How Antonelli aims to keep his momentum despite the F1 April break

Formula 1 world championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli was probably the biggest loser out of all the drivers in the unplanned April break.
Having taken back-to-back wins in China and Japan, the latter giving him the lead in the drivers’ standings for the first time in his career, and a dominant Mercedes package at his disposal, losing the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian grands prix to build on …Keep reading

Former Red Bull F1 boss Horner sparks intrigue with MotoGP appearance at Jerez

Ousted Red Bull Formula 1 team boss Christian Horner made a surprise appearance at Jerez on Saturday, fuelling speculation about a potential interest in MotoGP team ownership.
Horner was present at the Spanish Grand Prix alongside Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, with both spotted in the paddock on Saturday morning.
The Briton spent the final practice session of the weekend in the factory …Keep reading

Norris explains why losing “1-2%” in qualifying left drivers so frustrated at new F1 cars

This writer’s first working grand prix was Austria 2002, a race that for most sticks in the mind for reasons pertaining to Ferrari team orders.
A far happier memory is of borrowing a tabard for qualifying and venturing into the trees behind the pits, on the inside of the Jochen Rindt Kurve, where one could stand by the barrier and revel at the sight of Formula 1 cars being driven at maximum …Keep reading
Ogier leads Toyota top-five lockout after commanding Friday in Canarias

Ogier leads Toyota top-five lockout after commanding Friday in Canarias

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The nine-time FIA World Rally Champion won four of the day’s five full-length special stages to build an 8.9-second overnight lead over team-mate Oliver Solberg. Sami Pajari completed the provisional podium, a further 7.0 seconds behind, with Elfyn Evans just 0.5 seconds further back in fourth.

Championship leader Takamoto Katsuta completed the top five, 29.7 seconds off the lead, as Toyota’s GR Yaris Rally1 cars set the pace throughout a demanding day of smooth, fast and highly committed asphalt stages.

Ogier, returning this weekend after missing Croatia Rally, moved into the lead on Friday’s opening Valleseco – Artenara test and controlled the pace from there. He was fastest on both passes of Mogán – La Aldea, as well as the afternoon run through Tejeda – San Mateo, before the day concluded with a short super special inside Gran Canaria Stadium.

“It has been a good day,” said Ogier after SS8. “I am starting to enjoy this a lot now.”

Solberg was the only driver to beat Ogier on one of Friday’s full-length stages, edging the Frenchman by 0.1 seconds on the second pass of Valleseco – Artenara. The 24-year-old acknowledged that the afternoon had not been straightforward, but his pace was sufficient to climb from fourth at midday to second overall by the end of the day.

Pajari also gained ground late in the day, matching Katsuta’s fastest time on the final stadium stage to move ahead of Evans into third. The Finn had earlier admitted that set-up changes had not produced the improvement he had hoped for, but remained firmly in contention for a podium finish.

Evans, meanwhile, ended the day searching for further performance after showing flashes of pace but being unable to consistently match Ogier and Solberg.

“I’m not super happy as we wanted more from the day and Oliver and Seb have been faster,” said Evans. “We need to find some improvements.”

Katsuta, who had led overnight after Thursday’s opening stage, struggled for front-end confidence during the afternoon and slipped back to fifth. However, he ended the day on a positive note by sharing the fastest time on SS8.

“At least something positive from the day,” he said. “I really struggled today.”

Hyundai Motorsport endured a more challenging Friday, with Dani Sordo the highest-placed of its i20 N Rally1 crews in sixth overall on his first FIA World Rally Championship appearance of the season. The Spaniard ended the day 52.0 seconds from the lead, 2.8 seconds ahead of Adrien Fourmaux, while Thierry Neuville was eighth after struggling to find confidence in the front of his car through the island’s long, committed corners.

M-Sport Ford’s Josh McErlean held ninth overnight after a consistent day in his Puma Rally1, while team-mate Jon Armstrong slipped to 11th following an eventful Friday that included a trip down an escape road on SS4, wheel rim damage on SS7 and a transmission issue on the final stadium stage.

“It has not been our day,” said Armstrong. “On the tyre warm-up on the way to the stage we broke something and we had to do it with front-wheel drive only. We just had to get around.”

In WRC2, Yohan Rossel completed the overall top 10 and led the category after a strong day aboard his Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally2. The Frenchman ended Friday 22.0 seconds ahead of Alejandro Cachón, with younger brother Léo Rossel third in class.

“It was a great day for the team to have this feeling in the car,” said Yohan Rossel. “It was incredible.”

Saturday is the longest day of Rally Islas Canarias, with crews set to contest two passes of Maspalomas, Arucas – Firgas – Teror and Moya – Gáldar.

World Rally Championship

WRCWRCSEASON 2026Sport1SportWorld Rally ChampionshipWRCSEASON 2026WRC00Friday, April 24, 2026 – 10:38pmFriday, April 24, 2026 – 10:38pm

What Apple TV’s F1® coverage delivers for fans in the U.S.

 
Formula 1® race weekends, especially pivotal races like the Miami Grand Prix, extend far beyond Sunday’s race. Practice, qualifying and sprint sessions shape the story as teams develop their cars through the 2026 season. In Miami, the focus is on whether Mercedes can hold its advantage, or if rivals like Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull can close the gap. 
Drivers, engineers and entire …Keep reading