Overview
- Formula 1 begins a wholesale technical reset with simultaneous chassis and power‑unit changes, a new overtake mode replacing DRS, greater energy management demands, and 100% advanced sustainable fuel.
- The FIA says safety and wellbeing will guide decisions as it closely monitors April’s races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia for security risks.
- With Middle East airspace closures disrupting travel, F1 chartered and rescheduled flights to deliver essential personnel to Melbourne in time for Friday practice.
- A dispute over engine compression measurement prompted a rule clarification to check 16:1 compression hot and cold, but enforcement starts June 1, potentially giving Mercedes-powered teams an early-season edge.
- Aston Martin’s Honda-related reliability problems could curtail running in Melbourne, while new team Cadillac debuts with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, who will serve a five-place grid penalty at the opener.