Formula 1 had a busy Thursday off the category’s traditional tracks. Max Verstappen drew attention at Nürburgring, Rafael Câmara experienced a special moment in his career, and the FIA advanced preparations for the new 2026 engine regulations.
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The main highlight of the day was Verstappen. The four-time world champion showed speed right in the first activities for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and made it clear that the goal is to fight for victory in the traditional German race. The Dutchman also returned to the spotlight after Otmar Szafnauer stated that the driver could even temporarily leave Formula 1 if the category does not return to V8 engines in the future.
Meanwhile, Brazil had a special reason to celebrate. Rafael Câmara drove a Formula 1 car for the first time in a private test held in Hungary. The young Brazilian continues to rise after good results in the junior categories and took another important step towards the dream of reaching the grid of the top category.
Read more Rafael Câmara drives F1 for the first time in a private test in Hungary
Behind the scenes technically, the FIA officially set when the first evaluation of the ADUO will take place, a system created to help power unit manufacturers who are at a disadvantage under the new 2026 regulations. The mechanism is being treated as a kind of protection to avoid extreme performance differences between engines already in the first year of the category’s new era.
Red Bull also appeared among the most talked-about topics of the day. The team confirmed that it is seeking to resolve a failure considered critical in the car’s development with the arrival of a new wind tunnel. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly completed more than 900 kilometers in Pirelli tests, helping in the development of the tires that will be used in the future by Formula 1.
