Saturday, 21 February 2026
F1 MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION: WHAT 2026 CARS ARE MADE OF
The materials article exists for several reasons simultaneously. It prevents the use of exotic or hazardous substances that would pose unacceptable risks in an accident. It limits the use of materials so advanced that only the largest teams could access them, maintaining competitive equity. And it ensures that the structural properties of safety-critical components are within the range that the FIA’s homologation tests are designed to evaluate, preventing teams from using materials whose behavior under crash loads is not fully understood.
The Power Unit Perimeter: Materials Inside the Engine
The power unit perimeter encompasses the components that make up the engine, gearbox, and associated hardware. Within this zone, the regulations allow a broader range of advanced materials than are permitted outside it, reflecting the fact that power unit components are not part of the primary safety structure and that high-performance materials are needed to manage the extreme temperatures and loads that internal combustion engines and high-speed drivetrain components generate.
Permitted and Restricted Materials Inside the PU
Within the power unit perimeter, manufacturers can use titanium alloys, various aluminum alloys, steel alloys, and specialist composite materials for components such as connecting rods, pistons, cylinder heads, and turbocharger wheels. The use of beryllium is prohibited throughout the entire car, both inside and outside the power unit perimeter, for health and safety reasons. Beryllium and its alloys are extremely toxic in dust or particle form, and the risk of generating beryllium particles in machining or in a crash would create unacceptable hazards for personnel working on the cars.
The turbocharger and its high-speed rotating components are subject to material specifications that ensure burst containment. If a turbocharger rotor fails at speed, the fragments must be contained by the surrounding housing rather than being ejected through the bodywork at high velocity. The material specifications for these components are part of the power unit homologation process managed by the FIA in conjunction with the power unit manufacturers.
Ceramic matrix composites and other advanced high-temperature materials are used in exhaust systems and combustion-adjacent components where the thermal environment would degrade conventional materials. The specific materials permitted in these applications are registered with the FIA as part of the power unit’s technical specification submission, and any changes to the registered materials require approval before they can be used in competition.
Gearbox and Drivetrain Materials
The gearbox casing is typically manufactured from cast or machined aluminum alloy, providing adequate strength and stiffness for the structural role it plays in the rear of the car while keeping weight manageable. Internal gear and shaft components use specialist steel alloys with surface treatments that maximize wear resistance and fatigue life at the contact stresses generated by the gear mesh loads in high-performance racing transmissions.
The carbon fibre driveshaft plunging joints and constant velocity joints that transmit power from the gearbox output to the rear wheel hubs must be designed to handle the combined torque from the ICE and the MGU-K without failure across the race distance. The 2026 torque levels, with the MGU-K’s 350-kilowatt electrical output added to the ICE’s mechanical power at the point of the rear axle, are higher than in the previous era, placing greater demands on these components than the driveshaft specifications from the 2022 to 2025 period had to accommodate.
and Their Load Cases
Carbon fibre composite is the standard material for suspension wishbones due to its high specific stiffness, which minimizes the deflection of the wishbone under lateral and longitudinal wheel loads. Deflection in a wishbone changes the wheel geometry in a way that deviates from the kinematic design intent, affecting handling balance. The regulations specify maximum compliance levels for suspension components to prevent teams from using flexible suspension elements as an unauthorized aerodynamic device, mirroring the intent of the aerodynamic flexibility rules that apply to bodywork.
The wishbone aerofoil sections, which are the aerodynamic cross-section shapes that teams use to improve the aerodynamic performance of their suspension while meeting the structural load requirements, are subject to the same bodywork regulations as other aerodynamic surfaces. The permitted aerofoil dimensions within which a wishbone cross-section must fit are specified to prevent teams from designing wishbones that are primarily aerodynamic devices masquerading as suspension components.
Under the 2026 regulations, the interaction between suspension geometry and the active aerodynamic system is a new consideration. As the car transitions between X-mode and Z-mode, the aerodynamic loads on the suspension change, and the wishbones must be designed to handle the load cases associated with both aerodynamic states without compliance that affects wheel geometry. The range of suspension loads that the 2026 wishbones must accommodate is therefore broader than in previous eras, requiring careful structural analysis across the full aerodynamic operating envelope of the car.
