Motorsports
This was the beginning of F1 Abu Dhabi GP: sparks fly between Verstappen and Leclerc
Yes, Max Verstappen has the best car on the grid so everything will be easier. However, putting the obvious aside, it is important to stress that resting on that single, purely superficial conclusion is unfair to the three-time F1 champion, or any driver. He has the best car, but Max has been very strong this season. He is rarely wrong. No matter what the situation, no matter what happens, Max always calls when it has to be done – when the handle is most on fire. He did it again in Saturday’s crucial qualifying session, taking pole position. And at the start of the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he achieved success again.
The Dutch driver is at a very high level and it showed in the first few meters. He had to do well to avoid Charles Leclerc’s attack. He did it perfectly and passed Turn 1 on top. He had to protect himself from a slipstream on the first straight heading into Turn 6. So Charles took advantage of the car’s high top speed on the straight and put the nose inside. But Max on the outside showed a masterclass in defense, realizing he could secure the inside of Turn 7 if he drove there. And with better traction, he defended first place.
But that wasn’t the end. Charles tried again at the first corner of the second lap. However, with improved traction, Max regained strength on the outside and accelerated early to maintain first place.
Leclerc was able to stay close and use DRS on the next turn, but Max began to pull and did not let the Monaco close enough. Charles stayed within DRS distance for a few laps, but he was not able to test his attack on Max, who had already done the most difficult thing. From there, the strategic battle and tire degradation began.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
I am a writer at Sportish, where I mainly cover sports news. I’ve also written for The Guardian and ESPN Brasil, and my work has been featured on NBC Sports, SI.com and more. Before working in journalism, I was an athlete: I played football for Colgate University and competed in the US Open Cross Country Championships.
Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has returned to Portugal to test his GT3 car at the start of the 2026 season.
Last year the Dutch driver took to the track several times in his touring cars; in particular, he participated in the Nordschleife competition, which he won together with his teammate Chris Lulem.
Verstappen has long expressed his passion for endurance racing and plans to compete more frequently in the form of motorsport after retiring from Formula 1. He arrived in Portugal last year, just a week after failing to win another world title against Lando Norris.
The 28-year-old driver arrived at the Portuguese Grand Prix circuit Estoril, where he tested the Mercedes AMG GT3 on wet surfaces.
Let’s remember, at the end of 2025, Verstappen’s endurance racing team announced that it had signed a contract with Mercedes to participate in future competitions.
Verstappen in Mercedes’ Portimão. Images are in the foreground. #daznf1 pic.twitter.com/1NFxvED3So
— joao carlos costa (@jcccomentador) January 14, 2026
Source: Sport UA
Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.
Revolut, the name sponsor of the Audi Formula 1 team, criticized the exterior design of Ferrari’s other name partner, HP, which carries the blue logo.
Ferrari and HP announced a multi-year title sponsorship agreement almost two years ago. The contract led to visible changes in the appearance of the Italian team’s cars, especially the appearance of the blue elements on the traditional red livery.
Revolut Marketing Director Antoine Le Nel said he thought this design decision was unsuccessful.
“Brand identity is extremely important. At Revolut, design and user experience are very important and everything needs to fit together. No offense, but what HP and Ferrari have done in terms of design is not a good solution. How to paint a red car blue?”
Le Nel also touched upon positive examples of branding in Formula 1, highlighting Mastercard’s collaboration with McLaren as well as the integration of the Google Chrome brand.
Source: Sport UA
Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown is confident Oscar Piastri will continue to improve after the Australian driver won the Formula 1 championship last season.
Piastri could become the first Australian champion since Alan Jones in 1980. He led the overall standings for 15 stages and almost six months, from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April until the Mexican Grand Prix in October, when he lost the lead.
At the end of the 24-stage season, the Australian lost 13 points to teammate Lando Norris, who eventually became champion. Max Verstappen finished the race 11 points ahead of Piastri after a late-season collapse.
Throughout the year, Piastri repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with team decisions, especially at the Italian and Singapore Grand Prix; According to him, McLaren preferred Norris, which was also reflected in their radio conversations.
But Zac Brown insists Piastri’s contribution deserves the biggest praise and believes his time will come.
“He’s had an incredible season. It’s easy to forget that Oscar has only been racing in Formula 1 for three years.”
He drives with experience and skill that belies his age and always behaves as professionally as possible.
From day one we knew we had a real star. I have no doubt that his star will continue to rise.”
Source: Sport UA
Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.
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