The Official F1 2026 silly season *contains speculation*

[hondajack85]

No idea if this is news or made up news . Just plain confusing anyway.
Audi in F1 to market themselves not somebody else. Maybe Lotus is buying Audi.

https://carbuzz.com/lotus-buys-lotus-from-geely-bu...

[TheDeuce]

hondajack85 said:

No idea if this is news or made up news . Just plain confusing anyway.
Audi in F1 to market themselves not somebody else. Maybe Lotus is buying Audi.

https://carbuzz.com/lotus-buys-lotus-from-geely-bu...

Whatever the connection is, Lotus are definitely not buying Audi.

[732NM]

TheDeuce said:

Whatever the connection is, Lotus are definitely not buying Audi.

The Lotus Emira uses two powertrain options, one is Toyota V6 supercharged manual, one is Audi straight 4 turbocharged with an 8 speed dual clutch Audi transmission.

[thegreenhell]

732NM said:

TheDeuce said:

Whatever the connection is, Lotus are definitely not buying Audi.

The Lotus Emira uses two powertrain options, one is Toyota V6 supercharged manual, one is Audi straight 4 turbocharged with an 8 speed dual clutch Audi transmission.

It's AMG isn't it, not Audi?

[kambites]

thegreenhell said:

It's AMG isn't it, not Audi?

Yup, it's a Mercedes lump.

[732NM]

kambites said:

Yup, it's a Mercedes lump.

Ah bugger, yes. Germans all look the same to me.

[PhilAsia]

732NM said:

kambites said:

Yup, it's a Mercedes lump.

Ah bugger, yes. Germans all look the same to me.

...goose-stepping border violators...!

[hondajack85]

Remember when aston martin confused us by sponsoring the renault red bull car? Doubt it did their sales any good but the bosses could go to a lot of f1 races as vip's.
Maybe bored lotus people need a day out lol.

[vaud]

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17Ec14M28K/?mibex...

F1 actually have a sense of humour…

[ajprice]

2026 steering wheel, slightly less to do than 2025 https://x.com/i/status/1998383048623079467

[jimmsy]

ajprice said:

2026 steering wheel, slightly less to do than 2025 https://x.com/i/status/1998383048623079467

Gentlemen, a short view back to the past. Thirty years ago, Niki Lauda told us...

[carl_w]

jimmsy said:

Gentlemen, a short view back to the past. Thirty years ago, Niki Lauda told us...

Could you repeat the question?

[TheDeuce]

carl_w said:

jimmsy said:

Gentlemen, a short view back to the past. Thirty years ago, Niki Lauda told us...

Could you repeat the question?

Iove that clip

[carl_w]

GP to AM? https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/max-verstappen-...

Surely all the pieces are in place for Max to go there (Honda, Newey, now GP)?

[ajprice]

Is Zhou still Ferrari reserve? This makes it sound like a 'thank you and good luck in the future somewhere else' message. Can't see anything on a quick search of news.



https://www.facebook.com/share/1Br1mK8GuW/

[Still Mulling]

A play to the Chinese market by publicising the link with him and wishing him success as he races in parallel in other series?

[Petrus1983]

ajprice said:

Is Zhou still Ferrari reserve? This makes it sound like a 'thank you and good luck in the future somewhere else' message. Can't see anything on a quick search of news.



https://www.facebook.com/share/1Br1mK8GuW/

Stolen from FB but makes sense -

Reports in Japan claim both Ferrari and Cadillac have offered the 25-year-old roles for 2026. At first, it was even suggested Zhou could somehow represent both organizations – helped by the fact that Cadillac F1 boss Graham Lowdon has also been his manager.

Ferrari, meanwhile, has made its stance clear. Frederic Vasseur wants Zhou fully available at all times, as he has been throughout 2025: simulator, present at all technical briefings, and ready to step in if either Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton is ruled out after practice begins.

Here you go guys, he is probably off to Cadillac.

[ajprice]

Zhou has reposted the Ferrari message on his Instagram along with a 'see you around' message, so it does look like he's left Ferrari and where he's going us TBC. https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrari-farewell-zho...

[tight fart]

Talking to someone at McLaren, they believe that the 26 car will be almost at the same pace in qualifying at Melbourne that the 25 car was, no idea on race pace though.
Also mentioned that the problem that Pirelli have is not all teams were open about loads they believe will be putting on the tyres.

[Teppic]

Cadillac have posted this:



Zhou's cat is called Sweetcorn. Hence a picture of a cats eye with 24 (Zhou's number) and the Cadillac logo.

Zhou will be announced as Cadillac's third driver on Monday.