Marco Bezzecchi produced a flawless ride to win the season-opening Thailand MotoGP, while defending champion Marc Marquez was forced to retire in the closing stages.
The Aprilia rider converted his pole position into a commanding victory, crossing the line more than five seconds clear of the field.
KTM’s Pedro Acosta secured second place to follow up his sprint race victory on Saturday, with compatriot Raul Fernandez completing the podium for Trackhouse.
Redemption for Bezzecchi
It marked a significant turnaround for the Italian, who had crashed out of the sprint race on the second lap just 24 hours earlier.
Bezzecchi controlled proceedings from the front, continuing a rich vein of form that saw him dominate all three practice sessions and set a new track record in qualifying.
“Yesterday was a small mistake with a big consequence, so it was important today to try to bounce back,” Bezzecchi said.
“My pace was good with the medium [rear tyre], we worked super well all weekend, so I knew that I could be fast if I was in front. So I tried my all to make a good start and the bike was perfect.”
The result means the 27-year-old has now won three consecutive grand prix races, having triumphed in the final two rounds of the 2025 campaign.
Marquez’s title defence stalls
While Bezzecchi celebrated, it was a frustrating afternoon for Marc Marquez, who is chasing a record-equalling eighth premier class title this season.
The Ducati rider was running in fourth and closing in on the podium places before suffering a tyre puncture with just five laps remaining.
Marquez had run wide moments earlier, damaging his tyre and ending his hopes of salvaging points from the opener.
The Spaniard had admitted earlier in the week that he is still recovering from a shoulder injury which sidelined him for the conclusion of last season.
Martin misses podium
Bezzecchi’s team-mate and 2024 champion Jorge Martin finished fourth, unable to match the leader’s pace.
Trackhouse rider Ai Ogura rounded out the top five, putting two American-owned bikes in the top positions.
Elsewhere, last year’s runner-up Alex Marquez failed to finish following a late crash.
Two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia endured a difficult start to his campaign, crossing the line in ninth place.
Michael Schumacher continues his recovery away from the public eye 13 years after suffering a severe brain injury during a skiing accident in the French Alps.
The seven-time world champion has not been seen publicly since the life-changing incident occurred in Méribel on 29 December 2013.
His family has maintained strict privacy protocols to protect the German racing legend during his long rehabilitation process.
Here is a timeline of key developments surrounding his condition over the past decade.
Emergency surgery and waking process
The Ferrari icon was placed in an induced coma immediately following the accident to reduce intracranial pressure.
Medical staff at Grenoble Hospital performed emergency surgery before initiating a gradual waking process in early 2014.
By September of that year, Schumacher was discharged from the facility to continue his rehabilitation at the family home on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Manager Sabine Kehm cautioned at the time that the road to recovery would be long given the severity of the head trauma.
Legal clarifications on mobility
Reports regarding the 55-year-old’s mobility have frequently been subject to legal scrutiny and correction.
A lawyer for the family confirmed in court proceedings during 2016 that Schumacher could not walk, contradicting earlier claims made by a German magazine.
This legal intervention highlighted the family’s determination to prevent misleading medical information from circulating.
French media later reported in 2019 that the former driver had been admitted to a Paris hospital for stem cell treatment under a leading surgeon.
Insight from close allies
Former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt has remained one of the few sources of verified updates regarding his close friend.
Todt revealed he has watched Formula 1 races on television with the ex-Jordan and Benetton driver.
He emphasised that while the situation remains difficult, Schumacher is “still fighting” alongside his medical team.
The former FIA president also noted that Schumacher was able to follow the progress of his son, Mick, as he entered the sport.
Netflix documentary revelations
The 2021 documentary Schumacher offered a rare, sanctioned glimpse into the family’s life since the accident.
His wife, Corinna, provided an emotional update on her husband’s condition during the film.
She said:
“Michael is here, but he’s different. He shows me how strong he is every day.”
The family continues to support the “Keep Fighting Foundation,” a charitable initiative launched to inspire others facing adversity.
Pirelli have cancelled a scheduled two-day Formula 1 tyre test in Bahrain due to security concerns following US military strikes on Iran and subsequent regional tension.
Security concerns halt running
The Italian manufacturer was due to conduct wet-weather compound testing with Mercedes and McLaren at the Sakhir circuit.
However, the session has been abandoned after reports of missile strikes targeting facilities near the Bahraini capital, Manama.
The city is situated approximately 30km from the Bahrain International Circuit, prompting immediate safety precautions for all travelling team personnel.
US President Donald Trump confirmed military operations had been initiated, with explosions reported across Iran.
In response, Iranian forces have reportedly launched retaliatory strikes against US assets in the Gulf region.
Personnel safety priority
Pirelli confirmed that all staff currently in the country are safe and confined to their hotels while travel arrangements are made.
A spokesperson for the tyre supplier said: "The two days of development tests for wet-weather compounds, scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Bahrain International Circuit, have been cancelled for security reasons following the evolving international situation."
