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Last Updated on April 26 2026, 3:10 pm Four-time world champion Max Verstappen is experiencing one of the most challenging phases of his Formula 1 career, sitting ninth in the championship standings and struggling to adapt to the new technical regulations. While his on-track performance has declined, the Dutchman has found an outlet away from F1 by driving GT3 cars at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Former F1 driver David Coulthard has explained that these activities are only possible due to a specific clause in Verstappen’s contract. Difficult start to the 2026 season for Verstappen Since the introduction of the 2026 regulations, Verstappen has struggled to deliver consistent performances. The Red Bull driver, accustomed to competing at the top level, has found himself far from the title battle and is currently ninth in the standings. According to reports, his frustration with the new era of Formula 1 has become increasingly apparent. He has even suggested that he may step away from the sport at the end of the season, as reported previously by De Telegraaf. While no decision has been made, the uncertainty surrounding his long-term future is a popular topic of conversation in the paddock. Nordschleife GT3 drive offers Verstappen a reset Away from Formula 1, Verstappen has turned to endurance-style racing to clear his head. Most notably, he took part in GT3 testing at the legendary Nordschleife circuit, widely regarded as one of the most challenging in the world. The Dutchman has spoken positively about the experience, saying: ‘The Nürburgring is a special place. There’s no other circuit like it. The Nürburgring 24 Hours race has been on my bucket list for a long time, so I’m thrilled that we can finally make it happen.’ This appearance highlights his long-standing interest in racing disciplines outside of Formula 1, particularly endurance
Last Updated on April 26 2026, 8:54 am Vermeulen recalls tense Verstappen negotiations and a key turning point – Vermeulen, Max Verstappen’s manager, reveals a behind-the-scenes moment from Max Verstappen’s early contract negotiations, recalling how Jos Verstappen once kicked him under the table for pushing too hard on financial terms. The long-time manager used this anecdote to illustrate how dramatically the stakes have grown, with Verstappen now commanding contracts worth hundreds of millions of euros as one of Formula 1’s biggest stars. From karting prospect to global superstar Vermeulen has been involved with the Verstappens since the mid-1990s, initially working with Jos before later managing Max’s career. Reflecting on the journey, Vermeulen pointed to the signing of Verstappen’s first Formula 1 contract nearly 12 years ago as a defining milestone. Finalised after a meeting in Düsseldorf with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, that agreement marked the beginning of a rapid rise. According to Vermeulen, the transformation from promising karting talent to global superstar happened at remarkable speed. He described the progression as something that “went like a rocket”, emphasising how quickly Verstappen established himself at the top of the sport. “A kick under the table” during negotiations Verstappen is now on his seventh Formula 1 contract, with each deal bringing increasingly complex clauses, longer durations and significantly higher salaries. Reports estimate his current earnings at around €60–65 million per year, with total contract values reaching into the hundreds of millions. Vermeulen admitted that he was fully aware of Verstappen’s value from the outset and negotiated accordingly. However, that approach once led to a tense — albeit humorous — moment. During one negotiation, Jos Verstappen physically intervened under the table to signal that the demands might be too ambitious. Vermeulen recalled that the incident later became a source of laughter, especially
Experience the excitement of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix at F1 Arcade Philadelphia’s official watch party on Sunday, May 3. Doors open at 3:00 PM, with the race beginning at 4:00 PM. Guests can enjoy a high-energy atmosphere featuring live race coverage, immersive racing simulators, themed cocktails, and live DJ entertainment. Open sim racing will be available from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The event offers multiple ticket options, including a Grandstand experience with reserved seating, unlimited small bites, and drink tokens, or general admission with access to entertainment and racing simulators. Seating for general admission is first-come, first-served. Whether you're a dedicated Formula 1 fan or looking for a unique watch party experience, F1 Arcade brings the energy of Miami to Philadelphia for an unforgettable race day.
