Max Verstappen blasted Red Bull's 2026 car after qualifying eighth for the China sprint, calling it undriveable and saying he had never experienced anything this bad. The article ties his poor pace to both Red Bull's struggles with its new engine and his broader unhappiness with Formula 1's new hybrid regulations.

Max Verstappen said his poor start in the Shanghai sprint race was likely caused by the same power-delivery issue Liam Lawson experienced in Melbourne. The article highlights ongoing concern in Formula 1 over inconsistent starts with the new power units and the FIA’s recent procedural changes aimed at reducing crash risks.

Lewis Hamilton praised Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli after the Italian became Formula 1's youngest-ever polesitter in Shanghai. Hamilton said Antonelli deserved the record and encouraged him to keep following the approach that has driven his rapid rise.

Formula 1 has cancelled the 2026 Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, citing safety concerns caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East. The races will not be replaced, cutting the season to 22 events and creating a five-week gap in the calendar.