They added: "The company is working to ensure their safety and arrange their return to Italy and the UK as soon as possible."
Impact on season preparations
Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti had been scheduled to participate in the test session.
The Danish junior, who notably stepped in for Lewis Hamilton during a practice session at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, will no longer take to the track this week.
Reports suggest that F1 teams are now reviewing travel logistics for the upcoming season opener in Australia.
Many personnel typically transit through Gulf hubs such as Dubai and Doha to reach Melbourne, a route that may now be reconsidered.
The FIA and Formula 1 Management are monitoring the situation closely, with the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix currently scheduled for April.
Formula 1 Management stated: "Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan."
The FIA has confirmed a mid-season rule change to Formula 1’s power unit regulations, introducing a new test from June to resolve a dispute over engine compression ratios.
Closing the regulation loophole
Rival teams had raised concerns during pre-season testing that Mercedes may have found a way to bypass specific limits within the sport’s extensive 2026 regulation overhaul.
Competitors suggested the Silver Arrows were exploiting a grey area regarding how engine compression is measured when the power unit is not running at full temperature.
Under the new ruleset for the 2026 campaign, the compression ratio limit was lowered from 18.0 to 16.0.
Current protocols only measure this parameter while the engine is cold, a method rivals believed offered the German manufacturer a competitive advantage.
However, the sport’s governing body has now moved to update the technical regulations following the season-opening rounds.
New testing procedures
A new test will be implemented from 1 June, ensuring compliance is checked when the engine ambient temperature is at 130 degrees.
This change will come into force after the seventh race of the season, affecting the remaining 17 rounds of the calendar.
From 2027 onwards, these checks will be conducted exclusively in operating conditions of 130 degrees.
Unanimous manufacturer approval
The FIA stated that “some aspects of the amendments were concurrently approved unanimously” by the sport’s power unit manufacturers.
The grid’s current engine suppliers include Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull-Ford, Audi, and Honda.
In a statement, the governing body acknowledged the need for a compromise following extensive feedback from testing in Barcelona and Bahrain.
“A significant effort has been invested in finding a solution to the topic of the compression ratio,” the FIA said.
“The FIA has worked to find a compromise solution which determines that the compression ratio will be controlled in both hot and cold conditions from June 1 2026.”
The organization added that further evaluation and technical checks regarding energy management are ongoing.
Two-time champion Will Power makes his debut for Andretti Global on Sunday as the 2026 IndyCar season begins on the streets of St Petersburg.
The Australian veteran has ended a defining 17-year association with Team Penske to join their rivals.
It marks the headline move of the offseason, with the 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner taking a seat vacated by Colton Herta.
A fresh start for Power
Power turns 45 on race day, marking the start of a new chapter comparable to Fernando Alonso’s late-career switch to Aston Martin.
The Toowoomba-born driver felt viewed as a “devalued commodity” during the final year of his previous contract.
Instead of a short-term fix, he has secured a fresh three-year deal negotiated by Alonso’s management firm, A14.
“I sat down with [his manager] while we were talking at the beginning of ’25 and we said that the best-case scenario was having a spot at Andretti, because I felt like it’s going to become the best team,” Power said.
“They’ve got all the ingredients there. So it’s funny that it worked out the way it has.”
The Penske departure
The switch was facilitated by Herta’s departure to pursue Formula 2 racing and Formula 1 testing with Cadillac.
Power admitted that options were limited until the seat at Andretti Global became available late in the year.
He had been waiting for former team owner Roger Penske to decide on his future.
“Honestly, in the middle of the year, if Roger just offered me a one-year deal, yeah, we would have taken it, because there was no seat to be had,” Power explained.
Despite a difficult 2025 campaign, the veteran remains the sport’s all-time pole position record holder.
He was also the first driver to secure a win for Penske last season, taking victory at Portland.
Chasing history and redemption
While Power seeks reclamation, the 2026 grid features other major narratives for the 1.8-mile street course opener.
Former Formula 1 driver Mick Schumacher arrives in the United States looking to rehabilitate his career in open-wheel racing.
Meanwhile, Spanish star Álex Palou begins his quest for further history as he attempts to solidify his status among the series’ all-time greats.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has dismissed the controversy surrounding the manufacturer’s new engine as a “storm in a teacup” despite stark warnings from world champion Max Verstappen.
The FIA recently approved the Brackley-based outfit’s use of their new power unit design until at least the summer break.
Rivals understand that Mercedes have found a method to boost the compression ratio of their engines beyond the 16.1 threshold when heated.
Current regulations state that this metric is only measured at an ambient temperature, creating a technical debate within the paddock.
‘Not worth the fight’
An electronic vote is now being conducted among power unit manufacturers regarding the implementation of a new hot-temperature compression ratio test.
Wolff maintains that the engine has not justified the intense backlash it has attracted from rival teams.
“We said it all along that this looks like a storm in a teacup,” the Austrian said during pre-season testing in Bahrain.
“If these numbers had been true, absolutely we would understand why somebody would fight it.”