Wheel Material Specification
The magnesium alloy specification for wheel rims is one of the few cases in the regulations where a specific material family is mandated rather than just a performance requirement. Magnesium alloy is lighter than aluminum at equivalent structural performance, making it the optimal material for wheel rims from a pure weight perspective. The regulations specify this material to standardize the wheel’s physical behavior and to ensure that the safety characteristics of the rim, including how it deforms in a collision and how it interacts with the tyre in a puncture scenario, are within the range understood by the FIA and Pirelli.
The manufacturing process for magnesium alloy wheels in Formula 1 uses machining from forged billet material, producing rims whose internal structure and dimensional consistency are tightly controlled. Forged and machined construction avoids the porosity and microstructural variability that can occur in cast components, providing a more reliable fatigue life and reducing the risk of unexpected failure under the high cyclic loading conditions of a race. The finished rims are subjected to dimensional inspection and structural testing before they are approved for race use.
'DEVASTATED' EDDIE HEARN HITS OUT AT CONNOR BENN AFTER BOXER DUMPED PROMOTER FOR DANA' WHITE'S FLEDGLING COMLANY - AND REVEALS STAR'S SHOCKING REACTION WHEN HE ASKED FOR A PHONE CALL MOMENTS BEFORE 'PAINFUL' SPLIT'
Eddie Hearn has revealed he is 'devastated' following Conor Benn's decision to sign with Dana White's outfit Zuffa Boxing - and admitted that he may have 'misjudged the character' of the boxer.
The 29-year-old, son of British legend Nigel Benn, sensationally announced on Thursday that he was ditching Hearn's promotion Matchroom Boxing after a decade-long relationship.
Benn, who has ambitions of winning the WBC welterweight title, thanked Hearn for standing by him during the tough periods of his career and said he was excited for a 'new chapter' aimed at securing 'legacy fights' on the biggest stages.
But Hearn, whose promotion guided the British boxing star from his 2016 debut to headlining cards and stuck by him through a series of failed drug tests, has hit out at the fighter.
Speaking to iFL TV after Benn's bombshell announcement, the 46-year-old promoter claimed he was informed of the decision by the boxer's lawyer before being refused a phone call with him.
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| Benn announced he was joining the promotion led by Dana White late on Friday evening |
'Me personally, pretty devastated,' Hearn said of his reaction to the news. 'I have had a few days to digest what might happen. It is not often you get shocked.
'I blame myself. I forgot it was boxing. I just felt the loyalty that we have shown would never ever put us in this position.'
Hearn added that he 'misjudged the character' of Benn by feeling the 'loyalty' he had shown him 'would be enough to talk it through or get close to a number'.
He continued: 'It feels a little bit of a wasted few years. I gave a lot... I believed him and I backed him and I never gave in when he was done, out. Loaned him hundreds of thousands of pounds, but yeah on we go.'
'I just think the way it was done was very very wrong,' he added. 'But everyone is different. Some people, loyalty really matters, other people maybe not so.
'The way it played out to receive an email from the lawyer and then to ask for a call and not the willingness to have it, you just lose a bit of your soul to it.'
Benn, whose most recent fight was his rematch victory over Chris Eubank Jr in December, announced his decision late on Friday night and led his social media statements thanking Hearn and Matchroom 'for everything they've done'.
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| The 29-year-old beat Chris Eubank Jr in a rematch between the fighters last December |
But Eubank Jr, who won the first fight last April, launched a scathing attack on his old foe on X.
'So Eddie Hearns (sic) #1 fighter has now left him,' the boxer's post read.
'Eddie stuck by Conor Benn through thick & thin, getting him off of drug charges & giving him money to live when he had nothing.
'I guess this really shows just how much of a scumbag Hearn actually is… he saves his fighters life & career & Conor still doesn’t want to be involved with him. Or is Benn the scumbag for dumping the man that built him? (thinking emoji).
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| Hearn admitted that he may have 'misjudged the character' of British welterweight star Benn |
'This really is a conundrum. Scumbag on scumbag violence at its finest… don’t say I didn’t tell you guys.'
Benn claimed Zuffa Boxing 'presented me with an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse' and said he hoped his old promoter could 'continue to be a part of my team'.
'I’m filled with excitement and hunger for what’s ahead with Zuffa Boxing,' Benn's statement continued.
'I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages. I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.'
The announcement came as a major shock in the sport, given Matchroom's decision to stick by Benn when he failed two drug tests in 2022.
