Formula 1 had a Friday marked by debates about the 2026 cars, important technical changes, and statements from Gabriel Bortoleto about his adaptation to the grid. While officials defended the new generation of the category, Alpine decided to abandon a controversial solution used at the beginning of the season.
Gabriel Bortoleto was one of the highlights of the day by stating that he feels respect from competitors on the track in his second season in Formula 1. The Brazilian from Audi emphasized that he has gained credibility on the grid and believes that the other drivers already understand his way of racing, something important in such a competitive category.
Behind the scenes technically, Alpine drew attention by giving up the controversial front wing used in the first races of 2026. The solution had been generating debates since the start of the season, but the team chose to abandon the concept after just three rounds. The decision is part of the effort to improve the car’s performance in light of the evolution presented by rivals in recent races.
Another important topic of the day involved criticism of the new generation Formula 1 cars. Several drivers have been complaining about the behavior of the 2026 models, mainly due to the power split between combustion and electric energy. Despite this, team officials defended the regulations and rebutted the criticisms made in recent weeks.
Team principals argue that the category is still in an initial period of development and adaptation to the new technical concepts. According to them, much of the problems pointed out by the drivers tend to decrease as teams better understand the cars and advance in update packages throughout the season.
With the Canadian GP approaching, the atmosphere in Formula 1 continues to be one of intense technical evolution. Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren are working on new packages for Montreal, while midfield teams try to find quick solutions to keep up with the pace of the 2026 competition.
