F1 News Today: McLaren 'privately frustrated' by Mercedes as Lando Norris teases stunning switch

Being a customer team in F1 can be great. You get an engine made by experts at the top of the field, and you don't have to foot the bill for the development process.

However, as McLaren are being reminded in 2026, there are some downsides which come with getting someone else to make the engines and then send you a couple in the post – not least that they know how the power unit works a lot better than you do.

➡️ READ MORE: McLaren ‘privately frustrated‘ with Mercedes over F1 power unit misery

Max Verstappen jet social media account suspended after controversial poll

A social media account dedicated to the private jet of Red Bull star Max Verstappen has been suspended just days after one of its polls caused controversy in the F1 community.

Four-time world champion Verstappen travels to and from races in style, owning a Dassault Falcon 8X private jet in black and orange, kitted out with his own personal logo on the tailfin.

➡️ READ MORE: Max Verstappen jet social media account suspended after controversial poll

Mercedes 'abandon F1 design' perfected by Ferrari

Sad news for fans of F1 cars doing cool little things: Mercedes will not be developing a 'Macarena' wing for their 2026 car.

The innovative design was introduced by a couple of teams this year, with part of the rear wing essentially flipping back in certain high speed areas to reduce drag and improve top speed.

➡️ READ MORE: Mercedes 'abandon F1 design' perfected by Ferrari

Lando Norris teases fans as F1 champion leaves door open to stunning switch

Lando Norris has left the door open to go and compete in one of the world's most iconic races outside of F1.

The reigning world champion's McLaren team released an interview with him on a golf course at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in which he refused to definitively rule out entering the Indy 500 one day.

➡️ READ MORE: Lando Norris teases fans as F1 champion leaves door open to stunning switch

George Russell announces exciting engagement with partner Carmen Mundt

Mercedes F1 star George Russell has announced his engagement to partner Carmen Mundt.

The British driver took to social media to announce the news, that coincides with the F1 teams and drivers being on their summer break.

➡️ READ MORE: George Russell announces exciting engagement with partner Carmen Mundt

How Adrian Newey held Aston Martin together when they could have crumbled

Adrian Newey is, and has been for decades, one of the most heralded figures in all of F1.

The 67-year-old is a borderline savant when it comes to race car design and aerodynamic vision, and had made himself possibly the single most successful person in the sport's history.

For all of that, you don't hear a lot of people talking about him as a great and inspiring leader - more typically being painted as a behind-the-scenes genius, usually with a more public-facing figure (Ron Dennis at McLaren, Christian Horner at Red Bull) doing much of the heavy lifting in terms of personnel management.

➡️ READ MORE: How Adrian Newey held Aston Martin together when they could have crumbled

Audi hailed as 'champions' already as F1 debut impresses leading insider

Audi have been hailed for their start to the 2026 F1 season, in their first ever year as an engine manufacturer.

The team formerly known as Sauber are in their first season producing their own engines and running as Audi, with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto beginning to catch the eyes of some leading insiders in the sport.

➡️ READ MORE: Audi hailed as 'champions' already as F1 debut impresses leading insider

James Vowles goes all in on AI as struggling Williams look for answers

You can't spell 'Williams' without 'AI' (if you mix the letters around a bit) and James Vowles is now pinning his hopes on artificial intelligence to help turn around his struggling F1 team.

In the middle of one of the most disappointing seasons in the iconic brand's long history, sliding rapidly backward after finally making some real progress last year, the team principal is now talking about their next imagined advantage over the rest of the grid: adopting AI into its workflow.

➡️ READ MORE: James Vowles goes all in on AI as struggling Williams look for answers