Nov 14, 2025 | Formula 1
What will change for the bolides?
The FIA is introducing a new rule for 2026. Teams must now cover at least 55% of the car's surface with paint or stickers. That 55% applies when looking at the car from the side and top. Large bare surfaces with visible carbon are no longer allowed. The aim is simple: to make the cars more distinct from each other and make the field more visually interesting.
Why this measure?
Teams often used bare carbon in recent years. That saves weight. And saving weight is important. For the new rulebook, the minimum weight of cars will be reduced next year. As a result, some teams tried to make even more extreme weight savings. The new colour rule should put a brake on that, ensuring more appearance on the grid.
Other topics discussed
Rider numbers
The committee talked about fixed driver numbers, a system that has been in place since 2014. There is now agreement that drivers will be allowed to change numbers during their careers. The exact terms have yet to be worked out.
Aerodynamic test restrictions (ATR)
The ATR determines how many wind tunnel and CFD tests a team is allowed to do. Those limits depend on the position in the previous season's constructors' championship. The rules are being revised. The aim is to adapt F1 to modern processing and simulation, but without driving costs out of control.
Pit stop obligation and cooling systems
It was briefly discussed whether there should be a mandatory strategy with two pit stops. No decision was taken. This topic will be addressed again next year. Ideas for redesigning driver cooling systems were also brought in. These will be investigated further.
Motor usage and cost cap
No decision was taken on ambiguity around engine changes and the cost cap. One team had asked for clarification after a race where an engine was replaced. They want to know whether engine changes that lead to performance gains are within the cost ceiling. This point was not discussed now.
Key points at a glance
- From 2026, at least 55% of the bodywork must be painted or stickered.
- Goal: better visual recognition between cars.
- Rule stems partly from concerns about weight saving via bare carbon.
- Drivers may be allowed to change their permanent number during their career.
- ATR rules are adapted to modern simulation techniques, with cost monitoring.
- Mandatory two pit stops were discussed but not introduced; continuation in 2026.
The new rules show that regulation is not only about performance, but also about presentation and fairness. More details will follow after further elaboration and official publications.
Nov 14, 2025 | DTM
Why HWA's departure is so big
After decades of cooperation, Mercedes-AMG will stop working with HWA at the end of November. HWA had been a regular partner for the GT3 programme since 2010 and looked after large parts of customer racing, in addition to other racing activities outside Formula 1 and Formula E. The departure leaves a significant gap: parts, overhauls and support for hundreds of racing machines have to be taken over.
Mercedes-AMG has been building up its own Affalterbach Racing GmbH as a 100% subsidiary since 2024. That new organisation should not only take over after-sales and revisions from 2026, but also take care of the development and construction of Mercedes-AMG's new GT3 model. That is a hefty task, especially now that Michael Schiebe, AMG's chief performance officer, is also leaving the company without a visible successor.
Practical bottlenecks and planning
According to insiders, the transition is not running smoothly. More than 100 people now work at Affalterbach Racing GmbH, plus hired parties. Yet they are said to have initially reckoned with fewer staff. Mercedes-DSport chief Christoph Sagemüller says the build-up is going according to plan and that the team consists mainly of experienced motorsport staff.
Important logistical tasks are still on the agenda. Tens of thousands of parts need to be inventoried and moved. Thomas Jäger, responsible for DTM within Mercedes-AMG, cites numbers of probably 14,000 to 15,000 part numbers. Teams have been informed in advance to secure supplies so that the operation of some 300 AMG customer cars does not grind to a halt.
Facilities are partly temporarily arranged for the time being. Affalterbach Racing officially has about 2,000 m² of workshop space and 600 m² of office space, but much of the work is taking place for the time being in Untertürkheim, about 20 km from Affalterbach. The new parts warehouse is planned in Magstadt (about 25 km from Untertürkheim and 40 km from Affalterbach). According to Jäger, systems should be running smoothly again around the European season start; transitional logistics such as HWA's parts LKWs should help ensure that.