About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket © 2026 Google LLC
About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket © 2026 Google LLC
About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket © 2026 Google LLC
Wheels are just about one of the most important parts of a car’s appearance, and often one of the first things buyers will change. This has led wheel manufacturers to not only create evergreen designs which stand the test of time on almost any vehicle, but also draw up new creations to best suit cars in the moment. For Italy’s OZ Racing, its latest release is a combination of the two, after it launched the new ‘Rally Racing TGR-WRT’ design. The Rally Racing wheel has been around for 40 years now, and was perhaps most synonymous with Group A-era rally cars, at about the same time that Speedline was also in the scene. As you may have guessed, the ‘TGR-WRT’ moniker refers to the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, which has won the driver’s championship in every year since 2019 (bar 2024), and the manufacturer’s title consecutively since 2021. Made for Toyota’s GR road cars – fitting the GR Yaris upon which the WRC contender is based, as well as the GR Corolla and GR86 – the wheels are available in a set of 17-, 18-, or 19-inch. Wheels adopt the classic Rally Racing design, but have the GR logo and TGR-WRT names added to it. On top of this, the centre cap is made from carbon fibre, further linking it to Toyota’s racing activities. Available in matte black or matte graphite with silver lettering, and race white with red lettering, the special edition wheels join OZ Racing’s catalogue of Toyota-affiliated rims, having already launched a TGR-WRT version of the Superturismo in a wider range of sizes. Discussion about this post
CULT HEROES: Pastor Maldonado on taking ‘all the risks necessary’, his Spanish GP victory and ‘very special’ fan following In the first of our Cult Heroes features, F1.com chats to Pastor Maldonado about his time in the sport, his determined driving style and his popularity with fans. Over the years, a select group of Formula 1 drivers have left their mark on the sport by becoming something of a cult hero. The reasons for earning such a tag can vary; perhaps they pulled off an against-the-odds result, had a driving style that made them a hit with fans, or coupled their on-track exploits with a memorable personality off it. One name that has frequently been attached to the label – and ticks all of the above boxes – is Pastor Maldonado. While he only competed in the sport for five seasons, the Venezuelan remains a popular figure amongst fans thanks to his determined approach to racing and an unforgettable underdog victory. In the first of our Cult Heroes features, F1.com chats to Maldonado about his time in Formula 1, the roots of his passionate driving style, and how it feels to still be a cult hero to fans – both old and new – more than 10 years after his last race… Arriving in F1 after a ‘very tough’ early career “I think the most valuable thing is the people surrounding Formula 1, from the fans to the team principals and drivers, but also all the team members,” says Pastor Maldonado as he reflects on how current-day F1 compares to his own stint in the sport. “When the teams are looking for mechanics, technicians, engineers, they are the best, and the best not only in terms of quality but in terms of passion, because what runs Formula 1 is the
About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket © 2026 Google LLC
About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket © 2026 Google LLC
About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket © 2026 Google LLC
About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket © 2026 Google LLC
Hyrox Donegal Sim 2.0 is a large-scale fitness racing event taking place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2026, at the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny. This is the second edition of the event following a hugely successful debut in December, and it’s set to be even bigger — with over 500 athletes expected along with a strong spectator turnout across the two days. The event is designed to replicate the global HYROX race format, combining running with functional fitness stations in a purpose-built race environment. Athletes will move between a running track and an indoor arena, taking on a series of challenging workouts. Event formats include: • Saturday: Solo and Doubles races • Sunday: Half Solo, Half Doubles, and Relays A major highlight of the weekend is the appearance of world champion HYROX athletes Tom and Dena Hogan, who will be competing in the Mixed Doubles race. There is also a €500 cash prize available for any pair who can beat their time. The event is open to all fitness levels, from first-timers to experienced competitors, with different race divisions to suit varying abilities. Also taking place on Sunday afternoon is HYROX Donegal YOUNGSTARS, a dedicated event for boys and girls aged 8–15. This is a modified, age-appropriate version of the race, designed to introduce younger athletes to fitness racing in a fun and supportive environment. All participants will receive a finisher patch and event t-shirt, with podium prizes awarded across categories. The weekend will also feature a high-energy atmosphere with a live DJ, MC Keith Fletcher, vendors, and a strong community feel, making it as much a spectator event as it is a competition. Entries are open now but closing soon, and this is expected to be one of the biggest fitness
Sushi racing sim Wabisabi SushiDerby locks in a release date, new trailer Publisher Kodansha Game Lab and developer Itamae Studio have announced a release date for Wabisabi SushiDerby. The title is officially slated to release for Nintendo Switch on July 15, 2026. Wabisabi SushiDerby is said to be the world’s first-ever sushi racing simulation title. Players will raise pixelated sushi to race around the sushi restaurant, and there are multiple types to choose from, each with their own powerups. You can read more information on the title below: “If you want to become a top-tier sushi chef, you have to win the Sushi Derby.” As a sushi chef apprentice, you’ll make sushi, train it , and compete in races. Win races, use the prize money to make even faster sushi and train harder, aiming for victory in the ultimate “S1” Cup! If eaten, it’s lost immediately. No matter how painstakingly crafted the sushi may be, once eaten, it’s an instant defeat. It heads straight for the customer’s stomach and never comes back.Source high-quality sushi toppings, prepare the better sushi, and send it out to the race. Each sushi topping has different performance characteristics. How well you’ve mastered making that particular topping also affects its performance. Use training to perfect your ideal sushi. However, since sushi is a perishable item, its performance degrades after each race.Timing is crucial for boosting. During the race, all you can do is “cheer on” the sushi to boost it. You can escape chopsticks by using boost, but the sushi race isn’t that easy—you won’t win just by doing that. Sometimes you’ll need to take risks and use boost to overtake rivals.Variety-rich sushi toppings！ Some sushi toppings possess unique skills. For example, Flounder can dive to dodge chopsticks in an emergency without using boost, while Sea