The promotion's continued backing throughout the episode was widely noted, and Benn eventually returned to boxing on home soil in late 2024.
Against that backdrop, Benn's move to Zuffa - founded by UFC chief executive White - appears motivated by both financial and strategic factors.
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| Benn has long pursued Ryan Garcia and speculation is abound that he could now face him |
The deal is understood in boxing circles to be lucrative - reportedly a one-fight agreement worth eight figures - which would leave Benn a free agent again after his promotional debut with Zuffa.
The switch also places Benn at the centre of the new promoter's early ambitions to attract high-profile names and stage blockbuster events. Among the potential targets generating intrigue is American star Ryan Garcia, whom Benn has long pursued.
Garcia's own promotional situation remains uncertain amid conflicting claims involving Golden Boy Promotions and founder Oscar De La Hoya. Garcia has suggested his contract with Golden Boy is due to expire on Sunday, while De La Hoya maintains multiple bouts remain on the agreement.
The public back-and-forth, set against Benn's new deal with Zuffa, has intensified speculation that a Benn-Garcia showdown could materialise as one of the promotion's first marquee matchups if the contractual picture clears.
It is understood Zuffa is planning multiple London events throughout 2026, raising the prospect of Benn and Garcia headlining a blockbuster show after Benn previously claimed the pair could sell out a stadium.
Benn is also expected to be ringside for Garcia's forthcoming contest against Mario Barrios, raising the prospect of a face-off or promotional moment that could further stoke anticipation around a possible transatlantic showdown.
White called Benn's signing a 'huge addition' to his team.
'Conor Benn is an absolute beast and a superstar,' he said in a statement.
'He shows up every time and destroys people, and now some of the best fighters in the world are calling him out.
'He's ready for a world title next and I can't wait to see him compete in Zuffa Boxing.
'He's going to be a huge addition to a growing stable of very talented boxers.'
- CIARAN FOREMAN
CLASSIC SEASON OPENER: MASIA CLAIMS VICTORY AS BAYLISS SECURES DREAM HONE PODIUM AT PHILLIP ISLAND
With his rostrum result, Bayliss becomes Australia’s youngest-ever WorldSSP podium finisher
Lights are out at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on the 2026 FIM Supersport World Championship campaign as the field sunk their teeth into the new season in Saturday’s Race 1! The first race of 2026’s 12 rounds featured Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) taking the first 25 points on offer for his third career WorldSSP win. Joining him on the campaign’s first podium was German rider Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) for his 14th podium in the category and home hero Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) who claimed his first WorldSSP rostrum.
MASIA FLIES OUT OF THE GATE IN 2026: He closed 2025 with a win, and now opens 2026 doing the same
Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) flew up from P4 to take the holeshot ahead of Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) and Jaume Masia. The Spaniard flexed his Ducati Panigale V2’s straight line speed as he took P1 from the #61 and built up a healthy gap of nearly a second by the outset of Lap 3. The Spaniard converted his dominant pace in testing to land the first race win of the season, as from there he pulled away for the win; finishing the contest with a gap of over five seconds. Oettl missed the 2025 Australian Round with a knee injury, but this season, he started strong with a rostrum finish in second place. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) saw his race end on Turn 4 in the second lap as the bike slid out from under him as he battled with Oettl for the second spot on the podium.
FIVE-WAY FIGHT FOR THE PODIUM: Bayliss, Arena, Oncu, Mahias, and Debise trade blows
Oncu had a healthy gap of around a second behind him on Lap 8 as he rode in P3; until a mistake on that Lap saw Oli Bayliss, Valentin, Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team), and Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) close the gap and start a fight for the final podium spot. Debise had a tough break as he fell out of the fight on Lap 8 after he entered Turn 4 with a fraction too much lean angle and crashed out of Race 1. Bayliss took the lead of the group, until he lost the lead by running wide onto the grass on Turn 6 of Lap 13, just before Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) crashed out of the race on Turn 4. The Australian recovered well to hang with the other two riders, and after the trio traded overtakes throughout the final eight laps, it was Bayliss who came out on top, earning his first WorldSSP podium of his career. The bronze-medal effort got the monkey off of his back after the longest-ever wait for a WorldSSP podium of 84 races, and claimed Australia’s first rostrum result since Anthony West back in 2017.