HWA may remain involved
Not everything has been definitively cut off. For engine overhauls, Affalterbach Racing says they will be carried out directly at Mercedes-AMG. For gear overhauls, the new organisation is still looking for an external service provider. HWA is mentioned as a possible partner in this regard, despite the formal end of the partnership.
HWA managing director Martin Marx says his company regrets that customer sports work for AMG is ending. At the same time, HWA is making itself available as a partner and service provider for support work. This leaves the door open for cooperation where it proves useful.
- HWA handled many AMG customer sports activities since 2010.
- Affalterbach Racing GmbH was built up as a 100% subsidiary of Mercedes-AMG from 2024.
- More than 100 employees are now active at the new organisation.
- Around 14,000-15,000 item numbers need to be inventoried and transferred.
- Stock and service locations: provisionally in Untertürkheim; warehouse planned in Magstadt.
The transition is therefore a logistical and organisational challenge, but Mercedes-AMG stresses that the pace and quality of customer support must be maintained. Whether Affalterbach Racing GmbH can live up to that in time remains exciting - with both risks and opportunities for the coming seasons.
Nov 14, 2025 | MotoGP
Friday training in Valencia
Pedro Acosta recorded the fastest time in Friday afternoon's MotoGP practice session at the Circuit de Valencia Ricardo Tormo. He set a strong time and stayed ahead of the rest. The session went smoothly, with many riders testing and fine-tuning.
Top five and standouts
Besides Acosta, several names made their mark. Marco Bezzecchi came second, followed by Franco Morbidelli. Alex Marquez and Ai Ogura completed the top five. The differences were small; riders trying to match their race pace and tyre choice to the conditions.
- Pedro Acosta (KTM factory)
- Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing)
- Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
- Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP)
- Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team)
Acosta set the tone at Valencia; a promising start to the weekend.
Nov 13, 2025 | MotoGP
Valencia puts final battle
After a two-year absence, MotoGP returns to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo. The stadium is sold out and all the drama of the season gets its final chapter this weekend. Six different winners in a row: will Valencia become the seventh name on that list? The stakes are high: the battle for bronze in the championship, some more shuffling in the standings and important points for the concession system.
Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) has ridden such a strong season that he is already almost certain of second place. This allows him to ride purely for wins at Valencia. If he finishes just ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Acosta will be out of the battle for third place. Both riders are likely to compete in the battles for the win this weekend.
The battle for bronze and seventh winner
The real battle for bronze is now between Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). Bezzecchi increased his lead with a strong win in Portugal, taking a big step towards that third spot. With that win and the victory in Australia with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), Aprilia experienced the best MotoGP season in the brand's history.
Who will be the seventh different winner in a row? Names like Marc Marquez, Bagnaia, Fermin Aldeguer, Raul Fernandez, Alex Marquez and Bezzecchi are in the hat. Pedro Acosta is still looking for his first win and seems the most logical candidate. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) is also in the picture: consistent and fast over one lap, although Yamaha needs to find something to do with top speed at this circuit. With a field like this, anything is possible.
- Lots of battles: victory, podium and championship places
- Concessions: Honda can move from Rank D to C with 9 points
- Testing on Tuesday: focus on 2026 and beyond
Concessions: Honda under pressure
Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) seemed to just get going until Portimao, but technical failure pulled him back. Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) did pick up ten points and together Mir, Zarco and Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) have often shown they can score a lot. Honda needs just nine more points to move from Rank D to Rank C. That's good news for progress, but it could also mean they lose advantages if they fall just short. For rookie Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda LCR), the priority is likely to be experience and taking home some more points.
Last duels and returning names
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) is sixth in the championship and can still attack the top five. His teammate Franco Morbidelli lost ground last round and is close. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) can never be eliminated; both have shown before that they can suddenly shine.
Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) returns after his injury and wants to finish the season well. Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) hopes to end his chapter in MotoGP with dignity. Jack Miller wants to finish with a top ten, his first since Brno this season.
