlighted the acute dangers of sudden speed differentials between cars.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has also been highly critical of the racing spectacle produced by the new hybrid era.
Miami trials and schedule disruptions
Revised starting grid procedures will be trialled at the upcoming sprint weekend in Florida to prevent stalled cars from becoming hazardous obstacles.
Additional updates to wet-weather protocols have also been ratified to further protect the grid.
A spokesperson for the sport’s governing body explained that the refinements reflect data analysis from the opening three rounds of the championship.
“The final proposals presented during today’s meeting were the result of a series of consultations over the past few weeks between the FIA, technical representatives and extensive input from F1 drivers.”
Early assessments of the rules were always planned, but urgency increased following intense driver feedback and an unexpected break in the calendar.
The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds due to conflict in the Middle East provided teams with an extended window to analyse early-season telemetary.
Tyler Reddick has become the first driver since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 to win five of the opening nine NASCAR Cup Series races after a thrilling overtime victory at Kansas Speedway.
The pole-sitter surged past Kyle Larson on the final lap to claim an extraordinary win following a late caution flag.
Chase Briscoe finished third, while 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin took fourth after leading prior to the late disruption.
Late drama sets up grandstand finish
The 267-lap contest had been entirely caution-free outside of mandatory stage breaks until Cody Ware spun out in the closing moments.
Hamlin had looked poised to take the chequered flag before the yellow flag flew just as the leaders were approaching the final circuit.
The subsequent pit stops saw the veteran narrowly beat his own driver back onto the track, choosing the inside line for the crucial restart.
Larson immediately dived low to snatch the lead as chaos erupted behind the front pair, with Christopher Bell making contact with both Hamlin and the eventual winner.
A historic milestone for 23XI Racing
As Larson appeared destined to end a 32-race victory drought, the No. 45 Toyota mounted a massive charge down the back straight.
The two frontrunners ran side-by-side out of the final corner before the 23XI Racing star edged ahead to cross the finish line.
“Just really blessed with the late caution. How about that. Was that nuts or what? I couldn’t believe it.”
Tyler Reddick
The dramatic result sparked wild celebrations on the pit wall, with NBA legend Michael Jordan pumping his fist as his driver took the chequered flag.
“This kid is on fire. I don’t know what to say. I don’t think I can cool him down. Me being here and being able to see all the wins, I am so happy for the team.”
Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing co-owner
Toyota dominance continues
The defending Kansas race winner, Larson, admitted he thought he could cruise to the finish line before ultimately settling for his third podium of the current campaign.
Bubba Wallace secured fifth place, meaning three of the top five finishers belonged to the impressive 23XI Racing stable.
The latest triumph means Toyota has now won seven of the first nine races this season, becoming the first manufacturer to achieve that feat since Chevrolet in 2007.
The NASCAR Cup Series next travels to Talladega Superspeedway for the tenth round of the calendar.