ARENAS HITS THE GROUND RUNNING: The Spanish rider starts his WorldSSP story in P4
Behind them, Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) rode well in his WorldSSP debut, finishing P4 with the feather in his cap of winning the final laps shootout with the title favourite Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing). Despite his incredible jump off the line, the Turk’s early mistake proved critical, erasing his gap and miring him in a wrestling match through which he fell to P5. Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) ran a clean race, taking advantage of other riders’ errors to land a strong debut result of sixth place.
VOSTATEK TIES CAREER HIGH: The Czech rider maintained his strong speed from testing
Ondrej Vostatek (Compos Racing Team) tied his career-best result of P7 in the season-opening race, emerging just +0.158 faster than 2025 MotoE Champion Alessandro Zaccone (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team), who took P8. Spanish riders Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha) and Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) landed in the final two positions of the top ten. Alcoba’s effort landed him as the top Kawasaki, as his two-time WorldSSP Champion teammate Dominique Aegerter (Kawaski WorldSSP Team) suffered a tech issue on the last lap and finished in P23.
The top ten of the season-opening WorldSSP Race 1 at Australia: Full results here!
1. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura)
2. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +5.521s
3. Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +7.266s
4. Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) +7.721s
5. Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +7.743s
6. Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) +11.856s
Fastest lap: Jaume Masia, Ducati – 1’32.310s
Catch the final race of the season-opening Australian Round on Sunday LIVE with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
- WORLDSBK
LIVERPOOL NAMED USA'S MOST-SUPPORTED PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB
A survey from @MenInBlazers has ranked Liverpool (22%) as the most supported Premier League side in the US. Arsenal ranked second (16%), with Chelsea in third place (13%).
FELIPE MELO BLASTS 'RACIST ' PRESTIANNI
Felipe Melo could not tolerate the insult that the Argentine allegedly said to Vinicius on the field, so he did not take long to upload a video to his social media insulting Prestianni:
🗣 "Fire to the racists! And if you defend the racists, fire for you too. I'm sure Prestianni's wife must have cheated on him with a great Black man."
Friday, 20 February 2026
GEORGE RUSSELL CALLS OUT ''PREMATURE HEAT'' AFTER HEAVY F1 CRITICISM
George Russell has come to the defence of the new F1 regulations following some intense scrutiny from fellow drivers.
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| © XPBimages |
George Russell has labelled the "heat" the new F1 regulations received from some of his fellow drivers "premature" as he moved to defend the revamped rules.
The Briton highlighted the rapid "rate of improvement" seen at the start of any era in F1, pointing out that the new cars are not drastically slower than they were at the end of the contemporary ground effects era, which concluded at the end of last year.
His comments come in response to this harsh verdict handed down by some of his rival drivers, notably Max Verstappen, who branded the development "anti-racing" and likened the championship's new direction to "Formula E on steroids" due to the extreme energy management requirements of the new power units.
The understanding of the new regulations has already come a long way within the paddock since the private shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and the volume of the detractors has quietened over the second and final official test in Bahrain.
With the situation more settled this week, and a seemingly greater level of satisfaction following an F1 Commission meeting on Wednesday, Russell was asked where he feels the greatest improvements have been made.
Speaking to media, including RacingNews365, the Mercedes driver replied: "I do think there has been a lot of progression, to be honest.
"Every 'day one' of a new set of regulations, you face challenges that you weren't anticipating, and the rate of improvement is very steep in those early days — and I think this test has been a much smoother test for everyone."
The five-time grand prix winner used the opportunity to talk up the new cars and talk down the deficit to the era that came before.
"If you actually look at the lap times and some of the race runs, the cars aren't actually a million miles away from the lap times we were seeing 12 months ago, and that was year four of a set of regulations," he said.
"I know there was a lot of heat after Barcelona and [the first] Bahrain [test], which was probably a little bit premature. I think on the whole, people are a bit happier this week."
- Samuel Coop
THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS ARE OFFICIALLY UP FOR SALE
Paul G. Allen’s estate launches a multi-year franchise sale aimed at record NFL valuations and major philanthropic impact.