Wolff indicated that the German marque is prepared to accept the outcome of the vote regardless of the result.
“Eventually, it’s not worth the fight,” he added.
“It doesn’t change anything for us, whether we stay like this or whether we change to the new regulations.”
Verstappen predicts significant gains
Wolff had previously suggested the technical breakthrough might only yield a minimal advantage of two or three horsepower.
However, Verstappen remains unconvinced by that assessment and believes the true figure is substantially higher.
“You can definitely put a zero behind that,” the Red Bull driver warned when presented with his rival’s remarks.
A gain of 20 to 30 horsepower could theoretically translate to an advantage of approximately three-tenths of a second per lap.
Focus shifts to Melbourne
The Dutchman has urged the Formula 1 world to monitor Mercedes’ straight-line speed when the season begins in Australia.
Verstappen suggested that Mercedes may have been managing expectations during recent sessions.
“I understand what they’re trying to do,” he said.
“I can tell you one thing – just wait until Melbourne and see how much power they have.”
“Just wait until Melbourne to see how hard they’re going to go on the straight.”
Lewis Hamilton enters his 20th Formula 1 season facing a defining battle against Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc as he seeks to end a winless run dating back to 2024.
The 2026 campaign gets underway in Melbourne next week with the seven-time world champion under immediate scrutiny.
Hamilton, who turned 41 last month, was consistently outscored by the Monégasque driver during his debut season with the Italian team last year.
It continued a concerning trend for the Briton, who also trailed George Russell during his final campaign at Mercedes.
The challenge of the new generation
Hamilton remains a figure of immense respect within the paddock, with 2025 champion Lando Norris recently reiterating that his compatriot "should have been an eight-time champion" following the controversial 2021 finale.
However, the grid is now dominated by an elite pack in their mid-twenties, including Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen.
The British motorsport icon must now prove his competitive edge remains sharp against a field significantly younger than himself.
There are no excuses left for the veteran driver, having had a full year to acclimatise to the unique environment at Maranello.
Verstappen eyes the exit
While Hamilton extends his career into a third decade, his Red Bull rival has suggested his own time in the sport may be drawing to a close.
Verstappen recently admitted he does not envision spending 25 years in the cockpit, noting that he wants to "appreciate what is out there" beyond racing.
Conversely, the former McLaren prodigy remains committed to the grid despite his own considerable interests outside of the sport.
More than a commercial asset
The opening rounds in Australia and China represent a crucial juncture in Hamilton’s stellar career.
He must demonstrate that his presence at the Scuderia is based on elite performance rather than just his immense commercial appeal.
There is no suggestion that Leclerc, now 28, will receive preferential treatment when the lights go out.
Hamilton’s primary objective is to show that age has not dulled his instincts and that he can still command the internal battle within the team.
Audi and Cadillac have launched their respective Formula 1 projects with the ultimate ambition of becoming world champions, representing a significant new era for the sport.
Two global automotive giants are joining the grid for the 2026 season, bringing massive resources and historical prestige.
While parent companies Volkswagen Group and General Motors share the same objective, their methods differ significantly.
The German manufacturer has acquired the Sauber team to establish the basis for its works assault.
Conversely, the American heavyweight has partnered with TWG to debut under its luxury Cadillac marque.
Both organisations were drawn to the sport by new regulations emphasizing the marketing value of hybrid engine technology.
A long road to the front
The ultimate target for both operations is the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
However, senior figures acknowledge the substantial gap between their current status and the front of the grid.
Audi has outlined a five-year plan to put themselves in a position to compete for the title.
The American outfit has remained less specific regarding timelines, but the intent is equally serious.
Team principal Graeme Lowdon has made it clear the operation possesses "limitless ambitions" for their future in the sport.
Audi’s historical pedigree
Jonathan Wheatley, the former Red Bull sporting director now leading the Hinwil-based squad, emphasised the scale of the task at the team’s launch.
"We’re not here to mess around. It’s an ambitious project. We’re humble. We know where we’re starting from and we know where we want to go," said Wheatley.
"We want to make Audi the most successful F1 team in history. There are milestones on that journey and we are starting it today."
The Ingolstadt marque boasts an enviable record in motorsport, including 13 Le Mans 24 Hours victories between 1999 and 2016.
They also revolutionized rallying with the introduction of the Quattro four-wheel-drive system in the early 1980s.
While new to modern F1, the brand’s heritage traces back to the European grand prix championship of the 1930s.
Rekindling old rivalries
Auto Union famously battled Mercedes for pre-war supremacy with drivers such as Bernd Rosemeyer and Tazio Nuvolari.
That historic rivalry is set to reignite in the paddock this season.
Tensions have already surfaced regarding engine compression ratio regulations, with the newcomers pushing for clarity against their Stuttgart rivals.
Despite the optimism, the immediate future presents a steep learning curve for the German outfit.
Transforming the existing Sauber infrastructure into a championship-winning operation remains a monumental challenge.
Initial investment levels following the 2022 announcement were scrutinised, suggesting a difficult start to this new chapter.