On the test bench for Tuesday are Quartararo, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Toprak Razgatlioglu and the Yamaha teammates. Augusto Fernandez gets a wildcard on the V4-powered YZR-M1. Nicolo Bulega provisionally takes over Marc Marquez's seat at Ducati Lenovo Team, also with a view to his role as a test rider towards 2027. Exciting times, then, and it all starts this weekend in Valencia.
A final like no other.
Moto2: Moreira versus Gonzalez
In Moto2, it's all about one thing: the title. Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) and Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) face each other with one lap to go. Moreira has the best starting position. With a 24-point lead, a top-14 finish on Sunday is enough for him.
Gonzalez needs to win to still have a chance. He is under pressure: no podium since Hungary and no win since Mugello. For Moreira, since his double failure in Germany and the Czech Republic, he has almost always finished inside the top five, with the exception of that P14 in Barcelona. Tension is at a maximum.
Behind the leaders, the battle for spot three remains interesting. Barry Baltus leads Fantic colleague Aron Canet by six points, while Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) is still in his sights before running his final Moto2 race.
Moto3: battle for silver and home heroes
In Moto3, it's all about silver. Angel Piqueras (FRINSA - MT Helmets - MSI) and Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) will decide who settles behind world champion Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Quiles has already won three times this season, earning the Rookie of the Year title. Piqueras bids farewell to Moto3 and aims to deliver a fine final act in his own country.
The points standings are tight: Piqueras is five points ahead, Quiles is eight points behind. With David Muñoz still injured, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) are in position to secure P4 and P5 if they score well in Valencia. For top Honda, there is a battle between Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing); two points separate them.
FIM MotoMini World Final in Valencia
For the first time, the FIM MotoMini World Series appears in its new Road to MotoGP structure. The World Final will be run on Thursday morning, offering young riders opportunities to advance towards the world championship. Watch the livestreams and follow the new talents potentially making their way to MotoGP.
Tune in this weekend for the Motul Grand Prix of the Valencian Community. One final round, lots of stakes and a season getting its closing page. We'll see you at the circuit.
Nov 13, 2025 | DTM
What's going on at Mercedes-AMG?
Mercedes-AMG is also on the starting list in the DTM in 2026. Yet it is unclear how many cars the marque will run with. In 2025, Lucas Auer led the championship for a long time. In the end, Auer and Maro Engel finished second and third respectively in the standings.
Sporting director Thomas Jäger said after the season at Hockenheim that Mercedes-AMG needs to regroup first. He expressed his hope that the brand will appear at the start with at least two cars. With that, the focus seems to be on the two Winward-Mercedes for now.
Status of the Landgrave team
The Landgraf team returned to the DTM in 2025 after a year's absence and immediately booked its two AMG victories of the season with Lucas Auer. Yet the team's future has not been definitively decided. According to sources, the Gensingen-based team has a multi-year contract with Mercedes-AMG, but that contract contains an option to be honoured by both parties.
That option does not seem to have been activated yet. Team boss Klaus Landgraf kept quiet shortly after the season, but did not sound disheartened. He praised his team and called its performance impressive. Landgraf said he wanted to spend time with his family, but did not leave the door closed for a continuation in the DTM.
What does this mean for the riders and 2026?
If Landgraf stays, it is obvious that drivers like Lucas Auer, Maro Engel and Jules Gounon will reappear in AMG cars. Junior pilot Tom Kalender also impressed at the season finale in Hockenheim and could support a place.
Winward is reportedly confirmed for 2026. Should Landgraf stay away, Mercedes-AMG would possibly enter the series with a smaller programme. Which one is eventually chosen depends on contract decisions, budget and Mercedes-AMG's strategic choices.
- Mercedes-AMG wants to run at least two DTM cars in 2026.
- Winward is set for 2026, according to information.
- The Landgraf team has a multi-year contract with a mutual option that has not yet been activated.
- Key drivers include Lucas Auer, Maro Engel, Jules Gounon and Tom Kalender.
- The season finale in Hockenheim played a part in the considerations.
To sum up: Mercedes-AMG will remain in the DTM, but the exact size of the programme for 2026 is not yet certain. A final decision on the Landgrave team is expected in the coming months.
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