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I’ve accidentally drilled a hole in my desk with Logitech’s RS H-Shifter, but it’s given me a new appreciation for slamming up the gears NYYYYYYYYOOOOOOMMM, clunk, NYYYYYOOOOOOMM I’m sitting in the pit lane at Donington Park circuit. My car’s a 1992 Mercedes 190E Evo 2, a blocky German touring car ideal for close-quarters racing. I’m hoping I’ll be able to get it into first gear. You see, while the new Logitech RS H-pattern gear shifter I’ve been testing out has proven easy to set up with 99% of my racing library, introducing it to Raceroom Racing Experience has proven a bit more eventful. That’s not the shifter’s fault. Raceroom, the quirky rain-free and slightly aged bloke that it is, is being a bit eccentric. Most PC racing games are designed to let you drive any of their cars with whatever mishmash of compatible hardware you’ve got - controllers, wheels, keyboards, full rigs that take up half a room. You can bind anything to any button, and be merrily shifting away with flappy paddles in Euro Truck Simulator as you watch your avatar do the same with the proper gear stick that actual trucks have. Raceroom, by default, has no such patience for your whims. Its cars permit three types of gear shifting. One, paddle shifting, which requires flicking the plastic or metal triggers found on most racing wheels; one paddle goes up through the gears one by one in order and the other goes back down. Two, sequential shifting, which goes up and down through the gears in order as paddle shifting does, but can use a gear stick that just moves directly forward and back to do it rather than wheel triggers. And three, there’s the most old school, and the one your road car likely uses if it’s
All the free F1 team events happening for the Miami GP As Miami prepares to host its fifth Formula 1 Grand Prix, the city is once again set to become a week-long playground for fans. Across the build-up, several F1 teams will host a series of free-to-access fan events, transforming Miami into the ultimate motorsport hub. The Race Extra has pulled together a guide to all the free team-run activations across the city, so you can get involved in the build-up to the 2026 Miami Grand Prix. While all of the events are free to attend, some do require pre-registration in advance. Aston Martin The event: Celsius x Aston Martin Run Challenge When: Wednesday, April 29 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm Where: Pier 5, 401 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami What's happening: Celsius and Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team are taking over Pier 5 for a high-energy 5K run through Bayfront and downtown. There will also be a live DJ set by special guest Sidequest, an Aston Martin Aramco F1 Replica Car on display, racing simulators, free lite bites + Celsius and exclusive co-branded swag on offer. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celsius-x-aston-martin-aramco-f1-team-miami-run-challenge-tickets-1986552802910?aff=ebdssbdestsearch Audi The event: Audi Revolut F1 Miami Activation When: Thursday, 29 April - Sunday, 3 May 2026 Opening hours: Thursday: 12pm – 9pm, Friday: 12pm – 10pm, Saturday: 11pm – 9pm, Sunday: 12pm- 10pm Where: MAPS Backlot, Wynwood What's happening: An immersive brand experience featuring appearances from Gabriel Bortoleto (Thursday evening) and Head of Audi F1 Project Mattia Binotto (Friday evening), live screenings of all on-track F1 sessions (practice, qualifying, race), racing simulators, 180° immersive spatial film experience with Apple Vision Pro, Gillette barber corner, Daily sunset DJ sessions and a large-scale mural by Miami artist Hoxxoh. Register here: https://www.audif1.com/en/app/miami-activation-map-sign-up The event: Audi x Rosetta Bakery Takeover When: Saturday, April 25th – Sunday,
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NASCAR Next: 23XI racer Corey Heim on a day's work, Tyler Reddick's weight-room prowess - Corey Heim is a developmental driver for the 23XI Racing team, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. - Heim balances his part-time racing schedule with simulator work, physical training, and personal hobbies like fishing and golf. On the progression track, Corey Heim appears to have slipped the rail. Last year, his fourth consecutive successful year in NASCAR’s Truck Series, was the most dominant season in that series’ 31-year history. His 12 wins were an all-time single season high, and the 12th, in the season finale, won him the championship. Several months later, he was out of a full-time job. But only on paper. “I just tell people it’s all part of the process,” the 24-year-old Georgia native says. Preorder our Dale Earnhardt book hereHeim is officially part of the 23XI team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin — he’s what the modern racing industry calls a “developmental driver.” His 2026 schedule includes a dozen Cup Series races in a fourth 23XI car, where he’s teammates with Riley Herbst, Bubba Wallace and this year’s dominating driver so far, Tyler Reddick. He had seven Cup starts over the 2024-25 seasons. He’s also making at least six starts (or more, depending on sponsorship opportunities) for a fellow Toyota team in the Truck Series, David Gilliland’s Tricon Garage, with whom he’s raced the past three years after two part-time seasons with Kyle Busch’s truck team. He’s already run four of those truck races on his 2026 schedule, and resorting to form, he won two of them. He’s also made two of his 12 Cup starts, with finishes of 15th last week at Kansas and 28th at the season-opening Daytona 500, where he led eight laps. Heim grew