F1 News Roundup – Thursday
1. Ferrari Rotating Rear Wing Returns
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Lewis Hamilton confirmed Ferrari will run its rotating rear wing at the Chinese Grand Prix.
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Despite potential drawbacks flagged during Bahrain testing, the wing could provide better straight-line efficiency.
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Other teams had considered similar designs but have yet to implement them.
2. Max Verstappen: Mario Kart F1
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Verstappen joked that the new F1 2026 cars feel like “Formula E on steroids”, prompting him to swap his simulator for a Nintendo Switch to mimic the new car behavior.
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He also confirmed participation in the Nurburgring 24-hour race in May.
3. Fernando Alonso Revisits ‘GP2 Engine’ Comment
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Alonso reflected on his past criticism of Honda powertrains, calling them a “GP2 engine” in 2015.
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Aston Martin-Honda is again facing vibration issues, affecting reliability and battery management early in 2026.
4. Aston Martin & Honda Keep Battery Info Private
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The team refused to disclose battery counts for China.
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Damage from vibrations has limited testing and running so far this season, although Honda claims some progress has been made since Australia.
5. Ferrari vs Mercedes – Race Trim Gap
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Lewis Hamilton estimates Ferrari is currently 0.5s per lap slower than Mercedes in race trim.
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He highlights that Mercedes’ advantage is mostly on the straights with active aero deployed.
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Charles Leclerc agrees Ferrari is “definitely not” at Mercedes’ level at this stage.