Summary
- The Seattle Seahawks are officially up for sale less than two weeks after winning Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara
- Paul G. Allen’s estate has begun a formal sale process, honoring his directive to sell his sports holdings and direct the proceeds to philanthropy
- Investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins will run a multi‑year sale expected to fetch a record NFL franchise price while the team stays locked into Lumen Field and Seattle
Fresh off a second Lombardi and a parade that shut down downtown, the Seattle Seahawks are suddenly the hottest asset on the sports market. The Paul G. Allen Estate has kicked off a formal sale process for the reigning Super Bowl champions, an unprecedented move in the modern NFL and the climactic chapter in the late Microsoft co‑founder’s plan to liquidate his sports empire for charitable giving. Allen bought the franchise in 1997 for just under $200 million, keeping it from bolting to Southern California, and under Paul and Jody Allen the Seahawks evolved from league afterthought to perennial contender and two‑time Super Bowl winner.
The estate has tapped Allen & Company and Latham & Watkins to handle the deal, a process the team says will stretch through the 2026 offseason before any buyer is vetted and ratified by at least 24 of 32 NFL owners. Public valuations peg the Seahawks in the $6.6 billion USD to $7 billion USD range, with some post‑title projections pushing the number toward eight digits, positioning the sale to eclipse the Washington Commanders and even challenge the $10 billion USD Los Angeles Lakers benchmark. With a long‑term lease at Lumen Field, sold‑out crowds since 2003 and the NFL’s next media‑rights cycle on deck, whoever steps in next inherits a ready‑made contender, a locked‑in city and one of the league’s most powerful platforms for both business and philanthropy.
- Hypebeast
Thursday, 19 February 2026
BODO/GLIMT IS DOING THE 'UNTHINKABLE' VS. EUROPE'S GIANTS
Bodo/Glimt has only gotten to play THREE competitive matches in 2026 since their league season ended in November in order to avoid Norway's peak winter. The three games have come against Europe's GIANTS, Man City, Atletico Madrid AND Inter Milan. This team from of a town of just 54,000 people is currently doing the unthinkable. A story that anything is possible in this sport 💛
THIERRY HENRY ON VINICIUS JR AND RACISM
Thierry Henry’s powerful words after Real Madrid’s Champions League game against Benfica 🤝
Henry said he could personally relate to what Vinicius Jr. experienced in last night’s game: “I can relate to what Vinícius Jr. is going through. It happened to me so many times. I talked about it, so many times, after games, being accused of looking for excuses.”
“At times, you feel lonely because it’s going to be your word against his word. And so, because we don’t know what Prestianni said.”
- ESPN FC
GIANNI INFANTINO WADES IN ON VINICIUS JR RACISM SAGA AS FIFA BOSS MAKES POST ION CLEAR
After Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr alleged Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni racially abused him, Gianni Infantino has stepped in and offered his point of view
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| Gianni Infantino has offered his thoughts on the ugliness between Benfica and Real Madrid(Image: YouTube/11Alive) |
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has declared he is "shocked and saddened" by the incidents of alleged racism during the clash between Real Madrid and Benfica.
UEFA has opened an investigation after Vinicius Jr alleged Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni directed racist language at him. The Champions League encounter was halted for 10 minutes by referee Francois Letexier, with both teams departing the field shortly after Vinicius had put his team ahead.
Prestianni and Benfica have rejected the allegations. However, UEFA will now examine video evidence of the incident and interview both Prestianni and Vinicius Jr as part of their probe.
Infantino maintains those found responsible must be held accountable and face severe sanctions if proven guilty of racist behaviour. He said: "I was shocked and saddened to see the incident of alleged racism towards Vinícius Júnior in the UEFA Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid CF.
"There is absolutely no room for racism in our sport and in society. We need all the relevant stakeholders to take action and hold those responsible to account.
"At FIFA, through the Global Stand Against Racism and the Players' Voice Panel, we are committed to ensuring that players, officials and fans are respected and protected, and that appropriate action is taken when incidents occur.
"I commend referee François Letexier for activating the anti-racism protocol by using the arm gesture to stop the game and address the situation.
"FIFA and football shows full solidarity to victims of racism and any form of discrimination. I will always continue to reiterate: No to racism! No to any form of discrimination!"
Meanwhile, Vinicius Jr took to social media to condemn racists as "cowards" having been on the end of racist abuse throughout his career.
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| Vinicius Jr said he was racially abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during this altercation in Tuesday night's Champions League match(Image: Getty Images) |
He said: "Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are.
"But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them. Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team's life.
"I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don't understand why. On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose."
- Jeremy Cross
Wednesday, 18 February 2026
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