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Defector

Kathryn Xu

F1 cars all crowded together by the starting line

Racing

Formula 1’s Emergency Midseason Regulation Changes, Explained

Luis Paez-Pumar

Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc speaks during a press conference after the Formula One Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne's Albert Park Circuit on March 8, 2026.

New F1 Season, New Regulations, Same Old Ferrari Fuck-Up

The 2026 Formula 1 drivers pose for a photo during the F1 Photocall at Bahrain International Circuit on February 11, 2026 in Bahrain, Bahrain.

An Exquisite 2026 Formula 1 Preview For True Sophisticates

Second placed Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren (later disqualified) on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 22, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

McLaren’s Las Vegas Double DQ Has Blown The F1 Title Race Wide Open

Carlos Sainz of Spain and Williams, Alexander Albon of Thailand and Williams, Williams Team Principal James Vowles, and the Williams crew cheer for a group photo after the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on September 21, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Carlos Sainz Dragged Williams Back To The Podium

Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock prior to practice.

Red Bull Belatedly Fires Team Principal Christian Horner

Drivers take the start during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix

The F1 Season Got Off To A Very Wet And Very Wild Start

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari waves to the crowd from the stage during F1 75 Live at The O2 Arena on February 18, 2025 in London, England.

A Timely And Frankly Too Thorough 2025 Formula 1 Season Preview

Race winner Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 08, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Lando Norris Kept His Cool Until The End

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Max Verstappen celebrates his championship on the shoulders of teammates.

Max Verstappen Is Champion Once Again

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 on track leads the field after the Safety Car restart, as Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes on track runs off the track in the background during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 3, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The São Paulo Grand Prix Was A Wet And Wild Max Verstappen Masterclass

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 leads Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico

Max Verstappen Finally Punished For Driving Like Max Verstappen

Second placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing attends the Drivers Press Conference after the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 22, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore.

Formula 1 Gasps, Drops Monocle Over Max Verstappen’s F-Word

Race winner George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes sits on the ground in parc ferme after winning the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium.

How George Russell (Almost) Stole The Belgian Grand Prix

Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren F1 Team celebrates his win during the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 5, 2024 in Miami, United States.

Lando Norris Finally Did It

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 leads the field off the line at the start during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 04, 2024 in Miami, Florida.

F1’s Miami Theme Park Crushed Me With The Weight Of Wealth

Race winner Carlos Sainz of Spain and Ferrari celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Circuit on March 24, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.

Carlos Sainz Has No Appendix, No Job, And One More Race Win

Max Verstappen's Red Bull car sends off a lot of smoke.

Set Max Verstappen’s Car On Fire More Often, For Morale

David Roth

Podcasts

Art, Commerce, And Frankly Irresponsible Apple Consumption, With Kathryn Xu

Patrick Redford

Start of the race 16 Charles Leclerc of Monaco, Scuderia Ferrari, SF-23 - Ferrari, action 04 Lando Norris of United Kingdom, Mclaren Formula 1 Team, MCL60 - Mercedes, action during the Formula 1 Lenovo United States Grand Prix of FIA Formula One World Championship from 19th to 22th of October, 2023 on the Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, Texas, United States of America. (Photo by Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Journalismism

Road & Track EIC Tries To Explain Why He Deleted An Article About Formula 1 Power Dynamics

How Much Will Red Bull Racing Endure To Stand By Christian Horner?

Max Verstappen of Netherland and Oracle Red Bull Racing lift the winner trophy of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 02, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain.

New Formula 1 Season, Same Old Max Verstappen

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) during the Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada.

Formula 1’s Las Vegas Fever Dream Was An Improbable Triumph

Ferrari's Spanish driver Carlos Sainz Jr., returns to the pit after an accident during the first practice session for the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix on November 16, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Race stewards cancelled the practice after the accident to inspect the track. The session was cut short after around ten minutes due to a loose drain cover, according to FIA officials. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Las Vegas Grand Prix Is Off To A Disastrous Start

Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 collides with Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Ferrari SF-23 during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 29, 2023 in Mexico City, Mexico.