Williams has confirmed a new official reserve driver for the F1 2026 season, alongside announcing its driver academy line-up. The Grove-based squad will have a new reserve driver on standby during 2026, ready to step up and stand in for Carlos Sainz or Alex Albon in the event either are unable to take part in a race.

Williams has announced Luke Browning as the team’s reserve driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The Grove-based squad did not previously have a reserve driver, though it theoretically could call upon Mercedes ’ third driver, Williams’ own former racer Valtteri Bottas, throughout 2025.

Max Verstappen has a new team-mate, with Frenchman Isack Hadjar making the step up having impressed in his rookie year at Racing Bulls in 2025. That has left Yuki Tsunoda without a seat for 2026, with 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad taking Hadjar's place at Racing Bulls.

Max Verstappen is reported to be the highest-paid driver in Formula 1 when bonuses are taken into account. His $76 million contract has him as the highest-paid driver, though Sportico rank him in second place behind Hamilton when it comes to the highest-earning F1 drivers of 2025.

It’s not entirely unusual for F1 drivers to take an enjoyment in motorcycles. Daniel Ricciardo, for example, was always known as a fan of bike racing and even spent time one winter with then-factory Kawasaki AMA Supercross rider Adam Cianciarulo at the test track.

Joey Logano was seen talking shop with former F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo at Ford's 2026 racing season launch. Ricciardo attended the event as the official ambassador for the brand.

McLaren have named their complete Formula One line-up for the 2026 season, including the destinations of some of their most exciting young motorsport prodigies