Hamilton Declares “Phone in the Bin” as F1 Bids Farewell to Renault Engines and DRS Amid 2026 Launch Plans

Lewis Hamilton concluded a challenging first season with Ferrari at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he finished sixth in the championship, marking his worst career finish. The race also signaled the end of Renault engines in Formula 1, the Sauber name, and the Drag Reduction System (DRS) as the sport prepares for the 2026 season.

Hamilton to “throw phone in the bin”

Hamilton’s season ended with a recovery from 16th on the grid to eighth, utilizing a two-stop strategy. He finished 86 points behind his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, and did not secure a podium throughout the season. Reflecting on his off-season plans, Hamilton expressed a desire to disconnect completely, stating, “At the moment I’m only looking forward to the break. Just disconnecting, not speaking to anyone. No one will be able to get in touch with me this winter. I won’t have my phone with me and I’m looking forward to that. Completely unplug from the matrix.” He emphasized that this time, his phone would be “going in the freaking bin.”

Despite the disappointing season, Hamilton remains committed to competing for top honors with Ferrari but acknowledges the necessity of a break.

Drivers not unhappy to say goodbye to regulations

The 2022-25 era of ground effect cars has concluded, and many drivers have expressed relief. While the cars provided closer racing, the stiffness required for performance led to significant discomfort and bouncing. Hamilton remarked, “There’s not a single thing I’ll miss about these cars, simple as that.” Other drivers, including George Russell and Fernando Alonso, also shared their dissatisfaction with the outgoing regulations.

Haas rookie Ollie Bearman highlighted the physical toll of the cars, stating, “The stiffness you have to run to achieve performance means you’re getting out of the car and you can’t sleep at night as your back is hurting that much.” He hopes the next generation of cars will offer more comfort.

Mekies hopes Tsunoda gets another chance

Yuki Tsunoda has concluded his time in Formula 1, becoming the only driver from the 2025 season not to secure a spot on the 2026 grid after being replaced at Red Bull. However, he retains a role as the team’s test and reserve driver, aiming for a return to racing. Red Bull’s sporting director, Laurent Mekies, acknowledged the difficult decisions made regarding Tsunoda’s future but expressed confidence in his potential for another opportunity.

Tsunoda reflected on his time at Red Bull, stating he has no regrets but expressed frustration over not being able to drive the VCARB-02 for more than two races. He described the situation as akin to “throwing away your kids,” emphasizing his connection to the car he helped develop.

Hulk’s 250 not out

Nico Hulkenberg celebrated a significant milestone at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, becoming the 13th driver to reach 250 races. The Sauber driver, who secured his first podium at Silverstone this year, marked the occasion with a special helmet. He expressed satisfaction with his career, stating, “It’s a nice milestone, nice achievement, I’m happy to be still around, living the dream and enjoying myself.” Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso reached 425 races.

A handful of farewells

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked several farewells in Formula 1. It was the last race for Renault engines, as Alpine prepares to partner with Mercedes for the 2026 season. Additionally, Red Bull’s partnership with Honda, which began in 2019, concluded as Honda transitions to Aston Martin.

The race also signified the end of the Sauber name in Formula 1, which first appeared in 1993. Sauber will evolve into Audi’s works team in 2026, officially named the Revolut Audi F1 Team. Team founder Peter Sauber, now 82, attended the farewell celebrations.

Moreover, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the final event featuring the Drag Reduction System, as Formula 1 shifts to moveable aero regulations in 2026.

Ferrari’s pit stop victory

Despite a challenging season, Ferrari achieved a notable success by winning the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Trophy. The team’s pit crew was consistently the quickest throughout the season, ending Red Bull’s seven-year reign as the top crew. However, McLaren recorded the fastest overall pit stop in 2025, with Oscar Piastri’s service completed in just 1.91 seconds at Monza.

Aston Martin gets unusual fine

Aston Martin received a €50,000 fine, of which €30,000 is suspended, due to its drivers’ absence from a fan stage event. Drivers are required to participate in fan forums during race weekends, but both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll missed the session. Stewards emphasized the importance of fan engagement, stating that many had waited for hours to see the drivers. The fine’s proceeds are recommended to support initiatives encouraging fan involvement in motorsport.

The suspension of part of the fine was attributed to Aston Martin’s efforts to reschedule the fan appearance and provide signed merchandise to fans.

Crawford seals F2 runner-up spot

In Formula 2, it was an unusual final weekend in Abu Dhabi, with many frontrunners underperforming. American driver Crawford was the only top-four contender to score points, securing the runner-up position in the championship. This marks the highest finish by an American in Formula 1’s feeder series in a decade, mirroring Alexander Rossi’s runner-up finish in 2015. Crawford will now focus on his test and reserve duties with Aston Martin as he prepares for the 2026 season.

Williams adds 16-year-old to F1 Academy

Williams has announced the addition of 16-year-old Jade Jacquet to its F1 Academy lineup for 2026. The team is finalizing its roster as several drivers transition after reaching the two-season limit. Jacquet expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “The team has been very welcoming and I’m looking forward to working with them to learn as much as I can throughout my debut season.”

2026 launch plans taking shape

As the 2025 season concludes, teams are already outlining their launch plans for the 2026 campaign. Red Bull has confirmed a season launch in Detroit on January 15 to celebrate its partnership with Ford. Alpine will hold its launch in Barcelona on January 23, followed by Aston Martin’s unveiling of the AMR26 on February 9. Teams will conduct private testing in Barcelona from January 26 to 30, with official preseason testing scheduled for February 11-13 and February 18-20 in Bahrain, leading up to the opening race in Australia on March 8.

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Published on 2025-12-08 12:00:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk