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PADDOCK INFLUENCE

Formula 1 through the culture, psychology, marketing, business and human stories behind the speed

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FEATURE

After the first two races of the 2026 Formula 1 season, early patterns are emerging. Mercedes leads with strong energy management, while Red Bull and McLaren face reliability and ERS challenges. A detailed analysis of Australia and China ahead of Suzuka.

As Formula 1 prepares for a new era of regulations, the sport once again stands at a turning point.

LATEST STORIES

A race car speeding on a track with motion blur, featuring blue, black, and red colors, and various sponsor logos.
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in front of McLaren Formula 1 car at COTA in Austin, Texas, smiling at a smartphone, in a garage or paddock area.
Stake F1 Team at Canadian GP on wet racetrack during rain with water spray.
Aston Martin F1 car being serviced by mechanics in the pit lane, with a crowd in the background. The car is teal with sponsorship logos, including Aston Martin and Valvoline.
Ferrari driving on a race track at COTA in Austin, Texas, with a clear blue sky and clouds in the background.
Red Bull Formula 1 car on scene at Formula 1 Las Vegas GP race car speeding on a race track, with motion blur in the background, sponsored by Oracle and Red Bull Racing, on a brightly lit street circuit.
Ferrari F1 car with sponsor logos driving on a race track, showing motion blur background.
Media crew filming an interview at Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Paddock event at night with city skyscrapers in the background, and spectators and booths present.
McLaren race car on a turn at a racing circuit with a crowd watching behind green Rolex advertisements.
Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 race car on a track during a night race in Las Vegas Grand Prix, with advertisements and barriers visible along the sides.
A blue and black Formula 1 car racing on a track with a group of spectators watching from the stands.
Race day at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on a track with a crowd in the stands, featuring multiple Aramco sponsor banners.
Max Verstappen race car on at night race at Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix with motion blur in the background in front of the Las Vegas Sphere.
A red Ferrari Formula 1 race car speeds along a race track at night, blurring the background with motion. The car features logos of sponsors like Shell, Ferrari, HP, and AWS.
A McLaren papaya race car in orange and black speeds along a racing track, with motion blur in the background during Canadian GP.