F1 LIVE | Piastri calls for F1 2026 reform, Red Bull performing 'way beyond' expectations

Pre-season testing is over for now in Bahrain, but there is still plenty to discuss after the first three days in Sakhir. Follow GPblog's daily liveblog to keep up to date with all the latest and breaking news!

Red Bull knows how to 'make Verstappen happy' amid heavy criticism of 2026 F1 cars

Max Verstappen was especially critical of the new regulations at the pre-season test in Bahrain. The Dutchman said that the new Formula 1 cars are like 'Formula E on steroids', and fears some Grands Prix will end up being strange in 2026.

Reacting to the four-time champion's words, Pierre Waché said: "It is not my goal to make him happy [about the regulations]. It's to make him happy by winning races. My job and the job of the team at my level are to make sure that we give him the tools so that he's able to compete at the front."

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella - Photo: Race Pictures

Meanwhile, McLaren team boss Andrea Stella believes changes have to be made ahead of the first race of the season in three key areas: race start procedures, overtaking, and the risk of collisions caused by lifting and coasting. He added: "I think a compromise is possible and I think it is the job of the F1 Commission that we have next week to make sure that this is achieved."

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